More at http://www.metronaija.com/2017/05/photos-ambode-at-community-day-and.html

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); freestyle Motocross, Fredrick Berggren (left) and Nick Dowit (right) during the Lagos Carnival as part of activities marking Lagos @ 50 celebrations at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos, on Saturday, May 13, 2017.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/05/photos-ambode-at-community-day-and.html

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Toolz is presently in London with her husband, Tunde Demuren, for the One Africa Music Fest. She's pictured rocking her baby bump in a butterfly print dress!

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/05/toolz-flaunts-her-baby-bump-in-new.html

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Tragedy struck at Ogba in Lagos on Sunday after an inferno engulfed a one-storey building and burn a 61-year-old retiree, identified as Emmanuel Adedeji, to death.

www.metronaija.com gathered that the fire that engulfed the one-storey building located at 28 Aderinto Street, Ogba started at about 9:07 when many of the residents were preparing to leave home for the Sunday Church service.

At the scene, sources said that aside the property of the retiree that were razed, property of other co-tenant worth millions of naira were also destroyed by the inferno.

At the time of filing this report, residents and emergency rescue officials were divided over the cause of the inferno that burn the late retiree to death.

Eyewitness said that the fire emanated from the room where the deceased occupied before spreading to other adjourning rooms.

Another resident argued that before the inferno, there was a deafening sound from the building, resulting into the inferno.

The residents stated that the deceased, a lone occupant of his apartment, could not have stock his room with explosive materials.

When Metronaija visited the scene, emergency agencies at the scene were officials of the Lagos State Emergency management Agency (LASEMA), the State fire service and policemen attached to the Pen-cinema Police State.

At the scene, an official of the emergency disclosed to Metronaija that the recovered body has been handed over to State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), for deposition at any of the morgue.

Confirming the tragedy, Director of the Lagos State fire service, Rasak Fadipe, said that the agency responded immediately to the distress call and prevented the fire from spreading to adjourning buildings.


http://www.metronaija.com/2017/04/fire-engulfs-lagos-building-burns.html

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Kano state Governor Umar Ganduje today flagged off the Daily Collection of Presumtive Tax from motorists in conjunction with all transport unions in Kano. See photos below

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CNN host of Quest Means Business, Richard Quest pictured with Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed during a live interview on CNN. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/04/photos-lai-mohammed-live-on-cnns-quest.html

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The Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, on Thursday, April 27, 2017 disclosed that the introduction of the whistle-blower policy by the Federal Government has led to the recovery of about N17billion by the Commission.

Magu gave this hint while presenting a paper titled “Before Corruption Kills Nigeria”, at the 62nd Award Night of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels, Abuja.

In the paper, which was presented on his behalf by Dr. A. Bello, Magu said, “apart from several other recoveries running into several billions of naira, the recent whistle-blower policy, has led to the recovery of N521,815,000, $53,272,747, £122,890, and €547,730 by the EFCC

The EFCC boss, while reiterating the Commission’s commitment to combating corruption called on the media to support the ongoing fight against corruption as that was the only way the battle can be won.
His words: “the EFCC is committed to pursuing its statutory mandate and to rescue the Nigerian state and its people from being killed by corruption. We call on the Media and well meaning Nigerians to join us in this crusade. With the government and people of Nigeria behind the EFCC, we shall surely be victorious”.

Magu also revealed that the EFCC recorded 62 convictions in the first quarter of the year.
In his remarks, the National President, NUJ, Abdulwaheed Odusile, pledged the Union’s support for the EFCC and commended the Commission for its committed efforts in combating corruption of all manners in Nigeria.
He urged the agency to continue carrying out its operation without fear or favour.
“While we commend the EFCC for its efforts in fighting economic crimes and corruption, we urge it to be diligent and painstaking in its assignment, and continue to operate without fear or favour. The media will continue to support their efforts in this regard”, Odusile pledged.

The NUJ president also condemned the rejection of Magu as the substantive chairman of the EFCC by the Senate and called for synergy between the legislature and the executive in the interest of the nation.

