Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from March, 2019

Late Spurs own goal returns Liverpool to EPL top spot

Liverpool secured a last-gasp 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, thanks to an own goal by visiting defender Toby Alderweireld. The win helped the Merseysiders to maintain their lead at the top of the English Premier League (EPL). Liverpool are on 79 points, with Manchester City who won at Fulham on Saturday on 77 points but with a game in hand. Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris parried out a back-post header from Mohamed Salah, but the ball struck the unfortunate Belgian central defender and rolled over the line in the 90th minute. It was a stroke of luck for Liverpool and one which sent Anfield wild with relief. A draw would have handed the advantage in the title race straight to Pep Guardiolas side. Questions will be asked of Lloriss failure to smother the ball or push it away from danger. But it was a cruel end to a strong second half display from Tottenham who are now level on 61 points with fourth-placed Manchester United. Roberto Firmino opened the scoring in the 16th m...

Late goals help Chelsea in comeback win against unlucky Cardiff City

Late goals from Cesar Azpilicueta and Ruben Loftus-Cheek helped Chelsea complete a thrilling comeback to beat Cardiff City 2-1 away in the English Premier League (EPL) on Sunday. With Chelsea heading for an embarrassing defeat against third-bottom Cardiff, their captain Azpilicueta dragged them back into the match with a headed goal that appeared to be offside. The visitors then completed the fightback when substitute Loftus-Cheek stormed in at the back post to plant a header in the bottom corner. Maurizo Sarris Chelsea stayed sixth in the table with 60 points, level with fifth-placed Arsenal, who have played a game fewer, and a point behind Manchester United in fourth. Cardiffs plight looks increasingly bleak as they are now five points adrift of the safety zone with seven games remaining. Chelsea, who started without talisman Eden Hazard and midfielder NGolo Kante, struggled to create chances and failed to hit a single shot on target in the first half. Aron Gunnarssons long-thr...

Ranieri’s problems mount as Napoli whip Roma 4-1

Napoli ripped AS Romas defence to shreds as they handed the hosts an embarrassing 4-1 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A on Sunday. The defeat piled on the problems for recently-appointed coach Claudio Ranieri. Roma began the game in fifth place with a chance to move within a point of fourth-placed AC Milan, who lost 1-0 at Sampdoria on Saturday. But, instead, they dropped to sixth after Atalanta won 3-1 at Parma to overtake them. Arkadiusz Milik put Napoli ahead after two minutes, cleverly controlling Simone Verdis chipped pass with his heel and then swiveling to fire past Robin Olsen. Having dominated the first half, with another Milik goal chalked off for offside, Napoli were pegged back in stoppage time when Patrik Schick was fouled by goalkeeper Alex Meret. Diego Perotti slotted home the penalty kick. Yet Roma were left reeling by two quick goals after the break as they slumped to a second defeat in Ranieris three games in charge. Jose Callejons low cross slipped und...

Nigeria urges developing countries to tackle illicit financial flows for economic growth

The Federal Government has urged members of the South-South Cooperation to take concrete steps to tackle illicit financial flows as a strategy to address poverty and accelerate growth among the developing nations. Director-General, Nigeria's Directorate of Technical Aid Corps, Pius Osunyinkami, made this call in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja. Osunyinkami, was quoted as making the call at the second UN High-level Conference on South-South Cooperation in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He also called for urgent measures to tackle illicit financial flows among the member countries. The DG, who led the Nigerian delegation, also presented a charge from President Muhammadu Buhari to the Cooperation consisting of developing countries in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Osunyinkami said, Illicit financial flows distort the growth and development of countries, drain foreign reserves, undermine genuine investment and eliminate resources that would have been used for ...

Lagos Police intercept bunkered fuel in Ejigbo

Policemen attached to the Lagos State Police Command have intercepted a bus loaded with bunkered fuel at Ejigbo area of Lagos. The Lagos State Police Command Spokesperson, DSP Bala Elkana, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Lagos. He said the bus was intercepted with one of the suspects on Thursday while the police was on anti-crime monitoring of Canoe area of Ejigbo. Elkana said that two of the suspects escaped. According to him, police operatives, led by Sgt Sunday Joseph, suspected the Fiat Bus in which the suspects were traveling because of its two contrasting colours. On sighting the policemen, the three occupants of the bus jumped down and fled in different directions. The policemen pursued them and caught up with one of them while the remaining two jumped into the carnal and escaped. The suspect confessed that he and his cohorts loaded the Fiat Bus with registration number LND 825 BC with multiple sacks laden with petrol, Elkana said. He added that the arrested ...

