Brexit : Global growth concerns

The impact looked  likely to spread far beyond Britain’s borders although European shares rose for the first time in three days after a heavy sell-off, partly due to hopes of a more co-ordinated central bank response to financial market losses.

Sterling also rose and Wall Street was expected to open up. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said central banks around the world should aim to align monetary policies to mitigate “destabilizing spillovers” between economies. Shares in European banks have come under particular pressure, particularly those based in Britain, over doubts about future market access, and Italy, with high levels of bad loans. Sources said on Monday Italy was preparing to protect its banks from a destabilizing share sell-off following the Brexit vote and that Prime Minister Matteo Renzi would ask for more flexibility from the EU regarding public spending. Brexit creates huge political uncertainty and will put pressure on global growth, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Deputy Managing Director Zhu Min said on Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Tianjin in northern China. Asian stocks rose and Chinese stocks, protected by capital controls, hit a three-week closing high. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sought to reassure investors by saying the country would not allow “roller-coaster” rides in capital markets. A key economic adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the central bank should intervene if investors seeking safe havens drive the yen too high, but that he thought Brexit would have less of an impact in the long term. “I think currency and stock markets overreacted to the shock caused by Brexit. I think the real effects of Brexit will not be as big as people fear now,” he told Reuters. Trans-Atlantic alliance U.S. President Barack Obama took a similar line. “There’s been a little bit of hysteria post-Brexit vote, as if somehow NATO’s gone, the trans-Atlantic alliance is dissolving, and every country is rushing off to its own corner. That’s not what’s happening,” he told National Public Radio. In view of the disarray in Britain, some people questioned whether Brexit would happen at all. Nordea bank analysts gave it a likelihood of 70 percent and a senior EU official involved in the process said he thought the country may find a way never to announce its formal departure to the bloc. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said England had collapsed “politically, monetarily, constitutionally and economically”. “I would argue to give them some space.”

Super Eagles Target Le Guen and to pay him N16.2m per month

SUPER Eagles target, Paul Le Guen would be paid a massive monthly salary of N16.2m, the equivalent of €44,000 by the Nigeria Football Federation. There has been speculations on who tinkers the Super Eagles of Nigeria after Sunday Oliseh walked out on the team in February.We held talks with Le Guen who had a successful managerial career in France, most notably leading Olympique Lyonnais to three consecutive Ligue 1 titles. He also managed Stade Rennais, Paris Saint-Germain, Glasgow Rangers and the Cameroon national team. A reliable source in the NFF discarded reports of employing a Serbian coach insisting that Paul Le Guen remains their favourite. ‘’Initially, we thought of getting a Serbian. We’ve since moved on and held talks with Le Guen who is enthusiastic on working with the star-studded Super Eagles. He is a gentleman and stickler for discipline’’, our source noted. Le Guen qualified Cameroon for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they crashed out in the first round.

PORT HARCOURT : ONE of Africa’s finest novelist, poet and dramatist Captain Elechi Amadi died Wednesday at the Good Heart hospital in Port Harcourt at the age of 82.
A member of the family , Bar Wabueze Amadi, confirmed the development to us saying he passed on at about 3: 45pm at the hospital. The late captain Elechi Amadi was among the first generation of African writers and novelists.

Some of his works  include The Concubine, The Great Ponds, Isiburu, Sunset in Biafra, Dance of Johannesburg, Peppersoup, The Road to Ibadan, The Slave , Estrangement and the Woman of Calaber. He celebrated his 80th birthday in Port Harcourt, in 2014 releasing a souvenir edition of one of his plays, Isiburu to mark his 80th birthday. He was born on 12 May, 1934 in Aluu community, Ikwerre local government area. He attended Government college , Umuahia and went to the University college, Ibadan where he bagged a BSc degree in Physics and Mathematics. He served in the 3rd Marine Commandos of the Nigerian Army. He was first Commissioner for Education in the old Rivers state and also served as Commissioner for Lands and Housing He had several honours to his credit. He was Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Education and a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria . He was awarded a honorary doctorate degree by the University of Port Harcourt in 2011. He was abducted by unknown gunmen in 2008 and later released after some days in their custody. He lived in his community, Aluu until his death. The Director General, NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside described him as a great Nigerian who will be greatly missed. His words, “Captain Elechi Amadi, certainly was a man of many parts who touched lives in many ways. And he will be remembered for good by many people who met him physically or through his books. He was a well known author, publisher, soldier and statesman who was concerned about a better society. “My generation will definitely remember him more for his great books like the Concubine, the Great Ponds, Sunset in Biafra, Estrangement, the Slave and a collection of poems. “It is regrettable that Amadi passed away at a time when Rivers, our dear state is still far away from the aspirations of its founding fathers like him and most sons and daughters of the state. There is no doubt that Elder Elechi Amadi and other founding fathers will be weeping in their graves at the state of Rivers State. Nigeria and the international literary community has lost a creative giant. “The departed patriot, no doubt, had a remarkable life and he will surely be remembered for serving humanity with literature and his interventions. May his soul find eternal rest in the Lord.”

Vandal re-arrested 18 days after detention for same offence

LAGOS—Barely 18 days after gaining freedom from detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba, Lagos, Godwin Nwankwo, 23, was yesterday re-arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, of Lagos State Police Command, for vandalising bridge railings and crash barriers on Ijora Bridge. Nwankwo, as gathered, was apprehended while bringing out some cut-to-size railings and crash barriers from manholes meant to reinforce Ijora Bridge. During interrogation, he blamed his action on hunger, claiming there were no alternative means to get money. According to the Enugu State-born suspect, “when I was arrested the first time over same offence, I pleaded for leniency and mercy. Now that I have been caught again, I do not know what to say. But I know that the devil pushed me into this act. “My plan was to raise some money to enable me relocate to Enugu, where I was repairing handsets before coming to Lagos. I want to leave Lagos because my life has been meaningless here. “Unfortunately, I have been arrested again and only God knows if this will not lead me to jail.” He claimed the railings were sold to one Alhaji Talimu Sanni and another man. His revelation as gathered, led to the arrest of Sanni. During interrogation the 54-year-old receiver admitted to the claim, but stated that he was oblivious of the fact that they were stolen. Spokesperson for Lagos State Police Command, Superintendent Dolapo Badmus, confirmed the arrest, saying anyone involved in the act would be brought to book. She said: “We are intensifying our efforts to arrest anybody vandalising government’s infrastructure across the state. This stride has begun to yield positive results as some of them have been arrested and they are facing prosecution.”

Britain and Europe: A cantankerous relationship

THE political uproar that saw Thursday’s decision by the majority of British voters to exit the European Union was about at the same level as the upheaval that preceded a similar referendum that formalised Britain’s entry into Europe in 1975. The decision of Prime Minister David Cameron to resign as leader of the Conservative Party and as such, prime minister, bears a parallel to the rebellion that Prime Minister Harold Wilson faced in the days leading to the referendum on the ratification of British membership of the EEC in 1975.

