₦airaland Forum

MILITARY OFFICERS RESCUE BADOO SUSPECT FROM ANGRY MOB IN IGBOGBO – IKORODU
sourcce: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/military-officers-rescue-badoo-suspect.html


There was apprehension in the Igbogbo-Baiyeku end of Ikorodu community on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, following the capture of a suspect allegedly belonging to the dreaded cult group otherwise known as Badoo.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that the suspect was caught by residents of Ayegbami community, Igbogbo while trying to attack his victims.
The suspect before his capture, had initially managed to escape before he was chased by residents and at Akindana Street, few meters away from Ayegbami.
Upon his arrest, the suspect was almost lynched by an angry mob before he was taken to the abode of the CDA Chairman, Baba Awe and then the Palace of Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali.
He was immediately handed over to Police for interrogation by the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo in the presence of other chieftains and top stakeholders in the community, Eyes Of Lagos gathered.
However, the situation almost got out of hand after a mammoth crowd gathered in front of the Adeboruwa’s Palace insisted on jungle justice, a source revealed Eyes Of Lagos.
“Before the large crowd gathered, the suspect was first taken to the Ikorodu General Hospital for treatment by the elders accompanied by officers of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps on the instruction of the Oba after he was beaten black and blue by residents,” a resident, Rasheedat Olayeni, told our correspondent.

THE WAITING, WASTEING AND BLAMING GENERATION BY STEPHEN AKINTAYO
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/the-waiting-wasteing-and-blaming.html

Let Me start today's session with few rules;


11 Rules You Will Never Learn In School.


1) Life's not fair.Get Used to it.

Stop expecting life to hand you the things you think you "deserve".


2)The world doesnt care about your self esteem.

Start making something of yourself today. Right now!


3)You will not make six figure salary right after school. You will have to work hard for what you get.


4)If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you meet The Boss. If you think your Boss is tough wait till you meet your Client. .. Stephen Akintayo


5)' Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Swallow your pride and take that job you think is beneath you as a stepping stone.


6)If you mess up,It's not your parent's fault. Stop spreading blame around and take responsibility for your failures.


7)Your parent know something you don't. Perhaps, before you were born,your parents weren't as boring as they are now.


Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not.

The result of am exam does not justify the means. It doesn't bear the slightest resemblance of anything is real life.


9)Life is not divided into semesters.

Once life starts, it just goes on and on. So spend your time doing something worthwhile.


10)What you see on television is not real life. In real Life,people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.


11)Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.



What are the youth waiting for? Why does an average Nigerian youth feel someone owes him and he should be favoured even without earning it. What are our ministers teaching our youth. Irresponsible faith? Irresponsible Grace? Can we continue in laziness and expect prosperity to abound. If you are not giving a job,why not start one. If it means doing job beneath your level. It's just a stepping stone like I used to sell pop corn and was mocked but the story has changes.



It's no news that I was born poor and had my struggles through life.Lost my mother in my finals.She was our bread winner and the one responsible for feeding and my schooling all my life. Didnt pay tuition fee of some session at the University. I have sold almost anything sellable. No one was willing to mentor me in Business. No one was willing to offer me their platform to speak when I started speaking. I have sold all manner of products From Ebooks, to food supplements to pop corn etc. I have failed in many busineses. My first attempt to get a job. I wrote 100 CV's and drop 3copies with non willing to offer me a job before I changed my mind to pursue the businesses. I had to return to some of the busineses i was doing on campus when i got to the 3rd place to deliever my CV.


Today we are counting 18Companies with Billions in Real Estate asset. Just one question; what's your excuse?

Your challenges might be Less or more than the ones I faced but still you have no excuse.

Excuse is the food of failure while challenges are the food of champions.



Nigerian youth must stop waiting to be politicians. Take 2019 election by Force. I AM WILLING TO SUPPORT ANY CREDIBLE YOUTH SEEKING ELECTIVE POST IN 2019. GOWON, OJUCKWU , OBASANJO, IBB and their generation where not given Nigeria to rule, THEY TOOK IT! Learn to take what you want in life. No one will give you anything you are not ready to die for.Even if You loose the primary. The Audacity to run would have inspired someone and that's an achievement. Stop measuring all achievements in Naira and kobo. Some things in life have to be fought for, yet the result will not bring money but, the benefits outway money.


We have breaded a waiting and wasting generation. We have breaded a witchcraft generation because the bible equate mourmoring and complain to witchcraft. If you don't like something, Change it. Stop complaining! Find a solution to what you see as a problem. If you decide to feel powerless and convince yourself that you can't change your situation, it's your choice to remain at the same level. Stop looking for who to blame. Recently, America's unemployment rates is among the higest in their history and it's not because their government is irresponsible. Even when we fix the political mediocrity in this nation, there is no guarantee that all of us will get job. If you dont have job, Create one by employing yourself and be sturborn to it till you have testimony. I have been sturborn with my Business ideas now for 9Years. And it pays to be consistent.



Most of the 11 Laws are works of Above rules are by Charles J. Sykes and Bill gate.


Share if it inspire you.


Stephen Akintayo.

Africa's Premier Digital Marketing Consultant. And my Job is to Raise Entreprenuers in their Millions.

LASPOTECH UNIONS MAY CALL OFF INDEFINITE STRIKE TODAY
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/laspotech-unions-may-call-off.html

Following the age long strike that crippled academic activities across the various campuses of Lagos State Polytechnic, things might return to normal , Wednesday, June 21, 2017, EYES OF LAGOS can reliably report.
EYES OF LAGOS gathered exclusively that two out of the three striking unions which includes Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) will suspend its strike today, Tuesday, June 20, 2017, with the last party expected to do same.


According to a top source who confirmed the process to EYES OF LAGOS, he disclosed that “the LASPOTECH chapter of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) will suspend the strike action after series of meetings to reach an agreement on the next line of action.”
Speaking further, the source revealed “if both Unions go ahead and suspend the strike, members of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) are expected to follow suit by Wednesday.”


When queried about academic activities with the impending suspension, the source swiftly replied that “lectures will resume immediately if all Unions suspend the strike as planned.”
Commenting on why the Unions move to end the indefinite strike, the source revealed that “the Unions agreed to give the panel constituted by the Lagos State House of Assembly one month to do their work.”
Recall that academic activities at the Lagos State Polytechnic has been affected for sometime owing to the ongoing indefinite strike in the school.
Before now, the joint union has condemned the incessant use of armed military men to harass members of staff and students in the institution. The Unions claim that the armed men were working on the orders of the school management.

MUSILIU OBANIKORO DENIES JOINING APC
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/musiliu-obanikoro-denies-joining-apc.html

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a former minister of state for Defence and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has debunked media reports that he has officially dumped his party and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, party.


In a series of tweets, the Ex-Minister said he only attended a Town Hall meeting organised by Remi Tinubu because he is a “constituent of Lagos Central Senatorial District.

”

“Whatever the future holds politically for us, it will be openly done by us and seen by all but right now, please disregard those rumours.

“I commend Sen. Remi Tinubu once again as I continue to consult with my political associates and friends in Lagos, and also across Nigeria.

“My attendance has been insinuated wrongly in the media but all such speculations remain firmly in the realm of rumours and imaginations.

“As a Constituent of Lagos Central Senatorial District, I today attended Sen. Remi Tinubu’s Townhall Meeting to support her good work.

Recall that rumour making the rounds had it that senator Obanikoro, announced his defection at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.



Recall also that on May 7, reports equally had it that Obanikoro who ran in 2011 as governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos state would soon pitch his political tent with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Eyes Of Lagos Sources said Koro, as he is fondly called, has been making overtures to leaders of the ruling party as part of efforts towards his joining the APC.

His acceptance in the ruling APC party was judged by some party bigwigs as coming from a positive nod from the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.



