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
Bokkos (Plateau) – The Plateau State University, Bokkos has dismissed reports claiming that it had raised fees.
"Recent reports claim that we have increased charges from N36,000 to N100,000; I want to state categorically that we have not increase the fees. The charges are still N36,000," the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Doknan Sheni, said on Saturday.
Sheni, who met with officials of the university's chapter of the Students Union Government (SUG), urged students to discard the "baseless rumour".
"I want to assure you that no fee has been increased. The university has not even considered doing that," he said.
He urged the SUG officials to relay the message to their colleagues to ensure that no 0ne was deceived.
Sheni also reacted to allegations that he was siphoning the institution's limited resources.
"I am not here to make money. I merely offered myself as a sacrificial lamb to salvage PLASU, which was in dire need of rescue when I took over as Vice Chancellor.
"I had juicy offers but ignored them to serve PLASU which was like a secondary school when I took over. All of you can testify to the difference between now and when I came in.
"Monetary gains were not part of my reasons for coming here. My prime interest was to develop PLASU into an institution that will be ranked among key universities in Nigeria and even beyond."
He challenged the students leaders to be ready to sacrifice for the welfare of their colleagues, and urged them to feel free to approach the school authorities if there was anything they wanted to clarify.
"Our doors are always open. Feel free to seek clarification from us instead of listening to rumours and gossips," he said.
The school boss promised to provide a piece of land for SUG's permanent secretariat, and called for more suggestions toward academic excellence.
Earlier, the SUG President, Mr Izang Ajik, had expressed students' anxiety over the rumoured hike in fees and its impact, and asked the Vice Chancellor to clarify the situation.
"We are worried over rumours that you are raising fees to N100,000; we want to know the truth because students are already agitated," he said.
Ajik also requested for a piece of land for the union's permanent structure, and pledged the students' support to efforts to make the school a leading academic institution. (NAN)
There's no faster killer of friendship than one friend making a banquet of another friend's left-over! Angela and Temi's friendship went way back to their secondary school days. "Even after we went to different universities, our friendship continued," Temi said. "As luck would have it, thanks to Angela's dad's influence, we got posted to the same state for our youth service. Whilst I ended up teaching in a secondary school, Angela worked in a bank.
"We often went clubbing with some other coppers and it was at a night- club that we ran into Billy, one of the customers Angela met in the bank. Later, she confessed she had fallen in love with him. Only, the feeling wasn't as mutual as Angela thought. Billy wasn't really into her as she thought as they only met up for a couple of dates before it all fizzled out. A few months after they split, I ran across Billy at another night out with a new set of friends. He came over for a chat and the attraction was mutual.
"At the end of the night, we both went back to his flat to continue drinking. I was so drunk I didn't say no when he came on to me and the sex was okay. The next morning however, we both agreed our night together was a one-off. I had my own steady boyfriend and I felt slightly guilty about Angela even though there was no chance of any romance between them. About a month or so later, we went out together again, just for the fun of it. This time Angela found out. I didn't know about this when she invited me to her flat for an evening.
"She was her usual smiley self when I arrived but as soon as two of her friends who I'd often found scary showed up, she instantly changed and became really angry. Suddenly, she started yelling at me, 'Yeye friend, why didn't you tell me – you'd slept with my boyfriend?" I was alarmed, what was there to tell? But she had a psychotic look in her eyes, like she was possessed. The other girls looked really hostile that I spluttered my apology. But she wouldn't listen. Her eyes were wild with hate. She told me if I were really sorry, I'd be crying and she was going to make sure I cried. She pushed me down on the bed in her room, clutched at my hair and threatened to punch me silly unless I shouted "I'm a cheap prostitute" ten times. When I refused, she kicked me so viciously I hit my head on the bed's headboard. The two girls joined in at this juncture and started punching me in the face and yanking at my hair extensions until some of them came off.
"1 was really scared for my life now." I knew if I didn't get away, I was going to get my face scared. I tried to run to the front door but Angela dragged me back. They all took it in turns to stamp on me as Angela took off my high-heeled shoes and started whacking me round the head with them. The assault lasted for almost an hour. By this time, my clothes were torn to shreds. Angela took a final kick at me then shoved me to the door and booted me out. Wearing no shoes and with my clothes torn, I staggered outside where many vehicles and Okadas sped past in alarm at my sight. Thank God a passerby was shocked at my appearance that he abruptly stopped his car. He thought I was a hit- and-run victim. When I told him what happened he took me to a private hospital and got Angela and her friends arrested.
"My saviour, Mark, was a well known business man locally but I'd never heard of him, He paid my hospital bills then visited me regularly. He made sure Angela and her friends were detained at the police station for a few days. I had to plead with him to allow them to be released. That, needless to say, was the end of my friendship with Angela Never in a million years could I imagine that sleeping with someone my friend fancied would provoke such a vicious and violent attack. I don't think I'll ever fully recover from the experience. Thankfully, there is a happy ending. Mark and I started to meet regularly to talk through what happened to me – then we discovered we liked each other. It was as if we had a special bond after everything that had happened.
