REVEALED: UNITED FA CUP FINAL SQUAD

Louis van Gaal has restored Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Marouane Fellaini are back but there is disappointment for one big player.

United's FA Cup final squad features some interesting changes
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has included Matteo Darmian, Marouane Fellaini, Morgan Schneiderlin and Marcos Rojo in his 18-man FA Cup final squad.

Fellaini is available against Crystal Palace after serving a three-match suspension, while Schneiderlin and Rojo return after missing the win over Bournemouth through illness and injury. Darmian suffered an ankle injury in the victory at Norwich two weeks ago, has also recovered in time for the trip to Wembley.

Memphis had, until Van Gaal made his Cup final selections, been included in all 58 of United's matchday squads this season but his chastening debut campaign at Old Trafford has ended agonisingly .

Borthwick-Jackson, a popular pick to start the final ahead of Rojo among supporters, has also suffered disappointment. Both he and Memphis left Carrington in their cars, while the 18-man United squad headed to Stockport station in the team bus.

Andreas Pereira and Guillermo Varela are the other two players included in Tuesday's squad to make way for United's returning quartet. It is understood Van Gaal informed players they would be in his Cup final squad on Thursday.

The Dutchman admitted on Thursday how difficult it would be breaking the good and bad news to his players ahead of today's final.

"I work a year with 27 players - all the 27 try to do their utmost best," he said on Thursday .

"I believe in that and then you have to say to a player he is not invited for the squad. He has to come to the stadium. That is not nice. They have all worked very hard. I do this individually, always, you cannot do it with the group."

The final could be Van Gaal's last match in charge of United and the Dutchman has decisively chosen to go with experience by omitting Borthwick-Jackson and Memphis, who has endured a difficult debut season in England.

In October, Memphis was withdrawn at the interval in the defeat to Arsenal, demoted from the United first-team at Everton and dropped from the Netherlands squad by new coach Danny Blind – only to be reinstated. Van Gaal has substituted Memphis at half-time three times – in the 3-1 win over Liverpool in September, the 3-0 loss at Arsenal and the 2-0 Boxing Day surrender at Stoke.

Borthwick-Jackson, who is understood not to be injured, might arguably feel more hard done by, given Rojo's recent poor form. Phil Jones, who has also made Van Gaal's 18-man squad, has not played in the senior side since January 2 and could receive a Cup final medal without playing in the tournament this season.

United FA Cup final squad: De Gea, Romero, Valencia, Darmian, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Rojo, Fellaini, Herrera, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Lingard, Young, Mata, Rooney, Martial, Rashford

WE'RE READY FOR BURUNDI -AMUNEKE

Flying Eagles coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has said he is optimistic of victory in Saturday’s first leg Zambia 2017 CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi in Bujumbura.
Nigeria won their seventh African title without losing a match in the competition in Senegal last year.

Amuneke, who has named 15 members of the Chile 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winning side for today’s game, declared the readiness of his players for the clash.
“We have prepared and have been working pretty hard for the match against Burundi. The players know what is expected of them and collectively as a team. We are looking forward to the match with optimism,” Amuneke told Cafonline.
“Individually and collectively, we are doing everything in order to be on the same page and when we get to Burundi, we are going to give a very good account of ourselves as a team.”
Burundi qualified for the second round of the qualifiers after the withdrawal of DR Congo from the first round qualifiers while the Flying Eagles got a bye from the first round.
Nigeria will bank on Chile 2015 highest scorer, Victor Osimhen, tournament’s Golden Ball winner Kelechi Nwakali and Bronze Shoe winner, Samuel Chukwueze for victory in Bujumbura.


Amuneke, who won bronze at the 1991 All Africa Games in Egypt, added, “I’m not under any pressure but our business now is qualification for the tournament in Zambia. I’m not going to discuss what I know about Burundi here but what I know is that we are going to face a formidable team; and I’m confident we would be ready to play them in their home and when they come for the return match.
“Though there are factors like high altitude as well as the timing of the match to deal with, our players are psychologically ready for these challenges.”
Despite reports that Osimhen, who suffered a shoulder injury in their warm-up match against the national Under-23 team last week, may not be fit for the clash, Amuneke said he was not relying solely on the Wolfsburg-bound player for goals.
“Victor is fine but this team is not only about Osimhen. We are not only looking up to Osimhen against Burundi. If he’s not available, there would be somebody to take his place. I don’t depend on only one or two players. We are building a team that can play collectively. Osimhen is important to our team but we have other important players in the team as well,” he concluded.
The return leg will take place on the weekend of June 10-12, with the winners advancing to the final round of the qualifiers that will give birth to seven teams to join hosts Zambia for the final tournament from February 26 to March 12, 2017.

