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
"I caught my wife in her shop cutting a man's nails,'' 45-year-old applicant, Wahabi Sodiq, told an Igando Customary Court in a Lagos suburb on Thursday.
Sodiq alleged while testifying in a divorce case filed by his wife, Kudirat, 44, a public bar operator, seeking dissolution of their 24-year-old marriage over threat to her life.
"I believe my wife is having extra marital affairs. I got to her shop and met her with a man who placed his legs on her table while my wife was cutting his nails.
"Immediately the man saw me, he quickly removed his legs from her table but I did not say nothing and I left immediately.
"Since that day I became bitter because I felt cheated; I have given her Holy Bible and Quoran several times to swear that she was not dating the man but she refused," he told the court.
On the allegation that he beats the woman, he denied, saying:"I only beat my wife once since we got married and i did that because she assaulted me.
"Anytime my wife goes to her shop, she will not come home for days; she prefer sleeping in her shop.
"She also loves going to parties without my consent and whenever she returns and I queried her she will turn it to a fight.
The husband, however, pleaded with the court not to grant his wife's request for a dissolution of their marriage, saying "I still love her.''
Kudirat, responding to the husbands submission, said:"My husband is always threatening to kill me and suffocate me to death with a pillow.
"I am always afraid to sleep at home and because of the fear, I packed some of my belongings back to my parent's house."
The petitioner also accused her husband of planning to sell the house she laboured to build.
"My husband called me on phone and threatened to sell my house if I refused to come back to our matrimonial home."
Kudirat alleged that her husband was in the habit of chasing away her customers, accusing her of infidelity.
The mother of four, who said she had no emotion or love for him anymore, urged the court to dissolve the marriage.
The court's President, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, ordered both parties to come along with three members of their families for a possible resolution and reunion at the next hearing date.
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – THE leadership of the he organised labour and their civil society allies, yesterday protested in Abuja, demanding that the Federal Government should make known the identities of those that looted the common wealth and also asked that their hands should be cut off to serve as deterrent.
The protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, alongside their Civil Societies allies, also lamented that nothing so much had been achieved in the fight against corruption.Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo receiving the 18-Point Demands by Labour Movement for Good Governance from the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Ayuba Waba and the Trade Union Congress President, Bobboi Kaigama (l) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 09/02/2017
Displaying placards of different descriptions, the labour leaders said that the level of hardship in the country had risen to an alarming proportions and that workers were the worst hit of the current recession and thereby demanded for an increase in the minimum wage.
They also disclosed that they would soon drag some of the state governors to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, for the alleged diversion of bail-out funds recently released by the Federal Government for the payment of workers salaries, arrears, pensions and gratuity.
Addressing the workers during the protest rally for good governance at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said it was unfortunate that a few Individuals have stolen the nation’s common wealth, while nothing had been done to bring them to book.
Wabba said government must take concrete steps to prove to the world that it was serious to win the fight against corruption and recover all stolen money, stressing that the nation lost about $22 billion not remitted to the federation account from sale of oil and gas.
Advising the government to come hard on the looters of the nation’s treasury, Wabba said, said: “We must not allow a situation where few, because of their interest will hold the system to ransom.
“We are demanding increase in electricity supply and they are saying lag more tariff, we are demanding increase in minimum wage and they say they are going to be paying in percentage. We should not be tired.
“Why should somebody steal one billion naira and walk the street free. We are demanding that they should be named and shamed. We are also demanding that one of their hand be cut off so that when we see them, we will know that they are people that has stolen our money.
“So, let us not be tired. Not to pay salaries and pensions is criminal. Not to increase our wages in this condition is corruption and so, we must demand good governance and support the fight against corruption.
“It is obvious that what we are doing today is in our collect interest. As working class and our families and as Nigerians, we must always make our voice know and heard very clearly.
“Today, with what is happening in our system, we are actually at the receiving end because there is near absence of good governance and corruption is also fighting back very badly and we have been at the receiving end. Instead of addressing those challenges and paying salaries, what the are doing in some states is paying salaries in percentages.
“The height of this challenge is the absence of good governance, accountability, transparency and the rule of law, any system that does not have those ingredients, the first group that will suffer is the working class and their families and the citizens.
“That is why we are matching to canvass for good governance and also to lend our voice to saying that the fight against corruption must continue. If you look at the NEITI report, it states clearly that unremitted fund from the sale of oil and gas amount to another 22 billion dollars.
“If we have these money, I am sure that the challenge we are passing through would not have been there. Few people connive to transfer this money into their personal account and we are saying tau government must find the will to implement these reports and who ever is affected must be made to refund the money.
