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 Ebonyi Police Command has confirmed the lynching of a commercial motorcyclist, Francis Uroh, by a mob for stealing a motorcycle.
DSP George Okafor, Ebonyi Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, that the incident occurred at Afikpo North LGA of the state.
According to him, the police stormed the scene on receiving the information and took the victim to a nearby hospital where he later died.
"We have arrested the man who claimed to be the motorcycle owner while efforts have been intensified to apprehend others suspects on the run.
"We have commenced investigations into the incident and assured the public that all those found culpable would be prosecuted," he said.
A witness told NAN that Uro, a native of Amasiri community, had conveyed a passenger to Ehugbo, a nearby community where he met his death.
"Someone stated shouting that he had seen his stolen motorcycle and this attracted the attention of fellow commercial motorcyclists and youths who surrounded Uroh.
"They started beating him despite his plea of innocence and when they discovered that he was lifeless, everybody fled the scene," he said.
The Caretaker Chairman of Afikpo North LGA, Chief Oko Enyim, condemned the incident and said that the council would ensure that the perpetrators were prosecuted.
"Youths of Amasiri where the victim hails from mobilised for reprisal attacks but I quickly intervened. The person who sold the motorcycle to the deceased has escaped from the community on hearing of the incident," he said.
Chief Idu Igariwey (PDP-Afikpo North/South Federal Constituency) also condemned the killing and blamed the youths for taking laws into their hands.
Igariwey, in a statement, said that the youths should have reported the incident to law enforcement agents rather than take laws into their own hand.
"I charge relevant agencies to apprehend and prosecute all those involved in the act to serve as a deterrent to others," the statement read.
By Benjamin Njoku MultiChoice Nigeria has announced the return of the Nigeria reality TV show based on the Big Brother TV series. Now referred to as Big Brother Naija, the show will air on dedicated event channels on DStv and GOtv in January 2017.
Speaking on this latest development, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe said the comeback of the show is one of the ways the company is enhancing the quality and variety of content available on its platforms.
He also said the show has been well developed following the successes of past seasons of Big Brother Africa. "Big Brother Africa was popular for its entertainment value and ability to showcase ordinary Africans from different walks of life. We decided to re-invent the reality show once again by bringing back the Nigerian version which we are confident will draw pan-African audiences for the same reasons that Big Brother Africa did", said Ugbe.
In the first edition of the show, twelve housemates vied for the coveted $100,000 prize money by performing various mental and physical tasks. At the end of a three-month stay in the house, Katung Aduwak emerged winner. The show also produced other notable stars such as Africa Magic's Tinsel actor, Gideon Okeke, and TV personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.
Auditions for Big Brother Naija will hold in Lagos on the 26th and 27th of November; more information on the show will be revealed in the coming weeks
The Police in Abia on Monday confirmed that suspected herdsmen armed with firearms attacked a community in the state and left scores of the indigenes critically wounded.
The police spokesman, ACP Ogbonnaya Nta, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, said that the command had commenced investigation.
The attack occurred at Ndi Okereke Abam in Ovukwu Autonomous Community in Arochukwu LGA.
Narrating the incident to newsmen in Umuahia, the President-General of the community, Chief Chukwuma Okubi, said that the incident took place in the afternoon.
He said that six persons sustained bullet and machete wounds and were rushed to a hospital in the area for medical treatment.
The president-general said the herdsmen invaded their farmlands and destroyed their crops.
Okubi, who described the act as `provocative,' said that the cattle feasted on bags of rice, harvested by one of the victims.
"The plea by the farmer to the herdsmen to take the cattle away from the rice fell on deaf ears as they drew their machete and gave several cuts on the man.
"The cattle used to graze on grass in the past but this time, they were led into the farms which are our main source of livelihood," he said.
Okubi said that it was the alarm raised by members of the man's family, who escaped from the scene that drew the attention of the community.
He said that when the information got to the town, the youths mobilised and headed for the farmlands to ascertain the level of destruction and casualty.
"Unfortunately, as soon as the herdsmen saw the youths, they opened fire on them and inflicted machete cut on some of them,''Okubi added.
He said that the timely intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade, and the Chairman, Farmers/Herdsmen Committee set up by the police, saved the situation from degenerating.
Abuja – The Chief of Army of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, wept on Monday as he read the funeral oration at the graveside of the seven military men killed by the Boko Haram terrorists.
They are: late Lt.-Col. Muhammad Abu-Ali, Seargents Muazu Ibrahim, Bassey Okon, Hussani Jafaru, Cpl. Chukwu Simon, Private Salisu Lawal and Seaman Patrick Paul.
They died when the terrorists attempted to seize Mallam Fatori on Nov. 4 in an attack.
The soldiers were inducted into the Operation Lafiya Dole in 2014, designed to fight the Boko Haram insurgents and liberate the North-East from their hold.
