Fire Razes Dubai Skyscraper Hotel, Site Of 2016 New Year Celebrations

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

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A huge fire ripped through a luxury Dubai hotel Thursday night as people gathered to watch New Year’s Eve celebrations, injuring at least 16 people, authorities said.

Dubai’s government media office tweeted that a “fire has been reported in the Address Downtown hotel. Authorities are currently on-site to address the incident swiftly and safely”.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.

The 63-storey building, which is close to Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, was engulfed in flames across several floors as sirens wailed and helicopters hovered overhead, witnesses said.

Dubai’s police chief said all the hotel’s residents had been evacuated from the scene of the blaze, which had still not been extinguished some two hours after it broke out.

“All the residents are out,” General Khamis Matar al-Mzeima said.

“Until the fire is put out, we will not have information on what caused it,” he added.

“At least 14 people have been slightly injured, along with one medium injury, and a heart attack case registered due to people pushing” amid the smoke, the media office tweeted.

Witness Raphael Slama told AFP the fire started at around 9:30 pm (1730 GMT) and rapidly spread upwards across dozens of floors.

The government tweeted that the fire erupted on the 20th floor and affected only the outer facade of the building.

“Four firefighting teams have been deployed” to fight the blaze, it added.

Authorities said earlier Thursday that they had deployed thousands of security personnel to ensure visitors and residents could enjoy the New Year’s festivities safely.

Credit: Vanguard

Abuja Airport Records Low Patronage Of Clients During New Year Celebration

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, recorded low movement of passengers as the world prepares to celebrate the New Year on Friday, in Abuja, on Thursday.

Mr Tony Ameh, Manager, Aero Contractors, said observed that both the departure and the arrival sections of both domestic and international wings of the airport were deserted unlike Dec. 24, when there was heavy traffic. that the rush associated with festive period was minimal, adding that the airline had recorded less number of passengers as against the previous years.

Ameh disclosed that the airline had more passengers during the Christmas period, adding that the airline had only five flights today compared to the 11 flights it operated during Christmas,also there was no fare hike during the season, explaining that the difference in ticket price was as a result of online booking and on the counter booking.

According to him, aside the fact that the economy is not too good at the moment, a lot of people that travelled to different parts of the country for Christmas are yet to return.

We have lesser number of passengers this year compared to last year’s and the previous years, and I believe it is due to the present economic situation in the country.

Like today, there is no fare hike unlike during Christmas when there was high demand for seats because if you are buying ticket over the counter you tend to pay more.

But when you buy your ticket online with some days’ interval, you enjoy cheaper fare but as you are approaching the flight, the fare goes up,’’ he said. However, optimism for a better and violence free Nigeria devoid of terrorism as much as better economic improvement in 2016.
I wish our esteem customers safe flights in 2016 as they continue to fly with us and I want to remind them that air is the most secured mode of transportation.

“We promise our customers better services, affordable fares, on-time departure and improved service delivery as we pray that God continues to guide us to maintain good safety records,’’ he said.

Credit: Dailytimes

Appeal Court Sacks Abia Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Declares APGA’s Alex Otti Winner

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Court of Appeal, sitting in Owerri, has removed Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party as governor of Abia State.

The court also declared Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance the winner of the April 11 and April 25 supplementary elections in the state.

Delivering judgment in an appeal filed by Mr. Otti, the five-member panel, headed by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, said the APGA candidate scored 164, 444 valid votes to defeat Mr. Ikpeazu who scored 114, 444 votes.

The court declared that Mr. Otti was the winner of the April 11 and April 25 supplementary elections in Abia.

Justice Omoleye said the cancellation of the elections held in three LGAs of Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa and Isiala Ngwa by the returning officers after the results were uploaded to INEC was wrong.

“In the Electoral Act, the Returning Officer has the right to only declare results of elections and not to cancel elections.

“This panel discovered that the earlier results uploaded to INEC headquarters correspond with the correct valid registered voters in the three LGAs, while that awarded to the respondent shows over voting and therefore null and void.’’

Credit: PremiumTimes

Dele Momodu Speaks Up On Davido’s Baby Saga

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Dele Momodu on his Instagram page explains his role in Davido’s baby saga. Read his side of the story below:

“In september 2015, I got a call from Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, a long time friend, telling me his son had fathered a baby girl with my cousin, Sophia Momodu. I rejoiced with him as any reasonable soul will do. He apologised that he had not called all along because he wasn’t sure if Sophie’s baby was going to turn out a fake one like that of two others who had turned up at his doorstep.

But mercifully, according to Dr. Adeleke, Sophie’s baby passed the DNA test by over 98 per cent and he was elated. I congratulated him again as proud grandfather. He said he would like to meet me with Sophie since Sophie’s dad, Uncle Jibola Momodu, passed on years ago and Sophie mentioned me as her cousin.

I had known about Sophie’s baby through her first cousin Ruth Abraham and had called to congratulate her. I was happy when she sent me pictures of the baby and other romantic pictures with David Adeleke, aka Davido.

But I never contacted David’s dad deliberately so as not to create the impression of begging for marriage. Where we come from, it is the man who approaches the lady’s family to plead to be allowed to marry into the family.

Prior to this phone call from Dr. Adeleke, on the 11th July, 2015, Sophie had narrated to me how she was tricked to Coco Adeleke’s house with her baby, Imade Aurora Adeleke. After getting to the house on Baderinwa Alabi Street, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, her baby was forcefully taken from her and she was thrown out of the premises with the threat that she would be decisively dealt with if she even bothered to return there.

There were armed policemen in the premises and to avoid what could have been a messy encounter, instinct prevailed on her to make her leave her breast suckling baby behind, with so much pain in her heart. By daybreak on the next day, Sophie was again at Coco Adeleke’s house to take her baby, but she was prevented by armed policemen from gaining access into the house. She was again threatened and warned never to return for the child.

Despite the pain and trauma my cousin was made to undergo, I restrained myself from getting directly involved in the matter and appealed to her to stay calm and take it easy with the Adeleke’s.

But after the phone call from Dr. Adeleke, precisely on September 10, 2015, I picked up Sophie and her mum and drove to Dr. Adeleke’s home in Lekki, Lagos. All the while, I had waited patiently to meet Dr. Adeleke with questions probing for answers.

Dr. Adeleke invited two of his close friends to the meeting namely, His Majesty Oba Adedokun Abolarin and Mr. Wale Adeeyo. We went into lengthy discussions. His daughter Coco had brought in the little baby and both attended the meeting.

Dr. Adeleke explained why it took some time to call me and I said I understood. Dr. Adeleke said the baby was discovered to have traces of marijuana in her during medical test and said he believed Sophie and David were smokers and he needed to protect the child from two irresponsible parents, as he described them.

He told the gathering that the baby would be under temporary custody and observation. He directed that Sophie would come to his house every Sunday to see her baby. Our family agreed. He promised to pay Sophie a monthly upkeep. We thanked him for his kindness. He promised to buy her a car. We were grateful for his generosity.

Sophie said she got the monthly upkeep but never got the car and that she prefers to have her baby back and the Adelekes can keep their money.

I called Dr. Adeleke and he said I should allay her fears. I pleaded again for patience. I was shocked when Sophie called me desperately and said her daughter was being taken to Dubai by Coco. I immediately called Coco and she said she was taking the baby for intensive medicals and I wondered how she would pass through the airport without the consent of Sophie but she actually did and even sent me pictures from Dubai. I played it cool and encouraged Sophie to calm down.

Sophie became withdrawn and extremely saddened. The situation went from bad to worse. She and David became aggressive enemies. At a point, David sent messages to Sophie and using the ‘f’ word against me. His father was shocked and called him to apologise which he did and I accepted and even told him how much I love him.

The worst came when my wife came from London and went with Sophie to check on the baby at Coco’s house and they literally walked them out of their house. My wife called and I called Dr. Adeleke who said they should go to his house and wait for him.

Their meeting did not go well because my wife asked when the baby would be returned to her mum and Dr. Adeleke went into the same old story of marijuana abuse and Sophie said she was ready for a test which Dr. Adeleke wasn’t interested in. Dr. Adeleke explained why the car had not been bought and my wife told him the baby was the issue and not the car. Dr. Adeleke didn’t like the sound of this but it was reaching a point that some truth needed to be told that a baby cannot be bought with money.

I flew to Nigeria on December 28 after Sophie told me the Adelekes were travelling to Dubai with her baby without her consent again. As soon as I landed, I called Uncle Wale Adeeyo, a close confidant of Dr. Adeleke, and expressed our displeasure at the way Sophie was being treated and he promised to speak to Dr. Adeleke. When he came back to me he didn’t sound too positive. We spoke several times and nothing tangible came out of his supposed intervention.

I called Oba Dokun Abolarin but he was busy at a wedding in Ibadan. I then called Uncle Wale again and told him Sophie has plans to stop the trip on the knowledge that David has collected an American passport for the baby and the rumour that the baby was being abducted to America. I pleaded that we should avoid a confrontation.

I headed to the airport to alert the airport authorities including immigration and Emirates. As predicted, the Adelekes arrived the airport with the baby where Immigration had laid in wait for them. Coco came forward and was asked who the mother of the baby was and she claimed ownership and her passport and that of the baby were taken away by immigration.

Her dad was alerted and he came to the office of the Comptroller with others to try and rescue the passports but the Immigration stood their grounds. I saw him making frantic calls but he gave up after the flight departed.

He repeated the same boast that no one could ever take the baby from him and I told him to stop talking like God. No one likes a fight but we’ve been treated shabbily and had to stop the charade. We could not be intimidated and everyone at the airport expressed shock and horror at such a brazen attempt to export a human being only seven month old without the mother.

We thank the officers who rescued us from a powerful family. We are always for peace, justice and equity. No one threatened the Adelekes with any expose unless they are using reversed psychology.

Personally, I’m not a junk writer and would never descend so low to abuse those permanently connected to us through an innocent baby. We love the baby like they do.”

Credit: Punch

Indonesia Promises To Assist Nigeria In War On Terror

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Indonesian government says it is ready to provide assistance to Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.

The Ambassador of Indonesia to Nigeria, Harry Purwanto, made the promise at a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

At the meeting held at the Minister’s office on Thursday, both countries had the opportunity to explore areas of mutual benefit.

In their talks, Mrs Ibrahim also sought an agreement on prisoner swap between the two countries, in an attempt to bring some Nigerians serving different jail terms in Indonesia back home.

Earlier, the Minister asked for the assistance of the Indonesian government in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency in the northeast.

Responding to the request, the Indonesian Ambassador said his government had also had to deal with the issue terrorism and would welcome an opportunity to assist Nigeria.

Mr Purwanto further stated that his country would also wish to explore the possibility of buying crude oil from Nigeria.

Credit: ChannelsTV

FG To Professionalise Fire Service, Says Interior Minister

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau, has expressed the Federal Government’s resolve to professionalise the nation’s fire service for effective and efficient service delivery.

Dambazzau said this on Thursday when he led a delegation to the scene of the gas explosion at Nnewi, Anambra, which claimed eight lives on Dec. 24.

He said that the ministry had made provision in the 2016 budget to make the service proactive.

“In addition to providing equipment to the service, we also plan to carry out training of staff to make the service highly professional.

“Every local government should have fire institution up to the various wards and we are looking at the best way to approach this,” he said.

The minister, however, commended the Anambra fire fighters for their efforts at curtailing the fire.

The minister, who earlier visited Gov. Willie Obiano and the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Keneth Orizu, said that he was in the state to commiserate with the families of victims of the incident.

“We are here to assess the situation and to see how we can prevent future occurrence,” he said, while also praying for the quick recovery of those recuperating in various hospitals.

Dambazzau was accompanied by the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr Abdullahi Gana, and the Controller General of Federal Fire Service, Mr Joseph Anebi.

Mr Chika Okafor, the Chief Executive Officer of Chicason Group and owner of the affected gas plant, commended the minister and his team for finding time to visit the scene.

He expressed pain over the loss of lives in the explosion, saying he had made efforts to reach out to the families of the victims.

Okafor, however, appealed to the Federal Government to establish fire service in Nnewi because there was none in the industrial area.

He said that the over 26 companies in the town had their fire fighting and safety measures to take care of emergencies but needed to be boosted by the Federal Government.

Okafor urged the Federal Government to look into the epileptic power supply to assist manufacturers and industrialists.

(NAN)

Ex IYC President Appeals To FG Not To Scrap Amnesty Programme In 2016

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Dr Chris Ekiyor, former President, Ijaw Youth Council, has appealed to the Federal Government not to scrap the amnesty programme in 2016.

Ekiyor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Port Harcourt that the action could “lure the ex-militants into temptation.’’

He urged the government to take a holistic view of what the programme had achieved since its inception and what could happen if it was scrapped.

“If the federal government says it has successfully implemented the amnesty programme, how has it impacted on the beneficiaries?

“Is it by the monthly stipends they receive?

“Out of the 30,000 ex-militants pencilled for training by the federal government, less than 15,000 have been trained; is the government going to abandon the remaining 15,000?

“The initial design of the programme was to empower the beneficiaries and make them economically viable,” he said.

Ekiyor said that some of the beneficiaries, who were still undergoing training at home and abroad, would be abandoned in their various institutions if the government stops funding the programme.

He urged the government to take urgent measures to keep the ex-militants busy instead of scrapping the programme.

He said that though the programme was expensive, the inherent security crises that might likely accompany its scrapping could be costlier than the cost of the programme.

“The peace being enjoyed in the Niger Delta by former President Musa Yar’adua’s amnesty programme is unprecedented.

“It is only when the region is at peace that the multinational oil companies can operate.

“As much as I believe that the programme will end some day, it should not end abruptly in the interest of peace,” Ekiyor said.

(NAN)

Court Of Appeal Upholds Election Of Gov. Ishaku Of Taraba

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday declared that Gov. Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was validly elected in the April gubernatorial elections in Taraba.

The appellate court set aside the Nov. 7 judgment of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for the state which had declared Sen. Aisha Alhassan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election.

The court of appeal panel of five justices, presided over by Justice Abdul Aboki, held that the decision of the tribunal was a nullity.

Specifically, the appellate court said the tribunal erred in law in its decision that Ishaku was not validly nominated by his party and not qualified ab-initio to contest the April 11 governorship election.

“We have duly read the submissions made by parties to the appeal and found out that the tribunal erred in its decision.

The Electoral Act and in fact the constitution have not given such power to the tribunal to annul the victory of the appellant on the ground of improper conduct of primaries by his party.

The PDP has admitted to have sponsored the appellant in its deposition. Therefore, the argument of the APC and its candidate of non-qualification of the PDP candidate are baseless,’’ he said.

Aboki said that INEC and any aggrieved contestant in the primaries of the party were the ones that had the locus standi to challenge the conduct of the primaries.

“INEC is superintendent when it comes to issues of who is qualified to contest an election not the respondent.

Respondents have no locus standi in this matter. They cannot challenge the primaries because none of them is a member of the PDP.”

The court further held that nomination of candidate for an election was a domestic affair of a political party and the court had no jurisdiction to interfere in it.

Aboki held that the appellant met all the statutory conditions to contest the election.

“By the provision of the Electoral Act, the appellant is a citizen of Nigeria; he has attained the mandatory age of 35 years and he is a bona-fide member of a registered political party – PDP.

The appellant was sponsored by a registered political party and he has the minimum educational qualification of School Certificate or equivalent,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that four other cross-appeals filed by parties were ruled in favour of Ishaku.

In one of the cross appeals, APC contended that the PDP candidate did not score the mandatory 25 per cent in two-third of the 16 local government areas of the state.

Justice Aboki, however, dismissed the argument, holding that it was not supported by documentary evidence from the card reader used in the election.

He also held that the relief was an after thought because it was not contained in the processes filed before the tribunal.

“This appellate court will not allow any fresh matter to be introduced at this juncture. The pleading is hereby struck out for it is academic,’’ the justice said.

Speaking to newsmen after the session, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), counsel to Ishaku, expressed delight in the outcome of the appeal.

“We know right from time that injustice was done to our client by his removal by the tribunal,’’ he said.

On his part, Mr Mahmud Magaji (SAN), Counsel to Al-Hassan, said the decision would be further tested at the Supreme Court.

“We still hold that the governor was not qualified to contest that election,’’ he said.

(NAN)

Buhari Signs 2015 Budget Implementation Extension Into Law

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari, has signed an amendment to the 2015 budget act which authorised the executive to extend the implementation of the Capital vote component in the act beyond Dec. 31.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters ( Senate ), Senator Ita Enang, confirmed this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Enang explained that his clarification became necessary in view of the fact that legislators, institutions and other concerned agencies had been contacting him to know the true status of the Act, which was forwarded to Buhari last week.

“His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, has assented to the 2015 appropriation amendment Act passed by the National Assembly on December 22 , 2015, extending the 2015 financial year to March 31, 2016 in respect of capital projects”

“The Act to amend the 2015 Supplementary Appropriation Act specifically authorised the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, N556.9bn meant for Capital Expenditure in the 2015 budget to enable the appropriate government agencies carry out massive infrastructural projects during the dry season,” the statement said.

The Senate had on Dec 22, amended the 2015 Supplementary Appropriation Act to enable the Executive arm of government, to implement the N557 billion Capital expenditure component in the 2015 Budget up to March next year.

The ammendment was perfected at plenary shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari, presented the 2016 budget estimates to the joint session of the National Assembly.

(NAN)

New Year: APC Promises Better Life For Nigerians

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC)?, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Thursday, assured Nigerians that 2016 would be a better year for Nigerians.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the party’s Assistant ?Director (Publicity), Mr Edegbe Odemwingie.

The statement said although 2015 was difficult, 2016 would see the fulfillment of all campaign promises by the APC.

The statement said: ”I want to, on behalf of our great party, the APC, wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.

”While 2015 was difficult for many Nigerians, we must also look back, with relief and a collective sense of jubilation, to the momentous opportunity it offered to the electorate to make the long-desired change.

”And we must sustain the hope that brighter days are ahead of us. Although our challenges are legion, we have the courage and determination to rise up and meet them.

”I want to give a firm assurance that all the promises made by the party in respect of the 2015 election to Nigerians will be kept.

”The New Year holds great dividends for Nigerians when the policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration are enforced in the 2016 financial year.”

The Chairman said the N6.08 trillion ‘Budget of Change’ presented by the President would ensure a lot of promises to the people were met including paying stipends to the unemployed.

?He lauded the full implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), saying all government revenue inflows and disbursements could be effectively monitored and also plug revenue leakages.

”In line with the party’s promise to restructure the country’s oil and gas sector, which has been marred by corruption and inefficiencies, government has set in motion a mechanism to unbundle the NNPC to enhance more productivity,transparency and accountability.

”President Buhari’s administration inherited a corruption-tainted subsidy regime run by corrupt cartels.

”Oil cartels and their cronies resisting change have continued to blackmail and sabotage government’s effort on the issue of subsidy and availability of petroleum products.

”To this end, the presidential directive to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to adjust its pricing template to reflect competitive and market driven components should be supported.

”A review of PPPRA’s pricing template will? result in a more efficient and realistic pricing system for petroleum products and also result in constant availability of fuel nationwide.”

The statement lauded the government’s war against insurgency saying the improved welfare had increased the morale of the nation’s troops in combat areas.

”The international community is co-operating with the military offensive, including sharing of intelligence information, to end insurgency in Nigeria, as part of the efforts to combat global terrorism.

”In spite of desperate and shameless attempts to discredit President Buhari’s anti-corruption efforts, the war against graft is being won.

”It is reassuring that the Federal Government has recovered huge sums from looters of our common wealth, which will be injected into the 2016 National Budget.”

The statement said electricity supply had improved in most parts of the country.

It said ?job creation and social inclusion were critical to the administration’s development programmes; hence Buhari had promised that 500,000 new teachers would be recruited among other job creation initiatives.

The statement appealed to all party members to play by the rules at the different levels where election re-runs are being conducted or where fresh elections will be held in the coming year.

Also, it urged members to shun violence while it welcomed members from opposition parties who were genuinely inspired by the APC-led administration.

”Looking back at the last seven months, there are clear indicators showing that the APC and the President Buhari administration is on the right track to delivering on its Change Agenda,” it said.?

(NAN)

SEMA Organises Circumcision Ceremony For 50 Internally Displaced Children In Yobe

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said it has concluded arrangements to get 50 internally displaced children circumcised at the Pompomari Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Damaturu.

The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Alhaji Musa Idi, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Damaturu.

Idi said that the 50 children would be circumcised and celebrated with cultural fanfare.

He explained that a date would soon be fixed for the event, noting that some of the children were orphans who lost their parents to the Boko Haram insurgency, while some others were living with their parents at the camp.

He said “the children are at the Pompomari Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Damaturu; the Agency organised the circumcision ceremony to uplift their physical and psychological spirits.

“The Agency has met with their parents and community leaders and they all have agreed to jointly undertake the circumcision exercise and to celebrate the children together in the camp.

