A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
The Governorship Aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, Sen. Andy Uba has said that the incumbent Governor of the state, Governor Willie Obiano must go because he has brought no tangible development to Anambra state.
Speaking with ward chairmen and other APC stakeholders in the state, Sen Uba faulted the government of the state led by Willie Obiano stating that it lacked direction.
In a statement issued by his media aide, the governoship aspirant and an astute politician said he was in the race to bring tangible developments to the state.
He stressed that vision and direction was key to any meaningful development in society adding that he already had a clear-cut vision for the state "when" elected as governor.”
Sen. Andy Uba
"When you build industries, farms and other necessary infrastructure, you inadvertently create jobs. When you create jobs, you reduce crime and when you reduce crime, you improve lives and add more value and quality to the people.
"When all of these happen at the grassroots level, the state as a whole is uplifted and repositioned," he said.
He further buttressed the need for grassroots development stressing that empowering people who can stand on their own will indirectly raise an army of financially viable society through capacity building.
Some of the stakeholders who met with the governorship aspirant drew his attention to the rising security challenges in the state.
They expressed worries over the short supply of election materials such as voters ' register,voters' card, ballot paper adding that authenticity of such materials was also questionable.
They said if that is not addressed, such challenges would make it difficult to conduct a smooth primary election.
Sen. Uba however assured the party faithful that the primary election would be conducted in a smooth and peaceful manner.
"As I speak now, talks are on-going to put in place all the necessary security measures.
"Your safety is important to me so don't be afraid. On the Election Day, come out and vote because it is your right.
"As for the election materials, I will make sure they are adequately provided and it will come directly from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) because that is the only authentic election body," he said.
He thanked the people for their support while urging them to focus on winning the primary election first as the first step in unseating the current governor, Chief Willie Obiano.
The leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has said that he does not want Biafra children to surfer saying that ‘we do not want them to suffer the same nonsense we suffered and that IPOB will be the first people on the continent of Africa to think about the future generation.
He also went on to say that ‘there is nothing any man can do to stop Biafra from coming just as he criticizes President Buhari's administration, slammed ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Mr Dickson Graymond, a retired detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday told an Ikeja High Court how a pastor, Nsikakabasi Akpan-Jacobs, allegedly scammed Titi Atiku, wife of former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar of N918 million.
The EFCC had charged Akpan-Jacobs, Abdulmalik Ibrahim, a lawyer and Dana Motors Ltd with a 14-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent conversion of property worth N918 million belonging to THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd.
THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd, a company created in 2000, is owned by Titi Atiku, Akpan-Jacobs and Fred Holmes, her German business partner.
Titi was allegedly the majority shareholder with 49 per cent shares, while Holmes and Akpan-Jacobs each had 25 per cent shares.
Akpan-Jacobs, who also doubled as the company's Managing Director and Secretary, was alleged to have gone to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to alter the shareholding in his favour and forged the company's board resolutions.
He allegedly allotted 51 percent shares to himself and 24.5 percent shares each to Titi and Holmes.
According to the EFCC, welding a fraudulent shareholding power, Akpan-Jacobs sold a property belonging to the company to Dana Motors Nigeria Ltd for N918 million.
The property is located at Plot C63 A, Amuwo-Odofin Commercial Layout along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos.
Titi, had previously revealed to the court during her testimony that she used her maiden name — Florence Doregos — during her business dealings with Akpan-Jacobs for reasons of privacy because she was in active service at the time.
Graymond, while being led in evidence by Mr Babatunde Sonoiki, the EFCC prosecuting counsel, during Thursday's proceedings narrated how he received a petition on the alleged fraud from Titi and how his investigation unraveled the depth of the scam.
"In 2008, I was a detective working with EFCC Abuja, we received a petition dated Dec. 12, 2008 from the law chambers of Benedict Benet and Co, the lawyers to the complainants, Florence Doregos and Fred Holmes, a German citizen.
"The petitioners alleged amongst other things that the defendants forged the board resolutions, memorandum and articles of association as well as the extraordinary board resolution of THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd.
"They used the same documents to obtain a loan from First Bank Plc and disposed off the bonded terminal and other properties of the company to Dana Motors Nigeria Plc.
"These properties of THA Shipping are valued at N1.2 billion and the disposal of these assets were not with the consent of the two other directors — Florence Doregos and Fred Holmes," Graymond said.
