Welcome to Mistabiola's Blog

Engr. Buba Galadima was a close confidant of President Muhammadu Buhari before their relationship turned sour. This interview brings the remaining areas he spoke on that have not been captured in the cover story captioned “Buhari may be alone in 2019 - Buba Galadima.” Excerpts: Why do you think President Buhari allows certain people around the government despite increasing complaints from various quarters? I don’t know, maybe he’s comfortable with those he has now, and it’s his prerogative. But for us, Nigerians, we’ve the right to criticize him because we elected him to do certain things for us and if he’s not doing them, we would educate the people to tell him that he’s wrong. Why do you think the chieftains of the APC, such as Tinubu and Oyegun and then Atiku and El-Rufai are trading words in the media? We’re a party that’s in government but have you ever in the history of Nigeria seen where in the secretariat of the ruling party water is disconnected, electricity is disconnect

There were strong indications yesterday that 11 former ministers during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan may soon join the All Progressives Congress (APC). It was also learnt that there is pressure on ex-Governor Jolly Nyame, Senator Andy Uba and some Senators in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to shift base to the APC. An opposition governor is yet to make up his mind on whether to defect to the ruling party. The planned defection of the 11 ex-ministers is all part of the ongoing realignment of forces. Some of the former ministers are said to be looking for soft landing because of ongoing investigations by the anti-graft agencies. A few others opted for defection because they are unsure of the future of the PDP. The defection of a former Minister of Transport, Umar Idris, from PDP to APC last weekend was regarded as a “pilot test” for the ex-ministers, who are mostly from the North. It was however gathered that Idris, whose defection shocked many PDP lead

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), delivering his speech during the presentation of the Y2017 Budget Estimates to the House, at the Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday, November 29, 2016. With him are Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (behind) and the acting Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Adebowale Sanni (left). The Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday presented the 2017 budget proposal of N813 billion to the House of Assembly, assuring that the budget would be judiciously implemented to continue the infrastructural renewal and the enhancement of Lagos as one of the foremost tourism and investment destination in Africa. Mr. Ambode, who tagged the budget “The Golden Jubilee Budget” as it coincides with the State’s 50th Anniversary, said it would focus on physical infrastructure, while social sectors especially health, education, youth and social development would get adequate attention. “In the course of the 2017 Financia

Some ICT stakeholders have expressed mixed reaction to the proposed increase in the cost of data by some telecommunication operators from Dec. 1, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. NAN recalls that some telecommunication companies have been sending out messages to subscribers that they will increase data rate from Dec. 1, in line with the Nigeria Communications Commission’s order. Mr Olusola Teniola, the President Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) said that with the increase, other telecom companies would jerk up their prices, which would adversely affect subscribers. He said that operators would also increase the cost of megabytes, which consumers could not afford at this time of economic recession. “So what we are saying at ATCON is that no taxes should be applied in this industry and if there any taxes, it should also include other sectors. “Already, the cost of data will go up in December and subscribers will not be getting as much data as th

Ado Ekit – Prices of foodstuff were forcefully reduced at markets in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday by a taskforce led by the President of the Market Women’s Association, Chief Omowaye Oso. The team visited the Oja Oba and the Bisi Egbeyemi markets, both in the state capital. Oso ordered the stoppage of foodstuff sold at exorbitant prices, after which, she personally sold to buyers at lower prices. Buyers had accused the sellers of deliberately selling at excessive prices on the excuse of the non-appreciation of the American dollar. Some of the commodities forced to sell at reduced prices included garri, beans, local rice and palm oil. Consequent, a measure of garri, which used to sell for N200 was reduced to N100. A 20-liter container of palm oil which sold at N22,000 was reduced to N15,000, while a measure of local rice, which initially sold at N500 was reduced to N400. Oso said she had henceforth ordered that small measure of Okro and locust beans be sold at N20 as against N50. She sa

The Director General of the Nigerian Law School (NLA), Professor Olanrewaju Onadeko (SAN), has lamented that some lawyers were now in the habit of sitting for examinations for students in the law school. He said some had already been caught in the act and the students involved awaiting disciplinary measures. Onadeko made the disclosure in Port Harcourt on Thursday while presenting the report of the school at the on-going 56th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). “Some lawyers were caught sitting as surrogates for students at the Nigerian Law School. In other words, they were caught writing examination for students at the school”, he said. He however did not disclose the number of lawyers and students caught in the act but said the students involved had been sent to NBA for appropriate actions. He also urged the NBA leadership to take serious and drastic actions against such erring legal practitioners to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to fol

This is a very sad blow for the nation. Nigerian team has been denied visa to participate in the 2016 MSI World Championships in Lille, France. World Scrabble champion, Wellington Jighere who shared the sad and embarrassing news -didn't give any reason for the rejection. The Mindsports World Youth Scrabble Championship will run from August 27 - 29, 2016. Wellington wrote on his page; "This is to wish everyone participating in this year's MSI World Scrabble Championships the best of luck since I and my Nigerian compatriots were refused visas. Yes, you heard me right! The number one Scrabble playing nation on earth was refused visas to enable her contingent participate at a Scrabble event. I guess some folk somewhere need to be better at their job next time. May the best player win!"