“Medical personnel at the camp clinic and circumcision experts have been mobilised for this very important event in the lives of the children.

“Every child circumcised has a special food package with full chiken to himself according to tradition here, signifying the children’s transition from one stage of life to another.’’

The executive secretary added that SEMA, in conjunction with the state’s resettlement committee led by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, provided 9,000 blankets to the IDPs for use during the harmattan.

He said “we have also distributed 1,700 bags of millet, 450 bags of rice, 500 bags of maize and 450 cartons of indomie noodles to the IDPs.

“The beneficiaries are from Goniri, Ngirbuwa, Gotala, Gotumba, Gofiri, Shehuri Toro, Muktum, Bulturum Kura, Bulturum Gana, Mandunari and Dadingel communities.

“Government is also constructing boreholes, tents for shelter and classrooms, as well as toilets at Kukareta to improve the welfare of the displaced persons taking refuge in the village,” he said.

(NAN)

Hundreds Of Flights Cancelled As Istanbul Hit By Heavy Snow

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Hundreds of flights in and out of Turkey were cancelled for Thursday and Friday at Istanbul’s two airports after the city was blanketed by heavy snow.

The weather condition also forced the closure of schools and brought chaos to the roads.

Turkish Airlines cancelled 265 flights in and out of the main Ataturk airport and 37 at Sabiha Gokcen, Istanbul’s second airport. Budget airline Pegasus said it had cancelled 34 flights arriving or departing from Sabiha Gokcen.

On Wednesday, city authorities said they had more than 1,000 vehicles and heavy machinery ready to keep roads open. They, however, warned residents against all but essential travel.

More snowfall is forecast for much of Thursday.
Ferries across the Bosphorus Strait bisecting Europe’s largest city were disrupted.

Nevertheless, the waterway, the only maritime outlet for Russian oil and other commodities from the Black Sea, remained open to shipping.

(Reuters/NAN)

Katsina Set To Revive Moribund Industries

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Katsina State Government has set up machinery to strengthen Public Private Partnership (PPP) to revive state-owned moribund industries.

Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf, the state Commissioner of Commerce and Industries, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Katsina.

He said that the measure was aimed at improving internally generated revenue for the state and reduce overdependence on federal allocation.

Yusuf said that the revival of the moribund companies would also provide employment for the teeming youth in the state.
The commissioner said that the state government had entered into an agreement with private investors for the revival of Kankia Metal Works; Funtua burnt bricks and Daura tannery.

Yusuf disclosed that the burnt bricks were expected to provide job opportunities to about 300 casual workers on daily basis.

He called on wealthy individuals to set up industries in the state so as to complement government efforts in reducing unemployment among the youths in the state.

The commissioner assured that the state government would provide conducive environment as well as provide assistance to people willing to establish companies and industries in the state.

(NAN)

FRSC Promotes 607 Officers

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The FRSC has elevated 607 officers to between the ranks of Deputy Chief Marshals and Road Marshal Assistant II as a follow up to the recent promotion exercise.

A statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the commission’s Head of Media Relations and Strategy, Mr Bisi Kazeem, said the promotion was a follow up to the recent one involving 442 officers on Inspector cadre.

“The management has promoted additional 607 Road Marshals to their next ranks in the service.

Four hundred and thirty one (431) Deputy Chief Road Marshals Assistants were promoted to Chief Road Marshal Assistants while 105 Senior Road Marshal Assistants were promoted to Deputy Chief Road Marshal Assistants.

Similarly, 60 Road Marshal Assistant I have now been promoted to the rank of Senior Road Marshal Assistant while 11 officers on the rank of Road Marshal Assistant II were elevated to Road Marshal Assistant,’’ the statement said.

It said that the Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, urged the marshals and other recently promoted personnel to handle the responsibilities that had come with their new ranks effectively.

The statement also charged every personnel of the commission to key into the vision of the corps marshal, adding that this was to reduce road crashes in the country to zero per cent.

It also said that Oyeyemi on Thursday embarked on another aerial surveillance on the Enugu-Onitsha corridor to ensure hitch-free movement during the New Year celebration.

The corps marshal, according to the statement, called on road users to be law abiding on the roads.

Oyeyemi had flagged off the 2015 aerial surveillance on Dec. 24 in Abuja, covering Abuja-Lokoja and Okene-Ibilo axis.

(NAN)

Buhari/Osinbajo Group Donates Foodstuff To Orphanages, Leper Colonies

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Buhari/Osinbajo Support Organisation (BOSO) has presented foodstuff and other household items to motherless babies homes and leper colonies across the country to enable them enjoy the festive period.

The Coordinator of BOSO, Dr Femi Olufunmilade, led the distribution of the items to the SOS village in Owu Ikija, Eruobodo Motherless home, Ijebu Ode; Visually Challenged People’s Home, Ijebu Igbo, and Widows of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ijebu Ode.

Other beneficiaries were the Motherless Babies Home, Shagamu; an orphanage in Bashorun area of Ibadan managed by the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), and the Lepers’ Colony in Akure.
The rest were Abiye Motherless Babies Home, Osogbo; Jamaa Taawuun Motherless Babies Home, Iwo, and a host of poor people in Ondo and Ekiti states.

Olufunmilade said in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday that the gesture was to demonstrate the love and care of the Buhari administration for the less privileged.

“The donations are to tell them the Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo, loves them and wishes them a happy New Year,’’ he said.

Olufunmilade promised charity homes that did not benefit from the donations that the group would reach them in future.

He urged Nigerians to pray for the Buhari-Osinbajo administration to succeed in all areas of its interventions.
He also called on the citizens to work for qualitative change in their respective fields.
This, according to him, is the minimum that can be done to support the administration, which offers Nigeria a rare opportunity to breakthrough.

(NAN)

Farmer Pledges To Train 100 NYSC Members

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

An expert on agriculture, Mr Raji Riliwan, on Thursday pledged to train 100 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Batch `A’ in agricultural production to promote economic empowerment.

Riliwan, who is the Manager of DEKORAJ Farms Ltd, Iju-Isaga, made the pledge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

The expert, who disclosed that the training would begin in the first quarter of 2016, also said:

“We intend to empower corps members because they will be able to meet the requirement for producing agricultural goods since they are freshly out of school.

In addition, keeping fresh graduates occupied will be a good way to reduce and curb the growing menace of vices in the society.’’

Riliwan said empowering youths would also help generate income and increase the Gross Domestic Product of the country.

According to him, youths will be trained in the production of poultry and the welded wire mesh cages for housing live birds.

“The cages are fabricated strictly in accordance with international quality standards using superior-grade raw materials.

Our cages are well designed, allowing proper ventilation, corrosion resistance, excellent foot rest and longer functional life,” the manager said.

He said that the youths, after the training, would be able to produce poultry equipment and become self reliant while contributing to the GDP of the country.

(NAN)

Aisha Buhari Donates Relief Materials To Women In IDP Camps

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Mrs Aisha Buhari, wife of the president, on Thursday, distributed relief materials to 1,350 pregnant and nursing mothers at the Dalori Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Maiduguri.

The distribution was flagged off by Hajiya Fanta Baba-Shehu, Borno Commissioner for Women Affairs, who represented Mrs Buhari at the ceremony.

Baba-Shehu said the gesture was aimed at providing food nutrients to the beneficiaries who were in dare need of nutriction.

“We are here to flag off the distribution of relief materials to 1,350 pregnant women and nursing mothers at the Dalori IDPs camp in Maiduguri.

The items were provided by Mrs Aisha Muhammdu Buhari, the wife of the president for onward distribution to the beneficiaries,” she said.

She said the exercise was sequel to last weeks’ visit of Mrs Buhari to the state.

“On her visit last week, Aisha constituted 11-man committee to distribute the relief materials to IDPs in the state.

That informed our presence here today for the exercise,” she said.

Baba-Shehu said the first distribution took place at Dalori camp because it had the largest concentration of women among the IDPs camps.

“We decided to start from Dalori camp because it has the largest number of IDPs, about 20,000 persons. More than half of them are women,” she said.

She said Mrs Buhari was passionate about women and children, hence she initiated the program.

“The essence is to touch the lives of the women by providing the materials,” she said.

The commissioner said the materials would be distributed to the 24 IDP camps in the state to provide succour to the women.

(NAN)

FG To Create Jobs For Youths In Agriculture, Solid Minerals, Teaching – Buhari

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Federal Government will explore the potential in agriculture, solid minerals and teaching in solving the unemployment challenge confronting the country, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.

Buhari, who said this at his maiden media chat on Wednesday in Abuja, noted that there were abundant deposits of solid minerals across the country.

According to the president, agriculture and solid minerals are the quickest ways of providing employment for able bodied people in Nigeria.

“We will make sure we get the machinery, fertilizer, and other inputs and ask people to go to the farm so that we do not import food.

There are lots of solid minerals in commercial quantities in virtually all the states; there are companies that know about it and they are prepared to come.

In terms of teachers, there is a teachers institute in Kaduna; and another one in Ibadan.

We are trying to mop up the unemployed youths; do a crash programme in teaching; post them to teach in primary schools and junior secondary schools.

So that the quality of education will start from the bottom; all these things will not be there over night but we have to start it,’’ he said.

Buhari said that if the opportunities in solid minerals and agriculture were properly harnessed, the problem of unemployment would be minimised.

(NAN)

8 Years After, Lagos Assembly Pardons Impeached Deputy Governor Femi Pedro

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday invalidated the 2007 impeachment of a former deputy governor of the state, Mr Femi Pedro.

The resolution followed the adoption of the recommendation of an eight-member Ad Hoc Committee constituted on July 2, to review the circumstances that led to Pedro’s impeachment.
Pedro, who was deputy to former Gov. Bola Tinubu, was impeached for gross misconduct on May 10, 2007, days to the end of the tenure of the administration.

He had urged the House to revisit his impeachment in a letter sent to the 8th Assembly on compassionate grounds.
The House, after considering the ad-hoc committee report on Thursday, passed a vote of confidence on Pedro, saying the allegations leading to his impeachment were not connected to criminal charges.

The committee, headed by the Majority Leader, Mr Sanai Agunbiade, in its report had said:

“In line with Rule 51 (6) of the Business Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the committee recommends that this House should, by a substantive motion, review the impeachment passed on Otunba Femi Pedro on Thursday May 10, 2007 by the 5th Assembly.

“Pardon him and pass a vote of confidence on him as a fit and proper person that can be entrusted with political and administrative responsibilities.’’

Discussing the report at plenary, Mr Rotimi Olowo, the Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, urged the Assembly to reverse the impeachment of the ex-deputy governor for him to live a normal life.
Olowo said that Pedro had shown remorse and needed to be forgiven.

“To err is human, to forgive is divine. Pedro has shown much remorse and obedience; let’s pardon him to have his sanity back. Pedro has passed through much psychological trauma,’’ he said.

Olowo said the purpose of the impeachment then was not based on fraud or criminal tendencies.

Contributing, Mr Segun Olulade, Chairman, House Committee on Health, commended the ad-hoc committee for its recommendations.

Olulade also commended Pedro for withdrawing court cases challenging his removal, to allow the Assembly wade into the matter.

According to the lawmaker, Pedro should be forgiven and allowed to contribute to the society.

Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuosho (APC- Mushin I) said: “I am in agreement with the report of the committee; all the allegations against Pedro were not criminal. The former deputy governor has displayed a lot of maturity and honourable behaviour. His name has to be cleared. He is a man of integrity and we should clear him of the allegations.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 36 members of the House were in support of the pardon while only one lawmaker voted against it and another abstained.

The Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, said that the House decided to pardon Pedro because he had shown remorse.
Obasa said that since Pedro was not convicted of any crime by any court of law, the Assembly had decided to pardon him and undo the impeachment served on him in 2007.

(NAN)

Foreign Reserves Drop To $29.13b

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Thursday said that the nation’s foreign exchange reserves declined to 29.13 billion dollars as at Dec. 29.

The bank said on its Website that the drop represented 2.43 per cent from 29.31 billion dollars recorded as at Dec.23
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the foreign reserves have been dropping since July 1, 2015.

The nation’s external reserves stood at 34.49 billion dollars as at Jan 5, 2015 from the 34.47 billion dollars recorded in Dec. 31, 2014.

But shortages of US Dollar has forced Nigeria’s external reserves into a massive decline hitting a new low of 29.73 billion dollar as at Dec. 11, while the value of the Naira declined in the unofficial foreign exchange market.

NAN also recalls that the central bank had spent around five billion dollars between January and July defending the Naira, which was hit by the 2014 plunge in oil prices.

The CBN in November said it was able to save 300 million dollars as at August from Bureau De Change (BDC), through its provision that request for forex must be accompanied by the BVN of the customers.

(NAN)

FG To Continue Railway Project By 2nd Quarter Of 2016 – Buhari

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said that the Federal Government would continue with the railway project by the second quarter of 2016 to enhance economic development.

Buhari, who gave the assurance at the maiden Presidential Media Chat in Abuja, said the decision would alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians in getting fuel.

“By second quarter of 2016, we will take the Chinese contractors back to continue with the railway project,’’ the president said.

On fuel subsidy, Buhari said the government was working hard to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians to make fuel available at affordable price.

He said government’s priority was to get the refineries working at optimum level, adding that past administrations had failed to maintain them and the pumping stations.

We will not be talking about subsidy by the end of first quarter next year.

I hope that our refineries will be working, we cannot do it overnight but that is our priority now to get them working.”

On the 2016 budget, Buhari said it would address unemployment in the country.

He said a lot had changed in the country, especially with the introduction of Treasury Single Account (TSA).

In addition, he said that the reforms done so far by his administration to merge 42 to 24 ministries would save some money to implement developmental projects.

“All these things will take time; we said during our campaign that we will diversify the economy to agriculture and solid minerals.

We are hoping that these sectors will generate jobs from those sectors and our budget has shown that we will focus on those sectors.

Also, we have focused on education and other key sectors of the economy.

Some investors are ready to come and invest in those sectors but our problem is to secure this country first,’’ the president said.

According to him, the government has taken cognisance of the countries that have indicated interest in investing in solid minerals.

He further said that his administration would develop the rail transport to enhance economic development.

He urged civil servants to be prepared to make sacrifices, adding that “you can legitimise the culture of change by being efficient in service’’.

(NAN)

Lawmaker Donates 100 Beds To Hospital In Jigawa

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Rep. Rabiu Garba (APC-Jigawa) on Thursday said he had donated 100 beds to the General Hospital, Malammadori, Jigawa.

Garba, who represents Malammadori/Kaugama Federal Constituency, said this while fielding questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Malammadori.
The legislator said he had also donated bed sheets to the hospital.

Garba said that the gesture was to complement government efforts at improving the standard of the hospital and enhance healthcare delivery system.

He said that he had also constructed embankment at Tashena and Arkin communities to control flooding in the area.
“I have procured hand pumps to improve water supply at Arkin and Hadayin villages,’’ he added.
Besides, Garba said that he donated N400,000 for the construction of classroom blocks at a Qur’anic school in Malammadori.

The lawmaker called on the people to always protect clinics, schools, water and other facilities provided by government in their respective communities.

He spoke through Alhaji Ango Malammadori, the APC Zonal Chairman.

(NAN)

Accident Investigation Bureau Says Nigeria’s Air Safety Has Improved

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) on Thursday said air safety had improved in the country in the last 10 years.

The bureau’s spokesman, Mr Tunji Oketunmbi, said this during an interactive session with aviation correspondents in Lagos.

Oketunmbi said that about 63 per cent of the bureau’s safety recommendations had been closed in the past 15 years while 14 others were partially closed.

“Right now, a lot of safety recommendations have been implemented while others have been partially implemented.

Since Year 2,000, we have issued 158 safety recommendations and 63 per cent of them have been closed; 14 per cent partially closed and 23 per cent still open.

That is the current status of implementation of our safety recommendations; it is very ingenious for anybody to continue to use a data of one year or two years ago to talk about the current status,’’ Oketunmbi said.

According to him, the AIB has no statutory powers to enforce compliance on its recommendations.

He, however, said that the bureau has the mandate to ensure a safety monitoring exercise to confirm compliance with such recommendations.

He said that the bureau would continue to carry out its investigative functions toward ensuring the safety of Nigeria’s airspace in 2016.

(NAN)

Avoid Consuming Red Meat During Festive Season, Food Technologist Warns

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A food technologist, Dr Olusegun Obadina, on Thursday warned the public to desist from eating excessive red meat saying it could contain some antibiotic resistants that were harmful to the body.

Obadina, also an Associate Professor of Food Technology at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said the warning had become imperative considering the rate at which the public would consume red meat during the Yuletide and other festivities.

“People tend to consume too much of red meat during the celebrations but in all caution must not be thrown to the winds.

This warning becomes imperative because bacteria in our meat supply are becoming antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic bacteria are affecting the population.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria can be spread through medical procedures; the unhygienic preparation of the meat in the abattoirs is majorly the cause of this.

The overuse of antibiotics in humans for illnesses like cold or flu is typically the first thought that comes to mind. But what about antibiotics grown in meat?’’ he said.

Obadina said, “Several farms are doping their animals without being supervised by a veterinarian and this can create the perfect breeding ground for antibiotic resistant bacteria.

“Meat infected with antibiotic resistant bacteria can be transferred from abattoirs to the consumer and when it is consumed by humans, it can decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics in their bodies as well.

The general public should either cut short the consumption of red meat or rather stay away if they do not trust the source,’’ he said.

BRT, BFS To Offer Free Rides On New Year Day

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it would provide free bus rides for residents of the state in its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses, for the New Year celebration.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Kolawole Ojelabi, the External Relations Officer, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

It said: “Lagosians celebrating the New Year on Friday will have some fun as operators of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the Bus Franchise Scheme (BFS) will offer free bus rides to commuters.

“Free service will be offered to commuters on the BRT corridor from Ikorodu via Mile 12 to CMS by the BRT operator, Primero Transport Service Ltd. Capetrust Investment Ltd, operator of the BFS will offer free services along its corridor – Maryland – Ikeja-Iyana-Ipaja – Ikotun- Igando axis of Alimoso and Ikeja Local Governments.”

The statement added that the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Dayo Mobereola, felicitates with residents for seeing the New Year.

“The state government is poised to ensure that it caters to the transportation needs of the people and will ensure that they are able to move around unhindered during the New Year celebration.

It, therefore, urged “Lagosians to do everything in moderation, observe the Lagos Traffic Law, avoid excess speed and recognize the rights of other users on the roads’’

(NAN)

Bill Cosby’s Mug Shot Revealed As Comedian Is Released on $1 Million Bail

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Hours after being charged by authorities in Pennsylvania’s Montgomery County with aggravated indecent assault, Bill Cosby arrived in court Wednesday afternoon for his arraignment. The 78-year-old comedian, who stepped out in what many would agree to be a very Cosby sweater, arrived with a cane as he entered the Elkins Park courtroom. ABC News reports that his bail was set at $1 million. Cosby, who turned over his passport to the court, did not enter a plea.

Following the court hearing, Cosby reported to the Cheltenham Police Department, where he was processed and fingerprinted. The Montgomery County Sheriff has since released Cosby’s official mug shot:

People reports that Cosby, who was arrested early Wednesday morning for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand in January 2004, was released on bail after posting 10 percent in cash.

Cosby’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2016.

Credit: Cosmoploitan

Appeal Court Ruling On Taraba Gov Election Underway

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Court of Appeal in Abuja sitting in Abuja is set to deliver judgement on the Appeal by the Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku against the ruling of the election petitions tribunal in the state.

The Justice Danladi Abubakar-led tribunal had on November 7 sacked the Peoples Democratic Party’s Ishaku and declared All Progressives Congress’ Aisha Alhassan the winner.

Dissatisfied with tribunal’s judgment, Ishaku filed an appeal, asking the appellate court to set it aside.

In response, Alhassan also cross-appealed the judgment

Ahead of today’s judgment, on December 21, the Justice Abdul Aboki-led five-man bench of the appeal court heard three appeals and a cross-appeal by the APC.

Six Possible Choices To Play The Next James Bond

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

6. DAMIAN LEWIS

Lewis has the acting ability but hasn’t really done any straightforward action films since, well, unless you count The Sweeney. And we don’t. At all. At 44, Lewis is on the older side for the character. Keep in mind, however, that Craig was 38 when he signed on for Casino Royale so it’s not outside the realms of possibility here.

5. IDRIS ELBA

Idris Elba’s been linked with the role for quite a long time. At this stage, if he doesn’t get it, he never will. Just one year younger than Elba, committing to Bond is usually a five, possibly six year deal meaning that he’ll be almost 50 by the time he’d be potentially done with the role. It’s a big ask of anyone.

