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
The Federal Government is to subsidise this year's Hajj pilgrims with a maximum of N7.9 billion (N7,944,508,970) as against N2. 4 billion (N2,442,000,000) of the previous year, representing a growth of 225.3 per cent.
Hajj Pilgrims
Vanguard's findings revealed that with total Hajj pilgrims of 65,167 for the year 2016 as published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and a maximum of $1000.00 per pilgrim, the total foreign exchange entitled to the pilgrims amounted to sixty five million, one hundred and sixty seven thousand dollars ($65,167,000).
Therefore, when $ 65,167,000 is multiplied with the difference between the Foreign Exchange, (Forex) market (N318.9 per dollar ) and the concessionary exchange rate of ( N197 per dollar), that is N121.91 per dollar, it would amount to N7.9 billion (N7,944,508,970) , while with a minimum of $750 per dollar for each pilgrim, it would amount to N5.9 billion ( N5, 958,381,727).
It should be noted that in 2015, the Federal Government subsidised the Hajj prigrims with N37.00 per dollar as the official exchange rate was N197 per dollar, while the pilgrims were offered $160 per dollar. Therefore, in 2015, the Federal Government would have subsidised the Hajj pilgrims with N2. 4 billion (N2,442,000,000).
Further findings on the 2016 pilgrims for the top ten states showed that Kano state with total pilgrims of 5,808 had the highest entitlement with subsidy of N708,053 million followed by Kaduna state with 5,649 pilgrims with subsidy of N688.6 million.
Others are Sokoto State 5000 pilgrims with subsidy of N609.5 million; Katsina state 4,598 pilgrims with N560.542 million; Kebbi state 4,107 pilgrims with N500.684 million, Niger state 3,226 with subsidy of N393.281 million; Abuja (FCT) 2,975 pilgrims with N362.682 million; Bauchi State 2789 pilgrims with N430.006 million; Borno state 2581 pilgrims with N314,649 million and Jigawa 2,405 with N293.193 million.
They are to purchase a minimum of $750.00 and a maximum of $ 1,000.00 as Purchase of Pilgrims Travelling Allowance, PTA.
The CBN in a circular issued on Thursday to all Authorised Dealers and General public, signed by Acting Director, Trade & Exchange Department, W.D Gotring stated that the Federal Government has approved that intending pilgrims are to be sold the PTA at a concessionary exchange rate of N197.00 to the US dollar.
According to the circular "No commission shall be charged by the banks for the sale of PTA to the intending pilgrims; The CBN shall sale the PTA to the designated banks in Lagos and Abuja and the accounts of the respective banks shall be debited as soon as the funds are disbursed."
The CBN further said, "Each designated bank is required to sell to the CBN the unutilised funds not later than two weeks from the date of the last inward flight to Nigeria from Jedda, while the accounts of the banks shall be credited promptly."
The apex bank further noted that "The approved schedule showing the distribution of the pilgrims expected to perform the 2016 Hajj and the designated banks that will handle the sales of the PTA to the pilgrims in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT ,each states state of the federation , the Armed Forces and the National Hajj Commission Headquarters , is stated for guidance.
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, has warned all the newly appointed caretaker chairmen of the 27 local government areas in the state, against mismanagement of public funds and absconding from their offices.
Gov. Shetima
The governor who handed down the warning while swearing in the newly appointed caretaker chairmen of the 27 local government areas at the Government House Maiduguri on Friday, said that all local government chairmen would be held responsible for embezzlement of public funds.
Shettima also warned the chairmen for absconding from their offices at their various local government headquarters, only to stay in Hotels in the state capital Maiduguri, adding that any chairman found wanting in the discharge of his duties will face the full wrath of the law.
"The task of rebuilding Borno rests solemnly in your hands, you should embark on the massive transformation of your local government areas by delivering the dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots and mobilize them to fully participate in the political process," the governor said.
He directed all local government chairmen to set up ward committees on dividends of democracy in each of the wards across the 27 local government areas to ensure that existing boreholes, clinics and other social infrastructures are fully functional.
