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
How do you cheer up a man who is down in the dumps? Every woman feels better for being complimented on her appearance, but what is the equivalent of: "You look beautiful" for a man? The quickest way to compliment anyone is to refer to their sex appeal. A man is turned on by what he sees; a woman turned on by what she hears.
Hence, to charm a woman, a man needs only to tell her that she is beautiful but to compliment a man, you need only to let him know that what he says is riveting. As every seductress knows, you start by making a man feel witty and clever. That is not always a plausible response, but there is another route.
Men are notoriously bad at expressing their feelings, yet, deep down, they are troubled by them. They want to be understood without having to go through the agony of self-revelation. So, as he sits there, numb and depressed, neither witty nor clever, let him believe you understand how he feels. (Of course, it helps if you don't need to.) Vague expressions of acknowledgement such as "I admire how you're dealing with this" or "I know it is difficult" will go a long way.
ONE of the biggest mistakes you can make is to put your friend up in your flat on a temporary basis, especially when your place is a bit crammed." Bilikis was desperate for a place to stay and Ann, her childhood friend put her up. But now Ann's 'guest' had been with her for nine months-instead of the three months she said she would spend.
love
Her boyfriend of a couple of years had not only found someone else-he was getting married and Bilikis had to go. She was very weepy and desperate to find a place, that Ann grudgingly agreed to put her up long enough for her to find a decent place of her own.
"I never guessed hunting for a flat could be such a nightmare," confessed Bilikis. "Every prospective place the agent showed me was either too expensive or too pokey. It was really depressing-where could I get the money to pay for two years' rent plus the agent's charges on my salary?" After four months however, Ann's patience was wearing thin. Whenever
friends visited, Bilikis was in the living room-watching telly. She didn't have the decency to respect Ann's privacy by leaving the parlour that in the end Ann had to ask her to go to her room if she wanted to watch the box especially when friends had one interesting topic or the other to discuss. Bilikis would leave in a huff but she had little say on the freedom she was allowed-the house was not hers to do as she pleased with.
Ann was on the verge of physically throwing her out when Bilikis came to see me in the office a few months back. She'd found a one-bedroom flat in a choice place in town, and had moved in, she gushed. When she mentioned the rent, my jaw dropped. I was instantly on my guard. If she was here to touch me for a loan, I would have a good excuse ready for her. Only she wasn't. All she wanted were some household odds and ends I didn't want that she could use at her new place. "So you've paid the rent then?" I wanted to know, "sort of" she said. What did she actually mean?
"The place I'm moving into is a brand new house and the boys' quarters is the one-bedroom flat. When the agent showed me the place and how much it would cost, I shook my head sadly. As luck would have it, the landlord came on an inspection. The agent told him what I wanted; then I realised I'd met him once at a friend's flat. He invited me to lunch so we could talk about the flat and I agreed. As we ate, his frog eyes ran me up and down, they flickered with excitement as they rested on my ample boobs, a bit of saliva caught between his puffy lips. I knew instantly what he wanted.
"I was disgusted. I felt my insides turned. Did he think I would stoop so low as to sleep with him because I wanted his silly flat? 'The place will be ready soon,' he said as we left the restaurant. 'Here's my card. Give me a call, I'll see what I can do to help you … ' And as the days went past, the flat was in my head-the cute bedroom, small but nice parlour and
its self-contained conveniences. I found myself toying with the idea of calling the landlord and instantly made up my mind the day Ann and her husband spelt it out. I had till the end of the month to leave. I couldn't blame them really-three months had spread into nine. I found myself calling the landlord and agreeing to meet him.
"As repulsive as I found him, somehow I found myself putting on a tight skirt and leaving the top few buttons of my blouse undone. When I got to his office, I was shocked at what I saw. As the secretary ushered me in with a knowing look, there was this imposing couch in his expansive office. How many 'businesses' had he executed here?
'So glad you could make it,' he said, drooling at my figure. As he clasped my hand in a hand shake, he managed to brush my boobs. Did I want anything to eat? I said no, just to discuss the lease of the flat. He opened one of the drawers on his desk and gave me the lease-all payments made.
"lt was now up to me. He obviously wanted me so badly. Surely sleeping with him now and then would be worth it? The creep I had lived with for two years had no qualms about throwing me over for another woman. Why can't I benefit from this cut and dried business proposal? I thanked him, accepted his offer to help myself to a drink from the Fridge in his
office.
"I opened the fridge then, deliberately bent down with my back to him. My skirt rode up and I felt him rush over to where I was, his grubby hands caressing my bum. Quickly, he turned me around to face him, kissing me hard on the lips. 'Think about the flat, 'I kept on telling myself as he lowered me to the couch. 'You're gorgeous,' he panted after making sure the door was firmly locked.
Then he quickly undressed and made a grab for my knickers! "It was a relief the sex was mercifully quick. He looked so pleased with himself afterwards. 'You're a very lucky girl,' he said later 'so many people wanted the flat as a sort of guest house.' Lucky? Maybe, especially when I got to Ann's and discovered she still had that hostile look she gave me any time I came in. I showed her the lease to the flat and her attitude changed. I apologised for overstaying and when I moved she actually gave me some stuff to take with me.
"The flat is taking shape and guess who paid for the bed? He's so obvious it is disgusting. But he never forces himself on me. He's a busy man, comes maybe once in two weeks for his quickie. It would have been a nightmare if he were one of these men who go on and on. And the flat is lovely, especially now I've done it up a bit… I'll soon ask you and Ann to visit. I'm not proud of how I got the flat, mind you, but I keep telling myself that all lovely things come at a place…"
Some top politicians from Bauchi state on Friday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat in Abuja, alleged wrongdoings, including misuse of funds, against the state governor, Mohammed Abubakar. The politicians, led by Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, accused the governor of misusing the N8.6 billion bailout funds given to the state by the Federal Government.
The politicians arrived at the APC secretariat at about 4.50 p.m. for a closed-door meeting with the party's National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and some National Working Committee members. Before the group left the secretariat at 5.15 p.m., one of them, Sen. Ali Wakil (Bauchi-Central) told newsmen that issues discussed at the meeting revolved around non-payment of workers' salaries and non-utilization of bailout funds.
”You know that Bauchi is an agrarian and civil service state and we must do everything to see that workers are paid as and when due. ”We are not comparing ourselves with Osun or Edo or other states that have backlogs of nine months; it is not our business. ”Our people must be paid as and when due and the remaining balance of the stipends must be paid and all the unending verifications must end,” Wakil said.
Also speaking, Sen. Suleiman Nazif (Bauch-North) revealed that the state chapter of the party was not at peace. ”Everything is not okay with the APC in Bauchi State. ”Therefore, we needed the attention of the APC at the national level to come to the rescue of the APC in Bauchi because there is fire on the mountain in Bauchi APC.
”There are so many issues, but these are party issues and we felt that there was a need for us to come and discuss with our leaders and those issues are being handled. ”The national chairman has assured us that he will take a drastic measure immediately and address the APC Bauchi pending problems,” he said.
Nazif denied that the visit also had something to do with the 2016 budget padding allegation against Dogara, saying ”no, no, no, it is not about padding; it is about APC Bauchi politics”. On the allegation that he and Dogara were sponsors of the crisis in the state, he said, “it is not about 2019.
”It is about solving the APC problem in Bauchi and ensuring that APC remains united in Bauchi and as you are aware, APC’s strongest hold in the North is Bauchi as far as northern politics is concerned. ”So, there is a dire need for us to come to the national secretariat and we can assure you that the national chairman is on top of the matter.
“We will go back to Bauchi, to our key supporters and tell them exactly what transpired. ”Nobody is against the governor, the governor is against himself.”
It was, indeed, two weeks of unusual operation and clampdown on criminals and criminality by officers and men of the Benue state Police command heralding Mr. Bashir Makama, as the new Police Commissioner in the state.
Suspects
The period saw the re-awakening of the service zeal and orientation of the average Policeman in the State leading to intensive patrols and raids of criminal hideouts in the State, resulting in the arrest of over 60 suspected armed robbers, kidnap suspects and cultists, including notorious ones with the recovery of various calibre of firearms, hundreds of ammunition, six stolen vehicles and three motorcycles.
Suspects paraded
Parading the suspects and recovered items at the command headquarters in Makurdi, the Commissioner of Police who gave a detailed account of the operation noted that his first few days of assumption of office in the state were greeted with a barrage of criminal activities from men of the underworld.
He said, "It was like my first baptism in the state, but I also quickly alerted the masterminds that I am not here for a tea party, my mission to Benue state is to ensure the peace, security and safety of lives and property of the people and by extension, to also ensure that the people sleep with their two eyes closed.
The arrest of Executioner
"In fact, among those being paraded were the masterminds of kidnap cases in parts of the state, members of notorious cult groups and someone they called the executioner who were all behind the killing of students at the Federal University of Agriculture, the Benue State University, all in Makurdi and in parts of the town.
The state- wide crackdown also took us to Katsina/Ala which used to be a no- go- area, because of the level of criminality in the area and the way criminal gangs carried on as if they were laws unto themselves. We have taken the battle to the gangs and dislodged them and Katsina/Ala is now safe."
New strategy adopted
Mr. Makama said the success recorded within the last two weeks was also made possible by the strategy he adopted upon assumption of office in the state. "What we did was to situate police checks within communities and residential areas which are soft targets. It is a strategy that gave the people a sense of safety and confidence that we are determined to face criminals headlong.
My plea is that the people should be the whistle blowers by volunteering information and intelligence to the police." According to him, in the course of the operation, the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, Patrol team on stop- and-search by Secretary to the State Government's, SSG, office in Makurdi, intercepted and arrested five alleged notorious armed robbery suspects who had been terrorizing Kwande and its environs.
