ONE WORD

THE Federal Government has set a revenue target of N877 billion for the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS for this year, even as the management assured that it would strive to surpass the target at the end of the year. Customs CG, Hameed Ali Comptroller-General of the NCS, Hameed Ali, who disclosed at the 2019 International Customs Day, ICD with the theme “Smart Border for Seamless Trade, Travel and Transport,” said that the management has set a far higher in-house target for itself. The Customs helmsman said management would no longer tolerate the incessant killing of its officers by smugglers, vowing that appropriate force would henceforth be applied in its anti-smuggling operations He said the Service intends to swell its revenue generation by acquiring non-intrusive equipment to boost trade facilitation, while ensuring that stakeholders comply with trade rules. He said the Service intends to swell its revenue collection by acquiring non-intrusive equipment to boost trad

By Cynthia Alo An investment mobile application (app),  I-Invest,  which allows users to purchase Treasury Bills (T-Bills) directly from their smart phones, has recorded  more than 70,000 downloads on Apple App Store and Google Play Store in less than 10 months of its entry into the market. The app,  developed by a Pan-African inter-brokerage services firm, Parthian Partners in partnership with Sterling Bank Plc, is supported on both Android and iOS platforms  and aimed at encouraging users to build a savings and investment culture. According to a report issued by the firms, the app is for all investors regardless of status or category. mobile money The report stated: “The app, known as I-Invest, was swiftly embraced by investors who had been yearning for a fast and convenient means to access investment products in a secure manner using technology. It provides equal opportunities for working-class or retiring people and pensioners as well as experienced and i

Elder statesman and former Common Wealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has asked the Federal Government to reconsider its stance on the call for restructuring and return to true federalism. According to him, the country is under-performing and lacking national cohesion like never before, a situation he believes can only be resolved by restructuring its present governance architecture. He said, “Judged by all the relevant indices, Nigeria today is clearly underperforming and lacking national cohesion as never before. “If our country is to succeed on the road to political stability and realisation of its rich development potential, it must, by restructuring its present governance architecture. “It must return to the true federalism that it practiced in the years before the military intervened in our national politics”. With the general elections just days away, Chief Anyaoku who was speaking at a symposium to unveil the new logo of The Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday,

Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri, has said that forward, Callum Hudson-Odoi will not be leaving Stamford Bridge this January transfer window. Sarri stated this on Tuesday ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Wednesday at the Dean Court Stadium. Hudson-Odoi, who has submitted his transfer request to Chelsea, is keen to join Bayern Munich this month. The 18-year-old had refused to commit himself to Sarri’s side due to concerns over his lack of playing time in the first team. The England youngster currently has less than 18 months left on his current deal with Chelsea but Sarri stressed that Chelsea’s board told him that Hudson-Odoi will stay at the club because the player is out from transfer market. “On the pitch, [Hudson-Odoi] he’s doing very well,” Sarri was quoted by Telegraph as telling reporters. “I’m really very happy with him. I’m not very happy with the situation, but I know very well that every big team here in England has the same problem.

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday released an open letter he wrote to the Ambassadors of France, Germany, European Union, United States and the United Kingdom High Commissioner. In the letter, Atiku listed what he described as constitutional breaches by President Muhammadu Buhari. He insisted that Buhari was desperate to remain in power, while giving instances of disregard for court rulings by the the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government. The letter is as below: Dear Your Excellency, CONSTITUTIONAL BREACHES UNDER THE WATCH OF PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI I have chosen to write this letter to Your Excellency for the enviable role that your country plays as champion of Democracy and the Rule of Law. I am also writing you as Nigeria’s international development partner working together to deepen and strengthen our democracy as well as to help in the transformation of our economies and societies for the better.

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has announced that there will be traffic diversion on Saturday due to the Access Bank Marathon. The event holds on February 2, 2019 for about 12 hours. LASTMA, on Tuesday, said some parts of Lagos will be closed to vehicular and human traffic for the safety of thousands of runners, hundreds of thousands of cheering fans and millions of Lagosians. The alternative routes: “All vehicles from Ikeja and environs headed to Victoria Island MUST go through Ikorodu Road. “All vehicles from Badagry, Mile 2 and environs going to Victoria Island MUST go through Apapa and Orile to link the Eko Bridge to Victoria Island. “Residents of Lagos Mainland, Surulere and environs MUST avoid Masha Area and National Stadium but can link Victoria Island through Iponri/Iganmu, Eko Bridge then unto Victoria Island. “Vehicles coming from Ibadan, Mowe and environs can link Victoria Island through Ojota, Ikorodu Road, Eko Bridge to Victoria Island.

