CBN recovers N6.2 Billion excess charges from Nigerian banks

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8YM7CXx16Fs6W_9C3kmDwPxnnQ4EOSs6e7flCrMSpwK_EEgolblU8hpevHEMSV5Ryy9z8j7JkkVEZ7asaDw4xCPi-VYLDdbQXaR0fCdR8lxLZkmkW3oB6sF93dO16mTyfTM4vNekxl8/s1600/Godwin-Emefiele+cbn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8YM7CXx16Fs6W_9C3kmDwPxnnQ4EOSs6e7flCrMSpwK_EEgolblU8hpevHEMSV5Ryy9z8j7JkkVEZ7asaDw4xCPi-VYLDdbQXaR0fCdR8lxLZkmkW3oB6sF93dO16mTyfTM4vNekxl8/s400/Godwin-Emefiele+cbn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Central Bank of Nigeria on Saturday said it has recovered about N6.2bn from Deposit Money Banks as excessive charges imposed on their customers in 2015.<br /> <br /> The apex bank in a statement issued by the Director,Corporate Communications Department, CBN, Alh Muazu Ibrahim warned banks against imposing illegal charges on their customers.<br /> <br /> The CBN in the statement said it was concerned about the rising number of complaints bordering on excessive bank charges, noting that in 2015 alone, the apex bank investigated about 6,000 of such cases.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It said the apex bank would continue to enforce the revised guidelines on bank charges, stating that any customer who has been illegally charged should complain at the Consumer Protection Department of the CBN<br /> <br /> The statement reads in part, “The Central Bank of Nigeria has received series of complaints from customers of Deposit Money Banks alleging excessive and in some cases illegal charges from their respective banks.<br /> <br /> “The Revised Guide to Bank Charges clearly specifies allowable charges for all banking services and the CBN does not in any way condone the fleecing of banking customers under any guise.<br /> <br /> “It was in the quest to provide a strong voice to banks’ customers and moderate the arbitrary charges that the CBN in 2012, established its Consumer Protection Department.<br /> <br /> “For the avoidance of doubt, the CBN has investigated over 6000 complaints relating to unauthorised bank charges brought to its notice, following which banks have been compelled to refund the sum of over N6.2bn to affected customers in 2015 alone.<br /> <br /> “The CBN wishes to reiterate its resolve to continuously enforce the provision of the Revised Guide to Bank Charges and urges members of the public to report cases of infringement to enable it investigate and apply sanctions on any erring Deposit Money Bank.

Latest-News CBN recovers N6.2 Billion excess charges from Nigerian banks

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Saturday said it has recovered about N6.2bn from Deposit Money Banks as excessive charges imposed on their...

Read more »

Only God can give happiness - Obasanjo

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0bzU7hTXHp_bXKuDQN9pVmuMC8AhkrACghOrR2vYfjPhM651DU7kRUpbEm_y_lJgsjjYLV1IY9R09kcsRKOZXvE35LYBPl_E9x4yDQVqGGKxhJ65Z-9OhgsZ_9wOCMabQnoq3qGNF3A/s1600/obj+new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0bzU7hTXHp_bXKuDQN9pVmuMC8AhkrACghOrR2vYfjPhM651DU7kRUpbEm_y_lJgsjjYLV1IY9R09kcsRKOZXvE35LYBPl_E9x4yDQVqGGKxhJ65Z-9OhgsZ_9wOCMabQnoq3qGNF3A/s400/obj+new.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Ex-president,Olusegun Obasanjo, recently declared that man can only find genuine happiness in Jesus, through Jesus and from Jesus by the grace, love, mercy and providence of God, our heavenly Father, contending that relational connection with God is the source of true happiness.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a> Making a distinction between joy and happiness, the first Nigerian to have ruled the nation twice, said: “When I was in prison, I had joy inside me daily and never was there a dull, sad, sorrowing or dark moment.<br /> <br />  I was always bubbling, active, teaching and preaching to other prisoners. I realize that it was not happiness; it was joy which I derived from finding the presence of God, though I was in incarceration.<br /> <br />  It would be abnormal almost to the point of insanity to say that one is in prison and one is happy.” Obasanjo made the assertion while delivering the keynote address titled; “Man: In pursuit of happiness,” at a Public Symposium to mark the Bible Society of Nigeria, BSN 50th anniversary at Muson Centre, Lagos, arguing that all man’s effort to attain happiness through mortal wisdom will always tantamount to failure if God was not involved.<br /> <br /> According to him, “although I was incarcerated but I still had His joy within me. I did not deserve to be in jail and after my release, I went to great friends, family members including the Alake of Egba Land and I would tell them, Elewon n kii yin (meaning a prisoner is greeting you).”<br /> <br /> Drawing inferences from Aristotle, Napoleon, Adolf Hitler, Augustine, the biblical stories of Cain and Abel, Pharaoh, Naaman, Peter the Great, King Solomon and several other characters, Obasanjo expressed reservation about Aristotle’s definition because “I have come to realize that happiness may not encapsulate all the human desires…man does a lot of bizarre things and makes great acquisitions and possessions in the hope of making himself happy, invariably to no avail.”<br /> <br />  He further argued that happiness and peace may not necessarily go together, stating, “one may have peace and not have happiness. And one may have relative peace around himself without peace inside himself. In the same token, one may have peace around him and yet be unhappy,” noting that man’s failure to achieve happiness was because he continues to look at the wrong direction, rather than fixing his gaze on God who is capable of giving man joy, contentment, happiness and satisfaction.<br /> <br /> “Happiness cannot be accessed by man for man from man because at best happiness attained by man for himself is partial victory or ephemeral”. Obasanjo therefore averred that mankind who lost his sense of significance, identity, security after committing sin in Garden of Eden, can only experience happiness economically, socially, politically, within and around them when he surrenders to the rulership of God, arguing that man’s quest for happiness through power and knowledge will remain a futile effort outside God because we cannot get happiness or satisfaction outside God.<br /> <br /> “God is the author and source of happiness, those who abide in Him experience happiness.” The guest speaker, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, erstwhile Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku commended the efforts of the BSN in translating the Holy Scriptures into 24 Nigerian local languages within 50 years of its existence. Gowon and Shonekan, in their separate remarks, urged Nigerians to put God first in their individual activities, stressing that one cannot achieve anything meaningful without the help of God.<br /> <br />  “We should always put God first in whatever we do in our lifetime.” Gowon, a BSN patron, also urged Christian bodies and individuals to support the good cause of the organization. Describing happiness as an expression of joy, Shonekan said Nigerians should show true love to one another not forgetting the less privileged in their communities.<br /> <br /> Three highpoints of the occasion, besides the senior jokes between the two retired Army Generals bordering on their experiences in government, were the unveiling/presentation of the Legacy Bible said to be largest bible in the world, the instant ordination of the Balogun of Owu Kingdom, and the presentation of Lifetime Award to former BSN CEO, Rev. Fred Odutola as well as Selfless Service Award to Pastor Abraham Akinosun, Pastor (Mrs.) Janet Ohiwerei and Engr. Gabriel Adewumi.<br /> <br /> The Legacy Bible comes in English and four Nigerian languages; Efik, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba with a genuine leather cover and specially-made bamboo case expected to last for 500 years. Only 500 copies of the bible are currently in print and it costs N150,000.<br /> <br /> Some of the dignitaries in attendance included Chairman, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Elder Felix Ohiwerei, former CBN Deputy Governor (Operations), Mr. Tunde Lemo, traditional rulers, representatives of Lagos State and Kogi State governors, of the British and Foreign Bible Society, Bible Society of Ghana and others.

Latest-News Only God can give happiness - Obasanjo

Ex-president,Olusegun Obasanjo, recently declared that man can only find genuine happiness in Jesus, through Jesus and from Jesus by the g...

Read more »

10 Things Women Immediately Notice About Other Women

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQDQocBuclLksmqsgN4WbYjMFAS6m_khGef30GRy-d-NDyOQgRX_1wEsAYtQZwTUd3cnOclC539YSRWDO9twrBj2owmMe9E7xzkvi2Dk9fVznRXaqzMyjdPArYSufbKZC1JNequnlnZs/s1600/istock_18013241_woman_460x315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQDQocBuclLksmqsgN4WbYjMFAS6m_khGef30GRy-d-NDyOQgRX_1wEsAYtQZwTUd3cnOclC539YSRWDO9twrBj2owmMe9E7xzkvi2Dk9fVznRXaqzMyjdPArYSufbKZC1JNequnlnZs/s400/istock_18013241_woman_460x315.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Women aren’t always on the lookout to analyze other women, but when first impressions happen, they happen quickly. Many women will immediately notice certain features or fashions of other women. Words aren’t exchanged, but thoughts are running wild.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Your grocery-store interactions or the looks you give other women in the parking lot may not mean anything, but often these 10 things won’t go overlooked:<br /> <br /> 1. The look on her face<br /> <br /> One of the first things women notice about other women is the expression on a woman’s face. If the woman you’re passing looks you up and down, you automatically feel a little uncomfortable. If she smiles politely, there’s no threat, and you’re back to your errands. The look on a woman’s face can set the tone for the few seconds of silent interaction.<br /> <br /> 2. What bag she’s holding<br /> <br /> Does she have a fancy, fashionable purse slung over her shoulder, or is she holding a grocery bag full of candy? Many women glance down at the purse or diaper bag a woman is holding—this tells a lot about a girl.<br /> <br /> 3. How clean her hair is or if her roots are showing<br /> <br /> Women will then look up and peek at another woman’s hairstyle and cleanliness. If a woman dyes her hair and hasn’t had a touch-up in a while, her roots may show, and another woman will notice. First impressions between two women will most definitely include an analysis of hair style, cut and color.<br /> <br /> 4. How well she did her makeup<br /> <br /> Women have that sixth sense to be able to tell when foundation is too dark or when eyeliner is applied incorrectly. The women you pass may never tell you, but they’ll be certain to notice your makeup that day, or lack of.<br /> <br /> 5. Her weight<br /> <br /> This one seems rude and shallow, and it probably is. But this is a big characteristic women silently take note of. Some women even compare themselves against the woman she passes.Is she bigger than me? Her arms look nicer.<br /> <br /> 6. If she’s surrounded by friends<br /> <br /> If a woman has a posse of girlfriends out with her, other women will notice, and another woman may even feel intimidated. There’s a certain power in a group of women out together, and others can definitely see and feel that vibe.<br /> <br /> 7. If she’s wearing a wedding ring<br /> <br /> Ring-checking is definitely a thing, and women do it too. You may find yourself checking a woman’s hand to see if she’s wearing a diamond. It may not matter whether she’s married or not, but you’ll still look.<br /> <br /> 8. What kind of shoes she has on<br /> <br /> Shoes are another fashion item women check out when passing each other. High heels, for instance, can reveal that a woman likes to dress up, works in a corporate office, has a hot date or just likes high heels. A woman wearing workout sneakers can also show a lot. The shoes may not be that important, but it’s something taken into account.<br /> <br /> 9. How attractive her significant other is<br /> <br /> If a woman is out with her spouse or boyfriend, another woman will definitely analyze it. She’ll analyze if the two look good together or if they’re being affectionate in public.<br /> <br /> 10. How nice her skin/tan is<br /> <br /> A fake tan or a breakout can be seen by a woman a mile away. A woman with smooth, flawless skin and a perfect tan can be the target of jealousy from other women passing by.<br /> <br /> Maybe some of these things seem way too specific, and some women may not notice anything about other women. But many secretly feel each interaction with another woman is a chance to take note of the subtle clues in another woman’s shoes, hair, face and behaviors.<br /> <br /> What signs do you give off about who you are, and what are you noticing about the gals you meet throughout the day?

