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
Ibadan – Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, on Monday advised people in the Niger Delta region to positively engage government to address their grievances.
Speaking at the 12th Monthly Power Sector and Stakeholders Meeting in Ibadan, the minister said dialogue has remained a better option than continued acts of vandalism of public property.
He said that the country's power generation could return to 3,000 megawatts once the vandals stopped their activities.
"Their anger should not be anger of fight but anger of engagement, engage the government reasonably, not angrily, engage them productively not in a negative way,'' he counseled.
According to him, the power sector must show result this 2017 and that is the reason the government is reaching out for peace in the region so that we can tackle the issue of vandalism.
Fashola assured that 3,000 megawatts would be energised and restored to the national grid if the Excravos pipeline was repaired, in addition to the "3,500 megawatts we have already and making it 6,500 megawatts''.
He called on DISCOs to as quickly as possible make rapid deployment of meters, noting that consumers still feel that they are getting the wrong end of the stick through the estimated billing method.
Fashola assured that he would continue to stand on the side of consumers as they have the right to have meter and DISCOs have the obligation to provide it.
The minister urged the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to involve members of the public, state and local governments as well as traditional rulers and community organisations in what they were doing.
According to him, only by this can people understand that somebody is actually taking a step to solve a problem.
The CEO of the company, Mr John Donnachie, in his remark, promised improved electricity supply.
He said that IBEDC was working tirelessly to perform up to expectation despite challenges facing the company.
The minister and other stakeholders in the power sector were at the meeting for over three hours in a bid to resolve issues pertaining to how power supply can be improved.
By Benjamin Njoku with Agency reports FOR those that graced the 59th annual Grammy Awards, which took place Sunday, at Los Angeles's Staples Centre, the night was nothing short of a display of glamour, fashion, seriousness and sometimes politically charged affair. Before the telecast began, Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich reportedly told the potential winners: "Say something important tonight. We're expecting it."
Ehrlich also reminisced about the days when the Grammys were a relatively modest affair, produced at L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium, which holds less than half the capacity of the massive Staples Centre. While Ehrlich was speaking, country star Tim McGraw made his way to his seat by crossing over the main stage, where Ehrlich was holding court. "Tim McGraw, you stepped right on my line!" Ehrlich quipped.
Adele poses in the press room with her trophies, including the top two Grammys of Album and Record of the Year for her blockbuster hit “Hello” and the album “25”, during the 59th Annual Grammy music Awards on February 12, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. / AFP PHOTO
Visually stunning and daring performance
One of the bands that heeded Ehrlich's request to say something important was A Tribe Called Quest, who gave a rousing medley performance and delivered messages of resistance and solidarity. One unexpected fan? Keith Urban, who was on his feet dancing and grooving during their entire number.
Also during the ceremony, Beyoncé's visually stunning and daring performance left many people in the audience gasping. But all that beauty came at a cost, as the stagehands discovered: Queen Bey, who frolicked on a bed of flowers, left behind the wreckage of thousands of petals, which took about a dozen people several minutes to clean up during a commercial break.
Beyoncé wasn't the only member of the Knowles family to take home a Grammy (or two) Sunday night. Bey's young sister, Solange, also earned a trophy, for Best R&B Performance for "Cranes in the Sky." Chatting with reporters in the media room, Solange cited author Maya Angelou as an inspiration and said, "All that we can do as artists, especially as a songwriter, is to write about the truth." She also gave shoutouts to Nina Simone and Marvin Gaye. "I'm grateful to those artists, because it's not easy to do that, but we're not doing anything new," Solange said.
The night was dominated by Adele, who scooped five awards including the "big three": best song, best record and album of the year.
Also in the press room, Album of the Year winner and massive Beyoncé fan, Adele, said that she felt that 2017 should have been Beyoncé's time to win. "My album of the year was Lemonade," she declared. "What the f*** does she have to do to win Album of the Year? That's how I feel."
Another diva, Lady Gaga, impressed in a very different way. Fresh off of a triumphant Super Bowl performance, she revealed yet another persona: the hard-rocking frontwoman for Metallica. Before taking the stage, she sprinted through the crowd hugging friends, waving, and flashing peace signs; later she wound up back in the audience, via her epic stage dive.
Chance's album Coloring Book took home the honor for Best Rap Album, and proved that independent artists who give away their music for free can go far in this business. "I expected that he'd release it streaming only because of the kind of artist he is – he's a product of the Internet age," O'bi said.
When Beyoncé became emotional! : In an evening that ran high with emotion, Beyoncé was moved to tears as Adele dedicated her Album of the Year win to the singer at Sunday night's Grammy Awards. Beyoncé was nominated for nine Grammy awards following the success of her critically-acclaimed and internet-breaking album Lemonade last year. However, on the night she walked away with just two of those awards, winning Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best Music Video for the politically-charged anthem "Formation,” missing out on the biggest award of the night to the British singer.
