Gist Arena

T he Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, a separatist organisation, has revealed what necessitated the newly inaugurated Biafra Secret Service, BSS. A video showing Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader, inspecting the ‘Biafra Secret Service’ is currently in circulation. The online footage shows dozens of ‘officers’ all clad in black attire and red berets. Mr. Kanu is seen walking around and in between them, inspecting what can be described as a guard of honour. This has added a new layer to social tensions raised by separatist agitations emanating from the South-east region of the country. In an attempt to douse tensions, the Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, told The Sun Newspaper on Sunday that the secret service was not set up as a “standing army” but “a vigilante group to monitor and ensure the safety of its people returning from the North over the October 1 quit notice served on Igbo people in the North by a coalition of Arewa youth.” “With October...

A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), on Monday claimed that Nigeria’s under-development was caused by incompetent leadership. He said the country cannot attract Foreign Direct Investment (FID) when it was under a “non-performing government.” Agbakoba spoke at the second plenary session of the ongoing Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos. He said no progress had been made towards addressing the power deficit, adding that he used about 10 generators to run his offices. Agbakoba said it took him an average of three hours every day to get to work due to poor state of Nigerian roads. He said, “Despite all of the resources allocated to power, we don’t have power. As I stand before you, I run about 10 generators in various offices. “The vice president spoke very eloquently but in real terms, we as lawyers are responsible in the context that we must put pressure on government. ...

A National Health Dialogue will hold between Thursday and Friday in Abuja, organisers have announced. The dialogue is organised by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, PTCIJ, the Project for Advocacy in Child and Family Health, PACFaH, and the Project Pink Blue. In a statement on Monday, organisers said the two-day health dialogue would be chaired by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, and hosted by the Minister for Health, Isaac Adewole, at the Musa Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Central Business District, Abuja at 9 a.m. daily. The Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi II, will deliver the key address at the programme. “The National Health Dialogue is a platform that will bring together stakeholders in the Health and Development sectors to discuss the Challenges and Prospects of Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria,” the organisers said. “Since the enactment of the National Health Act in 2014, there hav...

T he Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has denied ever saying he would commit suicide if President Muhammadu Buhari returned to Nigeria arrive. Mr. Buhari returned from London, Saturday, where he had been on medical vacation for over 100 days. The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Idowu Adelusi, told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday that the statement was a “creation of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state.” “Mr. Fayose never said he would commit suicide if the President returns to the country,” he insisted. “It is the creation of the APC. It is their style to create such falsehood.” He said, instead, the governor had wished the president well and had joined others in praying for him. While celebrating the arrival of Mr. President at a rally in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, the APC highlighted the alleged vow by Mr. Fayose to commit suicide if the President returned to the country. PREMIUM TIMES recalls that the “I will commit suicide” statement credit...

T he Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, said on Monday that the Buhari administration spent N1.3 trillion on capital projects in 2016, the highest in the history of the country. Mr. Osinbajo disclosed this at a plenary of the 2017 Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, national conference in Lagos with the theme: “African Business: Penetrating Through Institution Building.” The sub-theme of the plenary was “Conversations With The Vice-President”, moderated by Zain Asher, a CNN news anchor. “The federal government spent about N1.3 trillion on capital projects in 2016, the highest in the history of the country. “The power sector reform is also ongoing as it is one of the most important sectors in the country,” Mr. Osinbajo said. Responding to Ms. Asher’s questions, Mr. Osinbajo said the administration had set a solid foundation for the nation’s economic recovery which, he described, as the most important reform of the administration. He said: “We were dealing with a m...