Dele Momodu: The 2nd Coming Of General Buhari

Fellow Nigerians, let me start today’s epistle by saying time flies indeed. Over a year ago, the dream of Major General Muhammadu Buhari to return to power, after being toppled in a military coup by Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and company, was eventually realised after a record fourth attempt. History would record this monumental feat as one of the biggest miracles of our time. It was a testimony to the power of resilience and tenacity.

Not many people would ever have a second chance in life. In fact, a second chance is usually a rare and divine opportunity to correct past mistakes, make amends, atone for sins of omission and commission; and move forward to greater glory. In recent time, only two former Generals have been so favoured. The first Nigerian to return to power in 1999 was General Olusegun Matthew Aremu Okikiolakan Obasanjo. Obasanjo had left power in 1979, in a most controversial manner, after handing over power hurriedly to the newly elected President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari. That election would remain one of the most controversial in Africa’s most populous nation but Obasanjo was determined to quit power and he got a standing ovation from the global community.

Obasanjo remained vocal and relevant in retirement. He attained the enviable status of a statesman for his dexterous understanding of foreign affairs as well as his uncommon courage at fighting for Africa wherever his avuncular intervention was required. He was voluble in his acerbic criticism of his successors, especially President Babangida who had metamorphosed from military to civilian President and instantly acquired the sobriquet of “evil genius.” There were rumours that Babangida did not want to quit power as attested to by his endless transition deadlines which eventually culminated in the ill-fated June 12, 1993 election debacle and its resultant conundrum. The refusal to hand over to the presumptuous winner of that election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the Yoruba generalissimo, would cost Nigeria some expensive and extensive repercussions.

President Babangida was left with no choice than to step aside after all his talismanic experiments failed. He handed over to a lame duck Interim National Government, headed by Chief Ernest Adegunle Shonekan, which crumbled in a jiffy when General Sani Abacha struck and sentenced Nigeria to years of servitude and excruciating dictatorship. Buhari was assigned a pivotal role under that dreaded government when he was asked to manage the Petroleum Trust Fund. Despite criticisms about his performance, many would attest to the fact that he applied the funds frugally and judiciously.

Abacha was a different kind of military ruler. Despite his well-known taciturnity, his actions were reverberatingly loud. Many of us dispersed and scattered in different directions. No one needed to tell us before we scampered into safety. It was during this eerie period that Olusegun Obasanjo and his former deputy, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, both retired army Generals simultaneously got into trouble when they were charged for treason. Abiola himself had been picked up from his home and kept in solitary confinement at God-knows-where. Abiola was a civilian warrior who fought ferociously for his inalienable right to be the President of Nigeria. Out of the three of them, only Obasanjo lived to tell the story. The other two died under mysterious circumstances yet to be unravelled till this day.

Obasanjo came out of prison looking gaunt and almost gone but God is awesome. The Bible-wielding leader effortlessly migrated from prison to the presidential villa in Abuja. It was a matter of destiny which no tribulation could stop or annihilate. The resurgence of Obasanjo was a done deal by the Nigerian Mafia. Chief Oluyemisi Falae, banker and economist, fought a spirited battle but failed to stop Obasanjo’s second coming.

Obasanjo, without doubt, knew Nigeria inside out and he had his game plan ready. He was able to hit the ground running from Day One. His style was blistering. He managed the economy well and was able to pay off Nigeria’s debts. He was fortunate that oil, Nigeria’s cash cow, sold at a premium. He reversed Nigeria’s pariah status in the comity of nations. He was personable and accommodating in his first term. But trouble came as he began to seek the second time. He wasted enough energy, time and resources fighting his Vice President and ancillary and imaginary enemies. His war against corruption became vengeful and ruthless. The crave for an unconstitutional third term was the height of it all. Whether he personally wanted it or was lured into it, this audacious move deemed and diminished the Obasanjo presidency. Despite the hoopla generated by the controversial plot, Obasanjo would be remembered as a leader who did so much for his country during his second coming.

