A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
By Kingsley Omonobi Abuja – Following alleged involvement in dealing and selling of arms and ammunition to enemies of the nation, twenty soldiers comprising four officers and sixteen men of the Nigerian army have been arraigned before a court martial over charges of sabotage and conspiracy.
Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, on Wednesday, decried the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN's prevailing fiscal regime, saying the bank's 14 percent monetary policy rate had led to massive job losses in the country.
Gov. Nasir-El-Rufai
El-Rufai said the CBN risked losing its power to set lending rates for commercial banks unless it immediately addressed the situation, contending that only unscrupulous elements could successfully operate under the current fiscal policy atmosphere.
The governor, who spoke at a special roundtable organised by Women in Business, a non-profit women advocacy organisation, in Abuja, said: "We have a Central Bank that has an MPR at -what? - 14 percent and banks lending at 20 percent.
"Only traders and drug dealers can make money at this interest rate. I have said it before and I will repeat it again, unless the Central Bank and the banking system make a conscious decision to bring interest rate down, one day we would legislate it."
He dismissed CBN's reasons for high interest rate, and used the 'B' word to express his disgust.
According to him, "the rate of inflation in the UK is not two percent or one percent. It is seven to eight. But lending rate is at one percent. I think they cut the interest rate last week.
"All these theories that the rate of interest must be above the rate of inflation is economic (expletive).
"We must decide that businesses should be able to borrow at an interest rate that makes sense and politically lower rates to that level."
The roundtable attracted professionals from all walks of life and the participants used the platform to share ideas and express challenges faced in running a successful enterprise.
The Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led Lagos State Government, on Wednesday, completed a Pedestrian Bridge at Berger bus stop, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, even as it was immediately put to use for Lagosians.
See photos:
Pedestrian Bridge at Berger bus stop being used by the people shortly after completion along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by the Lagos State Government, on Wednesday, August 10, 2016.Pedestrian Bridge at Berger bus stop being used by the people shortly after completion along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by the Lagos State Government, on Wednesday, August 10, 2016.Pedestrian Bridge at Berger bus stop being used by the people shortly after completion along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by the Lagos State Government, on Wednesday, August 10, 2016.Pedestrian Bridge at Berger bus stop being used by the people shortly after completion along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by the Lagos State Government, on Wednesday, August 10, 2016.Newly built segregated bus park to ease the flow of traffic at Berger Bus Stop, Iyana Oworo by the Lagos State GovernmentNewly built segregated bus park to ease the flow of traffic at Berger Bus Stop, Iyana Oworo by the Lagos State Government
Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton launched an open appeal Wednesday to independents and Republicans repulsed by Donald Trump, after the party’s nominee again sparked controversy with comments seen by some as a threat against her.Mrs. Hilary clinton
The latest Trump firestorm erupted when he suggested at a rally Tuesday in North Carolina that “Second Amendment people” — those who support gun rights — could take action to stop Clinton from appointing US Supreme Court justices as president.
After his comments were judged by many as courting violence, the Clinton team pounced by announcing a new “outreach to the growing number of Republicans and independents” who are prepared to vote for the former secretary of state on November 8.
The campaign unveiled a new website, togetherforamerica.com.
It lists dozens of Republicans and independents who back Clinton, including former director of national intelligence John Negroponte, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and Hewlett Packard Enterprise chief executive Meg Whitman.
“Americans are looking to the next president to help bring us together to tackle the big challenges facing the country, and Hillary Clinton’s bipartisan support is the latest proof that she can work across the aisle to make us stronger together,” campaign chairman John Podesta said in announcing the effort.
“Regardless of party, voters are increasingly concerned that Trump’s tendency to bully, demean and degrade others sends the wrong message to our children.”
Trump insisted that his “Second Amendment” comments referred to the power of gun rights supporters as a “political movement.”
But lawmakers, former national security officials and other critics expressed concern that he had advocated violence, possibly in jest, against Clinton or her Supreme Court nominees.
“Hillary wants to essentially abolish the Second Amendment” of the US Constitution, Trump, 70, told a rally at the University of North Carolina.
“If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks,” Trump said.
“Although the Second Amendment people — maybe there is, I don’t know.”
