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 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it was untrue that Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike and his Ekiti counterpart, Ayodele Fayose, sponsored the party's April 6 stakeholders' meeting.
Mr Dayo Adeyeye, Publicity Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee of the party, stated this at news conference on Friday in Abuja.
Deputy National Chairman of the party, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, had at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday alleged that the stakeholders' meeting convened and chaired by former President Goodluck Jonathan was sponsored by both governors.
Ojougboh, who claimed to be speaking for PDP National Chairman, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, alleged that Wike spent N50 million to host the meeting.
Adeyeye said that the committee would have ignored the allegations since Ojougboh was not an officer of PDP, but stated that doing so may send wrong signals to unsuspecting members of the public.
Wike and Fayose
He said that the PDP was not surprised that Ojougboh would hallucinate and found pleasure in castigating the two governors at every turn.
He said that it was unfortunate that Ojougboh had never been able to utter a single word of criticism against his "paymaster, the ruling party".
Adeyeye recalled that the meeting was agreed at the residence of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Aliyu Gusau, in the presence of Sheriff, Prof. Wale Oladipo, Sen. David Mark, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi and Sen. Ben Obi.
"In the light of the above, therefore, it is uncharitable for Ojougboh to allege that the stakeholders meeting was organized and sponsored by Wike and Fayose.
"Indeed, it is the height of indecency for Sheriff and Ojougboh to allege that a person of Jonathan's standing could be induced by anyone, not the least a governor, to organize the meeting,'' he said.
Adeyeye said that indecency was the nature of Ojougboh and his sponsors, adding that it was the reason they had no qualms in dragging decent people into mud.
He also denied Ojougboh's allegation that Wike bribed the Judiciary with five million dollars to get justice on the Rivers Governorship Election at the Supreme Court.
"We have been reliably informed that the latest accusation against the judiciary is part of their calculated and clandestine plot to blackmail the Justices of the Supreme Court.
"That was what they did to the Justices of the Special Appeal Panel during the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election case.''
He requested the Supreme Court to find out from Ojougboh who among its officers that Wike disbursed the five million dollars to as he alleged.
"Let Ojougboh be informed that he cannot pitch the good people of Rivers against their loving and performing governor over his childish and mindless allegation of financial impropriety.''
Adeyeye advised all PDP chapters in the states to ignore any directive regarding national convention by Sheriff.
He also described the purported National Executive Council (NEC) meeting being summoned by Sheriff on May 3 as "total fraud, politically and legally''.
He urged chairmen of the states' chapters of the party to disregard Sheriff's request for the submission of delegates' lists on or before April 27.
Adeyeye said that PDP would announce meetings of its various organs at an appropriate time after due consultation with all stakeholders.
On ongoing campaign by Sheriff in the South-East and South-South zones, he commended PDP stakeholders in the regions "for not partaking in such illegality.
"The presence of the two deputy governors was solely on grounds of hospitality.
"The PDP is not organizing any campaign or rally around the country at the moment.
"We urge our members to remain steadfast and continue to ignore any meeting called by Sheriff.''
Warri Monarch: Politics becoming interesting in Warri
Delta State Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Prophet Jones Erue, Akulagba of Warri, Chief Ayirimi Emami, immediate past Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and ex-member of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Misan Ukubeyinje , former Director of Protocol to ex-Governor Emmauel Uduaghan, Hon. Godwin Abigor,
former member of Delta State Waste Management Board, Hon. Kenneth Efejuku, Prince Yemi Omaghomi, Barr. Omasan Agbajor and Mr. Tunde Okorodudu were among leaders of the APC that led thousands of supporters to the Olu of Warri Palace Saturday April 13 to flag off the campaign of Prince Stanley Emiko, APC candidate for the April 26 Warri South Constituency 1 Bye-Election.
Prophet Jones Erue and Prince Yemi Omaghomi told the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli whom they described as one of the most respected traditional rulers in Sub Sahara Africa that they came to seek his divine prayers in order for them to successfully deliver Prince Stanley Emiko in the April 26 Bye-Election.
In his response, The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli averred that politics in Warri is becoming interesting, "getting closer to where politics is played in a civilized manner".
