₦airaland Forum

Segun Adeyemi, Abuja: The Federal Government has alerted Nigerians to the existence of a newly-launched mobile application developed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) for propagating Jihad to children.


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In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the mobile application, tagged ‘Huroof’ (Arabic alphabets or letters), is to be used by ISIS to teach children the Arabic alphabets with the aid of guns, military tanks and cannons.

”The application utilizes colourful illustrations that attract and engage the attention of young children,” the Minister said, urging members of the public in general and parents in particular to be vigilant and to prevent their children and wards from being indoctrinated

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/breaking-fg-alerts-nigerians-isis-indoctrination-mobile-app-targeting-children/

Segun Adeyemi, Abuja: The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says contrary to the belief in certain quarters, the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government are working harmoniously to improve the social and economic well-being of the citizenry.


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The Minister made the remarks in Abuja on Wednesday when he received the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, led by its Chairman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, on a courtesy visit to his office.

“If the spokesman of the Senate wants to meet the spokesman of Government, that says a lot about the trust, understanding and also the confidence between the two arms of government. This visit will also show the world that the so-called feud between the Executive Arm of Government and the Legislative Arm is only the figment of their own imagination,” he said. ‎

Alhaji Mohammed restated the commitment of the present administration to ensuring good governance, providing adequate security and revamping the economy in order to deliver the change that Nigerians are yearning for.

“It proves once again that this government, each arm of the government, is working in tandem. They recognize security, the economy and good governance as the sole pillars of any government,” he said.

The Minister said upon assumption of office, he adopted creative and pragmatic approach to bridge the communication gap between the government and the people in order to deepen democracy and inspire trust and confidence among the people.

“We realize the importance of information to the deepening and sustenance of democracy and to that extent, we have evolved means to ensure that there is no communication gap between the government and those that are governed. We put people right in the centre of our communication strategy. We know that the moment that gap exist then you create opportunity for mischief makers, misconception, half truths and downright falsehood,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed identified town hall meetings as a deliberate strategy adopted by the government to communicate with the people directly to inform them about the policies and programmes of the government and at the same time get feedback on their perception of government.

He disclosed that the government will soon hold a summit on National Rebirth, Values and Ethics during which the National Re-orientation Campaign, tagged Change Begins with Me, will be launched.

In his remarks, Senator Abdullahi said though the challenges confronting the nation are surmountable, there is the need for greater value re-orientation.‎

He sought the collaboration of the Minister in the efforts to promote actions that will bring about positive change in Nigeria. ‎

“As managers of the information and communication space of two critical arms of this democratic government, permit me to note that we need, more than ever before, to proactively work to promote and canvass for the urgent need to ensure genuine and sincere actions anchored on rule of law, due diligence and due process.

”In doing this, we must promote confidence building through genuine co-creation, co-action, co-operation, collaboration and co-ordination,” he said.


Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/executive-legislative-arms-page-minister/

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) says it has commenced a nationwide crackdown on marketers who distribute unwholesome and uncensored films in Nigeria.


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This is made known in a statement made available to the press by Mr Cornel Agim, the NFVCB Director of Operations on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement said the board had commenced the prohibition and sanctioning of distributors as well as the distribution of every defaulting film found anywhere in the country to improve the status and security of the industry.

It also stated that the NFVCB Director-General, Ms Patricia Bala is bent on getting rid of all unwholesome films in the country.

“The defaulters include unlicensed distributors of uncensored movies, unwholesome films and pornographic videos.

“The action also targets those who are known to exhibit film or video works in unregistered premises or places that are not approved and certified by the board.” It said.

According to the statement, the board warns that anyone who falls into any of the defaulting categories should quickly go to the nearest NFVCB office and rectify his or her area of default.

It stressed that the task force of the board would not take it kindly with culprits.

It added that the first phase of the crackdown would commence on June 13 and end on June 24.

The statement noted that the exercise would take the team through specific states of the country like Benue, Cross River, Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu State.

It urged stakeholders to make sure the take advantage of the opportunity to get their movies licenced and censored.

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/nfvcb-begins-clampdown-defaulting-distributors-uncensored-films/

The African Union has urged Eritrea and Ethiopia to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could further endanger regional stability.


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ERITREA said more than 200 Ethiopian troops were killed in clashes on the two Horn of Africa countries’ border on June 12.

A further 300 Ethiopian soldiers were wounded, Eritrea’s Information Ministry said Thursday in a statement on its website. The tolls are “conservative estimates,” it said.

The fighting erupted in the Tserona region, about 74 kilometers (46 miles) south of Eritrea’s capital, Asmara.

The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry accused its neighbour or sparking the fighting and said retaliatory measures by the Ethiopians “seriously weakened” the Eritrean army, it said.

Ethiopian Communications Minister Getachew Reda didn’t answer two calls and a text message seeking comment on Thursday.

The African Union has urged Eritrea and Ethiopia to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could further endanger regional stability.

The Horn of Africa nations should “refrain from any statement and action likely to aggravate the situation,” African Union Commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said late Tuesday in a statement.

A deal brokered by the African Union that was agreed on by the two nations 16 years ago hasn’t been fully implemented, Dlamini-Zuma said. The continental body is ready to help Ethiopia and Eritrea “address the challenges at hand and normalise their relations,” she said.

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/eritrea-says-killed-200-ethiopian-troops-border-clash-addis-ababa-points-seriously-weakened-rival/

From the office of EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, came a report of the trial of a former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh (retd.) and Iyalikam Nigeria Limited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja continued on Thursday, June 16, 2016 with further cross-examination of prosecution witness, Mustapha Yerima, PW4, a builder who allegedly assisted Badeh in procuring a piece of land and building a plaza in Abuja.


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During cross-examination by the defence counsel, Akin Olujimi, SAN, Yerima maintained his earlier statements that he was given the dollar equivalent of N304m, which he gave to Bureau de Change ( BDC) operators who credited his accounts on different dates.

According to him, “I had prepared the schedule of payment, which I gave to PW1 (Yushau). I requested for N480m, but PW1 (Yushau) gave me about N300m in dollar equivalent, which I gave to the BDC to change for me.

“Air Commodore Salisu Yushau, who testified as PW1, told me that my payment would come from the Nigerian Air Force, NAF. He introduced me to Air Commodore Sinni who happened to be the CFO in charge of payment.

“The balance of the N450m, in its dollar equivalent, was paid by Air Commodore Yushau in cash, which I received at his house and took to the BDC to convert to Naira.

“All payments made to our company’s accounts were as a result of the meeting with PW1 (Yushau) and Sinni, where PW1 told Sinni to pay a total of N865m.”

Yerima, who also recalled expressing his surprise at the fact that Badeh never visited the site during construction, added: “Perhaps he visited the site after closing hours because you can’t inject such money and not see what you are paying for.


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“At each stage of construction, I submitted site progress pictures to Yushau. He said he would show them to his boss. I recall that I submitted copies of those progress pictures to the EFCC.

‘‘When EFCC operatives came to the site of the construction, I called PW1 (Yushau) who said I should protect him and that I should get in touch with Alex Jnr., who will link me up to his father, Air Marshal Badeh.

“I spoke to Alex Jnr., who told me that his father wasn’t around. He told me he would call me back. I believe that after he had communicated with his father and PW1 (Yushau), he called to tell me that Yushau would call me with instructions on what to tell the EFCC.

