Global Naija Info

Akinwunmi Ambode In a bid to ensure a successful 2016 Hajj exercise and to cushion the effects of the present economic hardship on intending pilgrims, the Lagos State Government has reviewed Hajj fare downward from N1.2 million to N1.150 million. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Lateef Abdul-Hakeem disclosed this during 2016 Maiden Ramadan Lecture organized to educate intending pilgrims on Islamic teachings and principles at the Secretariat Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja. The Commissioner explained that the reduction of N50,000 from the fare is an incentive to cushion the effect of current economic situation, stating further that recently the state government refunded the sum of N50 million to 3,047 pilgrims in respect of certain benefits they missed during the 2015 Hajj exercise. “We are government of the people and we believe in justice and fairness”, he stressed. Abdul-Lateef announced further that N35,000 paid for the purchase of ram in Mecca for this year’s Hajj will

Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, arraigned Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi, former governorship aspirant of APC in Bauchi State on charges of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretense. Also charged with Adamu was his company, Solid Unit Nig. Ltd, before Justice Yakubu Dakawak of Plateau High Court 2 in Jos. According to the prosecutor, Aliyu Bokani Usman, Adamu collected N23,431 from one Olajide Olaleye, for the supply of iron ore and zinc but disappeared thereafter. He alleged that the action contravened section 8 (a) and punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Law of 2006. Adamu, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and the asked prosecutor for a trial date and urge the court to remand the accused in prison. The defence counsel, Gyang Zio, prayed the court to grant the accused bail on personal recognition. Justice Dakawak adjourned the case to Friday, June 10, for ruling on

Diego Maradona hailed his old rival Pele as an “icon” as the pair were reunited for a “match of friendship” on Thursday. The 75-year-old Brazil great and 55-year-old Argentine legend even embraced during the five-a-side exhibition game in a sign that they have drawn a line under their long-running feud. “I want to thank Pele, we know who he is and who he will always be. We need icons like him,” said Maradona, who starred in Argentina’s 1986 World Cup triumph. Pele, a three-time world champion, also struck a conciliatory tone in response. “The most important is the message of peace. Many thanks to my friend Maradona for this opportunity and a big round of applause to the players who have been here today,” said Pele. “This is a moment of peace.” It was a far cry from the acrimony between them when FIFA was trying to decide the player of the 20th Century in 2000. The world body organised an online vote which Maradona easily won. But FIFA thought the online users at the time were

Lagos State House of Assembly The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday confirmed the appointment of the immediate past Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, as the Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). Justice Philips’ appointment, which was confirmed during plenary on Thursday, followed her nomination by the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode through a letter sent to the House few weeks back. The Clerk of the House, Mr. Sanni Azeez was subsequently ordered to communicate the confirmation of the appointment of Philips to the Governor through a letter. Justice Philips, who was invited to the House to defend her nomination, said during plenary that she was prepared for the job and that this would halt her retirement, which she had enjoyed for sometime now, adding that she was ready to serve the State. Some of the lawmakers, who contributed during her appearance, observed that she served the State meritoriously during her tenure as the Chief Judge o

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana says the recent unrest in the Niger Delta is as a result of the height of intelligence failure by the nation’s security system. Falana, who spoke at a public forum organised by the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) at the Memorable Gathering Event Centre, Alausa to mark the 2016 International Archives Day, said the failure of the security agencies to keep proper records was the reason for conflict eruption and escalation in the different parts of the country. “We are people without a record. There is no country that can fight corruption and insecurity without adequate information. What is going in the Niger Delta now is the height of intelligence failure. “After the crisis in the region and the emergence of the militants and the crisis that led to the amnesty programme, we would have expected the country to keep records, as was the case in those days. For instance in those days, when a prisoner is released, where he goes t