The EFCC detective told the court how a representative of the complainant and the other parties involved in the dispute reported to the office of the anti-graft agency.
"One Barrister Chima Ezekolu, a lawyer to the complainant came to our office with a power of attorney from the first complainant (Titi).
" He shed more light on the allegations of the complainant with some supporting documents and he gave a written statement to that effect.
"The supporting documents were the company registration documents from he Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) some pictures and the share allotment document of the three directors.
"The original share allotment was that Florence Doregos at 49 percent had 4.9 million ordinary shares, Fred Holmes at 26 percent had 2.6 million ordinary shares.
"While the first defendant (Akpan-Jacobs) was allotted 25 percent representing 2.5million ordinary shares.
"We invited the first defendant to our office and we confronted him with the documents he forged.
"We had discovered that the initial share allotment of THA Shipping which was 10million ordinary shares were changed from 49 percent for Florence Doregos to 51 percent for Akpan-Jacobs.
"Florence Doregos and Fred Holmes were each allotted 24.5 percent shares, Akpan-Jacobs had the highest allocation of shares in the fraudulent alteration," Graymond said.
The detective said that police analysis of the signatures proved that the signatures of Titi and Holmes were forged in the documents.
"The analysis was conducted by the Force Criminal and Investigation Department (CID) on the instruction of the law firm of Benedictine Benet and Co, the complainant's petitioners.
"Insp. Ralph Nwosurike who conducted the analysis confirmed that the results of the report were authentic," he said.
Throwing light on the involvement of Dana Motors Ltd in the case Graymond said:"One Mr Ishamani, the Indian finance director of Dana Motors and one Mr Ukpeya, the legal director of the company were invited for questioning.
"We confronted them with the petition and their response was that they had earlier received a warning from the law office of Benedict Benet and Co. in respect of the transaction.
"They however said that they proceeded with the transaction based on reassurances from the first and second defendants that the matter had been resolved by the three directors involved.
"It was based on this reassurance, they went ahead to consolidate the transaction.
"Dana bought the bonded terminal of THA Shipping and it's assets at N918million, they paid the money in three trenches.
"They paid N300million twice into the bank account of THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd domiciled at First Bank Plc.
"N318million was paid into the bank account of the second defendant's (Abdulmalik Ibrahim) law chambers.
"The N300million they paid into First Bank was to offset the loan Akpan-Jacobs obtained for himself on behalf of THA Shipping.
"This obligated First Bank to release the company documents of THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd to Dana Motors Nigeria Ltd," Graymond said.
Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye adjourned the case until Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 for continuation of trial.
A little drama played out, Thursday, at the launching of the Kaduna Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the state when the Senator representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani angrily walked out of the event after sighting the Kaduna state Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai who was equally invited to the occasion.
The two big politicians who were good friends before but have turned arch enemies were both invited to the launch of the anti-graft zonal office by EFCC.
But Senator Sani drove out immediately the governor arrived.
Sen. Sani & Gov. El-Rufai
The senator also berated the anti-graft agency for, according to him, inviting characters who do not qualify or tally with what the agency stands and fights for, saying, "I honoured the invitation to launch the zonal office of the EFCC and to participate in a stakeholder's forum.
"I don't think someone invited in this event fits into the philosophy and principles of the EFCC.
"I don't know how the EFCC can squarely investigate corruption cases in Kaduna with some of this characters cutting the tape of their new abode," Mr. Sani said.
Efforts by people at the gate to convince the Senator to return to the event proved abortive.
Other dignitaries who attended the event were the Senator representing Kaduna North, Sulaiman Hunkuyi, immediate past governor of the state, Ramalan Yero, the EFCC Acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, and the representative of Shehu Idris, the Emir of Zazzau, among others.
Recall that the two politicians have been at daggers drawn for quite some time now.
Even a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC and former Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa/NEPAD in the 7th National Assembly, Hon. Ibrahim Bello Rigachikun, in an interview with Vanguard's Dirisu Yakubu sometime this year gave the true bone of contention between Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Senator Shehu Sani.
The now private legal practitioner and National Chairman of the Buhari Like-Minds Movement of Nigeria had said, "A lot of people love our party in Kaduna State, and it is very unfortunate that this is happening today. We expect these two highly respected men to reconcile their differences especially since elections are over.
