₦airaland Forum

Governor Mohammed Jibrilla of Adamawa State has announced that the state will, today and Sunday, offer special prayers in mosques and churches for the speedy recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Governor Jibrilla, who spoke at the end of the state weekly executive council, observed that any leader required prayers no matter his or her health status.

He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari needs the prayers of all Nigerians to enable him pilot the affairs of the country effectively. This, we have been doing even before he travelled for his vacation and we will not relent.

“As the Governor of Adamawa State, I deserve special prayers from my people to enable me accomplish the dreams of governing the state well.”

He reiterated the desire of the state government towards providing dividends of democracy to the people, pointing out that as the government closes up with its road network projects, attention will now be shifted to the health and education sectors.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/02/adamawa-dedicates-friday-sunday-to-pray.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

The Federal Government has, Wednesday, approved the sum of N21bn for the construction of the Ilorin-Kabba road project.

The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, told State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting that the approved fund is for the construction of the Ilorin-Omu Aran-Kabba Road, Section I.

He said it covers the ongoing work on the Kabba-Egbe Road to link Kwara and Kogi States.

“The justification for the memo and consequent approval is consistent with our promise to continue to reduce travel time, to ease the cost of doing business and the cost of goods and services. This project is for N21 billion.”

The Minister said the council also approved N589 million consultancy services for professionals to conduct line route studies, environmental/social impact assessment and resettlement action plan as well as environmental/social management plan.

Fashola said the approval is for the government to access the Japanese International Corporation Agency’s loan to support the Transmission Company of Nigeria to continue its transmission grid expansion programme.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/02/fg-approves-n21bn-for-contruction-of.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

THE Nigerian Army, yesterday, said it would soon begin recruitment of eligible internally displaced persons, IDPs, in all camps in the country into the Army, especially those displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, spoke in reaction to IDPs and vulnerable children in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, camps, who told the Army chief of their interest to be enlisted into the service.

He said the development would be part of measures to meaningfully engage the IDPs not only to be useful to themselves, but also make meaningful contributions to the development of the country.

Lt-Gen. Buratai, who spoke during the presentation of food and school items to Praxis Catholic e-School, renamed Hajia Aisha Buhari Special School for IDPs and Vulnerable Children, Abuja, called on the children to dedicate themselves to their studies.

He said when the exercise comes up, those eligible for enlistment should apply, saying like other candidates, they would undergo all necessary procedures. While expressing concern over what they might have gone through in the wake of the insurgency, he encouraged them to continue to have hope in themselves as well as God as their source of inspiration.

Buratai, who was represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Nigerian Army, Major General Peter Bojie, used the occasion to pledge Army’s commitment to its constitutional mandate of safeguarding the lives and properties of people in towns and villages destroyed by Boko Haram .

Earlier, Principal of the school, Mr. Ben Onwubinjo, disclosed that the Praxis Catholic e-School awarded full scholarship to 300 IDPs and vulnerable children to cover boarding, medication, feeding, tuition as well as skill acquisition for three years.

He said the 300 IDPs in the school were selected from 14 camps in the FCT and Nasarawa State, adding that they hailed from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/02/nigerian-army-set-to-recruit-eligible.html

​Nigeria and Arsenal football legend Nwankwo Kanu, says he’s challenged by the latest deal entered into by his former club with telecommunications giants MTN and will do anything in his powers to ensure that the London side has a reputable academy in the country.

Kanu, who also featured for such great clubs as Ajax Amsterdam and Inter Milan, said he now feels duty bound especially now that MTN has brought his former club closer to Nigerians.

“I have been thinking of what Arsenal can do for Nigeria and Nigerians now I think MTN has given me a clue and it’s time to act and bring an academy from my former club here. I am sure they will listen to me”.

He thanked MTN for the partnership with Arsenal and declared that all Nigerians are already beneficiaries of the deal, going by the assurances he got from Arsenal officials present at the event held last Saturday in Lagos.

The Arsenal -MTN deal will last for an initial period of two years and is subject to renewal.

