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
Twitter announced Thursday that it had cut off 235,000 accounts during the past six months in a heightened crackdown on use of the global messaging service to promote violent extremist causes.
The suspensions raised to 360,000 the total number of accounts sidelined since the middle of 2015 and was helping “drive meaningful results” in curbing the activity, according to the San Francisco-based company.
Twitter has been striving to balance protecting free speech at the one-to-many messaging service with not providing a stage for extremist groups to spread violent messages and enlist people to their causes.
In February, Twitter said that it had neutralized 125,000 accounts for violating rules against violent threats and promotion of terrorism.
“Since that announcement, the world has witnessed a further wave of deadly, abhorrent terror attacks across the globe,” Twitter said in a blog post.
“We strongly condemn these acts and remain committed to eliminating the promotion of violence or terrorism on our platform.”
Daily suspensions of accounts are up more than 80 percent since last year, and spike in the immediate aftermath of terror attacks, according to Twitter.
Twitter said that it is getting quicker at identifying extremist content and shutting down accounts involved, resulting in dramatic decreases in the number of followers attracted while posts are active.
– Enlisting software –
Moves have been made to make it tougher for people behind suspended accounts to immediately return to Twitter, and teams reviewing reports of suspected terror content have been expanded.
Like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube rely heavily on users to point out posts that violate standards or policies.
Tech titans have been increasingly dabbling with enlisting software to battle extremist propaganda.
“There is no one ‘magic algorithm’ for identifying terrorist content on the Internet,” Twitter said in the post.
“But, we continue to utilize other forms of technology, like proprietary spam-fighting tools, to supplement reports from our users and help identify repeat account abuse.”
During the past six months, automated tools have helped Twitter identify more than a third of the accounts suspended for promoting terrorism, according to the company.
Twitter said that it collaborates with other online social platforms in the fight against terror content.
Since dreadful attacks in Paris and the city of San Bernardino in California, pressure has been growing for online social networks to thwart extremist groups from taking advantage of their platforms.
– Legal shield –
A US judge last week tossed out a lawsuit accusing Twitter of abetting terrorism by allowing Islamic State (IS) group propaganda to be broadcast using the messaging platform.
District Court Judge William Orrick granted a motion by Twitter to dismiss the case, reasoning that providing a platform for speech is within the law and that the company did not create the content.
The Communications Decency Act (CDA) protects online platforms from being held responsible for what users post.
The suit was filed in San Francisco federal court by the families of two government contractors killed late last year while working at a police training center run by the United States in Amman, according to court documents.
A Jordanian police captain studying at the center fatally shot the two men, and IS later claimed the captain was a “lone wolf” working for the group’s cause, the judge recounted in his ruling.
“As horrific as these deaths were, under the CDA Twitter cannot be treated as a publisher or speaker of ISIS’s hateful rhetoric and is not liable under the facts alleged,” Orrick said in the decision, using another name for IS.
The suit accused Twitter of providing “material support” by letting accounts spread the message of the extremist group.
The judge left open the option of refiling an amended version of the suit.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu Despite their 2-0 loss to the German side at the ongoing Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil on Wednesday, governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has hailed the boys for scaling through the semi finals.
Ortom who spoke to State House Correspondents after a private meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday stated that with more technical skills, the team would improve.
He said that his government had articulated a sport Programme to help develop the sporting potential in Benue youth.
“It is unfortunate that we lost that match. But I can say that for Benue state, we are doing a programme to catch them young.
“All the local governments are going to be mobilized to ensure that we bring out the youths from their youthful age.
“We will groom them up to where they can be of benefit to Benue state and Nigeria. I believe that we have the talent. We saw how they played yesterday. With little, additional technical skills, I think they will do better.
“I think we are on path, we are on track and for coming to semifinal, it was a thing of joy to some of us and I think we will do better next time”, he said.
On his mission to the State House, the governor said he was there to brief the presidency on the security issues in the state.
He also added that the government had launched a programme known as go-back-to farm where Fridays had been declared a public holiday to enable workers go to farm.
He noted it was part of the government’s initiatives to diversify the economy of the state.
BY EMEKA MAMAH Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan Thursday described reports that the Federal Government was probing him based on the allegations of a faceless Niger Delta militant group as a ruse and that some misguided characters are hell-bent on pulling him down.
Jonathan in a statement signed by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze said that the said probe said to have emanated from intelligence reports was laughable as it was a figment of imagination by the authors of such reports.
The statement reads
Former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
"Our attention has been drawn to two stories entitled "report links Jonathan to Niger Delta Avengers" and "FG probes Jonathan over N/Delta bombings' published in some newspapers, of Thursday, August 18, 2016, with the claim that some intelligence reports had linked Jonathan to the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta.
"We obviously would have ignored the allegation, having responded recently to the exact same fabrication peddled by a shady militant group, but for the new dimension of bringing in the authorities, while hiding under the often-abused journalism latitude of quoting nebulous sources.