It was however gathered that Tinubu initially showed reluctance to Obanikoro’s return to his political camp which he deserted over a decade ago to join the then ruling PDP. But the national leader soft pedalled on his stance after the former Minister reached out to some prominent Lagosians to intercede on his behalf before Tinubu.

“And when he met Asiwaju, he apologized profusely for his past misdeeds and political miscalculations. You know Asiwaju has a large heart. It appears he forgave him and gave a positive nod to his quest to join the APC. Following that, Obanikoro met and discussed with several other party leaders, one of the bigwigs had said.

NIS RECRUITMENT: 40,000 APPLICANTS JOSTLE FOR 1,112 VACANCIES
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/nis-recruitment-40000-applicants-jostle.html

The Federal Government has said that the ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Immigration Service will accommodate just 1,112 applicants based on the approval given by President Muhammadu Buhari.
It was however learnt that over 40,000 Nigerians had applied for the advertised NIS jobs.
The Minister of Interior, Lt.Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) who disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, explained that the recent advertisement by the NIS was to recruit the balance of 1,112 candidates to make it to 2000 as approved in the last aborted recruitment.
He said this while fielding questions from journalists shortly after the presentation of the handbook on the operations of the Presidential Executive Order at the NIS headquarters.
Dambazau said, “There were two aborted Immigration recruitments that were done. The first one led to fatality and casualties. The second one was dispersed following discovery of so many abnormalities which 2,000 of them were sent home.
“When we came in November 2015, we looked at the whole thing and we discovered for the second one that it was not all the fault of the candidates as such but it was the process that was followed.
“So, we wrote a memo to Mr President that we should recall those candidates, 2000 of them, so that we can reassess them and the President graciously approved that and we advertised in papers and I think about 1,500 or so reported and out of this number 888 qualified for that recruitments.
“Now the balance of 1, 112 is what we are working on now, that is the reason for the recent advertisement by the Nigerian Immigration Service to recruit that balance of 1,112 and this is the process we are in now.”
He, however, assured that the recruitment process would be transparent and fair.
The NIS Comptroller-General, Muhammed Babandede, said competency of the personnel would be given priority under his administration.
He said, “We are going to recruit young officers with priority of those who speak foreign languages such as French, Chinese, Arabic with priority to those who have ICT skills. We are complying with the national level to train quality and not just number.”
On the Presidential Executive Order, Babandede said his agency is using the opportunity of the mandate to further review its services.
He announced that request for official passports by state or local government officials would henceforth be confirmed by state Comptrollers of Immigration and divisional Immigration Officers respectively.

KATSINA LOSES N58BN IN 4 YEARS – COMMISSION
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/katsina-loses-n58bn-in-4-years.html

It was shock and disbelief in Government House Katsina at the weekend as Barrister Ado Muhammad Ma’aji, chairman of the Katsina State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Loss of Funds and Property, blew the lid off the N58.5 billion allegedly siphoned between 2011 and 2015.
Submitting the commission’s main report to Governor Aminu Bello Masari, he said the difference between the current sum of N58, 513,641,649.09 contained in the report as against N55, 984,273,521 in the commission’s interim report earlier submitted to the governor is “the outcome of painstaking and critical verifications of the figures when writing the main report.”
Ma’aji declared that N17, 968,309,502.09 and N15, 478,073,049.39 respectively were missing and unaccounted for in SURE-P accounts and the state joint local government account.
He added that the government lost N14.9 billion in Katsina State Road Maintenance agency (KASROMA) and N10 billion in the ministry of environment, Departments of Community Development, Special Duties, Girl Child Education and Almajiri Affairs.
“In one of such instance, 87 cheques of between N9m and N10m were withdrawn in cash on the same date. These transactions disgustingly by the finding of the commission took place on the 28th May, 2015, been the eve of the last day of the previous administration in Katsina State,” said Ma’aji.
Receiving the report, Governor Aminu Bello Masari, vowed to recover the money diverted during the immediate past administration in the state, adding that government would take immediate action on officials found culpable to prevent recurrence of the misappropriation.
He also assured that a white paper on the issue would be forwarded to state ministry of justice for necessary action.

MASS SACK: REPS SUMMON HUAWEI TELECOMMUNICATIONS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/mass-sack-reps-summon-huawei.html

The House of Representatives committee on Telecommunications has summoned the Chief Executive Officer of Huawei telecommunications company, over mass sack of Nigerians working in the firm.
The committee also demanded a comprehensive documents showing its nominal role, list of expatriates working with the firm in Nigeria, as well as the Nigerian staff working with them.
Huawei is a Chinese firm which manages equipment for some leading telecommunications operators in Nigeria.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi issued this summon during an investigative hearing on the massive loss of job in the industry and drop in revenue accrued to the federal government in the last one year.
Akinade-Fijabi noted that the committee required relevant documents to determine whether or not the country’s labour laws are complied with. “We need to see that our labour laws are respected,” he said.
The committee had queried submissions by the representative of Huawei, Mr. Osita Nwneze, who disclosed that the company has 339 expatriates working in Nigeria.
Nweze also explained that some staff were laid off from the service of Huawei due to weakness of Naira in the last one year, which according to him affected adversely affected the company’s operations.
According to Osita, the company recorded 60 per cent loss between 2015 and 2016, which also affected the revenue returns to the federal government of Nigeria.
“The issue of job loss can be broken down to the problem with forex, this has affected our business as we can only have business when operators buy from us. Between 2015 and 2016, the company recorded about 60 per cent loss,” he stated.

REVEALED! HOW TOP POLICE CHIEF WORKED AS TRASH COLLECTOR TO NAB NOTORIOUS KIDNAP WARLORD, EVANS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/revealed-how-top-police-chief-worked-as.html

Days after the arrest of the leader of a kidnap syndicate Chukwudubem Onwuamadike aka Evans that has terrorized the Lagos Mainland and other parts of Nigeria, more information has emerged on the events that led to his eventual capture in his Magodo-Lagos residence.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that prior to the arrest of Evans, the Special Intelligence Response team led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, worked assiduously to gather reports to ensure the smooth arrest of the suspect.
During the period leading to his arrest, Abba Kyari, for many weeks worked as a PSP operator attached to the Lagos State Waste Management team that cleaned the street which housed the mansion of the leader of the kidnap syndicate.
Also, Police Command disclosed that Evans owned two expensive anti-tracking mobile phones that ensured his phone calls were not traced aside owning more than 120 registered sim cards.
During investigation, the Police said the intelligence team were able to trace his calls to his sister and close friends who were all arrested and provided adequate information leading to his arrest.
As a result, the N30 million bounty placed on Evans’ head will not be paid to his sister or anyone because they did not give the Police the information voluntarily, the Police disclosed.

STATE ASSEMBLIES, LGS TO GET FINANCIAL AUTONOMY
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/state-assemblies-lgs-to-get-financial.html


