President Muhammadu Buhari will soon name his immediate predecessor, former President Goodluck Jonathan as the Federal Government envoy in latest move to quell the hostility in the region

Barring last minute change, President Muhammadu Buhari will soon name his immediate predecessor, former President Goodluck Jonathan as the Federal Government envoy in latest move to quell the hostility in the region, News Punch has reliably informed.

Buhari's latest trip to London is not only for medical reasons but also there to find a way around the onslaught against oil installations in the Niger Delta, which has reduced oil output from 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) to less than 1.3 million bpd, some senior government officials confided in our source, TheNiche Newspaper

That may lead to Buhari appointing former President Goodluck Jonathan his special envoy on Niger Delta affairs.

He has been conferring with Jonathan, representatives of international oil companies (IOCs), British government officials, and a faction of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) since he arrived London on June 6.

“For the record, Buhari is not coming to London for ear infection treatment but for a secret negotiation meeting with the Niger Delta Avengers,” an insider who is privy to the behind the scene arrangement told TheNiche on the condition of anonymity.

Jonathan met with Buhari in Aso Rock on June 3, and flew to London on June 6 to deliver a lecture organised by Bloomberg.

Buhari, who is expected into the country on Friday, June 17, may also announce the appointment of Jonathan as his special envoy on Niger Delta affairs, sources said.

They added that this proposition became crucial following the rejection of the peace deal by the NDA which was brokered by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the governors of oil producing states last week.

The militants insisted in a tweet that “we are not negotiating with any committee. If the federal government is discussing with any group, they are doing that on their own.”

They announced in the same tweet that at 10: a.m. on Wednesday, June 8 they blew up an oil well (Well RMP 20) belonging to Chevron located 20 metres away from Dibi flow station in Warri North Council, Delta State.

It was learnt that the IOCs and the British government prevailed on Buhari to leverage on the goodwill of Jonathan in the Niger Delta and use him to stabilise things there, otherwise it would be bad business for everyone.

How Abuja intends to fund the N6.07 trillion 2016 budget remains tricky if it fails to resolve the impasse which has left the treasury broke.

Calvin Harris Ended Relationship with Taylor Swift After Being 'Intimidated' by Her Success, Source Says

• Calvin Harris and Taylor Swift's relationship ended because the DJ was "intimidated" by her success, a friend of the singer tells PEOPLE.

• Multiple sources confirmed to PEOPLE on Wednesday that the couple had called it quits after 15 months, with another insider revealing that there was "no drama."

Calvin Harris and Taylor Swift's

"[Harris] said on multiple occasions that he was intimidated by Taylor, which is why he would not attend any events where she was being honored, or any award shows unless he was nominated," explains Swift's friend.

Harris, 32, was notably absent when Swift co-chaired the Met Gala last month, as well as at the Grammys ceremony in February, and when the "Bad Blood" singer accepted an award named after her at the May BMI Pop Awards.

But Swift is holding her head high, adds the pal. "Taylor is an independent young woman, and she realizes it will take a very secure man to handle her success," says her friend.

A source close to the DJ – whom sources confirm ultimately pulled the plug on the relationship – tells PEOPLE that the split "wasn't a shock" for Swift because the couple had ongoing issues. "They come from very different worlds," the source explains. "Taylor is used to being treated a certain way."

The Harris insider added that he didn't feel like the relationship was "leading anywhere."

Swift, 26, and Harris first began dating in March last year, making their official outing as a couple at the Billboard Music Awards one month later. Just three months ago, the couple went on a romantic tropical vacation to celebrate one year together.

"It wasn't an equal relationship. Their age difference might not be significant for many couples, but for them it was part of the problem too," says the Harris source. "Taylor somewhat lacks real-life experience. They will not be getting back together."

Taylor and Calvin, before the breakup 

Regardless, the insider says that Harris still has high praise for his ex, noting that the Scottish star "very much admires her as a person and what she has been able to do with her career. This is what drew him to her in the first place."

"She works incredibly hard for things that she believes in," the Harris source says. He always saw that as an amazing quality. They are still friendly."

Swift spent time with her family in Nashville ahead of the news, and is getting support from longtime BFF Abigail Anderson.