Overcome with emotion, Adele thanked her co-writers and fans before saying she could not possibly accept the award as she believed the Destiny's Child album to be a more deserving winner. "I can't possibly accept this award and I'm very humble and gracious but the artist of my life is Beyoncé and the Lemonade album was just so monumental and so well thought out and so beautiful and soul-baring," she said through a shaky voice.
The camera then panned to Beyoncé whose eyes filled with tears as Adele thanked her for the way she makes "me and my friends feel and the way you make my black friends feel".
Beyoncé, who is usually very composed and private during public events, was seen shaking her head and mouthing 'I love you" back to Adele while visibly emotional as she stood next to her husband Jay Z. While walking off the stage Adele then accidentally snapped her Grammy in half reportedly to give a portion to Beyonce in scenes reminiscent of 2004 film Mean Girls. Adele walked away with the gong for her comeback album 25, also seeing off competition from Drake and Justin Bieber, who both did not attend the ceremony.
'What Went Wrong with my George Michael Tribute.' Meanwhile, performing on stage, Adele was "devastated" by her unscripted moment when she briefly swore then as she was asked to restart her George Michael tribute.
Speaking after the show, the 28-year-old singer acknowledged that despite her tedious preparation for her performance, it didn't go as planned. Just seconds into her emotional take on Michael's 1996 hit "Fastlove," Adele stopped abruptly and asked to start over.
"I was devastated by that, and my rehearsal — I did have a shaky rehearsal today," she admited. "But I have been working very hard on this tribute for him, every day." As she said onstage, Adele was determined to deliver the performance Michael, who died on Christmas Day last year, deserved.
The singer, who took home five Grammy awards on Sunday, said that her first memory of being Michael's fan was being "blown away by how f—ing hot he was.I found him to be one of the truest icons," she shared.
Southwest Governors on Monday resolved to work together to address the security challenges confronting the region and foster economic growth and well-being of the people.L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State; Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State; Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Gov. Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State during the Southwest Governor's Forum meeting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Monday, February 13, 2017.
The Governors, in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting of Southwest Governors’ Forum held at the Government House in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, also agreed to adopt a uniform educational curriculum to boost educational system in the region.
The meeting was attended by Governors of Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States – Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and Mr Ayodele Fayose respectively.
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun was represented by his Deputy, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga.
Fayose, who read the communiqué to journalists, said the Governors resolved that all Commissioners of Police and intelligence institutions in the region will henceforth meet regularly to compare notes and work together to manage in a concerted way the aerial, land and waterway security architecture of the region with State Governments supporting with the critical resources.
He said the Governors also approved the report of the workshop on security, law and order in the Southwest hosted by Lagos State.
According to him, the Governors also approved the constitution of a Regional Technical Working Group on integrated infrastructural development with regards to multi-modal transportation system such as highways, rail, water and air, as well as integration on energy and power, digital and telecoms and leisure and entertainment.
He added that the Governors further agreed that Odua Investment Group should serve as a special purpose vehicle to drive the regional economic integration mission, while the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission would be supported to achieve the objectives of its establishment.
He added: “It was agreed that a Committee should be set up on Federal Government allocations in agriculture to be accessed for regional benefit. “An expanded Committee to be set up to make consultations, give consideration and set objectives on the regional direction with regards to the Federal budget on its implementation especially on agriculture with emphasis on irrigation and storage.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, Fayose urged his colleagues in the region to rise above partisan politics and work for the unity and economic growth of the region.
He said it was time for leaders of the region to take affirmative action and speak with one voice on issues affecting the Yoruba nation.
Former Special Adviser to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Electronic Media, Reno Omokri has urged Nigerian critics of President Muhammadu Buhari not to allow their hate for the president affect their love for Nigeria.
Omokri gave the advise while commending the presidential call between U.S President, Donald Trump and Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari today.
According to Omokri said the call by the two presidents expressed a willingness to boost US/Nigeria relations.
I salute both Presidents @realDonaldTrump and @MBuhari for their call which expressed a willingness to boost US/Nigeria relations.
Recall that President Buhari today spoke with President Trump on phone from his London base.
The telephone conversation was at the instance of the American President.
The development has apparently ended the rumoured death of President Buhari who is currently on medical vacation in London. A statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina stated that "conversation was cordial and President Buhari congratulated Trump on his election as President of the United States, and on his cabinet."
The statement added that the "two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment."
It further stated that "President Trump encouraged President Buhari to keep up the good work he is doing, and also commended him for the efforts made in rescuing 24 of the Chibok Girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian military."
Trump "assured the Nigerian President of US readiness to cut a new deal in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism." The America President also invited Buhari to Washington "at a mutually convenient date."
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on Monday canvassed patronage for Nigerian doctors, declaring their services better than their counterparts abroad.
