Global Naija Info

Controller of Prisons, Ja’afaru Ahmed The Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB) has approved the promotion of 10,979 officers and men of the Nigerian Prisons Service. Out of the total, 4,075 officers and men were promoted on Consolidated Paramilitary Salary Structure (CONPASS) 08 to 15, the agency said in a statement on Monday in Abuja. These include officers on lateral conversion from inspectorate cadre to officers cadre due to acquisition of additional qualifications. According to the statement, the promotion of 6,904 other ranks, including those elevated from Prisons Assistant cadre to the inspectorate Cadre, was approved by the Controller-General of Prisons, Mr Ja’afaru Ahmed. The statement said that the approval was contained in a letter signed by the Assistant Controller-General of Prisons, Mr. O. Musa. A break down of rank categories affected in the promotion exercise shows that 609 were promoted to senior officers, while 352 were elevated f

Riyad Mahrez Riyad Mahrez has been crowned the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2016. Fans from across the world voted for the Algeria and Leicester midfielder ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andre Ayew, Sadio Mane and Yaya Toure. Winger Mahrez, 25, told BBC Sport: “It means a lot, it’s something big for African players so I am very happy, I am very proud. “It’s always good to receive awards and for African players it’s a huge honour. To all the fans, thank you very much.” He added: “Also I want to thank the Algeria fans and dedicate this to them as well and for my family. “I just have to carry on and keep going with my football and see what I can do.” The award caps an exceptional year for Mahrez, who had already won the English Premier League title and was voted Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year. It is further recognition for his outstanding form as Mahrez, whose family comes from the small town of El Khemis in Algeria, took the Premier League by

Ronaldo Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award for a fourth time. Ronaldo, 31, helped Real Madrid win last season’s Champions League and scored three goals as Portugal won Euro 2016. It adds to the titles he won in 2008, 2013 and 2014. “I never thought in my mind that I would win the Golden Ball four times. I am pleased. I feel so proud and happy,” said Ronaldo. “I have the opportunity to thank all of my team-mates, the national team, Real Madrid, all of the people and players who helped me to win this individual award.” Ronaldo is now one behind Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, who received the honour in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015. The former Manchester United forward has scored 19 goals in 20 games for club and country this term, to add to the 54 he got last season. Ronaldo’s Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale finished sixth in the vote, while Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy – the only Englishman included on the 30-player shortl

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has frowned at the high rate of illegal migration of Nigerian youths to European countries through the Mediterranean Sea. Buhari made this known at the 32rd Annual Meeting of the Sahel and West Africa also to mark its week, organised by the Food Crisis Protection Network in Abuja on Monday. The president, who was represented by Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, called for an immediate stop to the action by Nigerians, saying it was unfair to European countries. He said that agriculture revitalisation was a solution to the migration issue, while expressing the readiness of his administration to support farmers in order to boost local production in the country. “We are pained when we see our youths across West and North Eastern Africa in a desperate attempt to cross the desert; get to Libya and cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. “We consider it as something that must stop as fast as possibl

Leye Oyebade, Oyo State Commissioner of Police The Commandant of Command Secondary School, Ibadan, Col. Anthony Okeyim, was on Monday found dead in his apartment within the school premises. Some of those who were close to the deceased said he was strangled to death by suspected assassins after he was attacked in front of his official quarter. An unconfirmed report also claimed that Col. Okeyim’s throat was slit open by his killers. The school is located in secluded Bode Igbo area of Ibadan, which is close to the border territory between Oyo and Ogun states. Although the large property is fenced, the school is largely surrounded by thick forests and there have been reports of encroachment on the land by some people in the past. Confirming the murder, the Oyo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, told our correspondent that the Police was treating it as a suspected case of murder. “I can confirm to you that the deceased was found dead in front of his

A cross section of participants at the event The Lagos State Government has decried shortage of social workers manning public schools in the state as the 200 social workers currently on ground were inadequate. Commissioner for‎ Youth and Social Development, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf disclosed this at the weekend at the ‎sensitization and awareness programme for stakeholders in school social work, held at the State Government Secretariat, Alausa, in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The commissioner disclosed that the state presently had 200 social workers to man all schools in Lagos State, saying this was grossly inadequate and hinted that government was planning to employ more in a bid to nip child abuse in the bud in schools. She said the employment of more social workers in public schools would help in counseling and addressing social problems in schools. Akinbile-Yussuf said that the state government had put in place strategies to address all forms of abuses in the state’s sc