"Also arrested by our operatives at Kwande was one Aondovee Ugba of Maar Asar Turan. One locally- made single barrel gun was recovered from him and some beverages collected on gunpoint from one Atam Nyankyume of Mbakyan Nanev. One Tersoo Avine, was also arrested at the North Bank area of the town and an when we carried out on- the- spot search on him, we recovered 7 rounds of live ammunition. On interrogation, the suspect led us to the hide out of the criminal gang and we arrested 3 others, recovered 2 motorcycles."
Passers-by to the rescue
"We also have with us two men named Sunday and one Frank who, armed with a pistol, attacked one chemist named Christian Odo of No. 62, Okpiko Street, Otukpo and robbed him of N65,000, 2 handsets valued M47, 000, and injured the victim who raised alarm. Passers-by came to his rescue and arrested one Sunday with a locally- made pistol while others escaped. The suspect was beaten by the mob; he was later rushed to the General Hospital where he was confirmed dead. We are still investigating the case."
Cultists on rampage nabbed
Continuing he said, "On August 4th., Terzungwa Angula and Zaidu Inusa, both of Gboko West, were arrested on information that they are cult members and also in possession of firearm. Search warrant was executed in their houses where a locally- made pistol, 3 live and 2 expended ammunitions, charms, battle axe, bunch of keys ¾ military trouser, face cap, 6 Airtel, 2 Etisalat, 1 Glo & 1 MTN sim cards were recovered.
Kidnappers on the prowl
According to CP Makama, the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, CIID, of the command also received information on July 21st. that a gang of kidnappers who were responsible for the past and recent kidnapping activities within Benue State, were in Makurdi plotting some criminal activities.
"Based on the strength of the information, a team of detective from the State CIID immediately swung into action and arrested the following persons; Maka Ashinta of Nanev district, Kwande LGA and one Aondoyanvenga Tyohemba of 72 Barrack's road Makurdi. During our investigations, the suspects voluntarily confessed to the Police that they were allegedly sent by one Terwase Agwaza aka 'Gana' to Warri in Delta State with the sum of N1.8million to procure arms and ammunitions in preparation to fight the Benue State Government and its citizens. We are still investigating the matter," he added.
Arrest of kidnap and robbery king pin
Speaking further the Commissioner said a tip off on the Police early this month led to the arrest of an alleged kidnap and robbery kingpin, Teryila Ugaa aka Jugas, who was holding a meeting with his gang members at Tom Ataan Shitile District of Katsina Ala LGA.
"Our team of operatives swiftly mobilized to the place where the hoodlums on sighting the Police, engage them in a gun duel and in the process, the said Teeryila Ugah, Gande Adi and Onowe Adi, were fatally injured and were rushed to hospital where they were confirmed dead, while other members of the gang escaped with bullet wounds. A Takorov Pistol with 5 live ammunition were recovered from the gang" .
The Police Commissioner explained that some of the suspects had been charged to court while investigations into some of the cases were still ongoing. He urged criminal minded individuals to have a rethink and synergise with the Police or leave the state cautioning that the operation would be a continuous exercise warning that no one would undermine his determination to ensure the security, safety and protection of lives and property in the state.
He did not envisage what befell him penultimate Saturday, after coming back to his house in Sango-Ota area of Ogun State. Joe Fortemose Chinakwe, 40, a trader, said he was relaxing with his family when one of his neighbours from Niger Republic accosted him and demanded why he named his pet dog 'Buhari'. Before he knew what was happening, friends of the foreigner also burst into his house and were threatening to deal with him if he failed to give a reasonable explanation.
At this stage, some neighbours intervened and they all ended up at Sango-Ota police station where he was detained for two days before being transferred to the state Police headquarters at Eleweran in handcuff and chain. He was let off the third day after the swift intervention of both the Serikin Hausa and President-General of non-indigenes in the state.
The embattled trader from Okwuzu in Aniocha Local government Area of Delta State said he was traumatized by the incident and still feels so bad especially, when he noticed that his 'lovely dog, Buhari', has disappeared mysteriously after he regained freedom. The father of two bared his mind to our Crime Editor, Emma Nnadozie at Sango-Ota.
Excerpts:
The embattled trader, Chinakwe.
"I am Joe Fortemose Chinakwe from Okwuzu in Aniocha L.G.A, Delta state. I trade on second hand clothes popularly known as Okrika. I have a dog for the past one year. I named the dog Bully after buying it because it is very strong and moves fast. I have been living here since 2001. I reside in a place called Petere in Sango here. I love the dog so much that's why I renamed it Buhari."
Why did you choose the name Buhari
I named it Buhari because I found out that the dog is strong. After buying the dog, I named it Bully because of the way it behaved. I decided to change it to Buhari because Buhari, being a military man, the same time, coming back for the second time as a civilian President, he stands on his word.
That is how my dog stands on his actions. So, I love the name so much and as such decided to give it to my dog. I was very surprised how a foreigner who lives around here came and said his father's name was Alhaji Buhari. I have no business with and he went ahead to tell the police. They came to me that night and I was arrested.
Which day was that?
That was on Saturday at exactly 8,30pm. They got me arrested and our neighbours pleaded on my behalf but they insisted on taking me to the station. People were questioning the policeman why I should be arrested over such a trivial issue and gave examples of dogs in the vicinity that bear names of influential and powerful people like Obama, Clinton etc but, the policeman decided to take law into his hand and arrested me.
Even my senior brother has a dog named Obama. One young man called Sunday was also arrested for questioning the police man who was later identified as Sergeant Musa, attached to Sango Police station. When we got to the station, he told me to bring the dog along. I agreed and went to bring the dog. Before I could get home, the Northern community in our area ganged up and killed my dog.
They did?
Yes, they killed the dog and I am still searching for the dog. I can forgive anything but that dog in particular, I cannot take it lightly because it is what secures me and I loved it so much.
Are you sure you are not the one that killed your dog?
No, I left my dog in the house alive and went with the policeman to Sango Police station
What happened at the Police station?
They intimidated me and I told them that it is my right to name my dog whatever I wished. My former dog bore the same name with me. Unfortunately, a car killed it. I called it Iroko because Iroko is also my name. I love strong dogs and that's why I decided to buy this one and named it Bully before changing it to Buhari. After intimidating me that very night, they locked me up in a cell with criminals.
I stayed and slept there on Saturday and Sunday. My wife, a pregnant woman with my baby on her back, came to see me with food because I had not taken my dinner when they arrested me but, they stopped her from giving me food. What baffled me much is that the policeman said that the Igbos have fowl brain. I asked him why he said such about the Igbo community when he should only be referring to me and as such, it is not a tribal problem.
He said he had been handling Igbo cases and that they are foolish and have fowl brains and, that I would rot in jail. He said I should watch. I was surprised when they took me to the Divisional Police Officer, instead of listening attentively to me; he directed that they should throw me into the cell. On Monday morning, my case was transferred. The case was moved to Eleweran.
After much interrogation, they chained me and my colleague who came to see me and put us in the van in handcuffs. We all went to Eleweran. When we got there, many policemen were not happy with them for bringing us there. The CP came on Tuesday with the Serikin Hausa and the President of non-Indigenes and other prominent people. We were told not to take it seriously because we are one Nigeria. I was told to forget it all. I was released.
How come you boldly wrote Buhari on both the sides of the dog?
The dog is a hero and I did it. I shaved his hairs and wrote it.
Did you do it to spite the President?
No. no. no. everybody knows that Mr President is a hero. It is not easy to be a military man and rule a civilian government. Everyone can attest to how many times this man has attempted to become the civilian president but because he is a man that has vision, he made it at long last. . In fact, he is a man that inspires people. He is a role model.
Are you comfortable with the situation of things in the country now?
Yes, he is fighting corruption. Not that I am comfortable with the things happening in the country now but I like the war against corruption. The only problem is that we, the less privileged ones, find it difficult to eat. As he is fighting corruption, he should remember the less privileged.
The guy from Niger, what does he do?
He works in a public toilet. My dog stays in my parking store, he does not move around. He ensures my security.
How did he know you call your dog Buhari?
He said that someone told him and he came around and saw it. A friend of my mine named Peter gave that dog to me. I am not happy I lost that dog. The Northerners in my area came together and killed my dog.
So, after all said and done at Eleweran, did they apologize to you?
Yes, they did but it was obvious to me that it did not come from their heart of hearts. One of them even claimed he went to my house that morning to apologize to my wife
Are you still living in the same area?
Yes
Do you feel threatened by what happened to you?
If I am financially buoyant, I would have left the area for them because it is as if they are occupying the whole area, and a word of threat has been dropped already and they said that the country belongs to them. I am still shocked because Nigeria is in trouble. Can you imagine somebody from Niger Republic, a foreigner telling me that my land belongs to him?
How do you feel about this ugly development as a Nigerian and a human being?
With this situation, I believe that a Nigerian should have rights. Nobody should rise up and intimidate one for no reason especially, when he has no one to speak for him. No advocate for that person. And since Nigeria is still bearing the name, Nigeria, and I'm a Nigerian, it is my country too and that is all.
The Naira on Friday suffered further loss against the dollar at the parallel market as it lost one point to the U.S. currency, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The naira exchanged at N395 to the dollar from N394 it posted on Thursday, while it traded at N505 and N442 to the Pound Sterling and the Euro, respectively.
At the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market, the currency closed at N395 at the trading, while to the Pound and Euro, it exchanged at N503 and N434, respectively.
However, it strengthened at the official interbank market as it exchanged at N316.55, from N347.13 posted on Thursday.