The House of Representatives has passed the National Minimum Wage Bill at N30,000 for workers in the country. The lawmakers passed the bill during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara. They approved the figure after the bill was read and passed for the third time on the floor of the lower chamber of the National Assembly in Abuja. Prior to the passage of the bill, the House adopted the report of the ad-hoc committee set up to look into the bill presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari. It said it decided to adopt the report of the tripartite committee because of the obvious difficult living conditions in the country. READ ALSO: N27,000 Minimum Wage Bill Passes Second Reading At Senate The lawmakers inserted a clause in the bill which makes it effective from the date it is asserted to by the President. They, however, retained the original clause in the bill which excluded employers of less than 25 people from

Manchester United’s Norwegian caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates following the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on January 2, 2019. – Manchester United won the match 2-0. (Photo by Lindsey PARNABY / AFP) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says trophies are more important for Manchester United than a top-four finish as he targets success in two cup competitions over the second half of the season. A run of eight successive victories to start his caretaker reign at the club has transformed a campaign that appeared to be heading nowhere under his predecessor Jose Mourinho. United are still in the FA Cup and Champions League, while vastly improved league form now has the Reds looking at a potential best-case scenario of finishing third in the Premier League. Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino, still in the frame to become United’s eventual long-term manager, has claimed a

Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes on a four-and-a-half-year deal, the French champions announced on Tuesday. The 25-year-old put pen to paper on a contract until 2023 after completing a medical in Qatar. No transfer fee was disclosed, although press reports have put the fee at 47 million euros ($54m). “Leandro’s arrival will keep the momentum, both on the pitch and among our supporters, ahead of the major events coming up. Exciting times lie ahead,” PSG’s Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said in a club statement. 📸👕 #BienvenidoParedes Our new number 8⃣ @LParedss 👌 ❤💙 #ICICESTPARIS pic.twitter.com/Cu7sPN0eOv — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 29, 2019 The Ligue 1 leaders were looking to strengthen in midfield ahead of their Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester United, with Marco Verratti sidelined with an ankle injury and Adrien Rabiot frozen out after refusing to sign a new contract. PSG

Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben controls the ball during his friendly football match against Belgium’s KAS Eupen at the Aspire Academy in Doha on January 10, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / KARIM JAAFAR Superstar Dutch winger Arjen Robben is lining up a move to J-League outfit FC Tokyo after he leaves Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, local media reported on Tuesday. The 35-year-old has already confirmed he is leaving Bayern at the end of the season after a glittering career that saw him win seven Bundesliga titles and nearly 100 caps for the Netherlands. If confirmed, it would be the latest high-profile transfer to the Japanese league, after Spanish World Cup winner Andres Iniesta and German striker Lukas Podolski joined Vissel Kobe. Iniesta’s World Cup-winning teammate Fernando Torres is also playing at J-League rival Sagan Tosu. The Sports Nippon daily said there was a “rapidly emerging” chance of Robben playing in Japan next season. “Robben’s family, who are believed to have a big sa

Liverpool’s Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk (L) celebrates with Liverpool’s English midfielder Adam Lallana (2nd L), Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino (2nd R) and Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Fabinho (R) after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on December 21, 2018.<br />Geoff CADDICK / AFP Liverpool is working to ensure this season’s Premier League title push is not a one-off as they lay the foundations for continued success after struggling in recent years to sustain a challenge. Within 20 months of running a Manchester United side containing Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney close in 2008/09, the core of the side built by Rafa Benitez had been dismantled by the departures of Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres. Five years ago, after the goals of Luis Suarez propelled Liverpool to the verge of t

