Welcome to Sky Gate News: 2016

Mark Zuckerberg and Wife visit Pope Francis

Facebook founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan visited Pope Francis on Monday.

According to SKY NEWS, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said they discussed "how to use communication technologies to alleviate poverty, encourage a culture of encounter, and make a message of hope arrive, especially to those most in need".

Zuckerberg described the visit as something he'll never forget. In a Post on his Facebook page, the 32 year old wrote, "We told him how much we admire his message of mercy and tenderness, and how he's found new ways to communicate with people of every faith around the world."

"It was a meeting we'll never forget. You can feel his warmth and kindness, and how deeply he cares about helping people."

- See more at: http://www.linknaija.com/2016/08/mark-zuckerberg-and-wife-visit-pope.html#sthash.9dbBp0LT.dpuf

Use recovered loot for people's welfare ,Kukah tells FG

Olufemi Atoyebi, Ibadan

The Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church, Bishop Mathew Kukah, has urged the Federal Government to convince the people that the proceeds recovered from corrupt individuals are channelled to projects that will have direct impact on the masses.

Kukah, who described corruption as a symptom of a sickness afflicting the country, expressed worry in the way the corruption fight was being fought by the Federal Government.

He lamented that from the look of things, it was obvious that many people were behaving as if the fight against corruption was the fight of a single individual.

Kukah spoke as a guest of the book readers’ club of the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy in Ibadan on Tuesday.

The clergy and social commentator also read from his book, Witness to Justice, urging Nigerians not to be misled by the option of coup as an alternative to democracy.

He said government must also engage the people to give them a hope of a better future.

“Corruption is a symptom of sickness. What that sickness means is, almost or the total absence of government influence and impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. This is just another name for corruption. It is very bad that there are no processes.

“It is over one year, we have still not started the trial of people who misappropriated the $2.1bn. We still have over $198bn to find since the President (Muhammadu Buhari) himself confirmed that about $200bn has gone through corruption.

“So, to me, it is a question of strategy, a question of thinking, a question of rethinking and a question of defining our objectives. Nigerians have to become convinced that the proceeds of corruption will be to the benefit of their own lives. If they don’t get that fact, it won’t earn their support. So far, we are behaving like fighting corruption is the business of one man.

“There are people in power who believe they are not accountable to the people, but everybody should know now that the solution to our problem does not lie in anybody threatening anybody with a coup.”

Presidency Director Dead

Justin Onuorah Abuah, Director of Information, State House, has passed on.
Born on January 29, 1959, Mr Abuah, fondly called O.J, by all who knew and came in close contact with him, died on Sunday, August 14, in Abuja after a brief illness.

The late Abuah had a long and rich career at the Presidency, where he served seven past Nigerian leaders since 1986 when he joined the State House media office from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
His many colleagues, friends and admirers will fondly remember him as the man behind several presidential statements and speeches; and he demonstrated a rare sense of calmness and candour in service.
A native of Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area, Delta State, O.J is survived by his wife, Loretta and three children (Chinedum, Chike and Amaechi).
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a condolence message to the bereaved family.
Burial arrangements will be announced later by the family.
Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)

Benue: Fulani militia invade Orokam ,ogbadibo killed scores of people

Several persons escaped death Friday night after suspected Fulani Herdsmen invaded Orokam community in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State.

An eyewitness, who have his name as Obekpa said the heavily armed bloodthirsty men invaded the community late on Friday and were cutting residents on sight with machetes.

“I barely escaped with my life. In fact, I saw death last night in the hands if the Fulani Herdsmen.” He lamented.

15 Dead,dozens wounded in knife Attack in Japan

Published July 25, 2016

NOW PLAYING

Tokyo knife attack kills at least 15

At least 15 people were killed, and up to 45 injured when a knife-wielding man went on a rampage early Tuesday at a facility for the disabled in the Japanese city of Sagmihara, broadcaster NHK reported.

US Government confirms Aisha Buhari's involvement in the Atiku- Jefferson scandal

US COURT DOCUMENTS REVEAL AISHA BUHARI’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE ATIKU-JEFFERSON SCANDAL

The United States Justice Department, revealed that the All Progressive Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Muhammadu Buhari’s wife, Aisha Buhari (posing as Buhari’s daughter), was used as conduit and engaged in fraudulent wire transfers, from her Nigerian account in favour of Congressman Jefferson, via the ANJ Group LLC.

The US District Court Memo, states that Congressman William J. Jefferson, between August 2000 and August 2005, sought hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of himself and family members.

In return, the defendant used his congressional office to promote the business interests of bribe-paying companies, whose very success was dependent upon the approvals of certain United States and West African government agencies and officials.

Congressman Jefferson, further compounded his criminal culpability by conspiring with others to pay a bribe to the then-sitting Vice President of Nigeria.

The WhistleNG, in an exclusive report, stated that in hushed and sometimes cryptic taped recorded conversations, Congressman Jefferson, explained in details how the success of the Nigerian telecommunications venture depended on bribing the Vice President of Nigeria, who the defendant described as “really corrupt.”