While describing the APC House of Assembly candidate, Prince Stanley Emiko as "my son" who deserves "my blessing", The Warri Monarch cautioned against politics of bitterness and stressed on the need to focus on issue based campaigns.
Renowned Niger Delta activist and APC Stalwart, Chief Ayirimi Emami who addressed a mammoth crowd at Ugbori Town Hall, emphasized on the need for people of Warri South Constituency 1 to vote for Stanley Emiko, noting that "Itsekiri Nation ought to have reasonable voice at the National level and not limited to Asaba".
According to Chief Emami, the victory of Prince Emiko in the forthcoming poll will underscore the support Itsekiris have for the APC led Federal Government and subsequently attract the much needed development to Warri Kingdom.
Other prominent APC leaders who addressed the crowd include Chief Mike Odeli, Chief Eyitemi Arthur Diden and Hon. Kenneth Efejukwu.
Prince Emiko reassured people of Warri South Constituency 1 that if given the mandate, projects that will be influenced to the constituency will be after needs assessment so as to avoid waste.
Leaders in the twin communities of Ugbori and Ekurede-Itsekiri such as Pa. Edwin Omagbemi Julius and Pa. Rogers Okorodudu pledged their support for the APC candidate, even as they enjoined the youths to rally round him until he emerges victorious.
Former Aviation Minister, Chief Fani-Kayode, has said that any attempt to cover up owner of the sums of $43million, £27,800 pounds and N23 million recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from an apartment in the Ikoyi area of Lagos will fail.
Fani-Kayode in a statement signed by Jude Ndukwe responding to Rotimi Ameachi aide Mr. David Iyofor comment on the issuse asked if Rotimi Ameachi a human being? insiting that everyone knows that the sums of $43million, £27,800 pounds and N23 million recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from an apartment in the Ikoyi area of Lagos on Wednesday belong to the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi.
He went further to say that any attempt by Rotimi Ameachi to ‘cover it up will fail’.
The statement which can not be published infull due to hars word read thus
‘He should also stop the rubbish he is doing at Transport. He owns the US 43m and everyone knows it. Attempts to cover up for him will fail”-
We read with amusement the insulting words of one of Rotimi Ameachi’s aides about Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.
In the first place one must ask, is Rotimi Ameachi a human being? Everyone knows he is an ….
A man who had to appoint his own psychiatrist as his Commissioner of Health when he was govermor because he kept breaking down during cabinet meetings?
A man that … in his pants every time that he hears FFK’s name? Do u expect the great FFK to respond to a creature like Rotimi who he once described as “a pot-bellied …”.
We will not respond to the little errand boy that like Amaechi’s spokesman. The rat is too small.
We have bigger and better things to do. We are waiting for Amaechi himself to open his mouth. Let us hear from him and not from his errand boy.
Rotimi is nothing but a greedy peasant.
He should go and cough up all the money that he took from Rivers state when he was governor rather than trying to fool anyone.
He should also stop the rubbish he is doing at Transport. He owns the US 43m and everyone knows it. Attempts to cover up for him will fail”-
Facebook on Friday said it disrupted an international fake account operation that was firing off inauthentic “likes” and bogus comments to win friends it would then pound with spam.
Facebook’s security team spent six months fighting to neutralize what they saw as a coordinated campaign, according to Shabnam Shaik, a company security manager.
“Our systems were able to identify a large portion of this illegitimate activity — and to remove a substantial number of inauthentic likes,” Shaik said in a blog post.
“By disrupting the campaign now, we expect that we will prevent this network of spammers from reaching its end goal of sending inauthentic material to large numbers of people.”
The ring used accounts in a number of countries including Bangladesh, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
The group tried to mask its activities with tactics like connecting with the social network through “proxy” servers to disguise where “likes,” posts or other communications were originating, according to Shaik.
Facebook said the campaign aimed to trick people into connecting as friends they would later target with spam. The company said it had derailed the operation early enough to spare users that fate.
The leading social network this week said it has started weeding out bogus accounts by watching for suspicious behavior such as repetitive posts or torrents of messages.
