₦airaland Forum

STOP SENSELESS KILLINGS – PRIMATE OKOH TELLS BUHARI
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/stop-senseless-killings-primate-okoh.html


The Primate of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to find ways to stop the killing of Nigerians across the country.
Okoh said it was the duty of the Federal Government to protect the lives and property of Nigerians in any part of the country.
He decried what he called the senseless killings of Nigerians by arms-bearing Fulani herdsmen.
The Anglican Primate spoke at Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State during the dedication of Basilica of St. James the Great Cathedral by the Ogbaru Diocese.
He said it was not only in Southern Kaduna that people were being massacred, stressing that “everywhere in the country, Nigerians are being killed every now and then.”
He urged the Federal Government to provide adequate security for Nigerians in every part of the country.
Okoh enjoined Nigerians to continue to pray for the full recovery of President Buhari, to enable him to offer Nigeria the desired leadership for which he was elected.
The primate also called for economic measures to cushion the effects of the economic downturn in the country.
In another development, parishioners at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Awka, Anambra State, on Monday protested an alleged encroachment on the church premises by indigenes.
The protesters, including clergymen, carried placards with different INSCRIPTIONS. Some of the placards read, ‘This land is not for sale,’ “Stop trespassing on our land,’ and ‘We are bona fide owners of the land.’
They alleged that land grabbers in the area were determined to sell their land.
Their spokesperson, Revd. Canon Jason Onyeakagbusi, said that the land was given to the Church in 1904 by the Umudiana people of Amikwo village following the arrival of the Church Missionary Society led by Rev. Smith in 1890.

recession

FEAR GRIPS ISAWO RESIDENTS AS MILITANTS RETURN TO IKORODU
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/fear-grips-isawo-residents-as-militants.html

Residents of Isawo in Ikorodu, Lagos State, say they now live in palpable fear following the return of militants who are terrorising people in the area.
The militants, mostly kidnappers and pipeline vandals, were chased out of the area in August last year following bloody clashes in the community.
Scores of people were killed in 2016 during clashes between militants and residents of Isawo community, leading to the deployment of a joint military task force in the area.
Residents said on Monday that many of the hoodlums had returned to Isawo and neighbouring communities, robbing and terrorising residents.
“The militants are back to Isawo area. They brandish guns openly during daytime and rob people at night; many residents are now living in fear.
“The men are boasting that they are back to revenge the killings of their people in Isawo last year.
“For instance, Olusola Oke Street junction in Isawo near Majidun is one of the militants’ meeting points where they smoke Indian hemp openly.
“Residents don’t go out daily until 7 a.m, and before 6 p.m., everyone is back home,” said a female resident who pleaded anonymity.
She said some residents had relocated from the area for their safety since the return of the hoodlums.
Another resident, who also sought anonymity, said, “When we thought that these people were gone forever, they came again.
“We want the military and the police to check them before they start killing again.’’
Reacting to the development, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, Lagos State Police spokesman, said that the command was re-strategizing the security arrangements in the state, including Ikorodu area.
Famous-Cole said more police patrol teams would be deployed in the area, and urged residents to provide useful information on the activities of the hoodlums.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Fergusson Bobai, said, “I don’t have any report yet to suggest that militants are back in those areas.
“But Lagos State Governor has approved the return of swamp buggies to open up the creeks in those areas to enable us to carry out in-depth patrols.”
The swamp buggy is a motor vehicle used to traverse boggy swamp terrain.
Buggies are able to move about on dry land, shallow mud, sand, shallow water and deep mud.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrahim, on Aug. 4, 2016, visited Isawo creeks in Ikorodu neighbourhood over the activities of militants.

GOV. AKEREDOLU APPOINTS CHIEF OF STAFF, SSG, OTHERS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/gov-akeredolu-appoints-chief-of-staff.html

Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Monday, approved the appointment of Mr Ifedayo Abegunde, as the Secretary to the State Government.
Mr Olusegun Ajiboye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor announced this in Akure on Monday.
Abegunde was a two-term member of the House of Representatives, representing Akure North and South Constituency. He was first elected in 2003 and also in 2011. But just before his second term ended, he was sacked by the Supreme Court for switching from the Labour Party to the Action Congress of Nigeria, the precursor of the All Progressives Congress. He had joined the ACN in 2012.
In 2015, he contested for the senatorial seat of his new party, but lost to the incumbent, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, at the party primary.
He was the deputy director-general of the Akeredolu Campaign in the senatorial district in the run-up to the governorship election.
Abegunde was born on 5 May 1955. He had his secondary education in Oyemekun Grammar School in Akure between 1967 and 1971.
He subsequently had tertiary education at Florida University in the United States (1980-1984) and Morgan State University, in Baltimore, Maryland also in the United States between 1985 and 1987.
Other appointments are‎ those of Mr Olugbenga Ale, as Chief of Staff and Mr Jones Ogunmusire, Senior Special Assistant (SSA), (Administration and Policy Planning).
Also appointed were Taofeek Abdusalam, SSA , Legislative Matters; Mr Kunle Adebayo, SSA, Research and Documentation; Mr Raheem Aminu, SSA , Infrastructure;‎ Dr Doyin Odebowale, SSA, Special Duties and Strategy.
Tosin Ogunbodede was appointed as Chief of Protocol and Mr Bola Alabi, as Deputy Chief of Protocol.
“All the appointments take immediate effect,” Ajiboye said.