Latest-News 10 Things Women Immediately Notice About Other Women

Women aren’t always on the lookout to analyze other women, but when first impressions happen, they happen quickly. Many women will immedi...

Read more »

Audu Ogbe loses PVC, fails to vote

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv496kGhb9JcjtFjZp-v95MZFClt4VM5xzO_7KNG0NBmeKZueZKl3JsHAp2KJ0zpO691O1cfM_Dyb0nVsXDpunlv4OIuzJefv_PJ6lnGOxtQ3W8hV84xNBv4z99o-kaJlAGh5HrpOn5Z4/s1600/audu+ogbeh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv496kGhb9JcjtFjZp-v95MZFClt4VM5xzO_7KNG0NBmeKZueZKl3JsHAp2KJ0zpO691O1cfM_Dyb0nVsXDpunlv4OIuzJefv_PJ6lnGOxtQ3W8hV84xNBv4z99o-kaJlAGh5HrpOn5Z4/s640/audu+ogbeh.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> It was gathered that the Minster of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbe could not exercise his civic responsibility in the ongoing rerun in Benue South Senatorial District rerun following his inability to locate his Permanent Voters Card.<br /> <br /> Its was further gathered that while he could not vote, he immediately left his polling unit in Efugo.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Efforts to get Ogbe failed as he refused to answer or respond to SMS to his mobile line.

Latest-News Audu Ogbe loses PVC, fails to vote

It was gathered that the Minster of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbe could not exercise his civic responsibility in the ongoin...

Read more »

Doyin Okupe and Fani-Kayode blast PDP leaders over choice of Sheriff as National Chairman

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizf7fmELe2QzvuuaLc8bKzflnRi4r5oZ2ZP58PzAkJHTZrfw5JqmBM2Ww6nw6303TBBLxQXmLHhA0kEGh0FMHiXUnKG7YHcMk1gMOjeXiRyF1jvS8s0Q1tHaYLC-fJhQiN4rwCGzhnHLY/s1600/Ali-Modu-Sheriff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizf7fmELe2QzvuuaLc8bKzflnRi4r5oZ2ZP58PzAkJHTZrfw5JqmBM2Ww6nw6303TBBLxQXmLHhA0kEGh0FMHiXUnKG7YHcMk1gMOjeXiRyF1jvS8s0Q1tHaYLC-fJhQiN4rwCGzhnHLY/s640/Ali-Modu-Sheriff.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <b><br /></b><b>Two prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party, Femi Fani-Kayode and Doyin Okupe, have lambasted the party’s leaders for installing a former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, as its national chairman.</b><br /> <br /> Mr. Sheriff was picked as the PDP national chairman on Tuesday at the party’s national executive committee meeting in Abuja.<br /> <br /> Apart from his alleged ties with the dreaded Boko Haram, Mr. Sheriff was until 2014 a member of the All Progressives Congress, the product of the 2013 merger talks between his former party, All Nigeria Peoples Congress, and two other opposition parties.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He also served as a two-time ANPP governor of Borno State, a former ANPP senator, and former Chairman of the APC Board of Trustees.<br /> <br /> Mr. Fani-Kayode, who was the spokesperson of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation in the 2015 elections, in an opinion article, lamented that the quality of the party had worsened by Mr. Sheriff’s appointment.<br /> <br /> He said, “What on earth has happened to us? As the Book of Galatians in the Holy Bible asks, “who has bewitched us”? Over the course of the last 17 years, in terms of the quality of party leadership, the PDP has gradually descended into the unceremonious cesspit of mediocrity.<br /> <br /> “Worst still, with the recent appointment of Ali Modu Sheriff as our Acting National Chairman, we have chosen to spit in the wind, sleep with the dogs, dance on the graves of our fallen heroes, piss on the blood and bones of the slaughtered innocents and wallow in the filthy pool of compromise, deceit, doublespeak and shame.”<br /> <br /> Mr. Fani-Kayode, who described Mr. Sheriff as the “indisputable founder of Boko Haram,” said the new PDP chairman “is also the erstwhile godfather and sponsor of Governor Shettima Ali, the present APC Governor of Borno State (until they fell out); he is a man that has a very deep and profound relationship and association with Idris Deby, the President of Chad and he is a man whose son is married to the daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari.”<br /> <br /> According to him, many had argued that Mr. Sheriff’s allegiance was more to the Republic of Chad than it was to Nigeria and that he was an agent of the Chadian intelligence agencies and even a Chadian citizen who often flaunts his Chadian passport.<br /> <br /> “I cannot confirm the veracity of these assertions but one thing that I know is that most of Modu Sheriff’s funding and stupendous wealth emanates primarily from the Republic of Chad, and that that country is as much a home to him as is Nigeria,” Mr. Fani-Kayode said.<br /> <br /> “Yet, it is not his connection with Chad that gives me cause for concern. Rather it is his role in the establishment of Boko Haram. The truth is that appointing him as our Acting National Chairman is like appointing Jack the Ripper as the leader of the Conservative party in Victorian England.”<br /> <br /> The former PDP campaign spokesperson praised the elders in the PDP Board of Trustees, a number of state party chairmen and a number of key individuals in the PDP Ministers Forum for taking a courageous and noble stand by rejecting and resisting the imposition of the “abominable monstrosity”.<br /> <br /> He stated further, “What Ali Modu Sheriff stands for and represents is utterly repugnant to every fiber of my being. Yet I have no objection to his being a member of the PDP simply because politics is a game of numbers. It is a game in which everyone, no matter how big or small, counts. If you want your party to grow and make progress you must accept the good, the bad and the ugly.<br /> <br /> “To this end when he left the APC and joined the PDP sometime back, I was one of those who gladly welcomed him into our ranks and defended him in the public realm. This was at a time when others criticised the party for accepting him.<br /> <br /> “There is however a world of difference between accepting him as one of the many leaders of the PDP and appointing him as the Acting National Chairman. Others may seek to justify such a course of action but I cannot, in good conscience, do so. To me it is a matter of principle.<br /> <br /> “If we accept this, then on what moral grounds did we condemn or oppose the APC or the APC-led Federal Government during the course of the last presidential election?”<br /> <br /> “On what basis can we accept as our National Chairman a man who helped to create an organisation that wishes to establish sharia as the norm in our country, repeal all our criminal and civil laws, ban all our civil liberties and human rights, proscribe the teaching of western education in our schools, turn our women into sixth century sex slaves and abrogate the secularity of our state?”<br /> <br /> Mr. Fani-Kayode argued that if PDP members were comfortable with Mr. Sheriff’s leadership of the party, they had no reason criticising and opposing President Muhammadu Buhari for appearing to support Boko Haram when he (president) said “an attack on Boko Haram is an attack on the north”.<br /> He also argued that if the PDP was comfortable with the Mr. Sheriff as chairman of the party, it should as well go and apologise to the APC for all past criticisms and condemnations and join them.<br /> He demanded to know the basis on which Mr. Sheriff as a man who encouraged the establishment of Boko Haram and supported a group that wished to suspend Nigerian constitution, wipe out the Christian faith and the practice of moderate Islam in Nigeria and create an evil ISIL-type empire in the country should be supported as the national chairman of the PDP.<br /> <br /> He said, “I really do wonder whether those that made this decision have lost all sense of rationality. I wonder whether they have lost their ability to see reason properly and to exercise their discretion in a logical, responsible and lucid manner.<br /> <br /> <br /> “I wonder whether they have lost their fear of God. I wonder whether they have forgotten the evil that was visited on our people, and is still being visited on them, over the last seven years by Boko Haram?<br /> <br /> “I wonder whether they know at whose instance it was that Mohammed Yusuf, the erstwhile leader of Boko Haram, was killed by our security forces whilst in police custody in 2009 just so that he wouldn’t live to tell the whole world who gave him the funds to set up his murderous cult?<br /> <br /> “I wonder whether they have forgotten the terrible havoc that Boko Haram unleashed on our citizens. I wonder whether they have forgotten the tears, wailing and suffering of the bereaved. I wonder whether they have forgotten the slaughter of the innocents. I wonder whether they have forgotten those that were beheaded, those that were chopped to pieces and thrown down wells like dog meat and those that were burnt alive.<br /> <br /> “Simply put has the leadership of the PDP gone completely mad or are they working for elements outside the PDP? Are they suggesting that you need a godless Haramite to run the affairs of the party before we can ever win power at the centre again? Where is the patience and fortitude that is required from true leaders? Where is their faith in God? Where is their sincerity of purpose?”<br /> <br /> Mr. Fani-Kayode said there were so many other people that could have chosen to lead the PDP from the North-East zone where Mr. Sheriff comes from.<br /> <br /> He listed some to include Mohammed Wakil, Nuhu Ribadu, Bala Mohammed, Wilberforce Juta, Aliyu Modibbo, Ahmed Gulak, noting “these are all committed people with impeccable records of public service, high moral standing and good character”.<br /> <br /> He also wondered if the PDP was still the party once led by successive groups of seasoned and formidable intellectuals and great men of power, vision, courage and good character.<br /> <br /> He said, “This is what the party that was founded and once led by giants like President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Tony Anenih, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, General T.Y. Danjuma, Vice President Abubakar Atiku, President Umaru Yar’adua, President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Bode George, Col. Ahmadu Alli, Chief E.K. Clark, Professor Jerry Gana, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Chief Ken Nnamani and so many others has degenerated to? What a pity! What a monumental tragedy!”<br /> <br /> He stressed, “Imposing Ali Modu-Sheriff is an insult to all those that have fought for, led, served, defended, supported and risked everything for the party, at every level, over the last 17 years. Only the deeply malevolent can be comfortable with such an arrangement.”<br /> <br /> Also, Mr. Okupe, who was the special assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan on public affairs, in a statement on Friday, said though the capability of the PDP and its leadership to make grave errors of judgement was legendary, what is intriguing was that even out of power that tendency seemed unabated.<br /> <br /> Stating that though Mr. Sheriff was his longstanding political associate, his choice as PDP national chairman was wrong.<br /> <br /> “Alhadji Ali Sheriff is a longstanding political associate of mine and a very adroit and astute politician of perhaps a sublime class,” he said.<br /> <br /> “But for the post of the national chairman of the PDP, he is a wrong candidate and also coming in at a wrong time.”<br /> <br /> Mr. Okupe, who initially backed Mr. Gulak for the position, said he recalled that many of the proponents of the former Borno governor had said his (Sheriff) strong point was his wealth with which he could use to fund the activities of the party.<br /> <br /> “But the antagonists believe that he is bringing along with his wealth a crushing weight of burden capable of fatally destroying the few strands of moral fibres on which rejuvenation will depend on,” he said.<br /> <br /> “For a morosed and severely prostrate political party, thanks to the overwhelming and effective propaganda machinery of the (opposition) party in power, this may yet be the mortal wound that may cause the eventual haemorrhage of its long perplexed followership.”<br /> <br /> The former presidential aide noted that the present crop of the leadership of the PDP had not fared well, stating that “impunity, presumptive reasoning, highly stratified and restrictive consultative processes, absolute lack of inclusiveness, mercantilism, group conceit with a resultant total disconnect with the main stake holders and the followership are some of the florid signs and symptoms of the terminal disease that is killing this erstwhile great party.”<br /> <br /> Mr. Okupe vowed not to leave the PDP, stating that in spite of the present situation of things “we will continue to engage all who care to listen and deepen consultation across the country seeking help from everyone ready to help to revive this severely challenged sickened giant.”<br /> <br /> He added, “But if it is the divine will of God that our present masters must kill PDP, then by the Grace of God we shall yet tarry at the graveside to bid it farewell.”

