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
His career is full of many splendid firsts. And he’s now added another remarkable one.
The pop giant is being hosted this week, at the Campari house situated on the outskirts of Milan, on the invitation of the respected Italian Organisation.
The singer and his team kept the news on the low, refusing to let the cat out of the bag, even after word leaked that they were spotted arriving in Milan.
2baba is a brand ambassador for Campari, the first African act to be so decorated in over 200 years. He now joins a global elite list of celebrities who have been invited to the home of Campari, where he toured the Campari museum, brewed his own Campari cocktails and had lavish lunch at the summer home of the company’s founder Gaspare Campari.
Two generations of Camparis lived at the sprawling property, which housed the first ever Campari bar. The property is now enveloped by the massive Campari global headquarters, housing corporate offices, a multi-purpose venue, first-class museum, and an academy.
Idibia joins the list of global celebrities like Eva Mendez, Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek, Milla Jovovich, Benicio Del Toro, Eva Green and Kate Hudson, that have either paid a visit or participated in signature Campari activities since the drink was first brewed in 1860.
The visit, Idibia says, is a continuation of his amazing relationship with Europe where he won his first-ever international award at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Portugal 11 years ago.
While in Milan, he has participated in a workshop at the Campari academy, visited Italian landmarks, taken a tour of relevant facilities and work with select experts to create his own special Campari cocktail.
He is accompanied by his friend and manager of many years, Efe Omorogbe. Also on the trip is Campari Head of Marketing Abayomi Ajao and public relations expert, Ayeni Adekunle from Campari’s PR agency BHM.
The team is expected back in Lagos by the weekend.
. FBN becomes first financial institution in Nigeria to achieve and sustain this feat
Interswitch Group, Africa's leading digital payments and commerce company, thursday, formally recognized First Bank Nigeria Ltd. as the first financial institution in the country to achieve sustained transaction volumes of 100 million transactions, first in December 2015 and again in May 2016.
The record transaction volumes represent the total transactions processed by First Bank's Front End Processor running on the Interswitch transaction-switching platform, which seamlessly links all financial institutions in Nigeria to facilitate better and quicker transactions across all platforms.
In December 2015, First bank was recognized as the first-ever financial institution in the country to achieve this feat. Being able to sustain this in May 2017 is a pointer toward the bank's desire to promote the CBN cashless policy and boost economic growth via e-payments across Nigeria and the African continent.
In his remarks, Group Managing Director/CEO, Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe commented
"It essentially reflects the strength and development of electronic transactions in Nigeria that a single banking partner can record 100 million transactions in a single month. When this figure is aggregated with that of our other partners, then you can begin to have an idea of the sheer size and demand for electronic financial services in Nigeria. Interswitch is excited by this sustained achievement by FirstBank and we look forward to partnering with the Bank to further consolidate the gains of digital transaction innovation. "
Also speaking, the MD/CEO of FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, noted that the bank will continue to employ novel approaches in providing secure and convenient banking services to its customers and promised to drive innovation and extend its leadership of the financial sector services with specialized and technology-driven products and services. In his words,
"First Bank's investment in e-business reflects our commitment to promoting financial inclusion which is widely regarded as a lever for sustainable economic growth and development as well as enhancing entrepreneurship. Our passion to serve and extend financial services to the unbanked has since inspired several innovations and we thank our esteemed customers for their continued patronage and trust in our services whilst dedicating the recognition to them".
It is on record that FirstBank was one of the foundational shareholders of Interswitch, prior to the company's acquisition by a tripartite consortium led by Helios Investment Partners, and including the IFC and Adlevo Capital. The milestone by First Bank is another marker of the scale of success recorded by Interswitch since its launch in 2002. It will be recalled that the company in 2014 was listed by Deloitte as the fastest growing tech company in Africa with a year-on-year growth rate of over 1500%.
Lagos - The Sheraton Lagos Hotel is opening its doors to all sports lovers and enthusiasts to enjoy the Olympic Games.
During the Olympics, the hotel will be delivering an exciting experience and creating a thrilling environment which will see all sports lovers, fans and enthusiasts alike at their Goodies Pub enjoying various games from the Olympics starting on Friday.
During the period the Goodies Pub will be opened daily from 2pm for all guests, so they can enjoy each game amidst a great ambiance while catching up with family and friends.
Sports lovers living within the Ikeja environs are not left out as they will be able to walk in and join in the fun while watching various countries compete in different games from swimming to long jump.
There is something for every guest and the Sheraton Lagos and the promise that no one will miss out on their favorite sport.