It was during Obasanjo’s re-election contest in 2003 that Buhari threw his hat in the ring. No one knew how long he had nursed the ambition of returning to power. Buhari failed and cried foul. He headed to the courts but got no joy in return. In the twilight days of the Obasanjo government, Buhari tried his luck again but lost to Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, his fellow citizen from Katsina State. Again, Buhari cried wolf. In 2011, Buhari joined the presidential race again and was taunted as a serial candidate. He was soundly beaten by the incumbent President Dr Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, who had been catapulted to power after the death of his ailing boss, President Yar’Adua. Out of acute frustration, or something else, Buhari sang a nunc dimittis and literally said goodbye to presidential contests. It didn’t come as a surprise to many. At nearly 70 years old, the perennial campaigns must have taken its toll on the body if not the soul. Buhari had crisscrossed several political parties. He had been called unprintable names including religious bigot, ruthless dictator, certificate dodger and forger, terrorist, and so on. But man proposes and God disposes.

Somehow, Buhari suddenly announced he would run again. When God is ready for you, you will find succour in your enemies. Those who would ordinarily not support Buhari all lined up for him. Buhari was repackaged and rebranded as a born again democrat. The recklessness of the PDP government and the war of attrition which ravaged the ruling party made Buhari’s journey a lot sleeker this time. What was thought impossible in the past ignited and exploded at home and abroad. Buhari was funky-fied and he became a brand we all identified with proudly.

Thus the expectations were raised for a Buhari presidency and this would later put so much pressure on the fledgling government. Buhari won the election convincingly this time and President Goodluck Jonathan was magnificent in defeat. For the first time we saw an incumbent Nigerian President concede defeat and even calling his opponent to offer congratulations. What if Jonathan had refused to give up power and chose to set up the nation in flames? Innocent people would have been killed for the sake of political gladiators. The joy in the land was unlimited. It reverberated across the seas.

Buhari was sworn in one year less eight days today. And it has been quite a tough and rough journey. The first challenge was how to assemble a good, competent and efficacious team to run the nation with the president we all knew to be incorruptible. That exercise alone took several months. There is no question, that sluggishness dampened the fire of change that had engulfed everywhere. The rumbling started from that moment when it seemed the momentum had waned substantially. The screening exercise also turned into another melodrama. It dragged on a bit before the cabinet was eventually constituted.

The ruling party APC had started on a precarious note when it could not gently elect its national assembly leaders. Like a house divided against itself, APC leaders have been tearing at each other’s throats. The battle has taken a full year in germinating and no one knows when the harvest time would come and the yield it would bring to all parties concerned in the imbroglio.

The economy has suffered miserably. Oil revenue has gone down drastically. Exchange rates have hit the rooftops beyond the ceiling. Imports have decreased. Government is not able to meet its commitments to the people. There have been flip-flops in terms of dashed or miscommunicated campaign promises. The social media is now agog with all manner of caricatures dissing the Buhari government. A battle is raging between the Buhari supporters and those who feel Buhari’s government is failing and falling apart. Some have already written off the second coming of Buhari as an anti-climax. Are they right or wrong? The answer is neither here nor there.

President Buhari did not come back at the right time. The comatose economy caused by atrocious corruption and reckless years of profligacy has hit the country by the jugular. One area the government has shown total passion without compassion is in the area of fighting corruption. The battle has been fierce and relentless. There have been allegations that Buhari is on a witch-hunt to take his pound of flesh on his critics and perceived enemies. PDP has been under siege. The banks are not having it easy over campaign funds that were warehoused in their vaults. There is panic in the financial sector. The tension is red hot. Buhari and his team must have their strategy and many are praying and hoping everything is on course and we shall arrive our destination safe and sound.

President Buhari has travelled far and wide within this first year in office. He’s been accorded the status of a rock star globally. He is well respected. How this would translate to concrete achievements remain to be seen. On a personal note, I believe despite the humongous challenges, it is too early to write off Buhari. This government has three years to show Nigerians its capabilities. In my next piece, I plan to elaborate on what I think President Buhari can and should do to redeem his government from the spiralling attacks. He should ignore the paranoia of those who are likely to find enemies where there are none.
It shall be well with our country

At ₦145/L price, Nigerians buy one of the cheapest Petrol in the world - Daramola Babalola

On the 12th of May, 2016 Nigerians woke up to the detestable reality that they will now have to pay ₦145 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol representing over 40% increase from the previous pump price, ₦86.50

While some are mobilizing for '#occupyNigeria season 2', labour unions in the country are currently planning to commence an indefinite nationwide strike action that will 'shutdown the economy' on Wednesday in a bid to protest the increase in fuel price.

