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http://ift.tt/eA8V8J A leading Igbo socio-cultural group, Nzuko Umunna, has launched a complaint platform to receive what it called any possible violent attack on any Igbo person living in the north following the threat issued by a coalition of Northern Youths, asking all Nigerians of Igbo extraction to vacate the northern part of the country of face “visible actions.” The group which condemned the threat which has caused some disquiet in the country also said that the threat came to many as a shock. It went further to hail the swift steps taken so far by some northern leaders especially the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, in bringing the situation under control. In its press release signed by Ngozi Odumuko (coordinator) and Jude Ndukwe (publicity secretary), the South Eastern group described as “puerile” the threat by the northern group. The group also urged northern leaders to call their youth to order in order to “forestalling an impending cycle of violence...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J By Ben Agande & Omeiza Ajayi KADUNA: The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has registered five new political parties. They are, Young Progressive Party YPP, Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance APDA, New Generation Party of Nigeria NGP, All Democratic Peoples Movement ADPM and Action Democratic Party ADP. At present 95 political associations have applied to INEC for registration as political parties. Two of the associations voluntarily withdrew their applications. Details later…. The post Breaking: INEC registers 5 new Parties appeared first on Vanguard News . Vía Vanguard News http://ift.tt/2r6HV4R

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has assured investors that Nigeria is one of the most profitable places in the ECOWAS sub-region for business and investment. Osinbajo said this while meeting the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Mrs Retno Marsudi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting took place on Monday evening, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the acting president, Mr Laolu Akande, on Tuesday. According to Osinbajo, with its large population and size, “Nigeria has a prerequisite market for profitable returns on any investment and business.” Citing the success of Indomie noodles, one of the products by an Indonesian company in the Nigerian market, Osinbajo said “there is much room to increase the volume of trade between both countries”. “Nigeria is one of profitable places for business and investments because there is always market for them and government is creating a good and friendly envir...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has assured investors that Nigeria is one of the most profitable places in the ECOWAS sub-region for business and investment. Osinbajo said this while meeting the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Mrs Retno Marsudi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting took place on Monday evening, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the acting president, Mr Laolu Akande, on Tuesday. According to Osinbajo, with its large population and size, “Nigeria has a prerequisite market for profitable returns on any investment and business.” Citing the success of Indomie noodles, one of the products by an Indonesian company in the Nigerian market, Osinbajo said “there is much room to increase the volume of trade between both countries”. “Nigeria is one of profitable places for business and investments because there is always market for them and government is creating a good and friendly envir...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Kano – A Kano Magistrates’ Court on Monday remanded a 40-year-old civil servant, Abdullahi Abdulhamid, for allegedly sexually assaulting a three-year-old boy. Abdulhamid, who lives at Dorayi Karama Quarters, Kano, is facing a one-count charge of act of gross indecency. The prosecutor, ASP Rufa’i Inusa, told the court that one Ali Kabo of the same address reported the matter at Dorayi Babba Police Station, Kano, on May 18. Inusa said that on May 17 at about 11 a.m., the accused lured the complainant’s three-year-old son into his house where he sexually assaulted the child. “The accused assaulted the boy indecently by rubbing his manhood,” he said. Inusa said that the victim was later rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, for treatment. The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 285 of the penal code. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Magistrate, Muhammad Jibril ordered the accused to be remanded in...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J BY: Kingsley Omonobi Abuja – The Nigerian Air force on Monday disclosed that its resolve to sustain its humanitarian efforts for Internally Displaced Persons and other support in the Boko Haram ravaged North Eastern part of the country has paid tremendous dividends as most of the affected communities and IDPs now cooperate and provide useful information in the fight against terrorists. Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar who made the disclosure in Abuja, said “Without the soft approach, something that is known in the military as winning the hearts and minds of the people in the communities and the IDPs, you cannot win the counter-terrorism war”. The CAS, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, NAF HQ, Air Vice Marshal James Gbum during the presentation of 4, 000 Cartons of Indomie for IDPs by Tolaram Africa, noted that because of the fear, intimidation, and dehumanizing treatment in the hands of terrorists, if the people are not happy, synergiz...