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In the last one month, Nigerians have witnessed some weird some contemplations within government circles on the best way to exit the country from the raging recession. One such contemplation is a fiscal stimulus initiative anchored on immediate injection of an estimated US$10 - $15 billion to be sourced from the sale of some national assets into the economy. The suggestion, reportedly the brainchild of the President’s Economic Management Team, did not only gain the support of the National Economic Council (NEC) and even the Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun, some prominent Nigerians like Aliko Dangote; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi 11, have lent their support. Though the Presidency is equivocal on the issue, the recent placement of advertisement of two airplanes in the Presidential Fleet, Falcon 7x and Hawker 4000, for sale, is seen as a sure give away on the preference of the Feder...

The Lagos State government may soon join the growing number of states that have imposed the death penalty on kidnapping and other related crimes in the state. This is sequel to a private member bill before the state House of Assembly which sets to introduce that to aspects of the criminal law in the state. The bill sponsored by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, stipulates that any person, who kidnaps, abducts, details or captures or takes another person by any means or tricks him or her with the intent to demand ransom or do anything against his/her will commits an offence, and liable on conviction to the death penalty. The bill if passed will put Lagos State in the league of other states such as Edo, Ogun and Anambra that have introduced the death penalty against kidnapping in their domains. The bill, which is titled: “A bill for a law to provide for the prohibition of the act of kidnapping and for other connected purposes”, went through a public h...

Businessman and politician, Dr. Kayode Oduoye, yesterday said Nigerians appear unimpressed with efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration at eliminating corruption, because so far, all his moves to fight graft are not having direct positive impact on the populace. Oduoye said with the growing level of poverty in the country, efforts to “kill” corruption by President Buhari is obviously not sitting well with people he is serving because they are daily more pauperised. Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, Oduoye, a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, made allusion to efforts to fight corruption by the previous administrations which he said culminated in the establishment of some key institutions that are today benefitting the general populace. He mentioned introduction of NNPC Mega Stations across the country by Obasanjo administration, when corrupt acts nearly stifle life out of distribution network of the NNPC as an example of how to fight corruption and at the same ...

A pan-Northern group, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF has condemned what it called a gang up by politicians against the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele. AYCF in a release signed by its National President, Alhaji Sani Yerima said there is a clear evidence of gangup against the CBN Governor , Godwin Emefiele by some politicians hiding behind the mask of obscure groups and using the media as the stepping-stone. “For weeks, these opaque groups have launched a massive negative campaign against the renowned banker, with the hope of denting his many years of professional records and turning public opinion against him. As an organization committed to the promotion of the right values and ethical democratic practice, we hereby state for the records that the ongoing smear campaign launched against the CBN Governor is a deliberate misinformation, designed to mislead the gullible public and set the people against the hardworking staff and management of the...

The recent call for restructuring of Nigeria is coming from all the geopolitical zones of the country and it is alarming that the calls are gathering momentum by the day. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the economic and socio- political problems manifesting in the country have shown that it can no longer continue with its abnormal structure. The recurrent militancy in the Niger Delta , the agitation for Independent Biafran Republic in the South East and the attack of local farmers in the North Central and southern states by the nomadic Fulani herdsmen among other socio problems have made the call for restructuring and true federalism almost on everybody’s lip. The coming of the military in 1966 brought the current anomalous federal practice . The coming into governance of the country by the military regime of Major General Aguiyi Ironsi had, in 1966, jettisioned the regional autonomy hitherto enjoyed by the component units as the regime foisted unitarism on the federation. From t...

Nigeria’s biggest football party - Merrybet Celebrity FC is back this December with its 3rd edition and this time around, it WILL be bigger and a lot more exciting. In a press conference that held at Club Rumours, Ikeja on the 19th of October 2016, the organisers of the event as well as some of the top executives of the betting company revealed that people should expect world-class musical performances, rib- cracking jokes and amazing football skill exhibition as Nigeria’s top celebrities will battle each other in support of their favourite football clubs! Asides the detailed information given by the organisers, the press conference was also an avenue used to unveil the newest ambassadors for the betting company. Peter of Psquare, Falz and Orezi were unveiled as the newest ambassadors for Merrybet. Some of the headliners of the event were also present at the press conference including Falz, Peter of Psquare, Orezi among others. On what his fans should expect, he shared “I have been a ...

