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
Abuja – A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday heard how PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, spent N171 million to launder ex-President Goodluck Jonathan's image ahead of the 2015 elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Metuh is standing trial on allegation of embezzling N400 million. In his testimony before Justice Okon Abang, Richard Ihediwa, the fifth defence witness, told the court that Metuh spent N171 million on the committee for the image laundering exercise.
Ihediwa said N140 million was spent on various groups coordinated by aides to the former President while N31 million was disbursed for advertorials in several newspapers.Metuh
"Various aides to former president helped to coordinate groups that worked across the country with regards to boosting his image towards the 2015 Presidential Election.
"There were many aides to Jonathan who coordinated those groups and they belonged mostly to the media and publicity, strategy, research and documentation departments.
"In the light of this, Metuh made a lot of payments to these groups coordinated by Presidential Aides and they received N140 million," he said. He however said the payments were made in line with Jonathan's directives, adding that Metuh never used discretionary powers to disburse the funds.
"There was also a bill of N31 million for advertorial for the media, using representatives of media houses reporting the beat. "Metuh made the payment through me. I received the payment through my Access Bank account and consequently paid all the media houses.
"Some payments were made through transfers while others were made in cash," the witness said. Ihediwa said the issue of image laundering for the former president was raised at the meeting of PDP stakeholders and Metuh was assigned the responsibility.
"The issue of his image was very important to him because of that election. So, the major mandate given to the team led by Metuh was to find ways to improve on Jonathan's standing using the media.
"The fact is that the fund spent was not taken from government treasury as alleged. "I am aware funds were raised and domiciled with the former president. At that time, the Fund Raising Committee headed by Professor Jerry Gana had started working and they held a fund raising dinner," he said.
The presiding judge however adjourned the case till Nov. 16 for continuation. Metuh, who is facing a seven-count charge, was also accused of illegal 200,000 US dollars transaction.
By Babajide Komolafe Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation yesterday said that it does not collect subvention from the federal government but rather remit part of its surplus into the consolidated revenue fund.
The Corporation state this in a press statement issued yesterday in response to allegations that by a former Director-General, Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), that the corporation collects subvention from the federal government.
The Corporation stated: "Our attention has been drawn to remarks credited to erstwhile DG, NSE, Dr. Ndidi Okereke-Onyuike, which was published in many newspapers on Thursday, 10th November, 2016. Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke
"In her speech delivered during a book launch in Lagos,Dr. Okereke-Onwyuike called on the Federal Government to merge the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) with Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON)as their mandates were similar.
She further alleged that the NDIC relied on government subvention for its operational activities but lacked the capacity and efficiency to execute its mandate.
"The unfortunate remarks were a glaring indication that the Ex-DG NSE clearly lacked adequate understanding of the roles of the NDIC in the Nigerian financial system, which had been widely acknowledged over the last 27 years.
"The NDIC was established in 1988 and commenced operations in 1989 to administer Deposit Insurance System (DIS) in Nigeria. The objectives of NDIC include Protection of Depositors, particularly small savers by providing an orderly means of reimbursement in the event of failure of an insured banking institution. The core mandates of NDIC include Deposit Guarantee, Bank Supervision, Failure Resolution and Bank Liquidation.
"The Corporation also conducts supervision of the insured licenced banks in collaboration with the CBN to ascertain their financial conditions for the purpose of safeguarding depositors and contributing to financial system stability in the country.
"The failure resolution mandate of the Corporation allows it to extend Technical and Financial Assistance to eligible banks, assist in Purchase and Assumption (P&A) transactions, Deposit Transfer, Merger and Acquisition (M&A), Bridge Bank as done in 2011 in collaboration with the CBN to prevent monumental banking crisis in Nigeria and outright liquidation of failed institutions. It is also worth mentioning that through the bridge bank initiative, over three (3) million depositors and 6,600 jobs were saved.
"It is also on record that the Corporation in collaboration with the CBN in 2009midwifed the establishment of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). AMCON was purposely set up to purchase toxic assets from the banking institutions and engage in debt recovery of such non-performing loans. The mandate of AMCON is quite different from that of the NDIC. The NDIC sits on the Board of AMCON and contributes its technical knowledge, expertise and experience in distress resolution.
