President, others to get N3.24bn severance pay

President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice-president Namadi Sambo, and other outgoing government officials are set to receive the sum of N3.24bn as severance allowances.

The President is entitled to 300 per cent of his annual basic salary when he leaves office.

Jonathan’s annual basic salary is N3, 514,705 therefore his severance allowance will be N10, 544,115, Punch reports.

Sambo, whose annual basic salary is N3, 031,572.50, is also entitled to 300 percent after vacating office meaning his severance allowance is N9, 094,717.50.

76 outgoing senators are also set to receive a sum of N462,019,200 as severance pay while 290 outgoing members of the House of Representatives are entitled to N1, 727,134,875.

Jonathan’s ministers will collect a total of N253, 967,212.5 while his aides and advisers will get a total sum of N775, 207,125.

The severance allowances   are contained in the Remuneration Package put together by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

President orders immediate release of NNPC audit report

President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the release of the full report of the recently conducted audit of the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The audit was undertaken by PriceWaterHouseCooper after allegations made by former Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that the NNPC had failed to remit $20 billion into the Federation Account.

The order to release the reports was given by the President on April 27, 2015, via a statement issued by his media aide, Reuben Abati.

It reads in part:

“President Jonathan is also deeply concerned by the continuing suggestions that his administration still has anything to hide about the unproven allegation that about $20 Billion is unaccounted for by the NNPC during his tenure.”

“To lay the matter to rest, President Jonathan in line with Section 7(2) of the NNPC Act, has directed that the full report of the PWC Forensic Audit of the NNPC accounts be released immediately to the public so that all Nigerians will be properly informed on the matter.”

President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari had stated on Sunday, April 26, 2015 that his administration would conduct a fresh probe into the allegations made by Sanusi.

Missing $20bn ‘I have nothing to hide,’ Jonathan responds to Buhari probe remark

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he has nothing to hide as regards the alleged missing $20 billion oil fund.

This comes after President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari stated that his administration would still probe the allegations of missing money despite an audit ordered by Jonathan.

Jonathan declared his innocence in the matter via a statement released by his media aide, Reuben Abati on Monday, April 27, 2015.

The statement reads in part:

“President Jonathan is also deeply concerned by the continuing suggestions that his administration still has anything to hide about the unproven allegation that about $20 Billion is unaccounted for by the NNPC during his tenure.”

“To lay the matter to rest, President Jonathan in line with Section 7(2) of the NNPC Act, has directed that the full report of the PWC Forensic Audit of the NNPC accounts be released immediately to the public so that all Nigerians will be properly informed on the matter.”

Jonathan had ordered an audit into the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) after former Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi claimed that the company had failed to remit $20 in oil funds into the Federation Account.

The audit, conducted by PriceWaterHouseCooper, however found that the missing sum was actually $1.48 billion.

Google Launches Its Own Mobile Phone Network

Google is launching its own mobile phone network in the US called Project Fi.

Subscribers will PAY a base fee of $20 (£13.30) a month which will cover unlimited domestic voice calling and texting.

Data will COST $10 (£6.60) per gigabyte per month, and users will be charged only for what they use. Refunds will be issued for any unused data, the firm says.

At first, only owners of the Nexus 6 smartphone will be able to sign up to the network.

Google is renting the voice and data capacity from Sprint and T-Mobile, and will use existing Wi-Fi hotspots to provide the data service.

Users will be switched between the networks depending on signal strength.

The idea of a Google-created phone network was first publicly mentioned in February by Android executive Sundar Pichai, but little detail was provided.

Google wrote on its blog this week: "As you go about YOUR day, Project Fi automatically connects you to more than a million free, open wi-fi hotspots we've verified as fast and reliable.

"Once you're connected, we help secure YOUR data through encryption. When you're not on wi-fi, we move you between whichever of our partner networks is delivering the fastest speed, so you get 4G LTE in more places."

Sprint reportedly has the right to renegotiate the deal if the popularity of the service grows above a certain size.

Akwa Ibom govt warns residents to desist from eating 'Ponmo'

Akwa Ibom state government has warned residents of the state to desist from eating cow skin popularly known as Ponmo as research has shown that the consumption of the cow skin has led to the increase in cancer and liver problems in the state.
At a press conference in Uyo yesterday April 26th, the state Commissioner for Agriculture & Natural Resources, Mr. Godwin Afangideh, represented by Director of Veterinary Services in the state, Dr. Obot Obot said the high quantity of salt used for the preservation of the cow skin has been traced to have adverse effect on the liver of the consumers and also increases the risk of having cancer


"The state government, through the veterinary services directorate of the ministry, has embarked on a sensitisation campaign in some markets in the local government areas to talk to the people about the danger of consuming such meat. The veterinary officer, who was in charge of the sensitisation campaign, went to different markets and talked to the people on the imperatives of how to watch out for toxic meat following reports of its importation into the country. Cow skin meat, which is five times thicker than ordinary skin meat, is injected with a toxic substance called formalin used for its preservation. This formalin in the long run is capable of causing cancer and liver problems due to high concentration of salt used for their preservation.”he said

Clerics extols late pa olaleye’s virtues ; Fingers clerics in corruption

 Late pa Jonathan olusesan olaleye has been described as a role model among the Christian faithful.

The Dean Archbishop vinning  college of theology Akure Ven. Ayo Fagbemi made the statement in his sermon at the funeral service of the deceased at saint Stephen Anglican church, Iju Archdeaconry in Akure North of Ondo state last week Friday. He observed that even during his sickness period the deceased did not allow satan into his way of life and all the time did the will of Almighty God in accordance with the scripture. He described death as inevitable for all mankind but urged the congregation to follow the sterling quality of late Pa Olaleye and prayed for the children and the entire family of the deceased. He later appealed to religious leader in the country to shun any acts indiscipline.

 Ven. Fagbemi enumerated that some religious leaders who supposed to be the four cornerstones of the nation now turned to stooges of politicians whom they share loots with in the house of God . the cleric later commended President Goodluck Jonathan role play during and after the 2015 general elections in the country and urged Gen. Buhari to extend hand of fellowship to other contestants this according to him will move Nigeria forward.

An introvert, peace loving,    veteran teacher, and a devote Christian late Pa Olaleye died at the age of 75 years and survived by his widow madam Christiana, children and grand children among whom are Messer Wale, Kunle and Rev. E. Lanre Olaleye . others are Olori Olayinka Puyi Oluwagbemigun an Ibadan based business woman, Oladipupo Olaleye and prince Timothy Oluwagbemigun of University of Ibadan printing press.

Transview magazine was there to cover the event;  here are some pictures from our candid camera

story by- Gandhi and Adeoye michael