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
Hi, The Guitar maestro, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, in one of his evergreen oldies sang about covetousness and why an individual must not take over a friend's spouse, describing it as a shameful act, which tarnishes one's reputation. This same act has been described as worse than stealing even by public perception. Perhaps it is because a lot of things have been attributed to friendship. Good friends are God sent. Some friends are dearer than blood relatives. Friendship is based on trust and must be nurtured and protected if it is to achieve the purpose for which it was developed. That many people have benefited immensely from good friendships is not in question. But in the same way, many others have only stories of woe, betrayal and damnation to tell of their friends. Perhaps, it is the fact that we get to choose our friends that makes it more painful to bear when we are betrayed by them. The irony is that no one can identify a bad friend until an evil or harm has been perpetuated by them, by which time, it may be too late.
A friend who intends to steal your wife or husband from you is not likely to give you notice or room for suspicion. In fact, he might even be your closest ally. The term, chop and clean mouth, does not apply in this situation, this is operation total take over. Despite God's commandment and societal condemnation, the practice just seem to be etching itself into our psyche. Stories of married women walking away from one friend's arms into another without as much as batting an eyelid, and men who without stopping to empathize with their fellow men, take over their women. In their foolery, they take solace in the famous story of king David and his epic love affair with Bathsheba, wife of soldier, Uriah. They forget that this was an affair that led to the death of the husband and the child produced from the adulterous relationship.
A couple of months ago, I'd accompanied a friend to visit her elderly uncle. It was no ordinary visit but a small family meeting to counsel their young cousin whose wife had just deserted him and their children for another man. Incidentally too, the new man in her life was a close friend of the family. I had tagged along for the gist but what I eventually got was a double barrel. During the discussion her elderly uncle who had also been a victim of such a betrayal added his own story to the package. I was the happier for it, though left wondering how some people could throw decorum, decency and fear of God out of the window for a few moments of desire.
In this edition and the next, I will share with you the experiences of these two gentlemen. If you have a similar experience you know about, kindly write in and share it with us. Or simply share your views on this issue with us via the contacts on this page. Do have a wonderful weekend!!
Pa Shina, (82), retired Civil Servant who lost his first wife to someone he claimed was a "good friend" way back in the 1970s.
I met my wife in England. It was at a party being hosted by a Nigerian friend. I loved her because she was friendly and a little carefree. She had lots of friends too and a bit of money to spend, as she had a good job. She was not going to school like most people were, though she told me that she was saving up to do so. Soon, we got married after a brief courtship and things were very good between us.
I was still studying for my Diploma when we had our first child. We had planned that when I graduated, she too will go and study something before we returned to Nigeria. In those days, our girls usually studied Nursing, Dressmaking or Catering. After the birth of our second child and I had finished my education, she refused to go to school. Soon, the third child came and then there was no way she could anymore.
I never suspected that she was a wayward woman until the final act. The only thing she ever engaged in apart from partying was bleaching. But this was the vogue among many of our girls in those days and didn't really mean anything to me. In 1967, her mother died in Lagos Nigeria, and she had to come for the final burial rites. Since we are Muslims, the corpse had been buried the following day. The final burial was to coincide with the first year memorial anniversary and my wife was expected to be in attendance.
We made plans and saved money towards her coming home. We had planned that she would take one of the children with her, but eventually the idea was shelved because of her fears about witchcraft and some unidentified enemies. The cost was also part of our considerations. As the day drew near, one of my close friends too informed me that he was travelling to Nigeria to attend to some family problems. I intimated him about my wife's journey though they were all aware that she'd lost her mother. We then decided that they should travel together so that my friend could help me take care of my wife. She had persuaded me to allow her travel by sea to save cost. Her argument was that she could use the money to purchase more gifts for the people at home and also enough to spend on the party.
On the day of their departure, I, in the company of the children escorted my wife and my friend off to the port at Liverpool. That was the last time I saw my wife. We met three years later when I came to verify the truth of the matter with my own eyes.
I received a letter from my wife when she arrived Nigeria and another one a few months after the party. She even sent photographs taken at the party with my friend whom she'd informed me took very good care of her while on the ship and had even stayed in touch with her in Lagos. He had represented me so well at the ceremony, she'd informed. In her letter, she did not mention anything about coming home. All she said was that they were going to read the will and she wanted to be around being the only daughter. After this, she stopped writing and even when I wrote she never bothered to reply my letters.
About eight months after her departure, we started hearing rumours that my wife was expecting a child believed to be my friend's own. London is a small place and so also the Nigerian community, and news whether true or false got around very fast. Again, I tried to get in touch with my wife without much success. Eventually, I got in touch with my younger brother who informed me that it was true that my wife was pregnant but that they don't really know much about it as she seldom visited any member of my family. She was staying in her family house on Lagos Island, I learnt. I was having a hard time coping with the children and my work. But somehow I managed. I had to take all three of them to a foster parent and only visited them every weekend so I could concentrate on my work.
I found it difficult to accept the rumours initially, but when my friend too did not return to England and they were always said to be seen together in Nigeria, I was forced to start believing the stories as facts. The fact that my friend was not married at the time too, made me come to a conclusion. Then, we heard that the baby had been born and that it was my friend's family that came to name the baby and that she had also moved into my friend's house. I had no choice but to resign to my fate.
My friend never tried to get in touch with me. The story being peddled was that the two had become lovers on the ship and that was when she had taken in for the child. It took me three years to plan my home coming. I just had to see her with my eyes. It wasn't as if I didn't believe all that I'd been told, it was just that I felt I would be more at ease if I saw them with my own eyes. I found all the stories weird. I wanted to ask so many questions like, how could she stoop so low, what would happen to the children, didn't she care about them at all. Up till today, I still can't figure out why she did it.
Just as I'd been told, my wife was pregnant with their second child, and they were also living together when I came home. She broke down crying like all women do when they are caught in the act. It was the work of the devil, she claimed. Their neighbours were curious to know what was going on. I believe that they must have been hearing some gossips too about the circumstances of their so called marriage. I never set eyes on my friend until I went back to England. That was in 1971, I was still in England when I heard about his death in 1980. She had bore him three children and still lived in their family house.
Later, I heard that she began having problems with his family and she moved out to rent a room in Ijeshatedo, a suburb of Surulere. I saw her a couple of times after I returned home in 1984. As the years went by, she began communicating with the children more often and they were able to make some reconciliation eventually. She has a good relationship with the first child, a girl. The two younger boys are not too comfortable with her, but I know that they are also in touch and do send her money from time to time.
Lots of men are living with prostate cancer today— which is a whole lot better than dying from it. If the cancer is caught while still localised within the prostate, experts believe the chances of it killing you within the following five years are practically nil. However, if the cancer spreads, your chances of surviving five years may be as low as one in three. For this reason, scientists have been desperate to identify factors that help cause prostate cancer to spread. These include:
Eggs and poultry: Harvard University researchers recruited more than 1,000 men with early-stage prostate cancer and followed them for several years. The results were astonishing. Compared with men who rarely eat eggs, men who ate even a small part of an egg a day appeared to have twice the risk of their prostate cancer spreading— for instance, into the bones. The only thing potentially worse than eggs was poultry. Another trial found that men with more aggressive cancer who regularly ate chicken and turkey had up to four times the risk of prostate cancer progression.
Scientists suggest that the link between consuming poultry and cancer spread may be due to carcinogens in cooked meat. For unknown reasons, these carcinogens build up more in the muscles of chickens and turkeys than in those of other animals. But what about eggs—how could eating less than one a day double the risk of cancer spreading? The reason may be choline, a compound found in eggs. Indeed, higher levels of choline in the blood have been associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer in the first place. Another study discovered that men who consumed two-and-a-half or move eggs per week —basically an egg every three days—may have an 81 per cent increased risk of dying from prostate cancer.
Milk: It contains growth hormones designed by Mother Nature to put a few hundred pounds on a baby calf within a few months. But are they good for us? Leading Harvard University nutrition experts have warned that the hormones in doing products could stimulate the growth of hormone—sensitive tumours—such as prostate cancer. Not only that, but experimental evidence suggests that doing may also promote the conversion of pre-cancerous lesions or mutated cells into invasive cancers. To date, there have been 14 studies in which organic cow's milk was dripped into human prostate cancer cells in a laboratory Petri dish. In each experiment, the milk stimulated the growth of human prostate cancer cells, producing an average increase in growth rate of more than 30 per cent.
In contrast, almond milk suppressed the growth of the cancer cells by more than 30 per cent. What happens in a test-tube or Petri dish, though, doesn't necessarily happen in people. Nevertheless, a compilation of studies has concluded that cow's milk consumption is a risk factor for prostate cancer. But, you may be wondering, if you can't drink milk, what will happen to your bones? Doesn't milk help prevent Osteoporosis? It turns out that the promised benefit may be just another marketing ploy. An analysis of many studies shows no significant protection. Even if you were to start drinking milk during adolescence in an attempt to bolster peak one mass, it probably wouldn't reduce your chances of fracture later in life.
Can you reverse prostate cancer?
Experts believe eating a varied plant-based diet, and avoiding all meat, fish, chicken and dairy products—may have much to recommend it, but it's certainly not for everyone. With this in mind, a group of researchers at the University of Massachusetts did a study on prostate cancer patients who agreed to get only half their protein from plant sources. Happily, this half-vegan diet did, indeed appear to slow down the growth of cancer. Instead of doubling in size within 21 months, their tumours took 58 months to grow to the same dimensions. So, even tweaking your daily diet is well worth the effort.
Half a serving a day of broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower or kale, for instance, can cut the risk of cancer progression by more than half. For another study, a research team recruited 93 men with prostate cancer who had chosen not to undergo conventional treatment. One group wasn't given any diet or lifestyle advice. The other prescribed a strict diet centred of fruit, vegetables,
whole grains and bears, and told to walk 30 minutes a day. Cancer progression was then tracked using PSA levels (a protein in the blood.) So what happened? In the people who did nothing, PSA levels increased by 6 per cent in a year. That's what cancer tends to do—grow over times. But healthy-living group, PSA levels decreased by 4 per cent, suggesting their tumours were shrinking.
