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
BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI Bothered by the poor healthcare delivery service to rural dwellers across the Benue state, the state government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, have commenced the process of regulating healthcare services by the Primary Health Centers, PHCs, in 276 wards of the state.Nigerians obtaining free healthcare services during a medical mission \exercise recently.
The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Bem Ageda made this known yesterday in Makurdi at a four day training for Heads of Health Departments in the 23 Local Government Councils.
Dr. Ageda said, the training which focused on the Development of Operational Guidelines for the Board, organized by UNICEF, would develop regulations for the running of the primary healthcare delivery services in the state.
He said after putting the guidelines in place, the government would undertake the facelift of PHC facilities across the state with the aim of availing rural dweller improved healthcare delivery service.
The Executive Secretary explained that “the next stage will include the recruitment of support staff, provision of medical equipment, consumables and other infrastructures needed at that level of healthcare delivery.
“The board had already gone round the entire state to take inventory of all that was needed to adequately tackle the decay at that level of healthcare delivery in the state.
“Already with the support of UNICEF we have finished developing the Minimum Service Package that will be rendered at every level of the Primary Health Centers, PHCs, in 276 wards of the state.
“What we are doing now, also through the support of the world body, is to develop the regulations for the day to day running of the activities of the board which cascades to the local governments health authorities.
“And with the Minimum Service Package in place we are also taking record of the total number of staff to be recruited for the PHCs in order to take healthcare delivery at that very important level to enviable height in state.”
A female zookeeper has been killed in a horrific tiger attack at Hamerton Zoo, it has been confirmed.
The zoo was evacuated on Monday morning amid scenes of chaos as visitors told how they heard blood-curdling screams at the attraction. Tiger A Cambridgeshire Police spokesman said: "Officers attended a serious incident at Hamerton Zoo Park, Steeple Girding, at around 11.15am today.
"A tiger had entered an enclosure with a keeper. Sadly the female zoo keeper died at the scene.
"At no time did the animal escape from the enclosure. The incident is not believed to be suspicious."
Staff said they were left "distressed" after the attack and confirmed the zoo would remain shut on Tuesday.
A statement read: "This appears to have been a freak accident.
"A full investigation is currently underway and we hope that more details can be announced as soon as we are able.
"At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures, and at no point was public safety affected in any way.
"All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time."
Hamerton Zoo visitors spoke of "absolute chaos" as the site was evacuated following reports of a tiger attack amid blood-curdling screams.
Charlie Hawthorn, 18, from Northampton, told Mirror Online of chaotic scenes as zookeepers evacuated visitors from the park.
He said: "When we were going into the zoo there were zookeepers came rushing over telling us there'd been a serious incident and everyone needed to get out.
"Then they actually let us back in for around 15 or 20 minutes before the zookeepers started running around in a bit more of a panic and saying everyone had to get out.
"There was one woman saying a teenage boy was missing and it was just absolute chaos. There were three ambulances, an air ambulance helicopter, police, it looked like a big incident."
Pete Davies, 55, who was there with his partner and son, said: "We were at the tiger enclosure and there was a guy who was ahead of us with a camera taking photos of animals.
"He was in the next closure, he came running past us really quickly. Then he came back with a few zoo keepers to the viewing area of where the tiger was, and then we heard a girl screaming and another one said run to us so we found a small room and stayed there until it was safe to leave.
"The zoo keepers had their heads in their hands, and didn't know what to do, throwing meat over the enclosure to entice the tiger away. They shouted stuff. "It went on for too long. Then we were ushered out and left.
"We didn't see anything because it happened behind a mound of grass. It seems like a tiger has turned on a zoo keeper."
Eyewitness Victoria Northover Holmes added: "…some of the keepers came running down the hill towards the next tiger enclosure.
"We didn't know what was happening but they looked worried. I carried on walking down the hill towards the next enclosure when someone shouted run.
"We could see staff members on the other side of the fence with pieces of meat trying to get whatever's attention. "It was heartbreaking seeing them trying to help."
