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Two persons were on Wednesday burnt beyond
recognition after a petrol tanker exploded at
Barracks Bus Stop, along Mile 2 on Badagry
Expressway, Ojo in Lagos State.
The Nation gathered the 33,000 litre fuel- laden
tanker exploded after it fell due to a bad portion
of the road in the area.
It was learnt when the tanker fell, a container and
three other vehicles ran into the spilled contents
on the road and ignited fire.
While some of the motorists escaped, two people
were burnt beyond recognition and five vehicles
including the tanker and a container was also
burnt.
Passersby ran helter shelter with many injured in
the process while scampering for safety.
The incident was said to have occurred around
8am leading to zero vehicular movement on both
sides of the expressway for over an hour.
The Nation learnt around 10am, the fire was
under control and vehicular movement had been
restored to the area following intervention of the
officials of the Lagos State Fire Service, the
Response Team of the Lagos State Emergency
Management Agency (LASEMA) and other security
officials.
A passerby who was at the scene while the fire
was burning, Hon Ralph Nwafor, said the tanker
loaded with petroleum product fall in front of Ojo
military cantonment, adding that the entire road
for vehicular movement to and fro mile 2 was
blocked during the inferno.
He said that the intervention of the uniformed
men, Lagos State Fire Service and the Response
Unit of LASEMA, helped to combat the fire and to
clear the traffic.
According to him: “I saw two human bodies burnt
beyond recognition; asides the fuel tanker, a
container and other vehicles were also burnt.
“Many people were injured as a result of the fear
caused by the fire. People ran up and down in
search for safety. Those that were on Okada, were
particularly injured.”
Acting Director Lagos Fire Service Rasaki
Musibau, who visited the accident scene, warned
motorists to avoid leaving their vehicles on the
road unattended to especially in the night in order
to avert Fire and safe lives.
source: thenationonlineng.net/updated-two-burnt-to-death-scores-injured-in-lagos-tanker-explosion/

A statement by the General Manager, Corporate
Affairs, Henrietta Yakubu, alleged that the
passenger that raised the alarm is said to have a
history of mental illness and is currently with the
security agencies and medical experts for
assessment.
“Following the false information, officers of
FAAN’s aviation security swiftly evacuated
passengers, crew and cargo on board the flight
and a bomb squad immediately conducted a
thorough check on the aircraft and baggage,
which confirmed the information to be false.
“Aftermath of the due diligence test carried out on
the aircraft, a fresh boarding call has been made
and passengers have boarded the flight for take-
off to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria will like
to reassure passengers and all airport users that
our airports are safe and secure. They should
carry on their lawful activities without any fear.
“FAAN is committed to her core values of Safety,
Security and Comfort”.
source: www.channelstv.com/2019/01/30/reports-of-bomb-threat-on-air-peace-flight-is-false-faan/

“I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner
James Ingram to the Celestial Choir,” performer
Debbie Allen tweeted. “He will always be
cherished, loved and remembered for his genius,
his love of family and his humanity.”
A native of the US state of Ohio, Ingram launched
his music career with the band Revelation Funk
and later played keyboard for soul pioneer Ray
Charles.
His rise to fame came after he lent his smooth
vocals to the songs “Just Once” and “One
Hundred Ways” on an album recorded by industry
legend Quincy Jones.
Ingram earned three Grammy nominations for the
works, including Best New Artist, winning for Best
Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1981.
With Jones, he also co-wrote Michael Jackson’s
hit “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).”
“There are no words to convey how much my <3
aches,” tweeted Jones. “With that soulful, whisky
sounding voice, James was simply magical.”
“He was, & always will be, beyond compare.”
Over his career, Ingram was nominated for 14
Grammys along with two Golden Globes and two
Oscars, one for his duet with singer Patti Austin,
“How Do you Keep the Music Playing?” that was
featured in the movie “Best Friends.”
Ingram also joined singer Linda Ronstadt to
perform the song “Somewhere Out There” from
the 1986 animated musical adventure film “An
American Tail,” which sees a family of Jewish
Russian mice flee to the United States.
He also collaborated with high-profile artists
including Donna Summer, Viktor Lazlo and Natalie
Cole.
“Ingram’s rich voice and masterful songwriting
has made a lasting impact on the music
industry,” the Recording Academy, the
organization behind the Grammys, said in a
statement. “Our thoughts go out to his loved
ones during this difficult time.”
source: www.channelstv.com/2019/01/30/grammy-winning-rb-singer-james-ingram-dies-at-66/

However, Neymar will not undergo an operation,
with PSG saying the Brazilian had instead agreed
on “a conservative treatment” that could see him
return in time for the Champions League quarter-
finals in April should they qualify.
“After detailed analysis by specialists, a
consensus was reached of conservative treatment
of Neymar’s injury to the fifth right metatarsal,”
the French champions said.
“Informed of this recommendation, Paris Saint-
Germain’s Brazilian international striker agreed
with this protocol. As a result, Neymar is
expected to return to the field within 10 weeks.”
Neymar suffered the injury in PSG’s French Cup
win against Strasbourg last week, and his coach
Thomas Tuchel had already all but ruled the 222-
million-euro forward out of the first leg against
United at Old Trafford on February 12.
The second leg of that tie is scheduled for March
6, and the timeline announced by the club means
he could just make it back in time for a quarter-
final first leg, due to be played on April 9 and 10.
The second legs are set for the following week.
“Paris Saint-Germain sends its strongest support
and encouragement to Neymar Jr. to overcome
this injury, with the courage and determination
that the player has always shown,” the club
added.
While Neymar will now sit out a crucial period in
PSG’s season, there has also been concern back
in Brazil, which will host the Copa America in
June and July.
An operation would have put Neymar’s
participation in that tournament at risk, as well as
effectively ending his club season.
Brazil coach Tite and national team doctor
Rodrigo Lasmar have been in Paris this week to
visit Neymar, who suffered a fracture to the same
right foot at the end of February last year.
He underwent an operation, performed by Lasmar,
and returned just in time for the World Cup in
Russia last June.
source: www.channelstv.com/2019/01/30/neymar-to-miss-man-utd-tie-after-being-ruled-out-for-10weeks/

The chairman of the commission, Professor
Mahmood Yakubu said the list will be published
in all the state offices of the commission across
the country and on the commission’s website.
He said this at the swearing-in ceremony of the
new Resident Electoral Commissioner in Bayelsa
State, Monday Udo on Wednesday.
Professor Yakubu also noted that the commission
is awaiting the confirmation and appointment of
the nominee for Osun State.
He further stated that the commission has
implemented 10 out of the 14 activities outlined in
its scheduled programs of activities.
source: www.channelstv.com/2019/01/30/general-elections-inec-to-release-final-list-of-candidates-tomorrow/

Actor Jussie Smollett of the US television
program “Empire” was hospitalized Tuesday in
Chicago following a possibly hate-motivated
attack in which assailants tied a rope around his
neck, police and his co-workers said.
News of the early morning attack left the
entertainment world reeling and g*y advocacy
groups speaking out in support of the 36-year-old
actor.
Smollett was beaten at around 2:00 am by two
attackers who yelled “racial and homophobic
slurs” while he walked downtown in the third-
biggest US city, said police, who did not name
him but said the victim was an actor from
“Empire.”
Smollett’s fellow cast members and production
company identified him as the victim.
The attackers poured “an unknown chemical
substance” on him, and then wrapped a rope
around the actor’s neck, according to police.
“Given the severity of the allegations, we are
taking this investigation very seriously and
treating it as a possible hate crime,” the Chicago
Police Department said.
The actor and singer was reportedly in Chicago
for a scheduled Saturday concert.
Senator Kamala Harris of California, who on the
weekend launched her 2020 campaign to be
America’s first black female president, called the
incident “an attempted modern day lynching.”
“No one should have to fear for their life because
of their s*xuality or color of their skin. We must
confront this hate,” Harris said on Twitter.
Members of the “Empire” production team and
cast, as well as the studio that produces the
program, also spoke out.
“The entire studio, network and production stands
united in the face of any despicable act of
violence and hate — and especially against one of
our own,” 20th Century Fox Television said in a
statement.
The show’s co-creator Lee Daniels posted an
Instagram video calling Jussie “my son.”
“You didn’t deserve, nor anybody deserves, to
have a noose put around your neck,” Daniels said,
addressing the actor.
“Hold your head up Jussie. I’m with you. I’ll be
there in a minute. It’s just another f**king day in
America,” he said.
Advocacy groups including The Trevor Project and
the American Civil Liberties Union, quickly offered
their support as well.
“LGBTQ people of color live at multiple
intersections of oppression, too often facing
violence compounded by both racism and
homophobia,” the ACLU said.
“This isn’t the America we want to live in.
source: www.channelstv.com/2019/01/30/jussie-smollett-allegedly-attacked-in-possible-hate-crime/

UNITED Nations Economic Commission for African
( ECA ) Executive Secretary Vera Songwe has
congratulated Mauritania for ratifying the African
Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
She spoke yesterday during an audience with the
President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz in Nouakchott.
“Mauritania is one of the first countries to sign
the AfCFTA documents. This shows that its
President and government are convinced of the
importance of regional integration,” Songwe said.
Discussions with Aziz included strategic choices
for ECA’s work in Mauritania and its cooperation
with the country as part of its role in supporting
Africa’s growth.
During her visit, the ECA Executive Secretary met
several ministers, including the Prime Minister
Mohamed Salem Ould El Bechir, the Minister of
Foreign Affairs Ismaël Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the
Minister of Economy and Finance Moctar Ould
Diay and the Minister of Trade, Industry and
Tourism Khadijetou Mbareck Fall.
Topics discussed included the use of innovative
financing investment mechanisms to strengthen
key sectors like energy or mines; the use of ICTs
to streamline administrative processes to improve
the national Doing Business ranking, and
improved public finances and debt analysis to
consolidate the country’s macro-economic and
fiscal policies.
Other topics included employment, economic
diversification, the building of a national, digital ID
system for a better social inclusion and
distribution of growth benefits in accordance with
the Sustainable Development Goals and the
implementation of the African Women Leadership
Fund initiated by ECA in 2018 in favor of
Mauritanian women.
These cooperation opportunities come in addition
to ongoing ECA projects in Mauritania, which
include the rebasing of the GDP in accordance
with SCN 2008, support for the drafting of the
first National Voluntary Review, and an upcoming
competitiveness study to be carried out as part of
ECA’s support for the implementation of the
AfCFTA.
Songwe also met the UN country team and
discussed options for an improved coordination of
UN projects in Mauritania.
source: thenationonlineng.net/eca-chief-hails-mauritania-ratifying-afcfta/

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
may be preparing for confrontation with some vice
chancellors whom they described as not
cooperating even though they will spend the
money the union is asking the Federal
Government to release.
Some of the vice chancellors have reportedly been
intimidating lecturers in their institution and have
ordered them back to the classrooms. Some have
reportedly commenced examinations.
ASUU National President Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi
said in an interview in Abuja that the attitude of
some of the vice chancellors was worrisome.
He stressed that the union is prepared to engage
such vice chancellors, when the ongoing strike is
suspended or called off.
He expressed regret over some members of the
union, who choose to betray their conscience by
opting out of the strike.
Ogunyemi added that such members who might
be aggrieved ought to take opportunity of
available internal mechanism for resolving such
crisis, adding that the union would address their
issues at the appropriate time.
Giving three reasons why some members might
have opted out of the strike, Ogunyemi said:
“There are many reasons why some members
have pulled out of the action. In some campuses,
some vice chancellors are so uncooperative even
though they are the ones, who will spend this
money that ASUU is agitating for.
“In some places, some of them will misapply the
fund. That is why you will continue to see crisis
because when we go back, we are going to
engage many vice chancellors. In some state
universities, their governors are playing the
ostrich, pretending to be funding their
universities.
“Today, we call many state universities TETFUND
universities because the bulk of their capital
projects in the last 10 years came from TETFUND
support and lately, the NEEDS assessment grant.
“Governors, who own such universities will be
giving their vice chancellors directive to go and
open the universities. They are just not being
sincere to themselves because they are actually
not doing what is expected of them.
“Another reason is because some of our members
are aggrieved for reasons best known to them.
Some have threatened to pull out of ASUU and go
their own way.
“When you take it on the balance, you find out
that within their inner self, they are not opposed
to what we are asking for because the Earned
Academic Allowances will go to them,
revitalisation fund will go to their universities and
where they have salary shortfall, it will be
refunded to them.”
source: thenationonlineng.net/asuu-tackle-uncooperative-vice-chancellors/

Police in Ogun State have arrested a 45 year old
man, Idowu Owolabi, for unlawful s*xual
relationship with his 21 years old biological
daughter.
Owolabi who lives at Papa Olosun area Of Oja-
Odan area of the state with his daughter – victim,
was arrested on Monday following a complaint by
her at the OJa-Odan Divisional Police
Headquarters.
She reported that she followed her father to a
farm at Fagboun Village in Oja Odan area and
while in the farm, the father got hold of her and
forcefully had carnal knowledge of her right in the
farm in March 2018.
She added that after the first incident, it became
a routine affairs since then, even as she alleged
that the father had continuously threatened to kill
her if she dares tell anybody about the illicit s*x,
according the Police Public Relations Officer,
Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement on Wednesday
evening.
Abimbola, a Deputy Superintendent of Police
(DSP) stated that upon the report, the Divisional
Police Officer, Oja-Odan, Olayemi Jacob, led his
detectives to the suspect’s resident and arrested
him.
The Police Spokesperson added that when
interrogated, the suspect who was said to have
married to three different women, confessed to
the committing the alleged crime but blame it all
on devil.
However, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed
Iliyasu, has given directive that the suspect be
transferred to State Criminal Investigation and
Intelligence department for proper investigation
and possible prosecution.
source: thenationonlineng.net/police-arrest-man-for-sleeping-with-daughter/

