Global Naija Info

Kaffy-dance-queen A guy named Michael Omani, a professional dancer has lashed out at Kaffy. In a Facebook video, he said Kaffy treats dancers the same way Davido is doing and that she should stop calling herself the Queen of Dance in Nigeria since she is no different. See video and Read his post below: ‘I disagree with what Kaffy said. If you want to throw shades at anybody, do it without involving dancers because the same thing you said Davido did to you is what you’re doing to us the dancers, and I bet if dancer vote we’ll vote you out that you are wrong. You call dancers for shows, you don’t pay them, you take dancers to Calabar and you leave them there stranded, call dancers to your house and put 50 people in one room and you don’t pay them well, you travel round the world calling yourself queen of dance in Nigeria. A queen takes care of her followers or kingdom, you don’t take care of the dancers here and you are putting us in your beef.’ ‘I agree with Davido, anything Da

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State Mr Achike Emejulu, Chairman Anambra State Internal Revenue Service says the collection of taxes by unidentified individuals in the state may constitute a threat to development strides in the state. Emejulu said this on Thursday in Awka, when the state Acting Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and his management staff paid him a courtesy call at his office in Awka. According to him the rate at which the unidentified individuals had been illegally collecting revenue are becoming alarming. He said that such act could prevent the state from achieving its revenue target, if not checked and could cause delays to development strides in the state. Emejulu noted that such unlawful collection of taxes had continued to put the administration of Gov. Willie Obiano in an awkward position. Emejulu said in view of the findings, the service plan to introduce tax education through the establishment of tax clubs in primary and secondary schools in

polio-victims Mr. Amaje John, the Kogi State Immunisation Officer, on Thursday said that the state had been polio-free since 2009. John told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja that the last wild polio case in the state was in Dekina Local Government area in 2009, stressing that the state had not recorded any other case since then. The immunization officer said that the state had enough vaccines for various immunization cases, especially the polio vaccine. “Right now, the state is doing what we called ‘Intensifying Routinization Activities’ in all our health facilities to strengthen immunization of children below the age of one. “The routinization is part of preventive measures which involves various stakeholders including community leaders and health workers from all health facilities across the state. “This information has gone round the entire state because the awareness is very high that every mother will have no excuse not to immunize their children. “It is a very

court A Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded a furniture maker, Umar Abdulkarim and a vulcanizer, Isiaka Idris, in prison for alleged housebreaking, theft and attempt to escape from lawful custody. The Chief Magistrate, Levi Animoku, in his ruling after their arraignment, said the offences against the accused persons were grievous He described bail as a constitutional right of an accused presumed innocent and which should not be withheld as a punitive measure. “However, where bail is granted to an accused in a criminal case and he is shown to have breached all or any of the terms or conditions, the court hearing the case or any other case against such an accused must be cautious. “The accused persons before me have clearly breached Section 341(2)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Code. “Therefore, notwithstanding the presumption of innocence and their pledge to comply with bail terms or conditions in this court, I am more convinced that the propensity to elope justic

Kaffy-dance-queen A guy named Michael Omani, a professional dancer has lashed out at Kaffy. In a Facebook video, he said Kaffy treats dancers the same way Davido is doing and that she should stop calling herself the Queen of Dance in Nigeria since she is no different. See video and Read his post below: ‘I disagree with what Kaffy said. If you want to throw shades at anybody, do it without involving dancers because the same thing you said Davido did to you is what you’re doing to us the dancers, and I bet if dancer vote we’ll vote you out that you are wrong. You call dancers for shows, you don’t pay them, you take dancers to Calabar and you leave them there stranded, call dancers to your house and put 50 people in one room and you don’t pay them well, you travel round the world calling yourself queen of dance in Nigeria. A queen takes care of her followers or kingdom, you don’t take care of the dancers here and you are putting us in your beef.’ ‘I agree with Davido, anything Da

