₦airaland Forum

The Association of Nigerian Prostitutes (ANP) has declared a one-day free sex to redeem their pledge made hours before the Super Eagles World Cup qualifiers game against Zambia in Uyo.

The association’s National Secretary, Jessica Elvis, had said on Saturday morning that, the association members would declare free sex in Uyo 24 hours after the Eagles must have defeated the Chipolopolo of Zambia to pick a ticket to play at the Russia 2018 World Cup.

Jessica Elvis said in a statement that, all the members of ANP have been instructed to give free services in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state after the Eagles victory.

The last time the association declared such services was in 2013, when they urged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to win the gold at the Orange African Cup of Nations, held in South Africa.

After the Eagles victory, the ANP declared one week of free sex to show their support for the national team.

The management of Sterling Bank Plc, Lagos has dragged its staff and a teller attached to its Wilmer Branch, Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos, Chidebe Henry Ikenna, 41, before a Lagos Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing the sum of N2 million entrusted in his care by the customers of the Bank to lodge in their accounts.
The accused, from Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria was ordered arrested by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of Lion Building Division, CSP Folashade Tanaruno following a complaint by the management of Sterling Bank Plc through Mr Okonugha Sunday Evaristus in charge of security department.
Ikenna was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court on a one count charge of felony to wit, stealing.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Abass Abayomi informed the Court in charge No. C/61/2017 that the accused committed the alleged offence in November, 2016 at the Sterling Bank Plc, Lagos.
Abayomi told the Court that the accused betrayed the trust reposed on him by his employer as a teller and stole the sum of N2 million entrusted in his care by the customers of the bank.
Abayomi added that the management of the bank got to know about the alleged fraudulent act when some of the customers of the bank lodged a complaint against the accused that anytime they give him money to lodge in their account, they would receive an alert that the money had entered into their accounts but that when they checked the balance, they would not find the money in their accounts.
According to him, following the complaints, the management of the bank swung into action and launched investigation into the complaints during which they discovered that the accused had been sending false alerts to the complainants and converting the money they entrusted in his care as a teller to lodge in their accounts to his personal use.
Abayomi added that the offence the accused committed was punishable under section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime and Chief Magistrate, A.O. Komolafe granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
Komolafe adjourned the case till 14 November, 2017 for mention and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi Prison, pending when he is able to fulfill the bail conditions.

Obaseki: We won’t be intimidated by kidnappers

The recent upsurge in criminal activities in Edo State is said to be part of an elaborate scheme orchestrated by the leadership of the Police Command in the state, with support from the Police high command and some elements in the presidency, investigations have revealed.
This emerged on a day the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, warned that the state would not be forced by criminal elements and organised crime overlords to the negotiation table, stressing that law and order, as well as the liberty of the ordinary law-abiding citizens and residents, were not for sale.
Recall that there has been a rise in high profile kidnapping in the state in recent time, with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ogba Zoo, Mr. Andy Ehanire; popular musician, Osayomore Joseph, and a Catholic priest, Rv. Fr. Lawrence Adorolo, abducted by unknown gunmen.
A lecturer at the University of Benin, Prof. Paul Otasowie, was also killed early this week. Though the priest has been released, the whereabouts of Ehanire and Osayomore is still unknown.
It was gathered that the top hierarchy of the Edo Police command is either complicit in the growing insecurity or are compromised and providing cover for a ring of organised criminals, who are working to undermine the state government.
The organised criminal network is said to be taking advantage of the ‘lax’ police command to wreck mayhem in the state.
This is as there are subsisting allegations of widespread corruption at the state Police Command with its leadership accused of running the command as ‘a business centre,’ with ‘delivery targets’ set for Divisional Police Officers (DPOs).
It was also learnt that the Police Service Commission (PSC), in July, deployed former Commissioner of Police, Armament, Johnson Kokumo, to head the Edo State Command, but the incumbent, CP Haliru Gwandu, has held tightly to the position, in violation of the PSC’s posting.
Curiously, CP Garba Umar, who was deployed from Bayelsa State to Anambra State at the same time as CP Kokumo, who was deployed to Edo Command, has since resumed in Anambra State.
It was gathered that efforts by Obaseki to influence adherence to the transfer notice so as to pave way for a new security template in the state proved abortive, as the effort was rebuffed by both the commissioner and the IGP, who by the action suggests that the PSC lacks the power to effect the transfer of police officers.
It was gathered that when efforts to prevail on the CP to vacate the position for the newly deployed commissioner failed, moves were made to get the IGP, Ibrahim Idris, and the presidency to act on the matter.
“Since July till date, nothing has happened. And we are beginning to suspect that something is amiss. For the CP to remain at his post even after the Police Service Commission has posted him out of the command, it only means he has the backing of the IGP, who has also not done anything to get the CP to heed the directive.
“Recently, Obaseki embarked on a trip to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari, with the aim of persuading him to prevail on the IG to honour the posting carried out by the PSC, which is yet to yield any fruits.
“By these turn of events, Edo People and the state’s operating environment are now at the mercy of these criminals,” a reliable source, who sought anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said.
It was learnt that members of the dislodged organized criminal network in Edo State, who were upstaged when the Obaseki administration stopped them from intimidating and extorting money from innocent Edo people, have now taken advantage of the laxity of Gwandu to perpetrate crimes.
To heighten tension in the state, the criminal overlords, it was learnt, conscripted social media influencers to lead a campaign against the government in the hope that outrage over increased criminal activity would force the government to negotiate for a return to the old order.
Meanwhile, Obaseki, who called on Edo people to remain calm but vigilant, noted that an elaborate scheme was being finalised to rein in the orchestrators of the recent violence, bring them to justice and restore sustainable peace and safety in the state.
He said: “Edo people, the majority of whom are law-abiding, should be rest assured that the promises to restore sanity to the state have been fulfilled.”

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on Friday told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that it replaced the lost passport of Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court because the organisation had no cause to doubt the affidavit deposed to by the Justice wherein he deposed to the loss of his passport.
The Federal Government is prosecuting Justice Ngwuta over alleged corruption.
At the resumed trial yesterday, Prosecution Witness Five, Tanko Kutana, said a new passport was issued to Justice Ngwuta by the immigration, having been convinced that he actually lost the first one.
The witness, however, informed the court that the judge did not report back to the immigration when he allegedly found his missing passport.
Kutana, under cross examination by the defense counsel, Kanu Agabi SAN, the court that the immigration rules made allowance for genuine mistake, but in the instant case the defendant cannot be said to have made a genuine mistake.
The witness further informed the court, that his forensic report showed that Justice Ngwuta was using the two standard passport interchangeable, at the time of his arrest on October 7, 2016 by the operatives of the Department of State Security.
Kutana said ordinarily the defendant ought to have returned the recovered passport to the immigration when it was found.
The witness who confirmed that four diplomatic passports and two standard passports were found in the possession of the defendant said that his forensic analysis on the six passports did not show evidence of forgery
“I did the analysis on the six passports to determine whether there was forgery and by the time I concluded my analysis of the passports, I found no evidence of forgery in any of them,” he said.
He admitted that he did not meet or interrogate the defendant during the cause of his analysis, so as to obtain his own side of the story, because it was not needed.
He said: “There are circumstances under which a citizen can have more than one passport, but not two same passports at the same time as in the instant case.
“I ascribe illegality on the two standard passports found with the defendant, because the defendant ought to have returned one of the passports to the immigration.”
The trial judge, Justice John Tsoho later adjourned to October 20 at the instance of the prosecution.

Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos will on October 16 rule on the no case submissions filed by a former Director General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi and five others against the N2.6 billion fraud charge slammed on them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency had on December 4, 2015, arraigned Akpobolokemi alongside five others on a 22-count charge before the court for allegedly diverting N2.6 billion from the coffers of NIMASA between December 2013 and May 2015.
Others docked with Akpobolokemi are; Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts and were later admitted to bail.
At trial, the prosecution called a total of 12 witnesses and tendered 77 exhibits in a bid to prove the allegations.
It was the turn of Akpobolokemi and other accused persons to open their defence yesterday. They however declined to do so and rather opted for the filing of no case submissions.
They contended that the prosecution has failed to established a prima facie case against them to warrant their entering any defence.
Arguing Akpobolokemi’s no-case submission on Friday, his lawyer, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) contended that the EFCC failed to link his client with the alleged diversion of funds from NIMASA, pointing out that his signature to such effect was never shown to the court.
He maintained that his client could not be liable because it was ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and not Akpobolokemi, that approved the security project and the disbursement of the money.
The silk also described the evidence given against his client by the EFCC investigator as mere hearsay, which had no legal weight before the court.
He then urged the court to come to the irresistible conclusion, from the evidence of the prosecution, that the first defendant cannot be called upon to enter any defence, because no prima facie case had been established against him.
Responding, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, maintained that the testimonies of the 12 witnesses called and the 77 exhibits tendered had successfully linked Akpobolokemi to the alleged fraud.
He argued that being the Head and Chief Accounting Officer of NIMASA at the time of the alleged fraud, Akpobolokemi could not by any stretch of imagination claim to be innocent.
He said even though it was ex-President Jonathan that approved the security project and sanctioned the disbursement of the funds, Akpobolokemi was the head of NIMASA who constituted a committee to handle the project and also approved funds for the activities of the committee.
He said the proscution had established that rather than the intended purpose for which Jonathan approved the funds, the funds were illegally converted to the defendants’ personal use.
Other defence lawyers equally urged the judge to hold that no prima facie case has been established by the EFCC against their clients.
After entertaining arguments from parties, Justice Buba fixed October 16 for ruling.
In the charge, the anti-graft agency alleged that Akpobolokemi and others converted the money belonging to NIMASA for their private use.
The prosecution had alleged that on or about February 2014 in Lagos, the accused persons conspired among themselves to convert the sum of N437,726, 666.60 belonging to NIMASA.
They were also alleged to have on January 9, 2014 and sometimes in April and August, 2014, converted to their own use, the sums of N21, 802, 000, N53,749, 000.00 and N66,800.000.
The offences according to the commission are contrary to and punishable under Section 18 (a) and 15 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition/Amendment) Act of 2012.

