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
AN online e-commerce platform, where products and services are swapped in place of hard currency, Barter.com.ng, has launched its services into the Nigerian market.
Mr. Babatunde Olofin, Founder/CEO, Barter.com.ng, said that the platform is designed to redefine e-commerce in response to the economic situation in the country.
The platform is an interactive platform which also allows people to buy and sell using cash, beyond its primary barter services.
Speaking at the unveiling of the site in Lagos, Olofin, who described the platform as a non-commercial venture but one borne out of the need to bridge a gap in the e-commerce industry, said: “As an IT specialist, I was inspired by Mark Zukerberg, Founder/CEO of Facebook, who urged Nigerians to identify and fix problems in their society without first seeking immediate gratuity.
"I believed we could have a platform where people can display what they have, not necessarily for money but for barter. So you can just swap values without having to pay any commission to any agent. One could swap a plot of land for a car of equal financial value. People can swap property, laptops, phones, and more.”
U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) confirmed Tuesday that two Russian TU-95 bombers were intercepted off the coast of Alaska on Monday evening.Russian bombers intercepted by U.S.
According to a U.S. official, the intercept occurred 100 nautical miles south of Kodiak Island. The Russian aircraft were in international airspace throughout the encounter as American airspace extends 12 nautical miles from the U.S. shoreline.
However, NORTHCOM confirmed to ABC News that the Russian planes were in the U.S. Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), which stretches 200 miles out from shore.
An Air Defense Identification Zone is airspace that is monitored in the interest of national security where aircraft are required to identify themselves.
Two F-22 fighter jets and one E-3 Sentry reconnaissance plane from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska intercepted the Russian bombers for a short time, and then flew alongside the bombers as they turned away from the ADIZ, the official said.
This is the first time that Russian aircraft have approached North America in some time.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has no records of intercepts of Russian aircraft in all of 2016, and the previous intercept dates all the way back to the summer of 2015
Abdullahi Shuaibu, described by the New York Police department as an employee of the United Nations was arrested for robbing four Manhattan banks, all during his lunch hour.
Shuaibu's photo circulated by NYPD
Shuaibu, 53, a journalist and former staff of the News Agency of Nigeria was picked up by police on Monday and charged with robbery and attempted robbery for the crimes committed during his two-month spree.
All four banks are within walking distance of UN headquarters on First Ave. near E. 42nd St., where the Nigerian worked.
Authorities were led to the suspect after a retired police officer who works at the UN recognised him from a surveillance image previously released by the police.
In the first incident, Shuaibu walked into a Santander Bank on Madison Ave. near E. 43rd St. on Feb. 27 and told the teller he had a gun. The bank employee complied and handed him an unknown sum of money.
He hit two more banks in March, first striking out at a Bank of America on Third Ave. near E. 47th St. on the 13th.
He was also successful in robbing a Santander Bank on Third Ave. and E. 63rd St. on the 27th.
During the most recent incident on Monday, Shuaibu walked into an HSBC on Third Ave. and E. 40th St. around 2:30 p.m. and passed a note demanding cash to the teller.
The teller did not read the note and asked him for identification.
He, however, instructed the teller to read the note, keeping his hand in his jacket pocket while simulating a gun, police said.
Police arrested him later in the day when he returned to the UN.
Shuaibu was an employee of the News Agency of Nigeria and served as its UN correspondent between 2006 and 2009.
The agency, however, terminated his appointment in April 2013 following his refusal to resume work in Nigeria at the expiration of duty tour and extended period which he requested to enable him complete an academic programme.
The termination of appointment was formally conveyed to the UN.
A UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric denied that Shuaibu was a staff of the organisation.
He told NAN in New York that the suspect was also not accredited to the UN after NAN withdrew his accreditation.
Dujarric also said that the suspect only worked as a contract staff for three months in Darfur and his contract was terminated in 2012.
However, Shuaibu on his LinkedIn page, describes himself as a "communications specialist at United Nations".
Shuaibu attended Ahmadu Bello University between 1980 and 1985, where he studied International Relations.
Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel is confident his side will not be affected by last week’s traumatic events when they meet Monaco in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (C) wears a mask as he celebrates with his teammates Dortmund’s after scoring the 0-1 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, on April 1, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
“We have put what happened behind us, emotionally we are stable and we are fully focused on the game,” Tuchel told reporters at a press conference at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday.