Traders at the market expressed hope that the naira would rebound in the coming weeks as banks were ready to sell foreign exchange to BDCs in the coming weeks.
Last week, the Lagos state police command made a startling discovery of some wells in Ilasamaja area of Lagos where diesel, instead of water was drawn out and sold at ridiculously low price. While the various fuel stations were selling the product at between N180.00 and N200.00 per litre, it was being sold in this area at N100.00 per litre. It was suspected that there were underground pipes that connected the wells to the pipes of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC from where the petroleum product was being siphoned.
Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni; Commander, RRS, ACP Olatunji Disu; DPO Ilasamaja , SP Oriyomi Titilayo Oluwasanmi and Area Commander ‘D’, ACP Salisu Gyadigya, inspecting the diesel from one of the wells . pix by Evelyn Usman
This illegal business had been going on for decades on Abeokuta and Ibadan streets in Ilasamaja, Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of the state until last week when the operators were apprehended by the law enforcement agents. It was gathered that more than 10 residential buildings were being used for the illegal operation.
The wells were located within the compounds in the buildings with suspended tanks to deceive the public. Pumping machines were said to be installed inside the wells, from where the product is pumped into trucks which were usually stationed outside. Sources in the area told Saturday Vanguard that different categories of people came to buy the product ranging from those with jerrycans to those who bought in drums. It was gathered that those who bought in trucks came in the night.
Paid spies
It was gathered that some touts were hired who acted as spies and were positioned in strategic locations to be on the look out for law enforcement agents. These spies were paid daily and their assignment was to notify or alert the dealers of the presence of security operatives. Saturday Vanguard learnt that some uniformed men were also on the pay roll of the operators and their job was to protect the business.
Origin
It could not be ascertained when the illegal business actually started but sources said it has been in existence for decades. Some of the dealers who were mostly property owners were said to have given their tenants quit notices while others were said to have co-opted their into tenants in the illicit business for protection.
.Suspects
Residents speak
Some of the residents in the area who spoke on condition of anonymity recounted their experiences on the illegal business. An artisan Mr Wole Fakeye said, ''I don't live here but own a shop and I want to tell you that the business has been going on for decades but not many people knew about it because it is a mafia business. I could recall about eight years ago when some people were killed because they tried to expose the shady deal".
A petty trader simply identified as Madam Sikira said some uniformed men were privy to the business. According to her, ''Uniformed men come here to get their own piece of the action, will they claim they are ignorant of the development? Thank God for this present regime on the fight against corruption. If it were to be in the past, who will dare arrest them?"
Another resident said, ''it was not as if the business was hidden from anybody but whoever dared to expose them did so at his own risk".
The bubble burst
Saturday Vanguard reliably gathered that the secret about the illegal business leaked out due to disagreement between the operators and their spies. The spies believed following the increase in the pump price of diesel there should also be an increment in what they were being paid. The operators however disagreed. Some of the partners were also said to have felt shortchanged in the sharing formular of the proceeds and this led to the secret being leaked to the police. The police made some arrests and assured that they will get to the root of the matter.
Speaking with the lawmaker representing the constituency, Jude Idimogu who spoke from the United States of America, said, any illegal activity should be dealt with. "The activity is wrong and it is against the law of the land", he said.
According to him, "government was not aware that oil wells exit in Ilasamaja before now and I am certain that government will do everything possible to investigate the issue and bring all the culprits to book", adding that no offender will go unpunished as government does not encourage illegal activities. "I am concerned and will ensure that the culprits do not go unpunished", he concluded.
Hazards
The Head of Media Environmental\friends of the Earth Nigeria ERA\FoEN Phillip Jakpor who spoke on the issue enumerated some of the hazards associated with such illegal activity. According to him, the risks involved ranged from fire outbreaks to environmental degradation, pollution, offensive odour, and exposing the illicit deal to the youths which may defocus them from legitimate business ventures.
In his own submission, the General Manager Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA, Mr Michael Akindele said the area has been classified as a potential disaster area and the government will soon decide what action to take on the matter.
Actress Ini Edo who was recently appointed a Special Assistant to the Akwa-Ibom State Governor on Tourism has hit the ground running as she has announced the hosting of the first ever Ibom Heritage Festival before the end of the year.
Ini Edo made the announcement recently, while unveiling Peekaboo Global Consulting Limited as the official media partner for the festival.
Speaking at the formal signing of the SLA which had Mr. Darlington Abuda, the lead consultant of PGC, and Mr. Apeh Harrison Iwodi, the IbomFest Project Manager in attendance, Ini Edo stated that the Ibom Heritage festival would simultaneously showcase the tourism potentials of the state to visitor.
Ini Edo further explained that IbomFest with the Theme "Our Culture Beyond Borders",would also showcase the wealth of the state in terms of historical sites, sculptural landscapes, topography, cuisines, to arts and crafts that abound in the state.
Lagos – Mr Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, on Friday disclosed that 24 states had volunteered land to the Federal Government to begin its mass housing initiative.
Fashola made the disclosure in Lagos at the maiden edition of Real Estate and Housing Lecture organised by City People Magazine.
The lecture was entitled: “Moving the Real Estate Sector Forward, My Thought, My Experience.''
“Twenty four states have given us the land that we require to start,'' he said.
He said that policy framework for standards; capacity and knowledge of developers and purchasing power of home seekers were integral to solving housing deficit in Nigeria.
Fashola identified mortgage financing and government support through incentives as also integral to providing affordable housing to the teeming population of Nigerians.
He added that the 2016 budget provided some incentives.
He said that there was a provision of N35 billion for housing in the 2016 budget and that the government had both long and short term plans on how to execute the project.
He said that government was testing the workability of mass housing initiative and if found effective, hopefully, more funds would be allocated in the 2017 budget.
“Our objective is to use this year's budget, that N35 billion to prove the efficacy of this concept in the short term, and this concept can work,'' he said.
The minister explained that nations like the United Kingdom and Singapore achieved success in real estate development with the support of government and the mortgage institutions.
He advised developers to revisit the idea of private hostels; an initiative he said was adopted by religious organisations in the past.
While answering questions raised by some stakeholders, the minister assured that the government would not compromise on the quality of houses it would deliver.
“We cannot and we will not compromise quality,'' he said.
Fashola stressed the need for more Nigerians to key into home ownership.
He added that, the same spread of funds people use to pay rents of two years or more could be channeled to home ownership through mortgage financing.
Also present at the ceremony are Sen. Gbenga Ashafa and Mr Francisco Abosede, a former Lagos Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development.
See photos from the ongoing Osun-Osogbo 2016 festival, which attracted thousands of Osun worshippers, spectators and tourists from all walks of life in Osun State. Photo credits, Akeem Salau.
Cross Section of participants at the 2016 osun Osogbo Festival in Osogbo.One of the Osun worshipers goes into trance during the occasion.The Arugba appears…Cross section of the crowd at the festival.Arugba Osun in procession at the 2016 Osun Osogbo festival.
Ijagbo (Kwara) – The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has hired a maid and a nurse to take care of the late Rasheed Yekini's mother, Alhaja Sikirat Yekini.
Saraki, represented by the Director of Football, Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC, Alloy Chukwuemeka, disclosed this on Friday in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area of the state.
He also donated a Tricycle to the younger brother of late Rasheed Yekini, Hakeem.
Saraki said that he had financed the sinking of a borehole and renovated the residence of Alhaja Sikirat Yekini, upgraded her shop to a mini mart.
He said the visit was to meet with the family and see how they could be assisted to better their lots .
He explained that the aim was to make the family not to feel neglected or abandoned.
The Senate President also announced an annual football competition for U-13 boys "so another Rasheed Yekini can be discovered among the youth from Ijagbo, Ira and Offa."
Saraki said that the competition will be sponsored yearly by him and would be tagged Rasheed Yekini U-13 football competition.
The Senate President also challenged well to do Nigerians to remember the Yekini family always.
He also donated balls, jerseys and trophy for the Rasheed Yekini U-13 football competition.
Warri (Delta) – An elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, on Friday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his willingness to open the lines of dialogue with youths in the Niger Delta.
Clark made the commendation during the all-inclusive ”Stakeholders Consultative Meeting of Niger Delta Coastal States” held in Warri, Delta.
He said opening dialogue with the agitators would ensure the restoration of peace in the region and progress to the nation.
“This is good news coming from him; we, therefore, look forward to the Federal Government discussing with the real leaders and the affected youths in true spirit of frankness and openness to ensure that, once and for all, an enduring peace is achieved.
”We must find a permanent solution to the various problems that we are facing in this country,” he said.
Clark urged all Nigerians to embrace dialogue and urged the government to stop the “continuous militarisation of the oil communities''.
He condemned the recent threat by some militants to declare a Niger Delta Republic and urged them to embrace peace.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme is to train 500 ex-agitators in Niger-Delta on agro and aquaculture to enable them become self-employed. The Programme Coordinator, Mr Paul Boroh, made the promise during his visit to Bioresources Development Centre and National Biotechnology Development Agency, Odi, Kolokumo/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
Boroh said that 18 participants have graduated in agro and aqua culture in the centre. He urged the graduates to be of good behaviour and improve on their new skills to become self-employed for the betterment of the society. The Amnesty boss, also an Adviser to the President on Niger-Delta, said Agriculture could create job and wealth for the teaming youths.
“The training is a wakeup call because Amnesty office is not a place to collect money from; so, you must try to create reserve, by keeping something for tomorrow. “Plan to build yourself for tomorrow and study more for a better future,” he said. Boroh said the training programme would cover Niger-Delta States, such as Akwa-Ibom , Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers respectively.
