News Updates for today Nigeria's 56th Independence Day

NEWS UPDATES;;
Sat, 1 Oct 2016

*Nigeria is 56 today
*Jimoh Ibrahim is our candidate, not Jegede — Ondo PDP
*Gunmen kidnap Central Bank Governor’s wife, demand N1.5bn ransom
*Gas Shortage: Dangote Cement, Bua Turn To Coal
*Independence Day not worth celebrating –Nigerian celebrities
*Recession: Why I can’t stop blaming Obj, Yar’Adua, Jonathan – Buhari
*HIV/AIDS Prevalence Rate Drops
*NCC Warns against Unregistered Sim Cards
*Saraki, Mark, Ekweremadu Call for Co-operation, Sober Reflection
*PDP Blasts APC, says Party Responsible Nation’s Woes
*Tinubu vs. Oyegun: The battle for 2019 begins
*NJC sacks Enugu CJ, Kwara Appeal Court Justice, Kano judge for alleged corruption
*NCC warns against use of unregistered SIM cards
*FIRS generates N675bn from education tax in two years
*ECOWAS court offers assistance to curtail terrorism financing
*BBOG flays FG over contradicting positions on Chibok girls’ rescue
*Ahead of LG election: Ogun police warns against thuggery, ballot snatching
*US Salutes Nigerians on Independence Anniversary
*Tinubu: Nigeria not Where it Should Be
*Nigeria @ 56: A Twisted Journey To Nationhood
*Edo Guber: Our Democracy In Danger, Says PDP
*Dangote Saves Nigeria $2.5bn From Cement Import
*Abdulmumin Jibrin: A Rebel without a Cause
*Independence Day: Nigeria Working To Address Challenges – US
*NJC To Hand Over Justice Auta To Police
*Budget Padding Scandal: Jibrin gives lawmakers 3 days to return illegal allowances
*External reserve falls to $24.59bn
*Diversification: FG begins bio-fuel project next year
*Economic Recovery Policy Will Save Nigeria –ICAN
*Stay Away From National Assets, NUPENG Warns Moneybags
*Navy foils militants attempt to bomb Warri Refinery
*Niger to create over 2,000 jobs from Gurara falls
*New Adamawa CP vows to disarm herdsmen
*FRSC Begins Enforcement Of Speed Limit Device
*Labour, workers kick as FG eyes pension fund
*Nigerians yearn for better leaders as nation turns 56
*Nigeria @56: Nigeria not on track, say Ekweremadu, Fasoranti, others
*Zamfara assigns five academicians to write state’s history from scratch
Earlier today
*Bauchi gov frees 22 prison inmates
Lalong bans Independence goodwill messages
*Fayose’s accounts remain frozen till November 7
*PDP crisis: Justice Abang adjourns suit indefinitely
*Sex trafficking of African migrants in Europe is a ‘modern plague’
*Conte insists no problem with Abramovich visiting training ground
*Rangers deserve to be champions – Akpokona
*Edo election: APGA accuses INEC of allotting 876 votes, claims party polled 30,000
*Edo election: Fayose denies telling Ize-Iyamu to congratulate Obaseki
*Kanu Nwankwo had a great impact on my career – Wenger
*Troops rescue kidnap victims in Mai Haru, Bauchi
*Presidency says current economic policy best Nigeria ever had
*NIS recruitment trial: Witness reveals how Senators lobbied for slots
*Man batters wife over missing N2,000
*Conte says Mikel Obi to miss Hull game with minor muscular problem
*Actor, Davidson Dike says recession has turned celebrities to gigolos, whores
*Kogi: Supreme Court explains why Faleke, Wada’s appeals were dismissed
*Mob beats up suspected robber who stole N500,000 from supermarket in Abuja
*Nigeria at 56: U.S says there is still much work to be done
*Man brutally murders wife for converting to Christianity
*Herbalist arrested for raping 15-year-old girl
*Nigerians are dying while you pursue shadows – CLO blasts Buhari
*How we recovered over N1bn from politicians, others in Niger Delta within seven months – EFCC
*Man arraigned in court for forging WAEC certificate


***Happy independence anniversary!

I did not bring Buhari to power - Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday debunked newspaper reports quoting him as saying that he and a few others brought President Muhammadu Buhari to power. He dismissed the reports as baseless, untrue and calculated attempts to smear him. 