"Firstly, we note that there were similarities in the stories published same day by the newspapers that are too striking to pass the test of the normal newsroom process of diligent reporting and independent investigation.
"We are convinced that such clear coincidences are only permissible in situations where general statements are issued, but not on matters of intelligence/security reports which do not fly into newsrooms as press releases.
"We are also concerned that the stories did not differ in content and substance from the trite allegations earlier made by the so- called Reformed Niger Delta Avengers over the same lies of linking Jonathan to the militants.
"For instance, we are amazed that newspapers would be quick to report that the intelligence gathering was said to be a confirmation of a similar claim by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND", even without subjecting such frivolity to any ethical interrogation.
"From what we know about intelligence gathering, there is no responsible government agency that would rush, as claimed in the stories, to adopt the accusations of a questionable rebellious organization as its own findings, without applying the professional processes of rigour and due diligence.
"It is sad that the publications wore the cloak of deceit from same misguided characters that are hell-bent on pulling down the former President, despite his clear record of diligent service to his country and long standing commitment to the good of society.
"There is no doubt that there exist such people who may have scores to settle with the former President but are now feeling frustrated by the fact that his national and international profile has continued to rise, despite their recourse to less- muck- raking character assassination.
"Such people will stop at nothing to continue to throw obstacles, albeit futilely, on his path.
"We are aware that the same people approached other well-meaning newspapers with the same false information, but they were wise to turn it down on account of its absurdity.
"Our media houses should then be careful not to make the country a laughing stock by being hoodwinked into passing off the perverted voices of irritant groups as that of our well respected official security authorities.
"Apart from toying with the serious issue of libel, those newspapers lending themselves to be so cheaply used by miscreants, are also doing gross disservice to our collective good and the image of the country."
By Funmi Olasupo ABUJA - AS part of efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goal, SDG, 6, the Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria, BODAN, is to collaborate with United Nations Children Education Fund, UNICEF, to ensure that Nigerians at all level have access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH.
Speaking after an interactive session with the UNICEF Chief WASH Coordinator, Kanann Nadar, and President, BODAN, Francis Uzoma, explained that the essence of the interaction was to establish relationship with UNICEF concerning effective collaboration in terms of service delivery by constructing quality boreholes.
Uzoma said: "The whole essence of this interaction is to see how we can broaden areas of collaboration so that borehole drilling services that we offer to UNICEF and other organisations can effectively done, even in the aspect of capacity building."
Earlier, Nadar said UNICEF-WASH had been into water provision for Nigerians and most of its borehole projects were exe-cuted by BODAN members.
Mr Richard Young, Deputy Head of Department, European Union in Nigeria, says more than 5 million Nigerians are living abroad of which half of them are in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Young made the statement on Thursday in Abuja at the unveiling of the National Policy on Labour Migration.
He said that Nigeria and four other countries which include India, China, Philippines and Mexico had been mentioned by the World Bank as top recipients of global remittance in 2012.
“Nigeria is estimated to have received about N21 billion in remittances in 2012 as compared to the N2.3 billion in 2004; being by far the largest recipients of remittance in Sub-Sahara Africa.
“Accordingly, Nigeria is followed by Senegal and Kenya in the Sub-Sahara Africa.
“On the other hand, due to the economic growth following the oil boom in 1975, Nigeria also become an immigration country.
“By 2006, Nigeria was estimated to host 600,000 foreigners mainly from other West Africa counties, '' he said.
Young said that the unveiling of the national policy on labour migration would provide Nigeria a framework to regulate labour migration, adding that it would also enhance dignity of people involved in labour migration.
He added that the policy would also clarify the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders dealing with the sector.
“The document is a concrete example to combination of synergies, competence, will and professionalism, ''he said.
The EU under its funded project, Young declared, had assisted various governments to enhance their capacity to manage migration in order to maximise their development potential.
He said the EU welcomed the adoption of the national policy on labour migration in Nigeria and expressed hope on its implementation.
“I am also pleased to know that the IT equipment provided to the ministry led to the establishment and functioning of the National Electronic Exchange (NELEX)
“This is a platform for job seekers to access job opportunities. So far, the platform has facilitated around 150 jobs' matching for job seekers,'' he said.
Young also decried lack of appropriate data on labour migration.
He said that data on labour migration was still scanty and could be barely used for any strategic planning.
According to him, obtaining adequate and reliable data on migration relating to flow, rate patterns, profile, impact of labour migration on both countries of origin, among others is difficult.
To overcome the data gaps, utilisation of census figures and survey, Young suggested that administrative data must be put in place in Nigeria.
He urged the National Policy on Labour Migration Implementation Committee to step up efforts to ensure effective implementation of information on migration.