"Our relationship lasted until I finished my youth service and relocated to Lagos. Even now, a few years after, we still remain good friends. He has since got married and I'll never forget the day God sent him to me – I will always be grateful for his assistance when I was almost at death's door. "The best way to get away with bonking your girlfriend's best friend is with her consent" bragged Vincent, a wealthy business man who imports all sorts of exotic cars. "The fact that I'm married has never stopped the girls falling over themselves to latch on to me. I might have a good physique and be passable as macho, but my money is the main attraction. I'm a very generous person who believes in taking care of my girls especially the beautiful ones. Last Christmas, I was with my latest girl friend when I met this slim pretty girl in her sitting room. Younger than my girl, she was really sophisticated. Side by side, my girlfriend looked like the ugly sister in the Cinderella story!
"Later, I got her mobile phone number when my girl went to the kitchen. When I called her the next day, she told me my girl had always been very good to her and she would be the last person to hurt her. I simply invited my girl over to my flat later and gave her a fat cheque for all the things she'd been pestering me to get for her. Then I calmly told her I wanted to have an affair with her friend, Gladys, that I would make it worth her while. I hinted that Gladys would soon be going back anyway and we would be our old selves again. When she protested, I reminded her I was a married man and she was a single mother of three. That she needed my financial muscle to keep her comfortable and I was prepared to give her all the help she needed.
"She fell for my offer and I was true to my promise. Gladys was more than worth it. By the time she left, I was hooked. We both agreed we wouldn't let on to Gladys we would still continue with the affair after she left. Gladys is based in London, so I always stop over now on my way to my business partners' factories. When I get back to Nigeria, I always bring back little items to 'bribe' my girl friend with even though she thinks Gladys is now in the past. You can get away with anything really – all you need is a bit of genius-and maybe plenty of cash! Everyone has their price!"
Would Jesus Have Used TwiHer To Spread The Gospel?
Would Jesus have joined Twitter? That is the intriguing question being debated on the pages of the weekly political magazine The Spectator. Earlier this years, author James Bartholomew wrote that
serious writers 'lose dignity by condensing their great thoughts into the meagre 140 characters of a Twitter feed. "Imagine", he wrote, "if Jesus has been required by his Father to tweet. It just wouldn't have been the same. 'Might be a bit short on loaves and fishes on the Mt. today. Take a miracle to feed everyone!'
In the letters page the following week, reader Bridget Mayes Wittily pointed out that the King James Bible boiled down rather neatly into Twitter format. The line from Luke's Gospel: 'It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than the kingdom of heaven' is a neat and succinct 111 characters. While 'come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give; you rest' from Matthew's Gospel is only 79 characters. She concluded that with these pithy statements, Christ would have been right at home on Twitter: "Ahead of the time rather than behind ours, I think."
A political pressure group, League of Burutu Democrats has said that it is out to end the era of poor representation, divisive politics played by both elected and appointed politicians in Burutu council area.
The group in a statement signed by Richard Tuedon and Ekenwan Akwagbe, Interim Chairman and Interim Publicity Secretary made the revelation in Warri.
The statement read in part: “The main objective of the League of Burutu Democrats is to put both elected and appointed politicians on their toes by making them accountable to their constituents.
“After two days deliberations in Warri, the group elected an interim executive committee led by Mr. Richard Tuedon while Mr. Karona Etonye emerged secretary.
“Others elected into the interim leadership were Mr. Ekenwan Akwagbe, publicity secretary; Mr. Ignatius Ziakede, Assistant secretary; and Engr. Dennis Bibaikefie, Treasurer.”
Membership of the group cuts across the eleven wards of Burutu local government area.
Kano – Alhaji El-Amin Ibrahim, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano state, has decamped to the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Ibrahim told newsmen in Kano on Saturday that his decision to cross carpet was borne out of his desire and commitment to serve people and ensure that promises made to the electorate were fulfilled.
"All my cross carpeting has been from the ruling parties to oppositions and on three occasions I held a party to win election.
"I am not in politics to use political office to make financial gains.
"I am in politics to serve the people," he said.
The decampee, who, is popularly known as Ibrahim-little, said his decision to move to the Peoples Democratic Party was borne out his conviction that APC had not been able to fulfilled the promises it made to electorate.
Ibrahim-little was the former state chairman of the defunct All people's Party (APP) as well as a gubernatorial aspirant under the platform of the party in 2003. (NAN)
RELE thought she was secured in the love she shared with her boyfriend, Douglas. The mother of a seven-year old son, she'd clicked straight away with Douglas as soon as they were introduced by a mutual friend at a party. "We were both in our 30s, though he was a couple of years older," Rele said. "A divorcee, his ex-wife lived with her parents – along with the two children of the union.