He emphasised that with relative peace witnessed across the state, local government areas of Bama, Marte, Gwoza and Kukawa must operate two satellite secretariats, with one in Maiduguri metropolis and the other in the council, while Mobbar, Abadam and Guzamala council areas which are still not safe should open their temporary secretariats in Maiduguri metropolis pending when peace is fully restored, pointing out that the remaining 20 council areas that have been fully liberated will operate their secretariats at their respective councils.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday, left Nigeria for Zambia, where he is billed to lead the African Union Elections Observation Mission, AUEOM, in the country’s election scheduled take place on October 11, 2016.
Recall that former President Jonathan also led a 33-nation observer mission to the Sunday, October 25, 2015 General Election held in Tanzania.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan leaving Nigeria for Zambia, where he is billed to lead the African Union Elections Observation Mission, AUEOM, in the country’s election scheduled take place on October 11, 2016.
Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers said on Friday that he has no personal problem with his predecessor, Mr Chibuike Amaechi. Wike disclosed this at the 12 All Nigeria Editors Conference holding in Port Harcourt. However, Wike explained that he and the Minister of Transportation differed politically because they belonged to different parties.
“There is nothing personal. We differ politically because we belong to different political politics. “We want peace in the state and it is my desire to ensure that the state is peaceful," he said. Wike also said that former president Goodluck Jonathan did something special to ensure peace in the country by conceding defeat during the 2015 general election.
“Jonathan should be commended for this single act. People should emulate this move to ensure peace in the country," the governor said. According to Wike, Amaechi was his boss as governor and they had good times serving the state.
“We should make sacrifices for peace. The state must move on. We only differ politically and that should not be to the level that will destroy the state," he said. Wike also stressed the need for peace and unity in the country, urging Nigerians not to compromise that stand.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, says he can stabilise the party if voted to become chairman. He made the remark in Abuja on Friday after collecting PDP chairmanship nomination form for N1 million at the party's temporary secretariat. He said, ”if people vote for me, I look forward to stabilise the party and put it in right position.
“The ruling party should get ready for serious engagement because we have started a cohesive battle ahead of 2019”, George said. According to him, PDP is not down and out. It will rise again. With the right leadership, defectors will sheathe their swords and return. He said although the PDP was undergoing turmoil, he would stabilise it as he said was known for his ability to resolve problems, if he becomes the chairman.
”It takes an experienced captain to stabilise a ship hit by tornado and if you know the crisis in PDP?, that is the position the party is facing right now. ”I am happy that all is not lost, and the condition has been enhanced, zoning has gone extremely well. I have paid my dues in this party and I shouldn’t be afraid of anybody. ”This job requires commitment, determination; it requires justice and fairness. They know me, what we cannot defend we cannot go for.
”Trying to come back is like looking back, we are lucky we got a bloody nose not a technical knockout; we will rise again. ”Everybody will have to come on board even those of our friends who were angry and left for the APC; they are tenants ?there because they were landlords in PDP. ”If we are lucky and we get the right leadership who is fair and just and committed in the party, they will come back'', he contended. The convention is billed to hold on Aug. 17 in Port Harcourt.
As the 2016 Olympic Games opens in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed optimism that the Nigerian contingent will put up an impressive showing to delight Nigerians.
The Dream Team celebrates a goal
President Buhari in a message to the Nigerian Olympic contingent on Friday, signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu, expressed optimism that the victory of Nigeria's Under 23 male football team, the “Dream Team Six” over their Japanese opponents in the early hours of this day will serve as an inspiration to the entire contingent of the grand show Nigerians expect from our athletes.
The message read: "On behalf of the government and people of our great country, I wish to express my support to our athletes who have arrived in Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games. I am particularly delighted by the outcome of the football match early this morning in which our football team defeated their Japanese counterparts.
"The sweetness of the victory comes from the fact that it came against all odds. Our team overcame several challenges to put up a sterling performance. This is a good beginning."
President Buhari also praised the resilience, hardwork and patriotism that the athletes have put into their preparations;
"I am already aware that you have made personal sacrifices in your journey to the Olympic Games. The motivation comes from strong discipline and the love of the nation."
"As you embark on the search for honours for the nation, I seize this opportunity to assure our Olympians that you have my support and those of all Nigerians.
"Go! Win and return with laurels, I wish you the best," the President added.
During the week, veteran afro-beat singer, Femi Kuti, and his siblings, Seun and Yeni Kuti, took time to pay tribute to their late father and afro-beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
Fela Kuti
The three siblings took time to eulogise and pay tributes to the late legend 19-years after his death. While celebrating their late father who is remembered for his timeless, fearless and unapologetic musical satires of the ruling government during his lifetime, they took to their social media pages to pen soul touching tributes to the late afro-beat legend.
