Nigerian Eye

We will make it difficult for people to bypass our economic policies -CBN Governor

20:05 Unknown 0

Latest-News We will make it difficult for people to bypass our economic policies -CBN Governor

Nigeria should have a national day of crying monthly - Aregbesola

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Latest-News Nigeria should have a national day of crying monthly - Aregbesola

We have evidence of plans by opposition to sabotage government -FG raises fresh alarm

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Latest-News We have evidence of plans by opposition to sabotage government -FG raises fresh alarm

Gunmen kidnap three travelers in Ondo Community

19:01 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiMLYyx7i-Se45ylfMa2dHSs1tRmkjFunsMRjmxSphplqLv6XXM-SyQj27TxW7qH5xLp9LoQIOuRyhJIv3KqpXGoOUvIovCfbhRM1tiGLYy4p_tzO7kHDKGJduPojRhVQMBFnVWzNtEM/s1600/Gunmen-750x430+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="750" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiMLYyx7i-Se45ylfMa2dHSs1tRmkjFunsMRjmxSphplqLv6XXM-SyQj27TxW7qH5xLp9LoQIOuRyhJIv3KqpXGoOUvIovCfbhRM1tiGLYy4p_tzO7kHDKGJduPojRhVQMBFnVWzNtEM/s320/Gunmen-750x430+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Three persons traveling in a Toyota Corolla car and Mitsubishi Pick up Van coming for a wedding at Ikare Akoko have been reportedly kidnapped by suspected gunmen along Auga-Ikare road in Ondo state.<br />
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The men were abducted on the same spot where Olori Agunloye, the wife of the Alauga of Auga and her driver were kidnapped last year between Auga and Ise Akoko.<br />
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A woman who is a wife to one of the victims was left with her two children to report the case for possible negotiation on ransom.<br />
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The police in Ikare in conjunction with vigilante group had swung into action by combing the bush to rescue the victims and arrest the criminals.<br />
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The Alauga of Auga, Oba Samuel Agunloye said two things must be applied to eliminate or reduce the menace.<br />
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He said for kidnapping and other criminalities to be reduced, there should be Army formation with police outpost in the area.<br />
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He disclosed that Ipele-Isua-Auga Akunu-kabba federal highway needed to be rehabilitated for free flow of vehicles.<br />
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As at the press time, no family had been contacted for negotiations.<br />
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Latest-News Gunmen kidnap three travelers in Ondo Community

Three persons traveling in a Toyota Corolla car and Mitsubishi Pick up Van coming for a wedding at Ikare Akoko have been reportedly kidnap...

My pregnant customer paid with my husband’s ATM card -Nigerian lady cries out

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Latest-News My pregnant customer paid with my husband’s ATM card -Nigerian lady cries out

Kaduna, FCT pilgrims boards announce N1.5m as 2019 Hajj fare

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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGHfIN7bfJBNXL3Ad9hXe_Q7y35QdDha29eLN8I7vgcdL_n5VEy9PPQsOhTlsrU7Mvm5v-Xa3ml1eTUddO6SO1KX8upcC0fGWF38iJaE_vH1BnjXREi4irG9-sAzKnndkqzcE0MzNfUI/s1600/Hajj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="750" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGHfIN7bfJBNXL3Ad9hXe_Q7y35QdDha29eLN8I7vgcdL_n5VEy9PPQsOhTlsrU7Mvm5v-Xa3ml1eTUddO6SO1KX8upcC0fGWF38iJaE_vH1BnjXREi4irG9-sAzKnndkqzcE0MzNfUI/s320/Hajj.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kaduna State and the Federal Capital Territory, on Saturday, announced N1.5million as the 2019 Hajj fare for intending pilgrims in the state.<br />
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The boards’ Public Relations Officers, Malam Yunusa Abdullahi, and Muhammad Lawal disclosed this in statements in Kaduna and Abuja respectively.<br />
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The statements revealed that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria had approved N1, 549,297.09 as the 2019 Hajj fare for intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The intending pilgrims would also get a flat Basic Travel Allowance of $800.00.<br />
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Kaduna State’s Abdullahi said that the state overseer of the board, Imam Hussaini Ikara, explained that the fare was arrived at after computation of all hajj components, including accommodation in Makkah and Madinah respectively.<br />
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“No provision was made for minimum and or maximum BTA as practised in the past.<br />
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People who have performed hajj in the last four years are to pay additional charges of 2,000 Saudi Riyals, the equivalent of over N162,000.<br />
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However, Ikara urged the intending pilgrims to hasten their payments as the process of acquiring visa had since commenced and the need to pay the balance of the fare to NAHCON on schedule.<br />
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(NAN)

Latest-News Kaduna, FCT pilgrims boards announce N1.5m as 2019 Hajj fare

Kaduna State and the Federal Capital Territory, on Saturday, announced N1.5million as the 2019 Hajj fare for intending pilgrims in the sta...

Obasanjo speaks on insecurity in Nigeria, reveals who govt must contact

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Latest-News Obasanjo speaks on insecurity in Nigeria, reveals who govt must contact

Indonesia may be bombed next week via Wi-Fi networks – US warns

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Latest-News Indonesia may be bombed next week via Wi-Fi networks – US warns

Bundesliga title: Ribery, Robben on bench for last Bayern home game

15:35 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33eX5Equy3pfDnhCP_EZ_AavO6mxo-tjkeuhErZLJH1ZDBkmr0JAENEi731rz3sPiHjcjWg9LnnvNqaxd__cwmo-e7i-rsFifejGDPYY5ov38r822pEg316ayfWDI_jY4D10u7hCPQhs/s1600/Arjen-Robben-Franck-Ribery-Bayern-Munich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="700" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33eX5Equy3pfDnhCP_EZ_AavO6mxo-tjkeuhErZLJH1ZDBkmr0JAENEi731rz3sPiHjcjWg9LnnvNqaxd__cwmo-e7i-rsFifejGDPYY5ov38r822pEg316ayfWDI_jY4D10u7hCPQhs/s320/Arjen-Robben-Franck-Ribery-Bayern-Munich.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Arjen Robben have been named on the bench for their last home match with Bayern Munich as the team looks to seal the Bundesliga title against Eintracht Frankfurt.<br />
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Coach Niko Kovac instead preferred the younger pairing of Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry to start Saturday’s match in which a home draw will secure Bayern a seventh straight championship.<br />
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Rafinha, another long-serving Bayern player who will depart at the end of the season, was also named on the bench.<br />
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Goalkeeper captain Manuel Neuer and midfielders James Rodriguez and Javi Martinez are out injured.<br />
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Should Bayern lose to Eintracht, Borussia Dortmund could win the title with victory away to Borussia Moenchengladbach.<br />
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Latest-News Bundesliga title: Ribery, Robben on bench for last Bayern home game

Arjen Robben have been named on the bench for their last home match with Bayern Munich as the team looks to seal the Bundesliga title agai...

