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- Omotola Jalade-Ekiende gets surprised by husband on her 41st birthday
- Watch Kizz Daniel's sensual visuals for 'Madu' starring Beverly Osu
- Kim Kardashian in a recent interview shares her feelings on expecting a fourth child
- D'banj and 2Baba comes through with the visuals to their joint single tittled 'Baecation'
- Get this new groovy jam and update your music playlist, Ashidapo Ft. Mystro - Loco (Insane)
- Basketmouth thinks a number of comedians are taking the easy way out by doing skits rather than actually doing standup comedy
- Blac Chyna goes completely nude in new Instagram photo [Photo]
- The Challenges and Future of e-commerce in Africa
- SONA 2019 highlights economi growth through electroni payments
- FirstBank and Azuri to deepen Financial inclusion in Nigeria
- Why Delta is economically backward – Guber aspirant
- Gana kicks over adoption of Buhari by SDP
- Enugu: FG orders repair of 9th Mile – Orokam Road
- Elections: U.S. asks INEC to resist ‘pressure, intimidation’
- DSS docks 2 Rivers INEC staff, others for selling PVCs
- Demand by APC for removal of A’Ibom REC – Group
- Bindow bars deputy, others from campaign tour
- Basiru challenges Osun PDP candidates to road walk
- Satumari: I will retire Ndume from Senate
- Emmanuel: Re-branding powers of a game changer
- House of Reps candidate Johnson urges support for the poor
- Adelabu: why I’m the best man for Oyo top job
- I remain SDP presidential candidate – Duke
- Pilot in court over alleged N91m fraud
- 102 Nigerians in Chad’s prisons – Embassy
| Omotola Jalade-Ekiende gets surprised by husband on her 41st birthday Posted: 09 Feb 2019 12:00 AM PST
The movie icon took to her Instagram page on Thursday, February 7, 2019, where she shared a video of the surprise gift from her husband. Wondering what the special gifts were? Well...the veteran actress was gifted with a performance from a singer at her apartment, a balloon, and a packed gift. An obviously excited Omotola danced while the singer performed to the admiration and cheers fro other people in the apartment. "And my day has begun...Thank you #Honeyboy assisted by @monaejasmine and #chibuzor... Thank You! #Gratefulheart 😆🌹💋🥂🎊" she captioned the video. Happy belated birthday Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde from all of us at NOLLYWOOD TIMES. Exactly a year ago, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde turned 40 and had what would remain one of the biggest celebrity birthday parties of modern times. In This Story: #OmotolaJaladeEkiende #SurprisedByHusband #41stBirthday Sharing is caring. Share this story  | ||||
| Watch Kizz Daniel's sensual visuals for 'Madu' starring Beverly Osu Posted: 08 Feb 2019 11:30 PM PST
After weeks of teasing, Kizz Daniel finally debuts the much anticipated music video for Madu. The suggestive cut produced by Lussh, serves as the latest single off his second album, ''No Bad Songz'' The provocative visuals stars actress Beverly Osu and was directed by Aje Filmworks. In This Story: #KizzDaniel #SensualVisuals #Madu #BeverlyOsu Sharing is caring. Share this story  | ||||
| Kim Kardashian in a recent interview shares her feelings on expecting a fourth child Posted: 08 Feb 2019 11:00 PM PST
Kim Kardashian had been speaking about her feelings as she expects the arrival of her fourth child. The reality TV star and mother of three was a guest at The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, February 7, 2019, and she got to talk about expecting her fourth child via surrogacy and the relationship between her kids. "I was kind of stressing. My house is so full [but] I heard that parents of four are the most enlightened and calm of all parents," she told Jimmy Fallon. She went on to talk about she has been able to adjust to having more kids. "I felt the huge change — from 1 to 2," Kardashian West said of her son Saint, 3, and daughter North, 5. "That was harder than 2 to 3," she also added.  It would be recalled the news of the West expecting their fourth child broke the internet back in January 2019. It was l]ater revealed that they were expecting a boy.
In This Story: #KimKardashian #ExpectingAFourthChild #KanyeWest Sharing is caring. Share this story  | ||||
| D'banj and 2Baba comes through with the visuals to their joint single tittled 'Baecation' Posted: 08 Feb 2019 10:30 PM PST
The duo have been spotted on several occasions together with their wives and befittingly they jointly put out this love tune dedicated to their wives. The video for 'Baecation' was directed by Sesan. In This Story: #DbanjAnd2Baba #Baecation #DirectedBySesan Sharing is caring. Share this story  | ||||
| Get this new groovy jam and update your music playlist, Ashidapo Ft. Mystro - Loco (Insane) Posted: 08 Feb 2019 10:00 PM PST
He teams up with Ace singer and music producer Mystro on this sensational track and it promises to rock every playlist for a very long time. Without wasting time, get this new groovy jam and update your music playlist. Download & enjoy Loco (insane) Below. Connect with @Ashidapo on all social media platforms. Song link: https://open.spotify.com/album/3emQenAJGmdi8Pwp4vP2UC In This Story: #GroovyJam #Ashidapo #Mystro #Loco Sharing is caring. Share this story  | ||||
| Posted: 08 Feb 2019 09:30 PM PST
The award-winning comedian made this known during the recently held annual Social Media Week held in Lagos where he was a panelist. According to him, he still does not see enough comedians taking time to hone the craft of stand-up comedy. Expressing his displeasure with comedians who take the easy route of only creating skits. "There's nothing like a good joke. A joke can always be improved and even I often share some of my jokes with fellow comedians and they tell me it's okay but tell me how to make it better. Doing skits on social media is very different from performing on stage. There is no filter on stage,'' he said. Basketmouth also urged upcoming acts to work on their content and create a fan base for themselves before approaching brands and demanding showcase opportunities. In addition to honing their craft and building their engagement, Basketmouth also encouraged consistency because the opportunity for the next big gig might just be a view away. "Create content that is buyable. All you need is good content and it will sell by itself." Basketmouth who recently delved into movie production revealed why his first movie is yet to be released. Basketmouth takes on directorial role, explains reason for movie delay  Basketmouth has taken on a directorial role aside acting while explaining the reason for the delay in the release of his first feature film. In an Instagram post, the Chief Executive Officer of Baron World Entertainment said it was necessary for him to conclude a production preceding the release of his horror movie. In another post, Basketmouth disclosed that he has taken on a directorial role and intends to surpass the achievements of famous music video director, Clarence Peters. In This Story: #Basketmouth #Comedians #Skits #StandupComedy Sharing is caring. Share this story  | ||||
| Blac Chyna goes completely nude in new Instagram photo [Photo] Posted: 08 Feb 2019 09:00 PM PST
The model took to her Instagram page on Friday, February 8, 2019, where she shared her nude photo. Even though she was completely nude, the photo had an artistic side to it which made it interesting. She went on to caption the photo with a quote representing the pride of the black race (At least that's what we think she meant) "Black excellence," she wrote.
