A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office has apprehended a gang of internet fraudsters comprising the trio of Davies Ayomide Rapheal, Adeyemi Adewumi Segun and Oyewole Segun who allegedly engage in phony online purchases from designated auction sites.
The suspects confessed to have accomplices abroad. They were arrested by the operatives of the Commission at different locations following tip-off.
Rapheal, the arrow head of the gang, prowls on the internet particularly on Craigslist- an online sale and purchase sites, where items ranging from cars and furniture are being displayed for sale.
His words: "I usually pose like a genuine buyer and engage any seller in a bid to purchase a car. After the seller had agreed to the terms of purchase, I go online to edit any PayPal receipt online to reflect whatever agreement reached which includes cost of purchase and the accrued percentage for shipping.
Our cohorts abroad, collect the shipping cost which had been added to the cost of the car on the PayPal receipt and send it to either Adeyemi or Oyewole who receives it in Nigeria for us to share.
An indigene of Ipetumodu, Osun State, Raphael, 27, said he had to recruit his co-travelers, Adeyemi and Oyewole into the Syndicate in order to raise money to pursue his dream of becoming a music star, having dropped out of school.
He confessed to have made about N2.5million from the various scams from which he bought a car, Honda Accord (EOD) with registration number EKY437EA, and a Phantom 5 phone.
Adeyemi and Oyewole who hail from Ondo and Ibadan respectively, also confessed to be members of the Syndicate.
Aside being part of the auction scam, Adeyemi, 27, stated that he was also into romance scam and had fleeced some unsuspecting victims of their money, the latest being $250 that he got from an Australian.
On his part, Oyewole, 31, confessed that he collects their proceeds through his account domiciled in one of the new generation banks. According to him, his share in the latest 'deal' was N247,000 which was ten percent of the sum realised.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.
After several weeks of setting the social media abuzz with photos and videos showing his putting girls on dog chains to events, the long arms of the law has finally caught up with BDSM activist and Lagos socialite, Mike Eze-Nwalie Nwogu, popularly known as 'Pretty Mike.'
BDSM includes bondage and discipline (B&D), dominance and submission (D&S), and sadism & masochism (S&M).
The 30-year-old owner of Club Uno, Ikeja, had set tongues wagging on social media with his acts, which perhaps drew the intervention of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State who ordered his arrest by the Police, yesterday.
Pretty Mike, said to be cooperating with investigation and had given useful statement to the Police, was released after signing an undertaking to desist from the act.
See below the virile video posted by Facebook user, Adeola Fayehun:
After much heated argument and controversy that trailed 30-year-old club owner, Mike Eze-Nwalie Nwogu popularly known as 'Pretty Mike', for putting girls on chain to events, the long arms of the law has finally caught up with him.
Pretty-Mike
Mike, was apprehended for dehumanizing young girls by turning them into human puppies with chains round their necks.
He was arrested yesterday, by the police on the orders of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.
Nwogu was said to be cooperating with investigation and had given useful statement to the police and was released after signing an undertaking to desist from the act
The undertaking read in part: "I, Mike Eze Nwalie, A.K.A Pretty Mike of 21A Magodo GRA, Luma Street, do hereby undertake to stop whatever act of putting girls on a leash or any other degrading treatment to ladies and guys.
I am aware that such act offends the law of the State of Lagos and if I repeat it again, there will be legal act towards me. I undertake to issue a letter of apology to the public effective from tomorrow on all my social media platforms."
Speaking on the matter, the State's Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem said the State Government will not tolerate any anti-social behavior that attempt to dehumanize any citizen in the State.
Kazeem restated the government's determination to prosecute any individual or group of persons who violate any law of the State under any guise. "The Lagos State Government is committed to the protection of the rights of all citizens including children, women and all the vulnerable persons in the State," Kazeem said.
Tinsel star and Nollywood actor Gideon Okeke took to his Instagram page to bash veteran actor Chiwetalu Agu for his incessant use of vulgar slangs in his movies.
According to Gideon, Chinwetalu Agu's vulgarity is no longer funny as young kids also watch his movies. He also came after directors and producers who give Chinwetalu Agu the freedom to use those slangs in movies.
Gideon has however deleted his post after fans of the comic actor came for him. Read Gideon’s post below.
Gideon Okeke & Chinwetalu Agu
“You know him as the wicked uncle in film. But I know to check the sanity of my mind and ears whenever he comes on screen.
I’m a fan of his and also a film person, but the measure of liberty this dear actor enjoys from directors and producers (within Nollywood) to improve vulgarities in movies is not funny to me anymore as an audience member.
Hiding behind the pretext that not all of your audience understand Igbo Language, is no licence to throw decorum out of the window.
Our job is not only to entertain, but to educate, inform and propagate culture, by subtly reshaping perceptions.
This is a case for the Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and our movie channels that play eyes-right to the demographic ratings 13, 16, 18 or PG.
Watch Chinwetalu Agu again…You will reckon. He is funny no doubt, but the kids are watching, adults are cringing.
NFVCB must be sleeping. Not all content is day time content.
…11 million children have stunted growth- Minister By Gabriel Ewepu ABUJA- FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, said Zero Hunger will conquer hunger and poverty by 2030 in Nigeria.Obasanjo
Obasanjo made the call at the launch of 'Nigeria Zero Hunger Strategic Review 2030 Launching and Press Conference', where he stated that the forum is geared towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal, SDG, 2, which emphasises prominence of food security and nutrition in member states.
He said the forum which consists of the Ministries of Agriculture and Health, African Development Bank, AfDB, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Obasanjo Foundation, Dangote Group, and others will physically be on the field to monitor implementation of the Zero Hunger Project in the four pilot states under the programme, which are Benue, Ebonyi, Ogun and Sokoto.
He said: "We are here to begin a new journey that will redefine the destiny of hundreds of millions of people in Africa in general, and in Nigeria in particular. This day is significant as we put our efforts to launch the Nigeria Zero Hunger roadmap that will unlock the potential of our nation and emancipate our dear country from the shackles of hunger and poverty.
"There has never been a shortage of good prescriptions and reports for reducing hunger in Nigeria but the implementation of these have been poor and unsustained. This time around and with the establishment of Nigeria Zero Hunger Forum based at IITA, we will ensure that recommendations contained in this Synthesis Report and the individual sub-committee Reports are implemented. We must do all we can so that this effort does not suffer the fate of previous endeavours.
"I expect that the actions recommended in our report will be implemented in all the 36 states plus Abuja starting in January 2017. The Nigeria Zero Hunger will Forum will support, encourage and monitor progress in Benue, Ebonyi, Ogun and Sokoto States during 2017 and 2018. The governors of these states have already agreed that they will make implementing Zero Hunger Roadmap a priority."
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, warned that 2.5 million children may be killed by malnutrition if nothing will be done to rescue them.
"Indeed achieving zero hunger in Nigeria is imperative. Tackling malnutrition and food insecurity is critical to the growth and development of our country. Nigeria has the highest number of stunted children under age five in sub-Saharan Africa, and the second highest in the world.
"Today, we estimate that there are about 11 million children who are stunted in Nigeria. In addition, we have an estimated 2.5 million children under the age of five with severe acute malnutrition in Nigeria.
