Global Naija Info

The accused persons The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, arraigned a former Coordinator of Afikpo South Local Government Development Centre of Ebonyi State, Ugwuocha Okoroafor; his treasurer, Christian Chukwu Owo, and the administrative officer, Mrs. Anne Eke Agwu before Justice E.A. Ngene of the State High Court, Afikpo, on a 15-count charge of conspiracy and stealing of public funds totaling N25,000,000. Okoroafor and his alleged accomplices were said to have at various times between 2013 and 2015 raised vouchers for payments supposedly for contract awards, salaries and independence day celebrations in the names of staff of the council, who denied receiving such funds. Investigation into the matter which was reported by the Center for Prevention of Corruption and Human Right Initiatives and some staff of the council, revealed that the accused persons padded their salaries and that of other staff in connivance with a staff of the bank where the local Gov

One of the wounded at the hospital after the Boko Haram attack Nigerian Islamists group, Boko Haram made a daring move today by attacking a team of United Nations officials on their way to Bama, Borno State. According to an exclusive report by DAILY POST, the officials’ convoy, escorted by heavily armed soldiers, came under heavy attack as they made their way to Bama. A source disclosed Thursday night that the officials, working for the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, were ambushed at an area close to Bama, under Konduga local government area of Borno State. Konduga is less than 30 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital. The UN team, it was learnt, and other donor agencies were going to an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bama on an intervention mission The delegation was moving food items and drugs to the IDPs. “Boko Haram fighters numbering over 50, armed with anti aircraft gun (machine gun mounted on open truck), suddenly emerged just after Kawuri vill

Indonesian execution ground Indonesian authorities have executed four convicted drug offenders, CNN affiliate CNN Indonesia reported Friday. Those executed were two Nigerians, one Senegalese and one Indonesian. Three more Nigerians will be executed between now and Saturday, according to Amnesty International. Indonesia’s Attorney-General confirmed that the country is set to execute more drug convicts this week. The office of Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo has not released details about this round of executions, but preparations are underway at the Nusakambangan prison island in Cilacap, Central Java. Human Rights Watch has called on President Joko Widodo, also known as “Jokowi,” to commute the sentences of at least 14 inmates — including a number of foreign nationals — for drug trafficking. “President Jokowi should acknowledge the death penalty’s barbarity and avoid a potential diplomatic firestorm by sparing the lives of the 14 or more people facing imminent execution,” sai

Gov Adams Oshiomole Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has taken a swipe at the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu for claiming that he made him the governor. He said Ize-Iyamu did not even vote for him so he could not have made him governor. Speaking at a rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Garrick Memorial College, Benin City on Thursday, Oshiomhole said Ize-Iyamu was in hiding from the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC on 14 April and so did not vote for him and could not have made him governor. The governor said Ize-Iyamu is wasting his time as the people would reject him at the polls on 10 September, 2016. According to him, “Ize-Iyamu said he made me governor in 2007. Check the records, on April 14 during my election, Ize-Iyamu was in hiding. He did not vote. How can somebody who didn’t vote claim that he made me governor? There is no village in Nigeria that I will go and spend five minutes,

Sanai Agunbiade giving account of his stewardship The Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade says the bill against land grabbing recently passed into law by the Assembly will eradicate hardship usually experienced by residents of Ikorodu in the hands of land grabbers. Agunbiade, representing Ikorodu I, at the Assembly spoke on Thursday at the Ikorodu Town Hall where he gave account of his steward in the last one year to his constituency. Every prominent son and daughter of the division thronged the venue of the meeting to catch a glimpse of Agunbiade, who was supported by some members of the Lagos Assembly as well. The lawmaker explained how he pursued assiduously, the bill to prosecute land grabbers in the area, an issue which he said had brought untold hardship on the people. “It was a birthday gift to me when the bill was passed on Tuesday. We only await the governor to sign it into law,” Agunbiade said. He added that he had successfully aided employm