4. MAX IRONS

On the other end of the spectrum, you have the much younger actors. Max Irons is a strong candidate for the role. He’s got that English toff accent down to a tee, he’s athletic and he’s not hugely well-known. More often than not, Bond has always been a relative unknown. Daniel Craig’s best known film before Casino Royale was Layer Cake. Timothy Dalton had done a ton of BBC costume dramas whilst Sean Connery was in Darby O’Gill. Not only that, his dad, Jeremy Irons, would have made a brilliant mid-’80s villain against Timothy Dalton.

3. JOEL EDGERTON

If you listened to The Manual, you’ll know that we came up with this brilliant bit of casting a couple of months ago. Joel Edgerton would be fantastic in the role. He’s got that thin veil of charisma that belies something almost feral and violent – exactly what Bond was in the novels. He’s done plenty of action down through the years – Exodus, Warrior, Zero Dark Thirty – and he’s just recognisable enough to the average cinemagoer to work. In a way, he’s almost too good for the role. He’s better than Bond.

2. AIDAN TURNER

Following in the grand tradition laid down by Pierce Brosnan, Aidan Turner would make a fine Irish Bond. In fact, Turner looks somewhat similar to Sean Connery in the ’60s Bond and he’s more than capable of throwing himself into big action setpieces. Poldark, for example, has been a huge hit with audiences thanks to him being shirtless for 70% of it so that’s the whole sexuality thing sorted as well.

1. JAMES McAVOY

You thought we were going to say Michael Fassbender, right? Nope, James McAvoy’s a better shout. For one, James McAvoy is Scottish. He’s done huge action franchises (X-Men), he’s done smaller thrillers (The Last King Of Scotland) and he’s been seen on-screen in a tuxedo (Atonement). The only thing standing against him is that he’s well-known, something previous actors haven’t necessarily been. Granted, that’s no reason he wouldn’t make a perfect Bond – but would he go for it? Probably.

Credit: Yahoo

FG Declares Tomorrow As Public Holiday

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Federal Government has declared Friday, January 1, 2016 as public holiday to mark the New Year celebration.

The declaration was made on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd).

He called on Nigerians, irrespective of their religious inclinations, to inculcate the spirit of the season as exemplified by love, joy and peaceful co-existence.

Dambazau also urged all Nigerians to continue to promote the unity of the country in its progress towards building a nation devoid of rancour and bitterness.

People Like Nnamdi Kanu And Sambo Dasuki Do Not Deserve Bail – Buhari

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammdu Buhari on Wednesday declared that people like the former National Security Adviser under ex-President Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) do not deserve bail.

Buhari was reacting to a question from Premium Times journalist Ibanga Isine during his first presidential media chat on Wednesday in Abuja. Isine was bringing the President’s attention to rising criticisms against his government for alleged violation of judicial processes, the rule of law and court orders as seen in the cases of the former DG of the State Security Services (SSS), Mr. Kayode Are, detained Biafra activist, Nnamdi Kanu and the former NSA Sambo Dasuki.

In his reaction, Buhari, fighting to conceal his anger noted that people like Sambo Dasuki and
Nnamdi Kanu do not deserve bail because of the weight of atrocities they have committed.

“If you see the kind of atrocities people like Dasuki committed you won’t give them bail. A former President told Dasuki to collect N40 billion. N40 billion. And you want to give him bail to go and see his doctor in London? Do you know that Nnamdi Kanu has two passports and he came into the country without using any? Do you know that Nnamdi Kanu brought a sophisticated equipment into the country for Radio Biafra? What kind of government do you people want?” the President fumed.

Aretha Franklin Makes Obama Cry With Epic “Natural Woman” Performance

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The world was reminded of Aretha Franklin’s greatness on Tuesday when CBS aired the pre-taped Kennedy Center Honors celebration from Washington, D.C. In paying tribute to Carole King, one of several honorees, Queen Aretha completely brought the house down with a performance of her 1968 classic, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

It was so powerful that Carole King herself couldn’t stay in her seat. Gina Rodriguez sang along while Viola Davis put her hands up in the air, as you do when you’re in the presence of a legend. Barack Obama also cried, giving this fine nation another great moment to remember in GIF-form.

Credit: Cosmopolitan

Couple Brutally Caned In Public For Crime Of Affectionate Contact In Indonesia (SEE PHOTOS)

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A woman who was accused of being too friendly with a man she is not married to, as well as the man himself, were caned at a mosque in Indonesia’s Aceh province on Monday.

According to the Jakarta Post, the caning took place before a yelling crowd at Baiturrahim Mosque in Banda Aceh after the couple was sentenced according to the city’s Sharia bylaws, which criminalize “khalwat (affectionate contact by an unmarried couple).”

“Take these punishments as a lesson. What has been done by these convicts should not be taken as an example. And, I hope their canings in Meuraxa district today will be the last ever,” Deputy Mayor Zainal Arifin told the crowd, according to the Post. “And to the public, I ask that you do not isolate those who have been convicted here today. And also, those who have been convicted are reminded not to repeat the same mistakes.“

Credit: Yahoo

Apology To Buhari: Kanu’s Family, Lawyer, IPOB, Dismiss Report As Big Lie

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The father of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu autonomous community, His Royal Majesty Eze Israel Kanu has dismissed the report that his son has apologised to President Muhammadu Buhari for calling him a terrorist and a pedophile. Also, Mr. Vincent Obetta, the lawyer to the detained IPOB leader, on Wednesday, said it was impossible that the Radio Biafra director tendered an apology to President Buhari.

The IPOB on the other hand on Wednesday also refuted media reports that its detained leader, and director of its radio had apologised to President Buhari. Kanu’s father described the alleged apology as the handiwork of the enemies of the struggles for Biafran emancipation, saying that his son has never regretted his actions for the liberation of his marginalized people. Eze Kanu said this in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, on Wednesday, adding that his son has no reason to apoligise to anybody as he was fighting a just cause and has not has violated any law.

The monarch added that he was not surprised at such fabrications and reiterated his son’s resolve to not give up the fight for a sovereign state of Biafra particularly as it was the wish of the people. He restated his unwavering support for his son and advised those in authority to stop trying to project him in bad light through the internet even as he warned media houses against collaborating with the Federal Government to portray his son in a bad light and ultimately frustrate the agitation for independent Biafra.

He maintained that such efforts will fail. The traditional ruler used the opportunity to renew his appeal to President Buhari to free his son, insisting that his son has done nothing to warrant his unlawful detention even against the judgments of courts of competent jurisdiction. Meanwhile, Mr. Vincent Obetta, lawyer to the IPOB leader, while denying that Kanu apologised to President Buhari, said reports of the IPOB leader’s apology were proof that government was trying to use all instruments at its disposal to “puncture” the campaign for the actualization of Biafra. “The alleged apology is not true. The government is using every instrument to puncture what we are doing,” he said.

Similarly, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra [IPOB] has refuted media reports that its detained leader, and director of its radio had apologised to President Buhari for allegedly referring to him as a terrorist. IPOB in a press statement issued in Umuahia, dismissed the media report as a blatant lie and cheap propaganda by its sponsors to create the wrong impression that Kanu is backing out of the Biafran project. The statement which was signed by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, accused the Federal Government of planting the said report to dampen the morals of Kanu’s followers and other Biafran agitators.

The IPOB spokesman said: “It is an insult to the entire Biafran Republic for anyone to expect any apology from Kanu over his activities towards facilitating Biafra’s autonomy”. The group also accused the media outfit which carried the said report of serving as a propaganda machinery of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to cause disaffection among Biafrans.

Credit: DailyTimes

New Petrol Price Disappointing– PDP

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the new pump prices of petrol as announced Tuesday by the federal government as a disappointing anti-climax and continuation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government by “deception.”

The PDP in a statement yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said beside its “deceptive element” the reduction in the N87 per litre pump price to N86 and N86.50 per litre for the retail outlets of the NNPC and retail outlets of private business concerns respectively offered too little to cheer about.

The PDP said Nigerians should now ask the government what has changed in their calculations that they could not significantly reduce the pump price.

It said that never again should Nigerians allow “desperate men to use lies, propaganda and intimidations” to win elections and get to power, only for them to “fumble and muddle” through governance, insisting that the government must explain its position on the subsidy issue.

“After heightened expectations occasioned by the promise to review the N87 per litre pump price of petrol made by the administration amid crippling scarcity of the product during the Christmas season, the announcement of this tokenism has come as a disappointing anti-climax, considering that only in January this year, the PDP federal government reduced the pump price from N97 to N87 per litre.

“That was done in the wake of the fall in the price of crude oil to between $42.65 and $50 per barrel. The PDP government then, in reaction to the development in the global oil market, revised its pricing template that brought down the pump price by N2.84 more than the N87 fixed as the pump price of petrol. The implication was that the federal government was still subsidising the N87 price by N2.84 per every litre of the product,” the opposition party said.

The party said: “The APC-controlled federal government, consequent upon stepping in the saddle on May 29, this year, considered the market and decided through a supplementary appropriation to pay N413 billion as subsidy to petroleum marketers. In announcing the new pump prices, the APC federal government claimed that the subsidy element has been removed.

“The question is; how much were we paying for subsidy when the pump price was N87? Has this marginal reduction now knocked off completely the huge subsidy paid at N87 per litre or should it not have only further reduced the size of the subsidy?”

Credit: DailyTrust

Nigeria’s Cashew Export Hits N49.7bn

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Nigeria is making a fortune from cashew export as annual revenue earned from the commodity now stands at $250 million (about N49.7 billion).

The President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Pastor Tola Faseru, who disclosed this at a logistics meeting in Lagos recently said the average export price goes up yearly with increased demand coming from consuming nations.

Faseru, who revealed that Vietnam and India remain Nigeria’s largest buyers, further said that globally, stocks of nuts, including cashew, in North America and Europe have been low, while demand has continued to increase.

“This offers good prospects for Nigeria’s cashew industry this year,” he said.

The industry, according to him, is expected to earn $250 million from export of 180,000 tonnes of cashew nut.

He said global demand for its nut has been forecast to go up, even as he urged exporters to pay more attention to improve product quality and ensure excellent hygiene and unrivalled food safety standards to boost exports.

He said the cashew industry has developed in recent years and focused on improving technologies.

Faseru said the industry wants to increase cashew cultivation area, nationwide to produce 500,000 tonnes by 2020.

The NCAN boss said the association was working with farmers and the government to develop cashew growing areas and give technical support to farmers to help them increase profits.

Credit: Sun

Read Buhari’s Position On Army/ Shiite Clash

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari has dismissed insinuation in some quarters that the Federal Government was biased in the handling of the recent clash between members of the Shiite Islamic sect and the Nigerian Army in Zaria.

The president stated this in Abuja on Wednesday while fielding questions from journalists at the maiden edition of his parley with the media also known as the `Presidential Media Chat.’

He said it was untrue that the Federal Government had been silent over the incident, adding that the perceived silence was to allow the relevant authorities conclude their investigations.

According to Buhari, regardless of whoever is involved in such an incident, there is a standard way of conducting investigation that must be followed before conclusions are made.

“Certainly I know something about the incident; I ought to do something about it and in fact I must do something about it.

“When it happened I was in touch with the governor of Kaduna State; interestingly the President of Iran spoke to me about it but I told him that as a government we have a system.

“I told him that if anything happens in one of the states, the governor has to physically visit the area and we have a system of investigation.

“But as the head of the Federal Government, I have to wait for official report before I can come out to make a statement; so I am allowing the Army and the Kaduna State government to come up with their reports.

“I expect a report from a judicial commission of inquiry by the Kaduna State government because it happened in Kaduna in one of the cities,’’ he said.

Buhari frowned at the flagrant disobedience of law and order by members of the Shiite sect, especially for causing untold hardship to members of the public during their processions.

He said that complaints about the group’s activities which infringed on the rights residents of Zaria and other towns showed that many persons were tired of their actions.

Credit: Guardian

NCC May Enforce N780bn Fine On MTN As Deadline Expires Today

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

As the December 31 deadline expires today, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) may enforce payment of the N780billion fine imposed on MTN Nigeria, a source close to the commission has said.

NCC is prepared to enforce payment of its $3.9 billion fine against South African telecoms giant MTN, a spokesman for the NCC told an online agency yesterday.

The deadline over the payment of the fine imposed on the MTN expires today.

But the MTN has filed suit in the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking to quash the fine. MTN’s view is that the court case has delayed payment of the fine until there is a ruling.

But that is not the view of the NCC.

“If the MTN doesn’t pay the fine by tomorrow (today), the NCC will enforce the fine in line with relevant provisions of the NCC Act. The fact that they have gone to court doesn’t affect the fact that they have a fine hanging on their neck. These are two separate issues,” the source said.

Credit: Leadership

Buhari Speaks On Banning Hijab

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his government may ban the use of hijabs by Muslim women if the suicide bombings continue without end, adding that it has no cogent intelligence on the fate of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram almost two years.
Buhari admitted as much yesterday during his maiden presidential media chat broadcast live from the State House in Abuja.
Despite the absence of intelligence, he said government was still making efforts to rescue the Chibok girls and would be willing to negotiate their release, but would want to make sure they are negotiating with credible leaders of the Boko Haram terror group.
According to him, “We are keeping our options open with Boko Haram on the Chibok girls on the condition that they can guarantee that the girls are safe and alive.”

The president said the military had combed the Sambisa Forest without any hint about the girls, whom he said might have been dispersed by the terror group.
He said: “I think this is about the third time I am going to talk about the Chibok girls. There was a time the leadership of Boko Haram made contact with us but we insisted that we want to ensure we are speaking with credible leaders of the group.
“Number two is that we want to make sure that the Chibok girls, I think about 219 of them are safe, secure and alive.

“We are still keeping our options open with Boko Haram on the condition that they have credible leaders who can tell that they have the Chibok girls. We have combed the Sambisa Forest but there was no Chibok girl there.
“For now, there is no current information and I am working with Niger, Chad and Cameroun, especially on a humanitarian basis. To be honest with you, there is no credible intelligence that the Chibok girls are alive and in one place.”

Credit: ThisDay

FG Declares Tomorrow As Public Holiday

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Federal Government has declared Friday, January 1, 2016 as public holiday to mark the New Year celebration.

The declaration was made on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd).

He called on Nigerians, irrespective of their religious inclinations, to inculcate the spirit of the season as exemplified by love, joy and peaceful co-existence.

Dambazau also urged all Nigerians to continue to promote the unity of the country in its progress towards building a nation devoid of rancour and bitterness.

Credit: Vanguard

Buhari Moves To Stop Senate, House From Buying Over N4.7 Billion Exotic Cars

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari has frowned at plans by the National Assembly to buy over 400 new vehicles valued at over N4.7 Billion at a time the nation is facing cash crunch.

Mr. Buhari criticised the plan on Wednesday during his first televised Presidential Media chat, saying he had rejected a plan to buy new vehicles for him in the 2016 budget estimates.

“I turned down a N400 million bill for cars for the presidency, because the vehicles I am using are good enough for the next 10 years,” he said.

The president said he was having problems with the National Assembly because they were refusing to subject themselves to the new policy of a Treasury Single Account, TSA, and were planning plan to buy new vehicles.

“As for the National Assembly, we are having problems with them. I think everybody has to subject themselves to TSA as far as federal money is involved,” Mr. Buhari said.

When reminded that as the president, he might have the power to try to stop the purchase, Mr. Buhari said “I will explore that power to stop the expenditure of N50 billion for cars by the National Assembly.

“If I can turn down N400 million for the presidency that I do not need any new car because of the economy, I can’t see the National Assembly spending more that N47 billion to buy cars, on top of transport allowance they collect.

“I have to revisit that story. The budget for their transport allowance comes up to a N100 billion. With the kind of money that goes into the National Assembly, we have to look at it conscientiously and see how we can live within our means,” he said.

Credit: PremiumTimes

No Reliable Intelligence On Whereabouts & Condition Of Chibok Girls- Buhari

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari says that there is no reliable intelligence on the whereabouts and condition of the missing Chibok girls.

The President made the statement on Wednesday during his first Media Chat since he assumed office at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“There has been no firm intelligence where those girls are physical are and what condition they are in.

“What we believe from our intelligence, they kept on shifting them around so that they are not taken by surprise and get them (the Chibok girls) freed,” the President said when asked if the military and other security agencies have any information that confirmed if the girls were alive and in good condition.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces also disclosed that he was working with neighbouring countries including Niger Republic and Chad amongst others to ensure the release of the abducted girls.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Senators, Reps To Get 496 Cars After Collecting Car Loans

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The cars are being purchased four months after the senators were given N8m car loans each in August this year.

During the 7th Senate, the senators used Prado jeeps but this time around, they have opted for more expensive cars.

Senate spokesperson, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said the cars are for committee use. However, it was exclusive gathered that the senators will get a car each.

Reports SA that the headship of the 65 standing committees are appointed in such a way that each senator will chair a committee or serve as vice chairman.

It was gathered that during the 7th Senate, the cars acquired for the committees were sold to the senators at N1m.

“To the best of my knowledge the cars we used at the 7th Senate were monetised to us, I think, at N1m each and the money was deducted from our severance package,” a senator who benefitted said.

He also confirmed receipt of the vehicle loan in August, saying, “we were given three allowances in August and they are car loan, housing and furniture allowances, all amounting to N18m”.

At the House of Representatives, a source said that in line with the tradition of the House, vehicles would be bought for members to use for committee assignments.

Even during the immediate past 7th House, the 360 lawmakers got a Camry XL car each, which our source said was bought at the sum of about N12 million, including insurance.

A source said: “yes, we learnt they want to do the same thing that was done during the last Assembly, where each member got a car, but they said it was for committee activities.”

The source said the Camry XL cars purchased for members during the last Assembly were monetized at the end of their tenure in June and the money was deducted from their severance packages, while few members opted not to buy the cars.

“Initially, they valued the cars at N1.750 million, but members protested, because most of the cars were not in good shape. In the end, they settled at N900, 000, so those of us who wanted to go with our own applied, and they deducted it from our severance, while a few members returned their own,” the source said.

But House spokesman Rep Abdulrazak Namdas (APC, Adamawa) said although leadership of the lower chamber plans to purchase cars to aid members during committees’ oversights, they were yet to reach a decision on the number and the brand of cars to buy.

“There’s no doubt that we’ll buy cars, but they will be for committee use. We haven’t decided on any brand or units to buy yet until we see our 2016 budget. We don’t want to do anything that cannot be realised at the end of the day,” he said.

Credit: DailyTrust

‘Kanu Came Into Nigeria Without Any Passport’ – Buhari

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari has said the leader of the Independent People of Biafra and Director, Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, came into Nigeria from the United Kingdom without any passport and with sophisticated equipment for his radio station.

The President said this while fielding questions from journalists during his maiden Presidential Media Chat on Wednesday.

Asked why the Department of State Security had continued to detain some people, including form National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and Kanu despite the fact that courts had granted them bail more than once, Buhari suggested that they could jump bail.

He said, “You can see the type of atrocities that those people committed against soldiers of the Republic, against the country. They could jump bail.

“The former President just wrote to the governor Central Bank and said give N40bn naira to so, so, so… and then you ask him to go and see his doctor in London, while you have two million people in IDP (internally displaced person) camps, half of them do not even know their parents. Which type of country do you want to run.

“And the one you are calling Kanu, do you know he has two passports – one Nigerian, one British – and he came into this country without any passport? Do you know he came into this country with sophisticated equipment and was broadcasting for Radio Biafra?”

Kanu’s arrest and detention has sparked increased agitation for Biafra with supporters of his cause staging protests across states in the South-East as well as in Abuja and Lagos.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had on December 17 ordered his unconditional release, resulting in wild jubilation by his supporters.

However, the Federal Government filed six fresh charges – of treason and other ancillary offences against him.

The government also said it had discovered that the transmitters for Radio Biafra, which Kanu was accused of using to spread secessionist agenda and campaigning for the carving out of a Biafra Republic from Nigeria, were found to be installed on MTN masts in Enugu and Anambra states.

According to the Federal Government, the installation of the transmitters on the telecommunications company’s masts was to ensure wider coverage for the radio.

During the media chat, Buhari also faulted the agitation for Biafra, insisting that all regions were represented in his administration.

He said, “Help me define the extent of marginalisation. Who is marginalising them? Why? How? Do you know? … The constitution said there must be a minister from each state. Who is the Minister of Petroleum? Is he not Igbo? Who is the Governor of Central Bank? Is he not Igbo? Who is the Minister of Labour? Who is the Minister of Science and Technology? Who is the junior minister of education?”

US Renews Collaboration With Nigeria, Neighbours Against Boko Haram

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The United States, US, government has restated its commitment to help Nigeria and its neighbours to counter terrorism acts by Boko Haram.

A statement issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, yesterday, however, said that much still needed to be done to ensure that the people of Nigeria and its neighbours lived in peace.

“The United States remains committed to helping Nigeria and its neighbours counter Boko Haram’s senseless acts of terror.

“Despite much progress over the past year — due in large part to newly bolstered Nigerian and regional efforts — more work remains to ensure the people of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria can live in peace.

