By Evelyn Usman & Monsuru Olowoopejo
LAGOS—Tragedy struck yesterday, after part of a two-storey building under construction at NICON Town Estate, off Admiralty Way in Lekki area of Lagos, collapsed, killing two persons— Tasiu Tanko and Abdulai Usman—who were construction workers.
Another worker, Yakuub, who sustained severe injuries, is
still being attended to by doctors at the intensive care unit of an
undisclosed hospital.
Vanguard gathered that work was ongoing at the site when
part of the building caved in, trapping the workers. The deceased,
according to eyewitnesses, were brought out of the debris dead, while
others were rescued with varying degrees of injuries. The building
Residents of the area were said to have thronged the scene
to help in rescuing those under the debris, until the arrival of rescue
workers from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and policemen.
General Manager, LASEMA, Mr. Adeshina Tiamiyu, who confirmed
the incident, said: “The agency received a report at about 11.40a.m.,
regarding partial collapse of a building at NICON Town Estate, Lekki.”
He said investigation conducted by the agency’s Emergency
Response Team, ERT, at the scene of the incident, revealed that the
structure was at the stage of casting the roofing beam.
He added that the construction workers were mixing concrete with a poker vibrator when part of the building caved in on some of them.
Taimiyu added: “The agency’s ERT immediately cordoned off
the building for further investigation to be carried out by the
appropriate authorities.”
South-West spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the bodies had been evacuated and taken to the morgue. He disclosed that fire also engulfed Bedmate Industry, a furniture company, at Lekki, yesterday.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA—The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja,yesterday, admitted into evidence,
a statement the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, made before the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in relation to
corruption allegations against him. Senate President Bukola Saraki
The Federal Government tendered the statement dated August 13, 2013, before the Justice Danladi Umar-led two-man panel tribunal where Saraki is being prosecuted on an 18-count charge.
At the resumed sitting on the matter, yesterday, prosecution
counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, tendered Saraki’s statement through an
EFCC detective, Mr. Alvan Gurummaal.
Meanwhile, shortly after the statement was admitted into evidence, Mr. Jacobs, SAN, notified the tribunal of his inability to produce his last witness, even as he applied for an adjournment.
Jacobs told the tribunal that the remaining witness, who is
Saraki’s account officer, informed him that he would be undergoing a surgery and would, therefore, not be able to appear to testify in the matter as originally scheduled.
Consequent upon the prosecution’s request, Justice Umar adjourned further hearing on the case till May 4.
By Grace Udofia
Abuja—Midim Atan
community in Essien Udim Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State,
yesterday, raised alarm over the incessant attacks on its community by a
notorious cult group, calling on the Federal Government to address the crisis as it threatens livelihood.
Lamenting the challenges they face, community spokesperson, Victor Udom, said the cult group known as Akwa-marine, has laid siege to the community with weapons. Weapons of operation
Briefing the press in Abuja, he explained that villagers are
no longer safe in the community as a result of the mayhem unleashed by
the deadly group, resulting to downturn in businesses as well as causing
resident to flee their homes.
According to him, ”We appeal to the Federal Government to intervene and rescue Midim Atan from this wicked people.
“All my efforts and that of the elders in
the community, together with those who have been victimised, to see that
this deadly gang and its sponsors are brought to book have been drastically slowed down by lengthy police investigation process.”
Anthony Joshua, 6ft 6in tall and 17st 8lb of prime
heavyweight chiselled like an Adonis, is sitting on the apron of a
training ring at the Institute of Sport in Sheffield and has spread his
wingspan of 82 inches along the ropes. After a two-hour workout in which
he skips majestically and athletically, hauls his huge frame with
repeated pull-ups to the height of a basketball hoop, and completes his
thumping pad work with trainer Rob McCracken, he is soaked in his own
sweat, which drips into a pool beneath him. •Klitschko & Joshua
Massive hands, delicate, long fingers. These are the
weapons, the 27-year-old will “unleash hell” on the ageing, 41-year-old
former world champion Wladimir Klitschko next Saturday in front of
90,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium. This is the reckoning time for the
young Londoner, who sees it as “a 50-50 fight”.
After 3½ years as a professional, building a record of 18
fights and 18 one-sided knockouts, the fighter who claimed Olympic gold
in 2012 as a neophyte, and his first world title last year in his 16th
contest, now faces the formidable Klitschko, his first elite opponent.
Joshua has never been beyond seven rounds and this is the test of
whether he is ‘the real deal’.
“It’s a 50-50 fight,” admits Joshua. “He thinks it’s a
50-50, too, but I’m just confident I can beat him and that puts the odds
in my favour.”
Italy turned on the style to defeat Nigeria 12-6 in their opening Group B match at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017. Nigeria’s Isiaka Olawale vies for the ball with Italian opponents at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017
Gabriele Gori followed his impressive scoring exploits in European qualifying with six goals against the Audu Adamu tutored side in Nassau on Thursday.
Paolo Palmacci contributed to the victory with a hat-trick, including two bicycle kick goals.
Though Azeez Abu also scored a treble for the Nigerians, they were no match for the firepower of the Italians in this curtain-raiser for both nations.
Nigeria’s next match is against Mexico who also lost 2-3 to Iran.
U.S.
Navy | Z.A. Landers | Reuters. The U.S. military's Pacific Command
chief Wednesday took the blame for confusion over the USS Carl Vinson's
location during testimony to a House panel.
