ONE WORD

Ikeja – Lt. -Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd) told an Ikeja High Court that he cannot recall how much he earned as salary as former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff(COAS). Bamaiyi told the court while being being cross-examined by Fred Ajudua, a lawyer, former Lagos socialite and an alleged serial fraudster before Justice Josephine Oyefeso of an Ikeja High Court. Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi Ajudua is standing trial for allegedly defrauding the retired General of 8.4million dollars. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ajudua cross-examined Bamaiyi because his counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN) was not in court. Bamaiyi told the court that he served in the Nigerian Army for 34 years after he was commissioned as a second Lieutenant on July 5, 1968. He said that he served as the Chief of Army Staff from Nov. 17, 1993 to May 29, 1999. The former COAS testified that he was arraigned in court on Nov. 23, 1999 alongside late CP James Danbaba and Col. J. B Y

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed April 30, 2019, to deliver judgment in a $55 million debt recovery suit filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria against Agip Oil Company Ltd. The court reserved its judgment after the counsel representing both parties had respectively adopted their final addresses before the court. This suit, filed since 2016 is one among other suits by the Federal Government, seeking to recover almost $12 billion in missing crude oil revenue from some international oil companies. There are similar lawsuits pending against Total E&P Nigeria Plc and Chevron Nigeria Limited by the Federal Government. In the suit, the Federal Government accused Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited of under-declaring the volume of crude oil it shipped out of the country between January 2011 and December 2014. According to the Federal Government, the oil giant short-changed it to the tune of $55m. The government is praying the court to compel the oil firm to pa

The U.S Embassy in Nigeria says its Abuja office and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Friday in recognition of the work-free day declared by the Federal Government. The embassy said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. The Federal Government has declared Friday, Feb. 22 as a Work-Free Day to enable Nigerians to prepare for the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly Elections on Saturday, Feb 23. “In recognition of this declaration and to encourage all our Nigerian employees to exercise their right to vote, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos will be closed. “No consular services will be available. If you already have a regular visa or ACS appointment for that date, you will be contacted for rescheduling,” the embassy stated. Source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/02/us-embassy-in-nigeria-announces-closure.html

According to a report by Punch Metro, a group of masked gunmen, on Wednesday, kidnapped 10 passengers and the driver of a white Toyota Sienna SUV travelling to Port Harcourt from Abua in the Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State. It was gathered that the passengers were accosted by their abductors at the Rumuekpe junction along the East-West Road in the Emohua Local Government Area of the state. An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Punch Metro that the gunmen came out from a nearby bush, shot into the air and took away the 10 passengers in the vehicle and the driver. He said, “Some young men, early this morning, came out of the bush with guns at the Rumuekpe junction along the East-West Road in the Emohua Local Government Area and blocked a Toyota Sienna SUV conveying 10 passengers. “They fired some gunshots into the air before kidnapping all the passengers in the vehicle as well as the driver. The victims were taken into the bush, while the ve

A Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, has sentenced a former Managing Director of the defunct Integrated Microfinance Bank Ltd, Simon Akinteye to four years in prison, over a $166.9m dollars fraud. The court sentenced the convict on the eight-count charge preferred against him by the office of Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federal Ministry of Justice. The sentence is to run concurrently. The court, however, gave him an option of fine of N2m on each of the counts, adding that same shall be computed cumulatively. Justice Mojisola Olatoregun had convicted Akinteye on Feb. 4, after finding him guilty of all eight counts bordering on reckless granting of loans without collateral, preferred against him. Meanwhile, the court had on same Feb. 4, discharged and acquitted his co-defendant, Gabriel Adepoju, who was accused of withdrawing a total sum of N22 million from the bank and diverting same to a limited liability company, Gad Press Limited. The court had then

German police confirmed Thursday that a Manchester City fan is in a critical condition following an alleged assault after the Premier League club’s Champions League match against Schalke. Man City fans Police in Gelsenkirchen say a 32-year-old male City fan was allegedly punched at Schalke’s Veltins Arena, near the away fans section, and suffered a “massive traumatic brain injury” after falling. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where his condition is described as “critical”. Local police are investigating a clash between two Schalke and two City fans, which led to the injury, and have called for witnesses. City issued a statement on their website on Thursday saying they were “aware of an alleged assault after the match”. “The club are working with Greater Manchester Police and German Police to ascertain more information,” it said. “Club staff have remained in Germany to support the family of an injured City fan who is currently in a critical condition in hospital.”

