₦airaland Forum

Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu was reportedly arrested today by police officers.

This development is coming shortly after some Jewish members of the proscribed group held protests demanding the release of IPOB members still in detention.

More details soon….

Evicted residents of Otodo-Gbame waterfront communities on Tuesday besieged the headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, in Oyingbo.

The evicted residents, who came via boats said they were out to present a letter to the General Overseer of the Church, Enoch Adeboye, intimating him about their plights.

They also explained that they are pleading with Mr Adeboye to speak to the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to intervene in the lingering Otodo-Gbame crisis.

Mr Osinbajo is a pastor of Redeemed Church.

The residents, who were joined by their residents of other waterfront communities, said they have been through harsh conditions since the final eviction.

Supported by some human rights organisation, they were still at the RCCG headquarters as at the time of this report.

PREMIUM TIMES has reported on the plight of the residents since their forced eviction by the Lagos State government despite a court order.

Details later…

Report in earlier hours of today has it that some angry protesters (women) took their agitation to another level after blocking all major roads leading to the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, Bayelsa State.

The protesters comprising the host community, the staff of the Niger Delta University, including cleaners and gardeners, have locked all offices and also blocked the main entrance to the institution.

Some aggrieved protestors went as far as stripping and being topless during the demonstration.

They are said to be protesting against the administration of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson over an alleged marginalization of the people of Amassoma, and that they want the whole world to know that the ongoing civil service reforms being carried out in the NDU by the state government is mainly targeted at the people of Amassoma Community.

Diamond Bank Plc FY 2017 financial results released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), showing mixed fortunes in key performance metrics. The report and accounts for the Bank’s operations for the twelve months of the business year obtained by our correspondent, show significant growth in gross earnings which rose by 9% year to year to N203.3 Billion due to increase in interest income for the 2017 financial year.

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer, Uzoma Dozie said: Diamond Bank made good progress in executing its technology-led retail banking strategy in 2017.

We increased our market share and drove scale through a combination of technology and expansion of our services across additional platforms. For instance, we made additional inroads to the unbanked and underbanked populations with the support of our international partners. In addition, the rapid rollout of products and services for entrepreneurs, and small and medium business owners gained significant traction and is a trend that is set to continue.

The Bank’s Net fees and commission were down by 1.3% year-on-year although impairment charges also trended downwards 0.3% year-on-year to N56.8 billion following continued efforts to improve the quality of the loan book, particularly in the Oil and Gas mid-stream sector. Operating costs of the Bank rose by 6.2% due to foreign exchange rate impact following the devaluation of the naira during the year.

“At a macro level, the economic environment improved, albeit marginally. Against this backdrop and Nigeria’s broader positive fundamentals, we disposed of some non-core assets to optimise the use of our resources and focus on the significant potential of our domestic market. By taking this action, Diamond Bank is better positioned to accelerate its growth, productivity and profitability in the short to medium term,” continued Uzoma.

The Bank recorded a decrease in profit before tax year-on-year because of higher operating expenses, although investments in technology are starting to drive operational efficiencies. Total asset increased by 2%, which was mostly driven by marginal improvements recorded in customer deposits.

Diamond Bank reviewed ownership of non-core assets to focus on the significant opportunities in Nigeria, particularly in retail banking. This led to the divestment from Diamond Bank business in West Africa, with that in United Kingdom set to follow.

To restore its technology-led retail banking strategy, the Bank successfully delivered new initiatives, by building additional ecosystems and the expansion of customer services across different platforms. These include the DreamVille platform – the first Nigerian gamification portal for banking aimed at improving financial literacy and participation amongst youths.

“Although more work is to be done, particularly in relation to our oil and gas exposure, overall the quality of the loan book has improved. This will remain a key area of focus over the next 12 months. Looking ahead, I am optimistic that due to the actions we have taken as well as an improving economy, Diamond Bank will continue to make good progress and achieve greater profitability, concluded Uzoma’’

Observations on the floor of the Exchange, analysts and industry watchers opined that the Bank has been rightly positioned for accelerated growth in the next business years ahead, noting that with the strong retail strategy, digital infrastructure and focused management, the core fundamentals have continued to look up.

Marilyn Ogar, former spokeswoman of the Department of State Service (DSS), has filed a suit before the National Industrial Court, Abuja, challenging her compulsory retirement from service.

Ogar was retired along 14 other officers in 2015, seven years before she was due for retirement.

When the case came up for mention on Friday, the respondents’ counsels were not present in court.

The claimant’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, informed the court that the defendants were served originating summon and hearing notice.

Adedipe said that although the defendants had entered conditional appearance, they did not file any counter processes within 14 days of service of the originating summon.

Olufunke Anuwe, the judge, ordered that the defendants be served hearing notice and adjourned the case until June 25, for hearing

Ogar, wants the court to among others things, declare that her retirement was illegal and nullify her demotion from deputy director to assistant director.

Joined in the suit are the attorney-general of the federation and director-general of DSS.

Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday, announced that he would declare his bid for the national chairmanship of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Tuesday.
He told newsmen in Benin that President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, and House of Representatives Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, would join top members of the party at the occasion.
Oshiomhole said that Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, would lead governors elected on the party’s platform to the declaration which would hold at TRANSCORP Hilton.
The former governor is favoured to replace outgoing chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, after he received the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Oshiomhole said he was joining the chairmanship race to contribute to the growth of the party.
According to him, “It is true that I intend to make my ambition known to our party members and Nigerians.
“I strongly believe that with the experience I have gathered in my public life, having served as President of NLC and governor of Edo State, I have what it takes to take our dear party, the ruling party, to the next level.”

…As ASO Savings delivers 249 units of residential housing development

ASO Garden Estate, Karsana, Abuja, a multi-billion naira residential apartments financed by ASO Savings & Loans Plc. will be commissioned on Friday May 11th and this is official.

In a statement by ASO Savings & Loans Plc., the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mohammed Bello is expected as the Chairman of the occasion while the Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa will be in attendance as co-chairman.

The Honorable Minister, FCT, Alhaji Bello who is the Special Guest of Honour in his capacity as the day’s chairman will conduct guests on a tour of the estate and thereafter unveil the plaque.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of ASO Savings & Loans Plc, Alhaji Ali Magashi will deliver a special address, while the welcome address will be delivered by the Executive Director, Risikatu Ahmed.

ASO Garden Estate is a serene community of exquisite homes on a 27 hectare site, located just after Gwarinpa, along the Kubwa Express Road, precisely beside the Papal Ground.

The site of the estate is located within the Karsana East District which is part of Abuja Phase IV.

The estate will be developed in phases. The first phase consists of 249 housing units of 2 & 3 bedroom blocks of flat and 3 units of 4 bedroom terraces. It is this first phase that is billed for commission on Friday.

To provide the ultimate lifestyle experience, the estate is in a serene environment and displays high quality infrastructures, recreational area and civic facilities.

The Senior Pastor at Worksword of God Church, Pastor Gabriel Adegboye, has claimed that God told him President Muhammadu Buhari has only four years to be Nigeria’s leader.

The cleric said this while addressing journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, over the weekend.

Adegboye also declared that God has revealed that he will take over power from Buhari in 2019.

Speaking alongside his Save Nigeria 2019 Movement, he stated he has the spiritual impartation of resolving the killings in the North-East and other parts of the country, as well as ensuring economic development in Nigeria.

He described Boko Haram as a spiritual attack on the country from North Africa.

“God sent me to become the next president of Nigeria. Over the years, God has been speaking to me and I have been communicating to past presidents, even the incumbent president, concerning the way to resolve the crisis in the country and ensure economic development. God has given me the new agenda for this country.

“We have all it takes to take the presidential seat come 2019. God has revealed to me that the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari is only four years. And the next person that will take over the mantle of leadership is Pastor Gabriel Adegboye.

“If the Federal Government needs solution to the challenges in the country today, if I am invited, I promise that within three months, there will be peace in the North-East,” Adegboye said.