It was the latest in a long string of Trump missteps — including his prolonged clash with the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in action — that have marred his campaign since he officially won the nomination last month, prompting several Republicans to reject his candidacy.
– ‘History is watching’ –
Former New York mayor and Trump backer Rudy Giuliani was forced into clean-up mode Wednesday, insisting the uproar was triggered by “the Clinton spin machine” and that Trump was indeed talking about the power of pro-gun voters to defeat her at the ballot box.
“What he intended was that they should vote against her,” Giuliani told ABC.
The Secret Service said it was “aware of the comments” but did not say whether they merited an investigation, which some Democratic lawmakers have called for.
Trump has clearly roiled the party with his unorthodox campaign remarks, with Republicans frustrated at his apparent inability to stay on message even as he unveiled his revamped economic plan on Monday.
A Reuters/IPSOS poll released Wednesday found that 19 percent of Republican voters want the real estate tycoon to drop out of the race, while 70 percent think he should stay and 10 percent say they don’t know.
The RealClearPolitics national poll average shows Clinton leading Trump by 48 percent to 40 percent.
Fifty prominent national security experts recently announced in an open letter that they would not vote for Trump, saying he “lacks the character, values and experience” to be president.
Six US senators including Susan Collins and a number of House Republicans have disowned him as well.
Dan Rather, the former CBS News anchor with half a century of political reporting experience, warned in a Facebook post that Trump’s “Second Amendment” comments mark a “new low” in US politics, and that “history is watching.”
“This cannot be treated as just another outrageous moment in the campaign,” Rather said.
– Emails, again –
Meanwhile Clinton was enduring a fresh round of criticism over her emails from her time as secretary of state, which have been a thorn in her side throughout her campaign.
Conservative watchdog Judicial Watch released a batch of emails that raise questions about the State Department’s relationship with the Clinton Foundation.
The Trump campaign seized on the latest emails to blast Clinton as “corrupt,” with critics saying the messages showed the department and the foundation were engaged in improper preferential treatment.
A few weeks back, you wrote that all men fantasise about sleeping with other women and that really got me angry. Women do not want to be told this is normal. Can you tell me what is normal about a woman going to bed with her husband, and while they're making love, he's thinking about someone else?
I like to believe that I am good looking enough for him to think only about me when we make love.
If I ever found out that he was fantasising about other women, our relationship would be over. It would be as bad as if he sleeps with another woman behind my back.
If a man is sexually fulfilled, why does he need to go elsewhere? Whay are men not sexually loyal ?
Linda, by e-mail.
Dear Linda,
Men, in the same way as women, fantasise about the opposite sex as they enter adolescence. They are aroused by the thoughts that flash through their minds. This leads to relationships and eventually sexual intercourse. The ability to look forward to the joy of sex is believed by scientists to be part of what distinguishes us from other animals. It gives us pleasure and it helps the human race to thrive.
A man will continue to fantasise about sex, frequently or seldomly, throughout life. Although he'll tend to focus on the woman he loves, he cannot and does not control the sexual thoughts that rush into his head. He will remain alert to the attribute of other women.
Abuja – The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) on Wednesday said it has removed three clubs from the Premier and Professional Leagues for breach of the rules and regulations governing the competitions.
Ayo Abdulrahaman, Executive Secretary of the NWFL, said in Abuja that the Ad hoc Committee governing the NWFL has already communicated this decision to the affected clubs.
He said a letter intimating the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of the decision had also been sent to the NFF General Secretary.
The NWFL Executive Secretary listed the clubs as Tokas Queens, Capital City Doves and State House Queens.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while Tokas Queens and Capital City Doves campaigned in the Premier League, State House Queens played in the Professional League.
“I have the directive of the league's Ad-hoc Committee Chairman to inform the Federation of some league clubs which have lost their positions due to their failure to honour three matches in the current season.
“This loss of position is supported by Article 4.2 paragraphs 1 and 5 of the 2015/2016 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) rules, and they are therefore out of the league,” Abdulrahaman said in the letter.
Minna – The Nigerian Air Force said it would deploy additional personnel to its Quick Response Unit (QRU) in Minna to curtail any acts capable of breaching the peace and security of the state.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, disclosed this on Wednesday when he visited Gov. Sani Bello in his office in Minna.
