₦airaland Forum

The Senate has launched a probe into the allegation that MTN Nigeria repatriated a total sum of $13.9bn from Nigeria to other countries between 2006 and 2016 by summoning the management of the telecoms service provider, their bankers and some businessmen over alleged violation of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous) Act.
During its plenary on Thursday, the Upper Chamber requested MTN and the others to appear before its Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions next week.
Recall that the lawmaker representing Kogi West, Senator Dino Melaye had revealed that “between 2006 and 2016, the MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with 4 commercial banks and with the help of a serving Minister, has moved over $12bn out of this country”.
Melaye later claimed that the illegal repatriation was allegedly facilitated by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Elenemah, naming banks allegedly involved as: Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered Bank, Citi Bank and Diamond Bank.

The Peoples Democratic Party has launched four indigenous language Twitter handles for interaction of its members and the general public.
In a statement on Wednesday, the party urged its members, supporters and the public to use the platforms for maximum interaction on the way forward for the party.
The statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, was made available to newsmen in Abuja.
According to the PDP, the twitter handles are Igbo – @pdpnhqigbonig; Yoruba – @pdpnhqyorubanig; Hausa -@pdpnhqhausanig and Pidgeon – @pdpnhqpidginnig.
The statement said: “This is to integrate all our numerous members, teeming supporters and the general public on the new operations of the party in view of its people-oriented re-branding and rebuilding agenda.”
The PDP said that its attention had been drawn to diverse comments regarding the closure of its previous official twitter handle on September 5 and the launch of a new handle @officialpdpnig.
It said that it observed that ‘some elements’ were creating false social media accounts especially on Twitter and Facebook for some present and past leaders of the party.
It also disclosed: “For the umpteenth time, we wish to reiterate that the National Chairman, Makarfi, has no Twitter Handle, and is not on any social media platform at all.
“This clarification has become necessary. The party has no directorate called new media and no director of such a section.
“Our decision to close the old handle and launch the new handle is to address the issue of unauthorised statements to the press on behalf of the party.
“For effective control, our official accounts remain: Twitter Handle – @officialpdpnig; Facebook Account – Official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nigeria, and email – news@pdppublicity.com.”
The party urged its members to promote PDP in their personal and group capacities through any medium.
It also stated: “Finally, we call on our members nationwide to unite and stay focused as one indivisible body in this trying time.
“Nigeria is ours, let us work together to salvage her.”

The European Investment Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) have agreed a new EUR 60 million lending programme to support private sector investment across Nigeria. This represents the EIB’s largest ever loan to UBA and will allow UBA to provide longer term loans than currently available to private companies in Nigeria.
The new private sector lending programme was formally agreed on the side-lines of the World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington DC by Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President of the European Investment Bank and Kennedy Uzoka, Group Managing Director and Sola Yomi-Ajayi. Head of Global Financial Institutions at UBA.
“Private sector investment is crucial for creating jobs and ensuring sustainable economic growth. The European Investment Bank is committed to unlocking investment across Africa and we are pleased to build on past success to strengthen our partnership with UBA that will benefit projects across Nigeria.” said Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President of the European Investment Bank.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Kennedy Uzoka, Group Managing Director, UBA said “Our growing partnership with the European Investment Bank underlines our long term objective of facilitating the development and growth of African businesses. This facility will enable UBA bridge critical financing gaps for Nigerian companies and deepen our capacity to support their growth aspirations in the local and international market place”
Ambassador Michel Arrion, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, described the programme as an example of the catalytic role the EU and its institutions like the EIB are playing to support Nigeria’s economic development. “We look forward to more fruitful partnerships with Nigeria, and particularly with the private sector, which remains the engine of economic growth”.
This represents the first Nigerian operation under the European Investment Bank’s new dedicated Nigeria Private Enterprise Investment Facility, a wider million lending scheme intended to support private sector investment in the country. Under the new initiative private sector entrepreneurs and companies will be able to use loans with a longer tenor than traditionally available to invest and expand activities across a range of sectors.
The new loan will also fund capital expenditure by UBA to strengthen their support for private investment, through expansion of their branch network and improving information technology.
The European Investment Bank has supported infrastructure and private sector investment in Nigeria since 1978.
The European Investment Bank is the world’s largest international public bank and over the last five years has provided EUR 12.8 billion for investment across Africa.

-Bank Woes Continues As All Share Index Drops By 4.1 Percent

Unity Bank Plc has not enjoyed a smooth ride in the banking industry for a while.
The financial institution has been riddled with several controversies with the most recent being a mass sack of its staffs.
Asides this, its banking business has been alleged to be taking a deep for sometimes now.
However, Dubai-based investment bank & brokerage firm Arqaam Capital has worsened the case of the non-performing financial institution.
According to the firm, Nigerian banking industry may be experiencing a full-blown financial crisis as failed fiscal and monetary policies lead to credit a crunch.
In its analysis, Arqaam Capital rates Unity Bank Plc as SELL, and Industry Watchers have translated this as an endorsement to investors to sell their stakes in the bank.
Other banks rated SELL includes FBN, Skye Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc.
Amidst the SELL ratings are rumour of panic among investors, as the safety of their investment is said to be in doubt.
Naturally, when the safety of investment is in doubt, panic withdrawals become the order of the day.
You may recall that Unity Bank Plc recently slid 4.1 percent on the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index.
Reacting to the negative ratings by Arqaam Capital, Mathew Obiazikwor Head Corporate Communication Unity Bank Plc said “the rating by Arqaam Capital is not founded in the reality of our operation. According to him, the rating is not a reflection of the fortunes of the bank.
Obiazikwor answered thus when asked if he was demeaning the Bloomberg platform “I am not demeaning Bloomberg, but I will say it is not well equipped with data to do a balanced analysis.”
He added that the central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had given Unity Bank Plc a clean bill of health.

Controversial prophet and pro-Biafra activist, Prophet Anthony Nwoko, says God has rejected the prayers of President Muhammadu Buhari for grace to be good and fair to Nigerians.
This was as blamed the All Progressives Congress, APC , for the challenges presently experienced in the country, stressing that the party disobeyed God’s instruction by “smuggling Buhari into power”.
Recall that Buhari, had while playing host to the Imam of the Mosque of the Holy Prophet in Medina, Sheikh Abdul-Muhsin Muhammad Al-Qassimi, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last week, prayed that God gives him the courage to be fair to all Nigerians.
But speaking with newsmen in Enugu, the fiery prophet said the President’s prayer for God’s grace was a medicine after death.
According to Nwoko, “I prophesied that Buhari and Jonathan will not win the 2015 presidential election and the APC disobeyed the plan of God for this nation and smuggled Buhari into power with their hidden agenda not to allow the light from southeast to emerge.
“Our disobedience to the word of God is what we are witnessing today. Therefore Buhari’s prayer is not accepted by God because he didn’t humbly himself to allow God’s plan to prevail. That is why national leader of APC, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu unknowingly revealed that the president is on assignment.
“He that thinks he is standing, let him stand strong so that he does not fall.
“Since All Progressive Congress (APC), Buhari led government has no power to kill or destroy the son of man for the second time, let him and his government expect miracle. The Black Saviour which the Nigeria nation rejected has emerged from the southeast of Nigeria to liberate his people the ‘Biafrans’ that is the word of God.”
On the alleged Islamization of Nigeria, the Enugu-based prophet maintained that the purported plot by the Federal Government to Islamise the country is real, adding that the Buhari’s APC assignment was already revealed by former Governor of Lagos State, Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Nwoko also stated that the country was experiencing challenges because former President Goodluck Jonathan refused to fulfill God’s mandate which was to usher in the messiah from the southeast to save the country.
He stated that the continued detention of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, , Nnamdi Kanu will continue to hunt Nigeria, stressing that so many strange things have occurred in Nigeria since Kanu was arrested and detained.
Nwoko had, in September, warned Buhari not to look for God’s wrath, while advising him to reconsider his stance on the agitation for Biafra.

