Low voter turnout characterised early voting in the Anambra Central Senatorial District re-run election organised by the INEC.

Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited voting centres in Awka South, Awka North, Dunukofia, Njikoka, Idemili North, Idemili South and Anaocha Local Government Areas report that electoral officials were at the polling units by 8 a.m.

At Aroma Junction I&II polling units in Awka South, Miss Edith Igoromi, the INEC electoral officer, told NAN that five people have voted as at 8.30 a.m, while at ward eight unit three and four, seven and 10 people had voted.

NAN reports that at Aaba town Hall polling unit 005 and 006 both in Dunukofia, voting began at 8 a.m with four persons and two respectively voting at both units.

At Akpu in Ukpo also in Dunukofia, voting started at 8 a.m with the same low number of voters recorded.

NAN correspondents, who visited polling unit at Obosi Central School in Idemili North, Enugwu-Uku in Njikoka, polling unit eight located in Nri Primary in Anaocha also report that voting commenced at 8 a.m though the turnout was still low.

NAN reports that in all the polling units visited; only the agents of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) were sighted at the voting centres.

Mr Okonkwo Jisike, APGA agent, told NAN at Aroma Junction that he was impressed with the peaceful conduct of the exercise, adding “though the turnout is low, the exercise is going on peacefully’’.

NAN reports that observers were yet to arrive in the voting stations visited while there were impressive presence of security in all the polling units visited.

http://www.metronaija.ng/low-voter-turnout-anambra-central-re-run-poll/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Engr. Abdul Adeniyi Omotayo and Mrs. Dada Adebimpe were sworn in as Permanent Secretaries in the Lagos State civil Service by Lagos state Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-ambode-swears-2-permanent-secretaries/

cc:lalasticlala mynd44

The meeting UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed had with female aid workers in Maiduguri to discuss challenges of being a female in development was an interesting session. It was lovely seeing all the wonderful ladies. We are so proud of having one of our own at the top level.

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-un-dsg-amina-mohammed-meets-female-aid-workers-maiduguri/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

More at http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-owerri-big-boy-puts-billboard-celebrate-childs-first-birthday/

The flamboyant businessman went viral last May after photos from his son's grand dedication emerged online. It literally rained money at the event. He had shared photos of the huge sum of money his son received and wrote:

“Thank you all for yesterday… Donald must see all this when he gets of age, I must tell about everyone of you”

More photos below...

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-owerri-big-boy-puts-billboard-celebrate-childs-first-birthday/

She now joins a long list of celebrities like Toke Makinwa, Hushpuppi, Willie XO and other who have rocked the famous and expensive Gucci wear.

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-roman-goddess-steps-n1-1m-gucci-pyjamas/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Ogun state Governor Ibikunle Amosun on tour of the Abeokuta City Center at Oke - Ilewo as the state prepares for the ground-breaking ceremony of the project designed to host an Amphitheater, Shopping mall, Banks, among others.

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-amosun-tours-abeokuta-city-center-oke-ilewo/

Media personality Toolz looks gorgeous to work in honey blonde locks and a black mesh dress.

http://www.metronaija.ng/toolz-gorgeous-new-photos/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that a prestige friendly match between the Super Eagles and England’s Three Lions will take place at the Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, 2ndJune 2018.

The match will be only the third between both countries at senior level, and will serve as the Super Eagles’ final preparatory game for the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia, with their first match against Croatia in Kaliningrad coming exactly two weeks after.

NFF 1st Vice President and Chairman of the Federation’s Organizing Committee, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, told thenff.com on Tuesday: “The match is now confirmed. We had been doing a lot of work in the background, even going back to last year.

“Now, we are happy to say that it is all sealed. Certainly, it is going to be a big match, between two countries of remarkable historical affinity and similarities.

“We have other matches and programs for the team, and we will soon roll out the entire plan for matches, camping sites and training camps.”

The idea of a friendly game between England and Nigeria in the present dispensation was first mooted in 2015, when NFF President Amaju Pinnick met with then Chairman of The FA, Greg Dyke in London. Afterwards, Pinnick and NFF 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko (who is also Chairman of the NFF Marketing, Sponsorship and TV Rights Committee)) met with incumbent Chairman of The FA, Greg Clarke, also in London.

