Thieflator:Saraki confirms procurement of N330m vehicles for his own use

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Saturday confirmed the procurement of new official vehicles for himself.

Saraki, in justifying the purchase, said one of the vehicles he has been using is old and malfunctioning.Although Saraki in a statement issued his Media Adviser, Yusuf Olaniyonu, was silent on the cost of the vehicles, but a report by an online medium said they cost about N330 million and were delivered by Lanre Shitu Motors.‎

Saraki stated that it was wrong to classify vehicles provided for security agencies like the police and Department of State Service by the National Assembly management for their operations as vehicles bought for the Senate president.

The statement reads in part: “It is an obvious fact that the official and spare cars that the Senate President inherited and has been using are old and have been malfunctioning. 

There are instances like the day Dr. Saraki visited Keffi for the marriage of the daughter of Senator Abdullahi Adamu and another day at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport that the spare vehicle broke down. 

In both instances, the spare vehicle did not return home with the convoy. The same vehicle had malfunctioned at thePresidential Villa and National Mosque on different occasions. 

It is for this reason that the Senate President approved that instead of providing two vehicles for him as he is entitled, only one should be bought to replace the official vehicle while the old official car should be converted to spare car.

“Also, if the National Assembly Management chose to provide operational vehicles for Security Agencies, should that be presented as if they are personal or official vehicles meant for the use of Dr. Saraki? 

These are vehicles that cannot be used for other purposes and by other people. The Senate President also have nocontrol over the security vehicles.

“It is also surprising that despite the fact that the onlinemedia in the same story reported that the order for the vehicle was made in December, it chose to calculate the value of the vehicles based on current exchange rate of the Naira to the dollar. This is obviously a mischief aimed at making the figure look huge and justify the screaming headline.‎”

I won't pay N5,000 to unemployed Nigerians, I have different priority - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari 

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said that he has a different priority other than to pay N5,000 to the unemployed Nigerians as had been promised.

He made the remark in Saudi Arabia as he continued his visit to the Middle East over the weekend.

He said he would rather channel resources into the building of infrastructure, education, agriculture and mining to create employment opportunities for able bodied young men.

He said: "This largesse N5,000 for the unemployed, I have got a slightly different priority. 

I would rather do the infrastructure, the school and correct them and empower agriculture, mining so that every able bodied person can go and get work instead of giving 5,000, N5,000 to those who don't work.

"The promised to pay N5,000 monthly stipend to the most vulnerable in the society was a major plank of the presidential campaign of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) last year.

The president has also called for better conditions for Nigerians undertaking the pilgrimage to the holy land of Saudi Arabia and has consequently directed directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to sit down with the Saudis to negotiate improved terms and conditions for our pilgrims performing the Umrah and the annual Hajj.

His remark followed the completion of talks with rulers of the Saudi Arabia and the acceptance by the Saudi government to freely and openly discuss outstanding issues with Nigeria.

President Buhari, among other things, requested the Saudis to conclude all issues with the Nigerian Hajj Commission, such as the undetermined outcome of their investigation into the stampede at Muna last year,where our officials believe that 274 Nigerian lives were lost.

There is also the case of compensation for six Nigerians killed in the crane incident in the precincts of the Kaaba and 35 others from the stampede whose DNA profile is feared to be missing.

Buhari equally charged the Ministry and the NAHCON to seek a reduction of fees associated with the Umrah Visa.Among the 17 issues tendered at the initial meeting between the officials of both countries, Nigeria appreciated the increase offered for Umrah pilgrimage but asked that the 76,000 seats maintained for the  Hajjbe similarly increased.

According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu from Saudi Arabia on Saturday, the meeting wasled by Nigeria's Minister of State, Mrs Fatima Abba Ibrahim and the the Chairman of NAHCON, Abdullahi Muhammed on the Nigerian side while the Saudi side led by their minister of Hajj Affairs, Dr Bandar bin Muhammad al-Hajjar. It is expected to follow up I'd the issues in the coming weeks.

[tribune] 

RE: Jonathan Didn't Construct A Single Road; A Fallacy From A Renowned Preacher Cum Legal Luminary

I was heartbroken and overawed when I read the statement credited to the incumbent vice president of my great country, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. 

I hold him in high esteem and was lost in confusion as he posited that immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan didn't construct a "single" road! 

This is an height of deceit that is obvious to the deaf and loud enough to wake the dead!

If his position was hinged on the fact that, he (Jonathan) didn't complete majority of the roads constructed, I wouldn't have flared up. 

We were in this country when Jonathan ruled, though he lost out of favour in the build up to the election due to the "high level of corruption allegations against him and his cabinet member". 

He was too weak to fight the endemic graft. He rather embraced it, this he made known on a live television programme, where he proudly said that 'stealing was not corruption' 

That the corruption hullabaloo was being blown out of proportion. But some undeniable facts are pointing out to some of the lofty cum laudable programmes of his, when he was in power.

Osinbajo should apologies to all Nigerians for this naked lie, it is uncalled for. 

Moreover, electioneering period is over, all what we want from them is to work for us. 

I need to put the record straight that I'm not an apostle of Jonathan nor PDP’s but fact is sacred and sacrosanct. 

The roads constructed by Jonathan-led administration are too numerous to mention, but I ll reference the part of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which I believe our Vice President must have been passing before now. 

Conclusion:

Our leaders should stop feeding us with lies. APC has been in power for close to a year now, what has it achieved? 

I will leave that for public court. We all clamoured for change but our believe was a change mantra for better. 

But our  crop of leaders should know that, we can change the CHANGE if the need arises! 

#BetterNigeriaIsPossible 

-PFB 

Deeper Life Sets To Join League Of Private University Owners

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi 

Deeper Life Christian Life Ministry will soon join the association of churches that own private universities in Nigeria. 

Anchor University, owned by the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, is set to commence operation as the facilities required for take-off have been completed, reports say.

The school, envisioned to be a pace-setter in educational and moral standards, will commence operations with 5 faculties at its Ayobo, Lagos campus.

These include: 

Arts, Education, Social Sciences, Humanities, School of Management and Accounting.It was gathered that the administrative staff to run the school have also been employed.

The school was initially set to to be commissioned in September 2012, but the National Universities Commission (NUC) team led by Prof. Celestine Onwuliri coming to inspect it for approval got involved in the Dana Air crash of June 3, 2012, in which 157 lives were lost.

Since then, it has been a race against time to ensure that everything is put in place before another NUC team would come for inspection of the school, it was learnt.

The result of this, City People reports, are imposing administrative blocks, hostels, faculties, chalets and laboratories that are set on a wide expanse of land in the sleepy Lagos suburb of Ayobo, which also plays home to the headquarters of the Deeper Life Bible Church (DLBC).