A year after the study ended, the cancers in the control group patients had grown so much that 10 per cent of them needed surgery. By contrast, none in the plant-based diet and life-style group ended up on the operating table. Does that mean men suffering from prostate cancer merely need to change their diets? No—it is not recommended that they ignore medical advice. They have nothing to lose and much to gain however, by also changing what they eat. Other research has shown that the blood of people on plant-based diets are able to fight cancer eight times better than the blood of people of a typical Western diet.
But what if the benefits are down to exercise? To find out, a research team compared three groups of men: a plant-based diet and exercise group, an exercise— only group and a group of sedentary people eating standard fare. Would people who exercise hard enough and for long enough develop cancer-fighting abilities that rival that of strolling plant-eaters? To find out, blood from each of the groups was dripped onto human prostate cancer cells growing in Petri dish. Well, the blood of the sedentary lot wasn't completely danceless. Even if you're a chip-eating couch potato, your blood may still be able to kill off 1 -2 per cent of cancer cells.
But the blood of those who had exercised strenuously for 15 years killed 2,000 per cent more cancer cells than the blood of the couch potatoes—a fantastic result. Even better was the blood of those in the plant-based diet and moderate exercise group, which wiped out an astounding 4,000 per cent more cancer cells than that of the blood of the couch potatoes. In other words, thousand of hours in the gym appeared to be no match for a plant-based diet.
Giving your confidence a boost
In her book: How to shine in a crowd, Susan Roane gives the following strategies to help you work the room when you find yourself alone in a huge crowd, where no face looks familiar.
The entrance: There is no such thing as being 'fashionably late' for a meeting. Arrival is based on the start of the event, not making a conspicuous entrance. Take a deep breath, stand tall and walk in. If you stand in the door-way, people think you're scared.
Give the room a quick once-ever. Check out the bar, the food, where most people are congregating. "One man I know who has difficulty talking to people always positioned himself between the door and the … buffet," says Susan. "Everyone has to walk by him to get to the food and he is always surrounded by people".
First contact: Look around for people you know. If you see someone who looks even vaguely familiar, go and introduce yourself. Only two things can happen—either you'll be right and renew an acquaintance, or you'll meet someone new to chat to.
Use your friends: One of the main advantages of going to an event with a friend is that you can introduce one another around the room. You will know people he or she doesn't and vice-versa. Give people enough information about your friend and be positive. If neither of you know anyone, split up and start chatting until you do.
Get moving: If you are on your own and don't recognize anyone, do not be tempted to melt into the wall. Look out for what Susan calls the "hard knuckle drinker." They are clutching their cup or glass so tightly that their knuckles are really hard. They're scared to death and they're always alone. They will usually welcome your conversation because it saves them from anonymity.
Opening lines: Don't hang around waiting to make the perfect opening gambit. Even if what you say isn't going to bring the house down, do not lose the chance to start a conversation. The best opener may just be a smile and the word, 'Hello', other areas for easy comment are the event, the food, the organization, the traffic, even the weather. Avoid negative comments such as: "The food looks pathetic," because people will think you are a whiner.
Veteran actor, Richard Mofe Damijo, popularly known as RMD has always been an admirable specie when it comes to the world of make-believe. In fact, since his dramatic return to his first love-acting after a long absence due to his romance with politics, RMD has been very busy, jumping from movie set to another and making his relevance felt in the industry again.
Mofe-Damijo
This thespian took time out of his busy schedule to counsel those he calls his "Interns and Mentees to be,"on his Instagram page. In a short but precise message, he posted on his Instagram page, RMD described himself as "a product of God's mercy and an embodiment of imperfections." He advised them to learn to keep their heads up, drawing instances from his story. "Dear Interns and Mentees to be. Thank you for your kind validations by constantly expressing your desire to have me as your mentor. Like I've said before, I am genuinely happy to mentor but I am extremely petrified at the great confidence and child like trust most of you have for me. I feel like a fraud when I see comments and get DMs telling me how perfect I am because I am far from even being good, I have taken too many wrong turns and from time to time still do. I am just a man forgiven by mercy, saved by grace and kept by love (God -1John 4: 8). I have made mistakes I should be ashamed but for the grace of God that covers it all," he wrote.
Continuing, he said, "I do not see myself as the perfect role model and worry about how disappointed and betrayed you will feel if you eventually find out I am just another embodiment of imperfections. I come from a sincere place of no pretence or self righteousness but from a place of willingness to try and be the reason you hopefully turn out better than I did.
If you're here and still willing to be my mentee, then wait for it. February is the month in which the wheels of our dreams will take their first turn. I look forward to what the month brings. Keep your heads up."
U.S. will on Feb. 13 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria for a provision of $160,000 ( 36million) grant to help in the preservation of the nation's cultural heritage.
A statement by the U.S Embassy in Abuja on Friday stated that U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington would sign the MoU.
The MoU would help Nigerian institutions improve conditions for storage of its cultural facilities.
Symington is expected to sign the MoU with the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, National Museums and Monuments and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.
"The MoU will push for the preservation of available Nigerian cultural heritage.
"The grant will enable the institutions to improve the conditions and access to the collections storage areas of 10 Nigerian museums," the embassy said.
Former Argentina captain Diego Maradona has been handed an ambassadorial role by the game's global governing body FIFA. "Now it's official," the 1986 World Cup winner said on his Facebook page on Thursday.
"Finally I can fulfil one of the lifelong dreams; to work for a clean and transparent FIFA alongside people who really love football."
The ex-Boca Juniors, Napoli and Barcelona forward, 56, was a harsh critic of disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who is serving a six-year ban for ethics violations.
The world body is recovering from the worst graft scandal in its history, with dozens of people, including ex-FIFA executive committee members, indicted in the United States since May 2015.
Maradona, who has 91 caps, has been invited back into the FIFA fold thanks to a warm relationship with Blatter's successor Gianni Infantino, who was elected in February last year.
The Federal Government has attributed the delay in raising one billion dollars Eurobond to fund the 2016 budget to late implementation of the 2016 budget.
The Ministry of Finance in a statement signed by its Director of Information, Mr Salisu Dambatta said that the 2016 budget spending cycle had been extended to the end of March 2017 to accommodate the lateness.
Newsmen report that the Federal Government recently announced its newly established one billion dollars Global Medium Term Note programme.
The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 7.875 per cent and will mature on Feb. 16, 2032 with a bullet repayment of the principal.
The government intends to use the proceeds of the Notes to fund capital expenditures in the 2016 budget.
The Notes represent the country's third Eurobond issuance, following issuances in 2011 and 2013.
The Notes were approximately 8 times oversubscribed with orders in excess of 7.8 billion dollars compared to a pre-issuance target of one billion dollars demonstrating strong market appetite for Nigeria.
The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun said the Eurobond that was secured this week and the AfDB, secured late 2016, would continue to be used to fund capital projects identified in the 2016 budget.
"The government's debt strategy has been well defined and approved by the National Assembly.
File: Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun
We are focused on re-balancing our debt profile to ensure we have longer term debt that can be used to fund infrastructure development.
You can expect to see us continue to raise international funds over the coming two years as we work toward an optimal debt profile,'' she said.
Giving the advantage of raising Eurobonds to domestic borrowings or borrowing from other external sources like World Bank or China, Adeosun said that the interest rates were cheaper.
"We have borrowed one billion dollars over a 15-year period, with an annual coupon of 7.875 per cent.
"That compares to an average Naira borrowing rate of 15 per cent.
The international capital markets are a key source of capital for us, and our sovereign issuance provides a key benchmark for corporate borrowers looking to tap the ICM.
Ultimately, we want to achieve an optimal mix of borrowing from the ICM and other external sources, including concessional funding from the World Bank and China as part of the 2017 budget process,'' she said.
Adeosun said that apart from borrowing, the Federal Government was serious about expanding the tax base to generate added revenue to critical infrastructure projects.
She said that Nigeria's tax contribution to Gross Domestic Product was currently only six per cent and one of the lowest anywhere in the world.
According to her, it reflects decades of the populations' unwillingness to contribute to government revenue, often because they don't believe the money will be spent appropriately, or for their own good.
"That is the situation we have to change, and it is why we spent so much of 2016 re-structuring the way government collects, allocates and spends money.
We have to build confidence in that process, if we are to attract the kind of tax base that can deliver increased government revenue.
We believe that if we show Nigerians things can be done differently, then we can rebuild the social contract with citizens to pay their fair share of taxes.
"We are already beginning to deliver on this, with a focus on improved customs collections, including migration to a single window.''
According to Adeosun, the government is aware that people are looking for quick fixes to cushion the current bite of recession, and promised that the social intervention programmes will tackle such
Operator of the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, Primero Transport Services Limited, has announced plans to commence implementation of what it called "marginal increase" in its transport fares this month due to rising cost of operation.
Managing Director of Primero Transport Services, operator of BRT along Ikorodu, CMS corridor, Mr. Fola Tinubu, said the organization was constrained to introduce the increment owing to economic recession which had shot up every cost of operation.
Tinubu disclosed that in November 2015, BRT buses moved a total number of 2,610,30 passengers with an increase in number each month to December 2016, where 4,5788, 48 passengers boarded BRT. The total ridership from November 2015 to December 2016 recorded 42,551,118.00.
He said despite the current situation in the country the organization was prepared to increase capacity in order to accommodate the expected increase in number of patronage in 2017.
However, on the proposed increment in fares, Tinubu said, "We are going to increase our fares across the corridor by February. This is due to economic condition in the country which is beyond our control.
"Our cost of operation has gone up astronomically. We were buying diesel last year for N120 per litre but this year it is N260 per litre. The tyres we were buying for about N70,000 per one is now N140 each, while all the spare parts for the buses are imported.
"We have no choice other than to continue buying them. If we must sustain our operation to Lagos masses who have been enjoying our services we have to introduce this increment which is just a marginal increase. We just have to find a way to make the BRT work.
"It is quite unfortunate that we found ourself in this situation which is beyond our control to still keep the present pricing going. We are appealing to residents to bear with us as everything is being done to make sure it will not be a burden to their pocket. It will not be as high as the usual commercial yellow buses," he stated.