"Within months of our falling in love, we were living together and even though money was tight, we were happy. It was also a bonus that my son liked him. I ran a thriving hairdressing salon and Doug worked as an insurance agent. His income depended on a monthly stipend and the commissions he earned, but we got by – even hanging out with friends and having the occasional nights out. Our sex life was the best part – amazing and spontaneous. We were even thinking of having a child together.
"Then after we'd been together for almost two years, Doug came home one evening with a brand new state-of the earth phone. I was a bit annoyed with him because we were supposed to be saving for a new freezer to replace the old one.
"Where did that come from?' I asked him. 'One of my clients sold it to me at next to nothing,' he explained. I didn't believe him. Most of his clients were working class people who barely made their premium payments. How on earth could any of them be this generous? And it seemed selfish of him to be splashing on a fancy iPhone when we could use his money towards buying a freezer – he already had a good phone.
"In the following months, Doug bought more designer clothes, an expensive wrist watch and aftershave. We had an almighty argument about his splashing out on himself – especially as he never bought me anything. Grudgingly, he bought me some inexpensive gifts and took me for a meal at a fast-food joint. Then I became incensed when he came home with an expensive hair cut and a manicure. I could spot all these subtle changes as I ran a salon of my own. – treatments like that don't come cheap. When he mentioned the salon he used, I couldn't believe how reckless he'd been with money. I could easily do all he did for next to nothing!
"When I confided in my best friend, she asked me one simple question, 'Do you think he's having an affair?' An affair? Why would she think that? 'Well, where do you think he's getting the money from – his commission?' Call me naive, but I'd never even considered it.
But the more I thought about it, the more it added up. I asked him outright if he was having an affair and he scoffed I was being ridiculous. But lately, he'd been going out without me and our sex life had nose-dived. We used to have it four or five times a week but now I was lucky if it was once. I was determined to get to the truth and watched his phone like a awk. Most often, it was locked and I didn't know the password but this fateful day when he was having a bath, he forgot to lock his phone. Most of his messages were wiped out except for the last two which was obviously from a woman named Lynda.
"The next day, I called her number pretending I was from a delivery firm and we had a parcel to deliver. I told her the label had been ripped and I only have her phone number. She fell for my story and gave me her full address. Bingo. After I left work, I drove straight to the address she gave me and a woman answered the door, she was at least 50 years old. Attractive but obviously a lot older than Doug. This was obviously a mistake. 'I'm sorry,' I stammered. 'I'm Doug's girlfriend and there were these suggestive messages from your phone. It must have been a mix up as you're far too old to be his girlfriend .. .'
She was enraged. 'Don't you dare call me-old,' she fumed. 'I'm 52 and it's true he is seeing me. Who do you think buys him all those lovely presents and the money you've been spending?' My mouth gaped open. She was 17 years older than Doug. I felt sick and disgusted. 'We've been seeing each other for ages," she continued. 'I prefer younger men. He told me he finished with you months ago. He'd obviously lied to both of us and I think you're better off without him. The cheek of that man.
"I would get rid of him if I were you and he's obviously no longer welcome here?' With that she slammed the door in my face.
"When I got home, he was already at the flat. I went ballistic, smashing up the new stuffs his cougar bought him and stamping on his clothes. He tried to calm me down and I wouldn't let him. He went out and when he came back hours later, he looked as if the world had fallen on top of him. 'How could you go to her house to confront her,' he cried.
'She's finished with me and it's all your fault'. He'd lost two women in one day and I told him he was paying for his greed. I was heartbroken and I needed to move. We both contributed towards the rent and I made a decision to stay until the rent ran out and I was able to find alternate living arrangements.
"I've since found out that Lynda runs a fairly successful business and lives in her own house. She bragged she liked younger men because they made her feel good. Some weeks after Doug got busted, he came home with more new clothes and a brand new iPhone to replace the one I smashed. 'Did you get those from your fancy woman?' I sneered. 'It's none of your business,' he snapped, and if you must know, we're now back together – you and I are finished. As a matter of fact, I'm hoping to move in with her soon. She wants to take things a bit more slowly. So until she makes up her mind. we're stuck with each other!'
"How could a strapping man prefer a woman old enough to be his mother over me?
I was hurt and bewildered that a cougar got her claws into my man – a gold-digger who gave up on genuine love for a fancy phone and designer clothes – I'm well rid of him. And men blame women all the time for going after sugar daddies!"
Uyo – Gov Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has denied the allegation that he plans to spend a whopping N9.1 billion to build a new governor's lodge in Lagos.
Emmanuel denied the allegation in Uyo on Saturday while answering reporters' questions on the controversy surrounding the lodge.Gov Emmanuel Udom
Public condemnation had trailed media reports that had suggested that the governor planned to execute the project especially after it was reported that the state's House of Assembly had approved the amount involved.
Also, citizens of the state had said they would stage a protest against what they described as unacceptable especially in view of the current economic situation in the country.
He said that the allegation was the handiwork of some persons who habitually cook spurious and laborious stories against his administration.