Latest-News Doyin Okupe and Fani-Kayode blast PDP leaders over choice of Sheriff as National Chairman

Two prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party, Femi Fani-Kayode and Doyin Okupe, have lambasted the party’s leaders for installing ...

Read more »

Mourinho on his way to Manchester United – report

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kwpXF440GaP3ghSHoUJCkf7O2NnP0fGwApmWdck-ogwBIaP1pF4S1_83nM7Sqv5EtmprIGnMfp1f_YK0-a4ndKeCWA_LBJYNH7sSi0wlYQHYwmK3T84b1G7v4qPG5BlNcc8EQeXpWTo/s1600/mourinho+man+united.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kwpXF440GaP3ghSHoUJCkf7O2NnP0fGwApmWdck-ogwBIaP1pF4S1_83nM7Sqv5EtmprIGnMfp1f_YK0-a4ndKeCWA_LBJYNH7sSi0wlYQHYwmK3T84b1G7v4qPG5BlNcc8EQeXpWTo/s640/mourinho+man+united.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> A ‘happy’ Jose Mourinho will become Manchester United’s next manager, according to reports in Italy Saturday citing a sister of former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti.<br /> <br /> Mourinho, sacked by Chelsea two months ago, has been increasingly linked to Louis Van Gaal’s job at United as the Dutchman continues to struggle at Old Trafford. Reports on Friday claimed Mourinho had a “pre-contract” agreement with United, who lost 2-1 to Danish side Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a>On Saturday Calciomercato.com claimed Bedy Moratti, the sister of former Inter chief Massimo, had lunch with Mourinho and his brother in Milan. Both Mourinho and former Inter and Brazil striker Ronaldo will be guests of the club later Saturday when Inter host Sampdoria at the San Siro. Mourinho led Inter to an unprecedented treble of league, Cup and Champions League in 2010 and, asked if he was missed at the club, she replied: “We miss him as a person, but now he’s happy, he’s going to Manchester (United).”

Latest-News Mourinho on his way to Manchester United – report

A ‘happy’ Jose Mourinho will become Manchester United’s next manager, according to reports in Italy Saturday citing a sister of former Int...

Read more »

We have lost lives, economy because of corruption – Lai Mohammed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mooECioe4Cdl3hj4lS4X2wzu75NYN5LaKJ33LT6sSUP6g-vQFS6f1ZgOmyeYtOQ9engIl9bqQ-12FC4iU5iPHUEG5Do6B0cOj-snHpFl_LtfZTd5HEaOMdTMD8RmjwjGzanFEbLyOwo/s1600/Lai-Mohammed-NE-650x400.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mooECioe4Cdl3hj4lS4X2wzu75NYN5LaKJ33LT6sSUP6g-vQFS6f1ZgOmyeYtOQ9engIl9bqQ-12FC4iU5iPHUEG5Do6B0cOj-snHpFl_LtfZTd5HEaOMdTMD8RmjwjGzanFEbLyOwo/s320/Lai-Mohammed-NE-650x400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has appealed to university teachers across the country to join the ongoing war against corruption by making their voices heard.<br /> <br /> The Minister made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Bello, just before he delivered a paper at the Gani Fawehenmi Students Chambers Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Symposium held at the university on Friday. Lai Mohammed, “I implore you to join the current debate on the war against corruption. Corruption is the single most debilitating factor other than insecurity in Nigeria today.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a>We have lost lives, we have lost an economy because of corruption,” he said. Alhaji Mohammed said that by virtue of their research work and academic prowess, the lecturers are better placed to enlighten the public on the economy, governance and the polity as part of conscious efforts to further enrich the nation’s democracy.<br /> <br />  “I think the university lecturers, the professors are really keeping quiet. You have almost insulated yourselves from politics and governance. Today we hear a cacophony of voices about the economy, governance and the polity from people who don’t have the kind of depth and scholarship that are available in the university. “I will like to watch a television programme and see a professor of law with speciality in corruption or terrorism. I would rather listen to him and I know that many of these professors have done seminal work on these. There must be this town and gown relationship,” he said.<br /> <br />  The Minister commended the University of Lagos for its achievements, especially for being the first university to operate a campus radio and also for its advanced plans to establish the first campus television station, as disclosed by the Vice-Chancellor. Earlier, while welcoming the Minister, the Vice-Chancellor said that as an alumnus of the institution, Alhaji Mohammed remained one of the main drivers of positive change in the country. “With your pedigree, we are sure your performance in that position will be to the dignity of the University of Lagos,” he said. Alhaji Mohammed read law, as a second degree, at the university between 1982 and 1985.

Latest-News We have lost lives, economy because of corruption – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has appealed to university teachers across the country to join the ongoing w...

Read more »

Arsenal 0-0 Hull City: Gunners frustrated by Championship side

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJMMDtNno0K21acJf3jNPCVFSRZR2N26cCp9-bObpjbUtZguAiRCMVJzsGnb08SrkCG9d08Q8QNNhkIikQnoOhUDgpBcIHoY0MV3Px7GIp7IlfhV2haq6O7SnQkNh7xCarwQog69KcOc/s1600/bbbbbb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJMMDtNno0K21acJf3jNPCVFSRZR2N26cCp9-bObpjbUtZguAiRCMVJzsGnb08SrkCG9d08Q8QNNhkIikQnoOhUDgpBcIHoY0MV3Px7GIp7IlfhV2haq6O7SnQkNh7xCarwQog69KcOc/s640/bbbbbb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Arsenal will face an FA Cup fifth-round replay against Hull City after being held to a 0-0 draw by the Championship side at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.<br /> <br /> Arsene Wenger and Steve Bruce fielded weakened sides for their third FA Cup meeting in three seasons and though the Gunners controlled proceedings, they were met with continued resistance from goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott were both denied in the first half before Joel Campbell saw a free-kick turned onto the post and Alex Iwobi was stopped from distance as Arsenal, largely camped in the Hull half, battled to break the deadlock.<br /> <br /> Wenger introduced Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez from the bench but Arsenal were unable to find a breakthrough, meaning they will meet again at the KC Stadium.<br /> <br /> Wenger gave Mohamed Elneny the chance to impress from the start and the Egypt international threatened with just six minutes on the clock when his shot struck Alex Bruce on the arm, with referee Mike Dean waving away Arsenal’s appeals for a penalty.<br /> <br /> Welbeck headed straight at Jakupovic after good work from Walcott and the former Manchester United striker - making his first Arsenal start in 10 months - was denied again by the goalkeeper with a low shot from 10 yards out as the Gunners began to crank up the pressure.<br /> <br /> Jakupovic reacted superbly to divert Walcott's effort from a tight angle away from the bottom corner but Arsenal were given a scare when Harry Maguire went down under slight contact from Campbell inside the area, with Dean opting to book the Hull defender for simulation.<br /> <br /> Jakupovic denied Walcott again from close range just after the break before Iwobi's effort was deflected past the far post as Hull continued to invite pressure from the home side.<br /> <br /> The goalkeeper then tipped Campbell's free-kick onto the base of the post and palmed away a curling Iwobi effort as Arsenal became increasingly desperate.<br /> <br /> Giroud saw a shot saved comfortably a few moments after coming on but Hull spurned a rare chance of their own on the counter-attack when David Meyler fired into the side-netting after being played through by Nick Powell.<br /> <br /> Arsenal continued to push late on, with Sanchez seeing a free-kick punched away and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's header caught on the line in the dying seconds.<br /> <br /> But Hull held on to force a replay which neither the title-chasing Gunners - who face Barcelona in the Champions League next week - nor the Championship promotion hopefuls will consider an ideal scenario.<br /> <br /> (Goal.com)

Latest-News Arsenal 0-0 Hull City: Gunners frustrated by Championship side

Arsenal will face an FA Cup fifth-round replay against Hull City after being held to a 0-0 draw by the Championship side at the Emirates ...

Read more »

South Africa confirms first case of Zika virus

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpixp0Wq-J5vS4TZSrSIacQU4Q4-JMbzkGe5AmjeSMYLgYHB32jRw2sunUbq7uyBCliICRkua35wTMy1vYDhCznngkLUtswyJSo6FRpCHohxi-WoJn_H2QDlKyzmZV9P87Y7UacMLbU4/s1600/zika1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpixp0Wq-J5vS4TZSrSIacQU4Q4-JMbzkGe5AmjeSMYLgYHB32jRw2sunUbq7uyBCliICRkua35wTMy1vYDhCznngkLUtswyJSo6FRpCHohxi-WoJn_H2QDlKyzmZV9P87Y7UacMLbU4/s400/zika1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> South Africa on Saturday confirmed its first case of the mosquito-borne Zika virus.<br /> <br /> The victim is a Colombian who is on a visit to Johannesburg.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The virus, which is causing international alarm after spreading through much of the Americas, was detected in a man on his visit to Johannesburg, Reuters quoted the Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, as saying on the issue.<br /> <br /> “The businessman presented with fever and a rash approximately four days after arrival in South Africa but is now fully recovered,” he said.<br /> <br /> The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global public health emergency on February 1, noting its association with two neurological disorders – microcephaly in babies and Guillain-Barre syndrome that can cause paralysis.

Latest-News South Africa confirms first case of Zika virus

South Africa on Saturday confirmed its first case of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. The victim is a Colombian who is on a visit to Johan...

