₦airaland Forum

Supreme Court has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had no candidates in the 2019 general elections in Zamfara state.

The five-member panel of justices, in a unanimous judgment on Friday, held that the party in the state failed to conduct primaries in accordance with the party rules.

In the lead judgment by Justice Paul Adamu Galinji, the apex court held that all votes cast for the APC as “wasted votes” and declared that all political parties with the second highest votes in the elections and the required spread, are elected to the various elections.

READ MORE: https://skytrendnews.com/2019/05/24/supreme-court-nullifies-all-elections-won-by-apc-in-zamfara/

British Prime Minister Theresa May will resign on June 7.

Mrs May, speaking at a press conference outside 10 Downing Street tonight, said she had tried and failed three times to reach a Brexit deal, and now was the time to go.

She said she was proud of the progress Britain had made “and that we can deliver Brexit.”

“I will shortly leave the job that has been the honour of my life to hold,” Mrs May announced tearfully.

“I do so with no ill will.

“It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion.

READ MORE: https://skytrendnews.com/2019/05/24/british-prime-minister-theresa-may-quits/

The share price of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc increased to N144.85 as at 10:35am on Wednesday May 22, 2019 from N131.7 recorded on Tuesday, bringing the cumulative value (stock market cap) to N2.95trillion.

The share price increased by N13.15 or 9.98 percent which represents its daily allowable limit. The stock gained a total of N270billion on Wednesday., according to Business Day reports.

At this level, the total value of MTN Nigeria stocks is just about N250billion less than that of Dangote Cement Plc at N3.203trillion.

It implies that if MTNN achieved another 10percent permissible limit on Thursday May 23, it will surpass Dangote Cement Plc as the most capitalized stock on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Read more: https://skytrendnews.com/2019/05/22/mtn-market-cap-skyrockets-to-n2-95trn-as-shares-price-hits-n144-85/

Niger Delta University Student Dives To His Death Into Amassoma River

A University Student named Uzakah Timi Ebiweni has dived to his death into the Amassoma River and drowned before help could get to him.

Uzakah a 300-level medical student of the Niger Delta University, Ammasoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, reportedly killed himself for failing his examination.

SKYTREND NEWS gathered that Ebiweni, a student of Surgery and Medicine at the faculty of Basic Medical Sciences decided to commit suicide over his inability to pass his exam and realise his dreams.

The school Public Relation Officer, Ndoni Ingezi, confirmed the incident, adding that Eniweni’s body has been recovered and deposited at the Sabageria mortuary.

He said the student might have resorted to suicide after news that he was part of 22 students shortlisted to be withdrawn from the college.

READ ON: https://skytrendnews.com/2019/05/21/niger-delta-university-student-dives-to-his-death-into-amassoma-river/

Nigeria Shares N616bn Among Federal, States, LGs For April 2019

By Femi Adeoya

A total of N616.19 billion was on Tuesday distributed as Federal Allocation for the month of April, 2019 among the three-tiers of government, consisting the federal, state and local governments.

According to a communique issued by the Technical sub -Committee of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) released at the end of meeting in Abuja, and signed by the Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Mohammed Usman, the Gross statutory revenue received for the reference month was N518.91billion, which is N72.26bn higher than the N446.64bn received in the previous month of March.

According to the statement, evenues from Petroleum Profit Tax, Import Duty and Companies Income Tax recorded significant increases during the period, while Oil Royalty and Export Duty decreased substantially, while Value Added Tax rose marginally during the period.

READ ON: https://skytrendnews.com/2019/05/21/nigeria-shares-n616bn-among-federal-states-lgs-for-april-2019/

Some of the reasons adduced to this are due to high default rates, liquidity squeeze of banks by the Central bank of Nigeria, poor credit ratings. It has also been discovered that most banks in Nigeria now find government bonds more attractive and risk free and opt for it rather than taking the ‘risk’ of loaning to SMEs. It should be noted that over 90% jobs from Nigeria come from SMEs accruing almost 50% of our GDP, so abandoning this sector will limit the nation’s growth but that is a topic for another day.

By Femi Adeoya

For most people to make it big as entrepreneurs and for most small and medium scale businesses (SMEs), even starting a business and ultimately expanding the business either in Nigeria or elsewhere, there is usually a need to get funding loans from banks.

In the past commercial banks in Nigeria has been quite supportive to business funding. With your basic business plan, collateral security, bank statements to support your turnover requirement for the loan, cash flow statement to determine liquidity and feasibility studies to determine viability of the business, it’s almost certain you would get your loan request approved ceteris paribus conditions.

As an accountant myself, I have seen several loan requests through in my 18 years of professional practice. Once you have an averagely good relationship manager to ‘defend’ your request and you satisfy what’s usually called the 3 Cs of credit: Credit, Collateral and Character, you are likely to get your loan request executed.

Banks often evaluate risk, collateral, and reputation of the borrower, past payment history, availability of capital, and the amount of time required to complete and manage the transaction. Modern lenders simply sum these up as the 3 Cs of credit: Credit, Collateral and Character.

