------------ [More equipment for military this week, says Jonathan] ------------ PUNCH NEWS MONDAY, 26TH JANUARY 2015 - More equipment for military this week, says Jonathan - Jonathan campaign team plans two-million-man Kaduna rally - Abia PDP condemns attacks on Jonathan - Tight security as Jos residents await Jonathan - PDP planning to militarise elections -APC - Heavy security as APC holds rally in Mushin - Banks get N192.6bn discount from NDIC - Ronaldo sorry for card ------------ [More equipment for military this week, says Jonathan] ------------ President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday disclosed that the Nigerian military will take delivery of some additional equipment this week and next in his administration’s quest to end insurgency in parts of the country. Jonathan disclosed this during his courtesy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambari, in his palace. He was in Ilorin for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential rally in the state. The President expressed the hope that with the delivery of the platforms, the military would move faster within the next two weeks to curtail the security challenge. He said, “You have observed us for the past four years. Yes, we have security challenges relating to the Boko Haram saga mainly in North East. “Although their excesses extend to some parts of the North like Abuja, Sokoto, Gombe and Kano. But it is mainly in the North East. We are working hard and we shall surely bring it to a halt. “As far as the military is concerned, even as we are talking, we are expecting more platforms this week and next week. “I believe that in the next two weeks or so, we will be able to move faster than we are moving.” Outside the security network, Jonathan said his administration had moved fast in many areas like the road network. While admitting that work is still in progress, he said no government could fix all the country’s problems in four years. “We have intervened in so many areas; agriculture that touches the life of an ordinary Nigerian is one of the areas that we have been working very hard. “We are trying to move agriculture to the next level; a level that young graduates will be able to embrace,” the President added. He promised that his administration was committed to pushing the country forward and providing jobs for young people as well as to diverse the economy. Jonathan told the traditional ruler that he was in the palace to personally inform him that he was interested in seeking re-election. He also introduced the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Senator Simeon Ajibola, to the monarch. He said under the PDP, people of the state would continue to enjoy freedom and quality of life. Gambari told the President that having watched his performance over the years, he was convinced that he has done very well. He prayed that God would crown the President’s effort with success. He urged all politicians to conduct their campaigns without violence. He said since he heard of the President’s campaign trip to the state, he had been praying to God to make it hitch-free. Earlier, the national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, had told the emir that the delegation was in the palace to seek his support and prayers so that the PDP could continue the good work it had started.(MTN is not liable for this message) ------------ [Jonathan campaign team plans two-million-man Kaduna rally] ------------ Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Goodluck Jonathan/Sambo, Kaduna Chapter, Alhaji Hussaini Jallo, has said the team is planning to mobilise over two million people for the Peoples Democratic Party presidential rally slated for Saturday. The group had inaugurated a 35-woman campaign committee for the project, which they claimed would make the crowd that attended the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign rally that held in the state capital last week, a child’s play. Our correspondent gathered that each of the newly inaugurated sole administrators of the 23 local government areas of the state, had been mandated to bring unspecified number of supporters in their locality. Besides, some non-governmental organisations in the state were not left out as they were tasked to also bring supporters for the President Jonathan’s rally holding on Saturday. The Director-General, while inaugurating the 35-woman Campaign Committee in Kaduna on Monday, charged the party women to mobilise at least 2,000 women from each of the 255 wards in the state as President Goodluck Jonathan campaign team visits Kaduna on Saturday. He noted that the idea was to show the president and his entourage that Kaduna is a PDP state, which is also home to the Vice President Namadi Sambo. “I expect at least 2,000 women from each ward to come out as President Jonathan campaign team visits us, we must show that Kaduna is for the PDP, because here is the home state of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigerian, Arch. Namadi Sambo,” Jallo said. The campaign director also charged the committee members not to limit their campaign to that of Jonathan but to campaign for all the PDP candidates vying for various elective positions. In her response, leader of the Committee, Mrs. Nah Gambo, promised to work hard for the success of the President in the presidential election as well as all the candidates of the ruling party vying for various positions. A former North-West Woman Leader of the party, Mrs. Laitu Danladi, dismissed the APC as “empty barrels that make the loudest noise.”