Global Naija Info

Bags of rice The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has ordered the immediate removal of rice from import restriction list and the re-introduction of import duty payment at land borders. The Public Relations Officer of customs, Mr Wale Adeniyi, made this known in an interview in Abuja. He said the restriction was only applied at land border stations before now, adding that the customs boss had lifted restriction on rice at border stations. Adeniyi said that all rice imports through land borders by rice traders would attract the prevailing import duty of 10 per cent with 60 per cent levy. He added that rice millers (preferential levy) with valid quota allocation would also attract duty rate of 10 per cent with 20 per cent levy on rice importation. “Over the years importation has been restricted to the seaports because border authorities have found it difficult to effectively monitor and control importation of rice. “When the decision to ban it (rice) was take

Etisalat donating N1.5 million to the Rivers State Govenment Daniels Ekugo Nigeria’s telecommunication company, Etisalat and the Cross River State Government in partnership with Mediatrix Development Foundation have pledged to forge a close working relationship in the fight against the scourge of malaria in the State. The partners made this commitment recently at the official flag-off of the Etisalat Fight Malaria Initiative and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that will see them coordinate efforts and resources to eradicate the menacing spread of malaria in the State. Speaking about the partnership, the Director, Regulatory & Corporate Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Ikenna Ikeme, said the telecommunication company identifies a healthy populace as a precursor to achieving economic growth, hence the alignment of its business growth strategy with societal goals such as health. “A nation can only be economically buoyant if it has a vibrant and strong work force

Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mahmud Mohammed The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed that it carried out raids of the homes of some judges in Abuja and Port Harcourt because of allegations of corruption levelled against them. The Department on Friday night raided the homes of two Supreme Court justices in Abuja and the home of Rivers State chief judge in Portharcourt. At a news conference at the DSS headquarters, Abuja on Saturday, a DSS operative, Garba Abdullahi, explained that the Department had been monitoring the lifestyles of some judges, and that it was determined to bring sanity to the judiciary. Details later.

Russian president, Vladimir Putin Russia has deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in its Kaliningrad region, bordering Poland and Lithuania. Linas Linkevicius, foreign minister of Nato-member Lithuania, said that the aim of the move was to “seek concessions from the West”. The US and Nato have seen disagreements with Russia intensify in recent times, particularly over Syria and Crimea. Russia’s defence ministry said the new deployment was part of military exercises and had happened before. Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. The Iskander system has a range of up to 700km (440 miles) and could reach the German capital, Berlin. Polish Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz called Russia’s activities “very alarming”. And a US intelligence official told Reuters the move could be to express displeasure at Nato. Nato is boosting its eastern flank by deploying four battalions in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia next year. But Russian def

Donald Trump, official Republican Presidential nominee Within hours of the release of a video of Donald Trump making lewd comments about women, Republicans nationwide condemned the remarks and tried to distance themselves from the GOP presidential nominee. On a 2005 tape released Friday by The Washington Post, Trump told Billy Bush, then of “Access Hollywood,” that you can “grab [women] by the p****” and “you can make them do anything.” Bush laughs and then asks soap opera star Arianna Zucker to hug Trump. Trump issued a late-night apology in a Facebook video, saying he would still be at the debate on Sunday. “I’ve never said I’m a perfect person,” Trump said. “Nor pretended to be someone that I’m not. I’ve said and done things I regret and the words released today on this more than a decade old video are one of them.” That apology may not be enough — it wasn’t for Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who listened to the video and made his own Facebook video in response — calling on Trump to walk

George Weah Liberia soccer legend, George Weah, has revealed how some respectable African leaders, which includes Nigeria’s ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ghana’s John Kufuor and South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki and others, prevailed on him to accept defeat in the country’s 2005 presidential election in the interest of peace and stability. Weah who played a major role in the peace-building of the country over the years, said he was called on board by the people who gave him their mandate. Speaking during an interview with Daily Trust, he said, “I created and funded a party called Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), which is today the people’s party, the most popular one in my country. I went to the polls in 2005, and won the first round overwhelmingly but something changed and we had to go for a second round. When we did, the same thing happened. “But for the sake of peace and stability in our country – coming from many years of civil war – we held discussions with regional leaders