"If nothing is done, about half a million of these children will die. About 90 per cent of these children are in 13 states of North East and North West regions of the country.
"The sad irony is that these regions provide the bulk of the food that feeds this nation. Could it be there is something we are missing or something we are not doing right? To end hunger it is important to address the food deficit in the country.
"I hasten to note that at this point that good nutrition is a result of three underlying conditions; household food security, adequate primary health services and optimal care and support", Adewole stated.
Not yet president, Donald Trump has picked a high-risk fight with the all-important US intelligence community, blaming them for an incendiary but unsubstantiated report on his alleged links with Moscow and salacious behavior in Russia.
Trump accused US spies of leaking the report, a dossier prepared for US politicians by a British private consultant, to US media to sabotage him, calling it “disgraceful” and likening their alleged action to Germany’s Nazi regime.
Trump’s outburst prompted a late night call from National Intelligence Director James Clapper, who told Trump he did not believe the leak came from the intelligence agencies.TRUMP
Clapper said in a statement that he agreed with Trump that recent leaks to the press “are extremely corrosive and damaging to our national security.”
However, he said, “I emphasized that this document is not a US Intelligence Community product and that I do not believe the leaks came from within the IC,” he said.
– Salacious dossier –
One week before he is inaugurated as US president, Trump has been rocked by the dossier, which a former British MI6 intelligence agent prepared originally as opposition research for other US politicians.
The 35-page dossier alleges longstanding communications between Russian officials and the Trump campaign, and that Russian intelligence has lurid videos of Trump with prostitutes in Russia.
None of the allegations are substantiated, but it was serious enough that US intelligence investigated them and included its own conclusions in a top secret briefing to Trump last Friday on Russia’s meddling in the US election and hacking into Democratic Party computers to do so.
Trump exploded Tuesday when media reported that some allegations in the dossier were included in the briefing, which was presented by Clapper with the heads of the CIA, FBI and National Security Agency.
The dossier was then published online by Buzzfeed, adding to the president-elect’s outrage.
“Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to ‘leak’ into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?” Trump tweeted early Wednesday.
He repeated the accusation hours later in a press conference.
“I think it was disgraceful — disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out.”
“I think it’s a disgrace, and I say that — and I say that, and that’s something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do.”
His blasts against the intelligence community came after his repeated rejections of their conclusion that Russia had interfered with last year’s election, a position he appeared to reverse on Wednesday.
Clapper, whose office coordinates 16 other spy agencies, stressed in his statement that those bodies had “not made any judgment that the information in this document is reliable.”
But analysts say the four spy chiefs would not have raised the dossier in their briefing for Trump if they saw it was unfounded. Clapper himself suggested as much.
“Part of our obligation is to ensure that policymakers are provided with the fullest possible picture of any matters that might affect national security,” he said.
– ‘Alarm bell’ –
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said impugning the integrity of the intelligence services was “deeply misguided.”
“Doesn't mean they're always right, but questioning their motives is another thing altogether,” he said Wednesday.
Former CIA and NSA officials and members of Congress also have roundly scolded Trump for picking a fight with the intelligence community, essential to his running government.
“Over the course of the election campaign, and even after it, the CIA and the entire intelligence community has been repeatedly and unfairly subjected to criticism of its integrity. These comments have affected the morale of these men and women,” said Senator Mark Warner, Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, on Thursday.
Former CIA deputy director John McLaughlin wrote in an opinion piece Wednesday on the Real Clear World website that Trump’s views were an “alarm bell” for the incoming government.
Trump’s distrust of his spies, he said, indicate “that the next four years could prove especially challenging for America's intelligence professionals.”
ABUJA-To completely restore peace in the troubled Southern Kaduna, Nigerian Army has said it would launch Operation Kaunama 11 in the area.
It also stated that the military exercise in the South-East code-named “Operation Python Dance” would be renamed while still carrying out other undergoing engagements across the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Yusuf Bruntai made the disclosure while fielding questions from State House correspondents at the end of the Security Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
He said that the exercise in Southern Kaduna would be extended to Plateau and Kano States.
He said: “Our troops are already in Southern Kaduna. We have our special forces operating there along with all other security agencies and we intend also to have an exercise very soon in Southern Kaduna to cover some part of Plateau and indeed part of Kano State. So, it is part of our strategy for this year to continue all the exercises we have had before.
“We will be having exercise Kunama 11 which will come into Southern Kaduna State and part of Plateau and Kano state.
“Croccodile smile in the Niger Delta and indeed the Python dance, but we are going to rename the Python Dance for the South East this year also.”
Speaking on the Sambisa forest, the Army chief stated that troops were still on the ground, combing the area according to their mandate.
“We are continuing our operations in that area, Lafiya Dole mandate and the troops are still moving all over the area.
“The directive is there. We are still pursuing it and it is a task we must accomplish at all cost”.
Also speaking on the outcome of the Security Council meeting earlier, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali said that some resolutions were taken in the Niger Delta crisis.
He however did not state the resolutions.
“Major security issue were discussed and we were able to come to conclusion on almost all the crises that are going on across the country.
“The Southern Kaduna, the Niger Delta issues and other major crises areas were discussed and resolutions were passed.
“Like I said in the Southern Kaduna we have our troops being moved and they have already taken places. Negotiation is going on and I believe that very soon, it will come to an end.
On the Gambian crisis, the Minister added that the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS were working on the matter.
“That is not a national issue and I believe the ECOWAS are working on that. We have not reached any conclusion on that”, he said.
The meeting attracted the Chief of Defence State, three Service Chiefs, and the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of Department of State Service.
Judgment day in the trial of four men accused of the murder of Cynthia Osokogu, a student of Nasarawa State University, has been fixed for 23 March.
Osokogu was murdered on July 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Festac Town, Lagos, by her Facebook lover.
The defendants are: Okwumo Nwabufo, 33; Olisaeloka Ezike, 23; Orji Osita, 33, and Ezike Nonso, 25.
They are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, stealing, recklessness, negligence and possession of stolen goods.
At the resumed trial on Thursday, Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere, adjourned for judgment after the adoption of the final written addresses by all the counsel.
Akinlade had frowned at the delay by the second defendant's counsel, Mr A. Nwachukwu, in filing his final written address.
She pointed out that the court would not entertain delay tactics from any counsel to forestall justice in all cases.
Mr Victor Okpara, who spoke for all the defence counsel, said that the trial was fair and they expected their clients to be discharged and acquitted.
The murder trial began on Feb. 8, 2013, with the state calling the hotel's receptionist as the first witness.
The body of late Cynthia Osokogu,24, the only daughter of General Frank Osokogu (rtd) was discovered in a Lagos morgue a month after she was declared missing by her family.
She was a post-graduate student of Nasarawa State University and had a boutique in Nasarawa State until her death.
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has assured that the state government was committed to ensuring continuous peace in the Niger Delta region.
The governor spoke on Thursday in Asaba when the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Syminton, paid him a courtesy visit.
He said that the state government`s efforts in ensuring an enduring peace was already yielding good results.
The governor said that in the past four months, pipeline vandalism had not been experienced in the creeks, especially those in Delta.
Gov Ifeanyi Okowa
Okowa expressed confidence that the prevailing peace in the creeks would be sustained.
''We are doing a lot to ensure that we have peace and it is our hope that we will sustain peace; it is in our best interest to do so.
