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Media practitioners in the African shipping industry under the aegis of African Maritime Journalists Association AMJA, have made a strong case for the various governments in the continent to come up with a united force against the increasing spate of insecurity within the continent’s waters. President of the association, Mr. Sesan Onileimo, who spoke shortly after the inauguration of the five-man executive council of the association in Lagos, urged African leaders to close ranks on maritime security to boost economic growth and development of the continent, The newly sworn Exco apart from Onileimo, comprise Ms. Colleen Jacka (South Africa), Vice President, Mr. George Sunguh (Kenya). Secretary General, and Ms Grace Nana Boateng, a Ghanaian, who is the Treasurer. The president, who delivering a speech shortly after the inauguration, said that it would take the cooperation and collaboration of African government to come up with a strong force that Cuswould adequately check the excesses o...

As part of efforts to promote transparency in its budgeting processes with a view to blocking leakages, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with BudgiT Information Technology Network. This is also in line with its desire to open up its budget to members of the public and provide Nigerians with all the necessary information during its implementation. Managing Director of the authority, Ms. Hadiza Usman, who spoke during the official signing ceremony in Lagos, said that the MoU will assist the NPA in promoting transparency and accountability not in terms of budget implementation but also in all its operational activities. According to her, the partnership was necessitated by the urgent need to evolve an open budget system platform and implementation of a public data dissemination programme that will help the agency in block leakages in its revenue channels. While commenting on the competence of its partners, the MD disclosed that BudgiT has ...

Freight forwarding practitioners and Customs brokerage agents under the aegis of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, and National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, have faulted Federal Government’s plans to compel they pay Practitioners Operating Fee, POF. The government planned to rake in a minimum of N2.5 billion yearly from the collection of the POF, which has been a subject of controversy in the last five years. The two professional associations believe that it is the responsibility of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding Practice in Nigeria CRFFN, to regulate such payments, arguing that the council was primarily created by an Act of the National Assembly to regulate freight forwarding practice and such related issues. President of NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, while speaking at a town hall meeting with members of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria MARAN, and other stakeholders in the supply chain in Lag...

Not a few commuters that patronise the popular Bus Rapid Transit (BRT also known as LAGBUS) public transport scheme operated by the Lagos State Government were stranded early in the week when the drivers and ticket personnel downed tools to protest unpaid salaries and reversed terms of service. Reports indicated that as early as 6am, commuters were stranded at various BRT terminals, while resort to the usual public transport system became a transition from a bad to a worse situation. Call it jumping from the frying pan into the fire, as jubilant public transporters cashed in on the non-availability of BRT buses to fleece commuters. Many that could not afford the high transport charges trekked ridiculous distances to get to their places of work or business, while the frustrated returned home. Some of the drivers complained that LAGBUS Asset Management Limited slashed their salaries from N60,000 to N45,000; and their performance bonus from N20,000 to N14,000. They also lamented they ...

Losing candidate at last week’s US presidential election, Hillary Clinton, yesterday laid bare her disappointment in a first public appearance since she lost her bid for the White House. The Democratic candidate said she had wanted to curl up with a good book and never leave the house again. But in a speech at a children’s charity she urged the audience to fight for American values and never give up. Clinton won the popular vote but was beaten to the presidency in the all-important US Electoral College. “Now I will admit coming here wasn’t the easiest thing for me,” she said as she was honoured by the Children’s Defense Fund. “I know many of you are deeply disappointed about the results of the election. I am, too, more than I can ever express. “I know this isn’t easy. I know that over the past week a lot of people have asked themselves whether America is the country we thought it was.” There was little ceremony and no sign of security for the former presidential candidate who is know...

Reports said yesterday that hundreds of people from the Rohingya minority in Myanmar are trying to escape a military crackdown by crossing the border into Bangladesh. According to the reports, the people attempting to flee include children. Witnesses and Bangladeshi officials however said that some people trying to flee have been shot and killed. At least 130 people have died during a military operation in Rakhine state, where many of the minority live, in just over a month. Activists say hundreds of homes have been burnt to the ground but the government rejects that claim. Foreign reporters have not been allowed into the area. Rakhine is home to more than a million Rohingya Muslims, who are not recognised as Myanmar citizens.

The Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh yesterday warned his supporters that violence was like bushfire that could destroy the country, as he calls for peaceful campaigning ahead of highly anticipated elections in which he is seeking a fifth term. In a speech broadcast on state media, Jammeh said: “Our campaign is focusing on peace and security and not for violence. Violence is like bushfire. You can know where it starts but you won’t know where it will end. “Therefore let us campaign peacefully, vote peacefully and then celebrate our victory.” Most of the major Gambian opposition parties have picked a single candidate, businessman Adama Barrow of the United Democratic Party (UDP), to run against Jammeh on December 3.

Dozens of protesters demanding a military coup yesterday forced their way into Brazil’s lower chamber of Congress in the capital, Brasilia. At least 40 demonstrators scuffled with guards and took over the podium as a session began on Wednesday. Denouncing government corruption, they called for a return to military rule, which Brazil saw from 1964 to 1985. In Rio de Janeiro, police fired tear gas at public sector workers protesting against cuts. The protesters swept past security guards and smashed a glass door to get into the parliament chamber, where they shouted “general here, general here” and sang the national anthem. It took police three hours to round up all the protesters, according to reports which also said the protesters were all detained. Later in the day, President Michel Temer’s spokesman, Alexandre Parola, called the protest an “affront” and said it was a “violation of the norms of democratic co-existence.” “It’s worrying and serves as a warning. We are returning to an e...

Japan’s Prime Minister Shizo Abe is set to become the first foreign leader to meet United States President-elect Donald Trump, since the election last week. Abe said before he departed Tokyo for the United States late on Wednesday that he wanted to build trust and work together for prosperity and world peace, according to reports. The meeting in New York comes amid concern over the foreign policy direction of Tokyo’s biggest ally. Trump has said Japan needs to pay more to maintain US troops on its soil. He also condemned a major trade deal struck by President Obama with Japan and other Pacific Rim countries. The US and Japan have been key allies since the end of World War Two, when the US helped Japan rebuild its economy. Abe is stopping in New York on his way to an Asia-Pacific trade summit in Peru. But details of the meeting were unclear, with a Japanese official saying the venue had not been “firmed up”. “There has been a lot of confusion,” a Japanese official said...

Nigeria’s junior bantamweight boxer, Lasisi Aliu has boasted that he will teach his Hungarian opponent, Gyula Dodu a lesson of his life when both of them step into the ring today’s night at the Ahdaaf Sports Club, Al Qouz Dubai. Speaking to National Mirror from his base “Lucky Boy” as he is fondly called by his admirers said he is well prepared for the fight and is unperturbed by the boxing prowess of his opponent. “So many things have been said about my last fight but I want to assure my critics that they will see a better Aliu against me to be prepared to see a better Aliu. “Boxing is an individual sport. I don’t know where my next opponent will come from; all I know is that he won’t last the distance. I will make sure he regrets fighting me,”, boasted Aliu who have had two wins; one by technical knockout to his credit. The boxer who stated that his quest to hone his boxing skills made him to depart Nigeria to seek for greener pastures in the sport expressed happiness that professio...

The main organising committee of the 2016 edition of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations slated to hold in Lagos between December 13 – 18 has signed a memorandum of understanding with the national executives of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria. Speaking at the occasion Chairman of the Main Organising Committee of the championship, Seyi Akinwunmi noted that the MoU became necessary to enable sports writers contribute meaningfully to the success of the tournament even as he stated that it is a sign of the cordial relationship existing between the football house and SWAN. According to Akinwunmi who also doubles as first vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, the agreement became necessary because SWAN as one of the major stakeholders in Nigerian sports deserved to be incorporated in projects that will uplift football in the country. In his remarks at the occasion, SWAN National President, Honour Sirawoo described the signing ceremony as evidence of good working relati...