CONSUMING FANTA, SPRITE WITH VITAMIN C IS POISONOUS, COURT ORDERS NAFDAC TO COMPEL NBC TO WARN CONSUMERS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/consuming-fanta-sprite-with-vitamin-c.html

A Lagos High Court at Igbosere has ordered the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to order the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Plc to put a written warning on Fanta and Sprite bottles stating that both soft drinks are poisonous when consumed along with Vitamin C.
The court also held that NAFDAC failed Nigerians by declaring, as fit for human consumption, products discovered by tests in the United Kingdom as turning poisonous when mixed with ascorbic acid (popularly known as Vitamin C).
In the judgment given by Justice Adedayo Oyebanji, the court awarded a cost of N2 million against NAFDAC. The judgment was the outcome of a suit filed by a Lagos-based businessman, Dr. Emmanuel Fijabi Adebo, and his company, Fijabi Adebo Holdings Limited, against NBC Plc and NAFDAC.
Mr. Adebo, in the suit, urged the court to declare that NBC was negligent to its consumers by bottling Fanta and Sprite with excessive levels of benzoic acid and sunset additives.
The businessman also urged the court to order NAFDAC to carry out routine laboratory tests on all the soft drinks and related products NBC bottles to ensure their safety for consumption.

In the amended statement of claims filed before the court by Mr. Abiodun Onidare on behalf of Mr. Adebo and his company, it was alleged that in March 2007, Fijabi Adebo Holdings Company bought large quantities of Coca-Cola, Fanta Orange, Sprite, Fanta Lemon, Fanta Pineapple and soda water from NBC for export to and subsequent retail in the United Kingdom.
But when the consignment arrived in the United Kingdom, health authorities in that country, precisely the Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s Trading Standard, Department of Environment and Economy Directorate, raised fundamental health issues on the contents and composition of Fanta and Sprite.
Findings by the United Kingdom health authorities were also corroborated by other agencies in European Union countries, which found the products to contain excessive levels of sunset yellow and benzoic acid, which are known to be carcinogenic.
On account of the irregularities and carcinogenic substances present in the drinks, Mr. Adebo and his company could not sell the Fanta and Sprite. This caused huge losses for the company, as the products were seized and destroyed by the United Kingdom health authorities.
The claimants equally alleged that NAFDAC did not carry out requisite tests to determine the safety of the drinks for human consumption. They averred that being registered as exporters with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, they could legally export NBC products to any part of the world and that the bottling company was aware that the products purchased were meant for export.
In addition to other reliefs, Mr. Adebo and his company sought the sum of N15,119,619.37 as special damages and N1,622,000 being the money NBC admitted receiving from the claimants.
In its amended statement of defense, filed before the court by Mr. T. O. Busari, NBC admitted supplying the products, but contended that they are meant for local distribution and consumption, as it does not produce for export. It argued that Coca-Cola is manufactured and bottled by various Coca-Cola franchise holders in most countries of the world, including the United Kingdom.
The company denied that it was negligent, as it has stringent quality control procedures to ensure that its products are safe for end-user consumption.
NBC also rejected the allegation that the damages claimed by the businessman and his firm were caused by negligence or any fault on its part. It argued that the levels of the chemical components in its soft drinks are safe for consumption in Nigeria and that the claimants are not entitled to the recovery of damages arising from their illegal exportation of products meant for local distribution.
NBC further contended that the claims made by Mr. Adebo and his company were speculative, frivolous and vexatious and should be dismissed with substantial cost. NAFDAC did not file any defense.
To prove his case, Mr. Adebo personally testified. While being led in evidence by Mr. Onidare, he tendered 12 exhibits. NBC’s Sales Operation Manager, Mr. Micheal Nwosu China, and its Head of Central Laboratory, Mr. Abiodun Adeola Falana, both testified on the bottling company’s behalf and also tendered 12 exhibits.
In her judgment, Justice Oyebanji said: “It is imperative to state that the knowledge of the Nigeria Bottling Company that the products were to be exported is immaterial to its being fit for human consumption. The court is in absolute agreement with the learned counsel for the claimants that soft drinks manufactured by Nigeria bottling company ought to be fit for human consumption irrespective of color or creed.
“It is manifest that NAFDAC has been grossly irresponsible in its regulatory duties to the consumers of Fanta and Sprite manufactured by Nigeria Bottling Company. In my respective view, NAFDAC has failed the citizens of this great nation by its certification as satisfactory for human consumption products, which in the United Kingdom failed sample test for human consumption, and which become poisonous in the presence of Ascorbic Acid ordinarily known as Vitamin C, which can be freely taken by the unsuspecting public with the company’s Fanta or Sprite.
“As earlier stated, the court is in absolute agreement with the learned counsel for the claimants that consumable products ought to be fit for human consumption irrespective of race, colour or creed.”
Justice Oyebanji also held that by its certification as satisfactory, Fanta and Sprite, without any written warning on the products that it cannot be taken with Vitamin C, NAFDAC would have caused great harm to the health of unsuspecting Nigerians.
“The court, in the light of the damning evidence before it showing that NAFDAC has failed to live up to expectation, cannot close its eyes to the grievous implication of allowing the status quo to continue as it is.
“For the reasons herein adumbrated in this judgment, the court hereby orders as follows :
“That NAFDAC shall forthwith mandate Nigeria bottling company to, within 90 days hereof, include on all the bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks manufactured by the company, a written warning that the content of the said bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks cannot be taken with Vitamin C as same becomes poisonous if taken with Vitamin C.
“In consideration of the fact that this case was filed in 2008 and that it has been in court for nine years, costs of N2 million is awarded against NAFDAC. Interest shall be paid on the costs awarded at the rate of 10% per annum until liquidation of the said sum,” ruled Justice Oyebanji.

