₦airaland Forum

Residents of Borno State, North-East Nigeria, for the first time in five years, celebrated Sallah festival freely. The state, which is worst hit by Boko Haram insurgency, had been closed to vehicular movements and outdoor celebration during all festivities, be it Islamic and Christian, due to fear of terror attacks.

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Residents were compelled to celebrate religious festivals under curfew or restriction of movement since 2011, following increased bomb attacks and other violent acts by the Boko Haram. However, the State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, made an announcement, on Monday, allowing all citizens of the state to have a fresh breath of air during the festival.

“After extensive deliberations, the key actors in security in the state unanimously resolved that we want to give our people dignity. We want them to have a feel of what it was to celebrate and we have resolved not to restrict movement during this year’s Eid-el-Fitri,” he announced after a security meeting.

Shettima disclosed that the decision to allow people roam freely on the streets this year was due to an improvement in the security situation in the state in recent times. He, however, said that security would be intensified around the state’s metropolis adding that the security agencies and the Civilian JTF had been mandated to conduct thorough search and checks on the people.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has reopened the Maiduguri-Mafa-Dikwa-Gamboru/Ngala road, the key road that links Borno with bordering Central African countries. The road, a total of 138 kilometers, was not only strategic but of economic importance to Borno and the nation. It was closed three years ago by the military at the peak of the Boko Haram crisis.

The reopening of the road by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai alongside Governor Shettima, was part of activities marking the 2016 Army day celebration in Borno State.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/borno-yobe-celebrate-eid-el-fitri-no-curfew/

MUMBAI — The Indian government’s measures to combat cheap steel imports appear to be bearing fruit, with domestic steelmakers Tata Steel, JSW Steel and Essar Steel all reporting significant production increases in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The recovery is helpful to Indian steel companies burdened with high debt and low margins.

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Indian operations of Tata Steel, which is divesting itself of money-losing operations in the U.K., recorded 8% growth in crude steel production to 2.5 million tons for the April-June quarter, with sales up 6% at 2.35 million tons. Automotive steel production hit a record 379,000 tons, the company said.

Integrated steel producer Essar Steel India reported 48% growth in flat-steel production in the first quarter at 1.22 million tons, compared with 824,000 tons in the same period last year. Pellet production grew 58%, from 1.28 million tons to 2.02 million tons.

Essar Steel believes that the upturn since March is due to minimum import pricing introduced for steel in February and quality controls applied by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

The improved volumes pushed Essar’s operating margin to around 20% from 5%, which translates to an improvement of 6,000 rupees to 7,000 rupees per ton. “Following these measures by the Government of India, Chinese imports of steel at predatory prices [have] been contained, leading to better sales realization in the Indian market,” Essar said.

JSW Steel has not yet released June production figures but registered 16% growth in crude steel output to 1.35 million tons in May. Demand for flat and long products grew 7% and 22% on the year.

Indian steelmakers had been lobbying against cheap imports, particularly from economically ailing China. India’s iron and steel industry owes an estimated 3 trillion rupees ($44.4 billion) to banks. Tata Steel alone carries $12 billion in debt as a result of its outright purchase in 2007 of all of Corus Group’s steel operations in Europe, the global economic slowdown, and cheap steel imports in Europe, particularly from China.

In February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government imposed minimum import prices ranging from $341 to $752 per ton for 173 types of steel. There is talk of extending them beyond August, when they are due to expire.

Other anti-dumping measures were imposed last year to regulate imports from such countries as China, South Korea and Japan. India’s inbound steel shipments fell 34.2% to 654,000 tons in April from 994,000 tons in March, according to the latest official data. Steel imports rose 29% in the nine months ended December, which preceded the curbs.

India is the world’s third-largest steel producer and is expected to outpace global steel demand growth in 2016 thanks to its fast-growing economy. The World Steel Association expects Indian demand for steel to rise 7.3% in 2016.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/indian-steel-output-rebounds-import-curbs/

NAGOYA — The partially redesigned Toyota 86 compact sports car will go on sale Aug. 1, the automaker said Tuesday, with prices set with an eye toward younger customers.

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The vehicle has been made more responsive, said Toyota Motor Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada. Between its 2012 debut and the end of May, the 86 sold 50,000 units in Japan and 160,000 worldwide. The redesign aims to pull in sales of 500 vehicles per month.

The redesigned GT-grade automatic transmission model is priced at 3.04 million yen ($29,913), just 60,000 yen more than the current version. This is aimed at increasing sales to young drivers. Customers in their 20s are currently the vehicles’ most prominent buyers, though those in their 40s and 50s dominated when the 86 first hit the market.

The 86 is a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru maker Fuji Heavy Industries. The car is noted for its easily customizable interior and exterior — a call-back to Toyota’s AE86 generation of Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno hatchbacks in the 1980s. Specialized tires, spoiler wings and other accessories from third-party makers have met with popularity.

The car has been the center of intense publicity and promotional efforts. Dedicated sales areas with specially trained staff were created at dealerships across Japan when the 86 first came to showrooms. A Toyota affiliate has created an online forum for owners to share information such as driving routes.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/toyota-aims-turn-young-heads-sports-car-revamp/

BANGKOK — Since the Zika virus first caught the world’s attention following one of the most serious outbreaks, in Brazil last year, Thai health authorities have been at pains to allay local fears that a similar outbreak could occur in the Southeast Asian country, which reported its first confirmed case of Zika in 2012.

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But there has been a dramatic increase in the number of Zika cases since the beginning of 2016, with 97 reported across 10 provinces, after only five cases were reported on average each year since 2012.

Amnuay Gajeena, director-general of the Thai health ministry’s disease control department, admits the rising number of infections is a serious concern, although nowhere near the scale seen in countries such as Brazil.

“We are not in that much of a severe situation. You can look at the numbers. On average, compared to what’s happened in South America, I think [there is] a big difference,” Amnuay told the Nikkei Asian Review.

According to the World Health Organization’s latest report on Zika, 61 countries or territories had reported by June 30 ongoing cases of the virus, which is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, the same mosquito that also transmits dengue, yellow fever and the chikungunya virus. Sexual transmission of the virus has also been reported in some cases.

The agency on Feb. 1 declared the Zika virus a “public health emergency of international concern.” This was in response to an emerging scientific consensus that the infection is linked to microcephaly, a birth defect causing babies to be born with abnormally small heads, and other neurological complications, including Guillain-Barre syndrome — a cause of facial palsy.

According to WHO’s latest statistics, Brazil has reported over 1,600 cases of microcephaly or other central nervous system malformations potentially associated with the Zika virus, with a handful of cases also reported in other countries, mainly in South America or the Caribbean.

Thailand has no reports of complications such as microcephaly or GBS associated with Zika to date, Waraluk Tangkanakul, a doctor at the disease control department, told the NAR. “I think the situation of the Zika virus [in Thailand] is under control,” she said.

Experts caution, however, that the number of domestic cases will likely increase as knowledge of the virus among clinicians and the general public grows.

“Now there is awareness of [the] Zika virus circulating in Thailand, I think there will be increased detection as a result of more specific diagnosis,” said Duncan Smith, a professor at the Institute of Molecular Biosciences at Mahidol University in Bangkok, who co-authored a recent article in medical journal The Lancet on the origins and spread of the virus.

In other words, people were previously not looking for Zika virus — now they are, and I think they will find more cases,” he said.