Sanai Agunbiade giving account of his stewardship The Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade says the bill against land grabbing recently passed into law by the Assembly will eradicate hardship usually experienced by residents of Ikorodu in the hands of land grabbers. Agunbiade, representing Ikorodu I, at the Assembly spoke on Thursday at the Ikorodu Town Hall where he gave account of his steward in the last one year to his constituency. Every prominent son and daughter of the division thronged the venue of the meeting to catch a glimpse of Agunbiade, who was supported by some members of the Lagos Assembly as well. The lawmaker explained how he pursued assiduously, the bill to prosecute land grabbers in the area, an issue which he said had brought untold hardship on the people. “It was a birthday gift to me when the bill was passed on Tuesday. We only await the governor to sign it into law,” Agunbiade said. He added that he had successfully aided employm

Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), has called for a new policy on prosecution to enhance speedy trial. Malami made the call at the meeting of Attorney Generals of all states in Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja. He said that new prosecutors from states should be nominated to aid the prosecution process. He explained that with the new policy and the proposed prosecutors from states, there would be more ideas on how to speed up prosecution processes. “I hope that this meeting will carefully consider these issues with a view to advising the Presidency appropriately, for efficient prosecution. “The task before this body of attorneys in this one-day meeting is the presentation of draft on National Policy on Prosecution, Code of Conduct for Prosecutors,” he said. According to him, the objective is to restore public confidence in the administration of justice in Nigeria. “The objectiv

Mr Raymond Dokpesi, an aspirant to the national chairmanship of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described himself as “a bridge builder.” Dokpesi made the statement on Thursday in Calabar, while addressing Cross River delegates to the party’s convention slated for Aug. 17 in Port Harcourt. He said that if the delegates give him their mandate to lead the PDP, he would reposition and reform the party and return it back to the people. He added that he has the magic wand to lead PDP to victory in 2019. He said: “we must all go back to the drawing board. We must not deny the fact that there was impunity in the party before the 2015 elections; Godfatherism and favoritism. “We must redraw the map of the PDP. We must look back at the visions of our founding fathers.” Dokpesi assured the delegates of his plans to restore the party’s lost glory through various reforms including ensuring that women and youths take their rightful place in the party. In her remark, former member of the Hou

Makarfi and Sheriff Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday waded into the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and confirmed Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff as the authentic National Chairman of the party. In his ruling on the crisis rocking the party, Justice Abang dismissed the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the party, adding that every action of the committee taken since the party’s national convention in Port Harcourt on May 21, amounted to a nullity. “Parties have an uncompromising duty to obey court order until it is set aside. The Lagos Division made orders on May 12 and 20, forbidding the PDP from removing the Sheriff-led Caretaker Committee. That order is still subsisting. “Having regard to the order of the court, PDP had no lawful authority to hold the convention that led to the emergence of the Markafi-led Committee. “The convention was unlawfully held and the Caretaker Committee was unlawfully and illegally ap

Reverend Father Ejike Camillus Mbaka President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, Director of Adoration Ministry, on the 21st anniversary of his ordination to priesthood in the Catholic Church, slated for Friday. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja. The statement said Buhari felicitated with the Mbaka’s family, congregation and well-wishers “as they celebrate this special occasion with him in his continued devotion to the well-being of others as a father, wise counselor, teacher and guardian.” He commended Mbaka’s steadfast devotion to his vocation and ministry amply demonstrated in his love and service for his people, nation and God. He prayed that God Almighty, who had given the cleric the strength to devote his entire life to service in the Vineyard , would continually bless and prosper his ministry.