Residents of government Housing Estates in Lagos state have counted their losses as government agents embarked on removal of illegal structures identified to be in violation of state environmental law.
Meantime, Lagos State House of Assembly has directed the Lagos State Building Investment Co-operation, LBIC, to halt the proposed demolition of structures by in Ijaiye Housing Estate, Pen Cinema, Agege, Lagos State pending the investigation by the house Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development over the proposed demolition.
The demolition came three months after a similar exercise in Jakande Estate where the Secretary of Jakande Estate Landlord Association, Mr. Toba Johnson, claimed that about 12,000 shops were demolished and about 20,000 traders displaced.
It was gathered that the state government, through the state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, had earlier issued an ultimatum for the removal of all the illegal structures as failure to do so would attract forceful demolition.
The government argued that the structures were in violation of the Estate's Master Plan, and, should be removed to restore the original master plan of the estate drawn over 20 years ago.
One of the affected traders, Mrs. Rosemary Nwachukwu, claimed that abatement letter was served at a very short notice and she had no other place to go.
She lamented that; "Though, we thank the state government for giving us the opportunity to remove our structures by ourselves but we have invested so much on erecting the structures. We have lost so much in this exercise at this time of hardship in the economy."
Also, in a similar exercise at Ojokoro Housing Estate, Meiran, over 300 shop owners who are mostly retirees from the state government were affected.
It was gathered that in order to beat the the government's ultimatum, affected people embarked on evacuation of their property including roof tops and other accessories.
Some of the affected residents who spoke to Vanguard accused the state government of taking away their means of livelihood, even as the economic recession bites harder on citizens.
Olalekan, with tears in her eyes, lamented, "we are helpless as senior citizens of this country. We are mostly state government retirees. This is what we are managing to keep ourselves alive and our children. The structures are not obstructing any plan other than that the government claims that it is against the Master Plan of the Estate. At this time of economic recession this is absolutely unfair and insensitive of the government.
”There is no plan for markets inside the estate so how do we get access to petty goods and households stuff. Do we have to trek a whole distance to markets to get all these items? Government should have a rethink. Some of us are the breadwinners of our family, so, now that they have asked us to move away from our means of livelihood, where do we go from here."
A 27-year-old woman, Justina Dusu, on Friday told a Jos High Court that her boyfriend, Stephen Luka, got her pregnant and when confronted, butchered her and killed her sister.
Dusu, a resident of Foron, Barkin-Ladi Local Government of Plateau, who stood as a witness, testified against the accused, Stephen Luka, of Tudun Wada, Jos, who is being tried over murder, assault and sexual abuse.
Newsmen report that the accused, who has denied the allegations, is also facing a charge of attempted murder.
The accused was alleged to have attacked the two sisters on July 27, 2016 at his home, in Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada, Jos, after they went to confront him over Justina's pregnancy.
Dusu, who is heavily pregnant, told the court, in her testimony, that the accused person, with whom she had been in a relationship since 2007, got her pregnant last year.
"I met Stephen on Dec. 2 2007, while I was still in secondary school. I later left to Abuja, but came back to Jos in May 2016.
"We met on my return and he invited me to his place sometime in June 2016, where he had sex with me.
"I later realised I was pregnant and called his attention to it; he told me he was not ready to be a father and suggested an abortion which I promptly rejected.
"I told him I would rather give birth to the baby and give to my parents than have an abortion.
"On July 25, I told my sister, late Simi Dusu, about the pregnancy and Luka's idea of an abortion.
"She tried to reach him on phone without success and we decided to go to see him in his house.
"On July 27, we took a cab to his house, when I sighted him, we alighted and followed him to the house.
"He didn't deny the pregnancy, but said that he was not ready to be a father, and that his parents had already chased him out of the house.
"While we were discussing, my sister stepped out to receive a phone but before she returned, he started hitting me on my head.
"When I started screaming, my sister tried to enter, but he locked the door. She forced the door open and he descended on her with a machete and killed her.
"He again returned to me and kept hitting me; I only regained consciousness at the Hwolshe Medical Centre, Jos, and received the news that my sister had died," she told the court.
She denied engaging in a fight with her sister over Stephen as alleged by the defense counsel, and described that allegation as a "lie".
Another witness, Rifkatu Yusuf, who is a sister to the deceased, denied the possibility of a fight between the deceased and Justina,
She said that she did not know Luka until he called her to meet him at the hospital over her sister's condition..
After taking the witnesses, the prosecutor, Muleng Alex, prayed the court to adjourn the matter to another date, citing the long hours already spent on taking witnesses, a move the defense counsel did not object.
The judge, Justice Nafisa Musa, adjourned the matter to Feb. 28, for continuation of hearing.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Friday held an airport reception for Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
Governor Wike was supported by his Deputy, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, political leaders of Rivers State and officials of the Federal Government.
Prominent among those who witnessed the airport reception are: Former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, Senator Lee Maeba, Former Deputy Speaker of the House Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Opara, Former United Bank For Africa, Chief Ferdinand Alabrara and Former Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea, Desmond Akawor.
Gov. Wike holds airport reception for acting president, Yemi OsinbajoGov. Wike holds airport reception for acting president, Yemi OsinbajoGov. Wike holds airport reception for acting president, Yemi OsinbajoGov. Wike holds airport reception for acting president, Yemi OsinbajoGov. Wike holds airport reception for acting president, Yemi Osinbajo
Others include: Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Heineken Lokpobiri , Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva and service commanders
After the reception formalities, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo held a brief meeting at the sidelines.
The Acting President thereafter departed to Bayelsa State in a Presidential Helicopter for a meeting with stakeholders in that state.
Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo is expected to visit Rivers State on Monday in continuation of his consultation with stakeholders in the Niger Delta.
The Chief Imam of Area 10 Abuja Mosque, Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi has advised husband to ensure satisfaction of their wives sexual needs in order to prevent immorality.
Al-Yolawi gave the advice while during his Jumma'at Sermon titled: "The Duties and Responsibilities of Husband and wife in Islam, "on Friday in Abuja. According to him, there are certain men, who after marriage do not satisfy the sexual needs of their wives.
"Such people are great sinners and will be convicted in the sight of Allah.
"Husbands have a duty to satisfy their wives' minimum sexual requirements so that they may not commit a sin by eyeing other men in order to quench their thirst.
"Allah, the most high, has granted women the right to conjugal relations with their husbands, "Al-Yolawi said.
The cleric admonished husbands to value their wives and never appreciate the beauty of other woman in the present of their wives.
"This may lead to jealousy and suspicion in the mind of the wife. She would think that her husband has some feelings or relationship with that woman.
"This thought is a poison that kills matrimonial relations and should be avoided, " he said.
He said that in order to maintain peace and prosperity in the home, both wife and the husband should respect and take care of each other's opinions and emotions.
He said that the anger of husband brings to the wife nothing but tension, depression and confusion, adding that the anger of the wife brings to the husband nothing but disappointment.
"This can lead to mental torture, frustration and bitterness," he said.
The cleric, therefore, advised couples to be patient and compassionate in their dealings and urged husbands to always express their full confidence and trust in their wives.
"To prove this, husbands should hand over the house keep to their wives so that they may feel dignified and involved.
"Prophet Muhammad said that the woman is the guardian and caretaker of her husband's house and Almighty Allah will require an account from her in this regard on the Day of Judgment.
"This will give the husband an opportunity to freely think of other things regarding the promotion, growth development and progress of his career or business."
Similarly, the cleric urged husbands to take responsibility over financial obligations of their wives, which include dowry, feeding clothing, accommodation and general spending.
He also appealed to those that married more than one wife to be just, fair and show equality between co-wives and treated them in a decent, kind, love and respectful manner.
By Soni Daniel, Abuja Details of how the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission recivered about $10 million from a former Chief Exercutive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, emerged Friday.Yakubu, ex-NNPC GMD hides $9.8m loot in Kaduna slum
Vanguard learnt that given the nature of the effort required to track and recover the huge sum of money hidden by the former GMD, Dr. Andrew Yakubu, the EFCC had to carry out what it called a “Special operation” conducted by its man on 3rd February, 2017 on a building in Kaduna belonging to Yakubu.
Although the agency did not say how it stormed the building, it was gathered that the huge sum of money was hidden in a fire-proof safe and kept in an unexpected building.
But when the safe was opened by the EFCC operatives, what they found shocked the team.
An EFCC operative said that the operation yielded a staggering sum of $9,772,800 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seven Two Thousand, Eight Hundred United States Dollars) and another sum of £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling) cash.
EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the discovery.
‘The surprise raid of the facility was sequel to an intelligence which the commission received about suspected proceeds of crime believed to be hidden in the slums of Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna.
“On arrival at the facility, the caretaker of the house, one Bitrus Yakubu, a younger brother to Andrew Yakubu, disclosed that both the house and the safe where the money was found belong to his brother, Andrew Yakubu.
“When the safe was opened it was discovered that it contained the sum of $9,772,800 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, Eight Hundred United States Dollars) and another sum of £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling).
It was learnt that it was on the strength of the finding that Yakubu was invited to the EFCC on February 8, 2017 for questioning during which he admitted ownership of the cash.
Yakubu reportedly told EFCC investigators that the cash was given to him by an unnamed donors, a development that infuriated the interrogators.
A top source confirmed that Dr. Yakubu had since been detained by the EFCC to enable him to speak up on how he came about the huge cash and what it was meant for and why.
EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the former GMD was with the EFCC and currently assisting the investigation.
Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has described the Federal Government’s plan to secure Eurobond which re-payment would last till 2032, as act like that of the Biblical prodigal son, expressing the fear that the loan may plunge the nation into pro-longed economic misery. Fayose
The governor, who challenged the federal to government make clarification as to the beneficiaries of the bond, stating whether it would be both the federal government and the federating units or federal government alone, added that; “questions must also be asked on repayment of the Eurobond because deductions from what should accrue to the federation account on a bond to be taken by the federal government for its own use only.”