Adewole said this during the commissioning of the Maternity and Neonatal Wards and Central Pharmacy Building at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife in Osun.
The minister commended the hospital management for the effective services rendered for the masses, charging them to publicise the hospital services for more patronage.
He dismissed speculations that the hospital's services were limited and that it had no effective medical equipment.
He reiterated the plan of the Federal Government to provide standard healthcare for people across the nation.
He emphasised that the Rapid Response Initiative (RRI) of the Federal Ministry of Health would continue to provide quick assistance especially to the less privileged. "The RRI will continue for the citizenries to benefit the more.
"Majority of the commoners that cannot afford their hospital bills will have their free medical treatment including surgeries," he said.
One of those who benefitted from a free hernia surgery, Mr Idris Oluwaseun, lauded the federal government for treating his ailment of several years.
Also, Ms Basirat Adesiyan, appreciated the federal government for giving her the opportunity to partake in the free eye surgery and for obtaining free eye glasses.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof. Victor Adetiloye, acknowledged the commitment of the minister in moving healthcare services forward across the country.
Adetiloye described OAUTHC as the best hospital in the country, noting some of its achievements in surgeries to include the separation of Siamese twins and over 300 laparoscopic surgeries.
"Others include the first renal transplantation; 11 successful kidney transplantations; small incision cataract surgeries; developing the vitreo-retina surgery, therapeutic gastrointestinal respiratory and oncological endoscopic procedures performed on routine basis, and 16 open heart surgeries, among others," he said.
The CMD, however, said that the hospital management needed fund for the welfare of the staff and equipment, calling on philanthropists to complement government efforts at taking the hospital to greater heights.
Adetiloye appreciated the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for contributing highly to the development of the hospital.
He said the monarch ordered two containers of medical equipment, which he, however, said were seized by men of the Nigerian Customs Service.
Journalists report that the minister paid a courtesy visit to the Ooni who pledged his sustained support for the uplifting of the healthcare sector.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has earmarked N1.4billion for the purchase of ballot boxes for the conduct of 2019 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakub, said this during the 2016 budget defence session before members of the House of Representative Committee on Electoral Matters and Political Parties Affairs on Monday in Abuja.
Yakub said that the commission intended to phase out the collapsible transparent ballot boxes and replace them with plastic ones.
According to the INEC boss, there will be no need to use the transparent ballot boxes during the 2019 general elections.
INEC
He said that the commission was confronted with the inability of local manufacturers to deliver the required volume within the stipulated timeframe for elections, much as it was willing to patronise locally made products.
"Sometimes, it is easier said that we have manufacturers who have the capacity; but when you engage them, you realise that we may not have such capacity for volumes and this not only peculiar to elections.
"Immediately you try to produce something locally, somebody rushes to register a patent and claims ownership of that idea.
"Right now, we have litigations running into trillions of naira by people who said the patent for smart card reader is theirs.
"And they may get favourable judgment that requires us to pay some fantastic amount.
"So, while it is important for us to encourage our domestic producers, we are also careful about that because some of the procurement items are time bound."
Yakubu, who did not mention the specific amount INEC would need to conduct the 2019 general elections, said that the commission was adopting strategic plans that would ensure a hitch-free exercise.
"We wouldn't like to guess an amount; so, we want to go through this painstaking process of producing a strategic plan.
"I think it is better for us to do the proper thing so that we approach the Executive and the National Assembly with a figure we can vouch for.
"And once it is approved, we don't come back to request another supplementary figure."
The INEC boss expressed concern that five resident electoral commissioners (RECs) would retire by March, bringing the total number of states without RECs to 33.
Yakubu, who decried the high rate of attacks on INEC offices and officials across the country, said that 24 INEC offices were burnt between 2015 and date.
He said that the commission would require a supplementary budget to repair its stores in the zones to guarantee the protection of electoral materials ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Yakubu also said that the commission had earmarked N500million for the continuous voter registration across the country.
Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Aishatu Dukku emphasised the need for the commission's 2017 budget to reflect public accountability and transparency.
"Election management bodies face the formidable challenge of ensuring that stakeholders have trust in the electoral process.
"The identification and adoption of best practices in electoral framework and administration have placed countries under pressure to introduce electoral reform measures.
"I am strongly advocating that this electoral reform measures form part of the budget of INEC.
"It is important that the budget of INEC be made to show widespread public accountability and transparency of the commission," Dukku said.
Wife of the Bayelsa State Governor. Dr (Mrs) Rachel Seriake Dickson returned home three months after delivering her quadruplets in America.
She was received by her husband and women of the state.
This is the first time she is having a baby after so many years of waiting and trusting God.
Wife of the Bayelsa State Governor. Dr (Mrs) Rachel Seriake Dickson returns home three months after delivering her quadruplets in America October last year. She was received by her husband and women of the state. This is the first time she is having a baby after so many years of waiting and trusting God.
