Nigerian Army on Friday said the troops of 81 Battalion and 251 Task Force Battalion of 25 Task Force Brigade, 7 Division have destroyed the spiritual power base of Boko Haram located inside Alagarno forest in Borno State.
The Army also announced in a statement the rescue of 63 persons who were in the captivity of the sect during separate operations at Lawin Meleri, Matiri Bulaka and Aljeri villages. Five members of Boko Haram were killed, the Army said.
Credit: Thisday
There is a usually predictable, almost robotic, pattern of reaction to any story in which an individual or a group from the north of Nigeria is a major character. This is the error of contemptuous
Court refuses application by Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) seeking to quash the charges against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for disobeying a court order granting him bail.
The trail judge, Justice Peter Affem, held that contrary to the application by Colonel Dasuki, it was the Department of State Services (DSS), which was not a party in the suit that arrested Colonel Dasuki and not the EFCC.
He agreed with the anti-graft agency that it had not flouted any part of the orders releasing the former National Security Adviser (NSA) on bail.
Justice Affem also held that even though the EFCC and the DSS were Agencies of the Federal Government, the action of one agency could not count for that of the other.
“They were set up under separate laws and have separate responsibilities in ensuring law and order in the country,” he stressed.
“To this end, the application fails in its entity.”
The Judge also rejected the prayer by the former NSA to in the alternative “stay proceedings in the trial, pending when the Department of State Services complies with the order of the court which released him on bail, on the grounds that stay of proceedings are ordered only as a matter of law and not procedures”.
Credit: ChannelsTv
The Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday raised the alarm that about $20bn (N3.94tn) was lying idle in different domiciliary accounts of the citizens.
The Deputy Governor, Financial System Surveillance, CBN, Dr. Joseph Nnana, stated this during a meeting of the Joint Appropriation Committees of the National Assembly with government officials on the 2016 budget.
Nnana said, “Distinguished chairman sir, we have $20bn lying idle in various domiciliary accounts of many customers at the various banks across the country.“This is part of the reasons why the naira has continued to slide against the US dollar.”
He alleged that some privileged Nigerians were behind the consistent slide in the value of the naira by embarking on dollar speculation to the detriment of the local currency.
The CBN deputy governor, however, expressed the hope that the passage of the 2016 budget would put a stop to the unrestrained drop in the value of the naira.
Credit: Punch
The family and friends of Patience Paul, a 15-year old girl who was allegedly abducted and forced into a marriage in Sokoto, will meet with the police this morning.
Isaac Paul, the girl’s brother, said over the phone that they would also meet with Imam Imam, Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s spokesperson.
“The meeting is holding by 10 a.m. at the police headquarters in Sokoto,” Mr. Paul, 28, said.
The Sokoto State government on Thursday launched an ?investigation into the alleged abduction and forced marriage of Miss Paul.
Mr. Imam said on Thursday that the government had been unable to contact the victim’s family to shed more light on the allegation.
“In the interim, the Human Rights Commission was asked to present an interim report and update the public with all information as it becomes available,” Mr. Imam said.
Credit: PremiumTimes
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered NN10,061,172,600 from the National Broadcasting Commission(NBC) being alleged inflation of collateral funds meant for Digital Set-Top -Boxes.
The commission is set to prosecute a former Director-General of NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba and three others.
Also to face trial is the NBC’s Director of Finance, Mr. Patrick Areh, who received a curious transfer of N390million and another N20million cash gift from the contract sum.
Others are the Managing Director, Technology Advisor, Mr. Basil Udotai, and the Managing Director of In-View Technology Limited and D-Vine Partners Limited, Mr. Babatunji Amure.
According to EFCC’s investigation, NBC under Mba defied the Federal Government’s directive of August 7, 2015 on Treasury Single Account (TSA) to divert N15,038,400,000, out of N34,114,500,000 received from MTN for Spectrum Band Width, to finance the contract for the Digital Set-Top -Boxes.
Out of the diverted N15,038,400,000 as collateral security to Zenith Bank Plc, EFCC investigators discovered that only N4,977,227,400 was needed.
The commission said “only eight (8) out of the 12 companies opened letter of credit amounting to N3,739,727,400.00 while the sum of N1,237,400,000 was for the Digital Access Fees making a total of N4,977,227,400.”
The EFCC said after a reconciliation meeting with the Ministry of Information and Zenith Bank Plc, it was “agreed that N10,061,172,600 was in excess and should be recovered by the EFCC.”
Mba and others will face trial for non-compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on TSA, abuse of the Procurement Law, and award of contracts beyond the N50million spending limit of the DG of NBC.
Credit: Nation
The father of Ese Oruru, the 14-year-old girl who was allegedly abducted, forcefully converted to Islam and married by Yinusa Dahiru, a Kano indigene, yesterday confirmed everyone’s worst fears that his teenage daughter had been impregnated possibly by her abductor.
Charles Oruru, in a brief conversation with newsmen, confirmed that his daughter was truly pregnant, but added that he had left the next course of action on her abduction to the government and law enforcement agencies.
He said however that his daughter was hale and hearty, though he expressed his profound sadness that the issue had become more complex with the pregnancy.
Both parents, Rose and Charles, who have become the cynosure of all eyes since the saga attained national prominence, had deserted their family home located in Opolo, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
It was learnt that they stayed away to stave off media interest in the issue that has dominated national discourse in the last one week.
A visit to the family house showed that the entire area occupied by the Orurus was under lock and key. Their neighbours said no member of the family had been seen since the break of dawn yesterday.
But reporters were eventually able to get through to Charles Oruru, whose phone number was switched off most of on Thursday.
“My daughter is hale and hearty. I have seen her and she’s very fine,” Mr Oruru said. When pressed further whether the rumour was true that his daughter was pregnant, he said: “That is it.”
Oruru, who is in his fifties, was obviously agitated by the questions and sought a quick end to the conversation, but not before he added that he had left the prosecution of the young man to the authorities.
Credit: Thisday
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has resolved to visit President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja with a charter of demands.
The resolution was adopted after a meeting of some members at the private residence of one of their leaders in Enugu, yesterday.
Among the issues they resolved to present to Buhari for urgent attention included the reconstruction of the Enugu- Umuahia- Port Harcourt Road, the Enugu- Onitsha express road, appointment of more Special and Senior Special Assistants or Assistants as Igbo are not represented in his government, as well as the completion of the Second Niger Bridge to end the ongoing agitation for Biafra Republic.
Apart from these, they also resolved to ask the President to set up the Eastern Nigeria Development Commission, ENDC, to handle the issue of unemployment of Igbo youths which they said was responsible for the continued agitation for the Biafran Republic by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as reportedly requested by Governor Rochas Okorocha during the reconciliation meeting between the two former factions of Ohanaeze led by Chief Enwo Igariwey and Ralph Obioha respectively.
Okorocha was alleged to have pledged to take “Ohanaeze to the river,” during the reconciliatory meeting of the two factions in Owerri, the Imo State capital about two weeks ago.
Sources close to the meeting told Vanguard in Enugu that other matters which came up included the search for a new chairman of the group following the end of the tenure of present executive led by Igariwey.
Meanwhile, IPOB members have reacted to the outcome of the Ohanaeze meeting, saying that “some Igbo politicians who are using IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu (its detained leader) or Biafra to get cheap popularity will fail and advised them to stop doing so with immediate effect.” In three separate statements, IPOB listed Igbo leaders like Chief T. A Orji, Rochas Okorocha, Emeka Offor, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Ike Ekweremadu, Chukwuma Soludo, Ralph Uwazuruike, Okezie Ikpazu, Onwuka Ukwa as well as Ohanaeze Ndigbo” as among individuals and groups working against its interest.
According to IPOB, “the Ohanaeze Ndigbo was looking for access to Buhari for the selfish interest of its members adding that they were using the blood of dead Biafrans to enrich its members.”
Those who signed the statements were Emma Mmezu and Clifford Iroanya.
Also, in the second statement entitled, “THE STRANGE DECISION TO CONTINUE PLAYING WITH FIRE,” they said, “The well- rehearsed attempt by Joe Nwaogu, Ohanaeze scribe to deny their attempt to stifle the demand for freedom by all peace loving people, while using the IPOB agitation as an “Open Sesame” to have access to Aso Villa is actually childish. Nwaogu lied when he claimed the U.S. Consular General also visited other zones. Truth is the IPOB agitations informed the U.S. delegation’s visit to the South East. They did not visit nor have intention to visit other zones.
Credit : Vanguard
Hajia Aisha Abubakar, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, has assured small scale entrepreneurs in the country of Federal Government’s support in addressing the challenges facing them.
The minister gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja when a delegation from the Association of Micro Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (AMEN) paid her a courtesy visit.
She said that small scale enterprises were critical to the government’s employment generation and wealth creation agenda, hence the need to accord them utmost priority.
While lauding the association’s contributions to the country’s economic development, the minister promised that government would assist them in awareness creation, access to credit facilities and market access opportunities, among others.
“This administration is talking about diversification, industrialisation, employment generation and wealth creation, and we have an organisation like you doing things in this direction.
“We have heard your message and we promise to do whatever we can to assist you especially when it comes to the sensitisation aspect of what AMEN is doing,’’ she said.
Earlier, the National President of AMEN, Mr Prince Iche, said that the association was made up of small scale entrepreneurs engaged in various lines of production and services.
He said that members of the association had contributed over 4,000 consumer products to the local market.
Iche enumerated the challenges facing the association to include poor patronage of locally made products, high cost of business registration and product certification, lack of market access opportunities, among others.
In a remark, Mr Bature Masari, the Director-General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), commended the association for helping to create the needed employment in the country.
Masari noted that small scale enterprises were key to actualising sustainable national economic development with the needed government support.
“The needs of this critical sector are not very difficult to meet. They are mainly to facilitate easy business and production activities.
“They also include facilitation of their access to finance; we are doing a lot in this regard in collaboration with the Bank of Industry.
“But with additional support from the ministry and the country’s leadership, we can do a lot better,’’ the SMEDAN D-G said.
Mr Ibrahim Magu, the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has solicited the support of journalists in the fight against corruption in the country.
He made the request when he visited the Correspondent Chapel at the NUJ Press Centre in Kano on Thursday.
He said the Commission found it necessary to seek for the support and cooperation of journalists in order to ensure the success of the crusade.
He added that “what we are doing is for Nigeria and not for our personal interest, hence our decision as stakeholders to seek for your support.
“We appreciate your support but we want you to give us more support by educating people, especially at the grassroots on the ills of corruption.”
According to him, the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to the fight against corruption in the country.
“We now have the appropriate political will to fight corruption. We can only blame ourselves if we fail to perform,” Magu said.
He, however, urged journalists to monitor the activities of the EFCC with a view to providing useful suggestions on how to correct its mistakes
and shortcomings.
He said “I always welcome useful criticisms, so I want you to monitor us and to constructively criticise and analyse how we operate.”
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ Kano State Council and Chairman of the Correspondent Chapel, Malam Aduljalal Haruna and Mr Edwin Olufu, expressed the readiness of journalists in the state to support the Commission to achieve the desired objective.
(NAN)
The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, said the Federal Government would only borrow from the lowest cost debt providers to fund the deficit in the 2016 budget.
Adeosun said this on Thursday in Abuja while addressing the Senate Committee on Appropriation, chaired by Sen. Danjuma Goje.
She said that the decision was for government to easily service the debts as high cost debts would be counter productive in view of the nation’s economic realities.
“We know that there is a need, because of the budget deficit, to borrow but what I will like to assure you is that borrowing is going to be responsible as possible.
“What we have done is to approach the lowest cost debt providers first; we have secured loan with the China Exim bank at less than two per cent.
“We have secured loan facility with World Bank 1.5% concessioner loan with long moratorium period before we have to start repaying and at low interest rate,” she said.
The minister added that the ministry had made some projections around the nation’s revenue beyond the use of the sources of revenue which were oil proceeds, customs and taxes.
She said that to fund the 2016 budget, independently generated revenue would be quite significant in financing it.
“We believe that is one of the opportunities that the lower price has given us that we are now focusing on the non-oil revenue.
“We are aggressively looking at ministries, departments, agencies on board to understand what their true revenue base is and to know how much they are contributing to the wider economy.
“We have set in process in the ministry of finance a very rigorous framework of revenue management and to actually monitor revenue.
“We are beginning to roll those out into other agencies of government that collect revenue of any description,” she said.
The House of Representatives on Thursday said the Miners Association of Nigeria needed serious intervention for the country to benefit from other sectors of the economy apart from oil and gas.
Rep. Adams Jagaba (Kaduna-APC) who represented the Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Rep. Datti Garba, said this while receiving members of the association in Abuja.
Jagaba advised the association to find out available funds in the relevant agencies and report back to the committee to enable it to do a follow up in accessing fund for its members.
“Do a little research and come for an interactive session for the committee to be well informed and assist the association in getting funds.
“If there is any legislation we are going to do to ease the accessibility of the fund or sponsor a bill, we will do that,” he said.
Rep. Henry Nwawuba (Imo-PDP) said that “we will be looking at you in developing the road map; maybe there is an existing road map.
“When next we sit with you, we should be able to know that we have stopped the importation of barite.
“As legislators we can give you legislative solutions, we can back it up law we can enforce during oversight.
“A lot unfortunately is still going to come from you,” he said.
According to him, “We need a serious intervention. You know there is N220 billion in Small Medium Enterprises fund.”
He also said that NEXIM bank had 450 million dollars and only two miners were able to access the loan to the point that they almost returned the fund.
He added that Nigeria had miners association who needed to access the fund.
“This is the time to really sit down and work and come up with a documentation; put up the processes and policies in place that can drive the sector.
“We are ready to work with you,” he said.
Alhaji Sani Shehu, President of the association, said the government should invest in mining for the economic benefit of the country.
“The government should fund this development and ensure we get it for the purpose of mining in Nigeria.
“The association is developing the miners mechanisation programme which will source machinery and we are talking with the NEXIM bank.
“We give these machinery to small scale miners to pay, maybe in 10 years and also hire to others,” he said.
(NAN)
Kwara Government says it plans to establish a special secondary school to take care of the needs of gifted and talented children in each of the three senatorial zones of the state.
Alhaji Musa Yeketi, Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, stated this on Thursday in Ilorin during the weekly post State Executive Council Meeting press briefing.
He said the schools would be established one after the other, while his Ministry would later work out other details concerning admission criteria.
The commissioner said the government has approved the establishment of five Government Technical Secondary Schools and International Vocational Centre, Ajasse-Ipo.
He explained that students at the vocational centre would sit for the Federal Ministry of Labour Trade Test Grade III and II.
The commissioner said the Trade Test Grade III and II Certificates would be in addition to the conventional London City and Guild Certificate Examination.
Yeketi explained that the objectives were to make holders of both certificates internationally employable, self employed and job creators as against current trend of being job seekers.
In another development, the State Social and Welfare Directorate has been exorcised from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Culture and Tourism, and merged with that of the Ministry of Women Affairs.
Hajia Ayinke Saka, Commissioner for Women Affairs who disclosed this at the media briefing ,said the two affected ministries have been renamed.
Saka said her ministry will now be known as Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, while the other has been rechristened as Ministry of Art, Culture and Tourism.
The commissioner said the exercise was for harmonisation of duties and responsibilities.
She said it would enable her ministry effectively coordinate issues affecting the vulnerable groups in the society such as women, children, physically and mentally challenged persons.
(NAN)
Mr Desmond Akawo, the Administrator, Greater Port Harcourt City Authority, said on Thursday in Port Harcourt, that the master plan of the city would be reviewed in line with global best practices.
Akawo who spoke during an interaction with journalists,
said that the Phase 1 of the city, which would be ready in the next two years, must satisfy the requirements of a modern city.
Akawo noted that the master plan was overdue for review, having been over eight years, adding that it is imperative to make Greater Port Harcourt a mega city.
He said that the new city was based on a vision of decongesting the old city.
Akawo said that the Authority had embarked on the construction of a mega road project, which would link Onne Sea Port with Port Harcourt International Airport.
‘’The Greater Port Harcourt City Authority has started the construction of M-10 Road with five lanes on each side, linking Onne with International Airport, Port Harcourt.
‘’Water scheme of the Phase 1 Area of the city is almost completed. The first thing we did when I came on board was to move to Igwuruta as our head office,’’ Akawo said.
He said that the Authority would not fail to install CCTV in all the sensitive locations in the new city for adequate security of lives and property.
Akawo explained that it had always been the vision of the Authority to allow satellite cities like Eleme, Degema, among others to develop at their paces.
According to him, Rivers is like a one city state, adding that the concept is to create satellite towns to decongest Port Harcourt.
(NAN)
The Oyo State Government has faulted claims by some corporate organisations that they are sponsoring the coronation of the Olubadan-Designate, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, billed for Friday.
The state government said in Ibadan on Thursday that the coronation committee headed by the Otun Olubadan, Dr Lekan Balogun, was the only recognised body vested with preparations for the coronation.
Mr Yomi Layinka, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, said this while speaking with newsmen.
“This committee comprises representatives of the Olubadan-in-council, Iyalode and Olubadan designate’s younger brother, Alhaji Ambali Adetunji,” he said.
Layinka, who heads the media sub-committee for the coronation, said that top government officials led by a former Secretary to the State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli, were also part of the committee.
He said that the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency, which is responsible for giving approvals for mounting billboards, had not received any application from any corporate organisation in respect of the coronation.
Layinka warned that the law enforcement agencies had been put on alert to watch out for illegal display of billboards under the guise of sponsorship of the coronation.
“We need to make a categorical statement that no organisation is mandated or authorised to be branded as sponsors of the Olubadan inauguration ceremony.
“No sponsor has been accredited to manage or brand the event surrounding the coronation ceremony of Olubadan of Ibadan scheduled for the March 4,” he said.
” We understand that a purported advisory group to the Olubadan-Designate has been soliciting support and collaborating with some individuals.
“This is aimed at raising funds and seeking branding and marketing opportunities surrounding the event.
“It should be noted that there is no such accreditation from the recognised coronation committee led by High Chief Lekan Balogun and other high chiefs and government representatives.
“But, the committee will still be willing to do business with them if they follow due process,’’ he said.
PDP Deputy National Chairman Uche Secondus, has expressed optimism that he would get justice in the ongoing investigation into allegation of receiving cars as gift from his friend.