In a statement issued on Friday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor said; “What I’m even worried about and which they must explain to us is that you cannot get a bond without committing it to the source.
“Is the repayment going to be made by direct deductions from Nigeria’s crude oil sales or from federal government share from the federation account?
“If it is going to be made directly from proceeds of crude oil accruing to Nigeria as a country, then the bond belongs to the federal, state and local governments and not federal government alone.
“The federal government is just one of the federating units making up Nigeria and revenue accruing to the country cannot be used to repay bond taken by the federal government for its own use alone.
“The federal government must therefore tell Nigerians how it intends to repay the facility from now till 2032. If it is going to be through direct deductions from revenue accruing to Nigeria, such that money would be taken from source which would not be part of the accruers to the central body, it means the $1 billion bond belongs to Nigerians and it must be shared among the federating units.
“So, we have to find out and take steps. It is either they bring the money and we share it; we take our percentage and they take theirs. The federal government cannot take that money and take it from source and tell us that the money, which belongs to all of us federating units, is its.”
Speaking further, Governor Fayose said; “Fiscal federalism is not manifesting in the agenda of this government. The way they are running the affairs of this country is shrouded in secrecy.
We will definitely go to Court and ask questions.”
Expressing the fear that the $1 billion Eurobond may plunge the nation into more seriuos economic woes as its repayment was sheduled to last till 2032. Fayose said: “the APC government is behaving like the prodigal son who asked for his inheritance and spend it lavishly.
“It is a prodigal government who wants to destroy this country. The rate at which they are taking loans which would keep this country indebted till 2032 is quite unfortunate.
“Currently our currency has been badly devalued to N500 to a Dollar. So, how do we pay back the Dollar? They went to tie the money to the source; the accruers outside the country where crude oil revenue goes.
“Apparently, they don’t care what happens tomorrow. They said they want to use the money to fund 2016, 2017, 2018 budgets which means after they are gone, the country can go into blazes and our children’s children can wallop in indebtedness. How can you appreciate that?
“This rate of borrowing would lead this country into serious challenge.
At this same time, they are saying we should save for the raining day. I just want our people to know that the APC government is taking us to another side of life, one is to destroy our economy, the other is death.”
Former Special Assistant to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on electronic media, Reno Omokri has said that under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government, a total of 14 airlines have fled the country. He said to this end, the move to takeover Arik airline by the federal government will further run the airline aground.
He however advised the Federal Government against turning itself to an undertaker and torturing businesses, especially those facing challenges but should rather nurture them to stand firm.
Omokri gave the advise in a series of tweets on Friday.
Omokri
According to him, AMCOM has not managed previous businesses it took over from their owners and as such, should not take over the management of Arik Airline.
With what’s been done to Arik, the Nigerian Govt wants to turn itself to an undertaker for businesses in the country #ReturnArikToItsOwners
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has elaborated on how its operatives stumbled on the $9.8 million loot recovered from Andrew Yakubu, a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
Earlier report had estimated the loot at $9.2million. But the Commission said it is $9.772,800.
The commission said a special operation conducted by its operatives on 3rd February on a building belonging to Yakubu in Kaduna yielded the staggering sum and another £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling) cash.
Andrew Yakubu, ex-NNPC GMD: says loot was a gift by 'unknown persons'
The huge cash was hidden in a fire proof safe.
The surprise raid of the facility was sequel to an intelligence which the commission received about suspected proceeds of crime believed to be hidden in the slums of Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna. Sabon Tasha is a poverty stricken area of the capital.
On arrival at the facility, the caretaker of the house, one Bitrus Yakubu, a younger brother to Andrew Yakubu, disclosed that both the house and the safe where the money was found belong to his brother, Andrew Yakubu.
Yakubu, ex-NNPC GMD hides $9.8m loot in Kaduna slum
"When the safe was opened it was discovered that it contained the sum of $9,772,800 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, Eight Hundred United States Dollars) and another sum of £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling).
Yakubu, ex-NNPC GMD hides $9.8m loot in Kaduna slum
On February 8, 2017, Andrew Yakubu reported to the Commission's Zonal office in Kano and made statement wherein he admitted ownership of the recovered money, claiming it was gift from unnamed persons. He is currently assisting the investigation.
A caterer, Ayodele Oluwakemi, on Friday prayed an Agege Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her four-year-old marriage because her husband forced her to terminate three pregnancies.
She said that there was also no love lost between her and her husband, Famurewa Oladimeji.
Oluwakemi, 28, residing at No. 5, Adekanbi Taylor Close, Okeira in Ogba, near Lagos, also stated that her husband was irresponsible and did not care for her and their three-year-old daughter.
The petitioner also told court that her husband abandoned her and the daughter.
"My husband lies a lot. Initially, when I met him, he lied that he was working, which I found out later was all lies.
"Whenever I ask him for money, he keeps giving me excuses and refuses to drop money.
"Later, I became pregnant for him and my husband forced me to abort it, saying he was not ready financially."
Oluwakemi disclosed that she had aborted three pregnancies on the insistence of the respondent, whom she described as highly irresponsible and lazy.
"He never had an apartment of his own and kept collecting money from me until I insisted he got a proper job or business.''
The petitioner said that when she conceived of their only child, her father refused her husband's marriage proposal, until he got an apartment of his own.
"Whenever I call him, he always told me that he will call me back, which he never did," the estranged woman said.
She begged court to terminate the marriage, saying that she wanted to move on with her life and also wanted the respondent to be responsible for the upkeep of their child.
Oladimeji, 34, a businessman, however denied the allegations but said that he no longer loved Oluwakemi, pleading with court to dissolve the marriage.
He alleged that when Oluwakemi took in for him, her father threatened to kill him.
"I accepted to take up responsibility when my wife became pregnant. My family and I went with the marriage proposal but her father refused to attend to us.''
Oladimeji said that he felt his wife's father refused his proposal because he didn't have a good job.
"My wife's parents do not accord me the proper respect as their daughter's husband. They disregard me and call me all sorts of names.''
He said that his father-in-law had prevented him from seeing his child.
"My father in-law threatened me to stay away from my wife and also stopped me from seeing my child.''
The President of the court, Mr Phillips Williams, admonished the estranged couple and scolded the petitioner for terminating three pregnancies. Williams adjourned the case till Feb. 28 for hearing.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has elaborated on how its operatives stumbled on the $9.8 million loot recovered from Andrew Yakubu, a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
Earlier report had estimated the loot at $9.2million. But the Commission said it is $9.772,800.
The commission said a special operation conducted by its operatives on 3rd February on a building belonging to Yakubu in Kaduna yielded the staggering sum and another £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling) cash.
The huge cash was hidden in a fire proof safe.
Yakubu, ex-NNPC GMD hides $9.8m loot in Kaduna slumYakubu, ex-NNPC GMD hides $9.8m loot in Kaduna slumYakubu, ex-NNPC GMD hides $9.8m loot in Kaduna slumYakubu, ex-NNPC GMD hides $9.8m loot in Kaduna slum
ABUJA – Trial Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, deferred ruling on motion seeking to quash treason charge against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, till March 1.
Nnamdi Kanu arrive the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, June 20, 2016.
Aside Kanu who has been in detention since October 14, 2015, when he was arrested by security operatives upon his arrival to Nigeria from his base in the United Kingdom, the motion is equally seeking to free three other pro-Biafra agitators also on trial before the court- Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.
The defendants are answering to 11-count charge bordering on their alleged involvement in acts of treason and terrorism.
They had through their respective lawyers, urged the court to not only quash the charges, but to also discharge and acquit them.
Kanu who was hitherto the Director of Radio Biafra and Television made his application on a day he accused President Muhammadu Buhari of committing treasonable felony against Nigeria.
He made reference to the December 31,1983 military coup that led to the installation of Buhari as Head of State.
The said coup ousted the democratically elected government of President Shehu Shagari.
The defence team led by Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Maxwell Okpara, queried competence of the charge, insisting there was nothing in the proof of evidence before the court to support treason allegation against the defendants.
The defendants argued that FG failed to establish a prima-facie case against them to warrant their trial.
In a seven-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Ahmed Sadiya, the defendants, said there was “nothing contained in the proof of evidence to show that IPOB, people merely exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights to self determination, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, is an unlawful society/organisation”.
Kanu said the only evidence the prosecution attached in support of treason allegation against him was an extra judicial statement he made to the Department of a state Service, statement made by the prosecution witnesses, and highlight of alleged Radio Biafra broadcasts.
He told the court that Radio Biafra was duly registered and operated under the United Kingdom Laws.
However, government lawyer, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, in his response, asked the court to dismiss the defendants’ objections which he said lacked substance.
Labaran urged the court to in-line with the provision of section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, refuse the applications and okay witnesses to commence their evidence-in-chief against the defendants.
Justice Nyako who had on January 12 fixed Friday to rule on the motion, however deferred it till March 3, saying it was not ready.
It will be recalled that Kanu had on December 12, threatened that he would in the course of the trial, expose secrets he said would sink Nigeria.
The defendants equally alleged plot by FG to import foreigners to testify against them.
A total of 100, 000 athletes from 27 countries including Nigeria will be participating in the second edition of Access Bank Lagos Marathon billed to hold from 7am to 2pm on February 11, 2017.
64 elite athletes from 26 countries and 102 from Nigeria, as well as 30 special athletes will also be participating in the marathon scheduled to start from National Stadium in Surulere and terminate at Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island.
Governor Ambode of Lagos
Addressing a world press conference on Friday at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said adequate preparations have been put in place to ensure a successful event, assuring that the marathon had been designed to be bigger and better than the previous edition.
Governor Ambode, who addressed the briefing alongside President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Mr Solomon Ogba; Acting President of International Association of Ultra runners, Mr Nadeem Khan; representatives of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and representatives of the sponsors of the event, said all the agencies of government participating in the event have been adequately mobilized, saying that Lagosians should expect the best.
Speaking on the idea behind investing in the marathon, Governor Ambode, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Sports and Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Deji Tinubu, said the event was meant to showcase the excellence of Lagos to the world as well as encourage sporting activities among the people.