''We are looking forward to a peaceful and progressive 2017, it is in the collective interest of all stakeholders for the peace to be sustained.''
He commended the U.S. government for doing business in Nigeria, particularly in Delta.
The governor assured investors that Delta was safe for business, more so when the people were friendly and accommodating to visitors.
Earlier, Syminton, who led other top embassy officials, disclosed that they were in the state to see how to deepen their business relationships with the people.
Mr Stephen Awoyele, Project Coordinator for the German Dual Vocational Training Partnership with Nigeria, on Thursday expressed his government's commitment to providing more technical training to young Nigerians, to enhance their employability.
Awoyele told newsmen in Lagos that the German Government had since 2012 been working with the Organised Private Sector and the Industrial Training Fund(ITF) in youth skills development.
The coordinator announced his government's plan to expand the skills development programme to the organised private sector and other partners across Nigeria, this year, so that more young Nigerians would benefit from it.
"This programme has the objective of increasing the qualification and employability of young men and women in Nigeria.
"We have observed that there are a lot of skill gaps in many companies, as well as a dearth of skilled labour to fill these skill gaps.
"So, a lot of organisations are partnering with us in training apprentices to fill these gaps.
"We have so far trained about 350 trainers in the organised private sector and companies, as well as 265 apprentices for different organisations in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States,'' he said.
Awoyele said that the success so far recorded by the programme in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States, was encouraging the German government and its partner organisations to expand it to other parts of Nigeria.
The German Government official said that the programme was already being sought for from other States, adding that his organisation would this year extend its training to more young Nigerians.
He said that the organisation would sustain its skills development programmes in industrial electronics, industrial mechanics, maintenance and technical facilities management, project management and office management, this year.
Awoyele said that the beneficiaries were immediately after their one year industrial training programmes, absorbed as full-time employees in the organisations.
President, Muhammadu Buhari has met with the Security Chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja over the recent killings in Southern Kaduna.
Among the issues discussed at the meeting were the prevailing insecurity challenges in southern Kaduna, the Niger Delta and other parts of the country.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Dan-Ali who made this known after the meeting with the President said that troops have been moved to Southern Kaduna while negotiations are on-going to end the killings in the area.
Commenting on whether Nigeria will send a stand-by troop to the Gambia should there be violence if Gambia's President, Yahaya Jammeh refuses to step down, the Defence Minister said that no conclusion has been reached on the issue yet.
He added that the matter of forceful removal of President Yahyah Jammeh is to be handled by the ECOWAS regional body.
The clarification follows reports that Nigeria has assembled about 800 troops to effect the removal of President Jammeh, if he insists on remaining in power after January 19, 2017
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The Supreme Court, Thursday, gave Lagos State the nod to appeal against the discharge and acquittal of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha over the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
Al-Mustapha was a former Chief Security Officer, CSO, to the late Military Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
He was accused of complicity in the murder of Kudirat, a wife of the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election that was annulled by former President Ibrahim Babangida, late Chief Moshood Abiola.
Lagos State approached the apex court, seeking its permission to challenge a Court of Appeal judgment that freed Al-Mustapha on July 12, 2013.
ABUJA- ALMOST three months after President Muhammadu Buhari sent names of forty- six non career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and subsequent confirmation, the President yesterday resent a rejigged list of forty six.
In the new list, name of former Deputy Minority leader of the Senate, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora was dropped with no replacement.
Justice George Oguntade, a retired Supreme Court Judge, and Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, former Senator, representing Lagos State, have been dropped in the new list of non-career ambassadorial nominees, sent to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.
The upper chamber had rejected the old list presented two months ago, following the outcry by APC governors and even some senators about their not being consulted before the list was drawn. One of the nominees, Pauline Tallen, a former deputy governor of Plateau State, also rejected her nomination.
Senator Olorunimbe Mamora
Also missing in the new list is Adegboyega Ogunwusi, an elder brother of the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi.
While states such as Lagos, Kwara, Katsina, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara have two nominees on the list, the others have one nominee each.
Abuja Senator, Phillip Aduda thanked Buhari for nominating an indigene of Abuja this time in the new list, after Senate President, Bukola Saraki read the list. Aduda had attacked the old list because it excluded Abuja.
Dr Eniola Ajayi, a former Commissioner for Education, as well as Environment, under Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and House of Reps Candidate (APC 2015), also made the list. He replaced Mr. Ayodele Ayodele, also from Iyin Ekiti.
Full List of the new nominees as read by Mr. Saraki: Uzoma Emenike, Abia; Aminu Lawal (Adamawa); Godwin Umoh (Akwa Ibom); Christopher Okeke (Anambra); Yusuf Maitama (Bauchi); Baba Maigudu (Bauchi); Stanley Douye (Bayelsa); Stephen Uba (Benue); Baba Ahmed Gida (Borno); Utobong Asuquo (Cross River); Frank Ofegina (Delta); Joda Udoh (Ebonyi); Yagwe Ede (Edo); Eniola Ajayi (Ekiti); Chris Eze (Enugu); Sulieman Hassan (Gombe);
Sylvanus Usofo (Imo); Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa); Ahmed Bamilli (Kaduna); Deborah Yahaya (Kaduna); Abdulkadir (Kano); Haruna Arungungu (Kano); Musa Udo (Katsina), Mohammed Rimi (Katsina); Tijani Bande (Kebbi); Aliu (Kogi);
Nurudeen Mohammed (Kwara), Mohammed Isa (Kwara); Adesola Omotade (Lagos); Modupe Remi (Lagos); Musa Mohammed (Nasarawa); Ahmed Ibeto; Niger; Susan Aderonke Folarin (Ogun); Jacob Daudu (Ondo); Afolayon Adeyemi (Osun); Olaniyi (Oyo); James Dmika (Plateau); Haruna Abdullahi (Plateau); Orji Ngofa (Rivers); Sahibi Isa Dada (Sokoto); Kabir Umar (Sokoto); Jika Ado (Taraba); Goni Zana (Yobe); Garba T. (Zamfara); Bala Mohammad (Zamfara); and Ibrahim Dada (FCT).
Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Wednesday, reiterated the commitment of his government to further cooperate with the police and other security agencies in the interest of peace and security in the state.
Ogbeni Aregbesola stated this while playing host to the new Assistant Inspector General of police, Zone 11 in charge of Osun, Ondo and Oyo who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Osogbo.
He described the police as a unique arm of security because they are part of the people in the community who are only separated by their uniform in the process of ensuring law and order in the society.
Cross section of Armoured Personnel Carriera distributed to the State Mobile Police Force by the Administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
“Despite the fact that there is still a lot of room for improvement, the police force have shown a lot of efficiency in the discharge of their duties. The Nigerian police have, to a great extent, helped to reduce tension to the nearest minimum even in the face of the economic recession hitting the country,” he said.
Governor Aregbesola assured that the present administration in the state will continue to support the police because they are partners in the process of ensuring that Osun remains the safest state in the country.
Earlier in his remarks, the Assistant Inspector General of police, Zone 11, Mr. Paul Okafor, stated that the Command in Osun and the zone will continue to ensure the security of the state.