See The Brief Profile Of Foremost China Leader, Chairman Mao Tse-tung

Mao Tse-tung 

Mao Zedong also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao (December 26, 1893 – September 9, 1976), was a Chinese Communist revolutionary and the founding father of the People's Republic of China, which he governed as Chairman of the Communist Party of China from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976. 

His Marxist–Leninist theories, military strategies, and political policies are collectively known as Marxism–Leninism–Maoismor Mao Zedong Thought.

Born the son of a wealthy farmer in Shaoshan, Hunan, Mao adopted a Chinese nationalist and anti-imperialist outlook in early life, particularly influenced by the events of the Xinhai Revolution of 1911 and May Fourth Movementof 1919. 

Mao converted to Marxism–Leninism while working at Peking University and became a founding member of the Communist Party of China (CPC), leading the Autumn Harvest Uprisingin 1927. 

During the Chinese Civil War between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the CPC, Mao helped to found theRed Army, led the Jiangxi Soviet's radical land policies and ultimately became head of the CPC during theLong March. 

Although the CPC temporarily allied with the KMT under the United Frontduring the Second Sino-Japanese War(1937–45), after Japan's defeat China's civil war resumed and in 1949 Mao's forces defeated the Nationalists who withdrew toTaiwan.

On October 1, 1949, Mao proclaimed the foundation of thePeople's Republic of China(PRC), aone-party statecontrolled by the CPC. In the following years Mao solidified his control throughland reform campaigns against landlords, and perceived enemies of the state he termed as "counter-revolutionaries". 

In 1957 he launched a campaign known as the Great Leap Forward that aimed to rapidly transform China's economy from anagrarian economy to an industrial one, which led to a widespread famine whose death tollis estimated at between 18 and 45 million. 

In 1966, he initiated theGreat Proletarian Cultural Revolution, a program to remove "counter-revolutionary" elements of Chinese society that lasted 10 years and which was marked by violent class struggle, widespread destruction of cultural artifacts and unprecedented elevation of Mao'spersonality cult.

In 1972, Mao welcomed U.S. president Richard Nixonin Beijing, signal linga policy of opening China, which was furthered under the rule of fDeng Xiaoping(1978–1992). Mao suffered a series of heart attacks in 1976, dying in that September, aged 82. 

He was succeeded as Paramount Leader by Hua Guofeng (1976–1978), who was quickly sidelined and replaced by Xiaoping.

A controversial figure, Mao is regarded as one of the most important individuals in modern world history.

Supporters credit him with drivingimperialismout of China, modernising China and building it into a world power, promoting the status of women, improving education and health care, and increasing life expectancy as China's population grew from around 550 million to over 900 million during the period of his leadership. 

He is also known as a theorist, military strategist, poet and visionary.

In contrast, critics consider him a dictator comparable to Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin who severely damaged traditional Chinese culture, as well as a perpetrator of systematic human rights abuses who was responsible for an estimated 40 to 70 million deaths through starvation, forced labour and executions, ranking his tenure as the top incidence of democide in human history.

Credit: wiki 

Insensitivity: Despite The Cash Crush, Saraki Takes Delivery Of N4.7bn Vehicles

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has taken delivery of new exotic cars purchased by the National Assembly management for his official use, brushing aside widespread criticisms against such lavish spending at a time of national economic crisis.

PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported that the Nigerian legislative body proposed to splash about N4.7 billion on at least 400 vehicles for leaders and members of the Senate and House ofRepresentatives.

Among the proposed vehicles were 10 top-of-the-range cars for Mr. Saraki and his official convoy.Our market survey showed the vehicles cost N329, 515,625 – more than the budgetary allocations for many government schools.

The report triggered a firestorm of reaction from Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who urged the National Assembly to shelve the plan.

Mr. Buhari said he had rejected a proposal for new vehicles to be purchased for him as part of 2016 budget expenditure.

“I turned down a N400 million bill for cars for the presidency, because the vehicles I am using are good enough for the next 10 years,” the president said during his first media chat.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also wrote members of the National Assembly asking them to jettison the plan to buy official vehicles.“Whatever name it is disguised as, it is unnecessary and insensitive,” Mr. Obasanjo said. “A pool of a few cars for each Chamber will suffice for any Committee Chairman or members for any specific duty. 

The waste that has gone into cars, furniture, housing renovation in the pastwas mind-boggling and these were veritable sources of waste and corruption. That was why they were abolished. 

Bringing them back is inimical to the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.”But PREMIUM TIMES can report today that the National Assembly management ignored such concerns and, finalised procurement processes for the vehicles, and indeed took delivery of them for Mr. Saraki.

At least four of the 10 vehicles meant for Mr. Saraki have already been delivered by Lanre Shittu motors and the lawmaker has since put them to use.

Officials briefed about the matter told this newspaper that procurement process for the purchase of vehicles for the senate president was concluded since December.

However, like Mr. Saraki, the tenders board agreed the purchases be made in batches due to paucity of funds, our sources said.Stressing what the Senate spokesperson, Aliyu Sabi, had earlier said, the source said procuring new vehicles for Mr. Saraki became a “matter of priority” because “the current cars are old and already developing faults”.

PREMIUM TIMES obtained tender documents for the 10 cars Mr. Saraki requested.In the document, the National Assembly sought to purchase a 2016 model Mercedes Benz S550, four 2016 Toyota Prado jeeps, four 2016 Toyota Hilux SS (Auto) as well as a 2016 model Toyota Hiace Bus.

My take:

A good radiance to bad rubbish!! 

If at all they are bent on wasting our money, why can't they buy from Innoson??? Metceeew 

Goodnews!!! NAFDAC Bans Importation Of Beans #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira

The Nigerian Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has announced the banning of foreign beans into the country except those screened by the Agency.

The Acting Director General of the Agency‎, Mrs. Yetunde Oni who disclosed this at the awareness/Sensitization Workshop on Safe and Responsible use of Regulated Agricultural inputs forStakeholders in the North Central Zone in Minna Wednesday emphasized that only beans screened by the Agency will be allowed into the country in order to be sure of their safety.

According to her “We must recall that these banned beans produce that have been banned in the European Union (EU) are those ones that never passed through NAFDAC. All the beans that passed through NAFDAC and issued EU certification to, of food and health impart on Nigerians do not get rejected.

The ones that have been banned are those ones that never passed through NAFDAC”. She however called on all relevant Agencies to be awake to their responsibilities by working hand in hand with the Agency to actuaize this objective.

“It is not entirely the function of NAFDAC, but the primary assignment of the Quarantine which is under the Ministry of Agriculture to look into beans because it is an Agricultural produce”, she had used.