Smith noted that some cases of Zika are likely to have been previously classed as dengue, a disease with similar symptoms including fever, muscle and joint pain, headaches and rash. Dengue is prevalent in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. Thailand experienced a surge in dengue cases in 2015, with around 140,000 cases reported.

Control measures

Potjaman Siriarayapon, a doctor who heads the Investigation and Public Health Emergency Response Unit in Thailand’s Bureau of Epidemiology, said health specialists were working to track and contain each instance of the Zika virus.

“In every province where we know there is a suspected or confirmed case we send a team from the central level to lead the control measures,” she told the NAR. “I’m not worried much about the places where we know the situation, but, in fact, it seems there are still a lot [of cases] ongoing without detection.”

Thailand’s health ministry has urged people to keep homes and public spaces clean, as well as cover or remove stagnant water so as to reduce potential breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito. The health ministry said in June that it had “stepped up its monitoring, prevention and control activities to the highest level” and made it “mandatory to report cases of the disease in accordance with the Communicable Disease Act of 2015.”

Thai officials are likely conscious of the potential impact any widespread outbreak could have on the country’s lucrative tourism industry. At least three foreign tourists from Germany, Canada and Japan have caught the Zika virus while traveling in Thailand since 2013.

In February, Taiwan updated its official travel advice for Thailand, warning pregnant women to postpone trips to areas of the country where the Zika virus had been reported. The advisory came after a Thai national was diagnosed with the virus in Taiwan the previous month.

The three cases involving foreign travelers, along with seven others involving Thai nationals from March 2012 to July 2014, were documented in a paper published last year in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. The authors of the paper, titled “Detection of Zika Virus Infection in Thailand, 2012-2014,” found the cases “provide evidence that ZIKV [Zika virus] is widespread throughout Thailand.”

While other communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and dengue are currently seen as posing a more pressing challenge to Thailand, given the links of Zika to serious health complications documented overseas, the disease will continue to demand the attention of health experts.

Richard Brown, a WHO technical officer in Thailand responsible for emerging infectious diseases, said the response by Thai health authorities so far has been adequate, based on the current information of “sporadic cases and no evidence to date of complications.”

“At present, when a case is detected, a good public health response is initiated, i.e. with education, enhanced surveillance locally to see if any additional cases have occurred and implementation of vector controls,” Brown told the NAR in an email.

“However, it will be important to maintain vigilance in the future for the occurrence of more sporadic cases.”

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/thailand-wary-zika-cases-soar-close-100/

BANGKOK — Since the Zika virus first caught the world’s attention following one of the most serious outbreaks, in Brazil last year, Thai health authorities have been at pains to allay local fears that a similar outbreak could occur in the Southeast Asian country, which reported its first confirmed case of Zika in 2012.

https://i0.wp.com/www.barbaric.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Zika.jpg

But there has been a dramatic increase in the number of Zika cases since the beginning of 2016, with 97 reported across 10 provinces, after only five cases were reported on average each year since 2012.

Amnuay Gajeena, director-general of the Thai health ministry’s disease control department, admits the rising number of infections is a serious concern, although nowhere near the scale seen in countries such as Brazil.

“We are not in that much of a severe situation. You can look at the numbers. On average, compared to what’s happened in South America, I think [there is] a big difference,” Amnuay told the Nikkei Asian Review.

According to the World Health Organization’s latest report on Zika, 61 countries or territories had reported by June 30 ongoing cases of the virus, which is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, the same mosquito that also transmits dengue, yellow fever and the chikungunya virus. Sexual transmission of the virus has also been reported in some cases.

The agency on Feb. 1 declared the Zika virus a “public health emergency of international concern.” This was in response to an emerging scientific consensus that the infection is linked to microcephaly, a birth defect causing babies to be born with abnormally small heads, and other neurological complications, including Guillain-Barre syndrome — a cause of facial palsy.

According to WHO’s latest statistics, Brazil has reported over 1,600 cases of microcephaly or other central nervous system malformations potentially associated with the Zika virus, with a handful of cases also reported in other countries, mainly in South America or the Caribbean.

Thailand has no reports of complications such as microcephaly or GBS associated with Zika to date, Waraluk Tangkanakul, a doctor at the disease control department, told the NAR. “I think the situation of the Zika virus [in Thailand] is under control,” she said.

Experts caution, however, that the number of domestic cases will likely increase as knowledge of the virus among clinicians and the general public grows.

“Now there is awareness of [the] Zika virus circulating in Thailand, I think there will be increased detection as a result of more specific diagnosis,” said Duncan Smith, a professor at the Institute of Molecular Biosciences at Mahidol University in Bangkok, who co-authored a recent article in medical journal The Lancet on the origins and spread of the virus.

In other words, people were previously not looking for Zika virus — now they are, and I think they will find more cases,” he said.

Smith noted that some cases of Zika are likely to have been previously classed as dengue, a disease with similar symptoms including fever, muscle and joint pain, headaches and rash. Dengue is prevalent in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. Thailand experienced a surge in dengue cases in 2015, with around 140,000 cases reported.

Control measures

Potjaman Siriarayapon, a doctor who heads the Investigation and Public Health Emergency Response Unit in Thailand’s Bureau of Epidemiology, said health specialists were working to track and contain each instance of the Zika virus.

“In every province where we know there is a suspected or confirmed case we send a team from the central level to lead the control measures,” she told the NAR. “I’m not worried much about the places where we know the situation, but, in fact, it seems there are still a lot [of cases] ongoing without detection.”

Thailand’s health ministry has urged people to keep homes and public spaces clean, as well as cover or remove stagnant water so as to reduce potential breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito. The health ministry said in June that it had “stepped up its monitoring, prevention and control activities to the highest level” and made it “mandatory to report cases of the disease in accordance with the Communicable Disease Act of 2015.”

Thai officials are likely conscious of the potential impact any widespread outbreak could have on the country’s lucrative tourism industry. At least three foreign tourists from Germany, Canada and Japan have caught the Zika virus while traveling in Thailand since 2013.

In February, Taiwan updated its official travel advice for Thailand, warning pregnant women to postpone trips to areas of the country where the Zika virus had been reported. The advisory came after a Thai national was diagnosed with the virus in Taiwan the previous month.

The three cases involving foreign travelers, along with seven others involving Thai nationals from March 2012 to July 2014, were documented in a paper published last year in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. The authors of the paper, titled “Detection of Zika Virus Infection in Thailand, 2012-2014,” found the cases “provide evidence that ZIKV [Zika virus] is widespread throughout Thailand.”

While other communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and dengue are currently seen as posing a more pressing challenge to Thailand, given the links of Zika to serious health complications documented overseas, the disease will continue to demand the attention of health experts.

Richard Brown, a WHO technical officer in Thailand responsible for emerging infectious diseases, said the response by Thai health authorities so far has been adequate, based on the current information of “sporadic cases and no evidence to date of complications.”

“At present, when a case is detected, a good public health response is initiated, i.e. with education, enhanced surveillance locally to see if any additional cases have occurred and implementation of vector controls,” Brown told the NAR in an email.

“However, it will be important to maintain vigilance in the future for the occurrence of more sporadic cases.”

Source>>

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (‎SSANU), Lagos State Universities ( LASU) Chapter on Tuesday urged the institution’s authorities to refrain from de-harmonising salaries of teachers in its Staff Primary school .

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The Chairman, SSANU-LASU, Mr Saheed Oseni, said this in an interview with the News ‎Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
‎
Oseni said plans to de-harmonise the salaries of the teachers should be shelved until the matter was resolved between SSANU, National Executive Council (NEC) and the Federal Government.