"They were brave, precise, professional and inspiring. They led the battle to recapture the following towns: Monguno, Baga, new Marte, Bama, Gwoza, Banki Junction, Gamboru-Ngala, Yale, Yanteke, Bita, Deruwa, Daira Kangaruwa and Mallam Fatori.Interment of LT Col Abu-Ali and others
"In these battles, they rescued children and women, fathers and mothers, the young and the old and restored peace and hope to Nigerian citizens.
At last, on Nov. 4, they paid the supreme sacrifice in the battle of Mallam Fatori,'' Buratai said.
According to him, the deceased epitomised the very best of our military. They exemplified the values of our nation and the military which are: loyalty, discipline, courage, selfless service, respect, honour and dignity.
Buratai said that the deceased fought for the unity of the nation, adding that "your labour will never be in vain".
He promised that the army would take care of their survivors.
Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff at the occasion, Alhaji Abba Kyari, said the deceased had shown unalloyed commitment to the nation.
"They were fearless, responsive, inspiring, selfless and dedicated to their duties.
"The selflessness of these gentlemen reinvigorate the memories of other great fallen heroes, who stood firm in the defence of our dear nation,'' the president said.
Buhari noted that the deceased had paid the supreme sacrifice in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the North-East, adding that their sacrifices would not go in vain.
He also noted that their contributions had resulted in the restoration of normalcy in the region.
"It is, therefore, our resolve that the labour of these fallen heroes shall never be in vain,'' he said, adding that insurgency and terrorism would be defeated.
The dignitaries that attended the funeral included the service chiefs, Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno, Ministers of Information and culture, and Interior, and Senators Ali Ndume, Dino Melaye and Phillip Aduda.
Also at the burial were the Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, and Wife of the Senate President, Toyin Saraki, among others.
The deceased were interred at about 5.55 p.m. after all necessary military ceremonies.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, Monday, reserved its ruling on a motion seeking to disband the fresh panel constituted to resolve dispute over the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State.
The Justice Ibrahim Salauwa-led Special panel adjourned to rule on the application by six chieftains of the PDP in the South West States, asking it to hands-off the matter.
The applicants who are led by Chairman of the PDP in Ondo State, Prince Biyi Boroye, through their lawyer, Mr. Benson Nwufor, SAN, queried the rationale behind the composition of a special panel by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, to hear a pre-election matter.
They contended that the new panel was set up in breach of their right to fair hearing guaranteed under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
Specifically, the applicants who are loyal to the Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff faction of the PDP, urged the appellate court to “order the return of case files relating to the appeals and the application for leave to appeal as an interested party (against the decision of the Federal High Court of 14th October 2016 in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/395/2016) – filed by Eyitayo Jegede (factional PDP candidate of the Ondo PDP), to the Registry of the Court of Appeal to take its normal course and turn in the docket of the court.”
The appeals affected by the applicant’s motion are: CA/A/551/2016 filed by Ahmed Makarfi and Ben Obi against Biyi Poroye and 10 others and CA/A/551A/2016 filed by Clement Faboyede and another against 10 others; CA/A551B/2016 filed by the PDP against Biyi Poroye and 9 others and CA/A/551C/2016 filed by Eyitayo Jegede against Prince Biyi Poroye and 10 others.
They argued that not only did the PCA acted without hearing from them, they insisted that the case, being a pre-election matter, does not warrant any urgency to require the constitution of a special panel.
They added that those who filed the appeals against the June 29 and October 14 decisions of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja, were not parties in the suits that led to the decisions.
The applicants also argued that no orders were made against any of those behind the new appeals, and that they (the applicants), who were plaintiffs in the suits, were not informed when the PCA acted solely on the request by the appellants to constitute the panel on the grounds of urgency.
*condemns release of suspected killers of Bridget Agbahime without trial in Kano
*demands justice
BY CALEB AYANSINA
ABUJA – The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Monday, condemned the release of five suspects accused of killing a 74 year old Christian woman, Mrs. Bridget Agbahime, in Kano, without trial.
Last week, the suspects were discharged and the case terminated by the Kano Magistrate Court, presided over by the Chief Magistrate, Mr. Jibrin Muhammad in line with the directive of the attorney-general of Kano state.
File: Suspects arraigned at Kano Chief Magistrate Court 20 on Friday, 10 June, over their involvement in the gruesome murder of Mrs. Bridget Agbahime at Kofar Wambai market, Thursday, June 2, 2016
Bridget was murdered sometime in June, 2016 by mob at Kofar Wambai market over alleged blasphemy.
Reacting to this, the Christian community described the suspects' release as "highly provocative and insultive act on our collective sensitivities as a democratic nation."
CAN in a statement issued by its Director, Legal and Public Affairs, Barr. Kwamkur Samuel said it was so unfortunate that nobody killed under the pretence of blasphemy in Nigeria had been brought to justice, despite glaring evidences.
He said; "The Association condemns the continuous act of killing of innocent Nigerians under the pretence of blasphemy and considers the willful absence of justice for victims of these mindless killings in Nigeria by the relevant authorities as a very serious constitutional breach and security threat to our unity and collective survival as a nation.