"But in my perspective, I often say that this is the first time in Nigeria political history that four or five political parties would merge forces into a single political platform that ultimately became what we call the APC today. Do not forget that Comrade Shehu Sani came from the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) while Nasir El-Rufai came from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
"You see, each man is protecting his political structure and I believe the leadership of the party in the state which could not comply with the manifesto and constitution of the APC is partly to blame.
"For instance, the party constitution makes it clear that when a seat is vacant, filling same should not be automatic but that election should hold. The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State was the Chairman of the APC in the State, and he became the Deputy Governor.
"The Secretary of the party became a Commissioner and is now the Chief of Staff to the Governor. So, the flagrant disobedience of the laid procedures by the party became a huge challenge at the onset. So, if there had been reconciliation with those seats legitimately filled, I do not think these problems would arise today. We, the stakeholders have shown concern by drawing the attention of the party leadership in the state to what is happening because if things continue this way, we may have problems in 2019.
"Whether we like it or not, we need the cooperation of the governor, and that of the senator for they both have their strength. I must say that I am convinced that sooner than later, the two would reconcile their differences in the interest of the party," he had said.
Manchester City and Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho is close to making move worth £25 million (about N1.25 billion) to former English Premier League champions Leicester City.
Kelechi Iheanacho
According to media reports on Thursday, the 20-year-old is in advanced talks with the Foxes and is thought to be well interested in making the switch.
Iheanacho, who has been very impressive for the Super Eagles and since making his debut for Manchester City in 2015, has scored 21 goals in 64 games in all competitions.
He signed a new contract last August, which is to end in 2021, but saw his playing time limited by the arrival in January of Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus.
Thousands of members of the women's wing of Nasrul-lahi-l-Fatih Society, NASFAT, drawn from various zones and branches of the society in the country as well as the west coast rose from its annual general meeting in Lagos recently pledging greater commitment to the vision and mission of the society as well as contributing more for the growth and development of the society.
The meeting held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Lagos State Secretariat Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos discussed burning issues affecting the Society and the need to strategise and chart the way forward towards hosting a successful Women's Week for 2017. The 2017 Women's Week is scheduled to hold between August 13-20 at the various branches of the Society across the federation and beyond while the grand finale would be held at the NASFAT Islamic Centre, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Aseese, Ogun State.
Addressing members, the National Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Samiat Mumuni, said the event was designed to attract more participation of NASFAT women and strengthen the unity of Islam. She also cautioned against discrimination among Muslims irrespective of any Islamic organisations to which any one of them belongs, stressing that Islam preaches unity and frowns against hero worshipping.
Also speaking at the event, President of NASFAT, Alh. Kamil Yomi Bolarinwa, represented by 1st Vice President of the Society, Engr. Muhammed Mijinyawa, congratulated the women and tasked them on the need to work harmoniously towards hosting a befitting 2017 NASFAT Women's Week.
The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Thursday reaffirmed Federal Government's commitment to finding solution to socio-economic and political challenges in the country.
He made the promise when he led the leadership of the party on a campaign ahead of Saturday's bye-election for Osun West Senatorial District's seat at the Senate.
The seat became vacant following the death of the senator representing the district, Chief Isiaka Adeleke, on April 23.
Odigie-Oyegun said that the prevailing economic situation was not created by APC, but that the Federal Government was working day and night to solve the problem.
"APC will not disappoint Nigeria, and I want you all in the senatorial district to troop out and vote for our candidate, Mudashiru Husain,'' he told party supporters at Iwo.
"I hope in the next four days I will be able to tell President Muhammad Buhari that Aregbesola has delivered once again and Husain is back in the Senate.
The chairman said that since APC's victory in 2014 governorship election in Osun, it had not lost any major election in Nigeria.
He commended the courage of the Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, and said that Osun was a major ground from where the APC launched itself to the federal level.
According to Odigie-Oyegun, Osun is strategic to the party in all ramifications.
"I want you to know how important this election is to us, and that is why you can see me and all other party members here.
"As challenging as the situation in Borno is, the Governor, Kashim Shettima and the Kebbi Governor, Abdullahi Bagudu, came here to support us all.
"We need Mudashiru Husain in the Senate; he is a ranking man. He won't sit at the back when he gets there. Osun will be represented well.
"I hope that in the next four days I will be able to tell President Muhammad Buhari that Aregbesola has delivered once again and Husain is back in the Senate," he said.
In his remarks, Gov. Shettima appealed to the people of the senatorial district to respect Aregbesola by voting overwhelming for the APC.
Shettima said that Aregbesola had performed very well to deserve being honoured by voting in APC's candidate.