BY PETER DURU MAKURDI – Governor Samuel Ortom has granted pardon to 43 inmates serving various jail terms at the Makurdi prison to mark his second year in office. Gov Samuel Ortom The Governor who made the pronouncement yesterday during the 2017 democracy day celebration in Makurdi said he granted the amnesty in line with the powers conferred on him by the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He urged the beneficiaries to be of good conduct and desist from any act that could be at variance with the spirit of the amnesty extended to them.
“The beneficiaries must at all times be at the righteous side with God so that they would be able to enjoy the full benefits of living a good life.”
The Governor who also used the event to flag off the sale and distribution of fertilizers in the state said his administration was fully aware that provision of fertilizer was cardinal to agricultural development in the State.
He said”To achieve this, the State Executive Council has approved the procurement of 7,500 metric tons of assorted brands of inorganic fertilizers and 5,000 litres of liquid plant health promoters for supply to Benue farmers at affordable prices for the 2017 cropping season. The Fertilizer Blending plant has also been revamped to boost supplies.”
He said a bag of the subsidized fertilizers would be sold at N4,000 as against the market price of between N5,500 and N8,500.
While reeling off the achievements of his administration in the last two years, Governor Ortom said his administration had largely meet the wishes, expectations and aspirations of the people of the state despite obvious challenges.
Former CAF Communications Director, Suleiman Habuba, has been honoured by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) in recognition of his contribution towards the development of African football, especially the sporting media.
Habuba(L) being presented with the award
He was presented with a Special Award at the 42nd Awards Night Gala of the Ghanaian sporting media last weekend, at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra, Ghana.
"I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude for the honour. Allow me to thank the Ghanaian media and the entire African media in general for giving me this great opportunity to serve our continent.
"Managing challenges with different views contributed immensely to my personal development,"declared Habuba, moments after receiving the award.
Habuba, a Nigerian citizen, was consulting initially in Sports Business, and is now heavily involved in Energy and Finance. He is fondly remembered by the Ghanaian media for the leading role towards the organization of the Africa Cup of Nations hosted by the West African country in 2008, which ranks amongst the most successful in the history of the biennial flagship African football tournament.
Former Ghana defender, Anthony Baffoe, was adjudged Sports Personality of the Year, the biggest prize on the night. Then a member of the Local Organising Committee for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, the now CAF and FIFA General Coordinator recalled some fond memories of his relationship with Habuba.
"I first met Habuba in 2007, when I started to work with the Local Organising Committee for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. He basically explained to me how an African Cup is organized off the pitch. I had no idea about that. Habuba is very experienced and well -connected in the industry," Baffoe recounted.
Habuba, alsoheaded the Communication Directorate of the continent's soccer governing body, CAF, between 2003 and 2012, and oversaw major transformations in the media front and helping to organize six successive editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
As a FIFA Instructor, Habuba's expertise did not go unnoticed with appointments with the world soccer governing body, FIFA, for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups in Germany and South Africa. He also participated in three FIFA U-20 World Cups; 1999 (Nigeria), 2005 (Netherlands) and 2007 (Canada).
A man of many parts, the well-traveled Habuba, currently runs an international consultancy firm, operating in Africa and Gulf Countries. He consults also for global sporting organisations and advises on how to leverage economic opportunities from qualified countries perspective to host countries, around key football events such as Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cups 2018 and 2022 editions.
His vast knowledge and experience in the Oil and Gas sector has also opened him to the Business world. He attended several courses including Economics of the OilSupply Chain with Invincible Energy – Oxford (United Kingdom), Energy Options with Oxford Princeton Program – New York (USA) , Business Negotiation Skills in Energy with CWC – United Kingdom and he also study Offshore operations organized by the prestigious University of Texas, Petroleum Extension Service- Houston (USA).
Ghana President Nana Akufo Addo graced the ceremony, the longest running sports event,which saw over 30 sportsmen and women from the fields of athletics, badminton, boxing, football, table tennis, tennis amongst others, receiving honours for their exploits during the year under review. TP Mazembe midfielder Solomon Asante was named Footballer of the Year.