Nsa Ayi was found guilty by a court

Nsa Ayi, a former relationship officer, Coronation Merchant Bank, has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for diverting clients N700 million meant for Federal Government bonds, treasury bills and fixed deposits.

He was sentenced today by Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, Lagos.

The convict, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 26, 2018, on an 11-count charge, was accused of altering instructions and falsifying signatures of customers to transfer money into various accounts outside the bank.

The money was allegedly transferred in tranches into his Guaranty Trust Bank account No. 0001600855 as well as his Zenith Bank account No. 1002771899.

Delivering her judgment today, the judge sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on each count of the charge. The sentences are to run concurrently from the day of arrest.

The Judge further held that all properties traced to the defendant be confiscated till it amounts to the sum of N700million and should be restituted to the plaintiff, Coronation Merchant Bank.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Nsa Ayi, on or about 4th day of February, 2015, being an employee of Coronation Merchant Bank, in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division with intent to defraud, falsified account No. 1990000158 belonging to African Alliance Insurance Plc in possession of your employer by debiting the said account to the tune of N172, 076, 712.33, using an instruction which you purported to have been issued by the said African Alliance Insurance Plc.”

Another count read: “That you, Nsa Ayi, on or about 13th day of January, 2014, being an employee of Coronation Merchant Bank, in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division with intent to defraud, falsified account No. 2990001176 belonging to Ogunjemiyo E. Mascot in possession of your employer by debiting the said account to the tune of N4, 277, 000.00, using an instruction which you purported to have been issued by Ogunjemiyo E. Mascot.”

When the 11-count charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty, thereby setting the stage for his full trial.

Counsel to the defendant, Robert Clarke, SAN, had pleaded with the court to grant the defendant bail on the grounds that he needed to take his son abroad for surgery.

However, the prosecution opposed the bail, saying that “he is a flight-risk who had plans to relocate with his entire family to the United States of America last year, if not for the timely response in arresting him by the EFCC.”

The prosecution further said that there was no document showing that the defendant’s son was critically ill to warrant his being flown abroad for treatment.

The judge, while denying him bail, said that if the defendant’s son was truly ill and needed medical treatment abroad, he should not be pleading with the court to allow him travel out with his entire family only to treat his son.

The judge therefore, remanded the defendant in Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos .

During the proceedings on March 6, 2018, the defendant changed his plea from ‘not guilty’ to ‘guilty’.

In view of this, the prosecution reviewed the facts of the case and tendered documents that were admitted in evidence.

The judge subsequently convicted Ayi on all the charges and deferred sentencing till today.

A disagreement between a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger over a dirty Naira Note on Saturday in Lagos, turned bloody as irate youths beat the cyclist to a state of comma.

The cyclist, identified as Okon Akpan, had conveyed his passenger, also identified as Miss Titilope Fatai, from Okokomaiko to Iyana-Oba market for a fee of N200.

Trouble, however, started when Fatai gave the cyclist N500 but when Akpan gave his passenger her N300 balance, made up of N200 and N100 Notes, the lady returned the N100 Note and requested for replacement on the grounds that it was “too dirty”.

A heated argument ensued as the cyclist insisted he did not have a neater Note to replace the ‘smelling’ one as demanded by his passenger.

As Akpan tried to leave without reaching an accord, the lady slapped him and he in return, started beating her.

Unkown to the cyclist, the lady was popular among the street urchins around, who in turn, reacted by also giving Akpan a thorough beating to a state of unconsciousness, and thereafter dispersed.

His fellow commercial motorcyclists had to come to his rescue, after which they took him to an undisclosed hospital.

A Traffic Policeman at the scene, Mr Uzochukwu Amadi, described as ‘dreadful’ the behaviour of the youth.

Reacting to the incident, a lecturer with the Lagos State University, Dr Kaka Afolabi, appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria to inject new Naira Notes into the system, adding that the current ones in circulation were ‘eye sores’.

“We expect the authorities concerned to act quickly before more Nigerians fall victims of dirty Naira Notes.

“Our present N100 is the worse; it is no longer durable and its acceptability has become subject of debates during transactions, thereby leading to quarrels in most cases,’’ he noted.

The South-South Vice President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, and head of Flock of Christ Mission, Warri, Delta State, Bishop Simeon Okah, has announced that henceforth, any member of his church that has not obtained his Permanent Voters’ Card “would not be allowed to worship.”

He said gone were the days when Christians see politics as sin.

He said, “From Thursday, any member of my church who does not have his or her voter’s card would not enter this house (Church). By the grace of God, I am the one God used in founding the Flock of Christ Mission.”

He also faulted the treatment meted to Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), stressing that Nigeria needs people like the lawmaker.

He told newsmen on Saturday that, “I have concerns for Dino. His hands may not be as clean as a saint but a man like him has a role to play in building this country.

“We need men like Dino. Let everybody of goodwill fight to see that Dino is released; if he has criminal records, he should face it but he should not be kept in detention.

“He is intelligent. Let us see how we can save him from the hands of policemen. For a man like Dino, the police should show some level of leniency, because we need people like Dino in this country if we want this country to be great.”

Details of her battles with Sterling Bank, AMCON

Risikat Adeniyi Adegeye, the wife of music legend, King Sunny Ade, is currently embroiled in a protracted legal battle over a N45.4 million debt, being the alleged outstanding amount due on a loan facility advanced to her by Sterling Bank in 2008.
She is in court to contest an order granted the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) to take temporary possession of the property which was used as collateral to secure the loan. Through her lawyers, she is claiming that the ex parte application filed by AMCON and the subsequent court judgement were obtained without recourse to due process.
According to the court papers, she had sometime in 2008 secured a loan facility of N23 million from Sterling Bank which she augmented with her own funds to purchase a property valued at N33 million. The property located at Plot A2, House 3, Adonai Tekts Estate, Central Business District, Alausa Ikeja was duly bought and also served as guarantee for the loan.
In a sworn affidavit presented to the court by George Fola Adeniyi, one of Madam Risikat’s children, she averred that she had been dutifully servicing the loan since inception and had even asked her bank manager to furnish her with her loan statement of account to enable her ascertain and liquidate the balance of her loan repayment.The plaintiff claimed that the bank never provided her with the statement, instead unilaterally passing off her debt to AMCON in 2011. She also claimed that AMCON has since then been imposing unilateral and extortionate interest on the loan balance without carrying her along.
Moreover, she contended, she was not served notice when the organization filed an exparte application to take over the mortgaged property. She therefore prayed the honourable court to set aside the February 22nd 2018 ruling which granted temporary possession of the house in contention.
In a related development, there are indications that both parties are in advanced negotiations an may soon reach an agreement that will enable them to settle the case out of court.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has exonerated itself from the underage voting saga in Kano state saying the voter register it produced for the conduct of the Kano local government election was not used in most of the polling units in the state.

Recalls that pictures of children thumb-printing during the exercise, in February, surfaced on the internet with calls for the cancellation of the exercise by opposition parties.

Reacting to the incident, INEC set up a committee to probe the underage voting in the state.

Speaking with journalists while giving a summary of the committee’s report on Friday, INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, explained that if there were cases of underage voting in Kano, it was because the register it produced was not used by Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).

“Accreditation of voters using the permanent voter card (PVC) “largely did not take place,” he said.

“Kano State Independent Electoral Commission requested for and received from INEC the Kano state register of voters for the election.

“The register was produced for use for the elections. However, the register was only sighted in a few polling units. In other words, the register was not used in most of the polling units.

“Given that the register was substantially not used to accredit voters before voting, it is logical to conclude that if underage voting occurred in the election, it was not due to any presence of underage registrants on the register of voters.

“However, after examining some of the images in circulation, the committee found that they have been available long before the Kano local government elections. The few images and video clips from Kano show no accreditation of voters or any relationship with the register of voters.