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday evening sacked the Executive Secretaries of the 57 Local Governments Councils and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs in the State. This followed the resolution of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday that the govenor should dissolve the LGs/LCDAs Caretaker Committees. Ambode, thus, on Thursday evening approved the immediate dissolution of the Caretaker Committees. In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello, the Governor also directed the Executive Secretaries to hand over the reins of administration to the Head of Administration in each of the Council Areas. Thursday’s dissolution of the Caretaker committees is preparatory to the holding of elections into the 57 Council Areas by the State Government and ensuring that the necessary machineries are put in place preparatory to the elections. Earlier on Thursday, the Lagos State House of Assembly had demanded the sack of the 57 Ex

The gavel of justice An Enugu High Court on Thursday freed two men, Emmanuel Eze and Chinedu Nnaji, for want of evidence by the prosecution after five years in prison custody, charged with robbery. The accused persons were arrested on September 11, 2011, for allegedly robbing a 73-year-old man, Mr. Ephraim Ani and two other victims of their belongings with weapons at Amagu Obeagu in Enugu. Ani had claimed that the accused persons robbed him of his money, phones from his children and took away one of his cutlasses. According to him, it was when they left his premises that he climbed a mango tree in his compound around 1.30 a.m. and saw the two accused persons and four others that attacked him. He further said that the accused were later apprehended by soldiers of 103 Battalion, Gariki, in Enugu, who thereafter, handed them over to the Awkunanaw Police Station in Enugu South Local Government Area. Items recovered from the accused persons, according to police, were wrappers, torchl

Libyan Prime Minister, Fayez Sarraj A former Libyan minister and prominent lawyer, Abdelrahman al-Kiste, were killed along 13 others, military sources disclosed on Thursday. It said that the prominent citizens were killed on Wednesday night when forces of the national unity government clashed with Daech elements in Sirte, 450 km East at Tripoli. The sources said that the fierce fighting also resulted in injuries to 95 government troops. The sources said that Abdelrahman al-Kiste was taking part in the ongoing fight in Southern Sirte, together with the governmental forces and within the framework of the operation Armoured architecture meant to liberate the city from Daech forces. Abdelrahman al-Kiste was a minister in the transitional government led by Abdelrahim al-Kib in 2012, in charge of the ministry of the Injured, Families of martyrs. Abdelaziz Issa, the Director of Information, Education and Health sensitisation office said that injuries were not serious, saying that most

Ben Akabueze President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of his Special Adviser on Planning, Mr Ben Akabueze as the new Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation. Mr. Akabueze takes over from Mr Tijani Mohammed Abdullahi who will now serve as Special Adviser to the President on Planning and will continue to work with the Minister of Budget and National Planning. Both Mr Akabueze and Mr. Abdullahi joined the Ministry of Budget and National Planning in February this year. Their redeployment is part of an ongoing exercise aimed at further repositioning the Ministry to effectively deliver on its core mandate.

efcc logo The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, arraigned one Abdullahi Adamu Usman, a.k.a. Dan China alongside his company, Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, before Justice Yakubu Dakwak of the High Court of Plateau State, Jos, Plateau State, on a two-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N23,431,000. The accused, who claimed to own a functional mining site, allegedly obtained the money from the complainant, Olajide Olaleye, Managing Director, TTMW Services Nigeria Limited, for the supply of Iron Ore and Zinc Ore. However, the accused allegedly became evasive after receiving the money from the complainant. Count one of the charge reads: ” That you, Abdullahi Adamu Usman, aka Dan China, being the Director of Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, and Yusuf Ali (still at large) sometime in June, 2011 within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Plateau State did conspire to commit an unlawful act to wit: obtainin

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday in New York, United States vowed that his administration will increase its response to the challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS in the State. Ambode, who spoke at a meeting with a delegation of Global Fund at the United Nations headquarters in New York said his administration was determined to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS in the state. The Governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, had earlier declared his commitment to the judicious use of the proposed grant to be giving to alleviate the plight of people living with the deadly disease. He was unequivocal about the economic sense of having a healthy population in driving the growth and development of the State. Executive Director of Global Fund, Dr Mark Dybul remarked that the proposed grant to the health sector in Lagos State is to fight the scourge against HIV/AIDS. This also comes at the back of the Paris declaration of last year, in

Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun on Thursday granted amnesty to 17 prisoners serving various jail terms in the state. He also commuted the death sentences passed on four other prisoners to life imprisonment. This is contained in a statement signed by Juwon Soyinka, his Senior Special Assistant on Media in Abeokuta. He said the gesture was part of activities marking the 2016 Democracy Day and June 12 remembrance anniversaries in the state. According to him, the governor’s gesture is in line with the power conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended. He added that it is an exercise of the governor’s power to grant prerogative of mercy to convicts as conferred by the constitution of the country. The beneficiaries granted pardon include Wale Ibidapo Ogungbade, Emmanuel Obi, Oshilaru Abiodun, Wasiu Raimi, Abiola Samuel, Obi Moses, Abiodun Odedele, Ojo and Wasiu, Lateef Bello. Others are Dosu Sunday, Kayode Ogunsawo Sunday Agbehi, Stephen Kolad

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it paid N56.22 billion into the Federation Account in April 2016. This is contained in the corporation’s Monthly Financial Report released in Abuja on Thursday. “NNPC transferred N56.22 billion to the Federation Account for the month of April being proceeds from local sale of petroleum products. “Thus, the sum of N933.12 billion has been paid to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) from March, 2015 to April, 2016,” the report said. On crude oil sale for the month under review, it said that NNPC recorded export sale of 289.36 million dollars, adding that the sales were made in March, while the collection was made in April 2016. It added that in spite of the export sales, NNPC did not make any dollar remittance to the Federation Account in April. It said that crude oil export sales during the period amounted to 191.30 million dollars or 66.11 per cent of the dollar transactions compared with 57.79 per cent contr

Former Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has announced his retirement due to injuries at the age of just 31. “It’s sad, but it is the right decision to stop. I’m proud of my career,” the Danish international centre-back wrote on Twitter. Agger joined Liverpool from Brondby in 2006 and made 232 appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals and winning the League Cup in 2012, but his spell at Anfield was frequently disrupted by injuries. He returned to Brondby in 2014. “It has been difficult in recent years. The last two-three years I think I’ve been at an acceptable level. But acceptable is not good enough for me,” he said at a press conference at the Rosenhoj club outside Copenhagen where he played as a youth. “I don’t want my level to fall any further and so it was time to stop,” he added.

Akinwunmi Ambode, Gov Lagos State The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has concluded plans to dedicate his birthday on 14 June, 2016 to raise fund to fight against cancer. The governor has appealed to his family members, friends, political associates and well wishers wishing to place congratulatory messages on his birthday via newspaper adverts or other platforms to desist from such but instead donate such money for the fight against cancer. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the Governor would on Tuesday, 14 June, participate in a ‘#GivingTuesday’ event being pioneered by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria), a group in the forefront of the war against cancer. The statement said the governor had graciously accepted a request by the CECP-Nigeria, being anchored by Dr. Christopher Kolade, to participate in #GivingTuesday to mark his birthday which coincidentally falls on a Tuesday. ‘#GivingTuesday’ is an initi

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose Most commercial banks operating in Ekiti have placed embargo on further granting of loans against salary to workers in the state. Dependable bank sources revealed in Ado Ekiti on Thursday that granting of loans to workers was stopped more than two months ago. According to a source, who pleaded not to be mentioned, the banks took the decision when it became apparent that those with old loans could no longer fulfill their monthly repayment obligations to their banks. Further investigation revealed that some of the banks have been finding it difficult to cope with the situation, hence their decision to adopt the strategy. Some of the affected civil servants, who did not want to be named, confirmed that their applications to banks for top-up loan were declined while fresh applications were left unattended to. A staff of one of the first generation banks disclosed that the embargo was from their corporate headquarters, adding that it did not targe

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is collaborating with the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group to establish a databank of missing persons in the country. The Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, made this known at a roundtable organised by the commission in Abuja on Thursday. “We are meeting here to put up strategies that will ensure that we have a database that will record persons who for reasons of insurgency or other reasons are now missing or have disappeared. “Officially, today in this country, about 1.8 million Nigerians are displaced but officially again, we do not have the exact record of those who are affected by the insurgency. “Some people are displaced and yet are not part of the 1.8 million people that are officially said to be displaced today. “Even as we speak, there are still several Nigerians that are unaccounted for. “Nigerians were surprised when the military discovered thousands that were being kept in the custody of the insurgents.

