Tuesday 24 October 2017

US intelligence officials examining video of Nigerien militant group

nigeria militants

U.S. intelligence officials are examining video of a militant group in Niger, looking for clues to the identity of the men who ambushed and killed four U.S. special operations soldiers earlier this month.
The video, which shows a group of young men on motorbikes brandishing rifles and machine guns, was provided to ABC News by Ret. Lt. Col. Rudolph Atallah, a former U.S. military expert on West Africa. He says it came from villagers in the vicinity of the attack.

APC: We are shocked like everyone else on Maina's reinstatement

see photo of APC Maina’s reinstatemen
The All Progressives Congress (APC) says the reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman, Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), to civil service is embarrassing and unbelievable.
Maina, who is facing corruption allegations, was posted to the ministry of interior under controversial circumstances.

Sunday 22 October 2017

WHO rescinds Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe's 'goodwill ambassador' appointment amid scathing criticism

photo of robert mugabe
The World Health Organization (WHO) rescinded its appointment of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe as a "goodwill ambassador" for health after days of searing criticism and global outcry over the decision.
The WHO's director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a statement today he decided to revoke Mugabe's role after he had "reflected" on the controversial appointment.

KLOPP FACING SERIOUS CRITICISM AFTER ANOTHER LIVERPOOL DEFENSIVE DISASTER

Liverpool Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino's side were gifted a 4-1 victory as the Reds showcased their catalogue of defensive shortcomings on Sunday

Prior to kick off at Wembley, Jurgen Klopp provided an assessment of Tottenham’s squad, with the most interesting element surrounding their rearguard.

IPOB to FG Produce Kanu before things get out of hand

photo of nnamdi kanu
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has asked the federal government and Igbo leaders to produce Nnamdi Kanu “dead or alive”.
Kanu has not been seen in public since soldiers of the Nigerian army invaded his Abia residence during the Operation Python Dance exercise.

There Are 37 Job Openings For Nigerians In UN - Amina Mohammed


The Nation reports that the deputy secretary-general of the UN at a cultural night organised by  Nigerians working at the United Nations Systems. 

She revealed that there were openings via the Junior Professional Officers’ (JPO) Programme, including internship for young graduates.


Friday 20 October 2017

Words Dele Giwa Said 31yrs Ago Still Happening Now - Nobody cares

It was such a beautiful pieces of exhortation, not new, to be sure, as an idea, but so fresh in construction that it became in a flash the rallying cry throughout the world as the anthem of patriotism and nationalism. Nothing is more remembered of all the beautiful words spoken by John Kennedy in his 1,000 days as the president of the United States than this anthem.

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Catalonia: Real Madrid President, Perez - ‘I Can’t Imagine La Liga Without Barcelona’


barcelona logo
Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez insists he cannot imagine “Spain without Catalonia or La Liga without Barcelona”

Perez has admitted concern at the political crisis sweeping Spain amid Catalonia’s drive for independence.


Monday 16 October 2017

2019 Election Atiku: Buhari’s govt seals ex-VP Intels office

photo of ex-VP Atiku Abubakar

The war against former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar in the hands of the Buhari led federal government took a new turn on Monday as the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, sealed the headquarters of his company Intels, in Onne, Rivers State.

Ekiminfo gathered that the company was sealed over “unremitted taxes”.

Intels operates in a Free Zone Authority located in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.

FIRS is accusing the oil services company, Intels of operating illegally within the zone.

South Africans mock Nigeria over Zuma’s statue by Imo state governor, Okorocha


photo showing statue of jacob zuma of south africa by gov rochas okorocha

South Africans have reacted to the erected statue of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa by Imo State governor, Rochas Owelle Okorocha.

They took to their social media to lash out their anger on the governor for honouring a man who is facing over 700 cases of corruption charges in his home country.

Most of them insinuated that Nigerians wanted a free pass to import drugs and illegal people into their country, hence the statue.