"The now-familiar tradition of avoidance to arrest or properly investigate and prosecute cases involving the deliberate killing of innocent Nigerians is evidence of a scripted plan to operate another nation within the Nigerian state and to deny justice to those who truly deserve justice.
"The cardinal responsibility of Government to protect the lives and property of the citizens is sacrosanct and must not be sacrificed on the altar of religious convenience.
"As it stands today, there is no single prosecution record of any criminal who killed under the pretence of blasphemy in Nigeria despite the number of victims and incontrovertible facts showing that those killings were done in daylight and mostly by persons who live within the communities where these heinous crimes were committed."
Consequently, CAN called on "the Kano State Government and the Inspector General of Police to execute justice on behalf of the blood calling out for it.
"The act of condoning crass criminality in the name of blasphemy deserves greater attention and broader treatment in this era of transforming the mindset of the citizens to work toward progressive change.
"CAN deeply sympathizes with the family of the Kano victim over the rather very sad outcome of the case and assures that the pursuit of justice is a noble task of all well-meaning citizens working together toward a more decent and better society.
"As the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria, we will not relent in our effort to ensure that justice is served on the religiously intolerant and to ensure that all Nigerians are treated equally irrespective of their faith, social status and where they come from."
National Legal Adviser of All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Muiz Adeyemi Banire, has offered to step aside, pending the conclusion of investigation into the allegation of his involvement in bribery of some judges.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is currently investigation Banire for allegedly assisting a juge of the national Industrial Court with N500,000, an allegation he had since denied.
But Banire, in a letter to the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, personally signed by him, also communicated his decision to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), offering to also step aside as member of Electoral Reform
The APC Legal Adviser in the letter, titled Offer to Step Aside as National Legal Adviser Pending Conclusion of Investigation of My Person by the EFCC, also copied President, Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Muiz-Banire
The letter read: "On Saturday, the 29th day of October, 2016, I read online, a publication titled "APC National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire, Allegedly paid Federal Judge =N=500k". I was not only shocked by the purport of the publication against my person, but extremely disturbed by its negative propagandist effect on our Party, the Government it leads at the Federal level, and, above all, our signature programme of anti-corruption in public life.
"I, therefore, immediately on the same day, wrote a letter which was delivered to, and acknowledged by the EFCC on Monday, the 31st day of October, 2016, submitting myself to investigation on the allegation, and offering to visit the EFCC offices in Lagos on Tuesday, the 1st day of November, 2016 to be interrogated as part of that investigation. A copy of the said letter of request is enclosed herewith. Ostensibly, due to the constraints of its heavy work schedule, my request to attend the EFCC to be interrogated on the allegation did not receive attention until Thursday, the 3rd day of November, 2016.
"The allegation, as I have come to understand it, is that a Statement of Account of one Judge of the National Industrial Court, the Honourable Justice J. T. Agbadu-Fishim, who is the subject of an ongoing EFCC's investigation, contained a June 2013 entry of a "=N=500,000.00" payment ascribed as being from one "Dr. Muiz B".
"I did not hesitate in confirming that this probably referred to me because I remember that about three years ago, I received a text message from someone I recollected at the time to be an old colleague in my days as a lecturer at the University of Lagos, an 'Agbadu-Fishim' who was then a Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, informing me of the death and funeral programme of his mother.
"The last contact (of any sort) I had with this person before that text would have been about fourteen years earlier, that is, before I was appointed Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State at the inception of civil rule in 1999 (now seventeen years ago).
"As far as assumption goes, he was to me, at the time of his contact, still employed by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies; he never informed me that he had moved on to become a Judge of any court in Nigeria, and I had never throughout my own career as a legal practitioner or public functionary ever appeared in any case before any judge whatsoever at the National Industrial Court, or attended any function of the National Industrial Court, that would have put me on notice that the Agbadu-Fishim I used to know had become a judge of the National Industrial Court.
"Indeed, it was with considerable difficulty that I was able to eventually recognise his face when I eventually saw him again (after seventeen years of my leaving the University of Lagos) on my attendance at the EFCC on Thursday the 3rd day of November, 2016."
Continuing, Banire said, "When I received the said message and his information to me of the death and funeral programme of his mother in which he solicited for financial assistance in a tone suggesting great distress, I considered it necessary to assist an old friend in dire need. Without any further prompting, he sent his account details to me and I made a cash gift of N500,000.00 to him.
"As I have now come to realize after my interactions with the EFCC, that payment is being investigated from the angle of whether or not it was to influence the receiver in the performance of his judicial duties on the Bench of the National Industrial Court. This is perfectly understandable to me within the general context of the investigation in which the allegation had arisen, and considering that I have lately come to also realize that two of my colleagues in chambers had been involved as defence counsel in two cases before the subject judge amongst twelve cases in all they have ever done at the Industrial Court since inception.
"My review of the two case files which I came to be conscious of after my interactions with the EFCC shows that one of them was amicably settled between the parties for a sum less than N1.2m, thereby technically losing the case, whilst they won the other and that the combined professional fees (net of taxes) for the two cases was less than N2m," he explained.
