Nnamdi Kanu fulfils bail condition

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday fulfilled the bail conditions granted by the Federal High Court, Abuja, Vanguard reports.

The bail condition was reportedly fulfilled through the Chairman, South East Senate caucus and former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, a Jewish High Chief Priest, Immanuu-El Shalom and a Chartered Accountant residing in Abuja, Tochukwu Uchendu.

FG declares Monday public holiday

The Federal Government has declared Monday, May 1, 2017 as public holiday to commemorate the 2017 Workers’ Day celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement on Friday by the Director, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido.

We have enough forex for end users, bank customers – CBN

The Bankers Committee of the Central Bank on Thursday declared that there was sufficient stock of foreign exchange to meet demands of all genuine bank customers in the country.

The Director, Banking Supervision, CBN, Ahmed Abdullahi, made this known at a press briefing held along some chief executive officers of banks shortly after the committee’s meeting in Lagos.

Abdullahi said, “The recent development in the forex market has led to prices turning downwards and convergence of rates and the positive effect of that on the economy. We have seen inflation trending downwards. There is a forecast that by the second quarter of this year, the economy will be out of recession and we are going to see positive growth.

Oba of Lagos denies snubbing Ooni of Ife at public function

Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has denied snubbing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi at a public function some days back.

A video made rounds on social media showing the Oba of Lagos responding to the greeting of the Ooni of Ife in a rather unfriendly manner. Many Nigerians reacted to the video, calling out the Oba for being rude to the Ooni who is believed to be the most superior monarch in Yoruba land.

LG, Bedmate counts lost as fire burns showroom yesterday

Popular electronic venture LG Nigeria and its neighbours, Bedmate Funitures counted huge losses as the building that houses them caught fire and properties worth millions of naira were consumed.

The showroom which is located at New Road, Cheveron Drive, Lagos was said to have caught fire at about 1pm yesterday and didn't stop till the early hours of this morning.

Your loss was the will of the Nigerian people - US replies Jonathan

The US government while responding to an allegation by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan that former US President Barack Obama was responsible for his loss at the polls said the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the 2015 Presidential election was the will of Nigerians.

Jonathan in a book titled ‘Against the Run of Play,’ written by the Chairman, Editorial Board of ThisDay, Olusegun Adeniyi had alleged that the US, United Kingdom and France conspired to ensure he loses the election.

Meningitis: Death toll hits 813

The Federal Government on Wednesday said a total of 813 people have died as a result of the recent outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis witnessed in some parts of the country.

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole while briefing State House correspondents of the outcome of the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council said medical teams dispatched to affected states will soon begin house-to-house searches.

Buhari is not allowed to work secretly - PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to work from home.

Buhari yesterday did not attend the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting for a third time in a row and Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed while giving an explanation for his absence, said the President will now be working from home.

Aiteo group signs N2.5bn deal with NFF, to pay coaches salaries for 5 years

Indigenous oil company, Aiteo group has reached an agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF to pay with N500 million annually all Nigerian national football teams coaches’ salaries for the next five years.

The Deputy Managing Director, Aiteo Group, Francis Peters, made the disclosure on Wednesday at the agreement signing between the representatives of the company and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday in Lagos.

Lagos govt set to relocate computer village from Ikeja

The Lagos state government has said it would soon relocate the popular Computer Village from Ikeja, before the end of 2017.

The state commissioner for physical planning and urban development, Wasiu Anifowose said on Tuesday at the 2017 ministerial press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja.

Anifowose said that the relocation would reduce gridlock.

Fed govt, states, local govts share N467.8bn for March

The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) on Tuesday said it shared N467.807 billion among the three tiers of government for March.

The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris in a news conference after the meeting in Abuja said the revenue of N331.583 billion received for the month was higher than last month’s N290.163 billiion.

We will continue plans for census - NPC

The National Population Commission (NPC) has said it would continue with its preparations for the 2018 National Census despite facing criticisms.