Chelsea’s stand-in captain Gary Cahill has said Premier League leaders can “see the light at the end of the tunnel” after they stretched the gap at the top of the table to 10 points.
Despite dropping two points in a 1-1 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday, Liverpool’s win against Tottenham meant the gap between first and second was widened even further.
Manchester City can close the gap on Chelsea to eight points with a win against Bournemouth on Monday, but Cahill believes the Premier League trophy is moving into view.
“There’s 13 games left so we’ll chalk them off, hopefully with the right result,” the England defender said to ChelseaTV.
“We can see the light at the end of the tunnel in a way, but it’s been a reminder [at Burnley] that it’s not going to be easy to cross the line.”
Chelsea took an early lead against Burnley through Pedro but Robbie Brady levelled the scoring with a sublime free-kick mid-way through the first half.
All but one of Burnley’s 30 points this season have come at home and Cahill admitted the game was much harder than they expected.
“It was freezing cold, snowing, the pitch was average, it was going to be one of those games,” he said.
“It was a tough game when we had to roll our sleeves up and do the dirty stuff as well as trying to play football.
“We knew it was always going to be a tough game. Sometimes you have to dig in at places like this to get the point and maybe it is an important point, we’ll have to wait and see.
“Every game’s tough in different ways, so let’s hope it’s a vital point for us.”
Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo has approved the construction of two additional hostels for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to the state.
The governor made this known at the closing of the orientation course for the Batch 'B' Stream 11 corps members deployed to the state on Monday at Eziama Obaire, Nkwerre LGA.
He said the hostels would be constructed and provided with good facilities and conveniences to enable the corps members live comfortably in the state.
Rochas Okorocha
The governor represented by his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere enjoined the corps members to stand for the truth and things that would promote national peace, security and development.
According to him, no meaningful development can be attained in an unstable and unsecured society.
The governor urged the corps members to be security conscious and report any unusual occurrence that could undermine the peace and security of the nation.
He noted that corps members had played an auxiliary role in the critical sectors of the nation's economy, particularly in the health, education and agricultural sub sectors.
Okorocha urged the corps members in the state to bring to bear all they had learnt in the orientation course in their places of primary assignment and host communities.
Earlier, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mr James Olugbodi commended the corps members and the collaborating agencies for keeping faith and living up to expectations during the orientation programme.
copers
He advised the 1, 511 corps members deployed to the state to remain loyal, dutiful and committed to their service and shun truancy and unnecessary travelling.
"Feel free to mix with the people without fear or hindrance.
"Identify the people's felt need and endeavour to make concerted efforts through the community development service (CDC) programme to solve observed challenges in your locality," he said.
Olugbodi thanked the governor for his continued support to the state NYSC and for approving the construction of two more hostels for corps members in the orientation camp and augmenting the fund for the orientation course.
An unexploded bomb dating back to World War II has been found near Frankfurt airport, the police said.
It said that it was set for a controlled detonation later on Monday, according to German police officials in the city of Darmstadt.
The bomb weighs around 250 kg and was discovered at 1:30 p.m. in a field in the vicinity of the town of Kelsterbach.
Officials are planning to defuse the bomb at around 11 pm, and have blocked a highway and a train line for that purpose.
People traveling by car have been told to circumvent the area, as traffic is likely to be heavily disrupted.
Certain buildings belonging to the airport will be affected as well, but Frankfurt airport's management company Fraport said that it was unlikely that air traffic would be affected. It is a standard practice for air traffic to stop at Frankfurt airport at 11 p.m.
An area of around 700 metres around where the bomb was found has been cordoned off for safety reasons by the police.
An industrial complex, a hotel as well as building housing refugees are within the vicinity of the bomb, according to police.
Popular Nigerian musician Davido has said that he didn’t attend much church services because he usually wakes up late.
Making a surprise appearance in a church service at one of RCCG’s branches in Lagos, the ‘Owo ni koko’ crooner, amidst glowing admiration from the congregation, thanked God for the many blessings that have and still come his way.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – The Federal Government has denied speculations that it was planning to increase taxes, saying while it “is working towards increasing its internally generated revenue through broadening its tax base”, it does not have any intention of increasing taxes. Ben Bruce
Responding to a comment by Sen. Ben Bruce at the public hearing of the Joint Session of the National Assembly on the 2017 Budget, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma said "a view has been expressed that we should not increase taxes, that we should broaden tax collection instead, that is precisely what is in the budget."
The minister’s explanation was contained in a statement issued late Monday in Abuja and signed by his Media Adviser, James Akpandem.
According to the statement, Sen. Bruce had given the impression that the Federal Government was about to increase taxes, a development he said will further worsen the economic fortunes of individuals and businesses, but the minister said, "there is no increase in VAT, there is no increase in company's income tax, there is no increase at all in taxes, but people who are not paying taxes must be made to pay. So the idea is to increase revenue by broadening the tax base, not by increasing taxes”.