He said: "We want to show the world that Lagos can be and Lagos can do what it is expected of it as a mega city; we want to show to the world the tourism potentials of Lagos; we want to show to the world that Lagos is safe; we want to show to the world that Lagos can be the choice destination for sports, tourism and entertainment and that is why we are doing this."
While appreciating all the sponsors that partnered with the State Government, Governor Ambode said it was gratifying to note that many of the participating athletes have picked up their running kits, while top notch security and logistics arrangement have been put in place.
He also said that the Sole Administrators of the Local Government Areas of the routes of the marathon have also been adequately mobilized, while arrangement for entertainment and fun packs have also been perfected for those not participating in the marathon.
In his remarks, AFN President, Ogba said as the biggest commercial city and very important city in Africa, the Lagos Marathon was designed to be among the top ten marathons in the world, saying that he was indeed happy with the commitment of the present administration in the State led by Governor Ambode towards the marathon.
He said it was a common knowledge that over 10,000 people travel to Lagos per day with no intention of going back and with a lot of attendant pressure on public infrastructure, adding that it was good thing that the government considered the event.
Also, Head of Organizing Committee of the Marathon and Executive Director of Access Bank, Mr. Victor Otoko recalled the success of the last year edition, saying that necessary preparation has been perfected to make this year's edition hugely successful.
He said provisions have been made for a total of 29 water stations along the marathon routes with adequate security to ensure that only the marathoners get access it, while all the special athletes participating in the marathon would be given appearance fees.
Explaining how the Marathon came into being, Project Consultant, Mr Bukola Olopade said Governor Ambode deserved to be commended for his sportsmanship that made it easy for the maiden event to be possible having given approval after presentation on the event.
"Let me specially thank Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for understanding the context of hosting the event just within two minutes of discussing why Lagos, considered to be the hub of business activities in Nigeria and 5th largest economy in Africa should host the marathon," Olopade said
The Nigerian Army has offered clothing and undisclosed amount of money as succour to Mr Chijioke Orakwu, a physically challenged person, assaulted by two military police officers in Onitsha for allegedly wearing army camouflage.
Orakwu was manhandled by two soldiers on Feb. 7, at New Market Road,
Col. Sagir Musa, the Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, presented the item and cash on Friday.
Musa said that the Army would not condone acts of indiscipline or gross misconduct by any member.
He said that the action of the soldiers did not reflect the attitude of today's soldiers under the leadership of Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.
Soldiers brutalising a physically challenged man for wearing army fatigue
"Already, those who perpetrated the act have been arrested and tried, and because of the seriousness of the offence, they have been referred to higher authorities for further action.
"The Nigerian Army is seriously concerned about the incident.
"We want to assure Nigerians, particularly the international community that the Nigerian Army has core values and respect for the rights of people," Musa said.
The army spokesman urged the public to view the case as an isolated one, assuring that future assault similar to the Onitsha incident would be treated with serious action.
He said the army volunteered to take Orakwu to hospital but that he refused orthodox medication.
Musa added that the doctors, who examined him physically, confirmed him to be physically fit.
The army spokesman emphasised that the items given to Orakwu were not to compensate him but to show that the Nigerian Army cares and respect rights of individuals.
"All we did was not an issue of compensation but to show Nigerians and the international public that the Nigerian Army is disciplined, responsive and responsible, and that we care," he said.
The Army, he said, had warned against the abuse of military uniforms, saying it remain its policy which the army holds in high esteem.
Also, the Commander, 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col. Idongesit Akpan, assured that such incident would not repeat itself.
The representative of the state government, Dr Victoria Chikwelu, expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the Army in handling the case.
He said that Gov. Willie Obiano was not in doubt of what the Army would do as regards the disciplinary measures against the perpetrators.
"Obiano has passion for the physically challenged and that is why he appointed one of them as his Special Assistant and also built three special skill acquisitions centres for their use," Chikwelu said.
Chikwelu, who is the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, said that the state government had plans to also empower Orakwu at a later date.
Responding, Orakwu, who expressed happiness, commended the army for the kind gesture.
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
"I caught my wife in her shop cutting a man's nails,'' 45-year-old applicant, Wahabi Sodiq, told an Igando Customary Court in a Lagos suburb on Thursday.
Sodiq alleged while testifying in a divorce case filed by his wife, Kudirat, 44, a public bar operator, seeking dissolution of their 24-year-old marriage over threat to her life.
"I believe my wife is having extra marital affairs. I got to her shop and met her with a man who placed his legs on her table while my wife was cutting his nails.
"Immediately the man saw me, he quickly removed his legs from her table but I did not say nothing and I left immediately.
"Since that day I became bitter because I felt cheated; I have given her Holy Bible and Quoran several times to swear that she was not dating the man but she refused," he told the court.
On the allegation that he beats the woman, he denied, saying:"I only beat my wife once since we got married and i did that because she assaulted me.
"Anytime my wife goes to her shop, she will not come home for days; she prefer sleeping in her shop.
"She also loves going to parties without my consent and whenever she returns and I queried her she will turn it to a fight.
The husband, however, pleaded with the court not to grant his wife's request for a dissolution of their marriage, saying "I still love her.''
Kudirat, responding to the husbands submission, said:"My husband is always threatening to kill me and suffocate me to death with a pillow.
"I am always afraid to sleep at home and because of the fear, I packed some of my belongings back to my parent's house."
The petitioner also accused her husband of planning to sell the house she laboured to build.
"My husband called me on phone and threatened to sell my house if I refused to come back to our matrimonial home."
Kudirat alleged that her husband was in the habit of chasing away her customers, accusing her of infidelity.
The mother of four, who said she had no emotion or love for him anymore, urged the court to dissolve the marriage.
The court's President, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, ordered both parties to come along with three members of their families for a possible resolution and reunion at the next hearing date.
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – THE leadership of the he organised labour and their civil society allies, yesterday protested in Abuja, demanding that the Federal Government should make known the identities of those that looted the common wealth and also asked that their hands should be cut off to serve as deterrent.
The protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, alongside their Civil Societies allies, also lamented that nothing so much had been achieved in the fight against corruption.Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo receiving the 18-Point Demands by Labour Movement for Good Governance from the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Ayuba Waba and the Trade Union Congress President, Bobboi Kaigama (l) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 09/02/2017
Displaying placards of different descriptions, the labour leaders said that the level of hardship in the country had risen to an alarming proportions and that workers were the worst hit of the current recession and thereby demanded for an increase in the minimum wage.
They also disclosed that they would soon drag some of the state governors to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, for the alleged diversion of bail-out funds recently released by the Federal Government for the payment of workers salaries, arrears, pensions and gratuity.
Addressing the workers during the protest rally for good governance at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said it was unfortunate that a few Individuals have stolen the nation’s common wealth, while nothing had been done to bring them to book.
Wabba said government must take concrete steps to prove to the world that it was serious to win the fight against corruption and recover all stolen money, stressing that the nation lost about $22 billion not remitted to the federation account from sale of oil and gas.
Advising the government to come hard on the looters of the nation’s treasury, Wabba said, said: “We must not allow a situation where few, because of their interest will hold the system to ransom.
“We are demanding increase in electricity supply and they are saying lag more tariff, we are demanding increase in minimum wage and they say they are going to be paying in percentage. We should not be tired.
“Why should somebody steal one billion naira and walk the street free. We are demanding that they should be named and shamed. We are also demanding that one of their hand be cut off so that when we see them, we will know that they are people that has stolen our money.
“So, let us not be tired. Not to pay salaries and pensions is criminal. Not to increase our wages in this condition is corruption and so, we must demand good governance and support the fight against corruption.
“It is obvious that what we are doing today is in our collect interest. As working class and our families and as Nigerians, we must always make our voice know and heard very clearly.
“Today, with what is happening in our system, we are actually at the receiving end because there is near absence of good governance and corruption is also fighting back very badly and we have been at the receiving end. Instead of addressing those challenges and paying salaries, what the are doing in some states is paying salaries in percentages.
“The height of this challenge is the absence of good governance, accountability, transparency and the rule of law, any system that does not have those ingredients, the first group that will suffer is the working class and their families and the citizens.
“That is why we are matching to canvass for good governance and also to lend our voice to saying that the fight against corruption must continue. If you look at the NEITI report, it states clearly that unremitted fund from the sale of oil and gas amount to another 22 billion dollars.
“If we have these money, I am sure that the challenge we are passing through would not have been there. Few people connive to transfer this money into their personal account and we are saying tau government must find the will to implement these reports and who ever is affected must be made to refund the money.
“We should not be lamenting always that there is no money and that the economy is in recession. Enough of lamentation and we must take our destiny in our own hands to demand for accountability, good governance and transparency and workers must not be made to be at the relieving end.
“The demand for minimum wage is legitimate. Governors are collecting more than maximum wage. They were given bail out fund which they diverted; they were given Paris Club refund which they also diverted and yet we have pensioners not being paid for about 77 months. Is that an attribute of good governance?
“We must therefore lend our voice to these challenges because if we keep quite. We will be consumed. We must struggle because he who is on the ground is not afraid of falling again.
“There should be good governance at all levels of governance and not limited to the centre alone. Wee have more challenges in the states and local government and so, it is our fight because it is an issue that affects all of us and we must continue to be united.”
Also speaking, the President of TUC, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama said efforts must be made to end corruption in the country as well as promote good governance.
He said, “We must end corruption in this country and support good governance. It is only in Nigerian that corrupt people are being celebrated.
“We want to tell the world that we are insisting that corruption must be fought to a stand still. Those people who are aiding and abating corruption should be prepared for the wrath of Nigerians.if you escort criminals to court, we will follow you there and disgrace you.
“Today, we have to show our displeasure because it is only the Nigeria. Worker and the down trodden that are suffering. Their pay is not increased, while we have daily increase in inflation and recession because of the stolen wealth that has not been redistributed to Nigerians.
“We have so much corruption in the states and local to the extent that bail out fund given to them will be diverted. We are going to follow them with EFCC and ICPC to make sure that those diverting our bail out fund meant for the payment of salaries, pension and arrears of promotion must be dealt with. We have said it time and time again that we are prepared to fight those in government who are involved in corrupt practices.