In a new amendment to the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (as amended), the National Assembly is set to pass a resolution seeking to grant financial autonomy to the Houses of assembly in the 36 states of the federation.
The ongoing amendment will also grant administrative and financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in Nigeria.
These amendments, Eyes Of Lagos gathered, are expected to ensure effective service delivery and insulate the legislative arm of government in the states and the local governments from undue and counter-productive interferences from state governments.
The lawmakers resolved that local government system is a third tier of government which should have democratically elected executives and legislative arm.
By financial autonomy, the local governments will operate a separate account where allocations from the federal government and the state government will be paid, while administrative autonomy guarantees that only local governments with democratically elected officials shall be recognised by the constitution and function in any capacity.
A document exclusively obtained byEYES OF LAGOS revealed that a Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for funding of the Houses of Assembly in the states and the Judiciary directly from the consolidated revenue fund of the state is currently being considered by the special ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives on constitutional review.
Also, a separate Bill for an Act seeking to abrogate the state joint local government accounts and another Bill seeking to strengthen local government administration in Nigeria are also being considered by the committee.
According to the document, the bill on the autonomy for state legislative houses seeks to alter Section 121 of the Principal Act by substituting for subsection (3), a new subsection ‘(3)’.
Section 121 (3) of the Constitution stipulates that “any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State shall be paid directly to the heads of the courts concerned”.
But in the new amendment, the proposed subsection ‘3’ of the same section provides that “any amount standing to the credit of the- House of Assembly of the State and Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State shall be paid directly to the said bodies respectively; in the case of judiciary, such amount shall be paid directly to the heads of the courts concerned”.
Also, an amendment to section 162 (6) abrogates the ‘state joint local government accounts’ and empowers each local government council to maintain its own special account to be called ‘Local Government Council Allocation Account’ into which allocations due to the local government council shall be directly paid from the federation account and from the government of the state.
The amendment also makes provisions for savings in the federation account prior to distribution to the respective levels of government.
Section 162(6) in the constitution provides that “each State shall maintain a special account to be called ‘State Joint Local Government Account’ into which shall be paid all allocations to the Local Government Councils of the State from the Federation Account and from the Government of the State”.
But in the new amendment, subsection 6 of the same section provides that “any amount standing to the credit of the States in the Federation Account shall be distributed among the States on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly”.
Subsection 7 provides that each local government council shall maintain a special account to be called ‘Local Government Council Allocation Account’ into which shall be paid directly such allocation to the local government council from the federation account and from the government of the state.
This, in effect, shall abolish the current system of state local government joint account.
Meanwhile, an alteration to section 7(1) of the constitution is aimed at strengthening local government administration in Nigeria.
The new amendment, if passed into law, will insert a new clause into section 7(1).
The new insertion provides that a local government council not democratically elected shall not be recognised by any authority and persons and shall not be entitled to any revenue allocation from the federation account or the state government nor exercise any function exercised by a local government council under the constitution or any law for the time being in force.
The insertion further provides that democratically elected local government council shall be a tier of government in Nigeria and shall consist of executive and legislative arms.

FG, DANGOTE SIGN N4.3BN MOU FOR REBUILDING OF APAPA WHARF ROAD
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/fg-dangote-sign-n43bn-mou-for.html


The federal government and Dangote Flour Mills companies yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to construct a two kilometres road between the Nigerian Port Authority and the end of the bridge for a period of one year.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said this at the official signing of the MoU and handing over of the project to the sponsors.
It was learnt that the N4.34 billion project is jointly sponsored by Dangote Flour Mills companies and the federal government.
The minister explained that the use of Dangote for the construction was to give the road a better outlook with the use of concrete, saying the construction is to resolve the challenges usually encountered on the road.
Fashola said, “We are embarking on what will be the final solution to the massive inconvenience. Businesses and residents in Apapa and its environment have had to endure for a couple of years.
“I will like to acknowledge the leadership role of Dangote and Flour Mills who are operators and have also contributed to making this a reality. They are doing this as a total Corporate Responsibility without asking for tax holiday or reduction. We are also working on how to ensure free access to Tin Can Island.
“From today that we are handing over the project, the road will take one year to be completed. We need the cooperation of all the stakeholders. There will be some discomfort on the way but we appeal for tolerance and perseverance. It will continue to get better, people should please ensure more to solve the challenge”.
Also speaking, a representative of Dangote company, Engr Joseph Makoju, said it was co-sponsoring the project to provide an enabling environment for businesses in the area.
He said, “This is part of our CSR. Businesses have to engage the community where they operate. Today’s CSR has gone to a higher level where we find ourselves embarking on a major infrastructural project”.
Also speaking, the managing director of the Flour Mills, Paul Gbededo, appealed to the federal government to place priority on repairing other sections of Apapa.
“Apapa has become a very difficult place to work. With this project that the federal government has allowed us to embark on, it will give succour to business. It has the biggest port in Nigeria and should not be taken with levity”.

CASSAVA BREAD INITIATIVE CAN GENERATE N255BN ANNUALLY
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/cassava-bread-initiative-can-generate.html


Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria says the revival of the cassava bread initiative is capable of injecting about N255 billion into the country’s economy every year.
Mr Joseph Ubah, the Publicity Secretary of the association, said this on Thursday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
He said that initiative, which involved the use of composite flour containing 10 per cent cassava flour, for baking bread, would discourage exportation of wheat and promote cassava production in the country.
Ubah, who bemoaned the perceptible inconsistency as to the continuation of some government policies, said that large consignments of wheat were still being imported into the country.
He said that if the initiative was revived, the money for wheat importation would be saved and used to fund national development projects or tackle some pressing issues in the country
Ubah stressed that the revival of the cassava bread initiative would boost the economy and encourage cassava farmers to improve their production.
“We have been able to reach a point where a consumer would not be able to differentiate between bread baked with cassava flour and the one baked with only wheat flour, but that programme was later jettisoned.
“If we must progress in this country, there must be continuity in our policies.
“Nigeria will be earning over N255 billion annually if 10 per cent cassava flour is included in bread; Nigerian bakers are even capable of increasing the percentage of cassava flour in bread to 20 per cent.
“Then, we will be talking of generating about N450 billion annually, which will be added to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if this initiative is revived,’’ he said.
Ubah noted that that the price of wheat was currently high, adding that the addition of cassava flour to the wheat flour would reduce the cost of flour production and bread production by extension.
He, therefore, urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to revive the cassava bread initiative in order to put bakers back in business.

REPS QUERY MTN OVER MASS SACK, DEMAND LIST OF DISENGAGED STAFF
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/reps-query-mtn-over-mass-sack-demand.html


By Alphonso Jide

The House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications yesterday queried management of leading telecommunications company, MTN-Nigeria over mass disengagement of personnel.
The committee during an investigative hearing into the massive job loss and drop in revenue in the industry also requested the telecommunications company to provide a comprehensive list of persons disengaged from its service in the last one year.
MTN’s acting Human Resource Executive, Ajibola Opeoluwa-Calebs, while responding to questions from the committee members explained that 194 staff voluntarily resigned from the company’s service, out of the 368 staffers that were disengaged from the service in the last one year.
Ajibola said some of the disengaged staff were laid off due to their inability to use the latest technology in the industry.
This according to him have created new vacancies and the company is about to recruit about 240 new staff, and vacancies had been published for 150 position already.
“In April, we had a special arrangement with some of our employees who had been with us for some time and wants to go and use their skills elsewhere. 194 people left voluntarily, while 65 people were disengaged with the discretion of the management, while other were disengaged before April,’’ he stated.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi during an investigative hearing wondered why 194 staff would voluntarily decide to leave the service at the same time, thereby demanded the list of affected staff for purpose of clarity.
‘‘Are you sure this voluntary arrangements was not compulsorily voluntary, I think we should verify ‎this, we need the list of those staff that were disengaged by voluntary arrangement,’’ the Chairman stated.
Meanwhile, the director Human Resources of Airtel – Nigeria, Mr. Gbemiga Owolabi informed the committee that only 90 staff had left the service of Airtel in the last one year.
According to Owolabi, 60 persons out of this number resigned voluntarily, 6 were disengaged on ethical grounds while we’re exited.