Abubakar said that the QRU would be expanded to fully complement Operation Sharandadi that covered five states in the North-West region of the country, and Niger.
“The Quick Response Unit in Minna is to be expanded. We are bringing in more officers and men to see how we can support the state government and to see that there is peace in the state and the country.
“We are sending in Quick Response Force and that is why we are here to see the facilities on ground before we deploy more officers and men to the state.
“The Airforce is now well equipped and our newly-acquired assets will help us carry out effective surveillance and when need be, to dislodge enemies,” he said.
Abubakar said that a Maintenance Repair Center would soon be completed for repairs and maintenance of Helicopters and fighter planes for Nigeria and other West African countries.
He said the centre would help to boost the revenue base of both the federal and state governments.
Responding, Bello commended the move by the force to increase its personnel in the state, saying this would improve security in the area.
Abuja – The Buhari and Osibanjo Youth Support Movement (BOYSM), an NGO, on Wednesday appealed to the Niger Delta Avengers and Biafra agitators to embrace peace and reconciliation for national unity.
The National Coordinator of the Movement, Mr Enemi Ibe, made the appeal in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.
“We appeal to the Niger Delta Avengers and Biafra agitators, who are agitating for a separate sovereign nation to sheath their sword for the unity of Nigeria.
“We are also calling on all aggrieved Niger Delta militants to stop blowing up pipelines and oil installation in the country as it is economic sabotage against our nation.''
Ibe also called on Boko Haram insurgents to stop further destruction and terrorising innocent Nigerians by cooperating with the government in peace dialogue.
He commended the Federal Government for overhauling the topmost hierarchy of the Nigerian army which resulted in optimal result and degraded the Boko Haram elements.
Similarly, the coordinator applauded Buhari for his vigorous effort at restoring sanity in the way things are done in public and private sectors.
He said that the federal government had demonstrated commitment to restore the budget as an article of faith with the Nigerian people.
Ibe, therefore, called on the Ministries, Department, Parastatals and Agencies to ensure effective and speedy implementation of the 2016 budget with a view to ensure accomplishment of the change mantra.
“We totally support the Federal Government determination to fight corruption which is resulting in the improvement in the quality of public expenditure,'' he said.
Kingdom Lottery last weekend officially launched in Rivers State at a highly entertaining event which included a Raffle Draw that produced three winners of various sums totaling one million naira, with other participants smiling home with various prizes. This was staged as the climax of the street awareness which the company started in Rivers state since July 22, 2016.
The event, which was took place at the government-owned Isaac Boro park, greatly thrilled residents of Port Harcourt, the state capital, as they kept scratching the lucky score and lucky match scratch cards hoping to be among those to be picked in the draw.
They did this while being entertained by a host of artistes line up for the event by Kingdom Lottery, including a spectacular performance from Nollywood comic actor, Mr. Ibu, who is the company's brand ambassador.
Mr. Ibu, who also compered the show, assured the people of Rivers state and indeed all Nigerians that the company is genuine and reliable; stressing that Kingdom Lottery has what it takes to be in the lottery business.
The veteran actor, who pointed this out as why he agreed to identify with Kingdom Lottery, called on the people to empower themselves by registering with the company to become agents.
Three winners benefited from the N1,000,000 Monthly Raffle Draw prize as the Star Prize Winner, Ali Abubakar smiled home with N500,000, the Second Winner, Mr. Achimugu Ukwenya went home with N300,000, while the Third Winner, Mr Prince Obum, was paid N200,000. Meanwhile, there were consolation prizes for others who participated.
According to the company’s Head of Operations, Mr Kingsley Ugwuanyi, "the game is divided into Lucky Score worth N100 and Lucky Match worth N200. It has a silver panel on the card where stakers are expected to scratch and match three out of six objects revealed to win whatever amount they find underneath.
"Afterwards, the winner is expected to send the code and card number to our system for verification which we will in turn send the winning code that will be taken to designated bank for redemption."
He explained that winnings less than N1000 will be redeemed on the spot, adding that the minimum winning for Lucky Score is N500 while the maximum is N250,000.
Ugwuanyi continued that, "The minimum winning for Lucky Match is N500 while the maximum is N500, 000. Stakers can also win a free ticket instead of cash prize, in which case, they are given another opportunity to play again.