At the occasion, top sports journalists and fans were rewarded by a raffle draw for a trip to watch top games of the EPL in London.

Complete Sports Editor, Dare Esan, was one of the lucky ones alongside Channels TV, Manager, Sports Austin Okon-Akpan.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/02/arsenal-mtn-deal-kanu-vows-to-work-for.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

The Central Bank of Nigeria sold about 400 billion naira ($1.27 billion) of Treasury bills on Friday, lifting the interbank lending rate up to 12 percent, traders said.

The bank sold 82 billion naira in 181-day Treasury bills at 18 percent and 309 billion at 18.6 percent, mopping up liquidity from the money market and pushing up the cost of borrowing among commercial lenders.

“We have some major placers quoting about 20 percent for overnight placement, but most takers are not willing to borrow at that rate,” one dealer said, adding that the rate eventually settled around between 10 percent and 12 percent at 1328 GMT.

Markets had opened on Thursday with a surplus liquidity of about 467 billion naira due to an injection of matured Treasury bills until the central bank later debited banks for the purchases of 302.4 billion in primary market Treasury bills.

Traders said the central bank on Friday further moved to reduce liquidity with the sale of open market operations bills, which fetched returns above the inflation rate.

Nigeria raised 302.4 billion naira at Wednesday’s Treasury bills auction, more than the 242 billion planned due to strong demand for the one-year debt, while payment for the purchased was debited from commercial lenders’ accounts on Friday.

Local currency traded flat at both official interbank window and parallel market, with black market traders quoting the naira flat at 498 to the dollar. Commercial lenders quoted the currency at 305.25 a dollar, about the level it has traded since August.

Nigeria’s main all-share index . fell by 0.52 percent to close at 25.802 points on Friday, dragged down by losses in Nestle (2.86 percent) and Guaranty Trust Bank (2.46 percent). ($1 = 314.50 naira)

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/02/cbn-sells-400-billion-naira-bills-to.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to comply with the Court of Appeal’s ruling stopping the deduction of N50 stamp from deposits of N1000 and above.

In January, last year, CBN directed banks to deduct duty from deposit of N1,000 and above into current account. Last April 21, the appeal court ordered that the deductions be stopped, because they were illegal.

NECA Director-General Mr. Segun Oshinowo accused CBN of not complying with the ruling. He said the deduction affected corporate bodies, among others.

“NECA and organised businesses had opposed attempts by the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) to compel companies to affix N50 postal stamp on all receipts, invoices and documents evidencing transaction of N1,000 and above,” he said.

Oshinowo said it was worrisome that CBN has refused to comply with the ruling on the matter between Kasmal International Services Ltd. and Access Ban and 23 others.

He said: “NECA has expressed concern over the failure of the CBN to reverse its earlier directives to all Deposit Money Banks (DMB) to halt the charging of N50 per eligible transaction in accordance with the assumed provisions of the Stamp Duties Act and Federal Government Financial Regulations (2009). The CBN is, hereby, advised to do the needful without delay by directing cessation of further deductions and commence the refund of all accrued deductions in the past to their customers.

“NECA urges the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to restrain its operatives from pursuing policies that will increase the burden on the citizenry, both corporate and individuals. It affirmed that stamp duty’s applicability is limited to purchases involving large sums like a house purchase or importation of goods as against the position of applying N50 postage stamp to all receipts given by any bank (or financial institution) in acknowledgement of services rendered in respect of electronic transfer and teller deposits.”

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/02/neca-to-cbn-obey-n50-stamp-duty-ruling.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, umbrella body for employers in the country, yesterday, berated Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, over its failure to comply with the Court of Appeal’s ruling directing all Deposit Money Banks, DMB, to discontinue the illegal charging of N50 per transaction in lieu of Stamp Duties.

It will be recalled that the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos on April 21, 2016, ruled against the imposition of stamp duties on bank lodgements with value of N1,000 and above.

The Federal Government had planned to raise about N2.5 trillion per annum from the duty.