Back in 2018, Blac Chyna's visit to Nigeria was embroiled in a lot of controversies because of her purpose of visit. Dencia comes for Burna Boy over comments made about Blac Chyna Back in 2018 when Blac Chyna decided to visit Nigeria, one of her fans and singer, Dencia didn't take easily comments credited to Burna Boy on Blac Chyna as she has some not really nice words to say about him. The singer took to the comment section of a blog (Instablog9ja) which had posted Burna Boy's message to Blac Chyna about her alleged plans to sell her bleaching cream products. According to Dencia, Burna Boy only promotes drugs and can't afford to hang out with Blac Chyna.  "So that nigga came out of his drug-induced coma instead of taking a shower to clean up his fart/Cig smelling looking ass he had time to talk about a woman? Hahaha for someone who promotes drug culture ♀️u can't even afford to be in the same Zip code as her sis Burna cuz only girls act like u, u can't afford her ass if she had to shake it, stick to the druggies on the side streets u are use to. Sending love & light ur way on this Thanksgiving we are thankful u making it alive living this high life," she wrote.  She went on to accuse the music star of his silence when other companies launched their products in the country. In This Story: #BlacChyna #CompletelyNude #NewInstagramPhoto #Photo Sharing is caring. Share this story  | ||||
| The Challenges and Future of e-commerce in Africa Posted: 08 Feb 2019 09:57 AM PST
Africa represents one of the world's finest untapped markets, pointed out by MTN's Herman Singh during his presentation on 'Scaling in Africa' at the recent edition of Africacom. Unpacking the success story that is Jumia, Africa's largest online marketplace, he illustrated that the growth of the platform across the continent is comparable to, if not more impressive than Paypal. In addition, 41000 active merchants in the ecosystem offered over 6.1 million products ranging from hotels to real estate, jobs, TV, airtime, restaurants, flights and more. He explains, "Africa's e- and m-commerce opportunity has a potential client base of 400 million internet users, and a rapidly emerging middle class expected to grow by 54% between 2020 and 2030 and decreasing data costs in some countries (43-45% decrease in the lowest data plan in both Egypt and Nigeria between 2016 and 2017." Additionally, in building out financial ecosystems – stores that offer a diversity of products or even online "malls" – Africans will no longer be limited by their location, as long as logistics and payment issues can be solved. Singh stated that Jumia has created a network of over 4000 logistics partners in order to work across the 15 countries they had been working in. And payment by cash at this stage was still commonplace, causing significant challenges. With respect to payment, enterprises on the continent are seeing the opportunity as well as global merchants now eager to be active in Africa, but need to understand and fast-track the regulation – or lack thereof – across infrastructure issues, handling of cash, wallets and alternative payment methods that they are not accustomed to. They want a one-stop payments provider to get them to these markets so they don't have to deal with the complexities. Karen Nadasen, Country Manager of PayU South Africa, the country's leading payments provider, explains that the role of a 'payments intermediary' will be critical, having already dealt with the complexities in these countries and created its own relationships, partnerships and agreements but underpinned by the credibility, infrastructure and proven results of a global brand. Nadasen says: "Global Enterprises do not have the time to make mistakes. Hyper-localisation means we are knowledgeable about the markets we are in and "speak" the local language. This is particularly important with regards to licensing. As we know, some markets in Africa are not as regulated as SA, but this is starting to change. Our partnerships in SA, Kenya and Nigeria have been an essential springboard as we branch out through these "hubs" to cover the rest of Africa." The opportunities will be compounded as Sub-Saharan smart device growth is now the fastest in the world. As literacy levels increase, amidst Africa's new dawn, digital services such as microfinance will improve lives and enable people to do business, while marketplaces will bring products and stores to people so they can make purchases – assuming enterprises like Jumia continue to expand the delivery network and solve logistics challenges. "From an African perspective, we use our single integration point for merchants to springboard into Africa using our global infrastructure – leaders in emerging markets in India, Eastern Europe, and Latin America – and then hyper-localising the expertise through our groundwork in Africa, offering cross-border execution on payments, compliance and fulfilment. It's our experience across these emerging markets that has allowed us to deliver a user experience that works in these types of market, keeping it simple and accessible." In his "What it takes to win" conclusion, Singh outlined why Jumia has been Africa's most successful online case study to date. He attributes the company's explosive growth to ten factors – establishing a community of users, building trust, access to the channel itself, a robust payment and micro-payment partner, fulfilment and logistics, merchandising, location and maximising customer insights. Research firm Statista estimates that the e-commerce sector in Africa' s 54 countries and 1.25 billion people generated $16.5 billion in revenue in 2017 and forecasts revenue of $29 billion by 2022, despite internet penetration lying at only 35 per cent. The potential most certainly exists. In This Story:#e-commerce #Africa #HermanSingh #LatinAmerica Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| SONA 2019 highlights economi growth through electroni payments Posted: 08 Feb 2019 08:15 AM PST
Priorities mentioned included the need to accelerate inclusive economic growth and job creation as well as the duty-bound necessity to improve the lives of all South Africans, especially the poor. Additionally, after being confronted by a technical recession in 2018, it was confirmed that there was a need to restore overall investor confidence in South Africa. Daneel Jordaan, Head of Products and Acting Country Manager at Visa South Africa – leaders in global payments technology, believes that one answer could be the advancement of the economy through digitised payment solutions. Although this may not be a 'silver bullet', studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between electronic payments and macroeconomic growth. Between 2011 and 2015, Moody's Analytics estimated that higher card usage as an electronic payment method contributed an additional $296 billion to consumption or a 0.1% cumulative increase in global GDP. South Africa was included in the study sample. The reason was quite simple – higher consumption and spending results in increased productivity, business development and job growth as a knock-on effect. The study echoed this by showing that increased electronic payments usage added almost 2.6 million jobs per year across the countries sampled between 2011 and 2015. Expanding economic access through digitizing payments is aligned with the President's proposed Buy South Africa Programme, where more focus will be placed on developing local producers and businesses to drive the South African economy from the inside. "Enabling local businesses with the latest innovations in payments means faster transactions, which increases sales volumes and improves customer loyalty. This is one of the many ways that technology powers businesses to thrive," adds Jordaan. It is clear that by digitising payments, growth and access to the economy is harnessed – which is also an important contributor to addressing President Cyril Ramaphosa's goal to drive the fourth industrial revolution. In This Story:#DaneelJordaan #SouthAfrica #CyrilRamaphosa Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| FirstBank and Azuri to deepen Financial inclusion in Nigeria Posted: 08 Feb 2019 08:09 AM PST