President Muhammadu Buhari Jamiu Yisa The Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria, Dr Mashuud Fashola has said that Nigerians must be ready to put government on its toes to deliver on their promises of good life to all irrespective of religion or ethnic background Dr Fashola who made the call during his Friday sermon, commended the unique and unflinching sacrifices made by Nigerians since independence. He specifically noted the tremendous support given to President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration since its inception, calling for patience as the leadership navigates out of the economic recession. Dr Fashola, praised the ‘Change-begins-with-me’ campaign urging the country’s leadership to show practical and exemplary examples of discipline in all strata of life. On agriculture, Dr Fashola call on government to support farmers through purchase of farm produce from the farms, direct sale to Nigerians at reasonable prices to cut down on middlemen exploitations of farmers. He also fe

Etisalat U-15 School Cup Daniels Ekugo After two successful seasons promoting grassroots football around the country, Nigeria’s youth-friendly telecommunications network, Etisalat has concluded plans to kick off the third season of its Under-15 School Cup football competition. The Etisalat U-15 School Cup is a national grassroots football competition designed to connect, engage and promote young football talents. It promotes national unity by connecting young and aspiring footballers to becoming future champions. According to the Director, Brand & Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Ogiemwanye, the third season will provide exciting prospects of building on the success of the last two editions. “Our commitment to the nation is to support and create credible platforms that can contribute to the development of the country. Therefore, we are committed to developing a pool of young football talents. The success of the last two editions makes it even more exciting for us,” he said

FirstBank logo The Students Representative Council of Federal College of Education (FCE), Zaria has accused the First Bank of Nigeria, Zaria main branch, of involvement in the alleged diversion of N26 million students’ registration fees. The bank has however dismissed the allegation as spurious, saying that it had no case to answer. reports reveal that a total of 1,128 students of the college were affected by the disappearance of their registration fees. Mr Nathan Zakka, Chairman of the students’ council, described the development as “disheartening”, and appealed for thorough investigation to trace the missing money. Zakka pleaded for patience and cooperation from the students as the union was liaising with relevant authorities to ensure the recovery of the registration fees from the bank. “We have briefed the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Abuja and they are equally making arrangement to address the matter. “We have also arranged with the college management

Otunba Gbenga Daniel Former Governor of Ogun State and Chairman, Kresta Laurel Limited, Otunba (Engr.) Gbenga Daniel has described the current economic situation in the country as a blessing in disguise and an opportunity for Nigerians to look inwards by developing local contents and effecting outright adjustment in our ways of life. Receiving a delegation of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria (ICAN) on a courtesy visit led by its president, Deacon Titus Soetan at his office in Lagos on Friday, Otunba Daniel reiterated the fact that government should place more emphasis on local manufacturing and production, most especially in the agricultural sector. “It is criminal to the economy if we spend so much foreign exchange on importation of food into the country to the detriment of our staple food that have more nutritional value. It is high time we banned food importation and curtailed smuggling of such into the Nigerian markets. The total mind-set of our people must change

Nigerian-Navy The Nigerian Navy has handed over 17 suspected oil thieves with 47,450 liters of diesel to Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Akwa Ibom for prosecution. The Commander, NNS Jubilee, Ikot Abasi, Commodore Saidu Garba, who spoke at the handing over in Ikot Abasi on Saturday, said the suspects were arrested by naval special patrol team. Garba added that 13 of the 17 suspects were arrested at Mobil Jetty in Ibeno Local Government, while four suspects were arrested at Ataba Community. “Let me reiterate that the Chief of Naval Staff strategic directive is aimed at stamping out all forms of illegalities and criminality in the Niger Delta region. “It is therefore our firm resolve to vigorously pursue this agenda and rid out bad elements in the region,’’ Garba said. He said that items recovered from the suspects, include 47, 450 litres of liquid suspected to be diesel, five Cotonou wooden boats and 188 empty drums of 250 litres each. “These illegal activi