"The scratch and win game by Kingdom Lottery also organize a monthly draw as a way of appreciating everybody that played the game for that month. The draw will be publicized and three winners who would share N1million will emerge from this draw every month."
He encouraged the youths to take advantage of the opportunity Kingdom Lottery is affording them by registering to become agents with the company, promising that the company will soon be introducing other games aside the scratch card game.
Endorsing what Kingdom Lottery is doing, Mr Walson, who represented the Liaison Head of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission in Rivers State, Madam Betty Obiora, enjoined the people to see lottery business as a legitimate means of earning livelihood.
Walson assured the gathering that as the regulator, the commission will always protect their interest and will make sure they are not short-changed in the course of playing lottery games
Speaking on behalf of the winners, Mr. Ali Abubakar thanked the Kingdom Lottery management for putting smiles on their faces, promising that they will judiciously use the money and be good ambassadors of Kingdom Lottery in their immediate environment.
Kingdom Lottery, which is powered by EMI Systems Ltd, was licensed to run lottery business in Nigeria by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. It started lottery operations in Abuja in January 2016, and have been moving gradually to other states of the federation. The company has presence in states like Imo, Rivers and Anambra, and hopes to launch in other states in the near future.
Since launching his White House campaign in June 2015, Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump has several times walked back comments that got him in hot water.
Here are nine times when Trump distanced himself from his own comments:
1. John McCainTRUMP
In July 2015, Trump said Republican senator and former prisoner of war John McCain was “not a war hero,” adding: “He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured, OK?”
The remark sparked immediate consternations among Republicans. The next day, Trump — then embroiled in a primary battle with a host of challengers — said, “Four times, I said he is a hero. But you know… people choose little selective pieces.”
2. Megyn Kelly
Annoyed by the questions that Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly asked him in the first Republican presidential primary debate in August 2015, Trump said the following day: “You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever.”
Was he referring to Kelly’s menstrual period? Many believed he was.
Trump told CNN: “I didn’t even finish the thought. I was going to say nose and/or ears, because that’s a very common statement, blood flowing out of somebody’s nose.”
3. Violence
“If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously. Just knock the hell - I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees. I promise. I promise,” Trump told his supporters in February.
The next month, after one of his supporters hit a protester, Trump said: “I don’t condone violence, and I didn’t say I was going to pay for the fees.”
4. Nuclear weapons for Japan
Should Japan have its own nuclear weapons to defend themselves against North Korea?
In a March interview with The New York Times, Trump said: “Would I rather have North Korea have them with Japan sitting there having them also? You may very well be better off if that’s the case.”
After criticism from his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, Trump said: “She was saying last night so many things. Donald Trump wants to see Japan get nuclear weapons. I never said that.”
5. Cruz’s dad and Oswald
“(Cruz’s) father was with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to Oswald being, you know, shot,” Trump said in May of the father of his primary rival Ted Cruz, citing an article in the tabloid National Enquirer. Oswald was the man who assassinated US president John F. Kennedy in 1963.
The allegation about Cruz’s father stirred up a media firestorm. This time, Trump did not deny he made the comments, but denied any responsibility for them, saying he was just quoting the Enquirer.
“I just asked about stories that were appearing all over the place, not just in the National Enquirer, about the fact that a picture was taken of him and Lee Harvey Oswald. They didn’t deny that picture,” he told NBC’s “Today” show.
6. Disabled journalist
In November 2015, Trump criticized a statement by journalist Serge Kovaleski, who suffers from a congenital disorder that limits the functioning of his joints, forcing his arm to be curled in front of him.
The candidate flailed his arms and shook his head as if to imitate Kovaleski, saying: “Now, the poor guy, you ought to see this guy, ‘Ah, I don’t know what I said, I don’t remember.”
In June on Twitter, in response to a Clinton ad using the video sequence, Trump said: “Clinton made a false ad about me where I was imitating a reporter GROVELING after he changed his story. I would NEVER mock disabled. Shame!”
7. Vladimir Putin
“I got to know him very well because we were both on ’60 Minutes’. We were stablemates, and we did very well that night,” Trump said of Russian President Vladimir Putin, sparking waves on the US political left and right.
