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
Minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai mohammed (M); a leader of the Bring Back Our Girls Organisation (BBOG), Dr Oby Ezekwesili (R); and a member of BBOG, Aisha Yusuf, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja on a trip to Sambisa forest and some parts of the North-East on Monday (16/1/17).
By Emmanuel Elebeke The Federal Government has warned the Bring Back Our Girls Group to stop needless attacks on the President, saying that such attacks were counter-productive.
Rather than seeing the Federal Government as a partner he said that the group sees the government as an adversary in the group’s quest to secure the release of the Chibok girls.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who made the call said the BBOG’s continued portrayal of the government as an adversary and the needless firing of darts at the President, who is doing his utmost best to bring the girls back home safely, are ultimately counter-productive.
”The Federal Government has bent over backwards to carry the BBOG along and to show transparency in the conduct of the search for the girls. The recent invitation extended to the group to witness first-hand the search for the girls by the Nigerian Air Force is a clear indication of this.
”However, it came to us as a surprise that in spite of its initial positive report on the tour, the BBOG has too quickly reverted to its adversarial role. BBOG should stick to its role as an advocacy group rather than pretending to be an opposition party. The synonyms of the word ‘advocacy’ do not include ‘antagonism’, ‘opposition’ or ‘attack’. In fact, those words are the antonyms of ‘advocacy’,” he said.
According to him it amounts to needless grandstanding for the BBOG to say it will no longer tolerate ”delays” and ”excuses” from the President on the release of the girls, as reported by the media, noting that such impudent language should have been reserved for those who did nothing in the first 500 days of the girls’ abduction, not for a President who has presided over the liberation of all captured territory, the opening of shuts schools and roads, the safe release of some of the abducted girls and the decimation of Boko Haram.
The minister assured Nigerians that the efforts to bring the girls back safely are continuing, but sought their understanding for not divulging any further details so as not to jeopardize the intricate process.
”Let me say unequivocally that the people involved in the negotiations are working 24/7. The negotiations are complicated, tortuous and delicate. Any wrong signal is capable of derailing things. That’s why the less we say about the talks the better it is for all.
”We need a huge amount of confidence-building, the kind of which led to the release of the 21 of the girls. This has been lacking for years, but right now we are confident that we are on the right track. We won’t do anything to jeopardize these talks, irrespective of the pressure or provocation from any quarter,” he added.
Sporting agony in the shape of an early elimination from their own Africa Cup of Nations has only added to the other woes facing Gabon, a country already in the midst of a political and economic crisis.
“The Africa Cup of Nations is not finished. I encourage all football lovers to enjoy the quality of the remaining matches,” said president Ali Bongo in a statement released following Sunday’s 0-0 draw with central African neighbours Cameroon in Libreville.
That result, Gabon’s third draw in as many matches, condemned them to a group-stage exit, something that had not befallen the hosts of the Cup of Nations since Tunisia in 1994.
“It was a great derby. I would like to pay tribute to the quality of the performance of our brave Panthers. I would also like to congratulate Cameroon on qualifying for the quarter-finals,” added Bongo, who had attempted to rouse the Gabon side by visiting them at training on Saturday.
A last-minute coaching change, a poor build-up and two points dropped in the dying moments of their opening game, a 1-1 draw against Guinea-Bissau, all contributed to Gabon’s poor showing.
Newspaper L’Union was scathing in its criticism, saying: “Of all the teams taking part at the tournament, Gabon, the hosts, were the only ones who did not prepare. Incredible!”
The Gabon squad, spearheaded by star man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, got together later than planned in early January under the orders of a coach who had been hastily appointed.
The veteran Spaniard Jose Antonio Camacho was brought in to replace the Portuguese Jorge Costa, sacked in November.
But Camacho, who had been out of coaching since ending a stint in charge of China in 2013, does not speak French and was new to Africa.
L’Union nevertheless sympathised, saying he “did his best” while laying the blame at the door of the Gabonese federation.
Meanwhile, former Real Madrid player Camacho refused to be drawn on his future in the role after Sunday’s match, but meetings with the Federation, Sports Minister Nicole Assele and possibly even President Bongo will soon be scheduled.
The Gabon team could certainly do with some stability as they approach the end of their qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup, with their next match to come at home to the Ivory Coast in August.
– Turmoil –
Off the field, the usually peaceful host nation has been in some turmoil ever since the violence that followed the contested reelection of Bongo last year.
The 40,000-capacity Stade de l’Amitie was just about full for Gabon’s three draws against Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso and Cameroon, but some opponents of Bongo and an element of public opinion was not behind the Panthers.
“I don’t feel like the Gabonese are unhappy after the team’s elimination. This is serious, as if the country no longer identified with the national team. For the people of Gabon, the Panthers are the team of Ali Bongo. They are happy when they lose,” Jean-Gaspard Ntoutoume, a spokesman for opposition leader Jean Ping, said.
“This Cup of Nations has divided people,” one man, Donald, told AFPTV in Franceville, the south-eastern city that is a stronghold of the Bongo family.
“There is not really any enthusiasm. But let’s not fool ourselves. We must not mix politics with sport or with football.”
Others in Franceville said they would have liked to see the money used to finance the Cup of Nations spent on roads instead.
Gabon’s exit from the tournament means a return to economic and social reality.
Worried about a possible buyout, the 400 staff at the oil company Shell called a halt to their strike after reaching an agreement with management.
Meanwhile, having remained silent since the turn of the year, the opposition led by Ping still refuse Bongo’s offer to open political dialogue, and legislative elections are set for July at the latest.
An Ibadan based trader and mother of two, Yetunde Kolapo has urged an Iletuntun Customary Court to dissolve the seven year-old union between her and Olamilekan Kolapo over incessant battery.
Yetunde who resides at Academy area of Ibadan, told the court on Monday that her husband, Olamilekan constantly subject her to battery which sometimes result into her being hospitalised, and then abandoned.
"For seven years that I married Olamilekan, I have had no rest of mind, as his constant punches on me usually results into my being admitted.
"In addition, he does little or nothing about fending for our two children and me. In short, it is one day, one trouble in our home. My lord, I am completely fed-up with him,"she pleaded with the court.
Domestic Violence
She also prayed the court to grant her custody of the two children from the union.
Olamilekan who did not oppose the divorce suit, however said that his wife Yetunde often starved him of sexual intercourse.
"My lord, Yetunde usually deny me sex which is an integral part of what stabilises a marriage.
"As if that is not enough, she usually keeps late night, and she no longer take to my instructions.
"Her mother had been supporting her in her strange behaviour and she assisted her in parking her belongings from my home two weeks ago," Olamilekan said.
The President of the court, Mr Henric Agbaje, asked the couple to provide enough evidence to support their claims and adjourned the matter to Feb. 3, for judgment.
Enugu metropolis, on Monday, recorded its first rainfall of the year, which led to reduction in the temperature in the coal city.
The rain started at about 2:45p.m and lasted for over 30minutes.
The downpour led to the washing of roof-tops and drains that had been dotted by silts occasioned by the harmattan.
Reacting, a resident of the city, Mr Chidi Maduka, told newsmen that the rain had led to a cool weather, which most people of the coal city had been praying for.
Maduka said that the early rainfall also signifies more rainfall in the course of the year.
"We pray God that we have plenty of rain this year to help us grow food to check the current hardship in the land, "he said.
Another resident, Mr Samuel Edeh, said that the first rain would check heat rash and itching, especially among children and infants.
"Heat had been one thing disturbing children at night in crowded areas of the city; while the coolness brought about by this rain will check this.
"Residents, especially infants will now have a very cool night sleep, "Edeh said.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong. Jos – Armed men on Sunday attacked a Divisional Police Station at Dengi, the headquarter of Kanam local government area of Plateau State killing a Police Officer and carting away seven rifles.
State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Matthias Tyopev who confirmed the incident said, “The CP is yet to return from Dengi where he went to see things for himself. Once he comes, we will know the true situation.”
However, the Transition Committee Chairman of the Council, Hashimu Isah told Vanguard, “I am on my way to Dengi now to know exactly what happened. Once I’m properly briefed, I’ll get back to you.”
US President Donald Trump met with a dozen prominent American manufacturers at the White House on Monday, promising them he would slash regulations and cut corporate taxes.
But he warned them of penalties if they moved production outside the country.
Trump, who took office on Friday, promised to bring manufacturing plants back to the United States during his campaign, and has not hesitated to call out by name companies that he thinks should bring outsourced production back home.
He told the chief executives of Ford, Dow Chemical, Dell-Technologies, Tesla and others that he would like to cut corporate taxes to the 15 per cent to 20 per cent range.
This is down from current statutory levels of 35 percent – a pledge that will require cooperation from the Republican-led US Congress.
But he said business leaders have told him that reducing regulations is even more important. "We think we can cut regulations by 75 per cent, maybe more", Trump told business leaders in the Roosevelt Room.