Under the partnership, Azuri's solar home TV product will be co-branded and co-marketed by FirstBank and Azuri. Pay-as-you-go customers will be able to pay for their solar via FirstBank's Firstmonie agent network and mobile payment solution. Firstmonie agents are positioned within rural and semi-urban locations across the country and provide basic financial services such as account opening, cash deposit, cash withdrawals and bill payments. More than 60 million of Nigeria's roughly 200 million people do not have bank accounts and as little as 6% of people have a mobile money account. (World Bank 2018). Speaking on the partnership, Azuri CEO Simon Bransfield-Garth and FirstBank CEO Adesola Adeduntan stated the partnership was a positive step in providing much-needed energy and enabling access to financial services in rural, low-income areas. "This partnership combines the reach of FirstBank with Azuri's technology and pay-as-you-go solar expertise to bring next-generation power to off-grid consumers in Nigeria," said Azuri CEO Simon Bransfield-Garth. "Azuri and FirstBank share the vision of a level playing field where all consumers have the ability to benefit from modern financial and digital services, regardless of where they live and this agreement is another step in making that vision a reality." According to FirstBank CEO Adesola Adeduntan, "Financial inclusion is a priority with FirstBank and we are excited that with this partnership, our customers are able to access a wide range of services that address real problems such as access to power. With our over 16,000 Firstmonie Agents spread across the length and breadth of Nigeria, our customers are at an advantage in enjoying seamless financial services from the Bank that puts them first." From solar home lighting to solar satellite TV, Azuri systems are designed to deliver world-class performance at an affordable price for all customers that experience irregular power supply. Customers make small weekly or monthly payments to unlock their system and power. Pay-as-you-go solar is transforming lives by providing energy for lighting, phones and TVs while helping boost local economies with new employment opportunities and connecting off-grid households to financial and digital services that are helping improve productivity and increase income. In This Story:#AzuriTechnologies #FirstBank #AdesolaAdeduntan #SionBrandsfield-Garth Sharing Is Caring. ShareThis Story  | ||||
| Why Delta is economically backward – Guber aspirant Posted: 08 Feb 2019 07:38 AM PST
He said it was high time Deltans tried new hands that may have better ideas to transform the state. Mr Kimeku, who made the observations at a press conference to unveil his policies and programmes at Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, said the state had not made the desired breakthrough in the present competitive global village because it has no worthy commodities to market to the world. He said his administration will be centred on the capacity building of the people across the board to make their output competitively relevant at both the local and international market. While calling on Deltans not to rely on lies and continued underdevelopment occasioned by the ruling parties at both national and state levels, Kimeku said he plans to enthrone zero tolerance for corruption. He said if elected governor of Delta State come March 2nd, 2019, he would deploy the state resources to training and retraining of the people of the state to empower them with information, knowledge and modern technics in line with their areas of specialization. He added that farmers, who constitute a major population of the state, would be exposed to mechanized farming, improved seedlings and other aspects of farming in line with global best practices. He said his decision to run for the office of governor was born out of a divine project that will recover the state and place it on the pedestal it ought to be in terms of infrastructural and economic development. He noted that his leadership will develop the people to acquire requisite skills that will enable them to harness available resources in the local and international environment. The DPP governorship candidate and former Director with Federal Inland Revenue Service said it does not take rocket science to engender development, stressing that the only thing needed was the will power to enforce rules and make sure that competent and qualified manpower and contractors were engaged to deliver on assignments given to them. He said if elected as the governor of the state there will be no room for kickbacks in his administration. He further disclosed that training of teachers and artisans will also be a priority while online teaching and learning will be introduced in schools to make student survive in the global competitive markets as the world was presently driven by the knowledge-based economy. Mr Kimeku added that he will establish a training institute to nurture and promote talents and skills while graduates will also be trained to make them employable. The DPP governorship candidate who described corruption as a crime of opportunity carried out by those who are not too certain of tomorrow, frowned at the high level of corruption in the country, adding that if elected he will run a corrupt free administration where merit will reign over mediocrity. He said fighting corruption will be by all as the era of kickbacks and using cronies will be over, adding that there will be a market intelligence database where all contracts awarded and the amount will be published for all to see. He said the private sector will be brought to build fishing companies along the coastal communities in Delta State to help tap into the abundant but yet to be tapped potentials that comes with being blessed with water. In This Story:#MuhammaduBuhari#RichardKimeku #DPP#DeltaState Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| Gana kicks over adoption of Buhari by SDP Posted: 08 Feb 2019 07:29 AM PST
Gana and his G19 presidential campaign team also condemned the action as the height of betrayal by the party's leadership. Briefing reporters on the development on Friday in Abuja, Dr Ike Neliaku, Director General, G19 Presidential Campaign Team of Prof. Jerry Gana, said majority of the authentic and principled National Executive Committee (NEC) members were not invited to the meeting. Neliaku said: " On recent happenings within our party, the Social Democratic Party, we are therefore compelled to once again reach out to you and millions of Nigerians who are shocked by the pronouncement of yesterday by some renegade members of our Party, the SDP, under the guise of a National Executive Committee (NEC) purportedly met in Abuja and resolved to adopt the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as its consensus candidate in the forthcoming presidential election. "We wish to categorically condemn and dissociate ourselves from this unfortunate, retrogressive, outrageous, unjust, mercantilist, disgraceful betrayal of trust and anti-party activity led by a small faction loyal to the running mate to Donald Duke, Alhaji Shehu Gabam. "Their pronouncement puts the party in a political mudslide that not only put the party in a bad light but is injurious to all other SDP Candidates standing election on the platform of the party. "This repulsive duplicity is unacceptable to our Campaign Team, our supporters and millions of esteemed SDP members whose voices we represent and on whose mandate this statement is issued. "We note that majority of authentic and principled NEC members were not invited to the said meeting; while some that were invited boycotted the meeting. "Likewise, hirelings were recruited to bear the identities of genuine NEC members, who, though were invited but chose not to be a part of their envisaged insidious plot packaged in a desperate bid to create a perception of acceptability so as to enhance the value of their merchandise and ultimately increase the revenue of their transaction." The team added: "We also like to state that the purported suspension of the National Publicity Secretary and some State chairmen of our party is laughable and unacceptable as due process and constitutional provisions were not followed." Gana's campaign team said while it was the right and prerogative of a political party to nominate, endorse or even adopt a candidate of its choice, the action must represent the popular will of the people. It said: "The process must be inclusive, and the outcome must be transparent. In this instance, these were not so. "We use this medium to call on all SDP members, supporters and advocates to take a definite stand against this totally unacceptable precedence. "While we await the judgment of the Supreme Court, we will continue to maintain our single focus and keep hope alive." Gana, according to Neliaku will convene a stakeholder's conference on Monday, in Abuja to mobilise, plan and organise how to win elections in various constituencies. In This Story:#JerryGana #MuhammaduBuhari#SDP #IkeNeliaku #APC Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| Enugu: FG orders repair of 9th Mile – Orokam Road Posted: 08 Feb 2019 04:51 AM PST
