FG Orders Refund Of Post-UTME Fees

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu has directed all tertiary institutions that have conducted post-UTME examination to immediately refund money taken from candidates.

Education Minister Says Ban on Post UTME is With Immediate Effect

Nigeria’s Education Minister Adamu Adamu, has reiterated that the ban on post UTMEs in the country is with immediate effect.

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EURO 2016: Defending Champion Spain Crash Out of Tournament

Back-to- back European champions Spain has been sent packing from this year’s European tournament by Italy in a round of 16 fixture that ended 2-0.

NYSC Reacts To Rumours Of Scrapping Scheme

Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig. Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, has debunked rumours making rounds that the one year national youth service scheme has been scrapped.

Bank of Industry’s (BOI) N10 Billion Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) Programme – 2nd Round

Bank of Industry – The Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) programme is an ambitious programme by the Bank of Industry (BOI) aimed at addressing youth unemployment in Nigeria which is currently over 50%. According to a 2013 survey by the Nigerian Institute of

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Shortlisted Candidates For Recruitment 2016

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) – The under-listed candidates are shortlisted for screening at the just concluded recruitment exercise which took place in April 2016.

Itsekiri Warlord Issues Stern Warning To Niger-Delta Avengers

Former member of the Delta Waterways Security Committee, DWSC, Warri, Delta State and ex-Itsekiri warlord, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi, aka ‘Gentle General’, has issued a stern warning to the Niger Delta

NIGERIA: Parallel Market Exchange Rate (27/6/2016)

Note: “Buy” refers to the rate you pay if you want to buy forex. “Sell” is the rate that you sell to parallel market operators.

The Deadly Combination That Has Sent Nigerian Stocks Crashing

The Stock Market All Share Index was on a high on Thursday, June 23rd 2016 until something happened. The index had been on a stunning 7% run gaining at least 2% on the three days before the decline on Friday.

These Are What We’ve Learnt About The New Exchange Rate In The Last One Week

It’s officially seven days since Nigeria began a free float of its exchange rate. The new interbank foreign market ushered in by the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele is expected to provide some relief for an economy that has been starved of foreign investments in

How Foreign Investors Could Interpret Buhari’s Latest Devaluation Gaffe

President Buhari is probably better left alone especially when it comes to questions relating to the economy. He was speaking at a breaking of the Ramadan Fast with some members of the

WORLD PREMIERE: Naomi Mac Drops New Single ‘Ori Mi’ Featuring Pheelz

House One Music singer Naomi Mac has finally released ‘Ori Mi’ the most anticipated song of the year today, 27 June, 2016, featuring official YBNL producer Pheelz.

The Most Expensive Cities For Expatriates: See Where Lagos Ranks

Investment Consultancy Group, Mercer, has released its 22nd annual cost of living survey. The survey found that factors including currency fluctuations, cost inflation for goods

This EFCC’s Latest Threat Is A New Source Of Worry For Nigerian Banks

The Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu has led the Buhari’s government’s fight against corruption in a way that is reminiscent of the days of Nuhu Ribadu, the commissions first Chairman.

This Could Explain Why Job Applications In Nigeria Are Down 55% Since October 2015

The National Bureau of Statistics in conjunction with Jobberman released their 2016 first quarter employment report. According to the Bureau, application for jobs has fallen from about 318,233 in October 2015 to about 145, 872 in March 2016 representing a whopping 55% drop.

A Conversation With an Operator of 3 Fuel Stations Exposes A Common ‘Threat’

Last May, the Minister for State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr Ibe Kachikwu announced an increase in the price of fuel from about N82.5 to as high as N145 abandoning years of a fixed pricing system for Nigeria’s most desired commodity.