Chairman of the Commission, Eze Duruiheoma made this known interview with reporters in Abuja on Tuesday while reacting to a call by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, for the cancellation of the exercise.

Libya deports 253 Nigerians

Libya on Tuesday deported back to the country 253 Nigerians.The deportees comprising of 140 adult females and 8 female children, as well as 103 adult male and 3 male children were conveyed in an Airbus A333-200 with registration number 5A LAT.One of the deportees was suffering serious burns on her face while another had mental depression.

The aircraft conveying them landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, around 8:10pm. They were received at the Hajj Terminal by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.

IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu granted bail

The leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has been granted bail. He was granted bail this morning by Justice Nyako on health grounds.

Three other pro-Biafra agitators on trial with Kanu were however denied bail.

 The other Biafran agitators are Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

Part of his bail conditions include; Sureties with N1m each. He must deposit all his international passport in court.

Come to me, i'll heal you, Guru Maharaji tells Buhari

Founder of One Love Family, Sat Guru Maharaji has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to consult him for healing.

Maharaji said this on Monday while addressing journalists during the 30th year anniversary of the Maharaji Village in Ibadan.

Mahara Ji said; “He is supposed to seek help from black men and not white men in London,”.

Drug trafficking: NDLEA declares Lagos socialite wanted

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has declared a Lagos socialite, Fumilola Ogbuaya for drug trafficking. The suspect is accused of allegedly using proceeds of drugs to acquire property.

It was gathered that she was discovered after an attempt to export 1.6 kilogrammes of cocaine to Saudi Arabia in February 2017 through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos was botched.

The NDLEA Commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, said one Odeyemi Morayo arrested by the agency implicated Ogbuaya during investigation.

Contaminated water: Lagos state govt recommends re-opening of Queens college

The Lagos State government has recommended the re-opening of Queens College, Yaba after it had received satisfactory result from analysis of water samples from all water delivery points in the school.

It could be recalled the school had been shut for over two months after outbreak of diarrhea which killed three students.

The Commissioner of Health, Jide Idris disclosed this on Monday while giving an update on the outbreak of gastroenteritis in the School.

Presidential panel reduces days required for new business registration

The Presidential Ease of Doing Business panel has reduced the number of days required for registration of new businesses in Nigeria from 10 to 2 days.

This development was disclosed in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande.

Akande said; "The panel approved a 24-hour timeline for company registration and the timeline was from when application form was completed and all required documents made available".

Presidency recalls expelled punch reporter

The Presidency has recalled Lekan Adetayo, the Punch newspaper State House correspondent expelled from the presidential villa by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief Security Officer, Bashir Abubakar late Monday.

In a statement via its Twitter account, @NGRPresident, the presidency said President Buhari was committed to press freedom.

The presidency tweeted; “Lekan Adetayo, the @MobilePunch Correspondent, has been recalled to the State House. We reiterate PMB’s commitment to press freedom,”.

CCT to hold Saraki, Ngwuta's trial daily

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has said the trials of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Supreme Court Justice, Sylvester Ngwuta, and others currently would continue on a daily basis, Premium Times reports.

The CCT stated this in its practice direction manual for the year 2017, which said; “Hearing of cases shall be from day-to-day basis as the diary of the tribunal may permit for the purpose of fair and speedy trial”.

The manual was signed by the Tribunal’s chairman, Danladi Umar, and a member of the CCT, William Atedze.

It may take years to rescue all the Chibok girls – Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Ali while speaking with VOA’s Hausa service in Yola on Tuesday, said it may take years to rescue all the Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram.

Ali said the military has been searching for the girls in Boko Haram hideouts in the Sambisa forest.

He added that it took the United States years to find Osama Bin Laden after the invasion of Afghanistan.

APC may lose Kaduna in 2019 because of El-Rufai’s policies – Shehu Sani

The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani says the All Progressives Congress may lose the 2019 governorship election in the state if Nasir El-Rufai continues with his anti-people policies.

Sani made the disclosure to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday after receiving complaints from traders on the governor’s plan to demolish the famous Kasuwan Barci Market in Kaduna.

