Wednesday, 24 August 2016
Do not pray & fast over a man that isn't yours - Halima Abubakar
Jennifer Lawrence Tops Forbes 2016 List Of Highest-Paid Actresses With $46m [See Top 10]
Jennifer Lawrence, for the second year in a row, has been named the world’s highest-paid actress, notching $46 million pre-tax over 12 months – $13 million more than second-ranked Melissa McCarthy, who pocketed $33 million, according to Forbes Magazine, on Tuesday.
The earnings of the 26-year-old, while decreasing 11.5% from 2015, were bumped up by a deal in which she took a share of the $653.4m box office of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2,” as well as a big upfront fee for her forthcoming space adventure movie “Passengers,” Forbes said.
Second on the list is McCarthy, who reportedly raked eight-figure payday for Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters reboot, having a 43.5% rise in her income.
McCarthy, who was the third highest-paid female actor last year, earned $10m more than in 2016 than in 2015.
Scarlett Johansson took third place in the 2016 list, dropping from second. Her $25m earnings are partly due to her returning role as Black Widow in Marvel’s Avengers films.
Johansson was recently named the US’s highest-grossing female film star of all time in a survey conducted by the industry analysis website Box Office Mojo.
The Top 5 was filled out by Jennifer Aniston ($21m) and Chinese star Fan Bingbing, the actor, producer and singer who topped Forbes’s China Celebrity 100 list in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Aniston, a regular in the Top 5, has seen her earnings increase by 27.3% in the last year.
The only new addition to the list is Bollywood star Deepika Padukone in 10th place, with $10 million (£7.6 million) earned over the past year.
The rest of the top 10 2016 highest-paid actresses are:
4. Jennifer Aniston – $21 million
5. Fan Bingbing – $17 million
6. Charlize Theron – $16.5 million
7. Amy Adams – $13.5 million
8. Julia Roberts – $12 million
9. Mila Kunis – $11 million
10. Deepika Padukone – $10 million
CBN bars 9 commercial banks from all foreign exchange transactions and operations
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has barred nine commercial banks from participating in all foreign exchange transactions and operations. According to the apex bank, the commercial banks were barred following their failure to remit into the Treasury Single Account the sum of $2.12 billion belonging to the nation’s oil corporation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The nine banks comprise of three tier-one lenders and another six tier-two deposit money banks. All the banks remain barred from foreign exchange operations until they fully remit the NNPC funds into government coffers via the Treasury Single Account.
Trump slams Clinton for ‘Third World’- style corruption
Donald Trump on Tuesday stepped up his attacks on Hillary Clinton, accusing her of “Third World”-style corruption over her family’s charitable foundation and calling her unfit to hold office. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are tightening their grips on the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations. “It is a total embarrassment if our secretary of state can be bought or bribed or sold,” he told a rally in Austin, Texas after a damaging Associated Press report raised questions about whether donors to the Clinton Foundation paid cash for access to America’s top diplomat. “It’s a disgrace, this is a threat to the foundation of democracy,” said Trump. “This is what happens in Third World countries.” The Associated Press reported that more than half the people outside government who met Clinton while she was secretary of state donated money to the Clinton Foundation. “Hillary Clinton is totally unfit to hold public office. It is impossible to figure out where the Clinton Foundation ends and the State Department begins,” Trump said. “It is now abundantly clear that the Clintons set up a business to profit from public office, they sold access,” he said. “This is corruption and this is why I have called for a special prosecutor to look into this mess,” he said. The Associated Press reported that at least 85 of 154 people from private interests who met or had telephone conversations scheduled with Clinton while she led the State Department donated to her family charity or pledged commitments to its international programs. Those 85 donors contributed a combined $156 million, the AP said. The Associated Press said the meetings between Clinton and donors did not appear to violate legal agreements she and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, signed before she joined the State Department. “But the frequency of the overlaps shows the intermingling of access and donations, and fuels perceptions that giving the foundation money was a price of admission for face time with Clinton,” the AP reported.
Bayern Munich Players & Coach Carlo Ancelotti All Smiles As They Get New Audi cars
 Ahead of the new German Bundesliga season, Bayern Munich players including Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery, Philipp Lahm, Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski and so many others including new coach Carlo Ancelotti were in attendance as Audi presented new 2016 model sports cars to the playing and coaching staff of the German club. Bayern club sponsor, Audi, have provided every squad member with a new car since 2002, the year they became a shareholder with the German giants. Part of their contract stipulates they provide the squad with company cars with Bayern players picking up the latest Audi model on Monday afternoon. More photos below...            |
First Int’l cargo aircraft lands in Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu
According to Governor Ugwuanyi, the landing of cargo airplanes at the airport will help in the transportation of goods from all parts of the world to the South East region and also provide job opportunities for the people.
“Today we have gathered again to celebrate the first landing of cargo at this same airport, and which once more has happened courtesy of the Ethiopian Airlines. It will save costs, enhance convenience and safety in importation of goods apart from promoting employment and raising the international profile of the airport and the entire region”he said
N273bn Niger Delta funds missing, says report
Violation of contract award process, sleaze and other issues were responsible for the stunted growth of the Niger Delta, report has said.