DAVIDO AND HUSHPUPI SETTLES THEIR BEEF, EMBRACE EACH OTHER (VIDEO)
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/davido-and-hushpupi-settles-their-beef.html

Watch Video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm9MT5-M-4E

QUEEN ELIZABETH’S COUSIN BECOMES CHIEF IN CALABAR
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/queen-elizabeths-cousin-becomes-chief.html

A paternal first cousin to the queen of England Queen Elizabeth II has been given the titled of Adaidaha of Efik Eburutu.
Prince Michael Franklin was given the titled by the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, a Treaty King and Grand Patriarch of the Efik Kingdom.
Also the president of Brazzaville Foundation, Mr. Johnnie Olivier was given the same title as a recognition of his contribution in global peace initiatives.
Accompanied to the palace of the Obong by the former governor of Cross River state, Donald Duke; the former presidential adviser, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa and the chief executive officer of Henshaw Capital Partners, Barbara Etim-James, the duo received certificates and sceptres for their titles.
Speaking during the grand ceremony, the Obong said, the conferment of the title is a reminder of the relationship between the Efik people and Britain.
He also urged the recipients to display their certificates and scepters to the English monarch.
Also speaking, Duke said: “There is hardly any peace move in the continent of Africa that Olivier does not work behind the scene. He finds alternative solutions to conflict resolution. Played crucial role in South Africa during the apartheid era and was involved. Prince Franklin is his ally.”
The chairman of Obong of Calabar Executive Forum, Asuquo Ekpenyong, said the conferment is a re-enactment of the relationship between the Efik and Britain.
“The event is significant. It is not too common to confer an Efik title on foreigners. It is a re-enactment of the relationship between the Efik, Britain and peace. What we have seen is going to bring to the Efik and its people a positive relationship. We have by this shown that we still recall the past,” Ekpenyong said.

NOW THAT PRESIDENT BUHARI IS BACK BY FESTUS OGUN (EYESOFLAGOS)
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/now-that-president-buhari-is-back-by.html

"Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire fear and insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power" – Robert Greene

The first of the 48 laws of power postulated by Robert Greene is: "never outshine your master". Greene, in this book, made series of illustrations and analogies to drive well home his points — that it is quite dangerous to outshine one's master. At this critical stage of our national history, this issue of outshining master is now of serious concern since it is a notorious fact that the elected Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has (appeared to have) outshined or is outshining his master, President Mohammadu Buhari, if not in all ramifications.

But I'll be glad to tell my fellow Nigerians that this outshining is quite very reasonable, sensible and needed in delicate situations like this. In my view, it has no ugly side effects at all, since him outshining his boss is for our national advancement and development and not for any other intention.

Nigeria has been in serious quagmire for a while now since President Buhari has been elected in 2015. Hardship, hunger, anger, mourning and all of that.

Somewhat miraculously, since he left the country for vacation abroad over 50 days ago, things appear to have turned the other way round, at least in some little ways. The economy is now moving. The hardship level has reduced a bit.

Owing to this kind of development brought about by the President absence, some citizens have prayed for Mr Buhari not to return home yet. They believe once he returns, all that has been refurbished by Osinbajo may be utterly disrupted by his presence within a twinkle of an eye. Does this necessarily mean the President is incompetent and not trusted? I don't know. Maybe this set of citizens are saying this because of their fear and hatred for poverty and hardship. You know, hardship isn't "bae", not fun and not nice. It's hard!

See, we must not be too hasten to canonize Osinbajo a saint and throw stones of blame on Buhari. That will be quite unjust. The duo are both equally responsible for this administration shortcomings. Take for instance, Osinbajo, an erudite lawyer, has been the head of the country's economic team from onset. And even while he headed our economy, recession has been everywhere. At this period, many of us passed all the blames on the President, without considering the economic team or its leaders, even for once.

Now that the Vice has made the same economy a little better in his capacity as the acting president, should all the glory be accorded to Osinbajo alone without considering the President too? I'm smelling the aroma of our hot hypocrisy here!

Glory to God, Buhari is back. But, the popular notion that he may come back here to wobble everything for us shouldn't be the concern. Our ability to put it straight to him on what ought to be done is what remains very paramount.

The president must continue from where Prof. Osinbanjo stopped. Now that he is back, taking the right steps at the right time and in the right direction is something he must adhere to. He should not be 'sleeping' on pressing issues. In my humble opinion, what made Osinbajo to perform so excellently is his adherence and observance of the forgoing instruction.

Additionally, the President should restrain himself from much talking. Our people will say "plenty tori nor dey full basket". If my memory serves me right, before he left for his vacation, the presidency has been talking more than acting. And in a country like ours, we need more action for us to progress as opposed to sweet words. Yet, this does not necessarily mean the President shouldn't address the nation on cogent issues as at and when due.

Though, we understand that President Buhari is a very tall man, he should endeavour keep his head very low below the law. There is no amount of tallness that should compete with that of our laws. The law is above everyone, including the President. As such, the President should not act as if he's above the law since he and his office are both creations of law. I kept pondering whether you can be above what created you, the same way man can never be above God, the creator. Executive lawlessness is not a thing that ought to be condoned in this clime. Executive lawlessness is not a stranger in this Buhari administration, who even knows maybe that's why we are not progressing.

On his war against corruption, I have written vehemently that corruption is not everything. The same way Boko-Haram issue is not everything. The war against terrorism should be fought, corruption should — in fact must — also be fought. Yet, all governmental concentration should not just be on that. Every aspect of the economy should be touched. President Buhari too much concentration on the duo above, at the expense of other key challenges, is one of the reasons why we are here today.