Controversy has trailed the alleged endorsement made by former President Ibrahim Babangida of the candidature of former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, for the office of National Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
An unsigned press statement sent to us on Wednesday alleged that the former president and one of the founders of the PDP, had thrown his weight behind Mr. Daniel in his bid to become the national chairman of the party.
IBB, as he is fondly called, reportedly described Mr. Daniel as the ”breathe of fresh air.”
The statement said Mr. Babangida made the declaration at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger state on Wednesday when Mr. Daniel led a delegation on a visit to IBB in furtherance to his (Daniel) nationwide consultation.
According to the statement, speaking during the visit, Mr. Daniel said he had come to confer with the former president on his ambition, noting that no serious politician in the country would embark on such an important national task without seeking the wisdom and blessing of the former president.
Mr. Babangida was quoted to have said he was ”quite elated when he learnt that Gbenga Daniel was interested in offering his service to the country.”
“I was elated when I first heard that you were interested in volunteering yourself for this great service to our country, you represent the breadth of fresh air that the party deserves at this stage.
“I know OGD (Daniel) very well and I know his unparalleled capacity for work. I have a strong conviction that with OGD as chairman, the party can be turned around again.
“I am supporting you because I know you very well. OGD, you’re my Chairman in waiting.”
We however, learnt from one of the aides of Mr. Babangida that what the former leader said should not be misconstrued as a tacit support for Mr. Daniel.
“He hasn’t thrown his support for anyone,” the aide who declined to be named in the story said.
He also said what Mr. Babangida said during the visit, “does not amount to throwing his weight behind him.”
He said like Mr. Daniel, “other aspirants will also visit him and he will have something to say about them too. IBB is home to all and as a founding father of the PDP, he’s at home with all persons.
“No doubt IBB is close to Daniel, he is also close to Tunde Adeniran, Bode George and Raymond Dokpesi, who will all run for Chairman,” he said.
The other names mentioned by the aide are also seeking to the national chairman of the largest opposition in Nigeria at a convention set to hold later this year.
Mr. Adeniran is a former education minister, Mr. George a former deputy national chairman of the PDP, and Mr. Dokpesi owner of Daar Communications which owns AIT television and Ray Power radio stations.

Monkeypox is a rare viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms in humans similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although less severe. Smallpox was eradicated in 1980. However, monkeypox still occurs sporadically in some parts of Africa.
Monkeypox is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae.

ORIGIN
The monkeypox virus was first identified in the State Serum Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1958 during an investigation into a pox-like disease among monkeys.
But it was first identified in humans in 1970 in Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo) in a 9-year-old boy in a region where smallpox had been eliminated in 1968.

WAS DIAGNOSED IN THE US
In the spring of 2003, monkeypox cases were confirmed in the Midwest of the United States of America, marking the first reported occurrence of the disease outside of the African continent.
Most of the patients had had close contact with pet prairie dogs.

INFECTION
Infection results from direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or cutaneous or mucosal lesions of infected animals.
Human infections have also been documented through the handling of infected monkeys, rats and squirrels, with rodents being the major reservoir of the virus. Eating inadequately cooked meat of infected animals is a possible risk factor.

TRANSMISSION
Transmission occurs primarily via droplet respiratory particles usually requiring prolonged face-to-face contact, which puts household members of active cases at greater risk of infection.
Transmission can also occur by inoculation or via the placenta (congenital monkeypox). There is no evidence, to date, that person-to-person transmission alone can sustain monkeypox infections in the human population.
Secondary, or human-to-human, transmission can result from close contact with infected respiratory tract secretions, skin lesions (open wounds/injuries) of an infected person or objects recently contaminated by patient fluids or lesion materials.

DURATION
The incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 16 days but can range from 5 to 21 days.
Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from 14 to 21 days.

SYMPTOMS
The infection can be divided into two periods:
The invasion period (0-5 days) characterized by fever, intense headache, lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph node), back pain, myalgia (muscle ache) and an intense asthenia (lack of energy);
The skin eruption period (within 1-3 days after appearance of fever) where the various stages of the rash appears, often beginning on the face and then spreading elsewhere on the body.
The face (in 95% of cases), and palms of the hands and soles of the feet (75%) are most affected.

RISK FACTOR
People living in or near the forested areas may have indirect or low-level exposure to infected animals, possibly leading to subclinical (asymptomatic) infection.
The case fatality has varied widely between epidemics but has been less than 10% in documented events, mostly among young children. In general, younger age-groups appear to be more susceptible to monkeypox.

DIAGNOSIS
Monkeypox can only be diagnosed definitively in the laboratory where the virus can be identified by a number of different tests.
The differential diagnoses that must be considered include other rash illnesses, such as, smallpox, chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, syphilis, and medication-associated allergies.

TREATMENT/VACCINE
There are no specific treatments or vaccines available for monkeypox infection, but outbreaks can be controlled.
Vaccination against smallpox has been proven to be 85% effective in preventing monkeypox in the past but the vaccine is no longer available to the general public after it was discontinued following global smallpox eradication.

PREVENTION
In the absence of specific treatment or vaccine, the only way to reduce infection in people is by raising awareness of the risk factors and educating people about the measures they can take to reduce exposure to the virus.
Regular hand washing should be carried out after caring for or visiting sick people.
Reducing the risk of animal-to-human transmission. Efforts to prevent transmission in endemic regions should focus on thoroughly cooking all animal products (blood, meat) before eating.
Public health educational messages via the media – broadcast, electronic and social – is highly advised.
Healthcare workers and those treating or exposed to patients with monkeypox or their samples should consider being immunized against smallpox via their national health authorities.

Less than a week into their much hyped operation in Nigeria, new pay-television service provider, TSTV, has been rocked by a scandal that might blight its enthusiastic debut with allegations of intellectual property theft by two property owners, CNN and beIN, a Qatar-based sports and entertainment provider operating in New Zealand, US, South East Asia and North Africa among other zones.

In a letter dated 27 September and addressed to TSTV and copied to the Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Turner Broadcasting System Europe Limited, owners of exclusive distribution rights to the CNN channel in English, said TSTV obtained no authorization before including its property among the channels to be carried in Nigeria.

The accusation was based on a channel line-up obtained from the website of TStv, which launched on 1 October.

Signed by Eleanore Browne, Director, Turner Broadcasting System Limited, the letter warned TSTV to immediately desist from distributing the company’s channel, as it has no authorization to do so.

“It has come to our attention that TStv intends to launch on 1 October 2017 a package of channels that would include CNN. In this respect, the distribution of the above-mentioned channel in Africa, including in Nigeria, has to be authorized in advance.

“This would amount to an unlawful use, which will infringe the rights and harm the interests of our company and cause us substantial prejudice,” Turner stated.

It called on TSTV to undertake in writing not to distribute CNN and not to use or produce CNN trademarks in any advertising or promotional item.

Turner threatened to, in the event of TStv’s refusal to heed the warning, take legal steps by instituting civil and criminal proceedings.

The receipt of the letter by TSTV was acknowledged by one Umana Kufre on 29 September.

In similar vein, beIN, accused TSTV of illegal piracy of its content and warned the new pay-Television service provider to immediately desist from distributing its entertainment and sport content, as such amounts to intellectual property infringement.

A letter from beIN to TSTV, dated 28 September, was copied to the Director-General, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and its receipt was acknowledged on 29 September by an official of the commission.

It was received by Umana Kufre on behalf of TSTV on the same day.

The content owners said it became aware of TSTV’s plan to include in its package a number of their channels through the new pay-TV provider’s website.

The content owners stated that TSTV has no authorization to distribute its channels.

“We have become aware that your company, TSTV, intends to launch a pay-television service in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa generally. Information on this service is contained on the websitehttp://tstvafrica.com,” beIN stated in the letter, which also contained an image of its trademarks showing on the referenced website.

While stating that it invested huge sums to acquire rights to the property and on content production, it warned that other parties are not allowed to rebroadcast or copy its property or use its trademark without authorization.

However, in a series of tweets on its on its twitter handle @tstvafrica, the new TV provider denied the letter and described it as frivolous and an attempt to tarnish the brand before it begins sales.