"It should be noted that contrary to Mrs. Okereke-Onyuike's assertion, the NDIC does not enjoy any government subventions. Its income is derived from investment of insurance premium paid by the insured banks. In fact, the Corporation has been remitting billions of Naira of its annual operating surpluses to the Federal Government as required by the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
"The NDIC's mandate and scope of operations are far beyond such narrow scope as was ignorantly painted by Mrs. Okereke-Onyuike. Hence, the call for the merger of the NDIC and AMCON is misplaced and totally uncalled for."
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Tuesday dismissed speculations about the financial condition of Heritage Bank, saying the bank is not distressed.
In a statement issued today, Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, CBN, said: "The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to false and malicious stories on the social media insinuating that Heritage Bank is under financial distress and therefore unable to discharge its obligations to its depositors.
"We wish to state that Heritage Bank is not in distress and as such its depositors should go about their transactions without fear. For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to further state that no Nigerian Bank is in distress.
"The CBN, as the industry regulator, has a duty to depositors, in particular, and the economy, in general, to ensure the soundness of all financial institutions. We therefore wish to assure all depositors of the safety of their deposits.
The CBN also wishes to state that it will remain alive to its responsibility of ensuring banking system stability and soundness through constant monitoring and supervision of all licensed institutions. The Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to reiterate that the banking system remains resilient enough to weather the current economic storm." Also, the management of Heritage Bank said that the bank is remains sound and resilient.
According to the Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, Heritage Bank, Mrs. Olusola Longe-Okenimkpe: "The attention of Heritage Bank Plc has been drawn to deceptive reports contained in a media publication, alleging the bank's inability to honour its obligations to customers amongst other contrived reports on the financial state of the bank.
Heritage Bank wishes to categorically refute this false information being circulated about the institution with a misdirected intent to derail and misinform the banking public on its financial state.
"Whilst we acknowledge the challenging operating environment currently experienced in all sectors of the economy, Heritage Bank remains financially stable and has continued to discharge its obligations to all customers and stakeholders. This position is buttressed by the commendable results posted by the bank in the past financial year and the last three quarters of 2016, resulting in shareholder approvals to list its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange within one year of its business combination with the erstwhile Enterprise Bank Limited.
"The bank wishes to assure all customers and stakeholders of the safety of their deposits and financial transactions in line with our commitment to a strong service culture and sound corporate governance practice."
Mr. John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor, the former civilian President of Ghana, is dead.
He died in Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday morning following surgical operation on his spine.
According New Mail, quoting Reuters, Kufuor was flown to South Africa to receive medication after complaining bitterly about an excruciating pain at the spinal cord.John Agyekum Kufuor, former President of Ghana
A team of doctors were said to have conducted a second surgical operation on Mr Kufuor's spine; but unfortunately he passed away just after 45 minutes of the Surgery.
Though it's obvious to provisionally attribute his sudden demise to the spinal problem, doctors have assured the public they will soon release autopsy report to ascertain the real cause.
An autopsy will fully confirm the cause of his death, but the best guess at the moment is the spinal problem.
Today is a sad day, Mr Kufuor's death has come as a big shock to his party members and the entire Ghanaian Community, as Ghana is just on the verge of undergoing electoral exercises.
John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor born 8 December 1938 was a retired Ghanaian politician and statesman who served as President of Ghana from 2001 to 2009.
He was also Chairperson of the African Union from 2007 to 2008.
His victory over John Atta Mills after the end of Jerry Rawlings' second term marked the first peaceful democratic transition of power in Ghana since independence in 1957.
Messaging app WhatsApp has reversed its decision to stop supporting some specific phones which includes Blackberry OS, Blackberry 10 at the end of the year .
Recall that the initial deadline given was December 31 2016. WhatsApp has now shifted the “dooms-day” to June 2017.
The initial deadline caused a lot of frenzy as users of phones that fell into the category of phones that were not compatible with WhatsApp had started selling their phones off or swapping directly for those that support WhatsApp after December 2016.
By Tabia Princewill I still remember how every minority in the Western world seemed to walk taller, with more confidence, the day Barack Obama won the US Presidential election. I was living in France at the time, a country which is unfortunately no stranger to identity politics and resurgences of xenophobia, and I remember swaggering into my lecture hall. Black street cleaners had swagger; black workers had swagger. Black students had swagger. I can't find the words to express what it meant to me, and countless others in the diaspora, to find my "otherness", my "blackness" suddenly vindicated, accepted, maybe even celebrated—people thought Michelle was beautiful! Smart! I remember watching the First Couple, Barack and Michelle, dance to Etta Jones' "At Last".