President Muhammadu Buhari The Presidency says the World Bank’s Doing Business R2017 Report, released on Tuesday is an indication that the government’s reform initiatives are yielding positive results. “The Buhari administration is gratified that the various reform initiatives put in place towards instituting a positive business environment is slowly but gradually yielding some dividends. “Nigeria’s ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business remains static, halting a falling trend in the past several years,” the Vice Presidential spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande, said, via a release issued on Thursday in Abuja. Akande recalled that the latest report had ranked Nigeria 169 out of 189 countries in the overall Ease of Doing Business rank. He described the ranking as “a positive indication that the focus and tenacity of President Muhammadu Buhari to reposition the nation’s business and economic environment is working and on course. “While Nigeria’s position remains the same as a

Babatunde Adejare, Commissioner for the Environment The Lagos State Government says it is dedicating this Saturday’s Monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise to eliminate rodents and other vectors. The government warned that restriction of movement between 7.00am and 10.00am remained in force. Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, in a statement urged residents to turn out en-masse and participate actively in the sanitation exercise by cleaning their homes, drains, warning that the period of environmental sanitation should not be used for any social engagement or sporting activities, but for serious cleaning and sanitation exercises. Adejare explained that the move to contain vector in the state had commenced with automated fumigation of all markets in the state, starting with Obalende Market on Thursday, 27th October, saying this would aid the elimination of rodents such as rats and other disease vectors from markets and communities in the State. He said apar

Bank of Agriculture (BOA) The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) says it is ready to provide financial assistance to farmers and youths in the country to boost food production through mechanised farming. Mr Babatunde Igun, an Executive Director of the bank, said this during a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday. He expressed the bank’s willingness to partner with the traditional ruler on engaging youths in farming. Igun added that with the dwindling effects of crude oil price and the negative impact on the economy, there was urgent need to assist farmers and youths in diversifying the economy. “We have all seen the dwindling effects of crude oil price on our economy in the last one or two years. “We need to feed ourselves, stop importation of unnecessary food items and that is why BOA is relevant. “We are ready to assist farmers as well as youths to go back to farming. Our plan is not for them to go back to hoes and cutlasses farming but rather mechanis

Chief Olusola Oke A chieftain of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Mr Ajayi Kola, has advised Chief Olusola Oke, the party’s supposed candidate for the forthcoming Ondo governorship election, to make his intention well known. Kola, the Lagos State Chairman of AD, gave the advice on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. Kola said that it was bad for the majority of the party members to know that Oke was the party’s governorship candidate on the pages of newspapers. AD’s National Legal Adviser, Mr Kehinde Aworele, had last week said that the party’s National Executive Committee did not recognise Oke as its flag bearer for the Nov. 26 election. NAN reports that Oke had in 2012 contested and lost governorship election in the state on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party. He defected to the All Progressives Congress where he vied for the governorship ticket for the November poll but was unsuccessful. He then decamped to AD and claimed to have picke

Removal of illegal structures The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), on Thursday, said it would soon begin the demolition of illegal structures in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The AEPB Acting Director, Mrs Omolola Olanipekun, said in Abuja that the proliferation of illegal structures by the FCT residents had become worrisome. “Since I assumed office as the Acting Director of the board, I have encountered some residents erecting illegal structures including wooden or plank houses. “Also, there are the challenges of proliferation of illegal car wash spots in the FCT, as well as the indiscriminate disposal of wastes in some unplanned communities within the city. “Even, there is indiscriminate dumping of wastes within the major exits and entrances of the FCT,’’ she said. “The FCT administration has noted these challenges and mapped out strategies to ensure that these problems are tackled appropriately,’’ Olanipekun added. She said that illegal structures would no

Governor Tanko-Al-Makura of Nasarawa State Mrs. Ramatu Ajuji-Abubakar, the Commissioner for Education in Nasarawa State, on Thursday, said that the state government was contemplating education for prison inmates in the 2017 budget. Ajuji-Abubakar made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia. According to the commissioner, the move will ensure that inmates in all federal prisons in the state are properly reformed, in line with global best practice. She said that even though the prison is a Federal Government establishment, the state government is a stakeholder, hence, the desire to provide for the education of inmates. The commissioner said the modern prison yard is supposed to be a place where inmates are reformed morally, and learn one skill or the other, and be educated. “The education would be at no cost to the inmates because the state government has made education free from primary to secondary school levels,” the commissioner said. A

