A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
By Emeka Aginam The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Mobile Software Solutions Limited, Chris Uwaje has canvassed for the adoption of Internet Protocol version 6, Ipv6, for African Governments for the challenges ahead and sustainable development.Uwaje
Uwaje who spoke during a panel on IPv6 forum at the ongoing global Internet of Thing , IoT, summit holding in Geneva, Switzerland, told the international community that Africa may not be globally competitive if the governments fail to adopt Ipv6 on time.
Noting that IPv6 will one day become the absolute default Prefixes for the Internet, the Oracle of the Nigerian Information Technology industry noted that the continent must recognize and embrace IPv6 for sustainable development. "Globally , the next battlefield for sustainable development and wealth creation resides in IPv6 and IoT strategic knowledge configuration.
"Africa stands at the dawn of technology opportunity and will benefit immensely, if government and industry lead the advocacy to passionately promote innovation -through IPv6 adoption and IoT transmission as combined accelerator to create something and change everything.", he told the gathering of international community", he said.
As part of the readiness of Nigerian government, he told the gathering that the government of Nigeria had created a special committee to increase IPv6 awareness and study policy framework.
Citing Rwanda as example, Uwaje said that it proposed that government sets the example to the operational deployment and use of IPv6 through the designation of an IPv6 transition task force with a time line action plan.
Going forward, and recognizing the fact that knowledge development strategies and content in Africa faces a monumental challenge by the emerging knowledge Olympiad, the continent, he said needed strategic collaboration in Research, Innovation, IoTs, Embedded Systems, IPv6, Cloud, Big Data, Nano of Things, among others.
He urged participants at the international capacity building to declare the current status of Africa wide IPv6 development agenda as a “Critical State of Emergency”
He called on the Africa Union, AU, to lead the advocacy for the establishment of Africa IPv6/IoT marshal plan. The former President of Information Technology Association of Nigeria, ITAN, at the conference advocated the need to establish the Africa IPv6/IoT development framework, AIIDF, as a platform for clustering and sharing critical digital knowledge systems for accelerated Information Society competitiveness at all levels.
He further recommended that the need to encourage Africa policy makers and leadership in each country to establish IPv6/IoT task forces to develop country IPv6/IoT Strategic Plans and by extension, to ensure that adequate funding is provided in their National Budget for the adoption , diffusion and advancement IPv6/IoT in Africa.
Promote the establishment of Africa-wide IoT Innovation Hackathon on Africa Development of Things (AdoT), partner with African professionals on strategies to retool the Africa knowledge workforce and infrastructure, as strategic imperatives for the emergence of the Africa’s new creative and innovative class, ANCIC, were also part of his recommendations.
Reports say a young girl and some fleeing residents have been hit by a stray bullet following an alleged ongoing Boko Haram terrorists' raid of Maiduguri.
A young girl allegedly hit by a stray bullet as Boko Haram terrorists raid Maiduguri
A report from a SaharaReporter's correspondent currently at the scene claim gun shots erupted in the lately peaceful Borno state capital around 7 pm on Wednesday after the terrorists allegedly attacked the Giwa military barracks located on the outskirts of Maiduguri.
A young girl allegedly hit by a stray bullet as Boko Haram terrorists raid Maiduguri
It said residents in the Jidari and Polo areas of Maiduguri began to flee the city after hearing gunfire, a situation which caused confusion and a mass exodus of residents throughout the city. The reports also claimed the situation was still unstable as at the time of this report.
By Emma Amaize ASABA – THE Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, umbrella body of the Niger Delta people, Wednesday, declared that the recent ultimatum by Arewa youth groups on Igbos to evacuate the North by October, this year, was more treasonable than the offence allegedly committed by Nnamdi Kanu of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, for which he was detained for about a year.
PANDEF in a statement by a member of the Central Working Committee, CWC, Dr. Alfred Mulade, "We insists that this call by Arewa youths must be nipped in the bud, and the Federal Government should, as in the case of Nnamdi Kanu, arrest, detain and prosecute them for treasonable felony, with immediate effect. In this matter of threat to the corporate existence of Nigeria, there must be no sacred cows."
It asserted: "PANDEF considers this statement by the Arewa Youths as tragic as and more treasonable than the offence allegedly committed by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, for which he was held in detention for about a year."
"Not only is this statement a potent threat to the corporate unity of the country, but in our view, appears the most dangerous statement ever made by any group to the unity and existence of Nigeria since the end of the civil war.
"We must not forget how we came into the civil war that lasted for 30 months, and the avoidable calamities it wrought on our country. 50 years thereafter now, things have changed a great deal. Loyalties and commitments should be total of all Nigerians to a Nigeria where all Nigerians are free to stay in any part of the country, free from any form of molestation and discrimination, a Nigeria where we are all each other’s brother’s keeper, in a Nigeria where no one is superior to the other, and where no one threatens to drive any other group of Nigerians away from any part of the country," the group added.
Its words: "This statement by the Arewa Youths which strikes at the very roots of the Nigeria we believe in, is, indeed, an attempt to divide and breakup the country, whose unity is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
In condemning this statement in its entirety, PANDEF called on all northern state governments, elders, particularly the Arewa Consultative Assembly in whose House the press conference was held, not only to condemn it, but to take concrete steps to reassure the Ibos and indeed, all Nigerians that they were free to stay in the North without any form of molestations.
The group stated: " Whilst we do not support Nnamdi Kanu, and the various secessionist organizations in the South-East, for reviving the call for Biafra; and whilst we have to restate that the South- South is not part of the said Biafra, we take the view that this regrettably dangerous statement by the northern youths, is unwittingly lending profound support to the demands of the Biafran agitators, which is totally unacceptable to any patriotic Nigerian, and a flagrant violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
" We recall the Statement we made as PANDEF a few days ago, concerning the Biafra sit-at-home call, and widely reported in the media to the effect that the success recorded by the Biafra sit-at-home call, as reported by various news media, is a clear indication that all is not well in our Country… Biafra is born out of a deep-seated and agonizing feeling of marginalization and discrimination.
"So, as has been advised, let us listen to the Ibos and the Biafra agitators. We listen to them knowing that there is no harm in discussing the unity of Nigeria; we listen to them with the clear understanding that Nigeria is better off united and that disintegration is not in anyone’s interest,” PANDEF added.
It declared: "We stand by this patriotic statement. We will be moving into a state of anarchy and disintegration, if the unfortunate and misguided statement by the Arewa Youths is not withdrawn, and Federal Government does not take action by apprehending and prosecuting these youth and their sponsors."
A 19-year-old girl Pratiksha Natekar, has miraculously survives a train 'knock-down' in Mumbai India, after she was run over by a moving train while chatting on her mobile phone.
Natekar survived the impact and was pulled uninjured from the tracks.
She can be seen in CCTV trying to get on to the busy platform as the large train starts pulling in but was unaware of the noise of the locomotive as she is chatting to a friend on her mobile phone with her earphones in.
Natekar suddenly becomes aware of the danger and tries to veer towards the platform, but realising she doesn't have enough time to climb on to it before the train arrives, she changes direction.
The teen she runs out of time to cross to the other side, panics and simply turns away from the train as it hits her from behind.
She is knocked flat on her face and the train passes over her.
The waiting commuters do not have enough time to save her and can only watch in horror as she disappears under the middle of the locomotive.
But despite their fears she had been killed, the woman was pulled almost uninjured from beneath the train.
Her only wound was a cut near her left eye.
Railway police inspector Ashok Bhorade said: "As she was busy over the phone, she didn't hear a goods train thundering down the tracks.
"When she suddenly looked up the train had already reached her. She panicked and ran first towards the platform and then straight into the train."
Natekar was taken to Rajawadi Hospital in Mumbai but she is not thought to have been seriously injured.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted localised thunderstorms over the central states of the country on Thursday morning, with cloudy conditions anticipated in the afternoon.
NiMet's Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office (CFO), on Wednesday also predicted day and night temperature of 27 to 34 and 18 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
The agency predicted that the southern states would experience cloudy morning with isolated thunderstorms over the high ground of most parts during the afternoon and evening hours.
It also predicted day and night temperatures of 30 to 33 and 20 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively over the southern cities.
According to NiMet, northern states will experience localised morning thunderstorms over Sokoto, Kano, Gusau, and Katsina, with isolated thunderstorms over Maiduguri and its environ later in the day.
It added that "the region will also have day and night temperatures of 31 to 38 and 22 to 26 degrees Celsius respectively.