On whose purview the produce is regulated, she said ‎”beans is an agricultural produce, as opposed to a semi or fully processed regulated product underthe purview of NAFDAC and such products are food, drugs, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water and detergents. 

These are the ones that are under our purview.“But because we have seen that the beans is a raw material into a final product that is regulated by NAFDAC, we are now talking of collaboration with one another so that all relevant stakeholders will join hands towards a common goal of ensuring that only good quality regulated products are available for consumption, for sales, distribution, advertisement, information and importation into the country.‎”

[ait] 

PoliFocus Quote Of The Day, 27th of February, 2016

"Your words determine what you become"

According to a Webster Dictionary, word can be defined as:

• a sound or combination of sounds that has a meaning and is spoken or written
• a brief remark or conversation :something that a person says
• an order or command

Going by the above definition, we can now deduce that words plays a major role in what we become in life. 

Biblically, God created everything by uttering just words. They were just commands. 

Words are flexible and if released, it cannot be retrieved, that is the singular reason why we should be careful in our usage of words. 

It can make and destroy. Bible affirms that the power of life and death lies on the tongue. 

It is a truism that, a man's pronouncement is a factor that determines his altitude in life. 

If God wants to change one's story, He will use use and these demonic spirits do same. 

If someone professes negative thing in our life, never take much time before you rebuke and reject same. 

Words change everything, a simple motivational word can make you to conquer the most dreadful task within seconds 

"what you conceive, believe is what you receive"

The bottom line is that, we need to stay positive always in the use of our tongue. 

Let the poor say, I'm rich.

Happy weekend.
-PFB 

If You Don't Have PVC, You Can No Longer Enjoy Any Benefit From Me Nor My Government - Fayose Tells Ekiti Indigenes

Ayo Fayose, Ekiti State Governor 

THE  need for the people of Ekiti State and Nigerians at large to as a matter of urgency obtain the Permanent Voter Cards has been stressed by Governor Ayodele Fayose of the state.

Fayose warned that any citizen who has attained the age of 18, but has no PVC would henceforth lose his rights and privileges in the state.

Fayose gave the warning in Aramoko Ekiti on Friday while commissioning a water reticulation project.

He said not having a PVC connotes that such citizen offers no civic responsibility to the government and will be deemed as having nothing to enjoy from the government.

The Governor, who also flagged off the 14.5 km Awo-Ara-Ijero Road at Awo in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, said: “If you don’t have your PVC, you may no longer enjoy benefits from government because very soon about 10,000 people will benefit N10,000 monthly in our social security scheme.

“From now henceforth, PVC is a must.“It will be your ticket to enjoy patronage.

“If you are a contractor resident in Ekiti and you don’t have PVC, no contract for you because all of us have one role or the other to play for each other.

“This road was constructed when I was in government in 2003 and since then nothing has been done on it.

“I promised during my electioneering campaign that I will do this road and what we are doing today is promise kept.”

Making veiled allusion to the 2018 governorship poll, Fayose said: “Always cast your votes for candidates who can remember you.

“In most cases in Nigeria, people will decide to vote for someone because of money and that is why we haven’tgot a messiah to turn around this country.

”Fayose said the project will be completed within four months.

He assured the people of Aramoko Ekiti of adequate water supply from Ero Dam at least thrice a week to cushion the effect of the long dry season and dearth of potable water in the town.

He said: “For the past 12 years, Aramoko Ekiti did not enjoy water.

“Ero Dam supplies water to about nine LGs in this State and some of the pipes have been damaged, which we had to repair in spite of the dwindling economic resources, to give them water.

“My coming back for a second term was for a purpose and I want to do those things that will make me remain in the hearts of the people.

“Very soon, we will replicate same feat in other local governments because Egbe, Ureje and Itapaji dams tooneed some turnaround maintenance, which we will do to make water available to our people.”

On the complain raised about epileptic electricity supply in the two towns, Fayose said though the sector has been privatised, but promised that his government will use its political will to create the enabling environment and reach out to those concerned for people to enjoy light.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Works, Fasiku Ademiloye, has said contractors, including P. W. Limited, with N6.7 billion; KOPEK, N5.7 billion; Levant, N6.4 billion; August 10 Concept Global Resources Limited, N5.9 billion; and ART Consultant, N5.8 billion, bided for the construction of the proposed flyover in the state capital.

Ademiloye said the Consultant appointed by the state government, ART Consultant Limited, has pegged the estimated cost of the flyover at N5.8 billion.

The Permanent Secretary said in the bid for the construction of the Ado-Ikere Road extension, the contractors that bided included KOPEK with the price ofN533 million, August 10 Concept for N568 million and Kaymon Construction Limited N546 million.

The Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Dr. Modupe Alade, who led other Management staff of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to perform the bid opening, assured the people that the project would be completed in record time.

Naira Appreciates As CBN Promises To Close Forex Parallel Gap

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured Nigerians that it would continue to implement policies that would lead to the convergence of the official and parallel markets exchange rates.

This is just as the naira appreciated to N320 to a dollar on the parallel market on Friday; up from the N330 to a dollar it had closed on Thursday.

The central bank of Africa’s biggest oil producer has all but pegged the local currency at N197-N199 per dollar since March last year after it fell to a record low amid a rout in crude prices.

The naira has still weakened on the parallel market used by non-banks for the last several months as Emefiele’s policies have led to a shortage of dollars in the country, which imports almost all its manufactured goods.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has said that the bank is working on measures to stabilize the naira in 2016 so as to boost the economy

See All The Match Fixtures Slated For This Weekend In #EPL, #LaLiga, #SeriaA, #Ligue1 & #Bundesliga

Actions resume this weekend in notable leagues in the world. Below are the details of all the match fixtures for this weekend in EPL, La Liga, Seria A, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga. 