Following the harsh economic realities Nigeria is currently facing, many Nigerians have labelled the Federal Government as being insensitive to the plight of its citizen by making fuel too expensive for consumption.

But really, how expensive is fuel in Nigeria, compared to other countries? and is the Nigerian government really insensitive? We are about to find out.

At ₦145/Litre, is fuel too expensive in Nigeria?
As surprising as it may seem, Nigeria is ranked 12th as per cheapest price of petrol in 173 countries even with the new  ₦145 per litre price according to Globalpetrolprices.com 

 In Nigeria, fuel now costs ₦145/L and with the current exchange rate that is fluctuating between ₦320-₦360 to a dollar, it means we are paying  about $0.44/L

It may however interest you to know that in United States, fuel is sold at the pump price of $0.65/L ( ₦214/L), In South Africa $0.84/L (₦277), In Russia $0.55/L (₦181/L), $0.91/L (₦300/L) in Canada, $0.92 (₦303/L) in Ghana, and it costs $0.93 (₦306/L) in China.

Some will argue that the countries above are not petroleum exporting countries (OPEC) like Nigeria, but what about OPEC member countries like Angola, where PMS is sold at $1/L (about ₦330), In Iraq at $0.64/L (₦211), In Venezuela pump price is $0.60/L (₦198/L) with President Nicolas Maduro calling the approximately ₦198/L pump price 'one of the cheapest in the world'.  

Even in the oil rich, United Arab Emirates (UAE) PMS is sold at $0.45/L which is about (₦148/L) which is more expensive than the price in Nigeria.

According to Globalpetrolprices.com In Hong Kong, the pump price is set at $1.85/L (about ₦610/L) making the country the most expensive seller of gasoline in the world.

With the facts and figures above, at ₦145/L fuel is not expensive, it's actually one of the cheapest in the world, but because of the poor living conditions of millions of Nigerians, it appears expensive and thus, many Nigerians struggle to afford it.

That is why the government needs to provide welfare programs, kill that disease called corruption, invest in electricity, education, fix refineries, provide jobs and increase minimum wage to reduce poverty in the country, because the current ₦18,000 minimum wage is too small compared to how much we buy petrol.

Is Nigeria the only country increasing pump price?

Again, the answer is a 'BIG NO'.The excruciating increase in pump price is not even limited to Nigeria alone, major oil rich countries of the world have increased their fuel price this year, some even by over 50%.

See examples below

Saudi Arabia 40% increase
In December 2015, Saudi Arabia increased fuel price in the country by 40%
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/saudi-arabia-hikes-petrol-prices-40-pump-151228154350415.html
Oil rich Saudi Arabia, last year announced a record $98bn budget deficit due to 'rock-bottom global petroleum prices'
Like Nigeria, Saudi Arabia suffered a sharp drop in revenues as oil prices have fallen more than 60 percent since mid-2014 to below $40 a barrel.
To address the situation, the Gulf kingdom increased fuel price by 40%

Venezuela increased fuel price in February, 2016
President Nicolas Maduro in February increased fuel price to $0.60 (₦198) as Venezuela's economy was pushed to the brink by the collapse in the oil price, which accounts for about 95% of the country's export revenues.
He said the price over 50% rise was "a necessary measure, a necessary action to balance things, I take responsibility for it."
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35600921?SThisFB

Fuel price increased in UAE in May, 2016
The oil rich, United Arab Emirates also increased pump price about 2 weeks ago.
Fuel is now sold at $0.45/L in UAE, which is about ₦148/L in Nigerian Naira, ₦3 more than the pump price in Nigeria today.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/business/energy/2016/04/28/Fuel-prices-in-the-UAE-will-increase-in-May.html

Qatar increased fuel price by 30% in January, 2016
The oil rich country that last increased petrol prices in 2011, also increased pump price in January, 2016 to $0.36 (₦118) which is the 5th cheapest pump price in the world.
http://dohanews.co/qatar-increases-petrol-prices-from-midnight-tonight/

50% increase in pump price in Bahrain in January, 2016
As a result of the unprecedented drop in global oil prices, which has seen the price of oil per barrel decline by over 60%.
The government in Bahrain followed the steps of fellow Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries the country increased fuel price by 50% in January.
http://bna.bh/portal/en/news/705611

I could go on and on, to give more examples of oil rich countries like Nigeria that have increased pump price in 2016, Nigerians need to understand that this is not a Nigerian, Kachikwu, APC or PDP problem, this is a global problem we are dealing with affecting even the oil rich countries of the world.