"19-years since the passing of our late father, Fela, we love you, we miss you very much" Femi Kuti wrote.
Yeni reminisced on the travails of late Fela in a touching Instagram post.
"19-years ago, our icon father, leader and father of the nation left the world stage. He lives in us forever and continues to guide and protect us. That is why Nigeria didn't go to war against all predictions. Rest in peace Fela, we miss you. The powers that be beat him mercilessly. Fela, they can't touch you now, useless people", she lamented.
Seun was not left out as he also eulogised Fela.
"19-years a god, 19-years an Orisha, 19-years an ancestor." He went further to boast about the success and continuation of his late father's band which he now heads. "And by the way, the Egypt 80-band is still kicking ass", he boasted.
THE Traditional ruler of Uromi in Esan North East Local Government, His Royal Highness, Anslem Edenojie II, Onojie of Uromi, on Friday, refuted claims attributed him in the media, to have declared distrust in the Edo State governorship aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, due to the party’s track record of under development in Esan community and other alleged claims.
Obaseki-Oshiomhole
This was even as he challenged the All Progressives Congress, APC, and a national daily (not Vanguard) to present evidence of such statement or risk charges for misrepresentation of character.
In a statement made available to Vanguard, by its National Secretary, Chief Oza Francis, the monarch said: “Let it be noted that the Onojie of Uromi had never said the following during the visit of Governor Adams Oshiomole and his entourage to the Palace.
“That he does not trust Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu to be the Governor of Edo State, but rather, Ize I yamu was welcome to his palace 30 times a day if he wants because they are personal friends.
“That Chief Tony Anenih cannot control him, Chief Tony Anenih is an illustrious son of Esan land and Uromi in particular, and we are so proud of him.
“That the PDP had made many unfulfilled promises in Esan land, HRH did not even make any reference to PDP during his speech.”
However, highlights of what the Onojie said to the Governor and his entourage were, “that the Governor and his entourage breached Protocol by going to the Campaign Venue first before coming to the Palace, and that he respects protocol when he is in Government House, and as such he expected them to do the same in Uromi.
The statement noted that “Also, the explanation of the N6 million was as a result of the falsehood being spread by the Onojie of Opojie, that he was not part of the endorsement of Pastor Ize Iyamu by the Enijies in Esan land.”
He added that the 29 Enijie’s including the Onojie of Opoji unanimously endorsed the candidacy of Ize Iyamu, and they still stand by that decision.
Adding, “Moreso, the Onojie thanked Oshiomole for the two Road Projects done in Uromi and the Town Hall he built for the Efandion Community. The Onojie therefore challenged the APC and the national daily to as a matter of urgency produce the video evidence of their visit to the palace on Wednesday, August 3, 2016, in order to clear the air on what actually transpired during the visit and set the records straight for posterity sake.”
A Malawi court Friday denied bail to an HIV-positive man who is facing charges of having sex with more than 100 adolescent girls as part of initiation rites into womanhood. Eric Aniva, 45, was arrested last month, after he revealed that families paid him between four and seven dollars to have sexual intercourse with their children, in a traditional custom meant to prepare them to become good wives.
Magistrate Anderson Masanjala denied him bail saying “it is wise for Aniva to remain on remand so that police can finish their investigation.” He appeared before a packed courtroom without a lawyer, because he could not afford one. He could be jailed for life if found guilty of underage sex.
Aniva, who is from Malawi’s southern district of Nsanje, is one of the men known as “hyenas” who are paid to have sex with young girls after their first menstruation. He is said to have slept with at least 104 women, some girls as young as 12-years-old.
The ritual lasts three days. Last month Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika ordered Aniva’s arrest, after he admitted to the act during a television interview. The man who has two wives said he had also performed the so-called sexual cleansing act on widows and that he did not use protection, despite being infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS..
He claimed that custom did not allow him to use condoms. It is believed that failure to perform the little-known ritual could lead to bad fortune for the families and the entire village. Aniva’s trial will resume on August 15.