Guests will also be treated to special food items or national dishes from participating countries.
All customers are encouraged to drop their business cards in the raffle box to stand a chance of winning great prizes ranging from items from Olympic sponsors to meals at the restaurant.
The hotel promises it will be a month of fun and excitement at the Goodies Pub, as the Sheraton Lagos Hotel is sure that all guests who watch the Olympics 2016 with will have an exhilarating time.
The Sheraton Lagos Hotel is set to host all lovers of beer and lager to celebrate International beer day at the renowned Goodie Pub Friday.
The hotel team believes it is important to celebrate the day as Beer unites the world under a themed banner; by celebrating the beers of all nations together on a single day.
The celebration will include a commemoration of those responsible for brewing and serving beer.
At the Goodies Pub, Sheraton Lagos is inviting everyone to sample various brands of unique beers especially the Salito Beer. The Goodies Pub is known for serving some of the best beers in town for great deals such as 500ml Castle Draught Beer for N500; there will also be buy one get one free opportunities so beer lovers will definitely be in for a treat.
Sheraton Lagos promises that there will be an advocate for each beer being displayed explaining the art and unique blend of their brand. The idea is for everyone to gather with friends or make new friends while enjoying the taste of beer.
The Sheraton Lagos team says it looks forward to having all beer lovers and enthusiasts come together to celebrate the world's most widely consumed and one of the oldest alcoholic beverages.
Mrs Comfort Akanle: “I have been believing God for the fruit of the womb for seven years and doctors said I have multiple fibroid which must be operated upon before I can conceive. We deposited N50,000 for the surgery but the doctor to perform the operation failed to turn up.
A cross section of Mass choir at a plenary, yesterday. Photos: Lamidi Bamidele
I attended the Holy Ghost service in September, 2014, and during the service, Daddy G.O. said God will give someone a new womb. I claimed it. I went to see the doctor by October and told him that I was pregnant, he did not believe it. I delivered my baby in June.
Husband healed of 17 years cancer of the nose
Deaconess Deborah Umukoro from Edo Province 6: “My husband had cancer of the nose since 2004. I wrote to Daddy and Mummy G.O. during the women’s conference in February 2016. After that I had a dream where Daddy G.O. prayed for me. I woke up and prayed for my husband. I received a text from Daddy G.O. that God has healed my husband. We went for a test, and it was confirmed that he has been healed.
Wife delivered from six years mental challenges
Bishop Jessey of House of Excellence Church, Togo: “My wife was mentally challenged for six years and the issue divided my church into three camps. I attended Daddy G.O’s 70th birthday with my wife and Daddy made a prophetic declaration that: “The fire that is burning in your family has ceased and your joy will know no bound.” I claimed it. My wife’s case which has got to a level that she used to sleep in public places, received a miraculous healing.
Adeboye and his wife
God gave her a new ankle
Pastor (Mrs) Vera Icheke of RCCG, Victory Centre, Lincoln, United Kingdom: “I attended the 2015 convention, I visited my mother after the convention before I left for United Kingdom. I had a fall and before I knew it, my left leg had swollen. I traveled to UK, went to hospital and I was given crutches and the doctor said I will not be able to walk normally with my legs for the rest of my life. The doctor said he will perform a surgical operation and place a screw on my left leg to assist me.
Before the operation, I tied an anointed handkerchief that was blessed by Daddy G.O. on the leg, on the day of the operation, I was taken to the theater where I met 17 doctors, the leading doctor stopped and said he is seeing something miraculous, the broken ankle bones have joined and there was a new ankle”.
When our correspondent visited the National Kitchen, security men were seen preventing vehicular movement along the Kitchen Road while a crowd of people gathered on one side of the road patiently facing the kitchen and repeatedly saying Amen to prayers coming from the kitchen department.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye
Some of the onlookers held bottled water, anointing oil and Bible and when asked what was happening inside the kitchen, one of them said the General Overseer is coming to the kitchen to pray and bless the kitchen workers who are always absence from the convention programmes due to the nature of their work at the camp.
He said: “Daddy G.O. will be at the kitchen today (Thursday) to pray for the workers and he always does this every year since those people cooking don’t always have time to attend the various programmes. I believe as he is praying for the workers inside the kitchen, the prayer will also have positive impact on my life outside here and that is why I came with this water”.