He said the matter was already at the National Industrial Court (NIC) and until a decision was reached, no university is ‎expected to implement such policy.
‎
Oseni said ‎the union had written the state government and the university authority to wait for the decision of the NIC on the matter at the national level before taking any action.‎
‎
“The management should maintain status quo ‎and abide by subsisting agreement between the Federal Government and SSANU-NEC until the NIC decides on the matter .
‎
“Besides, the staff ‎primary school teachers are also employees of the university Governing Council, so their salaries should not be tampered with, ‘’ he said.

Meanwhile, the University official Bulletin obtained by NAN ‎stated that the university governing ‎council had directed the management to liaise with other universities that had carried out the de-harmonisation on the modalities it employed.

The bulletin said the outcome of the investigation when gathered should be presented to the council for consideration .
‎
The management of LASU had earlier received a directive from the state government on March 4 to de-harmonise the salary of staffs of its Staff Primary School.

The management informed the unions about the directive it received from the state government and the union had also stated its position to resist such plan.‎

The de-harmonisation policy when implemented would reduce salaries of university ‎staff primary school teachers from about N120,000 to N60,000.

The directive negated the principle of the agreement between the Federal Government and the union’s national body reached in November 2009.

According to Chapter 2, Section X (i) of the agreement, Universities shall bear the full capital and recurrent costs of the university staff primary school.

SSANU National had embarked on strike in December 2015, following a similar directive by the Federal Government for implementation of the policy by all universities.‎

The matter is being referred to the National Industrial Court (NIC) awaits adjudication and interpretation.‎

(NAN)

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/ssanu-kicks-de-harmonisaton-salaries-primary-school-staff/

Nigerian Police Force Public Relations, Donald Awunah, confirmed the rescue yesterday of Deputy High Commissioner of Sierra Leone in Nigeria, Maj. Gen. Alfred Nelson William, who was kidnapped along Abuja- Kaduna last Friday.

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Willliam was rescued by the police on Tuesday and has reunited with the High Commission and his family.

The Nigerian Police Public Relations stated that “The ambassador was released at about 16:00hrs along Abuja- Kaduna Road. Following credible intelligence and technical support, there was intense police activities on both land and air patrol within the area. The General is feasibly in good condition.

The acting IGP, Ibrahim Idris, wishes to assure the members of the Diplomatic Corps and other foreign nationals of their safety and security in Nigeria.”

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/kidnapped-sierra-leonean-deputy-high-commissioner-rescued/

Oscar Pistorius sentencing today, will finally lay to rest a long running legal battle in South Africa, which many said has been largely twisted due to the celebrity status of Oscar Pistorius.

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South African model Reeva Steenkamp died in Febraury 2013 after she was shot at the home of her boyfriend, Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius. She was 29. Pistorius has been found guilty of the murder, after South Africa’s Supreme Court overturned the previous conviction of culpable homicide.

Pistorius’ defense team will not appeal the six-year sentence, and the prosecution has not said whether it will. Some decried the sentence, saying his celebrity status contributed to a lenient sentence. “Justice in South Africa? The mitigating factor is wealth. The deciding factor is renown,” Richard Poplak said, an author and journalist born in South Africa said.

The South African judge sentenced Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius to six years in prison for his girlfriend’s murder — the latest ruling in a drawn-out case that has transfixed the nation and the whole world for years.

Pistorius killed Reeva Steenkamp at his home in an upscale Pretoria neighborhood in the early hours of Valentine’s Day three years ago. The same judge originally convicted him of manslaughter in 2014 after months of hearings, but a higher court reversed that to murder last year, leading to Wednesday’s sentencing.

Barring an appeal, it will be the final sentencing in a saga that started when Pistorius fired four bullets through his bathroom door on that fateful morning in February 2013.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/pistorius-gets-6-years-murder-girlfriend-reeva-steenkamp/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC), in an affidavit filed by the anti-graft commission, has released the full details of how funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), during the last administration, through Musiliu Obanikoro, former Minister of State for Defence, was traced to Mr. Fayose’s accounts in Zenith Bank.

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The details show how N1.21 billion out of N2.26 billion paid to the account of Slyvan Mcnamara Limited, a company linked to the sons of Obanikoro was disbursed by Fayose and also gave details of the kickbacks received from Ekiti contractors by Fayose.

EFCC filed the affidavit in response to a suit instituted by the governor at a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, seeking an order directing the EFCC to unblock his accounts with Zenith Bank.

According to Tosin Owobo, an operative of the EFCC, Obanikoro conveyed the money himself to Akure, Ondo State, to Fayose.

“Prior to Obanikoro’s arrival in Akure, Alade Oluseye, a staff of Zenith Bank, had informed his colleague, Lawrence Akande, that the money was being brought through the Akure Airport for lodgement and since the volume of the cash was huge, he would be needing a bullion van to convey the money,” he said.

“On June 17, 2014, Oluseye, accompanied by Biodun Agbele, who was fronting for Fayose, arrived the Akure airport and took delivery of N724,500,000.00 from Obanikoro who was with his ADC, Lieutenant Colonel A.O Adewale.

“The next day, N494, 990,000.00 was delivered by Obanikoro in the same manner at the airport. In all, Obanikoro conveyed N1, 219,490,000.00 through a chartered aircraft belonging to GYRO AIR Limited with registration number: HS125-800 5N-BMT.

“After Oluseye took delivery of the money from Obanikoro, on June 19, 2014, Agbele was instructed by the governor to deposit N219million in cash to De-privateer Limited’s Zenith Bank account number: 1013835889.

“On the same day the said Biodun Agbele made another cash deposit in the sum of N300million being part of the proceeds of crimes to the said De- privateer Ltd’s with the 2nd Respondent.

“On the 23rd June, 2014 the sum of N200, 000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira) being part of these proceeds of crime, was also deposited to the said De-Privateer Ltd’s account domiciled with the Respondent by Biodun Agbele whilst acting in concert with the Applicant.

“On the 26th day of June,2014 the said Biodun Agbele on the instruction of Applicant further dissipated the proceeds of crime by depositing the sum of N137,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Thirty Seven Million Naira) to account No. 1003126654 domiciled with the 2nd Respondent in the name of the Applicant.

“On the 22nd and 27th day of August, 2014 Biodun Agbele also deposited the sum of N50, 000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) and N118, 760,000.00 (One Hundred and Eighteen Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) respectively to the said account which sum formed part of the proceeds of crime.

“In further dissipating the proceeds of crime deposited and retained in the account referred to in paragraphs (d) and (g) above, the sum of N300,000,000.00 (Three Hundred Million Naira) was put in a fixed deposit account No. 9013074033 in the name of the Applicant on the 7th day of April,2015.

“On June 17, 2014, Agbele deposited N100 million to the account of Spotless Investment Limited, owned by Fayose, with Zenith Bank (number: 1010170969). On June 23, 2014, he also deposited N49 million to the account of Spotless Investment.”

Owobo also revealed that contrary to the claim by Fayose that the EFCC arbitrarily blocked his account without a valid court order, he revealed that the agency got an interim order from Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos to “prevent further dissipation of proceed of crimes.”

“The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the exercise of his statutory mandate contained in section 34 of the EFCC Act having satisfied himself that the various sums of money in the account No. 1003126654, 9013074033, 1010170969 and 1013835888 domiciled with the 2nd Respondent were made through the commission of the Economic and Financial Crimes to wit: stealing and receiving gratification approached the Federal High Court Lagos Judicial Division, for an order directing the Manager of the 2nd Respondent to freeze the said accounts.

