SON arrests two Chinese dealing in substandard tyres

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has arrested two Chinese national for importing substandard tyres worth over N5bn.

According to a statement released by SON on Sunday, the suspects named Taolung Shen and Xu Jing Yau, were arrested at awarehouse where they had been cloning different sizes of tyres under different brand names.

They reportedly imported the tyres by stuffing them into one another.

PDP sweeps elections in Taraba, Gombe, Rivers

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), candidates winners of 13 local government chairmanship seats in Taraba, local government chairmanship and councillorship seats in Gombe State and two parliamentary seats in the rerun election in Rivers State.

The All Progressives Congress won three councillorship seats in Jalingo, with the SDP winning one councillorship in Zing.

INEC fixes Anambra state governorship election for November 18th

The Independent Electoral Commission INEC has fixed November 18th as the date for the governorship election in Anambra state. Political parties are yet to field their candidates for the election.

Dollar slips to N470 at parallel market

The United Stated dollar on Thursday continues to slide against the naira at the parallel market. The dollar which starts the day at N500 early morning fell to about N470 by the afternoon as more and more people troop to the market to sell their foreign currency.On Monday, the CBN changed its rules in the supply of the FOREX where it guaranteed both the small and big users of the foreign exchange that they are going to supply the market with the needed liquidity.

On Tuesday about $500 million was released through the interbank market where the 23 banks bought $371m in the market.

Nigeria - US relations should be based on trust – Osinbajo

Nigeria’s Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa while receiving the Commander of the US-Africa Command, General Thomas D. Waldhauser and the American Ambassador in Nigeria, Honorable W. Stuart Symington said the time has come for both Nigeria and the United States to deepen the long-standing relationship between the countries based on mutual trust.

This is contained in a statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Acting President Laolu Akande.

The Acting President stated; “We will be very open and willing to build a relationship based on trust, so that we would benefit from it and of course our relationship as nations would benefit tremendously from it,”.

Fayose commends Buhari over Onnoghen's CJN nomination

Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the choice of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka.

The governor, said, “Even though the President acted late, it is still commendable that he listened to Nigerians by not allowing the judicial institution, which is the last hope of the common man to be further bastardized.

PDP Crisis: Modu Sheriff begs Fayose, gives exit date

Embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff on Wednesday when he addressed a delegation of South West PDP members at his office in Maitama, made a plea bargain with Ekiti governor Ayodele Fayose to sheath his sword as he seeks to rebuild the party.

The former Borno governor, who said he would relocate to the party’s national secretariat this Friday added that he would leave the party after its national convention.

Corp members will not participate in Rivers supplementary elections – NYSC

The National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) has said its corp members will not participate in the supplementary elections in Etche and parts of Omuma Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

 Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Omotayo Adewoye said this during the stakeholders meeting at the Rivers State Police Command in Port Harcourt.

We will meet in court, IPOB tells Army

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in a statement on Tuesday while responding to a denial by the army that it didn’t kill 11 of its members during the Trump solidarity rally in Rivers State has said it would meet the Nigerian Army at the International Criminal Court,  ICC, in The Hague.

 In the statement signed by its spokesmen, Emma Nmezu, and Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya, the group said the army was fond of killing its members and denying it.

Boko Haram are now in Kogi - Bello

Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello on Tuesday while speaking at the seventh edition of the National Security Seminar titled, “Consolidating on the Gains of Counter-terrorism Operations in Nigeria",  said defeated and fleeing Boko Haram insurgents are now in his state.

 The governor said he was ready to work with the military to send them out of the state.

PEBEC approves 60-days ease of doing business action plan

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has approved a 60-day national action plan to aid the ease of doing business in the country.

 This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the Acting President, Laolu Akande.

 The Acting President, who addressed journalists after the Council’s meeting attended by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara at the State House, said the Council will within the stipulated period focus on areas that will not only deliver tangible changes for SMEs but also help improve Nigeria’s entire business environment within the shortest possible time.

Blackmailer have increased since FG introduced whistleblowing policy – Uduaghan

Former governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan on Tuesday during the 2017 annual lecture/press week of the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists at the Labour House, Asaba said the Federal Government’s policy on whistleblowers has led to the increase in blackmailers.

 He said the ‘blackmailers’ will start writing petitions without proof against political opponents.

Uduaghan also said he has been of victim of some of these blackmailers.

The former governor also said free access to social media need to checked before it leads to National crisis.

He also urged the traditional media to verify stories that get online.

Stop referring to Nigeria as Naija – NOA

The Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Garba Abari in Abuja on Tuesday has appealed to Nigerians to stop referring to Nigeria as ‘Najia’ to keep its originality.