England: English Premier League (EPL) 

27/2/2016 (Saturday) 

13:45 West Ham United VS Sunderland

16:00 Leicester City VS Norwich City

16:00 Southampton VS Chelsea

16:00 Stoke City VS Aston Villa

16:00 Watford VS AFC Bournemouth

18:30 West Bromwich Albion VS Crystal Palace

28/2/2016 (Sunday) 

Postponed  Liverpool VS Everton

Postponed Newcastle United VS Manchester City

15:05 Manchester United VS Arsenal

15:05 Tottenham Hotspur VS Swansea City

Italy: Seria A

27/2/2016 (Saturday) 

18:00 Empoli VS Roma

20:45 AC Milan VS Torino

28/2/2016 (Sunday) 

12:30 Palermo VS Bologna

15:00 Carpi VS Atalanta

15:00 ChievoVerona VS Genoa

15:00 Sampdoria VS Frosinone

15:00 Udinese VS Hellas Verona

20:45 Juventus VS Inter

29/2/2016 (Monday) 

19:00 Lazio VS Sassuolo

21:00 Fiorentina VS SSC Napoli

Spain: La Liga 

27/2/2016 (Saturday) 

16:00 Real Madrid VS Atletico Madrid

18:15 Getafe VS Celta Vigo

18:15 Sporting Gijon VS Espanyol

20:30 Real Betis VS Rayo Vallecano

22:05 Real Sociedad VS Malaga

28/2/2016 (Sunday) 

12:00 Villareal VS Levante

16:00 Valencia VS Athletic Bilbao

18:15 Deportivo La Coruna VS Granada

20:30 Barcelona VS Sevilla

Germany: Bundesliga 

27/2/2016 (Saturday) 

15:30 Hamburger SV VS Ingolstadt

15:30 VfB Stuttgart VS Hannover 96

15:30 Werder Bremen VS Darmstadt

15:30 Wolfsburg VS Bayern Munich

28/2/2016 (Sunday) 

15:30 Augsburg VS Borussia Moenchengladbach

17:30 Borussia Dortmund VS Hoffenheim

17:30 Mainz 05 VS Bayer Leverkusen

19:30 Eintracht Frankfurt VS Schalke 04

France: Ligue 1 

27/2/2016 (Saturday) 

17:00 Montpellier VS Lille

20:00 Guingamp VS Angers

20:00 Reims VS Bordeaux

20:00 Toulouse VS Rennes

20:00 Troyes VS Lorient

28/2/2016 (Sunday) 

14:00 Nantes VS Monaco

17:00 GFC Ajaccio VS Marseille

17:00 Saint-Etienne VS Caen

21:00 Lyon VS Paris Saint Germain

Daily Devotion On This Day, 27th of February, 2016

Unstaggering Trustfulness

He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. – Ps 112:7

Suspense is dreadful. When we have no news from home, we are apt to grow anxious, and we cannot be persuaded that “no news is good news.” Faith is the cure for this condition of sadness; the Lord by His Spirit settles the mind in holy serenity, and all fear is gone as to the future as well as the present.

The fixedness of heart spoken of by the psalmist is to be diligently sought after. It is not believing this or that promise of the Lord, but the general condition of unstaggering trustfulness in our God, the confidence which we have in Him that He will neither do us ill Himself nor suffer anyone else to harm us. This constant confidence meets the unknown as well as the known of life. Let the morrow be what it may, our God is the God of tomorrow. Whatever events may have happened, which to us are unknown, our Jehovah is God of the unknown as well as of the known. We are determined to trust the Lord, come what may. If the very worst should happen, our God is still the greatest and best. Therefore will we not fear though the postman’s knock should startle us or a telegram wake us at midnight. The Lord liveth, and what can His children fear?

Headline News In Nigeria & Beyond This Day, 27th of February, 2016

• Our days of oil boom are gone - Buhari 
• EFCC to invite Mu'azu, Obanikoro over Omokore's car gifts 
• We are working with Buhari to return looted funds soon - UK 
• CBN claims responsibility for parallel market crash 
• Senate President, Saraki dismisses his corruption trial at CCT as persecution 
• DSS detains three for accusing ex-DG, Gen. Daura of taking N4bn bribe from Senator Akpabio, others 
• Ex-President Jonathan named in statement torn by Metuh - EFCC 
• Nigerian helicopter crash land in Benin Republic 
• US may send special forces to assist in war against boko haram 
• Gani Adams makes new appointment in OPC
• EFCC turns down Uche Secondus' offer to refund 23 luxury cars, insists on N310m 
• NUC ranks UI, UNILAG, UNIBEN as best three Universities 
• PDP BoT, Rescue Group disagree on Sherrif's tenure 
• Cross River: Don't harass our members - APC tells Ayade 
• Ogun Polytechnic asks female students to stop wearing 'wicked jeans' 
• Appeal to your colleagues not Buhari, Aregbesola tells NMA. 
• REC confirms November 26 for governorship poll in Ondo State 
• UK spends £1.35m on Chevening scholarship for 45 Nigerian scholars in 2015 
• Kanu’s Release: Ohanaeze begins talks with presidency, royal fathers 
• Lagos State government cheers Supreme Court verdict on Reverend King 
• Fire guts late Audu Abubakar' plaza 
• Nigerian government sidelines own regulator, NCC, strikes secret deal with MTN, collects N50 billion 
• SSS denies DG Daura bribed to influence Supreme Court rulings on Akwa Ibom 
• Mystery deaths in Abuja community caused by flood poisoning - heath board 
• Osun Doctors: NMA threatens South West solidarity strike 
• Arrest Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi, APC leaders, Rivers PDP Chairman tells police 
• Police officers, families fume over pathetic state of police barracks 
• EFCC arraigns man for N1.3m visa scam 
• Military vow to flush out vandals, kidnappers in Niger Delta 
• Ex-efcc boss, larmode urges police to disregard Senate's arrest warrant 
• PDP disowns online membership registration 
• One dead, 2 critically injured in Abakaliki car crash
• Lagos shuts Ladipo market  
• Boko Haram: Troops rescue 1,890 hostages 
• I wasn't aware of Ogoni operation - Wike 
• Al-Shabaab car bomb kills 9 at Mogadishu hotel 
• Egypt sentences 4 coptic teenagers for contempt of Islam 
• 5 African leaders in Burundi to push for talks to end crusis
• If Donald Trump wins on Tuesday, he will surely be the Republican presidential candidate 
• Omotola Jolaade Ekehinde meets Oprah Winfrey 
• NFF tried to hire Herve Renard during my tenure, Oliseh speaks after resignation 
• Samson Siasia reappointed as Super Eagles Handler 
• Neymar pens new deal with Barca, to become the highest paid footballer in the world 
• Manchester United draw Liverpool in Europa League 
• Infantino becomes FIFA president 
• Lionel Messi sends shirt to the 'boy in the plastic bag' 
• FIFA to disclose salaries of officials, introduce term limits 
• Bastian Schweinsteiger closing on Manchester United return 

Fatai Amoo Steps Into Siasia’s Shoe, Takes Over Dream Team

Fatai Amoo, Dream Team Handler 

ASSISTANT coach Fatai Amoo will now lead the country’s Olympic team following the elevation of Samson Siasia to the Super Eagles, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have announced.

Former Sunshine Stars coach Amoo will therefore lead Dream Team VI to next month’s friendly against Brazil.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) have confirmed that the friendly will be played in Brazil on Thursday, March 24.

“The CBF is happy to host the champions of Africa, Nigeria Olympic team on the 24th March FIFA date at 7pm at the stadium of Kleber Andrade in the city of Cariacica, Vitoria, Espirito Santo,” announced the CBF.