The government of the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua created the Ministry of Niger Delta in 2008 to oversee the region’s development.
A ministerial technical audit committee on the contracts awarded by the ministry between 2009 and 2015 has said most of the contracts awarded in the oil-rich region had no impact on the people.
The committee’s report also revealed that only N427 billion, representing 60 per cent out of N700 billion, budgeted for the ministry during the period was disbursed.
Project worth over N273 billion for which had been paid for cannot be accounted for, says the report.
The ministry was created as a special purpose vehicle to facilitate the development of the region. The incumbent minister, Uguru Usani, is an indigene of the region.
The states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. The committee was set up by Mr. Usani this year to evaluate and prioritise the projects embarked upon by the ministry in the nine Niger Delta states based on the availability of funds and overall impact on the living conditions of the benefitting communities. The report recommended the termination of six project while urging the refund of the amount collected on two others.
According to the report, all projects were to achieve the objective of enhancing socio-economic activities, human capital development and environmental protection of the region.
“Sadly, very insignificant numbers of projects have reached practical completion to provide the sense of belonging expected by Niger Deltans across board,” the committee said in the document obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.
“About 80% of the projects are either on-going, abandoned after payments, total abdication or refusal to deliver as in the case of Youth Capacity Building Programmes.
“The Federal Government well-intended intervention programme in the Niger Delta Region was poorly implemented six years after flag-off with serious consequences,” the report said.
The committee said it found out that the total cost of projects within the period was N700,538,741,691.30 excluding services (security, rent and facility management), adding that N446,421,385,864.41 was certified for payment but N423,172,256,347.84 was paid.
It said, “In other words, between 2009 and 2015, about 60% of contracts awarded were paid, but approximately 40% of work was practically achieved”.
While juxtaposing its finding from the project sites against fact retrieved from available documents domiciled in the departments that supervised the projects, the committee observed that there was violation of contract award process.
The report lamented that, “the way billions of naira are mentioned in construction projects value in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has become so banal that very soon, it is believed that they are likely to escalate to trillions of naira, even though the values do not appear realistic vis-Ã -vis the value added to the region through such contracts.”
It said right from the cycle of procurement planning to contract award, it noticed inconsistencies with the provisions of vital aspects of the Procurement Act.
Prominent amongst other issues of violation, it stated, were indiscriminate award of contract by initiating and benefiting departments without the leading and guiding role of the procurement department.
“Awards never took cognisance of availability of funds and annual appropriation provisions,” the committee said.
“The structure and content of some contract agreements were loose for checks and balances, indeed hardly protect the interest of the ministry in case of disputes.”
On delivery and capacity, the committee said the imminent picture of abandoned and uncompleted projects was as disturbing as the retinue of projects that extremely exceeded the dates of completion.
It said, “This manifestly, emanated from inconsistency in government annual budgetary provision and lack of capacity to deliver especially where funds released do not correspond with performance.
“Most contracts were awarded with specific dates of completion but were not captured in subsequent appropriations. This further exacerbated contractors’ poor performance and inability to achieve project objectives. Consequently, no capital project was completed within the stipulated time frame.”
The government of the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua created the Ministry of Niger Delta in 2008 to oversee the region’s development.
A ministerial technical audit committee on the contracts awarded by the ministry between 2009 and 2015 has said most of the contracts awarded in the oil-rich region had no impact on the people.
The committee’s report also revealed that only N427 billion, representing 60 per cent out of N700 billion, budgeted for the ministry during the period was disbursed.
Project worth over N273 billion for which had been paid for cannot be accounted for, says the report.
The ministry was created as a special purpose vehicle to facilitate the development of the region. The incumbent minister, Uguru Usani, is an indigene of the region.
The states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. The committee was set up by Mr. Usani this year to evaluate and prioritise the projects embarked upon by the ministry in the nine Niger Delta states based on the availability of funds and overall impact on the living conditions of the benefitting communities. The report recommended the termination of six project while urging the refund of the amount collected on two others.
According to the report, all projects were to achieve the objective of enhancing socio-economic activities, human capital development and environmental protection of the region.
“Sadly, very insignificant numbers of projects have reached practical completion to provide the sense of belonging expected by Niger Deltans across board,” the committee said in the document obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.
“About 80% of the projects are either on-going, abandoned after payments, total abdication or refusal to deliver as in the case of Youth Capacity Building Programmes.
“The Federal Government well-intended intervention programme in the Niger Delta Region was poorly implemented six years after flag-off with serious consequences,” the report said.
The committee said it found out that the total cost of projects within the period was N700,538,741,691.30 excluding services (security, rent and facility management), adding that N446,421,385,864.41 was certified for payment but N423,172,256,347.84 was paid.
It said, “In other words, between 2009 and 2015, about 60% of contracts awarded were paid, but approximately 40% of work was practically achieved”.
While juxtaposing its finding from the project sites against fact retrieved from available documents domiciled in the departments that supervised the projects, the committee observed that there was violation of contract award process.
The report lamented that, “the way billions of naira are mentioned in construction projects value in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has become so banal that very soon, it is believed that they are likely to escalate to trillions of naira, even though the values do not appear realistic vis-Ã -vis the value added to the region through such contracts.”