OPADOKUN, OTHER YORUBA LEADERS COLLECTED DOLLARS FROM ABIOLA’S KILLERS – AL-MUSTAPHA
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/opadokun-other-yoruba-leaders-collected.html

Former chief security officer (CSO) to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha(rtd), yesterday, accused some Yoruba Leaders, led by Chief Ayo Opadokun, of allegedly collecting bribe from late Chief MKO Abiola’s killers in Aso Villa.
Chief Opadokun has denied the allegation describing the former CSO as “a pathological liar that must be ignored.”
Speaking with journalists in Kaduna, shortly after a meeting to broker peace between the North and South-Eastern part of country over the quit notice issued to Igbos by Coalition of Arewa Youth groups, Al-Mustapha, alleged that,Opadokun led others to the villa to meet Abiola’s killers, but came out laughing after receiving dollars, just a day after their leader (MKO) was killed.
Al-Mustapha was remanded in the prison for 14 years in connection with the death of Abiola and his wife, Mrs. Kudirat Abiola.
Al-Mustapha who claimed to have video taped how Opadokun and others collected bribe over Abiola’s death said, he had since submitted a copy to a Lagos High Court, presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada.
Al-Mustapha said:”Chief Opadokun is someone I respect so much as an elder. But what came out in the newspaper is his own imagination and falsehood against me. If you know my character, you will know that, I will not be scared to say the truth, it does not matter who, it does not matter where, but you will later realise that I told you the truth. I initially didn’t want to reply him, but now that you have asked, I will tell you what happened.
“When Abiola died, a day after, he (Opadokun) was invited to the Presidency, and he came to the villa alongside his friends. He came with anger into the villa. Those who killed Abiola invited him to the villa. At that material time, they came to fight the government, they wanted to set the country ablaze, considering the tone they came with. They went into the meeting, they came out laughing, yelling and gearing as if nothing happened in the country.
“A day after Abiola’s death if you remember, the country was on the verge of collapse. But seeing what was going on and the things around Abiola led me to suspect them, I had not handed over the villa to Abdulsalami Abubakar government then, so I decided to video tape what they were doing and I have the tape and I have tendered the tape before a court of law, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court.
“In that tape, money exchanged hands and they traded with Abiola and that is my anger. The tape is in that court, anybody that wants to watch it can get it and watch, it is now a public document. I didn’t want to talk about it before, but money was brought from CBN in my presence and it was shared.”
“So, if I talk about Abiola’s wellbeing and safety, and that of his family, I am telling Nigerians what really happened. Why should a person from the same South West, who is supposed to protect Abiola’s interest, now be seen to be angry with me? He should be happy with me for saying the fact, so that it will not happen again in Nigeria.
“Now, they have forgotten about Abiola but the moment I talk, they will come to the pages of newspapers and start insulting me, I didn’t want to respond to them, but since you have asked, I have to say this. All they have done is that they took money and the moment you talk about Abiola, you become their enemies and they will abuse you in the papers, that is what they are doing to me, but I don’t care.

“In Yoruba land where culture is the watch word, late MKO Abiola was the last Aare Ona Kakanfo and for a Yoruba man of Opadokun’s standing, going against Aare Ona Kakanfo, what is that thing, I tell you, it is dollars. Thank you very much, I will speak more on this much later God’s willing”,Al-Mustapha maintained.
However, in a swift reaction, the convener, Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform and former NADECO leader, Chief Ayo Opadokun denied the allegations, describing Al-Mustaphaas a pathological liar that must be ignored.
Opadokun said, “ Al-Mustapha is a pathological liar that must be ignored. When he was being prosecuted for the murder of Kudirat Abiola , and we said what he did was wrong he just suddenly made this allegation against us to the media but when I castigated him , he recanted that he didn’t say so, that we didn’t collect money.
“Now he has started blabbing again , he is seeking for attention , he should be ignored . We are the ones who sacrificed a lot , our lives for the restoration of democracy to Nigeria we did everything humanly possible for the validation of Chief Abiola’s mandate , the de-annulment of his victory in the June 12, 1993 polls , we are credible people unlike him , he was the veritable instrument used by the late dictator Gen. Sani Abacha to punish, to humiliate and to oppress Chief MKO Abiola in detention. He will have to account for his misdeed one day.”

SOKOTO IS YOUR HOME, TAMBUWAL TELLS IGBOS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/adsbygoogle-window.html


Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has urged Nigerians to avoid inflammatory remarks capable of causing disunity among the people.



Tambuwal spoke on Friday night against the backdrop of the ultimatum given to the Igbo by Arewa youths to leave the North, while hosting community members at an iftar session in Sokoto to break their Ramadan fast.



Addressing Igbo residents in the state, he said, “I align myself fully with the position of the northern governors, as enunciated by our chairman, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno (State). All Nigerians must feel free to stay in any part of the country without fear of molestation.

“We have enjoyed a robust relationship with all members of the resident communities and you have no reason to fear. Sokoto is your home and it will continue to remain as such.

“I urge our youths to show restraint in making inflammatory remarks and threatening of one another.

REVEALED: WHY DAMMY KRANE WAS KICKED OUT OF TUFACE IDIBIA'S HYPERTEK RECORD LABEL
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/revealed-why-dammy-krane-was-kicked-out.html

Details have emerged on why Nigerian singer, Dammy Krane was kicked out of legendary musician, Tuface's record label.
Following the arrest of Nigerian singer, Dammy Krane in Miami, USA days ago on grounds of credit card fraud, grand theft and impersonation, a source close to the singer has revealed the alleged reason why he was kicked out of Tu Face Idibia’s record label, Hypertek records.

Recall that the singer was reported to have used stolen credit cards to book a private jet with a Hire-A-Jet company, tapJets leading to his arrest alongside his alleged accomplice and show promoter, Chukwuebuka.


The source close to the singer who has now been released on $22,500 bail revealed that the Tu Face and Hypertek recods had issues with the singer leading to his exit.
The source further stated that since Dammy Krane’s exit from the record label, he has been on a constant hunt for sponsors.
The source added: “Dammy Krane had left Tuface’s Hypertek record since February 2015. Tuface is trying to build a reputable company and they do not want any negative news. That is why they did not announce his exit from the label. They had issues with him over the way he was doing collaborations with other artistes. It was not part of the contract that he signed, so technically it is a breach of contract.

“They gave him several warnings which he did not adhere to, so they had no choice but to terminate the contract that they had with him.
“They did not make any noise about it because they did not want anything that would dent his image and that of the company. He was in the US to get new investor to help his career and also shoot some videos because he already had new material.
“He was also meant to use the opportunity to embark on his US tour,” the source noted

IGNORE QUIT NOTICE FROM NORTH – SOUTHEAST SENATORS TELL IGBO
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/ignore-quit-notice-from-north-southeast.html

The South East Senate Caucus on Thursday asked Igbos residing in the North to ignore the quit order handed down by some Arewa youths.
The Caucus in a statement in Abuja by its Chairman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, described the quit order by the Arewa youths as poisonous, irresponsible and one that was aimed at dealing a deadly blow to Nigeria’s unity.
Abaribe said Section 41 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, firmly guaranteed the right of “every Nigerian to move freely in and reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom”.
“So nobody or groups of persons have the right to abridge the right of the Igbo or any other Nigerian for that matter,” he said.
The Caucus nonetheless asked the people to be very cautious and vigilant while going about their normal businesses, especially when viewed from the fact that the security agencies became lethargic in the face of the treasonable threat by the so-called Arewa youths.
Abaribe said: “It is alarming that neither the police nor the DSS were forthcoming to effect arrest or even issue any serious warning, more than twenty-four hours after the open threat laced with a three month deadline.
“We consider the cold feet of the relevant security agencies in the circumstance as sinister and one that cast ominous sign in the corporate existence of Nigeria.”
However, the caucus appealed to the Federal government to direct the security agencies to be above board and nip this dangerous and highly divisive threat in the bud, in the interest of the country’s unity.

FG TO ADD 340 MEGAWATTS TO POWER GRID BEFORE DECEMBER – FASHOLA
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/fg-to-add-340-megawatts-to-power-grid.html

The minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said that 340 megawatts of electricity would be added to the nationalgrid on or before December.
Fashola said this, yesterday, during his inspection tour of Afam Power Plant in Oyibo local government area of Rivers State, as part of Federal Government Power Sector Recovery Programme.
He said the 340 megawatts of electricity would be generated from Afamn power plant alone while another 270 megawatts would be generated from same facility before end of 2018.
The minister stated that the Afam facility has about 1,000 megawatts of installed capacity which has underperformed due to years of neglect by previous governments.
Fashola said, “Afam 1 to 5 power plants is currently producing about 100 megawatts which is as a result of failure to maintain the facility over the years.
“We are here to assess the progress of the work we have been doing in the last 17 to 18 months aimed to get the facility back to its optimumcapacity.
“The Afam 5 plant is currently being rehabilitated in collaboration with General Electric to restore 240 megawatts to the facility.
“All the turbine and equipment needed for the project are already in the country while the only challenge we are facing is the access road, logistic and few other things that we came to assess.
“We think that we will add 240 megawatts and another 100 megawatts before December with addition of 276 megawatts in 2018 from Afam power plant alone.”
He disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari administration inherited debt running into billions owed to companies which supplied gas to power plants in the country.