The
U.S. military's top Pacific chief was in the hot seat Wednesday at a
House hearing and took the blame for apparent miscommunication over the
USS Carl Vinson carrier's movements amid the rising tensions with North
Korea.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump
said in an interview the military was sending "an armada" to the Korean
Peninsula and reports at the time indicated the carrier strike group
was led by the Vinson. But as tensions mounted with North Korea over the
nuclear and ballistic-missile threat, it was learned last week from a New York Times story the Vinson was actually headed in another direction and not toward Korean waters.
"With
regard to the Carl Vinson, that's my fault on the confusion and I'll
take the hit for it," Navy Adm. Harry Harris, the four-star commander of
U.S. Pacific Command, testified at a hearing of the House Committee on
Armed Services.
Harris
explained that he made the decision to pull the aircraft carrier out of
Singapore and cancel a port visit to Australia. He also ordered the
carrier to proceed north. However, he said, he failed to communicate
that adequately to the press. "So that is all on me."
The
flap over the Vinson led to charges the Trump administration used the
Vinson as just a "bluff" against Pyongyang. South Korean's Yonhap news agency ran a story with a headline, "Trump's 'armada' gaffe stains his commitment to alliance."
White
House spokesman Sean Spicer was asked last week about the Vinson issue
and insisted there was no intent to mislead. Harris, however, didn't
explain the disconnect with the White House over the matter.
The admiral said the military has since moved the Vinson closer to the region to handle a Korean mission.
"Today
it sits in the Philippine Sea, just east of Okinawa and [within]
striking range and power projection range of North Korea if called upon
to do that," Harris said.
Harris
was pressed on the carrier mess by Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-California), a
member of the House Committee on Armed Services. "When dealing with an
unpredictable regime [like North Korea], empty rhetoric can be
dangerous," the congressman remarked.
Meantime,
Harris also said the USS Michigan, a guided-missile nuclear submarine,
is now in South Korea's Busan port and will be there for a few days and
then will leave port and be operating within the area. "This is a show
of solidarity with our South Korean allies and a flexible deterrent show
of force to North Korea should they consider using force against South
Korea."
From
the other side of the Pacific, the U.S. early Wednesday launched an
operational test of an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile from
Vandenberg AFB in California. The test also was seen as a demonstration
to North Korea of the U.S. nuclear deterrent capability.
Rodong Sinmun,
the official newspaper of the Pyongyang regime's ruling party,
Wednesday "denounced the U.S. for getting all the more zealous in its
war hysteria against the DPRK." DPRK is short for North Korea's formal
name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The
U.S. military's Pacific chief testified at the House hearing Wednesday
that North Korea's nuclear program poses a bigger threat than ever but
China, despite offering to help, remains a formidable adversary with
island-building and increased militarization.
"North Korea remains our most immediate threat in the Indo-Asia-Pacific," he said.
Harris
said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is "on a quest for nuclear weapons
and the ballistic missiles capable of delivering them
intercontinentally. The words and actions of North Korea threaten the
U.S. homeland and that of our allies in South Korea and Japan."
North
Koreans have "an aggressive weapons test schedule, as demonstrated by
yet another ballistic missile launch this April," the admiral said. He
added that the regime launched more ballistic missiles last year than it
did in the previous few years combined.
"Just
as Thomas Edison is believed to have failed 1,000 times before
successfully inventing the electric light bulb, so too, Kim Jong Un will
keep trying," he said. "One of these days soon, he will succeed."
Harris
said the concern isn't just land-based missile technology but submarine
weapons the North Koreans are developing. Moreover, he indicated that
solid-fuel advances by Pyongyang also are troubling.
Vincent Enyeama has deflected questions regarding his return to the national team, ahead of the African Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Cameroon. File: Enyeama Vincent
The Lille goalkeeper called time on his international career
with the Super Eagles in 2015 after a publicized dispute with ex-coach
Sunday Oliseh, who stripped him of the captaincy for reporting late to
camp.
There has been talk in some quarters that Enyeama may return
to the team but he has hinted that the decision is not in his hands, or
in other words the Nigerian Federation and manager Rohr will have to
decide whether they want him or not. A Twitter user, @Past_laur asked Enyeama : ‘’are you coming back to the eagles?’’
Enyeama answered : ‘’Hmmmmm.dat (that) question is not mine to answer. As of today.’’
The 33-year-old has officially been named the best
goalkeeper in Africa three times in the last seven years, and was part
of Nigeria’s squad at the 2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Seven Bastia fans were fined up to 1,000 euros ($1,086)
each by an appeals court in the northern French city of Reims on
Thursday following violent clashes with police.
Five of the Corsican supporters were found guilty of
“contempt of a person in public authority” and “rebellion”, fined 1,000
euros and banished from all sporting events for a year. The other two
were fined 500 euros each.
The fines went beyond those requested by prosecutors but
were less than the initial 2,000-euro penalties handed out by a court
last year.
“The situation degenerated,” Odile Madrolle, president of the appeals court said, with “insults and threats against police”.
The situation became uncontrollable after the Bastia match
at Reims last year in the French league with objects and smoke bombs
hurled at police.
The incidents sparked violent protests back in Corsica after
a student lost an eye, claiming he was shot by a police rubber bullet.
Bastia fans hit the headlines again this month after Lyon players were attacked and the match in Corsica abandoned at half time.