“There is need and ample room for collaboration between lNEC and all stakeholders to continue to update and improve the national register of voters to eliminate all ineligible registrants from it, including dead persons, aliens and underage registrants.

“INEC should work with the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to ensure continuous improvements in the quality of all elections conducted in Nigeria.”

The Senator representing Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, Shehu Sani has told President Muhammadu Buhari that integrity alone cannot move Nigeria forward.

Sani, who is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, said the integrity of President Buhari, around which the party built its government, was not enough to govern a plural country like Nigeria.

The lawmaker said there was a need for the emergence of a new political party, peopled mainly by the intellectuals, adding that the ruling party and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, cannot move Nigeria forward.

The Senator was one of the guest speakers at a symposium organised by the Magodo Associates, with the theme “Nigeria: Which way forward?”

It was held at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos.

He said, “What we have here is one man whose major asset is integrity but how many within that camp can also beat their chests and say they are as credible as he is?

“We are talking about building a nation and moving it forward, but can just the integrity of the President move the nation to the Promised Land?

“When we are talking about the qualities of leadership, if only integrity and credibility is what you need to be in public office… integrity or credibility is just one of so many things a leader needs, especially in a troublesome country like Nigeria; there as lot of things a leader needs.

“We need a leader that can give every person the confidence that he is going to be fair and just. We also need a leader who is visionary, who can move the country from where it is to where it should be.

“The intellectuals need to move forward; you need not be scared of the political terrain. Most people you see in political offices, outside they say they are representing the people, but they represent an individual, a certain power broker.

“The existing dominant political parties cannot lead us to the Promised Land; there is a need for a progressive political class to come together, reach out to the academics, the intelligentsia, the working class, come out together with a party that is run on a certain ideology.”

Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, has arrived Lokoja, Kogi state, where is to be arraigned for allegedly arming thugs for kidnapping and armed robbery.

The senator was conveyed to Lokoja in an ambulance by the police.

Melaye had expressed worry that his life was in danger and may be killed if he stands trial in Lokoja.

On Wednesday, the Kogi senator was re-arrested by the police after he was granted bail by a magistrate court in Abuja.

The court had granted him a N90 million bail and asked him to provide two sureties.

But the police explained that the bail granted to the senator by the court does not cover the alleged offences for which he was first arrested for and insisted that he would be arraigned at the court where charges had been filed against him.

“The police investigation team re-arrested senator Dino Melaye today, 2nd May, 2018 after his arraignment at chief magistrate court, Wuse for the pending offences of criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms already filed in a court of competent jurisdiction in Lokoja for which he will be arraigned without further delay,” a statement issued by the police read.

Also, Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP), has twice failed to appear before the senate over the issue.

He was also summoned by the upper legislative chamber over growing security concerns in the country.

Nollywood star, Ramsey Nouah, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of failing to keep Nigerians updated on its plans.

The actor barred his mind in a chat recently at the screening of his latest movie titled Crazy People in Lagos.

He said: “I always shy away from discussing politics in Nigeria because it is a sensitive subject but right now it’s hard to tell where Nigeria is headed.

“Most importantly, the government is making a huge mistake of not divulging enough information with the polity. They are so fixated in the old way of passing information oblivious of the fact that these days everything is open. The presidency should come out and deem it to talk about its daily, weekly and even monthly plans with the citizenry.

“They need to thoroughly address issues that affect Nigerians. But they don’t do that and then they just assume that we know they would work on it (issues). It is only when there is so much public outcry and criticism that the president’s offices will come out once in a while and to say “we are working on it.”

While some of his colleagues have ventured into politics, perhaps leveraging on their fame, the 47-year-old actor says he is not cut out for politics.

He noted: “I never say never but delving into politics is going to be a tough one for me because I am not a very diplomatic person. I don’t know how to call white black I say it as it is; I don’t think politics in Nigeria really embraces that.”

When ask to give an assessment of the present administration’s recognition and support for Nollywood thus far he said: “Buhari’s administration came into power to wipe out corruption and they had a stronger focus. In the course of doing that a lot of industries were affected and suffered, Nollywood inclusive. It’s work in progress and I know that when everything stabilises they (Buhari’s government) will still come back to Nollywood.

“Some people make it look as though we (Nollywood) are getting freebies from the government but its not so. Some people also think our industry is for ‘play’ forgetting the job opportunities we create.”

Asked to share his thoughts on Mr Buhari’s second term bid, Ramsey said: “It’s a dicey question but I like to ask who the other presidential candidates who are coming on board are. I don’t know what they are going to bring to the table. Will they be game changers?

“We hear the same things from politicians all the time but when the time comes we will know whom we will vote for. With so many things befalling us in the country, it’s hard to tell who is the best candidate for now. In 2019, our youth need to get their voters card and vote wisely. As only then can they hold the leaders accountable.”

Real Madrid are waiting for Liverpool in Kiev convinced that they are about to create another piece of European history.

The Spanish giants will be bidding to become the first team to win the Champions League three times in a row.

And they are not losing too much sleep about Jurgen Klopp’s Reds after taking care of PSG, Juventus and Bayern Munich on their way to next month’s final.

Two goals from Karim Benzema were just about enough to see off German Champions Bayern on a crazy night in the Bernabeu.

Yet it is clear that Zinedine Zidane’s team are not the unstoppable force they once were.

And if Liverpool hold their nerve against Roma, they will know they can cause the defending European champions no end of problems in the Ukrainian capital on May 26.

No team has lifted the European Cup more times than 12-time winners Real and failure in next month’s final is not an option for Zidane after surrendering the Spanish League title to Barcelona.

But with Cristiano Ronaldo strangely subdued and Gareth Bale no longer more than a substitute, it’s a good job that Benzema is still keeping Madrid’s BBC on air.

Yet Real’s defence is far from flawless and Mo Salah will fancy his chances of testing the ageing Sergio Ramos if Liverpool do make it through their semi-final.

Klopp will certainly identify plenty of Madrid weaknesses when he gets to analyse the tapes of this semi-final second leg in the coming weeks.

Bayern’s veteran boss Jupp Heynckes had insisted ahead of this tie that that creating scoring opportunities was a part of his club’s DNA.

Yet Real clearly didn’t pay much attention to that warning from their former coach and found themselves a goal down after just three minutes.

Thomas Muller’s cross from the right should have been comfortably dealt with by Ramos.

But the Real skipper failed to clear under pressure from Corentin Tolisso and the ball dropped perfectly for Joshua Kimmich to slam home from close range.

It was full-back Kimmich who had also fired the German Champions ahead in last week’s first leg.

But just as in the Allianz Arena, Bayern could not hold onto their lead for long and surrendered the initiative almost immediately.

And while the Bernabeu may have been plunged into a state of shock by Bayern’s early strike, Real’s measured response reinforced their belief that when it comes to the Champions League, they can score almost at will.

A long meandering sequence of passes appeared to be going nowhere until Marcelo found enough room to deliver a deep cross to the back post where Benzema was lurking totally unattended to head in.

It was the Frenchman’s first goal from open play in almost three months and the perfect riposte to all those Madristas who had questioned his place in Zidane’s starting line-up.

Bayern, though, were not going quietly and claimed they should have had a penalty when Robert Lewandowski went down under Ramos’ challenge as he tried to turn onto Tolisso’s through ball.

And the visitors should have reclaimed the lead in the 34th minute when Lewandowski and Muller created havoc in the Real penalty area before James Rodriguez somehow cleared the bar from two yards out.

Bayern had another penalty shout rejected when Kimmich’s cross struck Marcelo on the arm from close range as Real continued to ride their luck.

Yet any German hopes of wrecking the Bernabeu party were destroyed just 22 seconds into the second-half by an extraordinary error from keeper Sven Ulreich.

Ulreich, deputising for the injured Manuel Neuer, appeared to forget that he couldn’t handle Tolisson’s back pass then fell over as he tried to rectify his mistake.