By Egufe Yafugbrhi, WARRI SINCE rampaging Niger Delta Avengers heralded renewed militancy in oil producing Niger Delta with several parallel groups jumping on the bandwagon by the day, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, has inevitably been on the receiving end with its vast oil assets in Delta State as prime targets.
This challenge of corporate survival was aggravated at 1300hrs on August 9, 2016, when men, women and youths from all five communities of Ugborodo, major host to CNL's Escravos facility in Warri South West council area of Delta state besieged the company's main gate in protest. The protesters say they won't quit until the issues in dispute were resolved.
The company's statement in day three of the community's occupation of its premises suggested that the protesters were staging a misplaced demonstration, but motivators of the mass action see the company's position as merely begging the issues.
Deji Hastrupp, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, had in Chevron's statement said the Ugborodo community protesters are agitating for CNL's "recognition of the Ugborodo Community Interim Management Committee, IMC, and also requesting CNL not to recognise the Ugborodo Community Trust, among others.
"CNL does not interfere in the internal affairs of communities in the areas of its operations including Ugborodo. We continue to engage with the protesters and other key community leaders and stakeholders, including the Delta State Government, DTSG and hope for a resolution of the situation shortly."
Former chairman, Ugborodo Community Trust, Pa Sandys Omadeli Uvwoh in reaction said: "Deji deliberately stated half-truth to bury the meddlesomeness and divide and rule by CNL in the leadership crisis and underdevelopment the community has suffered over the years.
"Nobody is asking Chevron to interfere in Ugborodo affairs. The issues of dispute with the company is that Chevron said it does not recognise the IMC, the collective leadership organ the community put in place since March this year and they (Cheveron), on the other hand are dealing with the factional leaders whose tenure have elapsed as community trust.
"This issue has been on for six months and the old leaders have the backing of the state government and Chevron is stressing that the IMC must have government backing before it can accord it recognise. I don't know where government has started appointing leaders for communities."
Thrust of the matter
At the heart of the matter for which Chevron has been caught in the web is the continued conflict generated by the community's determination to extricate itself from the Ogidigben Export Processing Zone, EPZ, Interface Committee which has ran Ugborodo affairs since government constituted it in May 2014.
At the acquisition of Ugborodo land (Ogigigben) for establishment of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, facilitated EPZ, also known as Gas City Revolution Project, in 2013, the Federal Government hit brick wall interfacing with the community. There was turmoil in the land as two factions laid claim to the Ugborodo Community Trust, the administrative organ of the community.
Under the heated leadership strife, supporters of Chief Thomas Ereyitomi-led Trust, just elected for a second term then in a process observed and endorsed by the Delta State government, were sacked from their homes.This followed arms struggle by forces loyal to rival David Tonwe who also assumed Trust chairmanship in a parallel election backed by foremost Itsekiri historian, Pa JOS Ayomike. The conflict which assumed dangerous proportion at a point reportedly claimed a life and several persons displaced from their homes.
To navigate through the crisis which was getting in the way of the EPZ project, the Federal Government, after series of truce meetings with key actors, constituted a 20-man EPZ Interface Committee, 10 from both factions with a mandate to restore peace to the community, resettle displaced persons, lead the community's interests in the EPZ and push for election of a generally accepted community trust in the long run.
Revolt against EPZ Interface Committee
In March 2016, a simmering campaign of rejection against the committee got to crisis point as a gathering of the community moderated by Benson Omadeli, Olajori (Spiritual Head) of Ugborodo installed an Interim Management Committee, IMC, headed by Emmanuel Meke to administer the community pending election of a substantive Trust.
Former Trust chairman, Pa Sandys Uvwoh, noted thus: "The EPZ Committee was a creation of government. It was never the will of Ugborodo that the same key actors who set the community on fire in leadership tussle and stagnated her people should not, under the guise of EPZ Committee, transform into a Community Trust.
"Secondly, not only has the tenure of the contentious community Trust claimants which led to crisis expired; Ugborodo under the circumstance cannot elect a substantive Trust following death of all the registered trustees under the governing instrument. There has to be a new constitution to elect new trustees before a substantive Trust can be elected.
"Pending the election of a Trust, the community can't be left in vacuum. The IMC has mandate to administer the community. It was not a one-man decision. It was a collective decision done at a gathering of the Ugborodo traditional authority, elders, youths and women who suffer the current stagnation in the community without clear leadership. As a benefit of its birth, the IMC paved for the election of a new youth body which people thought would create commotion."
Government, Olu of Warri favour expanded EPZ Committee
Apparently alerted on the appointment of an IMC, the father of Itsekiri nation, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwole, the Olu of Warri ruled against dissolution of the EPZ Interface Committee in running affairs of the community.
At a closed door meeting with the community stakeholders in his palace on March 31, Mrs. Praise Igbene, member of the EPZ Committee who attended said: "The Olu noted that it is too early to dissolve the EZP Committee. He tasked us to rather include more persons in the committee to allow peace reign."