The delectable Queen Folashade Olubo, the current Miss Kogi State is at it again! Doing what she loves most. Which of course is showing love to those who need it most and impacting lives. Ever since she was crowned a beauty queen, she has never relented visiting those in dire need of help to impact their lives. Just recently, she paid a warm visit to Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State where she gave out her love and gift items to patients in the hospital. When asked what motivated her, she responded happily. “This is one very thing I have always loved to do even before I became a beauty queen. And when I stepped in here, I was received warmly. I’m happy they appreciated my visit and I’m also happy that I’m impacting the lives of my people,” she chuckled.

Born Gabriel Akinyemi but better known as Gabzy is one of the fastest growing new kid on the block to watch out for in the industry. Signed on OneNation Records, Mr. Malone as he is sometime called is a talented songwriter whose Afro beat tune is second to none. Not relenting on the success of his previous work; Gabzy recently released a new single titled ‘Take Time’ a song he did after his encounter with a girl whom he thought was an exotic dancer and as such inspires him to make a song about a stripper since he felt nobody in the Nigerian industry had done so before. Gabzy is currently working on his EP and the visual release of his new single ‘Take Time’ which is expected to drop before the month ends.

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton maintained her commanding lead in the race to win the Electoral College and claim the U.S. presidency, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos States of the Nation project results released on Saturday. In the last week, there has been little movement. Clinton leads Donald Trump in most of the states that Trump would need should he have a chance to win the minimum 270 votes needed to win. According to the project, she has a better than 95 percent chance of winning, if the election was held this week. The mostly likely outcome would be 326 votes for Clinton to 212 for Trump. Trump came off his best debate performance of the campaign Wednesday evening but the polling consensus still showed Clinton winning the third and final face-off on prime-time TV. Trump disputes those findings. And some national polls had the race tightening a wee bit this week though others had Clinton maintaining her solid lead. But the project illustrates that the broader picture...

Authorities in Philadelphia will station prosecutors throughout the city on election day to respond to any reports of voter intimidation or other illegal activity after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump claimed that polling might be “rigged” in this mostly minority city. Philadelphia is one of many U.S. municipalities wrestling with how to respond to Trump’s call for supporters to “watch” polling places, and corresponding promises from civil rights groups that they will send their own backers to the polls. “All of our election judges will be provided with cell phones that have direct access to the district attorney’s office of Philadelphia,” said Tim Dowling, chief deputy to City Commissioner Lisa Deeley. “As soon as you cross the line, you’re going to be dealing with law enforcement.” The November 8 presidential election has been among the most contentious in the nation’s history. Trump, whose campaign has been shaken by allegations that he groped numerous women after a vi...

A grand legacy concert in honour of Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye popularly known as King Sunny Ade tagged ‘Sunny On Sunday’ has been officially unveiled by leading talent agency and event firm, Temple Management Company. The world-class concert is scheduled for Sunday, December 11 2016 at Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event was unveiled to the media at a press briefing which held in Lagos on Tuesday at Four Points By Sheraton Hotels. At the event, King Sunny Ade and Mr. Idris Olorunnimbe, CEO, Temple Management Company were flanked by two performing acts, Tiwa Savage and Darey.Also at the event was Terfa Tilley-Gyado, Director of and Mark Redguard. KSA King Sunny Ade who turned 70 on September 22, 2016 has been performing for over 50 years. The veteran musician who has been dubbed as the king of Juju Music has been nominated twice for the Grammy Awards. His illustrious career has produced a lot of albums featuring international collaborations with S...

The Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Mr. Osita Aboloma has urged the nation’s steel manufactures to support the diversification agenda of government by ensuring adherence to standards. He also called on Nigerians to reject substandard products in all ramifications, saying that counterfeit goods were potential danger capable of ruining the economy. Aboloma , who made the call at a recent meeting with the Steel Manufacturers group , said his mission in the SON was to ensure compliance to standards, safety and quality of products. He therefore warned that all businesses in Nigeria must either conform to the tenets of standards or face the wrath of the law. The new SON boss also pointed out that as the nation strives to shore its revenue earnings through non-oil, industries operating in the country must strictly adhere to standards. He assured the group government would continue come up with strategic policies to protect local manufacturers from unhealthy c...