Secondus made the statement in Abuja on Thursday while addressing newsmen on his detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It will be recalled that Secondus was invited by the EFCC on Feb. 23 to clarify issues related to ongoing investigation by the commission.
Secondus said that he was confronted with allegation of receiving some cars from Mr Jide Omokore who had been his friend for more than 20 years.
“I admitted to them that Mr Jide Omokore has given me car gifts on several occasions in the last 10 years for my personal use.
“I want to state categorically that what I received from my friend, Jide Omokore were cars and buses supplied by a well-known car company, Skymit Motors apparently from credit facility Omokore has with the company.
“I don’t have any knowledge of the so-called transaction the investigators are alleging he had with the NNPC,’’ he said.
The PDP chieftain expressed dismay that the facts of the matter under investigation had been grossly misrepresented in the media.
He said that he was granted bail under stringent conditions after eight days in detention.
“Since the EFCC did not establish any case against me, I find my needless detention a clear case of witch-hunt and pure political persecution.
“My immediate concern is the denial of my fundamental human rights, excessive physical incarceration and the orchestrated negative media campaign completely skewed against those being investigated.
“Nevertheless, I hereby restate my confidence in the rule of law and the relevant institutions for the resolution of this matter on its merit in the interest of justice,’’ he said.
(NAN)
Implementation of N500 billion intervention fund contained in the 2016 budget proposal will not be feasible since there are no clear implementation strategies, the joint committee on Appropriation has said.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Sen. Danjuma Goje, made the statement on Thursday in Abuja.
He spoke at an interactive session with Ministry of Budget and Planning, Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Accountant General’s Office and other stakeholders in the economy.
Goje noted that though the executive gave explanations about the implementation strategies, they were not satisfactory.
“There is no detailed, clear cut structure laid down for implementation of this project because what we have in this budget is N300 billion recurrent and N200 billion capital.
“We had to push hard yesterday to get some details which were not convincing.
“For instance, the explanation we got was that N5, 000 would be given to one million Nigerians.
“Who would choose the one million people, what structures you have in place to make sure that you choose the right people.
“You want to give money to about one million market women or there about and in my place we do not have many market women.
“How would they choose the market women that would represent all interests.
“We have not got clear explanations to these numerous issues surrounding the implementation of this programme.
“Even the afternoon school feeding contained in the budget is not feasible because some students study under non conducive environment. Will feeding them enhance their learning,’’ he said.
Goje pointed out that while the National Assembly was in support of the programme, implementing it in 2016 might not be feasible.
He suggested that the money be added to the budgetary allocation for sectors like power, transport and health, while those responsible would map out better strategy against 2017.
“We are all happy with the programme and I am a party man to the core but what needs to be done, needs to be done very well.
“I think there is a need to do greater work on implementation; otherwise this money will go down the drain.
“We support this programme; we want Mr President to succeed; we want our party to succeed; we want to continue to win election but we want the programme to be successful.
“So, we want you to come up with workable implementation strategeies, otherwise there are so many things that require attention in this country.
“We would rather use this money to solve our problem; use this year to do very sound ground work for implementation so that the programme can take off next year,’’ he said.
The chairman reiterated the need for more budgetary allocation to agriculture and solid mineral sectors in view of the emphasis on diversification.
“We believe that N9 billion cannot diversify solid mineral and N43 billion cannot diversify agriculture.’’
Responding, the Minister of Budget and Planning, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma, said that the special intervention programme was a political commitment which the present administration would not hesitate to fulfill.
He promised to meet with relevant stakeholders to discuss on better strategies for its implementation.
“You can be sure that before it is rolled out, the National assembly would be consulted,’’ he said.
On diversification, the minister said that the N9 billion allocated to solid minerals and N43 billion to agriculture would help to create an enabling environment for private investment.
He said the Federal Government did not have any intention of being an investor.
“What the government does is to provide enabling environment and infrastructure,’’ he said.
Udoma explained that the 2016 budget was zero based, adding that it did not mean that there would not be ceiling as obtained in the envelop system.
He clarified that zero based budgeting meant that each project must be justified by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) before they are included in the budget.
The minister said that there would be mid term review of the budget in the event that the 38 dollars per barrel benchmark and provisions in the budget were not realisable.
(NAN)
Mrs Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, the Managing Director, Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) said measures were being taken to ensure end to fuel scarcity across the country.
Nnamdi- Ogbue made this known while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
“Right now, we have about eight vessels coming in, each of which ranges between 30,000 to 40,000 metric tonnes capacity, and these should be more than enough to ensure sufficiency.
” On Wednesday alone, over one thousand trucks were loaded and trucked out by the majors marketers and PPMC, ” she said.
According to her, about 400 intervention trucks are being used to service marketers.
This, she said, was to ensure fuel supply in their filling stations, especially in Abuja and Lagos, where they consume about 60 per cent of daily national consumption figures.
Nnamdi-ogbue further noted that there were people trucking out fuel from Port Harcourt, Warri, Ogarra, Calabar as alternative sources for Lagos.
She assured that all efforts were being made to ensure that by weekend, all these problems of scarcity would be a thing of the past.
“We share in the pains of all motorists, all Nigerians,” she said.
Nnamdi-Ogbue said efforts were being intensified to break the strong hold of corruption and all those engaged in sharp practices.
“Right now, more than 300 trucks should be arriving Abuja and we are tracking them to ensure that they duly arrive here.
“We have our staff all over, monitoring to make sure that the volumes brought in are actually discharged,” she said.
She noted that in most of the major or strategic stations, products were sold twenty-four hours, adding that this will help to bring about normalcy in the system.
(NAN)
Former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), has restated his desire to have free access to his lawyers to enable him defend himself and clear allegations on the criminal charges of unlawful possession of fire arms brought against him by the Federal Government. Dasuki told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the Federal Government no longer had moral and legal rights to continue his trial, having disobeyed the order of bail granted him since November 3, 2015. According to his counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), Dasuki premised his prayer on the fact that the government was in contempt of the court in relation to the charges filed against him.
Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.): Former NSA Daudu, while arguing the motion, claimed that since November 3, 2015, when his client was re-arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, after perfecting the bail conditions, he had since been held in custody without trial or reasons made known to him. The counsel insisted that the order that admitted Dasuki to bail remained valid, having not been reviewed or set aside by the court, and, as such, must be obeyed in the interest of justice.
He claimed that his client could not be lawfully prosecuted by government because his right to prepare adequately for his defence, as enshrined in the bail and the constitution, had been violated, having been kept away from his lawyers. The counsel also stated that Section 36 of the 1999 constitution presumed his client innocent until guilt had been established against him. He noted that for now, the provision of the law had been turned upside down by his re-arrest without trial since last year.
He said: “We must state here that since his re-arrest at the Kuje Prison after perfecting his bail condition, we have not been allowed access to him. We are at the crossroads and only the court can right the wrong in this matter so that the defendant will have time and facilities to defend himself. “Investors are watching the court and the situation, especially where government is choosing to disobey a lawful court.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and we must not send a wrong signal to the outside world that we have no regard for the rule of law.” He, therefore, urged the court to prohibit the trial of Dasuki until government did the needful. However, in his opposition to the application, counsel to the Federal Government, Mr. Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), urged the court not to grant the application because its purpose was to frustrate the trial and restrain the power to prosecute a criminal charge. Okpeseyi claimed that the bail granted the defendant did not prohibit his re-arrest in connection with any other matter.
The House of Representatives, on Thursday, said it would do everything to ensure that the murderers of a Nigerian, Timothy Chinedu, in South Africa, faced the law.
Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje (Abia-PDP), disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja, after a closed door meeting with members of Nigeria Union, South Africa, on Thursday.
The lawmaker said that due to the recent killings of Nigerians in that country, there was urgent need for Nigerian Parliament to meet with their South African counterpart on the issue.
“We spoke concerning the Nigerian boy who was killed and it is something the parliament will continue to put pressure until the killers are brought to book.
“In fact, we have had riots and a lot of extra-judicial killing of Nigerians, culminating in the very tragic murder of the Nigerian a month ago.
“We have seen that there is no institutionalised help coming from the government of South Africa in the same way that Nigeria offers institutional help.
“Aside from the violation of MTN, the Nigerian Government still overlooked some fines which the South African companies ought to have paid,” she said.
According to her, I think it is Nigeria’s commitment to building and growing Africa that informed the good will that Nigeria shows.
Elendu-Ukeje emphasised the fact that it was heart-breaking that Nigerians who live in South Africa constantly complain about institutional discrimination against them.
“We are very glad that the President of South Africa is going to visit Nigeria very soon. I think that underscores the closeness of both governments.
“Unfortunately, as our governments are getting closer, it will seem that the citizens are getting farther apart.
“I think this is the role the parliament can play, where our parliament engages the parliament of South Africa in a constructive way to show to them what Nigeria has done to promote brotherliness among African people.
“This is expected to be reciprocated,” she said.
The lawmaker also said that the Nigerian foreign policy was about taking care of the plight of Nigerians outside the country.
Also speaking to NAN, President of Nigeria Union, South Africa, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, said that the meeting was a fruitful and that they hoped for more engagement with the committee.
“The President of South Africa is coming soon, which is one of the reasons why we are here so that the situation of affairs of our people will be presented through the platform.
“The Nigerians in South Africa are expecting a lot from us and from our government as they are going about their businesses peacefully, though everything is calm for now.
“I want the Nigerians in South Africa to continue to be law-abiding, to continue to be hard working as the challenges we are having would be sorted out soon, ” he said.
(NAN)
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has directed the state’s Human Rights Commission to wade into the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old Miss Patience Paul, on August 12, 2015. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, This came as Pan-Idoma group, Opiatoha K ‘Idoma, yesterday, pleaded with the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Inspector General, Solomon Arase, to intervene and ensure the girl was released without delay. The governor’s directive came against the backdrop of reports of forcible abduction of the Benue-born girl, who was alleged to be held in the palace of the Sultan. The governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said the commission should conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and report to him.
The statement read: “On the case of alleged forceful abduction/forceful conversion of 15-year-old Patience Paul from Benue State, in Sokoto State, I wish to make the following statement. “On Wednesday, March 2, Governor Aminu Tambuwal directed the state Human Rights Commission to undertake a thorough investigation into the allegations and report same to the government. “In the interim, the Human Rights Commission was asked to present an interim report and update the public with all information as it becomes available. “In the first 24 hours, the Commission has contacted the Sultanate Council and the state police command for a briefing.
Kidnapped Patience Adaji “The Commission has also spoken to the state Hisbah Commission, as well as the person whose phone number was given in the initial allegation made online. “Despite efforts, however, the Rights Commission has been unable to contact the family of Patience Paul or anyone who will shed more light on the allegations. “It has now opened a public plea, urging Ms Paul’s family or representatives to contact it for a detailed briefing.”
Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Thursday said the Federal Government’s transportation policy was geared towards the growth of the industry and job creation.
El-Rufai made the assertion when he paid a courtesy visit to the corporate office of Arik Air in Lagos.
“Transportation is important. The Federal Government is aware of that and we need to all advocate for the creation of appropriate policy environment for the growth of the transportation industry.
“Aviation is a key part of that inter-modal system of transportation. The government is aware and it will do the right thing,’’ he said.
According to him, the purpose of the visit is to find out how the Kaduna State Government can partner with Arik Air, which is the largest indigenous airline operator in Nigeria.
The governor therefore, called for the resumption of Arik Air’s overnight flight to Kaduna which was stopped in September 2015 and also increased frequency in its flight operations to the state.
“We are trying as a state government to improve our economic environment by eliminating multiple-taxation by appointing a single agency to collect taxes on behalf of the state.
“We are focused on how many jobs we can encourage or create everyday.
Our visit is to further reassure you that we will continue to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive,’’ El-Rufai added.
Responding, the Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air, Capt. Ado Sanusi, said aviation was the catalyst for economic growth of any state, adding that it was a key factor in transportation.
Sanusi assured the governor that Arik Air would soon resume its overnight flight and also increase its flight frequency to the state.
“Kaduna is an important market to Arik. It is one of the routes we started immediately the airline was formed,’’ he said.
According to him, the airline will continue to partner the government in various ways that will be mutually beneficial to both parties.
He, however, appealed to El-Rufai to prevail on the Federal Government to create policies that would support indigenous carriers and also address the infrastructure decay in most airports in the country.
(NAN)
A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Dr. Ogboji Kelechi, has died of Lassa fever in Kaduna State. The Nation gathered that Dr. Kelechi who was serving at St Louis Hospital in Zonkwa, Zango Kataf local government area of Kaduna State, contacted the disease from one of his patients.
He hailed from Ebonyi State.
The Director General of NYSC, Brig Gen JB Olawunmi, in a statement extolled the selfless service of the late medical doctor, while the DG described the deceased as an exceptional corps member who was fully dedicated to his duties and in the process paid the supreme price.
The Commisssioner for Health in Jigawa, Dr Abba Umar, on Thursday, said the state was investing in reforming the
Primary Health Care (PHC) centres in the 288 political wards.
Umar disclosed this in Abuja during a news conference on “Addressing the High Rates of Malnutrition in Northern Nigeria”.
He said that Jigawa had been rated among states with high ratio of malnourished children, adding that interventions on nutrition required the services of the PHC centres.
He added that “malntrition is mainly a problem of Northern Nigeria and it should be a wake-up call for stakeholders in the region.
“The Jigawa Government is working on health sector reforms to ensure that primary health care centres in the 288 political wards in the state
are fully working.
“We will ensure that drugs for treatment are available, antenatal receives the required attention and ensure a good referral system.
“We are going to ensure that primary health care programmes like malaria, HIV/AIDS are fully running.”
The commissioner, who said that the health sector had second highest budget allocation in the state, urged other states in the northern part of the country to adjust thier budgets to support nutrition programmes.
Umar, however, observed that states with high rate of malnourished children in the North had established departments for nutrition.
According to him, the Federal Government is elaborating the National Nutrition Policy for the welfare of severe acute malnourished children.
He said that the National Council on Health would soon converge to discuss issues on health and nutrition.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a research on “Working to Improve Nutrition in Northern Nigeria (WINNN)” had revealed that Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Yobe and Zamfara had the highest number of malnourished children in the country.
(NAN)
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh?, who is being accused of diverting N3.9billion Nigeria Airforce Funds while he was in office. EFCC had filed a 10-count charge on him before the court. Hearing on the case which was supposed to have started today March 3rd, was postponed till March 7th due to the absence of the trial Judge, Justice Abang Okon, who was out of town.
A couple who are collectively 71.4 inches tall have just missed out on the Guinness World Record for world’s smallest married couple. Pramod Kumar, 47, finally found love with Poonam Devi, 33, after a 22-year search and they got married in a traditional Indian ceremony in Uttar Pradesh, India last week.
He is 2’7″ and she is 3’4″ and their combined height is just 0.4 inches taller than the current record holders.
That honour goes to Douglas Maistre Breger da Silva and his wife Claudia Pereira Rocha, who measure a combined 71 inches.
But Kumar isn’t fussed about narrowly missing out on the record, which would have seen them become minor celebrities in their home country, known for its obsession with record breaking.
Kumar said: “A local villager helped us meet because he knew that both of us were single. It was love at first sight for me. We fell in love right after our first meeting. Things between us moved forward quickly and we got married within a few days. I am pleased to have met my life’s love and wouldn’t change anything.”
Devi added: “I was very lonely in life before meeting Pramod. He is an incredible man. I can only thank my stars for this gift that I have got in my husband.”
The couple say that local villagers who bully them because of their heights are jealous of their happiness now.
The two lovebirds got married in an elaborate wedding ceremony and are looking forward to having proper jobs so that they can build a home and family.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, on Thursday said that a major overhaul of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) system would be announced in the next one week.
Kachikwu stated that NNPC would be unbundled to four or five main operational zones comprising 30 companies to be headed by a director each.
He stated this in his remarks at the 2016 Annual Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum organised by Society of Petroleum Engineering (SPE) Nigeria Council.
“For the national oil company, a lot of work is going on; I am sure some of you have seen the effects.
“But within the next one week, we are going to be announcing some really major overhaul of the system; one that hasn’t been done in over 20 years.
“The effect of that would be to quite frankly unbundle the huge company into four to five main operational zones.
“The upstream, downstream, midstream, refining and of course every other companies that are trending to the venture group,” he said.
According to him, but what is more important is that at the same time, “we are also unbundling the subsets of these companies to close to about 30 independent companies with their own managing directors”.
He said that titles like the group executive directors which people had been used to in the last 30 years would disappear and would be replaced with chief executive officers.
Kachikwu said that there was the need for people to take responsibilities for their titles.
“They have to mean something; they are not administrative roles. So at the end of the day, a CEO of an upstream company must deliver me upstream results.
“We are very focused on that and along those chains; we are doing very dramatic things within the sector to bring the change.
“I am happy that we are gaining the cooperation of people within the industry; that is the only way we can guarantee sustainable career path for those in the industry.
“We are potentially moving in a direction where quite frankly for the first time in about 15 years, this company will be profitable,” he said.
The minister said that the step was a tip of the iceberg because the unbundling of the 30 companies would make the sector more competitive.
“By the time these 30 companies are unbundled with their managing directors setting programmes, you are going to meet us in the active work space.
“We are going to be competing and we are going to make these things work,” he said.
He said that there were key issues that were pertinent in the sector which included getting the upstream working again.
“The reality is that if we continue at this rate, the natural curve declines that you see in the production terrains will be devastating over the next five years.
He said that he was committed to try and do something that would move the oil industry back to working.
He said that focusing on gas policies was a key element and he was setting a target of 12-month type agenda to try and arrive at some conclusions.
He said that part of the plan was to work with the National Assembly and others with policy makers.
“We will definitely be working with the industry to try and get to a position that everybody is comfortable with but then we have no alternative today than giving more attention to what we need to do with gas.
“In terms of the value chain logistical dynamics, we got to begin to talk to ourselves because many times we have a polarised relationship between the oil companies and the government but the reality is to succeed.
“We all have to play in the same box and so, I am having a lot of conversations with the oil companies.
“That is going to continue but the essence is that we have got to begin to define the contractual terms in this industry,” he said
(NAN)
The Fulani community in Benue State, accused of killing hundreds in Agatu in Benue State, said Thursday that the crisis started after 10,000 of cattle belonging to its members were killed by Agatu natives.