“In his wisdom, Hon. Justice M.B Idris granted the 1st Respondent’s application wherein an order of interim attachment was made on the aforementioned accounts. Attached and marked exhibit EFCC 09 is a certified true copy of the said order.

“The said order was a preservative order to prevent further dissipation of proceeds of crimes.”

Having obtained an interim order from a court of law, Owobi therefore argued that Fayose could not use the court as a shield against criminal investigation adding that while the governor has immunity against civil and criminal proceeding, the proceeds of an economic and financial crimes allegedly committed by him do not enjoy such privilege.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/efcc-reveals-fayose-spent-funds-collected-obanikoro/

93 Days, the highly anticipated movie on the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria is finally out with a trailer

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The movie tells the real life story of men and women who valiantly put their lives on the line to save citizens of Nigeria from consequences of the outbreak of the highly dreaded Virus.

Produced by Steve Gukas, Pemon Rami, Bolanle Austen-peters and Dotun Olakunri, the film takes us back to 2014, from the period the news broke about the virus in Nigeria to immediate measures put in place to stop the spread.

The film recounts the heroic roles played by the Late Dr Adadevoh and her team at the First Consultant Hospital, Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ministers of Health at both State and Federal levels in saving the country from a major epidemic which was eradicated 93 days after the disease was imported into the country.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlLdrsAW_10

Hollywood actor, Danny Glover, Bimbo Akintola, Tim Reid, Somkele Iyamah Idhalama, Alastair Mackenzie,Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Bimbo Manuel, Charles Okafor, Gideon Okeke, and other talented actors all star in the movie.


Directed by Steve Gukas, 93 Days is a must-watch as the movie tells the story of a major landmark in the history of Nigeria.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/watch-trailer-93-days-first-ever-movie-ebola-nigeria/

93 Days, the highly anticipated movie on the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria is finally out with a trailer

https://i0.wp.com/www.barbaric.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Flyer-for-Trailer-Release.png

The movie tells the real life story of men and women who valiantly put their lives on the line to save citizens of Nigeria from consequences of the outbreak of the highly dreaded Virus.

Produced by Steve Gukas, Pemon Rami, Bolanle Austen-peters and Dotun Olakunri, the film takes us back to 2014, from the period the news broke about the virus in Nigeria to immediate measures put in place to stop the spread.

The film recounts the heroic roles played by the Late Dr Adadevoh and her team at the First Consultant Hospital, Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ministers of Health at both State and Federal levels in saving the country from a major epidemic which was eradicated 93 days after the disease was imported into the country.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlLdrsAW_10

Hollywood actor, Danny Glover, Bimbo Akintola, Tim Reid, Somkele Iyamah Idhalama, Alastair Mackenzie,Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Bimbo Manuel, Charles Okafor, Gideon Okeke, and other talented actors all star in the movie.


Directed by Steve Gukas, 93 Days is a must-watch as the movie tells the story of a major landmark in the history of Nigeria.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/watch-trailer-93-days-first-ever-movie-ebola-nigeria/

It was a big surprise to many, not just the tens of thousands currently ‘engaged’ on Lagos roads; in a state notorious for street-hawking to ban street-hawking. The government of Akinwumi Ambode announced plans last week to enforce ban on street hawking following vandalism to government properties to the tune of N139 million. And true to that commitment, hawkers and buyers are now being arrested.

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Lagos State issued the following statement,

Buyers, Sellers Liable To N90, 000 Fine, Six Months Jail Term Or Both
Urges Unemployed Youths To Access N25bn ETF
The Lagos State Government on Friday July 1, 2016, will commence a total enforcement against street trading and street hawkers, saying that the law banning their activities across the metropolis would take its full course.

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Street Hawkers in Lagos(PHOTO: NewsFeed)

Speaking at a live interview session on Television Continental, the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said that the renewed enforcement is in line with Section One of the Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law 2003 which restricts street trading and hawking in the metropolis.



It is not in our DNA to allow someone to just die by road accident or the way it happened in respect of the incident. But beyond the fact that we lost one person while crossing the road as a result of evading arrest by KAI officials. I need to tell Lagosians that over 49 buses were actually destroyed and it is costing us like almost N139 million to put those buses back on the road

The Governor, while sympathizing with the family of a street hawker who was knocked down by an articulated truck while trying to evade arrest from officials of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) along Maryland Bus stop on Wednesday, regretted that the situation led to the destruction of public assets.

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Street Hawking Suspects, arrested by members of KAI Lagos State(PHOTO: DailyTrust)

“It is not in our DNA to allow someone to just die by road accident or the way it happened in respect of the incident. But beyond the fact that we lost one person while crossing the road as a result of evading arrest by KAI officials, I need to tell Lagosians that over 49 buses were actually destroyed and it is costing us like almost N139 million to put those buses back on the road,” he said.

What we are doing on traffic is that we are introducing new strategies to eliminate traffic but Lagos being a cosmopolitan city, you cannot totally eliminate it but now this is the case, in the next few days, you will see on the street of Lagos signs that will be warning you that buyers and hawkers should be aware that there are consequences,” Governor Ambode said.

Consequently, Governor Ambode said the State Executive Council has resolved to enforce the Law, which according to him makes both the hawker and the buyer liable of the offence.

“The issue is we need to enforce our laws because we already have a law in respect of that and then there is a clause in it which says the buyer and the seller are both liable and that we are going to fine them either N90, 000 or a six month jail term.

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Governor Akinwunmi Ambode addressing the Press in Lagos(PHOTO: LASG)

“What we are doing on traffic is that we are introducing new strategies to eliminate traffic but Lagos being a cosmopolitan city, you cannot totally eliminate it but now this is the case, in the next few days, you will see on the street of Lagos signs that will be warning you that buyers and hawkers should be aware that there are consequences,” Governor Ambode said.

He said aside the environmental hazards associated with the activities of street traders and hawkers alike, they also pose great security and health risks.

He said his administration has also concluded plans to roll out a massive campaign which would warn both motorists and hawkers of the restrictions and the penalty for defaulters.

“We will be watching out for buyers and sellers and all we need is just scapegoat. Don’t buy plantain chips or any other item in traffic from July 1, buyers beware,” Governor Ambode warned.

He said aside the environmental hazards associated with the activities of street traders and hawkers alike, they also pose great security and health risks.

Asked what plans the Government has unemployed graduates who have taken to street hawking, Governor Ambode said that his administration has launched a N25 billion Employment Trust Fund, urging them to access the fund.

“A whole lot of people who are hawkers, when you check them, I understand from intelligence that there is a cartel. Some people buy fake products and then bring the products in and then give these boys to sell on the street and come back to make returns in the night. So, what I want to advise Lagosians is that most times when you think you are buying something of quality on the road, be rest assured that those things are fake product,” Governor Ambode said.

He however said that much as the State Government intends to be civil in enforcing the law, some recalcitrant persons try to subvert the process, hence the need to ensure total compliance with the law.

Asked what plans the Government has unemployed graduates who have taken to street hawking, Governor Ambode said that his administration has launched a N25billion Employment Trust Fund, urging them to access the fund.

Governor Ambode while answering questions on future plans of his administration assured that greater attention would be given to the health and education sectors, while empowerment for the youth and elderly would also get the needed attention.

“In the last eight years, while the immediate past Governor actually did a lot to improve on health, you will also see that what he provided is not even enough to cater for all the people coming into Lagos.