“Soon after that, Yushau, conveying the outcome of their meeting, called and told me to find a way to claim the property.

“As a good businessman, the first thing that comes to mind in this situation is to protect your client. But when it is deemed necessary, you say the facts as it is. One will be left with no choice, but to tell the truth. It is not an easy thing to face the EFCC.

“After all of this, we rendered technical support to the Nigerian Air Force on a contract basis. We were engaged under the administration of Air Marshal N.D. Umar and were paid strictly on valuations.”

However, counsel to the prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, intervened, saying, “The way he (Olujimi) is questioning the witness is an attempt to get contradictions at all costs!”

The matter has been adjourned to June 28 and 29, 2016 for further cross- examination and continuation of trial.

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/arms-scam-witness-insists-badeh-gave-n865m-buy-properties/

Pops Concepts organisers of Nigeria’s largest MakeUp & Beauty Trade Show – The MakeUp Fair Seriesis back with 2 Mega Fairs under one Roof, its 21st edition!



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The 5th Lagos MakeUp Fair (LMUF5)and is introducing for the first timeThe INDIE Beauty & Wellness Fair (IBWF2016) for independently owned beauty & wellness brands.

The MakeUp Fair Series is the largest gathering of industry practitioners with a unique networking experience and conducive avenue for all beauty savvy professionals, vendors, enthusiasts, beauty conscious individuals, prospective buyers, shoppers, investors, distributors, makeup artistes, beauty and makeup business people.

Its the perfect makeup & beauty trade platform! Since its creation in February 2012, The MakeUp Fair Series has successfully hosted 20 editions and toured 6 major cities –Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Uyo andOwerri – in Nigeria.

The 5th Lagos MakeUp Fair + INDIE Beauty & Wellness Fair, promises to be fun as it will showcase a variety of makeup and beauty brands/Professionals.



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LMUF5 Exhibitors include: Maybelline NY NG, Elsas Pro, Mysha, Hegai & Esther, Sleek Studio, Giftys Daughter Boutique, Cosmetic Square, Zaron Cosmetics, Beauty Rev NG, Savoir-Faire Beauty, TMM Beauty Place, Ask Onyeka, Beauty Kink, Dunique Beauty, Bee Lashes, Nuban Beauty, Glam Touch Makeover, Dhoppy Dhoopy, Makeup Revolution NG, Beauty Essentials by N’sure, Makeup Maven NG, Sit Pretty Beauty, Haute Beauty World, Accessories NG, Talking faces, Akira Nigeria, Lise Beauty, Maradarah, Mall for Africa etc

IBWF2016 Exhibitors include We Naturals, Kinky Apothecary, AJALI, Bath Kandy, R and R Luxury, Mc Herbal, Lise Beauty, COC Beauty, Fedora Organics, Pops Beauty Bottle etc

Event Details

Date: Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th June 2016

Venue: Classique Events Place 7A Kudirat Abiola Way Oregun Lagos

Time: 10am – 7pm

Attendance is FREE!!!


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Highlight of the event include: The POPS Beauty Debate, a Beauty Face- Off!!! to hold 2nd day of the Fair Sunday 19th June by 3.30pm featuring

International makeup brands a)Ngozy Ezeka-Atta of Jaga Beauty b)Kunbi Fashakin of Sit Pretty Beauty

VS

Nigerian Makeup Brands a) Ngozichukwuka Oni of Beauty and The Beholder

b) Tejumade Nwafor of Brushstrokes



Chairman: Funke Tonye-Preghafi of Gifty’s Daughter Boutique

Moderator: Yemisi Dada Seriks of Nsure Beauty



The event will also feature Elsas Pro’s Lagos Launch, demos, Discounts, meeting makeup & beauty experts, shopping, learning makeup skills, special offers, treats, food and drinks, networking, loads of freebies for grabs plus lots of entertainment.



More Information:

Phone No: 08037862333
Email Address: popsconcepts@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/themakeupfairseries
Twitter: @themakeupfair
Instagram: themakeupfair
BBin: 59127E27
Website: http://popsconcepts.com


Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/5th-lagos-makeup-fair-indie-beauty-wellness-fair/

Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, has charged lawyers and professionals in the financial and private sectors, to see themselves as partners in the fight against economic and financial crimes.



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Sagay made the charge at the commencement of a two-day workshop on “Role of Professionals in the Fight Against Corruption”, which held at the Rockview Hotel, Abuja, June 16, 2016. He noted that the war against corruption could not be won, without them keying into the fight.
“The implementation of your rules and regulations including the ethics of your profession, and disciplinary methods are essential in winning the war against corruption,” he said.
The workshop, which had in attendance professionals from the legal, finance, banking, mining sectors among others, provided a platform for them to exchange ideas in fashioning ways to eliminate hiccups being experienced in the fight against corruption.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David, Lawal, who was represented by Tor Tsavar, director Nigerian National Volunteer Service, NNVS, noted that the workshop was essential, considering the rather ignominious role that the banking sector contributed to incidents of money laundering in the country.
“It is regrettable that professionals particularly those in the banking sector, offered direct and indirect support for those who commit financial crimes, to beat the law, and so lawyers and professionals are important in this fight,” he said.
Femi Falana, SAN, decried the role of lawyers in assisting politically exposed persons, PEPs, to carry out financial crime, stressing that efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to prosecute members of the bar complicit in such acts was in order and should be supported.
“A number of leading lawyers have been indicted by the EFCC and they are being prosecuted and this should serve as a lesson to others to be careful, and to take the role of ethics very seriously,” he said.
Falana condemned in strong terms, the action of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, which sought to exempt lawyers from complying with provisions of the Money Laundering Act 2012 as amended, which classifies Law firms as a Designated Non- Financial Institution, DNFI.
He noted that, while the EFCC was in order to prosecute politically exposed persons, PEPs, who have been involved in money laundering offence, it was essential for the anti-graft agency to also go after professionals like bankers, estate managers, who presented themselves as vehicles to facilitate the offence.
“The EFCC should not spare professionals, real estate agents, law firms, that assisted in the fraudulent and illicit flow of the cash; they all have to be prosecuted,” he said.
He further urged the National Assembly, to “call for a public hearing to ensure that work being done on the amendment of the Money Laundering Act, would not be done hastily” as it is apparently aimed at whittling down the powers of the country’s anti-graft agencies.
Francis Usani, Director, Nigerian Financial Institute Unit, NFIU, stressed that money laundering had an adverse effect on the social and economic wellbeing of the country, as it allows criminals to grow in their criminal networks.
“Compliance to the rules is very essential for professionals,” he said, adding that the laws are made to stop “criminals” from leveraging on the platforms of professionals to carry out financial crimes.
He used the opportunity to charge professionals of the financial institutions and DNFIs, to ensure that they abide by the rules, and report suspicious transactions promptly.
Paul George, who leads the Pricewaterhouse Coopers, PWC’s International Development Practice, in the United Kingdom, UK, charged professional bodies to see themselves as partners in progress in the fight against corruption.
“We need to go beyond complaining, and play an active part, if the collective system is to find a collective solution,” he said.
Otive Igbuzor, Director, Civil Society Activists, added that there was a need for professional bodies, to ensure that they adhered to their ethics, stressing that, “there’s need for better enforcement of laws”.
Osita Nwajah, Director, Public Affairs of the EFCC, stressed the importance of bringing in professional bodies to the fight against corruption. He noted that the practice of private banking had made it difficult for the agency to track illicit inflows carried out by money launderers.
“The professionals are the ones that has the capacity to enable the process, and hide the process, and that it is why the EFCC believes that they need to key into the agency’s anti-corruption efforts,” he said.
The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, and the Convention on Business Integrity.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/sagay-falana-task-lawyers-others-anti-graft-war/

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, presided over the meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, held today at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. NEC is made up of governors of the states of the federation and the CBN, with the Vice President as Chairman.