"The weather systems over Maiduguri-Yola and Jalingo axis are expected to propagate and enhance localised thunderstorms over the central states and northwest axis in the next 24 hours."
A police dog has been sacked from his job – but it's for the best reason possible. One-year-old Gavel is just too friendly to be in the force.
Dog-sacked
The pup loves rolling over and having his belly rubbed rather than standing to attention and looking menacing.
The police dog-in-training failed to make the final cut for Queensland Police Service in Australia because of his overly-sociable temperament.
But luckily for the cheeky canine, he was offered a new role welcoming visitors to Brisbane's Government House as Governor Paul de Jersey's official Vice-Regal Dog.
And German Shepherd Gavel, who has struck up quite the bond with Governor de Jersey and the many Australians he greets every day, is now a social media star.
A spokesman for Queensland Government House said: "Gavel arrived at Government House in April last year as a six-week-old puppy.
"It was intended that he would undergo a training and socialisation programme preparing to become a Queensland Police Service Dog.
"But like many aspiring QPS Dogs, Gavel did not display the necessary aptitude for a life on the front line.
"Not all dogs display this, and Gavel proved himself to be quite sociable."
He added: "He is better suited to life as a ceremonial dog and will instead now spend his working days at Fernberg, where he has become a much-loved part of Government House life."
Gavel was brought to the prestigious 40-acre Fernberg residence in Paddington, Brisbane as part of the 16-month dog sqaud training and socialisation programme.
He was one of 40 budding police hounds sent to foster homes across Queensland but was the only one to not be fostered by a QPS officer.
Instead, Gavel was officially presented to His Excellency the Governor of Queensland, the Honourable Paul de Jersey and wife Kaye de Jersey.
But despite having a prestigious family bloodline which saw him related to five current working QPS dogs, playful Gavel didn't make the cut and was let go by the force.
A Bill for an Act to Amend the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2007, scaled through second reading at the Senate on Wednesday.
The bill is intended to ensure transparency and accountability in the operations of the bank, according to its sponsor, Sen. Rose Oko (PDP-Cross River).
Leading debate on the bill, Oko said that there had been no mechanism in place to monitor and track the deployment and use of CBN intervention funds over the years.
She said that the apex bank was contravening relevant provisions of the Constitution and the Fiscal Responsibility Act through extra-budgetary intervention to select bodies, institutions and agencies in the guise of intervention funds.
Oko stressed that lack of proper tracking of CBN intervention funds had made it difficult for lawmakers to properly oversee the bank.
"Many countries across the globe like Ghana, Liberia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, United States of America, have windows for such interventions in their economy like that of CBN programme.
"They, however, carry them out in line with relevant laws regulating them and through legislative approval,'' she said.
She indentified N620 billion bailout to five defunct banks – Afribank, Intercontinental Bank, Union Bank, Oceanic Bank and Finbank – and donations to tertiary institution running into several billions as some of the interventions
She said that others were N300 billion as bailout from 2.1 billion dollars NLNG taxes and dividends given to states to pay salaries, and N2.2 trillion earmarked to fund the economy through schemes in various sectors.
Oko also listed Power and Aviation intervention fund (PAIF) of N300 billion, Micro, Small, Medium Development Fund (MSMEDF), N200 billion and Real sector support facility (RSSF), N300 billion.
"This bill aims at stemming the tide of financial recklessness and imprudence in spending of money by CBN under the guise of intervention funds,'' she stated.
The bill was passed by members through a voice vote.
In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, referred it to its Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to handle and report back in six weeks.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Wednesday, said it had consulted stakeholders and relevant government agencies before agreeing at each component of the 2017 hajj fare.
The Executive Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, made this known while inaugurating the Aviation Monitoring Committee for the 2017 hajj operation in Abuja.
He said NAHCON did not just fix figure as cost of air ticket, accommodation, feeding and other services for the pilgrims.
He explained that the cost of each component that made up the fare was arrived after reviewing the entire negotiation and discussions between service providers and NAHCON team.
Mohammed said the U.S. dollars constituted about 98 per cent component of the fare, adding that the commission used the dollar to pay for all services that would be rendered to pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
"So in actual terms, the component that determine the hajj fare is the dollar; the official exchange rate last year was N197 to a dollar but this year, it is N305 and when you multiply it by 4,805, which is the total fare per pilgrim, it will give you about N1.5 million.
"The bottom line is the exchange rate, which NAHCON has no control over. Government considers the sensitivity and the importance of hajj and allows us even to enjoy the official exchange rate.
"If we are to use the prevailing bank rate of N368 to the dollar, the cost will be between N1.8 million and N1.9 million.
"We tried to explain these several times, using all available means and we granted series of press interviews and issued several press releases on the 2017 hajj fare.
"We also published breakdown of the fare on the official website of the commission and released to the public, explaining that we arrived at each component through consensus with stakeholders like the state pilgrims welfare boards and commissions and with relevant government agencies involved in regulating hajj components.
"The cost of air ticket was reached after negotiations between airlines and the commission's technical team, which comprised representatives from aviation agencies and state pilgrims welfare boards and agencies."
He added that NAHCON formally communicated to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and requested for advice on the appropriate fare the commission should agree for ticket.
On Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), he said every pilgrim would receive a flat rate of 800 dollars instead of the 750 dollars given last year.
Fired FBI director James Comey confirmed Wednesday that US President Donald Trump urged him to drop a probe into his former national security advisor Michael Flynn — a bombshell revelation ahead of his hotly-anticipated appearance on Capitol Hill.
In an explosive statement on the eve of his testimony to Congress, Comey said Trump raised the sensitive FBI probe into Russian meddling in the US election in multiple discussions, leaving him deeply uneasy over whether the president was attempting to interfere.
“I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy,” Comey quoted Trump as telling him on February 14 as they sat alone together in the Oval Office.
“I had understood the president to be requesting that we drop any investigation of Flynn in connection with his false statements about his conversations with the Russian ambassador in December,” added Comey, who was fired by the US president early last month.
James Comey
Comey also said Trump demanded he pledge his loyalty in a White House meeting on January 27, just days after he took office under the cloud of allegations that Russia’s interference helped him win election.
In that meeting, Trump asked him if he wanted to stay in his job.
Comey said he told Trump he was not “‘reliable’ in the way politicians use that word, but he could always count on me to tell him the truth.”
“The president said, ‘I need loyalty, I expect loyalty.’ I didn’t move, speak, or change my facial expression in any way during the awkward silence that followed,” Comey said.
Comey’s comments, largely confirming press reports published in the past two months, were made in a statement ahead of his appearance before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday.
In it Comey made clear he was uncomfortable discussing an ongoing investigation with the president, even as he assured Trump that he himself was not a target of the probe.
– ‘Very concerning’ – Comey did not say whether he thought the president’s actions amounted to obstructing the investigation, a charge made by some Democrats, and which is expected to feature highly in lawmakers’ questions Thursday.
“I did not understand the president to be talking about the broader investigation into Russia or possible links to his campaign,” Comey recalled. “I could be wrong, but I took him to be focusing on what had just happened with Flynn’s departure and the controversy around his account of his phone calls.”
“Regardless, it was very concerning, given the FBI’s role as an independent investigative agency,” said the former director.
In another discussion, a phone call on March 30, Comey said Trump described the overall Russia probe as “a cloud” that made it difficult for him to lead the country.
“He asked what we could do to ‘lift the cloud,'” Comey wrote.
Comey said he told the president that the investigation was going as quickly as a possible. Trump understood, Comey said, “but then re-emphasized the problems this was causing him.”
Comey’s statement came hours after two top US spy agency chiefs skirted questions from the Senate panel about whether the president also “asked” them to intervene in the Flynn probe, while saying they never felt pressured to do so.
By AbdulSalam Muhammad KANO – Unknown persons Wednesday reportedly looted a broken down truck load of rice, and assorted food items in Kano metropolis.
Eyewitness told Vanguard that the incident occurred at Gwammaja in Dala Local Government area of the metropolis when a truck loaded with rice, spaghetti and macaroni was broke down along the busy road during the evening rush hour.
Vanguard learned that the truck was from the popular Singer Commodity market on its way to an unknown destination to deliver the goods but got broken along the way.
The account added that as the occupants of the truck were trying to fix it, the bags and cantons on the back of the vehicle caught the attention of youths who swiftly pounced on and looted it.
