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http://ift.tt/2sBUg2W President, Northern Emancipation Network, Abdul-azzez Suleima (left); President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Shettima Yerima and North Central Coordinator, Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Mohammed Eneji Abdulhamid, at the presentation of a joint paper on the Igbo’s persistence for secession in Kaduna … Group urges FG to apprehend Arewa youth leaders, sponsors Nearly one week after the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, called on the Nigeria Police to arrest the leaders of the Arewa youth groups, no arrest has been made. El-Rufai had ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of the leaders, saying the call by the groups could destabilise the country. However, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, at the Force Headquarters last Thursday, said the police had yet to arrest the northern youth leaders. Idris said: “We have no arrest yet. As Commissioners of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, we have the responsibility to st...

http://ift.tt/2sdqLGO Lagos Assembly As part of measures to curb building collapse, the Lagos State House of Assembly has cautioned property developers to desist from erecting structures without necessary approvals. The Chairman of the Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Setonji David gave the warning during an on-the-spot assessment of the complaints of the residents of the over 400 units of duplexes in Lekki Gardens Phase III. The resident association had petitioned the Assembly, co-signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ibe Ene and Secretary, Mr. Lanre Kuforiji on the inability of the developer to provide necessary infrastructure. The lawmaker, who disclosed that some developers have failed to obtained necessary approvals from the government, decried the speed at which people build houses without approvals. He said:  “I will advise them to go back to the ministry to regularize their approval. I will also advise them not to involve in any project witho...

http://ift.tt/2sdAxZC Home Grown School Feeding programme The Federal Government yesterday said N3, 770, 688, 144 has been released for the feeding of 1, 287, 270 school children in nine states under its Home Grown School Feeding programme. The benefiting states comprising Anambra, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Delta and Abia have received various sums in tranches while 14, 574 cooks have been engaged. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, in a statement yesterday said the money was paid directly from the FG’s coffers to the cooks, with a slight variation in Osun State where some of the food items like eggs are bought centrally by an aggregator. The breakdown shows that Anambra State got N693, 013, 300, in eight tranches of N53, 684, 400, N67, 462,500, N68, 570,600, N70, 387,100, N70, 950,600, N71, 480,500, N145, 238, 800 and N145, 238, 800, while 103, 742 children have been fed. Enugu State got N419, 427...

http://ift.tt/2tbjoNy The counsel to Shell, Mr. Olawale Akoni (SAN), argued that Shell was not given fair hearing. .PHOTO: aljazeera.com The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt has ordered Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to pay N122 billon as damages to Ejama-Ebubu community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State for crude oil spillage. Justice Ali Abubakar Gumel dismissed Shell’s appeal for failure to file a competent brief of argument to support or proffer arguments in her suit. Shell had in suit No.CA/PH/396/2012 at the appellate court challenged the judgments of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt and Asaba, which awarded over N15 billion against it to Ejama-Ebubu community as special and general damages. The Ejama-Ebubu chiefs had in suit FHC/PHC/CS/231/2001 demanded that Shell pay them special and general damages of N15.4 billion, which was granted by the court. First Bank had on December17, 2012 guaranteed the payment of N1,772,460,585.00 as specia...

http://ift.tt/2oHYisj President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership style, achievements and other qualities after two years in power as a civilian leader have fetched him more accolades. Those pouring encomiums on him include a governorship aspirant (Chief Ufuoma Usen) and All Progressives Congress (APC) bigwig, Chief Nduka Ogwuda, in Delta State. However, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, called on Buhari to take necessary steps to ensure that his health situation does not jeopardize the progress of the nation. He noted that it was only moral for the president to resign if his health would not allow him to live up to the expectations of the people. The Archbishop said this at a media briefing to celebrate his 58th birthday organised by Knights of Mulumba in Lagos while reacting to questions from newsmen on his take on Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State statement on the President’s health. He said: “I believe that...

http://ift.tt/2oMcrnl Dino Melaye. PHOTO: Youtube Sen. Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi) has said that the ongoing move by the electorate in his constituency to recall him from the Senate will fail. Melaye, who is representing the Kogi West Senatorial District in the Senate, made the statement in Kabba, Kogi, on Sunday when he addressed his supporters. He said his achievements in the Senate were enormous and as such the people of the constituency were solidly behind him. Melaye, who later led his supporters on a peaceful march round Kabba town, alleged that the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, was behind the move to recall him, The electorate in the seven local government areas that make up Kogi West Senatorial District on Saturday besieged polling units in the area to endorse the request for the recall of the senator. They affixed the photocopy of their permanent voter cards to the recall form. Melaye alleged that 30 supporters of his who refused to be part of the move were ar...