“The conflict has affected the lives of communities across the Lake Chad Basin region with some 2.5 million internally displaced people and more than 170,000 Nigerian refugees forced to flee their homes,” the statement said.

It said the US had provided various forms of support for Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

It said: “The United States provides advisors, intelligence, training, logistical support and equipment to our African partners as they work to defeat Boko Haram.

“We also support those affected by Boko Haram’s violence through on-going humanitarian aid and victim support services.

“The United States will continue working with our partners in the region to identify new opportunities to support their efforts to stop Boko Haram’s wanton violence and restore order in the Lake Chad Basin region.”

The US condemned the terrible attacks carried out by Boko Haram in Nigeria from December 25 to December 28 as well as other recent attacks in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. It also extended condolences to the families of the victims.

“Boko Haram killed dozens of innocent people who were targeted as they went about their daily lives—attending service at a mosque, shopping in a neighbourhood market or simply travelling down a road. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and we stand with the people of Nigeria and the region in the fight against Boko Haram,” it said.

Dickson’s failed visit to Buhari, sign of desperation —APC

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, yesterday, described as a “sign of desperation” and “acceptance of defeat,” Tuesday’s surprise visit by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the state governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, to the Presidential Villa for audience with President Muhammadu Buhari.

But the PDP in the state dismissed as misleading, the claim that Dickson’s visit to the Villa was to lobby the President for soft landing in respect of the outcome of the re-run election.

The APC, in a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity of the Sylva/Igiri Campaign Organisation, Chief Nathan Egba, expressed joy that the audience sought by Dickson was not granted by President Buhari.

According to the APC, “Our investigations reveal that Dickson is quite unsettled ahead of the January 9 re-run election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, which is a stronghold of the APC and he is now reportedly looking for a soft landing after he actually loses the Bayelsa governorship seat.

“President Buhari should be wary of the desperate Dickson, whose main plan is to win the election through the use of violence.

“We are confident that the APC candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, will win convincingly in Southern Ijaw council and the other 101 polling units across the state, because Bayelsa people are yearning to be part of the national change movement.”

But the PDP in the state, in a statement in Yenagoa by the Director of Media and Publicity for the Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, said the claims by the APC were a set of lies and figments of their imagination.

He said: “The claim of the APC is filled with lies. It is sad for APC in Bayelsa State to think that the governor would visit Aso Villa without any previous appointment.

“It is almost like a no brainer for any discerning mind to know that nobody just wakes up in the morning, gets dressed and heads straight to the Presidential Villa without being invited or having a prior appointment.

“For crying out loud, it is inconceivable for anyone to assume, much less believe, that the governor of an oil-rich state that contributes over 40 percent of the nation’s wealth would be denied access to see the President,” he stated.

Obuebite dismissed the report, describing it as “not worthy of any response.”

He said the governorship election had already been won and lost, and therefore, not surprising that the APC in Bayelsa State was still carrying on in their usual deception as if they still stand a chance.

“The APC has lost and they know it. No amount of propaganda and blackmail will return them as winners. They have been roundly rejected by the people and we truly sympathise with them because the APC is finished in Bayelsa State,” Obuebite said.

“I Met Omotola A Virgin” – Captain Ekeinde

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Captain Mathew Ekeinde husband of star actress, Omotola Jalade has been married to his beautiful wife for twenty years, a feat which many will agree is a rare feat in the entertainment industry.

In a chat with City People, he gave reasons why he chose Omotola and married her at a very young age, and stated that her virginity was one of the factors that influenced his choice.

He said:

“I have always believed and still believed it was God’s arrangement, I met my wife when she was 16 and married her when she was 18 so I knew her for 2 years but she has always been a lot older than her age in terms of her maturity, her physical structure, and the way she thinks.

She is way ahead of her peers in her IQ. Of course I am older than her for 10 years and that was never a barrier, it was just something that just happened, I saw her and I fell in love with her and of course because I had always wanted to marry a virgin and she had turned 18 then and she seemed to fit into every item on the list I had written I wanted in a woman, for me the age difference was not an issue, the age of consent in Nigeria is 18,infact that was why I waited for her actually so it just happened.

I can’t tell you why, nothing really specific but its heaven’s arrangement.”

Suspect Escapes with Handcuffs on Way to Court

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

There was confusion on Wednesday at Tinubu, Lagos Island, after a suspected vandal, Johnson Ede, jumped from a car conveying him and five others to a magistrates’ court in the area.

Ede and other suspects ? Emmanuel Peters, 29; Idris Adamu, 27; Mohammed Ahmed, 37; Salisu Adamu, 33; and 23-year-old Odichi Ochechi ? were arrested for allegedly vandalising water pipes on Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island and for stealing 350 metres of 12mm cables owned by Hitec Construction Company Limited on December 28, 2015.

It was gathered that 32-year-old Ede escaped through the window of the moving car with a pair of

handcuffs in his hand.

PUNCH Metro learnt that a woman corporal was taking Ede, whose name appeared as the first
defendant on the charge sheet, and the five others to court when the incident happened.

The officer was not assisted in chasing the fleeing suspect when she called for help from passersby.

When the other five suspects were subsequently arraigned before the court a few hours later, she narrated the incident to the presiding magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, who enquired about the whereabouts of Ede, whose name appeared on the charge sheet as the first defendant.

“The car was moving when he (Ede) jumped from the window and escaped with the handcuffs in his hands. I was shouting for help, but people did not respond. I decided to let him go so that the five others would not escape as well. We were almost at the court when he jumped down. I can’t explain how he managed to escape,” she said.

The remaining five suspects were arraigned on three counts bordering on vandalism and stealing by a police prosecutor, Inspector R.A. Odigie.

The charges read:

“That you, Emmanuel Peters, Idris Adamu, Mohammed Ahmed, Salisu Adamu and Odihi Ochechi, and others now at large, on December 28, 2015, at about 3pm, on Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire to commit felony to wit: stealing and wilful damage.

“That you, and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid magisterial district, did wilfully damage drainage pipes valued at N200,000, and water pipes valued at N100,000, property of Hitech Construction Company Limited, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

“That you and others now at large on the same date, time and place did steal 350 metres of 12mmm cables, property of Hitech Construction Company Limited, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and were admitted to bail by Owolabi, in the sum of N300,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

Owolabi added that the sureties must be gainfully employed, related to the defendants by blood and evidence of tax payments made to the state government to the prosecutor for verification.

The case was adjourned till February 29, 2016 for mention.

Nigeria Wins Bid To Manage Belarus’ Satellite For 15 Years

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Nigeria has made history in the global space technology market by becoming the first country in the Sub-Sahara Africa to manage a foreign satellite.

This followed the emergence of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat) limited, the operator of NigComSat-R, the Nigerian Communication Satellite as the winner of a bidding process to provide In-Orbit test (IOT) and carrier Spectrum Monitoring (CSM) services for Belintersat-1 Satellite.

This was announced by China Great Industries Corporation (CGWIC), a renowned satellite manufacturing company in China and a technical partner to NigComSat.

The Head Public Affairs, NigComSat, Adamu Idris, who revealed this on Wednesday during a media parley in Abuja, said the operation will commence on 16 January 2016, the official date for the launch of the Belintersat-1 in Belarus and will last for a period of 15 years.

Adamu said the bid was a keenly contested exercise between Nigeria and other bidders with over 20 years of experience in satellite management.

According to the General manager satellite Operations, NigComsat, Danjuma Ndihgihdah, Nigeria won the bid due to the high capacity of her ground facility at NigComSat base in Abuja, her human capacity resource, and the confidence reposed in NigComSat by the Chinese giant (CGWIC).

With this feat, Nigeria becomes the first African nation to compete at the international stage as a major player in space technology.

Idris said, the winning of the bid by Nigeria represents a milestone for the country and a clear manifestation that NigComSat and indeed Nigeria has developed the capacity to provide highly technical services in the satellite communication industry.

On the benefits derivable from the leasing services, he said Nigeria would rake in revenue from the 15 years service provision to Belarus and build more capacity for Nigerian engineers, as well as open more frontiers for Nigeria as a global player in the space.

In addition to the traditional services of transponder leasing, he stated that NigComSat would be providing broadband services, enterprise solutions, secured communications and solutions amongs others over Nigeria and other 35 African countries such as Gabon, Cote D’Ivore and Ghana.

On security, he said that the agency has been offering the security agencies with communication services.

Belintersat-1 is a communication satellite owned by the government of Belarus, manufactured and due for launch in January 2016 by CGWIC.

The NigComsat-1R was launched in November 2011, as a replacement to the NigComSat-1 shortly it was de-orbited by the agency at no cost following its technical failure.
It was designed as a regional satellite with four bands to serve about 35 African countries.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications will be leading Nigerian delegation to witness the launch of the Belintersat-1 in January 2016, and to discuss other related partnerships and ways to further improve, deepen and strengthen the Sino-Nigeria relationship.

Credit : Vanguard

Plateau: Pyem Chiefdom Declares State Of Emergency On Education

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Mr Charles Mato, the Paramount Ruler of Pyem Chiefdom in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, has declared a State of Emergency on education in his domain.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gindiri on Wednesday, Mato explained that the educational backwardness of the chiefdom informed the decision.

The traditional ruler said the chiefdom had decided to establish a technical school to train its people on various engineering courses.

“I have to declare state of emergency on the education sector in my chiefdom because we discovered that we have to do something drastic and immediate to save the situation.

We have decided to set up a technical school which will serve as an avenue for our wards to study engineering courses such as mechanical, civil and electrical and also crafts,” he said.

The monarch said that the way and manner things were globally, “it is better to have a skill than just getting a white-collar job for which after retirement the pension is nothing to fall back on”.

The paramount ruler, known as the Sum-Pyem, expressed regrets that in spite of the numerous institutions situated in Gindiri, “we are nowhere near our neighbouring communities in terms of education .”

He also disclosed that the chiefdom would on Jan. 1, 2016, celebrate its New Year Day and Cultural Day with an Educational Endowment Fund raising for the proposed technical school.

According to him, the cultural day is a time all the illustrious sons and daughters of the chiefdom come together to thank the Almighty God for the bumper harvest in the year 2015 and for enabling them to see another New Year, 2016.

Mato said the Pyem Chiefdom Development Association (PCDA), in conjunction with the Traditional Council, were organising the Cultural Day and the endowment fund raising.

He said Gov. Simon Lalong would be the Special Guest of Honour, while Prof. Edward Mafuyai, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, would be the Guest Speaker at the cultural day.

The Sum-Pyem also disclosed that Mr Latep Dabang, State APC Chairman, would be the Chief Fund Raiser of the day, while Sen. Ibrahim Mantu, Waziri Pyem and his wife, Zuwaire Mantu, would serve as the father and mother of the day, respectively.

He called on all sons and daughters of the chiefdom to partake in the celebration and fund raising in order to give hope to the youths.

(NAN)

Shettima Approves N20m Bonus For ‘Civilian JTF’ Members

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno on Wednesday approved a N20 million bonus for members of the vigilance group working with the military in the anti-insurgency operations in the North East.

Shettima announced the donation to the volunteers, popularly known as ‘the Civilian JTF’, at a meeting with members of the group in Government House in Maiduguri.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor described his gesture as an appreciation for their efforts in the war against Boko Haram.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, gave the details of the gesture in a statement in Maiduguri.

“Shettima held closed door discussions with leaders of the vigilantes with focus on enhancing community policing during which he appreciated their gallant efforts and unveiled welfare packages for them.

“He said no amount of welfare package can equal the sacrifices being made by the volunteers especially given the fact that some of them had laid their lives for state,” Gusau said in the statement.

“Shettima announced a bonus of N20 million to the volunteers while directing that any backlog of their monthly ?allowances be paid immediately,’’ according to Gusau.
He said the governor had directed the Ministry of Health to put a system in place that would guarantee free medical treatment to all youth volunteers in all public hospitals in the state.

Gusau stated that the governor also ordered the supply of more patrol vehicles to the volunteers.

“We are all eternally indebted to you? and we thank you most sincerely for the sacrifices you have made for us to have peace in this part of the world.

“I want to assure you that once the dust settles down, once this madness is over, we have the herculean task of creating jobs, of engaging the multitude of youths who stood firm and ensure that we have peace in this part of the world,” Shettima said.

The governor also commended President Muhammadu Buhari in his fight against Boko Haram and for his role towards restructuring the military.

“I have to pay a special tribute to President Muhammadu Buhari; he has shown the zeal, the courage, the passion and the commitment to bring about peace in this part of the world.

“Our military men and women are now adequately armed and supported so that they carry out their task, they have so far recorded great successes not withstanding some attacks being carried out by insurgents on soft targets,” he said.

The Leader of the volunteers, Malam Lawan Ja’afar, pledged the continued commitment of his members to supporting the military in the fight against insurgency in Borno.
He said they were motivated by Shettima’s support for them over the years.

Ja’afar condoled with the governor over last Sunday’s attack on Ali Dawari town located on the outskirt of Maiduguri where many lives were lost.

“We have also changed our tactics and strategies. By the grace of God, we are going to resist their new tactics of inflicting havoc,” Ja’afar said.

(NAN)

SIEC Postpones LG Polls In Sokoto

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Sokoto State Independent Electoral Commission ( SIEC) on Wednesday announced the postponement of the local government councils election it had earlier planned for Jan. 9, 2016.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Usman Abubakar announced the postponement at a news briefing in Sokoto.

” The postponement was due to the non receipt of the card readers we wanted to borrow from our sister agency, the Independent National Electoral Commision, INEC.

” This was also due to bye-election which the commission would conduct in Bayelsa on Jan. 9, 2016.

”’ Apart from the card readers, INEC would also train the ad hoc staff we want to use for the LG polls in the state,” he added.

Abubakar further said that the commission had fully arranged for the polls and had even acquired the non-sensitive materials required for the conduct of the polls.

According to the chairman, the commission may likely conduct the postponed polls in the first quarter of 2016.

” Nine political parties are participating in the elections and we intend to conduct free, credible, transparent and acceptable polls,” Abubakar, promised.

(NAN)

Plateau Assembly Extends Tenure Of LG Chairmen By 2 Months

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

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The Plateau House of Assembly on Wednesday approved the extension of the tenure of the Management Committee Chairmen of the 17 local governments in the State by two months.

The approval followed a letter from Gov. Simon Lalong requesting for the extension of the chairmen’s tenure by six months.

Rejecting the governor’s six months tenure extension request, Mr Daniel Dem (Riyom Constituency) said that the constitution of the caretaker committees was illegal.

Dem, who is the Minority Leader of the Assembly, explained that the elected chairmen who were removed by the governor, still had a case in court challenging their removal from office.

”It was at the floor of this House that we adopted and approved a three-month tenure for the management committee chairmen and later extended it by two months.

”We also reached a resolution that subsequently we will only extend the tenure of the chairmen by two months only,” he said.

Also, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Yusuf Gagdi (Kantana Constituency), said that most of local government committees were performing below expectations and as such the tenure elongation was not a priority.

“The physical sites of most of the local governments remain an eyesore.

”As l support the extension of their tenure by just two months, l also want to call on this House to look into the performing status of most of these local governments.

‘They are preforming below expectations,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Management Committee Chairmen were appointed in July and `their tenure was extended by two months in October.

The assembly had resolved that the tenure of the caretaker chairmen would be extended after every two months.

Kano Govt. Procures Lassa Fever Drugs

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Kano State Government on Wednesday said it had procured some Lassa fever drugs and relevant equipment to combat the disease in the state.

Dr Kabiru Getso, the state Commissioner for Health, made the remark while fielding questions from reporters on the issue in Kano.

“As at now, we do not have any active case, but the state government has taken measures to check the spread of the disease,” he said.

Getso said that the state government had designated Yargaya Hospital in Dawakin Kudu local government area for the treatment and management of the disease, in case of any further outbreak.

“The state government has procured drugs and equipment needed to manage the cases, and we have provided an ambulance for quick response,” he said.

According to the commissioner, a hotline has also been dedicated for easy communication between communities and healthcare workers in the state.

The commissioner said that the government had constituted a high-powered committee to check the spread of the disease.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recall that two patients died at one of the hospitals in Kano early this month, as a result of the disease.

NATCOMS Canvasses Alternative Means To SIM Card Re-Registration

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) on Wednesday called for an alternative means for telecoms consumers to re-register their Subscribers’ Identification Module (SIM) cards.

The President of NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that operators should provide an easier means for customers affected by the SIM card re-registration to be able to re-register, instead of going to the service providers’ offices.

Ogunbanjo said that a perfect alternative was for the network providers to allow those affected to send the required data through Short Messaging Service (SMS).

He said that such an alternative means would ensure that telecoms subscribers were not subjected to any stress for an exercise they had undertaken previously.

”SIM registration is very good, but there should be some deliberate initiative to ensure that the subscribers are not subjected to any further stress.

”All of us have registered before, but there might be one or two details that the operators need.

”A particular network provider could send SMS to you that it required more details on your data and once you attend to them through an SMS that you send to the network, it should just be okay.

”They should engage other means of capturing subscribers’ additional data,” the NATCOMS President said.

He said that the problem with the SIM card registration procedures should be blamed on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the agents it commissioned to carry out the exercise.

Ogunbanjo recalled that the regulatory body licensed seven agents to cover the six geopolitical zones of the country, but that the agents did not carry out the exercise properly.

He said that due to set targets and deadlines given, the registration agents were not asking the complete questions required from SIM card users.

The advocacy group president, therefore, encouraged the operators to continue to compensate subscribers affected by the exercise.

According to him, the airtime compensation given to the consumers should not be with any conditionality in respect of days for usage.

NAN recalls that in August 2015, MTN, Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat were sanctioned for noncompliance with the directive to deactivate improperly registered SIM cards.

MTN was fined N102.2 million, Globacom N7.4 million, Etisalat N7 million and Airtel N3.8 million for the violation. Others complied and paid, while MTN flouted the fine.

On Oct. 20, 2015, NCC conveyed appropriate sanctions to MTN, in accordance with Regulation 20(1) of the Telephone Subscribers Registration Regulation 2011, to pay the sum of N200, 000 only for each of the 5.2 million improperly registered SIM cards in its network.

MTN Nigeria was, therefore, fined $5.1 billion (about N1.04 trillion), but it was later reduced by 25 per cent to N780 billion, and the deadline for payment extended from Nov. 16 to Dec. 31.

However, on Dec. 17, 2015, MTN took the regulatory body to court over the sanction.

(NAN)

Man In Court Over Alleged Theft Of ATM Cards

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A 26- year- old man, Lukmon Muhammed, was on Wednesday arraigned in a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged theft of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Cards and two phones valued at N25,000.

The accused, of no fixed address and occupation, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
Muhammed pleaded guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, Insp Raphael Odigbe, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence on Sept. 7 at about 10: 30 p.m. at Akin Busstop in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos.

He said that the accused stole Diamond Bank and Guarantee Trust Bank ATM cards and two phones valued at N25, 000, property of one Miss Stella Abube.
Odigbe added that the accused attacked Abube on her way from work and collected her purse containing her ATM cards and phones.

“The accused was apprehended when he came to use Abube’s GTB ATM card in the supermarket she works in.
“Muhammed wanted to pay for the items he bought using the POS with the ATM cards on Abube’s counter.
“After several tries of incorrect codes, she suspected foul play and tried her own code and could access the ATM; she then raised an alarm,’’ he said.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The Magistrate, Mr L.A. Owolabi granted the accused bail in the sum of N10, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Owolabi adjourned the case to Feb. 29, 2016, for trial.

Count Me Out Of New Party Plot – Saraki

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Senate President Bukola Saraki has distanced himself from rumours linking him with a plot by some prominent politicians to form a new political party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

While restating his commitment to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Saraki said he currently enjoys a robust and cordial relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the party.

Saraki’s Special Adviser on Media, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said those spreading the rumour are the ones who have been plotting the downfall of Saraki since the day he emerged the president of the Senate.

He wondered why Saraki who did not think of dumping the APC when he was battling for political survival over alleged false declaration of assets will contemplate doing so now.
While calling on Saraki’s traducers to come up with another lie, he said those trying to sow a seed of discord between the Senate president and President Buhari “can no longer enter Aso Rock today”.

“It is a stupid claim by some unscrupulous elements to link the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki with the plot to form a new political party. He has pledged his allegiance to the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and nothing is going to change that”.

“Just look at the cordial and perfect relationship between the President of the Federal Republic and the Senate President in recent times. Even when he had problem and had to appeared before the tribunal, it never crossed his mind to dump the APC and align with other political parties not to talk of forming a new one”.

“As we speak, those opposing the Senate president can no longer enter Aso Rock today but he goes there everyday. Cast your mind back on the birthday of Mr. President, how many of the accusers of the Senate president were around? Only the Senate president was there. Even on Christmas day, the senate president was there”.