REVEALED: Real reason Gov. Ganduje moved against Emir Sanusi

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Nail biters are more vulnerable to diseases, says expert

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FIRS to impose VAT on online transactions – Fowler

15:35 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G1KugTuFEyy2Jux4GtSoLoF3_ESZqBhU58RJb0nYsu1UFLFEMDf0aAHYMVKl7eMwOhyhldoPZ9fCVOVknJypHRyeJt-GeWEn5KCk_VYLYBXr-1KnIhXC_jsqKavoWVxOlpfSvf-ZvRY/s1600/Fowler-firs-750x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="750" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G1KugTuFEyy2Jux4GtSoLoF3_ESZqBhU58RJb0nYsu1UFLFEMDf0aAHYMVKl7eMwOhyhldoPZ9fCVOVknJypHRyeJt-GeWEn5KCk_VYLYBXr-1KnIhXC_jsqKavoWVxOlpfSvf-ZvRY/s320/Fowler-firs-750x430.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says it will soon begin collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on online transactions.<br />
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The Chairman of the agency, Mr Babatunde Fowler, made the disclosure in an interview with the newsmen in New York on Saturday.<br />
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Fowler said: “soon, we will ask banks to impose VAT on online transactions for purchases of goods and services.<br />
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“Not that it is something new; it actually should be in existence.<br />
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“We will certainly follow up to make sure that every VAT that is due to be collected is collected.”<br />
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He explained that the move was part of measures by FIRS to meet its N8 trillion revenue target for 2019.<br />
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Fowler said the agency had started taking action against companies and businesses that refused to embrace the Federal Government’s tax amnesty programme.<br />
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According to him, FIRS hopes to generate between N750 billion and N1 trillion from the clampdown, which includes closure of defaulters’ bank accounts.<br />
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“We are going after everybody. I am sure you have heard that we have placed lien on some accounts of defaulters that have a billion naira turnover annually.<br />
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“So certainly, we are not leaving anyone out of the tax net,” he said.<br />
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Officially known as the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme, the tax amnesty programme was launched in 2017.<br />
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It gave tax defaulters a one-year period of grace to declare and settle their unpaid taxes.<br />
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There have been complaints by some taxpayers of being wrongly targeted by FIRS in the clampdown.<br />
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Asked to comment on that, Fowler admitted, blaming it on “administrative error,” arising from the huge number of accounts involved.<br />
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“Well, there is certainly one or two instances where we made administrative error, but when you are looking at over 50,000 accounts, there is a tendency that sometimes an error might be made.<br />
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“For those that we made errors on, I wrote them personally apologising and of course we lifted the lien on their accounts.”<br />
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On plans by the Joint Tax Board to raise the country’s tax population to 45 million, Fowler said the agency was relying on multiple information sources.<br />
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These, according to him, include the country’s Bank Verification Number database and sister agencies with relevant information.<br />
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Latest-News FIRS to impose VAT on online transactions – Fowler

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says it will soon begin collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on online transactions. The Cha...

Committing suicide won’t take one to hell -Daddy Freeze tackles Pastor Adeboye’s son

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You are not God – Ohanaeze attacks Amaechi for saying Igbo won’t be president

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Free Naira Marley: Nigerians protest in front of EFCC’s office in Lagos (VIDEO)

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Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu attacks Buhari govt for honouring Abiola instead of Gen. Aguyi Ironsi

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FULL LIST: Dozie, Odili, Dasuki… the billionaires who own MTN Nigeria

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Do you know you can contract Gonorrhea through deep kissing?

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You will weep for Nigerian women when you sit among some men -Twitter user

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="You will weep for Nigerian women when you sit among some men in beer joint, barber shop, others- Twitter user says" src="https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5cdfb6a170a52.PNG" /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">A male Twitter user has taken to the social media platform to reveal what some men in his neighbourhood say about their partners during time out with friends .</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">According to @mhagayr some of these men treat their wives like commodities.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> Continue to read his tweets below:</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="You will weep for Nigerian women when you sit among some men in beer joint, barber shop, others- Twitter user says" src="https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5cdfb6ad6444c.PNG" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="You will weep for Nigerian women when you sit among some men in beer joint, barber shop, others- Twitter user says" src="https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5cdfb6b9b4673.PNG" /></div>

Latest-News You will weep for Nigerian women when you sit among some men -Twitter user

A male Twitter user has taken to the social media platform to reveal what some men in his neighbourhood say about their partners during t...

Igbo don’t have anything to bargain for 2023 presidency -Amaechi

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Governor Bello reveals when he’ll clear backlog of salaries in Kogi

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Anyone who refuses to sit at home on May 30 deserves death – Nnamdi Kanu

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Why we are investigating Gov. Okorocha – EFCC

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Emefiele reveals 5-year plan for Nigeria

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The Yoruba deserve 2023 presidency, the Igbo are not a serious people

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‘My Yahoo friends are stingy’ — Singer, Oristefemi wants internet fraudsters to support musicians

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God will bring Ganduje, Sanusi together again -Shettima

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I overcame challenges in office through prayers -Jonathan

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Adeleke asks supreme court to sack Oyetola

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How I survived 124 days in Saudi prison -Zainab Aliyu

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Man City innocent until proven guilty – Guardiola

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Bulkachuwa’s son campaigned for Buhari, Atiku, PDP tell tribunal

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FG may degrade Enugu airport

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Kim, Kanye name their newborn son, Psalm West

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Maje didn’t waste 13 years of my life- Toke Makinwa insists

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FG to demolish Murtala Muhammed airport

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Ambode receives Diouf, Kanu, Zokora, other soccer legends

18:15 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOI_mtApPzQNf0_TP_ANBLWB-H0hY4eVpCTbSg_1uhUqSIENIv2KzZc_nXx5T2zjI5CTu80PRjPtjYBH6el6XMnTetQEp4dT_hldQ7WvVGU9xcT0PbZfk3EwTaXXn4HKMeE7yMz8-CCg/s1600/Gov-Ambode-750x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="750" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOI_mtApPzQNf0_TP_ANBLWB-H0hY4eVpCTbSg_1uhUqSIENIv2KzZc_nXx5T2zjI5CTu80PRjPtjYBH6el6XMnTetQEp4dT_hldQ7WvVGU9xcT0PbZfk3EwTaXXn4HKMeE7yMz8-CCg/s320/Gov-Ambode-750x430.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has urged African countries to look inward and explore the possibility of using sports to grow their economies, saying it remains a veritable tool to foster growth and development.<br />
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Ambode said this on Friday when he received some top African football legends at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja.<br />
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The soccer legends will be participating in a testimonial match on Saturday at the Agege Stadium in honour of the governor as he prepares to exit office.<br />
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They include Kanu Nwankwo, Finidi George, Victor Ikpeba, El Hadji Diouf, Diomansy Kamara, Didier Zokora, Khalilou Fadiga Austin Eguavoen, Mutiu Adepoju, Waidi Akanni, Uche Okechuku and Seydou Keita.<br />
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Ambode said the sense of brotherhood in sports must be played up for the benefit of the continent in terms of scaling up the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of African countries.<br />
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He recalled an initiative of his administration known as Project T.H.E.S.E which stands for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Arts and Sports for Excellence.<br />
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Ambode said right from inception, machinery was set rolling to use sports to grow the economy and tourism in Lagos.<br />
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“We have always used sports to build bridges, and there is this sense of brotherhood anytime that you switch on your television and there is an African playing on any line-up, be it Liverpool, be it Tottenham.<br />
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“That feeling is always there and that brotherhood is something that we can use to grow the economies of African nations.<br />
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“I had this dream when I came in as governor that I could use sports, tourism, entertainment and arts with some sense of hospitality to promote excellence.<br />
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“So, I had something called Project T.H.E.S.E and my dream was to catalyse everything around sports and use it to build tourism and also grow the GDP of Lagos.<br />
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“So, that was the dream and why we promoted as many sporting activities as possible, so that we could create a platform for tourism which made many people to travel here, and just like you have come now,” he said.<br />
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The governor said though four years may not be enough to do everything, he was grateful to God for the opportunity to serve the people, just as he expressed optimism that the next administration would take it up, improve on it and ensure that the dream and vision for sports development does not die.<br />
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“I am very honoured that you are all here in Lagos to celebrate with me as I finish my tenure in Lagos State. This match is not only for me but for the good of humanity.<br />
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“We are not promoting it because we want to make money out of it, but we are actually showcasing the fact that there is still something to be done about sports development in Africa, and then particularly in Nigeria.<br />
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“We have lost a lot of resources and economic growth because people cannot match sports with the economy, and that is the mis-match that we are having here.<br />
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“I mean, the question is why do I have to travel to Madrid to go and watch La Liga, meanwhile I will pay airline, pay for hotel and grow the economy of Spain? That is what Africa has to find out,” he said.<br />
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Speaking on behalf of the footballers, Diouf thanked Gov. Ambode for the opportunity given him and others to be in Nigeria to see the fans, vowing to run the show with exciting display during the match on Saturday.<br />
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Also speaking, Aliou Goloko, a French sports journalist, said Ambode deserved to be commended and appreciated for making Lagos a safe place.<br />
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He said that the soccer legends were also drawing inspiration from the purposeful leadership of the governor.<br />
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Latest-News Ambode receives Diouf, Kanu, Zokora, other soccer legends

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has urged African countries to look inward and explore the possibility of using sports to grow their ...