Alhaji Mustapha Shehuri, the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, has ordered the contractor handling the 9th Mile-Orokam Road project to commence repairs of failed sections of the road. Shehuri gave the order on Thursday in Enugu, during an inspection of ongoing Federal Government road projects in Enugu State. He said that the order was for the contractor, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) to repair failed asphalt layers of the project to make it motorable for commuters. "On the 9th Mile-Orokam section of the project, we have inspected it and I am sure you witnessed the roughness of the road. "There are sections where the contractor has intervened but there are other sections where the asphalt layer has failed. "The failed sections have to be replaced completely and I am therefore urging the contractor to go back to the road and mill the failed sections," he said. Shehuri expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work being undertaken by RCC on the section awarded to it on Enugu-Onitsha Road project. He said that the project, 40 kilometers on one lane and 18 kilometers on the other lane were near completion. According to him, before the rains will start, I am sure they will finish the 18 kilometers side of the road. The minister said that the 22 kilometers section of the project being handled by Nigercat Nigeria Limited was awarded in 2009. He said the contract was originally awarded for N7 billion, adding that between 2009 and 2019, the prices of goods and services had increased. Shehuri said the contractor had applied for the review of contract adding that it would soon be presented to the Federal Executive Council. "I believe that the project will get approval and with funding in line with the commitment of the ministry, in the next one year, we will be through with the project," he said. In This Story:#MustaphaShehuri #OrakamRoadProject#RCC #FederalExecutiveCouncil Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| Elections: U.S. asks INEC to resist ‘pressure, intimidation’ Posted: 08 Feb 2019 04:46 AM PST
The United States has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist external "pressure and intimidation" in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 16 and March 2. The United States' Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, in a press statement, said that the upcoming elections in Nigeria would be an opportunity for the country to solidify its democratic leadership in Africa. Pompeo said: "The United States government supports a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful election that reflects the will of the Nigerian people. "It is critical that the Independent National Electoral Commission operates free from outside pressure and intimidation and in a totally objective manner. "Nigerian security services must provide a safe and secure environment for the Nigerian people to exercise their rights. "Those who interfere in the electoral process or incite violence must be held to account. "The upcoming elections are an opportunity for Nigeria to solidify its place as a democratic leader in Africa". The United States and the international community have continued to call for credible and peaceful general elections in the country. The country had described Nigeria's 2019 general elections as "a critical test" for the country, the ECOWAS sub-region and the entire continent. The United States had also warned against violence during the February and March 2019 general elections in Nigeria, saying it will "remain intensely focused" on the elections. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Federal Government had many times denounced hate speech and at a time wanted to declare it an act against the state to serve as a deterrent. Also few weeks ago, the major political actors committed to a violence-free poll by signing a "Peace Accord" in Abuja as was done during the 2015 general elections, which the then incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of Peoples Democratic Party lost to Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congresss. Source:(NAN) In This Story:#INEC #ECOWAS #ViolenceFreePoll #UnitedStates Sharing Is Caring.Share This Story  | ||||
| DSS docks 2 Rivers INEC staff, others for selling PVCs Posted: 08 Feb 2019 04:42 AM PST
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday arraigned two Staff of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Monday Ifiesimama and Beesor Sorle before a Chief Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt for alleged electoral offences. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Darlington Ogolo was also arraigned alongside the INEC officials. Ifiesimama and Sorle were accused of attempting to steal 3,097 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and selling them to Ogolo, whose identity was still under investigation. Ogolo, on his part, was accused of bribing Ifiesimama and Sorle with sum of N300,000 and N120,000 respectively as payment for the PVCs. The accused persons are facing eight counts charge of conspiracy, bribery, theft and fraud in suit number PHC/313C/19. Mr Calistus Eze,the Prosecuting Counsel said the accused persons allegedly committed the offences between May and August 2018. He said their acts contravened Sections 98 (4) (1) and Section (A) (1) of the Criminal Code Law of Rivers state. He said that the offence also violated Section 120 (1) (d) and Section 117 (1) (e) of the Electoral Act 2010. NAN reports that the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the allegations. Chief Magistrate S.D. Andrew-Jaja, however, admitted the three accused persons to bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with a surety each in same amount. Andrew-Jaja ordered that the sureties must be Civil Servants on not less than Grade Level 12 in Rivers State Civil Service. He thereafter adjoined the matter until Feb. 20, for hearing. In another development, the DSS arraigned one Philemon Lawrence, 25, who allegedly paraded himself as INEC official. Lawrence was accused of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public after promising his victims jobs as INEC ad hoc staff. The DSS alleged that the accused person collected N3, 800 each from members of the public after advertising his bank account online. He was handed a three counts charge bordering on conspiracy, impersonation and fraud. Andrew-Jaja also admitted him to bail in the sum of N300, 000 with surety in like sum. The chief magistrate adjourned the case until Feb. 19, for further hearing In This Story:#INEC #DSS#AndrewJaja #MondayIfiesimama #DarlingtonOgolo #BeesorSorle Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| Demand by APC for removal of A’Ibom REC – Group Posted: 08 Feb 2019 04:38 AM PST
A pressure group, Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement (AILM) has condemned the call by the APC in the state for the redeployment of Mr. Michael Igini, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner. The movement in a statement signed by its leader, Prince Emmanuel Sam, said that the move by APC in the state was a sign of lack of preparation. It said that the last minute protest by the opposition was because it had seen that it cannot win an election in a PDP dominated state. The group frowned at the deliberate dissemination of fake news on the internet by known agents of the APC claiming that Mike Igini has been redeployed to another state. "The mounting pressure on replacing the REC is despicable and highly condemnable. It is a clear sign of its unpreparedness for a credible, free and fair contest." "We at the Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement, AILM, therefore, condemn in strong terms the APC sponsored fake news on Mr Igini. "We urge Akwa Ibom people to reject all carriers of doom, bloodshed and insecurity through the ballot. "This state cannot afford to return to those evil days, we must arise to ensure peace and equitable development of Akwa Ibom State," it said. The group condemned the incessant pressure by the APC for the redeployment of security chiefs to the state while berating the party for shunning the signing of the peace accord. It said that the APC had no reason to always be suspicious of security chiefs in the state and always calling for their transfer. The group added that the boycott of the Peace and Security Conference and peace accord against violence, organized by INEC in the state, was a pointer that the APC in the state was not ready for a peaceful process. In This Story:#INEC#MichaelIgini #PDP #APC Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| Bindow bars deputy, others from campaign tour Posted: 08 Feb 2019 04:31 AM PST
The Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Martins Babale, has been barred from the reelection campaign tour of Governor Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow, which was flagged off in Toungo, the home local government area of the deputy governor. Bindow who holds the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with Babale as his running mate allegedly barred Babale from the campaign visit to Toungo, following fear that he could be attacked because of complaints against him by his people. Babale had been booed by Toungo people earlier in the month when he went there as a member of a zonal campaign tour team that prepared grounds for the council area campaign tour. Toungo is one of the least developed council area in Adamawa State. It is widely described as the only council headquarters in Nigeria without electricity, and many blame the deputy governor for not having used his office in the past four years to influence electricity to the place. An acclaimed godfather of many politicians, Mansur Toungo, had said during one of the APC rallies in Toungo that the APC in the area would be better off without the deputy governor. "We have told the governor that we don't like his deputy," he had said. The other party chieftains barred from the statewide campaign, because they similarly face rejection by their own people, especially as the campaign team makes the rounds in southern Adamawa, include Sen Ahmed Barata who represented Adamawa South Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly between 2011 and 2015; the state Commissioner of livestock Production, Isah Salihu Barima, and the Chairman of Adamawa State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Abubakar Isa Shelleng. The deputy governor's Director of Press, Samuel Gangwaja, did not respond to request for a comment Thursday. His last reply to repeated telephone calls Thursday afternoon was that he was in Church and might call back after his church programme. In This Story:#MartinsBabale #MansurToungo #IsahSalihuBarima #AbubakarIsaShelleng #APC #MohammedJibrillaBindow Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| Basiru challenges Osun PDP candidates to road walk Posted: 08 Feb 2019 04:24 AM PST
The senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Osun Central District, Dr Ajibola Basiru, has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in the zone to a road walk. Basiru gave the challenge while reacting to an allegation by the PDP that he and the APC senatorial candidate for Osun West, Hon. Adejare Bello had threatened to deal with Mr Deji Adeleke, a businessman and brother to Mr Ademola Adeleke, the PDP governorship candidate in the last governorship election in the state. In a letter addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Osun State Director of DSS and other security outfits, the PDP had alleged that Basiru and Bello had perfected plans to attack the convoy of Deji Adeleke. A statement from Basiru Media office said: "Barely twenty-four hours after the opposition Peoples Democratic Party had its frustrating road show deserted by its bigwigs the party has concocted a laughable allegation of a threat to life against the senatorial candidate of APC for Osun Central, Dr Ajibola Basiru. "Just as the good and peace-loving people of Osun will laugh at the allegation, Dr Ajibola Basiru equally sees the spurious allegation as a straw held unto by Osun PDP to avoid inevitable drowning by next week electoral Tsunami. "Mr Deji Adeleke who has never been known to be a politician is from Osun West while Basiru is from the Central coupled with the fact that the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is contesting a senatorial election. Second, it was Demola Adeleke, younger brother of Deji who contested against the incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola. Where does Basiru come into the picture? We hereby alert the public and security agents to the notoriety of the PDP in planning and executing evils and putting the blame on the doorstep of others. "We enjoin all strata of security agencies to do a thorough investigation into this calumny aimed at smearing Dr Ajibola Basiru whose towering political influence in Osun Central has dwarfed the opposition. We want to make it clear that since Basiru launched his campaign in December last year, he has traversed the length and breadth of Osun Central without a streak of violence and has enjoyed wide acceptance." Basiru advised the opposition PDP to look inward and search for reasons why its stalwarts such as Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, Dr Olu Alabi, Elder Funso Isola, Rev Bunmi Jenyo, Dr Muyiwa Oladimeji among others did not participate in the show of shame in Osun Central. In This Story:#AjibolaBasiru #AdejareBello #DejiAdeleke #AdemolaAdeleke #PDP #APC #OsunState Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| Satumari: I will retire Ndume from Senate Posted: 08 Feb 2019 04:14 AM PST
Kudla Satumari is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Borno South Senatorial District. He spoke with reporters in Abuja on his plans for his constituents and why he believes he can defeat the incumbent, Senator Ali Ndume of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Assistant Editor, GBADE OGUNWALE was there. Members of his communities prefer to call him Haske (promise keeper). Kudla Satumari has vowed to retire veteran lawmaker representing the Borno South Senatorial District, Senator Ali Ndume, from the Upper Legislative Chamber. Satumari, who is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has thrown his hat in the ring with, Senator Ndume of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ndume is seeking a third term in the Senate. In a recent chat with newsmen in Abuja, Satumari lamented what he described as poor representation of the southern Borno people at the National Assembly, particularly the Senate. According to him, the quest for better representation for the district is being made by the people themselves, saying the constituents have decided to take their collective destiny in their own hands. Satumari said his people have come to the conclusion that their representation in the Senate can no longer be entrusted to politicians of the "business as usual school" of thought. His words: "First and foremost, there is need to provide positive and all inclusive representation. This is one thing that has been lacking. There is this general consensus among people from Southern Borno that they want change. Never in the history of Southern Borno politics have the elites, the youths, women, opinion leaders and religious leaders, unanimously reached a consensus that there is a need to change those representing us at the National Assembly, especially the Senate. My people have been looking for the type of representation that will be all inclusive. This time around, they want people that have the passion, the competency, the capacity and commitment to drive the interest of our senatorial district in every aspect of their representation". The PDP candidate bemoaned the underdevelopment of his district and blamed the situation on disconnect between the elected representatives and the electorate. He insisted that the present crop of Borno federal lawmakers, particularly in the Senate, have let the people down. He said: "We are lagging behind so we want to drive this change that will bring all our issues to the centre stage. There are issues that are peculiar to our people. And there are people who understand those issue and want to address them. That is why I offered myself to represent our people at that level. I am not seeking to be a senator of Southern Borno. Rather, I am contesting to be a senator of the Federal Republic. There are differences between a southern Borno senator and a senator of the Federal Republic". Asked how he intends to actualise his vision since he has never represented his people at that level at anytime in the past. Satumari said: "When I go in there, I am going with larger understanding and bigger understanding of how I can function and contribute to the development of the nation, in the context of representing and becoming the voice of my people. People go there and make promises of things only the executive can provide. I have a clear understanding of the roles and responsibility of a legislator, particularly a senator. I know the issues. I know what I can do. And I want to contextualise it. In the context of representing the nation, I am going to be the eyes, nose and ears of Southern Borno senatorial district. I mingle with people so I can lobby for interventions and development. I will bring infrastructure, I will bring succour in terms of enhanced security, enhanced agriculture and all that. It has to be within a context. In distant and recent past, I have sought for and obtained interventions from international bodies and local organisations to support my people. I know how to lobby. I know how to persuade people to do things for us. That is one of the reasons why I am contesting. And that is the difference between me and others that may have been there or aspiring to go there. There is nothing a senator that represented or is representing Southern