It said right from the cycle of procurement planning to contract award, it noticed inconsistencies with the provisions of vital aspects of the Procurement Act.
Prominent amongst other issues of violation, it stated, were indiscriminate award of contract by initiating and benefiting departments without the leading and guiding role of the procurement department.
“Awards never took cognisance of availability of funds and annual appropriation provisions,” the committee said.
“The structure and content of some contract agreements were loose for checks and balances, indeed hardly protect the interest of the ministry in case of disputes.”
On delivery and capacity, the committee said the imminent picture of abandoned and uncompleted projects was as disturbing as the retinue of projects that extremely exceeded the dates of completion.
It said, “This manifestly, emanated from inconsistency in government annual budgetary provision and lack of capacity to deliver especially where funds released do not correspond with performance.
“Most contracts were awarded with specific dates of completion but were not captured in subsequent appropriations. This further exacerbated contractors’ poor performance and inability to achieve project objectives. Consequently, no capital project was completed within the stipulated time frame.”
67-yr-old man commits suicide in Calabar
IT was a horrible sight, yesterday, as the body of a 67-year-old retiree, Mr. Okon Edet Iwang, dangled in front of his room at 13B, Ekpo Iso Lane, Ikot Ansa in Calabar Municipality. A neighbour, who pleaded anonymity, told Vanguard that Mr. Edet, who hailed from Obot Akara, Ukposin Atai in Akwa Ibom State, had been suffering from diabetes for close to three years, but was gradually recovering before the suicide. His words: “Before going to church yesterday evening (Sunday), I saw him and when I also came back at about 10:30p.m. we greeted. I was shocked when I woke up this morning (yesterday) to see his lifeless body dangling.” The neighbour said Iwang used the clothesline residents use to dry their clothes to hang himself in front of his room, adding “he was recovering from his sickness because the diabetic sore on his leg was healing very fine. “We are still in shock that Ette Aniette, as he is popularly known, could muster such courage. He was a very peaceful man,” Sacked The source also hinted that Ette Aniete, who retired from Industrial Trust Fund, ITF, was still receiving his pension and was even re-engaged on a contract basis before he was finally paid off due to his deteriorating health. According to the source, “he slumped sometime ago and went into coma, which lasted for about three months. He was paid off after he came back from the hospital. “The sickness affected his eyes because he started developing partial blindness and I think depression also started setting in. We had to call his son, Aniette, to come and stay with him. “His wife had left him during the peak of his illness and before that he lost one of his children. We believe all these must have contributed to his decision to commit suicide. “We called the police immediately and they took his corpse away.”
French police force Muslim woman to remove her Burkini on Nice beach
Images of the confrontation on Tuesday show at least four police officers standing over the woman who was resting on the shore at the town’s Promenade des Anglais, the scene of last month’s Bastille Day lorry attack.
This comes after some French cities including Nice implemented bans on women wearing Burkinis, a garment worn by Muslim women that covers the body and hair, mostly used when at the beach.
According to the AFP, another young Muslim mother was ordered off the beach at Cannes and fined for simply wearing a headscarf.
Three armed officers pointed a pepper spray canister in the 34-year-old's face and told her she was in breach of a new rule outlawing swimming costumes that cover the entire body.
According to the woman, the 'racist' officers simply wanted to humiliate her in front of her children and other family members, even though she was not even wearing a burkini.
“I was sitting on a beach with my family,” said the 34-year-old who gave only her first name, Siam. I was wearing a classic headscarf. I had no intention of swimming.”
'I wasn't even planning to swim, just to dip my feet,' said Siam, who was wearing leggings, a top, and a headscarf.
When asked why she was dressed 'inappropriately', Sian replied:
'I didn't know exactly what was going on, I hadn't really followed the controversy'.
Sian at first refused to undress or to leave the beach, saying: 'My children were crying as they witnessed by humiliation'.
Siam accepted an on-the-spot fine of around 9 pounds, and her details were recorded on what will amount to a criminal record. She said:
'Today we are not allowed on the beach. Tomorrow, the street?Tomorrow, we'll be forbidden from practicing our religion at all?
'I'm in the country of human rights. I see no trace of the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity. I am outraged that this could happen in France.'
Last week, Nice became the latest French resort to ban the burkini. Using language similar to the bans imposed earlier at other locations, the city banned clothing that “overtly manifests adherence to a religion at a time when France and places of worship are the target of terrorist attacks”.