"When you want to expand your plant or when Mark wants to come in and build a big, massive plant or when Dell wants to come in and do something monstrous and special – you're going to have your approvals really fast", Trump said, referring to Mark Fields, CEO of Ford, who sat around the boardroom style table.
The new president told companies that they were welcome to negotiate with governors to move production between states, but said those businesses that choose to move factories outside the country would pay a price.
"We are going to be imposing a very major border tax on the product when it comes in", Trump said.
"A company that wants to fire all of its people in the United States, and build some factory someplace else, and then thinks that that product is going to just flow across the border into the United States – that's not going to happen", he said.
Trump was scheduled to hold a meeting later on Monday with labour leaders and U.S. workers, the White House said.
Trump, a Republican who took over from former Democratic President Barack Obama, was also expected to sign executive orders to renegotiate
the free trade agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico, and to formally withdraw the United States from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Between winning the presidential election in November and taking office, Trump hosted a number of U.S. CEOs in meetings in New York, including business leaders from defense, technology and other sectors.
He also met with leaders of several labor unions, including the AFL- CIO.
Trump, a real estate developer, has particularly focused on manufacturing, lamenting during his inaugural address on Friday about "rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation" and vowing to boost US industries over foreign ones.
…Charges Parents On Clean Environment Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Monday flagged-off the State's mass de-worming exercise for primary school pupils in the State, charging parents in the state to encourage hand-washing among their children, as well as maintain a clean and healthy environment so as to prevent them contracting worm infections. Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (2nd right), administering de-worming syrup on one of the pupils of Lagos State public primary schools, Miss Precious Okoh during the flag-off of Mass Deworming programme for pupils in Public Primary Schools, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, at Maryland, Lagos, on Monday, 23 January, 2017. With her are Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf (right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Arts & Culture, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola (2nd left) and Acting HOS, Mrs. Folashade Adesoye (left).
She gave the charge at Maryland, lkeja during the flag-off ceremony organized by the State' Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
She said that worm parasites contributes significantly to malnutrition in children by stealing the nutrients they ingest, leading to dangerous health conditions like severe anaemia, stunted growth and low immunity, among others.
According to her, "De-worming children helps them to develop well and boost their learning capability. This is a great advantage that cannot be ignored because good academic performance will to a large extent determine the future of a child.
"It is important to remind ourselves of the need to maintain a clean environment, as it is a simple and effective way of preventing worms and helping the children to live a healthy life," she said.
Speaking further, Mrs. Ambode commended the effort of the State Government in this regard, describing it as pivotal to the survival, growth and development of every child, regardless of social background.
She also reminded teachers of their responsibility towards educating children on healthy habits for good growth and development.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, disclosed that over 60,000 pupils from various primary schools in the state, would be de-wormed, using WHO-recommend drug.
She noted that worm infection had been identified as one of the major challenges to healthy growth and development of children, which the human body system did not have the natural means of combating.
According to her, "Worms infect more than one third of the world's population, with the most intense infections in children and the poor".
She promised that the current administration in the state would continue to take proactive measures that would assist healthy development and robust welfare of children in the state.
The Taliban has called on President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the "quagmire" of Afghanistan, saying that nothing has been achieved in 15 years of war except bloodshed and destruction.
In an open letter to the new U.S. president published on one of its official web pages, the insurgent movement said the United States had lost credibility after spending a trillion dollars on a fruitless entanglement.
"So, the responsibility to bring to an end this war also rests on your shoulders," it said.
So far, Trump has had little to say publicly about Afghanistan, where some 8,400 U.S. troops remain as part of the NATO-led coalition's training mission to support local forces as well as a separate U.S. counter-terrorism mission.
Two of his top security appointments – retired Marine Corps General James Mattis as Secretary of Defense and former General Michael Flynn as National Security Adviser – both have extensive experience in Afghanistan.
The Taliban, however, warned Trump against relying on the kind of "unrealistic" reports presented to former presidents by their generals, saying: "They would emphasise continuation of war and occupation of Afghanistan because they can have better positions and privileges in war."
The United States would not accept foreign forces on its territory or even in a neighboring country, said the Taliban. It accused Washington of imposing a "surrogate administration" on Afghanistan in the face of popular Muslim resistance.
"You have to realise that the Afghan Muslim nation has risen up against foreign occupation," it said.
The Taliban has made steady inroads against the Western-backed government in Kabul since coalition forces ended their main combat mission in 2014, with government forces now in control of only two thirds of the country.
It has repeatedly urged the U. S. and its allies to leave Afghanistan, ruling out peace talks with the Kabul government while foreign forces remain on Afghan soil.
Trump has sharply criticized past U.S. administrations for their handling of conflicts in the Muslim world but he has also pledged to eradicate militant Islamists around the globe.
By Evelyn Usman A female graduate of Nutrients and Biotechnology from the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, Oyo state has been kidnapped alongside three other farmers in a farmland in Epe area of Lagos State.
The kidnapped graduate, Ifeoluwa |Olabiyi (24) was employed two weeks before the incident happened.
The incident occurred at about 8pm last Friday, barely a week after gunmen stormed the Nigerian Turkish International School, Ogun state, abducting some students and members of staff.
Relatives of the college’s victims are still apprehensive over their state, following delay in the release of their wards after payment of ransom.
Vanguard gathered that kidnappers of the farmers contacted their relatives Monday, demanding for N5 million as ransom for the release of each of them.
The Pro-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Jerry Gana, has described the 2015/2016 two best graduating students, who are females, as role models of the institution.
Gana stated this on the side-line of the unveiling ceremony of legacy projects of the university on Monday in Lagos, that the female students recorded maximum 5.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
The two female students are: Miss Taiwo Bankole from the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics and Miss Ajoke Omotuyi from the Department of Systems Engineering.
The duo, who were among the 231 First Class students that would be graduating during the institution's 2016 convocation, had matched the enviable record set by Mr Ayodele Dada, with similar score during the 2015 Convocation.
According to Gana, the two female students are a pride, not just to their parents, but both the university and Nigeria.
"I congratulate these two ladies as we are delighted to have them match the strength of men academically.
Taiwo Bankole and Oyindamola Omotuyi
"What they have done simply shows there is still so much zeal for hard work, discipline and dedication among some students.
"I want to task the university not to relent in its drive to produce students with good leadership quality because academics are about character and learning,'' he said.
According to him, this is the only way to take the university and the country to the next desired level.
"I want the university to continue with its excellent work, as the feat obtained by the girls, including Dada in 2015, is a combination of excellence in teaching under a conducive environment.
"It is equally the combination of the dedication by both the students and staff because no matter how much we teach excellently and provide the right environment, if the students are not serious, not much can be achieved,'' he said.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Rahmon Bello, said that the university was building on the glory and commitment of its predecessors.
Bello said that each of the eras of the academicians and astute administrators were full of developments and legacies.
"This is what has inspired the University Senate to direct that all of them be honoured in ways that their names would be immortalised in the annals of the university.
"Today, we are renaming six major facilities after some of our past vice-chancellors for generations after us to remember them for what they stood for,'' he said.
The institution's Main Auditorium has been renamed as Prof. Ade Ajayi Auditorium and the Second Access Road of the institution as Prof. Akinpelu Adesola Road.
The others are: the Radiography hostel to be known as the Kwaku Adadevo Hostel and the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) auditorium as the Nurudeen Alao Auditorium.
The Multi-purpose Hall is now known as Jelili Omotola Hall, while the Staff School hall has been renamed after Prof. Tolu Odugbemi.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted partly cloudy atmospheric weather conditions over the central states of the country on Tuesday morning.
NiMet's Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office on Monday in Abuja predicted that isolated thunderstorms would prevail over Makurdi, Lokoja, Lafia, Abuja and Mambilla Plateau in the afternoon and evening hours.
It added that the region would have day and night temperatures of 33 to 39 degrees Celsius and 17 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.
The agency predicted that the southern states would experience cloudy to partly cloudy morning with day and night time temperatures of 33 to 36 degrees Celsius and 22 to 26 degrees Celsius respectively.
It also predicted prospects of localised thunderstorms over Obudu, Warri, Ogoja, Ikom, Eket, Port Harcourt, Warri and Yenagoa in the afternoon and evening hours.
According to NiMet, northern states will experience sunny and hazy conditions with day and night temperatures of 37 to 34 degrees Celsius and 17 to 22 degrees Celsius respectively.
"The Northern states are expected to experience sunny and hazy while the Central cities have prospects of partly cloudy conditions with chances of thunderstorms over some southern cities,'' NiMet predicted.
Rivers United have slowly continued their ascent on the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table following a solid start to the 2016/17 season.
The Pride of Rivers have won two and drawn one of their opening three games of the season, amassing seven out of a possible nine points.
Makes for good reading to the average fan of the football club but not to technical manager, Stanley Eguma, a well-known perfectionist who will hardly settle for anything than the best.
