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Showing posts from June 14, 2016

APC blasts PDP, you are suffering from past sins

APC, PDP logo The National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abuja has described as baseless and laughable allegations of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which accuses the APC and the Presidency of being behind the Ali Modu Sherrif-led PDP faction. A statement signed by the National Secretary of APC, Mai Mala Buni on Tuesday said the PDP that is suffering from its sins of the past. ”In monitored media reports on Tuesday, the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the PDP speaking through a spokesperson accused the APC and the Presidency of being behind a faction of the PDP ostensibly to ensure that the PDP is in perpetual crisis and unable to produce credible candidates for the forth coming elections in Edo and Ondo state. ”For the umpteenth time, the APC wishes to state that instead of joining issues with the baseless and laughable allegations, the APC would rather join issues that will bring about all-inclusive development in the count

Court jails two oil thieves six years

File photo: some suspected oil thieves arrested Justice E.A. Obile of the Federal High Court, Calabar, Cross River State on Tuesday, convicted and sentenced Paul Etim and Okon Edet Okon to six years imprisonment each without an option of fine. The convicts were arraigned on a two-count charge of illegal dealing in petroleum products preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The convicts were arrested on 27 November, 2011 by officers of the Nigerian Navy while operating a dug-out wooden boat loaded with 120 drums of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) without an appropriate licence. On 18 December, 2011, they were handed to the EFCC for further investigation. Upon their arraignment on 24 January, 2012, they pleaded not guilty to the charges. While trial was ongoing, two of the accused persons (Imeh Effiong and Uduak Okon) were reported ill and died of AIDS at the Oron Hospital, Akwa- Ibom state. Their death was confirmed by the prosecution. At the resumed

Arms Deal: I was given N650m to buy property for Badeh- Witness

The ongoing trial of a former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh (retd.) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, continued on Tuesday, before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with further cross-examination of Mustapha Yerima, prosecution witness and Managing Director, Ryte Builders Nigeria Limited, who had allegedly assisted him (Badeh) in procuring and constructing several choice properties within the Abuja metropolis. While being cross-examined by counsel to the first defendant, Akin Olujimi, SAN, Yerima told the court that he had been invited severally by the commission to answer questions regarding his knowledge of monies allegedly spent at the instruction of Badeh. Yerima, who had made five separate statements to the EFCC, maintained that the contents of his statements were accurate, except in instances of minor corrections and/or omissions. An attempt by the defence counsel to draw parallels between the witn

PICTURES: Gov. Ambode hosts special #GivingTuesday organised by CECP–Nigeria

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left), with his Wife, Bolanle (3rd right), being welcomed by Teniola Egbesola (2nd left); Temitayo Kayode (3rd left) and Iseoluwa Okesanya (2nd right) during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left), with his Wife, Bolanle (3rd right), being welcomed by Teniola Egbesola (2nd left); Temitayo Kayode (3rd left) and Iseoluwa Okesanya (2nd right) during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with his Wife, Bolanle (4th right); members of Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) – Chief (Mrs

Ambode, Ovia, Alakija, others team up to battle cancer

Kazeem Ugbodaga Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia and Chairman at Famfa Oil, Modupe Alakija were among the prominent Nigerians who converged in Lagos on Tuesday to battle the scourge of cancer in the state. The occasion was the 53rd birthday celebration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode which was held at the State House, Ikeja on Tuesday. The governor had dedicated his birthday to the fight against cancer and was able to pull the ‘who is who’ in the society to a forum aimed at establishing Mobile Cancer Centres, (MCC) for the state. Speaking at the event,  a special luncheon to raise funds for the provision of three Mobile Cancer Centres across the three Senatorial Districts in the State, Ambode called on Nigerians to join hands together to wage war against the scourge. The governor, who spoke at an event tagged: “#GivingTuesdayLagos” put together by the Committee Encouraging Corp