He said; “The anti-people policies of the APC administration in Kaduna state is sending people away, many people now only have faith in Buhari not in the party anymore.

Amaechi demands N2bn damages from Fani-Kayode and Fayose's aide

Minister of transport Hon. Chibuike Amaechi through his lawyer Lateef Fagbemi SAN has written to former minister of aviation and the former media director of the Goodluck Jonathan presidential campaign in 2015, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode accusing him of defaming his character.

In the letter dated April 14, 2016 ,Amaechi said that Fani-Kayode's claims that he owned the N13billion cash discovered in Lagos defamed his character, he then demanded that Fani-Kayode pay him N500m as damages caused by such allegations which he made on his Twitter handle to thousands of his followers.

UNILORIN announces vacancy for new VC

The University of Ilorin has announced its plan to appoint a new Vice chancellor for the institution.

Dada Obafemi, secretary to the university’s Governing Council, in a statement obtained by Premium Times on Monday, said the post of the Vice chancellor will be vacant from October 16.

Ekiti increases maternity leave period by 4 weeks

The Ekiti state government yesterday announced an increase in the maternity leave period for women in its public service from 12 weeks to 16 weeks.

The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Information, Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Kola Ajumobi, said this at a public enlightenment forum in Ado Ekiti.

We don't know the source of the $50m discovered by EFCC – CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria has said it does not know the source of $50m discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at an apartment in Ikoyi Lagos.

It could be recalled that the National Intelligence Agency had claimed ownership of the money, stating that it was meant for a covert operation.

Troops kill 21 Boko Haram fighters, rescues 1623 captives

The Nigerian Army on Monday said troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in the Northeast killed 21 Boko Haram fighters and rescued 1, 623 residents in Jarawa area of Borno State.

Army spokesman, Brigadier General Sani Usman in a statement said “Troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade Nigerian Army on Operation Lafiya Dole, assisted by 10 Civilian JTF based on information received, today, Monday 17th April 2017, embarked on an offensive on suspected location of Boko Haram terrorists at Jarawa general area, Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.”

CBN introduces ‘FORM X’ for SMES to ease forex documentation

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has introduced the use of FORM X for SMEs that require basic documentation for foreign exchange.

The apex bank spokesman, Mr Isaac Okorafor,confirming the development said the innovative measure was intended to ease documentation challenges usually encountered by this category of businesses.

Accidental bombing of Rann was due to communication gap – NAF

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar while speaking to journalists during the weekend said the accidental bombing of Rann Internally Displaced Persons ,IDP's camp in Borno was due to communication gap.

Over 120 persons were said to have died in the accidental bombing of IDPs that occurred in January.

Abubakar confirmed that the committee set up to investigate the incident has submitted its report.

North lagging behind despite producing more presidents – Balarabe Musa

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa in an interview with journalists said the Northern part of Nigeria is 40 years behind the Southern region in terms of educational development.

 The former governor was reacting to comments by the Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi II that the North was the poorest region in the country.

Malabu oil deal: Compel Jonathan to appear if necessary, MEND tells Reps

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has called on the House of Representatives to compel former president Goodluck Jonathan to appear before it over the controversy surrounding the OPL 245 Malabu oil deal.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo on Monday, MEND said there were reasonable grounds to suspect that Jonathan compromised his former office.

MEND said; “Former President Goodluck Jonathan is reported to have received the whooping sum of $200m as kickback from the controversial OPL 245 Malabu oil deal.

NNPC failed to remit $81.2bn in four years – Reps

An ad hoc committee in the House of Representatives investigating the alleged export of $17bn worth of undeclared crude oil and gas resources has alleged that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) did not remit $81.2bn from crude oil sales to the Federation Account in four years.

The committee led by Abdulrazak Namdas has sent a set of questions to the NNPC over the issue as it noted that the total receipts from crude proceeds for the four years tallied at $123.9bn.