“So, the talk of the Senate president ganging up with some faceless people to form a new political party is nonsense”.
“Those who have problem with the president or the party should go and sort it out themselves. The senate president does not have any problem either with the president or the leadership of the party” he said.

Credit : Today.ng

Delta Speaker Never Settled Me With N180m – Anirah

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Sapele constituency in the 2015 general election, Chief Felix Anirah, has denied rumours that he was settled with N180 million by the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Monday Igbuya, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to ditch his electoral case against the Speaker.

The Appeal Court in Benin City, in an appeal brought before it by Anirah, had ruled in favour of Igbuya, thereby upholding the ruling of the election petition tribunal in Asaba.

Anirah, in a statement, yesterday, accused two aides of the Speaker as the brains behind the rumour to hoodwink the gullible electorate of his constituency.

Describing the PDP as a party that feeds on lies, he said that he cannot be bought over, stressing that he did not at anytime meet with anyone, including the Orodje of Okpe, HRM Orhue 1, to settle his election matter out of court.

According to him, “Though the Court of Appeal chose to give judgement in favour of Igbuya despite the avalanche of evidence brought before it, I will never relent until the mandate given to me by the people of my constituency is recovered.”

Osinbajo Hails ECOWAS Leaders For Ensuring Democratic Transition In Burkina Faso

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Osinbajo hails ECOWAS leaders for ensuring democratic transition in Burkina Faso
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has lauded the ability of ECOWAS leaders to ensure an authentic democratic transition in Burkina Faso after 30 years of military rule.

Osinbajo said this in an interview with newsmen after the inauguration of President Mr Rock Marc Christian Kabore of Burkina Faso at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Ouaga 2000 Stadium in Ouagadougou on Tuesday.

“I think it is a very great occasion. It is a wonderful day indeed for West Africa and indeed for Africa because after 30 years of military rule in one form or the other, we now have a transition to an authentic civil democracy, which is incredible indeed.

“And the fact that all these happened with the active collaboration of ECOWAS states without any outside interference, is a great thing indeed.

I think that in many senses, ECOWAS has come of age. It shows that ECOWAS is able to resolve its disputes and to advance its own causes.

This is excellent indeed. So it is a very wonderful day and I congratulate the President on this great occasion and of course the people of Burkina Faso, who stood their ground and insisted on democracy.’’

The vice president also acknowledged the key role President Muhammadu Buhari played in halting the coup d’etat, which took place in the country, saying the stand of the Nigerian leader had ensured the installation of an enduring democratic rule in the country.

“President Muhammadu Buhari, of course, was at the table and was probably one of the key persons, who brought about this.

As a matter of fact the Burkinabes agreed that he played such a significant role in enabling this to happen.

Even from the time of their elections we aided the electoral committee logistically and in various other ways and the President was firm about the issue of the coup.

He was very firm and of course you know that he was possibly one of the active negotiators in ensuring that the coup did not stand.

So our relationships will be much stronger. I think the Burkinabe people understand the role that we have played and are very appreciative.’’

Osinbajo, who represented Buhari at the inauguration, said that the ECOWAS sub-region had come of age democratically and that the people of Burkina Faso had proved to be genuinely interested in good governance.

“They have been courageous; they have fought to see this day and they deserve all the congratulations and all the commendation.

“I think the people did an excellent outing; they stood their ground; but for that we probably wouldn’t be here today.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Kabore, who spoke in French, pledged to restore the past glory of the country and entrench transparency and promote democracy.

Kabore, who described the event as the beginning of “a new dawn”, pledged that liberty, equity, justice, and national reconciliation would be his watchwords.

(NAN)

Nnamdi Kanu Never Apologised To Buhari – MASSOB, IPOB

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has described as blatant lies, the claim that its incarcerated leader and founder of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdui Kanu has expressed regrets and apologized to President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Goodluck Jonathan and Igbo elders for his alleged uncomplimentary remarks and statements against them to facilitate his release.

In a statement signed by IPOB National Coordinator Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe and Media and Publicity officer, comrade Emma Powerful, titled Nnamdi Kanu never apologized for his release, IPOB said it totally dismissed the publication, describing it as “the machinations of the Directorate of State Security, DSS to save its face having been disgraced by the court with granting of Kanu bail.

Also the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has described as complete false, calculated and systematic attempt by agents of Federal Government to discredit IPOB and MASSOB with the claim that Nnamdi Kanu has apologized for his comments against some Nigerians.

In a statement by MASSOB leader Mr. Uchenna Madu, it said the news that Nnamdi Kanu has apologized to President Buhari is complete false information and a calculated and systematic attempt by agents of the Federal government to discredit, disorganize and frustrate the agitation for actualization of Biafran State.

“The publication was totally false and should be ignored by the general public, no amount of intimidation, harassment, torture, killings, arrest and blackmail can make Kanu apologize for anything he said, nothing will ever make us to stop the agitation for the actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra,” he said.

According to IPOB, “DSS is not sincere, if they have respect for the constitution of Nigeria, they would have released Kanu as directed by the courts, instead, they are looking for new charges which they will use to jail him, but they will fail again, and they have discovered that they will not make any progress in their quest to jail Kanu, they are now looking for soft landing to chicken out of the case with the claim that Kanu is apologizing, a claim that does not hold water,” said IPOB.

IPOB urged the media to beware of the false claims by DSS, saying that “Kanu is not disturbed in any way for his long incarceration, his spirit is very high and he will be received like a hero he is, any day they are tired of holding him and decides to release him”.

“Kanu is in detention for us, we are here for him. DSS should stop embarrassing itself with the false information they are churning out to the public. If they are honest in what they are claiming about Kanu’s apology, they should publish the copy of the said apology as an advert in the newspapers let the world see, if they say they culled it from the statement he wrote in DSS detention, how then did it become an apology to people,” said IPOB.

Madu in his statement, further stated that “agitation for the actualization of Biafra has gained international prominence and sympathy even before Nnamdi Kanu arrest and detention, and his current detention has further strengthened the agitation, so this latest move and campaign of calumny by enemies and oppressors of Biafrans is a sign that they are jittery, frustrated and are afraid of the fast rising and global acceptance Biafrans struggle for actualization of state of Biafra.

“MASSOB and IPOB shall never be discouraged, frustrated, disorganized, dislocated or relent on the non violent Biafran actualization because of this false statement credited to Nnamdi Kanu. Mazi Kanu as a true Biafran can never compromise the integrity, confidence and trust of Biafra freedom fighters no matter the condition, subjection or oppression by DSS and Nigerian government.

“This Federal government latest move to discredit IPOB and MASSOB has propelled us to redouble our efforts and strategies on Biafra agitation; we shall intensify our non violence approach as MASSOB and IPOB march ahead for Biafra actualization,” he said.

Credit : Vanguard

Robbery Easier In Ghana Than Nigeria — Suspect

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A 32 year-old trans-border robbery suspect has confessed that robbery operation is easier to carry out in other West Africa countries than in Nigeria, owing to what he described as less security consciousness in those countries.

The suspect, Wasimi Dannies, 32, an ex-convict was arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, in Agbole area of Orile, Lagos, weekend.

Recovered from the Delta state born suspect was a laptop he confessed to have stolen in one of his operations in Ghana, and three machetes which were concealed inside the walls of the hideout”.

In his confessional statement, Dennis said “I was released from prison about a year ago. I am an expert in break-in-robbery; I operated in Ghana, along West Africa Coast. I broke into people’s houses and make away with their properties and personal effects like mobile phones, laptops, jewellery and other personal effects. I used to bring the stolen items to Nigeria to sell”.

Dennis, a drop-out of the Sapele Technical College, said he ventured into several skills but was not successful, saying he went into robbery in his bid to survive.

He claimed to have repented shortly after serving his jail term and took up a job as a sales representative in a fabric shop on Lagos Island.

According to him; “After I dropped out of Sapele Technical College I came to Lagos to learn music. After this, my father opened a shop for me, where I was managing before things were a bit difficult for me.

“Shortly after this, I decided to go into house breaking and stealing to survive, and I was into this for about six years. All the houses I have operated are in Festac area because I know much about the area.
“My major operations were in Ghana because Ghanians are not security conscious unlike Nigeria where security is tight. In Ghana, nobody would challenge you. All the items I stole from Ghana were sold in Lome, Togo and Lagos.

“If I have a large quantity of items to dispose, one Qudus was always the right man for me to call. He would collect the items, sell them and return the money.

‘’One I.K also bought stolen items in large quantity from me. He once had a shop in Church Street junction, Oshodi but presently, he has relocated to China.

“Those machetes found inside my apartment in Agbole Orile belong to some area boys, social miscreants, who are operating in a garage nearby. They kept them there for easy access whenever there is crisis among them. The boys are called Spartacus”.

Lagos state police command image maker, Joe Offor, confirmed the arrest.

Credit : Vanguard

Lai Mohammed Must Explain Latest Bomb Attacks – Fayose

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has described Sunday and Monday’s Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Adamawa states as disheartening and an indictment on the All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government, saying that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed must explain to Nigerians how the same Boko Haram he said had been “technically defeated” could carry out such daring and deadly attacks.

The governor, who commiserated with the government and people of Borno and Adamawa states, especially those who lost their loved ones, said; “In other countries of the world, the government would have taken responsibility for deceiving and misleading the people and apologised.”

In a release issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose asked; “If Boko Haram had indeed been technically defeated as Lai Mohammed made Nigerians to believe, what do we call the Sunday and Monday attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State capital and Madagali, Adamawa State?

“Should we say that the ‘technically’ defeated Boko Haram insurgents attacked Borno and Adamawa States, killing close to 100 Nigerians and injuring several others?

“Only Lai Mohammed who told Nigerians that Boko Haram had been technically defeated can tell us what happened and he must have to explain how ‘technically defeated’ insurgents could carry out such deadly attacks.”

Credit : Vanguard

Groups Accuse Faleke Of Plotting Violence In Kogi

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A social right group, Kogi United for Justice said it has uncovered plan by James Faleke and his supporters to throw Kogi State into chaos ahead of the January 27, 2016 swearing-in ceremony in the state.

In a statement made available to press men in Lokoja, Sunday, the group called on security agencies in the state to ensure the safety of people in the state, especially in the capital city of Lokoja.

According to the release, huge sums of money have been earmarked for the sponsored crisis.

“In as much as we have chosen the path of reconciliation and constructive engagement at appeasing aggrieved parties, we cannot afford to keep mum in the face of planned political terrorism against our dear state.
“Information at our disposal revealed that after succeeding in foisting crisis on the legislative arm of government, Faleke and his loyalists are planning to cause crisis in the state in the guise of violent protests to make the state look unsafe.
“We are of the opinion that the different interests in the Kogi political impasse will trust the judiciary enough to act fearlessly in favour of the law and therefore, it is antithetical to resort to violence to achieve goals. Kogi State belongs to all and we will not sit by to watch those who have no stake in the survival of Kogi destroy our unity and peace.
“Their plan to wage violence on the very people they want to govern is further testimony of their non-committal spirit to the peace, oneness and development of our dear state. We have it on good authority that they have started recruiting thugs from two South Western states who will be used to disturb the peace of the state.
“To cover-up their nefarious plan, they have also designed some self-attack against some leaders in their group, who would then turn round to accuse the people’s Governor-Elect for the attack.
“We hereby urge Faleke to abide by the decision of the party and not set his political home ablaze. We urge Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello to be prepared to hit the ground running and bridge the ethnic, socio-political cum economic gap in the state”.
The statement also urged Faleke to discard the option of violence and attacking eminent leaders of the state in the process of ventilating his grievances, saying, “it is time to mulch our new found unity and aspiration to build a new Kogi State where opportunities abound for development and prosperity”.
In a related development, the Kogi State Coalition of All Progressives Congress APC support groups in the last governorship election in the state, has alleged plans by Hon Abiodun James Faleke supporters to destabilize the state.
The accusation was made in lokoja, the state capital by tthe chairman of the coalition, Comrade Ojene Aliyu.

Aliyu alleged that Hon Faleke’s supporters are planning to incite some ethnic groups within the party to frustrate the incoming government of Alh Yahaya Bello, knowing well that he will lose at the tribunal.

He added, “Faleke is working against the party, all in a desperate bid to rule the state at all cost.
“We ccommend the Governor-Elect for his maturity. Hehas displayed a rare leadership quality which is second to none as he has repeatedly said he wont join issues with Faleke”, Aliyu said.

He also urged the people of the state not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians who want to actualize their ambitions by hook or crook in the state.

In the same vein, a social media campaign platform, TF has called on security agencies in the country to put Hon. James Abiodun Faleke under surveillance as his supporters have continued to threaten the peace of the state.

The group condemned the defacing of some billboards in Lokoja by people suspected to be Faleke’s supporters and called on the police to investigate the threat by the Faleke Solidarity Forum to occupy Kogi if Faleke was not declared Governor-Elect, saying such threat was an affront to the Nigerian constitution.

Credit : Vanguard

FG To Digitalise Civil Service Operations In 2016

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Federal Government says it will digitalise the operations of the Federal Civil Service in 2016 to forestall altering of vital documents by some officials. The acting Head of the Civil Service (HOS) of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, when she paid an unscheduled visit to some Ministries and Government Agencies.

She said the visit was to monitor the level of staff punctuality to duty, especially after the Christmas holidays.

“It was necessary for me to come round today with some of my permanent secretaries when I observed the scantiness in some offices after the Christmas holidays. “The essence is to find out what is really happening,’’ the acting HOS said.

She said that though some officials were on leave but some were playing truancy, adding that every issue of truancy in the service would be looked into. The acting HOS, however, commended officials in the Ministries of Communication Technology, Power and Aviation who were punctual, adding that they would be considered for award.

One of such officials, Mr Ebel Phillips in the Ministry of Power, while speaking with the acting HOS, said staff of the ministry had the culture of coming early to work. According to him, the ministry has a disciplinary department that ensures that staff adhere to its rules and regulations. Oyo-Ita also took the opportunity to inspect the attendant register of most of the ministries she visited.

She, however, said that it was regrettable that staff records and other important information in the service were still being kept in files, adding that such would no longer be tolerated. “The system whereby records of civil servants are kept just anyhow in piles of files in registries which could get eaten up by rodents cannot continue in 2016.

“During my tenure, the records and document management of the Federal Civil Service will be fully automated,’’ she said. She added that this would help address issues of ghost workers and the changing of official records at will by some officials. She said that automation of records would also prevent officials from removing disciplinary documents from their files, adding that whatever was automated could not be tempered with.

Oyo-Ita added that the service was already working with its National Record Centre to ensure the full automation of records in the service. “Already we have a programme on the electronic management system that will be rolled out next year and we are also going to develop an archival system and a soft ware for that,’’ she said.

She stated that the office of the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, would drive the programme. She said that human resource software would also be developed in 2016 to address fully issues of ghost workers in the second phase of the Integrated Personnel and Pay Role Information System (IPPIS).

Mr Yemi Adelakun, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties who was in the HOS entourage, said civil servants would be adequately compensated in 2016. “A lot of programmes would be evolved in 2016 to motivate civil servants. “Your target most however be met after which you will be compensated,’’ he said.

Credit : Vanguard

ITF To Train Amnesty Beneficiaries

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has offered to train beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programmme to sustain their reintegration into the society.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Owei Lakemfa, Head, Media and Communications of the programme (PAP) and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

It said the ITF Director-General, Mrs Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko made the promise during a courtesy call on Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, the Coordinator of the programme in Abuja.

It reported Chukkas-Onaeko as saying the primary function of the ITF was to build indigenous capacity and provide certification.

It stated that the function was in tandem with the current task of the Amnesty Programmme.

According to the statement, the programme is aimed at training to ensure sustainable reintegration of the Amnesty beneficiaries.

It stated that more than 800 training centres of the ITF could be opened to the beneficiaries for training in areas like oil and gas, telecommunications and agriculture.

The statement reported the director-general as saying that ITF could carry out skills study in the Niger Delta region that would encourage employment of local, rather than foreign employees in the oil and gas.

Chukkas-Onaeko also proposed a Memorandum of Understanding among the ITF, the programme and the Niger Delta Development Commission on the sustainability of the programme.

Brig.-Gen. Boroh on his part, sought partnership with the ITF to develop the skills of the amnesty beneficiaries, by ensuring their sustainable reintegration.

Boroh said that the focus of his office was to ensure the complete and sustainable reintegration of all beneficiaries.

“The Presidential Amnesty Programme is anxious to work with all organisations and strategic partners, including international ones to achieve the objectives of the Amnesty Programme,’’ it stated.

The Amnesty Coordinator had earlier said that the office and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs were currently working together to boost skills utilisation to close existing development gaps in the area.

NAN reports that while the Amnesty Programme centers on reformation and re-integration of ex-agitators into the civil society, the Ministry of Niger-Delta is mandated to train youths from the region.

(NAN)

Digitisation: Kano Govt. To Spend N300m On Radio Station

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Kano State Commissioner for Information, Mr Muhammed Garba, has said that more than N300 million has been set aside to digitise the state’s radio station in 2016.

The commissioner said the money was out of the N517 million proposed for the ministry in the 2016 budget proposal.

Garba made this disclosure to newsmen on Tuesday after he appeared before the state House of Assembly to defend the budget estimate for the ministry.

According to him, the effort to digitise the radio station is to meet the target for the digitisation of all media outfits in the country.

The commissioner also disclosed that the state’s newspaper, Triumph Publishing Company Ltd would begin full time digital operation by March 2016.

Garba explained that more than N80m was also proposed in the budget to ensure the completion of the ongoing digitisation of the Abubakar Rimi Television.

According to him, the project is part of the measures by the State Government to boost the socio-economic and revenue generation in the state.

Similarly, the State Commissioner of Budget and Planning, Hajiya Aisha Muhammad, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to support women empowerment and rural development.

The commissioner said the State Government would do this through the Sustainable Development Programme (SDP) initiated by the Federal Government.

The Commissioner, who also appeared for her ministry’s budget, said that out of the N2.5b proposed for the programme, N1.5b would come from the Federal Government intervention.

According to her, the other key areas under the programme include, health, education and water sanitation.

(NAN)

Insecurity: NASS To Review Laws Governing Operations Of Security Agencies – Sen. Wamakko

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

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Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto) says the laws governing the operations of various security agencies in the country would be reviewed by the National Assembly.

This is to reposition the security organisations to tackle the prevailing security challenges in threatening the country, Wamakko told newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday.

“While reviewing these extant laws, new ones would be enacted to make the various security agencies more efficient and effective,” Wamakko, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Defence, added.

“The major aim is to enhance the operations of the various security agencies and in the process bolster the protection of the lives and property of all Nigerians.

The committee had since met with all the service chiefs, with a view to finding out the state of insecurity in the country and how to get out of the quagmire soonest.

The aim of the move is also to make Nigerians sleep with their two eyes closed, and get Nigeria and Nigerians out of the present security concerns,” he added.

Wamakko also said that the committee had extracted sound and encouraging commitments from all the service chiefs in this direction.

The former governor further expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon get out of its present security predicaments.

“We will also conduct our oversight and law making functions honestly, effectively, piously and sincerely. The ongoing Dasukigate saga should have been avoided if the above had been done, because it would have been detected.

In 2016, a Naira for defence will be a Naira for defence, a Naira for education will be a Naira for education and a Naira for social welfare, etc, would be a Naira for social welfare of Nigerians,’’ said Wamakko.

(NAN)

IG Orders Strict Monitoring Of Firearms Usage By Officers

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Solomon Arase, on Wednesday called on senior police officers to monitor strictly the use of firearms and ammunition by officers under them.

The Force Police Public Relations Officer (FPPRO), ACP Olabisi Kolawole, disclosed the I-G’s order in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Kolawole said the order was sequel to some alleged killings by drunken and trigger-happy policemen in different parts of the country.

He said that Arase expressed sadness over unlawful killings and restated the need for Assistant Inspectors-General, Commissioners and Area Commanders of various commands and units to monitor strictly the usage of firearms.

According to him, police personnel are supposed to account for arms and ammunition signed out to him or her to the supervisor.

“No policeman is allowed to dispense any bullet without accounting for it to the supervising officer. No police man is allowed to kill unlawfully. It is an offence to be drunk while in uniform and carrying gun.

Policemen have been trained on how and when to use the fire arms,’’ Kolawole told NAN on telephone.

“They are not allowed to shoot indiscriminately. Policemen attached to anybody can only use firearms if the person they are attached to is in danger.

It is wrong for a policeman attached to an individual to start shooting into the air in a party or any other function where nobody is under threat.

Any one caught doing so unlawfully will face the law. The supervising officers are advised to monitor their men because they will answer questions if anything goes wrong.’’

On the policemen that have allegedly killed, the police boss said they would face the law after dismissal.

NAN recalls that within the last one week, a drunken Police Sergeant killed three friends and himself in Lagos, while another killed three persons in Enugu State.