The eyewitness said “as I arrived at the scene, I saw youths including some middle aged men were busy tearing off the cantons and shared the spaghetti and the macaronis. Others who stole bags of rice were seen running away to some places in order to share it,".
Speaking further, “when I came to the place, the vehicle had already zoomed off but people were busy sharing the commodity. But my friend told me that they swooped on the truck as soon as it got faulty. I also saw some security agents at the scene but i did not see Policemen until I left the scene.
The eyewitness who was shocked over the unfortunate incident further said that one person was reportedly arrested by the occupants of the vehicle when he returned searching for his motorcycle’s key in the truck.
“This showed the extent of poverty and mindlessness in this country because there were some gentle persons involved in the act. It is very sad and unfortunate,” He added.
Although an official complaint was lodged at Dala police station, but when contacted, the spokesman of the Kano State Police Command, DSP Magaji Musa Majia said he was not aware of the incident.
He pleaded for time to enable him investigate on the matter.
Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo on Wednesday said the empowerment of women and youths was the surest way of rooting out poverty and guaranteeing progress and prosperity of Ghana and Africa.
He said this at the opening of the 2017 European Development Days Conference in Belgium, a leading forum on international cooperation and development.
Akufo-Addo said the so-called "youth bulge" provided immense opportunities for rapid economic development.
According to him, Ghana's economy, like most others in Africa, remained structurally rigid since the colonial era, depending largely on exports of primary commodities.
He said Ghana largely depended on exportation of gold, cocoa, bauxite and timber.
The president added that his government's priority was to build the most business-friendly and people-friendly economy in Africa which would create jobs and prosperity for citizens.
"This will be done through the introduction of measures that will empower the private sector,'' he stressed.
The Nigeria Police Force says it has placed 500 police officers on standby to ensure a hitch-free AFCON 2019 qualifying match between Nigeria and South Africa in Uyo on Saturday.
A statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Force's Akwa Ibom Command, DSP Chukwu Ikechukwu, on Wednesday in Uyo said the officers were ready for action.
Ikechukwu, who spoke on behalf of the state's Commissioner of Police, CP Donald Awunah, said Awunah was determined to guarantee that football-loving Nigerians enjoyed the match under a peaceful atmosphere.
"The CP has directed the deployment of over 500 specially selected officers, knowledgeable in crowd control and policing events, to provide top notch security before, during and after the football match.
"In addition, due to the influx of football fans into the state, adequate crime-reduction strategies have been put in place to check crime and criminalities throughout the state.
"This is in addition to existing anti-crime measures in the state,'' he said.
Ikechukwu said the Commissioner of Police has therefore urged all foiotball fans visiting the state to conduct themselves in a most orderly and hospitable manner.
He said the Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies and other stakeholders in sports administration, was working tirelessly to facilitate adequate security in accordance with international standard.
Ikechukwu, however, warned that the Command would not hesitate to deal decisively with miscreants and sports hooligans who might take undue advantage of the peace and security existing in Akwa Ibom.
Newsmen report that the AFCON 2019 qualifying match is scheduled to hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said that those responsible for the robbery in Iwo, Osun on Tuesday will not escape justice.
Aregbesola stated this in reaction to the dastardly robbery attack on some banks that took place in Iwo on Tuesday, which left four casualties in its wake.
The four people killed were men of the Nigeria Police Force who braved up to stop the activities of the men of the underworld.
The Governor, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, described the incident as unfortunate. The governor said he has been assured that security men are on the trail of those who invaded the banks.
He said government and the security forces will not abandon their responsibilities as the protector of the people just because of some criminal few, saying "This is unfortunate. However, we remain unbowed by the audacity of these criminals."
Rauf Aregbesola
While assuring the general public of their safety and security, Aregbesola noted that it was not for nothing that the state is rated one of the most crime-free in the country, vowing to maintain this record no matter the odds.
He promised that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with all those who committed the heinous act as no criminal violates the peace of the state and walks away freely.
The Governor also commiserated with the Commissioner of Police, Osun State command, for the loss of his gallant officers in the service to fatherland.
He sent messages also to those who were caught wounded in the cross fire while the pandemonium lasted.
The statement read, "On Tuesday, June 6, 2017, some misguided elements violated the peace in Iwo, one of our major cities in the State of Osun, attacking banks located near the Bowen University.
"These armed robbers ended the lives of four promising men of the Nigerian Police Force who attempted to stand up to them. They left sorrow and tears in their trail.
"We commiserate with the Commissioner of Police, the entire Osun Command of the Nigerian Police Force and the families of the fallen heroes, who fought gallantly but sacrificed their lives in the course of performing their duties.
"We equally commiserate with those who were caught and wounded in the cross fires.
"We assure the generality of our people that these criminals will not escape justice. Recent history of our state confirms that no criminal violates our peace and goes away with it.
"We are confident that security men are on the trail of these misguided elements and in due course, will be brought to justice.
"We use this opportunity to assure the people of Osun of their safety. We invested in security of lives and property as part of our overall objectives of maintaining a peaceful state to be a source of attraction for investments.
"This is why our state has been rated many times as one of the states with the lowest cases of crime throughout Nigeria.
"We are determined to do everything to sustain this rating. Our citizens are therefore urged to be vigilant; report any suspicious movement and activities to the law enforcement agencies."
ABUJA – The federal government has formally reacted to the quit notice issued to the Igbo by some northern youth groups asking them to vacate the northern region within three months.
Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau in a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja urged the Igbo and other Nigerians to go about their businesses without fear of molestation.
In the statement signed by his Press Secretary, Ehisienmen Osaigbovo, the minister “lamented the spate of such spurious and unwarranted calls for separation. He therefore called on all well meaning Nigerians to go about their normal activities as Government would bring to bear the full weight of the Law on any individual or group violating the rights of citizens of the Country. He added that citizens were free to go about their normal businesses and would not be harassed or deterred by any group or persons”.
He further advised “the various ethnic groups to desist from flaming the embers of hate, animosity, discord and disharmony and adhere strictly to the teachings of our good values of religions and cultures that encourage good neighbourliness,national unity and Integration, and love for one another.
“He also advised youth to avoid being instrument of violence, animosity and disharmony among our citizens. And that they should rather focus their attention and energies on actions, that would engender national unity, integration and cohesion”.
Some northern groups had on Tuesday issued a quit notice to all Igbo living in the northern region, threatening to evict them and take over their businesses if by October 1 they refused to leave.
The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali, retired has assured stakeholders of adequate scanners at the ports as part of Federal Government's effort to ensure conducive business environment.
Ali gave the assurance on Wednesday in Lagos at a stakeholders' forum organised by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on the implementation of the Executive Orders issued by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
"We realised that fast-tracking the Executive Orders required functional scanners which would subject all containers to examination.
"Inadequate scanners will not facilitate trade but in a couple of months, adequate scanners will be available in various ports in the country," Ali said.
According to him, the service will engage in shift-duties for officers to work 24-hours to achieve the executive order and to also facilitate trade.
Also speaking, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr Pius Imue expressed commitment of the police toward providing adequate security for both cargoes and human beings within and outside the ports.
"Both the Port Police and the Maritime Police Commands in the West and Eastern ports will synergise and ensure maximum security is provided for cargoes.
"All the arms of Police have been informed about the Executive Orders and that is why there is the need for the Police to secure the movements of people and cargoes,'' Imue said.
The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN), reports that the directive on implementation of the Executive Orders was issued on May 18 by the acting president.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of NPA, Ms Hadiza Usman, said that the Nigeria Police Force had been given a clear directive not to allow any unauthorised person to enter the port.
Speaking on the six Executive Orders, Usman said "there shall be no touting, official or unofficial persons at any ports in Nigeria and staff should be properly identified with uniform and official cards.
"Any officer caught soliciting or receiving bribes from port users shall be subjected to immediate removal and disciplinary and criminal proceedings, in line with the extant laws and regulations.
"All agencies presently in Nigerian ports shall within 60 days harmonise their operations into one Single Window Joint Task Force at all times.
"The new single interface station at each port shall capture, track and record information on all goods arriving and departing Nigeria and remit the captured information to the head of Ministry, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as the head of the National Bureau of Statistics on weekly basis.
"Each port in Nigeria shall assign an existing export terminal to be dedicated to the exportation of agricultural produce within 30 days of issuance of this order,'' Usman said.
According to her, the order has directed that the Apapa port resumes 24-hour operations within 30-days of the issuance of the order.
