Global Naija Info

Garba Shehu, media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari The Presidency has warned that Nigeria, currently Africa’s largest producer of cereals and grains risks famine from early next year following a huge demand in the global market that is targeting the country’s surplus production. Giving the grim forecast in a radio interview in Kano on Monday, a spokesman of the President, Malam Garba Shehu told Pyramid radio that the “huge demand for our grains in the global market is creating an excellent environment for the mindless export of Nigerian grains across our borders and unless this curtailed, Nigerian markets will be bereft of food by January next year.” The presidential spokesman said the Ministry of Agriculture has advised the President on the need to draw the attention of all Nigerians to this issue which, if not addressed promptly, could lead to a shortage of grains in our country by January. “Over the past year, Providence has blessed Nigeria with a bountiful harvest of grains

AbdulLateef AbdulHakeem, Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs The Lagos State Government says it is set to begin the airlifting of year 2016 intending pilgrims to the Holy Land of Jerusalem, Rome and Greece. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Adeola Hundeyin who disclosed this on Monday during the Service of Dedication held at Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa, in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria said that the dedication service signified the peak of preparation for the pilgrimage. Mr. Hundeyin assured all the intending pilgrims that the State Government have put in place necessary welfare packages and needed precautionary measures that would make the journey a hitch-free experience. He urged the intending pilgrims to imbibe the spirit of patriotism and pray for the intervention of God in the affairs of Lagos State and Nigeria. “Keep to the guiding ethics, observe the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts and be good ambassadors of this state and Nigeria,” he said. The Cha

Dr. Jide Idris, Lagos State Health Commissioner Kazeem Ugbodaga The Lagos State Government has sanctioned some health workers in the state’s Primary Health Centres, PHCs, for selling drugs, facilities and other services meant to be offered to the public free of charge to patients. Comissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris disclosed this at the weekend at the flag-off of the Eko Free Health Mission organised by Eko Club‎ International and AMBSAM Memorial Foundation in conjunction with the Lagos State Government, held in Isolo, Lagos, Southwet Nigeria. He also disclosed that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had ordered renovation of all the General Hospitals and PHCs across the state following the deplorable states of some of the hospitals. Idris said some of the health workers had been sanctioned while investigations were ongoing on others. The commissioner, who also commissioned the Nurudeen Olowopopo Health Centre donated by the club, lamented that there were lots of services and facilit

Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) has warned members of the public against falling to the antics of fraudsters who post fake auction advertisements purportedly by the service in the social media. Mr Godwin Andishu , Public Relations Officer, Tin Can Island Port 2 Customs Command, Ijora, gave the warning in an interview in Lagos on Monday. He said the warning became imperative because of the increasing complaints by Nigerians who had been duped by some unscrupulous elements through such advertisements. Andishu explained that it was not the practice of customs to place auction advertisements of abandoned vehicles in its custody in the social media, urging the public to disregard such posts in their own interest. “We wish to tell the general public that those advertisements on social media purportedly by us calling for people to send money to purchase abandoned vehicles in our custody are misleading. “We do not auction or sell vehicles on

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police The police in Cross River said one of its personnel, Corporal Kingsley Iyeke, had killed another policeman, Inspector Edet Archibong, during a gun duel between the police and suspected cultists in Calabar. Mr Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, the Commissioner of Police in the state, made this known on Monday in Calabar while briefing newsmen on the activities of the command in the past one month. The commissioner said that after the incident, the police swung into action by tracing the cultists to their hideout where some of them were arrested. He explained that during interrogating, one of the suspected cultists mentioned Iyeke as their member “and that he was the one that shot the police inspector during the clash’’. “It would be recalled that we lost one of our inspectors last month during an exchange of fire with some cultists here in Calabar. “Majority of the suspects have been arrested. Our front line interrogation shows that one of our pers