Some economic experts who spoke at the session had advocated government spending its way out of recession, partnering the private sector to speed up growth, planning for sustainable development, working with the State governments for integrated development, involving relevant experts and consulting widely in planning, monitoring and evaluation projects, among others.
The Minister told the gathering, which also included Civil Society Organizations and private sector operators, that virtually all the views expressed by the speakers have been captured in the 2017 Budget.
"The concerns that have been expressed are reflected in the budget. The need to spend our way out of recession is reflected in the budget. The need to spend in a way that will attract private sector spending is also reflected in the budget. Indeed, the thrust of the budget is to partner with private and development capital to leverage and catalyse resources for growth."
He said Government realized that public resources cannot be enough to drive the development process which is why the 2017 Budget is directed at catalyzing private sector resources and using PPP for a number of projects. "If you look at housing we are putting in N100 billion but we are expecting another N900 billion from the private sector. If you look at the EPZ, we are putting in N50 billion but we are expecting a huge injection of funds from the private sector. So, this budget is aimed at achieving economic growth, aimed at achieving diversification, aimed at improving our competitiveness, aimed at improving ease of doing business, aimed at creating more jobs and social inclusion, and aimed at improving governance and security."
According to him, the spending is targeted at areas that have quick transformative potentials such as infrastructure and agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals and services.
The Minister of State, Mrs Zainab Ahmed said government is determined to ensure that Nigerians experience inclusive growth this time around "which is why we have the social intervention programme.
"The social intervention programme took off fully in October 2016 and all the four components of the SIP have now been rolled out in their first Phases and we are scaling up on a monthly basis." She said.
The Northern Patriotic Assembly on Monday raised an alarm over what it said were plots by some individuals to exploit the President Muhammadu Buhari’s health saga through paid protests and media propaganda, and thereby undermine the Buhari’s Presidency
At a state of the nation world press conference in Abuja, National President of the group, Hon Kwuanu Terrence said President Muhammadu Buhari’s health saga has been grossly exploited to further undermine the stability of the country.
He said President Buhari clearly, in keeping with the constitution, wrote to the National Assembly that he was proceeding on a medical leave, ading that the President further communicated with the National Assembly when he has to, upon the advice of his doctors, stay back longer than he initially anticipated.
Group on Buhari’s rumourd health
Terrence said tragically, since the first letter announcing President Buhari's holiday there has been too much of efforts deployed to making him look incapable in staying on in office and to consequently edge him out.
According to him, there have been suggestions that the undue attention is meant to overwhelm President Buhari with stress so that his health would be further compromised.
He said, “we have reliably gathered that the inhumane rumours about the President's health are calculated to cause a sense of uncertainty when he eventually returns to the country so that there would be apprehension about the veracity of any decision taken by him and for Nigerians to see him as someone whose body may not pull through the rigours of state functions. The plot in this instance is to trigger nationwide protests similar to the Yar'Adua era asking him to abdicate.
“Fortunately, no human being is God to be able to correctly predict the outcome of schemes undertaken in pursuit of inordinate ambitions.
He however warned those he accused of being behind the harassment of President Muhammadu Buhari to desist forthwith, adding that nothing must happen to President Buhari.
Terrance accused some individuals who he described as “disgruntled men” from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) who he said are still smarting from their loss of power at the federal level as being behind the sustained campaign against President Buhari
He also identified those he accused of playing ethnic card withing the APC of ploting against the President.
He said, “Participants at a meeting recently held in Ibadan sometimes last year for political realignment of south west blocs against the northern bloc in the All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot absolve themselves of being culpable in driving the mass hysteria over the health of Mr President.
“Their idea of burying the hatchet is to undo other ethnic nationalities with the reasoning that the Vice President, being of their own ethnic stock stands in line as the beneficiary if they can force President Buhari out of office on health grounds. Such treachery is not alien to this collection of two timing politicians.
“We have been clearly informed that the Governor of Osun State has set up a secretariat in Osogbo for further meetings of elders from this region to harness their best brains and further such alliances in the event that President Buhari has to continue staying back on doctor's recommendation.
“For this purpose a refined model of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) has been activated to be launched in the coming days. Financial mobilization for paid protesters is being concluded as we speak.”
Anthony Martial has more reason than most of his Manchester United team-mates for wanting to score against French club Saint-Etienne in Thursday’s Europa League tie at Old Trafford.
Martial, 21, made his way in football as a youth player with Lyon, arch domestic rivals of Saint-Etienne.
The France winger never played in the senior derby fixture but would love to be on target against Saint-Etienne on Thursday, even though a goal would cost United 10 million euros ($10.6 million) given a clause in their deal with Monaco, the club from which they signed Martial.