Police discover graves in house of prophet who chained 28 persons
The Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, uncovered shallow graves allegedly used by prophet Emmanuel Adeyemi to bury clients, who died during spiritual cleansing in his Oke-Ira, Ogba home. The 13 children and 15 adults Some of the victims Recall that Adeyemi was arrested, weekend, by policemen attached to Area ‘G’ Command, Ogba, following the discovery of 28 chained persons, among them 13 children and 15 adults. This is just as one of those chained was discovered to be a cancer patient, contrary to claims by the suspect that they were all mentally deranged. At press time yesterday, the cancer patient (names withheld) was still undergoing treatment at the hospital from sores sustained in her two legs where she was chained, while others were at the Lagos State rehabilitation centre. Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Fatai Owoseni, who made the disclosure, said: “We had another tip-off that there were people he (suspect) buried in his compound and he confirmed it during interrogation. “Because the area is swampy, the suspect allegedly buried some people in the swamp and about three others in the house.” ‘I am a herbalist, not prophet’ However, during interrogation, the suspect maintained that he was a herbalist, saying there was not time he identified himself as a prophet. He said: “I am a herbalist and not a prophet. One of those chained is my step-son; I chained him and locked him inside the room because I wanted to cure him of stealing. Others are people I was treating of madness.” Asked what the shallow graves were for, he replied, “I bury patients who died in the process of receiving treatment. Some of them were brought very sick from the hospital for treatment. “At times, some would be healed while others won’t make it. They were buried with the consent of their relatives.” He further denied claims that he sold human parts to ritualists, saying “I swear, I don’t sell human parts. I am only a traditional healer.” However, Owoseni assured that the police would get to the root of the matter.
The Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, uncovered shallow graves allegedly used by prophet Emmanuel Adeyemi to bury clients, who died during spiritual cleansing in his Oke-Ira, Ogba home. The 13 children and 15 adults Some of the victims Recall that Adeyemi was arrested, weekend, by policemen attached to Area ‘G’ Command, Ogba, following the discovery of 28 chained persons, among them 13 children and 15 adults. This is just as one of those chained was discovered to be a cancer patient, contrary to claims by the suspect that they were all mentally deranged. At press time yesterday, the cancer patient (names withheld) was still undergoing treatment at the hospital from sores sustained in her two legs where she was chained, while others were at the Lagos State rehabilitation centre. Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Fatai Owoseni, who made the disclosure, said: “We had another tip-off that there were people he (suspect) buried in his compound and he confirmed it during interrogation. “Because the area is swampy, the suspect allegedly buried some people in the swamp and about three others in the house.” ‘I am a herbalist, not prophet’ However, during interrogation, the suspect maintained that he was a herbalist, saying there was not time he identified himself as a prophet. He said: “I am a herbalist and not a prophet. One of those chained is my step-son; I chained him and locked him inside the room because I wanted to cure him of stealing. Others are people I was treating of madness.” Asked what the shallow graves were for, he replied, “I bury patients who died in the process of receiving treatment. Some of them were brought very sick from the hospital for treatment. “At times, some would be healed while others won’t make it. They were buried with the consent of their relatives.” He further denied claims that he sold human parts to ritualists, saying “I swear, I don’t sell human parts. I am only a traditional healer.” However, Owoseni assured that the police would get to the root of the matter.
Tuesday, 23 August 2016
Buhari To Muslims - Those Who Shout Allah Is Great Before Killing Is Mad
President Muhammadu Buhari has described those who shout “Allah is great’ before killing innocent people as mentally deranged.
Speaking through the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the launch of the revised National Counter Terrorism Strategy, NACTEST, in Abuja, the President said “it is either they do not know the meaning of those words or they are simply deranged.”
The President noted that “these enemies (Boko Haram) are essentially an insane nuisance because they revel in cowardly attacks.”
Explaining that the war against terrorism was unconventional, the President disclosed that his government will change its strategy in a bid to win the war against insurgents.
Buhari said, “There must be an understanding that the war against terrorism is the most unconventional one. They (terrorists) do not respect any rules of engagement; kill the defenseless including prisoners, use children and humans, girls and consider the killing of anyone at all at a victory.
“Therefore as we think through our strategy we must remember that to permanently win the physical battle, we must win the battle of the minds of even the most impressionable young men who sign up to join Boko Haram and other violent extremist groups.
“We must understand that terrorism is essentially a psychological warfare and as such is psychologically sophisticated and we must educate the youth through the leadership of our faith that neither Islam nor any other religion that we know endorses the slaughter of anyone.
“In the past few years our nation faced the threat of terrorism characterized by mindless killing of our people including children.”
Speaking through the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the launch of the revised National Counter Terrorism Strategy, NACTEST, in Abuja, the President said “it is either they do not know the meaning of those words or they are simply deranged.”
The President noted that “these enemies (Boko Haram) are essentially an insane nuisance because they revel in cowardly attacks.”
Explaining that the war against terrorism was unconventional, the President disclosed that his government will change its strategy in a bid to win the war against insurgents.
Buhari said, “There must be an understanding that the war against terrorism is the most unconventional one. They (terrorists) do not respect any rules of engagement; kill the defenseless including prisoners, use children and humans, girls and consider the killing of anyone at all at a victory.
“Therefore as we think through our strategy we must remember that to permanently win the physical battle, we must win the battle of the minds of even the most impressionable young men who sign up to join Boko Haram and other violent extremist groups.
“We must understand that terrorism is essentially a psychological warfare and as such is psychologically sophisticated and we must educate the youth through the leadership of our faith that neither Islam nor any other religion that we know endorses the slaughter of anyone.
“In the past few years our nation faced the threat of terrorism characterized by mindless killing of our people including children.”