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State The Special Adviser to Gov. Willie Obiano on Political Matters, Mr Chinedu Obidigwe, has charged women in Anambra to be politically active to have a voice in the state. Obidigwe made the call on Thursday in Awka. He said that a great legacy would be laid if women in the state played active roles in politics. According to him, women in Anambra have every reason to be active in political affairs of the state. Obidigwe said that the wife of the governor, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, had demonstrated genuine effort in carrying the women along politically. He said that over 20 women in the state had been given political appointments to oversee day to day running of government ministries, departments and agencies. Obidigwe said that the governor’s wife had ensured that women were carried along in the affairs of the state, calling on women to join politics to contribute their quota to the development of the state. “Her role in championing the inter

Police cell An Omi Adio Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan has sentenced a 21-year-old man, Sodiq Sikiru, to two months imprisonment for breaking and entering. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Risikat Ebeloku –Mustapha, in her ruling, sentenced Sikiru after he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of breaking and entering. Ebeloku –Mustapha said this should serve as deterrent to others of his type that choose stealing as occupation. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Kenibra Brasana, told the court that Sikiru had on Oct. 22 at about 12:30 p.m at Bola village, Apata, Ibadan, broke and entered the dwelling house of Israel Ayorinde. Brasana said that Sikiru has been arrested four times on the same offence of breaking into people’s houses in the area before he was arraigned in court He said the offence contravened Section 411 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo state 2000.

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State The Anambra Government, in collaboration with the Bank of Industry, would train 500 youths in various skills, to enhance entrepreneurship development in the state, an official said on Thursday in Awka. Dr Uju Nwogu, Commissioner for Sports Redevelopment and Youth Entrepreneurship, said the beneficiaries would be trained for three weeks. The commissioner, who spoke during an orientation seminar for the first batch of 100 beneficiaries, said the training would be in the areas of ICT, building technology, confectionery, fashion and phone repairs. “This programme which is targeted at setting up about 500 youths in the first phase, is in partnership with Bank of Industry and Anambra State Small Business Agency. “This is part of the efforts of the present administration to make the army of youths in the state self-dependent and job creators.” She urged those selected to commit themselves to the training, so as to benefit maximally from it.

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers The Cross River House of Assembly has allocated N3billion for constituency projects in 2016, the Speaker, Mr John Gaul-Lebo, has said. The Speaker said on Thursday in Calabar that the projects, spread across the 25 state constituencies, would have direct impact on the people. Gaul-Lebo said the projects would cover provision of boreholes, renovation of schools and hospitals, construction of modern markets, town halls and culverts among others. According to him, the assembly had slashed the 2016 budget from N303 billion to N259.15 billion, due to the present economic challenges. “In view of the present economic challenges, we have slashed the state budget from the original amount of N303 billion earlier passed in February, to N259.15 billion. “The slash is to help us manage what we have. “The fall in the price of oil and the present economic recession necessitated our move to slash the budget and it was passed into law on Oct. 21. “In the rev

Nadia-Murad Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar, who survived sexual enslavement by Islamic State, have been awarded the 50,000-euro (54,500-dollar), Sakharov Prize for Freedom, European Union’s top prize for human rights. EU Lawmaker, Guy Verhofstadt on Thursday in Strasbourg (France) described them as “brave Yazidi women who escaped captivity by Daesh,” using an alternative name for the extremist group. The lawmaker said both women come from the Iraqi village of Kocho that was overrun by the extremists in August 2014. “Islamic State used sex slaves as prizes for its fighters and actively encouraged rape. “The Yezidi religious minority was particularly singled out for persecution, as the extremist group sees them as infidels,’’ he said. Verhofstadt said the two women, who now live in Germany, campaign for the thousands of Yezidi girls and women forced into sex slavery by the extremist group. The 50,000-euro (54,500-dollar) Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, has been handed