Just as with the 2016 referendum, the 1975 referendum was the first time in modern history that the historical mantra of collective cabinet responsibility was ditched as senior leaders of the then ruling Labour Party took to opposite sides in the campaign on ratifying the membership of the EEC. Indeed, the story of Britain and Europe has been one of mutual suspicion undoubtedly flamed by the historical rivalry between the engine drivers of the EU and Britain. At the end of the Second World War, the momentum towards unifying Europe through trade linkages led to the formation of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 with France, Italy, West Germany and the Benelux countries, namely, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg as members. Improved production Britain at that time preoccupied with its devotions to the Commonwealth, and also increasingly looking west towards the United States, refused to join, though it was invited. The ECSC helped to create a common market for coal and later for steel. The benefit of the ECSC was seen in improved production of steel, a vital component of post-war technological advancement. That led the member countries towards talks on a common market for all goods. This was agreed in March 1957 with the Treaty of Rome which gave birth to the European Economic Community, EEC, which formally took effect on January 1, 1958. It was about this time that British consideration towards Europe began to change. However, Britain’s application to join the new body was repeatedly vetoed by the French President, General Charles de Gaulle. It was the suggestion in several quarters that the French president had a natural detestation for the British who ironically hosted him during the war years. However, Mr. de Gaulle was to explain privately that his opposition and veto of British membership of the EEC was on the logical assumption that Britain at that time could not mortgage her interests in the Commonwealth for Europe. The French veto was only removed in 1969 after de Gaulle’s exit from power when his successor Mr. Georges Pompidou gave French assent for the commencement of talks with Britain which were at that time led by Mr. Edward Heath, who remarkably took Britain into the EEC as prime minister in 1973. In the days leading to the formal entry of Britain into the EEC, the debate on the manner of entry led to a great uproar among the political class leading to internal divisions in the two leading parties, Labour, and Conservative. Following the political rumpus that followed the entry, Prime Minister Heath of the Conservative Party called for a post entry general election in February 1974. Though his party won the majority of votes, Labour won four more parliamentary seats forcing the prime minister to call for a second election in October 1974 which was decisively won by Labour. Labour had campaigned with the promise of renegotiating the terms of British entry into the EEC and to subject the renegotiated terms to a referendum. That promise enticed the majority of the voters in the first nationwide referendum ever called in Britain. 65% of the voters ratified Britain’s membership of the EEC and thus commenced the suspicious relationship that continued for most of the rest of the 20th century and the first decades of the 21st century. At the heart of the opposition to the British presence in Europe was the fear of a federal Europe and the loss of sovereignty which were repeatedly echoed in the British media. That fear led to Britain’s decision to opt out of the Maastricht Treaty of 1991 which led to the single currency which came into being in 2002 following the transmutation of the EEC into the European Union with the creation of corresponding legislative and monetary institutions. While it is true that the referendum that ratified Britain’s entry into Europe bore similarity with the one taking it out in terms of political casualties, there is one notable dissimilarity- acceptability. In 1975 everyone agreed to forge ahead with the outcome of the referendum, but not in this case. At least on Europe, Britain remains divided!

How court sacked Modu Sheriff as PDP chairman

ABUJA—An Abuja High Court sitting at Apo yesterday sacked the factional chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff, from office.

But Modu Sheriff in a swift reaction to the judgement last night, said he remained the chairman of the PDP The court, in a judgment by Justice Valantine Ashi, declared as “unconstitutional, null and void”, purported amendment of Article 47 Rule 6 of PDP constitution, 2012, at a special National Convention the party held  on Wednesday  and Thursday, December 10 and 11, 2014. It voided the said amendment on the basis that there was no compliance with mandatory provisions of Article 66 (2) and (3) of the PDP constitution. “By reason of the above, the purported amendments introduced to the constitution on the aforesaid dates, are hereby set-aside. “All persons, individuals, servants or agents of PDP parading themselves as national officers of the PDP pursuant to the purported amendment which has now been nullified are hereby restrained from further parading themselves in these capacities,’’ Justice Ashi held. The judgment followed a suit marked FCT/HC/CV/1867/2016, which was lodged before the court by a chieftain of the PDP in Ondo state, Chief Joseph Jero. PDP was cited as the sole defendant in the matter. Specifically, the plaintiff had in his originating summons, prayed the court to, among other things, determine “whether in view of the mandatory provisions of section 222(d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the purported amendment of the provisions of Article 47(6) of the Constitution of the PDP 2012, without registering the alteration  within 30 days  with the Independent National Electoral Commission, is not null, void, illegal, unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever.” However, Modu Sheriff said in a reaction last night that he remained the chairman of the party, despite the judgment. In a statement by Professor Wale Oladipo, who served as secretary before the Port Harcourt convention and still laid claims to the post, said Sheriff was was duly elected as chairman of the PDP. He said the reports that Senator Sheriff had been removed from office by the court was completely false and a clear misrepresentation of the ruling of the court, which never gave any ruling ousting the national chairman. “For the avoidance of doubt, the court only heard and delivered judgment on a matter concerning certain amendments in the PDP constitution, which has nothing to do with the election of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman or even that of his predecessor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu. “Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was duly elected as the national chairman of the PDP.  He still holds office as the national chairman and has not been removed by any court,”he said.

Ex-Transport Minister, Ojo Maduekwe, dies at 71

LAGOS — Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Chief Ojo Maduekwe has died at the age of 71. Maduekwe served variously as Minister of Culture and tourism, and Minister of Transport in the Olusegun Obasanjo administration and also Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Yar’Adua administration. He also served as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Maduekwe was mourned last night by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who described him as a “political colossus, public administrator par excellence and uncommon patriot who gave his best to the fatherland.” Maduekwe Following the exit of Obasanjo from power, he served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada during the Umar Yar‘adua presidency. He was an unwavering associate of former President Obasanjo in the period between 1999 and 2007 and was pivotal to the development of some of the most cardinal political and policy programmes of that administration. Even before bicycles exchange programmes became a central policy of many European and American cities, Maduekwe as Nigeria’s minister of transport had advocated the use of bicycles as a major mode of intra-city transport and demonstrated his passion when he rode on a bicycle to a meeting of the Federal Executive Council in Abuja. Maduekwe was a central player in the politics of Abia State and represented the state at several levels. As a matter of irony, one of Maduekwe’s first political rivals, Senator Onyeka Okoroafor who fought off Madukwe’s bid to the Abia Central Senatorial District in 1991 himself died last February and is yet to be buried. Many Ibo leaders including officials of the Abia State administration were yesterday comforting the family.

61 year old father of 2 finds true love with his rubber sex doll girlfriend

Senji Nakajima, a 61 year old father of two has boasted that he is in a relationship with his rubber sex doll girlfriend called Saori - after falling for her personality.

Senji bought the life size doll to satisfy his sexual urges six years ago while away from his wife on work duties but then months later Mr Nakajima, from Tokyo claims their physical relationship has blossomed into something more - and they have taken it to another level.

Senji lives with his rubber doll girlfriend in the same house, sleep on the same bed, constantly 'makes love' to her, takes her on shopping sprees strapped to a wheel chair, bathes her and even dresses her up for romantic nights.

Mr Nakajima said: 

“She never betrays, not after money. 

"I’m tired of modern rational humans. They are heartless.xxx“For me, she is more than a doll. Not just a silicon rubber.xx“She needs much help, but still is my perfect partner who shares precious moments with me and enriches my life.”

 The love dolls are increasingly popular in Asia where they cost around £4,000.

Electricity: 1,000MW of IPP capacity idle due to gas shortage

NIGERIA is far from achieving its objective of a regular power supply as 1,000 MW of Independent Power Plant, IPP, capacity are idle due to a lack of gas delivery. The President of Nigerian Gas Association, NGA, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, who stated this during a chat with journalists in Lagos, also said that indigenous players are making significant strategic investments in gas and virtual pipelines to power IPPs and industrial customers. According to him, the gradual movement of the market towards the concept of “willing buyer, willing seller”, and the government’s willingness to ensure an investment-friendly environment, will engender Nigeria’s long term gas development. His assertions came as he informed that NGA will hold a business forum this week. He said, “For a sector with over $55 billion worth of investment opportunities, we are extremely positive of growth in the economy and the potentials for growth in key areas such as exploration and production, processing, supply, and distribution. Also, the NGA’s 2016 business forum will hold on June 29th together with our Annual General Meeting. At the forum, industry stakeholders and policy makers will share perspectives on strategies to re-energize and maximize our natural gas potentials. He explained that feedback from our members suggests that there is significant interest in exploring for and/or developing a local natural gas industry in Nigeria; There will be wider environmental benefits for the country if that increased gas use displaces some elements of coal-fired energy generation; The Nigerian  economy will benefit from gas developments through increased energy security; and Increased availability of natural gas will enable Nigeria to maintain its drive in the gas-to-liquids sector. “Indeed, the government has taken some positive steps to develop gas including the Gas Master Plan rolled out in 2008 along with partial privatization of the power sector over the last two to three years. This has led to a significant increase in the price for natural gas supplied for power generation to around US$2.50/Mscf with further increases requested by producers,” he added.