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J BY: Kingsley Omonobi Abuja – The Nigerian Air force on Monday disclosed that its resolve to sustain its humanitarian efforts for Internally Displaced Persons and other support in the Boko Haram ravaged North Eastern part of the country has paid tremendous dividends as most of the affected communities and IDPs now cooperate and provide useful information in the fight against terrorists. Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar who made the disclosure in Abuja, said “Without the soft approach, something that is known in the military as winning the hearts and minds of the people in the communities and the IDPs, you cannot win the counter-terrorism war”. The CAS, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, NAF HQ, Air Vice Marshal James Gbum during the presentation of 4, 000 Cartons of Indomie for IDPs by Tolaram Africa, noted that because of the fear, intimidation, and dehumanizing treatment in the hands of terrorists, if the people are not happy, synergiz...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J By Ephraim Oseji As the non-payment of the salaries of Delta State local government workers continue to generate controversy, the Head of Operation of Onuesoke Foundation, Ms Igho Pearl, says the solution to the problem is for the government to create a data base and do biometrics of  the staff. According to her, this is the only way to know the actual number of local government workers entitled to earn salary and wipe out ghost workers. Pearl, who spoke while delivering a lecture at a  rural community development programme titled, ‘Sustainable Livelihood For Rural People”, sponsored by the Onuesoke Foundation, observed that the challenge of unpaid salary facing government at the local government level had to do with over- bloated workforce. “The local government wage bill is over-bloated. We are yet to have a self-sustaining local government. The source of revenue in our local government which include tax, licence and others are not effectively harne...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J A 38- year-old man, Samuel Koriyol, was on Monday arraigned in a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court for alleged conspiracy, disobedience to public order and extortion. The prosecutor, Insp. Abraham Akule, told the court that the defendant was arrested by a team of policemen led by ACP. Micheal Aliyu, attached to IGP’s X Squad Force Headquarters, Abuja. He said the accused with another suspect, Kaka Abubu, were operating an illegal checkpoint and compelling heavy duty truck drivers and members of the public to give them money at 72 Army Barracks Road junction, North Bank Makurdi. He said the accused was arrested during police investigation. Akule said that N3, 250, Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) cash receipt, bearing Tershima Nig Enterprises and two wooden planks with iron nails were recovered from him. The accused denied committing the offences. The prosecutor said investigation into the matter was ongoing and prayed the court for another date for menti...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Customers flying British Airways (BA) through its Abuja-London route and vice-versa from the Nnamidi Azikwe International Airport (NAIA) would pay a slashed fare of $277 between May 15, 2017 and June 30, 2017 for one way trip. Mr. Kola Olayinka, British Airways Regional Commercial Manager, West Africa, said this in statement on Sunday in Lagos. The statement was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Mr Nosakhare Emma-Iyamu of QuadrantMSLGROUP,the communication outfit that handles BA media issues. Emma-Iyamu told NAN that the minimum airfare for a return-ticket from London to Abuja was usually $700 per passenger. “This promotional offer from BA is to reaffirm our commitment to our loyal and esteemed northern customers,” Emma-Iyamu quoted Olayinka in the statement. He said that the selling period for the slashed fare is from the 15th of May and outbound travel will be from 1st of June to 30th June. He said that BA resumed flights to and from th...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The Coordinator Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, said engaging ex-agitators in sports activities would offer many opportunities that would develop their spirit of volunteerism and patriotism. Boroh disclosed this in Uyo on Sunday during a meeting with the SIA’one Soccer Academy to reintegrate some ex-agitators and youths in the Niger Delta region. He said sport is one of the most important facets of Niger Delta culture and community, arguing that few activities affect the emotions and develop sports in the region. “Sports is a language that everyone can understand. ” Sports is important for healthy living, personal development and social bonding. Sports is also a leisure activity that all can enjoy. “It keeps us physically fit, builds character, and bonds family and friends. “At its best, sports can bring people together, no matter what our race, background, or economic status. “This is why we want to give our beneficiaries the o...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has advised officials of the corps to discharge their duties with integrity and professionalism. Oyeyemi gave the advice on Sunday at the Performance Improvement Management Retreat, tagged “Improving Service Delivery through Professionalism and Road Safety Administration’’. Oyeyemi was represented by Mr Kayode Olagunju, Assistant Corps Marshal, Policy, Research and Statistics, at the retreat held at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Badagry, Lagos State. “I advise officers to always discharge their duties with integrity and professionalism while making the road safe for road users. “An officer must be a good example to the public, particularly motorists, by ensuring development and sustenance of responsible service delivery. “Professionalism and integrity should be part of our actions and they should be guided jealously during our services,’’ Oyeyemi said. In his opening r...