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, says he is not under any pressure and has not considered resigning even though there have been calls in some quarters seeking his resignation. Professor Yakubu made this known on Thursday, at a press briefing at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He said, “I see no reason to even contemplate resigning”. The INEC Chairman said he remains the Chief Electoral Officer of the Nation, stressing that he is confident that the polls will be conducted successfully. “I am not under any pressure… The last time I checked and that is the situation as we speak,  I am the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Nigeria, and constitutionally the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federal Republic and Returning Officer for the presidential elections”. Professor Yakubu said his status has not changed, hence he is proceeding on the basis of the powers which he draws fr

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mahmood Yakubu speaks to the press about preparations for the rescheduled general elections in Abuja, on February 21, 2019. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara and Rivers States will not field candidates in the forthcoming general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Thursday during a daily briefing ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly polls. “The position of the commission remains the position we announced before now. That the parties in question by court order and/by our understanding of the interpretation of the judgments of two courts of co-ordinate jurisdictions delivered same day in the case of Zamfara cannot field candidates in the 2019 general elections for the National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly elections,” he stated. According to the INEC boss, the court pronouncement

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has declared that if elected, his government won’t be hijacked by cabals. He said unlike what is obtainable under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, he would firmly be in control of his administration, if elected on Saturday. Atiku spoke while interacting with stakeholders from the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State at the Trade Fair Complex on Wednesday, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports. The former Vice President said Buhari is not fully in control of the government, saying such has led to the “current pains and sufferings in Nigeria.” According to Atiku: “President Muhammadi Buhari is not fully in control of government that is what has led to the current pains and suffering in the country. “If I get elected as President, 40 percent of my cabinet will be youth and education will be provided for all regardless of any affiliation, and my government will not be run by cabals l

Former Arsenal player, Paul Merson has advised Chelsea to appoint Derby County coach, Frank Lampard instead of former Real Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane, as replacement for manager, Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge. Merson believes Lampard, a Chelsea legend, would be a better choice to replace Sarri than Zidane. “I think with Zidane, how long would that last? Another year or one and a half years at the most? “Lampard was a legend at Chelsea. If you are going to have a five-year plan then I would say get Frank, but if you are not going to do that – and Chelsea are renowned for changing every year and a half or two years – then it’s going to end in tears,” Merson told Sky Sports. Chelsea will clash with Malmo in the Europa League second-leg tie at Stamford Bridge tonight. Sarri’s men head to the game following a 2-1 victory over Malmo in the first-leg encounter played last week. Source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/02/zidane-vs-lampard-chelsea-told-who-to.html

Professor Yemi Osinbajo has denied rumours suggesting that he had resigned his post as Vice President of Nigeria. The Vice President took to social media to debunk the speculations, describing them as ‘Fake News’. He said, “Misleading/FAKE news is on the rise especially in this season when Nigerians will make a choice about who will govern them for the next four years. I have not resigned! I remain committed to the service of the Nigerian people under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.” The Vice President said the rumours are all part of propaganda which stems from his absence at the last security meeting in Abuja. He said he was too busy in his office while the meeting was underway, adding that the same security chiefs that met with the President held a meeting with him on the same day. According to Prof Osinbajo, those who peddled the lies about his resignation said he flared up because he was not at the security meeting, and had

But analysts see profit taking by tomorrow By Peter Egwuatu The Nigerian equity market yesterday consolidated the gains recorded on Tuesday, thus defying the political risk associated with the postponement of the national elections as the bench mark index, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE All Share Index, went up by 0.64 percent to close at 32,614.06 points. Analysts have attributed the upsurge in the market to    some of    the positive corporate earnings for the audited financial year 2018 being released to the market as gains in bellwether stocks such as  Nigerian Breweries, NB (+10.0 percent ), Zenith Bank (+1.8 percent ) and Guaranty Trust Bank, GTBank (+0.8 percent) boosted the bench mark index. Consequently, market capitalisation increased by N77.5 billion to settle at N12.2trillion while Year-to-Date, YtD, gain stood at 3.8 percent. Nigerian Stock Exchange Activity level also strengthened as volume and value traded advanced 22.4 percent and 35.6 percent to 442.8 m