The social media was, again, agog, last week, over the comments of the eccentric American Billionaire, Donald Trump, on Twitter, about his impressions of Africans, particularly South Africans, and African leaders generally. He was discussed extensively in the electronic media for his tweet @ realDonaldTrump. In that “twitter storm of controversy” on Madiba’s South Africa, Donald Trump, stated in Johannesburg, that “South Africa is a crime ridden mess that is just waiting to explode”; apparently reacting to the xenophobic attacks on foreigners in South Africa. This statement made on December 14, 2013 was reportedly repeated Monday night in The Apprentice tweet thus: “As I have long been saying, South Africa is a totaland very dangerous-mess; just watching the evening news (when not talking weather).” Above all, Trump is said to have unleashed his venom on African leaders and leaders of African descent in the ongoing Presidential primaries in the US as a Republican candidate; thus, usin...

The President, Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Builder Gbenga Tijani Shuaib , has said over 17milion Nigerians presently suffers from housing deficit as result of high cost of building materials. At this year’s building exhibition tagged Building Construction and Machinery Exhibition (BUILDMACEX) held at the Eko Hotel& Suites, to showcase some quality building materials, Tijani said failure of the past governments to provide affordable housing for Nigerians has made living conditions difficult for the people. He added that increase in the prices of building materials has also made it difficult for Nigerians to build their own houses. “There are deficit in housing but there are many factors responsible for it. Since 2014, the statistics has shown there are 17milion housing deficit in Nigeria. Successive government has been trying to breach that gap. This present government has said they are going to provide housing for 100,000 people but I believe they can do it if they rea...

To stem the tide of capital flight resulting from seeking medical care abroad by some Nigeria’s political elite, high net-worth individuals and cooperate institutions, Nigeria’s leading private Hospital, The Reddington Hospital Group has launched a new healthcare facility that provides super specialist expert care across a range of clinical specialism. The new facility known as the Maxy Super-Specialty Centre offers professional advice, treatment and management of conditions and diseases using specialists in Otorhinolaryngology (Ear Nose and Throat), Dentistry, Ophthalmology and Optometry (Eye conditions), Endoscopy as well as other specialist areas such as dialysis and sleep therapy. This is besides the global standard medical care offered by the Group for about its 10 years of existence in Nigeria. The lack of or inadequacy of the aforementioned facilities in the Nigerian healthcare industry is the major reason for the promotion of what is now termed “ medical tourism” a situation w...

President, Mothers’ Union/Women’s Guild, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Mrs Nkasiobi Okoh, has urged the nation’s leadership to take the lead in the government’s ‘Change Begins with Me’ campaign. Okoh spoke on Saturday in Abuja, when she addressed the 17th Annual Diocesan Women’s Conference. She commended President Muhammadu Buhari for launching the anti-corruption campaign. Okoh , however , said that true change would come if the government could convince Nigerians to key into it. According to her, to convince Nigerians of the seriousness of this change, it must genuinely start with the leadership, from the President down to the least person in authority. Okoh, wife of the primate of the church, explained that a leadership that failed to take responsibility was a failed leadership, adding that leadership by example is the key to success. Okoh also commended the government for its fight against corruption, urging it to ensure that the fight was all inclusive, without making an...

A former Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, Dr Patrick Dele-Cole, on Saturday insisted that Lagos State deserved special status as a state that held the country together for 50 years. Dele-Cole made the assertion in Lagos at the 5th Festival Colloquium with the theme: “Lagos 1861: Matters Arising (Reflection on recent Parliamentary debate on prospect of granting Lagos a Special Status)’’. The former envoy, then urged all and sundry to prevail on the National Assembly to grant the state the special status. “We have to wake up to our own responsibilities,” he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate had on Oct. 4 voted against a bill seeking special status and federal grant for Lagos State. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu- All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Lagos Central, was rejected after failing a voice vote called by Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate President. It seeks one per cent of the federally-generated revenue as a special grant fo...