I know of several business investors and entrepreneurs who have being able to expand their business scope and reach for the singular reason they were able to access loans from commercial banks. However obtaining loans in the last four years from any Nigerian bank especially by (SMEs) has become very difficult if not impossible. Many people with viable ideas to start a business have been unable to do so due to lack of capital. And many businesses have been unable to expand for lack of support from banks.

READ MORE: https://skytrendnews.com/2019/05/17/renmoney-24-hour-no-collateral-loan-scam-or-balm/

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has debunked the rumour of his alleged resignation as the Vice President of the country.

On his verified Twitter handle, Professor Osinbajo said, “Misleading/FAKE news is on the rise especially in this season when Nigerians will make a choice about who will govern them for the next four years. I have not resigned! I remain committed to the service of the Nigerian people under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

https://skytrendnews.com/2019/02/21/just-in-vp-osinbajo-speaks-on-his-resigning-from-buharis-govt/

Interesting

Fellow Nigerians, interesting times are here again. And the ways of God are mysterious indeed. This time last week, no one was sure who would ultimately emerge as the quintessential leader of opposition for the general elections in our dear beloved country which comes up in February next year. There were about 12 assorted gladiators lined up and seeking the Presidential ticket of PDP, which truly needs to redeem itself urgently from the vestiges of near death. For the most part, its national convention in Port Harcourt went smoothly. Even its worst critics attest to the fact that it was effectively well organised and set the right tone for the regeneration of the democratic credentials of the Party. What was more remarkable, a candidate emerged without rancour or the usual bickering that attends such highly contentious contests. Virtually all the other aspirants immediately aligned with their chosen candidate, former Vice President of Nigeria, the Wazirin Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Since then, both traditional and social media have ignited with blazing fire with both positive and negative comments about the outcome. Atiku himself wasted no time in seeking the support of everyone, whether members of his Party or not. He’s smart and knowledgeable to know that he will need more than votes of the Party faithful alone to win the stiff electoral battle ahead. As he emphasised in my two previous interviews with him in the last couple of months, he has redeemed his pledge to pick a Vice Presidential candidate from the South East of Nigeria, a move many Nigerians have applauded, and embraced, as a masterstroke. The choice of former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State is seen by some analysts as the first step towards the restructuring Atiku and company have been mouthing from the rooftops in recent times. Apart from this, Peter Obi is seen by many as a seasoned technocrat and astute businessman with credible and capable government experience and service. The Igbos have rightly complained that they have had neither the Presidential or Vice-Presidential slot since 1983, some 35 years ago, when Dr Alex Ekwueme, of blessed memory, was President Shehu Shagari’s deputy. Buhari has an equally formidable person, who also boasts intimidating credentials and capabilities, as his Vice-President in Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

Obi comes with an array of impressive academic, business and political credentials and achievements. He is a Philosophy graduate from the University of Nsukka. He has improved and enhanced himself with academic and practical studies at Harvard Business School, London School of Economics, Kellogg School of Management, University of Columbia, Said Business School, Oxford University, George Business School, Cambridge University and Lagos Business School. These have sharpened his entrepreneurial, management and leadership skills which he clearly utilised in the 8 years that he was Governor of Anambra State between 2006 and 2014. Peter Obi is a recipient of many national and international awards notably the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation Award for which his State won US$1 million for its immunisation programme. He created an enabling environment for industrial development in Anambra State which saw the likes of SABMiller, the 2nd largest brewery in the world establishing their first Greenfield facility in Anambra State. Similarly, Innoson Motors established their internationally acclaimed plant where they manufacture their made in Nigeria vehicles. Obi adds unquantifiable value to the Atiku candidacy in much the same way as Vice President Osinbajo has done for President Buhari. The battle of the Vice-Presidential candidates may well be the tipping point of these forthcoming elections. We will revisit the contest between this highly esteemed and acclaimed gentlemen soon.

The battle for the control of Nigeria’s jugular in 2019 is all set and looks like a straight fight between Buhari/Osinbajo and Abubakar/Obi, except a miracle, or some magic, erupts and one of the fringe candidates pulls a monumental surprise by defeating both teams in what must be close to a volcanic eruption in Nigeria. I personally do not see that happening.

The battle will be tough because old rivalries will also come into play. Buhari needs to prove and revalidate his seeming invincibility which seems to be waning if my reading of the pulse of public opinion is accurate. As the incumbent, Buhari controls the appurtenances of power. His ego is at stake. Like former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Buhari came back to power as a retired army General and former military Head of State. Obasanjo was able to complete two terms and Buhari would definitely wish to equal that feat even if he can’t surpass it because of constitutional limitations. Buhari is not known to be a self-acclaimed democrat. The aspect of his brand that has brought him this far is his no-nonsense posturing. A man who would destroy and obliterate all looters and oppressors, by any means possible, if allowed to have his way. This has endeared him to a multitude of totally loyal die-hard supporters. His disciples swear by his name and they are willing to fly to heaven and back to prove their ardent fervour and love for him.

