Global Naija Info

House of Representatives members The House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed concern over continuous fall of the naira against major currencies and resolved to investigate the foreign exchange transaction process. This was a sequel to a motion entitled “Call for Investigation of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Forex Policies” sponsored by Rep. Ali Isa (PDP-Gombe). Moving the motion, Isa said that in spite of the weekly releases of foreign exchange by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the Bureau de Change (BDCs) and the banks, the value of naira had continued to depreciate. Contributing to the debate, Rep. Mojeed Alabi (APC-Osun) expressed dismay that the CBN governor had continued to turn down invitations to him to the house to explain some of the fiscal policies to the legislators. According to him, for failing to honour the summons of the house over the falling value of the naira, the CBN governor and his team should be sacked. Also, Rep. Olawale Raji (APC-Lagos) dec

Kemi Adeosun, Nigeria’s Finance Minister The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has accused western powers of being a stumbling block to Nigeria’s plan to improve power output through the use of coal. Adeosun said this on Wednesday in Washington during a discussion on the importance of addressing infrastructure gaps in developing countries at the World Bank, International Monetary Fund General Meetings. She said that improving power supply was the cornerstone of the current administration’s goal towards economic development, yet finding it difficult to get support from the western community. “We want to build a coal power plant because we are a country blessed with coal, yet we have power problem. So it doesn’t take a genius to work out that it will make sense to build a coal power plant. “However, we are being blocked from doing so, because it is not green. This is not fair because they have an entire western industrialisation that was built on coal-fired energy. “This is

Muiz Banire, national legal adviser of the APC President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with the National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Muiz Banize, on his 50th birthday. Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, said in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday. Buhari joined all members and leaders of the APC in congratulating Banire as he clocks 5o on Oct. 6. The president also felicitated with family, friends and professional colleagues of the legal luminary and author. He noted that Banire had over the years selflessly inspired younger people in the law profession, and contributed immensely to intellectual and scholarly discussions and journals. Buhari commended “the loyalty and commitment of the party member in ensuring that the teething challenges faced by the ruling party get the right counselling, proper legal interpretations and directions.” According to him, Banire’s penchant for learning through questioning

Stella Oduah (PDP Anambra North) A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, seeking an order stopping the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the police from arresting her with respect to ongoing investigation into corruption allegation against her. Oduah had filed the fundamental rights enforcement suit, asking the court to prohibit the Attorney-General of the Federation’s office, the EFCC, and the police from “inviting, arresting, investigating or prosecuting” her over the purchase of two armoured BMW vehicles at a cost of N255m by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority under her watch as the Aviation Minister in 2013. A similar fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by the former minister, who is now a Senator representing Anambra North, was earlier struck out by Justice Okon Abang, then sitting in the Lagos Division, on February 17, 2016, for want of territorial jurisdiction. Punch reports that Just

Gov. Nyeson Wike during his inspection tour to Bonny Jetty at Bille/Bonny/Nembe Waterfront in Port Harcourt. Gov. Nyeson Wike of Rivers on Wednesday flagged off the reconstruction of Bonny Jetty at Bille/Bonny/Nembe Waterfront in Port Harcourt. This is contained in a statement issued by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media in Port Harcourt. Speaking at the occasion, Wike said that the project would help to develop quality water transportation, where safety and security would be promoted. He said that the reconstruction of the jetty was in fulfilment of the pledge made to the people of the area during his campaign for election. “The day I came here to inspect this facility, I wept because of the condition of the jetty. We will develop it into a modern jetty. “All the roads in the suburb will also be rehabilitated by Julius Berger.” Wike, who urged the residents of the area to support the contractor to deliver the project on schedule, directed t

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Wednesday said religions abhor killing. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Abubakar spoke when Innocent Idibia, a musician popularly called 2Face, paid him a courtesy call in Sokoto. Abubakar added that Islam and Christianity preached peace and love among their faithful. According to the sultan, no human being can claim to love God without loving his neighbour. “Religion is a personal choice of an individual. Therefore, nobody can force any religion on anybody. Suicide bombers are going to hell.” The Sultan urged Idibia to continue to use his talent in promoting peace and peaceful coexistence amongst Nigerian youths. The monarch admonished youths never to allow selfish preachers and politicians to use them for their selfish reasons. Idibia had earlier promised to continue to use his talent to pr