I remember feeling like I too had come full circle. In this "White House built by slaves" (to paraphrase Michelle Obama), a black couple with a healthy relationship, lived quietly with their daughters, without a scandal for eight years (unheard of in modern politics). They redefined what was possible, what opportunity, hope and hard work meant. To African-American young people, saying "my President is Black" was the answered prayer of men and women who died nearly 500 years ago, never knowing what freedom meant or that one day for that matter, their children would come to define it. It seems so unjust that a man as intelligent, deep and genuine as Obama should hand over to a man endorsed by the KKK.
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are tightening their grips on the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations.
"We shall not be moved" was often sang during the civil rights era. Undoubtedly, Obama's coming couldn't erase several centuries of hate and prejudice. We must never be complacent. We also must never cease to believe that justice, freedom and fairness come as naturally to human beings as the opposite.
There are many brilliant articles online on how racism, sexism and poverty shaped the 2016 US election. I'll encourage readers to find them and to study them. There are many lessons for Nigeria. The average Nigerian is in his core, possibly just as xenophobic as the white, often uneducated voters who ushered Trump to victory—it's an inconvenient, unpleasant truth. The horrible things Trump said during his campaign are common words all over Nigeria, in homes and offices where hate speech, intolerance of other ethnicities and religions, are normalised and trivialised. After all, didn't a member of the Senate allegedly threaten to "rape" another one of his colleagues right there and then on the Senate floor? How different is that from "grab them (women) by the p****"
Trump's now infamous catcall? Trump's campaign mantra was to spew hatred of women and minorities as policy: the only difference between Trump and some Nigerian politicians was his command of the English language. Our leaders are often vulgar, unbothered by their ignorance and uninterested in the poor and disenfranchised whose most vile and base instincts they pander to. The New Yorker called Trump's victory "an American tragedy", in a way few Nigerian media outlets would dare criticise a President-elect whose favour our society is structured and trained to seek. It is the independence of the American spirit, its dogged pursuit and love of freedom, which will hopefully keep its democracy safe.
As for us in Nigeria, we continue to revel in obscurantism and abhorrence of the truth, while movements are already gearing up, all over America, to checkmate any attempts at desecrating American ideals and freedoms. Public opinion in Nigeria is a fickle thing. We're shocked by Trump’s victory, but not shocked by the insufferable mini-emperors we elect. Trump, even if he tried, couldn't do half as much damage as the average local government chairman in Nigeria, who remains nameless and faceless, free to do as he pleases. America recognises the significance of the moments it is living, for better or for worse. Nigerians hide their heads in the sand.
Nigerians aren't all shocked by Trump's allegedly "sharp" business practices, or the customers and investors who claim they were cheated etc. We have a long history of connivance between the business and political realms in Nigeria, where laws only apply to the poor and therefore unimportant. Nigerian business men destroy entire sectors because of sheer greed and incompetence yet walk away smiling, even after jobs, pensions and lives have been obliterated. The bigotry displayed during the campaign is an everyday fact of life in both official and unofficial circles in Nigeria: America must fight the temptation to normalise divisiveness and hate. We here in Nigeria, know what this has cost us.
Even those Americans who threatened to leave if Trump won are still there, ready to fight (metaphorically, not physically) for their beliefs and their country. Nigerians "check out" when things get hard and uncomfortable. On a final note, I'll mention the evangelical churches in America who wholeheartedly backed hatred of non-whites and ask what this says about new age churches: are we ready to examine their doctrines? Many preach material comfort at all cost, sometimes excusing or masking, at home and abroad, the social corruption, the sacrifice of others', their rights and happiness, which making money at any and all cost, enables.
The American and Nigerian societies are oddly similar: deeply conservative, with a veneer of liberalism. In our own profoundly unequal society with the strains of the 2015 election barely healed, where poverty remains the condition of the majority of the population, we are ripe for the plucking—a demagogue, someone who preys on our darker instincts, our vulnerabilities, would find it all too easy to plunge us further into darkness and we'll have no one but ourselves to blame.