T he Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on Monday spoke on the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria, describing it as a “welcome development.” Mr. Fayose spoke after a brief meeting with some PDP governors and leaders. The Ekiti governor, a vociferous critic of the president and the ruling All Progressives Congress, was quoted in a statement by the office of the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa. Read Mr. Okowa’s full statement below. As consolidation on the gains of the last People’s Democratic Party PDP, Non-Elective Congress in Abuja continues, Governors Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) Nyesom Wke (Rivers) Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Secretary, PDP Caretaker Committee, Ben Obi converged on Asaba enroute Anambra for the PDP governorship primaries. Speaking after the brief meeting at the Asaba international Airport, Chairman PDP Governors Forum, Ayo Fayose assured members of the party of fairness, transparency and Justice in party affairs. He said that the ...

I kemba Nnewi, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, yesterday visited the presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), General Muhammadu Buhari, in Daura, with a pledge to forge a common front with him to fight for justice and a better Nigeria. Ojukwu, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the just concluded presidential election, told hundreds of well wishers who welcomed him to Buhari’s Daura home that the visit was aimed at ensuring a more united and greater nation. Urging Nigerians to be resolute in the defence of democracy and the enthronement of justice, Ojukwu said his alliance with the ANPP presidential candidate would ensure a spirit of cooperation between the people of the South-East and the North. Also speaking at the occasion, Buhari’s running mate in the election, Senator Chuba Okadigbo, urged Nigerians to be firm and committed to the enthronement of democracy. He explained that the delegation which comprised political le...

S enator Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West senatorial district in the National Assembly has blasted Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for declaring Monday, 21st August 2017 as Public Holiday to honour President Muhammadu Buhari’s return to the country. Dino who condemned the act in a social media platform ‘Positive thinker’ ‘ described Governor Bello’s decision as hypocritical. The Federal lawmaker while expressing worries on the way Kogi State is being governed by the present administration noted that the latest action further confirmed Bello’s gross incompetence and outrageously incapable to lead his people. According to him, “President Buhari must be disgusted with the juvenile and bootlicking attitude of the butterhead governor of Kogi State. “Kastina State the home State of our beloved President has not declared public holiday,why then is Yahaya Bello taking panadol for another man’s headache. We love our president in Kogi State no doub...

D uring his speech in a live broadcast this morning, President Buhari revealed that in 2003, former Biafran warlord, late Emeka Ojukwu paid him a two-day visit at his home in Daura, Katsina state where they both discussed and analysed the problems of Nigeria and came to the conclusion that Nigeria must remain united. He said this in reaction to the current campaign for the creation of Biafra being championed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biagra, Nnamdi Kanu. Buhari said “In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analysed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united.” He stressed that despite the various calls for secession, Nigeria's unity is settled and non-negotiable. "Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irrespons...

T he Anambra State Lawyers in Defence of Democracy, ASLADD, have come hard on the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his followers for attempting to blame it for the crises that occurred at Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state. The Nigerian Police reportedly clashed with the IPOB members who were said to be awaiting the arrival of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for a rally scheduled to hold in the town last week. In a statement in Awka, the Anambra state capital, entitled, “Ekwulobia Crises: IPOB is confusing apples with oranges,” saying that as a professional body, it has all it takes to end Kanu’s agitation. The lawyers said, “The attention of the Anambra State Lawyers in Defence of Democracy [ASLADD] has been drawn to a statement released by Emma Powerful for the IPOB on the clash that was reported to have occurred between the Nigerian Police and some IPOB members at Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. ...

P resident Muhammadu Buhari has shocked those clamouring for the disintegration of Nigeria, saying that the unity of Nigeria remained sacrosanct. Buhari made this comment Monday morning via a nationwide broadcast. The President warned that his government would not condone elements beating war drum. He recalled that “In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analyzed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united. “Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood. “Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.

A ccording to Facebook user, Chuks Mgborie, a Chief in Benin identified as Chief Dr Oguigo was humiliated and labelled an enemy of the land for not paying homage to the Oba of Benin. Watch the video below

P resident Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, has admitted that his boss could still leave the country for medical check-ups. Adesina, speaking on Sunrise Daily on Channels TV Monday morning, however called on Nigerians to pray that Buhari remains hale and hearty. “What Nigerians should hope for is that our president will remain whole. But if there is any reason to go out why not, you need to first stay alive before you can lead a country so whatever it takes for our president to remain healthy should be done but we want to hope and believe that the worst is over,” he said. The President who had been in the UK for 104 days before returning on Saturday, addressed the nation on Monday and Adesina confirmed he is ready to resume office, as he will notify the National Assembly in writing. “Later this morning, that letter will be transmitted and which is what signifies his coming back into office – It will be done today. “They don’t have to read it or de...