Above all, our president must learn the art of taking simple instructions; not just from his aides and paid advisers but from ordinary citizens — or rather mischief makers — like this writer. He should be very ready to put on his humble robe by learning from his vice. From this little period Osinbajo has spent as Acting President, Buhari should have spotted few of his mistakes and should be ready to make changes.

As he resumes office on Monday, I pray for his success.

No going back, Nigeria must be better.

Fashola Replies Ambode To Makesure Publics Are Not Misled By Deliberate Or Inadvertent Mis-Statements.
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/fashola-replies-ambode-to-makesure.html

Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has refutes allegations that he is frustrating his successor as Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode.

Ambode had claimed that his attempt to take over the Presidential Lodge in Lagos has been stalled by Fashola’s ministry, despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval.

He also said the state’s application to reconstruct the international airport road from Oshodi, has also not been responded to.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Fashola’s media aide, Hakeem Bello, the former Governor refutes all the allegations and said he only spoke with Ambode over the phone for the first time since May 29, 2015, last week.

FULL TEXT OF THE STATEMENT

The attention of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has been drawn to certain statements credited to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode claiming that the “Federal Ministry of Works has been frustrating the efforts of his administration to carry out a “total reconstruction of the International Airport Road from Oshodi.”

The Governor also reportedly accused the “Federal Ministry of Works and Housing” and Security Services of denying the State Government access to the Presidential Lodge in Lagos six months after President Muhammadu Buhari approved it off for the State.

This response is to ensure that members of the public are not misled by deliberate or inadvertent mis-statements.

The allegations of lack of cooperation from the Ministry and frustration of Lagos State Government development initiatives are simply not true and the facts do not bear them out.

In 2016, the Hon Minister for Power Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, approved the use of the Federal Ministry of works yard at Oworonsoki for Lagos State Government to create a lay-by to ease traffic.

The Hon Minister also approved that Lagos State be granted the Rights to manage the Street Lighting on the 3rd Mainland Bridge to support the security initiatives of the State, a request which the previous Federal Government administration had denied Lagos State for years.

During the same year the Hon Minister also supported the approval of the World Bank Loan of $200m to Lagos State, again a request the previous administration had denied Lagos State.

As far as International Airport Road which is currently the ground for alleged “frustration” is concerned, the correct position is that the Lagos State Government presented a request for FOUR roads that it would wish to take over.

This is consistent with the position being canvassed by the Hon Minister for States who are interested to apply to take over Roads that are within their States.


The Ministry has presented the Memorandum conveying the request of the Lagos State Government to the Federal Executive Council as was done with a similar request by the Kaduna State Government in 2016.

Due to the fact that TWO of the roads also connect Ogun State, the Federal Executive Council could not reach an immediate decision on them because it requested the input of the other State Government affected.

The Kaduna State Government requested the Federal Government to transfer two roads within Kaduna Metropolis to the State in November 2015. Due process was followed and the request of the State Government was approved in August 2016, a period of ten months.

Federal Executive Council Memorandum are debated and commented upon by all members and in cases of roads, surveys, maps and other material have to be provided to assist members understand the location and connectivity of the roads, (in this case Four roads), in order to assist how they vote on the Memorandum.

As far as the Presidential Lodge is concerned, it is under the management of the Presidency and not the Ministry.

After the approval by Mr President that the Presidential Lodge be handed over to the State Government, there was a directive to the Ministry to work out the modalities for handing over.

The Ministry has prepared a vesting instrument to convey the transfer and all that is needed is a survey plan.

The Presidential Lodge is a high security location and officials of the Ministry also require security clearance to enter in order to do any works.

Access to the lodge is not under the control of the Ministry.

The motive behind this public accusations must therefore be scrutinized coming barely a week after the Governor spoke with the Honorable Minister, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN on the outstanding requests of the State for several minutes and the Minister took time to explain the situation of things to the Governor. (The first telephone conversation the Governor has had with the Minister since May 29, 2015).

If there is any lack of co-operation it is on the part of the State Government that has refused to acknowledge not to talk of approving the Ministry’s request for Land of the National Housing Programme in Lagos.

The Ministry is not frustrated by this lack of response and remains optimistic that a response will come from Lagos State.

The Ministry remains committed to serving the Government and Good People of Lagos and will treat all their requests on Merit and in accordance with necessary due process as will be done to other States.

As far as the refund of N51Billion is concerned this is not a new item. Almost all if not all states have these claims and the Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing has verified these claims.

What is left is the process of raising the finance to pay the Debt owed to the States.

Those who are familiar with the workings of Government will attest to the fact that it is an intricate sequence of processses, consultation and collaboration.

Equating processes to a lack of co-operation is therefore akin to creating a storm in a tea cup.

TRIBUTES 20 YEARS AFTER DEATH OF THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.

source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/tributes-20-years-after-death-of.html

20 years ago today, Christopher Wallace aka The Notorious B.I.G. was killed in a drive-by in Los Angeles, California – the case remains unsolved. He would have been 44 today, and his legacy can’t be understated. Pitch-shifting delivery, money-bragging bravado, straight-up rivalry – these were all traits Biggie Smalls boasted before they became commonplace. And his final album, ‘Life After Death’, suggested this innovative talent had his best days ahead of him.
Tributes and homages have been pouring in ever since he died age 24, with the likes of Jay Z and Eminem quoting his lyrics in their own work. And to mark two decades since Biggies’s death, the music world and beyond is paying tribute to one of the world’s greatest.
DIDDY IS COMBINING BIGGIE’S BEST VERSES INTO “SOMETHING SPECIAL”

VETERAN ACTRESS BINTA AYO MOGAJI CELEBRATES HER BIRTHDAY TODAY
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/veteran-actress-binta-ayo-mogaji.html

Veteran Yoruba Nollywood Actress Binta Ayo Mogaji celebrates her birthday today

Binta Ayo Mogaji is an actor, known for Pasito Deinde (2005), Àkóbí gómìnà 2 (2002) and Eni Eleni 2 (2005).