The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Mr Leye Oyebade has maintained that police in the state would not tolerate disruption of peace and order by IPOB and MASSOB, warning that there cannot be a republic in a republic. The commissioner gave the charge while briefing the press on the preparedness of the police in ensuring peace in the ‘Ember ‘months and to ensure that people coming home for the Christmas and New Year celebrations celebrate in an atmosphere devoid of violence and crime. He disclosed that police officers in the state have severely undergone training on the way they relate with the public and have been caution on the need to be professional and obey the ethics of the profession. “What we have been doing is to train and retrain the police, the inspector general of police have been doing his best to see a new invigorated strong police force. We have be training our men to be professional especially the SARS, they have also be involved in capacity building and they have also...

The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has dedicated an award she received in the Belgian capital, Brussels, to the Nigerian military men and women. Mrs Buhari said, “I whole-heartedly dedicate the award to the Nigerian military men and women who have lost their lives and those at the war front battling to restore peace in the country. The president’s wife is currently in Brussels Belgium to attend the Crans Montana African Women’s Forum, where Women Heads of State and Government, Ministers, Ambassadors, Parliamentarians, Businesswomen, Activists, Heads of Organisations gathered from all over the World to address the role of Women in the fight against radicalisation and terrorism. At the forum Mrs Buhari spoke on “Women’s role in global security”. She was presented the award by Didier Reynders, Belgian deputy prime minister & minister of foreign & European affairs.

National Leader of the Accord party and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, yesterday, raised an alarm over the commitment of the All Progressives Congress-led government in the state to conduct council election despite the announcement of February 11, 2017, as the date for the polls. Ladoja, who spoke during the state congress of Accord party held at the Green Springs Hotel in Ibadan, said the alarm about the date stemmed from failure of earlier promises on the proposed election. Those elected at the well attended congress, which was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, include Alhaji Wahab Oyelade (state chairman); Dr Nureni Adeniran, who was immediate past publicity secretary, was elected state Secretary; Mrs. Yetunde Ajibola (Women leader); Akeem Olatunji (Publicity Secretary); Youth leader, Mr Adekola Adeoye; Organising Secretary, Nasiru Adeniyi and Treasurer, Pastor Oladimejo Orolade. The chiefta...

There were strong indications at the weekend, that the Federal Government may conduct a purge of suspected and proven corrupt judges in the nation’s judicial system. Sunday Mirror reliably gathered that government is having a second and more detailed look at the report of the late Justice Kayode Eso on the nation’s judiciary in which over 100 judicial officers was recommended for sack. This is even as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, again condemned the arrest of some senior judges by the Department of State Services, DSS, saying it was an attack on the independence of the third arm of government. Although the Justice Kayode Eso report was reviewed by another committee, government was said to be interested in the “main” late respected jurist’s report. It was gathered that all those indicted by the Justice Eso panel that are still in the nation’s judiciary are being given special attention in the on-going exercise. Already, the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, that h...

Pastor Tunde Bakare, said the current economic recession was an opportunity for the Church to bail out the country through God-inspired economic principles Bakare, a Senior Pastor, Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, stated this yesterday in Abuja. Pst. Tunde Bakare He spoke on the theme: “The Church and Economic Recession , “ at the 14th anniversary celebration of Foursquare Gospel Church. He said that the church had the ability to bail out nations, influence public policy through God-inspired economic principles and strategically position human resources to implement its principles. Bakare, however, said that the church was yet to rise to the height mandated to it by destiny to bail out nations and to lead them to God’s will. “ I am convinced that the recession currently being experienced in Nigeria is an opportunity for the Church. “Therefore, I declare to you that the Scripture is about to be fulfilled in your hearing as God is stirring up the church to take responsibility for the de...