The Borno Police Command on Thursday said that it had taken custody of 536 livestock suspected to have been stolen by the Boko Haram insurgents.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Damian Chukwu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri.
Chukwu explained that the animals which comprised 370 cows
and 157 goats and sheep were recovered by the military in its various
operations in the state.
“The military has been doing a great job in the fight against Boko Haram and in the process many suspects have been arrested.
“On April 7, 379 cows, 157 goats and sheep were handed over to the command by the headquarters of the 8 Taskforce Division, Munguno.
‘‘The livestock were recovered in the course of operations by the taskforce.
“While some were abandoned by fleeing terrorists, others were intercepted from the elements during operations,” he said.
The Naira on Thursday depreciated slightly against the dollar at the parallel market.The Nigerian currency lost two points to close at N390 to the dollar, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro traded at N495 and N415, respectively.
At the Bureau De Change (BDC) window, the naira was sold at
N362, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N490 and N420,
respectively.
Trading at the interbank window saw the naira close at N305.85 to the dollar.
The naira, however, appreciated marginally at the investment and export window, as it closed at N379.04, from the N379.89 it opened earlier today.
Traders at the market were hopeful that the naira would bounce back as the CBN sustained liquidity boost at the BDC subsector.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
introduced innovations, known as e-collation, e-tracking and
e-transmission, to make the registration process easier.
Hajiya Amina Zakari, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge
of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, made the announcement on Thursday in
Sokoto.
She was speaking at the commencement of the continuous voter registration.
Zakari said that the introduction of the innovations was to make the continuous voter registration easier for the populace, especially those registering for the first time.
She re-stated that the registration was to update and validate the voters’ register in accordance with existing laws before the general elections.
The commissioner noted that a good and comprehensive register of voters would form the bedrock of any credible election process.
She said that the current registration was for those who had turned age 18 years of age.
“It is not open for
everyone, it is only for those that are citizens of this country and who
should be residing in any of the Local Government Areas nationwide.
Zakari assured that the exercise would be hitch-free.
A thing or two to cheer about the present crop of economy management team sprouted from the comments of the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, in Washinton DC, United States of America, USA, on the sidelines of the World Bank -IMF meetings.
Commenting on suggestions that the deal by the members of
the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, (OPEC), would be the
catalyst for the nation’s exit from recession, Adeosun said strategic planning and implementation would rather, be the catalyst.
By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief
ABUJA— The Federal Government has made budgetary provisions to provide a more aggressive funding of the power sector.
Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Office
of the Vice President, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu, revealed this at an
interactive forum with business journalists in Abuja, weekend.
He said Power Generation Companies, GenCos, had achieved about 12,000 megawatts capacity, adding that the challenge remained how to take electricity to consumers.
He said: “The DISCOs said they were not being paid and, therefore, what’s the point of taking more power? ‘That means I am adding debt when am not getting the payment.’
“The way it is supposed to work is that DISCOs get paid
by you and I, they pay the transmission company, and we pay the GENCOs.
And the burden is on DISCOs, and they are saying, how can we do this?
“There was a power sector recovery plan passed into law not too long ago, and it’s to address some of the bottlenecks in power sector.
“The critical thing I want to bring out there is that the
Federal Government in recognizing that the MDAs are part of the
substantial amount of debt owed
to the DISCOs, has put some money in the budget, as well as to try and
help pay up some of this debt so that we can also put some liquidity in
the hands of the GENCOs.
“There will also be some sort of guarantees around the power purchase agreement to help that process as well.”
He also identified transmission of generated power from GenCos to Discos as a challenge requiring immediate attention.
“Transmission as at last year, for instance, was to move
from 5000 to 7000 but for the problems we had both in terms of revenue
and even in terms of generation by itself.
“The Minister of Power, Works and Housing is always talking
about ‘incremental’. Let’s just move incrementally. Let’s not go and
make some promises there and ignore some of the other problems: the
value chain, the transmission, the whole difficulties of capacity along that chain. So I think that those things will be handled.”
Privatising transmission not solution
Responding to suggestions that the federal government might
need to privatise the transmission company, Dipeolu said that did not
translate to a solution.
He said: “The other one about whether you are going to privatize transmission or not is an opinion. Let’s always separate opinions from facts.
“Ethiopian Airline is the most successful airline in Africa; it is owned 100 per cent by the Ethiopian state.
‘’Let’s separate opinions of whether we prefer fully
privatized economy from some state owned economy. For me, it’s the value
you give me. Let’s ask for solution. Let us not just assume that this
is the only path that we can get to that solution.
On efforts of the administration towards revamping the
economy, Dr. Dipeolu said massive infrastructure, especially roads,
rails and the housing sector would positively affect Nigerians,
significantly.
20 % mortgage unaffordable
He noted that the current mortgage rates of between 20 and 30 percent were too high.
“There is something we call the Family Homes Fund which when the budget is passed, we hope we can have about a N100 billion.
“That is because the problem in housing is
finance. People cannot afford twenty per cent mortgage. We are trying
to bring the mortgage down to nine per cent,’’ Dipeolu said.
The Managing Director of FBN General Insurance Limited, Mr
Olabode Opadokun says he will leverage the enormous economic
opportunities to widen insurance. WHAT are doing to boost the brand of FBN General Insurance in the present business environment? Olabode Opadokun
When you look at our market and the society, insurance is a
hard sell. It’s a line of business that people still have fears for.