Dr Okey Enelamah, Minster Of Trade, Investment and Industry. Federal Government is reviewing trade and investment policies to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Aminu Aliyu-Bisalla, said this at an interactive forum with captains of industries in Lagos on Thursday. Aliya-Bisalla said President Muhammad Burahi-led administration was planning to implement Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, Nigeria Enterprise Development Programme, Harmonization of Quality Infrastructure and Certification. He said the government had also partnered with an organised private sector to ensure a successful review of the policies. “The government is desirous of addressing these initiatives and programmes, including reforms in the power sector and the review of trade, industry and investment policies. He said the ministry would also ensure the ease of doing business in Nigeria. “All these policies are

Stephen Keshi’s corpse arrive Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin Jethro Ibileke/Benin ‎Burial activities of the late Chief Coach ‎of the Super Eagles, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, began on Thursday with a funeral mass held at St. Paul Catholic Church, Airport road, Benin, Edo State. His remains were brought to the church in a black Mercedes-Benz ambulance, accompanied by his children, family members and friends. In his homily, the officiating priest, Very Rev. Fr. Richard Ofere, said that Keshi lived an exemplary live as a member of the parish, where he contributed selflessly to the development of football, adding that the late football icon was always willing to serve, even in the midst of scarce resources. Ofere who harped on the need to believe in the resurrection, noted that death was not the end of the life of a true Christian. He stressed that righteousness and true worship of God were prerequisites for Christians who desire to see God. ‎‎ Following the church service was a novel

Acting EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu A Lagos High Court Judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye has blasted a legal counsel with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC , Mr. Babatunde Sonaiki for what she described as ‘gross professional misconduct’. Justice Ipaye gave the bashing while hearing a criminal charge filed by the EFCC against a business woman, Mrs Moji Yakubu, her company, Monan Trading Company and nine persons over alleged N800 million land theft charge. The commission had alleged that Yakubu and her co-defendants had conspired to steal about 10 hectares of land located at Sangotedo, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. During the defendant’s formal arraignment in February this year, the judge had raised the issue on whether land could be stolen and asked the EFCC counsel to address her on the matter. While the matter was slated for ruling, the EFCC lawyer went before another judge, Justice Aishat Opensanwo and obtained a forfeiture order to temporary seal an ongoing project

A housewife, Kudirat Shitu, on Thursday urged an Oja-Oba Independent Panel Sharia Court in Ibadan to dissolve her 11-year-old marriage to her husband, Taofeek, for alleged molestation and irresponsibility. Kudirat told the court that Taofeek, usually humiliate her in public as well as not catering for her needs. “My lord, ever since I got married to Taofeek , he had subjected me to varying degrees of molestation or public humiliation. “I am also psychologically and emotionally down because rather than correct my mistakes within our immediate living room, he prefers going outside where people can ridicule and look down on me. “As if that is not enough, Taofeek is in no way alive to his responsibility as a husband because he does not even fend for me and our four children, let alone clothing our nakedness. “For instance, we spent the last Ramadan fast in hunger, including the under-aged children who ordinarily should not fast because there was no food. “Worst still, Taofeek has bee

Muhammadu Jibrilla, Governor of Adamawa State Gov. Muhammadu Jibrilla of Adamawa has said that his administration had fulfilled more than 50 percent of its campaign promises to the electorate. Jibrilla said this on Thursday in Yola while flagging-off the Yola-Yolde-Pâté road project. Jibrilla said that his administration was committed to service delivery, particularly in areas of infrastructure, agriculture and health care. “We are here to work for you and not to give excuses; you are the masters and we are your servants. “What you want is what we are doing, while the only thing we want from you is support and prayers to continue to succeed,” Jibrilla said. Also speaking at the occasion, the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha, and the Speaker of Adamawa House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa, lauded the governor for his commitment to delivering on his campaign promises. They assured the governor of mobilising the people to support him. The state APC chairman, Alh