Blasphemy killings
THE alleged killer of an Igbo trader in Kano was reportedly acquitted, his accomplices walking free. The woman's crime was blasphemy but interpretation of her husband's account of events speaks more of an intra-communal dispute than a wholly religious one.
We as Nigerians are yet to fully learn how to live together and respect each other's differences. White nationalists in America (the KKK included) are reportedly planning a rally to celebrate Trump's victory. The forces at play in America today are deeply imbedded in the Nigerian psyche.
Identity politics and violence have been the hallmark of Nigerian social life practically since independence and our leaders haven't done much in terms of their pronouncements or our educational policy (we don't study civics or history) to teach our youth that although tongues and religions may differ, brotherhood is our only chance at survival and global relevance.
A united Nigeria has always frightened the West (hence the incessant doomsday predictions over the 2015 elections). We haven't needed much help or interference to decide to destroy ourselves.
The African diaspora and Trump
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, (as well as a host of other Nigerian political figures) congratulated Donald Trump on his surprise victory and pledged his willingness to work with him. One wonders: as what? He is neither a diplomat nor does he hold any government portfolio.
In fact, it is interesting that many of the African leaders who so quickly congratulated "the Donald", misunderstand his apparent disdain for African leaders, as shown during the campaign, via some of his comments on the "backwardness" of the African continent. Donald Trump is no friend of immigrants, be they African or Latino. Predictably, no President from the developing world (particularly Africa) will have the courage to take Donald Trump up on some of his comments, or in the event that the African diaspora finds itself targeted by hate crimes, as is already happening since Brexit.
What will we in Nigeria do with an army of deportees, should they come? Plans for African diasporans are often vanity projects, sketchy at best, lacking any concrete implementation. Perhaps, Trump will be a good thing for Africa. If we no longer receive aid money (and with the current drop in oil prices there's generally less of any kind of money to embezzle) perhaps we'll be forced to fix our countries. God's plan?
Organisers of Cape Town, South Africa based awards ceremony,West African Power Industry Awards has unveiled one of Nigeria’s ace broadcaster Wofai Samuel, as the host of the show.
The Awards which is expected to bring together 200 of West Africa’s most renowned power industry professionals, pioneers, and projects, is set to recognise and reward the success of West Africa’s Power Sector during the 2015/2016 year.
Responding to the announcement, Wofai Samuel, said; ” It’s a dream come true as this has already opened several doors of limitless opportunities from diverse sectors on the international landscape. I give Thanks to God Almighty who has made this possible'.
Wofai Samuel
She added that "Spintelligent from South Africa and Clarion Events from the UK are prominent and highly respected brands’ any broadcaster would long to be associated with'.
She also noted that; "getting recognized for what you do in your mother land is one thing, being spotted as a professional to host an international event of this magnitude is another level entirely
This is a pointer to the fact that I can measure up favourably with obtainable global standards and compete positively with my foreign contemporaries.
This will open up numerous international collaborations and I look forward to every opportunity this brings. I am excited about West Africa and the promises she hold’s'' Wofai added.
Other flagship events in Spintelligent's power portfolio on the continent of Africa, are; African Utility Week. East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC)
The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu has warned criminals to steer clear of its territory in the South East during the yuletide.
The Deputy Director of Army Public Relations in the division, Col. Sagir Musa, handed the warning when he paid a courtesy visit to the zonal office of NAN on Tuesday in Enugu.
Musa said that the division had mapped out plans to reduce crime during the yuletide to ensure a hitch-free celebration.
He said that many people engaged in criminal activities like armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping and cultism during the period which hindered peaceful celebration.
He said the division would establish three brigades in the five states of the South East to put criminal activities in check with a view to arresting any culprit.
"There is always an increase in crime during the yuletide and the army saw the need to put some measures in place to reduce such acts.
"The operation will be on intelligence report but each brigade will conduct road blocks, stop-and-search and check-points to prevent such activities during the celebrations.
"Many people want insecurity to continue because they benefit from it but their actions will be detrimental to them this season," he said.
Musa said that the army was committed to ensuring that peace, unity and development prevailed in the South East and Nigeria in general, adding that the division would be considerate in carrying out its action to ensure that innocent citizens were not harmed.
The army spokesman said that the crime prevention programmes would be conducted in collaboration with other security agencies in the South East.