Anything that relates to insurance in Nigeria, we must try as much as
possible to do it in a positive manner, so that we don’t create more
challenges for the industry.
My mission here is very simple and clear, it is to
reposition, rebrand, and more or less make it a company that will
withstand the test of time, in terms of productivity, staff welfare,
customers as well as taking it to a profit-making level.
There are a lot of things we have designed prior to my
joining and even after I have resumed. What are these things? Basically,
its to drive the income of the institution in such a way that we will
not only be seen to be developing the company, but also developing the
market size of the industry.
If there is anything that will be advantageous for us as an
institution and the country at large, then, it is the population. And
what I want you to realize is that in practice, majority of insurance
companies all run after the same insurance business.
Real Madrid will be without Gareth Bale as they look to book their place in a record seventh straight Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. Bale
Bale is sidelined by the recurrence of an ankle problem
picked up in Madrid’s 2-1 first-leg win last week and is also a doubt
for Real’s crunch La Liga clash with Barcelona on Sunday.
The Welshman was sidelined for three months earlier in the season after suffering ligament damage in his right ankle.
“Gareth worked very hard to get back into the team after his injury,” said Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane on Monday.
“When he came back he was desperate to be involved and now he has a small niggle that is preventing him from being fully fit.
“I hope it is nothing and in a few days he can be with us again.
“He won’t be fit for Bayern because we don’t want to take any risks.”
Bale missed Real’s 3-2 win at Sporting Gijon on Saturday and Zidane was far from confident he will be fit in time to face Barca.
“I hope he will be with us, but we have to wait and see,” he added.
“It is a question of taking it day by day.”
The President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Akinwumi
Adesina, says Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, will become the
largest exporter of rice in the world by 2021.
Adesina said this at the Mo Ibrahim Forum in Morocco over the weekend.
He said Africa should focus on agriculture to drive growth and employment on the continent.
Adesina recalled that during his tenure as Nigeria’s Minister for
Agriculture, Dangote decided to invest in local production of rice due
to government’s import substitution policies.
Adesina said that Dangote initially planned a 300 million-dollar
investment in production and processing of rice in Nigeria but later
changed it to one billion dollars three months after.
“If they continue that policy, he would probably be the single largest producer of rice in the world, in about four years.
“The reason why I was so excited about that is that agriculture is
cool, agriculture is a business and agriculture pays,” Adesina said.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Ltd, said he ventured into
rice cultivation because of government’s interest to revive agriculture
as the mainstay of the economy and reduce importation of food that could
be produced locally.
He lamented that Nigeria consumes 6.5 million Metric tonnes of rice
which costs the nation over two billion dollars annually and commended
government’s policy that encourages private sector’s active
participation in agriculture.
“In the next three years, we want to produce one million tonnes of quality rice, make it available and affordable to the people.
“We hope to do 150, 000 hectares and when we are done, Nigeria will
not have anything to do with importation of rice,” Dangote said.
According to him, Dangote Rice Outgrowers Scheme is committed to
creating employment, increasing incomes of smallholders farmers and
ensuring food security in the country.
He said that to achieve the goal, the scheme would provide high
quality seeds, fertilizers, agro-chemicals and technical assistance on
best agricultural practice to farmers.
“This scheme will help to diversify the economy, alleviate poverty and reduce the nation’s import bill.
The scheme has been designed as a one stop solution for the rice value chain,” Dangote stated.
The pilot phase of the Dangote Outgrowers Scheme launched in Sokoto
State would create jobs for 16,000 rice farmers in the state.
Geoffrey Kirui and Edna Kiplagat led a Kenyan clean sweep at the 121st Boston Marathon on Monday, both timing late bursts to perfection to claim the men’s and women’s races of the prestigious event. Marathon
Kirui, 24, produced a devastating sprint with four miles to
go to settle an enthralling tactical battle with American rival Galen
Rupp, the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist.
Kirui waved and smiled as he took the tape in a time of 2hr 9min 37sec, with Rupp finishing in second.
It was a masterful performance from the young Kenyan, who
made his move with a 4:52 mile at the 22-mile mark that saw him pull
clear of Rupp.
Rupp battled desperately to stay in touch but was unable to
respond as Kirui kept the pace up to leave the Oregon-based American in
second in 2:09:58. Japan’s Suguru Osako was third in 2:10:28.
Kirui’s time was well outside the world marathon record of 2:02:57 set by Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto in Berlin in 2014.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has urged Nigerians to
see smuggling as a crime and support it to succeed in the war against
smugglers.
Mr Joseph Attah, Public Relations Officer of the Service, made the speech on Monday in Abuja.
He said that the service anti-smuggling strategy was
yielding positive dividend, adding that in the past three months, the
service had seized 136,506 bags of rice.
“All Nigerians should see smuggling as a crime so that they
will support the service to succeed in our ongoing war against
smugglers.
“Seeing smuggling as a crime means that you will be willing to give creditable information that will help us succeed.
“As villagers that live around border line, they should be
willing to support customs officers whenever they make seizures and they
are encountering some difficulties, rather than supporting the smugglers against customs
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister has said
that President Mohammadu Buhari’s lead All Progressive Congress (APC)
government is ‘the most divisive, vindictive, incompetent, primitive,
mendacious, cruel and ignorant government that Nigeria has ever had.