The security improvement was described as being part of a broader effort to rid the leading social network of hoaxes, misinformation and fake news by verifying people’s identities.
“We’ve found that when people represent themselves on Facebook the same way they do in real life, they act responsibly,” Shaik said.
“Fake accounts don’t follow this pattern, and are closely related to the creation and spread of spam.”
Under pressure to stymie the spread of fake news, Facebook has taken a series of steps including making it easier to report such posts and harder to earn money from them.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has predicted early morning hours localized thunderstorms over the central states of Jos, Kogi, Nasagawa, Benue, Abuja, Taraba and Kebbi on Saturday.
NiMet, in the Weather Outlook by the Central Forecast Office (CFO), on Friday in Abuja also predicted that partly cloudy condition was expected to prevail later in the day.
It added that the region would have day and night temperature of 23 to 38 and 18 to 27 degrees Celsius respectively.
The agency predicted that southern states would experience cloudiness with isolated thunderstorms over the coastal and inland cities of Lagos, Ijebu-Ode, warri, Akure, Ado Ekiti, Benin, Ibadan, Oshogbo, Enugu, Owerri, Awka, Abakaliki and Obudu.
It also predicted thundery activities over Port Harcourt, Calabar, Yenagoa, and Obudu in the evening with with day and night temperature of 30 to 35 and 20 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
According to NiMet, northern states would experience partly cloudy morning and sunny conditions over Borno, Katsina, Yobe and Gombe later in the day.
"The region is also expected to have day and night temperature of 34 to 42 and 20 to 27 degrees Celsius respectively.
""Partly cloudy to sunny situation is expected to prevail over the norther cities while cloudy to partly cloudy condition with prospects of localized thunderstorms over the central and the southern parts," NiMet predicted.
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has disowned social media accounts opened in his name.
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of Kano
Sanusi said in a statement that on Friday in Kano that he never authorised any person or organisation to open to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media account nor post any message on his behalf.
The traditional ruler spoke through his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Munir Sanusi.
He explained that this should put to rest series of calls and enquiries to the office of the Emir on some purported malicious and fake social media accounts in the name of the monarch.
Sanusi noted that the current development is coming after an earlier advertorial disclaiming a fake Facebook and Twitter accounts created in the name of his Highness.
He lamenting that the fraudsters have remained unrelenting in their nefarious acts.
"We have officially notified the administrators of the fake Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts requesting that the accounts be closed immediately in addition to detecting the identity of the culprits.
"It is important to reiterate that the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has persistently stood for the unity of the nation regardless of its diversity.
"He always emphasise the need for tolerance and respect for one another."
Sanusi assured that his principles as a traditional ruler and religious leader would be meticulously safeguarded and warned the fraudsters to desist forthwith or face the consequences of their action.
Former governor of Edo, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday commended the judgment delivered by the Election Petitions Tribunal on the Edo 2016 Governorship Election, affirming the election of Gov. Godwin Obaseki.
Speaking to newsmen in Benin, Oshiomhole said the judiciary still remained the hope for common man.
"The judgment is sound and a testimony that the people of Edo never voted for the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
''The petition was a busy body one to distract the electorate; this was just like 'Mama Akara' judgment going to see over non-issue.''
Oshiomhole further said that the judgment has shown that there were still men and women of good character in the judiciary.
''This will serve as a deterrent to some people who can say whatever they like about the judiciary.
Obaseki & Oshiomhole
''But it has shown it (judiciary) has men & women of good charter of courage and knowledge,'' he said.
In a relayed development, the counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Victor Ohiosunua, has appealed to PDP chieftains to support Obaseki to develop the state.
Ohiosunua made the call in in Benin after the Election Petitions Tribunal in Benin dismissed the petition filed by PDP candidate, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, challenging Obaseki's election.
"I want to appeal to the petitioners to joining hands with the governor to develop and carry the state to the next level.
''The business of the governor is tedious and the few five months the present governor has spent in the office, shows his capability and focus to take Edo to the next level.
''The logical order the tribunal made today is the right one for them to make.
''We are happy that the votes and wishes of the Edo people who voted on Sept. 28, 2016 has been restored," Ohiosunua said.