Blood Donor Day: Lagos hospitals need 70,000 unit of blood annually

Kazeem Ugbodaga As the world mark the World Blood Donor Day, the Lagos State Government has revealed that both public and private health facilities in the state will need about 70,000 unit of blood annually to meet the demand of blood transfusion. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, at a news conference to mark the Day in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Tuesday, said, because the government was not able to meet the demand for blood in hospitals, that was the reason it asked husbands of pregnant women to donate blood. He explained that such arrangement was important in case the woman had hemorrhage and as a result, needed blood. “A recurring question that comes up at our Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction Programmes is why husbands of pregnant women are made to donate blood. This is in a bid to ensure that should the pregnant woman hemorrhage and need blood, same is available. This is not a policy but an idea mooted by end-users to ensure timely availability of safe bloo

Encomiums as Osofisan turns 70

All Professors. L-R: Niyi Osundare, Ayo Banjo, Niyi Osundare and his wife Adenike, Abel Idowu Olayinka and Remi Raji GBENRO ADESINA/IBADAN Professor Babafemi Adeyemi Osofisan has been described as an ambassador of peace and reconciliation in Nigeria, Africa and beyond. These and many more were the encomiums poured on Osofisan as the four-day international conference entitled: “Femi Osofisan, Post-Negritude Tradition and 50 Years of Literary Drama” organized to celebrate his 70th birthday kicked off on Monday at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State. Among the participants were Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, and his Deputy in charge of Administration, Professor Emilolorun Ayelari, an international poet, Niyi Osundare, Professor Adenike Akinjobi, Professor Duro Adeleke, Professor Olabode Lucas, Professor Festus Agboola Adesanoye, Professor Albert Lekan Oyeleye, and Professor Ayo Kehinde. In his welcom

Fight against corruption needs collaborative effort- EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday said a collaborative effort was needed to fight corruption in the country if the future of Nigerians must be secured. Chairman of the commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, stated this on in Abuja when a delegation of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) visited him in his office. Mr Ibrahim Magu, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) The delegation was led by the agency’s Managing Director, Mr Bayo Onanuga. “We are working for a better tomorrow and the unborn generation, and everybody must be on board to fight corruption so that we can secure the future,’’ Magu said. He said that though the commission was resolute in its crusade against corruption in the country, it would need the cooperation of the media to succeed. He said that the commission was ready to partner with NAN for the dissemination of information on corruption and assured that it would be a synergy that would not be abused. Magu expressed opti

AIT sacks workers over 16 months salary arrears

‎ Raymond Dokpesi: arraigned for money laundering Jethro Ibileke/Benin The management of the African Independent Television (AIT) Tuesday sacked all the workers at its Benin City station, for allegedly demanding for their unpaid 16 months salary arrears. In a letter dated 2-6-16 and signed by one Mr. Victor Okasoga, a Senior Manager in charge of Human Resources, the management said the appointments of the affected workers have been terminated with effect from June 13, 2016. ‎ The letter directed those affected to handover all company properties in “your possession especially your identity cards to the Head of Center,” adding, “failure to surrender company properties in your possession may delay the processing of your entitlements.” It would be recalled that the affected workers, including reporters, cameramen, presenters and producers, had three weeks ago protested the non payment of their salaries.‎ The Benin Centre of the Station has been off air for several days now. AIT wa

FG to develop tomato policy– Minister

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, is to develop a tomato policy to address the current crisis in the sub-sector. This was the major decision at a stakeholder meeting hosted by the Minister of State in the ministry, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, on Tuesday in Abuja. Abubakar told journalists at the end of the meeting that the ministry would inaugurate a technical committee next week to draft the proposed policy. “This meeting was convened in response to the current scarcity of tomatoes in the country occasioned by the outbreak of the tomato moth, ‘tuta absoluta’. “Our investors in the sector have also been upset about the CBN’s ban on foreign exchange allocation for the importation of tomato concentrate, a vital raw material for them. “So, we all came together to chart a way forward. The major decision we have taken is to develop a tomato policy under our National Industrial Revolution Programme. “A technical committee that would work on the p