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police Recently there has been an international uproar at the number of black people being shot dead by the police in America. The situation has become so bad that an organisation called ‘Black Lives Matter’ has been set up to draw awareness to the problem. Endorsed by a number of top black American celebrities, the group is working hard to prevent further extra-judicial killings through peaceful protests. Far away from the shores of America, and the attention of the world media, the same thing is happening in Nigeria too: trigger-happy policemen – mostly SARS operatives – are shooting and killing innocent people on a daily basis. In most recent months well-documented cases of extra-judiciary killings by the police include: .Two workers were shot dead by the police at a rally in Nasarawa state in July. ·Two protesting youths killed in Umomi in Kogi state in August. ·Lagos SARS mistakenly kill a 20-year old student while chasing a suspect

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has inaugurated a seven-man Judicial Commission of Inquiry to “probe, investigate, and recover misappropriated public funds, lost or diverted government properties, failed contracts and the existence of ghost workers by previous administrations in the state, between 29th May, 2003 and 27th January, 2016. According to a press statement by the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ayode Folashade Arike, the governor’s decision was in fulfilment of his promise to “clampdown on corruption and bring perpetrators to book.” This, the statement reads, is in exercise of the powers conferred him by Section 2 of the Commission of Inquiry Law Cap 25 of the Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963 (as applicable to Kogi State), and other relevant laws enabling thereto. The Commissioners approved to by the Governor to act on the Commission are: 1. Justice Wada Umar Rano – Chairman 2. Dr. Mohamme

Governor Wike addressing journalists at the residence of the judge in Port Harcourt Less than 24 hours after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock Abuja, Governor Nyesom Wike on Saturday accused the federal government of plotting to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State. Governor Wike who spent less than 10 minutes with Buhari during the meeting in Abuja on Friday, also raised an alarm that security agents threatened to shoot him as he foiled an attempt to kidnap a federal judge in the state on Saturday. Our correspondent gathered that security agents comprising policemen and officials of the Department of State Security (DSS), led by the state Commissioner of police, Mr Francis Odesanya and Director of DSS in the state, Mr Tosin Ajayi, in the early hours of Saturday stormed the residence of a federal judge at 35 Forces Avenue, to arrest him. But Governor Wike got wind of the visit of the security officials and went there. The governor said on getting to the resid

Nigeria’s SSS Senior judges across the country have been overnight assaulted by the State Security Service. This has resulted in the arrest of a Federal High Court judge and alleged brutalization of a sitting governor. Attempts were also made to arrest two Supreme Court judges. The official quarters of Walter Onoghen, who was recently recommended to President Buhari as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria, and Sylvester Ngwuta also of the Supreme Court were besieged by the SSS for several hours overnight. Multiple sources said the clampdown began in Gombe State where the SSS arrested Muazu Pindigi who served on the elections tribunal in Rivers State. The operation continued in Abuja on Friday night into early Saturday morning. In Abuja, the SSS stormed the the home Nnamdi Dimgba and Adeniyi Ademola, both of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, in their official residences located inside Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja. Mr. Ademola was later arrested in the early hours of

A cross section of teachers A UK and Nigeria-based non-profit organisation, Universal Learning Solutions, has trained over 30,000 teachers in Nigeria on the use of a phone application “Jolly Phonics Lessons” to enhance learning and pronunciation of English words among primary school pupils. The Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Gary Foxcroft, disclosed this in Jos on Saturday. Foxcroft said the introduction of the new method of learning was in collaboration with leading technology entrepreneur, Gilbert Jolly. He said that the new application would aid teachers and parent teach their children how to read, write and communicate in English language effectively. Foxcroft added that the system which have been adjudged very efficient and effective, had been in operation for long in the UK. “We have trained over 30,000 teachers in Nigeria on the use of this modern technique of teaching, the phone application, which is being provided for free in Nigeria for teachers and pare

flood The Sokoto State Government has said that it donated cash and assorted relief materials worth over N30 million to victims of windstorm and flood disasters in the state. The Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Hassan Maccido, made the disclosure in in Sokoto on Saturday. Maccido said that 50 communities in the 14 affected local governments benefited from the donation. He said the affected local governments were; Dange/Shuni, Wurno, Kebbe, Gwadabawa, Shagari, Wamakko, Goronyo, Gudu, Rabah, Tangaza, Binji,Sokoto North, Sabon-Birni and Bodinga. The Director-general said that the items donated, included millet, rice, maize, building materials, mattresses, rubber mats, blankets, among others. Maccido said, “three million naira was donated to the victims of windstorm in Kwanar Kinba, Tudu and other adjoining villages in Dange/Shuni Local Government. “The gesture was aimed at alleviating the suffering of the victims as well as help them to re