“We should not be lamenting always that there is no money and that the economy is in recession. Enough of lamentation and we must take our destiny in our own hands to demand for accountability, good governance and transparency and workers must not be made to be at the relieving end.
“The demand for minimum wage is legitimate. Governors are collecting more than maximum wage. They were given bail out fund which they diverted; they were given Paris Club refund which they also diverted and yet we have pensioners not being paid for about 77 months. Is that an attribute of good governance?
“We must therefore lend our voice to these challenges because if we keep quite. We will be consumed. We must struggle because he who is on the ground is not afraid of falling again.
“There should be good governance at all levels of governance and not limited to the centre alone. Wee have more challenges in the states and local government and so, it is our fight because it is an issue that affects all of us and we must continue to be united.”
Also speaking, the President of TUC, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama said efforts must be made to end corruption in the country as well as promote good governance.
He said, “We must end corruption in this country and support good governance. It is only in Nigerian that corrupt people are being celebrated.
“We want to tell the world that we are insisting that corruption must be fought to a stand still. Those people who are aiding and abating corruption should be prepared for the wrath of Nigerians.if you escort criminals to court, we will follow you there and disgrace you.
“Today, we have to show our displeasure because it is only the Nigeria. Worker and the down trodden that are suffering. Their pay is not increased, while we have daily increase in inflation and recession because of the stolen wealth that has not been redistributed to Nigerians.
“We have so much corruption in the states and local to the extent that bail out fund given to them will be diverted. We are going to follow them with EFCC and ICPC to make sure that those diverting our bail out fund meant for the payment of salaries, pension and arrears of promotion must be dealt with. We have said it time and time again that we are prepared to fight those in government who are involved in corrupt practices.
“There is the need to also take the protest match to the National Assembly since corruption cannot be fought only on the part of the executive; we would take it to the doorsteps of the legislatures and to that of the judiciary.
“Concerning the minimum wage, we already have the demands before now and we presented same. Even the United States of America, when Obama came into the office, the minimum wage of Americans then was five dollars per hour; he raised it to ten dollars per hour.
“In fact, there is an agitation to $15 per hour. In Switzerland, it is $18 per hour. Our demand is N 56, 000. Anywhere in the world, you would never have it on a platter of gold until you struggled.
“South Africans struggled and liberate themselves. Nigerians and workers must continue to struggle to liberate ourselves. It is not easy to address government, employers of labour and the bourgeois class. Ours is a case that we continue to push till victory is certain.”
On his own part, the Vice President of IndustriAll Global Union and General Secretary of National Union of Textiles, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Comrade Issa Aremu said before the increment of petroleum pump prices, the organised labour had predicted what would be the outcome of the government policy, adding that the predictions had come to fruition.
Aremu said the only way to get the country out of the current recession was for the government to reflate the economy and pay adequate salary to workers, pointing out that without payment of salaries and allowances to workers, the fight against corruption will not succeed.
Protesting at the National Assembly over the rising cost of living, the NLC President, Comrade Wabba said they were protesting the delay in the upward review of minimum wage amidst increasing cost of items in the country. Wabba said, “We are here to demand for good governance and express our support in the fight against corruption. More importantly we demand for respect for rule of law, greater accountability and transparency in governance.
“Today the dollar rate is one naira to 500 dollars and the salaries of Nigerian workers have remained the same. Therefore we are here to urge the National Assembly to play an important role to ensure that life is made better for Nigerians.
“We cannot succeed if the fight against corruption does not succeed. We appreciate the efforts by the National Assembly to ensure financial autonomy for the local governments and this must be sustained because money meant for the local governments does not get there.”
He said despite the bailout funds to states for workers' salaries, “the living condition of workers had not improved because many were yet to be paid.”
According to him, pensioners in the country were owed up to 77 months and called on the National Assembly to synergise with other arms of government to pay them.
The TUC President, Kaigama said that the inflation rate in the country was growing astronomically and that it was time for the government at all tiers to go back to the drawing board to revive the country's economy.
He said, “Whatever it takes, we must rejig our economy. “If we must have to kill corruption, the laws have to come from the National Assembly.
“Nigerians are hungry, the cost of living is high, no houses, no light and factories have gone comatose.”
Responding, the Senate President Bukola Saraki, said it was time to go into action towards addressing the numerous challenges confronting Nigerians and that everybody should sit down and work out how to make necessary adjustments.
He said, “It can't continue this way, the exchange rate is high, cost of things in the market have gone high but only the workers' salaries remained the same.
By the next time we will meet I will tell you what the National Assembly has done to improve the living condition of Nigerians.”