Anthony Martial
“There was a huge rivalry while I was still at Lyon,” Martial told United’s website. “It was always a highly charged atmosphere and they were usually massive games, the kind all players love to play in.
“So there will be that added competitive edge whenever I play against them.
“We know it will be a difficult match but if we play with all our quality, I think we can do good things.
“Of course, it would be great if I could score against them again, but I hope we can win the game because that’s the most important thing, then it would be a bonus if I managed to grab a goal.”
Thursday’s match is set to see United’s Paul Pogba up against elder brother Florentin, who plays in defence for Saint-Etienne.
“They are well known for being big jokers and mickey-takers but, once they are on the field, it will be like two warriors who are going all out to win the game,” Martial said.
“If one beats the other, he’ll immediately start giving out loads of stick so they’ll be desperate to do all they can to win!”
The AIDS Health Care Foundation (AHF), an NGO, says it will distribute 1.5 million condoms in Nigeria as part of activities to commemorate the 2017 World Condom Day.
The Country Director of AHF, Dr Adetayo Towolawi, made this known during the commemoration of 2017 World Condom Day on Monday in Abuja.
He said that the distribution of the condoms, with other activities lined up for this year's occasion, would help increase awareness on the use of condom and its role in preventing HIV and AIDS.
The director said that condom played an important role on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.
Towolawi said the day coincided with a prelude to the Valentine's Day, noting that where people shares time with their love, HIV also found time to spread within the period.
"In order to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS while expressing sexuality, we need you to take care of your sexual and reproductive health by using condom correctly,'' he said.
The country director said the foundation had been distributing condoms and conducting free medical outreaches.
He disclosed that in the last five years, the foundation had distributed between 1.5 million and two million condoms annually.
Dr Kema Onu, AHF FCT Coordinator, said the foundation would use the event as a platform to reach out areas difficult to capture on safer sex awareness campaigns.
He observed that many people knew about condom but very few people wanted to use it, stressing that the event will preach a behavioural change towards condom usage.
Earlier, Dr Sani Aliyu, the Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), said that the agency in collaboration with partners would focus more on creating awareness that HIV/AIDS was very much with us.
"The main message is that if you are not sexually active, abstinence is the best way to stop acquiring HIV/AIDS.
"But if you are sexually active make sure you know your HIV/AIDS status and use a condom as much as possible to protect yourself.
"So, if you do not know your status, this event is an opportunity for you to have a HIV test for free," he said. The World Condom Day is observed on Feb. 13 annually.
Huawei is set to position itself as "the real business partner for mobile operators", with its president Zhilei Zou stating that "only when the carriers grow can Huawei grow".
In a presentation in London Monday, in its pre-Mobile World Congress 2017 media briefing, Zhilei Zou, president of Huawei's Carrier Business Group , said "we want to improve operations efficiency and network opportunity, so the end user needs can be met".
Acknowledging that the telecoms industry today is very different from that of ten years ago, the executive said the market is nonetheless "broader and deeper than our imagination".
"As long as you can seize the opportunity, you can have good growth," he claimed.
Video
Huawei focused on video as a source of growth for operators, having previously argued this is becoming a basic service for operators. Such offerings can have benefits in terms of reduced churn and increased ARPU, Zou said.
"If they can do a good job in the video business, they can do well elsewhere," he observed.
Kunlong Li, director of Huawei's carrier video business (pictured, far right), highlighted the experience of an operator in South Korea where video revenue matches broadband revenue. He also said in the US, video on demand revenue now matches box office spend.
For operators, there is also the opportunity to monetise video services in several different ways. At the base level is the monetisation of broadband capacity; above this is "experience monetisation", for example charging more for 4K video services; and on the top "ecosystem monetisation", offering opportunities through avenues such as advertising, gaming, shopping, education and e-health.
"The most important part of video is the user experience: experience is the king. That is why the operator is so important as a key player in this game – it's because the network has never been as critical as now," Li said.
5G
Unsurprisingly, the path to 5G will also be a key theme for Huawei in Barcelona, with the company promising its first phase of commercial products will be available in 2018 to support early operator deployments.
Ken Wang, president of global marketing and solution sales with the vendor (pictured, second left), said operators need to be ready for the new technology on three fronts: network architecture ready, spectrum ready, and business ready.
Peter Zhou, CMO of the wireless network product line (pictured, centre), identified three key opportunities for 5G. Video again received attention, along with openings in vertical markets.
Huwaei panel
However, Huawei again positioned 5G as a way to improve household broadband connectivity, noting there remains a massive number of properties which require either broadband access or, where broadband access is available, would benefit from a speed boost.
Zhou also reiterated the need for operators to deploy 4.5G technology as a stepping stone to 5G, stating there are 68 such networks commercially, increasing to more than 120 this year.
"To develop 5G oriented services, we don't need to wait until 5G networks are ready," he said.
