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Here's a quick recap of some of the musical talents we lost this year;
David Bowie: He was a master of music and makeovers, famous both for his talent and gender-bending artistry. The iconic "Ziggy Stardust" singer, who died on January, 10 at the age of 69 after a quiet, 18-month battle with cancer, defied labels while producing a long string of acclaimed hits in a range of genres, from glam rock to funk to hip hop. His final album, "Blackstar," was released just days before his death.
Glenn Frey:The Eagles co-founder, who died on January 17 at the age of 67, was known for his laid-back persona and country-tinged California sound. Along with Don Henley, Frey co-wrote such indelible Eagles songs as "Best of my love", "Lyin' Eyes", "One of These Nights" and "Hotel California" before going on to a '80s solo career.
Paul Kanter: Guitarist Paul Kantner was a founding member of the '60s psychedelic-rock band Jefferson Airplane, which later morphed into Jefferson Starship. The 74-year-old who died on January 28 was heralded as the architect of what was then known as San Francisco sound, exemplified by such trippy songs as "White Rabbit."
Maurice White: Founder and leader of sprawling R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White died on February 4 at age 74, leaving behind a legacy of funky, spiritually uplifting hits that were loved by black and white audiences alike. Many, including 'Shining Star', 'Sing a Song' and 'September', will stand the test of time.
Keith Emerson : Keyboardist Keith Emerson co-founded Emerson, Lake & Palmer, which Billboard calls progressive rock's first supergroup. The British outfit thrilled audiences with florid instrumentation and elaborate stage shows, including pyrotechnics. Emerson, 71, died on March 11 in Santa Monica, California, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a coroner said.
This file photo taken on May 18, 2013 shows musician Prince performing onstage during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 19, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pop icon Prince died at his compound in Minnesota on April 21, 2016, a representative said. He was 57. “It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning,” said his spokeswoman, Yvette Noel-Schure. / AFP PHOTO
Phife Dawg: Born Malik Taylor, he found fame as rapper Phife Dawg, a founding member of pioneering group A Tribe Called Quest. Pitchfork published some of the most epic rhymes by the diminutive, 45-year-old rapper and lyricist who spit serious magic on the mic before dying of complications from diabetes on March 23.
Merle Haggard: Singer-songwriter Merle Haggard was a grizzled country music legend who became a voice for the working man with classics like 'Okie from Muskogee' and 'Fightin' Side of Me'. He was 79 when he died from complications from pneumonia on the 6th of April.
Prince: Prince Rogers Nelson's music — a brilliant mix of pop, rock and stripped-down funk — transcended genres and generations. His best songs, from "When Doves Cry" to "Purple Rain" to "Kiss," somehow sound both timeless and fresh some 30 years later. His shocking death at age 57 on April 21 drew an international outpouring of grief that showed the breadth of his influence in popular culture.
Leonard Cohen: Canadian crooner Leonard Cohen's songwriting and poetry influenced countless musicians with its dark sensibility and ironic humor. Just before he died on November 10 at the age of 82, he released an album, 'You want it darker' that explored big questions about mortality and God.
Leon Russell: Rocker Leon Russel, who died in his sleep on November 13 at the age of 74, worked for years as an acclaimed session pianist before finding fame in his own right in the 1970s. His distinctive look and stage presence earned him the nickname, "The Master of Time and Space." Russell played on the famed 1971 "Concert for Bangladesh" at Madison Square Garden.
Sharon Jones: Soul and funk singer Sharon Jones spent decades in anonymity before audiences discovered her in the mid-2000s. With her backing band, the Dap-Kings, she became legendary for her fiery live shows, earning comparisons to her idol James Brown. Jones died at the age of 60 on November 18, but not before she defiantly told Rolling Stone in July, "I have cancer; cancer don't have me."
Greg Lake: On December 7, the prog-rock singer and bassist died at 69 after a battle with cancer, leaving Carl Palmer as the only surviving member of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Lake also co-founded King Crimson and later scored a big solo hit in the UK with "I Believe in Father Christmas."
George Michael: Singer George Michael burst onto the scene with '80s pop duo Wham! before reaching greater heights as a charismatic — and controversial — solo artist. With such monster hits as 'Faith' and 'Freedom! '90', Michael blended danceable pop with progressive social commentary. The British pop star and gay icon was 53 when he died on December 25.
Debbie Reynolds: Actress and singer Debbie Reynolds died on Wednesday, a day after the sudden death of her daughter, "Star Wars" icon Carrie Fisher. Reynolds was 84. "She's gone to be with Carrie," Reynolds' son, Todd Fisher, said in a statement. "She loved taking care of her and now she's gone to be with her." Reynolds was rushed to a hospital from a Beverly Hills home at around 1 p.m. PT, according to law enforcement officials. Todd Fisher confirmed she had died Wednesday evening and later told "Variety" he blamed heartbreak for his mother's death.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned Ms. Agnes CALLAMARD, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, urging her to "prevail on the Nigerian authorities to halt further killings of innocent citizens in Southern Kaduna, and to urgently investigation recent allegations of killings of over 800 citizens mostly women, children and the elderly in that part of the country by suspected herdsmen, and to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, and to provide reparations to victims"
The organization also asked Ms. CALLAMARD to "request to visit Nigeria to conduct fact-finding mission into the circumstances surrounding the killings."
In the petition dated 30 December 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organization expressed "concern that the killings of citizens in Southern Kaduna of Nigeria amount to serious violations of the rights to life; to security of the human person; to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being; and right to property guaranted by not only the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) but also the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”
The petition reads in part: "SERAP contends that Nigerian authorities have failed and/or neglected to respect these human rights and to exercise due diligence to ensure that these rights are not violated by private individuals such as herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators. Nigerian government should therefore be held to account for failing or neglecting to guarantee and protect the rights of the people in Southern Kaduna, regardless of whether such violations are directly or indirectly attributable to the state or its officials."
"SERAP is concerned that the Nigerian government has failed and/or neglected to create an environment in Southern Kaduna to end the unlawful killings by failing to move their legal and institutional machinery towards the actual realisation of these rights. It is in fact the failure by the government to take adequate measures to prevent the violence which has contributed to the increasing number of victims."
"SERAP believes that the killings would not have taken place if the Nigerian authorities have taken measures to prevent their happening and to address persistent impunity of those responsible for the violations and abuses. The lack of accountability for the attacks by herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators across the country has continued to create a culture of impunity which clearly is not compatible with the rule of law in a democratic society."
"According to the leadership of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna State, a total of 808 people were killed in 53 villages across the four local governments areas in the state ridden by crisis. The church leaders also said that 57 people were injured; farm produce estimated at N5.5 billion were also destroyed, and a total of 1,422 houses and 16 churches were burnt during the attacks. The affected communities are spread across Kaura, Sanga, Jama'a and Kauru Local Government Areas where there had been persistent attacks on communities by gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen."
SERAP therefore urged Ms. CALLAMARD to prevail on the Nigerian authorities to:
Take measures to urgently secure the right to life, right to security and dignity of the human person and right to property of citizens in Southern Kaduna, and to prevent further attacks and killings by herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators Carry out an effective investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings and to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, and to provide reparations to victims Provide a framework of security for the protection of life, and to protect the lives of those individuals at risk from unlawful attacks in Southern Kaduna Provide for an effective remedy and reparation for the victims
An Oredo Magistrates' Court in Benin has ordered the remand in prison custody, of two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, Osakpamwan Eriyo and Sunday Osagbona, for alleged attempted murder.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M. C. Ojobo, who said she lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, directed that both accused persons be remanded in Oko Medium Security prison.
She said the prison has proper health facilities and directed that the case file be sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for legal advice
The accused persons were charged with the attempted murder of Chief Osaro Idah, Secretary of the state's APC.
Eriyo is the State Youth Leader of the APC and Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) while Sunday is the Ward 3 Chairman of the APC in Oredo Local Government
No pleas were taken.
Eriyo protested being handcuffed in the court room.
He said: "Am I a criminal? Did I kill anybody? Why are they charging me for attempted murder?
"I didn't do anything. It is the governor that is oppressing me."
Their Counsel, Usunobun Evbayiro, urged the court to grant them custody in the police clinic because of their ill-health.
He said his clients were hypertensive, asthmatic and diabetic and they needed constant medical attention.
"The first accused person collapsed in police station. It was the police doctors that revived him.
" I urge you to use your discretion to order him to be kept in police hospital so that police doctors can attend to him. It is for him not to die in custody."
The case was adjourned till Jan. 13 for mention.
The APC chieftains' supporters had earlier staged protests at the headquarters of the Edo State Police Command to demand their release.
The police, however, ignored the protesters and whisked the accused, under heavy security, to the court.
Similarly officials of RTEAN and suspected thugs attempted to storm the court room but they were barred by the police.
The APC chieftains were arrested following a petition sent to the police by Chief Osaro Idah that they threatened his life
The US President-elect Donald Trump has urged Obama, Americans and, perhaps, Russian President, Putin to jettison the disagreement between the two countries and move on to bigger and better things.