But the protesters were stopped by security operatives from gaining access to the Presidential villa to deliver their protest message to the Acting President, Prof. Yomi Osinbajo.
The workers were stopped at the Federal Secretariat by heavily armed security operatives at about 11.05 am and were asked to send a delegation of their leaders to take their message to the presidential villa.
Initially the workers rejected the the request insisting that the Acting President either send a representative to receive their message or be allowed to gain access to the villa to deliver the message.
They however, nominated twenty representatives from among them to take their message to the Acting President while the rest waited for their leaders while being entertained by music of legendary Fela Anikulakpo Kuti, late Bob Marley among others.
Some of the inscription on the placards by the workers among other things demanded good governance, accountability and sustained fight against corruption saying Nigerians were tired of bad governance which has led to abject poverty in the country.
Some of the placards reads: “Make payment of salaries a priority, our salaries can’t take us home again electricity tariff hike in the face of darkness is the height of wickedness, building infrastructure without payment of salaries isomer corruption, owing workers salaries is an act of corruption no electricity, no industrialisation, replace importation with production and non payment of pension is bad governance among others.”
But after about two hours, the representatives came back from the Presidential Villa to inform the workers that the Acting President gave them assurance that their demands will be looked into by the government.
Wabba who spoke on behalf of the delegation said: “Basically, I can say on good authority, that we have received the attention that we desired and what we expect is also that results should be able to follow.
“It has not been an exercise in futility and we have reminded them that we would continue in this business and that it is also our responsibility as workers, pensioner because we have been at the receiving end and therefore we must continue to advance the issue of good governance and also better issue that would advance the lot of Nigerians.
“This kind of engagement and conversation creates such platform so that all of us can canvass for the issue of good governance and would also continue. I can assure that we have received favourable attention and response and we would follow up on the others.”
Almost everyone is using a smartphone in Nigeria. What many of these smartphone users don’t know is whether their phones are being tapped or not. If you don’t know, there are a number of reasons your phone can be tracked. One reason is when you are in a relationship where there is a clear absence of trust.
Then your partner may result to tapping or bugging your phone. Besides that, a government agency may bug your phone just to listen to your conversation. In this case, it is for security reasons.
Smartphone
Whatever the case may be, it is key to know if your smartphone has been bugged. Jumia Travel gathers 5 ways to tell.
Your phone takes time to shut down
If your phone takes forever to shut down, it may be a pointer that your phone has been compromised. You will notice that when your phone eventually goes off, the backlight will still be on. This may likely means that your phone is in control of whoever has bugged it. So, whether you switch off or not, it will be difficult get rid of them.
Increased data usage
It will definitely be difficult for a smartphone without internet connection to be tapped. You may surf your phone every second daily but you already know that you cannot exhaust your data at a go.
Thankfully most phones will alert you if you are using too much data. But if the data traffic is unusually high, and your phone keeps alerting you, you should be concerned.
You find apps you didn’t download
There are thousands of useful apps that you can download in either the Google Playstore or Apple’s store. These are largely safe. In other circumstances, you may find an app you didn’t download which finds its way to your phone. It is one of the coy ways to bug your phone.You try as much as possible not to open this app.
Low battery life
A battery is the heart of any of phone. A phone cannot function without a battery. If your battery runs out not long after charging it or it is very hot, it may be a sign that something is amidst. You should take note of this because the process of tapping your phone can easily drain your battery.
You receive unusual text messages
You may receive a random text message from an unfamiliar source and many of us tend to ignore it. These messages which you may ignore, arguably, means that someone is monitoring (or about to start) your messages or phone. You should delete the message immediately you notice it.
By Henry Umoru ABUJA – SENATE President Bukola Saraki Thursday told protesting members of thee Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that Nigerians cannot continue to suffer as they were presently going through in the country as a result of the biting economic recession.
Speaking Thursday in Abuja when he addressed members of the NLC, TUC and the organized Labour who staged a protest at the National Assembly complex over the rising cost of living in Nigeria, Saraki who noted that it was time the nation went into action towards addressing the numerous challenges confronting Nigerians, said that as Nigerians and leaders, we need to sit down and work out how to make necessary adjustments.
Saraki said, “It can't continue this way, the exchange rate is high, cost of things in the market have gone high but only the workers' salaries remain the same. By the next time we will meet, I will tell you what the National Assembly has done to improve the living condition of Nigerians.”
Earlier, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba who noted that the groups were protesting the delay in the upward review of minimum wage amidst increasing cost of items in the country, however explained that pensioners in the country were owed up to 77 months and called on the National Assembly to synergise with other arms of government to pay them, adding, “We are here to demand for good governance and express our support in the fight against corruption. More importantly, we demand for respect for rule of law, greater accountability and transparency in governance.”