Ex-Gov Nyame deposited N180m to buy house in Abuja – Witness

Jolly Nyame, former Taraba State governor An operative of EFCC, DSP Ibrahim Galadima, on Tuesday told an FCT High Court, Gudu, that ex-Taraba governor, Jolly Nyame, deposited N180 million to buy a house in Abuja. Galadima said this while being cross-examined by Nyame’s Counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo. Nyame is standing trial on a 41-count charge of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and gratification of N1.64billion of Taraba state funds. Galadima, who headed the investigation team in 2007, also said that the actual figure was N20 million signed by Nyame for the purchase of stationeries for the state. He said that his team discovered that N200 million was paid by Taraba government to Ibrahim Abubakar, the Managing Director of Salman Global Ventures Ltd. The witness said that the company was into property business and the managing director was Nyame’s friend. “Out of this amount, N180 million was deposited for a house in 8 Yaounde Street, Wuse Zone 2 in Abuja where Nyame intend

Reps urge NFF to pay Shuaibu, Keshi entitlements

The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to immediately pay entitlements due to late former Super Eagles’ coaches, Stephen Keshi and Amodu Shuaibu. The house mandated its Committee on Sports to liaise with the NFF to ensure that the payments were made without delay. This was sequel to a motion under “matters of urgent public importance” sponsored by Rep. Sam Onuigbo (PDP-Abia), which was unanimously adopted. Presenting the motion, Onuigbo said that payment of the entitlements would serve as a conscious effort toward cushioning any pains and financial pressures on the families of the deceased. Onuigbo expressed worry that Shuaibu was being owed arrears of salaries running into many months. According to him, Shuaibu was equally being owed by Edo State Government, having worked as the Director of the State Youth Football Development Agency, a position from which he resigned last year. The lawmaker, who said that the two coaches served the

Microsoft to buy LinkedIn for $26.2bn

Computer software giant, Microsoft Corporation, said it would acquire business-oriented social networking service, LinkedIn Corporation, for 26.2 billion dollars. It said that the move was to seek new growth opportunities for its business productivity tools. Microsoft, once the world’s No. 1 software giant for personal computer (PC), is a multinational technology company, with headquarters in Richmond, Washington. Under a definitive agreement, Microsoft will buy LinkedIn, based in Mountain View, California, for 196 dollars per share in cash and the transaction is expected to close this year. In Microsoft Chief Executive Officer, Satya Nadella’s words, “the deal is to bring together the world’s leading professional cloud with the world’s leading professional network.” The deal is the biggest since he assumed the position in early 2014. Microsoft, which has moved its Office application suite from a set of personal computer productivity tools to a cloud service known as Office 365 a

El- Zakzaky: Court adjourns hearing till July 13

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned hearing till July 13 in a case of enforcement of fundamental rights filed by Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky. The judge, Justice Gabriel Kolowole, adjourned the case after listening to the submissions of counsel to the parties. Kolowole ordered the applicant to respond to the counter affidavit filed by the prosecution within five days. El- Zakzaky, on April 22 instituted a suit against the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and Attorney General of the Federation for alleged violation of his fundamental rights. El-Zakzaky is the spiritual leader of an Islamic sect (Shi’ite) in Kaduna. He has been in detention since December 2015 after a violent clash between members of the Shi’ite sect and the Nigerian army. Mr Festus Okoye, who held brief for Chief Femi Falana, Counsel for El-Zakzaky, told the court that he had served all processes to all the respondents. Okoye said that El-Zakzaky had been in the custody of DSS

Fashola urges DISCOs to patronise local meter manufacturers

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Monday, advised Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to patronise local meter manufacturing companies in the country. He gave the advice while inaugurating the Mass Meter Deployment programme in Kano on Monday. The minister said such patronage was necessary to encourage the production of meters by the local manufacturing companies in the country and save foreign exchange. “Patronising the local meter manufacturing companies is the way to diversify and save foreign exchange,” he said. Fashola noted that the inauguration of the scheme in Kano was a clear indication that the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) was committed to ensuring effective service delivery. He commended KEDCO for the initiative and urged other DISCOs to develop their own strategies for mass deployment of meters for the benefit of their customers. In his remarks, the Managing Director of KEDCO, Alhaji Jamilu Gwamna, said the company had pu