A 31-year-old trader, Mark Chigemezie, who allegedly used a broken bottle to stab his neighbour’s eye and blinded him, was on Thursday in Lagos granted a N100,000 bail. A Tinubu Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling also gave Chigemezie two sureties in like sum, as part of the bail conditions. The Magistrate, Mrs Memunat Folami, said the accused must provide two responsible sureties, who must be above 30 years. She said the sureties should deposit N10, 000 each to the Chief Registrar’s account, pending the termination of the case. The accused, who resides at No. 23, Bridge St., Idumota, Lagos, is facing a charge of assault. Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspt. Philip Osijiale told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 24, 2015, at his residence. He said the accused stabbed the complainant on his eye during a fight over shop space at the Idumota market. The offence contravened Section 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Counsel to the accused, Mr Uche

(R-L) Nelson Ajumogobia alias Ibios, Kelechi Nwordu alias Seedof, Chijioke Akah alias Kottos, Herbert Orimimagba The acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris, has warned criminals, especially kidnappers in the country never to think Nigeria is lawless. Idris gave the warning when operatives of the IGP’s Intelligent Response Team, IRT, arrested a notorious kidnapping gang known to have been terrorizing law-abiding citizens in Rivers State and its environs. The gang met its end when they kidnapped a woman and her one-year old daughter from her Port Harcourt home, demanding the sum of two million, five hundred thousand naira as ransom for their freedom. Based on credible intelligence generated by the IRT, this was, however, agreed as a bait. But the end of the kidnapping gang came when in their attempt to claim the said sum of money at the agreed point; operatives of IRT engaged them, rescued the victims and arrested four of the kidnappers who gave their names as: Herbe

Kazeem Ugbodaga Pat Utomi Economist, Prof. Pat Utomi says indiscipline among public officials in Nigeria has been the bane of Public-Private Partnership, PPP, failure in the country. Utomi spoke on Thursday while delivering a lecture at the 6th Annual Public Lecture of the Lagos State Public Service Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, titled: “Public Private Partnership: Tool for Economic Growth and Development in Nigeria,” held in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Utomi said once a particular public officer got into power, he would either scuttle the PPP project initiated by his predecessor under the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) or amend the entire programme. He said concession programmes in the country had been scuttled because of indiscipline of public officials, while citing the Lagos metro-line project of the Alhaji Lateer Jakande administration which was scuttled by the military administration of the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari.

As Coach Stephen Keshi begins his final journey to mother earth, the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday urged his family to take solace in the fact that he lived a good life. Governor Okowa made the call when he led members of the state’s executive council and other top government officials to Keshi’s residence at Illah, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state to condole his family. On hand to receive the governor and his team were the late Stephen Keshi’s children led by Jennifer, his elder brother, Mr Sylvester Keshi, traditional chiefs, among others. According to the governor: “I am here with members of the state executive council, members of House of Representatives and the state House of Assembly to pay our condolences. I do know that the death of a loved one is very painful. “Stephen Keshi made his mark not only as a footballer but as a coach, he lived a good life, but, we cannot query God,” Governor Okowa said, adding, “continue to rely on God because

Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has said that Nigeria has received a fresh boost in the fight against corruption. Malami made this known at a stakeholders meeting on the London summit on anti-corruption and the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Abuja on Wednesday. He said the country was resolute in the fight against corruption, noting that the OGP secretariat had confirmed that Nigeria was now a participating country. The minister said that this development underscored the progress the country was making in the anti-corruption fight. “The Open Government Partnership is multilateral, multi-stakeholders initiative that aims to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness technology to strengthen governance. “It also provides a policy making platform that brings together governments through openness,” Malami said. H

An Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded in prison custody a 19-year-old man, John Julius, for alleged rape of a 35-year-old woman. The Prosecutor, Insp. Bayo Ajiboye had told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offence on July 12 at Efon Alaaye-Ekiti. Ajiboye said that the accused unlawfully raped a 35-year-old woman on her way from the farm and inflicted injuries that led to her being hospitalised. He said the offence contravened Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 16,Laws of Ekiti State, 2012. He told the court that he had forwarded a duplicate of the case file to the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), for legal advice. No plea was taken. Magistrate Modupe Afeniforo remanded the accused in prison custody and adjourned the case till Aug.19 for further mention.