With epic past performances by artists
like Prince, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars, the halftime
show is a big reason to watch the Super Bowl for
some viewers.
But what was once considered a coveted gig has
more recently been tainted by controversy.
This year's halftime performers -- pop band
Maroon 5, rappers Travis Scott and Big Boi --
have received some criticism for agreeing to
perform, despite the NFL's stance toward former
quarterback Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel
during the National Anthem.
Other artists, including Rihanna and Cardi B,
reportedly turned down the gig in support of
Kaepernick.
Perhaps in an effort to avoid critics, the NFL
canceled a press conference with the musicians
that had been scheduled for Thursday.
source: www-m.cnn.com/2019/01/30/entertainment/maroon-5-travis-scott-big-boi-halftime-performance-what-to-know/index.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fentertainment

The Federal
Reserve on Wednesday announced it would hold
interest rates steady, another clear signal it
intends to take a cautious approach in an
uncertain economic environment.
Fed governors unanimously agreed at their first
two-day policy-setting meeting of 2019 to keep
the federal funds rates, which influences the cost
of mortgages, credit cards and other borrowing,
at a range of 2.25% to 2.5%.
The Fed said in a separate statement it is
prepared to use a range of tools to steer the US
economy, including changing its plans to
normalize its balance sheet by size and
composition, "if future economic conditions were
to warrant a more accommodative monetary
policy than can be achieved solely by reducing the
federal funds rate."
Earlier this week, the Congressional Budget Office
estimated that the shutdown, which led to
delayed paychecks, reduced working hours and
stalled contacts, will result in a permanent loss of
about $3 billion in gross domestic product over
the five-week period.
The shutdown, the longest in US history, was not
directly referenced in the Fed's statement.
Fed officials are still maintaining a somewhat rosy
outlook for the US economy pointing to "strong"
job gains in recent months and continued low
unemployment.
"The labor market has continued to strengthen,"
the statement said, adding "economic activity has
been rising at a solid rate."
Although the US central bank has emphasized
that decisions on future rate hikes would depend
on incoming data on the economy, that effort was
hindered this month by the lack of critical data
from the Commerce Department due the
shutdown. The central bank uses a number of
metrics to assess the health of the US economy
both from the private and public sector.
For now, the central bank has penciled in two rate
hikes in 2019.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly railed
against the Fed's rate changes, breaking
precedent by openly attacking Powell and
expressing his hopes via Twitter that governors
would keep rates steady
, a move that could risk letting the economy
overheat amid continued strong hiring.
In recent months, top Fed officials including
Chairman Jerome Powell have made clear they
plan to take a wait-and-see approach before
weighing any additional rate hikes.
"We're actually in a good place," Powell said
earlier this month at the Economic Club of
Washington. "We have the ability to be patient
and watch patiently and carefully as we watch
the economy evolve."
That sentiment has been echoed in recent weeks
by other policymakers, including Powell's top
deputy, Richard Clarida, who told the Fox
Business Network: "We're going to take this
meeting by meeting." He noted that policy makers
would be taking a holistic view of incoming data,
particularly on global growth.
source: www.cnn.com/2019/01/30/economy/federal-reserve-january-rate-meeting/index.html

Eating an egg a day may lower your risk
of cardiovascular disease, a study of more than
400,000 adults in China suggests.
Daily egg eaters had an 18% lower risk of dying
from cardiovascular disease, which manifests as
heart attacks and strokes, compared with adults
who avoided eggs, according to the research
published Monday in the journal Heart.
Commonly called heart disease, cardiovascular
disease includes heart failure, arrhythmias and
heart valve problems in addition to strokes and
attacks. Raised blood pressure, carrying too much
weight or obesity, and elevated blood sugar all
contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease,
which is triggered by unhealthy diet, physical
inactivity, smoking and harmful use of alcohol.
source: www-m.cnn.com/2018/05/21/health/eggs-heart-disease-study/index.html

Three more employees have been placed
on leave at a Columbus, Ohio hospital where a
doctor is alleged to have overprescribed pain
medicine.
"We have now placed 23 colleagues on
administrative leave, including members of the
management team," Mount Carmel Hospital
spokesperson Samantha Irons said.
At least 34 near-death patients received excessive
doses of pain medication at Mount Carmel while
under the care of Dr. William Husel, the hospital's
President and CEO Ed Lamb said in a statement
last week. All 34 patients are deceased, a hospital
spokesperson said.
Of those 34, 28 patients received excessive and
potentially fatal doses of medication, the hospital
said. Six received excessive doses that went
beyond providing comfort but that were not
believed to be the cause of their deaths,
according to the hospital.
Three of the patients died after the hospital
system received a report related to the doctor's
care, the hospital said
source: www-m.cnn.com/2019/01/30/health/ohio-fentanyl-death-employees-on-leave/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_term=link&utm_source=fbCNN&utm_content=2019-01-30T18%3A14%3A07

Legendary music producer Cobhams Asuquo has
produced a jiggly political song for his fellow
artiste, Olubankole Wellington who is more known
as Banky W.
Banky W is contesting under the platform of
Modern Democratic Party, MDP, to represent Eti
Osa Constituency, Lagos at the Federal House of
Representatives.
Banky W shared a video of Cobhams singing to
the song in a studio via his Instagram account.
“I am hereby interrupting your Sunday morning to
let you know that @cobhamsasuquo is a
GENIUS,” he wrote.
Banky Wellington✔ @BankyW
Modern Democratic Party Jingle now
loading... Cobhams is a genius. Hope y'all
are ready for this.
6,6249:17 AM - Jan 27, 2019
2,383 people are talking about this
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“Now loading… #MDP #StrongerTogether #
BestPartyJingleOfAllTime #
GatsLearnToZankuByForce #BankOnBanky #
WeMove #whosready”
In the song which was done in Yoruba and along
the local Fuji style peculiar to southwest and rap.
It exalted the need to support Banky W and his
party, MDP, at the polls on February 16, 2019.
“Many thing go happen, better go shele, if you
vote for Olubankole,” went a refrain in the song.
Banky Wellington✔ @BankyW
Please permit me to interrupt your evening
to let you know that Cobhams Asuquo is a
genius and a national treasure. Check out
our theme song!!! It is more of a JAM than
a jingle. MDP is more of a MOVEMENT
than a Party. And we are #
StrongerTogether. Hope y'all enjoy this! #
Retweet
1,5626:15 PM - Jan 28, 2019
807 people are talking about this
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source: thenationonlineng.net/cobhams-supports-banky-ws-campaign-song-2/

An outfit, MK Executive Care, dedicated to
catering for senior citizens has taken off in Lagos.
Its Executive Director, Issac Ukeleghe, said the
outfit is committed to providing adequate care for
aged citizens at affordable rate.
According to him: “Senior citizens after paying
their dues to the society and their families should
not be left to suffer and die but should be catered
for in a good environment.”
He spoke at the unveiling of the outfit, which also
adopted a charity organisation, Living Fountain
Orphanage Lekki, Lagos as part of his Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR).
Ukeleghe told reporters: “It is a blessing and not
a curse to grow old. Nigerians should not
abandon their aged parents and relatives just
because of old age which is inevitable most
time.”
He pointed out the outfit has existed in the United
Kingdom with great success, explaining the
expansion was to accommodate elderly persons
in Nigeria.
On what spurred the extension to Nigeria, he
said: “Last year I needed someone to look after
my dad because he couldn’t look after himself
anymore.
“He needed mobility and assistance in mobility
and none of his children were around to support
him. So we depended on an external person to
look after him.”
Continuing, he said, “Luckily for us someone
within the village took interest and the person
without any training or formal arrangement
decided to start coming to my daddy’s house to
look after him.
“The service he was rendering for my dad is what
I do for others. So we came to a point we had to
set up a formal arrangement.
“So we started paying him monthly, later my dad
died in April at about 110.”
He explained MK Executive Care does not run old
people’s home but provides trained caregivers for
clients who subscribe for the service.
“It is a situation where interested persons would
consult us for the services and we study their
cases and provide the most suitable caregiver to
work with them.
“It could be someone who would work for four
hours, eight hours, twelve hours, few days in the
week or a live-in caregiver depending on the
client’s choice.
“Clients could also make their choices about the
type of caregiver they want.
“Unfortunately Nigeria does not have such system
like we have in the UK. We are hoping though that
with things changing and with good intention, we
would get to that point.”
The care-givers, he assured, have been well-
screened to avoid theft, security threats and
criminal activities.
“For instance when we employ someone, one of
the commonest things we do is to get the phone
number of the person and we check if it is
registered in the person’s name, we also get
guarantors and we phone the guarantors to make
them accept the responsibility.
“The few ones we have got we have gone to the
length of going to their houses to be sure and in
addition we also get the prove of address to
again check the address to see that is actually
where the person is, “ he said.
Continuing on background checks, Ukeleghe said:
“We are doing some police checks but they are
not as detailed and as comprehensive as what
we have in the UK.
“However we are trying to refine our system on
the context of where we operate because we
know we need to refine it and training is also
very important. So we need to train our workers.
“Not just about employing the person but training
them to buy into the vision of the organisation.
“And hopefully with the check we have in place,
for instance when we send someone to a place
we would regularly be checking on that person.
“We do a spot check, we regularly check without
announcing we were coming and we regularly
phone our clients to see whether they are happy,”
he explained.
On the needs for cultural reorientation for old
people’s care, the caregiver said: “In my case we
almost thought that our people do not need the
service, we always say that the family support is
always there.
“What we forget is that when we bring civilisation
in, we want to push our children to go out and
get greener pasture, they can no longer be with
us again and there is a vacuum which someone
needs to fill.
“We need to fine-tune our minds to know that,
that old time is gone when you think the family is
there.
“Even as organised as the system is in the UK is,
we have workers who steal from and abuse their
clients.
“How much more in a place where there is no
system? We still try to make sure we use the
available systems to get things working.
“We have CCTV in the office and we want to have
a system where we can install CCTV in the homes
of our clients where they can see their old parents
from anywhere in the world,” he said.
source: thenationonlineng.net/outfit-catering-senior-citizens-takes-off-lagos/

A middle-aged man, Obed Umeojiaka has dragged
his four siblings to court over his rightful
inheritance of the Obi and compound of his late
father in Ifite village Ezinifite, Aguata council area
of Anambra State.
Umeojiaka said he sued his brothers, Emeka,
Ifeanyi and two others, as the first son in
accordance with the custom and tradition of the
community.
In Suit No.AG/7/2019, Obed claimed, among other
things, that while his father was alive, he (Obed)
erected some buildings, including a warehouse
and boys’ quarters within his father’s compound
and fenced them off with an entrance gate.
He said, “My late father, twenty years ago, called
all his male children and gave various
homesteads to us individually outside his father’s
own compound.
“None of us protested, but accepted their
homesteads from our father.”
According to Obed, he had been in possession
and occupation of the Obi and compound of his
late father until January 2017 when the siblings
allegedly invaded the compound with force.
“After pulling down the fence that protected the
entire compound, they erected a wall fence inside
the compound to separate the main building from
the boys’ quarters and parking lot built inside the
same compound,” he added.
Countering the accusation, however, Obed’s
brothers, in a letter to the police titled “threat to
life”, alleged his plan to assassinate them.
The brothers who had earlier petitioned the
Inspector General of Police through their lawyer,
Mr Justus Uche Ijeoma, claimed their late father
gave a portion of his compound to two of his
sons.
The letter read partly, “Chukwuemeka and
Sopuluchukwu built their own houses and
partitioned the compound to separate them from
the portion given to the first son, Obed and his
properties based on intervention and decision of
their kinsmen.
“Trouble started when Obed allegedly demolished
our houses, pulled down the fences and entrance
gates as well as walled off an existing four
bedroom bungalow belonging to one of us “to
deny him access to his house and property.”
While calling for a thorough investigation into the
matter, the brothers said they were law-abiding,
pledging to present themselves for investigation
to taking laws into their hands.
source: thenationonlineng.net/man-drags-siblings-court-land-anambra/

Rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the
National Judicial Council (NJC) to compel the
suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice
Walter Onnoghen to step aside pending the
determination of the case against him.
Falana said his position was informed by NJC’s
precedent, in which it, few years back, directed
judges arrested by security agents and charged to
court, to excused themselves from judicial duties
until their cases were concluded.
He accused the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) of
engaging in double standard by taking a position
to oppose Onnoghen’s suspension.
Falana argued that it was wrong for the NBA, that
called for the suspension of judges, who were
arrested by security agents in 2016, to now turn
around to insist that a CJN, against who a charge
is pending, should remain in office.
Falana, who was at the High Court of the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT) to attend to a case, in
defiance of the NBA’s directive that lawyers
boycott court, said the directive was ignored by
many lawyers, who turned up in court on
Tuesday.
He said, while he faulted the Executive’s decision
to suspend the CJN on an ex-parte order issued
by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), he thinks
Onnoghen should resign.
Falana said: “I have a case before court number
26 in the FCT High Court, Abuja. I left Lagos
yesterday to handle my case. My clients are
around. I have a contract with my client, which
supersedes the directive of the NBA.
“I thought the court would sit. But, unfortunately,
we were told the judge is involved in a seminar in
preparation for the sittings of the election
tribunals, which, for me, is a good excuse for not
siting.
“But, on a very serious note, I am not bound by
the resolution of the NBA. I have consistently
maintained my position in this self-inflicted crisis
that we are going through.
“I have condemned the suspension of the Chief
Justice of Nigeria on the basis of an ex-parte
order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal. And, at
the same time, I have also asked that the
suspension be lifted.
“I have also pleaded with the Chief Justice to do
the needful by resigning from office. And I think
there is still an opportunity to do what is needed
to be done.”
On why he chose to attend court on a day the
NBA directed lawyers to shun courts, Falana
argued that with the position he had maintained
on the issue, he could not persuade himself “to
engage in solidarity with criminality.
“The National Judicial Council (NJC) should have
met on the 15th of January, last week’s Tuesday,
and that body would have had the opportunity to
save the legal profession and the country this
colossal embarrassment.
“But the Chief Justice, as Chairman of the NJC, in
his wisdom, decide unilaterally to postpone the
meeting of the NJC indefinitely.
“So, I am happy that some concerned members of
the NJC requisitioned for a meeting of the body
and the body is meeting today. And we are
hoping that, regardless of the boycott of the NBA,
that body will follow its own precedents by asking
the honourable Chief Justice to step aside.
The was what the NJC, in 2016, when a number
of judges were arrested and charged before the
Federal High Court, the NJC rightly decided that
those judges be interdicted on the advice of the
NBA, and they were so interdicted.
This time around, the NBA is busy, mobilizing
lawyers to defend the Chief Justice. And the
picture that I have seen in court, a very sad
picture, reminds me of the trial of Mandela. The
impression is being given that a freedom fighter is
on trial. But, we all know that that is not the case
here.
“We shouldn’t have pushed ourselves to this
embarrassing level that the Chief Justice of our
country is on trial. You would have expected the
NBA leaders to give the appropriate advice in this
case.”
When asked his assessment of the level of
lawyers’ compliance with the NBA’s directive,
Falana said: “You can see that many lawyers are
here in court in defiance of the NBA resolution,
because it is not a popular resolution.
“From information at my disposal, lawyers have
turned up in court all over the country to have
their cases heard.”
On whether those who complied were being
misled, Falana said: “I will not say that.
Everybody has his own freedom. This is a country
of freedom. So, those who want to sit at home
are entitled to their decision. Those of us in court
are also entitled to do so.
This place (the court premises) could not have
been deserted because the NBA has adopted a
resolution, which, from what you have seen, is not
popular with its members.
“In the interest of the legal profession, we must
operate under the rule of law. And that is what
has informed my criticism of the position of the
Federal Government,” Falana said.
source: thenationonlineng.net/falana-urges-njc-ask-onnoghen-step-aside/

The CEO/MD of Ayoola Foods, Engr. Segun Olaye,
has commended the company’s distributors
across the country, saying their activities have
helped in its growth and performance in the past
years.
Olaye spoke at the company’s 2019 Customer
Forum at the weekend in Lagos.
He explained the customers and distributors have
distinguished themselves in the availability of the
company’s food products range nationwide by
making sure that its products are household
names in Nigeria.
He assured the distributors Ayoola Foods, which
is a major player in Nigeria’s food sector with a
broad product portfolio and a robust pan-Nigerian
distribution network, will also not relent in
supporting distributors in their logistics
distribution network to enhance their business.
“At Ayoola Foods, we have been able to identify
the fact that our key distributors are actually our
major drivers in this business.
“So they matter so much to us, and it is
important to us to know who they are, where
they are, what they do. Interestingly, we are
number one in the market,” he added.
He said winners of the various cash gifts have
contributed immensely to the company’s revenue,
adding that Ayoola Foods is extremely grateful for
their contribution in driving the growth and
development of the company.
While commending the distributors and customers
on their patronage over the years, the company’s
Head of Marketing & Sales, Olanrewaju Adisa,
urged them to do more in the distribution of its
various products.
He said Ayoola Foods has been able over the
years to create a niche for itself with its
indigenous high quality food products that meet
national and international standards in production
and packaging methods for the satisfaction of
customers.
According to him, Ayoola Poundo Yam is
unarguably Nigeria’s number one alternative to
the stressful pounded yam with the taste and
aroma of pounded yam freshly prepared without
the stress of pounding.
He also mentioned the Ayoola Plantain Flour
made from unripe plantain consists of
carbohydrate, dietary fibre, vitamin and minerals.
“It makes an alternative food for people with
diabetics and other health issues.
Adisa also listed Ayoola Beans Flour, Cassava
Fufu flour and Rice flour as among some of the
high end quality products being produced by the
company in Nigeria.
Two of its brand ambassadors- Odunlade Adekola
and Idowu Philips, popularly known as Mama
Rainbow- attended the forum.
source: thenationonlineng.net/ayoola-foods-reiterates-commitment-customers-distributors/

Super Falcons recently back from four- Nation
tournament in China; have received their promised
appearance fee. Sportinglife.ng gathered that
each the 23 players that took part in the
championship got $600 cumulatively $13800
(about N5.1million)
The prompt payment of the appearance fee we
further gathered is aimed at motivating them on
one hand and maintaining high spirit as the team
continues to shape up for the world cup in
France.
Meanwhile the Thomas Dennerby tutored side
begin camping this weekend ahead of the 2019
Cyprus Women’s Cup billed for February 25 to
March 7. Twelve nations will participate in the
Cyprus event.
AfCON 2018 Champions and finalists South Africa
are squaring up against other invitees Czech
Republic, Finland, Korea DPR, Hungary, Italy,
Austria, Belgium, Thailand, Slovakia and Mexico.
The teams have been drawn into three groups
with Nigeria pitched against Australia, Belgium
and Slovakia in Group C while South Africa will
face Czech Republic, Finland and Korea DPR in
Group A. Group B has Hungary, Italy, Mexico and
Thailand.
The tournament will take place in three cities of
Nicosia, Larnaca and Paralimni. The Cyprus
invitational which made its debut 2008 has seen
Canada win three times, France twice, England
three times; While Austria, Switzerland and Spain
have won the tournament once.
While the Super Falcons are attending the Cyprus
women’s international tournament for the first
time, Banyana Bayana will be making their
seventh appearance after finishing sixth in the
2018 edition that was won by Spain.
source: thenationonlineng.net/four-nation-tourney-falcons-get-n5-1million-appearance-fee/

The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.Proverbs 10vs 14

President Muhammadu Buhari says his
administration has no free money to give to
everybody but it will continue to provide
infrastructural facilities to all parts of the country
with the meager resources available.
The president stated this at the closing ceremony
of train the trainer workshop on voter education
organized by the All Progressives Congress
Directorate of Election Planning and Monitoring in
Abuja on Monday.
President Buhari pledged that the APC led
administration would continue to build more
roads, rail lines and provide more power for
speedy transformation of the country.
He, therefore, charged participants of the
workshop to convince ordinary voters on the need
to vote APC in the forthcoming elections
He said: “Please try and convince our ordinary
voters for the sacrifice they are making that as
far as this system is concerned we are all the
same because I have one vote each.
“Let them feel they are important enough as
Nigerian citizens. Therefore, we need their support
and cooperation, let them come and vote for us.
“We don’t have money to give everybody. We will
use the money for the provision of infrastructure
– we will try and do your roads, we will try and
do the rail and we will improve on power.
“I assure you that I go to bed and wake up
thinking about Nigerians and Nigeria.’’
President Buhari, who expressed optimism that
the APC would emerge victorious in the
forthcoming general elections, said the results of
the recent bye-elections conducted in Edo, Ondo,
Osun and Ekiti had further boosted his morale.
“The bye-elections in Kogi and Rivers were
disastrous under the former party leadership as
people were killed, properties lost and I as the
President was very uncomfortable and unhappy.
“But the elections in Edo and Ondo partially
resuscitated my morale because we won those
elections.
“And then of course, subsequently we have
virtually been winning all bye-elections – Ekiti
and Osun and so on.
“This is done not because merely we are in power
but because we decided to rebuild the party from
bottom upwards so that people that represent the
party and members of the party at each
constituency will know whom they would trust for
nomination as their representatives at local, state
and federal levels.
“These are not there by accident. We sat and
planned them at the hierarchy of the party and
I’m very pleased you are here representing all the
constituencies in the country.
“We have no other interest than to serve this
country and to serve our people,’’ he said
The president congratulated the participants for
being nominated by the party in their
constituencies to participate in the training
programme, so that they could go back to their
respective constituencies and train others.
In his remarks, the APC Director of Election
Planning and Monitoring, Babatunde Fashola,
narrated the achievements of the governing APC
in the over three years it has been in power.
He explained that the achievements of the party
in the period under review superseded that of the
16 years of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Fashola, who is the minister of power, works and
housing, disclosed that beneficiaries of the
training programme were expected to train other
APC volunteers at their respective constituencies.
He expressed the hope that with the training of
the APC volunteers at all levels, the party was
poised to emerge with landslide victory at the
2019 elections.(NAN)
source: thenationonlineng.net/we-dont-have-money-to-dash-out-says-buhari/

A 10-year-old boy on Monday told a Mapo
Customary Court in Ibadan that his mother asked
him to put poison in his father’s food and bathing
water.
Adenike Ayodele, the mother of the boy, had
petitioned the court to dissolve her 15-year-old
marriage to her estranged husband, Adeshina, on
grounds of irresponsibility and battery.
In his testimony, the boy told the court that his
mother gave him a nylon which contained some
powdery substance which she instructed him to
pour in his father’s food as well as his bathing
water.
“After giving me the substance, my mother
warned me never to tell my father or anyone
about it.
“However, I love my father and I told him because
I never wanted any bad thing to happen to him,”
he said.
Earlier, Adenike, who lives at Agbaje area of Orita-
challenge, Ibadan, had told the court that
Adeshina had turned her into a punching bag.
“At any slight opportunity, my husband beats me.
“For 14 years, Adeshina has not stopped beating
me and the last one he did was the reason why I
made up my mind to call it quits with him.
“On that day, I requested for money for the
upkeep of the children and Adeshina gave me a
beating resulting in blood dripping from my two
ears.
“He also broke one of my legs that day and I am
still experiencing the pain till today.
“Again, on December 5, 2018, Adeshina came to
attack me in my shop because he was not happy
that my business is doing well despite his
inhumane treatment.
“Then, he threatened to ruin my business by all
means and what followed was the burgling of my
shop two Sundays ago.
“Now, all my means of livelihood have been
burgled and I got him apprehended but without
any positive result,” Adenike said.
In his response, Adeshina consented to the
petitioner’s request for termination of the
marriage, but denied all the allegations leveled
against him.
“My lord, I had on different occasions given
Adenike the children’s school fees.
“Aside that, when one of our children urgently
needed a surgery to be performed on him, I gave
Adenike the required money for the surgery, but
she spent it on herself.
“I sent her to school to acquire NCE, but she told
the school management that she is a widow
which means that I am nothing to her.
“If I give her money to buy anything at home, she
doesn’t put my name on the receipt.
“Worst of all, Adenike told our second child to put
poison in my food and bathing water, but, the
child revealed the secret to me and I informed my
relatives about it,” Adeshina said.
All the witnesses that testified corroborated
Adeshina’s submissions.
The petitioner, who was unruly during the court’s
proceedings, was asked by the President of the
court, Chief Ademola Odunade, to bring her
parents to the court.
Odunade adjourned the case till Feb. 27 for
judgment.
source: thenationonlineng.net/mother-told-poison-father-boy-tells-court/

Two men – Babatunde Ishola, 57, and Teslim
Ibikunle, 27 – were on Monday in Lagos brought
before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over alleged
impersonation of policemen and stealing.
Ishola, a resident of Agbado, Lagos, and Ibikunle
who lives at Ijaye, Lagos, are facing trial for
conspiracy, impersonation and stealing before
Magistrate Mrs M.O Tanimola.
Ishola pleaded guilty to the offences while
Ibikunle pleaded not guilty.
Tanimola ordered that Ishola should be kept in
the Kirikiri Prisons pending review of the facts of
the case and his sentencing.
She granted Ibikunle N80, 000 bail with one
surety who should be gainfully employed and
show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the
Lagos State Government.
According to the Prosecutor, Insp. Aondohemba
Koti, the accused committed the offences on Jan.
19 at Oshodi, Lagos.
Koti said that the accused claimed to be
policemen, demanded money from the
complainant, Mr Olaide Akinbode, and
dispossessed him of his wallet containing
valuables.
“The accused accosted the complainant, who is a
commercial driver, demanding N10,000 and
threatening to take him and his vehicle to a
police station if he would not comply.
“The complainant told them he did not have
money, but they entered his vehicle and stole his
wallet containing his automated teller machine
card, voter card, Canadian passport and N15,
000.
“The complainant raised alarm which attracted
people. Upon investigation, it was discovered that
the accused were fake.
“They were handed over to the police,” the
prosecutor said.
The alleged offences contravened Sections 77,
287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State,
2015 (Revised).
Section 77 provides for three years’ imprisonment
for impersonating a member of the armed forces
or police, while Section 287 attracts three years’
jail term for stealing.
The case was adjourned until February 6.
source: thenationonlineng.net/two-impersonate-policemen-steal-wallet/