“We condemn the undue politicization of the confirmation of the appointment of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the EFCC by the National Assembly. We call on the executive and the legislature to work together in the interest of the Nigeria people. The cat and mouse game in their relationship is adversely affecting the state of the nation and the welfare of the people”, Odusile said.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/04/efcc-has-recovered-about-n17bn-through.html

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More at http://www.metronaija.com/2017/04/photos-toyin-saraki-folorunsho-alakija.html

As part of the SOAS Centenary celebrations, Toyin Saraki, healthcare philanthropist and the Founder-President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, hosted an SOAS Centenary Dinner in honour of SOAS Director, Baroness Valerie Amos.

Folorunsho Alakija was also one of the speakers at the event.

Toyin Saraki, who is both an SOAS alumni and the SOAS centenary ambassador, shared photos of the dinner on social media expressing her excitement about the event.

She said “This dinner unites two elements which have had a great impact on my life and who I am, my education at SOAS and my birth place, Lagos. This Centenary Campaign Dinner themed “Questions Worth Asking” was hosted in honour of SOAS Director, Baroness Valerie Amos. SOAS is here to ask challenging questions about the big issues facing Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the world at large.”

See photos below.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/04/photos-toyin-saraki-folorunsho-alakija.html

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http://www.metronaija.com/2017/04/todays-naira-exchange-rates.html

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Television host and actress, Marcy Dolapo-Oni is going to be a mum soon!

The media personality is expecting her first child with husband, Prince Adegbite Sijuade and she is rocking her bump in style.

The Sijuade princess was seen glowing over the weekend at Schick magazine launch on Saturday, April 22, 2017.

More photos below:

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/04/photos-marcy-dolapo-oni-rocks-baby-bump.html

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The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, stated in an interview session with staff to mark it’s 14th year anniversary that the commission will always fight in ensuring that corruption is completely wiped out in Nigeria, a development that will ensure Nigeria retains her position in the comity of nations.

He encouraged the staff to uphold the core values of the Commission and said it was necessary to put more efforts in the ongoing fight against corruption as that is the only way succour can be brought to Nigeria.

We will continue to fight corruption whether anybody likes it or not. Because, we know that, that is the only way we can bring succor to this country. Now that we have found ourselves in this position, please, let us put heads together”, Magu said.

He also encouraged that the public should furnish him with information on how the Commission can move forward; information on the wrong things they are doing, in order for them to be addressed so that the image of the Agency will not be tarnished.

He said:

My door is completely opened. If something is going on wrong, please come and tell me. If you don’t want to show your face, just write a letter to me. Information is very important. I am alone, if you don’t tell me what is wrong, I would not know” he said.

He added that he doesn’t want to know what is right and that the public should state how to correct the system itself because the system needs correction every day.

People are complaining about corruption in the EFCC, which is not good. We should not allow some individuals to spoil our names here”, he admonished.

Magu who said that the efforts being made by the Commission in fighting corruption, is fast gaining recognition in the international communities, charged the staff to shun the wrong things and be part of the success story. He said it was necessary to always remember to put the interest of the nation first.

If you go to United States of America and the United Kingdom, they are all awash with news about us because of this Malabu case. So we are succeeding. Be part of the success. Forget about your own interest. Consider the overall interest of this country and the interest of the nation.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/04/photos-efcc-celebrates-14th-year.html

Players of Rangers International refused today to board an Ethiopian airline flight to Zambia, where they are scheduled to play the second leg of the Confederation Cup.

The players were protesting the non-payment of their travelling allowances.

The incident happened at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who was at the Airport reports that trouble started when the players were told by management of the team that they will receive their allowance when they return to Nigeria.

The information made the players to revolt and insist that they were not going to honour the match, unless they were paid.

Some of the players said that the management still owed them the match allowance due them when they met JS Suoara of Algeria in February.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that the match against JS Souara was played in February 2017 and the first leg ended 1-1 draw in Algeria with 0-0 draw in Enugu.

All efforts by the General Manager/CEO of the club, Christian Chukwu and the Team manager, Amaobi Ezeaku, to convince the players to embark on the journey fell on deaf ears.

The management was convinced that the players meant business when they jumped into their respective vehicles and left the Airport.