He, further presented certificates to the 18 graduates, promising to make available funds from Micro Finance Banks as loan for them to set up their various businesses. Mr Josiah Habum, Director, Biotechnology Development Centre, Odi, said the vision was to ensure significant grassroots empowerment of people in the Niger-Delta region.
According to the director, the mission of the centre is to sustain development of local capacity for efficient and effective bioresources research. Habum added that others are to process and to achieve value addition on development of indigenous bioresources into products in order to diversify the nation’s economy. He, however, advised the graduates to put their skills into practice and empower themselves and others technically in the society.
ABUJA-Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed has advised his colleagues to seek ways of diversifying the economy of their respective states by going into other ventures that would generate more revenues. Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed He stated that relying on federal allocation alone would help the states meet its statutory obligations to the people.
The governor stated this while performing a foundation laying ritual of a N100 million project coordinated by Harmony HUB in Wuye, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja Friday.
He said: “This is in line with our desire to define resourcefulness which is the direction which states are expected to go these days in trying to help development and growth.
“And I am happy Harmony Holdings has taken this. It has not only broken this in Ilorin, but by creating something similar. But again, we need to demonstrate to the whole world that we have taken the right direction and also capable of driving this business not only in Kwara State, but in Nigeria at large.
“You will recall that part of what we put in place as a prospect of driving the state forward is by looking inwardly. We tapped into assets that the state has that has not been fully utilized, that has been lying down and been wasting.
“We sought to allow these assets to be driven under the Harmony Holdings Limited Company, which indeed is trying to translate these assets to revenue-generating platforms.
“We started this as far back as 2011. So what the Federal Government has said is in consonant with what we are doing in Kwara State.”
The governor stated that the project would cost N100 million to complete.
“I don’t think we will be looking less than N50 to N100 million to create an economic property like this”, he said.
The Chairman of Harmony Holding, HRH Halidu Abubakar said that the project is construction of three floors building containing business suites, adding that it would take between nine months and one year if resources were available.
“This is one of the manifestation of the governor’s push that Harmony should be seen to be doing something, and that we should go outside Kwara State and make our presence known”, he said.
pleads Nigerians for patience By Levinus Nwabughiogu
ABUJA-Following the harsh economic realities in the land, an outspoken Lagos based Christain preacher, Pastor Tunde Bakere of Later Rain Assembly has appealed to all Nigerians to exercise patience with President Muhammadu Buhari led administration, saying the hard times would be over soon.
He assured that the maxim of change which is the slogan of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC would not translate to chain for the people.
Bakere who was a running mate to president Buhari in one of his previous attempts at the presidency during the 2011 general elections was in the presidential villa to pay homage to the president on Friday.
He said that Nigeria had drifted from its positive direction in the past and needed some conscious efforts to fix it.
Access Bank says its maximising on children’s curiosity to fuel learning on its banking program.
According to the bank, children are curious and they never get tired of exploring and wanting to know what lies beneath the surface and for this reason, the bank says its capitalizing on this to organise Children's Holiday Banking Programme, aimed at spicing up the fun of summer holiday by learning Banking from August 15-31, 2016 in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Kano, Benin, Port Harcourt and Enugu.
The Holiday Banking Programmes as the bank says gives children first hand experience of the Banking profession and knowledge of its operations. It is a very viable initiative that also promotes financial literacy among children runs is bound to inculcate in participants more than just a savings culture, the bank stated in a statement.
It is an experiential exercise that has the potential of leaving a lasting impression in the minds of children at an early age - impressions that could help in shaping their future in terms of career choices. With some entering banking halls for the first time in their lives. And, face to face with real life situations that they only hear about, they may begin to nurse dreams and ambitions about banking as a career and, indeed, other professions - at a tender age.
They are likely going to be spurred into taking their studies seriously, if only to be like those they meet and closely understudy during the programme. Invariably, a future Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank could be among the children as was the case of Bill Clinton who in 1962 visited the White House as a student in during the tenure of John Kennedy as President.
The fascination of being inside the country's most famous building and the aura which surrounded its occupant built up in the young student a fantasy to live in the building someday. The fantasy didn't remain a mere dream but became a reality when he returned to the White House in 1993 to be the 42nd President of United States of America and the World's most powerful man.
Some if not most of the leading lights of Nigeria's banking industry may not have similar opportunities whilst growing up. Yet, they are today the drivers of the country's financial sector. The country would probably be the better for it today if experiential learning, like what the Herbert Wigwe led Access Bank holiday banking proramme offers, was part of education in years gone by.
The Holiday Banking Programme which is a further step beyond Access Bank's Early Servers Club, a financial literacy club it set up in schools and churches to promote financial inclusion of children from early age. Members of the club learn about money, importance of saving, how to spend wisely and plan for the future. The lessons, which are fun-filled and interactive in nature to ensure active participation, also teach children the value of giving.
The appropriateness of the programme must be seen against the background of the fact that despite intensive efforts by relevant authorities to enthrone a banking culture among Nigerians, a larger segment of the country of about 180 million people is still under banked. The bank therefore hopes to achieve the objective with a catch-them-young approach.
ABUJA-Speaker House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara made a return to the presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday where he met with President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed doors.
This would be the second time the speaker would be visiting the villa in quick succession since the crisis between him and the erstwhile Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmuni Jibrin broke out over the padding of the 2016 budget estimates.
Dogara had in his last trip to the villa penultimate Friday told State House Correspondents that padding was was a crime.
But yesterday, the speaker who visited with a senator from Bauchi State refused to speak, saying “I am on holiday”.
He also refused to disclose when he would resume when asked by Journalists, as he said that Journalists knew when the House proceeded on recess.
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel will lead several England-based stars including Leicester City forward Ahmed Musa and Watford striker Odion Ighalo for September’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home against Tanzania.
The other England-based players called up by new Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr are teenager Kelechi Iheanacho, who on Thursday extended his contract at Manchester City, Chelsea winger Victor Moses and Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme.
Youngster Victor Osimhen has been handed a surprise call-up by the three-time African champions. Osimhen, 17, who will only sign his first professional contract in January with German Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, has been given a chance to shine alongside more established strikers like Musa, Ighalo and Olympiakos’ Brown Ideye.
The match is a dead rubber, as both teams can no longer qualify, but Rohr and his side are using the game as a rehearsal for a 2018 World Cup qualifier in Zambia on October 3.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers/ENG), Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC Ifeanyi Ubah)
Defenders: Leon Balogun (Mainz/GER), William Troost-Ekong (Haugesund/NOR), Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto/POR), Jamiu Alimi (Kano Pillars), Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira/POR), Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir/TUR), Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco/FRA), Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin/SLO)
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Chelsea/ENG), Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor/TUR), Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk/BEL), Nosa Igiebor (Maccabi Tel Aviv/ISR), Victor Moses (Chelsea/ENG)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City/ENG), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City/ENG), Moses Simon (KAA Gent/BEL), Imoh Ezekiel (Al-Arabi/QAT), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC/ENG), Brown Ideye (Olympiakos/GRE), Victor Osimhen (Wolfsburg/GER)
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Prisons Service, Abia Command, Deputy Superintendent of Prisons (DSP) Kalu Ikpe, says the Aba Federal Prison has about 80 insane persons in its asylum.
"Sometimes even here in Umuahia where there is no asylum, we receive them but when after sometimes we observe a strange behaviour, we do a referral and send them to Aba where there is an asylum.
Ikpe disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Aba. He said that the prison was taking care of the insane persons to ensure that they were stabilised enough to enable them answer their respective charges in court.
"Those who are not normal are put under observation and are made to see psychiatric doctors who work daily to ensure that their drugs are administered. "You know that the prison inmates are our brothers, so we cannot abandon them," he said.
Ikpe, however, stated that getting the insane inmates out of the prison, where necessary, was the duty of the Chief Judge and the courts which committed them to the prisons.
He said that the prison had no means of discovering if a potential inmate was sane or not at the point of receiving him, but would keep custody of anyone with valid arrest warrants.
"In a situation where the individual's case becomes worse or unmanageable by us, we alert the courts who committed them to our care. "Depending on the nature of the alleged crime committed by the inmates, they are the people that can take decisions on their matters," he said.
Ikpe said taking them to court depended on the degree of their mental health status. He said that when jail deliveries were conducted, such cases were reviewed and appropriate actions taken on them. As at Aug. 19, the prison has 600 inmates with only 113 convicted and serving full prison sentences. About 374 inmates have not been convicted, while about 116 inmates are in awaiting trial status.
Capital Oil and Gas Ind. Ltd, a principal investor in the Nigerian Professional Football League outfit, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, on Friday, signed a historic partnership deal with English Premier League club, West Ham United.
According to the Proprietor, FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Chairman, Capital Oil and Gas Ind. Ltd, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, the partnership deal was signed owing to the the Hammers’ rich history, unrivalled reputation for developing talents.
See photos below:
From Left: Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba; MD/CEO Capital Oil and Gas Industries and President, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah; MD WestHam United FC, Mr. Angus Kinnear; Commercial Manager, WestHam United FC, Mr. Scott McCubbin; and Executive Member, Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, during the signing of the partnership deal in London, on Friday, August 19, 2016.From Left: Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba; MD/CEO Capital Oil and Gas Industries and President, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah; MD WestHam United FC, Mr. Angus Kinnear; Commercial Manager, WestHam United FC, Mr. Scott McCubbin; and Executive Member, Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, during the signing of the partnership deal in London, on Friday, August 19, 2016.Proprietor, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah (L) and MD WestHam United, Mr. Angus Kinnear at the signing of the partnership deal with West Ham UnitedFrom Left: Commercial Manager, WestHam United FC, Mr. Scott McCubbin; MD/CEO Capital Oil and Gas Industries and President, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah and MD WestHam United, Mr. Angus Kinnear during the signing of the deal on Friday, August 19, 2016, in LondonProprietor, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah (6th from right) and representatives of Capital Oil & Gas; FC Ifeanyi Ubah during the signing of the deal with West Ham United on Friday, August 19, 2016, in London
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
Twitter announced Thursday that it had cut off 235,000 accounts during the past six months in a heightened crackdown on use of the global messaging service to promote violent extremist causes.