Wabba who expressed worry that Nigerian workers have been the major victims of the fall-out of corruption and bad governance, said, “Today the dollar rate is N500 to one dollar and the salaries of Nigerian workers have remained the same. Therefore, we are here to urge the National Assembly to play an important role to ensure that life is made better for Nigerians. We cannot succeed if the fight against corruption does not succeed.
"We appreciate the efforts by the National Assembly to ensure financial autonomy for the local governments and this must be sustained because money meant for the local governments does not get there.''
The NLC President who further expressed concern that in spite of the bailout funds to states for workers' salaries, said, “the living condition of workers have not been improved because many are not paid''.
Also contributing, the TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama who noted that the inflation rate in the country was growing astronomically, said that it was time for governments at all tiers to go back to the drawing board to revive the country's economy, adding, “Whatever it takes, we must review the structure of our economy. If we must have to kill corruption, the laws have to come from the National Assembly. Nigerians are hungry, the cost of living is high, no houses, no light and factories have gone comatose.”
The English Premier League is one of the most exciting football leagues in the world. Thus, it is unsurprising that many Nigerians are addicted to it.
Every weekend, viewing centres are filled out with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City among other EPL clubs. It is, therefore, near impossible to end the attachment of Nigerians to the premier league. Nonetheless, Jumia Travel identifies 5 reasons Nigerians should stop watching the EPL.
The Nigerian League is now exciting and better organized
Since the league management body started managing the Nigerian League, they have made concerted efforts to make the league more exciting and interesting. They have ensured that the stadiums are TV friendly and the players and fans obey rules and regulation. Most importantly, the matches are on Pay TV. This has encouraged players to give out their best and you now see a Nigerian league player scoring a hat-trick.
Nigerians at viewing cemtre watching Premier League
You get real life stadium experience in the NPFL
To watch a Nigerian League match is very affordable and inexpensive. You don't have to break the bank. Except you have a deep pocket, you cannot travel the England to watch Arsenal. So, with the NPFL, you can watch Kano Pillars live in Kano or watch Remo Stars in Sagamu. You get the stadium experience.
You can support professionally run private clubs
Unlike in the past when the 20 clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League are government owned, there are now privately owned clubs that are professionally managed. We have The Mountain of Fire Football Club, Ifeanyi Ubah FC, and Remo stars. You can support these clubs because they churn out EPL like football week in, week out.
Nigerian Stadiums are safe
Many Nigerians have the mindset that whenever they visit the stadium, they will be harassed and waylaid. This is in the past. They are now safe because it is now incumbent on clubs to provide security for fans and players alike.
We will support our own
Nigerians don't seem to support their own. Like they have a knack for foreign products, it is the same for football. Even the Nigerian Super Eagles team is coached by a foreigner. We stop watching the premier league and support the Nigerian league by going to stadiums to watch their favorite Nigerian club.
Turkey’s football federation on Thursday suspended Fenerbahce’s star Dutch striker Robin van Persie for three games and Serbian defender Dusko Topic of Besiktas for four after a standoff in a tense Istanbul cup derby this week.
The two had been involved in an off-the-ball incident in the February 5 game which saw Tosic sent off in the 41st minute but Beskitas fans feel van Persie also deserved red for exaggerating the contact.
Van Persie collapsed to the ground after being nudged on the head by Tosic.
Fenerbahce won the cup match 0-1 in Besiktas’ stadium by the Bosphorus thanks to a 71st minute goal from van Persie, who arrived last season from Manchester United.
The Dutchman was then the target of a expletive-ridden Twitter rant from Tosic’s wife, the Serbian pop star Jelena Karleusa.
The federation said after a meeting of its disciplinary committee van Persie was being banned for three matches and fined 19,500 Turkish lira ($5,300) for insulting behaviour.
Pictures from the game showed van Persie gesturing with his hand down the front of his shorts in the direction of Besiktas players and fans.
Tosic was meanwhile banned for four games and given a fine of 71,000 Turkish lira ($19,270) over the red card incident. Besiktas manager Senol Gunes was given a one match ban.
The bans come with both sides at a crucial stage in the season, with Besiktas looking to pull ahead of second and third placed Basaksehir and Galatasaray in the Super Lig race. Fenerbahce remain contenders in fourth.
Mr Jagdeep Kapoor, Head of Chancery, High Commission of India, in Lagos, on Thursday announced his government's plans to encourage Nigerian farmers to plant more pulses that would be exported to India.