Saturday 14 October 2017

Man City move clear of Man United at top, As Chelsea and Arsenal lose

PHOTOS FROM MANCITY VS STOKE GAME
Mancity Tops Premier League Table 
Manchester City continued their high-scoring start to the Premier League season with a 7-2 against Stoke.
City have now scored 29 goals in eight games this season and sit two points clear of nearest rivals Manchester United, who could only manage a 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

I Have Never Stayed For Six Months Without Salary Since I Left School - Senator Ali Ndume


Photo of suspended senator ali ndume

Suspended Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno south, said this is the first time in six months that he will not receive salary or allowance, since he graduated from university.
On March 29, Ndume was handed a six-month suspension for “deliberately bringing up an issue that painted the red chamber in bad light”.

Wednesday 11 October 2017

Over 20,000 Teachers Failed Primary Four Test in Kaduna





A total 21,780 teachers in Kaduna state have reportedly failed the primary four examination administered to test their competence.
Nasir el-Rufai, governor of the state, said the teachers were required to pass at least 75% of the test but that two-third of the total number of the teachers failed.

He said a new set of 25,000 primary school teachers would be employed ” as parts of the efforts to restore dignity and quality to its education sector”.

Wednesday 5 July 2017

See why Saraki is Trending: Senate Tries To Declare Saraki As President

Senate President, Bukola Saraki was the number one trending topic on Twitter NG at some point yesterday and he was trending for two (similar) reasons.
Senators on Tuesday had tried to declare him as president of the nation.

Tuesday 4 July 2017

Why Aisha Buhari Hurriedly Travelled To London To See The Ailing President’ – Fayose

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose- buhari and Nigeria Politics
Aisha Buhari’s return to London to see her ailing husband has been said to be an indication that all his not well with President Muhammadu Buhari’s health situation.
Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose who said this added that the first lady’s trip confirmed his initial statement that President Muhammadu Buhari was on life support. He said that “it is six days since I addressed the press and today, I still insist that the President is indeed on life-support.”

Ex-Celtel CEO ‘to head Etisalat’ and to be assisted by the outgoing CEO as NCC approves transition plan

etisalat-ekiminfo news on takeover of etisalat

Matthew Willsher, who resigned as CEO of Etisalat Nigeria on Monday, will stay on as special adviser to the new man, Boye Olusanya, TheCable can report.
This is part of the “seamless transition” arrangement brokered by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to keep the mobile network on the path to management stability.
Meanwhile, the NCC, in a statement issued on Tuesday morning, has announced that Etisalat and its creditors “have successfully reached an amicable resolution of key issues pertaining to its indebtedness”, and that “a smooth transitional process is currently ongoing on mutually agreed terms”.

Wednesday 28 June 2017

Ex- President Jonathan Was An Exemplary Leader’ -Fani-Kayode Replies Nnamdi Kanu

see photos of femi fani kayode - nigeria news

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has insisted that former President Goodluck Jonathan was not weak or incompetent adding that Jonathan’s wife, Patience, would have been a better president than her husband.
Recall that on Monday, Nnamdi Kanu had blasted Jonathan calling him a weak and incompetent president.

Davido And Wizkid At War Again - Throw Shades At Each Other


Davido and Wizkid - celebrity gossip

The alleged rivalry between Wizkid and Davido has existed for a long time and this was intensely fuelled just recently by Wizkid’s new EP.

Wizkidayo wrote: the future you see is better than the footballer you don't.

Davido replied: the footballer that follows you  and you don't see, is better better than the Drake that never came close.


Dangote: Ignore Arewa youth…they are attention seekers

Dangote: Nigeria news

Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group and Africa’s richest man, has said Nigerians should ignore Arewa youth, who asked Igbo to leave the north in three months.
Speaking in Lekki, Lagos, over the weekend, Dangote said he is bothered about unemployment in Nigeria and the explosion of the country’s population, as a result of poverty.

Earlier, Arewa youth, asked Igbo to leave the north in three months, stating that they were tired of the Nigerian marriage and its “unnecessary baggage”.