Worried by his wife's adulterous acts, a naval officer, Adebote Adedoyin, has pleaded with an Agege Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his 37-year-old marriage. Adedoyin, 54, who resides at the Air Force Base, Ikeja, Lagos, told the court that his wife, Yemisi, was having extra marital affairs with several men.
He also claimed that his wife was not submissive, adding that there was no more love in the marriage. “The trouble is too much; when l went on transfer for about 11 years to Kaduna, Benin, Calabar and Ibadan, she did not for once visit me. “When l travelled to Liberia on official duty, l sent huge amount of money to my wife for a house project.
“Yemisi diverted all the money to her personal use and lied to me that she had opened an account and saved it on my behalf,'' he said. The petitioner alleged that on his return from Liberia, he realised she had diverted the money to buying and selling from Benin Republic without his knowledge. “l went to Idiroko Border to make some investigations and l realised my wife claimed she did not have a husband.
He claimed that his wife had been going to parties and frolicking with different men. “I can no longer love such an adulterous woman,'' he told the court. He also claimed that the wife had turned their five children against him. “The children do not have respect for me anymore; they have stopped greeting and talking to me after all I did for them.
“I am asking for a divorce because this marriage has already broken down; all we have now is lack of love and threat to life.'' Yemisi, 53, denied sleeping with any man apart from her husband. She also denied all the allegations against her, urging the court not to dissolve the marriage. “All the claims of my husband are not true; I have never been abusive, even as he often beats me, I still endure the marriage for the sake of my children.
“My husband does not respect me as a wife; he claims that l am an illiterate and that he had married an educated woman,'' she said. He started victimising me at home and stopped loving me and the children since he brought another woman into the house. The court's President, Mr Philip Williams, appealed for reconciliation between the couple for the sake of the children. “The court does not encourage divorce, we are here to make peace where possible.
“The woman should be submissive if she cherishes her marriage,'' he said. The couple was later invited into the president's chamber for alternative dispute resolution. The case was adjourned to Aug. 30 for a possible reconciliation of the estranged couple.
Following the visit of Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, to the United States of America, the Arewa Youth Integrity Forum (AYIF) has asked Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, to immediately apologise to Nigerians and the first family after he claimed Mrs Buhari was a fugitive from justice in the US over the Halliburton scandal.
Fayose-Aisha Buhari
Addressing journalists in Abuja, AYIF national president, Comrade Abubakar Ibrahim said this visit by the President’s wife is a further proof that Fayose lied in his claim about Mrs Buhari.
He said, “We pointed out this visit because of its significance to what had transpired earlier when Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose came up with his tales by moonlight in which he vigorously tried to mislead the public with claims that Mrs Buhari was a fugitive from justice in the US over the Halliburton scandal. Various persons that set the records straight that the wife of the President was not the same 'Aisha Buhari' mentioned in the court documents were ridiculed and bad mouthed.
“May we remind Fayose that Mrs Buhari was not the one who was recorded in a hotel suite conspiring with others to breach the Electoral Law. The first family did not tell him to engage in money laundry involving billions of naira ferried from one airport to another. It was not Mr President that made the lodgement of proceeds of crime into the Ekiti state governor's bank account. It was not northerners that made Fayose to be richer than Ekiti state neither were we responsible for his inability to sell his family to pay salaries to workers' whose money he has diverted into his personal account.
Ibrahim said now that Mrs Buhari's visit to the United States has confirmed that Fayose was not telling the truth, “we are calling on him to apologize to the first family, and Nigerian women.”
He added that Fayose should rather focus his energy to explain his misrule to Ekiti people when his tenure expires.
“We see the vintage Fayose, upon realising that his lies have been found out, desperately looking for a way to distract the nation by calling attention to the handbag Mrs Buhari was holding in one of the pictures from the US. This obvious attempt to trivialize the issue with the woman’s bag is a new low for Fayose even by his own standards.
“Our expectations are that beginning with Ekiti state, at the end of Fayose's tenure, the electorates would insist that psychiatric evaluation and a consequent certificate of mental competence would be requisite for all the candidates seeking elections,” he said.
The youths urged Mrs Buhari not to relent in her life changing activities, but rather increase the tempo upon her return from the United States.
Silvio Berlusconi agreed Friday to sell AC Milan to Chinese investors under a deal set to end his trophy-laden three decades in charge of the Italian giants by the end of this year. Fininvest, the Berlusconi family’s private holding company, announced that after months of negotiations a preliminary agreement had been signed between the media tycoon and the prospective buyers.