President Muhammadu Buhari was a reluctant student in his early years, John Paden, his authorised biographer, has revealed.
According to Paden, a professor of international studies, in his book, ‘Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria’, Buhari often skipped school, which earned beatings by the schoolmaster.
He wrote that Buhari decided to take his studies seriously with the encouragement of Waziri al-Hassan and Mamman Daura.
“In part because of love for the outdoors, Buhari was a reluctant student in his early years. He would often skip school altogether, although this always resulted in beatings with a cane by the schoolmaster. Only with the encouragement of Waziri al-Hasan and Mamman Daura did he eventually settle down and take his studies seriously,” Paden wrote in chapter one under the subtitle: ‘Schooling and Leadership Values.’
However, he narrated how Buhari eventually became good at his studies and sports – and emerged the head boy of his secondary school.
“The early years of schooling were conducted in Hausa; thereafter, English was used. Buhari began to do very well in English, mathematics, and Arabic, as well general studies. Buhari also became involved in cross-country running, in which persistence and endurance were key,” Paden wrote.
“Buhari would spend nine years at boarding school, and fortunately he had good teachers.”
The president’s biographer also wrote that he exuded leadership qualities at a young age.
“The loss of his father at an early age was compensated for by British teachers who treated each student as if he was their own child. Buhari has often said that in the early days of his schooling, the British sent their best teachers out to northern Nigeria, not their worst. An American Peace Corps teacher in the school also impressed Buhari and the other boys with his love for biology,” he wrote.
“Most important, the simple student dress code meant that students looked much the same, except for an occasional student with a wristwatch. The British teachers made a point of disregarding the status of the fathers of the boys. Every boy had to make it on his own.
“The point became clearer when he was eighteen years old and entered a merit-based competiton, sponsored by the Elder Dempster shipping line, for selected secondary students to spend a summer holiday in Britain. At that time, many of the northern elite were sending their sons to the prestigious Barewa College, and it was not clear that Buhari had a chance against such competition.
“Buhari had been class monitor in second form. He was house prefect in fifth form. In sixth form, he was house captain and head boy of the school. His performance in his studies was excellent. But his leadership potential was outstanding. He was chosen for the summer scholarship to visit Britain.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that his three-and-a-half-year imprisonment, the Nigeria’s civil war and his failed attempts to win presidential elections have taught him “important lessons about social justice.”
Buhari was quoted as making this statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, while receiving the Imam of the Mosque of the Holy Prophet in Medina, Sheikh Abdul-Muhsin Muhammad Al-Qassimi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Garba, the president said his administration would not relent on its efforts to promote unity and peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians by ensuring fairness and social justice to all, adding that leading 180 million people of different ethnic groups is not an easy task.
He said God had a purpose for bringing people from different ethnic backgrounds into one country, Nigeria.
“God knows best. A population of 180 million people comprising more than 300 ethnic groups, many of them with cultural ties stronger than religion, can only co-exist peacefully in an atmosphere of social justice,” he said.
The President urged Muslims and all other citizens to imbibe and practice social justice as a norm and prayed to Allah to guide his government in doing the same.
“I pray that God gives us the courage to be fair to people he put in our charge so that we can enjoy his mercy,” he said.
The President lauded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their efforts to create a better understanding and practice of Islam.
He welcomed the visit of the imam to Nigeria, noting that it would strengthen the bond between the two countries.
In his remarks, Al-Qassimi commended the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians of different faiths.
He specifically hailed the president for his campaign against corruption and his victory over terrorism in the country.
Just yesterday, President Buhari commended his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan for his role in the 2015 Presidential election.‎

Entertainment icon, Kate Henshaw, has enlisted in the battle to raise awareness about the deadly consequences of malaria and pledged to join advocacy efforts.
Henshaw made the commitment October 6, 2016 at a gathering of health editors with the National Malaria Elimination Programme and the Society for Family Health. The event held at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.
She spoke as the National Malaria Elimination Programme and the Society for Family Health declared a war to raise awareness in the fight against malaria with a 2020 target date for eliminating up to 80% of current cases. The programme is under the Global Fund for Malaria New Funding Model.
Henshaw decried the continued harm malaria causes in Nigerian homes as well as the ignorance and misinformation about fevers. She lamented the fact that citizens underplay malaria or describe it in endearing terms. Growing up, she recalls, “In those days, people spoke about malaria as if it belonged to them with expressions like ‘I have malaria,’ ‘my malaria’ and ‘ordinary malaria.’ Surprisingly, after many years, these terms are still common place among family members, colleagues, and friends, irrespective of class or level of education.”
The actress and TV personality urged concerted action to create awareness. She affirmed, “The starting point for behaviour change is the right knowledge. Poor education should not be a barrier in this 21st century when we have access to television, radio, internet, etc. It is time for the media to take up the challenge of creating malaria-based programs to promote malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment for a malaria-free Nigeria by 2020. These programs will help debunk several malaria-related myths such as ‘malaria is caused by standing in the sun, eating oily meals, witchcraft, working for too long, bad water, bad air and much more. It is time for you -every media personnel and individual- seated here to take action against malaria.”
Kate Henshaw declared, “I have committed myself to support the fight against malaria in Nigeria by letting people know the benefits of sleeping inside the Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets, especially for children under 5 and pregnant women. It is also very important to have a Rapid Diagnostic Test done or microscopy doneto be sure it is malaria before administering treatment with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy – (ACT).”
She charged the media to lead the fight against the disease. “I implore the media to let Nigerians know that not all fevers are malaria; let Nigerians know that people are dying from malaria when malaria is a preventable and treatable illness; let Nigerians know that testing using RDT to confirm malaria before treatment is the way to go. The best medicine for malaria treatment is Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies – what we know as (ACTs). It is very affordable and accessible.”
Statistics gathered by public health NGO, Society for Family Health, show that malaria inflicts high costs on Nigeria. Out of pocket treatment and prevention costs as much as $3 billion annually. Malaria causes absenteeism in schools, offices and markets with effects on the economy. Malaria also accounts for 11% of maternal mortality and three in 10 deaths of children less than five years old.

An Assistant Inspector of Nigeria Prisons Service attached to Otukpo Division, John Itodo was in the early hour of Friday robbed at gun point with his bride, Jesse and other family members while returning from their traditional marriage.
Mr. Itodo, younger brother to Yemi Itodo, an Abuja based Media Practitioner, had concluded a traditional marriage rite with his bride in Etulo, a suburb of Katsina-Ala local government of Benue State on Thursday and was to move to Otukpa in Ogbadibo LGA same day for their wedding ceremony billed for Saturday.
The vehicle carrying the newly married couple, however, broke down in Aliade, Gwer LGA and the couple and some family members had to sleep over at Aliade.
“As early as 4 am on Friday, we set out for onward movement to Otukpa and the journey was smooth until we got to a place called Atlo, after Otukpo.
“We saw a military check-point by 6am with about 5 soldiers on uniform, fully armed, flagging down our car and we parked”, a family source disclosed to our correspondent.
Speaking further, the source said “We thought they were genuine soldiers because they were kitted with Army Uniform and carrying weapons. They also blocked the federal road with logs of wood and lanterns on both sides of the road, to suggest it was a military or police check-point.
“One of them entered our vehicle and asked the driver to move towards a path in the bush while the rest unknown’ soldiers’ were following with legs.
“They took us to a nearby bush and dispossessed us of a large sum of money and all our belongings, including a professional video camera and photo camera with the memory card which contained all our marriage activities yesterday”.
He said the matter has been reported at the Otukpo Police Area Command.

John Oyegun, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos state, of making reckless statements against him.
Oyegun’s statement comes less than 72 hours after he held a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock.
The outcome of the Ondo state primary election had sparked off a disagreement between Tinubu and Oyegun.
Tinubu called for his resignation, alleging that he manipulated the primary in favour of Rotimi Akeredolu.
Back then when he was asked to react, Oyegun had described Tinubu as “a well-respected leader”, saying he would not join issues with him.
But in a statement on Friday, Oyegun made a U-turn, and said it was an insult on the intelligence of the national working committee (NWC) members to be accused of rigging.
“Recently, the media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu falsely and recklessly accused me of corruption, rigging the outcome of the 2016 Ondo State APC governorship election primary and overruling the party’s national working committee (NWC) vote on the 2016 Ondo state APC governorship primary election appeal committee report,” the statement by Oyegun read.
“In view of the misinformation and false reports that have been fed to the media and that have pervaded the public space, there is need to set the records straight.
“The media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its statement alleged that I overruled the NWC’s vote of ‘six against five’ in favour of cancelling the primary election results and conducting another primary.
“According to the minutes of the 18th emergency meeting of the APC NWC held from Monday 19th September 2016 to Thursday 22nd September, 2016 at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, there was absolutely no meeting which I chaired that voted in the manner alleged.
“Clearly, the report on which the media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu acted was a figment of someone’s wild imagination.
“According to the minutes of the 18th emergency meeting of the APC NWC held from Monday 19th September 2016 to Thursday 22nd September, 2016 at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, there was absolutely no meeting which I chaired that voted in the manner alleged.
“Clearly, the report on which the media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu acted was a figment of someone’s wild imagination.
“On Thursday 22nd September, 2016 being the final day for submission of candidate by political parties, the NWC discussed the possibility of voting having finished deliberation on the 2016 Ondo state APC governorship primary election appeal committee report because members in support of cancelling the primary results were still strident in their position.
“A member of the NWC however drew the attention of the meeting to its previous decision in which the report of the primary election committee was adopted while the appeal committee was set aside.”
He explained that the delegates list was was compiled in strict compliance with the party’s constitution, stating that only qualified individuals were included in it.
“The media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its statement alleged that I used a ‘prayer interlude’ which I initiated to ‘secretly excuse’ myself from the NWC meeting to submit the name of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, to INEC as the candidate of the party,” Oyegun said.
“The allegation is high fiction and an insult to the intelligence and sensibility of the respected NWC members present at the meeting. We do not and have never engaged in prayer interludes/sessions outside the usual opening and closing prayers. The prayer that is being referred to must be the closing prayer for the meeting.”
Oyegun further appealed to the party’s leaders to explore internal dispute resolution mechanisms in addressing their perceived grievances “instead of resorting to the media to vent their spleen”.
“The APC national leadership remains united and solidly committed to the task of winning the Ondo state governorship election to save the people of the state from the misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