Gov. Lalong elected as Chairman of Northern Governors Forum

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If You Are Thinking Suicide, Use Me As A Source of Inspiration–Actress Eucharia Anunobi Remembers Her Dead Son

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Shepherd House Church to unveil CCTV details of how minister committed suicide

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Guardiola reveals club he’ll manage next season amid rumoured links to Barcelona, Juventus

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FULL LIST: Teni, Burna Boy, Mr Eazi nominated for BET awards

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<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><img alt="Burna Boy, mr Eazi and Teni are nominated for BET Awards 2019" height="277" src="https://w9r9i7y2.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Burna-Boy-6-e1558093522757-770x534.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Burna Boy, Mr Eazi and Teni, three Nigerian artistes, have been nominated alongside top international music acts for the 2019 edition of the BET awards.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The ‘Dangote’ singer alongside Mr Eazi bagged nomination for the best international act award category. They will be competing with South Africa’s AKA; French pop singer, Aya Nakamura; Dosseh, a French rapper, and English rapper– Giggs.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Teni was nominated for the best new international act category alongside Headie One (U.K.); Sho Madjozi (South Africa); Jok’Air (France); Nesly (France), and  Octavian (U.K.).</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cardi B, US hip-hop star, is the lead nominee for the awards with a total of seven nominations, next to Drake who scored five.</span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nipsey Hussle, deceased US rapper, was also nominated for a posthumous award.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The award, which is scheduled to hold on June 23, will be aired live from the Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here’s the full list below;</span></div>
<div class="Raw-s14xcvr1-0 AXWJq" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Video of the year</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">21 Savage ft. J. Cole -A Lot</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cardi B – Money</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cardi B ft. Bruno Mars -Please Me</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Childish Gambino -This Is America</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Drake -Nice for What</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Carters – Apes(asterisk)(asterisk)t.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best female R&B/pop artist</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beyoncé – Ella Mai</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">H.E.R. – Solange</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SZA – Teyana Taylor</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best male R&B/pop artist</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anderson .Paak</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bruno Mars</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Childish Gambino</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chris Brown</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">John Legend</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Khalid</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best female hip-hop artist</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cardi B</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kash Doll</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lizzo</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Megan Thee Stallion</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nicki Minaj</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remy Ma</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best male hip-hop artist</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">21 Savage</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Drake</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">J. Cole</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meek Mill</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nipsey Hussle</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Travis Scott</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best new artist</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blueface</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">City Girls</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Juice WRLD</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lil Baby</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Queen Naija.</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best group</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chloe x Halle</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">City Girls</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lil Baby and Gunna</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Migos</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Carters</span></div>
</div>
<div class="Raw-s14xcvr1-0 AXWJq" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best collaboration</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">21 Savage ft J. Cole – A Lot</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cardi B ft. Bruno Mars – Please Me</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cardi B ft J Balvin & Bad Bunny – I Like It</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">H.E.R. ft Bryson Tiller – Could’ve Been</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Travis Scott ft Drake -Sicko Mode</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tyga ft Offset -Taste</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Album of the year</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cardi B – Invasion of Privacy</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella Mai – Ella Mai</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meek Mill – Championships</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Carters – Everything Is Love</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Travis Scott – Astroworld</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Viewers’ choice award</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cardi B ft J Balvin & Bad Bunny -I Like It</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Childish Gambino – This Is America</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Drake – In My Feelings</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella Mai – Trip</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">J. Cole – Middle Child</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Travis Scott ft Drake – Sicko Mode</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Erica Campbell ft Warryn Campbell – All of My Life</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fred Hammond – Tell Me Where It Hurts</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kirk Franklin – Love Theory</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Snoop Dogg ft Rance Allen – Blessing Me Again</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tori Kelly ft Kirk Franklin – Never Alone</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best actress</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Issa Rae</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Regina Hall</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Regina King</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Taraji P. Henson</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tiffany Haddish</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Viola Davis</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best actor</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anthony Anderson</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chadwick Boseman</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Denzel Washington</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mahershala Ali</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Michael B. Jordan</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Omari Hardwick.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="Raw-s14xcvr1-0 AXWJq" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best movie</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blackkklansman</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Creed 2</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If Beale Street Could Talk</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Hate U Give</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Youngstars award</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Caleb McLaughlin</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lyric Ross</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Marsai Martin</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Michael Rainey Jr.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Miles Brown.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="Raw-s14xcvr1-0 AXWJq" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sportswoman of the year</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Allyson Felix</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Candace Parker</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Naomi Osaka</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Serena Williams</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Simone Biles.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="Raw-s14xcvr1-0 AXWJq" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sportsman of the year</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kevin Durant</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">LeBron James</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Odell Beckham Jr.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stephen Curry</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tiger Woods.</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">BET HER award</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alicia Keys – Raise a Man</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ciara – Level Up</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">H.E.R. – Hard Place</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Janelle Monae – PYNK</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Queen Naija – Mama’s Hand</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Teyana Taylor – Rose in Harlem</span></div>
</div>
<div class="Raw-s14xcvr1-0 AXWJq" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Video director of the year</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Benny Boom</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Colin Tilley</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dave Meyers</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hype Williams</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Karena Evans</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best international act</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">AKA (South Africa)</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aya Nakamura (France)</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Burna Boy (Nigeria)</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dave (U.K.)</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dosseh (France)</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Giggs (U.K.)</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mr Eazi (Nigeria).</span></div>
</div>
<div class="Raw-s14xcvr1-0 AXWJq" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best new international act</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Teni (Nigeria)</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Headie One (U.K.)</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jok’Air (France)</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nesly (France)</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Octavian (U.K.)</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sho Madjozi (South Africa)</span></div>
</div>

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Police parade 93 suspected kidnappers on Kaduna-Abuja road