The lawmakers said NNPC remitted only $42.7bn to the Federation Account.

The committee’s investigation covers the year 2011 to 2014.

House of Representatives plans to invite GEJ over the $1.1bn Malabu oil deal scam

The House of Representatives Committee on Justice, says it plans to invite former president Goodluck Jonathan to answer questions on the controversial $1.1 billion Shell/Eni Malabu oil deal.

Jonathan has been accused of receiving bribe for the oil deal, an allegation that he has since denied.

See a statement from the House of Representatives after the cut...

FG declares Friday, Monday public holidays for easter celebration

The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 14 and Monday, April 17, as Public Holidays for the Easter celebrations.

Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the announcement on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

Yakubu Dogara shares photos of his payslip as House of Representatives speaker

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, yesterday, shared photos of his payslip from October 2016 to March 2017.

He shared the photos after Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, challenged members of the National Assembly to share details of their budget as proof that they are indeed in support of the anti-corruption fight of the Buhari-led administration.

Osinbajo backs embattled EFCC chairman

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says he is fully in support of the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, The Cable reports.

Osinbajo made the disclosure at the presidential villa in Abuja during an interview with journalists.

He said; “We should commend the president for not interfering with what the DSS said. The DSS came up with a report and the man who was accused refuted it,”.

Police arrest customs officer for allegedly raping, videotaping woman

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a Customs officer, simply identified as Samuel, for allegedly raping and videotaping the nudity of his female friend.

According to Punch Metro, the duo met on an online dating platform, Badoo, before establishing a mutual friendship.

It was reported that sometime in March 2017, the 26-year-old woman was said to have visited Samuel in the Ogba area of Lagos and after entertaining her, he reportedly made love advances to her, which she allegedly rejected.

Our officials received N3bn bribe to influence 2015 elections – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that its staff received at over three billion Naira to influence the outcome of the 2015 general elections.

You may recall that some members of the electoral body, including one of its retired National Commissioner, and five Resident Electoral Commissioners are currently under investigation for their alleged involvement in the N23 billion election bribe.

INEC’s National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, while addressing journalists.

Oyegun has failed, he should resign – Timi Frank

Suspended deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has again called for the resignation of the party’s national chairman, John Oyegun.

In a statement on Tuesday, Frank said he could run the party better than Oyegun and it was shameful that the National Working Committee of the party led by Oyegun postponed its forthcoming convention.

Caitlyn Jenner completes final gender transition

Caitlyn Jenner has finally undergone genital surgery to complete her transition from male to female, according to RadarOnline.com can exclusively reveal.

In a new memoir, The Secrets of My Life, the reality star claims she had the “Final Surgery” in January 2017, nearly two years after she publicly announced her identity as a transwoman.

She writes in the new memoir, out April 25; “The surgery was a success, and I feel not only wonderful but liberated,” 

“I am telling you because I believe in candour.

Super Eagles ranked 40th in latest FIFA ranking

In the latest ranking by world football governing body, FIFA, Nigeria has moved a step further in the log and Super Eagles are now ranked the 40th best team in men’s football.

The Super Eagles are also the fifth best team in Africa behind Egypt, Senegal, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, who occupy the first, second, third and fourth place respectively.

Four South American sides make up the top five football teams in the world as Brazil is number one, Argentina is in second place, Germany comes third, while Chile and Colombia are fourth and fifth respectively.

No plans to increase fuel price – NNPC

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said there are no plans to increase the pump price of petrol.

The corporation made this known in a statement by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division.

He said; "The recent increase in bridging allowance to transporters from N6.20 to N7.20 per litre would not lead to an increase in the pump price.

How Osun spent Paris club refund – AGF

The Accountant General of Osun State, Mr. Akintayo Kolawole, has given details into how the state government spent the entire N11,744,237,793.56 it received as the first tranche of the Paris Club loan.

Kolawole, who stated this in a statement on Wednesday, said the state used the monies to pay salaries and pensions.