“DISCLAIMER!! We are not unaware of the messages circulating the social media regarding a letter from beIN Sports and Turner. We wish to inform Nigerians that the letters are FAKE and were prepared basically to bias Nigerians. Kindly disregard the documents because they are frivolous. TStv Africa…connecting your world!

While the new TV provider denied beIN’s letter, the company has been silent on the alleged theft of CNN’s property rights.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that while the nation’s 57th independence anniversary is a day for thanksgiving, reflection and re-dedication, his government will not and cannot accede to what he referred to as calls for dismemberment of the country by “highly irresponsible groups”.

Speaking in a nationwide broadcast this morning, President Buhari said that as a young Army Officer, he took part, from the beginning to the end, in the tragic civil war which cost about two million lives, resulting in fearful destruction and untold suffering to keep the nation as one.
“Those who are agitating for a re-run were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of the civil conflict which we went through. I am very disappointed that responsible leaders of these communities do not warn their hot-headed youths about what the country went through. Those who were there should tell those who were not there, the consequences of such folly,” he said.
Acknowledging that recent calls on re-structuring, “quite proper in a legitimate debate, “ have been going on, the President said “proper dialogue and any desired constitutional changes should take place in a rational manner at the national and state assemblies,” because “these are the proper and legal fora for national debate, not some lop-sided, un-democratic body with pre-determined set of objectives.”
On security, President Buhari said over the years the country has gone through trials and tribulations, but October 1 is always a day for celebrations. “Nigerians must be grateful to our gallant Armed Forces for rolling back the frontiers of Boko Haram’s terrorism, defeating them and reducing them to cowardly attacks on soft and vulnerable targets.”
He also expressed gratitude to the nation’s neighbours and the international community for the collective efforts to defeat this world-wide menace of terrorism, even as he commended the Armed Forces and the operational capability of troops in the North-East as they ensure the final push to wipe out the remnants of Boko Haram.
With regard to the economy, he said government has remained pro-active in its diversification policy with its agricultural Anchor Borrowers Programme, which has witnessed the release of N43.92 billion released through the CBN and 13 participating institutions, 200,000 small holder farmers from 29 states of the federation benefitting, and 233,000 hectares of farmland cultivating eight commodities, namely rice, wheat, maize, cotton, soya-beans, poultry, cassava and groundnuts, in addition to fish farming.
He commended the efforts of the governors of Kebbi, Lagos, Ebonyi and Jigawa states for their support to the rice and fertilizer revolutions, just as he lauded contributions of their counterparts in Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Cross River, Benue, Ogun, Kaduna and Plateau states for their support for the presidential initiative for palm oil, rubber, cashew, cassava, potatoes and others crops.
He said the new presidential initiative has generated over 360,000 jobs even as power production reaches a new high of 7,001MW
President Buhari said that a new presidential initiative is starting with each state of the federation creating a minimum of 10,000 jobs for unemployed youths, adding that the government’s N500 billion Special Intervention Programme is also boosting job creation and feeding for school children.
He disclosed that ‘broad based economic growth is leading the economy out of recession, even as investor’s and manufactures’’ confidence is being restored. “The country has recorded seven consecutive months of lower inflation, Naira rate is beginning to stabilise, appreciating from N525 per $1 in February this year to N360 today.”
He said that to further stabilize the polity, the Federal Government gave additional support to states and local government totaling N1.642 trillion.

Executive Chairman of the Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr. Ayodele Zubair, has described the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) as the last chance for tax offenders to redeem themselves.

Speaking on the sidelines of the International Conference of African Tax Administrations Forum (ATAF) holding in in Abuja, Zubair said the scheme could not have been introduced at a better time.

“VAIDS is a very good initiative undertaken by the present administration and headed by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun. The whole idea is to bring a lot of Nigerians into the tax net and, by so doing, increase the tax base and the culture of paying taxes in Nigeria,” he explained.

He urged those with previously undeclared taxes and assets to voluntarily and truthfully declare such, as they will be absolved of all the income and penalties. While acknowledging the existence of mixed feelings about the scheme, Zubair advised that it is in the interest of tax offenders to embrace the scheme because it affords them the last opportunity to escape heavy sanctions.

“Government is going the whole hog at the end of the amnesty programme and all the people who have not voluntarily and truthfully disclosed all their untaxed incomes will surely face prosecution,” he warned. He added that government, at the federal and state levels, are committed to the success of VAIDS, warning offenders that there is a lot of information being shared locally and internationally on property ownership and other items.

“A lot of data mining is going on. A lot of data is being mined on a daily basis, both locally and internationally, on property ownership and the likes. So, people who do not take advantage of this programme will certainly have themselves to blame in the future because the government has the will to prosecute all tax offenders and will do so,” he said.

When asked if Nigerians are ready for voluntary assets declaration, Mr. Zubair said a lot of people have started showing interest and trust in the scheme, which offers confidentiality and expressed belief that the sincerity of the government will arouse greater confidence in the scheme among Nigerians.

“All over the world, no one wants to pay taxes except they are forced to. But we are currently very positive about the success of the VAIDS programme. We have received a lot of feelers. It has generated a lot of enquiries. People are coming to us and want to know about the programme. They are willing to trust the system in terms of the confidentiality promised. Over time, more people will be convinced on the entire idea. Some people think it’s a trick to catch them out, but is not. This is an amnesty programme about which the government is very sincere about and people should take advantage of it.

Mr. Zubair added that VAIDS will help increase the country’s tax-to-Gross Domestic Ratio, which is one of the lowest in the world. Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio currently stands at a measly 6 per cent. Compared to India’s at 16 per cent, Ghana’s 15.9 per cent and South Africa’s 27 per cent, the country occupies a basement position.

A former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has said that Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has failed as a country.

Mr. Obi stated this in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Saturday during the 2017 Independence anniversary lecture at the Akanu- ibiam International Conference Centre where he was a guest lecturer.

The former governor spoke on the topic “Change and changing Nigeria through harnessing of investment potentials of Ebonyi state: yesterday, today and tomorrow.

He expressed regret that the country was still operating in the past with no qualified leadership to revitalise the economy.

The former governor blamed the recent rise in agitation of youth across the country, especially the Indigenous People of Biafra, as a result of the poor leadership of the present administration of the federal government.

“For me the country has failed, If anybody tells you that Nigeria is doing well, tell them it is a lie. They said that we are out of recession but almost all Nigerians are still feeling greatly the impact of recession,” he stated.

He urged the governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi, to always tell the people he is ruling the truth adding that the people will trust and believe him the more.

Agitations

Mr. Obi said more Nigerians are bound agitate except the leadership challenges of the country are addressed.
Mr. Obi said the recent agitations by the Indigenous People on of Biafra, IPOB, and other groups indicate that more of such would be coming.

He said the various agitations across the country were the cumulative effect of leadership failure that has bedeviled the country since its independence.

“Whenever they talk about Nigeria at 57, I refuse to talk. My opinion is that Nigeria is a failed country, period and that is why you are seeing so many agitations you are seeing today. The agitation is not
ending, it’s just begging,” he said.

“It is a cumulative effect of leadership failure over the several years of this country and you can’t stop it because you now have millions of young people in their productive age doing nothing, you can call them anything”.

He harped on the need to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth so as to stop them from further agitation.

“If you don’t have a job and you have not eaten food in the morning, afternoon and night, tomorrow you are a potential terrorist, quote me anywhere. The only way to stop that is to give them jobs,” he said.

“We are moving from baggage economy to knowledge economy. So, the country should stop dwelling on solid minerals because it is a baggage economy and nobody lives with it. This is what Nigeria is doing and we are still talking about oil which is already destined to finish one day,” Mr. Obi stated.

He called on the government to ensure that the Sustainable Development Goals are mainstreamed in the development agenda of the country.

“Nigeria should queue into Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), not in signature. The country is there in signature and it is the only country that got involved in Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and did not achieve one goal because as soon as we signed the signature, we threw it away and came here and started doing things wrongly.

“China put MDGs in their developmental agenda, they mainstreamed it in their developmental agenda and they are targeting to lift 16million people out of poverty but I don’t know how many people Nigeria will lift in the next 10 years because there is no such measurable goals, everything is done in confusion,” he said.

“Our reserve is weak today and we are not talking about savings rather we are borrowing more. In 2007, all our debts were written off and we didn’t owe anybody. But in 2017, we have accumulated a debt of $69 billion and nobody is thinking how do we get over this because what we are doing is based on nothing. We just borrow money and share,” Mr. Obi stated.

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State says God has destined him to lead Nigeria.
Fayose, who spoke in Abuja on Thursday at his declaration to be the presidential candidate of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party in 2019, also promised to fight corruption if elected.
He said he remained the best candidate of the party having defeated two incumbent governors in his state.
Apart from that, he also boasted that he is the most experienced governor having served under three Presidents.
“By the grace of God, I am the longest-serving governor in Nigeria today, having served under three Presidents – Obasanjo, Jonathan, and now Buhari,” Fayose declared.
Describing himself as a rock, he said that God has destined him to lead the country.
“My party leaders, standing before you is Peter (The Rock) Ayodele Fayose, the man already destined by God to take Nigeria out of the present political and economic stagnation”, he said.
He said he was not bothered by the zoning formula of his party that its presidential candidate would come from the Northern part of the country.
Sounding confident, he said he is like the Biblical Joseph and that he would become what God has ordained him to be.
He said the days of packaging governors and other individuals as president was over and warned against the imposition of unwilling politicians on Nigerians.
“We don’t want packaged governors or president again. This time around, we need a very agile, and experienced fellow like me, ” he added.