Last week’s first leg was postponed by 24 hours after a bomb attack on the Dortmund team bus en route to the game in Germany which injured a policeman and left Dortmund’s Spanish international defender Marc Bartra needing surgery on a broken wrist.
When the game finally went ahead at Signal Iduna Park Dortmund lost 3-2 and Tuchel later fumed at UEFA for allowing the match to be played at all.
But as they try to turn the tie around in the Mediterranean principality, he added: “What happened last week has brought us together and made us even stronger. Now we need to put in a good performance and I am convinced we can do it.”
Leaving aside the difficult circumstances of the first leg, the scale of the task facing 1997 European champions Dortmund is a huge one — prior to this week only two teams had won a Champions League knockout tie after losing the first leg at home.
Goals from Ousmane Dembele and Shinji Kagawa last week kept them in with a chance, but they must also find a way of stopping a fearsome Monaco attack that has scored 138 goals in all competitions this season.
“Up to now we have had an exceptional run in the Champions League and our dream is to stay in the competition,” said Tuchel, who could pair Sven Bender with Sokratis Papastathopoulos in central defence in the continuing absence of Bartra.
“In the first leg it was impossible to approach the game with the concentration and mentality needed to deliver a top-level performance. I know the situation is very difficult but I remain optimistic.”
While Mario Goetze and Andre Schuerrle are also missing, the return of Marco Reus is a big boost for the Bundesliga club, who are bringing in the region of 3,000 fans with them to the Cote d’Azur for the game.
– ‘No fear’ –
Injury meant Reus missed the first leg — and therefore was also not on the ill-fated bus — but he returned to score in a 3-1 weekend win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
“I don’t think there is any fear, frankly it is good to think about something else and not be stuck at home,” Reus said when asked of the mood in the camp.
“Such an event can bring us together and give us extra energy.”
Monaco may not have been directly targeted in the attack but the events and subsequent postponement were still difficult to deal with for Leonardo Jardim and his young side, who saw teenage prodigy Kylian Mbappé score twice in the first leg.
They are top of France’s Ligue 1 and in the French Cup semi-finals while also targeting a first Champions League semi-final appearance since they lost the final to FC Porto in 2004.
It would also be a first appearance in the last four for a French club since Lyon in 2010, but they are showing signs of fatigue having started their campaign in the third qualifying round in July.
“We have played more games than anyone else in Europe (53 in all competitions) but the players are very professional and they try to recuperate well, said Portuguese coach Jardim, who believes Dortmund will be on better form this time around.
“I expect Dortmund to be much stronger, they will have overcome to some extent the events of the first leg.”
The influential Brazilian midfielder Fabinho — who missed a penalty in the first leg — is suspended while France international full-back Djibril Sidibe is still recovering from appendicitis.
Barcelona will need to hit at least five goals past Juventus to produce another miracle Champions League comeback, but have nothing to lose according to outgoing coach Luis Enrique.
Luis Enrique
The Catalans made Champions League history by overcoming a 4-0 first leg deficit to beat Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 in the last round, but have another mountain to climb at the Camp Nou on Wednesday as they trail their quarter-final tie 3-0.
“We need to score fewer goals,” said an upbeat Enrique, facing what could be his last European game in charge. “But bearing in mind the opponent could have chances and the goal can come at any moment, our objective is to score five.”
Enrique foresaw Barca’s recovery in the last 16, claiming an attack laced with the potential of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar was capable of scoring six against the French champions.
And he called for an expected near 100,000 crowd to play their part as they did against PSG.
“We don’t have anything to lose. We are free from pressure. Juventus have the semi-finals in their pocket and will have to decide whether to sit back or attack,” he added.
“We only have one option which is to attack, attack and attack again.
“I am sure that if we score the first goal, the Camp Nou will score the second and the third will come of its own accord.”
“Perfect game”
Barca captain Andres Iniesta was more cautious in his optimism, recognising the first leg in Turin had been “a terrible result”.
However, he believes Barca have the potential to at least create some doubt in Juventus minds.
“Nowadays teams respect us a lot. I am convinced they know we can cause them problems,” said Iniesta.
