Nigeria National News Today 18th January 2019

iDONSABI presents the national news in Nigeria today 18th January 2019. Some important occurrences, including the matters surrounding the minimum wage bill, and America’s stance on the war between the Executive and the Judiciary arm of Government

Why I Kept Mum Over Ganduje’s Viral Bribery Video ― Buhari

The President and Commander of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has said he kept quiet over the viral bribery video of the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, where he was shown receiving a bribe from contractors executing projects in the State because it was being handled at the State level.

President Buhari said that since the issue was not only being addressed at the State House of Assembly, but also at the Court, that there was no need for interference or comment.

Buhari said “The State Assembly has taken it and they have gone to court so I decided that I will not talk about it and I know that the state assembly constitutionally could have dealt with it.”

“I am honestly completely overwhelmed, but the system has given me some relief, it is in the court, it is in the State assembly so let them as much as possible deal with it.”


Buhari Appoints Dr Isegbe DG, NAQS

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr. Vincent Isegbe as the pioneer Director General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS).

The appointment is for an initial period of five (5) years. Until this appointment, Dr. Vincent Isegbe was the Coordinating Director of NAQS.

NAQS was established to promote and regulate sanitary and phytosanitary measures with respect to the export and import of plants, veterinary and aquatic resources.


Tambuwal Begins Door To Door Campaign

A new voluntary group has emerged to campaign for all the candidates of People’s Democratic Party in Sokoto State.

Alhaji Yusuf Dingyadi, the Chairman of Sokoto State Door-to-Door Mobilisation Vanguard (H2H) sakd the group has begun the door-to-door Mobilisation campaign for the re-election of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state, and other candidates of the party in the state.

According to Dingyadi, “over 6000 volunteers across the state are expected to participate in the four weeks of mobilisation and public enlightenment exercise meant to attract support for the party, particularly on the governor Tambuwal across the 23 local government areas of the state.”


Buhari Arrives Very Late For Campaign In Edo

After the residents of Edo State had waited for long, President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for next month’s election, finally showed up in the Edo state capital of Benin for a rally at 5.20 pm.

Buhari’s late coming for the campaign rally which was billed to start at 11 a.m, had the residents hungrily waiting for over six hours.

President Buhari attended the rally in the presence of host Governor Godwiin Obaseki, his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, APC national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, the South-South Director General of the Presidential Campaign Organization, Mr. Rotimi Amechi and some key officials.


Man Condemned To Die By Hanging In Osun State

An Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo, has sentenced a middle age man, Sunday Palms, to death by hanging for murder.

The convict was arraigned on December 8, 2014, on one count charge of murder, a punishable offence under the law.

According to the charge sheet, the offence was contrary to section 316 and punishable under section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 24, Vol 11, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

The prosecution informed the court that the convict committed the offence on August 20, 2006, when he killed one Isiaka Rafiu, a motorcyclist.

In his confessional statement, the convict admitted killing deceased, saying “I saw the boy riding Okada. I stopped him to carry me to the farm along Gbongan road, Ikire. On getting to the farm, I asked him to stop. Before leaving my house, I carried a knife and kept inside a poly bag, later I fell him down and I brought my knife and cut his neck. After I saw him dead, I left him and went away with his motorcycle”.


2019 Elections: Don’t Intimidate Judiciary, US Tells FG

Ahead of next month’s general elections, a delegation of the European Union on Wednesday visited the national headquarter of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to seek for the update on the forthcoming exercise from the electoral umpire.

Leading the delegation was the EU Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Ketil Karlsen. Other members of the delegation were Charge D Affairs United States of America Embassy in Nigeria, David Young; British Commissioner in Nigeria, Catriona Laing and Germany Head of Mission in Nigeria, Regine Hess.

The United States Ambassador pleaded for the autonomy of all arms of government in Nigeria as he noted that Nigeria runs three tiers of government.

In an apparent reference to the growing fear of emasculation of the judiciary, Ambassador Karlsen stated in clear terms that it ” is critically important that the executive does not interfere in the role of the judges and the judiciary. And it important that judiciary is safeguarded and respected.”


Shake-Up In FRSC: 68 Officers Redeployed

The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has carried out a major shake-up within the Corps with the approval for the redeployment of about sixty-eight (68) officers under Batch 1 of the Officers’ posting.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, said this was in continuation of efforts by the Management of FRSC to strategise and realign its operations towards the attainment of the 2019 strategic goals.

He said the development was contained in the circular signed by the Corps Secretary,  which directed all the affected officers to complete the handing and taking over processes on or before 23 January 2019.


Buhari Promises Completion Of Projects During Warri Campaign

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians, particularly Deltans that the Federal Government is committed to complete all ongoing projects for sustainable growth and development in the Niger Delta region.

He made the statement on Thursday at the Warri Township Stadium in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, during the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign ahead of 2019 general elections.

As earlier echoed by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Buhari said that the Federal Government has done so well for Delta State in the areas of the ongoing dregding of the Escravos river, to revive the Delta seaport.

Buhari added that the FG is working to ensure full accreditation of the Nigeria Maritime University in Okerenkoko, kick start the EPZ project and other lucrative projects that will improve the economy of the country.


INEC Releases Final List Of Candidates For General Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the full names of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The electoral umpire published the names on its website on Thursday, 29 days to the general elections.

The list was released by INEC secretary, Mrs Rose Orianran-Anthony.


FG Takes Minimum Wage To Council Of State Next Week

The Federal Government is to table the new national minimum wage issue before the Council of State expected to meet next week Tuesday.

The National Economic Council (NEC) met in Abuja on Thursday where it was expected to take a final decision on the submission by the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee which had recommended N30,000 as demanded by the organized labour.

Despite this recommendation, the federal government was yet to shift from its offer to N24,000 just as the state government maintained that they could only afford N22,500.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed that the Council of State will take a decision on the matter next week.

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