Trump also said he will, however, meet with intelligence leaders next week to get the "facts of the situation" that led the Obama administration to expel 35 Russian diplomats in the wake of cyber attacks related to the US election for the interest of America.
Trump
The statement from Mr Trump urged America to "move on to bigger and better things" but confirmed he would meet security officials "in the interest of our country and its great people".
"It's time for our country to move on to bigger and better things. Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation.
The Kremlin has warned the expulsion may lead to retaliatory actions.
Mr Trump has previously dismissed as "ridiculous" claims Russian cyber-hackers had interfered with the US election
U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats including shutting down of two Russian compounds in the U.S. in a number of actions announced on Thursday as reprisal for Russia's meddling in US election.
"Today, I have ordered a number of actions in response to the Russian government's aggressive harassment of U.S. officials and cyber operations aimed at U.S. election.
"These actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behaviour.
"The U.S State Department is also shutting down two Russian compounds, in Maryland and New York, used by Russian personnel for intelligence-related purposes, and is declaring 'persona non grata' on 35 Russian intelligence operatives.
"Finally, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are releasing declassified technical information on Russian civilian and military intelligence service cyber activity.
"This is to help network defenders in the U.S. and abroad to identify, detect, and disrupt Russia's global campaign of malicious cyber activities."
According to him, all Americans should be alarmed by Russia's actions.
Russian intelligence agencies over the last two years blanketed Democratic Party targets with malicious emails and have likely continued such efforts after November's elections, a US federal law enforcement report showed Thursday.
According to the AFP, US officials in the report refer to the Russian hacking efforts collectively as "Grizzly Steppe".
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump agree to improve relations of both countries
The report's release coincided with an array of measures unveiled by Washington as retribution for what American officials have described as Moscow's malicious efforts to tip the vote in favour of President-elect Donald Trump by stealing embarrassing information from Democratic Party operations and senior party members before releasing it to the news media.
The report, produced jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security, traces the routes allegedly taken by hackers to infiltrate party operations, using targeted campaigns of "spearphishing," or fraudulent emails designed to cause the recipients to reveal passwords and other information, and then stealing large volumes of email.
The report corroborated or matched much of what had already been revealed by news media, which pointed to broad-based hacking by outfits such as APT 28 for "advanced persistent threat" tied to the Russian military intelligence body known as GRU, and APT 29, which may be associated with the FSB, or Russian federal security service.
"This activity by Russian intelligence services is part of a decade-long campaign of cyber-enabled operations directed at the US government and its citizens," DHS and FBI said in a joint statement with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the sprawling US intelligence community.
US intelligence officials in October formally accused Russia of responsibility for the hacking but have since reportedly been at pains to provide evidence without compromising their own intelligence collection.
The report contained technical specifications and IP addresses that the authors said network administrators could use to identify malicious activity as well as a set of recommendations for hardening networks against attack.
According to the report, in mid-2015 APT 29 used legitimate internet domains from US educational institutions and other organizations to host malware and send spearphishing emails to more than 1,000 accounts, including some belonging to US officials, successfully stealing email in bulk from several accounts.
In the spring of 2016, APT 28 also attacked, tricking victims into changing their emails on a fake website hosted by APT 28.
The New York Times reported this month that APT 28 stole emails belonging to John Podesta, then the chairman of Democrat Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, and also penetrated computers used by the Democratic National Committee as well as the campaigning arm of Democrats in the House of Representatives.
"The US government assesses that information was leaked to the press and publicly disclosed," Thursday's report said.
"Actors likely associated with (Russian intelligence services) are continuing to engage in spearphishing campaigns, including one launched as recently as November 2016, just days after the US election."
The Directorate of State Services has reported various successes in smashing criminal gangs, including kidnappers, fraudsters and Boko Haram terrorists planning to detonate improvised bombs on New Year Day.
In Kano, the DSS operatives arrested three suspected Boko Haram fighters namely Samaila MUHAMMAD, Sanusi MUSA and Hudu MUHAMMAD.
They were arrested at Dirbunde village of Takai LGA in Kano State. The trio have perfected plans to carry out series of coordinated attacks with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in selected States of the North-West zone in the month of November, 2016 to disrupt festive activities during the end of year and the new year of 2017.
It was also in Kano state that DSS arrested Usman Sanusi MUSA aka KEKE, a notorious kidnap kingpin on 15th December, 2016, at Sabuwar-Kaura village in Doguwa LGA, Kano State.
MUSA is a high-profile criminal who, in conjunction with other criminal associates of his gang has been terrorising residents and communities in Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano and Plateau States, the agency reported
In the latest update of the agency's operations by Tony Opuiyo, its spokesman, the DSS said it has succeeded in degrading criminal gangs in several parts of the country in tactical operations in the last three months.
Among the criminals smashed were two gangs, a three-man and a four-man cell operating between Edo and Kogi states, either kidnapping or robbing people on the route.
Members of the three-man gang made up of Abubakar MUSA, Ismail MUSA and Suleiman MAINASARA, were arrested four weeks ago at Aduwawa in Benin city, Edo State.
"Prior to their arrest, they were members of a kidnap gang that terrorised commuters and residents of communities along the major highways between Edo and Kogi States", Opuiyo said.
"Similarly, on 30th November, 2016, one Ibrahim ADAMU and three of his associates namely; Umar ABUBAKAR, Ibrahim SALISU and Abdullahi ABUBAKAR, were arrested at Ibilio village in Edo State. The quartets were part of a larger gang that specialized in the kidnap of people along the Edo-Kogi corridor."
The DSS also on 20 December at Katsina-Ala town in Benue State,arrested another gang of suspected kidnappers comprising one Ernest BENZE, Terkura TYOKISHIR alias MPOTO, and Anun AONDONA.
The trio were identified as members of the notorious Terwase Akwaza kidnap syndicate.
Operatives of the Service also arrested Sani DIGARU, along with one Mohammed ALI, on 25th December, 2016, about 1315 hours, along Gombe-Dukku road, Gombe.
It was however not clear whether DIGARU was still alive as the DSS reported that he was fatally shot when he attempted to escape from arrest.
His arrest was sequel to earlier intelligence that he was in possession of N2million meant for the coordination of a terrorist operation in Yobe and Bauchi States.
The DSS has also uncovered a criminal gang which specializes in robbing foreigners, either visiting or living in Abuja.
For instance, on 5 December, 2016, the gang robbed an expatriate in a high brow hotel in Abuja and carted away his money and other valuables.
However, acting on actionable intelligence, and with the support and cooperation of sister agencies and the hotel management, the Service arrested one Ikechukwu OBADLEGWU and Ikechukwu Joseph EKE.
While OBADLEGWU carried out surveillance on potential targets for the group, EKE is the kingpin and mastermind of the whole operation.
Following this operation, the Service has successfully recovered almost all the stolen items.
In further disclosures, the DSS said it arrested a notorious fraudster at Gwaron Dutse, Kano Municipal, Kano State.
The fraudster was identified as Auwalu Abdullahi YAKASAI.
He was apprehended for allegedly defrauding Jaiz and Unity Banks of N100 Million and N50 Million respectively.
The Service also arrested one Bashir SHUAIBU, on 5 December, 2016 at Tsamiya village, Gezawa LGA of Kano State for obtaining money from unsuspecting victims through threat messages. He was arrested while in the process of defrauding another victim.
Just last Wednesday, operatives of the agency waded into the kidnap of a 10 year-old boy at Ben Kalio Housing Estate, Damaturu.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N5 million .
However, about 1920 hours same day, the Service rescued Muhd Yusuf DAYA, at Potiskum town, Potiskum LGA.
Meanwhile, the victim's mother Barakat DAYA and her friend, Rukaiya DANLADI, have been arrested for culpability in the incident, DSS said.
At least 15 Boko Haram fighters were killed in Borno State, Friday, when Nigerian troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and Boko Haram terrorists engaged in fierce battle which lasted several hours.
Sources say the battle ensued at 6 a.m this morning and did not end until after 9 a.m.
Our sources said the battle began when fighters of the terror group launched a surprise attack on troops location in Rann, in northern Borno, shooting sporadically.
They said the soldiers responded promptly, killing an unknown number of the terrorists, and wounding several others.
The battle was said to have raged for over two hours, and when the dust settled, several terrorists were found dead.
The Taraba Police Command on Friday said no All Progressives Congress (APC ) chieftain was killed in the state by miscreants.
The news of the killing was said to be contained in the news flash of a private television station on Friday.
The police spokesman in the state, Mr David Misal, told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) in Jalingo that the story of a purported killing of an APC chieftain in the state was false.
He, however, said two people had sustained injuries from a violent attack shortly after they attended a recent campaign rally of a politician at Dampar in Ibi Local Government Area of the state.
Misal said: " It is not true. No APC chieftain was killed in the incident.
" What actually happened was that two people sustained injuries from a violent attack when they returned from a campaign rally of a politician at Dampar.
" I will not give you any name because when you are dealing with political cases, you have to be careful to avoid misinterpretation.
"The two persons are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo.