Malam Muhammad Bello, FCT Minister Minister Muhammad Bello has directed that any motorist who beats traffic light should be arrested and taken immediately for a psychiatric test. Bello gave this directive during an interactive session with the FCT Press Corps on Wednesday in Abuja. He also directed the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat to make ambulances available at traffic interchanges to convey any motorist arrested by the police. He also requested the Police to permanently station speed bikes at various traffic intersections for the purpose enforcing the directive. According to him, the bill for the test and administrative processes will be borne by the erring motorist, to serve as a deterrent to others. Bello also said that if the arrested motorist was certified to be alright and medically fit, the culprit should be prosecuted to face the consequences of his/her bizarre action. He further asked the Police to commence immediate implementation of the directive. The

The police on Wednesday arraigned a 49-year-old man, Abas Odeh, in an Egor Magistrates’ Court in Benin for allegedly assaulting a woman, Prosecutor Chuks Nnamdi said the offence was committed on Aug. 29 , 2016 at Four Junction , Evbuotubu Quarters in Benin . Nnamdi said that the accused slapped, Faith Ebuzigbe, the complainant, on her face and also elbow her chest. He said that the beating, which caused the complainant harm, contravened Section 355 of the Criminal Code. Odeh,however, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of assault. The Chief Magistrate, Mr William Aziegbemhim granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50, 000 with a surety in like sum, and adjourned the case till Nov. 15,

FILE PHOTO: Wind blows coconut trees during the passage of Hurricane Matthew in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. Hurricane Matthew roared into the southwestern coast of Haiti on Tuesday, threatening a largely rural corner of the impoverished country with devastating storm conditions as it headed north toward Cuba and the eastern coast of Florida. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery) Haiti has postponed presidential election planned for Sunday in the wake of a devastating strike by Hurricane Matthew, election authorities said. A new date will be announced in the coming days. The results of the last election were annulled amid allegations of vote manipulation. The previous president, Michel Martelly left office in February without a successor. Since then, Jocelerme Privert has served as interim president. Matthew strengthened into a hurricane last week and then briefly intensified into a category five storm at the weekend, becoming the strongest in the Atlantic since 2007.

Mrs Latifat Tijani Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has donated N1million and training kits to Mrs Latifat Tijani, an indigene of the state who won a silver medal at the last Paralympics in Rio, Brazil. The governor, who announced this on Wednesday during the State Executive Council meeting at the state secretariat in Abeokuta, also donated N500, 000 to her coach, Mrs Kemi Oyebola. On the request of the athlete, Amosun also directed the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, to collect the curriculum vitae of her husband, Mr Oyeleke Tijani, for consideration for employment. Amosun described Tijani as a worthy ambassador who had done the state and the country proud. He challenged the athlete to ensure that she wins the gold medal at the next Paralympics in 2018. Responding, Tijani commended the governor for the honour and the donation. “I thank the governor for this honour which has been bestowed upon me today. “I had earlier lost hope in sports but the good God has

Gov Akinwunmi Ambode The Lagos State Government on Wednesday promised to reduce incidents of building collapse in the state to the barest minimum before the end of the year. The State’s Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Wasiu Anifowoshe, said at a news conference to commemorate the 2016 World Habitat Day, that the government would not rest on its oars to ensure this. Anifowoshe said that this year’s theme – “Housing at the Centre”, as proposed by the United Nations was apt, adding that it would address issues surrounding housing in the state. He attributed the housing deficit to the influx of people into the state on a daily basis saying not less than 22 million people reside in it despite its land size. Anifowoshe advised residents to take into consideration further development that might take place when building their houses. “House owners must ensure they have setbacks when building their houses so that such houses are not demolished when developme

Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology (FUTA) Akure and the Bursar, Emmanuel Oresegun were on Wednesday quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the duo were quizzed at the Ibadan office of the anti-graft agency on allegation of abuse of office and misappropriation of funds. Mr Ayo Oyewole, Head of Public Affairs, EFCC, Ibadan Office, told NAN on Wednesday that the commission quizzed the two men based on the petition it received against them. He said that the duo were alleged to be involved in corruption, fraud, criminal breach of trust, unlawful enrichment, conversion of millions of naira belonging to the university. Oyewole said that the Vice Chancellor allegedly received furniture allowance annually instead of once in four years as approved. He added that Daramola was also accused of paying himself housing allowance while residing in the University’s Vice Chancellor’s Quarte

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode Various programes carried out by the Lagos State Government in Badagry will transform the ancient city to a mega city, a state lawmaker, Mr Olanrenwaju Layode, said on Wednesday. Layode, who represents Badagry Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, spoke at the constituency stakeholders meeting held at the Badagry Town Hall. He urged the people of the area to be patient and cooperate with the government, which would deliver on all its promises. “We know that Badagry isn’t developed the way it is supposed to be despite all the resources we have, but it would change in the nearest future. “The Lagos State Government has carried out various projects in Badagry and by the time it is done, it would help in transforming Badagry into a mega city,’’ he said. The lawmaker assured the residents that the community would be developed rapidly under the present administration. “The present administration is looking for various ways to transform the li

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker House of Representatives The House of Representatives on Wednesday in Abuja, directed the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) to facilitate the release of former Minister of Environment, Mrs Lawrencia Mallam and her husband. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Sunday Katung (Kaduna State). The couple was kidnapped on Monday along the Kaduna/Abuja road. Moving the motion, Katung called on the Police and the DSS to intensify efforts to ensure the safe release of the kidnapped couple and the abductors apprehended. He said there was need for the Police and other security agencies to step up surveillance on the Bwari/Jere/Kaduna road. Katung said that the former minister and her husband, Mr Pius Mallam, were kidnapped at about 7p.m. after their attackers shot their driver. “The kidnappers dispossessed the driver of his mobile phone and thereafter used the phone to contact a family member to demand for ransom,’’

FRSC Boss, Boboye Oyeyemi The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) prosecuted no fewer than 274 traffic offenders for 352 offences in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra, between July and September. Its’ Unit Commander in Onitsha, Mr Paulinus Akpotobo, disclosed at Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area on Wednesday that the prosecutions were carried out in different locations using a mobile court. Speaking on the sides of an ‘ember’ months enlightenment on high way code for the Tipper Owners and Welfare Association of Anambra, Akpotobo said that 30 vehicles were impounded, 16 confiscated and 23 drivers cautioned. “Motorists still overload their vehicles and drive without seatbelts in the Onitsha corridors, but the unit has intensified its enforcement on overload, especially in this `ember months,” he said. Earlier, the unit commander urged the tipper drivers to obey traffic rules, avoid overloading and ensure that their tyres were in good shape before embarking on any t

Pastor Ize-Iyamu A pressure group, Edo Youths Coalition, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the just-concluded governorship poll in Edo, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to accept the outcome of the exercise. Secretary-General of the group, Mr Toju Igbene, made the call on Wednesday during a solidarity rally by members of the group at the secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin. The group challenged Ize-Iyamu to emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan, who conceded defeat before the official declaration of his opponent, Muhammadu Buhari, as the winner of 2015 presidential poll. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sept. 29 declared Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the winner of the governorship poll in the state conducted the preceding day. Obaseki polled 319, 483 votes to defeat Ize-Iyamu, his closest rival, who got 253, 173 votes. Members of the coalition displayed placards whose inscriptions includ