Lawyers in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet may be faced with difficult options in the face of popular angst against the administration’s actions against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor Last weekend’s suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria may have raised unease among lawyers and political stakeholders across the country.  Onnoghen Buhari is in Panic — Atiku It may be a different kettle of fish for lawyers and activists in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC who had in the past been in the front in propagating civil rights. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo who is the most prominent lawyer in the Muhammadu Buhari administration last Sunday cancelled a scheduled live interview on Channels Television in the wake of the controversy. His media aide, Laolu Akande attributed the cancellation to campaigning activities. However, there were suggestions in some sections th

Supreme Court of Nigeria Justices of the Supreme Court on Saturday shunned the inauguration of members of the election petitions tribunal by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed. The event was held at the Supreme Court Complex, Abuja on Saturday, Daily Trust reports. It was observed that unlike the custom where justices of the Supreme Court attend such functions with the CJN, only one of the Supreme Court justices, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, joined the Acting CJN, Justice Mohammed on the court podium. The absence of the justices may not be unconnected with the crisis at the highest echelon of the nation’s judiciary following the corruption charges against the embattled CJN Walter Onnoghen over his alleged non-declaration of assets and his subsequent suspension by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday. The Acting CJN Mohammed swore-in 250 members of the election petitions tribunal panels for the 2019 general elections in the country. Spea

Lawyers in Defence of Democracy protesting against the suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA • Pro-CJN protests hold in Abuja, Enugu, Abeokuta • ‘Suspension order was forged’ • Trial suspended, Atiku laments drift to anarchy, tyranny • Buhari’s action is legal, presidency insists • I haven’t resigned, says embattled justice The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) rose from its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja yesterday, calling on its members nationwide to boycott all courts for two days. The action billed to begin today is a protest against the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, by President Muhammadu Buhari. A statement at the end of the meeting reads in part: “NEC resolved that members should boycott all courts for the next two days starting from 29th to 31st of January, 2019.” The meeting ratified the constitution of a three-man committee (which may be expanded) ma

[FILE PHOTO] Aisha Buhari The office of the first lady is more of a ceremonial one that has no constitutional role assigned to it. But some wives of presidents had reinvented the position and made it a significant part of government business, sometimes to embarrassing levels. It was Maryam Babagida who first brought a lot of spark to the office. She was glamour personified, and had various pet projects, which won the hearts of many across the country. Her Better Life for Rural Women was another name for attracting a lot of political patronage to herself. Since the return to civil rule in 1999, Nigeria has witnessed four first ladies, spouses of first citizens, namely late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua, Dame Patience Jonathan, and currently Hajia Aisha Buhari. Stella Obasanjo’s time in Aso Rock as first lady was not quite a remarkable one. This was probably due to the fact that her husband, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, was himself overbearing; so, there was no space for

Aerial view of buildings and markets on Lagos Island. • Analysts predict gloomy market ahead of 2019 polls Fears that the heightening political uncertainties may trigger a pull back in the equity market to halt the bullish run witnessed in the past few days became a reality yesterday, as investors lost N31 billion. Analysts had predicted that the move by government to suspend the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, about three weeks to the Presidential poll would ultimately have a negative impact on investors’ confidence in the market this week. Specifically, after three consecutive sessions of bargain-hunting, the All-share index Monday, declined by 82.39 absolute points, representing a decrease of 0.26 per cent, to close at 31,344.24 points. Similarly, market capitalisation lost N31 billion to close at N11.688 trillion. The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Seplat Petroleum Development Company,

Here is the moment the stage collapsed during PDP Campaign Rally In Kebbi State. It is really embarrassing as all the PDP leaders and Chieftains on stage collapsed and fell down. The video is a must watch. It was shared by Kayode Ogundamisi who wrote: "A'uzu billahi minasheitani rajimi (Seek protection from the DEVIL) & podium collapsed. I hope members of @OfficialPDPNig involved in the mishap during the campaign podium disaster are okay. I pray they are all okay. We may oppose @atiku but we wish you well. #ElectionisNotWar" Reacting to the incident, Presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie wrote: "I hope members of @OfficialPDPNig involved in this accident during a campaign when the podium collapsed are okay. I pray they are all fine. #PDPCuttingCorners. We can't hand them our nation anymore. Nigeria is in safe hands." Watch the graphic video source:https://samueljackso