Nigeria’s Inflation hits 15.6 % in May – NBS

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), on Tuesday, said the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased to 15.6 percent in May from 13. 7 percent in April. A report released by the NBS in Abuja said that the CPI, which measures inflation, recorded a relatively strong increase for the fourth consecutive month. The report said that the Headline Index increased to 15.6 per cent year-on-year, which was 1.9 per cent points higher from rates recorded in April (13.7 per cent). “The increase in rates in May relative to April reflects an overall increase in general price level across the economy as all divisions which contribute to the Headline Index increased at a faster pace in May. “Year on year, electricity rates as well as other energy prices continue to manifest as key drivers of the Core component of the CPI. “The Core sub-index increased to 15.1 percent in May, up by 1.7 percent points from rates recorded in the previous month. “During the month, the highest increases were seen in the

Lawmaker admonishes FG to apply wisdom in dealing with Niger Delta crisis

Rep. Leo Ogor, the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, has urged the Federal Government to listen to the grievances of the Niger Delta militants and apply wisdom in dealing with the issues. Ogor made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday. According to the lawmaker, once that is done, the President will be able to apply the principles of negotiation to end the “unnecessary destruction” in the area. “It is your core responsibility to call on them and say: `My children, what are your complaints? Let me give you a fatherly advice.” “And I think Mr President should look at this possibility because he could achieve more by negotiating, discussing and listening and (he will be able to approach the issue with great wisdom). “The avengers are not staying in the town, they are all living in the creeks and for us to start arresting innocent men, women, chiefs of communities, I think we are adopting a very wrong step. “My I appeal to Mr Preside

FG committed to the eradication of child labour – Perm. Sec.

The Federal Government said on Tuesday in Abuja that it was committed to the eradication of all forms of child labour in the country. This was contained in a statement issued by Dr Clement Illoh, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, on Tuesday. Illoh said that contrary to reports in a section of the media, Nigeria was fully represented at the meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Committee on Applications of Standards. Nigeria was one of the countries invited to appear before the Committee on June 1, concerning the Minimum Age Convention of 1973. “The representation and defence by Nigeria is contained in the ILO document, dated June 1, 2016, from pages 14 to 23. “The committee was informed of Nigeria’s effort to ensure that the articles of the ILO Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age for Employment are incorporated in the expected new National Labour Laws.” Illoh explained that Nigeria also presented to the committee, comprehensive eff

Security man nabbed in Lagos for impersonating Adeboye

A security man with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Awobola Babatunde, who allegedly opened a bank account in the name of the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, was arraigned in Lagos on Monday. The accused, 32, whose address is unknown, is facing a four-count charge of stealing, impersonation, conspiracy and opening an account in Adeboye’s name and attempting to cash a cheque of N600, 000. He pleaded not guilty to the charges at an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court. According to the prosecutor, Insp. Aighoi Gbemileke, the accused with others still at large committed the offences on June 6 at No. 1/9, Redemption Way, Ebute Meta, at 9.00 a.m. He said the accused stole a Fidelity Bank cheque valued at N600, 000 belonging to the RCCG General Overseer. “The accused falsely presented himself as Pastor Adeboye by opening a savings account at Aguda, Surulere branch of Fidelity Bank in his name. “He opened the account in order to cash the cheque and convert the money to perso

Lagos phone thief bags 18 months imprisonment

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday sentenced a 28-year-old unemployed man, Chika Naso, to 18 months imprisonment for stealing a Blackberry phone valued at N40,000. Magistrate A.A. Adesanya handed down the verdict after Naso pleaded guilty to the charge without an option of fine. “You are hereby sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour,” he said. Naso at his arraignment on Tuesday admitted that he committed the offence, attributing it to the handiwork of the devil. The accused urged the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing him. The accused, whose address is unknown, was charged with intent to commit felony and stealing. Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Goerge Nwosu told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 16 at Pharm Affairs Supermarket at No. 6, Coker Road, Ilupeju, Lagos. He said the accused unlawfully entered the supermarket and stole a Blackberry phone valued at N40, 000 property of Mrs Oluwaseun Abejoye. “The accused