" The offence here is that they did not contact the security agencies before embarking on the rally.
" That is the reason why we have always advised politicians to contact security agencies before going for rallies so that they can be protected.
" If we had been informed, we would have averted the attack.''
He warned politicians in the state against violating the law while canvassing for votes in the February 2017 local government election in the state.
" Any political rally without security approval will be considered as a threat to security and the perpetrators would be liable to prosecution,'' Misal said. (NAN)
Embattled President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia has been unreachable by phone. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon revealed his frustration in attempting to reach him in a statement in New York on Thursday. "Despite efforts to reach President Yahya Jammeh by phone, the Secretary-General has not yet been able to speak with him", the statement by Stephane Dujarric, Ban Ki-Moon's spokesman said.
Yahya Jammeh
The UN chief has however spoken with Adama Barrow, the President-elect to congratulate him on his electoral victory and to reiterate the commitment of the UN to a peaceful, timely, and orderly transfer of power. In a readout of the phone call to Barrow, Ban Ki Moon said the UN welcomed and fully supported the decision of ECOWAS on Dec. 17, to support the safety of the president-elect. Ban advised the president-elect to urge his supporters to show restraint and not resort to violence. The secretary-general emphasised that the UN would support the will of the people in their election of Barrow as well as the future government in efforts to promote democracy and sustainable development of the country. The UN Security Council and the AU have also expressed such support and have acknowledged Barrow as the president-elect after he defeated the incumbent, Jammeh, in the Dec. 1 presidential election.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adams Dabutorudima has resigned. Information about his resignation is still very sketchy as at press time.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Alhaji Sani Zoro, has advised the IDPs to be wary of returning home until the military certifies their communities safe.
Zoro gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Friday.
He noted with concern that some IDPs have started rushing home after the capturing of Sambisa forest, saying this did not augur well for their safety.
According to him, there is the need for the military to certify the communities safe, after liberating the territory hitherto seized by insurgents.
"I am not happy about the development that IDPs in the camps are rushing to their homes, because already there is fear that some of these communities have been mined by insurgents.
"There is need to escalate the level of reconstruction, especially shelter and means of livelihood in this harmattan season and there is also need for the massive `demining' of all liberated areas and the army had to confirm that such places are safe for the return of IDPs" .
He also advised the Federal Government to assign the reconstruction of houses, roads, police stations and schools in the North-East to the military .
Zoro explained that such a decision will generate employment in specialised areas such as carpentry, masonry and engineering.
He said that the Armed forces should be encouraged to develop their capacity in other aspects of human endeavour as obtained in other parts of the world.
Sen. Magnus Abe (APC-Rivers South-East) has flayed the preparation and passage of the Rivers' 2017 budget. He described the budget presented by Gov. Nyesom Wike and passed by the state legislature "as too hasty".
Abe made remarks when a chieftaincy title: "Esaan Kono" (First Son of Kono) was conferred on him by the Kono Community on Friday in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers.
He said that the budget was not supposed to be treated as a secret document but a collective interest of all groups in the state.
Abe said the absence of some lawmakers during the budget presentation to the House of Assembly attested to the manner the budget was prepared.
"A budget is expected to be discussed by representatives of the various local government areas to ensure equal opportunities for the economic interest of all.
"The governor would have waited for the swearing-in of all the elected lawmakers to enable every part of the state have a voice in the economic plan of the state.
"If the budget is hastily presented and subsequently passed into law without involvement of all the lawmakers, then its aim is defeated," he said.
He urged the governor to make public copies of the budget to enable the people have better knowledge of his administration.
Abe also charged the people of Kono to embrace the spirit of brotherhood to enhance the economic growth and political stability of the constituency.
Mr Blessing Nwikinaka, who spoke on behalf of the community, said the title was to honour him on his successful re-election and to pledge their continued support to his programmes.
"Kono has benefited greatly from some of your laudable projects.
"Today, we have two functional boreholes, youth scholarships, payment of backlogs of electricity bills and rehabilitation of jetty at the Kono Waterfront are some of your show of love to Kono people," Nwikinaka said.
Mr Marvin Yobana, the Youth Leader, urged youths in the area to support the Senator in his effort towards attracting democracy dividends to the region.
He urged them to embrace peace at all times so as to move the community forward.
Lawyers in Kuala Lumpur said on Friday that a 9-year-old Malaysian boy got his penis amputated in the second botched circumcision operation in December.
The Lawyers said was due to negligence on the part of his surgeon.
The doctor accidentally cut off the head of the boy's penis during the operation on December 15.
He then tried to stitch the penis head back on, but did not align it properly, lawyer P. Uthayakumar told reporters at a press conference outside the main hospital building in Kuala Lumpur.
The child was referred to another hospital for immediate further surgery, but the penis head started turning black, and the whole penis later had to be amputated.
"I am very stressed out I don't know what to do,'' the father of the child, who did not want to be named, said.
The boy's parents are seeking compensation to cover reconstructive surgery and are hoping for their son to be treated at a hospital abroad.
"He asks me: Why are you sad mother? I try to control crying in front of him I can't help but think how his life will be after this,'' the boy's mother added while sobbing.
Neither the unidentified doctor, who carried out the botched operation, nor his clinic has made any comment about the case.
Last week a 10-year-old boy lost the top of his penis in a laser technique circumcision, however, the glans was successfully reattached.
Sen. Magnus Abe (APC-Rivers South-East) has flayed the preparation and passage of the Rivers' 2017 budget.
He described the budget presented by Gov. Nyesom Wike and passed by the state legislature "as too hasty".
Abe made remarks when a chieftaincy title: "Esaan Kono" (First Son of Kono) was conferred on him by the Kono Community on Friday in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers.
He said that the budget was not supposed to be treated as a secret document but a collective interest of all groups in the state.
Abe said the absence of some lawmakers during the budget presentation to the House of Assembly attested to the manner the budget was prepared.
"A budget is expected to be discussed by representatives of the various local government areas to ensure equal opportunities for the economic interest of all.
"The governor would have waited for the swearing-in of all the elected lawmakers to enable every part of the state have a voice in the economic plan of the state.
"If the budget is hastily presented and subsequently passed into law without involvement of all the lawmakers, then its aim is defeated," he said.
He urged the governor to make public copies of the budget to enable the people have better knowledge of his administration.
Abe also charged the people of Kono to embrace the spirit of brotherhood to enhance the economic growth and political stability of the constituency.
Mr Blessing Nwikinaka, who spoke on behalf of the community, said the title was to honour him on his successful re-election and to pledge their continued support to his programmes.
"Kono has benefited greatly from some of your laudable projects.
"Today, we have two functional boreholes, youth scholarships, payment of backlogs of electricity bills and rehabilitation of jetty at the Kono Waterfront are some of your show of love to Kono people," Nwikinaka said.
Mr Marvin Yobana, the Youth Leader, urged youths in the area to support the Senator in his effort towards attracting democracy dividends to the region.
He urged them to embrace peace at all times so as to move the community forward. (NAN)
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Alexis Ohanian, the 33 year old. who got engaged to tennis legend, Serena Williams is a great man too in ICT. He is also a legend in his own world.
He is an American internet entrepreneur, activist, investor, and best-selling author. He lives in San Francisco.
He was born on 24 April 1983 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. His father Chris Ohanian, is an Armenian-American whose family were Armenian Genocide survivors who came to the US as refugees.
Williams and Ohanian
His mother, Anke is a German-born, who worked as an au pair and overstayed her visa when she fell in love with Ohanian's father.
Ohanian went to Howard High School in Ellicott City, Maryland where he gave the student address for his graduating class in 2001.
He is best known for co-founding the social news website Reddit, co-founding the early stage venture capital firm Initialized Capital, helping launch the travel search website Hipmunk, and starting the social enterprise Breadpig. He was a partner at Y Combinator, and is also the executive chairman of Reddit.
After graduating from the University of Virginia in 2005 with degrees in commerce and history, Ohanian started reddit.com, with co-founder Steve Huffman. Reddit initially received funding from Y Combinator after Ohanian and Huffman were rejected for their initial idea, My Mobile Menu.
They joined the first batch of Summer of 2005 and were later acquired by Condé Nast in 2006. Ohanian continued to work closely with Reddit as a member of its Board of Directors.
In 2007, Ohanian launched Breadpig, an "uncorporation" that produces geeky merchandise and gives the proceeds to charity. He is no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of Breadpig.
In 2009, Ohanian spoke at TED about a whale named Mister Splashy Pants. After leaving Reddit in 2010, Ohanian spent 3 months working in microfinance as a Kiva fellow in Yerevan, Armenia. Ohanian helped launch travel search website Hipmunk in 2010, and now acts as an advisor. In June 2010, Ohanian announced the launch of his company Das Kapital Capital, which focuses on startup investing, advising and consulting.
He was named the "Ambassador to the East" for early stage venture firm Y Combinator. In this position, he meets with East Coast applicants, mentors New York YC founders, and is a general representative for the company.