The US District Court during their investigation, also revealed that Williams Jefferson, in one of his numerous bribe schemes, wired $170,000 to a Nigerian account in the name of Aisha Buhari.

“During the investigation of his numerous bribe schemes, law enforcement agents learned of several wire transfers from offshore territories into U.S. financial accounts, that were either controlled by the defendant or whose proceeds were made available for his benefit.

See Donald C. Semesky, Jr., Tr. at 104 – 116; see also Government Exhibits 36-87 (6/26/02 $170,000 wire transfer from account in Nigeria in the name of Aisha Buhari, to an account in the name of The ANJ Group, LLC, identifying “William Jefferson” as Beneficiary), Government Exhibits 36-90 and 36-91 (11/28/03 $50,000 wire transfer from account in British Virgin Islands in the name of Dawson Creek Traders to an account in the name of Jefferson Interests, Inc.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in their report dated June 22, 2006 also stated that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, was summoned by the US government for Investigation into the iGate/NDTV business deals involving Congressman Jefferson, which also contained Haija Aisha M. Buhari’s bank records and transfer history.

Reports from New York Times Story (April 29, 2007) revealed Aisha Buhari on the dubious $1.2m campaigning contract, to help the former Akwa Ibom State Gov., Obong Attah, boost his image and attract investment to Akwa Ibom in his bid to become President of Nigeria, as well as a contract where Aisha Buhari, served as a consultant to orchestrate enormous name golfers to go to the opening of the Uyo Golf Resort, commissioned by former Governor, Obong Attah.

As indicated by the New York Times story, “she (Aisha Buhari) told him that her father was the former military ruler of Nigeria, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and that her American friends included politicians like Mr. Jefferson of Louisiana.”

The former Governor, also verified the claim by the New York Times when he said, he knows Ms. Buhari’s daughter, who is still a powerful Nigerian politician, by reputation. He also met her, he said, in 2001 when she accompanied a group of American politicians that included Mr. Jefferson to Akwa Ibom, to see oil-related pollution problems there.

“All I needed to do was ask Aisha if she knew him,” Mr. Attah recalls.

General Buhari, has since denied that Aisha Buhari is his daughter, in spite of the contrary proofs, pretty much as he denied his adopted son, Mr. Mohammed Buhari, who was likewise captured in May 2014, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for swindling a woman Mrs. Nwokwocha Florence, of N20m to put resources into an oil and gas business with a guarantee to make mouthwatering returns to the woman.

Gov Fayose raises alarm as EFCC freezes his personal account

The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose has raised an alarm about the freezing of his personal account at Zenith Bank by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Fayose took to his twitter to tell all who cared to listen that the APC-led government has frozen his personal accounts.

Speaking with newsmen at the premises of Zenith Bank, Ado-Ekiti, where he had his personal account, the governor claimed that he had gotten winds of plans by the Presidency to freeze his account some days earlier.

According to Vanguard, a source at the Bank told the visibly surprised Governor Fayose that his account was allegedly frozen on the order of the EFCC.

The Governor said, he had earlier issued a counter-cheque to make withdrawal and was rejected by the bank located at Onigari , GRA in Ado Ekiti, describing the action as criminal and illegal.

Citing Section 308 of the 1999 constitution, Fayose said he enjoys immunity as a sitting governor , urging the federal government to fight corruption within the ambit of the law.The account of the Governor and that of his associates were still frozen as at press time.

Buhari's military mentality affecting performance -Balarabe

Toluwani Eniola

A former Governor of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, says Buhari’s military background in addressing ethnic agitations in the country was affecting his performance.

Balarabe said the Buhari-led Federal Government had not shown seriousness in using dialogue to resolve agitations from different geopolitical zones of the country.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday, Balarabe said Buhari should show that he is now a converted democrat by using dialogue to settle crises rocking the country.

The former governor, who described Buhari’s first year in office as a waste, said he doubted whether the President would make the most of the remaining three years of his tenure.

Balarabe said, “Buhari has not demonstrated that he is serious about using dialogue to resolve the various ethnic tension. This government does not care about dialogue. The President’s military background and approach are affecting his performance. Former President Musa Yar’Adua understood the importance of dialogue which enabled him to put a halt to militancy in the Niger Delta. But what do we have now? Tension and agitation in different parts of the country.

“Dialogue is the only way to resolve the Biafra agitation in the South-East, the Niger Delta Avengers and the Boko Haram violence. The APC does not deserve a second term. The PDP is not also a better option. We need another credible alternative.”

Balarabe, however, said if the President adopted a revolutionary approach, he could reverse the mistakes he made in his first year in power.

He added, “ Buhari created enemies for his government when he excluded the South-East from his kitchen cabinet. The kitchen cabinet is the closest to the President. The cabinet is even more superior to the main cabinet which comprises the ministers. The exclusion of the South-East from his cabinet gave rise to the agitation for Biafra.

“The solution is the return to a state-economy rather than a privatised economy which is not helping the country. There is unemployment, poor power supply, tension across the geopolitical zones and poverty. The country needs a better alternative that would restore peace, ensure the rule of law and revive the economy. The APC and the PDP lack the capacity to achieve this.”

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