₦airaland Forum

DANGOTE CEMENT TRADES 418M SHARES AS STOCK MARKET REBOUNDS WITH 2.43%
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/08/dangote-cement-trades-418m-shares-as.html

Dangote Cement Plc traded 417.76 million shares yesterday as the Nigerian stock market rebounded with a gain of 2.43 per cent. According to Reuter, Dangote Industries Limited has sold a 2.3 percent stake in Dangote Cement to foreign buyers in a stock market deal valued at N86.1 billion ($236 million).
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, A total of 416 million shares of Dangote Cement traded at N210 in six off-market deals negotiated between Stanbic IBTC and Meristem stockbrokers as this resulted in the huge amount seen in the value of market transactions.
Meanwhile, the All Share Index (ASI) gained 872.87 absolute points, representing a gain of 2.43 per cent to close at 36,720.62 points. Similarly, the market capitalisation gained N302 billion, to close at N12.656 trillion. The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Dangote Cement, Nestle, Guinness, PZ Industries and Stanbic IBTC.
Market breadth was positive with 32 gainers and 22 losers. Ashaka Cement recorded the highest price gain of 10.09 per cent, to close at N12.77 per share. May and Baker followed with a gain of 9.86 per cent to close at N3.12, while Honeywell Flour appreciated by 9.60 per cent to close at N2.17 per share.
Sterling Bank went up by 9.43 per cent to close at N1.16 and PZ Industries rose by 9.34 per cent to close at N24 per share. On the other hand, International breweries led the losers’ chart by 9.63 per cent, to close at N29.45 per share. UACN followed with a decline of 5.84 per cent to close at N17.40, while Aiico Insurance declined by 5.36 per cent to close at 53 kobo per share.

HOODLUMS SACK KOGI ASSEMBLY, BEAT LEGISLATORS SILLY
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/08/hoodlums-sack-kogi-assembly-beat.html

The Kogi State House of Assembly was on Tuesday invaded by hoodlums, who disrupted its plenary sitting and beat up members.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Speaker of the House, Alhaji Umar Imam, narrowly escaped when the hoodlums attacked.

The member representing Igalamela-Odolu state constituency, Friday Sani, was however unlucky as the hoodlums beat him and inflicted serious injuries on him.

Oluwatoyin Lawal (APC-Yagba West) narrowly escaped being hit by one of the big chairs hauled from the gallery into the chamber while some journalists covering the sitting were also attacked and beaten as they scampered for safety.

Vehicles belonging to the lawmakers were also vandalised within the assembly complex.

The gate of the complex was also locked against the speaker and this enabled the hoodlums to pelt his vehicles with stones and other objects.

Responding to the development, Imam expressed shock, saying the house did not see the attack coming though a bit concerned when security agents inundated the premises in the morning.



He, however said that when the police assured him that they were there to maintain peace and ensure that nothing abnormal happen, he relaxed.

Imam, who told journalists that the house had adjourned indefinitely, however expressed reservation over the conduct of the policemen during the attack on the assembly.

He said, “We have been witnessing crises in assemblies but it had always been in-house, but this one coming from outsiders makes it news, the hoodlums came in and took over in the presence of the policemen.



“The business of the day was carried out with the assurances from the commissioner of police but the hoodlums had a free day in the presence of the policemen.”

Also reacting to the onslaught on the Assembly, Gov. Yahaya Bello said his administration would not condone any act of rascality adding, ”anybody that breaks the law will face the law”.

The governor, who spoke through the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo, said security agencies had been directed to fish out the perpetrators of the house.

“We want to denounce insinuations that the governor is scheming for the impeachment of the speaker. The governor is not interested in instigating the impeachment of speaker.

“The members already passed a vote of confidence on the speaker and it is not the responsibility of the governor to install or remove speaker,” he said.

FEMALE KIDNAPPER NABBED, STRIPPED IN AJAO ESTATE (ISOLO)
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/female-kidnapper-nabbed-stripped-in.html

According to a Facebook post by Lord-mayor Esione, a female kidnapper was caught and stripped by residents of Ajao Estate area of Lagos for hypnotising a teenage girl in the pretence of asking for directions to a warehouse.
Luckily, the teenage girl was however saved by her uncle, who coincidentally was driving through the street while the kidnapper was committing the crime.
Upon questioning, the female kidnapper who claimed she speaks only French confessed to hypnotising the girl and had plans to use her for rituals. This angered residents of the area, who beat and stripped her naked.

AMBODE SWEAR – IN 57 NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL CHAIRMEN
Source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/ambode-swear-in-57-newly-elected.html

Two days after the conclusion of elections into elective positions across the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos, the newly elected chairmen have been sworn into office by the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
During the event which held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ambode warned the chairmen to shun corruption by embracing transparency and accountability.
Ambode further disclosed that the conclusion of the electoral process marked the beginning of real governance which had been activated by the swearing in of the chairmen and vice chairmen. “It is now time for hard work and the fulfillment of all the promises made to the people. The people have, by their votes, discharged their responsibility. It is now your turn to discharge your part of the social contract you made with the people of your communities, wards and local councils,” he said.


The governor continued that “let me remind you all that you are assuming the mantle of leadership at a time when our people expect so much. Today, our performance as a State is being benchmarked against those of developed economies.
“At the State level, so much is being done to harness the potentials of our State and make it a preferred destination for local/foreign investors and tourists. We are implementing policies and programmes that will promote socio-economic activities and maximise the economic potentials of the three Senatorial zones of the State. This is in line with our commitment to ensure inclusive growth and create opportunities for wealth and job creation.
“As you settle down to the business of governance, you must bear in mind that the participation of the people in governance does not end with elections. The people must be carried along and given the opportunity to have a say in policy making process and implementation.”


Meanwhile Ambode stressed the importance of holding LG positions to the chairmen saying it is from them that the state government expects to get feedback from the people. “You must be accountable and transparent in the management of the resources put in your care for the benefit of the people.
“I want to put it on record today that the elections have come and gone; there must be no discrimination of any form. The dividends of good governance must be fairly distributed to all people without prejudice to political affiliation, gender, religious beliefs or ethnic background. We must cherish and nurture the cosmopolitan nature of our State because it is a key factor in our strength and prosperity.”

CITING ECONOMIC HEADWINDS, CBN HOLDS INTEREST RATE AT 14%
Source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/citing-economic-headwinds-cbn-holds.html