Mr Cornelius Shoilbial, Permanent Secretary, Special duties, Plateau Government House, says that 95 per cent of commercial tricycle operators in the state are not registered.
Shoilbial made the disclosure on Monday in Jos, at a media parley organised by the state government to mark this year's Democracy Day.
He said that government's decision to restrict the operators' movement to 9pm was to curtail security challenges posed by the riders.
"Most of the tricycles are not duly registered, so it becomes difficult for the perpetrators to be traced when the tricycles are used to commit crime.
"We found out at a point that most of the crimes were traced to the tricycle operators and had to act quickly," he said.
The Permanent Secretary said that curtailing the time of operations had yielded some fruits as the rate of crime and immorality had gone down.
The official urged Plateau residents to support government's efforts to rid the state of crimes and restore permanent peace.
WITH growing concern over the situation in the country's gas-to-power industry, the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) is set to organise its first business forum in 2017 with invited experts to debate vigorously on the challenges.
The event, which will bring the power, oil and gas, investment and business community together will hold on Thursday 15th June 2017 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos with the theme "Embracing New Realities: Resetting Our Gas to Power Industry".
The main objective is to discuss the issues and proffer solutions to overcome barriers in the gas-to-power value chain and explore ways of aligning the investment horizons of gas assets with the financing realities of gas-fired power generation.
According to Ibimina Abiodun, NGA's Secretary General, "the Council of NGA has favoured genuine debate with the participation of high calibre speakers from gas, finance and power industries including other institutions in order to get the utmost benefit of the robust dialogue", adding that the natural gas business forum will precede the 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association on the day.
''Globally, the gas industry witnessed significant shifts over the past years with the emergence of new supply sources which includes shale gas from the US. Other market dynamics include the fierce competition of coal in the power sector, the steep fall in oil and gas prices, changes in traditional trade flows, etc. However, most scenarios see natural gas playing bigger role in the energy sector than other fossil fuels"
Sen. Hope Uzodinma, representing Imo West, has called on Nigerians to always use their votes to elect political leaders they could trust and hold accountable.
Uzodinma made this call in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Monday.
While commending Nigerians for sustaining democracy for 18 years without interference, he said the occasion of Democracy Day anniversary should be used as an opportunity to have deep reflection on the power of their votes.
He said that their vote is a great weapon to elect the right candidates and voting out the wrong ones, adding that without it, no political office holder could assume office.
"The awesome power of votes must be used wisely to elect God fearing leaders, who will protect and defend the interest of the people, particularly the less privileged.
"If the voters fail to use their votes wisely to elect credible leaders, they should have themselves to blame; they should desist from electing leaders who do not care about their interest.
"I enjoin all Nigerians to use this auspicious occasion to resolve to use their votes wisely and to defend each vote during elections.
"This is the only way to ensure that your votes count and that those you want are those elected into office.
"I advise Nigerians, particularly Imo people, to ensure that in 2019, the full power of their votes is brought to bear in electing people of their choice.
"I thank my constituents for having faith in me and I promise to stand by them at all times,'' he said.
On the gains of democracy, the lawmaker said democratic rule had benefitted Nigerians in several ways.
He stressed that though Nigeria had not enjoyed all the gains of democracy, the current level of infrastructural development among other things couldn't have been achieved in a military regime.
According to him, democracy remains the best form of government globally and it has provided better life for Nigerians than military rule.
"We are not there yet but we will continue to struggle until we get there because with democracy we can say what we want, do what we want.
"We are better off in a democratic setting. We are better off disagreeing to agree, having the opportunity to air our views and affording every Nigerian the opportunity to contribute his or her quota to the development of the nation.
"We, however, condemn those who willingly refuse to obey the rule of law, which is the governing principle in any democratic setting.
"Democracy as practiced in Nigeria is done primitively but democracy as practiced in America and Europe is done under a civilised platform.
"That has informed the number of challenges faced in practicing democracy in Nigeria, but we should continue to work hard to grow it,'' he said.