“Now, this second year, I can tell you freely that we are facing majorly the health sector, education sector, the issue of elderly people and then the youths. We believe that in the next twelve months which we are starting from now, you will see a major escalation of the quality of the facilities we are going to provide in our hospitals,” the Governor said.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/lagos-state-enforces-street-hawking-ban-arrests-scores/

About 20 suspected criminals have been paraded by the FCT Police Command in Abuja.

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The Suspects were said have committed different crimes in parts of the country including Abuja.

The suspects were said to have been engaged in car snatching, robbery, possession of life ammunition, possession of stolen vehicles and other personal belongings of unsuspected victims.

They are members of different syndicate groups that operate along Lagos- Abeokuta axis, Ibadan, Anambah and the FCT.

The commissioner of police, FCT Police Command, Alkali Baba Usman said the police acted on intelligence from well-meaning Nigerians who gave tangible information about their criminal activities.

The Police Commissioner lso disclosed that ahead of the Eid el-fitri celebration, officers and men have been deployed at strategic areas of the territory.

While advising FCT residents to assist police with useful and timely information, he advised Muslim faithful not to carry bags and baggage to the praying ground to ensure smooth security operations.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/fct-police-command-arrests-suspected-criminals/

The Federal Government, through Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau in a statement on Tuesday signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Bassey Okon Akpanyunghas added Thursday 7th July, 2016 as Public Holiday for the celebration of Eid-el fitr, having declared Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th July, 2016 as public holidays earlier.

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Eid-al-Fitr is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. It marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting and prayer. Many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to a khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food) during Eid al-Fitr.

It should be noted that due to none sighting of the moon, and following statement from Sultan of Sokoto, the Ramadan fast was extended to include Tuesday 5th July 2016 and the first day of Islamic month of Shawwal is now 6th July Wednesday.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/fg-extends-eid-el-fitr-public-holiday-include-thursday-7th-july-2016/

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has welcomed China’s decision to support Nigeria in its quest to actualize the transition from Analogue to Digital broadcasting.

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The Minister was responding to comments by the Vice-President of the StarTimes Group of China, Ms. Zhao Yueqin, who led a delegation of the company on a courtesy visit to the Minister in his office in Abuja on Monday.

He said Nigeria is irrevocably committed to meeting the June 2017 Digital Switch Over deadline in order to protect broadcast signals
from interference and also to unlock the creative potentials of Nigerians in technology and content development.

“The process of digitalization is unstoppable and irreversible; it’s not a matter of choice. If we do not follow the world to digitalize
and meet the June 2017 target, it means that our telephones, televisions and radios will not be free from interference. As a matter of fact, planet earth today does not know the extent of the dividends of digitalization and how far it will go.

“Digitalization is going to affect the way we perceive and understand broadcasting. It will act as a catalyst to unleash the creative
potentials of our youths. It will also provide the panacea to piracy. It will create so much possibility that will enable
Africa leapfrog and join the next generation of technology,” Alhaji Mohammed said

He said his ministry will also borrow a leaf from China, particularly in the area of national re-orientation, having realized that Chinese
economic boom and development were underpinned by the discipline of its citizens, their patriotism and dedication.

“This ministry is going to start a campaign very soon to promote national rebirth and value re-orientation, because unless we change
our ways and we are able to bring back discipline, integrity and values, the change we are talking about will not take place,” the
Minister said.

Alhaji Mohammed, who expressed delight that the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China is waxing stronger in various sectors, said the trade volume between the two countries had jumped from $6.9 billion in 2009 to over $14 billion in 2015.

The Minister however, stressed the need to correct the trade imbalance between the two countries by encouraging Chinese investors to set up factories in labour-intensive sectors in Nigeria and also canvassed for the abolition of the 5% tax levied on agricultural products
entering China from Nigeria.

In her remarks earlier, the Vice-President of the StarTimes Group, Ms. Zhao, expressed China’s willingness to assist Nigeria to realize the
Digital Switch Over. She stated the commitment of China to ensuring that every household in Nigeria has access to digital television signals.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/welcome-chinas-support-digital-switch-project-minister/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, July 4, 2016, arraigned Jide Omokore; Victor Briggs, former managing director of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited; Abiye Membere, former Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; David Mbanefo, manager Planning and Commercial of the NNPC; Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja on a 9-count bordering on money laundering and procurement fraud.

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This was made known in a press release made available by the Commission’s Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren on Monday in Abuja.

Omokore is alleged to have used the Strategic Alliance Agreement signed between the NPDC and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited to swindle the NPDC and the Nigerian government of monies running into billions of dollars through the lifting of crude oil from some oil wells between March 2013 and May 2014.

The other accused persons who were senior management staff of the NNPC are accused of conspiracy in inducing the NPDC to facilitate the lifting of crude by Omokore, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited.

They are equally charged with receiving car gifts from Omokore, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited.
Count three of the charge reads:

“That you, OLAJIDE JONES OMOKORE, ATLANTIC ENERY BRASS DEVELOPMENT LTD, ATLANTIC ENERGY DRILLING CONCEPT LTD and KOLAWOLE AKANNI ALUKO (now at large) between May 2013 and March 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court obtained by false pretense and with intent to defraud, 7,551,867 barrels of crude oil (Brass blend) valued at the sum of $823,75,189.95 (Eight Hundred and Twenty Three Million, Seventy-Five Thousand, One Hundred and Eighty-Nine US Dollars and Ninety-Five Cents) from Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria on the false pretence that you had funds (both local and foreign) necessary to support the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited in petroleum operation for the OML 60,61, 62 and 63 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act Cap. A6, 2010, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

Based on their plea, counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, asked the court for a date for the commencement of trial.

After pleas by counsel representing the defendants, Justice Nyako however admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N50million each with one

surety in like sum. The sureties must either be a director in the federal civil service or must have a landed property in the jurisdiction of the court.

Before taking the defendants’ plea, Justice Nyako had requested that the names of the accused persons not present in court be taken off the charge.

Consequently, Kola Aluko whose name appeared in all the counts as well as former petroleum resources minister, Diezani Alison- Madeueko who appeared on count 8, were deleted from the charge.

The case has been adjourned to October 19 and 20, 2016 for trial.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/efcc-arraigns-former-nnpc-chiefs-court/

Troops of 118 task force battalion, 8 task force divisions have ambushed some Boko haram terrorists along Gerere junction, Kukawa Local Government area, on the northern part of Borno State.

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According to a statement by acting director army public relations colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman,
the Boko Haram terrorists were suspected to be fleeing from the advancing troops of 119 task force battalion presently mopping the general area of Kangarwa in Kukawa Local Government Area.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0DDgfK9zn8

During the operation, the troops killed 4 Boko Haram terrorists carrying logistics items. the troops recovered 48 jerry cans containing 1,440 litres of premium motor spirit, automatic gasoline oil, 8 motorcycles out of which 2 were destroyed, 21 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition, 2 ak-47 rifles, an unprimed improvised explosive device and a 36 Henagar hand grenade, as well as assorted drugs.
However, one of the military vehicle and communication equipment were badly damaged from gun shots by the terrorists.
The troops have continued to intensify vigilance and high level of alertness following concerted efforts of clearing the remnants of the terrorists.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/troops-ambush-boko-haram-terrorists-avert-attack-kukawa-borno-state/

(CNN)As the European Union threatens to unravel in the wake of Britain’s vote to leave, the African Union is pursuing a path of closer integration through the launch of a common passport that will grant visa-free access to all 54 member states.