However, on receiving information about the protest, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Charles Ndukwe drew the attention of the governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who immediately released fund for the settlement of the allowances.

But his intervention came late. The players could not make the flight as the plane had departed.

The development forced the management to shift the journey till tomorrow Friday, when the 28 -man contingent would travel to Lagos en-route Zambia for the encounter.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/04/rangers-players-boycott-trip-to-zambia.html

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The Senate on Tuesday admitted that it bought a bullet proof Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle ( SUV ) as had been reported in the media.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi told newsmen in Abuja that indeed the senate procured the said vehicle but not at the price that was being reported.

Sabi said that the vehicle cost was procured at $298,000 (N49.1 million) and not N298, million as was being reported in the media.

According to the spokesperson of the Senate, the vehicle was procured in 2015 for $298 at an exchange rate of N165 to a dollar.

“Our attention has been drawn to the various false and mischievous reports in the media about the price of the vehicle which the Senate was said to have bought as part of its convoy but was later abandoned when it got impounded by the Customs over controversy surrounding import duty payment.

“The correct price of the vehicle when it was imported in 2015 is $298,000 which at the prevailing rate of N165 to a dollar is about N49, 170.

“The Senate paid N62.5m for the vehicle in November 2015. This is contrary to the mischief by those who decided to turn the $298,000 to N298 million as the price of the vehicle.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the price the Senate paid for that vehicle is N62.5m and not N298 million.

“The Senate will appreciate it if all reports relating to the legislative institution, particularly on this vehicle matter, are reported with accuracy and all facts put in proper perspective.

“We urge journalists to avoid sensationalism. The Senate is a responsible institution and those who believe that when they have issues to explain before it, the next thing to do is to resort to falsehood, blackmail, muck-raking and mud-slinging, should know that they are just overheating the polity and undermining our democratic institution.

“Finally, the Senate wish to reiterate our total commitment to upholding the rule of law and to work for Nigerians, in accordance with our constitution,” he said.

The Senate had been in the eye of the storm over its probe of the activities of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) with media reports alleging that the upper legislative chamber was on a revenge mission.

Media reports alleged that attention of the Senate on the NSC was due to the fact that the service impounded an SUV allegedly procured by the President of the Senate Bukola Saraki.

The report said that the service refused to bulge in spite of the intervention of the Senate to release the SUV.

Meanwhile, at an investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, the importer of the vehicle absolved Saraki of any complicity in the importation.

The President of the Senate who also appeared before the committee stressed that he did not import any vehicle and does not own the vehicle that was purportedly seized.

He urged that the Senate as an institution must be strengthened so as to save the nation’s democracy.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/senate-admits-buying-bullet-proof-suv.html

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Residents of Alamutu and Alaka end of Mushin wee thrown into confusion after rival gangs from the area engaged in a free for all clash that left many injured.

It was learnt that the clash between the rival gangs started late Sunday night when scores of hoodlums stormed the axis wielding dangerous weapons and looting shops in the process.

Gunshots as well as a coordinated gang theft dominated the axis before operatives of the Nigerian Police stormed the area to restore normalcy.

The clash between the gang broke out after the Alamutu group embarked on a candlelight procession for a bus conductor who belonged to their gang. The conductor we gathered died after he fell off a moving vehicle and he was buried accordingly.

The candlelight procession was however organized to honour his passing before an argument ensued between the rival gangs on territorial supremacy. The fight escalated into a big one late Sunday and continued till the early hours of Monday morning before the Nigerian Police mobilized officers to the scene.

It was gathered that during the heavy shooting, some residents were hit by stray bullet fired by the gang members. This however led to confusion as residents scampered for safety to avoid being caught in the fracas.

A resident who craved anonymity said “rival gangs’ clashing in Mushin is not a new thing. They would fight now and in the next minute, everything returns to normal. Only those who are not familiar with the area get entangled in the fracas most times.”

“The fight started due to an argument between the Alaka and Alamutu boys. They laid siege around Idi-Oro market in Mushin burning tyres and shelling broken bottles. This led to a massive struggle among residents to avoid being hurt,” he added.