By Favour Nnabugwu The federal government Thursday, said it was ready to pay death benefits, promotion arrear and other outstanding debt running close to N300billion to civil servants.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-in a statement in Abuja that Government would pay the outstanding S to Federal Civil Servants in phases, particularly those bothering on promotion areas, first 28 days, repatriation allowance and death benefits, among others which amounts to about N293bn.
Oyo-Ita who addressed the press as the activities marking the 2016 Civil Service Week Celebration draw as to a close, said President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to explore ways of making the payments.
Coach of the Nigerian Olympic football team, Samson Siasia, has said the delayed departure of his team will not affect his team’s performance in the Olympic.
The Nigerian Olympic football team finally departed their training base in Atlanta for Brazil on Thursday after they failed on four other occasions to do so.Nigeria’s national football team head coach Samson Siasia during the African Cup of Nations qualification match between Egypt and Nigeria, on March 25, 2016, in Kaduna.
“The team have finally left for Manaus on a chartered flight,” said an official of the Nigeria sports ministry.
Securing tickets was a major challenge for officials, beginning with their first attempt to fly out last Friday.
When they got a chartered plane for the team on Wednesday, it was “too small” for the squad and staff.
Coach Samson Siasia, who guided the country to the final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has insisted the delayed departure will not affect his team.
Gold medallists 20 years ago in Atlanta, Nigeria open their campaign on Thursday against Japan.
Sweden and Colombia are the other teams in their group.
Lagos The Assistant-Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Mr Abdul-Majid Ali, on Thursday said the police would soon revive highway patrol on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Ali said in Lagos that the police high command had ordered intensified patrol of the highway following reports of attacks on motorists during gridlocks.
“There is a specific directive that constant patrol should be carried out, especially where there are vehicle breakdowns so as to assist distressed motorists to finish repairs.
“Ibafo, Mowe and Warewa were directly under my command when I was the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, so, I am familiar with the terrain,'' Ali said.
The AIG said that the command was addressing the challenges of inadequate patrol vehicles to stem the rising criminalities on the road.
“I have directed the Commissioners of Police in the zone - Lagos and Ogun — that patrol vehicles and dispatch police riders should be brought back to effectively police the area.
“We have enough men and also men from other security agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) among others in the area.
“Soon, life will be back to normal in the area as the road is undergoing repairs,'' he said.
NAN reports that many motorists have reported attacks by hoodlums who dispossessed them of valuables during the unending gridlock along the long bridge.
When you think of child care, your mind automatically goes to women irrespective of their status in the society. According to the UNICEF, pre-school age corresponds to a critical period of rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial development of the child.
Itoro Ugorji
The quality and intensity of care, nutrition and stimulation a child receives during this period determines to a large extent the level of physical and cognitive development a child can attain. Today, appreciable progress has been made in early childhood care; unfortunately, in Nigeria caregivers of these centres are generally unqualified. About 85 per cent do not possess basic qualifications and more than half have no formal education.
Investigations have shown that another major issue in Nigeria's early childhood care and development is the poor state of the infrastructure, equipment, facilities and learning resources. Essential learning resources are lacking in most facilities while the national curriculum is not yet widely operational.
Mrs. Itoro Ugorji, an Early Years professional believes that early childhood care centres remains low in Nigeria. The Founder of Baby Lounge, an independent facility, of Kidstone, which focuses on designing, set up and management of crèches said childcare is an exciting and fulfilling prospect for anyone with a passion and natural energy for children.
Itoro spoke to Chioma Obinna on the need for standardised childcare centres.
What motivated your interest into child care?
I had always have interest in child care. In Nigeria today, the number of full-time housewives in urban areas is in on the decline. Many women are working at paid jobs or running their own small businesses. As a result of this trend, there is a growing opportunity for convenience services like crèche and day-care centre businesses. Many of the centres you find in the country today cannot be classified as good centres. We talk about work and life balancing, the balance of life comes from the family and the other part should come from the employer. Some companies have spent a lot on less benefiting projects, but setting up crèches won't cost much to set it up and it needs to be run by proven professionals.
This is why our focus was initially on the cooperate organisations. And what we are looking forward to achieve is to provide support for working moms of young children, infant and toddles. Apart from the Baby Lounge, we build, design, set up and manage child care centres for corporate organisations all in effort to ensure that children of working mothers do not suffer and denied access to good nutrition and education among others. We walk with children in early years within age 0 to 5 years, so its care and education.
How would you describe Baby Lounge and what you do here?
The Baby Lounge is an independent facility, of a company called Kidstone. It is not a school in strict sense of it, but a support for parent.