Ado Boderi, who spoke on behalf of the Fulani community on Thursday, during a meeting between Agatu community, Fulani community and Police Inspector General Solomon Arase, said criminal elements from both sides escalated the crisis despite the quick intervention of the governor.
He said that Fulani herdsmen were a peace-loving people, whose main concern was the problem of cattle rustling.
Akpa Iduh, who spoke on behalf of the Agatu people, decried the continued unprovoked attacks on his people by “Fulani mercenaries”.
Mr. Iduh, who said that the crisis started over five decades ago, lamented that it had recently turned into a war because of the types of weapons the herdsmen were using against them.
He alleged that the “Fulani mercenaries” were killing both children and pregnant women on sight, adding that they were powerless after embracing the Benue Amnesty Programme and surrendered illegal arms to government.
“The herdsmen are bent on turning our land into their grazing area, thereby rendering us homeless and without food.
“Is it because we are minority and poor that they are using their numerical advantage and wealth against us?
“We are going to remain in Agatu until the day they have succeeded in killing all of us.”
The Inspector- General of Police, Solomon Arase, said in Makurdi that the force had deployed enough policemen to end the clashes between Agatu farmers and herdsmen in Benue.
Credit: PremuimTimes
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has resolved to visit President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja with a charter of demands.The resolution was adopted after a meeting of some members at the private residence of one of their leaders in Enugu, yesterday. Among the issues they resolved to present to Buhari for urgent attention included the reconstruction of the Enugu- Umuahia- Port Harcourt Road, the Enugu- Onitsha express road, appointment of more Special and Senior Special Assistants or Assistants as Igbo are not represented in his government, as well as the completion of the Second Niger Bridge to end the ongoing agitation for Biafra Republic. Apart from these, they also resolved to ask the President to set up the Eastern Nigeria Development Commission, ENDC, to handle the issue of unemployment of Igbo youths which they said was responsible for the continued agitation for the Biafran Republic by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as reportedly requested by Governor Rochas Okorocha during the reconciliation meeting between the two former factions of Ohanaeze led by Chief Enwo Igariwey and Ralph Obioha respectively. Okorocha was alleged to have pledged to take “Ohanaeze to the river,” during the reconciliatory meeting of the two factions in Owerri, the Imo State capital about two weeks ago. Sources close to the meeting told Vanguard in Enugu that other matters which came up included the search for a new chairman of the group following the end of the tenure of present executive led by Igariwey. Meanwhile, IPOB members have reacted to the outcome of the Ohanaeze meeting, saying that “some Igbo politicians who are using IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu (its detained leader) or Biafra to get cheap popularity will fail and advised them to stop doing so with immediate effect.” In three separate statements, IPOB listed Igbo leaders like Chief T. A Orji, Rochas Okorocha, Emeka Offor, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Ike Ekweremadu, Chukwuma Soludo, Ralph Uwazuruike, Okezie Ikpazu, Onwuka Ukwa as well as Ohanaeze Ndigbo” as among individuals and groups working against its interest. According to IPOB, “the Ohanaeze Ndigbo was looking for access to Buhari for the selfish interest of its members adding that they were using the blood of dead Biafrans to enrich its members.” Those who signed the statements were Emma Mmezu and Clifford Iroanya.
Credit: Vanguard
The Inspector General Of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has directed the Sokoto State Police Command to immediately commence investigation into another case of abduction of a teenage girl who was last seen by her family members on August 12, 2015.
Mr Arase was in Makurdi, the Benue State capital for a peace meeting between Agatu farmers and Fulani herdsmen, following outbreak of hostilities where hundreds of lives were lost and properties worth millions destroyed.
He seized the opportunity of his chat with journalists after the meeting to comment on the alleged abduction and there he gave the directive.
Mr Arase acknowledged a petition written by a family member of the victim, Miss Patience Paul Adaji, an indigene of Benue State who resides with his relatives in Sokoto State.
Nigeria has sustained the marginal ranking progress started last month as the Super Eagles moved up one place in the latest FIFA ranking released Thursday afternoon. Super Eagles are ranked 62nd in the world and 11th in Africa.
In the January ranking, the three-time African champions occupied 63rd spot in the world and 12th in the continent before the one step movement on Thursday afternoon.
In Africa, Cape Verde toppled Cote d’ Ivoire from the summit of African football, though are 31st in the global rankings. Côte D’ Ivoire is now second in Africa and 36th in the world while Algeria is third and 37th in the world.
Other top-ranked Africans in that order include; Ghana (41), Tunisia (47), Senegal (48), Egypt (53), Congo DR (58), Republic of Congo (59), Cameroun (61) and Nigeria (62) respectively.
In the global ranking level, Belgium is still dictating the pace as the world’s best football nation while Argentina, Spain, Germany, Chile, Brazil and Portugal followed in that order.
The trio of Colombia, England and Austria completed the top best 10 teams in the world. The next FIFA world rankings will come up again, April 7, 2016.
Credit: Thisday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgS8_q6Sy2M
Credit: Punch
Ex-international Mutiu Adepoju on Thursday confirmed his exit as Administrator of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA).
Adepoju, a former Real Sociedad of Spain player told the press in Ilorin that the Kwara State Government, the owner of the academy, did not renew his contract.
The KFA signed a two-year contract with the former Real Madrid B team player on Jan. 2, 2014.
“I can confirm that my contract was not renewed by the Kwara State Government.
“My current contract expired in January this year and was expected to be renewed in February but employer is not willing to renew it.
“I am no longer in charge and I can confirm my exit from the academy,’’ Adepoju said.
(NAN)
The Nigerian Army Headquarters Garrison said it would hold its monthly route march on March 4.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by Col. Aliyu Yusuf, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations.
It stated that the exercise which was part of the Garrison’s monthly activities would hold between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. along a designated route.
“The marked route for the exercise is from Guards Brigade Sports Complex, Niger Barracks, Lungi Barracks checkpoint and back to Guards Brigade Sports Complex,’’ it said.
The statement said that the exercise was mandatory for all personnel of the Nigerian Army serving in the FCT.
It stated that it was aimed at testing the physical fitness of troops and their endurance capabilities.
The statement advised residents of Abuja and environs not to panic.
(NAN)
The Chairman, Sokoto State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), Alhaji Usman Abubakar, says the commission will employ 15,000 ad hoc staff for the conduct of March12 Local Government elections in the state.
Abubakar made the disclosure on Thursday when the state House of Assembly committee on Public Service Matters visited the commission’s headquarters.
He said that the commission is fully equipped and prepared to conduct the elections across the 23 local governments in the state on March 12.
”We are ready with all the necessary materials provided by both the government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“We have made all the necessary arrangements at our own level to employ 15, 000 ad hoc staff for the smooth conduct of the elections.
“Moreover, our staff and security agencies are fully committed in ensuring free, fair and credible election processes across the local governments in the state,” he said.
Abubakar disclosed that the commission had borrowed 4,000 card readers from INEC.
He called on people to be law abiding during the polls to avoid the wrath of the law.
The Assembly Committee’s Chairman, Alhaji Kabiru Kware (APC- Kware) expressed satisfaction with the level of commitment and preparedness of the commission for the elections.
He said the visit of the committee was to ascertain the level of preparedness of the commission for the polls.
(NAN)
The Consul-General of Cameroon in Lagos, Nigeria, Dr Paul Ekorong a Dong, on Thursday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to give waivers for more Cameroonian products to be in Nigerian markets.
Ekorong a Dong told newsmen in Lagos that his government had over the years been approaching the Nigerian government to allow more Cameroonian products into the Nigerian markets.
According to him, Cameroon cannot currently export wood, soap, oil, chocolate and cocoa products to Nigeria.
“Once again, the Cameroonian government will like to appeal to President Buhari to consider giving waivers for more of our products that are presently not available in Nigerian markets.
“We have already submitted a list of products that Cameroon should have liked to be given waivers by the Nigerian government. We are still waiting for their response.
“We are very ready to bring these products to our Nigerian brothers and sisters,’’ he said.
Ekorong a Dong expressed optimism that the waivers would enhance win-win trade cooperation between both countries.
The Consul-General said that the current trade relation between both countries was more favourable to Nigeria, adding that there were currently more of Nigerian products in Cameroon.
The envoy said that within the last four years, Nigeria had become Cameroon’s world largest economic partner followed by France.
“Since our independence, France had always been our world largest economic partner, but today, Nigeria has taken over from France.
“This is an indication of the level of trade and vitality of relations going on between Nigeria and Cameroon,’’ he said.
(NAN)
The Coalition of Port Dry Cargo Transport Operators on Thursday disrupted activities at the Lagos Port Complex over the proposed N10, 000 annual truck levy by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The members of the union rejected the proposed levy, carried placards and barricaded some major roads leading to the premier port.
NAN reports that the placards had inscriptions like: “No to N10, 000 Per Truck Per Annum’’; “Yes to Safety Minimum Standard’’; “Enough of Levies, Fines and All Forms of Extortions’’, and “Dismantle Bottlenecks That Yield Corruption’’.
The Spokesman of the union, Mr Timothy Anosike, said the union totally rejected the N10, 000 levy, adding that members had paid a lot of levies which could not be accounted for.
“Our demonstration is to notify the stakeholders about our position on the proposed N10, 000 levy by the Nigerian Ports Authority.
“If NPA should go ahead with implementation of the levy, members will have no alternative than to boycott operations,’’ Anosike said.
According to him, it is not in the interest of the industry for an organisation to take a unilateral decision on levy without consulting those who might be affected.
He said that as one of the major players in the industry, the union’s position should be respected.
Anosike urged NPA to maintain the status quo.
An NPA official, who preferred anonymity told NAN that the management was still studying the situation and might later come up with a position.
(NAN)
The Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) on Thursday said that plans had been concluded to begin the first female league and a goalkeepers’ academy in the state.
Dapo Ajibade, Executive Director of the agency, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Akure.
The unveiling ceremony is scheduled for March 8, at the Cultural Centre, Adegbemile, Akure.
Ajibade revealed that five progammes would be unveiled on the day, which are: the ODSFA goalkeepers’ academy, an U-15 Secondary School, the ODSFA / Ondo FA Female Football League, the ODSFA Beach Soccer League and the vODSFA Talent Discovery Tournament.
The goalkeepers’ academy would be set up to discover and nurture goalkeepers to world-class level, while the U-15 Secondary School Tournament would promote Education through Football.
The female football league would positively engage and empower the girl child, to safeguard the family.
The beach soccer idea will develop football in the riverine areas and channel the energies of the youths in the area to productive activities.
According to him, the NFF 1st Vice President, Mr Seyi Akinwunmi, the Technical Director of the NFF, Amodu Shuaibu, and former Super Eagles Goalkeeper and Coach, Ike Shorunmu, will grace the occasion.
Dr Rafiu Ladipo, President-General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club is also expected at the occasion.
“Gov. Olusegun Mimiko will grace the occasion with political office holders, footballers, football administrators, coaches and many others. The Talent Discovery Tournament is to discover talented players at the grassroots, in a bid to discover the next Rising Stars,’’ Ajibade added.
(NAN)
Slovak Health Minister Viliam Cislak on Thursday said the first case of a patient infected with the Zika virus has been confirmed in Slovakia.
Cislak said that the confirmation came from a virology laboratory in Hamburg.
He added that the infected patient is a woman who was admitted into hospital in Presov in the Eastern Slovakia on Monday returning from South Africa.
The patient was released from hospital in a good condition on Friday.
“She does not have to be isolated, there is no threat to anybody, Zika is not the kind of virus that could spread via air. The symptoms are similar to those of flu,’’ Cislak noted.
Report says the woman has been told that she should not become pregnant.
Also, she has been prohibited from donating blood and should also be cautious in terms of sexual contact.
Zika is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, specifically the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti); the specie is not generally found in Europe.
The virus can be transmitted from mother to child via the placenta.
(Xinhua/NAN)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, has assured Agatu people of Benue State that the government was working on measures to stop the invasion of communities by herdsmen.
Speaking in Abuja, Ogbeh said that invasion and massacre of the indigenes by herdsmen was no longer acceptable to the government.
He said that a formation of the Nigerian Army had been deployed to the communities to restore peace.
“Yesterday, I spoke with the Ministers of Defence and Interior and they assured me that they have deployed a military formation in Enugu to move in and restore peace in Agatu.
“Today, I will also be speaking with Mr President about this issue to ensure that the problem is solved once and for all.
The minister gave assurance that government was taking lasting steps to prevent cattle from grazing into peoples’ communities and farmlands.
He said that most of the rampaging herdsmen were from some neighbouring countries.
“We are producing massive hectares of grasslots for the consumption of cattle; we have received these grasses from Brazil and we are growing them in massive quantities.
“Cattle herdsmen want grasses for their cattle; such grass is what we are growing in large quantities and, within the next three months, some of these will be ready.
“Most of these men are not Nigerians; they come in from places like Chad.
“Recently, I was in Berlin and I met the Minister of Agriculture from Congo, who complained to me that some Chadian herdsmen also invade some communities in Congo to commit similar havocs.’’
He added that government was in the process of enacting a legislation that would control cattle grazing in unauthorised areas.
“We are also sending a bill to the National Assembly to legislate that cattle should no longer roam in our cities and villages.
“We will equally raise the issue at the level of the African Union, to compel member-countries to take steps to prevent their herdsmen from grazing into neighbouring countries.
“It will be a major international crises if we do not stop it now,’’ Ogbeh said.
(NAN)
The PwC Global Economic Crime Survey revealed on Wednesday that South African organisations had reported the highest rate of economic crime in the world over the last two years.
Some of the most alarming statistics include at least 69 per cent of organisations reporting being victims of economic crime, while 32 per cent had experienced cybercrime and 70 per cent of survey respondents viewed local law enforcement as inadequately resourced to fight economic crime.
Louis Strydom, Forensic Services Leader for PwC Africa, said that economic crime remained a serious challenge to business leaders, government officials and private individuals in the country.
“When compared to the global statistic of 36 per cent, we are faced with the stark reality that economic crime is at a pandemic level in South Africa. No sector or region is immune from economic crime,” said Strydom.
The 2016 Global Economic Crime Survey interviewed 6,337 participants in 115 countries.
In South Africa, 232 organisations from a broad spectrum of industries took part.
Conducted biennially, the main aim of the survey is to inform business leaders about developments in the continuously changing landscape of economic crime and to encourage debate around strategic and emerging issues in this sphere.
Asset misappropriation remained the most prevalent form of economic crime reported by 68 per cent of respondents.
It was followed by procurement fraud at 41 per cent and bribery and corruption at 37 per cent.
Cybercrime has risen to fourth – up two places since 2014 – with 32 per cent of South African organisations affected, on par with the global average.
Local businesses are paying a heavy price with almost a fifth of local respondents reported to have experienced losses of between 100,000 dollars and one million dollars to economic crime.
One in four indicated having suffered losses of more than one million dollars.
More than half of organisations believed it was ‘likely’ that they would experience bribery and corruption and cybercrime within the next two years.
More than a third of financial services respondents that had undergone inspections by regulators had to address major findings.
Overall, the reports found that business detection and response plans were not keeping pace with the level and range of threats now facing organisations.
(ANA/NAN)
Sen. Foster Ogola, (PDP-Bayesla West) says the proposed purchase of vehicles by the National Assembly is not a waste of public funds contrary to misconception by some Nigerians.
Ogola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that the vehicles are for oversight functions by lawmakers.
He said that contrary to the belief of most Nigerians, federal lawmakers were not waste pipes.
Ogola said that rather than drain the country of its scarce resources, the National Assembly had contributed immensely to repositioning the economy and should not be criticised unnecessarily.
According to him, the legislature is not unmindful of the current economic situation, as the proposed purchase of vehicles for oversight functions is in the best interest of the country.
“Even what we have saved from TSA, over N40 billion, is enough to buy our cars and that is what we did with a stroke of the pen. Nobody knew to what extent we went within and outside the country to get the truth of that matter,’’ he said.
The lawmaker described the negative reactions to purchase of vehicles as worrisome, adding that while the National Assembly was asked to make sacrifices, other arms of government had fleet of cars for official functions.
“Go check the number of cars in ministers’ offices. Even Local Government chairmen have two, three cars; why are Nigerians only concerned about National Assembly members, I think it is wrong.
“As I speak to you, I have oversight function in three different states and some are as far as Sokoto and you expect me to use my own car that can crash on the road, it may not take me there.
“Directors-General of parastatals and permanent secretaries have official cars, why will it make a difference when senators or members of the House of Representatives have cars,’’ he said.
Ogola stressed the need for the media to properly sensitise the public about the activities of lawmakers to avoid hostility from Nigerians.
(NAN)
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday held that MTN Nigeria and its Chief Executive Officer, Ferdi Moolman, must face trial over alleged copyright infringements, notwithstanding settlement with a complainant.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the ruling in an application filed by an Abuja based musician, Dovie Omenuwoma-Eniwo (a.k.a. Baba 2010) seeking a withdrawal of his complaint against MTN over alleged copyright infringement on his works.
It will be recalled that the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) had filed a two-count-charge against MTN and Moolman flowing from the petition by Baba 2010.
However, following settlement and restitution by MTN over the infringement, Baba 2010 had asked for the withdrawal of his petition and the charge against the defendants.
In his decision, the judge held that the complainant had the right to withdraw his petition, but the withdrawal would not vitiate the criminal charge against MTN and Moolman.
“I hold that the withdrawal of the petition cannot per force terminate the criminal trial.
The withdrawal of the petition and perhaps the consent judgment reached by the parties only regulates the parties’ obligations in relation to matters strictly within their control.
The charge before the court relates to criminal proceedings, which is not affected by the civil arrangements reached between the applicant and MTN.
The judge held that the Copyright Act as passed by the National Assembly makes violation of intellectual rights subject of criminal proceedings irrespective of the rights of the copyright owner.
According to him, section 24 of the Act provides that criminal and civil actions can be taken simultaneously in respect of the same infringement under the law.
He said the discretion to prosecute or not was that of the NCC, the appropriate law enforcement agency.
“I hold that in a situation such as the present one where a copyright owner has withdrawn his petition having settled his differences with the alleged violator, the discretion at all events remains that of the prosecution.
“Indeed, it is a settled principle of law that criminal offences are against the state.
“Until the state has exercised its discretion not to prosecute, the settlement between a nominal complainant and the accused person ought not to affect the criminal proceedings,’’ he said.