Wayne Rooney The debate over whether Wayne Rooney is best as a striker, a number 10 or in midfield has become a tiresome subject for the England captain. Wayne Rooney insists he will have no influence over his role in the England team. Interim England manager Gareth Southgate confirmed Rooney would retain the captaincy of the national side in the wake of Sam Allardyce’s departure, despite him losing his starting spot at Manchester United. Rooney’s performance during Allardyce’s sole game in charge — the last-gasp 1-0 World Cup qualifying win in Slovakia — was widely criticized, particularly after the then manager told a post-match news conference “Wayne played wherever he wanted to.” Having dropped into a midfield role for United towards the end of last season and during Euro 2016, Rooney’s best position remains a topic of debate, with his performances as a number 10 this term leading to Jose Mourinho benching him at Old Trafford. Asked at a news conference whether he was guaran

Kim Kardashian Steve Stanulis, Kim Kradashian’s ex body guard has on Wednesday come out to say that ”Karma” is responsible for Kim’s attack. He was fired in May this year after Kanye West reportedly accused him of flirting with his wife. Now Stanulis, 42, has weighed in on the reality star’s terrifying Paris attack that took place earlier this week. During an interview on an Australian radio breakfast show, Steve was quizzed about whether he felt that he could have prevented Kim from being robbed at gunpoint if he were still employed by Kanye and the Kardashians at the time.Steve, a former NYPD officer of Staten Island, also took a direct swipe at Kanye, telling Rove and Sam that Kanye ‘wasn’t one of the best guys to work for’, and that he was ‘a little high maintenance’ as a client. It’s not the first time the bodyguard has suggested that karma may have been responsible for Kim’s attack. Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, Steve claimed that Kim and Kayne’s lack of ‘r

Kim Kardashian Steve Stanulis, Kim Kradashian’s ex body guard has on Wednesday come out to say that ”Karma” is responsible for Kim’s attack. He was fired in May this year after Kanye West reportedly accused him of flirting with his wife. Now Stanulis, 42, has weighed in on the reality star’s terrifying Paris attack that took place earlier this week. During an interview on an Australian radio breakfast show, Steve was quizzed about whether he felt that he could have prevented Kim from being robbed at gunpoint if he were still employed by Kanye and the Kardashians at the time.Steve, a former NYPD officer of Staten Island, also took a direct swipe at Kanye, telling Rove and Sam that Kanye ‘wasn’t one of the best guys to work for’, and that he was ‘a little high maintenance’ as a client. It’s not the first time the bodyguard has suggested that karma may have been responsible for Kim’s attack. Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, Steve claimed that Kim and Kayne’s lack of ‘r

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State Richard Elesho/ Lokoja The Kogi State Government and the House of Assembly are currently at loggerheads over the suspension of five local government sole administrators by the latter. Mrs. Petra Onyegbule, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Yahaya Bello, revealed in a statement that the governor is yet to be briefed by the Assembly on why it suspended the council administrators. Following this, the administrators are not expected to vacate their respective offices and functions, she stated. “Until such communication is done, the administrators would not be expected to leave a vacuum in the administration of their respective local government areas,” she added. Reacting to the suspension of the Council Administrators, Petra noted that although Bello will continue to hold the Assembly in high esteem and respects the principle of Separation of Powers, he urged the lawmakers “to avoid the temptation of giving room to destructive politics.” The

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded, at the Kirikiri Prisons, Apapa, one Idris Abu, who confessed to sexually abusing his two-year-old daughter. The Magistrate, Mr T. A. Elias remanded Abu, 43, after he pleaded guilty. Elias adjourned the case till Oct. 19 for presentation of the facts of the case and sentencing. Abu, a resident of Agege, Lagos, was arraigned over indecent treatment of a child. The prosecutor, Sgt. Rachael Donny, had told the court that the accused inserted his finger on his daughter’s private part on July 29 at his residence. “The accused always inserted one of his figures into his baby’s private part, ignoring her cries,” he said. Donny said that the mother of the child noticed that the baby always complained that she felt pains on her private part. The prosecutor said that the accused had earlier directed his wife to be sleeping in their parlour. Donny submitted that the accused told his wife that he wanted to be sharing their bedroom