Fugitive bribery suspect Pei Zhanrong has
returned to China and turned herself in almost
two years after fleeing overseas, China’s top anti-
graft authority announced on Monday.
“Pei, a former human resources and social
security official in northeast China’s Jilin
Province, was suspected of taking bribes and fled
overseas in March 2017,’’ the anti-graft authority
said.
The 65-year-old was also a former chief of the
division for demobilised military officers’
placement and deputy inspector at the human
resources and social security department in Jilin
Province.
“In June 2017, Jilin provincial prosecutors
launched an investigation into Pei’s suspected
crimes, before she was added to an online wanted
list by the authorities,’’ the statement said.
According to officials, Pei is cooperating in
returning her illegal gains.
The fugitive repatriation and asset recovery office
under China’s Central Anti-Corruption
Coordination Group has vowed unremitting efforts
to hunt down fugitives and recover stolen assets .
source: thenationonlineng.net/fugitive-bribery-suspect-turns/

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board
( JAMB ), has suspended the University of Benin
ICT Computer Based Test (CBT) centre and eight
others from partaking in this year’s unified tertiary
matriculation examination registration.
The board stated that the centres were suspended
for breaching the code governing the 2019
registration exercise.
JAMB disclosed these in its weekly news bulletin
obtained by The Nation on Monday in Abuja.
JAMB’s Spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, also
said the board was monitoring the activities of 10
more centres in Lagos and Plateau states, noting
that appropriate action would be taken against
them once investigation is concluded.
The suspended centres include Mardakem
Company Ltd., Methodist Boys High School,
College Road, beside Maritime Academy, Oron,
Akwa-Ibom state; Bintels Global Services LTD.
(Centre for Computer Education), Fr. Joseph
Memorial High Sch. Aguleri, Anambra State; Noble
& Shuaib ICT Ltd, Girls Secondary School, Alor,
Anambra State; and Global ICT Connect Ltd, Km
5, Gboko Rd, Opp College of Health Sciences,
Benue State University, Makurdi.
Others are: DA Civic Centre, 79 Airport Road by
Benoni Junction, Benin city, Edo State; University
Of Benin International ICT Centre, Iyayi Computer
Building, Benin City, Edo State; Medes ICT Centre,
Govt. Technical College, Idepe, Okitipupa, Ondo
State; Divine Success All CBT Centre, Km1, Along
IseyinIbadan Express Way Iseyin, Oyo State; and
Riyom ICT Centre, former Riyom Local Govt
Secretariat, Riyom, Plateau State.
According to him, the board, during a meeting
with CBT operators in Lagos, had spelt out the
cost for each service for the UTME, from the cost
of obtaining the e-pins as reduced by the Federal
Government to the cost of the reading texts and
charges for registering candidates.
He explained that before commencing the 2019
UTME and Direct Entry (DE) registration, the
guidelines on the exercise was deliberated and
laid out for all CBT operators to adhere to
strictly.
The JAMB spokesperson said: “Earlier, the Board
reiterated the directive of the Federal Government
for the 2019 e-pins to be sold at N3, 500
excluding the cost of the reading text, to ensure
absolute compliance. The meeting had also
resolved that the cost of registration should not
exceed N700.
“Candidates were also to be guided properly on
the processes, if for any reasons such assistance
is required, without collecting any dime from
them.
Unfortunately, findings from the Board’s
monitoring exercise revealed that some centres
were charging higher than the stipulated figure
directed by the Federal Government and equally
agreed on at the Lagos meeting for other charges
“The Board finds this very disappointing and has
therefore suspended such centres caught in this
unholy act from the 2019 exercise.
“The Board is monitoring closely and about 10
centres are under investigation in Lagos and
Plateau. Management would meet on Monday
28th January 2019 to take appropriate action on
these centres.
“The Board will continue to monitor the on-going
exercise, to ensure that Nigerians are not misled
by unpatriotic operators. JAMB monitoring teams
are spread all over the nation and whoever is
caught, would be punished in accordance with the
precedence being laid now.
“All centre operators and selling outlets are
advised to adhere to the Federal Government’s
price of e-pins, cost of registration and not to sell
any of the documents meant to be issued to
candidates free.
“As a regulator, the Board would continue to
protect the candidates to ensure that they are not
misled, cheated or frustrated in their quest to
acquire tertiary education . ”
source: thenationonlineng.net/utme-jamb-suspends-cbt-centres/

The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB) on Monday evening asked all the members
of group within the Aba metropolis to observe a
mini sit-at-home ahead of President Muhammadu
Buhari’s visit to the city.
A release by the spokesman of the group, Emma
Powerful, asked IPOB members to be indoors
from 6am till 4pm.
Powerful, while warning its members to stay
away from any political activity on Tuesday, said
their desire was to ensure a total boycott of
Buhari’s campaign with the hope he (Buhari)
would meet an empty stadium.
Meanwhile, our reporter who monitored the mood
of the town Monday evening, reports that security
has been beefed-up within the commercial city.
Sources from various security agencies stated
that the President would use the opportunity of
his visit to commission the Ariaria International
power project of the federal government executed
through the Rural Electrification Agency before
addressing supporters of the All Progressives
Congress(APC).
Security as at Monday evening has been beefed
up around the Ariaria Power project with the
Ariaria International Market expected to be shut
for commercial and business activities as a mark
of respect for the visit of the president.
The commissioner of Police and heads of various
security agencies, were said to have arrived Aba
Monday afternoon to put finishing touches to
security arrangements.
Reacting on the press release by the IPOB
leadership, a head of one of the security agencies
in the state, who preferred anonymity urged
members of the public to disregard IPOB’s order
to go about their lawful duties.
He warned any group of persons who tries to
disrupt the peace in Aba to rethink their actions
as they would not watch anyone cause breach of
peace in the state and Aba in particular.
source: thenationonlineng.net/ipob-issues-sit-home-order-buhari-visits-abia/

Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to appear before it
within one week over the 2019 budget, which has
not been presented up till.
The delay has caused disagreement between the
two arms of government.
It will be recalled that Ambode had sent the 2019
budget to the House in December against the
tradition of laying the budget before the House as
governor.
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa told the lawmakers at
plenary on Monday it was important to give the
governor a fair hearing over the issue of the 2019
Budget.
Obasa stated there have been violations of the
constitution and infractions on the part of the
governor.
“The Attorney General, Finance Commissioner and
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning
that ought to have advised the governor did not
do so.
“The most important thing is that we should let
the people know that a budget that was yet to be
approved was being spent, which was why we
could not attend to the governor on the budget on
Monday 21, January.
“We must give them a fair hearing to come and
explain what happened. The point has been made
that there must be something before the House
before you can commence expenditure.
“We want to call on the governor to come within
a week to explain himself along with the other
officials.
“We can start gathering signatures for
impeachment. We can exercise patience and wait
till another time,” he said.
The lawmakers had reacted to a report presented
by the Deputy Speaker Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni
as the Chairman of the Committee set up to look
into the issues surrounding the 2019 budget
during a parliamentary meeting of the lawmakers.
Members of the Committee included Chairman
House Committee on Public Accounts (State)
Hon. Moshood Oshun; Chairman, House
Committee on Budget and Economic Planning,
Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu; Chairman, House
Committee on the Environment Hon. Dayo Saka-
Fafunmi and the Chairman, House Committee on
Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Abiodun Tobun.
Eshinlokun revealed that the committee met with
relevant commissioners and heads of agencies.
The Deputy Speaker stated the committee met
with the Commissioner For Budget and Economic
Planning, Hon. Segun Banjo, who said that no
money had been spent for the year.
He said that the Accountant General told the
committee that warrant had been issued that they
could spend up to 25 percent of the preceding
budget before the approval of that of the new
year.
He said they would have to make recourse to the
House if they wanted to spend up to N200
million.
“We pointed out that the governor ought to lay
the budget of the New Year before December
31st, but that so far the budget was yet to be
laid.
“We asked them to bring out the law that allows
them to spend up to 25% of the budget of the
preceding year. They could not bring out such law
and we said what they did was wrong.
“We discovered that people have started receiving
alerts and this has a grave implication for the
executive.
“It is our finding that for smooth running of
government, there must be a strict adherent to
the constitution and it must not be violated. “We
decided to bring the report before the lawmakers
for us to take action,” he said.
In his comment, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu revealed
that the Committee on Budget discovered during
budget appropriation review that there were some
specific expenditure in the budgets that ought to
have been approved by the House over which
funds were expended.
Yishawu stated that these were misnomers, and
that they noticed variation in the expenditure and
budget approved.
“We had issues of virement and monies being
spent without approval. We had cases of items
that were not budgeted for being carried out, it
shows the executive rewrite the budget at will.
“The Constitution states that the State House of
Assembly must approve all expenditures,” he
added.
According to him, things are shutting down,
things are being slowed down by the government.
He said that it was as if the executive was tired
and that the people were complaining.
“It is as if nothing is happening in the state now.
Breach of the constitution and gross misconduct
are being committed here, and the punishment is
clear.
“We should begin an impeachment process if need
be if the executive does not retrace their steps,”
he said.
This was corroborated by Hon. Tunde Braimoh,
who said that the manner of revelation was of
serious concern.
He stated that they all swore to uphold the tenets
of the constitution of Nigeria.
He added that Sections 120 and 121 explained
the roles of each arm of government when it
comes to financial expenditure.
“If we continue like this, it means we are moving
on the ebb of destruction. The issue of gross
misconduct should be closely looked into and
necessary sanctions applied,” he said.
This was supported by Hon. Bisi Yusuf, who
pointed out that the governor is an accountant
and he was an Acting Auditor General in 2001 and
was confirmed in 2005.
“With his level of exposure, he cannot claim
ignorance. He is being surrounded by intellectuals,
so they ought to have advised him including the
Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for
Budget and Economic Planning.
“The Attorney General ought to have been
removed for quoting a law that does not exist.
“All those, who are giving the governor bad advice
should be removed.
“In the whole of Lagos, things have shut down.
This is an offence that is not pardonable.
“I want to say this is an impeachable offence for
the governor and the commissioners,” he said.
Former chairman, committee on budget of the
House, Hon. Rotimi Olowo said: “Rewriting of the
Budget is an impeachable offence. The
Government has been shut down and our roads
are in a sorry state.
“There must be continuity of projects in the
budget and this is not followed.
“Borrowing without informing the house is
impeachable. IPP is being owed. If the Governor is
tired, he should resign.
Moshood Oshun said: “When you apply for a job,
and you are given, if you are tired, you can leave.
If the Governor is tired, he should go.
“The budget is a law, when we pass a budget,
they rewrite their own. What they say is that they
are above the law.
“If you go to Alausa today, all the MDAs are shut
down. All their files are with the Governor and he
did not work on them.
Hon. Richard Kasunmu said: “This is a non-
compliance with the rule of law. The state is
about to be totally shut down, so we should
checkmate the situation.
“If the governor is tired, he should throw in the
towel. We cannot keep on standstill because
some people are tired.
Hon. Rasheed Makinde said: “Three years down
the lane, the executive cannot tell the people of
Lagos that they don’t know what they are doing.
“It is obvious that the Governor is tired, so they
should all go. They even made a mistake in the
letter they wrote to the House.
“Lagos State used to present its budget before
others even before the Federal Government.
“They ought to work based on the budget or they
come for reordering. All government agencies
have been rendered useless and civil servants are
sleeping in their offices.
“The State House of Assembly must approve the
budget. We must pass a vote of no confidence on
the Attorney General, Commissioners for Budget,
Finance, the Governor and the Deputy Governor.
Hon. Yinka Ogundimu reacted: “The Governor has
always been disobeying our motions. They
refused to follow our motions on the environment,
which is why everywhere is dirty.
“If you look at the various projects not provided
for in the budget that are being done, then it is
breach of the constitution.
“The people concerned should resign before we
invoke the aspect of the constitution that gives us
power to remove them from office. We should
make it clear that there have been warnings from
us.
Hon. Sola Giwa said: “This is a matter of
constitutionality and it is about the law. We all
swore to uphold the law.
“If you breach the law, there is a consequence
and the best is for the House to begin an
impeachment process.
Hon. Victor Akande said: “There is no need for
virement according to the constitution. I don’t
think there is any budget before the House.
“The constitution states that the budget must be
laid and it is a gross misconduct. So, we should
do the needful.
Hon. Fatai Mojeed said: “We received the money
from Paris Fund and other funds, the executive
did not take permission before they spent the
money.
Hon. Jude Idimogu said: “The government is not
moving forward. Our party is the APC and we are
doing well.
“The government is not putting us in the light and
we have the opposition that is watching us.
“No budget has been laid before the House. The
key members such as Attorney General,
Commissioners For Finance and Commissioner for
Budget and Economic Planning. The needful is
impeachment.
Others who spoke are: Hon. Noheem Raheem: “I
support the fact that they should resign if they
are tired.
Hon. Fatai Oluwa: “This is a deliberate attempt
by the Governor not to bring the budget before
the House.
“He is surrounded by erudite lawyers that ought
to have advised him. Public Works, LAWMA, IPP
are more working. If it would be necessary to
sign and send him out of office it would be okay.
Hon Oladele Adekanye said: “It is clear that there
are infractions and impeachable offence
committed. The defences of the commissioners
are not tenable.
Hon. Sabur Olayiwola said: “There have been
abuses of the constitution and disobedient to the
constitution. Spending without making recourse
to the assembly is an impeachable offence.
“The best thing is to show him that we are
representing our people and that we are not here
for fun.
“The best thing is to let them know that we mean
business. The Permanent Secretary/Accountant
General that is talking about 25 percent spending
should be brought to book.
Hon. Akeem Shokunle, “The financial misconduct
of the Governor is obvious and we should begin
an impeachment process.
Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara, “The situation is an
unfortunate one. Section 121 of the Constitution
states the the appropriation bill should be laid
before the House and this has not been done.
“It is an abuse of office and an undue influence
by the Governor. We can start an impeachment
process and pass a vote of no confidence on
some of the members of the executive.
To Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho: “We are the voice of
the people of Lagos State and we perform
oversight functions to ensure that the Government
do the best for the people.
“Accountability is not being done here. Section
121 made it clear that the appropriation bill
should be laid before the house.
“Section 122 states that if that has been done,
you can now spend 25percent of the budget
estimate for a period of six months.
“We need to forward the infractions to the
Governor. The tax payers should know what their
money is being spent on.
Hon. Setonji David said: “The infractions are too
grave, there is a problem and we need to do what
is right. The government must be held
responsible for their actions.
Hon. Akeem Bello, “The Governor and his Deputy
should tender their resignation letter.
Hon. Dayo Saka-Fafunmi, “I am sad over the
revelations by what the Deputy Speaker reads and
during out interactions with the executive.
“The business of governance is not based on
sentiments, it ia based on law. Section 120 of the
Constitution that talks about the public fund is
very important.
“All the violations amount to gross misconduct.
Section 188 subsection defines gross misconduct.
We strongly believe that essential services that
ought to be met are missing in the state.
“I am in line with the statement and decisions of
the members that if the executive members are
not ready for governance, they should resign or
should be impeached.
Hon. Mojisola Miranda said: “The constitution is
clear that there is punishment for any offence.
Hon. Dayo Famakinwa stated: “I want to support
my colleagues that the offences are impeachable
and we should activate the process immediately.
Hon. Saka Solaja said: “A budget is financial
instrument that analyses and interprets the
financial expenditure. Since 1999, Lagos State has
always been presenting its budget as at when
due, but that has not been done.
“The financial regulations and the constitution
have been breached. We should start a process of
impeachment immediately.
Hon. Folajinmi Mohammed said: “There is a
vagrant abuse of the constitution, which is an
impeachable offence.
To Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi: “It is an issue of
flagrant disobedient to the constitution. A review
of a previous year’s budget is a precursor to the
approval of the new budget.
“A review of the 2018 budget shows poor
performance. MDAs complained of inability to
access their funds.
“All these infractions should be communicated to
the Governor for his reaction and if he fails to do
so, the House can begin a process of
impeachment.
Hon. Omotayo Oduntan Deputy Whip said: “Today
is a sad day. The executive just moved money
from one ministry to another without recourse to
the Assembly.
“When all these happen, it shows a total disregard
to the budget being passed by the House. We
should get across to the Governor to explain
himself or else we should begin an impeachment
process.
Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, (Majority Leader): “It is
clear that the budget has not been presented
before the House. My colleagues have addressed
all the issues. We should let the public know that
we do not have the budget before the House.
“Three suggestions we made, that the
Commissioners, who were approved by the House
and are working with the Governor should have
vote of no confidence passed on them. They have
failed in their responsibilities.
“The next is for the Governor to resign or we
should begin an impeachment process against the
Governor.
“We can communicate to him to reign or failure to
do that is for us to start collecting signatures of
lawmakers so that we can be seeing to have done
our job.
Hon. Rotimi Abiru (Chief Whip): “I want to adopt
what has been done without wasting much time.
There have been some infractions on the part of
the Governor and the position of the law is clear.
Hon. Wahab Jimoh (Deputy Majority Leader)
said: “I saw this coming like an ocean surge. The
Attorney General wrote the House to withdraw the
private member bills before the House.
“I had been noticing that there would be crisis.
The report I saw with the Deputy Speaker shows
that the 2019 is being implemented.
source: thenationonlineng.net/lagos-assembly-summons-ambode-2019-budget/