Binta Ayo Mogaji is one of the few actresses who need no introduction in Nigeria’s movie industry.The actress is fondly referred to as Igbanladogi,a name she got from her role in Late Toba Opaleye’s chart busting film titled ‘IGBALADOGI’ years back. It was a traumatic period for Ayo Mogaji’s family,friends and fans both home and abroad when the news broke sometime in September that the super actress was seriously ill. It will be recalled that she relocated to London a couple of years back when she got married to her new husband who is based in the U.K, after her marriage to popular actor,Prince Jibola Dabor packed up. The gist here is that Ayo Mogaji came to Nigeria to act in a T.V series ‘No Where To Be Found’, and also went on film location in Ghana

the boss

ambode is working

SARS OPERATIVES SHOOT MAN ACCIDENTALLY DURING CLASH WITH HOODLUMS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/sars-operatives-shoot-man-accidentally.html

Operatives of the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the Lagos Police Command on Wednesday allegedly shot a young man at Ejigbo, Lagos.
They reportedly stormed the area to arrest suspected criminals at Oboye Street.
The incident made youths in the area to occupy the street in protest.
It was gathered that the security operatives opened fire when they saw alleged members of Eiye confraternity in front of a building to obstruct the policemen from carrying out their duty.
The policemen started firing and a stray bullet hit a young man, who was later rushed to a hospital.
Doctors are battling to revive the young man.
It was gathered that after dispersing the alleged hoodlums, the policemen arrested four suspects including a woman selling local gin.
A source said: “They arrested Eiye striker and number two man, a woman that sells local gin and another man popularly called Pastor.
“After the shooting, hoodlums used the opportunity and attempted to march to the station but elders stopped them to avoid implicating innocent people.
“Initially, they thought the young man was killed but we later heard he was alive and being treated at a hospital.”
Confirming the incident, the command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the action of the policemen was a proactive measure against criminality in the state.
He confirmed a victim was injured and recuperating at the hospital.

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES FLIGHT LANDS AT KADUNA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AS THE FIRST FOREIGN AIRLINE TO USE THE FACILITY
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/ethiopian-airlines-flight-lands-at.html

Ethiopian Airlines flight lands at Kaduna International Airport as the first Foreign airline to use the facility

The use of Kaduna International Airport for flights meant for Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport began in earnest on Wednesday with the landing of Ethiopian Airline flight into the facility which is about 170 kilometres from the Nigerian capital.
The flight was received by Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and other officials of the ministry.
The Federal Government had indicated that it will close down Abuja Airport, the second busiest airport in the country to allow for repairs of its runway at midnight Wednesday.
Government had embarked on upgrade of the Kaduna Airport to prepare it to receive flights meant for Abuja ahead of the closure.

Passengers are to be transported by road or rail to Abuja after landing in Abuja. But most international airlines, except the Ethiopian carrier have indicated they will not fly into Kaduna, citing insecurity and other reasons.

AGRICULTURE WILL INCREASE REVENUE GENERATION, SAYS GOV AMBODE
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/agriculture-will-increase-revenue.html

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday said the agribusiness sector remains one of the most viable areas that the Federal as well as State Governments must begin to pay serious attention to boost its revenue generation in the wake of dwindling oil prices.
Governor Ambode who spoke at the 4th European Union-Nigeria Business Forum 2015 holding at the Eko Hotels and Suites said the harsh times in the oil sector and its attendant impact on government revenue makes it imperative to look inward for creative ways of growing the economy of the country and boosting gross domestic product.
To this end, he said the agricultural sector serves as a ready alternative source of revenue generation not only to Government but also to individuals and private organizations through the various Agro allied value chains.
He commended the organisers for the theme of this year’s forum, “Unlocking Opportunities for Diversification”, saying it was apt as it would afford participants focus on addressing the obstacles to the effective development of the agricultural value chain.
“The EU’s relationship with Nigeria is significant not only because Europe remains the top destination for Nigeria’s oil and non-oil exports, but also because the region accounts for nearly one-third of Nigeria’s total trade. The statistics speak for themselves”, he said.
Governor Ambode said the state government on its part, recognizes the importance of the Agricultural sector in wealth and job creation as well as in growing the economy of the State and has thus made the sector one of its cardinal programmes.
He assured that the his administration will continue to build on the policies put in place by the previous administration to enhance rapid development in the sector, adding that so far, the government has energized the Agriculture Land Holding Authority (ALHA), to make more land readily available for Agricultural development.
Governor Ambode also urged prospective investors to take advantage of the wetland environment as well as a 1,500 hectares reserve of tropical hard woods to invest in water hyacinth recycling, fisheries and fish farm estate, arable crop estates, rice processing mill, livestock resources, forestry, agricultural equipment and human capacity development in Agriculture.
He however said that for the sector to achieve its full potentials, the task could not be left to the government alone, stressing that it would require private sector capital, entrepreneurial approach, innovativeness and managerial efficiency as well as the critical role of international partners and investors into the sector.
“Furthermore, in recognition of the need to create an enabling environment and enhance the ease of doing business in Lagos State we have established the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (also called Lagos Global) directly under my office.
“Lagos Global is a one-stop shop designed to ensure that whatever information, assistance, conditions, etc may be required by investors from the state government towards facilitating their investment in the State are provided swiftly and expeditiously, and in an environment devoid of bureaucratic bottlenecks”, he said.
Governor Ambode also said that efforts have been intensified towards the completion of the 27-km Blue Line Light Rail Transit System, from Okokomaiko to Marina, expressing optimism on completion, it would foster greater economic and social integration within West Africa sub region.
He said his administration is also paying serious attention to the security and judicial sectors that would ensure the safety of investors and their investments as well as swift response to business related disputes.