Addressing the supporters, Gov. Bagudu said that the performance of Aregbesola's administration was enough to win any election in the state.
Bagudu urged the electorate in the area to come out on Saturday and vote massively for Husain.
Husain represented the district at the Senate between 2011 and 2015.
Meanwhile, Sen. Babajide Omoworare has called on the people of Osun West Senatorial District to support APC's candidate, Mudashiru Husain, in Saturday's bye-election.
In a statement by Tunde Dairo, his Media Assistant, Omoworare, who represents Osun East Senatorial District in the Senate, said that the APC candidate was the best for the job.
He charged voters in the area to see voting as their civic responsibility "which must be taken as mandatory''.
By Joseph Erunke ABUJA-FORMER Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin-Luther Agwai, Thursday, tasked the Nigerian Army authorities to train all Army personnel, irrespective of professional background, as infantry soldiers, saying it was the panacea to defeating Boko Haram terrorists in the North East. *Gen Martin Luther Agwai Agwai, also an ex-Chief of Army Staff, equally said adequate funding, modern equipment and training for Nigerian armed forces personnel was a major contributory factor to boosting the morale of military personnel to perform their duties optimally.
Speaking as a guest of honour, at the 2017 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, NADCEL, in Abuja, General Agwai, insisted that the Army must begin to think of having an all dominated infantry personnel if the war against terrorism must be won.
The ex-military chief, who hinted that Boko-Haram terrorists were after the political class and other high ranking Nigerians, contrary to speculation that the terrorists are only after military personnel,asked citizens not to leave the battle against insurgency only in the hands of the military.
“If people believe that it’s only the military that can bring an end to Boko Haram, they are making a mistake because those who are involved in the fourth generation warfare are after political and not military targets, military power and military achievements, “he said .
But Agwai said insurgency anywhere like the ongoing one in the North East was difficult to defeat.
Hear him:”Strategically, the fourth generation warfare remains focused on changing the minds of decision makers, politically it involves transitional and national networks.
“Operationally, it uses different messages to different audience and which focuses on breaking the opponent political will tactically, using simple materials to create all the havoc, “he added.
“It is on this I come out with my suggestions and many of you would be surprised. My suggestion is that the Nigerian Army must be infantry dominated to fight the next war that we are fighting. They must be infantry dominated.
“They must work from the way to combat Boko Haram and to gain power in the fourth generation warfare, from the obvious to the compelling which is to return us from a dominated infantry force with a strong special force skills.”
“If every army personnel should be in one degree or the other be either infantry or have the skills to perform infantry like functions whether you are in the engineer or the armoured Corps or any Corps you should be able to perform in any of the infantry because everywhere is a battle field you don’t know where the fourth generation warfare will start.
“The clear message is that the infantry dominates at the tactical level and that is where the enemy fights more. With all the strategic forces you have, if you do not have tactical capability, you will be defeated, “he noted.
The Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr Segun Adewale, has again called on all members of the party to unite and work for the success of the party in the forthcoming council polls.
Adewale made the call at a news conference in Lagos on Thursday.
He said that the party would only be strong and do well in the July 22 election when all members cast aside their differences and come together.
The chairman condemned the decision of the Moshood Salvador-led faction for having an alliance with the Labour Party for the polls, saying the action smacked of anti-party activities.
He wondered why Salvador, who claimed to have the interest of the party at heart, would move people to the Labour Party just to undermine the chances of PDP.
Adewale said there was still room for those who moved to Labour to return to the PDP as they would be accommodated, so far they would work for the party's success at the polls.
"There is only one PDP. We are not divided. You cannot claim to belong to the PDP and say you want to go to Labour Party or any other party to contest. That is wrong.
"I did my best to give everybody a sense of belonging in the party and even offered to be the Vice-Chairman to Salvador of the Makarfi faction, just to ensure that the party performs well at the polls.
"But he truncated all efforts and went ahead with an alliance .That is clearly anti-party.
"However, we are appealing to all those who went to Labour Party and who still want to come back to do so; they will surely be accommodated "he said.
The chairman said the party was stepping up preparations for the election and looked forward to a good performance.
Also speaking, the secretary of the party in the state, Mr Jide Ladeinde, urged the electorate to vote only for PDP candidates in the election ,saying the party had no alliance with Labour Party or any other party.
"We are not in alliance or merger or any other form of association with any political party for the purpose of the forthcoming elections," he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission has fixed July 22 for the election and July 29 for run-off .