Lagos Task Force impounds 109 commercial motorcycles for traffic violations

The Lagos State Task Force on Environment says it impounded 109 commercial motorcycles operating at 2nd Rainbow end of Oshodi-Apapa expressway on Saturday. The Agency said that about 2,500 motorcycles impounded in the last three months over alleged violation of traffic regulations would soon be crushed. The Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs of the Agency, Mr Adebayo Taofiq. He said the enforcement operations was carried out after several warnings to motorcyclists to desist from operating on restricted routes, particularly highways and bridges across the state. The chairman said that numerous complaints from the public on illegal and criminal activities perpetrated by unscrupulous motorcyclists was alarming and must be checked. While some of them harass innocent members of the public at various bus-stops, others engage in all sorts of criminal acts by dispossessing their passengers of valuables such ...

Akwa Ibom needs $8m Loan facility to complete coconut refinery

Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, says the State Government needs about eight million dollar loan facility to complete a coconut refinery located at Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state. Emmanuel stated this at a Lunch he organised for officials of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, (NSIA) at the Government House in Uyo on Sunday. He said that the Coconut refinery was another mega buck investment given the price of coconut oil in the International market. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that work on the project was flagged off by the governor on May 24, 2017. Emmanuel said, about eight million dollar loan facility for the refinery project will soon be ready and the credit is to be repaid within five years. Coconut refinery project is a major industrial investment by Akwa Ibom government through the ministry of Agriculture and Food Sufficiency. He called on the NSIA to facilitate the process of completing the project and also help in the development of ot...

PSC approves promotion of 8,916 senior police officers

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 8,916 senior police officers to their next substantive ranks. The spokesman of the commission, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, said in a statement on Sunday that the approval followed the meeting of the commission held in Abuja. He said the commission approved the promotion of three Commissioners of Police ( CPs) to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police. They are: Jona Jackson Mava; Olushola Babajide David and Titus Sumba Larmode. He said that acting appointments of two CP were also confirmed. The beneficiaries are: Rudolf Echebi Obe, Works and Danladi Lalas, Air Wing. Ani said 71 Assistant Commissioners of Police ( ACP) were elevated to the next rank of Deputy Commissioners of Police ( DCP ). They include; Ogundare Emmanuel, Alonge Adebowale; Augustina Ogbodo; Ibrahim Abdullahi, Garba Ahmed; Uzuegbu Kanayo, Zubairu Abubakar; Vincent Nwajiofor (works), Polycarp Dibia and Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Off...

Mother’s Day: Cleric urges mother's to be good example to children

Pastor Festus Olushola of the Christ Disciples Church, Ilorin, has urged mothers to be discipline and be a good example to their children. Olushola, who made the call on Sunday in Ilorin while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ), on the occasion of Mothers Day, said mothers are the pillar of the Nation that must not be corrupted. The Cleric said most mothers have through their bad conduct misled their children into bad habits and wrong choices. Children grow up to emulate their mother mostly. They try to do what their mother is doing, because they are more familiar with mother first. Mothers must be mindful of what they do in their presence. Be an exemplary role model to your children and wards. Don't be a troublesome mother that fight with neighbours. Don't be a mother that say dirty or foul languages in the presence of your children. Teach your children honesty by being honest yourself. Always caution them when they are wrong. Punish them when they do the wr...

Ogbeh appeals for speedy clearing of agricultural export in ports

Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has appealed to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to ensure speedy evacuation and clearing of agricultural produce for export. Ogbeh made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. He was reacting to current delay in evacuation of cashew nuts worth 300 million dollars for export to Vietnam. He described the situation as disturbing. The minister said the development negated the Federal Governments desire to make the country an exporting nation. It has been brought to our notice that cashew nuts worth 300 million dollars destined for export to Vietnam have been stuck in Lagos. And as we know, they are usually locked in containers at high temperatures and if these cashew nuts remain there for too long, they get spoil and that is extremely disturbing. It has happened before and this also compromises our desire to become an exporting nation so we are very concerned. We have spoken t...