We Finally Figured How Much Billionaires Lost To Brexit On Friday

It is often said proverbially that “when it rains, it pours”. So was it on Friday when world markets were routed by the unexpected “Armageddon” that came with UK’s vote to leave the EU. Nigerians will tell you that it is after the race that you count the miles. For Brexit, it

Difference Between Trade & Settlement Dates

What The Terms T+1, T+2, T+3 Mean & Difference Between Trade and Settlement Date

 

In the financial world, time is money, so when a trade is executed, a day or two is needed to clear the transaction and pass the funds (ownership) from the buyer to the seller. This is where the

In Downgrading Nigeria, Fitch Summarized Buhari’s Blunders In One Blunt Paragraph

Global Rating Agency, Fitch announced last week that it was downgrading Nigeria’s long-term foreign currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘B+’ from ‘BB-’ as well as the country’s long-term local currency IDR to ‘BB-’ from ‘BB’. The issuers rating on Nigeria’s senior unsecured

This Analyst Explains Why You Can Make 91% Return If You Invest In UBA

Arica focused investment bank Renaissance Capital has come out with a note this morning upgrading UBA to a buy with a target price of N9.4 per share.

Key Details Of This New VAT Bill Should Worry Business Owners

The following article/report was prepared by PWC.

Key details of the 2015 Vat Amendment

Taxpayers may soon see the penalties for Value Added Tax (VAT) defaults increase significantly. This is based on the provisions of

GE opens state of the art Africa Innovation Centre

Today GE, one of the world’s biggest digital industrial companies, officially opened its R500 million 2,700m2 facility, the GE Africa Innovation Centre in Johannesburg South Africa. The centre, a first for GE in Africa, is another big investment for

Saeon speaks on why Wizkid isn't her ideal man

Eccentric Nigerian entertainer Saeon Moruda has spoken on her kind of man – In a recent chat, she explained that she likes her man tall, masculine and whatnot – As a result, she doesn’t fancy an affair with a Wizkid, instead she prefers cash to

Army, JTF rescue 5000 Boko Haram hostages, kill 10 terrorists

The Nigerian army jointly with the civilian JTF members rescued up to 5,000 people were rescued from Boko Haram – Troops also killed 10 terrorists and wounded several others in separate clearance operations in the northeast of the country –

Deadly Militant Group Issues Date it Would Bomb 3rd Mainland Bridge, Others

The new deadly militant group, the Asawana Deadly Force of Niger Delta, ADFND, which on Thursday claimed to have taken over from the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, yesterday slated the date it would bomb some strategic bridges in the country.

Explosion Rocks Mogadishu Hotel

A large explosion has rocked a hotel in the centre of the Somali capital Mogadishu and there is ongoing gunfire after what is suspected to be an al-Shabab attack.

How To Get Your Vehicle Insurance From The VIO

These are the required steps you need to take to get your vehicle insurance

1.Go tohttp://www.viodvla.com/signup.php to sign up for a free account and then tohttp://www.viodvla.com/login.php to login with your username and password

Fashola To Unveil Affordable Housing Scheme On Monday admin | Ju

Minister of Housing, Babatunde Fashola on Saturday said he will unveil plans to make housing affordable for Nigerians as promised during the campaigns.

Isaac Fayose Writes An Open Letter To His Brother, Ayodele Fayose

Ayodele Fayose’s younger brother has written an open letter to his brother on different allegations.

Read full letter:

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Nollywood Actor, Fred Amata Robbed, Dumped Under Lagos Bridge

Nollywood actor and newly-elected president of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Fred Amata was allegedly robbed at gun point on Saturday, June 25, 2016.

This Could Explain Why Job Applications In Nigeria Are Down 55% Since October 2015

The National Bureau of Statistics in conjunction with Jobberman released their 2016 first quarter employment report. According to the Bureau, application for jobs has fallen from about 318,233 in October 2015 to about 145, 872 in March 2016 representing a whopping 55% drop.

Abdulmumin Jibrin Warns Against Politicisation of Buhari’s Anti-Corruption War

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin has urged members of the National Assembly to support President Buhari’s anti-corruption war.

The Lawmaker’s reaction in a series of tweets Thursday through his verified twitter handle @AbdulAbmJ? comes shortly after opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the national assembly withdrew their support for the

Nigeria’s Official Exchange Rate – 23/6/2016

The Naira to dollar exchange rate for the 24th of June 2016 closed at the official interbank market at a price of N281. The dollar sold for N281 to the dollar on Thursday.