China frees 3 activists who probed Ivanka Trump supplier

ivanka trump - international news

Chinese authorities have released on bail three activists who had been detained after investigating labor conditions at a factory that produced shoes for Ivanka Trump and other brands.
The three activists walked out of a police station in Ganzhou, a city in southeastern Jiangxi province, on Wednesday, the final day of their legally mandated 30-day detention period limit.

The activists were working with China Labor Watch, a New York-based group, and were investigating Huajian Group factories in the southern Chinese cities of Ganzhou and Dongguan.

Ex-Minister Of Agriculture And AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina Wins 2017 Nobel Laureate Prize

akinmunmi adeshina ex minister under goodluck jonathan - nigeria news

Akinwumi Adesina, the president of African Development Bank (AfDB) and a former minister under Jonathan regime, has been named the 2017 World Food Prize Laureate.
NAN reports that Adesina, whose name was selected on Monday in Washington DC, becomes the 46th recipient and the sixth African to be so honoured.

The award ceremony would take place on October 19.

Announcing the new laureate, Kenneth Quinn, the president, The World Food Prize, The Hall of Laureates, described Adesina as “someone who grew out of poverty, but whose life mission is to lift up millions of people out of poverty”.

N16bn Apartment Belonging To Diezani Madueke’s Ally, Aluko Put Up For Sale

kola aluko, diezani ally- nigeria news

Nigerian energy businessman Kola Aluko, declared wanted by the EFCC, has been identified as the owner of Apartment 79, a penthouse apartment in One57, one of New York City’s most expensive residential buildings.
However, the apartment would be sold to the highest bidder by a Luxembourg based Banque Havilland, in a foreclosure auction in July, the New York Post reported.
The penthouse sale is seen as the most expensive foreclosure in New York City.
Aluko, 48, is believed to be hiding out on his yacht, which he rented to Jay Z and Beyoncé in 2015 for $900,000 a week.
The energy businessman, a friend of stars such as Jay Z and Jamie Foxx, has not been seen for a while, which has sparked rumours that he is hiding away on his yacht, which was last registered in the Bahamas in May.
Mr. Aluko was reportedly last seen in Hong Kong in May and his yacht is currently in the Bahamas, according to the report.

Why Arsenal want to sign Monaco livewire Lemar

Why Arsenal want to sign Monaco livewire Lemar


Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is hopeful of securing a deal for a player he believes can be the future of French football.

Monaco’s golden generation of young players could be ripped apart this summer if Europe’s elite clubs get their own way.
With Bernardo Silva having already departed for Manchester City, the latest hot prospect courting serious interest from the Premier League is Thomas Lemar, who is poised to join Arsenal.

The 21-year-old winger was plucked from Caen’s academy in 2013, another product of the successful scouting approach which has been spearheaded by Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilev over the past few years.

Monday 26 June 2017

Crystal Palace appoint Frank de Boer as manager

Crystal Palace Frank de Boer  manager

The Eagles have confirmed that the ex-Netherlands international, who previously managed Ajax and Inter, will be their new man in charge
Crystal Palace have announced former Ajax coach and Barcelona player Frank de Boer as their new manager.

Palace have been looking for someone to replace Sam Allardyce, who from retired from football management after guiding the club to Premier League safety in May.

Fayose to Osinbajo, You’re doing your best but it’s not enough

Fayose and Osinbajo

Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, says Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is doing his best to address some challenges in the country but he needs to put in more efforts.
Alleging that the Igbo have been made to “suffer forever” because of their role in the civil war, Fayose appealed to the federal government to be fair and just to all ethnic groups in the country.
He opposed the main objective of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), saying secession is not an option.
Read:Why Aisha travelled to see Buhari

Wizkid Wins Best International Act, See Full List Of Winners At The BET Awards 2017


SEE PHOTO OF WIZKID

Although she was not present at the event, Beyonce took all the plaudits at the BET Awards 2017 snagging 4 awards for Best Female R&B/Pop artist, Video of the year & Video Director of the year for “Sorry” & Album of the Year.