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday retained the nation’s monetary interest rate at 14 per cent, citing headwinds confronting the domestic economy on one hand and the uncertainties in the global environment on the other as reasons for its decision.
The monetary policy committee (MPC) decided by a vote of 6 to 2 to retain the MPR at 14.0 per cent alongside all other policy parameters.
The bank also retained its cash reserve ratio (CRR) at 22.5 percent, liquidity ratio at 30.00 per cent and the asymmetric corridor at +200 and -500 basis points around the MPR.
“In consideration of the headwinds confronting the domestic economy and the uncertainties in the global environment, the Committee decided by a vote of 6 to 2 to retain the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 14.0 per cent alongside all other policy parameters”, the CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, announced in a communiqué at the end of the bank’s MPC meeting yesterday in Abuja.
Nigeria is operating a-year-old regime of high official interest rate at 14 per cent (since July 2016), with double digit inflation rate of 16.1 per cent.
The monetary authority has consistently rebuked advice from some international organisations like the IMF to further tighten the interest rate to attract foreign investments.
Many, including the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, had asked the MPC to lower the interest rate in order to enable government access more loans domestically without expanding its debt servicing costs.
The MPC said it acknowledged that easing at this point would signal the committee’s sensitivity to growth and employment concerns by encouraging the flow of credit to the real economy, promote policy consistency and credibility of its decisions and reduce the cost of debt service, which is crowding out government expenditure, but insists that it is not time yet, considering the current inflation rate.
The CBN governor noted that easing at this time “would show in terms of upstaging the modest stability achieved in the foreign exchange market, the possible exit of foreign portfolio investors as well as a resurgence of inflation, following the intensified implementation of the 2017 budget in the course of the year”.
“The Committee also reasoned that easing would further pull the real interest rate down into negative territory”, he added.
While stating that the committee is mindful of the high cost of capital and its implications on the still ailing economy, which arguably necessitates an accommodating monetary policy stance, Emefiele agreed on the need to support growth without jeopardising price stability or upsetting other recovering macroeconomic indicators, particularly the relative stability in the foreign exchange market.
The committee expressed concern about the slow implementation of the 2017 budget and called on the federal government to ensure timely implementation, especially, of the capital portion in order to realize the objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.
The Committee also expressed satisfaction with the gradual but consistent decline in inflationary pressures in the domestic economy, noting its substantial base effect, continuous improvements in the naira exchange rate across all segments of the foreign exchange market, and considerable signs of improved investments inflows.
The MPC welcomed the proposal by government to issue sovereign-backed promissory notes of about N3.4 trillion for the settlement of accumulated local debt and contractors arrears.
The MPC applauded the move by the federal government to engage the services of asset-tracing experts to investigate the tax payment status of 150 firms and individuals in an effort to close some of the loopholes in tax collection, towards improving government revenue.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the contraction in the economy moderated to 0.52% during the first quarter of 2017 from 1.3% during the third quarter of 2016.
The date shows strong signs of recovery. The purchasing managers index (PMI) for manufacturing and non-manufacturing activities stood at 52.9% and 54.2 index point in May and June 2017 respectively; from 52.7 and 52.5 index points in May 2017, indicating an expansion for the third consecutive month.
Similarly, the CBN expressed concerned over increasing fiscal deficit estimated at N2.51 trillion in the first half of 2017. The CBN governor applauded the proposal by federal government to issue sovereign-backed promissory notes of about N3.4 trillion for the settlement of accumulated local debt and contractors arrears.
Meanwhile, following decision of the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN to continue to hold benchmark lending rate at 14 per cent, analysts have said they do not expect a cut in rates till the second quarter of 2018.
Analysts who spoke with EYES OF LAGOS said the decision to hold the rate at a high of 14 per cent is in line with the trend by central bankers across the globe who are voting to raise interest rate.
The United States Federal Reserve had hiked rates from a band of 0.75 and 1 per cent to 1 and 1.25 per cent at its last meeting this month despite a declining inflation.
Head of Research at Afrinvest West Africa, Robert Olatunde said, “While a cut in rates is inevitable, it will happen eventually but not sooner like people are expecting. It may not happen in 2017 but in the second half of 2018”.
On his part, Head of Research at Sterling Capital, Sewa Wusu, noted that cutting rates now would counter the gains the BN has been able to achieve in respect to stability in the foreign exchange market where rates have been able to converge.
He stated that a cut in rate now would make the goal of wooing foreign investors into the economy to drive forex liquidity and spur growth in the economy would become more challenging.
He however raised concerns on the outlook of external factors on the economy. He said, “What is of concern right now is the external outlook, the oil price. It is like Nigeria is now being capped by OPEC to cut production and if they do that we are going to lose revenue because they capped our production to 1.8 million barrels per day, this will be a pressure for us. Also if the oil price tumbles, our foreign exchange earning capacity will weaken”.

6TH NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL SKILLS DEVT PROGRAMME FOR INAUGURATION NEXT MONTH
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/6th-national-industrial-skills-devt.html

The flag off of the Industrial Training Fund’s sixth phase of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NSDP) nationwide has been fixed for the first week of August, 2017, the Director General of the fund, Mr. Joseph Ari, has said.
Speaking at the opening of the 2017 ITF-Stakeholders Forum held at Al-Qalam University, Katsina, yesterday, the ITF Chief Executive, represented by Director Corporate Planning of the fund, Mr. Peter Agbo, said 500 youths per state in 18 states of the federation would be trained in various skills under the programme.
It would provide five quick win strategies fashioned out by the agency under its reviewed vision in the areas of Technical Skills Development Programme (TSDP) in collaboration with NECA; Skills training on wheels using mobile units; Training people to turn passion to profession; Women Skills Empowerment Programme (WOSEP); and Developing Agricultural Entrepreneurs (Agripreneur),” he explained.
“I want to assure our contributing employers and various stakeholders that ITF is committed to quality service delivery; despite the global economic recession which is affecting our national economy,” said Ani.
On the theme of the forum: “The ITF review vision for strategic development: A solution to youth empowerment and job creation in Nigeria,” he said the event will enable the fund to make amend and re-strategize for better operations.
Earlier, the ITF’s Area Manager in Katsina, Alhaji Saleh Garba, revealed that from 2014 to date, the area office had trained over 12,767 students of tertiary institutions in Katsina State through Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), while about 2500 unemployed youths in the state were trained from 2013 to 2016 under the National Industrial Skills Development Programme.
“From 2015 to date, we have appraised, harmonized and installed 14 in-company apprenticeships in seven organisations in the state. The exercise covered a total of 207 trainees,” said Garba.

EX- JIGAWA GOV. TURAKI REGAINS FREEDOM
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/ex-jigawa-gov-turaki-regains-freedom.html

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama yesterday granted bail to a former Governor of Jigawa State, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki.
Turaki has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for about two weeks
The former governor was arrested by the Commission on July 4 , 2017 at a public function in Abuja, based on a bench warrant issued against him by the Federal High Court sitting in Dutse, Jigawa since 2014.
After his his arrest and detention, Turaki approached the court, through his counsel, Olusegun Jolaawo, seeking an enforcement of his fundamental human rights.
He argued that the length of his stay in the EFCCC custody is more than the 48 hours, the Constitution provided for.
He also said he is having health challenges that needed to be taken care of.
Opposing the application, counsel to EFCC, Mohammed Abubakar, informed the court the anti graft agency had in 2007 filed a money laundering charge against the applicant and arraigned him before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.
He further submitted that the first trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako was later transferred to ‎Lagos, a situation which prompted the re-assignment of the case to Justice Adamu Bello (now retired).
Turaki had then brought an application seeking the transfer of the case to Jigawa. The court however ruled in his favour, and transferred the case to Dutse division of the court.
He added that since then, the applicant had refused to appear in court, a situation which prompted the issuance of bench warrant.
He further informed the court that the EFCC had written to the registry of the Federal High Court in Dutse‎ asking when the applicant will brought to face trial.
He added that the court in its response stated that the judge has gone on vacation‎.
In view of that, he further submitted that another letter had been written to the registry of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for the transfer of the matter to a vacation judge.
Abubakar, however prayed the court to deny the applicant bail.
In his ruling, Justice Yusuf Halilu granted the applicant bail with two sureties who must be residents of FCT with verifiable means of livelihood.
He further ordered that the applicant shall report to the EFCC every two weeks to sign a register which shall be opened from yesterday until when the court resumes from vacation.
The applicant was ordered to deposit all his travel documents with the court registrar.
The court later adjourned the hearing of substantive motion for enforcement of fundamental human rights to July 20.