SENATE CAN’T BE BLACKMAILED OVER EFCC, CUSTOMS BOSSES – SARAKI

source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/senate-cant-be-blackmailed-over-efcc.html

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has asked Nigerians not to blackmail the lawmakers for not confirming Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Saraki who said the National Assembly was working hand-in-hand with other arms of government in the anti-graft war of the present administration also wondered why Nigerians miscontrued the senate’s action on customs boss, Hameed Ali.
Magu, who is currently acting chairman of the anti-corruption agency had appeared for confirmation twice before the Senate but was turned down on the two occasions.
But while the public, which considers Magu a tough and thorough professional sees the lawmakers’ action as an attempt to cover up for some alleged corrupt members of the Senate, Saraki stated that the lawmakers merely acted within their constitutional power, adding that it was a security report that nailed Magu.
The former Kwara State governor who made this disclosure during an exclusive interview said, “We need to stop this issue of blackmail. You must follow the process. Was it Senate that wrote his report? The security report they gave Magu, was it manufactured by the senate? The screening of Magu was live, we didn’t do it in the dark room at night? Everybody saw the performance.
“And lastly, they say because some senators have cases with the EFCC. Yes, some senators have cases with the EFCC but these cases were made public even before Magu became the chairman of the EFCC. So, is it Magu that made your case with EFCC? Why will everybody hold that against Magu?
“I think that is propaganda. Most of these things should be based on facts. And I think we need to separate facts from things that are not true. So, my own view is that those views will change because at the end of the day the views are not based on facts. I have given you fact. And the fact is that what is the responsibility of the senate based on the constitution? We are to make laws”.
Saraki also spoke about the issue of Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (red.), saying insistence of the Senate that he should appear before it in uniform to clear some issues bothering on his office was also in public interest.
“When we talked about Customs, we were talking about something in the interest of Nigerians, but some people now take to blackmail and propaganda and now say it had something to do on car duty. At the end of the day, when the facts came out you could not hear anything anymore”, he said.
Giving the scorecard of the 8th National Assembly which resumed session on June 9, 2015, Saraki stated that the relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government is more cordial than what used to obtain under successive governments.
“Even in the time of Obansajo, and in the PDP, people in those dayse could not get all ministers approved. This is the first time that all ministerial appointments have been approved, that’s over 90 something percent”, he said.
He stated, however, that the lawmakers were not blinded to the checks and balances in a democracy, stressing that the executive went ahead to increase the electricity tariff against protest by the Senate.
“Now who said no, you cannot do this to Nigerians? When they increased data tariff, who stepped out and said no? Even the case of the customs, which is wrong, who came forward?” He queried.
The Senate president also assured Nigerians of quick assent to the 2017 budget recently passed by the National Assembly.
Noting that the lawmakers have completed their statutory responsibility as far as 2017 budget was concerned, he said, “Well, you know am not the executive, this question should go to the executive. All I can reassure Nigerians is that am sure it will be signed very soon. I’m not sure of the number days but am sure”.

KEMI OLUNLOYO : “I NO LONGER PLACE CURSES ON PEOPLE’S HEADS” –SAYS AFTER HER RELEASE FROM PRISON
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/kemi-olunloyo-i-no-longer-place-curses.html

Madam Kemi Olunloyo took to her Instagram page to share this with her fans , After her realease from prison :

Today I'm waking up as a political activist. The hashtag is #hnnact Journalism @hnnafrica will be back after my trial. I lost close to $300k in wages, ads, freelance assignments and revenues. My travel docs also seized and tied to my job. I have run out of money. Flights back and forth to #PortHarcourt trial, hotel, transportation to court is why I set up a post for legal expenses. Another one is going up today on #GoFundMe Thanks to all those who sent me money so far. I appreciate you all. The love and support is overwhelming. S/O to my sister @IbinaboFiberisima who visited me in prison with lots of food, provisions and cash in April 2017. Thank you dear for sending me even more money on Monday the day I left. She truly surprised me. That has gone to the legal fund. To @georginaonuoha who we fought each other vigorously, it is well. I read your appeal to #AsoRock to release me. May God protect you and your lovely girls. No curse will befall them. I no longer place curses on people's heads. GOD FORBID. I love you all
Goodbye PH
Swipe pictures
#MadamKOO


See Photos

TRAGEDY AVERTED AS CONTAINER SPILLS CONTENT ON DANFO BUS AT OJUELEGBA – SEE PHOTOS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/tragedy-averted-as-container-spills.html

Commuters in a yellow commercial bus popularly known as danfo alongside other passerby were saved by the whiskers after a truck carrying a loaded container with flour spilled its content on the bus at Ojuelegba yesterday, June 6, 2017.
The incident occurred while the danfo and truck drivers attempted to climb the Dermalong bridge leading to Fadeyi end of Lagos.
A witness told Eyes Of Lagos the truck driver lost control before trying to maneuver to safety. In the process, he lost balance, spilling its content on the danfo bus driving in the next lane.
Luckily, no lives were lost in the incident but goods worth millions of naira were spilled on the highway.
The Emergency Response Team (ERT) of the Lagos State Emergency Agency, LASEMA, were called to the scene afterward to tow away the affected truck and also ease traffic flow due to the rush hour.
See more photos from the incident scene below.

AFTERMATH OF NURTW SUSPENSION IN LAGOS; TENSION STILL GRIPS OSHODI
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/aftermath-of-nurtw-suspension-in-lagos.html

Residents and other business owners around Oshodi and its environs are still gripped with fear following the bloody clash that happend on‎ Saturday between factional members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The burial of the leader of the Motorcycle operators, Rasaq Bello, at the weekend sparked off renewed violence as his loyalists swore to retaliate.
According to a report by Eyes Of Lagos, commercial activities were almost grounded, with only a few shops open for business while many others were under lock and key.
Also, there was tension following the video which surfaced online about the bomb scare at Oshodi.
The Lagos State Police Command and the Lagos State Government however reacted to the bomb blast news, saying that it was false.
A statement signed by the chairman of the state Task Force, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, assures residents of the safety of lives and properties around Mafoluku, Shogunle, Sadiku, Ladipo and the entire Oshodi area of the state.
He disclosed that the activities of the NURTW and its rival transport workers’ union (RTEAN) across the Oshodi area had been put under checks and control of the Lagos State Taskforce and other security agencies.
SP Egbeyemi further said that different warring factional leaders who tried to cause confusion in the area had been arrested, and were with Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni for proper interrogation.
However, the chairman warned miscreants and hoodlums to desist from causing chaos in Oshodi and the entire State as anyone arrested would be immediately charged to court for prosecution.