NIGERIA: Parallel Market Exchange Rate Today (24/6/2016)

Note: “Buy” refers to the rate you pay if you want to buy forex. “Sell” is the rate that you sell to parallel market operators.

Our rates are obtained from sellers on the mainland and the island. We usually post the higher of both rates. Rates may differ due across buyers, markets or regions.

Here Is What Brexit Could Mean For Nigerian Stocks

Brexit shocks roil global financial markets: Yesterday, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in a vote which sent shock waves across global financial markets this morning. Following the announcement of poll results, the UK pound fell (as much as 11%) to the weakest level in over three decades of $1.3229 while the FTSE 100 tumbled 7% in early morning trades.

We Now Know Why People Are Dumping Nigerian Mutual Funds

Though mutual funds are not as popular in Nigeria as stocks but a sizable amount of investors have purchased and still hold mutual funds in addition to or instead of buying individual stocks.

For those wondering why they or any one should

This Is One Thing Emefiele Has To Take Credit For

Nigerian stocks are up 11.4 percent since the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) signalled its intention to float the Nigerian naira on June 15.

Stocks have surged to 30,127.82 points from the

Beware of These 4 ‘Demons’ Of The New Flexible Exchange Rate Policy

If you’re not a Nigerian, please stop reading and close this page. Thank you.

Ehen, now it’s just us Nigerians left, we need to talk about something important. Just because

Study a Degree in Law at DMU…….Meet Dr Ohio Omiunu from De Montfort University Law School in Lagos This Friday, 17th June!

Leicester De Montfort Law School boasts an excellent reputation for teaching quality across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Our courses provide academic and work-related skills essential for

It’s Now Five Years Since He Died

How time flies!

It’s now 5 years since Tayo Adenirokun, the co-founder of Nigeria’s largest bank by market capitalization died. Mr Adenirokun was the Managing Director of GTB between 2012 and 2011 when he died .

Compared To Nigeria, South Africa’s Recently Published Trade Deficit Is Quite……SCARY

A few weeks ago, Nigeriareleased its 2016 First Quarter Balance of Trade reportrevealing Nigeria had a negative trade balance (trade deficit) of N184.1 billion. This will be the first time the country will be recording a negative trade balance since data collection began in 2008. It

We Have Kept Our Promise Of Creating Jobs for Nigerians – Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government has said job creation across the country has commenced in fulfillment of its campaign promises.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday at the South-South Town Hall Meeting organised by his ministry.

Study A Degree in Law At DMU…….Meet Dr Ohio Omiunu From De Montfort University Law School in Lagos This Friday, 17th June!

Leicester De Montfort Law School boasts an excellent reputation for teaching quality across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Our courses provide academic and work-related skills essential for successful careers in a wide range of disciplines. You can

Buhari’s Article In WSJ: “Three Changes Nigeria Needs”

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday penned an article for the Wall Street Journal where he explained what can be viewed as the strategy for making Nigeria better.

It’s Working: Average Price Of Fuel Drops To N150 From N168 Across Nigerian States

The National Bureau of Statistics has released its Premium Motor Spirit Price Watch for the month of May revealing that fuel prices across the country averaged about N150.28 compared to about N160.82 in the month of April. The price drop indicates that petrol prices in the

Niger Delta Avengers Agree to Dialogue with FG | See their Conditions

The Niger Delta militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have laid down conditions for dialogue with the Federal government in the region.

Deal: Microsoft To Buy LinkedIn For $26b

Microsoft just issued the following press release confirming it’s purchase of LinkedIn.