We need to stop seeing the Federal government as insensitive, wicked, heartless, unfeeling, inconsiderate, thoughtless and hard-hearted for increasing the pump price to ₦145/L. We need to temporary sacrifice for the greater good, with the hope that as promised we will be better off in the long term.

To cushion the current challenges, the Federal Government must also sincerely provide social provisions for millions of poor Nigerians who will suffer from the fuel hike. Some of the oil rich countries listed above have increased fuel price this year, but due to the several welfare packages provided, the citizens can ease through this rough patch.

I am glad about the N500 billion social intervention programmes provided in the 2016 budget, which includes jobs, social safety allowance for the most vulnerable people, free schooling for students, soft loan to traders, investment in infrastructure etc. Hopefully Buhari's 'anti-corruption' centered government can channel the funds with 100% sincerity and accountability.

But why did the fuel price have to increase?

For that barber down the street who relies on petrol most times to power his small generator to keep his business running, it will be difficult for him to understand how the fuel price increase will benefit him in the long run. Infact, he will most likely rant everyday about the hardship the government is causing him.

I'm sure many have wondered why a country like Nigeria, blessed with oil suffer for it? But unfortunately, Crude oil price is an internationally traded commodity , the prices are not set by the countries that produce it. Neither do oil producing countries get a discount in the international market for producing this product.

While many think the current increase in fuel price is about removal of fuel subsidy, this notion is totally wrong because it was brought about by the non-availability of foreign exchange to import petroleum products. infact, there is no provision for subsidy in the 2016 budget according to the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

Oil is selling at below 40 dollars and the currency (dollar) needed to purchase the refined petrol is no longer available, that is just simply the problem here.

Oil and gas make up more than 90 percent of exports in Nigeria, providing the critical source of Nigeria’s foreign exchange.

It’s that simple; a collapse in oil prices could lead to the same in Nigeria’s foreign exchange which is crucial to support consumption of imports. Foreign exchange rates also influence capital flows- investment funds that move into and out of a country. If oil prices continue to drop it would have an adverse effect on the country’s currency value, making it less attractive to foreign investors.

Since our local consumption of fuel is almost entirely imported. The NNPC exchanges crude from its joint venture share to provide about 50% of local fuel consumption. The remaining 50% is imported by major and independent marketers.

However marketers have drastically reduced their importation for several months due to a scarcity of FOREX, thus the need for them to source independent of CBN to be able to meet the nation’s demand arose.

Now any Nigerian entity is free to import the product, subject to existing quality specifications and other guidelines issued by Regulatory Agencies.

All oil marketers will be allowed to import PMS on the basis of FOREX procured from secondary sources.

It is expected that this new policy will lead to improved supply and competition and eventually drive down pump prices.

In addition, this will also lead to increased product availability and encourage investments in refineries and other parts of the downstream sector.

The difference between Jonathan's attempt to increase fuel price in 2012 and this? - And why the anti-₦145/L protests will fail
Former President Goodluck Jonathan ran into trouble after he removed fuel subsidy on New Year’s Day in 2012.

This took fuel price from ₦65 to ₦141 at filling stations. This led to massive protests by civil-rights groups, labour unions, and Nigerians generally. APC, the opposition party at that time, took political advantage of the situation by identifying with the suffering and criticizing the Jonathan administration for removing subsidy.

Four years later President Buhari officially removes fuel subsidy. Millions of Nigerians are angry. Nigerians are understandably accusing the present administration of cowardice, deception, and hypocrisy, but how true is this?

How much was oil price in 2011? Oil price was $113 per barrel. Today, oil price is just about $40 per barrel after going below $30  early this year.

And the exchange rate? Under Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership, the exchange rate was $1 to N162. Today, exchange rate is officially N199 to a dollar; N320-N360 in the parallel market.

And foreign reserves? Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at $35billion in January 2012 and $29.61billion as at 28 May 2015, the eve of hand over to President Buhari. Today, foreign reserve is $27.1 billion, amid myriad of restrictive measures to stem the steady slide in the economy’s external sector.