Remy Ma beat rival Nicki Minaj to the Best Female Hip-Hop artist crown while Migos won the Best Group award and Best Collaboration went to Chance The Rapper & 2 Chainz for “No Problem“.
In the acting categories, Taraji P. Henson won the award for Best Actress, Mahershala Ali won the Best Actor Award while Oscar winning film “Hidden Figures” won the Best Movie Award.


Vote your president out if you are not happy with him – Ooni of Ife message to Nigerians

Ooni of ife

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has told Nigerians to vote out their president, if they are not happy with his administration and retain him if they are pleased with him.
He stated this in an interview aired on The Osasu Show.

Rapper Sauce Kid Will Spend Two Years In Prison

sauce kid

Nigerian talented rapper, Saucekid whose real name is Babalola Falemi, (who later changed his stage name to Sinzu) he became popular after he released ‘Yebariba’, a cover of the Remy Ma hit ‘Conceited’ has been missing in action for a while.

He has allegedly been in jail in the US since 2016 at Ada County Jail, a medium security prison attached to the Idaho Sheriff Department.


Buhari under fire for recording Sallah message in Hausa

see photos of president muhammad buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has come under fire after his office released an audio of the president greeting Nigerians in Hausa on Ed-el-Fitr, the Muslim celebration after the month-long Ramadan fast.

Critics said addressing the nation in Hausa, a language not understood by millions of Nigerians, was divisive and capable of blighting ongoing efforts at lowering ethnic tension in the country.
In the recorded message, the ailing president thanked Nigerians for wishing him quick recovery and preached peace across the land.
A State House press statement had initially conveyed essentially the same remarks in English on Saturday. But the presidency later released the audio in an apparent response to distrustful Nigerians who had not heard from Mr. Buhari for nearly two months.


Trump's Indonesian business partner slapped with travel ban

see photos of harry the billionaire
Authorities in Indonesia have issued a travel ban against the Indonesian business partner of U.S. President Donald Trump after he was accused of threatening a deputy attorney general, officials said Monday.

Saturday 24 June 2017

Kidnapper Evans unveils informants, how they shared ransom

pictures of evans kidnapper

Kidnap kingpin, Chukwudi Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, has said some prominent businessmen in the South-East provided information on victims and got a percentage from the ransom received.
The Nation reports that the suspect gave some names to the police.

Evans also confessed that some of his accomplices were based in Europe and were into drug business.

According to a source, Evans explained that he usually shared the loot with his informants on a 60%-40% basis. He has reportedly threatened to make a public announcement, if the police fails to arrest those he mentioned.

[PHOTOS] Teacher dies in car crash while having sex


crashed car and a naked lady

An English teacher, John Malone, has died in a horror car crash in Thailand while having sex on the back seat.

Malone, who hails from Ireland was travelling in a speeding black Suzuki when it lost control and hit a concrete post.


Horrific CCTV shows the car spinning several times as sparks fly and glass smashes, before it comes to a stop further down the road in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

39-yr-old Malone was pulled half-naked from the wreckage having been on the backseat with a naked Thai woman found in the car.


9ice to Falz: If you feel people I hailed in my songs are fraudsters, report to EFCC

9ice
Nigerian music star, 9ice, whose recent song ‘Living Things’, sparked controversy after Falz said entertainers shouldn’t hail fraudsters in their songs, has further reacted to this.
9ice who was interviewed by NaijaloadedTV, said he wouldn’t blame Falz because that was his perception about the music and everybody have the right to say whatever they want about the song.

Actor Yomi Fash Lanso Criticize Nigerian pastors who move with security attaché apart

photo of yomi fash lanso
In a chat with Saturday Beats, Nollywood actor, Yomi Fash-Lanso came for Nigerian pastors who move around with armed personnel.