Benzema could hardly believe his good fortune as he found himself a yard in front of an unprotected goal with the ball at his feet.

It was a gift which he was not about to turn down.

Yet even then Bayern were not finished and Rodriguez sent the Bernabeu into meltdown when he forced a 63rd minute shot through the legs of Keylor Navas.

The Germans were now just one goal from the final and threw the kitchen sink at Real in a desperate attempt to secure the breakthrough.

Navas was forced into a full length save by Tolisso and Ramos denied Rodriguez with a vital block as Real just about held out.

The Federal Ministry of Health has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ban with immediate effect further issuance of permits for the importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough preparations.
The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole made this known in his office in Abuja on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.
He said that the directive became necessary due to the gross abuse Codeine usage has been subjected to in the country.
In its stead, the Minister said Codeine containing cough syrups should be replaced with dextromethorphan which is less addictive.
He also directed the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, (PCN) and NAFDAC to supervise the recall for labelling and audit trailing of all codeine containing cough syrups in the country, while he has also banned sales of Codeine containing cough syrup without prescription across the country.
He noted that the National Agency for Food and Drug administration and Control had an emergency meeting with the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group (PMGMAN) to inform them that there is an embargo on all new applications for registration of codeine- containing cough syrups as well as applications for renewal has been abolished.
The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has been directed to continue enforcement activities on Pharmacies, Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendor’s Shops and outlets throughout the country.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control [NAFDAC] was also directed to fully carry out its functions among others: to regulate and control the manufacturing, distribution and sale of drugs, including inspection at points of entry of drugs, drug products and food for compliance with the new directive.
The Minister stated that the FMOH shall ensure collaboration among regulatory agencies namely, NAFDAC, PCN, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), for effective implementation of extant Acts, regulations, policies and guidelines on codeine control and usage.
‘Furthermore, these agencies shall work together to increase pharmacovigilance around codeine, tramadol and other related substances of abuse,’ Adewole stated.
Already, NAFDAC has developed IEC materials that will be used in an already planned national campaign against drug abuse, an awareness programme that includes Young Pharmacists Group of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. This will soon be flagged off in Kano and Lagos.
As a way of discouraging youths to shun the drugs, the Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Health shall partner with National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Football celebrities, members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Performing Musicians of Nigeria and other celebrities to drive national campaign against drug abuse.
‘The FMOH shall ensure that Drug treatment intervention for victims of substances abuse shall be undertaken across the spectrum of health care delivery system in the country,” Adewole stated.
He stated that Civil Society Organizations shall be strengthened to deliver effective sensitization, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.
Recalled that in view of the serious public health concerns drugs abuse poses to Nigerians , a working group which comprised of experts from various Ministries, Agencies of Government (including regulatory agencies), Development Partners and Associations was constituted in January and tagged Codeine Control and other Related Matters Working Group (CCRWG).
The CCRWG was formally inaugurated on January 23, 2018 with clear Terms of Reference of developing key recommendations and strategies to address the menace of codeine, tramadol and other related substances in Nigeria.
The CCRWG submitted its interim report on April 12, 2018 and recommended short-, medium- and long-term measures for implementation in a memorandum submitted to the Minister, today, 1st of May 2018.
WHAT IS CODEINE?

It is a substance used in treating pain and cough. It is imported into Nigeria. Syrups containing it are said to be produced by at least 20 companies in the country.
The BBC had reported “codeine addiction epidemic” in some parts of the country and how young Nigerians are using the substance to get high.

In the report, the broadcast service had also indicted Emzor Pharmaceuticals of its alleged role in the sale of the substance — leading to the company announcing a suspension of its distribution.

EMZOR BANS DISTRIBUTION OF COUGH SYRUPS CONTAINING CODEINE

After the BBC reported that its executive was discovered to have been involved in the sale of syrups containing codeine in the ‘black market’, Emzor Pharmaceuticals announced a suspension on the distribution of such syrups.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the company said the distribution had been suspended pending the outcome of a “full and thorough internal investigation” on the issue.

It, however, denied that it is involved in its direct sales to members of the public.

BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT FROM EMZOR:

Emzor Pharmaceuticals is a responsible and ethical company with over 120 lines including Emzolyn with Codeine under licence from NAFDAC. Emzor is treating the findings of the BBC documentary with the upmost seriousness and has launched a full and through investigation. Emzor adheres fully to the documentation guidelines for the handling, production, storing and distribution of products containing codeine.

Our staff are trained on the controlled status of codeine and codeine products and supply guidelines. Emzor is not involved in the direct sales to individual members of the public. Emzor does not sanction the supply of Emzolyn with Codeine in any way that breaches the Dangerous Drugs Act or NAFDAC guidelines. Emzor’s daily production is below 0.5% of the reported estimated daily amounts of codeine reportedly consumed in Kano and Jigawa States. The Sales Rep depicted in the BBC video was initially placed on suspension and has now been summarily dismissed following an investigation. Any representations made by the Sales Rep are in breach of company policy and ethics and were undertaken independently by him.

The distribution of Emzolyn with Codeine has been suspended pending the results of a full and thorough internal investigation. We hope the findings of the documentary will shed further light on the extent and impact of the illicit trade and consumption of codeine. We hope that full stakeholder engagement will result in impactful action against the abuse, smuggling and faking of drugs on the continent. Thank you.

There was a fire outbreak at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Abuja on Tuesday evening.

The incident was said to have started around 6:30pm but firefighters brought it under control after 30 minutes.

A source said it was only the generator house that was affected in the outbreak.

The billows of smoke emanating from the building attracted attention but journalists who rushed there were denied access and also prevented from taking pictures.

Firefighters were seen walking out of the premises around 7pm.

Addressing reporters, Bello Attahiru, an official of the federal capital territory fire service, said they responded after a distress call.

He said the fire only damaged a generating set but did not spread to any part of the building because of the prompt response of his men.

In a statement issued after the incident, Isaac Okoroafor, spokesman of the apex bank, dismissed reports that the building was on fire.

“Reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) head office building is on fire are false. Passersby who saw a pall of exhaust from the generator house far away from the building apparently mistook the exhaust for fire smoke,” the statement read.

“The CBN maintains a total security system that triggers safety alarms in the presence of smoke and so all fire engines and personnel received the alert only to discover that it was an unusual pall of exhaust.
“The affected generator has been rested and normal work has been uninterrupted, while the engineers are working to rectify the issues with the generator.

“We hereby assure the general public that there has been no fire at our building.”

The Yoruba traditional ruler, Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, household is not at the moment experience marrital bliss as www.THEMOMENTNG.COM can reliably reveal to you that the marriage of one of the younger sisters of the Ooni, Princess Peju, has packed up like a tokunbo engine.

According to reliable and confirmed information, the marriage of Princess Peju to one Dr. Oladipupo Hammed packed up due to irreconcilable differences and issues between the couple.

As you read, Princess Peju, has left her matrimonial home, as she is now living with her children at an estate located somewhere in Lekki, Lagos.

While the once joyous couple are presently separated, they are currently in court over the custody of their children, a boy and a girl. After the custody battle in court, it is most likely divource would be the next line of action.

In the ccustody suit with number 7CL/13/18, the husband is the pplaintiff, while the wife is the defendant.

When our correspondent visited one of the court sittings at Tinubu Magistrate Court 1, it was a closed door sitting, as only the plaintiff, the defendant and their Lawyers were allowed into the chambers of the Magistrate to discuss the issue.

While the issue has been ongoing for a while, allegations of irresponsibility on the part of Princess Peju’s husband, Dr. Hammed has been alleged.

Princess Peju like the Ooni is from the Geisi ruling house. Her elder brother contested the throne with the current Ooni. She was also a close friend of the erstwhile Olori of Ife, Olori Wuraola Otiti.

This comes after Ooni of Ife, Ojaja II’s marriage to Olori Wuraola Otitiola packed up just after seventeen months over allegations of alleged infidelity and what was described as ‘unspeakable’ things.