Mr. Jim Obazee, CEO of Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRN), oversees the monitoring and enforcement of financial reporting standards and corporate governance practices both in public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy. He shares his thoughts on the state of the economy and fond memories of his childhood in this interview with THEMOMENTNG.COM

Tell us a little bit about your childhood and education?
I was born in Benin City in the 60s. I attended St. James Anglican Primary School, Benin, which is now known as Agbado Model Primary School and I did my Secondary Education at Edogbolo Grammar School also in Benin City. I did my First Degree at University of Benin afterwards, I moved to University of Lagos. I started lecturing shortly after my National Youth Service (NYSC); the University retained two of us after our graduation. I went back to the University of Lagos for my Master’s Degree programme on scholarship. Thereafter, I wrote my professional examinations and became a qualified External Accountant. It was during my working days that I went to Harvard University for a programme in Strategies and Analysis of Business Evolution.
In September 1993, when the Universities went on strike, the Nigeria Accounting Standard Board needed somebody to take over from its chief executive officer who was leaving the organisation. They approached me for it and I accepted the offer because all the Universities in the country were shut down. So I resumed with them in April 1993 and then resigned at the University of Benin as accounting lecturer. I came in there as Senior Manager Technical and rose through the ranks to become the CEO in November, 2010. Within seven months, my first assignment was to ensure that the law that set up the organisation was changed because there were a lot of noticeable inadequacies. It showed lots of weaknesses in financial reporting in Nigeria that I addressed and within seven months, the financial reporting of Nigeria was brought out and I continued working as the Chief Executive of the board.

Can you recall any childhood prank that landed you in trouble?
My father was a headmaster and the value system then was different from what we have now. We shared values and what was called collective ownership. What I mean is if you did something wrong and another parent saw that you did something wrong, he would flog you and take you to your house and tell your parents what you had done wrong and they would also flog you again.
So as you went from house to house to play, everybody was your father and mother because it was a village setting. While growing up, it was only one person that owned a television, black and white TV then, and there were some popular programs on TV then like ‘Hotel the Jordan’, ‘Ichoku’ and we had to find a way to watch these programmes. If you went there, you had to stand by the window to try and watch TV and when children were many and anybody coughed, the owner asked us to leave and we would not be able to watch the programme. There was also a popular show that was organised by the Ministry of Communications; they did it at some Primary School compound then. They come and advertised some products and showed some John Wayne films. They would announce it way ahead but we needed to go there in the evening because the film show only took place when it was dark, and at that time you’re supposed to be either reading at home or filling the water tanks in the house. On the day the films showed, we would ask to go to the public tap to fetch the water because you can’t be reading when the water drums are empty. Once we get there, we leave our buckets and head to the primary school premises to watch our ‘John Wayne’. After watching the film, we would go back to the tap to get our buckets of water.
As you came back home, your parents would welcome you warmly; at that time you already knew that you were in trouble. My father would say, ‘drop the bucket and your elbows on the ground’. You know when you kneel down with your elbows on the ground, your back will be up and very stressful. He would not flog you at once; if you were taking 12 strokes of the cane all at once, the pains will be as if you are taking injection so he will flog you one at a time.
But since you were satisfied watching the film show you won’t mind even if you were flogged till the next day. This was the prank we played while growing up. My father never got to know what we did because he never followed us there.

Many philosophers define success in different ways. What is success to you?
I believe in telling people that success requires you to believe in what you are doing. Do only things you are ready to die for and ensure you direct people into the same vision that you intend to pursue. Do only things you believe you can die for. What you believe in can either be negative or positive. So, my definition of success is doing that which you are ready to die for and ensure that people are part of that vision.

In the light of the prevalent economic recession in the country, what’s your advice to the government?
I will say in a statement that the government should just stop playing the game and change the game. Because what the government is doing now is currently playing the game. Is it compulsory to have a certain number of ministers because the constitution said so? We must drive these objectives because there are certain requirements that say so. Why can’t we just go ahead and do constitution review and say we don’t want this number of ministers. We have part time legislators; they said the law does not provide for that but we can establish it. So it means you are changing the game, a lot of Nigerians are calling for restructuring that means we are changing the game because currently, we are playing the game. We say we are selling crude oil and we meet every month to share the money given to the states. Why don’t we change the game and say we are looking at areas of competitive advantage. If you know a state that has fertile lands for tomatoes, we support them and allow them to grow it, and sell tomatoes to the rest of the country. We want our Military and Paramilitary to dress well, why are we still importing their uniform? Why can’t we insist that Nigeria’s textile should be used and no school in Nigeria should import uniform, it must be made in Nigeria? By the time we are doing that, textile will employ a large number of people, the uniform may not look attractive initially but overtime we grow in it.

With your busy schedule, how do you have time to relax and unwind?
Well, I relax by picking up a financial statement and reviewing it. I also unwind by reading something outside of my profession. My library at home is bigger than the one I have in my office and each time I travel, when you open my suitcase, you will see a lot of books. I see the game changing; I read a lot of books on business, ethics and technologies. Anything that could give me understanding of other sectors apart from accounting, I read.

Which sporting activities do you engage in?
When I was younger, I played football, currently the only sporting activity I do is reading. My hubbies are travelling and reading.

What are your favourite meals?
Rice of course, it is very fast to prepare and can be done by anybody.

What brand of perfume do you wear?
You want to actually know what I do with my money apart from family issues. I spend my money on perfumes apart from family. I love to mix perfumes because a number of people ask me about it; even my staff will sometimes joke that once I pass a particular place even without seeing me, they would know I’m the one. I could mix up to five different perfumes, because male perfumes are too strong, I prefer female perfumes; those are the ones I wear.

How did you meet your wife?
It was by chance, because the Bible said he that finds a wife finds a good thing and obtain favour in the sight of the Lord. So I opened my eyes and I saw. The first time I went to see her parents, her father was just speaking Yoruba and I didn’t understand what he was saying. Later, I asked my wife what her father said, she said he said he wouldn’t allow her to marry me because she left Ogun, Osun, Ondo all the way to Edo to bring a man. I had to ask my friend who is a Yoruba man to follow me to see my father-in-law another day before the man allowed me to marry his daughter.

Former Arsenal star Alexander Hleb says he made a mistake by leaving the Emirates to join Barcelona in 2008, and expressed regret at turning his back on managerial ‘great’ Arsene Wenger.
The Frenchman has been in charge of the Gunners for more than two decades and Hleb believes this could be one of his most successful seasons yet, with Arsenal capable of winning three trophies.
‘Wenger always sets the highest goals, Hleb said, as he prepared for Belarus’ World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands.
‘He has managed to keep his key players and they are playing great football. They are tearing everyone apart,’
‘I hope the team will win three trophies this season – the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. This Arsenal side certainly has the ability and I will really be supporting them.’
After three years at the Emirates, where Hleb established himself as a key figure after joining from Stuttgart, the Belarusian decided to move to Barcelona.
The midfielder, who is now 35 and on the verge of winning another Belarus title with BATE Borisov, says his career never hit the same heights after leaving the British capital.
‘I was playing at the top of my game in London and it was the best moments of my career,’ said Hleb, who never won a trophy with Arsenal.
‘In my first season we got to the Champions League final. We lost, but I remember this final more than the other one when I won with Barcelona in 2009, but I didn’t play.’
His move to the Catalans did not work out and he was sent out on loan by manager Pep Guardiola.
‘On the one hand I regret that I did not stay at Arsenal. Wenger was like a father to me and trusted me. I get sad when I start to think about this,’ he said.
‘On the other hand, Barcelona was and still is the strongest club. I did not play that often, but I still got game time.’
In a frank appraisal of his time at Barcelona, Hleb said that he only had himself to blame.
‘I was behaving like a bloke. Guardiola was young and had only just taken over the club. He could not find the right words,’ he said.
‘If Wenger had been in his place, he would have come up to me and talked to me. I am not blaming Guardiola. I should have behaved more professionally. Had it not been for the wrong decision that I took, I could have been playing at a top club for another five years.’
Hleb said the Spaniard had made a strong start to his career at Manchester City, who currently lead the Premier League table.
‘I think that Guardiola could have the same success in Manchester that he had in Barcelona,’ he said, playing a crisp, short-passing game at speed.
‘I think that Manchester City and Arsenal will be battling it out for the title.’
Despite respect for Guardiola, Wenger will always remain his favourite head coach.
‘I think he is a great,’ said Hleb. ‘I remember that Jens Lehmann used to record how Wenger took training every day. I also wanted to do the same, but I thought, ‘I will still have time as I am under contract for a long time’…’

Wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari has called on governments at all levels to put in place, machinery and frameworks that would enhance the development and empowerment of Nigerian women, to enable them compete favourably among their peers across the world.
Speaking through the wife of Senate President, Dr. Mrs. Toyin Saraki, during the third edition of SHE Forum Africa in Abuja on Thursday; Mrs. Buhari said “the world must continue to wake up and pay attention to the rights and opportunities for all human beings, girls and boys, men and women, to reach and live up to their potentials”.
Speaking further, she said, “As a Woman, Wife of the President, Mother of a nation, a grandmother, the fate of the next generation – both girls and boys occupies much of my thinking.
“I wish to add my voice by calling on governments both at national and international levels, private organisations and individuals to contribute towards the realisation of sustainable community development towards enhancing women empowerment”.
The President’s wife also charged women to partner with governments and other agencies to actualise gender equality and affirmative actions.
“As women, we need to come together for a renewed partnership to confront gender equality issues. We have to work with governments, civil society and private sector to redress the underlying biases and social norms that permit women and girls to be treated less well than men and boys,” Mrs. Buhari added.
In her welcome address, the President of SHE Forum Africa, Inimfon Etuk tasked Nigerian women to participate in democratic processes and be business oriented.
“At the heart of our organisation’s focus is the burning need to promote conscious participation of women in democratic processes; promote entrepreneurship and women’s business initiatives in local communities as well as best practices in creating partnerships, financing new enterprises, and encouraging strategic involvement in leadership, governance and entrepreneurial programs,” Inimfon said.
While delivering her keynote address, former First Lady of Ekiti State and Wife of the Honourable Minister for Solid Minerals, Dr. Mrs. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi bemoaned the lackadaisical approach to gender equality and women rights issues in Nigeria and called on governments and individuals to stand for the rights of women in all ramifications.
Present at the 2016 edition of SHE Forum Africa were Amb. Torben Gettermann from the Embassy of Denmark; Mrs. Olufunke Baruwa, President of Nigeria Women Trust Fund; Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State and Acting Managing Director of NDDC as well as Mrs. Ebere Ifendu, President of Women in Politics Foundation; among others.
Highlights of the event include panel sessions where various topical issues were discussed by Panelists; while the Chairperson of ‘Better Life Programme For the African Rural Woman’, Hajia Aisha Babangida stole the occasion when in an emotion-laden voice, she narrated her story of why she decided to continue with the visions and programmes of her late mother and former Nigerian First Lady, Hajia Maryam Babangida.
The theme for this year’s SHE Forum Africa is “Regroup, Reboot, Remove the Mask”.

The Minister of Sport and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, has said that the current crisis rocking the governing ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is largely about the ambition of some politicians for future offices.
He said the problems inherited by the party made it impossible for leaders to pay attention to party members, leading to frustration.
The minister said this on Thursday, while speaking to journalists at the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja.
“I think we should try and appreciate the chemistry of what is referred to as APC today. APC started as amalgamation of different political groups then graduated into a mass movement and formed the government,” Mr. Dalung said.
“The significance of this was that these are political systems that are an embodiment of diverse interests.
“Now, the management of that interests is very critical, but the challenge the party and the government is facing is that the government itself inherited a situation where it has more challenges of fixing the country, and so nothing or no good attention at all would have trickled down along the line in view of the economic constraints.
“That is enough to stir bitterness in the party and this can give birth to crisis,” he said.
The APC is currently in crisis after one of is leaders and a former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu, asked the national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, to resign.
Mr. Tinubu accused Mr. Odigie-Oyegun of going behind the back of members of the National Working Committee to nominate Rotimi Akeredolu as the candidate of the party for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state.
An Appeal Committee of the party had recommended that fresh primary election for Ondo State should be conducted after the exercise that produced Mr. Akeredolu was allegedly rigged.
Mr. Odigie-Oyegun has refused to resign and told Mr. Tinubu that he cannot use the media to remove him.
Mr. Dalung called on the leaders to forget their differences and allow the country to move forward.
He said the crisis was about the ambitious plans of politicians ahead of the next round of elections.
“The second perspective to the crisis has to do with the future; a politician is a very ambitious person. In everything he does including the step of his movement, he calculates ahead of time.
“So, It could also be that some politicians had viewed the future and they are already dusting their weapons for a political showdown to set the tone of their political ambition,” he said.
Mr. Dalung said those in government were worried over the development.
“There is no reasonable person in government that won’t be worried, because the unity of the party is the unity of the government,” he said.
“So we are concerned, our position is just to appeal because all those that are involved in the crisis are our leaders and we respect them very much as young people.
“What we expect from them is to bequeath durable legacies and I don’t think that crisis is part of what they intend to bequeath to us,” he said.
Mr. Dalung said APC leaders should know that younger politicians look up to the leaders for guidance.

Renowned Nollywood movie director, Yomi Fabiyi has responded to veteran comic actor, Babatunde Omidina, aka Baba Suwe’s comments after he (Fabiyi) said the comic actor was suffering ill health as a result of the torture meted out on him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, years ago.
Fabiyi had called out the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, accusing the NDLEA of damaging the actor’s health to an alarming state, claiming that a long pipe was inserted through the actor’s anus while in the agency’s detention in October 2011 on the suspicion of ingestion of illicit drugs. .
He added that the torture done on the actor by the NDLEA was damaging his health at an alarming rate.
But the ace comic actor, in a chat with NET on Wednesday, denied Fabiyi’s claims shortly after his Instagram post, saying that Fabiyi should be ignored.
He added that what Fabiyi puts out was a very old story and that he didn’t want to talk about the issue any more as his health was perfectly fine.
But following the development, Fabiyi responded to the ace actor, expressing shock at his response to the press.
According to him, he had fulfilled all righteousness and the worst he can be told is to keep quiet simple.
On his Instagram page, he wrote: “I am 100% certain Baba Suwe will never make statements or responses that may hurt or denegrade me. We know each so well and he knows I will never do anything to hurt him, with or without his consent.
“He loves and respect me to a certain degree that his response is not what some are jubilating about. Till this minute he hasn’t called to warn me on anything.
“The most important thing is that whoever has gone to misinterpret what I wrote can go on, they will meet their Karma (whoever they are).
“They are people close to him and I suspect some. The whole world read what I posted, I didn’t ask for donation privately or publicly in his name from anyone and I made this known to him when we discussed during my initial visit 4weeks ago that I will never resort to that level in his name.
“He never denied we had discussion, did he? And neither did he feign ignorance that I promised to react from what we discussed because he is pained.
“I came into the industry through him, he Fed me, gave me the opportunity to become an artist. I was his PA for a while, managed his company and so on.
“Just let the man have his privacy if he says the calls are too much. I am not even around him to take charge of the backlogs.
“I respect and love Baba Suwe always. I gave the NETNG Baba Suwe’s number. He didn’t tell them that the first time they called oh. They came back to me on phone and I said I am not beside him to do the needful. Na wa for those quickly jumping the gun oh.
“Anyway, it’s not about me. I have fulfilled all righteousness and the worst I can be told is to keep quiet simple,” Fabiyi stated.

The Nigerian economy is one of the world’s least competitive, and currently ranks 127th out of 138 economies globally, a 2016-2017 report by the World Economic Forum, says.
In the 2015-2016 edition of the Global Competitive Index, Nigeria ranked 124th out of 140 countries.
The latest ranking means the country slipped five places when measured by the relative number of countries each year.
In this year’s ranking, Mauritius, which is placed at 45th position, takes the lead among sub-Saharan African countries, followed by South Africa and Rwanda, ranked 47th and 52nd, respectively.
Switzerland, Singapore and the United States remain the three world’s most competitive economies.
The report, released on Wednesday, classifies Botswana as one of the fastest rising economies, in league with India, Jamaica, and Mexico.
The southern African country moved seven steps upward, from the 71st position it occupied in 2015 to 64th position in the latest ranking, while India moved up 16 steps from 55th to 39th.
Botswana, the world’s largest producer of diamonds, is reputed to be one of the most stable countries in Africa.
Nigeria’s neighbour, Ghana, is ranked 114.
Other West African countries that are ranked higher than Nigeria are: Côte d’Ivoire, 99th; Gabon, Cape Verde, 110th; 108th; Senegal, 112nd; Gambia, 123rd; Benin Republic, 124th; and Mali, 125th;
Nigeria only fared better in this year’s ranking than a few African countries like Madagascar (128th), Congo Democratic Republic (129th), Liberia (131th), and Chad (136th).
Yemen, with its 138th position, is at the bottom of the ranking.