One of the promises made by Pinnick at the onset of his administration was that he would actualize a match between the senior teams of Nigeria and England. That has now become a reality - another promise fulfilled.

Organizers hinted NFF on Wednesday that they expect a full house at the big game, and that a train of top-drawer dignitaries could include members of the Royal Family.

Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr told NFF: “This is good news for myself and the entire team. England is a very strong team presently and I believe they will give us a very good match. We will be able to test our readiness for the World Cup when we meet the Three Lions at Wembley.”

While the Super Eagles play Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in Group D, the Three Lions are up against Belgium, Panama and Tunisia in Group G in Russia.

England is one of only eight countries to have won any of the previous 20 editions of the FIFA World Cup finals.

On 30th July 1966, following a 4-2 defeat of then West Germany after extra time in the Final, Captain Bobby Moore climbed old Wembley’s 39 steps to receive football’s most coveted prize from Queen Elizabeth.

Nigeria and England first clashed at senior level on 16th November 1994, also at the old Wembley Stadium. David Platt’s headed goal towards the end of the first half separated both teams.

Both teams met again at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The encounter at the Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan on 12th June 2002 ended 0-0, with the Super Eagles being eliminated from the finals at the group stage.

Akinwunmi added: “We decided to be strategic in our choice of opponents for the Super Eagles leading to the World Cup, and in total agreement with the preferences of the Technical Adviser. That is why we opted for England. We played Argentina (in November 2017) without even knowing we were going to be in the same group at the Finals.”

Three –time African champions, Nigeria came from two goals down to defeat two –time world champions and reigning world vice champions, Argentina 4-2 in that match in Krasnodar on 14th November 2017.

The Super Eagles already have a confirmed date with Poland (1974 and 1982 World Cup bronze medallists, and who play Senegal, Colombia and Japan in Group H in Russia) in Warsaw on 23rd March. Other dates are 27th March and 27th May.

http://www.metronaija.ng/nigeria-vs-england-june-2/

cc:lalasticlala mynd44

The Federal Government said on Tuesday egg production, processing and marketing could create no fewer than one million jobs through its National Egg Production (NEGPRO) Scheme.

Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, made this known in Abuja at a meeting with the Technical Committee on National Egg Production.

Ogbeh expressed optimism that the country would be self-sufficient in egg production through the scheme, by which poultry value chain would be developed across the 36 states of the country including FCT.

The minister said the scheme would be inaugurated in Ondo State and subsequently in other states of the country.

“The ministry will work with the committee and with the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), we will achieve the goal of the scheme.

“Unless we deal with the problem of food, Africa cannot survive,’’ he said.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr Toyin Taiwo, said in a document that the scheme was aimed at strengthening egg production, processing and consumption in the country.

Taiwo, who is also the Director, Animal Husbandry in the ministry, said the scheme would help diversify the economy and increase the contribution of agriculture to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

“The scheme is for the period of five years and at full operation nationwide, it is expected to provide about 50 million table eggs daily for local consumption, export, processing into egg powder for use in confectioneries and pharmaceuticals,’’ he said.

Chief Tunde Badmus, the Chairman of Tuns Farms Limited and National Anchor of the scheme, said that farmers would be given loans by the CBN to kick start egg production across the country after the flag off of the programme in states.

He listed the facilitators of the scheme to include Bank of Agriculture, the Poultry Association of Nigeria, CBN and the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that in 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tuns farms to develop the scheme to improve nutrition and egg production across the country.

http://www.metronaija.ng/fg-create-1m-jobs-eggs-production-minister/

A former chairman of Orolu Local Government Area of Osun state, Chief Rufus Woleola Ojo was today convicted and sentenced d to 6 years imprisonment for corruption. The convict who was prosecuted at the Osun State High Court, Ede by the Ibadan Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was pronounced guilty by Justice David Oladimeji on two of the three count amended charge filed against him.

The court accordingly, sentenced him to three-year jail term on each of the two counts. The sentences are however to run concurrently.

The journey to prison began for Ojo following his arraignment before Justice F.E. Owolabi of the Osun State High Court on Tuesday, 28 May, 2013 on a three count charge bordering on stealing, using position for personal gratification and money laundering.

