HCOTN 19072016

Hephzibah's Commentary on Today's News
19/07/2016

**VANGUARD
1. Court order on reversal of electricity tariff may lead to loss of 10,000 jobs – Amoda
Hephzibah: What of the jobs that are currently being lost by this "paying for darkness" farce we currently operate? Show us what the money we're currently paying is used for before asking fo

2. DEMOLITION: Police battle protesting Alvan Ikoku students in Imo
Hephzibah: The police can't even keep their stories straight. Is it their tear gas or the students' bonfire that caused the smoke? If it is the tear gas as the PPRO unknowingly admitted, was the police not aware that there was a hospital close by? And why is the State Government demolishing structures? Governor Rochas, if you can't build new structures, please stop demolishing the ones you met na...Isshhh

3. Felix Ibru’s burial rites begin July 27
Hephzibah: Hol up! Hol up! Felix Ibru is dead? May God comfort his loved ones.

4. FG scraps common entrance interview test into Unity schools
Hephzibah: Sounds like a good move...I hope the deficiencies of the first test are dealt with though. We really need to get education right...

5. Christian, Muslim groups pledge to keep the peace in Plateau
Hephzibah: It's great that women are pledging peace. How about the men that are usually the instigators and perpetrators of these ugly incidents? How will we get them to pledge and adhere to their pledge?

6. Doguwa debunks selective anti-graft crusade
Hephzibah: I would have expected FACTS and FIGURES when DEBUNKING a claim but I guess as everything is CHANGING these days, the meaning of DEBUNKS has also changed...I need to know which NIGERIANS Oga Doguwa is talking about that are proud of the "War against corruption" that is only strong in the media...Sigh!

**PUNCH
1. Gas explosion kills three in Edo
Hephzibah: Please be VERY careful with gas cylinders. The details are still a bit sketchy. May the Lord comfort the loved ones of the deceased.

2. Details of police vehicles in my handover notes – Arase
Hephzibah: “It is unfortunate that this matter is being made a media issue because my successor has my telephone number and could have called me for any clarification or even sent me a text message rather than addressing the media on an issue well documented in my handover notes.”
Nothing more to add. Really, what's with all these public officials that embarrass themselves in public by making unsubstantiated allegations... I hope Oga Arase sues joor.

3. S’Africa concluding process to return $15m Nigeria’s arms fund
Hephzibah: How come S/A did not need a process to seize the funds but need a legal framework to release it? I hope we'll get some interest for the 2 years that S/A helped us "invest" the money in "productive" ventures? Hmmmm

4. Ambode promises enforcement of noise pollution laws
Hephzibah: Oga Ambode, I guess you know generators are major culprits but the government has no moral ground to ask anyone not to use generators with the epileptic power supply. I suggest that we focus a bit more on clean and less noisy sources of energy then we can enforce noise pollution laws, really....

5. Reps meet Buratai, IG over insecurity
Hephzibah: I'm struggling to see the benefit of this "meeting". First of all, it wasn't important enough for Oga Buratai or the IG to attend; they sent delegates. Secondly, they talked about " operational strategies" such as? Thirdly, it's kidnapping that is the big issue, right? How about Christians being beheaded and murdered? What of churches being harassed for worshipping on Fridays? That's not worth talking about, right?
#JusticeForEuniceAndOtherMassacreVictims.
I'm also still interested in how Oga Buratai saved to buy 2 houses in Dubai. That'll be my #2 question for him if we meet...

6. No more dismissal of corruption cases without trial – CJN
Hephzibah: Amen ooooo....Not after all the media trials....

**THISDAY
1. Buhari: Judiciary Not Doing Enough to Fight Corruption
Hephzibah: "However, the CJN warned that the judiciary could not act on its own without the support of all stakeholders in the justice sector."
Perfect response CJN...
What is my Unku Femi Adesina saying about not needing to respect Federal Character in appointments? Is like Unku wants us to call family meeting on his head, abi?

2. Militants Bomb Shell Pipeline in Delta
Hephzibah: This blowing up of pipelines is an ill wind that blows no good. I don't even know what to say sef...

3. FG to Kick-start Campaign on Made-in-Nigeria Goods
Hephzibah: I hope we'll move beyond rhetoric and plenty grammar to help manufacturers improve on their products and services. The issues have been discussed over and over again...Now is not the time for plenty English; this is the time to swing into action. Please don't leave us high and dry like the Clean up of the Niger Delta. After the launch, no follow up...Sigh!

4. Remi Tinubu Writes IG, Seeks Police Protection from Melaye
Hephzibah: Dear IG, when you're not busy maligning your predecessor, can you please provide Facebook police protection for a few of my friends whose accounts are threatened by online "Melayes". Thanks

5. Saraki Restates Loyalty to APC, Mark, Nnamani, Masari Meet Buhari in Fence-mending Mission
Hephzibah: And we're paying them for all these? Sigh!

6. Expert Urges Firms to Adopt Import Substitution Strategies
Hephzibah: Great read. Please read the article here - http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/07/19/expert-urges-firms-to-adopt-import-substitution-strategies/

**THE NATION
1. Ex-Oyo NURTW chief Auxiliary jailed
Hephzibah: How can someone's name be Auxiliary? Auxiliary what? I grudgingly accept the 6 year jail term since a rationale was given. I think he deserves more years in jail, though...Sigh!

2. Economists urge CBN to review forex policy
Hephzibah: It appears we may need to outsource the development of our forex policy. I understand Nigeria has tried every trick in the book...I suspect that if we focused a bit more on addressing the issues that make foreign products and services more attractive than locally made goods, we may just get it right...

3. EFCC probes Fayose’s associate over N59.6m MDGs’ cash
Hephzibah: *Includes this on the agenda for our family meeting*

**NEW TELEGRAPH
1. Aviation fuel scarcity bites harder, airlines reschedule flights
Hephzibah: Aviation fuel again? Why na?

2. NFF confirms New Telegraph exclusive, picks Le Guen as Eagles Coach
Hephzibah: So, we're back to the era of foreign coaches with the attendant capital flight...NFF, kontiniu...I hope we have money to pay him with all the "no money" I've been hearing upandan...

3. Man impregnates, procures abortion for daughter
Hephzibah: All of you carrying placards on Senators Tinubu and Melaye's fight, come and see where your energies are needed ooo (I'll make a separate post on this)

4. Herdsmen kill Plateau monarch, four others
Hephzibah: Still, we hear SILENCE...The blood of the slain cries out...

5. MEND to Buhari: Release Okah, drop charges against Tompolo
Hephzibah: These demands make no sense to me...Watching keenly...

**NIGERIA PILOT
1. Aftermath of Brexit: Nigerians earning less than 35,000 pounds in UK Panic
Hephzibah: My brethren, if in all the years you've been living in the UK, you've been earning less than 35000 pounds (per annum?), I think you need to relocate. It didn't worth it...If you can, try other countries. If not, start planning to return home. My people say "If it's hard to move forward, it shouldn't be too hard to return to where you're coming from". It may turn out to be your best decision, though it's a difficult one now...

2. Oil swap deals: Buhari orders probe of Kachikwu, NNPC
Hephzibah: Watching keenly...

3. PDP crisis: Modu Sheriff gives condition for truce, why I dumped him – Buruji
Hephzibah: Who will call family meeting to discuss with their uncles? I've already taken responsibility for my own uncles, abeg...

I hope you still remember to pray for Nigeria? I know it's difficult these days. However, we can't afford to stop praying and contributing our quota to national development. May God bless and prosper the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

THANKS FOR THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE. I DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOU ALL! THANK YOU! AMEN TO ALL THE PRAYERS.