He commended NAN for its objectivity in reporting the activities of the division without bias, describing the relationship between the agency and the division as symbiotic.
Responding, the Zonal Manager of NAN, Mr Vincent Okwor, commended the director for finding the agency worthy of the visit.
Okwor also pledged that the agency would continue to associate and support the army in its activities.
The Enugu State Government has issued a last warning to traders who had converted some major roads and streets in the State into shops.
It vowed to clamp down completely on defaulters to ensure that sanity was restored across the State.
Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in the State, Hon. Samuel Ogbu Nwobodo gave the stern warning as he led a government team round some areas in the State.
The team made up of the commissioner, three council chairmen within the Enugu metropolis, the President of Enugu Traders’ Association, among others, carried an on the spot assessment of the level of incursion into the roads by traders.
Apart from street trading, the committee, which was set up by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, equally took interest in all the railway crossings across major roads in the State.
Places visited include the Mayor Market, the Garki Market, the Timber Railway crossing, all in Enugu South; Agbani Railway crossing in Nkanu West, Emene Railway crossing, Abakpa Market in Enugu East as well as Ogui Junction in Enugu North.
Abakpa was the worst hit as almost all the streets within the Market area have been turned to open shops, blocking them completely against traffic.
Also, the Railway crossings showed that the barriers have either malfunctioned or never existed at all.
Addressing journalists at the end of the exercise, an enraged Nwobodo said the government would come out in full force to ensure that the roads were cleared.
He stated that apart from obstructing vehicular movement, the situation equally posed great danger to lives and property of the people.
“What we saw today is quite a bad sight and it cannot stand. One can’t imagine a situation where roads have been completely turned to shops.
“These are all tarred roads but you can see that traders have completely taken over; it is even hard to know that there are roads here. I don’t know how it got to this point.
“So, we have come to tell the traders to have a re-think. The local government has promised to help them get shops but even if they don’t have shops, it doesn’t give them the right to convert roads to market.
“This situation is not good for the road users; it is also not good for road users because a vehicle may develop brake failure and there will be mass casualty. If such thing happens now, it will seem like government is not doing what it is supposed to do.”
He added that “we are here to sensitize the people because government is interested in their welfare. We advise them to quietly vacate government roads; they should go into the market.
“However, if they fail to adhere to this warning, there will be enforcement; it is obvious we have to do the right thing as a government.”
In their separate remarks, the chairman of ALGON in the State, and caretaker chairman of Enugu East, Hon. Cornelius Nnaji, who spoke on behalf of his counterparts, the Caretaker
Committee Chairmen of Enugu North and Enugu South, Isaac Igwe and Sunday Ugwu, respectively, assured that they would collaborate with the State government to ensure that the ban on street trading was totally enforced.
Meanwhile, the market leaders in the areas visited revealed that all the previous efforts they made to remove the traders from the roads were unsuccessful.
Around 100 people were missing, feared drowned, in the Mediterranean after a migrant dinghy capsized off Libya on Tuesday, according to NGO rescue teams helping with the search for survivors.
German NGO Jugend Rettet said in a tweet that 23 survivors had been rescued by an oil tanker and that “the crews are searching for survivors in the water and recovering dead bodies”.
The survivors and four recovered corpses were transferred from the tanker to the Acquarius, a boat operated by another charity group, SOS Mediterranee.
A survivor told one of the organisation’s staff that the dinghy had begun to sink at 6.00 a.m., four hours before the tanker arrived.
“We were 122 on the boat, no children under 15, but there were 10 women travelling with us and only one survived,” the survivor was quoted as saying.
“We waited in the water, taking any floating thing to remain afloat, but most of the people drowned, including my little brother. He was 15.
“At 10 the tanker came and rescued us. I want to call home to tell them that my brother died.”
The latest tragedy in the Mediterranean came the day after another incident in which it is feared dozens may have drowned after the sinking of another dinghy, from which there were only 15 survivors.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos will travel to the United States Wednesday for medical exams after follow-up tests for a 2012 case of prostate cancer came back abnormal, he said.
Santos, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner for his efforts to reach a peace deal with leftist rebels, announced the trip in a brief statement as he left a clinic in Bogota where he has undergone regular check-ups since having surgery to remove a small prostate tumor four years ago.