Switzerland's highest court rejected former European football boss Michel Platini's bid to overturn his four-year ban from the sport over ethics violations, the court said on Thursday.
The Swiss Federal Court confirmed a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling last year that upheld Platini's ban.
It was a decision stemming from a 2 million Swiss francs ($2.08 million) payment the former French football great received from FIFA in 2011.
Platini, who has denied wrongdoing, was banned from football along with Sepp Blatter, the former FIFA head who approved the payment.
The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has banned all students’ activities, public procession in the State just as he has ordered the police to conduct stop and search.
The governor made this known on Thursday in a statement signed by Lere Olayinka this aide on Public Communications and New Media.
He said that as result of the information available the governor that cultists will embark on public procession on every 7th of July, Mr Ayodele Fayose banned all students activities and public processions and that all security agencies have been put on red alert in Ikere Ekiti, Ijero Ekiti, Oye Ekiti and other towns with high students activities.
The statement read thus
As a result of the information available to us that cultists will embark on public procession on every 7th of July, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has banned all students activities and public processions in the State.
Security operatives are to also be on red alert in Ikere Ekiti, Ijero Ekiti, Oye Ekiti and other towns with high students activities. They are to conduct stop and search on any vehicles within the State.
There must be no activities of secret cults in Ekiti State henceforth and there must no students procession of any form.
Anyone found culpable in this act of using cultists to cause anarchy in the State will be dealt with decisively.
A prosecution witness, Babatunde Auye, on Thursday told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the N2.1 billion media campaign contract awarded to Daar Investment was not in compliance with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) procedure.
The witness who is a procurement officer was the 6th prosecution witness to testify in the ongoing trial of the former Chairman of Daar Communication Ltd, Raymond Dokpesi.
Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Auye said he started working with Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) since June 2010, as the Director of Compliance, Certification and Monitoring.
He said he was the head of the department and their responsibilities were to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act and also conduct proof review of contract.
Auye further said that for the procurement of goods and services, procurement entities are mandated to place public advertisement to solicit for proposals for the intended goods and services.
He said there is a closing date for the solicitation and on the closing date, the bid will be publicly opened, then the procurement entity will tender an evaluation report.
"The evaluation report primarily consists of the performance of all the leaders and the recommendation for the winning leader.
"The procurement entity will proceed with a request to BPP to issue certificate of `no objection' and the request comes with all the procurement records, most especially the submission of the recommended winning leader.
"The BPP, as soon as it receives this request, will conduct an independent review of the process based on the document given to us.
"If the BPP is satisfied that there had been substantial compliance with the provision of the goods and services under the Procurement Act 2007, a certificate of no objection is given.
"This certificate of no objection is required as it becomes an instrument which must be available before any payment is made," he said.
The witness added that in December 2015, the EFCC wrote to BPP saying that they were investigating the request for contract awarded to Daar Investment.
He said that when they searched their records, they found out that Daar Investment was not involved in contract that was brought to BPP or issued certificate of no objection.
He also said that Daar Investment never supplied goods or render services to the Federal Government or feature in any activity that came from BPP.
The witness, however, read the four mandate of N2.1 bn payment for media campaign to Daar Investment Ltd, signed by retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser.
Under cross examination by Dokpesi's counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), the witness said the procurement office is in no position to ascertain if the said service were rendered based on report which the defence tendered as evidence.
He said they conducted search based on the request EFCC sent to his office, but subsequently in their investigation they checked their data and found no information concerning Daar Investment. After the cross examination, the defence counsel informed the court of an application, seeking the release of the defendant's international passport to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.
The prosecution did not oppose the application.
The judge, Justice John Tsoho, granted the defence application and ordered the release of the defendant's passport.
Tsoho adjourned the matter until Oct. 18 and 19 for continuation of trial.
It will be recalled, Dokpesi was arraigned along with his company, Daar Holding and Investment Limited on a six-count charge of money laundering.
He was charged with receiving N2.1 billion from the Office of the former National Security Adviser, for media coverage for the PDP's Presidential campaigns between October 2014 and March 19, 2015
A Nigerian Air Force Agusta 106 Light Utility Helicopter has reportedly crashed into a yet to be identified lagoon in the northeast.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya made the confirmation to newsmen. He also said that no life was lost following the crash.
He said the pilots ditched the aircraft to minimise damage.