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A general view taken on January 30, 2016 in Addis Ababa shows the 26th presidential summit of the African Union

The electronic passports will be unveiled at the AU summit in Kigali, Rwanda, later this month, where they will be issued to heads of state and senior officials. The Union aims to distribute them to all African citizens by 2018.
“This flagship project has the specific aim of facilitating free movement of persons, goods and services around the continent – in order to foster intra-Africa trade, integration and socio-economic development,” the Union announced in a statement.
The passports represent a key plank of the Agenda 2063 action plan, which emphasizes the need for greater continental integration, drawing on the popular vision of Pan-African unity. Freedom of movement has been a longstanding priority among member states, as enshrined in previous agreements such as the 1991 Abuja Treaty. Common passports have already been adopted for several regions, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Open door policy
Currently, just 13 African states are open to all African citizens without advance visas, with many placing severe restrictions on travel. A recent report from the African Development Bank advised that easing entrance requirements would support economic growth, citing the case of Rwanda, which saw GDP and tourism revenues climb after abolishing visas.
AU Director for Political Affairs Dr. Khabele Matlosa believes opening borders will have a profound effect for workers at the lower end of the scale.
“We have a problem now that young people are risking their lives to cross the Sahara Desert or travel on boats to Europe,” says Matlosa. “If we open opportunities in Africa we reduce that risk.”
The Director has been studying the example of Europe, but believes a closer African Union will not be so threatened by concerns about immigration or loss of sovereignty.
“Africa is a continent of migrants so we are not as suspicious of refugees,” he says. “This is a test of our Pan-Africanism, the doctrine which underpins the African Union’s existence. We are committed to this philosophy.”
However Matlosa acknowledges the target of providing all citizens with the passports by 2018 is ambitious, conceding that full coverage may not be achieved until several years later.
Risks and rewards
Analysts have highlighted logistical challenges of the initiative.
“Not all countries have the same level of technology needed for the biometric system and to register their citizens,” says David Zounmenou, senior research fellow at the Institute for Security Studies. “The timeframe is too short — 2020 would be a fine effort.”
Zounmenou adds that the closer union will face a complaint familiar to European counterparts — that of more powerful states overriding smaller members.
“Not every country will buy into it,” he says. “Visa revenue is an important source of income for some countries and removing it will affect the local economy unless there is compensation.”
But Zounmenou believes that common passports will support international trade within the continent, reducing the widespread dependence on Western goods, and offer new opportunities to many citizens.
“Many people ask ‘what are the practical benefits of being a member of the AU?'” he says. “This can be one of the most important social and economic responses, which allows business to flow, students to travel, and people to move from one corner of the continent to another.”
Critics have suggested open borders risk strengthening terror groups and organized crime, but Zounmenou disagrees. “One key advantage is that we will have centralized records to show who is going where,” he says.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/united-states-africa-african-union-launches-africa-passport/

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), as provided for under Section 1(2) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Act of 1997, as amended.

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This was stated in a press release and made available to the media by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina on Monday in Abuja.

He said President Buhari urged the new board to ensure the successful delivery of the mandate of the NNPC, ” and serve the nation by upholding the public trust placed on them in managing this critical national asset.”

Below is the list of the new Board of Directors:

A. Chairman-Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum;
B. Group Managing Director- Dr Maikanti Kacalla Baru;
C. The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance; and
D. The following six persons:
1. Mallam Abba Kyari
2. Dr Thomas M.A John
3. Dr Pius O. Akinyelure
4. Dr Tajuddeen Umar
5. Mallam Mohammed Lawal, and
6. Mallam Yusuf Lawal.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/buhari-approves-nnpcs-new-board-directors/

The Nigerian army has said that troops have averted a suicide bombing attempting by suspected boko haram terrorists in Monguno Borno state.

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This was stated in a press release made available to the media by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman
on Monday in Abuja.

“Today at about 6.15am, 3 female Boko Haram terrorists suicide bombers attempted to attack innocent Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fetching water at a borehole located about 3 kilometres, outskirt of Monguno town along Marte road.

“Our vigilant troops detected and gunned them down, killing both instantly.

“Unfortunately, the explosive they were strapped with exploded and injured 2 civilians nearby.”He said.

According to him, the injured persons have been evacuated and are receiving medical attention at the 8 Task Force Division’s medical facility.

Usman said that a third suicide bomber that followed a different route, detonated some distance before troops deployment along the same road at about 7.10am.

He added that troops have cordoned off the general area and imposed restriction of movement into Monguno to make it safe.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/troops-avert-suicide-bomb-attack-monguno/

The Nigerian labour Congress (NLC), on Monday said that the Federal Government is yet to constitute the committee on the new National Minimum Wage.

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The NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said this in a statement issued in Abuja.

He said that media reports saying that the committee has started work was not only false and misleading, but it is mischievous and that he was not aware of the existence of such committee.

Wabba said that in light of the sensitive nature of the subject matter, the story is not only alarmist, it constitutes an unnecessary overheating of the polity.

“To the best of our knowledge, the government accepted to set up two committees as a result of the major protest action by Labour following the increase in the pump price of petroleum products from N86:50 to N145.

“These committees are Palliatives Committee and National Minimum Wage Committee.

“Broadly speaking, they are to make recommendations to government on how to cushion the harsh effects brought on the people by the sharp increase in the pump price of petroleum products as well as address other issues connected with the workings of the institutions in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, especially the PPPRA.

He added that similarly, the Committees are to make recommendations on other challenges militating against the regular supply of petroleum products.

According to him, the acceptance of government to set up these committees was part of the process of addressing the concerns of labour.

“On June 2nd, 2016, the Committee on Palliatives was inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“An inaugural meeting chaired by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige held immediately thereafter during which it was agreed that a tripartite committee (comprising representatives of Government, Employers and Labour) on a new National Minimum Wage be set up in line with extant law and procedure.” He said.

Wabba said that although the outline of the work of the Committee and its membership were discussed, the Committee was not constituted.

“Part of the explanation for this was that the annual International Labour Conference in Geneva to which the stakeholders in Labour were invited was already in progress and members had to travel to Geneva.

“We have no doubt that with the stakeholders back from Geneva,
“the committee will be constituted in line with the established law, convention and practice.” He added.

The NLC President said that with this account, it is evident that there is a difference between the Palliatives Committee and the National Minimum Wage Committee.

According to him, even before the fall-out from the increase in the pump price of petroleum products, the Nigeria Labour Congress with Trade Union Congress had formally submitted a proposal to the government for a new minimum wage.

“This action was informed by the fact that a new minimum wage was legally due after five years, and couple with this, inflation and major devaluations of the Naira had rendered the N18,000 minimum wage unrealistic.

“Without the slightest intention to pre-empt the direction of the discussion to agree on a realistic minimum wage at the moment will have to take on board the recent complications created by the N145 pump price of petroleum product and the floatation of the Naira as an economic policy and their aftermath.” He said. Wabba added that the earlier figure by NLC and TUC may have been rendered inappropriate by these recent developments.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/fg-yet-constitute-committee-new-national-minimum-wage-nlc/

President Muhammadu Buhari is back in Abuja after a four-day private visit to Daura Katsina State.


NTA State House Correspondent, Adamu Sambo reports that the President arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 12 o’clock in the afternoon.

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He was received by the Minister of FCT Muhammad Musa Bello, the Acting Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, the chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari and the Permanent Secretary of the State House Jalal Arabi among other senior Government officials.