Terrifying cracks, stagnant pools of water in homes
Many houses fail integrity test –Structural engineer

Beyond the exclusive façade of the Victoria Garden City (VGC), the high-brow residential estate located on the bourgeoning Lekki axis of Lagos State, are alarming numbers of sinking duplexes and other buildings.
The structures, which have become death traps, perching on well-tended courts, have thrown residents of the exquisite city into panic; and many occupants have either vacated their apartments, put them up for sale or demolished distressed structures for reconstruction.
Our correspondent, who visited the City, observed that the first turn to the right, after VGC’ security point, reveals Road 12. Situated conspicuously off Road Two and opposite the lush Recreation Park, a traffic sign at its entry point announces that trucks above 10 tons are not allowed passage.
To the unsuspecting visitor, the import of the warning may not be fully understood. But as one moves away from the welcoming coziness of the serene estate, into Road 12, one is confronted with startling reality.
Evidence of numerous distressed houses, abandoned apartments, sinking mansions surrounded by stagnant pools of water, and buildings with terrifying cracked walls are all too glaring. On the same street, about three buildings had been demolished apparently because they had sunk beyond the level of redemption.
On Plot 47, a domestic worker, who spoke to our correspondent in confidence, explained that the owner of, the property, simply identified as ‘Alhaji’, had to relocate to a safer property on Road 4.
“But the Alhaji is desperately looking for a buyer for his abandoned palatial building on Road 12,” the worker added.
Our correspondent observed that the bold inscription, ‘For Sale’, was also seen hanging on many gates of several other plots/houses, even as their owners were not available to speak. However, there were also depressions and indiscriminate sinking as a result of stress on roads paved with stones.
Some of the properties affected include plots 46 and 16B, which have long cracked walls; plots 12, 17A, 16A are demolished; Plots 16B, 16E, 48B showed signs of tilting and sinking structures while some of the properties already marked for sale include plots 12B, 36B, 56B; over five plots with sinking house have been fallowed.
Back in the 90s, HFP Engineering got the nod from the Lagos State Government to show-case a model estate on what used to be a mangrove swamp that was highly infested by dangerous snakes and other reptiles. The Israeli construction giants turned the swampy terrain into the first gated exquisite residential area.
With its aesthetic boulevards, good and unexposed drainage systems, excellent security facilities and lush recreation parks, VGC became the prowling ground for the affluent. The estate boast of luxury apartments which are mainly duplexes, located on beautiful & well-landscaped streets. The success of the project opened the flood gates for other investors who now see the area as a haven for real estate investments.
Typical property price in VGC shows that land costs about N230,000 per square meter while rental fee for a three bedroom duplex in the estate goes for N2.5million to N3 million. The rental fee for four bedroom duplex is between N2.8 to N4 million; and an outright buy, N75 million to N85 million.
To rent a five bedroom duplex, one needs to cough out N3.3million per annum and N195 million to N280 million for outright purchase, depending on the size of the land/compound.
But in spite of VGC’s envious environmental beauty and amenities such excellent security, waste management, good road network, good school and robust business facilities, the estate has become notorious for flood related issues which has hindered both vehicular and human traffic and had devastating effects on resident and properties.
We learnt that Road 12 is one of the worst affected by flood waters. According to a domestic staff, whenever there is a down pour, the road becomes a ‘lake’ and virtually every compound is flooded. To provide emergency relief, the residents installed a huge water pumping machine to rid the road of flooding.
An architect on site told this medium in camera that many residents had to abandon their palatial mansions when they could no longer risk living in sinking and tilting houses some of which had developed dangerous cracks because they were apparently built on unsettled land.
He said: “What you see as VGC today used to be a dreaded mangrove swamp before it was reclaimed and turned to what it is today. Usually after reclamation, the soil should be allowed to settle properly before any structure can be constructed on it.”
He added: “The sinking and collapsing buildings are evidence that the soil was not allowed to settle long enough and proper building standards followed after reclamation.”
A building engineer, Sarbinto Adeleke, explained that contrary to popular belief, a sand-filled soil does not need up to 10 years to compact.
“What is required is to allow for self-compaction by applying water and then a 20-ton compacting machine to further compact the reclaimed land,” he said.
He, however, observed that the use of such compactor in an area like VGC could pose serious threat to other houses in the vicinity.
“You need to be mindful of other peoples’ buildings also, otherwise during moment of compaction, the vibration is capable of pulling down the houses in the immediate neighbourhood.
According to him, pile foundation needs to be done for a commercial building while raft foundation with good foreign reinforcement would be enough in the case of a residential house. “Where foreign re-enforcement is not possible, it has to be well re-enforced. Your concrete has to be 25 Newton (standard mix), and the material to be used has to be carefully selected such as Beggar sharp sand that is filtered.
The problem is that not all builders conform to quality and these standards. In Nigeria, some clients don’t care about quality; what they are after is just to see their building come up,” he explained.
He added that one of the things that need to be checked out to avoid sinking, tilting and house developing cracks in VGC is the counter balance between road level and compound level.
His words: “Really soil settles; but did you check their invert level? What is the difference between the road level and their compound level? Those are the things. If your building is lower than the road level, you’ll have flood problem; it needs to be raised.
“Wherever there is deflection or a building tilting or caving in, it also depends on the quality of material. With time, lower level of concrete will definitely give up and you will see cracks. Cracks develop as a result movement, some building will have movement and still remain, but if your material is not good, you will see cracks,” he explained.
Corroborating, Jude Ogulala, a real estate practitioner, emphasised that the distressed buildings were built on faulty foundations. “You need to carry out soil test for quality and value first, before you can know the kind of foundation you can do, otherwise you do rubbish.”
He added: “If it is a hydraulic sand-filling, you need to wait a period of one or two years in a worst case scenario. If it is not hydraulic; you can be talking of more years depending on the structure you want to build, but definitely not 10 years.
Last Wednesday (September 13), the Lagos State Building Control Agency, an arm of the state Ministry of Physical Planning, was contacted to clarify whether relevant building approvals were obtained before the affected houses in VGC were built. Our correspondent wanted to know the result of the soil texture in the terrain and to what extent this was put into consideration before construction was done. Our correspondent also wanted to know if the Lagos State government is aware of the apparent integrity failure of some of the buildings in VGC and whether there are efforts to carry out wholesome integrity test for buildings in the exclusive estate.
A staff in the agency’s Public Relations Office told our correspondent that the management of VGC estate would not allow any building to be erected in the estate without an approved plan from the relevant Lagos State agency.
The officer, who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, also explained that a team of the state Building Control Agency has gone on a fact-finding visit to and will respond to the questions above. However, at the time of going to press, no response came even after several phone calls to the agency’s Public Relations Unit.

….As Airtel commissions Yahaya Hamza Primary School, Kaduna

Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has commended Airtel Nigeria for its role in the development of primary education across the country.
El-Rufai who was speaking at the commissioning of the newly rehabilitated Yahaya Hamza Primary School in Kaduna, today (27/9/17), thanked Airtel for adopting a school in the State and for its support to primary education in Nigeria.
According to him: “With Airtel’s intervention, the new Yahaya Hamza Primary School has been transformed – complete with 6 blocks, 12 classrooms, desk and chairs, teachers’ offices, white boards, borehole facilities and toilets for male and female students as well as teachers. Students, today, also got complete set of uniforms, bags and books.
“I urge other stakeholders in Corporate Nigeria to emulate Airtel by partnering with the Kaduna State government in supporting educational initiatives.”
The governor also expressed delight at Airtel’s choice of Yahaya Hamza primary school, noting that it signifies the preservation of the legacies of a great man, a teacher, a role model, a leader and an inspiration, Yahaya Hamza.
He also said that Airtel’s intervention is a gift that aligns with Kaduna State’s goal of developing primary, secondary and tertiary education.
“The Kaduna State Government thanks Airtel for offering its widow mite and contributions in our quest to revamp education in the State,” he said.
Also speaking at the occasion, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, noted that good education is a human right, describing it as a ticket to prosperity since it creates a level field for everyone to succeed.
He further noted that Airtel’s adoption of schools is not a one-year wonder but a continuing partnership.
The CEO also used the occasion to request support for Sadiq Usman, a five year old boy whose eyes were removed by suspected ritualists last year.
“It is tragic and heart-breaking to see an innocent, vulnerable child suffer and go through such excruciating pains. I and My colleagues were deeply moved by Sadiq’s situation and generously supported the call to provide relief. Our support will not just end here, Sadiq is our adopted son and he will continue to be our priority and in our prayers. A child is a trust and every member of society has a responsibility towards children – this we must take seriously,” he said.
Yahaya Hamza primary school in Zaria, Kaduna State joins the five other Airtel adopted primary schools spread across Nigeria, namely Oremeji Primary School II, Ajegunle, Lagos; St. John’s Primary School, Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun; Community Primary School, Amumara, Imo; Iyeru Okin Primary School, Ilara-Mokin, Kwara and Presbyterian Primary School, Ediba, Cross River State.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris and Zaria City representative at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Kasim Iliyasu, among others.