TONY BLAIR VISITS KADUNA, PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR EL-RUFAI’S GOVT
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/tony-blair-visits-kaduna-pledges.html

Former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, on Thursday visited Kaduna and pledged his support for Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai’s administration to deliver good governance to the people of the state.
Blair,who visited Governor El-Rufai at Government House, Kaduna said his foundation which builds capacity of government officials on good governance delivery will work together with the governor to transform the state’s public service sector for efficient service delivery and increase prosperity.
Blair added that, his ‘Tony Blair Foundation’ will assist Kaduna state in terms of technical assistance and other support to enable it to deliver democratic dividends to its people especially in the areas of investments, basic education, healthcare and agriculture”.
Blair also met with members of the Kaduna state executive council at the Council chamber where he was briefed by the governor and members of his cabinet about the various successes recorded by their ministries as well as their challenges which they asked for his assistance.
Commending the relationship with his country and Nigeria, noted that the hardest thing about governance is being able to deliver on campaign promises to the people.
Blair owever assured that his foundation’s members of staff were ready to provide necessary assistance to state government whenever required.
Describing the meeting with Governor El-Rufai as an exciting opportunity to visit Nigeria and see how governance is being run and done, said there is great goodwill and desire for the country to do well under the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration, especially in the fight against corruption.
On his part, Governor El-Rufai, described Blair’s visit as timely as it gave him and his cabinet members to share his experience in governance with the Former Prime Minister.
He said the task before his government is how to deliver so much with very little resources at its disposal as Nigeria is facing dwindling economy, due largely to fall in the price of crude oil,calling on the Tony Blair Foundation to assist in building the capacity of the key drivers of government.
El-Rufai applauded the former Prime Minister for visiting Nigeria and Kaduna in particular, noting that his visit marks exactly 100 years after Lord Fredrick Lugard planned the city of Kaduna.

NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS TONTO DIKE CELEBRATES AS SHE HIT 2MILLION FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM
Source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/nollywood-actress-tonto-dike-celebrates.html



Nollywood Actress Tonto Dike celebrates as she hit 2million followers om Instagram

video here: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/nollywood-actress-tonto-dike-celebrates.html

D’BANJ CELEBRATES HIS DAD ON HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY (PHOTOS)
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/dbanj-celebrates-his-dad-on-his-70th.html

OLADAPO OYEBANJO AKA D’BANJ CELEBRATES HIS DEAR FATHER ON HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY, TAGS HIM THE REAL ‘KOKOMASTER’.

The singer took to his twitter account to celebrate his dad who turned to a septuagenarian today, 12th of July, 2017.
D’banj shared photo of himself and his father posing in front of a trio of birthday cakes.
He posted the another photo with the following birthday message,
‘..And to the Real kokomaster, my perfect Role Model , my father Celebrating 70years of Grace. I Love you dad!
Wow! that Bible big O!! ��’

LECTURERS SHUT DOWN MAPOLY OVER ALLEGED SACKING OF 250 MEMBERS
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/lecturers-shut-down-mapoly-over-alleged.html

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta chapter, grounded academic activities at the institution on Wednesday following alleged directive by the Technical Committee set up by the Ogun State government to upgrade the institution to a university status.


They had alleged that the committee which is saddled with the task of overseeing the transition of MAPOLY to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology, headed by Prof. Peter Okebukola, had issued a directive ordering the sack of over 250 lecturers in the institution to turn in their resignation letters and reapply.

However, in a swift reaction, Prof. Okebukola refuted the claims of the lecturers stating that they were in contrast to the position of the committee.

Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, The lecturers who protested within and outside the institution’s campus locked the gate and blocked it with two vehicles, chanting solidarity songs.

They had arrived the campus as early as 7 am, and placed fetish objects inside two calabashes containing dead snakes, sugarcane sticks, and local fowl eggs drenched in palm oil, in front of the school gate.

The lecturers were also armed with placards with various inscriptions such as “Okebukola must go” and “MAUSTECH must stay.”

They prevented vehicles from either leaving or entering the campus.

Addressing journalists in front of the gate, the ASUP chairman, Kola Abiola, said the Prof. Peter Okebukola-led committee had directed that over 250 lecturers in MAPOLY should resign and reapply as academic staff members of MAUSTECH.

The polytechnic was upgraded to a university status last week by the National Universities Commission, as it handed over the approval certificate to the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in Abuja.

Abiola further alleged that Okebukola gave the directive during a meeting between members of the committee and the leadership of the union.

He said the union did have confidence in the committee.

The union leader said the lecturers were open to dialogue with the committee and vowed that they would resist any directive that could lead to the loss of jobs by the members.

The Zonal Coordinator of ASUP, Zone C in charge of South West, Adetunji Omobaorun, said the action of the lecturers has the backing and the blessing of the national body.

He argued that the government and the committee did not recognise the right and interest of the major stakeholders in their decision.

He said, “The committee and government have refused to give recognition to the plight of major stakeholders and our interest is not their interest. We say no to slave trading in the land of the black.”

The State President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Balogun Olawale, also described the alleged directive “as wrong” advising that the government should be considerate.

However, Okebukola refuted all the claims in a statement he signed in Abeokuta on Wednesday, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent.

He said the claims were in contrast to the position of the committee that no member of staff would suffer job loss as a consequence of the upgrading of MAPOLY to MAUSTECH, and the establishment of Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia as the successor of MAPOLY.

The statement read in part, “We held a meeting with all staff at the beginning of our assignment and conveyed our position on job security.

“This position has been reechoed in subsequent meetings with staff unions. It is curious that some persons have taken undue liberty of misinforming the general public with the spread of such fake news.

“We have given the good people of Ogun State a pledge that in the shortest possible time, MAUSTECH and Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia will be among the brightest stars in the firmament of quality higher education in Nigeria, indeed in Africa.”

FG OKAYS PAYMENT OF N2.7TRN CONTRACT LIABILITIES
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/fg-okays-payment-of-n27trn-contract.html

The federal government has approved has approved the process to validate and pay N2.7 trillion being inherited contractor and employee liabilities dating back two decades.
This is in line with its resolve to settle a number of inherited and long outstanding obligations to contractors, state governments and employees.
This will be followed by a request to the National Assembly to approve the programme ahead of implementation.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, yesterday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa, Abuja.
According to her, obligations accumulated over the last two decades is to be paid through bond and promissory note issuance to resolve long outstanding dues and stimulate economic activity.
In March 2017, the Economic Management Team, under the leadership of Osinbajo, had mandated the minister of Finance to chair a committee that will establish a process to confirm the validity of inherited frderal government obligations and propose a mechanism to resolve them.
Yesterday, Adeosun explained that these obligations largely consist of dues owed to state governments, oil marketers, power generation and distribution companies, suppliers and contractors by federal parastatals and agencies, payments due under the Export Expansion Grant (EEG), outstanding judgement balances as well as pension and other benefits to federal government employees.
The minister pointed out that, while some of the obligations date as far back as 1994, the resolution of this will significantly enhance liquidity in critical sectors of the economy.
She further explained that following an exhaustive process of reconciliation, the committee has been able to provisionally confirm a discounted total of N2.7 trillion of obligations, consisting of N740 billion of outstanding pensions and promotional salary arrears (not discounted) and N1.93 trillion (discounted) of other obligations, including dues to federal government contractors and suppliers.
She said these numbers are aligned with existing federal government estimates and in some cases are lower than previously estimated.
According to her, the supplier and contractor obligations will be resolved through a strict process of final validation, following which those confirmed will be settled through the issuance of liquid promissory notes (ten-year tenure), phased over a three-year period to minimise impact on liquidity and with preference given to those willing to offer the largest discounts.
She further noted that obligations owed individuals (for example pensions and employee benefits) will be resolved through the issuance of specific bond instruments, and again phased over the next 3 years.
She added that these obligations will then be incorporated into the Medium- Term Expenditure Framework by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Adeosun said, “We cannot get our economy moving at the pace we need to if we do not address the legacy issues we have inherited, which act as a significant drag on economic activity. The government must be a driver of growth, and enable private sector activity.
“It should not be the most significant obligation to many value creating businesses. At the same time, we have an obligation to our federal government employees to address these long-outstanding pension and employment benefit issues.
“We are doing this systematically, and we want to do so once and for all. We are enhancing the government’s control and processes to ensure we do find ourselves in this situation again.
“Over the last two decades the federal government has built up over N2.7 trillion of obligations which were not cash backed, and remain outstanding to this day. We have developed a solution that will simultaneously resolve these issues, and deliver a boost to economic performance’.
The minister continued: “Our solution will remove the drag on economic performance these obligations cause, improve liquidity in key sectors, especially the power sector where we will resolve FG dues to the distribution and generation companies, and boost investor confidence.
“It will also help to improve non-performing loan ratios in the banking sector where an unacceptable number of NPL’s are linked to government contracts.
“The total obligations identified are N3.4 trillion. However, a process of discounting the contractor obligations means we have been able to reduce the liability to approximately N2.7 trillion, of which N740 billion are pension and other benefits, and N1.93 trillion are other obligations, largely contractors, suppliers and verified obligations to state governments”.