Uzodinma called on public office holders to always obey the rule of law in the interest of the nation's democracy.
Councillorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the upcoming local council poll in Lagos emerged in many areas on Monday, but disagreements led to postponement in some areas.
The party had on Sunday announced that the councillorship primaries in the 377 Wards of its 57 local government areas would hold on Monday.
Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, chairman of the APC Local Government Electoral Committee, who announced this on Sunday, had called on party members at the ward levels to make themselves available at the designated centres where the councillorship elections will hold.
In some areas visited by newsmen, the elections went on smoothly, though delegates had to wait for long awaiting arrival of electoral officers.
There were, however, some disagreements in some other areas.
At Ward G in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos, Mr Segun Lawson emerged winner of the primary election, polling 18 votes to defeat Ramon Aladega and Saidi Ayinde who got a vote each.
Newsmen report that 20 party members had voted at the election held at Satellite Town Primary School.
Lawson expressed joy at his election and thanked members of the party for the confidence reposed him.
"This is victory for the party and all the people of the ward.
"I thank party members for the confidence in me and I promise not disappoint them" he said.
It was however an easy victory for Mr Jamiu Abiodun in the election as he emerged unopposed as councillorship candidate of Ward F in the area.
Abiodun and his supporters went in wild jubilation as soon as his candidacy was endorsed by party members at the primary.
NAN reports though the primary started several hours behind schedule, it was conducted peacefully.
Security officials manned the gate and thoroughly screened party members before voting.
The Sole Administrator of the LCDA, Mr Habeeb Aileru, together with some officials were around to ensure peaceful conduct.
At Ward C, Isheri- Osun in Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LDCA), the election, which was scheduled to hold at 9 a.m., did start until 3.45 pm.
Mr Gbenga Bankole, a consensus candidate, was eventually declared winner at the ward, where policemen and Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps were present to maintain order.
At Ward E, in Orile-Agege LCDA, after initial skirmishes, an Electoral Officer, who came to the venue at 2:p.m. relayed the guidelines and conducted the primary election.
However, Prince Sunday Ajayi, Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA) told NAN that as far as he was concerned, there was no councillorship primaries in the council.
However, the APC primary election did not hold at ward C Amuwo Odofin LG following conflict in the register sent by the state and the one from the ward.
A chieftain of the party in the ward and former Secretary of the local government, Mr Abayomi Omisore, said the APC members in the ward were not ready to entertain imposition of a candidate through whatever means.
He said that the postponement was necessary to ensure that only the wish of the people prevailed.
According to him, all stakeholders, including the Amuwo Odofin DPO, Mr Obong Okon, endorsed d postponement.
He said the election may hold on Wednesday or Thursday.
Security personnel had been on ground at the secretariat located on F Close, 41 Festac, where seven persons are contesting for councillors hip in the ward.
While some members hailed the postponement, others frowned at it.
A member who pleaded anonymity said that the postponement prevented violence as some of the members of the party were ready to fight if their candidates would not win.
However another member of the party said that he was disappointed by the postponement, adding that he had been waiting for the election.
At Ward K, however, the election took place after a long delay
At Ojo LGA, many party members were seen waiting for officials to conduct the primary when journalists visited.
Efforts to get reactions from Sen. Afikuyomi were unsuccessful as he could not be reached on phone.
The Senator had, however, appealed to any aggrieved member to take advantage of the conflict resolution mechanisms provided by the party in the Sunday statement.
By Yinka Odunmakin SPENT time with Dede Mabiaku on May 12, at Othellos on Victoria Island as he added another year and it was a great night to remember as he wowed his friends and fans with heavy percussions from original African sound.
Dede Mabiaku
I fell in love with Dede 31 years ago when we invited the late Afro King, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. I had gone to Fela’s brother (Beko) who was managing the legend as the students Union PRO alongside ex-Ife and former NANS President Lanre Arogundade to remind Fela of his promise to perform at Ife during the solidarity visit to him after he was released from prison.