“The match will serve as preparation for both teams fortheir participation in the Olympic Games Rio 2016.”

NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sport added: “The match is sealed. We are happy to be able to swing this one and it will serve as good preparation for the Nigeria Olympic team ahead of Rio 2016.”

Both teams were involved in one of the most memorable matches in the history of the men’s footballtournament of the Olympics, back in 1996, when the Dream Team came back from 1-3 down to eliminate Brazil in the semi-finals.

Nigeria beat Argentina 3-2 in the final to claim Africa’s first –ever Olympics football gold.

Shine Your Eyes: Air Force parades fraudster for recruitment scam

The Nigerian Air Force on Friday paraded a suspected fraudster, Musa (surname withheld), for allegedly exploiting the ongoing recruitment exercise into the service to extort money from unsuspecting applicants.

The Director of Information and Public Relations of the NAF, Group Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa, who paraded the suspect at the NAF headquarters on Friday, said that Musa belonged to a syndicate which specialized in using the recruitment exercise to deceive and swindle unsuspecting job seekers.

Famuyiwa stated that the victim had extorted N595,000 from three of his victims before his arrest. 

He said that the service commenced investigation into the activities of the syndicate when it received a letter from the Federal Character Commission that the NAF was charging Nigerians for the exercise.

He said that the leadership of the NAF was shocked because the service made publications in the media and its official Facebook page and website that the ongoing recruitment exercise for airmen and women and officer was free.

Famuyiwa said that operatives of the service got a leadon the syndicate when a driver to a service personnel called the attention of his boss to complaints by some victims who complained they were being made to pay N50,000 to get the job.

According to him, the victims supplied the phone numbers of the members of the syndicate which were used to track them to Yoruba Mosque, Wuse 2, where Musa was arrested while his associate, one Usman, who worked with the Federal Capital fled.

The Air Force spokesman said that operatives found a letter with the letterhead of the Senate President purported to have been written to the Chief of Army Staff to recommend some listed candidates for recruitment into the service.

He also said that complementary cards of prominent Nigerians, a supposed MOU with applicants and several ATM cards obviously used to convince his victims, were recovered from him.

Reacting He said, “We got a letter from the Federal Character Commission that the NAF was charging fees for recruitment. 

It was so surprising because we have made publications in the media, and also our Facebookpage to alert the public, we also made posters and distributed them across the country to alert the public that the exercise was fee.

“One of our soldiers has a cab, and some passengers were complaining to the driver that the NAF was collecting money for recruitment. 

The driver collected their numbers and those of the members of the syndicate and reported to our personnel.

The Air Police called the number and were charged N50k and agreed to meet them Yoruba mosque, Wuse 2, Abuja, and that was how he was arrested. 

A letter head of the office of the Senate President was found in his house but his colleague who took him in car to the place escaped.”

He said that the suspect would be handed over the police for further investigation and prosecution.

However, Musa said that it was Usman (now at large) that introduced him to the fraud.

He admitted that the group collected money from applicants into the Air Force and blamed the devil for his action.

[today] 

Segun Oni Becomes Acting APC Chairman As Oyegun Goes On Break

Engr. Segun Oni, Deputy National Chairman of APC 

THE national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Friday disclosed that he will take a 10-day break starting Monday 29 February, 2016 to enable him rest.‎‎

In a chat with newsmen, he stated that in his absence,‎ the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Engr. Segun Oni ‎will cover his beat.‎‎

He dispelled a media report suggesting an “internal strife” in the party and a move to “ease” him out of office.“I have been APC National Chairman for how long now?

Going to two years, and it has been a very intense period building the party and a very intense period putting government together up to this point. 

All that has happened is that I think I deserve a bit of a break and that will start effective Monday,” he said.

“In my absence, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Engr. Segun Oni will cover my beat. 

It is that simple, it is that straightforward. Any speculation about not being in the office is of no consequence.”

He explained that he had to work despite falling sick. “On Tuesday I was down with malaria, I managed on Wednesday to attend that crucial meeting at the presidency, yesterday (Thursday) I had to go to the hospital just to be sure and today I am at work, full stop. 

So please, please, please I know the press is supposed to steer the news but not when there is really nothing to steer. It is that simple,” he added.

NFF Re-appoints Samson Siasia As Super Eagles Head Coach

Samson Siasia, New Super Eagles Handler 

The Nigerian Football Federation has appointed former Super Eagles handler, Samson Siasia, as the new head coach of the senior national football team.

The appointment came after recommendations by the NFF Technical and Development Committee and was made less than 24 hours after Sunday Oliseh resigned citing lack of support and unpaid salaries to coaching staff and players of the team.

Siasia served as Super Eagles’ Head Coach between December 2010 and October 2011, before his contract was terminated following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

He will be assisted by Salisu Yusuf, Emmanuel Amuneke who led Nigeria’s U-17 to 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup gold, and former goalkeeper Alloy Agu. Both Salisu Yusuf and Alloy Agu worked under Oliseh.

Siasia served as Super Eagles’ Head Coach between December 2010 and October 2011, before his contract was terminated following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations

Read The Brief Profile Of Gianni Infantino, New FIFA President

Gianni Infantino, New FIFA President 

Gianni Infantino who who was born on 23 of March, 1970 is the incumbent Federation Internationale de Football Federation (FIFA) is a Swiss football administrator. 

He has been the general secretary of UEFAsince 2009 and holds both Swiss and Italian nationality.

He was elected as FIFA president during the2016 FIFA Extraordinary Congresson 26 February 2016 which was held with thepurpose of reforming FIFA.

On 26 October 2015, Infantino received the full backing of the UEFA Executive Committee to stand for the position of FIFA President tin theupcoming FIFA Extraordinary Congress.

On the same day, he confirmed his candidacy and that he submitted the required declarations of support.

On 26 February 2016, Infantino was elected as the newFIFAPresident at the Extraordinary FIFA Congress in Zürich, Switzerland. 

A multi-lingual lawyer, he is married and has four children.

Biography

Gianni Infantino was born on 23 March 1970 in Brig, Switzerland. He is of Italian origin from Calabria and Lombardy.

He studied law at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) and speaks Italian, French, German, English, and Spanish fluently.

Prior to joining UEFA, Gianni Infantino worked as the Secretary General of the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) at the University of Neuchâtel, having previously been an adviser to a variety of football bodies in Italy, Spain and Switzerland.

Career at UEFA

Since his appointment, he has been part of a leadershipteam which has helped to further strengthen both national team and club football in Europe, and UEFA's role as a respected and credible international governing body. 