El-Rufai, Tunde Bakare and the Groove From Timex Social Club - Reno Omokri




I never thought I would live to see the day that Sahara Reporters would publish a story alleging, together with supporting documents, that a person reputed to be one of its benefactors, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the under-performing Governor of Kaduna State, has been systematically engaging in acts of corruption by way of awarding over-invoices contracts to his fronts, family, friends and cronies, without passing these contracts through the due process of tendering and public advertising.
Not only did I never think I would see such a day, I also did not believe that El-Rufai would turn around and accuse the website he had celebrated of lying and practicing gutter journalism. Wonders shall never cease to happen!

Friday 23 June 2017

Chelsea face £200million blow with BOTH Diego Costa and Eden Hazard set to quit club


hazard and costa

CHELSEA are facing a £200million body blow with Eden Hazard and Diego Costa BOTH set to quit this summer.
Real Madrid appear increasingly confident of signing Hazard for a world-record £100m after making the Belgian playmaker their top target.
And Spanish goal ace Costa also seems on his way after telling friends he is sick to the back teeth of the English weather.
Chelsea would not raise as much for Costa, 28, as Hazard.
But the champions-elect would have to spend around £200m to replace both players with similar quality.

Manchester United closing in on Alvaro Morata - sources

photos of alvaro morata
Manchester United are making progress in their pursuit of Alvaro Morata but have yet to agree a fee with Real Madrid, sources have told ESPN FC.
Manager Jose Mourinho has identified Morata as the striker he wants to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
There is still hope a deal could be secured before United head to the United States for their preseason tour on July 9.

Falz Caution Colleagues Who Are Promoting Fraud With Their Music, 9ice Fires Back


INEC writes Melaye, begins recall process July 3

photos of dino melaye
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has written a letter to Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, to inform him that it has received a petition for his recall.
This comes two days after Melaye’s constituents submitted a petition and collected signatures to the commission.
In a statement on Thursday, Mohammed Haruna, INEC’s national commissioner and member information and voter education committee, said the decision to inform Melaye was taken at a meeting held in Abuja.

Corp member shows off mum who sold pap to fund his education

Corp Member and mother
A corp member, Oladipupo, has taken to Instagram to show off his mum who sold pap a.k.a akamu/ogi to train him in school.
According to Oladipupo, his mum will not have to do that anymore as he promised her a ‘golden spoon life’ while disclosing he’s proud of her.

Takeover’ won’t affect customers, NCC assures 21m Etisalat subscribers

‘Takeover’ won’t affect you, NCC assures 21m Etisalat subscribers

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assured 21 million Etisalat subscribers that the telco’s N541 billion debt and brewing takeover will not, in any way, affect them negatively.
In a statement signed by Tony Ojobo, NCC director of public affairs, the commission said it attempted to find a resolution to the challenges facing the company, but could not get desired results.

NCC however said it would do all in its regulatory capacity to ensure subscribers enjoy the best of service.

“The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a planned takeover of Etisalat by a consortium of banks,” NCC said via a statement.

Thursday 22 June 2017

Robert Lewandowski a perfect replacement for Diego Costa at Chelsea

Since the final whistle blew on Chelsea's 2016-17 campaign, barely a day has gone by without an eye-catching story regarding the club's striker department.
Diego Costa's uncertain future at Stamford Bridge has been thrown into stark relief with his revelation that Antonio Conte had sent him a text message that stated that he was no longer wanted. Michy Batshuayi also wasted little time in issuing his own verdict on a stuttering debut season in England by asserting that he is not prepared to be a bit-part player in a World Cup year. 

Cristiano Ronaldo follows Nigerian artiste Davido on Instagram

It seems world best player is a fan of the award winning afropop artiste Davido.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has added Nigerian artiste Davido to his expectional list of friends on social media.
After netting the winning goal for the Seleccao in their 1-0 win over Russia in the Fifa Confederations Cup, the 32-year-old took to his Instagram account to follow the Nigerian artiste as his 376th follower.

These School Boys Wear Skirts in Protest Over No Shorts Uniform Policy

see photos of teenage students on skirts

Teenage boys have turned up at a Devon school this morning dressed in skirts in protest at strict uniform codes which the headteacher has refused to relax.