In tandem with the Olu's directive, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, had at recent stakeholders meeting in Warri, also voted for the expansion of the EPZ Committee rather than a parallel IMC to lead affairs of the community for the time being.
Drift into Occupation of Chevron
Sensitive to the situation, Chevron tacitly respected the position of the Olu and the governor, ignoring all entreaties from the IMC and its supporters to accord it recognition. The refusal to work with the IMC informed the current Occupy Chevron protest much to the chagrin of the EPZ Committee.
Alex Eyengho, spokesman for the EPZ on his displeasure with the demonstrations said: "What is happening there is being carried out by grossly misled few rebels in Ugborodo. They are rebelling against the decision of the Delta State government, the Olu of Warri, Pa JOS Ayomike and of course they are rebels against law and order.
"The IMC and the duo who fabricated it, Olajori (Spiritual Head) of Ugborodo, Benson Omadeli and his cousin, Sandys Uvwoh against the will of Ugborodo and the decision of a court of competent jurisdiction are behind this illegality and potentially dangerous protest.
"They are doing all these to arm-twist Chevron to recognise the IMC led by Emma Meke. For the avoidance of doubt, the only management structure for the entire Ugborodo as of today is the expanded EPZ Interface Committee under the leadership of Austin Oborogbeyi. Security agencies should do the needful by treated the isolated characters as rebels".
Okowa at the stakeholders meeting, in Asaba August 15, to find amicable end to the matter, reportedly directed that Emma Meke's headed IMC nominate 10 persons, while each of the five Ugborodo communities should nominate three persons each, making a total of 15 persons to bring the EPZ Interface Committee to 46 members.
Anything is possible going forward for both Chevron and Ugborodo, divided by leadership strife. At the heart of the raging crisis, however, remains the critical unanswered question. Who benefits from the confusion? The community sure loses as development opportunities from Chevron are put on hold. Or some persons, as others are speculating, are taking the commonwealth for themselves.
Four years after he left through the back door, Manchester United will roll out the red carpet for Paul Pogba’s second debut in Friday’s Premier League home game with Southampton.
Pogba first donned a United first-team shirt when he came on as a half-time substitute for Ryan Giggs in a 3-0 League Cup win over Leeds United in front of 31,031 people at Elland Road in September 2011.Poga
His return to action for the club will not be so inauspicious, after United paid Juventus a world-record 89 million pounds (105 million euros, $116 million) to bring the French midfielder back to Old Trafford.
Pogba has not played since France’s 1-0 loss to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final on July 10, but United manager Jose Mourinho said on Thursday: “He is ready to play.
“Ninety minutes, I don’t believe. Super performance, I don’t believe. But in conditions to accelerate his process of integration in the team, that’s for sure.
“Paul is training for more than a week, around 10, 11 days. The adaptation is really easy because he’s a boy from here.”
Pogba, 23, missed United’s 3-1 win at Bournemouth last Sunday due to a suspension carried over from last season’s Coppa Italia, but his lack of match fitness meant he was unlikely to have featured anyway.
Should he play from the start, Mourinho must decide how to fit him into the team.
Mourinho has started the season with a 4-2-3-1 formation and Pogba is expected to take up one of the midfield berths in front of the back four.
Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera occupied those roles at Bournemouth.
Much has changed since Pogba’s last United appearance, in a 5-0 league win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 2012.
Alex Ferguson retired as manager the following year and Mourinho is the third man to have succeeded him, while former stalwarts such as Giggs, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra are no longer around.
– Puel warning –
But Mourinho’s new-look team made an assured start to their league campaign at Bournemouth, with new signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eric Bailly impressing, the former scoring his first Premier League goal.
Victory over Southampton, in the first of 10 Friday night games in the Premier League this season, will enable United to provisionally go three points clear at the top of the table.
Southampton won 1-0 on both their most recent visits to Old Trafford, with Charlie Austin’s 87th-minute header securing victory last January, but they are also a team in transition.
Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle and Victor Wanyama have left and Claude Puel has succeeded Ronald Koeman as manager.
The south-coast club, who finished one place below United in sixth last season, unveiled a new diamond midfield in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to Watford.
Dusan Tadic took up the number 10 role and winger Nathan Redmond, signed from Norwich City for a reported 10 million pounds, played up front, crowning his debut with a volleyed second-half equaliser.
Puel has warned that Southampton’s last two results at Old Trafford will count for nothing on Friday and he has also warned his players not to repeat the sluggish start they produced against Watford.
“Their (United’s) players have changed, their manager has changed and Southampton’s view of this team has changed,” said the former Monaco, Lyon and Nice coach.
“Against Watford I didn’t like the first half because we didn’t play our game, but the second half you can see another team and we improved and played our game.”
Puel will again be without left-back Ryan Bertrand due to a knee problem.
Portuguese centre-back Jose Fonte, who played against Pogba in the Euro 2016 final and has been strongly linked with a move to United, remains short of match fitness, but could feature.