Banire, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), however said "While protesting my innocence, and will therefore do everything within legal limits to defend myself, I have, from the first instance, become aware of the allegation, offered my full cooperation to the EFCC and will continue to cooperate with, and give it all the assistance it may require of me in the course of its ongoing investigation into the matter.
"I have gone to the above length so that other members of the National Working Committee of our Party may become fully apprised of the allegation and the facts surrounding it, at least, as I have come to know/understand them. It is equally important to state that the said judge under one guise or the other solicited and collected from several other lawyers with not less than nine senior advocates involved as at the last count. The said judge does not deny the fact of solicitation equally.
"My concern for the name and image of the party has become heightened following the frenzy of press reports (allegedly based on undisclosed EFCC sources) that have followed my interrogative visits to the EFCC all of which have not failed to play up the fact of my being the National Legal Adviser of our party, the ruling party. I have, throughout my life, believed in the primacy of the whole over its constituent parts, and, therefore, in the importance of building and doing everything possible to preserve the institution over and above the personal interest of any individual within that institution.
"For me, this Party, our Party, and the government which it now leads at the federal level stands for something beyond any individual interest; I see it as the last beckon of hope for our long-suffering people. Whatever is necessary to be done to preserve it and ensure its effectiveness in order for it to attain and achieve its full potential must be done; and where that calls for our individual sacrifice, we must willingly offer it. That is the challenge before all of us, who genuinely seek a change in the pitiable situation of our country, Nigeria.
"Therefore, as surreal as I find the allegation to be, I will not stand by and watch it negatively affect the name of the Party. I will rather stand by, even in the unfair circumstance I have narrated, than allow the party that I (with you and our other leaders and members across the length and breadth of Nigeria) have sacrificed brain and brawn to build-up into the formidable party it has become as a potential tool for the political re-engineering of Nigeria, and the emancipation of our peoples from want in the midst of plenty, spreading illiteracy in the age of knowledge, the ravages of commonplace diseases that have become history in other climes, and such other manifestations of poor governance that have been and remained our lot, even after 56 years of independence from colonialism.
"Mr. Chairman, Sir, it is in view of the above circumstances that I wish to temporarily step aside from my position on our National Working Committee as the National Legal Adviser of our Party until completion and final outcome of the EFCC investigation involving my person.”
President Buhari with Gov. Adams Oshiomhole in one of the classes of the newly commissioned Samuel Ogbemudia College in Benin on 7th Nov 2016
President Buhari with Governor of Edo State Adams Oshiomole as he Commissions Samuel Ogbemudia College as part of his visit to Edo State for the Commissioning of Infrastructural Projects in Benin City.
President Buhari with R-L: Commissioner for Environment Prince Clem Agba, Speaker Edo State House of Assembly, APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, Governor of Edo State Adams Oshiomole and other dignitaries as he inspects Queen Ede Gulley Erosion site as part of his visit to Edo State for the Commissioning of Infrastructural Projects in Benin City .
LOKOJA – Kogi state government has refuted the rumour making the rounds since weekend that the state governor, Yahaya Bello is dead. The government in a statement by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo said the governor was on a two weeks break outside the country which was approved by the state House of Assembly.
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State
The statement reads apart, “Our attention has been drawn to the spurious rumour doing the round that there are concerns over the health of the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello."
“I want to state clearly here for the avoidance of doubt that the rumour lacks any iota of truth. It is a reflection of the depth the enemies of Kogi State have gone in their desperate angst against fate."
“To put the record straight, the Governor is hale and hearty, healthy and unwavering in his vigour to make Kogi State the Confluence of Excellence."
“I urge all Kogites of goodwill to discountenance the rumour as His Excellency will return from his two weeks break, which was approved by the Kogi State House ff Assembly, on the 12th of November, 2016.”
Rumour had been rift over the weekend that the governor slumped at the Abuja International airport and was flown to Germany where he was said to have eventually died over the weekend.
THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced investigation into the alleged diversion of N500million appropriated funds at Esit Eket Local Government Council in Akwa Ibom State during the tenure of Mr. Ibanga Etang.
This followed a petition to the anti-graft agency by political stakeholders and civil society groups in the council area.
It was gathered that Etang, chaired the Council between 2011 and 2015.
The petitioners drawn from different wards in Esit Eket, included Al Mustapher Emem Edoho, politician and human rights activist; Elder Emmanuel Okpodighe, Youth Leader of Idung Udo Nsak community; Prince Uwem Edukere, youth activist; Prince Ubong Umanah, among others.
They accused the former Council chairman of squandering funds running into over N500million meant for the development of the Council during his administration.
In a letter entitled: 'Request for statement of affairs and income and expenditure of Esit Eket Council's finances between June 2011 and 2015', the petitioners alleged the ex-Chairman diverted allocations and internally generated revenues of the Council during his three years stint.