The judge dismissed the application by Baba 2010 and adjourned until April 11 for the trial of MTN and Moolman.
In a reaction, NCC lawyer and the commission’s Director of Prosecution, Mr Abdul-Ter Kohol, said the ruling was well considered by the court.
Lawyer to Baba 2010, Mr Rockson Igelige, on his part, said they would study the ruling to decide whether or not they would file an appeal.
(NAN)
Violence Thursday morning erupted at Agiliti area, near popular Mile 12 market in Lagos. Although details were sketchy at press time, unconfirmed reports said atleast four persons were killed in the fracas between factions of okada riders in the area.
Eye witnesses also said that security operatives are battling to quell the violence, just as the Lagos State government has shut the market and vowed to deal with miscreants in the area.
Credit: vanguardngr
No one can quite believe that this woman’s abs are so defined, despite the fact that she’s 36-weeks-pregnant.
Chontel Duncan, a social media sensation, fitness star and model, has been wowing her 195,000 Instagram followers with her pregnancy shape, proving that you can still sport a six pack while heavily pregnant.
The health advocate, who’s currently heavily pregnant with her first child, has been documenting her pregnancy journey, posting snaps of her changing body shape – and received mixed reviews for her efforts.
Duncan, who heads up Aussie-based fitness business HIIT and was a finalist in the 2009 edition of Miss Universe Australia, has been both praised for promoting exercise during pregnancy and simultaneously raised concern among some of her fans who labelled the star as “unhealthy”.
Credit: Yahoo
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said that power supply through the national grid which peaked to 5000mw in past two weeks had dropped below 2,800mw due to vandalism. Dr. Anthony Akah, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the commission disclosed this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Consumer Protection Council (CPC). A statement issued on the ceremony by Dr. Usman Abba- Arabi, Head, Public Affairs Department of NERC was made available to newsmenon Wednesday in Abuja. In the statement, Akah expressed dissatisfaction and worries over the spate of vandalism in the power sector. It stated that the NERC boss enjoined the public and the CPC to collaborate with Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and security agencies to safeguard electrical installations. The statement also said that the NERC would soon compel the DISCOs to publish their meter deployment schedules. It added that the publication would ensure adherence to the meter roll out plan contained in the performance agreement signed with government by the utility firms. “Such publication will make unmetered customers to be aware of the estimated period they have to wait before they can be metered,’’ it stated It stated that NERC had issued warning to the DISCOs against wrongful estimated billings and the acts of compelling customers to buy, install and repair transformers and poles. The statement said the MoU between, NERC and CPC was part of concerted efforts to reduce the incidence of estimated billing completely. According to the statement, the Director General of CPC, Mrs. Modupe Atoki, commended NERC for the long standing relationship between the two agencies. Atoki, according to the statement, expressed CPC’s cooperation and renewed effort to protect electricity consumers from abuse of their rights.
Credit: Vanguard
The Nigerian government says it is preparing a legislation to prohibit pastoralists from allowing their cattle roam in villages and cities, following the massacre of hundreds in a farming community in Benue State by armed herdsmen.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, said Thursday that the government was working on measures to stop the invasion of communities by herdsmen.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Mr. Ogbeh said that invasion and massacre of the indigenes by herdsmen was no longer acceptable to the government.
He said that a formation of the Nigerian Army had been deployed to the communities to restore peace.
“Yesterday, I spoke with the Ministers of Defence and Interior and they assured me that they have deployed a military formation in Enugu to move in and restore peace in Agatu.
“Today, I will also be speaking with Mr President about this issue to ensure that the problem is solved once and for all,” he said.
The minister gave assurance that government was taking lasting steps to prevent cattle from grazing into peoples’ communities and farmlands.
Credit: PremiumTimes
The Kano State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the arrest of Yunusa Dahiru, the alleged abductor of the teenager, Ese Oruru.
Addressing a news conference, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Shaibu Lawan said Yunusa will be prosecuted for taking away a minor from her parents.
He goes on to deny any involvement of the Kano Emirate Council on the issue and says that the Emir wrote officially to the then AIG, Tambari Yabo, to ensure the handing over of the girl to her parents.
AIG also indicted the Kano State Sharia Commission for not returning the girl to the Zone after the Emir directed that she should be handed over to her parents on the ground of being a minor.
Credit: ChannelsTv
Seventy-six Boko Haram members, including women and children, surrendered to the military in Gwoza, Borno State.
According to a senior military officer and a member of the Civilian JTF, all of them have been detained at military headquarters in Maiduguri, the state capital. The detainees claimed many more fighters were willing to surrender.
In September, the army announced that 335 insurgents surrendered in Banki and Biu, towns in Borno.
Sani Usman, army spokesman, said those who refused to give up were killed. The military has succeeded in driving insurgents from the towns and villages where they operated in the past, even though the issue of suicide bombing remains a challenge.
Credit: Thisday
Justice Anwuli Chikere granted bail to Moro on self-recognition, but imposed on the two others, bail sum of N100m each with one surety in like sum.
All the accused persons including Moro are, however, to deposit their passports and other travel documents with the court registrar throughout the period of their trial.
The other accused persons, who were granted bail, are a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia?, and former director in the ministry, Mr. F.O Alayebami.
Moro, Daniel-Nwobia and Alayebami? were on Monday arraigned along with the firm contracted to execute the recruitment exercise, Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.
The prosecution said one of the suspect, Mahmood Ahmadu, who was also involved in the alleged scam was on the run.
Shortly after they pleaded not guilty to the charges on Monday, Justice Chikere had remanded Moro and Alayebami in prison pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications.
The judge had on the other hand, allowed Daniel-Nwobia to continue enjoying the administrative bail earlier granted to her by the EFCC.
Moro and Alayebami were, however, ordered to remain in prison until they would be able to meet the bail conditions.
Credit: NationalMirror
Some residents of Lagos State have advised Olajumoke Orisaguna, the bread seller turned model, to be modest in her dressing as a celebrity.
The residents gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos. Mrs Deborah Mathew, a civil servant said that it was not good or decent for Orisaguna, a mother of two, to put on nude dresses even in the line of duty. “Posterity will not forgive her for that because the children will see it and might emulate her and she cannot advise them because she is guilty. “What example is she creating for youths like her and her environment; you can see how her boobs and thighs are showing. “This is not the type of modelling we are talking about for a married woman,“ she said. Miss Nneka Ibemesi, a student of the University of Lagos, advised Orisaguna to also pursue higher education. “No matter the amount of money, she will make from the model, she needs education to enable her know her left from right. “Without education, she will not go far and as it is people are just telling her what to do, the day she demands for what she really wants, her career will end. “I guess people just want to use her illiteracy to make money and gain publicity,’’ she said. Mr Olabisi Aderibigbe, a computer engineer, called on the 27-year-old celebrity to study the terrain she was operating to ensure her success as a celebrity. ‘’The model is lucky to be seen and picked but my worry is that she does not know the terrain she has gone into. “Exposing body is unAfrican, soon they will give her only pant and bra to wear and cat walk all in the name of modelling. “Whatever the people that found her out are doing, they should have at the back of their minds that she is a married woman with kids. ‘’They should have the decency to choose better clothes for her,’’ he said. Others reminded the celebrity that she was an example of God uplifting anyone up from the scratch, adding that she should be humbled in fame and be cautious of “what she is made to do’’.
Credit: vanguardngr
One Onuigbo Nwankwoeke of Onyikwa, Alike in Ikwo local government area was on February 13, 2016 reportedly killed by his kinsman, Micheal Ochaya, aged 50 while in an attempt to recover a N100 debt owed him by the deceased.
Confirming the incident, the police public relations officer, ASP George Okafor said that on February 2016, one Nwabueze Nwedu reported to the police that Mr. Onigbo Nwankwoeke went to his brother’s house to demand for N100 the said Micheal Ochaya owed him.
He said during the altercation, Nwankowke was killed in the process.
ASP Okafor told journalists that Mr. Nwedu also told the police that when late Nwankwoeke got to Ochaya’s house and demanded for his money, the wife of Mr. Ochaya gave the deceased the money but instead of thanking his wife for bailing him out, Mr. Ochaya forcefully collected the money from the deceased and tore it into shreds.
“The wife of Mr. Micheal Ochaya gave the N100 to Mr. Nwankwoeke, but the husband forcefully collected the money back and tore it, in the process, a scuffle ensured which led to the death of Micheal,” he said.
He also said that what killed Mr. Nwankwoneke was a heavy blow that Mr. Ochaya landed on his chest which brought him down after which he gave up the ghost adding that the corpse has been deposited at Onueke General Hospital for autopsy.
He said that investigation is still on to know the business transaction that led to the fight.
The PPRO noted that when the police was contacted on the incident, detectives led by the divisional police officer, Ikwo division rushed to the scene of incident where the deceased was found lying in the pool of his own blood.
Credit: Leadership
The Army Council has commuted the dismissal of Brig-Gen. Enitan Ransome-Kuti of the Nigerian Army (NA) to a reduction in rank to Colonel with four years seniority. It has also quashed his six months imprisonment with immediate effect from October 15, 2015.
This decision was contained in circular obtained on Wednesday dated March 1, 2016 and signed by Col. ON Taiwo on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
According the circular, the Council took the decision in its last meeting on February 22, 2016 after reviewing the judgement of the Special Court Martial (SCM) that tried Ransome-Kuti on a three-count charges of for Failure to Perform Military Duties and Miscellaneous Offences Relating to Service Property.
Credit: Thisday
One person has been confirmed dead in a fire outbreak that gutted a section of the University of Lagos Guest House in the early hours of Thursday in Lagos.
The victim, said to be a guest who came for the ongoing 2014/2015 convocation of the institution, was said to have died of suffocation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the fire started around 2.00 a.m.
The victim, who accompanied a prominent traditional ruler to the convocation, was said to be lodging in room A12, where he suffocated to death due to impact of the fire.
The spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the incident in a text message sent to the NAN.
“The deceased will be flown to Maiduguri for burial today,’’ the text message read in part.
Effort to speak with officials of the university, about the incident yielded no result as everyone claimed to be busy with the convocation events and could not talk to the press.
Credit: NAN
The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ekiti State, has slammed Governor Ayodele Fayose over his streetlight fuel supply cost claim, saying he was deliberately inflating the figure, while spending less on public light supply to short-change the state.
The party raised the alarm on the heels of alleged increasing wave of criminal activities under the cover of the night in the state capital, saying the governor’s claim of spending N210million a month to power streetlights was a ploy to allegedly defraud the state.
Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun told journalists in Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday, that the short period of light supply between 7p.m. and 10p.m. had encouraged criminals to terrorise residents at night.
According to him, “cases of car- snatching have increased, while residents lose their possessions to thieves on the streets at nights unlike during former Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration when streetlight supply spanned 6.30p.m. to 6.30a.m. In the state capital.
“Ekiti people cannot continue in this reversal of fortunes since Fayose came on board. He said some time ago, during his monthly media chat, that he spent N210 million monthly on streetlights. This is a blatant lie, because the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) supply of diesel for streetlights have since revealed that only 10,000 litres of diesel are supplied monthly to power streetlights,” he said.
Accusing the governor of deceiving the public and passing over-bloated fuel supply cost to the government, Olatunbosun said the party had since discovered that three suppliers of diesel jointly supply 10,000 litres every month to power streetlights.
The APC spokesman added that even at that, Fayose was still owing the suppliers millions of naira, even though he would insist he paid N210 million monthly.
Credit: DailyTimes
The debate on the motion on the need to patronise made in Nigeria goods took a new dimension when Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi Central) asked his colleagues to patronise made in Nigeria girls.
Melaye had while contributing to the motion sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South) said the campaign should not be limited to goods alone.
He later said: “ With due apology to my Comrade Governor of Edo State, we must start to campaign for made in Nigeria girls. It is time for my colleagues to start patronising made in Nigeria women.”
It was after he stated this that the Senate President Bukola Saraki interrupted and said that motion was clear enough.
Earlier while moving the motion, Abaribe said until Nigeria adopted a “pro-made in Nigeria” procurement policy, made in Nigeria would continue to lag behind both in competition and acceptability.
Credit: dailytrust
A teenage boy opened fire on four family members, including his grandmother and two young children, in an East Nashville, United States home.
The spokesperson for Nashville police, Kris Mumford, said that shortly before 7:17am, a relative of the 16-year-old boy attempted to wake him up for school when an argument broke out between them.
Mumford said, “There was a quarrel about getting up and getting ready for the day when the 16-year-old ran to a closet, got a 9mm handgun and started firing.
“Bullets struck the teen’s 67-year-old grandmother twice. His 12-year-old sister and six-year-old nephew were both grazed by the gunfire. The teen’s nephew is his older sister’s son,” Mumford added.
The teen also tried to shoot his 42-year-old mother in the living room of the home, but Mumford said the woman ducked behind a couch and avoided being hit.
The teen’s two-year-old sister was also in the home when the gunfire broke out but was fortunate not to be hit by bullets, police said.
According to the Tennessean, the teen then fled the home on foot and tossed the gun at a nearby apartment.
Police, however, found him along a rail path, arrested him and eventually recovered the handgun.
The grandmother was said to be recovering from in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, while the two children were being treated at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Police said the teen’s family said they were not aware the firearm was in the closet.
Nonetheless, investigation is ongoing to ascertain the source of the gun, Munford said.
Credit: Punch
Chrissy Teigen is known for being chill and relatable (and also being an excellent cook), but sometimes there’s no hiding the fact that she’s also a supermodel with a very famous and talented husband. Case in point: She asked President Barack Obama for baby-naming advice. Chrissy admitted this during her Tuesday appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, where she made Vietnamese summer rolls to promote her new cookbook Cravings. (“That’s so light I think I’m losing weight,” Stephen said of the dish.)
“I asked President Obama if he liked one of our name choices, and he said he did,” Chrissy explained. “But then I realized I should have come up with two so he could have picked one, because you know, you gotta be nice about it when you give someone a name.” She said she asked for the president’s opinion because “John isn’t sold on the name” and she hoped an approval from the commander-in-chief would sway him, but whatever the name is, she wouldn’t say. Really anything will be fine, though, so long as the baby eventually features in photographs with the Teigen-Legend dogs.
Credit: Cosmopolitan
Mr Babachir Lawal, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has called on the Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC) to embrace the Federal Government Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Bolaji Adebiyi, Director of Press in the Office of the SGF and issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja
The statement said Lawal made the call when he received the 2015 Christian Pilgrimage Report of the commission.
It said that the SGF commended the commission for its innovations in the funding of its activities and for inspiring Nigerians who perform the Christian pilgrimage.
It pledged the commitment of the Federal Government to address the challenges facing the commission.
The statement said that the SGF assured the commission that the Federal Government would do its best to ensure that the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) signed with Israel becomes operational.
He urged the commission to remain non-partisan in the discharge of its responsibilities.
The statement said that the Chairman of NCPC Rev. Nicolas Okoh, told the SGF that the commission conducted four pilgrimages in 2015.
“These were the Easter, Youth, Family and Main Pilgrimages. During the pilgrimages, there were no cases of mishaps nor pilgrim absconding,” the statement quoted Okoh as saying.
It said that Kennedy Opara, the Executive Secretary of NCPC had told the SGF that apart from visiting Israel for the Main Pilgrimage, pilgrims were also taken to Greece and Rome.
(NAN)
A former Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, has faulted the recent Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) signed by the Federal Government with the State of Qatar.
Demuren made the remark on Wednesday, while speaking at the Quarter One 2016 Breakfast Meeting
of the Aviation Round Table (ART) in Lagos.
The BASA was signed by the Minister of State for
Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, on the sidelines of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent state visit to Qatar.
The agreement is expected to pave way for more direct flights between major cities of both countries, on the principle of reciprocity by the designated airlines, on behalf of the countries.
Sirika had said after the signing of the agreement that the accord would promote trade, commerce, tourism and travel, between both countries.
However, Demuren argued that Nigeria presently had no airline that could compete favourably with Qatar Airways, thus making the agreement lopsided.
He said the agreement would now give Qatar Airways, which currently has seven frequencies into Nigeria, more entry points into the country and further compound the woes of the domestic airlines.
Demuren said: “It is good politics to sign BASA agreements, but it is bad economics. Airline operation is an invisible trade. Anytime you buy a ticket from a foreign airline, that money will be taken back in dollars.
“So each time you sign a BASA agreement, you are simply committing your foreign exchange because you will be putting pressure on our naira.
“Presently, Nigeria airlines cannot compete with Qatar Airways in terms of equipment, personnel, maintenance and other areas.
“I am not saying that we should not sign BASA .What I am saying is that if we must sign BASA, we must know the content of the BASA we are
signing.’’
He said that in the past, international airlines that operated into the country based on BASAs paid royalties which was how the government got some money in return for its investment.
According to him, presently, some of these airlines no longer pay royalties, thereby denying the Federal Government much-needed revenue.
Also speaking, a former Managing Director of the defunct Nigeria Airways, Mr Andrew Okunuga, said Nigeria should grow its domestic airlines to become international players, in order to benefit from such agreements.
Okunuga stated that Arik Air and Medview Airlines should have been present when the latest BASA with Qatar was signed, adding that this would have been more beneficial to the country.
On his part, a former Commissioner of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Dr Sam Oduselu, called for more autonomy for the AIB and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to enable them to perform their statutory functions effectively.
Oduselu said: “For accident reports to have the desired impacts, I believe certain things must be in place.
“Similarly, the accident investigation body must be truly autonomous and be free to release its reports as soon as they are ready.
“The investigation body must muster the political will to exercise its autonomy, as enshrined in the enabling law and its regulations.
“The agency must have access to adequate funding to be able to carry out its functions effectively.
It is my opinion that full autonomy must be extended to the NCAA, if we truly desire a safe and secured aviation industry.”
(NAN)
Some British Parliamentarians, on a visit to Nigeria, on Wednesday pledged to strengthen the relationship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
The lawmakers gave the pledge while addressing State House Correspondents after paying a courtesy visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in his office.
The leader of the delegation, Mr Stephen Twig, a member of the Parliament in the United Kingdom, described the meeting as an opportunity to create a fair and more equal society in both countries.
“I am leading a delegation of British members of Parliament this week. It is a privilege today to meet the Vice President to talk about the very important partnership between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
“And how our Department for International Development (DFID) can support Nigeria in creating jobs for the future, in creating a fair and more equal society in the future as well.”