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Below are highlights of the meeting:

A. REPORT ON EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT, ECA, PROCEEDS
· The Honourable Minister of Finance Mrs Kemi Adeosun reported that the balance in the ECA as at June 15, 2016 stood at USD 2,261,249,976.96 (USD 2.261 billion).

B. UPDATE ON APPOINTMENT OF FORENSIC AUDITORS WITH RESPECT TO ECA PAYMENT INTO FEDERATION ACCOUNT AND REVENUE GENERATING AGENCIES (RGAs)

· The Honourable Minister of Finance reported that work is ongoing as mandate has been given to the Forensic Auditors.

C. PRESIDENTIAL BUDGET SUPPORT TO STATES

· The Honourable Minister of Finance also briefed the Council on the Federal Government’s N90 billion budget support loan facility for States at a 9% interest rate.
· 5 States have already completed the process for borrowing from the Presidential Budget Support Facility for States, which will help states to pay salaries and other pertinent emoluments. Others states expected to proceed to tap from the facility

D. UPDATE ON THE FLEXIBLE FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE POLICY OF THE CENTRAL BANK

· CBN Governor briefed the Council on the flexible Forex rate policy adopted recently by the bank including:
– Market-driven exchange rate
– Single market structure through interbank/autonous window
– Access to Forex Proceeds by non-oil exporters.

E. STATUS REPORT ON SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES

· Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Mrs Maryam Uwais, MFR, briefed the Council on the preparation, status of the planning, and responsibilities of the stakeholders towards the implementation of the Programmes.
· She told the Council that the Programmes are designed to fulfil the FGN’s Social Protection role to its citizens, reduce poverty and inequality in Nigeria among others
· The Programmes engagement with beneficiaries is already in progress and pointed out the role of the key players and that partnership with States is very critical to the success of the Programme.
· To ensure high level coordination, a National Social Safety Net Coordination office has been set up in the Presidency to coordinate and ensure uniform reporting platform, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) as well as a suitable payment system (bank-led) for the cash transfers.
· Also a community-based targeting approach has been adopted in building up a National Social Register that will identify the poor and vulnerable population.
· There are 5 schemes under the Social Investment Programme namely:
1) N-power for job creation initiatives for teachers, artisans/Build Nigeria and Knowledge jobs.
*Targets 500,000 graduates and 100,000 non-graduates
2) Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSF) free school feeding for primary school pupils across the country.
*Targets 5.5 million primary school pupils in the first instance
3) Cash Transfers of N5,000 monthly directly to caregivers in targeted poor and vulnerable households.
*Targets 1 million beneficiaries.
4) Enterprises & Empowerment programme for financial inclusion and access to credit for market women cooperatives, traders, farmers, youth *Targets 1.66 million beneficiaries.
5) STEM Bursary Programme – financial support for tertiary students studying in Education, Science and Technology, Engineering and Maths.
*Targets 100,000 students.

F. BRIEF ON IMPROVING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND EASE OF DOING BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

· Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah briefed the Council on improving business environment and ease of doing business in Nigeria.
· Highlights of the presentation:
Ø Focus should be intensified on enabling environment initiatives.
Ø Prioritising initiative focus on Industrial Sector.
Ø Building of strong collaboration between Federal Government and States on ease of doing business.
Ø Measurement on States doing well, having friendly competitions on ease of doing business.
Ø Composition of a Presidential Commission to steer the process and report monthly to the Federal Executive Council. The commission has 9 ministers in its membership
Ø Establishment of a Secretariat for the Commission with active involvement of the private sector, including the appointment of a private sector professional as Executive Secretary.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity
In the Office of the Vice President

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/highlights-68th-national-economic-council-nec-meeting-thursday-16th-june-2016/

The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Mr Murtala Mani, on Thursday refuted an alleged explosion of pipelines at Ikot Osutek, Oruk-Anam Local Government Area of the state by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).


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Mani told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo that the alleged vandalism was an accident caused by a leakage in the gas pipelines.

He said that it was a technical problem and that some engineers from Port Harcourt were working to rectify the leakage.
Mani said that the state was safe from the activities of the militant group.

NAN reports that the gas pipelines are owned by Seven Energy Company, the operator of Ibom Gas Power Plant, Uquo in Esit-Eket Local Government Area of the state.

Ikot Osutek community, the location of the gas pipelines, is along Ikot Abasi-Ogoni-Port Harcourt axis of the East-West Road in Akwa Ibom.

NAN further reports that many residents of the state were disturbed by the alleged attack, due to the revelation that the militant group had vandalised 23 gas pipelines since Feb. 14 when it started attacks.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, made the revelation on Monday. (NAN)

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/police-refutes-alleged-gas-pipeline-attack-akwa-ibom/

The National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Osita Izunaso on Thursday at the Party’s National Secretariat announced that 2873 delegates will elect the Party’s Edo State governorship candidate at the primaries scheduled for June 18, 2016 in the Edo State capital, Benin City.


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Also, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Engr. Segun Oni on behalf of the Party inaugurated a high-powered seven-member Election Committee and three-member Election Appeal Committee for the 2016 Edo State governorship election primaries.

The seven-member Election Committee is chaired by Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari. Other members are Hon. Andrew Uchendu (Secretary), Hon. Yusuf Maianguwa, Dr. Tunde Esan, Alh. Shuaibu Musa, Alh. Ibrahim Soja and Mr. Amara Iwuanyanwu.

The three-member Election Appeal Committee is chaired by Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, a former member of the House of Representatives. Other members are: Alh. Mustapha Salisu and Mrs. Ekwy Onyido.

Going by the APC 2014 guidelines for the nomination of candidates for public office, delegates for the 2016 APC Edo Governorship Election Primaries Committee are constituted into an Electoral College comprising of the following: 12 Principal Officers of the Ward Executive Committee; all members of the Local Government Executive Committee from all the Local Government Areas in the State; all members of the State Executive Committee; all members of the National Executive Committee from the State; all members of the Board of Trustees and National Caucus from the State; all elected persons from the State.

Speaking at the inauguration, Chairman of the Election Committee, Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari said the Committee had no preferred candidate. He said the Committee will ensure Justice and fairness to all the contestants.

Masari: “On behalf of members of my committee, I want to assure you that we will follow the guidelines given to us by the party. I want to also assure you that we will do our best and produce the best and we hope that there will be no work for the Appeals Committee. We are going to do a thorough job. I also want to use this opportunity to assure that we will do Justice to all. We have no preferred candidate, we have no friends and what we will be doing in Edo, we will be doing for APC, for Nigeria and for the Edo people.