The suspensions raised to 360,000 the total number of accounts sidelined since the middle of 2015 and was helping “drive meaningful results” in curbing the activity, according to the San Francisco-based company.
Twitter has been striving to balance protecting free speech at the one-to-many messaging service with not providing a stage for extremist groups to spread violent messages and enlist people to their causes.
In February, Twitter said that it had neutralized 125,000 accounts for violating rules against violent threats and promotion of terrorism.
“Since that announcement, the world has witnessed a further wave of deadly, abhorrent terror attacks across the globe,” Twitter said in a blog post.
“We strongly condemn these acts and remain committed to eliminating the promotion of violence or terrorism on our platform.”
Daily suspensions of accounts are up more than 80 percent since last year, and spike in the immediate aftermath of terror attacks, according to Twitter.
Twitter said that it is getting quicker at identifying extremist content and shutting down accounts involved, resulting in dramatic decreases in the number of followers attracted while posts are active.
– Enlisting software –
Moves have been made to make it tougher for people behind suspended accounts to immediately return to Twitter, and teams reviewing reports of suspected terror content have been expanded.
Like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube rely heavily on users to point out posts that violate standards or policies.
Tech titans have been increasingly dabbling with enlisting software to battle extremist propaganda.
“There is no one ‘magic algorithm’ for identifying terrorist content on the Internet,” Twitter said in the post.
“But, we continue to utilize other forms of technology, like proprietary spam-fighting tools, to supplement reports from our users and help identify repeat account abuse.”
During the past six months, automated tools have helped Twitter identify more than a third of the accounts suspended for promoting terrorism, according to the company.
Twitter said that it collaborates with other online social platforms in the fight against terror content.
Since dreadful attacks in Paris and the city of San Bernardino in California, pressure has been growing for online social networks to thwart extremist groups from taking advantage of their platforms.
– Legal shield –
A US judge last week tossed out a lawsuit accusing Twitter of abetting terrorism by allowing Islamic State (IS) group propaganda to be broadcast using the messaging platform.
District Court Judge William Orrick granted a motion by Twitter to dismiss the case, reasoning that providing a platform for speech is within the law and that the company did not create the content.
The Communications Decency Act (CDA) protects online platforms from being held responsible for what users post.
The suit was filed in San Francisco federal court by the families of two government contractors killed late last year while working at a police training center run by the United States in Amman, according to court documents.
A Jordanian police captain studying at the center fatally shot the two men, and IS later claimed the captain was a “lone wolf” working for the group’s cause, the judge recounted in his ruling.
“As horrific as these deaths were, under the CDA Twitter cannot be treated as a publisher or speaker of ISIS’s hateful rhetoric and is not liable under the facts alleged,” Orrick said in the decision, using another name for IS.
The suit accused Twitter of providing “material support” by letting accounts spread the message of the extremist group.
The judge left open the option of refiling an amended version of the suit.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu Despite their 2-0 loss to the German side at the ongoing Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil on Wednesday, governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has hailed the boys for scaling through the semi finals.
Ortom who spoke to State House Correspondents after a private meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday stated that with more technical skills, the team would improve.
He said that his government had articulated a sport Programme to help develop the sporting potential in Benue youth.
“It is unfortunate that we lost that match. But I can say that for Benue state, we are doing a programme to catch them young.
“All the local governments are going to be mobilized to ensure that we bring out the youths from their youthful age.
“We will groom them up to where they can be of benefit to Benue state and Nigeria. I believe that we have the talent. We saw how they played yesterday. With little, additional technical skills, I think they will do better.
“I think we are on path, we are on track and for coming to semifinal, it was a thing of joy to some of us and I think we will do better next time”, he said.
On his mission to the State House, the governor said he was there to brief the presidency on the security issues in the state.
He also added that the government had launched a programme known as go-back-to farm where Fridays had been declared a public holiday to enable workers go to farm.
He noted it was part of the government’s initiatives to diversify the economy of the state.
BY EMEKA MAMAH Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan Thursday described reports that the Federal Government was probing him based on the allegations of a faceless Niger Delta militant group as a ruse and that some misguided characters are hell-bent on pulling him down.
Jonathan in a statement signed by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze said that the said probe said to have emanated from intelligence reports was laughable as it was a figment of imagination by the authors of such reports.
The statement reads
Former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
"Our attention has been drawn to two stories entitled "report links Jonathan to Niger Delta Avengers" and "FG probes Jonathan over N/Delta bombings' published in some newspapers, of Thursday, August 18, 2016, with the claim that some intelligence reports had linked Jonathan to the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta.
"We obviously would have ignored the allegation, having responded recently to the exact same fabrication peddled by a shady militant group, but for the new dimension of bringing in the authorities, while hiding under the often-abused journalism latitude of quoting nebulous sources.
"Firstly, we note that there were similarities in the stories published same day by the newspapers that are too striking to pass the test of the normal newsroom process of diligent reporting and independent investigation.
"We are convinced that such clear coincidences are only permissible in situations where general statements are issued, but not on matters of intelligence/security reports which do not fly into newsrooms as press releases.
"We are also concerned that the stories did not differ in content and substance from the trite allegations earlier made by the so- called Reformed Niger Delta Avengers over the same lies of linking Jonathan to the militants.
"For instance, we are amazed that newspapers would be quick to report that the intelligence gathering was said to be a confirmation of a similar claim by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND", even without subjecting such frivolity to any ethical interrogation.
"From what we know about intelligence gathering, there is no responsible government agency that would rush, as claimed in the stories, to adopt the accusations of a questionable rebellious organization as its own findings, without applying the professional processes of rigour and due diligence.
"It is sad that the publications wore the cloak of deceit from same misguided characters that are hell-bent on pulling down the former President, despite his clear record of diligent service to his country and long standing commitment to the good of society.
"There is no doubt that there exist such people who may have scores to settle with the former President but are now feeling frustrated by the fact that his national and international profile has continued to rise, despite their recourse to less- muck- raking character assassination.
"Such people will stop at nothing to continue to throw obstacles, albeit futilely, on his path.
"We are aware that the same people approached other well-meaning newspapers with the same false information, but they were wise to turn it down on account of its absurdity.
"Our media houses should then be careful not to make the country a laughing stock by being hoodwinked into passing off the perverted voices of irritant groups as that of our well respected official security authorities.
"Apart from toying with the serious issue of libel, those newspapers lending themselves to be so cheaply used by miscreants, are also doing gross disservice to our collective good and the image of the country."
By Funmi Olasupo ABUJA - AS part of efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goal, SDG, 6, the Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria, BODAN, is to collaborate with United Nations Children Education Fund, UNICEF, to ensure that Nigerians at all level have access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH.
Speaking after an interactive session with the UNICEF Chief WASH Coordinator, Kanann Nadar, and President, BODAN, Francis Uzoma, explained that the essence of the interaction was to establish relationship with UNICEF concerning effective collaboration in terms of service delivery by constructing quality boreholes.
Uzoma said: "The whole essence of this interaction is to see how we can broaden areas of collaboration so that borehole drilling services that we offer to UNICEF and other organisations can effectively done, even in the aspect of capacity building."
Earlier, Nadar said UNICEF-WASH had been into water provision for Nigerians and most of its borehole projects were exe-cuted by BODAN members.
Mr Richard Young, Deputy Head of Department, European Union in Nigeria, says more than 5 million Nigerians are living abroad of which half of them are in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Young made the statement on Thursday in Abuja at the unveiling of the National Policy on Labour Migration.
He said that Nigeria and four other countries which include India, China, Philippines and Mexico had been mentioned by the World Bank as top recipients of global remittance in 2012.
“Nigeria is estimated to have received about N21 billion in remittances in 2012 as compared to the N2.3 billion in 2004; being by far the largest recipients of remittance in Sub-Sahara Africa.
“Accordingly, Nigeria is followed by Senegal and Kenya in the Sub-Sahara Africa.
“On the other hand, due to the economic growth following the oil boom in 1975, Nigeria also become an immigration country.
“By 2006, Nigeria was estimated to host 600,000 foreigners mainly from other West Africa counties, '' he said.
Young said that the unveiling of the national policy on labour migration would provide Nigeria a framework to regulate labour migration, adding that it would also enhance dignity of people involved in labour migration.
He added that the policy would also clarify the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders dealing with the sector.
“The document is a concrete example to combination of synergies, competence, will and professionalism, ''he said.
The EU under its funded project, Young declared, had assisted various governments to enhance their capacity to manage migration in order to maximise their development potential.
He said the EU welcomed the adoption of the national policy on labour migration in Nigeria and expressed hope on its implementation.
“I am also pleased to know that the IT equipment provided to the ministry led to the establishment and functioning of the National Electronic Exchange (NELEX)
“This is a platform for job seekers to access job opportunities. So far, the platform has facilitated around 150 jobs' matching for job seekers,'' he said.
Young also decried lack of appropriate data on labour migration.
He said that data on labour migration was still scanty and could be barely used for any strategic planning.
According to him, obtaining adequate and reliable data on migration relating to flow, rate patterns, profile, impact of labour migration on both countries of origin, among others is difficult.
To overcome the data gaps, utilisation of census figures and survey, Young suggested that administrative data must be put in place in Nigeria.