REDMOND, Wash., and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — June 13, 2016 — Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and LinkedIn Corporation (NYSE: LNKD) on Monday announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will

Mario Balotelli involved in nightclub fight

– Mario Balotelli was involved in a brawl outside a beach club in Brescia, Italy  – The striker went unhurt from the scuffle in which one man lost three fingers  – Balotelli is expected to be called in by police to give his account of events  – The Italian has returned to Liverpoool after his loan

FG, UNHCR, Republic Of Cameroon Sign Agreement To Return Nigerian Refugees

The Federal Government has signed a tripartite agreement with the UN High Commission for Refuge (UNHCR) and the Republic of Cameroon for the return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon.

Earn N150,000 Monthly With as Little as N6000 Start-Up Capital.

Do you need a stable source of income? Are you unemployed or a student? You want to make more money? Then this is for you.

Four Corners Alliance Group is an online based Multi Level Marketing business that offers its customers 80% commission that means Four Corners pays me and you 80% of it total sales and keeps only 20%. No company has done this before and this gives you the opportunity

Outdoor Salesmen Short Vacancy for Freelance Marketers and Salesmen/Women in Benin City

Outdoor Salesmen Short Vacancy for Freelance Marketers and Salesmen/Women in Benin City

A company dealing with fast moving household appliances and other gadgets requires the services of outdoor salesmen and women for short term employment (3 to 6 months) in Benin City. This is a great opportunity for Job Seekers, School Leavers, Industrial

Massive Wealth Creation At Your Door-Step

Are you unemployed? Tired of your present job? Just got fired from your job? Looking for another stream of income? Do you call people for financial assistance? Do you want to give your family the desired life you’ve always wished for them? If your answer is YES, then look no further because the once in a lifetime opportunity has come to your door step.

Writers Vacancy: Industrial Training Program for Writers in Benin City

Trainee Vacancy for Industrial Training (IT) Students, Undergraduates, NYSC and Post Graduates

Location is in Benin City, Edo State.

Duration: 3 to 6 Months

The program starts in June 2016 (Tentative)

What Work Will You Do
You will be in charge of researching, writing and editing articles and e-books

What Training Will You Get

Should Shareholders Be Worried About GSK’s Future?

When shareholders of GSK Nigeria Plc convenes at its Extra-Ordinary Meeting to be held on the 4th of July 2016 they will probably all unanimously approve the sale of Ribena & Lucozade Boost to Suntory Beverage & Food Limited. It’s a done deal and shareholders will also quickly approve total dividend payout of about N716 million being part proceeds from the sale.

Keshi: Burial Plans Out

After a torrid week in the history of Nigerian football during which two greats, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu passed on, burial plans for Keshi is expected to commence this week with meetings to be held with various strata of government. Amodu was buried on Saturday according to Muslim rites.

I Won’t Contribute To School Feeding Programme, Fayose Tells FG

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said that the school feeding programme of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government must be done without the proposed 40 per cent counterpart funding from States.

RMD Receives AMAA Life Time Acheivement award from Pete Edochie, Reflects on 33 Years As An Actor

So in just 33 years as a “pro-actor” I get a life time achievement award. I am humbled, thrilled and super-grateful. I want to thank all my Directors. Producers. Teachers. Colleagues… I want to particularly acknowledge Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Banks Want CBN To Limit Across Counter Withdrawal To N10k

Commercial Banks have been reported by the Punch to have asked the CBN to limit across the counter withdrawals to just  N10,000 in a move that is bound to be followed by a customer backlash and could even set the economy further back in its bid to recover.

18 Things You Should Avoid Saying During Salary Negotiations

You secured the interview, brought your A game, and landed the job. Now comes the hard part: negotiating your salary. 

“Salary negotiations are like any other type of negotiations — except the words you use can be extremely powerful, since there is a personal aspect to the discussion,” says HR expert Steve Kane. “The negotiation is not over the worth and price of an inanimate object, but rather the value of you to some enterprise.”

Here are 18 words and phrases that may hurt more than they’ll help in a salary negotiation: 

Follow the link below for the rest of the article:

18 things you should never say in a salary negotiationhttp://www.businessinsider.com/never-say-these-things-in-a-salary-negotiation-2016-6

Ghana’s Economic Indices Are Scary

As Nigeria grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades, many wonder if things will ever get better. Macro-economic indicators have breached territories not seen in years and is expected to worsen as we approach the second half of the year. If there is however, one source for comparison then a look at the Ghanaian economy could provide some form of comfort or even fear for Nigerians depending on how you look at it.