court A Grade 1 Area Court, Karmo, Life Camp, Abuja, on Thursday sentenced a 29-year-old teacher, Albert Isaac, to one month imprisonment for assault and mischief. The Area Court judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the charge and begged for leniency. Sadiq, however, gave the teacher an option to pay N5,000 as fine, and warned him to desist from committing crimes. Isaac of Zango Daura Estate, Kado, Abuja, was convicted on a two-count charge of assault and mischief. The convict prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that it was the devil that made him act that way he did. “I don’t beat ladies because I respect them a lot,’’ the teacher said. Prosecutor Zannah Dalhatu had told the court that Emilola Efosa of Kuje, Abuja, reported the matter at the Gwarimpa Police, Station, Abuja, on Oct. 23. Dalhatu said that the complainant entered a tricycle from Galadimawa gate by Gwarimpa to Airport Junction, Abuja, and the convict la

Mr. Ugonna Ozuruigbo, Deputy Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, said on Thursday that a new management team would be constituted for relegated Heartland FC, to return the club to the premier league. Ozuruigbo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri that only the General Manager, Mr. Godfaith Otuemena, would be retained. Ozuruigbo, who was recently appointed to supervise the club by Gov. Rochas Okorocha, said the new management’s mandate was to return the club to premier league in 2017/2018 season. “The governor has said that only the General Manager, Mr. Godfaith Otuemena, will be retained, others should reapply to the new technical committee if they still want to serve Heartland. “I can’t work with the management that took Heartland to relegation because some of them sabotaged the club for selfish gains.” He dismissed claims by the club’s fans that the government pushed the team into relegation after it starved it of fund. “The problem with the club is not funding, i

tourism Mr Fidelis Igbokwe, a South Africa-based Nigerian ICT expert, said on Wednesday that a travel and tourism application he developed had been successfully tested and now ready to be launched. Igbokwe, the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Trippins Application, in Johannesburg, South Africa, that the new product has safety and security features. “ The product is called Trippin, a travel and tourism application with safety and security features. “ It is meant to enhance travel and tourism in any city in the world and help to create awareness. “ It would enhance security and safety for all categories of travellers. “ With the Trippin application, one can be sure that with the press of a button, safety is assured,” he said. Igbokwe said that two investors had acquired five per cent equity shares each from the project for a substantial amount while other investors have also shown interest. “ We also have buy-in from an Atlanta-based group, New Africa Project, which want

NNPC-logo Some commercial drivers in Port Harcourt on Thursday expressed happiness over Nigerian National Petroleum Company’s (NNPC) statement allaying fears of possible increase in petrol price. Some of the drivers, said in Port Harcourt, the NNPC’s statement was very timely. NAN recalls that the NNPC had recently announced that there was no plan to increase the price of petrol as was being rumoured in some quarters. The company had also said that it had a robust supply arrangement capable of ensuing sustained supply of petrol for a long time. According to Mr Monday Lesi, a taxi driver, the announcement by the NNPC that there was no plan to hike petrol price was a cheering news. He said the statement had restored hope and brought great relief to drivers who were already panicky following the rumour about increase. Another driver, Nduka Obihiele, said that the statement had brought down the tension that was caused by the rumour of possible petrol price increase. “The NNPC has

Nigeria-police The Osun Police Command said it had arrested a member of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Mr. Imran Olalekan, 24, for alleged rape. SP Folasade Odoro, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Osogbo. Odoro said that the suspect committed the offense at St. Charles High School, Osogbo. She said that the 17-year-old victim (names withheld), is an SSS III student of the school. She said the preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had intercourse with the victim. The PPRO said that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as the investigation into the crime was concluded. Narrating her ordeal to newsmen, the victim said the accused, after raping her inside one of the offices allocated to PCN, warned her not to tell anyone, else, she would die. “On the sad day, I was in school very early with my friend when Olalekan made sign that one of us should come. “Initially, I did not know I was the