At the helm of UEFA's administration, Gianni Infantino has intensified UEFA's work to provide a sustainable environment for European football, through initiatives such as Financial Fair Play, improved commercial support to national associations of all sizes and the development of UEFA's competitions at every level of the game.

He oversaw the expansion of UEFA Euro2016 to 24 teams.

and played an integral role in theconception of the UEFA Nations Leagueand theUEFA Euro 2020that will see the tournament take place in 13 European nations.

He is currently also serving as a member of FIFA's Reform Committee.

Gianni Infantino came to UEFA in August 2000, working on a range of legal, commercial and professional football matters, and was appointed Director of UEFA's Legal Affairs and Club Licensing Division in January 2004. 

Throughout this time he also led UEFA's work in fostering close contacts with the European Union, the Council of Europe and governmental authorities. He was promoted to Deputy General Secretary in 2007.

In 2015, the Greek government decided to introduce a new sports law, regarding the recent 2015 Greek football scandaland acts of violence and corruption mainly in the Greek football. 

Gianni Infantino, as UEFA's general secretary, led the negotiations with the Greek government. 

UEFA and FIFA supported the Hellenic Football Federationand sent a warning to Greece that itfaces suspension from international football for government interference.

He promised to expand the FIFA World Cup to 40 teams if elected FIFA president.

He was elected FIFA President on 26 February 2016 fora period of 3 years from 2016 to 2019. 

Credit: wiki 

Gianni Infantino Wins FIFA President, Succeeds Sepp Blatter

Gianni Infantino, New FIFA President 

Gianni Infantino from Switzerland, has succeeded his countryman, Sepp Blatter, as FIFA president.Infantino, the UEFA secretary general, after round two of the election, polled 115 votes, 27 more than his closest rival, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa.

Coming third is Prince Ali bin al-Hussein with four votes, while Jerome Champagne could not secure a vote. 

Tokyo Sexwale withdrew before voting began in Zurich.

Earlier, after the first round of voting, no outright winner emerged as none of the contestants got a simple majority vote as stipulated by FIFA rules.

However, at the second round of voting, Infantino got a simple majority of more than 50 per cent, 104 votes to become the president-elect.

The 45-year-old Infantino is a lawyer from Brig in the Valais region of Switzerland, less than six miles from Blatter's hometown of Visp.

His predecessor, Blatter, who led the world football's governing body since 1998, stood down last year and was later banned from football for six years over corruption allegation.

Shocking! Two Brothers Landed In Prison For Mocking A Judge On Facebook

Two brothers have been jailed for two years after mocking a judge on Facebook for handing them a suspended sentence for drug dealing.

Daniel Sledden, 27, and his younger brother Samuel, 22, from Accrington, Lancashire, were hauled back to court after the gloating messages were brought to the attention of Judge Beverley Lunt. "

Cannot believe my luck 2 year suspended sentance (sic) beats the 3 year jail yes pal! 

Beverly [sic] Lunt go suck my ****," Daniel wrote, just 40 minutes after escaping a jail term.

Shortly afterwards Samuel wrote: "What a day it's been Burnley crown court! 

Up ur**** aha nice 2 year suspended ..."Judge Lunt said she felt compelled to order the sentence review after the posts caused her to question the remorse the pair had shown in court.

"The question I have to ask myself is this, if I had not known their real feelings at being in court would I have accepted their remorse and contrition, and suspended the sentence," she said."

And the answer is of course not."Each of the posts indicate they have not changed at all."They have not taken on board anything or learned any responsibility."

The two had admitted to being concerned in the supply of cannabis from May to September 2014.Just over a week after his original post, Daniel Sledden turned to Facebook once again, this time to express remorse for his actions."

I was very lucky not to be sent to prison and I was very stupid to have written what I did," he wrote."

I want to say sorry to Judge Lunt and to anyone else who was upset or offended by my thoughtless post which I did not mean."

See The Draw Of Round 16 In UEFA EUROPA League 2015/2016 Season

I bring to you the draw for the round of 16 of EUROPA League. The draw which was held earlier today.

In the draw, Liverpool will play host to Manchester United and Dortmund host Tottenham.

The Full draw:

• Shakhtar Donetsk VS Anderlecht 
• Basel VS Sevilla 
• Villareal VS Bayern Leverkusen 
• Athletic VS Valencia 
• Liverpool VS Manchester United 
• Sparta Praha VS Lazio 
• Borussia Dortmund VS Tottenham 
• Fenerbahce VS braga 

See the draw in picture:

Sunday Oliseh; A Perfect Example Of 'Enu Dun Ro Efo' Philosophy

Sunday Oliseh 

It is no longer news that Sunday Oliseh had resigned his appointment as the head coach of Super Eagles with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) but the hot debate that this development is generating is becoming a global phenomenon. 

In the wee hours of today, Oliseh announced his resignation on Twitter citing various reasons for the decision, among which are;

• Contracts violations 
• Lack of support 
• Unpaid wages, benefits to his players and assistant coaches

In as much as I tend to blame the NFF on this chain of reasons highlighted by him but his dismal performance at the CHAN was nothing to write home about. 

Though NFF shares the larger percentage of the buck of the blame by not given him the enabling environment to explore. 

Basic logistics should be readily available for a coach to excel but his media outbursts were not necessary and unwarranted. 

Be that as it may, Oliseh who is known to be an unrepented football critic and analyst finds it very easy to criticise, condemn and even nail players and their handlers, shocked his critics when he described them as being 'mad'. 

Though he has apologised for the rant but he shouldn't forget the 'law of Karma'  or should I call it 'Golden Rule'. 

It is my believe that he now knows better, running analysis is far different from being the actor on the pitch. 

It is very easy to cook a delicacy with mouth, than staying in the kitchen to practicalise all what have been said. 

I wish him well in his future endeavour. 

-PFB 

Reverend King Must Die By Hanging, Supreme Court Affirms

Reverend King Ezeugo who was convicted of killing a church member will die by hanging, so says Nigerian apex court, the Supreme Court.

The court however vacated the five 20 years jail handed him by a federal high court in Lagos.

Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, the lead judge ruled that the death sentence by the Lagos court be upheld.

Justcie Ngwuta said  the facts against Rev. King is like such that is seen in a horror movie. 

Ngwuta further stated that the appeal lacked merit thus case discharged.

Cristiano Ronaldo Targets Hollywood After Career In Football

Cristiano Ronaldo 

Portugal and Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has revealed that he would like to go into Hollywood, when he hangs up his boot.

The 31-year-old, who is widely regarded as the number one sports brand in the world, insisted he would be happy to start with small roles and learn from professional actors.

“I would not be a lead (actor), no,” he said.

“I would do small roles. 