The Ghanaian economy has been under pressure in the last couple years following the drop in commodity prices which preceded the drop in the price of oil. Ghana’s currency which is currently floating against the dollar as ranked as one of the worst performers in the last two years depreciating from about N2.5 cedis to the dollar to as high as 4.5 in 2015. It currently trades at about 3.9 Cedis to the dollar.

Here are some of Ghana’s economic indicators compared to Nigeria.

	Ghana	Nigeria
MPR	26%	12%
Inflation rate	18.7%	13.7%
Treasury Bills (91 day)	22%	8.10%
GDP*	1.30%	-0.30%

*Ghana’s GDP numbers are as at December 2015, Nigeria’s March 2016.

Looking at the data above suggest Ghana is fairing far worse than Nigeria at least as it concerns economic indicators. The worry for Nigeria is that Ghana seems to be on the path to recovery and in contrast things appear to be getting worse in Nigeria.

MTN Deal Allegedly Reached Under Duress, House of Rep Says Its ‘Illegal’

Details leading to the $1.7 billion (N1.02 trillion)  fine agreed with MTN is beginning to surface as more Nigerians question why and how a fine that was said to be $5.2 billion ended up being reduced by a whopping 67%.

According to reports from Reuters news wires, “Nigeria agreed to cut a fine, imposed on South Africa’s MTN for failing to disconnect unregistered users, after the firm threatened to pull out of the West African nation, a government official said on Friday.”

In fact an official with knowledge of the transaction was quoted as saying that “The Nigerian government had to listen and yield to the plea of MTN to reduce the fine because the company said paying the fine in full will ground to a halt its operations in Nigeria……The present administration does not want to ground the operations of any investor in Nigeria.”

The deal which also involved MTN paying in tranches over a period of three years also paves the way for a possible listing by MTN  on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Despite this deal, Nigerians are understandable quipped by this decision and curious to know if the decision was achieved fairly and justly.

The House Of Representative is now reported to have rejected the fine and claiming that it is illegal.

“In the NCC Act and ancillary laws that were used to fine them, there is no where it was stated that the fine could be reduced. And as a House we are still maintaining our earlier stand that MTN must pay the N1.04 trillion fine,”

“We are still continuing with our investigation. We have today sent out letters to the minister of communications and the executive vice chairman of NCC (communications regulator) to appear before the House on Monday,”

“We want to know how they arrived at that decision and if it was done in good faith … But honestly, we are surprised,” Fijabi Akinade, chairman of the House’s committee on communications.

So what next?

MTN Fine Controversy: Here Is What The NCC Act Says About Fines

Controversy is trailing an NCC decision to reduce the fine imposed on MTN from about N1.04 trillion to about N300 billion only. The House Committee on Communications has led the criticism of the decision suggesting that it may well be illegal. According to Fijabi Akinade, chairman of the House’s committee on communications

“In the NCC Act and ancillary laws that were used to fine them, there is no where it was stated that the fine could be reduced. And as a House we are still maintaining our earlier stand that MTN must pay the N1.04 trillion fine,”

We dug into the NCC Act looking for relevant portions of the act where the powers to impose fines were mentioned. Here they are;

Under Non- compliance with direction

55. Without prejudice to any other provision of this Act or a licence condition, a person who fails to comply with a direction of the Commission shall be liable to the payment of fine to the Commission in such amount as the Commission may at its discretion impose.

Private inquiry.

59. (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 55 of this Act, a person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with a direction given under Subsection (4) of this section shall be liable to the payment of fine to the Commission in such amount as the Commission may at its discretion impose.

Under Non- compliance.

65.—(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 55 of this Act, a person who is subject to this Act and who fails to comply with a direction of the Commission under this Part shall be liable to the payment of fine to the Commission in such amount as the Commission may at its discretion impose.