Fela agreed and we paid the fee he charged us-N9,000! That should get you half -a-bag of Lake Rice in Nigeria of today. We had to arrange for a bus to take Fela and his band to Ife as part of the bargain.
Unfortunately, the bus driver asked for more money on getting to Ife and our Financial Secretary instead of negotiating asked him to go if he could not be faithful to agreement. We ran around to get smaller buses but Fela refused and said we must get the bus that brought them or he would not perform. We begged and begged he would not yield. Dr. Folabo Ajayi (Fela’s cousin who was teaching at Ife) followed us to beg before Fela changed his mind at 1a.m. The crowd at amphitheater was already agitated.
When Fela eventually arrived, it was Dede who opened the show with his ecstatic, dramatic and electrifying performance of Fela’s “Palaver”.The crowd simply went wild.
“When people do birthday dem dey perform for them but na me wan perform for una tonite”, Dede declared to the quality audience that included Richard Mofe-Damijo, Clement Mudiaga Enajemo (Mudi Africa) and lots of big boys as he stepped on stage to do what he knows best at Othellos.
His stagecraft was still very superb as it was 31years ago when I became his fan. He yabbed like Fela, sang his songs and his original compositions to the delight of all. At a time when music has become all sound and no meaningful lyrics in our country, folks like Dede remind us of our great yesterday.
I noticed the inscription on his heavy African drum which says “Fela lives”. Abami lives indeed and Dede dey! Many more years my brother!
Eden Hazard became only the second person in the award's 50-year history to collect it for a third time. The brilliant Belgian, who played such a big part in helping to recapture the Premier League crown this season, not least with his 16 goals scored, was voted no.1 by Chelsea supporters via the club’s website, as he was the previous time we won the league two seasons ago. His first Chelsea Player of the Year award was for 2013/14 meaning he has collected the trophy in three of the past four years. The other triple winner is Frank Lampard (2004, 2005, 2009).
Hazard
Hazard's appreciative manager, Antonio Conte, was the man chosen to announce this year's award winner with the Yokohama Player of the Year trophy presented by president of Yokohama Europe, Mr. Hashimoto.
KANTE; CHELSEA PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR
N'Golo Kante was the choice of his team-mates for 2016/17, mirroring his winning of the nationwide PFA Players' Player of the Year Award last month. Those two added to the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Year gives a remarkable haul of individual honours for the French midfielder who has excelled as a team player too, winning back-to-back Premier Leagues with Leicester and Chelsea.
This was the one trophy not handed over on the night. That had already happened when David Luiz and Kurt Zouma, in possession of a microphone, had stormed the dressing room at Cobham but Kante was still able to thank his colleagues in Battersea.
'Because we spend so long together, and we win together and we lose together, to be named by the other players is something special,' he said. 'I spent a very good season here.
'We were unlucky we did not win yesterday but it was a good season and hopefully next season we are going to be stronger.'
IN order to combat incidents of slips in wet areas in homes and hotels which often result to death of victims, No-Slips Limited, a Lagos-based Nigerian firm has introduced Sure-step anti-slip product and services into Nigerian market.
Sure-step product which is a long-lasting chemical treatment that creates an invisible, sophisticated tread-line design into surface of hard mineral floors and porcelain or enamel bathtubs, has been proven for concrete, quarry tiles, Spanish tiles, ceramic tiles, glazed bricks, marble, terrazzo, porcelain or enamel and other mineral surfaces.
Unveiling the product at the weekend, the Executive Chairman of No-Slips Limited, Mr. Charles Igbinidu, said his firm has been given the sole right to carry out Surestep's services in the country, adding that the company is an authorized and licensed national distributor and partner of Suresteps USA, LLC and Interlake Chemicals International.
Business of marketing
He explained that, No-Slips has been set-up to carry out the business of marketing and application of Suresteps' products as a service to residential and industrial clients in its assigned territory of Nigeria.