The schoolboys, from ISCA Academy in Exeter, Devon, had asked earlier this week whether they would be allowed to wear shorts amid the hot weather. Temperatures have been upwards of 30 degrees. Their headmistress said no.


Dino Melaye says many will be imprisoned in an attempt to recall him

Dino Melaye
Dino Melaye, lawmaker representing Kogi west senatorial district, says the move to recall him from the upper legislative chamber will land many people in jail.
The lawmaker said this in response to reports that files of signatures of voters in his district had been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“It can not succeed. It is a hoax and absolute comedy of errors. I’m laughing at the stupidity of kogi state government,” he tweeted on Wednesday.
“Many appointees will go to jail for forgery. Even dead people’s names on the recall register.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia to try to reduce tensions over Qatar - abcNEWS

Frances President Emmanuel Macron, right, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan, left, attend a meeting about Qatar crisis, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Wednesday,

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has agreed with Saudi Arabia's King Salman and the new crown prince to "increase efforts" to end tensions in the region related to the dispute with Qatar, Turkish officials said Thursday.
The Turkish leader called the Saudi royals late on Wednesday to congratulate them on the appointment of prince Mohammed bin Salman as the new crown prince, according to a statement from officials in Erdogan's office.

We are still one big family - Sultan of Sokoto

SULTAN OF SOKOTO

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has advocated dialogue as the panacea to the agitation for the breakup of Nigeria.

Speaking when he hosted leaders of resident communities, heads of security agencies, civil society groups and media practitioners to a Ramadan break fast dinner at his palace in Sokoto, the monarch maintained that no matter the call for secession, Nigerians would remain one big family.
He said, “No matter what anybody can say, no matter what is happening, we are still one big family.
“Let’s sit down, discuss these issues. So that together we can find out what really went wrong. Let us retrace our step and see where we started getting things wrong so that we can find the way of sorting things out.

Thursday 18 May 2017

I am not the football Pope the result stands above everything else - Jurgen Klopp




Jurgen Klopp has told kicker magazine that he believes the "war of attrition" in the Premier League is a reason for the lack of relative success in European competition.


There have only been two English sides in the semifinals of the Champions League in the past five seasons.

Before taking over as Liverpool manager in October 2015, Klopp wondered about the poor recent record, but says he can now fully understand the difficulty in juggling two demanding competitions.


Juventus 2 Lazio 0: Alves, Bonucci secure historic third consecutive Coppa Italia

Dani Alves celebrates with Paulo Dybala in the Coppa Italia final

Juventus made history on Wednesday as they became the first team to win the Coppa Italia three times in a row after a 2-0 win over Lazio.


Juventus took their first step towards the treble with an historic 2-0 win over Lazio in the Coppa Italia final at Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.

First-half goals from Dani Alves and Leonardo Bonucci secured an unprecedented third triumph in a row in Italy's premier cup competition and the 12th in their history.

S. Korean president vows to reopen probe into 1980 massacre

South Korea's new liberal president vowed Thursday to reopen an investigation into the government's role in the violent suppression of a 1980 democratic uprising in the city of Gwangju that killed hundreds, as he further distanced himself from his ousted conservative predecessor.


An emotional President Moon Jae-in made the comments during an event in Gwangju marking the anniversary of the massacre, which he called the "saddest and most painful moment" in the country's recent history.


Cristiano Ronaldo sets record to become all-time top European scorer

see photo cristiano ronaldo

The Real Madrid star scored after 10 minutes away to Celta Vigo to move past Jimmy Greaves and create yet another personal milestone.


Cristiano Ronaldo has created history by becoming the all-time top scorer in Europe’s five biggest leagues after netting for Real Madrid against Celta Vigo.
The Portuguese superstar opened the scoring after 10 minutes with his 367th league goal to take him past former England international Jimmy Greaves.


Lai Mohammed‘ I Never Said FG Doesn’t Know Who Will Sign 2017 Budget’



The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has denied media reports claiming that he said the federal government does not know who will sign the 2017 budget.