The letter read, "That you also fraudulently converted tenement rate payment to Esit Eket Local Government Councils from oil companies including Frontier Oil, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and Oil Serve Limited, among others"
The petitioners also alleged in their grounds of relief that allocations accrued to Esit Eket during the tenure of Etang, ran in excess of N3billion.
"The total wage bill for Esit Eket throughout the period at the rate of N20million per months amounted to about N720million,” they alleged, adding that “the former Chairman's failure to account for the balance necessitated the ongoing legal action against the leadership of the Council.”
The ICPC Zonal Commissioner, Mr. Henry Emore, admitted the matter was before the Commission but declined to reveal details in order not to jeopardize investigation.
However, efforts to reach the former Chairman Etang was not possible at the time of filing this report as he neither picked calls nor responded to a text message to him through his mobile phone.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – Trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki resumed before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, in Abuja, on Monday, with the star witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas, revealing how the defendant acquired various properties with bank loans he secured while in office as the governor of Kwara State.
Wetkas who is a detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was the head of a three-man crack team that was constituted in 2014 to investigate six separate petitions against Saraki.
The witness commenced his Evidence-In-Chief before the tribunal on April 6.
Testifying at the resumed sitting on Monday, he told the Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal that Saraki who is answering to a 16-count charge preferred against him by the Federal Government, used bank loans to the tune of N496million, to purchase properties in Lagos.
He said that Saraki earlier admitted in the assets declaration form he submitted before the Code of Conduct Bureau, in 2007, that he bought the disputed properties at plot 17 and 17A, Clover Road, in Lagos, with loan from Guarantee Trust Bank.
Under cross-examination by Saraki’s lawyer, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN, the witness said the defendant who initially stated in his assets form dated July 11, 2007, that he took loan to buy the properties, made a U-turn after four years and claimed that same properties were declared to have been acquired with proceeds from his commodity business.
When asked to read the bank statement of the defendant, the witness, told the tribunal that the loans obtained to purchase the properties in dispute were liquidated prior to assets declaration Saraki made in 2011.
He said that repayment of the loans were made in five trenches between May 2007 and May, 2008.
Enugu – Barely 24 hours to America's presidential election, a cross section of Enugu residents have expressed support for the Democrat Presidential Candidate, Mrs Hillary Clinton.
All the respondents interviewed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday that they supported Clinton because she was the best of the four contenders.
The South East/South- South Coordinator of the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Mrs Olachi Ronnie-Chuks, predicted that Clinton would win the election because of her antecedents as former Secretary of States.
"I am supporting Hillary Clinton because of her policy thrust and I know that she will win the election irrespective of her gender and the failed FBI email scandal.
"Clinton has shown that a woman can contest election based on capabilities and she does not beg for political and economic opportunities,'' she said.
The coordinator urged Nigerian female politicians to borrow a leaf from Clinton's character and political will.Mrs. Hilary clinton
A civil servant, Mr Mcdonald Odenigbo said he was sure that Clinton would come out victorious because of her experience and intelligence.
Odenigbo said that if Clinton won the election, Africans would benefit from her foreign policies.
A journalist, Mr Regis Anukwuoji predicted that the democrat would win the election because she defeated Trump thrice during the political debate.
"Trump is a joker and has nothing to offer America and the world at large. So I pray and hope that Hillary wins the presidential election,'' he said.
The Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Enugu State, Ifeoma Amuta said that Clinton would make history as the first female US president if she wins the election.
"Clinton has the pedigree to be the US president following her antecedents as a former Secretary of States, Senator and first lady.
"She did not achieve the feat because she is a woman but because of her self determination and love for her country,'' she said.
Amuta said that women and Nigerians in general had a lot to learn from Clinton's experience.
NAN reports that Americans will go to the polls on Nov. 8 to elect a new president to succeed Barak Obama. (NAN)
Maiduguri – The Nigerian Army said on Monday that it had so far released about 1271 detainees after clearing them of any link with the Boko Haram terrorists group.
Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, disclosed this while speaking at a forum for the reintegration of children associated with armed forces or armed groups in Maiduguri.
Ezugwu, who was represented by Col. Yusuf Ali, said that most of those released were women and children.
" The Nigerian Army gives utmost priority to the rights of detainees especially women and children.
"We always try to fast track investigation to determine their fate, while those found innocent were released with out delay," he said.
Ezugwu added:" Consequently, between February and October this year we have had five releases.
"In February 135 persons comprising mainly women and children were released, 204 were released in May, while the remaining three releases were carried out in September and October".
He said that the army had also improved on the provision of welfare for the detainees.
"As part of the military high command care for the vulnerable persons under our protective custody.
"We have identified areas needing attention including feeding, health care, decongestion of cells, respect for detainees rights, sanitation and personal hygiene, " Ezugwu said.
He said children and vulnerable persons were fed three times daily with balanced diet.
"We always provide meat or fish in every meal and drinks every Sunday for them.