Read more »

Insurgents still create a sense of fear – Osinbajo

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mdIdRMLrLwnXoOxXhkWIfK7-69Wn673YqIs0tOb9UvGm7BXB6r4CqyosycsqrzVtcTQMFwbDw8XFnQqgOPpkHNEWvokHjj2WTHVxo5GxVjb1UzWWosCWmgxVxbFNTRzXq8hLPn6lEg4/s1600/Osinbajo-504x269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mdIdRMLrLwnXoOxXhkWIfK7-69Wn673YqIs0tOb9UvGm7BXB6r4CqyosycsqrzVtcTQMFwbDw8XFnQqgOPpkHNEWvokHjj2WTHVxo5GxVjb1UzWWosCWmgxVxbFNTRzXq8hLPn6lEg4/s400/Osinbajo-504x269.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Nigerians in the North-East have been commended for their good neighborliness, accommodating internally displaced victims of the insurgency in their own homes and communities. Making the commendation on Saturday, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, noted that even though the insurgents still create a sense of fear, many Nigerians are aware and are “doing their bit to accommodate the IDPs.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He said on its part the federal government is also committed to many of the initiatives put in place to address the situation of the North-East region of the country.<br /> <br /> Although there are economic challenges currently in the country, Prof. Osinbajo said the Buhari administration is determined to restore the infrastructure, de-mine farmlands and make the affected communities safe and habitable again.<br /> <br /> Some of the initiatives in place include the Safe Schools Initiative, Victims Support Fund, VSF, Presidential Initiative on North East, PINE, among others. Those initiatives are now structured under the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiatives, PCNI, for which President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed General T.Y. Danjuma (rtd) to lead.<br /> <br /> According to the Vice President, the federal government is deeply committed to the recovery and rehabilitation of the North-Eastern region and will require the continued support of the United Nations in the effort. Speaking Friday during a meeting with a delegation from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President commended the UN agency for its assistance so far.<br /> <br /> “We are looking forward to much more assistance from the UNHCR,” Prof. Osinbajo told the team led by Mr. Volker Turk, the Assistant High Commissioner, while also acknowledging that the agency has done a lot.<br /> <br /> But he added that there is still a long way to go. Observing that the situation especially with the IDPs in the North-East presented an enormous ongoing challenge, the VP said the UNHCR is “peculiarly equipped to deal with this kind of situation.” “We urge the UNHCR to work with us as closely as possible on the resettlement and rehabilitation of IDPs,” the VP said.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, Mr. Turk while offering the government the continued collaboration of the UN agency, stated that it is the aim of the UNHCR to support and assist the Nigerian government on how to create the space for IDPs’ return to their communities with safety, dignity and sustainability. Also the Vice President received a delegation from the Nigerian Association of Nephrologists led by its president, Prof. B.L Salako.<br /> <br /> The association requested that the federal government should assist in the provision of drugs for victims of kidney disease and also work with the group to standardize dialysis treatment and kidney transplants in the country.<br /> <br /> The Vice President responded stating the importance of nephrology in medical practice and expressed government’s readiness to explore options on how to make the drugs readily available. He lamented that there are people who even don’t know they need dialysis, while many others die because they could not afford the treatment. The VP said the Buhari administration will work with the association to address this situation.

Latest-News Insurgents still create a sense of fear – Osinbajo

Nigerians in the North-East have been commended for their good neighborliness, accommodating internally displaced victims of the insurgenc...

Read more »

Lagos-Kano rail to generate 250,000 job openings - Amaechi

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVFLmzu8PP0PJxrTxrPpW1dB5t30Hk5wuKs_kgoZdM3D93HWRppqOVs4yNjZMZWKFtk5dkt2OO5Bv5063EqjyxDMgn5v25INgBmox3gSTlqkxx3EoW8KtyFzeEMlaQEknUzhOpHrWUmA/s1600/Rotimi-Amaechi+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVFLmzu8PP0PJxrTxrPpW1dB5t30Hk5wuKs_kgoZdM3D93HWRppqOVs4yNjZMZWKFtk5dkt2OO5Bv5063EqjyxDMgn5v25INgBmox3gSTlqkxx3EoW8KtyFzeEMlaQEknUzhOpHrWUmA/s400/Rotimi-Amaechi+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, said on Friday that the Lagos-Kano Rail project would be completed in the next two years. Amaechi, who said this while inspecting the Abuja-Kaduna rail project in Kaduna, added that it would generate employment for 250,000 Nigerians.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a>He said the ongoing rail project from Lagos-Kano and Lagos-Calabar would generate more employment than the Abuja-Kaduna rail modernisation project.<br /> <br /> He further stated that a training institute would be established by the Chinese company to train Nigerians on operations, maintenance and communication.<br /> <br />  “For the Lagos-Kano and Lagos-Calabar rail project, we expect to generate like 250,000 employment opportunities both formal and informal.<br /> <br /> “We are negotiating with General Electric in America to construct a narrow gauge from Lagos to Kano and they cannot run that without training Nigerians. “If the communication system goes down how do we revive it, so they would also teach Nigerians how to maintain it.<br /> <br /> “ If we want to replace it, how do we replace it, so the key thing is transfer of technology and that will be the focus of the ministry.’’ He said government would ensure that the rail service was affordable for the masses.

Latest-News Lagos-Kano rail to generate 250,000 job openings - Amaechi

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, said on Friday that the Lagos-Kano Rail project would be completed in the next two yea...

Read more »

2016 Budget does not exceed N6.08 Trillion — Lai Mohammed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-1XyCF5Uu4QM5GWgk-_f0-QnWSUr4uOFeVsY6z3q4bGoHPnazlckdQJn-SwQZGK-Nd5BeSZw-qzrHUmzTnEIAAPAM4p50dHlib56b1AWMhD_HCfJe3CCZUAi8UUh_8qhq19027d7OXQ/s1600/lai_mohammed_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-1XyCF5Uu4QM5GWgk-_f0-QnWSUr4uOFeVsY6z3q4bGoHPnazlckdQJn-SwQZGK-Nd5BeSZw-qzrHUmzTnEIAAPAM4p50dHlib56b1AWMhD_HCfJe3CCZUAi8UUh_8qhq19027d7OXQ/s400/lai_mohammed_a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said on Saturday said that the 2016 budget was not padded because the total figure voted for all ministries had not exceeded N6.08 trillion.<br /> <br /> Briefing newsmen in Lagos, he said: “The total for every ministry has remained exactly the same as what was submitted to the National Assembly. “A lot has been said about the budget.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a> Let make clear that nobody can ever accuse this government of padding any budget. “The total of all ministries put together has not exceeded N6.08 trillion that was submitted.<br /> <br /> It is factually incorrect to say that the budget was padded. “This is the first time in the history of this country that a government will embark what is called zero based budget. “Before now, the budget system was what was called an enveloped system. In an envelope system, there is no justification as to why we need N30 billion for a structure.’’ “This year, we decide that every ministry must have a zero based budget.<br /> <br /> In other word, you must justify and explain why you need N100 billion. “This is very good system, the soft ware for it was also very different. The personnel were not used to it,’’ “Now, in the process we got to National Assembly. What the ministers do is to have a broad overview of the budget. The template used by the Budget Office is uniform for all ministers.’’ The minister also said exports, balance of trade, Gross Domestic Product were responsible for currency appreciation and depreciation.<br /> <br /> “Before now we use to sell crude for about 100 dollar per barrel which means if we produce two million barrels per day, you have something in the region of 200 million dollar less the expenditure of production and others.<br /> <br /> “But today for the same two million barrels, you have less than 60 million dollar less the cost of production.’’ “Clearly if your major source of exchange is crude and it has gone down from 100 per cent, you have lost 70 per cent of your source. “Secondly, if your balance of trade is surplus, in other word, if you export more than you import, then you are going to have less money to settle other countries. “What the government is doing is to ensure that the little resources we have are properly managed. Part of decision we took was Treasury Single Account.<br /> <br /> “Others include blocking all sort form of corruption and diversify economy so that we can get foreign exchange for other sources,’’ he said.

Latest-News 2016 Budget does not exceed N6.08 Trillion — Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said on Saturday said that the 2016 budget was not padded because the total ...

Read more »

Benue South Re-Run: David Mark wins polling unit

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJk0zZlBzJFcdYu4rnWi0hTu89vAgbpW7EL9cROHxYbFiBA47UCqt68SbwUVJ0hOl5IVd5IoIDqg4o2Au5qtSVeBdpkNt_rKKGZ6bQ2kxXPHw5UZv9Mapttn2DxUGYf6H-k84EVfGYRE/s1600/david+mark2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJk0zZlBzJFcdYu4rnWi0hTu89vAgbpW7EL9cROHxYbFiBA47UCqt68SbwUVJ0hOl5IVd5IoIDqg4o2Au5qtSVeBdpkNt_rKKGZ6bQ2kxXPHw5UZv9Mapttn2DxUGYf6H-k84EVfGYRE/s640/david+mark2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Former Senate President, David Mark, has won his polling unit at the ongoing Benue South Senatorial District Re-run. Mark polled 150 votes against 37 votes of Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the VIP 1, Otukpo Club, Township ward.<br /> <br /> In the nearby polling unit, VIP II, Mark also won by 97 to 19 votes.

Latest-News Benue South Re-Run: David Mark wins polling unit

Former Senate President, David Mark, has won his polling unit at the ongoing Benue South Senatorial District Re-run. Mark polled 150 votes...

Read more »

Buhari rules out Naira devaluation yet again

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JmD_5VRdYD_4pxDwATWmpTUujcln8xohQyHRyCf5XRyATeKtZz2vi6vnh67qPfoFChLPznS6V1DeGyHq6hpwK15zt1lhPTcuw0PZEtXj2NZLZctxWrZG8x7mGztQ4wkgqdWGRAD_h8w/s400/buhari+q.jpg" width="400" /></b></div> <b>President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his opposition to the devaluation of the naira.</b><br /> <b>He said Nigeria cannot compete with developed countries which produce to compete among themselves and can afford to devalue their local currencies.</b><br /> <br /> According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke on Saturday while contributing to a Presidential Panel Roundtable on Investment and Growth Opportunities at the opening of the Africa 2016: Business for Africa, Egypt and the World at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Buhari was quoted as saying that Nigeria could not afford to devalue its currency because the country imports everything, including toothpicks.<br /> <br /> He said, “Developed countries are competing among themselves and when they devalue they compete better and manufacture and export more.<br /> <br /> “But we are not competing and exporting but importing everything including toothpicks. So, why should we devalue our currency?<br /> <br /> “We want to be more productive and self-sufficient in food and other basic things such as clothing.<br /> “For our government, we like to encourage local production and efficiency.”<br /> <br /> The President added that those who have developed taste for foreign luxury goods should continue to pay for them rather than pressure government to devalue the naira.<br /> <br /> He added that the priority of his administration is to ensure national food security before export of food products.<br /> <br /> He stressed that Nigeria being a mono-economy dependent on oil, and with a teeming unemployed youth population, the way out of the current slump in the global oil market, is for the administration to focus on agriculture and solid minerals development.<br /> <br /> “The land is there and we need machinery inputs, fertiliser and insecticides,” he said.<br /> <br /> Buhari expressed optimism that Nigeria would get out of its current economic downturn.<br /> He noted that another major problem militating against economic revival is the huge resources deployed towards fighting insurgency and international terrorism.<br /> <br /> He, however, commended the support being received from the international community in the administration’s fight against terrorism as well as cooperation in tracing looted funds stashed away in foreign countries.<br /> <br /> Responding to a question on his performance since he assumed office, the President said that his administration has been quite focused on three fundamental issues of securing the country, reviving the economy and stamping out corruption.<br /> <br /> “The message on corruption has been driven home vividly and Nigerians are very acceptable to the message,” he said.<br /> <br /> He added that those accused of stealing public funds are co-operating by voluntarily providing useful information while investigations and prosecutions are ongoing.<br /> <br /> In his opening address at the Forum, the Egyptian President, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, said Africa needs to concentrate on transforming into knowledge societies using innovation and research.<br /> The Presidents of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia also participated at the Roundtable.<br /> <br /> In his opening message, the President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, said that “Africa must think big, act big and develop big.”<br /> <br /> Before departing Egypt, Buhari and his Egyptian host, had a bilateral discussion on security, military cooperation, agriculture and solid minerals development

Latest-News Buhari rules out Naira devaluation yet again

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his opposition to the devaluation of the naira. He said Nigeria cannot compete with developed co...