I like to learn, to be surrounded by good actors, but that is the only way you learn. 

It is an area we do not know much about, it has nothing to do with football, but I believe with some training I couldmake it there.

“I am sure that sooner or later I will be in a cast for a film, no doubt. 

But to play a small role to start, to pick up experience. 

Then to shine more in the future. I have the chance, thanks to God, to choose only what I like. 

I love the world of fashion, so it’s not strange I have my own line of shirts, boxer-shorts, perfume, headphones, and more things will come out soon.”

Ronaldo also spoke about his joy at the growth of his CR7 brand and other projects.

He said: “I am happy as these projects are growing more and more. 

After football, I now have an idea what will do. 

Maybe my brand will keep growing in different areas shoes, trousers, films etcetera.”

Sunday Oliseh Resigns As Super Eagles Handler (See Why)

Sunday Oliseh, former Super Eagles Head Coach 

Sunday Oliseh has resigned as Head Coach of the Nigerian football national team, the Super Eagles, just over seven months after he was appointed.

Oliseh, who announced his resignation on Twitter,said he took the decision due to the inability of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to honour the terms of his contract.

“Due to contract violations, lack of support, unpaid wages, benefits to my players, assistant coaches and myself, I resign as Super Eagles Chief Coach,” he tweeted.

In a preceding tweet before announcing his resignation, Oliseh thanked Nigerians for the opportunity to serve as coach of the national team“I feel fortunate, blessed and eternally grateful forhaving the honour to play, captain and coach this great nation of ours, Nigeria.”

Oliseh, whose appointment was made with much fanfare by the NFF, soon started having problemswith the executives of the federation over remuneration, match tactics and results.

His complaint about being owed was not well received by the NFF, which rather threatened to sanction him.He also had challenges managing the players. 

Analtercation between the coach and the team’s former captain and the country’s most capped goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, led to the goalie’s premature resignation from the team last October.

Apparently, the last straw for Oliseh was the woeful outing of the Super Eagles at the CHAN competition in Rwanda, where the team was eliminated in the first round.

Following widespread criticisms that greeted the team’s elimination, a Youtube video soon surfaced in which Oliseh lambasted his critics, referring to them as “insane”.

On Thursday, the NFF directed Oliseh to henceforth report to former coach and the federation’s technical director, Amodu Shuaibu.

​The NFF is yet to respond to his resignation.

PDP’s BOT Makes U-Turn, Endorses Sherrif As Chairman

GOVERNORS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have said the simmering crisis over the appointment of Senator Modu Ali Sheriff as the party chairman has been resolved.

Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State, was elected by the National Executive Committe of the PDP to replace Ahmed Adamu Muazu who resigned in May last year.

The Board of Trustee (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday said it had to make a  u-turn on its decision not to support Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman of the party so as to further destroy the unity, cohesion and future successes of the party.

However, the  board said that Sheriffand all current members of the National Working Committee (NWC) must vacate their positions to give way to new leadership within the three months.

In a communique issued after a meeting on Thursday February 25th; and signed by the former Deputy Senate of the President, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu, the Board reaffirmed its full confidence in its acting Chairman, Sen. Walid Jibrin.

Stating: “The BOT reviewed the commitment made on its behalf at the stakeholders’ meeting which was convened by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator lke Ekweremadu, which resolved that Senator Ali Modu Sheriff who was elected by NEC at its last meeting be allowed three months’ tenure within which period congresses and national convention will hold to elect new leaders of the party at all levels.”

Members of the BoT and other stakeholders have maintained that with him at the helm of affairs, the PDP would face serious legitimacy crisis; due to the widespread ut unsubstantiated belief that Sheriff is a sponsor of Boko Haram.

Daily Devotion On This Day, 25th of February, 2016

Truth Established

The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment. – Prov 12:19

Truth wears well. Time tests it, but it right well endures the trial. If then, I have spoken the truth and have for the present to suffer for it, I must be content to wait. If also I believe the truth of God and endeavor to declare it, I may meet with much opposition, but I need not fear, for ultimately the truth must prevail.

What a poor thing is the temporary triumph of falsehood! “A lying lip is but for a moment!” It is a mere gourd which comes up in a night and perishes in a night; and the greater its development the more manifest its decay. On the other hand, how worthy of an immortal being is the avowal and defense of that truth which can never change; the everlasting gospel, which is established in the immutable truth of an unchanging God! An old proverb saith, “He that speaks truth shames the devil.” Assuredly he that speaks the truth of God will put to shame all the devils in hell and confound all the seed of the serpent which now hiss out their falsehoods.

O my heart, take care that thou be in all things on the side of truth, both in small things and great; but specially, on the side of Him by whom grace and truth have come among men!

Headline News In Nigeria & Beyond This Day, 26th of February, 2016

• FG promises free health services to 100 million Nigerians in two years 
• Buhari seeks OIC support to resettle IDPs 
• FG to end amnesty programme in 2018 
• Jonathan’s Ex-ADC in our detention on Army's directive - EFCC 
• Judiciary workers threaten strike over unpaid salaries 
• Foreign sailors seized off Nigeria freed 
• Senate to partner with CSOs 
• Senate slashes N7.6bn TSA charges to N656.5m 
• Alleged Corruption: ICPC begins investigation into petition against Kayode Fayemi 
• ICAN faults call for naira devaluation 
• 16-year-old boy dies while performing money ritual rites in Abeokuta 
• T. B. Joshua donates N5m to the man whose wife was killed by the police 
• Death toll in Rivers shootings rises to 18 
• Former most beautiful girl and husband jailed in US 
• Reps query FAAN over N7bn recruitment budget, scanners 
• NYSC to re-open orientation camps in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe Says DG 
• Corrupt lawyers, judges won't be spared - EFCC boss 
• Saraki decries outbreak of lead poisoning in Niger 
• US reduces aid to 1.9m Nigerians living with HIV over gay support 
• Nigeria's economy could get worse - El-Rufai 
• CJN denies blocking senior lawyers' appointment as Supreme Court justices 
• Measles outbreak leaves 23 children dead in Sokoto State 
• Senator Stella Oduah thanks supporters, reacts to Supreme Court ruling 
• Google Nigeria urges women to leverage on online tools 
• Court dismisses Metuh’s suit against FG 
• Benue South Re-Run: PDP dismisses allegations of ballot stuffing 
• Delta APC congratulates Ubulu-Uku monarch 
• Northern group condemns amnesty for boko haram members 
• Herdsmen kill seven villagers in Taraba, Anambra attacks 
• Cynthia Morgan wades into PSquare, Jude Okoye's feud 
• New Egypt coach shops players to beat Nigeria's Eagles 
• 200 Kenyan troops killed by Al-Shabaab in January - Somalia govt 
• The key to build a good team is organisation - Coach Amuneke 
• Nigerian fans are not crazy - Oliseh 
• CAS rejects Jerome Champagne plea for transparent FIFA voting booths 
• Mourinho can bring Man Utd back a 'high level' - Deco 

Goodnews! You Can Now Edit Your BVN Details (See How)

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Thursday directed all banks to allow their customers havingdifficulties in linking the bank verification numbers (BVNs) to their accounts to effect the necessary corrections.