United's home games this season have followed a particular pattern; almost total domination of their opponents, especially in the aspect of chances created but putting the goalscoring opportunities away have seemingly been extremely difficult, a situation that has left Eguma exasperated.
"We could not convert the avalanche of chances (that came our way against Niger Tornadoes on Sunday) despite creating so many and that is a big worry to me.
Eguma
"It's a big worry for me and one of the biggest headaches I am facing at present.
"We will represent Nigeria on the continent and should be scoring goals freely but that is not happening.
"We have to go back and work on this," he told the club's official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
Striker, Guy Kuemian Venance, who netted United's solitary goal against Tornadoes on Sunday shares Eguma's sentiments and insists he and his teammates must improve in their efficiency in the final third.
"We cannot continue like this because failing to score when you have chances puts you under enormous pressure.
"In our first home match (of the season against El-Kanemi Warriors), we should have scored six or seven and it was the same situation (against Tornadoes on Sunday).
"The coach (Eguma) has every right to be unhappy because we all know the amount of hard work he puts in in the training ground every day.
"Now, we must work extremely hard ahead of our next game against a very difficult opponent like FC Ifeanyiubah," he said.
United will face FC Ifeanyiubah in their fourth league game of the season in Nnewi on Wednesday.
The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has assured Nigerians of the safety of all prospective corps members, as they were set to begin their orientation course on Tuesday.
Dalung gave this assurance in Abuja, on Monday during the inauguration of four utility vehicles at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters.
He said that government had put in place machinery to ensure the safety and protection of lives of the corps members while in their orientation camps.
Dalung also assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari was well, stressing that he had been on vacation to the United Kingdom.
"I spoke with the president just 48 hours ago and from our conversation, there is nothing indicating that the president is in a state of poor health.
*NYSC members
"I commend the leadership of the NYSC for purchasing the vehicles; the scheme has set the agenda for this year.
"The NYSC is so dear to the present administration, hence, we will continue to do everything possible, despite paucity of funds, to ensure that if that is the only legacy Nigeria can leave to the future generation, we will do that.
"The NYSC has contributed significantly to the promotion of national unity. l often wonder whether Nigeria will still exist without the NYSC," Dalung said.
He reiterated that youths remained the fulcrum of building a very good future, adding that government needed to engage them more meaningfully.
According to Dalung, the Muhammadu Buhari administration is determined to lay a solid foundation where hope, hard-work, transparency and integrity will flourish.
Earlier, the NYSC Director of General Services, Bashir Salisu, said the vehicles would be deployed to NYSC locations where they were most needed.
Salisu said that this was the second time in two years the minister was inaugurating field operational vehicles.
He said the development was informed by the commitment of Brig.-Gen. Sule Kazaure, the NYSC Director-General to the welfare of the staff and corps members.
The article, by Godwin Anaughe on January 8, 2017, was interesting, but bemusing!
In the article, Mr Anaughe positioned himself as an APC patriot, distressed by the infighting in Delta APC, a party man who is desirous of APC forging a common front to dislodge PDP and win the governorship in Delta State in 2019. Yet in the piece, you find a partial, self-conceited individual who is out to drive a divisive agenda!
But then, who is Godwin Anaughe? The name rings no bell in Delta APC! Since the inception of Delta APC in July 2013, this is the first appearance of Anaughe! Godwin Anaughe is either a new entrant in the party among those recently admitted and registered in August 2016 from either Light of Labour, Accord Party, SDP or PDP or is a mischievous non-APC member trying to play the smart alec!
Here is the gospel, according to Anaughe: APC failed and was woefully drubbed in the governorship election of 2015, winning not a single local government area! Meanwhile, the Labour won 4 LGAs! This happened because APC had leadership issues and have no political base unlike the Labour Party that had strong leadership base.
Now, the super Labour Party with its winning streak, led by Chief Great Ogboru has magnanimously and graciously agreed to join forces with APC, yet the leaderless, rudderless, no political-base APC is failing to collapse its rickety structure to allow the superior Labour Party structure take over and lead the new APC to the promised land!
To finally nail the case, he resorts to call the dog enough bad names to make its hanging a celebrated acceptability. So here we go: Delta APC Exco is after all “illegal”, having been sacked by an Asaba High Court. Worse, the party is bedeviled by factions. Olorogun O’tega Emerhor/Prophet Jones faction; late Senator Okpozo faction; Adolo Okotie-Eboh faction.
Even the new joiners, Chief Great Ogboru’s Light of Labour is a faction and Hon. Victor Ochei/Chief Ayiri Emami, also head a PDP faction. Ingenious! Moreover, the Prophet Jones Erue Exco is not only “illegal” it is also unrepresentative of all the factions! So, why would such a fractious party resist the attempt to harmonise and restructure it?
Yet, Anaughe complains that new comers, who he claims are now in the majority, have not been welcomed with enough open hands, nor given enough sense of belonging. And, “All efforts to reorganise the party have been thwarted …” When Anaughe and his super joiners came through the Prophet Jones Exco for admission and registration and were dancing the victory dance in APC headquarters in Abuja, they were well aware of the existing disgruntled Okpozo and Adolo tendencies, yet they did not consider the Exco either “illegal” nor a faction at that point.
Then, as soon as their “efforts to reorganise the Prophet Jones Exco was thwarted” the Exco became illegal and a faction. Honestly, how on earth do you brand an Exco that admitted and registered you into a party “illegal”?
The truth is that the purported crisis and disunity in the Delta APC is contrived. It is a deliberate and vigorous strategy being pursued by Anaughe and his brand of new joiners! The objective is to portray a house in disarray which should be dismantled to provide the super joiners the opportunity to rebuild and take control. The Anaughes and co. actually resort to pep up and sponsor the so-called dissenting groups to make the factions de facto!
Then they proceed to inaugurate their own factions to truly complicate and muddle up the waters! According to Anaughe, “The infighting has nothing to do with growing the party to win, rather, it is a battle for who controls the party structure for personal aggrandizement. And leaving the party in the hands of those who cannot deliver victory but too strong to eliminate in the 2019 primary because of their hold on the party structure could result yet again in another disappointment ….”
The earlier Anaughe and his brand of joiners sheath your swords and accept that Prophet Jones Exco is here to stay till 2018, the earlier it will be to grow the party for the benefit of all. The Hon. Minister, Dr Ibe Kachikwu is not deceived by this antics! He knows the so-called infighting is about individuals like Anaughe who can’t wait for the 2018/2019 primary but want to immediately seize the party structure!
He will not be persuaded by this desperation and call on him to help you reorganise the party for your urgent take over! As you rightly observed, the meeting both by the SGF and the National Chairman of the party were indisposed to award you the early gubernatorial crown you seek. It is time therefore to cut it out and work with the structure you met on ground in the party.
You may also use, if any, your super strength of cunning, to positively bring the Okpozo and Adolo tendencies along for an ultimate united party that will deliver victory to the long suffering Delta populace irrespective of who eventually clinches the gubernatorial ticket of APC in 2019! .
A catholic cleric, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, on Monday advised husbands to desist from battering their wives and built good homes that would make Nigeria a better place.
Osu, Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He noted that a family remained the smallest unit of any society, and that, if well built, would impact positively on the large society.
The cleric said that a disunited couple would not be able to raise good leaders of tomorrow.
According to him, in recent times, there has been an unprecedented increase in the rate of reported cases of wife battering.
He called for more love and understanding among couples.
"The wife is the man's partner and not a punching bag; he must always see her as a helpmate and not a distraction or liability.
"There are men who derive pleasure from battering their wives; each day they return from work oozing out alcohol, they pounce on their hapless wives at a flimsy excuse.
"While that is happening, their children will be watching; for such couples, a day hardly passes without exchange of harsh words and blows.
"For their neighbours, they have learnt to live with the frequent squabbles that emanate from the homes of these couples.
"Should this be the case?'' he asked.
Osu said that there was no justification for a man to batter his wife
The cleric advised men to go out when provoked by their spouses.
He said that a peaceful home would result in a peaceful and progressive society.
A beauty queen Miss Yetunde Savage has initiated a football competition among youths in Ikorodu Local Government of Lagos, saying the tournament is one vital means of arresting restiveness in youths to curtailing the ever increasing crime rate in the city.
The reigning 'Miss Southwest', Face of Nigeria World beauty pageant 2016/17 who is also a TV Presenter and host of 'Sisters With Sweet Voices Show (SWSV) programme on AMC TV, Startimes Channels in a statement disclosed that with all arrangements on ground to start the tournament in first quarter of 2017, she believes that crime and other social vices will be reduced to barest minimum in Ikorodu communities,
"It is a football tournament for boys and girls of age 20 and below, titled: "Playing against crime". The reason for the vision is because in Ikorodu right now, crime of all sorts, such as cultism and kidnapping, raping, armed robbery and ritual killing, oil pipeline vandalism, among others are the other of the day. Ikorodu have become a cultists den with rival members brazenly challenging each other publicly. And it is so worrisome that citizens live in fear within the city.