Borno has done that I have not done in my individual capacity. And I believe that if I go there as a senator, I will do much more than they have done. I know what you can use the influence of the office to attract to your area". However, one formidable obstacle in the way of the youthful politician, is the entrenched bloc of old political horses that has been in existence in Borno South since 1999. As a matter of fact, the entire Borno has always been an enclave of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP), the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and now the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the commanding heights of politics in the state. What are his chances, in view of the fact that those political forces are still in firm control in the state. Hear him: "The issue is not whether I stand a chance or not. We are going to take what has always been rightly ours. In the sense that we have always won elections as PDP in Southern Borno. In 2011, of the three senatorial districts, two of them were won by the PDP. The then sitting governor lost his election to the Senate to a PDP candidate. And they were saying oh PDP was at the centre and what have you. At that time, the ANPP was the party in charge of the state but which is one of the parties that merged into the APC. As at that time, ANPP was united as one party, with the governor of the state having the final say. And there was no faction or division among them. Yet, the PDP won against them. Now, people are not happy with the situation on ground. Never in the political history of Southern Borno have there been consensus among all strata of people that they need a change. The manner in which APC conducted their primaries in Borno has factionalised the ruling party in the state. As I speak, they are still struggling to resolve their differences. So if PDP could win elections there when they were united, then it goes without saying that this is the right time to get them out. Again, studies have shown that in every eight years, there is this window of opportunity for opposition to have a level playing ground. And talking about Southern Borno in particular, I have never seen the kind of consensus among the people for a change. And our people have rejected tribe, religious and gender issues, which some people were using to their advantage in the past. Our people have gone beyond that. There is that synergy and unity of purpose to make sure there is a change in National Assembly representation. You could see their sincerity. It is palpable that you can cut it with a knife". It has been observed that some opposition candidates in other parties contesting elections at various levels have been joining President Muhammadu Buhari's photograph with theirs on their campaign posters. This could be a sign that the President commands higher electoral value, particularly in the North, including Borno. Satumari admitted this much. His words, "Yes, I can confirm to you that in some areas in the North, the President has cult-like following. In my senatorial district, there are areas where he has this cult-like following. I would not for the sake of politics, say things that are not the truth. People like President Buhari. But I can tell you authoritatively that in my senatorial district, they don't like the APC anymore. There is no way you can divorce President Buhari from the APC. And again, in this 2019 contest, there is a permutation that is quite different from what obtained in 2015″. In This Story:#KudlaSatumari #PDP #APC #MuhammaduBuhari #AliNdume Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| Emmanuel: Re-branding powers of a game changer Posted: 08 Feb 2019 04:07 AM PST
A commentator, Ntia Nsukuma, examines the achievements of Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel and why he deserves a second term. Even with a hugely promising governance trajectory that seems slightly threatened by an opposition led by a misguided former political mentor, Governor Udom Emmanuel is going on with his re-election campaign holding his head very high. Drawing from his rich professional background as a banker, administrator and corporate finance management expert, and leaning on a vision to make Akwa Ibom a clean, secure, more prosperous state with a robust economy built on industrialization, service, equity and justice, this Onna-born dynamite left few in doubt that he is indeed the man the State needed. An average commentator or analyst in the field of politics knows that elections are the marketplaces where political choices and ideas are sold. Here, the currency is the ballot papers. In the next three weeks, the good people of Akwa Ibom will go to the political market to pick the man who would be the Governor for the next four years. The stakes are undeniably high. Either via rational or emotional appeals, millions of Akwa Ibomites would take the decisions on the candidates they perceive is most suitable to lead the State. To most politicians and their supporters, the most important thing at election time, is that perception in the mind of his market, the voters. No serious politician can ignore or underestimate the power of perception. The truth about a product, service, idea, party or company will matter very little in the long-run if the perception of the brand is bad. The same is true in reverse, too. Antonio Damasio, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Southern California reveals that emotions, gotten largely from experiences and perceptions, are the necessary ingredients to most decisions taken by normal humans. His words; "When we are confronted with a decision, emotions from perceptions created by information and previous related experiences affix values to the options we are considering. These emotions create preferences which lead to our decisions". With intense pressure on government and the electoral body to ensure free and fair elections, especially in Akwa Ibom state, and increased global focus on the Nigerian elections it would not be really easy for the true opinion of voters cannot be toyed with. This explains why serious political contestants must place the issues branding, positioning and strategic communications must be at the front burner. In perception and positioning, it is vital that a brand reflects its mission, market and positioning strategy. For instance, if a brand chooses to position itself as the foremost provider of expertise in an industry, it would develop tangible and intangible ways of expressing that position. This could be through the mix of products, logos, the way staff dress, and even their comportment. All these combine to position a brand in the minds and consciousness of its target. A strong brand must clearly differentiate itself from competition. Udom Emmanuel most have clearly identified the relevance of branding when he launched a campaign dubbed Dakkada quite early in his government.. The campaign which spread like wildfire was premised on a new spirit revolving around spiritual, moral, social, cultural and political ethos for Akwa ibom citizens. Dakkada which means Arise, was a clarion call to the citizens of the state on the need to rise above pettiness and move into greatness founded on good ethos. Emmanuel earlier set the tone of what to come when during his inaugural address he said "let us sow the seeds of brotherhood, love and unity, which will energize us to maintain our current momentum and leadership position. Let us remember that with the spirit of brotherhood, love and unity, no foe can defeat us, and no rival can overtake us". The current image of a peaceful, progressive, secure and cult-free state has been remarkably linked to the success of the Dakkada Initiative. For the governor, two words are key. "The first is a solicitation to action, Arise! Then comes a positive prompting to shine, for your light has come. It is the right season, and under the watch of the right man for every Akwa Ibom person to arise, do something, excel, advance, improve, glow, take charge and reach the zenith of his or her chosen endeavour. This campaign has enabled the government of Akwa Ibom state in the last 3 and.half years to clearly communicate her mission, increase the people's awareness, and create a favourable visibility and impression that has united Akwa Ibomites behind one cause, promoting uncommon loyalty and commitment amongst even his critics. The power of perception cannot be underestimated; the truth about a product, service, or company can matter very little in the long-run if the perception of the brand is poor. To complement the emotional attachment to the Udom brand in Akwa Ibom, Governor Emmanuel had demonstrated leadership by example from day one of his coming in by getting off to a flying start. He created the building blocks that will help in reaching his specific