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Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka says claim in some quarters that the Lagos at 50 celebrations will run for 365 days is dishonest and a dangerous trend. Soyinka, who is the Co-chairman of the Lagos at 50 Celebration Planning Committee, denounced reports in the media that the celebration would run for 365 days. Speaking at a news conference in Lagos on Wednesday, Soyinka the celebration was a series of socio-cultural and political events lined up by the Lagos State Government to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state. The Nobel laureate told newsmen that some group of people had put out a paid advertorial in newspapers with misleading information about the scope of the “Lagos at 50” celebration. He said the claim being laid against the celebration that it would run on each day for a whole year was “dishonest” and a “dangerous trend,’ saying there was no time the planning committee put out information that events for the celebration would run for everyday for a

Cancer patient Sue Jensen The Australian state of Victoria could soon become the first state to legalise voluntary euthanasia for people suffering from serious and incurable conditions. A committee has recommended the Victorian Government legalise assisted suicide. If the landmark recommendations, handed down by the Parliament’s Legal and Social Issues committee, are adopted, Victoria would become the first Australian state to legalise assisted dying. The report handed down, which came after 10 months of investigation by the committee, made 49 recommendations covering assisted suicide. Included in the recommendations were changes to the Crime Act designed to protect doctors who act within assisted dying legislation. “The Government should introduce legislation to allow adults with decision-making capacity, suffering from serious and incurable conditions that are at the end of life to be provided assistance to die in certain circumstances,’’ it said. The report specified that a

The European Union has extended its ban on importation of dried beans from Nigeria by three years. Dr Vincent Isegbe, the Coordinating Director, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) disclosed this Thursday in an interview. The EU banned importation of Nigeria’s dried beans in June 2015 on ground that the produce contains high level of pesticide considered dangerous to human health. Isegbe, however, lamented that the extension came when the Federal Government and its relevant agencies were working to ensure that the June dateline to lift the ban was met. The director quoted the official journal of the EU, of accusing Nigeria of not doing enough to lift the ban during the period of suspension “The continued presence of dichlorvos (pesticide) in dried beans imported from Nigeria and maximum residue levels of pesticides shows that compliance with food law requirement as regards pesticide residual cannot be achieved in the short term. “The duration of the importation prohibi

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State The Kwara House of Assembly on Thursday administered oath of office on Mrs Victoria Afolayan, a newly elected lawmaker representing Oke-Ero Constituency. Afolayan, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, was elected at a by-election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC) on May 28. The new female member is the wife of the deceased member, Mr Musa-Moses Afolayan, who died on January 30. Speaking at her inauguration, the Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad, said Afolayan had submitted duly certified asset declaration form from the Code of Conduct Bureau and satisfied other requirements of becoming a member of the House. He expressed gratitude to the People of Oke-Ero Constituency for electing Afolayan. The high point of the occasion was the taking over of the vacant seat of her late husband on the floor of the House. With the swearing-in, the number of female lawmakers in the house has now increased to five.

An Australian Shepherd Dog A Karu Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Thursday sentenced a 28-year old gateman, Magwep Kwapyen, to four months imprisonment for selling his employer’s Australian dogs valued N210,000. Kwapyen, who resides at Nyanyan, pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of joint act and stealing, and begged for leniency. The presiding officer, Hassan Ishaq, gave the convict an option of N10,000 fine, and warned him not to repeat the act. He also ordered that the police should return the recovered dog to the owner. Prosecutor Fidelis Okoro had told the court that the convict was reported by Ebuka Vistus at the Nyanyan Police Station on June 8. Okoro said that the complainant reported to the police that Kwapyen, conspired with Mathias Jude to steal two of his dogs valued N210,000. The prosecutor said that the complainant told police that the gateman removed the dogs from their cage and sold them without his consent. Okoro said that during police investigations, the defe

Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh Gambian Police on Thursday issued a stern warning against music and dance during the month of Ramadan, which began on June 6, a statement from the Office of the Inspector-General of Police said. “In honour of the Holy Month of Ramadan, all ceremonies, festivities and programmes that involve drumming, music and dance during the day or at night are prohibited. “All those engaged in the practice are therefore warned to desist from such acts, otherwise they will be eventually apprehended and face the full force of the law without compromise,’’ the statement said. The Public Relation Officer of the Police, Lamin Njie, said the police also advised the public to report any such persons or groups to the police, as stern actions would be taken against any offenders. Islam is the predominant religion in the nation and in December 2015, President Yahya Jammeh declared the Gambia as an Islamic republic.

Mr Alkali Usman, the newly appointed Commissioner of Police (CP) for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) assumed office on Thursday at the command Headquarters, Abuja. Usman, who took over from Mr Wilson Inalegwu was the immediate past commissioner of police in Delta command. At a brief handover ceremony, the new CP said he would operate an open door policy for residents and other stakeholders for effective policing of the territory. According to him, “I am going to operate an open door policy for all stakeholders in the FCT in checking crimes and criminality.” The commissioner said he would sustain all effective strategies adopted by his predecessor to fight crime in the federal capital. He added that crime prevention and control in every society was the responsibility of everyone and not the exclusive reserve for the police. “Crime prevention and control is not the business of the police alone, I have the believe that we will do it together,” he said. He promised to rely on t

Arunma Oteh: now vice president of World Bank The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved 575 million dollars additional financing in International Development Association (IDA) credit to scale up its support to Nigeria’s North-East. The information is contained in a statement obtained from World Bank’s website on Thursday in Abuja. It stated that the support fund would help to rebuild livelihoods in the region, which is home to 1.8 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). It noted that the Boko Haram insurgency had taken a toll on the six northeast states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi and Gombe “and the states cannot meet the most pressing needs of the millions of people affected by the ongoing conflict.’’ The World Bank estimated that some 15 million people had been affected by the crisis. According to it, a recent North-East Nigeria Recovery and Peace Building Assessment produced by Federal Government with the support of World Bank, the European Uni

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday sent a list of forty-seven ambassadorial nominees to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation. Senate President Bukola Saraki made the announcement during a Senate plenary session on Thursday. The names were contained in a letter which was sent to the senate and read on the floor of the upper legislative chamber by Senator Bukola Saraki. The Senate, however, has confirmed the 47 Ambassadors nominated by Buhari to head Nigeria’s missions abroad. Some of the new diplomats are Obinna Chukwuemeka, Okeke Vivian, Ngozi Okeje, Bello Kazaure, Garba Baba, Umar Salisu, Kadiri Ayinla Audu, Ibrahim Isa, Bankole Adeoye, Ibrahim Hamza, KC Nwachukwu, Olufemi Abekoye, Adekunbi Abibat, Salisu Umoru, Liman Munir, Mohammed Hassan Hassan, Olatunde Adesesan, Usman Bakure, Balogun Akeem and Kabiru Bala.

The gavel of justice A 44-year-old businesswoman, Adenike Rodoye, had lost her 20-year-old marriage to her husband, Durojaiye, because she was always tearing his boxers so as to rape him. “My wife has turned my boxers to rags as she always tears them to rape me,” he told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos State on Thursday. The president of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, after he had listened to the couple, said that he was convinced that they could no longer live together as husband and wife. Omilola said that he had to dissolve the union after the petitioner had insisted on the divorce. The president added that several interventions made by him to reconcile them felt on deaf ears. “This court has no choice than to dissolve the union in spite of the fact that the wife still claims she loves her husband. “Both parties are no longer husband and wife, as the marriage has broken down totally, they are free to go their separate ways,” Omilola ruled Earlier, the 56-year-old-peti

Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education Authorities of Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, have shut down the institution indefinitely following cult activities which led to the death of four students and one security guard. The institution’s Information Officer, Mr Dzerka Fanafa, said in Makurdi on Thursday that the decision to close down the school was to prevent further escalation of the crisis. Fanafa disclosed that crisis broke out on Tuesday in some of the hostels built by independent developers and resulted in the death of one student. He said the university authority swiftly intervened to contain the situation by inviting the security agencies to prevent further hostilities by the students. He said the crisis escalated when four people, including a security guard working for a private developer, was killed on Wednesday night by the cultists. He said stakeholders held an emergency meeting on Wednesday night and decided that students leave the hostels before noon on Thu

Barley a day to the UEFA Euro 2016 championship, France, the host nation of the tournament, has continued to tighten security across the country to check terror attacks. An investigation carried out on Thursday by the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that authorities have beefed up security with policemen and bomb detectors, among others, at the venues of the 51 matches throughout the tournament. Sources at UEFA told NAN that at least 90,000 police have been deployed to ensure safety at the venues of the matches. According to the source, this includes 77,000 police, gendarmes and riot control officers alongside 13,000 private security agents and 1,000 volunteers. In the same vein, 10,000 soldiers had already been stationed across cities as part of anti-terrorism measures. The soldiers will also be handed more responsibility to protect sites during Euro 2016. The security measures were also extended to ”Fan Zones” where crowds would be watching the

Liberia said Thursday it was free of Ebola, meaning there are now no known cases of the deadly tropical virus left in west Africa following an outbreak that began in neighbouring Guinea in December 2013. Liberia was the country worst hit with more than 4,800 Liberians killed by the virus, and was awaiting the all-clear following the discharge of its last known patients in May. “Liberia is again free of Ebola. We have just ended the incubation period following the last case,” Sorbor George, chief of communication at the ministry, told AFP. The west African nation has now passed the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold of 42 days — twice the incubation period for the virus — since the last known patient tested negative for the second time. “WHO commends Liberia’s government and people on their effective response to this recent re-emergence of Ebola,” said WHO Representative in Liberia Alex Gasasira in a statement. “WHO will continue to support Liberia in its effort to prevent

The Nigeria National Accreditation Service, NiNAS, has kicked off a nationwide sensitisation campaign to mark World Accreditation Day, a global initiative to raise awareness on the importance of accreditation. NiNAS was established through the collaboration of the Nigerian government and the European Union-funded National Quality Infrastructure Project, which is implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. According to Voice of Nigeria (VON), The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NiNAS, Mr. Dahiru Adamu is optimistic that the newly-created Nigeria Accreditation Service will use the key elements of accreditation to support quality and new business opportunities in the country. Adamu speaking said,  “NiNAS aims to bring all the benefits of accreditation to Nigeria. This year, we are participating in the World Accreditation Day programme for the first time. Alongside our counterparts in countries around the world, we have set up advocacy and sensitisation c

A Gudu Upper Area Court in Abuja on Thursday, sentenced Mr John Okeke to six weeks imprisonment for stealing two cell telephones. The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, gave an option of fine in the sum of N8, 000 and ordered that the convict should be given six strokes of cane. Kagarko advised him to desist from criminal activities. Okeke of Area 1, Garki, Abuja, was arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass and theft. The Prosecutor, Kufreabasi Ebong, had told the court that one Friday Ahmed of Wumba Village, Abuja, reported the matter at the Apo Police Station on May 27, 2016. He said Okeke conspired with one Onye, who is at large, and criminally trespassed into Ahmed’s room and stole one Nokia telephone and one Itel telephone valued at N10, 000 and N7, 000, respectively. Ebong said that the telephones were recovered from Okeke during police investigations. He said the offence contravened Sections 97, 348 and 288 of the Penal Code. Okeke pleaded gu