This came as he also called for the resignation of the Director General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA)
Fani-Kayode made this known on his twitterhandle
on Monday stating that the idea that ex President Goodluck Jonathan
approved the $43m that was recently recovered by The Economic and
Financial Crime Commission EFCC in Ikoyi was a lie.
Fani-Kayode said that the Director General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency NIA was ”a treacherous and lying coward’ and ‘must resign’.
THE declining oil revenue means that Nigeria desperately needs to diversify
into other promising sectors. Sectors the nation considers vibrant
enough to sustain the economy include Technology and Agriculture.
As it turns out, both sectors complement each other. The
problem, however, is that policy makers appear to have failed to make
policies that could create synergy for both sectors. This oversight has
created a knowledge gap particularly between farmers and the technology
they need to improve their yields.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Prof.
Ajayi Boroffice, is disturbed by the situation and feels that a synergy
between agriculture and technology can sufficiently turn the economy
around. Boroffice, who was a guest at the 2017 technology and innovation
expo in Abuja, weekend, lamented that most Nigerian farmers are
technology illiterates and, therefore, can not maximise the potentials
that have helped to transform other economies.
Indigenous technology
He said that a country that can no longer depend on oil
cannot afford to have its farmers being ignorant of indigenous
technology, which has led to their failure to maximise their potentials.
According to him, “the country can no longer depend on oil due to its
volatility in the international market, rather the three focal sectors
for increased revenue generation, job and wealth creation will be technology, agriculture and solid minerals.”
Mechanised Agricuture
He charged his colleagues at the National Assembly to give
all necessary support to relevant ministers in these sectors to succeed.
While declaring the event open, President Muhammadu Buhari
said that the Federal Government will encourage technology investors who
want to manufacture goods in Nigeria and are willing to transfer their
technology to Nigeria with incentives.
The Head Coach of Sand Super Eagles, Audu Ejo, on Friday
said that 16 players had started camping in preparation for the 2017
Beach Soccer World Cup in The Bahamas. Super Sand Eagles
Audu said this in Lagos that the Badgry camp opened on April
12 with four players of the invited 22 not making the camp due to
injurires.
The 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup which is the 9th edition, is scheduled to hold in Belarus, The Bahamas, from April 27 to May 7.
Nigeria which made its last appearance at the 2015 edition in Portugal and Senegal will represent Africa at the competition.
“We have 16 players in camp, as we speak, camping opened on Wednesday, and the players have shown so much skills and zeal.
“Four out of my boys could not make this trip as a result of
injuries, sad as it is, we won’t allow that to disturb us; we are
making the best of the situation,’’ he said.
Ejo also said that as part of the team’s preparation, two players and some officials had yet to secure their American Visas.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu
ABUJA- Controversial Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai has just
arrived the Presidential Villa, Abuja to meet with President Muhammadu
Buhari.
The governor who arrived 12: 45 pm is also expected to worship with the President at the Villa Mosque.
It will be recalled that el-Rufai recently in a letter hit
the administration of President Buhari so hard, saying that the
president has failed to take charge of his own government.
He said that cabals have hijacked the government from the president, dictating the course of events in the country.
Similarly, the governor recently picked up a challenge
thrown to him by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu
Dogara to publish the details of his security votes in the spirit of transparency.
The governor was to later challenge the Speaker to reciprocate the same having done his.
His meeting with President will be the first since the el-Rufai’s letter went viral.
By Anthony Ogbonna
Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi’s media aide, Mr. David
Iyofor has replied the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi
Fani-Kayode who, in a tweet, alleged that Mr. Amaechi indeed owns both
the apartment and the billions of money in both local and foreign currencies found on Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Lagos.
Also read: EFCC’s Lagos found billions: Amaechi, Fayose’s aides fight over ownership
Chief Fani-Kayode had in the tweet, said that, “The $43
million is Rotimi Amaechi’s. He owns the flat it was found in too.NIA
story is fake news! NIA does not keep cash in Minister’s flats!”
However, Mr. Iyofor, while replying Fani-Kayode, said, “FAKE NEWS. Show us the title documents with Amaechi’s name as the owner or shut up. When normal peeps talk, this one also want to talk. SMH.” Recovered Money
“Someone will just sniff something then comes on Twitter to rant incomprehensible nonsense. Some fellows really need help, serious help.”
He went further to say that, “Lying out rightly to defame
someone is not politics but pure madness. I just hope someone has not
stop taking his meds.”
The Premier League is set to announce a record annual loss
of £312 million ($390 million, 368 million euros) because of the
declining value of sterling and new accounting rules, the Financial
Times reported Friday after seeing documents yet to be made public. Leicester City
English football’s top flight is the wealthiest major
domestic soccer competition in the world, with much of its income coming
from lucrative overseas broadcast deals.
This season alone is set to see the 20 clubs in the Premier League each take a cut from international media rights agreements worth an estimated £3 billion in total.
The league clubs have usually received their share in sterling, with the Premier League
using financial instruments known as derivatives to offset the exchange
rate risk that comes from the fact that television contracts are also
paid in US dollars and euros — a process called hedging.
But UK rules for the reporting of derivatives have changed, with companies now required to value their contracts annually at market prices, instead of waiting until a deal had been completed to make a formal declaration of its worth.
Last season’s edition was the first time these new rules had become applicable to the Premier League.