Meet the young man redefining auto-parts business in Nigeria

23-year-old Dairo Damilola Opeyemi who hails from Ibadan, Oyo State is the young Chief Executive Officer of Autofactorng, redefining auto-parts business in Nigeria.

In a country where buyers culturally show an overwhelming distrust of salesmen in the automotive industry, Dairo’s innovative platform sells genuine auto-parts at affordable prices and delivers it to client’s doorsteps nationwide with warranties on every item sold is no doubt a breath of fresh air to car users. The young CEO’s rise to becoming a nationwide auto-parts supplier in less than a year of establishing his firm is based largely on his passionate ingenuity to provide car users in the country with genuine alternative to both sub-standard and fairly used auto-parts, ‘Tokunbo’ which overtime leaves buyers cheated and unsatisfied. After graduating from Bowen University in 2012, where he studied Physics and Solar Energy , Dairo who said he has always had a flare for cars ventured into the automotive industry in Nigeria by providing solutions in the aspect of car body repairs and painting. “Like every other graduate, the next point of call for me after leaving school is to get a job, but I know there is actually none waiting out there for me. So I went for a three months training in a workshop on car painting and body repair after which I proceeded to doing the business itself and this noble step is what eventually led to the idea of ‘Autofactorng’. Citing that there are about 3 million cars in Lagos alone, Dairo lamented on how worrisome it is to find quality car parts in Nigeria. He explained that he had an experiential knowledge of this problem faced by car owners when he got into the painting and body works business, “to make things worse, some auto-parts dealers will end up telling you that fairly used parts are better than new ones, how possible can that be?” He queried. Dairo continued: “Tokunbo products are not new products, they are sold to users as genuine products which have been used and can never be better than new ones. To understand this, just Imagine that you are using a year 2002 Toyota vehicle and you want to change the shock absorber and you purchase it it as a tokunbo, that means the part which was manufactured in 2002 has been used probably for 3 years and you are now purchasing it as a product in 2015. What it means is that the shock absorber is 13 years old. Does it mean it is good or will last long? Where the problem lies for me with fairly used products, ‘Tokunbos’ is the fact that they are not safe. The lifespan of fairly used products like that of their sub-standard counterparts can never be compared to getting new products from genuine manufacturers. This is the reason we are in this business to ensure that people get quality services for money spent in the auto market in Nigeria. Convinced that he has all the know-how needed to transform the auto-part industry, Dairo revealed that he funded his idea with a start-up capital gotten from his personal savings and by sourcing funds from relatives, “believe me, it was not easy, pushing the dream to reality but overtime it paid off”, he said. The soft-spoken entrepreneur said his joyous moments ever since he joined the league of business owners come when clients give inspiring testimonies about the quality of service delivery they enjoy from Autofactorng, “We have had several customers who call to say, they will no longer buy parts anywhere else except from Autofactorng, others say the whole idea is revolutionary and besides some companies are already requesting that we send them business proposals on partnerships.” Narrating the challenges encountered starting the business, he said, “One of the predominant challenges we faced was designing the exact website that best answer our audience needs,as well as, offer them more services than what is obtainable in the market.” Also, getting suppliers who stock genuine car parts was equally tasking because hardly can you find a one-stop-shop for all car parts, especially when an average car uses over 30,000 parts. Creating awareness about the website and building trust was also an issue, despite the fact that most car users don’t trust their mechanics, they still believe it is better to stay with them than patronize a totally new approach to solving car related problems. But we have been able to win clients overtime by rendering quality services.” Despite his quick success Dairo said he has sustainability plans to keep his business growth. “Apart from taking orders online via very interactive platform, we are looking at having a strong presence offline, building a full blown auto-part store where you can walk in and out with all kinds of car accessories/parts – fenders, engine blocks, batteries, tyres, etc. Assured that his firm, Autofactorng will in a few years actualize its dream of being the first auto part store in Nigeria, Dairo equally sees expansion into Ghana and other parts of Africa, “we are already getting calls outside Nigeria, most especially in Cotonou & Ghana and we have actually delivered products to Cotonou on several occassions.” Asked if he has a special business philosophy or formula, he said; ” I believe strongly in the acronym, P.O.P, which stands for Perseverance, Optimism and Positivism, this 3 keys will see a start-up through difficult stages which of course are inevitable in starting up any kind of business.”

Glo’s Prof John Bull hits TV

A new song by modern highlife singer, Chinedu Flavour Okoli, for the Globacom-sponsored TV social satire series, “Professor John Bull,” is ruling the airwaves in the South-East and South-South parts of the country. Flavour’s four-minute sound track highlights the essence of the drama and centres on Nollywood great, Kanayo O. Kanayo, who plays the lead role, Professor John Bull, a conservative character with a penchant for highfalutin language. It also features screen stars such as Patience Mama G Ozokwor, Bimbo Akintola, Mercy Johnson, Yomi Fash Lanso, Ime Bishop, Queen Nwokoye, Chiwetalu Agu and several Glo Ambassadors. The song’s rhythm has Flavour’s irresistible signature style of urban high-life music, making it the hot choice of radio stations across the South-East and South-South. Professor John Bull is produced and directed by Tchidi Chikere, who explained that Flavour was carefully selected by Globacom to compose the song because of his style and genre of music. Nollywood superstar, Richard Mofe-Damijo, is consultant to the project.

We have the right team to beat Enyimba – Sundowns coach

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is confident that his side have all what it takes to edge past Enyimba FC in the CAF Champions League. The Brazilians were rendered pointless after their win over Algerian side ES Setif was nullified following their disqualification by CAF for crowd troubles as well their captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele ditching them for Kazier Chiefs.

However, the tactician believes that his boys are ready to move past the predicaments and focus on the game against the Nigerian outfit when they lock horns today. “We have learnt that in the Champions League, you must never concede at home, especially in knockout stages. That’s the lesson we learnt rather than complaining that we lost three points,” Mosimane told media. “We have been given privileges. There are so many benefits out of this. Where we are now we can say we are among the top seven on the continent.” Sundowns have won four major trophies under the administration of Mosimane since he became manager in 2012 also said that his team has all the advantages to see them progress beyond the group stages of the competition. “You should be able to qualify for the final. You have to win two games at home. You beat Zamalek and Enyimba then you are on six points,” he continued. “It gives you an opportunity. The mentality has changed a little bit. We have found our confidence to go out and win,” Mosimane said further.” Enyimba lost their first game at home to Zamalek and would like to give everything against Sundowns since they would be playing lesser games after ES Setif have been ruled out but the 51 year old manager believe they have right recipe for Enyimba. “They have got good attack. You know Nigerians. They are gladiators,” he added. “They have a very aggressive mentality. We know what tackles we are going to get. We should also know that on set-pieces, they are strong. Sundowns contemplate atlernative venue for Enyimba match Mamelodi Sundowns  contemplated moving their 2016 CAF Champions League clash against Enyimba away from the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville. It was gathered that the Brazilians are considering playing the clash at either Loftus or Orlando Stadium, before deciding against the move to play the clash at an alternative venue. Atteridgeville was last week a scene of violent protest action, with residents reportedly unhappy following the ANC’s announcement of Thoko Didiza as mayoral candidate, But, with the situation now under control, Sundowns have decided to go ahead with the fixture at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. Pitso Mosimane’s troops need nothing but all three points against the Nigerian giants after their win against ES Setif was chalked off. The Algerian’s were disqualified from the competition for crowd trouble. Sundowns were leading 2-0 in Setif after 90 minutes when the referee was forced to stop the game. Moreover, Enyimba lost their opening Group B clash 1-0 at home to Zamalek.