From October 1, GOtv subscribers will have access to the best matches of the prestigious Spanish La Liga matches live. The full complement of La Liga matches will be available on the newly introduced GOtv MAX. La Liga matches will be aired live on a new sports channel, SS Select 4. Equallyavailable on GOtv MAX will be select live games of the English Premier League and a wider sports offering, which includes the recently acquired WWE and African football leagues. In addition to football and other sports, some of the exciting programming that will be available on the new package includes the latest and hottest movies and series straight from the US on Fox Entertainment and Sony MAX as well as riveting reality programmes on CBS Reality.

GOtv MAX customers will enjoy access to over 60 of the hottest local and international channels featuring everything from the freshest series, music and sport to the latest in fashion reality, celebrity and kiddies programming.

Customers will get all of this for an affordable price of N3,800 only. But all active GOtv Plus customers will have a taste of the GOtv MAX package with an open view period of the channels from the 1st until 31st of October 2017. During this open viewing period, GOtv Plus customers will be treated to GOtv MAX’s wide variety of entertainment programmes like La Liga on SS Select 4, Fox Entertainment, Sony MAX, CBS Reality and more.

Some of the popular programming on these channels include Empire, The Walking Dead, A Thousand Ways to Die and Fear Factor.

“The GOtv Open Window periods are one of the innovative ways we aim to provide more value for our subscribers’ video entertainment experience, irrespective of their subscription plan.

“We are delighted that our GOtv Plus customers will get to experience this new world of entertainment. With more package options now available to our valued GOtv customers, they can choose a subscription plan that best fits their needs and budget. We remain committed to delivering the best entertainment that is affordable in order to give millions of television viewers the opportunity to enjoy quality digital entertainment,” said Mr. John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria.

He explained that GOtv MAX was introduced as a continuation of the GOtv’s desire to keep widening entertainment options for subscribers.

“Quality entertainment has always been a key focus on the GOtv platform and we are excited to continue building our entertainment options for our customers by bringing them this new package. We understand that times are tough, but that doesn’t mean that our customers have to miss out on world-class entertainment. Sports just got bigger and better with the GOtv MAX package. Our subscribers will get access to all La Liga matches, along with more entertainment choices for the whole family,” he said.

The GOtv MAX package will become GOgetters’ most economical way to get access to the latest and best content straight from Hollywood and around the world.

Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer has sued the Nigerian Army asking the latter to produce his client in court.
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in an application filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, asked the court to compel the army to produce Mr. Kanu, leader of the pro-Biafra separatist group, IPOB, in court.
The Army has not admitted it has Mr. Kanu in his custody, neither has any security agency.
The IPOB leader was last seen on September 14 when clashes occurred between members of his group and soldiers on an army exercise in Abia State.
Mr. Ejiofor accused the Army of invading the residence of Mr. Kanu in Abia State and shooting at various objects and people in the house.
Mr. Kanu, who is currently facing trial for alleged treason, was last seen after the clash at his community in Abia State.
Mr. Kanu’s trial is still ongoing, although he was granted bail in April on health grounds, with 12 main conditions, most of which the Nigerian government has accused him of flouting. The trial is expected to continue on October 17.
On September 14, after the clash between IPOB and soldiers, Mr. Ejiofor alleged an invasion of his client’s home by officers of the Nigerian Army, saying that over 20 people were killed by the army with several others wounded.
Mr. Ejiofor has not provided the names of those allegedly killed or wounded during the reported raid. We could not also verify the claim.
“The situation is serious. My client’s whereabouts has remained unknown. His entire house has been shattered with bullets and missiles,” Mr. Ejiofor said.
None of Nigeria’s security operatives have confirmed knowledge of Mr. Kanu’s location or whereabouts since September 14.
The Nigeria Police has said it is not aware of any arrest of the IPOB leader by security operatives.
The spokesperson for the Abia State Police Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, on Tuesday evening said he is not aware if Mr. Kanu has been arrested by security operatives.
”I have no idea about any arrest of Nnamdi Kanu by any security operatives,” Mr. Ogbonna said in a telephone conversation.
The Army also refused to comment on whether it is holding the IPOB leader in its custody.
Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, refused to answer calls put through to his line by the reporter.
Similarly, calls and text messages forwarded to the Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division of the Army, Sagir Musa, were neither picked nor responded to.
When contacted, Defence spokesperson, John Enenche, a major general, said ”the military does not comment on security issues via phone calls.”
Before Mr. Ejiofor alleged that Mr. Kanu was abducted, a letter reportedly written by Mr. Kanu quoted the IPOB leader as saying that he could not attend a meeting scheduled to hold on September 19, with leaders from the South-east geopolitical zone.
The letter published by Punch newspapers also quoted Mr. Kanu’s brother, Emanuel Kanu, as saying that only his brother (Nnamdi Kanu) could disclose his whereabouts.
But in a telephone interview on Tuesday, Mr. Kanu’s younger brother, Emanuel said his elder brother never wrote the reported letter.
“I can tell you that ever since that invasion, we have not seen my brother. What happened is that the army came to my house, ‘killed many’ and took away all the others that were alive. If Nnamdi Kanu is alive, they should tell us and quietly hand him over to the police, let them produce him. Nnamdi Kanu did not write any letter,” said his younger brother.
The Nigerian government recently secured a court order to declare IPOB a terrorist organisation.
According to the Africa Independent Television, AIT, the proscription of IPOB was gazetted by the Nigerian government on Thursday.
The labelling of IPOB, which seeks an independent country of Biafra for ethnic Igbos, as a terrorist organisation has elicited mixed reactions among Nigerians.

Blessing Egbe, the producer and director who brought us the wave-making Lekki Wives returns to the cinemas this independence weekend with a thrilling drama, The Women. The film stars heavy hitters Ufuoma McDermott as Omo, Kate Henshaw as Ene, Omoni Oboli as Teni and Blessing Obiang as Rose, who play four dysfunctional friends whose friendship is marked by rivalry, gossip and competition.

The movie also stars Kalu Ikeagwu as Bez, Femi Branch as Ayo, Gregory Ojefua as Chubby and Anthony Monjaro as Maro.

The core of the movie is summed up by Teni who tells her husband Bez (Kalu Ikeagwu) that “where two or three women are gathered, there is a silent war.”

The war in The Women is silent but finally escapes its lid and bursts into the open with very devastating consequences.

Speaking on the movie Blessing Egbe, who wrote, produced and directed the movie said: “The Women is a feel-good dramedy that will entertain and leave cinema goers wanting more. Even though it addresses very serious man / woman issues, it does so with large doses of humour and in the process teaches lessons of true friendship, truth and contentment. Please go out and enjoy yourselves. It will be worth your time,” she said.

Following the true and tested formula of a get-away weekend during which old secrets surface leading to revelations and dire consequences, The Women sees four couples on a weekend get-away to celebrate one of the women’s fortieth birthday. A chance encounter with a young lady leads to an altercation between her and the celebrant which then precipitates a complete unravelling not just of their friendships but their marriages.

The four lead female actors give a good account of themselves from the sultry and discontented Omo to the snobbish Teni and then the uninhibited Ene and the sexually frustrated Rose. All the women have something they are looking for.

The Women, which hits the cinemas on Friday September 29, 2017, is a delight to watch.

Warns against ignoring restructuring calls
The All Progressives Congress (APC), National Leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has warned against any attempt to spilt Nigeria, stating that such extreme position will not resolve the gargantuan challenges facing the country but rather complicate them.

He also warned that discarding the call for secession, stating: “It would be wrong to mistake this for a tempest in a teapot. If not careful, we may be tossed about like a teapot in a tempest. We must listen to what is being said so that we can determine what is really meant.”

Tinubu, who was breaking his silence after several months despite the raging issuing swirling around, said being more of a pragmatic, separating the nation into small pieces resolves nothing but will create additional problems, and therefore called for restructuring of Nigeria to correct the imbalance therein.

Speaking on the theme: “A New Nigeria or a Better One: The Fitting Tools of a Great Repair” at the Kings College Old Boys Association in Lagos on Saturday, the former governor of Lagos State drew a parallel between a masterful building whose challenges is never the result of flawed design and the nation.

Tinubu said while he would not dabble so much in the search for a new Nigeria, he was equally not “enthused about the flaws of old Nigeria. What I seek is a better Nigeria.”

“I care not whether something is old or new but whether it shall make us better. Not all change is good. Not every new thing shall be kind to us. Yes, Nigeria must change but some of the changes we need cannot be bought at the store of the new. Many things we need are shelved in the warehouse of the old. Just as we must learn new things on one hand, we must remember vital old wisdom on the other.