“What is most important is that we have gone through this process. I have a bitter experience of this process and I know how a party can lose election through an unfair and unjust primaries. It has happened in my state and in so many states. This is a very critical and important assignment considering the number of candidates and the strength of our party and that of the opposition in the state. That will make us do what is right for the people of Edo state and for APC as a political party. I am assuring you that what will come out of this exercise will be a result that can stand in any court of law because you cannot rule out the possibility of somebody going on appeal.

“What is critical is peace and the cooperation of the contestants. They are 12 and they need each other. Either win or lose, they still need each other. This is a very important and critical work and I am assuring the party that we are going to do the best to ensure Justice and fairness to all the contestants. I also thank the party for considering us to undertake this assignment… we assure the party that we will not fail.”

Also speaking at the inauguration, Chairman of the Appeal Committee, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele expressed confidence that there will be no reason for appeal after the Primaries.

“I want to thank the leadership of our party for the opportunity to also add value in our own little way. The constitution of our country is very clear and in cases that has been decided by Election Petition Tribunals, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court is very clear that before any aspirant can come to court, you must not only explore, but must have exhausted the internal mechanism available within the party of trying to protest or complain before coming to the court room. It is in that regard that we see the assignment given to us by the party as a very sensitive one.

“It was a delight listening to the Chairman of the Election Committee. As he has promised, I have no doubt that if anything goes well, that will also make our own lives easier. We hope there will be reason for anyone to come to appeal, but it is easier we assume. What is more important is not the complaint but if the process of selecting the candidate is transparent, if will be easier to manage.”

Twelve aspirants (11 male and 1 female) collected the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the Edo state governorship election. They are: Mr. Blessing Abdulwarith Agbomhere; Major Gen. Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere; Prof. Fredrick Ebegue Amadasun; Hon. Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula; Architect Austin Ilenre Emuan; Comrade Peter Ekhermhalomhen Esele; Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon; Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki; Rt. Hon. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu; Mrs. Agbarha Justina Ebeyehi Ojehor; Engineer Christopher Osa Ogiemwonyi and Professor Oserheimen Aigberadion Osunbor.

All candidates were successfully screened by the Hon. Chibudum Nwuche-led seven-member Committee.

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/apc-2016-edo-governorship-election-primaries-2873-delegates-elect-edo-governorship-candidate/

The Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed says the legislature and executive arm of government are working in cordiality and shares the same aspiration.


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He further stated that the rumoured feud between the two important arms of government was just the figment of the imagination of some people.

He cited the issues of insecurity, economy and good governance as the three main ingredients that unite them and which they are all working towards achieving.

The Minister disclosed this when he received the senate committee on Media and Public Affairs paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Wednesday.

Reeling out his communication strategy and workings so far, Mr. Mohammed told the senators that his Ministry recognised the importance of information in deepening and sustaining democracy and as a result, devised a means to ensure effective communication between government and the people.

The Minister stressed that, “We have deliberately made people the centre piece of our events. We believe that once communication gap exists, it would create misconception, suspicion and downright falsehood.

It is against this backdrop that beside the main stream media, we have embarked on town hall meetings in a bid to get across to the people directly.

The town hall meeting is not just meant to tell people about government policies but to also hear from them and take the message back to government with a view to reflecting some of their thoughts and ideas on government programmes.”

Action plan
He mentioned some of the Ministry’s activities such as meeting with critical stakeholders in the information sector, the planned reorientation campaign and the awareness on corruption and insecurity.

Meanwhile, the Chairman Senate Committee on media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi said the senate was fully committed to continue representing the various collective interest and aspirations of Nigerians.

“We understand the challenges facing the country at the moment but to make things better there is the urgent need to address the economy and security which are the two biggest issues of our time.

The 8th senate is anchored on three cardinal objectives of improving livelihood, improving business and good governance,” Senator Abdullahi said.

Senator Abdullahi also called for value orientation that are indeed difficult and neglected or taken for granted.

He said the government must work deliberately to address hidden discontent and pull everybody in the same direction.

“As information managers, we need to work and canvass for the urgent need to ensure genuine and sincere actions anchored on the rule of law, due diligent and process. In doing this, we must promote confidence building through genuine co-creation, co-action, cooperation, collaboration and co-ordination,” he insisted.

The Ministry of Information and Culture had embarked on series of town hall meeting across the country’s geo-political zones.

It held in Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Akwa Ibom States so far, with more to follow.

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/nigerian-lawmakers-work-agreement/

A Federal high court sitting in Ilorin in Kwara State has adjourned the hearing of a case of money laundering by the ex-Kwara State Commissioner Of Information Olatunji Oyeyemi Moronfoye by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.


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In a statement by the Commission’s spokesman, Wilson Ujuwaren, Justice Rita Ajumogobia adjourned to Wednesday, June 22, 2016 the hearing of abuse of office and money laundering preferred against a former Kwara Information Commissioner, Olatunji Oyeyemi Moronfoye by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Moronfoye was first arraigned on May 13, 2015 alongside Ope Saraki, cousin to Bukola Saraki, Senate President and former governor of Kwara State before the case was separated to allow the accused persons answer separate charges.

Consequently, the duo were re-arraigned on February 9, 2016 before Justice Olufemi O. Oguntoyinbo of the same court following the transfer of Justice Faji, setting the stage for trial to commence.

Instead, Justice oguntoyinbo was also transferred and the accused persons had to re-enter their plea before current judge, Justice Ajumogobia.

Though, the new service direction on the Administration of Criminal Justice provides for speedy trial of criminal cases, trial in Moronfoye and Saraki case has not started a year after the accused persons were first arraigned.

On the last adjourned date, when trial was to begin on Moronfoye’s case, though the prosecution was in court with the witnesses, the case could not go on as the judge told the court that she had an urgent need to be in Abuja and as a result adjourned to June 15, 2016.

Barely two days to the adjourned date, the court again shifted the date forward to June 14, 2016 without giving reason.

The Commission also stated that Moronfoye, while being the Special Adviser to former governor Bukola Saraki allegedly used his position to enrich himself.

Specifically, he allegedly awarded contracts to the tune of over N200million for renovation of Ijagbo Primary Health Centers and Specialist Hospitals within the State to a company in which he has interest and was the sole signatory.

Ope Saraki, on the other hand allegedly abuse his office and laundered State funds for his personal benefit by awarding inflated contracts to companies owned by his cronies.

In one of the transactions involving the purchase of ambulance buses for hospitals in the State, Saraki duped the people of Kwara State by procuring thirteen Hiace buses from a “Local Car Dealer” and converting same to ambulance in place of a factory built ambulance for which a contract of N171, 900,000.00 (one seventy one million, nine hundred thousand naira) was awarded to Chemiroy Nig. Ltd.

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/n371m-scam-court-adjourns-ex-kwara-commissioners-case/

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon E. Arase Wednesday commissioned the Nigeria Police Forensic Laboratory and Digital Resource Centre at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), Abuja.


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The IGP stressed the importance of integrating the global best policing practices which he said it has been the core focus of his leadership.

Arase said that the forensic-guided police operation represents a critical component of modern policing functions.

He said that biometric support to policing is not only a source of police intelligence, but also a vital aid to successful investigation and prosecution of criminal elements.

Arase lamented on the lack of forensic capacity over the years which has been a major factor the inability of the Police to manage complex criminal situations.

“Today’s event is designed to bridge this capacity gap in the Force in relation to forensic assets of the Force.

“The asset being commissioned today is a traditional scientific investigation tool of police departments all over the world.