Some local government council workers in Iseyin, Oyo State, on Thursday, expressed their happiness for resuming work after a seven-week strike was suspended. The state’s chapter of NLC had embarked on an industrial action to press home its demands for payment of salary arrears, among other issues. Speaking with NAN in separate interviews, some of the workers said they were happy to receive the news of the suspension of the strike. Mr. Alamu Sunday, a unionist at Itesiwaju Local Government Council in Iseyin said, “We have made our point that without us no government can function. “We have also told the state governor through the strike that we are not happy with him. “We are able to state all our demands and he has addressed them and made some formal promises and pledges. “If he does not meet them, we shall meet again and review the situation. “But by and large, I am particularly happy that the industrial action has been suspended,” he said. Also, Mr. Musiliu Owokoniran, anothe

Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has promised to honour all agreements with the United Nations Children’s Education Fund(UNICEF), in spite of the dwindling economic situation in the country. Tambuwal, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba, said this on Thursday at a two-day mid-term review meeting on the progress of the joint UNICEF-State Government Annual Work Plan, 2016. He said: “The state government has done a lot in so many areas of development despite the economic development of the country and surely will do more. “Sokoto state government will not be left behind in ensuring that we meet the standard and requirements of the fund, for the overall development of the people. “We will do everything possible to see that our own counterpart fund as required by UNICEF meet the standard in all the sectors of the state.” Tambuwal described the partnership between the state government and the fun

Chief Malcom Omirhobo A lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Malcom Omirhobo, on Thursday filed a suit at a Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the ban of the sales of petrol in jerry cans. The applicant is suing for himself and on behalf of other Nigerians. The Attorney-General of the Federation, the Minister of State for Petroleum, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Inspector General (IG) of Police were joined as respondents in the suit. The new suit numbered: FHC/L/CS/1024/2016 is brought pursuant to Order 2: Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules, 2009. Omirhobo is seeking a declaration that the directive by the second and third respondents to filling station owners not to sell petroleum products to Nigerians in jerry cans was discriminatory. In an affidavit deposed to by the applicant, he averred that in January, he had approached several filling stations within his reach, with a jerry can to purchase fuel for his genera

The final journey home for late Super Eagles chief coach and renowned football tactician, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, began on Thursday in Benin City, Edo State. The funeral rites began with a service at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin, the Edo State capital. Present were family members, top members of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, ex-internationals and a host of other friends and associates. Here are some pictures taken at the event. The car which brought the corpse of the late Super Eagles coach The remains of the Late Stephen Keshi in a coffin Children of Stephen Keshi at the funeral service NFF Chairman, Amaju Pinnick (right) led other members of the football body to the service

Prince Jide Kosoko and late wife Daughter of former Oyo State governor, controversial snitchlady, journalist, gun violence activist and social media personality, Kemi Olunloyo is in the news again, but this time for trying to make peace with the Kosokos. Kemi Olunloyo has come on social media to tender her apologies to the Kosokos over her comments on the death of Jide Kosoko’s third wife, Henrietta Kosoko. After she made allegations that Prince Jide Kosoko may have used his wife for ritual, noting that it was a rare coincidence for a man to lose three wives consecutively, a mild drama played out on the social media yesterday as Ms. Olunloyo engaged in war of words with Taiwo Olowu, one of the twin sons of the deceased. Her accusations led to comments from members of the public including a Morenike Kosoko, who called Olunloyo a prostitute. In response, Olunloyo said she hoped the late Henrietta would end up in hell. Morenike, in a direct tweet to the social critic wrote: “Not ma