NO CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS OVER PMB’S ABSENCE – PRESIDENCY
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/no-constitutional-crisis-over-pmbs.html

The Senior special assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, has dismissed an article by a Nigerian historian, Max Siollun, entitled, “The Gentleman’s Agreement that Could Break Apart Nigeria,” published in the United States-based Foreign Policy magazine.
The piece speculates that Nigeria faces imminent political and constitutional crisis on account of President Buhari’s absence to attend to his health in London.
Reacting to what he called “needlessly sensational and exaggerated speculations by conspiracy theorists”, the Presidential aide explained that it is misleading to compare President Buhari’s case to that of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, adding that the circumstances are completely different.
According to Shehu, in a statement by Deputy Director (Information) State House, Abuja, Attah Esa, unlike President Yar’Adua, President Buhari has duly complied with the constitutional requirements by formally notifying the National Assembly of his intention to go for medical treatment and handing over to Professor Yemi Osinbajo as Acting President.
Malam Shehu added that, “While Yar’Adua was too severely ill to transmit a letter formally to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, President Buhari is not in such medical state, and therefore, the country is not currently facing any complications on account of his absence.”
The media aide noted that under President Yar’Adua, there was
uncertainty about the role of the Vice President because the late President was not in a position to formally transfer power to his deputy, which necessitated the resort to the doctrine of necessity to enable Dr. Goodluck Jonathan act in his absence.

$17BN STOLEN CRUDE: EMEFIELE, FOWLER ACCOUNTANT GENERAL APPEARS BEFORE REPS COMMITTEE, MONDAY
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/17bn-stolen-crude-emefiele-fowler.html


Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Account General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris and Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Babatunde Fowler will on Monday, appear before the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the ‎$17 billion stolen through undeclared crude oil and liquefied natural gas.
Also, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baro and chief executives of over 40 international oil companies are expected to explain their roles in the sale of crude before the committee.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas noted that the International Oil Companies involved had provided required documents to the committee, but said thorough investigation ‎requires oral testimonies from concerned parties.
The committee had recently summoned Chief Executive Officers of First Bank, Access Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, to explain their explain their roles in the undeclared $17bn proceed from sale of crude oil.
The ongoing investigation revealed that some international oil companies remitted billions of dollars into Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) through the commercial banks without proper records.
The payments were made into the PPT account of the Central Bank of Nigeria, but available records did not show that the billions are recorded for the same purpose.
The committee also revealed that most of the payments were not found in the records of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) thereby suggesting that the oil companies did not pay PPT during the period under review.
Namdas during the continued investigate hearing stated that it was surprising to discover that the oil companies made payments amounting to billions of dollars without proper identification of what the payment stands for.
“We expect that if you are into oil and gas for a period of time, and you made some payment, when you are shown the document, you should be able to identify what the payment were meant for. Although, some confirmed that the payment came from them, but they don’t know what it stands for. That is why we are investigating, for example, some of them will tell you that they paid for petroleum profit tax, and FIRS will say from their own records, they have not paid. W have cause to even show them the documents provided to us by FIRS, the companies could also not produce the assessment notice given to them,” he said.
The committee also insisted that Emefiele must appear before the committee in person to clarity issues.
“We have sent two different letters to the CBN, and the bank has provided two conflicting responses to our inquiry. In response to the first letter, the apex bank pleaded for time due to the volume of documents required, but in response to the second letter, the indicated that it has no record of undeclared crude,” Namdas stated.

FINALLY, NIGERIA TAKES STEPS TO CONTROL TOBACCO USE
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/finally-nigeria-takes-steps-to-control.html

…..two years after the National Tobacco Control Act came into existence, the country is finally taking steps to implement it
If the words of the minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole are anything to go by, Nigeria is set to enforce control in tobacco use two years after the National Tobacco Control Bill was passed into law by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Perhaps, Nigerians have every right to be worried and sceptical given the country’s history of difficulty in implementing policies; like for instance, the National Health Act (NHA).
Adewole said tobacco is the only legal drug that kills many of its users when used exactly as intended by manufacturers.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on World No Tobacco Day celebrated 31st May, this highlighted how tobacco threatens the development of nations worldwide, calling on governments to implement strong tobacco control measures.
These include banning marketing and advertising of tobacco, promoting plain packaging of tobacco products, raising excise taxes, and making indoor public places and workplaces smoke-free.
Indeed, the global threat from tobacco is frightening. According to the WHO, action to stamp out tobacco use can help countries prevent millions of people falling ill and dying from tobacco-related disease, combat poverty and, according to a first-ever WHO report, reduce large-scale environmental degradation.
Tobacco use kills more than 7 million people every year and costs households and governments over US$ 1.4 trillion through healthcare expenditure and lost productivity.
“Tobacco threatens us all,” says WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan. “Tobacco exacerbates poverty, reduces economic productivity, contributes to poor household food choices, and pollutes indoor air.”
Dr Chan added: “But by taking robust tobacco control measures, governments can safeguard their countries’ futures by protecting tobacco users and non-users from these deadly products, generating revenues to fund health and other social services, and saving their environments from the ravages tobacco causes.”
All countries have committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims to strengthen universal peace and eradicate poverty. Key elements of this agenda include implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and by 2030 reducing by one third premature death from non communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart and lung diseases, cancer, and diabetes, for which tobacco use is a key risk factor.
It was in the bid to tackle the menace that tobacco poses that led to the establishment of the biggest public health treaty known as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which is the first treaty negotiated under the auspices of the WHO.
The WHO FCTC is an evidence-based treaty that responses to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic and tobacco-related diseases while reaffirming the right of all people to the highest standard of health.
In its response to protecting public health, Nigeria signed and ratified the WHO FCTC treaty in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
Through the legal mandate of FCTC instruments, the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with line ministries, department, agencies and other stakeholders developed the National Tobacco Control Bill which was enacted as the National Tobacco Control Act in May 2015.
One of the major objectives of the Act is to protect present and future generations of Nigerian citizens from the devastating health, social, economic and environmental consequences of use of or exposure to tobacco or tobacco products.
Speaking at the World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday 31th May, 2007, with the theme, “Tobacco, A Threat To Development,” the minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, observed that the theme for this year focuses on a germane issue.
Tobacco control has been enshrined in the Sustainable Development Agenda because it is one of the most effective means to help achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 and its target 3.4 and 3.a.
SDG 3– Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all age.
SDG3 target 3.4– Achieve one-third global reduction of premature deaths from NCDs through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and wellbeing.
SDG3 target 3.a– Strengthen the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in all Countries as appropriate.
The minister said in pursuance with the provision of the Act, he inaugurated the National Tobacco Control Committee (NATOCC) on the 12th of July, 2016 to advise him on tobacco control matters.
“ In line with her mandate, NATOCC produced draft National Tobacco Control Regulations 2017, which I shall soon transmit to the National Assembly for approval as a legal framework for the effective implementation of the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act 2015.
He said in order to sustain the gains in tobacco control in Nigeria, he recently approved the establishment of the National Tobacco Control Unit (TCU) as required by sections 6 and 7 of the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act 2015 to drive the plans, policies, projects and programmes of NATOCC and the Federal Ministry of Health.”
The Health minister announced that having carefully analysed the NTC Act 2015, the government will begin implementing the following provisions before the end of this year.
He listed the provisions itemized below:
Prohibition of sale of tobacco products to and by anyone below 18.
Ban of sale of cigarettes in single sticks. Cigarettes must be sold in packs of 20 sticks only.
Smokeless tobacco shall be sold in a minimum of a pack of 30 grams.
Ban of sale or offer for sale or distribution of tobacco or tobacco products through mail, internet or other online devices
Prohibition of interference of tobacco industry in public health and related issues.
Prohibition of smoking in anywhere on the premises of a child care facility; educational facility; and health care facility. Other prohibited places for smoking include playgrounds; amusement parks; plazas; public parks; stadium, public transports, restaurants, bars, or other public gathering spaces.
Prosecution of owner or manager of any of the places listed above, who permits, encourages or fails to stop smoking in the above listed places.
Prohibition of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship of any kind.
Compliance with specified standard for content as set out by Standards Organisation of Nigeria.
He also directed the Department of Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health to prepare appropriate messaging which the ministry shall display in conspicuous location in all public institutions.
“I encourage all private establishments to support us in this laudable initiative. I shall also in few weeks communicate with government agencies through the office of my colleagues on the need to partner with us in the successful implementation of these provisions. “
Many civil society organisations have applauded this latest move by the federal government. According to them, tobacco control can help break the cycle of poverty, contribute to ending hunger, promote sustainable agriculture and economic growth, and combat climate change.
They aver that increasing taxes and levies on tobacco products can also reduce its consumption and secondarily generate revenue which can be used to finance universal health coverage and other developmental health programs.
Facts from WHO showed that tobacco use costs national economies immensely, this is through increased health-care costs and decreased productivity. It also worsens health inequalities and exacerbates poverty, as the poorest people spend less on essentials such as food, education and health care.