“We have the potential, the players and reason to believe we can turn this tie around or at least get close to it.
“We need to create doubts so at some point they see the tie is in danger.
“Everything depends on playing a perfect game in every sense.”
Barca scored three times in the final two minutes plus stoppage time as PSG froze in a grandstand finish six weeks ago.
And Enrique insisted Barca can’t lose belief even if the goals don’t come early against a Juventus defence that has conceded just two in nine Champions League games this season.
“Don’t leave in the 80th minute,” he said in a message to the fans.
“We are going to try until the end. Those of us who experienced the game against PSG have another chance to experience a historic night.
“We have seen that Barca can score three goals in three minutes so we will stay together until the 95th minute.”
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini won his latest battle with Suarez in the first leg after the Uruguayan famously bit the Italian at the 2014 World Cup.
Chiellini scored his side’s third goal a week ago after Paulo Dybala’s early double and insists Juventus will need all their experience to stand up to Barca’s “sharks”.
“We will have to play without fear because they are like sharks – they smell blood and they finish you off,” he told Sky Sports Italia.
And Juventus right-back Dani Alves believes his old side have as much as a 40 percent chance of progressing on his first return to the Camp Nou after eight glorious seasons with Barcelona.
“I know Barca well and I think right now we are 60-40,” said the Brazilian.
“If we win tomorrow it will be a very special feeling because we will eliminate the best team in the world.”
The visitors were handed a big injury boost with Dybala passed fit to play after hurting his ankle in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Pescara.
Paul Pogba has stormed to the top of the Premier League's pass completion table – taking the mantle from Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson.
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba vies for the ball with Manchestr City’s Raheem Sterling
The Manchester United star has completed a staggering 2,071 passes this season, 14 more than previous leader Henderson.
The stats table was updated after the Red Devils' 2-0 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford, in which he played the full 90 minutes and made 61 passes.
Meanwhile Henderson did not feature in Liverpool's 1-0 win over West Brom at the Hawthorns as he is currently out with a foot problem.The England midfielder is joined in the top ten list by Reds teammate James Milner, who has completed 1,849 passes this season and is currently sixth.
While Man United's Ander Herrera, who has found a teammate 1,853 times, is currently fifth, just behind Chelsea duo N'Golo Kante in fourth and Cesar Azpilicueta in third.
The other stars include David Silva in seventh, Granit Xhaka eighth, Fernandinho ninth, and Christian Eriksen tenth, according to the Premier League stats centre.
Pogba, who cost Man United a record-breaking £90million in the summer, has at times received criticism for failing to deliver this season.
Suspected Boko Haram jihadists killed five Nigerian soldiers and injured five others in a raid on a military post in the violence-torn northeast, locals and a military officer said Tuesday.Nigeria Soldiers
“Our men were outgunned and outnumbered,” said a military officer in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak about the incident.
Scores of fighters loyal to the Boko Haram faction headed by Abu Musab Al-Barnawi late Monday stormed a checkpoint near Sabon Garin Kimba village about 140 kilometres (90 miles) from Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram.
“We lost five men in the fight. Five more were injured,” the military officer said.
The Islamic State group last year appointed Al-Barnawi as head of Boko Haram, replacing long-time leader Abubakar Shekau.
Mustapha Karimbe, a civilian assisting the military, said the jihadists took military vehicles and burned three armoured cars along with makeshift sheds at the checkpoint.
“The terrorists attacked the soldiers… and remained in the village for three hours before they withdrew,” said Karimbe.
This was the second attack on the same military checkpoint in under a month.
Late last month, jihadists dressed in Nigerian military uniforms attacked the checkpoint and forced soldiers to withdraw before looting food and medical supplies from the village.
Boko Haram has in recent weeks intensified attacks on military targets in the northeast.
The insurgency began in northeast Nigeria and has spread to Chad, Cameroon and Niger, claiming more than 20,000 lives and displacing 2.6 million people.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Tuesday reaffirmed its resolve to ensure peace in Northern Nigeria and other parts of the country.
The forum gave the assurance after its delegation presented a road map on peace and development of Northern Nigeria to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.
The deputy Chairman of ACF, Alhaji Musa Kwande, said the Forum was consulting with relevant stakeholders to organise the Northern Nigeria security summit.