Osinachukwu Ideozu The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Osinachukwu Ideozu, winner of the of the Rivers West senatorial district election held between Saturday and Monday. Mr. Ideozu was certified winner Monday afternoon with 107,166 votes. He defeated Otelemaba Amachree of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who garnered 48,898 votes. With the development, PDP now has two senatorial districts – Rivers East and West. PDP’s George Sekibo had earlier been returned winner of the Rivers East election for the third time. APC’s Magnus Abe won in the third senatorial district, Rivers South East. He defeated Olaka Nwogu of PDP. Rivers West Senator-elect, Mr. Ideozu, was a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, representing Ahoada West between 1999 and 2003. Afterwards, between 2003 and 2007, he represented Abua-Odual/Ahoada East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives before his appointment as Commis

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday commiserated with the Akwa Ibom State Government and the families of victims who lost their lives after the collapse of Reigners Bible Church building in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday. The Governor, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said it was most unfortunate that the victims lost their lives while worshiping God. “It is indeed an unfortunate incident and words cannot really express our sadness as a Government over the loss of several lives, who have become victims of an incident they know nothing about. It is indeed a pathetic situation and we can only express our condolence and commiserate with the bereaved families over this incident”, the Governor said. “My heart goes out to the families of victims who lost their lives in this most unfortunate incident as well as to my brother Governor, His Excellency Udom Emmanuel whom providence had spared in the mishap. This is a most trying t

Jose Mourinho Manchester United will face French side Saint-Etienne in the Europa League last 32, while Tottenham Hotspur meet Belgian team Gent. United midfielder Paul Pogba is set to face older brother Florentin, who plays for the eighth-placed Ligue 1 side. Spurs have never met Gent, who finished third in the Belgian top-flight last season, in a competitive fixture. The first legs will be played on Thursday, 16 February, with the return legs on Thursday, 23 February. Arsenal to face Bayern Munich – Champions League last 16 draw. The two Premier League clubs could not be drawn together as teams from the same nation are kept apart. Tottenham, along with the other seeded teams, will be at home in the second leg. Spurs were seeded after dropping down from the Champions League, while United were unseeded after finishing second in Group A. But Jose Mourinho’s side are still favourites to win the competition with most bookmakers. The Europa League final will be held at Stockholm

Muslims As Muslim across the world commemorate Eid-el-Maulud on Monday, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has urged followers of Islam to emulate the exemplary leadership qualities of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The group gave the advice in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim. Today is Eid-el-Maulud is set-aside to mark the Birthday Anniversary of the prophet. The group observed that Prophet Muhammad taught and demonstrated how best to live in the world to attain salvation here and in the hereafter. “On this occasion therefore, The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria salutes the exemplary leadership qualities of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who taught and demonstrated practically how best to live in this world to attain salvation here and hereafter. “Some of his teachings were humility, self-less service, welfare of the people, trust-worthiness, sacrifice, perseverance, religious tolerance, peace and stability

collapsed Reigners church building, Uyo The number of people who died in Saturday’s collapsed Reigners Bible Church building in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital, has risen to 29. The state Police Commissioner, CP Murtala Mani, confirmed this on Monday in Uyo. 27 died as at Sunday, while 37 persons, who suffered from various degrees of injury were receiving treatment in designated hospitals. The latest figure now shows that 35 persons injured are currently receiving treatment. The police commissioner said,“ the remaining 35 persons are responding to treatment.” He however declined to confirm whether any member of the Akwa Ibom Executive Council (EXCO) was involved. “I don’t know of any EXCO member involved,” Mani said. He said that he was not aware of the arrest of the contractor and the engineers that handled the church building project. NAN reports that in a statewide broadcast on Sunday condoling the victims’ families, the state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, had ordered the arrest

Solomon Dalung The hope for Nigeria to perform creditably at the Olympics and other quadrennial Games has been rekindled with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, saying that the era of late preparation is over. Dalung, said this when he met with the sports journalists at the weekend in Lagos “I am determined to ensure that we start early preparation for Tokyo 2020 by now’’, he said. In pursuance of this objective, he said programmes for athletes’ discovery and nurturing which had been abandoned would be revamped to enable the selection process and preparations for the Tokyo Games. “Basically, what we did with the National Youth Games knowing that it has been abandoned for a long time and knowing it gives us the opportunity to identify talents was to revamp it. “What we did this year was to insist and think outside the box by generating funds for sponsorship for the National Youth Games and the potential that were identified was indeed amazing. “Also, I have come