Nigerian Air Force helicopter
"The Chief of the Air Staff has immediately directed the constitution of a board of inquiry to determine the exact cause of the incidence.
"Members of the board are already in Maiduguri to commence work," Adesanya added.
Federal Government said plans were in the offing to develop Nigerian herbal medicines for export.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, made this known on Thursday at Adavieba community in Adavi Local Government of Kogi when he visited renowned traditional medicine practitioner, Pa Aliyu Giwa.
Onu said a situation where traditional medicine from Asian countries flooded Nigerian markets called for serious attention from government, saying there was need to look inward to develop local herbs for export.
He added that "we are tired of importing everything we need from outside; the time has come for us to look inward and see how we can export our traditional medicines."
According to him, many diseases that appear incurable through orthodox medicine can be cured with herbal medicines.
He said that he decided to visit Pa Giwa because of the respect the ministry had for him, describing Giwa as herbal practitioner who distinguished himself in the area of prostate cancer and other ailments.
The minister explained that the Federal Government would collaborate with Giwa through Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency to enable other Nigerians to benefit from his knowledge.
Onu said that the Federal Ministry of Health had agreed to be part of the effort, noting that the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPPRI) would be involved in the process of developing the medicines for use locally and abroad.
Pa Giwa, a 90-year-old traditional medicine practitioner specialises in the treatment of prostate cancer, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, rheumatism, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and other ailments using local herbs.
The minister said government would expand Giwa's clinic by building for him a four-bedroom flat to enable him to accommodate more patients and also provide him with a vehicle to enhance mobility.
Giwa, while welcoming the minister and his entourage to his house, told his visitors that traditional medicine started from his grandfather who imparted the knowledge on his father who in turn transferred the knowledge to him.
He said he had treated many Nigerians from different parts of the country and expressed his readiness to continue to offer his services to people as long as God spared his life.
Giwa also thanked the minister for deciding to expand his clinic and give him a vehicle, saying the gestures would go a long way to assist him in his work.
One of his patients, Nze Stephen Ibeneme, who said he had been battling with prostate cancer since 2008, said "I was healed within three days by Pa Giwa."
Ibeneme, a traditional ruler, appealed to Federal Government to assist Pa Giwa "so that other Nigerians can benefit from his traditional medicine."
The Director-General of NIPPRI, Prof. Karniyusus Gammaniel, who represented the Federal Ministry of Health during the visit, said there was no conflict between traditional and orthodox medicine.
He expressed the readiness of Ministry of Health to partner with Ministry of Science and Technology to develop herbal medicine in line with the wish of Federal Government.
The science and technology minister also paid courtesy visit to Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim and the Power Equipment Infrastructure Development Agency in Okene.
On the minister's entourage were top government officials, including the Director-General of Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, Mr Sam Etatuvie.
The International Monetary Fund warned South Africa on Thursday its economy is extremely vulnerable to external shocks and funding shortfalls, although it stuck by its earlier growth forecast of 1 percent this year.
In an executive report following a country visit in the last week of June, the Fund also said policy uncertainty linked to political turbulence would weigh on business and consumer confidence.
South Africa’s economy entered recession in the first quarter and is suffering from an unemployment rates of close to 28 percent.
Bitter divisions inside the ruling African National Congress (ANC) as the contest to replace President Jacob Zuma intensifies have also raised investor fears that policy to revive growth would take a backseat.
“Following last year’s near-standstill in economic activity, growth is projected to increase to 1 percent in 2017 and 1.2 percent in 2018, still insufficient to keep pace with the rising population,” the IMF said in the report.
Investor confidence has been subdued by political uncertainty following the axing of respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan in March and a subsequent credit downgrades to sub-investment.
It has also been rattle by worries over the central bank’s future independence and by plans for the redistribution of land.
Gross domestic product contracted 0.7 percent in the first quarter after contracting 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016, dragging the economy into its first recession in nearly a decade.
“External and domestic contexts could result in significant shocks … especially if accompanied by further downgrades of local currency sovereign credit ratings to below investment grade,” the fund said.
On government debt, the IMF said: “Low growth has taken a toll on the state of the public finances, increasing government debt.”
It said the government’s balance sheet is also exposed to sizable contingent liabilities from state-owned enterprises.
Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, under pressure to detail plans to turnaround the economy and avoid credit downgrades deeper into junk, said last week the country may be forced to seek outside financial assistance if the economy kept sinking.