The explained that only N1.2 billion and not N9.1 billion was allocated to the governor's lodge in the budget wondered why people should go about with mischief to discredit his administration.
"Let me correct one mistake, budget is a public document. It is only when people try to change what is in the public document, it is no more than mischief.
"What we have in the budget is a paltry N1.2 billion, paltry sum.
"Let me say, there can only be one governor at a time and God gives a right vision to a right leader at one point in time.
"I think at this moment I need to let people who may not know to know that as at today that Akwa Ibom has a lot of fine property in Lagos.
"Let me also say that you can't have such asset and allow it to waste.
"An asset is supposed to generate returns, but there are certain conditions you must put the asset under to get maximum returns.
"Some people misquoted the whole thing, saying have you finished building Akwa Ibom State, why are you going to Lagos," Emmanuel said.
The governor further explained that for Akwa Ibom asset to yield good returns it must be put in proper condition.
According to him, a good businessman chased money to wherever money is found and bring it to develop where he wants to develop.
He said: "You follow money to where money can be found and bring money to develop where you want to develop. I think that is the basic concept.
"Please allow us to put these asset to a level that can yield returns. This a time when states are govern by ideas.
"We don't have so much money but we need ideas because people with ideas that will make the difference. "
The governor added that his dream was to make Akwa Ibom a destination of choice for investors. and a shining star in the comity of states. (NAN)
A political pressure group advocating the emergence of a female president in Nigeria, Nigeria Female President Initiative,NFPI, has picked holes with the report credited to the governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on the failed third term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying had Fayose and others facilitated the move to succeed, Nigeria would have been better than its present state of abandonment.
Ayodele Fayose
The convener of the Initiative, Mr Felix Akpoyibo, pointed out that since the end of the Obasanjo era, Nigeria has not recorded any improvement in the economy and infrastructure development. He noted that it was Obasanjo who paid off accumulated external debts inherited from the military era, introduced GSM, revamped the banking sector and encouraged foreign investors to do business in Nigeria.
He said his only regret is that Obasanjo did not hand over power to President Muhammadu Buhari while Buhari was ten years younger and strong enough to fight the malady of corruption.
Governor Fayose had claimed that the aborted third term agenda of ex-Presiddent Obasanjo was real. In a recent media expose', Fayose revealed details of the third term agenda, his involvement, the outcome, casualties and the beneficiary of the failed plot. But Akpoyibo stressed that had the plot succeeded, Nigeria would have been better.
Lagos – Dangote Group and two leading African agricultural organisations — GrowAfrica and Nigeria Agribusiness Group — have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a bid to boost private sector's investment in agriculture.
The MoU was signed during the GlowAfrica and NABG Private Sector Consultative Meeting held in Lekki, Lagos.
Mr Sani Dangote, the Vice-President of Dangote Group, signed on behalf of the company, while Mr William Asiko, Chief Executive Officer, signed for GrowAfrica. Mr Emmanuel Ijewere, the Vice President, NABG, also signed the MoU on Friday.
Dangote expressed optimism that the partnership would pave way for more private companies' participation both foreign and local to improve the agricultural value chain in the country.
He said the private sector has the capacity to promote growth in agriculture with the Federal Government create the enabling environment.
Asiko of GrowAfrica said that he was excited with the development, describing it as a landmark achievement that was capable of facilitating agricultural development in Nigeria and Africa.
He noted that the partnership would provide a platform for agricultural bodies to work together and exploit opportunities within the agricultural value chain.
"Between 2011 and 2016, GrowAfrica has been able to mobilise over 200 companies from global and domestic companies in Africa to pledge nearly 10 billion dollars worth of investments in agriculture.
"These were pledges made by these companies to invest in agriculture with commitment from government on agreements with farmers and civil society and many others in the value chain," he said.
"We are launching this partnership to transform the economy by engaging different actors in the value chain to evolve business scale of investments."
On his part, Ijewere said one of the effective ways of ensuring the success of the partnership was to involve the grassroots in developing agricultural policies.
"This will create a relationship that builds from the ground to the top, thereby carrying the farmers along in decision making."
Meanwhile, Mrs Gloria Akobundu, the CEO of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), lauded the partnership, saying it will help to attract more youths to agriculture.
Akobundu, who was represented by the Director of Programmes Development and Implementation in NEPAD, Mr Folayan Ayodele, said following the depletion of the number of farmers because of age, there was need to encourage youths to return to the farms.
"It will help to stem the rural-urban drift and the private sector can play a significant role in making agriculture more attractive by helping youths to see agriculture as a business for wealth creation and empowerment, " she said. (NAN)
The UN Security Council on Saturday unanimously adopted a US-drafted resolution that significantly strengthened sanctions on North Korea, with a ban on exports aimed at depriving Pyongyang of $1 billion in annual revenue.
The sweeping measures were the first of that scope to be imposed on North Korea since US President Donald Trump took office and highlighted China’s willingness to punish its ally.