“With the prevalent situation, I deemed it necessary to curb this rampaging menace with a social tool that I believe unites everybody, both old and young together in a peaceful and accommodating manner. Football game is so universal that it understands one language which is unity.
“With this tournament, all the 6 LCDAs' in Ikorodu and environ will participate. The kickoff will be among streets, moved further to local areas and then, finally to Local Council level for the finals. Within the preliminary stage, awareness drive in form of music concerts will feature thereby, sensitizing the community youths about the danger of crime and its consequences on the nation.
“The overall winners will be awarded a cup and cash prize while consolation prize will also be given to runner ups and other participating teams. In this game, everyone is a winner, and from this level, opportunities will be open for young talents to play football professionally." Yetunde said.
According to Yetunde,"This is a huge project that involves the Kings (Obas) in the 6 LCDAs in Ikorodu City, who are the custodians of tradition in the land. They have given their consent to the success of the project. Oba Semiu Orimadegun Kasali of Igbogbo Bayeku in Ikorodu has thrown his weight behind it saying, "It is a welcome development to revive Ikorodu land to its past glory."
Security agencies have begun a cyber hunt for masterminds of a video clip which has gone viral on social networks alleging that an Amstel Malta can drink contains a strange object.
Describing the clip as a calculated attempt to defame the low sugar formulated malt drink from the stable of Nigerian Breweries, the Corporate Affairs Adviser , Nigerian Breweries, Kufre Ekanem, weekend, stated that a picture earlier went viral that a fake Amstel Malta was in circulation, shortly after the company launched a new credential campaign #WhyAddMore#.
The picture was apparently because the new packaging wore the new NIS logo while the old packaging had the old NIS logo of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SONs.
The company according to Ekanem, reported the defamation attempt to the security agencies for further investigation, soon after a faceless consumer recorded an alleged contaminated drink and circulated it on social media.
However, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria , SON, which is the statutory body vested with the responsibility of standardising and regulating the quality of all products in Nigeria, has debunked claims by the faceless video producer of the fake Amstel Malta in circulation.
Briefing journalists weekend , on its investigation, SON’s Deputy Director, Mr. Fred Akingbesote, explained that Nigerian Breweries had met the organisation’s safety and quality requirements and had also complied with all requirements of the new National Industrial Standard (NIS) logo.
Maintaining that the people behind the defamation were just playing on the intelligence of Nigerians, Akingbesote said : "We have a web site (www.son.gov.ng) which contains all information on our standards and quality regulations. Every Nigerian who has doubts about any product certified by SON should crosscheck the facts", he said.
Forensic and marketing analysts as stated earlier by the Corporate Affairs Adviser , Nigerian Breweries, Kufre Ekanem observed that same source was responsible for both fabrications.
"Analysts and observers agreed that this might be coming from the enemy's camp as the recording left many gaps to cast a doubt on the genuineness of the video. For instance, the can was opened before the video recording, thus failing the basic test of validity.
They maintained that a careful look at the video reveals a lot of inconstancies and fallacies such as: * The can was not transparent for a consumer to see the content before pouring it * It is technical impossible to have a foreign object in non-reusable container like a can * The content was poured into a bowl instead of a cup ready for drinking * The content was not foaming like the normal Amstel Malta * All the persons in the video were faceless * The video camera was targeted severally at the Can to flash the logo of the product (perhaps to cause more damage to the premium brand) * The 'consumer' did not tell us how he got to know that there was an object in the can. * There was no mention of where it was bought or any intention to confront the retailer.
According to the analysts, the attempt remains a despicable and dirty way to ignite a brand war by exploiting the gullibility and stupidity of many social media users.
Marketing experts also maintained that the 'sword' may have emanated from interested industry persons who are afraid of the flight of Amstel Malta in Nigeria's marketing space", Ekanem stated.
THE family of a former House of Representatives member, Nze Chidi Duru has dismissed media reports that the former lawmaker was an armed robber describing the report as a lie fabricated to tarnish his (Duru’s) image.
Recall that Duru, who is Vice Chairman of First Guarantee Pensions Limited was arrested following an accusation by the National Pension Commission that the former lawmaker, in the company of some armed men in police uniform, stormed First Guarantee Pension office and ordered its management staff out.
In a statement, the Duru Family said the accusation of armed robbery against the former lawmaker was as an act of extreme provocation.
Nze Chidi Duru
The statement said: "The attention of the Duru family has been drawn to the false and malicious information currently circulating to the effect that our son and brother, Nze Chidi Duru was purportedly arrested for armed robbery.
"We wish to state without equivocation that this accusation is an outright lie which was fabricated to tarnish his image.
"It is the work of his detractors who are bent on forcefully seizing First Guarantee Pensions Limited, a company which Nze Chidi Duru founded.
"This most recent trumped up accusation of armed robbery is the latest desperate effort by an errant regulator and their cohorts to undermine the enforcement of valid court judgement and specific directives of the Attorney General of the Federation.
"We consider this development as an act of extreme provocation but remain confident in and faithful in our belief that darkness cannot triumph over light.
"Our lawyers are already challenging this injustice and misuse of state power while continuing to seek redress through the appropriate institutions of the Nigerian State."
*Says Abacha was the healthiest President Nigeria ever had
BY GBENGA OKE
Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, yesterday lashed out at the Presidency saying they should stop lying to Nigerians over the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He also said Nigerians cannot afford to have another constitutional crises due to Mr. President’s health.
The Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu had attacked Mohammed on Monday saying he is suffering from pathological cynicism.
According to Shehu, "Mohammed’s kind of critics is toxic to national progress because they are only primarily interested in destroying every positive effort and achievements of the government and we advise Nigerians to be wary of prejudiced and biased critics like Dr. Junaid
Mohammed who are more interested in personal publicity than respecting facts and figures about their claims".
But reacting to Sheu’s statement, Mohammed said the Presidential spokesperson should stop telling Nigerians lies about his health just as he maintained that General Sanni Abacha remains one of the healthiest President Nigeria ever had.
Garba Shehu and Junaid Mohammed
His words, "I believe Sheu is under pressure which is why he attacked me. However, I believe strongly they need to stop lying to Nigerians about Mr Presidents health. Can they actually tell Nigerians what this medical leave or routine check-up is? They don’t seems to be telling us the truth".
Mohammed who maintained he has been President Buhari’s friend since when he was a secnd lieutenant in the Army said he cannot shy away from telling the President the truth anytime he misfires.
He said, "If I am to comment on issues that concern Nigerians, I won’t shy away from telling President Buhari the home truth anywhere he is making mistakes. I criticized General Abacha as Head of State and told him some truths in private and sometimes face to face. I believe if people can challenge their friends in power, it shows they are not intimidated by the powerful".
"If Aisha Buhari can say what she said about her husband, I think the President needs to check himself and retrace his steps on some issues that concerns the country. I think the question the President needs to ask himself is that after one he has taken over the reigns of power, what has changed? Is Nigeria better off than when he took over on May 29, 2015? The truth is that Nigeria is worse off today than when Buhari took over the reigns of power.
"Every Nigerian today is worse off and nothing seems to be working under this government. Some who are rich in 2015 cannot say same today due to the economic woes that Nigeria is presently experiencing and we cannot continue to close our eyes off it".
He further explained, "This administration has failed in tamming the economic woes that seems to have turned everyone poor in present day Nigeria. Even though the administration made some giant strides in the fight against Boko Haram, the country is still not safe as people still live in fears even in Kano today. And there is also political crises in the party where President won his own election. So the President seems to be at war with everyone including the National Assembly members".
He however maintained, "I believe President Buhari should engage in turning around the fortunes of Nigeria economically, politically and security wise. By now, his administration should have stopped blaming the Jonathan government for their woes. I believe that in Politics, you take assets and liabilities".
Minna – The National Orientation Agency (NOA), said on Monday that wrong Bank Verification Numbers [BVN] and account numbers provided by beneficiaries of the N-power job was responsible for delay in payment of their stipends.
Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu, the NOA Coordinator in Niger, said this in an interview in Minna.
He said during registration, majority of the participants provided wrong Bank details which had resulted in delay payment.
According to him, majority of the participants provided wrong Bank account numbers and BVNs which made it difficult for the Federal Ministry of Finance to credit their account.
"It is not the fault of the Federal Government that majority of the beneficiaries is yet to receive alert, rather the fault is from the participants themselves.
"So far, for the past one month now, we are working on it and we hope in the next one week the problem will be rectified and they will get paid", he said.
Aliyu disclosed that 5,013 participants were short listed in the state and 4,198 have been posted to Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Health and Education.
He added that the agency would monitor beneficiaries in their different places of work to ensure they are active and doing the job well.