Malam Muhammad Bello, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) said on Monday that it arrested 38 mentally deranged persons on the street, and had taken them to rehabilitation centre. Mr Samuel Musa, Assistant Head, Public Relations Officer, disclosed that the effort was in collaboration with Social Development Secretariat (SDS) FCT. Musa said that the board monitors FCT neighbourhood to ensure that such people are captured and handled over to SDS, for rehabilitation and repatriation to their original destinations. He said that the effort was to achieve a healthy environment in the FCT. He said the board was committed to remove such people from the street, saying AEPB patrol team would continue to monitor the city in collaboration with other sister agencies. Musa said that the board had pilot Life Camp District in Integrated Solid Waste Management project in the FCT. He said that one of the objectives of the project was to impro

Copies of TheNEWS In June, July and August, 2016, TheNEWS published a trilogy on the British Intelligence Report on the first Nigerian coup. The first was on what led to Biafra; second, how the revolution failed and the third, how Aguiyi Ironsi took over. Since the three editions contain one long narrative (with an organic unity), many readers got the first or second or third without getting the complete editions. If you missed one, you cannot get the whole story! However, here is an opportunity. In fact, because of the high demand for the editions, we have just printed more copies. To buy any of the editions or the complete set, therefore, contact Mr. Isa Isawade on: 08033517367

Ambrose Alli University Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, was Monday shut down indefinitely over a violent protest by students of the institution. The students who reportedly barricaded the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi highway, were said to be protesting an alleged 200 percent increase of their tuition fees. It was reliably gathered that the management of the institution was earlier informed of the impending protest, but it failed to mobilize security early enough to neutralize it before the students arrived at the university’s gate. An articulated truck laden with rice, was reportedly set ablaze after the goods were allegedly looted by the protesters. A press statement issued and signed by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Edward Aihevbe, explained that the decision to close the institution indefinitely was reached after the University’s Senate reviewed the students’ protest. He said the University’s Senate viewed the protest as uncalled for and unnecessary. Aih

Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria An official of Zenith Bank has told a Federal high Court in Abuja that $40 million was transferred from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) into the account of a company owned by a cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Azibaola Roberts, and his wife. Olabode Farinola, a compliance officer with the bank, is a principal witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the ongoing trial of Mr. Roberts and his wife, Stella. He told the court presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba that the money was transferred to OnePlus Holdings LTD from the office of the NSA according to bank description. Under cross-examination by counsel to Mr. Roberts, Chris Uche Mr. Farinola also admitted that the NSA never complained to Zenith Bank that the $40 million was wrongly transferred. Sambo Dasuki arriving the court premises “I’m not aware of the purpose of the inflow or how it was disbursed but we didn’t receive

pharmacy With more `sudden deaths’ recorded on the Plateau, a pharmacist, Mrs. Rotkang Okunlola, has advised Nigerians to make regular medical checks `a necessary priority”. Some senior medical personnel recently died few minutes after complaining of chest pain. Medical opinions have suggested that the deaths might have been avoided if the victims had made regular checks a priority. Okunola, a Chief Pharmacist with Dilimi Pharmacy, Jos, who spoke on the trend, advised Nigerians to insist on consistent medical checks and avoid assuming that they were in good health. “The regular medical checks should be seen as mandatory; they are very vital to curtailing the rising tide of sudden deaths amongst Nigerians,” she said on Monday, in Jos. She defined sudden death as “an unexpected death occurring within minutes or hours, usually within 24 hours, in a person who looked healthy”. The pharmacist lamented that most Nigerians were not aware of their health status, especially their blood

FirstBank First Bank of Nigeria Plc, which closed its branch in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara since May, 2013, is set to re-start operations there. Mr Festus Egbodofo, the Business Development Manager of the bank in Kwara, gave the assurance in a goodwill message to the 2016 Annual Omu-Aran Festival of Clubs. The event held at the Government Secondary School Playground, Onu-Aran. “Our bank will commence full banking transactions in Omu-Aran in few days’ time,” Egbodofo said. Armed robbers had, on May 14, 2013, attacked First bank and two other banks in the community, killing three persons. Egbodofo said that all arrangements for commencement of full banking, including deployment of personnel and logistics, in the said branch, had been concluded. The official, who expressed satisfaction at the commitment of Omu-Aran people, said that the bank was looking forward to having a fruitful business in the community and its environs. He called on the bank’s customer