The Super Falcons have been promised a great time in Cameroon as they prepare to defend the Women Africa Cup of Nations title at the 10th edition that kicks off tomorrow. The representative of the Governor of the Littoral region, Mr. Etienne Ludovic Ngbwa received the players on arrival at the Douala International Airport, Wednesday night. He welcomed the reigning African champions with these words: “I am here to bring the goodwill message of the Governor to you. To welcome the Nigerian contingent to Cameroon and wish the team a successful outing at the Women AFCON.” The Falcons have now gradually settled in Buea and are camped at the Parliamentarian Flats Hotel. The Cup holders will take on Mali in their opening game of Group B on Sunday, 20th November at the Stade Municipal de Limbe.

Karim Benzema has resumed training after a spell on the sidelines with a muscular injury as Real Madrid prepares to take on Atletico Madrid tomorrow. The Frenchman missed Madrid’s last game before the international break; a 3-0 La Liga win over Leganes and there were doubts over whether he would be fit in time to face Atletico. Benzema had to sit out Tuesday and Wednesday’s training sessions due to the issue, but he could now feature in this weekend’s derby after joining his team-mates for Thursday’s practice. The 28-year-old’s return to regular training will come as a huge boost to head coach Zinedine Zidane after fellow striker Alvaro Morata suffered a hamstring problem that could keep him out for up to a month. Benzema has netted five goals in 13 appearances in all competitions for Madrid this term. He scored his side’s only goal when Madrid held out for a 1-1 draw with Atletico at the Vicente Calderon last season.

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said the anti-corruption war being fought by his government “is tough and gruelling,” with the menace vigorously fighting back. But he assured that the Directorbattle would be won. A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, on Wednesday, on the margins of conference on climate change, COP22, in Marrakech, Morocco, Buhari said corrupt people had accumulated a formidable arsenal of illicit wealth, which they were now deploying against the government on diverse fronts. “But it is a war we are determined to win, and which we will win. “People of goodwill are behind us, countries like America and many others are with us, and we will surely win,” the President said. Buhari also updated Kerry on the war against insurgency in the north-east of Nigeria and efforts being made to tackle its attendant humanitarian problems. He s...

Manchester United will lose more than £20m in sponsorship income from Adidas if they fail to qualify for next year’s Champions League. The German sportswear giant is in the second season of a 10-year, £750m deal. After announcing a fall in firstquarter revenue, United said the annual payment will reduce by 30% if they do not reach Europe’s flagship competition for a second successive season. United are sixth in the Premier League, six points off the top four. “There is a clause in the Adidas contract that applies if we are missing from the Champions League for two years in a row,” said United’s chief financial officer Cliff Baty. “An example would be if we were due to receive £70m in a given year; we would not receive £21m.” The sum is taken off each year of the contract, with the first payment covering the years for which the deal which came into force in 2015 has been active. Baty said a failure by United to get out of the Europa League group stage this season would cost the Mourin...

Several disgraced Nigeria U-19 players were stranded in Abuja on return from the Suwon International Tournament in South Korea after they were each paid a meager five thousand naira by the officials of the Nigeria Football Federation as transport fare back to their bases following their poor outing in the four nation invitational tournament in the East Asian country. Some of the players were stranded and had to send SOS message to their relations for more money to add to the 5,000 Naira paid each of them before they could return home,” a source informed. “At a point it even looked like nothing would be paid to the team after they returned from Korea.” Team officials received 10,000 Naira with head coach Manu Garba paid double that amount. The tournament organisers paid the NFF an appearance fee besides paying for their flight tickets and boarding in Korea. The Nigeria U-19s, made up by the core of the U-17 players who failed to qualify for next year’s AFCON petit championship in Madag...

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said it is working on a template that will enable eligible voters walk into any of its offices and register. INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Oluwole Osase-Uzzi, made the disclosure in Abuja yesterday, at an Election Results Analysis Training for Political Correspondents organised by Election Monitor (EM) an NGO. He said the template was still going through planning process. He added that if the process is finalised, it would enable Nigerians who just attained the age of 18 to walk into any INEC offices and register without necessarily waiting for the time Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, is conducted. Osase-Uzzi said the template would also take care of eligible voters living far from INEC office. He, however, explained that the commission would still conduct CVR periodically to capture the details of eligible voters. Meanwhile, National Coordinator, Election Monitor, Mr Abiodun Ajijola, has called on m...