He urged the National Policy on Labour Migration Implementation Committee to step up efforts to ensure effective implementation of information on migration.
By Egufe Yafugbrhi, WARRI SINCE rampaging Niger Delta Avengers heralded renewed militancy in oil producing Niger Delta with several parallel groups jumping on the bandwagon by the day, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, has inevitably been on the receiving end with its vast oil assets in Delta State as prime targets.
This challenge of corporate survival was aggravated at 1300hrs on August 9, 2016, when men, women and youths from all five communities of Ugborodo, major host to CNL's Escravos facility in Warri South West council area of Delta state besieged the company's main gate in protest. The protesters say they won't quit until the issues in dispute were resolved.
The company's statement in day three of the community's occupation of its premises suggested that the protesters were staging a misplaced demonstration, but motivators of the mass action see the company's position as merely begging the issues.
Deji Hastrupp, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, had in Chevron's statement said the Ugborodo community protesters are agitating for CNL's "recognition of the Ugborodo Community Interim Management Committee, IMC, and also requesting CNL not to recognise the Ugborodo Community Trust, among others.
"CNL does not interfere in the internal affairs of communities in the areas of its operations including Ugborodo. We continue to engage with the protesters and other key community leaders and stakeholders, including the Delta State Government, DTSG and hope for a resolution of the situation shortly."
Former chairman, Ugborodo Community Trust, Pa Sandys Omadeli Uvwoh in reaction said: "Deji deliberately stated half-truth to bury the meddlesomeness and divide and rule by CNL in the leadership crisis and underdevelopment the community has suffered over the years.
"Nobody is asking Chevron to interfere in Ugborodo affairs. The issues of dispute with the company is that Chevron said it does not recognise the IMC, the collective leadership organ the community put in place since March this year and they (Cheveron), on the other hand are dealing with the factional leaders whose tenure have elapsed as community trust.
"This issue has been on for six months and the old leaders have the backing of the state government and Chevron is stressing that the IMC must have government backing before it can accord it recognise. I don't know where government has started appointing leaders for communities."
Thrust of the matter
At the heart of the matter for which Chevron has been caught in the web is the continued conflict generated by the community's determination to extricate itself from the Ogidigben Export Processing Zone, EPZ, Interface Committee which has ran Ugborodo affairs since government constituted it in May 2014.
At the acquisition of Ugborodo land (Ogigigben) for establishment of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, facilitated EPZ, also known as Gas City Revolution Project, in 2013, the Federal Government hit brick wall interfacing with the community. There was turmoil in the land as two factions laid claim to the Ugborodo Community Trust, the administrative organ of the community.
Under the heated leadership strife, supporters of Chief Thomas Ereyitomi-led Trust, just elected for a second term then in a process observed and endorsed by the Delta State government, were sacked from their homes.This followed arms struggle by forces loyal to rival David Tonwe who also assumed Trust chairmanship in a parallel election backed by foremost Itsekiri historian, Pa JOS Ayomike. The conflict which assumed dangerous proportion at a point reportedly claimed a life and several persons displaced from their homes.
To navigate through the crisis which was getting in the way of the EPZ project, the Federal Government, after series of truce meetings with key actors, constituted a 20-man EPZ Interface Committee, 10 from both factions with a mandate to restore peace to the community, resettle displaced persons, lead the community's interests in the EPZ and push for election of a generally accepted community trust in the long run.
Revolt against EPZ Interface Committee
In March 2016, a simmering campaign of rejection against the committee got to crisis point as a gathering of the community moderated by Benson Omadeli, Olajori (Spiritual Head) of Ugborodo installed an Interim Management Committee, IMC, headed by Emmanuel Meke to administer the community pending election of a substantive Trust.
Former Trust chairman, Pa Sandys Uvwoh, noted thus: "The EPZ Committee was a creation of government. It was never the will of Ugborodo that the same key actors who set the community on fire in leadership tussle and stagnated her people should not, under the guise of EPZ Committee, transform into a Community Trust.
"Secondly, not only has the tenure of the contentious community Trust claimants which led to crisis expired; Ugborodo under the circumstance cannot elect a substantive Trust following death of all the registered trustees under the governing instrument. There has to be a new constitution to elect new trustees before a substantive Trust can be elected.
"Pending the election of a Trust, the community can't be left in vacuum. The IMC has mandate to administer the community. It was not a one-man decision. It was a collective decision done at a gathering of the Ugborodo traditional authority, elders, youths and women who suffer the current stagnation in the community without clear leadership. As a benefit of its birth, the IMC paved for the election of a new youth body which people thought would create commotion."
Government, Olu of Warri favour expanded EPZ Committee
Apparently alerted on the appointment of an IMC, the father of Itsekiri nation, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwole, the Olu of Warri ruled against dissolution of the EPZ Interface Committee in running affairs of the community.
At a closed door meeting with the community stakeholders in his palace on March 31, Mrs. Praise Igbene, member of the EPZ Committee who attended said: "The Olu noted that it is too early to dissolve the EZP Committee. He tasked us to rather include more persons in the committee to allow peace reign."
In tandem with the Olu's directive, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, had at recent stakeholders meeting in Warri, also voted for the expansion of the EPZ Committee rather than a parallel IMC to lead affairs of the community for the time being.
Drift into Occupation of Chevron
Sensitive to the situation, Chevron tacitly respected the position of the Olu and the governor, ignoring all entreaties from the IMC and its supporters to accord it recognition. The refusal to work with the IMC informed the current Occupy Chevron protest much to the chagrin of the EPZ Committee.
Alex Eyengho, spokesman for the EPZ on his displeasure with the demonstrations said: "What is happening there is being carried out by grossly misled few rebels in Ugborodo. They are rebelling against the decision of the Delta State government, the Olu of Warri, Pa JOS Ayomike and of course they are rebels against law and order.
"The IMC and the duo who fabricated it, Olajori (Spiritual Head) of Ugborodo, Benson Omadeli and his cousin, Sandys Uvwoh against the will of Ugborodo and the decision of a court of competent jurisdiction are behind this illegality and potentially dangerous protest.
"They are doing all these to arm-twist Chevron to recognise the IMC led by Emma Meke. For the avoidance of doubt, the only management structure for the entire Ugborodo as of today is the expanded EPZ Interface Committee under the leadership of Austin Oborogbeyi. Security agencies should do the needful by treated the isolated characters as rebels".
Okowa at the stakeholders meeting, in Asaba August 15, to find amicable end to the matter, reportedly directed that Emma Meke's headed IMC nominate 10 persons, while each of the five Ugborodo communities should nominate three persons each, making a total of 15 persons to bring the EPZ Interface Committee to 46 members.
Anything is possible going forward for both Chevron and Ugborodo, divided by leadership strife. At the heart of the raging crisis, however, remains the critical unanswered question. Who benefits from the confusion? The community sure loses as development opportunities from Chevron are put on hold. Or some persons, as others are speculating, are taking the commonwealth for themselves.
Four years after he left through the back door, Manchester United will roll out the red carpet for Paul Pogba’s second debut in Friday’s Premier League home game with Southampton.
Pogba first donned a United first-team shirt when he came on as a half-time substitute for Ryan Giggs in a 3-0 League Cup win over Leeds United in front of 31,031 people at Elland Road in September 2011.Poga
His return to action for the club will not be so inauspicious, after United paid Juventus a world-record 89 million pounds (105 million euros, $116 million) to bring the French midfielder back to Old Trafford.
Pogba has not played since France’s 1-0 loss to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final on July 10, but United manager Jose Mourinho said on Thursday: “He is ready to play.
“Ninety minutes, I don’t believe. Super performance, I don’t believe. But in conditions to accelerate his process of integration in the team, that’s for sure.
“Paul is training for more than a week, around 10, 11 days. The adaptation is really easy because he’s a boy from here.”
Pogba, 23, missed United’s 3-1 win at Bournemouth last Sunday due to a suspension carried over from last season’s Coppa Italia, but his lack of match fitness meant he was unlikely to have featured anyway.
Should he play from the start, Mourinho must decide how to fit him into the team.
Mourinho has started the season with a 4-2-3-1 formation and Pogba is expected to take up one of the midfield berths in front of the back four.
Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera occupied those roles at Bournemouth.
Much has changed since Pogba’s last United appearance, in a 5-0 league win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 2012.
Alex Ferguson retired as manager the following year and Mourinho is the third man to have succeeded him, while former stalwarts such as Giggs, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra are no longer around.
– Puel warning –
But Mourinho’s new-look team made an assured start to their league campaign at Bournemouth, with new signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eric Bailly impressing, the former scoring his first Premier League goal.
Victory over Southampton, in the first of 10 Friday night games in the Premier League this season, will enable United to provisionally go three points clear at the top of the table.
Southampton won 1-0 on both their most recent visits to Old Trafford, with Charlie Austin’s 87th-minute header securing victory last January, but they are also a team in transition.
Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle and Victor Wanyama have left and Claude Puel has succeeded Ronald Koeman as manager.
The south-coast club, who finished one place below United in sixth last season, unveiled a new diamond midfield in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to Watford.
Dusan Tadic took up the number 10 role and winger Nathan Redmond, signed from Norwich City for a reported 10 million pounds, played up front, crowning his debut with a volleyed second-half equaliser.
Puel has warned that Southampton’s last two results at Old Trafford will count for nothing on Friday and he has also warned his players not to repeat the sluggish start they produced against Watford.
“Their (United’s) players have changed, their manager has changed and Southampton’s view of this team has changed,” said the former Monaco, Lyon and Nice coach.
“Against Watford I didn’t like the first half because we didn’t play our game, but the second half you can see another team and we improved and played our game.”