“This news comes as a surprise to my family and me. I remain confident that the result of these new tests will be positive,” he said.
“I will travel tomorrow to the United States, the exam will be Thursday and I will be back Friday.”
The health scare comes as Santos is struggling on multiple fronts to end a half-century conflict in Colombia that has claimed more than 260,000 lives.
His government is negotiating with both the opposition and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to save a peace deal that voters rejected in a referendum last month.
Santos’s opponents argued the historic deal was too soft on the leftist guerrillas.
The government is also seeking to revive planned talks with a smaller rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), that fizzled before they began.
The clinic treating Santos, the Santa Fe Foundation, said a routine exam had detected an increase in Prostate-Specific Antigen, a blood test used to screen for prostate cancer.
It said doctors had recommended further testing at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore with “a technology not yet available” in Colombia.
Doctors gave Santos a clean bill of health after his 2012 prostate surgery, which he underwent with local anesthetic. He remained in power throughout, even while under the knife.
Santos, who won election in 2010, was re-elected in 2014 in a vote widely seen as a referendum on the peace process.
The negotiations have since gotten bogged down in messy politics.
But despite the setback suffered when voters rejected the initial peace deal, Santos got a big boost from the international community when the Nobel committee awarded him the peace prize five days later, on October 7.
Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has, Tuesday, appointed a special advisor on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, MP Randy Boissonnault. The country has also begun moves to repeal ‘discriminatory’ gay sodomy laws.
Canada’s attorney general announced Tuesday a move to repeal legislation used to effectively prosecute gay youths who engage in anal sex, calling it “discriminatory.”
Gay marriage
Section 159 of the Criminal Code makes anal sex involving youths who are above the age of consent but not yet 18 punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
It was quashed as unconstitutional by lower courts in the 1990s but continued to be used to prosecute dozens of people in recent years, according to government statistics cited by rights group Egale.
“This section of the criminal code is discriminatory,” Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould told a press conference.
“Our society has evolved over the past few decades and our criminal justice system needs to evolve as well,” she said.
MP Randy Boissonnault is expected to consult with the LBGT community on a formal apology for decades of persecution and discriminations.
The initiatives are part of the Trudeau administration’s efforts to normalize and promote LGBT rights both domestically and abroad — including supporting violence-prevention programs and advocacy efforts, and combatting homophobia in schools.
In May, the government introduced legislation shielding transgender people from discrimination and hate speech.
The bill bans discrimination by “gender identity” under the Canadian Human Rights Act, alongside race, religion, age, sex and sexual orientation.
Two months later, Trudeau became the first sitting prime minister to march in a gay pride parade in Toronto.
Newly crowned 2016 Federation Cup winner, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Tuesday, said it has postponed the Federation Cup victory and trophy tour which was earlier billed to hold on Wednesday, November 16, 2016.
The trophy tour will now hold on Wednesday, November 23, 2016.
Some of the buses to be used for the trophy tour
A statement on the team’s website said: “FC Ifeanyi Ubah wishes to inform its teeming supporters and the good people of Anambra state that the Federation Cup victory and trophy tour which was earlier billed to hold on Wednesday 16th November, 2016 has been postponed.
“This is due to the unavoidable absence of the Governor of Anambra State, H.E. Chief Willie Obiano who wishes to be part of the ceremony in support of the team but will not be disposed to participate tomorrow owing to some pressing engagements which will be taking him out of the State.
“In a bid to accommodate the plans of the State Government for the ceremony, the Federation Cup victory and trophy tour will now hold on Wednesday, 23rd November, 2016.
“However, all other Anambra State football activities particularly the Anambra State Football Association U-15 academy programme and England bound U-20 selection as published by Anambra State Football Association will continue as scheduled for the week.
“We wish to sincerely apologise to everyone for the inconveniences this postponement might have caused.”
Amaju Pinnick, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday, expressed appreciation to world football-governing body, FIFA for organising the Domestic Transfer Matching System (DTMS) workshop in Abuja.
The NFF was recently enlisted on the Premium Services of the world governing body, FIFA DTMS and Intermediary Regulations Tool.
The workshop aims to further educate officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, League Management Company and Nigeria National League on the workings of the Domestic Transfer Matching System (DTMS).
Pinnick noted that the NFF would continue to support the reforms of the FIFA leadership.