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 General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman has reacted to the recent killings in the north. In the video clip, the cleric, in strong terms, condemns the killings while charging his congregants to defend themselves too. Type your comment bellow after watching the video lets see how you feel about it.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunny and hazy conditions over the North-Central states of the country on Monday.
NiMet made the prediction in the Weather Outlook released by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Sunday.
It said that the region would have day and night temperature of 36 to 38 degrees Celsius and 20 to 25 degrees Celsius respectively.
The agency also predicted that Southern part of the country would experience partly cloudy conditions in the morning with day and night temperatures of 34 to 37 degrees Celsius and 23 to 26 degrees Celsius respectively.
It also predicted prospect of thunderstorms over the coastal cities of Obudu, Warri, Ogoja, Ikom, Eket, Port Harcourt and Yenagoa with showers over Enugu and the high ground of the South-West.
According to NiMet, northern states will experience sunny and hazy conditions with day and night temperature of 36 to 38 degrees Celsius and 16 to 19 degrees Celsius respectively.
"The Northern and Central cities are expected to experience sunny and hazy with chances of thunderstorms over some Southern cities," the agency predicted.
THERE is need to urgently call out the false premises advanced in a back page article of a national newspaper of Monday January 9, 2016 for the obvious reason that it risks misleading Nigerians to docilely accept a country where big corporations call the shots. The article titled Why NCC's Failed Data Price Hike was Flawed by Sina Kawonise, a former Information and Strategy Commissioner in Ogun State, is a study in the tyranny of a vocal minority, who in this information age relishes in distorting information to protect the interest of a few.
It is important as a conscientious citizen to immediately challenge the kind of flawed reasoning put forward in the piece and not to resort to the usual refrain that it is the business of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to set the record straight. If that commission is bullied into allowing anything go in the telecommunications industry it is Nigerians who suffer the consequences and one must for this very reason challenge positions that appear on the surface to be pro-people while in actual fact are nothing but sucking up to big corporate players and, whether wittingly or unwittingly, acting as their mouthpiece.
Even with the benefit of some enlightened critics having clarified that what the NCC did was to re-introduce a data tariff price floor as opposed to "hiking" the price of data, the writer persisted right from the title of his piece to mislead the unwary reader by suggesting that the regulator increased data tariff when it is only the mobile network operators that can hike or slash the prices of their products within the band of industry benchmarks – an upper limit called price ceiling and a lower limit, price floor.
This misleading information in the title of the article is a red flag that was only mitigated by the writer correctly listing the amounts currently charged by operators per megabyte of data and this clearly showed that one of the operators, Etisalat, already charges 94kobo/mb which is higher than the 90kobo/mb price floor. Whatever joy one should derive from this positive note was soon undone by the writer conveniently omitting the fact that to "protect" small operators is to protect the entire industry, which includes Kawonise's favoured big players.
One is left confused that the writer worried about the effect of a biting recession on the poor population but was piqued in the earlier part of his write up about how the concept of implementing a price floor runs contrary to "the logic and principles of capitalism". The logic that requires that one worries about how the poor cope with a recession must necessarily show concern for how new entrants into an industry survive to a point where they can grow to provide employment that will lift some of those poor citizens out of poverty.
Turning to the points marshalled by the writer to arrive at his concept of "flawed", first, anti-trust legislations and policies are in place specifically to prevent unhealthy competition and predatory practices whose end game is the demise of the competition. The demise of the competition is called monopoly. It is called oligopoly. It is ugly. If the big operators are allowed to continue selling data below cost price the new entrants will have no option but to close shop; even two of the big four will likely fold up if the price war continues and that would leave Nigerians with an oligopoly of two or three providers that can then fix prices.
The United Kingdom, which was a ready example for the writer, is just but one out of the countries in Europe. To have and give a fair sense of how the phenomenon of predatory pricing is dealt with on that continent it would be fair to also give instances from a few of the 28 countries in the European Union on how they have dealt with anti-trust issues in the past. The union has basically pulled the brake on how large Microsoft and Google (now part of Alphabet) can grow in their market by instituting actions against them for abuse of their dominant positions.
One must similarly ask questions such as at what point would new entrants into an industry be described as "inefficient" or as entities owned by fewer than 100 Nigerians and foreigners. These kind of expressions send the wrong signals to the outside world for a country that is keen on attracting foreign investment. By the way, are the big four owned by more than the same numerical strength or nationalities?
The third point canvassed by the writer underscores why the study of history, like the price floor, should be re-introduced in the country and an entirely new section on "telecommunications history of Nigeria" included so that recent past is not distorted in the telling. Contrary to his claims, we have had oligopolistic situations in this country. There was that time when ECONET (now Airtel) and MTN swore that SIM cards cannot be sold for less than N36,000 apiece. It took the licensing of Glo to crash the cost of SIM card acquisition. Validity of airtime recharge used to be in the region of seven days and it took regulation to correct that. We must also not forget the oligopolistic stance that once argued that per second billing was not possible.
Claiming that one of the new entrants, Smile, has introduced a disruptive technology as justification not to regulate unfair practices is refusing to acknowledge the real dynamics of the situation. How will Smile's disruptive technology take hold if unhealthy competition kills the provider off before it has had a chance to properly stabilise in the market? The issue has been and remains that MNOs are selling data for less than the cost of providing the service; this implies that there is a shortfall somewhere that subscribers will one day be forced to pay for if nothing is done now. It is about buying cheap data and not been able to use up one third of it before expiration and be subsequently forced to lose the unused data or forced to pay for a rollover. To the extent that NCC as regulator has worked to prevent this unpleasant scenario one can safely expect that the big players would be protected if Smile's disruptive technology becomes a threat to healthy competition.
As to raising the specter of the commission possibly being compromised, I will pass on that . NCC should defend itself even as one is tempted to interpret its silence as consigning the allegation to the realm of unmeriting of a response. One must nonetheless warn of the dangers of assumption; by the same token of being tempted to suspect NCC has been compromised shouldn't we also be worried that the writer's inspiration was the product of the same motivation. The same suspicion can be extended to this piece and that would be most uncharitable.
Finally, with the robust regulatory framework that NCC has put in place, there is no risk of telecommunications returning to a David Mark era of not being for the poor. What we should be scared of is a movement of data tariff to the oligopolistic era where dominant operators can charge any amount, muscle out small players or simply continue to offer crappy data service.
That is what will happen if we allow ourselves to be deluded into thinking we are enjoying cheap data at the expense of the competition being priced out of existence or the operators escaping the responsibility of improving their quality of service.
Diego Costa marked his comeback with a goal as Chelsea overcame an obdurate Hull City side 2-0 on Sunday to surge eight points clear at the Premier League summit.
Costa missed Chelsea’s 3-0 win at Leicester City last weekend due to a back problem, amid reports he had rowed with a fitness coach after being unsettled by a big-money offer from China.
But after returning to the starting XI, his 15th goal of the campaign set Antonio Conte’s side en route to an eighth straight home league win, which was rubber-stamped by Gary Cahill’s late header.
With Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United all dropping points and Costa back in the fold, Conte was left to reflect on something approaching a perfect weekend.
The Costa furore, and a recent 2-0 defeat at Tottenham, had threatened to rob Chelsea of their momentum, but they will go into back-to-back games against Liverpool and Arsenal with belief restored.
Marco Silva’s Hull remain in the relegation zone, their disappointment compounded by injuries to Ryan Mason and Curtis Davies, the former being taken to hospital after an aerial collision with Cahill.
Costa replaced Willian in the only change to the Chelsea team that won at Leicester and he almost found the net inside 11 seconds, chesting down a headed clearance and volleying just wide.
Chelsea’s Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa (L) controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge in London on January 22, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
The game’s early rhythm evaporated following a nasty clash of heads between Cahill and Mason, who had to be stretchered off after receiving treatment on the pitch for around eight minutes.
Tom Huddlestone had dragged a shot across goal and wide prior to the stoppage and Hull continued to probe after it.
Harry Maguire ambled forward from centre-back and saw a shot deflected into the side-netting and from Evandro’s corner, the Hull number five’s header had to be fielded by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
– Penalty appeal apiece –
But while Hull continued to threaten sporadically, Maguire working Courtois again with a thumping drive from 25 yards, as the first half wore on the home side began to tighten the screw.
Marcos Alonso had a deflected effort palmed over by Eldin Jakupovic, while Pedro Rodriguez might have had a penalty after Hull debutant Omar Elabdellaoui blundered into him from behind.
The nine minutes of added time yielded by Mason’s injury produced the breakthrough.
Chelsea were aggrieved that Davies avoided a second yellow card for lunging in on Pedro, but they were celebrating shortly after.
Alonso’s crossfield pass found Victor Moses on the right and he shifted the ball outside Andy Robertson before cutting the ball back for Costa to sweep home.
The penalty grievances were levelled up four minutes into the second half when Alonso escaped sanction despite clattering Abel Hernandez on the back of the foot as they competed for possession.