While in Daura President hosted his 1953 classmates at the Katsina Middle School where they shared fond memories of the past and prayed for a better future for Nigeria.


He was also treated to the breaking of the Ramadan fast by the Emir of Daura Farouk, Umar Farouk where he reassured Nigerians that of his commitment to fairness, honesty and justice as he strives for national salvation and development.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/president-muhammadu-buhari-back-abuja/

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has replaced the management team and board of the Skye Bank Plc on Monday with immediate effect.

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This was disclosed in a press release signed by the CBN’s Ag. Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor on Monday in Abuja.

The Director said this followed after the resignation of most members of the management team.

The Apex bank replaced the key Personnel with new ones to immediately take over the affairs of the bank.

The CBN decision was not far from the persistent failure of Skye Bank to meet minimum thresholds in critical prudential and adequacy ratios, which has culminated in the bank’s permanent presence at the CBN Lending Window.

The CBN said that these changes are relate to the Chairman, all Non-Executive Directors on the Board as well as the Managing Director, Deputy Managing Director, and the two longest-serving Executive Directors on the Management Team.

“Consequently, by virtue of the powers vested in the Governor of the CBN, we have decided to reconstitute the Board and Management of the bank, and appoint new members with the sole responsibility of ensuring the speedy restoration of the health of the bank.

“In this regard, we have selected Alh. M. K. Ahmad to be the new Chairman while Mr. Adetokunbo Abiru would be the new Managing
Director. The more recent executive directors will be allowed to remain to ensure continuity and a smooth transition.

“As some of you may know, Alh. M. K. Ahmad is a seasoned public sector executive with over 35 years of distinguished experience spanning the public sector and the financial services industry.

“He served as the pioneer Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).” The CBN said.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/board-management-skye-bank-replaced-cbn/

BENIN CITY- GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state has urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that it will take some time to fix the nation’s economy which according to him was battered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for 16 years.

Oshiomhole made this appeal shortly after Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), hinted jokingly, while delivering a lecture at the 60th birthday celebration of the Secretary to the Edo state Government, Prof.Julius Ihonvbere, that he may soon embark on a probe to review the performance of President Buhari.

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However, Oshiomhole who acknowledged the current difficulties being faced by Nigerians asserted that the APC led government in the country is working round the clock to find solutions to the problems. The governor said: “Changes takes time, not only in the life of a person but more also in the life of a nation. This a country that was run down for 16 years by PDP.

The APC government is going to achieve sincere change for Nigerians and we are working towards that”. Commending Prof. Ihonvbere for helping his administration kick out the PDP government in Edo state, Oshiomhole said “Let me thank you for that honour for joining forces with us to sustain the fight against the forces that don’t think that Edo is entitled to development. And working side by side, we have cleaned up the political space. “Even now that the umbrella has turned into three pieces, they are still boasting. When Edo was under one man’s rule, those voices were loud, they would have told you whether or not there is

And working side by side, we have cleaned up the political space. “Even now that the umbrella has turned into three pieces, they are still boasting. When Edo was under one man’s rule, those voices were loud, they would have told you whether or not there is vacancy in Osadebey Avenue. As you can see working together, strategizing together, mobilising together, for refusing to agonise we are standing and they are down.
“There is no way I would have been able to achieve all these without the encouragement that you (Ihonvbere) have always readily offered, in a moment of doubt when we are strategizing” he stated.

Expressing his gratitude to Oshiomhole for “saving me from that wicked hands of the PDP in the state” Ihonvbere said “ I will continue to say that the courage he (Oshiomhole) has deployed in repositioning and refocusing Edo state is unparalleled.

“The next governor has a lot of work to do because to meet the standard already met requires 24 hours attention. But the good thing is that the Comrade Governor will not be too far away to assist with his advice” he said.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/let-us-patient-buhari-oshiomhole-tells-nigerians/

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), as provided for under Section 1(2) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Act of 1997, as amended.

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NNPC Chairman Ibe Kachikwu


Mr. Buhari also removed Ibe Kachikwu as group managing director of the corporation, a statement by presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina showed.
He however allowed him to remain as minister of state for petroleum and will serve as chairman of the NNPC board.


The new NNPC GMD is Maikanti Kacalla Baru, according to the presidency.
The new board is composed of the following:
A. Chairman-Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum;
B. Group Managing Director- Dr Maikanti Kacalla Baru;
C. The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance; and
D. The following six persons:
1. Mallam Abba Kyari
2. Dr Thomas M.A John
3. Dr Pius O. Akinyelure
4. Dr Tajuddeen Umar
5. Mallam Mohammed Lawal, and
6. Mallam Yusuf Lawal.
President Buhari urges the new board to ensure the successful delivery of the mandate of the NNPC, ” and serve the nation by upholding the public trust placed on them in managing this critical national asset.”

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/ibe-kachikwu-removed-nnpc-gmd-now-chairman/

Ado-Ekiti—Renowned constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Mike Ozekhome, has faulted Mr. Femi Falana on his position that the there is no absolute immunity for governors, deputy-governors, President and vice-president in the country.

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Falana had, during a paper entitled: The Limits of Immunity Clause’, he delivered at the 60th birthday of the Edo State’s Secretary to Government, SSG, Professor Julius Inhonvbere, said that the Money Laundering Act and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Act as well as the international criminal court laws do not give absolute immunity to Governor Ayodele Fayose against criminal prosecution, adding that the EFCC was in order by freezing the governor’s accounts and thereafter obtain a court order against his bank.

But Ozekhome, who heads governor Fayose’s legal team against the EFCC at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, said contrary to Falana’s argument; “Election petitions are due generic, they are generic because they are in a class of their own.

They are an hybrid, neither civil nor criminal procedures. That is why it is the constitution itself that gives the right for a governor to be sued when they are challenging his mandate , it is not the lower laws like an Act of parliament like EFCC. Speaking with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the Lagos-based lawyer said:

‘’EFCC is an act of parliament which is millions of miles lower than the provisions of the constitution. And any provision from the EFCC Act or money laundering Act which is inconsistent with the provision of the constitution is null and void by nature of section 1, sub-section 3 of the same 1999 constitution,“ he said.

Arguing further, he said: “It is the same constitution in section 308 that says that when it comes to civil or criminal procedure, you can never sue the governor and such should not be entertained in any court of Law.”

Speaking with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the Lagos-based lawyer said: ‘’EFCC is an act of parliament which is millions of miles lower than the provisions of the constitution.

And any provision from the EFCC Act or money laundering Act which is inconsistent with the provision of the constitution is null and void by nature of section 1, sub-section 3 of the same 1999 constitution,“ he said.

Arguing further, he said: “It is the same constitution in section 308 that says that when it comes to civil or criminal procedure, you can never sue the governor and such should not be entertained in any court of Law.”

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/falana-goofed-no-absolute-immunity-position-ozekhome/

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned commercial banks to desist from giving sensitive banking roles to contract staff, as they may not have a stake in the banks.

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CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department, ‘Dipo Fatokun who disclosed this at the weekend during the unveiling of the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) report in Lagos, said the apex bank has severally, encouraged banks to ensure that their staff are those with something at stake.

“A temporary staff may not have a stake in the bank so to say. So, it is encouraged that if they have staff that are not permanent, they should not give them responsibilities or roles that will expose them to critical functions of a bank,” he said.

Continuing, Fatokun said: “If you are giving somebody an authority to approve transactions of high magnitude, and he does not have a stake in your bank, then you are already exposing yourself. So, this been going on and I believe many banks understand the need to rely on their key staff for major duties. That is one of the reasons, the fraud attempts have been rising, but the value lost declining”.