Newsmen report that the Justice Ahmed Badamasi-led three-member Tribunal had dismissed the petitioners' claims based on no credible evidence to prove their case.
The tribunal, therefore, upheld Obaseki's victory in the governorship election of Sept. 28, 2016, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
On his part, Ken Muzia (SAN), counsel to Obaseki who also commended the tribunal's judgment, said the tribunal did a proper review of the evidence.
"The tribunal has done a fantastic job, what we should be thinking of is the development of the state," Muzia added.
Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa'i of Kaduna State says he was never banned from coming to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The governor, who stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents after joining President Muhammadu Buhari to perform the two-raka'at Juma'at weekly prayer at State House Mosque, Abuja, on Friday,
Reports on the social media said El-Rufa'i was banned from the Presidential Villa for allegedly leaking a memo he wrote to Buhari on Sept. 22, 2016.
In the memo, El-Rufai alerted President Buhari that he was losing the vision and the momentum with which All Progressives Congress (APC) started its Change Agenda.
The governor also in the memo, advised the President to effect changes in the leadership of some federal agencies and establishments, and to communicate constantly with Nigerians, so they will know the plans of his government.
El-Rufa'i, however, told the State House correspondents that he was not stopped from coming to the Aso Rock, and that nobody can stop him from visiting the Villa.
According to him, he stopped frequenting the villa because the President needs quality time to rest and also attends to challenges of governance.
"No one ever stopped me from coming to the villa and no one can stop me from coming to villa.
"As a governor I come here, I have blank cheques, no one checks me at the gate but I believe what the President needs is for those that love him to keep away from him and allow him to rest.
Gov. Nasir-El-Rufai
"The President needs quality time to rest because it is meeting too many people that strains leadership.
"I am a governor and I know that when I meet 10 people in a day I get really tired, it is not the paperwork, it is not really the memos approving them or asking questions that strain a leader, it is the stream of visitors.
"I do not want to contribute to the President's problem by coming here every day. I am in touch with him,'' he added.
The governor, therefore, appealed to Nigerians to show more understanding and love to the president by allowing him to rest and also concentrate more on his private and official engagements, saying that "visitors stress leaders''.
"Let me appeal to all of us that love the President to please allow him some space so that he will recover.
"We need him and the country needs him, it is in our interest for the stability of the country, we should just let him be.
"It is absolutely necessary lets us leave him to do his work in the privacy of his room or his office without strings of visitors. Visitors stress leaders.''
El-Rufa'i also described his relationship with Buhari as cordial, saying that the relationship had never been strained in anyway.
He, however, acknowledged that there were people within the presidency "that like me and there are those who don't and it is normal.
"My relationship with the President has never been strained in anyway. I met with him last night,
"I did not talk about things like that but our relationship with him is like that of father and son and it is privilege for me.''
Meanwhile, Chief Imam of the State House Mosque, Sheik Abdulwaheed Sulaiman, has called on Muslims and Christians to unite as brothers and sisters given the common Abrahamic origin of their religions.
The Chief Imam made the call in his Friday sermon with Buhari, some members of the National Assembly, ministers, El-Rufa'i and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state in attendance.
He stressed the need for unity among the followers of the two major religions, asking them to share kindness and hospitality.
"We all belong to God and to Him we will be going back,'' he said.
Suleiman also urged all Nigerians to continue to support the administration of President Buhari ''as it fights corruption and insecurity in the land, at the same time seeking economic recovery and prosperity for all''.
According to him, it is duty bound on Muslims to follow the path of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) as defined in the Qur'an.
‘It is easy to forget where Nigeria was when this administration began 2 years ago,and Boko Haram held no fewer than 14 LGAs in the Northeast’ said President Mohammadu Buhari on Friday on his twitter handle @MBuhari
The President speaking on the abduction of schoolgirls from Government Secondary School in Chibok three years ago, said he will never forget the incident and that he will never ever give up on rescuing all captives, and completely vanquishing Boko Haram.
‘We will never ever give up, whether on rescuing all captives, or on completely vanquishing Boko Haram. That remains our promise to you.’