We have managed to calve a niche for ourselves. We go to companies and convinced them why they should have a crèche for their female employees and their babies within the work place. We also educate people on how to run the centre. Day care centres are meant for professionals not just anybody because it has to do with the well being of a child including early development and education. We could also go ahead and manage it for you, which mean that, we would bring in our expertise, a team of professionals and manage the day to day running, of the facility.
But we realised in the process that most companies have space challenges, within their office, so we decided to set up Baby Lounge. At the Baby lounge, companies are allowed to buy block of spaces, and for such subscriptions, we have group discounts.
Again, another challenge is location. It is very critical, which is about comfortability, and that was why we located where we have the target markets. Many Lagosians work in the Island.
How would you assess Day care Centres in Nigeria?
With few that I have visited, Day care should not be business venture because we are having the life of these children entrusted to us, so it is a sensitive thing and it should be treated as such. The time has changed, nowadays mothers are contending with so much, and it will be unfair to describe it as a failure on the part of mothers. That is why we believe that Day care is not all about keeping a child till the mom comes back to pick him or her. Besides learning, care is also critical. For the children in the Baby Lounge, we track their developments periodically, we look at how they develop in different areas, physical, and emotional cognitive, certain things and skills a child suppose to have achieved in those areas, so we track them and if a child is falling short we are able to identified that and communicate it to their moms, that does not mean that anything is wrong is just an indication that we should look out and help that child in that area.
At the end of each day, we give parent a report, and that is a snap shot of the child daily activities, like time the child was brought in, what and quantity of her meal, sleeping hour, diaper changing among others.
For the toddles we teach them how to be responsible, social skills, they know how to interact and appropriate behaviours. We also have reading programme and the objective is to rekindle reading culture among young children.
In this time where we have a lot of parent, running serious schedules and have limited time to spend with children and these children grow up very fast, we are here to provide support for every mother. It is much more than academic, we are teaching the children values, how to talk to each other.
How would an ideal crèche or Day care look like?
The environment alone must be stimulating enough for a child to be comfortable and learn. It has to be clean, it has to be well laid and well ventilated. Another thing is content, what they children are taught and the qualities of the personnel in the centre.
We invested in surveillance, CCTV so that we can monitor the activities and interaction of children and care givers. Secondly, we located ourselves in a building that is largely secured. In which access is very limited.
What should be government role in monitoring Day care centres?
The government needs to step up their games in terms of putting in place monitoring mechanisms so that they have a data base of every Day-care and this has to be updated regularly. There should be proper registration and inspectors should come out periodically to check if standards are in place. Periodically, we have inspectors to check our facilities.
How should children be fed in a day care?
We recommend that children should not take juice; we encourage water, nutritious food. We say no to chololates and give them our own recommendation. We also have a food time table that parents can subscribe to and must abide with.
What will you say is the uniqueness of this centre?
Our service is excellent. You cannot find service like this anywhere in this country. You have to experience it. We work with three organisations. We work with Total, MTN and Access Bank. We are hoping to drive this initiative because employees are the lifeline of any company and employees' welfare is tied to the profitability of any company. So any forward looking organisation should come now. They said generally that women are more loyal employees, so we need to think of how best to help them and better ways of doing it is by creating a welfare package that will help them to be top performing employees and also successful at raising the children and supportive as wife.
The initiative ensures that while women are at work, they know that their children are close by, safe and comfortable.
Why do we need professionals to run Day care Centres?
It is simple, to prevent mothers running in and out of the offices. The only people allowed to check their children are nursing mothers and in case of emergency we allow the mothers in, anything outside that they have to wait till pick up time.
What is your advice for mothers?
We should let children be children so that they can be the best they can be. For parents, we need to buckle up, and ensure that children turn up right. When they do they will be source of pride to us and nation.
Abuja – Mrs Mercy Abeekaa, a business woman who resides in Jikwoyi, on Thursday told a Nyanya Customary Court that her husband insulted her because of his girl friend.
Mercy, who was the petitioner, said this while testifying in a divorce petition before the court.
“My husband is having an affair with his tenant, Ogechi, he has insulted me severally because of her.
“After I got married to my husband and moved in with him, I started noticing some kind of things between him and his tenant that I was not comfortable with.
“I told my husband to send her out of the house, but he refused. What my husband could say to me was that it is because of my illiteracy that I am complaining of his girlfriend.
“Even when I enrolled myself in school, he said that it was because of his girlfriend that I decided to go back to school," she said.
Abeekaa also told the court that on the day they had their marriage blessed, her husband did not sleep in the house.