Ruling on an appeal filed by Standard Chartered Bank against Kasmal International Services Limited and 22 others, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa and four other Justices of the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, held that the Stamp Duties Act, 2004 did not impose a duty on Deposit Money Banks to deduct N50 on deposits.

The CBN had, in a circular issued to the DMBs, directed them to deduct N50 for stamp duties on every deposit into a current account of N1,000 and above from January 1, 2016.

The circular, which has since been implemented by the banks, came despite the pendency of issue in the court.

Furthermore, even after the Court of Appeal order to DMBs to discontinue the stamp duty charge, the banks have continued debiting customers’ accounts on stamp duty.

NECA and the Organised Private Sector, OPS, had opposed attempts by the Nigeria Postal Service, NIPOST, to compel companies to affix a N50 postal stamp on all receipts, invoices and documents evidencing transaction of N1, 000 and above.

NECA, in a statement in Lagos by its Director General, Mr. Segun Oshinowo, said that “There had been a landmark ruling in the case at the Court of Appeal on this subject matter between Kasmal International Services Limited and Access Bank and 23 others, which declared the deductions illegal.

“NECA has expressed grave concern over the failure of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to reverse its earlier directives to all DMBs to halt the charging of N50 per eligible transaction in accordance with the assumed provisions of the Stamp Duties Act and Federal Government Financial Regulations (2009). The CBN is hereby, advised to do the needful without delay by directing cessation of further deductions and commence the refund of all accrued deductions in the past to their customers.

“NECA urges the Buhari administration to restrain its operatives from pursuing policies that will increase the burden on the citizenry both corporate and individuals. Stamp Duty’s applicability is limited to purchases involving large sums like a house purchase or importation of goods as against the position of applying N50 postage stamp to all receipts given by any bank (or financial institution) in acknowledgement of services rendered in respect of electronic transfer and teller deposits.”

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/02/neca-attacks-cbn-over-n50-stamp-duty.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

Children of the slain former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Chief Bola Ige, Funso and Muyiwa have declared that they have fulfilled the wishes of their late father.

They said their father had wished them better life which had come true.

They spoke at the 50th birthday celebration of the son of the late politician, Architect Muyiwa Ige held at the St Agnes Church Molete Ibadan on Saturday, where scores of dignitaries felicitated with the family.

The Bishop, Diocese of Ibadan, Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dr. Joseph Akinfenwa who ministered at the Thanksgiving service to mark the 50th birthday admonished the celebrant to appreciate God over his life.

The cleric, in his message premised on the epistle, Philipians 4:4-9, read by the celebrant himself, urged the Esa-Oke born architect not to forget the lessons of his birth, being a son of a prominent, cultured and discipline politician, whose indelible mark on the terrace of Nigerian political landscape still trends till today.

He said “you have to continually appreciate God almighty for giving you the grace to live up to the golden age. Don’t forget the lessons of your birth, having come from that family, and seek the face of the Lord the more.”

Bishop Akinfenwa eulogized Muyiwa Ige for coming this far, saying, “he is not a spoilt politician’s son. And that is why he’s been able to make a mark for himself throughout the world in his profession.”

Architect Muyiwa Ige, popularly known as MI, is the immediate past commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Osun State.

A native of Esa-Oke, Obokun Local government, Osun state, he was born into the illustrious family of Late Chief Bola Ige, SAN, and Honourable Justice (Mrs) Atinuke Ige, JCA, OFR, on January 28, 1967.

His sister, Mrs Olufunso Adegbola who expressed her joy at seeing her brother attain the golden age posed that they had graciously lived to fulfil their parents prayers.

She said “Our parents prayed a lot for us, everyday of their lives, and we are bold to testify this scripture has come true in our lives: ‘I have been young and now I am old, I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor their seed beg for bread.’

“I rejoice today because we have proved the Yoruba adage wrong that ‘Algbara ma bi ole,’ instead our story is ‘Omo TI Ekun ba bi lo ma njo.’

Our parents raised and trained us all, very well,in the ways of the Lord, so now that we are old we will never depart from it. They prayed that we will all succeed in our family life and in our professions, that we will do exploits and their prayers have come true.”