HOW AKPOBOLOKEMI, OTHERS STOLE N754M – EFCC INVESTIGATOR
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/how-akpobolokemi-others-stole-n754m.html

An EFCC investigator, Mr Chukwudi Orji, on Monday at an Ikeja High Court revealed in graphic details how a former Director-General of NIMASA and five other staff members stole N754m belonging to the agency.


Orji made the revelations while testifying at the ongoing trial of Patrick Akpobolokemi, the ex-DG of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and six others on a 13-count bordering on stealing and fraud.

Akpobolokemi’s co-defendants are Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia and a company — Gama Marine Nigeria Ltd.



Orji told the court, “Vimsat Committee, a committee of NIMASA had opened an account in Zenith Bank. This account only had two inflows.

“On August 29, 2015, N498.4m was paid into that account by NIMASA and on May 20, 2015, N318m was also paid into that account by NIMASA.

“This gave the account a total inflow of N816.2m. On Sep. 29, 2015, there was a transfer of N11m into the account of one Lakewood Garden Ventures Ltd from the Vimsat Committee account.

“The money was never used for research work as it was mandated to be, this money was part of the sharing formula of the defendants.”

Orji, explaining the role of Vincent Udoye, one of the defendants in the alleged scam, said, “On March 6, 2015 N7.8m was transferred from Vimsat account into the Diamond Bank account with number -0020802815 of the fifth defendant (Udoye).

“On June 4, 2015, he transferred N5m from that account into another Diamond Bank account with number 006567038 which was also operated by him.

“The N5m transferred was fixed on the same day and was liquidated on Sep. 2, 2014 and he was paid an interest of N24,000.

“The N5m was still in his account as at the time the EFCC asked for his statement.

“He also transferred N2.5m into the bank account of Adegboyega Olopoenia (the sixth defendant).

“The N7.8m disbursed by the defendants was part of funds gotten from Gama Marine Nigeria Ltd but the funds were originally from the account of the Vimsat Committee in Zenith Bank.

“All these transfers were done in a bid to conceal the source of the funds.”

Throwing more light on the role of Gama Marine Nigeria Ltd in the alleged fraud, Orji said Adegboyega Olopoenia (the sixth defendant) was a signatory to the account of Gama Marine.

According to him, N10m was transferred to Vincent Udoye in six tranches from that account by Olopoenia totalling N60m.

“It was conceived to be used under the guise of award of contract to Gama Marine but there was no contract.”

The investigator also told the court how another fake company called Arrow World Consulting Ltd was used to transfer money from NIMASA by the defendants.

“In relation to Arrow World Consulting, the third (Ekene Nwakuche) and fourth (Governor Juan) defendants were the signatories to the account .

“Our findings were that the accounts of Arrow World Consulting received the bulk sum from the Vimsat Committee account on Feb. 12, 2015.

“They received N230m and they received another N17m from the account on May 6, 2015.

“Nwakuche and Juan used fictitious names while operating the Arrow World Consulting account; Nwakuche operated as Philip Emesike and Juan operated as Udoh Emakop.

“When we invited Nwakuche to our office, he confessed to be using the alias Philip Emesike saying he used the name in bank documents.

“He explained to me and my team embers that he used to sign as Emesike and he demonstrated to us how he used to sign the signature.

“N70m was sent by Nwakuche into the bank account of Dorcas Nwakuche and N70m was paid into the bank account of Kadice Oil and Gas Ltd.

“The third and fourth defendants also made various transfers to different accounts from the Arrow World Consulting account,” he said.

Orji explained to the court how the EFCC uncovered the forged documents used to carry out bank transactions by Arrow World Consulting.

“Arrow World Consulting did not do any work for NIMASA. I personally led the team to visit the company’s address at 1004 Housing Estate, Victoria Island.

“I met the younger brother of the original owner of the company who was residing at the premises. I was told that the owner of the company had travelled out of the country.

“Shakespeare Solicitors, the lawyers to the real owner of Arrow World Consulting, came to the EFCC office with a power of attorney and made a statement.

“The lawyers commenced an action at the Ikeja High Court against Zenith Bank in which judgment was given in favour of the real owner of Arrow World Consulting.

“The real owner of Arrow World was awarded N10m damages by Justice F. Bankole-Oki against Zenith Bank for opening the account without the consent of the owners — the number of that suit is LD/1872/CMW/2016,” Orji said.

Oyedepo, the EFCC prosecutor, sought to tender as evidence, a letter written by Shakespeare Solicitors on the alleged fraud to the EFCC in which a copy of the judgment was attached.

Mr Seni Adio (SAN), lawyer to Nwakuche, however, objected to the tendering of the letter as evidence, saying the letter is irrelevant to the charge of the defendants and also not part of the original proof of evidence.

Justice Raliatu Adebiyi, in her ruling, held that the letter was relevant to proceedings and was, therefore, admissible as evidence.

She adjourned the case until July 11 for continuation of trial.

(NAN)

AMERICAN MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY SCAMMED THREE NIGERIANS GETS $250,000 BAIL
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/american-man-who-allegedly-scammed.html

An American, Marco Ramirez, who allegedly defrauded three Nigerians of $565,000 in an American Green Card scam was granted bail on Monday.


Ramirez was granted bail in the sum of $250,000 by an Ikeja High Court.

Ramirez was earlier remanded at the Kirikiri Prisons after his arraignment on June 22 over the alleged scam.

Justice Josephine Oyefeso while granting the bail said, “The defendant is hereby granted $250,000 bail or its naira equivalent with two sureties in like sum.

“The current exchange rate should be put into consideration.

“One of the sureties should be resident in Lagos, be a director of a reputable company and have landed property in Lagos State.

“The sureties must show evidence of source of livelihood and swear to an affidavit to show same.

“A copy of the ruling should be sent to all immigration agencies both land and air.

“The defendant must report to the Lagos or Abuja offices of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission once a week.”

The EFCC had slammed a 16-count, bordering on obtaining$565,000 dollars under false presences from three Nigerians to get them American green card.

Ramirez, the Managing Director of three companies – USA Now Plc., Eagleford Instalodge Group and USA Now Capital Group – committed the offences between February 2013 and August 2013, according to the EFCC.

The American was alleged to have fraudulently received $545,000 from one Amb. Godson Echejue to invest in Ramirez’s company.

The plan was to procure an American green card (permanent residence card) for the Nigerian.

Ramirez also allegedly received $10,000 from one Abubakar Umar through a non-existent investment programme in the U.S. which would make Umar eligible to obtain an American passport

The EFCC also accused Ramirez of illegally receiving $10,000 from one Olukayode Sodimu on the pretext that the funds were facilitation fees with the American Immigration Services for an American Green Card.

Oyefeso adjourned the case until Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 for continuation of trial.