He said that the Vice President took questions on extremely wide range of issues and gave the legislators full and well informed answers especially in the area of education and opportunities for children and people in future Nigeria.
He also said that Osinbajo responded to questions about malaria prevention.
Twig described the dialogue with the Vice President as a very important part of the lawmakers’ visit to the country.
According to Twig, the parliamentarians were interested in offering the assistance to Nigeria because of the long standing relationship between the UK and Nigeria.
“There is of cause a large Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom. They are very important part of the British public and they speak up for Nigeria.
“The group of members of parliament that are here work particularly on international development issues and our DFID has a very strong presence in Nigeria, works in partnership with the federal government and the state governments as well’’, he added.
(NAN)
The Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal, Thursday refused to set aside the earlier judgement it delivered on December 7, 2015, in respect of the Anambra Central senatorial district.
It will be recalled that the Appeal Court had in its judgement delivered in favour of Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, nullified the election of Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The court based its decision on non-conduct of PDP primary in line with the electoral act.
However, based on recent Supreme Court judgements, which were at variance with the Appeal Court’s decision, Ekwunife approached the court praying it to set aside the December 7 judgement.
She equally filed a motion for injunction seeking to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from conducting the rerun election.
But in a judgement by the 5-man Appeal Court justices, the court refused to grant the injunction.
It equally held that it cannot set aside its earlier judgement, maintaining that there must be an end to the case.
Guided by the national interest objectives of the exercise, MTN Nigeria continues to make concerted efforts to ensure that customers’ details meet specific requirements set by the NCC while providing additional facilities for their comfort.
As part of the concerted effort and show of its commitment to contributing to a comprehensive national consumer database, leading ICT Company in Nigeria, MTN, has reiterated its position to continue the SIM Registration exercise across all the Connect centers and offices across Nigeria for revalidating and updating customers’ SIM card registration details.
Speaking on the continued effort of the company, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Richard Iweanoge, stated that continued investment of company in the SIM Registration efforts across Nigeria is part of the measures and steps taken by MTN to streamline the registration exercise, in order to ensure a smooth registration process for our valued customers.
Iweanoge said, “We are maintaining the extended opening and closing hours of most of our outlets from 7am – 10pm every day of the week, as well as on Saturdays and Sundays, dedicating 95% of staffing resources towards our valued customers. MTN employees in the other business areas are continuing to assist with SIM revalidation, in our goal of reducing any queues and large numbers of customers at our service points nationwide”.
“With the extensive steps already taken, we assure our subscribers that we are working round the clock to ensure that their SIM registration details are captured without undue delay” he said.
The Catholic Church does not want people to donate “dirty money” earned by abusing low-paid workers, Pope Francis said on Wednesday.
“Some donors come to the Church offering profits from the blood of people who have been exploited, mistreated, enslaved with badly paid work,” Francis said during his regular weekly audience with pilgrims at the Vatican.
“I will say to them: ‘Please take your money away, burn it’,” said Francis, who has made safeguarding the poor and cleaning up Vatican finances central tenets of his papacy.
“The people of God… do not need dirty money, they need hearts that are open to God’s mercy,” he said.
The pope has branded money “the dung of the devil” and condemned the evils of unbridled capitalism, prompting criticism from some U.S. business leaders.
Francis has increased the power of the Vatican’s financial intelligence authority (AIF) but the European finance watchdog Moneyval said last year the Holy See still needed to be much more aggressive in prosecuting financial crimes.
Credit: Yahoo
The allegedly abducted 14-year old girl, Ese Oruru, has arrived in Bayelsa State in company of her mother, Mrs Rose Oruru and some police officers from Abuja.
She was allegedly abducted in August 2015 by one Yunusa Dahiru, also known as Yellow, and taken to Kano where she was also allegedly married off.
The Commissioner of Police in Bayela State, Peter Ogunyanwo, confirmed Ese’s arrival.
He said she arrived few minutes before 8:00pm, local time.
On arrival, she was taken to the Officers’ Mess and went into a secret meeting with the Police Commissioner in Yenagoa.
The media was completely shutout from the meeting, as the police said she had been put through so much humiliation and should not be further exposed.
Credit: ChannelsTv
Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Joseph Nwobike, paid N750,000 into the account of Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged yesterday.
The allegation is contained in a counter-affidavit filed in opposition to a further and better affidavit filed by Rickey Tarfa (SAN).
Justice Mohammed Idris yesterday ruled that Tarfa could adduce new evidence through the further affidavit deposed to by a lawyer, Mohammed Awwal Yunusa.
In the further and better affidavit, the lawyer said the bank account, which EFCC said Tarfa used to bribe Justice Yunusa, belongs to him, and not to Justice Yunusa as EFCC alleged in its counter-affidavit to Tarfa’s suit.
The lawyer said Tarfa gave him N225,000 on January 7, 2014 to help finance his masters in Law degree.
But EFCC has alleged that Tarfa was not the only SAN to pay money to Justice Yunusa’s account.
An EFCC operative, Moses Awolusi, said there were new revelations about judges being allegedly induced through “a network of senior lawyers”.
“Investigation has also shown that as part of this chain of fraud, Mr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) also transferred the sum of N300,000 to Hon. Justice H.A Nganjiwa.
“Investigations further revealed that Hon Justice M.N Yunusa as part of this scheme of fraud also received the sum of N750,000 from Mr. Joseph Nwobike SAN and Co,” the EFCC investigator said.
Credit: Nation
There were indications yesterday that the kidnappers who stormed Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, Ikorodu, Lagos, Monday night, abducting three Senior Secondary School female students have reduced the ransom to N20 million per student.
As at midnight Tuesday, the kidnappers who initially demanded for N100 million for each student, succumbed to passionate pleas by their contact in the school, it was gathered that they reduced their demands to N20 million. Besides, the kidnappers have been discovered to be militants turned vandals.
Credit: Vanguard
Nigeria’s former defence chief, Alex Badeh, has denied allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, that he was involved in stealing money meant for purchase of arms, describing his current detention by the EFCC as “persecution”.
Mr. Badeh, a former Air Chief Marshal, who has been detained by the EFCC for more than three weeks, said in a statement Thursday that he was being subjected to “media trial” for no just cause.
Mr. Badeh said despite his repeated assurances to the EFCC that he would fully cooperate with any investigations, he was being treated unfairly and his rights were violated by a country he fought so hard to defend against Boko Haram.
Read his full statement:
It has been widely reported in the news that I am being investigated over the $2.1 Billion Arms deal but that is not true. I was not part of Dasuki gate.
The claim that 5 properties were acquired for me from the $2.1billion funds is also false.
I was Chief of Air staff from Oct 2012 to January 2014 and then appointed CDS. During my time serving as the CDS, funds for weapons were directly released to the Chief of Air staff, army staff and naval staff and not to me. I had no control over the funds and yet I am being accused of embezzling weapons funds.
The office of the CDS had no operational control of the services and had nothing to do with their spending.
The EFCC’s claim that I received $800,000 from my Director of Finance and accounts is untrue. I did not receive such money from the erstwhile DFA. If he claims to have given me money, where is the proof? Was it paid into my account? Did I sign for it?
In the case of the properties, if they claim the properties are mine and were obtained illegally through proxies then they should go to the court and get an order of forfeiture rather than trying to insist I am the owner of the properties.
It is unfortunate that the media has unwittingly allowed itself to be used by interested parties to become judge jury and executioner in my case.
Even when they claimed Billions were found in accounts of wives of some past Air Force officers, none was found with my family yet EFCC keeps generalizing and making it look like my family is involved too.
It is rather unfortunate that the nation which I fought so hard within my means to defend against Boko Haram insurgents cannot guarantee my fundamental human rights.
During my time as the CDS, lives of both soldiers and civilians were lost. Territories were lost. We fought to regain our nation’s territorial integrity and the insurgents pushed back.
I LOST MY PERSONAL HOUSE AND HOSPITAL IN DEFENCE OF MY FATHERLAND (A hospital which I built many years ago and was equally used in the treatment of injured soldiers). NOW I AM LOSING MY FREEDOM TO THE SAME FATHERLAND THAT I FOUGHT SO HARD TO DEFEND
During the 2014 Boko haram attack on my village Vimtim, it was widely reported in the media that I sent a helicopter to evacuate my parents and relatives. Which parents? I am an orphan, I lost my father in the 70’s and my mother in 2013. My cousin, who lived next to me, was killed during the 2014 attack on my village. So who exactly did I evacuate? It is unfortunate that I didn’t come out to clarify some of these issues when they were reported in the media.
I was detained by The EFCC for 3 weeks and was not charged to court but was given onerous bail conditions by the Commission which I could not meet. A remand warrant was hastily obtained on the 25th February in Lagos as soon as The EFCC was served with a notice for my bail hearing in court by my lawyers. Why detain me for so long and issue such onerous bail conditions when they aren’t ready to charge me to court?
I reported to the EFCC when I was invited and would report anytime I am needed. All I ask for is to be given a fair hearing with the rule of law strictly adhered to.
It is a media trial and I am being persecuted.
Air Chief Marshal A. S. Badeh
Credit: PremiumTimes
A 35-year-old chartered accountant allegedly stabbed and killed 14 members of his family and then committed suicide by hanging himself, around 30km from India’s financial capital Mumbai. The incident occurred on 28 February.
Hansil Warekar stabbed eight children, his wife, three sisters and parents at his bungalow at Ghodbadar road in Thane district at 2am IST (8.30pm GMTon 27 February). Local police said there was a party organised at his residence on Saturday (27 February) after which all the family members had gone to sleep, when the accused may have attacked them.
“Prima facie evidence suggests that the accused bolted all the doors of the house and murdered his family while they were asleep with a knife that we found near his body. The accused then hanged himself after killing his family. There were three rooms in the house. While he was in a room with his wife and two daughters on the first floor, his parents and sisters were in separate rooms on the ground floor,” said joint commissioner of Thane Police Ashutosh Dumbare.
Police learnt of the incident when one of the victims raised an alarm and Hansil’s in-laws who were in a house nearby called them. “Hansil slit the upper part of this victim’s throat. She survived the attack and screamed for help. The survivor’s in-laws, who were in the neighbouring house heard her cries and tried opening the door, but it was locked. The in-laws broke open the grill of a window on the ground floor and entered the house. It was then that the police were alerted about the incident,” the joint commissioner added.
Now, police are waiting for Hansil’s sister Subia Bharmar, the lone survivor of the attack, who has been admitted to a hospital, to reveal the reason behind the incident. “We have recorded the survivor’s statement. However, the exact cause that triggered her brother to kill her family and himself is still unclear. Our investigation is still underway,” Dumbare said.
The murder weapon, a knife, was found near Hansil’s body.
Credit: Yahoo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed 10 counts of money laundering against the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.), accusing him of removing a total sum of N3.9bn from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between January and December, 2013.
Badeh, who has remained in EFCC custody since February 8, is charged along with a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The relationship between Badeh and the company is not disclosed in the charges.
Badeh, who is also a former Chief of Air Staff, will likely be arraigned along with the company on Thursday (today).
Another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice James Tsoho, had on Monday fixed March 4 (Friday) for ruling on Badeh’s bail application.
The anti-graft agency in the charges, numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/46, 2016, accused Badeh and Iyalikam Nigeria Limited of spending the total sum of N3,974,362,732.94, on acquisition, construction, renovation, furnishing of various properties, including a shopping mall in many choice areas of Abuja.
Some of the properties were said to have been purchased, renovated and furnished for a son of the former CDS, Alex Badeh (Jnr.).
The properties allegedly include a mansion at No. 6, Ogun River Street, off Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, which the defendants were said to have purchased with N1.1bn.
The accused also allegedly bought a commercial plot of land at Plot 1386, Oda Crescent, Cadastral Zone A07, Wuse II, Abuja, for N650m.
Read more at : Punchng.com
The immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Wednesday failed to appear before the ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives investigating the crude oil swap contracts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
The former minister neither appeared in person nor sent a representative to the hearing of the committee, which is chaired by an All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Kwara State, Mr. Zakari Mohammed.
The committee had summoned Alison-Madueke and a former Managing Director of the Pipelines Product Marketing Company, Mr. Haruna Momoh, in connection with the lifting of crude oil worth $24bn in exchange for refined petroleum products.
Two crude oil trading firms, Duke Oil and Tranfigura reportedly lifted the crude oil between 2011 and 2014 without valid contracts.
The summons were issued after three former GMDs of the NNPC – Mr. Austin Oniwon, Mr. Andrew Yakubu and Mr. Joseph Dawha – had informed the committee that Alison-Madueke “approved” the contracts without signing any valid agreements with the firms.
On Wednesday, however, the former minister failed to show up at the committee’s sitting.
Momoh too did not come.
Instead, he sent his younger brother, Mr. Suleiman Momoh, to inform the committee that he was ill and would not be able to appear before the panel on Wednesday.
Mohammed was left bewildered when he called for appearances and realised that Alison-Madueke was absent.
He said the committee would take the “appropriate steps” to address the absence of the former minister, but he did not elaborate on the nature of the steps.
Mohammed stated, “Anybody who knows the former minister and Momoh should tell them that they are daring the parliament and we will take the appropriate measures against them.”
However, Momoh’s younger brother, Suleiman, rose to register an excuse that his elder brother was ill.
“He is ill and he will not be able to attend this session of the committee,” Suleiman added.
The committee rejected Suleiman’s excuse and directed him to tell Momoh that he must appear before the panel.
Meanwhile, the Federal Inland Revenue Service told the session that Transfigura defaulted in tax payments to the Federal Government to the tune of $642.5m.
The agency disclosed that in 2010, the tax value of the firm’s trading was $613.7m; in 2011, it was $2.7m; and $2.5m in 2012.
It added that the tax value in 2013 was $2.4m; and $2.2m in 2014.
The agency explained that after applying the relevant tax laws to the operations of the firm for the period covered, the total tax liability stood at $642.5m.
In the case of Duke Oil, the FIRS informed the panel that it calculated $4.7m as its total tax liability.
“The computation was based on the commissions Duke Oil charged on its services,” the agency said.
The committee also asked the Nigeria Customs Service to ignore a 2008 directive by the Ministry of Finance that the NCS should not inspect petroleum product cargo declared by importers.
The NCS had told the committee that the directive was given to forestall any possible delay in the offloading of products for distribution downstream.
Mohammed noted, “The Customs and Excise Act is more important than any letter from any ministry in 2008.
“We will invite the Permanent Secretary, who issued that directive, to appear before us and explain why it was necessary.”
“The NCS should ignore that letter forthwith.”
President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has formally replied a letter ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo wrote to the National Assembly on January 13, accusing the country’s federal lawmakers of corruption, greed, lawlessness and impunity.
This came barely days after the Senate President took delivery of exotic cars for the Senate.
In his reply, dated January 29, Saraki responded to Obasanjo’s concern, saying the 8th National Assembly under his leadership was already taking deliberate steps to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions and ensure prudent management of resources.
“This is to ensure that we plug all leakages and minimize waste across our expenditure systems,” the Senate President said in the two-page letter.
“Likewise, the 8th National Assembly has made the issue of plugging leakages and cutting wastages in our public expenditure system a major priority that should not be toyed with. This may have happened in the past but it will not happen with us,” he said.
The former president had in his letter, addressed to Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, accused the lawmakers of fixing and earning salaries and allowances far above what the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission approved for them.
He also alleged that most of the 109 senators and 369 members of the House of Representatives were receiving constituency allowances without maintaining constituency offices as the laws required of them.
He faulted the plans by the lawmakers to acquire new exotic cars for themselves, saying “whatever name it is disguised as, it is unnecessary and insensitive.”
He advised that “a pool of a few cars for each chamber will suffice for any Committee Chairman or members for any specific duty.”
But in his response, Saraki told the former President that the lawmakers were fully aware of the challenges the nation was facing.
He said: “As leaders with a duty, we will not disappoint Nigerians in their yearnings for a more transparent public expenditure system.”
On corruption, Saraki said the National Assembly was working with President Muhammadu Buhari to stem the menace in the country.
According to him, the legislature was already overhauling its oversight functions to make it more effective in exposing corruption in federal ministries, departments and agencies.
He said: “We are hand in glove with the President on this matter and this is why we are overhauling our oversight functions to make it more effective in exposing corruption in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“We recognize the hard work our anti-corruption agencies are putting into this fight. The Senate is resolved to support them to perform their duty effectively by providing them with adequate funding where necessary, as their work in integral to our oversight responsibility.”
Nigeria will start new talks with South African mobile phone operator, MTN, “very soon” to settle a dispute over a $3.9 billion fine but the final decision rests with President Muhammadu Buhari, the communications minister said. Last week, MTN said it had withdrawn a lawsuit against Nigeria over the fine, which originally stood at $5.2 billion, and aimed for a settlement.
MTN was fined for failing to disconnect unregistered SIM users and has paid $250 million toward a settlement. Adebayo-Shittu “It is (now) for government to meet with them and conclude negotiations,” telecommunications minister Adebayo Shittu told Reuters, the first reaction from the ministry. MTN shares, which had been down 2.8 percent on Wednesday, trimmed losses after the comments although they were still down 1.8 percent. Shittu said President Muhammadu Buhari would make the final decision on any settlement over the penalty. “It is within his power and jurisdiction to do that if he feels that it would be in the interests of Nigeria to so do,” he said.
The issue could come up when South African President Jacob Zuma visits Nigeria next week for talks with Buhari. Nigeria has been trying to halt the widespread use of unregistered SIM cards, fearing they are being used for criminal activity, including by the militant Islamist group Boko Haram. Last week MTN, which makes 37 percent of its sales in Nigeria, said it would withdraw its court challenge in an effort to reach an amicable settlement and make a “good faith payment”. A judge in Lagos last month gave both parties until March 18 to reach a settlement, after MTN had asked the court to arbitrate over the dispute, saying the Nigerian telecoms regulator had no legal grounds to order the fine.
The fine came months after Buhari took office last May following an election campaign in which he pledged to impose tougher regulations and fight the corruption that had stunted development in Nigeria. Shittu also said Nigeria was in advanced talks with an Indian firm to lay fiber optic cables from Kogi state to the capital Abuja. He declined to name the firm. He said he would also travel to China and South Korea within two weeks in a bid to encourage foreign firms to invest in broadband service in the country.