Osogbo – Unknown gunmen on Saturday shot dead a yet-to-be identified middle-age woman in Osogbo.
The incident occurred at about 9.00 am at Old Garage area of Osogbo.
An eyewitness said the deceased was a labourer who was on her way to Old Garage, where labourers usually assemble for daily engagements, before she met her untimely death.
The source said that the deceased was hit by stray bullets from a gun fired into the air by some men on a motorcycle before they sped off from the scene.
The police spokesperson in the state, Mrs Folashade Odoro, confirmed the incident to journalists, saying four suspects had been arrested.
Odoro also gave an assurance that others connected with the incident would be apprehended and prosecuted. (NAN)
Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery said on Saturday he wants to keep his top players to give superstar signing Neymar competition for a starting berth in the team.
Neymar
Brazilian Neymar was introduced to fans before kick-off at the Parc des Princes in Paris ahead of PSG’s 2-0 win over newly-promoted Amiens in their opening match of the 2017/18 season.
His new team-mates dominated throughout as South Americans Edinson Cavani and Javier Pastore scored the goals.
Pastore is one of the players whose place in the team is under threat from 222-million-euro ($264m) signing Neymar, but rather than think of selling off attacking talent to balance the books, Emery wants the likes of Argentine Angel Di Maria and German Julian Draxler to stay and push Neymar for a starting berth.
“We need competition for Neymar. We need players who will give competition for Neymar’s position,” said Emery.
“Draxler can play on the left, right and in the middle. Pastore can play on the left, right and in the middle.”
Emery refused to comment on whether some players would have to be sold to comply with UEFA’s financial fair play rules as the mammoth outlay to sign Neymar from Barcelona will surely put a strain on PSG’s finances.
Emery prefered to focus on what the signing of Neymar brings to the team in terms of competitiveness.
“The signing of players like Neymar, but also the work done on the academy shows the work we’re doing to improve the club,” he said.
“Everything the club does after discussions with me is because we think it’s better. Everything we’re going to do (including possible sales) is good.”
– ‘Everything’s positive’ –
Despite some in the football world criticising PSG for opening a blank chequebook to sign star players — Neymar’s fee was more than double the previous world record 105 million euros Manchester United paid Juventus for Paul Pogba — Emery said it was good for the club and French football.
“Everything’s positive. The PSG fans’ enthusiasm for the situation, football here in Paris and France — for everyone it’s good.
“It’s given the team a bigger plus. Now, with a player like that, we have to see if we can improve and develop together.”
Some say PSG’s wealth destroys competition in France because no other team has a comparable budget.
But Amiens coach Christophe Pelissier disagreed.
“When you see the quality of the team and the full stadium — the fans come because of the stars, it creates interest,” said Pelissier.
“Stars can only improve the league and push players to be better. I’s also a present for us. I would have liked Neymar to play.
“We knew we were up against a great team. Whether it was Di Maria or Pastore, why not have Neymar as well? I hope he’ll be there when we play them at home.”
Red tape prevented Neymar from playing as his international transfer certificate wasn’t lodged in time with the French League.
With a reported salary of around 45 million euros before tax, Neymar’s status could be unsettling for those players set to be overshadowed by him.
But young centre-back Presnel Kimpembe insisted his arrival was good for the group.
“The atmosphere stays the same. We know that Neymar is one of the best players in the world,” said the 21-year-old, a product of the club’s youth system.
“It’s up to us to make the most of his qualities both on and off the pitch.”
Nigerian international, Kelechi Iheanacho was substituted in his debut appearance for Leicester because of injury. He also came into the match as a substitute. Iheanacho
The Nigerian playmaker who was signed by Leicester from Manchester City for £25 million played a pivotal role for his new club in a 2-1 defeat of Germany's Borussia Moenchengladbach in a pre-season friendly match on Friday.
He played for just 18 minutes and helped in turning the match around.
A minute after he replaced Shinji Okazaki, in the 66th minute, he set up England international, Jamie Vardy to score the equaliser after the former English champions were trailing their German visitors 0-1.
Eight minutes after, the England striker linked up with Iheanacho again to complete the turnaround in the 74th minute.
But Nigerian had to be substituted later after sustaining injury as he collided with a German player. He was replaced by Leonardo Ulloa in the 84th minute
But reports said the injury may not be a serious one as Leicester manager remarked afterwards that the substitution was a mere precautionary move.
Leicester coach Shakespeare, speaking at full-time, told LCFC TV: "He's fine in there. He's getting a bit of a ribbing from the players in terms of him coming off.
"You can see the impact he's had. We're just really making sure that was more of a precaution. He hasn't trained very often, he hasn't been able to because of circumstance.
"The more minutes he can get on the pitch, the more liable he will be to last 90 minutes."
Following the visitations recorded by the Nigerian ailing president from some political stakeholders, religious leaders and well wishers in London, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode today reacted via his tweeter handle.