He also held the role of part-time partner and full-time partner at Y Combinator, before leaving in 2016 to help launch the third Initialized Capital fund with Garry Tan.
He co-founded Initialized Capital in 2010 and made seed investments in startups including Instacart, Zenefits, Opendoor, and Cruise. It has had three funds, totaling over $160M under management.
In late 2010 and early 2011, he spoke out against Congress's Stop Online Piracy Act and the Senate's Protect IP Act. He helped lead the Internet-enabled grassroots campaign that eventually overturned the two bills.
Ohanian spoke to members of Congress, helped launch the national anti-SOPA/PIPA protests that took place on January 18, 2012, and spoke at the rally in New York that was organized by NY Tech Meetup.
In October 2012, Ohanian teamed up with Reddit General Manager Erik Martin and embarked on the Internet 2012 Bus Tour from Denver, CO to Danville, KY to campaign for the open Internet during the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates. One of the campaign stops spurred the idea for a possible "National Geek Day." in Washington DC.
In response to his work advocating for the Open Internet, The Daily Dot named Ohanian number one in their top ten most influential activists of 2012, and Forbes dubbed him "Mayor of the Internet."
In May 2014, Ohanian began campaigning the FCC to support net neutrality, culminating with a day-long phone-a-thon into the FCC and Congress on 15 January, 2015.
In 2011 and 2012, Ohanian was named to the Forbes "30 Under 30" list as an important figure in the technology industry.
In 2013, Ohanian and Erik Martin were featured as "champions of innovation" in the 20th Anniversary issue of Wired.
In 2015, Ohanian was named to the Crain's "40 Under 40" list for business.
Ohanian published a book titled Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed on October 1, 2013.
Without Their Permission ranked 4th on the Wall Street Journal's best sellers list for Hardcover Business. In connection with the book, Ohanian embarked on a 5-month, 150-stop and 75-university tour to promote the book.
Ohanian has spoken at over 80 universities, and lectured at conferences like TED, the Clinton Global Initiative, SXSW, and ROFLCon.
He has spoken to a range of companies, including Google, BBDO, BursonMarsteller, Johnson & Johnson, Hyatt, Kraft, and Palantir. Ohanian was also the keynote speaker at an entrepreneurship summit in Cairo organized by the U.S. State Department months after the Egyptian Revolution.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared January 8 2017 national day of mourning over Southern Kaduna killings.
This came as its commended President Muhammadu Buhari for waging war against Boko Haram fundamentalists since his assumption in office, but decried his silence over the on-going genocide in the last few weeks’
Saying that Buhari’s silence was ‘perceived as official endorsement of the dastardly and ungodly acts.’and that the defense of the President's silence and that the President has received briefing from the governor of Kaduna State over the matter was unacceptable, as governor was biased in handling of the continuous killings.
These were made known in a statement directed by Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo A Ayokunle, President CAN and signed by Rev. Dr. Musa Asake, CAN National General Secretary on Friday.
New CAN President, Rev Ayokunle
The statement read
‘Though the church in Nigeria since 2009 has been subjected to a systemic genocide and persecution through the instrumentality of Islamic fundamentalists Boko Haram, leading to the killing of thousands of Christians and destruction of hundreds of churches, and over 50,000 houses, but the current unprecedented onslaught against Christians in southern Kaduna by the
Islamic fundamentalists disguising as the Fulani herdsmen under the watch of Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and President Muhammadu Buhari has reached an alarming stage.
While we commend President Muhammadu Buhari for waging war against Boko Haram fundamentalists since his Assumption of office, his silence over the on-going genocide in the last few weeks speaks volume over the perceived official endorsement of the dastardly and ungodly acts.
The recent defense of the President's silence that the President has received briefing from the governor of Kaduna State over the matter is unacceptable, because the Presidency knows that the people of the affected area had already protested against the governor's unacceptable biased handling of the continuous killings.
Common sense tells anyone that at that instance, the President has to more directly wade in because lives are involved. The continuous killings have shown that the Governor of Kaduna State lacks the will power to arrest the situation and bring it under effective control.
We know that southern Kaduna has been under 24-hour curfew daily as directed by the governor, yet the enemies of the people are still prowling going from house to house killing defenseless people without government protection.
The security operatives in the area appear to be turning blind eyes to the killings. They only rush to trouble spots after the perpetrators of the evils had performed their enterprise of killings and destruction of houses and farmlands.
CAN has previously drawn attention to the imbalance in the appointments made in our security Institutions, hence we re-emphasize that leadership/ management of security institutions both at the national and state levels be reviewed to ensure a balance of Muslim and Christian Representation. Such balance, will build trust and confidence among all citizens of Nigeria in the Security empowered to protect our nation. We implore the state and federal government to increase their efforts in putting an end to these killings and as well ensure that those behind the killings are brought to book under the laws of our land and those affected to be compensated.
In view of the present predicament, the President of CAN has directed that Sunday January 8 2017, should be declared national day of mourning by Christians including those in Diaspora. We are to pray fervently for our southern Kaduna brothers and sisters who are victims of these wanton killings and also for the peace of our dear country Nigeria.
Therefore, all Christians are to dress in mourning attire of black clothes or dresses in all our church services on January 8, 2017. We are to pray that God who delivered the Jews from Haman should deliver Christians from Hamans in Nigeria.
Not only that, all celebrations/merriments associated with the New Year are to be done low key in solidarity with our brethren in southern Kaduna who had lost their lives and who have been denied the privilege of celebrating the yuletide. An injustice to one is an injustice to all. Each State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria should also address the press either on the 1st or 8th of January reading out the contents of this release. May God deliver our Land from the forces of darkness on rampage in Jesus' name, amen.
All Christians in Nigeria and on the global scene should speak against this ethnic/religious cleansing to wake up the Nigerian security agencies from their deliberate slumber to carry out their responsibilities.
It is our prayer that the souls of all those that were slaughtered to rest in perfect peace. We pray that God will heal the wounds of their loved ones and all those that they left behind, and that God will strengthen and avenge them in the shortest time possible, for our
God will never abandon or forsake His people.
May we be comforted that help is on the way, let us completely trust and depend on Him holding on to His promises for our God is mighty and powerful and He will surely deliver us.
Let me conclude this press statement by quoting from the poem of the German Pastor Martin Niemoller (1892-1984) during the brutal days of Adolf Hitler who pen down the following words in his famous poem:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
The Presidency has been advised not to relent in its efforts to stamp out corruption in the Nigerian Judicial system to truly make it the last hope of the common man by 2017.
Mr Nwoha Amaechi, lawyer and former Speaker, Imo House of Assembly, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
Amaechi said the scrutiny and uncompromising stance of the present APC-led Federal Government was key to restoring the lost public confidence in the judiciary.
He saluted the courage of President Muhammadu Buhari for championing unprecedented investigation of alleged corruption against judges, which he said, was necessary for not only unbiased judiciary but victory for the people.
“No matter what some commentators may say, I give praises to the present government for having the courage to have carried out the level of arrests and scrutiny in the judiciary.
"In 2016, the judiciary received for negative revelations with the unprecedented exposure of corruption that led to arrest of judges.
"These exposures opened up that arm of government to public scrutiny which is necessary in positioning it to perform optimally,'' Amaechi said.
The former speaker, who described the anti-graft war in the judiciary as one of the greatest achievements recorded by Buhari, said it was good for Nigeria's democracy.
He noted that corruption was capable of plunging any institution into moral and disciplinary decadence and had the potential of overriding the country's democratic institutions.
Amaechi said that it was imperative to flush out all the bad eggs from `our courts' to guarantee delivery of fair judgments without fear or favour.
He, however, reiterated the need for the cleansing of the judiciary as a roadmap to a corrupt-free Nigeria in 2017.
"I urge the government not to relent to rescue that arm of government from corruption,” he said
The Department of State Services is investigation and prosecuting some judges for alleged corruption. (NAN)
The Prison Command in Kwara on Friday commended the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Mallam Jaafaru Ahmed, for promoting 232 officers across the ranks in the state.
The state's Controller of Prisons, Mr Adetoyi Akangbe, gave the commendation while decorating the promoted officers in Ilorin.
He advised the newly promoted officers to work hard and be more committed to the service to achieve common set goals.
Akangbe commended the Controller-General for putting an end to stagnation of staff on particular ranks.
He described the Controller-General's gesture as a great motivation to officers and personnel of the service.
According to him, the promoted officers who are in high spirit are thankful to the Controller-General.
He said the promotion would further motivate the officers to do more for the service and the country as a whole.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 1,000 officers of the service were promoted nationwide.
A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
The Nigeria Police in Lagos State, on Thursday said three more buildings housing 81 police families would be pulled down at the Highway Police Barracks, Ikeja due to structural defects.
Mr Maigari Dikko, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), in charge of Works disclosed the plan to newsmen while inspecting a building that collapsed in same barrack where two persons lost their lives.
A Sergeant and a civilian lost their lives on Christmas Day when part of the toilet collapsed while they bathed.
That building was later pull down on the instruction of the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai Owoseni.