National Youth Service Corp members Mark Brown, the Chairman, Lagos State Karate Referees Association, on Monday urged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members not to shy away from the martial arts during their service year. He said in Lagos that there was need for corps members to have basic knowledge of self-defence. “Corps members are usually involved in the electoral process in the country, some of them have lost their lives and we begin to see the need for it for young people, especially corps members. “I feel that they should have some form of self-defence training, if some of them had knowledge of self-defence, maybe what happened would not have happened. “With security challenges in the country here and there, everybody should have the basics of self-defence before looking up to the government to provide larger security,’’ he said. Brown, who trains the Lagos State Corps members at the Iyana-Ipaja, NYSC Orientation Camp said: “What we did in camp for the three weeks

Mansur Dan-Ali The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, has denied that he directed two service chiefs to relinquish their offices and proceed on retirement on or before Dec. 16. A statement released by his Public Relations Officer, Col. Tukur Gusau, on Monday in Abuja said his attention was drawn to some online publications purporting that he directed the two service chiefs to hand over on that date. The two service chiefs in question are the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin and the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas. The statement said: “Please be informed that there was no such communication between the office of the Honourable Minister of Defence and the service chiefs directing any one of them to hand over his office and proceed on retirement. “The appointment and replacement of service chiefs is a prerogative responsibility of the office of the President and Commander in Chief.”

local rice The demand for Nigerian grown rice has risen in Calabar as residents patronise it more due to high cost of foreign rice. Investigation on Monday in Calabar shows that residents of the state prefer the rice for this year’s yuletide. A resident, Mr Richard Nku, said he preferred the Nigerian grown and processed rice to foreign one for various reasons. “It is cheaper, more affordable and even sweeter than foreign rice. So I cannot spend as much as N26, 000 just to buy just a bag of rice simply because it is foreign. “In this Christmas, I am going for locally made rice and that is what my family and everybody in my house will eat until January,’’ he said. Another resident, Mr Raymond Ubi, also described local rice as a credible alternative to the current rising price of foreign rice. “I go for our own made rice, no matter what people think about it, I prefer it, in fact I like it more than the so called foreign rice,’’ he said. A rice farmer, Mr Fidel Egoro, said there

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager Arsenal will once again meet Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16, while Manchester City will face high-flying Ligue 1 outfit Monaco. The Gunners found themselves in the same group as the German giants last term, winning 2-0 at the Emirates but going down 5-1 away from home. They also met at this stage in 2012-13 and 2013-14, with Bayern progressing on both occasions. City made it to the semi-finals of the competition in 2015-16, defeating French opposition along the way in the form of PSG, and will be looking to stake another serious claim for the famous trophy under Pep Guardiola. Real Madrid will take on Serie A side Napoli, as they look to defend the crown they claimed under Zinedine Zidane last season. Barcelona face a tough test against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 – who they faced in the group stage last term and the quarter-finals back in 2012-13 – while Leicester City’s continental adventure will continue against Sevilla, wit

Prophet TB Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that three people were killed at the weekend during a stampede at the Synagogue Church of all Nations, Ikotun, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria. Police Public RelationsOfficer, PPRO, Dolapo Badmos told PM News on Monday that three people were actually confirmed dead in the stampede, describing the incident as unpleasant and avoidable. Badmos warned churches to put proper crowd control mechanism in place whenever they were having programme to avoid tragic incidence like the one that occurred at Synagogue at the weekend. She added that the police were still investigating the matter, but that no arrest had been made yet. On Saturday, three people were reportedly killed during a stampede as the crowd crowd surge forward to see the church’s General Overseer, Prophet Temitope Joshua, during a special healing service. A police source said the corpses were taken in an ambulance to the mor

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State The Chief Imam of the Islamic Centre, Uwani in Enugu, Alhaji Abdul Isola, has urged Muslims to use the Eid-el-Maulud period to pray for the peace and development of the country. Isola, gave this advice on Monday while speaking on the essence of the Eid-el-Maulud. He said what the country needed now was a concerted effort to turn around the nation’s resources and not divisive tendencies, especially in managing the nation’s economy. “If there is anytime the citizens need to support the government, it is now and those in authorities need our support and prayers more than ever before. “There is no need to add to the hardships and difficulties in the land with unnecessary disagreements and strives,’’ he said. The cleric, who also doubles as the Chief Missioner of the centre, said that Nigerians should support the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government. “Our basic headache now is the massive looting of the treasury and the unpatrio