" If fact, some of those released would have preferred to remain with us if they had the choice rather than move to IDPs camps," he said.
Ezugwu commended the organisers of the forum, saying the event was timely.
The Ikeja City Mall was packed to the brim last weekend as thousands of excited music lovers gathered to witness the first ever Campari cocktail festival, tagged "Dare To Mix".
2baba at the Campari Festival held Weekend, at the Ikeja City MaIl, Lagos.
Guests enjoyed a fantastic selection of mouth – watering cocktails, great food, and an amazing atmosphere. The all day festival featured major attractions from the worlds of comedy, music and mixology which had guests completely enthralled throughout the day.
Campari Ambassador, 2Baba, who attended the festival with his beautiful wife, Annie Idibia, gave fans an unforgettable experience as he performed one hit song after another in a truly memorable performance. The superstar also taught consumers how to enjoy his signature cocktail, "Implication Shekarato" along with popular Senator mix, Campari and Beer.
Another music superstar, Adigun Abolore Akande, popularly known as 9ice, also brought the roof down with his pulsating performance. The Gongo Aso hitmaker also invited 2Baba on stage where they both performed the monster track, "Street Credibility" to the delight of fans present.
Comedian, Akpororo gave a mind- blowing performance as guests rolled in laughter throughout his time on stage. Then Kelly Handsome took fans down memory lane as he performed "Maga Don Pay" among other monster hits.
DJ of the night was superstar DJ, Jimmy Jatt, who got guests partying late into the night with a medley of some of the biggest hits from the local and international music scene.
Notable faces at the event included, Praiz, Yaw, Simi, Annie Idibia, Kola Soul, Kemi Smallz among many others.
Campari is a global brand with a presence in over 190 countries in the world. It has also acquired major drinks brands access the world, positioning itself as a major global competitor in the liquor industry.
Other photos
9ice and 2Baba at the Campari Festival held Weekend, at the Ikeja City MaIl, Lagos.Annie Idibia and Vien at the Campari Festival held Weekend, at the Ikeja City MaIl, Lagos.DJ Jimmy at the Campari Festival held Weekend, at the Ikeja City MaIl, Lagos.Fans at the Campari Festival held Weekend, at the Ikeja City MaIl, Lagos.Akpororo at the Campari Festival held Weekend, at the Ikeja City MaIl, Lagos.
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The federal government has approved the upward review of the Maximum Deposit Insurance Coverage (MDIC) per depositor of mortgage banks to N500, 000 from N200, 000. Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim disclosed Monday in Lagos.
He spoke during the NDIC special day at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair. He said: “The Honourable Minister of Finance has approved an upward review of the deposit insured limit for depositors of PMBs to N500, 000 in order to ensure coverage of over 90 percent of depositors in the banking sub sector.”
Highlighting the contributions of the NDIC to the safety of the financial system, Ibrahim said: “As one of the three pillars of financial safety-net, the corporation has been protecting the interest of depositors by ensuring the safety of their bank deposits. "It is apt to reiterate the NDIC’s efforts over the years by putting depositors as its top priority. "The maximum deposit insurance coverage per depositor per bank has progressively increased from N50, 000 in 1989 to its current N500,000 per depositor per Deposit Money Bank (DMB). Similarly the insured limit for micro finance banks (MFBs) and primary mortgage banks (PMBs) in 2009 was increased from N100,000 to N200,000 per depositor per MFBs/PMB in 2010.
"Following the CBN's licensing of non-interest banking institutions (NIBIs) and 21 mobile money operators (MMOs), the corporation equally extended deposit insurance coverage to the subscribers of these banking products to the limit of N500, 000 per depositor. In addition, the corporation developed frameworks of Pass-Through Deposit Insurance Scheme (PTDIS) and Non Interest Deposit Insurance scheme (NIDIS) to MMOs and non-interest banks' subscribers respectively with maximum insured limit of N500,000 per subscriber. It is however pertinent to point out that depositors who have funds in excess of the insured limit are entitled to liquidation dividend after recovery of debts and sale of physical assets of closed banks.
Represented by the Director, Claims Resolution Department, Mr. A. S Bello, Ibrahim used the occasion to warn members of the banking public against patronage of illegal funds managers also known as 'wonder banks'. He said: "I wish to sound a word of caution to members of the public on the activities of illegal fund managers, otherwise known as "Wonder Banks". It is worrisome to note that despite repeated advice, many unsuspecting members of the public are still falling victims to the mouth watering interest being offered by these illegal funds managers. Once again,
I must sound a word of warning that those who these patronize illegal funds managers are doing so at their own risk. For avoidance of doubt, these illegal funds managers or 'wonder banks' are neither licensed by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) nor under the NDIC deposit insurance coverage."
The Nigerian economy is in the doldrums. Hardly anyone needs to be reminded that the prices of foodstuff and other basic necessities have literally gone through the roof. Companies and businesses are folding up in droves, and the few existing ones either owe or short-pay staff just to remain afloat.