“I will do my best to ensure that Osun and environs continue to remain peaceful and secured, by the grace of God we will not fail. Being the headquarters of the zone, if we succeed in keeping Osun secured, it means we have succeeded in the zone as a whole.” Mr. Okafor said.
Recall that the government of Osun under Aregbesola invested billions of Naira in the purchase of security equipment for various security agencies in the state. Available reports reveal that Osun state is now adjudged the most peaceful in Nigeria as the investment in security is now paying off.
The Ile-Tuntun Customary Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday dissolved a 25-year-old marriage between one Mary, a mother of two and her husband, Apostle Ayoku Israel, over insensitivity and claims by the husband that God revealed to him not to have their daughter educated.
Mr Henric Agbaje, the president of the court, held that it was obvious that there was no more love between the couple, hence, the need for the dissolution.
The arbitrator warned the duo against any form of harassment and awarded the custody of the female child of the marriage to Mary for motherly care.
He, however, asked Ayoku to take charge of the 16 year-old male child.
Mary resides at Amunloko area while her husband, Ayoku lives at Olunloyo area of Ibadan.
In her earlier submission to the court, Mary said her husband had, for their 25 years of marriage, been insensitive to anything happening to her and he had refused to send their children to school.
"My lord, I was sick for seven years, Ayoku neither bothered to know my whereabouts nor give me anything for treatment.
"Ayoku did not marry me legally; he did nothing to know my parents and even refused my bearing his name.
"Worst still, he had refused to give quality education to our first child, who is already 24 years old.
"Ayoku had always argued that the Lord revealed to him that the girl should not be educated but should engage in petty trading.
"I have been solely responsible for the education of the child that is in school.
"Instead, Ayoku keeps moving from one mountain to another for his so-called evangelism.
"Please my lord, give me custody of the two children for proper care,'' Mary said.
However, Ayoku who agreed with the divorce; denied all the allegations levelled against him by his wife.
"I sent money to her through her elder sister when she was sick and I have been responsible for the children's education.
"The two children are in court, they can testify to it,'' Ayoku said.
The next big thing in the technology world is artificial intelligence (AI). Big tech organisations like Apple and Google are aggressively investing in AI. Google has been partnering Oxford University to expand Artificial Intelligence.
Some examples of everyday AI include iPhone Siri and Microsoft Windows 10 Cortana.
Before going further, it will not be out of place to define AI. Wikipedia simply describes AI as 'intelligence exhibited by machine". It further explained that the term AI is applied when a machine mimics cognitive functions that humans associate with other human minds such as learning and problem solving.
Now AI is trending. Therefore, Jumia Travel shares five things you should know about AI as it would soon become an important part of our daily life just like social media.
AI was coined in 1956
The first ever mention of AI was in 1956. John McCarthy was famously quoted at a conference at Dartmouth College, in Hanover, New Hampshire as saying: 'As soon as it works, no one calls it Artificial Intelligence." Since its mention, AI has pretty much been evolving to become a popular phenomenon today.
Robots will do your job
Perhaps the time is here when human presence will not be required to provide services. It will be the job of Robots to provide the service.
A good example of this is the Henn-na hotel in Japan which is the first ever robot-staffed hotel in the world whereby the reception desk is staffed by Robotic Dinosaur. So, be prepared.
Autonomous vehicles will be the poster tech of AI
The overall functions of autonomous vehicles are premised on Artificial Intelligence. If Google and car companies eventually perfect their driverless car’s technology, it will be a huge boost thus making AI commercially viable.
This may even encourage more companies to embrace AI. In fact, driverless cars are already being tested in the United States.
There will no more error in saving lives
This is important in the area of medicine. There are reported cases in which fatal mistakes by doctors have led to the death of patients. For example, in Vietnam recently, a man had a pair of surgical scissors removed from his stomach left during an operation 18 years ago.
With machine performing surgery, there will be nothing like error or mistakes in saving lives. So the fear of world famous astrophysicist, Prof Stephen Hawking that the development of AI means the end of humanity is unfounded.
Computer will be as smart as humans
If you think computers are smart now, you have to reconsider your stance. It is projected that by 2040, computers will be as smart as humans. Thanks largely to Artificial Intelligence.
All the venues being proposed for home matches by Clubs representing Nigeria in African competitions this year will be inspected by officials of the Nigeria Football Federation.
This was the agreement reached at the end of a meeting of NFF officials and officials of the four Clubs (Rangers International, Rivers United, FC IfeanyiUbah and Wikki Tourists) at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Wednesday.
Deliberations centred on match venues, stadium readiness, team preparation, team travel and accommodation, logistics, match officials travel and accommodation, communication with NFF and officials of the opposition team, safety, security and medical provisions.
NFF's Director of Competitions, Mr. Bola Oyeyode briefed officials of the four Clubs on requirements of the Confederation of African Football, and harped on the importance of being fully prepared in all the noted areas in order not to attract avoidable sanctions and unpleasant experience during their campaigns.
NPFL champions Rangers International will fly the country's flag in the CAF Champions League alongside second –placed Rivers United, while Federation Cup winners FC IfeanyiUbah and League third place –finishers Wikki Tourists will campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Flying Antelopes propose to make use of the 25,000 –capacity Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium (The Cathedral) for their home matches, with Rivers United opting for the Yakubu Gowon Stadium (16,000 capacity) in Port Harcourt and Wikki Tourists decided on the 18,000 –capacity Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.
FC IfeanyiUbah, nicknamed Anambra Warriors and the only privately –owned Club among the four, will host home matches at the 17,000 –capacity Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium, Nnewi.
Oyeyode noted that none of the four stadia had been previously homologated by the Confederation of African Football, hence the need for NFF to inspect the venues well ahead of the African competitions.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Bauchi State, Hon. Ibrahim Madaki Sale led the Wikki Tourists delegation, which also included Director of Sports Lawal Garba, Bauchi FA chairman Yahuza Adamu Ningi, Chairman of Wikki FC Isa Musa Matori and FA secretary Ibrahim Garba. Enugu FA chairman Chidi Ofo Okenwa led the Rangers' delegation that also had Rangers Ag. Chairman Steve Oruruo and Amobi Ezeaku.
Vice chairman of Anambra FA, Barr. J. B. C. Obikwelu and FC IfeanyiUbah team manager Igwe Jonathan stood in for the Anambra Warriors, while Rivers State FA secretary Ibigoni Benjamin-Akubo represented Rivers United.
The first leg, first round of this year's African club competitions will take place on the weekend of 9th – 11th February.
The new Senate Leader, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, has called on his colleagues to cooperate with him in his new capacity to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
Lawan, who made the call at plenary on Thursday, also urged them to work in a bi-partisan manner in the interest of all Nigerians.
He said, "Nigeria is our country, it doesn't belong to APC, it belongs to Nigerians".
He further called on his colleagues to collaborate to make life better for Nigerians by making laws that would improve the security of the people and ensure the nation's economic growth.
"We should put our hands together and ensure stability in the country.
"I urge the cooperation and understanding of my colleagues.
"The Senate started on a shaky foundation, it will end on a solid, stable and successful foundation,"he said.
Ahmed-Lawan
Lawan commended his colleagues for giving him the opportunity to serve in that capacity.
"I thank the APC caucus for having confidence and trust in my judgement and ability to serve as leader of the Senate.