We promise to keep our readers updated devoice case proceed.

Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, a presidential aspirant and Pro-chancellor of Baze Unversity, Abuja, has asked Nigerians to vote out President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

According to him, the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari would destroy Nigeria.

Speaking with The Interview, Baba-Ahmed said Nigeria needed a man to tackle economic challenges confronting the country.

“Buhari’s second term will destroy Nigeria and unsettle the rest of Africa.

“My government will stabilise the naira by tackling the current high risk factors, reduce interest rates and flood the capital market with investible funds,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed, a former Senator had said it would be so easy for him to defeat and send Buhari back to Daura, Katsina State if the PDP grants him the party’s sole ticket.

“I am a Nigerian and I am contesting on the same Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, unless they are going to violate it, which we shall challenge.

“Muhammadu Buhari is welcome to contest for the Presidency in 2019 and I think it is a healthy practice to have a gentleman of his age, his mould and people who have been in power for the past 50 years contest,” he added.

About 150 food and confectionery business entrepreneurs storm the GTBank Food and Drink Fair to showcase the uniqueness and richness of the Nigerian culture in the area of food.

The annual fair, which holds at the spacious complex at Ligal Ayorinde, Water Corporation area of Oniru-Lekki environ, the event is to connect buyers with sellers in the food and drink enterprise from different parts of the country and diaspora to showcase their products and innovations in the million dollar industry.

Speaking at a media forum at GTBank Headquarters at the weekend in Lagos, Oyinade Adegbite from the Corporate Communications of GT Bank, stated that the third annual fair, which has the theme, “Street Food”, received 2000 applications from food stores and was pruned down to 150 that will showcase their produce at the event which begins today, Sunday, April 29, 2018 and ends on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

“As a bank interested in building SMEs and MSMEs, the GTBank food & drink fair is aimed at promoting enterprises and giving free business platforms for small businesses.

“Having received applications from farmers, street food vendors, food processing companies, we gave about a 150 businesses the permits to showcase the beauty and varieties of street food and confectionery.

“So, get ready to see your typical Akara (bean-cake) seller and suya man here as they do their thing in a unique way and in the serene environment which has attracted thousands of people over the two years we started the food & drink fair,” said Adegbite.

According to the organiser, different international chefs, American, Sunny Anderson, Nigerian, Raphael Duntoye of Lavite Maison, South African, Sibahle Mtongana of Siba’s Table and Ebunoluwa will tutor entrepreneurs in Master classes and food cookery.

Others include Chef Imoteda, Lorraine Pascale, Scott Winston and Tony Conigliaro, a Mixologist. Sunny Anderson, who was at the media forum, was upbeat about the event.

According to the American chef, she looks forward to Nigerian jollof rice and delicacies. A smoothie-making contest was held at the parley and participants were excited to be part of it.

The Senator Representing Kogi West at the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, has reacted to the failed attempt to recall him from the Nigerian Senate.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared the process failed after the verified signatories to the petition for Melaye’s recall fell short of requirements.

Melaye, who is currently in the Intensive Care Unit after a face-off with security agencies last week, thanked Nigerians, especially his constituents for standing by him.

Gideon Ayodele, Media Aide to the embattled senator in a statement, called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the lawmaker, who is currently bedridden.

His statement reads below…

“The chain of events from last Monday to this day are enough for one to be grateful to God Almighty and all Kogi people both at home and in the Diaspora, including friends of Senator Dino Melaye outside the Confluence State and all over the world, for standing behind the Senator in this trying times.

“Needless to say that all allegations against him by the Police are politically-motivated and the timing of his maltreatment and harassment was carefully planned to prevent him from mobilising support against the purported recall of his representation of Kogi West from the Senate, GOD manifested Himself by using the good people of Kogi West senatorial zone to stem the tide against him by making the cup to pass over the Senator even in his absence.

“Despite his current travails, his inability to mobilise his constituents and also deploy agents to monitor the signature verification exercise, countless number of supporters volunteered to do it without minding the associated risks posed by the Kogi State Government. It is therefore important for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to act truly independent by announcing a result that truly reflects the wishes of the majority electorate of Kogi West as demonstrated today.

“No doubt, to recall a representative is guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as the right of the electorate, what the good people of Kogi West and other lovers of democracy outside the state, who are praying for Senator Dino Melaye, have done is to stop an instigated and purported recall against him because it is undemocratic, self serving and beneficial to only a few.

“It is pertinent to say here, that though the battle for the recall has been won and lost, the safety of Senator Dino Melaye in the hospital as heavily guarded by the Police since Tuesday is a cause for concern even as we decry the arrest, continued detention and trial of his brothers, aides, friends and lawyers on trumped-up charges by the police.

“We appeal to all Nigerians of good conscience to continue to help us pray for the safety and immediate freedom of Senator Dino Melaye so that he can return to his family and duty post – responsive representation of his people in the Senate – because his victory over the purported recall today will certainly spite his traducers and they may devise new ways of rubbishing him for no just cause.”

The attempt to recall Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, has failed.

Out of the 189,870 signatories to the petition to recall him from the upper legislative chamber, only 18,742 were verified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday.

The verified signatories represent 5.34 percent of the 351,146 registered voters in Kogi west, thereby not meeting the required criteria.

For the verification exercise to succeed, 50 percent plus one of the signatories to the petition had to be verified.

Announcing the result of the verification exercise on Sunday morning, Ukertor Moti, the declaration officer for the exercise, said a referendum — the next step in the recall process — will not be held.

He said: “I Professor Ukertor Gabriel Moti, affirm that the information on verification of signatures to the petition for the recall of senator Dino David Melaye of Kogi west senatorial district has taken place on this day, 28th day of April 2018, and that the verified signatures is 5.34 percent of the total number of registered voters in the constituency and has therefore not satisfied a requirement of the law for a referendum.”

The result, according to Moti, was signed by him and two agents: that of the petitions and one of Melaye’s agents.

HOW LOW TURNOUT MARRED THE VERIFICATION EXCERCISE

Out of the seven local government areas in the district, not a single one recorded a big turnout of voters.

Hours after the excercise vegans at 8am, some of the polling units were yet to verify a single signature. In one instance, the INEC staff on ground were seen sleeping.
In Lokoja, for instance, out of the 66,266 signatories on the recall register — the highest in any of the LGAs, only 4,810 constituents showed up at the polling units, with 3,763 verified.

There were also cases where names of dead persons were seen on the recall petition.

TheCable gathered that the some of those who had signed the petition were coerced into doing so.

Some constituents who spoke to TheCable during the exercise admitted it was not in their wish to recall the senator from the senate, despite having signed the recall petition in 2017.

It was gathered even though Yahaya Bello, governor of the state, “worked hard” to see Melaye removed from the upper legislative chamber, the senator also did not rest on his oars.

In some polling units, prominent community leaders loyal to him were said to have bribed suspected thugs “to turn the outcome to the senator’s favour”.
His agents were also moblised and on ground in most of the polling units, and were in some cases seen campaigning against voting a ‘yes’ in favour of the recall process.

Melaye is currently in police custody and would later be arraigned in court for alleged gun running.

Some arrested crime suspects, according to the police, accused him of supplying them arms.

It was around mid-day on June 29, 2012. I was neck-deep in work when the call I dreaded most came through. The pleasantry was unusual, very curt. The voice at the other end advised me to be strong and take it like a man. Even without saying it, I knew instantly I had lost my dad who had been on admission at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ill-Ife. When I visited him one week before his demise, I had a morbid fear he might not make it but I shrugged the thought off and cast my burden on God, hoping that by some strokes of luck, he could pull through.