The gavel of justice Paul Iyoghojie The Head of Human Resources, Compensations and Benefits at Ecobank Plc headquarters in Lagos, Tiamiyu Lukeman, 48 and a clerk at the bank, Shogaolu Sheriff, 30, have been arraigned before a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court for allegedly withdrawing N30m from the account of their employer without authority. The alleged fraud, according to investigation, was uncovered by the management of the bank when they audited their account books. Following the development, the bank management reported the fraud to the DPO in charge of Ikoyi Division, SP Tijani Mustapha who directed a team led by Sergeant Ijatuyi Tope to arrest the suspects. After investigation, Lukeman, who resides in Ikorodu and Sheriff, a resident of Surulere area of Lagos, were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on a four-count charge of felony to wit; forgery and stealing. Police prosecutor, Inspector Jimoh Joseph informed the court in charge No A/41/2016 that the acc

The Sokoto State Government said on Thursday that it had discovered no fewer than 12,915 ‘ghost workers’ padded into the payrolls of the 23 local government areas of the state. Alhaji Mannir Dan-Iya, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, disclosed this at a media briefing in Sokoto. “The ministry, through the monitoring department and other stakeholders have concluded a local government junior staff verification of about 58,143 workers, comprising of scheduled and unscheduled staff. “The verification exercise yielded fruitful result, whereby about 12, 915 workers, comprising of seat-at-home and ghost workers were fished out of the local governments’ staff payrolls. “The state government also saved over N 319 million from the exercise, hence, it was a huge success,” he said. Dan-Iya said that the ministry is planning to conduct a similar verification exercise of senior staff, whose salaries are paid through their respective banks. He also said that issue

The town of Gboko in Benue state was thrown into confusion yesterday, Wednesday, July 27, 2016, as an unidentified young man was stoned and set ablaze by an angry mob for allegedly stealing a three-month-old baby. The stolen baby It was gathered that the man in question reportedly stole the baby, belonging to a certain Blessing Aondoakaa, from a house situated at Bristow roundabout on Wednesday afternoon. Blessing Aondoakaa, mother of the stolen baby. The suspect was said to be on his way to Anambra State when nemesis caught up with him. The incident happened barely two weeks after two kidnap suspects were burnt alive in the same Gboko area of the state. “We just heard the baby’s mother screaming ‘thief, thief’ and we came out only to see the boy running with the baby,” a source said. “Some boys in the area collected the baby and started beating him while the others were looking for tyre and calling more people to come out. “He was begging and crying but the other boys did

Ikechukwu Alu Ikechukwu Alu, a trader at a market on 23 Road, Festac Town, Lagos, has been arrested for allegedly abducting and raping a seven-year-old girl, Victoria. According to reports, Victoria had been sent on an errand to buy a recharge card, but she misplaced it while returning home. On getting home, she was chased out to look for it. It was while she was searching for the card that Alu abducted the unsuspecting girl on Adeola Street in Amuwo Odofin, where she lives, and took her to a shop in a nearby market. Alu reportedly made her pass the night in the shop and allegedly raped her. The PUNCH reports that as Alu left the shop around 5am the following day, some residents around the area saw him, with Victoria strapped to his back. The residents, who are aware that he does not have a child, queried him on how he came about the girl. When he could not give a genuine explanation, they were said to have poured ashes on him and alerted the police at the FESTAC division, who p

Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna State Governor The Kaduna State Government said on Thursday that it would soon roll out its policy on skills development, tailored to address unemployment in the state. The Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Dr Shehu Adamu stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna. Adamu said that the policy was developed with the support of the Department for International Development (DFID), after series of seminars and workshops involving professionals and other stakeholders. “When I assumed office as commissioner in this ministry, I realised that there was no existing policy in the state on skill acquisition. “I, therefore, made concerted efforts to ensure that we develop one. “We have organised a seminar, a two-day workshop and held an interactive session with stakeholders on the policy,” he said. Adamu added that a draft copy of the policy was ready and would soon be presented to the State Executive Council for

Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Budget and National Planning. The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, has commenced follow-up discussions with the management of the Chinese EXIM Bank in Beijing, China, over funding of some projects. This is contained in a statement issued by the Minister’s Media Aide, Mr James Akpandem and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja. The statement said that the meeting with the bank would lead to the implementation of the various projects discussed during the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to China. “President Buhari during a State Visit in April this year reached various agreements with the Chinese Government on development assistance, particularly the funding of some critical infrastructure in the country. “The visit by the President further bolstered Nigeria’s participation in the 10 critical areas under the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC),” it said. According to the statement, Udoma is in Chin