King Sunny Ade A vintage fender guitar owned by legendary Nigerian musician, King Sunny Adé, was on Sunday auctioned at N52.1 million in Lagos. The guitar which was auctioned by Dr. Jogun Onabanjo, Certified Auctioneer and Chief Executive of Onabanjo and Onabanjo & Co, is known to have been designed by Nigerian artist Victor Ehikamenor. The glittering artistic piece was revealed at the King Sunny Ade‘s 70th birthday concert tagged Sunny on Sunday, which had an audience comprising of Nigeria’s richest and top celebrities. The starting bid of nine million Naira was followed by a very competitive bid by the well-heeled audience consisting of influential businessmen such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Femi Otedola, and more closing at N52.1 million. While the bid was in progress, the asking price for the guitar doubled to N17m under two minutes before exceeding the N50m benchmark in 15 minutes. The winner of the auction is yet to be revealed. The concert held at the Temple Ba

Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s vice president Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday gave an assurance that government would protect Nigerians in their places of worship and ensure that they practised their chosen faith in freedom. Osinbajo gave the assurance at the Christian Centre during the Service of Nine Lessons Christmas Carol tagged `Celebrating Jesus, The Light’ taken from the book of John Chapter 1 Verses 1 to 5. He said that the Federal Government would continue to work hard to restore what the country had lost over the years. “On the part of government, you have our assurance that we shall continue to live by example, working hard and diligently every day to restore the years that the canker worms have eaten. “Government will continue to dutifully protect lives and property with all the means at its disposal while also protecting the life of every Nigerian to freely worship in their chosen faith. “We shall continue to pursue dialogue, reconciliation and nation buildin

Ese Mairo Nigerian gospel musician Mairo Ese says music has transformed his life from poverty to fame. Ese said in Lagos on Monday that most of his childhood dreams did not come true until he started singing. The Lagos-based singer started professional music in 2008 and attributed his recent fame to grace and patience. “I am privileged to have come from a family where we didn’t have all the good things of life around. “But that gave my siblings and I a good understanding of being patient while you work hard towards your goal. “Today, I make bold to say God’s grace has been sufficient all through my walk with him’’ he said. The “Nani Gi’’ crowner added that his music was a reflection of his life and relationship with God. “I live a life of worship everyday not minding the situation I find myself. “It has helped to lay all my worries at the feet of God since that is the only thing a child of God can do instead of worrying about his or her troubles,’’ he said. He urged upcomin

King Sunny Ade A vintage fender guitar owned by legendary Nigerian musician, King Sunny Adé, was on Sunday auctioned at N52.1 million in Lagos. The guitar which was auctioned by Dr. Jogun Onabanjo, Certified Auctioneer and Chief Executive of Onabanjo and Onabanjo & Co, is known to have been designed by Nigerian artist Victor Ehikamenor. The glittering artistic piece was revealed at the King Sunny Ade‘s 70th birthday concert tagged Sunny on Sunday, which had an audience comprising of Nigeria’s richest and top celebrities. The starting bid of nine million Naira was followed by a very competitive bid by the well-heeled audience consisting of influential businessmen such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Femi Otedola, and more closing at N52.1 million. While the bid was in progress, the asking price for the guitar doubled to N17m under two minutes before exceeding the N50m benchmark in 15 minutes. The winner of the auction is yet to be revealed. The concert held at the Temple Ba

Ese Mairo Nigerian gospel musician Mairo Ese says music has transformed his life from poverty to fame. Ese said in Lagos on Monday that most of his childhood dreams did not come true until he started singing. The Lagos-based singer started professional music in 2008 and attributed his recent fame to grace and patience. “I am privileged to have come from a family where we didn’t have all the good things of life around. “But that gave my siblings and I a good understanding of being patient while you work hard towards your goal. “Today, I make bold to say God’s grace has been sufficient all through my walk with him’’ he said. The “Nani Gi’’ crowner added that his music was a reflection of his life and relationship with God. “I live a life of worship everyday not minding the situation I find myself. “It has helped to lay all my worries at the feet of God since that is the only thing a child of God can do instead of worrying about his or her troubles,’’ he said. He urged upcomin

Justice Ayotunde Philips, Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the state Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to announce the date and guidelines for the conduct of election into the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas within 14 days. The party threatened to call for sack of members of the electoral body led by Justice Ayotunde Phillips (retd.) if it failed to do so. The party’s publicity secretary, Mr. Taofik Gani, in a statement, said the call became necessary following the recent Supreme Court judgment which reiterated the illegality and unconstitutionality of unelected persons to govern local government areas in the country. The party threatened that it would sponsor the removal of the present LASIEC board particularly to prevent disobedience to the councils’ bye laws and authorities. The party added that the tenure of the last democratically elec