He never did. I was completely rattled. The macho man in me melted like a bowl of ice cream under a scorching sun. I wept uncontrollably in the private rest room in my office. Our office assistant, Tosin (who later acquired a university degree and became our receptionist), coincidentally came to my office while I was sobbing. Alarmed, having never seen me in that condition, she asked, “Oga, ki lo se yin” (Boss, what’s the matter?). The seemingly harmless question triggered even a bigger meltdown. As I attempted to answer her, I burst into a ball of tears and sobbed like a baby. Scared, she dashed out and within what seemed like seconds, my office was bursting at the seams with my colleagues. I hated to be seen in that circumstance but I couldn’t help it. I was an emotional wreck. They consoled me and insisted I must leave the office immediately.

They arranged for a driver to take me home, insisting I could not drive in that situation. As the driver pulled up in my house about 30 minutes later, my phone rang and it was my Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr on the line. I picked the call with a stoic resolve never to give any inclination of the tragedy that just befell me. “Ah. Bode, pele, pele (sorry, sorry, referrencing my loss). What happened? Was he sick? How old was he?, he asked several questions in quick succession. As I answered him, what was racing through my mind was how did he hear about it so swiftly? I remembered him saying sometime in the past that, “the walls have ears. You cannot be in my position and be oblivious of developments around you”. Quite instructive! He assured me he would stand by me all the way and asked me to let him know when the burial arrangement had been firmed up.

Until we did the burial a month later, Dr. Adenuga, who I fondly called Baba, kept a close tab on the arrangements we were making. He shocked me when he said repeatedly even at official meetings that he would attend the event. Though he eventually did not, he supported me morally and financially. After the event, he asked me to give him the list of all those who supported me financially so that he could say thank you to them. I did not bother him with that but his gesture spoke volume about the genuine heart of a man many had come to love, loathe or dread.

That was not the first time Dr. Adenuga would go beyond the call of duty to show unfeigned care for either my humble self or numerous other people working for him. In another personal instance, he had asked the trio of Yinka Akande, Celestine Amucha and my humble self to represent him at the commissioning of House of Ovation, Accra in October 2006 as a reciprocal and appreciative gesture to the Ovation Publisher, Bashorun Dele Momodu for his steadfast loyalty over the years.

Unfortunately, we could not get a flight to Accra as all the flights were fully booked. We decided to go by road. Somehow, Chairman, who Dele Momodu incidentally calls the Spirit of Africa, got wind of our plan. He could not believe that young executives in this era could voluntarily opt to go through such an arduous journey in order to fulfill their boss’ mandate. Right from when we got to Mile 2 to board a public transport till we got to Accra, Dr Adenuga was checking up on us at regular intervals. As if he had a crystal ball through which he was gazing at us (I knew it couldn’t have been any tracking device because back then, Mr. Chairman at best enjoyed using his legendary Nokia Communicator for only calls and text messages until in later years when he added internet browsing), he was calling either by the time we were just reaching or leaving a border point. “You should be at Seme now”, “How is the journey going, are you at Ilaconji now?”, “Are you in Aflao now?”, he kept checking up on us till we got to Accra safely when he finally heaved a sigh of relief and said, “Thank God”.

How many bosses would send their staff on assignments and keep checking up on them to find out about their safety and welfare? One of his closest aides then, Prince Tunde Akinyera said Chairman was not at ease until he knew we had reached Accra. He knew the route very well, having traversed it severally when he was building his business empire, crisscrossing from Nigeria to Cote d’Ivoire, the headquarters of African Development Bank. Corroborating that, Chairman would share stories of his experience in those days at each of the borders. The most poignant was when he missed the closing time at the Lome-Ghana border on his way back to Lagos by a few minutes. The gendarmes snubbed all his earnest entreaties and he had to pass the night in his car right at the border crossing.

What made his gesture more significant was that Dr Adenuga himself was going through his personal travails about this time. He was on self exile after ceaseless harrassments by Nuhu Ribadu’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who we later heard, had the mandate to nail him at all cost.

Time after time, Chairman showed that he was not a General who would send his men to the war front and go to sleep. I ran several errands locally and internationally for him. More than fifty percent of the time, he would call to find out about one’s welfare and the trip. “Awe o”, he would utter in his rich baritone voice even at 5.30am. “Did you make it to the airport in good time? Safe flight and good luck”, he would say as his signature way of giving one moral support.

Dr. Adenuga treated me more like his son than an employee. When I wanted to leave Globacom last year to run a family business, Chairman was displeased. Somehow, he felt I would stay with the business longer. However, having spent 14 years supporting in my own little way our much appreciated Chairman’s vision, I pleaded to be excused. Chairman took it harder than I envisaged. Since I made my intention known in April last year until I left in July of the same year, all channels of communication came to a near screeching halt. Knowing that I was not doing anything deliberately to hurt Baba or his business, I stuck to my plan. A few days before my departure from the system, he gave a directive that I should lead a delegation on an international assignment. I carried out the assignment diligently but left as scheduled afterwards.

Almost one year later, Dr Adenuga reached out to me and said the unthinkable. One of Africa’s richest men apologized for the way the system took my decision to leave. He painted my modest contributions glowingly and asked me to return if I wished. I deeply expressed my gratitude to him for his support over the years.

He is the quintessential leader with an unimaginable capacity to ride above the storm of the past and reset his relationships with people when he felt the need to do so. Severally, he has recalled or reabsorbed former members of staff who left in the most dramatic circumstances. Some came back voluntarily while he himself reached out to others. For him, it is not about the sentiment but the value the individual has to offer. Yet, there were exceptional instances when he reabsorbed people mainly because he pitied their prevailing circumstances. He epitomizes the deep Yoruba axiom that, “ti a o ba gbagbe oro ana, a o ni ri eni ba sere”, meaning that one needs to banish past disputes into distant memories in order to continually have people to play (or work) with.

A couple of years back, Dr. Adenuga shared with me the rationale behind some of his actions. He said at the end of the day when everyone would have retired to their respective homes, he would play back the events of the day in his mind and ask himself hard questions, “Am I fair to him/her? Was he/she fair to me?” He said this was a routine he regularly observed in order to set matters right.

Whoever knows Dr. Adenuga would readily concur that he is a genius who has a memory as sharp as a tack. He only needs to meet you once and if he sees you years later, he would recall every detail about you. When he uploads you with various assignments, you would only have yourself to blame to think he has forgotten any of them. Don’t be shocked if you get a call from his office asking you for an update. That alone is triple-filtered trouble. Chairman wants you to be ahead of him. He will spare no rod if he is always the one “chasing after you” for results. In one of his informal mentoring classes, Dr. Adenuga told me that, “Never rely exclusively on human memory. No matter how sharp, it fails sometimes. As often as possible, once I’m giving someone an assignment, I’m writing it down and posting it somewhere as a stark reminder until the job is done”.

In his heart, Adenuga has selected some people as his circle of brothers, friends and family. He has taken it upon himself to sort such people out in life. At intervals, he reaches out and takes care of them in a “life-liberating manner” as a popular writer who later joined politics once described his unconventional generous disposition. In that circle are family members, friends, former Presidents within and outside Nigeria, celebrities, traditional rulers, some members of staff and a mixed grill of other people decided exclusively based on his own parametres. This often includes indigent people or people totally unknown to him but who are in dire straits. From the blues (as he did severally), Chairman once called me to find out how a media personality who had been supportive in the past was doing. When I enquired and reverted to him that the person was going through a rough patch, he got his office to send the person a ‘hefty’ cheque in the hope that it would help the person to “fill some holes”. He sets his standards high and abides by the standards no matter whose ox is gored. He hardly attends functions. His priorities have always been his business and in later years, he has opted to strike more delicate balance between business and family.

You will never see Dr. Adenuga confronting government even when he has enough reasons to fight. His philosophy is that Nigerian governments are too powerful. As such, any businessman who has too much at stake can only fight a sitting government at his peril. Intrinsically, he has internalized that profound saying amplified by King Sunny Ade’s song, “Ojo ni wa a o b’enikan s’ota, eni eji ri leji n pa (we are raindrops, we bear no grudge against anyone, rain falls on everyone). He is friendly with any government of the day. Much more importantly, he minds his own business. He also has an almost unimpeachable understanding of the political and business terrains of Africa. He has friends in high places across the continent.