All cloud
Zho said Huawei is taking "concrete steps" in evolving towards an All Cloud architecture, building on announcement made by the company and at its 2016 Global mobile Broadband Forum.
Noting the company in the past "developed a lot of boxes", he said the focus shifted to how to use assets in the most effective manner and it today has "no vested interests to protect" in the evolution to the cloud.
Libin Dai, director of the network transformation management department, carrier business group marketing (pictured, second right), said: "Huawei is committed to becoming the advocator, enabler and leader of all cloud, so within two-to-three years, Huawei will adopt that strategy in all products and solutions, to enable the business success of our customers".
He said the company is set to update on seven new all cloud products and solutions at Mobile World Congress.
The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has reiterated the need for the national budget to be credible, saying the impact of credible budget on economic growth cannot not be underestimated.
Saraki made the remark on Monday in Abuja at the opening of public hearing on the 2017 budget organised by the joint committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on Appropriation.
The public hearing, the first of its kind, was organised by the National Assembly to get the views and inputs of stakeholders and critical sectors of the economy in the preparation of the 2017 budget.
The intent is to make the budget credible and align with the goal of the federal government to diversify and pull the economy out of recession.
Saraki said: "the problem has always been how best to implement the budget, which is the best tool for economic development.
"If the budget is well-crafted and implemented, it remains the most potent fiscal policy instrument of government in delivering socio-economic benefits in an all-inclusive manner.
Saraki
"The best way to achieve this is to ensure that all stakeholders are made a part of the decision-making process, especially as it relates to the provision of public services and distribution of social benefits.''
The senate president gave assurance that the National Assembly was ready to assist the executive in its drive to achieve the desired development.
He said: "while government has made efforts to ensure that provisions in the budget proposal align with the goal of pulling the economy out of recession and laying the foundation for diversified growth, certain provisions are clearly off the path.
"The budget must address the critical issues setting back our national growth and development.
"On a more specific note, the 2017 capital budget proposal is intended to support activities that will help to speed up diversification of the economy, promote non-oil sector and create jobs for our youths.
"You will agree with me that the current state of the economy needs, among others, a credible budget that will stimulate real economic activities, fix our critical infrastructure and provide cushion for the poor and vulnerable.
"The challenge, however, is how best to ensure that the budget is utilised as an effective policy to achieve these.
"It is, therefore, in line with this belief that the 8th National Assembly deemed it necessary to bring government, civil society organisations, the private sector, and other key actors in the economy together to deliberate on the budget proposal.
"Through this engagement and others to come, we hope to increase the efficiency of government and its responsiveness to citizens needs as well as improve overall transparency and accountability in governance." Saraki enumerated the issues challenging Nigeria's economy to include low government revenues, shortages in foreign exchange supply, slowdown in economic activities, rising unemployment and high cost of living.
"We are all affected in one way or another. With key economic indicators heading south, there is no better opportunity to reset the fundamentals of our economy.
"What we have before our consideration is the 2017 Budget proposal of N7.298 trillion which, we believe, has been designed based on a medium-term recovery and growth plan.
"At the various sub-committees, we are objectively reviewing the planned expenditures, especially as they relate to feasibility and relevance in delivering the broad objectives of the budget.
"However, the extent to which the budget proposal will succeed in achieving its overall objective of pulling the economy out of recession depends on a number of imperatives.
"These include, how well the capital spending targets critical sectors of the economy and how much of the capital allocation is devoted to real developmental projects as against administrative capital projects.
"It also includes the level of detail provided in the budget that will aid proper oversight of budget implementation and ultimately the realisation of projected revenues and borrowings," Saraki said.
The National Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ), has warned girls and women not to post pornographic pictures of themselves to their boyfriends under the guise of celebrating Valentine.
Hajia Bilkisu Oladimeji, NAWOJ's National Vice Chairman, gave the warning on Monday in Ilorin in an interview with journalists.
Oladimeji spoke to newsmen against the backdrop of prevalence of pornographic pictures trending on social media where girls send nude pictures of themselves to their boyfriends to celebrate valentine.
She called on parents especially mothers to caution their daughters and wards to desist from the act. "Mothers must be steadfast and conscious of what their daughters are up to. "We now live in the virtual world of social media with its attendant vices in the society," she said.
The NAWOJ Vice Chairman observed that some irresponsible men usually abuse and prey on innocent girls when the going is good.
She added that women who fall prey to such men often get their nude pictures exposed on social media when the relationship becomes sour. "Why would a respectable girl take a video picture of herself and send to any man?" she queried.
Oladimeji urged parents, school authorities as well as the government to monitor the youths at home and in schools.
She stressed the need for the three tiers of government to provide free education especially at primary and secondary levels to prevent students from being sent away from school.
She noted that a situation where children are sent away from school due to inability of their parents to pay school fees would make them idle and get involved in vices. She also advised parents to cultivate friendship with their children especially female children.