Read more »

Uganda’s Museveni wins fifth term

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlWCdeOMI8EX_kPFq5JMkDOAYJtAujYzKVdKfaxg0FS9OsD6AMVqr8GYgmOYa8WRLHGlb0XFLLaJddZ17tgzZDubJjWoMUd4ZKS22-bIjx1fufk6IRvjTqrXJvK40JFCldh7U0AHX9jg/s1600/Yoweri-Museveni-Uganda-President.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlWCdeOMI8EX_kPFq5JMkDOAYJtAujYzKVdKfaxg0FS9OsD6AMVqr8GYgmOYa8WRLHGlb0XFLLaJddZ17tgzZDubJjWoMUd4ZKS22-bIjx1fufk6IRvjTqrXJvK40JFCldh7U0AHX9jg/s320/Yoweri-Museveni-Uganda-President.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni extended his three-decade rule Saturday, winning a fifth term with 60 per cent of the vote in the country’s election, poll officials said.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “The commission declares Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the elected President of the Republic of Uganda,” Election Commission chief Badru Kiggundu said as he read results.

Latest-News Uganda’s Museveni wins fifth term

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni extended his three-decade rule Saturday, winning a fifth term with 60 per cent of the vote in the coun...

Read more »

5 Easiest Ways To Burn Fats In Your Body

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezPDUJQ99_79DNp2m0YgiRY8Yg81V69dsqWvVV6ZUeNeTFJJyenmbXt_IrtXhCJmDfuNl6bgO34f_qP5ilYsyiHQ-IQalfQtpN7ws6sE47vA0WTBOoL_ENu1Aj62t0yD28Bw3xcshKrk/s1600/fat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezPDUJQ99_79DNp2m0YgiRY8Yg81V69dsqWvVV6ZUeNeTFJJyenmbXt_IrtXhCJmDfuNl6bgO34f_qP5ilYsyiHQ-IQalfQtpN7ws6sE47vA0WTBOoL_ENu1Aj62t0yD28Bw3xcshKrk/s400/fat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Ready to boost your body’s metabolism and burn more fat? There’s no reason to go overboard with any crazy supplements, but there are plenty of easy, healthy ways you can support your goals all day long. From your morning routine to your before-bed rituals, practice these tips to start seeing results.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 1. Morning: Start With Coffee<br /> <br /> Good news! When you’re looking to boost your metabolism, you don’t have to cut out your morning cup of joe. In fact, the caffeine in coffee and green tea naturally stimulates your central nervous system; your daily cup of coffee can boost metabolism by five to eight percent.<br /> <br /> 2. Morning: Eat a Whole-Grain Breakfast<br /> <br /> Skipping breakfast is a big no-no when it comes to stoking your metabolism. Fueling up your body within an hour of rising will rev up your metabolism and help you burn energy effectively all day long. For a satisfying choice that supports your goals, opt for a whole-grain breakfast since they’re loaded up with dietary fiber and complex carbs.<br /> <br /> 3. Afternoon: Drink More Water<br /> <br /> You might think that sitting at your desk can only have negative effects on your metabolism, but as long as you’re guzzling good old H2O, you’re aiding your body’s fat-burning power. One University of Utah study showed that people who drank eight to 12 glasses of water a day burned more fat than those who only drank four. If you’re not used to sipping on water, add these fruity additions that bring some extra flavor and detoxifying powers to your glass.<br /> <br /> 4. Afternoon: Go For a HIIT Workout<br /> <br /> While nearly all forms of exercise will help boost your metabolism, if you want the most bang for your buck, go for a HIIT (high-intensity interval training) plan like Tabata since it can burn a whopping 13.5 calories a minute—and double a person’s metabolic rate for 30 minutes afterward. With a mix of strength-training moves and intense cardio, you’ll be covering all your bases.<br /> <br /> 5. Afternoon: Opt For a High-Protein Lunch<br /> <br /> It’s no surprise that a clean diet helps your body work at its top potential, but protein can take things one step further. According to clinical and holistic dietitian Esther Blum, upping the amount of protein you’re eating is essential since high-protein foods take more work to “digest, metabolize, and use, which means you burn more calories processing them.” Boost your metabolism at lunchtime with a high-protein recipe like this baby kale chicken salad that offers 30 grams of protein per serving.

Latest-News 5 Easiest Ways To Burn Fats In Your Body

Ready to boost your body’s metabolism and burn more fat? There’s no reason to go overboard with any crazy supplements, but there are plen...

Read more »

INEC cancels Imo by-election

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfKEhuV7IchwAXbv9m6QujpqWk_D6g4CW0UhbrjYFsdEKKuAh6KPljjaYn1X-kio1-rycAntr2DWIzRMwePHbEQkGTsx2_ox8flQqWk2b5S9c9VGddkB2w5H3RbB5KlZxkTTSNRbgHFE/s1600/ballot-box2+inec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfKEhuV7IchwAXbv9m6QujpqWk_D6g4CW0UhbrjYFsdEKKuAh6KPljjaYn1X-kio1-rycAntr2DWIzRMwePHbEQkGTsx2_ox8flQqWk2b5S9c9VGddkB2w5H3RbB5KlZxkTTSNRbgHFE/s320/ballot-box2+inec.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has suspended the by bi-elections scheduled to today in different parts of Imo State.<br /> <br /> The position of INEC, which came as a shock to most Imolites, was made public through a press statement issued by the INEC Administrative Secretary, Mr. Chinedu Evurulobi, and made available to newsmen yesterday evening. According to Evurulobi, the Commission had assembled men and materials from the various states of the federation and the Headquarters, Abuja and ready to deploy them to the field, adding that “unfortunately at about 2pm on February 17, 2016, some youths who claimed to have come from Okigwe zone, gathered and barricaded the gate of the Imo State’s Commission’s Headquarters, Owerri”.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Continuing, the Administrative Secretary recalled that a greater number of protesters gathered and blocked the office gate with a big truck on February 19, 2016, thereby preventing the movement of men and materials in and out of the Commission.<br /> <br />  “In view of the foregoing, the members of the inter-agency consultative committee on election security, were invited. After due assessment of the security situation on ground, they advised that the safety of men and materials cannot be guaranteed without casualties”, Evurulobi said.<br /> <br /> Subsequently, the Commission’s Headquarters, Abuja, was contacted and a decision was taken to reschedule the election till further notice, citing breach of peace as provided by Section 26(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) as reason.

Latest-News INEC cancels Imo by-election

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has suspended the by bi-elections scheduled to today in different parts of Imo State....

Read more »

Paul of P-Square denies sacking brother, Jude as Manager

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLUHS3vzkmbeOaQVz5A15Bx8QpBqzvp6LCnU7boJtTss8RPSRT-B1mHhHYoAQtnCdNnupXAdljT8CJUQaUE0esU_XWzbq-Ha8b3YIiGn71nsDYluDGVd3W9ojYsn1x8dT29l9IR_qzQo/s1600/p+square+brother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLUHS3vzkmbeOaQVz5A15Bx8QpBqzvp6LCnU7boJtTss8RPSRT-B1mHhHYoAQtnCdNnupXAdljT8CJUQaUE0esU_XWzbq-Ha8b3YIiGn71nsDYluDGVd3W9ojYsn1x8dT29l9IR_qzQo/s400/p+square+brother.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Contrary to the news that surfaced on social media following one half of pop duo, P-Square, Peter Okoye’s outburst that the group has sacked their elder brother- manager, Jude, Paul has distanced himself from the claim.<br /> <br /> Paul took to his Twitter page to say, ‘This is where I belong and this is where I stand…you do music in the studio, not on social media, you have family issues, you discuss that in close doors, not on social media…Family is family, blood is blood…If you don’t do family business, then who am I to you?”<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Meanwhile, ‘Don’t Break my Heart’ singer, Cynthia Morgan, who is signed to Jude Okoye’s Northside Entertainment has debunked the reports that she is pregnant for Jude. She also took to her Twitter page to write, ‘FYI I am not pregnant for Mr Jude Okoye, My Boss. My relationship With him is Strictly Business And Highly Professional. Thank you.’<br /> <br /> Many fans had inferred that Cynthia’s pregnancy for Jude was responsible for Peter’s latest outburst. This is coupled with the fact that Peter alleged that Jude stole Cynthia from him by signing her to his label after discouraging him from doing that.

Latest-News Paul of P-Square denies sacking brother, Jude as Manager

Contrary to the news that surfaced on social media following one half of pop duo, P-Square, Peter Okoye’s outburst that the group has sac...

Read more »

I never collected money from Ghaddafi, Jonathan, Obanikoro - Gani Adams

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCXrmmxj1XH518MQ7FD7lfLpCZ2g11MMxyA1MpQpZ_5Y3Cwpw-i5rZoB8IuMRW5e3oE5vf96Axh0PdSHPBMthxeYGUoA-ctfZLt8zKV_cufKYJRVsGnr76wWqmIfCb5t1t-PThL62nig/s1600/gani_adams.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCXrmmxj1XH518MQ7FD7lfLpCZ2g11MMxyA1MpQpZ_5Y3Cwpw-i5rZoB8IuMRW5e3oE5vf96Axh0PdSHPBMthxeYGUoA-ctfZLt8zKV_cufKYJRVsGnr76wWqmIfCb5t1t-PThL62nig/s400/gani_adams.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> National Leader of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams has denied allegations by some members of his group that he collected the sum of $22 million from late Libyan President, Muammar Gaddafi, N9 billion from former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan and N1.6 billion from former Minister of State, Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.<br /> <br /> He also denied that he disrespected Yoruba traditional rulers or acted against the laws of the land. Gani Adams It will be recalled that some former State Coordinators of the group were recently dismissed from the Congress for acts bordering on indiscipline, anti-congress activities and outright corruption.<br /> <br />  The expelled State Coordinators include Maruff Olanrewaju Salami of Kwara State as well as Chief Adeagbo Musediq and Rotimi Akinsonwon Oyo and Ondo coordinators respectively.<br /> <br /> The members, who accused Adams of financial immodesty, also called on the EFCC to investigate some aides of Adams such as Ogunshola Olugbade and Femi Felix, who they referred to as his ‘fronts.’ He explained that he had never set his foot on the soil of Libya, neither had he met late Gaddafi or his agent at any time.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “Let me state here that when this issue first came up, I took it upon myself to write a petition to the State Security Service, SSS, informing them of the allegation and pleading with the Service to help investigate its source in order to get to the root of the matter. “As I speak with you, I am still awaiting the response to my petition.<br /> <br /> Having said that, I want to once again plead with the SSS to, as a matter of urgency, make sure that these people who made these grievous allegations against me are made to prove the source of their allegations, and if they are not able to do so, then they should be made to face the law. “It is important to explain this, because, by my understanding, it is more than four years now that the Libyan leader died.<br /> <br /> They should explain what the money was meant for and how it was sent to me. Such huge amount of money could not be transferred to an individual secretly, so they need to explain how I received the money”, he said.<br /> <br />  On the N9 billion, he said he had earlier been accused by the then APC Spokesperson, Lai Mohammed, that, former President Jonathan gave him N9 billion as payment for the pipeline surveillance contract and support for election. According to him, “It is on record that we have not received any money from the government as payment for the pipeline contract. Such allegation coming from a person who today occupies the office of the nation’s Minister of Information is rather unfortunate and sad.”