Video: ABU DHABI SHOPPING CENTRE DECLARES ALL GOODS FREE FOR 30 MINS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/abu-dhabi-shopping-centre-declares-all.html

ABU DHABI SHOPPING CENTRE DECLARES ALL GOODS FREE FOR 30 MINS. WOMEN & CLOTHES, MEN & ELECTRONICS. 26 YEARS OLD BILLIONAIRE PAID THE BILL AS RAMADAN GIFT

See what happened :
Watch Video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjQ2_7VE_II

TELECOMS INDUSTRY LOST 21 OPERATORS IN 10 YEARS – ALTON
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/telecoms-industry-lost-21-operators-in.html

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) says 21 telecommunications operators have gone into extinction in the country in the last 10 years.
ALTON Chairman, Mr Gbenga Adebayo made this known during the ”Broadband Summit 2017”, organised by BusinessDay Media Ltd., on Friday in Lagos.
Adebayo said that the operators businesses went under due to the economic and operational challenges inherent in the industry.
He said that as at 2006, ALTON had 35 members, but between 2007 to date, its members had reduced to 14.
According to him, if care is not taken, more service providers might still close shop before the end of year.
The ALTON Chairman said that the operators which had exited the Nigerian telecommunications space include Multilinks, Starcomms and O’Net.
“The economic challenges include poor power generation, multiple taxation, exorbitant Right of Way levies, insecurity and over-regulation among others.
“The operational issues are anti-competition and lack of fund to roll out,” he said.

Adebayo said that the cost of getting the Right of Way was over 60 per cent of the total amount to putting up the infrastructure.
He said that within the last five months, the surviving operators lost over 20,000 batteries to theft and vandals at their base stations.
The ALTON Chairman said that some of the batteries, according to investigations carried out, were sold to some inverter operators in the country.
Adebayo called on government at all levels to protect the sector because of its immense contribution to the growth of the economy.
“Until we are able to classify the telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, the problems will persist.
“There should be sanction of long term prison service for vandals of telecommunications infrastructure. If there is severe sanction, it will serve as deterrent,” he said.

TWO YEARS OF BUHARI’S ADMINISTRATION: IS CHANGE HERE WITH US?
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/two-years-of-buharis-administration-is.html


Indeed, there is a raging debate among analysts, experts and commentators across the political spectrum as to whether President Muhammadu Buhari has so far delivered on his campaign promises to the Nigerian people, or whether he was yet to do so, halfway into the life of his administration. This is against the backdrop that President Buhari rode to power on the mantra of change. In fact, change was what he (Mr. President) promised Nigerians in the build-up to the 2015 general election. It should be emphasized that the country had prior to this time, been enmeshed in an unprecedented terrorist debacle that nearly overrun the entire north-east in particular and the country in general.
Aside the issue of insecurity, the economic fortune of the nation has been bad and signs of possible collapse were imminent; owing to non-diversification of the economy and over-dependence on crude oil as the major foreign exchange earner. Above all, a prolonged culture of corruption and impunity pervaded our national psyche. As a result, the country bagged an ignoble status of a “fantastically corrupt” nation in the international arena. There is no need to reiterate that the citizens were not spared either in this inglorious branding. They were constantly humiliated, disrespected and viewed with utmost suspicion in their dealing with other nationals, at different countries, airports and seaports respectively.
To this end, President Buhari while trolling for votes from the electorate, promised to tackle the cankerworm of corruption, terrorism and the repositioning the nation’s economy through diversification and job creation with a view to taking the country out of the socio-economic and political quagmire that had hitherto threatened its corporate existence and relaunch it in the comity of nations.
While many are of the view that Mr. President should at least be commended for the appreciable progress he had made so far, especially in the areas of combating insecurity, anti-corruption as well as the resuscitation of the school feeding programme (which was only done in the 80s) among others. Others have simply discounted the argument with a wave of the hand, insisting that the expectations of Nigerians had largely remained unmet. In their own views, the comatose economy is undeniably a sore point of the current administration.
Be that as it may, it is important to observe that the assessment of President Buhari’ s mid- term score card should not be based on political or sentimental narratives, in a bid to cause chaos and unleash psychological mayhem on unsuspecting public, but on the solid points of logic and reason. Therefore, a dispassionate look at the array of achievements recorded by the APC-led Federal Government, one may be persuaded to agree with the proponents of the Government that indeed, some measure of success have been made in the recent past.
It can also be safely said that Boko Haram terrorism which was once a thorn in the flesh of the nation, threatening it to extinction, has been roundly and technically defeated. Communities which were ransacked by the terror groups, became occupied territories of the terrorists; as they hoisted their flag as a show of dominance. Barely two years into the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, all the affected areas have been liberated by our gallant military. The Buhari administration is able to bring about high morale in the military. About a million people who fled the occupied but now liberated areas have since returned. They had begun the rebuilding of their socio-economic life and can now go about their lawful business without fear of being attacked.
The defeat of the terrorists is evident in the reclaiming of camp zero in the Sambisa forest which for a long time served as a haven of the terrorists and their major stronghold from where they (terrorists) coordinated their activities and launched attacks. In fact, the recapturing of the camp zero had paid off, as it has provided a soft platform for the Government to dialogue and negotiate with these criminal elements from the position of strength and secured the eventual release of 103 Chibok school girls which were abducted from their hostels in 2014. Clearly, this is a demonstration that the terrorists are indeed, utterly decimated by the military. They do not hold any Nigeria’s territory. They can’t stage any spectacular attacks, as it was the case, and above all, they are now on the run. Without fear of contradiction, the Buhari administration deserves a pat on the back. ‘’
In addition, the APC –led government had during campaign promised to give N5, 000 monthly stipend to poor and vulnerable Nigerians. Some of the States that have so far benefited from this arrangement are: Borno, Kwara, Bauchi, Cross River, Niger, Kogi, Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti. Of the States, Borno, Kwara and Bauchi have started receiving the money while we are assured, the rest of the States in the first batch would commence the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) payment soon.
“The nine pilot States were chosen because they have an existing Social Register that successfully identified the most vulnerable and poorest Nigerians through a tried and tested Community Based Targeting (CBT) method working with the World Bank. However, other States have already begun developing their social registers and would be included in subsequent phases of the CCT implementation.”
Similarly, Government has also started the implementation of the National Home-grown School Feeding Programme designed to feed 5.5 million children for 200 hundred school days in the first phase of the programme. Although, the initial design was to feed pupils in 18 States, funding challenges had affected an earlier take-off. But the programme has now commenced in Osun, Kaduna and Anambra States. More States are expected to join soon. The school feeding programme has indeed increased school enrolment and improved the nutrition of school kids. There is no denying the fact that if the programme is properly implemented and sustained, it would go a long way in alleviating poverty among the masses.
The statement which was signed by Mr. Laolu Akande, the spokesman of the Acting President, said, “Yemi Osinbajo recalled that the administration had also kicked-off the N-Power Programme where graduates numbering 200,000 were engaged and paid N30, 000 per month, and the National Home-grown School Feeding Programme now running in three States. More so, the Buhari administration has kicked-off the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).
“Under GEEP, soft loans ranging from N10, 000 to N100, 000 have been designed for artisans, traders, market women amongst others. Already, thousands of cooperatives, market women associations, farmers and enterprising youths have been identified and registered for the purpose on an ongoing basis, and disbursement of the soft loans through the Bank of Industry and have started since November 25, 2016”, the statement stated.
Most importantly, the whistle-blowing policy of the Federal Government has also aided the anti-graft war in no small measure. The introduction of the whistle- blowing policy incentive has exposed corruption and theft in the public service. It has thus led to the recovery of some humongous amount of the nation’s looted wealth. This indeed is change in action.
Another area the administration of President Buhari can be given the thumbs up is in food sufficiency and security. The rice production initiative of his administration has triple to 5 million metric tons per annum. The Government is determined to stop the importation of rice by 2019. Akin to this, is the synergy between Lagos and Kebbi States in rice production and it is worthy of emulation by other States of the federation. This will not only guarantee food security but also bring about foreign exchange earnings through agricultural export, thereby steering the country out of the mono cultural economy.
Worthy of note is the implementation of Treasury Single Account (TSA) by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. It cannot be controverted that the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has to a large extent blocked all expenditure leakages in the system, thus instilling some measure of financial probity and accountability in the management of public funds.
– Sampson Ikemitang writes from Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Abuja.