She stated that each stakeholder had commenced implementation of the Executive Orders, and urged them to put the nation's interest above their own to enable the orders work.
Usman said that there was also the need for all government agencies assigned to operate at the ports to harmonise in order to ensure the successful implementation of the Executive Orders.
The sense of loss in Newcastle at the death of Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote has been reflected by over 1,000 Newcastle United fans signing a petition to have his shirt number of 24 retired the BBC reported Wednesday.
Tiote – who was a member of the Ivory Coast squad that ended a 23 year drought winning the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations — died on Monday after ‘suddenly fainting’ during a training session with his second tier Chinese club Beijing Enterprises.
Tiote — who received many glowing tributes with former Newcastle manager Steve McClaren saying when he smiled one knew everything was good with the world — had only joined them in February after a seven year stay with Newcastle.
The petition started on Tuesday by NUFC4Life on change.org quickly attracted over 1,000 signatures.
“In the light of the legends death,” read the petition.
“The shirt number should be retired in honour of his life. A Newcastle legend taken too soon.
“Get your friends and family to sign. Share on social media. Let’s show Tiote how much we loved him.”
Tiote, one of 10 children who didn’t possess a pair of football boots till he was 15, scored just one goal during his time at Newcastle.
However, the spectacular volley from outside the penalty area is an iconic goal according to former Magpies manager Alan Pardew as it sealed a remarkable comeback from 4-0 down to force a 4-4 draw with Arsenal in a Premier League clash in February 2011.
Britain's Andy Murray reached his fourth consecutive French Open semi-final with a four-set win over Kei Nishikori on Wednesday in Paris.
Newsmen report that the world number one came through 2-6 6-1 7-6 (7-0) 6-1 against the Japanese eighth seed at Roland Garros.
The 30-year-old Scot now goes on to face Swiss third seed Stan Wawrinka, who beat Marin Cilic 6-3 6-3 6-1.
It is a repeat of last year's semi-final, which Murray won in four sets before going on to lose in the final match to Novak Djokovic.
"Stan has played fantastic games this tournament so far," said the Scot.
"Last year when we met he was playing very well and I had to play one of my best matches on clay to beat him.
"It's not always been easy for me here but the last few years have been great."
Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal will take on Dominic Thiem in the second semi-final pairing, after the Austrian knocked out defending champion Djokovic.
On his part, Swiss third seed Wawrinka had set up another Paris semi-final with Murray after breezing past seventh seed Cilic in the last eight.
Newsmen report that the three-time Grand Slam champion cruised to a 6-3 6-3 6-1 win against the Croatian in an hour and 40 minutes.
The 32-year-old Wawrinka, who won the Roland Garros title in 2015, has still not dropped a set in Paris this year.
He is the oldest man to make the last four since Jimmy Connors in 1985.
"It was perfect today, I'm very satisfied," Wawrinka said after his 12th win in 14 meetings with Cilic.
Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has dissolved all oil-related committees in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas of the state.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Olusegun Ajiboye, said in a statement in Akure on Wednesday that the dissolution would take immediate effect.
It advised all oil companies in the council areas to take note of the directive and to desist from dealing with members of such committees.
The statement further urged members of the various committees to comply with the directive and refrain from acts that might lead to a breach of the peace in the council areas.
It further called on security agencies to take note of the development.
"Governor Akeredolu remains committed to developing every part of the state and to use all the God-given resources for the progress and development of the state and its people," the statement said.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – Former Vice President and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar has described the ultimatum issued by a Northern youth coalition to the Igbos to quit the region and the counter response by a South-east group “is not only provocative, reckless and thoughtless, but also a grave threat to national security and peaceful coexistence”.
Reacting to the ultimatum and the counter salvos through a statement issued by his Media Office Wednesday in Abuja, the Wazirin Adamawa said he was alarmed by the latest dangerous outbursts, warning that it does not augur well for the North and the country at large.
“For a country facing threats of disunity, such ultimatum and counter rhetoric at this time is most irresponsible and callous, because it is capable of setting off a chain of ugly events nobody could control”, he said.
The APC chieftain warned politicians of all hues to distance themselves from such divisive rhetoric because, according to him, the consequences of such association could ultimately consume them.
According to him, all grievances must be peacefully discussed and resolved through negotiations, and not through threats to fellow citizens.
“Atiku Abubakar calls for restraint on all sides by the Youth groups to pave the way for meaningful dialogue on how to restructure our country for the good of all. Our country is too precious; our problems are too pressing to pander to divisive rhetoric”, the statement added.m
The former Vice President however appealed to the authorities to address the challenges of youth restiveness, as well as social and economic exclusion, which are the drivers of tensions.
He stressed that the country should not be afraid to confront the recurring clamour for restructuring, adding that burying problems under the carpet would not make those problems go away.
“On the contrary, he says, an ostrich attitude towards these challenges could produce future complications beyond our capacity to manage.”
Nigeria's Super Eagles are in high spirit after Wednesday's training session at the Godswill Akpabio's International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital even as they promised to win the AFCON 2019 qualifier against Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Saturday.
Super Eagles
The Eagles defender, Trust Ekong said this in Uyo after the training, while commenting on the status of his colleagues.
He praised the level of cooperation, quality and competition amongst his team mates saying that, "It is going to be a good game as everyone is fit and ready.
According ti him, ''It will be a healthy competition and, everybody is working hard to justify his slot''.
Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, also expressed optimism that, Bafana Banfana must fall for the Eagles on Saturday as he said, they were ready for the game.
'I and my mate, Daniel Akpeyi and Dele Alampasu are ready and we are in top form. We are happy with one another, added Ezenwa.
Midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo was confident, they would win squarely noting that, Coach Gernot Rohr has a good record already.
In his assessment a sports analyst, Colins Udoh, said that he was impressed with the Super Eagles' training session, describing the tempo as high.
Footbal Analyst and Sports Editor of Kwese Magazine, Colins Udoh said, he was impressed by the performance of the Eagles during the training saying that, the blend of young and experienced players in the team would surely give the Super Eagles much vigour.
"I enjoy the enthusiasm, they are very sharp. It means that we can be quick and slow if we so choose. We have players, who can match the opponents side by side. We will have a great match.” Said, Udoh.
However, sports fans in Uyo have expressed fears over lack of information on sales of tickets for the match on Saturday, as some of them who spoke on live sports programmes in the local radio stations in Uyo regretted the delay could result in tickets hike by vendors.
NFF, according to sources would make public plans for sale of tickets on Thursday at a press conference.
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
Mr Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, has said that if nothing is done now Nigeria will collapsed.PETER OBI: I have no ambition to go to senate
Obi speaking at the Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo (FUNAI) grand-finale and presentation of awards to winners of a creative writing competition said "If we don't do anything now the country will collapse. Nigeria is living on a borrowed money. So, you see things are difficult in Nigeria and we need to change our society so that things will get better,".
He went further to say that "People are hungry and we should join hands together to question our leaders to tell us what is happening in this country and making sure that the right thing are done".
"Our leaders are doing things wrong, we should not follow them to celebrate what is wrong. What we have in Nigeria is that we are celebrating what is wrong. And I am of the opinion that we should stop celebrating what is wrong and start doing things right so that this country can grow.
Obi also lamented that the Federal government should cut the cost of governance saying that: ‘Our leaders should cut the cost of governance and show more concern to how to improve the standard of living of all Nigerians.
"All of us, from 1960 when we gained independence, if we had done the right thing from then, it is not the question of PDP or APC. We have lived wrongly, we have done the wrong things and that is why the country is not growing.
"If we don't do anything now the country will collapse. Nigeria is living on a borrowed money. So, you see things are difficult in Nigeria and we need to change our society so that things will get better," he added.
The president of the association, Creative Writers Association of Nigeria, which organised the event tagged "Hope for Africa: The Birth of A New Age. Uche Agbo,said the programme was organized to refocus African youth on how to be creative and shun social vices
Matthew Eduoga, who represented the Vice Chancellor of the university, Chinedum Nwajiuba, said that the programme was organised to educate Nigerian youths on the need to be creative, stressing that the problem of Nigeria was that the leaders do not encourage creativity. "If you are not creative, you are not going anywhere. The problem of Nigeria today is that we are not creative. We depend so much on imported things," he said.
The Director-General, Budget Office, Mr Ben Akabueze, says he is optimistic that the 2017 budget will soon be signed.
He said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a roundtable organised by Time Economics on issues concerning the Nigerian economy.