The ACF chief hailed the Federal Government for stemming the aggression of the Boko Haram insurgency, adding that other crisis should be equally tackled.
"It is our conviction that security is of paramount importance and the driver of economic development, hence must be accorded the utmost priority,'' he said.
On the resurgence of Southern Kaduna conflict, the Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, said that the crisis was not limited to area.
"The crisis is not only limited to Southern Kaduna. We have crisis all over the place as you are fully aware.
"We have it in the North East, we have it in Taraba; we have it all over the place.
"So the issue is not one spot. We are addressing this and we have been.
"Since 2001 we have intervened in so many of these ethnic, tribal, religious and so many crisis of this nature.
"Even we have what we call a road map.
"We came up with the road map that will provide recommendations to help the state governments and even the Federal Government to address some of the security lapses that we have identified.''
Ibrahim said that a date for the security summit would be fixed after consultations with major stakeholders.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has distributed 136,476 bags of rice to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the country in the last one year.
Mr Joseph Attah, NCS Public Relations Officer, who stated this in an interview on Tuesday in Abuja, said this was in line with the Presidential directive on seized perishable items.
Attah said that the reinstatement of the ban on rice importation through the land borders few months after lifting it in 2016 was to stem the tide of rice smuggling.
"I can assure you that our anti-smuggling strategy is yielding positive dividends in the last three months, we made a total seizure of 136,506 50kg bags of rice.
"The last one year, we made a seizure of 205,825 bags with a duty paid value of more than N1billion; that is just rice alone.
"To build another layer of policing, we have what we call the compliance team that in the last three months alone, made a total of 921 seizures with a DPV (that is Duty Paid Value) of more than N1 billion.
''Most of these seizures are rice and vehicles.
The NCS spokesman said that customs in its relentless war against rice smugglers had record successes and paid great prices through the loss of its officers.
Recall that the distribution of relief materials by the NCS to the IDPs across the country was in compliance with the presidential directive to distribute seized perishable items to IDPs in the Northeast.
The United Nations on Tuesday commended the Federal Government for its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) launched recently in Abuja.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, made the commendation in Abuja on Tuesday at the launch of UNDP 2016 Human Development Report (HDR).
President Muhammadu Buhari flanked by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, Speaker Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, Zamfara State Governor Alh Abdulaziz Yari, SGF, Engr Babachir David Lawal, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun during the formal launch of the Nigerian Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) at the State House Council Chamber in Abuja.
Kallon expressed optimism that Nigeria had what was needed to surmount her challenges and pledged the support of the world body in this regard.
He said that plans with its several medium-term policies and programmes were capable of keeping Nigeria on a positive development trajectory.
According to him, this is because the ERGP focuses on restoring growth, investing in people and building a globally competitive economy.
The UNDP boss also expressed satisfaction on the feat recorded by Nigeria in the Human Development Index (HDI) where it garnered 13.1 per cent increase between 2005 and 2015.
He called for tougher policies to enable the country to sustain gains made in human development.
Kallon said that insecurity and the drop in prices of export commodities which were major earners in sub-Saharan Africa were fast eroding the gains.
He said that Nigeria was faced with two major problems of economic recession and humanitarian crisis.
"We are all aware of the humanitarian crisis in the North-East of the country and the looming famine in that region although efforts by humanitarian development actors, under the leadership of government, have yielded significant results.
"Many challenges remain as an estimated 8.5 million people in that region are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
"And, some 50,000 children are at `IPC level 5' of food insecurity. The need for action, especially for the children, couldn't be more urgent," he said.
The envoy advised the government to utilise the opportunity provided by the launch of the UN report to address the twin problems of economic recession and humanitarian crisis in the country.
According to him, the nation should utilise the opportunity provided by the report to promote policy dialogue at national and sub-national levels.
He called on Nigeria to as a matter of urgency find lasting solution to the challenges in order to bring enduring development in the country.
"The report shows that between 2005 and 2015, Nigeria's HDI increased from 0.466 to 0.527, a 13.1 per cent increase.
"This is encouraging, but given the humanitarian challenges already alluded to, and economic recession witnessed in 2016, there is urgent need to design policies and programmes to ensure that upward trend in human development is not reversed."