Kapoor told newsmen in Lagos that the initiative would create a source of income for Nigerian farmers, as well as ensure steady flow of the produce to India. The Indian Official said that the project would be a priority in India and Nigeria's 2017 Civil Aviation and Agriculture Cooperation Agreements, that would soon be formalised by both governments.
"Nigeria and India's fresh areas of cooperation in 2017 would focus mostly on the signing of the Civil Aviation and Agriculture Agreements, that would soon be formalised by our two governments.
"And as soon as this agreements are signed, we would swing into action in ensuring their immediate implementation.
"We believe that the development of Nigeria's agriculture sector would fast-track Nigeria's economy into a ' fix quick mould'.
"We believe that the development of Nigeria's agriculture sector would be a quick way to fix Nigeria's economy.We are really trying to cooperate with Nigeria in the development of her agriculture sector,'' he said.
The Indian official announced his government's readiness to encourage Nigerian farmers to plant pulses(dal),that would be largely exported to India for industrial and household consumption.
Kapoor listed such pulses to include dry beans, dry broad beans, dry peas, chickpeas, cow peas, pigeon peas, lentils, Bambara beans, vetches, lupins and pulses nes.
The Head of Chancery said that there was currently a growing demand for pulses in India and that Nigerian soil was rich for planting and production of the leguminous crops.
Kapoor said that his government would be sending some Indian farmers to Nigeria to support Nigerian farmers in the planting of the crops.
"We are going to be encouraging Nigerian farmers to plant pulses, that are currently needed in large quantities in India. And India is a ready market for these crops today.
"We know how much Nigerian soil is really good for the planting of these highly-needed crops in India. "We strongly believe that the planting of these crops in Nigeria would make Indians have more supply of pulses, generate income that would encourage more young Nigerians into planting these crops for export,'' he added.
The management of Arik Air on Thursday said it would challenge the taking over of the airline by the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) in court.
Capt. Ado Sanusi, Senior Vice President, Arik Air made, the disclosure at a joint news briefing with the newly appointed receiver Manager, Mr Oluseye Opasanya (SAN) and the airline's technical consultant, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AMCON had taken over the airline following its huge indebtedness oF the company TO both local and foreign creditors.
However, Sanusi said the Arik Management had been served with a valid court order empowering AMCON to take over the affairs of the airline.
"As responsible citizens, we have obeyed the court order which appointed the Olaniwun Ajayi (SAN) as the receivership manager.
Arik Air
"We will comply but I want to make it clear that we have a right to challenge the court order.
"In the coming days, we will make our position known. It is a court order and we can challenge it and we will challenge it to the highest court of authority, " Sanusi said.
He added that while the legal battle would be on one front, the parties had agreed that Arik Air would continue to run without any disruption.
Also speaking, Opasanya said AMCON was on a rescue mission to reposition the embattled airline.
Opasanya said :"AMCON has been a creditor to Arik for sometime. It also has security over substantial parts of the assets of Arik.
"The debt of Arik to AMCON has not been paid and huge sums of money is owed.
"So AMCON, having consulted widely with government authorities, has decided to appoint me to preside over the affairs of Arik.
"So we have come to supervise the operation, sustain the operation, improve services and ensure that we support Arik with people of deep knowledge, experience and commitment in the airline industry."
According to him, Arik plays a pivotal role in the airline industry and many Nigerians are currently drawing their means of livelihood from the company.
"We have addressed the workers and the management and we want to assure other stakeholders and members of the public that the desire of AMCON is to keep the airline flying.
"AMCON is willing to support the operation of Arik and together with the government, work to meet the immediate essential needs of the company, "he said.
On his part, Ilegbodu said Arik had 28 aircraft in its fleet but only 10 are currently being used for operations.
He said his duty as technical consultant was to get to the root of the problems bedeviling the airline to ensure its sustainability.
The Minister of Information, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says the ministry is liaising with Google to recapture archival materials kept in various agencies to preserve the country's national heritage.
The minister, who made this known while defending the ministry's budget before the Senate Committee on Information, said the ministry was also liaising with the German Government and other international organisations to help preserve the materials.
Mohammed said that if nothing was done in that regard, the country may lose its heritage, thereby making it difficult for future generation to know about the country's heritage.
"We are looking outside government to see how we could preserve these valuable materials.
"We recently sent one of our staffs to the German Government to reinstate a particular film and exhibit it.
"We are also in the process of looking for other philanthropists, who will help us to ensure that all these delicate and sensitive materials are put in digital form.
"We are in touch with international organisations to help us preserve these materials, but we have not arrived at a conclusion yet.
"We are aware of the need to keep our heritage safe.
Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe advised the minister on the urgent need to recapture the materials in order not to lose them.
According to him, most materials that ought to be used for reference purposes are being manhandled.