Akabueze said that to address issues of delayed budget passing and implementation, the Federal Government had plans to ensure that from 2018, the nation returns to a predictable financial year.
He said that the government had presented a draft for an Organic Budget Law to the National Assembly, which when passed, would ensure punctual drafting and approval of subsequently proposed budgets within a stipulated time.
On capital expenditure, he said that up till 2015, in spite of oil price boom, the Federal Government spent under 10 per cent of its budget on infrastructure.
He said that in 2016, government put in place a policy which prescribed that a minimum of 30 per cent of its annual budget be spent on capital expenditure.
"Unfortunately we have not quite been able to get there but the good thing now is that we have a policy and there is a concerted effort to move in that direction.
"For the 2016 budget, there is aggregate spending on capital of N1.1 trillion, for that same period we have planned to spend N1.8 trillion on capital expenditure but spent what we did because revenues were short.''
He, however, said that because debt service and personnel cost which also costs much had to be paid, capital spending tends to take the brunt when there was revenue shortfall.
Akabueze said that personnel cost was also important because when people retire, they have to be replaced, especially in classified sectors like healthcare and education, but had to be done through due process.
"Recently, the president constituted a committee which I am a member of, to review all recruitments made in the last two years.
"I am sure that there would be consequences for people who may have recruited without following due process.
"That process includes getting a sign off from the budget office that there is adequate budgetary provision to be able to pay the people that you are recruiting,'' he said.
Mr Uche Orji, the Managing Director, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Agency (NSIA), said that in spite of the recession, the Federal Government ensured that it saved money through the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).
"The government even in recession sees a need to accumulate capital in the SWF, and I think that is something commendable and if that pattern subsists, there is reason to be very optimistic.''
He said that the agency made investments for the nation in 17 different currencies, with both short and long instruments and that most of the investments were made in private equity.
Orji said that 93 per cent of investments in 2016 were made outside the country in buying healthcare royalties, companies making investments in patents which were sold to drug companies which buy the royalty strips.
He also said that investments were made in the public market too, adding that 2016 was a good investment year for the market.
"We will see a shift this year to internal investments in infrastructure and assets management in areas that may not necessarily show returns immediately, the NSIA has never lost money and that is not going to change.''
Orji said that the agency was now focusing on internal investments by supporting private equity companies in the country to get to the point of capital accumulation.
On synergy with pension funds, he said that to create infrastructure and ensure that things were done in a sustainable manner, the bond market had to be created.
He said that an infrastructure bond market was essential, but does not necessarily have to be created by the government only, but could be supported by the private sector through infrastructure bonds.
Also speaking, Mr Funso Doherty, the Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), said that it was very important to understand that PenCom's most important responsibility was social and not financial returns, so people could have their pensions when due.
Represented by Dr Aminu Farouk, he said that it was also essential for PenCom to go beyond collecting monthly contributions, but also invest people's money to give it value.
He said that by the end of the first quarter of 2017, about 73 per cent of pension assets had been invested in government securities.
According to him, government presently does not have enough to fund infrastructure, so private entities have to help the government fund it.
He also said that there was the need for coordination of all government activities and consistency in its policies.
"Coordination and consistency are very important because it is when you are consistent with your policies that people from outside can predict what will happen in the near and far future and then they will come.
"I feel that unless we are able to entrench this in our society, we cannot achieve anything.''
Dr Ogho Okiti, the Chief Executive Officer, Time Economics, said that for government to achieve economic growth and stability there was the need for it to achieve increase in revenue.
I'm 23 and have had a boyfriend for nine months. But he refuses for us to have sex. I don't know if it is me that's the problem or if he has someone else.
His ex rings him all of the time, but he never tells me what they talk about. He refuses to let me touch him sexually, although its OK for him to touch me.
What do you think is going on?
Blessing, by e-mail.
Dear Blessing
Unless he's impotent or has a horrible disease, if a man refuses to have sex with his new girlfriend, it's because he's afraid of risking commitment to her.
This in no way reflects how desirable you are to him. He might like you as a girlfriend but it looks as if he's afraid of repeating past hurt and hurting you.
He's still emotionally entangled with his last girlfriend and this prevents him from allowing him to love you.
But what is this unfinished business with his ex that he keeps private?
Does she want him back, or is he running after her? Do they still have sex?
Love-making is enriching only when openness and trust are in place.
You seem to have established none of these. You need to press your reluctant, no-sex-please boyfriend for answers. Nine months without love-making is unromantic at the very least!
I'm an undergraduate in the university and still lives with my parents, which has been great up till now, as I don't fancy living on campus. They also encourage male friends to visit me.
Some weeks ago, I came back from school and peeped in to say hello only to find them on the couch having hot sex! They didn't even notice I saw them and I was really embarrassed. I mean, shouldn't things like that be confined to the privacy of the bedroom among older people? How can I get our parents-daughter relationship back?
Thelma by e-mail.
Dear Thelma,
The short answer to your question is, you can't. Gone are the days when you were a little girl and your parents were the grown-ups. They've known for a while that now you're an undergraduate, you must be having sex. So, what's your problem with your parents having sex?
You should be happy for your parents that they are still so much in love to make love on the couch whilst you were away. They treat you as an adult, so give them the freedom to be sexual – just like you.
Dear Bunmi, I've just split up with my boyfriend of two years and this got me really upset, especially since all of my friends are paired up. So, I need some tips on how to find a man fast. I don't want to be the only one out of my group of friends that looks like a loser!
Moirat, by e-mail.
Dear Moirat, You won't be the only person in the world who finds herself without a partner, albeit temporarily. And guess what? Some of them are not panicking and thinking it's the end of the world. Some are using the opportunity to become independent, to enjoy being in charge of their lives, and going out to meet more interesting friends. So, instead of giving you tips on getting a man, let me encourage you to enjoy life. The happier you can be with yourself, the happier you'll be when you're finally in a relationship.
Doyle, who was on a farewell visit to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja said since his arrival in February 2015, the Nigerian military, has been of immense help in making his stay a successful one.Cross Sections of Military Personels as President Muhammadu Buhari , Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Defence, Brig General Mansur Dan Ali, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and other Service Chiefs in one minute silent during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.
He particularly was full of praise for the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin who he said his leadership and directives to his personnel provided invaluable support in carrying out his assignment in Nigeria.
A statement signed by Major General John Enenche, Director Defence Information, quoted the Attache saying, "I arrived here in February, 2015 prior to the elections. The relationship between our countries was on the upward swing but got better when you assumed leadership of the military.
"I will like to thank you for your support to me. This is my second posting to Nigeria; I hope it is not the last as I wish to return again. It has been a pleasure and I appreciate the leadership you gave your staff in supporting me."
"You usually get personally involved in making sure such training trips are successful. In the area of platforms, you made sure we received much cooperation.
"I thank you for all you have done for the Armed Forces of Nigeria," the CDS said, General Olonisakin wished Colonel Doyle the best in the in his future endeavors as he returns to the United States.
DearBunmi, When my husband lost his job a few years ago, we were afraid it would affect the education of our eldest child, who was at the university. But she told us not to worry – that we should give her what we could afford and she would resort to some petty trading, among the undergraduates, to make ends meet. We were so proud of her resourcefulness – she's worked hard to even have good grades. But last month, I ran into a friend of hers who confessed a few of them had sought the services of some Aristos a.k.a. Sugar-daddies, to make ends meet. I was shocked to say the least. When I asked my daughter on her next visit to the house, she told me she'd fallen out with this friend and that was why she let the cat out of the bag. She didn't deny what was alleged, however, but begged me not to tell her dad. I know if I did, the information would break his heart. So, how do I keep this awful secret?
Mutiat, by e-mail.
Dear Mutiat, That your daughter admitted the truth of her indiscretion could be a cry for help – she probably wants you to find her a way out of the situation. This should remain a secret between two adults, but you need to help her work out a better way to make ends meet. If your husband now has a job, this might help. If not, you might need to give her a helping hand by obtaining a soft loan that could help her out ofthis nightmarish situation she's found herself. Whatever you do, don't judge her. What's done is best left in the past.
DearBunmi, I am 18 and attend private tuition towards my school leaving examinations. My teacher is almost 40, and apart from me, two other students attend classes in his house thrice a week. He lives with his wife and three children. We talk after class after the two others have left and he assures me of his love. He says he no longer loves his wife. I don't blame him because she looks a bit frumpy. It breaks my heart that I can't be with him as often as I like. I love him so much and I know he loves me because he waited six months before we had sex. He wanted to be sure that I really loved him and to show that he wasn't with me just for sex. We've begun to argue a lot because we both want what we can't have. He says he can't leave his wife yet because his kids are so young and it wouldn't be fair. I don't know what to do any more.