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Iran’s ruling powers represent the “tip of the spear” of global terrorism, Saudi King Salman said in a speech on Sunday during a visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to the kingdom. The King said: “Our responsibility before God and our people and the whole world is to stand united to fight the forces of evil and extremism wherever they are … The Iranian regime represents the tip of the spear of global terrorism.” The king also said in a televised speech that Saudi Arabia would not be lenient in trying anyone who finances terrorism. “We will never be lenient in trying anyone who finances terrorism, in any way or means, to the full force of the law.” The post Saudi king says Iran at forefront of global terrorism appeared first on Vanguard News . Vía Vanguard News http://ift.tt/2q9zMfB

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, mandated its Committee on Gas and Petroleum Resources to interface with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to actualize the 2020 glaring flaring deadline in Nigeria. This followed a motion by Rep. Johnson Agbonayinma (Edo-PDP), who said that World Bank data ranked Nigeria second among countries among largest gas-flaring nations. Agbonayinma told the house that the record revealed that Nigeria emitted over four billion dollars worth of gas annually. He said that the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), in its 2014 Oil and Gas Report, disclosed that in 2008, the Federal Government placed 3.5 dollars per 1,000 Standard Cubic Feet (SCF) of gas flared penalty. The lawmaker said that regrettably, oil companies had refused to comply with the regulation. He said that gas-flaring accounted for about 50 per cent of all industrial emissions in the country and 30 per cent of the total “C02 emissions’’ ...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The Nigeria Union in South Africa said on Wednesday that two Nigerians  were  shot dead in Western Cape Province of that country. Mr Mike Ibitoye, the Chairman of the Union`s chapter in the province, told newsmen on telephone from Cape Town, South Africa,  that the Nigerians were  shot by unidentified assailants. “ Mr Ernest Ughakwesili, 42, native of Nkpor,  Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State,  was shot in a night club by gunmen at Strand Area of Cape Town on Sunday. “ The assailants escaped after the shooting and the victim died before being rushed to the hospital,” he said. Ibitoye also said the second victim, Chimezie Oranusi, 26, from Oba town in Anambra State,  was  shot with a friend in a car at Delst area of Cape Town. “ The friend is a South African and is still in the hospital receiving treatment. “ The incidents have been reported to the police and  the national secretariat of the union...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA —–The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is facing trial over allegation that he falsely declared his assets, on Thursday, told the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja that he has no case to answer. Saraki, through his lawyer, Mr. Paul Erokoro, SAN, notified the Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal of his intention to make a no-case-submission in respect of the 18-count corruption charge the Federal Government preferred against him. He is contending that FG failed to establish a prima-facie case capable of warranting the tribunal to compel him to enter his defence to the charge. The defendant is equally contending that none of the witnesses linked him to the commission of any offence, adding that the prosecution could not substantiate the ingredients of the charge. Erokoro, SAN, secured permission of the CCT panel to file the no-case-application on a day FG closed its case against the defendant having produced a ...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J By SIMON EBEGBULEM BENIN CITY-A 58 year-old woman and mother of seven children, Mrs. Joy Raji, and indigene of Ikpoba Okhai Local Government Area of Edo State has been sentenced to six years imprisonment for Human Trafficking. The accused was arraigned in Charge No. B/IC/16 on three count charge before the Benin High Court, in January 2016, for deceitful inducement to move from any place, receiving a person to be used for forced labour and slave dealings contrary to the provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2013, as amended. The accused person, who was arraigned before Justice Alero Edodo Eruaga, pleaded “not guilty” to the charge according to NAPTIP prosecution, who called three (3) witnesses at the trial and tendered exhibits, including a slave uniform passport, travel tickets and bank teller to prove its case. The accused trafficked 18years old girl who works as an Artist Designer in Benin City, before...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA—– The Supreme Court, on Thursday, adjourned hearing on the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, till May 25. A five-man panel of Justices of the apex court fixed the date to hear an appeal that is challenging the judgement that declared Senate Ali Modu Sheriff as the authentic National Chairman of the party. The appeal was lodged by the Senator Ahmed Markafi-led Caretaker Committee of the party which was sacked by the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal on February 7. The Supreme Court panel which was headed by Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed okayed full-blown hearing on the matter after all the parties regularized various processes they filed in respect of the appeal. The Markafi-led faction had in the appeal marked SC.133/2017 and dated February 27, which they filed in the name of the PDP, challenged the appellate court verdict that handed leadership of the party to Sheriff....