Lagos, Nigeria– Ranked amongst the best and most popular annual music shows in Nigeria, the Real Deal Experience by Nigeria's fastest growing stout brand Legend Extra Stout is one every fun-loving Nigerian always looks out for.
Timaya
So when the train hit the capital city of Enugu last weekend, the expectations were very high and true to its usual billing, it delivered great fun, high level excitement, and enjoyment of the finest locally brewed stout, Legend.
And who else to light up this event and send the raving crowd of fun lovers to a heaven of musical bliss at the Polo Park Mall, Abakaliki road than the King of Dance Hall himself, the Egberi Papa One of Bayelsa, Timaya.
Headlining the Real Deal Experience music train for a record sixth time, the "Dem Mama" crooner ensured there was no single minute of boredom, wrapping up the crowd in a whirl of scintillating performances.
And in a manner reminiscent of a mass choir rehearsal, the fans joined in an hour-long sing-along daring the singer himself to outshine them in his own game. Song for song, killer dance moves for killer dance moves, it was one-night residents of Enugu and Timaya himself would not forget in a long while.
Timaya entertained the crowd with his back to back hits. From his debut "Dem Mama" to "Ukwu" and the club banger "I concur," the A-List performer treated his fans to a bevy of his best songs as Legend Extra Stout made sure there was no shortage of premium Legend stout for everyone present. The Tipsy Kelvano band and comedian, De Don also added to the spice with their fantastic performances to the applause of the crowd.
With a full complementary live band, a state of the art stage, a crowd of loyal Legend stout consumers and fun lovers, and Timaya's unparalleled stagecraft, trademark energy and bravado known across the length and breadth of Africa, there was really no way Real Deal Experience Enugu could have been anything short of a memorable night for the residents of the coal city.
An excited Timaya said "It's been a fantastic night I must say…there was too much love from the fans. I can only say a big thank you to them for the love. I've been on the Real Deal Experience train for a while and it just keeps getting better. The platform provided by Legend Extra Stout is a great one, not just for me as a musician but also for local acts. You never know where you'll get your break as an entertainer so I really commend Legend team for helping local talents too."
And that was not all for the night. For the first time in the history of the Real Deal Experience, a live simulation room was introduced to give Legend consumers a more enriched experience of the brand, as they got to watch the different unique elements that make up Legend stout. There were also different game shows for the audience and hundreds went home with exciting prizes like flat screen TVs, generators, refrigerators and much more.
"As the a leading stout brand in the country, we care a lot about consumer experience. We want to consistently engage our consumers by delivering real value to them wherever they are. The Real Deal experience will continue to bring Nigeria's biggest acts to every neighborhood so fans can get to meet and interact with them on a more personal level, just as we continue to use the platform to promote local talents too. We are happy people had fun and we'll continue to delight consumers in every city with the Real Deal Experience. So with good music, A-list artiste, loyal fans and plenty bottles of the finest stout, of course, you can only get a perfect night of fun." Oluseun Lawal, Brand Manager, Legend Extra Stout, said about the night.
Legend Extra Stout is a unique bitter tasting premium stout, fully brewed from the finest ingredients and bottled under the highest quality standards. The Real Deal Experience is Legend's signature annual nationwide music tour launched to better interact with the brand's customers.
The tour takes Nigeria's biggest music stars to grassroots areas around the country to entertain Nigerians and give fans the wonderful experience they crave for. The event also rewards Legend's consumers with exciting gifts such as flat-screen TVs, generators, and refrigerators etc.
The Real Deal Experience has been to Nnewi and Enugu this year and will visit other cities in Nigeria in the coming weeks. So expect the Real Deal Experience in your neighborhood soon.
World Economics, a well known organisation based in London, has declared that Nigeria's economy is out of recession.
The organisation that is dedicated to producing financial analysis of the world economy on Tuesday stated through series of tweet that “Nigeria economy is now out of recession and growing strongly in April.”
It stated that “The rate of price inflation remains substantial but continues to moderate in April. The organisation equally opines that “Monthly sales continue to pick up sharply in April.”
President Mohammadu Buhari's performance rating has increased by five point according to a poll conducted by NOIPolls Limited.
The results of the poll which was made known to vanguardngr.com indicated that the increases was due to the President’s return from medical leave, his Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, the Central Bank's policy intervention on foreign among others.