The deal values Milan, which has some 220 million euros of debt, at 740 million euros ($825.4m), and will lead to a badly-needed cash injection of 350 million euros over three seasons, Fininvest said in a statement. A total of 100 million euros of the sale price is to be paid on completion, which is scheduled to happen by the end of this year.
Chinese and Italian authorities will have to rubberstamp the deal but this is not expected to raise any significant obstacles.
The preliminary accord was signed by Danilo Pellegrino, the Fininvest CEO, and Han Li, a representative of the Chinese investors.
“Throughout the negotiations Fininvest has maintained its position established by Mr Berlusconi to provide AC Milan with a structure from which it can compete with the world’s top clubs,” Pellegrino said.
The group has been named as Sino-Europe Sports Investment Management Changxing, and includes businessman Yonghong Li, the Haixia Capital Capital group and other private and public Chinese companies. The buyers paid 15 million euros immediately to secure the deal and are due to pay a further 85 million euros as a deposit within 35 days.
The projected injections of funds will be a welcome boost for a club that remains one of the strongest brands in European football but no longer delivers the results to justify that status. The cash-strapped club struggled to a seventh-placed finish in Serie A last season and last won a domestic title in 2011.
– A selling club –
Seven times champions of Europe (five of those triumphs came under Berlusconi), the Rossoneri lifted their last Champions League trophy in 2007. Since then their fortunes have dwindled in parallel with those of the former prime minister, who was barred from political life after his 2013 conviction for tax fraud.
Berlusconi turns 80 in September, has recently had open heart surgery and has been seeking to offload part or all of his stake in Milan for over two years.
Even before that he had been scaling back his financial commitment to the club he acquired in 1986, with serious implications for its ability to compete at the highest level. Andrea Pirlo was released to go after the last domestic title was secured in 2011 because the president would not sanction any more than a one-year contract extension for the Italy playmaker, who was to go on to help Juventus become the dominant force in Serie A.
Zlatan Ibrahamovic and Thiago Silva departed for Paris Saint-Germain a year later. It was all a far cry from the money-no-obstacle approach Berlusconi took to assembling squads during Milan’s glory days. The late 1980s Milan built around the Dutch trio of Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco van Basten and the Dejan Savicevic-inspired generation that hammered Barcelona 4-0 in the 1994 Champions League are ranked among the finest club squads in history.
Friday’s deal follows hot on the heels of Milan’s city rivals Inter Milan being bought out by the Chinese investment group Suning in June. Earlier on Friday, owners of Premier League outfit West Bromwich Albion agreed to sell the club to Chinese investment group Yunyi Guokai (Shanghai) Sports Development Ltd.
Chinese companies have also acquired stakes in Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Slavia Prague, as well as buying second-tier English clubs Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Milan deal also comes against a backdrop of deepening ties between China and Italy. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has made increased trade and investment links with Beijing one of his top priorities and the numbers of Chinese visitors to Italy have surged on the back of last year’s World Expo in Milan.
Liverpool midfielder James Milner has retired from international duty with England at the age of 30, the Football Association announced on Friday. Milner made 61 appearances and scored one goal for his country, featuring at two World Cups and two European Championships.
But the versatile former Manchester City player was rarely a first-choice pick and has informed new England manager Sam Allardyce that he no longer wants to be considered for selection. “I would like to thank Sam for taking the time to come and see me in person and have the conversation face-to-face, regarding my international future and role within the England set-up,” Milner said in an FA statement.
“I think the decision we have reached is all about common sense. I wish Sam, the players, staff and supporters success in the future.” However, Milner, who holds the record for England Under-21 caps with 46, has expressed willingness to play for his country again, but only in exceptional circumstances.
“After we had a lengthy conversation with him earlier this week, he has decided to take a step back from international duty; a decision I fully respect,” Allardyce said. “James can be proud of his seven-year career as a senior England player and has never let his country down when called upon. “His club career, already glittering, has many years ahead and we wish him well with Liverpool this season and beyond.”
Milner, who counts Leeds United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa among his former clubs, was awarded his England debut by Fabio Capello in a friendly against the Netherlands in August 2009. He played for just three minutes as a substitute at Euro 2016, where England were humiliatingly eliminated by minnows Iceland in the last 16, prompting manager Roy Hodgson to resign.