"I say to the opposition that what the APC caucus has done is for all of us. I am not a leader for the APC caucus; I am a leader of the Senate.
"It is the will of God and we as religious people believe in destiny.
Reacting, the Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio (PDP Akwa-Ibom), said that the PDP caucus believed that the elevation of Sen. Lawan would end "all the grumblings and disaffection affecting the 8th Senate.''
"We are delighted. We want to note that in spite the situations, the Senate is focused on national issues.
"We are implementing issues on bi-partisan basis. We will continue to remain bi-partisan where the interests of Nigerians are concerned.
"We will support the Senate, the APC caucus and President Muhammadu Buhari on things we believe will take Nigerians out of economic recession."
Akpabio, however, urged the senate leader to carry all lawmakers along in the discharge of his duties.
In a remark, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, assured Lawan of his colleagues' support.
He commended former Senate Leader Sen. Ali Ndume for his service to the Senate and for his statesmanship in accepting his fate.
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
ASABA—THE contractor handling the building of Asaba International Airport, ULO Consultants, has assured that the airport would be ready for commissioning by March this year.
It will be recalled that the airport was downgraded by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, in April 2015, barring bigger aircraft from the airport.
Chief Executive Officer ULO Consultants, Mr. Uche Okpuno, who gave the assurance while speaking to newsmen, said the rehabilitation work on the runway and taxi way had reached advance stage.
Okpuno said they had commenced the installation of Instrument Landing System, ILS and Air Field Lighting, AFL system, explaining that the ILS and AFL were visibility guides which aid the aircraft to land without the pilot seeing the runway.
By Prince Osuagwu & Emmanuel Elebeke The federal government Wednesday formerly inaugurated the board of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. Chairman of the board is Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye. Other members of the board include Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive, Engr. Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner (Technical Services), Mr. Sunday Dare (Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management). The non-executive Commissioners include Mr. Clement Omeiza Baiye and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume.
The board members who were appointed in August 2016 were charged with:
"Formulating several policies for the regulation and development of the Communications industry; considering and approving the yearly budget of the Commission as may be presented to the Board by Management; ensuring that the Commission is manifestly seen to be a responsible corporate citizen, having regard not only to financial aspects of the Commission but also to the impact its operations have on its stakeholders, the environment and all parts of the country; provision of the effective leadership on an ethical foundation by ensuring that issues of ethics are managed effectively; among others.
Performing the inauguration rites, on behalf of the government, minister of Communications Technology, Adebayo Shittu, charged the new board to employ cutting-edge regulatory practices to curtail the incidences of dropped calls and other related poor quality of service in the telecom sector.
He urged them to ensure that Nigerians get value for their money in all the services rendered by the telecom service providers.
By Benjamin Njoku EX-BEAUTY queen cum actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima-Egbuka, has announced her intention to start a yearly scholarship for the less privileged.
The actress made this known on her Facebook page. "Ibinabo Care Foundation and their partners are happy to announce the commencement of their 'Go To School' scheme," she wrote.
Ibinabo said, the aim of the scheme is to assist young children whose parents cannot afford to send them to school or have dropped out of school due to financial challenges.
"An educational fund will be set up for them with our partner bank, Heritage Bank, and their parents will be able to access the funds whenever they need to pay for their educational needs."
This year, according to her, the scheme will be assisting five children 'Go To School."
Stressing, Ibinabo said, to benefit from the scheme, the applicant must not be above 15 years, in addition to having proof that his or her parents cannot afford to send them to school or has dropped. "After screening and investigation by a board, five children will be selected and awarded the scholarships,"she added.
The presentation day will be on January 13. The event will also mark the birthday of the proprietor of Ibinabo Care Foundation, Ibinabo Fiberesima. She will be presenting the scholarships along with other colleagues and celebrities.
NIGERIAN rapper, Ikechukwu is currently under fire. The rapper's ex- girlfriend, Sarah Ofili, alongside her friend, Joy Madaki, are splitting fire over comments he was said to have made about Joy's brother, Terry Tha Rapman, who is also an artiste.
What Ikechukwu must have said to trigger such war of words on himself still remains a mystery as the aggrieved parties made no mention of it in their social media rants. However, in a bid to defend her brother after Ikechukwu aired his opinions about Joy's brother, the latter took to her Instagram page to hurl unprintable words on the rapper.
As if that was not enough, Ikechukwu's ex girlfriend, Sarah Ofili, also joined forces with Joy on her Instagram page to declare war on the rapper, boasting that she and her friends would wage war on him since he has declared it initially.
The Federal Government on Wednesday says she will no longer recognise Taiwan as a country but rather pledged support for One China.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, stated this while answering questions from newsmen after a joint news conference with the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Onyeama said Nigeria had withdrawn all diplomatic relations with Taiwan as a country, adding that Taiwanese office in Abuja would be shut down and be relocated to Lagos.
According to him, Nigeria has communicated Taiwan and they are moving to Lagos as soon as possible.
"Taiwan will stop enjoying any privileges because it is not a country that is recognised under international law and under the position we have taken internationally we recognise the people of China.
"Taiwan will not have any diplomatic representation in Nigeria and also they will be moving to Lagos to the extent that they function as a trade mission with a skeletal staff.
"Chinese Government does not oppose trading with Taiwan as such as long there is no formal contact with the Government that will suggest recognition of Taiwan as sovereign country," he said.
According to him, China does not oppose relationship with Taiwan in the level of trade but not on government to government level.
The minister, however, said that Nigeria was not pressurised to take the decision, noting that the development was a bit of anormally on the side of Nigeria
He said that Nigeria recognised the People's Republic of China as country because Nigeria was one the leading African nations that fought for China to reclaim its seat at the UN Security Council from Taiwan.
He said the step being taken was to right the wrong that one could not specifically say how it came.
"It was not very clear how it got into Nigeria system – an arrangement for the Taiwan for a trade mission.
"And in grating the right of the trade mission it did not accurately reflect the nature of relationship between Nigeria and Taiwan," he said.
Onyeama stated that the country took the decision to remove any iota of doubt in the mind of the Chinese people.
He said on the issue of building trust, the international community had embraced one China and China is a member of the United Nations and we don't want to leave any doubt on the issue.
The minister stressed that Nigeria would adhere to it completely and there is no ambiguity at all.
He said Nigeria as a nation would do everything to realise the One China Policy as well as any effort that would promote the peace and well being of the People's Republic of China.
According to Onyeama, China is one of the countries that have been in full support of reforms in the UN that would see Africa having two seats at the UN Security Council, as such deserved to be supported in her unification drive of One China.
Video clip shows Sahara Reportes’ publisher, Omoyele Sowore at the police station at Area “F” in Ikeja, Lagos. Sowore was arrested over alleged threat to life on International Magazine's publisher, Lekan Fatodu.
Award winning high-life singer, Flavour 'N' abania will be performing alongside Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz at the opening ceremony of 2017 African Cup of Nations in Gabon.
With exactly three days to go before the tournament kicks off on Saturday, January 14, 2016, the pair who performed at the just concluded Glo-CAF Award 2016 in Abuja, will be thrilling the African football teams and fans at the opening ceremony of AFCON 2017.
Diamond Platnumz and Flavour set for AFCON 2017 opening ceremony
The opening ceremony will be transmitted in more than 50 countries and reach an estimated global live audience of 180 million viewers, making it the most-watched sporting event in Africa.