The DIG works said he was instructed by the Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris to visit the scene of incident and also to commiserate with the families of those that lost their lives.
"We have told some of them to vacate the buildings. The buildings are defective; they have been served quit notice to leave for a long time.
"We have asked Commissioner of Police in charge of Lagos command and the works department to enforce the relocation. We do not want a repeat of the incident in the barracks.
"The officers affected are not being evicted. They are asked to relocate for obvious reason of safety.
"Prevention is better than cure. The force headquarter is not sitting idle.
"We are working out a plan for a better rehabilitation of all defective buildings in all barracks across the nation. We are going to use our professionals to carry out the works.
"We are using direct labour to rehabilitate police barracks. The project will commence as soon as the government releases the needed fund'', Dikko said.
The DIG said that all police officers affected would be given lodging allowance for relocation as soon as the government released the fund.
"That is the best we can do for them; we will not just throw them out, we will ensure they have something to relocate", he added.
Some of the officers affected, who spoke with newsmen on condition of anonymity, were happy about the peomise of lodging allowance for their relocation.
"We will be happy if we have money to move to another accommodation. We are not against the rehabilitation plan of the force.
"We will also be happy to be re-allocated our apartments after the rehabilitation because barrack is safer for our families'', they told NAN.
Each block of the two storey buildings accommodated 27 police families of rank and file, and some ASPs.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 2, Mr Kayode Aderanti and Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni accompanied the DIG on the inspection.
There was a pandemonium at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Yola, on Thursday over a bomb scare following the sighting of a strange bag in front of the school.
The development which obstructed traffic along the Jimeta-Yola Road for more than an hour, caught the attention of a team of policemen and soldiers.
The policemen from the Adamawa Anti-bomb Squad, who went into action immediately, however, discovered that the bag did not contain any explosives.
Addressing newsmen on the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Adamawa Police Command, SP Othman Abubakar, said that the bag contained waste materials.
Abubakar, however, commended members of the public for their vigilance and urged them to always alert the police whenever they sighted any suspicious object.
The Chief Security Officer of the college, Mr Salihu Muhammed,who reported the incident to the police, said that the suspicious bag was abandoned by unknown persons and that was why they immediately alerted the police.
Muhammed dismissed rumors circulating that the bag was found in the school premises saying; " it is completely untrue, the bag was abandoned outside the college".
In his commitment to the promotion of music, member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Kelechi Nwogu, on Thursday night, hosted two international musicians, Banky W and Davido at his Port Harcourt residence.
Nwogu also assured the international musicians that the Wike Administration will continue to invest in the development of the entertainment industry, pointing out that the State House of Assembly will look into the issue of regulation by the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Kelechi & Davido
He assured that whatever misunderstanding that may have arisen from the press statement by the ministry, would be resolved amicably.
Rt Hon Kelechi Nwogu noted that he will continue to support the growth of the entertainment industry in the state.
He said that he will always collaborate with established musicians to build budding musicians in the state.
Kelechi & Banky W
The State Lawmaker said: “My commitment to building the entertainment industry in the state is total. I will continue to work with established stars to encourage our musicians in the state “.
Rt Hon Kelechi Nwogu is reputed for his investments in the entertainment industry, which stands him out in the state.
The musicians commended him for his love and promotion of music.
They urged him to work towards prevailing on the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism to take steps that will develop the entertainment industry.
They appealed to him to also prevail on the House of Assembly to look into the press statement by the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism to regulate the entertainment industry and enforce certain regulations regarding the hosting of events in the state.
Enugu – The Enugu State Police Command on Thursday appealed to residents and community leaders of the state to report any shortlisted candidate for police recruitment with questionable character to the command.
The command's spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, made the appeal in a statement issued in Enugu.
The list of successful candidates in the just-concluded police recruitment was released about three weeks ago.
Amaraizu said that any member of the public with genuine and verifiable objections as to the character of any candidate shortlisted in the recruitment should present to the police command.
"Religious and traditional rulers as well as community leaders, NGOs and members of the public with genuine and verifiable objections as to the character or conduct of any candidate should write to the Inspector-General of Police through state commissioners of police,'' he said.
The spokesman advised shortlisted candidates to check their names on the notice board of the Police Public Relations Department, State Headquarters in Enugu.
"The training for successful candidates who have been shortlisted will begin on Dec. 31, 2016 in three centres.
"These centres include Police Staff College, Jos in Plateau State; Police College, Ikeja in Lagos State, and Police College, Oji-River in Enugu State.
"All shortlisted candidates are expected to report to the centres with original certificates and credentials as well as evidence of medical and physical fitness,'' he said.
By Rotimi Ojomoyela Ado-Ekiti-The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said the serial media attacks on Pastor Enoch Adeboye was the handiwork of Governor Ayodele Fayose, saying blaming the attack on APC was attempt to set Nigerians, particularly Christians of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, against the party and its leaders.
The party had a few days ago refuted a media report linking it with a report castigating Adeboye for praising Fayose during the visit by the man of God to the state.
Few days later, another press statement by a faceless group but ascribed to Hakeem Jamiu, who is an aide of the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, also railed against the religious leader, calling him a money-monger working for Fayose after collecting cash.
But APC scoffed at the “fraud”, saying such malicious report purportedly by APC followed the same pattern of alleged Fayose’s subterfuge to “criminally” set the public against the party for undeserved public sympathy.
Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement in Ado-Ekiti that the serial media attacks on Pastor Adeboye were orchestrated “by a criminal gang working for Fayose to always set communities against communities, individuals against individuals, and individuals against institutions”.
The statement alleged that Fayose’s media aides led by Lere Olayinka had issued two damaging press releases against Adeboye but ascribed them to APC in a “criminal conspiracy to paint the party in bad light to incur the wrath of Redeemed Church members and general public”.
He said: “We want to make it plain with all sense of responsibility that APC is not the author of the two press statements as we have utmost respect for men in God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye in particular.
“The two press statements bear the footprint of Fayose in his characteristic manner to push fictitious and damaging press releases in the media against individuals and institutions and ascribe them to his opponents to incur public opprobrium.
“Nigerians should remember that this same Fayose criminally printed posters in Chief Afe Babalola’s name in 2005 purporting that the innocent elderstatesman wanted to contest election against him, hence the incessant criticisms of his government by the innocent Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
“He did the same to Fayemi’s wife with a press statement that the innocent woman called Ekiti people ingrate and hungry people, the same way his media crooks cooked different anonymous groups in the name of APC and used their names to lie and abuse APC leaders in order to tear the party apart and in fact the same these crooks wrote on my behalf in the media that I accused Mrs Aisha Buhari of complicity in the Harliburton scandal and that I asked her to defend herself.”
Explaining that the latest press statement alleging that APC described Pastor Adeboye as a money-monger is one in the series of evil plots by Fayose to set Nigerians against the party, Olatunbosun said: Pastor E.A. Adeboye, General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God and Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye at the RCCG 2016 Holy Ghost Congress. Photos: Lamidi Bamidele. “The lid of this media conspiracy has been blown open by their latest press release condemning Pastor Adeboye as a money monger.
“They posted the press release to media houses in the name of one Oluwole Ogunlola with the email address ekitinews2014@gmail.com, an email address that belongs to Ekiti State Government.
“Besides, there is no member in the APC media team called Oluwole Ogunlola; in fact all APC press releases are signed by Taiwo Olatunbosun and sent to the media through his email address.
“The last two press releases against Adeboye, which they alleged were written by the State Chairman of APC, Jide Awe; and Fayemi’s Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Hakeem Jamiu, were neither sent to the media through Olatunbosun’s email and nor signed by him.
“Their latest attempt to paint APC leaders, such as Awe and Fayemi, in bad light in the eyes of Pastor Adeboye, fell flat on their face when reputable media houses refused to use the story because it did not originate from Taiwo Olatunbosun’s email address neither was the story signed by him as is the practice in APC’s communications to media houses.
“We agree that Fayose and his media aides are a perfect match in integrity deficiency, the experience of Ekiti people and indeed Nigerians in Fayose and his aides’ hands is a direct consequence of placing the serious business of running the administration of a state in the hands of irresponsible people.
“We appreciate the Nigerian media for their display of professionalism and pursuit of truth as enshrined in the media code and practice by refusing to publish Fayose’s malicious and dangerous press release capable of causing social discontent in the Nigerian society.
“We believe that Pastor Adeboye worships and serves true God and it is on the strength of this that we invoke Psalm 52 on the writers on those press releases attributed to APC for devising mischief, doing evil, lying and working deceitfully against the righteous.
“We believe that Pastor Adeboye has an anointed tongue and so we say that may the curses from Pastor Adeboye’s mouth and wrath of the Great Lord he serves be upon the writers of those damaging press releases against him.”
He added that Fayose’s latest veiled attack on Pastor Adeboye had confirmed his serial disdain for the men of God after he recently insulted a renown Muslim cleric, Sheik Muyideen Bello, when he angrily snatched a microphone from him at a public function in a mosque in Ado-Ekiti for telling him the truth.