This week he announced a 2.3 billion rand ($176 million) bailout of state-owned South African Airways, one of a clutch of state firms heavily dependent on government guarantees totalling nearly 500 billion rand, about a third of total state expenditure.
The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called on ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), to ensure that credible elections were conducted in the sub-region at all times.
He told the leadership of the group, which visited him in Abuja on Thursday that it should leave no stone unturned in ensuring that polls in the sub-region reflected the genuine wishes of the people.
Saraki said that the expectations of the Senate was that ECONEC would foster electoral processes within the sub-region that met international best practices and could be exported to other regions and continents.
"I think that is an area we hope that ECONEC will be able to achieve.
"As you rightly said, two major elections are coming up in Liberia and Sierra Leone and I hope that the ECONEC will be able to achieve some results that we will all be very proud of," he said.
He noted that since credible elections were panacea to stability and good governance, the role of ECONEC was crucial to the political stability of the sub-region.
"You can be assured that the Senate will give all the support that will enable you to perform and be truly independent and that the elections you conduct are credible.
"We know the challenges but you should be assured that we will continue to give you all the support to make that happen.
"We will continue to support with legislations, funding and whatever is required to make sure you are successful," Saraki said.
Earlier, President of ECONEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had said that the body was established in 2008, in response to the commitment by ECOWAS leaders to conduct credible, free, fair and peaceful elections
Yakubu, who is Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), assured that ECONEC would ensure that polls in the sub-region were consistent with international best practices for strengthening democratic processes and good governance.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state, on Thursday, swore-in 18 commissioners noting that there was no room for corruption in his administration and tasking them to come up with innovative solutions to developing all sectors of the state. Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki
Addressing the commissioners consisting 15 males and 3 females at Edo State Government House in Benin City, the governor stressed that their appointments indicated a call to service, and not an avenue to make money or accumulate wealth.
Governor Obaseki explained that their various local government councils nominated the commissioners, and they should live up to the confidence reposed on them.
"We expect that you live above board; your confirmation by the Edo House of Assembly goes to show that you were found worthy to serve the state. This is the time to build institutions; it is not a time to think about self, but to work for the common good of the people. Bring your experiences to bear and threat staff with respect and follow laid down rules," he said.
Furthermore, the governor urged the commissioners to work towards increasing internally generated revenue in the state, while also tasking them on loyalty, accountability and inculcation of the ICT initiative of the present administration.
Speaking for the commissioners was Mr Osagie Inegbedion, who appreciated the governor for the opportunity given them to serve, affirming also that they were committed to serve.
The sworn in commissioners are; Hon. Yekini Idaiye (Akoko Edo), Hon. Ohonbamu Paul (Egor), Bar. E. Agbale (Esan Central), Barr. Emmanuel Usoh (Esan North-East), Magdalene Ohenhen (Esan South-East).and Amiolemen Osahon (Esan West).
Others are Hon. Joseph Ughioke (Etsako Central), Mr Mika Amonokha (Etsako East), Mrs. Mariam Abubakar (Etsako West), Osagie Inegbedion (Igueben), Erimona Oye (Ikpoba-Okha) Prof. Yinka Omoregbe (Oredo)
Also sworn-in are Mr Osaze Osemwegie-Ero (Orhionmwon), Hon. Monday Osaigbovo (Ovia North-East), Dr. Christopher Adesotu (Ovia South-West), Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai (Owan East), Hon. Okun Reginald (Owan West) and Dr David Osifo (Uhunmwode).
Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has stated that skill acquisition and entrepreneurial programmes were the panacea in tackling the current youth unemployment problem in the country.
Speaking at the NYSC skill acquisition centre Ground Breaking/Foundation laying ceremony Thursday in Ezi, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Senator Okowa, represented by the Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof Eric Eboh, said that the skill acquisition programmes would solve the unemployment problems facing the youths in the country and help them acquire skills that would make them self reliant stressing that the NYSC Skill Acquisition Centre would better the lives of the youths in the state and South-South Zone and compliment government’s effort and drive to empower youths because of its multiplier effect .
representative of Delta State Governor, Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof. Eric Eboh (middle); His Royal Majesty, Obi Monhayem I Ogbogidi, The Obi of Ezi Kingdom (left) and Director General NYSC, Brigadier General Suleman Kazaure, during the Ground Breaking Foundation Laying Ceremony for the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Center in Ezi, Delta State.