0.—(1) The Commission may make and publish regulations for all or any of the following issues :

(a) written authorisations, permits, assignments and licences granted or issued under this Act ;

(b) assignment of rights to the spectrum or numbers under Chapter VIII, including mechanisms for rate-based assignment ;

(c) any fees, charges, rates or fines to be imposed pursuant to or under this Act or its subsidiary legislation ;

Reading through the act, we don’t see where it was mentioned that the Commission had a right to reduce fines. It was also not mentioned anywhere that any other body also had the right to reduce the fines on their behalf. What it however suggest is that the NCC can impose fines at its discretion. We will continue to track this story..

25 facts about female body which even women don’t know

This article is for those who think that all people are similar and the difference between sexes is not very significant. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Whatsapp Here are 25 most curious facts about female body: 1. Woman’s heart naturally beats faster than man’s one. 2. Women blink twice as often as men do. 3. Female organism taps reserves much slower than male’s: approximately 50 kcal a day. 4. Women have stronger immunity. 5. Diameter of woman’s hair is twice smaller than man’s. 6. Callosum in woman’s brain is thicker than in man’s. It contains 30% more connections. This what actually helps women cope with several tasks at once. 7. Woman’s tongue has more taste receptors. 8. Woman’s organism has more pain receptors, but due to oestrogen which blocks inflammatory processes, in general, women have lower pain threshold. 9. Women can better distinguish tints and colors, because color identification is connected to the X-chromosome. 10. Woman’s skin is 10 times more sensitive than male’s. 11. There is more elastin in muscles and band of female organism, that’s why women are more elastic. 12. Woman can better distinguish sounds of high frequency. 13. During sleeping, activity of woman’s brain reduces only by 10%, that’s why female sleeping is more sensitive. 14. Women can better define various tints of sweet taste. 15. Women naturally orient in space much worse than men, that’s why they can have problems with driving. For example, 82% of men can do parallel parking, and 70% of them cope with this task on the first try. Women show quite different results. Only 22% or women are capable to deal with this task, and only 1/3 of them will do this at the first attempt. 16. There are two-word centres controlling women’s speech. That is why women can easily pronounce up to 8000 words a day, using approximately 3000 sounds and 10 000 non-verbal signals. Males show twice lower characteristics. 17. Women have naturally more developed olfaction. 18. Women have developed peripheral (side) vision, and men – central one. 19. A female neck is more flexible than male. When someone calls a woman, she simply turns her head, while a man will turn his whole corpus. 20. Hair loss is an X-lined recessive character which a man inherits from his mother. 21. Due to the presence of two X-chromosomes, a female organism has a big tendency to receiving complications and chronic diseases. 22. Women are naturally more emotional. They cry approximately 30-60 times a year while men do this only 6-17 times. 23. Approximately 30% of women feel the desire to eat inedible things during pregnancy. 24. Women prone to worrying and feeling of danger due to the high level of such hormones as progesterone, cortisol, and estradiol. That is why women intuitively feel threat and danger much better. 25. Women freeze on men much stronger due to the higher level of oxytocin. Women have more developed brain zones responsible for the sense of affection.