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/we-have-fulfilled-our-fathers-wishes.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

LAGOS – Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, has said the recent ban on frozen poultry products, pharmaceutical products and some categories of drinks, among others, will lead to increase in the capacity utilisation of the affected sectors.

Director in charge of Economics and Statistics Department of MAN, Mr. Ambrose Oruche, who disclosed this to Vanguard in Lagos, commended government’s decision to place ban on some imported items which he said would have positive effect on the manufacturing sector if properly implemented.

He said: “Yes, it will have positive effect on the sectors affected. The manufacturing sector has the capacity to meet the demand as a result of the policy.

“When we operate below 45-44 percent capacity, it means that there is 54-55 per cent capacity that is lying idle. All that is needed is to deploy the idle capacity. So the capacity is there but the issue is Nigerians patronising made in Nigeria products.”

“If the restriction is properly implemented, definitely it is bound to have a ripple effect on the sectors in the economy.”

He expressed worry over the ability of government agencies to effectively enforce the import restriction policy which he noted will make none-sense of the intension of the policy.

“Another major thing about import restriction is the effectiveness of the implementation because when you restrict some products and you get to the super-market and you find them there, it shows that it is not working. The authorities in charge, the Customs and all the other relevant agencies must be on their feet to make sure that the policy works because if the policy does not work, it will still not have effect

“Another point is the issue of re-orientation because Nigerians believe that foreign products are better or they prefer foreign products, also that foreign culture is better than their own culture, that what is outside is better than what is inside, which is the belief of an average Nigerian.

“That is the major problem, when we begin to look down on what we have and then believe that what comes from the outside is better, that is a sign of inferiority, a sign of not believing in oneself.

“I do not expect an American preferring made in Nigerian goods to that made in America. It is all about patriotism, it is all about believing in ourselves,” he noted.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/import-restriction-will-increase.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

The nation’s interbank lending rate dropped by 6.5 per cent to five per cent on Friday, as the money market was awash with cash from budgetary disbursal and coupon payment on matured bonds.

The interbank lending rate, also called the cost of borrowing among banks, had closed at 11.5 per cent last Friday due to a drop in liquidity in the market necessitated by bond and treasury bills sales.

According to Reuters, traders said on Friday that around N400bn was injected into the banking system on Wednesday from the December budget allocations to states and local governments, while N49bn coupon on matured bonds was released by the Central Bank of Nigeria on Friday, boosting liquidity and forcing down the interbank rate.

On Thursday, the CBN withdrew around N217bn through the sale of short-dated Open Market Operations bills in a bid to reduce the level of excess liquidity in the banking system, but market liquidity remains high.

The balance in commercial banks’ accounts with the CBN stood at N254.46bn surplus on Friday, against N202.58bn the previous week.

“We strongly believe that the central bank will conduct more OMO next week to take out the excess cash from the system,” one trader said, adding that expected dollar sales at a special forex auction could also help reduce the liquidity level and seen rate rising again.

The naira was unchanged at 498 to the dollar on the parallel market and 305.25 a dollar on the official interbank window on Friday as the market awaited the result of a special forex auction targeted at selected sectors of the economy.

The central bank had on Wednesday asked commercial lenders to submit backlog dollar demand from fuel importers, airlines, raw materials producers, and makers of agricultural chemicals and machinery for manufacturers.

The stock market’s main index rose by 0.15 per cent to 26,328 points, the highest level since January 16, driven by gains in energy company, Oando, which was up by 4.05 per cent and local French Total tick up 4.9 per cent.

Meanwhile, the CBN has asked banks to bid in a special currency auction to clear a backlog of dollar obligations that businesses owe.

In a notice to commercial lenders, the CBN said it would hold a retail foreign exchange auction to sell two- to five-month dollar forwards. The amount of dollars to be sold was unspecified, according to traders.