By Sam Eyoboka TUESDAY makes it exactly one year since Leah Sharibu was kidnapped with 109 other innocent school girls from their Government Girl’s Science and Technical College, Dapchi in Yobe State by Islamic States West African Provinces, ISWAP-ISIS which is said to be headed by Abdul-Fadl Iyad Gali. Leah Sharibu and President Buhari While the rest of the girls were released one month after the abduction, apart from five who died on their way into the forest, Leah Sharibu is still being held back on the ground of her faith in Christ which she refused to denounce. Throughout the last 365 days, the Federal Government which has pledged on a number of occasions to free the girl, has failed to secure her release, just as there is no news or empirical evidence to ascertain her current state which has put the parents and her only brother in perpetual pensive mood. The father, Nathan Sharibu and his wife, Theresa yesterday tearfully hosted a horde of Christian brothers and sis

A team of foreign observers under the aegis of the Pan African Women Project International Observers Wednesday raised the alarm over ‘classified information’ of a planned bomb attack of a mosque and market in Kano. The observers said they received emails from a source they did not make public, that the public places were penciled for the attacks ahead of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections. Publicity Secretary of the group, Ms. Mphoeue Keitseng, who hails from Botswana, said this at a joint press conference with their local partners in Kano. The group also noted that from their interactions with stakeholders across Nigeria, they observed that the late release of funds to the Independent National Electoral Commission played a substantial role in events which led to the postponement of the elections. Keitseng said, “Following our consultations with various stakeholders with regard to the recent postponement of Nigeria’s 2019 elections, the following are our

Everything you need to live well In the recent wake and eye-opening revelations surrounding the hate and attack on “Empire” star, Jussie Smollett, he has gotten himself into more trouble and might face jail time. It should be recalled that the two Nigerian brothers, Ola and Abel Osundairo had told the Cook County Grand Jury handling his case that they were paid by the star to stage a false attack. In a new development, the Grand Jury has stated that asides the confession, they have also investigated the evidence. Some of the evidence also shows them buying supplies for the attack including gloves, sunglasses and red hats. The brothers also confessed that he took them to his residence to rehearse the attack days before. Also, the attack was timed for January 29, the day the brothers were leaving for Nigeria. To make his matters worse, Smollett had told the police inconsistent stories. The police raised doubts over his story after he pointed at the camera that captured the i

By Peter Egwuatu Stanbic IBTC has expressed its commitment to promote entrepreneurship in the country as it continues to empower the youth in nation building. The bank disclosed this at the 2019 Stanbic IBTC Youth Leadership Series (YLS) held in Lagos, stressing that the youth empowerment motivational series was conceived as a way to energize the entrepreneurial spirit in young Nigerians. Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mr. Yinka Sanni, said YLS is a platform to engage the youth in shaping the future of the nation. He stated “We do appreciate that our future is closely woven with that of the energetic, innovative and hard working Nigerian youth. It has been from the very beginning considering that the Stanbic IBTC brand, which is 30 years this February, was set up in 1989 by an innovative and audacious 33-year old Nigerian, Mr Atedo Peterside. Where others see young millennials, we see business leaders, successful entrepreneurs; we see scholars, innovators, and h

By Osa Mbonu Finally, African men’s sexual prowess can be put to use. Already, quite a number of women from the western world are embarking on sex tourism trips to Africa. When they come, they are served, serviced and pampered, writes Tatenda Gwaambuka on how female sex tourists are exploiting African men.”Older women from Europe and North America are now known to frequent African resorts in pursuit of ‘sexcapades’ as they are called,” Tatenda describes. “The scenery in Africa is great, that cannot be doubted. European women cannot get enough of it, but beyond the scenery, there is a new attraction drawing them in. When they want to have a good time no one will know about back home where they are held in high esteem, they come to Africa. Young men stage-manage romantic affairs with the older European women and get to wine and dine with them.” It is possible also to upgrade the quality of this kind of tourism trip. Instead of calling it female sex tourism, it can be branded a