Mother, triplets detained in hospital over N35,000 bill

SEVEN weeks after she delivered a set of triplets, a housewife, Gloria Okore, has been detained by the management of a private hospital in Lagos over her inability to settle outstanding medical bills of N35,000 out of N120,000 incurred at the hospital. Mrs Okore, who delivered two girls and a boy on May 10 in Bessylva Hospital and Maternity Home, located at 60, Surulere Street, Dopemu-Agege, Lagos State, has been begging for help to raise the balance and cater for the children. Vanguard learned that the babies were delivered preterm (seven months), and one of the triplets, a female, died two weeks ago as there was no incubator to use for the babies. Gloria Okore told our team that due to the hash economic situation in the country, the family needed the goodwill of Nigerians to take care of the babies. When we

visited the hospital, the nursing mother, who was looking pale and unable to breastfeed the babies, was using an unkempt ward inside the hospital with no medical facilities. According to the 27-year-old Gloria, “I had the triplets through normal delivery, but the babies were born prematurely. We were charged N120,000. My husband hawks fairly-used clothes (okrika). It took him time to raise N85,000, which he paid in installments. “I am from Owerri in Imo State, while my husband is from Abia State. We got married three years ago. Before I had these triplets, I had twins who died immediately after birth. When I was pregnant for the triplets, I was very sick; I could not walk long distance because my belly was very big. “I want government to help pay the balance of the hospital bills and also help us with basic necessities for the babies. Right now I cannot work because the babies are still young.” She gave their bank account details as UBA: 2043213179 (Umeh Okore).  

Account Freezing: Court summons EFCC, adjourns Fayose’s mandatory application

Ado Ekiti—Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has instituted a suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  and Zenith Bank Plc over the freezing of his accounts. The case was filed on behalf of Fayose by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital. The Court ordered that the EFCC and Zenith Bank should appear before it on July 4 to show cause why Fayose’s demands on the freezing of his accounts should not be granted.

Fayose is seeking the de-freezing of the accounts. Delivering his ruling, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, said he quite understood that the applicant (Fayose) enjoys immunity and that the court can adjudicate on this matter as canvassed by the counsel to the plaintiff, but he pointed out that the relief he basically sought was a mandatory order of the court. Also, the same court yesterday vacated an exparte order it gave to the factional Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) allegedly loyal to Senator Buruji Kashamu, restricting the executives of the faction, loyal to Governor Fayose, from parading themselves as authentic excos of the party. The order had given recognition to the Exco of Buruji Kashamu, but it has now been reversed. Ekiti youths protest against EFCC, FG Meantime, hundreds of youths from tertiary institutions in Ekiti State, yesterday protested against perceived selective anti-graft war by EFCC, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari must ensure that his anti-corruption war cuts across board if indeed he desires to convince Nigerians that his administration stands for true change. The students, who represented several tertiary institutions such as Ekiti State University, EKSU, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, POLYADO, Ikere College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti and College of Health and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti among others, displayed placards with various inscriptions such as: ‘Nigerians are suffering under Buhari’s govt’, ‘Enough of political harassment in the name of fighting corruption’, ‘Buhari, obey court orders and respect human rights, we are in democracy!’ and ‘enough of selective anti-corruption fight by EFCC/ICPC among others. They marched from the Fajuyi park towards Ojumose roundabout in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti, chanting hate songs against the government. Leaders of the various students who include Ibrahim Oladimeji EKSU, Ayegbusi Paul, (POLYADO), Oyebade Adeyemi (IJERO), Onilearo Gbenga, (COLLEGE), addressed the crowds who followed them in droves.

‘I started sleeping with my daughter out of frustration’

A 41-year-old man, Raymond Anyanwu, who reportedly raped and impregnated his 15 years old daughter, said that frustration led him into the act. Anyanwu, who committed the offence at Ajao Estate, Isolo, said: “I started sleeping with my 15-year-old daughter sometime around January, after I lost my job. “I am a transporter, but I took to alcohol after I lost my job and could not meet up with my responsibilities as the head of the house.” We gathered that Raymond Anyanwu sleeps with his daughter when his wife has gone to work. However, trouble started after the victim’s aunty suspected that she was pregnant. After carrying out a test at home, they discovered she was pregnant. The victim, it was learned, revealed that her father was responsible for her pregnancy, and the mother decided to play it down as a family issue after her husband beat her up, warning her not to disclose the incident to anyone. We learnt

that Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development alerted the police and the suspect was arrested last Wednesday. Meanwhile, the victim’s mother had arranged for an abortion, which had been carried out before she was rescued and taken into protective custody by the Lagos State government. The case, which is currently being investigated at the Gender Unit of Lagos State Police Command, will be charged to Ikeja Magistrate’s Court today.

Shina Peters, Nwa Aba, others storm Malaysia

Sir Shina Peters, Ruffcoin Nwa Aba, Digidi Dunhill and other musicians will be in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia for  the  Africa Music Festival  (AMF) slated for July 24, 2016. It is scheduled to hold at the popular “The Club Ballroom”, Bukit Utama, Damansara in Kuala Lumpur. The event, which is being sponsored by Ofuobi Progressive International Club (OPIC), a leading social club in Malaysia is one of the most trending news among Nigerians and foreigners residing in Malaysia. President of the club, King Evans noted that the decision to bring the top artistes to Malaysia was based on popular demands by Africans residing in the country. According to the chairman of the event, Comrade Biafra Diboh, who doubles as President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Malaysia, It will also afford the African communities in Malaysia the opportunity to come together and relax with their family under one roof.         “ It will also help promote not only our music in this land but the rich cultural heritage of our people” he said.

Enyimba seek Sundowns’ downfall

Enyimba of Aba are in Pretoria, South Africa with the aim of taking all three points from Memalodi Sundowns and launch themselves back into reckoning for the CAF Champions League. Having fell 1-0 in Port Harcourt to Zamalek, Enyimba need to pick up the pieces on Wednesday, when they clash with the South African champions. Enyimba defender, Idris Aloma was optimistic that the Nigerian champions will win the rest of their games and qualify for the semi-final. “It’s unfortunate that Enyimba FC lost at home to Zamalek SC in their first match in the group stage but it’s now important for us to win when they play against Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday,” Aloma told Goal. “If they secure a win away and at home against Sundowns then a semi final birth might be insight for Enyimba FC. “The win against Abia Warriors on Wednesday will serve as booster for the team but it’s very important for the management of the club to meet the needs of the team as its obvious that they still have a bright chance to make the last four.” Enyimba FC and Mamelodi Sundowns are pointless with Zamalek SC topping the three-team group with three points.

Late publication of accounts: CBN to sack banks’ CEOs, chairmen

LAGOS — The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said it will sack chief executive officer and chairman of any bank that fails to publish its financial statement within the regulatory period.

This was contained in the Monetary, Credit, Foreign Trade and Exchange Policy Guidelines for the 2016/2017 fiscal year released by the apex bank, yesterday. According to the CBN, all banks must publish their financial statements latest four months after their financial year or risk severe sanction, including removal of the chief executive officer and the chairman. The CBN stated: “In accordance with BOFIA 2010 LFN, banks are required, subject to the written approval of the CBN, to publish not later than four months after the end of each financial year, their audited financial statements (statement of financial position and statement of comprehensive income) in a national newspaper printed and circulated in Nigeria. “To facilitate the implementation of consolidated supervision, all banks, discount houses and their subsidiaries shall continue to adopt December 31, as their accounting year-end. “The CBN shall continue to hold the Board Chairman and Managing Director (MD) of a defaulting bank directly responsible for any breach and impose appropriate sanctions which may include the following: Barring the MD or his/her nominee from participation in the Bankers’ Committee and disclosing the reason for such suspension;  suspension of the foreign exchange dealership licence of the bank and its name sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (in the case of a public quoted company); and removal of the chairman and managing director from office if the accounts remain unpublished for 12 months after the end of the bank’s financial year.” Naira depreciates N281.5/$ Meanwhile, the naira depreciated in interbank and parallel segments of the foreign exchange market yesterday. At the interbank market, the naira depreciated marginally by 35 kobo as the interbank exchange rate for spot transactions rose to N281.49 per dollar from N281.14 per dollar. But at the parallel market, the naira depreciated by N10 or 3.2 percent as the parallel exchange rate rose sharply to N351 per dollar from N340 per dollar on Monday. A bureau de change operator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the sharp depreciation was due to resurgence of demand for dollars, while supply has declined. Last week, the naira appreciated significantly in the parallel market due to panic selling of dollars which boosted supply. The BDC source, however, said the appreciation was due to panic reaction to the commencement of the revived interbank foreign exchange market under the new flexible foreign exchange policy introduced by the CBN two weeks ago.