 Abari said the trend of trying to make the country’s name funky was worrisome and not in the best interest of the country.

He said; “We try in all our advocacy visits to insist that Nigeria must be referred to as Nigeria and not Naija.

I need longer period of rest, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in a four-paragraph made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said results of the series of medical checkups he carried out in the cause of his medical vacation had shown that he needed longer period of rest.

 He said this necessitated his staying back in London, United Kingdom longer than initially planned.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari thanks millions of Nigerians who have been sending good wishes and praying for his health and well-being in mosques and churches throughout the country.

CBN releases new policy actions in the Foreign Exchange Market

The Central Bank of Nigeria has released new policy actions for operations in the Foreign Exchange market.

The new policy was made known in a statement signed by the CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okoroafor.

Kaduna govt confirm renewed attacks in Southern Kaduna, orders Army Commander, Police Commisioner to relocate to affected areas

The Kaduna State Government has confirmed reports of renewed attacks in some villages in Southern Kaduna.

The state governor Nasir El-Rufai in a press statement released by his media aide, Samuel Aruwan, said unknown gunmen in a coordinated attack invaded Bakin Kogi, Kaninkon Village in Jema'a Local Government Area in the State on Sunday 19th February, 2017 at about 5:30pm.They were repulsed by Operation Yaki Surveillance Patrol Teams and Operation Harmony Patrol Teams.

Naira now 520 to a Dollar

As at Monday, the naira hit 520 against the United States dollar at the parallel market.

It had closed at 516/dollar on Friday, after hitting 510/dollar and 507/dollar last Thursday and Tuesday, respectively

Kano to outlaw forced marriages – Emir Sanusi

Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, emir of Kano while speaking at the 50th anniversary of the demise of Isa Wali, a former Nigerian ambassador to Ghana on Sunday said a family law will soon be put in place to outlaw forced marriages in the state.

 He said the law had become important as many men marry women and have children they can’t take care of.

Sheriff, the angel of death to the PDP – Fani Kayode

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode says he will in no way support Ali Modu Sheriff as the party’s chairman.

Fani-Kayode made this known in a statement titled “Sheriff is the Angel of Death to the PDP” on Sunday.

 The statement reads, “Those that say that they will work with Ali Modu Sheriff are misguided and naive.

FG owes 105,920 retirees N705BN – PENCOM

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) in a memorandum submitted by the Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Ms Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Appropriations said the Federal Government owes 105,920 retirees about N705 billion.

According to the organisation, the Federal Government owes its 2016 retirees N73.1 billion while N113 billion is required for the 2017 retirees.

Plateau gov's deputy chief of staff slumps, dies

The deputy Chief of Staff to Plateau governor, Barrister Yusuf Gambo Hawaja, is dead.

Barrister Yusuf Gambo Hawaja, died on Sunday at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BhUTH) in Jos, the state capital.

According to reports, Hawaja has been suffering from an undisclosed ailment for a while and had slumped in his house on Sunday morning.

He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he eventually died.

Former NNPC boss, Andrew Yakubu, asks court to set aside forteiture order on seized $9.8m

A former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Mr. Andrew Yakubu, in a suit filed by his counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN has asked the Federal High Court sitting in Kano to set aside the ex parte order of interim forfeiture on the  $9,772,000 and  £74,000 recently seized from one of his homes in Kaduna state.

Yakubu argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to grant FG ownership of his money.

The applicant’s prayer is anchored on two grounds.

Acting President Osinbajo signs seven bills into law

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has signed seven bills into law.

Following Osinbajo’s assent to these bills, they have now become Acts of the National Assembly.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang confirmed it.

The Bills are Oaths (Amendment) Act, 2017; Defence Space Administration Act, 2017; Veterinary Surgeons (Amendment) Act, 2017; National Film and Video Censors Board (Amendment)Act, 2017; Pension Rights of Judges (Amendment) Act, 2017; Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (Establishment, etc.) Act, 2017; and Mortgage Institutions (Amendment)Act, 2016.

Nigeria owes N17.36trn as external, domestic debts

The Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Abraham Nwankwo on Thursday while defending the agency’s 2017 budget before the senate committee on local and foreign debts in Abuja disclosed that the country owes $57.39 billion dollars (N17.36 trillion) as of December 31, 2016.

Nwankwo said external debt profile was $11.41 billion (N3.48 trillion), while the domestic debt stock stood at $45.98 billion (N13.88 trillion).

He also said the figures included debts by the Federal Government, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

FG to train 1200 women for Ogoniland clean-up

The Federal Government has said it would train 1,200 Ogoni women to partake in the Ogoniland clean-up.

Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed said this  during the launch of an integrated soil management centre in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

She said; “There are many people who have benefited from the injustice and misery in Ogoniland and we will not allow them to do that again. This project is a collective effort; we must ensure that we succeed. We are not here to be sharing money, but to invest money.

FG releases N775M for 2018 census

Chairman of the National Population Commission, Chief Eze Duruiheoma (SAN) at a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja announced that the Federal Government has released N775m for Enumeration Area Demarcation exercise in preparation for the 2018 census programme.

EAD involves the process of deploying high calibre technology to divide the country into small units that could be easily covered by a team of enumerators.

Naira now sells 516/US Dollar

The Naira as of yesterday sold for 516 per United States dollar on the streets of Lagos . The naira plummeted at the parallel market from 510/dollar on Wednesday to 516/dollar on Thursday.

We won’t resume lectures until our salaries are paid - Yabatech lecturers

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Yaba College of Technology chapter, has said the strike which began on the 10th of Feburary will continue indefinitely until their salaries paid in full.The striking lecturers had accused the management of the institution of short paying staff salary by 25 per cent.

The ASUP Chairman in the college, Adeyemi Aromolaran, speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos said for not receiving their full salary, the workers would not call off the strike.

Aromolaran further said this was not the right time for the management of the institution to deny workers their full salary when the economy was biting hard.

NCC bans registration of sim cards in open places

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has banned the registration SIM cards in open environment.

 

Head of Enforcement Unit at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Salisu Abdu said this on Wednesday while speaking with journalists in Abuja.

He said the commission had warned telecoms companies to stop agents from registering SIM cards under umbrellas since November last year.

Usain Bolt to retire in August

Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt speaking on the red carpet at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco said he has not regrets about his decision to retire from athletics in 2017.

Bolt said he would hang his spikes after the world championships in London in August.

According to Bolt, he has achieved everything he dreamt of and has no reason to continue staying in the sport.

Buhari is healthy – Saraki

Senate president Bukola Saraki on Wednesday night via his Twitter account said President Muhammadu Buhari is in good health.

Saraki had visited Buhari alongside Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan.

He said; “Delighted to see President Buhari is doing well, was cheerful and in good spirits. The President I saw today is healthy, witty and himself,”.

Budget size would determine World Bank loan – Udoma

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma while answering questions from State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday said the amount of money in the 2017 budget would determine the size of the loan that Nigeria will seek from the World Bank.

He made this statement after reports filtered in that the World Bank will give Nigeria $2.5bn to be used to fund the 2017 budget.

He said; “The figure will depend on the budget to be approved by the National Assembly,”.

White House confirms President Trump spoke with President Buhari on the phone

The White House has finally confirmed that President Trump had a phone conversation with Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari.

The White House Press Secretary, Sean Micheal Spicer revealed during the White House Press Briefing on Tuesday that President Donald Trump spoke with the Presidents of Tunisia, Peru, Nigeria, Colombia and South Africa.

2017 budget: Fashola disowns N2bn voted for regional housing scheme in the Ministry of Housing's 2017 budget

There are indications that another case of budget padding which occurred in the 2016 budget is set to repeat itself this year.

Recall that the 2016 budget was enmeshed in a budget padding scandal which till date has not been resolved.

At the Ministries budget defence hearing in the Senate yesterday, Minister of Road, Works and Housing Fashola denied knowledge of N2 billion vote for regional housing scheme in the 2017 budget after the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development, Barnabas Gemade inquired about the presence of the strange vote which never appeared in the previous budget.

AMCON takes over OAS helicopters

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has taken over Odengene Air-Shuttle Services, known more as OAS Helicopters in Lagos following a court order.

OAS is one of the leading helicopter chatter service companies in the country.

AMCON had on Tuesday sealed the company at Maryland in Lagos, indicating that the company had been taken over by AMCON.

Propose danfo ban: Don’t panic, Lagos NURTW tells members

The National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos Chapter, on Tuesday advised its members not to panic over the proposed ban on operations of yellow commercial buses.

The state Chairman of the union, Mr. Tajudeen Agbede, on Tuesday said that the union was discussing the proposed ban with the government, adding that the union was ready to cooperate with the state government on its mega city project.

Arik Air new management appoints KPMG to audit airline

The new management of Arik Air has appointed accounting firm KPMG to undertake a forensic and diagnostic audit of the finances of the airline to ascertain the true state of its finances.

The new management of the carrier issued a statement on Tuesday which reads' “We have hired KPMG to look into the financials of Arik with a tooth comb and advise us with verifiable facts on what went wrong with the airline.