Office of the Nigeria’s Accountant General is at
loggerheads with eight banks for unauthorised
withholding of over N700million paid in error into
the accounts of some former workers of the
Nigeria Airways in their banks.
The unprofessional conduct of the banks in not
returning the huge sum paid in error into accounts
of ex – Airways workers is creating tension
between the banks and the office of Accountant
General.
The N700 million represented the extra money
that was mistakenly paid into the account of
some of the former workers who were paid twice
by the government.
The payment came after a verification exercise on
the former workers of the defunct national carrier.
A source hinted that the N700 million
overpayment, was part of the N22 billion
approved by government as the final N45 billion
severance entitlements approved for former
workers of liquidated Nigeria Airways Limited.
A source hinted that efforts made by the
Accountant General and the National Union of
Pensioners (NUP), representatives of the workers
to make the banks refund the money to the
Accountant General’s office has not yielded
positive results.
Rather than return the N700 million into the
accounts of the affected workers, the banks have
failed and are allegedly trading with the money.
The eight banks affected include: the First Bank
which is said to be in possession of the lion share
of 80 per cent of the money in question.
Other banks include: Diamond, Fidelity, Polaris,
Zenith, Stanbic and Ecobank.
While the eight banks failed to comply with the
agreement to refund the money, few others are
said to have voluntarily returned the money
mistakenly paid into the accounts.
The banks that have fully refunded the money
are: GTB, Keystone, Standard Chartered, Unity
and UBA.
While the office of the accountant General was
said to be unhappy with the banks, the union
representatives of the former airline workers have
given the banks one-week ultimatum which ends
this week to return the money.
Former workers of Airways said should the banks
fail to return the money this week, they will picket
the banks first thing next Monday.
The refusal of the banks to refund the money is
said to be slowing down the ongoing payment of
the last batch of the former workers entitlements.
source: thenationonlineng.net/eight-banks-withhold-n700m-overpaid-ex-airways-workers/

It is well.

This one is bad o.

Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Congress
(APC) Mr Joe Igbokwe, in Lagos State, says the
party delivered more projects in the South East in
three years than the PDP did in 16 years.
Igbokwe said this on the sidelines of a town hall
meeting organised by the Ndi-Igbo in APC Lagos
State.
The meeting was to interact with the party’s
gubernatorial candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu
and his running mate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, in
Lagos.
According to Igbokwe, the APC-led administration
has beaten the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
hands down in terms of projects and structures
on ground in the South East.
”We have been doing the arithmetic, almost four
years of APC beat 16years of PDP hands down in
terms of performance.
“We have seen what we did not see in 16 years of
PDP administration. The facts are there. That is
what we are telling our people in the South East,”
he said.
Igbokwe said there was need for the South East
people to key in by supporting and voting for APC
in the coming elections so as not to lose out.
He said that the people from the South East
needed to be wise, as voting massively for APC
would guarantee Igbo presidency in 2023.
”Again, we do not want the Igbo people to make
the same mistake they made in 2015, because
there is no road for PDP and it is going to be like
that for a long time.
”If you have been clamouring to produce the
President of Nigeria from the Igbo extraction, you
must play the politics and this is the time.
”Assuming our people vote massively for APC this
2019, 2023 is sure and already near.
”May they never make the mistake of the past,
because if they do, they will be spectators and
onlookers in the matters of Nigerian politics, ”
Igbokwe said. (NAN)
source: thenationonlineng.net/apc-projects-s-east-pdp-apc/

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu has said the
strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff
Union of Universities may end this week.
The minister disclosed this during a briefing with
reporters on the proliferation of illegal institutions
in the country, at the weekend in Abuja.
The ASUU have been on strike since November
4th, 2018.
Malam Adamu said: “Perhaps by next week I
hope the ASUU strike will be over.”
But when contacted, the ASUU President, Biodun
Ogunyemi, in a text message, said the union was
still consulting on whether to end the strike or
not.
According to him, the union wants to take stock
of what government have promised.
He said: “All I can say, for now, is that we are
still consulting. We need to take stock of
government’s promises in terms of aspects that
have been fulfilled and what is left.
“The feedback and assessment of our members
will guide our response in subsequent
engagements with government. We hope the
expectations of our membership would be met in
the new week.
On whether the universities have accessed the
N15.89 billion released by the federal government,
he said: “We are cross-checking with the
concerned universities. Until we confirm that all
the universities have received the money, I cannot
confirm.
“And please note that ASUU does not collect
money from government, financial releases are
made directly to universities. That’s why we need
confirmation.”
The government has been meeting the university
lecturers since the strike began.
However, one major issue that keeps dragging the
negotiations back and forth is the revitalisation of
universities.
At present, the government is yet to release the
N1.1 trillion it agreed to release as part of the
funds for the revitalization project.
The 2013 MoU stipulated that public universities
needed N1.3 trillion for a modest revitalisation.
The fund was to be released in tranches of
N200billion in 2013, N220billion 2014, N220billion
2015, 220billion in 2016, N220billion in 2017 and
N220billion in 2018.
Although the previous government of Goodluck
Jonathan released N200 billion in 2013 nothing
has been released since then.
source: thenationonlineng.net/asuu-strike-may-end-week-minister/

A 23-year old lady, Miss Chukwusom Nwoko
reportedly lost her life following a heavy rain in
Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra
state.
The rain which was said to have started shortly
after the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to
the commercial city of the state, lasted over an
hour.
The Nation gathered that the deceased was
returning home after the day’s business with two
other colleagues of hers when the rain started.
A resident of the area, who did not want to be
mentioned, said they quickly rushed into a nearby
shop within Ochanja market round-about to avoid
being wait by the rain.
“Few minutes after, the owner of the shop asked
them to leave his shop, claiming he wanted to
shut it as it was getting late.
“The girls pleaded with him to allow them stay a
little as it was still raining heavily but the man
ignored them and was busy locking up his shop.”
The man however alleged that two of the girls
who angrily left had crossed the deep drainage
with the aid of a plank used as bridge when the
shop owner reportedly removed the plank.
“The man raised the plank while Miss Nwoko,
was on it and she fell into the deep gutter filled
to capacity because of the heavy down pour.
“On seeing that she has drowned, he briskly shut
his shop and ran away before sympathizers and
on-lookers who defied the rain to rescue the girl
rushed to the scene,” he added.
The Nation further learnt that the body of the
deceased was later recovered and was taken to
Borromeo Catholic Mission hospital morgue.
Speaking to newsmen, the father of the girl, Mr.
Ndubuisi Nwoko accused the shop owner of killing
his daughter.
He said, “The man has just killed my daughter
and ran away and he has not been seen up till
now.
“I have lodged the matter at Fegge police station
and we have gone to the mortuary where the
police took photograph of the corpse
“I want to see the killer of my daughter who is
doing the business to keep her busy waiting for
when she will get admission into tertiary
institution.”
The Fegge Divisional Police Officer, Mr Garba
Rabiu, confirmed the incident, but said the
suspect was still at large.
“We are looking for the man, he has not been
seen since the incident happened,” he said.
source: thenationonlineng.net/flood-claims-23-year-old-sales-lady-onitsha/

The founder, Faith Revival Apostolic Church
(FRAC), Apostle Paul Adenuga, has described the
stealing of female pants to make quick money as
very shameful.
Adenuga condemned the act at the Christian
Press of Nigeria (CPAN) breakfast meeting held in
Lagos on Sunday.
“You can imagine, some men go to steal women
pants because they want to make sudden money
and some of these men are caught and displayed
on social media, what a shame,” he said.
According to the Adenuga, one of the factors that
has intensified such evil acts is that many
churches have deviated from preaching the true
message of the gospel.
The Apostle posited that many churches preached
more about how to make money and neglected
the real gospel message that has moral
instructios to help cultivate good virtues in
Nigerian youths.
He, therefore, urged parents, especially mothers,
to intensify prayers for their wards not to be
involved in the shameful acts.
source: thenationonlineng.net/stealing-pants-rituals-shameful/

Edo State Police Commissioner, Hakeem
Odumosun, has said that the Police Sergeant that
was killed on Saturday night in Benin City was a
member of a cult group.
The late Police Sergeant identified as Oisa
Monday Ehigie was killed at Nomayo Junction
along Upper Sokponba road.
He was an ordely to the Chairman of Ikpoba-okha
local government, Dr. Eric Osayande.
Cult related killings in Benin City and environs
have been on the rise since last month.
Several persons have been killed including a
Medical Doctor of the University of Benin-Lagos
Teaching Hospital.
Odumosun said two other suspected cultists were
killed in the shootout.
He said he was surprised that a police officer was
fighting on the side of a rival cult group.
The Edo Police boss said several persons have
been arrested while arms and ammunition were
recovered in connection to the killings.
According to him, “The information we have is
that he was fighting in the side of one of the rival
cult group. Cult war is either inter or intra. They
are either fighting themselves or fighting another
cult group.
“I was surprised. He was not on uniform. Two
members of other cult group were killed.”
source: thenationonlineng.net/slain-police-sergeant-fighting-rival-cult-group-says-cp/