“It is also a Personal Identity Management System that the Nigeria Police Force ought to have had long before now.

“The facility has a wide variety of applications for the positive identification of suspects through their fingerprints, iris and facial recognition functions.

“It is designed to collect, store, merge and display the identity of the targeted criminal element even at the scene of crime.

“The system can also convert existing manual record of arrested suspects into digital and searchable format.”He said.

The IGP said that the facility has been set up to complement the existing Forensic Laboratory in Lagos.

He added that the the Digital Resource Centre was designed to serve as an information processing centre where outcomes of analysed pieces of forensic evidence or other specialised policing materials or criminal information are disseminated in the most secure fashion to other Police Formation.

“It has the capacity for accessing over five (5) million Law Enforcement Research materials such as journals, reports, Force orders, annual reports, forensic books and publications by renowned Police authors and experts around the world over.
“From the Digital Resource Centre, officers can conduct research from any facet of policing through the FCIID robust data portal also connected to the INTERPOL Global Learning Centre, Singapore.” Arase said.

He said that other features include full display of digital maps as well as crime scene investigation, and forensic videos.

He also said that the centre will serve as a central Unit for training, presentation and strategic meetings for the various sections of the FCIID.

Arase commended the Police team that coordinated the implementation of the project and applauded their sense of commitment to duty that aided the his leadership in bequeathing the nation a new Police Force that the citizens have been desiring for decades.

He reminded officers that will utilise the facility, that modern policing is no longer by power, might or extra-judicial means.

“It is driven by application of technology, forensic science, intelligence and above all, citizen’s consent.” He added.

The IGP cautioned the officers that there will be no excuse for them to operate in unprofessional manner.

“You, rather, now have the means to align your operations to the rule of law, citizens’ professional expectations, and best international practices. I trust that you shall up your policing game, accordingly.” He said.


Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/police-commences-forensic-guided-operations-fight-crime/

Lala Akindoju, Adesua Etomi and Kehinde are all fun and pretty on the latest cover of Pride Magazine, Nigeria. Tagged The Reel Edition, the award winning actors spoke about their careers, tenacity and big ambitions.

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The edition also featured film makers such as Tope Oshin, Biodun Stephen-Oladigbo, Chris Ihidero and others.
Check out the images from the photoshoot


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Photography by Ayotunde Oluwole @aysugarr
Styling by Kayito Nwokedi
Hair by Bernard Smiles
Makeup by Beauty Switch by Oge

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/lala-akindoju-adesua-etomi-kehinde-bankole-cover-pride-magazines-reel-edition/

The iPhone SE, a new 4-inch smartphone that offers brilliant and exciting options to the Apple’s flagship iPhone 6S and 6S Plus is set to officially launch at the iConnect Store Lekki and SPAR Hypermarket VI Lagos on June 18 and 19 respectively.



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The Launch is expected to attract iPhone and Apple enthusiasts, Students, as well the tech-savvy across Lagos.



According to Apple Inc the iPhone SE is a fusion of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 generations of devices, taking the size and design of one and the latest specs and capabilities of the other. Apple has named the iPhone SE “the most powerful 4-inch smartphone ever.”



The Brand’s representative in Nigeria, Redington Gulf have described the phone as the mobile device for Nigerian’s looking to explore and enjoy the limitless possibilities of owning an iPhone. Shoppers at the Launch will have first-hand experiences of the versatility of the iPhone SE in an ambience of good music while enjoying exotic cocktails and tasty canapés.



Aside from the classic four-inch display advantage, the iPhone SE comes in a beloved compact aluminium design that has been updated with matte-chamfered edges, a colour-matched stainless steel Apple logo, and four gorgeous metallic finishes, including rose gold.



iPhone SE offers exceptional performance with the same 64-bit A9 chip offered in iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus for blazing fast speeds, longer battery life, faster wireless, a 12-megapixel iSight camera featuring Live Photos and 4K video, and Touch ID with Apple Pay.



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“iPhone SE is an exciting new idea — we started with a beloved, iconic design and reinvented it from the inside out. The result is the most beautiful and powerful phone with a four-inch display in the world,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone SE is packed with a stunning four-inch Retina display, advanced 64-bit A9 chip with M9 motion co-processor, longer battery life, 12-megapixel iSight camera with True Tone flash, Live Photos, 4K video, faster LTE and Wi-Fi, and Touch ID with Apple Pay. Everyone who wants a smaller phone is going to love iPhone SE” he added.



With an easy-to-use interface, amazing features, and security at its core, iOS 9 is the foundation of iPhone SE and brings powerful built-in apps like Messages, FaceTime®, Photos, Music and Maps to iPhone users. iOS 9 also brings more intelligence to iPhone SE with proactive assistance, powerful search, improved Siri® features, and a new Night Shift™ feature that uses your iPhone SE’s clock and geolocation to automatically adjust the colours in the display to the warmer end of the spectrum after dark and may even help you get a better night’s sleep.



All of these innovations are packed into a light and compact phone designed to fit comfortably in your hand and safely your pocket.



Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple’s four software platforms — iOS, OS X, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.



Follow the conversation on social media #NigeriawelcomesiphoneSE

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/apple-launches-iphone-se-lagos/

Investment into Nigeria has shriveled as foreigners are put off by capital controls needed to defend the currency’s peg


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Nigerian naira: It has given up a futile fight.
Nigerian naira: It has given up a futile fight.
NIGERIA’S central bank said it will allow the naira exchange rate to be market-driven, setting the stage for a devaluation of the currency when the new system comes into effect June 20.

The Central Bank of Nigeria will select a group of around 10 primary dealers through which the naira will be traded. There will only be one exchange rate and the bank will intervene in the market “as the need arises,” Governor Godwin Emefiele told reporters in Abuja, the capital, Wednesday.

“We’re talking about an open, transparent two-way system,” Emefiele said. “It’s intended we don’t have speculators and rent-seekers. I don’t expect that any other exchange rate will be recognised.”

Three-month non-deliverable naira forward contracts surged as much as 9.5% to a record 333 per dollar after the announcement, suggesting traders expect the currency to trade around that level in the market, compared with the current official rate of 199.

Nigeria’s 2023 dollar bonds gained most since 2014, with the yield falling 55 basis points to 7.1%, and stocks surged 3.1%. “It’s probably the best that the markets could have hoped for,” Ridle Markus, a Johannesburg-based analyst at Barclays’ Africa unit, said by phone. “It certainly seems like it will be a normal, free-floating currency. That would be positive.”

Emefiele has faced calls for more than a year to devalue the currency, as other oil exporters from Russia to Kazakhstan and Angola have done, amid a rout in crude prices since mid-2014 to around $50 a barrel.

Investment into Nigeria has shriveled as foreigners are put off by capital controls needed to defend the currency’s peg of 197-199 per dollar, while local businesses have struggled to import raw materials and equipment.

Emefiele said last month the central bank would implement a “flexible” exchange-rate policy to help alleviate a dollar shortage that has strangled the economy.

Gross domestic product contracted in the three months through March for the first time since 2004 and inflation accelerated to 15.6% in May, the highest rate in more than six years. “It is something the market will want to see in operation to fully be able to take decisions concerning future investment, especially foreign investors,” Kunle Ezun, an analyst at Ecobank Transnational Inc., said by phone from Lagos. “The takeaway is that the central bank has not committed to any exchange rate.”