One of the charge that earned him a jail term reads,"that you Chief Rufus Woleola Ojo (Carrying on Business under the name and style of Rulekal Ventures) and others at large sometimes in December 2006 at Orolu Local Government Area within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud fraudulently converted to your own use the sum of N22,058,021.30k Twenty Two Million, Fifty Eight Thousand and Twenty One Naira, Thirty Kobo) property of Orolu Local Government Area of Osun State entrusted to you whilst you were its Executive Chairman".

However, the court however discharged him on a third count of money laundering.

http://www.metronaija.ng/photo-ex-local-government-chairman-bags-6-years-jail-term-n22m-fraud/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has congratulated the Government of Nigeria on conducting trials of Boko Haram suspects, and urged it to ensure due process and transparency by granting access to human rights observers.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Guterres, who stated this in the Report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, also welcomed the establishment by Nigeria of a judicial commission to uphold compliance by its armed forces with national laws and international human rights standards.

He commended the efforts of the countries participating in the Multinational Joint Task Force, saying they have reduced the operational capacities and geographical reach of Boko Haram.

According to him, however, persistent attacks are hampering resettlement and rehabilitation efforts and provide a breeding ground for extremism.

“I reiterate my call for stronger partnership among the affected countries, as well as with regional organisations, including the African Union, and underscore the need for all counter-insurgency efforts to be carried out in full compliance with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law.

“I reiterate my call upon the international community to increase its political, humanitarian, early recovery, logistical and financial assistance to the affected countries and to the Task Force and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

“I encourage countries of the Lake Chad basin to continue their efforts to reintegrate Boko Haram victims and other categories of individuals associated with Boko Haram, and urge the international community to assist them in that endeavour.

“I reiterate my call for a regional strategy for addressing the root causes of the crisis in the basin. In that regard, I welcome the holding of the first regional stabilisation conference in the basin region and hope that the conference will be the first step towards the development of such a strategy.”

Guterres urged national authorities not to relent in their efforts to provide critical humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities and to advocate the disbursement of outstanding funds pledged at the Oslo Humanitarian Conference for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region, held in February 2017.

He welcomed the support that regional and international partners continued to provide to the countries and people of the Sahel and urged them to join their efforts and increase their contributions in line with the growing needs in the region and in alignment with national and regional priorities.

According to him, it is important to ensure that all efforts are well coordinated and complementary, stressing the challenges in the Sahel are complex and multidimensional and require a sustained and holistic approach.

He welcomed the collegial efforts made by the entire UN system under the leadership of the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed towards recalibrating the UN integrated strategy for the Sahel and further boosting its implementation through a more integrated, cross-pillar approach.

“These efforts will contribute to mobilising additional resources for the Sahel and ensure that adequate support is provided and that the aid of the international community is well coordinated, complementary and in support of the countries of the Sahel.

“I urge the international community to complement the security and military response to the Sahel crisis with development programmes to address the root causes of conflict, prevent tensions and violence, tackle exclusion and poverty, strengthen the resilience of institutions and communities and build peaceful and inclusive societies.”

http://www.metronaija.ng/un-commends-nigeria-boko-haram-human-rights/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Four teenage girls who attempted swimming across a pond in Sakwaya village in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State have drowned.

The spokesman of the state Police command, DSP Abdu Jinjiri, confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Dutse.

Jinjiri, said that the deceased were residents of Sakwaya village of Dutse local government area.

He gave their names as Sumayya Gadi 7, Zuwaira Abdulhamidu 12, Gaji Saidu 12 and Ummi Saidu 11.

He said the deceased drowned in the pond after they tried to swim on their way to fetch firewood in nearby Farantawa village of Albasu local government area of Kano state.

Jinjiri said that the incident was reported to the police by the relatives of the victims around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, after they recovered their corpses.

He said the deceased were confirmed dead at a nearby hospital stressing that the Corpses have been buried according to Islamic rites.

He advised parents and guardians in the area to monitor movement of their children and wards in order to avoid such tragedy.

The spokesman also urged the public to be assist distressed persons during emergencies.

http://www.metronaija.ng/4-teenage-girls-drown-jigawa-pond/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to picket filling stations selling petroleum products above official pump prices.