08:15 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIEL472OyZAn7CJ5hJyanlrw5Oa9ZiBvkUAEHdVML5RH5kUCeBWWJ1F1-ReEMTneS-kvmujrjeutOTB-tQlLViZk3x0JdlnH-e5Y4rX7eGd0z5OJR7173xW3bQA_-wWR7oxHtMNFiK2za/s1600/arrested+herd.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="958" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIEL472OyZAn7CJ5hJyanlrw5Oa9ZiBvkUAEHdVML5RH5kUCeBWWJ1F1-ReEMTneS-kvmujrjeutOTB-tQlLViZk3x0JdlnH-e5Y4rX7eGd0z5OJR7173xW3bQA_-wWR7oxHtMNFiK2za/s640/arrested+herd.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Police yesterday paraded 93 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers terrorising Niger, Katsina and Kaduna states, especially on the Kaduna-Abuja highway.<br />
<br />
It said 35 AK47 rifles, 21 Dane guns, 500 live ammunition and other weapons, including a rocket launcher, were recovered from the suspects.<br />
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Parading the suspects at Katari village on the Kaduna-Abuja highway, Force spokesman DCP Frank Mba said the suspects were arrested in the last two weeks in joint operations in Kaduna, Niger and Katsina states.<br />
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He said 35 AK47 rifles, 21 Dane guns and more than 500 live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.<br />
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Mba attributed the success to Operation Puff Adder launched to dislodge criminals from the Kaduna-Abuja expressway and the country at large.<br />
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Mba, who was flanked by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Aji Ali Janga, said the joint operations comprised policemen from operations, intelligence, technical, counter-terrorism and special protection units, among others.<br />
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He said the operation was designed to tackle kidnaping, robbery and banditry, adding that the success recorded so far was huge.<br />
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Mba said: “The suspects were arrested from Matari forest, Niger axis and some were pursued to as far as Katsina.<br />
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“We are determined to descend very hard on criminals. We recovered 37 AK 47 rifles, 12 locally made guns, a revolver pistol, 60,000 fake US dollars, military uniforms and a foreign made pistol.<br />
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“A few days ago, the IG rolled out a new counter kidnaping strategy. It will help us curtail crimes.”<br />
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The Force spokesman said the Office of the Inspector General of Police provided supervisory and supportive roles to the operations.<br />
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Janga assured farmers at Birnin Gwari and other volatile areas that “it is now safe for them to return to their farms.”<br />
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He said the new operations being conducted in synergy with the commanders of various units had achieved success.<br />
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“Farmers who farm along Kaduna-Abuja expressway, Birnin Gwari and other volatile areas can go back to their farms. They are now safe,” Janga said.<br />
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One of the suspects arrested, Isah, said it was his first time of committing the crime and that he had not collected ransom before he was arrested.<br />
<br />
Another suspect, Salisu Abubakar, who claimed to be a cleric, said he was aware that his clients belonged to criminal gangs, but that he only supported them with good luck charms. “I have never participated in crimes,” he added.

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I would have sued doctors who wrongly diagnosed my wife - Oshiomhole

08:15 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="854" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4W30shnsyzmYFn96HWxDAO3i8YQdHWAl3m94jyvK6Z2JTDBu5-ciTc4QmJv_LeE7SYrnFANdnrcjt5zoUoK1Kq1iCuHgikN1IvW4xntgJ1Z9eTuPgqSSQ_HFkK0Xfjs72AUKk63WDovF-/s640/oshiomole+q.png" width="640" /></div>
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The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has called for a review of Nigeria’s medical system so that doctors treat patients only in their areas of competence.<br />
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He said wrong diagnoses could be prevented by governments if it provides robust regulations on the health system.<br />
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The APC national chairman spoke at the Founders Day and launching of an endowment fund of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).<br />
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He said his late wife, Clara, died due to wrong diagnoses.<br />
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Oshiomhole said he would have sued the doctors if it were in another terrain because his wife was a victim of medical quackery.<br />
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He said: “You visit a hospital, one doctor is a gynaecologist, psychologist, paediatric, and the doctor treats everything. My wife was unfortunate to have been diagnosed as having something different while the cancer in her breast was growing.<br />
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“This generalised system of medical system is what we must review. It is not the task of government that things are not working. People elect government to make things work. That was why I decided to build what I called a five-star hospital to replace the decayed Central Hospital. I do hope that one day that hospital will open and you will see the equipment.<br />
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“One thing we need to do is appropriate compensation. When we have the right policy framework, the other level of compensation, people are paid accordingly, I believe doctors working outside the country will come back.”<br />
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A former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, hailed the late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia and the late Prof. T. Bello-Osagie for ensuring the locals have access to tertiary health services, instead of traveling to Lagos or Oyo State.<br />
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General Gowon expressed joy that the UBTH had served the people well.<br />
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He said: “In terms of training and research, the UBTH has performed excellently well in collaboration with UNIBEN.”<br />
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The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, praised the UBTH management for conceiving the endowment fund.<br />
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He advised Nigeria hospitals to aim higher and compete for international excellence.<br />
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“Improvement is urgently needed in all aspects – from environmental upgrade to tip-top housekeeping; from prompt and polite attention to patients at first point of call, especially at registration,” Ehanire said.

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Kwara Assembly member-elect in EFCC net for alleged N25 million scam

08:15 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="500" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6GuNFLF_4g4MpO2JUX0QxnloRblWfxXU0lpuByha-IL5mIl2Ad-6iUyiU7KfHAJY6iK4T7iaKs1p6tNi5b8WXfwbzcMvcy14IZ9eBECs1GkIwK2RFIg7-x5fAUPPh4E4HMoLXLLgdB8i/s400/abab.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<b>The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a member-elect of the Kwara State House of Assembly Abdulgafar Ayinla for alleged involvement in N25 million property scam, forgery and obtaining money under false pretense.</b><br />
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It was gathered that operatives of the Ilorin zonal office of EFCC effected Ayinla’s arrest.<br />
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The petitioner, who resides in the United State of America, alleged that Ayinla, a legal practitioner, was introduced to her by her late aunt to purchase some properties for her in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.<br />
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The petitioner, who did not want her identity, alleged that “the lawmaker-elect then sold me another two plots of land, with four bedroom bungalow at window level at Agric area in the metropolis.<br />
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“I paid N8 million plus N240,000, which Gafar informed me that the seller had received the money, but he never paid the money to the seller. Up till today, he is yet to refund the money nor pay to the seller.”<br />
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“My uncle went to his office several occasions and did not meet him. During one of the visits, my uncle obtained a copy of C of O that has my property addresses, he then contacted the owner’s name on the C of O. Since this incident, Gafar has been avoiding everyone.”<br />
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The suspect, according to sources, claimed to have diverted the money for his personal use, promising to pay back the money when he receives his wardrobe allowances.

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INEC shifts Bayelsa, Kogi governorship polls to November 16

08:15 Unknown 0

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<br />
The Independent National Electoral Commission has postponed the governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states, earlier fixed for November 2 by two weeks.<br />
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While announcing November 16 as the new date for the elections, the commission said the timelines for all other activities leading to the elections had also been adjusted to align with the new date.<br />
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“The run-off election to the office of governor of a state (if any)will be held within 21 days after the announcement of result of the election in accordance with Section 179 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended – 4th Alteration).<br />
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“This timetable and schedule of activities supersede the one issued on April 9 2019,” the electoral body said in a notice signed by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and made available to journalists on Thursday.<br />
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The decision to change the date of the elections came barely 48 hours after the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, John Jonah, led stakeholders from the state on a courtesy visit to the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, demanding an adjustment in date of the election.<br />
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Jonah had hinged the demand for adjustment in the date on the fact that the date early fixed for the election clashed with the state annual thanksgiving day.<br />
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A statement by INEC National Commissioner and chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the decision was taken “after a careful consideration of the appeals” during the commission’s regular weekly meeting held on Thursday.<br />
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He said, “It will be recalled that on April 9, 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission released the timetable and schedule of activities for the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections. The commission fixed November 2 for the elections to hold in both states.<br />
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“However, the commission has received several appeals from the government, state Assembly, elders, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders in Bayelsa State that the election date coincides with the state’s annual thanksgiving day which is backed by the Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day Law 2012.<br />
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“After careful consideration of the appeals. the commission at its regular weekly meeting held on Thursday, May 16 decided to shift the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states to Saturday, November 16, 2017.<br />
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“The timelines for all other activities leading to the elections have also been adjusted to align with the new date.”<br />
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The tenure of the governor of Kogi State would elapse on January 26, 2020 , while the tenure of the governor of Bayelsa State would expire on February 13, 2020.<br />
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INEC said, “Pursuant to the provision of Section 178(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 25 (7) and (8) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), the earliest date for the election into the office of governor, Kogi State shall be August 31, 2019, and the latest date for election shall be December 28 2019.<br />
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“For Bayelsa State, the earliest date for election to the office of governor shall be September 17 2019, while the latest date shall be January 15 2020. By virtue of Section 178(2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 25 (8) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), election into the office of a state governor shall hold not later than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder.<br />
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“The commission is, by virtue of Section 30(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), expected to issue notice for the election not later than 90 days before the date of the election.”<br />
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According to Oriaran-Anthony, the notice of election and collection of Forms CF001, CF002 by political parties has been fixed for August 17 and 18, 2019, at INEC headquarters.<br />
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Similarly, the conduct of party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries would take place between August 18 and September 5, 2019, to enable political parties to nominate their candidates for the election.<br />
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The campaigns by political parties would commence on August 18 in line with Section 99(1)of the Electoral Act, 2010, which provides 90 days before Election Day.<br />
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While September 9 is the last day for the submission of Forms CF001 and CF002, the publication of particulars of candidates (CF001) and the list of candidates has been fixed for September 16.<br />
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The last day of withdrawal by candidate(s)/replacement of withdrawn candidate(s) by political parties will be September 23, while October 2 is the last day for the submission of nomination forms by political parties.<br />
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Also, the publication of official register of voters will be on October 3, while the final list of nominated candidates would be published on October 17.<br />
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Also, on November 2, INEC will publish the notice of election while same day will be last day for the submission of names of polling agents for the election to the electoral officer.<br />
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The commission also fixed November 14 as the last day for campaigns by political parties.