An unidentified truck driver suffered machete wounds on his head during the fracas. He was however rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent care.

Presently, parts of Idi-Oro market is littered with broken bottles while a RRS van is stationed close to the market to forestall another breakout of crime.

Commenting on the incident, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Olarinde Famous- Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) disclosed the Police responded to a distress call of a clash between two gangs of area boys and that normalcy has returned to the area.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photos-many-injured-as-bloody-gang.html

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Senator Dino Melaye wants Nigerians to believe he's unbothered by his certificate scandal.

The Kogi Senator who recently increased his activity on Social Network shared a picture of himself and Senate President Bukola Saraki laughing. He captioned the photo ''No certificate senator and importer. Laughing it out''.

See screenshot below:


http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photo-dino-melaye-and-bukola-saraki.html

More at http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photos-chinese-ambassador-visits-ambode.html

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode , Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Mr. Zhou Pingjian and Consul General of China in Lagos, Mr. Chao Xiaoliang during the Chinese Ambassador courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, recently. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photos-chinese-ambassador-visits-ambode.html

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Lagos state Governor Akinwunmi Ambode pictured with other top government officials during the the commissioning of The New Ojota Pedestrian Bridge today. See photos below

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Lt.-Gen.Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, says this year’s Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship will hold in Sambisa Forest to consolidate the army’s grip on the area.

Buratai announced this while speaking with newsmen on the final arrangements for the event on Saturday in Maiduguri.

“We have been in the North East, fighting the Boko Haram terrorists, and you know the significance of the Sambisa Forest to them.

“It used to be one of their centres; in fact, we suspect that their command and control centre was located there before its eventual capture,’’ the COAS said.

He added that following the eventual capture of camp zairo, the Army wanted to consolidate its operations by ensuring that the place was secured.

“We also want the place to be dominated by our troops and also to get firm control, so that we will continue to dominate the area’’.

Buratai said that the championship was part of the training activities of the Nigerian Army, aimed at sharpening marksmanship of its personal.

“The Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship is part of the training activities scheduled for 2017.

“It is a championship among the formations of the Nigerian Army.

“The objective of the event is to sharpen the marksmanship skills of the army personnel’’.

According to Buratai, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, will be represented at the opening of the event on Monday by the Minister of Defense, Alhaji Mannir Dan-Ali.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/why-army-is-going-to-sambisa-buratai.html

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday lauded his predecessor in office and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola for his achievements during the eight years he spent as Governor of the State.


Governor Ambode, who spoke when he received Fashola and some top officials of the Ministry on a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja, described the visit as historic, adding that it was gratifying to receive the Minister for the first time at the Lagos House, Ikeja since he left office on May 29, 2015.


He said: “On behalf of the people of Lagos State, I would like to wholeheartedly welcome Mr. Babatunde Fashola, my predecessor and now Minister for Works, Power and Housing and especially back to the Alausa office where he actually left about 22 months ago.


“I want to say that this is a historic moment for us, notwithstanding that the Honourable Minister lives in Lagos, this is the first time he is stepping his feet into the Alausa premises and we need to honour him for that and say a big thank you for coming back home.”


Governor Ambode also lauded Fashola for serving the State meritoriously, saying that his administration improved on the template already laid down during the previous administration.

“We want to say that whatever it is that we have done in the last 22 months is just more or less a fall out of the great achievements the former governor had already put in place.


“We have decided that we would carry on with a sense of continuity in all the things that have been done. I had always said that what we wanted was this continuity of the last 18 years, but continuity with improvement and we are happy that all that has been done in the last 22 months is just a continuation of the template the former Governor left behind.


“We are happy that the sense of collaboration that we have expressed here is what we believe can carry whatever it is that Lagos stands for, moving forward. As you may be aware, Lagos is celebrating its 50 years of existence this year.


“The last 18 years has been so dramatic and historic in terms of the growth and development that we have seen in Lagos, commencing from 1999 when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu came into office and the eight good years spent by you and the two years we have done. So, obviously, there is a remarkable change between 1999 and now,” Governor Ambode said.