An official of Ebonyi chapter of the congress made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abakaliki.

The source confided in NAN that the union decried the lingering fuel crisis in the country at an emergency meeting.
According the official, members will be mobilised to picket erring filling stations in Abakaliki.

“The Congress condemned the seemingly lack of action on the part of government and relevant agencies to quickly address the situation which Labour noted is having adverse effect on the workers.

“Since December till now, Nigerians have been subjected to horrifying experience as they are made to buy Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) between N260 and N300 during the Christmas and New Year periods.

“The price of PMS still sells above the approved pump price of N145 with some filling stations selling at N230, while others sell at N250 even after the festivities to chagrin of Labour.

“Worrisome is that no efforts are being made in Ebonyi like other states to sanction erring filling stations by relevant agencies of the Federal Government.

“Hence Labour, at its emergency meeting held Jan. 4 has decided to picket filling stations in Abakaliki found selling the product above the government approved price of N145 including filling stations hoarding the commodity,” the labour leader said.

The source further revealed that NLC would interface with leadership of the oil marketers to prevail on them to compel their members to sell fuel to the public at the official pump price.

“Labour will first of all engage the leadership of the oil dealers in dialogue but will embark on picketing of filling stations if the interface failed to yield desired result,” he however said.

NAN reports that, DPR and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources have consistently debunked product scarcity and any hike in pump price.

NAN also reports that as a result of the unofficial increase in the pump price of PMS, intra-city transporters have increased their fare from N50 to N100 per drop.

http://www.metronaija.ng/fuel-scarcity-labour-picket-filling-stations-selling-n145/

More at http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-gov-aregbesola-inspects-bisi-akande-trumpet-bridge-gbongan/

Osun state Governor Rauf Aregbesola inspects the newly opened Bisi Akande Trumpet Bridge, Gbongan.

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-gov-aregbesola-inspects-bisi-akande-trumpet-bridge-gbongan/

Prince Isaka, a consultant with New Media team of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Venue State claimed that men of the Nigeria Police Force attacked him on New Year Day. His post below:

MY NEW YEAR GIFT.

Since 26th of December yesterday was the first day I stepped out of my room, I have been down with typhoid, I came back and straight to sleep, at about 1:30am I observe some movement outside my house I opened my door and came out, behold the police, I kept mute, the policeman now called the others who parked some distance away from my house, they joined him, at that point they said they want to search my house and I say why, they insisted and forced their way into my parlour injuring me in the process, when neighbours came out they stopped and left.

All my efforts to know the reason for their visit prove abortive

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-member-pdp-new-media-team-attacked-sick-bed-benue/

Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike and his wife, Suzette, shared a kiss at the State's New Year Banquet which held at the Government House Port Harcourt yesterday January 1st.

The banquet had in attendance former governor of the state, Peter Odili and his wife Justice Mary, PDP National chairman, Uche Secondus, state government functionaries and others. See more photos below

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-gov-wike-wife-share-kiss-new-year-banquet/

Justice Aromeh Benson Akogu of the Kabba Resident High Court Judge in Kogi state who was handling the case of attempted assassination on Senator Dino Melaye, has died. According to reports, Justice Akogu died during his church's cross over service in Anyigba, Kogi state at about 11.40pm on December 31st 2017. Family sources say the deceased was neither sick nor showed any symptom of illness before his sudden death.

His body has been deposited at the Grimmard Hospital Mortuary, Anyigba.

Until his death, Justice Akogu was handling the trial of the suspects arrested in connection with the April 2017 assassination attempt on Senator Dino Melaye.

http://www.metronaija.ng/judge-handling-senator-melayes-attempted-assassination-lawsuit-dies/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Pictured is Muscian Paul Okoye's first son, Andre with his siblings, twins Nathan and Nadia.

http://www.metronaija.ng/paul-okoye-shares-cute-new-photo-kids-together/

Mr. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday listed the 17 achievements of his boss.

He also noted that the coming year (2018) will be Nigeria’s “Year of Infrastructure” as the government has lined up a number of important infrastructure projects which cut across the various sectors.