(MTN is not liable for this message) ------------ [Abia PDP condemns attacks on Jonathan] ------------ The Abia State chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party has strongly condemned the burning, on Sunday in Suleja, Niger State, of two camping vehicles belonging to President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign. Chairman of PDP in the state, Senator Emma Nwaka who spoke exclusively with our correspondent in Umuahia described the incident as well as the recent attacks on the President’s convoy in some northern states as a danger signal to the up-coming elections. He said that Nigeria could not afford to undergo another civil unrest, and warned those behind the attacks to retrace their steps to avoid plunging the country into a political turmoil . Pointing accusing fingers on the opposition All Progressives congress, Nwaka called on the Presidential candidate of APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to rein his supporters. He expressed shock that some people would muster courage to attack the convoy of a sitting President all in the name of politics, and warned on the grave implications of such attacks in a multi-ethno-religious country like Nigeria. Nwaka said the actions of APC fans in the North had only succeeded in portraying the party as a tribal party. “We already know that PDP is the only party with national outlook while APC is sectional with the far North as its main area of doubtful influence. If they are sure of their hold in the North, their supporters would not have embarked on this ogre of vandalism.” He accused Buhari of sabotaging the Abuja peace accord, and urged him to prevail on his supporters to respect the agreement in the overall interest of the country.(MTN is not liable for this message) ------------ [Tight security as Jos residents await Jonathan] ------------ Security has been beefed up in Jos and its environs as the campaign train of President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to react the Plateau State capital on Monday afternoon. Stern-looking riot policemen and operatives of the Special Task Force have been stationed in strategic locations in the Jos and Bukuru metropolis. The president, who is currently campaigning in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, is expected in Jos any moment from now. Armoured Personnel Carriers are mounted along the route the president is expected to take to the palace of the Gbong Gwom Jos, the PDP campaign office and the Rwang Pam Stadium, where thousands of enthusiastic supporters are already waiting for the President and his train. The supporters started trooping into the stadium at about 10am as directed by the Jonathan/Sambo Campaign directorate.(MTN is not liable for this message) ------------ [PDP planning to militarise elections -APC] ------------ The All Progressives Congress in the South-South zone has accused the Peoples Democratic Party of plans to rig the February elections using military might and violence. The APC also said the PDP is desperate to win the election going by the continued application of violence against APC supporters in Rivers State and other states in the South-South region. But the Cross River State Chairman of PDP, Mr. John Okon, in a swift reaction, said the party has no plans to use military in any election, challenging the APC to put structures on ground that could win elections instead of resorting to propaganda. In a statement issued on Monday by its National Vice-Chairman, South-South, Mr. Hilliard Eta, the APC said the recent threat by ex-militants from the President Goodluck Jonathan’s home state of Bayelsa against opponents to his re-election bid was not to be taken lightly. He said it was an indication that Jonathan had planned on ‘militarising’ the election with a view of cancelling it or rigging it at the slightest opportunity. Eta said, “The recent deployment of soldiers to take possession of the Adokie Amasiemaka stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, for Jonathan’s campaign at the behest of the Presidency against the wish of Rivers people was indicative of Jonathan’s disregard for due process, useful advice and agreements. “Whenever the military are deployed in such capacity and orientation, it means a war situation is at hand. It shows the height of desperation that the PDP Presidency has introduced into the February election build up which may not end well. “The Rivers violence and the use of military might, in the case of the Adokie Amasiemaka stadium, are indications that same brute force would be contemplated and applied during the election in order to manipulate it in favour of the PDP especially in the south-south states. Eta recalled that Jonathan has a penchant for failing to keep agreements and promises explaining that “much as he failed to dredge the Calabar Port, implement the UNEP report on Ogoni, build roads and other infrastructure and of course pursue desperately a second term ambition against an earlier promise lends credence to our doubt for a free, fair and credible elections especially in the south-south states.” But reacting to the allegations, especially with regards to Cross River and one of the South-South states, the state chairman of PDP, Mr. John Okon, said the APC will always look for excuse to lose elections in the region because it is not firm on ground. “Look at our clout in Cross River, how many military personnel did you see? We do our campaigns without using the military because there is no one that will make us consider violence. We are going to win for President Goodluck Jonathan in this state. It is structures that win elections, not propaganda,” Okon said. ------------ [Heavy security as APC holds rally in Mushin] ------------ As the All Progressives Congress holds its electioneering rally at the Mushin area of Lagos metropolis, the Lagos State Police Command on Monday mounted heavy security at the crisis-prone place. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, the police cordoned off the Abeokuta expressway at the Cappa and Olorunsogo ends. The development ensured that vehicles did not come into Mushin from the Oshodi end of the road, a development that created gridlock as traffic was diverted to alternative routes. NAN also noticed the presence of armed policemen who were combat-ready to avert any violence from miscreants that could disrupt the rally. There was the Police Rapid Response Squad with their Armoured vehicles at rally venue. The situation kept the so called ‘Area Boys’ in check as they were seen falling in line with instructions by the policemen on how to go about at the rally. Speaking with NAN, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said the police had always been prepared to nip violence in the bud. “We are prepared like we used to be at every other rally, our men are on ground and we have lectured them on what to do. “Security is not one man’s business, so, we are ready for anyone that wants to disrupt the rally,” Nwosu said. He added that when people conduct themselves well, they also help the security situation. The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola and the APC governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, were seen distributing APC crested T shirts to the crowd. ------------ [Banks get N192.6bn discount from NDIC] ------------ The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation said on Sunday that N192.6bn had been granted as rebate on insurance premium to Deposit Money Banks in the last three years. The corporation, in a statement issued in Abuja, said the reduction of the insurance premium paid by the DMBs from 0.5 per cent to 0.40 per cent was responsible for the figure. A breakdown of the N192.6bn showed that a rebate of N53bn was granted in 2012, while N63.6bn and N75.98bn were given as rebates in 2013 and 2014, respectively. It said, “The corporation began the insurance premium rebate since the commencement of the Differential Premium Assessment System in 2008 but the import began in 2010 sequel to the Board’s decision to contribute to the Financial Stability Fund that was spearheaded by the Central Bank of Nigeria. “The corporation had supported the fund through the reduction of premium base rate from 50 to 40 basis points to reduce the premium burden on the DMBs. “By 2012, 2013 and 2014, the corporation had granted a total rebate of N53bn, N63.6bn and N75.98bn, respectively; thus a cumulative rebate sum of N192.6bn to the DMBs.” The decision to reduce the insurance premium, it said, was initiated to consolidate on the gains achieved by the migration from the Flat Rate Premium System to Differential Premium Assessment System. The DPAS approach takes into consideration the risk each bank poses to the system and encourages them to adopt sound risk management practices. To further consolidate on this migration, the statement said the corporation had again approved that the insurance premium be further reduced from 0.4 per cent to 0.35 per cent. The new rate, it stated, would take effect from the beginning of this month. The statement read added, “The NDIC has further reduced the deposit insurance premium rate to all Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria as part of efforts toward contributing to financial system stability and promoting public confidence in the banking industry. “The board had reduced the insurance premium basis rate from the existing 40 to 35 basis points and the new premium rate will take effect from January this year. The insurance premium rebates were part of the NDIC’s major contributions toward improving the intermediation role and other banking-related activities of the DMBs.” The statement said premium collection from the insured banks over the years had helped to contribute substantially to the funds available to the NDIC to discharge its mandate. According to the statement, the corporation currently covers 97 per cent of the bank depositors, noting that this was an indication of adequate coverage and appropriate pricing. ------------ [Ronaldo sorry for card] ------------ Cristiano Ronaldo has issued an apology after being sent off for lashing out at an opponent towards the end of Real Madrid’s La Liga match at Cordoba. The three-time reigning world player of the year was shown a straight red card in the 84th minute for kicking out at Cordoba defender Edimar. Ronaldo, who could have been dismissed minutes earlier after punching defender Ivan Crespo only for the incident to go unnoticed by referee Alejandro Hernandez, took to Twitter after the match to say sorry. He said, “I apologise to everyone and especially to Edimar for my thoughtless act in today’s game.” An imminent suspension for Ronaldo is now the latest concern for coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose Real Madrid side are looking far from the team which strung 22 straight victories together before Christmas. Ronaldo was the inspiration behind Los Blancos’ record-breaking streak but he had one of his poorest matches in a Real shirt in the 2-1 victory over Cordoba. His dismissal could have cost Madrid dear, with the game locked at 1-1 and Cordoba having already wasted a number of chances to regain the lead given to them by Nabil Ghilas’ second-minute penalty. However, having equalised through Karim Benzema in the first half, it was Madrid who would end up taking all three points thanks to Gareth Bale, who slotted home an 89th-minute penalty after his free-kick had been handled in the box. Real’s win kept them one point clear of Barcelona and four clear of Atletico Madrid, both of whom won on Saturday. Bale, whose goal was Madrid’s 100th in all competitions this season, said on his club’s website: “Cordoba have been a tough rival and we knew that this was going to be a tough ground, so we’re happy to have been able to recover in a very difficult game. “There’s a lot of the season left, a lot of games to go to talk about the title. What we’re clear about is that there can be games like this that can make things difficult for you. 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Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:26:02 +0000
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