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BE WARNED: ‘Loom Money Nigeria’ is a fraudulent scheme'

06:40 Unknown 0

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<br />
The Securities and Exchange Commission has warned Nigerians against fraudsters currently running an online investment scheme tagged “Loom Money Nigeria.’’<br />
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Acting Director-General of the commission, Ms Mary Uduk gave the warning at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.<br />
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A statement by SEC’s Head of Media, Mrs Efe Ebelo, said that Uduk, who was represented by acting Executive Commissioner, Operations of SEC, Mr Isyaku Tilde, said Loom Money Nigeria had taken over the social media.<br />
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She said that the scheme targeted young people, luring them to participate in a pyramid model of the Ponzi.<br />
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The director-general disclosed that the fraudsters carried out their illegitimate activities via social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.<br />
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She added that they lured young Nigerians to invest as low as N1,000 and N13,000 and to get as much as eight times the value of the investment in 48 hours.<br />
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Uduk said that the venture was a Ponzi scheme, where returns would be paid from other people invested funds, adding that it had no tangible business model.<br />
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“We are aware of the activities of an online investment scheme tagged ‘Loom Money Nigeria’.<br />
<br />
“The platform has embarked on an aggressive online media campaign on Facebook and WhatsApp.<br />
<br />
“They lure the investing public to participate by joining various Loom WhatsApp groups to invest as low as N1,000 and N13,000 and get as much as eight times the value of the investment in 48 hours.<br />
<br />
“Unlike MMM that had a website and the promoter known, the people promoting Loom are not yet known and this pyramid scheme operates through closed groups mainly on Facebook and WhatsApp.<br />
<br />
“If it were a local Ponzi scheme with known offices, it would be very easy for the Commission to seal their offices and freeze their accounts.<br />
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“We therefore wish to notify the investing public that the operation of this investment scheme has no tangible business model hence it’s a Ponzi scheme, where returns are paid from other people’s invested sum.<br />
<br />
“Also, its operation is not registered by the Commission,” she said.<br />
<br />
Uduk, therefore, advised the public to distance themselves from the scheme, adding that anyone that subscribed to the illegal activity did so at his own risk.<br />
<br />
She assured that an inter-agency committee, Financial Services Regulation Coordinating Committee, was working on the issue, and that the commission was also collaborating with security agencies to track them down.<br />
<br />
A Ponzi scheme is an investment fraud that involves the payment of purported returns to existing investors from funds contributed by new investors.<br />
<br />
Loom Pyramid Scheme is not new to the world. Last month, Daily Mail UK reported that the scheme has resurfaced online all over the world, with different names such as ‘loom circle’, ‘fractal mandala’ and ‘blessing loom.’<br />
<br />
In Nigeria, its central name is Loom Money Nigeria with individuals creating their own WhatsApp groups such as Jack Loom, Catherine Loom, among others.<br />
<br />
(NAN)

Latest-News BE WARNED: ‘Loom Money Nigeria’ is a fraudulent scheme'

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Lawmakers pass bill banning Bet9ja, NairaBet in Bauchi

06:40 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="698" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_QP3ibsX2txgInLgs_h3Bp4raIVLEW-WiHvLdxbPaxU8QSJmbzUthCdzkIBfKv9HjpOZjpvKp4Ff3vOPMbEsk-3hU2MtV8Le6rw4uEGsysCFru53qGEahRwoW3p9PX3projWjK3Q-eUv/s640/bauchi+map.gif" width="640" /></div>
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<br />
The Bauchi State House of Assembly has passed a bill banning all forms of gambling, ownership and operations of gaming machines including NaijaBet and BetNaija, in the state.<br />
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The member representing Lere/Bula constituency, Aminu Tukur, who spoke to journalists after the House sitting in Bauchi on Thursday, said, “The bill seeks to ban all forms of gambling and its operations in the state.”<br />
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He said the bill, which was co-sponsored by 10 other members, should be cited as Gambling and Gaming Machines Prohibition Law of the state.<br />
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Those who sponsored the bill were the Speaker of the House, Kawuwa Damina (Darazo), Maryam Bagel (Dass), Salisu Ajilanga (Gamawa), Ibrahim Hassan (Duguri), Yusuf Dadiye, Yusuf Nuhu (Ganjuwa), Idris Idris (Dambam), Abdullahi Abdulkadir (Bura), Garba Musa (Sakwa) and Markus Makama (Bogoro).<br />
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Tukur said, “The bill passed the first, second reading and third readings instantly on the floor of the house because the honourable members of the house look at its importance.<br />
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“The bill will ensure that gambling is not only banned but will also sanitise the morality of our youth and children.”<br />
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According to him, both Islam and Christianity do not encourage or support gambling which is a waste of funds and encourages immorality in the society.<br />
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Tukur said, “The law provides that any gaming machine, be it electronic or otherwise, found in a place after three months of the commencement of the law shall be forfeited to the state government.”<br />
<br />
When contacted on if the outgoing governor, Mohammed Abubakar, would sign the bill into law, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Ali M. Ali, said, “I am not in the position to speak on that yet. I am not with the governor now, but I will speak with him tomorrow and will get back to you.”