According to him, "When God has rejected u as King no matter how many Archbishops take pictures with u and declare u well u have no hope. A man that has been on sick leave for 300 out of the 600 days that he has been in power ought to resign. This is a democracy and not a monarchy."
Lagos – The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says it has a target to register 28 million Nigerians into the National Identification Number (NIN) system by the end of 2017.Buhari – NIMC
The Director General of NIMC, Mr Aliyu Aziz, made this known at a media briefing on Saturday in Lagos.
Aziz said that anyone without the NIN issued by the commission ran the risk of being regarded as a non-citizen.
"The commission embarked on an enrolment strategy in 2012 which has grown exponentially since 2015.
"Now we have reached 18.5 million and the focus which is our goal is that by 2017 ending, the commission would have reached 28 million people.
"The main aim of the registration is to have a single identification," he said.
He listed the many benefits of the NIN to include one person one identity, enhanced participation in the political process and its value as an important tool to fight corruption and terrorism.
Aziz said the NIN would enable citizens to exercise their rights and facilitate management of subsidies and safety net payments as applicable to internally displaced persons.
He said that to achieve this, the commission needed to tackle some of the challenges it was facing, such as data captured being very poor and absence of a central ID repository.
Others, he said, were up-scaling deficiency, legal framework peculiarity and the challenge of political will.
He also bemoaned the poor funding of the commission which he said had hampered execution of its mandate and targets.
According to him, poor funding and inadequate staff remuneration had led to constant loss of strategic human resources.
Aziz, however, said that the commission had also made some achievements which included increasing the National Identity Database which currently boasts of about 18.5 million records.
He said that 809 NIN enrolment centres had also been created nationwide just as it had launched the new electronic National ID cards with multiple functions and achievement of Global Vendor Certificate Programme (GVCP) Certification.
Aziz said that the next step for the commission would be the achievement of the presidential directive on harmonisation and consolidation of biometric data into the national identity database.
He said that the commission would soon commence the enforcement of the mandatory use of NIN and issue directives to banks to accept NIN as a valid means of identification.(NAN)
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Searching Male •Feco, resides in Lagos State, needs a lady, in Lagos, aged 20-27, for a serious relationship. 08062805840 •Michael, stays in Lagos State, needs a lady, in Lagos, aged 18-25, for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage. 07035074610 •Fred 39, employed and resides in Abuja but from Cross River, needs an educated lady, aged 25-32, for a relationship, that would lead to marriage. 09066764666 •Emmanuel 38,and resides in Benin, needs a fair in complexion, beautiful and plumpy lady, aged 30- 37, for a serious relationship,that can lead to marriage.07039176692 •Kelvin 37, fair in complexion, tall, handsome and a trailer driver, from Benin, needs a beautiful and God fearing lady, aged 25-30, for a serious relationship, that will lead to marriage.09094489400 •Chidi 31, cool, tall, fair in completion and resides in Abuja, needs a nice and beautiful lady, aged 20-40, for a romantic relationship. 08096403348,08068717195 •Joseph 40, a military personnel,needs a lady who can give him a male child out of wedlock,aged 30-35. 07063330498 •A kool & gentle guy in Lagos needs rich or employed lady in Lagos only for smooth love 08022503211 •Benjamin from Akwa Ibom, needs a light in complexion lady, aged 18-35, who is moderate in shape, smart and who can sponsor his education, for a relationship, that can lead to marriage. 09031900853,08131867580 •Charles 36, employed and resides in Port Harcourt, needs a lady who is a medical doctor or nurse, for marriage. 08063552366 •Don best 28,a graduate and resides in Abuja, needs an employed and matured lady, aged 35-45, for a serious relationship.09079142280 •Jay 21 resides in Warri, Delta State, needs a lady, who resides in Warri, Benin, Port Harcourt for a relationship, aged 18-22.08123065597 •Aghogho 40, from Warri needs a matured lady, for a relationship.08154969745, 08031373893 •Gabriel from Imo state, but resides in Lagos, needs a lady, whose genotype is AA and employed,for a serious relationship,that will lead to marriage.090705346301830, 07037842149 •Philip 28, dark in complexion, tall, undergraduate, employed and from Anambra state, needs a pretty and God fearing lady, aged 24-29, who is employed and also from Anambra, for a serious intimate relationship, that can lead to marriage. 09073665008,07037224546 •Ibukun 33, tall and dark in complexion,needs a God fearing and a responsible man, for a relationship, that can lead to marriage. 08140058900,08162846794, 08162614745 •Emmanuel 54, needs a lady, for in Delta,Edo or port Harcourt, that he can take care of, for a relationship. 08063669755 •Chuka 34, employed and resides in Enugu, needs a lady, aged 20 – 30, for a serious relationship.08103928204
Sugar Cares Searching Male •A guy, 26, and resides in Benin City Edo state, needs a sugar mummy, in Benin, who can satisfy his needs, financially.07063613025 •Prince 38, a graduate and resides in Edo state, needs a sugar mummy, that can take care of him.09051683481 ,07036838402 •Chinedu 26, gentle, dark in complexion and resides in Abuja, needs a sugar mummy that can, take good care of him financially, aged 30-35. 09078236389 •Daniel resides in Lagos, needs a humble, caring and God fearing sugar mummy, aged 40-45.08037009827, 08037702455 •Precious 20, fair in complexion, romantic and resides in Lagos, needs a caring sugar mummy for romantic affair, aged 30-40. 09036405589 •Tayo 37,resides in Lagos, needs a caring sugar mummy, aged 40 and above, who can sponsor his business. 08051334196,08025615456 •Mike 30, sexually active and resides in PH, needs a rich and neat sugar mummy, who resides in PH, Uyo,Warri, Lagos.07010722342 •Lawson, a graduate and] resides in Abuja, needs a sugar mummy with connection.08119620348 •Ola needs a beautiful sugar mummy, who resides in Kaduna or Abuja.08069224745 •Amos resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy, aged 30- 45, for pleasure. 09082989115 •Kelech 32, from Aguata in Anambra state, but resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy that resides in Lagos, for a serious relationship. 09064343899,09095115478
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Keffi (Nasarawa State) – Governor Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State says a committee of Northern governors and traditional rulers will soon come up with a stand in the region's and country's best interests.