Obasanjo, who is in Jalingo, Taraba State, said President Buhari was overwhelmingly voted by many Nigerians. “ No single individual or group can claim that glory,” he said. 

During a courtesy visit to Governor Darius Ishaku, Obasanjo spoke about the economic potentials of the state. He said the Mambila Plateau in Taraba had the potential of becoming the hub of tea production in Africa. He expressed determination to promote the tea production potential of the state using his connections and experience. “ The Taraba tea factory is a symbol of national greatness. The tea potential of this state can attract global demand and earn the nation foreign exchange,” he said. 

Obasanjo noted that beside tea, the state also had potentials in cattle rearing, poultry, power generation, among others. “ The livestock potential of this state surpasses any kind of cattle rearing known in this country. “ likewise in poultry which of course is in commercial quantity. “ The Mambilla Hydro-Power Project, if completed, has the capacity to generate more than half of our power demand in this country. “ Therefore, Taraba is indeed a blessing to this country,” Obasanjo said. There are over 50,000 hectares of land suitable for tea production on the Mambilla Plateau.

Japanese billionaire gives Dream Team VI cash rewards

Japanese surgeon, billionaire Katsuya Takasu gave the Nigeria Olympic football team, Dream Team VI, cash rewards for winning a #bronze medal for Nigeria having defeated Hunduras 3-2.

Team coach, Samson Siasia, and Mikel Obi captain got $200,000 and $190,000, respectively.

Katsuya Takasu had promised each player of the Nigerian U-23 team $30, 000 if they win the gold in the men’s soccer event and will pay the team $20, 000 dollars for silver and $12,000 for bronze.

Jonathan has no plan to destabilize Nigeria—Niger Delta indigenes

President Buhari.       Good luck Jonathan

Concerned indigenes of the Niger Delta region, on Tuesday, described as ‘an orchestrated lie” the accusation levelled against former President Goodluck Jonathan as being part of the sponsors of the Niger Delta Avengers.

They assured President Muhammadu Buhari that Dr. Jonathan has no plan to destabilize the nation.

The concerned Niger Delta indigenes, under the aegis of the Coalition of Niger Deltans for Justice and Development (CNDJD), said the former President has proved himself to be meek and honest man with the unity and togetherness of Nigeria uppermost in his heart.

According to the group, the allegation of sponsoring militancy against Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is a deliberate attempt to set him on a war part with the incumbent President, Mohammadu Buhari.

The Concerned Niger Delta indigenes, in a statement issued in Yenagoa and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Ebiakpo Barle, stated that those behind the false allegation against Jonathan were disappointed by his peaceful disposition towards the defeat during the last Presidential election against their false prediction on dismemberment of the nation.

“These dissatisfied and angry elements after their failed predictions are fanning ember of disunity, destabilization, disintegration and liquidation of Nigeria.

“They are plotting to set the former President, Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari on a collision course with consequence that could be monumental.

"It is an inhuman and diabolic plan to distract President Buhari from the ongoing anti-corruption war. It is unfortunate that these elements are not aware of President Buhari position on Dr. Goodluck Jonathan with the consistent open declaration and respect for voluntarily conceding defeat during the last election.

“We appreciate President Buhari for his statement, confidence and trust reposed so far in former President Goodluck Jonathan and call on him to shun and dismiss any though that his predecessor is involved with a militant group in the Niger Delta region.

"Let President Buhari be assured that Jonathan has no link with persons in these groups and has nothing to do with their activities. He has no plans to make Nigerian ungovernable for either President Buhari or the Federal Government.