Latest-News I never collected money from Ghaddafi, Jonathan, Obanikoro - Gani Adams

National Leader of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams has denied allegations by some members of his group that he collect...

Read more »

Corruption battle is constitutional, says Lai Mohammed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFO9JqEbHjh7aVnkMsHI3BBJ2iUH9amK7iN73xMZHtNMphSTCYN9wmrnoDHk71UutG3k_dcRui6Ih5-H17WiecNkF-06Kgqf5Ocqr6G4pilPD6csW-h_NawLam5x6T2itZoCsNwms1V6U/s1600/lai+mohammed+w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFO9JqEbHjh7aVnkMsHI3BBJ2iUH9amK7iN73xMZHtNMphSTCYN9wmrnoDHk71UutG3k_dcRui6Ih5-H17WiecNkF-06Kgqf5Ocqr6G4pilPD6csW-h_NawLam5x6T2itZoCsNwms1V6U/s640/lai+mohammed+w.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says the present Administration will continue to fight corruption within the confines of the Rule of Law, but warned that it (Rule of Law) was not intended to be used as a weapon to hamper the dispensation of justice.<br /> <br /> ”In response to the ongoing anti-corruption efforts of the government, an increasing number of voices have emerged in defence of suspects being indicted for various acts of corruption by the courts of law under the banner of upholding the Rule of Law.<br /> <br /> ”Let me stress that the Rule of Law is not and was never intended to be used as a line of defense for suspects undergoing trial for corrupt practices in the courts of law that are lawfully constituted and endowed with the legitimate authority to carry out same trial,” the Minister said at a symposium organized by the Gani Fawehinmi Students’ Chamber of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He said the Administration is a product and true advocate of the Rule of Law, and that ”there is no greater proponent of that time-tested legal principle than Mr. President himself.” The Minister said there was nothing questionable in the Administration’s approach to fighting corruption, adding:<br /> <br /> ”The government is bound by law and is following the Rule of Law in its anti-corruption efforts. Were this not the case, the accused persons so far charged would not be having their day in court.” He said each society had used methods expedient to it to fight corruption at different times in their own history, citing the example of Singapore which once fought corruption by suspending rule of law and fundamental rights.<br /> <br /> ”The current Nigerian government has not requested for emergency powers to tackle corruption, even though some school of thought unequivocally believes that Nigeria is in an emergency, with high unemployment, unpaid salaries, reduced income, insurgency, reduced oil income and primitive looting of the treasury by the immediate past administration,” Alhaji Mohammed said. Rallying support for the fight against corruption, he said the battle is a constitutional imperative, and quoted Section 15 (5) of the Constitution, which says:<br /> <br /> “The State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of office.” ”So, President Buhari was only giving life to this very important provision, with all his targeted actions against corruption and his rallying cry to all Nigerian patriots in the forefront of the war: ‘Nigeria must kill corruption before corruption kills Nigeria’. I hope you will join us in this epic battle, because it is not Buhari’s war, it is not APC’s war.<br /> <br /> It is Nigeria’s war of survival,” the Minister said. Discussants at the symposium, including Mr. Femi Falana and Mr. Jiti Ogunye, expressed support for the anti-corruption battle, saying those who are charged with corruption cannot use the bogey of the Rule of Law to escape justice.

Latest-News Corruption battle is constitutional, says Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says the present Administration will continue to fight corruption within th...

Read more »

D’banj vows to record a new song with Don Jazzy

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MNxm_-wO8w7HVCjzGdbmbmieC4DtFK7ECpo_2QnbZNp99e-PnZ-Zm5uiIDEr0mmxCW2ql1ur9fsErdZmoaq0LDo8uJ43lzRvo6YUaUYMH8-IT_1oTKu9LtcrdEplEl0o6G4jFVsDsMk/s1600/Dbanj-and-Don-Jazzy-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MNxm_-wO8w7HVCjzGdbmbmieC4DtFK7ECpo_2QnbZNp99e-PnZ-Zm5uiIDEr0mmxCW2ql1ur9fsErdZmoaq0LDo8uJ43lzRvo6YUaUYMH8-IT_1oTKu9LtcrdEplEl0o6G4jFVsDsMk/s400/Dbanj-and-Don-Jazzy-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj has promised to do a song with his former Mo’Hits Records partner, Michael Collins Ajereh, better known as Don Jazzy.<br /> <br /> Performing at an event in honour of Senator Ben Murray-Bruce’s 60th birthday, Friday night, the Koko master said he is willing to do a song with the Mavin boss once, he gets a beat from him.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Senator Bruce, Chairman of Silverbird Entertainment Group, while on stage with the self-styled Mr. Entertainer asked that the duo bury the hatchet and work together on a song. According to him, ” do this for me, it is my birthday request.”<br /> <br /> Responding, D’ banj said; ” Sir, I have given serious consideration to this. Before I came on stage, I went to Don Jazzy and asked him to join me on stage<br /> <br /> ….If he (Don Jazzy) gives me a beat today, the song will be ready the next day.” Artistes who performed at the show for free in honour of Ben Bruce are Bonsue Fuji exponent, Adewale Ayuba, Tuface, Timaya, Vector, Sound Sultan, MI, Jesse Jagz, Wizkid, Dr. Sid, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, D’banj among others. Dignitaries at the event include: Former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke and his wife, Onari; former Akwa Ibom State governor Godswill Akpabio; former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu; serving Senators, captains of industry, beauty queens across Africa to mention but a few.

Latest-News D’banj vows to record a new song with Don Jazzy

Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj has promised to do a song with his former Mo’Hits Records partner, Michael Collins Aje...

Read more »

NASRDA not institute of free sex, says agency

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4usfr-Ksm0x7IVbA_ixD4203u48dpQBTg8CyY5nRZmyGwvLZkp0hYteo3QA8Z5PBAgyLGAlHBg5_cIeqCt53azodqWQn_i63yH4xC-eRIJkB2K5c6-X70azEdY23pzpGacj1g5shp514/s1600/NASRDA-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4usfr-Ksm0x7IVbA_ixD4203u48dpQBTg8CyY5nRZmyGwvLZkp0hYteo3QA8Z5PBAgyLGAlHBg5_cIeqCt53azodqWQn_i63yH4xC-eRIJkB2K5c6-X70azEdY23pzpGacj1g5shp514/s320/NASRDA-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> The National Space Research and Development Agency on Friday said it was not true the agency had turned to an institute of free sex.<br /> <br /> This was in reaction to a report titled, “Free sex institute space agency stinks in office romance, partner snatching,” which was published by a newspaper on February 17, 2016.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The agency said the report, which described it as a place of sexual harassment, was an exaggeration of the situation on ground.<br /> <br /> The newspaper article was based on a circular issued by the management of the agency, titled “Caution on harassment among members of staff of NASRDA and its activity centres.”<br /> <br /> The Head of Media and Corporate Communications of the agency, Dr. Felix Ale, said in a statement that it was true that the said memo was pasted on the institute’s notice board.<br /> <br /> However, he said the memo was not in any way a reaction to any happening that borders on sexual harassment as asserted in the publication, but rather a management strategy to instil discipline and decorum in its staff members.<br /> <br /> He said, “You would agree with me that with the picture painted by the publication, no organisation would be able to thrive as well as realise its set objectives and goals in such a precarious situation. It would also please you to know that the case of the couple referred to (in the newspaper report) is a case of misunderstanding between husband and wife, and the management believes it is a domestic issue, which can be best handled by the parties involved. This is a sensitive issue that borders on marriage and involves a man, woman, and their children. They should be left to handle the matter and do not need such interference.<br /> <br /> “The National Space Research and Development Agency is a reputable institution saddled with the developmental responsibility of taking the nation to great technological heights, a feat we have been able to achieve to an appreciable level, given the crop of engineers and scientists we have. They are men and women with high level of cerebral intelligence, mindful of the great task ahead of the space agency.<br /> <br /> “I, therefore, state categorically that the assertions in the publication are malicious and not a true reflection of the reality on ground. The publication is detrimental to the image of the agency and would definitely send the wrong messages to the public.”

Latest-News NASRDA not institute of free sex, says agency

The National Space Research and Development Agency on Friday said it was not true the agency had turned to an institute of free sex. Thi...

Read more »

Jonathan’s abducted nephew found dead in Bayelsa

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMP171_Y-E_zoenH-sdKQo2W4TqUmlbpRXHYaJvGHh6aE6O7JKXdrJX_soXV8LBok0_aI-d7XZArzZ25H0QGyBbP1xHrK6VtSW7_OPGAzdh2O38X8mJvVwHvoSaNw-wJyR77HIqyuTRI/s1600/Jonathan+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMP171_Y-E_zoenH-sdKQo2W4TqUmlbpRXHYaJvGHh6aE6O7JKXdrJX_soXV8LBok0_aI-d7XZArzZ25H0QGyBbP1xHrK6VtSW7_OPGAzdh2O38X8mJvVwHvoSaNw-wJyR77HIqyuTRI/s640/Jonathan+s.jpg" width="640" /></b></a></div> <b><br /></b><b>Mr. Samuel Oki, a nephew of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was today found dead in a creek in Otuoke community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.</b><br /> <br /> The 35-year-old was reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday alongside the 72-year-old foster father of Jonathan, Chief Inengite Nitabai.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It was learnt that some fishermen from the former President’s community in Otuoke, discovered Oki’s decomposing body floating on Otuoke river while fishing, two days after the abduction.<br /> <br /> <br /> Some indigenes of the community said though many were not aware of Oki’s whereabouts during the abduction of Nitabai, the discovery of his body in the creek has, however, heightened their fears of Nitabai’s safety.<br /> <br /> Some community members claimed that the sound of gunshot heard during the abduction of the septuagenarian might have been targeted at the deceased.<br /> <br /> A community source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said “We are worried about the safety of our uncle, Chief Inengite Nitabai. The men that abducted them have killed Oki and we pray they don’t touch our uncle.”<br /> <br /> The deceased, community sources said, was always seen in company with Nitabai.<br /> <br /> The villagers, who were reportedly seen discussing the sad incident, alleged that the young man (Oki) tried to resist the kidnappers.<br /> <br /> According to them, divers and local fishermen had recovered the body and anchored it by the riverside to prevent the body from being washed away.<br /> <br /> This is the second time Nitabai has been kidnapped. He was first kidnapped On February 28, 2014 and later freed by security forces on March 10, 2014.<br /> <br />

Latest-News Jonathan’s abducted nephew found dead in Bayelsa

Mr. Samuel Oki, a nephew of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was today found dead in a creek in Otuoke community, Ogbia Local Government...