“My husband slept in the hotel on the night of our wedding and when I asked him he said he was just waiting for his sacraments to be completed, so now he can do whatever he wants.
“He has chased me out of the house and has got himself another wife, therefore I beg this court to dissolve this marriage so that I can also remarry," she said.
Mr Ernest Abeekaa, who resided in Karu, denied all the allegations, saying that he thought that his wife was a God fearing woman, not knowing that she was a trouble maker.
“The moment my wife moved into my house she started fighting with my tenant because the tenant did not greet her good morning.
“My wife went around the neighbourhood telling people that I was having an affair with my tenant," he said.
He also said that his wife threatened to crumble him financially.
“My wife, on several occasions, said he was going to tell my boss that I was stealing his money, that I have built houses in the village and in Abuja.
“At a point I lost my job and everything I was doing to make money seemed unfruitful to the extent that I started borrowing.
“I am also no longer interested in the marriage," he said.
The Presiding Judge, Everyman Eleanya, adjourned the case to Aug. 15 for judgment since all efforts to reconcile the parties proved abortive.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA – Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari is currently in Washington DC, the United States of America, as the Special Guest of the 25th Anniversary of Zumunta Association.
A statement by her media aide, Zakari Nadabo stated that the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is expected to speak at the event taking place at the Silver Spring civic centre in Maryland.Aisha Buhari In Washington DC
The statement read thus: “The Event with the theme “Rebirth and Renewable “is also expected to have the attendance of the Emir of Kano as Guest speaker among other prominent Nigerians.
“Mrs Buhari Will also be hosted to a round table discussion by the United States Institute of Peace to explore an in-depth conversation with a group of senior United states policy makers and an invested group of practitioners focused on Nigeria.
“The institute is a congressionally funded, independent national institute dedicated to the proposition that peace is possible, practical and essential for united states and international security.
“Mrs Buhari who was accompanied by some wives of Governors will also hold meetings at the George Mason University Washington during her period of stay in the united states.”
Lagos – An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Thursday remanded a university student, Mabel Bassey, in prison for bathing her neighbour with hot water and killing him.
Bassey is to be remanded at Ikoyi Prisons pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Bassey, a student of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and resident of Surulere Street, Ojo, Lagos, was arraigned before Magistrate Bola Folarin-Williams on a charge of murder.
She was alleged to have poured hot water on Efe Okotie ,38, on July 2 at their residence which resulted in his death.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Olatunde Kehinde, the deceased had advised Bassey to desist from her promiscuous lifestyle which did not go down well with her.
“Out of anger, she bathed the late Okotie with hot water.
“The deceased died six days after the incident due to the severe burns he suffered from the hot water,'' he told the court.
The offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 which prescribes death sentence for offenders.
Cotonou – An official of the Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, Mrs Beatrice Thomas has commended the relationship between Beninoire Customs and the Nigeria Customs Service in facilitating trade.
Thomas gave the commendation on Thursday in Cotonou at a meeting between top Customs officials of both countries.
She said that an expert group of Customs officials of both countries had been working hard in the past two days on Transit facilitation and interconnectivity to enable both countries have quick access to information.
Thomas, however, urged Customs officials to open up on the challenges facing the two countries to assist in coming up with solutions that would be a win-win situation for both countries.
The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Retired, Col. Hameed Ali was on a working visit to Benin Republic.
He said that the NCS would be firm with the existing relationship between both countries to facilitate and ease challenges encountered during trade operations between Nigeria and Cotonou.
Ali said that the agreements had been existing in the past but some were not implemented to the letter.
“Nigeria Customs felt we should sit together and agree on way forward.
“The Republic of Benin has its own policy which was not applicable to Nigeria and this is why the NCS looks forward to a situation where there will be firm relationship,'' the news agency of nigeria (NAN) quotes Ali as saying.
The comptroller-general of Customs said that he was hoping that the meeting would be able to identify the challenges hindering trade facilitation and interconnectivity of ICT.
Ali was optimistic that the decision that would be taken at the end of the meeting would be frank resolutions for the mutual benefits of the two countries.
Also speaking the Director-General, Republic of Benin Customs, Mr Claver Tossou, said that the two countries were writing agreements to facilitate trade.
Tossou said that if the countries succeeded in the agreement, the incoming generation would enjoy the legacy they were about to put in place.
He said that there was need for digitalisation of Customs operations, adding that the two countries would implement computerisation in their operations.