US will sell weapons to Nigeria, Trump tells Buhari

US President Donald Trump during a telephone conversation with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday promised to cut a new deal with Nigeria on the sale of military weapons, Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina has said.

Buhari spoke to the US President from London where he is vacationing and going through medical checkups.

According to Femi Adesina, the two presidents discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment.

We must make Niger Delta a vibrant economic zone, says Acting Prseident Osinbajo

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday during a town hall meeting comprising the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike; traditional rulers, elders and other stakeholders at the Government House in Port Harcourt said it has become clear that the Niger Delta region needed a new vision.

He assured people of the oil-rich region that the Federal Government will not abandon its new vision towards developing the Niger Delta region.

Osinbajo also noted that stakeholders in the area need to ensure speedy growth of the Niger Delta.

Donald Trump's national security adviser Michael Flynn resigns

Embattled White House national security adviser Michael Flynn last night, resigned.

His resignation came after reports that the Donald Trump administration was warned last month that Flynn misled administration officials regarding his communications with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak and was potentially vulnerable to blackmail by the Russians.

The White House on Monday said that President Trump was still evaluating his actions.

General Keith Kellogg has been named acting national security adviser.

See copy of his resignation...

Gov. Ambode approves increase in BRT, LAGBUS fare

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved fare increase for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and LAGBUS and this change is to take effect from March 1, 2017.

This development was made known on Monday by LAMATA Managing Director, Engr. Abiodun Dabiri who while addressing  journalists at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, revealed that bus fare will be increased from 20 to 50 percent.

Goodluck Jonathan assures PDP will bounce back

Ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan while receiving a delegation of the PDP Strategy Review and Inter-party Committee, which visited him at his private residence in Abuja said he is happy the party is working towards regaining power in the next election.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni signs for Coventry City

Former Everton and Blackburn Rovers striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has signed for League One side Coventry City until the end of the season.
Yakubu, who also has Premier League experience with Middlesbrough and Portsmouth, has now penned a deal that will see him stay at Coventry until May 2017 - pending international clearance - with the club looking to avoid relegation to the fourth tier of English football.

Coventry manager Russell Slade told Coventry's official website; "We're pleased to have secured the signing of Yakubu, who brings vast experience and a terrific goal record," .

2017 Budget: N’Assembly, Adeosun, Udoma, 57 others to meet

The National Assembly will today Monday meet the Minister of finance, Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma and 57 others over the 2017 budget.

Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazak Namdas said the idea was part of efforts to reform the budgeting process and to hear the views and input of the civil society on the N7.29trn budget.

Magu to defend EFCC’S N17.2BN allocation on Tuesday

Embattled acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu will on Tuesday appear before the Senate to defend the agency’s budget.

Magu’s appointment had been rejected by the Senate after a report by the Department of State Security (DSS) indicted him of corruption and the Presidency has since resubmitted his name but Senate is yet to take a decision on his confirmation.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti- Corruption and Financial Crimes, Chukwuka Utazi said the committee has invited Magu to defend the agency’s N17.2bn allocation.

Full list of winners at the 59th Grammy Awards

Singer, Adele won a total of five awards at the Grammys, including album, record and song of the year beating Beyoncé in the top three categories

 Below is a full list of the winners:

Pray for Buhari, Atiku Abubakar urges Nigerians

Former Vice President and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar in a press statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja on Friday called on Nigerians of all faiths to put President, Muhammadu Buhari in prayers.

He reminded Nigerians that President Buhari needs all the prayers and goodwill that he can get at this time, to enable him return from his medical vacation in the UK and continue with his God-ordained assignment of steering Nigeria to her next level of greatness.

Atiku urges Nigerians to quit the rumour mongering and instead channel the energy in praying for God to strengthen President Buhari and his family through this time.

Buhari sacks Army bodyguards in Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered for the immediate removal of officers and men of the Nigerian Army and restore the officials of the Department of State Security Service, DSS, as his body guards.
According to Vanguard, the order was given by President Buhari shortly before he proceeded on his annual vacation to London, United Kingdom, UK, on January 19.

This development is coming after series of complaints by the Chief Security Officer to the President, Bashir Abubakar who was said to not have been comfortable with the soldiers protecting the president.

Nigeria Customs hands out seized items to IDPs

The Nigeria Customs Service has handed over seized items, including food and clothes and toiletries, as relief materials to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Adamawa state.

The chairman of National Logistics Committee on Internally Displaced Persons and Assistant Controller General of Customs, Abdulkadir Azarema, presenting the items at a ceremony Thursday in Yola, said the donation was the third so far to the state.