THE campaign team of the PDP candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was yesterday attacked at Jattu, the home town of the APC deputy governorship candidate, Philip Shaibu in Etsako West local government by youths allegedly said to be sympathetic to the APC who destroyed two vehicles in the process. Yesterday’s attack it was learnt followed an arson attack by some alleged APC supporters on Monday night of the residence of Mr. Emma Musa, the PDP Coordinator in the same locality. The two vehicles destroyed in Jattu during the attack included a Mercedes Benz C class and a Toyota Sienna. The attack happened as the campaign convoy was leaving the town but ran into a two-vehicle convoy of vehicles branded in APC colours that were chanting anti-PDP slogans. As at press time it was not certain if any arrest had been made as the incident was promptly reported to the Nigerian Police Area Command in Auchi by the PDP candidate in the company of the State chairman, Chief Dan Orbih. Meanwhile, a bewi

The truck driver parked his truck in the middle of the highway along Ore -Ijebu ode road, got down, put his mat on the ground and began to pray. This, of course, caused traffic. Some who found it amusing came down from their vehicles and began to take photos.

President Muhammadu Buhari has yet again reneged on his promise to make specific details of his assets public, failing to release comprehensive particulars of assets he filed to the Code of Conduct Bureau. The president had said he would make full disclosure after verification of the listed items by the CCB. A statement by the Code of Conduct Bureau on Wednesday said verification of the president’s assets had “since” been concluded. On September 3, 2015, in the face of widespread criticisms, the presidency through Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesperson, had released only some details of assets and liabilities filed by President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The statement said Mr. Buhari had N30 million in his bank account before taking office on May 29, while Mr. Osinbajo had N94 million and $900,000. It listed other assets of the president to include five houses in Kaduna, Daura, Kano and Abuja; two undeveloped plots of land, one in Kano and the other in Port Harcour

President Muhammadu Buhari has yet again reneged on his promise to make specific details of his assets public, failing to release comprehensive particulars of assets he filed to the Code of Conduct Bureau. The president had said he would make full disclosure after verification of the listed items by the CCB. A statement by the Code of Conduct Bureau on Wednesday said verification of the president’s assets had “since” been concluded. On September 3, 2015, in the face of widespread criticisms, the presidency through Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesperson, had released only some details of assets and liabilities filed by President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The statement said Mr. Buhari had N30 million in his bank account before taking office on May 29, while Mr. Osinbajo had N94 million and $900,000. It listed other assets of the president to include five houses in Kaduna, Daura, Kano and Abuja; two undeveloped plots of land, one in Kano and the other in Port Harcour

The Lagos State Government says it has demolished 84 street gates which were shut against motorists before 12 midnight deadline it stipulated. The Lagos State Government, in a bid to resolve traffic gridlock in the metropolis, ordered all street gates to be opened till 12 midnight of each day so that motorists could drive through them in a bid to decongest traffic in the state. Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. He said out of the 148 street gates earmarked for demolition across the state, 84 of them had been pulled down for failing to abide by government’s instruction to leave them open till 12 midnight. “The Ministry promoted 24-hour access through gated streets in the State with the involvement of Community Development Associations in the State. So far, enforcement in 84 locations has been effected as at April, 2016. This is being done to improve security, free

“Ol’boy, man don see something oh.” “Wetin you see?” “My eyes don see something. My ears don hear, and my mouth sef, I for talk something join.” “Talk make I hear” “No be dis Tiwa Savage and him husband matter? The husband wey say him wife offend am, he no gi am food, him wife dey form for house but him dey open leg for other men, and na another woman they give am edible catering, and the man come vex he wan jump inside river for Lekki-Ikoyi bridge” “Who the hell are you talking about?” “Tiwa Savage and her husband” “And who are those?” “Tiwa, now. Marvin First Lady.  She is one of Nigeria’s topmost female artistes. And her husband.  They are quarrelling. The husband tried to commit suicide. She says her husband prefers to follow other women, take cocaine and ignore his responsibilities as a man and a husband. Social media is agog with the news. Mainstream media is feeding on it too. The man even tried to jump into the Lagoon.” “And has he done so?” “No. He was restrained by

DEPUTY Governor of Edo State Dr. Pius Odubu, yesterday escaped death by the whiskers when gunmen shot at him. The incident happened at the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Auchi as the deputy governor was receiving a delegation. The attack took place a few minutes after Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Odubu left a party organised by Damian Lawani, representative of the Estako Central Constituency in the House of Assembly. The gunmen reportedly invaded the secretariat and opened fire on the deputy governor and others at the meeting. Five persons were said to have been critically injured, including the Guard Commander of the Deputy Governor’s Police team who covered his boss during the invasion. Six delegates and three security details attached to Odubu are said to be in critical conditions. They are receiving treatment at Faith Medical Centre in Auchi.