President Buhari Dear Compatriots, Again the calendar of life has brought us into another period of celebration, and deep reflection. Celebration, because we are marking the birth of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him), and deep reflection, because it is another opportunity of pausing, taking a deep breath and reflecting on the current realities before us. First of all, I wish all Muslims a happy and memorable celebration of the birth of the great Prophet, through whose teachings, particularly on peaceful living, tolerance, sobriety, generosity, sacrifice and honesty, and wisdom, the nation has gained immensely in building a harmonious and prosperous society. The universal truths of the Prophet’s values remain unchanged. Against all odds, we have used these pillars of strength in securing a just and fair society, and our efforts are beginning to yield dividends in curbing terrorism, militancy, corruption and other crimes that devalue our humanity. As we use the memorable occasio

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State No fewer than twelve persons died as a result of 385 fire incidents in Sokoto State from January till December this year, according to the Director-General of the State Fire Service Department, Alhaji Ibrahim Dingyadi. Dingyadi revealed in Sokoto on Monday that properties worth over N 2.1 billion were also lost in the infernos. Properties worth over N 2.8 billion were also saved from the blazes by the Department. Dingyadi attributed most of the infernos to electrical faults and mishandling of fires in homes, markets and other commercial areas. ”The Department has embarked on series of sensitisation campaigns to raise awareness of the residents on fire prevention and mitigation. ”They are also being sensitized on the need to report fire outbreaks on time, as well as follow laid down rules and regulations in constructing structures.” The director-general further disclosed that the state government has recently ordered for ten new fire engin

Senator Bukola Saraki Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Senate President Dr Bukola Sakari and Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Dogara Yakubu “over failure to give account of the spending of N500 billion as running cost between 2006 and 2016, and the monthly income and allowances of each Senator and member.” The suits filed last Friday at the Federal High Court Ikoyi followed two Freedom of Information requests dated 25 November 2016 to both Dr Saraki and Mr Dogara asking them to “urgently provide information about alleged spending of N500 billion as running cost between 2006 and 2016, and the monthly income and allowances of each Senator and member.” The originating summons with suit numbers FHC/L/CS/1711/16 and FHC/L/CS/1710/16 respectively were brought pursuant to section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni. SERAP’s suits against Dr Saraki and Mr Dogara followed disclosure

Justice Ayotunde Philips, Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the state Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to announce the date and guidelines for the conduct of election into the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas within 14 days. The party threatened to call for sack of members of the electoral body led by Justice Ayotunde Phillips (retd.) if it failed to do so. The party’s publicity secretary, Mr. Taofik Gani, in a statement, said the call became necessary following the recent Supreme Court judgment which reiterated the illegality and unconstitutionality of unelected persons to govern local government areas in the country. The party threatened that it would sponsor the removal of the present LASIEC board particularly to prevent disobedience to the councils’ bye laws and authorities. The party added that the tenure of the last democratically elec

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says arrangements have been concluded to have an interaction with owners of Computer Based Test (CBT) centres in the country ahead of the 2017 UTME. The board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Lagos. According to the statement, the meeting which comes up on Tuesday at the University of Lagos is to fine tune all areas of challenges geared towards conducting a hitch-free examination in 2017. It said that the meeting would determine the number of centres to be used for the 2017 all CBT Unified Tertiary Matriculation Board (UTME) exercise. “These are centres that must have a minimum of 250 and above terminals (computers). “We will not hesitate to disqualify any centre that falls short of the requirements,’’ the statement said. “We will equally not compromise on the selection of these cen

crude oil production slumps Oil prices shot up over four per cent to their highest level since 2015 early on Monday after OPEC and other producers over the weekend in Vienna reached first output cut deal since 2001 . They jointly reduced output in order to rein in oversupply and prop up the market. Brent sweet crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, soared to 57.89 dollars per barrel in overnight trading between Sunday and Monday, its highest level since July 2015. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures also hit a July 2015 high of 54.51 dollars a barrel. With the deal finally signed after a year, the market’s focus will now switch to compliance with the agreement. ANZ bank said that Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s state-controlled oil company, had informed customers that their allocations would be reduced in January 2017, in line with the recent OPEC production cut agreement.” OPEC has said it will slash output by 1.2 million barrels per day from Janu