Here are the 2017 major achievements of Buhari in 2017 as listed by Adesina



1. Nigeria exited its worst recession in decades. After five quarters of negative growth, the economy bounced back into positive territory. Agriculture was one of the stars of 2017, posting consistent growth levels even throughout the recession. Also, Inflation fell for ten consecutive months during 2017 (February to November).



2. The Naira stabilised against the dollar, after the Central Bank introduced a new forex window for Investors and Exporters. The stability has attracted billions of dollars in portfolio investments since April 2017.



3. On the back of a stable Naira and increased investment inflows, Nigeria’s stock market emerged one of the best-performing in the world, delivering returns in excess of 40 percent.



4. Nigeria saw bumper food harvests, especially in rice, whose local production continues to rise significantly (States like Ebonyi, Kebbi, Kano leading the pack, with Ogun joining at the end of 2017). The price of a 50kg bag of rice – a staple in the country – has fallen by about 30 percent since the beginning of 2017, as local production has gone up.



5. The Federal Government launched a 701 billion Naira Intervention Fund (‘Payment Assurance Programme’) aimed at supporting power generation companies to meet their payment obligations to gas and equipment suppliers, banks and other partners. The impact is being felt, the amount of power being distributed is now currently steady at around 4,000MW – higher than previously recorded.

6. The Federal Government began paying pensions to police officers who were granted Presidential pardon in 2000 after serving in the former Biafran Police during the Nigerian Civil War. These officers, and their next of kin, have waited for their pensions for 17 years since the Presidential pardon.



7. Nigeria rose 24 places on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings, and earned a place on the List of Top 10 Reformers in the world.



8. Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves grew by $12 billion, reaching the highest level since 2014. Nigeria also added, this year, an additional $250m to its Sovereign Wealth Fund. Also, Nigeria’s trade balance crossed over into surplus territory, from a deficit in 2016.



9. Nigeria successfully issued two Eurobonds (US$4.5bn), a Sukuk Bond (100 billion Naira), a Diaspora Bond (US$300m), and the first Sovereign Climate Bond in Africa, raising billions of dollars for infrastructure spending.



10. The Federal Government launched a Tax Amnesty scheme expected to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenues when it closes in March 2018.



11. The Federal Government successfully commenced implementation of a Whistleblowing Programme that has so far seen recoveries of tens of millions of dollars.

12. The Social Investment Programme – Nigeria’s most ambitious social welfare programme ever – rolled out across dozens of states. (Currently, 5.2 million primary school children in 28,249 schools in 19 states are being fed daily; 200,000 unemployed graduated enlisted into the Npower Job Scheme, and a quarter of a million loans already distributed to artisans, traders, and farmers).



13. The number of Nigerians facing food insecurity in the northeast dropped by half, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).



14. The Nigeria Customs Service recorded its highest-ever revenue collection, crossing the One Trillion Naira (N1,000,000,000) mark. [The target for 2017 was 770 billion Naira (N770,573,730,490); 2016 Collection was just under 900 billion (N898,673,857,431.07)]



15. The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), under the new management appointed by President Buhari in 2016, remitted 7.8 billion Naira to the coffers of the Federal Government. The total amount remitted by JAMB between 2010 and 2016 was 51 million Naira.



16. 2017 was also the Year of Nigeria’s Agriculture Revolution, embodied by the successes of the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) and the Anchor Borrowers Programme. More than a dozen moribund fertilizer blending plants were revived under the PFI this year.



17. Finally, 2017 will be the Year that laid the foundation for a 2018 that will be Nigeria’s Year of Infrastructure. A number of important infrastructure projects, in power, rail and road, are scheduled to come on-stream or inch close to completion next year.

http://www.metronaija.ng/presidency-lists-17-major-achievements-buhari-2017/

No fewer than four persons were killed in a suicide bomb attack on Thursday at Amarwa community of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred at about 2 p.m. when a male suicide bomber infiltrated the village and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) strapped to his body.

An eye witness, Bukar Fantai, told NAN that the bomber managed to sneak into the village disguising as a grain merchant.

Fantai said that the insurgent first approached a shop keeper and offered sorghum for sale.

He said the terrorist, thereafter, went to a shade where many villagers gathered for relaxation and detonated the explosive.

“The suicide bomber detonated the IED, blew up himself, killing three other persons, while 13 others sustained injuries in the explosion,” he said.