“We all have felt the sting of man’s capacity to wrong his fellow man. But we are also endowed with the God-given spirit to overcome adversity and to make of old enemies, new allies and even brothers. I stand before you as a faithful believer in sentiments such as these,” he told his audience.

Tinubu said the decisions “we make are determined by how we would like the world to be – our very actions are determined by what we value so as to keep and what we are willing to discard when the ship of state is tossed either by storm or errant navigation.

“Since there is no one objective optimal standard by which to construct a political economy, it would seem prudent for a nation to dedicate a healthy amount of time discussing this fundamental matter. For such is the surest path to reaching consensus on what economic development and good governance mean in our particular context.”

He regretted though that “sadly, the obverse is true. We talk little about this core issue. Instead, we spend inordinate time bickering over the symptoms of our failure to discuss the core issue.”

He compared the nationalities as “the bewildered couple who has gotten their marriage license after a lavish wedding; yet neither of them really understands the meaning of marriage or their roles as husband and wife in it.

“Legally, they are married but functionally, their union is a crippled one. This couple will be at loggerheads until somehow, someway they forge an agreement on what type of home they want and what are their respective duties in making that home come into existence,”

Tinubu, who was represented by Mr. Wale Edun, said: “We must clearly articulate our objectives. That which we cannot think clearly, will not be attained despite the magnitude of our exertions and expenditure to achieve it. One cannot be assured that an architect’s fine design will result in a fine building. Much can go awry during the process of transforming idea into brick and mortar.”

Though he failed to make any direct allusion to the secessionist agitation of the proscribed Igbo group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), he said: “We have people clamouring for secession in one part of the country and the murmur of such a course grows stronger in other sections. These other areas resent that some have advocated secession. Blame and recrimination become the political currency. Statesmanship falls in short supply. The dominant urge is to confront instead of reconcile.

It would be wrong to mistake this for a tempest in a teapot. If not careful, we may be tossed about like a teapot in a tempest. We must listen to what is being said so that we can determine what is really meant.”

He, however, has some strong words for secessionist: “Many who cry separation do so because their personal ambitions will be better served by such a thing. They believe they will have a greater chance at political power under a different arrangement. Yet the cry for separation has gained traction among average people; this is due to the chronic failure of government to meet basic aspirations.

“If over the years, government had delivered on the promise of growth, prosperity and justice, those calling for such extreme remedies would be but a small fringe of little consequence.

“I want to plainly state my position. I am a firm believer in Nigeria. I believe this land will become a great nation and a leader among other African nations. We can resolve our dysfunctions in a manner that will make this nation rise as a standard of decency, justice and prosperity for all Nigerians.”

Tinubu added: “When we unite and not untie, we build on an existing maxim of One Nigeria by describing that Oneness as the fabric of a larger society S.E.W.N (South East West North) together.

“We must adhere to the values and policies that suggest tomorrow can be made a better place than today. I refuse to believe we have become such an untoward lot that the longer we live together, the more estranged we become.”

Throwing his weight behind restructuring Tinubu said: “To achieve better levels of governance, we need to re-balance the duties of the federal and state government. The legacy of undemocratic rule has arrogated too much power and resources to the Federal at the expense of state governments. The quest to correct the imbalance is the essence of federalism I have advocated for so many years.”

Speaking on the need for the nation’s economic turn-around, Tinubu said the country must press forward with a national industrial policy fostering development of strategic industries that create jobs as well as spur further economic growth.

The growing stability in the global oil market may work to Nigeria’s advantage, as the Joint Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC), on Friday extended the exemption granted the country over the output cut imposed on member countries in January 2017.

At its meeting in Vienna, Austria, the Committee upheld Nigeria’s position that the exemption, which was extended by another six months last May, should be sustained until the country’s oil production stabilises.

The extension of the exemption period means more revenue earnings from oil exports by Nigeria, as the country would be able to export all the oil it produces as oil prices hover around $57 a barrel.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, said recently that the country’s daily production capacity has since grown close to an average of 1.8 million barrels per day.

At the meeting in Vienna, Kachikwu, who led the Nigerian delegation, had argued that although Nigeria was making considerable progress since October 2016 in its production recovery efforts, it was not enough as full stability had not been attained.

“Although Nigeria’s oil production hit 1.802 million barrels per day in the month of August, that was not enough justification for a call by some countries for Nigeria to be brought back into the fold,” Kachikwu pointed out.

As one of the older OPEC members that has continued to work for the good of the group and its member countries, Kachikwu said, Nigeria was bound by whatever agreements and resolutions collectively made by OPEC, including the need to cap its oil production when it has stabilised at 1.8 million bpd.

He also said that although Nigeria was not a member of the five nation JMMC, the country was in support of and had confidence in the work of the committee to stabilise the market.

The Report of the monitoring committee for August 2017 showed OPEC and participating non-OPEC producing countries recorded the highest compliance level ever since the agreement came into effect in January 2017, with voluntary adjustments in production attaining over 116 per cent level.

The JMMC was set up following OPEC’s 171st Ministerial Conference on November 30, 2016.

On December 10, 2016 the group further declared to cooperate with non-OPEC oil producing countries to accelerate the stabilisation of the global oil market through voluntary adjustments in total production of around 1.8 million barrels per day.

The initial production cut agreement, which came into effect January 1, 2017, was for six months. The second joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Producing Countries’ Ministerial meeting on May 25, 2017 decided to extend the voluntary production adjustments for another nine months effective July 1, 2017.

At its fifth meeting on Friday, the JMMC welcomed the participation of Iraq, Libya and Nigeria, and the reaffirmation of their commitment to work closely with other participating producing countries to ensure the success of the Declaration of Cooperation.

The President of the OPEC Conference, Khalid Al-Falih, who is also the Saudi Arabian Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, expressed his solidarity with the JMMC, reiterated the commitment of his country to the success of the agreement.

Although he cautioned against complacency, Al-Falih reaffirmed the need for additional work by under-performing participating countries to raise their levels of compliance to 100 per cent.

He said the level of compliance in August 2017 underscores the commitment of participating producing countries to cooperate towards the rebalancing of the market.

Noting recent market developments, the committee said it was confident that the oil market was moving in the right direction towards the objectives of the Declaration of Cooperation.

Recent market inventory confirmed global oil demand growth in 2017 was now better than expected, with 2018 world oil demand anticipated to be robust.

“Commercial oil stocks in the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD fell further in August and the difference to the latest five-year average has been reduced by 168 million barrels since the beginning of this year,” the OPEC Secretariat report said.

The report however noted that another 170 million barrels of stock overhang remained to be depleted.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/243922-good-news-nigeria-opec-extends-exemption-oil-output-cut.html

Juliet Ibrahim, actress and philanthropist has announced her commitment to assist the survivors of the devastating flood in Benue State in partnership with Education as a Vaccine (EVA).

She made this known during a courtesy visits at the weekend to IDP Camp at the International Market and Akor, one of the communities that were flooded.

During the visit, she met with SEMA’s Camp Commandant of the Camp for the Internally Displaced Persons, Makurdi, James Iorhuna. She shared that the visit came as a need to meet those affected by the flood and find out what her foundation, Juliet Ibrahim Foundation in collaboration with EVA can do to support the survivors.

“I have once lived as a refugee and I have experienced a flood on a movie set in Ghana, so I know how people struggle to survive during this period. Lives have been lost and many families have lost everything. Things are not the same for them again,” said actress Juliet.

Appreciating the actress for her efforts and visit, James also commended the efforts of the government at all levels, civil society organisations and individuals who are contributing and working tirelessly to help cushion the effect of the flood on the affected people.

The camp commandant explained the situations in the IDPs Camp and called on all well-meaning Nigerian to contribute to ensure the interventions are sustained through the provision of “food, safety boots, sanitary pads, mobile toilets, medical facilities and other basic needs”.

In response, Juliet Ibrahim promised to contribute her quota to put smiles to the distressed people. “With the information I have gathered from victims of the flood and village chiefs, I will be back soon with relief materials to cushion the damage this unforeseen circumstance has caused the people.”

To ensure those who are still in their communities are not forgotten, Juliet paid a visit to Akor village where the chief revealed to the actress alongside EVA’s team that the immediate needs of the community were food and shelter. “With the support of cements and zinc, we will be able rebuild our houses and live a normal life,” one of the chief added.

“With the magnitude of this disaster, we cannot leave you alone, we are coming back to assist you,” Juliet said.

She also noted the impact on the women and girls in the camp and communities, many were traveling for over an hour to find clean water and did not have access to sanitary pads and other needs.

The Juliet Ibrahim Foundation is ready to work with Education as a Vaccine, an organisation with over 14 years of experience working in communities in Benue to help those in the camp and community rebuild their lives.