Bishop Kukah says Buhari sickness is not a jest

Bishop Kukah called on Nigerians to stop spreading rumours about Buhari sickness – According to him, Nigerians should not depend on speculations
Mathew Kukah, the catholic bishop of Sokoto Archdiocese, has reacted to the controversy caused by th ill health of President Muhammadu Buhari. He advised Nigerians to avoid making the health of Nigeria’s public figures a subject of political discussion or rumours. Kukah told journalists in Abuja that leaders of some popular nations of the world had serious health problems, which were managed to avoid undue public attention. again The cleric stated that a former US President, Ronald Reagan, suffered from Alzheimer’s disease but nobody knew what the former president was going through. The man of God said: “I do not think that the health of any Nigerian should be the subject of politics or speculations. “It is something I find so troubling because nobody does the things we do in Nigeria. “Reagan was suffering from Alzheimer’s and for the greater part of ten years nobody had the slightest idea, what was happening to Reagan.” “I think the question we should be asking is: what right do people have to express themselves?’ We are in a democracy and people should be allowed to express themselves because ours is a representative democracy. “There are representatives and if people want to stop being a part of Nigeria there is a process for achieving that.” “The second point is that we cannot speculate as to intentions and motives unless you legitimately bring a person to court and say why have you done X Y Z? You can only speculate. And I don’t think we should be depending on speculations.” Bishop Kukah said the Nigerian problems were partly because its founding fathers tampered with the provincial system government. The cleric further stated that another key challenge of Nigeria’s democracy was the lack of citizens’ participation in governance.  Buhari’s health became a subject of allegations last month after his repeated suspension of scheduled official visits as well as denials by his aides. On June 6, the Nigerian leader proceeded on ten-day vacation to London for rest and medical check-up.

IBB should not leave us now - Niger state governor

Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, Niger state governor has added his voice to the number of eminent Nigerians who have spoken about the health condition of Nigeria’s one time military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida – Governor Bello said the nation still needs the amiable retired army general to be alive for his words of wisdom especially now that the country is facing serious economic and political challenges The former president who returned from Germany on Friday, June 10 at about 3 o’ clock in the afternoon was welcomed by Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello; former Niger state governor, Engineer Abdulkadir Kure; Mohammed Babangida, Aisha Babangida, Umar Ndanusa and a former federal permanent secretary, Idris Adamu Kuta.
The former military president was reported to have been to the European country for medical treatment. Governor Bello said the wise advice of IBB is needed in order to help Nigeria find solution to the various national problems the country is facing as of present.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/857021-revealed-niger-state-governor-said-ibb-will-move-tears.html

Buhari Appoints New MD For Niger Delta Holding Company of Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Holding Company of Nigeria Limited (NDPHC) James Olotu and appointed Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, as his replacement in acting capacity.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal made the announcement in a statement while announcing the dissolution of the Executive Management of the company.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has dissolved the Executive Management of the Niger Delta Holding Company of Nigeria Limited. Consequently, the Managing Director of the company has been directed to hand-over immediately to Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, who has been appointed as the Acting Managing Director of the company.

“All Executive Directors of the Company and the General Manager Audit are directed to hand-over immediately to the most senior officer in their respective Departments. The Federal Government appreciates the services of the disengaged officers during their tenure of office,” Lawal said in the terse statement.

Benue SSG Suffers Major Stroke, Hospitalised

THE Secretary to the Benue State Government, SSG, Mr. Targema Takema late Thursday night reportedly slumped and went into coma at his Makurdi residence.

Saturday Vanguard gathered from a close family source that Mr. Takema who was immediately rushed to the state owned University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, was said to be suffering from cardiovascular disease.

“We were told by doctors that he suffered a serious stroke, but he is in stable health condition, we are hopeful that he would get stronger in the coming few days.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Terver Akase who confirmed incident, said the Governor had already visited Mr.Takema at the hospital early Friday morning.

He said, “yes it is true that the SSG slumped, but he was rushed to the hospital where he is in stable condition and also responding to treatment.”

Nigerians Will Start Getting N500bn Social Intervention From June 11 – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says Federal Government will start the first roll out of its N500 billion intervention scheme on June 11.

The minister made the disclosure at the inaugural “Buharimeter Town hall Meeting’’, organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), in Abuja on yesterday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the town hall meeting was organised to evaluate the one year of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

Mohammed said the government would on Saturday open an internet portal named “npower.gov.ng’’ and start taking applications for the 500,000 direct teacher job scheme.

He said that other schemes in the social investment programme would be rolled out in the coming weeks.

The schemes, according to the minister, included the conditional cash transfer that pays N5,000 monthly to one million Nigerians and the micro-credit scheme for more than 1.5 million people.

He said the others were the home grown school feeding programme that will serve 5.5 million pupils and the education support grant programme for 100,000 tertiary students in Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), and education.