The naira will probably trade in a range of 280 to 350 against the dollar after the central bank implements its decision, analysts at Johannesburg-based Rand Merchant Bank said in a note on Wednesday before the announcement


Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/lords-resistance-army-kidnaps-29-central-african-republic-uganda-withdraws-troops-hunt/

There are about 2,000 Ugandan troops operating in the east of the Central African Republic

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REBELS from the Lord’s Resistance Army kidnapped 29 people from two villages in Central African Republic this week, according to a local government official.

The Ugandan LRA rebels, have been roaming and terrorising eastern DR Congo, South Sudan, and more recently CAR, since they were pushed out of the country more than 10 years ago.

Seventeen people, including three boys, were abducted June 12 after LRA rebels stormed into Kadjema and ransacked all its houses, village chief Gerard Dembanou said by phone on Wednesday from the nation’s eastern region. “They used those they kidnapped to carry their booty.”

Twelve others were seized by the group late Tuesday during an attack on a nearby village, Dembanou said.

Uganda plans to withdraw the soldiers it deployed in the Central African Republic to fight the rebel group because it’s no longer considered a threat, according to Agence France-Presse.

There are about 2,000 Ugandan troops operating under an African Union mandate in the east of the country. The group emerged in the 1980s under the leadership of Ugandan Joseph Kony.


Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/lords-resistance-army-kidnaps-29-central-african-republic-uganda-withdraws-troops-hunt-2/

Nigerian-American actress, Brycee Adiah Bassey, stars in director Charles Uwagbai’s second major feature, Breathless, starring alongside Mike Ezuruonye, Uti Nwachukwu and Bimbo Manuel.



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Born and raised in the United States, the multilingual actress, violinist and writer has already won an award for Best Actress in a TV Series for an Ebony Life production titled Deadline (directed by Imoh Umoren) at the 2015 Exquisite Magazine Lady of the Year Awards.


This summer, the actress stars in multiple major films set to hit theatres in Nigeria in July and August, but it seems that she is not only working in Nigeria or may not be working in Nigeria for long, as she has been cast in multiple British productions and due to return for other multiple productions outside of the Nollywood film industry. Neverthesless, Brycee Adiah Bassey is on our watch list.



WHEN:

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Red Carpet Arrivals: 5:00-5:50pm
Screening: 6:00 pm

WHERE:
Intercontinental Hotel

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/eyes-brycee-adiah-bassey-ahead-breathless-movie-premiere/

The Federal Government announces an eighty billion naira loan to thirty six states of the federation to be accessed as bonds through the Nigerian stock exchange.


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The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun who disclosed at a stakeholders meeting with commissioners of finance from the thirty six states of the federation emphasized that the credit facility is aimed at developing a broad based and people oriented economy.

The eighty billion naira will be accessed by the states in two phases upon fulfilment of a 22-point reform agenda outlined in a fiscal sustainability plan aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s economy on the path of sustainable growth.

Minister of Finance says every state remains a center of prosperity and as a result the federal government is developing a broad based economy with productive activities in every region and state especially in their areas of comparative advantage.in achieving this she says states must begin to look inwards while partnering the private sector.

The Jigawa State Commissioner for finance assured the Federal Government that states are already are re-strategizing to achieve economic diversification.


Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/federal-government-releases-loan-states/

Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity) In The Office Of The Vice President. Once Nigerian products are properly standardized and packaged , exporting agricultural items would become much easier as standardization will promote the acceptance of such products abroad, according to Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.


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According to him, “standardization is very important, we must get all the agencies such as the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Export Promotion Council and others engaged in standardization to look into this issue and agree to some kind of standard,” adding that “it is important we get support for standardization of our products.”

Prof. Osinbajo stated this today during a meeting with a delegation of Nigeria Agribusiness Group at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that the quickest way to surmount the rejection of Nigerian products is to involve buyers of the products.

“I think the first thing is that we must involve those who are buying our products so that we are able to surmount the difficulties quickly. We should not think that so long we are okay with our products here others out there can accept,” he noted.

He stated that “there is no question at all, agriculture is the way to go. Government is determined. The President has said the way out of our economic challenges is agriculture and that is what to do.”

He therefore advised those engaged in manufacturing and producing any kind of goods from the country to “take the issue of standardization seriously, it is something we must take time to look at.”

Responding to the issue of inputs raised by the representatives from Rice, Cotton, Maize, Cassava and others that make up the Group, Prof. Osinbajo said the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to take agriculture beyond the level it was to where Nigerian youth would be happy to get involved.

“Mr President is determined, we have to look into the issue of fertilizer, quality seeds and timely delivery of inputs to the farmers,” he stated further.

On the issue of finance, the Vice President said it would be necessary to convene a meeting with the banks on the need for proper funding of the agriculture sector. He however, cautioned “we must recognize that the banks have options they do not want to take risk,” and therefore advised the group “to look at some kind of private intervention not just from the banks and be creative.”

In his presentation, the Chairman of the group and the Vice President, Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Sani Dangote, said Nigeria Agribusiness Group is a non-profit organization and an association of associations as well as a unified voice representing the interest of private and public sector stakeholders in the agriculture value chain, including small, medium and large farmer groups and cooperatives.

He said the delegation was in the Villa to introduce the Association to the Vice President and to discuss the way forward concerning Nigeria agribusiness. He assured the government that as a partner in progress, he needs government to engage them in policy issues in the agriculture sector.

Also today, Vice President Osinbajo reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to pursuing the diversification of the economy through promoting industrialization which will provide millions of jobs for Nigerians

Speaking with a Chinese delegation led by Prof. Justin Yifu Lin, in his office, Prof. Osinbajo said the need for industrialization has become imperative because “ our people deserve better life and this administration is equally committed to achieving this“.

During his interview with journalists after the meeting, Prof. Justin Yifu Lin disclosed that his meeting with the Vice President and the Economic Management Team “discussed how Nigeria can diversify the economy to other sectors, especially to other sectors that can create jobs and exports in order to fulfill the expectation of people for prosperity”

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/standardization-will-remove-difficulties-exporting-agricultural-products-vp-osinbajo/

It is written that lies would travel round the world even before the truth wears its clogs.

@psucc

If you remember that China has a population of about 1.3 billion, that will give you a fair idea of how many jobs they've created back home.

The figure of 85,000,000 though, I don't even believe there are up to 85 million unemployed people in Nigeria. My view is that the Chinese are trying to create jobs in other countries, not just for the locals, but also some of their own citizens who will come in as migrant workers with expertise, or as we prefer to call them over here, expatriates.

So out of the 85,000,000 jobs, 35 million could go to the Chinese, then 50 million of mainly those positions requiring less specialization will go to Nigerians.

As much as the Chinese have the capacity to create jobs, and have the cash to do it, areas for investment, especially investment in infrastructure which creates the most jobs, are beginning to shrink as their country develops. Infrastrure which is largely lacking in Nigeria.


The Chinese are willing, able and have the funding to massively develop infrastructure in Nigeria, thereby creating millions of jobs for our people and theirs, all that is delaying this is for our Government to create the enabling environment, rules and laws that will guide their entry.

President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama and the entire Ghanaians on loss of the mother of the President. He said this in an official statement from the statehouse by the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Femi Adesina, on Wednesday 15/06/2016. The statement read thus:



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“President Muhammadu Buhari has spoken to President John Mahama of Ghana to offer heartfelt condolences to his family on the passing away of his mother, Hajia Abiba Nnaba.