Zainab, by e-mail.
Dear Zainab, Never threaten the happiness of a family by having sex with an unfaithful husband. This heartless man has very cynically used you. He's carefully lit a fire of love and passion within a young woman, which he hopes she will find very hard to put out. He hasn't the slightest intention of leaving his wife and children for you – a young impressionable teenager. He has schemed to make you available for sex on demand and then repeatedly use you. This predator knew full well the torment you would suffer as his secret sexual toy and is happy for your pain and confusion to continue as long as he can get into your pants. If that hurts, then protect your pride and your reputation by telling this unpleasant man that enough is enough and that he's to leave you alone. Better still, change your lesson teacher. Although he will no longer be able to have his cake and eat it, be rest assured he'll shed no tears after you've left.
The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja said it would build a one billion dollar ICT company to boost indigenous technology.
The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo made this known in his opening address at the 2017 Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition.
The theme of the event is "the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Getting Africa Ready".
According to him, such feat will make Nigeria no longer a dumping ground for ICT products and services.
" The Nigerian government is committed to encourage the growth of indigenous ICT companies to world standards by proving policies that will help them thrive.
"With the mantra of change, the Nigerian political milieu will be recalibrated for the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
"So that both the executive and legislative will be more responsive and responsible in addressing the major global challenges staring us in the face," he said.
The acting president, who was represented the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu said that the event was to seek ways of leapfrogging development.
The Minister of Communication, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Sunday Echono, said the government was preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution predicted to happen globally in the very near future.
According to him, the Federal Government has conceived a National ICT Park and Exhibition Centre in the Federal Capital Territory.
"The establishment of the centre will encourage investment in ICT sector and complement the proposed University of ICT which will also produce required skilled manpower for Africa to partake in inevitable Fourth Industrial Revolution.''
In his welcome address, Dar Evan Woherem, Chairman Digital Africa Global Consult Ltd. said the gathering was to move Africa from its current technological position forward.
"It will move it to a point of singular where it will adopt technology to drive for its growth and development.
"In the First Industrial Revolution, we shifted from reliance on animals, human effort and biomass as primary sources of energy to the use of fossil fuels and the mechanical power that this enabled.
"In the Second Industrial Revolution, we had major breakthroughs in the form of electricity distribution, both wireless and wired communication, and new forms of power generation.
"The Third Industrial Revolution began with the development of digital and communication systems, bringing about advances in computing power, which has enhanced new ways of generating, processing and sharing information," he said.
France forward Olivier Giroud said on Tuesday he will not accept a bit-part role with Arsenal next season.
Giroud
The 30-year-old was often a substitute over the last campaign as Gunners manager Arsene Wenger preferred to line up Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott in attack.
Giroud, who also had an injury-disrupted campaign, made only 11 league starts and, with 18 appearances from the bench, was the Arsenal player most used as a substitute last season.
But while he said he’s happy at Arsenal, the former Montpellier striker says he wants to play more.
“I still have two or even three years left on my Arsenal contract, for the moment my future is at Arsenal,” he said.
“I feel good here, I want to win the Premier League with Arsenal.
“But I don’t know what the future holds.”
On Sunday, Giroud had told French television station TF1 that he would be interested in a move back to France, in particular Marseille, although he said he still wanted to win things in England.
“Obviously, I’m not going to be happy with another year of playing so little,” he added.
“I’m going to have to think about it with those close to me and my advisors.”
While he was often on the bench at Arsenal, Giroud has been first choice for France since Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema was omitted due to his implication in the Mathieu Valbuena sex-tape scandal.
Giroud hit a hat-trick in Friday’s 5-0 win over Paraguay in Rennes, taking his tally to 26 goals in 62 France appearances.
He is set to feature for France in their crunch World Cup qualifier in Sweden on Friday.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to deposit N12.5 million imposed on it for infringing on the fundamental human rights of Sen. Abdulaziz Nyako.
Justice Gabriel Kolawale who made the order on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the fine should be deposited with the Chief Registrar of the court.
Newsmen report that the N12.5 million was imposed on the anti-graft agency as a fine for arresting and detaining the senator for three days.
It was also imposed on the agency for freezing all of Nyako's bank accounts for over two years without a court order, or charging him to court.
The fine was part of the judgment delivered by the court on June 22, 2016 in favour of Nyako, who is a serving senator and son of former Adamawa governor, retired Rear Admiral Murtala Nyako.
Delivering ruling on an application by EFCC for stay of execution of the judgment, Justice Kolawale struck out the application saying that it was lacking in merit.
The judge said that no cogent reason was placed before the court to enable it use its discretion in favour of the anti-graft agency and stay the judgment.
He disagreed with the argument of the EFCC that it would not be able to function if it paid the fine, adding that the argument was based on sentiments and not on law.
The judge agreed with Nyako that the motion of appeal said to have been filed by the EFCC was a ploy to deny him the fruit of his success in his court case against the agency.
"More than a year after the judgment was entered against EFCC, the compilation of records by the agency for transmission to the Court of Appeal has not been done and the period allowed by law has expired."
Kolawale also agreed with the senator that his arrest and the freezing of his accounts for over two years was an abuse of his fundamental rights as a serving senator and a responsible citizen of the country.
He added that the claim by the EFCC that the fine would hamper its performance was not tenable, because EFCC was adequately funded by the Federal Government.
He ordered that the EFCC, should within 30 days, issue a bank draft in the sum of N12.5 million in the name of the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court.
"The registrar shall open an interest yielding account in a reputable bank of his choice with the draft," Kolawale said.
In the alternative, the court ordered the anti-graft agency to provide a bank guarantee of N12.5 million.
He said that in the event that the EFCC failed to deposit the bank draft within 30 days, the respondents shall have the right to apply for garnishee order nisi.
A garnishee order nisi is to allow Nyako withdraw directly from EFCC's account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The EFCC had in an application praying for stay of execution of the judgment, complained that it would not be able to undertake its statutory functions if the N12.5 million fine was paid to the senator.
The anti-graft agency also informed the court that it had filed a notice of appeal in respect to the judgment of the Federal High Court.
The agency said it would be in the interest of justice to delay the payment, pending the decision of the Court of Appeal on the issue.
Earlier, the judge had berated the EFCC for claiming that the court issued a judicial fiat in respect to the judgment.
The judge said that the EFCC as an organisation established by law, should learn to conduct its statutory functions within the ambits of the law.
He decried the situation where security agencies rushed to magistrate courts to obtain detention warrants in matters where magistrate courts had no jurisdiction.
The judge said that such habits amounted to "nothing but corruption" on its own.
"In this extant case, EFCC cannot be said to be a diligent party having just filed a notice of appeal in a judgment delivered almost a year ago.
"The EFCC should wake up and realise that the law that established it is not a cosmetic law but designed to protect the Nigerian citizens from acts of recklessness in the name of performing statutory functions.
"It is a political slogan that a security agency cannot be subjected to court orders when it goes out of its way to infringe on the fundamental rights of the citizens.
"The act of arresting and detaining before investigation is unconstitutional and bizarre and must not be condoned by any law court.
"Remanding suspects through magistrate court orders in matters where magistrate courts have no jurisdiction is not only tragic but unfortunate.
"This trend must be stopped, the security agencies must realise that Nigeria is now being governed through a democratic process," the judge said.
The Federal High Court had in 2016, ordered the EFCC to pay as damage the sum of N12.5 million to Nyako.
The court also ordered that the EFCC should tender a public apology to Nyako for freezing his bank accounts and unlawfully detaining him for days without obtaining a court order.
Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has reiterated his administration's commitment to restoring the state's lost glory in sports by re-launching towards regaining its famous position of home of champions.
Ahmed made the promise on Tuesday in Ilorin while receiving the team which finished as first runners-up in the Channels International Kids Cup Competition, Burahanudeen LGEA School of Ojagbooro in Ilorin.
The governor who also received the management of the senior national baseball and softball champion teams expressed his worry about the state's situation in sports presently.
"I can recall that the state used to be the home of champions years back, but I wonder what happened along the line,'' he said.
Ahmed then promised that his government would prioritise sports development by encouraging recognised talents and also work towards discovering hidden ones.