Broken marriage “My husband is irresponsible; he has turned me into a punching bag, I am no longer interested in the union,’’ a 30-year-old housewife, Mariam Akeem, told a Lagos court on Thursday. “I want the loveless marriage dissolved,’’ she pleaded with an Agege Customary Court. Mariam, a mother of one, who resides at Abule-Egba, a Lagos suburb, said she regretted marrying Iyanu Moses, a 36-year-old businessman, for seven years. She said she had not studied her husband well before she discovered that she was pregnant. “I want us to go our separate ways and l want him to take full responsibility for our child’s education. “My husband is troublesome and he constantly beats me over minor issues.’’ The petitioner’s mother, Mrs Doris Akeem, who was present in the court, said the respondent had been very troublesome. “l tried to stop the relationship until my daughter became pregnant for him.’’ Iyanu, however, denied the allegations, accusing the wife of infidelity. He pleaded

Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will continue the global campaign against Boko Haram insurgency in a lecture he would deliver at the Harvard University, Boston, in the U.S. on Thursday. According to a statement issued by the Vice President’s Spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, on Thursday, the lecture at the university’s ‘Nigeria in the World’ seminar is at the invitation of the university. It added that Prof. Osinbajo would be talking on “Destroying Boko Haram and the Rebuilding of Nigeria’s North-East”. Akande said Osinbajo would highlight the progress made by the Buhari presidency in degrading Boko Haram resulting in the freedom of thousands of Nigerians in Boko Haram captivity, including some of the abducted Chibok girls. He also said that Osinbajo’s lecture would be a clarion call for a more concerted global action against terrorism and an increasingly effective international collaboration regarding the humanitarian crisis in the North-East

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom-Emmanuel Mr Onofiok Luke, the Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, has advocated public declaration of funds recovered from looters of the treasury in the ongoing anti-corruption war. Luke made the call in a speech he delivered at the 3rd Annual Public Lecture in commemoration of the birthday of Bishop Emmah Isong, the General Overseer of Christian Central Chapel International in Calabar. Speaking on the topic:“Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption War and Economic Recovery: The Connect”, he said the war was now the responsibility of all Nigerians irrespective of political, tribal or religious affiliations. He further stressed the need for the relevant anti-corruption agencies to do due diligence in the campaign. “The anti-corruption war has gone beyond the government. It is now a collective battle that involves all of us in words, attitude and deeds. “And because it is a battle which involves all of us, it must not be fought with barrels of the gun. It must

Senator Bukola Saraki The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday ruled that the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, has the power to try the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on charges bordering on assets declaration breaches before the tribunal. Justice Abdul Aboki-led panel of the Appeal Court in delivering judgment on the matter affirmed the CCT’s jurisdiction after dismissing the appeal filed by Saraki challenging his trial before the tribunal. All four other members of the panel unanimously agreed with the lead judgment delivered by Justice Aboki‎ who resolved all the eight issues formulated for determination against Saraki. Justice Aboki held that contrary to Saraki’s contention, the Attorney-General of the Federation had the power to institute charges against him before the CCT. According to the court, under the Constitution, the Code of Conduct wa‎s not under any obligation to invite the appellant to enable him to make written admission of breaches in his asset declaration fo

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has approved the transfer of pay points of primary school teachers from the Ministry of Local Government Affairs to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). The state Chairman of SUBEB, Dr. Stephen Odey, disclosed this at a meeting of the board with stakeholders in Igoli, Ogoja Local Government Area the state on Thursday. According to Odey, the measure is part of government’s commitment to ensure prompt and effective system of payment of salaries of primary school teachers. He said the measure was also aimed at checking the existence of ghost teachers on the nominal roll. The SUBEB boss directed all head teachers to submit the nominal roll of their teachers to the board for implementation of the directive. He said that Ayade’s administration regarded education as important to societal development and remained very passionate about education issues particularly teachers who are key drivers of the sector.

Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa State The Chairman, Jigawa Revenue Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Sani, says the board is making concerted efforts to increase its revenue generation. Sani said in Dutse on Thursday that the reduction in funds allocation to the state from the Federal Government made it necessary for the state government to redouble efforts at boosting its internally generated revenue. The chairman said the board had blocked all channels through which public funds were diverted to private coffers. He stated that there has been marked improvement in the internally generated revenue of the state since his appointment about a year ago. He advised people of the state to always ask for genuine receipts each time they made revenue payments.