Later, the notion that they met on the set was debunked, as they were in different cities when their interviews were taped.
In July, Trump said: “I have no relationship with him.”
8. Russian hackers
“Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,” Trump said in July, referring to Clinton’s private email server which she used during her time as secretary of state.
The remark was interpreted as an invitation to Russian intelligence services to hack his rival.
“Of course, I’m being sarcastic,” he said the next day.
9. Second Amendment and Clinton
“Hillary wants to essentially abolish the Second Amendment,” Trump told a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina on Tuesday, referring to the US Constitution’s clause that enshrines the right to bear arms.
“If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks,” Trump said. “Although the Second Amendment people — maybe there is, I don’t know.”
His meaning was ambiguous, but the remark was seen as a possible threat of violence against Clinton or her Supreme Court nominees.
Later the same night, on Fox News, the candidate rejected that interpretation, saying: “This is a political movement. This is a strong powerful movement, the Second Amendment. (…) There can be no other interpretation.”
Abuja – The Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) has urged the Federal Government to support organisations such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to enable it to realise its mandate.
A statement signed by Mr Celestine Ogugua, the Head, Media Unit of the commission and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the Executive Secretary, Rev. Tor Uja, made the call when the management staff of JAMB paid him a courtesy visit.
Uja also said that JAMB should be given the opportunity to interface with vice-chancellors of universities and rectors of polytechnics, to understand more about their vision and mission.
He commended JAMB for the successful conduct of the 2016 online medical examination for medical personnel for the 2016 pilgrimage to Israel, Rome and Greece, saying:“We will like to build on that relationship.''
While urging JAMB to sustain its efficiency in service delivery, Uja appealed to the commission to sponsor their Christian staff for the Holy pilgrimage.
“This country needs to support JAMB, to bring about intellectual equilibrium.''
He stressed the need for JAMB to be commended for conducting credible and transparent exams over the years.
Earlier, Mr John Okonkwo, the Director, Quality Assurance of JAMB, who represented the registrar, congratulated the NCPC boss on his appointment.
Okonkwo pledged the support of the Board to sustain a working relationship between the two organisations.
Abuja – Gov. Adams Oshiomhole says for any government to make progress, it must maintain a national minimum wage.
Oshiomhole said this in Abuja on Wednesday during a forum tagged ‘The Podium’, organised by The Kukah Centre in collaboration with the Ford Foundation.
The programme, which seeks an interface between the electorate and policy makers, had the theme: “From Activism to Political Power: The Challenges of Democratic Governance in Nigeria”.
According to Oshiomhole, a labourer is worthy of his wages, meaning if an employer is owing, he is breaching a contract.
“’This is where I’m different. I still insist any government who wants to be taken seriously must have a national minimum wage.
“We must maintain a national minimum wage, look for ways to increase it; that is what I still advocate for.”
Giving an informal account of his stewardship and why he carried out most of his actions, the governor said he stayed true to his activism years by not owing salaries.
He explained that as a former factory worker himself, he understood the importance of wages and that was why he increased workers salaries in Edo by 38 per cent.
“Activism is not synonymous with being progressive. I believe we should all be idealistic and not dismiss the possibility of an ideal society.
“One man’s idealism is another man’s reality. Wages paid to people is not burden.
“In Edo we increased it to 38 per cent and I’m proud to still pay before the last day of every month.” He explained that complaints about salaries from the state were mostly about the 18 months pension arrears he inherited and the inability of local governments to pay their staff.
“We respect the autonomy of the Local Government but we insisted that if they cannot do environmental sanitation, waste management, grading rural roads, cleaning up the market at least you must pay the teachers' salaries.
“So I am not responsible for non-payment at that level. Non-payment of wages is a criminal breach in the law of contract.
“You can pay daily, weekly, monthly but not in excess of 30 days, you are breaching the agreement.” Oshiomhole said as an activist he was in governance to know the ropes, know how to help people and counter concepts like god-fatherism in politics.
“I have been militant, will remain a militant and retire a militant not with guns. I don’t burst pipelines but we must react to sayings like the ‘if you can’t beat them join them’.” The Chairman of the occasion, former Gov. Donald Duke of Rivers, said he advocates improvement in society.