But he was a major figure in his maiden Liverpool campaign last season, playing 45 times and scoring seven goals as Jurgen Klopp’s side reached the final of both the League Cup and Europa League. Liverpool tackle Barcelona in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday before opening their Premier League campaign at Arsenal the following weekend.
The prices of commodities like imported rice, maize , beans, palm oil, sorghum and others have continued to rise at the Mile 12 Market in Lagos. This is reflected in the commodity index update, prepared by Novus Agro Nigeria Ltd, an agro-based firm, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Lagos.
According to the index, a 50kg bag of imported rice currently selling at N16,857 was sold for N14,800 last week, thus recording a whopping N2,057 increase. Miss Avaado Gaadi, Enumeration specialist at the firm, told pressmen earlier that increase in the price of imported rice was as a result of restrictions on imported commodities.
Gaadi said that the restriction was to uphold the Federal Government's drive to diversify the economy, through promoting consumption of locally-produced commodities.
Meanwhile, the paint bucket measurement of imported rice has also increased to N1,457 as against N1,333 sold last week. Also, a 100kg bag of beans, which has been on a continuous increase since June, now attracts N25,714, as against N24,000 it attracted last week; while the paint bucket measurement remained stable at N900.
However, the 100kg bags of maize, sorghum, onions and 25-litre container of palm oil were on the increase at the market. Maize attracted N12,829, as against N11,375 it was sold for last week, recording a difference of N1,454, while the paint bucket measurement increased slightly from N500 to N507.
Sorghum now selling for N11,571 was sold for N10,313 last week, thus attracting an increase of N1,258, while the paint bucket measurement increased from N500 to N507. Also, onions increased slightly to N16,143 from N16,125, recording N18 increment, while the 2kg measurement remained unchanged at N500.
A 25-litre keg of palm oil increased to N7,286 from N7,063 it sold for last week, while the bottle measurement also increased from N250 last week to N280 this week.
While soya beans remained unchanged at N17,000 per 100kg bag, the 60kg and 100kg bags of garri and groundnut dropped in price. Garri, which now goes for N12,614, was sold for N12,763 last week; while groundnut now sells for N25,000, as against the N25,500 it attracted last week. However, the paint bucket measurement of both commodities remained unchanged at N600 and N950 respectively.
Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Friday presented N1.2 billion bond certificates to 194 retirees in the state. The bonds were presented to retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme in local governments and public primary schools in the state.
Speaking at the presentation in Osogbo , the governor said his administration would continue to make the welfare of pensioners a priority. “ In 2010, we committed N400 million to pension and in 2011, we increased our monthly pension obligation to N250million and we paid N3 billion that year.
“By March 2012, our pension obligation rose to N300 million monthly which cost N3.5billion. “But in December 2012, about 5,000 retirees were added to the existing 9,000 pensioners in the state. “ In 2013, we increased our monthly pension to N520 million and paid out N5 billion in the same years.
“In 2014, though the economic meltdown had started and we started having difficulties on pension payment, we still committed a total sum of N4.9billion to pension,'' he said. Aregbesola said in spite of the financial challenges in the country, the state government was still committed to the payment of pensions and gratuities to retirees.
The governor, who described contributory pension as a “win-win'' scheme, said his administration would ensure that no retiree was short-changed. Earlier, the Head of Service in Osun, Mr Sunday Owoeye, expressed delight at the state’s commitment to the welfare of workers.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Local Government Staff Pension, Mr Kayode Afolabi, said the Contributory Pension Scheme was aimed at assisting civil servants to save toward their retirement.
ABUJA-Following the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers across the federation, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration would not tolerate any acts of banditry and criminality.President Muhammadu Buhari, others at the graduating ceremony at the National Defence College NDC Course 24 in Abuja
He said that the security agencies in the country had been mandated to adequately deal with such act as it was capable of truncating the peace of the country.
It will be recalled that there had been frequent clashes between fulani herdsmen and farmers in many States particularly in Benue, Enugu, Adamawa, Ekiti which claimed several lives.
Consequently, many stakeholders had called for ranching and grazing reserves for the cattles.
Similarly, there had been a growing impression in some quarters that President Buhari had not come all out to condemn the herdsmen and find lasting solution to the problem despite ordering the security apparatus of the country to quell the clashes.