A-house Mr Richard Esin, the Acting Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), says no fewer than 120,000 National Housing Fund (NHF) contributors have got their refunds in 2016. Esin made the disclosure on Thursday in Enugu during the 1st Enugu Housing Development Forum, adding that the recipients were retirees that met the conditions for refund. He said that about N6 billion was expended in the refunds and that FMBN was committed to meeting its mandates of providing affordable accommodation for Nigerians. The acting managing director said that the bank was currently reforming its payroll system to make its services more responsive to the yearnings of contributors. He said that as part of the moves to instill confidence in contributors, the FMBN would soon commence the disbursement of quarterly e-statement of account through contributors’ emails. Esin said that the bank was committed to seamless processing of refunds. “We are partnering with the Nigerian Inte

A cattle rustler The Amalgamated Union of National Cattle and Foodstuff Dealers Association of Nigeria has threatened to embark on indefinite strike over alleged extortion by security agents across the country. The Acting National Chairman of the Association, Alhaji Hamman-Jalo Hamman-Jam, said in Mubi, Adamawa, on Thursday, that the union was tired of the situation. According to him, members of the union were made to part with money at various security check points on major federal highways especially from the northern to eastern part of the country. He claimed that security agents forcefully stop any truck conveying cattle from the North to the East and demand huge amount of money for unknown purposes. “We have complained to appropriate authorities concerned over the high level of extortion of money from our members by security agents. “Again, we, the Amalgamated Union of National Cattle and Foodstuff Dealers Association of Nigeria, hereby, call on the Federal, state governme

ASUP Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Bida chapter, has expressed delight with the Federal Ministry of Education for the released of N48 million for the payment of allowances for its members. The ASUP Chairman, Dr‎ Umar Saganuwan, made the disclosure in Bida on Thursday. He ‎said the allowances paid was from January to May and that they were still awaiting allowances of June , July, August and September. He commended the Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, for the gesture. “This debt they are owing us is the only internal problem we have with the management and he has promise to pay between November and January,” he said. Saganuwan‎ expressed displeasure with the management for reducing the allowances . He said that “this is not the right time to tamper with allowances as it will effect productivity among the staff. He, however, stated that the Rector, Dr Abubakar Dzukogi, had promised that October allowance would not be owed but paid as at when due.

A cross section of teachers A retired school headmistress, Mrs Ruth Olugbamila has urged teachers and students in Ekiti to build on their top performance in future NECO examinations. Olugbamila, gave the advice on Thursday in Ikole Ekiti. Ekiti emerged as the best performance in 2016 National Examination Council (NECO) results. The former teacher noted that the current impressive performance by students in the state should be sustained and improved upon in next year’s public examinations. “This will make every Nigerians to know that Ekiti is truly Fountain of Knowledge’’. She urged teachers to be selfless in carrying out their duties, saying input from teachers would play significant roles in achieving extraordinary performance by the students in public examinations. Olugbamila, implored teachers to also update their knowledge in their respective fields, so as to use knowledge gained to uplift academic standards in public schools across the state.

Nigerian Ports Authority The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has directed all stakeholders and port concessionaires to henceforth pay their fees in dollars. The NPA Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Usman, gave the directive at a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday night in Port Harcourt. She spoke against the backdrop of complaints of scarcity and high cost of foreign exchange. According to her, the surcharge in U.S. dollars is beyond NPA. “On our side, we have obligations in dollars. Payment should be made in dollars according to the concession agreement,” Usman said. She said that the Federal Ministry of Transportation, NPA and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would hold a meeting on Thursday (today) on the issue of payments in foreign exchange. Usman said it was the desire of the management to ensure that all sorts of indebtedness were paid, adding that the management would be vigorous in the recovery of all debts. “We need to review the port concession agreements, and after re