"We believe any existence of such is in the pigment of myopic mindset and cynical imagination of those evil elements who wants to visit Jonathan with wickedness and plunge the country into chaos," the group.

On the posture of the Former President, Goodluck Jonathan on the ongoing anti-corruption campaign by President Mohammadu Buhari, the indigenes of the Niger Delta insisted that the former President have been silent and have never criticize the present administration.

"The former President knows corruption is endemic and has come a long way in the life of Nigeria hence he tackled it the much and best he could while in office. So, like everyone else, he expects President Buhari now saddled with directing affairs of the nation to likewise improve on his performance in his own way and style for good governance to remedy things and to keep Nigeria afloat, united and moving forward in the interest of all.

“Dr. Jonathan’s only prayer, concern and desire as a believer in the rule of law and the sanctity of life, is for persons alleged of corruption and other offences is for them to be brought to open court to face proper speedy trial and within time frame provided by the specific law for the particular crime in the interest of justice,” the group noted.

Jonathan denies link with Avengers

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, dismissed reports linking him to Niger Delta Avengers, describing them as a figment of the authors' imagination.

Some national dailies had reported that the former President had a link with Niger Delta Avengers and in another report, said the Federal Government was probing him for Niger Delta bombings.

But Jonathan in a statement signed by his spokesman, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, said the reports were not different from allegations made earlier by Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta. MEND, which were mere fabrications.

The statement read in part:  "We obviously would have ignored the allegation, having responded recently to the exact same fabrication peddled by a shady militant group, but for the new dimension of bringing in the authorities, while hiding under the often-abused journalism latitude of quoting nebulous ‘sources.’

"Firstly, we note that there were similarities in the two stories published the same day by the two newspapers, that are too striking to pass the test of the normal newsroom process of diligent reporting and independent investigation.

''We are convinced that such clear coincidences are only permissible in situations where general statements are issued, but not on matters of intelligence/security reports which do not fly into newsrooms as press releases.

"We are also concerned that the stories did not differ in content and substance from the trite allegations earlier made by the so called Reformed Niger Delta Avengers over the same lies of linking Jonathan to the militants.

"For instance, we are amazed that a newspaper would be quick to report that “the intelligence gathering was said to be a confirmation of a similar claim by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta(MEND),” even without subjecting such frivolity to any ethical interrogation.

"From what we know about intelligence gathering, there is no responsible Government agency that would rush, as claimed in the newspaper stories, to adopt the accusations of a questionable rebellious organization as its own findings, without applying the professional processes of rigour and due diligence."

‘’It is sad that the two publications wore the cloak of the deceit from the same misguided characters that are hell-bent on pulling down the former President, despite his clear record of diligent service to his country and long standing commitment to the good of society.

‘’There is no doubt that there exist such people who may have scores to settle with the former President but are now feeling frustrated by the fact that his national and international profile has continued to rise, despite their recourse to endless muck-raking character assassination. ‘’Such people will stop at nothing to continue to throw obstacles, albeit futilely, on his path.

We are aware that the same people approached other well-meaning newspapers with the same false information, but they were wise to turn it down on account of its absurdity.

‘’Our media houses should then be careful not to make the country a laughing stock by being hoodwinked into passing off the perverted voices of irritant groups as that of our well respected official and security authorities.

‘’Apart from toying with the serious issue of libel, those newspapers lending themselves to be so cheaply used by miscreants, are also doing gross disservice to our collective good and the image of the country.’’

Buhari’s bodyguards, police set to clash in Abuja

The Police have deployed mobile policemen to the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja, venue of the planned protest by former bodyguards to President Muhammadu Buhari who participated during the campaigns.

The Spokesperson of the group, Badiru Olabiyi Balogun, told reporters on Thursday, that his group will go ahead with the protest.