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has expressed concern over the spate of defections from PDP to All Progressives Congress, APC, saying that such action may lead to the emergence of one party system which will not augur well for Nigeria’s democracy.
Onuesoke
Addressing newsmen in Lagos during at Bullion lecture organised by Centre For Financial Journalism, Onuesoke, who was Delta PDP governorship aspirant in 2007 general election, argued that for there to be effective practice of democracy to guarantee checks and balances, there must be a strong opposition to the ruling APC to put everyone on his toes.
He observed that if everyone defects to the ruling party because of its current position, it will give room to dictatorial tendency and oppression of the masses as there will be no one to oppose its obnoxious activities.
Onuesoke argued that the ruling APC should also be worried that there may not be an opposition to put their activities in check, adding that it was dangerous for the APC to become a behemoth that PDP once was.
According to him, "The current political horizon featuring a single large party, strong and well organised, but always in turmoil and a weak and divided opposition is not ideal for a country well endowed like Nigeria."
He advised that Nigerians should be concerned about the current state of affairs in the PDP because of its larger implications on the polity as the future of Nigeria's democracy is tied to the stability of the party as a viable opposition.
He noted that the party must not be allowed to disintegrate, just as he urged all stakeholders to consider the interest of Nigerians and sustenance of democracy.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – Daughter of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, Shahida, has said her father had always wanted to be an emir, but that he would not for the sake of preserving his stool, compromise his integrity by aligning with those who punish the poor.Shahida Muhammad Sanusi I
Saying that ‘When Patience Jonathan called those of us in the north almajiris, we got angry, but come to think of it, is that not what we really are?
We give birth to children and just abandon them. There are no schools for the poor. There are no hospitals for the poor”, she lamented.
Shahida who is the first non-titled individual to represent the emir at a public event, bared her mind Friday in Abuja at the maiden lecture to commemorate the abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno state.
“My father had always wanted to be an emir, but that does not mean that he will now shy away from the truth. He was once suspended as CBN governor and he is not afraid”, she said, adding that everything in life is ephemeral as only God enthrones and dethrones kings.
According to Shahida, rather than fight critics, the north must do more to to change the rhetorics and be the master of her own destiny.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – Days after he faced a barrage of subtle criticisms from some highly-placed public officials in the country over his continued indictment of the political class on issues of poverty and disease in the north, Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II has elected to press on with his fierce interventions, saying he will not be cowed into silence. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of Kano “These attacks are aimed at diverting attention from the issues raised and all of us who are involved in this struggle must remember a few things. We are dealing with an anti-intellectual environment, and with people whose failure has bred a sense of insecurity which leads to incomprehensible, almost insane, reactions to simple advice”, the emir said.
The emir had recently chided the Zamfara state governor, Abubakar Yari for “blaming” God for the outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis in the state. He had equally blamed years of misrule by northern leaders for the sickening poverty rate in the region.
Sanusi spoke Friday in Abuja at the inaugural anniversary lecture organized by the Bring Back Our Girls BBOG movement to mark the three years of abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno state.
In a video message to the occasion, Sanusi said; “There has been a lot of noise about my recent interventions in the public space, but I am not worried. I am used to it, but I am worried because of the dimension it has taken. It is a distraction”.
Noting that his interventions are not politically-motivated attacks on any group, he urged Nigerians to not succumb to the temptation of joining their opponents in the gutter, charging them to heed to Michelle Obama’s counsel, “when they go low, we go high”.
“The poor people for whom you fight are voiceless by necessity. Those of us who are fortunate to be part of the elite and who choose not to speak for them are voiceless by choice.
“Do not be intimidated. Do not be silenced. Do not betray your conscience or sell your soul. Do not fear any human being. Stand up and take all the bullets that are fired at you but never kneel down. If you have to die, please die standing and not on your knees. Most important, ignore the noise. Do not defend yourself too much against personal attacks because they want your person, not the issues you raise, to be discussed”, the former apex bank boss counselled.
You have lost a phone to thieves before. The experience is very bitter. Annoyingly, the phone will disappear without your knowledge. After the phone has grown wings, that is it and many of us scarcely do anything about it. We just move on. Meanwhile, the phone thief is confidently using your phone calling your friends and demanding for money. Many have fallen victim to this theft. In line with this, jumia travel, the leading online travel agency gathers 5 ways to stop thieves from using your mobile phone.