Truck drivers and Planks A truck driver,Bawa Iza, who allegedly conspired with others still at large to steal planks worth N1.1 million, was on Thursday released on a bail of N500, 000 on the order of an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. A resident of Egbeda, a Lagos suburb, Iza, 54, was arraigned for conspiracy and stealing which contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused conspired with others to divert and steal the planks valued at N1.1 million which he was transporting from Kogi to Lagos State,Prosecutor Ezekiel Ayorinde said. He told the court that the accused stole the planks belonging to the complainant, Mrs Oluwabi Modinat, on Sept. 29 at No. 1, Araromi St., Ogba, Lagos. “The accused, attached to Gred Lime Logistics Company at Amuwo-Odofin was asked to transport 100 pieces of planks from Kogi to Lagos State. “He, however, sold the planks and converted the money to personal use. “The case was reported to the police, and the accused wa

PDP-logo The People Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, said on Thursday it has no plans to change its governorship candidate in the Nov. 26 election. A press statement issued in Akure by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Banji Okunomo, said nothing will happen to the candidacy of Eyitayo Jegede (SAN). Okunomo urged party supporters to disregard what he called “rampaging distortion of facts and misrepresentations” on the matter by a section of the party. “We are also in the know of the syndicated report/newsflash which aim to misinform the public as regards the status of the true PDP candidate in the fast approaching gubernatorial election in the State.” The publicity secretary assured that the party at state and national level, is working to ensure that Jegede’s candidacy remain. “We are therefore enjoined to remain calm, steadfast and resolute pending when the list would be officially released to the public,” Okunomo said.

Nigeria-police The Zone 2 Police Command says it has discovered a ritualists’ den in Abule Ifa, Siunin, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun where the criminals use for evil acts. The command’s spokesman, SP Muyiwa Adejobi, said the den was discovered following information availed by some concerned members of the public. “The criminals were arrested by police operatives attached to the Zonal Intervention Squad. “The den was discovered by some members of that environ who afterward gave necessary information to the police. “The place is being used by some fraudsters and ritualists to dupe innocent Nigerians and perpetrate evil acts,’’ he said. Adejobi added that policemen thereafter swung into action and using the information made arrests. “The operatives, who had been on surveillance of the men of the underworld, arrested the ring leaders of the syndicate. “The den which is a massive edifice contained several fetish structures, materials, assorted charms, figurines and

magistrate-court A contractor, Isiaka Rafiu, who allegedly stole telecom materials belonging to IHS Nig. Ltd., is facing trial at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. A resident of No. 9, Efe Obasuyi St, in Baruwa, Ipaja area of Lagos, the accused is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. Rafiu, a contractor with AIG Engineering Ltd., however, pleaded not guilty. But the prosecutor, Insp. Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large, between May 17 and June 26 at Oregun, Ikeja. Ayorinde said the accused was contracted to move telecom materials from sites in Benue to IHS warehouse in Lagos State. “It was later discovered that some of the materials the accused removed from the sites were diverted. “The accused was asked to come to the IHS office, to give account of the missing items, which he never did,” he said. Ayorinde alleged that the accused never picked his calls, as all efforts to meet him or retrieve the stol

NSCDC operatives The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Benue has alerted the public of the existence of employment racket within the command. The NSCDC Commandant, Mr Shuaibu Jibrin,said in Makurdi on Thursday that the racket had been collecting money from applicants in the guise of offering them employment into the organisation. Jibrin, however, assured that its searchlights had already been beamed on the perpetrators while explaining that all recruitment exercises by the organisation “are properly advertised through the mass media”. “Currently, the NSCDC is not carrying out any recruitment, the NSCDC recruits based on certain criteria and merit which is always advertised through the mass media.” He said applicants had never been charged during NSCDC’s recruitment exercises, and assured that those behind the syndicate would soon be apprehended and brought to justice. He also expressed regrets about the frequent vandalism of public utilities, especially pipeli