Salamo Fariyike, a Witch of 30 Years Confesses to Journalist How She killed 30 People
Back in 1964, Salamo Fariyike, a 47 year old woman confessed to journalist Dapo Daramola that for 30 years she practiced blood sucking witchcraft.
She claims flew at the night like a terrible bird, and brought death to 30 people. Salamo confessed that 30 years ago, at the age of 17, she was offered what appeared to her to be an ordinary delicious akara ball (bean cake) for breakfast by her dying grandmother.
The girl gratefully munched the akara and thanked granny for her kindness. But far from being the ordinary delicacy which the innocent girl thought it was, she claims that akara turned her life upside down, transforming her overnight from a pretty, kind-hearted, lovable girl to vicious, cruel, blood-sucking witch.
Many countries want Nigeria to disintegrate –NLC president
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, has cautioned Nigerians to resist external forces working hard to break up the country.
According to him, “most countries” are unhappy that Nigeria is the giant of Africa, and will therefore be happy to see the country disintegrate.
Wabba, who made the appeal yesterday at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abulja , said the country’s size, population and natural endowments are assets that many other nations are envious of.
“It is in unity that our strength lies as a country. We are today the giant of Africa; most countries are not happy with that. They will do anything possible to undermine our national interest and also work towards the disintegration of Nigeria.
“That is a fact, and we see that as we travel around the world. Even within the committee of unions, people are envious of Nigeria. We must not forget how people said Nigeria was going to break by 2015 and you must not forget that they are still working on that.
“They are still funding all manners of things and trying to see that Nigeria does not actually have peace; it is deliberate. There is no resource today in the world that we do not have; they see us as a country that is blessed without measure,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the current security challenges and agitations “being fuelled and funded by forces determined to undermine Nigeria” would be surmounted.
“Our position is that we will not canvass the issue of cannibalising Nigeria into segments for any reason or any consideration,” he said.
Wabba added that some African countries are concerned that if anything happens to Nigeria, their own fate becomes uncertain.
“Therefore, it is in our own collective interest as Nigerians — because we do not have any other country — to continue to show the light and perspective for others to see.”
Wabba called for a review of the educational curriculum and the employment policy to make it all inclusive, in view of the current unemployment rate in the country.
“If you look at the challenge in our system now, especially the issue of unemployment, it has assumed a very frightening dimension where a lot of our youths, who are able and well educated, have not been able to find something doing.
“I think there has been a convergence of ideas that there is a need to actually review our employment policy that will be inclusive; that will also be able to create jobs and those jobs can be sustainable.
“So, I quiet I agree that we have a lot to do in respect of reviewing our policy on employment to try to make it all inclusive.
“It doesn’t have to be white collar jobs; I think we can also to look inwards to try to look at other avenues.
“I am happy that the new on policy on agriculture which Federal Government is driving, towards encouraging our able bodied youths to go into agriculture; may be something that can be considered.’’
Wabba underscored the importance of providing the enabling environment for youths who are interested in agriculture and sourcing market for their produce.
He added that the aspect of agro-processing should also be explored as a way of creating employment for youths.
According to him, “most countries” are unhappy that Nigeria is the giant of Africa, and will therefore be happy to see the country disintegrate.
Wabba, who made the appeal yesterday at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abulja , said the country’s size, population and natural endowments are assets that many other nations are envious of.
“It is in unity that our strength lies as a country. We are today the giant of Africa; most countries are not happy with that. They will do anything possible to undermine our national interest and also work towards the disintegration of Nigeria.
“That is a fact, and we see that as we travel around the world. Even within the committee of unions, people are envious of Nigeria. We must not forget how people said Nigeria was going to break by 2015 and you must not forget that they are still working on that.
“They are still funding all manners of things and trying to see that Nigeria does not actually have peace; it is deliberate. There is no resource today in the world that we do not have; they see us as a country that is blessed without measure,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the current security challenges and agitations “being fuelled and funded by forces determined to undermine Nigeria” would be surmounted.
“Our position is that we will not canvass the issue of cannibalising Nigeria into segments for any reason or any consideration,” he said.
Wabba added that some African countries are concerned that if anything happens to Nigeria, their own fate becomes uncertain.
“Therefore, it is in our own collective interest as Nigerians — because we do not have any other country — to continue to show the light and perspective for others to see.”
Wabba called for a review of the educational curriculum and the employment policy to make it all inclusive, in view of the current unemployment rate in the country.
“If you look at the challenge in our system now, especially the issue of unemployment, it has assumed a very frightening dimension where a lot of our youths, who are able and well educated, have not been able to find something doing.
“I think there has been a convergence of ideas that there is a need to actually review our employment policy that will be inclusive; that will also be able to create jobs and those jobs can be sustainable.
“So, I quiet I agree that we have a lot to do in respect of reviewing our policy on employment to try to make it all inclusive.
“It doesn’t have to be white collar jobs; I think we can also to look inwards to try to look at other avenues.
“I am happy that the new on policy on agriculture which Federal Government is driving, towards encouraging our able bodied youths to go into agriculture; may be something that can be considered.’’
Wabba underscored the importance of providing the enabling environment for youths who are interested in agriculture and sourcing market for their produce.
He added that the aspect of agro-processing should also be explored as a way of creating employment for youths.
