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President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and the immediate past Senate President, David Mark have felicitated with Nigerians on the occasion of the 56th independence anniversary of the country. The trio used the occasion to appeal to Nigerians to collaborate with the Federal Government in order to ensure the nation emerges from the current economic recession stronger, more united, developed and self reliant. Saraki in his message, commended all Nigerians, especially the nation’s founding fathers, for their contributions that have averted disaster from the nation at every point her existence is threatened by social, political and economic problems. While expressing regrets that in her 56 years of existence, Nigeria’s economy still depends on only oil, a situation which created the present economic problems being experienced by the citizenry, the Senate President commended Nigerians for their perseverance, understanding and support in the face of the harsh ec...

Policemen attached to the Ajagbadi police station Lagos state police command are investigating a commercial motorcycle rider, one Benjamin Kingsley over allegation that he raped and video-recorded a 19 -year-old girl. It was gathered that Kingsley who claimed to be a member of the Eiye confraternity allegedly used candles and other sharp objects which he allegedly inserted in the vagina of the girl to rape the victim (name withheld). Police sources stated that after raping the victim in a dastardly manner, Kingsley also allegedly recorded the sex act with his phone and uploaded the video to friends on social media site WhatsApp to spite the girl. The victim, a tailoring apprentice, who claimed that Kingsley also threatened to kill her, if she exposed the crime also added that she was drugged during the rape. The victim stated that Kingsley threatened to kill her if she exposed him but she summoned courage and reported him despite his threats. Narrating how she was raped , the girl sai...

Two suspects have been arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, AIIA, Enugu in connection with attempts to smuggle illicit drugs to China by the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. One of the suspects, Esonwunne Onyechi Benson, 31 packed substance that tested positive to cannabis in noodles, but disguised the drug as noodles. He had wanted to give it to an unsuspecting passenger to help him courier the drug to China before luck ran out of him. The other suspect, Adibe Wisdom Baloba, 47, who before the arrest was a clearing and forwarding agent was arrested at the airport during the outward screening of Ethiopian Airlines out of the airport. He ingested 74 wraps of cocaine. However, the suspects attributed their involvement in the illicit trade to high exchange rate of naira to a dollar and the current poor economy. Spokesman of NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju in a statement said that Esonwunne had wanted to use some an unsuspecting passenger to ...

The Nigerian Army says its troops from the 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Calabar, in the early hours of Friday, repelled an attack on its soldiers by killing seven armed militants at Efut Esighi in Bakassi local government area of Cross River. Kayode Owolabi, Army Public Relations Officer, disclosed this to journalists on Friday in Calabar. Mr. Owolabi, a colonel, said the militants were “boys” of the most wanted militant leader, Benjamin Ene a.k.a “G1” who has been on the wanted list of security agencies in the state. “The very determined troops from the 13 Brigade and Operation Delta Safe repelled an attack from armed militants at Efut Esighi in Bakassi local government area this morning. “The militants tried to attack the Army post in Efut Esighi. Some of them were wearing Nigerian military camouflage. “We recovered 250 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, rocket propelled gun luncher, GPMG belt links and various charms on their bodies. Other militants escaped with very serious gun shot...

Many Nigerians today celebrate independence anniversary amidst unprecedented suffering they have witnessed since the nation came out of its civil war three decades ago. Worsening economic recession, borne by fallen prices of crude oil products and activities of local militias have denied most homes of comfort they had enjoyed in the past decades. President Muhammadu Buhari rose to power on May 29th 2015, raising hope of increased prosperity, resolute fight against corruption and terrorism that had almost grounded socio-economic activities in the country. While troops have been able to quell monstrous killings by the Boko Haram group, bombing of oil facilities by Niger-Delta, and move for self-determination by aggrieved groups in South-East have persisted under the present government. Prices of foodstuff and general costs of living are snowballing. Many private firms are shutting down, with consequential job losses over recession. Today, most states across the country owe their emplo...