While many music acts had a swell time during the Yuletide, enjoying themselves and bringing happiness to many homes,one act indeed stayed away, insisting that he would not be part of the celebration. And that music act is fast rising reggae star, Kingsley Eno Osagie popularly known as Winning Jah.
Winning Jah explained that he decided to ignore the celebration because "millions of families in Africa, precisely Nigeria are passing through hardship."
" Some couldn't afford a bag of rice, too many homeless Children in Africa, disables without proper care, social difference and discrimination of race, sex and religion provoked my mood of not celebrating Christmas this year,''he added.
Winning Jah
The fast rising reggae star, who recently led a campaign against the arrest and imprisonment of marijuana smokers in the country,believed that it does not make sense to him, that while some people are celebrating, others not.
He urged the government to help eradicate poverty in the society, adding that his song titled "Homeless World" is packaged to bring hope to all humans.
Winning Jah, is a Nigerian reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter, born in Kano state and raised in Edo -State, Nigeria. He started his musical career playing percussions in the Edo state King's Palace, Cultural centres, leading all traditional events organised by his mother with artists such as Kizito, Molar, Chief Priest Osevbengie Ebohon. He founded his record Label, Enorecords in 2003, releasing ” Amour Imposibile” starring Ebere Chi, under the outfit Winning Jah became a protégé of Enorecords after collaborating with Naxis DG on his song “To Whom It may Concern”. In June 2015, and released his Studio debut Album "Nouveau Business" in 2016
The Abia House of Assembly on Thursday, elected a news Speaker, Mr Kennedy Njoku, representing Osisioma-Ngwa North Constituency.
Njoku's election followed the removal of a former Speaker Chief Martins Azubuike, representing Isialangwa North Constituency.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Dr Cosmos Ndukwe, who presided over the plenary, said that 20 out of 24 members signed the impeachment notice against Azubuike.
During the election conducted by the Clerk of the House, Mr John-Pedro Irokansi, Njoku, polled 17 votes to defeat Chief Chikwendu
Kalu, representing Isialangwa South Constituency, who polled three votes.
The Deputy Leader of the House, Chief Solomon Akpulonu, representing Obingwa East Constituency, who moved the motion for Azubuike's removal, gave reasons for the action.
Abia Assembly
Akpulonu said that Azubuike "failed to ensure equitable distribution of positions and powers among members," adding that he was
"insensitive to the rights and needs of members and general staff of the assembly."
He further said that "his autocratic practice has brought the assembly on collision course with other arms of government and agencies of the state government.
"He has abused the office of the Speaker by using same for personal and private political interest.
"Therefore, pursuant to Section 92 (2c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. We, the members of the House, resolved to remove and hereby removed Martins Azubuike as Speaker," Akpulonu said.
In his acceptance speech after his swearing in, the new speaker thanked members for the confidence reposed in him.
Njoku gave assurance that the House under his leadership would make laws for the good governance of the state.
He said that the task ahead of the House was challenging adding that he appreciated the circumstances surrounding his emergence.
In a brief interview with newsmen, Njoku also promised to give every member a sense of belonging and avoid ''the banana peels'' that swept off his predecessor.
Akpulonu told newsmen that all efforts made to persuade Azubuike to change his autocratic leadership style failed, hence the decision to remove him from office.
Effort made by newsmen to get Azubuike's reaction on his removal was unsuccessful as he was said to have left shortly before they arrived at his official lodge on Okpara Avenue, Umuahia.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that the “suspected fake rice” also said to be plastic rice is contaminated but not plastic rice.
This was made known in Abuja, during a joint press briefing by NAFDAC and the Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday.
The seized consignment
Speaking at the briefing the Ag. Director General, NAFDAC, Mrs Yetunde Oni said that following the reported seizure of the “suspected fake rice”, by men of Nigeria Customs Service, the Agency swung into action by sending team of inspectors to the office of the Customs Area Comptroller, Federal Operations Ikeja, Lagos to draw samples from the seized consignment for Laboratory analysis.
According to Oni, preliminary result of the analysis of the product, branded as "Best Tomato" in 25kg pack size, without NAFDAC number, no batch number, no date markings and no details of the manufacturer showed the follows:
1. Floating – Negative 2. Sedimentation – Positive 3. Cooking. – Normal 4. Odour. – Normal 5. Colour. – Off-white grains 6. Moisture. – 13% (within specification) 7. Pre-ashing. – Normal 8. Ash. – 0.6% (within specification) 9. Lead and Cadmium – Not detected 10. Aerobic mesophillic count – 2.8×105 cfu (above maximum limits) 11. Mould – 5.1×103 cfu – (within specification) 12. Coli form – 7.5×103 cfu (above maximum limits) 13. E-coli. – 14. Packaging. – Does not conform to NAFDAC pre- packaging Food labeling regulations 2005
“Based on the above Laboratory result, the product is not plastic but rice contaminated with microorganisms above permissible limit, hence the seized rice consignment is UNSATISFACTORY and therefore unwholesome for human consumption.
“I wish to thank the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service and his men for the timely interception of this unwholesome rice. NAFDAC in collaboration with Nigerian Customs Service will continue to intensify vigilance and surveillance activities at all entry ports and boarders.
“May I use this medium to appeal to the General Public to report any suspicious case(s) about all NAFDAC regulated products to any of the NAFDAC offices across the Nation for prompt regulatory action. I appeal for continued support and cooperation of all Nigerian to team up with NAFDAC in our concerted effort to deliver on our mandate of safeguarding the health of the Nation.”
Meanwhile, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), at the joint press conference, said Customs operatives in Lagos intercepted the consignment of Rice, based on credible intelligence.
Ali, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller-General, Umar Iya, said Customs action was based on an earlier intelligence received from Office of the National Security Adviser, alerting the Customs operatives and other frontline agencies that large consignments of plasticized rice were said to be shipped from the Far East to Africa.
He said: “As the largest market for imported Rice in Africa, Customs took the alert seriously and charged Officers to watch out for such imports that do not conform with regulatory requirements.
“When the consignments of Rice in question were brought to Customs Warehouse, our apprehension became heightened when we observed glaring lapses in the packaging. The bags of Rice had no NAFDAC Number, batch number, manufacturing or expiry dates.
“We could also not see any detail about the manufacturers on the bag. We were left with no option than escalating our findings to the Agency that is statutorily charged with the responsibility of confirming the true status of the import.
“As required by the law, officials of NAFDAC were invited to draw samples for laboratory analysis. However as we know how social media works in our clime, the outcome we are about to hear today was pre-empted.
“Irrespective of the outcome of the laboratory analysis, Customs will remain vigilant and alive to its responsibilities. We are still guided by the intelligence we have which indicate that several metric tonnes of expired and dangerous rice are still lying in wait at warehouses in neighboring Countries.
“The target of these products is Nigerian markets. We will therefore intensify our patrols to ensure that economic saboteurs do not succeed. We will urge Warehouse owners across the country not to accept such smuggled products in their facilities. We enjoin transporters to reject moving such products as under the law, both smuggled products and the means of conveyance are liable to seizure. We will rely on the synergy with NAFDAC and other Agencies of Government to ensure that only rice that is certified fit for human consumption is allowed on our shores.
“We also like to use this medium to commend the determination of Nigerian Rice Producers who have taken the challenge of addressing the rice sufficiency gap very seriously. We commend the various State Governments whose decisive interventions have led to the present bumper harvest of local Rice. While this may lead to significant revenue reduction for Customs in the short run, the multiplier effects of increased local production of Rice in terms of job creation in the value chain will benefit the economy in the long run.
“Once again, we want to commend the Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni for this partnership. We appreciate the dispatch with which the laboratory analysis is being handled, so that we can quickly address this topical issue.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging more than N2 billion fraud against the management of the University of Ilorin.
The petition was jointly signed by the Ibadan Zone Chairmen of ASUU, Dr Ade Adejumo, and the University of Ibadan, Dr Deji Omole.
Others are Dr Biodun Olaniran of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Dr Dauda Adeshina, Kwara State University, and Dr Kayode Afolayan of the University of Ilorin.
ASUU, in the petition, said the former Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isiaq Oloyede, and the incumbent Abdulganiyu Ambali, were involved in a fraud totalling more than N2 billion.
ASUU described the University of Ilorin management as one of the most corrupt in any higher institution.
According to the petition, the institution has been operating under the pretext of keeping stable academic calendar to silence whistle blowers while perpetrating enormous fraud.
The allegations listed in the petition included pension fraud, unremitted deductions, extortion from students, contract inflation and kick-backs; as well as unlawful payments to ex-principal officers of the university.
Adejumo urged the EFCC to investigate the "monumental fraud perpetrated by the past and present administrations of the university.''
They said the former vice chancellor, in 2011, doubled the amount of pension being deducted from staff under the pretext that the previous deductions were lower than prescribed in law.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the legal minimum prescribed by Pension Act at the time was 7.5 per cent of emoluments and staff were paying even above this minimum.
"By way of comparison, in federal universities such as University of Lagos and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the sum of N20, 124. 62 is deducted from each professor as pension contribution per month.