Disclosing that there are daily reports of people who have lost their lives as a result of slip and fall from wet areas in homes and industrial environment, while there are also reports of those who have sustained life threatening injuries or permanent disability at their places of work as a result of wet and slippery floors, Igbinidu said with the advent of Suresteps in the country, domestic and industrial accidents resulting from slip and fall will be reduced drastically.
According to him, "Increasingly, many Nigerians are slipping and falling at home and their places of work resulting in severe injuries and even deaths. Information available indicate that slip and falls are currently among the major causes of accidents in private and public places in Nigeria and globally.
"Unlike in the western world where there are close to accurate information, there is a dearth of precise data on slip and falls in Nigeria. However, accessible figures show that fatalities from slip and falls in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world.
"On a rainy day, the entryway of every store and office building becomes a danger zone to customers and staff. Every marble floor that has just been mopped, every kitchen in every restaurant or school cafeteria; every bathtub in every hotel and home, every washroom floor with little drops of water, high-traffic areas where spills, drops and pools can occur are especially at risk.
"Other areas include bathrooms, tubs, kitchens, stairs, seating rooms in homes and businesses or commercial places such as malls, hotels, restaurants, banking halls, offices, factories and swimming pools. Having a secure floor to walk on gives peace of mind and confidence both at home and offices.
"Sometimes, parents may forget to mop wet floors or wipe greasy substances that have spilled on the floor causing slip and fall accidents in the home and resulting to injuries. The most affected are children.
However, this risk can be reduced through effective floor and bathtub treatment and other precautionary measures making floors safer and healthier.
"Corporate organizations can now also reduce the risk of industrial accidents caused as a result of slippery floors when they apply Sure-step non-slip treatment. The good thing about this product is that it can be used to treat all kinds of floors, wooden, tiles, ceramic and others.
Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau on Monday granted pardon to six prisoners as the state celebrated the 2017 Democracy Day.
Lalong announced the gesture while presenting his scorecard in the last two years to stakeholders in Jos.
He, however, said that the pardon was unconditional for one of the prisoners, while the remaining five had their death sentences commuted to life jail.
"As a mark of our appreciation and thanksgiving to God for the successes we have achieved, we wish to demonstrate this with the granting of pardon to six prisoners.
"One is unconditional release; five on death sentences have been commuted to life sentences," he said.
The governor stated that the pardon granted the prisoners was in exercise of his prerogative of mercy as provided in Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended).
Lalong
He said that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state would disclose the identity of the beneficiaries of the gesture in due course.
Lalong, who highlighted the achievements of his administration in the last two years, described Plateau as hospitable and accommodating.
He said that with the restoration of peace, Plateau was back as a centre of attraction for all groups, either for permanent residency or vacation.
"On a broader perspective and as a debt of honour to our state, and for our better today and tomorrow, we shall strive to ensure even development.
"We are desirous of ensuring peace and averting systematic failure in governance," he said.
Conscience Nigeria, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), said the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had rekindled Nigerians' hope in the administration of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
Executive Director of the organisation, Mr Tosin Adeyanju, said Osinbajo achieved this in his Democracy Day broadcast to the nation on Monday.
He told newsmen in Abuja that the speech awakened positive consciousness of bright future in most Nigerians, who had lost hope in the administration and country.
"The country was full of so much hopelessness and disappointment but the acting president has reawakened our hope.
"In the about two years left for this administration the acting president has been able to rekindle hope and for us not to lose faith in APC administration,'' Adeyanju said.
He said that the administration recorded some achievements in the areas of fighting insecurity and recovery of loots.
"If I must score the administration, they have done well on the issue of insecurity that he talked about but in the area of fight against corruption, it has been a media war.
"We have not seen any politically exposed person that has been properly prosecuted except the former governor of Adamawa.''
Adeyanju added that the school feeding programme had been a source of concern, especially in this period of recession, when the cost of food had gone up.
According to him, government's priority at this moment should not be on school feeding but on how to recover the economy, which has been a challenge to the country.
"I believe strongly that there is need for the acting president to rejig the economic team and put more money in productive sectors, not by putting more money in the school feeding programme.