” This scheme is timely because we need wealth and job creators in this era of limited employment opportunity, this initiative is in line with our administration's job creation scheme, Skill Training And Entrepreneurial Programme (STEP) and Youth Agriculture Entrepreneurial Programme (YAGEP) .”
“It is my hope that this NYSC skill acquisition centre will turn out thousands of youths that will be business leaders and managers, it has a multiplier effect because those that will be trained will in turn employ more people to work for them after they have been established”, he said adding that “you have my assurance that my administration will give this centre the needed support to make it succeed.”
The Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General, Sule Zakara Kazare, said that the project was informed by the desire to create jobs for the youths in the zone explaining that three of such projects have been awarded in the country, viz south west,(Ekiti State) south- south (Delta) and the northern part( Gombe State).
He charged youths in the zone to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire the needed skill and be self sufficient.
The Royal Majesty of Ezi Kingdom, Obi Mohanye 1, commended the state government, and NYSC for the project, promising his people's support for the success of the project.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday in Abuja inaugurated Road Map on Demographic Dividend aimed at achieving healthy population and sustainable development in the country.
The acting president said there was need for relevant sectors to ensure collective efforts and synergy toward implementing policies, programmes and strategies in addressing the nation's disparities to boost demographic dividend for sustainable development.
Represented by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, Osinbajo urged states and local governments to buy into the multi-sectoral approach to ensure effective and efficient investments in youth across the country.
He said "with total fertility rate in the country at approximately 5.5 children per woman and a youthful age structure of about half of the population under the age of 35 years, we have a great opportunity at this time.
"The implication of demographic realities for our country's development may have consequences too grave to be ignored.
"Nigeria must harness the opportunities its population has to offer.
"The population of Nigeria is estimated at 181.2 million in 2017, having grown at 3.2 per cent annually in the past decade.''
According to him, Nigeria will have an additional 68 million people by the year 2030 at this rate and the population will remain young throughout most of this century.
He added that the current large population of young persons in Nigeria presented an opportunity for accelerated economic growth if strategic investments were made to harness demographic dividend.
He maintained that "aligning with global development objectives and Nigeria's Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), this roadmap will guide and facilitate the implementation of programmes that will put Nigeria on the path to reaping demographic dividend within the shortest possible time.
"Specifically, the roadmap will refocus programme activities to ensure healthy population, enhance the potential of young people to contribute to the economy, mainstream social protection, create social safety nets in all critical sectors and promote good governance and rule of law.''
He, therefore, expressed the hope that all sectors of the country would key into the opportunity presented by demographic dividend to economic growth that would improve the well-being of Nigerians.
The acting president announced that a demographic dividend observatory of key indicators from the action would be domiciled in his office for monitoring and tracking the achievements of all sectors.
He thanked stakeholders that participated in the development of the roadmap.
In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, stressed the need for the country to increase the number of people in working age group, more growers, more producers than consumers.
He said "we need to create a youth-centred approach that will bring our youth together; let us give them hope and a sense of belonging because this country belongs to all of us.''
The Director-General, National Population Commission, Dr Ghaji Bello, presented the general overview of the Roadmap on Demographic Dividend.
Mr John Bongaarts, the Vice-President and distinguished scholar, Population Council, also presented a paper titled "Harnessing a Demographic Dividend: Global Success Stories'', at the event.
Super Eagles and Wolverhampton wanderers of England goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
Carl Ikeme
The 31-year-old Nigerian international goalkeeper returned some abnormal blood tests during his pre-season testing, and further medical investigation has revealed he is suffering from leukaemia.
According to the club’s official website, Carl will now start an immediate course of chemotherapy as he begins a lengthy battle against the disease.
"It would be an understatement to say that everyone at Wolves has been shocked and saddened to hear the news of Carl's diagnosis," said Wolves’ Managing Director Laurie Dalrymple.
"That relates to both players and staff as Carl has been at the club for a very long time and remains such an integral personality within the group.
"At the same time, we all know what a fighter and a competitor Carl is, and I have no doubt that he will take all of those attributes into this battle.
"Similarly, its goes without saying that Carl and his family will receive the full love and support that we at Wolves can provide – we are all with him every single step of the way towards a full recovery.
"There are going to be some very tough times ahead, but he will receive the best possible care, aided and supported by our own club doctor and medical team, as he embarks on the lengthy process of treatment.
"We are speaking to Carl regularly, and sending him our very best wishes as he comes to terms with this news and starts his recovery."