Source- vanguardngr.com
Lady took to instagram yesterday to reveal that her grandmother and aunt only found out she’d been a victim of rape after her emotional performance at the Oscars on Sunday night. Lady Gaga performed her Oscar-nominated song ‘Til It Happens To You from rape documentary The Hunting Ground, which investigated widespread sexual assault on American college campuses.
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode says his government will spare no effort to ensure the safe return of the three female students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary School in Ikorodu area of the state, who were kidnapped by a group of armed gang on Monday evening February 29th.
Ambode in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde and released today March 2nd, condemned the unfortunate incident, just as he assured that the Police and other security operatives have swung into action, with useful leads and with an unwavering determination to track down the perpetrators of the act and ensure the safe return of the girls.
“We have not been silent on this unfortunate development. In a delicate security matter of this nature, where young innocent people are involved and management of information demands utmost circumspect, we were convinced that swift and coordinated reaction, guided by intelligence reports on the part of the Police, was a better and more sensitive approach to take, rather than a sensational, panic-stricken reaction”he said. He said the State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni as well as the Assistant Inspector General of Police for the Lagos/Ogun Command were fully on ground at the scene and vicinity of the incident leading the entire coordinated effort involving every military apparatus. “We believe in the capacity of the Police to lead this rescue mission. I have had ceaseless briefing with them since the incident happened and God helping us, we shall spare no effort in securing the safe release of the girls and continue to secure the school and indeed every part of Lagos”. Governor Ambode said the incident may not be unconnected with his recent visit to some parts of Ikorodu where he read the riot act to vandals and criminal gangs on the resolve of the state government to take the battle to their hideouts in a spirited effort to secure the pipelines. “We believe this is a case of evil fighting back. But Lagos will neither succumb to threats of lawlessness nor bow to terror. Our resolve is very clear; we will assist the Police and other security agencies in dealing decisively with this one unfortunate case and prevent future reoccurrence. We will deploy the resources at our disposal to safeguard every life and property within our care,” he said.
Governor Ambode also recalled a similar incident in Arepo area of Ogun State, where a senior staff of a leading telecommunications agency was kidnapped three days ago, however saying that he has gotten assurance from both the Ogun State Police and Lagos Police Commands on their collaborative efforts to tame the menace of kidnapping and ensure return of order and safety. He also commended the gallantry of the students of the school who put up a courageous resistance to prevent the abduction of their mates, just as he praised the mature and measured response of the school management in the wake of the incident. “The state government is with you in bringing this unfortunate episode to a quick resolution. I wish to appeal for calm and support of every Lagosian. I urge them to be vigilant and helpful to the security operatives in this onerous task to rid the state of every form of criminality, cultism and terrorism,” he said.
Former England footballer Adam Johnson, 28, is facing up to 10 years in jail after being found guilty of sexual activity with a child. He was earlier found not guilty on one count of sexual activity with a child but found guilty on one count involving penetration/
The judge at his trial told him a that a prison sentence is “almost inevitable” and the starting point for his offence is five years.
Some disappointments can turn out to be a blessing! Just few months after Steve Harvey mistakenly named the 22 year old beauty queen as the winner of 2015 Miss Universe, she has landed a role in an upcoming Hollywood movie which features Vin Diesel.
Ariadna Gutierrez (Miss Columbia) will be playing Vin Diesel’s love interest in the movie XXX: The Return of Xander Cage. She joins other cast members including Samuel L. Jackson, Donnie Yen,
Deepika Padukone, Nina Dobrev and Ruby Rose.
Guess she can now thank Steve for the mistake, as it got people talking and has finally paved a way for her in Hollywood.
The Senate today passed a resolution reducing the registration fee of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to N2,500 from N5,650 that was paid by prospective university students this year. At the plenary session today, the senators recommended the extension of the validity period of the UTME to three academic year.
The resolution was taken following the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund on the inquiry into the new admission policy of the Joint Admission and
Matriculation Board (JAMB). They also resolved to amend the Act establishing JAMB to reflect the extension of the validity period which is at the moment a year.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has ordered an in-house administrative inquiry to review conduct of police officers responsible for the initial investigation into the abduction of Ese Oruru.
It would be recalled that Oruru, a 13-year-old Girl, was allegedly abducted from Yenagoa on Aug. 20, 2015, by one Yunusa Dahiru (alias Yellow) to Kano State.
The Force Spokesperson, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Olabisi Kolawole, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
Kolawole said that aside the prosecution of the actors in the case, any officer indicted would be sanctioned accordingly.
“I can assure you that the abductor and all other actors in this abduction saga will be brought to justice.
“Any officer indicted of professional dereliction will be firmly dealt with accordingly.
“This is the only way this nation can make a clear statement in unison that any individual that violates the sanctity of the right of our children shall be dealt with in accordance with the country’s laws,” she said.
She said that Mr Charles Oruru, father of the victim, had reported the matter to the police in Yenagoa.
Kolawole said further that one Mohammed Dankano, who was privy to the plan was arrested and led a team of detectives and the complainant to Kano.
She said that it was confirmed in Kano that the state Sharia Commission and the AIG in charge of zone 1 had waded in.
The spokesperson said that all efforts to secure and reunite the victim with her parents were hampered by some bureaucratic factors until Arase’s attention was drawn to it.
“I am delighted to confirm that the police have today secured the release of Ese Oruru, the girl-child, from the Kano State Sharia commission.
“She is currently in safe custody of officers of the Gender Unit of the force,” she said.
“The victim is currently being granted psychological and emotional support by officers of the Gender and Child Protection Unit of the force,” she said.
She said that a medical team was also attending to the victim after which she would be re-united with her parents.
Kolawole also confirmed that the abductor had been taken into the custody of the police.
She appealed to the media to respect the privacy and protective rights of the victim and her family.
“This is the minimum legal and international requirement in cases of this nature,” she said.
(NAN)
The House of Representatives says the National Assembly will on March 17, pass the 2016 Appropriation Bill totalling N6.08 trillion.
The House Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Abdulmumini Jibrin, told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that the Appropriation Committees of both the chambers of the National Assembly had received the reports of budget defences of ministries, departments, and agencies from all the standing committees.
According to him, the Senate and the House of Representatives will harmonise the positions after going through their checklists to ensure that all the reports were in line with the guidelines provided by both the arms.
“We can confirm to you that all things being equal we should be able to lay our report of 2016 Appropriation Bill before the House and the Senate before the 16th of March 2016.
“And of course the consideration should be done on 17th of March 2017.
“So it is safe for us to conclude that the 2016 Appropriation Bill will be passed on the 17th of
March 2016.’’
He said that the committee would meet with the ministers of finance, budget and national planning, the central bank governor, the accountant-general of the federation and the director-general of the budget office “to start the process of ironing out whatever grey areas that are still left behind in order for us to get the job done’’.
(NAN)
The Executive Chairman,The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) said it had set specific strategies to increase tax collection to drive its proposed targets in 2016.
Mr Tunde Fowler, Executive Chairman of the Service, stated this in a document he signed which was made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that the overall target was to ensure that Valued Added Tax (VAT) and Corporate Income Tax (CIT) became the largest contributors to tax collection in 2016.
Fowler said that in ensuring that VAT and CIT contributed more, the service would also ensure that collection from other taxes were significantly increased.
The chairman said that the strategies to achieve its targets included ensuring a minimum of 90 per cent compliance across all tax types and all taxpayer categories.
He said that the service would achieve 90 per cent compliance by increased focus on sector based audits to ensure that all audit backlogs were cleared.
Fowler said that the service would ensure maximum possible registration of taxpayers and would ensure the use of technology to block leakages and improve efficiency in collection.
He said that the service would strengthen tax administration by appointing new sector heads to drive tax compliance in the identified sectors, to improve performance management.
Fowler said that the service planned to improve in-house capacity building by training and re-training of staff sectors to improve working relationship with state boards of internal revenue on data sharing and joint audits.
He said that the service would increase use of taxpayer education, publicity and enlightenment to achieve improved compliance.
According to him, the service had begun extensive nationwide tax audit to enable the service to ensure strict compliance with the provision of tax laws.
Fowler added that the service had also planned to carry out extensive nationwide tax compliance in 2016.
He said that the service had started the pasting of non-compliance stickers on business premises of identified companies that had not filed and paid taxes for the last six months, including the newly registered companies.
The chairman said that more than 24,500 non-compliance stickers had been pasted to date and the exercise would continue through the year.
Fowler said that significant drop in oil prices in 2015 fiscal year had led to significantly lower collection from Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), adding that the service would focus on non-oil taxes to meet the shortfall in the revenue collection.
NAN recalled that FIRS boss in February proposed a revenue target of N4.957 trillion for the service.
(NAN)
Mr Lekan Ewenla, the Managing Director, Ultimate Health Management Services (UHMS), says accident victims would enjoy a proposed free and urgent medical treatment in the country.
Ewenla told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the scheme was designed to cater for road traffic victims as soon as all major stakeholders endorsed it.
He explained that an enrolee (commuter) could receive treatment up to the N60,000 or more under the health insurance scheme.
“But this will become effective as soon as the NHIS, FRSC, NURTW, NARTO, RTEAN and other stakeholders endorse the idea,’’ said the managing director.
According to him, the insurance scheme aims at giving succour to those in informal sector and others yet to subscribe to NHIS in case of accident.
“With little or no cost premium being paid by an enrollee (commuter) for each trip, the scheme covers evacuation from the scene of the accident and stabilisation services to the tune of N60,000.
“Whatever care the patient requires within that limit will be fully enjoyed, even if it is Plaster of Paris (POP), so that stability will return without deformity or loss of lives.
“Most of the things that lead to loss of lives are avoidable, most times they require a bit of care beyond saying `sorry’.
“There are hospitals that have already signed up agreement with us on the scheme; they are well equipped for effective healthcare delivery.
“People come down from their vehicles, show concern for accident victims and later enter their vehicles and drive off because it is not usually easy to follow through the process of rendering further assistance,” Ewenla noted.
He therefore urged the stakeholders to embrace the policy in case of accident on their journey.
NAN recalls that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has been implementing a policy of taking passengers manifest before a vehicle leaves the motor park.
UHMS will engage transport unions, including National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), among others, to ensure the success of the scheme.
(NAN)
Aggrieved youths from Agatu local government area of Benue State on Wednesday embarked on a peaceful protest to the National Assembly to express their displeasure over the continued killing of their people by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
One of the aggrieved community members identified as Aliyu Okpani said, “The essence of the protest is to draw the attention of the federal government to our plight in Agatu.”
“The Fulani people have continued to kill our people even up till this morning. They have rendered over 400 people homeless and the government is silent.”
“Just two days ago, during the burial of some of the people killed by these marauders, the Fulani people invaded again, killing scores and leaving many wounded.”
The placard-wielding protesters converged at the Unity fountain from where they marched to the Police Force Headquarters, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, before getting to the National Assembly in a bid to register their plight in the hands of Fulani herdsmen.
The messages on some of the placards read, Agatu Massacre; “We want Commission of Inquiry,” “Save Agatu, preserve Idomas,” “Our Women and children are dying.”
Coordinator of the protest , Paul Edeh while speaking at the National Assembly said, “We the Agatu people are calling for a commission of inquiry into the continued killings in our community which should be headed by the Chief Justice of the Federation.”
Ede also called on the Federal Government to deploy security operatives to the borders of Agatu so as to shield the community from incessant invasion.
Addressing the crowd who were donned on red and black attire in in protest against the killings in Agatu, the Deputy Majority Leader, Sen. Bala Ibn Na-Allah said, “As far as the Senate is concerned injury to one Idoma man is injury to all.”
“We have a responsibility to ensure that everybody lives free and not in fear under democracy.”
“What touches me most is that the protest has the involvement of the clergy, like we all know when this group of people cry only those with fear hears.”
It was gathered that the military officials sent to secure the community had to back out as they were overpowered by the superior firepower of the suspected Fulani invaders.
Over 200 people are believed to have so far been killed.
Credit : Daily Post
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday sent former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro back to Kuje prison, having adjourned the consideration of his application for bail till tomorrow, Thursday.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had on Monday arraigned Moro alongside a former Director in the Ministry, F.O. Alayebami and former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Anastasia Daniel Nwobia on an 11 count charge bordering on complicity in a N676m immigration recruitment scam.
The presiding judge, Justice Anwuli Chikere had, during the last sitting of the court, remanded Moro in Prison pending the consideration of his application for bail, while the 2nd defendant, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia, was granted administrative bail on the ground that she is currently nursing a baby. The case was then adjourned to today, Wednesday.
In her ruling on Wednesday, Justice Chekere held that Moro and the former Deputy Director in the Ministry, F.O.Alayebami be sent back to Kuje prison while Daniel-Nwobia remain on the administrative bail the court earlier granted her.
Credit : Daily Post
Former Senate President, Chief David Mark was on Wednesday sworn in by the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, thereby making it the 6th time he would be inaugurated to represent the people of Benue South Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.
In an uncommon show of respect and solidarity, the Senate gave Mark a standing ovation as he walked into the Senate chamber.
He was inaugurated at exactly 11:00am by Senate president, Bukola Saraki after taking the traditional oath of office and oath of allegiance.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said that his government would encourage production of essential drugs locally instead of relying on importation.
The president gave the assurance while receiving a team of Pharmaceutical experts led by Professor Olu Akinkugbe at the presidential villa, Abuja.
Incidentally, the team was constituted by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library to develop an agenda for the health sector in the country, President Buhari while speaking at the meeting recalled that the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), under his chairmanship in the 1990s, had developed what was referred to as “institutional strengthening,” in which PTF supported pharmaceutical companies with resources to encourage local production of drugs. He stated that such experiment could be revisited. “We can revisit the experience.
We can strengthen pharmaceutical companies to produce essential drugs needed in the country locally. We can then be sure of the quality of such medications”, he said.
On privatization of healthcare institutions as canvassed in some quarters, President Buhari stressed the need to exercise caution and consider the state of development of the country before adopting the option.
“Privatization aims at maximum profit. It then excludes the poor and the vulnerable from accessing healthcare. But we have to look after the poor,” the president said. A statement by Mr. Femi Adesina on the meeting added that the Professor Olu Akinkugbe-led team had earlier given insights into its agenda for the health sector to include proposals on healthcare financing, developing health intelligence/observatory to preempt epidemics, simultaneous focus on primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare, preventing labour unrests in the health sector, facilitating access to essential drugs through local production and the drug distribution system among others.
Akinkugbe commended President Buhari for keeping faith with the change doctrine in the country. He added that the current economic harsh realities was global and not peculiar to Nigeria, expressing optimism that the future of the country was bright.
Credit : Vanguard
President Mohammadu Buhari, today, receives H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkey in the Statehouse, Abuja.
The Turkish President arrives Nigeria for a State Visit. Buhari’s official photographer shares the photo os his arrival on Instagram. See more Pics below:
Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell came under renewed scrutiny on Wednesday over its environmental record in Nigeria after lawyers brought fresh claims of damage caused by spills to a London court.
British legal firm Leigh Day has filed two cases at the High Court in a bid to force the Anglo-Dutch energy major to clean up damage caused in the communities of Ogale and Bille in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s main oil-producing region, and provide compensation. In Bille, the lawyers hope to prove that Shell is liable for failing to protect its pipelines from damage caused by third parties, which, they said, could mark a “significant expansion” in the firm’s liability.
A 2011 report by the United Nations Environment Programme found that decades of oil pollution in Ogoniland region, where Ogale is located, may require the world’s biggest ever clean-up. Leigh Day says that Shell, historically Nigeria’s largest producer, has failed to act on the report despite its promises — a claim that was also levelled last year by Amnesty International.
The lawyers argued in a press statement that the 40,000-strong Ogale community continues to live with “chronic levels” of land and water pollution, which has had a devastating impact on its farming and fishing. In hearings expected to take place later this year, Shell will argue that the two cases should be heard in Nigeria, not in Britain, according to a spokesman for the company’s Nigerian subsidiary, SPDC.
He added that both Bille and Ogale are areas “heavily impacted” by oil theft, sabotage and illegal refining, activities which Shell has long argued are the main causes of pollution in the Niger Delta. In Ogoniland, he said the company was acting on the UN report through an 18-month clean-up and remediation programme agreed last year with the Nigerian government and community members.
Chima Williams, of Environmental Rights Action (ERA)/Friends of the Environment, a Nigerian environmental rights lobby group, said the response to the UN report did not address the issue of compensation.
“This is why the London suit is very important at this point. It will bridge the gap in terms of helping the people of Ogoniland to get off the ground and have their lives back,” he told AFP. Shell agreed in January 2015 to pay more than $80 million to the Nigerian fishing community of Bodo for two serious oil spills in 2008, following a three-year legal battle brought by Leigh Day in London.
A Dutch court also ruled in December that four Nigerian farmers demanding compensation and a clean-up in four heavily-polluted Niger Delta villages can bring a case against the energy giant in the Netherlands.
Credit : Vanguard
The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ali Sheriff, has appointed Inusa Mohammed as his Principal Secretary.
A statement by the national secretary of the party, Adewale Oladipo, on Wednesday also said the party’s leadership had approved the appointment of Uche Nnaji as the Political Adviser to Mr. Sheriff, while an ex-Senator, Saidu Kumo, was appointed as the Special Adviser on National Assembly Relations.
The statement added that another former Senator, Ighoyota Amori, was appointed as the Special Adviser, Reconciliation and Conflict Management.
“The appointments take immediate effect,” the statement said.
Credit: PremiumTimes
About 100 soldiers who were allegedly dismissed by the Nigerian Army last year for losing their weapons and operational base to Boko Haram insurgents in the North East on Wednesday protested their dismissal from the army.
The soldiers are demanding that the Nigerian Army obey the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari for their reinstatement since August 2015.
They also complained of not receiving their salaries since July last year, a situation they say has brought untold hardship to them and their families.
Some of them told journalists that their travails started after they were thoroughly scrutinized in September 2015 by an army investigative board led by the General Officer Commanding One Division, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, and thereafter transferred to the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) in Kontagora, Niger state for a pre-reposting training.
After the training, the soldiers said their names were omitted in the list of the over 3,000 that were re-instated, adding that nobody has been able to explain to them the reason for the omission.
Presently, they alleged that their families as well as personal property have been thrown out of the barrack following their dismissal.
The aggrieved soldiers, who said they were unjustly dismissed without any known offence and without the benefit of fair hearing are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukut Buratai, to intervene in the matter with a view to reinstating them.