"Such money should be invested in areas that will stimulate the economy and create jobs so that families can feed their children.
"The acting president should find a way of re-energizing the economy so that as he signs the budget, the economy can pick up because the tension out there is high,'' he said.
The CSO director also advised the acting president to ensure that funds saved in the Sovereign Wealth Fund and Excess Crude Account translated into economic recovery and boom.
He said that the government was also doing well trying to recover stolen funds, but advised that culprits should be brought to book through proper prosecution.
Adeyanju also advised the acting president to immediately sign the 2017 budget to kick start economic development of the country.
"Our appeal is also that Osinbajo should become more assertive and take charge of the country's destiny because the cabals will continue to struggle power with him,'' he added.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) said occupants of the three-storey building which collapsed on Monday in Lagos failed to heed its repeated warnings to vacate the house.
LASBCA Acting General Manager, Oyewale Joseph, told newsmen on Monday in Lagos that the building collapsed due to weak foundation and use of substandard materials.
Two people died while 14 others survived when the building under renovation collapsed at Daddy Alhaja Street in Apongbon area of Lagos Island on Monday.
"Before now, LABSCA district office on Lagos Island had served all statutory notices on this very building and having served all the notices, we have also sealed the building twice.
"Last week Friday the building in question was sealed off and all the occupants were chased out by the enforcement team of LABSCA.
"The developer took advantage of the long weekend and began illegal renovation of this building; there is no renovation permit and there is no letter from the supervising engineer,'' Joseph said.
He said that LABSCA was doing its best to ensure that all the distressed buildings on Lagos Island and within the state were under its control.
Earlier, Mr Tiamiyu Adesina, General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), told journalists that the prompt response by the agency led to the rescue of 14 victims alive.
"The agency received a distress call at about 7 a.m. concerning the collapse which prompted the immediate activation of the agency's emergency and other response teams.
"The agency immediately mobilised all the stakeholders to the scene and successfully rescued 14 victims with various degrees of injury, who were immediately moved to Lagos Mainland Hospital for treatment,'' he said.
He advised owners and developers of buildings in the state to strictly adhere to building codes and physical planning laws to avert unnecessary loss of lives.
Mr Akande Femi, a resident of 14, Daddy Alhaja Street, told pressmen that some occupants of the building had just returned from the early morning prayer when the incident happened.
"It happened at exactly 7:20 am this morning, 14 people have been rescued and taken to hospital while two people died but people are still trapped on first floor and the second floor. "People were rescued on the third and fourth floor while the second and the first floors sank,'' he said. He explained that the house was a residential building but the ground floor was being used for business.
However, Adesina told newsmen in a telephone interview that the agency would continue its search for possible survivors who might be trapped under the building.
"If anybody thinks there are people trapped there, they can come to us. Until I left the spot, there was no such information but my head of operation is still there on ground,'' he said.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Mr Sam Okaula, has warned Biafra agitators against unlawful activities following the May 30 sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Okaula gave the warning on Monday in Awka in an interview with newsmen.
"We have always been prepared for this type of situation but one thing remains clear, we want to assure the people of the state to go about their lawful duties and businesses.
"There is no cause for alarm and I can assure you that all the black spots have been taken care of.
The Indigenous People of Biafra on a Peaceful Protest
"We have enough manpower on ground and we have deployed them effectively to take care of all flash points.
"I don't expect anybody to prevent people from going about their lawful businesses. I will not allow anybody take laws into his hands. Anyone who does will definitely see the full wrath of the law," Okaula said.
The commissioner said the command was determined to maintain the security position of the state as the safest in the country.
He said the command had taken records of recent activities of "undesirable elements" operating on motorcycles, snatching hand bags and phones, mostly in Awka, Onitsha and environs.
He warned that "those, who have decided to make life unbearable for others should be prepared to face the consequences.
"We have achieved a lot to contain crimes and criminalities for the people and business to thrive; we shall not allow these elements to set us back again."
IPOB had declared a sit-at-home on May 30 saying it was to remember those who lost their lives during the Nigerian Civil War and sectarian killings.