INSECURITY IS NOT AN ISSUE, I WILL VISIT ALL OIL PRODUCING COMMUNITIES - OSINBAJO ADDRESSES PROTESTERS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/insecurity-is-not-issue-i-will-visit.html


Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has promised to visit all oil producing communities in the Niger Delta, ruling out any concern about insecurity.


Osinbajo said this at a townhall meeting in Benin, Edo state capital, on Monday.

Some youth stormed the meeting after receiving reports that the acting president will not visit their communities.

This led to a temporary suspension of activities, but their leaders succeeded in pacifying them.

Addressing the aggrieved persons after normalcy was restored, Osinbajo explained that the closure of the Abuja airport, scheduled for 12 midnight on Wednesday, was behind the rescheduling of the visit.

“Our plan is to ensure that we visit all of the oil producing communities, and just as it was rightly said, we have stationed our helicopters at the airport in order to take us there,” he said.

“There is no issue of insecurity at all, I have been to other oil producing communities. What has happened is that the Abuja airport will be closed from tomorrow, we would not have enough time this time to visit all the communities.

“But the governor and I have agreed that we must pay a visit in order to visit each and every one of the communities, and we will do so.”

Osinabjo told the people that abandoned projects in the region will be reactivated, while defaulters will be prosecuted.

“I have looked at the issues of abandoned projects, and I can tell you precisely, how much has been voted, and how much was spent in several of our oil communities, and there is no sign of development in those areas,” he said.

“I can tell you how many of these projects are supposed to have been completed, and when you look in the books, they say they have been completed, but they have not been completed; they have not been done, many have not even started at all.

“The people must see the benefit of the land. The elite everywhere, have very frequently deprived the people of the opportunity to enjoy the fruit of the land, that is the Nigerian story.

“This is something we must deal with. We cannot continue as if we do not know. The monies that have been spent on paper in this country is enough to develop many countries.”

COURT JAILS ADAMAWA EX-GOVERNOR, NGILLARI, FOR FRAUD
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/court-jails-adamawa-ex-governor.html

• Guilty of 17 criminal charges
• Awards N167.8m contract to unknown person
• ‘Actions denote executive rascality, lawlessness’
A former Governor of Adamawa State, James Bala Ngillari, was yesterday sentenced to five years in prison by a Yola High Court for fraud he committed while in office.
The presiding judge, Justice Nathan Musa, said he relied on section 58 sub-section (5) of the Adamawa Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) Law which provides that any state officer that contravenes the law is liable to a minimum of five years imprisonment without an option of fine.
“The court’s hands are tied by this law, so I cannot do otherwise. The only thing is to give you the minimum sentence of five years, you will serve in Yola main prison,” the judge said.

This conviction is a major boost to the anti-corruption campaign. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had suffered a credibility crisis for not being able to successfully prosecute former or serving top public officers for corruption and sending them to jail. They had either been set free because of poor prosecution or plea bargain that enabled them to go home to enjoy their loot.
Ngillari was found guilty of 17 criminal charges relating to the award of contracts without due process levelled against him by the EFCC. He was sentenced to one year each on five out of the 17 charges brought against him, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Ibrahim Andrew Welye and erstwhile Commissioner for Finance Jonathan Lamorde. The two were discharged on the grounds that they merely acted on instructions from the convict.
The former governor awarded a N167.8 million contract for the supply of 25 units of Toyota Camry 2.8 to a contractor to the state government, whose identity is known only to him.
Justice Musa said the case was decided based on evidence before the court and not on the opinion of the counsel.According to the judge, the counsel to the former governor failed to prove before the court that the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance was the officer to be held responsible as the accounting officer of the ministry for the contract scam.
He pointed out that the evidence before the court and oral confessions of the second accused (Welye) at the EFCC proved that the tender board headed by the permanent secretary was sidelined in the award of the contract before the court.
Justice Musa read the SSG’s statement which was one of the exhibits: “The governor summoned me and directed me to write a memo for the purchase of vehicles for commissioners. When I raised the issue of due process by contacting the BPP, the governor told me he was under pressure. A few days after I raised the memo, the governor called me to say that the contractor failed to supply eight vehicles, out of the 25, she supplied only 17 units and that I should call her, but I could not call her because I did not have her phone number.”
On the submission of the counsel to Ngillari that it was an emergency and if quick measures were not taken the prices of the vehicles would go up, the judge ruled that the first accused failed to prove that he carried out a market survey on the prices of the vehicles and that the prices were increasing fast.
Justice Musa stated that since the vehicles were not security in nature, hiding under emergency could not be covered by law and that the defence lacked legal protection and merit. He said Ngillari unlawfully awarded a contract to a contractor known to him alone and his action amounted to executive rascality and lawlessness.
The judge noted that the prosecuting counsel, Murktaka Ahmed, proved his case beyond reasonable doubt against the first accused, and that the second accused (SSG) and the third accused (Jonathan) could not be held responsible for an offence they were not part of from the initiation to the execution level.
He said his judgement would be a warning to political office holders that the law would not respect anyone that abused it using the powers of his office.
The counsel to Ngillari pleaded for leniency for his client, appealing to the court to consider the service he offered to the state in the past.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. James Silas Sanda, who commended the judgement, regretted that a former governor would be sentenced to prison. He described the development as ugly for the country, and called on all political office holders to learn their lessons from the verdict.