"I want to draw your attention to another issue. It is the issue of archiving. We have problems with the archives in the film corporation.
"There are lots of valuable films and other important materials that are not being kept properly.
"We therefore advise the ministry to liaise with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to recapture the materials in digital form.
"This is to see if they can be kept in their original format as soon as possible before we lose all of them,'' he said.
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said its subsidiary, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), lost about N2.2 billion annually to illegal tapping on its raw water pipeline.
The corporation said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr Ndu Ughamadu.
According to Ughamadu, the raw water pipeline which runs from Kaduna River, generates power for the running of the refinery and serves as coolants for equipment and combats fire outbreaks.
"Sequel to the series of tapping, the refinery now spends more on diesel and other material inputs in the maintenance of its generators and other equipment," he said.
He said that KRPC Managing Director, Malam Idi Mukhtar, had lamented that the consumption of the water by settlers who encroached on the company's premises was an unnecessary, additional burden to the refinery's industrial requirements.
"Mukhtar said this must be resolved urgently by relevant state government agencies.
Oil pipeline
"He said other losses were that it slows down the build-up rate of water in the reserve tanks, which endangers the refinery as the plant is expected to maintain a minimum level of water requirement that is considered safe for operations.
"The illegal acts are committed mostly in Janruwa, Kamazo, Namaigero and Mahuta areas of Kaduna metropolis, which are the communities along the raw water intake pipeline Right of Way.
"He also explained that a particular amount of water, sufficient enough to generate steam and other industrial consumption is needed.
"This is because of the incidents of illegal tapping of our water pipeline, we need to put more effort to meet our industrial requirements," Ughamadu said.
He expressed pleasure that the Kaduna State Government had promised to look into the issue with a view to finding a lasting solution to the challenge.
He explained that Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority and Kaduna State Water Board had been contacted to address the issues of land encroachment on KRPC Right of Way.
Ughamadu advised illegal tappers of the refinery's raw water pipeline to desist from the act, warning that the raw water was not fit for human consumption because it was untreated.
He quoted KRPC Executive Director, Operations, Alhaji Shehu Malami, as saying that if the problem was not addressed, a time would come when the plant would not be able to run some of its critical units.
"Malami said that the refinery was currently operating at 65 per cent capacity, producing 1.7 million litres of petrol, 1.7 million litres of diesel and 700, 000 litres of kerosene, daily.
"The daily rate of loading is massive; even, on Sundays products are being loaded to meet the growing demand in the country," Ughamadu said.
Major Telecom service providers in Nigeria have promised to tackle all abnormalities associated with their services to ensure maximum service satisfaction to their customers.
The representatives of MTN, Etisalat and Airtel made the commitment on Thursday in Keffi, Nasarawa state, at the 25th Edition of Consumer Town Hall Meeting organised by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC).
They commended NCC for organising the programme adding that, "it offers them another platform to have direct interaction with their customers." The trio networks promised to seriously attend to whatever complaints their customers made in the next couple of months.
Nazir Tukur, the MTN Customer Relationship Manager in charge of North Central Zone, said they had social media platform in addition to customer care number '180' for complaints.
He further said they the major telecom service providers also established offices in all the 774 local government areas of the country for the customers to access whatever services they needed.
Similarly, Ibrahim Kastina, the Etisalat Regional Sales Manager in charge of Benue Region, said consumers could table their complaints to their social media platform in addition to customer care number '200'.
He said Etisalat was working seriously to improve its services to be the best in the country.
In the same vein, Ekundayo Fatoki, the Airtel Business Manager in charge of North-Central, assured customers that all their complaints, tabled, would be addressed.
However, some customers, such as Joshua Musa have decried the alarming rate of exploitation by the network providers and called on the Federal Government, through NCC, to save Nigerians from the providers.
Francisca Oche and Jerry James customers of Etisalat and Airtel, respectively called on NCC to start producing airtime to curtail the access of telecoms providers.
The duo said the providers consumed peoples' data without regard to regulations or the rights of the consumers and called on NCC to come for the rescue.
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has called on the relevant authorities to take necessary actions to ensure availability and right pricing of kerosene and other petroleum products in the country.
The governor made the call on Thursday at the inauguration of an ultra-modern filling station owned by North-West Petroleum and Gas Company Limited in Asaba.
He said that it was unacceptable that most Nigerians today buy kerosene above the official price, adding that the product was not readily available inspite of high pricing.
The governor said that the situation called for necessary action aimed at easing the suffering of the masses.
"Our people have been finding it very difficult to get kerosene at the appropriate prices, so, we are very much interested in its regular supply at the right price.