In business, Chairman adopted the famous Michelle Obama philosophy of when they go low, we go high to his investment in oil and gas. About three years ago, the price of oil headed for a free fall in the international market. Discouraged, many big players stopped investing. Several oil rigs which hitheto were hard to come by became readily available. He wasted no time to strike when the iron was red hot, pumping millions of dollars into the business to develop oil fields allotted his company. The gold digger made the right choice. From the $20s per barrel in 2016, the price of oil is now inching nearer the $80 mark in 2018. Talk about vision, wisdom and pressing the hot button at the right moment.

For over two and half decades, Dr. Adenuga has been digging gold in oil and gas, telecoms, banking, construction and in the process has become the real McCoy, the real deal. In numerous instances, he has made unimaginable successes while on few occasions, things didn’t go quite as well as planned. A man of immense resources and extensive knowledge, he is also ready to admit that he does not know it all. As an imperfect creation, he knows he is not without blemish. He draws substantially from the lessons of his triumphs and shortcomings to shape his actions. As he marks his 65th birthday, one can only wish Dr. Adenuga many happy returns.

Olabode Opeseitan is the Founding Partner of SA&B Mega Resources.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital said the God who helped Nigeria to ease out the dreaded government of General Sani Abacha will come to the aid of Nigerians in 2019.

Speaking at a town hall meeting held at the Amusement Park, Agbowo, Ibadan where the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) members converged, he also urged youths and indeed all Nigerians not to be tired because they have a lot of work to do to effect change of government through the ballot.

In a veiled allusion the present government, which he said insists on re-election, Obasanjo said: “Some people believe that those that are in position, whether they are doing well or not, they must continue be there. But when we say they must not only be there, they will want to fight back. They will hold many things to wreak havoc, but everybody must be prepared. It will not be easy to wrest powers from them. If you think it will be easy to liberate Nigeria, you are deceiving yourself.

“But the God that did it yesterday will do it again today. We have seen this before. In this Nigeria, we have had a situation that we had five political parties and the five parties nominated one person as candidate for presidency. If only his nuclear family had voted for him, he would have won.

“But our God is wonderful. God laughed. Now, God is laughing. When the time came, God revealed that He’s God. He is the omnipotent, omnipresent and eternal, who can do all things and who can make all things possible. But if we are leaving things to God, we have to do our own side,” he said.

On how to make real change in governance, Obasanjo said: “The work has started. Some people may be laughing at you and make jest of you, don’t be bothered with that. Listen, permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) are your instruments. If you have not collected yours, go and collect it. If you are not yet registered, go and register. Let us tell them in all urban and rural areas that PVCs are what we will use. They are the key to open the doors.

“Don’t be afraid or be discouraged; they will try to intimidate you individually or collectively. For me, I don’t think there is anyone that can intimidate me. Let me remind you, I have gone through many things. I have been jailed without being given any opportunity of offence. Where is the person that jailed me?”

He said CNM can only achieve its objectives by transforming, and being part of whatever it is as a political party. I just want to join in assuring you that the philosophy of what we have is CNM, and what it will transform to will not be different.

“We have not had a political party in this country that is grounded in the grassroots. All our political parties are elitist. We have not got a party in this country that has given a pride of place to the youth.

“The youths under 40 years old form more than 65 per cent of our population. Now, who will tell you that because you are under 40 years old, you cannot play a very significant role in the affairs of your country?

“I was Head of State when I was under 40. Now, France has elected a president that is under 40 years old. Botswana has just a Vice President at 32 years old. Now, what we are saying is that the youth must be given a pride of place. In all organs of CNM as a movement or a party that it will transform into, 30 per cent will be youths, and 30 per cent will be women. Women form 52 per cent of our population.

“I want to repeat what I have always said and don’t get me wrong; once this movement becomes a political party, I will no longer be a member of that party. But my concerns for Nigeria will not diminish. My struggle for the good of Nigeria progress of Nigeria, unity of Nigeria, development of Nigeria will not diminish. Even now, I get people from other parties, coming to me to seek advice. I don’t belong to them. I don’t have anything to do with them, but I give them advice. So, that situation will continue. I will continue to look for the good of Nigeria wherever I am and whenever.

“The CNM, even when it becomes a political party, or it joins others, it cannot do it alone. There would have to be a grand alliance. But let me assure you of one thing, having got this far, I will not leave you high and dry, and I know God will continue to be with us. But don’t ever think that it will be easy. Men of valour don’t run away from challenges and it is the same thing with women of honour, except lazy men and women. But they said our youths are lazy.

“Recently, I was in the United States and I said our youths have gone through many things on the Sahara, in Libya and Mediterranean, and somebody would say they are lazy; their great great grandfathers would never try to go that far.

“The opportunities and facilities that people like us enjoyed, including those that said it should not be like that, if we give these youths half of what we enjoyed, they will perform miracles. Education is the best gift that a nation can give to its youths. It is the best gift and preparation for life. Are we doing enough of that?

Present at the meeting were: former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who is the national coordinator of the movement; former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; two former Secretaries to Oyo State Government, Chiefs Olayiwola Olakojo and Ayodele Adigun; and one of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s close associate, Oyewole Fasawe; as well as a legal luminary, Hammed Raji (SAN).

Exactly one week ago when President Muhammadu Buhari spoke at a forum during the Commonwealth summit, he obviously did not anticipate the backlash.

Buhari had said many youth in Nigeria sit down and do nothing, yet expect to get everything free because their country is an oil producing nation.

He had been asked why he did not sign the African Continental Free Trade Agreement in Rwanda last month but his response was not only off-target, it hit the “uneducated” Nigerian youth below the belt.

TheCable had reported the story and within the twinkle of an eye, there was a massive backlash on social media — and the hashtag #LazyNigerianYouth started trending.

The hashtag has recorded hundreds of thousands of tweets and millions of expressions in less than a week.

The youth seized the opportunity to showcase to the world the ingenuity of their trade and expertise as Nigerians.

Comedians, musicians, and artists were not left behind. Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the musical prophet, was brought back to life to join on this trend.

The latest is the creation of a Wikipedia page tagged: “Lazy Nigerian Youths”. Wikipedia described it as a social media outrage by Nigerian youth.

“The Lazy Nigerian Youths (Also known as “#LazyNigerianYouth” or simply “#LazyYouth”) is a social media revolt by Nigerian youths against their President, Muhammadu Buhari,” read the information on the page.

“While speaking at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Westminster in April Buhari said a lot of Nigerian youths have not been to school and they want everything free because the country is an oil-producing state. [1] But the Nigerian youths will not have any of it as they soon took to social media to protest against the comment of the number one citizen of the country.

“After a report of the event by TheCable Staff Writer, Mayowa Tijani[3], who happened to be the only Nigerian journalist allowed to attend the business forum, the Nigerian social media space went angry at the comment with millions of Nigerian youths tweeting about their ventures and how they work hard to make a living in a country that has done little to help her citizens survive.”

Wikipedia said the controversy had been received in different ways, with some using it as a business opportunity.

The House of Representatives during plenary, Wednesday resolved to summon President Muhammadu Buhari over the spate of killings in Benue State and other parts of the country.

The decision was unanimously adopted by overwhelming majority of members after a Kano lawmaker, Baballe Bashir (APC, Kano) moved for the amendment of a motion moved by Mark Gbilah (APC, Benue).

The House, while adopting a motion by Mr. Gbilah on the attack by army personnel on residents of Naka in Gwer-West LGA of Benue State and the inability of the army and other security agencies to quell the crises, the lawmakers also passed a vote of no confidence on the service chiefs and called for their immediate removal.

The House also resolved to suspend its plenary for three days (one week) in solidarity with victims of attacks across the country.