The statement read, “The Osun Revenue Apportionment Committee headed by Comrade Hassan Sunmonu agreed that the total Paris Club Refund should be spent on clearing workers salary arrears.

FG releases N54bn for pension arrears

The Federal Government on Wednesday said it had cleared inherited arrears of accrued pension benefits for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 by releasing N41.5bn to the National Pension Commission for onward payment to the retirees.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, made the disclosure in a statement from the ministry, signed by the Director of Information, Salisu Dambatta.

The statement quoted her to have said; "The federal government was concerned about the plight of pensioners who retired under the Contributory Pension Scheme without being paid.

Meningitis outbreak: What i actually said – Gov. Yari

Zamfara Governor, Dr. Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar on Wednesday, said he never attributed the outbreak of the deadly Cerebral Spinal Meningitis which has killed over 300 Nigerians to God’s punishment arising from fornication and other forms of disobedience to God.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Enlightenment, Mr. Ibrahim Magaji Dosara in a statement made available which reads; “The Governor noted that the situation was unfortunate because the state does not have enough vaccines yet for the Type C Meningitis.

“The governor thereafter enjoined all Nigerians to embrace prayers, as God who is aware of the outbreak of the ailment surely has the antidote for it.

Meningitis outbreak: Gov. Yari should blame APC, not God – Makarfi

The Senator Ahmed Makarfi caretaker committee faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of playing politics with the lives of Nigerians.

The faction in a statement by it's spokesperson Prince Dayo Adeyeye on Wednesday said it was shameful for Zamfara governor, Abdulaziz Yari to blame God for its failure to protect Nigerians.

The statement reads; “The news of the outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis in the country and the apathetic attitude of both the Zamfara State and Federal Government to curtail the scourge is disheartening and preposterous,”.

“Treat meningitis…it is science not religion”, Sanusi tells Gov. Yari

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II has called out Governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari for his statement that the meningitis outbreak was a punishment from God.

The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in Kaduna on Wednesday stated that Yari’s comment had no basis in Islam adding that meningitis had nothing to do with religion, saying it is science.

A post on his Instagram page said, “We have this myth in Northern Nigeria. Where we try to create an Islamic society that never existed. We are fighting culture, we are fighting civilisation. Islam is not univocal. There are many view points. We have allowed the most conversation of them to prevail.

Meningitis outbreak is God's way of punishing Nigerians - Zamfara state Gov. Yari

Zamfara state governor, Abdulaziz Yari, has attributed the current meningitis outbreak in some states in the North to God's anger on the people of the region for engaging in fornication. Over 300 people have died since the outbreak of the disease.

Yari said this Tuesday when he spoke with state house correspondents after his meeting with  President Buhari in Abuja state villa.

According to Yari, because people have refused to stop their nefarious activities, God decided to send Type C virus of the disease which has no vaccination.

FG begins online registration of unemployed Nigerians today

The Federal government will today open a portal for the registration of unemployed Nigerians.

A statement by the Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Edmund Onwuliri, says the portal, www.jobsforall.ng, will serve as a job exchange platform that will link job seekers and employers.

He added the portal is in fulfillment of this administrations promise to reduce unemployment in the country.

Queens college will remain shut – Ambode

Lagos state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has said Queens College, Yaba, will remain shut because results of tests conducted on the water facilities in the school were unsatisfactory.

It could be recalled that early in the year, there was an outbreak of diarrhoeal disease, which killed three students.

The governor Speaking on Tuesday through his Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, expressed his dissatisfaction with the results of two of the tests carried out on the water facilities in the school.

Reps threaten zero allocation for transport ministry in 2017 budget

The House of Representatives has expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Ministry of Transport over its implementation of its 2016 budget and threatened to provide zero allocation to the ministry.

Four House committees namely Aviation, Land Transport, Maritime Safety and Administration, Ports, Harbours and Waterways with oversight function over the ministry said this during a visit to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. 

Mr. Mohammed Bago, the Chairman, Committee on Maritime Safety and Administration, said the ministry had received N243bn in the 2016 budget and had yet to spend it.