Okowa
"It is our hope and prayer that kerosene will never be out of stock and we thank God that we are going to get it at the official price at this ultra-modern filling station.
"It has been an unlikely thing in the past few months to have kerosene at the appropriate prices.
"I believe that this will lead to greater competition and also drive other filling stations to try to keep their prices at control price as stipulated by the authorities," Okowa said.
He commended the management the company for its interest in establishing in the state and encouraged it to also establish modular refineries.
"We would rather want a modular refinery to be established here in Delta State than in other places.
"After all, we produce the crude, the transport of the crude will be close by and we will find a place that is very close for you so that you would not need to have transportation challenges.
"We want to encourage other private investors to invest more and provide this kind of project that will help to improve the lives of our people," he said.
Dr Olaolu Modashiru, a director in the company, said that the friendly environment for investment attracted the company to Delta.
He gave an assurance that the company has a reputation of having products at all times at the right price.
Governor of Ekiti State and chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party’s (PDP)’s Governors’ Forum, Dr. Ayodele Fayose has wished President Mohammadu Buhari sound health urging Nigerians to jointly pray to God for the President get well soon so that he can return on time and resume work.
Nigerians have been apprehensive and demanded for accurate information about the truth on the health status of the President because there had been nasty rumours about him.Governor Fayose and President Buhari
Speaking with some Reporters at the Government House Thursday while he he was hosting the General Overseer of Champions Glory Assembly Church, Pastor Joshua Lasisi, Fayose who wished President Buhari sound health said: “I want to equally join Nigerians to pray for the President and ask God to give him good health.”
Meanwhile, the governor advised the Presidency to ensure it gives accurate information about the health status of Mr. President so as to forestall a situation whereby people would continue to spread nasty rumours currently milling round.
“But the best thing we should all realize is that the Presidency owes Nigerians accurate information about the situation of things.
Otherwise people would continue to spread one rumour or the other. Nigerians demanding for truthful and accurate information about the President’s health from the Presidency are right because the moment you assume such a position, your life has become public. So, we should let Nigerians have the accurate information about the whereabouts of Mr. President.
At the same time Nigerians too, should be praying for the President. Nobody has control over health challenges, the only thing they are doing wrongly is hiding the facts from Nigerians.
I cannot say I cannot be sick when I’m sick because I am a public figure. I represent the interests of many people. They must know where I am, what is wrong and what am doing it is the right of every Nigerians. But I want to urge all of us to stick together and pray for Mr. President.
Pastor Lasisi who hinted that there will be a revolution which turn the current unwholesome tide of things in the country, also said: “We strongly condemn the trial of men of God over religious issues. Men of God should be treated with respect and should not be persecuted for merely airing their views over issues that concern Nigeria.
There is freedom of speech and people should be allowed to air their views. I’m hopeful that God will see us through what we are going through in Nigeria. Irrespective of what we are going through, Nigeria will still get better. We are hopeful that there will be a revolution in this country.
We strongly condemn the killing of Christians as it happened in Southern Kaduna and we call on the government to urgently do something about it.”
Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Ayodele Fayose has hailed the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo for sending the name of Justice Walter Onnoghen to the senate for confirmation as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), saying; "The action of the Acting President has saved the judiciary in particular and Nigeria in general from unnecessary tension."
The governor, who said Nigeria will only be great if institutions were allowed to operate without interference, added that; "It is better to build strong institutions that will run on their own than to rely on strong leaders. Look at what is happening in the United States judgment was delivered and no one waited for President Donald Trump to speak before obeying the judgment. That is how things should run in a normal clime."
According to a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose, while reacting to the submission of Justice Onnoghen's name to the Senate by the Acting President, noted that; "If President Muhammadu Buhari had listened to wise counsel, things would not have degenerated to this sordid extent."
He said inspite of the submission of Justice Onnoghen's name to the Senate, those who out of their own selfishness foisted the position of Acting CJN on Nigeria for the first time in the history of the judiciary in the country will answer for their conspiracy one day.
The governor maintained that himself and other Nigerians that insisted on the appointment of Justice Onnoghen as the substantive CJN not so, not for Justice Onnoghen as a person, but to uphold the sanctity of the office of the judiciary, which is the last hope of the common man.
The governor said; "Five days ago, I called on Acting President Osinbajo to do the needful by simply sending Justice Onnoghen's name to the Senate as recommended by the NJC and I am glad that Prof Osinbayo, who himself is a lawyer listened to Nigerians and saved the judiciary from crisis.
"On this one, Prof Osinbajo has shown that he listens, unlike President Muhammadu Buhari that has ruled the country like a military dictator. I salute the Acting President."