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has commended the patience and perseverance of Nigerians in spite of the present state of economic recession in the country. Obasa however assured Nigerians that with the efforts being put in place by the present government at state and central levels, the recession would soon be a thing of the past hence the need for the people to continue to support and cooperate with the government since the task of improving the country is a joint effort involving the government and the people. The Speaker, in his Independence Day message to Nigerians through a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak, said the Independence Day celebration brings hope to Nigerians because the present government is on top of its goal and is determined to bring Nigeria out of its present state. “It is an open secret that there is economic recession in the country and I salute the perseverance and patience of our people. We s...

Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High mCourt sitting in Abuja yesterday, fixed October 21, to entertain the suit filed by the embattled former Chairman, Appropriation Committee, House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin,challenging his suspension from the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives had on Wednesday, suspended Abdulmumin Jibrin, a lawmaker from Kano at the centre of the unfolding budget padding scandal, for 180 legislative days. In a motion recommended by House Ethics Committee chairman, Nicholas Ossai, and adopted by the whole House, Jibrin will also not be able to hold any position of responsibility for the span of the current National Assembly. The embattled legislator had on August 9, approached the court seeking an order to restrain the lower legislative chamber from any attempt to suspend him. The suit was filed before Justice Okon Abang during the court vacation period that lasted for about two months. However, upon resumption, the matter was ...

Suspended lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin, on Thursday gave his colleagues in the House of Representatives three days to return all questionable allowances they paid themselves. Mr. Jibrin said any lawmaker who fails to heed his call should be prepared for the backlash that would follow when he publishes details of how such official perpetrated the fraud. Mr. Jibrin’s statement came a day after he was suspended by the House for 180 legislative days —approximately a full calendar year as the House sits three times a week— after being found guilty of violating House ethics and lawmakers’ privileges. It also came a month after Mr. Jibrin accused his colleagues of raking in millions in illegal allowances, and after he indicted himself as having received N650 million illegally. To return their loot, Mr. Jibrin advised his colleagues to individually approach the appropriate authority and make arrangement on how to pay everything back into the federal purse. “I have written to the Clerk of the N...

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has facilitated with Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 56 independence anniversary. A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, in Abuja on Friday said that despite the challenges confronting Nigerians,“there is every reason for the country to celebrate its independence anniversary”. Hon. Dogara Dogara, however, noted that the current challenges were not insurmountable, adding that “with unity of purpose, commitment, sacrifice, hardwork and patriotism we shall overcome”. The speaker, who noted that while it might seem like all was bleak and gloomy at the moment, said that “Nigerians will soon begin to smile in appreciation when fruits of the structures being put in place by the present administration begins to manifest”. He, therefore, called on all leaders irrespective of political affiliation to join in rebuilding the country for betterment of future generati...

CBN governor, Emefiele The wife of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Margaret Emefiele, was abducted by gunmen on Thursday. She was one of about six people abducted on Benin-Agbor Road. A family source said late yesterday that efforts were underway to secure Mrs. Emefiele’s release, as well as the others, within the shortest period possible. “Yes, I can confirm to you that she was kidnapped, but we’re making diligent efforts to ensure her release and also the other people,” the source said. The confirmation corroborates earlier reports by Sahara Reporters, an online news portal. Sahara Reporters had said on Friday evening that Mrs. Emefiele was kidnapped along Benin-Agbor Road on Thursday after gunmen chased her police detail into the bush. The medium also said a ransom of N1.5 billion has been demanded by her abductors, who have since reached out to her family. But the family source declined to confirm this, saying the details are not necessary and could actually complicat...