After the opening ceremony, the host nation, Gabon will be taking Guinea–Bissau after which Cameroun will also face Burkina Faso at the 40,000 seater friendship stadium in Libreville.
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, has described the trial of former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as mere political persecution, which is part of the plot of the cabal in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to incapacitate opposition figures in the country financially before the 2019 general elections.
Ex-Gov Ibrahim Shema
Governor Fayose, who said President Muhammadu Buhari's second term ambition will not be realised on the basis of intimidation, harassment and persecution of opposition figures as well as annihilation of their financial strength, added that, "Instead of running after those that they perceived as threat to the President's 2019 ambition, they should rather save Nigerians from hunger and sufferings now ravaging the land."
According to his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said "it is also obvious that those holding power in Katsina State presently are finding it difficult to match Shema's unprecedented performance while in office and have opted for his persecution just to cover up their failure.
The governor lamented that all actions of the APC led federal government were geared towards the achievement of President Buhari's second term and not the well-being of Nigerians, many of whom can barely feed owing to bad policies of the government.
He said "it is another sad experience in democratic governance in Nigeria that someone like Alhaji Shema, who performed remarkably well as Katsina State governor and even left over N3 billion in the state's treasury is now being humiliated ostensibly just because some people believed that the only way they can perpetuate themselves in power beyond 2019 is by destroying opposition.
"Despite that Alhaji Shema made himself available to the EFCC on September 16, 2016, he was kept in detention for more than two weeks just to humiliate him as directed by those who presently hold power in Katsina and Abuja. Even when Alhaji Shema was arraigned in court on Tuesday, EFCC even went to the extent of asking the court to remand him in prison. This is ridiculous!"
Calling on the international community, especially the United States of America (USA) President-Elect, Donald Trump and other world leaders to help in saving democracy in Nigeria, Governor Fayose said, "this continuous use of EFCC and other agencies of the federal government to humiliate and oppress those perceived as threat to the APC hold on power beyond 2019 is a threat to democracy in the country and must not be allowed to continue.
"The international community should ask President Buhari why only opposition figures are the ones being arrested and tried by the EFCC. What has happened to all those petitions submitted to the EFCC against close aides of the president and serving members of his cabinet?
"Obviously, EFCC now exists as the APC Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and those foreign organisations donating funds to the commission should be mindful of their funds being used to persecute opposition."
By Evelyn Usman The Police have confirmed the arrest of Publisher of Sahara Reporters, an online news agency based in New York city, United States of America, Mr Omoyele Sowore, today, Wednesday.
Police said that he was arrested over alleged threat to life and blackmail on a London based journalist, Lekan Fatodu.Sowore arrested by the Police over alleged threat to life
As at 7pm, he was still been interrogated by policemen at the Area ‘F’ command Ikeja. Report said he was picked up by policemen from his Lagos home following a petition by Fatodun.
Fatodun in the petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Mr Fatai Owoseni, accused Sowore of publishing a story on alleged money laundry on him.
In the publication, Fatodu was alleged to be assisting Nigerian politicians to move money out of the country.
Police sources hinted that they were alerted yesterday evening of Sowore's presence , consequent upon which they went for his arrest.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos confirmed the arrest . She could however not state if Sowore would be released later .
She said "I confirm his arrest. He was arrested this evening over threat to life on Lekan Fatodu and blackmail. He is still under investigation"
But Omoyele Sowore on his facebook page said he was attacked by Lekan Fatodu and his friends in Lagos and were taken to the CP’s office in Lagos.
”After the police “intervened” soon as I was attacked by Lekan Fatodu and his friends in Lagos and were taken to the CP’s office in Lagos.
‘Turns out he was in on this, he pulled out a supposed petition written by Lekan from his hat after that he became very hostile towards me and ordered that we be driven to State CID, at Panti in Lagos.
”It is very obvious that this was planned between Lekan Fatodu and the police. They offered him unbridled support as he continued attacking me in the presence of the police. I could have been I am familiar with this style of the Nigerian police. We are now being driven to Panti in Yaba res of Lagos”
Also Lekan Fatodu on his twitter handle @LekanFatodu wrote ‘BREAKING! I just got Sowore Omoyele of Saharareporters arrested for criminal defamation and blackmail and threat to my life and career.’
Chairman of Triangular Pensioners Association of Osun, Prince Rotimi Adelugba has said that, even as the Osun state government led by Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is still paying pensioners till date, it has equally paid them their entitlements up to December of 2016 according to the agreement the association had with the government.
Aregbosola
He said details show that senior citizens in the state have received their monthly entitlements up till December 2016.
This is contrary to the claims of a curious protesting pensioners who had alleged otherwise, a development the state government said is aimed at tarnishing the image of governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Prince Adelugba further explained that "Osun State is still paying according to the Memorandum of Understanding reached between Labour and the Government. Imo State is owing 72 months".
About the protesting pensioners, Prince Adelugba said he believes they were being sponsored. "Osun State is a peaceful state, so I don't understand why some people will go on rampage. At least by December last year, we collected three months. Then in late December, we collected the December pension as agreed upon", he said.
Wilfried Zaha scored his first goal for African champions the Ivory Coast as they trounced Uganda 3-0 Wednesday in a warm-up match for the 2017 Cup of Nations.
The Crystal Palace and former England winger struck with a low shot after a superb solo run during the second half in Abu Dhabi.
Abidjan-born Zaha changed his international allegiance after making two friendly appearances for adopted homeland England.
Footballers who have not played a competitive match for a country are entitled to switch loyalties.
Ivory Coast’s starting eleven (top L to R) forward Salomon Kalou, forward Jonathan Kodjia, midfielder Franck Kessie, defender Wilfried Kanon, defender Eric Bailly, forward Wilfried Zaha, defender Serge Aurier, (bottom L to R) defender Adama Traore, goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo, midfielder Geoffrey Serey Die, and midfielder Jean-Michaël Seri pose for a group picture ahead of the friendly football match between Ivory Coast and Uganda at New York University Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 11, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
The 24-year-old flier has impressed in two outings for the Cup of Nations title-holders, creating the winner against Sweden during his debut three days ago.
Striker Jonathan Kodjia from English second-tier outfit Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain full-back Serge Aurier were the other Ivorian scorers after a goalless first half.
Ivory Coast hope to become only the fourth country after Egypt, Ghana and Cameroon to successfully defend the African title when the 2017 tournament kicks off this Saturday in Gabon.
They are in Group C — arguably the toughest of the four mini-leagues — with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco and Togo.
After qualifying for a first appearance at the finals since finishing 1978 runners-up, Uganda tackle record seven-time champions Egypt, Ghana and Mali in Group D.
Togo, who have not scheduled any friendly internationals, came from two goals behind to defeat top-flight club Diambars 3-2 in Senegal with Alaixys Romao snatching the winner.
Ghana, beaten on penalties by the Ivory Coast in the 2015 Africa Cup final, have also opted for club opponents and overcame Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan 2-0 in the UAE.
CHARLOTTE, NC—The United States first family has turned more than a few heads at this week's Democratic National Convention, where the president, as he greets delegates and waves to crowds of supporters, is often accompanied not only by his wife and two daughters, but also his rarely seen 19-year-old son, Luther.