Top 10 most competitive economies in the world, according to the report, are:
1. Switzerland
2. Singapore
3. United States
4. Netherlands
5. Germany
6. Sweden
7. United Kingdom
8. Japan
9. Hong Kong SAR
10. Finland

The report says the WEF calculates the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) using a combination of 114 indicators “that capture concept that matter for productivity and long-term prosperity”.
“These indicators are grouped into 12 pillars – institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, health and primary education, higher education and training, goods market efficiency, labor market efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness, market size, business sophistication, and innovation.
“These pillars are in turn organized into three subindexes: basic requirements, efficiency enhancers, and innovation and sophistication factors. The three subindexes are given different weights in the calculation of the overall Index, depending on each economy’s stage of development, as proxied by its GDP per capita and the share of exports represented by raw materials.”
The WEF also uses statistical data from notable organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, UNESCO, and World Health Organization to calculate the GCI.
The WEF explained the significance of the annual Global Competitiveness Report.
“The Global Competitiveness Report, published since 1979, aims to serve as a neutral and objective tool for governments, the private sector, and civil society to work together on effective public-private collaboration to boost future prosperity.
“By benchmarking each year’s progress on different factors and institutions that matter for future growth, the Report keeps competitiveness on the public agenda, provides a focal point for the discussion of long-term competitiveness policies, and helps to keep stakeholders accountable.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of complicity in the alleged manipulation of Wednesday’s Edo governorship election.
Reacting to Buhari’s congratulatory message to Godwin Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and winner of the election, the party said the president had shown he belonged to somebody.
The PDP said this in the context of Buhari’s inaugural speech in which he said: “I belong to nobody and I belong to everybody.”
The party insisted that the election was rigged.
“President Buhari’s congratulatory message to Godwin Obaseki has finally revealed his hand in the Edo guber election imbroglio. We note with sadness that he had never extended similar congratulatory messages or goodwill to PDP candidates who were victorious in various elections since he assumed office,” Dayo Adeyeye, spokesman of PDP, said.
“In Bayelsa state where his party with the support of security agencies virtually declared war on Governor Seriake Dickson and the people of Bayelsa, the president refused to congratulate the PDP candidate who against all odds managed to survive the APC onslaught.
“His aides claimed then that the president was not in the business of congratulating election winners. Why the sudden change of heart now if we may ask? The only plausible explanation is that the president was eager to confer legitimacy on an otherwise badly flawed election in which his party acted like Shina Rambo, the notorious armed robber. Only that this time they were robbing the people of their votes.
“The action of the president belies his statement that he belongs to nobody but belongs to everybody. The president has shown where he belongs. We recall that President Jonathan dutifully never failed to congratulate opposition candidates who won elections during his tenure, including Adams Oshiomhole. That is what is expected of a statesman.
“We did not lose the gubernatorial election in Edo state. We can therefore not be described as ‘bad losers’ according to the APC state chairman in Edo state, Anselm Ojezua. We were robbed by very shameless election riggers.”

Prof. Musa Yakubu of the University of Ilorin has said that having sex early in the morning lowers blood pressure and reduces risks of heart attack.
Yakubu of the Department of Biochemistry made the assertion in a paper: “Knocking Down the Barriers to Four O’Clock Activities and Reproductive Inadequacies.”
He presented the paper at the 163rd Inaugural lecture of the university on Friday.
He said that having sexual intercourse, three to four times a week, was good for love life.
Yakubu said: “Research has shown that sex boosts immune system by stimulating the body’s first line of defence and production of immunoglobulin A, against cold and fever.”
Immunoglobulin A is one of the most common antibodies in the body system.
Antibodies are proteins made by the immune system to fight bacteria, viruses, and toxins.
Yakubu said that sex also regulates menstruation in women by influencing the levels of lutenizing hormones that controls menstrual period and promote better sleep.
According to him, the act of sexual intercourse also release the feel-good chemical, known as oxytocin, which enhances closeness with one’s partner and makes people feel happier for a longer period of time.
Yakubu explained: “Lovemaking of about 20 minutes reduces 150 calories.”
The professor of Biochemistry postulated that sex is the most powerful creative force given to human by God for pleasure and deep companionship.
Yakubu, however, noted that any marriage in which the man or woman could not enjoy sexual intercourse or satisfy their partner in bed was a dead marriage.
He said that lack of sexual satisfaction had led to the collapse of many marriages in Nigeria, and urged couples to seek for solutions to the problem.
He stated: “Sexual and reproductive dysfunctions are common among men and women in Nigeria, which necessitates regular screening and check-ups.”
Yakubu also said that traditional medicines had been authenticated to cure sexual dysfunctions.

Songwriter, model and dancer John Angela Chioma popularly known as Annjay, has over the years make a name for herself in the ever growing Nigeria music industry, in this chat with EDWIN USOBOH, she speaks on growing up, musical career and passion

Tell us the latest things about you?
I recently released a single titled ‘Do Me Right’ produced by Don Adah. ‘Do Me Right’ has gotten thousands of downloads on MTN, Airtel and Etisalat as caller tunes. I was awarded Performing Artiste of the Year 2016, in Rivers State and it was presented to me by Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. John Nwachukwu. My team and I are also working on a project which will hit the airwaves very soon.

What is it about being a musician that thrills you the most?
When I see myself singing to thousands of people, it makes me feel fulfilled in my career. Also working with positive minded people from different backgrounds is great. Singing as a career is beautiful but one needs to take things easy because once you are there, a lot of things might get into your head that could make you lose focus. So, I am staying grounded to make sure I remain the person I used4 to be.

What message do you propagate in your music?
I have positive messages in my songs. Before I release any work, my producer and I will sit down together and work on it properly before doing other studio things. Music is not something you rush; it requires a lot of work and time.

annjay2What inspires you when you go on stage?
I would say my passion. The passion I have for my career drives me to give more when I’m on stage. I have it planted like a seed inside me and it can never die.

Some artistes take substances to be high while on stage. How do you get your high energy while on stage?
I am aware some artistes take drugs to help them perform on stage. As for me, I don’t do anything or take drugs to get inspiration. I don’t need any substance to perform on stage. I remember many people have asked me this before during interviews; what I don’t know is why the drug questions keep coming.

What determines your stage fashion?
I look at the concept of the event and that would help me to decide what I’m going to wear while performing on stage. If it’s corporate, church or entertainment event, I will dress differently. You don’t expect me to dress the same way I dress to an entertainment event to a church or cooperate event. So, it depends on the event. All I want people to know is that I’m doing my job. Nobody should judge my dressing because I want them to understand that’s what entertainment is all about.

What’s your style signature?
My signature style is my hair and dressing, I always want the best for myself.

If in the nearest future your hubby insists you stop singing or stop being a musician, will you oblige him?
This is one subject I don’t like talking about because I want people to know that sometimes in life man proposes but God disposes. The future is not predictable as it’s in the hand of God and again, nothing lasts forever. I like my career very much and nothing can stop me except God. It will only take the grace of God for me to stop because He is the only one that can do it.

When is the wedding bell ringing?
Marriage is a beautiful thing but I don’t like talking about it because that’s not the main thing right now. Talking about my career is what’s up and not marriage. I believe in the institution called marriage because my mum is married to one man who is my dad. At the moment, my career comes first but if marriage comes early then there is need to talk about it but right now, I’m relaxed and my career comes first.

What are those qualities you look out for in your ideal man?
He must be smart and intelligent. Above all, he must be God fearing because when he’s God fearing, he can help me build my career and family.

What are those qualities that make your style of music unique?
My voice and stage performances

Define your fashion sense?
I love to look good and comfortable. I don’t follow trends as long as the outfit looks perfect on me. Nobody should expect Annjay to follow trends anytime or any day because I’m the wrong person to expect such from.

What fashion item forms a larger part of your wardrobe?
That will be shoes and sunglasses. I like them a lot. If you enter my room, you will see different types of shoes all over the place. Sometimes my mum will jokingly say ‘my daughter, how do you manage to wear all this leather on your legs’?

What fashion item can you spend a fortune on?
I can spend my last kobo on shoes, sunglasses and perfumes. I don’t joke with all these, for real.

What stands you out on the red carpet?
My outfit and the way I carry myself. And you know that red carpet is another major work in entertainment industry. If you are not looking good, sorry you are not fit for red carpet. I’m not perfect but always trying my best when it comes to that.

What lessons has life taught you as a musician?
Life has taught me to be strong, always expect challenges, never give up and don’t depend on anyone except God.

dsc_0633What is the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done?
During my school days, I was having an argument with my course mate and before you knew it, she turned it into a fight. She was like, ‘I have been waiting for this day to come’. Not knowing that she had me in mind before then. Before I could say anything, she hit me on the face and immediately I gave her back and she held my clothes and she started shouting, ‘you go kill me today or I’ll naked you’. That statement put me off that I tore the shirt I was wearing by myself, remaining bra and Jeans on me and I beat her up. Although I was a tomboy, I had another shirt in my bag that I quickly changed into. She was very fat and always tried to intimidate me with her size not knowing that ‘Lepa no be disease’. But that was then and not now.