IBB should not leave us now - Niger state governor

• Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, Niger state governor has added his voice to the number of eminent Nigerians who have spoken about the health condition of Nigeria’s one time military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida 

• Governor Bello said the nation still needs the amiable retired army general to be alive for his words of wisdom especially now that the country is facing serious economic and political challenges 

Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Nigeria’s former military president

The former president who returned from Germany on Friday, June 10 at about 3 o’ clock in the afternoon was welcomed by Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello; former Niger state governor, Engineer Abdulkadir Kure; Mohammed Babangida, Aisha Babangida, Umar Ndanusa and a former federal permanent secretary, Idris Adamu Kuta.


The former military president was reported to have been to the European country for medical treatment. Governor Bello said the wise advice of IBB is needed in order to help Nigeria find solution to the various national problems the country is facing as of present.

READ ALSO: Babangida finally breaks silence on his health condition

Abubakar Sani Bello, governor of Niger state

While speaking to journalist at Minna, the Niger state capital on Friday, June 10 to welcome Babangida, the Niger state governor thanked Allah for preserving the life of the ex-Nigerian leader.


“General Ibrahim Babangida remains one of the few leaders in this country that we still need around to tap from their wealth of experience and knowledge and we are grateful he is back and kicking like the old soldier he is. 

“Your safe return has finally put a lie to the rumour and the evil machinations of those who are playing God. We are grateful to Allah (SWT) that He has silence them.

” While explaining further, Jibrin Baba Ndace the chief press secretary to the Niger state governor released a press statement stating: “The rumour of his death was awash in the social media last week before it was refuted by his son Mohammed Babandgida. 

“The governor then advised the media, especially the new media to be cautious in spreading death rumour, stressing that such practice was not only unethical, it was un-cultured and immoral. 

“It is high time media practitioners, especially those in the social media refrain from broadcasting or publishing falsehood. Aside from questioning the integrity of the media, it portend danger for the society that the media cannot be trusted. 

“The media should be guided by the ethics of the profession. If you are not sure, don’t share. The social media purported death of General Babangida was reckless, unethical and unwarranted”

READ MORE:

BREAKING NEWS| New militant group makes outrageous demand

• A new militant group called the Ultimate Warriors of Niger Delta (UWND) has emerged 

• The group has threatened to continue vandalism in the Niger Delta if their demands are not met 

• UWND has asked the government to give 60 percent oil blocks to the Niger Delta region 

• The group has also made some other demands, including commencement of academic at Federal Maritime University

The new militant group which spoke for the very first time on Wednesday, June 8 also demanded that the federal government allow the $16 billion export processing zone otherwise called Delta Gas City project begin operations in earnest.

It, however, gave the government a two-week ultimatum to ensure that their demands were adequately met for a lasting ceasefire in the region.


Spokesperson of Ultimate Warrior, as it chose to be addressed, Sibiri Taiowoh, in a statement said if the FG truly wants peace in the region, it should award 60 per cent oil blocs to indigenous people from the region as its primary demand for a ceasefire.

The Punch reports that UWND further asked for commencement of academic activities at Federal Maritime University established during the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

READ ALSO: Niger Delta Avengers to MEND: Your criminal days are over

Warning further, it said failure to meet its demands, would warrant total shutting down of vital oil facilities including Chevron BOP, Okan Platform, MEREN Gas Gathering Compression Platform and Chevron Tank Farm.

The statement added, “We are also behind the recent pipeline bombing in the Niger Delta region and I can assure you we will not stop until the EPZ project and the Maritime University are totally completed and start operations.

“We want to be the ones to be safe guarding oil pipeline in our area so as to create more jobs for our people. We would resist any attempt to give surveillance contracts of pipeline in our backyard to foreigners. We want the pipeline jobs to be given to our indigenous people.”

“We also want 60 per cent of the oil blocs to be allocated to the Niger Deltans just as the Federal Government has also allocated 80 per cent to those who are not from the oil producing area and just as 50 per cent of the resource was used to develop the non-oil area when we were producing cocoa and groundnut as main economic resources, the same 50 percent should be use to develop the Niger Delta region because we are the ones suffering the brunt of oil pollution and degradation in the region”, it further added.

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Avengers have announced that they will not negotiate with the federal government.

The militant group also revealed that it blew up a crude oil pipeline belonging to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL).

Niger Delta Avengers made this know via their official Twitter handle. It was also confirmed by a source that the pipeline had been earlier attacked by militants using the same ‘modus operandi’.