Last December, the CBN sold around $1bn on the forward market to clear a similar backlog of dollar obligations, in an effort to support production in the economy.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/interbank-rate-drops-by-65-on-liquidity.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

When MTN Nigeria introduced Share ‘n’ Sell features few years ago, everyone applauded them for a job well done and ever since then, the service has been running smoothly without attracting any transfer fee.

But as economic downturn rages in Africa, and the prices of items sky rocket without immeasurable control, beginning from 31st of January, 2017 MTN Share n Sell transfer services will no longer be free. MTN subscribers will start paying transaction fee on any airtime transfer initiated to other MTN subscribers.

MTN sent a message across to subscribers as seen below;

“Dear Customer, please be informed that Share n Sell transactions will attract applicable transfer fee, effective January 31, 2017”

This is no longer funny, instead of applying charges to the service, why not just scrap it completely… after all the share n sell transfer is within the same MTN network ; why the extra charges?

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/recession-mtn-nigeria-introduce.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

The Ooni of Ife in Osun, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has embarked on the beautification of 201 traditional shrines and heritage centres in the ancient town to attract international tourists and traditionalists.

The monarch disclosed this through the Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Ooni’s Palace, Mr Moses Olafare, to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said that Ile-Ife is home to 201 out of the 401 deities in Yoruba land, adding that the shrines had been rallying points for the Yoruba people in South-West Nigeria, and in the Diaspora.

Ogunwusi said that the histories of the shrines as narrated by their custodians had assisted many traditionalists and foreign tourists to trace their origins and family roots.

They had assisted most Yoruba people in the Diaspora to deepen how they practised their religion and faith, he said.

“The shrines accommodating the 201deities in the ancient city are now monuments and heritage sites for the Yoruba race and other traditionalists from the rest of the world.

“The shrines include: Olokun, Osara, Orunmila, Oduduwa, Oranfe and Aje,” he said.

“People visit the shrines in the same way Muslims and Christians go on pilgrimage to their holy lands.

“The preservation of these deities is a justification that Ile Ife is actually a sanctified town,’’ he said.

The monarch said that the facelift given to the shrines had attracted several local and international tourists to the town.

“It has also brought about development to the town; and positively impacted on the socio-economic lives of the community, ” he said.

He said that Ile Ife used to worship the deities almost all year round. It is only one day that no deity is worshipped in Ile Ife in a year.

The monarch also said that Ile-Ife is a sacred town known to be the source of the Oduduwa race called the Yoruba people.

He said that members of the race could be found in South West Nigeria, Edo State as well as in Ghana.

He said that they were also in the Republic of Benin, Togo, Cuba, Brazil, as well as in Trinand and Tobago that had traced their genealogy to Oduduwa and Ile-Ife.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/ooni-commences-beautification-of-201.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

Some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), have been reportedly rejected after spending weeks in their place of primary assignment (PPA) in Gombe State.

The corpers posted to the Federal University, Kashere in Gombe State, were waiting for their internal posting letters from the school but reportedly got a letter reversing the earlier acceptance of the corpers.

One of the corps members while narrating the shocking story said:

I think it’s hightime we did the right thing if the authorities think the wrong thing is the best. I am writing to tell Nigerians what we are passing through in the hands of the management of Federal university, Kashere.

I received my posting letter on DEC 14, 2016 in Gombe state NYSC camp nd I was posted with other corp members to FUK to serve our father’s land, most of us left the camp immediately to the institution to know our fate if we will be accepted or rejected, fortunately, we were all accepted after which we applied for leave in order to get what we need for the service year.

We resumed back to the institution after our break thinking our internal posting letters will be ready but we were surprised that nothing has been done for the past two weeks.

Mr Ibrahim who’s the officer in charge said we should keep on checking that the management is busy and the VC is not on seat and we should not be perturbed because they’ve accepted us already but the VC needs to sanction it and sign.

This lingered for more than 3weeks before Mr Ibrahim said we should check on 23rd of January for our internal posting letters but what we got was a real shocker, we got a letter reversing their earlier acceptance of some corp members.