Central defender Chris Smalling returns for United after sitting out the trip to Bournemouth through suspension.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Thursday said in Lagos that gas alone could not bring the much needed increase in power supply in the country.
Fashola
Fashola spoke as guest speaker through Mr Chinedu Ugbo, acting Chairman, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), at the 2016 Annual Conference of the National Association of Energy Correspondents in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is entitled: “Low oil prince: Impact and the way forward.''
Fashola said, “It is not gas alone that will allow us to achieve incremental power.
“It is our most reliable source of power, yes, but it is only one solution among many other underutilised solutions.
“Mambila Power Station, for example, is likely to be our most defining in the road to incremental power, situated in Taraba State.
“It will potentially add 3,000MW to the grid and yet this is a hydro-electric project, not gas.
“Our ministry has recently publicised our energy mix and coal forms a large part of our target fuel source.''
According to him, “ I am pleased to say that the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) is working on a suitable tariff for coal-to-power that will form the basis of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
“Although you may not see it, it is at the point of negotiating tariff with power providers that government, through NBET, and NERC, begins to protect the interest of consumers.
“Solar and other renewable energies will also play a major role in our roadmap to incremental power.
“We have recently signed 14 PPAs for the delivery of 1125 MW of solar power.
“Other renewable energy projects such as the 10MW wind plant in Kastina, are also in various stages of completion,'' the minister said.
Also speaking, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, said that oil prices had dropped from 110 dollars per barrel in June 2014 to the current level slightly above 40 dollars per barrel.
“This decline has significantly impacted on government revenue earnings as oil sector accounts for approximately 90 per cent of the nation's foreign exchange.
“The huge drop in revenue earnings poses a grave danger for the adequate funding of the national budget.
“A major challenge which, therefore remains, is securing the crude volumes to a level that ensures we deliver the revenue target fully aware of the fact that price is internationally determined.
“We are, therefore, working assiduously to resolve the security issues so that we can guarantee volumes," he said.
Baru, however, appealed to people to stop destroying the energy infrastructure, saying that destruction of critical energy infrastructure posed serious threat to the environment.
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) on Thursday said 15 states in parts of the country may lose two million hectares to flood. Mr Felix Ale, Head, Media and Corporate Communications of the agency, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.
Ale said the areas were identified following a preliminary research and analysis conducted by the agency on flood prone areas. “Based on satellite imagery from Nigeriasat-2, Nigeriasat-X and the shuttle radar topography mission, over two million Hectares of land are at risk of flooding with potential impact on Agriculture and settlements' displacement.
“In the investigation, the Space Agency developed a geospatial information system depicting areas that are at risk of flooding across the Nation. “The affected states, after a critical analysis and scientific research through space applications, are Taraba, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Edo, Delta and Anambra.
“Others are Rivers, Bayelsa, Lagos, Sokoto, Kano and Niger. “Against this background, NASRDA hereby appeals to the affected state governments to urgently put adequate measures in place for the relocation of communities in the flood plain areas in their respective states to high grounds.
“This is in order to mitigate the colossal loss of lives and to prevent a repeat of the 2012 experience. “NARSDA reassures the general public of its close collaboration with relevant stakeholders for the dissemination of space-based solutions to any flood challenge in the country,'' he said.
Ale also said that the agency had developed a digital terrain model to identify areas of high grounds for potential relocation of affected communities. The agency recently made public its findings on the recent earth tremor in some parts of Rivers and Bayelsa.
President Muhammadu Buhari says African countries survive the current economic and financial challenges with home-grown innovations.
PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI
The president said this while declaring open the annual Assembly of Governors of the Association of African Central Banks held in Abuja on Thursday.
According to him, prescriptions from the West tagged: "fit for all purposes" will not solve Africa's economic and financial challenges.
“I am confident that you will come up with practical ways by which we can chart a way forward for the growth and development of Africa.
“The region is confronted with several global and domestic economic challenges.
“Most worrisome is the slowdown in growth; weakening global demand; rising inflation; restrictions in capital flows; rising debt levels; increased exchange rate volatility and depleting external reserves.
“Those of us who rely on only natural resources such as Nigeria, Angola, South Africa, and Mozambique have been hit the hardest.
“Furthermore, China, a major trade and business partner to a number of African countries is currently slowing down as it remodels its economy, sparking fears of further weakening.
“I urge you to continue to look for original home-grown solutions, not to rely on "fit for all purposes" prescriptions handed down from abroad.
“The world is a dynamic place and with innovation, we can survive.''
President Buhari noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria had for many years spearheaded economic stimulus measures through specific intervention programmes.
He maintained that these measures should be sustained at all costs, while urging the participants to strike a balance between monetary and fiscal policy measures.
He said, “monetary policy alone is not sufficient to bring about desired economic growth.''