Speaking further, Governor Fayose said; "Like I have maintained, we didn't fight for Justice Onnoghen as an individual. What we fought for and still fighting for is the oneness of Nigeria and the sanctity of the judiciary.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA – Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu on Thursday in Abuja prayed for the safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari back the country at the end of his medical vacation in London.
He also called on Nigerians to be patient with the president on the delivery of the democracy dividend, asking them however to criticize the government constructively and not destructively when the need arises.
The Lagos monarch spoke with State House Correspondents after a brief meeting with the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa.
He also expressed gratitude to God for elevating Osinbajo to the position of the Vice President from a humble background.
He said: “I have found time to see my former law lecturer and once more to convey to him the wishes and prayers of Lagos so that by the grace of God, the Almighty Allah, that our President will return to us hale and hearty and all will be well with this country provided all of us are sincere and we cooperate with the government and we tell the government what we feel constructive and not destructive criticisms.
“We have to be absolutely patient and provide useful suggestions to move the country forward. It’s very funny. Prophet Ayub was sick to the extent that maggots were coming out of all of his body and Allah brought him back not to talk of somebody who is not like that. Insha Allah, by the grace of Almighty, our President will be back to all of us.
“As I told the Acting President now, God blessed him more than how he expected. He was a law teacher; very quiet, easy going and he is always with his bible and see what God has done for him. He is not interested in any political thing but God had destined that he will be the number two man.
“All of us should pray for the two of them and for Nigeria to be very successful provided we are and close to God and very absolutely honest in everything we are doing. All will be well with us.”
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday evening called the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara from the United Kingdom where he is vacationing.
The President called the Speaker at about 9:20pm Tuesday evening and the two leaders spoke for little over five minutes.
Although the President and the Speaker discussed other national issues, much of it centred on how the Executive and the Legislature can work together to ensure food security for Nigerians and prevent a relapse into events of 2016.
When contacted the Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs to the Speaker, Mr. Turaki Hassan, confirmed that the two leaders spoke.
“As the Rt. Hon. Speaker twitted via his official twitter handle @YakubDogara, Mr. President called him at around 9:20pm Wednesday evening and they spoke for about five minutes.”
“They discussed some national issues including ways of ensuring food security for Nigerians.
President Muhammadu Buhari met with APC chieftains, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, at Abuja House in London on Thursday PRESIDENT BUHARI IN LONDON: PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI RECEIVES APC CHIEFTAINS, SENATOR BOLA AHMED TINUBU AND CHIEF BISI AKANDE, AT ABUJA HOUSE IN LONDON ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017
Reports have it that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande left Nigeria on Monday for London to see the President.
The Radio, Television, Theatre and Art Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) has called for the implementation of the media salary scheme, saying it was necessary to upgrade the salaries of media workers.
Kabir Tsanni, the newly elected National President of RATTAWU, made the call at the inaugural meeting of the union's Central Working Committee (CWC) on Thursday in Abuja.
Tsanni called on the Federal Government to implement the media salary structure canvassed for by its members across the federation.
The RATTAWU president said that there was need for the government to upgrade and implement the media salary structure considering the importance of the media profession and the risk attached to it.
"It is very unfair for the Federal Government to place media workers alongside civil servants on minimum wage.
"This is because our job is far more challenging and demanding than that in the normal civil service set-up,'' he said.
He stressed that the minimum wage could no longer match the present economic realities in the country, adding that this was the best time to fully implement the salary scheme.
According to Tsanni, those operating in media houses urgently deserve a special salary structure as being enjoyed in some other sectors.
The RATTAWU president said the issue of media salary had long been presented to the National Assembly and other relevant agencies of government.
Tanzanian legislators on Thursday urged the government to put pressure on Germany to compensate for atrocities committed during its colonial rule over a century ago.
"If other countries were compensated for war atrocities, why not us?" asked legislator Cosato Chumi, who is a member of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee.
The government announced Wednesday that it would seek an apology and a settlement for what it says were the deaths of tens of thousands of people during the so-called Maji Maji revolt against colonial rule from 1905 to 1907.
In the south-eastern area of Mahenge "was badly affected during the Maji Maji war, German forces besieged the area and torched down all food reserves and as a result, more than 30,000 people starved to death … this amounts to an act of genocide," another legislator, Zitto Kabwe, told dpa.
Tanzania wants to follow the example of Namibia, where descendants of the Herero and Nama people are seeking damages for what they say was the genocide of more than 100,000 people under German colonial rule in the early 1900s.
"As a nation, we are supposed to find a best mechanism to be compensated," Chumi told dpa. Germany ruled Tanzania, then known as Tanganyika, from the late 1880s to 1919.