NOIPolls revealed that with the 5-point increase Buhari’s job performance evaluation for the month of March 2017 now stands at 55 percent in March, 2017
NOIPolls Limited also revealed that the marginal increase was laudable but massive inroads still have to be made in terms of curbing inflation and poverty rates which still remain the highest reason for disapproval of the President's job performance.
And that Buhari’s government must focus on the adequate implementation of recommendations outlined by the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan to ensure sustainable economic growth and national development.
NOIPolls Limited also said that the rise in the President’s job performance rating was seen across the six geo-political zones and the North-East zone with 31-points had the highest proportion of Nigerians in this category.
Findings revealed that the rationale for approval of the President’s job performance was centered around the perceived 'slight reduction in the prices of goods and services' (25 percent), 'improved level of security' (20 percent) and 'slight improvement in the economy' (15 percent) amongst other positive reasons.
Conversely, 35 percent of the respondents who disapproved of his job performance reported 'general hardship and high poverty rate' (40 percent), 'high cost of goods and services' (25 percent) and 'worsening state of the economy' (15 percent) as reasons for their disapproval.
These are some of the key findings from the Governance poll conducted by NOIPolls in the week commencing 27th March 2017.
These results represent the twenty-second approval rating in a monthly series of governance polls conducted by NOIPolls to gauge the perceptions of Nigerians regarding the job performance of the President. Survey findings
The public opinion poll was conducted in the week commencing 27th March 2017. It involved telephone interviews of a random nationwide sample. 1,000 randomly selected phone-owning Nigerians aged 18 years and above, representing the six geopolitical zones in the country, were interviewed. With a sample of this size, we can say with 95% confidence that the results obtained are statistically precise – within a range of plus or minus 3%. NOIPolls Limited is the No1 for country specific polling services in West Africa. We conduct periodic opinion polls and studies on various socio-economic and political issues in Nigeria.
Doing something for the first time can make you very nervous and anxious. It is even worse if you are boarding a plane. Although the experience may be pleasant, the unpalatable things you have heard about flying may scare you. Beyond this, there are other important things that can disrupt your flight which are probably unaware of because you are flying for the first time. in line with this, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares 9 things first-time flyers must know to enjoy their flight.
Arrive at the airport super early
Whether you are travelling within or outside Nigeria, you should arrive at the airport super early. This will help calm your nerves. But if you are first time flyer and you arrive late, you would be disorganised and uncoordinated. Consequently, you may miss your flight. Alternatively, you can arrive a day earlier and lodge in one of those Lagos airport hotels.
Keep your carry-on bag small and light
You should carry a portable bag where you can keep your valuables like passports and other important travel documents. It is easier to reach, anytime you need them.
Get in your seat and power down
You do not need to show everyone on the plane that you are a first-time flyer. It will simply reveal your stupidity. When you get on board, choose your seatmate carefully, sit and switch off your phone or place it on aeroplane mode.
Do not tip indiscriminately
There is nothing wrong with tipping. You can if you want to. However, don’t just tip everyone that demand money from you. You may end up tipping them with all your pocket money.
Avoid junk food
Eat proper food, not junk. You do not want to throw up at the airport or on the plane. It is highly possible that you may throw up because you are overwhelmed or anxious.
Don't carry cash
It is not advisable to carry cash when you are flying let alone for the first time. You may lose your money. Before you travel, contact your bank to know how you can get an ATM card that you can use anywhere in the world. Besides, if you want to carry cash, do not carry too much cash.
Do not patronise touts to exchange money
There are all sorts characters at the airport. So, be careful who you deal with. Never patronise touts especially when it has to do with currency exchange. They may change the money at a higher rate or give you fake currencies. There are bureau de Change wherever you are travelling to.
Bring your headset
Your headset will keep you company when you are bored or anxious. You can listen to your favourite music. This will distract you from your worries about flying for the first time.
Don't be fearful
Do not think about all the stories you have heard about flying. You should believe that nothing will happen. If you dwell on it for too long, you may end up not travelling. It is not easy but you have to ditch your fear or paranoia.
