Fully Reported

The United States is sending a new batch of military assistance to Ukraine, the White House said Thursday, with the $450 million shipments including four more advanced rocket systems to use against Russian invasion forces. “This package contains weapons and equipment, including new High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems,” White House spokesman John Kirby said. Also included are tens of thousands of rounds of artillery ammunition and patrol boats. The rocket systems known as HIMARS are at the top of Ukraine’s wish list as the pro-Western country battles a Russian invasion force advancing through the east of the country with the help of a significant advantage in the heavy artillery. An initial four units of the rocket system have already been delivered, kicking off the training program required for Ukrainian soldiers to operate the sophisticated and highly accurate weaponry. Another four are now being sent, the Pentagon said. Also included are 36,000 rounds of artillery ammunition,...

The Independent National Electoral Commission has released the list and particulars of candidates vying for various positions at the federal level in the 2023 general elections. Conspicuously missing were the names of Senate President Ahmad Lawan, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi. The trio had contested the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress but may have been hoping to reclaim the APC senatorial seats after failing to win the top seat. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, an INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, said the commission is not obligated to publish the name of candidates that did not emerge from valid party primaries. “If a political party submits to the Independent National Electoral Commission the name of a candidate that did not emerge from party primaries or did not emerge from valid party primaries, the commission is not obligated to publish the name of such a ...

Two members of the House of Representatives defected from the Action Alliance to the All Progressives Congress. The lawmakers from Imo State are Uju Chima Kingsley and Pascal Chigozie Obi. The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, read a letter from the members announcing their defection at the plenary on Thursday. The defectors later addressed journalists in company with the Organising Secretary of the APC, Emma Ibediro; and the Imo State governorship candidate of the AA in the 2019 general election, Uche Nose. Punch

SECURITY & RELATED MATTERS 1. The release of 106 Chibok girls, as well as over 16,000 persons in Boko Haram captivity. 2. Tackling insurgency, the decimation of Boko Haram in the North East. 3. Recovering 14 local governments and territories previously under Boko Haram control in the North East, rebuilding lives of citizens there; about one million displaced persons in the NE have returned to their communities in two years of this administration. 4. Curbing the incidence of kidnap across the country. (Arrest of kidnap kingpins and dismantling of kidnap cells across the country) 5. Restoring morale of the Nigerian military; re-organizing and better equipping the Nigerian Armed Forces. 6. Purchase of 12 Super-Tucano aircraft worth $600 million to aid the Nigerian military’s current operations in the North East. 7. Ensuring continued peace in the Niger Delta through consistent funding of the FG amnesty programme for ex-militants. 8. Introduction of an improved mech...

Out of 11 wards in Biase LGA of Cross River state, I have gone round 7 communities, out of 10 that make up two wards of Erei North and South, as I consult ahead of the forthcoming Local Government Chairmanship Election - to contest under the platform of my great part, @APCNigeria. God willing, I will go round all the villages and communities in Biase; and will repeat same over and over, before, during and after the election. Words aren't enough to express my gratitude over the amazing reception I have enjoyed so far. Special thanks to own community, for the wonderful and high powered delegation anointed and appointed to go round with me, as I consult. I am carefully listening and noting all feedbacks from the field, that would help my team make very good and informed decisions when we eventually get to the office... Sincere thanks to every other friend, partner, brother, sister, well-wisher, party member or mentor who have supported, supporting or pledged to support thi...

Nigerian government on Monday announced that it has mapped out strategies to end the current economic recession. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udoma, made the disclosure at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He spoke at the Second Presidential Business Forum presided over by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo. Udoma said the medium term Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP 2017-2020) was being finalized to address current economic challenges, restore growth, and reposition the economy for sustained inclusive growth. Udoma said though 59 strategies had been developed for implementation to achieve the strategic objectives of the ERGP, 12 of them had been prioritized based on their importation to the success of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. He listed the 12 plans as “restoring production to 2.2mbpd and reach 2.5mbpd by 2020, privatising selected assets, accelerating non-oil revenue generation, drastically cutting costs”. The list also included...

Nigeria will continue to work together with other African countries to ensure that the African Union becomes a stronger and more robust organization for the benefit of the continent and its people, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. Prof. Osinbajo, who is acting President spoke earlier today while receiving a Special Envoy from President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, at the Presidential Villa According to the Vice President, "it is important for Africa to always put the best foot forward and we will continue to work together with the President of Djibouti to make AU stronger and more robust." The Special Envoy, Ali Farah Assoweh brought a message addressed to the Nigerian President, regarding Djibouti's interest in one of the positions up for contest in the AU elections scheduled for later this month, seeking Nigeria's support. The Djibouti's Presidential Special Envoy who is also the country's Justice Minister stated that his countr...

Press Release November 9, 2016 Women Society Commends Senate For Initiatives On Economy The National Council of Women Societies in Nigeria (NCWS) has commended the Senate for giving priority to legislations, oversights and advocacy that focused on economic revival, revitalizing businesses and creating employment. The NCWS, an umbrella organization of women groups in Nigeria noted that, “the vision of Nigeria is evident to us, through the fact that the Senate is targeting three critical sectors; economic revival, social development and youth employment.” Speaking while on a courtesy visit to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Wednesday, the National President of NCWS, Mrs Gloria Laraba Shoda said by its action, the Senate has aligned its legislative activities with the aspirations of Nigerians, particularly women. Shoda, according to a statement by Saraki’s Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Mohammed Isa, said “this clearly demonstrates th...

The suspended member of the House of Representatives,  Abdulmumin Jibrin  is now on self-exile in London. And he has vowed never to return to Nigeria unless his safety is guaranteed. Jibrin made this known in a statement in Abuja. The  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) , reports that Jibrin, left Nigeria for London last week to receive an award and take his anti-corruption campaign to international community. He was suspended for 180 legislative days by the  House of Representatives after accusing the Speaker, some principal officers and a few other members of corruption, abuse of office and monumental fraud in padding up the 2016 budget. In an interview with a television station in London on Monday, the lawmaker said he recently received threats from some of the lawmakers he accused of corruption. According to him, the ‘House cabal’ led by the Speaker,  Yakubu Dogara , Deputy Speaker,  Yusuf Lasun, Whip Alhassan Doguwa  and Minority Leader...