Costa twice threatened to double Chelsea’s lead, but even with Davies forced off by an apparent hamstring problem, Hull continued to poke and probe, drawing groans from the home fans.
After seeing Courtois make another save, albeit to repel an off-target Michael Dawson effort, Conte made a double change, sending on Willian and Cesc Fabregas for Hazard and Pedro.
Fabregas made an instant impact, with his left-wing free-kick headed in by Cahill in the 81st minute for Chelsea’s second goal.
Costa was denied a second by Jakupovic’s legs, but when he departed two minutes later, to be replaced by Michy Batshuayi, cries of “Diego!” echoed around the ground.
ABUJA – Presidency has described a second republic member of the House of Representatives from Kano State, Dr. Mohammed Junaidu as a biased critic whose stock in trade over the years has been to haul insults at leaders of Nigeria.
It also stated that Junaidu is seeking cheap publicity to keep himself relevant after retiring from active politics.
Reacting to an interview where the former federal lawmaker stated that President Muhammadu Buhari does not accept his mistakes, the Presidency which spoke though a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu on Sunday said dismissed the notion as a lie.Junaidu
Shehu in the statement reminded Junaidu that President Buhari publicly took responsibility and apologized over the dissolution of the Governing Councils of Federal Universities when it was discovered that due process was not followed.
Contrary to Junaidu’s position that President Buhari has not recorded any meaningful feat since his assumption of office in May 2015, Shehu stated that Nigeria under Buhari had been rif of corruption, also highlighting that the administration had greatly decimated Boko Haram in that the insurgents were no more occupying any place within the Nigerian territory.
The statement read thus: “The Presidency will like to break with tradition by reacting to the latest attack on President Muhammadu Buhari’s integrity in an interview by a former House of Representatives member from Kano State, Dr. Junaidu Mohammed.
“While Dr. Junaidu Mohammed is entitled to his opinion, he is not entitled to misrepresent facts about the concrete achievements of the Buhari administration in the past two or so years, including the undeniable fact that the Boko Haram terrorists have been significantly crippled militarily, because they no longer have the capability to invade and occupy towns and villages unchallenged by the country’s reinvigorated and motivated military personnel.
“The fact that civil servants and political office holders are now afraid to steal with impunity is itself a major psychological boost for the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari administration, which no sincere Nigerian can pretend not to notice.
“Contrary to Junaidu’s claims that President Buhari doesn’t acknowledge mistakes, we wish to remind the medical doctor that the President publicly took responsibility and apologized over the dissolution of the Governing Councils of Federal Universities when it was discovered that due process was not followed.
“We must stress that taking responsibility for mistakes is one of the finest components of integrity, and that President Buhari has never failed in demonstrating this virtue in words and deeds.
“Since the coming of the Buhari administration, the country has saved billions and trillions of Naira which could be diverted to private pockets if the government wasn’t committed to transparency and accountability.
“We advise Nigerians to be wary of prejudiced and biased critics like Dr. Junaidu Mohammed who are more interested in personal publicity than respecting facts and figures about their claims.
“If Junaidu Mohammed wants to be taken seriously, he should demonstrate the duty of speaking truthfully about those he frequently attacks in his interviews.
“It must be noted that President Buhari was not the only target of Junaidu’s personal vituperations, as former Presidents Shehu Shagari, Ibrahim Babangida, Olusegun Obasanjo,Umaru Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan, had all been victims of his jaundiced and malicious attacks. When it came to the late Sani Abacha, he tried it, but once he saw the prospect of elimination, he retreated.
“A cursory library search will reveal that this man has nurtured the habit of insulting every leader this country has produced in his time. Like a narcissist, he is just interested in grabbing headlines. Without publicity, Dr. Junaidu would probably give up on life.
“It is unfortunate that Junaidu Mohammed has been using his political retirement life to engage in insulting every President to grab the newspaper headlines, in addition to taking advantage of the gullibility of uncritical readers that don’t bother to subject him to facts-check.
“It is obvious that Dr. Junaidu appears be infected by pathological cynicism and these kinds of critics are toxic to national progress because they are only primarily interested in destroying every positive effort and achievements of the government.”
Abuja – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said its collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was a game changer to enhance the operations of the capital market.
Mr Mounir Gwarzo, the Director-General, SEC, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
"This is a major game changer; in the past, SEC has had collaboration with EFCC in terms of sending some of our staff to work with them.
"But what has happened at that time largely is that EFCC has leveraged on our experience and the competence of our people to also assist them in their work.
"So we also felt there is a need to push that collaboration to a higher level.
"So some of the salient issues in the MoU is, one, we should be able to have an exchange of staff; EFCC should be able to send some of their staff that they have trained them into Investigation.
"So we will share ideas to help in investigation and we should be able to send some of our staff to EFCC so that we will be able to share with them some of the intricacies of the capital market.
"Investigation in the financial industry is quite unique.
"We also agreed that we should be able to create dedicated desks both at EFCC and SEC such that we know that the desk is dedicated to the capital market issues,'' he said.
Gwarzo said that most importantly, the SEC going by its law, SEC did not have the power to prosecute criminal matters.
He said the law limited SEC to only civil cases whereas about 99 per cent of cases in the capital market had some criminal elements.
He said, "the best we normally do is after our investigation, we ban or suspend the operator as an individual, we also either suspend or revoke the licence of the operator as a company.
"We then pass the matter to the EFCC, because the issue is related to the criminal aspect, we do not have jurisdiction to do that.
"So with this collaboration, we will be able to work closely with EFCC to ensure that the criminal elements which concerns the investor is also pursued and prosecuted to its logical conclusion.
"With this MoU we have had, I'm sure our investigation and particularly our enforcement mechanism, would be enhanced.
He explained that SEC had been handling civil cases and "we had achieved a lot of progress but with the EFCC coming in, they would be able to also handle criminal matters.
He reiterated that the EFCC boss had pledged commitment to ensure that the hallmark of the collaboration was achieved.
He further said," for me, it is a major game changer in our enforcement drive and this will also send a very strong signal to any capital market operator that will commit an offence.
Gwarzo said the collaboration would deter further offenders in the capital market.
Nigerians living in the United Kindom (UK) under the banner of the UK chapter of Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) have condemned the death rumour of President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as the handiwork of corrupt and unpatriotic individuals.
The group in a message to journalists by its co-ordinator, Engr. Adekaa Onyilo said those behind the rumour do not mean well for Nigeria as a country that is trying to overcome long years of strangulation imposed by their benefactors.
He said such rumour reveals the depth to which morals have sunken and the desperation of the beneficiaries of corruption want an end to the current war on corruption so that they can again return the country to the path of perfidy.
He said the Group is pleased at the promptness with which the Presidency dispelled the evil rumors around the health of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently on a medical leave with us here in the United Kingdom.
According to Onyilo, even as Mr President continues with his rest for the duration of his leave, the prayers of the millions of Nigerians who are yearning for the disruption of the status quo imposed by corruption would not go unanswered.
He said,”The irresponsible news could only have been floated by those that want to see Nigeria go up in flames. Unfortunately, they failed to realize that the change and reforms initiated by Mr President would outlive everyone since they are targeted at strengthening institutions and building systems.
“We therefore want to warn the purveyors of such rumors to desist as their act affect more than President Buhari. At a time when our dear country is working to contain the pressure on the naira, their action has served to further spook the currency and shake investors’ confidence. When this happens, citizens that played no role in starting the lies would suffer for it.”
CHAIRMAN of Delta State Waterways and Land Security Committee, Chief Boro Opudu has appealed to people from the Niger Delta to maintain the peace and avoid any form of pipeline vandalism saying government can only address the development needs of the people in an atmosphere of peace.
While he commended the recent visit of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to the Niger Delta, Opudu called for quick take-off of the Maritime University at Okerenkoko.
In a statement, Chief Opudu said: "The recent visit of the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to the Niger Delta, which was a fact-finding missipn, is a commendable development because the visit has clearly shown that the existing structures and facilities at Kurutie (the temporary site for the Maritime University) are enough for the University to take off.
“This confidence-building and fact-finding mission heralds readiness of the Federal Government to engage the Niger Delta positively on development matters particularly when this is translated to reality in no distant time,as the Niger Delta needs less talk and more visible action of real development."
Calling on Niger Deltans to eschew violence he said the Federal Government can no longer give insecurity excuses to dodge its task of developing the region.
He said: "With the positive feelers of pragmatic development of the Niger Delta heralded by the Vice-President, I hereby appeal and call on all Niger Deltans to maintain the peace and avoid any form of pipeline vandalism as government can only address the development needs of the people in an atmosphere of peace. Peace maintained in the Niger, the Federal government can no longer give insecurity excuses to dodge its task of developing us."