He said, “Two truck loads of mobile policemen have been deployed to our  office and that is our office. They said the instruction was that they should not allow us access to the office and that the people outside should not be allowed to go out. So, we are meeting there by 9:00 am this (Thursday) morning to disgrace them. The venue is APC Presidential Campaign Office in front of Unity Bank, CBD, Abuja.”

Recall that the group had earlier issued a video documentary of their plights which went viral online.

In the video some of the protesting bodyguards were embittered over their “exclusion” by those they described “cabals in the government.”

They alleged that apart from the 20,000 they got on two occasions in January and February 2015, “we had never and were never given anything.”

Why I named my dog ‘Buhari’ — Trader

The Police in Ogun State, yesterday, released unconditionally, the 30-year-old trader, Joe Fortemose  Chinakwe, who was arrested last Saturday for naming his pet dog ‘Buhari’.

The embattled trader, who was visibly angry after his three-day incarceration in police cell, was let off the hook around 5pm on Tuesday after the intervention of both the Serkin Hausa and President-General of non-indigenes in the state.

It was learned that the prompt intervention of the elders made the complainant to withdraw the case he reported against the trader at Sango-Ota division which was later transferred to Police headquarters at Eleweran.

However, police sources said both the complainant and suspect were made to sign an undertaking not to cause any breach of peace again.

Speaking after this release, the trader, a father of two from the Niger Delta, who trades on second hand clothing lamented that he was made to suffer for no just cause.

Complainant from Niger Republic

Narrating his ordeal, Chinakwe said “It is annoying because the complainant is from Niger Republic and I am sure he is one of those illegal aliens in this country.  He connived with one Police Sergeant from the Northern part of Nigeria called Musa, who works at Sango Police division to humiliate me.  Worse still, the Divisional Police Officer there, did not help matters as he refused to entertain any plea from me after I was arrested that Saturday night. He simply ordered his men to throw me into the cell.”

Why dog was named Buhari

Continuing, he said “I did not commit any offence. I named my beloved pet dog Buhari, who is my hero. My admiration for Buhari started far back when he was a military Head of State. It continued till date that he is a civilian President. After reading his dogged fight against corruption, which is like a canker worm eating into the very existence of this country, I solely decided to rename my beloved dog which I called Buhari, after him. I did not know that I was committing an offence for admiring Buhari

Ordeal with Police

“I was intimidated and thrown inside the cell with hardened criminals for about three days. While I was there, the complainant from Niger Republic and Sergeant Musa from the North kept on taunting me saying people from my part of the country are trouble makers and that after detaining me, they will throw me into prison where I will die unsung.

''Even when my wife came with our baby on her back, they stopped her from giving me food.  One of my friends that came to see me was also maltreated.

“While taking me to Eleweran the next day, they handcuffed and chained me together with that my friend. Fortunately, when we got to police headquarters, both the Commissioner of Police and other officers were angry with their colleagues at Sango-Ota.

''They were wondering loudly why I was brought to the headquarters over such a minor case. It’s very unfortunate that I have to be so humiliated in my own country because of the antics of a foreigner in connivance with my brother from the North.”

I have found my Certificate - Godwin Obaseki, Edo APC Governorship Candidate.

Edo State Governorship

Godwin Obaseki

candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, Mr Godwin Obaseki, Wednesday, disclosed that he has found his missing certificates, saying those raising false alarm over the issue are only scared of his credentials.

Obaseki who disclosed this during an interactive session with members of Civil Society Organisations in the state with the theme, "The Need for Governorship Candidates to Effectively Promotes their programmes to Edo People", also disclosed his plans to build Mini stadiums across the eighteen Local Government Areas of the state if elected. The Executive Director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) Rev.David Ugolor, said the interactive session was organized to enable the public relate with the APC candidate, saying that “all the candidates will appear before us and I want to state that none of the candidates have given us money or is sponsoring this exercise, civil society groups funded it so we will know the pedigree of the candidates in order not to vote the wrong person”.