Interior Minister Miguel Chong on Thursday said an 86-year-old Mexican drug lord will be moved from prison to serve the remainder of his 40-year sentence under house arrest. “Ernesto Carrillo’s transfer is imminent after federal prosecutors lost their appeal to keep him in prison. “By order of a judge, we have been instructed to liberate him to serve the rest of his sentence at home,” Chong told newsmen. A court has ruled that Fonseca, who was imprisoned in 1985 for his involvement in the torture and death of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency agent, should be allowed to serve the remaining nine years of his sentence at home. Fonseca, along with drug lords Rafael Quintero and Miguel Gallardo, led the now-defunct Guadalajara cartel, which dominated Mexico’s drug trade in the 1970s and 80s.

Wife of the Osun State Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola. An NGO, Girl-child Right Awareness Initiative in Africa, has commended the wife of the governor of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, for her recent advocacy against female genital mutilation (FGM) in the state. Its Managing Director, Mrs Olayinka Ajibola–Ojomo, gave the commendation on Thursday in Osogbo. Ajibola-Ojomo said that the advocacy would awake the consciousness of parents in the state. It would also serve as an eye-opener for them to see the danger embedded in cutting part of the genital composition of young girls, she said. She said that Aregbesola’s intervention was apt following the recent statement issued by the UNICEF on the state’s status regarding the issue. Ajiboala-Ojomo said that the world had declared Osun as the first state among the three states of the federation with a worrisome prevalence of female genital mutilation that required urgent attention. According to her, the act of mutilation is bein

Obama embrace Clinton on stage US President Barack Obama has implored voters to help continue his legacy by carrying Hillary Clinton to victory at the polls in November. Mr Obama praised Mrs Clinton at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, as the most qualified person ever to run for the White House. He said voters faced a choice between hope and fear, attacking “home-grown demagogue” Republican Donald Trump. Mr Trump responded by rejecting the president’s optimistic portrayal. “Our country does not feel ‘great already’ to the millions of wonderful people living in poverty, violence and despair,” he said on Twitter. Mr Obama recounted his key victories over his past eight years in office and painted an optimistic future. He extolled Mrs Clinton’s character, calling her a “leader with real plans to break down barriers, blast through glass ceilings and widen the circle of opportunity to every single American”. Mr Obama described his nation as “full of courage”, “decent and

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi The final journey home for late Super Eagles chief coach and renowned football tactician, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, will begin today, in Benin City, Edo State, with series of activities lined up to herald his interment in Illah, Oshimili North local government area of Delta State, tomorrow. The former international and Africa Cup of Nations winning player and coach, suddenly died from cardiac arrest in the early hours of Wednesday, June 8 in Benin City. In a statement, the family of the late footballer announced that a church service will hold at St Paul Catholic Church, Benin City by 9am on Thursday, July 28. His remains will be moved to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where a novelty match organized by his former teammates led by former Super Eagles captain and coach Austin Eguavoen will be staged in his honour. Afterwards, his corpse will depart for Asaba, the Delta State capital, where former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan will receive him at the

Talented Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu is set to launch her very own line of emojis called ‘Teemoji’. The actress is not relenting in her quest to follow the steps of American reality star, Kim Kardashian. Aimakhu had on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, announced her reality series Keeping up with Toyin Aimakhu, which was inspired by Kim Kardashian. Just like Kim Kardashian pioneered her line of emojis in late 2015, Toyin too has announced her plans to launch her own line of emojis. Her themed emoji app is a collection of replications of many of Toyin’s unique facial expressions matched with everyday local phrases and parlance in Yoruba Language. She intends for this unique emojis to allow users express themselves in more fun and relatable ways.