Block the SIM card
Most times, the SIM card is the first thing thieves get rid of when they steal your phone. Others do not bother to remove it but they won't pick your calls. Since, you are using your phone to perform all sorts of transactions, you should contact your service provider immediately to block it.
Lock it
You can simply setup a password that will prevent others from using your phone. The code will be activated when an unauthorised person accesses it. In some cases, when you lock it, it will render the phone completely unusable.
Use your phone's built-in features
There are phone features that you can activate to prepare your phone for any theft. On Android phones, you can use the Android Device Manger. You can access the manager online and it will help you locate your phone. On iOS, you have to set up find my phone feature. You can use it to find, text and wipe your device. You can do all these when the phone is switched on.
Insure your phone
For Nigerians who use expensive phones, they can insure it. It will be replaced by the insurance firm. You don't need to worry about your device being stolen. But that doesn't mean you should be careless.
Report to the police
You can also make a report to the police. They can help you launch a manhunt to get back your phone.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has stated that no one can stop him from accessing the Presidential Villa, Abuja to see President Muhammadu Buhari anytime he likes.
He also said that someone in the Presidency leaked his personal memo to the Media to apparently spite and weaken his relationship with Buhari.
The governor spoke while addressing State House correspondents after Friday Jummat prayer at the Villa.
The Emir of Kanam, Alhaji Babangida Mu'azu, has enjoined both Christians and Muslim to unite in the fight against societal vices such as insurgency, drug abuse and corruption.
He gave the advice on Friday in an Easter message delivered in Dengi, Kanam Local Government of Plateau.
"The world is celebrating the love Jesus Christ demonstrated unto mankind by dying for all; Nigerians should love one another and find a common goal in fighting those out to harm or divide us.
"That common goal should be our collective resolve to live as one indivisible nation, no matter what we are passing through as a nation.
"We should not allow selfishness, greed or any perceived differences to stand in our way," he said.
He described Easter as a period of sober reflection not only to the Christians, but to Muslims, toward maintaining peace and unity for the survival and progress of mankind, particularly in Nigeria.
On the outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis in some part of the country, the Emir called for stringent steps to check its spread and described the heavy losses as "unfortunate, embarrassing and sad".
"Now that the scourge has moved from Type A to Type B and C, we have to collectively rise up to arrest its spread to curtail its devastating effects on the lives of Nigerians.
"The authorities concerned should take the fight serious and ensure that the wanton loss of lives is curtailed," the Emir advised.
The paramount ruler advised Nigerians to ensure that their abodes are well ventilated, urging that clean environments must be maintained to avoid the spread of the disease.
While wishing all Christians and Nigerians a peaceful and happy Easter Celebration, he appealed to Nigerians to be law abiding and continue to pray for the growth and development of the country.
The Eko Distribution ElectriCompany Plc (EKEDC) says it will ensure uninterrupted power supply throughout the Easter period in the zone.
To this end, the electricity company said it had already adopted some measures.
Mr Godwin Idemudia, the General Manager, Corporate Communications of the company, said in Lagos on Friday that the company was aware of the high expectations of customers to enjoy regular power supply during Easter.
"EKEDC has put in place measures to ensure that the customers' hopes are not dashed.
"We assure customers within our operational territory of uninterrupted electricity supply during Easter.
"We will ensure that energy from the National Grid is adequately distributed to customers," he said.
He, however, warned against vandalism and tampering with equipment in the zone as it could cause deaths or serious injuries.
According to Idemudia, frequent damage of such equipment will cause outage.
"It is illegal and dangerous for anyone to trade, live or work near electricity installations or even tamper with them.
"The company is determined to deliver power supply to its customers in a very safe manner; we will collaborate with communities to safeguard electricity installations," he said.
The EKEDC spokesman appealed to consumers to ensure that their homes and business premises were properly wired and earthed by engaging only approved technicians to ensure safety of lives and property.
He said the management had set up a committee to ensure that health, safety and environment were fully integrated in its operations.