Obaseki who equally disclosed that if elected his administration will build mini stadiums in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, said he found out that “my certificate was
missing in Lagos during this period so I had to get a sworn affidavit and all the
institutions I attended acknowledged that I attended the schools. However, while the mischief makers in PDP raised the alarm because they have nothing else to talk about me, my brother in New York read about it and called me to say Godwin your original certificate is here with me. “I said Oh my God please send it down. So I have found it. These guys are intimidated with my qualifications that is why they are running up and down” he stated.

Disclosing plans to boost sports development in the state, Obaseki noted that sports have become a big business in the country therefore stressed the need to provide a mini stadium in each of the Local Government so as to encourage youths to explore their talents in different sports. According to him, the only way government can attract investment into the sector, is to first be involved in its development, saying “We have them in abundant, youths with great talents and to expose these talents, we are going to build mini stadium in each of
the eighteen Local Government Areas of the state. "We do all our campaigns in public school fields and some of these schools, we have an apple space where these mini stadium can be built. For me, this is part of what we are going to do to promote sports development in the state when elected”.

The APC candidate who also disclosed how he intends to improve the economy of the state through agriculture, noted that no government would be able to satisfy everybody at the same time particularly with the dwindling revenue from the Federation account, asserting however that he intends to look inward and generate funds so he can run the state effectively.

Lesson for the week

Opute C. Joel and Jimmy Jean Louis in a movie location

One day a school teacher wrote on the board the following:

9×1=7
9×2=18
9×3=27
9×4=36
9×5=45
9×6=54
9×7=63
9×8=72
9×9=81
9×10=90

When she was done, she looked to the students and they were all laughing at her because of the first equation which was wrong. The teacher looks at them and said the following:

"I wrote that first one wrong on purpose, because I want you to learn something important in life. This is for you to know how the world out there will treat you. You can see that I wrote RIGHT 9, 9 times but none of you congratulated me for that, you all rather prefer to laughed and criticized me because of one wrong thing I did. So this is the lesson...

'The world will never appreciate the good you do a million times, but will criticize the one wrong thing you do...

...But don't get discouraged, ALWAYS RISE ABOVE ALL THE LAUGHTER AND CRITICISMS. STAY  STRONG AND ALWAYS BE YOURSELF.

please don't read alone, be magnanimous to share with your friends.

I'm back!

Touching: Keshi's funeral rites begin (Photos)

The funeral rites of the late Stephen Keshi started with a mass service at the St. Paul Catholic Church in Benin on Thursday, July 28.

The event was well attended by family members, top members of the Nigeria Football Federation, ex-internationals and a host of other well wishers.

It was confirmed that the service will be followed by a novelty match in the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin.

The former Super Eagles captain and coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi died in Benin on June 8, after he was said to have complained of a leg ailment.

However, his remains will depart Benin City for Asaba after the church service on Thursday, July 28, to Delta state from 1:15pm. On arrival, there will be lying in state ceremony at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Indoor Hall, Asaba, from 3:15pm, while a service of songs/vigil mass will hold at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, Delta state by 6:00pm same day.

Friday, July 29, 2016, the body leaves Asaba for Illah by 7am, and there will be a brief stopover at the Ogbelani Palace for traditional rites as a palace chief by 8:00am, followed by lying in state at his family home, Ukpologwu Quarters, Illah, from 8:30am.

The requiem mass will take place at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, by 10:00am after which interment will hold at his family compound, Ukpologwu Quarters, Illah, from 12:30pm. Entertainment of guests will be at Omorka Primary School Playground by 12:30pm.

The burial ceremonies will be rounded off on Sunday, July 31, with a thanksgiving mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, by 10:00am.

Undertakers carrying the corpse

Coffin of the late tactician

Delegates of the Nigeria Football federation led by its president Amaju Pinick

Children of the late tac tician

Refund Billions of Naira Jonathan, Igbinedion Gave To You, Ize-Iyamu Tells Oshiomhole

Osagie Ize-Iyamu.              Adams  Oshiomhole

The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has asked Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State to refund the billions of naira he collected from former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, since he is now talking about refunding the N700 million Jonathan gave to Edo PDP during the 2015 presidential election.