Thousands of people are expected to attend an Islamic prayer service for Muhammad Ali on Thursday, the start of two days of poignant ceremonies honouring the late boxing legend. Ali’s hometown of Louisville in the southern US state of Kentucky will host the tributes that will bring together VIPs and huge crowds of ordinary fans in the city of 600,000. Ali, a three-time heavyweight world champion whose remarkable boxing career and civil rights activism made him one of the indelible figures of the 20th century, died last week at age 74 after a decades-long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Born Cassius Clay at a time of racial segregation in the American south, the boxer converted to Islam in 1964, changing his name to Muhammad Ali. The 30-minute prayer service will be held at Louisville’s Freedom Hall arena, the site of Ali’s last fight in his hometown, where he defeated Willi Besmanoff on November 29, 1961. “The service is a traditional Muslim funeral,” said Imam Zaid Shakir, who

Luis Suarez will miss Uruguay’s second match of the Copa America Centenario against Venezuela after struggling to shake off his hamstring problem, coach Oscar Tabarez confirmed on Wednesday. Uruguay face Venezuela on Thursday in Group C in Philadelphia aiming to bounce back after suffering defeat to Mexico in their opening match on Sunday. But Uruguay will head into the crucial game — a second defeat would almost certainly see them eliminated — without Suarez once more as the Barcelona star works his way back from a hamstring injury. “Luis Suarez is still in recovery, it’s the 17th day, and he is still not ready. That being the case, he will not play,” Tabarez told a press conference. The veteran Uruguay coach even suggested Suarez may not take any part in the tournament, hinting he could be held back to ensure his fitness for upcoming World Cup qualifying games. Uruguay currently lead South America’s 2018 qualifying standings after six games. “He’s an important player and this

The latest Ebola outbreak in Liberia, the last country still affected by the deadliest flare-up in the history of the feared tropical virus, is to be declared over on Thursday. Liberia will have passed the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold of 42 days — twice the incubation period for the virus — since the last known patient tested negative for the second time. The Ebola epidemic began in Guinea in December 2013 and killed more than 11,300 people, devastating economies and health systems in the worst affected countries in West Africa and testing the world’s capacity to respond to a global health emergency. Previous declarations announcing the end of Ebola flare-ups in West Africa have been followed by the emergence of new cases. The risk of infection lasts beyond the 42-day period because the virus can survive in certain bodily fluids of survivors, particularly sperm, where it can linger up to a year, according to experts. The WHO declared an end to the latest Ebola outbrea

Sensational gospel singer and songwriter, Jahdiel and husband, Eben have welcomed their second son, Joshua in a hospital in the United States. The couple who got married in 2013 had a son together before the arrival of Joshua. The excited new father took to his Instagram page to share a photo of him holding his son and wrote: “There is no victory without a shout!!!!somborry shout Halleluyah !!!!Joshua has arrived!!!ayehh,God has indeed given me victory!!!!!thank you lord Jesus !!!” Congratulations to the new parents.

Emerging womenswear fashion brand, DOS Clothing Company is out with the debut of its latest ‘2016 Summer Collection’ campaign featuring media girl, Dorcas Shola Fapson. The Nollywood hot sensation shot to fame for the role she played in MTV’s TV series Shuga and more recently as NdaniTV ‘The Juice’ host. For the DOS collection, she served us five key looks from the brand which are best described as fun, flirty, whimsical and fashion forward. DOS which has been in the business of producing and retailing gorgeous womenswear for over five years chose Dorcas as the face of the campaign because she brings a breath of fresh air with her style and depicts what the brand stands for- which is catering to the sophisticated, trendy and edgy modern day woman. See photos from the collection below.  

London-born EbonyLife TV presenter, Zainab Balogun is both beauty and brains. The talented petite multimedia personality was really astonishing as she stepped out recently in a two-piece number off Fruche’s SS16 ‘Nkeiruka’ collection. She rocked the off-shoulder piece to a Remy Martin event. Zainab absolutely slayed as she finished up her look wearing gold drop statement earrings.