In a telephone call on Wednesday, President Buhari prayed that Almighty Allah will grant the soul of Hajia Nnaba eternal rest and comfort all who mourn her.

The President told the Ghanaian leader that his personal thoughts and prayers as well as those of Nigerians are with him as he mourns the passage of a beloved mother.

The President further prayed that the loving memory and virtues which Hajia Abiba Nnaba lived for will continue to inspire all who knew her and generations to come.”

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/president-muhammadu-buhari-condoles-ghanaian-president-john-dramani-mahama-loss-mother/

The trial of a former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, continued on June 14, 2016 before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Gudu, Abuja, with the defence counsel, G. S. Pwul, SAN, telling the court that he has decided to shelve his intention to seek a “no-case” submission and so would want to open his defence.


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Dariye is being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly siphoning the state’s ecological fund to the tune of N1.16 billion.

At the sitting of June 6, 2016 when the prosecution closed its case against Dariye, Pwul had told the court that it would open its defence on the adjourned date of June 10, 2016 and “we intend to present seven witnesses”, only to turn around to say that it intended to seek a no-case submission.

On the said date, Pwul informed the court that he intended to raise a no-case submission. He had said: “The matter is for opening of defence, however, I am constrained to start today, as I could not get the record of proceedings of PW1, PW4, PW5 and PW9, besides, we intend to raise a no-case submission.”

Justice Banjoko, thereafter, adjourned to June 14, 2016 to take arguments on the no-case submission.

However at today’s sitting, Pwul, again turned around to tell the court that the defence now intends to open its case. He moved a motion for a writ of summons for four witnesses being sought by the defence.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, raised no objections to his motion. Justice Banjoko, subsequently, endorsed the summons, which were to be served on the witnesses.

Justice Banjoko, thereafter, adjourned to June 17, 2016 for the defence to open its case.

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/dariyes-trial-defence-makes-u-turn-shelves-no-case-submission/

As the Nigerian government looks into ways of diversifying the economy, China is set to help create eighty five million jobs within the electricity sector in Nigeria.


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Leader of a team of Economists from China, Professor Justin Lin made this known to State House Correspondents, after holding a meeting with Nigeria’s Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

“We are honoured to have the meeting with the Vice President to discuss the industrialization of Nigeria as well as create jobs and improve exports. We very well understand that Nigeria is in a critical moment now and ii is therefore very important to diversify the economy from oil to other sectors in order to fulfill the people’s expectations for prosperity,” he said.

He said the steps being taken would also lead to the creation of 85 million jobs in Nigeria’s power sector.

“There is a window of opportunities here and China is now going to create about 85 million jobs in the power sector and that is possible because of the way China has rapidly grown in the sector and many others,” Professor Lin explained.

Shedding more light on the visit by the team from China, Minister for Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah said Professor Lin and his team has the wherewithal to assist Nigeria.

“Professor Justin Lin is a former Chief Economist of the World Bank and a University of Chicago trained development Economist. His team has played an important role in advising countries on industrialization. They have worked with countries like Ethiopia and Rwanda and they have agreed to come and work with Nigeria, he said.”

The Minister announced that in line with his diversification programme, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of an inter-ministerial initiative that will help the country improve its global standing on the ease of doing business.

The Minister said the team from China would help Nigeria progress in trade and investment.


Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/china-offers-create-85-million-jobs-nigeria/

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara, has stressed that until key players in the Nigerian economy list their businesses on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, the market will not deepen and make progress. Dogara said this when he received members of the Capital Market Master Plan Implementation Council in his office.


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Speaker of Nigeria House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara with guests from corporate Nigeria

The Speaker said the House of Representatives is willing to provide all necessary support through legislation, incentives and any other instruments to compel all major companies in the country get listed on the NSE.

“One of the deepest issues that we have to address is that of value that is being created and completely taken away by corporations. In some jurisdictions, they refer to it as corporate greed; so many companies are generating value investing in Nigeria, reaping profits but you find out that nine people will sit and just share billions of profit. By listing in the Nigerian Stock Exchange, it even helps in the income improvement of the ordinary citizen because they can invest in that company and whatever profits the company makes goes round and that reflects on the economy. But that is not what is happening.”

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Dogara expressed happiness that the council has come up with a focus, vision and plan for moving the Nigerian Stock Market ahead, adding that if democracy cannot deliver on the goods to Nigerians, then democracy is on trial.

The Speaker further urged the council to look into tightening the regulatory power of Securities and Exchange Commission to ensure that manipulators of the NSE are properly sanctioned as a deterrent to future misdeeds, and to restore investors’ confidence in the market.

Furthermore, he stressed the need for defined timelines for achieving set objectives in revamping the sector, while explaining that this is the only way to ensure that the whole process does not become another talk shop.

Earlier, the head of the council, Mr Olutola Mobolurin, urged the Speaker to partner with the council to rebuild the NSE in order to grow the economy and diversify it.

He also sought legislative intervention in defining the roles of the Investment and Securities Tribunal, amendments to the law with regards to mutualisation of NSE, clear legislation on unclaimed dividends, crowd funding, price stability in Commodities Market, Trustees Act and the housing sector through mortgage bank securities.

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/must-tame-corporate-greed-speaker-dogara/

To ensure the effective implementation of the National Home-grown School Feeding, HGSF, Programme, the Buhari presidency has already provided enough funds in the 2016 budget that will ensure that in the first instance 5.5 million primary school pupils would be served one free hot meal a day.


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Making this explanation Tuesday afternoon in Abuja was the Senior Special Assistant, Media & Publicity in the Office of the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, who added that while states are an active participant in the school feeding plan, their counterpart funding is not required to start the programmer’s implementation.

Willing states are however being encouraged to complement the programme so it can reach more pupils, but state governments cannot and will not be compelled to do this. However the support of the states is vital whether they are able to fund in addition to what the FG will do or not, according to the SSA, saying “we want the states to embrace this programme, it is good for the people, it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Akande who was responding to media enquiries and requests for clarifications on the issue stated that “the school feeding programme is not a counter-part funding arrangement model, no. What we have is a plan where the FGN provides 100% feeding costs for pupils in primary one to three in all public primary schools in the country.”

According to him, “let me be clear about this, the Buhari presidency has made adequate arrangements for the HGSF to happen and by the grace of God, we are going forward to do exactly that.”

But what is interesting, he continued, is the fact that some states have actually gone ahead to start the school feeding programme on their own, while some others are also making such a plan. In that case he noted, “more primary school pupils would be fed in the final analysis.”



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If a state is not able to fund the school feeding in Primary 4-6, Akande made it clear that the FG will not abandon such a state but instead go ahead and feed pupils from Primary 1-3.

Specifically he discloses that “5.5 million school children would be fed free of charge for 200 school days in first phase of homegrown school feeding programme starting this year.”

But when the programme is completed, over the course of the elected four year term of the presidency, the number will rise to over 20 million.

At least 5.5 million Nigerian primary school children -ie starting first in
18 states-three per geopolitical zones-would be fed for 200 school days under the free Homegrown School Feeding Programme, as N93.1B has been appropriated for this in the 2016 budget.