He stated this during the presentation of a book entitled, ‘’Breach Of Trust — an eyewitness account of political events in Edo State before and under Adams Oshiomhole’s watch’’, written by Oshiomhole’s former Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr. Orobosa Omo-Ojo.

While defending the money Edo State PDP received from former President Jonathan during the 2015, Ize-Iyamu said he had explained to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that he never benefited from the N700 million given to the state PDP, saying the record on how the fund was disbursed is already with the EFCC.

He described Oshiomhole’s action as hypocritical, adding that he was also a benefactor of such fund in the past.

According to the PDP governorship candidate, ‘’Now that Oshiomhole is talking about refunding the money former President Goodluck Jonathan gave to Edo State PDP — during the presidential election, he should also refund the billions of naira he collected from Jonathan in 2012 during the presidential election. Oshiomhole collected the money from Jonathan and worked against his then party, Action Congress of Nigeria in that election. He betrayed his party. ‘’He should also refund over a billion naira the former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, gave to him during the 2007 governorship election in Edo State. It a well known fact that it was Chief Igbinedion who brought him into ACN and gave him money he used for the election.’’

Ize-Iyamu added that Oshiomhole and his ‘’puppet governorship candidate’’ in the September 10 election, Godwin Obasekei, could no longer be trusted by Edo people again because they had betrayed everybody who helped them into offices in the past. ‘’Look around Oshiomhole, everybody who worked for him in the past have deserted him, because he betrayed them. He has betrayed teachers, judiciary workers, Okada riders, market women, political associates and Edo people in general. He can never be trusted again’’, he added.

On his part, the author of the book, Mr. Orobosa Omo-Ojo, while welcoming invited guests to the presentation of the book, which took place at University of Benin, Edo State, said, damaging relationship is a little price to pay when Oshiomhole is faced with a life-and-death political threat.

The immediate past commissioner of Transport in Edo State added, ‘’Sun Tzu’s approach to warfare, where deception is vital, plays a significant role in Oshiomhole’s administration  to him all is fair and as a result, Dennis Osadebey Avenue has become a killing field for truth and a breeding ground for deception.’’

Omo-Ojo told a story how in the wake of the APC presidential election primary election, Oshiomhole surprisingly informed his commissioners and other aides of a slight change in his name. ‘’That was not the first time he would tinker with his name. During the 2007 campaigns, we had to worry about Aliyu or Aliu, until a communion service arranged by distinguished Senator Roland Owie was conducted by Rev. Father Theophilus Uwaifo to prove to the public that, indeed, Oshiomhole was not an atheist’’, the former commissioner added.

‘’This time around, he would want us to emphasise Eric as his first name. Although, he gave no reason for the change in his name, it was obvious to most commissioners that it was a ploy to secure the position of running mate to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

‘’His action was in connection with the misconception about his faith by many people. The Oshiomhole’s vice-presidential candidate ambition was a complete disaster in terms of resources, emotion ego bruising. ‘’One of his close kinsmen, who was a fellow member in the State Executive Council, told a tittle-tattle story of how our dear governor lost close to half a billion naira to an intermediary network working for an APC leader from South- West, Nigeria.

‘’Few weeks after the presidential primary, I drew the attention of the governor to the non-compliance of his directive by his media team—on the effective use of Eric as his first name. Oshiomhole dismissed me in anger, saying, Orobosa, you bother so much about details and for your information that is not necessary now.’’ Omo-Ojo further stated that Oshiomhole’s decision to adopt Eric as his first name and his follow-up decision to drop same without consideration for his brand net-worth is a reflective of his spontaneous leadership style — that has positioned his achievement as transitional gain.