Almakura stated that the committee is being led by the Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State.
The Nasawa State governor made this known on Saturday at the official installation and presentation of first class staff of office to the new Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, in Keffi Local Government Area of the state.
"I wish to say that in spite of the numerous provocative statements credited to some unpatriotic elements cloaked in the guise of restructuring, I want to assure everyone that a joint committee headed by Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Governor of Sokoto State, comprising Northern governors and traditional rulers would soon come up with a common position that will be in the best interest of not only the North, but Nigeria as a whole.
"Since our coming on board, we have remained consistent in our determination to ensure the inclusion of traditional rulers in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to enable our Traditional Institution to continue to play its pivotal role as custodian of our traditions, customs, and heritage.
"We have since incorporated the traditional institution into the machinery of governance in Nasarawa State by engaging them in the affairs of government at all levels in the state.
"This has availed government of their wealth of experience and doggedness in our governance of Nasarawa State and, indeed, the conscience of the society.
"It is our conviction that when this is done, the traditional rulers will more proactively complement government efforts toward the development of our society," he said.
Almakura also noted that the state government has embarked on robust infrastructural development in Keffi and environs.
"We have networked the city with asphalted roads and completed the abandoned Keffi Modern Market which will open commercial activities for the people.
"We have also awarded contract of about N400 million for the construction of a bridge over Antau River to link the municipality of Keffi with other communities," he added.
He urged the monarch to abide by the oath of office and to discharge his duties without fear or favour to promote peace and socio-economic development of the country.
The governor expressed gratitude to the governors, traditional rulers, and politicians within and outside the state, who attended the ceremony.
He called for sustained cordial relationship with one another in the interest of peace and tranquility in the country.
Responding, the new emir expressed appreciation to Almakura for the honour done him and gave an assurance that the Keffi emirate council would be loyal to the state government by providing all the support expected of it.
The first class traditional ruler pledged to initiate projects and programmes that would impact the lives of the people of the state and Nigerians at large.
Governors Aminu Tambuwal, Simon Lalong, and Samuel Ortom were at the event.
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar 111 were among other traditional rulers and dignitaries that graced the occasion.
Recalled that the former Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Muhammadu Chindo Yamusa II, who was enthroned on May 11, 1978, died on Dec, 4, 2015 at the aged of 70 years.
The development led to the appointment of his son, Dr.Shehu Chindo Yamusa III as the new emir on Dec.14, 2015. (NAN)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, has reiterated his administration's commitment to national unity by insisting that the Igbo people residing in the state would not be allowed to leave.
Ganduje made this vow when members of the Igbo Delegates Assembly of the 19 Northern States paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Kano.
Newsmen report that this development is in view of the recent 'quit notice' issued the Igbo by a coalition of northern groups.
"We will not allow you to leave, you are going nowhere and you have nowhere to go because Kano is your home.
"All Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious background must feel free to stay in any part of the country .
"We have enjoyed good and cordial relationship with all communities; Kano State is your home and it will continue to remain as such by the grace of God," he said.
The governor said that the Igbo people remained indigenes of Kano, just like any other Nigerian resident in Kano would continue to be indigenes of the state.
The President General of the Igbo Delegates Assembly, Chief Chi Nwogu, in his remark, lauded the State Government for making all "Nigerians living in Kano to feel at home".
He said that they had been in the North for more than 50 years and that some of them were born in the North.
"We have stayed in the North for more than 50 years, some of us were born here and we have respect for one another," he added.
He said that they were in Kano to meet with the Coalition of Northern Youths and other groups to promote peace and unity in the country.
The traditional ruler of Igbo people resident in Kano, Chief Boniface Ibekwe, also lauded the governor for promoting peace in the state.