Can you go nude in music videos for any amount?
No! I will never go nude no matter the huge amount of money. Rejecting such offer doesn’t make me an unprofessional entertainer.

Which would you consider your first love, music or journalism?
Both of them are my first love but journalism came first. Journalism prepared me for my musical career. I’m a journalist anytime because I know how much both careers work together.
What are your words to your fans or followers?
I’m very grateful to you all, after God you are the reason why the name Annjay is alive and I have a word of encouragement for you all that by perseverance the snail reached the ark. Never give up or sit down and grieve, press on and press through.

What inspired your stage name ‘Annjay’?
Annjay is a combination of my real names and it means beauty to my parents. My mum always calls me ‘Annjaysco’.

Once in our lifetime, we need to appreciate our loved ones, friends and business associates with nice gift items to show how important they are in our lives.
When next you are faced with such challenges, you don’t need to worry anymore as Premium Gift Expo is here to solve all the problems about how to get the perfect gift for our beloved ones, the Premium Gift Expo/exhibition, the ultimate place for all your gift item needs, will hold on Monday, October 3, 2016 at the Batten House, MKO Abiola Gardens, Alausa Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the organiser of expo, the essence of is to bring companies related to the gift industry in Nigeria under one roof to showcase their products and also to educate and enlighten people on the need of gifting.
“It will provide an opportunity and perfect platform to showcase the latest gift items and gifting solutions to a completely untapped audience. We need to promote the gift nature of Nigeria and introduce them to the new innovative nature of gifting solution, because over the years, there has been a new innovation on how to go about gifting, Yetunde Omorode one of the expo organisers said.
The organises promised that it is going to be an annual event that will create a unique, enjoyable and convenient shopping, selling and networking experience for both the buyers and sellers in general.
“We intend to make it an annual event that will encourage locally made products from raw materials and also encourage a sense of community and cohesiveness within the gift industry, foster business growth and prosperity among companies in the gift industry. We also hope to bring in international investors to export our locally made products outside the country with the gift expo,” Yejide Owootomo said.
She further said, “Our intention is to make Premium Gift expo the perfect place for Nigerians to source and find latest gift products, we focus on the broad spectrum of the gifting culture and understand consumer needs.”

The revelation revealed he came close to leaving the Emirates side on more than one occasion during his younger years, with the club having doubts over whether he was good enough
Alex Iwobi has lit up Arsenal’s season so far but revealed the club were close to releasing him during his time with their youth academy.
The Nigeria international joined the Arsenal academy at the tender age of nine and made his first-team debut in a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday in October 2015.
Iwobi has since developed into an important member of Arsene Wenger’s team, contributing the joint-most number of assists this season alongside Alexis Sanchez.
But the starlet has made it clear things could very well have panned out differently while he was coming through the ranks.
“I was almost released at 14, again at 16 and just about got a professional contract after that,” the 20-year-old forward told Standard Sport.
“Especially at 14, I thought I was very close to not making it. It was stressful as I was going through school, trying to balance that and make sure I was still signed for Arsenal. It was really difficult for me.
“We usually found out in December who might be kept on but I kept on getting the question ‘is he good enough?’ So they extended it to see if I could do something and it went to March and then April. Luckily I did enough.
“At 16, I got the option to leave but I always felt at home at Arsenal and that was where I wanted to be.
“At 16, there were a lot of good players, a few internationals in the team at a young age so it was difficult for me to stand out in the games.
“They always want the best and I wasn’t really up there at that age. The fact that I kept getting chances makes me feel lucky.”

Four officials of Fist Bank Plc., a Notary Public and a receiver manager may be arraigned in Lagos for allegedly conspiring to forge a Deed of Guaranteed purportedly aimed at taking over some companies left by the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Chief Arisekola Alao.
The bank’s officials, according to a petition wired to the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Abuja by the late Arisekola’s family, allegedly doctored the document with a view to taking over the deceased companies.
The officials—ex-Managing Director, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, Executive Director Corporate, Tokunbo Abiru, Chief Legal, Raymond Mbgeokwere, Head Legal Services, Ropo Okunmuyide, a Notary Public, C. Okorji and a receiver, Kemi Balogun, allegedly conspired to commit ‘forgery and willful falsification of a Deed of Guarantee allegedly signed by Ismail Alao.’
In the petition entitled “urgent request to conduct forensic investigation into a case of forgery, criminal conversion, willful falsification of facts, conspiracy, breach of trust and professional misconduct by bankers and others”, the police at the weekend were said to have concluded their investigation.
The petition was authored by Arisekola’s son, Ismail Alao through his lawyer, Mr. Olaseni Ajayi from Lordwin Gate Legal, following the alleged forgery and willful falsification.
In a document, 7000/x/FHQ/ABJ/Vol 360/17 and signed by CP Femi Oyeleye said there was the need to launch a forensic investigation into the alleged forgery offence initiated against the bank’s officials.
It reads: The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department directs you to look into this report; ‘urgent request to conduct forensic investigation into a case of forgery, criminal conversion, willful falsification of facts, conspiracy, breach of trust and professional misconduct by bankers and others.’
The police had six months ago commenced forensic investigation into the alleged forgery of the contentious document with a view to allegedly taking over or converting Tank Farm Lister Oil Limited owned by the Arisekola family.
Information has emerged that the police had concluded plans to arrest the bank’s officials and charge them to court following the conclusion of its investigation.
According to the police, the suspected bankers may be charged to court this week in Lagos following the outcome of the forensic investigation over the alleged forgery and willful falsification of the Deed of guarantee purportedly signed by Ismail Alao, son of the late Arisekola-Alao.
Ismaila Arisekola-Alao had in a petition written to the Deputy Inspector General of Police ‘’D’’ entitled “urgent request to conduct forensic investigation into a case of forgery, criminal conversion, willful falsification of facts dated October 15, 2015’’, alleged that his signature and other documents were forged by First Bank officials in order to take over his late father’s companies.
The suspects Mbgeokwere, Okunmuyide, Onasanya and two others may be arraigned over the alleged offence.
Already, the report of police investigation may have confirmed the allegations of forgery against the bank, its officials and the Notary Public which the bank allegedly claimed to have attested to the documents as the suspects who were invited to Abuja had made useful statement to the police.
The investigating team led by CSP Oketunji was said to have discovered the alleged involvement of the bank and its officials in the forged document containing the late Arisekola-Alao’s signature and his son, Ismaila on a Deed of Guarantee of Lister Oil.
Also,the report allegedly revealed that there were fake assets and addresses of some property as contained in the Deed of Guarantee to take over Lister Oil Tank farm belonging to Arisekola under a purported N10billion debt.
The report of the investigation which was released in March had been forwarded to the office of Department of Public Prosecution for legal advice and possible prosecution of the alleged suspects.
“Our client has been put in a state of distress and psychological trauma following this conspiracy and forgery of his signature as other documents might have been forged in his name and other stories might have been cooked up in other places by these same group of persons and corporate establishment working in tandem, all in a bid to criminally convert the Tank Farm Lister Oil Limited to their own through forgery of documents,” said Arisekola’s lawyer.

Psquare, the singing duo of Peter and Paul Okoye, are set to have their contract terminated by Globacom, Nigerian telecommunications company.
We learnt from reliable sources that Globacom decided to end their contract due to the public controverses Psquare has been involved in, within the past year.
Owing to managerial and creative disputes, Peter and Paul have had series of social media disagreements which led to a temporary split early this year.
The pair, a few months ago, announced that they had reunited and settled their differences.
Shortly after, they released a new single titled ‘Bank Alert’ and recently dropped the star-studded video for the song.
An insider in Globacom revealed that Psquare has already written a joint letter to the management of Globacom to reconsider them as brand ambassadors.
The letter also contained an apology to the telecommunications company over their public rifts but TheCable Lifestyle understands that there is no going back.
Top shots at Globacom are believed to have made up their mind to do away with the brothers after failing to keep their dirty laundry private.
The public nature of their disagreements is considered detrimental to the public image of Globacom, hence the cessation of ties.
Psquare got signed to Globacom in 2010 on a four-year contract which was later renewed in 2014.
Their deal is worth an estimated N65m per year.