SENATE EXPOSED N10 TRILLION PETROLEUM INDUSTRY FRAUD
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/senate-exposed-n10-trillion-petroleum.html

The Senate said at the weekend it discovered a N10 trillion fraud allegedly perpetrated by officials of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) between 2006 and last year.



It said officials of the NNPC connived with independent oil marketers and some others in the petroleum industry in the deal.

Senate Joint Committee on Upstream and Downstream and Gas broke the news at a briefing in Abuja.

Chairmen, Senate Committee on Petroleum (downstream) Kabiru Marafa, who spoke on behalf of the joint committee, said of the N10 trillion, NNPC is to account for N5.2 trillion it collected as subsidy from the Federal Government for importation of petroleum products, particularly Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) between 2006 and 2016



The amount, he said, was aside the 445,000 barrels of crude oil allocated to it on yearly basis for the country’s refineries for local consumption.

Marafa (Zamfara Central) noted that records showed that during the period under investigation, “NNPC imported fuel into the country that was more than 40 per cent of local consumption apart from gross under-utilisation of the 445,000 barrels it collected for local refining for local consumption on yearly basis”.

He said: “NNPC, being the custodian of crude oil resources of the nation, is responsible for 51 per cent of petroleum products importation into the country over the years aside the 445,000 crude allocations it gives itself on yearly basis for sales for local refining. It must account for the N5.2 trillion available records show that it has spent on subsidy on its own 51 per cent of petroleum products importation between 2006 and 2016 aside the N3.8 trillion spent on similar subsidy for independent marketers and about $1.5 billion yet to be accounted for by other key players in the industry,” he said.

Marafa added that the committee also discovered another dimension of fraud in the industry through disappearance of PMS from storage leased by NNPC without any accountability and or return of the value of the stolen product.

He said it was discovered that 100 million litres of PMS worth N14 billion was stolen by two different companies without sanction by the NNPC.

Marafa said: “This committee has established the missing of 100 million litres of PMS from such storage arrangement. We expected NNPC to have taken action against the two companies that carried out the theft. But since it has not, we hereby order it to do so immediately, precisely within this week, failure of which we shall make the whole details known to the public.

“All key players in the sector along with their collaborators who have taken the country for a ride during the period under review, must be brought to book through exhaustive investigation to be conducted soon because President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate leadership are very much interested in unmasking those behind the scam perpetrated during the Presidency of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and by extension, the present presidency.

“President Buhari is highly supportive of this move by the Senate and we shall not fail in carrying out the needed holistic investigation on obvious sharp practices in the sector. Needed documents for the onerous task are already in our possession.”

The committee listed those to appear before it for further hearing as past and present chief executives of NNPC, their counterparts from the independent marketers, licensed inspection agency, Nigeria Ports Authority, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Customs Service and NIMASA.

Marafa said the whistle-blower approach being adopted by the Federal Government in unravelling fraudulent practices of corrupt public officials would be adopted in fishing out those involved in the massive oil sector fraud.

The joint committee chairman warned that sanctions await players in the sector who might want to frustrate the investigation by deliberately refusing to honour invitation sent to them or concealing needed information.

lol

klassykute:
let dm wire pmb na mk we dey hear e talk

fast response

PHOTOS OF THE ON-GOING FIXING OF BAD ROAD AT FELA AHMED STREET IKORODU LAGOS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/photos-of-on-going-fixing-of-bad-road.html

CARGO TRAIN HEADING TO KANO FROM LAGOS, DERAILS IN OSOGBO, OSUN STATE
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/cargo-train-heading-to-kano-from-lagos.html

photo credit : Crdt: Y. Teslim

FG plan to compile biometric data for okada riders
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/fg-dey-plan-to-compile-biometric-data.html

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DON PLAN TO EMBARK ON BIO-METRIC DATA FOR PEOPLE WEY DEY RIDE OKADA AND TRICYCLE WEY DEM DEY CALL KEKE NAPEP FOR THE COUNTRY.

THIS MATTER GO ENTER ACTION WITH COLLABORATIONS WITH DEM AMALGAMATED COMMERCIAL TRICYCLE AND MOTORCYCLE OWNERS, REPAIRERS AND RIDERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA.

THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF ACOMORAN, ALHAJI SHEHU BABANGIDA, NA HIM ANNOUNCE THIS MATTER FOR ABUJA, ON THURSDAY, WHEN HIM DEY INTRODUCE THE TECHNOLOGY WEY DEM GO TAKE DO THE EXERCISE WEY HIM YARN SO.

HE TALK SAY IF DEM DO THIS CAPTURING OF MOTORCYCLE AND TRICYCLE OPERATORS SAY THE THING GO STOP THE AGITATION FOR THE NATIONWIDE BAN ONTOP OKADA RIDERS.

HE STILL YARN SAY DEM DON CHOOSE ONE ABUJA-BASED INDIGENOUS SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, CLEVLAND INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED, AS THE TECHNICAL PARTNER WEY GO CARRY OUT THE BIOMETRIC DATA WEY GO CAPTURE DEM ACOMORAN MEMBERS.