Igbekwe, who is also the Chairman of the Igbo Traditional Leaders in the Diaspora, urged the Igbo extraction in Northern Nigeria to be law abiding and continue with their normal business.
An Ekiti State High Court has sentenced a herdsman, Ali Haruna, to two years imprisonment for destroying crops worth N1.5 million in the farm.
Fulani-herdsman
The state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, held that the prosecution had proved the case against the accused beyond reasonable doubt setting aside the appeal filed against the judgment of the Chief Magistrate's Court.
Haruna had earlier been sentenced to two years jail by an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate's Court presided over by Mr Idowu Ayenimo on a two-count charge of malicious damage preferred against him.
Ayenimo sentenced Haruna to two years imprisonment on count one and two years' imprisonment for count two which are to run concurrently.
The herdsman took his cows to the farm owned by one Abdullahi Yaho destroying crops therein. The prosecution called five witnesses during the course of the trial at the lower court.
Dissatisfied with the verdict of the Chief Magistrate's Court, Haruna through his counsel, Mr Chris Omokhafe, filed an appeal urging the High Court to set aside the conviction on grounds that it must be consistent and that the appellant was not found with any destructive weapon.
Omokhafe and prosecution counsel, Gbemiga Adaramola, frontloaded all records and adopted their written addresses.
Affirming the judgment of the Chief Magistrate's Court, JusticeDaramola said: "There is no iota of doubt at all, the prosecution proved the charge against the appellant beyond reasonable doubt.
"I see no reason whatsoever to disturb the findings of the trial court; this appeal is totally devoid of merit and is hereby dismissed accordingly."
Gov. Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State says a committee of Northern governors and traditional rulers will soon come up with a stand in the region's and country's best interests.
Almakura stated that the committee is being led by the Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State.
The Nasawa State governor made this known on Saturday at the official installation and presentation of first class staff of office to the new Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, in Keffi Local Government Area of the state.
"I wish to say that in spite of the numerous provocative statements credited to some unpatriotic elements cloaked in the guise of restructuring, I want to assure everyone that a joint committee headed by Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Governor of Sokoto State, comprising Northern governors and traditional rulers would soon come up with a common position that will be in the best interest of not only the North, but Nigeria as a whole.
"Since our coming on board, we have remained consistent in our determination to ensure the inclusion of traditional rulers in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to enable our Traditional Institution to continue to play its pivotal role as custodian of our traditions, customs, and heritage.
"We have since incorporated the traditional institution into the machinery of governance in Nasarawa State by engaging them in the affairs of government at all levels in the state.
"This has availed government of their wealth of experience and doggedness in our governance of Nasarawa State and, indeed, the conscience of the society.
"It is our conviction that when this is done, the traditional rulers will more proactively complement government efforts toward the development of our society," he said.
Almakura also noted that the state government has embarked on robust infrastructural development in Keffi and environs.
"We have networked the city with asphalted roads and completed the abandoned Keffi Modern Market which will open commercial activities for the people.
"We have also awarded contract of about N400 million for the construction of a bridge over Antau River to link the municipality of Keffi with other communities," he added.
He urged the monarch to abide by the oath of office and to discharge his duties without fear or favour to promote peace and socio-economic development of the country.
The governor expressed gratitude to the governors, traditional rulers, and politicians within and outside the state, who attended the ceremony.
He called for sustained cordial relationship with one another in the interest of peace and tranquility in the country.
Responding, the new emir expressed appreciation to Almakura for the honour done him and gave an assurance that the Keffi emirate council would be loyal to the state government by providing all the support expected of it.
The first class traditional ruler pledged to initiate projects and programmes that would impact the lives of the people of the state and Nigerians at large.
Newsmen report that governors Aminu Tambuwal, Simon Lalong, and Samuel Ortom were at the event.
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar 111 were among other traditional rulers and dignitaries that graced the occasion.
Newsmen recall that the former Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Muhammadu Chindo Yamusa II, who was enthroned on May 11, 1978, died on Dec, 4, 2015 at the aged of 70 years.
The development led to the appointment of his son, Dr.Shehu Chindo Yamusa III as the new emir on Dec.14, 2015.
By Joseph Erunke ABUJA-IN spite of recent resurgence in activities of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, especially Borno State, where several people including soldiers and oil workers were killed with some abducted by the terrorists,Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, Sunday, said the Nigerian military had decimated the terrorists’ strength. Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique He insisted that the military had won the war against the terrorists, saying the remnants whose activities were noted few weeks ago would soon be silenced by the superior power of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Addressing officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force at the Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, during the annual Nigerian Air Force 10km Walk/Jog Exercise, Abubakar insisted that the country was at the moment more secured than how it was before the emergence of the present federal administration, given the strength of the dreaded sect in the past.
To this end, he tasked personnel of the service to continue to rededicate themselves “so that every Nigerian territory will be secured and so that every Nigerian will be secured.”