Latest-News Lawmakers pass bill banning Bet9ja, NairaBet in Bauchi

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Paris Club Refund: FG set to pay N649 Billion final tranche to states

06:40 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="891" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfAhh2rxUF9Nlg3ylXmmsABeg5gmmfjNd1dhyDRNo2yY0XbgRIJErBKiy9_PmK0YintzLG64WU199cjeW6_SHiZ55WhOwW2JL4wykgusgtbNEWtoFcPIrvOyq6xQxVca8jw8vF57ra9tZ/s400/zainab.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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The Federal Government will soon release the sum of N649.43bn as the final refund for the Paris Club debt to state governments.<br />
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The Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, gave the figure on Thursday in Abuja during a media briefing on the activities of her ministry.<br />
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Those present at the media briefing were the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali; the Director-General, Debt Management Office, Patience Oniha; the Managing Director, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, and the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission.<br />
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The finance minister said the amount had already been verified by the ministry as the outstanding balance to be refunded to the state governments.<br />
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Ahmed said the refund would be made to the state governments in due course.<br />
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She said, “For the final phase of the Paris Club debts refunds, the total sum of N649.434bn was verified by the ministry as the outstanding balance to be refunded to the state governments.<br />
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“The payments made by the Central Bank of Nigeria as of March 2019 is N691.56bn. The increase in CBN payments partly arose from the exchange rate differential at the point of payment. Although some states still have outstanding balances, they will be refunded in due course.”<br />
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She said that between June 20, 2018, when the 2018 budget was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari and May 14, 2019, the Federal Government had released a total of N2.079tn to finance the capital components of the 2018 budget.<br />
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The Federal Government had as of March 29 put the total amount released for capital projects at N1.9tn.<br />
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This means that between March 29 and May 14, a fresh sum of N170bn had been released to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government for the implementation of the capital component of the 2018 budget.<br />
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The 2018 budget, signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 20 last year, had total spending of N9.1tn.<br />
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The capital expenditure was to gulp 31.5 per cent of the total expenditure at N2.87tn, while the recurrent non-debt spending was put at N3.51tn in 2018.<br />
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There was also a provision of N2.01tn for debt servicing, which is 21 per cent of the total budget, while a provision of N177bn to retire maturing bond to local contractors was made by the government.<br />
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Speaking at the event, Ahmed explained that the government would continue the implementation of the capital component of the 2018 budget until the coming into operation of the 2019 budget.<br />
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She said that the assessment of the 2019 Appropriation Bill, which was passed by the National Assembly, would soon be completed and a report sent to President Buhari for consideration.<br />
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The minister explained that the constitution provided for spending the current year’s budget on a provisional basis for salaries and recurrent expenditure, adding that the capital budget for 2018 was still running until the new budget came into place.<br />
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She said, “We have a situation whereby we have two different periods running side by side. So, at any point in time, we have a budget that is running.<br />
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“The law allows us on a provisional basis to run 50 per cent of the previous year’s provision on the current year’s budget.<br />
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“When the budget is assented to, we will now transfer all the transactions that have happened to the 2019 budget, so there is no gap.”<br />
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Ahmed, however, said that the executive would work with the ninth National Assembly, to streamline the process and return to the January to December budget cycle year.<br />
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On implementation of the new National Minimum Wage, she said that the financial implications had been worked out by the Presidential Committee set up by Buhari adding that the report had been submitted to the president.<br />
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She said the report had already been locked into adding that what was being worked on now was how the salary increment would be financed.<br />
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She added, “We have looked at the report and what we are working on now is how we can finance it.<br />
<br />
“Apart from the increase of the minimum wage from N18, 000 to N30, 000, there is also a consequential adjustment that we have to negotiate with the labour unions.<br />
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“The total implication of that would be worked out only after the negotiations and that would involve determining how much increase every other employee above the minimum wage would get.<br />
<br />
“It could be a flat amount or a proportion, but the other aspect that is clear is that there would be an increase for the National Youth Service Corps as well because, by the Act, they should earn at least the minimum wage and the NYSC also has to increase to that N30, 000.<br />
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“So, because we have not done the negotiation with labour, I cannot give you the details of what we are projecting because it is simply on projections.<br />
<br />
“At the end of the day, it is what we agree with labour that will be the amount that is due.”<br />
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On the whistleblower policy, the finance minister said the Federal Government had recovered about N605bn through the implementation of the policy and that of the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit.<br />
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The whistleblower policy, which was launched in December 2016, was aimed at addressing the issues of corruption in the management of government resources.<br />
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She said among the figure was the savings of N8.3bn during the first quarter of 2019.<br />
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She added, “As part of this administration’s zero tolerance on corruption, PICA’s findings on ghost workers have been acted on by convicting some.<br />
<br />
civil servants and also there are some that are undergoing trial in the court while others are undergoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.”<br />
<br />
She added, “The whistleblower policy of the government subsists and it is still being implemented; the total amount of collection that has been made through various efforts in the whistleblower policy is about N605bn.<br />
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“This is an improvement over the last amount that was reported.”<br />
<br />
On the issue of debt increase from N12.2tn to N23tn, Usman said it was by design since it was meant to reflate the economy as captured in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

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Yes, we demanded N100 Billion from FG - Miyetti Allah

06:40 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0wkoh1G42hrput8mVwapH_Hg9nshMX6bnhomJiRtJ0WS2yuPoxc_9UqCkr3dnH9NorVG3E16eCdAy3hzN3DQrGzp9piG43ypVTdFhm_x-4FUoIxstNeTyqVZzbQfEePUrrEJXZ7XOfzy/s400/Miyetti+Allah+1.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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The National Secretary, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Mr Saleh Alhassan, has said his group indeed demanded from the Federal Government the payment of N100bn to herders but for the construction of ranches and not for amnesty as reported on social media.<br />
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Alhassan made the clarification in an interview with newmen.<br />
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He claimed former President Goodluck Jonathan promised to give them the money and that was what informed their decision to support his re-election in 2015.<br />
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The Miyetti Allah chief, however, said that after Jonathan left, the initiative was suspended, hence the decision of the group to present the matter to the President Muhammadu Buhari government.<br />
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Asked why N100bn should be paid to violent herders to stop kidnappings, Alhassan said, “That is a mischievous statement. Do they pay money like that? Have they ever paid any money like that? That N100bn has been on the table for mini-ranches since 2014 when (former) President Goodluck Jonathan was trying to address the lingering crisis between farmers and herders.<br />
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“So, part of that money was, I think, used by state governors under the committee chaired by the then Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam. But I don’t think the bulk of the money has reached the pastoralists, the herders.<br />
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“As part of that policy, they (the Federal Government) are trying to see how they can now assist livestock producers to address farmers/herders conflicts via a policy.”<br />
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He added, “So, people now saying they have given Miyetti Allah N100bn to stop kidnappings are just being mischievous because from what we have observed, there are certain people that are twisting narratives.”<br />
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Alhassan lamented that some Nigerians didn’t want any kind of support to come from the government for livestock development.<br />
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“If we are going to have ranches, definitely, some support would come from government,” he said.<br />
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The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and some government officials had come under fire last week for allegedly promising to pay Miyetti Allah N100bn as amnesty to curb the rise in banditry, kidnapping and killings.<br />
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However, both the police and the Presidency denied ever discussing money with herdsmen.<br />
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Alhassan said there was nothing wrong if Buhari honoured a promise made by Jonathan to the farmers.<br />
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“If today, the Buhari government sees policy that was there since 2014 and wants to see how it can be implemented by supporting cattle breeders, not just Fulani but anybody that is breeding livestock, to access facility like the Anchor Borrowers you have with the Central Bank of Nigeria, I don’t think it’s something that calls for propaganda.”