To build a new 5,600 capacity arena

WALE JOSEPH
The Lagos State government, led by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has concluded plans to build a new 5600 capacity Onikan stadium.
The legendary Onikan Stadium which was built and opens in 1945 with the name King George V stadium will by the end of this month goes under the bulldozer as the contractor for the project has already moved to site with all football activities at the stadium put on hold.
According to our very reliable sources, the new all covered stadium with state of art facilities is expected to be completed within 12 months and the Lagos State government through the state Ministry of Works THEMOMENTNG.COM gathered have already mobilised the contractor for work to commence as soon as possible.
It was also gathered the stadium which has a current capacity of over 12,000 after it was rebuild in 1980 by the Lateef Jakande administration would be a football only stadium but will have capacity to host all sports related events like Boxing, Wrestling and other event like musical shows and others using the main bowl of the stadium.
Our sources revealed that although the ministry of work is supervising the project on behalf of the state government with support and advise from the Lagos State Sports Commission, LSSC, the State football association who are the statutory body responsible for football in the state are not inform of this development nor their advice seek.
A state official who did not want his name in print praise the state government gesture in rebuilding and re-designing the stadium but was shock that instead of increasing the capacity it was been reduce, adding that Lagos with a population of about 20 million that it might amount to a waste of fund if the capacity of the stadium is reduce.
“The governor of the state has shown that he can be trusted having promise to develop sports and develop the state through provision of modern sports facilities, using sports and tourism to drive part of the economy of the state by engaging the youths of the state positively, He should please review the contract by instead of reducing the capacity, they should instead increase it,” he pleaded.

The crisis which trailed the announcement of a Management Committee to oversee the affairs of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, for the next six months, deepened as a group that identified itself as Eyo Abasi Maritime Host Community Relations Committee has disowned the group that recently staged a protest over the appointment of the committee by the Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Rotime Amaechi.

A statement by the group signed by its chairman, Pastor Bassey Okon Umoh and Secretary General, Comrade Etim Nyong Etim condemned the protest, saying it was unfair and unjustified. It further declared that the protest was carried out by misguided persons who were sponsored by hoodlums who have no say in the affairs of the community.

They alleged that some people who sometime now have claimed to be Man Oron host community leaders are fake, warning government officials not to allow themselves to be swindled by the alleged impostors, saying there is only one body known as the Eyo Abasi Maritime Host Community Relations Committee, recognized to speak on behalf of the Eyo Abasi autonomous community, the host community of academy.

They lauded the Federal Government and the Transportation Minister, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi for taking steps to end the management lacuna in the academy, and especially for MAN’s recent upgrade into a maritime university. The group urged the Federal Government to fast track the implementation of the new status of the institution by immediately appointing a Vice Chancellor and other principal officers to begin the real task of transforming the academy to a degree awarding institution.

According to the statement, the group which is made up of the Supreme Council of Chiefs headed by His Royal Highness Offong Francis Eyo, Clan Head of Afaha Okpo was presented to the management of MAN Oron on Friday, January 20, 2017.

They disassociated the group from the recent protest and urge the management committee to go about its assignment without recourse to the alleged sponsored protest.

“Our Committee is aware of the Bill from the National Assembly passed into law for the upgrade of MAN Eyo-Abasi, Oron, to Federal University of Maritime Studies (FUMS) Oron, which is pending the assent of Mr. President to fully convert to a university. It is our hope that the awaited presidential assent will receive quick attention, while we look forward to the immediate appointment of its Vice Chancellor and other principal officers towards speedy commencement of the implementation and actualization of FUMS Oron,” the group said.

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has declared the former chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. Ngozi Juliet Olejeme wanted over alleged N69 billion fraud.
According to the anti-graft agency, Dr. Olejeme, who was Chairman of NSITF from 2009 to 2015, along with one Mr. Umar Munir Abubakar, a former Managing Director of NSITF, mismanaged and diverted over N69 billion government funds into their personal accounts through the award of suspicious and bogus contracts to proxy companies.
The commission through its also noted that Olejeme has refused to honour its repeated invitations for her to answer some questions relating to the fraud.
THE STATEMENT READ:
“The public is hereby notified that Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Juliet Olejeme, whose photograph appears below, is wanted in a case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering.”
“The former Chairman of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, is alleged to have, along with Mr Umar Munir Abubakar, the former Managing Director of NSITF, mismanaged and diverted well over N69billion government funds into their personal accounts through the award of suspicious and bogus contracts to proxy companies.”
“Olejeme has refused to honour repeated invitations from the Commission.”
“The fair-skinned suspect hails from Asaba, Oshimili South LGA of Delta State and speaks English and Igbo languages fluently.”
“Her last known address is No 14 J.F. Kennedy Street, Asokoro, Abuja.”
“Anybody having useful information as to her whereabouts should contact the Commission in its Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Maidugri offices.
If you have information, contact our offices or through these numbers: 0809 3322 644 (0809 EFCC NIG). Or: info@efccnigeria.org”.

Nigeria’s Union Bank has begun a share sale to existing shareholders to raise N50 billion ($159.24 million) after it received regulatory approval, the bank said on Wednesday.

The mid-tier bank said the rights issue opens for subscription on Sept. 20 and closes on Oct. 30. It plans to offer 12.1 billion shares at N4.10 each, issuing five new shares to investors for every seven already held.

Union Bank, in which Atlas Mara Ltd, the African investment vehicle of former Barclays boss Bob Diamond, owns a 44.5 per cent stake, has said it planned to raise funds to boost its capital adequacy and tap opportunities to lend to agribusinesses.

Firebrand preacher and president of the Omega Fire Ministries worldwide (OFM), Apostle (Prof.) Johnson Suleman, has urged Nigerians to pray for the country as politicians prepare toward the next general elections which comes up in the next two years.
Apostle Suleman is renowned for his divine-inspired healing power and teaching prowess and he radiates confidence even in the face of vague criticisms that often trail such prophetic gifts like his.
The servant of God whose many past prophecies had come to fulfillment, including his December, 2016, warning that some forces would alienate the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and make attempts to remove him from office, told journalists after last Sunday service in his church that ‘except prayers are made, I do not see any election in Nigeria in 2019’.
Apostle Suleman is credited for many precise prophecies made in years past. The acclaimed ‘Oracle of God’ is the first pastor in Nigeria that prophesied in a December 2013 prophecy, the crowning of former Central Bank of Nigeria’s governor, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi Lamido, as Emir of Kano. Apostle Suleman foresaw the death of a serving cabinet member in Nigeria and asked for special prayer during a church service in January 2015. Likewise, during his ministry’s ‘Fire and Miracle Night’ programme in August 2015, the servant of God foretold the trouble in the last Kogi State governorship election that brought in Governor Yahaya Bello and warned of ‘a death’. Also, as Edo State prepared for the September 10th 2016 governorship election, Apostle Suleman at a church service said he did not see the election holding on the appointed date. Subsequently, the INEC shifted the election to September 28th 2016, citing security challenges.
“I see presidents being removed in Africa and presidents being installed’, the man of God declared in his 2016 prophecies. In that declaration, Suleman also asked for vigilance as he said he saw kidnappers entering schools; that President Buhari’s health needed serious attention; that America and China would have major crisis, and more.
“Tell Nigerians who wish to see democracy sustained, to pray for our leaders and work for peace; tell the leaders too to pray and be honest with the people they are serving, otherwise, elections may not hold in Nigeria in 2019. That is what God has shown me,” Apostle Suleman stated during the media interaction.
Apostle Suleman and his OFM team are presently in Paris, France, for a two-day restoration crusade tagged ‘Help From Above’, which was started on Tuesday 19th and ended on Wednesday 20th of September, 2017. The man of God who just concluded the Dubai edition of ‘Help From Above’, proclaims that “this is another season for restoration, miracles and undiluted revelations for God’s people all over the world.”

The 2017 edition of the GTBank-Ogun State Principals Cup will reach its climax on Thursday 21stSeptember, 2017 in the famous MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta. The highly anticipated finals will thrill football lovers from across Ogun State and beyond as first-time finalists take on former champions.

The curtain raiser for the day will be the finals in the female category between 2 time winners, Muslim High School, Isolu and Iko Gateway Grammar School, Idiroko. In the male category, Ipara Community Secondary School, Ipara will hope to spring an upset as they take on title favorites, Pakoto High School, Ayede-Ifo who won the trophy in 2015. The matches are bound to produce historic moments for two of the four schools as both jostle to win the trophy for the first time ever.

The GTBank – Ogun State Principals Cup has been won by 5 schools since its inception. In the male category, Alamuwa Grammar School, Ado Odo won the first and forth editions of the competition (2013, 2016) and are the only male team to win twice so far – a feat Pakoto High School hope to repeat when they file out on Thursday – while Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu emerged winners in 2014. In the female category, Orile Ilegun Comprehensive High School, Odeda clinched the title in 2013, Alamuwa Grammar School, Ado Odo 2014, while this year’s finalist, Muslim High School, Isolu took home the title in 2015 and 2016.

Outstanding players to watch out for in the male category of this year’s final include Olalekan Toheeb of Pakoto High School who is the leading scorer of the tournament with 3 goals, and Sodiya Olaoluwa of Ipara Community Secondary School who won the most valuable player award in the semifinals. In the female category, all eyes will be on Adeyanju Hanna of Iko gateway Grammar School who scored the lone goal that earned her team a place in the final, and Kayode Tolulope of Muslim High School whose midfield prowess helped her team get to this stage of the competition. Winners in both categories will be rewarded with the sum of N1,000,000 each, while the 1st ,2nd, 3rd runners-up will be given N750,000, N500,000, and N350,000 respectively.