"However, in the University of Ilorin, the sum of N40, 206. 42 is deducted monthly for the same pension contribution contrary to law'', it stated.
The petitioners also alleged a fraud of N1.5billion jointly perpetrated by the immediate past vice chancellor and the incumbent on fraudulent and unremitted deductions from staff salaries.
"Our preliminary investigations revealed that billions of naira have been extorted from population of about 35,000 students including Sandwich students over the past years.
The union, therefore, called on the EFCC to do a diligent and thorough investigation of the allegations, adding that if such was done, the anti-corruption agency would discover a can of worms.
A copy of the petition was stamped by the EFCC as received and dated 29th December, 2016.
Governor Ayodele Fayose, of Ekiti State asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign because he has failed Nigerians and that the President has become directionless, cluelessness and old age that has foisted a purposeless leadership on the country.
He said that Nigerians must begin to speak out now before the country is completely destroyed by this directionless federal government."
The Governor said that the exchanged rate is now $1 for N500 under Buhari and that there "is unprecedented hunger in the land" as Nigerians were being killed in Southern Kaduna and other places.
"It is better for the president to resign because he appears not to have capacity for positivity. If all the presidents that ruled before Buhari had behaved like he is behaving now, he himself will be in jail."
Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor said, "If the President and his hatchet men in the DSS, EFCC and other federal government agencies do not know what to do other than to record phone conversations of their perceived political foes, they should just resign and save the country from this harrowing experience."
Lere Olayinka further said that the DSS recording telephone conversations of Nigerians and leaking them to Sahara Reporters to publish as the height of the political rascality, manipulation, oppression, suppression and irresponsibility by agents of the federal government that are trying so hard to cover up the crimes they perpetrated against the people of Rivers State.
"They should even go beyond taping of my lines and come to live with me in Ekiti government house so that they can do per second live recordings of whatever I say because in the year 2017, by the grace of God, I will still say more without apology," he said.
On Monday the governor had said that what Nigerians are now desirous of hearing from President Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government is the defeat of hunger and untold hardship ravaging the country and not recycled stories of defeat of Boko Haram insurgents, which is as usual, aimed at diverting the attention of Nigerians from the fact that there is ravaging hunger at this time of the year.
The governor said it has become predictable that whenever Nigerians cry of the pains and sufferings they are going through, the federal government will come with stories like; "20 Chibok girls found," "$1 billion found in Mr A, B or C bedroom," "Boko Haram technically defeated," "We have captured Sambisa forest," etc just to divert attention.
The release also signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka read thus "It is painful that Nigeria under President Mohammadu Buhari has become directionless either due to the cluelessness of the president or his old age that has foisted a purposeless leadership on the country.
"This year's Christmas is the worse in the history of Nigeria. People cannot afford to celebrate and enjoy themselves due to the hardship caused by the APC government. To make matters worse, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also created artificial scarcity of cash, such that people could not access their hard earned money in the banks as most banks in the country do not have cash to pay their customers."
"Like I have maintained, the main issue confronting Nigerians now is hunger and hunger does not speak the language of political propaganda that is being used by the APC led federal government. It is therefore no longer about diversionary news, it is about preventing Nigerians from dying of hunger,".
"The only solution to the myriad of problems facing the country is for those holding power in Abuja to face the sad reality that it was the hard stance of the president, his statements against Nigeria and its people both at home and abroad coupled with his demonstration of hatred against some sections of the country and desperation to crush his perceived enemies that led us to where we are today.
"It was the president that went to foreign countries to de-market Nigeria by calling all Nigerians thieves and dishonest people. He was the one who created atmosphere of economic and political instability in the country by his acts of nepotism and vindictiveness?
"Things were never like this at any time in the history of Nigeria apart from 1984."
"They are not running the economy of Nigeria by the open participation of Nigerians but by some cabal, who see themselves as superior to others. By their failure to involve those who know more than them, they have succeeded in creating unemployment instead of three million jobs that they promised Nigerians per year. They have taken Nigeria back to the Stone Age and it will take several years for the country to recover, if it will ever recover."
"With every means of livelihood of the common people taken away from them, free; fair and credible elections becoming a mirage, Nigerians must begin to speak out now before the country is completely destroyed by this directionless federal government."
Boko Haram's elusive leader, Abubakar Shekau has appeared in a new video clip on Thursday disputing a claim by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian army that the jihadist group had been routed from its Sambisa Forest stronghold. In the video, Shekau ridiculed the army and the President, saying they are telling Nigerians lies about the true state of the group. Read full text here
Real Madrid will be without midfielders Lucas Vazquez and Mateo Kovacic when the team returns to action in 2017 after picking up injuries in their successful Club World Cup campaign.
Vazquez suffered a right leg injury in the 4-2 final win over Kashima Antlers in Japan and will be sidelined for up to four weeks, according to Spanish sports daily As.
He is likely to miss the Spanish Cup last-16 game against Sevilla on January 4 and 12 as well as three La Liga matches.
Croatian midfielder Kovacic will miss the first leg of the cup clash with Sevilla with a leg ankle knock also picked up in the tournament in Japan.
Residents of historical Lagos town, Badagry have started looking forward to exponential growth and development in the area's entertainment sector as Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, has promised to build a state-of-the-art cinema in Badagry within the next 18 months.
Ambode and artists at the fourth day of One Lagos Fiesta held in Badagry
This was revealed when Governor Ambode visited the town on Wednesday, December 28, 2016, for the fourth day of Nigeria's biggest crossover celebration, One Lagos Fiesta.
According to Ambode, the construction of the cinema would create employment opportunities for Badagry youths, while also boosting the tourism potential of the region which is already popular for foremost tourist sites such as the Slave Museum, The Agia Tree, Nigeria's first storey building and many more.
The governor further encouraged young entrepreneurs in the state to take full advantage of the Employment Trust Fund made available by his administration, as well as seeking constant opportunities for education and self-enlightenment.
Ambode, who was accompanied by members of his Excos, commended the crowd at the stadium as he adjudged them the largest he'd seen so far in all the three venues (Epe, Ikorodu and Badagry) he had visited.
Also, the governor enjoined the people to be peaceful and law abiding for the remaining 4 days of the fiesta.
An array of artists who performed on the night include; CDQ, Mayorkun, Jazzman Olofin, Dremo, Eedris Abdulkareem, Olu Maintain, Dammy Krane, Minjin, Konga, and traditional theatre troupes who entertained the large and ecstatic crowd, giving them a memory to cherish for a long time.
The Nigerian army has dismissed a video making the rounds wherein, the alleged killed Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau resurfaced and claimed that the terrorist group has not been routed as claimed by the Nigerian government and the army.
In a statement made available to newsmen by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, it dismissed the video as a mere propaganda.
President Buhari, Buratai and troops
"The attention of the Nigerian Army is drawn to a video clip released by Boko Haram Terrorist group from an undisclosed location a while ago, showing its purported leader, making spurious claims."
"While effort is on going to subject the video for further forensic analysis, the Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate that it has captured and occupied the last known stronghold of the terrorists group in the Sambisa forest."
"We would like to reassure the public that this video is nothing but mere terrorists propaganda aimed at creating fear in the mind of people and to remain relevant."
"Therefore, there is no cause for alarm, more so as concerted effort in clearing the vestiges of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hiding is still ongoing."
"Our gallant troops deployed in various parts of the north east have continued to intensify search for all persons associated with Boko Haram terrorist group with a view to bring them to justice."
"Consequently, the public are hereby enjoined to go about their normal lawful business, remain vigilant and security conscious."
"They should also report any suspicious person or group of persons to security agencies.
Thank you for your kind cooperation."
Recall that in the video footage, Boko Haram's leader, Shekau debunked the claims by both the Nigerian government and the army, saying his group is very much safe and uncrushed. He also accused the government of President Muhammadu Buhari of lying to the people.
The Minister of Interior, Retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, has described the capturing of 'Camp Zero', the Boko Haram's stronghold in the Sambisa forest by the Nigerian Army as the defeat of the insurgents.
Dambazau
The minister made this remark in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Ehisienmen Osaigbovo, on Thursday in Abuja.
Dambazau congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Armed Forces and the good people of Nigeria on the dismantling and incapacitation of the insurgents.
He said the victory had shown the president's resilience and commitment to fulfilling the promise he made to Nigerians, that he would bring the terrorist group to its knees.
Dambazau recalled that the insurgency had claimed the lives of innocent Nigerians as well as impeded the nation's growth.
He, however, called on Nigerians to expect the delivery of more promises in the coming years, as the best of President Muhammadu Buhari administration had yet to come.
The minister also lauded the performance of all security agencies during Christmas, which he said ensured a peaceful and conducive environment at yuletide.
He, therefore, tasked them to redouble their efforts in 2017 and called on the Nigerian citizens to be on the watch of people with criminal intentions, who might be a threat to peace and security.
The minister stressed the need for internal security and directed the Nigeria Police, as part of the ministry's strategy of "winning the peace" to maintain vigilance.