Tossou said that the automation system about to be introduced would enable Nigeria Customs to get immediate information on operation being carried out as quick as possible on both parts of the borders.
Ekpoma (Edo) – Mr Godwin Obaseki, APC governorship candidate, said he would re-introduce scholarship and payment of bursary in all state-owned higher institutions, if elected.
Obaseki made the promise in Ekpoma on Thursday during campaign.Obaseki
He said the policy would ensure that under-privileged undergraduates were able to complete their education.
The governorship candidate said he would establish more infrastructure in Ekpoma to improve the education standard in the area.
He also promised to create 200, 000 jobs, saying some of the jobs would be created from e-commerce. Also at Ewu in Esan Central Local Government Area, the APC standard bearer promised to give provision of pipe borne water a high priority to improve the health condition of people.
The governorship candidate pledged to collaborate with the new investor who acquired the Ewu Flour Mill to boost the economy through creation of jobs in the locality.
He said he would encourage agriculture, especially grains production to service the needs of the company if voted into office.
Gov. Adams Oshiomhole led the candidate and his running mate, Mr Philip Shaibu to pay courtesy visits to the palaces of the Onogie of Ekpoma, Anthony Ehizoje, Abumere II, and that of Ewu, Abdulrasak Esesele, Ojiefo III.
Both monarchs offered prayers and wished the candidate well in his endeavour (NAN)
The Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, has pledged the cooperation of the church with the Federal Government to move the country forward.
Addressing protesting members of the Enugu chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Thursday, Chukwumah said that there was a need for all hands to be on deck to move the country forward.
He said that only a peaceful resolution of the impasse involving the leadership of the Senate would soothe frayed nerves.
He said that the Anglican Church in the state was in support of the peaceful protest, adding that there must be peace in the country for Nigerians to enjoy good governance.
"We are happy that students are behind this cause to allow the deputy senate president to have peace and work because Ekweremadu is not a threat to the Nigerian government.
"If you allow him to stabilise, he is going to be one of the finest politicians the government in power will like to work with. We are ready to cooperate with the APC government," he said.
Chukwuma called on the Federal Government not to allow any of its officials cause disharmony between it and other arms of government, adding that the suit against the leadership of the Senate was uncalled for.
"Ekweremadu has performed in his zone more than other senators, so to ridicule him will not be accepted," Chukwuma said.
Earlier, the leader of the students, Mr Chidi Ilogebe, said that the students viewed with concern the current impasse involving the leadership of the Senate.
Ilogebe said that the deputy senate president deserved to be allowed to contribute in the current economic recovery initiative of the Federal Government.
"However, if the removal of Ekweremadu will stabilise the economy; if his removal will put food on the table of Nigerians, strengthen the naira and bring down the price of fuel, then let him go," Ilogebe said.
The students had marched to the Government House where the state's Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Charles Ndukwe promised to relay their message to the appropriate authority.
The students had embarked on the solidarity march in support ofthe Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.
Ekweremadu is facing trial in the Federal High Court, Abuja for his alleged role in the forgery of the Senate Standing Rules.
Abuja – The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja rescheduled its stakeholders' consultative meeting with unions in the banking and financial sector to Aug. 9.
Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment gave the new date following the low level representations of the unions at the meeting originally scheduled for Thursday.
The stakeholders' meeting was initiated by the minister to address labour related issues bordering on retrenchment and mass sacking of staff by some banks across the country.
NAN also reports that those present at the Thursday meeting were the officials of Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions.
Others were the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees and representatives of Mortgage Bank, among others.
“The banking sector is a very sensitive sector especially at this time and considering the gravity of issues to be discussed, in which unforeseen circumstance has prevented your heads from being in charge of your delegations.
“We have to postpone this meeting so that your heads of delegations will be here with us when we reconvene for the meeting.
“We will do that because we are going to take very weighty decisions here that will be binding on the banks, unions and the workers as a whole.
“We do not want to have haphazard arrangements. We want to have full compliments of this meeting before we proceed.
“That is why I feel it is important that we postpone this meeting to early next week,'' Ngige said.
The minister said that the banking sector was an essential part of the Nigerian economy.
He also said that the industries, construction, railways, transport, among others, were physically involved in the banking sector in their own various ways.
“But at the end of the day, everybody is talking about money and the banks control the monetary instruments of the economy.
“So it is not an institution that we should take lightly or discuss its matter in a hurry.
“Therefore, any interaction that we would have in this particular sector will be an interaction that will be fruitful to the banks, the unions and the employees themselves,'' he said.