“There is the need to also take the protest match to the National Assembly since corruption cannot be fought only on the part of the executive; we would take it to the doorsteps of the legislatures and to that of the judiciary.
“Concerning the minimum wage, we already have the demands before now and we presented same. Even the United States of America, when Obama came into the office, the minimum wage of Americans then was five dollars per hour; he raised it to ten dollars per hour.
“In fact, there is an agitation to $15 per hour. In Switzerland, it is $18 per hour. Our demand is N 56, 000. Anywhere in the world, you would never have it on a platter of gold until you struggled.
“South Africans struggled and liberate themselves. Nigerians and workers must continue to struggle to liberate ourselves. It is not easy to address government, employers of labour and the bourgeois class. Ours is a case that we continue to push till victory is certain.”
On his own part, the Vice President of IndustriAll Global Union and General Secretary of National Union of Textiles, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Comrade Issa Aremu said before the increment of petroleum pump prices, the organised labour had predicted what would be the outcome of the government policy, adding that the predictions had come to fruition.
Aremu said the only way to get the country out of the current recession was for the government to reflate the economy and pay adequate salary to workers, pointing out that without payment of salaries and allowances to workers, the fight against corruption will not succeed.
Protesting at the National Assembly over the rising cost of living, the NLC President, Comrade Wabba said they were protesting the delay in the upward review of minimum wage amidst increasing cost of items in the country. Wabba said, “We are here to demand for good governance and express our support in the fight against corruption. More importantly we demand for respect for rule of law, greater accountability and transparency in governance.
“Today the dollar rate is one naira to 500 dollars and the salaries of Nigerian workers have remained the same. Therefore we are here to urge the National Assembly to play an important role to ensure that life is made better for Nigerians.
“We cannot succeed if the fight against corruption does not succeed. We appreciate the efforts by the National Assembly to ensure financial autonomy for the local governments and this must be sustained because money meant for the local governments does not get there.”
He said despite the bailout funds to states for workers' salaries, “the living condition of workers had not improved because many were yet to be paid.”
According to him, pensioners in the country were owed up to 77 months and called on the National Assembly to synergise with other arms of government to pay them.
The TUC President, Kaigama said that the inflation rate in the country was growing astronomically and that it was time for the government at all tiers to go back to the drawing board to revive the country's economy.
He said, “Whatever it takes, we must rejig our economy. “If we must have to kill corruption, the laws have to come from the National Assembly.
“Nigerians are hungry, the cost of living is high, no houses, no light and factories have gone comatose.”
Responding, the Senate President Bukola Saraki, said it was time to go into action towards addressing the numerous challenges confronting Nigerians and that everybody should sit down and work out how to make necessary adjustments.
He said, “It can't continue this way, the exchange rate is high, cost of things in the market have gone high but only the workers' salaries remained the same.
By the next time we will meet I will tell you what the National Assembly has done to improve the living condition of Nigerians.”
But the protesters were stopped by security operatives from gaining access to the Presidential villa to deliver their protest message to the Acting President, Prof. Yomi Osinbajo.
The workers were stopped at the Federal Secretariat by heavily armed security operatives at about 11.05 am and were asked to send a delegation of their leaders to take their message to the presidential villa.
Initially the workers rejected the the request insisting that the Acting President either send a representative to receive their message or be allowed to gain access to the villa to deliver the message.
They however, nominated twenty representatives from among them to take their message to the Acting President while the rest waited for their leaders while being entertained by music of legendary Fela Anikulakpo Kuti, late Bob Marley among others.
Some of the inscription on the placards by the workers among other things demanded good governance, accountability and sustained fight against corruption saying Nigerians were tired of bad governance which has led to abject poverty in the country.
Some of the placards reads: “Make payment of salaries a priority, our salaries can’t take us home again electricity tariff hike in the face of darkness is the height of wickedness, building infrastructure without payment of salaries isomer corruption, owing workers salaries is an act of corruption no electricity, no industrialisation, replace importation with production and non payment of pension is bad governance among others.”
But after about two hours, the representatives came back from the Presidential Villa to inform the workers that the Acting President gave them assurance that their demands will be looked into by the government.
Wabba who spoke on behalf of the delegation said: “Basically, I can say on good authority, that we have received the attention that we desired and what we expect is also that results should be able to follow.
“It has not been an exercise in futility and we have reminded them that we would continue in this business and that it is also our responsibility as workers, pensioner because we have been at the receiving end and therefore we must continue to advance the issue of good governance and also better issue that would advance the lot of Nigerians.
“This kind of engagement and conversation creates such platform so that all of us can canvass for the issue of good governance and would also continue. I can assure that we have received favourable attention and response and we would follow up on the others.”
Almost everyone is using a smartphone in Nigeria. What many of these smartphone users don’t know is whether their phones are being tapped or not. If you don’t know, there are a number of reasons your phone can be tracked. One reason is when you are in a relationship where there is a clear absence of trust.
Then your partner may result to tapping or bugging your phone. Besides that, a government agency may bug your phone just to listen to your conversation. In this case, it is for security reasons.
Smartphone
Whatever the case may be, it is key to know if your smartphone has been bugged. Jumia Travel gathers 5 ways to tell.
Your phone takes time to shut down
If your phone takes forever to shut down, it may be a pointer that your phone has been compromised. You will notice that when your phone eventually goes off, the backlight will still be on. This may likely means that your phone is in control of whoever has bugged it. So, whether you switch off or not, it will be difficult get rid of them.
Increased data usage
It will definitely be difficult for a smartphone without internet connection to be tapped. You may surf your phone every second daily but you already know that you cannot exhaust your data at a go.
Thankfully most phones will alert you if you are using too much data. But if the data traffic is unusually high, and your phone keeps alerting you, you should be concerned.
You find apps you didn’t download
There are thousands of useful apps that you can download in either the Google Playstore or Apple’s store. These are largely safe. In other circumstances, you may find an app you didn’t download which finds its way to your phone. It is one of the coy ways to bug your phone.You try as much as possible not to open this app.
Low battery life
A battery is the heart of any of phone. A phone cannot function without a battery. If your battery runs out not long after charging it or it is very hot, it may be a sign that something is amidst. You should take note of this because the process of tapping your phone can easily drain your battery.
You receive unusual text messages
You may receive a random text message from an unfamiliar source and many of us tend to ignore it. These messages which you may ignore, arguably, means that someone is monitoring (or about to start) your messages or phone. You should delete the message immediately you notice it.
By Henry Umoru ABUJA – SENATE President Bukola Saraki Thursday told protesting members of thee Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that Nigerians cannot continue to suffer as they were presently going through in the country as a result of the biting economic recession.
Speaking Thursday in Abuja when he addressed members of the NLC, TUC and the organized Labour who staged a protest at the National Assembly complex over the rising cost of living in Nigeria, Saraki who noted that it was time the nation went into action towards addressing the numerous challenges confronting Nigerians, said that as Nigerians and leaders, we need to sit down and work out how to make necessary adjustments.
Saraki said, “It can't continue this way, the exchange rate is high, cost of things in the market have gone high but only the workers' salaries remain the same. By the next time we will meet, I will tell you what the National Assembly has done to improve the living condition of Nigerians.”
Earlier, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba who noted that the groups were protesting the delay in the upward review of minimum wage amidst increasing cost of items in the country, however explained that pensioners in the country were owed up to 77 months and called on the National Assembly to synergise with other arms of government to pay them, adding, “We are here to demand for good governance and express our support in the fight against corruption. More importantly, we demand for respect for rule of law, greater accountability and transparency in governance.”
Wabba who expressed worry that Nigerian workers have been the major victims of the fall-out of corruption and bad governance, said, “Today the dollar rate is N500 to one dollar and the salaries of Nigerian workers have remained the same. Therefore, we are here to urge the National Assembly to play an important role to ensure that life is made better for Nigerians. We cannot succeed if the fight against corruption does not succeed.
"We appreciate the efforts by the National Assembly to ensure financial autonomy for the local governments and this must be sustained because money meant for the local governments does not get there.''
The NLC President who further expressed concern that in spite of the bailout funds to states for workers' salaries, said, “the living condition of workers have not been improved because many are not paid''.
Also contributing, the TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama who noted that the inflation rate in the country was growing astronomically, said that it was time for governments at all tiers to go back to the drawing board to revive the country's economy, adding, “Whatever it takes, we must review the structure of our economy. If we must have to kill corruption, the laws have to come from the National Assembly. Nigerians are hungry, the cost of living is high, no houses, no light and factories have gone comatose.”
The English Premier League is one of the most exciting football leagues in the world. Thus, it is unsurprising that many Nigerians are addicted to it.
Every weekend, viewing centres are filled out with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City among other EPL clubs. It is, therefore, near impossible to end the attachment of Nigerians to the premier league. Nonetheless, Jumia Travel identifies 5 reasons Nigerians should stop watching the EPL.
The Nigerian League is now exciting and better organized
Since the league management body started managing the Nigerian League, they have made concerted efforts to make the league more exciting and interesting. They have ensured that the stadiums are TV friendly and the players and fans obey rules and regulation. Most importantly, the matches are on Pay TV. This has encouraged players to give out their best and you now see a Nigerian league player scoring a hat-trick.
Nigerians at viewing cemtre watching Premier League
You get real life stadium experience in the NPFL
To watch a Nigerian League match is very affordable and inexpensive. You don't have to break the bank. Except you have a deep pocket, you cannot travel the England to watch Arsenal. So, with the NPFL, you can watch Kano Pillars live in Kano or watch Remo Stars in Sagamu. You get the stadium experience.
You can support professionally run private clubs
Unlike in the past when the 20 clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League are government owned, there are now privately owned clubs that are professionally managed. We have The Mountain of Fire Football Club, Ifeanyi Ubah FC, and Remo stars. You can support these clubs because they churn out EPL like football week in, week out.
Nigerian Stadiums are safe
Many Nigerians have the mindset that whenever they visit the stadium, they will be harassed and waylaid. This is in the past. They are now safe because it is now incumbent on clubs to provide security for fans and players alike.