He said the forum presented its first annual report in 2012, which was a compendium of papers shared at the Forum and after an interregnum, presented the second report titled e-fraud: Fighting the battle, winning the war in 2015. “Today, we are unveiling our third annual report, “NeFF: Improving and Securing the Cyber-Environment”, he said.

He said the CBN will continue to encourage banks to utilise the services of local service providers, where those services exist in Nigeria and enforce the necessary security standards and protocols for the protection of systems as contained in existing guidelines.

“It is often said, that if you do not already know what is ahead, you then probably are in the wrong place. The threats faced today in our Payments System require all stakeholders to constantly and consistently stay on the cutting edge of reality. A reality we face today is that the conventional use of the World Wide Web is like dragging a net across the surface of the ocean, capturing less than one per cent of web content,” he said.

Speaking on the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) 2015 financial report, which showed that a total of 12,279 fraud cases were reported, representing an increase of 15.71 per cent over the 10,612 fraud cases reported in 2014 while the amount involved decreased significantly by N7.59bn or 29.63 per cent from N25.60bn in 2014 to N18.02bn in 2015, he said the result is in line with NeFF position on fraud cases.

In terms of the actual amount lost to fraudsters from the incidences of fraud, the NDIC report explained that the sector suffered a total loss of N3.17 billion as against N6.19 billion in 2014.

CBN Director, Consumer and Financial Protection, Umma Dutse, praised NeFF’s Steering Committee for giving her the opportunity of unveiling the Forum’s 2015 annual report. “I also want to commend the entire payments industry for the show and act of collaboration which has been expressed through the unflinching support that the forum has received to make it a formidable platform for fighting fraud in Nigeria. We all understand the effects of fraud,” he said.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/dont-give-sensitive-roles-contract-staff-cbn/

According to a cancer patient.

ABUJA—The Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN), an agency of the Federal Government, has arrested some fake Radiographers and sealed the X-Ray units of some hospitals in Imo State.

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Some of the impostors, it said, have been working as Radiographers at the X-Ray units of some of the hospitals. Among the affected hospitals are Amanda Hospital in Owerri; the X-ray units of O/C Medical and X-Ray services at No. 3 Works Layout, Owerri; Holy Rosary Hospital, Emekuku; Christina Hospital, Egbu; and Mothercare Diagnostic Centre on Okigwe Road, Owerri.

The organisation warned that patients may contract cancer in the course of their earthly existence if they receive X-Rays from people who are not qualified. A statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Spokesperson of RRBN, Maimuna Wakawa, quoted the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Board,

A statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Spokesperson of RRBN, Maimuna Wakawa, quoted the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Board, Mr. Michael Okpaleke, as saying that the task force of the regulatory agency “clamped down on the hospitals in order to rid the radiography practice of quacks and quackery.”

He vowed that the board was determined to remove quacks from the practice of medical radiography in the country and would not stop till it succeeds. According to him, the mission of the RRBN, was “to monitor and regulate activities of personnel who administer X-Rays on people to know if they are qualified.” He said it was the right of patients to see the operational license of the person administering X-Rays to them to ascertain if they are qualified before carrying out an X-ray.

According to him, the mission of the RRBN, was “to monitor and regulate activities of personnel who administer X-Rays on people to know if they are qualified.” He said it was the right of patients to see the operational license of the person administering X-Rays to them to ascertain if they are qualified

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/quackery-fg-arrests-fake-radiographers-seals-5-x-ray-units-imo-read-httpwww-vanguardngr-com201607quackery-fg-arrests-fake-radiographers-seals-5-x-ray-units-imo/

Micro-blogging website, Twitter, on Monday suspended an account belonging to a group of oil pipelines saboteurs, Niger Delta Avengers.

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The suspension came a day after the group said it successfully launched five attacks on oil installations within two days.

Notorious for its indiscriminate destruction of oil and gas installations owned by major oil corporations across the delta states, the Avengers had since inception used Twitter to announce attacks.

The group first used Twitter to claim responsibility for the bombing of Bonny Soku gas export line in Gbarain, Bayelsa State, in February 2016.

Since then, it had claimed responsibility for more than 24 attacks as at July 2.

While announcing attacks, it also demanded a better living condition for the people of the oil-rich region. At some point, the group demanded a sovereign state for the Niger Delta.

Shell, Chevron, Eni, NNPC and other oil companies operating in the region had their facilities attacked in recent months.

In June, Shell said it would keep the Forcados Export Terminal shut until activities returned to normal. Other companies also evacuated their staff.

The Avengers said its activities had seen Nigeria’s oil exports cut by more than half, to about 800,000 barrels per day – vowing to bring it to “zero” in the coming months.

The Nigerian government said it was willing to negotiate with leaders of the group, but its spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, announced in June that only a dialogue supervised by foreign countries and corporations would make it engage the government.

Avengers’ followers on Twitter soared from less than 1,000 in April to over 30,000 followers as at July 2.

The Avengers’ website, was, however, still running as at 2:44 p.m. on July 4.

Twitter did not immediately respond to PREMIUM TIMES’ enquiry seeking further clarification about the decision to deactivate NDA’s account.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/twitter-finally-deletes-niger-delta-avengers-account/

The 15-man committee inaugurated by the Federal Government on the implementation of the new minimum wage for workers has started sitting.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered from some members of the committee at the weekend that it had met once.

Mr Chris Onyedika, acting general secretary of a faction of the NLC and a member of the 15-man committee, confirmed that it had started deliberations on the agreement reached between the Federal Government and factions of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in May, this year.

“The 15-man committee will review the Federal Government’s liberalisation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, leading to the new fuel pump price of N145 per litre.

“The committees will discuss and recommend a new national minimum wage, the N500 billion palliatives being proposed by the Federal Government and the re-constitution of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency Board, among other issues, before presenting its recommendations to government,” Onyedika said.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/minimum-wage-panel-begins-talks/

The 15-man committee inaugurated by the Federal Government on the implementation of the new minimum wage for workers has started sitting.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered from some members of the committee at the weekend that it had met once.

Mr Chris Onyedika, acting general secretary of a faction of the NLC and a member of the 15-man committee, confirmed that it had started deliberations on the agreement reached between the Federal Government and factions of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in May, this year.

“The 15-man committee will review the Federal Government’s liberalisation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, leading to the new fuel pump price of N145 per litre.

“The committees will discuss and recommend a new national minimum wage, the N500 billion palliatives being proposed by the Federal Government and the re-constitution of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency Board, among other issues, before presenting its recommendations to government,” Onyedika said.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/minimum-wage-panel-begins-talks/

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has taken over one of the nation’s commercial banks, Skye Bank pending when a buyer is found. This was after it dissolved the Board of the financial institution.

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New Telegraph reports that the CBN took the decision as Skye Bank has been deemed ‘unhealthy’ and is a measure to prevent a total collapse of the bank.

The bank is thought to have an estimated non-performing loan portfolio of N700bn, much of which is due to an overexposure in the oil and gas sector. All the directors and executives at the bank except three executives who joined the bank last year have been shown the door.

Managing Director of Skye Bank, Timothy Oguntayo has already dropped his resignation. The bank would be taken over by CBN and possibly handed over to the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON.

The newspaper reports that AMCON would buy up the bank’s toxic loan and then make efforts to recover them from the bank’s chronic debtors.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/breaking-news-cbn-takes-skye-bank/