The youth are obviously bearing the brunt, being the supposedly most active section of the population. Many are out of jobs, and in a bid to make ends meet, often fall prey to the antics of con artists who advertise get-rich-quick schemes on the social media. With Nigeria's overdependence on crude oil and the dwindling prices of the product on the international market, many fear it is only a matter of time before the economy will hit rock bottom despite government's assurances to the contrary.
Late last year, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration adopted the TSA policy to tackle corruption and reinstitute probity in the public service. The policy implementation may come with some teething challenges, no doubt. But I find it baffling that most people feel the TSA is a metaphor for everything that has gone wrong in the polity. Bad as things are, I'm sure the best way to go is forward and not backward. We obviously cannot thrive in a system where supposedly upstanding public officeholders make the news for financial scams running into billions of Naira, while the rest of us wallow in abject poverty. So rather than toe the usual 'crowd mentality' and throw the TSA away with the bathwater, maybe we need to set the records straight.
First off, the TSA was only adopted on September 15, 2015. But as of the first quarter of this year, it had helped the government recover a whopping N3 trillion of its cash assets lying idle in deposit money banks. Let's not forget thaton assumption of office last year,
President Buhari claimed he inherited an empty treasury which constrained him from executing developmental projects that would ease the hardship experienced by Nigerians in line with his campaign promises. We can hardly blame him. At the time, government agencies operated about 17,000 accounts that were mismanaged and made no remittances to the government. Consequently, government was starved of funds while a few individuals fed fat on money meant to get us out of the woods. But to their dismay, the dynamics have changed. Today, government can keep close tabs on its expenditure and track revenues generated by its MDAs, and no agency can falsify the amount of money it generates daily. Granted, government has to speedily come up with a workable plan on how to spend the funds it has recovered so far. But I can sleep easier knowing my money is locked up in a vault waiting to be used than have it siphonedfor the generational welfare of an unnamed group of individuals.
Meantime, I'm not surprised the TSA narrative is taking a lot offlack. You wouldn't ordinarily expect individuals whose illegal revenue streams have dried up to roll out the drums celebrating the policy responsible for their plight. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) recently took up arms against the policy with claims that it was denying them much-needed autonomy, especially access to research grants from overseas. But rather than attack the policy for that reason, what ASUU needs do is a make a case for TSA to collect foreign currencies. I take issue with any kind of autonomy that leaves little room for accountability and probity.
Recently, Vice President Yemi Osibajo announced that the TSA policy had eliminated a whopping 40,000 ghost workers from the public sector. This is a phenomenon that fleeces the country of hard-earned funds monthly, while a few unscrupulous individuals make financial provision for generations unborn. The TSA gets my vote for helping to sanitise the rot that the public sector has become.
We all thought our banks were strong following the recapitalisation exercise in 2004. But little did we know that all this time they were relying on cash deposits from MDAs that remained dormant while the government was starved of funds and often had to borrow its own money at high interest rates. But that door was closed with the implementation of TSA, when all these funds were consolidated into a single account domiciled with the Central bank of Nigeria. The result? Mass layoffs and salary cuts have become the order of the day in the banking industry because rather than focus on deposit mobilisation, these banks were only relying on idle funds which they hardly ever lent to the real sector for economic development. If I lodge my money in a bank, I want to be sure I'm making a choice that will not leave me broke in the next few years. The TSA has exposed the weakness in Nigeria's banking system, and is obviously playing its part in strengthening the capital base of our financial institutions. Surely, such a policy cannot be all bad.
Many have made the case that the TSA should have been adopted some other time, not just now. But I beg to differ. If not now, when? Let's not forget that oil prices continue to dwindle on the international market and there's no telling when the cycle will stop. Now is the time for any forward-looking nation in our shoes to tighten its seatbelt, diversify revenue-generating sources and eliminate loose spending. As far as I'm concerned, that is exactly what the government has done with the TSA. Sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better. The economy is tough, no doubt. But maybe we have to look at the big picture and not be out for immediate gains. The policy is still very fresh, and we all have to give it a fighting chance to succeed if we must achieve our collective national goals in record time.
Nigerian politician, lawmaker and member representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sen. Dino Melaye seems to be going all spiritual as he has taken to the social media posting Bible quotes and other inspirational messages.
The senator who appears to have drawn closer to God has kept the social media bubbling with different spiritual messages and inspirational texts, saying ‘if believers go with God two steps, God will go with them two steps ahead, adding that if they go 5000 steps, God will also go 5000 steps ahead of them.’
Melaye on his twitter handle, @dino_melaye said: "If you go with God two steps, He will go with you two steps, if you go 1000 steps, He will go 1000 steps, if you go 5000 steps, God will go 5000".
With this post however, the senator tends to enlighten people that their relationship with God, determines God's relationship with them.
Here are some of his tweets and posts below:
"Seek not the praise of men but the praise of God.
"I dwell in the exemption zone of God. I'm therefore protected.
"Even in the times of recession, my experience will be different.
"My God is a prosperous God so I have no dealing with poverty".