Buhari comes into the boxing ring with a daunting personality and attributes. He is tall and gangling, even if seemingly frail, but his punches are capable of deadly effect. Unlike Obasanjo or Atiku, many have said this President is not going to bow to any public opinion and go away without a whimper. Fingers are being pointed at the recent over-militarisation of the democratic process and suspected manipulation of the electoral body, INEC. Whether imaginary or not, or imagination just running riot, no one can easily dismiss certain unseemly electoral practices and possibilities in next year’s elections. We hope that the desperation to remain in power will not go as far as besmirching the view of how far our democracy has been deepened by the fact of President Goodluck Jonathan, accepting the will of the people, and handing over power to President Buhari without any fuss.

READ ON: https://skytrendnews.com/2018/10/13/atiku-defeat-buhari-2019-dele-momodu/

“There should be reward for loyalty,” the chairman said, otherwise, it will discourage justice and encourage injustice.”

He said further that Nigeria needed a person with capacity and talent to remove the country from its current bondage, adding that Nigeria needed a person like Turaki who, as part of his private sector experience was one of those who salvaged the then Bank of the North from collapse before a new board was appointed to succeed them.

The former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs had stated earlier that he will give priority to the tackling of the country’s security challenges, rejuvenating the economy, fighting corruption through the strict adherence to the rule of law and will never lie to Nigerians.

The deputy Governor noted: “APC has failed Nigerians. In terms of economy we are worse off than we were in 2015. Unemployment condition has worsened. The HSBC Bank and the prestigious London Economist magazine have concluded that APC has failed Nigerians in all economic parameters.”

While at the state PDP secretariat, the party chairman, Hon. Victor Bala Kona who expressed the hope that Turaki will emerge as the party’s presidential standard bearer acknowledged the aspirant’s stewardship “in serving as a strong, loyal and stable party member.”

He commended Turaki for using his skill as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in defending the party in election matters and other issues in the North East George’s-political zone.

The chairman noted that Turaki’s commitment to the PDP had not been for pecuniary gain, noting further that during he party’s crisis the aspirant remained firm, resolute and guided the party in retrieving its soul from destruction.

Buhari’s Govt ‘Disgustingly Corrupt’ Worst Ever Since Independence — Turaki

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential aspirant, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has accused the APC government of being “disgustingly corrupt” beyond what the country had ever witnessed since independence in 1960.

Turaki made the remarks on Wednesday when he and his entourage visited the Government House in Jalingo, Taraba State in continuation of his nationwide consultations ahead of the party’s presidential primary next month.

The frontline PDP candidate added that besides fueling divisiveness among the ethnic groups in Nigeria, President Buhari was also toying with the security of lives and property of the people.

In his remarks, the Taraba State governor, Architect Dickson Ishaku Darius said Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has all what it takes to be Nigeria’s president in 2019.

The governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Haruna Manu said: “In terms of capability, capacity and knowledge of the situation of the country you have it all. The governor cherishes positive values and capacity and you indeed have it. We will pray for you. We will support you. We and our governor will take a united position.”

He commended Turaki for his digital disposition to governance and his thorough grasp of the Nigerian situation. “We want to see you again in either November or December on campaign as our party’s presidential candidate,” he added.

He however counseled that the PDP can only dislodge the APC in the 2019 general elections if there was cohesion among members, especially the presidential aspirants.

He therefore enjoined the aspirants to abide by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which they all signed to support whoever emerged as the party’s presidential candidate, noting that so many people are anxious to see how the PDP will conduct its primaries as a prelude to rescuing Nigerians from the hardships imposed on them by the APC.

SOURCE: https://skytrendnews.com/2018/09/20/buharis-govt-disgustingly-corrupt-turaki/

Lagos Nigeria News 10th September, 2018: A journalist, Akinwunmi Dickson, and his son Nelson, 12, have been killed after fire gutted a shopping complex on Awolowo Way, in the Ikeja area of Lagos State.

According to Punch Newspaper, the deceased were asleep in an office in the complex when the incident happened around 5am on Sunday.

An eyewitness, Wasiu Hamsat, was quoted by Punch as saying that the 50-year-old, who published a brand magazine, Brand Campaign, and his son were choked to death by the smoke of the fire, adding that their corpses were found at the entrance of Akinwunmi’s office.

https://skytrendnews.com/2018/09/10/akinwunmi-dickson-son-died/

Esseite:
As long as no innocent victim was hurt and the road not damaged, he and his family can handle the rest.

You are wicked man.....

Witnesses at the scene of the crash said Amir had been drunk while driving, and that a bottle of Benelyn Codeine syrup was found in the car.

While he was being taken to the hospital, officials of the Sultanate Council were seen removing the Sultanate council plate number from the car so as not to expose the Sultanate Council.