"Unless parents change in their attitude towards their children by becoming best friends to their wards, especially female children, we shall continue to witness such degeneration in our society," she said.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed March 6 for further hearing in a suit filed by former first lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, to de-freeze her $15.5 million domiciled with Skye Bank.
The fundamental rights enforcement suit was filed against the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) by Mrs. Jonathan.
The money was frozen by the bank on the directive of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The respondents in the suite are the EFCC, Skye Bank, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Warampo-Owei Dudafa and four companies.
EFCC boss Magu and Patience Jonathan
The companies are Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd., Transocean Property and Investment Company Ltd., and Globus Integrated Service Ltd.
At the resumed hearing, counsel representing the companies, Mr Jeff Kadiri, told the court that he had just been briefed and would need time to file the necessary processes.
In a response, counsel to Patience, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), informed the court that he had served his processes on all parties in the matter and was prepared to proceed with the case.
He was, however, not opposed to Kadiri's request for adjournment.
In the absence of opposition by lawyers to the other respondents, the judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, adjourned further hearing in the matter to March 6.
The four companies which the EFCC claimed were used by Dudafa to launder the $15.5 million had pleaded guilty in a criminal case before Justice Babs Kuewumi of the same court.
The sum involved in the criminal case was the same money the former first lady had claimed belonged to her as the sole signatory to the accounts of the companies.
She, however, denied ownership of the companies.
Patience in her suit was urging the court to issue an order discharging the freezing order.
She equally sought for an order restraining the EFCC and its agent from further placing a freezing order on the said accounts.
In an affidavit deposed to by a lawyer, Sammie Somiari, it was averred that on March 22, 2010, Mrs Jonathan had opened five different accounts with the Skye Bank, with the aid of two officials of the bank, Damola Bolodeoku and Dipo Oshodi.
It was further averred that the account mandate forms were duly completed and signed by her.
According to the deponent, Patience subsequently discovered that apart from one of the accounts that bore her name, the other four accounts were opened in the name of four companies belonging to Dudafa.
He also averred that she also observed that the ATM cards of the said accounts were issued in the names of the companies, adding that she complained to Dudafa who promised to effect the necessary changes.
He said Dipo Oshodi also promised to effect the necessary changes.
Somiari averred further that Patience was neither a director, shareholder nor a participant in these companies, but the funds in the said accounts were solely owned and operated by her.
According to the deponent, the Skye Bank official, (Oshodi), did not carry out the instructions of the plaintiff to change the name of the said accounts to her name, despite repeated request. He averred that notwithstanding the refusal of the bank to effect the necessary changes, she had been using the said ATM cards without any interference.
The deponent averred that sometimes in July 2016, Jonathan discovered that the ATM cards were not functioning, and immediately contacted the bank which informed her that a "No debit/freezing order" had been placed on the accounts.
He averred that on further inquiry, the bank informed her that the accounts were frozen on the directives of the EFCC as a result of an ongoing investigation in relation to Dudafa.
Patience contended that she was neither arrested nor invited by EFCC prior to the freezing order placed on the accounts and as such the action was unlawful and illegal.
She then sought the court's order directing the unfreezing of her accounts forthwith.
Patience also sought an order restraining the EFCC from taking further steps in relation to the said account pending the determination of the suit.
Mrs. Aisha Buhari, wife of Nigerian president said she will convene a meeting of First Ladies of West African states by 28 February in Abuja to adopt a strategy to assist women and children affected by the crisis in the Lake Chad Basin.
This was disclosed at the technical session convened to work out the strategy in Sokoto today.
Aisha had initiated discussions on the issue with the First Lady of Niger, Dr. Malika Issoufou Mahamadou, on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly, last year.
Mrs. Buhari and Dr. Mahamadou were concerned with the fate of fleeing populations and refugees in the Lake Chad region, moving within and across national borders in search of safety and settled life.
The Lake Chad Basin has been described as conflict-prone, with UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) reporting 3.8 million people facing severe food insecurity and hunger as at July 2016.
Among the issues Aisha Buhari planned to put on the table are establishment of a coordinating mechanism in the region, distribution of relief materials, provision of psychosocial support to the victims and empowerment of women and girls.
She also wants to kick start an advocacy to spotlight the full magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Mrs Buhari was represented at the Sokoto meeting by Dr. Hajo Sani, a Senior Special Assistant to the President in the Office of the Wife of the President.
Dr. Sani said the Abuja meeting will attract the First Ladies of Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as Development, Voluntary and Civil Society Organizations.
The Head of the Nigerienne delegation, Dr. Mrs. Hadari Zeinabou, Senior Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, said the purpose of the meeting was to enable the First Ladies to complement the efforts of their spouses in the area of improving the health and well-being of the less privileged in the Lake Chad Basin region.