Puel will again be without left-back Ryan Bertrand due to a knee problem.
Portuguese centre-back Jose Fonte, who played against Pogba in the Euro 2016 final and has been strongly linked with a move to United, remains short of match fitness, but could feature.
Central defender Chris Smalling returns for United after sitting out the trip to Bournemouth through suspension.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Thursday said in Lagos that gas alone could not bring the much needed increase in power supply in the country.
Fashola
Fashola spoke as guest speaker through Mr Chinedu Ugbo, acting Chairman, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), at the 2016 Annual Conference of the National Association of Energy Correspondents in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is entitled: “Low oil prince: Impact and the way forward.''
Fashola said, “It is not gas alone that will allow us to achieve incremental power.
“It is our most reliable source of power, yes, but it is only one solution among many other underutilised solutions.
“Mambila Power Station, for example, is likely to be our most defining in the road to incremental power, situated in Taraba State.
“It will potentially add 3,000MW to the grid and yet this is a hydro-electric project, not gas.
“Our ministry has recently publicised our energy mix and coal forms a large part of our target fuel source.''
According to him, “ I am pleased to say that the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) is working on a suitable tariff for coal-to-power that will form the basis of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
“Although you may not see it, it is at the point of negotiating tariff with power providers that government, through NBET, and NERC, begins to protect the interest of consumers.
“Solar and other renewable energies will also play a major role in our roadmap to incremental power.
“We have recently signed 14 PPAs for the delivery of 1125 MW of solar power.
“Other renewable energy projects such as the 10MW wind plant in Kastina, are also in various stages of completion,'' the minister said.
Also speaking, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, said that oil prices had dropped from 110 dollars per barrel in June 2014 to the current level slightly above 40 dollars per barrel.
“This decline has significantly impacted on government revenue earnings as oil sector accounts for approximately 90 per cent of the nation's foreign exchange.
“The huge drop in revenue earnings poses a grave danger for the adequate funding of the national budget.
“A major challenge which, therefore remains, is securing the crude volumes to a level that ensures we deliver the revenue target fully aware of the fact that price is internationally determined.
“We are, therefore, working assiduously to resolve the security issues so that we can guarantee volumes," he said.
Baru, however, appealed to people to stop destroying the energy infrastructure, saying that destruction of critical energy infrastructure posed serious threat to the environment.
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) on Thursday said 15 states in parts of the country may lose two million hectares to flood. Mr Felix Ale, Head, Media and Corporate Communications of the agency, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.
Ale said the areas were identified following a preliminary research and analysis conducted by the agency on flood prone areas. “Based on satellite imagery from Nigeriasat-2, Nigeriasat-X and the shuttle radar topography mission, over two million Hectares of land are at risk of flooding with potential impact on Agriculture and settlements' displacement.
“In the investigation, the Space Agency developed a geospatial information system depicting areas that are at risk of flooding across the Nation. “The affected states, after a critical analysis and scientific research through space applications, are Taraba, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Edo, Delta and Anambra.
“Others are Rivers, Bayelsa, Lagos, Sokoto, Kano and Niger. “Against this background, NASRDA hereby appeals to the affected state governments to urgently put adequate measures in place for the relocation of communities in the flood plain areas in their respective states to high grounds.
“This is in order to mitigate the colossal loss of lives and to prevent a repeat of the 2012 experience. “NARSDA reassures the general public of its close collaboration with relevant stakeholders for the dissemination of space-based solutions to any flood challenge in the country,'' he said.
Ale also said that the agency had developed a digital terrain model to identify areas of high grounds for potential relocation of affected communities. The agency recently made public its findings on the recent earth tremor in some parts of Rivers and Bayelsa.
President Muhammadu Buhari says African countries survive the current economic and financial challenges with home-grown innovations.
PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI
The president said this while declaring open the annual Assembly of Governors of the Association of African Central Banks held in Abuja on Thursday.
According to him, prescriptions from the West tagged: "fit for all purposes" will not solve Africa's economic and financial challenges.
“I am confident that you will come up with practical ways by which we can chart a way forward for the growth and development of Africa.
“The region is confronted with several global and domestic economic challenges.
“Most worrisome is the slowdown in growth; weakening global demand; rising inflation; restrictions in capital flows; rising debt levels; increased exchange rate volatility and depleting external reserves.
“Those of us who rely on only natural resources such as Nigeria, Angola, South Africa, and Mozambique have been hit the hardest.
“Furthermore, China, a major trade and business partner to a number of African countries is currently slowing down as it remodels its economy, sparking fears of further weakening.
“I urge you to continue to look for original home-grown solutions, not to rely on "fit for all purposes" prescriptions handed down from abroad.
“The world is a dynamic place and with innovation, we can survive.''
President Buhari noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria had for many years spearheaded economic stimulus measures through specific intervention programmes.
He maintained that these measures should be sustained at all costs, while urging the participants to strike a balance between monetary and fiscal policy measures.
He said, “monetary policy alone is not sufficient to bring about desired economic growth.''
President Buhari reiterated his administration's determination to diversify the economy so as to surmount the challenges facing the country.
“Consequently, we are taking measures and implementing policies that would ensure we are self-sufficient, generate massive employment for millions of our youth, and explore our untapped human and natural resources.
“We shall also embark on export and production diversification steps including investment in infrastructure; promotion of manufacturing through agro-based industries and expansion of Regional Trade.
“All these would involve integrating the informal economy into the mainstream and providing funds to Small and Medium Enterprises.
“We shall also continue, with greater determination and focus to pursue our goal of ensuring improved security for our country and its citizens, and without letting up on our fight against corruption and terrorism.''
President Buhari also advised that African leaders should reverse the trend of illicit flows of funds out of Africa through intensified surveillance in addition to guidance to the operations of their various financial institutions.
“We should all be serious in putting place measures aimed at ensuring that the proceeds of these illicit flows are repatriated to their countries of origin with minimal bureaucratic hitches.
In his remarks, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele assured that the Association would redouble its efforts towards the achievement of a sustainable economic and monetary integration in Africa.
He stressed the need for African Central Banks to be strengthened so as to serve as a platform for galvanising efforts that will solve emerging challenges on the continent.
Also speaking, the President, Association of African Central Banks, Mr Lucas Nchama, called for proactive policies that will address the negative effects of the fall in prices of major commodities on the economies of African countries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 45 governors of Central Banks and the representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Africa Union were in attendance.
The theme of the meeting is; “Unwinding Unconventional Monetary Policies and Financial stability in Africa.''
Almost every day in Nigeria, the media is awash with stories of road accidents leading to deaths of many or sometimes inflict temporary/ permanent injuries on car occupants. Autofactorng, an e-commerce retail company into sales of auto-parts has highlighted 5 silent killers car owners take for granted.
Defective windshield wipers
Windshield wipers would probably not be the first thing that comes to your mind when talking about causes of road accident. Windshield wipers are essential to the safety of any driver, and when they are not working properly, accidents are more likely to occur.
In a situation of a heavy downpour of rain and a car with a defective windshield wipers will cause one to lose visibility quite fast, and car accidents can result easily. Worn out shocks
The major function of a shock absorber is to prevent excessive spring movement and in so doing keep the car’s tyres in contact with the road enabling you to keep control of it. Because of this it is a safety critical item, but most people ignore it. Because shocks are generally unseen items and they wear down so slowly that drivers grow accustomed to the ride and amend their style of driving to compensate for it. Not only are worn shocks life threatening, they can also cause costly repairs and maintenance on your vehicles.
Bad brakes
Brake pads and shoes are wear items and have a limited service life. The more you drive and use your brakes, the more the brake linings wear. Eventually, they wear down to the point where they have to be replaced. The hydraulic and mechanical components in your brake system also have a limited service life. Over time, rubber seals and hoses can deteriorate and leak. Metal components can rust and corrode. If your brake system develops a leak, it may cause the brakes to fail because of loss of hydraulic pressure when you apply the brakes.
Bad & expired tyres
The condition of the tyres should be inspected regularly. Look for unusual or uneven wear, bulges or wrinkles in the tire sidewalls, cracks in the tread that may indicate tread separation, or loss of air pressure. Over- or under-inflated tires can cause trouble for motorists, which could end up resulting in an accident if ignored. Also, using an expired tyre can be fatal – as the rubber ages, it perishes (dries out), and becomes weaker and brittle. At speed, it heats up and the pressure increases (as the air inside also heats up). This can lead to a blowout
Poor Vehicle Maintenance/Driver Negligence
It is the sole responsibility of the driver and car owner that the vehicle being driven is safe and roadworthy on the road. A quick walk around on cars by drivers before each and every drive is important not only as a good practice but sometimes save lives. A knowledge of those components which may affect road safety when broken down or deteriorated will be a benefit for drivers to enhance the confidence in driving.
Korede Ogunseinde is an automobile blogger @autofactorng
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia , on Thursday expressed joy over his victory at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, saying that he had been spurred to do more. Ikpeazu, who said this while addressing newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia, said the victory reinvigorated him to serve the people with greater zeal.
He thanked God for the victory, saying that he dedicated the victory to the people of the state. He also expressed gratitude to the judiciary which, he said, had proved to be the hope of the common man. “Without the judiciary of this country, what would have been the fate of the poor son of a teacher, who became governor at the mercy of God and people of Abia.
Ikpeazu
“The news before of us is a wonderful one and we are grateful to God for what He has done that our mandate has once again been affirmed by the Court of Appeal. “This to us is a victory for the common people of Abia, who voted massively for us in 2015,” he said. He said that with the judgment he had been “re-invigorated in our service to Ndi-Abia without letting them down”.