The minister assured that while there was still much work to be done, the administration neither lacked the political will nor the discipline and the determination to fulfill its electoral promises and take Nigeria to greater heights.

“The Change we promised is real, and with the takeoff of our massive social intervention programmes in a few days, Nigerians will begin to feel the impact of the new order.’

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says Federal Government will start the first roll out of its N500 billion intervention scheme on June 11.

The minister made the disclosure at the inaugural “Buharimeter Town hall Meeting’’, organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), in Abuja on yesterday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the town hall meeting was organised to evaluate the one year of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

Mohammed said the government would on Saturday open an internet portal named “npower.gov.ng’’ and start taking applications for the 500,000 direct teacher job scheme.

He said that other schemes in the social investment programme would be rolled out in the coming weeks.

The schemes, according to the minister, included the conditional cash transfer that pays N5,000 monthly to one million Nigerians and the micro-credit scheme for more than 1.5 million people.

He said the others were the home grown school feeding programme that will serve 5.5 million pupils and the education support grant programme for 100,000 tertiary students in Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), and education.

The minister assured that while there was still much work to be done, the administration neither lacked the political will nor the discipline and the determination to fulfill its electoral promises and take Nigeria to greater heights.

“The Change we promised is real, and with the takeoff of our massive social intervention programmes in a few days, Nigerians will begin to feel the impact of the new order.’

Nigerian Army Replies Amnesty International On Pro-Biafra Killings

The Nigerian Army has rejected a report by Amnesty International on Friday accusing Nigerian troops of killing at least 17 unarmed pro-Biafra supporters in south eastern states.

Amnesty International said it conducted extensive research on the attacks and could confirm 17 killings, but said the number could be as high as 50.

In a statement following the report, H.A. Gambo, a colonel and deputy director, Army Public Relations, accused Amnesty International of not verifying its claims and seeking to discredit the Nigerian Army.

“The attention of 82 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to insinuations of misdeed being leveled by Amnesty International against security forces during the MASSOB/IPOB violent protests in Onitsha and environs on 31 May 2016. Accordingly, it is deemed imperative for the wrong and misleading impressions with which the public is being fed to be corrected once and for all,” the statement said.

“The synopsis of occurrence on that fateful day is that elements of MASSOB/IPOB engaged in violent protests which were featured with outright disregard for law and order. In the scenario of anarchy that ensued, the pro-Biafran protesters who had chosen the day to mark the 50th Anniversary of Biafra perpetrated a number of unimaginable atrocities to unhinge the reign of peace, security and stability in several parts of Anambra State.

“A number of persons from the settler communities that hailed from other parts of the country were selected for attack, killed and burnt. 2 personnel of the Nigeria Police were killed, several soldiers were wounded, a Nigeria Police vehicle was completely burnt down while another of the Nigerian Army was vandalized.

“The strategic Niger Bridge at Onitsha was at the verge of being captured particularly with the coordinated reinforcement of the violent protesters from the Asaba end of the Bridge. In addition, wanton destruction of lives and properties were brazenly carried out by the protesters who employed firearms, crude weapons as well as other volatile cocktails such as acid and dynamites. In consequence, law, order and security were grossly threatened across the State and beyond.

“The Nigerian Army in synergy with other security agencies under its constitutional mandates for Military Aid to Civil Authority (MACA) and Military Aid to Civil Power (MACP) acted responsively in order to de-escalate the deteriorating security scenario in-situ. Instructively, the military and other security agencies exercised maximum restraints against the odds of provocative and inexplicable violence that were employed against them by the pro-Biafran protesters.

“The military and of course the other security agencies acted professionally within the extant Rules of Engagement to successful de-escalate the budding anarchy in-situ. It is rather inconceivable for any individual or group to have decided to inundate the general public with an anecdote of unverified narratives in order to discredit the Nigerian Army in the course of carrying out its constitutional duties despite the inexplicable premeditated and unprovoked attacks in the hands of the violent pro-Biafran mob.”

Credit: PremiumTimes