"As a member association, the NFF will continue to key into FIFA's new thinking and reforms, and I can assure you that we have very warm relationship with the FIFA leadership and will always support them.
"The seriousness that FIFA attaches to this workshop can be seen in their decision to send four persons from Switzerland to Nigeria for the programme.
"We cannot thank FIFA enough," Pinnick added.
FIFA officials in Nigeria for the workshop are Prisca Mutesi (Legal Counsel, Integrity and Compliance); Bertrand Vinit (Project Manager); Annabel Belzunce (Client Services Coordinator) and Natalia Pliszczak (also a Clients Services Coordinator).
The workshop will focus on how the trained officials will subsequently take on the responsibility of educating the clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League and the clubs in the Nigeria National League on the DTMS
The three –day workshop which began on Tuesday is expected to end on Thursday.
Fourteen million people in northeast Nigeria urgently need humanitarian assistance and 75,000 children risk dying in “a few months”, the United Nations warned Tuesday.
Boko Haram jihadists have laid waste to the country’s northeast since taking up arms against the government in 2009, displacing millions.
UN humanitarian coordinator Peter Lundberg said the crisis was unfolding at “high speed.”
“Currently our assessment is that 14 million people are identified as in need of humanitarian assistance,” Lundberg told reporters in the Nigerian capital Abuja.
Out of the 14 million people who need aid, 400,000 children are in critical need of assistance, while 75,000 could die “in (the) few months ahead of us,” Lundberg said.
The UN hopes to target half of the 14 million people — a population bigger than Belgium — with the Nigerian government working to reach the rest.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has reclaimed territory from the Islamists but the insurgency has taken a brutal toll, with over 20,000 people dead, 2.6 million displaced from their homes, and famine taking root.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday fired Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev, who had been charged with taking a massive bribe, news agencies quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.
“Vladimir Putin has published a decree relieving Ulyukayev of his functions,” Peskov said, adding that the president had “lost confidence” in the minister.
Minister of Interior, Retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau, said former National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, on Monday declined an offer to visit his late father, Ibrahim Dasuki, in an Abuja hospital.
Similarly, Danbazau said Sambo had declined another offer to be in Sokoto throughout the mourning of his late Father.
Former Sultan, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki
The Minister disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Sokoto on Tuesday.
"We had discussed with the Director-General, DSS, yesterday and Sambo was offered to visit his late father on his hospital bed in Abuja."
"He declined and said he preferred to pray for him. He was also offered to be in Sokoto throughout the mourning period and he also declined, preferring to pray for his late father. That was the true situation," Danbazau said.
Former national security adviser of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki (R),
The Minister described the late Dasuki as a true nationalist, and prayed Allah for the repose his soul.
Ibrahim Dasuki, who was the former Sultan of Sokoto, and father of Col. Sambo, died on Monday in an Abuja Hospital at the age of 93.
Congolese President Joseph Kabila on Tuesday defied calls to step down when his term ends next month and vowed during remarks to lawmakers to defend his government against violent overthrow.
His defiant speech to parliament came as criticism grows following a controversial deal between the government and fringe opposition groups that effectively extends the president’s term in office and delays elections until late 2017.
The deal agreed last month followed a “national dialogue” that was aimed at calming soaring political tensions but was largely boycotted by leading opposition figures.
“The deal currently represents the only roadmap put in place by the Congolese themselves,” said Kabila during the speech to parliamentarians in the capital Kinshasa.
As part of the deal, Augustin Matata resigned as prime minister Monday to make way for an opposition figure to take his place.
The main dissident coalition “Rassemblement” (Gathering) — which has rallied around veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi — has rejected the deal and stepped up its calls for Kabila to leave office by December 19 when his term ends.
Joseph Kabila
– ‘Fragile and difficult’ –
“The disinterest shown by some parties… is totally unacceptable,” said Kabila.
“The DRC cannot be taken hostage by the fringe of the political class,” he said as he called on the “Rassemblement” bloc to “come and sign the deal”.
He added that he was ready to defend against any attempt to take over the country by force, pledging that elections would be organised in the coming months.
“‘Rassemblement’ want to ensure the constitution is respected and are open to the idea of talks that could lead to a political compromise which is the only alternative to the current crisis,” said opposition lawmaker Delly Sessanga.