Read more »

IN PICTURES: Buhari departs Nigeria for Egypt

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOdkMtr1e6SvPTMjFcUKLC7JNhrZHIM50erEOZARh8UyvKABun_vX0LRjpwXAiKEYFExVrJ6Tj0r2RaGeE1jq3PN5dKscz6pPkufewnaTqPeYn1uvBTTLXZScU4S18UR4e_G6QTEVpfc/s1600/VV1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOdkMtr1e6SvPTMjFcUKLC7JNhrZHIM50erEOZARh8UyvKABun_vX0LRjpwXAiKEYFExVrJ6Tj0r2RaGeE1jq3PN5dKscz6pPkufewnaTqPeYn1uvBTTLXZScU4S18UR4e_G6QTEVpfc/s640/VV1.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> President Buhari has departed Abuja for Egypt where he will be attending the Business for Africa, Egypt and ‎the World Forum.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0N8IxqD3ITWT-dlm35XqPUZn0Q77yqe7hu02WXZRE8ZRswjUeQTCMYmH1PtBHeVTzCjT1okB5yZ4ksSQ5cN1mqJ3E1r2yH_NeyIn1uGwqIJlcw5EYa1JERzFH0v_3uaDudo7EbYNhmtI/s1600/vv2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0N8IxqD3ITWT-dlm35XqPUZn0Q77yqe7hu02WXZRE8ZRswjUeQTCMYmH1PtBHeVTzCjT1okB5yZ4ksSQ5cN1mqJ3E1r2yH_NeyIn1uGwqIJlcw5EYa1JERzFH0v_3uaDudo7EbYNhmtI/s640/vv2.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhwXylOQChtC3haSjg-UP1-3KOa90pO8XguC_DKQcWoLmBN51LYCDypbtBv1DYI9G3N_t7VEUN2LUdfYKDKz6ZhU37tArFrW8md2AQiwwDMQ9G6wG_XQpuPG5C8BECX8DaAGQqsdrM04/s1600/vv3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhwXylOQChtC3haSjg-UP1-3KOa90pO8XguC_DKQcWoLmBN51LYCDypbtBv1DYI9G3N_t7VEUN2LUdfYKDKz6ZhU37tArFrW8md2AQiwwDMQ9G6wG_XQpuPG5C8BECX8DaAGQqsdrM04/s640/vv3.png" width="640" /></a></div>

Latest-News IN PICTURES: Buhari departs Nigeria for Egypt

President Buhari has departed Abuja for Egypt where he will be attending the Business for Africa, Egypt and ‎the World Forum.

Read more »

Dollar Scarcity: Bank officials direct customers to black marketeers

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQamtTgwFPc6mSfFdUQOMrmv05L-GtZhdI6JFISCgl9MM1Ul0DwKOui8IzEQeAiBtbMo8FYZsFedpieVwmGYd8ZHsgFum2VBQeiJREMA-onJ-bURz17u7QHRIMiR7kJ2kuZ_lyk3LSfc/s1600/dollars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQamtTgwFPc6mSfFdUQOMrmv05L-GtZhdI6JFISCgl9MM1Ul0DwKOui8IzEQeAiBtbMo8FYZsFedpieVwmGYd8ZHsgFum2VBQeiJREMA-onJ-bURz17u7QHRIMiR7kJ2kuZ_lyk3LSfc/s400/dollars.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Due to the scarcity of dollars in the circulation, banks have surprisingly started to encourage their clients to patronise black marketeers, reports <i>Punch Newspaper</i><br /> <br /> Our source who visited some banks in the Dugbe area of Ibadan, Oyo State, observed that information displayed on the boards at the banks early on Thursday put the sale of dollars at between N365 and N369.50k. Later on Thursday, however, the naira tumbled significantly in the parallel market hitting 391 against the dollar.<br /> <br /> <br /> However, officials at some of the banks said an order had to be placed because the currency was not available.<br /> <br /> A foreign exchange officer in one of the banks revealed that the price at his bank was not fixed as it changes daily. He said if our correspondent was in need of the currency immediately, it was better to approach the black market in the Sabo area of the city to purchase the dollars — at a higher rate, though.<br /> <br /> He said, “Depending on the amount you want to purchase, you may have to place an order, but the price keeps changing. The price you see today might change tomorrow. In fact, it now changes every day.”<br /> <br /> At a First Bank branch in the city on Wednesday, our source met an importer of generator parts, Kunle Olatunji, who had approached the bank for foreign exchange transaction.<br /> <br /> According to Olatunji, who has a store at Ogunpa market in the city, he had earlier visited the bank on Tuesday and was told to check back on Wednesday to complete his transaction. On the day of the appointment, the trader was disappointed because he was told that he could only get less than what he wanted.<br /> <br /> He said, “I had sent some money to my agent in Japan, but he told me that I had to complete the money before he could send any goods. I resorted to using agents because of travelling expenses since dollar rate became inconsistent and excessively high. It was a bit risky, but I had to take a decision to save cost and remain in business.<br /> <br /> “I needed at least $5,000 more and if you consider that in today’s exchange rate, it is high. The naira I had on me on Tuesday, which I thought would be enough, could not purchase the amount of dollars I need. Today, I was told that it had gone up.”<br /> <br /> When one of our correspondents visited the Guarantee Trust Bank on Ojodu-Berger Road, a female bank official initially asked our correspondent how much dollars he required and for which purpose.<br /> <br /> After being told that it was for an overseas transaction, she asked if the same would be conducted through her bank, but our correspondent answered her in the negative.<br /> <br /> “Actually, we have so many people who keep coming here every day because we have none available at the moment. There is a waiting list. If you need it urgently, there is a man (bureau de change operator) around the corner (just beside the bank). You can talk to him and he may make some arrangements,” she said.<br /> <br /> It was learnt that the bureau de change operator in question works in concert with some officials of the bank on the buying and selling of dollars.<br /> <br /> A customer later told one of our correspondents that the officials at the bank always direct people to the bureau de change operator, highlighting the belief that many banks are taking advantage of the customers because of the dollar scarcity.<br /> <br /> At one of the old generation banks in Bauchi, a staff of the bank simply said, “Go to the black market and buy it there; we no longer sell dollars, but if you have, you can bring and deposit.”<br /> <br /> When asked when it could be found at the bank, he simply said, “Mah, my brother, you can get it when Buhari fulfils his promise of making $1 equivalent to N1.”<br /> <br /> A banker who works at Eco Bank stated that the bank does not have dollars. He hinted that the best way to get the green back was at the black market, but said that they (the black marketeers) don’t sell at the official rate.<br /> <br /> He also advised that while dealing with the black marketeers, clients should be careful because most of the marketeers had started selling fake dollars.<br /> <br /> He said that if anyone wanted to transact business with them, it was advisable to ask the seller to meet them at a bank where the dollar currency could be checked to ensure that it is not fake.<br /> <br /> “We have not had dollars here in a while. In fact, we don’t sell dollar. If you really need it, you would have to go to a licensed bureau de change. But I advise that you ask them to come to the bank so as to ensure you are not buying fake dollars,” he said.<br /> <br /> At a branch of Zenith Bank, a customer care officer told our correspondent that the bank did not have dollars to pay out “at the moment.”<br /> <br /> “We don’t have dollars at the moment. You don’t necessarily need to have a dollar account with us to buy dollar from us, but even now, there is scarcity,” she said.<br /> <br /> She, however, suggested that our correspondent should try the black market or check back at a later date.<br /> <br /> Also, at a First Bank branch in Lagos, an official revealed that the bank does not sell dollars to people unless those who have domiciliary accounts with the bank.<br /> <br /> He, however, added that for those who want to pay for their children’s tuition in dollars, they could use Form A to do so.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, a source at a branch of Union Bank at the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja said that apart from the dwindling dollar reserve in the bank, there had been a rising demand for dollars, including by parents who want to pay the school fees of their children schooling abroad.<br /> <br /> The source noted that due to the shortage of dollars made available to banks by the CBN and the rising demand, the bank had put a limit on the number of transactions that could be carried out per day.<br /> <br /> “Sometimes, we have people in the queue for such transactions, but once we reach the limit for that day, people have to come back the following day, but due to the pressing demand and the fact that it is on first come first served basis, they now come early to form the queue. As expected, some are angry and displeased with the development, but we are helpless,” he said.<br /> <br /> During a visit to Access Bank in the city, a young lady who was in charge of Western Union transactions said that the bank had not had dollars since late last year. She further disclosed that the Western Union Money transfer was not operational and that Money Gram service was most times unavailable.<br /> <br /> “We have not had dollars since about September last year. It has been like that since the forex rate got on the high side. As I speak to you, the Western Union Money Transfer is currently offline and even Money Gram service has been very erratic,” she said.<br /> <br /> She, however, advised our correspondent to try the black market if the need for dollars was urgent. At a branch of the United Bank for Africa, the Western Union Transfer was operational, but it was learnt learnt that dollar was scarce in the bank too.<br /> <br /> A customer care representative said that the last time the bank had the currency was in November 2015.<br /> <br /> The banker advised that if the dollar was needed to pay school fees for anyone abroad, the way to go about it was to ask the bank to help pay the money after the customer had put money in their naira account.<br /> <br /> “If you need the dollars to pay school fees, what we suggest you use is what we call a Form A. For that, you need to have an account with the bank, fund your account and the bank would pay the fees for you at the official rate. But you would need to present some documents to us, such as a letter of admission or acceptance letter and passport,” he said.

Latest-News Dollar Scarcity: Bank officials direct customers to black marketeers

Due to the scarcity of dollars in the circulation, banks have surprisingly started to encourage their clients to patronise black marketeer...

Read more »