(NAN)

NUPENG Threatens To Stop Fuel Supply To Lagos

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) has threatened to stop supplying petroleum products to the Lagos State Government and also, residents over N224 million debt.
NUPENG said the state government has failed to settle its debt despite several entreaties.
Tokunbo Korodo, the South-West chairman of the union, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the debt arose from a contract given to the union by the state government and alleged that the N224 million was for payment for the supply of diesel and kerosene to the state government’s direct labour projects in Ojodu, which were executed between October 2014 and May 2015.
The union chairman said, “the contract was financed by Skye Bank and the bank had been asking for repayment of the loan. All efforts to prevail on state government to pay this money through our letter dated December 2, which was acknowledged on December 4 failed.
“Now, the union is left with no option than to stop supplying petroleum products to all parastatals and agencies of Lagos State. From today on, if this is not effective, we may be forced to abandon Lagos as a whole to demand for this payment as Skye Bank is on our neck for this payment.”
Korodo said all unions in the oil sector would participate in the action.
“If this payment is not made on time, every union under oil workers will participate because an injury to one person of the union is injury to all members,” he said.
Officials of the state ministry of transportation were not ready to speak on the issue when contacted. They said they were not permitted to speak to newsmen.

Credit: Sun

See How Many Christmas Boxes Kanye West Gave Kim Kardashian

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

It looks like Kim Kardashian’s husband Kanye West really pulled out all the stops for Christmas, at least in the gift giving department. In a recent livestream, Kim revealed just how bountiful her Christmas was, thanks to her generous hubby.

In a recap of the family’s livestream videos posted to her website, a sign that reads “To Kim, Love Kanye” is seen perched near boxes and boxes neatly wrapped in dark paper and ribbon.

“We’ve got ‘To Kim from Kanye…150 gifts and counting,” remarks the person shooting the video as the camera pans over all the presents. US Weekly reports the gifts Kanye got his wife included a Prada jumpsuit and a Louis Vuitton dress among many others. “He sent his assistant to Italy and shopped via Skype,” Kim told fans. When mom Kris Jenner calls her “spoiled,” Kim has the perfect response.

Credit: Cosmopolitan

See Baby That Will Need 7 Surgeries To Remove Birthmark From Her Face

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Little Ruby Ashby was born only seven months ago in a town near Wollongong, Australia, but her family has already taken steps toward removing the birthmark that covers the upper right side of her face.

Ruby was born with Congenital Melanocytic Nevus, a condition that occurs in only one in 500,000 people, and which caused the large birthmark. Her family has started a Go Fund Me page to raise money for Ruby’s first of four surgeries she’ll need this year to remove it. The first surgery, which will cost $10,000, is scheduled for January 12, and her family hopes to have all seven operations finished by the time she starts school.

How Marijuana Affects Your Brain & Behavior- New Study

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Stoners have a reputation for being exceptionally mellow, but a recent study of the effects of marijuana use on daily behavior may suggest otherwise. According to researchers from Yale University of Medicine and the Pennsylvania State University, the study found a positive short-term correlation between marijuana use and hostile and impulsive behavior.

“Marijuana use is associated with changes in impulse control and hostility in daily life,” according to the study, published in March. Researchers found that participants were more aggressive on days they used marijuana, and the following day, than on days they didn’t get high.

The study analyzed 43 participants’ marijuana, alcohol, tobacco use and hostile and impulsive behavior daily for 14 days using random effects models. Scientists found that marijuana use alone, without the alcohol and tobacco combination, increased impulsive and hostile behavior on the day participants used the drug and the day after.

The study was brief, but due to the results and increased recreational marijuana use, researchers believe the topic warrants further research.

A 2012 study in Biological Psychiatry found that weed can cause anxiety for regular users during periods of withdrawal and puts those with genetic tendencies at risk for developing schizophrenia, Cosmopolitan reported. Some of the alleged negative side effects of marijuana can be reduced if it’s legal, regulated and tested by health officials, according to marijuana advocates. “People are used to buying weed on the black market with no idea about quality,” deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Paul Armentano told Cosmopolitan. “As consumers get more sophisticated, they’ll demand higher quality and better testing.”

Another study on the effects of marijuana use published in the Psychology of Addictive Behaviors in September showed that the drug had an indirect negative relationship with grades among a cohort of college students. The study showed students who smoked more went to class less and therefore received relatively lower grade point averages than those who didn’t engage in marijuana use.

In November, a survey of police officers across the United States conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration showed that 6% of the 1,000 officers surveyed reported marijuana use as the biggest drug threat. However, as of 2014, no one had died from marijuana use alone.

Credit: Yahoo

See Bishop T.D Jakes’ Classic Response To Ripped Jeans Criticism

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

What should one wear to church?

Bishop T.D. Jakes’s decision to wear jeans to One Church LA on Sunday to the contemporary church son-in-law Touré Roberts and daughter Sarah lead, has garnered such a mixed response.

But Bishop Jakes was ready for his detractors. He stated that if people were as concerned with more important matters as they are his decision to wear jeans for one Sunday to the church in LA that he visited, the world would be a better place.

“I certainly want to comply with the word,” Bishop Jakes said. “I just missed the one about jeans in the pulpit.”

“When all else fails send everybody to hell who disagrees with you about blue jeans! Smh”

“I just can’t believe this has been debated by two or three antagonist all night! You don’t have the right to dress me! You do have the right not to like it. I probably might not like something u wear. That’s fine! If we just mind our own business, the whole world would be better!”

“I wish we had this much passion for the murders in Chicago, or those who are suffering in our cities. When I make post about helping the needy I don’t hear from many of you at all. You all seem to know what Jesus would wear but have no interest in what He would do! @art_vsz While you debate my jeans, tell em where you stand on women wearing make up, or female pastors. This kind of legalism is why so many frown on people of faith! In a word, get out of my closet and help the people in your cities! The homeless don’t care what any of us wear. Those suffering w cancer and disease don’t either. But you’ve spent your time arguing about something that is irrelevant! Most of the antagonist don’t even follow me anyway! Go back to your world and DO GOOD FOR GOD!”

Credit: madamenoire

Gov. Shettima Meets Civilian JTF, ?Announces Welfare Package For Members In Borno

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Following recent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in some parts of Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, held a meeting with the youth volunteers involved in counter insurgency operations popularly known as “Civilian JTF” during which he appreciated their gallant efforts and unveiled welfare packages for them.

The meeting held at the Multipurpose hall of the Government House in Maiduguri.

The governor held closed door discussions with leaders of the volunteer group focusing on enhancing community policing.

At an open session with majority of the volunteers, Governor Shettima paid glowing tributes to them for sacrificing their lives towards complimenting the efforts of armed forces to fight for the restoration of peace in the state.

He said no amount of welfare package can equal the sacrifices being made by the volunteers especially given the fact that some of them had laid their lives for Borno State.

The governor said despite its meager resource, the Borno state Government would expend whatever it takes to ensure that the volunteers were properly paid, equipped and highly motivated.

He announced a bonus of N20 million naira to the volunteers while directing that any backlog of ?allowances be paid immediately.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Okorocha Presents 102bn Naira 2016 Budget

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Governor Rochas Okorocha State has presented a 102-billion-Naira budget proposal for the 2016 fiscal year before the Imo State House for Assembly.

The Governor made the budget presentation on Tuesday at the hallow chamber in Owerri, the capital of Imo State in southeast Nigeria.

Governor Okorocha explained that the budget, which was tagged ‘Budget of Consolidation and Continuity’, showed that 43.1 per cent of the total budget was proposed for capital expenditure while 56.9 per cent was proposed for recurrent expenditure.

He disclosed that the budget targeted 23 billion Naira from the Imo State’s share of the Federal Allocation, 17 billion Naira from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and 148 billion Naira from Excess Crude Oil among others.

Credit: Channelstv

See Baby Nori All Furred Up In Swag

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

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Following the arrival of West Junior, Baby Siant, big sister Nori is not slacking back on her looks.

The baby fashionista is seen wearing a furry jacket, a tennis cap, faded jeans and a white sneakers. Her expensive look is complimented with a lollipop in her mouth. See Kim Kardashian’s post below:

NLC Vows To Resist Removal Of Fuel Subsidy ‘Through Back Door’

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Nigerian workers have vowed to vehemently resist any move by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to deregulate operations of the downstream sector of the country’s petroleum industry and remove fuel subsidy through the back door.

The workers’ umbrella body, the Nigeria Labour Congress, said on Tuesday that any attempt by government to adjust the fuel price in the country without recourse to the institution legally authorized to do so would be considered unlawful.

The NLC General Secretary, Peter Ozo-Eson, said government officials and some chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress have in the past few weeks made discordant tunes about the future of petroleum products prices and the management of the subsidy scheme in the country.

The NLC said the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, had initially announced that come next year the price of petrol would revert to ?97 per litre, while fuel subsidy would be phased out.

However, Mr. Ozo-Eson noted that two days later the Minister had denied the report, claiming that what he said was that fuel price would operate within a band of ?87 and ?97, which he said did not mean subsidy removal.

“The same minister now says that the price of petrol will now be ?85 in January, signifying the deregulation of the sector,” Mr. Ozo-Eson said.

“These vacillations and flip flops are, in our view, designed to confuse Nigerians and pave the way for deregulation of petrol prices through the back door.”

Credit: PremiumTimes

Islamic State Suffers Double Blow As Ramadi Falls, Leaders Killed

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

U.S.-led forces have killed 10 Islamic State leaders in air strikes, including individuals linked to the Paris attacks, a U.S. spokesman said, dealing a double blow to the militant group after Iraqi forces ousted it from the city of Ramadi.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi planted the national flag in Ramadi after the army retook the city center from Islamic State, a victory that could help vindicate his strategy for rebuilding the military after stunning defeats.

“Over the past month, we’ve killed 10 ISIL leadership figures with targeted air strikes, including several external attack planners, some of whom are linked to the Paris attacks,” said U.S. Army Colonel Steve Warren, a spokesman for the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamist group also known by the acronym ISIL.

“Others had designs on further attacking the West.”

One of those killed was Abdul Qader Hakim, who facilitated the militants’ external operations and had links to the Paris attack network, Warren said. He was killed in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Dec. 26.

Two days earlier, a coalition air strike in Syria killed Charaffe al Mouadan, a Syria-based Islamic State member with a direct link to Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the suspected ringleader of the coordinated bombings and shootings in Paris on Nov. 13 which killed 130 people, Warren said.

Mouadan was planning further attacks against the West, he added.

Air strikes on Islamic State’s leadership helped explain recent battlefield successes against the group, which also lost control of a dam on a strategic supply route near its de facto capital of Raqqa in Syria on Saturday.

“Part of those successes is attributable to the fact that the organization is losing its leadership,” Warren said. He warned, however: “It’s still got fangs.”

German Court Sentences Former Rwandan Mayor To Life In Prison Over Role In Genocide

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A German court on Tuesday sentenced a former Rwandan mayor to life in prison, convicting him after a second trial of participating in genocide for helping organize the killing of some 400 members of the Tutsi minority in 1994.

Onesphore Rwabukombe, 58, was convicted in 2014 of being an accessory to genocide and sentenced to 14 years in prison. Both sides appealed that ruling, and a federal court found that evidence heard at the original three-year trial suggested there was sufficient evidence for a tougher conviction.

It ordered the Frankfurt state court to reconsider the case, and judges ruled Tuesday after a five-day trial. Their finding of aggravated circumstances means that early release, which is common in Germany, is less likely.

Rwabukombe, a member of the Hutu majority who was mayor of Muvumba, was accused of ordering the attack at church grounds where the victims had taken refuge in the town of Kiziguro on April 11, 1994.

The defendant, it said, “sought to accelerate and conclude the events — even when he himself was in danger from the advance of opposing troops.”

Rwabukombe, who sought asylum in Germany in 2002, was arrested in 2010 on an international warrant and has been in custody since then. He wasn’t extradited after authorities concluded he couldn’t receive a fair trial in Rwanda.

More than 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.

Turkish Football Federation Fined For Sacking Gay Referee

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

An Istanbul court has ordered the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to pay compensation for sacking a referee on the grounds of his homosexuality.

The TFF was fined 23,000 lira ($7,900; £5,300) for dismissing Halil Ibrahim Dincdag, 38, in 2009.

The federation claimed Mr Dincdag was “unfit” for military service and thus unable to work as a referee.

Mr Dincdag said he would appeal against the amount, but called the ruling “a victory”.

“Winning this case means a lot to me,” he said. “I hope this ruling will be a model for similar cases.”

His lawyer had asked for 110,000 Turkish lira when the case was filed in 2011.

The former referee told Reuters news agency at the time: “I have been unable to find a job since my name hit the headlines. I have received threats, and have lost hope of earning my own living.”

Funmi Iyanda Hosts Lai Mohammed, Ibukun Awosika on New Year Show

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Change-A-Life Nigeria Foundation will on Friday, January 1 kick off the New Year with its special annual talk show hosted by Funmi Iyanda on NTA with Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Chairman, Board of Directors, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, as Special Guests.

Through segmented spotlights on peculiar human stories and hard talk bordering on security, poverty, education, governance and empowerment, Change-A-Life addresses matters at the core of human behaviours in Nigeria and the world in general.

As is tradition since the first edition in 2002, Change-A-Life continues to foster hope on the nation through moments of opportunities and good cheer evoked on the show, as well as the continuous celebration of heroes who inspire others.

The show will be broadcast live on NTA Network and DSTV channel 251 from 9am to 10am on New Year Day.

Members of the public interested in joining the studio audience are invited to send an email to abiodun@changealifenigeria.org.

ABOUT CAL NIGERIA

Change-A-Life is a social service non-profit organisation founded by Funmi Iyanda. The foundation acts as a bridge between people with academic, entrepreneurial and leadership potential with great need for support and the individuals, agencies and organisations with capacity and willingness to meet their needs. CAL’s primary focus is capacity building channelled through educational scholarships, life skills and vocational trainings, business grants, young adult mentoring, adult and community education, women empowerment and civic engagement. CAL started as an intervention program on New Dawn with Funmi on NTA with the support of the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Olumide Iyanda

Chief Executive Officer/Editor-in-Chief

Mighty Media Plus Network Limited

(Publishers of qed.ng)

Tel: +23412933877

Mobile: +2348053069129, +2348033041785.

Guinea Declared Free From Ebola After 2,500 Deaths

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Guinea has been declared Ebola free after more than 2,500 people died from the virus in the West African nation, leaving Liberia the only country still counting down for an end to the ruinous epidemic.

People in the capital, Conakry, on Tuesday greeted the declaration by authorities and the UN World Health Organization with mixed emotions given the huge number of deaths, and the damage the virus did to the economy and the country’s health and education sectors. But in all they say they are thankful.

Israel Jails Former Prime Minister For Receiving Bribe

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been ordered to serve 18 months in jail for bribery. Olmert had been sentenced to six years by a lower court in 2014, but this has now been reduced by the Supreme Court.

The 70-year-old was convicted over a property deal that took place while he served as mayor of Jerusalem, prior to becoming prime minister in 2006.

Olmert, who stepped down in 2009, will become the first former Israeli head of government to go to prison. He is due to begin his sentence on 15 February.

The Supreme Court acquitted Olmert of receiving a 500,000-shekel ($130,000; £86,000) bribe from the developers of Holyland, a controversial block of flats in Jerusalem, after he appealed against the March 2014 conviction.

A separate conviction of illicitly taking a 60,000-shekel payment for another project was upheld.

Several other government officials and businesspeople were convicted alongside Olmert in 2014.

In a separate case, Olmert was sentenced earlier this year to eight months in prison for fraud and breach of trust for accepting illegal payments from an American businessman.

Bomber On Motorbike Hits Government Office In Pakistan

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

At least 22 people have been killed and dozen others wounded in a suicide attack outside a government office in Pakistan. The attack happened today at an office of the National Database and Registration Authority in the town of Mardan, in the country’s northwest.

“A suicide bomber riding an explosives-laden motorcycle hit the Nadra office in Mardan where a large number of people were standing in queues,” police officer Naeem Khan told Reuters.

Jamat Ul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban, has claimed responsibility, saying the office was a legitimate target as it was a part of the “heathen Pakistan state”.

“God willing, we will target all Pakistani organisations that are either directly or indirectly a part of this war,” Ehsanullah Ehsan, a spokesman for the group, said in a statement.

Pakistan has been battling armed groups since 2004, in a conflict that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of civilians and security forces personnel.

New Pump Price For Petrol As Announced By PPPRA, See How Much Has Been Reduced From Old Price

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) in Nigeria has announced the implementation of the revised components of the Petroleum Pricing Template for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

In a statement by the Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed, the pump price was put at 86.50 Naira per litre, a price the agency said was in line with the prevailing market trend.

“This new price regime is with effect from January 1, 2016,” the statement read.

According to Mr Ahmed, the reversed template was approved by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

The statement said that the major components of the pricing template affected by this review were Traders Margin, Lightering Expenses, Nigeria Port Authority, Jetty Throughput, Storage Charges and Bridging Fund.

Other components revised include Retailers’ Transporters and Dealers Margins.

As contained in the breakdown, the Ex-depot price of PMS shall be 77 Naira per litre while the pump price will be 86.50 Naira per litre.

The new price is a reduction of 50 Kobo from the old price of 87 Naira.

Credit: ChannelsTV

This Is What Happens When You Eat Fish/ Meat Before Rice

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

This information will interest people living with diabetes. The next time you are served a plate of rice, it is advisable to eat the fish or meat before the rice. Japanese researchers say they have established that eating fish and meat before rice can help control blood sugar in people with diabetes because it slows down the stomach.

Now whether or not you agree with this finding, researchers at the Kansai Electric Power Medical Research Institute are convinced that dietary therapy focusing on the sequence of food intakes may lead to diabetes prevention and treatment.

In a three-day research project involving 12 patients with type 2 diabetes and 10 healthy people, the group monitored changes in blood sugar levels four hours after the subjects had meals in which rice was consumed either first or last.

When boiled mackerel and grilled beef were eaten 15 minutes before rice, their sugar levels were about 30 percent and 40 percent lower, respectively, compared with when they ate rice first.

From their findings, eating fish and beef first promoted the secretion of incretin, a gastrointestinal hormone, which slowed stomach motility and thus the rise in blood sugar. Several other studies note that vegetarian and vegan (no meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or honey) diets help prevent, control, and even reverse diabetes.

It is expected that this technique may become even more effective if vegetables are eaten ahead of fish, meat and rice.

Ordinarily, fish just happens to bring the added benefit of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids but previous studies say fish intake may increase type 2 diabetes risk by increasing blood sugar levels. However, diabetics are known to gain control of their blood sugar levels by following approved dietary guidelines and recommendations.

As a rule, moderate consumption of all food items including meat and fish is key. The recommendation is to check blood sugar as directed by the healthcare provider

Credit: Vanguard

FG To Begin Board Appointments January, Read How The Appointments Will Be Allocated

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The federal government will begin board appointments for its agencies from the end of January.

A top source in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said the appointments would be done in phases. “The first of such appointments will be out by end of January to begin with the ministries of education and agriculture.

“The templates are ready. The two ministries have the biggest parastatals and will have more impact on those expecting appointments,” the source said.

President Muhammadu Buhari is trying to have a great say as to the kind of people he intends to appoint as board members. It is the same posture he adopted at the time he was forming his cabinet, but state governors are said to be in disagreement over this. “The governors made all manner of protests but the President told them to go and make their own boards and other appointments and leave him to do his,” the source said.

The source added: “Some people are still sending applications for board appointment. We want to use the board appointments to address the challenges we are facing in the party.

One of the members of the presidential committee on the reconstitution of the federal government boards of parastatals, agencies and commissions, last night described their assignment as ‘a daunting task’ but added that they have gone far.

The member, who spoke in confidence, said so far, they have identified issues in several parastatals, agencies and commissions that need to be addressed.

“Our work is daunting because it has to do with reorganising the affected establishments, bearing in mind the issue of federal character, expertise, economic potentials and political expediency. We have gone far in the work, but the most important thing we are considering is national unity,” he said.

Credit: DailyTrust

How FG Intends To Generate 1 Million Jobs In 2016

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

In its bid to tackle unemployment as one of its major achievements this year, the Federal Government is targeting the provision of over one million jobs. In his 2016 budget presented to the joint session of the National Assembly last Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari emphasised his determination to tackle unemployment. His words: “As we focus on inclusive growth, we are conscious of the current rate of unemployment and underemployment. This is a challenge we are determined to meet; and this budget is the platform for putting more Nigerians to work.

I can assure you that this administration will have a job creation focus in every aspect of the execution of this budget. Nigeria’s job creation drive will be private sector led. We will encourage this by a reduction in tax rates for smaller businesses as well as subsidized funding for priority sectors such as agriculture and solid minerals”. According to the president, as an emergency measure, to address the chronic shortage of teachers in public schools across the country, we also will partner with State and Local Governments to recruit, train and deploy 500,000 unemployed graduates and NCE holders.