EX-CBN DEPUTY GOV, 5 OTHERS APPOINTED ETISALAT BOARD MEMBERS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/ex-cbn-deputy-gov-5-others-appointed.html

A new board of directors and management have been reconstituted for Etisalat Nigeria comprising representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the consortium of banks owed part of the $1.2 billion syndicated loan.
This followed the mass resignation of members of the previous board and management in the last few weeks.
According to the informations gathered by Eyes Of Lagos, Etisalat Nigeria yesterday announced members of the reconstituted board to include a former deputy governor, Financial System Stability of CBN, Dr. Joseph Nnanna, as the new chairman; the new CEO of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Boye Olusanya; head of KPMG West Africa Region, Mr. Oluseyi Bickersteth; country business executive leader of PwC Nigeria/West Africa, Mr. Ken Igbokwe and chief finance officer, Mrs. Funke Ighodaro.
Olusanya replaces Mr. Matthew Willsher, while Mrs. Funke Ighodaro takes over from Mr. Olawole Obasunloye as CFO.
The consortium of lenders working with the regulators, NCC and the Central Bank, of Nigeria (CBN) are committed to the on-going efforts to restructure the company towards a path of long term success of the business and the appointment of a seasoned board of directors and top management is a testament to this.
The decisions reached so far reflect the high confidence all the stakeholders have in the continued viability and sustainability of the business.
The fourth largest mobile operator in Nigeria said the smooth transition is also proof of management’s commitment to ensure that the operations of the company run seamlessly and customers continue to enjoy superior network quality and positive customer experience.
“Etisalat Nigeria remains committed to continuously serving our subscribers, through the provision of innovative products and services with its committed staff, partners and vendors to empower the needs of our customers and improve their experience on the network. We thank all our customers for your loyalty, understanding and continued patronage”, the network said.
Dr. Nnanna is an economist and a central banker with over three decades of post qualification professional experience. He attended William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey and University of Houston, in Houston Texas, USA from 1975-80, where he read Finance, Public Policy and Economics.
Nnanna was appointed deputy governor (Financial System Stability) Central Bank of Nigeria on February 3, 2015. He also served as full time consultant to the government of Nigeria as a technical assistant to the National Economic Management Team and the Presidential Steering Committee on Global economic crisis. He was also a part-time consultant to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Mr. Oluseyi Bickersteth, non executive director, Etisalat Nigeria is the national senior partner of KPMG professional services, Nigeria. He is a member of the Global Board, while Mr. Ken Igbokwe, non executive director, Etisalat Nigeria specialises in strategy, enterprise transformation, process reengineering, taxation advisory and business reconstruction.
Ighodaro, executive director finance of Etisalat was chief financial officer of Tiger Brands Limited from 2011 to 2016 and CFO of Primedia (Pty) Ltd from 2001 to 2011. Funke also worked in the corporate finance division of Standard Corporate and Merchant Bank. She trained and qualified as a chartered accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers in London where she spent a total of 10 years in audit and tax.
Olusanya, former deputy CEOs of Econet Wireless Nigeria and Celtel Nigeria respectively has handled high level responsibilities at Dangote Industries Limited where he served as chief business transformation officer responsible for management of all enterprise-wide projects in the Group. He was also MD at Dancom Technologies Limited with responsibility for managing all the telecom assets and the IT Infrastructure.
N333bn Debt: Etisalat, Creditors Reach Amicable Resolution
Meanwhile, sequel to numerous interventions by mediators, Etisalat and its creditors have reached an amicable resolution of its N333 billion debt owed the consortium of banks.
A statement by one of the key mediators, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), noted that Etisalat and its creditors have successfully reached an amicable resolution of key issues pertaining to its indebtedness and that a smooth transitional process is currently ongoing on mutually agreed terms.
In the statement issued by Tony Ojobo, director, public affairs of NCC, the commission assured network subscribers of Etisalat’s integrity.
Ojobo said, “The Commission is confident that the amicable resolutions reached by the parties will further strengthen Etisalat’s capacity to continue to provide services to its over 20million customers and to fulfil its obligations to its other stakeholders as a going concern, regardless of any changes that the parties have agreed to Etisalat’s ownership, its Board and/or its Executive Management.
“We further wish to assure that as empowered by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Commission will continue to work assiduously with all industry stakeholders to ensure that the Nigerian telecommunications industry remains capable of playing its critical role as a key driver of national socio-economic development.
“NCC is mindful of the need to sustain the industry’s significant contribution to National GDP, employment and infrastructure roll-out at all times. The Commission’s intervention in the matter was informed by these considerations, and we are pleased at the success of the ongoing process.
“The Commission also wishes to acknowledge the pivotal role of the Central Bank of Nigeria in resolving the matter in a manner that protects the interests of all stakeholders – especially the creditor banks and Etisalat’s over 20million customers”.

IKORODU WOMEN PROTEST AT PHCN OFFICE IGBOGBO
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/ikorodu-women-protest-at-phcn-office.html

Following the total black out that has hit Igbogbo town in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, the women in the community yesterday, July 4 2017 staged a peaceful protest at the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) office in Igbogbo, Ikorodu. Their protest called on PHCN officials to give them electricity as the total darkness they have experienced for some months has helped Badoo members to carry out their various attacks.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, According to the leader of the protesting women, Mrs. Idayat Muritala, she said irregular power supply in the town has continuously aided the Badoo Cult group. She narrated how two suspected Badoo gang escaped through a bush and were not caught or recognizable due to the total blackout in the community.
A traditional leader in the community, Oba Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, heard of the protest and called for a meeting between the protesting women and the PHCN officials.
However, none of the PHCN workers honoured the invitation. The monarch appealed to the protesting women to remain calm, assuring them that he will have a meeting with the PHCN officials.

IPHONE 7, JUJU RING, AND DESCRIPTION OF CHILDREN TO BE KIDNAPPED FOUND ON FEMALE KIDNAPPER BURNT TO DEATH IN IKORODU
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/iphone-7-juju-ring-and-description-of.html

Description of children to be kidnapped, Juju Ring, an iPhone 7 was found in the bag of the female kidnapper burnt to death in Ikorodu. We brought you reports about the Female Kidnapper who was burnt to death in Ikorodu, on Tuesday. According to multiple reports, a man selling meat at Allinson Junction, and also an Aboki selling fruits at the same Junction, close to United High School, Ikorodu raised an alarm after the said woman who was acting like a “mad person” suddenly went to a corner to receive a phone call. She was immediately approached for questioning, and when she couldn’t give a concrete reason as to what she was doing there, she was handed over to the Local Vigilante Office.. On getting there, she was interrogated by the Deputy Chairman of the Vigilante group.
Female Kidnapper burnt
They searched her, and found an iPhone 7, a juju ring, and then a list that contains descriptions of children (age range, prices and height) in her bag.
The deceased then confessed that she came all the way from Isolo, and that she didn’t come along, but then her other accomplice fled, immediately she was caught.
The Vigilantes called the police to take the suspect away, but before the police arrived, a mob that had already gathered were calling for her head. They were demanding for Jungle Justice to be carried out on her.
Female Kidnapper burnt
As the Vigilantes couldn’t handle the crowd, they took it upon themselves to take her to the police station. Unfortunately, the crowd were too many for them to control.
She was later beaten and burnt to death with her bag containing the list and juju ring.