The naira firmed against the dollar at the parallel market on Tuesday, closing at N398 to the dollar.The naira appreciated from the N410 it posted at the segment on Friday
It was traded at N497 and N430 to the pound sterling and Euro, respectively, at the segment.
At the Bureau De Change (BDC), the dollar was sold at N362 to the dollar, while the pound and the Euro closed at N495 and N428, respectively.
Trading at the interbank saw the naira closing at N306 to the dollar.
Traders still expressed optimism that the naira might sustain its appreciation against the dollar as the CBN maintained its liquidity boost to all the segments of the market.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, the President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), said that BDCs were working hard to close the gap between the official and the parallel market rates.
He commended the CBN for increasing the volume of foreign exchange offered to BDCs weekly and promised that its members were ready to drive down the rates if the apex bank continued to inject more liquidity to the sector.
The traditional ruler of Illah in Delta, Obi Akazue Gbemudu II, said two villages warring over land in the community had been barred from the disputed area.
He said that a committee had been constituted to investigate the dispute and that the restriction on the villages would remain in force until the committee concluded its assignment.
A statement on Tuesday in Abuja by Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Publicity Secretary-General, Illah Development Union of Nigeria (IDUN), said the monarch made this known at the community's 2017 Easter Conference held at the weekend.
The statement quoted Gbemudu II as saying that both villages, Ajaji and Ukwumege, had been asked to stay away from the disputed land until the committee concluded its assignment.
The traditional ruler, who was represented by Chief Tony Omesiete-Gbemudu, said the stay-away order was irrespective of current investments by both parties on the land.
He added that youths of both villages had also been barred from entering the disputed area.
According to monarch, the Ogbelani of Illah, the committee has till the end of April to conclude the investigation and submit its report to the Ogbelani-in-Council.
He called for calm between the villages and others involved in land disputes in the community, assuring them that all cases would be amicably resolved.
Gbemudu II, according to statement, also announced the setting up of another committee headed by Prof. Emeka Aloamaka to review socio-economic issues in the community.
Earlier in his address, President-General of IDUN, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the Easter Conference was an annual forum where stakeholders rubbed minds on the progress of the community.
Ezemonye enumerated achievements of the union in the preceding to include a Skill Acquisition Scheme which received a boost from a House of Representatives member, representing the area, Mrs Onemaechi Mrakpor.
Others, he said, were award of scholarship to eight students of the community, provision of Marker Boards in the three secondary schools in the community, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy and empowerment of nine youths in small-scale business.
"We are also in consultation with the World Bank-Assisted SEEFOR Community Development Initiative for water projects in our community,'' he added.
The president-general commended the traditional ruler, palace chiefs and other stakeholders for supporting the union for the development of the community.
Police have arrested 39 suspects in over a dozen countries across Europe and Latin America after busting an online paedophile ring that used the WhatsApp chat service to share images of child sex abuse, officials said Tuesday.
In coordinated swoops late last month, local and international authorities searched houses and seized hundreds of devices containing child sexual exploitation material in South and Central America as well as Germany, Italy and Spain, Europe’s policing agency Europol said in a statement.
“These offenders are pushing the boundaries of modern technology to try to avoid being caught by law enforcement,” Europol’s director Rob Wainwright said.
Dubbed “Operation Tantalio”, the investigation was sparked in mid-2016 by the Spanish police’s High-Tech Crime Unit focusing on the Tor encryption network, used by criminals to mask their identities.
“Prompted by clear evidence of prolific sharing of indecent images, the Spanish investigators revealed links diverting users to private groups on WhatsApp,” Europol said.
A total of 25 groups, formed by invitation only, are currently being investigated, according to Europol. Hundreds of devices containing pornographic material have been seized, it added.
Spanish police said the photos and videos that were seized showed “humiliating treatment” and “excessive brutality” involving children from babies to children up to eight years old.
Europol and international law enforcement agency Interpol, which also took part in the investigation, said 38 suspects had been arrested but Spanish police said “so far” 39 people had been held, including 17 in Spain.
The other arrests took place in Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, El Salvador, Germany, Italy, Paraguay and Portugal.
Spanish police said they found handwritten material at a house they searched in Lugo in the north of the country listing the names, ages, and places where encounters with minors took place. Some of them dated back 20 years.
“We need to continue to combine our joint resources and skills to tackle this threat to our children and bring these offenders to justice,” Wainwright said.