The soldiers say they are willing and ready to serve the Nigerian Army and the country again if they are re-instated.
Credit: ChannelsTv
14 year old Ese Rita Oruru, the Bayelsa born girl child who was abducted by Yunusa Dahiru, alias Yellow but rescued by the Police in Kano, has been discovered to be about 5 months pregnant, according to very reliable sources.
Consequently, it was gathered that the white Hijab dress she wore on her arrival from Kano on Tuesday, was used to cover the pregnancy even though her physical condition and looks created a suspicion.
Reports say that it was the condition in which Police authorities discovered about Ese that informed the IGP, Solomon Arase’s directive that she should be handed over to the Gender and Child Protection Unit and later, a team from the Medical Department of the Force to carry out a comprehensive medical examination of the girl-child at the Police Medical Facility in Area 1, Garki.
Upon certifying her medical status and emotional state, reports gathered that the Inspector General of Police feeling uncomfortable with the transport arrangement of the mother that they return by road, cancelled the arrangement and directed that both Ese and her mother be flown to Yenegoa by air. Consequently, it was told that Yunusa will be moved to Yenegoa to face interrogation and prosecution for kidnapping and child abuse as well as violence.
Credit: Vanguard
14 year old Ese Rita Oruru, the Bayelsa born girl child who was abducted by Yunusa Dahiru, alias Yellow but rescued by the Police in Kano, has been discovered to be about 5 months pregnant.
It was gathered that the white Hijab dress she wore on her arrival from Kano on Tuesday, was used to conceal the pregnancy even though her physical condition and looks created a suspicion.
According to reports by Vanguard, it was the condition in which Police authorities discovered about Ese that informed the IGP, Solomon Arase’s directive that she should be handed over to the Gender and Child Protection Unit and later, a team from the Medical Department of the Force to carry out a comprehensive medical examination of the girl-child at the Police Medical Facility in Area 1, Garki.
Upon certifying her medical status and emotional state, Vanguard gathered that the Inspector General of Police feeling uncomfortable with the transport arrangement of the mother that they return by road, cancelled the arrangement and directed that both Ese and her mother be flown to Yenegoa by air.
Meanwhile, the IGP has directed the Bayelsa State Police Command to take over investigation in the child violence offense saga because according to sources, the offense was committed in Bayelsa which is the place of residence of the abductor, Yunusa Dahiru.
Consequently, Vanguard was told the Yunusa will be moved to Yenegoa to face interrogation and prosecution for kidnapping and child abuse as well as violence
against a girl-child.
Credit : Vanguard
Senate yesterday raised the alarm that about 153 Nigerians are currently awaiting execution in Malaysia and China, following their involvement in illicit drugs. The lawmakers also revealed that four out of 11 Nigerians on death row were executed in April 2015 by Indonesian authorities despite pleas for leniency by Nigeria, the United Nations and Amnesty International. This was as the senaNigerians were executed in China also in April last year, even as 120 others are still on death row for drug-related offences, with 74 of them being held in Guandong and Guanxi provinces. The lawmakers said in Singapore, one Nigerian is awaiting the hangman’s noose because of his participation in drug offence. These revelations came to light yesterday during a debate on a motion sponsored by Senator Gbenga Ashafa and supported by 21 others.
The senators consequently urged the Federal Government to restructure and reposition the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to be able to meet the challenges of evasive drug traffickers who use Nigerians to traffic the illicit products. The lawmakers also asked the police, NDLEA, NAFDAC, Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, PCN, and other regulatory agencies to develop a collaborative approach towards curbing the incidence of drug use and abuse in the country. They, in addition, mandated the Committee on Drugs and Narcotics to urgently consider the amendment of Section 23 of the PCN Act, to include the sale of prescription pills over the counter as an offence punishable by the Act. In his lead presentation, Ashafa disclosed that many Nigerian youths’ involvement in illicit global drugs trade had led them to be currently on death row in different countries. According to him, drug offences in some countries attract capital punishment. Ashafa expressed concerns that in spite of the execution, some desperate Nigerians were still not deterred. He said: “The case for leniency was rendered impotent because, at that point, seven fresh cases of drug trafficking involving Nigerians had just emerged in Indonesia.”
He stated that these desperate Nigerians used to disguise as university students colluding with drug syndicates to undermine the visa system and gain entrance into Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and other drug traffic routes. According to him, 30 out of 80 foreign students arrested in 2015 were Nigerians in Malaysia where authorities have confirmed that 40 per cent of foreigners arrested for drug offences are from Nigeria. Senator Ashafa regretted that Nigerians’ involvement in drug business is tarnishing the image of the country. “Our nationals are viewed with suspicion and subjected to demeaning treatment at airports across the world as a result of this negative perception.” The lawmaker chided the Federal Government for not taking serious actions to curb the menace of drug couriers and their sponsors within and outside the country. In their contributions, Senators Sam Anyanwu, Oluremi Tinubu, Barau Jibrin and Ovie Omo- Agege also condemned the rate at which Nigerian youths are involved in drug-related offences.
Credit: NationalMirror
A mob in Malawi’s southern district of Nsanje burned seven people to death for allegedly possessing human bones for use in witchcraft, police said Wednesday. The seven were “found in possession of human bones and the mob took it upon themselves to burn them with petrol,” Kirdy Kaunga, police officer in charge of the district, told AFP. A traditional chief said local people became suspicious due to the movements and telephone conversations of one of the seven men who was discovered with a bag containing the bones. “He was chased and arrested,” chief
A traditional chief said local people became suspicious due to the movements and telephone conversations of one of the seven men who was discovered with a bag containing the bones. “He was chased and arrested,” chief Tengani, who only uses one name, told AFP. “The man is said to have confirmed that his bag contained human bones and that’s when the mob began rounding up the seven and burned them one by one.” Police arrived after the incident on Tuesday in Nsanje, which borders Mozambique, and have made no arrests. Officials said they were investigating whether the bones belonged to albinos, who have white skin and yellow hair as a result of a genetic disorder that causes the absence of pigmentation. Albinos are killed regularly in some African countries including Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania for their body parts, which are used in witchcraft rituals.
Albinos are killed regularly in some African countries including Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania for their body parts, which are used in witchcraft rituals.
Credit: Vanguard
A nanny accused of decapitating a young girl in her care then walking through the street brandishing the head, on Wednesday said “Allah ordered” the killing as she appeared at a Moscow court.
Suspect Gyulchekhra Bobokulova from Muslim-majority Uzbekistan — whom the press have dubbed “the bloody nanny” — was detained on Monday as she was waving the child’s severed head outside a Moscow metro station. She was sent for psychiatric examinations.
“It was what Allah ordered,” the 38-year-old told journalists as she was brought into the district court to have her arrest confirmed and extended.
Speaking in broken Russian from the suspect’s cage, Bobokulova said: “Allah is sending a second prophet to give news of peace” and also complained that she was “hungry”, had not been fed and would “die in a week”.
“Hi to everyone,” said the mother-of-three, waving at the crowd of journalists in the courtroom.
Investigator Olga Lapteva, who was clearly emotional, told the court that Bobokulova was suspected of committing an “extremely serious crime” and that she should face “a mandatory prison sentence of considerably more than three years.”
The court confirmed the nanny’s arrest and ordered her held in custody for two months as investigations continued.
Investigators said they were still trying to establish if Bobokulova had any accomplices.
Bobokulova has been undergoing psychiatric examinations since her detention over the murder of the girl, Nastya, whom the judge said was born in 2011. Investigators had initially estimated she was three or four years old.
She is suspected of butchering the girl, who had suffered from learning disabilities and epilepsy, at the family’s apartment in northwestern Moscow, before torching it and fleeing the scene.
Credit: Guardian
Telecommunications operators have solicited that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) should allow subscribers a window of time to normalize irregular SIM registration, due to the hasty disconnection of some telecom subscribers with irregular SIM registration.
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) said that his association has put forward representation to NCC for them to realize the need for this window of time being solicited for subscribers with SIM registration issues and is waiting the Commission’s response.
“We have written to the NCC on what we think should be the process for data collection and disconnection of subscribers. Now that we are faced with these problems, we will continue to deal with them. We referred to the issue NCC raised about invalid and improperly registered SIM cards which we have been directed as should not be activated on any network. We agreed; we have no objections whatsoever. We also agreed totally that all data we collect will be domiciled with the Commission. In essence, whatever data we collect from our subscriber with respect to their privacy, we will ship them to the Commission.
“We do have few concerns about the process and we have recommended as follows: That where SIM registration records are rejected, as a result of invalid records, we should be given a period of two weeks, to notify the subscriber before we disconnect. Because what we are told now is that when we gather the data and send to the central database, once they discover any missing item, NCC asks you to disconnect them. So, we are saying, give us a declaration on the data considered improperly done within the number of days. Give us that window of time to at least involve the subscriber and normalize the data. This is critical to avoid disconnecting the subscriber who may have come with good intentions to give his/her data. During that period, we will tell the person you cannot make call, but can only receive; so, we can call the subscriber to comply with the process. But, if within the window of time the subscriber fails to comply, then disconnect other services,” he stated.
Credit: DailyTimes
Displaced people celebrated in Borno state as troops of the Nigerian military under the Armed Forces Special Force (AFSF) cleared all traces of Boko Haram occupation from Gudumbari, the headquarters of Guzamala local government area of the state.
Spokesman of the Nigeria Army, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman confirmed the development via a press statement.
“In continuation of the clearance of the remnants of recalcitrant members of Boko Haram terrorists in the various nooks and corners of the north east, the Armed Forces Special Forces (AFSF) carried out successful clearance of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in Gudumbali general area,” Usman, who is acting director, army public relations said.
Gudumbari is one of the remote local government areas in northern Borno state that was sacked and occupied by Boko Haram fighters.
It was once reclaimed in the past, but the insurgents crept back and reoccupied the area after the troops had moved on.
But with the Tuesday take over of Gudumbari after a victorious operation by the troops, the news elicited jubilation.
Aisami Goni, an IDP from Guzamala said, “we give glory to God for the good news we are hearing about soldiers’ victory over Boko Haram.’’
Credit: Leadership
Ese Oruru’s mother has expressed gratitude to the media and Nigerians for assisting in the rescue of her daughter.
Beaming with smiles during a brief chat with journalists on Wednesday at the force headquarters, Mrs. Oruru said she had been reunited with her daughter and they would be leaving for Yenagoa, Bayelsa today.
The trader was reunited with her daughter last night at a hotel where they lodged.
She had met with the IG earlier today before she met with the press.
Credit: Punch
President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration will not privatise healthcare institutions in order not to exclude the poor and the vulnerable from accessing healthcare services.
Credit: dailytrust
Colonel Nicholas Ashinze, a former Special Assistant to ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) and the Army over his continued incarceration.
Ashinze, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), is challenging his detention for about 12 weeks without any charge preferred against him.
The suit filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also has the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai as respondent.
Ashinze is praying the court to order EFCC and the Army to release forthwith, his personal effects, documents and properties which were illegally, wrongfully and unlawfully seized from him without any warrant, during his arrest and continued detention since December 23, last year.
Alternatively, he urged the court to issue an order granting him bail on self recognisance or in the most liberal terms as well as an order directing the respondents to tender a public apology and pay him adequate compensation for the blatant violation of his fundamental rights without following due process.
Ashinze also wants the court to restrain the anti-graft agency and the Nigerian Army from further inviting, arresting or detaining him in their custody in relation to same frivolous allegations, which he knows nothing about.
Credit: NATION
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Tuesday released results of 200,000 candidates who had written the examination even as the test continued.
The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, disclosed this during the monitoring of the exercise in Abuja and its environs.
He explained that over 200,000 candidates’ results had been released since the examination commenced on Saturday.
Ojerinde spoke just as the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, expressed concern over the plight and difficulties faced by non-computer literate students sitting for the examination.
The minister expressed his reservation when he visited some centres in the FCT to monitor the on-going Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) being conducted by JAMB.
Adamu, however, said though he was satisfied with the conduct of the CBT mode of the examination, he was glad the board had addressed most of his concerns and other Nigerians.
He said: “I seem to be very comfortable and happy with what they are doing. But my question has not been answered; that there may be people who are not computer literate, so, what do you do with them. I do not have reservation about CBT but I have sympathy for those who are not computer literate and there are many of them.”
Notwithstanding the minister’s reservation, Ojerinde urged candidates who had sat for the examination to visit the JAMB’s website and check their respective results.
According to him, “More than one million, eight hundred and fifty thousand candidates applied to take the examination nationwide in 2016.
“The figures however recorded a slight increase of 113,673 candidates who applied for the examination in 2015.”
JAMB kick-started full Computer Based Testing (CBT) in 2014 after eliminating the Paper Pencil Testing (PPT) system within that same period.
Credit: ThisDay
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rescheduled the meetings of its National Caucus, Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The information is contained in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, on Tuesday in Abuja.
It said while the party’s national caucus meeting had been rescheduled for March 6 at 7 p.m., the Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting would hold on March 7 at 11 a.m.
It noted that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting would also hold on March 7 at 2 p.m.
“The leadership of the party deeply regrets any inconveniences that may be caused by this adjustment,” it added.
Credit: NAN
Police authorities in Abuja yesterday night said Ese Oruru, freed Monday, will now be officially handed over to her mother, Mrs. Oruru, today.
14 years old Ese Rita Oruru was brought to Police headquarters at Louis Edet House at about 12. 55pm amid tight police protection.
Her dad, Mr Charles Oruru, however disclosed that he has concluded plans to seek spiritual assistance from Lagos cleric, Pastor T.B. Joshua, founder of The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN).
Ese would have been handed over to her mother yesterday, but for inability of the woman to arrive Abuja by 8.00p.m. last night as she travelled from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State by road.
She was immediately ushered into the office of the Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olabisi Kolawole, for what sources said was a debriefing exercise. Also arrested and brought to Abuja by a Special Police team from Zone 1 headquarters, Kano, led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, was the abductor of Ese, Yunusa, alias Yellow.
Both the abductor and the abductee were escorted by three representatives of the Emir of Kano to brief the police authorities about the roles the Emir and Kano Emirate Council played in getting Ese released.
At exactly 1 25pm, the Force Public Relations Officer was seen leading the freed Ese Oruru to the office of the Inspector General of Police for further briefing. Attempts by newsmen to talk with Ese were rebuffed as the FPRO assured that as soon as Ese’s mother, who was being expected from Bayelsa arrived, the Police will brief the media on the matter by 4 pm.
Recall that Ese was abducted by one Yinusa, from her mother’s shop in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on August 12, 2015, and whisked away to Kano State without the consent of her parents.
She was rescued Monday night, following a directive by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to the Commissioner of Police, Kano State, Mohammed Katsina, to liaise with the state’s Emirate Council and relevant persons in the state.
Credit : Vanguard
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has admitted more exhibits against a former Director- General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi and five others.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, presented one of the three witnesses he earlier brought before the court.
The witness, Olamide Ogunsanya, an Assistant Director in NIMASA disclosed to the court, how the sum of 795,200,000 Naira was paid into the International Shipping and Port Safety (ISPS), account and how the same amount was disbursed.
The witness told the court that approval for the disbursement of the money came from the office of Mr Akpobolokemi.
The document conveying the presidential approval through the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), was identified by the witness and same was admitted as exhibit P22.
On the document, Mrs Ogunsanya identified the endorsement of the first accused person, Akpobolokemi.
Also tendered through the witness, are letters from NIMASA to the Accountant General of Federation and approval from the Accountant General’s office.
The documents were eventually admitted as exhibits P24 and P25 respectively.
The witness also identified the third accused person, Ekene Nwakuche as the first beneficiary in the disbursement of the 795,200,000 Naira.
She told the court that between September 16, 2014 and November 6, 2014, Nwakuche received 3,000,000 Naira each, on eight occasions, from the ISPS account totalling 28,000,000 Naira.
Other beneficiaries are Avant Guard Securities, 94,000,000 Naira; Extreme Vertex Limited, 318,000,000 Naira ; Suco Global, 15,000,000 Naira; O2 Services Limited, 21,200,000 Naira and 16,000,000 Naira; and Aroward Consulting, 70,000,000 Naira.
The witness said that there was a balance of 198, 635 Naira (left in the account).
Credit: ChannelsTv
A 31-year old suspected drug trafficker bolted through a glass door at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to evade arrest after he was caught with banned narcotics.
Michael Nwobodo, a technician, ?was found with 81 pellets of hard drugs that tested positive for cocaine with a total weight of 1.350 kilogramme, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said in a statement Tuesday.?
?”He concealed 81 wraps of cocaine in Parker Whisky packs along with boxes of chocolates inside a duty free bag,” the NDLEA said in the statement signed by Mitchell Ofoyeju, its Spokesperson.
“The seizure was made during screening of passengers on an Emirates airline flight from Dubai.”
Hamisu Lawan, NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, said the suspect was taken to the hospital for further medical test on Tuesday.
“Though the suspect was treated for the injuries he sustained while attempting to escape on Monday, we had to take him for medical examination again,” Mr. Lawan said.
“This is to ensure that he is strong and medically fit to undergo trial. Investigation has commenced into the case.”
Credit: PremiumTimes
New hot mom, Tonto Dike, who recently surprised us with her newly born baby is being spoiled by her husband with sparkling diamonds.
She shared the photo of her diamond loaded wrist watch and necklace on IG and captioned:
Thanks to my OLOWO ORI MI(MRX),Love you so much..
And my Beautiful Aunty Nike(Aka woman with a golden heart) @niketojo for helping with the pick out of my PushPresent..
@sir_rozlah Tnx for the DRY edit?????
#CHOPDARD #DIAMONDS#ZADDOKHOUSTON##GRATEFULHEART
When someone loves you they don’t have to say it,you can tell by the way they treat you?
Men love to fix things. It probably has a lot to do with the toys they played with when they were little boys. Boy toys are things like Lincoln Logs, or plastic tool belts, or train tracks that come in pieces to be put together and taken apart and put back together in a new way, whenever they want. Girls can play with these toys too, but most of them are marketed towards boys, who are taught early on that it’s an admirable and masculine quality to be able to fix things with your own hands.
A lot of those boys grow up and become men who forget about fixing things and become bankers or writers instead. Some love fixing things so much that they grow up and become construction workers, or handymen. And others – and this is the worst option — decide they want to move onto something new, and fix women. This is the Fix You guy, and you’ve probably dated him.