We will support our own
Nigerians don't seem to support their own. Like they have a knack for foreign products, it is the same for football. Even the Nigerian Super Eagles team is coached by a foreigner. We stop watching the premier league and support the Nigerian league by going to stadiums to watch their favorite Nigerian club.
Turkey’s football federation on Thursday suspended Fenerbahce’s star Dutch striker Robin van Persie for three games and Serbian defender Dusko Topic of Besiktas for four after a standoff in a tense Istanbul cup derby this week.
The two had been involved in an off-the-ball incident in the February 5 game which saw Tosic sent off in the 41st minute but Beskitas fans feel van Persie also deserved red for exaggerating the contact.
Van Persie collapsed to the ground after being nudged on the head by Tosic.
Fenerbahce won the cup match 0-1 in Besiktas’ stadium by the Bosphorus thanks to a 71st minute goal from van Persie, who arrived last season from Manchester United.
The Dutchman was then the target of a expletive-ridden Twitter rant from Tosic’s wife, the Serbian pop star Jelena Karleusa.
The federation said after a meeting of its disciplinary committee van Persie was being banned for three matches and fined 19,500 Turkish lira ($5,300) for insulting behaviour.
Pictures from the game showed van Persie gesturing with his hand down the front of his shorts in the direction of Besiktas players and fans.
Tosic was meanwhile banned for four games and given a fine of 71,000 Turkish lira ($19,270) over the red card incident. Besiktas manager Senol Gunes was given a one match ban.
The bans come with both sides at a crucial stage in the season, with Besiktas looking to pull ahead of second and third placed Basaksehir and Galatasaray in the Super Lig race. Fenerbahce remain contenders in fourth.
Mr Jagdeep Kapoor, Head of Chancery, High Commission of India, in Lagos, on Thursday announced his government's plans to encourage Nigerian farmers to plant more pulses that would be exported to India.
Kapoor told newsmen in Lagos that the initiative would create a source of income for Nigerian farmers, as well as ensure steady flow of the produce to India. The Indian Official said that the project would be a priority in India and Nigeria's 2017 Civil Aviation and Agriculture Cooperation Agreements, that would soon be formalised by both governments.
"Nigeria and India's fresh areas of cooperation in 2017 would focus mostly on the signing of the Civil Aviation and Agriculture Agreements, that would soon be formalised by our two governments.
"And as soon as this agreements are signed, we would swing into action in ensuring their immediate implementation.
"We believe that the development of Nigeria's agriculture sector would fast-track Nigeria's economy into a ' fix quick mould'.
"We believe that the development of Nigeria's agriculture sector would be a quick way to fix Nigeria's economy.We are really trying to cooperate with Nigeria in the development of her agriculture sector,'' he said.
The Indian official announced his government's readiness to encourage Nigerian farmers to plant pulses(dal),that would be largely exported to India for industrial and household consumption.
Kapoor listed such pulses to include dry beans, dry broad beans, dry peas, chickpeas, cow peas, pigeon peas, lentils, Bambara beans, vetches, lupins and pulses nes.
The Head of Chancery said that there was currently a growing demand for pulses in India and that Nigerian soil was rich for planting and production of the leguminous crops.
Kapoor said that his government would be sending some Indian farmers to Nigeria to support Nigerian farmers in the planting of the crops.
"We are going to be encouraging Nigerian farmers to plant pulses, that are currently needed in large quantities in India. And India is a ready market for these crops today.
"We know how much Nigerian soil is really good for the planting of these highly-needed crops in India. "We strongly believe that the planting of these crops in Nigeria would make Indians have more supply of pulses, generate income that would encourage more young Nigerians into planting these crops for export,'' he added.
The management of Arik Air on Thursday said it would challenge the taking over of the airline by the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) in court.
Capt. Ado Sanusi, Senior Vice President, Arik Air made, the disclosure at a joint news briefing with the newly appointed receiver Manager, Mr Oluseye Opasanya (SAN) and the airline's technical consultant, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AMCON had taken over the airline following its huge indebtedness oF the company TO both local and foreign creditors.
However, Sanusi said the Arik Management had been served with a valid court order empowering AMCON to take over the affairs of the airline.
"As responsible citizens, we have obeyed the court order which appointed the Olaniwun Ajayi (SAN) as the receivership manager.
Arik Air
"We will comply but I want to make it clear that we have a right to challenge the court order.
"In the coming days, we will make our position known. It is a court order and we can challenge it and we will challenge it to the highest court of authority, " Sanusi said.
He added that while the legal battle would be on one front, the parties had agreed that Arik Air would continue to run without any disruption.
Also speaking, Opasanya said AMCON was on a rescue mission to reposition the embattled airline.
Opasanya said :"AMCON has been a creditor to Arik for sometime. It also has security over substantial parts of the assets of Arik.
"The debt of Arik to AMCON has not been paid and huge sums of money is owed.
"So AMCON, having consulted widely with government authorities, has decided to appoint me to preside over the affairs of Arik.
"So we have come to supervise the operation, sustain the operation, improve services and ensure that we support Arik with people of deep knowledge, experience and commitment in the airline industry."
According to him, Arik plays a pivotal role in the airline industry and many Nigerians are currently drawing their means of livelihood from the company.
"We have addressed the workers and the management and we want to assure other stakeholders and members of the public that the desire of AMCON is to keep the airline flying.
"AMCON is willing to support the operation of Arik and together with the government, work to meet the immediate essential needs of the company, "he said.
On his part, Ilegbodu said Arik had 28 aircraft in its fleet but only 10 are currently being used for operations.
He said his duty as technical consultant was to get to the root of the problems bedeviling the airline to ensure its sustainability.
The Minister of Information, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says the ministry is liaising with Google to recapture archival materials kept in various agencies to preserve the country's national heritage.
The minister, who made this known while defending the ministry's budget before the Senate Committee on Information, said the ministry was also liaising with the German Government and other international organisations to help preserve the materials.
Mohammed said that if nothing was done in that regard, the country may lose its heritage, thereby making it difficult for future generation to know about the country's heritage.
"We are looking outside government to see how we could preserve these valuable materials.
"We recently sent one of our staffs to the German Government to reinstate a particular film and exhibit it.
"We are also in the process of looking for other philanthropists, who will help us to ensure that all these delicate and sensitive materials are put in digital form.
"We are in touch with international organisations to help us preserve these materials, but we have not arrived at a conclusion yet.
"We are aware of the need to keep our heritage safe.
Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe advised the minister on the urgent need to recapture the materials in order not to lose them.
According to him, most materials that ought to be used for reference purposes are being manhandled.
"I want to draw your attention to another issue. It is the issue of archiving. We have problems with the archives in the film corporation.
"There are lots of valuable films and other important materials that are not being kept properly.
"We therefore advise the ministry to liaise with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to recapture the materials in digital form.
"This is to see if they can be kept in their original format as soon as possible before we lose all of them,'' he said.
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said its subsidiary, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), lost about N2.2 billion annually to illegal tapping on its raw water pipeline.
The corporation said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr Ndu Ughamadu.
According to Ughamadu, the raw water pipeline which runs from Kaduna River, generates power for the running of the refinery and serves as coolants for equipment and combats fire outbreaks.
"Sequel to the series of tapping, the refinery now spends more on diesel and other material inputs in the maintenance of its generators and other equipment," he said.
He said that KRPC Managing Director, Malam Idi Mukhtar, had lamented that the consumption of the water by settlers who encroached on the company's premises was an unnecessary, additional burden to the refinery's industrial requirements.
"Mukhtar said this must be resolved urgently by relevant state government agencies.
Oil pipeline
"He said other losses were that it slows down the build-up rate of water in the reserve tanks, which endangers the refinery as the plant is expected to maintain a minimum level of water requirement that is considered safe for operations.
"The illegal acts are committed mostly in Janruwa, Kamazo, Namaigero and Mahuta areas of Kaduna metropolis, which are the communities along the raw water intake pipeline Right of Way.
"He also explained that a particular amount of water, sufficient enough to generate steam and other industrial consumption is needed.
"This is because of the incidents of illegal tapping of our water pipeline, we need to put more effort to meet our industrial requirements," Ughamadu said.
He expressed pleasure that the Kaduna State Government had promised to look into the issue with a view to finding a lasting solution to the challenge.
He explained that Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority and Kaduna State Water Board had been contacted to address the issues of land encroachment on KRPC Right of Way.
Ughamadu advised illegal tappers of the refinery's raw water pipeline to desist from the act, warning that the raw water was not fit for human consumption because it was untreated.
He quoted KRPC Executive Director, Operations, Alhaji Shehu Malami, as saying that if the problem was not addressed, a time would come when the plant would not be able to run some of its critical units.
"Malami said that the refinery was currently operating at 65 per cent capacity, producing 1.7 million litres of petrol, 1.7 million litres of diesel and 700, 000 litres of kerosene, daily.
"The daily rate of loading is massive; even, on Sundays products are being loaded to meet the growing demand in the country," Ughamadu said.
Major Telecom service providers in Nigeria have promised to tackle all abnormalities associated with their services to ensure maximum service satisfaction to their customers.
The representatives of MTN, Etisalat and Airtel made the commitment on Thursday in Keffi, Nasarawa state, at the 25th Edition of Consumer Town Hall Meeting organised by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC).
They commended NCC for organising the programme adding that, "it offers them another platform to have direct interaction with their customers." The trio networks promised to seriously attend to whatever complaints their customers made in the next couple of months.
Nazir Tukur, the MTN Customer Relationship Manager in charge of North Central Zone, said they had social media platform in addition to customer care number '180' for complaints.
He further said they the major telecom service providers also established offices in all the 774 local government areas of the country for the customers to access whatever services they needed.
Similarly, Ibrahim Kastina, the Etisalat Regional Sales Manager in charge of Benue Region, said consumers could table their complaints to their social media platform in addition to customer care number '200'.
He said Etisalat was working seriously to improve its services to be the best in the country.
In the same vein, Ekundayo Fatoki, the Airtel Business Manager in charge of North-Central, assured customers that all their complaints, tabled, would be addressed.