"Professionalism in sports has gone beyond just winning medals, but creating wealth for the youths.
"The state is more than ever before committed to investing heavily on sports development with a view to creating platform for our youths to develop themselves,'' he said.
Ahmed urged the victorious students not to relent in their efforts in sports and advised them to strive hard by combining their educational pursuit with sports.
Mrs Olaide Olanrewaju and Joseph Oluwanisola, leaders of the football and baseball/softball teams respectively, expressed gratitude to the governor for his support for sports development in the state.
They said their successes were the result of the support they enjoyed from the state's present administration, and called for continuous support and encouragement to further boost their morale.
Manchester United have overtaken Real Madrid as the world’s most valuable football team, US magazine Forbes announced on Tuesday in its annual global list ranking the sport’s wealthiest clubs.
Manchester United’s players celebrate with the trophy after the UEFA Europa League final football match Ajax Amsterdam v Manchester United on May 24, 2017 at the Friends Arena in Solna outside Stockholm. / AFP PHOTO
United’s enduring brand appeal and aggressive sponsorship strategies had helped the Premier League side reclaim top spot for the first time in five years, with a worth estimated at $3.69 billion (3.27 billion euros), Forbes said in its survey.
Although Real Madrid have enjoyed unparallelled success in the Champions League — clinching unprecedented back-to-back titles on Saturday for a record 12th crown — United have roared past the Spanish giants in the commercial stakes.
According to Forbes, United generated revenues of $765 million during the 2015-2016 season, $77 million more than both Barcelona and Real Madrid.
“Manchester United’s return to the top spot is a testament to their powerful brand and marketing acumen,” Forbes Media assistant managing editor Mike Ozanian said in a statement.
The Forbes survey found United to be the most profitable team in the world with an operating income of $288 million, $107 million more than Real.
Barcelona were placed at number two on the 2017 rankings, with a value of $3.64 billion while Real — first place for the past four years — had slipped to third with a value of $3.58 billion.
The top five was completed by Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich ($2.71 billion) and English Premier League side Manchester City ($2.08 billion).
United’s ascent to top spot comes despite a relatively fallow period in the club’s on-field fortunes.
The Red Devils have not won the domestic title since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and could only muster a sixth place finish in the Premier League under new manager Jose Mourinho. The club did claim victory in the Europa League however, a win which guaranteed their entry to next season’s money-spinning Champions League.
Off the field though United’s fortunes have soared, fuelled by the Premier League’s multi-billion-dollar television deal which makes the English league by far the wealthiest in the world.
United’s coffers have also swollen due to an array of global commercial tie-ups and a kit deal with Adidas worth a reported $90 million a year.
The financial might of English football is reflected in the fact that six of the top 10 most valuable clubs hail from the Premier League.
Arsenal were ranked sixth in the list with a value of $1.93 billion, just ahead of Chelsea ($1.85 billion) and Liverpool ($1.26 billion).
Italian giants Juventus — beaten by Real Madrid in last weekend’s Champions League final — came in ninth with $1.26 billion.
Tottenham rounded out the top 10 with a value of $1.06 billion.
French side Paris Saint-Germain were 11th on the list with a value estimated at $841 million.
Arsene Wenger’s first activity in the transfer market since signing a new contract last week was securing the services of Bosnian international defender Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer.
Kolasinac
Kolasinac — who turns 24 later this month — joins the FA Cup winners from Bundesliga side Schalke 04 and will compete with Nacho Monreal for the first choice berth.
“Sead Kolasinac will join us this summer on a long-term contract,” read a short statement on the club website Tuesday.
“Subject to the completion of all regulatory processes, the defender will start pre-season training in July.”
Kolasinac, born in Germany but to Bosnian parents, made 94 Bundesliga appearances for Schalke and played over 20 Europa League and Champions League matches for the ‘Royal Blues’.
He played for Bosnia in the 2014 World Cup finals making unwanted history in scoring the fastest own goal in the tournament’s history — the third minute of the group match with Argentina.
Arsenal supporters, some of whom have turned against Wenger and wanted him to leave, will be watching the Frenchman’s transfer activity carefully after the Gunners won just the FA Cup during a largely unsuccessful season.
Arsenal have been linked with a big-money move for Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe, while Henry Onyekuru — a forward currently at Belgian outfit KAS Eupen — has also been touted as a target.
The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has assured investors that Nigeria is one of the most profitable places in the ECOWAS sub-region for business and investment.
Osinbajo said this while meeting the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Mrs Retno Marsudi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting took place on Monday evening, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the acting president, Mr Laolu Akande, on Tuesday.
According to Osinbajo, with its large population and size, "Nigeria has a prerequisite market for profitable returns on any investment and business."
Citing the success of Indomie noodles, one of the products by an Indonesian company in the Nigerian market, Osinbajo said "there is much room to increase the volume of trade between both countries".
"Nigeria is one of profitable places for business and investments because there is always market for them and government is creating a good and friendly environment for investment to thrive," he stated.
He urged Indonesia should take advantage of the on-going economic diversification process, especially in the agriculture sector, adding that Nigeria could be exporting agro-allied products to Indonesia.
"About 10 days ago we signed Executive Orders for Ease of Doing Business; we have a 48-hour visa regime and all that; there is a friendly business environment," the acting president assured.
Earlier, the Foreign Minister of Indonesia said she came to the country with 200 business people and had visited Lagos as her country was ready to begin business relationship with Nigeria.
Mrs Marsudi also solicited the establishment of Palm Oil Producing Council between Nigeria and Indonesia.
She stressed that countries producing palm oil should work together to benefit maximally from the market
Kano – A Kano Magistrates' Court on Monday remanded a 40-year-old civil servant, Abdullahi Abdulhamid, for allegedly sexually assaulting a three-year-old boy.
Abdulhamid, who lives at Dorayi Karama Quarters, Kano, is facing a one-count charge of act of gross indecency.
The prosecutor, ASP Rufa'i Inusa, told the court that one Ali Kabo of the same address reported the matter at Dorayi Babba Police Station, Kano, on May 18.
Inusa said that on May 17 at about 11 a.m., the accused lured the complainant's three-year-old son into his house where he sexually assaulted the child.
"The accused assaulted the boy indecently by rubbing his manhood," he said.
Inusa said that the victim was later rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, for treatment.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 285 of the penal code.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Muhammad Jibril ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the matter till June 26, for mention.
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and governorship aspirant in Ekiti state Hon. (Engr.) Bamidele Faparusi, has berated Governor Ayodele Fayose over the lingering fuel crisis in the State.
Faparusi & Fayose
Faparusi while reacting to the suspension of the three weeks old strike declared by oil dealers in the state in a statement sent to Vanguard said, the decision by the governor to take the case to Osun State for resolution is "shameful and belittling."
This is as he said the action has "eroded the pride of Ekiti as a federating state in Nigeria."
The one time house of representative member emphasised that the governor's singular action has vividly confirmed the fact that he is "grossly incompetent and intellectually hollow to lead highly sophisticated people of the State."
Recall that, Oil dealers, under the auspices of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), had three weeks ago declared industrial action to repel government's policy to demolish petrol stations erected within residential areas.
Sequel to the lingering nature of the bedlam, the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had on Sunday summoned a meeting between Fayose and oil dealers in a faraway Osogbo, where the imbroglio was resolved amicably with each party soft-pedalling on their earlier hard postures.
Reacting to the scenario, Faparusi, added that taking the issue out of the shores of Ekiti for resolution had brought a question mark on Fayose's competence to govern Ekiti.
He said that it was also unfathomable and morally reprehensible for the governor to be declaring support for black marketers and operators of illicit businesses, describing this as a criminal offence.
The APC chieftain said the state had witnessed more complicated situations under the preceding governments of Dr Kayode Fayemi, Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni and such problems were treated as a family affair deploying internal mechanisms for resolution rather than exploring the services of external mediators. "When former Governor Fayemi had issue with Ekiti teachers over TDNA in 2013, he didn't run to Lagos or Ibadan for resolution. He listened to timely interventions from stakeholders and the issue was settled.
"But Governor Fayose didn't allow the interventions of our traditional rulers, Council of Ekiti Elders and other stakeholders to yield fruits before rushing to Osun State for succor. This conveyed a message of disrespect to our statesmen who took time to ensure that the crisis abates.
"Governor Fayose had earlier expressed recalcitrant posture to the resolution of this crisis by saying that he won't dialogue with oil dealers. This is the same man who condemned President Muhammadu Buhari for not engaging the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu and the Niger Delta Militants in dialogues. These groups had been pushing for secession at different times and flouting the constitution.