President Buhari reiterated his administration's determination to diversify the economy so as to surmount the challenges facing the country.
“Consequently, we are taking measures and implementing policies that would ensure we are self-sufficient, generate massive employment for millions of our youth, and explore our untapped human and natural resources.
“We shall also embark on export and production diversification steps including investment in infrastructure; promotion of manufacturing through agro-based industries and expansion of Regional Trade.
“All these would involve integrating the informal economy into the mainstream and providing funds to Small and Medium Enterprises.
“We shall also continue, with greater determination and focus to pursue our goal of ensuring improved security for our country and its citizens, and without letting up on our fight against corruption and terrorism.''
President Buhari also advised that African leaders should reverse the trend of illicit flows of funds out of Africa through intensified surveillance in addition to guidance to the operations of their various financial institutions.
“We should all be serious in putting place measures aimed at ensuring that the proceeds of these illicit flows are repatriated to their countries of origin with minimal bureaucratic hitches.
In his remarks, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele assured that the Association would redouble its efforts towards the achievement of a sustainable economic and monetary integration in Africa.
He stressed the need for African Central Banks to be strengthened so as to serve as a platform for galvanising efforts that will solve emerging challenges on the continent.
Also speaking, the President, Association of African Central Banks, Mr Lucas Nchama, called for proactive policies that will address the negative effects of the fall in prices of major commodities on the economies of African countries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 45 governors of Central Banks and the representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Africa Union were in attendance.
The theme of the meeting is; “Unwinding Unconventional Monetary Policies and Financial stability in Africa.''
Almost every day in Nigeria, the media is awash with stories of road accidents leading to deaths of many or sometimes inflict temporary/ permanent injuries on car occupants. Autofactorng, an e-commerce retail company into sales of auto-parts has highlighted 5 silent killers car owners take for granted.
Defective windshield wipers
Windshield wipers would probably not be the first thing that comes to your mind when talking about causes of road accident. Windshield wipers are essential to the safety of any driver, and when they are not working properly, accidents are more likely to occur.
In a situation of a heavy downpour of rain and a car with a defective windshield wipers will cause one to lose visibility quite fast, and car accidents can result easily. Worn out shocks
The major function of a shock absorber is to prevent excessive spring movement and in so doing keep the car’s tyres in contact with the road enabling you to keep control of it. Because of this it is a safety critical item, but most people ignore it. Because shocks are generally unseen items and they wear down so slowly that drivers grow accustomed to the ride and amend their style of driving to compensate for it. Not only are worn shocks life threatening, they can also cause costly repairs and maintenance on your vehicles.
Bad brakes
Brake pads and shoes are wear items and have a limited service life. The more you drive and use your brakes, the more the brake linings wear. Eventually, they wear down to the point where they have to be replaced. The hydraulic and mechanical components in your brake system also have a limited service life. Over time, rubber seals and hoses can deteriorate and leak. Metal components can rust and corrode. If your brake system develops a leak, it may cause the brakes to fail because of loss of hydraulic pressure when you apply the brakes.
Bad & expired tyres
The condition of the tyres should be inspected regularly. Look for unusual or uneven wear, bulges or wrinkles in the tire sidewalls, cracks in the tread that may indicate tread separation, or loss of air pressure. Over- or under-inflated tires can cause trouble for motorists, which could end up resulting in an accident if ignored. Also, using an expired tyre can be fatal – as the rubber ages, it perishes (dries out), and becomes weaker and brittle. At speed, it heats up and the pressure increases (as the air inside also heats up). This can lead to a blowout
Poor Vehicle Maintenance/Driver Negligence
It is the sole responsibility of the driver and car owner that the vehicle being driven is safe and roadworthy on the road. A quick walk around on cars by drivers before each and every drive is important not only as a good practice but sometimes save lives. A knowledge of those components which may affect road safety when broken down or deteriorated will be a benefit for drivers to enhance the confidence in driving.
Korede Ogunseinde is an automobile blogger @autofactorng
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia , on Thursday expressed joy over his victory at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, saying that he had been spurred to do more. Ikpeazu, who said this while addressing newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia, said the victory reinvigorated him to serve the people with greater zeal.
He thanked God for the victory, saying that he dedicated the victory to the people of the state. He also expressed gratitude to the judiciary which, he said, had proved to be the hope of the common man. “Without the judiciary of this country, what would have been the fate of the poor son of a teacher, who became governor at the mercy of God and people of Abia.
Ikpeazu
“The news before of us is a wonderful one and we are grateful to God for what He has done that our mandate has once again been affirmed by the Court of Appeal. “This to us is a victory for the common people of Abia, who voted massively for us in 2015,” he said. He said that with the judgment he had been “re-invigorated in our service to Ndi-Abia without letting them down”.
Ikpeazu thanked the people for their support and steadfastness in prayer for his victory and urged them not to rest on their oars. The governor further charged the media to ensure that all arms of government work in consonance to promote the ideals of democracy. “The gains this country has achieved in terms of our democratic experience is too much for us to toy with.