I n line with constitutional provision, President Muhammadu Buhari has written the National Assembly, notifying the legislature of his return to office, after returning from medical vacation in London. President Buhari had returned to the country on Saturday, August 19, 2017, and in a letter dated August 21, 2017, he told the Senate as well as the House of Representatives, that he was resuming office. The letter stated in part: "In compliance with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), I write to intimate that I have resumed my functions as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with effect from Monday, 21st August, 2017, after my medical follow-up in the United Kingdom." President Buhari had left for London on May 7, 2017, and handed the reins of government to the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, who functioned as the Acting President. FEMI ADESINA Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) August 21, 2017. ...

R ead the report from TMZ below... Justin Bieber is not only off Floyd Mayweather's Money Team, he's now one of Floyd's mortal enemies ... TMZ has learned. Sources connected to both Justin and Floyd tell us, the folks at the Hillsong Church have been counseling Justin for months on taking a hard look at his friends and pulling back from those who are bad influences.  We're told church pastors did not single out Floyd as a bad influence, but Justin decided on his own he needed some distance. Our sources say Justin didn't want a clean break from Floyd, he just wanted to "reset boundaries" ... walling himself off from things like Floyd's obsession with strip clubs. Justin unfollowed Floyd in Instagram as part of the reseting of boundaries, and our sources say Floyd went "insane, nuclear." He lashed out at Justin, called him a "traitor" because Floyd had stuck with Justin during his meltdown when everyone was atta...

S uspended House of Representatives member, Abdulmumin Jibrin, said this in reaction to President Buhari's live broadcast this morning

A ddressing the nation for the first time since his return from an over 100 day medical vacation in London, President Buhari said unity of Nigeria is settled and not negotiable. That Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that Nigerians can live in peace.  In a post on Facebook after the speech, Senator Shehu Sani weighed in, describing the message passed as a Lion's roar meant to wake up a slumbering nation. He wrote;  The President spoke the mind of Nigerians who cherishes our unity,peace and collective progress.He spoke as a Nationalist and he spoke my mind a hundred percent.  He sent a clear message to terrorists,ethnic irredentists,secessionists and champions of sectionalism that this union is an indissoluble matrimony in all circumstances. The President speech was a Lion's roar meant to reaffirm and reinforce the unity of a nation showing signs of disintegration during his absence.The President speech was a Li...

A nother fake broadcast, said to be an ADVANCE PRESS COPY OF THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. is now flying all over social media. Please do not be misinformed. Read below  Read The Authentic Broadcast HERE Fellow Nigerians, I am happy to address you all today on my return from medical treatment in the United Kingdom. It is by the grace of Almighty Allah that I am here with you. I want to begin by thanking every Nigerian who prayed for my quick recovery. I also wish to thank those who lost patience with me. I understand your feeling. We have so much work to do in this country that every minute lost is a disservice to our people. My special thanks goes to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. He held the fort in my absence. I’m very pleased with his performance despite the difficulties our political structure imposed on him. He did the job of leading this nation so well that I have a renewed confidence in our leaders of tomorrow. I also thank the National...

My dear citizens, I am very grateful to God and to all Nigerians for their prayers. I am pleased to be back on home soil among my brothers and sisters. 2. In the course of my stay in the United Kingdom, I have been kept in daily touch with events at home. Nigerians are robust and lively in discussing their affairs, but I was distressed to notice that some of the comments, especially in the social media have crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation. This is a step too far. 3. In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analyzed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united. 4. Nigeria's unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run ...