Unlike most advanced and developing countries,
where the bulk of tax receipts are generated from
collection of Value-Added Tax (VAT) the reverse
is the case in Nigeria, where the tax-to-GDP
ratio is poor. In this report, Ibrahim Apekhade
Yusuf examines the issues
With over 35 million taxpayers currently in the
nation’s tax net, revenue generation through
taxes may have risen significantly. But the irony,
however, is that the receipts from collection of
Value-Added Tax (VAT) still leaves nothing to
cheer about as it contributes a paltry one per cent
to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
What VAT is all about?
According to the Federal Inland Revenue Service
(FIRS), VAT is governed by Value Added Tax Act
Cap V1, LFN 2004 (as amended). VAT is a
consumption tax paid when goods are purchased
and services rendered. It is a multi-stage tax
borne by the final consumer. All goods and
services (produced within or imported into the
country) are taxable except those specifically
exempted by the VAT Act. VAT is charged at a
rate of 5%.
A view of the VAT ecosystem
The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, had last
year released the sectoral report for Value Added
Tax for the 2017 fiscal period, stating that the
country generated a total of N972.34bn from VAT.
An analysis of the VAT report showed that the
amount was collected from 28 sectoral activities
during the period under review.
A breakdown of the amount showed that the sum
of N204.77bn was generated in the first quarter
while the second, third and fourth quarters
recorded N246.3bn, N250.56bn and N254.1bn,
respectively.
In the report signed by the Statistician General of
the Federation and Chief Executive, NBS, Dr. Yemi
Kale, the bureau said the manufacturing sector
generated the highest amount of VAT revenue at
N119bn.
This was closely followed by the professional
services sector with N87bn.
The report read in part, “Sectoral distribution of
VAT data for Q4 reflected that the sum of
N254.1bn was generated as VAT in Q4 as against
N250.56bn in Q3 and N207.35bn in Q4 2016,
representing 1.41 per cent increase quarter-on-
quarter and 22.55 per cent increase year-on-year.
“Out of the total amount generated in Q4 2017,
N121.09bn was generated as non-import VAT
locally, while N79.44bn was generated as non-
import VAT for foreign. The balance of N53.57bn
was generated as Nigeria Customs Service import
VAT.”
It is, however, instructive to note that 55 per cent
of the revenue generated from VAT receipts was
being collected from Lagos State while the
balance of 45 per cent is being generated from
the remaining 35 states of the federation and the
Federal Capital Territory.
Rivers, Kano and Kaduna account for six per cent,
five per cent and one per cent of VAT collection,
respectively.
A peep into Africa
According to new data from Revenue Statistics in
Africa released in Addis Ababa at a meeting of tax
and finance officials from 21 African countries
hosted by the Department of Economic Affairs of
the African Union Commission (AUC), the average
tax-to-GDP ratio for the 16 countries covered in
this second edition of the report was 19.1% in
2015, an increase of 0.4 percentage points
compared to 2014. Every country has experienced
an increase in its tax-to-GDP ratio compared to
2000, with an average rise of five percentage
points.
Making a case paradigm shift in VAT
administration
It is the considered view of many that the
nation’s tax ecosystem, especially the VAT, needs
to be changed to achieve the greater good for all.
One of those who share the view and very
strongly too that there is need to shake things up
in the VAT space is Omooba Olumuyiwa Sosanya,
a renowned accountant.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent,
Sosanya, founding president, Association of
National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), said at
the centre of the issue of dwindling VAT receipts
is the problem of inefficiency in the administration
of the VAT.
According to him, “The problem is
overcentralisation of the administration. VAT is a
federal government tax controlled by Federal
Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). It is this
overcentralisation that leads to inefficiency in the
administration.”
Way forward
In the view of Sosanya, “We should decentralise it
and allow the state to administer the VAT. As of
now, all the state administers what we call
Personal Income Tax. What is being generated on
this compare to what could be generated if the
states are allowed to collect the VAT is huge.”
Pressed further, he said, “Take Lagos State for
instance, the total amount of money that is being
generated on VAT is over 55 per cent. The FIRS
doesn’t have any avenue of determining the
genuine turnover from VAT. The Service is
overwhelmed in the administration of VAT.
Whereas if you allow the state to administer the
VAT which is decentralised, each of the state will
have time to update their staff to register the
chargeable person.”
Most of the accountants, engineers, and
consultant companies, he stressed, “Are not
collecting VAT. And from my own estimation,
about 70-75 per cent are outside the VAT and
that’s what brought us to this mess. There is no
way we should not be collecting over 800 billion
naira monthly. And when this is done, I’m not
saying the rate of VAT should be increased
because a lot of people have been agitating for
that. If we do that, what we get is that the
revenue for FIRS will be less because the people
will now understand their taking. However, if we
expand on it, it will bring more chargeable
persons and businesses and that will generate up
to N800 billion to N1trillion in a month. Some
people will argue that the Ghana VAT is about 20
per cent. This is because the total of Ghana VAT
is decentralised. Even if you’re a barbing saloon
you’re captured, restaurants are captured, all
private sector in Ghana is captured, the same
thing obtains in South Africa. The rate of VAT is
less in Nigeria and look at the population of
Ghana and South Africa, they are about 200
million, so we are supposed to generate more.”
In the view of a tax expert, Bamidele Samson,
some of the obstacles hampering the growth of
VAT are the problem of inadequate personnel to
drive the revenue mobilisation in that space, non-
compliance of business owners, lack of
transparency, evasion of VAT-able goods and
services.
VAT increase likely soon
Nigeria is working on modalities to increase VAT
on some items which include carbonated drinks
and other luxury items in 2019.
Giving insight on the planned VAT rate, Finance
Minister, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, says the increase
will help the government in providing
infrastructure for its people.
The minister stated this recently at the
inauguration of the Strategic Revenue Growth
Initiative in Abuja.
Writing in her twitter handle, @ZShamsuna, the
minister said, “Revenue enhancement has become
a critical challenge in terms of the need to
mobilise fiscal resources to deliver on our socio-
economic development targets as in the ERGP &
@NGRPresident has mandated us to generate
more revenues, whilst proactively monitoring
collections.
“Given the current fiscal terrain & revenue outturn
performance – with the realisation of our
budgeted revenue at about 50% as at Q3 2018,
we have quite a distance to transverse to achieve
the ERGP’s target of a tax to GDP ratio of about
15%.”
It is, however, not the first time the federal
government will raise duties on luxury goods. In
December 2016, the government raised duties on
luxury goods and beverages imported into the
country under the Economic Community of West
Africa’s (ECOWAS) Common External Tariff (CET)
regime.
source: thenationonlineng.net/vat-revenue-poor-nigeria-experts/

Isah Suleiman, President, Nigeria Amputee
Football Federation (NAFF), says that the national
team known as Special Eagles will participate in
the Cup of Nations for Amputee Football (CANAF)
in Angola.
Suleiman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
on Sunday in Lagos that preparation for the
team’s outing in the Federation for Africa
Amputee Football (FAAF) organised tournament
was in progress.
NAN reports that CANAF is a biennial football
tournament for all amputee football playing
nations in Africa to determine the best team in
the continent.
“Our participation in the CANAF tournament is
necessary because it’s a major event in the
continent which holds once in two years, so it is a
pritority in our programme of activities for this
year.
“The boys and the coaching crew are doing the
needful as part of buildup to keep the team on
their toes, while we are making effort to ensure
that everything works out,” he said.
He said that it was part of his agenda to ensure
that Nigeria’s representation through Special
Eagles in continental and intercontinental football
fiesta were actualised.
According to him, the participation of the national
team at the 2018 World Cup restored its
membership with the World Amputee Football
Federation (WAFF).
He said that the feat was expected to be
replicated in FAAF.
“The federation has stepped up its activities in the
international scene since we came on board last
year, and it is like a dream and a fulfillment of
part of our agenda.
“We made the first outing at the 2018 World Cup
and CANAF is another event that we are working
towards, at least to make up for the dry years,”
Suleiman added.
NAN reports that NAFF national team is affiliated
to FAAF, the parent body of Amputee football in
Africa and organisers of the competition.
NAN
Source: thenationonlineng.net/we-will-participate-in-nations-cup/

An unidentified lady was on Sunday knocked
down by a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) (Blue Bus)
belonging Primero Transport Service while
crossing the vehicles’ corridor.
The lady, it was learnt, was crushed by the bus
and died instantly.
The incident occurred around 1.00 p.m. a short
distance from Irawo Bus Stop, Ajegunle along Mile
12/Ikorodu Road.
An eye witness said the lady who was pregnant
and lived along Thomas Street, Irawo was
attempting to cross the corridor to see her sister
who lives on the other side of the express road.
It was gathered that the lady was to be married
this weekend.
Eye witnesses said that the lady, without looking
at the two sides of the corridor, ran into the bus
which was coming from Ikorodu and going
towards Lagos.
It was gathered that the bus driver ran to Irawo
Police Station and reported the incident.
Irate youths in the area however attacked the bus
and vandalized the vehicle, shattering its
windscreen and windows.
The incident caused confusion and traffic hold-up
on the expressway as vehicle owners made frantic
efforts to get away from the trouble spot.
Police from Irawo police Station moved in and
succeeded in dispersing the crowd and brought
the driver of the bus into custody while the bus
was driven to their station.
As a result of the incident, other Blue Buses
coming from Ikorodu had to discharge their
passengers at Ajegunle while those coming from
Palm Groove end of the express road discharged
theirs at Mile 12 to prevent the vehicles from
being vandalized.
Managing Director Primero Transport Service, Mr
Fola Tinubu confirmed the incident.
Mr Tinubu told The Nation yesterday evening that
the Police have brought the situation under
control and that the buses have since resumed
operations.
Source: thenationonlineng.net/bride-killed-crossing-brt-corridor-days-wedding/

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alerted
of moves by some unnamed agents of the
Presidency to bribe senators of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) extraction to protect
President Muhammadu Buhari from imminent
parliamentary sanctions for alleged constitutional
breaches and gross misconduct.
The main opposition party said in a statement
Sunday that intelligence available to it indicated
that it was for this reason Presidency summoned
all APC senators for a meeting at the Presidential
Villa.
The meeting at the Villa is slated for Monday
night, ahead of the Senate’s planned resumption
on Tuesday.
Spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, who
signed the statement, said the Presidency was
unsettled by the national and international outcry
that greeted President Buhari’s suspension and
replacement of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The statement said, “President Buhari is not only
apprehensive that the Senate might sanction him
for violating the constitution and usurping its
statutory duties regarding the handling of issues
related to a CJN, the parliament might also open
an inquest into how President Buhari, who
parades as Mr. Integrity, allegedly procured an
Order from the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)
upon which he announced the illegal suspension
of the CJN.
“There are reports that the said order is
suspicious and subject to investigation, being not
argued or issued in the open court; following
which a distressed Buhari Presidency now seeks
to corrupt and undermine the Senate.
“The PDP has been made aware of how money
has been moved from the coffers of the Niger
Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to bribe
the APC senators, as well as how each APC
senator has been offered huge sums of money in
foreign currency to engage in heckling during the
session, particularly when the matter is raised.
“However, the PDP wants the APC senators to
note that the issue at hand is not partisan; it is
not even about Justice Walter Onnoghen, but
about nationhood, as well as the protection of our
democracy and constitution from despotism.
“The Buhari Presidency is bent on corrupting our
democratic institutions but Nigerians are
watching the action of our lawmakers at this
critical time”.

Source: thenationonlineng.net/pdp-alleges-plots-bribe-senators-block-sanctions-buhari/

amen

Isaiah 29 vs 13- The Lord says: ''These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.

It all depends on individual. Not all the women have neagative mindset(politics) If we are observant we would notice that the woman is really talking about what is happening to her husband but her husband will often shut her up claiming she belongs to the kitchen. She had no choice than to listen to what her husband says, so we shouldn't blame her. Some women can have a good mindset but some might stop them in doing the good work. Any one who can stand her grand won-t mind the threat and outcome. Their is more to politics and any where we work. It only takes God's grace to start and end well. May God help us all.

great one.

We all need to be guided by the words of God and
what we hear. Scripture can be well said but
interpreted wrongly. Scriptures can be well said
but used in a wrong way to confuse people. Dont
be partakers with those who live by rules taught
by men- Isaiah 29 vs 13
When the Holyspirit is absent in a man's
life,anybody can walk into such life to quote the
scriptures wrongly and such people will accept
because the Spirit of God is missing in their life.
Jesus knew the scriptures likewise the devil also
knew the scriptures. In Matthew 4 vs 3(The devil
said-"If you are the Son of GOD,tell these stones
to become bread." in vs 4- Jesus answered, "It is
written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on
every word that comes from thr mouth of God."-
The devil knew Jesus had the ability to do that
but Jesus used the word of God against him
because those words were used to test him.
Note that the devil quoted the scripture exactly
has it is written but because Jesus also knew the
scripture and it was impossible for him to subject
to the wrong way the devil quoted the scriptures.
The devil quoted the scripture rightly but with an
evil motive to destroy you. Are people not doing
the same to you. They tell you the Bible says this
with an evil mind to bring him down.
Philippians 2 vs 5 says- Your attitude should be
the same as that of Christ Jesus(including
knowing, understanding and making use of the
scripture) We all need the Holy Spirit in our life to
interpret, teach and remind us everything (John
14 vs 26)
Many people who knows the scriptures(by heart
but the Spirit is missing) had also fallen because
some people quote the scripture in a wrong way
to them and because they too can't see beyond it
they become subject to what they tell them. Do
not let anyone quote scriptures or interpret
scriptures in a wrong way to you. The Spirit of
God is one,God is one(Ephesians 4 vs 4-6)when
you have the Holy Spirit in you,he gives you the
interpretation of what you read. Don't live by the
rules taught by men,read your scriptures daily
(Joshua 1 vs 8)Don't let anyone quote what is
not for you. Stop living by words which are
wrongly quoted at a point to you with different
interpretation. Also be like the Bereans, who
didn't say all what Paul told them must be true
because he claim to be an Apostle,they checked
the scripture daily to see if what they were taught
was inline with GOD's word(Acts 17 vs 11) Don't
say because he is famous so he can't quote or
interpret wrongly remember the Old prophet who
lied to his fellow prophet, the young prophet
thought his words were true and he followed him
home but that day was his last day on earth.
(1Kings 13) Read your Bible daily so you know
what it says. Make use of Proverbs 28 vs 13. You
need God to guide you by giving your life to him.
Romans 10 vs 9-10 Anything done outside the
circle of God is empty. You need him to guide you
through all paths. John 14 vs 26, Philippians 2 vs
13,Proverbs 16 vs 9,Proverbs 20 vs 24.
(John 12 vs 49-50)
I call you BLESSED.