The wrath of the newcrowned Oba of Benin, Oba Ewaure II at the weekend descended heavily on the family of Uhumwangho Village, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state who forged ahead with burial ceremonies of their father despite the ban on burial rites. It could be recalled that burial rites in the kingdom were prohibited prior to the official announcement of the burial rites of the late Oba which is yet to be lifted Chiefs from the Oba palace were said to have stormed Iguodala Primary School, venue for the burial ceremony where social dance for the burial ceremonies were ongoing and tied ‘Umehe’ leaves on the food, drinks, which forbid people from eating them. The ‘Umenhe’ leaves was an indicator of an abomination committed against the land and the Oba. Consequently other members of the some of the family were said to have been arrested and taken to the palace while the musician hired to provide entertainment was also dragged to the palace. Palace sources said the family was...

Exactly 15 years after losing the CAF Champions league final to Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa will be hoping to erase that sad memory as they try to make history today when they host another Egyptian team, Zamalek in the second leg of the finals of the 2016 edition of the African premier club competition. The Buccaneers, South African champions who defeated their Egyptian counterparts home and away during the group stage will be coming to Alexandria with three goals in their kitty, after they managed to end the first leg in Pretoria last week in grand style. Anthony Laffor and Tebogo Langerman scored twice in the first half last Saturday, before Zamalek’s defender Islam Gamal scored an own goal a minute from the end of the first half to give Sundowns a convincing lead ahead of the return leg today at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria. A closer look at the finals of the Champions League since 1997, indicates that no team has managed to overturn a two-g...

Johanna Konta missed out on a place in the seasonending WTA Finals after Svetlana Kuznetsova raced to a 6-2 6-1 victory over Australian Daria Gavrilova to defend her Kremlin Cup title in Moscow. Kuznetsova was broken in her first service game to fall 2-0 behind but the Russian broke back immediately to claim the first of 10 straight games as she roared to victory in 73 minutes against the world No 37. The 31-year-old had to win to qualify for the Singapore event and her victory represents heartbreak for British No 1 Konta, who held the final spot but will now drop down to first alternate after even taking part in a glitzy draw ceremony on Friday

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford insists that his club are in a similar situation to that of Sunday’s opponents Chelsea. United replaced Louis van Gaal with Jose Mourinho this summer and sit two points behind Chelsea, who also brought in a new boss, Antonio Conte. “I think they’re in a similar situation as us,” Rashford told MUTV. “They have a very strong squad. They’ve been a bit up and down but the manager has got them in a good shape and structure. I think they’ve got a good plan of where they want to be. “But if we can go there, produce a good team performance and hopefully get the three points, that will give us a good boost and could set us up for the rest of the season.”

Jamie Redknapp believes Jack Wilshere needs to leave Arsenal permanently and use his loan spell at Bournemouth to prove his fitness. The Gunners midfielder, who is on a season-long loan at the Vitality Stadium, completed 90 minutes for the first time since 2014 in Bournemouth’s goalless draw with Tottenham on Saturday. Speaking to Sky Sports Redknapp said Wilshere should aim to build up his confidence and move on from Arsenal to re-establish himself at the top level. “I don’t see a future at Arsenal any more, I think now he will realise he has got to get away from Arsenal,” Redknapp said. “It’s too comfortable for him there. He is not going to get into the team at Arsenal regularly. “If he makes that move he can show what he is all about. No disrespect, I think he’s a step above Bournemouth, but I think it’s a great thing for him to do. He’s really putting himself out there.” Former Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood agreed with Redknapp, adding: “I’m sure he’d go back there because he ...

Alex Ferguson believes he can take little credit for Cristiano Ronaldo’s development into one of the finest footballers of all time. Ferguson brought a teenage Ronaldo from Sporting CP to Manchester United in 2003 and oversaw his development to Ballon d’Or winner in 2008 before a then world-record move to Real Madrid a year later. The 74-year-old Scot made his share of records tumble during a trophy laden reign spanning four decades at Old Trafford and feels Ronaldo stands a cut above other stellar names he oversaw during 26-and-a-half years at the helm. “Ronaldo is a perfect example of someone who made himself. It’s easy for me to say, ‘yeah, I made Ronaldo’,” Ferguson said when he was honoured with the Walther Bensemann prize, which is awarded for outstanding work in football. “Many coaches might say I made this player and I made that player, but Ronaldo made himself. “We just gave him the tools and the platform to excel. His practice ethic was incredible. He was a fantastic player,...