http://ift.tt/2sdsfRK England's forward Dominic Solanke (#10) celebrates his goal with teammates during the U-20 World Cup semi-final football match between England and Italy in Jeonju on June 8, 2017. JUNG Yeon-Je / AFP England’s Dominic Solanke was yesterday named the most valuable player of the FIFA U-21 World Cup, which the Three Lions won by defeating Venezuela 1-0. The win is England’s biggest international title since 1966. It was England’s first appearance in the final of a global tournament since their World Cup victory 51 years ago. Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s first-half goal was enough for victory thanks to Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman’s second-half penalty save. Woodman denied Adalberto Penaranda from the spot after the Malaga forward was fouled by Kyle Walker-Peters. With 17 minutes to play, the referee pointed to the spot to signal a penalty before immediately referring to the video assistant referee. The decision stood – there was th...

http://ift.tt/2ql0y4Y Trafficking • Urges NGOs to comply with NSA directives on trafficking The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised the alarm over the growing rate of illegal maternities in the southeast. It also expressed concern at the increasing dropout of boys from schools in the southeast and urged the governors to address the issues. The Director General of NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli, made the disclosure at a press briefing in Enugu at the weekend. He said: “These issues must be addressed urgently by all political, community and religious leaders in the zone, because it is denting the image of the zone and the nation at large. “In the past, we had more boys in schools than girls, but the reverse is the case today. Unless a solution is proffered to it, the society would pay dearly for it in future.” The agency lamented that some dubious people in the zone habitually camp young girls in illegal maternities, who are impregna...

http://ift.tt/2sdc9HK Statue of late Gani Fawehinmi Civil society groups have condemned alleged plans by the Lagos State Government to replace the statues of the late Moshood Abiola and civil rights campaigner, the late Gani Fawehinmi at Ojota. This is coming on the heels the 24th anniversary of June 12 being celebrated today. The Lagos State government had brought down Abiola and Fawehinmi’s statues for the purported construction of new structures at Abiola Gardens and Freedom Park in Ojota. But civil rights group, expressed concerns over the development that the statues may be replaced with other those of other individuals and have vowed to challenge the state government on the issue. However, a top official of the Lagos State Government told The Guardian yesterday that the removal of the statues was in line with the beautification policy of government as it is being witnessed in other parts of the state. Some of the groups also alleged that the Lagos Government was pla...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J By Peter Duru, Makurdi The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Benue State has declared its support for Governor Samuel Ortom over the Benue State Prohibition of Open Grazing Law 2017, he recently signed into law. The party described the new law as the best thing to happen to the state in recent time. Speaking yesterday to reporters in Makurdi, the Benue State chairman of the party, Mr. Dan Ale stated that the law was what the people of the state needed to effectively end the  bloodbath in parts of the state as a result of the activities of herdsmen who allegedly hide under the cover of rearing cattle to unleash mayhem in the state. Ale said, “we are all behind the Governor, the government and people of Benue state on this matter irrespective of our tribal and political divide. “If you go to our rural communities and see what the people have gone through over the year you will have no choice but to support the enactment of the law. The post Prohibition of O...

http://ift.tt/2oC7Qlt Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State The Coordinator, Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Delta State, Okezi Odugala has urged Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to prioritise the prompt payment of the entitlements of pensioners and staff of local councils. Odugala said although the condition of of the pensioners was not caused by the present administration, government need to urgently address their plight.Okowa had at a recent town hall meeting disclosed that his administration spends about N1billion monthly on the payment of pensions. He said government’s action was proof of his administration’s commitment to the wellbeing of the retirees, in spite of the economic recession.But in an interview in Asaba to mark the second anniversary of the state government, Odugala acknowledged that although the Okowa administration had done well in efficient service delivery, it needed to consolidate its modest achievements by giving more attention to the plight of loc...

http://ift.tt/2s6tKlx Group Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer; Lafarge Africa Plc, Michel Puchercos (right); Chairman, Mobolaji Balogun and company secretary, Uzoma Uja at the Lafarge shareholder forum in Lagos. Lafarge Africa Plc has announced that the N140 billion rights issue proposed by the company’s directors would help reduce its debt profile, improve cash flow and position the firm for future expansion exercise. The Chairman of the company, Bolaji Balogun, while addressing shareholders during the company’s investors forum held in Lagos on Monday, explained that aside reducing its debt, the rights issue also represents the right steps towards solving its foreign currency exposure and likely  impact on the company’s earnings. “You may be aware that the company has not raised equity since 2005, with all our investments financed with internally generated funds, and debt provided by the majority shareholder, other lenders and bondholders. “In addition to red...

http://ift.tt/2s69LTJ According to the report, total value of export grew by 0.9%, while that of import closed lower 0.9% from the Q4 figure, emphasising the dominance of crude oil exports in Nigeria’s trade structure, contributing ₦2.37 trillion or 79.1% to the value of total domestic export trade in 2017. With improved value of the nation’s export, latest trade report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has shown that Nigeria’s merchandise for the first quarter (Q1) of 2017 rose by 0.11 per cent to close at N5.29 trillion. Indeed, exports by section revealed that Nigeria exported mainly mineral products, which accounted for ₦2.86 trillion or 95.2% of the total export value, as well as “Prepared foodstuffs; beverages spirits and vinegar; tobacco”, all of which stood at ₦46.5 billion or 1.5%. According to the report, total value of export grew by 0.9%, while that of import closed lower 0.9% from the Q4 figure, emphasising the dominance of crude oil exports in Nigeria’s tra...

http://ift.tt/2oBxdpj Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday gave approval for the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to facilitate the placement of doctors across health institutions in the country. The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, said the programme, which would kick off by 2018 is essentially to bring to an end the suffering being faced by young Nigerian doctors. “At today’s meeting, Council considered a memorandum from the Federal Ministry of Health to centrally coordinate, place and fund the placement of house officers in accredited health institutions across the country. “By this singular act, the suffering of thousands of Nigerian young doctors will be put to an end,” the Minister said.Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami who also addressed reporters yesterday, said Council gave approval for the ratification of treatise...

http://ift.tt/2nGXe7L The Federal Government, which disclosed this through its Power Sector Recovery Programme document obtained by The Guardian, said that the World Bank Group had expressed willingness to assist the power sector with $2.6 billion to settle some of its financial challenges. • Power sector’s cash deficit hits N931b • World Bank pledges $2.6b aid to industry Nigeria is losing $25 billion (N7.5 trillion at the current exchange rate of N305 per dollar) yearly due to irregular electricity supply.Besides, accumulated power sector cash deficits from January 2015 to December 2016 amounted to N931billion ($2.9 billion). This is the total amount underpaid by all the distribution companies (Discos) to Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) for invoices submitted to each Disco for electricity delivered to their distribution networks. It includes losses incurred by the companies due to lack of a cost-reflective end user tariff. Operators in the power sector believe th...

http://ift.tt/2pQygk5 • ‘We can’t recognise factional leaders’ • Ladipo, others hold emergency congress today The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) came down hard on the two warring factions of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club yesterday, ordering them to stay away from the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, venue of the Super Eagles versus Bafana Bafana AFCON qualifier on Saturday. The NFF has equally asked the two warring leaders, Vincent Okumagba and Rev. Samuel Ikpea to step down with immediate effect to pave way for fresh elections, just as it called on the President General of the body, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo to also quit honourably. But in a reaction yesterday, Ladipo, who is the chairman of the Board of Trustees, said the Supporters Club was not a government property, adding that it was wrong for the NFF to dictate how it should run its affairs. NFF President, Amaju Pinnick said yesterday in Lagos that there seemed to be irreconcilable differences between the two groups,...

http://ift.tt/2s6mg1K On what made Dundee unique to international students, Mcleavy said apart from being educationally friendly and easily accessible, the institution has a long range of scholarship packages easily accessible to international students. The University of Dundee, Scotland recently held a reunion celebration for its alumni members in Lagos to appreciate its Nigerian scholars as part of activities commemorating its 50 years existence. 0ver 100 members attended the event, which took place at Sheraton hotel, Ikeja.In a chat with newsmen, a Professor of International family law of the university, Peter McEleavy, disclosed that the university in recent years has graduated over 1000 Nigerians. He said: “we decided to hold part of our celebration in Lagos because Nigeria is very important to us at the University of Dundee. Nigerians did excellently well and they graduated with impressive results in various disciplines from the institution. On what made Dundee unique...