These graduate teachers will be deployed to primary schools, thereby, enhancing the provision of basic education especially in our rural areas. He added that the government intends to partner with State and Local Governments to provide financial training and loans to market women, traders and artisans, through their cooperative societies. We believe that this segment of our society is not only critical to our plan for growing small businesses, but it is also an important platform to create jobs and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs. Besides, he said through the office of the Vice President, the government is working with various development partners to design an implementable and transparent conditional cash transfer program for the poorest and most vulnerable.

His words: “This program will be implemented in phases. Already, the compilation of registers of the poorest persons is ongoing. In the coming weeks, we will present the full programme, which will include our home-grown public primary school feeding and free education for science, technology and education students in our tertiary institutions. Indeed, this will mark a historic milestone for us as a nation. Also, Transport Minister, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, declared that the federal government will embark on a massive railway infrastructure development across the country, and that about 250,000.

Credit: DailyTimes

Woman Pours Hot Water On Nursing Mother (VIEWER DISCRETION)

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A woman, identified as Esther Williams, has been arrested by the Isheri division of the Lagos State Police Command for pouring hot water on her neighbour, Mabel Enwongomfon–Umoh, who is a nursing mother.

Williams, who is said to be in her late 30s, was said to have emptied a bucket of hot water on Mabel after they had a minor argument in their rented house on Thursday, December 24, 2015, around 8pm.

The incident left Mabel, who was still breastfeeding her two-month-old baby, with severe burns on many parts of her body, including her two breasts and abdomen.

It was gathered that the woman had not been able to breastfeed her baby since the incident happened. The husband of the victim, who identified himself simply as Umoh, said that Williams attempted to escape after assaulting his wife, but he was able to apprehend and hand her over to the police.

Mabel, 27, who was evidently writhing in pains on the hospital bed, said that it was a fight between some of her co-tenants in front of her room that led to the incident. She explained that Williams, who poured the water on her, had nothing to do with the quarrel.

She said, “My neighbour’s brother and his girlfriend were fighting and they pushed themselves to the front of my door. When I could not cope with the disturbance again, I went outside to call the guy’s sister to come and separate them or make them leave our entrance.

“As I was going back to my room, Williams, who had nothing with the fight, asked why I called the sister, saying I was interfering in something that did not concern me. I told her that they were fighting in front of my room, but she pushed me. I was surprised because we never had a quarrel before then.

“That was how we started shouting on each other.”

She recalled that it was the noise from the fight that drew the attention of her husband who was in the room with their two children. She said her husband came out to separate them and they were already going back to their apartment when Mabel ran into her room to carry the bucket of water and poured it on her.

She said, “I was in the front while my husband was behind me. Suddenly, she went into her room and came out with a bucket and poured the content on me.

“I have been in serious pain since then, and I have not been able to breastfeed my two-month-old baby, who is my second child.”

Credit: Punch

Total Sum Buhari Will Spend Running State House Compared To Jonathan- Report

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari will spend N18.1 billion in 2016 to run the State House, Nigeria’s seat of power, an amount that is N11.5 billion more than what his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, spent in 2015.

The amount is also N5.9 billion more than what Mr. Jonathan spent in 2014 on the State House, according to the details of the 2016 budget.

Mr. Buhari will, however, reduce the cost of feeding for the first and second families, when compared to what the Jonathan administration spent in previous years.

Mr. Buhari presented a N6.08 trillion budget to the National Assembly last week, promising more jobs, economic growth and a cut-down on frivolous spending. But details of the budget show that the State House will cumulatively receive N18.1 billion in 2016.

In 2014, Mr. Jonathan spent N12.2 billion on the State House, while in 2015, the government spent N6.6 billion for the presidential office, amid dwindling revenue occasioned by sliding oil prices.

The costs cover the State House Headquarters, the president’s office and the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. They also cover the budgets of the State House medical centre and the Lagos Liaison office.

Credit: PremiumTimes

PDP Accuses Buhari Of Planning To Borrow N5 Billion Daily In 2016

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of planning to borrow at least N5 billion per day to finance the N6.08 trillion 2016 budget.

The spokesperson of the party, Olisa Metuh, who spoke with reporters on Tuesday in Abuja, said a breakdown of the N1.84 trillion to be borrowed by Mr. Buhari to fund the budget shows that Nigeria would be borrowing N5 billion a day for the next 365 days, starting from January I, 2016, without corresponding provision for economic production and a clear repayment plan.

“Some people may be wondering why we raised an alarm about the budget. The reason is simple. When we analysed the budget, we discovered it is a misshapen attempt at a Keynesian economics of applying deficit spending to stimulate growth even when studies have proven that GDP growth rates decrease by over 50% when debt goes from low or moderate to high. But then we know the borrowing here is to pay huge campaign debt and fund a political war chest.

“By every standard, this budget is a booby trap against the nation. When you break down the proposed N1.84 trillion borrowing, you discover that it amounts to borrowing N5 billion every day for the 365 days in 2016. The questions are: for what specific projects are they borrowing N5 billion per day and how do they intend to pay back?” Mr. Metuh said.

The PDP spokespersons said Mr. Buhari should explain to Nigerians how his government intends to pay back the loan.

Credit: PremiumTimes

NDLEA Decries Death Sentence On Nigerian In Malaysia

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The acting Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Roli Bode-George, has decried the death sentence passed on a Nigerian, Ekene Collins Isaac, by a Malaysian High Court.

Ekene, 37, was found guilty of smuggling 915.6g of methamphetamine, commonly known as ecstasy or MDMA, into Malaysia three years ago.

The High Court judge, Datuk Wan Afrah Wan Ibrahim, said the prosecution had proven Isaac’s guilt beyond doubt as she passed down the death sentence.

A statement by the Head, Public Affairs of the agency, Ofoyeju Mitchell, said Roli, however, promised that diplomatic efforts would be explored to save the convict and assured Nigerians that the agency would maintain total alertness in drug detection operation all through the year.

She gave the assurance while speaking on the discovery of drugs in tin packs and arrest of a suspected drug trafficker on Boxing Day at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos with substances that tested positive to cocaine on his way from Brazil. The drug packed in six wraps weighing 120 grammes was inserted into his anus.

The second suspect wanted to export a consignment containing 1.860kg of methamphetamine sealed in tin tomato paste to South Africa when he was arrested.

“The Nigerian government will work to protect every citizen from untimely death resulting from drug trafficking and drug abuse. We shall remain vigilant at all times and prevent drug trafficking syndicates from smuggling narcotic drugs in and out of the country. While respecting the laws of other countries, the federal government will explore diplomatic means to prevent capital punishment on citizens,” George said.

Credit: Thisday

Minister Of Defence Promises Increased Funding For Military

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Nigerian government has promised to provide the critical needs for the military to carry out its constitutional duties.

The Minister of Defence, Mr Mansur Dan-Ali, made the pledge on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Dan-Ali explained that besides infrastructures, the government was poised to invest in the much needed operational platforms, hardware and equipment, human capital development and professional military education.

The Minister made the promise at the commissioning of the permanent site of the National Defence College.

The event threw up issues of the importance, with focus on a better financed military.

The Minister of Defence further commended the National Defence College for the giant strides and reemphasised that the government would provide more funding for the military under the present administration.

He also promised to ensure that the permanent site of the Defence College would be completed in the shortest possible time.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Naira Appreciates To N260/$1 On Parallel Market

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The naira edged higher to about N260 to a dollar on the parallel market yesterday, compared with about N266 to a dollar it was before last week’s public holidays.

Findings from most of the parallel market traders at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport and other areas around Ikeja yesterday attributed this to an increase in supply of the greenback from autonomous market sources, especially from Nigerians abroad who visited the country for the yuletide.

The interbank official forex market which was shut down for the yuletide is expected to be re-opened on January 4, 2016. The naira had depreciated to about N280 to the dollar about three weeks ago as a result of dollar scarcity that hit the market.

The declining oil prices as well as the unwillingness of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to devalue the naira amidst constrained reserves has continued to worsen foreign exchange (forex) liquidity position of Nigerian banks, Renaissance Capital (RenCap), a financial advisory and research firm, stated.

However, RenCap opined that should the forex scarcity persists in a weak oil price environment, banks’ asset quality and international obligation default risks could be significant.

Credit: Thisday

Abductors Of Bayelsa Commissioner Demand N40 Million

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Abductors of the Bayelsa Commissioner for Local Government, Serefina Otazi, have demanded a ransom of N40 million,? the? family said.

Ms. Otazi, was abducted at gun point on December 20 in Otuoke on her way to Ewoi Community in Ogbia Local Government Area for funeral.

A member of the family, Endurance Frank, said in a telephone interview on Tuesday that the kidnappers had contacted the family and demanded N40 million to free the victim.

Mr. Frank said the family was relieved to hear from Ms. Otazi and appealed to the kidnappers to free her unconditionally.

Ms. ?Otazi ?had served as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Acting Chairman of Ogbia LGA.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Shiite Leader Debunks Human Rights Abuse Claims

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

One of the leaders of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Abdulmumi Giwa, has denied allegations of human rights abuse levelled against their members by residents of Zaria.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Mr Giwa described the allegation by the Gyullesu elders as a propaganda sponsored by government.

He said the government was using the claims to justify the killings of innocent members of the movement, popularly known as Shiite, and to distract the attention of the public over the recent incident.

The Shiite frontrunner also said the claims were mere lie.

The leader of the group, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, had lived with Gyallesu residents happily, despite attempts by security operatives to cause disharmony at various times.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Filling Station Fined N4.2 Million For Hoarding Petrol

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A committee set up by Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, to prevent hoarding of petrol and selling above official rate, has fined a Forte Oil filling station in the state the sum of N4.2million.

The state commissioner for ?c?commerce, Rabiu Bako, who is the chairman of the committee, told our correspondent ?by phone that the station was fined for both hoarding of the product and selling above pump price at night.

Mr. Bako said the stipulated penalty for a filling station found hiding petroleum products and selling above pump price was to make it pay fine by doubling the official pump price of their existing product.

He added that at the time of the clamp down, the station had already disposed of 26,000 litres from the 34,000 litres allocated to it.

The commissioner said when they multiplied the cost of the available litres with the surcharge, they arrived at N4.2million.

Mr. Bako also disclosed that they found another filling station, A.Y. Maikifi Petroleum, filling the product into gallons for black marketers.

He said the station manager was reprimanded for under-dealing.

Credit: PremiumTimes

U.S Likely To Resume Buying Nigeria’s Crude Oil- Kachikwu

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has disclosed that Nigeria and its former long-term crude oil trading partner, the United States, may soon rekindle their trading relationship in crude oil.

The minister, who also said in spite of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC) difficulties in meeting its cash call obligations, would not sell some of its stakes in the Joint Ventures (JV) with local and international oil companies (IOCs), added weekend in Kaduna that the United States had made overtures to resume buying Nigeria’s crude oil.

He said the development was a fallout of President Muhammadu Buhari’s July 2015 visit to the US. He, however, did not disclose details of the development but said that the US had indicated its interest in buying “very limited” quantities of Nigeria’s crude and that negotiation on that was ongoing.

The minister, who was in Kaduna to inspect the status of repair works on one of the country’s refineries, noted that irrespective of the renewed interest from the US, Nigeria was still diversifying its crude oil trading destinations deeper into Asia and other parts of the world.

“The fact of US actually being back into the sales of crude market obviously will impact on prices but what you find is that the volume of export that US intends to do is really minimal because there is a lot of local internal consumption and strategically they are still reaching out to buy a couple of Saudi barrels and in fact they are opening up to buy a couple of Nigerian barrels,” Kachikwu said.

He explained that after the president’s visit in July, the US indicated interest in buying very limited quantity of Nigerian oil, partly to support the market, adding that conversations on the overtures were ongoing.

Credit: ThisDay

What Will Be Discussed In Buhari’s First Media Chat Tomorrow

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, will host his first Presidential Media Chat on Wednesday, December 30.

The programme will be broadcast live on the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

In the course of the programme, President Buhari will answer questions from a panel of journalists on a broad-range of current national issues.

Part of the issues expected to be discussed are insecurity, counter-terrorism operations in the north-east and the economy among others.

A statement by a spokesman for the President, Femi Adesina, said that the Media Chat would begin at 7:0pm local time.

It is the first Media Chat that the President is having since he took over office on May 29, 2015.

Credit: ChannelsTv

Oyo Govt To Probe Ibadan Plank Market Fire

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Oyo State Government has said that it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire incidents that engulfed the Sango Alaro plank market twice in three days, which resulted in losses estimated at several millions of naira.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi made this known when he paid a visit to the market which got burnt first on Christmas day, while another part was also razed in the early hours of yesterday.

The governor was represented by the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka; the Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade; a former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ismail Olalekan-Alli; a former Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Gbade Ojo; and a former Special Adviser on Security, Mr. Segun Abolarinwa, among others.

Addressing newsmen after the delegation had inspected the burnt sections of the market, Layinka expressed concern that the market could record two fire incidences within three days.

Describing Ajimobi as peace-loving, the Governor’s spokesman said it cherished peace and anything that would make life more comfortable for the people of the state, adding; “This is a state where everybody has the right to live and trade within the limit of the Constitution.”

The government delegation appealed to the people, particularly the traders and members of the affected community to remain calm and shun any untoward act.

Credit : Vanguard

Ondo Employs 18 First Class Graduands Of State Varsity

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state has offered automatic employment to all the 18 first class graduands of the state-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Akoko.
Any of them that is willing to take the appointment would be absorbed in the state civil service.
He made the pronouncement during the 6th convocation of the Institution.

Dr Mimiko said the state is proud of the graduands and was ready to give them automatic employment.

The governor lauded the institution and the students for going six years without interruption of the academic calendar due to strike action.

He assured that the state government would continue to make education affordable to the people of the state.

The vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun said the institution ultimate desire was to accommodate its over 14,000 students on campus compared to less than 20percent that are now accommodated.

Crisis Rocks Edo PDP Over Alleged Diversion Of Rice

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Crisis is rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, following allegations that one of its governorship aspirants (names withheld) diverted rice meant to be distributed to members of the party prior to the presidential election, which was brought to the state by the campaign organisation of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The crisis erupted after members of the party observed that the governorship aspirant was sharing the rice to his supporters as Christmas gift after he allegedly super-imposed his picture on that of former President Jonathan on the bags of rice.

A chieftain of PDP in the state, Mr Okharedia Ihimekpen, described the discovery as shocking and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the ongoing probe to funds expended during the former President Jonathan’s campaign to Edo State.

He said, “It was shocking when we saw that the bags of rice were actually meant to be distributed during the presidential campaign but this aspirant confiscated them. I want to appeal to the Federal Government to extend the Dasukigate probe to Edo State and if this aspirant is indicted he should be prosecuted and disqualified from the governorship race.

“We call on all Edo people to distance themselves from elements like this because if they are allowed again into the corridors of power, Edo State will be for sale. Such people should be made to return all the rice and money they collected on behalf of Edo PDP members which they pocketed. We expect PDP to disqualify him because in a decent society, people like that should be charged to court after they are banned from contesting for political positions.

“The PDP should rediscover themselves before talking about election so that we don’t run into another era of holocaust,” he stated.

Credit : Vanguard

Boko Haram: NGO Calls For Urgent Action To Save Female Suicide Bombers

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO), Girl-Child Rights Awareness Initiative in Africa, has called for urgent action against female suicide bombers in Nigeria.
The group made the call on Tuesday in Osogbo through its Executive Director, Mrs Tope Awe while reacting to latest suicide bombings in Madagali, Adamawa and Maiduguri, the Borno capital, said that the situation required quick action to save the girl-child.
According to her, the challenges facing the girl-child in the Northern part of the country is enormous to the extent that any other one like the present suicide bombing can be catastrophic.
She explained that young girls in northern Nigeria over time had battled the menace of child-marriage and illiteracy, and now had to live as potential suicide bombers.
The rights activist advocated proper and timely orientation of the girl-child “to galvanise them against the tricks of unscrupulous elements who take advantage of their naivety and innocency.
“The latest challenge facing the girl-child in the north eastern part of the country is worrisome and disheartening, the innocency of our girls is being destroyed.
“What is the fate of motherhood in an environment where young girls between the ages of 10 and 12 years carry Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to kill innocent citizens?.
“It is high time the National Orientation Agency (NOA)swings into action and collaborate with traditional institutions in those areas to sensitise vulnerable girls.
“Obviously, the future of any nation depends on the quality of motherhood the nation possess. Nigeria as a nation must strive to put a quick end to female suicide bombings.’’

(NAN)

Guardiola Hired, Sacked Same Day By Barcelona Over Offensive Tweets

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Diehard Real Madrid fan Sergi Guardiola’s decision to write offensive tweets aimed at Barcelona came back to haunt him Monday when he was hired and fired by the Spanish giants on the same day.

The 24-year-old striker penned a deal with Barca’s B team but was sacked just a few hours later when angry fans of the Catalan club made officials aware of Guardiola’s Twitter tirade from 2013, www.lequipe.fr reported.

[FOTOS] Les noves incorporacions, a punt per començar a entrenar https://t.co/qw4PIIqIse #FCBB #FCBMasia #2bg3 pic.twitter.com/ardWoVb7cw

— FC Barcelona – Masia (@FCBmasia) December 28, 2015

His tweets had included “Allez Madrid” and “Fuck Catalans”.

“FC Barcelona has decided to terminate the contract signed with Sergi Guardiola, after finding that he had published offensive tweets about the club and Catalonia,” said a Barcelona statement.

Former Rwandan Mayor Sentenced To Life Over Role In Genocide

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A German court sentenced a former Rwandan mayor to life in prison on Tuesday, convicting him after a second trial of participating in genocide for helping organize the killing of some 400 members of the Tutsi minority in 1994.

Rwabukombe, a member of the Hutu majority who was mayor of Muvumba, was accused of ordering the attack at church grounds where the victims had taken refuge in the town of Kiziguro on April 11, 1994.

Rwabukombe denies having been at the site of the killings. However, the Frankfurt court found that he “knowingly and willingly, along with other authorities, prepared, organized, commanded and set in motion the massacre.”
The defendant, it said, “sought to accelerate and conclude the events — even when he himself was in danger from the advance of opposing troops.”

More than 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.

Lawmaker Demands More Doctors In Mubi General Hospital

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Member representing Mubi South in Adamawa House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abubakar, has called on the State Government to urgently deploy more medical doctors to Mubi General Hospital.

Making the appeal during an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Yola, Abubakar said this became necessary to address challenges of victims of insurgent attacks in Mubi zone.

He regretted that the hospital has only one qualified doctor.

“This is grossly inadequate for Mubi which is the second largest town in the state.

Life has fully returned to normal in Mubi since the Boko Haram invasion and it is high time the government do something urgently about this development.

For instance, some of the injured victims of Monday suicide attack in Madagali town were taken to Mubi general hospital, showing the need to do something about the hospital which is located in the ongoing fight against insurgency,’’ urged the legislator.

However, Abubakar commended the State Government for embarking on 14 road projects in Mubi.

He urged the people to accord the APC-led adminsitration at all levels maximum support to succeed in delivering democracy dividends.

On planned protest against the state government by Mubi local government council workers over non-payment of their outstanding salaries from the collected bailout fund, the lawmaker advised them to exercise patience as he was in dialogue with relevant authorities to address the problem.

Abubakar, who was suspended by his collegaues recently, also urged people in his constituency not to despair as he has taken the matter to court for redress.

He thanked the people for their sustained support and cooperation, adding that the situation would improve in the New Year, particularly in liberated areas like Mubi as President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to getting the country out of the woods.

(NAN)

Chinese Man Compensated With $200,000 After 11 Years For Wrongful Murder Conviction

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A man four times wrongly convicted of murder received 200,000 dollars in compensation for his 11 years of imprisonment.

Prosecutor at the central court said Zeng Aiyun was freed in July on grounds of insufficient evidence, in spite of three death sentences he received between 2004 and 2010 for murdering a graduate school classmate.

He said all the three verdicts by the Xiangtan Intermediate People’s Court were rejected by the Supreme People’s Court in Beijing and a retrial ordered in 2010.

The prosecutor said in the retrial Zeng was found guilty again and sentenced to life imprisonment.

He said Zeng was ordered to pay 178,143 Yuan in compensation to the family of victim Zhou Yuheng.

The prosecutor said police later found the real killer, who had framed Zeng.

(dpa/NAN)

FG Still Tracking Chibok Girls – Lai Mohammed

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has restated commitment of the Federal Government to tracking and locating the missing Chibok girls.

Mohammed said it was important for the military to adopt less lethal procedures compared with the drastic measures employed by neigbouring countries along the Sambisa Forest.

He said the public should commend the military and provide needed information to further decapitate the insurgents.
Mohammed, who spoke to Channels TV via phone, stated that, “We are a bit constrained. I know that some countries have set certain fire around the Sambisa forest in order to smoke out the Boko Haram insurgents but we are being careful because we are still looking for the Chibok girls and we do not want unnecessary collateral casualties.