According to him, the police will deal appropriately with anyone, who intends to breach the security of the nation.
He specifically charged the police to deal with all reported cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling and other violent crimes.
The minister also directed the police and NSCDC to deploy more personnel to liberated areas in the North East to install civil authority in order to win the peace, while protecting IDPs and critical infrastructure.
He warned people, who might be in possession of firearms illegally to return same to the nearest police station and collect an acknowledgement receipt or be prepared to face the wrath of the law.
Dambazau pledged the Federal Government's commitment to peace and security, adding that internal security remained "a major government priority'' in 2017.
The Presidency has refuted media reports that President Muhammadu Buhari will conclude the appointments of members of the Federal Governmdent's Boards, Parastatals and Agencies by January, 2017.
Buhari
Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, made the rebuttal in his Facebook page on Thursday.
He said: "We wish to rebut the above tabloid headline which has been trending in the last 48 hours.
"That President Buhari will make full board appointments in January 2017 as published did not come from us. In the interaction between myself and some State House correspondents in which I tried to clear a few issues that they raised, here is what I said:
"You know that the reconstitution began methodically, from sector to sector. You should expect that to resume at the beginning of the New Year.
"The President has given directions on what to do.''(NAN)
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said on Thursday, that the Federal Government would in the new year release a calendar of festivals across the country.
Mohammed made this known in Offa, Kwara State at the 2016 Edition of the "Íjakadi Festival", a traditional wrestling event, which started in the 14th century.
Lai Mohammed,
The minister said that the aim was to attract tourists and enable them plan their trips around the festivals.
"We believe that this is one of the best ways to attract global visitors to our festivals and help to make them viable entities," he said.
The minister, represented by Mr Raphael Arulogun, General Manager of NTA Ilorin, said the government was also working with the private sector to make major festivals attractive to domestic and foreign tourists.
He said the government also planned to leapfrog the major events to the top cadre of global festivals, adding that the starting point would be to train the managers of the festivals.
"As you may be aware, the training of festival managers is contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that we signed with the British Council.
"Also included in another MoU, which we signed with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, is the need to ensure that festivals like Ijakadi are not just a mere jamboree but also a source of economic empowerment for the people.
"It will help to inject foreign exchange into the economy and create jobs, especially for the communities in which such festivals are situated," the minister said.
Mohammed said the beneficiaries of the partnership with the private sector would include major festivals like the Abuja Carnival.
He said the training would bring out their full potentials and become household names like the Edinburgh International Festivals, the Rio Carnival in Brazil and the Notting Hill Festival in London.
"Our ultimate aim is to ensure that our festivals are among the top 20 festivals in the world," he said.
The minister lauded Offa Descendants Union (ODU) , the organiser of the "Ijakadi Festival" for reviving and sustaining the age-long event.
He said the festival "reinforces the community's tradition of strength and determination and addresses the notion of equality among all the indigenes of Offa."
Kwara Governor, Abdulfatai Ahmed also commended the organiser for reviving Ijakadi Festival, adding that it will go a long way in uniting the community.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Otunba Taiwo Joseph, said the state would partner with the community to make the festival a tourist attraction.
The National President of ODU, Alhaji Najeemdeen Yasin, said the Offa community is known with a popular slogan "Ijakadi Loro Offa', meaning Ijakadi is the tradition of the Offa people.
"This slogan does not translate to the ordinary meaning that the Offa people are pugnacious or that they fight for no cause, rather it depicts the struggle to achieve or excel.
"Offa people are always on top of whatever challenges that confront them and they fight and find solutions to such problems.
"This concept is now demonstrated in two wrestlers trying to defeat each other,'' Yasin said.
According to him, the festival is a forum to bring the sons and daughters of Offa together to work for the progress and development of the community.
The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick has re-affirmed the Federation's support for the Nigeria Pitch Awards. He noted that the annual Awards have become an anniversary of some sort staged to identify, honour and celebrate Nigeria's talented football players and other officials like referees, clubs/teams, coaches and journalists among others.
Pinnick praised Matchmakers Consult International, organisers of the Awards, and also commended the various State Governors who have at various times identified with and supported the Awards.
Pinnick
The NFF President noted that the Awards, which inaugural edition took place in Calabar in 2013 have been credible, transparent and widely accepted. "My interactions with some football stakeholders and football journalists across the nation, have convinced me that the Nigeria Pitch Awards is one of the legacies we can bequeath to the next generation," Pinnick said.
Pinnick also stated that the Nigeria Football Federation had been partnering with the organisers because the Awards have been spot-on with regards to integrity. "We enjoin Nigerians from all walks of life to continue to give support to this cause. We also encourage all voters across the length and breadth of the nation to continue to participate and support the Nigeria Pitch Awards."
Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, expressed the desire of the organizers to continue to uphold the noble ideals of integrity and credibility that have endeared millions of people to the Awards.
Meanwhile, Matchmakers Consult International in conjunction with all award partners, have scheduled a media parley for Friday, 13th January 2017 in Lagos. The event will be an opportunity for the organisers to interact with and celebrate their winners and voters.
Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, has presented a 2017 budget estimate of N135, 064, 529, 461 to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.
The governor presented the appropriation bill tagged: "Budget of Introspection and Sustenance" to the House on Thursday.
He said the budget showed an increase of N23, 682, 157, 934 representing 21.2% over the 2016 revised budget.
According to the Gov Ahmed, the sum of N57, 479, 632, 894 representing 42.5% was earmarked as recurrent expenditure.
He also told the House that N70, 986, 667, 592 representing 52.5% of the budget went to capital expenditure, while N6, 798, 228, 975 representing 5% of the total budget is for public debt service.
Under Sectoral allocation, Ahmed said that Economic Affairs took the lion share of N35, 437, 302, 393 representing 26% of the total budget, followed by Education with a sum of N29,936,179,606 representing 22% of the total budget.
General Public Services came third with the sum of N26, 497, 822, 611 presenting 20% of the 2017 total budget.
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State
The Governor said the 2017 budget was anchored on current economic realities and determination to look inwards for sustained prosperity and development.
"Mr Speaker, Honorable Members, the 2017 Budget proposal builds on the prevailing macroeconomic realities in the country as a result of
"We have therefore maintained a prudent approach to estimating revenues for the 2017 financial year in order to cushion the economy from possible fiscal shocks that may arise.
"Mr Speaker, Honorable Members, in formulating the 2017 Budget proposal, we maintained a zero based budgeting to arrive at our projections," Gov Ahmed added.
According to him, the 2017 budget was based on oil price benchmark of $42.5 per barrel, oil production of 2.2 million barrels per day, average Exchange Rate of N1 to 305/$ and inflation Rate of 10.28% .
The Governor said the 2017 appropriation bill is expected to be financed through Federal Allocations to the state, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and Value Added Tax (VAT).
Ahmed also said the budget would be funded through Capital Development Fund Receipt/Aid and Term Loan facility from Financial Institutions.
The Governor told the House that about N23, 703, 893, 175 representing 17.6 percent of the budget would be sourced from Federation Account, while IGR would fetch N29.3 billion, representing 21.5 percent.
Gov Ahmed reassured the people of the state of the commitment of his administration to implement result oriented policies and programmes that will boost economic activities, unlock growth and create jobs in the 2017 financial year.
"All on-going capital projects under the General Public Service Sector will be accorded the highest priority to ensure their completion in 2017 financial year.
"The State government will continue to accord high premium to the wellbeing of its workers in all ramifications", the governor said.
He stated that more qualified youths will be engaged to address staff shortage created by voluntary retirement and resignation in 2017.
Ahmed also said that attention will be given to provision of operational vehicles to all MDAs in the 2017 fiscal year.
The Lagos State Police Command may have been subjected to intense pressure by the State Government to fish out the killers of an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Surajudeen Olatunji Bakare who was brutally killed by irate mob in Apapa on December 15, 2016.
Credible sources in the State Ministry of Justice confirmed on Thursday that the government has already written to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni demanding the arrest of the culprits.
The letter was said to have been written following the failure of the police to arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act despite the fact that the video had already gone viral on the internet with faces of the culprits. Late Bakare Bakare, a level 14 officer, was said to have been attacked by the irate mob who removed his two eyes and stabbed him after which he was stoned to death.
A source who does not want to be named confirmed the existence of the letter, saying that it was dated December 28 and written by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem.
According to the letter which was obtained by our Correspondent on Thursday, Kazeem said it was important for the police to promptly fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and turn them in to face neccesary legal action.
Kazeem said: “The late Bakare was a LASTMA official who was in Apapa area of the State executing his lawful duties and it was in exercising this duty that he was attacked and murdered by persons that have apparently been visually recorded and same circulated on social media.
“This is a crime that is clearly an affront to civilization and the sustenance of law and order which the administration of His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, has sworn to uphold.
“The Lagos State Government demands that the perpetrators of this dastardly crime be arrested, investigated and the case file promptly sent to this office for Legal Advice,” Kazeem said.
He added that his office, as usual, would be available to provide any assistance required by the police, but requested that the matter be treated with the urgency that it demands.