FG dares Varsities: Conduct Post-UTME, face sanctions

Abuja—Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, yesterday, reiterated the Federal Government’s ban on Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, Post-UTME, conducted by tertiary institutions for admission into universities and other higher schools of learning in the country. Adamu told journalists in Abuja that any institution that violates the directive will be punished by the Federal Government. He said: “The ban is with immediate effect and under no circumstance should any institution violate the directive. Those who have already advertised for the conduct of the Post-UTME under any guise should stop the exercise immediately. “If any tertiary institution has already conducted Post-UTME, such an exercise stands annulled and money taken from candidates must be refunded immediately.” He said the emphasis had become necessary to ensure that no stakeholder was left in doubt about government’s position on the matter. He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, any educational institution, after secondary education, is regarded as a tertiary institution. Therefore, all tertiary institutions, by whatever name it is called, after secondary education, must be subjected to admission through JAMB.” He added that universities were at liberty to expel any student who failed to meet up with the requirements for any degree enrolled for. He said there was no empirical evidence to show that since the inception of Post-UTME, universities had been having better students, adding that students were still being expelled annually for low performance, even as they gained admission through Post-UTME. He said parents and guardians spend fortunes on transportation, hotel accommodation, examination fees and sundry costs, just for their wards to gain admission into universities; while in some cases, parents die in the process of travelling to secure admission for their wards, a situation he described as painful and avoidable. Adamu directed the National Universities Commission, NUC, and the appropriate departments in the ministry to communicate this directive to relevant agencies and institutions to ensure strict compliance.

Why court removed Gov Ikpeazu of Abia State

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja presided over by  Justice Okon Abang has annulled the election of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and ordered INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to Mr. Uche Oga, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, who contested the governorship ticket with the governor. The order was based on the allegation that Ikpeazu submitted false information to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the party’s governorship primary in December 2014. The court held that Mr. Ikpeazu was guilty of tax evasion and was, therefore, unqualified to have contested the 2015 governorship election in the state. The court also ordered the governor to vacate office immediately, and hand over to Mr. Ogah, who came second in the PDP governorship primary in Abia. The accusation Gov. Ikpeazu was accused by two members of the PDP for  failing to pay personal income tax promptly  as  at when due for 2010 and 2011 in line with Section 24(f) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “It shall be the duty of every citizen to … declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly.” Ikpeazu In suit no. FHC/ABJ/ CS/1086/2014, dated December 22, 2014, and instituted at the Federal High Court, Abuja, two individuals, Obasi Eke and Chukwuemeka Mba, had asked the PDP and INEC to disqualify Mr. Ikpeazu from contesting the governorship election. The plaintiffs contended that Mr. Ikpeazu was not fit and proper, having failed to pay his personal income tax for two years in line with the demand of the Constitution of Nigeria. They further asked the court for “A declaration that the 3rd de­ fendant, Mr. Ikpeazu, having failed and/or refused to pay his personal income tax promptly as at when due for the years 2010 and 2011 in compliance with the mandatory provisions of Section 24(f) of the CFRN, 1999, as amended, as well as Paragraph 13 of Part IV of the Electoral Guidelines for Primary Elections 2014, is not a fit and proper person to contest the gubernatorial election of Abia State in the 2015 general election, and is accordingly disqualified from contesting the election.” They also asked for an order barring the PDP from presenting Mr Ikpeazu as candidate for governor in the 2015 election. Other reliefs sought by the plaintiffs included an order barring INEC from accepting Mr. Ikpeazu as Abia State PDP governorship candidate for the 2015 election. They also requested a consequential order that the candidate at the PDP primary election of December 8, 2014, who polled the second highest number of votes cast at the said election should be pronounced the rightful

candidate of the party for the governorship election. Don’t panic, I remain your governor, Ikpeazu tells Abians Reacting to his removal from office, the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu  called on Abians not to panic, but  to remain calm over the judgment delivered  in favour of Mr. Uche Oga against him, in the case of alleged falsification of tax receipts. Governor Ikpeazu, who said that he has faith in the judiciary and rule of law, added that he will appeal the ruling as he has instructed his lawyers to file an appeal immediately against the said judgment. The Governor noted as an appointee of the Abia State Government from 2011 to 2014, when he served as the General Manager, Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMSS), and first Deputy General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) Aba and Environs respectively, before his resignation in October 2014 to contest the Governorship election in the state,   his taxes were deducted at source, and when he had need of his tax clearance in 2014, he applied to the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, and was duly issued with his tax receipts for the period in question. He maintained that he remains the Governor of the state according to law and will await the final determination of the matter by the appellate court.

Breaking News: Court sacks Abia Gov, Ikpeazu

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja annuls the election of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, orders INEC to issue a certificate of return to Dr. Samson Oga. The court also ordered Ikpeazu to vacate office immediately This order was base on allegation that Ikpeazu submitted false information to his party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for the party’s governorship primary in December 2014. In his ruling, Justice Okon Abang ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately issue a certificate of return to the complainant, Uche Ogah. More details soon

4 tips for weary job seekers in Nigeria

Nigeria is a dynamic and prolific location for businessmen and job seekers from around the world. People visit the country regularly on business and some even relocate to settle in the country. Unfortunately, with the budding recession, many have been laid off and are in search of new jobs. Even citizens who return to the country are actively seeking job opportunities. Some have even been searching for over 3 months and have found the length of the process and the constant rejection discouraging. For those struggling to gain an edge in the job market and find the position that suits their needs in Nigeria, JumiaTravel, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site has 4 under-the-radar tips for weary job seekers in Nigeria. Your C.V is not the most important thing Most people assume that having a great CV or resume is the most important aspect of getting the job they are searching for, and so once they feel their document is on point, they do not really put effort into other areas of their life.  The thing though is that hiring managers these days prefer to get a much more accurate picture of who you are by evaluating your online persona. They research your social handles, work portfolio, published articles, as they tend to believe they would paint a better picture of you. It is therefore important that you ensure all your digital handles are strong and portray a good image of you. An account on LinkedIn is crucial The world is different now. The social media plays a huge role in almost every aspect of life now. Even hiring managers seem to be relying on the social media than the much older forms of media.  A platform that is most visited and considered and used by employers as their primary search tool is LinkedIn.  If you are really keen on landing the job you are searching for, you need to ensure you have an account on LinkedIn, and ensure you take as much advantage as you can. Make Networking a Bigger Priority Most people just apply for a job and sit at home, hoping and praying for a response. They spend every free and valuable time they have searching for more jobs online. Unfortunately, in doing so, they close themselves up and pass up opportunities to network with others. The thing about Nigeria though is, finding a job usually comes down to knowing the right people and usually, the best way to know people is by meeting them through mutual contacts or at events. Ensure you are getting out of your house and networking.  Put out the word that you are in search of a job and do not be shy in giving details about the kind of job you desire. You never know where you may find a link. Make your interview as exciting as possible No hiring manager looks forward to job interviews as the process is generally considered painful and draining. Basically, recruiting and job seeking is a vulnerable and time for everyone involved, and so they tend to respond better to candidate  who manage to bring energy and enthusiasm to their conversations.  Ensure you keep your conversations upbeat, but also do not stray from the main point.

I am tired of my ‘silver-spoon’ wife, she can’t wash, cook

MY new wife is obviously not interested in creating a home for us. I have a good job, which means I am often away during the week, but she seems to resent doing any housework. She is supposed to be in the family business, but she scarcely goes there. I assumed when we got married the deal would be that I’d earn the money while she kept our home ticking over. But I’ve never got a clean shirt or anything decent to eat – and the house is always in chaos. All she wants to do is see her friends. Her parents have agreed to help with domestic helps but for how long? She’s always been spoilt by her parents but they had assured me she could cope with marriage. How do I make her understand that I can’t function like this? It’s a bit too early to be complaining to her parents. Paul by e-mail

  Dear Paul, If you two have never sat down to discuss how you’re going to live your new life, you can’t blame your wife for not knowing what the ‘deal’ is supposed to be. The first thing you need to do is talk. If your wife doesn’t wish to run the home, what is her contribution to this marriage going to be? Your wife can’t take all the blame here. You knew she was a ‘silver-spoon kid’when you met and married her – and that’s all the life she knows. Her transition into a good house-wife is going to take a lot of efforts and patience from you. This is a new journey for both of you and compromises will be needed all along the line. But you can’t compromise unless you talk – so don’t waste another minute. She obviously wanted marriage or she wouldn’t agree to be led to alter.

Why Court overruled FG, granted Saraki, Ekweremadu, others bail

ABUJA – Despite stiff opposition from the Federal Government, an Abuja High Court at Jabi, on Monday, released the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, former Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and his deputy, Mr. Benedict Efeturi, on bail. The quartet were docked before the court on a two-count forgery charge the federal government entered against them.

The defendants were alleged to have masterminded the usage of a bogus Senate Standing Rules for the July 9, 2015, election, through which both Saraki and Ekweremadu took over the leadership of the Senate. FG maintained that the defendants had by their conduct, committed an offence punishable under Section 97 (1) and 364 of the Penal Code Act. However, though FG which was represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, did not oppose Saraki’s bail request, it however urged the court to deny the other defendants bail. The DPP told the court that Ekweremadu and the other defendants previously evaded service of the charge on them. “We urge this court to be cautious in handling the bail of the 1st, 2nd and 4th defendants. This is also considering the fact that the charge against them is very serious”, the DPP insisted. He noted that the three defendants evaded service until the court granted an order for substituted service of the charge on them by pasting it at the National Assembly notice board. “My lord, what this means is that if granted bail, the defendants may not be seen again for trial”, Diri added. He said FG’s decision not to oppose Saraki’s bail application was to ensure that legislative business in the Senate was not hampered. Meanwhile, delivering a bench ruling on the matter, trial Justice Yusuf Halilu stressed that the essence of bail was to ensure the liberty of an accused person who under section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. “The law is trite that considering whether or not to grant bail is within the discretion of the court and exercise of such discretion must be done judiciously and judicially”, the Judge held. He observed that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, equally “lends supports that an accused person standing trial shall be granted bail to enable him prepare defence”. He said the concept of “presumption of innocence” under the Constitution entails that an accused person should be afforded the facility and time to prepare to defend the charge before the court. “Consequently, and having considered the applications for bail and submissions by counsel to the defendants, Mr. Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN, Mahmud Magaji, SAN, Paul Erokoro, SAN, and J.B. Daudu, SAN. “Also having considered the counter-affidavit from the DPP, I shall allow the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants to go home today. “However, the 1st, 2nd and 4th defendants shall provide two reasonable sureties each”, Justice Halilu ruled. He maintained that the sureties must be owners of landed properties in the highbrow areas of Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse II or Garki in Abuja. The court subsequently fixed July 11 to commence full-blown trial of the defendants. Meantime, there was heavy security presence within perimeters of the court which shares boundary with the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, where Saraki is also answering to another 16-count charge bordering on his alleged false/anticipatory declaration of assets. Supporters of the embattled lawmakers thronged the court premises in their numbers to observe the proceeding. Whereas Saraki who appeared calm all through the proceeding, wore his usual white Caftan with matching cap, Ekweremadu on the other hand, wore traditional Igbo attire. Earlier, armed security operatives barred photo-journalists from gaining entrance into the court premises, a development that led to protest by the journalists. It took the intervention of lawyers to persuade the mobile police men to grant the camera men entry into the premises. The two-count charge which the defendant took turns to plead to on Monday read: “That you, Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. Olubukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, on or about, the 9th of June, 2015, at the National Assembly complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, conspired amongst yourselves to forge the Senate Standing Order, 2011 (as amended) and you thereby committed the offence of conspiracy, punishable under Section 97 (1) of the Penal Code Law. “That you, Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. Olubukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, on or about the 9th of June, 2015, at the National Assembly complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, with fraudulent intent, forged the Senate Standing Order 2011 (as amended), causing it to be believed as the genuine Standing Order, 2015 and circulated same for use during the inauguration of the 8th Senate of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when you knew that the said Order was not made in compliance with the procedure for amendment of the Senate Order. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law.” The charge marked CR/219/16, and dated June 10, was okayed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN.

Super Eagles will have substantive Head Coach in 2 weeks’ time —Pinnick

Amaju Pinnick, the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Sunday in Ibadan said the Super Eagles would have a substantive Head Coach within the next two weeks. Pinnick told newsmen that the football body was working assiduously to ensure they got a new head coach for the Super Eagles, urging Nigerians to hope for the best. The NFF President was in Ibadan to watch a 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match. The NPFL Match Day 24 fixture between hosts Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and FC IfeanyiUbah Football Club ended in a 2-2 draw. Pinnick also spoke on the Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifier draws, pointing out that football has come of age and was getting tougher by the day. “Football has come of age. Peru beat Brazil in Copa America. But I think we have assets that can make the country proud and I believe we will qualify,’’ he said. The African 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have the Super Eagles placed in Group B with Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia. The NFF President said Super Eagles players were excited about facing Algeria and not Egypt, adding that the Federation would do everything possible to support them to qualify. “We will ensure that we make the difference in all,’’ he said. Also speaking on the allegation that he was in Ibadan as a guest of FC IfeanyiUbah, Pinnick said he was there to visit his aunt. “I grew up here and I am a fan of 3SC. I have only come to greet my aunty in Ibadan,’’ he stated. Pinnick said he was very glad to see football fans come out in their thousands to support 3SC. “It is a sign of the people’s love for the team and the game,’’ he said.

Russia 2018: Tough pool does not bother us, Eagles boast

Nigeria’s senior team stalwarts have refused to be worried about being housed in the African 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification series’ so –called group of death.

Reactions have been sharp, immediate and interesting, from NFF President Amaju Pinnick’s “now we must quickly sort out the issue of Head Coach and his assistants and put every other thing in place in good time,” to former Eagles’ captain and member of     the   NFF  Technical Committee Garba Lawal’s “I would rather lose to Algeria than lose to Chad.” Now, the players themselves have come out to express confidence that the Super Eagles can earn a third straight FIFA World Cup ticket despite the challenge of Algeria, Zambia and Cameroon. Interim Head Coach, Salisu Yusuf Without any doubt, this is a tough draw but with commitment, determination and motivation, the Super Eagles will scale these hurdles and qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Ogenyi Onazi This is not a bad draw. I believe the Super Eagles are equal to the task. All we need to do now is to start planning from this very moment. We have to get our coach in place and give him, whether white or black, a very conducive environment to work. I am confident that by the grace of God we will qualify. We will give our 100% in every game and try to win whether home or away. Every match must be taken as a matter of life and death. Leon Balogun Far from easy, but it’s the hard road that leads to success. Let’s take this opportunity and earn our spot. William Troost Ekong I think it’s a tough draw, but I never imagined we were going to get any easy opponents on the way to 2018 World Cup. I believe that we can do it. If we can put everything in place structurally for all members of staff and players to focus on just the games, together with the support of our nation we will be successful. Elderson Echiejile It is not an easy group, I must say, but we have all what it takes to finish top of that group and I believe we can. We have to start preparing NOW (put everything in proper place). It is never too early to start preparing for such matches. We are the Super Eagles. Brown Ideye At this stage of football, tough groups like the type we have found ourselves are to be expected. To get to the World Cup, we cannot cut corners or relax or take things for granted. The World Cup is the biggest football stage where you meet the best of the best, so getting there will be tough. Now, we have to be prepared to work hard. If we work hard together as a team we will win matches and if we win our games we will qualify. The media have to be involved in this as well. They (media) have a huge role to play in motivating and psyching our team to do well. Everything is in our hands, we must plan well and ensure our house is in order. I believe we will qualify.

Liquidity pressure: Banks borrow N930bn from CBN

LAGOS — Liquidity pressure heightened in the banking industry, last week, forcing banks’ borrowings from Central Bank of Nigeria’s Standing Lending Facility, SLF, to rise 230.61 per cent to N929.52 billion.

Conversely, the Standing Deposit Facility, SDF, has equally declined 61.76 per cent to N227.44 billion during the week, indicating that banks are also withdrawing heavily from their deposits in CBN as the liquidity pressure bites harder. Banks use the CBN’s SLF to support their liquidity shortfalls and meet trading obligations on short term basis, while keeping excess cash with the apex bank in the SDF also on short term basis. Banks treasurers said the current liquidity pressure was coming from the Naira back-up for foreign exchange demands under the new foreign exchange regime where banks had to provide Naira back-up of over N1.2 trillion last week. The treasurers said Nigerian interbank money market experienced sustained liquidity strain which led to higher lending rates at the interbank market. At the backdrop of the liquidity pressure, CBN auctioned its Nigerian Treasury Bills, NTB, causing liquidity outflow of N285.4 billion, through a 91-day worth N18.12 billion; 182-day NTB worth N11.34 billion; and 364-day NTB worth N50 billion. Though the outflows were partly offset by inflows in matured treasury bills worth N107.46 billion, there was also an additional N205.94 billion worth of NTB sold by the apex bank through open market operations. Consequently, the net effect of the outflows and the liquidity squeeze was a further spike in interbank rates as marginal rates for the various tenors of NTB increased to 9.99% (from 8%); 12.3% (from 9.35%); and 14.99% (from 11.99%) respectively. More significantly, the Nigerian Interbank Offered Rates, NIBOR, for overnight funds, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months closed astronomically higher at 24.46% (from 2.15%), 14.49% (from 8.06%), 16.07% (from 12.34%) and 17.22% (from 13.89%) respectively. Meanwhile, yields on the Nigerian Interbank True Treasury Bills Yield mostly increased amid financial system liquidity strain. Yields on the 1 month, 3 months and 6 months maturities increased to 10.59% (from 2.93%), 11.53% (from 8.34%), 13.03% (from 9.82%) respectively.

‘All Police Officers Must Declare Their Assets’ -Acting IG, Ibrahim Idris

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has ordered that all officers from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) must declare their assets.

Idris, who spoke in Abuja yesterday during a visit to the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazzau, said: “We are going to make sure that our police officers are more accountable to the people and we are going to make sure that we take over the street from criminals and ensure that our presence is felt in our cities, towns and villages.

“We are also going to operate within the concept of Rule of Law and the Code of Conduct Law of this country and the Section 13 of the Code provides that every officer must declare their asset and I am assuring you that every police officer from my rank (IGP) to the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)  must declare their asset.

On why officers must declare their assets, he said: “Under Section 13 of the Code of Conduct law, Cap 15 in the Federal Law of Nigeria, every police officer from the IGP to the ASPs are the Commission officers and they must declare their asset.

“I must declare my assets  and every police officer must declare his asset since I am declaring mine. They are the commissioned officers under our structure and it is the requirement of the Code of Conduct Law of Federal Republic of Nigeria and I don’t think a sate made law for the fun of it. The essence of making law for everybody to declare his or her asset is to uphold certain rules.”

My testimonies as Miss Nigeria– Lessi Peter-Vigboro

In November of 2015 Lessi Peter-Vigboro had her childhood fantasy staring her in the face and waking her up from the dream land to reality when she was crowned the 39th Miss Nigeria. For the 23 years old, Rivers State-born, University of Port Harcourt’s computer science graduate, it was an opportunity to reach out to other people, and make a difference. But Before winning the Miss Nigeria pageant, she had participated in two pageants earlier which sort of prepared her for the big one. She won the Miss Ogoni pageant and was third runner-up for Miss Niger Delta. Winning Miss Nigeria came with some testimonies and she shares them with us: What was it like being part of Miss Nigeria? The contest was one of the best I have ever been part of. I had to challenge myself and put up the right kind of mindset. That was one of the best moments of my life because I pushed myself and I like the result that came out of it. What is your motive for being part of beauty pageants? I think every little girl has this dream or fantasy of being a princess. As a little girl I have always been fascinated by the glamour. But growing up I became part of a lot of volunteering works and I felt that pageantry will give me a bigger platform to make impact.

Do you think without pageants you won’t have the reach and the impact? Without pageants you can definitely make impact. You can make an impact even without having an NGO but it’s more about you wanting to do it. You don’t necessarily have to be a beauty queen before you make an impact. That said, pageants give you a very wide platform. I didn’t take it serious when I was in school because I had my studies to focus on. I had to find time to balance school and modeling. It was so challenging, but because it’s something I enjoy, I was able to juggle both. Why did you keep trying after being part of other beauty pageants? What happened was that I had bought the form for Miss Nigeria in 2014 and it didn’t hold that year. I rounded off school and went for youth service and I found out that they were doing audition, but because I had bought the form I decided to be part of it, because I didn’t want to waste the money I used to purchase the form. Going in there, I decided to give it my best shot mentally and if it doesn’t work it won’t be because I didn’t try. I guess God rewarded my efforts What gave you an edge over the other contestants? Truth is, there were other pretty, smart girls. I kept a positive mindset and God is also a factor in it. During the point of selecting a winner, we had a tie between the first runner-up and me. I was asked a question during the tie about my business. I was asked to talk about my business’s unique selling proposition and I had learnt something about that during the business plan competition we had in camp. I had to talk about what will make my business stand out. I think that also gave me an edge. What were your plans when you won the pageant and how far have you gone with it? Well, in as much as I know that beauty pageants are fun and glamourous, my plan is to give back to the society and learn from the experience. I hope to come out a better, stronger and wiser woman. I have been working with some organizations. For now. I don’t have an NGO of my own but it doesn’t stop me from being involved in some activities. Right now, I am working with an organization to raise awareness on breast cancer. We just concluded a charity marathon with Edo State, where we tested women and were able to raise some funds. I also engage in some programmes involving orphanages. I made it a point to use my platform to advocate for peace and non-violence agitation because it’s important to me as well. I am from Ogoni in the Niger-Delta region and a lot of cases of violence go on there. I try to use my platform to advocate for peace and non-violence resolution of issues. We’ve also had some environmental issues in that region, so I also use my platform to promote the environment in a good way to see how we can have a healthy environment. What would you have been if you weren’t a beauty queen? I love to write, so I hope to be an author someday. I’ll definitely pursue that. I’m sure that I would have been in a company taking a regular job, but my passion is writing. So what has changed about you since you became Miss Nigeria? I’m not a very dressy person, I like to be simple a lot, but a whole lot of glamour comes with my position, so my dressing has changed. This experience has also made me think properly about the decisions I make. I think I’m a more responsible person because I have a brand and image to uphold. There have been cases of exploitation in pageants, what has been your experience in that regard? I’ve not had such an experience. Maybe by intuition or perception, I think that’s probably why I went for Miss Nigeria, because right from the onset, the brand has been synonymous with the right kind of values. It tries to portray the Nigerian woman in a good light and also brings out the potential of the Nigerian woman. It’s a very transparent, free and fair pageant. The experience so far has been good and what my handlers do is push me to bring out the best in me. What has being a beauty queen taught you? I’ve learnt that I have to be held responsible for the decisions I make and that I should always find a way to give back to the society. I’ve learnt to be more interactive with people to build relationships because it is required. My communication skills are getting better. Generally, I’ve learnt to improve on myself. People expect a lot from a beauty queen, so it has pushed me to invest a lot in myself so I can be better prepared. Can you tell us about your love life? Before I got into this, I wasn’t in a relationship. And when I got into this I was told that I need to be focused. So it wasn’t much of a challenge to me because I wasn’t already in a relationship. Being in the public eye now, you get a lot male attention, how do you handle that? Being a beautiful woman, whether you’re a beauty queen or not, you’ll always get male attention. It’s something that happens in every girl’s life. As a grown up young girl, I’ve been able to manage that, so I still apply the same strategies. What strategies do you apply? I just try not to do whatever I’m not comfortable with. I stick to my values basically and whatever resonates with me.

Ex-police corporal reveals exploits of his robbery gang

An ex-police corporal, Christ Oboko, who is also a pastor and leader of a notorious robbery gang terrorizing   Port Harcourt City, Rivers State, for a long time, has been arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team, IRT.   The suspect who was attached to a special criminal squad code named C4I, in Rivers State, was arrested alongside three others.

They were said to have confessed during interrogations of having stolen several vehicles, within Port Harcourt city, which they sold to buyers in Owerri, Imo State. Oboko who resides at Police Barack in Borokiri area of the city was said to be the gang’s armorer who provided the guns which the gang used in its operations. He also provided cover for them while moving the stolen vehicles to the buyers Police sources disclosed that members of his gang while terrorizing Port Harcourt city enjoyed full protection from Oboko, who normally secured bail for them and defended them whenever they were arrested by the police.   A police source disclosed that Oboko normally produced fake vehicle documents for each vehicle that was snatched and he also changed the vehicle engine and chassis numbers before transporting to the buyer. When Crime Guard interviewed Oboko, he confessed snatching eight vehicles and selling them to one Victor based in Owerri.   35-year-old Oboko, who is a native of Onitcha Ugbo in Delta state lamented that his informant lured him into crime; “I am married with children and I reside at Police Barracks on   Iche Street, Borokiri, Port Harcourt.   I joined the Nigeria Police Force in April 2003   and I have served at   Boroki Police Division. From there I went to Special Anti-Robbery Squad SARS before joining   C4I.   I started the business of car snatching in 2015 when I meet Amandi. He was he our informant and he lured me into robbery.     It all   started when Amandi   brought two vehicles and gave them to Victor Nwogu to sell.   I met them during the negotiation   and from there I offered to join them. Our exploits I robbed a Toyota Camry car at D-line area of Port Harcourt . We took the car to Victor in Owerri. I sold the car to him for N200,000.   Three of us were involved. I took N70,000 and gave Amandi and Kelvin the balance to share.   On the second operation, the three of us also went to D-line where we stole three Camry cars from the park. We took the vehicles to Victor in Owerri who paid us N360, 000. I got N150, 000 as my share. We also snatched   a Toyota Corolla, from Elelanwan area  with a gun and took the car  to Victor who paid N250,000. I   took N80,000  and I gave the rest to Amandi and Kelvin to share. We also snatched a Toyota Spider at GRA, from its owner at gun point and parked it inside Borokiri sand field.   But before we arrived in the morning the car had been removed. Aiding, abetting criminals I was always going to secure the release of my gang members whenever they were arrested by the police and I don’t know what came over me. I am the  resident Pastor of Battle Axe Assembly church at Chuba Allo area of Port Harcourt and I have a calling.   I just don’t know what pushed me to go and join Amandi in his evil business. On his part, his partner in crime, Amandi, a 27-year-old native of Bayelsa State, opened up on their exploits too. He said; “I was a commercial bus driver before I went into robbery and I started by snatching cars. One of my friends, Kelvin, who we normally call Side-Mirror, a fellow commercial bus driver led me into my first gang headed by one Okute, who is from Edo State. Side-Mirror and I were both drivers but he was always looking better and spending more money than me.   When my wife became pregnant and I needed money to arrange for her delivery, and things were not working well for me, I approached Side-Mirror for assistance and he revealed that bus driving wasn’t the only job he did    He took me to his boss, one Okute at Diop area of Port Harcourt area and since I was a good driver, I was accepted into the gang.     When I joined I discovered that  Okute had several boys working for him . Whenever my boss wanted to go for an operation, he would come to our base at Market Junction in Port Harcourt, and pick anyone he wanted to work with. We stole five cars in one night operation “I went to five operations with him and in our first operation, we stole a Toyota Camry at Market Junction.   My boss saw the car where it was parked and liked it, he then stole it in the night and took it to Owerri and gave it to one Kabiru, a uniformed man.   In my second operation, we stole five cars in one night.   Three of us were involved in that operation and we first stole a white colored Toyota Corolla from Elekoyo Estate, Port Harcourt. We also stole two Nissan Sunny vehicles from Artillery area of Port harcourt as well as two Toyota Camry cars   from D-line area of Port Harcourt. We parked all the cars at Diop and the  next day, we called   Ifeanyi,   an ex-policeman to assist us drive the cars to Owerri, and hand it over to Kabiru, who paid N500,000 for the two Camrys while Okute alone went and collected the balance . He gave me N60, 000 as my share.   Side-Mirror and I  became angry with Okute.   Two weeks later he came to Port Harcourt with a Toyota Corolla and he asked us to watch over it but Side-Mirror made away with it and appealed to  him to give us the balance from the five cars  we took to Owerri, but he lied that he had not been paid. My encounter with Corporal Oboko Two of my friends, who kidnapped a former local government Chairman in Bayelsa State brought two of the man’s cars to me to sell in Port Harcourt, and when I was checking the cars in Nembe Waterside, Corporal Oboko and one of his colleagues confronted us and took the cars away from us.     He didn’t   take the cars to the station but converted the cars to his own use.   Three months after, he saw me on the road and asked me to forgive him saying that he would like me to work with him. He took me to his boss at C4I and told him that I was highly resourceful   and I can give them information about armed robbers operating   within Rivers state.   His boss promised to reward me handsomely if I assisted them and I accepted.   I gave them information   that led to the arrest of big armed robbers and they   recovered assorted arms and  ammunition. I was rewarded as promised but after some month, Corporal Oboko called me and said that the car he took from me was giving him trouble and he needed another car and wanted me to get it for him.  I told him that I had stopped stealing cars since I started working with them, but   he insisted and said that he would follow me to wherever I wanted to steal the car and would ensure that I was successful. Robbery operations with Oboko We both went out on the first operation and we stole a Honda end of discussion. He then gave his father the old car and started riding the new one. He then suggested that we should go for more robberies.   He also established contact with a stolen vehicle receiver in Owerri, and we started stealing cars from parks around Port Harcourt at night. We stole several cars and took them to the receiver in Owerri and we shared the proceeds equally.   We were very close to the extent that when ever I was arrested, my people would call him and he would come to the police station and tell them that I was his boy and I worked for C4I and the policemen would release me.   At a point, Oboko said he was tired of operating at the dead of the night and he wanted to start using guns to snatch cars whenever he needed them. I thought he was joking , but few days after he said this, he brought two pistols, which he claimed he bought. We did several operations together around Port Harcourt, but at a point, Oboko started cheating me.   After snatching a car he would take it to the receiver, sell it and refused to give me my share. He also stopped carrying me along and was working with some other boys he knew through me. Not long after then, I was arrested and I led the police to apprehend him.