The Supreme Court on Friday said it dismissed the appeal of James Faleke of the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Kogi governorship elections because the reliefs sought were “aberration, not known to law’’ The court, while giving reasons for its decisions of Sept. 20 on the elections also said that the respective appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Idris Wada failed because it was “frivolous’’. Yahaya Bello The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the apex court panel of seven judges had unanimously dismissed the three appeals, respectively contesting the return of Gov. Yahaya Bello of the APC. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun who read the lead judgment in Faleke’s case said the court dismissed the appeal because the claims by the appellant were not supported by any extant laws. “This is a simple law. Since the election, had not been completed and the final results issued by the electoral body, Faleke, as a running mate, cannot claim ‎victory ...

Senate yesterday urged the Federal Government to quickly put in place, measures to raise capital from the sale of national assets and other sources to shore up foreign reserves as a means of addressing the current recession. The lawmakers were of the opinion that the action should include part sale of Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, Holdings, reduction of government shares in upstream oil joint venture operations, sale of government stakes in some financial institutions like Africa Finance 1Corporation, AFC, as well as privatisation and concession of major/regional airports and refineries. These measures, according to the lawmakers, will go a long way to calm investors, discourage currency speculation and stabilise the economy. But Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, disagreed with the position of the Senate, warning that NLNG and other federation assets should not be sold to meet the country’s financial obligations. The recommendations were contained...

Hillary Clinton is visiting only two battleground states this week -- hardly a sign of confidence at her standing 49 days before the election, but an acknowledgement that one task reigns above all: Preparing for her first face-to-face confrontation with Donald Trump. While she is set to make a quick trip to Florida on Wednesday, after dipping into Pennsylvania on Monday, Clinton will devote the lion’s share of her time huddling with her debate team, gaming out how she will confront Trump next Monday night at Hofstra University. The lead Clinton enjoyed for months in swing state and national polls has all but evaporated, raising the stakes for the first debate. The terrorism investigation in New York and New Jersey has also added to the urgency of her first meeting with Trump, which will touch on a litany of economic and security issues. Clinton, who has participated in more debates than any presidential candidate in recent history, faces a new challenge with Trump. She is trouprepar...

A scientist at the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, Professor Nasiru Shua’ibu has developed a new malaria vaccine to prevent high rate of death from malaria fever. The don is of the Biochemical Parasitology Department of the university. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria, Kaduna State on Tuesday, Shu’aibu said the new malaria vaccine was different from others currently in use. Shu’aibu, who is currently working with the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Japan, said the result of the research on the new vaccine would soon be out for Nigerians to use. “In a simple term that a layman can understand, the content of this malaria vaccine research is difficult, but let me try if I could simplify it, it is called DNA Vaccine. “It is a new technology for discovery and delivery of vaccine against any infectious disease that was developed in the early to mid 1990s. “The DNA of the malaria parasite was extracted and the portion of the DNA that is tested to be a good vac...

You will recall also that prior to the incursion of the military in to the governance of Nigeria; the south-east part of the country had the fastest growing economy in Africa, with the highest per capita income comparable to most developed economies of the world at that time. Igbo enterprise naturally stirred the hatred of the less endowed groups in the country. The Nzeogwu coup of January 15, 1966 would provide the perfect excuse for these mortal Igbo haters to label the coup an Igbo coup. The outcome of this evil labeling was the implementation, especially in Northern Nigeria, of genocidal pogrom against the Igbo people. The resultant Nigerian-Biafran War was seen as the perfect opportunity to destroy the Igbo economy. The destruction of the Igbo economy was a major setback for the Nigerian economy. Irrespective of whatever anyone may say, the calculated decimation of Igbo economy created a gaping hole in Nigerian economy. The conspiracy by the Nigerian state to implement the dubiou...

Federal Government Tuesday issued a warning to principals of Federal Government Unity Colleges to adhere strictly to the authorised fees or get sacked. In a statement made available to newsmen by the Director, Press, Ministry of Education, Mr. Ben Gong in Abuja, Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu warned that any principal caught exploiting parents by increasing the fees would be sacked immediately. The statement reads: “Malam Adamu Adamu advised parents whose wards are in Unity Colleges to report any infraction to this directive to the Federal Ministry of Education for appropriate sanctions. “The minister said one of the pillars of his ministerial action plan: ‘Education for Change’, which will soon be launched is to make education accessible and affordable to all Nigerians, maintaining that he will not tolerate any act capable of sabotaging this goal. “Time has come for Nigerians to enjoy the benefits of change, which they voted for and that he will stop at nothing to deliver ...