Obama and Luther
The theonion.com reports that the shy, slightly overweight teenager, who has lived his entire life with his mother in central Illinois, seldom appears in public with the president, with whom he has reportedly shared a somewhat distant and occasionally strained relationship.
"When I saw that kid with President Obama, I had no clue who he was," said Georgia delegate, Kathy Tyson, stating that the teen appeared to have difficulty sustaining eye contact with others and stood uncomfortably alongside his father when he shook hands with voters Thursday.
Tyson said: "I guess he does kind of look like the president, though a bit shorter and stockier."
Luther was born in 1993 to Andrea Pletcher, then a 24-year-old diner cashier whom Obama, a young law professor at the time, met during a brief trip to the state capital of Springfield.
While the president's son is said to have faced numerous obstacles during his childhood, including academic troubles, repeated emotional outbursts, and his mother's bouts with alcoholism, family friends have stated that overall he was a "good kid" who "genuinely meant well."
White House aides said the president sends money to Pletcher each month for Luther's care.
After he became a U.S. senator and moved to Washington, Obama reportedly visited his 11-year-old son every other Saturday afternoon, playing wiffle ball with him or taking him out to a movie matinee and then dinner at the local Applebee's.
When he became president, however, Obama's contact with the boy reduced markedly, though sources confirmed he would still send Luther a birthday card and speak with him on the phone every month or so, often talking him through his schoolwork or asking about his son's interests in music and online gaming.
According to reports, the two have often struggled to find common ground, owing largely to their sharply differing levels of motivation and expectations for academic and personal success.
"There was a rough patch during Luther's early and mid-teens when he and his dad didn't get along at all," said Pletcher, speaking from the $600-a-month ground-level condominium she shares with her son and live-in boyfriend.
Pletcher said: "But Barry came to Luther's high school graduation last year, and that was a big step forward for them. And now that Luther's rebellious phase seems to be winding down, there's definitely a greater respect between them.
"I'll tell you, though, Luther was a real handful for a while there, with his ADD and all."
She continued, "But he's doing okay now. And I've been with [boyfriend] Ian [Williams] for the past three years, so Luther's had a male figure he can look up to a little bit."
In a sign of their improving relationship, Obama is said to have congratulated his son heartily upon learning Luther was giving school another shot this fall, enrolling part-time at Lincoln Land Community College. Additionally, Obama expressed optimism that his son could have a "real bright future" in the field of sales or, if he applied himself, computers.
With Luther now slated to join the first family on the campaign trail, staffers confirmed the president has encouraged them to entrust the frequently expressionless teen, who often dresses in all-black clothing, with some minor tasks to help him learn about responsibility.
"We've got Luther stuffing envelopes and handing out pins to the delegates, and he's doing a great job," senior campaign aide Stephanie Cutter said.
Cutter said: "It takes a while for him to come out of his shell, but once he opens up he's a real nice kid. Plus he's just so great with Sasha and Malia. They really love their half-brother.
"Luther may not have his father's smarts or gift for rhetoric," Cutter added, "but he tries. And he's got a good heart—a real good heart."
Despite comments that interactions between the president and his son have remained noticeably stiff and awkward, Obama said he was excited that he and Luther were spending quality time together and "finally starting to get to know each other."
"I can't say I was the perfect father by any means," said Obama, admitting candidly that he "wasn't always there for Luther."
"While my son has battled his share of problems, his mother really did the best she could raising him, and I think she did a fine job. Now Luther and I are ready to move forward and make up for lost time." "I'm real proud of my boy," he added.
Donald Trump said Wednesday he had formally handed “complete and total” control of his business empire to his adult sons, Don Jr and Eric, in a bid to avoid conflicts of interest once he enters the White House.
The 70-year-old Trump, who is the wealthiest man to become US president, has been beset by accusations of conflict of interest ever since his electoral defeat of Democratic former secretary of state Hillary Clinton in November.
The Trump Organization, whose network of hotels, golf clubs and luxury residential towers stretches across 20 countries, is not listed on the stock market, and thus releases no public statistics.
Trump, who takes over the White House on January 20, has thus far not released his tax returns, meaning relatively little is known about the extent of its interests.
“My two sons, who are right here, Don and Eric, are going to be running the company. They are going to be running it in a very professional manner. They’re not going to discuss it with me,” the president-elect told a news conference.
Trump said he had signed documents “turning over complete and total control to my sons,” before handing the stage to his lawyer, who outlined the future structure of the Trump Organization.
Donald Trump
– ‘No new foreign deals’ – The attorney, Sheri Dillon, said a plan had been devised to “completely isolate” Trump from the management of his business during his presidency, adding that “no new foreign deals will be made whatsoever” while he is in the White House.
All pending deals — more than 30 — were canceled, causing “an immediate financial loss of millions of dollars” to Trump and his children, said Dillon, a partner in Washington law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
The plan also requires an ethics advisor to review and give written approval to any “new deals, actions, and transactions that can potentially raise ethics or conflicts of interest concerns,” she said.
Trump is “committed to ensuring that activities of the Trump Organization are beyond reproach and cannot be perceived to be exploitative of the office of the presidency.”
Trump will resign from all officer and other positions he holds in his businesses, and daughter Ivanka, whose husband Jared Kushner will be a special adviser to the president, will have no further involvement in the business.
Dillon said a blind trust would not have resolved all the potential conflicts of interest, adding that divestiture or sale, which she argued is not required of a president as of other government officials, “isn’t even feasible.”
“In sum, all of these actions — complete relinquishment of management, no foreign deals, ethics adviser approval of deals, sharply limited information rights — will sever President-elect Trump’s presidency from the Trump Organization,” she said.
In addition, Trump will donate all the proceeds from any foreign government officials to his hotels to the US Treasury.
According to PrivCo, which seeks to provide financial and business information on private companies, The Trump Organization employs about 22,000 people and had revenues of $9.5 billion in 2014.
– #nopressure – Trump closed his press conference with a warning to his sons.
“I hope at the end of eight years I’ll come back and say, oh, you did a good job. Otherwise, if they do a bad job, I’ll say, ‘You’re fired!'” he said, using his signature line from his reality television show “The Apprentice.”
Don Jr tweeted a reply shortly afterwards.
“Well this could be interesting in 4 to 8 years. #nopressure,” he wrote.
Mexico’s peso fell on Wednesday after US President-elect Donald Trump vowed to make the country pay for a huge border wall and to tax companies that ship jobs abroad.
The Mexican currency shed 0.9 percent, trading at 22.20 pesos per dollar after hitting a historic low 22 pesos per greenback on Tuesday, according to private bank Citibanamex.
But it later regained some of its losses, exchanging hands at 22.10 pesos per dollar.
Trump pledged to forge ahead with plans for a wall on the southern US border with Mexico soon after taking office by having the US Congress pay for it first and forcing Mexico to reimburse it later.
Donald Trump
“Mexico in some form — and there are many different forms — will reimburse us and they will reimburse us for the cost of the wall,” said Trump, in his first news conference since winning the November 8 presidential election.
“That will happen. Whether it’s a tax or whether it’s a payment.”
Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray insisted on Tuesday that there is “no way” that his country will pay for any wall, but he signaled that his government was ready to negotiate with the incoming Trump administration.