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje Mr Aminu Aliyu, Managing Director of Kano State Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA), says the state government has reactivated asphalt and quarry plants in Kano to demonstrate its commitment to road development. Aliyu said in a statement in Kano on Wednesday that the reactivation of the companies would also accelerate socio-economic development of the state. He said that the two plants, being supervised by the state Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport in the past, had now been transferred to KARMA for effective operation. According to him, the plants will be producing asphalt and stones for civil engineering companies in the state. Aliyu said the measure would enhance the revenue generation of the state and provide job opportunities for youths. The managing director, therefore, expressed appreciation to the ministry of works and housing for its commitments to road development. He pledged to revamp the companies and add value to road deve

Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader and Director at Biafra Radio The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has adjourned Nnamdi Kanu’s alleged fundamental human rights breach case against the Federal Government till Nov. 8. The presiding judge, Justice Micah Wright, adjourned the case on Wednesday for definite hearing following an application by the defendant. Wright, however, declined the request for cost by the applicant. The Federal Government, who was absent, had written to the court to adjourn the case because the case conflicting case in another court. But, Counsel to the plaintiff, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, opposed the application for adjournment and requested for a cost of one million naira. Kanu, a Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, sued the Federal Government for alleged illegal detention. Joined in the suit were the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Director-General of Department of State Service (DSS). Kanu, in the suit, is as

TURNING-POINT-Bola-Bolawole At no time in the history of University admissions had parents and students been through the kind of trauma they were subjected to this 2016\2017 session. The confusion began with the new Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, querying the need for the post-JAMB reviews that the Universities subjected students to. Before you knew it, the mere words of the Minister had become law; post-JAMB had been outlawed just like that! What would replace it, no one knew – the Universities did not know; JAMB had no idea; and the Minister himself was incoherent. So began a macabre dance that made matters worse for everyone. To solve a so-called problem, a legion others had been whimsically created. In most things Nigerian, this was a policy summersault that was not well thought out. It was like, let’s first destroy what we did not like and think of what to replace it with afterwards. A fire brigade approach to replace the destroyed system with something, just anything, thu

For allegedly stabbing a man with a bottle and dispossessing him of his money, a 28-year-old butcher, Mustapha Awolu, on Wednesday appeared at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Awolu, a resident of Agege, Lagos, is standing trial on charges of assault and stealing. The prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu told the court that the accused committed the offences on Oct. 2 at Abattoir Market, Agege, Lagos. He said that the accused unlawfully assaulted one Mr Usman Sani by stabbing him with a broken bottle on his stomach. Nwosu said that the complainant was counting his money when the accused entered his shop, ordering him to surrender his money. “The accused entered the complainant’s shop, commanded him to surrender all his money and threatened to kill him with the broken bottle he was holding if he refused to comply,” he said. The prosecutor said that the accused carried the complainant’s safe box containing N30,000 and the money he was still counting. “When the accused took the com

A 38-year-old headteacher, David Ijadele, who allegedly stole N305, 200 from Rich Way School, Ikosi-Ketu in Lagos, was on Wednesday brought before an Ogudu Magistrate’s Court. The accused, a resident of Elebiju in Ketu area, is facing a charge of stealing. According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, the complainant, Mrs Aderonke Adewole, reported the theft at Ketu Police Station. Ihiehie said the complainant, the proprietress of the school, had employed the accused as the headteacher and accountant of the school in 2014. He said the complainant discovered that the N305,000 was missing from the school between September 2015 and January 2016 when the accused left the school. “The accused had collected money from the students to register them for WAEC examinations and other fees for laboratory. “Some students’ school fees and some amount meant for the teachers’ salary which he did not remit to the schools’ account are also included in the N305, 200.” Ihiehie added that the ac

•Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) An Abuja High Court on Wednesday adjourned retired Col. Sambo Dasuki’s case till Oct. 21 pending the outcome of the meeting of the counsel with the FCT Chief judge, Justice Ishaq Bello. Dasukii, a former National Security Adviser (NSA) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, is standing trial with four others for alleged diversion of N13.6 billion The others were; Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser; Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former NNPC Executive Director; Acacia Holding Limited, and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited. The judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, who adjourned the case after the prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), prayed the court to allow counsel in the matter to meet with the chief judge to approve for the files to be moved to Baba-Yusuf’s court. At the last two sittings, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), counsel to Dauski, had prayed the court to consolidate the cases against his client. The cases

The Enugu State Ministry of Health on Wednesday advised families and individuals to focus on preventive healthcare to save money for other needs. The Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr Okechukwu Ossai, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu that the advice became necessary in view of the economic recession and its effect on the balance sheet of most homes. Ossai said that the approach should be preventive in order to save more money for the family and individual. “We should really focus more on preventive measures; these preventive measures are the basic things that will protect us against ill-health and diseases, especially communicable diseases,” he said. The director further urged the people to take seriously the environmental and personal hygiene and preventive measures that the government always advertised in the media. He cited the use of insecticide treated mosquito nets which could stop people coming down with malaria. He said that the use of such nets

SERAP logo On the night of 3 October 2016, unknown people broke into the offices of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) at Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. The intruders somehow escaped security gates surrounding the street, before gaining access to the office building and cutting open the iron bars protecting the locked office front door. Some of the computers and cabinets were damaged. The intruders broke into the office safe, taking away some petty cash and files. The offices were thoroughly ransacked and a TV screen on the wall at the reception was dropped on the floor. The intruders also dropped a threat note on the table at the reception, which reads “Not our target. We will be back.” The matter has been reported at the Area “F” Police Station, Ikeja, Lagos. The matter is now a subject of police investigation. The staff who resumed early morning on 4 October 2016 took several photos of the incident. We are assessing the situation to find out what else might be mi

Dr. Benard Aliu, ICAO President. The 39th Assembly of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has elected Nigeria into its council for the next three years. Mr James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, said this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja. The statement said that Nigeria’s election was endorsed by 152 member countries to secure the seat in the Part II category of the world aviation regulatory body. It said the height was a direct result of the shuttle diplomacy by the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika. It said that this marked the country’s entry into the council for the first time in history. Sirika in his reaction to the election expressed his gratitude to the ICAO Assembly for their support, saying that Nigeria had taken its rightful place. He appreciated African and other countries that voted Nigeria into the council as well as President Muhammadu Buhari for his approval and necessary suppo

Elhamy Agina The Egyptian Parliament said on Wednesday in Cairo that it would question a lawmaker over his call for obligatory virginity test to be conducted on women seeking university admission. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the lawmaker, Elhamy Agina, last week said during an interview that the test was necessary to combat informal marriages among university students. He said that some young people favour this type of arrangement because they cannot afford the high expenses of formal union, which involves a dowry and gift-giving. Agina also demanded that each university female applicant must present an official document stating that she was a “maid.” Pre-marital sex is a taboo in mostly conservative Egypt, and women’s virginity is a sensitive matter of family honour. However, the lawmaker’s remark triggered outrage among human rights advocates, feminist groups and social media users in Egypt. A report said that Ali Abdelal, the Parliament Speaker, had refer

Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte Rodrigo Duterte, Philippines President has again blasted the United States, and this took another caustic turn Tuesday, when he threatened to “break up” with the US and said President Barack Obama can “go to hell.” Duterte’s latest remarks came just as the US and Philippines started joint military exercises perhaps for the last time. The war drills began Tuesday in Manila and will last until October 12. Last week, Duterte said this round of joint drills with the US would be the last. “I serve notice to you now that this will be the last joint military exercise with US,” Duterte said. ‘I will break up with America’ CNN reports that  Durterte’s verbal tirade against the US heated up after widespread criticism of his anti-drug campaign. Thousands of suspected drug dealers and users have died during Duterte’s aggressive crackdown on the illegal drug trade. Some were killed during shootouts with local police when suspects allegedly resisted a