“I know that many of our neighbours like Mali and Niger have employed certain procedures because of our major objective that we are still looking for the Chibok girls, so in some parts of Sambisa forest, we cannot adopt such drastic approaches.”

The 235 Chibok girls were declared missing for about 300 days, while efforts were made to ensure their safe arrival.

The Minister stated that prior to the assumption of the current administration; the entire north east was almost taken over by the insurgents.

However, he restated need to applaud the military for recovering about 20 local governments from the entire councils lose to the sect.

“People must own the war. They must report suspicious movements and complement efforts of the military. How many bars or football viewing centres in Lagos can you secure? No, but if you have enough information to beef up the security, it would help,” he added.

“That is absolutely incorrect. It is possible for insurgents to lay ambush on the road. It doesn’t mean that they are in control of those local governments. I travelled 89 kilometres from Maiduguri to Bama.

“We are not saying we are going to route or eliminate ambush or attacks overnight. It’s never done in any insurgency but what we are just giving the fact, less than a year ago, the entire north east was almost in their control, today they don’t have that kind of command. It’s just about one local government that they have swayed at all,” the Minister said.

He emphasized that the public should complement efforts of the military by contributing to intelligence gathering.

WHO Declares Guinea Ebola-Free

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

477

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday declared Guinea Ebola-free, after more than 2,500 people died from the virus, leaving Liberia as the only country still waiting for the end of the epidemic.

People in the capital, Conakry, greeted the declaration by authorities and the WHO with mixed emotions, given the deaths and the damage the virus caused
the economy and the country’s health and education sectors.

Rene Migliani, WHO Official, National Coordination Centre for the Fight Against Ebola, said Ebola had made more than 6,200 children orphans in Guinea.

He said there were more than 3,800 Ebola cases in Guinea out of the more than 28,600 cases globally with 11,300 deaths.

Migliani said almost all the cases and deaths were in Guinea and its neighbours Liberia and Sierra Leone.

WHO said a country was declared Ebola-free 42 days after the recovery or death of the last patient and if there were no new infections.

It said Liberia lost more than 4,800 people to the haemorrhagic fever, “but if all goes well, the country can be declared virus-free in January.”

The country was declared Ebola-free in May and September, but each time new cases emerged thereafter.

(Reuters/NAN)

Ex-Senate President David Mark Pledges Undying Love For Sports

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The former Senate President, Sen. David Mark, has said that his love for sports would outlive his presence in the Senate.

Mark told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Otukpo that his love for sports predated his foray into politics.

He said that his love for sports manifested in the establishment of a Golf Academy and sponsorship of the annual Mark d’ ball basketball competition, which had attracted local and international athletes to Otukpo.

According to Mark, the establishment of Mark Mentors, a DSTV Premier League Basketball team and APA United Football Club, a pro league team, speak volumes for his love and support for sports.

He said that these sports outfits would continue to exist through the Mark Scholarship and Sports Foundation whether he was dead or alive.

“Nigerians are always united in sports, so this is my own way of lifting sports in Nigeria; my promise to you is that, even the Mark d’ ball competition will outlive me.

We have sent five young boys to Scotland to represent Nigeria in golf competition and today, the golf academy is training over 300 boys.

Our team, Mark Mentors, won the 2015 DSTV Premier Basketball League; and now in Otukpo, we have been able to raise a national champion in basketball.

I assure you that in my lifetime, Otukpo people will play at the International level and at the National Basketball Association (NBA) league in the United States.

I will continue to support sports because it has kept us together and has provided opportunities for our young boys and girls to be useful to themselves and the nation,” Mark said.

The former Senate President dismissed doubts on the hosting of the 2015 Mark d’ ball competition, saying that the event had come to stay, whether he was in the Senate or not.

He said: “There were lot of doubts whether we will sponsor this year’s event or not.

Whether I am in the Senate or not, it makes no difference to me as far as encouraging young boys and girls are concerned.

More players will be sponsored abroad through the foundation; it is a foundation which after I have completely gone will still be there.

This is not a political arrangement because I was awarding scholarships to people before I joined politics and I am still doing it.’’

(NAN)

Sen. Ekwunife Denies Dumping PDP For APC

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Senator Uche Ekwunife representing Anambra Central senatorial zone, yesterday, said that she was still in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, contrary to insinuations in some quarters that she had defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The senator while reacting to a purported court order that she was disqualified from contesting the March 2016 fresh poll in the area, said that neither her nor her party, the PDP was disqualified from the contest.

“I want to clear one thing and that is, that no state chapter of the PDP conducts the party primaries. It is the business of the national leadership of our great party. There were five-member panel from the national secretariat that conducted the National Assembly primaries in Anambra State. We all went through the same process so why single only me out.

“I have taken everything in good faith. If God that sent me there wants me to be there again, I’ll be there, but I strongly believe that the issue of disqualification being spread everywhere is the handiwork of my opponent in All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Chief Victor Umeh.
“Umeh is afraid of election and he thinks the only way he can undo me is through blackmail. No court can disqualify somebody based on party primaries. Nobody disqualified me, nobody has disqualified PDP. The court has ordered fresh election and not re-run and l have started my campaign.

“I am ready for the election. I am in the race to contest and win. No amount of blackmail will stop me because God abhors injustice. Umeh should leave me alone because I am not his problem.

“His problem is the electorate, a greater percentage of whom will not vote for him in the forthcoming fresh poll.”
Ekwunife hinted that the PDP had fixed January 9, 2016 for its party primaries, saying that she was confident that she would still fly the party’s flag to contest the election.

I Switched Loyalty To Atiku Because He Gave Me N500m For Campaign – Bindow

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Adamawa State Governor, Bindow Jibrilla, on Monday gave insight into why he dumped the former governor of the state, Murtala Nyako, and shifted loyalty to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Mr. Bidow, who reportedly rode on the political structure of Mr. Nyako to win the April governorship election, said he decided to pitch tent with Atiku because of a lofty cash gift the former vice president gave him during the campaign.

The governor made the disclosure when he hosted indigenes of Jimeta at the Government House, saying Atiku gave him N500million for his campaign.
“I shifted loyalty to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar because of the N500 million he gave to support my governorship campaign.
“During the campaign, Nyako and his son Abdulazziz were in London. I have no regret over my decision,” he said.
Mr. Bindow accused some “powerful politicians” in the state of attempting to smear his image for his refusal to do their bidding.
“Apart from the money from the headquarters, nobody gave me ten naira during the campaign.
“When the former VP asked me if we had any financial problem, I called the then party state secretary, Abdullahi Bakari, to write and put our campaign demand at N300 million to Mr. Atiku Abubakar.
“It was after the submission that Atiku sent me half a billion naira through Jauro,” the governor stated.
Also confirming the governor’s claim, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Abdulrham Abba, who was part of the delegation, said, “when you have two enemies, you join one to fight the other. So what the governor did was right”.
“We are working with Atiku because we believe in him and his political ideology,” he said.
It is unclear whether the governor disclosed the huge donation made by Atiku to the Independent National Electoral Commission as required by law.
The Electoral Act prohibits individuals from making election contributions beyond N 1million.

Credit : Premium Times

Adamawa Confirms 17 Dead, 41 Injured In Madagali Suicide Bomb Attacks

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), has confirmed the death of 17 persons in Monday’s twin suicide bomb attack in Madagali town.

The Executive Secretary of ADSEMA, Mallam Haruna Furo, who made the confirmation, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Yola that 41 people sustained injuries.
He said that the injured were taken to hospitals in Mubi and Yola.

NAN reports that two female suicide bombers on Monday blew themselves up in a open air market located in a motor park in Madagali.

The Adamawa Government had on Tuesday dispatched an assessment team to Madagali over Monday’s suicide bombing that claimed 17 lives.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh,
“So far we have 17 dead and 41 injured who have been taken to hospitals in Madagali, Mubi and Yola.

“The state government has directed free treatment for the injured,” Sajoh said.
The commissioner urged residents to be more vigilant to prevent such attacks and report suspcious movemnts and objects to securtiy agencies.
Sajoh said that the state government would intensify enlightenment campaign programme in the area to reawaken the people on security consciousness.

See Shark Bite Woman Suffers While At The Beach

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

38-year-old Cristina Ojeda-Thies suffered a shark attack while swimming off the popular resort of Gran Canaria. She tweeted a photo showing the scars on her hand where the shark had sunk its teeth,

‘Today I’ve had a face to face meeting with a shark. Things that happen when you swim in the Canaries in December.’ she tweeted.

Authorities feared the incident could impact tourism and downplayed the incident. Fernando Frias, president of Canary Islands Shark Alliance which promotes shark conservation, said the incident is a ‘one-off’. ‘I doubt something like this will happen again in the next 50 years so people shouldn’t be afraid.’

Ask EFCC To Leave Tompolo Alone, Ex-Militants Beg Buhari

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Former Niger Delta militants, weekend, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to leave ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, alone and follow the rule of law in its dealings with him. The erstwhile agitators, who met under the auspices of the Transformed Niger Delta Ex-militants Forum, asserted that some persons, who were envious of Tompolo, wrote a petition against him to the EFCC, but advised that the commission in the discharge of its duties should respect the rule of law.

In a communiqué signed by its national president, Meshach Bebenimibo and others, they said, “We appeal to the President as a matter of urgency to instruct the EFCC to follow due process within 1999 Constitution as amended.” At the meeting held in Warri were Prince Bebenimibo, Bayelsa , Edo, Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Ondo coordinators of the group, Peter Ayeebide, Austin Peremobowei, Korebor Minama, Anthony Youbai, Oluwah Michael and Oloye Tamarayende.

They said: “We want EFCC to leave Tompolo alone because the petitioners are acting out of jealousy to indict and incarcerate him, that is why they are lying to the whole world that Tompolo sold the land for the building of Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko.”

According to the communiqué, “The petitioners know the truth and the truth is that Tompolo only sold the International Diving Institute buildings at Kurutie community and the place was sand filled before he built the school. Among the structures are lecture halls, multipurpose pavilion, administrative block, vice- chancellor’s lodge and hostels for male and female students.”

“The previous government brought valuers and did all necessary legal things and collected VAT money before paying him about 90 per cent as agreed.

“We also urge EFCC to have a rethink and defreeze Mieka and GlobalWest accounts.” The group, however, commended President Buhari for his interest in the region, particularly the inclusion of fund for the Amnesty programme in the 2016 Budget presented to the National Assembly, saying, “We really appreciate your kind gesture.”

Pregnant CNN Anchor Poppy Harlow Faints on Live Television

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

CNN viewers were thrown into a moment of shock after news anchor Poppy Harlow passed out live on TV on Monday.

The 33-year-old, who is six months pregnant, passed out whilst narrating a breaking news story.

The good news after the scary moment is that she is doing perfectly well with her pregnant baby.

“For all of you on Twitter, who are asking if I’m OK, thank you so much. I got a little hot and I passed out for a moment,” the award winning anchor explained when she reappeared on air minutes later. “I am fine.”

“Our little girl due this spring is doing just fine,” she tweeted to update her followers on her condition. “Was a scare but we are both ok.”

Harlow was named a New York-based CNN correspondent in April 2012. She joined CNN in 2008 and served as the anchor for CNNMoney.com and reported for CNN, CNN International and HLN.

Harlow has won the Gracie Award for best online investigative program or feature and SABEW’s Best in Business award.

Harlow replaced Richard Quest on CNN International.

Watch the video below:

SUV Carrying US Holiday Makers Plunges Into River In South Africa

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Some South Africans living in the US arrived the country yesterday for the yuletide Holiday and were picked up by the driver of the SUV. On their way, the vehicle developed a mechanical fault and caused it to skid off the bridge and plunge into the river. All occupants of the car died. Quite sad. The photos are graphic so *viewer discretion advised*..

Ozil Is Another Bergkamp, Says Wenger

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Arsene Wenger hailed Mesut Ozil as the best player in the Premier League and an equal of Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp following another influential display in a 2-0 win over Bournemouth.

German midfielder Ozil made one goal and scored another at the Emirates Stadium on Monday to help Arsenal back to the top of the table, leaving pundits running out of superlatives to describe his performance.

Ozil’s statistics are astonishing even by his own high standards.

So far this season he has made 16 assists and score five goals in the Premier League -– closing in fast on the all-time record of 20 assists set by another Arsenal great Thierry Henry.

Against Bournemouth he set another mark, too, creating nine goalscoring opportunities for team-mates -– the highest figure registered in the league this season.

No wonder Gunners boss Wenger was happy to suggest his midfielder has been peerless in the league this season.

When asked if Ozil is now the best player in the Premier League, he said simply: “Look at the number of the assists and they speak for him.”

The Frenchman also acknowledged comparison with Dutch forward Bergkamp, who was such an inspiration in Wenger’s early days in north London.

“Bergkamp was more of a goalscorer than him. But now Ozil becomes a goalscorer too. They could be comparable,” he said.

All this from a player who last season was labelled as a luxury by some onlookers, singled out by Henry as a someone who needed to “step up his game” and accused of drifting out of matches by German legend Lothar Matthaus.

Throughout it all, however, Wenger remained staunchly loyal to a player he signed from Real Madrid, insisting that Ozil would eventually become a Footballer of the Year in England.

– Focal point –

“Ozil was the focal point of our team,” Wenger said after goals from the German and defender Gilberto, from an Ozil corner, clinched a crucial victory against Bournemouth that sent Arsenal one point clear at the top of the Premier League.

“I don’t know if it was his best performance, I have seen a few good games from him this season.

“What is important is that he convinces everyone he’s not only a fantasy player, but he’s a player who is ready to work for the team very hard.

“He’s added scoring goals to his assists as well. Overall he’s a complete player.”

Ozil’s transformation into Arsenal’s talisman has been fascinating to watch, but what has impressed most this season is his level of consistency –- and at the age of 27 Wenger does not yet believe he has reached his peak.

“What’s important is that he becomes as good as he can be — and he’s on the way. Is there a lot left? I don’t know but at the minute what he’s doing is absolutely fantastic,” Wenger said.

“In a career you have to be better every game. Some people manage to have that focus, that consistency — and some cannot.

“He shows that he is always consistently going upwards.”

Ozil is not the only player at Arsenal setting records.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech reached a new Premier League mark of 170 clean sheets in his career by keeping out Bournemouth, drawing praise from his manager ahead of a home game against Newcastle on Saturday.

“I think he can be very proud of that,” said Wenger. “It’s a remarkable achievement. People don’t realise how much commitment, how much focus is behind that.

“And on top of that he’s a remarkably talented goalkeeper.

“Consistency for me is the most important achievement for somebody.”

Radio Biafra Transmitters Installed On MTN Masts —FG

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Federal Government has said the transmitters for Radio Biafra, which has been accused of spreading secessionist agenda and campaigning for the carving out of a Biafra Republic from Nigeria, were found to be installed on MTN masts in Enugu and Anambra states.

According to the Federal Government, the installation of the transmitters on the telecommunications company’s masts was to ensure wider coverage for the radio.

The headquarters of the radio station is “presumably in London.”

This is contained in the government’s case summary of the fresh six counts of treason and other ancillary offences instituted against the founder of Radio Biafra and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and two others, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

One of the two other defendants in the six counts filed by the Federal Government is a field maintenance engineer, David Nwawuisi, charged with the responsibility of maintaining the MTN masts in Enugu State.

The other defendant, Benjamin Madubugwu, was said to be living in Ubilisiuzo, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, where he allegedly received custody of a container housing transmitters from Kanu.

On December 23, during the accused persons’ appearance in court for their scheduled arraignment, Kanu refused to take his plea due to what he called his lack of confidence in the presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed.

The judge promptly returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for reassignment to another judge and the three accused persons were returned to the custody of the Department of State Services.

The fresh charges were filed against the three men barely 24 hours after Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in a ruling on Kanu’s bail application on December 17, ordered his unconditional release from DSS custody, having been detained for about two months without any valid charges filed against him.

The Federal Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Mohammed Diri, who signed the fresh charges, the case summary and other processes accompanying them on behalf of the government, alleged that Nwawuisi installed the transmitters on MTN masts “on request by an IPOB member, Chidibere Onwudiwe.”

Diri added, “The 3rd defendant (Nwawuisi), a Field Maintenance Engineer, charged with the responsibility of maintaining MTN masts in Enugu State, was also arrested in the course of the investigation.

“He agreed, on the request of an IPOB member, who is at large, Chidebere Onwudiwe, to install and did install IPOB radio transmitters on MTN masts for a consideration.”

The prosecution alleged that the transmitters were smuggled into Nigeria by Kanu and were discovered during a search in Madubugwu’s residence.

While Kanu was accused of treasonable felony, management of an unlawful society (IPOB), and smuggling of goods, including radio transmitters, into the country, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi were accused of assisting in the management of the said unlawful group.

The prosecution alleged, in the six counts, that the transmitters were installed on the MTN masts between April and May 2015.

Abba Moro In Fresh NIS Project Scam

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, may have short-changed the Federal Government in an e-Pass biometric project involving a private firm, Continental Transfer Technique Limited and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

The biometric project which took off in the country on September 22, 2015 was initiated by the suspended Comptroller-General of Immigration, David Parradang, following a letter to the then Interior minister on December 18, 2014.

But Moro, according to the document obtained by our correspondent, favoured the private firm in the sharing formula for the proceeds of the project, which was based on Private-Public-Partnership arrangement.

The e-Pass project is a scheme designed by the Federal Government to ensure that all non-ECOWAS immigrants that visit Nigeria with a Tourist or Business Visa and intend to stay beyond an aggregate of 56 days in a year are made to pay a certain amount of money, as advised by the Nigerian Immigration Service.

Visitors who stay in the country beyond 56 days but not exceeding 90 days would pay a fee in the equivalent of $200 while 91 days to 180 days will attract a fee equivalent to $1,000, which must be paid to Sterling Bank Plc only.

According to the scheme, an aggregate stay by immigrants beyond 180 days but not exceeding 365 days would attract a fee equivalent of $2,000 while an over-stay without due permission from the Federal Government would attract a penalty, which is 100 per cent of the prescribed fees.

An additional fee of N8, 000 will be charged for each application form by the receiving bank.

Parradang had written a letter to Moro on the e-Pass project, proposing that the government should abolish the issuance of re-entry visa while, adding a $100 fee to the $1000 being charged for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card.

Parradang had proposed that the service provider, CONTEC be given 15 per cent of the $100 added to the CERPAC fee while NIS collects 15 per cent.

The letter partly read, “We wish to further propose that the service provider be given 15 per cent of the $100 added to the CERPAC fee, while NIS collects another 15 per cent and the remaining 70 per cent be paid into government coffers, as is the practice. The foregoing is respectfully submitted for your consideration and approval please.”

But Moro, who signed on the letter, amended the sharing formula by giving 30 per cent to the service provider as against the 15 per cent suggested by the immigration service.

Ribadu Visits Akande, May Defect To APC

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Sunday held a private meeting with a former Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande.

Ribadu, who contested the 2011 presidential election on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, visited Akande at his residence in Ila-Orangun on Sunday evening and discussed with him for a few hours.

The visit had sparked rumour of the possibility of the defection of the former anti-graft boss to the ruling APC.

A highly-placed source in the APC in Osun State told our correspondent on Sunday that Ribadu visited Akande in company with the National Secretary of the APC, Mai Bala Buni.

The source, who preferred not to be mentioned because he was not authorised to speak for the party, said, “He was there on Sunday. I was told he (Ribadu) and the national secretary of the APC visited Chief Akande together.

“It is difficult to say if he is defecting to our party because I was not there but we won’t ask him not to come if he wants to come.”

The Director of Publicity and Strategy of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Mr. Diran Odeyemi, when contacted, said he heard that Ribadu visited Akande.

Odeyemi, however, berated the former anti-corruption agency boss for allegedly “going back and forth.”

He said, “I was told he visited Ila-Orangun but is Ila his local government, where he is supposed to announce his defection?

“Ribadu has never proved to be a loyal party man. He joined the PDP from the ACN and he is going back now. He is not somebody to be depended upon when it comes to politics.”

Ribadu was a governorship candidate of the PDP in Adamawa State in the April 11, 2015 election.

After the meeting, Ribadu said he was at Ila-Orangun to reconnect with Akande, who he described as a father and statesman.

“Baba Akande is a very important person to all of us. He is a father in the true sense of the word. From the day I decided to venture into politics, I have benefited from his guidance and wisdom.

“I have not seen Baba in a long time, so I feel this is a good time to come and greet him at home. Of course, I have never been far away from Baba’s fountain of wisdom. Party differences cannot be a reason to abandon old ties,” Ribadu said.

He eulogised Akande, a former Osun State governor, and the people of the community while recalling the overwhelming support and affection he was shown by the people of Osun State during his 2011 presidential bid.

Akande said Ribadu’s visit was not political.

“As an extended member of this community, I said he should come and greet you,” he said.