He added, ‘’Eight years of bits and pieces of impulsive projects will ultimately fade away moments after he leaves office. One of the most significant disadvantages of Oshiomhole’s impulsive management behaviour is that his stewardship has led to destabilisation in the state. His hallmark is rapid change of expectations and he offered us no real level of consistency in terms of expected measurable outputs.

‘’Oshiomhole campaigned with an end to godfatherism, but it is obvious that his main goal is to become the new godfather of Edo politics, hence the imposition of candidates in total disrespect for party internal democracy has been the order of the day.’’

He stated that credible Edo sons and daughters who joined the APC because of Muhammadu Buhari and John Odigie Oyegun’s chairmanship of APC were denied space in the party by Oshiomhole.

Buhari to IBB, Gusau : Tell Nigerians why you removed me from office

By Soni Daniel

Abuja: Thirty one years after his administration was toppled in a military coup, President Muhammadu Buhari has finally opened up on why he was sacked.

Buhari said in an exclusive interview granted The Interview, that he was removed from office because he was planning to purge the military hierarchy of corruption.

Buhari, who has not spared the military even in his ongoing anti-corruption war, said senior military leaders, led by former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and General Aliyu Gusau, removed him in August 1985, to save themselves from his wrath.

In an exclusive interview published in the current edition of The Interview magazine, Buhari challenged Babangida and Gusau to tell the truth on why they carried out the coup against him.

“I learnt,” he said, “that Aliyu Gusau, who was in charge of intelligence, took import licence from the ministry of commerce which was in charge of supplies and gave it to Alhaji Mai Deribe.

"It was worth N100,000, a lot of money at that time. I confronted them and took the case to the Army council in a memo...I wanted Gusau punished."

In a statement on www: theinterview.com.ng, the Managing Director/Editor-in-chief of The Interview, Azu Ishiekwene, said, “This is one edition that won’t let sleeping dogs lie.”

But in an earlier edition of the magazine last December, Babangida had said that that there was nothing in the memo which Buhari said he submitted to the Army council.

IBB said: "Don't forget that I was one of Buhari’s closest aides. I was the chief of army staff. So, I had an important position, an important role to play within that administration. I don't think it had to do with a memo.”

But in a tone which suggested that the past may neither have been forgotten nor forgiven, Buhari challenged Babangida and Gusau to come clean on why they removed him, asking The Interview to choose whose story to believe.

He also fielded questions about his health, the 2016 budget, the pace of his government, former President Goodluck Jonathan and why Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola was handed three ministerial portfolios.

Fight those who try to stop you from practising Islam - Sultan of Sokoto

Sa'ad Abubakar, The Sultan of Sokoto

The President General of the Nigerian Supreme
Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto,
Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims to fight
any body or group that attempts to stop them
from performing their religious obligations.

He said, ”the only thing that will make me to act
or ask you to act is only when somebody or a
group or some other nations decide to stop us
from performing our religious obligations. That is
the only way we can fight somebody.”

He made the statement while speaking at a
conference organised by Da’wah Co-ordination
Council of Nigeria.

The Sultan also warned Muslim clerics against
preaching hate messages.

According to him, “When somebody or a group or
some other nations decide to stop us from
performing our religious obligations, we must
never take laws into our hands. We must not be
law officers. We do not do that in Islam.
“We do not force anybody to join Islam. There is
no compulsion in Islam.

“Our good deeds, good actions and good
interactions as Muslims will give that very bright
light to everybody what Islam is and that is what
brings people to join us.

“Those who do not want to come as Muslims are
free to stay with us and continue working with
us to make this country a much better place.
“Whoever wants to fight you, do not fight him;
leave him alone. Be very patient.

“The only thing that will make me to act or ask
you to act is only when somebody or a group or
some other nations decide to stop us from
performing our religious obligations. That is the
only way we can fight somebody.

“But if I am allowed to pursue my religious
obligations, say my prayers and pay my zakat
and so many other things, I have no problem
with anybody. To you, your religion and to me,
my religion.”