2019: PDP FORMER MINISTERS MEET IN ABUJA
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/2019-pdp-former-ministers-meet-in-abuja.html

Some former ministers who served under the regime of the Peoples Democratic Party are meeting in Abuja on Monday (today), it was learnt on Sunday night.
The meeting, according to its agenda sighted in Abuja on Sunday, indicated that the former ministers would deliberate on the future of the party.
The meeting is to be attended by all former ministers who served in the regimes of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, late Umaru Yar’Adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
However, those who have resigned from the PDP are not expected at the meeting, which is going to be hosted by a former minister under Jonathan.
According to a member of the forum, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, the former ministers would discuss the modalities to be employed to prosecute the 2019 presidential election.
He said, “Ex-PDP ministers from 1999 to 2015 are to meet in Abuja on Monday to chart a way forward for the party. The tendency for the forum to deliberate on the 2019 elections and the possibility of working out mechanism towards filling or supporting a candidate for the forthcoming presidential election is there.
“Prof. Jerry Gana and other senior high ranking ex-ministers are expected at the meeting.”
It was gathered that the forum would ask any of its members who had presidential ambition to indicate and might also set up a committee to scout for suitable and acceptable candidate.
The agenda also indicated that the ministers would consider the option of shopping for another political party if the ongoing legal firework on who controls the PDP machinery did not go in their favour.
Majority of members of the forum are supporting the party’s national caretaker committee, which is headed by a former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission, which is relying on the Court of Appeal decision, is recognising Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman of the troubled former ruling party.
Investigations however indicated that some members of the party, including former ministers, were behind the recently registered Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance by INEC.
It was gathered that the PDP members, who are said to be loyal to the Makarfi faction, were planning to use the party as fall back option if the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Sheriff.
A former minister said, “We won’t put all our eggs in one basket as we did in Ondo State during the last governorship election.
“We are waiting for the Supreme Court to pronounce its judgement then Nigerians will know what we are up to.”
He said that the new party also had some disgruntled members of the ruling All Progressives Congress in its fold.

NIGERIAN AIR PASSENGERS UNAWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS – NCAA

source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/nigerian-air-passengers-unaware-of.html

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has stated that despite the fact that the passenger Bill of Rights unequivocally states what the Airline must do to help secure the quality of Travel and Consumer rights of their passengers, Nigerians are yet to know these rights.
Director general of NCAA, Captain Murtah Usman who disclosed this pointed out that Nigerian air passengers often are not aware of their rights when they are left stranded by an airline unlike their European counterparts.
In his paper delivered at the Airport Business Summit and Expo held recently at Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, Captain Usman said that the passengers’ Bill is intended to checkmate some abuses of rights of air passengers and to effectively provide adequate protection for the travelling public.
According to him, the Regulation spelt out provisions for the carriage of passengers and penalty for offenders, stressing that, as much as the airline owes the passengers obligation to provide good services, the passengers similarly have obligations to the airlines and other service providers.
In the paper titled: “Improving Air Transport Services For Better Passenger Experience”, Usman said that the need to protect consumers’ interests on matters bordering on denied boarding, flight delays, flight cancellations, mishandled/lost baggage, various compensation levels have become central and paramount for every regulatory agency.
He therefore, maintained that Consumer Protection from a regulatory standpoint has assumed centre stage globally in recent years and consciousness of air passengers’ rights have increased over the years with the coming into force of several regulations.
This trend, he said witnessed the birth of many non-governmental advocacy groups that demand for quality service delivery to consumers of aviation products and services.
Captain Usman said, “In Nigeria, this awareness informed government’s decision to set up a Consumer Protection unit in NCAA in March, 2001. This Unit was given legal backing with the coming into effect of the Civil Aviation Act 2006, particularly Section 30(4) (m) which stipulates that NCAA shall institute programmes for the protection of interests and rights of consumers of aviation services.”
The NCAA DG who noted that the sweeping reform in the Aviation Sector is indeed changing the perception of the people about Government added “since the introduction of the air passenger bill of rights there has been tremendous improvement at the airports. Complaints received have dropped reasonably and other services have improved. However, there are criticisms as well as praises. It is hoped that with more consumer education and enlightenment by NCAA and co-operation from the service providers the effect of the bill would be felt.
“The leadership of the Aviation Ministry is committed to a genuine reform and passionate about the satisfaction of their passengers. Also the Management of the NCAA is very passionate and concerned about the satisfaction of air passengers. We know how painful it could be for passengers when they are not well treated by airlines and no one is responding to them.

STOP CASTING ASPERSION ON DANGOTE, GROUP WARNS AREWA YOUTHS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/07/stop-casting-aspersion-on-dangote-group.html

A group, Joint Northern Youth Forum, yesterday condemned in strongest terms the disrespectful manner the Coalition of Northern Youth responded to an unconfirmed remark wrongly attributed to the billionaire investor Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Dangote was alleged to have described the ultimatum issued to Igbo to vacate the North by Arewa youths as reckless and a manifestation of frustration and joblessness.
In a statement signed by the group’s director of Media and Publicity, Ashiru Abdullahi, noted with dismay the use of abusive language against Dangote, by the so-called Coalition of Northern Youth Groups, as a response to an unconfirmed statement credited to the respected investor.
The statement expressed disgust that a group that professes to be promoting Northern interest would insult a prominent son of the North who provided the highest number of job opportunities in the history of the region.
According to the statement, it is indeed surprising why anyone should associate Dangote to anything politics.
“It has never happened and anyone who knows Dangote would readily admit that he has been a hardworking investor for decades and not a politician. The Coalition’s bedtime story about Obaanjo asking Dangote to run for the nation’s presidency is also laughable indeed.
“The Coalition claimed that Dangote “can never be” among genuine Northern patriots. This can never be true, given the hundreds of thousands of Northerners earning a livelihood through his vast array of investments in the North.
“And for whatever it is worth, Dangote deserves respect for rebuilding the lives of many young Northerners through his chain of businesses. If we cannot celebrate his efforts to give meaning to the lives of many northerners in particular and Nigerians in general, we should also not cast aspersions on him.
“When the so-called Coalition said its members are not involved with “drug peddling and currency counterfeiting”, what are they insinuating? What business has the respected African entrepreneur got to do with it?
“It is not in the character of northerners to be involved with insulting elders, especially elders that are enterprising and economically productive,” the statement read.
The statement described as sad and unfortunate the accusations made by the coalition that Dangote group is a destination for corrupt government officials, saying there was no iota of truth in the allegation.
“The insinuation that Dangote group of companies is a “financial destination for every corrupt government official” is simply ridiculous because his chain of investments have never been associated with the trial of corrupt public officials by agencies like the EFCC or ICPC for many years. Dangote would not have been recognised by credible institutions like Forbes as the richest man in Africa.
“In accusing Dangote and others of bringing economic hardship to Nigeria “ for the past 25 years” the Coalition has not only ridiculed itself but insulted all those Nigerians who have escaped poverty and hardship courtesy of Dangote’s investments and Corporate Social Responsibility projects. It is also a blatant lie to say Dangote’s investments in the North are “negligible” or that the entrepreneur hates the North; it makes no sense at all,”the statement concluded.

MOTHER OF ALL PHONES IS BACK WITH THE NEW UPDATED VERSION OF NOKIA 3310
source:http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/mother-of-all-phone-is-back-with-new.html

Mother of all phones is back with the new updated version of nokia 3310

See photo of the new updated verion of Nokia 3310

SENIOR LAWYER BELUOLISA NWOFOR STRIPED OF SAN TITLE
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/senior-lawyer-beluolisa-nwofor-striped.html

The legal practitioners’ privileges committee has stripped Beluolisa Nwofor, a lawyer, of his senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title over act “unbefitting of the holder of the rank”.
Nwofor had represented Ali Modu Sheriff in a suit at the appeal court seeking the declaration of Jimoh Ibrahim as the authentic PDP candidate in the Ondo state governorship election of November 2016.
He accused the panel of justices led by Ibrahim Saulawa, which was presiding over the case, of bribery and bias, and he asked it to withdraw from the matter. Following the allegations, the court suspended its hearing until the supreme court gave it the go-ahead to do so.
The appeal court eventually declared Eyitayo Jegede as the authentic PDP candidate for the election.
In a statement, the committee said it took the decision at its general meeting after considering a petition filed against Nwofor by the appeal court.
“The legal practitioner’s privileges committee at its 126th general meeting held on June 22nd 2017, considered extensively the complaint filed by the court of appeal of Nigeria against B E I Nwofor, Esq. A senior advocate of Nigeria with his response to same and all material facts and have decided that B E I Nwofor Esq; a senior advocate of Nigeria conducted himself in a manner unbefitting of a holder of the esteemed rank of senior advocate of Nigeria,” it read.
“By reason of the foregoing, the rank of senior advocate of Nigeria (including all its privileges) has been withdrawn from B E I Nwofor, forthwith.”
Nwofor is also the lawyer who defended Chidi Lloyd, a former Rivers state house of assembly member, who assaulted a fellow lawmaker with the mace on the floor of the chamber in July 2013.