ACTING PRESIDENT OSINBAJO IN THE LINE OF DUTY
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/acting-president-osinbajo-in-line-of.html


That Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is a workaholic is no longer news. Sometimes one wonders where he gets all the energy from. His work schedule are puzzling; I also wonder if he delegates some schedules. Even President Muhammadu Buhari had once indicated that he was aware of the dexterity and youthful energy of his deputy. When came back from his 49 days medical vacation in the United Kingdom, the president enthused that, while Osinbajo had “youth and intellect” going for him, he (Buhari) had age and “purely military experience”.
Truly, the two men complement each other brilliantly and so far the acting president has demonstrated and shown that he is a die-hard Buharist.
Last week, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which usually holds at 10:00am started at about 11:00am. The tradition had been that most assignments or visits don’t hold before the FEC meetings but last Wednesday, the acting president had an engagement with Civil servants on the executive orders he signed to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria. The event held from 9:00am to 11:00am, after which Osinbajo rushed to the presidential villa for the FEC meeting which lasted over three hours. After the FEC meeting he still had engagements till night.
It is instructive to note that the longest FEC meeting in the two years of this administration was presided over by Osinbajo. The meeting lasted over six hours and we were wondering if the cabinet members will solve Nigeria’s myriads of problems that day.
On Thursday, the same scenario played out again as the National Economic Council meeting which holds once a month was scheduled to hold. Before the meeting, the acting president had an engagement on the anniversary of Biafra. He attended the event at Yardua centre and was late for the NEC meeting by some minutes. Trust Osinbajo; marathon meetings are his stock in trade. The council meeting lasted almost the whole afternoon.
On Friday, he made a surprise visit to the Garki market where he interacted with traders who were pleasantly surprised by his visit. The same Friday, he flew to Italy to attend the G-7 meeting. On Saturday, he was back in the country where he attended the Lagos at 50 gala in Lagos.
On Sunday morning, he was back to Abuja and that same Sunday evening by 4pm, he attended the democracy day interdenominational service. On Monday morning, he was back to work where he attended the Social Investment Programme which is domiciled under his office.
On Tuesday, Osinbajo inaugurated the membership of the Nigerian industrial policy and competitiveness advisory council. After that, he held some private meetings till late in the night. On Thursday, the acting president travelled to Calabar to commission some projects.
Sometimes, I wonder if he has time for rest or to spend with his family. In all of these busy schedules, the acting president also attends weekly church services. It literally depicts the character of a man who is enjoying the confidence of his boss.You cannot deny the zeal and passion of Buhari and Osinbajo to change the story of Nigerians.
Sources in the Villa say President Buhari trusts his deputy to a fault, which can be deduced from the number of tasks he has given to him. He handed over the running of the economy to Osinbajo and also he gave him the task to resolve the agitations in the Niger Delta, which he has done admirably well. The country had enjoyed some peace in the region after Osinbajo’s peace moves to the region.
It suffices to say that the opposition and some fifth columnists are not happy with the relationship between Buhari and Osinbajo, which their close aides have described as that of needle and tread. The armchair critics have looked for every possible way to cause some frictions between the two to no avail.
When Buhari travelled out of the country for his medical vacations, Osinbajo was praised to high heavens on how he was turning the country around. It was amusingly ironical that most of the people praising Osinbajo were members of the opposition. Like a smart man that he is, Osinbajo didn’t take the bait. Perhaps, he had Robert Green first of the 48 laws of power at the back of his mind, which says “Never outshine your master”.
Even Osinbajo innocuous statement that he enjoyed a father and son relationship with Buhari was twisted by the opposition. Still, he knew the objectives of the praise singers whose main goal is to push him towards the moving train. As Nigerians still relish in the aftermath of democracy day, we hope and pray that in the next two years, we will begin to experience the real ‘change

CONTRIBUTORY PENSION: NLC CONDEMNS BILL TO EXEMPT MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/contributory-pension-nlc-condemns-bill.html

The Nigeria Labour Congress on Thursday in Abuja condemned the pending bill to exempt military and law enforcement agencies from the National Contributory Pension Scheme.
Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, said this when he led a delegation to the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees to know their achievements and challenges, in continuation of his “Meet the affiliate Tour”.
According to him, we condemn in very strong terms the current bill to remove all our military and other law enforcement agencies from the contributory pension scheme.
He added that this would lead to the entire collapse of the pension scheme, adding that because presently even with the core civil service, we have a liability of over N6 billion.
Wabba said: “This was a figure that was harmonised between the Senate, House of Representative, Minister of Finance, organised Labour and then the Minister of Budget and Planning.
“The liability as of today of earn allowance of workers and pensioners including deductions stood at over 600 billion, so it is wrong if this bill is allowed to pass through.”
Wabba said that if the military and the law enforcement agencies were removed from the contributory pension it would allow the resources to come from the central coffers.
He noted that if this was done, it was obvious that the entire contributory pension scheme would then collapse.
The NLC President, however, said that people assume that over 73 per cent of the entire pension funds which stood at over 6 trillion was already being borrowed through Federal Government Bond and Treasury Bills.
He said that with the new development if the pending bill was allowed to go through there would be a major shock in the economy, therefore, the entire pension contributory scheme would surely collapse.
According to him, it will be in the interest of the entire workers if the House of Representatives take honourable look at the issue.
Wabba said: “I do not think that they know the implication, but we have studied it because presently the pension arrangement is that 60 per cent of the contributions are from the private sector employees, only 40 per cent are from the Federal Government or public employees.
“Presently only 10 states had keyed into the contributory pension scheme that are actually funding, therefore, you can see the very precarious situation that is in place.
“This bill certainly at this point in time is not desirable and organised labour has called for withdrawal of this bill, because it will collapse the entire contributory pension system.”
Wabba, however, commended the House of Representatives for the proposed bill for the regular review of the minimum wage at least every five years.
He noted that the review of the minimum every five years was actually in the collective bargaining system when the minimum wage was signed into law in 2011.
He added that it was mutually agreed that after every five years there should be a review but this was not captured in the law.
He said: “We want to commend the progressive stand of the house in making this provision in the law, because this is also what applied in many economics.”
Wabba while commending NULGE members for their support, called for greater synergy.
He said that the NLC would put up strategies in handing the challenges faced by the union.
The labour leader added that NLC would organised quarterly activities to strengthen its affiliates.
Speaking, Ibrahim Khaleed, NULGE President said that the union was facing a lot of challenges, which includes the refusal of Akwa Ibom state government to pay check up dues.
Khaleed noted that others are the non-payment of local government workers’ salaries, poor relationships of leaders, lack of capacity building, non-implementation of N18,000 minimum wage by Zamfara State Government.
Khalled said: “I want to say that the Zamfara state government still pays N6,000 as the minimum wage for its workers, which does not suit the present day realities.”