There is a huge need to regulate the Nigerian interior décor sector and bring in a great degree of sanity into it, for it to become a huge revenue earner for the nation, an interior decorator has disclosed. Speaking during the Denim 2016 Interior Décor Fair held at the International Conference Centre exhibition pavilion recently, lawyer-turned-interior designer and convener of the exhibition, Binta Suleiman, pointed out that besides trying to bring the true art of interior décor closer to Nigerians, the event was aimed at bringing together some of the nation’s best interior decorators within the city of Abuja and from without, in order to introduce them to growing markets. “We have an interior design firm where we offer interior design services, furniture supply and making – which is a lot – and, seeing as I do not have the background [even though I had been trained for this on-line and in the United Kingdom], I began to wonder if one person could pull off all these. I made up my mi

The movie that puts a spotlight on the popular Ebola virus that rocked Nigeria few years ago and the lives it took recently hit Nigerian cinemas and was received by movie enthusiasts who have been waiting all along. One would have thought it would be a dark movie considering how dark and devastating Ebola was but it turned out to be a feel-good movie, so good that celebrities who don’t have the habit of giving public praise have been hailing the movie; the likes of Omoni Oboli, Uche Jombo, Chioma Akpotha, Ufuoma McDermott and others. The movie which was released September 16 has been selling out cinema halls all over the country. The cinema figure is not immediately available but the headcount at different halls suggests a very strong opening weekend` for the movie. 93 Days is based on the true story of men and women who risked their lives and made sacrifices to save Nigerians from the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. The epic docu-drama was also premiered at the just held Toron

For several months, one of the most talked about events in the Abuja entertainment circle has been ‘Take Over Tour’ and on Sunday, September 25 2016, the premium lifestyle event kicked off with its first show at Playhouse Paintball and Lounge, City Park, Wuse 2, Abuja. The premier event which is packaged by Green Label Entertainment featured an eclectic mix of electrifying performances from musicians, comedians, dancers and models. An event like never before, guests were treated to the best music, comedy, dance, fashion from Abuja talents and brands. There were performances from the King of the Northern movement; Morell, ace comedian Shortcut, Tony Wenom, Green Label Entertainment’s very own 4Reign and a host of other talented up and coming artists such as Reeplay, Yung Boss, Kiid-Pro, Dynasty, Mista Flex, i$ick, Vanviki to name a few. Before Shortcut began his performance, he commended the CEO of Green Label Entertainment, King Akan Eyo for the initiative and enjoined the Abuja comm

It was a day of merriment, joy and fashion when internationally acclaimed Vlisco marked her 170th Anniversary in Abuja. The event which witnessed the crème dela crème of the society was blown away with exotic and well-dressed personalities, adorned in various Vlisco fabrics. Personalities like the wife of the senate president, Mrs Toyin Saraki, the outspoken Senator Dino Milaye, Senators, wives of serving Governors, ministers, legislators and other big-wig of the society who were all patrons of Vlisco were on hand to mark the day. The guests who cut across different ethnicity and nationals donned the glowing colours of Vlisco walking with head held up as songs rendered on the day takes one back to the days when men were boys. AY the stand-up comedian and actor, thrilled the guest with scintillating jokes while Miss Jessica Enupapa Bongos Ikwue, daughter of famous musician, Bongos Ikwue  also rendered great songs from her father’s archives and her personal song to the admiration of

Buhari In his acclaimed publication ‘The Trouble with Nigeria’ published 33 years ago, in 1983, the late Chinua Achebe pointed out that the ‘the trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership’. Thirty-three years on this is still true but with an added ‘but’. Nigeria is a very difficult country to govern: if not the most difficult in the world to govern. You have three major tribes with god-knows-how-many sub-tribes. Three major languages are spoken with over four hundred dialects. There are supposedly two major religions – Christianity and Islam – and again god-knows-how-many different heathen gods that are also worshipped. Again you have over a hundred and eighty million inhabitants, most living below the poverty line and largely uneducated. So many people to think of; of different tribes, religions, political affiliations and languages under the umbrella of one nation to be governed by one-person – a President. Being the President of Nigeria is nothing in