" We at EKEDc values health and environment because our operation is not just to sell electricity and make money, but to ensure a safe use of the product."
He advised electricity consumers to refrain from patronising unlicensed electricians when faults occurred on their power lines or appliances.
On fault clearing in the zone, Idemudia said a special fault clearing team had been set up in all the business districts to facilitate quick response to customers' complaints.
Idemudia, therefore, warned owners of houses built under high tension wires and cables to relocate without further delay.
"It is also the expectation of the company that customers on their own will settle their electricity bills promptly to avoid disconnection."
The Premier League is set to announce a record annual loss of £312 million ($390 million, 368 million euros) because of the declining value of sterling and new accounting rules, the Financial Times reported Friday after seeing documents yet to be made public.
Leicester City
English football’s top flight is the wealthiest major domestic soccer competition in the world, with much of its income coming from lucrative overseas broadcast deals.
This season alone is set to see the 20 clubs in the Premier League each take a cut from international media rights agreements worth an estimated £3 billion in total.
The league clubs have usually received their share in sterling, with the Premier League using financial instruments known as derivatives to offset the exchange rate risk that comes from the fact that television contracts are also paid in US dollars and euros — a process called hedging.
But UK rules for the reporting of derivatives have changed, with companies now required to value their contracts annually at market prices, instead of waiting until a deal had been completed to make a formal declaration of its worth.
Last season’s edition was the first time these new rules had become applicable to the Premier League.
On July 31, 2016, the last day of the Premier League’s financial year, the pound was worth $1.32 — a 12 percent decline since Britain voted to leave the European Union in a national referendum.
Results for that financial year, which includes 5,000/1 outsiders Leicester City’s shock Premier League title triumph, are due to be published next week.
The Financial Times, citing the Premier League, said the new reporting rules had turned a gain of £638,000 under the old system into a paper loss of £250 million.
According to the FT report, the Premier League said this had done no actual damage to its income or ability to make distributions to its member clubs.
The consequences for the Premier League of ‘Brexit’ which, following the referendum, is due to take place in 2019 after two years of ‘divorce’ talks, may not be limited to currency fluctuations.
Currently, Premier League clubs can sign EU players without having to apply for work permits on their behalf.
Non-EU players must satisfy criteria regarding how many international appearances they have made and how strong their national team is in order to be granted visas, although exemptions can be granted.
A study by The Guardian published in September showed that two thirds of Premier League players from the EU would not meet these criteria.
Fewer stars means reduced international appeal, potentially making rival championships such as Spain’s La Liga or Germany’s Bundesliga more attractive to overseas broadcasters and so reducing the long-term financial strength of the Premier League.
Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi's media aide, Mr. David Iyofor has replied the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode who, in a tweet, alleged that Mr. Amaechi indeed owns both the apartment and the billions of money in both local and foreign currencies found on Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Lagos.
Chief Fani-Kayode had in the tweet, said that, "The $43 million is Rotimi Amaechi’s. He owns the flat it was found in too.NIA story is fake news! NIA does not keep cash in Minister’s flats!"
However, Mr. Iyofor, while replying Fani-Kayode, said, "FAKE NEWS. Show us the title documents with Amaechi’s name as the owner or shut up. When normal peeps talk, this one also want to talk. SMH."
Recovered Money
"Someone will just sniff something then comes on Twitter to rant incomprehensible nonsense. Some fellows really need help, serious help."
He went further to say that, "Lying out rightly to defame someone is not politics but pure madness. I just hope someone has not stop taking his meds."
Recall that the anti-graft agency, on Wednesday, discovered the sums of $43million, £27,800 pounds and N23 million from an apartment in the Ikoyi area of Lagos.
Although a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the temporary forfeiture of the sums to the Federal Government, nobody has come out yet to claim ownership of the money.
Gunmen have killed eight police officers in eastern Tanzania, the presidency said Friday, the latest in a string of killings targeting politicians and security officers in the East African nation.
“President John Pombe Magufuli is surprised and very sorry to learn of the news of the death of eight police officers killed last night by armed people,” Tanzania’s presidency said in a statement.
No comments:
Post a Comment