On July 31, 2016, the last day of the Premier League’s financial year, the pound was worth $1.32 — a 12 percent decline since Britain voted to leave the European Union in a national referendum.
Results for that financial year, which includes 5,000/1 outsiders Leicester City’s shock Premier League title triumph, are due to be published next week.
The Financial Times, citing the Premier League, said the new reporting rules had turned a gain of £638,000 under the old system into a paper loss of £250 million.
According to the FT report, the Premier League said this had done no actual damage to its income or ability to make distributions to its member clubs.
The consequences for the Premier League of ‘Brexit’ which, following the referendum, is due to take place in 2019 after two years of ‘divorce’ talks, may not be limited to currency fluctuations.
Currently, Premier League clubs can sign EU players without having to apply for work permits on their behalf.
Non-EU players must satisfy criteria regarding how many
international appearances they have made and how strong their national
team is in order to be granted visas, although exemptions can be
granted.
A study by The Guardian published in September showed that two thirds of Premier League players from the EU would not meet these criteria.
Fewer stars means reduced international appeal, potentially making rival championships such as Spain’s La Liga or Germany’s Bundesliga more attractive to overseas broadcasters and so reducing the long-term financial strength of the Premier League.
The Eko Distribution ElectriCompany Plc (EKEDC) says it
will ensure uninterrupted power supply throughout the Easter period in
the zone.
To this end, the electricity company said it had already adopted some measures.
Mr Godwin Idemudia, the General Manager, Corporate Communications
of the company, said in Lagos on Friday that the company was aware of
the high expectations of customers to enjoy regular power supply during
Easter.
“EKEDC has put in place measures to ensure that the customers’ hopes are not dashed.
“We assure customers within our operational territory of uninterrupted electricity supply during Easter.
“We will ensure that energy from the National Grid is adequately distributed to customers,” he said.
He, however, warned against vandalism and tampering with equipment in the zone as it could cause deaths or serious injuries.
According to Idemudia, frequent damage of such equipment will cause outage.
“It is illegal and dangerous for anyone to trade, live or work near electricity installations or even tamper with them.
“The company is determined to deliver power supply to its customers in a very safe manner; we will collaborate with communities to safeguard electricity installations,” he said.
The EKEDC spokesman appealed to consumers to ensure that
their homes and business premises were properly wired and earthed by
engaging only approved technicians to ensure safety of lives and
property.
He said the management had set up a committee to ensure that health, safety and environment were fully integrated in its operations.
“ We at EKEDc values health and environment because our
operation is not just to sell electricity and make money, but to ensure a
safe use of the product.”
He advised electricity consumers to refrain from patronising unlicensed electricians when faults occurred on their power lines or appliances.
On fault clearing in the zone, Idemudia said a special fault
clearing team had been set up in all the business districts to
facilitate quick response to customers’ complaints.
Idemudia, therefore, warned owners of houses built under high tension wires and cables to relocate without further delay.
“It is also the expectation of the company that customers on their own will settle their electricity bills promptly to avoid disconnection.”
Lagos needs 720m
gallons of water per day – Ambode
On April 13, 20173:08 pmIn NewsComments
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday said his
administration remains committed to bridging the daily deficit of
potable water in the State without inflicting tax burden on the people,
just as he revealed that huge investments have been made in the sector
in the last 23 months.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (6th right), in a group
photograph with President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN),
Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs (middle); his team and some members of the State
Executive Council during the Association’s courtesy visit to the
Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Thursday, April 13, 2017.
Speaking at Lagos House in Ikeja when he received a delegation from the
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) led by its President, Dr
Frank Udemba Jacobs, Governor Ambode said the State requires about
720million gallons of water per day, but currently has capacity to
produce 210million leaving a deficit of about 500 million gallons.
It would be recalled that the present administration since assumption of
office had intensified investments in the water sector especially by
putting measures in place to revamp the 48 Mini Water Works across the
State to produce at hundred per cent, while works on the Adiyan Major
Water Works had reached advanced stage.
The Governor said ever since coming on board, conscious efforts have
been made towards improving on the business environment by investing in
critical sectors such as infrastructure, security, traffic management,
among others, saying that investment in the water sector too had been
huge.
He said: “Just like every other infrastructure that we are trying to
create in the city, water is one of them and obviously it is clear that
we have a deficit. The city actually needs a minimum of 720million
gallons of water per day and right now, there is a shortfall of almost
about 500million and so our investment in water sector is continuous and
very deep.
“The truth is that despite being surrounded by water, the infrastructure
that drives the water to become a drinkable item is huge and we do not
want to tax people to death and at the same time within the limited
resources in a recession, we are faced with that challenge of wanting to
redistribute the limited resources in the various sectors and sometimes
the gap is yet to be filled in that sector.
“I do recognize the fact that we need to be on top of our game in terms
of providing water and I also recognize the fact that we are not yet in a
place where we ought to be but again, we must understand that within
that shortcoming, government tries as much as possible to find a way to
create laws or create an enabling environment to allow water to be
available everywhere,” Governor Ambode said.
While responding to enquiries by the delegation on charges on water,
Governor Ambode said the intention of laws regulating the water sector
was not to bring any inconvenience to the people, and that government
would be willing to put measures in place to resolve any issue amicably
with the aim of making businesses to continue to operate in the State.
The Governor also reiterated his commitment to continue to engage with
the private sector through various platforms as well as the Corporate
Assembly which the State had already put in place to interface with the
business community.