John Mikel Obi has been named in the current Championship Team of The Week after starring in Middlesbrough’s 1-0 win over Blackburn  Rovers on Sunday. Mikel Obi The Nigeria captain has endeared himself to Boro fans who have labelled him the African Zidane on the back of his imperious displays since transferring to the club last month. The Premier league, Europa and UEFA Champions League winner with Chelsea has played four league games for Tony Pulis’ side who are fifth in the table with 54 points after 32 matches. Making the cut alongside the Nigerian are Morecambe’s Mark Halstead, Notts County’s Sam Stubbs and Ben Barclay, Preston North End’s Ben Davies, MK Dons’ Jake Hesketh. Luton Town’s George Moncur, Sheffield United’s Gary Madine, Southend United’s Simon Cox and the duo of Teemu Pukki and Emi Buendia, both Norwich City’s star players. Mikel Obi touched the ball 63 times and made one key pass, he committed one tackle and cleared the ball twice according to inf

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called for urgent tax reforms that will facilitate the survival of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. President, ACCI, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, said the call became necessary because demand for taxes stifles new SMEs even before they start making profit. Speaking with news media in Abuja, Kayode explained that the practice of mandatory requirement for tax clearance from companies newly registered was a disincentive for the growth and thriving of SMEs in the country and a stumbling block in the Ease of Doing Business. Tax While noting the ongoing progress in national tax reforms, the ACCI boss advised tax authorities to immediately review the tax clearance system to reduce the burden placed on new and young companies sprouting up across the country. He stated: “The growth of SMEs depends very much on the enabling environment the government is able to create for them to grow. “Their growth will in turn cre

Oil barrels *Exploration to rebound as cost, technology improve Developing countries across the world will push demand for oil to about 130 million barrels per day (mbpd) by 2040, BP’s 2019 Energy Outlook, which accessed the future of fossil fuel, has said. Indeed, the report noted that although the use of fossil fuel is projected to decline due to the push for alternative energy, but demand would significantly be driven by increases in prosperity in the developing world.The outlook, which considered a number of factors, noted that improving standard of living in places like India, China, and other Asian countries would require ‘more energy’ to allow the growth to continue to improve. “Growth in global energy demand is broad-based across all the main sectors of the global economy. Differing trends in how energy is used and consumed in these sectors has an important bearing on the energy transition,” the report noted.For the demand to be met, the report noted that significant

By Elizabeth Adegbesan In a bid to accommodate changes made to the terms of a proposed transaction prior to approval, the Securities and  Exchange Commission (SEC) has    introduced changes in the methods of filing consent letters, the execution of offer documents and the execution and issuance of consent letters by issuers and all issuing houses. The Commission disclosed this yesterday, in a notice sent to all issuers and issuing houses, saying that the changes went into effect on February 18, 2019. The notice stated:    “Further to deliberations with the Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN) and in a bid to accommodate changes which may be made to the terms of a proposed transaction prior to approval, the Commission resolved to introduce some flexibility to the timing for filing consent letters with the Commission. “With effect from the effective date, consent letters of every person who consents to be named in the offer document or other document(s) in connection

By Ebunoluwa Sessou One message that was echoed in this year’s Women in Management Business and Public Service,WIMBIZ, Women in Politics, WIMPOL,Town Hall meeting was the call for more participation of women in active politics in Nigeria. *From left: Executive Director, WIMBIZ, Hansatu Adegbite; Executive Director, Enough is Enough Nigeria, Yemi Adamolekun; Founding Member, Board of Trustees, WIMBIZ & MD/CEO/Senior Vice- Chairman, Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Bola Adesola; Providence People’s Congress, PPC Lagos State gubernatorial candidate, Lara Adesanya; Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN Vice-Presidential candidate, Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya; Founding Member, Board of Trustees, WIMBIZ & Deputy Country Representative, Deutsche Bank Representative Office Nigeria Limited, Adeola Azeez; at the Women in Management, Business and Public Service, WIMBIZ Women in Politics Town Hall meeting held in Lagos. With the theme: Run, Vote, Get Involved, the town hall meeting which