In addition, Chairman of Delta State Waterways and Land Security Committee said "As further indicator of its intention to develop the Niger Delta signalled by the Vice-President’s recent visit, the Federal Government should quicken the take-off of the Maritime University at Okerenkoko. The moment the Maritime University takes off in no distant time, it will boost the confidence of the Niger Delta people in the Buhari-led government and put an end to feelings and thoughts of alienation, antagonism, persecution, deliberate underdevelopment and sidelining of Niger Deltans. Development of the Niger Delta in project-execution and quick take-off of the Maritime University will give a sense of belonging to Niger Delta region.
"The visit of the Vice-President to the Niger Delta is an eloquent testimony of President Buhari’s readiness to engage the Niger Delta in a positive way and this demands that Niger Deltans key into this new development by avoding any divisive issue bound to distract attention away from the ideals of this confidence-building and fact-finding visit. The word is peace and collective puruit of development in the Niger Delta in line with best global practices."
The operatives of the Lagos State Task Force had arrested a man Soji Gboye who impersonated to be a journalist with a media outfit (TVC Continental).
Disclosing this to newsmen on weekend, Chairman of the Agency SP Olayinka Egbeyemi said the suspect who lives on No 5, Adesoye Street, Mende, Maryland, Lagos, was arrested while obstructing the personnel of the Agency from performing their legitimate duty around the area.
Soji was arrested alongside 67 miscreants and hoodlums during an enforcement exercise carried out in Maryland area of the state.
Soji Gboye
The Chairman also said traders selling or displaying wares/goods at unauthorised places were dislodged during the exercise.
According to him, the 36 years old from Ilaje, Ondo State who claimed he was a correspondent with the media outfit could not properly identify himself when interrogated by the Chairman of the Agency.
SP Egbeyemi who was one time Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (DPPRO) immediately Investigated further with the management of the media outfit but it was discovered that he was not a staff but an impersonator.
It was gathered that upon interrogation, it was discovered that he was not a journalist and he had never worked with a media outfit.
He said he only impersonated himself to be a journalist just to regain his freedom and that any time he had issues with any uniformed men he always impersonated to be a journalist and he had never been doubted for once.
Mr Gboye who said the Agency should have mercy on him however acknowledged the braveness of the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force SP Olayinka Egbeyemi as an intelligent Nigeria Police Officer.
Meanwhile the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr. Garuba Umar has directed that all the 67 suspects be charged to court while the fake journalist be transferred immediately to State CID, Panti Street, Yaba, Lagos.
SP Egbeyemi who said the Agency and other security outfits would not relent at getting rid of criminals and hoodlums however enjoined members of the public to always furnish security outfits with useful information on criminal activities across the State.
The former Senate President, Ken Nnamani has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress Party, APC.
Ken Nnnamani was the President of the Senate from 2005 to 2007. A member of the People’s Democratic Party, he was elected to the Senate from Enugu State in 2003 and served in the Senate until 2007.
Ken Nnamani joins APC
Nnamani however joined APC on Sunday at his Amaechi ward in Enugu South Council Area of Enugu State.
Recall that Nnamani had nearly a year ago denounced his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Nnamani reportedly said he is defecting because impunity and undemocratic practices has killed PDP.He also said that PDP was now dead, unproductive and unprofitable.
He said this after receiving his membership card from the APC's national registration committee.
UYO-The people of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District have said, they would continue to drum support for Governor Udom Emmanuel to actualize his agenda for the state.
This is even as they condemned the defection of Senator Nelson Effiong from PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) saying that, the defection was without consultation with the people of the Senatorial District.
"His action is uncharitable and unaccepted to the senatorial district. This defection does not affect in anyway, the position and strength of the party in the senatorial district and, the desire of the Governor and support of the people to run for the second term", they stated
They stated this at the weekend at Eket, when the stakeholders met to endorse the governor for another term in 2019.
The leaders of thought in a statement issued and read by the member representing Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Charles Uduyork, called for more support from the people of the state, for the Governor to realize his programmes for the people.
Gov Emmanuel Udom
The meeting commended him for some of his achievements and sustaining what they described as, ''a high momentum in governance'' even at the face of the current economic recession.
According to the statement, "His Excellency has not only maintained the State's free education policy but, has also addressed aggressively the challenges of infrastructure in the educational sector. Many schools are undergoing renovation while the Akwa Ibom State University has recorded increase in the number of accredited courses.
"A number of hospitals have been fully renovated or are undergoing renovation to boost the healthcare system. Worthy of note are the numerous road projects His Excellency has initiated, completed or ongoing.
"His drive towards industrializing the State is evident in the revamping of Peacock Paints Limited in Etinan, while the Coconut Refinery, the Metering Company, Ibom Deep Seaport and others are in various stages of completion.
"His Excellency has held passionately to his five-point agenda of job creation, poverty alleviation, wealth creation, economic/political inclusion amongst others.
The meeting also consoled the governor for the Reigners' Bible Church tragedy and thanked God for his safety.
Ten-man Arsenal went second in the Premier League with a stunning 2-1 win over Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday that saw both sides score penalties in stoppage-time.
Arsenal were 1-0 up courtesy of Shkodran Mustafi’s first goal for the club when, in the third of seven minutes of time added on by referee Jon Moss, Burnley’s Ashley Barnes was fouled inside the area by Francis Coquelin.
Andre Gray, a childhood Arsenal fan, slammed the spot-kick down the middle, with Petr Cech unable to prevent the equaliser despite getting a hand to the ball.
But that was not the end of the drama.
When Arsenal pumped the ball into the box with virtually the last attack of the game, Laurent Koscielny was caught by a high foot from Ben Mee as he attempted to head in.
Moss, amid suggestions Koscielny was marginally offside, again pointed to the spot and Alexis Sanchez, showing remarkable cool in the circumstances, chipped rather than fired a penalty down the middle.
It had looked like being another frustrating afternoon for Arsene Wenger’s men as they squandered several chances against a determined Burnley.
Mustafi eventually broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when he headed in a corner from fellow Germany international Mesut Ozil.
Arsenal had to play the final 25 minutes down to 10 men after midfielder Granit Xhaka was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Steven Defour.
Victory saw Arsenal leapfrog both Liverpool, beaten 3-2 by Swansea on Saturday, and Tottenham Hotspur, held to a 2-2 draw by Manchester City, in the table.
But Chelsea will end the weekend eight points clear of their London rivals if they beat relegation-threatened Hull in Sunday’s late match.
– Costa return –
There was a boost for the Blues at Stamford Bridge with the return to their starting XI of striker Diego Costa.
The Brazil-born Spain striker, Chelsea’s top scorer this season with 14 goals, missed last weekend’s 3-0 win at Leicester City due to a back complaint.
But he was reported to have had a training-ground row with fitness coach Julio Tous, amid speculation he had been the subject of a mega-money offer from Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian.
Costa replaced Willian in the only change made by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
Earlier, Southampton marked their first match since former captain Jose Fonte’s £8 million ($9.9 , 9.2 million euros) move to West Ham on Friday by ending a run of four straight league defeats with a 3-0 win at home to struggling champions Leicester.
The Saints were 2-0 up before the break at St Mary’s thanks to goals from James Ward-Prowse and Jay Rodriguez before Dusan Tadic’s penalty four minutes from time completed a comfortable win.
Victory was just the boost south coast side Southampton, now 11th in the table, needed ahead of their League Cup semi-final second leg clash against Liverpool on Wednesday, with the Saints taking a 1-0 lead to Anfield.
“It (Anfield) is a tough place to go but we can take confidence from today and how we played against them in the first leg and hopefully we can get to Wembley,” Ward-Prowse told Sky Sports.
Meanwhile Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri blamed himself for the Foxes’ latest loss and promised to revert to the formation that proved so successful for the Foxes during their shock title triumph last season.
“The players are used to 4-4-1-1 and know the positions but I made a mistake,” he said.
“I think it is much better to give them what they know well,” added the Italian after Leicester’s 11th defeat in 22 league matches so far this season left them just five points above the relegation zone.
President Adama Barrow, on Saturday promised the citizens of his readiness to operate transparent and all-inclusive administration.
Barrow said this while addressing newsmen in Dakar, Senegal.
He said it was about time the country was repositioned to achieve greatness and development.
"The time is now. There cannot be a better time because Gambians had waited for too long for this opportunity to come.
"This government would involve all well meaning citizens irrespective of political leanings and religion to build the country.
"We shall together do this in order to redeem the good image of the country and move it to greater height,'' the President said.
Adama Barrow
Barrow said the people of Gambian were very happy that the change they yearned for had finally come, adding that all hands must be on deck to develop the country.
He promised to unite all the warring factions for the good and development of the country.
"With unity of purpose a lot can be achieved within the space of little time that everybody can be proud of anytime anywhere.
"With everybody on board, Gambia can become one of the great countries of the world going by its potential and human resources,'' he said.
He, therefore, called on the Gambians to give maximum support to the government, adding that he was ready and willing to deliver dividends of democracy to the good people.
"We shall embark on robust policies and programmes where everybody will have equal chance as that is key in democracy.