Straffitti traps with infectious rhythms on new single, ‘Kuronbe’

With a resonant hook, and featuring Zlatan, Prettyboy D-O and Ice Prince, this song looks set to appeal to whoever listens. You have probably heard of him. Early in 2018, he featured on M.I. Abaga’s playlist, ‘ Rendezvous .’ He is Straffitti  or  Straff, born Olawale Olukolade , a 20 year old multi-disciplinary Nigerian creative whose chosen primary art form is rap. Straffitti takes a very distinct artistic approach to African music and culture redefining rules and breaking boundaries. In 2017, he released his debut album ‘ MOLOTOV ’ to critical acclaim following on from his 2017 EP ‘ VANILLA SKY ’ which featured African Hip-hop Legend, M.I Abaga . Straffitti drops his new single under  Aristokrat Records  titled ‘ Kuronbe ’ and teams up with Zlatan Ibile, Prettyboy D-O and Ice Prince. The single is produced by JohnsonIP and GCL3F. Running on Travis Scott- esque riffs and strings as vehicle for the well-arranged drums, ‘ Kuronbe ’ chronicles topics on the br...

Flogging of suspected bandits in Zamfara unacceptable – NAF

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has condemned the reported flogging and physical assault of suspected bandits by some military personnel in Zamfara, as totally unacceptable. NAFs spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, condemned the action in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to a video and some pictures circulating on some social media and online platforms showing some military personnel flogging suspected armed bandits at Shinkafi Local Government Area (LGA) in Zamfara State. The NAF has discovered that some of its personnel were part of the joint team stationed at the Galadi Sub-Sector at the time. The NAF wishes to state unequivocally that the troops actions of flogging and physically assaulting the disarmed suspects were totally unacceptable and not in consonance with the Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) guiding the conduct of the operation. Our personnel have always been directed to respect the rights of innocen...

Bauchi people set agenda for incoming governor

The people of Bauchi have expressed high hopes on their governor-elect, Sen. Bala Mohammed, advising that he pay prompt attention to some crucial sectors of the economy. Some of the citizens who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said they expected the incoming governor to pay attention to employment generation, education, health, infrastructure development and Agriculture. They decried the rising unemployment rate in the state as well as rising incidence of poverty and school dropouts, saying that the incoming governor needed to act swiftly in those areas. The incoming governor Mohammed was a senator, FCT Minister, Journalist, experienced civil servant and was elected under the Peoples Democratic Party. Mr Abu Mohammed, a retired civil servant, said the incoming governor needed to focus on unemployment rate which has worsened lately, adding that there were tendencies for idle youths to engage in thuggery and terrorising of innocent citizens. I am calling on the new governor to...

Nigeria customs distributes rice, materials to IDPs, orphanages

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has distributed rice, other food items and relief materials to 97 IDPs and orphanages in Katsina State. The materials and food items were distributed to IDPs and orphanages by the Customs Presidential Committee for distribution of the materials Mr. Yakubu Salihu, Chairman of the sub-committee, disclosed this on Saturday in Katsina. Salihu said the committee had distributed 6,725 bags of 50kg of rice and 3,425 containers of 25 litres of Cooking Oil to the IDPs and orphanage . We have shared 1,259 bags of 50kg bags of sugar and 2004 cartons of Macaroni. The committee has shared 877 bags of second hand clothes, 7,780 rubber shoes, and 90 cartons of rubber slippers, he said. ALSO READ : Fashola says some states now enjoy constant power supply Salihu, a Controller of Customs, said the service was directed by Federal Government to distribute contraband seized by customs from smugglers to IDPs camps across the country. He called on the beneficiaries t...

Party discipline will be upheld in 9th National Assembly leadership says Tinubu

The National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu in reveals that there would be uphold party discipline in the 9th National Assembly to address the leadership tussle. Sen. Tinubu reportedly said this while addressing newsmen after a Prayer Programme organised by Islamic and Christian clerics to mark his 67th birthday on Friday. He said " Party discipline is key, we must be discipline in the party. We were a little careless in 2015. We created the opportunity for serpent to get into our party and that did not allow Nigeria to make the desired progress. You have seen the result of it and we are not going to allow that to happen again. We are going to respect our party and we are going to apply the whip. It is either you stay with us or you follow us or you leave. You have the freedom to choose but the freedom does not give you as a minority to go and collaborate and protrude our mandate given to you to another party who was our opposition and who is still our opposition. We would no...