2,300 children die of malnutrition annually in Nigeria

Dr Isaac Adewole, Nigeria’s Health Minister The Federal Ministry of Health on Tuesday said 2,300 children below the age of five die of malnutrition annually in Nigeria. The Head of Nutrition in the Ministry, Dr Chris Isokpunwu disclosed this at a media dialogue on child malnutrition organised by UNICEF in Kano. Represented by Principal Nutrition Officer, Farayity Tokumbo, Isokpunwu said that 37 percent of children in Nigeria were malnourished, 29 percent underweight, 18 percent wasting while only 17 percent of them were exclusively breastfed. He said that the National Nutrition Survey in 2015 showed that 54 percent of children in the North-west were stunted followed by North-East with 42 percent. Isokpunwu disclosed that Kebbi State has the highest malnutrition rate with 61 percent of children malnourished. The nutritionist described the situation as sad and urged media practitioners to join the advocacy to ensure that mothers exclusively breastfed their children to check malnut

Lassa Fever claims 149 lives in Nigeria

Kazeem Ugbodaga   The deadly Lassa Fever has claimed about 149 lives in Nigeria in the last nine months, the World Health Organisation, WHO, has revealed. A recent report released by the organisation on the situation of Lassa Fever in Nigeria showed that between August 2015 and 17 May 2016, the deadly fever killed 149 people. During this period, WHO said it was notified of 273 cases of Lassa fever, including 149 deaths in Nigeria. “Of these, 165 cases and 89 deaths have been confirmed through laboratory testing (CFR: 53.9%). The cases were reported from 23 states in Nigeria. Since August 2015, ten healthcare workers have been infected with the Lassa fever virus, of which two have died. Of these ten cases, four were nosocomial infections . “As of 17 May 2016, eight states are currently reporting Lassa fever cases (suspected, probable, and confirmed), deaths and/or following of contacts for the maximum 21-day incubation period. Currently, 248 contacts are being followed up in the

France deports 29 Russian fans over Euro 2016 violence

People run after police fired tear gas following clashes after the Euro 2016 soccer championship group B match between England and Russia in Marseille, France on June 11, 2016. Photo: VOA French police have begun the deportation of 29 Russians following violent clashes with England supporters in the early days of the Euro 2016 football (soccer) tournament. More than 35 people were injured in Marseille late Saturday after British and Russian fans brawled in and around the Stade Velodrome. After the match ended in a 1-1 draw, Russian supporters charged the English side, forcing fans to flee and climb fences in a desperate bid to escape. The Kremlin denounced the violence and called on Russians to not react to provocation at the tournament. “This is absolutely unacceptable. We count on Russian citizens and fans to obey the laws of the country they are in,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He called on Russian sporting officials and groups to use all their influence to ensure tha

Actor, Kalu Ikeagwu releases his pre-wedding photos

British-Nigerian actor and writer, Kalu Ikeagwu is set to wed his longtime girlfriend, Ijeoma Eze. The Nollywood star and his bride who is a make-up artist, would on the 25th of 2016 tie the nuptial knot. The couple in November 2015 had their introduction ceremony at the bride’s hometown in Enugu state. In preparing for the forthcoming wedding, Kalu and his bride-to-be served us some of their best looks in these amazing new pre-wedding pictures. See them looking all loved up below.

Yemi Osinbajo’s first daughter graduates from college

Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo’s first daughter just graduated from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, the USA where she obtained a Master oF Arts in Liberal Studies degree. His wife and proud mum to their three lovely children, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo who earlier today shared a photo of herself and her children on social media, took to her Instagram page to share the news and wrote: “Giving God glory at our daughter’s graduation! A master’s degree and the Byam Shaw-Brownstone M.A.L.S. Thesis Excellence Award at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire #family” See more photos below.  