Contributing to the debate, another APC lawmaker from Benue, Dickson Takhigir, alleged that the killers connived with security agencies to perpetrate the act.

“Benue is under siege and if we don’t take the necessary actions, it will amount to abdicating the responsibility of government to protect lives and property of its citizens,” he said.

“It appears there is no moral will to tackle the matter because continuous complaints about the killings seem to fall on deaf ears.”

He said the provision of the law allows self-defence and called on Nigerians ”to do the needful”.

On Tuesday there were reports on how suspected herdsmen killed about 19 persons including two priests in a church in Ukpor-Mbalom, a community in Gwer West Local Government Area.

Terver Akase, a spokesperson to Governor Samuel Ortom, said the attackers also burnt 50 houses and sacked the entire community.

The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi later confirmed two of its priests, Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, both reverend fathers, were killed in the attack.

The attack came barely a week after the murder of 10 persons by herdsmen in the same area, which has been one of the major scenes of carnage by suspects herdsmen since January 1.

It also comes barely a few days after Nigerian soldiers stormed Naka town in Gwer West Local Government Area of the state and set dozens of houses on fire.

The soldiers said hoodlums in the community killed one of their colleagues. At least one man was burnt to death in the reprisal attack.

In addition to the resolution to summon the president, the House also called on the Federal Government to declare killer herdsmen terrorists, while cattle rearers should be registered.

The invitation of the president is an unprecedented move by the lower chamber of the National Assembly. However the lawmakers have constitutional powers to summon all government appointees.

The House had recently invited the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo who doubles as the board chairman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to explain his role in the suspension of six officials as well as other scandals rocking the agency.

The Vice President however sent a representative instead of appearing.

Lawyers recently disclose that neither the president nor the vice president is constitutionally exempted from summons.

Arsene Wenger has broken his silence over his Arsenal exit and finally admitted he was sacked.

The Gunners boss will end his 22-year reign in charge of the club at the end of the season after his shock departure was announced last week.

When his exit was first revealed, Arsenal released a statement saying the decision was mutual between club and boss.

But Wenger, 68, today shed new light on what happened when he was asked why he was leaving with a year left on his contract and the Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid looming.

He said: “The timing was not my decision. The rest I have spoken about it already.”

SunSport revealed last Saturday how chief executive Ivan Gazidis had finally won his power battle and forced Wenger out of the club 12 months earlier than the Frenchman wanted.

That leaves the Frenchman desperate to finish his career with the North London club in the best way possible – by delivering his first European trophy.

It has been a torrid season for Wenger, subjected to increasing criticism from sections of the club’s supporters as well as former players and the media.

During that time his players have also had their own performances scrutinised, with damning assessments delivered against many of them.

It is why Wenger wants to round off his career with Arsenal by steering his much-maligned group of players to Europa League glory and the Champions League qualification it would bring.

He added: “Is there a perfect goodbye? I don’t know. I just want to do as well as I can.

“This team, it is quality. I have seen these guys challenged mentally, always respond in the right way.

“This group of players deserve something special. I want to do it for them, to achieve something for them.

“My biggest satisfaction would be to do it with this group of players. I have seen what they have done this season, if we did win it, they would deserve it.

“This team has quality, two years ago we finished second in the league, last year we had 75pts and won the FA Cup then the Community Shield.

“This year we have reached the League Cup Final and are in the semi-final of the Europa League. These players have quality.

“I am convinced in the future, with two or three additions this team has the quality to fight for the championship.”

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) generated N1.17trillion in the first quarter of 2018 from the collection of different tax types.

A report published by The Punch stated that the sum represents a significant leap over the N778.19bn recorded in the first quarter of last year.

Citing a letter written by the FIRS Chairman, Mr. Tunde Fowler, to the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, the paper reported that the amount generated in the first quarter of this year is N393.39bilion in excess of what was generated in the first three months of last year.

In the letter entitled: ‘Brief on revenue projections performance for the period January to March 2018’, Fowler wrote: “The analysis shows that we have so far collected the sum of N1,171,588,583,152.96 for January to March, 2018, which is 69.5 per cent of the total target to date. This further indicates that there is an increase of N393,395,141,988.50, representing an overall increase of 51 per cent in 2018, when compared with the collection performance for the corresponding period in 2017.”

The breakdown of the revenue collection shows that Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) collection rose by 91 per cent from N338.29bn in the first quarter of 2017 to N644.76bn in the first three months of this year; while Company Income Tax (CIT) rose by 30 per cent from N155.57bn to N202.16bn.

An aggregate of N269.09bn was collected as Value Added Tax (VAT)in the first quarter of 2018, compared to N221.38bn in the first quarter of last year, representing a 22 per cent difference. Stamp Duty collection jumped by N1.43bn from N3.08bn to N4.45bn, while Capital Gains Tax (CGT) recorded a 179 per cent rise from N110.94bn in the first quarter of 2017 to N309.17bn in the first quarter of 2018.

However, the education tax collections fell by N8.06bn in the first three months of this year to N25.87bn from N33.93bn in the first quarter of 2017. Similarly, the National Information Technology Development Fund (NITDF) levy plunged by nine per cent, as only N163.6m was generated in the first three months of 2018 compared with N179.17m realised in the first quarter of 2017. Similarly affected was the consolidated revenue, which dipped by N931.37m from the N25.7bn recorded in the first quarter of last year to N24.77bn in the first quarter of this year.

The FIRS Chairman, in the letter dated April 9, informed the Finance Minister that the FIRS has been implementing various strategies to improve revenue generation and develop new collection-boosting initiatives. He expressed optimism that the strategies and initiatives will yield fruit before the end of this year.

According to Fowler, the FIRS collected a total of N4.03tn in the 2017 fiscal period, representing 82.38 per cent of the government’s target of N4.89tn for the year.

The N4.03tn revenue was N720bn more than the 2016 total collection figure of N3.3tn.

An analysis of the revenue collection performance indicated that taxes from non-oil sources accounted for 63 per cent, while oil tax accounted for 37 per cent of the total.

Stamp Duty recorded the highest increase in performance with 94 per cent during the 2017 fiscal period.

During the annual spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington, DC, African philanthropist and entrepreneur Tony O. Elumelu insisted that prioritizing Africa’s youth by fixing the policy and regulatory issues impeding their innovations would also help attract foreign investors.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation Founder spoke alongside World Bank President Jim Kim and LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner in a fireside chat on advancing the digital economy in Africa. During the discussion, he sent a strong message on the importance of leveraging entrepreneurship to enable Africa to leapfrog traditional development paths.

“I speak as someone who has supported young African entrepreneurs. I see enthusiasm, intellect, I determination, drive and discipline – you invest $5,000 and indeed they apply this to their purpose,” Elumelu said. “So why don’t we harness all of these people? Why doesn’t government replicate this model?”

When asked about the technological advancements of today, which will be responsible for shifting African development into overdrive, Elumelu was emphatic.

“It is our young people – the 60 percent of [African] people under the age of 30 who will come up with innovations that might help to pull Africa out of where it is today. We need to prioritize them, to give them support by removing the stifling policies holding them back. If we remove those, we will unleash their creativity onto the world.”

While moderating the discussion, World Bank President Dr. Jim Yong Kim, said policy makers in Nigeria and other African countries are ill-prepared to compete in the digital technology space. Elumelu conceded that without critical infrastructure, driving technological advancement would be difficult.

“You can’t talk about a digital economy in Africa without fixing critical infrastructure. Digital connectivity is a major issue in Africa and you can’t fix it if you don’t have reliable access to electricity,” Elumelu said. “So, if we want to truly address the issue of a digital economy in Africa, these challenges have to be fixed.”

Elumelu, who is also Chairman of the United Bank for Africa Group, also highlighted regulation, intellectual property and the need to incentivise investors, as other factors that would help drive the digital economy on the continent.

“Let’s fix policy issues and all these issues I have identified and investors will come to Africa,” Elumelu added.