Premier League Preview | Liverpool vs Tottenham

This Sunday, Anfield hosts one of its most important games in years as Liverpool and Tottenham collide in the Premier League. For Liverpool, the stakes are high. Losing this match will not only cost them their current lead at the top of the table, it would also be their first defeat on home soil this season. This would give additional fillip to Manchester City which faces Fulham in Saturday’s early kick-off. On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur is seeking its first win in five games to remain ahead of the chasing pack for UEFA Champions League qualification. Mauricio Pochettino’s men have been dire recently and failed to make a single shot on target against Chelsea. This was the first time under Pochettino’s guidance that such had ever happened. FIXTURE Competition: Premier League 2018-19 - Liverpool vs Tottenham Venue: Anfield Date: Sunday, 31 March 2019 Kick-off time: 4:30 PM GMT  Place bets on this and other upcoming features with Betbiga . Our revolutionary gamin...

Innoson Vs GTB: Auto maker claims victory says Supreme Court has dismissed bank’s Appeal

The Chairman of Innoson Group, Chief Dr Innocent Chukwuma, OFR has through a Writ of FiFa taken over Guaranty Trust Bank PLC for and on behalf of Innoson Nigeria Ltd as a result of the Bank’s indebtedness to Innoson Nigeria Ltd. GTB and Chukwuma have been in court following allegations of fraud levelled against the Innoson boss. According to Innoson's spokesman, Cornel Osigwe "The Court of Appeal, Ibadan division had in its decision of 6th February 2014 dismissed GTB’s appeal against the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division. Thus, the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division which ordered GTB by way of Garnishee order absolute – to pay N2.4 Billion to Innoson with a 22% interest, per annum, on the judgment sum until the final liquidation of the judgment debt. Rather than obey the judgment of the Court of Appeal, GTB approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal's decision. "However in an ruling delivered by Ho...

Be father to all, IPAC tells Sanwo-Olu

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Lagos State on Friday urged the state Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to be a father to all residents and prioritise alleviating suffering of the people. Alhaji Shakirudeen Olofin, the state Chairman of IPAC, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the presentation of certificates of return to Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat. NAN reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State on Friday presented certificates of return to Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat at the commissions headquarters, in Sabo-Yaba. I congratulate the Governor-elect on his victory at the polls. I want to advise him strongly that after the election, he should assume the role of father; he is now father to all. Election has come and gone, he is not governing only APC members, he is governing entire Lagosians, Olofin, also the state chairman of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) said. He ad...

Operations to combat terrorism, banditry, economic sabotage recording success – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says ongoing military operations to combat terrorism, banditry and economic sabotage has recorded some successes in the last one week. Some of the ongoing operates are Operation Lafiya Dole, Whirl Stroke and Delta Safe. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Acting Director, Defence Information (DDI), said this while giving update on those operations in a statement on Friday. He said that during the period, troops repelled Boko Haram attack on Michika town in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa and recovered some items including weapons from them. The DDI said that the terrorists came to the town to loot for their logistics, attacked a bank and some shops, damaging an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and carted away food items. He, however, said that they ran out of luck as troops at neighboring Lassa in Borno mobilised to engaged them in a fierce combat,forcing them to flee. Nwachukwu said that terrorists, who fled were later ambushed and neutralised by Spe...

Kidnapped Nasarawa journalist’s wife, 3 others regain freedom, says PPRO

The wife of Suleiman Abubakar, the Nasarawa state Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and three other women abducted along Gudi-Keffi Road on Wednesday, have regained their freedom. ASP Samaila Usman, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Nasarawa told newsmen on Friday in Lafia that the victims were released by their captors at 9:45 pm on Thursday. Usman attributed the release of the victims to sustained pressure from the search party deployed by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Bola Longe. He said that all the victims, including the wife of the journalist and wife of a former state lawmaker, were all National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. He said that they had all been reunited with their families. However, the chairman of the correspondents chapel told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he paid ransom to secure the release of his wife. According to him, the abductors called him, using his wifes cellphone and directed hi...