The Governor also pledged to expand the existing collaboration with the Federal Government, saying that it would not only benefit Lagosians, but Nigerians in general.


He assured that the requests made by the Minister in regard to Housing projects of the Federal Government and other road construction would be accelerated, while also expressing optimism that the debts owed Lagos would be refunded.


“I continue to say that we would support the Minister in every way that is possible, everything that we have actually talked about in terms of debt by the Ministry as it relates to projects, the Minister is actually more vast than me in these areas and in this agitations having done the same thing for eight years, obviously he is not somebody that we would want to convert to our passion or our request because he used to be part of what we have always asked for,” Ambode said.


Earlier, Fashola who described the visit as home-coming for him, said he had come with his team to Lagos as part of a nationwide project monitoring exercise to inspect the job done so far on Federal Government projects.


He assured that the Ministry had made representations to the Federal Executive Council on modalities to pay debts owed State Governments including Lagos State for rehabilitation of federal roads over the years, saying that the debts would be paid through bond instrument.


The Minister also expressed readiness to assist Lagos State power initiative, especially in the rural areas.


It would be recalled that Governor Ambode recently set machinery in motion to attain 24-hour power supply through generation of 3,000 megawatts of electricity by 2022.


SIGNED

HABIB ARUNA

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

MARCH 25, 2017

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/fasholas-acheivement-as-governor.html

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Kano state Governor Umar Ganduje this evening received a courtesy visit by the Resident Coordinator of United Nations in Nigeria Mr Edward & his team. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photos-un-delegates-visit-gov-ganduje.html

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http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photo-lady-stuns-in-nysc-shorts.html

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More at http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photos-rainstorm-destroys-properties-in.html

Properties were destroyed by a downpour which occurred on Monday, at Ipaja Area of Lagos state.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photos-rainstorm-destroys-properties-in.html

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The Department of State Services (DSS) in Anambra, has commenced investigation into alleged threat to life by state Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ken Emeakayi, by the state governor, Willie Obiano.

The PDP chairman, had alleged that the governor threatened him for calling for his impeachment over constitutional breaches.

Emeakayi, who visited the state headquarters of the police and DSS in Awka on Monday, explained to newsmen that the purpose was to enquire if his petition on the matter was received and action being taken.

Director of DSS, Yusuf Isyaku, while receiving Emeakayi in his office, assured him that the agency was investigating the allegations leveled against the governor.

“I have respect for you, you would have come to my office, without coming with these people here today over the matter,” Isyaku said.

Emeakayi in a letter dated March 7, alleged that the state governor personally threatened to kill him in a telephone discussion.

“In a telephone conversation at about 8.pm in February, the governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, personally, and by himself, threatened to kill me if I fail to stop questioning unlawful activities of his administration,” he said.

He appealed to the police and DSS to get core record of the conversation from telecommunication company between him and the governor, adding that they should also investigate the threat and provide him with security.

Reacting, Senior Special Adviser to the governor on strategic communication and legislative matters, Oliver Okpala, said the allegations had no basis and were neither here nor there.

“When did mere telephone calls transform to violence? That is why I said they are neither here nor there. Since he has reported to the police and DSS, he can now wait and see outcome of the investigation,” Okpala said.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/dss-probes-anambra-gov-over-pdp.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Kano state Governor Umar Ganduje also inspected Wheat, Rice and Tomatoes farms at Garun Mallam Local Government, part of the Rural Integrated Programme. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photos-gov-ganduje-inspects-wheat-rice.html

This week nomination Monday was different from the previous ones as Biggie told housemates that the Ultimate head of house, Efe will only pick those that will be on eviction list this week, the housemates begged Efe not to put them up for nomination. Efe nominated Tboss, Debbie Rise, Bally and Bassey.

Biggie finally announced that Bally, Bassey, Tboss and Debbi Rise are up for possible eviction this week.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/tboss-bally-bassey-debbi-rise-bbnaija.html

Mavins Boss, Don Jazzy and his newly signed music act, DNA pictured with Big Brother Naija housemates as they eat indomie together. Tboss also gave Don Jazzy Apple and juice.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photo-don-jazzy-and-dna-twins-eat-with.html

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