Latest-News Yes, we demanded N100 Billion from FG - Miyetti Allah

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FG to release N649bn final Paris Club fund to states

19:45 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpy2l4wXPn4ZT7RiOtjCgJ-n4VeqmkDGCVJ11l9UYzqhd-3OwOtqSHUYAZC_QTKHKn4JzgWJvQtxEDN2t8m_duBDWMS3anfTqoT0eFAbhntdkfXpVx463Jj-tKeS6Ip9CXr-Q9D68pV0/s1600/bUHARI-NATIONAL-BROADCAST-750x430.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="750" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpy2l4wXPn4ZT7RiOtjCgJ-n4VeqmkDGCVJ11l9UYzqhd-3OwOtqSHUYAZC_QTKHKn4JzgWJvQtxEDN2t8m_duBDWMS3anfTqoT0eFAbhntdkfXpVx463Jj-tKeS6Ip9CXr-Q9D68pV0/s320/bUHARI-NATIONAL-BROADCAST-750x430.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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State governments will soon smile to the banks as the federal government has concluded plans to commence the final phase of the Paris Club debt refunds.<br />
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Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday on the state of the economy, Minister of Finance Zainab Ahmed disclosed: “The total sum of N649.434 billion was verified by the Ministry as the outstanding balance to be refunded to the State Governments.”<br />
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She also revealed the payments made by the Central Bank of Nigeria as at March 2019 stands at N691.560 billion.<br />
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“The increase in CBN payments partly arose from exchange rate differential at the point of payment,” she said.<br />
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Ahmed, while not divulging the status of the states with regards to the Paris Club disbursements noted “some states still have outstanding balances, which will be refunded, in due course.”<br />
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The finance minister also stated that a total sum of N4.8 trillion was distributed to the three-tiers of government between September 2018 and April 2019 from the Federation Account noting “the sum of N784.7 billion realized from value added tax (VAT) for the same period was also shared.”<br />
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Speaking on Nigeria’s growing debt profile, the finance minister stated “the debt increase from N12.2 trillion to N23.0 trillion is by design.”<br />
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The Federal Government, she said “designed the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to reflate the economy to take us out of recession when we came on board and we made an assessment, it was clear that our country was going into recession.<br />
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“When we did a research on the best way to reverse the recession was to reflate the economy and that means putting resources in the economy so that consumption will increase.”<br />
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Based on government’s findings, she said they “designed the ERGP to borrow in the first, second and third years and in the fourth year the borrowing was supposed to start reducing. That is exactly what we have done.”<br />
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Defending the borrowing, Zainab Ahmed said government “made sure that we borrowed to finance capital projects.<br />
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“At the same time we went into recession there were other countries similar to Nigeria that went into recession. Some of them are still not out of recession but because of the method we adopted.<br />
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“But the consequence of course is the increase in debt and that is why the ministry of finance and all its agencies are working to make sure that we increase revenues.”<br />
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She reiterated “at 19.09% Debt to GDP ratio we still are the lowest comparative to countries like Brazil, South Africa that all have an average of 56% debt to GDP ratio.<br />
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“If you look at our budget the debt service to GDP ratio is 30% but because revenues underperformed it went as high as 50% to 55%  and in some months up to 60%. So if our revenues perform optimally we are in a good place as far as revenues are concerned.”<br />
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The finance minister said the country’s External Reserves grew from $28.3 billion in 2015 to US $44.69 billion as at May 13, 2019.<br />
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“This represents a significant improvement that has helped to stabilize the economy, including stabilizing our exchange rates,” she stated.<br />
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Also the Foreign Exchange (FX) market, she said, “remains relatively stable because from 2017 to now there is a significant convergence of the NIFEX and NAFEX windows and they have in fact merged by the end of November 2018.”<br />
<div><br /></div>

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Stop consuming imported rice, it is poisonous- C-G Customs

17:57 Unknown 0

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Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has appealed to Nigerians to stop consuming foreign rice because it is poisonous.<br />
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He said this on Thursday in Abuja at a news conference organised by the Ministry of Finance.<br />
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Ali said that the Federal Government had not issued license for importation of rice and that any rice seen on the streets that was not produced in Nigeria was smuggled.<br />
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He said that the imported rice was poisonous because before coming into the country, it must have spent a minimum of five years in the silos.<br />
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“A chemical must have been added to sustain its freshness and that chemical is harmful.<br />
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“Also, it has been re-bagged with a new date given as the production and expiry date and that is what we consume here which causes diseases.<br />
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“So, I appeal to Nigerians to please patronise our own rice, it is available, more nutritious and if you do that you will assist customs by making sure these people are put out of business.”<br />
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Ali said that rice importation was one of the biggest challenges the NCS was encountering, adding that it still happens because Nigerians consume the imported rice.<br />
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He added that Nigerians were not helping matters as they helped the smugglers bring in the product.<br />
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According to him, if Nigerians stop buying the imported rice, smugglers will go out of business and there will be no need to bring it in.<br />
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“We always ask for assistance from Nigerians to apprehend these smugglers but up till now there is no private citizen that has walked up to us to give us information, the only people giving us information are the rice millers.<br />
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“We are working very closely with them to make sure that the rice that comes into this country is validly processed.”<br />
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According to him, there is no smuggler that is too big to be arrested, and that the NCS has in custody three big rice smugglers.<br />
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He said because of the smugglers, the NCS enlarged its task force specifically to fight rice problem, especially in the season of fasting, a celebration period which smugglers would try to import rice.<br />
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<br />
<br />
(NAN)

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‘Dino Melaye threatened to kill himself and implicate police’ – Witness tells court

17:52 Unknown 0

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<br />
A witness, Insp. Abama Mallum on Thursday told an FCT High Court that he heard Sen. Dino Melaye shouting that he would kill himself and put the police in trouble.<br />
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The witness, Mallum, driver with the IGP Special Tactical Squad, said that he overheard Melaye, make the threat while attempting to escape for police custody.<br />
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He made the allegation while testifying in the ongoing trial of Melaye , for attempted suicide; attempt to escape from custody and damage to police property, filed against Melaye.<br />
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Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, is facing trial on six counts of attempted suicide; attempt to escape from custody and damage to police property.<br />
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The witness informed the court that while on duty on April 24, 2018, Asp. Amos Boka, told him to convey Melaye and some police officers to Lokoja.<br />
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“As we moved around 2 p.m by Area I roundabout, a white Toyota Hilux blocked me, I applied the brakes. The vehicle knocked off my side-mirror.<br />
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“I heard the Senator shouting at the officers. I then heard the sound of a glass breaking."<br />
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”All of a sudden, I Sen. Melaye jumped out of the vehicle, shouting that he would not go to Lokoja.<br />
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The witness alleged that Melaye had a sharp instrument in his hands and he was shouting:”I will kill myself and put the police in trouble’’.<br />
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“At this point, the police officers pleaded with the defendant to get back in the car but he refused.<br />
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“A crowd had also started gathering in Area I. I was ordered to put the car in reverse and go back to the office,” he said.<br />
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Mallum alleged that a white van blocked the car he was driving.<br />
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Counsel to the defendant, Dr Alex Izinyon, SAN, requested that the court go to the car park where the vehicles tendered as exhibits were kept so that the witness can identify the car.<br />
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Justice Silvanus Oriji then adjourned the case to until May 27 for cross-examination.<br />
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<br />
(NAN)

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By 2025 there will be more robots than human beings- Brett King

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Brett King, a futurist and CEO of Moven says by 2025, there will be more robots than human beings, adding that human beings need to be nice to robots.<br />
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He made this known this Thursday, while delivering his keynote address at the AFF(Africa Fintech Foundry) Disrupt 2019 in Lagos, with the theme ‘Digital Goldrush: Building a Sustainable Tech-economy’, held at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island Lagos.<br />
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AFF Disrupt 2019 is a pan-African accelerator aimed at inspiring, training, mentoring, and investing funding into growth stage technology startups operating primarily in the FinTech space.<br />
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According to Brett who is a sought after speaker and author, technology is moving at a fast rate.<br />
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“ Technology is moving much faster than before. In an environment of rapid change, you either disrupt or get disrupted”, he said at the conference.<br />
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The tech summit officially sponsored by Access Bank also had in attendance Herbert Wigwe, CEO of the bank.<br />
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During his speech Herbert harped on how technology is changing everything.<br />
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“Tech is changing everything. Anything that is repetitively manual cannot stand the test of time. MKO Abiola used to exhaust 3 cheque books every morning. Today, nobody uses more than 3 cheque books in a year. Where will we be in 10/15 years from now ? Technology is changing. We have to change with it”.<br />
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The highly engaging event had different sessions like masterclasses, exhibitions, demos, fireside chats and panel discussion<br />
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Latest-News By 2025 there will be more robots than human beings- Brett King

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Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia objects to fresh trial