A competent security source confirmed the attack to NAN, saying that the wounded persons were referred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for treatment.

The source said that Police EOD and patrol teams had been deployed to sanitise the scene of the attack, adding that normalcy had been restored to the area.

Police and military authorities have yet to comment on the incident.

http://www.metronaija.ng/four-killed-13-wounded-borno-suicide-bomb-attack/

Early this morning, 27th of December Nigerian singer, Ric Hassani was involved in a terrible car crash on his way home from an event leading to a total wreck of his car.



According to reports, the accident occured at about 6am after a long night of energetic performance by the singer. The accident was said to have occurred when a wreckless driver ran into the singer leading to several bruises and scars on his body.



He only suffered minor bruises and he's said to be recuperating well.

http://www.metronaija.ng/ric-hassani-involved-severe-car-accident/

Lagos state Governor Akinwumi Ambode set to complete The First Engineered Sanitary Landfill in West Africa.

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-ambode-complete-first-engineered-sanitary-landfill-west-africa/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

More at http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-gov-wike-inspects-national-industrial-court-judges-quarter/

Governor Wike inspected ongoing construction work at the Produce House, National Industrial Court and Judges Quarters.

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-gov-wike-inspects-national-industrial-court-judges-quarter/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde ; Chairman, Lekki Local Council Development Area, Barr. Mukandasi Ogidan Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Adebowale Akinsanya and Special Adviser to the Governor on Finance & Audit Control, Mr. Adeniyi Popoola during the Governor’s inspection of ongoing projects in Epe, on Wednesday, December 27, 2017.

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-ambode-inspects-projects-epe-lagos/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

This is Monday Eyo, a serving lawmaker in Akwa Ibom standing arrogantly like a little emperor with his hand in his pocket while a woman old enough to be his mother kneels before him in public begging for favour. So disgusting. Honourable my foot!.

http://www.metronaija.ng/photo-woman-kneels-beg-sen-monday-eyo-public/

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has expressed empathy and strong solidarity with members of the public over the lingering challenge in accessing petroleum products across the country just as it reeled out multiple measures to end the unfortunate situation before the end of the year.

Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, told journalists at a media briefing and follow-up tour of some fuel stations in Abuja on Sunday that measures were already in place to bolster the current fuel supply and eliminate the extraneous factors that have led to the persistent petrol queues.

He said within the last two weeks the national truck out capacity had been jerked up to an average of 1,500 trucks, translating to 52 million litres per day which is much higher than the normal consumption of 850 trucks per day across the various depots in the country. Also the Corporation has emplaced a 24-hour loading and sales operations in all depots and NNPC Mega Stations across the country while marketers have been instructed to do same.

To ensure effective products penetration across the length and breadth of the country, Dr. Baru explained that the Corporation had activated the Fuel War Room comprising of team members from the NNPC, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), and Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF), with support from the security agencies.

He said while the NNPC would naturally focus on increasing the volume of products on offer, the DPR, PEF and PPRA have scaled-up monitoring activities to ensure seamless loading and dispensing of fuel nationwide and to specifically ensure deliveries to designated stations and sales at the approved retail price of N145/litre.

Dr. Baru emphasized that though the official landing cost of petrol as at the moment stood at N171.40k per litre, the official government approved pump price of N145 per litre remains intact.

On the volume of products available for supply, the NNPC GMD informed that 13 vessels laden with over 650 million litres of products were currently discharging their contents at the sea port while additional vessels have being lined up to berth early January 2018.

He said 814 million litres of petrol were currently being injected into the system to guarantee nationwide elimination of fuel queues before the end of the year.

Representatives of DPR, PEF and PPPRA at the conference registered their agencies’ resolve to work with the NNPC to restore sanity in the supply and distribution of petroleum products.

http://www.metronaija.ng/fuel-scarcity-13-vessels-650m-litres-petrol-begins-discharge-52m-litres-daily/

Oyo state Governor Ajimobi paid a condolence visit to His Imperial Majesty, Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji on the death of his late wife, Olori Kudirat Adetunji.

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-gov-ajimobi-pays-condolence-visit-olubadan-ibadan/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

More at http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-regina-askias-50th-birthday/