As school children resume from the long vacation, our investigations revealed that parents have commenced withdrawing their children from private schools to public ones, attributing their action to the harsh economic situation in the country.
Parents and school owners, who spoke recently, lamented the bad economic situation, with proprietors stating that since resumption their schools have been witnessing a low turnout of returning pupils.
Mrs Gladys Adewumi, whose three children were in Living Joy Nursery and Primary School, Ikorodu, said she withdrew two of her children from the private school to a public school when it was apparent her husband could not cope financially.
Adewumi said: “I operate a beauty salon and my husband is a plumber and we have three children in a private school. For about a year now, my husband has not been able to live up to his financial responsibility to the family, which led to over N100,000 indebtedness to the school.
“To reduce the financial burden, we agreed to remove two of our children from the private school to a government school at Elepe.
“The challenge I may encounter now is the distance between our residence and the school, which is about five miles.”
School owners speak
On his part, the proprietor of Gosfat Nursery and Primary School, Agege, Mr. Gosfat, lamented that “the recession has affected every home.”
Regretting the heavy toll it has had on his school, Gosfat said: “Most parents have withdrawn their children and wards and taken them to public schools despite the fact that our fees are low.
“Last term, because of the economic situation, I reduced my school fees by 100 percent. Yet, most parents still find it difficult to pay.
“The only reason they (parents) are giving me is that there is no money. We have the same market system. What affects the top, affects the bottom. This new term alone, I have lost over 20 of my students as a result of the recession. This has never happened before.”
However, the Proprietor of Tob Land Nursery and Primary School, Agege, disclosed that almost 75 percent of the parents are unable to pay their children’s school fees and for stationeries due to the recession.
The school administrator also noted that he could not increase tuition fees as a result of the country’s ailing economy.
He said: ‘’Right now, parents have withdrawn their children to public schools. About 15 students from my school have been taken to public schools. Some parents are even trying to give their children double promotions and if you do not do that for them, they will take their wards to other schools.”
‘We went round encouraging parents’
Meanwhile, the Proprietor of Desoar Nursery and Primary School, Ikorodu, Mr. Samuel Ojo, who lamented the devastating effects of the recession, noted that even after the long vacation, many students are yet to resume.
His words: “Having had the foresight of the austerity, I and my staff had gone to some parents, encouraging and instilling hope in them. We will still go back to them again, because I know many are planning to take their children to public school.”
The situation was similar at Wiseman Generation School, Ikorodu.
The school proprietress, Mrs Peace Omar, said that many students were yet to resume from vacation, adding that the situation was not unconnected to the recession.
Mrs Omar said: “I know of a parent who has withdrawn her child to the public school.
“As a result of the current economic hardship, we have decided not to increase school fees, yet parents are not satisfied. The last time we added N2,000 to the school fees, parents complained.”

President Muhammad Buhari has received concrete evidence that his Chief of Staff (CoS), Abba Kyari, took N500m from operators of MTN to help the telecommunications giant mitigate the fine imposed on it by the federal government, SaharaReporters has learned.
Sources say the evidence was presented to President Buhari several times including during the Sallah holiday.
The mind-boggling revelation is the latest in the mounting allegations of corruption involving members of the top echelon of President Buhari’s administration.
Confronted with the evidence, the CoS reportedly claimed he was helping the All Progressives Congress party raise funds for the gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, to which the president is said to have asked him if he was the party chairman, but did not relieve him of his post.
SaharaReporters has previously revealed several corrupt actions of the Chief of Staff. They include taking money from Jide Omokore, a shady businessman who was massively involved in corruption in the oil sector in the preceding administration.
Following acceptance of the money, Mr. Kyari reportedly took Mr. Omokore twice to meet President Buhari to enable the businessman to make a promise to refund some of the funds. A source told Saharareporters Omokore promised to refund N500 million
When Omokore was eventually arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the CoS reportedly told President Buhari that it was the EFCC chair, Ibrahim Magu, who had bungled progress concerning Omokore. SaharaReporters has also previously reported that Mr. Kyari wants to remove Magu from the anti-graft body in favor of a candidate who is more amenable to his wishes.

On his part, Omokore is also known to have bribed the judge handling the case with $2million. He was released on bail without leaving the court premises.
Other members of President Buhari’s inner circle have been exposed as engaging in serious cases of corruption but the President has not acted on their cases, either. In some instances, they reportedly got members of President Buhari’s office to absolve them of any “wrongdoing”.

Among others:
The Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Buratai, was found to have used Nigerian Army funds to purchase homes in Dubai;
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Abdulrahman Dambazau, bought homes for millions of dollars in Boston in the United States;
Several other aides and officials within the government have been exposed for involvement in illegal employments and forgery of age and certificates.
As in the case of Mr. Kyari, they have so far all been shielded by President Buhari. Speaking earlier this to journalists in Daura, his hometown, the president said his “anti-corruption war” was being implemented on the basis of justice and fairness.

In his career, controversial singer, Joshua Iniyezo better known as Solidstar has done several songs dedicated to women. Allegedly involved in a sex scandal with the Egberi papa 1 of Bayelsa, Timaya and some video vixens some years ago, Solidstar has revealed he gets his inspiration from women.
The father of one in a recent interview with Vanguard spoke on how he gets inspiration for his songs saying, ‘I get my inspiration from women; I like being around them but they are just my friends. I love to hear what they are saying about themselves.’
He adds that, ‘So, I get inspired by their words, and I just put one or two of their words into my lyrics and come out with whatever I see around me’.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, flag bearer in the coming Edo State governorship election, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has promised to produce 100 millionaires in four years, if given the mandate to govern the state.
Speaking in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Obaseki said the state was too endowed with natural resources for it to be riddling in poverty.
Noting that the only reason the state was in poverty was due to bad leadership, he stressed that if elected governor, his administration would encourage the unemployed youth to take up agriculture as a way of creating employment.
Obaseki, during one of his rallies in the state had accused the outgoing governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole of impoverishing the state.
The PDP candidate had threatened that he will probe Oshiomhole if elected.
Speaking yesterday, Obaseki said, “God has blessed us in Edo. No state is like Edo. We do not have any reason to be poor; the only reason why we are poor is because of bad leadership. With good leadership, the sky is our limit.
“So, the first thing I am going to emphasise in employment is to register the unemployed because we have employed a lot of people in the last eight years.
“We are inaugurating our programme on agriculture called the anchor programme. Edo has been selected for oil palm, rubber, cassava, maize, livestock, poultry and fishery. Government is going to support all you want to do.”
“Alone, I cannot do it; I need all of you to support the project to make it work, so that by the time we come here, almost everybody will be gainfully and skilfully employed.
“We have done a research in government. I do not want to be a governor where people fight to be senior special assistants before they can buy cars.
“I want to be a governor that will produce 100 millionaires after four years. That is my goal, so that at the end my tenure, the people will truly lead because they will be empowered.”

Nollywood actress, Didi Ekanem says she is very flexible with her big bum and uses it very well during sex.
The Akwa Ibom born actress, who displays her asset in different on different social media platforms was speaking with Potpourri during the weekend.
The graduate of Linguistics and Communication said her big ‘backside’ does not prevent her from being sexually active, said she is even more active than most girls with smaller bums.
The fast rising actress who has been dubbed as the actress with the biggest butt in the movie industry had earlier told reporters how a mad man grabbed her bum on the street while she was walking.
According to her, “I will speak for myself, because I feel girls with big bums are usually very lazy in bed, but for me I’m very active, so, I’ll just speak for myself.
“I’m very flexible with my bum. “Of course, I use it very well.”
It would be recalled that another actress, Tonia Ferrari Okoro, weekend, claimed she had to strip for some doubting actors just to prove that her bum is not planted but natural.

Militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, NDGJM, has reportedly blown up a major crude oil delivery line belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, in Delta State.
Spokesman of the group, Aldo Agbalaja in a statement on Monday, said the attack was carried out on Sunday at about 11: 30pm around Ekuigbo, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
Agbalaja also frowned at the use of military to guard oil facilities in the region, describing it as a “waste of resources.”
Recall that the group had on September 13 2016 claimed responsibility for an attack on a crude oil pipeline belonging to Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, also in Delta State.
Details Later…

Rev. Christian Chris, who is the Senior Pastor of Locust Army International Church, is an unusual man. Though he is not a Catholic Priest, he lives a celibate life; and claims that he has never had sexual feelings in this interview with EDWIN USOBOH.

How did you come about the name The Locus Army International church, and how long has it been in existence?
Revelation, the Bible says ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know’, Jeremiah 33 vs 3 I got everything through seeking, as I seek Him first, as I seek He, He reveal it to me, we are going to be 20 this year, we spend 14 years in Canada before coming here.

Most clergy talk about their call, how did you receive the calling of God?
Calling is part of the blessings of God. It is God’s prophetic agenda for individuals; He calls us the way we are. There’s a difference between when He calls us and when we know we are called, like in Jeremiah 1:5. God brought me into ministry through practical signs, deliverance with practical anointing then before He use it first to get my attention so I can seek Him.

Twenty years after, how has the ministry been?
It has been full of experience, good experiences and encounters. It has not been straight, sometimes we make mistakes, falling and rising is part of the work. I didn’t go to Bible school, so everything I know I learnt them on my own, through reading books, making contacts because I have a practical calling.