Photos: Couple in their 60s 'welcome' first child after 33 years of marriage
Bronze medal not good enough for Nigeria – Maigari
Immediate past president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has expressed disappointment over the outing of the Team Nigeria athletes, stressing that he was not impressed with the bronze medal from the U-23 national team.
Answeringquestions from Daily SunSports on telephone from his base in Bauchi State, the former Glass House boss said the Dream Team VI however deserved some commendations for saving the country from a disgraceful outing.
Asked if he was impressed with the U-23 performance in Rio, he replied: “Winning bronze medal is certainly not good enough for a country like Nigeria that has built a strong reputation. We all know that there are many things that went wrong starting from the pre-tournament preparations like the camping of the players to the lack of motivation.
“Based on what we have read and seen in the media, the performance was not enough. It should not be in our character to accept and settle for bronze medal in a big tournament of this magnitude especially when it comes to sports and soccer which is source of unity for this country.
“However, I want to say that the Dream Team VI deserve commendations because despite all they passed through including locking them out of the hotel in Atlanta USA to the abandonment at the airport yet they did what they did to bail out the country,” he said.
Maigari equally commented on what had become a general impression that everything is going wrong with Nigerian football, admitting that he was as confused as every other soccer-loving Nigeria.
His words: “I am as confused as what is happening to Nigerian football just as every other Nigerian. It is really unfortunate that we found ourselves in this situation. I have tried to know if the administrators, players or even the media should be blamed.”
“I have tried to put what is happening now side by side with what happened during my regime when we participated and won almost virtually all the tournaments we participated. However, what is obvious is that the structures are not just there now.
“We also have to admit that the quest for power is more pronounced now than before. Everybody is just desperate for power now and that is why there is power tussle. The option left for us is to put our heads together as stakeholders and football family to find the solution to the problems,” he noted.
Answeringquestions from Daily SunSports on telephone from his base in Bauchi State, the former Glass House boss said the Dream Team VI however deserved some commendations for saving the country from a disgraceful outing.
Asked if he was impressed with the U-23 performance in Rio, he replied: “Winning bronze medal is certainly not good enough for a country like Nigeria that has built a strong reputation. We all know that there are many things that went wrong starting from the pre-tournament preparations like the camping of the players to the lack of motivation.
“Based on what we have read and seen in the media, the performance was not enough. It should not be in our character to accept and settle for bronze medal in a big tournament of this magnitude especially when it comes to sports and soccer which is source of unity for this country.
“However, I want to say that the Dream Team VI deserve commendations because despite all they passed through including locking them out of the hotel in Atlanta USA to the abandonment at the airport yet they did what they did to bail out the country,” he said.
Maigari equally commented on what had become a general impression that everything is going wrong with Nigerian football, admitting that he was as confused as every other soccer-loving Nigeria.
His words: “I am as confused as what is happening to Nigerian football just as every other Nigerian. It is really unfortunate that we found ourselves in this situation. I have tried to know if the administrators, players or even the media should be blamed.”
“I have tried to put what is happening now side by side with what happened during my regime when we participated and won almost virtually all the tournaments we participated. However, what is obvious is that the structures are not just there now.
“We also have to admit that the quest for power is more pronounced now than before. Everybody is just desperate for power now and that is why there is power tussle. The option left for us is to put our heads together as stakeholders and football family to find the solution to the problems,” he noted.
Japanese Govt donates solar power worth $9.7m to Nigeria
The Japanese Government, through its agency, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has donated solar power worth $9.7 million to the Federal Government to boost electricity in the country. The Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr Sadanobu Kusaoke, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday during the inauguration of the project. Kusaoke stated that Japan considered the power sector as one of the most important areas to enhance Nigeria`s socio-economic development. “Since from 1970s, Japan has helped to finance power sector to increase the capacity of power in Kainji dam hydro power station. “This is the 10th project of power sector by the Japan`s Government since then and this will not be our last. “ He said the project which entailed the introduction of clean energy by solar electricity was donated by the government of Japan to boost power and water supply at Usman Dam Water Treatment Plant. “The project is being executed with grant assistance worth Nine Hundred and Eighty Million Japanese YEN (980,000,000 JPY) (equivalent to approximately 9.7 million USD) through JICA, “ he said. According to Kusaoke, stable power supply is crucial to support industry and to improve economy and the lives of people. The Ambassador emphasised the importance of stable power supply to Nigeria`s quest to diversify her economy. He commended the designer of the project, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, for its design, management and the completion of the project on schedule. Kusaoke, who explained that the project was capable of generating 1,496MWH, added that this would result in reduction of N31.5 million per year for payment of the electricity bill. Earlier, Mr Hirotaka Nakamura, Chief Representative of JICA, Nigeria office, said improving core infrastructure including power sector in Nigeria was one of the priority areas of the agency in Nigeria. According to Nakamura, developing alternative energy resources such as solar, wind and hydropower will boost electricity in the country. He explained that the project was designed to introduce a demonstration unit of solar electricity generation system with a view to increasing its economic strength on a sustainable basis. According to the JICA official, with the Japanese assistance, about 1.2 mw of grid connected solar generation will be gained at Usman Dam Water Treatment Plant to supplement electricity supply from the national grid. “Following successful tests on the installed solar system, the first phase of the project with generation capacity of 975kwp is being commissioned today. “The second phase will bring additional 207kwp generation to this system hopefully in January 2017. “ Nakamura further stated that the project would contribute to the improvement of quality water supply in the Federal Capital Territory. He, therefore, appealed to the FCT administration through its water board to handle the project with care and also provide sufficient funds to maintain the generation system. In his remark, Alhaji Hudu Bello, the Director, FCT Water Board, who expressed gratitude to the government of Japan and its agency JICA, said the project would improve revenue accruable from the water sector in the FCT. “This is elaborate project that will improve water supply to the residents of Abuja; it will also reduce the rate at which we consume diesel to pump water, “ he said. Bello said the project would reduce the cost of generating electricity and also contribute power to the national grid to improve supply within the nation`s capital.