Former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd) says he is yet to visit his hometown, Vimtim, in Mubi North Local Government of Adamawa because he does not have a house to stay.
Alex Badeh
Badeh said this on Monday in Yola in his goodwill message at a Public Forum organized by Adamawa Government to mark this year's Democracy Day.
Badeh, who lauded the transformation recorded in Yola town by the Bindow administration, said that he was unable to go to Mubi to see the much talked about transformation there because he has no where to stay.
Badeh said that his house in Mubi had been destroyed by insurgents.
"I was not even able to go to Mubi because I have nowhere to stay; everything I have has been destroyed", Badeh said.
While commending governor Bindow for his achievements in transforming the state within the past two years, Badeh criticized Adamawa leaders for not doing much for the state.
He observed that Adamawa leaders were most of the time engaged in power tussle instead of working for the state.
"Adamawa state from independence has produced people that would have made the state better than Lagos but it is like we (leaders) have never liked ourselves."
Badeh also lauded former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who he said had distinguished himself in bringing development to the state in terms of establishing companies and generating employment
Mubi was taken over by insurgents in October 2014 before it was later recaptured by the military.
MMM-Nigeria, a group for mutual financial aid and donations, on Monday, organised a green party show in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to celebrate Nigeria's Democracy Day.
The party, which held at the Millennium Park, was opened to members of the group and non-members alike.
Mr Seyi Bello, the President of Abuja Guiders Forum of the MMM-Nigeria said the gesture was part of solidarity by the group for Nigeria's 18-years of uninterrupted democracy.
"This party is put together to celebrate our Democracy Day and since Nigeria's flag is green-white-green, we decided to call it 'green party' as a mark of solidarity.
"We invited everyone to be a part of this event because friendship and unity is what this community of mutual help represents.
"As a community, we do not only provide help to our members, we also extend that to the larger society as part of our social responsibility," he said.
Musicians, comedians and other entertainers in the territory performed at the event.
Bello explained that over three million Nigerians were members of the group.
He explained that contrary to some people's opinion about the scheme, its a community of people providing financial help to each other on the principle of reciprocity and benevolence.
"That is what defines us as a community of people providing financial help to each other on the principle of reciprocity and benevolence.
"In MMM, there are no lenders and no debtors. One participant asks for help, another one helps.''
He therefore called on leaders at all levels to deliver basic dividends of democracy to Nigerians, adding that the current recession was affecting ordinary Nigerians.
"As we celebrate democracy, let our leaders remember that we need change in all aspects of our lives," he said.
Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM) is a Ponzi scheme, which was revived early this year after freezing participants' accounts for a month in December 2016.
Two people were feared dead while 14 others were rescued alive by emergency respondents on Monday from a collapsed building that happened on Lagos Island.
A source at the scene of the incident said that it happened around 7.30a.m., at Daddy Alaja Street, Oke Arin on Lagos Island.
The source said that the two dead persons, a man and a woman, whose identities could not be confirmed by the respondents, were pulled out of the debris from the three-storey building.
The source said that the building, housing many occupants, was also under renovation when it crashed.
Three-storey-building collapses in Lagos
The source said, "As at 1.30p.m., all the rescue operations had been concluded. Some of those rescued alive were treated at the scene.
"Those with serious ones were taken to the General Hospital at Lagos Island," the source told newsmen.
The source said that the rescue team included: men and officials from Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Fire Service and the Police Force.
The spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, confirmed the incident.
Famous-Cole, however, could not ascertain the number of deaths as at press time.
The three buildings had collapsed in Ilasamaja, Ebute-Metta and on Lagos Island in the last three months, in which five persons lost their lives while more than 40 persons were rescued.
Barcelona on Monday confirmed Ernesto Valverde as their new coach on a two-year deal, replacing the departing Luis Enrique.
The 53-year-old former Barcelona player arrives at the Camp Nou after recently announcing his departure from Athletic Bilbao, where he had been in charge for the last four seasons.