Obasanjo tells youths how to snatch power from “ageing leaders”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says young rising political stars can only wrestle power from “ageing leaders” successfully if they join forces during elections. Obasanjo stated this in Johannesburg, on Wednesday, March 29, 2019, at the launch of a book — Democracy Works; Rewiring Politics to Africa’s Advantage — which he co-authored. Obasanjo, a former military ruler in 1976 and then a civilian leader from 1999 to 2007, told AFP that African countries were making progress towards democracy, but much more remains to be done. “ Africa will get to where it needs to be,” he predicted. “Thirty years ago election was an aberration in Africa, today no election is an aberration,” he said in the interview. “ Even those (rulers) who want to remain (in power)… they still go through some form of election”. It’s what somebody called autocratic competitiveness. They are still autocratic, but they try to show that they are competitive through election.” But Zambian opposition leader, Hak...

Kidnapped wife of journalist, others regain freedom

The kidnapped wife of a member of Nasarawa state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Mrs. Yahanasu Abubakar and three other women have been released by their abductors. Suleiman Abubakar, the chairman of NUJ Correspondent Chapel confirmed the development to Channels Television. It was, however, not stated if ransom was paid to secure the release of the women. The women were kidnapped on Wednesday, March 27, on Gudi-Garaku road, Akwanga Local government road after the gunmen attacked their vehicle heading to Lafiya, the state capital. The gunmen were said to have shot at the vehicle conveying the women from Keffi, where Yahanasu had gone to register at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Appeal court insists Fayemi is the winner of 2018 guber poll in Ekiti

On Thursday, March 28, 2019, an appeal court in Abuja, confirmed that Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, is the winner of the gubernatorial poll held in the region last year. On Saturday, July 14, 2018, Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had defeated his challenger from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Olusola Eleka , who came second with 178,121 votes against the incumbent's  total of 197,459 votes. Unsatisfied with this outcome, the PDP and its candidate Eleka, went before an election petition tribunal in Ekiti to complain. The tribunal however maintained Fayemi as the winner and a 3-man panel at the appeal court has backed it. Headed by Justice Stephen Adah , the panel reportedly agreed in a report by Punch News, that the appeal lacked merit. Failure to adhere to the electoral act was cited as one of the reasons for Eleka and his party's interest to contest Governor Fayemi's victory. But Justice Adah and two other colleagues Justice Tinua...

Sokoto loses peaceful conduct of elections record - INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner in Charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, Hajiya Amina Zakari says Sokoto state has lost its record on peaceful conduct of elections. Zakari stated this on Thursday at the issuance of certificate of return to the Governor, Deputy Governor and State Assembly members-elect in Sokoto. She said that Sokoto state was popular and known to be one of the most peaceful states when it comes to conduct of elections. Although elections in the Northwest has been generally peaceful must especially in Kebbi and Jigawa states. Sokoto state, however, lost its peaceful election conduct that we know the state for. Unfortunately this year we have incidents that led to the loss of lives in Sokoto state, may the souls of the departed rest in peace, she said. Zakari further called on those that lost the contest to try again in the next elections and those that won to work thoroughly in delivering democratic dividend. The state Resid...

Meet Stephanie Ode Wilson, the Ghanaian entrepreneur who is building and selling real estate houses at age 21

Ghana has again produced an icon who is celebrated as the youngest real estate developer in the country and perhaps in West Africa. Stephanie Ode Wilson, a 21-year-old lady, has been noted for her tremendous work as she builds and sells houses in the country. She is one of Ghana’s leading silent entrepreneurs, who is making a huge dent in two heavily male-dominated industries across the region. How Stephanie started Stephanie is a graduate of the Kumasi Girls Senior High School and currently in her 3rd Semester at Bluecrest University. She said her ambitions shattered by a JHS tutor after she picked interest in Construction while she was a child. At age 17, Stephanie committed herself to learn by any means necessary and surrounded herself with constructors and architects at any given time during her days in High School. With support from her family, she started importing building interior materials such as tiles, wall coverings and security doors. She then worked with Shieldsof...