HE SAY THE MODALITIES FOR THE NATIONWIDE BIO-METRIC CAPTURING GO COME WEY DEM GO ANNOUNCE AM FOR PEOPLE, SAY ACOMORAN GO COLLABO WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKE TACKLE THE SECURITY CHALLENGES FOR THE COUNTRY.

ZIMBABWE:EDITOR, JOURNALIST HELD OVER MUGABE’S HEALTH STORY
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/zimbabweeditor-journalist-held-over.html

Harare – Zimbabwean police have reportedly arrested the editor of the privately-owned News Day newspaper, for “undermining President Robert Mugabe”.

Lagos na wa oo, she will be caught soon

GUINEA-BISSAU:HUNDREDS OF PROTESTERS DEMAND DEPARTURE OF PRESIDENT
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/guinea-bissauhundreds-of-protesters.html

Hundreds of protesters have marched through the capital of Guinea-Bissau, demanding the departure of embattled President Jose Mario Vaz.
On Thursday, the crowd of angry demonstrators on the main avenues of the capital Bissau held anti-government placards and repeatedly chanted slogans such as “Jomav get out”, using the president’s local nickname.
They also called for fresh elections to end the political crisis gripping the African country.
The demonstration came a day after parliament rejected a program submitted by Prime Minister Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo.
Vaz appointed Sissoco in November after months of regional talks seeking an end to an 18-month political turmoil in the country.
The prime minister has already missed a 60-day deadline to present a government program and budget that have to be accepted by parliament.
“The party … voted against the program of the PM because his government is illegitimate,” said Seidy Ba Sane, a spokesman for the country’s ruling PAIGC party.
Sissoco has stressed that he would continue ruling without the confidence of parliament.
People in the West African country say the failure to pass a budget has begun to affect their daily lives and caused delays in payment of salaries for civil servants.
In addition, the ongoing crisis has stoked fears that drug traffickers might profit from the power vacuum in the country.
Earlier this month, the United Nations expressed concern “over challenges posed by transnational organized crime and emerging threats, including drug trafficking, in the country.”
The economy of Guinea Bissau, one of the world’s poorest countries, is heavily reliant on cashew nut production.
Violence has rocked Guinea-Bissau since 1974 when it gained independence from Portugal.
Since its independence, the country has suffered from political turmoil, including a series of military coups largely due to the unprecedented expansion of the army

FG TO ENFORCE BUYING OF MADE-IN-NIGERIA PRODUCTS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/02/fg-to-enforce-buying-of-made-in-nigeria.html

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS IT HAS PUT PLANS IN MOTION TO ENFORCE THE BUYING OF NIGERIA PRODUCTS BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION, CULTURE AND TOURISM, ALHAJI LAI MOHAMMED, SAID THAT THE ACT ESTABLISHING THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENTS WOULD BE REVIEWED TO ENFORCE THE BUYING OF NIGERIAN PRODUCTS WHICH, WOULD IN TURN, BOOST THE ECONOMY.

MOHAMMED SAID THIS ON MONDAY AT A TOWN HALL MEETING HELD IN UMUAHIA.

HE SAID, “TALKING ABOUT MADE-IN-NIGERIA PRODUCTS, LET ME USE THIS IMPORTANT NATIONAL PLATFORM TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS ALREADY APPROVED MEASURES TO SENSITISE NIGERIANS TO PATRONISE SUCH PRODUCTS.
“THESE MEASURES INCLUDE THE APPROVAL GIVEN TO THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT TO INCREASE THE PATRONAGE OF MADE-IN-NIGERIA GOODS AND SERVICES THROUGH A REVIEW OF ITS ACT.”

VIDEO: AIR FORCE JETS BOMB BOKO HARAM AT TAGOSHE MOUNTAIN
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/02/video-air-force-jets-bomb-boko-haram-at.html
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Friday struck Boko Haram terrorists' location at Tagoshe/Mandara Mountain general area, about 10km South-west of Gwoza in Northern Borno.

Air Force spokesman, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, confirmed the development in a statement to newsmen.


He said, “intelligence report by Sister surface forces had it that the remnants of fleeing Boko Haram terrorists were gathered at the location.”

“This report was confirmed by NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft before combat platforms were called in to strike the location.

“Follow-up battle damage assessment confirmed that the air attack was successful as shown by the enclosed declassified footage of the operation.”

SEE VIDEO


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsxcUTjXZvs

SHEKAU KILLS BOKO HARAM SPOKESMAN FOR PLANNING TO OVERTHROW HIM
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/02/shekau-kills-boko-haram-spokesman-for.html

According to a report from AFP, Abubakar Shekau has admitted killing a spokesman of the Boko Haram sect for planning to oust him from his position as the sect's leader.


He said this in an audio recording obtained by AFP.

In the 50-minute tape of a meeting with the inner circle of his militant Islamist group, Shekau said he killed “Tasiu” — also known as Abu Zinnira — who appeared in several video messages.

“You should hear me: I killed Tasiu, hear me well,” he told the gathering in Hausa. Shekau states the date of the meeting — December 18 — and said it had been called to discuss “those elements grumbling over the killing of Tasiu”.

Abu Zinnira has on several occasions acted de facto spokesman and appeared in video recordings, including those about the more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped from the town of Chibok in April 2014.

Abu Zinnira and “other elements” had tried to make him out to the rank and file as being “not on the right track”, Shekau added.

“Tell me, what is the punishment… for the people that plot against their leader?” he asked.

“By our code of allegiance we don’t hesitate to pass appropriate sanction on any one of us that commit an offence.”