Fix You guy is everywhere. One of the most famous ones I can think of is Paul the writer, who falls in love with the beautiful but deeply tragic Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Another isAidan from Sex and the City, who pushes Carrie to improve her apartment and make it better, but only after buying it and becoming her legal landlord. The most recent example of the Fix You guy is Gus (Paul Rust) in the new Netflix series, Love.
The Fix You guy usually shows up right after you’ve been through a breakup, or when you’re feeling really sad about wintertime, or when you’re — for whatever reason, really — just feeling a little low. For example, in Love, Gus shows up right after Mickey’s gone through a breakup with a shitty ex, and has just wrecked a year and a half of sobriety. Maybe the thinking is that the Fix You guy wouldn’t be able to date hot women if they didn’t have any problems. Or maybe it’s that we’ve seen so many damsels in distress as love objects that there’s an internalized notion that makes Fix You guys think the most fucked up girl in the room is the best girl in the room. If she’s a damsel in distress, and he can help her, does that make him a prince?
The trickiest thing about the Fix You guy is that he presents as someone who loves women, who is drowning in empathy and will listen to all of your problems, and promise to make things better. But Fix You guy has his own blueprint. He wants to fix you, but really he just needs to feel important. He’ll stick around as long as things aren’t going well for him, and as long as he feels you’re something to improve. It’s not about making you better, it’s about making you better for his needs. He gets off on your personal traumas and the power he feels when he offers advice that doesn’t fit. It doesn’t so much matter if Fix You guy is actually helping. It only matters that he feels like he is.
Fix You guy looks like Nice Guy in a lot of ways. He’s nerdy. He comes across as smart and intellectual, and he’s read more books than he’s played sports, but he’s not ashamed of that. Maybe it used to bug him that he was smaller than the other guys, but now he’s proud to have avoided such a masculine ritual. This doesn’t make sense as you get to know him, but Fix You guy abhors the patriarchy. He had a pretty easy childhood — no traumas or problems, his parents are still together, no major deaths or anything that landed him in therapy as a teenager — and that’s why he’s qualified to fix you. He knows what it means to be healthy and good because he is healthy and good, and you are not. You are fucked up, he’s here to tell you, but don’t worry. He can fix you.
Even if you do come to the slow realization that this guy is not Nice Guy, it’s incredibly hard to leave Fix You guy. Usually because you didn’t know you needed to be “fixed” until you met him. He helps you identify all these problems you didn’t know you had, but calls them areas of improvement, or ways you can grow. He makes you believe you can be a better person with his help. He listens to you talk about your problems. He takes those on as his own, but not in an empathetic way. This is more like stealing your traumas. Usually, Fix You guy wants to be an artist, and to make good art, he believes one must suffer. If he can’t suffer, he’ll surround himself with women who have. He will jerk off to your heartbreak and hold your head when you cry.
But Fix You guy can’t stand to watch you make good choices. He needs you to need him. If you can excel on your own, where does he fit in? This is all about his power, remember? He needs to be in control of something to feel good about himself, like Tinker Toys but with human feelings.
If Gus were the Nice Guy, he would’ve listened to Mickey when she said she needed some time apart. Mickey isn’t perfect — she clearly has her own problems. Watching her spiral out and stalk Gus’s Facebook when he won’t text back, watching her frantically search for her missing cat, watching her try to find literally anything that can make her feel like she’s not failing, is so hard because that’s what happens when the nice Fix You guy leaves when he feels unneeded. Fix You guys do not repair your problems, they create more. And they don’t care.
Here’s the other thing about Fix You guy. He does’t know — he doesn’t care — that people can’t fix each other. Wanting to fix people implies that some are broken, and he’s been given an invisible toy tool belt that no one else has. Don’t date this guy, don’t date the Guses you meet, who seem great but only when you’re feeling like shit. As long as you’re with someone who’s trying to fix you you’ll only ever feel broken. And you’re not. People don’t break that way.
Credit: Cosmopolitan
Afenifere chieftain and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olu Falae, narrowly escaped bullets from policemen on Tuesday while traveling to Ile Ife, in Osun State to pay homage to the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The national leader of the Social Democratic Party, who narrated his ordeal to journalists in Ife, said he was traveling to join other Afenifere members for a meeting with the Ooni, when the incident occurred.
He said policemen who were escorting a bullion van shot at his car at Ile-Oluji junction.
“I was first kidnapped, now they want to kill me,” Mr. Falae said, as he expressed amazement at repeated attempts on his life.
“I was coming from Akure approaching Ilesa. I saw some vehicles ahead of me.
“There was a bullion van in front. The vehicles ahead of us were overtaking the bullion van and we too followed.
“I nearly passed them when I heard a shot and I heard a bang on my car. We stopped and we saw that they have fired at our car.
“They didn’t stop. We stopped at Erin-Ijesa and complained to the police at the check-point that we were fired at by some police following a bullion van at Ile-Oluji junction.
“I don’t know why I was kidnapped recently, why I was arrested in 1997 and locked up for two years.”
When contacted on telephone, the Police Public Relations Officer in Osun, Folashade Odoro, said the state command was yet to receive any report from Mr. Falae.
Credit: PremiumTimes
The much anticipated handover of Ese Oruru, the teenager allegedly abducted from her Bayelsa home will now take place tomorrow.
Force spokesperson, Bisi Kolawole, told anxious journalists who waited for several hours at the Police Headquarters in Abuja that the inability of Ese’s parents to arrive on time led to the postponement of the exercise.
Ese was allegedly abducted eight months ago and moved to Kano for forced marriage.
She was freed on Monday night, following a directive by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Mohammed Katsina.
Reports say Miss Oruru was allegedly abducted from her Bayelsa Home, and her parents, after trailing her to Kano, battled for months to have her back
Credit: ChannelsTv
The disagreement within the Peoples Democratic Party came to a head Tuesday as some members of the party teamed up with others in the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, and other parties to form a new party. The group, which held its maiden meeting in Abuja Tuesday, unanimously adopted Chief Perry Opara as the protem chairman of the proposed party which is named Peoples Mega Party, PMP. Chief Opara was an aide to
Chief Opara was an aide to former political adviser to Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, who recently filed a suit against the PDP and the then acting national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and secured a judgement ordering Secondus to vacate office as acting chairman on ground that his acting role had elapsed. Addressing the meeting, Chief Opara said the leadership crisis within the PDP which had impacted negatively on its glory and future, had necessitated the need for the Peoples Mega Party, PMP. He explained: “The major people who are in the party are former members of the PDP who are disenchanted by the high level of corruption, high level of impunity and high-handedness in the PDP. ”They have decided to form something very new and they are of the opinion that they should hand over the party to younger elements who are less corrupt and who can fight for the interest of the people. “It does not mean that it is only people from the PDP, we have APGA chairmen from many states of Nigeria identifying with the new party, people from Labour Party, LP, and the Accord Party, AP.
”There are also disenchanted people from the APC that feel that they want a new place and that is what it is. Today marks the birth of this new party.” The proposed party adopted the picture of a human being as its logo, while its slogan is: “Forward Nigeria.”
Credit: Vanguard
A middle-aged man, Dare Falana, on Tuesday told an Igando Customary Court that he caught his wife, Ganiyat, eating “Tantalizer’’ take-away with her boyfriend in his living room.
Dare had urged the court to dissolve his marriage blessed with three children because of his wife’s infidelity, sex starvation and frequent fighting.
“Usually I come home late at night, but on this faithful day I decided to come home early, only for me to meet her with her boyfriend eating Tantalizers in our home.
“I was too shocked to say anything; I left them there and went out but by the time I came back the man had left.
“There was a time I went to Abuja before I came back she got into a fight and was arrested. I spent the N40, 000 I brought from Abuja on that case.’’
He told the court that “my wife starves me of sex whenever I demanded for it.
“I have to beg my wife for sex as if she is still my girlfriend. She plays all sorts of unimaginable pranks to escape having sex with me.
“She only comes to me for sex when she feels like and not the other way round.
“When I complaint to her sister, she told her that he have a disease that’s why she stopped having sex with me.
“I’m feed up, I can’t continue this way,’’ he said.
The respondent denied allegations of infidelity, but admitted that she usually starve her husband of sex.
“He married me a virgin, how can I be so bold and bring my supposed boyfriend to my husband’s house, the supposed boyfriend is my distance relative.
“I called my distant cousin, and told him I was hungry and that my children don’t have food to eat when they return from school.
“I specifically told him to get food for me and my children from the eatery.
“My husband’s ways are questionable, he acts and talks desperately about making money at all cost.
“He keeps comparing me to his friend’s wife.
“My husband told me that his friend’s wife is an ogbanje (witch) and she uses that to bring goodluck to her husband, that I should be doing same for him, which I refused.
“He beats me up, but in spite of this I still love my husband,’’ Ganiyat said.
The court President, Adegboyega Omilola, ordered the couple to attend an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) on March 17.
He adjourned the case till March 29 for hearing.
Credit: Guardian
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), says it is in talks with Vincent Enyeama and Emmanuel Emenike, former goalkeeper and striker respectively, over possible return to Super Eagles.
Super Eagles Interim Coach Samson Siasia who said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, said the aim was to ensure that the country assembles its best legs against Egypt.
The Super Eagles have crucial two-legged Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), qualifying matches against the Pharaohs of Egypt.
The first leg encounter takes place in Kaduna on March 25, while the return leg match is scheduled for Cairo on March 29.
Siasia said NFF was exploring every avenue capable of bringing success, adding that it had taken steps to facilitate the players’ return to the team.
“We just finished talking with the NFF Technical Director, Shaibu Amadu; we are just putting the list of invited players together and after the NFF Technical Committee meeting on Thursday, the list should be released’’, he said.
“The Super Eagles’ Secretary, Dayo Enebi, will be contacting the invited players and he is talking with Enyeama and Emenike; we will talk with them when they are ready to talk.
“We will be happy to see these players back in the team if they can help us to qualify for 2017 AFCON’’, he said.
The Olympic silver medal winning coach, however, said he was not under any pressure to win Egypt.
“The job for me is tasking but we are here for challenges and, being a challenge does not mean that it is a mountain we cannot climb.
“I am not feeling any pressure; all I want to do is to ensure we do well in the two games against Egypt.’’
Siasia was appointed on Friday by the NFF as interim Super Eagles coach following the resignation of Sunday Oliseh.
He is to be assisted by Flying Eagles’ coach Emmanuel Amuneke, Salisu Yusuf and Alloy Agu.
(NAN)
A pregnant woman and two health workers have been confirmed dead following the outbreak of Lassa fever in Kaduna.
The three people including a medical doctor who was undergoing his national youth service year as a corp and a community health nurse died at the Saint Louis Hospital in Zonkwa, area of Zango Kataf local government of the state.
The doctor and the nurse it would be recalled contacted the lassa fever disease after conducting an operation on a pregnant woman who later died of the same disease two weeks ago.
Confirming the outbreak, the state commissioner for health, Professor Jonathan Andrew Nok told journalists, that two weeks ago, there was a pregnant woman that visited the Saint Louis Hospital after she was referred from a clinic in Kamuru.
‘‘She was pregnant and an operation was conducted on her by the doctor and nurse. She subsequently died.”
He added: “The two individuals that died were the people that actually attended to the pregnant woman. She died about two weeks ago. No one thought they would die like that after the woman. The woman died of lassa disease. She was buried properly. And it was after her death that symptoms of lassa started to show on the medical doctor and the community nurse.
“The doctor and the nurse died after they had high temperature consistently for four days,” said the commissioner.
He said that the doctor and nurse showed signs of lassa fever shortly after operating a pregnant woman who was brought in from another hospital in from a primary health care centre in Kamuru in the same local government.
‘‘The woman later died few days after they were tested positive to lassa.’’
Credit: Leadership
Benue State Governor, Mr Samuel Ortom, today (Tuesday) confirmed the killing of nine indigenous farmers in a renewed attack on several Agatu communities by armed herdsmen dislodged by security forces on Sunday evening.
The attack lasted for over three hours, according to the Governor, who spoke to journalist shortly after inaugurating a committee on renewable energy.
He added that apart from the lives lost, a number of Agatu villages were burnt to the ground.
Governor Ortom assured the people of Agatu that he is working with the Nasarawa State government to ensure that the security threats is nipped in the bud.
Credit: ChannelsTv
Chief Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday called for the disbandment of all caucuses within the party for proper realignment ahead of 2019 general elections.
George, who made the call at a General Assembly of Lagos PDP in Ikeja, said that the party must come together for ‘’renewal and revival’’.
“The greatest injury in our party is indiscipline. Nobody is above the constitution of the party; the party is supreme. Whatever we agree on must be binding on everyone.
“The constitution of the party is very clear, that there is only one PDP. Enough of all the groupings, it is unhealthy for the party.
“Let us all come back, reinvigorate the party and fight for the same vision,” he said.
George, who is also a former Chairman, Nigerian Ports Authority, urged members to be true to one another, as PDP remained the only party that would liberate the people.
He said that the party, in spite of the challenges caused by the enemy within its fold since 1998, had continued to wax strong.
George urged members to disregard the deliberate attempt by detractors to pull the party down in the last general elections.
The party chieftain assured members that the foundation of the party would henceforth be laid at the ward level.
He also appealed to leaders of the party to allow members elect whoever they wanted as their executives and not impose anybody on them.
George urged leaders to be careful and vigilant in handling any member who left and wanted to come back to the fold.
Earlier, the 2015 governorship candidate of PDP in Lagos, Mr Jimi Agbaje, urged members to go back to their wards and restrategise ahead of 2019 general elections.
“Yes, we will continue to disagree and fight ourselves, but one thing that is sacrosanct is that we must not disown our party.
“No matter how aggrieved we are, we must understand that the party is supreme.
The State Chairman of PDP, Capt. Olatunji Shelle, said the party would capitalise on the mistakes of the ruling party to ensure that Lagos State is back on track.
“We will reposition to be able to win all elections,” he said.
Shelle assured members that a date would soon be announced to inform them of when the congress would hold.
(NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, as he turns 74 years on March 2.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.
According to the president, the revered Christian leader, epitomises the virtues of honesty, peace, patience, contentment, humility and diligence, which are the trademarks of a good believer.
The president commended the relentless efforts, sacrifices and the grace of God upon the life of the General Overseer.
He noted that Adeboye, who had over the years propagated the gospel around the world, had organised large gathering of Christian worshipers and consistently counselled leaders and their citizens on living right before God.
President Buhari saluted the social and humanitarian interventions of the RCCG leader in providing health and educational services to complement the efforts of governments in addition to preaching the gospel.
The president prayed that the Almighty God would grant Adeboye, whom he had interacted with many times before, long life and more strength to carry on the good work.
It will be recalled that Pastor Adeboye paid courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari on Feb. 16.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said Nigeria would continue to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to enable it to realise its noble objectives.
The president gave the assurance when he received the outgoing President of the ECOWAS Commission, Amb. Kadre Desire Ouedraogo at the State House, Abuja.
The President said the pursuit of the laudable goals of the regional economic bloc aimed at regional integration and peaceful co-existence that inspired its creation on May 28, 1975, would always remain a top priority for Nigeria.
“Nigeria, by its size and resources, has no alternative than to back ECOWAS to the hilt.
“We are part of ECOWAS. Indeed, we are at the very heart of it, so we will continue to play our role’’, he added.
Buhari said the gains recorded so far in collectively providing peace in the sub-region and curtailing health challenges were major achievements of ECOWAS that must be sustained.
‘‘Now, we have to get more reliable intelligence and support from the international community, and utilize the gains for the development of our countries”, he said.
The President, who commended Ouedraogo for his diligence and visionary leadership, wished him well in his future engagements.
Ouedraogo recounted some of his achievements over the four-year period of serving to include peace and stability in the region.
He mentioned the resolution of crises in Mali, Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso and the tackling of the Ebola scourge as some of his major achievements.
‘‘We signed trade agreements with China, U.S and Japan. The biometric identity card has been approved and is due for launch in 2016. A single currency by 2020 is on course.
On behalf of all ECOWAS institutions, I express my sincere thanks to Nigeria for all her support’’, he said.
(NAN)
The Federal Government will soon create grazing zones across the country with a view to checkmating herdsmen/farmers clashes.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, stated this in Abuja on Tuesday during a news conference on the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
“Federal Government would create grazing areas in the country where the herdsmen would take care of their cattle.
“We will grow special grasses in the South to feed the cattle in the North, just as it is being practiced successfully in some parts of the world.’’
He said Nigeria was the only country in Africa in which cattle roamed about and trekked long distances to feed.
He said that cows in Nigeria produced the least milk in the world despite having good breed.
“They produce about one litre of milk per day per female cow, this is not good enough.
“We are reducing their productivity level by making cattle to trek from Maiduguri to Lagos because too much of exercise affects their productivity.
“We have good species of cows but we still spend N1.3 million to import milk to the country on a daily basis.
“You are all aware of what is currently happening in my state, Benue.
“We need to map out grazing areas fast as a temporary solution to the frequent conflicts until cattle owners see the need to adopt other means of rearing their cattle’’, he said.
The minister also stressed the need for all year round farming in order to boost the sector and improve the country’s yield.
“We need to develop more dams and canals across the country so that agriculture becomes an all year round activity and not confined to the rainy season alone.
“Irrigation gives better yields because you can control the water supply level. We have a lot of dams across the country but are not put into proper use.
“If we continue with the current rate of one crop per year with very low mechanisation, Nigerians risk not attaining self-sufficiency in food production soon.
“We are also collaborating with the states to specialise in two crops they have comparative advantage in to improve productivity’’, he said.
Ogbeh added that he would soon come out with a soil map of the country to enable farmers to know the type of fertiliser suitable for his/her farm and know how to apply same for good yield.
He stated that a lot of activities were ongoing to make agriculture attractive to youths and for them to see it as a business.
He said there were ongoing youth programmes at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and urged those interested in agriculture to make use of the opportunity.
“We are working tirelessly to return Nigeria to where she was in the 60`s and 70`s by increasing extension services in every local government across the country.’’
The minister noted that the country had less than 300 tractors serving all the farmers while countries like Europe and USA were completely mechanised.
He said from the statistics, there were 800 million hectares of farm land in the world with 400 million of the farm lands from Africa.
He, however, stated that the Federal Government was working hard to reposition the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria and 19 research institutes across the country to return to their core mandate.
(NAN)