“We can recover from our economic problems but we may never recover if we drawback on our gains in democratic governance,” he said. The Court of Appeal affirmed the election of Ikpeazu and quashed the June 26 judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja High Court.
Abang had ordered Ikpeazu to vacate office for Dr. Uche Ogah, who challenged Ikpeazu’s eligibility to contest the 2015 governorship election as the flag bearer of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP). Following the judgment of the High Court for the immediate inauguration of Ogah as Abia governor, the Independent National Electoral Commission, issued him with the Certificate of Return.
Meanwhile, members of the Board of Trustees of PDP, led by their chairman, Sen. Walid Jibrin, who were at the Government House at the time the news of the judgment filtered in, congratulated the governor on his victory. Jibrin told newsmen that the party expected victory for Ikpeazu.
A former Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumini Jibrin, has asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to restrain the leadership of the House of Representatives from suspending him. Jibrin, representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, urged the court, to set aside the decision of the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and Uzoma Abonta pending the determination of the case.
He also asked the court to declare as illegal, the decision of the House to suspend him without allowing the external investigation committee to probe his allegations of budget padding. However, when the case came up for hearing, Justice Okon Abang, sought to know if the defendants in the case were served with the court processes.
Counsel to Jibrin, Mr Mohammed Suleiman, informed the court that the plaintiff was yet to serve the defendants with the motion. Abang therefore directed that all parties in the suit be put on notice before he could entertain the application. He adjourned the hearing till Aug. 25.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-President Muhammadu Buhari has said that one of the topmost priorities of his administration was to restore the confidence of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in government by facilitating their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.President Buhari commissions Road Projects in Wanke Zamfara State
The president gave the revelation while receiving the outgoing Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Asharaf Abdelkader Salama at State House, Abuja on Thursday.
A statement by the presidential spokesperson, Mr. Femi Adesina stated that Buhari also commended Egyptian government for identifying with challenges confronting Nigeria, especially the plight of IDPs.
“The displaced persons want to go back to their homes. They want to resume their normal lives. They want to go back to the land, which they have not cultivated for over three years now.
“We will work to restore their confidence, and also work on infrastructure, so that they can quickly resettle,” President Buhari said.
The President noted that the bond of friendship between Nigeria and Egypt was very strong as demonstrated in their growing cooperation on regional and international issues.
In his remarks, Mr. Salama, who spent four years in Nigeria, said he was the first foreign diplomat to travel by road from Maiduguri to Yobe State, North Eastern Nigeria, last month.
He told the President he was proud to have made the journey through an area once considered a stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists, following the successes recorded by the Nigerian military fighting insurgents in the region.
He described the people of Nigeria as “friendly and generous,” saying he hoped to be back in the country again.
President Buhari also received the outgoing Ambassadors of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and Tanzania.
Granting audience with Ambassador Oubi Bachir of SADR, President Buhari reiterated Nigeria's support for Sahrawi people's self-determination and independence.
Ambassador Bachir's duty tour to Nigeria spanned eight years during which he served as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.
On Tanzania, President Buhari told the High Commissioner Daniel Ole Njoolay, that the east African country was fortunate to have a leader who cared so much for the less privileged in the society.
The President said Tanzania was blessed with good land and gas, which could be used for the good people of the country.
Ambassador Njoolay spent two years and eight months in the country.
BY – KINGSLEY OMONOBI-ABUJA. The Nigerian Navy Ship NWAMBA has rescued a British registered merchant Tanker vessel with call sign MT VECTIS OSPREY from sea pirates who attacked her 20 nautical miles offshore of Bonny.
A statement from Naval headquarters signed by the Director of Information, Commodore Christian Ezekobe said, "The rescue operation was in response to a timely alert by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) to the Naval Regional Maritime Awareness Centre (RMAC).
"Consequently, the war ship was promptly deployed to track down and rescue the vessel.
Ezekobe said, "The British flagged MT VECTIS OSPREY departed Bonny offshore terminal and came under pirate attack on Wednesday 17 August 2016.
"NNS Nwamba engaged the attackers on approaching the vessel which made them to abandon their mission due to superior fire power.
"To this end, Naval special forces onboard the war ship embarked, and rescued the crew who locked up themselves in a citadel in the merchant tanker.
"The crew and cargo of 'MT VECTIS OSPREY' are safe while investigation has also commenced in order to unravel the circumstances of the attempted hijack, especially with regard to the current trend of involvement of crew members in attacks on their own vessels".
"Additionally, Ship owners are hereby advised to profile their crew before embarking them onboard to avoid situations in which some disgruntled crew members stage-manage attacks on their own vessels" he said.