Inspiring

Ebonyi state government has confirmed the death
of two persons in recent Lassa fever outbreak in
the state this year.
Commissioner for Health, Daniel Umezuruike Gabe
the confirmation in Abakaliki on Saturday.
According to him 10 other cases have been
recorded in the state five of which have been
treated and discharged.
The other five are still receiving treatment at the
Virology Centre built by the State government at
the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki.
They are said to be in stable condition.
The Commissioner said the two deaths were as a
result of late presentation.
“One (of the dead) came from Enugu State. The
deaths were due to late presentation, in fact, by
the time the child came, he was already very bad,
bleeding from different orifices which is the
terminal stage. But the medical workers tried all
they could but could not salvage the patient. The
second one actually died before presentation”, he
said.
“The confirmed cases are 12. Five have been
treated and discharged while five are on
admission now doing very well.”
Mr Umezuruike said the Virology Centre, which is
the only such centre in the entire Southeast, has
all the facilities to treat such diseases.
“The truth is that our management in the virology
centre is almost like 100 percent success because
we have the dialysis machines; we have all the
facilities to test immediately and confirm whether
the person has Lassa fever or not”
He, however, admonished residents and people of
the region to always bring the suspected infected
patients to the hospital on time so as to be able
to save their lives
“And once you confirm and commence treatment,
the prognosis is always very good. Lassa fever is
preventable and curable”, he said.
Source: thenationonlineng.net/ebonyi-records-two-deaths-lassa-fever/

Since childhood, Blessing Akhere had always
desired to sing. Known in music circle as Akhere,
the Economics graduate and former model who
currently works in the aviation sector, is making
her mark in the music industry. Akhere, who
recently recorded a song, ‘On My Mind’, speaks
with JOE AGBRO JR about growing up, the
struggles of the industry and her aspiration.
Excerpts
How did music start for you?
Music is my passion. I fell in love with music very
early in life. And I used to remember making
sounds, very beautiful sounds at age five. Even as
young as I was, I was aware that I loved music
and I could make very beautiful sounds. As a
child, I longed to be part of the choir, the senior
choir actually. But of course, you have to start
from the children’s choir.
In which church?
Brotherhood of the Star and Cross. And I had a
very good choir master who was able to help me.
Initially, I started as an alto singer. I was
fantastic as an alto singer but I don’t know what
happened. One day, we were doing a choir
practice and rehearsal and I was switched. They
switched me from alto to treble and that was the
beginning. I was like, ‘wonderful’ is an
understatement when it comes to singing the
soprano. From there, as I grew older, I started to
write songs. I migrated to writing secular songs. I
wrote my first eight songs while I was still in the
university. I was able to come up with a complete
album. And by the time I finished university, as
much as I loved music, music wasn’t appreciated
then. That was around 2005 because I finished
university around 2008. So, I just thought the
sensible thing to do at that point is to just get a
monthly job. That’s how I found myself flying.
The Nigerian music industry is a very
competitive. What are you bringing to carve a
niche for yourself?
Trying to be unique in my own way. I don’t want
to be someone else. I just want to be me. And I
believe the sky is big enough for everyone. We
might probably not get there at the same time
but as long as there is life, then I’m still pushing.
One of your songs, ‘Irin Ise’ (Man of Steel)
trended not long ago. What was the motivation
for the song?
There is a story behind it. Initially, my past
relationship actually gave birth to that song. At
the point I wrote this song, the relationship meant
so much to me. That sanity and happiness and
contentment you want in a relationship was there.
And I never imagined it was ever going to end but
that’s life for you. You have to give it your best
shot which is what I did. The love around the
relationship at that point led to that song.
So, are you back to being single?
Do I have to talk about that? I don’t think I want
to talk about that. Anyone who comes close
would get to know if I am single or off the market
eventually.
You’re a beautiful lady and some men would be
attracted to you. How has the interest in you
from the opposite s*x been like?
Well, I get that a lot. I handle them as they come.
Can you share an experience?
To a large extent, I think they’ve been able to
behave themselves.
So, what has a fan really done to you that you
feel ‘this is too outrageous’?
Like I said, I have not really had any terrible
experience. They’re able to keep their hands to
themselves even if they drool which is fine by me.
They can look and drool but can’t touch. To a
large extent, they are well-behaved.
So, no one has attempted to touch?
No one has tried to touch indecently.
When we look at the music sector, there is a way
females are portrayed as s*x symbols, especially
in music videos. How do you see that trend?
Well, I think everybody has the right to dress the
way they want to even though there is a saying
that says ‘dress the way you want to be
addressed.’ At the end of the day, I’m sure if they
do that for a video, probably the job warrants
them at that point because that is the contract
they have signed to do that way. But it’s not
enough for anyone to want to look at them as
s*x objects. I think it has to do with one’s
perspective about life. I have my own limits when
it comes to dress sense. I can’t go further beyond
a particular limit.
But for anyone who feels free to bare it all, it’s
not enough licence for anyone to think she’s
cheap. And the man should also have control. So,
don’t blame it on the girl because she is exposed
dress-wise, then you think you can lunge yourself
on her indecently. The girl also has a right to get
down with whoever she wants to get down with.
So, it just has to do with individual perspective
about life. We are responsible for our actions.
How do you combine your work and music?
It’s tough because flying alone drains you. So, I
still don’t know how I have been able to combine
flying with music because music on its own when
I was doing fulltime music, takes a lot of my
time. And when I ask myself how I have been
able to cope, the only answer is my passion for
music. Even when I want to give up, it’s not
something I can easily give away. I’ve tried
keeping away from it but it keeps on coming
back.
How do you relax?
Once in a while, I like to go dancing. It helps
relieve my stress. But most of the time, I don’t
even have that time to go dancing as often as I
want. What I do is I always have my earpiece
with me. When it blasts my head for a while, it’s
more like it massages my brain and makes me
calm down. When I get home, I still have it on the
speaker. So, when the music is playing, I’m
moving around at my pace doing things. The only
time I turn off the music is when I want to pray
and want to go to bed.
How do you stay athletic and beautiful?
I try to exercise on my own. I’ve never been to
the gym. Whatever exercise I do, I do it within the
four walls of my room.
How about relationships?
Right now, I’m busy with myself.
So, no space for any man?
When the right man comes along.
So, what are the criteria for the right man?
Of course, he has to be God-fearing. He needs to
love me. I don’t want a Master-Slave relationship.
Someone I can trust and find sanity and
happiness with. If he is good-looking, it’s an
added plus. But he has to be very presentable.
And he should be able to speak good English.

Source: thenationonlineng.net/fans-can-drool-cant-touch/

The National Business and Technical Education
Board (NABTEB) has urged all skilled persons-
artisans and craftsmen operating in Nigeria as
well as learners in non-formal apprenticeship
programme to get its Modular Trade Certificate
(MTC) and National Skills Qualification (NSQ).
It said the NSQ assessment procedures
recognised the skilled people and offer
certification based on what they are able to do.
Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB,
Professor (Mrs) Ifeoma Isiugo-Abanihe, who
spoke at the Skills Exhibition and Roundtable
Discussion on Assessment of Skills said all
persons with demonstrable skills and
competences could be be assessed and certified
using the NSQ and MTC.
Prof. Isiugo-Abanihe stated that NABTEB has
commenced assessment of thousands of learners
who were being awarded skills qualifications
including modular trade certificate and other
qualifications under the NSQ (Nigerian Skills
Qualification) framework.
The NABTEB boss said the Board was
collaborating with other stakeholders to fill the
gap being created as a result of technology in the
21st Century.
She said, “NABTEB is determined to create a
critical mass of trained assessors and verifiers to
accommodate increasing demands for this
qualification. I urge training institutions to train
internal assessors and invite NABTEB to come
and inspect their facilities for subsequent
assessment and certification”.
Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu,
urged management of NABTEB to carry out its
duties professionally in the delivery of quality
Technical and Vocational Education and Training
(TVET) assessment and certification.
Mallam Adamu said the Federal Government
would support the examination body for effective
and efficient delivery of its mandate.
He said TVET remained the bedrock for
sustainable technological and sócio-economic
development of any nation.
Represented by the Director Science and
Technology in the Ministry, Mrs Olubola Adedigba,
Adamu said the ministry has collaborated with
other stakeholders facilitated the
“institutionalisation of a six level National Skills
Qualification Framework (NSQF) in Nigeria”.
Source: thenationonlineng.net/nabteb-urges-artisans-craftsmen-get-certified/

Students have called on the federal government
to listen to demands of the striking university
lecturers and fund education for the progress of
the country.
This was the resolution at the weekend in Lagos
during a protest by a coalition of student groups
from different campuses in Lagos State.
Speaking to The Nation, the national mobilization
officer of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC),
Wole Olubanji said that the Academic Staff Union
of Universities (ASUU) and the Academic Staff
Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) are justified in their
demands, going by the conditions in tertiary
institutions today.
He said, “ASUU and ASUP are justified in their
course. It is the federal government that has been
reneging in their agreement with the body, and the
agreements are still relevant today. We have
universities without schools and laboratories,
pointing to the fact that government have to fund
education.
Asked if the demands made by the university
lecturers are realistic, Olubanji said “When
government was going to bail out the banks, was
it realistic to spend as much as a trillion naira on
bailing bankrupted institutions. But they did that
because they had interest in their deposits saved
in them. But we are talking about institutions that
affect the general Nigerian masses”.
“Why should a government exist if it cannot
benefit the citizens? Government should to use
the resources of the country to advance its
citizens, and it can be done by education.”
Olubaji noted that the Nigerian people are the real
democracy the country enjoys, and they should be
treated as such. “The ordinary Nigerian people
are the real democracy in this country. It is only a
few people that are in the government, and
opposition, majority of Nigerians are not involved,
and this is because they are disappointed in what
they have seen from the government.
The ERC mobilization officer also had a word for
students who just want the strike to end
immediately. “If we have a situation where
Nigerian students are united to make a justified
demand, we will achieve our aims fast, but some
people are afraid and they want ASUU/ASUP to
call off the strike, so that they can graduate, but
from what realistic angle are they coming from in
their argument?
ASUU had embarked on an indefinite strike since
November 5th 2018, with sister body ASUP joining
in 12th December 2018, over the non-
implementation of the 2009 Federal Government/
ASUU agreements and implementation of the
2013 and 2017 Memorandum of Understanding it
signed with the union. The agreement between
the Federal government and ASUP also remain
unimplemented since 2016.