Earlier, MAN President (Jacobs) said the delegation was at Lagos House
to further build on the existing cordial relationship with the State
Government.
Jacobs commended Governor Ambode over his untiring and exemplary efforts
at making Lagos the centre of excellence especially in areas of
infrastructural transformation, adding that the investments had greatly
helped to create conducive environment for the manufacturing sector to
thrive in the State.
He said: “We applaud Governor Ambode’s policies and programmes and
pledge to continue to work with government in moving the State forward.”
Governor Ambode, who also received Mr. Edward Kallon, UN
Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Residential Representative in
Nigeria, said as the fifth largest economy in Africa, his
administration would collaborate with necessary organizations such as UN
to scale up the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), adding that his
plan for the State is to emerge as the third largest economy within the
next three to five years.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/04/lagos-needs-720m-gallons-water-per-day-ambode/
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday said
his administration remains committed to bridging the daily deficit of
potable water in the State without inflicting tax burden on the people,
just as he revealed that huge investments have been made in the sector
in the last 23 months.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (6th right), in a group photograph with President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs (middle); his team and some members of the State Executive Council during the Association’s courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Thursday, April 13, 2017.
Speaking at Lagos House in Ikeja when he received a
delegation from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) led by
its President, Dr Frank Udemba Jacobs, Governor Ambode said the State
requires about 720million gallons of water per day, but currently has
capacity to produce 210million leaving a deficit of about 500 million
gallons.
It would be recalled that the present administration since
assumption of office had intensified investments in the water sector
especially by putting measures in place to revamp the 48 Mini Water
Works across the State to produce at hundred per cent, while works on
the Adiyan Major Water Works had reached advanced stage.
The Governor said ever since coming on board, conscious
efforts have been made towards improving on the business environment by
investing in critical sectors such as infrastructure, security, traffic
management, among others, saying that investment in the water sector too
had been huge.
He said: “Just like every other infrastructure that we are
trying to create in the city, water is one of them and obviously it is
clear that we have a deficit. The city actually needs a minimum of
720million gallons of water per day and right now, there is a shortfall
of almost about 500million and so our investment in water sector is
continuous and very deep.
“The truth is that despite being surrounded by water, the
infrastructure that drives the water to become a drinkable item is huge
and we do not want to tax people to death and at the same time within
the limited resources in a recession, we are faced with that challenge of wanting to redistribute the limited resources in the various sectors and sometimes the gap is yet to be filled in that sector.
“I do recognize the fact that we need to be on top of our
game in terms of providing water and I also recognize the fact that we
are not yet in a place where we ought to be but again, we must
understand that within that shortcoming, government tries as much as
possible to find a way to create laws or create an enabling environment
to allow water to be available everywhere,” Governor Ambode said.
While responding to enquiries by the delegation on charges
on water, Governor Ambode said the intention of laws regulating the
water sector was not to bring any inconvenience to the people, and that
government would be willing to put measures in place to resolve any
issue amicably with the aim of making businesses to continue to operate
in the State.
The Governor also reiterated his commitment to continue to
engage with the private sector through various platforms as well as the
Corporate Assembly which the State had already put in place to interface
with the business community.
Earlier, MAN President (Jacobs) said the delegation was at Lagos House to further build on the existing cordial relationship with the State Government.
Jacobs commended Governor Ambode over his untiring and
exemplary efforts at making Lagos the centre of excellence especially in
areas of infrastructural transformation, adding that the investments
had greatly helped to create conducive environment for the manufacturing sector to thrive in the State.
He said: “We applaud Governor Ambode’s policies and programmes and pledge to continue to work with government in moving the State forward.”
Governor Ambode, who also received Mr.
Edward Kallon, UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Residential
Representative in Nigeria, said as the fifth largest economy in Africa,
his administration would collaborate with necessary organizations such
as UN to scale up the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), adding that
his plan for the State is to emerge as the third largest economy within
the next three to five years.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the temporary
forfeiture of the sums of $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23,218,000 recovered
by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from an apartment in
the Ikoyi area of Lagos on Wednesday.
The court, in a ruling on Thursday afternoon by Justice
Muslim Hassan, ordered that the funds be temporarily forfeited to the
Federal Government.
The judge adjourned till May 5, 2017, for anyone interested
in the funds to show up before him to show cause why the money should
not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government
Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari was absent at the Wednesday’s
meeting of the Federal Executive Council held at the Council Chambers of
the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
READ:How Buhari should deal with the legislature
He also did not report in his office but remained inside his official residence.
The President’s absence sparked off another round of
speculation on the state of health of the 74-year-old leader, who
recently returned to the country from his 49-day medical vacation to the
United Kingdom.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, told State House correspondents after the meeting that there
was no cause for alarm on Buhari’s health.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo presided over the Wednesday meeting in Buhari’s absence.
Osinbajo had arrived at the venue at about 10.52am to join
other members of the cabinet, including ministers, to wait for Buhari to
declare open the meeting, which was slated for 11am.
A security operative was already standing behind the President’s seat, waiting for his arrival.
Shortly after Osinbajo arrived at the chamber, however, he
consulted briefly with the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, Babachir Lawal, who in turn announced to members to settle
down for the commencement of the meeting. READ ALSO:Ondo election: President Buhari deserves an apology
Many of the members, who were already on the lookout for
Buhari’s arrival, were visibly surprised when Osinbajo asked that the
national anthem be recited to commence the meeting.