Can you share your pains?
I’m from Igbo extraction; to lead Igbos is not easy from all our experiences. They don’t believe in leadership, that’s part of my pain, very painful. When you’re trying to lead someone who’s not ready to follow, sometimes it hurts me, yet you can’t leave the job because God is saying stay.
So, trying to lead people, to gather them is very difficult. It is like when someone is trying to do the work of a shepherding goat, I am a shepherd, the Igbo don’t behave like sheep; they behave like goats. This church is open; it is not restricted to the Igbo. The Igbo is already who he is, he has his nature which causes me pain because they make things that are supposed to be easy difficult.

Can your explanation how can you describe any average Igbo man?
This church is open, there are other tribes here, is not restricted to the Igbo. The Igbo is already whom he is, he has a seed of his nature, but for me it causes me pain because things that are suppose to be easy they make it difficult.
The Igbos believe they are sidelined in the scheme of things in Nigeria today; do you share this same view?
They should realise where the problem with them really lies. They should tell themselves the truth. Just like any other Africa man, they need to progress, admit that the foundation where they stand is problematic. Not having or accepting a leader is a crime in God’s sight. It is a sin if a people do not recognize or accept leadership – it is a sin before God.

What is your take on the call for the creation for the State of Biafra?
The call is not God’s will, it comes from a selfish platform and it will never happen. There’s no Igbo man in the real sense that wants this country to divide because there’s no need. The problem they clamour about is the problem they create, I look at it from the spiritual side and God does want Nigeria to divide.

Why did you choose to live a celibate life?
I have an oath not to get married and have a family. I was born that way; the oath has much to do with where I come from. So, the oath is standing on my assignment and the assignment is standing on my oath.
The work I was born to do can only succeed on the platform of the oath and then my person. If I violate the oath, my person will disappear and the assignment will not succeed. Just like the oath of poverty, I was not born to have anything.

Have you ever been tempted to break that oath?
Is not the temptation that matters, it is the oath, a man has only one life to live, so I don’t think about it.

Don’t you sometime feel the urge to have sex?
I am no longer a young man; I am now an advance man. I’m 51 years now.
Celibacy is deeper than what you can think of. That feeling you are talking about is taken care of in the oath. You see a celibate life is beyond physical, there’s eternal wiring of a man that makes it possible. I am not normal; I am not like any other human being with the way I am wired. Because I didn’t choose to be so, I was born this way.

How has this affected your ministry?
I have written over 100 bestselling books. If I am not this way, I am sure I couldn’t have written all those very deep mysterious books. And concentration that helped me write those books could only have been possible without material union. There are some books I write and I keep for consideration for over two months.
It is just about wiring books but it is all about the quality and the depth. Sometime I will not step out of the church for three months so I don’t get distracted. I can stay inside my room for 10 hours uninterrupted, to get those thoughts. Sometimes loneliness is very painful, but is something I have to accept.

What inspired you to write those books and how have the books affected your ministry?
When I look at the level of ignorance in the society, I feel pain in my heart. I then thought of how could I enlighten the people in the society, I look at what the society is going through and I try to help, contribute and elevate the pain of the people. The books also help me in the ministry because I don’t want to start preaching.
I have a lot of pastors under me and some who have establish their ministries with their own name. So, the books help them shape their ministry. It is not just about preaching, but it is important that people make themselves available.

Most people find it difficult to maintain a ministry, what are those things to help sustain a ministry?
The call of God is very crucial, that’s the assurance, the vision of God presence, foresight base on what is inside. Like the vision of this ministry to make it the giant of Africa, the vision is the sustenance. It has the immortality of my life. And you also need courage and the determination to go on.
Frankly, is not easy to start a ministry and continue, but when you look at vision, you get courage from focus, is wonderful to be called by God. I get so much excited in my heart when I know God cares about me; it gives me the courage to continue.

Can you mention some of the titles of some of your books?
The first book I wrote is ‘Prophetic warfare and deliverance’. Basically, I write from my mandate. I write books that represent our vision; one book deals with leadership, on self-discovery.
Writing is part of my assignment, it constitutes a major part of my assignment and I also preach from what I write. There’s something I hate and that is being ignorant when I am supposed to be enlightened. I know the danger of darkness, the other day I was here and light went off, before the generator came on it was like 30min, so I know the power of darkness.

What advice do you have for Africa?
My only advice is that they should take care of themselves, they should take care of the African society, they should stop running up and down, and they should also stop expecting help from outside. Whatever God will use to bless them should be produce by them. If Africa needs light, then they should provide light for Africa.
If you look at the Bible, anytime they people want redemption, they should provide tools for redemption ‘when the Israelites were crying in the land of Egypt, they wanted to come out from the land of bondage, they provided Moses. The Jochebed family gave birth to Moses and God gave them Moses. Africa should provide what God will use to bless them.
They should look inside and see what they have to move Africa forward. If you look at Hebrew 5vs 1-3 which reads: ‘Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.”
He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. We need serous deliverance. We still depend on Europe, and it is wrong; we must find solutions within.
There are too many religious in Africa, African are very religious; that is why we are not moving forward.
We commit our lives to God, but He doesn’t want us to commit our live to Him, He wants us to use what He has already giving to us to develop ourselves and move forward. Instead, Africans want to depend on God to do for them what they are supposed to do for themselves, God can’t do that.

A mother of three, Nike Akinbile has told a Mapo Customary Court, Ibadan, that her husband Femi is desperately making effort to use her for monetary ritual.
Nike, who resides at Olunloyo Area, Ibadan, made this known when she testified in her divorce proceedings against Femi on Friday.
Akinbile said: “For the past two years now, Femi has been making frantic effort to get rich at all cost and I am his primary target for that purpose.
“Not too long ago, I was just lying on the bed, Femi thought that I had slept off, so he attempted to strike my eyelids with traditional eyeliner also known as tiro.
“I have received several visions that he wants to use me as a sacrificial lamb for the ritual he is making and I don’t want to die now.”
She said that the respondent don’t `even cater for her and the three children, adding that they lack access to basic care.
Nike, who urged the court to dissolve the 11-year-old marriage, said that she had made up my mind about parting ways with him and nothing could change it.
In his defence, Femi, a businessman of Akanran Area of Ibadan, denied all the allegations and opposed the divorce petition.
Femi said that he did not want the children to encounter any problem in life and that was the reason he wanted the union to continue.
Femi stated: “Your honour, I have suffered greatly all this while to sustain and marry Nike. I was the one that sent her to school and made her self-employed.
“For Nike’s education, I enrolled, wrote her examinations for her as well as supervise her other academic pursuits.
“In order to be well balanced in life, I encouraged her to learn tailoring which is her source of livelihood today.
“As if those are not enough, I buy Nike all sorts of ladies’ make ups to make her look beautiful and good, but Nike does not use any of the things like shoes, bags, clothes, and so on.
“Instead, Nike always tells me that she must take them to the church for cleansing and eventually dumped them.’’
He said the major conflict was that “we don’t attend the same church, her pastor told her that the make ups I give her are weapons of devil’’.
Femi told the court that Nike compelled their underage children to fast for days, thus, giving the impression that they were from impoverished and wretched home.
He tendered sacks of the make-ups he bought for his wife over the time as exhibit.
The court’s President, Henric Agbaje, in his judgment, held that it was painful that some religious leaders influenced their followers with unacceptable doctrines that might result into marriage break ups.
Agbaje said: “Well, since Nike has refused to be pacified to settling the dispute amicably, the court has no other option than to put an end to the union.
“Femi shall take custody of the first two children who are no more legal minor, while Nike shall take custody of the third who is still a legal minor.
“In the interest of peaceful coexistence, the union between Nike and Akinbile has been productive.

A Limpopo, South Africa pastor, simply identified as Pastor Letsego, has committed suicide.
Letsego is of the Christ Embassy, a church founded by Nigeria’s Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
According to a report monitored on South Africa Live Monitor, Letsego committed suicide after he mistakenly sent pictures of his penis to his church WhatsApp Group.
Letsego, who is married, was said to have thought he was sending the picture to his lover, who happens to be a member of the church.
The lover has been identified simply as Miriam.
To make matters worse, Letsego was said to have titled the picture: “Wife is away, it’s all yours tonight.”
Members of the church who were on the WhatsApp group were said to have expressed shock and outrage at the development.
After he realised his mistake, Letsego was said to have immediately exited the group and stopped answering his calls.
He was found 24 hours later hanging in his rented church house.
A member of the church told South Africa Live Monitor: “Pastor’s antics have always been a cause for concern.
“He was always seen in the company of one of the deaconesses named Miriam and we suspected there was more to their friendship than meets the eye.
“Quizzed by his wife and congregants, he would shrug off the allegations and say as a Pastor he was a father to everyone and Miriam was his favourite daughter.
South Africa Live Monitor said efforts to get a comment from Christ Embassy Officials were fruitless as at the time of going to press.