West African Exa m i n a t i o n s Council, WAEC, has adopted the electronic marking of theoretical questions of its West African Senior Secondary School Examinations. Head of Nigeria’s Office of the organisation, Mr. Olu Adenipekun disclosed this Tuesday in Lagos while addressing leadership of Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria, EWAN, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Yaba headquarters of the council. He said the new marking system which entirely deviated from the traditional manual method would begin with its ongoing November-December SSCE and sustained subsequently also in its May/June diet. He explained that because of the development, candidates no longer take their theory questions home after exams, as answer booklets are now combined with the question papers and given to each of the candidates together. He said the new practice, which was in tandem with the best global practices would greatly guide students from writing irrelevances when answering questions. He expl...

Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, said it seized rice worth N597.7 billion brought into the country through the borders between January, 2016 and August, 2016. The Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr Wale Adeniyi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday. He said the worth of the commodity confiscated during the period was higher when compared with N330.5 billion value of the good seized in the same period in 2015. He said the increase in the seizures was an indication that the customs was operating zero tolerance to illegal importation of rice. Adeniyi said that the service’s rapprochement Newswith its counterpart in the Republic of Benin also facilitated the spate of confiscation of rice along the borders between both countries. “Our seizure of rice from January to August was N597.7 billion as against N330.5 billion during the same period in 2015; this shows a huge increase. “The number of seizures from the statistics shows that s...

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, Tuesday accused banks of aiding corruption, saying “banking sector is creating a fertile ground for corruption”. He said it was unfortunate that some banks encourage looting by creating an “enabling environment” for it. Speaking during an interactive session with the commission’s external lawyers and civil society organisations in Lagos, Magu said it was as if the banks were telling looters: “Go and steal and I’ll hide it for you,” which he said must stop. “We’ll zoom in on the banks. We need to stop them from creating an enabling environment for corruption to thrive,” he said. Speaking with newsmen on whether the commission would invite wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, for questioning over the $15,591,700 she claims belongs to her, Magu said investigation was ongoing. “We are on it. You see, we work for the long-term. We must complete out preliminary investigations be...

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday backed the forfeiture of $31m allegedly belonging to ex-First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The union also called on the anti-graft body to probe the sources of wealth of the wife of the formal president, prosecute and confiscate her assets if found culpable of illegal accumulation of wealth. NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who spoke on the sidelines of NLC National Youth Conference in Abuja, however called on the present administration, headed by President Muhammadu Buhari, to stop buck-passing and evolve realistic policies that would lead the nation out of the present recession. He stated that the blind looting of the nation’s commonwealth by the political class across party divides was partly responsible for the economic downturn and the inability of state governments to pay workers’ salaries. The NLC boss said that in other civilized climes, Dame Jonathan would have voluntarily ...

Federal Government has commenced shortlisting candidates for the 500,000 jobs it promised. Lai Mohammed Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed in Abuja yesterday when a delegation of the National Council for Women’s Societies, NCWS, paid him a courtesy visit in his office. Mohammed said that applications were being received and government had started processing them for the recruitment. “The process for the recruitment has started. “About 1.2 million people applied and they classified them into categories including agriculture support officers, teachers, technical officers and so on,” he said. The minister also said that the payment of N5,000 conditional cash transfer promised by the government would begin before the end of the month. He said the Minister of Finance, Dr Kemi Adeosun had earlier announced this. Mohammed reiterated the commitment of the government to improving the well-being and standard of living of the citizens. “We are very concerned...