"Consequently, the Nigerian Navy wishes to seize this opportunity to remind the public, particularly those operating in the maritime environment that the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas is poised to eliminate all forms of criminal activities in the maritime domain, hence several initiatives have been made in this regard" Ezekobe added.
"To mention a few, the initiatives are the conduct of 'Operation Tsare Teku', Choke Point Regime and the deployment of capital ships for daily patrol.
"It is worthy to note also that these measures have drastically reduced incidents of sea piracy and other crimes on our territorial waters".
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said his administration would restore the confidence of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by fast-tracking their voluntary return, rehabilitation and reintegration into the society. The president gave the assurance when he received the outgoing Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Asharaf Abdelkader Salama at State House, Abuja.
He commended Egypt for identifying with challenges confronting the country, especially the plight of IDPs, which he said had remained a topmost priority for the Nigerian Government. “The displaced persons want to go back to their homes. They want to resume their normal lives. They want to go back to the land, which they have not cultivated for over three years now.
“We will work to restore their confidence, and also work on infrastructure, so that they can quickly resettle,'' he said. The President noted that the bond of friendship between Nigeria and Egypt was very strong as demonstrated in their growing cooperation on regional and international issues.
In his remarks, Salama, who spent four years in Nigeria, said he was the first foreign diplomat to travel by road from Maiduguri to Yobe, North Eastern Nigeria, last month. He told the President he was proud to have made the journey through an area once considered a stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists, following the successes recorded by the Nigerian military fighting insurgents in the region.
He described the people of Nigeria as “friendly and generous'', saying he hoped to be back in the country again. President Buhari also received the outgoing Ambassadors of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and Tanzania. During the audience with Ambassador Oubi Bachir of SADR, Buhari reiterated Nigeria's support for Sahrawi people's self-determination and independence.
Amb. Bachir's duty tour to Nigeria spanned eight years during which he served as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. On Tanzania, President Buhari told the High Commissioner, Daniel Ole Njoolay, that the East African country was fortunate to have a leader who cared so much for the less privileged in the society.
The President said Tanzania was blessed with good land and gas, which could be used for the good people of the country. Ambassador Njoolay spent two years and eight months in the country.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its South East Zonal Head of Operations, Mr Obioha Okorie, has released a bank draft of N500,000 to one Dr. Veronica Ibeziako, a retired Chief Magistrate in Anambra.
A statement issued by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, the commission`s Head of Media and Publicity on Thursday in Abuja, said that the money was recovered for Ibeziako.
“The former magistrate was swindled by fraudsters while seeking for financial assistance to enable her to proceed for medical treatment abroad,'' the statement quoted Uwujaren as saying.
Uwujaren said in the statement that Ibeziako was billed for a surgical procedure abroad, which was going to cost N3 million, adding that she was defrauded of N500,000.
The EFCC spokesman said that though investigations into the matter were still ongoing, the recovered fund had been released to the victim. This, he said, was to enable her to attend to her financial and medical needs.
The Kano State Police Command has banned a mass wedding organised by a group loyal to former Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso.
File Photo: Mass wedding in Kano
This is contained in a statement signed by the command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Magaji Majiya, and issued to newsmen on Thursday in Kano.
According to the statement, the measure is necessary because the wedding coincided with the state government's planned empowerment programme event slated for Aug. 20.
“The police has banned the two ceremonies indefinitely as security Intelligence available at our disposal revealed that some disgruntled elements are preparing to use the occasions to cause havoc in the state.
It warned that the police and other security agencies would not fold their arms to allow some people to breach the peace in the state.
“Our prime responsibility is to ensure peace, tranquillity, protection of lives and property as well as maintenance of law and order,'' the statement said.
The statement said that the Commissioner of Police would invite the organisers of the two events for a meeting with a view to resolving the issues.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – The Bring Back Our Girls BBOG advocacy movement has announced of its plan to commence a series of marches on the presidential villa to compel President Muhammadu Buhari to act fast in rescuing the abducted Chibok girls.
Following the recent release of a proof of life video by the Boko Haram terrorist group, the BBOG had indicated its desire to embark on a series of strategic engagements to compel the federal government to “decide and act now”.
The #BBOG will also also focus on issues regarding the humanitarian crisis in the North East, corruption in the disbursement of relief materials to IDPs, and the arms deal saga.
In a brief statement released Thursday in Abuja and jointly signed by its leaders, Oby Ezekwesili and Aisha Yesufu, the #BBOG announced her “decision to embark on a series of activities to compel decisive action from our government and the global community”.
According to the movement, “activities will commence on Monday, 22nd August 2016. They will include several marches to the Presidency, media interactions, and engagements with critical stakeholders such as Governments, International Organizations, Statesmen and Influencers.
“Critical areas to be covered during this period of engagement are our #ChibokGirls, the humanitarian crisis in the North East, corruption in the disbursement of relief materials to IDPs, and the arms deal saga.
“We call on all citizens, within Nigeria and across the world, to join us on these engagements”.