Governor Obaseki in a warm handshake with the new SSG, Ogie Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Monday set the machinery of his governance in motion with the appointment and swearing in Barrister Osarodion Ogie as Secretary to the State Government. He also appointed Mr Taiwo Akerele as the Chief of Staff, Government House and Mr. John Mayaki as his interim Chief Press Secretary (CPS). Speaking on the swearing-in occasion, the Governor promised to reduce the cost of governance, not by sacking workers but by realigning the current workforce. He said his team would work with the Permanent Secretaries in the next six weeks with a view to understanding the processes and the system. ‎According to the Governor, the total monthly revenue, including Internally Generated Revenue of the State has dwindled to about N4 billion from about N7 billion six years ago. Governor Obaseki with John Mayaki Obaseki who also assured that his administration would deliver on its promises, reminded

sweet-potato An Abuja based nutritionist, Mrs Simisola Adebola, says the consumption of sweet potato helps improve blood sugar regulation especially in patients with type 2 diabetes. Adebola disclosed this on Monday in Abuja. According to her, the natural sugar in sweet potato is slowly released into the blood stream thereby helping to ensure a balanced and regular source of energy without spiking up the blood sugar. She added that the soluble fibre in sweet potatoes such as pectin may increase satiety, decrease food intakes and also reduce blood sugar spikes by slowing down the digestion of sugars and starches. Adebola also said that sweet potatoes are packed with several mineral and vitamins such as Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Fibre, potassium, magnesium, Iron and Vitamin D, among others. The nutritionist noted that sweet potato is enriched with vitamin B6 which helps reduce the chemical homocysteine in the body which caused heart attacks. She also stated that consuming sweet pot

WAEC The Nigeria Examinations Council (NEC) Committee has commended the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for providing braille facilities for blind students during the 2016 May/June WASSCE examination. The commendation is contained in a communique issued at the end of the NEC’s 62nd meeting which held from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10 in Lagos. A copy of the communiqué was made available by Mr Damianus Ojijeogu, Head of Public Affairs of the WAEC, on Monday in Lagos. NAN reports that the committee – the highest decision-making organ of WAEC on examination-related matters in Nigeria – meets twice a year. During such meeting, the NEC considers matters relating to the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates and private candidates. According to the communiqué, the committee was equally happy with the council for facilitating easy reading for the albino candidates in bold prints. It commended the examination body for providing a

Nigeria-police The Osun Police Command said it had recovered a tanker laden with 36,000 liters of petrol hijacked by armed robbers. A statement by SP Folashade Odoro, the command Public Relations Officer, said the tanker, with number plate MKA 887 ZF, was hijacked along Ife/ Ilesha expressway by a gang of armed robbers. The statement was made available to newsmen on Monday in Osogbo. The PPRO said the driver of the tanker and his motor boy were rescued by the police. She said that the Safer Highway Police Patrol team 014 led by Insp. Oyeogbe Ojekere, responded promptly to a distress call by the driver when the tanker was hijacked. She said that the team recovered the tanker with its content intact. Odoro said the hijackers escaped into the bush on sighting the police team. She said that the state Commissioner of Police Mr Fimihan Adeoye while commending the police team for its doggedness, assured the people of the state that the robbers would be arrested.

Newly-elected ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), said it would embark on a one week warning strike over failure by the Federal Government to implement the 2009 Agreement and 2013 MoU. ASUU National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, spoke on Monday at the University of Abuja during a press conference organised by the union. Ogunyemi said following a nation-wide consultation with members, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU resolved to embark on a one week warning strike from Wednesday Nov. 16. “Many aspects of the 2013 MoU and the 2009 Agreement with the Federal Government have either been unimplemented or despairingly handled. “The agreements are: Payments of staff entitlements since December 2015, funding of universities for revitalisation, pension, TSA and university autonomy and renegotiation of 2009 Agreement. “Failure by the Federal Government to implement this agreement has put ASUU leadership in severe difficult