“Sadly politicians in our society are merely jobbers and budget padders. We advocate improvement and not change.
“We had a violent change in 1966, so change is not necessarily the way to go. Improvements however makes things happen, develops societies and affects the people positively.” Bishop Mathew Kukah, the Convener of the event, said the essence of the forum was to design programmes that encourage debate and free exchange of ideas.
“To serve as a mediating platform between the government, citizens and communities. “Also, to enhance the quality of leadership training at all levels both in the public and non-governmental sectors.”
Activists from all sectors and relevant stakeholders attended the event.
As athletic events considered as the powerhouse of the Olympics begin, one of Team Nigeria's coaches, Gabriel Okon has sounded a warning to athletes to focus and concentrate on their events instead of turning to prayer warriors hoping for a miracle to win medals.
Okon himself a former athlete of repute said that all Nigerian athletes need was to be focused on their events and not be distracted or abandon training and be looking for manna to fall from heaven.
''Hard work, preparation, mental alertness and your quick reaction to the sound of the gun are some of the things that athletes require. To a larger extent, luck. Yes, you need luck too but not totally dependent on prayer. Other athletes are praying as well as working hard too. They should learn not to add unnecessary pressure on themselves'', he said as a matter of fact.
The United States on Wednesday pledged $37 million in aid for victims of Boko Haram, government officials said, as fears of a famine mounted in the ravaged Lake Chad region.
Despite Boko Haram losing swathes of territory in the northeast as a result of a renewed military offensive, millions are still going hungry after years of attacks disrupted farming and supplies.
The UN children’s agency UNICEF said on July 1 that 250,000 children under five in Borno state were at risk from severe acute malnutrition this year and 50,000 could die if nothing was done.
The US government will provide “more than $37 million in additional humanitarian assistance” the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria in Abuja said. “Approximately five million people need emergency food assistance.”
The money for food would be directed to communities in the Diffa region of Niger and is part of a coordinated effort to get more food into the area.
Returning this week from a trip to Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon, the regional director of the World Food Programme, Abdou Dieng, told AFP that “the crisis of Boko Haram is just beginning.”
“There are many places where humanitarian aid can’t reach because of insecurity,” Dieng said, adding that Boko Haram attacked a UN convoy just last week. “But we are even more determined to stay.”
Dieng estimated that around $600 million is needed to address the crisis but that so far “less than a third of that money has been received”.
The Boko Haram insurgency has claimed more than 20,000 lives since it began its quest for a independent, fundamentalist Islamist state in 2009 in northeast Nigeria. The conflict has spread to Niger, Chad and Cameroon, forcing more than 2.6 million people from their homes.
The Naira on Wednesday appreciated against the dollar at the parallel market, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports.
The Nigerian currency on Wednesday afternoon gained 5 points to exchange at N490 to the dollar, from N495 it traded on Tuesday, representing an appreciation of 1.01 per cent.
The naira also hedged against the Pound Sterling and the Euro as it traded at N500 and N420, from N510 and N426 it posted on Tuesday.
At the Bureau De Change segment of the market, the naira hedged against the dollar, the Pound Sterling and the Euro as it closed at N490, N500 and N420 respectively, from N495, N510 and N426 posted on Tuesday.
The naira extended gains at the official interbank market as it closed at N317 to the dollar, from N320.25 it posted on Tuesday.
Currency traders expressed optimism that the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the Forex market would translate to a steady recovery of the naira.
Meanwhile, Mr Harisson Owoh, a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, said that Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) were perfecting the documentation required to commence the sale of dollars to BDCs.
Owoh said that the exercise would, sooner than later, see to the appreciation of the nation's currency at the Forex market.
NAN reports that the CBN had on Tuesday re- issued the guidelines on the sale of dollars from proceeds of International Money Transfer Operators (IMTO) by DMBs to BDCs.
The CBN said that each BDC would be allowed to purchase a maximum of 30, 000 dollars per week from an authorized dealer.
The apex bank warned that any violation of procedures by BDCs would be punished accordingly.
At least six civilians were killed on Wednesday in two separate bomb attacks blamed on Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants in Turkey’s southeast, Dogan news agency said.