development goals captured in his five- agenda programme spelt out as, Wealth Creation; Economic and Political Inclusion; Poverty Alleviation; Infrastructural Consolidation and Expansion; and Job Creation. It is this five-agenda programme that anchors the Akwa Ibom rebirth project of Governor Emmanuel.. The results of the five- agenda programme have been phenomenal.. Shortly after his assumption of office as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel set up a technical committee on Foreign Direct Investments to promote, midwife and enhance the flow of foreign investments to the State. With this Committee, dozens of industries have so far been established thereby moving yhe state fro. A.predominant civil service state to an industrial hub. Many others are ongoing while a greater number are in the pipeline and will materialize as he return in 2019. Starting from Africa's largest syringe factory in Onna to Fertilizer blending plant in Abak, and from ongoing plywood manufacturing factory in Itu to the ongoing Ibom Deep Seaport and the Ibom Industrial City, One can clearly declare that say that the administration of Udom Emmanuel has recorded life touching achievements in creating jobs through establishment of industries spread across the State. Some of the industries birthed and completed by my administration in just three and half years include Syringe Manufacturing Factory (largest in Africa), Pencil Production Factory, Toothpick Production Factory, Electric Digital Metering Solutions Manufacturing Factory, Resuscitation of Peacock Paint Factory, Fertilizer Blending Factory, Plastic Manufacturing Factory , Palm Kernel Crushing Plant at Ibesikpo Asutan, Starch Manufacturing Plant, Palm Kernel Crushing Plant inUkanafun ,Palm Oil Processing plant and Flour Mill Factory among many others. On the agricultural front a lot has been achieved by the Udom administration. Top on the list is the 11,000 hectares of coconut plantation and refinery. Others include 2,100 hectares of cassava plantation in 15 LGAs (FADAMA) , Cultivation of over 1,200 hectares of rice, 48,000 rice farmers registered for CBN anchor borrowers scheme, 450 youths trained on cocoa maintenance, 500,000 improved cocoa seedlings raised and distributed to farmers at highly subsidized rate across the 28 cocoa producing local government areas. We also have the Akwa Prime Hatchery producing 10,000 birds weekly and processed poultry products, Construction of Cassava Micro-Processing Mills across the State, Construction of Tractor Hiring Enterprise (AEHE) Centre. Another commendable agricultural project is the establishment of large hybrid rubber nursery at Ebighi Anwa, Okobo L.G.A in partnership with Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, for distribution to rubber farmers at highly subsidized rates and the establishment of demonstration plots on various agricultural technologies for transfer of improved technologies to farmers through Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP) The Partnership with World Bamboo Organization for Bamboo development in the State and the procurement and distribution of 30,000 Hybrid Plantain Suckers to 700 farmers are other commendable efforts in the area of agriculture. On the environmental front, exceptional steps have been taken to redefine the total outlook of Akwa Ibom and the brand image of Uyo capital city. Outstanding projects in this line are the New Governor's Lodge, Lagos, The International Worship Centre, the 21-storey building office space for high target investors and multi-national companies, the Construction of Phase 3 of the State Secretariat to accommodate a number of MDAs that are still located in rented apartments. A product that does not have a clear cut strategy of the end users of such a product has already failed before hitting the market. Happily, all these activities and projects have combined to position Udom Emmanuel as the premium brand in the minds and consciousness of its target market –The Akwa Ibom people. His is presently a strong brand that has clearly differentiated itself from competition and has defined itself in the marketplace that will win convincingly in the next gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom state. In This Story:#UdomEmmanuel #AkwaIbom #NtisNsukuma #AntonioDamasio Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| House of Reps candidate Johnson urges support for the poor Posted: 08 Feb 2019 04:03 AM PST
All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate Mr Ganiu Johnson has said the less privileged and physically challenged will get adequate attention if elected. Johnson, who wants to represent Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency, spoke at the empowerment programme for windows. He urged the people to vote the party's candidates across the board. He said it had reached a critical stage, where the welfare of the less privileged should take a prominent position. He said that was the way a government can prove to be responsible. Johnson said an enhanced welfare package would go a long way to reduce the inequality, stressing that he is committed to making life better for the people. He said: ''Our party is a progressive party, we will continue to explore positive avenues to make life better for the people. I have outlined many life-enhancing programmes for the people in the past and this will continue. "In this case, we are giving to the widows, who suffered because of the position they found themselves. The items they are getting will not stop after the election because it is our duty to make life good for them." He urged them to come out to vote during the election, stressing the people were the power they count on. "Your vote is your power, do not sell your vote. Use it to make your life better just like other people do." Johnson maintained that the APC programme anchored on security, economy and anti-corruption were packaged the people could not resist. He said President Muhammadu Buhari has set a clear direction for the country. He said APC has made life better for the people, adding that failure to re-elect the President would be counter-productive. "The damage done by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has really been difficult to erase. But the APC had made sure the people do not suffer unduly because of bad governance done by the last administration. "The only way we can ensure the bad memory is erased is to prevent the PDP from coming back again. They plundered our common patrimony and now they are scheming to come back, this to me is a taboo." In This Story:#GaniuJohnson #APC #PDP #MuhammaduBuhari #GeneralElection Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| Adelabu: why I’m the best man for Oyo top job Posted: 08 Feb 2019 03:56 AM PST
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Chief Bayo Adelabu, has said his background in public finance management, experience at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), youthfulness and energy put him in good stead for the state's top job. He urged the electorate to give him the mandate to govern the state in the March 2 election. Adelabu told reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, that his qualities and achievements set him apart from the others jostling for Agodi Government House. The APC candidate bagged a First-Class degree in Accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife and joined PriceWaterhouse, an international chartered accountants and management consultants firm, from where he worked with other firms before joining the CBN. According to him, public finance management is the most critical qualification for anyone aspiring to govern a state because the key responsibility of the office involves making good use of state resources to improve the lots of the masses while ensuring accountability. Adelabu said he is contesting principally to use agriculture to drive prosperity through the sector's value chain, as laid out in his Seven-Point Prosperity Agenda for Oyo State residents. The APC candidate said Governor Abiola Ajimobi has made his job easier as the incoming governor with what he called the unprecedented level of development witnessed in the state in the last eight years. He said: "If there is anything we can say we have a comparative advantage over others, it is agriculture. So, we can't treat it with levity. In fact, our industrialisation, which we are envisioning for the state, will be agro-allied-based. So, agriculture is going to be the focus of our government and a lot of jobs will be created through the agricultural value chain." In This Story:#APC #BayoAdelabu #OAU #AbiolaAjimobi Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| I remain SDP presidential candidate – Duke Posted: 08 Feb 2019 03:49 AM PST