 Under the previous administration, Nigeria was enjoying an economic-growth rate of 6% averagely. Thanks to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) riding on the back of a devalued Naira. President Jonathan also, largely, had the right economic mix. But corruption and terrorism were two of its greatest challenges. There were allegations of massive corruption, particularly what was reported to be a fuel-subsidy scam right under Goodluck Jonathan’s nose.

Rather than tackle these allegations by investigating and prosecuting those involved in the scam, President Jonathan decided to remove subsidy as the solution to the problem. The administration claimed removing fuel subsidy would free up funds for capital projects. But Nigerians had little or no trust in the administration. The administration was incompetent and corrupt. How can it be trusted to save for the future? This was a fundamental issue. So ‪#‎OccupyNigeria‬ shot down Nigeria’s economy in January 2012, not simply because Goodluck Jonathan increased fuel price but mainly because millions of Nigerians did not trust the administration with the money it claimed it would “save” for the future.

Today there are strong reasons to believe that if fuel-subsidy removal had been allowed in 2012, most of it would have ended up in private bank accounts.

Under Buhari administration, though partly due to some of its own reactive and over-restrictive economic policies, the Nigerian economy is sick. There is scarcity of foreign exchange. Oil marketers are finding it extremely difficult to import petroleum products into the country. FDI has nose-dived. The low international-oil price meant there was no need for it.

 Now that fuel price has increased internationally, we expected the government to subsidize to alleviate people’s suffering. The Buhari administration says ‘No. We don’t have enough foreign exchange to do so.” Oil marketers are having difficulties opening letters of credit to import petroleum products. The result is that NNPC alone has had to supply over 90% of petroleum products since October 2015. This has not always been so.

NNPC used to supply 48% of petroleum products. Since NNPC does not have what it takes to supply so much, there will continue to be fuel scarcity. To tackle the scarcity problem, the government painfully decides to free up the oil-supply system by allowing the international-oil price determine fuel price locally without any fiscal intervention. Oil marketers are now accessing foreign exchange (through secondary sources) to import petroleum products into the country since ₦145 naira per litre provides some reasonable profit margin after supply costs.

Meanwhile, the government is taking measures to block leakages through zero budgeting, Single Treasury Account (TSA), and its Anti-Corruption Agenda. We are now talking about refineries, public and private-owned refineries that will eventually make fuel scarcity a thing of the past.

Nigerians asked Jonathan to work on old refineries and build new ones, given the resources available at the time, and first kill the regime of fuel importation. Subsidy would have died a natural death and the process of privatization would have been smoother. Today, some of the refineries are functional again, which were not in Jonathan’s days. Government-owned outlets sell refined fuel today, at a far cheaper rate. Not the private ones.

As labour go all out on Wednesday to attempt to shutdown Nigeria, my prediction is that they will not even achieve up to 5% of what the 2012 #OccupyNigeria protests achieved, the protest is bound to be a massive failure, because more Nigerians trust the sincerity of Buhari's government unlike his predecessor. And while the ₦145/L price remains a hard pill to swallow, it's still the 12th cheapest price in the world, facts only.

CORRUPTION: BUHARI DIRECTS EFCC TO INVESTIGATE AREGBESOLA OVER ALLEGED DIVERSION OF L.G. FUNDS *AS EFCC INVITES CSO FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATION

As part of effort to get rid of menace of corruption in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to commence the investigation of alleged diversion of monthly Allocations of thirty (30) Local Governments area of Osun State leveled against the State governor, Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, and some officials his government by the State based Civil Society Organization (CSO), the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS).

However, the Ibadan Zonal Office of the anti-graft agency (EFCC) has written an invitation letter to the Chairman of the CSCEOS, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman to appear before it on 17th May, 2016 for further clarifications on the subject matter from the group as a result of its Petition Letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, calling for investigation and stoppage of releasing of Local Government Monthly Allocations to the State through Mr. Aregbesola.

According to the EFCC’s Invitation Letter, dated 13th May, 2016, with the reference No: CR: 3000/EFCC/IB/T.B/VOL.1/79 and titled: “Investigation Activities: Acknowledgement/Invitation Letter” signed by EFCC’s Zonal Head, Akaninyene Ezima which was made available to newsmen on Sunday.