CAF CHAN logo The Management of Rangers International FC of Enugu has constituted an eight-man committee to strengthen the club ahead of the 2016/2017 soccer season. The victorious Rangers will be taking part in the 2016/2017 CAF Champions League. Media Director of the club, Foster Chime, said on Thursday in Enugu that the committee was currently carrying out a review of the club’s performance in the just-concluded season. “The committee will also tinker on players to be recruited, those to be retained as well as those to be placed on the transfer market. “The committee will also consider the comprehensive programme by the club’s coach, Imama Amapakabo for the 2016/2017 CAF Champions League and the NPFL. “The committee will also see to the signing of a one-year contract with the assistant coaches as soon as their current contracts expires on Oct. 31,’’ Chime said. Members of the committee are Steve Oruruo as Chairman, Paul Chibuzor as Vice-Chairman and Joseph Onwukwe, who serv

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon On December 20, 2015, the United Nations outgoing Secretary General, Banki Moon during presentation of the ‘Plan of Action to prevent violent extremism’ described youth as an ‘untapped resource’ that must be empowered to make positive contributions to the development of their nations. The term ‘youth’ generally is defined by age; as occupying the transitional stage between childhood and adulthood. The UNSCR 2250 without prejudice to national and regional variations defines youth as persons between the ages 18-29. The United Nations has called the attention of the world to the fact that more than 600 million young people live in fragile and conflict affected societies. Youth are considered to be arguably the most affected; either as victims or as perpetrators of the myriad of violent conflicts in the world today. This minimalist interpretation has contributed in securitizing them as a rising threat to global peace and security. While it

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State A member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mr Labari Tella, has said that the Federal Government should declare “a State of Emergency’’ to curb killings in Southern Kaduna. Tella, who represents Jema’a Local Government made this known when he spoke with newsmen at Manchok, Kaura Local Government on Wednesday. He decried the insecurity in Southern Kaduna, especially Godogodo Chiefdom and urged the Federal Government to give marching orders to security operatives to engage the attackers in their hide outs. “The Federal Government should direct the soldiers to enter into the bush and fish out the attackers instead of operating just on the main road,” he said. The lawmaker, who expressed concern over the untold hardship displaced persons were exposed to, also urged government to as a matter of urgency provide relief materials to cushion the effect of the crisis. According to him, the declaration of a state of emergency will stem the tide

Students-writing-NECO-exams Teachers and students in Ekiti have been urged to build on their 2016 National Examination Council (NECO) performance in future public examinations. A retired school headmistress, Mrs Ruth Olugbamila, gave the advice in Ikole, Ekiti, on Thursday. The state emerged as the best performing state in 2016 National Examination Council (NECO) result Olugbemila noted that the current feat by the state should be sustained and also improved upon in the 2017 West African Examination Council result “so that every Nigerians will know that Ekiti is truly Fountain of Knowledge. She urged teachers to be selfless in carrying out their duties optimally, saying inputs from teachers would play significant role in achieving extraordinary performance of students in public schools. She implored teachers to update their knowledge in their respective fields so as to use knowledge gained to lift academic standards in public schools across the state. She further called on stu

Jose Mourinho Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has been charged by the FA for claiming it would be “difficult” for Manchester-based referee Anthony Taylor to officiate the match against Liverpool. Mourinho added appointing Taylor for the 17 October match had put “pressure” on the Manchester-based official. Managers are not supposed to speak about referees prior to matches. Mourinho has until 31 October to respond to a charge of improper conduct and bringing the game into disrepute. Taylor issued four yellow cards in the 0-0 draw.

Some Nigerian judges A non-government organisation has described the recent events unfolding around issues of alleged corruption of Nigeria judges as a huge embarrassment to the continent. The Executive Director of African Renaissance Project(ARP), Dr. Kwame Kobina stated this at Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana on his way to the 4th International Conference on Democracy and the Rule of Law in Africa, scheduled for Banjul, Gambia by the weekend. He decried the rate of decay and the spate of scandals among the judiciary in Africa as a bad sign for democracy. According to him, Nigerian Judges are fast getting a bad reputation for themselves and the continent. In 2013, senior Nigerian Judge who was then former Acting Chief Judge of Gambia, Justice Joseph Wowo was sacked after he was caught on tape soliciting bribes from a Dutch businessman in exchange for favourable judgment. He was planning to subvert justice in a land case pending in his court. The accused judges, Justi