Commenting on the Finals the 2017 GTBank – Ogun State Principals Cup, Segun Agbaje, the MD/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, said “We are proud to lead this initiative that provides an avenue for students to showcase their talents and passion for the game of football even as they remain committed to their academics.” He further stated that “This competition paves the way for youths to cultivate their sporting talents and aptitudes, while fostering and building a healthier lifestyle at a critical stage in their lives”.

Guaranty Trust Bank plc is a foremost Nigerian financial institution that has maintained a defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy since its inception in 1990. The Bank actively supports in-classroom and out-of-classroom educational programmes, infrastructure development, students’ scholarship and teachers training across Africa.

Alongside the Ogun State Principals Cup, GTBank also sponsors the Lagos State Principals Cup, and the Masters Cup tournaments.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission opened a fresh probe into how the Paris Club loan refund was spent in Bauchi, Delta, Cross River and Nasarawa states.

The Federal Government had in January released N522bn to the 36 states of the federation after the state governments had submitted their claims of over-deductions for external debt service arising between 1995 and 2002 to the Federal Government due to the First Line Charge deductions from Federation Account Allocation Committee allocations.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum was said to have taken about five per cent of the total money under the pretext that it was being used to pay some financial consultants.

However, the EFCC discovered that after the monies were finally paid into the accounts of the states, some governors allegedly made fresh deductions again under the pretext that they had to pay more consultants at the state level.

A detective at the EFCC said, “After paying consultants from the NGF account, the states shared the money among themselves. Rather than use these monies in paying salaries and pensions, some of the governors diverted funds by paying more consultants at the state level. So, we are investigating Bauchi, Delta, Nasarawa and Cross River states.”

The commission has also arrested a consultant with Mountain Crest Investment Limited for allegedly receiving $3m from the NGF.

The source told our correspondent that the commission had applied for the forfeiture of N1.2bn which had been frozen in the account of another consultant, Melrose General Services Limited, which received payment from the NGF.

The source added, “When the Federal Government released N522bn as the first tranche of the Paris Club loan refund, the governors under the aegis of the NGF, paid monies into the accounts of about four consultants.

“Melrose General Services received N3.5bn. We were able to recover N220m while another N1.2bn found in one of the accounts has been frozen. We have applied to the courts for an interim forfeiture order.

“The NGF also paid $3m into the account of Mountain Crest. Mountain Crest also transferred $1m to the account of Gosh Project Limited. We arrested the head of the company and he was not even able to explain the services he rendered. We strongly believe that he was a front for one of the governors.”

The EFCC source told our correspondent that $.5m had been recovered from Gosh Projects while N100m which was invested in treasury bills will also be recovered from the company.

Shareholders of Oando Plc from across the South-West states on Tuesday staged a protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and demanded that the company’s Managing Director, Wale Tinubu, should step down because of the firm’s poor financial position.

Making reference to the report of the last Annual General Meeting of the company, which was held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where the External Auditor, Ernst & Young, stated that Oando reported a comprehensive loss in 2015 and 2016, the National President, Renaissance Shareholders Association, Olufemi Timothy; and the National Coordinator, Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Taiwo Oderinde, condemned the meeting, saying it was stage-managed to continue the mismanagement of the company’s finance by the current management.

Timothy stated, “Oando Plc is practically dead because it is no more a going concern. Its contemporaries are doing well and bringing glory to their shareholders. We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Senate Committee on Capital Market to intervene before it is too late.

“We are dying because our investments in the company have grown wings. The share we bought for N90 has come down to N5 under Wale Tinubu’s watch. A proper probe should be carried out. Tinubu should step aside. The company has gone with its current reported N263bn negative working capital.

“We worked hard to invest in the company but what did we get in return? Absolutely nothing! The poor shareholders are suffering and many have died. We have a lot of retired people dying because their investments have gone. Under the current management, Oando suffers a lot and we cannot tolerate it again.”

Oderinde said that Transparency International rated Nigeria poorly in its global corruption index because of alleged corrupt practices within institutions like Oando.

“Enough is enough and Wale Tinubu must go. If you go to the Transparency International’s website, you will see their rating of Nigeria on the global corruption index and it was stated therein that not only individuals are corrupt in Nigeria, but institutions too. Little did we know that TI was referring to companies like Oando,” he said.

The protesters also visited the NSE office in Dugbe, where the Branch Manager, Mr. Kayode Ogun, urged them to write a formal letter to the bourse, stating their demands, while calling on them to exercise restraint while the NSE looked into their petition.

Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi state, says anyone who wants to foment trouble must be crushed.

Umahi, who is chairman of the south-east governors’ forum, said this while responding to the decision of he and his colleagues to proscribe the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He told journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Saturday, that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, was gradually losing control of his group.

He said the governors had to wade in to prevent further bloodshed, arguing that the proscription achieved the desired result.

Umahi said IPOB had lost its original purpose and was causing unnecessary tension and killings in the south-east.

“When you put a small fire, it can go very far and become difficult to control,” he said.

“Anybody that wants to foment trouble must be crushed and I want security agencies to beef up security around all the non-indigenes in the state and to report to me of any problem because we must maintain the peace.

“The IPOB activities were gradually getting out of control of Nnamdi Kanu. Soldiers were passing on the way when IPOB members started throwing stones and other objects on them and it sparked off the clash between the group and the military.

“It is a shame that when this thing happened, a man called Charles Ogbu had to send phone numbers of all south-east governors, senate president and others and all our people could do was calling us to insult us, talked to them anyhow. These are people that never experienced any war in their lives.”

He said the lives of south-east residents must be guaranteed at all times.

“Our focus is how to save lives of every Nigeria and we believe in a united Nigeria. Lives of people are involved and we must not play politics with that,” he said.

He also appealed to the youth to stop insulting President Muhammadu Buhari and leaders of the country.

The governor said the military exercise in the region was not targeted at IPOB but intended to curb rising incidents of crime, especially kidnapping and armed robbery in the south-east.

A 16-year-old Bayelsa State pupil, Nengimote Loko, has threatened to sue the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board over the alleged seizure of his May 2017 examinations result conducted by the board.

Loko is a former pupil of Nembe National Grammar School, Bayelsa.

The pupil is said to be brilliant and boasts of various awards, including the best student from secondary schools in Nembe area of the state.

He recently won cash prize and a laptop in a competition organised by Bayelsa-based Nengi James Foundation.

Loko, in a petition filed by his counsel, Okorodas and Co., and supported by the Civil Liberties Organisation, Bayelsa State chapter, addressed to the Registrar of JAMB, threatened the board that failure to release his result would force the civil right groups to sue for damages against his fundamental rights.

His lawyer and the CLO claimed that the withholding of Loko’s result had subjected him to psychological trauma.

The petition, which was signed by Keneth Okorodas, stated that Loko was registered for the May 2017 examination with registration number 75188026BD, examination number C10104003 with centre number C10104‎.

The petition stated, “The victim, who is our client, is a brilliant student and a winner of an award with presentation of laptop as best student of Nembe National Grammar School. He was honoured by the Nengi James Foundation.

“Sadly, however, the result of our client for the May 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations was not released and without just cause.

“Our client was not found guilty of examination malpractices, neither was there any issue reported against our client, yet his result was not released, hence this letter.

“We, therefore, humbly demand the release of our client’s result within 21 days upon service of the notice or face stiff legal action.”

President Muhammadu Buhari will next week visit London for unspecified reasons after attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said this in a statement on Friday.

The President had spent 154 non-consecutive days in London this year receiving medical treatment for an unknown ailment.

According to the statement, Buhari “will transit through London on his way back to the country.”

Adesina said Buhari would leave Abuja for New York on Sunday (tomorrow), to join other world leaders at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The high point of the President’s visit will be his participation in the general debate, during which he will deliver the country’s national statement.

The theme for this year’s Debate is: “Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet.”

The statement added, “President Buhari will join other world leaders at the welcoming reception to be hosted by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, and also hold a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe.

“Equally, the Nigerian leader will hold a lunch meeting with President Donald Trump of the United States of America, along with other world leaders.”

During the General Assembly, Nigeria will participate in high level meetings on ‘Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: Building Momentum for Change,’ the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, a High Level Event organises by the African Union under its theme of the year: ‘Roadmap on the Demographic Dividend: from Commitment to Action,’ among others.

At the events, President Buhari and members of his delegation will strive to project Nigeria as a strong moral force and responsible member of the international community.

It added, “Nigeria’s commitment to global peace, security and development will also be reaffirmed and where necessary, the need for increased international cooperation in the fight against corruption.

“Other priorities for the Nigerian delegation at UNGA 72 include strengthening human rights institutions; the rule of law; support for Internally Displaced Persons as a result of terrorist acts and recent flooding, and mitigating the effects of climate change.

“The Nigerian delegation will also canvass the support of UN member states for the Buhari administration’s efforts towards combating illicit financial flows in order to foster sustainable development.”

The President will be accompanied by the governors of Zamfara, Ebonyi and Ondo states, and key cabinet ministers.