Buhari remained in his official residence while the meeting lasted.
Wednesday was the first time Osinbajo presided over the council meeting since Buhari returned to the country on March 10.
But Mohammed later told journalists that there was nothing unusual in the President being absence at the meeting.
He claimed Buhari, who he said was attending to other issues
during the meeting, had asked Osinbajo to stand in for him after he had
perused the meeting’s agenda.
The minister added, “Clearly, when we came in this morning,
Mr. President was not in the chambers but the Vice-President did preside
over the council meeting. Understandably, that has sparked a lot of
controversies and imputations in the mind of the people.
“I just want to make this clear that Mr. President is in
town; Mr. President is attending to other issues. He looked at the
agenda, he found out that it was a very light agenda and decided that
the Vice-President should preside.
“It is not unusual for the kind of interest that is shown,
especially given the fact that Mr. President was away for a while on
medical treatment. We are not surprised that people will be wondering
whether he is ill again. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:Buhari : Why I apologised – Jibrin
“He is not ill, he is not sick. I am sure that later in the
day or tomorrow (Thursday) morning, he will be back in the office. I
just want to clear that misconception.
“It is not unusual even if Mr. President is hale and hearty
and everything is going on well, for the Vice-President to come and
preside over meetings of the Federal Executive Council.
“The fact that Mr. President is not in the office does not
mean that he is not working. I have just been told now that the SGF is
already with him in the residence working. So, the fact that you did not
see him in the office does not mean that he is not working at all.”
Oscar Okebata, an American veteran soldier was
robbed and murdered in Atta in the Ikeduru Local Government Area of the
state on January 12, 2017.
Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri
The family of Chuks Okebata, a United States of America
veteran soldier who was murdered on January 12, 2017, at Atta Junction
in the Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, has promised a N2m
reward for anybody who would provide useful information that would lead
to the arrest of the killers of their son.
34-year-old Okebata, who had returned home from the USA for
the Christmas and new year celebrations was kidnapped at his village,
Umduruorie, Orimezie community in the Mbaitoli LGA of the state and was
taken to Atta Junction where his abductors shot him repeatedly on his
chest until he died.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday at the Nigeria Union of
Journalists press complex in Owerri, the state capital, the elder
brother to the slain veteran soldier, Oswald Okebata, stated that apart
from setting out a N2m reward for anybody who would offer accurate
information that would lead to arrest of the fleeing killers, the family
had resolved to establish a security foundation in honour of their dead
son and brother.
He said, “Our family has offered N2m reward for information
that will lead to the arrest and conviction of those who committed this
heinous crime.
“As we appreciate the effort of Nigeria Police Force in
solving this crime, yet their investigation shows no accounts of the
vehicle set by these criminals or accounts for the murder weapons.
“We plan to set a security foundation in Memorial of our brother and son so that others do not fall prey to such evil act.”
The elder brother maintained that despite that there were
people currently facing court trial on the killing, many others who took
part in the killing of the USA veteran soldier were reportedly at
large.
The father of killed veteran soldier, Timothy Mbaeri, said
that the gruesome murder of his son does not give Nigeria a good image,
adding that the incident would scare other Nigerians in the diaspora
from visiting home.
The octogenarian who announced that his slain son would be
buried on April 17, said that Chuks retired in 2014 through disabled
honorary discharge having sustained an injury while working for the USA
Navy.
The bereaved father averred that the family had met with USA
president, Donald Trump over the killing and that the family was
equally working with the USA Federal Bureau of Investigation with the
aim of apprehending the killers of the American citizen.
Mbaeri, alleged that those who killed his sons were
assailants, as his gold watch, vehicle, USA licensed pistol and other
properties in his possession when they attacked him were not stolen.
A Third Republic Senator, Etang Umoyo has defected to the
All Progressives Congress, saying that Akwa Ibom State is moving
backwards under the government of the Peoples Democratic Party. READ:Ita-Giwa defects to APC today
Umoyo, a founding member of the PDP in the state and the
most senior politician in Esit Eket Local Government Area, was
registered with the APC in his Etebi Ward 7 on Wednesday.
He explained that the seed for the ongoing disintegration of
the PDP in the state was sowed during the December 2014 governorship
primaries of the party.
“Today is just for me to officially present myself to my
Ward as a member of APC but I had long abandoned a group of mafians who
called themselves politicians in PDP immediately after the gubernatorial
primaries in 2014 which saw to the imposition of a particular candidate
against the wishes of the people. READ ALSO:I have not defected to APC –Uduaghan
“Today, the state is moving backwards because of that singular act of impunity,” he said.
Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday forwarded names of
five nominees to the Senate for confirmation as non-executive directors
of the board of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the
President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the nominees were
picked from five geopolitical zones of the country.
The statement read, “In accordance with Sections 6 (1) (d)
and 10 (1) and (2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act,
2007, President Muhammadu Buhari, Wednesday, forwarded the list of his
nominees to the Senate for confirmation as Non-Executive Directors of
the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The letter to the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki,
contained the following as the nominees and their geopolitical zones:
Prof. Ummu Ahmed Jalingo – North East; Prof. Justitia Odinakachukwu
Nnabuko – South East; Prof. Mike I. Obadan – South South; Dr. Abdu
Abubakar – North West and Adeola Adetunji – South West.