Dirty mind'? This photos are not what they look like at first glance
Some photos look like the phallus or male genitalia but when looked at closely shows something different, which points out the significance of camera angles when taking pictures. See more...
How Nigeria can defeat insurgents-Kerry
The United States Secretary of States, John Kerry, on Tuesday, explained how Nigeria can completely defeat the already degraded Boko Haram insurgents group.
Kerry who is on a two-day visit to Nigeria said extremism can’t be defeated through repression or fear.
The US Secretary of States, made the statement while speaking in Sokoto, stressed that the battle against Boko Haram will only succeed if the reasons people join the militant group is addressed and if the government and its military gain people’s trust.
According to Kerry, “We also know that beating Boko Haram on the battlefield is only the beginning of what we must do.
“Building public trust in government also requires cooperation from the military and law enforcement. Extremism can’t be defeated through repression or fear.”
10bn trapped outside Nigeria due to FG, CBN policies
The organised private sector, comprising manufacturers and small businesses in the country, Tuesday, stated that the policies of the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, are killing businesses in the country, while they stated that due to the unfavourable policies, businesses have refused to repatriate about $10 billion into the country. This view was expressed by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN; National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME, and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries, LCCI, at a ‘Stakeholders Dialogue on the Manufacturing Sector in Nigeria’, organised by NOIPoll and the Centre for the Study of the Economics of Africa, CSEA. Generally, MAN, NASME, LCCI and NOIPolls stated that about 272 manufactures are either ailing or have closed shop over the last couple of months, while thousands of jobs are being cut on a daily basis. In his presentation at the forum, Mr. Vincent Nwani, Director, Research and Advocacy, LCCI, called for an urgent review of the CBN’s policy on the restriction of access to foreign exchange placed on 41 items. According to him, CBN has no option but to revisit and review the list, as about16 of the total items in the list, serve as critical raw materials for intermediate goods produced in Nigeria, especially as the country lack the capacity for optimal production of the items. Specifically, he said the ban on oil palm has led to the loss of about 100,000 jobs over the last couple of months, with major blue chip companies in Nigeria relocating to neighbouring countries; while the ban on glass and glassware has led to the loss of 80,000 jobs mainly in the pharmaceutical industry, as companies in this sector now find it difficult to package their products. He said, “Local production of oil palm is put at about 600 metric tonnes annually, but the total demand of the country is put at about 1.8 million metric tonnes. Today, Presco Oil has orders of up to December 2017 to fill, it is presently hard pressed with demands. Listing oil palms among the restricted items meant that we have a shortfall of about 1.2 million metric tonnes. “Some of the items placed on the restriction list by the CBN should be restated until the country develops the capacity to produce them locally. Some of the items need a period of between three and seven years for the country to develop self-sufficiency in their production. “For instance, it takes a minimum of five years for oil palm to be plant and for harvest. The CBN should have given us more time. The manufacturing and industrial sectors lost about N1.4 trillion as a result of foreign issues, while about 780 raw materials needed by the sector were affected by the restrictions placed by the CBN.
37-year-old Nigerian man arrested in India for drug trafficking
The suspect, Adinife Raphael, 37,was arrested after police received a tip-off on his activities. They raided his home on Monday in the Bengaluru police station limits. The police found out that he had destroyed his passport.
Adinife arrived India in 2010. After two years in Mumbai and New Delhi, he settled down in Bengaluru in 2012. His visa and passport expired in 2015, but he continued to stay illegally in the country. Later, he joined a group of drug peddlers, who procured the contraband material from suppliers in Goa. It is alleged that Adinife would supply cocaine to college students in east Bengaluru.
The police have registered a case against him under the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
50-yr-old VGC woman was murdered by gateman over salary
Indications emerged, yesterday, that the 50-year-old businesswoman, whose discomposing body was found in her apartment last week at the Victoria Garden City, VGC, was allegedly murdered by her gate man, following an argument over the latter’s salary. Vanguard was reliably informed that the deceased, Mabel Okafor, who lived alone in her palatial duplex at House J68B, Close 9, VGC, Ajah, had no domestic worker except the gate man. The gate man, with an undisclosed identity, was said to have resumed work about two months ago. He was reportedly brought by the deceased’s former gate man.