In recent times, new militant groups have been emerging within the now embattled Niger Delta region. It would be recalled that about a fortnight ago, another militant group name the Red Egbesu Water Lions announced their emergence, vowing to team up with the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) in ensuring zero production of oil and gas in the region if the NDA’s demands are not met.


Among others, the group demanded the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader and the discharge of former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki from prison custody.

It also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to defreeze the bank accounts of ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

READ MORE:

Chad sends thousands of soldiers to Bosso

• Troops from Chad will storm Niger’s Bosso searching for the Boko Haram insurgents 

• Chad plans counter-attack on the town following the massive onslaught by the insurgents last week

Chad sends thousands of soldiers to Bosso

Some two thousands soldiers from the Multinational Joint Task Force led by Chad will storm Bosso, Niger after the attack of the deadly Boko Haram sect last week, Daily Mail reports.

The source, who asked not to be named, said that the “heavily armed” troops from the force will “search everywhere for Boko Haram.”

READ ALSO: Niger plans counter-attack on Boko Haram for killed soldiers 

Chad is a key member of a multi-national force fighting the Nigeria-based insurgents who have extended their attacks to neighbouring following intense campaign against the terrorism by the incumbent Nigerian president.

“An estimated 50,000 people or so fled,” UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesperson Adrian Edwards told journalists on June 7.

The attacks in Bosso commenced last Friday, June 3 on army post in Niger’s Diffa region. The Boko Haram fighters killed 26 soldiers comprising two from neighbouring Nigeria.

Niger authorities said that a total of 55 terrorists from the Nigeria-based sect were killed and “many” wounded.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram kills 32 soldiers in Niger Republic

While one of the sources claimed that the insurgents had overrun the town, Niger’s defence minister Assoumana Malam Issa has said that the army had regained control.

Last year, Chad sent soldiers to Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon to fight Boko Haram. The regional MJTF comprises the four countries.

READ MORE:

FEC meeting: Ministers pray for 3 members

• Yemi Osinbajo presides over today’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting as acting president

•  Three ministers who are sick were prayed for during the meeting

•  Only 22 ministers were present at the meeting

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Nigeria’s vice president, Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday, June 8, chaired his first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting as acting president of Nigeria.

 According to The Nation, only 22 ministers out of 36 ministers were present when the meeting which started by 12.06 p.m in the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja. 

READ ALSO: Buhari presides over FEC meeting (photos) 

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the minister of information, who offered prayers in Islam praying generally for good FEC deliberation, while Babachir David Lawal, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), offered prayers in the Christian way praying specifically for three ministers were down with sickness. 

He first prayed for President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently in London on medical vacation, then for the minister of women affairs, Aisha Alhassan, who is recuperating from surgery. 

Lawal also prayed for the minister of education, Adamu Adamu, who is suffering from back pain. 

 As the ministers were settling down an unidentified voice reminded the SGF that he forget to include the minister of state for environment, Ibrahim Jubril. 

Recall that President Buhari has handed over power to Osinbajo before going on medical leave. Osinbajo will serve in acting capacity for the 10 days during the president’s absence. 

This is the first time President Buhari is transferring power to Osinbajo since they both came into power in May 2015.

READ MORE:

BREAKING NEWS| Manchester United sign Bailly

• Ivory Coast central defender Eric Bertrand Bailly has joined Manchester United 

• The 22-year-old has penned a four-year deal, with the option for a further two years 

• He arrives for a reported fee of around £30 million, subject to a work permit 

The Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho
has made his first signing as Ivory Coast defender
 Eric Bailly has joined from Villarreal.

The Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has made his first signing as Ivory Coast defender Eric Bertrand Bailly has joined from Villarreal.

The 22-year-old has penned a four-year deal, with the option for a further two years.

Bailly, who was part of the Africa Cup of Nations-winning Ivory Coast team in 2015, arrives for a reported fee of around £30 million, subject to a work permit.



Bailly told the club’s official website: “It is a dream come true to be joining Manchester United. To play football at the highest level is all I have ever wanted to do.”

Bailly made 47 appearances for Villarreal since joining on January, 29, 2015.

He made 15 appearances for his country and was part of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team, having appeared in all six matches during the competition.

 

READ MORE: