Nigerian Army Writes PREMIUM TIMES, Talks Tough, Threatens Legal Action

The Nigerian Army has written PREMIUM TIMES, threatening to sue the paper for what it termed unwarranted serial provocative, unauthorised, libelous and defamatory publication” against the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, a Lieutenant General, and the army’s counter-insurgency in the north-east of the country.
The letter, dated December 22, 2016, and signed by I.M Alkali, a major general, on behalf of Mr. Buratai, accused the paper of publishing reports without reference to the army, adding that its stories exposed a “deep hatred for the leadership of the Nigerian Army.”
The letter expressed displeasure with three stories published by the medium between October and December last year.
The reports were those on the planned invitation of Mr. Buratai by the Code of Conduct Bureau for asset verification, the disappearance of a high number of soldiers after a Boko Haram attack and an investigation detailing how soldiers allegedly killed a kidnapped pastor and labeled him a kidnapper.
The army in its letter described the reports as “false,” “unsubstantiated,” and “unprofessional.”
“Despite the fact that your unprofessional publications are injurious to the personality of the leadership of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Army as a whole, it may interest you to know that your attempts have failed woefully to malign and impugn the hard-earned character of the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army,” the letter said.
The letter therefore ordered PREMIUM TIMES to retract the said publications and apologise to Mr. Buratai and the Nigerian Army.

“Your retraction should be done in at least 3 national dailies and in online newspapers for 3 days consecutively from 29-31 December 2016.
“You are to also publish an apology to the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army in 3 Nigeria newspaper and online publications.
“Failure to retract and withdraw the said publications by Premium Times Services Limited on or before 31 December, 2016, the Nigerian Army team of lawyers will be instructed to proceed against you in court.”
Officials at PREMIUM TIMES said the letter from the Army Headquarters arrived the paper’s head office in Abuja a day after the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Lucky Irabor, labelled the medium a Boko Haram supporter on live television.
Contacted Wednesday for comments on the letter, Editor-in-Chief Musikilu Mojeed said, “All I can say at this point is that we stand by our stories.
“We have passed the letter to our lawyers for appropriate response. I can assure you they (the Army) will get an appropriate response before long.”
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/220177-nigerian-army-writes-premium-times-talks-tough-threatens-legal-action.html

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Appeals To Buhari Over Nnamdi Kanu

The national youth president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mr Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to respect the feelings of the Ndigbo and ensure quick release of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi  Kanu.

According to him, The continued detention of Nnmadi Kanu will create the impression that his administration was yet to offer the olive branch.

Isiguzoro, who disclosed this in Umuahia shortly after inauguration of 17-member Ohanaeze Ndigbo Abia chapter, said the present Ohanaeze was determined to take Igbo to the next level.

He regretted that the marginalisation of Ndigbo in Nigeria was no longer hidden and urged the chapter to close ranks and fight the cause of Ndigbo in Nigeria.

Speaking before inauguration, chairman, Ohanaeze Ndigbo electoral committee, Ambassador Eddy Onuoha disclosed that Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the south-east zone was working towards making Igbo nation believe in their identity and urged Abia chapter to follow suit.

In his remarks, the state youth leader of Ohanaeze and Special Assistant to  the governor, Mr Okey Paul Nwankwo, applauded Ohanaeze national leader/ youth for coming up with programme of action aimed at bringing Ndigbo together.

Nwankwo, who was among the newly inaugurated Abia State executive, noted  that with the calibre of  present Ndigbo at helm of affairs, the history of Igbo nation would change for the better.

The Special Assistant who commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for being supportive, observed  that Ndigbo had woken up from their slumber, adding that it was dawn of a new  era as Ndigbo would compete favourably with their Arewa and Afenifere  counterparts.

http://tribuneonlineng.com/ohanaeze-ndigbo-appeals-buhari-nnamdi-kanu/

"Everything About President Buhari Is Deceptive And Selective" - CAN

Says Buhari's government is deceptive
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday came hard on President Muhammadu Buhari, describing his government as deceptive, just as it blamed the ongoing killings in Southern Kaduna on Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

Apparently rankled by the call for arrest of its leaders by the Council of Imams and Ulamas in Kaduna, the Christian umbrella body also knocked the Islamic clerics, describing them as hypocrites.

CAN voiced its dissatisfaction about Buhari’s war against corruption, which it said was deceptive and selective, which would not make him to win the antigraft war.

“Everything about the President is deceptive and selective because of which he will not win the antigraft fight,” said Chairman of Kano Chapter of CAN, Bishop Ransome Bello.

Speaking before the commencement of the annual prayer week, Bishop Bello said: “President Muhammadu Buhari’s crusade against corruption and the lethargic approach in addressing the alleged wanton killing of Christians in Southern Kaduna were reprehensible and lopsided.”

The cleric particularly said that the anti-graft war was targeted at a few persons, who were believed not to be in the good book of his administration.

According to him, members of the ruling party are being shielded from the anti-corruption periscope, noting that in staging the war against graft in the country, nobody should be accorded the status of a sacred cow.

“He can’t win the war against corruption by fighting a few. He can’t win when his party members are protected. We all love this country.

We should stop deceiving ourselves. We are living in deception,” he said. On the crisis in Southern Kaduna, he lamented that the president has failed to develop the political willpower to address the crisis appropriately.

“The killings in Kaduna are carried out by Fulani herdsmen. We all know it. If it is not religious or tribal, what is it? We are not honest.

Then, till date, nobody has been arrested, no one has been prosecuted,” he said Also, the 17 Southern States of CAN accused el- Rufai of being responsible for the killing of Christians in Southern Kaduna.

Secretary of CAN in the region, Dr. Joseph Aka Ajujungwa, who spoke alongside the Chairman of CAN in the South-East, Rev. David Eberechukwu, said the association was holding El-Rufai responsible for the murder of hundreds of Christians in Kaduna State.

They said it was regrettable that the governor, who took oath of office to protect lives and property in the state, was now looking the other way while residents of the Southern Kaduna were being slaughtered.

“The nonsensical killings in Southern Kaduna cannot be justified in whatever way and as such, CAN is holding Governor El-Rufai responsible for the murderous activities of Fulani herdsmen in the area.

“How can the chief security officer of the state watch Christians die in their number even at a time he placed curfew on them?

This is why we hold him responsible for the killings,” they noted. They called on Buhari “to quickly intervene in the ongoing killings by taking decisive action before the situation gets out of control.”

“We want to make it clear that no matter the level of intimidation, CAN would not fold its hands and watch this atrocity continue.

We won’t be coerced into keeping quiet while our members are being mowed down in thousands. “We, therefore, call on Christians and the good people of Nigeria to be vigilant and watchful so that these herdsmen will not take them unawares any longer,” they said.

In a related development, the leadership of the association also reacted to calls by the Kaduna State Council of Imams and Ulama in which the Council demanded the arrest of leadership of the association. CAN described the Islamic clerics as hypocrites.

The Christian umbrella body, in a statement issued by its General Secretary, Rev. Musa Asake, said that demand of these Muslims preachers has again reaffirmed their hypocrisy.

“To CAN, this is a surprising shameless, veiled criminal support for evil. CAN therefore, has no apology over what comment it has made on the religious cleansing in Southern Kaduna and other places in the country.

“These are the Muslim clerics that encourage and inspire the jihad carried out by their foot soldiers.

“These Imams are very sad that we have refused to keep silent as we are speaking up to government and telling the world the devilish plot against the Christian community in Southern Kaduna and other affected areas.

“While those they inspired through their wicked sermons to kill and conquer new territories for Islam are carrying out their instructions, they are now intimidating the victims with Governor el- Rufai’s infamous position of “call for self-defence is hate speech,” it said The Council had, on Monday, at a press conference in Kaduna, called for the arrest of CAN President, Dr. Samson Ayokunle; the Senator representing Southern Kaduna, Danjuma La’ah; the President of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Dr. Solomon Musa; Rev. Zechariah Gado, Hon. Sunday Marshal, Dr. Danfulani, and Rev. Dr. Musa Asake. It alleged that the CAN leaders had made comments that stoked the ongoing killings in Southern Kaduna.

Asake, in the statement, lamented that while the killings of children, women, aged and the most defenseless of Southern Kaduna natives and the destruction of entire communities was at its peak, no one knew that a group called Council of Imams and Ulama existed in Kaduna State.

“If indeed, this Council of Muslim clerics claim to preach peace, tolerance and respect for human lives, we would expect them to have come out to call the rampaging Muslim herdsmen to order; condole with the victims and join in the process of looking for a lasting solution, but mum was their response,” the CAN scribe stated.

http://politicsngr.com/can-attacks-buhari-southern-kaduna-killings/

10 Facts About Pretty Mike, The Man Who Goes About With Girls On A Leash

Popular Lagos socialite, Pretty Mike who is fond of
stepping out to events with girls on a leash is the
co-owner of Club Uno, formerly Q Club on Allen
Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

Read below:

1 Pretty Mike’s real name is Mike Eze Nwalie

Nwogu.

2 He is 30 years old.

3 He is from a family of 9 – 7 boys and 2 girls.

4 He spent most of his life in Houston, Texas.

5 Pretty Mike studied Computer Engineering.

6 Pretty Mike runs Club Uno formerly known as
Q Club alongside his elder brother, Frank ‘Don-

Nero’ Nwogu.

7 He is currently in a serious relationship and

hopes to marry this year.

8 He is also into transportation of textile.

9 Pretty Mike goes almost everywhere with an

umbrella.

10 He is a die-hard fan of crazy parties with

lots of women.

https://www.naij.com/tag/pretty-mike-club-uno.html

Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Recruitment 2017

Support Officer
Role
Service Support Officer
Location
Lagos, Nigeria
Closes
2017-01-18
Job Description

Department: Support Services
Division: Technology & Operations
Reports to: Head, Support Services

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Identify and handle customer enquiries completely and accurately.
Resolve customer complaints and problems to the satisfaction of the customer
Use customer service skills to optimize the opportunity of each customer contact
Educate customers about NIBSS products and services and direct them towards available resources for self-help
Complete necessary documentation to manage customer complaints, issues and subsequent solutions
Alert management on issues or concerns that require escalation for complete resolution or which may indicate a larger, underlying problem
Follow up on all escalated issues until a logical conclusion is reached
Schedule, assign or act on any required customer follow up in accordance with department guidelines.
Use technology tools as directed and within established guidelines
Enter customer data and other relevant information into Support Centre database or other data repository, as required.
Suggest process improvements and participate in initiatives for increased effectiveness.
Maintain confidentiality of the organization's customer data.
Participate in individual and team trainings and meetings to ensure up-to-date knowledge.
Respond to inbound service requests and customers inquiries routed to the centre via telephone and email in a knowledgeable and timely fashion. 
Provide information and technical support concerning dispute processes, and assist in determining resolution for customers.

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
The desired candidate must exhibit competencies in the following:

Knowledge of Service Desk Operations 
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
Ability to organize and communicate information clearly
Problem-solving and analytical skills
Positive, professional, customer-oriented attitude
Customer contact work or relevant service industry experience
Knowledge of all NIBSS products 
Enhanced Customer Knowledge Management
Professionalism in Customer Service Management

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

0 - 2 years of relevant experience related to the Job

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION

Bachelor's degree from an accredited University;
A master's degree or its equivalent will be an added advantage


Innovation Management Officer
Role
Innovation Management Officer
Location
Lagos, Nigeria
Closes
2017-01-18
Job Description

Department: Research & Development

Division: Business Development

Reports to: Head, Research & Development


DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Analyze market segments in Nigeria for new product and services ideas that may result in a new technology or application riding on existing technology.
Develop lean model for each of the new ideas identified and assess commercial and technical viability
Draw up User Requirement for implementation of new idea
Prepare, maintain and update on a regular basis a directory of newly conceived ideas. Major headings in the directory are Title, Purpose, Benefit and Target Market.
Come up with a report on payment trends in countries like India, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan, Brazil, UK, USA etc., and provide recommendation on the next steps for NIBSS.
Communicate to business intelligence unit parameters of data to mine and prepare a strategic report based on the outcome of the data mined.
Agree with Project Office the project plan for every new product development project.
Work with Product Management & CRM units in piloting newly developed products & Services.


COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

The desired candidate must exhibit competencies in the following:

Strategic perspective
Information analysis and management
Business goal management
Communication 
Business Development
Networking


REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience related to the job


REQUIRED QUALIFICATION

Bachelor's degree from an accredited University;
Professional qualification(s) or its equivalent will be an added advantage.


Application Development Officer
Role
Application Development Officer
Location
Lagos, Nigeria
Closes
2017-01-18
Job Description

Department: System Integration
Division: Technology & Operations
Reports to: Head, System Integration

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Development of plug in solutions that aids day to day operations of NIBSS
Development of applications within NIBSS for operations automation.
Effective support and management of all NIBSS software application.
Confirms project requirements by reviewing program objective, input data, and output requirements with analyst, supervisor, and client.
Update and expand existing programs
Debug programs by testing for and fixing errors


COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
The desired candidate must exhibit competencies in the following;

Pro-activeness
Focus on excellent delivery
Personal Credibility
Strategic Perspective
Information Analysis and Management
Information System Management
Project Management
Systems Development
IS Security
Payment Systems Infrastructure (biometrics, clearing, switching, settlement etc.)


REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience related to the Job


REQUIRED QUALIFICATION/ SKILLS

Bachelor's degree from an accredited University 
Additional qualification(s) will be an added advantage


SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Sound knowledge of the Nigeria Central Switching (NCS) Operations
Sound knowledge of Retail Transaction Processing
Working Knowledge of Transaction Switching
Knowledge of Software/Application Development Methodologies and relevant languages such as Java (J2SE, J2EE)
Basic knowledge of the Financial Service Industry
Working knowledge of Dispute Resolution and Settlement Framework of the NIP
Sound knowledge of the products of NIBSS
Sound knowledge of known international standards on software development, documentation and integration
Sound regulatory knowledge
Very good understanding of Secure Coding
To Apply:

Visit NIBSS portal http://www.nibss-plc.com.ng/

Click on Careers

Click on Vacancies

Then Click on apply for any of the job openings you wish to apply for.

Nigeria’ll Get Out Of Recession This Year – World bank

The World Bank has predicted that Nigeria will get out of recession and grow its Gross Domestic Product by one per cent this year after plunging into its worst recession in over two decades.

The bank said in a statement on Wednesday, “Sub-Saharan African growth is expected to pick up modestly to 2.9 per cent in 2017 as the region continues to adjust to lower commodity prices.

“Growth in South Africa and oil exporters is expected to be weaker, while growth in economies that are not natural-resource intensive should remain robust.

“Growth in South Africa is expected to edge up to a 1.1 per cent pace this year. Nigeria is forecast to rebound from recession and grow at a 1 per cent pace. Angola is projected to expand at a 1.2 per cent pace.”

The World Bank’s January 2017 Global Economic Prospects report also projected that growth in the advanced economies would edge up to 1.8 per cent in the current year.

It stated that fiscal stimulus in major economies, particularly in the United States, could generate faster domestic and global growth than projected, although rising trade protection could have adverse effects.

Growth in emerging market and developing economies as a whole should pick up to 4.2 per cent this year from 3.4 per cent in the year just ended amid modestly rising commodity prices, the bank stated.

Emerging market and developing economy commodity exporters are expected to expand by 2.3 per cent in 2017 after an almost negligible 0.3 per cent pace in 2016 as commodity prices gradually recover and as Russia and Brazil resume growing after recessions.

It, however, added that the outlook was clouded by uncertainty about policy direction in major economies.

Commenting on the report, the President, World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, stated, “After years of disappointing global growth, we are encouraged to see stronger economic prospects on the horizon.

“Now is the time to take advantage of this momentum and increase investments in infrastructure and people. This is vital to accelerating the sustainable and inclusive economic growth required to end extreme poverty.”

The report noted the worrisome recent weakening of investment growth in the emerging markets and developing economies, which account for one-third of the global GDP and about three quarter of the world’s population and the poor.

The World Bank’s Chief Economist, Paul Romer, said “We can help governments offer the private sector more opportunities to invest with confidence that the new capital it produces can plug into the infrastructure of global connectivity.

“Without new streets, the private sector has no incentive to invest in the physical capital of new buildings. Without new work space connected to new living space, the billions of people who want to join the modern economy will lose the chance to invest in the human capital that comes from learning on the job.”

Source: Punch Nigeria.

Bayo Omoboriowo Meets Barack Obama

Bayo Omoboriowo:

He shook my hands and gave me a pat on my back as he was told I look like him........don't mind the face I made, i was star-struck. @barackobama made Presidency look so cool and his style of leadership has inspired a lot of us in the political landscape. My photography today and the way I work has been influenced due to a serious study of this man through his videos and images by @petesouza . I just want to say thank you for serving America and thank you for the privilege to have this image with you..... I would never forget this day. Thanks to @annaruch of the @whitehouse photo office for sending this photographs through as captured by @petesouza since I was with my camera and couldn't have had this image if they didn't help. #letsdomore #yeswecan #yeswedid #whitehouse

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPHrl02DeR_/

EFCC Finds N632.2m In Azubuike Umezulike’s Account

Detectives have traced over N632.2million to former Enugu State Chief Judge Innocent Azubuike Umezulike’s account.

Some of the lodgements came from lawyers, businessmen, politicians and litigants, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) source said yesterday.

Besides, Justice Umezulike is believed to have been operating an account without a Bank Verification Number (BVN).

Three properties allocated to the ex-CJ may be confiscated, The Nation learnt.

The former Chief Judge has been invited for interrogation on January 17 on some of the “shocking” lodgments.

It was learnt that the ongoing probe of the judge followed petitions against him, including some sent to the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The NJC on September 29, 2016 recommended Justice Umezulike for compulsory retirement alongside Justice Mohammed Tsamiya, who was the Presiding Justice of the Ilorin Division of the Court of Appeal

Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court was recommended for dismissal.

The NJC said it recommended Umezulike to Governor Justice Lawrence Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for compulsory retirement for “delivering judgment in a case 126 days after final addresses were adopted by parties, and for other instances of abuse of office”.

He has since been retired.

The council also found Justice Umezulike guilty of allegedly “receiving a donation of N10m from a businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, during his book launch while two cases in which Eze was said to have had “vested interest”, were in the judge’s court.”

There appears to be more trouble for Justice Umezulike, going by the preliminary investigation of EFCC detectives.

A highly-placed source, said: “From the probe of the salary account of the judge with the main branch of First Bank Plc in Enugu, our team discovered that he was operating it without a BVN as at June 2016.

“Further verification showed that he was earning N701, 726. 28 per month but he did not make any single withdrawal for 11 months.

“When we analysed an account linked to the judge, the turnover was about N396, 544.034.73 with a closing balance of N632.223.47 as at 15th of June 2016.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “We were able to identify how lodgments were made into the account linked to Justice Umezulike.

“The depositors included Justice Umezulike, legal practitioners, businessmen, politicians and litigants. The judge invested most of the cash in Treasury Bills.”

As at press time, there were indications that some assets identified with the judge might be seized by the EFCC, pending the conclusion of its investigation – in line with sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004.

The source added: “Our detectives uncovered three properties allocated to the ex-CJ by the Enugu State Government. These are:

Plot H/136 Golf Phase II, Enugu allocated in 2000 but sold to Mr. J.I. Chime in 2007 who subsequently sold it to Cosmas Offia in 2008;
Block B2 Flat 16 Maryland Estate, Enugu allocated in 2012 Sold to Igwe Goddy Moore; and
Plot H/88 Gold Estate Phase I, GRA Enugu allocated in 2015 which is still in the judge’s possession.

Justice Umezulike is likely to report to the Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the EFCC.

Detectives tried but failed to obtain the Assets Declaration Form of the ex-CJ from the Code of Conduct Bureau.

“We may however place the properties located so far under temporary asset forfeiture.”

Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 empower the anti-graft agency to invoke Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause.

“Section 28 of the EFCC Act reads: ‘Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.’

Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part: “The Court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or convenient so to do.

(2) “Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/efcc-finds-n632-2m-ex-chief-judges-account/

Gambia Stalemate: Reps To Debate Asylum For Jammeh In Nigeria

On Thursday, the House of Representatives will debate a motion, which will determine if Gambian President Yahaya Jammeh will be granted asylum in Nigeria.

The move is part of efforts to broker peace and ensure transition in the West African country.
The motion is being sponsored by Rep Mohammed Sani Zorro (APC, Jigawa). It was supposed to be taken yesterday, but was postponed.

Zorro said Nigeria should consider the option if it will lead to Jammeh relinquishing power to Barrow.

When Speaker Yakubu Dogara put the motion to a voice vote, the majority of the lawmakers shouted ‘nay,’ but the speaker ruled in favour.
Jammeh is refusing to step down , despite initially conceding defeat to Adama Barrow in last month’s presidential polls.

This week, he asked a high-level ECOWAS
delegation to move their visit from Wednesday to Friday .


http://dailypost.ng/2017/01/12/gambia-stalemate-reps-debate-asylum-jammeh-nigeria/

Gideon Okeke Blasts Chiwetalu Agu Over His "Vulgar Slangs"

Nollywood Actor and Tinsel star Gideon Okeke took to his social media page to call out his fellow veteran Nollywood actor Chiwetalu Agu for always using “vulgar language” in his movie roles.



The tinsel star who iterated that he his a fan of his fellow nollywood actor but he his against the languages that he uses and also he came after directors and producer who gave this veteran Nollywood actor the freedom to use those languages in virtually every particular role assigned to him.






http://celebgists.com/nollywood-actor-gideon-okeke-blast-chiwetalu-agu-social-media/

I Will Return To Panti To Confront The Police Over The Case - Omoyele Sowere

Sahara Reporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowere who was arrested yesterday by men of the Lagos state Police command has released a statement on his facebook account alleging that the Lagos state police commissioner, Fatai Owoseni was part of the conspiracy to arrest him.

Read all he said below...

I am now safely out of the labyrinth of a police conspiracy centred around one Lekan Fatodu whom, in January 2016, we reported on SaharaReporters had been involved in laundering money for Femi Fani-Kayode.

On Wednesday, Lekan and a friend of his referred to as “Ándre” waylaid me at GRA Ikeja and tried to kill me. The attempt was resisted by the public, following which he showed up later with a police van from Area "F" police with a plain cloth police team. As it turned out, Commissioner of the Lagos State Police Command, Fatai Owoseni was part of the conspiracy, as he pulled out a petition alleging "criminal defamation" against me, got upset when I questioned his position and impartiality, and threatened to deal with me.

Even in the days of General Abacha, I did not experience that brazen partiality.

My attack by Fatodu was organized with the police, but as they were unable to arrest me directly, he was given the cover to carry out an attack that would give the police their needed tonic to take vengeance on me. The situation wasn't better when I was hurled before Lagos CP, Mr. Owoseni and later, Frank Mba, who started a winding story claiming it was a messy case.

I was asked to sign for my bail on Self Recognizance, but I declined, insisting I had not been arrested by the police and were that the case, that I preferred to be booked and shown an arrest warrant. After a short argument, I was let go without signing a bail bond, but was asked to return to the Panti Police Station on Thursday at 2p.m.

I wish to thank all Nigerians and others who have reached out to me over this saga. I am grateful to Peter Claver Oparah, Temitope Gomez and Inibehe Effiong who served last night as my lawyer, as well as the construction workers at Isaac John Street who came out to defend me from what could have been a fatal attack.

I will return to Panti on Thursday as requested, to confront the police over the case. Rest assured that I've always prepared for things of this nature this in the course of my self-appointed duties as a conscience of the public. If you have spare time tomorrow, meet me at the SCID at Panti at 2 pm. There is no retreat and no surrender."


http://www.lasgidionline.com.ng/2017/01/i-will-return-to-panti-to-confront.html

335 Foreigners Get Nigeria’s Citizenship

Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday granted citizenship to 335 foreigners and rejected 165 applications.

The Minister of Interior, retired Gen. Abudulrahman Dambazau, said on Wednesday that the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Nigerian citizenship received 500 applications and recommended 335 of the applicants for approval.

He explained that 245 of the 335 successful applicants were born by naturalised Nigerians while the remaining 90 persons were foreigners married to Nigerians, popularly referred to as ‘Naija Wives’.

“The Ministry of Interior issued a memo granting of citizenship to non Nigerians who applied.

This is a procedure that takes a number of steps. The last time this was done was in 2013. We have some backlog of these applications.

“Over 500 applications that we considered, out of these, 335 were recommended for citizenship and this memo was brought to council to that effect. Citizenship is either by naturalization or by registration.

“There are 245 that applied for citizenship by naturalization and the requirements to be met are clearly stated in section 26 of the constitution.

“Then there is citizenship by registration and that is what is popularly known as Niger-wives which is for women in foreign countries who are married to Nigerian citizens. That is also clearly spelt out in section 27 of the constitution.

“So, the requirements are there and we considered them. Those who met the requirement, the advisory council recommended and sent to council for approval.

“So, today, FEC approved the recommendations of those who applied, 345 of them. 245 by naturalization and 90 by registration,’’ he said.

Cue out audio – Dambazau

The minister said that all the successful applicants had complied with the requirements of sections 26 and 27 of the Nigerian constitution.

He said: “The moment any applicant doesn’t meet any of the requirement, check section 26 and 27 of the constitution, they are clearly stated there.

“If there are security issues, the security agencies will bring them out to say that a person belongs to a given group in-terms of security risk.

“But apart from that, we followed the rules and regulations, those constitutional requirements must be met.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government in 2013 granted Nigerian citizenship to 174 foreigners while 27 persons were rejected. (NAN)


SOURCE: http://www.nairanaijanews.com/2017/01/335-foreigners-get-nigerias-citizenship.html

Scarcity: NNPC Refineries Resume Production Of Kerosene, Diesel

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation says its three refineries in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri have resumed production of diesel and kerosene.

The Group General Manager , NNPC Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu , disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the resumption of refining of the products was expected to balance the disequilibrium in the demand and supply of the products as being experienced in parts of the country.

He further said that the Kaduna Refinery had also commenced operations to ease the situation in supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.

Ughamadu also stated that NNPC had made arrangements for additional supply intervention through direct importation of diesel , kerosene and DPK to sustain product availability across the country.

In the statement, Mr . Solomon Ladenegan , the Managing Director of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, said that the plant was doing well.

This, he said , was especially so since the Crude Distillation Unit was revived on Jan.7, adding that it resumed production same day.

According to Ladenegan, the plant now refines 2 million litres of kerosene and 3 million litres of diesel daily.

“ This morning , we have pumped the products to PPMC and they have started loading ; they are going to load up to one million litres of diesel and kerosene.

“ The products are there in the tank and we are doing everything to get them to the market, ” Ladenegan said.

In the same vein , the Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company , Dr Bafred Enjugu, said that the refinery was producing 3 million litres of AGO ( diesel ) daily .

This , he said , was in addition to 2 millions of DPK ( kerosene ) being produced by the refinery daily .

Enjugu expressed happiness that his operators were thrilled following the rehabilitation of old Port Harcourt Refinery.

He said that with the development , production of diesel was being carried out by locals without deployment of foreign expertise.

An independent marketer , Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya of Yamoyus Nigeria Ltd . described the refinery and the depot environment as positive

He said that marketers now had access to diesel and kerosene in sufficient quantities .
NAN

http://punchng.com/scarcity-nnpc-refineries-resume-production-kerosene-diesel/

Nigeria Severes Diplomatic Relations With Taiwan, Closes Abuja Office

The Federal Government on Wednesday says she will no longer recognise Taiwan as a country but rather pledged support for One China.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, stated this while answering questions from newsmen after a joint news conference with the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

Onyeama said Nigeria had withdrawn all diplomatic relations with Taiwan as a country, adding that Taiwanese office in Abuja would be shut down and be relocated to Lagos.

According to him, Nigeria has communicated Taiwan and they are moving to Lagos as soon as possible.

“Taiwan will stop enjoying any privileges because it is not a country that is recognised under international law and under the position we have taken internationally we recognise the people of China.

“Taiwan will not have any diplomatic representation in Nigeria and also they will be moving to Lagos to the extent that they function as a trade mission with a skeletal staff.

“Chinese Government does not oppose trading with Taiwan as such as long there is no formal contact with the Government that will suggest recognition of Taiwan as sovereign country,” he said.

According to him, China does not oppose relationship with Taiwan in the level of trade but not on government to government level.

The minister, however, said that Nigeria was not pressurised to take the decision, noting that the development was a bit of anormally on the side of Nigeria

He said that Nigeria recognised the People’s Republic of China as country because Nigeria was one the leading African nations that fought for China to reclaim its seat at the UN Security Council from Taiwan.

He said the step being taken was to right the wrong that one could not specifically say how it came.

“It was not very clear how it got into Nigeria system – an arrangement for the Taiwan for a trade mission.

“And in grating the right of the trade mission it did not accurately reflect the nature of relationship between Nigeria and Taiwan,” he said.

Onyeama stated that the country took the decision to remove any iota of doubt in the mind of the Chinese people.

He said on the issue of building trust, the international community had embraced one China and China is a member of the United Nations and we don’t want to leave any doubt on the issue.

The minister stressed that Nigeria would adhere to it completely and there is no ambiguity at all.

He said Nigeria as a nation would do everything to realise the One China Policy as well as any effort that would promote the peace and well being of the People’s Republic of China.

According to Onyeama, China is one of the countries that have been in full support of reforms in the UN that would see Africa having two seats at the UN Security Council, as such deserved to be supported in her unification drive of One China.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/nigeria-severes-diplomatic-relations-taiwan-closes-abuja-office/

China To Bring Additional $40 Billion Investment In Nigeria

China is investing additional $40 billion in Nigerian economy, its Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Wang Yi, said on Wednesday at a bilateral meeting with his Nigerian counterpart, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, in Abuja.

The Minister said China had already invested up to the tune of $45 billion in the Nigerian economy.
“ Nigeria and China are strategic partners; our relations have been developing well China has already invested or financed a total number of $22billion projects here in Nigeria, another $23billion projects are on-going.

“In addition, we are also following up another over $40billion of investments which is in the pipeline.
“Compare with the size, population and market of our two countries, our cooperation still have large potential to be deepened,” he said.

According to him, in order to achieve further development and prosperity of the two countries, we need to strengthen our political mutual trust, deep complementary between our developments.

He stressed on the need to further expand practical cooperation and deepen strategic partnership between the two countries.

He expressed confidence that his visit would be a successful one and play a dual role in further strengthening the strategic partnership between China and Nigeria.

Yi said the purpose of his visit to Nigeria was to implement the important agreements and cooperation reached between the Chinese and Nigerian presidents.

He said the visit was also to help work closely with Nigeria to ensure that the outcome of the Forum for China Africa Cooperation summit are well implemented here in Nigeria.

Onyeama had earlier commended the existing relationship between Nigeria and China noting that the relationship had been strong for many years..

“I think the level of cooperation with China is extremely high and Chinese government is investing amount of money in Nigeria and probably is going up to $60 to $80 billion and we are extremely happy for that.

He said that at the last meeting in South Africa and the government of China made available the total of $60 billon for Africa and a number of countries including Nigeria.

The Minister said that he would want to key in and see how much of that could be used to assist in the various projects that we have in this country.
He explained that President Muhammadu Buhari was in China in 2016 and had a discussion with Chinese Government on various cooperation..

“We know that in the area of infrastructure which is one of the priority areas and diversification the Programme of this government from oil .

“Chinese government has been showing a lot of cooperation with us in this area especially in the area of transportation,” he said

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amechi was part of the meeting.(NAN)

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/china-to-bring-additional-40-billion.html

Students Owe UNIOSUN N2billion School Fees -VC

By Hameed Oyegbade, Osogbo | Publish Date: Jan 10 2017 7:40PM

Students of Osun State University not paying fees owe up to N2 billion in tuition, the vice chancellor of the school, Professor Olabode Popoola, has said.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, the state capital, the VC said the situation of the unpaid school fees has become unbearable and that the system might collapse if drastic measures were not put in place to recover the debt.

He lamented that many of the former and present students of the university refused to their school fees and that the institution would no longer tolerate such habit for any of its students.

The VC also expressed concerned that majority of the returning students have not paid their school fees seven weeks after resumption for the current academic session.

Professor Popoola threatened that the university would publish the names of defaulters in the newspapers if they refused to pay their outstanding school fees.

He said the management of the institution was making frantic efforts to reach parents and guardians of the students so as to be able to establish the reason for the non-payment of school fees by their wards.

He noted that some of the students usually frustrated efforts of the school management to reach their parents or sponsor and urged parents to always find out the studentship status of their children in the university.

He said before fixing school fees for the university, fees payable in other state-owned institutions across the region were considered and relatively smaller fees were being charged in UNIOSUN.

Also, as part of measures to ensure payment of necessary fees by the students, the vice chancellor declared that all students, who fail to register, will no longer be allowed into lecture halls and will no longer be allowed to write examination.


Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/education/students-owe-uniosun-n2billion-school-fees-vc/180057.html?utm_content=buffer8f62e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#UzHFEiYJYyHuJyED.99

Saraki At CCT Today As His Trial Commenced Again

Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the Federal Government’s Chief Prosecutor in the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) trial against Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, today begged the court to re-cross-examine the government’s primary witness, Michael Wetkas, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Jacobs, in his comments, stated that Wetkas had made some ambiguous statements regarding bank transfers and ownership of the properties, No. 15A and B, MacDonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Commenting on Jacobs request, Barrister Atedze Agwaza, told Jacob that his request could be seen as an attempt to make the witness alter his initial statement, urging him to consider using other prosecution witnesses to make his point.

In a similar regard, Justice Dan Ladi Umar, the Chairman of the CCT, alleged that Jacobs request to cross-examine the witness could lead to the witness changing his initial statement, wherein he (Wetkas) stated that he was unsure whether the bank transfers in question included service charges, and that during the course of his investigation of the properties in Ikoyi, he never confirmed if No. 15A and 15B Macdonald street, were one property, or two.

After much back-and-forth, the counsels to the Senate President, acquiesced to Jacobs demand for re-examination, on the condition that they would be given the opportunity to cross-examine the witness after the prosecution.

CCT Chairman refused request by lead prosecutor for DAY to DAY trial saying tge court has other matters to attend to as case was adjourned till Tuesday 17th

Source: http://www.trezzyhelm.com/2017/01/cct-trial-fgs-prosecutor-begs-to-re.html?m=1