“We should not be trying to one-up each other and play the situation which everyone recognises is both fragile and difficult,” added the “Rassemblement” supporter.
The country has been in a state of crisis since disputed elections in 2011 returned Kabila to office for a second term.
A 2006 constitutional provision limits the presidency to two terms.
Violent anti-Kabila protests on September 19 and 20 triggered by the political instability claimed 53 lives, according to the UN.
Kabila took power in 2001, 10 days after the assassination of his father, the then-president, Laurent Kabila.
Joseph Kabila was first elected to a five-year term as president in 2006. He then won a hotly-disputed election against Tshisekedi in 2011.
The Federal Fire Service (FFS) on Tuesday said property worth over N16 billion was lost in 809 fire incidents in Abuja and Lagos from January 2015 to June 2016.
A document made available to newsmen in Abuja by the FFS also disclosed that within 18 months property worth N70b was saved, while 29 people lost their lives, and 58 were rescued.
The document further said that the incidents involved 79 public and government buildings, 239 private buildings, three educational establishments, nine shops and 61 petrol stations, among others.
It said that electrical equipment was responsible for 28 fire incidents; electric sparks were responsible for 119, gas explosion was responsible for five; while high voltage was responsible for five and bomb blast responsible for two of the incidents.
The document said that most of the fire outbreaks were as a result of human failing, and therefore, expressed the need for people to be more careful and watchful in this dry season to minimise the rate of fire incidents.
"Fire is friendly as we handle it carefully, but destroys and kills on our carelessness; most fires in our homes start from the kitchen and kitchen fires result mainly from human failings.
"Therefore, kitchen fire outbreaks can be minimised by doing the following: not leaving what you are cooking unattended to,putting your gas cylinder outside your kitchen and returning a leaking cylinder to the dealer .
"If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop to the ground and roll over and over on the ground.
"Do not run as it will only fan the flames then cover your face with your hands to protect your throat, and limbs from burns,'' the document said.
The service also advised Nigerians to cool a burn with running cool water for five to 10 minutes to prevent continued burning and relieve the pain.
It urged people not to put their generator close to the window or along the corridor because the fumes or smoke could kill quietly .
It also advised people not to hoard fuel at home, office or both as it could lead to fire outbreaks and burn persons, adding that people should also stop fueling their generator while the engine was on as it could spark up fire.
"We should take the issue of fire safety seriously and join hands to prevent it by abiding by the safety rules and regulations, especially the during the harmattan season so as to guarantee the safety of lives and property,'' the service said.
By Michael Eboh Mrs. Sotonye Iyoyo, has stepped down as the Acting Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA.
Following her departure, Mr. Victor Shidok has been appointed as the Acting Executive Secretary, to replace her, until the Federal Government reaches a decision on the replacement.
Assistant General Manager, Corporate Affairs, PPPRA, Mr. Lanre Oladele, confirmed the development to Vanguard, yesterday, stating that "Mrs. Iyoyo actually retired."
Prior to his emergence as the Acting Executive Secretary, Shidok was General Manager, Operations of the PPPRA.
Shidok is bringing to the position, decades of experience in the petroleum industry and wide knowledge of issues concerning downstream sector operations.
Iyoyo was appointed Acting Executive Secretary in February 2016, coming into the PPPRA with over 20 years experience in refining, shipping and logistics, having worked in all the country's refineries within the last 20 years.
Prior to her appointment as Acting Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, she was in the Refining and Technology Directorate of the NNPC.
During her time in the PPPRA, the liberalization policy of the Federal Government was midwife and birthed, while she ensured that the PPPRA played a significant role in guaranteeing stable supply of petroleum products at regulated prices.
In one of her last public function, a couple of days ago, Iyoyo had stated that while celebrating the last 13 years of the PPPRA, she is aware that the challenges before it in attaining full and total deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector are daunting.
"But we believe that with the continued support and cooperation and advice of all our stakeholders and the generality of Nigerians, our task would be made easier," she assured.
She had also stated that the Appropriate Pricing Framework Policy put in place by Kachikwu in May 2016 had helped in achieving key deregulation pre-conditions such as full cost recovery, free entry and free exits of players and global competitive products pricing through import/export parity policy.
She further stated that the policy had brought about limited government intervention and control on supply and distribution and had helped create an enabling environment to attract private sector capital.
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