DINO DRAGS INEC TO COURT, CLAIMS DEAD PEOPLE SIGNED RECALL REGISTER
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/dino-drags-inec-to-court-claims-dead.html

Embattled senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission over the ongoing moves by his constituents to recall him.
Dino said he filed the case on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a series of tweets deriding his proposed recall by his constituency, the lawmaker also alleged that dead people were among those who signed the petition seeking to have him recalled.
He tweeted, “I have filed my case against INEC today at the Federal High Court Abuja. Even dead people were among those who signed petition to recall Dino Melaiye. Lmaooo.”
Dino Melaye had earlier said INEC was yet to communicate him over his planned recall from the Senate.
The lawmaker insisted that INEC has not informed him of a date, for the verification of signatures of his constituents submitted to the electoral umpire.
“I have not receive anything from INEC,” Melaye said.
Recall that the embattled Senator had described his planned recall as a comedy of errors which would never happen.
“It can not succeed. It is a hoax and absolute comedy of errors. I’m laughing at the stupidity of Kogi State government.
“Many appointees will go to jail for forgery. Even dead people’s names are on the recall register”, he said.

CONTAINER TRUCK SOMERSAULTS AT OTEDOLA BRIDGE INWARD ALAUSA
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/container-truck-somersaults-at-otedola.html

An auto crash involving a container truck occurred this morning, Tuesday, June, 20, 2017, along Otedola bridge inward Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.


It was gathered by Eyes Of Lagos that, the truck driver lost control of the truck before it somersaulted twice leaving the container scratched during the process.
The Emergency Rescue Team of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, and other rescue officers mobilized to the scene to swiftly tow the affected truck off the road to ease traffic.
See more photos of the scene below;

WIKE BECAME GOVERNOR BY ACCIDENT OF JONATHAN – AMAECHI
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/wike-became-governor-by-accident-of.html

The minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that Nyesom Wike became governor of Rivers state by the accident of former president Goodluck Jonathan.
Amaechi said this in reaction to Wike’s insinuation that he is angry over his title of ‘Mr Project’.
Wike had also alleged that commissioners and local government chairmen in Rivers paid the former governor’s wife, Judith, on monthly basis.
Speaking during an inspection programme at the Kaduna Dry Port on Tuesday, Amaechi said his wife is a trader and that none of his family had access to government while he was governor.
He said it is Wike that has made government his family business and also threatened to expose the wife of the Rivers governor if he does not stop talking about him.
“By accident of Goodluck Jonathan, I don’t want to attribute it to God, but by the accident of Jonathan. My wife and family, including my younger brothers and sisters, no one had access to government when I was governor,” he said.
“Even as minister, nobody will have such because it is not a family business. It is government business. But the problem with Nyesom Wike, and I want you to state this if he doesn’t shut up his mouth and do his work I will bring his wife to the focus. You see I’ve been very matured not to talk about his wife.
“But if Wike does not close his mouth and talk about my wife anymore, I will bring out his wife. My wife will never do such, we don’t do family business. I care about transparency. My wife is a trader. She buys and sells and Wike knows that.”
Earlier, the minister said that the federal government will establish dry ports or inland container depots (ICDs) in the country to create jobs for unemployed youths and diversify the economy.
“We are doing everything possible to create jobs. Whatever we need to do to get the port running, we will do it,” Amaechi said.


“The rail will soon start running before the end of the year, which will be used to deliver goods at the port.
“Everything is set for commissioning because we have the land, warehouse and all but we want to wait for the completion of the roads.


“We want to wait for more activities in the dry port before we get the president to commission it.
“I have visited Jos and they are doing a good job and they promised to be ready by June. I have visited Kaduna and what I have seen is commendable.”



Amaechi commended the Kaduna state government, saying “the job it is doing is very good”.
He said the contributions from the government were high, adding the support was appreciated.

ATIKU DENIES HOLDING PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN MEETING AHEAD OF 2019
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/atiku-denies-holding-presidential.html

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports that the All Progressives Congress, APC, Enugu State Chapter shunned a purported presidential campaign parley called by Integrity Group, which is linked to him.


A statement signed by Atiku’s Media Office stressed that, “the so-called Integrity Group is not known to Atiku Abubakar, the Atiku Media Office and the supposedly held parley by the group, is not known to the former Vice President.”

The statement reads in part: “The news about this event is, at worst, the handiwork of some opportunists, political jobbers and shortsighted schemers who are out to do all they can to create power struggles for nothing but, their own selfish ends.

“As such, the Atiku Media Office seeks to distance itself and the former Vice President from such group or persons.

“The Atiku Media Office restates that what is of paramount importance to Atiku Abubakar (presently in Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser Hajj), at this critical stage of the life of our nation is party unity, unconditional support for the Acting President and prayers for the recovery and return of the President.

“The former Vice President, is focused on lending his time and best endeavours to the President to ensure that the country turns the corner by overcoming the present ravaging recession and inflation and put food on the table for the average Nigerian citizen. The time for politics is yet, a while away”, the statement concluded.”

APAPA TRAFFIC: SHIPPERS LAMENT AS DEMURRAGE HITS N6.7BN IN 10 DAYS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/apapa-traffic-shippers-lament-as.html