Dr-Maikanti-Baru-NNPC Managing Director The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has disclosed that it lost N20 billion in April due to attacks on Forcados Export Line by the Niger Delta Avengers. In its Monthly Financial and Operations Report for April released in Abuja on Wednesday, NNPC said its revenue dipped in April by 4.99 per cent to N102.45 billion from N107. 83 billion recorded in March. It states that the corporation’s expenses also dipped by 3.82 per cent to N121.88 billion compared to N126.72 billion spent in the preceding month. It attributed the drop to pipeline vandalism which forced one of its subsidiaries, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), to undertake a production shut-in, which resulted in the loss of monthly crude oil revenue of N20 billion. The report said “NPDC deficit and low revenue in the month of February to March 2016 and April 2016 was due to production shut–in, resulting to loss of entire NPDC’s revenue from crude oil sales of

Dr Ibe Kachikwu, NNPC managing director and junior minister of petroleum The revenue of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) dipped in April by 4.99 per cent to N102.45 billion from N107. 83 billion recorded in March, the agency said in a report. The Monthly Financial and Operations Report for April was released in Abuja on Wednesday. It states that the corporation’s expenses also dipped by 3.82 per cent to N121.88 billion compared to N126.72 billion spent in the preceding month. It attributed the drop to pipeline vandalism which forced one of its subsidiaries, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), to undertake a production shut-in, which resulted in the loss of monthly crude oil revenue of N20 billion. The report said “NPDC deficit and low revenue in the month of February to March 2016 and April 2016 was due to production shut–in, resulting to loss of entire NPDC’s revenue from crude oil sales of about N20 billion occasioned by vandalism of Forcados Export Lin

The Federal Government has promised to seek ways to immortalise the late Stephen Keshi, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Solomon Daloung, has said. The promise is contained a statement issued by Nneka Anibeze, Special Assistant Media to the minister. “I will formally inform the government of the death of this great Nigerian and I want to assure Nigerians that government will seek ways to immortalise him,’’ the minister said. He said the news of Keechi’s death came to him as a big surprise as the former coach was neither sick nor had any health issues before his demise. “It is with a heavy heart but gratitude to the almighty God that I, on behalf of the Ministry and the Federal Government of Nigeria, sympathise with the family of Coach Stephen Keshi (MON). ` `Also`, the Nigerian football family mourns over the untimely death of our amiable, dedicated and outstanding hero. “ I was really shocked by the news of his death. He was one of Nigeria’s heroes whose contributions to the

The wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has described the death of former Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, as a monumental loss to the country and the sports industry. She said this in a statement issued by her Director of Media, Malam Zakariyau Nadabo, on Wednesday in Abuja. “My deepest condolences to the family of Keshi, a sports hero and former coach to Super Eagles, whose death is a great loss to the entire federation.’’ She said in the statement that the news of Keshi’s death came to her as a shock, describing him as a pride to the country She further said the deceased would be remembered for his various contributions to the development of sports in the country. The statement prayed Almighty God to grant the Delta Government as well as the people of the state and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

The Federal Government has promised to seek ways to immortalise the late Stephen Keshi, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalong, has said. The promise was contained in a statement issued by Nneka Anibeze, Special Assistant Media to the minister. “I will formally inform the government of the death of this great Nigerian and I want to assure Nigerians that government will seek ways to immortalise him,’’ the minister said. He said the news of Kechi’s death came to him as a big surprise as the former coach was neither sick nor had any health issues before his demise. “It is with a heavy heart but gratitude to the almighty God that I, on behalf of the Ministry and the Federal Government of Nigeria, sympathise with the family of Coach Stephen Keshi (MON). “Also , the Nigerian football family mourns over the untimely death of our amiable, dedicated and outstanding hero. “I was really shocked by the news of his death. He was one of Nigeria’s heroes whose contributions to the

The Late Olufunke Omotuyi The acting Registrar, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Mrs Olufunke Omotuyi, has been murdered by suspected gunmen on Wednesday morning in Abuja. Investigation revealed that the incident took place at about 4 a.m. at her Apo residence in Abuja. The late Omotuyi was reported to be in her office till 8 p.m. on Tuesday. She is due for retirement from public service next month. Details of how the assassins got her were sketchy. When contacted, the Police spokesman of the FCT Command, ASP Anjuguri Manzah, said that he was yet be briefed on the incident.