Jide Kosoko pens down tribute to late wife

Nollywood icon, Prince Jide Kosoko has penned a touching tribute to his late wife, Henrietta Kosoko, who died last week and was buried over the weekend in her hometown. Prince Jide Kosoko and late wife Jide Kosoko who was deeply moved by the tragedy that befell him; making a total of three wives that have been taken away from him by the cold hands of death, wrote: “I find it disheartening that my treasured wife passed away at R-Jolad hospital. It was a terrible shock because the sickness was so brief and never looked like a terminal one. “My darling Henrietta was not only a wonderful wife and mother but she was my meticulous partner in my profession as well as housekeeper and homemaker. She was a cheerful, friendly person and made many warm friends. “Rita seldom, if ever criticised any person. Instead, she preferred to refer to their good qualities. My wife was the soul of honesty. She would never shade the truth no matter what the consequences. “It is difficult for me to estim

Abuja House: I’m not a thief, Diezani Alison-Madueke fights back

Diezani Alison Madueke reveals her cancer-stricken look Okundia Jennifer Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke has declared that he is not a thief as being bandied around in the social media through a video report by Al Jazeera. Alison-Madueke described the report as ridiculous and mischievous and an attempt to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. In her response to the report, the former minister who is now battling cancer in London stated: “My attention has been drawn to a report by Al Jazeera, which was released on Monday as a testament to the effectiveness of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its war against corruption. In the video report, which has gone viral on social media, there are claims about me owning a property in Abuja allegedly worth $18 million and jewellery worth $2 million which have been seized by EFCC. The report, which represents everything ridiculous and despicable about professional media practice

Nigerian Colonel emerges best graduand at U.S. War College

Col. Charles Dalo Nengite and other awardees pose for a photograph after the ceremony in Pennysylvania A Nigerian Army officer, Col. Charles Nengite, beat 380 other post-graduate students to the top position at the U.S. War College (USAWC), Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The information is obtained from the college website, posted on Monday. Nengite’s performance was the best by any foreigner in the 38-year history of the college, the information added. In one of several letters conveying his choice for the various awards, the Commandant of the college, Maj.-Gen. William Rapp, described Nengite’s performance as “arguably one of the best in the international fellows programmes at the USAWC.” Rapp also said at the graduation ceremony of the college that Nigeria should be proud of Nengite and his compatriot in the Masters of Strategic Studies class, Col. Timothy Shipi. He said “Shipi performed brilliantly.” The breakdown obtained from the school’s website indicated that at the graduation

FG to bridge the gap between government and governed- Information Minister

Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture Photo: Femi Ipaye/PM News The Federal Government says it is committed to ensuring that there will be no communication gap between the government and the governed. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this at Uyo during the South-South Town Hall Meeting on Monday in Uyo. He explained that the essence of the exercise, organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, was to give account of the stewardship of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. “The government believes that in order to get its message to the people undiluted and unabridged , it is important to reach them directly. “The Federal Government has been doing this through other platforms, including press releases, press conferences, appearance on radio and television programmes and newspaper interviews,” he said. Muhammed said that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government promised to tackle insecurity, fight c

Senate committee vows support for EFCC

Sen. Chukwuka Utazi, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, has reiterated the committee’s resolve to support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its anti-graft war. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, Head of Media, EFCC, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja. The statement quoted Utazi as having given the assurance when members of the committee visited the acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu. Utazi stated that one of the committee’s priorities was to ensure that the commission’s headquarters was completed and made conducive for officers to carry out their duties effectively. “We understand that EFCC is short changed in the 2015 budget; we will ensure that the building is completed. “We will get all you need to work better, contained in the 2016 approved budget,’’ it stated. The chairman said that the committee would visit the zonal offices of the commission to inspect the available i

Ex-Ogun FA scribe dies at 57

A former Secretary of Ogun State Football Association, Mr Leo Oyenekan is dead. This was contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abeokuta by Wole Otayemi, the FA media officer. This is coming a few days after the nation lost Coach Stephen Keshi and Coach Amodu Shuaibu. Oyenekan, who was the immediate past secretary of the association, died on Monday at the age of 57 years, after a brief illness, the statement said. “The entire members of football family in Ogun are finding it difficult to believe the death of Oyenekan.” The statement described the late secretary as a diligent, hardworking and committed officer, who spent over 15 years with the association. ” Oyenekan’s death has left a huge vacuum behind which may be difficult to fill,’ ’ it said. It said the state football family had joined Nigerians to mourn the late national team coaches, Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu, who passed on recently in their 50s. The statement stressed that the executive committee of the asso