As traffic gridlock on the access road to the nation’s busiest ports, Lagos Port Complex and Tin-Can Ports in Apapa, Lagos, become more deplorable, shippers have lamented the difficulty they face in clearing their cargoes out of the ports.
According to them, demurrages charges on their goods have hit N6.7billion in 10 days.
A recent report by Deloitte had indicated that shippers pay N668, 493, 150 daily as demurrages to shipping companies and terminal operators anytime their cargoes remain trapped at the Lagos ports.
The demurrages are payable by Importers and Shippers to terminal operators and shipping companies due to the slow pace of evacuation of containers from the seaport as a result of the dilapidated ports access roads leading to the two busiest seaports in Nigeria that has affected port operations.
EYES OF LAGOS findings revealed that shippers pay more on freight charges to move cargoes from the seaports to warehouses or importers’ factory as a result of the deplorable situation of the road.
Speaking on the Apapa port access road gridlock, a former commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Prof. Bamidele Badejo said the perennial gridlock experienced in Apapa has heightened inflation in the nation’s economy.
Prof. Badejo said, “The traffic has ripple effect on the economy as it brought about additional inflation because a container that takes about N85,000 to lift now goes for about N180,000 because of the cost implications of having to wait for hours.
“If we identify the real cost implications we will know the effect of not taking drastic measures at addressing this quagmire on the economy of the country”.
Corroborating Prof. Badejo, the President, Shippers’ Association Lagos State (SALS), Rev. Jonathan Nicol told EYES OF LAGOS that demurrages accrued by importers and Shippers due to the bad state of the ports’ access roads will be transferred to the final consumers.
He said, “No free lunch on the table of a business man because all the cost of clearing will be tabled and will be transferred to different cargoes to enable the importer retrieve his money and also make his gain.
“When there is no free lunch from terminal operators and shipping companies so why do you think there will be free lunch from importers and Shippers? Customs duty is high, terminal operators fee is high even Transportation is high, nothing is free so at the end of the day the ordinary man will buy at a higher rate and you don’t blame the importers and I think that is why it’s easier to buy smuggled goods than one cleared from authorised ports in our country. It is a shame”.
When asked whether importers can engage terminal operators in other to negotiate the demurrages accrued during the period, Nicol said only the federal government can ask terminal operators and shipping companies not to charge demurrage.
He continued: ”The waiver will come only from NPA because terminal operators are under NPA and whether to waive or not NPA will want their charges to be paid. So, if NPA should say for the period we will repair the road don’t charge demurage I don’t think they will charge.
“Terminal operators are here to do business whether the road is good or bad besides they are not the cause. So, it’s the government which is the NPA that will say our suppliers are suffering and until we repair don’t charge demurrage and we know the supply from the port is low with lot of risk. Importers place container on a road they can’t guarantee because the roads are too bad.
“Since the traffic started, we have been paying huge demurage because their is nothing we can do and when we complain to Terminal operators they tell us they don’t create the bad roads. Demurrage are their accruing on daily basis and their is noting the shippers can do”.
Also speaking, the President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, said the traffic gridlock on the access road has led to accumulation of demurrage and lost of container deposits to shipping companies.
He said, “If the containers you are taking are stocked in traffic and all the deposit are swallowed and the suffering of the importers will rub on the consumer. That is part of the problem. The roads are not facilitating trade and as long as the road remained un-repaired it is Nigerians that will suffer it”.
When asked whether clearing agents would be forced to Shutdown the ports once again to draw government attention, Shittu opined that shutting down ports operations is attractive but not the solution to the challenges.
“It is attractive to shut the port but it’s only the importer that will suffer. The last one we did terminal operators refused to waive the rent and the importers are forced to bear the brunt when we all pass through the roads”, he stated.
He said even though the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) had intention seeing a better port operations but she lacks the bureaucratic Authority to get things done.
“The woman has good intention but she did not have the bureaucratic Authority. Do you see the minister of Transportation saying anything about the road? That is someone who belongs to the inner caucus of the President with former governor of Lagos, Babatunde Fashola they should put head together to do the road because abandoning the road can either be criminal negligence or criminal omissions”, he added.
But a visit to the Apapa and Tin-Can seaports by our correspondent showed that the two axis of the access roads were blocked, making it difficult for vehicular movement in and out of the ports.
The gridlock on both sides were caused by potholes on the roads and heavy downpour that makes passage impossible for trucks.
A huge ditch filled with water. was at the Coconut end of Oshodi-Apapa making it difficult for trucks to access an exit the the port. Also, barrack junction from ijora is also dilapidated with water eroding the asphalt thereby creating a big ditch that made the roads impassable for truck drivers accessing the ports from Western Avenue.
However, there are fear that if the traffic are not addressed in due time, it may lead to congestion as containers that are cleared and supposed to be taken away from seaports are trapped due to the state of the roads.
Congestion at the port will lead to increased ship waiting time at the container terminals, increase in Vessel turnaround time from 4 hours to five days and increase of dwell time for cargoes from just 14 days to 30 days.
Speaking to EYES OF LAGOS, the Executive Secretary of the association, Mr Aloga Ogbogo, urged tank farms and shipping companies operating around Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports should provide truck holding bay for articulated vehicles.
Ogbogo said tankers and truck drivers have turned the road to a permanent holding bay.
He said, “The process for the reconstruction is long overdue and we believe since its private sector driven, it’s going to see the light of the day. It’s going to be a sort of relief and succour for truck owners.”
The association boss also described lack of maintenance culture had contributed to the dilapidated and present bad state of the road.
His words: “What happened to Apapa road was because we lack maintenance culture in Nigeria. What happened today what has been happening year in year out. If we have maintenance culture we would have said as rain is about to start falling let being to do some sort of palliative measures also, the roads is subjected to lot of pressure because you see tankers and trailers parking on the road.
“The road is supposed to be a for traffic and not to be status and this is caused by absence of truck holding bays. We have about 62 tank farms in Apapa and one of them have the capacity to load over 100 trucks per day if we multiply that, it will be over 6200 tankers on the road.
“Also, there is a rule that the department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) should not approve a tank farm without a holding bay. The shipping companies should also have a holding bay where containers will be offloaded before they are transferred to terminals. This will also help to reduce traffic in the road”.

NO TRCN CERTIFICATE, NO TEACHING JOB – FG


The federal government has vowed not to employ persons without the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) certificate and license in her bid to professionalize teaching in the country.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the three-day workshop on implementation of professional standards for Nigerian teachers and code of conduct held at the University of Ibadan.

The communiqué which was signed by the Registrar resolved that TRCN certificate and license should be used as part of the requirements for the employment of teachers in all states in the country.

According to the reports gathered by Eyes Of Lagos, Ajiboye informed that the meeting resolved that there should be periodic examination of teachers to validate their licenses in such a way that teachers who do not meet the criteria could be allowed to undergo in-service, in-house training or even a full-time programme and those who are unable to cope should be shown the way out of the classroom.

The communiqué pointed out that the TRCN boss recommended to federal and state governments to ensure that only registered teachers are those making policies on education to ensure that relevant policies that will ensure the growth and development of the profession are formulated.

While recognizing the reluctance of lecturers in tertiary institutions from registering with TRCN, Ajiboye added that Lecturers with Doctoral degrees in tertiary institutions are enjoined to enrol for Post-doctoral Diploma in Education (PDDE).

source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/no-trcn-certificate-no-teaching-job-fg.html

LAGOS ARRESTS LAND GRABBING KINGPIN
source; http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/lagos-arrests-land-grabbing-kingpin.html

Lagos State Government Special Task Force on Land Grabbing set up by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday said it has arrested one Kamorudeen Lamina alias Sir K Oluwo, notorious for land grabbing activities, terrorizing the people of the state especially residents of Ikorodu areas of the state.
The Chairman of the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbing, Mr. Jide Bakare who revealed this to journalists said his office had received petitions written by innocent residents who have been deprived of their legitimate investment in landed property by the unscrupulous gang of Lamina who had been a torn in the flesh of his victims.
According to him, the Omo Onile Kingpin was arrested on Thursday by men of the Special Taskforce on Land Grabbing, who had been on his trail for a very long time, adding that he fell into the waiting hands of the Taskforce when he was tricked out of his hiding in a well-orchestrated operation carried out in the Alausa area of the state.
Bakare added that the arrest of Sir K Oluwo by his team was a clear indication of the commitment of the Ambode-led administration to ensure that the lives and property of residents across the state was secured and protected under the law.
He said the state government had made its zero tolerance stance against land grabbing offences very clear, just as he assured that every legitimate investment made in the state would be protected by the government.
The Chairman, further assured residents that information given by them against the nefarious activities of land grabbers will be treated with utmost confidence.
According to him, the state government would immediately begin the prosecution of the arrested Omo Onile Kingpin, to serve as a deterrent to others that no one is above the law in Lagos State.
While warning those in the act to steer clear of Lagos, Bakare also said that the Task Force would intensify efforts to make the state unbearable for their nefarious activities.

IKORODU FLOODED AS IT RAINED HEAVILY IN LAGOS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/ikorodu-flooded-as-it-rained-heavily-in.html

According to Eyes Of Lagos reporter who confirmed to us the current state of ikorodu resident. Ikorodu flooded as it rained heavily in lagos , see photos below

TONTO DIKE AND LAI MUHAMMED SPOTTED TOGETHER
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/tonto-dike-and-lai-muhammed-spotted.html

Popular Nollywood Actress Tonto Dike and Our Information minister Lai Muhammed both smile in new photo.

POPULAR SINGER FLAVOR DANCED NAKED TO HIS NEW ALBUM (VIDEO)
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/06/popular-singer-flavor-danced-naked-to.html


Watch Flavor as he danced to his new album that is set to be unveiled, in his boxer short




Watch Video




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79C0iTGzcmc