But speaking yesterday at the graduation ceremony of the National Defence College, NDC, for Course 24 in Abuja, the president said his government was out to deal decisively with the matter.
He also said that steps were being taken to rebuild the insurgency ravaged north east and tackle the emerging issues of restiveness and bombing of oil installations in the Niger Delta.
He said: “On the matter of Herdsmen/Farmers clashes, I wish to state that this Administration will not tolerate or condone acts of banditry and criminality, under any guise. As such, our security agencies have been mandated to deal with such acts decisively.
“Let me state that this Administration has been working assiduously in conjunction with our local and international partners, to rebuild damaged communities in North East part of our country. Similarly, we are committed to tackling the issues of underdevelopment and neglect in the Niger Delta area. This is a priority we have set before us and we intend to make appreciable gains in correcting the ills of the past in the Niger Delta by assuaging inherent grievances.”
The president also reiterated his pact with Nigerian upon his assumption of office, saying he was still committed to securing the country, improving the economy and fighting corruption.
To this end, the president said his administration had recover billions of Naira from individuals and organizations.
“You will all recall that on being sworn into office on 29 May 2015, I outlined certain core areas of our national life that require immediate intervention, some of which I would like to reiterate here today. First, we should seek to secure the country, improve the economy and fight corruption. As it is, this is our unfinished business from the past and dates back to the creation of our republic, yet to this day, corruption and poverty remain our main national problems.
“As part of efforts to address the problem of corruption, we have set in motion legal processes to recover whatever we can and bring to justice those who betrayed their trust. Thus far, we have been able to recover billions of naira from indicted companies and individuals. In addition, through the implementation and enforcement of the Treasury Single Account, we have been able to save more for our nation.
“Furthermore, in our fight to end poverty in Nigeria, we have set up social interventions and reliefs for the poor, and already, data is being collated by the Economic Planning Office of the Vice President in conjunction with the World Bank.
“In addition, through our 2016 budget, we intend to stimulate the economy, making it more competitive by focusing on infrastructural development; delivering inclusive growth; and prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians.
“We believe that this budget, while helping industry, commerce and investment to pick up, will as a matter of urgency, address the immediate problems of youth unemployment and the terrible living conditions of the very poor and vulnerable Nigerians”, he said.
Congratulating the graduands, president Buhari charged them to employ high level of professionalism and technical competence in their career.
He said: “We know that the National Defence College is a truly unique institution, one which we believe, has empowered you with the highest levels of skills in management practices of present day administration and governance for development of our institutions.
“We are also very pleased to learn that the blueprints of training at this College have kept pace with our current security environment. In this vein, you will be pleased to note that in the last one year, through the hard work, dedication and sacrifices made by members of our armed forces and security services, we have been able to degrade significantly, the capacity of Boko Haram insurgents to wreck havoc on our society.
“As strategic leaders, you must remember that our Armed Forces have been the torch bearers of many of our non-military innovations. I am therefore, very happy to hear that the Graduating Course has undertaken a higher defence management and strategic research on the topic “Youth Bulge in Nigeria, Implication for National Security”. As we seek to solve the myriad of social and political problems we will look closely at your recommendations.
“As you graduate, I urge you to set for yourselves befitting goals and having done so, utilise your technical competence, skills and hardwork to realise it. I compliment all of you, especially the award winners, for achieving this personal milestone which I hope is a sign of things to come.”
The Kaduna State Government said on Friday that N2.2 billion would be paid to 1,200 newly recruited staff of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Andrew Nok, said this in Kaduna while addressing journalists on the activities of the ministry.
He said payment would commence on Monday, adding that it would cover the five months salaries owed workers. The commissioner said the delay in payment was to ensure that all the newly recruited staff passed through proper documentation to check the “ ghost worker syndrome.''
Nok also pledged that 15 secondary schools would be reactivated as boarding schools and equipped with standard facilities. He said hostels, library, clinic, kitchen facilities, perimeter fence and potable water would be provided to give the schools a conducive environment for teaching and learning. The commissioner also said security personnel would be provided to ensure security in the institutions.