OPEC Headquarters, Vienna Atiku insists on selling NNPC to Nigerians if elected President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged the cooperation of Nigeria to the reduction of oil output to attract higher prices in the global market.Speaking with Mr. Ahmad Qattan, Special Envoy of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State for African Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at the State House, Abuja, Buhari said as a responsible member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria was willing to go along with the Saudi initiative in limiting output, so that prices would go up. The president said output cuts had always been difficult for Nigeria considering the country’s large population, huge expanse of land and state of under-development.He wished the country could produce more. Buhari, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, yesterday explained that higher oil prices would make both nations stronger and their

•Sensitive electoral material belonging to Kano lands in Oyo The Resident Electoral Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in charge of Kwara state, Mallam Garba Attahir Madami, yesterday said the results sheet meant for the state for the presidential and National Assembly elections postponed last week was mistakenly taken to the commission’s office at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.He also said the one meant for Lagos was mistakenly delivered in Kwara while that of Lagos was taken to Nasarawa state. Madami made the disclosure while addressing party agents at the commencement of distribution of sensitive elections materials from the Ilorin office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to local government areas in the state.It was witnessed by representatives of various security agencies including the Police, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Prison Service, and the media. “

Juventus are on the verge of exiting the Champions League, after they were defeated 2-0 by Atletico Madrid in their round of 16 clash on Wednesday night. There were no goals in the first half at the Wanda Metropolitano. However, Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin netted within five second-half minutes, to seal victory for the LaLiga side. In the other game of the night, 10-man Manchester City fought back from 2-1 down to beat Schalke 04 3-2 in Germany. Pep Guardiola’s men took the lead through Sergio Aguero, before a pair of penalties from Nabil Bentaleb turned the game around for the hosts. Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling struck late on, to complete a stunning comeback for the Premier League champions. Source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/02/champions-league-atletico-madrid-shock.html

[FILE PHOTO] INEC chairman Prof Mahmoud Yakubu How else can we characterise electioneering in our country if it is not war with arsenal trained unsparingly at the opponents? No longer are we thrilled with banters and humour. There are no laughters. The humour of old which would have you filled up and upifted you would want to hit the high heavens is not anywhere served. The gladiators and their promoters and their crowd are all stone-faced. They reel off hard words. It is all about stone-throwing and blame game. There are no short stories; there are no proverbs. When you yearn for these, you ask yourself: Where is Abraham Adesanya? Where is Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (alias MKO) of the bird and stone fame? Where is Solomon Lar or Aiyekoto Bisi Onabanjo? I wrote not too long ago about my encounter with the politicians of old. The occasion was not a campaign rally, but a gathering of remarkable politicians who gathered for the launch of Biola Babatope’s book, Detainee’s Wife

Polaris Bank. Photo/ Imbuednation As part of commitment to ease access to banking services for more people, Polaris Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with the Niger State Government, to ensure participants in the supply value chain of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), can open accounts with less hassle. Managing Director, Polaris Bank, Tokunbo Abiru, was quoted in a statement as saying that the decision to partner with the state government aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure more children have access to education especially those from the less-privileged (underprivileged) and most vulnerable segments of the society. Reiterating that human capital development is dear to the bank, Abiru said the partnership with the state government is in consonance with Polaris Bank’s commitment to bridging the gap in the number of unbanked Nigerians.He disclosed that since the feeding programme commenced in 2016, over 7,500 people ac

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Buratai, on Wednesday gave officers and men of the Nigerian Army with doubtful loyalty to the Federal Government Friday deadline to resign from the service. Buratai gave the ultimatum at an expanded weekly meeting with Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), General Officers Commanding (GOCs) and some field commanders at the army headquarters in Abuja. He said, “the foundation of military professionalism is discipline and without discipline an army cannot stand. “One of our core values is loyalty to constituted authority. Loyalty must be hundred per cent. “Should any officer or soldier have doubts as to his loyalty to the Nigerian State as presently constituted, such a person has up to Feb. 22, 2019 to resign. “There is no room for indiscipline or disobedience to lawful orders in the Nigeria army today.’’ Buratai also said that the expanded meeting was to review security strategies put in place for the Presidential and National Assembly electio