"What had prevented a governor who condemned a President for not dialoguing with rebels from engaging oil dealers, who posed no threat to Ekiti and who were merely doing their legitimate businesses in round table talks? All these were clear indications that Governor Fayose is hypocritical," he said.
He blasted the governor for maintaining hard stand and allowed the issue to drag on unnecessarily, thereby inflicting pains on innocent Ekiti indigenes.
He said: "It’s a shame that Fayose could not resolve what supposed to be Ekiti affair within his own jurisdiction timely and conscientiously. It is a complete failure of leadership; it’s like a father taking his family to meet another father to make peace in his family.
"Must Fayose wait till this disgraceful stage before swallowing his ego and succumb to good reasoning and common sense?" he asked.
He saluted the oil dealers for their steadfastness in their struggle to protect their investments and jobs of hundreds of Ekiti residents, which Fayose's administration was lukewarm to protect.
By Emma Amaize ASABA – FORMER National Chairman of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON and paramount ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom, Delta State, His Majesty Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu, Tuesday, said South-South geo-political zone was not part of the defunct Biafra.
•His Majesty, Charles Ayemi-Botu, aka Lion of the Niger.
Ayemi-Botu, aka Lion of Niger, who was reacting to a statement by a Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Solomon Chukwu, that South-South region was part of Biafra territory, told Vanguard that the claim was unfounded.
His words: "Ordinarily, one would not have reacted to Solomon Chukwu’s incredible statement that the South- South geopolitical Zone is part of defunct Biafra that ceased to exist after the 30 months, July 6, 1967 Nigeria – Biafra civil war that ended on January 12. 1970."
" It is pertinent to ask how old was Solomon when the war broke out and how did he come to the conclusion that he knew the history of the Biafran ( Igbo )struggle for self -determination much more than those who actively took part and were in the theatre of war.
"Perhaps, Solomon Chukwu did not know before the 1967 civil war, there were only four Regions in Nigeria, Northern, Eastern, Western and Midwest. The four regions have their headquarters in Kaduna, Enugu, Ibadan and Benin in the same order and four military governors.
"And when Lt-Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu proclaimed the then Eastern region as the Republic of Biafra with Enugu as the capital, all the rest ethnic nationalities, including those in Cross River, Rivers/Bayelsa and the present five Igbo states were in Biafran enclave and were consequently liberated, thus leading to the end of succession in 1970," he asserted.
The monarch added: "From the foregoing analysis, there is no justification whatsoever for Solomon Chukwu to give wrong assertion or imposing or annexing south- south to south-east, my candid and fatherly advice is for us to embrace dialogue and allow peace to reign, there is no sustainable part to peace through war – war but through jaw – jaw."
He asserted: "The amalgamation of the north and south by Sir Lord Frederick Lugard in 1914 expired in 2014 and all true patriots of Nigeria are now calling for restructuring and true fiscal federalism in order to foster peace, harmony, equity, competitiveness and development. It is then and only then we can achieve our rightful place or position as the giant of Africa and the most populous black nation in the world."
"Nigeria is abundantly blessed with human and natural resources, but nepotism, avarice, corruption, ethno-religious sentiments and winner take all syndrome are endemic cankerworms in the body polity of our beloved country, Nigeria. Together, we all should imbibe equity, justice, fairness, transparency, love and upper most, the fear of God in our dealings with humanity," he said.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to within 30 days, pay N12.5million fine for infringing on the fundamental rights of Senator Abdulaziz Nyako.Admiral Murtala Nyako
Abdulaziz is the first son of a former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako.
The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, held that the EFCC must pay the fine which was awarded against it in a judgment that was delivered since June 22, 2016.
The anti-graft was in the said judgment, found to have illegal detained Abdulaziz who is currently representing Adamawa Central in the Senate, beyond the constitutionally specified period.
Aside faulting the agency for arbitrarily keeping the applicant in detention for three days, Justice Kolawole equally noted that EFCC froze the applicant’s bank accounts for over two years without a court order.
Consequently, it awarded N12.5million fine in favour of the applicant who had initiated a fundamental right enforcement proceeding against the anti-graft agency.
Meanwhile, the EFCC had re-approached the court via a motion dated July 4, 2016, asking it to stay execution of the judgment on the premise that it has lodged an appeal against it.
While dismissing the application yesterday, Justice Kolawole stressed that almost a year after the said judgment was delivered, EFCC failed to adduce any evidence to show that it has indeed entered an appeal to challenge the fine that was imposed against it.
Justice Kolawale held that there was no circumstantial situation to warrant the stay of the judgment since no cogent reason was placed before the court to enable it to exercise its discretion in favour of the agency.
The Judge held that the EFCC should within 30 days issue a bank draft in the sum of N12.5million in the name of the Chief Registrar of the high court.
It ordered that the registrar should open an interest yielding account in a reputable bank of his choice with the draft.
According to the Judge, in the event that the anti-graft agency fails to deposit the bank draft within 30 days, he gave Senator Nyako the nod to apply for garnishee order nisi.
EFCC had in its motion on notice prayed the court to halt the execution of the judgment, saying it will not be able to undertake its statutory functions should it pay the N12.5 million fine to Nyako.
It urged the court to okay the stay of execution request pending the outcome of its appeal.
While dismissing the motion, the court stressed that EFCC did not place any material it could rely upon to exercise discretion in its favour.
The court held that though it has powers to grant stay in the execution of judgements involving money, it said that such discretionary powers must be seen to be judicially and judiciously exercised as required by law.
The court maintained that EFCC, being an organisation established by law, ought to conduct its statutory functions within the ambits of the law
Justice Kolawole said it was unconstitutional for security agencies to arrest and detain suspects before fishing around for evidence against them.
The court equally frowned at what it described as illegal trend of security agencies rushing to Magistrate Court to secure detention warrants in matters beyond the jurisdiction of such Magistrate Courts.
Justice Kolawole maintained that such action by security agencies amounts to corruption.
He said: “In this instant case, EFCC cannot be said to be a diligent party having just filed notice of appeal in a judgment delivered over a year ago and did not raise any grounds of special circumstances for granting of stay of the execution.
“The EFCC should wake up and realise that the law that established it is not a cosmetic law but one that is designed to protect Nigerian citizens from acts of recklessness in the name of performing statutory functions.
“Let me say here that it is a political slogan that security agencies cannot be subjected to court order when it goes out of its way to infringe on the fundamental rights of the citizens.
“The act of arresting and detaining before investigation is bizarre and must not be condoned by any law court.
“Dumping Suspects on remand through magistrate court orders in matters where magistrate courts have no jurisdiction is not only tragic but unfortunate and this trend must be stopped, the security agencies must realise that Nigeria is now being governed through democratic procedure”, the Judge held.
The U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. W. Stuart Symington, has, while advising the country, said that the nation needs people who think as Nigerians and leaders who think and act as Nigerians.
He advised Nigerians to identify and find ways of addressing various challenges facing the country.
Symington spoke in Sokoto on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy call on Gov. Aminu Tambuwal.
"Nigeria is a nation that needs people who think as Nigerians and leaders who think and act as Nigerian leaders.
U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. W. Stuart Symington
" I appreciate the existing partnerships between the U.S and Nigerian Governments, as well as the various state governments.
"I acknowledge the leadership roles you and your colleagues are playing for keeping people alive.
" I also acknowledge your successes in dealing with various challenges and strengthening education and access to health for women and children," the envoy said.
He highlighted the roles of Nigerian press in ensuring peace and unity, saying," the press is like a continuing education.
" The press connects people to the leaders and vice-versa; they are very critical in nation building," Symington said.
In his remarks, Tambuwal commended the U.S Government and its people for holding Nigeria and Nigerians in high esteem.
"Nigeria and the U.S have been relating very closely on many issues and promoting world peace.
"U.S always wants to see Nigeria with the people living in harmony and with food on the table.
"I am also lauding the various interventions of the U.S Government in education, health, agriculture and empowerment, among others," he said.
Tambuwal reiterated the resolve of the three tiers of government to continue to be accountable and transparent in conducting the affairs of the state.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to continue to remain one and united country, noting," the recent agitations are part of the evolution of Nigeria.
"Nigeria will be better, if we remain as one people, with a common destiny.
"President Muhammadu Buhari and all of us are not oblivious of the concerns of Nigerians," Tambuwal said.