The Senior Special Assiatnt explained further that HGSF programme creates jobs along the value chain and improves family and state economies-“because it is a localized menu that is provided for the pupils by the small-holder farmers from within the community who in turn also benefit.”

For example he continued, “a food vendor who to prepares meals for say 100pupils per day, has to interact with small-holder farmers who grow yam, egg, condiments vegetables fruits. She has to interface with transporters as well as sellers of fuel etc, thereby exchanging income along the value chain.

Besides fully funding the programme for pupils in primaries 1-3, the federal government will also provide technical assistance that will allow states design their context-specific state owned models, Akande said, adding that such assistance comes with partner experience and support in key areas of health education and agriculture, allowing the managers of the program to understand the concept of the “home grown” school feeding.

Regarding how the funds would be disbursed, Akande said the money will come from the federal government coffers and go straight to caterers and other beneficiaries at a rate of N70 per meal.

The school feeding program though a part of the APC manifesto, is also African Union inspired scheme to grow th continent while ensuring pupils go to schools.

The programmes is also embedded within the national school health policy and the Universal basic act of the FGN 2004.

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/n93-billion-approved-school-feeding-program/

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied a newspaper publication on planned retirement of officers from the service.


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Group Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa, Director of Public Relations and Information, denied the report said in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

The statement quoted Ayodele as saying that the story was unfounded and did not emanate from NAF.

“The publication alleged that NAF is on the verge of retiring a number of senior officers connected with the ongoing investigation of arms purchase under the immediate past administration.

“It is pertinent to state that this story is unfounded and did not emanate from NAF.’’

The statement advised newsmen to always confirm their story with NAF before publication. (NAN)

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/naf-denies-story-impending-retirement/

The Federal Government said on Tuesday in Abuja that it was committed to the eradication of all forms of child labour in the country.


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This is contained in a statement issued by Dr Clement Illoh, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Illoh said that contrary to reports in a section of the media, Nigeria was fully represented at the meeting of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Committee on Applications of Standards.
NAN reports that Nigeria was one of the countries invited to appear before the Committee on June 1, concerning the Minimum Age Convention of 1973.
“The representation and defence by Nigeria is contained in the ILO document, dated June 1, 2016 from pages 14 to 23.

“The committee was informed of Nigeria’s effort to ensure that the articles of the ILO Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age for Employment are incorporated in the expected new National Labour Laws. “
Illoh explained that Nigeria also presented to the committee, comprehensive efforts on tackling issues of child labour as contained in the National Child Labour Policy and other documents.
He said that Nigeria was among the first countries in Africa to ratify and implement the ILO Convention on Minimum Age at Work and Worst Forms of Child Labour.
“Also, the Child Rights Act is currently a national law which has been domesticated by a majority of state governments in Nigeria.
“It is pertinent to stress that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, remained unwavering in its determination to eradicate any form of child labour in the country, “ Illoh added. (NAN)

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/fg-committed-eradication-child-labour-perm-sec/

…Trains 1,500 students on digital skills

The Lagos State Government has commenced an internship scheme for final year students of tertiary institutions across the State tagged ‘Ready, Set, Work,’ an initiative aimed at equipping fresh graduates with necessary skills to become job creators rather than job seekers.


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The scheme, which is being anchored by the State’s Ministry of Education, commenced on June 11, 2016 with the training of over 1,500 students on basic digital skills.

The scheme is an intervention of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, aimed at providing Entrepreneurship and Employability training skills for final year students in Lagos State tertiary institutions.

Over 2,000 students filled the application form for the programme, out of which 500 were selected to participate in the pilot edition.

Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, in a statement on Tuesday disclosed that on the first day of the programme, students of Lagos State University, (LASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), and Lagos State College of Health Technology (LASCOHET) gathered at the Main Auditorium of the Lagos State University, Ojo, to register for a digital training session by Google on some basic digital skills.

He said: “The session was open to all students, whether or not they were enrolled the READY.SET.WORK programme. Over 1,500 students participated in the training. On the same day, about 40 professionals participated in a train-the-trainers workshop for the volunteer facilitators of the RSW programme, which also took place at another venue on the campus.

“The delegates for the training included volunteers from PricewaterhouseCoopers, First City Monument Bank, Access Bank, as well as faculty members from Lagos State University, Lagos State Polytechnic, and the Lagos State College of Health Technology,” Bank-Olemoh said.

He added that the pilot scheme of the internship training would run for 13 consecutive Saturdays between June and September, commencing with a general module on soft skills, and followed by two specialized tracks in employability or entrepreneurship.

According to him, top performing students in the employability track will be placed on 6-month internship positions at partner organizations, including PricewaterhouseCoopers, SystemSpecs, Guaranty Trust Bank, First City Monument Bank, and Access Bank; while students in the entrepreneurship track with viable business models will have the opportunity to pitch to a panel of investors.

He said Seed Funding would also be made available to students with the best business ideas through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and other funding agencies.

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/lagos-commences-internship-scheme-students-tertiary-institutions/

The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Bayo Onanuga, has expressed the readiness of the agency to further support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in its fight against corruption.


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Speaking during a courtesy visit on the acting chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, Onanuga stated that the agency would do much more than it had done in the past years to proclaim the Commission’s activities.

According to him, ‘‘The News Agency of Nigeria will continue to disseminate information about the activities of the EFCC.’’

Responding, Magu, who expressed his appreciation for the visit, stated that the media was crucial to creating awareness on the evil of corruption.

He said: “The work we do cannot be done alone; everyone is a stakeholder, irrespective of age. We cannot claim to have monopoly of knowledge and that is why we try to get relationships with all stakeholders. Without the media, the fight against corruption cannot be won.’’

Magu further added that he welcomed criticism that could enable the Commission achieve its statutory objectives.

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/nan-pledges-support-efcc/

The Lagos State Government has concluded plans to regulate the operations of all driving schools in the State for effective service delivery, the General Manager, Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, Mr. Lateef Lawal disclosed this at the Agency’s Headquarter, Ikeja.


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He also said that a State Standing Committee on accreditation of driving schools operating in the State has been constituted to look into ways of accrediting, regulating and re-registering all existing driving schools.

Lawal further opined that part of the Committee’s core mandate is to advise the state government in all matters relating to the driving schools operations, monitoring of their activities with a view to ensuring strict adherence to laid down rules and regulations, as well as, ensuring driver’s proficiency and safety on the road.

“The Committee would also liaise with the Association of Driving Schools Instructors of Nigeria and Association of Certified Driving School Owners of Nigeria, which represents driving schools in Lagos State,” he stated.

Lawal itemised the newly adopted operational requirements to include, securing a certificate or license from the State Standing Committee; accreditation or licensing of driving school instructors after successful participation in a comprehensive training organized by the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) in conjunction with Vehicle Inspection services (VIS) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

He expressed dismay at the non-incorporation of most driving schools in Lagos, adding that they must ensure that their training vehicles are road worthy and equipped with basic safety tools such as fire extinguisher, first aid box, tool box, certificate of compliance from Fire Service and also possess specimen documents/particulars for vehicle.

The General Manager disclosed that an inspection exercise has been scheduled to commence from Monday 13th June, 2016, leading to the compilation of data base of all the accredited driving schools, while some schools would have to re-register and some others de-registered.

He concluded by stating that henceforth, any new applicant for a driver’s licence must pass through accredited driving schools.

Source: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/lagos-regulate-activities-driving-schools/