Last year the CBN had said that any bank customer without the BVN would from November 1, 2015 be deemed to have inadequate know yourcustomer (KYC) information.

Equally, the bank had clarified that a Nigeria resident’s bank account without the BVN would be allowed to operate as “No customer initiated debit” account until the holder of such an accountobtained and attached a BVN to the account.

Regardless, the CBN director of Banking and Payment Systems Department, Dipo Fatokun, said on Thursday the CBN had received reports ofcustomers facing difficulties linking their BVN to their account due to discrepancies in their records on the BVN database and core banking applications with the DMBs.

To resolve the problems, Mr. Fatokun said the CBN approved that correction of dates of birth on BVN record could be corrected once with the relevant supporting documents evidencing the correct date of birth.

Other corrections approved by the CBN include change of name due to marriage, which should becorrected by providing the supporting document, such as marriage certificate/affidavit, while minor corrections in name due to misspelling wasapproved for correction with supporting documents like international passport showing the correct name.

Although change of names that are totally different or partially different was also allowed, the CBN director said such should be allowed after the customer had produced supporting document to the change of name, including a report to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) as a suspicious transaction.

Insisting that customers’ names on the BVN database must be the same in all their accounts across the banking industry, the CBN director said customers wishing to close their accounts should be allowed.

Where such accounts were not linked with the BVN, the CBN said a payment instruction should be issued in the name in which the account was opened with.

In cases where the balance on the account was more than what is legally allowed on paper instrument (N10 million), the bank should seek and obtain clearance for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and NFIU before such accounts and the balance transferred electronically to another account.

Where the bank raises suspicion on the activity ofits customer, Suspicious Transaction Report should be filled with the NFIU, while the timeline for the resolution of all BVN issues shall be five working days from the date of the date the customer submits all the required documents.

Fayose Olukere Fued: Ekiti Lawmakers Acted The Script Written To Them By Fayose - Olukere

Governor Ayodele Fayose 

The Olukere of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, has described the resolution of the House of Assembly asking him to stop laying claim to the kingship as “unbelievable and saddening.”

Obasoyin, who claimed that the lawmakers were being “teleguided” by Governor Ayo Fayose expressed regrets that the lawmakers arrived at the resolution when the process was yet to be completed.

The Olukere, who reacted on phone expressed surprisethat it was the House that invited him and promised to invite the other side (the Ogoga) and officials of the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs before arriving at a conclusion.

He described the latest position of the lawmakers as “feeling the hand of Esau and hearing the voice of Jacob”, lamenting the erosion of the independence of the legislature in Ekiti State.

Obasoyin said: “It is surprising to us because they had started a process and they have not ended it before passing their resolution. 

This is unbelievable and saddening.“This is akin to feeling the hand of Esau and hearing the voice of Jacob. 

These are House members representing the people, they wrote to me to come and defend my petition and they never gave me any condition.

“I am surprised that they are making a resolution in the middle of the process because they promised to invite the other party and the officials of the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs.

“They are being teleguided by the governor because he(Fayose) insisted that I should apologize to him before my request is considered. 

It is very unfortunate that other arms of government are not allowed to function in line with the Constitution in Ekiti State.

“I will continue to appeal to my people to allow peace to reign in Ikere because we have God on our side. 

I will come out with a comprehensive reaction as soon as I arrive the state”.

Protests as ‘pure water’ sells for N20 in Edo State

PRICE of sachet water, popularly known as ‘pure water’ has skyrocketed to N20 from N10 in some parts of Edo State.

This is just as price of bottled water rose from N50 to between N70 and N80.

Following the development, hawkers of the product have lamented low patronages.

Before now, a bag of sachet water was sold between N80 to N100 but now, it has now moved from N150 to 200.

Speaking with The Nation in Benin City, the Edo State capital, a ‘pure water’ hawker, Helen Usunobun said they could not cope with the hike in price which would leave them making N30 profit for every bag of satchet water.

Her words, “They said dollar has gone up. Whether dollar is in the water, we don’t know.”

Another hawker, Mrs. Enoma Blessing, said people that used to consume four satchet water, now buy only one per day.

Irhue said a film roll that sold for N600,000 last week now sells for N920,000 while packaging material rose from N3300 to N5000.

According to him, “Nobody can give water treatment and sell at the former price of N100. 

It is a terrible situation we have found ourselves.“It is the sourcing of the materials that is causing theseproblems.”

Chairman of the Water Producers in the state, Henry Eremokhai, said the approved price by the association was N120.

My wife cannot abandon me because of fame – Olajumoke’s husband

Sunday Orisaguna, husband of bread seller-turned-model, has finally opened up about the new found fame and fortune that smiled on her wife, Olajumoke.

In a chat with Encomium Magazine, the Osun State-based artisan expressed confidence that she remained the girl she met many years ago despite the sudden fame that came her way.

“I am very happy. I never expected it. 

I didn’t know things will turn around for us this soon. 

I wasn’t expecting it. 

I cannot express how I feel today. I didn’t know we can get to where we are today. 

From the time I was born till now, it is overwhelming. 

I didn’t ever envisage such a great thing. I didn’t know we can ever get here”, he stated.

Asked if he feels threatened by Olajumoke’s new fortune, he said “I am not afraid because when we had nothing, she was always there. 

If I said I needed this, she would give me. I am not afraid. If she is rich today, we both own it. 

I trust her for that. She has been a very good wife. 

I believe she will continue to be good.”

On how they met he said, “She came to greet her grandma in my area some years back. 

She came from Lagos. She went to her mother’s younger sister, who introduced her to hairdressing. 

I used to go to where she was learning hairdressing to toast her but she insisted that she came to learn hairdressing and not to befriend a man. 

I used to go there often and after six months, she said yes, that was how it all started.”

Orisaguna revealed that they were already making plans to relocate.“Yes, that is what we are praying for. 

We need to relocate. We need accommodation and every other thing. 

Lagos is not an easy place. We didn’t know we would get a house. 

We don’t know how far it is from the house and her work place. You have to consider the traffic and everything. 

Unless one has a personal car we can use to drive her to work so that she wouldn’t be late for work. 

I will go back home to bring my other daughter so that we can all come over to Lagos,” he said.

[daily post]