Four were killed in a car bomb attack in the centre of the city of Diyarbakir while another two civilians lost their lives in a near simultaneous bombing in Kiziltepe in Mardin province to the south, the agency added.
Alhaji Sanusi Mohammed, Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Zamafara, on Wednesday said more than 801 persons were displaced by flood in Maru town, Zamfara.
File Photo
In a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Muhammad said the affected persons included 180 women and 621 children.
He said 52 houses and farmlands were also destroyed during the disaster which occurred on July 29.
The executive secretary also said that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and its counterpart in the state had visited the town.
“NEMA and SEMA have visited the affected town and conducted a joint assessment of the disaster. We will forward such assessment to our respective agencies for immediate assistance.''
Muhammad called on residents of the state to avoid blocking drainages or constructing structures on water ways to avoid similar disasters.
The Nigeria Metrological Agency had recently warned people along major rivers in parts of the country to vacate their houses to prevent loss of lives and property due to anticipated flooding the rivers.
Similarly, NEMA had alerted Nigerians of possible flood in some of the states in the north and urged people and relevant authorities to prepare for emergency
The Nigerian Air Force said it would deploy additional personnel to its Quick Response Unit (QRU) in Minna to curtail any acts capable of breaching the peace and security of the state. The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, disclosed this on Wednesday when he visited Gov. Sani Bello in his office in Minna.
Abubakar said that the QRU would be expanded to fully complement Operation Sharandadi that covered five states in the North-West region of the country, and Niger. “The Quick Response Unit in Minna is to be expanded. We are bringing in more officers and men to see how we can support the state government and to see that there is peace in the state and the country.
“We are sending in Quick Response Force and that is why we are here to see the facilities on ground before we deploy more officers and men to the state. “The Airforce is now well equipped and our newly-acquired assets will help us carry out effective surveillance and when need be, to dislodge enemies,” he said.
Abubakar said that a Maintenance Repair Center would soon be completed for repairs and maintenance of Helicopters and fighter planes for Nigeria and other West African countries. He said the centre would help to boost the revenue base of both the federal and state governments.
Responding, Bello commended the move by the force to increase its personnel in the state, saying this would improve security in the area.
No fewer than 15 inmates were believed to have escaped from Nsukka Prison in Enugu state in a jail-break that occurred on Tuesday night.
A reliable source at the prison who pleaded anonymity told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka on Wednesday that the inmates broke their cells and scaled over the perimeter fence."The inmates carefully opened their cells and scaled the perimeter fence of the prisons.
"Before prison officials on night duty knew what was happening, about 15 inmates had escaped," the source said.
Controller of the prison, Mr Lawrence Okonkwo, confirmed the jail break but declined to give the number of inmates that escaped.
"Yes there was a jail break last night in Nsukka prison but I am not in a position to say how many prisoners escaped.
"We are expecting the Enugu state Prisons Controller, Mr Isaiah Amariri, in Nsukka prison so that we brief him on what happened last night.
"He will be the one to tell the public the number of inmates that escaped, re-arrested ones and efforts put in place to arrest those still on the run", the source added.
After a very extensive deliberation on Wednesday, the Executive Council of Kogi State, has resolved to set up a judicial panel of enquiry to probe allegations of failed contracts in the state, from 2003-2016.
Yahaya-Bello
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kingsley Fanwo, stated that among other things, the state government resolved, “that a Judicial Panel of Inquiry be set up to probe into allegations of failed contracts in the State. Contracts by CGC Construction Company and many others will be probed from 2003 to 2016. This is aimed at ensuring the state is not defrauded through contracts that are capable of damaging the economic future of the State.
“Council approved the School Farm Scheme Initiative to boost food production and impress the importance of agriculture on pupils and students. It is believed that the program will boost the financial viability of schools across the state. The Honourable Commissioner For Agriculture said the scheme will cause agricultural revolution in the State.
“Council made a bold decision to harmonize taxes, levies, rates, fees and charges collectable by ministries, departments and agencies to help boost the IGR of the State, curb multiple taxation and enthrone transparency and accountability.
“The Governor said his government will be decisive in tackling corruption and waste, urging all council members to drive the New Direction Agenda.
“Council resolved to ensure strict compliance to the 2016 Budget, saying no extra-budgetary expenditure will be acceptable.”
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