The senator tend to give so many inspirational talks that may have touched the lives of many and have others wondering if he plans on becoming a pastor afterwards as there have been many comments and re-tweets by his followers on the various social media platform.
Finally, Abuja is about to enjoy a moscow-like spot where crème de la crème will calm their nerves. Moscow, a tastefully and impeccably designed club located at 35, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2, is set to open any moment from now.
According to the club owners, Moscow is basically royalty. It's a meeting point for those who seek peace, serenity and elegance.
Explaining why it has become expedient to launch Moscow, Uyi Ogbebor, one of the partner owners of the club said there was a need to take nightlife in Abuja to another level. “As you are well aware, I have managed and partnered with different people in this business.
I have helped to establish and revive clubs, but one thing is sure, the rate of patrons has remained very high, so we need to establish more clubs. Moscow is actually a club of a class, distinctively established with the air of royalty, so there is a big difference from what it used to be. We have now taken nightlife to an unprecedented height,” he said.
Uyi who is also the partner owner of the Bank Club further affirmed that the establishment of different clubs in Abuja was for different purposes, saying “one of the major reasons is to serve patrons maximally and quench their unending taste for the best.”
Also speaking on why it became expedient to launch Moscow, Mr Ayo Akinbode, AKA Wizzywaa, another partner owner said the quest to quench the continuous high taste of patrons in Abuja motivated the idea. He said, ” We have come with a bang.
We have come to teach them how to run this business and how to satisfy Abuja residents whose interests in nightlife have now been reawaken. Moscow is world-class. Like the name implies, its architectural design is royalty-like and we treat patrons as though they are kings.
“Moscow is a statement that a new era has come. It’s a solution to the continuous old way of doing things. After all, who says the old way is the right way?,” he avowed.
Ayo, a former General Manager in Deuces Nite Club and Aramis Nite Club, had launched Olympus lounge at Silverbird in Abuja before proceeding to launch Moscow.
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has called for the reversal of the situation where the lack of clean water and poor sanitary conditions have caused the death of many Nigerians.
Osinbajo made the observation at the launch of the Partnership for the Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) and unveiling of the National Water Resources and Irrigation Policy in Abuja on Monday.
The vice president acknowledged that in spite of efforts made by previous administrations, the country had yet to achieve the Millennium Development Goals for water and sanitation due to poor coordination among the stakeholders and the inability to harness the required funds.
"It is also a well-known fact that Nigeria did not achieve targets of the Millennium Development Goals for water and sanitation, Prof. Yemi said.
"Some of the reasons adduced for this include primarily the lack of effective coordination among the stakeholders and the inability to harness the required funds.
"Unfortunately, statistics show that over 66 million Nigerians still lack access to safe water, while 110 million do not have adequate sanitation.
"Consequently, large numbers of children under the age of five die annually from diarrhoea-related diseases and these are mostly traceable to unsafe drinking water.
"The situation is even more depressing in the rural areas, where polluted ponds and streams remain the only sources of water for drinking and other household chores.
Osinbajo
"This trend must change.''
Osinbajo noted that successive governments in collaboration with development partners had contributed to efforts geared towards improving access to water supply and sanitation services.
According to him some successes have been recorded in a number of areas as access to water supply presently is at 69 per cent and sanitation is at 29 per cent.
"But still this is still a far cry from what is needed.
"Indeed with an ever increasing population and a drive to self-sufficiency in food production, the demand for water supply and sanitation services will continue to increase.''
He remarked that excess water or insufficient water not properly managed was devastating to both man and the environment adding that an innovative and holistic approach was required toward closing the access gaps.
Osinbajo observed that the Ministry of Water Resources had concluded work on the national water resources policy and the national irrigation policy and both had been approved by the federal executive council.
He said the policy provided the framework which would guide the activities of all stakeholders in the sector especially in the administration's renewed focus on agriculture as revenue earner and contributor to GDP.
He added that the policy would facilitate the development of irrigation infrastructure in the country.
The vice president said he was informed that PEWASH would provide a new collaborative and systematic approach to the achievement of an increased universal access to sustainable rural water supply and sanitation services involving relevant stakeholders.
He expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of the beneficiary communities, local government areas, state governments, development partners, donor agencies, the organized private sector and the federal government.
He also said it was gratifying that the initiative also took cognizance of special groups such as the vulnerable and people living with disabilities through this well-structured framework for project delivery.
"It is expected that the implementation of PEWASH will help to attain our targets of increased rural water supply and sanitation and improved public health as well as expected positive impact on economic growth and human development.''
The vice president commended the Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, for his strong belief and practice of policy-driven initiatives.
He said it was clear that the minister strongly subscribed to the view that the way of ensuring sustainable attainment was to ensure that they were based on robust policy.
Osinbajo also commended the development partners involved in the initiative for their commitment and officials of the ministry for their hard work.
He, therefore, urged the stakeholders, especially the states and local governments, to participate in and commit to the success of the initiative in order that the common development goals of the nation would be achieved.