A resident who did not want his name in print, said: “Nobody knew that the woman was dead until last Friday. We learned that she was stabbed last Wednesday, but it was not until her church members visited on Friday that they found her decomposing body. “The gate of the building was only bolted, but not locked when the church members came. “One of them said they became apprehensive after several calls to her mobile telephone indicated that her line was switched off, prompting them to pay her a visit, only to be welcome with a stench from her room. “Her body was found on the floor of the sitting room downstairs, with a knife protruding out of her stomach. Gate man’s threat “After her death, some gate men from the suspected culprit’s ethnic group said he had boasted that he would leave an indelible mark on her madam, following argument over increase in his salary. “They said he claimed he was being paid N20,000 but demanded for an increase of N10,000 but the woman refused. The fleeing gate man was quoted by some gate men here to have argued that he usually washed his madam’s car and also swept the compound.” Another resident, who simply gave his name as Goke, said: “Police have not been able to get the gate man since the incident occurred, neither have they been able to reach the one that brought him. “In fact, the gate man went away with her phone. We have been warned several times to employ private guards from registered security companies, but some landlords here do not heed the advice. “Had the fleeing gate man been employed from a registered company, it would have been easy for police to get him. “How can one who owned a property worth about N300 million not be able to employ the services of a registered security agents, but chose to go for cheap labour?
A resident who did not want his name in print, said: “Nobody knew that the woman was dead until last Friday. We learned that she was stabbed last Wednesday, but it was not until her church members visited on Friday that they found her decomposing body. “The gate of the building was only bolted, but not locked when the church members came. “One of them said they became apprehensive after several calls to her mobile telephone indicated that her line was switched off, prompting them to pay her a visit, only to be welcome with a stench from her room. “Her body was found on the floor of the sitting room downstairs, with a knife protruding out of her stomach. Gate man’s threat “After her death, some gate men from the suspected culprit’s ethnic group said he had boasted that he would leave an indelible mark on her madam, following argument over increase in his salary. “They said he claimed he was being paid N20,000 but demanded for an increase of N10,000 but the woman refused. The fleeing gate man was quoted by some gate men here to have argued that he usually washed his madam’s car and also swept the compound.” Another resident, who simply gave his name as Goke, said: “Police have not been able to get the gate man since the incident occurred, neither have they been able to reach the one that brought him. “In fact, the gate man went away with her phone. We have been warned several times to employ private guards from registered security companies, but some landlords here do not heed the advice. “Had the fleeing gate man been employed from a registered company, it would have been easy for police to get him. “How can one who owned a property worth about N300 million not be able to employ the services of a registered security agents, but chose to go for cheap labour?
Abubakar Shekau wounded in NAF’s Sambia raid
Military authorities said last night that following a major air onslaught on major remaining camps of Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa forest, some of the groups’ commanders have been killed. A statement sent at about 1 am said leader of a faction of the terrorists group who recently claimed possession of the Chibok Girls, Abubakar Shekau, was seriously injured in the airforce bombardment. Over a hundred terrorists who were said to be regrouping and planning further attacks were killed in the air raid. The statement reads, “In what one could describe as the most unprecedented and spectacular air raid, we have just confirmed that as a result of the interdiction efforts of the Nigerian Air Force, some key leaders of the Boko Haram terrorists have been killed while others were fatally wounded. “The air interdiction took place last week Friday 19th August 2016, while the terrorists were performing Friday rituals at Taye village, Gombale general area within Sambisa forest, Borno State. “Those Boko Haram terrorists commanders confirmed dead include Abubakar Mubi, Malam Nuhu and Malam Hamman, amongst others. “While their leader, so called “Abubakar Shekau”, is believed to be fatally wounded on his shoulders. “Several other terrorists were also wounded.”
Thursday, 18 August 2016
BREAKING: we'll declare Niger Delta Republic on October 1 -Avengers
The Niger Delta Avengers on Thursday threatened that it will declare a Niger Delta Republic on October 1 should President Muhammadu Buhari fails to restructure the country.
It also said the group is praying for the Buhari-led federal government to discover oil in commercial quantity in the northern part of the country.
NDA had claimed responsibility for major attacks on oil facilities in the region in recent past vowing not to relent until the nation’s economy was completely crippled.
The group’s spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, stated this on Thursday in reaction to President Buhari’s order directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to increase tempo on oil exploration in the North-East.
It said that the discovery of oil in commercial quantity would make Nigerians appreciate what the people of the Niger Delta experienced in the hands of the Nigerian government.
NDA reemphasised that the country was in dare need of restructuring. It accused the present government of dividing the country through her ‘misdirected policies’.
The militants said, “Our prayer for Buhari and the Northern hypocrite (Northern Governors) is that oil should be found in commercial quantity in the North, so they can let the Niger Delta go.
“The Buhari Led government has failed Nigerians with their misdirected policies that has divided the country, as such nobody wants to be part of that failed state not even the Niger Delta.”
The statement added further, “The October 1st, declaration of independence is still sacrosanct, If the Nigerian government fails to retrace its step by restructuring this country.
“We want to warn the general public that those using NDA to defraud people days of reckoning is close.”
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