Ikpeazu thanked the people for their support and steadfastness in prayer for his victory and urged them not to rest on their oars. The governor further charged the media to ensure that all arms of government work in consonance to promote the ideals of democracy. “The gains this country has achieved in terms of our democratic experience is too much for us to toy with.
“We can recover from our economic problems but we may never recover if we drawback on our gains in democratic governance,” he said. The Court of Appeal affirmed the election of Ikpeazu and quashed the June 26 judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja High Court.
Abang had ordered Ikpeazu to vacate office for Dr. Uche Ogah, who challenged Ikpeazu’s eligibility to contest the 2015 governorship election as the flag bearer of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP). Following the judgment of the High Court for the immediate inauguration of Ogah as Abia governor, the Independent National Electoral Commission, issued him with the Certificate of Return.
Meanwhile, members of the Board of Trustees of PDP, led by their chairman, Sen. Walid Jibrin, who were at the Government House at the time the news of the judgment filtered in, congratulated the governor on his victory. Jibrin told newsmen that the party expected victory for Ikpeazu.
A former Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumini Jibrin, has asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to restrain the leadership of the House of Representatives from suspending him. Jibrin, representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, urged the court, to set aside the decision of the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and Uzoma Abonta pending the determination of the case.
He also asked the court to declare as illegal, the decision of the House to suspend him without allowing the external investigation committee to probe his allegations of budget padding. However, when the case came up for hearing, Justice Okon Abang, sought to know if the defendants in the case were served with the court processes.
Counsel to Jibrin, Mr Mohammed Suleiman, informed the court that the plaintiff was yet to serve the defendants with the motion. Abang therefore directed that all parties in the suit be put on notice before he could entertain the application. He adjourned the hearing till Aug. 25.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-President Muhammadu Buhari has said that one of the topmost priorities of his administration was to restore the confidence of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in government by facilitating their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.President Buhari commissions Road Projects in Wanke Zamfara State
The president gave the revelation while receiving the outgoing Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Asharaf Abdelkader Salama at State House, Abuja on Thursday.
A statement by the presidential spokesperson, Mr. Femi Adesina stated that Buhari also commended Egyptian government for identifying with challenges confronting Nigeria, especially the plight of IDPs.
“The displaced persons want to go back to their homes. They want to resume their normal lives. They want to go back to the land, which they have not cultivated for over three years now.
“We will work to restore their confidence, and also work on infrastructure, so that they can quickly resettle,” President Buhari said.
The President noted that the bond of friendship between Nigeria and Egypt was very strong as demonstrated in their growing cooperation on regional and international issues.
In his remarks, Mr. Salama, who spent four years in Nigeria, said he was the first foreign diplomat to travel by road from Maiduguri to Yobe State, North Eastern Nigeria, last month.
He told the President he was proud to have made the journey through an area once considered a stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists, following the successes recorded by the Nigerian military fighting insurgents in the region.
He described the people of Nigeria as “friendly and generous,” saying he hoped to be back in the country again.
President Buhari also received the outgoing Ambassadors of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and Tanzania.
Granting audience with Ambassador Oubi Bachir of SADR, President Buhari reiterated Nigeria's support for Sahrawi people's self-determination and independence.
Ambassador Bachir's duty tour to Nigeria spanned eight years during which he served as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.
On Tanzania, President Buhari told the High Commissioner Daniel Ole Njoolay, that the east African country was fortunate to have a leader who cared so much for the less privileged in the society.
The President said Tanzania was blessed with good land and gas, which could be used for the good people of the country.
Ambassador Njoolay spent two years and eight months in the country.
BY – KINGSLEY OMONOBI-ABUJA. The Nigerian Navy Ship NWAMBA has rescued a British registered merchant Tanker vessel with call sign MT VECTIS OSPREY from sea pirates who attacked her 20 nautical miles offshore of Bonny.
A statement from Naval headquarters signed by the Director of Information, Commodore Christian Ezekobe said, "The rescue operation was in response to a timely alert by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) to the Naval Regional Maritime Awareness Centre (RMAC).
"Consequently, the war ship was promptly deployed to track down and rescue the vessel.
Ezekobe said, "The British flagged MT VECTIS OSPREY departed Bonny offshore terminal and came under pirate attack on Wednesday 17 August 2016.
"NNS Nwamba engaged the attackers on approaching the vessel which made them to abandon their mission due to superior fire power.
"To this end, Naval special forces onboard the war ship embarked, and rescued the crew who locked up themselves in a citadel in the merchant tanker.
"The crew and cargo of 'MT VECTIS OSPREY' are safe while investigation has also commenced in order to unravel the circumstances of the attempted hijack, especially with regard to the current trend of involvement of crew members in attacks on their own vessels".
"Additionally, Ship owners are hereby advised to profile their crew before embarking them onboard to avoid situations in which some disgruntled crew members stage-manage attacks on their own vessels" he said.
"Consequently, the Nigerian Navy wishes to seize this opportunity to remind the public, particularly those operating in the maritime environment that the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas is poised to eliminate all forms of criminal activities in the maritime domain, hence several initiatives have been made in this regard" Ezekobe added.
"To mention a few, the initiatives are the conduct of 'Operation Tsare Teku', Choke Point Regime and the deployment of capital ships for daily patrol.
"It is worthy to note also that these measures have drastically reduced incidents of sea piracy and other crimes on our territorial waters".
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said his administration would restore the confidence of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by fast-tracking their voluntary return, rehabilitation and reintegration into the society. The president gave the assurance when he received the outgoing Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Asharaf Abdelkader Salama at State House, Abuja.
He commended Egypt for identifying with challenges confronting the country, especially the plight of IDPs, which he said had remained a topmost priority for the Nigerian Government. “The displaced persons want to go back to their homes. They want to resume their normal lives. They want to go back to the land, which they have not cultivated for over three years now.
“We will work to restore their confidence, and also work on infrastructure, so that they can quickly resettle,'' he said. The President noted that the bond of friendship between Nigeria and Egypt was very strong as demonstrated in their growing cooperation on regional and international issues.
In his remarks, Salama, who spent four years in Nigeria, said he was the first foreign diplomat to travel by road from Maiduguri to Yobe, North Eastern Nigeria, last month. He told the President he was proud to have made the journey through an area once considered a stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists, following the successes recorded by the Nigerian military fighting insurgents in the region.
He described the people of Nigeria as “friendly and generous'', saying he hoped to be back in the country again. President Buhari also received the outgoing Ambassadors of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and Tanzania. During the audience with Ambassador Oubi Bachir of SADR, Buhari reiterated Nigeria's support for Sahrawi people's self-determination and independence.
Amb. Bachir's duty tour to Nigeria spanned eight years during which he served as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. On Tanzania, President Buhari told the High Commissioner, Daniel Ole Njoolay, that the East African country was fortunate to have a leader who cared so much for the less privileged in the society.
The President said Tanzania was blessed with good land and gas, which could be used for the good people of the country. Ambassador Njoolay spent two years and eight months in the country.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its South East Zonal Head of Operations, Mr Obioha Okorie, has released a bank draft of N500,000 to one Dr. Veronica Ibeziako, a retired Chief Magistrate in Anambra.
A statement issued by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, the commission`s Head of Media and Publicity on Thursday in Abuja, said that the money was recovered for Ibeziako.
“The former magistrate was swindled by fraudsters while seeking for financial assistance to enable her to proceed for medical treatment abroad,'' the statement quoted Uwujaren as saying.
Uwujaren said in the statement that Ibeziako was billed for a surgical procedure abroad, which was going to cost N3 million, adding that she was defrauded of N500,000.
The EFCC spokesman said that though investigations into the matter were still ongoing, the recovered fund had been released to the victim. This, he said, was to enable her to attend to her financial and medical needs.
The Kano State Police Command has banned a mass wedding organised by a group loyal to former Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso.
File Photo: Mass wedding in Kano
This is contained in a statement signed by the command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Magaji Majiya, and issued to newsmen on Thursday in Kano.
According to the statement, the measure is necessary because the wedding coincided with the state government's planned empowerment programme event slated for Aug. 20.
“The police has banned the two ceremonies indefinitely as security Intelligence available at our disposal revealed that some disgruntled elements are preparing to use the occasions to cause havoc in the state.
It warned that the police and other security agencies would not fold their arms to allow some people to breach the peace in the state.
“Our prime responsibility is to ensure peace, tranquillity, protection of lives and property as well as maintenance of law and order,'' the statement said.
The statement said that the Commissioner of Police would invite the organisers of the two events for a meeting with a view to resolving the issues.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – The Bring Back Our Girls BBOG advocacy movement has announced of its plan to commence a series of marches on the presidential villa to compel President Muhammadu Buhari to act fast in rescuing the abducted Chibok girls.
Following the recent release of a proof of life video by the Boko Haram terrorist group, the BBOG had indicated its desire to embark on a series of strategic engagements to compel the federal government to “decide and act now”.
The #BBOG will also also focus on issues regarding the humanitarian crisis in the North East, corruption in the disbursement of relief materials to IDPs, and the arms deal saga.
In a brief statement released Thursday in Abuja and jointly signed by its leaders, Oby Ezekwesili and Aisha Yesufu, the #BBOG announced her “decision to embark on a series of activities to compel decisive action from our government and the global community”.
According to the movement, “activities will commence on Monday, 22nd August 2016. They will include several marches to the Presidency, media interactions, and engagements with critical stakeholders such as Governments, International Organizations, Statesmen and Influencers.
“Critical areas to be covered during this period of engagement are our #ChibokGirls, the humanitarian crisis in the North East, corruption in the disbursement of relief materials to IDPs, and the arms deal saga.
“We call on all citizens, within Nigeria and across the world, to join us on these engagements”.