Source: thenationonlineng.net/asuu-asup-strike-fund-education-students-tell-government/

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said
he had fulfilled his campaign promises to
Nigerians.
The President, who spoke at a mega rally of the
All Progressives Congress in Osogbo, Osun State
capital, ahead of the February general elections,
reminded Nigerians of the condition under which
he came into office in 2015.
Buhari spoke to thousands of the APC, chieftains
and party supporters including the national
chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomole,
the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed
Tinubu, former interim national chairman, Chief
Bisi Akande, Osun State governor, Mr. Isiaka
Gboyega Oyetola, and his deputy, Gboyega Alabi,
immediate past Osun state governor, Ogbeni Rauf
Aregbesola, former governor of Rivers State and
Minister of Transport, Hon. Rotimi Ameachi, and
the national women leader of the APC, Chief Mrs.
Kemi Nelson, among others.
Buhari said his administration on assumption off
office in 2015 met the terrorist group, Boko
Haram, occupying seventeen local governments in
Yobe and Borno States and other parts of the
North East but said no single council today is in
the control of the insurgent group, adding that
“except where they have soft targets market
places and motor parks.”
According to him, his administration had
significantly improved on agriculture.
Buhari, who also said had done his best in
fighting corruption, assured that whoever that is
found to be corrupt will not be spared, adding
that “they will be prosecuted and brought to
justice.”
Acknowledging people’s support for him, he
expressed gratitude to the people for “trooping
out and lining up the streets in the scorching sun
to wave him and his entourage.”
Asking the people to vote for him and his deputy,
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in the February poll, he also
appealed to them to vote for all candidates under
the platform of the APC in the general elections,
assuring that they would not let them down.
Also, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said those
contending power with the APC never meant well
for this nation. In their resolve, they are
determined to draw us back but by the grace of
God we are moving on and higher.”
Earlier, the Osun State governor, Mr. Oyetola,
advised the people of the state to return Buhari
for the second term, saying his administration
had done so much for the state in the area of
social investment and youth empowerment, road
construction, health, agriculture.
The governor said votes for Buhari will provide an
opportunity for the people of the state to continue
to enjoy good and quality programmes of the
Buhari administration.
He advised the people not to allow corrupt
politicians to over power in the interest of the
future of the nation, saying “the APC is a party of
today and the future.”
In his welcome address, Chief Akande thanked
President Buhari for his love for the people of
Osun and Nigeria.
Also, Asiwaju Tinubu said the People’s
Democratic Party had deceived Nigerians for
sixteen years and therefore must not to be
allowed to return to power.
Tinubu, who spoke in Yoruba language, said the
PDP’s “misrule” had denied the youths and many
Nigerians jobs.
He pleaded with Nigerians not to allow the efforts
of the progressives for 15 years to protect
nation’s democracy go in vain, adding that Buhari
had re-established importance of agriculture,
which he said older Nigerian generation had
utilized to train their children and contribute to
the national development.
He thanked Buhari for recognizing June 12 as
Democracy Day, for honoring it symbol, late
M.K.O Abiola, as also for putting many people
from the South West in position of authority.
For Aregbesola, who only sang to pass his
message across, he enjoined the people to vote
for the broom symbol, which he said staid for
progress and development.
The APC national chairman, Oshiomole, who said
the forthcoming general elections will be
determined by the people, noted that “with the
people’s enthusiasm today to identify with Mr.
President is enough proof that all is well.”
Meanwhile, President Buhari had earlier met with
Osun State traditional rulers at the Government
House, Okefia in Osogbo, the state capital, to
solicit their support for his re-election bid.
The President also called for the support of the
traditional rulers for improved security in the
country.
He explained that his administration had made
positive progress in the area of security, economy
and also fought bribery and corruption in the
country.
The President said his administration intervention
in agriculture had made the country to achieve
food security.
Buhari said his administration wanted to engage
more people in agriculture by providing soft loans
to farmers.
He said: “With our intervention in agriculture, we
have achieve food security. We now produce what
we eat. I have also directed the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, not to
provide foreign excahnge for anyone who want to
import for into the country except those who
want to invest in the country.
“Since 2013 till date, I always request to see the
traditional rulers in any state I travel to because
of their closeness to the people. And I always
appeal to them to secure the society by securing
their communities.”
On the issue of security, Buhari urged the
traditional rulers to assist government to secure
the society by securing their communities.
The President said since the traditional rulers
were closer to the people, their support for
improved security was important.
Buhari appealed to the traditional rulers to ensure
that their subjects eschew violence during the
election.
In his remarks, Gov. Adegboya Oyetola, said
people of the state would vote massively for
President Buhari come Feb. 16.
Oyetola said in the same way people of the state
voted for Buhari in 2015, they would repeat the
same in Feb. 16.
He commended the president for his support for
the state.
Oba Wahab Oyedotun, the Orangun of Ila, who
spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers,
promised that they would deliver the state to the
President.
Oba Oyedotun said the good work of the president
was enough to ensure his victory .
“Mr President, you dont have any problem in
Osun, you are winning. You dont need to
campaign because tge good work you have done
in the state and the country will speak for,” Oba
Oyedotun said.
In attendance was the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye
Enitan Ogunwusi, the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab
Adedotun, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed
Adewale Akanbi, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh
Olanipekun, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba
Abdulrashed Olabomi, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba
Dokun Abolarin, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Adekunle
Magbagbeola, among others.
Source: thenationonlineng.net/buhari-to-nigerians-i-have-fulfilled-my-promises/

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr.
Ogbonnaya Onu, has urged Nigerians to support
President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid to
consolidate the rebuilding process started by his
administration.
Onu made the appeal on Saturday in Uburu,
Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi while
addressing members of the True Nigerians for
Buhari (TNB), a political pressure group who paid
him a courtesy visit at his country home.
He noted that it was easier to destroy than to
rebuild, adding that the administration came into
power at a very challenging and critical period in
the nation’s history.
According to him, the government came into office
at a period the country was facing dwindling oil
revenue, corruption, massive security challenges
occasioned by the Boko Haram insurgency and
failed physical infrastructure.
The minister said that the administration had in
less than four years in office addressed most of
the challenges that threatened the corporate unity
and existence of the country as a democratic
nation.
He called on Nigerians to support the president’s
re-election to enable the administration
consolidate on the achievements recorded in
every aspect of the economy.
“I call on the people of Nigeria, the people of the
South-East and the people of Ebonyi to give
unalloyed support to the re-election of Mr
President because of his many achievements
recorded in his first term.
“I am also calling for support for the election of
other candidates of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) in the February 16 and March 2 general
elections at all levels.
“APC is a party that was created to ensure that
Nigeria becomes a truly great nation and we know
that it is easier to destroy than to build and that
it takes more time to build than to destroy.
“The problems that the Buhari administration
inherited are such that definitely will require
enough time to correct them and put the nation
on the pedestal of growth where Nigeria will be a
peaceful, united, stable and prosperous nation,”
he said.
Onu, who spoke on President Buhari’s planned
visit to Ebonyi on Wednesday, Jan 30, urged the
people of the state to come out in their large
numbers to give him a rousing welcome.
“I want to use this opportunity to inform you that
Buhari who has visited Anambra and Enugu
States will be in Ebonyi on Wednesday.
“The visit is important to our people because the
president has shown great love and tremendous
interest in projects in the state and he is
determined to do more for our state
“Abakaliki, our state capital, has never enjoyed
railway services but Mr President insisted that the
railway line from Port Harcourt to Maidugiri
cannot be considered to be important to the
nation until it comes through Abakaliki.
“We are very happy and there are many other
projects already planned that will be of great
benefit to the people of Ebonyi.
“We are very hopeful that the visit will be
successful and that the people will come out
massively to receive Mr President,” he added.
Onu, leader of the South-East caucus of the APC,
expressed delight on the group’s support for
Buhari’s re-election bid, saying that the visit
would open up more channels of cooperation and
collaboration.
The minister expressed delight at the level of
preparedness in sensitising and mobilising the
people to vote for the re-election of Buhari.
“We will give you the needed support to continue
in your work because your goal and mission are
in tandem with ours,” Onu said.
Earlier, the TNB group led by its National
Coordinator, Chief Nicholas Adekunle-Ajayi,
commended the minister for his sterling
leadership style and for mobilising people of the
South-East for APC.
He said that True Nigerians for Buhari is a Pro-
Buhari pressure group committed to the re-
election project of the President.
“Our organization is recognised by APC and we
also share a consultative status with Buhari
Support Organisation (BSO) and other like-minded
organisations campaigning for the second term of
Mr President,” Adekunle-Ajayi said.
Source: thenationonlineng.net/buharis-second-term-will-consolidate-nigerias-rebuilding-process-minister/

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) said on
Saturday that the decision of
President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen,
signifies a conscious shift of policy to fast track
the fight against corruption in the country.
It said the suspended CJN had built a hedge
around himself to continue in office in spite of his
written admission of hiding several domiciliary
accounts with suspicious lodgements of funds
believed to be proceeds of corruption.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi
Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, BMO
said that President Buhari had no alternative but
to respect a valid suspension order issued by the
Code of Conduct Tribunal pending final
determination of the case against Justice
Onnoghen.
It said further that “Resignation was the only
meaningful option for the suspended Chief
Justice. He is indeed, a confessed felon after
claiming in one breadth to have made a mistake
and also forgot to have properly declared his
assets in line with provisions of the Code of
Conduct Bureau for public officials when
confronted by investigators.
“Just like the President said in his speech at the
swearing in of the Acting CJN, someone with a
moral authority so wounded by serious charges of
corruption by his own written admission ought to
have stepped down on his own volition.
“But in the character of tainted high office holders
in Nigeria, Justice Onnoghen preferred to lash on
to the rigmarole of legal technicalities as well as
a desperately shallow opposition party that is on
the lookout for anything to use to cast aspersions
on President Buhari and the All Progressives
Congress (APC) to shore up its flagging campaign
and an apparent failed effort to market a
presidential candidate with questionable moral
standing.
“The suspended CJN forgot, as usual, that he
once ruled on a case in his capacity of a Supreme
Court judge that the Code of Conduct Tribunal
has the exclusive jurisdiction to deal with any
violation of provisions of the Code of Conduct
Bureau notwithstanding the status of the public
officer in question.”
The group maintained that the CJN’s suspension
was in line with the President’s vow to respect
the rule of law as demonstrated in this case by
the order issued by the Tribunal on January 23.
It said: “President Buhari’s action cannot be said
to be unilateral because it was based on the
order of a duly constituted tribunal and it will
pave way for the case against the suspended CJN
to be heard on merit rather than a situation
where it would be stalled by unnecessary judicial
subterfuge which are associated with high profile
cases in Nigeria.
“We consider the indefinite postponement of the
statutory meeting of the Nigerian Judicial Council
NJC by Justice Onnoghen as one of those
unbridled manipulation of the judicial process.
The postponement of the NJC meeting is a
brazen abuse of office by Justice Onnoghen to
prevent the other members of the Council from
intervening in the Asset Declaration scandal
which may either lead to his being suspended or
being asked to recuse himself while the other
members take a second look at the implication of
the grave corruption allegation hanging on the
head of the country’s judiciary.
“So, from whichever angle one looks at it, it
would be difficult to fault the President’s action
with all the facts at his disposal as well as the
CCT suspension order”
While asking Nigerians to rally around the
President at this critical time and ignore attempts
by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) and its Presidential candidate to obfuscate
the issue with a view to scoring political points, it
said “no one should be surprised that Atiku and
his corruption-loving party would jump into the
fray in a public show of defence of the suspended
Chief Justice as it is in line with their tendencies
to defend the worst forms of value erosion that
continue to assail our national sensitivity in
recent times. It tells you all you need to know
about a Presidential candidate that has vowed to
enrich his friends obviously through corrupt
means if (God forbids) he becomes President.
“But there is no way President Buhari, with his
disdain for corrupt acts, would pretend that all is
well in a situation where the head of the nation’s
judiciary would have undeclared sums of money
running into millions of dollars in accounts hidden
from public scrutiny.
“We urge Nigerians across divides to show
support and solidarity with the President in his
bid to fast track the fight against corruption no
matter whose ox is gored”.
Source: thenationonlineng.net/suspension-of-onnoghen-aimed-at-fast-tracking-fight-against-corruption-says-bmo/

The Federal Government says the directive by the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suspending its
campaign to protest the suspension of Chief
Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, is a
face saving measure “ because the party’s
campaign died long ago.’’
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, faulted the party’s action in an in
interview with newsmen on Saturday in Ilorin.
“Which campaign did they suspend? Is it the
campaign that died a long time ago? Let me tell
everybody that their campaign was long dead.
“What is happening is that they are looking for a
face saving device to say that they suspended a
campaign that died a long time ago.
“In any case, is the suspended CJN a member of
their party?. Why is the PDP crying more than the
bereaved? I don’t understand, they should give us
a break,” he said.
The minister said that the party’s action was
suspicious, adding that it was acting a script not
known to many people.
“They are acting as if there is something between
them and the suspended CJN, otherwise, we do
not know why they will suspend the campaign
that was long dead,” he said.
On the public outcry against the suspension of
Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari, the
minister said the critics ignored the real issues
which concern corruption and the need to protect
the judiciary.
He said: “Anybody who read the address of the
president yesterday will know that he laid out the
point and reasons for the action.
“The first is that there are additional evidence
revealing that the suspended CJN refused to
declare millions of dollars in his possession
“More worrisome is the fact that when the
suspended CJN was confronted with the petition
that he failed to declare his asset, he admitted
adducing the reason that he forgot.
“The people that are crying tyranny and
dictatorship should ask where the suspended CJN
amass several millions of dollars which he failed
to declare.
“We are talking about fighting corruption here. Are
those people who are crying wolf saying we
should condone corruption?’’
He said the critics were being “hypocritical and
insincere” to say that it was right for a CJN to be
in possession of millions of dollars unaccounted
for and not declared as required by law.
Mohammed said contrary to the opinions of some
critics, the president acted legally by obeying the
directive of a court of competent jurisdiction to
suspend the CJN.
“The president did not just wake up in the
morning to suspend the CJN. He was acting
based on the order of the Code of Conduct
Tribunal.
“The fundamental question is that where in the
world will a Chief Justice of a country fail to
declare his asset, confronted with evidence that
millions of dollars flowed into his account and the
only defence will be that he forgot.
” I agree with the president that as soon as those
allegations were made, the right thing he would
have done was to excuse himself.
“I also agree with the president that the alacrity
with which judgments were coming from left right
and centre supporting the CJN is a departure
from slow machinery of justice that we are all
used to,” he said.
The minister stressed that the president’s
suspension of the CJN was sequel to the order of
a competent court and the critics should look
beyond sentiments. (NAN)
Source: thenationonlineng.net/onnoghen-fg-carpets-pdp-for-suspending-campaign/

Queens understand that no matter how beautiful
you are,you can never be above your man....you
remain a helper.

That's good.

Good

That's his choice.

let her choose who she want.

This is a serious case.
This is not a new news,i dont know why ladies are still spreading their underwears outside. Please let's endeavour to tell others abou it. So they don't fall victim.

Failing her won't solve the solution. Has teachers, they should have encourage her and not punishing her that way because they only making her to become weird with the way they are treating her. Its human to make mistake but the most important is what we do after our mistake. The teachers aren't perfect. That's not a right way to treat a child.