The 15 schools to be reactivated as boarding institutions included Queen Amina College, Kaduna, Government Girls secondary School , Kawo; Government Technical College, Malali and Barewa Collage, Zaria. Others included Government College, Kagoro; Girls Science Secondary School , Giwa; Rimi College, Zaria; Girls Science School, Kowai; Government Girls Secondary School , Soba, Government college, Saminaka and Government College, Kagoro.
By Dayo Adesulu The West African Examinations (WAEC), has Friday in Lagos released its 2016 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), withholding the results of 137,295, representing 8.89% candidates.
Just as a total of eight hundred and seventy eight thousand and forty (878,040) candidates, representing 52.97%, obtained credits in five (5) subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics.”
It will be recall that in 2014 and 2015 the percentage of candidates that obtained five (5) credits and above including English Language and Mathematics in the WASSCE were 31.28% and 38.68% respectively.
The Head of Nigeria National Office, Nigeria, Mr Olu Adenipekun while briefing journalists explained that the withheld results are in connection with various cases of examination malpractice, adding, “the cases are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate committee of the Council in due course for consideration.”
According to him, a total number of 1,552,758 Candidates sat for the May/June examination.
Of the 1,544,234 who sat the exams, he said: ” A total of 1,014,573 candidates, representing 65.70% obtained six (6) credits and above; one million one hundred sixty seven thousand four hundred and eighty four (1,167,484) candidates, representing 75.60% obtained five (5) credits and above, while one million two hundred and eighty two thousand two hundred and four (1,282,204) candidates, representing 83.03% obtained credit and above in four (4) subjects.”
He added that one million three hundred and seventy thousand forty nine (1,370,049) candidates, representing 88.72% obtained credit and above in three (3) subjects, while one million four hundred and thirty eight thousand six hundred and seventy nine (1,438,679) candidates, representing 93.16% obtained credit and above in two (2) subjects.
Four times winner of Olympic gold medal, Serena Williams has said that she loves her body and would never change anything about it. Williams was reacting to ridicules from people who said, despite her incredible figures, she still has a strong frame.
Serena Williams
"I love my body, and I would never change anything about it," she said. "I'm not asking you to like my body. I'm just asking you to let me be me. Because I'm going to influence a girl who does look like me, and I want her to feel good about herself."
The Top ranking Tennis women’s player who appeared on the cover of Self magazine also said that she adhered to a strict diet that did not allow her to eat wheat or sugar in the course of her fight to stay at the top of the Women’s Tennis Association rankings, a spot she’s held for over 170 weeks. "I got super disciplined this time, for the first time in a while,” she said. Williams will be journeying to Rio to hopefully win her 5th Olympic gold medal.
Lagos – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Friday said that telecoms network operators carried out a total of 41,578 mobile number porting activities in the month of June.
This is contained in the ”Incoming and Outgoing Porting Activities of Mobile Network Operators” report, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
The report showed that there was an increase of 182 in the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) activities in June, as against the 41,396 activities in May.
It said that out of the 41,578 porting activities in June, 20,804 were incoming porting activities, while 20,774 were outgoing activities.
The report revealed that in the outgoing table MTN Nigeria lost a total of 8,593 subscribers to other networks.
It showed that the lost by MTN showed a decline of 1,596 as against the 10,189 subscribers that left the network in May.
According to the report, MTN is the worst hit during the period under review and was followed by Airtel Nigeria, which lost 5,111 customers.
It added that the lost by Airtel increased by 1,265, as against the 3,846 customers who left the network in May.
The report said that Globacom lost a total of 4,701 subscribers during the month, representing an increase of 432 from the record in May record of 4,269.
It also said that 2,369 customers of Etisalat Nigeria ported to other networks in June, as there was a reduction of 293 subscribers who left the network, compared to 2,662 users in May.
According to the report Etisalat gained most from the activities as it recorded additional 12,378 customers on its network in June.
Airtel came second on the gainers' list, as it added 5,527 subscribers to its customer strength.
Globacom gained 1,558 subscribers while MTN Nigeria gained 1,341 customers.
NAN reports that the exercise was flagged off on April 22, 2013 by the NCC, with the aim of deepening competition in the industry. (NAN)
Magistrate Anderson Masanjala denied him bail saying “it is wise for Aniva to remain on remand so that police can finish their investigation.” He appeared before a packed courtroom without a lawyer, because he could not afford one. He could be jailed for life if found guilty of underage sex.