Huawei and Samsung phones contributed to 60 per cent $1.5 million Jumia Ghana made from selling smartphones in 2018

The e-commerce company, Jumia Ghana has revealed that Huawei and Samsung phones contributed 60 per cent of the sales of smartphones it made in Africa last year. The company sold $1.5 million worth of smartphones against $900,000 in 2017. The Managing Director of Jumia Ghana Limited, Ore Odusanya revealed this at the launch of its Mobile Report in Accra. According to him, brands like Huawei and Samsung were reaching out to the underserved segment of the market and introducing affordable smartphones which contributed to 60 per cent of the smartphones sold in Africa. Other brands which included Infinix, Tecno and Hotwave were among the top five mobile brands on Jumia in 2018. Mr Odusanya noted that the adoption of smartphones, then the purchase and use of data implied a direct impact on growth in the sector. He further disclosed that mobile broadband coverage in Ghana in 2018 was 80 per cent and Jumia would launch its "Mobile Week" from April 8 to 14, 2019 to enable member...

Kemi Lala Akindoju makes directorial debut with ‘Lavender’

Kemi Lala Akindoju will be making her directorial debut at the Lagos Theatre with her new project, ‘Lavender’ in April 2019. The ‘Lavender’ will feature appearances from Kehinde Bankole, Deyemi Okanlawon, Oludara Egerton-Shyngle, and Rita Edward while Akindoju directs the project. ‘Lavender,’ a stage play by Akindoju ’s The Make It Happen Productions, is coming one year after the success of her one-woman show ‘Naked’.  ALSO READ : 5 reasons we love Kemi Lala Akindoju Akindoju ’s new role adds to her production ability that has seen her produced and co-produced some movies and stage productions. Previous projects with the input of Akindoju include ‘The V Monologues,' 'Naked,' 'Gidi Up’, Akin Omotosho’s 'The Ghost and The House Of Truth' Ishaya Bako's '4th Republic.'  ridoola.blogspot.com

EFCC opens trial of ex NDDC boss, Omatsuli, calls first witness

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday in a Federal High Court opened its case in the trial of a former Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Tuoyo Omatsuli, over alleged N3.6 billion fraud. The anti-graft agency on Nov. 8, 2018, arraigned Omatsuli alongside Don Parker Properties Ltd., Francis Momoh, and Building Associates Ltd. before Justice Saliu Saidu on a 45-count charge bordering on the alleged offence. They each pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail. On Wednesday, EFCC Counsel, Mr Ekene Iheanacho, called the first witness for the prosecution, Mr Eyo Bassey, a software developer and contractor. Being led in evidence by Basset, the witness said that he executed contracts for the commission as well as for the Akwa Ibom, Imo and Abia state governments. He also narrated how huge sums of money was transferred to the account of two of his companies by Omatsuli in 2014. He said: In 2014, while a contractor with the commiss...

UNICEF urges FG, States to invest more on nutrition, health

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Federal and State Governments to invest more in budgetary allocations for nutrition and health sector. Mr Nwogu Kelechukwu, the Consortium Coordinator, Integrated Basic Nutrition Response to Humanitarian Crisis, made the appeal on Wednesday in Gombe at the final project review and close out meeting of the Integrated Basic Nutrition Response to Humanitarian crisis in Borno and Yobe, including Multisectorial Pilot (INP). He said the government also needs to sustain and build on the project by the INP and other donors for quality healthcare delivery and more development to be achieved. According to him, the objective of the meeting is to identify, discuss and document project success, identify areas for improvement and make recommendations for future projects, among other things. He said the project was successfully implemented in the states of Borno and Yobe from April 2016 to March 2019, and funded by the UK Department for ...

FG, ASUU resume re-negotiation on 2009 agreement

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have begun fresh re-negotiations on the 2009 agreement. Dr Wale Babalakin, the Chairman, Federal Government re-negotiation team, who addressed newsmen in Abuja, on Wednesday, after a meeting that lasted six hours, said he was hopeful the meeting would yield positive results. Babalakin disclosed that the ASUU team had presented more than 20 issues that were being looked into to ensure stability in the university system. He said that both sides were determined to put an end to the lingering problems in the system. “ We resumed our renegotiation today. The government team and ASUU were appropriately represented and we had positive discussions. “We are actually hopeful that we are on a positive path to finalising the negotiation. “There were very hectic discussions on topical issues and both sides had extensive contributions for the benefit of the university system. “It is the same negotiation, we had interim...