N225, 000 donation for judge’s father-in-law’s funeral, not bribe – Rickey Tarfa

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbz4bdhsbQjyCarGJQFedfwZar6Ijc6p2hvoCyCl7Tj3dwteBhnAah2MKUBUiv8aEVE4eeo7gIlHNJCyduz6yNLWSyiGAvHS6AO2e9GlAYSWD1bjH326u2-TBto7wPIQ3WgUN7IpUs1k/s1600/tarfa-ricky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbz4bdhsbQjyCarGJQFedfwZar6Ijc6p2hvoCyCl7Tj3dwteBhnAah2MKUBUiv8aEVE4eeo7gIlHNJCyduz6yNLWSyiGAvHS6AO2e9GlAYSWD1bjH326u2-TBto7wPIQ3WgUN7IpUs1k/s640/tarfa-ricky.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Rickey Tarfa, has described as untrue the allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that he gave a bribe of N225,000 to Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court.<br /> <br /> Tarfa said this in a further affidavit filed on Friday before the court and deposed to by the head of his chambers, John Odubela<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The EFCC had, in a counter-affidavit to a N2.5bn fundamental rights enforcement suit filed against it by Tarfa, alleged that the senior advocate bribed Justice Yunusa with N225, 000 on January 7, 2014.<br /> <br /> But Odubela said though it was true that Tarfa sent N225,000 to Justice Yunusa as EFCC had said, the money was not a bribe but a donation made by some friends of Justice Yunusa towards the funeral rites of his father-in-law, Alhaji Audi Damasa.<br /> <br /> Tarfa, through Odubela, also described as untrue the claim by the EFCC that Justice Yunusa acknowledged the receipt of the alleged bribe by a text message which read, “Thank you, my senior advocate.”<br /> <br /> He said, “Contrary to paragraphs 31, 54 and 55 of Moses Awolusi’s (EFCC operative) counter-affidavit, the access to the applicant’s firm’s Access Bank account details was done by the respondents after the arrest and detention of the applicant on February 5, 2016 without consent and authority of the applicant.<br /> <br /> “That the applicant did not, January 7, 2014, bribe Justice M.N. Yunusa with N225,000 or any other sum at all.<br /> <br /> “That it was common knowledge in the legal circles that Justice M.N. Yunusa lost his father-in-law, Alhaji Audi Garba Damasa on December 28, 2013 in Maiduguri and travelled there to attend to the funeral rites.”<br /> <br /> Tarfa had sued the EFCC to protest his alleged unlawful arrest and detention by the commission on the premises of the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere.<br /> <br /> He is seeking N2.5bn as compensation for exemplary and aggravated damages as well as a public apology occasioned by his alleged unlawful arrest and detention.<br /> <br /> Tarfa is being represented by no fewer than 34 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, led by Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN).<br /> <br /> While arguing Tarfa’s suit on Friday, his counsel, Ayorinde, claimed that his rights were violated.<br /> <br /> The EFCC, through its lawyer, Mr. Wahab Shittu, however urged the court to dismiss Tarfa’s suit with a “substantive punitive cost for lacking in merit.”<br /> <br /> Shittu said Tarfa’s arrest was not unlawful because the EFCC arrested him on reasonable suspicion and had already charged him to court, where he had already been arraigned with trial fixed for March.<br /> <br /> He said, “Exemplary and aggravated damages can only be granted if it is established that the action of the respondents is high-handed; the applicant has to also show that the action of the respondent is wanton. But in this case, it is clear that the respondents were carrying out their statutory duty.”<br /> <br /> After listening to both parties, Justice Idris fixed February 29 for judgement.<br /> <br /> The EFCC arrested Tarfa on February 5 on the premises of the Lagos State High Court for allegedly obstructing operatives of the EFCC from arresting two suspects of economic and financial crimes by allegedly hiding the said suspects in his jeep.

Latest-News N225, 000 donation for judge’s father-in-law’s funeral, not bribe – Rickey Tarfa

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Rickey Tarfa, has described as untrue the allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission th...

Read more »

FG committed to rebuilding North-East – Osinbajo

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDUkkVdSVXuKyvB07pnFqN9ppweH8ktNOHQu35XAwc26nASZdllEcvejwkqfzSyBIo0FXodHW0ZsWoE4sgJJ8v6aN9Wce27eQ6RewldPQ_2SJnkdovze73cIwkiXz8nhWu_g_DZ87C1E/s1600/Osinbajo3-e1435063423132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDUkkVdSVXuKyvB07pnFqN9ppweH8ktNOHQu35XAwc26nASZdllEcvejwkqfzSyBIo0FXodHW0ZsWoE4sgJJ8v6aN9Wce27eQ6RewldPQ_2SJnkdovze73cIwkiXz8nhWu_g_DZ87C1E/s400/Osinbajo3-e1435063423132.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said Federal Government is committed to the rebuilding of the North-Eastern states that have been ravaged by the Boko Haram sect.<br /> <br /> He said on Friday that the government would rebuild the affected communities and make them safe and habitable.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice-President spoke during a meeting with a delegation from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. While commending the UNHCR for its assistance so far, Osinbajo was quoted to have requested for more assistance to enable the government to achieve its aim.<br /> <br /> “We are looking forward to more assistance from the UNHCR,” the vice-president told the team led by the UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner, Mr. Volker Turk.<br /> <br /> He said although the commission had done a lot, there is still a long way to go.<br /> <br /> He listed some of the initiatives put in place to address the situation of the North-East to include the Safe Schools Initiative, Victims Support Fund and the Presidential Initiative on North-East, among others.<br /> <br /> Osinbajo said the initiatives were now structured under the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiatives for which President Muhammadu Buhari had appointed Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.) to lead.<br /> <br /> While noting that the situation in the North-East presented an enormous challenge, the VP said the UNHCR is “peculiarly equipped to deal with this kind of situation.”<br /> <br /> He said, “We urge the UNHCR to work with us as closely as possible on the resettlement and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced People.’’<br /> <br /> Osinbajo also commended Nigerians in the North-East for accommodating the IDPs in their own homes and communities.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, Turk said it is the aim of the UNHCR to support and assist the Federal Government.

Latest-News FG committed to rebuilding North-East – Osinbajo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said Federal Government is committed to the rebuilding of the North-Eastern states that have been ravaged...

Read more »

I couldn’t afford N50 to watch EPL matches in viewing centers – Iheanacho

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeUxF68eV6dEy2Z9VVKdRt0L0rZNJx4o7RPlKPwWsD7DixLNDTL-JSUX49cFxPyPvQWyXSpWWwB0S-fl5Y33xF2Jg4NrHTurbrqqx0HYjin0vYF4eB2slxXQYKSwApOiuL8fb1i0DjLc/s1600/Ihenacho+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeUxF68eV6dEy2Z9VVKdRt0L0rZNJx4o7RPlKPwWsD7DixLNDTL-JSUX49cFxPyPvQWyXSpWWwB0S-fl5Y33xF2Jg4NrHTurbrqqx0HYjin0vYF4eB2slxXQYKSwApOiuL8fb1i0DjLc/s640/Ihenacho+away.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Weekends in Nigeria often follow a pattern. Hundreds of men, women and children crowd around televisions desperately trying to catch a glimpse of any English football.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Crowds will be out in force on Sunday for Manchester City’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Chelsea and with the chance to watch one of their own — City striker Kelechi Iheanacho.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite being 4,500 miles away from Stamford Bridge these devoted fans in Imo, the Nigerian state where the teenager was born, will pay N50 to squeeze around a TV in the hope of seeing him.</span></div> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They are the lucky ones.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As a child, Iheanacho was not so lucky and in his first major newspaper interview since bursting onto the scene this season, the 19-year-old reveals the hardship he felt as a youngster.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brought up in what he describes as a ‘poor area’, he was one of the worse-off kids and could rarely afford even N50 to watch football.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iheanacho has flourished in this season’s FA Cup, scoring at Norwich in the third round before a hat-trick against Aston Villa in the fourth. City’s squad signed his match ball and could be heard singing the fans’ chant of ‘Ihean-atch-io’ inside the Villa Park dressing room while their shy star performed media duties outside.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With nine goals already under his belt in an excellent debut year, he is ready to lead the line for City at Stamford Bridge but has no recollection of ever seeing an FA Cup tie back home.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘We didn’t have the money,’ he says. ‘Maybe after the game I’d hear the scores and all that. I’d be at home playing football and my friends would come back after being there to tell me. We didn’t have a television at home.’</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iheanacho is quiet at first, not entirely comfortable with opening up about his childhood, his knees twitching as he explains that his family would use what little money they had on bread rather than luxuries like television.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is a demeanour far removed from the nerveless striker who belies his teenage years on the pitch.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘Sometimes I watched the Spanish league — it was a bit cheaper, maybe 30 naira,’ he adds. ‘But the Premier League was 50. Sometimes I’d watch the Premier League if I found the money, or I’d go there and beg them to let me in. Or sneak in for the second half and pay half the money.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘I support Barcelona because I watched the Spanish league. I saw Yaya [Toure] playing for Barcelona… and now I’m playing with him. It’s a dream come true.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘I have to be my own man but he is a big influence in Africa. He has done a lot in Africa and I hope to do that as well.’</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toure, along with fellow Ivorian Wilfried Bony, took Iheanacho under his wing when City manager Manuel Pellegrini unexpectedly refused to sign a striker last summer because there was an academy lad capable of stepping up without the need to gain experience by going out on loan.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Early in his career Iheanacho had been due to sign for Porto but he has no regrets on turning his back on the Portuguese club when City came knocking two years ago.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">His father James persuaded him to move to the ‘very cold’ north west of England with City paying Nigeria’s Taye Academy £350,000 after scouts were impressed with the striker at the Under 17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates where he was named player of the tournament.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then came a short stint at MLS side Columbus Crew in 2014 before Pellegrini put him on the bench at West Bromwich Albion on the opening weekend this season. He has not looked back.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘I wasn’t expecting that,’ he says. ‘I was working with the EDS [Elite Development Squad]. He said I was going with them to Australia in pre-season and after we came back I was in the first team. I was a bit surprised.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘You feel a bit nervous, these are great players. It’s important to listen.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘I’m happy playing with them now and they give me confidence to play, they encourage me a lot. That doesn’t mean I’ll disrespect them or feel I’m one of them now. I wouldn’t just do anything I liked — I’ve got to keep my head down, keep working hard.’</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iheanacho admits finding that drive did not come easily at school, even though his mother, Mercy, was a teacher. She passed away in 2013, a few months before his life-changing Under 17 World Cup, and her memory serves as a constant source of determination.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘It was hard for us when my mother left us,’ Iheanacho reflects, suddenly holding back tears. ‘We couldn’t do anything so I said to myself “move on and keep working hard”.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘She makes me work harder. When I’m not doing something right, or when I’m not playing or working hard enough, then I remember her. She pushed me to work hard.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘There are jobs [back home] but football has always been with me. When I was growing up they didn’t want me to do it because my mother was a teacher — they wanted me to go to school. But I love football and wanted to play — they wanted to stop me but couldn’t.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘They wouldn’t allow me to play out after school but I went out anyway. Maybe I lost a bit of focus on my studies.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘It’s amazing when you go back home now, when you remember how you were before. You go back home and all those people are calling your name, shouting. I get mobbed by the kids. They want to see you, want to know you.’</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXSPmKhj_HOgu9iXYIkwk5d9Z50XVpVUluqU0mbqrPj0VJKuPEs4a-Tl1D1SZ51Ltq4TDOMhnfcoLALakodWTmF4bOWEtjPqvbeGNNsTpBei1LVjn_Fh4uELtLMan-Ppg7APAShXwfww/s1600/Ihenacho-x-Kanu-560x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXSPmKhj_HOgu9iXYIkwk5d9Z50XVpVUluqU0mbqrPj0VJKuPEs4a-Tl1D1SZ51Ltq4TDOMhnfcoLALakodWTmF4bOWEtjPqvbeGNNsTpBei1LVjn_Fh4uELtLMan-Ppg7APAShXwfww/s400/Ihenacho-x-Kanu-560x400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nigerian football legend Nwankwo Kanu certainly knows Iheanacho, whose contract runs until 2019. The former Arsenal striker was at the Etihad campus after City’s defeat by Leicester earlier this month to spend half an hour with his country’s most exciting prospect.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Born in the same state, Kanu feels he has an attachment to the prodigy, often travelling back to Africa during his playing days to coach the Taye Academy team that included Iheanacho.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iheanacho idolised Kanu while banging a football against the walls of the buildings where football was being screened inside.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now there are plenty of kids pretending to be Manchester City’s No 72.</span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Source: Daily Mail</i></b></span></div>

Latest-News I couldn’t afford N50 to watch EPL matches in viewing centers – Iheanacho

Weekends in Nigeria often follow a pattern. Hundreds of men, women and children crowd around televisions desperately trying to catch a gli...

Read more »