The two factional leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senators Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff, yesterday agreed to end the party’s crisis. This came about after the rival leaders met in Abuja, where they reviewed the state of affairs in the party. The two leaders jointly signed a statement, where they said they had agreed to consult with other relevant organs of the party for a final resolution of the leadership crisis. “The meeting was held in a most convivial atmosphere of brotherhood and understanding in the best interest of our great country and the sustenance of our multi-party democracy,” the statement said. Deputy National Chairman of the Sheriff faction, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh and Secretary of the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ben Obi, also addressed a joint statement, where they unanimously confirmed the truce for reconciliation. Their statement, titled “Rejuvenating the PDP” reads: “This is without prejudice to all outstanding matters in cour...

Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from Brad Pitt for 'the health of her family,' two years after the couple wed at their French estate Chateau Miraval.   The actress filed papers on Monday citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split and asking for physical custody of the couple's six children.  A source close to the couple told TMZ that Jolie, 41, made the decision to file because of the way 'Brad was parenting the children,' adding that 'she was extremely upset with his methods.' That same source claims Jolie became 'fed up' with Pitt's consumption of 'weed and possibly alcohol' mixed with his 'anger problem.' The pair began dating in early 2005 after they met on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Page Six is reporting however that it was after Jolie learned through a private eye that Pitt was cheating on her with Marion Cotillard on...

The Supreme Court today, Tuesday, upheld the election of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as governor of Kogi State as it dismissed all five appeals lodged against his return by the Court of Appeal. The seven man Supreme Court panel led by Justice Sylvester Ngwata gave its verdict after listening to arguments made by lawyers to the different contenders to the governorship among whom were former Governor Idris Wada, Rep. James Faleke among others. The Supreme Court panel said it would give its decision on September 30

City Manager, Pep Guardiola Yaya Toure will not play again for Manchester City until the player’s camp apologises for comments made by his agent, manager Pep Guardiola vowed on Tuesday. Dimitri Seluk accused the City manager of “humiliating” Toure, 33, by leaving him out of the club’s Champions League squad at the start of this month. The Ivorian midfielder, who announced his retirement from international duty on Tuesday, has not figured in a single City match-day squad since then. “The day after that, his agent spoke and in that moment, Yaya is out,” Guardiola told a press conference. “Unless Mr Dimitri Seluk comes back to the press or to his friends in the media –- because he hasn’t the courage to call me, he goes to the media and apologises to Manchester City first of all, then his team-mates and afterwards the trainer… “When that happens, Yaya will be part of the group and he will have the chance to play.” While Guardiola said that Seluk should say sorry for his comments, the ...

Minister for Women Affairs, Aisha Jumai Hassan, slumped yesterday at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Fufore local government area of Adamawa State. Aisha Hassan She was inside the camp’s store to inspect foodstuff and other items supplied by the Federal Government. There was a mild drama as her aides engaged journalists in a physical combat to avoid taking pictures of the incident. An aide of the minister who ordered them out of the store smashed recorders of some reporters. While addressing the IDPs earlier, the minister said that she visited the camp on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the allegations of rape and children abuse in camps in the Northeast. Hassan urged the IDPs to believe the present government and that very soon they would be back to their ancestral homes. The minister who also presented assorted items to the IDPs said that government was working hard to rebuild the region and that the administration would continue to pro...

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, on Friday explained why President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking the National Assembly’s approval for some emergency economic powers. The minister, who was briefing the media on efforts by the federal government to navigate the country’s economy out of recession, said “unusual times need unusual measures.” With the economy in recession, analysts say the country can ill-afford the luxury of time in search solutions to bring the economy out of the woods. Mrs. Adeosun, who said the government was aware of the pain Nigerians were experiencing, said President Buhari was in a hurry to get the economy out of the recession as soon as possible. “It is a tough time. But, there is hope for Nigerians,” she said. “Government is doing everything to ensure the country comes out in a sustainable way, so we never get back here again by addressing the infrastructure challenges. “The government has a very credible plan. It’s going to result in an economy not depende...