Ghana is putting in measures to clampdown sales of fake phones in the country

The Chamber of Telecommunications Ghana has in place measures to clamp down on the sale of fake phones in the country. The Chief Executive of the Chamber, Ken Ashigbey said they will partner with other stakeholders to ensure that there are no fake phones in the country. He added that most of these fake phones are in the country because there is a readily available market for it. Fake phones have found their way into the Ghanaian market. Most of these brands are cheaper than the original brands. The sale of these fake phones has become a lucrative business for some traders in the country but it posts a business threat to most of the original brands. According to Ken Ashigbey, most of these fake phone dealers do not pay taxes and it's against the laws of the country. "One of the challenges with these fake phones that come to the market is the fact that tax avoidance, they don't pay their taxes so definitely when you avoid taxes their penalties when you bring fake devic...

Boko Haram attacks eastern Niger, 10 dead

Ten people have been confirmed dead following a coordinated attack by suspected Boko Haram fighters on Tuesday in N'guigmi town located in the eastern part of Niger Republic. According to reports, two female suicide bombers blew themselves up while gunmen attacked civilians. AFP reports that the mayor of the town, Abba Kaya Issa , confirmed the death of the 10 people including the two suicide bombers. The mayor added that about 8 people also sustained injuries. He said, "One of the suicide bombers blew herself up in the courtyard of a policeman’s home, which is located inside the police barracks, and the second triggered her explosives belt between the town hall, the police barracks, and the prefecture." A source revealed that several houses were burnt and the injured victims at the police camp have been taken to a local hospital. The attack comes a week after a similar attack was carried out in the village of Karidi that left 14 people dead. Earlier in the month, a...

Amnesty urges FG to probe alleged cases of thuggery in Kano re-run election

Amnesty International has urged Federal Government to investigate alleged cases of political thuggery and violence on journalists and electorate during the supplementary election conducted in Kano State. Isa Sanusi , the Amnesty International Spokesperson, made the call in an interview with BBC Hausa service, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu, Yobe. “ Amnesty International condemns the human rights violation during supplementary election exercise conducted in Kano especially on journalists and electorates. “We therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to lunch an investigation into the issue. “Extensive electoral security problems were observed in some areas, with groups of men with weapons intimidating and obstructing the process, and security agencies ineffective at protecting citizens’ right to vote.” NAN reports that supplementary governorship elections were conducted in Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Plateau and Sokoto — where results from the March 9 initial...

Paul Kagame, Globacom’s Bella Disu canvass for digitalized African economy

Application of digital technology to push economic prosperity on the African continent was the focal point as the Africa CEO Forum commenced on Monday with Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, and Globacom’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mrs Bella Disu, leading the discourse. The Rwandan President hosted Mrs Disu at a private session after the formal opening ceremony of the two-day Africa CEO Forum taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, and both deliberated on ways Globacom could deploy its huge infrastructure, such as the Glo 1 international submarine cable, to stimulate Africa's digitalization. The President said Africa’s hopes of achieving regional integration and economic growth would not be realized without modern technology and commended steps taken by Globacom in the telecommunications industry. President Kagame who in his opening remarks at the forum called for “open, responsive and accountable governance” ...

SERAP says corruption in Nigeria still high despite Buhari’s efforts

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Tuesday said that the level of corruption in Nigeria was still high in spite of the efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SERAP made the claim at the launch of the results of a report of a national survey entitled “Nigeria Anti-Corruption Performance Assessment Survey”. The event took place in Lagos. SERAP came up with the 57-page report in collaboration with UKAID. It said that corruption was prevalent in the country in spite of some significant measures by the president toward addressing it. According to SERAP, some of the measures are the establishment of the Treasury Single Account, Whistle-Blowing Policy and constitution of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption. NAN reports that the national survey conducted in November 2018 and December 2018, targeted a total of 2,655 respondents selected from seven states spread acr...