NTTF The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) says selected players for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)World Junior Championships in South Africa, will depart the country on Nov. 29. Chinedu Ezealah-Ogundare, Secretary of the federation said in Lagos on Monday that eight boys and eight girls would participate in the event scheduled from Nov. 30 to Dec. 7. “We are preparing to ensure that the country is well represented in Cape Town, where the World junior Championships will serve-off. “Our players will leave the country a day to the competition,’’ she said. The scribe added that the NTTF National Championships holding from Nov. 15 to Nov. 19 in Lagos would serve as the final medium to evaluate players’ readiness for the ITTF Championship. She, however, said that players who failed to excel in the national championship would be dropped and replaced with players who perform brilliantly to represent the country. “We are also using the national championships tha

Chishimba Kambwili Zambia’s corruption watchdog on Monday confirmed that it was investigating a former minister, who was recently fired, for alleged corruption. Recently, President Edgar Lungu fired Chishimba Kambwili, who was information and broadcasting minister. This came barely a few days after the Zambian leader had complained that some of his ministers were engaging in corrupt activities. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said it has instituted investigations into alleged corrupt practices against the former minister. Timothy Moono, the watchdog’s public relations manager, said there has been an inquiry against the former minister of corrupt practices. However, he did not reveal more details on the matter. “These investigations are on-going and the Commission would therefore not wish to comment further as this may jeopardize the investigations,” Moono said in a statement.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State Ex-militant leader in Rivers, Chief Ateke Tom, has called on the people of the state to be peaceful during the Dec. 10 re-run elections in some parts of the state. Tom, who made the call in Port Harcourt on Monday while fielding questions from newsmen, said that peace remained crucial for a successful re-run elections in the state. He said that it was undemocratic for political parties to promote issues capable of igniting crisis, adding, “ politics should not be a do or die affair’.’ Tom, former leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante, called on youth in the state not to be lured into indulging in violence for whatever reason. He said that it was more beneficial to encourage peace because violence was capable of making people to shy away from exercising their franchise. “Parties should be free to hold their campaigns anywhere in the state without fear or favour. “I am ready to support the holding of party campaigns even in my bedroom, in my vi

gavel of justice Charity Felix, the 34-year-old president of `Sweet Sisters’ Association, who allegedly stole N70,660 from the association was on Monday in Lagos granted a N50,000 bail. An Ojo Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling, also asked Felix to produce a surety as part of the bail conditions. The magistrate, Mr A.A Paul, said the surety must be gainfully employed and should produce evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government. The accused, who resides in Ojo area of Lagos State, pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of assault and stealing. Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Simon Uche, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 8 at No. 10 Moshalashi St., Etegbin, Ajangbadi, Lagos State. He said the accused fraudulently converted the N70, 660 contributed by members of the association to her personal use. Simon said when a member of the association, one Mrs Ikechi Johnson, accused Felix of stealing the association’s money; F

Chief Ateke Tom Ex-militant leader in Rivers, Chief Ateke Tom, has called on the people of the state to be peaceful during the Dec. 10 re-run elections in some parts of the state. Tom, who made the call in Port Harcourt on Monday while fielding questions from newsmen, said that peace remained crucial for a successful re-run elections in the state. He said that it was undemocratic for political parties to promote issues capable of igniting crisis, adding, “politics should not be a do or die affair”. Tom, a former leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante, called on youth in the state not to be lured into indulging in violence for whatever reason. He said that it was more beneficial to encourage peace because violence was capable of making people shy away from exercising their franchise. “Parties should be free to hold their campaigns anywhere in the state without fear or favour. “I am ready to support the holding of party campaigns even in my bedroom, in my village too, every party i

Jackie-Chan Hong Kong martial artist and actor Jackie Chan finally gots an Oscar After 50 Years, 200 Films and Many Broken Bones. The movie star was awarded an honorary Oscar at the annual Governors Awards on Saturday for his longtime work in both action comedy and martial arts genres. His Rush Hour co-star Chris Tucker, Michelle Yeoh and Tom Hanks all came together to introduce him before he took the stage to accept his award. During his speech, Chan thanked his fans as they were the reason “I continue to make movies, jumping through windows, kicking and punching, breaking my bones.” Jackie Chan is a film director, producer, stuntman and singer Known and for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts, which he typically performs himself. Chan has been training in Kung fu and Wing Chun. He has been acting since the 1960s and has appeared in over 150 films. Jackie-Chan-gets-oscar Chan has received stars on the Hong Kong Avenue