The Invitation Letter reads thus: “This is to acknowledge the receipt of your petition dated 4th April, 2016, captioned Report of Illegal Diversion of 30 Local Governments monthly Allocations by the Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola.Why Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS) is calling for investigation and stoppage of Releasing of Local Government Monthly Allocations to Osun State Through Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and to inform you that investigation has commenced.

“In view of the above, you are hereby requested to report to EFCC Zonal Office at No.16 Rev’d Oyebode Crescent, Iyaganku Ibadan G.R.A., Ibadan for an interview with the undersigned through the Head Team B, on the 17th May, 2016, at 10am prompt. You may wish to contact the office through 08098877321 for further clarification”.

It would be recalled that the group’s had earlier written President Buhari on the issue where the anti-graft agencies in the country were copied for notification and necessary action, demanding for the commencement of credible investigation and forensic audit of the account books of the 30 Constitutionally recognized local government areas of Osun State and to also investigate the roles of the then Executive Secretaries, Head of Local Government Administration(HLA) and Director of Finances as well as former Commissioner and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the criminal diversion of the monthly Allocation Funds accrued to the Local Government in the State.

It said, “It is duty bound on us as an organization that is craving for egalitarian and corrupt free society to draw the urgent attention of your good office(s) to the ongoing advancement of illegal and unconstitutional diversion of the monthly Allocations of 30 Local government areas of Osun State by Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola since November 2010.

“To affirm this illegality and unconstitutionality, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola suspended the democratic system in the constitutionally recognized 30 Local government areas of Osun State by appointing the grade level 14 local government staff as “Council Managers” to man the Council areas of the State instead of “democratically elected Chairmen and Councilors” as stipulated in the Section 7(1) of the amended 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria in order to give Aregbesola leeway in the criminal diversion of Local government funds”.

The group added, “That the Federal Government, National Assembly, and its anti-graft agencies should investigate the acclaimed road projects embarked upon by Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola on behalf of the Local Government areas of the State without following due process of Public Procurement Act. The violation of all due process in managing the public finances of Osun State by Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has been seriously impacting negatively on lives of the State masses including the State and Local Government workers with their retiree are alike”.

AFRICA’S RICHEST MAN ALIKO DANGOTE SUSPENDS PRODUCTION OF TOMATO PASTE

Dangote Tomato Processing Factory, a newly commissioned company owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has suspended its operations due to the unavailability of its most important raw material – fresh tomatoes.

The Managing Director of the factory, Abdulkadir Kaita, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday that several tomato farms in in Kano, Jigawa, Plateau, Katsina and Kaduna states (all located in Nigeria’s northern region), were affected by Tuta Absoluta, a leaf mining moth and common tomato pest, which destroyed all the tomato farms – a situation that has resulted in scarcity and higher prices for the commodity.

Kaita however said that production would resume during the next irrigation season.
Dangote Group, the Nigerian conglomerate owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, launched the $20 million tomato processing facility in Kano state, northern Nigeria earlier this year. The tomato processing plant has a daily production capacity of 1,200 metric tones per day, and will primarily buy tomatoes from farmers in the Kadawa Valley in Kano state and will pay them a guaranteed price of about $700 per ton of tomatoes.

Colombia seizes more than 17,500 pounds of cocaine from drug gang

Police in Colombia seized more than 17,500 pounds of cocaine from a gang in a series of operations across the country in recent days, authorities said.

The drug bust was part of an offensive against a narcotrafficking criminal gang called Clan Úsuga, authorities said.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos congratulated police on Twitter for carrying out the operation, which he said resulted in the largest drug seizure ever.
The Colombian Defense Ministry called it the biggest cocaine seizure on Colombian territory in history.
Pictures released by police showed hundreds of pre-packaged bricks of drugs laid out by police.

Authorities also arrested four men and found a handful of weapons, according to a press release from Colombian National Police.
One of the men, whose alias is "Micolta," is charged with extortion and ordering homicides and is under investigation for a host of other crimes.

Clan Úsuga is one of Colombia's most powerful criminal gangs and has been designated as a narcotics trafficking group by the United States.
The U.S. Justice Department calls Clan Úsuga Colombia's "largest and most influential drug trafficking group" and has charged a handful of its alleged leaders with related crimes.
The State Department has offered $5 million for help that leads the capture of the group's leader, Dario "Otoniel" Úsuga.

It claims he leads Los Urabeños, "a heavily armed, extremely violent criminal organization comprised of former members of terrorist organizations that did not demobilize as part of the Colombian government's justice and peace process.