The peso has fallen since Trump’s election victory as investors fret over his threats to impose tariffs on companies that ship jobs to Mexico and his pledge to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Last week, US automaker Ford scrapped plans for a new $1.6 billion factory in Mexico that Trump had criticized, though the company said the decision was business-related.
The Republican property tycoon, who succeeds Democrat Barack Obama as president on January 20, threatened to impose tariffs on General Motors and Japanese rival Toyota last week.
Trump repeated on Wednesday that he will imposed a “major border tax” on companies that shift jobs abroad.
The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that it had recovered more suspected Boko Haram terrorists' items during a mop-up operation around Camp Zairo in Sambisa forest.
Maj. – Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, stated this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri.
Irabor said that the items included a pair of black uniform with camouflage design often used by security guards of Abubakar Shekau in his videos.
"On Jan. 5, at about 1000hrs, our troops conducted a mop-up operation around Camp Zairo general area and recovered additional Boko Haram terrorists' items.
" The items also include a list of the terrorists locs, a list of IED materials and method of preparation and breakdown of quantities of arms and ammunition issued to their members.
"There were also some instructions written in Arabic and a small Boko Haram flag with Arabic inscription," he said.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested Sahara Reporters' publisher, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged threat to life on Checkout International Magazine's publisher, Lekan Fatodu.
Sowore arrested by the Police over alleged threat to life
Sowore was arrested at his house in Lagos and moved to area F at Ikeja on Wednesday after Fatodu, lodged complaint to police.
The Police got a tip off that Sowore was in the state and stormed his house for his immediate arrest.
The Accountant-General of the Federation, (AGF), Alh. Ahmed Idris, has said that all federal government employees would be brought into the Integrated Personnel And Payment Information System (IPPIS).
He spoke while exchanging views with members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and Representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association(NMA) who were at the Treasury House in Abuja, yesterday.
Alh. Idris explained that although it is government's plan to ensure that all Agencies of government and categories of staff are enrolled in the scheme, but the process is being done in phases to ensure that transparency ,accuracy and due process are followed.
The AGF assured them of the support of his office and directed the director of IPPIS, Mr. Murtala Musa Oluwatoyin to come up with a road map that will articulate how all doctors ; General Consultants, Resident Doctors and House officers; in the all Government Hospitals will be integrated into the IPPIS platform.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and President of the National Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Onyebueze John, commended government on the implemntation of the IPPIS saying that the scheme has proved to be an effective tool for checking leakages and reducing waste.
He urged the Government to fast track the process of enrolling all medical doctors in the Government employment , saying that the process will help to streamline the imbalances in the payment of medical doctors, block leakages and save cost for the government to do other things.
Dr. Onyebueze told the AGF that the Association has already sensitized its members of the need for the enrollment, saying that they are fully ready to support government on the implementation.
In his own remarks, the chairman of the Remuneration Committee, Dr. Nosa Lancy Orhue, said that the Nigeria Medical Association is fully in support of the policy and will do all it can to ensure that doctors are enrolled in the IPPIS platform .
It was a night of honours, fun and glamour at the Beatz Awards which recently held at The Shell Hall, Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos. The event which was hosted by top comedian, Seyi Law and Angel Ufuoma, was attended by top industry personalities such as Mofe Duncan, Helen Paul, Bryan Okwara, Paul Adams, Felix Duke, Sam Uche Ayanmele, Yomi Casual, Harry Songs and a host of others.
MasterKraft
Bagging the most awards for the night was super producer MasterKraft, Sess the problem kid and Rotimi Keys.
Other winners at the awards include: UBA Pacific Music for Best Record Company (Marketer), Star Boy Entertainment for Best Record Label, Sunday Are for Best Artist Manager, STV for Best Television Station, The Beat Fm for Best Radio Station, Shuga Band for Best Live-Band, Kiss Daniel for Best Song Writer, etc.
A special Recognition Award was given to MTN Nigeria for its outstanding contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry. Top entertainment personality, Obi Asika was also honored with the Industry Professional of the Year award.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday unveiled plans by his administration to integrate the six States in the South West region to the food security drive of the State Government especially in addressing the demand and supply deficit for the overall benefit of the people.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at Lagos House in Ikeja when he received the Ooni of Ife, HIM Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi on courtesy visit, also vowed his commitment to the economic growth and promotion of the traditional values and culture of the Yoruba nation.
The Governor recalled that in the last one year, the State Government joined the Oodua Investment Group in addition to the acquisition of land in Ogun and Oyo States for agricultural purposes, saying that government would scale up the economic integration of the South West States as well as the cultural heritage of the region. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), being presented with a Art frame by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II during a courtesy visit by the Ooni of Ife at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday.
While commending the Ooni for his acheivements in office so far, Governor Ambode said the visit to Lagos was historic in the annals of his administration coming barely few weeks after the first year anniversay of the coronation of Ooni.
He said: “One year after, it has become very evident that everything and every step that Ooni has taken has been for the positive good of the Yoruba nation. The Ooni represents the cohesion that we are looking for in Yoruba land and for that reason, we will do everything to continue to ensure that this government support the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.
“We are glad to note that within the last one year also, Lagos State has been able to join the Oodua Investment Group as part shareholders of that economic vehicle that we will use to power the economic integration of the Southwestern states. We want to assure your majesty that what you stand for is what this government also stand for.
“We believe that we cannot afford to waste away the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people and we are to start from a platform where it moves away from economic integration to socio, political and also cultural evolution of what we think the Yoruba people stand for and that is also what I stand for.
“I believe strongly that the test case of what we are trying to do about food security in Lagos State is just more or less like an elixir for what it should be across the western region and on that note, we want to say that we have already acquired land in Ogun and Oyo States but what is imperative for us to move forward now is that we would integrate all other Southwestern States into the food security mechanism of demand and supply for us to move forward,” he said.
The Governor said Lagos, as a cosmopolitan State and the economic hub of the Yoruba people in terms of commerce, must be at the vanguard of promoting commerce in the region, assuring that his administration would vigorously pursue such to the benefit of the people.
He added: “Everything Ooni has said on food security is in consonance with our believe and we believe that if we move forward, Nigeria will also move foward. The future is brighter as we see it and we will not relent to ensure that our traditional values and culture are enhanced further than what it is presently.”
Besides, Governor Ambode thanked the monarch for promoting continuous communication among traditional rulers and government for the purpose of enhacing the future of the Yoruba people, while also ackonoledging his immense contribution to the development of tourism, trade and commerce in Lagos State.
Earlier, Oba Ogunwusi said he was at Lagos House to identify with the developmental achievements of Governor Ambode and to seek ways of partnership especially in the area of food security.
He said since assuming office, Governor Ambode has kept all his promises to the people and the result has been the transformation of the State, adding that the Governor has indeed taken Lagos to the next level.
Speaking on partnership on food security, the monarch said it was important for the South West States to explore partnership for the benefit of the people.
He said: “We can partner in respect of food security. In Osun State, we have land for agriculture and same in Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti States.
“You will not believe that 80 per cent of all the products from those farmlands are wasted; it is only about 20 per cent that get to the metropolis of Lagos for consumption.
“Now imagine, if we can just synchronise and work together on how to take food security to another level,” the Ooni said.