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Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, who was charged with unlawful enrichment and money laundering, has objected to being tried afresh before the Federal High Court in Lagos after the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on April 16 struck out the 31 counts filed against her and Chief Godwin Obla (SAN).<br />
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Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja struck out the charges against Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission applied for the withdrawal of the charges.<br />
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The anti-graft agency said it realised that it failed to abide by the decision of the Court of Appeal which held that a serving judge could not be prosecuted unless first investigated and sanctioned by the National Judicial Council.<br />
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However, following the striking out of the charges by Justice Oshodi on April 16, operatives of the EFCC, who had laid in wait, immediately picked Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia up on the court premises and took her into custody.<br />
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She was two days later taken before Justice Rilwan Aikawa at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos for fresh arraignment.<br />
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She was arraigned on that day on an amended 18 counts, to which she pleaded not guilty and she was granted bail in the sum of N10m.<br />
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At the request of the prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, Justice Aikawa also issued a summons on Obla, who was absent from the court on April 16, to appear before him on May 15 to take his own plea.<br />
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At the resumed proceedings on Wednesday, Obla was in court alongside his lawyer, Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), who told the court that his client’s absence at the last proceedings was not out of disrespect but because he was not aware.<br />
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Orbih said he only got to know about the proceedings in the newspapers, after which he applied for a copy of the charge sheet.<br />
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Both Obla and Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia were both arraigned afresh on the 18 counts, to which they pleaded not guilty.<br />
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Justice Aikawa allowed Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia to continue on the N10m bail she was granted on April 16 while he granted Obla a N10m bail with two sureties in like sum, who must be landed property owners in Lagos, or be civil servants not below Grade Level 16 in the employment of the Federal Government.<br />
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The judge ordered him to deposit his passport in the court’s custody.<br />
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While handing him over to his lawyer, Justice Aikawa said Obla must perfect the bail within 10 days.<br />
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However, counsel for Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), notified the judge of his client’s decision to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charges against her.<br />
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Clarke called the judge’s attention to a May 13 application, which he filed on his client’s behalf, to challenge her fresh trial before the court.<br />
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He said the substance of the charges had already been decided by Justice Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court, who struck them out based on the Court of Appeal decision in Nganjiwa’s case that a serving judge could not be prosecuted unless first investigated and sanctioned by the NJC.<br />
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But the prosecutor, Oyedepo, argued that the position had changed since November 7, 2018 when the NJC, after trying Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, recommended her to President Muhammadu Buhari for dismissal.<br />
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Justice Aikawa adjourned till May 23 to hear the application.

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Twenty-one out of the 27 lawmakers of the Imo State House of Assembly on Wednesday suspended the Speaker, Acho Ihim.<br />
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The suspension of Ihim came after he had adjourned the ongoing plenary and escaped with the maze after reading a letter announcing the lifting of the suspension placed on the 27 Local Government chairmen by the state lawmakers last week.<br />
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The 21 lawmakers immediately announced Chiendu Offor (Onuimo) of the Action Alliance as the interim Speaker.<br />
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They also announced the suspension of the Majority Leader of the House, Lugard Osuji; and elected Lloyd Chukwuemeka (Owerri North) in his place.<br />
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The Acting Speaker who later addressed journalists, said that the 21 lawmakers had served impeachment notices on Ihim and Osuji.<br />
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Ihim, in a bid to frustrate his colleagues from removing him, had allegedly ordered his aides to switch off the generator supplying electricity to the complex, but the visibly enraged lawmakers went on to impeach the two principal officers.<br />
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Trouble had started after the lawmakers raised objection to the letter announcing the lifting of the suspension of the 27 LGA chairmen.<br />
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The lawmakers had quoted Order 15 of the House Rule, which empowers lawmakers to contribute to issues before the Speaker rules, but Ihim said that no lawmaker was allowed to contribute to the matter.<br />
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The lawmakers were seen putting final touches to the impeachment notices as of the time of filing this report.

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I am fulfilled with my achievements in Lagos state - Ambode

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The Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday said he felt fulfilled that his government had delivered on its promise to run a government of inclusion that would leave no resident and area of the state behind.<br />
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He said his administration had succeeded in transforming the infrastructural landscape of the state with construction of critical roads and bridges.<br />
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Ambode spoke during the inauguration of the Agric Access Road, Egan, in the Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area, and the Lagos Theatre in Igando.<br />
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The governor also commissioned the construction of a link bridge connecting Egan and Ayobo communities.<br />
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He said, “When our administration came into office, one of our cardinal promises was a government of inclusion. We are committed to a government where nobody, community or people will be left behind. As a result, we were determined to address the challenges of gross infrastructural deficit, flooding and erosion, which the people around this senatorial district have lived with for some time now.<br />
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“I am very pleased and fulfilled to see that our commitment to make our state globally competitive and radically change our infrastructural profile to one that befits a contemporary smart city has been successful with the massive construction of roads and bridges we have undertaken in the last four years. We not only prioritised renewal and development of road infrastructure but we have done so using an all-inclusive approach that has touched rural and urban areas in the state.”<br />
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He said in constructing the Agric Access Road, the state government wanted to make commuting stress-free for pedestrians and motorists with wider roads and walkways.<br />
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Ambode noted that the government was also tackling flooding by providing adequate and covered drains, adding that the streetlights would guarantee added safety and security for all road users.<br />
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The governor expressed optimism that the roads constructed along the corridor would create employment, increase connectivity and economic activity in the community and its environs.<br />
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While imploring community and religious leaders and the people of Igando/Ikotun to guard the infrastructure jealously, he thanked Lagosians for their support, particularly in the discharge of their civic responsibility through payment of taxes.<br />
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Ambode said the state government had started work on the Egan-Ayobo Link Bridge, assuring that the incoming administration would see the project through to completion.<br />
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At the unveiling of 500-seater capacity Igando Theatre, Ambode said the development was in accordance with his administration’s promise to create a new economy around tourism, hospitality, entertainment and sports.<br />
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He said it was gratifying that a good foundation had been laid to support a sustainable tourism and entertainment-driven economy.<br />
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The Chairman of Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Mrs Morenike Adesina-Williams, said the projects would enhance the socio-economic development in the state.<br />
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“Today, the state government has brought comfort and succour to people of Egan, Ayobo and all the people making use of this road,” she said.

Latest-News I am fulfilled with my achievements in Lagos state - Ambode

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PDP candidate demands fresh governorship election in Kwara

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The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State, Razak Atunwa, has asked the elections petitions tribunal in the state to order the conduct of a fresh election in the state.<br />
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Atunwa, who is challenging the victory of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of the All Progressives Congress in the election, made the call on Wednesday as the tribunal began the pre-trial conference on the petitions filed before it.<br />
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The Action Alliance is also challenging the victory of the governor-elect.<br />
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The counsel to the PDP governorship candidate and the party, Kingsley Odeh, said AbdulRazaq was not qualified to contest the election.<br />
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He said, “Our reason is that the second respondent, at the time of elections, was not qualified. He gave false certificate to INEC.<br />
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“Second, that he gave false information in aid of his educational qualification. In other words, when such prayers are made, the tribunal will have to nullify the election and order for a fresh election.<br />
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“That is what we are seeking before the tribunal. We seek for fresh elections because the proper thing is that if the second respondent is disqualified, it is to order for fresh elections and not for the petitioner to be sworn in as the rightful winner.”<br />
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At the pre-hearing session meant to adopt petitioners’ responses to pre-hearing information sheet, applications before the tribunal were filed and adopted.<br />
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The tribunal’s chairman, Justice Bassey Effiong, who warned counsel against time-wasting, said that the tribunal would not extend the 14-day period for the pre-hearing trial.<br />
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Justice Effiong suggested that the petitions be consolidated by the counsel.