The Minister of Defence retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali has inaugurated the renovated and upgraded Wards 1 and 2 of the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna. Dan-Ali, who spoke at the inauguration, commended the visionary Chief of Army (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, for initiating the project. He said that the renovated hospital, which he described as a cardinal project, was in line with the vision of the present administration to enhance welfare of military personnel. The minister noted that the hospital would reduce the evacuation of wounded personnel, especially troops involved in the fight against insurgency to overseas for treatment and thus save the nation some foreign exchange. He said that similar hospital would soon be inaugurated in Bauchi and Eastern Naval Command. Earlier, Buratai said that fund had been received to complete the Radiological Centre of the hospital. He promised that everything would be done to restore the lost glory of army hospitals across t

There was a heavy presence of security personnel across major streets in Ogun as the election into the 20 local government councils and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) got underway on Saturday. Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who monitored the security situation in Abeokuta South, Ijebu-Ode, Ado- Odo/Otta and Sagamu council areas, report that security officials were sighted at strategic locations in the bid to ensure a peaceful electoral process. NAN checks in other council areas also revealed a heavy security presence. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ogun Command, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, told NAN that a total of 5, 000 policemen were deployed for the election. His counterpart in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kareem Olanrewaju, also told NAN that 5,500 uniformed men and 1,000 intelligence officers in mufti were deployed. NAN further reports that officials of the state-owned traffic management agency and FRSC mount

Facebook on Friday released a mobile app for finding local happenings to enjoy with friends. The Events app tailored for iPhones hit Apple’s online shop, with a version “coming soon” for smartphones powered by Google-backed Android software, Facebook product manager Aditya Koolwal said in on online post. Events is a stand-alone spin on a section at the leading online social network that lets people share plans for concerts, poetry slams, plays or other types of events they are interested in attending. “When you open Events, you can quickly catch up on new events your friends are interested in, recently-announced events by the Pages you like, and updates from events you’re already connected to,” Koolwal said. More than 100 million people daily use Facebook’s events section to discover activities they can take part in with friends, according to Koolwal. The Events app lets people browse for happenings based on factors such as location or interest, and to explore potential outing op

Chief Tony Okoroji, the Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), on Tuesday, announced that he would soon launch his record label to be known as “TOPS Record Label”. Okoroji made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that his label would soon rock the music industry with a group of outstanding young Nigerian talents. The former Chairman of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) disclosed that Kasi Anuforo, a.k.a. “KASI”, upcoming musician was the most talented under his tutelage. “KASI is a bomb waiting to explode and when she explodes, all the girls in the music industry must go back to the drawing board because she is set to rewrite the rules. “KASI is natural and has inspired me in many ways. I cannot wait for Nigerians and the world to experience what I have seen in her,” he said. Okoroji, who mentored “Dizzy K Falola” to stardom with the hit track “Baby Kilode” in the early 1980s, added that he was capable of spotting an excepti

Rahma Sadau Conservative Muslim clerics are ‘up in arms’ again. This time against artists and the art industry in Nigeria. Their target is a young female artist named Rahma Sadau this time. Muslim clerics banned the Nigerian actress from the Hausa language film industry, Kannywood, because she hugged and cuddled a male artist in a video. Yes, that was her ‘crime’. She expressed romance in a movie, and not in real life! That it. She did nothing else. These clerical throwbacks claimed Sadau’s behavior was ‘immoral’ and that her actions corrupted people’s values. Really? Muhammadu Kabiru Maikaba, Chairman of Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (Moppan), described Sadau’s romantic display as wayward. Maikaba stated Sadau’s  actions in a video dented “our image” and violated “Islamic and Hausa culture”. Take another look at the name of the association that Maikaba chairs, it reads: Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (Moppan) NOT Islamic Motion Pictu