"We are going to redeem all items in our manifesto for the benefit of the people. Gambia is back and we are ready to move it forward.
"We are also going to encourage people, especially Nigerians to invest in the country and create more employment.
"We will encourage them and other foreign investors to go into production.
"We do not want the idea of buying and selling because, your life will depend on others. So, we will encourage people to go into production,'' the President said.
He also assured the people of adequate security, promising to leave a good legacy behind for the people and country.
He expressed delight for the support extended to him during the trying time, adding that the people must remain dogged and resilient for the government to deliver dividends of democracy.
He specially appreciated the role played by Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari and ECOWAS and other International bodies that ensured that his mandate became a reality.
By Henry Umoru ABUJA- FORMER Chairman, Board of Trustees of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, Sunday condemned in very strong terms, the masterminds of the media report that the health condition of President Muhammadu Buhari could have worsened, leading to possible death in Germany.
He advised the media, especially operators of online media platforms to always verify sensitive reports before they publish, saying that by doing so, they will save their news subjects and themselves unnecessary embarrassment. File: Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih
Reacting to the development, Anenih in a statement in Abuja, dismissed the report as the handiwork of those who only did not wish Buhari well and those who did not mean well for Nigeria, just as he urged those persons to fear God and pray for leaders of the country.
According to Anenih, those behind the report, in what he described as their hurried bid to propagate their mischievous and false report, forgot that the president left Nigeria for London and not Germany on vacation during which period he would undergo routine medical check-up.
The Elder Statesman said, “This attitude of doing false reports about the death of our leaders has become characteristic in the media and it is not good. I was a victim of this in May last year when I was reported to have died in a London hospital. Former President Ibrahim Babangida was also a victim of such sinister rumoured death last year. I wonder what those behind the false and mischievous reports intended to gain from them.
“Fabricating such negative and false reports of death about fellow human beings is wicked and ungodly. It is clearly against Biblical admonition that we should pray for leaders and people in authority.
“At this time of economic recession, rather than wish President Buhari dead, Nigerians should fervently pray for him to enjoy good health to be able to take the country out of the woods.
“The masterminds of these false reports should desist from such despicable act that only portrays them as inhuman. They should fear God, ask for His mercy and forgiveness so that they do not invite the wrath of God upon their heads.”
Also yesterday, a group under the aegis, Osun Buharist Society described the rumour as callous, barbaric and ungodly that President Muhammadu Buhari has passed away in Germany.
In a statement signed by its publicity secretary , Mallam Abiodun Kamar, the group categorised those spreading the rumour as “agents of darkness who are working round the clock to set the country ablaze”, warning that ” it is time to out the loss of 2015 at our back.
“What we are witnessing is the desperation of a power elite angry and bitter for its loss at poll and is fatally plotting to plunge the country into chaos. We the ordinary citizens must resist them. We must say no to evil plot.
” President Buhari is entitled to medical leave and he duly ceded power to his Vice President, a man of God in politics. Is a 70 year old man not entitled to medical check up?
“Now is the time to pray for our leaders .The holy books indeed command us to respect and support constituted authority.
” We can not as patriots wish ourselves dead talkless of our president .We appeal to all Nigerians to unite behind President Buhari as he battles the economic parasites who destroyed our economy.”
A pro-democracy coalition has told President Muhammadu Buhari that the delay in submitting the name of Justice Nkanu Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) "is a big test on the unity of Nigeria."
The group, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution (CDNDC), expressed concern that "this suspicious and deliberate action of the President in delaying the confirmation process has effectively put the unity of Nigeria on trial."
President Buhari elected to appoint Justice Onnoghen as acting CJN on November 10, 2016 for a period of three months; the first to be so appointed in acting capacity and he currently has less than 20 days to the expiration of the duration.
The coalition had previously accused the Presidency of trying to ethnicise and politicise the judiciary, by denying Onnoghen, the first Southerner in 30 years, an opportunity to enjoy confirmation like all his predecessors to serve as the CJN.
Justice Onnoghen
The coalition in a latest statement by its Co-Convener, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, warned that "the established precedence and processes for appointing a substantive CJN must not be compromised to suit ethnic and political interest.
"We are not unaware that they have been combing the whole universe to look for something incriminating which they could use as a cover to stop this courageous judge from becoming our substantive CJN.
"This same Justice Onnoghen was among the three Justices that gave a fearless judgement in favour of General Muhammadu Buhari as the then Presidential candidate of the All Nigerians Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2007. This is a pedigree that should automatically endear him to Mr. President.
"If he did that, so what could then be the reason for undermining his confirmation process as the CJN like his predecessors?
"We make bold to say that we have gotten to a point where we must tell ourselves the bitter truth and speak wisdom to leadership no matter how fragile or sensitive the situation is.
"If Mr. President thinks a Justice from the South of Nigeria does not deserve to be the CJN, he should quickly let us go for a referendum and decide the membership of this nation. We must stop living in denial and under false pretense of national unity," the statement said.
CDNDC urged eminent Nigerians to prevail on the President not to jeopardise the unity of the country. "Justice Onnoghen is a Nigerian and he should be allowed to serve like his predecessors," the group said.
*** Calls on the FG to carry out a holistic Investigation into the matter
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- THE South East Senate Caucus yesterday condemned in very strong terms, the alleged killings of unarmed members of the so-called Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) said to be holding a pro-Trump rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers state by members of Nigerian Security agencies.
The South East Senators have also called on the Federal Government to carry out a holistic investigation into the allegations of deliberate application of excessive force by security agencies in the containment of peaceful assembly particularly when groups from the South East are involved, with particular reference to the latest action.
In a statement in Abuja weekend, Chairman of the South East Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who noted that the mere fact that the security agencies applied excess force in an otherwise peaceful rally, was however reprehensible and questions what the Senators called, an emerging pattern in the containment of peaceful assembly in Nigeria.
IPOB members on solidarity march for Trump
Abaribe who noted that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended provides for the freedom of association and the right of the people to freely assemble to express their common interest, said, “The last time I checked, that section of the constitution is still intact and has not been amended. It is therefore worrisome and that the rights of a section of Nigerians would be so wilfully denied with such extra force.
“If the report of killings by the security agencies were to be confirmed, it would no doubt leave a gaping hole in the unity of this country.
“This is one regrettable action too many, coming against the backdrop of the recent report of the Amnesty International (AI) of mass killings of people from the same section of the populace in Nigeria.”
Abaribe who said that the South East Senate Caucus was not only demanding a stop to this heinous act, which have caused so much embarrassment to the country, but was also calling on the Federal Government to investigate the high handedness of its security services in the handling of civil protest with particular emphasis to the latest action by her security agencies in Port Harcourt.
Gambian embattled out-gone President, Yahaya Jammeh flew out of The Gambia after finally accepting to step down for Adama Barrow on Saturday. While leaving the country, jubilant Gambians are seen in the video clips shouting freedom. Jammeh who, in the second video clip, boarded a plane waved at the Gambians before flying out of the country. The third video shows Gambians returning from exile after the exit of Jammeh.
By Ola Ajayi, Ibadan FOLLOWING what it described as persistent violation of human and trade union rights, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has instructed its members nationwide to boycott all academic and allied activities at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
Also the academic union barred all the university academic staff from carrying out any academic activity in any public universities in the country.
This was contained in part of the resolutions reached at the end of its Awka National Executive Council meeting.
In the statement which was given to newsmen in Ibadan by the Chairman University of Ibadan Chapter of the union, Dr Deji Omole, ASUU alleged that the university management and its sponsored groups were fuelling crisis by forcefully deducting check-off dues without remitting it to the national body.
ASUU vowed that for the duration of the sanctions, academic Staff of the University of Ilorin would no longer enjoy the cooperation, collaboration or participation of academics of other Nigerian public universities.
According to to the union, areas that the sanctions covered include teaching, research and supervision of students; setting, moderation or assessment of examinations; external assessment for professorial cadre appointments or promotions; sabbatical, visiting, part-time and adjunct appointments, accreditation of institutions, colleges and programmes and courses, collaborative research, peer review of journal articles and patronage of journals; attendance of conferences, workshops, seminars and other related activities.
Omole further stated that "despite all intervention efforts by the Academic Staff Union of Universities since 2001, the University of Ilorin administration has persisted in acts of lawlessness, arbitrariness, violation of human and trade union rights, and persecution of loyal members.
Contrary to the law and despite the ruling of the National Industrial Court, the University has continued to prevent the Union from functioning on its campus. The University has also continued to forcefully collect check-off money from academics of the university in the name of the Union without remitting it to the Union.
The union, he added, was bound to protect the principles of democracy and the exercise of freedom in the academia. It also insisted that on the right to function through its own accredited representatives on Nigerian University campuses. “NEC at its meeting at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, recognized distinct groups that have emerged in creating and prolonging the crisis at the University of Ilorin.”