Duke said this in a statement on Friday in Lagos, while reacting to the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to withdraw from the election and adopt President Muhammadu Buhari as its preferred candidate. "Regardless and for the avoidance of doubt, I Donald Duke, remain on the ballot and the candidate of the SDP as recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). "This unfortunate saga is as a result of an aspirant who lost at the party primaries on Oct. 6, 2018, fair and square, does not query the conduct of the primaries but rather resorts to bigotry, querying my suitability to contest for the presidency on grounds that I come from the wrong part of the country. "The Federal Court of Appeal has put this matter to rest. The office of president does not belong to any party and therefore not for a party to zone," he said. Duke identified internal management of party affairs as the bane of the nation's democracy. He said his decision to run for the presidency was to afford the electorate a credible alternative. "My decision to run on an untainted political platform rather than on one which I was a founding member is grounded on a desire to afford our electorate and indeed our nation a clean break, options and alternatives to her current gladiators. "For the SDP NEC to thereby endorse the APC or any other party, is rather unfortunate and betrays in my opinion, the desire of the vast majority of our party members and Nigerians credible alternatives to our nation's leadership. "I need not say more, suffice that I remain on the ballot and thereby still present myself as a candidate for the office of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," Duke said. The SDP NEC had on Thursday announced the party's withdrawal from the presidential race while adopting Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, for the poll. It explained that the decision was based on the protracted legal issue facing the party. "We cannot campaign, we cannot do anything because of the protracted legal issue and we feel that it is impeccable to technically withdraw from the presidential election. "We want to focus on the National Assembly, Governorship and State House of Assemblies election for which we have fielded candidates across the country. "We are therefore adopting Buhari, the APC Presidential candidate, as our preferred candidate for the Feb. 16 election," it said. In This Story:#MuhammaduBuhari #APC #DonaldDuke #INEC#SDP Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| Pilot in court over alleged N91m fraud Posted: 08 Feb 2019 03:33 AM PST
The EFCC, in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Tony Orilade, said Ibrahim serves as a pilot, in charge of Air Ambulance Aviation Unit and Helicopter Emergencies Service, at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). It is the prosecution's claim that Ibrahim allegedly diverted over N91 million, money meant for the maintenance of the fleets, including Airbus, Air ambulance and the Helicopter. Orilade said: "His journey to the dock on February 7, 2019, followed a petition to the office of the Vice President, which was forwarded to the office of the acting EFCC Chairman, for investigation. "Investigations revealed that Ibrahim commercialised both the ambulance and the helicopter. "He, however, claimed that the directive to commercialise them came from the office of a former vice president and a former Accountant General of the Federation. "Further investigations also revealed that the total sum of N285 million was realized from the commercialisation of the aircraft, while N63 million was paid to the AGF. "It was also gathered that N11 million was paid to NEMA, while the balance was yet to be accounted for. "According to the petition, over N4million was paid into the account of Aerocare West Africa Limited, a company belonging to the defendant, which he transferred to his family members. "One of the counts reads in part: 'That you, Mamman Ali Ibrahim, whilst being employed in the public service and serving as a pilot in charge of Air Ambulance Aviation Unit and Helicopter Emergencies Services with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, between 2014 and 2015, at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being entrusted with dominion over money, to wit, the sum of N64,550,810 (Sixty Four Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ten Naira) only, being part of the proceeds realized from the commercialization of the aircraft belonging to NEMA.' Orilade said Ibrahim pleaded not guilty to the charge when the counts were read to him. He added: "In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Deborah Ademu-Eteh, asked the court for a trial date. "Defence counsel, Aduojo Abah, however, moved the motion for the bail of his client. "Ademu-Eteh opposed the application, urging the court to "consider the severity of the punishment and the character of the evidence before the court". "After listening to all the arguments, Justice Kutigi granted him bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum. The surety being a public servant not lower than level 14, must be a resident within the jurisdiction. "The case has been adjourned to April 10, 2019, for trial." In This Story:#MammanAliIbrahim #NEMA #DeborahAdemu-Eteh #TonyOrilade #Kutigi Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  | ||||
| 102 Nigerians in Chad’s prisons – Embassy Posted: 08 Feb 2019 03:22 AM PST
Charge d'Affaires in the embassy Mr Nasiru Waje disclosed this in N'djamena to some Nigerian journalists on a working visit to Chad. He said that the inmates, some of whom had not been convicted, were in various prisons across the country. Waje, however, stated that 39 of the prisoners had regained freedom following the intervention of the embassy. He said that the Nigerians were held for various offences, including smuggling and attempting to use routes in Chad to enter Europe. The envoy also said that 8, 000 persons who fled communities in the North-East due to persisting Boko Haram crises, were in Chad and had been registered as refugees. He said that additional 5,000 victims of the insurgency were registered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), adding that there were many other unregistered refugees also in Chad, from Yobe. Waje said that Nigeria and Chad had a very cordial relationship, stemming from their linguistic, religious and cultural closeness "and existing feeling of oneness among their border communities." He added that both countries had five agreements which he noted had strengthened the relationship. According to him, the agreements are Security Co-operation Agreement, Bilateral Trade Agreement, Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, Bilateral Air Service Agreement and Waiver of Residence Permit Payment for their nationals. "All the agreements have helped in stimulating development in both countries. "For instance, Chad has granted permit to Nigeria, based on the security agreement, to pursue fleeing criminals from Nigeria into the country, and Nigeria has also granted same permit to the Chadian Government. "It has helped to reduce or eliminated havens of criminals in both countries. "The waiver on payment of residence permit has encouraged more Nigerians to come into Chad and it is also encouraging increased marriages between nationals of both countries," he said. The envoy said that the air agreement had led to Chad Airline and Maersk Airline deciding to fly Nigeria's route. According to him, the coming of these two airlines will eliminate the monopoly being enjoyed by ASKY Airline, which goes to Nigeria only twice in a week and charges very high rate. On activities of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Waje said that its operations had restored the corridor or business among the countries in the Lake Chad Basin, particularly between Nigeria and Chad. "Chadians were really suffering and their economy was down, but the operations of MNJTF have significantly helped in boosting business activities in Chad and making the economy vibrant. "Livestock business, which Chad is known for, is really thriving now and Nigeria is benefitting from it." Earlier, Col. Tukur Gusau, Public Relations and Liaison Officer to the Minister of Defence, who led the newsmen on the visit, had said that the mission was to acquaint the media with MNJTF's operations on the insurgency. He said that terrorism, especially in the Lake Chad Basin and the activities of the Task Force were under-reported in the media. Gusau noted that the huge efforts of MNJTF and governments in the region in combating the Boko Haram insurgency had remained unreported, making it seem as if nothing much was being done to check the terrorism. In This Story:#NasiruWaje #Chad #JailTerm #MNJTF #TukurGusau Sharing Is Caring. Share This Story  |
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