However, some customers, such as Joshua Musa have decried the alarming rate of exploitation by the network providers and called on the Federal Government, through NCC, to save Nigerians from the providers.
Francisca Oche and Jerry James customers of Etisalat and Airtel, respectively called on NCC to start producing airtime to curtail the access of telecoms providers.
The duo said the providers consumed peoples' data without regard to regulations or the rights of the consumers and called on NCC to come for the rescue.
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has called on the relevant authorities to take necessary actions to ensure availability and right pricing of kerosene and other petroleum products in the country.
The governor made the call on Thursday at the inauguration of an ultra-modern filling station owned by North-West Petroleum and Gas Company Limited in Asaba.
He said that it was unacceptable that most Nigerians today buy kerosene above the official price, adding that the product was not readily available inspite of high pricing.
The governor said that the situation called for necessary action aimed at easing the suffering of the masses.
"Our people have been finding it very difficult to get kerosene at the appropriate prices, so, we are very much interested in its regular supply at the right price.
Okowa
"It is our hope and prayer that kerosene will never be out of stock and we thank God that we are going to get it at the official price at this ultra-modern filling station.
"It has been an unlikely thing in the past few months to have kerosene at the appropriate prices.
"I believe that this will lead to greater competition and also drive other filling stations to try to keep their prices at control price as stipulated by the authorities," Okowa said.
He commended the management the company for its interest in establishing in the state and encouraged it to also establish modular refineries.
"We would rather want a modular refinery to be established here in Delta State than in other places.
"After all, we produce the crude, the transport of the crude will be close by and we will find a place that is very close for you so that you would not need to have transportation challenges.
"We want to encourage other private investors to invest more and provide this kind of project that will help to improve the lives of our people," he said.
Dr Olaolu Modashiru, a director in the company, said that the friendly environment for investment attracted the company to Delta.
He gave an assurance that the company has a reputation of having products at all times at the right price.
Governor of Ekiti State and chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party’s (PDP)’s Governors’ Forum, Dr. Ayodele Fayose has wished President Mohammadu Buhari sound health urging Nigerians to jointly pray to God for the President get well soon so that he can return on time and resume work.
Nigerians have been apprehensive and demanded for accurate information about the truth on the health status of the President because there had been nasty rumours about him.Governor Fayose and President Buhari
Speaking with some Reporters at the Government House Thursday while he he was hosting the General Overseer of Champions Glory Assembly Church, Pastor Joshua Lasisi, Fayose who wished President Buhari sound health said: “I want to equally join Nigerians to pray for the President and ask God to give him good health.”
Meanwhile, the governor advised the Presidency to ensure it gives accurate information about the health status of Mr. President so as to forestall a situation whereby people would continue to spread nasty rumours currently milling round.
“But the best thing we should all realize is that the Presidency owes Nigerians accurate information about the situation of things.
Otherwise people would continue to spread one rumour or the other. Nigerians demanding for truthful and accurate information about the President’s health from the Presidency are right because the moment you assume such a position, your life has become public. So, we should let Nigerians have the accurate information about the whereabouts of Mr. President.
At the same time Nigerians too, should be praying for the President. Nobody has control over health challenges, the only thing they are doing wrongly is hiding the facts from Nigerians.
I cannot say I cannot be sick when I’m sick because I am a public figure. I represent the interests of many people. They must know where I am, what is wrong and what am doing it is the right of every Nigerians. But I want to urge all of us to stick together and pray for Mr. President.
Pastor Lasisi who hinted that there will be a revolution which turn the current unwholesome tide of things in the country, also said: “We strongly condemn the trial of men of God over religious issues. Men of God should be treated with respect and should not be persecuted for merely airing their views over issues that concern Nigeria.
There is freedom of speech and people should be allowed to air their views. I’m hopeful that God will see us through what we are going through in Nigeria. Irrespective of what we are going through, Nigeria will still get better. We are hopeful that there will be a revolution in this country.
We strongly condemn the killing of Christians as it happened in Southern Kaduna and we call on the government to urgently do something about it.”
Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Ayodele Fayose has hailed the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo for sending the name of Justice Walter Onnoghen to the senate for confirmation as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), saying; "The action of the Acting President has saved the judiciary in particular and Nigeria in general from unnecessary tension."
The governor, who said Nigeria will only be great if institutions were allowed to operate without interference, added that; "It is better to build strong institutions that will run on their own than to rely on strong leaders. Look at what is happening in the United States judgment was delivered and no one waited for President Donald Trump to speak before obeying the judgment. That is how things should run in a normal clime."
According to a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose, while reacting to the submission of Justice Onnoghen's name to the Senate by the Acting President, noted that; "If President Muhammadu Buhari had listened to wise counsel, things would not have degenerated to this sordid extent."
He said inspite of the submission of Justice Onnoghen's name to the Senate, those who out of their own selfishness foisted the position of Acting CJN on Nigeria for the first time in the history of the judiciary in the country will answer for their conspiracy one day.
The governor maintained that himself and other Nigerians that insisted on the appointment of Justice Onnoghen as the substantive CJN not so, not for Justice Onnoghen as a person, but to uphold the sanctity of the office of the judiciary, which is the last hope of the common man.
The governor said; "Five days ago, I called on Acting President Osinbajo to do the needful by simply sending Justice Onnoghen's name to the Senate as recommended by the NJC and I am glad that Prof Osinbayo, who himself is a lawyer listened to Nigerians and saved the judiciary from crisis.
"On this one, Prof Osinbajo has shown that he listens, unlike President Muhammadu Buhari that has ruled the country like a military dictator. I salute the Acting President."
Speaking further, Governor Fayose said; "Like I have maintained, we didn't fight for Justice Onnoghen as an individual. What we fought for and still fighting for is the oneness of Nigeria and the sanctity of the judiciary.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA – Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu on Thursday in Abuja prayed for the safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari back the country at the end of his medical vacation in London.
He also called on Nigerians to be patient with the president on the delivery of the democracy dividend, asking them however to criticize the government constructively and not destructively when the need arises.
The Lagos monarch spoke with State House Correspondents after a brief meeting with the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa.
He also expressed gratitude to God for elevating Osinbajo to the position of the Vice President from a humble background.
He said: “I have found time to see my former law lecturer and once more to convey to him the wishes and prayers of Lagos so that by the grace of God, the Almighty Allah, that our President will return to us hale and hearty and all will be well with this country provided all of us are sincere and we cooperate with the government and we tell the government what we feel constructive and not destructive criticisms.
“We have to be absolutely patient and provide useful suggestions to move the country forward. It’s very funny. Prophet Ayub was sick to the extent that maggots were coming out of all of his body and Allah brought him back not to talk of somebody who is not like that. Insha Allah, by the grace of Almighty, our President will be back to all of us.
“As I told the Acting President now, God blessed him more than how he expected. He was a law teacher; very quiet, easy going and he is always with his bible and see what God has done for him. He is not interested in any political thing but God had destined that he will be the number two man.
“All of us should pray for the two of them and for Nigeria to be very successful provided we are and close to God and very absolutely honest in everything we are doing. All will be well with us.”
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday evening called the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara from the United Kingdom where he is vacationing.
The President called the Speaker at about 9:20pm Tuesday evening and the two leaders spoke for little over five minutes.
Although the President and the Speaker discussed other national issues, much of it centred on how the Executive and the Legislature can work together to ensure food security for Nigerians and prevent a relapse into events of 2016.
When contacted the Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs to the Speaker, Mr. Turaki Hassan, confirmed that the two leaders spoke.
“As the Rt. Hon. Speaker twitted via his official twitter handle @YakubDogara, Mr. President called him at around 9:20pm Wednesday evening and they spoke for about five minutes.”
“They discussed some national issues including ways of ensuring food security for Nigerians.
President Muhammadu Buhari met with APC chieftains, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, at Abuja House in London on Thursday PRESIDENT BUHARI IN LONDON: PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI RECEIVES APC CHIEFTAINS, SENATOR BOLA AHMED TINUBU AND CHIEF BISI AKANDE, AT ABUJA HOUSE IN LONDON ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017
Reports have it that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande left Nigeria on Monday for London to see the President.
The Radio, Television, Theatre and Art Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) has called for the implementation of the media salary scheme, saying it was necessary to upgrade the salaries of media workers.
Kabir Tsanni, the newly elected National President of RATTAWU, made the call at the inaugural meeting of the union's Central Working Committee (CWC) on Thursday in Abuja.
Tsanni called on the Federal Government to implement the media salary structure canvassed for by its members across the federation.
The RATTAWU president said that there was need for the government to upgrade and implement the media salary structure considering the importance of the media profession and the risk attached to it.
"It is very unfair for the Federal Government to place media workers alongside civil servants on minimum wage.
"This is because our job is far more challenging and demanding than that in the normal civil service set-up,'' he said.
He stressed that the minimum wage could no longer match the present economic realities in the country, adding that this was the best time to fully implement the salary scheme.
According to Tsanni, those operating in media houses urgently deserve a special salary structure as being enjoyed in some other sectors.
The RATTAWU president said the issue of media salary had long been presented to the National Assembly and other relevant agencies of government.
Tanzanian legislators on Thursday urged the government to put pressure on Germany to compensate for atrocities committed during its colonial rule over a century ago.
"If other countries were compensated for war atrocities, why not us?" asked legislator Cosato Chumi, who is a member of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee.
The government announced Wednesday that it would seek an apology and a settlement for what it says were the deaths of tens of thousands of people during the so-called Maji Maji revolt against colonial rule from 1905 to 1907.
In the south-eastern area of Mahenge "was badly affected during the Maji Maji war, German forces besieged the area and torched down all food reserves and as a result, more than 30,000 people starved to death … this amounts to an act of genocide," another legislator, Zitto Kabwe, told dpa.
Tanzania wants to follow the example of Namibia, where descendants of the Herero and Nama people are seeking damages for what they say was the genocide of more than 100,000 people under German colonial rule in the early 1900s.
"As a nation, we are supposed to find a best mechanism to be compensated," Chumi told dpa. Germany ruled Tanzania, then known as Tanganyika, from the late 1880s to 1919.