“Actions like Operation Tantalio send a strong message” that police across the globe will continue to work together to bring to justice those “engaging in or benefitting from the heinous crimes,” added Bjorn Sellstrom, Interpol Crimes Against Children operations coordinator.
The Nigeria Police Force is to organise a National Security Summit to tackle issues bordering on national security.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja, Hyiecent Dagala, made this known on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Gov. Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa in Yola.
Dagala said the summit would bring together all major stakeholders in the security sector to brainstorm and proffer solutions to the security challenges facing the country.
The DIG, who is also the coordinator of the police operation in the North-East, said that the summit would look into issues of clashes between farmers and herdsmen, and kidnapping, among many others.
Dagala said that his visit to the North-East was on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to meet with officers and men in the sub-region to discuss challenges in their areas of operation.
He assured of the preparedness of the police authorities to improve the welfare of officers and men.
He commended the policemen in the sub-region for their efforts in tackling insurgency, adding that their commitment to the fight was a demonstration of their dedication to duty.
Gov.Bindow commended the police for providing adequate security in the state.
He said that though insurgency had come and gone, local crimes were on the increase.
The governor, however, expressed confidence in the leadership of the police in the state to tackle the security situation in the area.
He expressed his readiness to support the police for effective policing of the state.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria would greatly miss the former Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, Senator Ajuji Waziri, who died on Monday.
President Buhari also sympathized with the deceased wife, the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Farida Waziri, the children, friends, the diplomatic community, the National Assembly and the government and people of Gombe State.
According to a statement by Mr. Femi Adesina, the President said that Waziri worked assiduously to improve the conditions of his community and the country.
“As a public servant who served in many capacities, the President extols the humanity, integrity and purposefulness that Waziri brought into all his responsibilities, particularly in improving relations with Turkey, which has over the years become one Nigeria's strong allies in the international community.
“President Buhari believes that Waziri's wise counsels, insight and forthrightness would be sorely missed by his community and the entire country
“The President prays that the almighty God will receive the soul of the departed and grant his loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss”, the statement stated. Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria.
The Osun House of Assembly in Osogbo on Tuesday said it had received names of 39 nominees for Commissioners and Special Advisers from the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
GOV. RAUF AREGBESOLA
The Speaker of the assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam, read the letter from the governor on the list at the plenary session.
The governor, in the letter dated April 11, urged the lawmakers to give the list of the proposed cabinet members speedy consideration.
The letter read partly, "Pursuant to Sections 192 (2) and 196 (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I have the honour to forward the list of nominees for consideration and confirmation by the house of assembly as Commissioners and Special Advisers".
The governor had been without a cabinet since his inauguration for the second term on Nov. 27, 2014.
Among the nominees are Mr Kolapo Alimi, former commissioner, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Mr Bashiru Ajibola, a former adviser, Special Duties.
Sen. Hussein Mudasiru, who represented Osun West Senatorial District between 2011 and 2015, also made the list.
Other former commissioners on the list include Ms Mobolaji Akande, Human Resources and Capacity Building; Mrs Toun Adegboyega, Women and Children Affairs and Mr Ismail Jaiyeoba, Commerce, Cooperatives, Industry and Empowerment.
Former special advisers on the list include Kunle Ige, Community Development and Rural Affairs; Mr Bola Ilori, Environment; Mrs Latifat Giwa, Education and Dr Rafiu Isamotu, Health.
Others former special advisers are Mr Biyi Odunlade, Youths, Sports and Special Needs; Mr Bisi Odewumi, Local Government and Dr Olalekan Yinusa, Commerce and Cooperatives.
A former Chief Whip of the house of assembly, Mr Binuyo Ipoola and Assistant Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr Mudasiru Toogun, also made the list.
The assembly, also on Tuesday, screened 22 nominees for the Caretaker Committee Management for the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 31 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
Aregbesola had in a letter dated April 6, sought for the consideration and confirmation of nominees as executive secretaries and members for the LGAs and LCDAs.
The letter was read by the speaker on April 10 at the plenary session.
Salaam, however, said during the screening that any nominee who has yet to pay his or her tax to date would not be screened.
According to him, payment of tax is an important aspect of the screening.
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