Nigeria Vs Egypt Live: Kickoff time shifted to 6 pm on request of Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are taking on the Pharaohs of Egypt in an international friendly game at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. With the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers over, preparations for the tournament proper in June have begun. For their first friendly game ahead of the tournament, the Super Eagles host Egypt who are without Mohammed Salah. There also be few changes in the Super Eagles with the likes of John Ogu, and Paul Onuachu starting. The game originally billed for 4pm has been shifted to 6 pm on the request of Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr. Rohr was not please with the hot and sunny conditions of the 4 pm kickoff of the 3-1 win over Seychelles on Friday, March 22. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Ezekwesili wins Forbes' social influencer award

Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has been announced as Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer at the Forbes Woman Africa Awards inaugural gala dinner which held in Durban, South Africa.  The Anti-corruption campaigner and convener of the Bring Back our Girls movement was celebrated for her efforts in launching the viral #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Other recipients of awards at the prestigious gala were Dr. Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula (Business); Rachel Sibande ; Caster Semenya (Sports); Sho Madjozi (Entertainment); Uche Pedro (New media), among others.  The Managing Editor of Forbes Africa and Forbes Woman Africa, Methil Renuka , said: " The ceremony was the perfect conclusion to a highly constructive day of networking and concept sharing by Africa’s most dynamic women." Renuka congratulated the women for their efforts in impacting the lives of young women worldwide. Ezekwesili was also named among the World’s 100 Most Influential People by Time Mag...

INEC to hold supplementary election in Adamawa on Thursday

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Thursday, March 28, 2018, for the supplementary governorship election in Adamawa state. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kassim Gaidam , said this at the commission’s office in Yola, the state capital, on Tuesday, March 26, 2019. Giadam said sequel to the High Court ruling which vacated the restraining order halting the INEC from conducting the supplementary poll, INEC consulted security agencies before selecting March 28 for the exercise. The court had previously restrained INEC from conducting the exercise based on a suit filed by the governorship candidate of the  Movement For Restoration and Defense for Democracy (MRDD), Mustafa Shaba. Shaba had sued the commission over the absence of his party’s logo on the ballot paper of the election held on March 9, 2019, that was declared inconclusive. “I hereby grant the following order: ‘the defendant the INEC is restrain whether by themselves, their executives, ser...

Court asks INEC to conduct supplementary election in Adamawa

A High Court sitting in Yola has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to proceed with the supplementary election in Adamawa state. The court had previously restrained INEC from conducting the exercise based on a suit filed by the governorship candidate of the Movement For Restoration and Defense for Democracy (MRDD), Mustafa Shaba. Shaba had sued the commission over the absence of his party’s logo on the ballot paper of the election held on March 9, 2019, that was declared inconclusive. “I hereby grant the following order: ‘the defendant the INEC is restrain whether by themselves, their executives, servants, privies, representative, nominees or any other person or persons from proceeding with the supplementary election in respect of Adamawa pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” Abdulazeez Waziri , the presiding judge, had ruled. When the substantive hearing of the suit commenced on Thursday, March 21, INEC's counsel,  Tanimu I...

Victor Osimhen nets hat-trick as Nigeria's U23 beat Libya 4-0 in 2nd leg of the 2019 U23 AFCON qualifiers

Victor Osimhen netted a hat-trick for Nigeria's U23 to help them beat Libya in the second leg of the 2019 U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Asaba on Monday, March 25. An emergency draft from the Super Eagles, Osimhen scored one goal in the first half and two in the second before setting up Nigeria's fourth with a back-heel to seal a brilliant comeback. Nigeria's U23 entered the game with a two-goal deficit after they lost the first leg 2-0 last week. But the the help of Super Eagles players, Osimhen, Francis Uzoho, Chidiezie Awaziem and Valentine Ozornwafor, Nigeria's U23 overpowered their Libyan counterparts to book a spot at the 2019 U23 AFCON. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Here's the new requirement needed before you can register your business in Ghana

The Registrar General’s Department in Ghana has revealed that persons who seek to register their businesses in the country without a digital address code may not be able to register. The department said that effective Monday, March 25, 2019, the digital address code of individuals will be a necessary requirement for the business before being able to complete the registration process. “Effective today [Monday] no business can be registered all across the country until a digital address together with other information is provided for the Registrar’s office." The Registrar General, Jemima Oware who made in a press conference said that the process was part of the government’s effort to move Ghana up the World Bank’s ease of doing business rankings. The integration of Ghana Post to other systems has already been done. Individuals are then required to download the app to get an address code before beginning their business registration. According to Mrs Oware, the process has alrea...