National Economic Council, NEC, yesterday raised the alarm on how some federal revenue generating agencies engage in unauthorised spending of money meant to be remitted to the Federation Account. Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State stated this while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the NEC meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa. Governor Obiano, who said that such infraction has been going on for a long time, stated that Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun told NEC that the activities of the agencies amounted to financial abuse. He said: “The long term financial abuse by some revenue generating agencies was taken at the council. The Finance Ministry reported to the council certain activities of some revenue generating agencies that amounted to financial abuse of the revenue they generate. “They include paying salaries above specifications, converting official cars to personal ownership, monitising medical allowances arbit...

First prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Biodun Agbele, Mr. Alade Sunday, yesterday, gave a vivid breakdown of how N1.2bn was paid into the account of Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose in different tranches. The witness, who is an associate of Fayose, at the resumed trial before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, told the court that N90m was paid into the governor’s account on June 23, 2014, while another N2.5m was paid in the same account on June 11, 2014. Sunday, who was cross examined by Agbele’s counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, said that N1m was paid into Mr. Fayose’s account on June 2, and another N895,315 was paid into the account on June 5, 2014. The witness, however, agreed with Ozekhome that the account was in a very active state and that the monies were paid into the account before Fayose became governor of Ekiti State. “The money was pack in Ghana must go and grey trampoline bags in two aircraft. “It took us about 45minutes to off...

A body of traditional rulers consisting of over 130 monarchs and crown heads of towns and communities across the 18 council areas of Ondo State, yesterday, declared their support for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, CFR, as the next governor of the state. The group, made up of Grade B to E monarchs in Ondo State known as “D 130 Krowns Club”, are not members of the government recognised by state Council of Obas chaired by the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo. The traditional rulers at the group meeting called “Pelupelu” hosted by the Onimeri of Imeri, Oba Agbadero Adeniran, in Ose Local Government Area, warmly received the billionaire politician into their mist, offering individual and joint prayers for the success of Ibrahim in the November 26, 2016 governorship election in the state. Chairman of the traditional rulers, Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre, Oba Olusegun Akinbola, who spoke through the Owa-Ale of Ikare, reiterated the dema...

27 year old Peter Odukoya, a Computer science undergraduate in the UK, has been convicted by a UK court after it heard an audio of a 20 year old woman he sexually assaulted. In the audio which was played in the court by the prosecution, the woman was heard pleading with him as he assaulted her "I don't want this. I'm very drunk". Odukoya had on the day he attacked the lady, met her at a night out with some of his friends. He offered to give her a lift which she accepted. Odukoya then dropped off his other friends at their homes before heading back to his flat with his victim who was already drunk. According to express.co.uk, his victim's "instincts kicked in" in the car and she turned on her phone's recording app which recorded her saying "Please, I have a boyfriend. I don't want this. I'm very drunk.” She managed to push him off and lock herself in his bathroom before ringing a friend to pick her up. The girl later gave the disturbi...

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday fixed December 1 for ruling on the bail applications filed by leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and three others with whom he was charged with offences including treasonable felony and an act preparatory to act of terrorism. Justice Binta Nyako fixed the date for ruling after lawyers to the four defendants argued their separate bail applications which were opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, on Thursday. Others with whom Kanu was re-arraigned on November 8, were the National Coordinator of IPOB member, Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi. They were, in the 11 counts, including treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods. Onwudiwe was specifically accused in one of the counts of an act preparatory to an act of terrorism. All the counts were in connection with the accused ...

The Nigeria Police have refuted the news of the lynching of a seven-year-old boy for stealing garri in the Badagry area of Lagos state. Lynched boy Reports and videos making the rounds on the social media indicate that the boy was set ablaze after being brutally beaten up. The reports caused outrage on the social media with many Nigerians calling for an investigation into the incident and an end to jungle justice. However, the Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni has confirmed, according to a reliable source that the said lynching of the seven-year-old boy over garri theft is untrue. Police complaint unit, headed by Mr Abayomi Shogunle, in its twitter handle @YomiShogunle, said there was no truth in the purported lynching. Yes! This is a latest news report, can this be true of our police after days of this seemingly untrue information? I need your comments my amiable and ardent readers, THANKS.