They complained that we were too much for them and they can’t pay all ofnus.
The question is what are the criteria they used? they dropped all the first class students except one who knows the king of akko and they also accepted HND lower credit and 3rd class over those who met the standards of being posted to an institution and it should be noted that most of them were not posted to the school initially but they got rejection letter from their former PPA and came to the school on request.

Some of us even plead to serve without pay because we’ve already paid for accommodation because the school said no accommodation for corpers but this fell on their deaf ears, they said it’s the management decision.

We are all confused and distraught because some of us are Yoruba and ibo and we have nobody here in Gombe state and the school has decided to waste our time and refuse to refund our rent, we called the NYSC staff, but they said they have resumed camp. It still amazed me, if a degree awarding institution will not respect, recognise and do things on merit or first come first serve, then is their future for Nigeria?

If a 3rd class and HND lower credit will be accepted over those who had first class and 2’1, then what is the message this institution is passing across?

so far they can pay 10k for of the selected 10 corp members, why can’t they cut our allowance and share the 100k (10*10k) for the 20 corpers knowing fully well we’ve settled down and gotten accommodation, why would they accept us from outset when they know they can’t pay or should I say the management is not competent enough.

This is what we are passing through right now in kashere, Gombe state and I want the relevant authorities to take action.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/nysc-members-get-disturbing-letters.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

The Presidential Advisory Committe Against Corruption is to partner with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the fight against corruption in the country.

The Executive Secretary of the Committe, professor Bolaji Owasanoye who disclosed this at the Inaugural meeting of the International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC) Africa in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Solidarity Centre, on the Campaign against illicit Financial Flows from Africa, in Abuja, said Government had done a lot to block all linkages in the country.

Prof. Bolaji further disclosed that while the present administration has made progress in blocking the likages, it is faced with challenges of repatriating stolen funds from outside the country.

According to him, the reason is that most developed countries enact legislation that make returning these funds difficult, rather they are brought back through aids and other development agendas.

“I am sure that you wonder sometimes how much these countries loved us to come and spend these much in our country. It is the money stolen that is finding its way back. All we need to do is to plug the loophole from our own end.”

According to him” When the recognise and put some measures to stop the bleeding, the next is to say let us have the resource returned, then you begin to have all manner of problem. That is why the issue of asset recovery has become an issue of global concern. Some countries are presently passing laws to make asset return almost impossible.

“There are countries that if your money get there, you cannot get it back by law. They will agree with you that it was stolen from your country, but you can’t get it back. That of course is legalising the recipient of stolen properly because in basic common law, both the thief and the receiver of the stolen goods are equally guilty”.

He urged for partnership with well meaning organisation of conscience like the labour movement to up their advocacy on the next task which is assets recovery.

“This is another level of advocacy that we all need to prepare to fight. You may be aware that Nigerian has been having trouble recovering assets that have been identified returned to us. All manner of obstacles have been out on the way if having these returned.

“In some situation, we know that money that are legally earned, but illegally transferred become illicit financial flow automatically because our laws are very clear on how to repatriate funds.

Under the UN convention which many of us have signed onto, these money are returnable, but developed countries will begin to dance around it.”

According to him, “there a lot of consciousness is now being focused on an area that we have hitherto, out of ignorance ignored to our own detriment, he stressed that lots of initiatives are coming up that are focussing on illicit financial flow. But the starting point is public education because people don’t know what really is illicit financial flow.

“A lot of people focus on corruption and activities of politically exposed persons who occupy public offices. That is as bad, but even worse is the work of the private sector which many of us do not even understand because of the complexity of this sector”.

Speaking earlier, NLC president, Ayuba Wabba said the Congress will continue to partner with government on the fight against corruption which according to him was the reason behind under -development in Nigeria

He described as unacceptable the enormous resources Nigeria is bless with, a lot of its youths are out of school, with many others with without job and shelters.

“The challenges are enormous, despite the huge resources Africa has and despite the enormous potentials that it has, you will still see children are out of schools, no payment of salaries, no basic amenities and a host of other challenges.

“In most countries resources are taken out unaccounted including Nigeria where the crude oil that is taken out is not accounted for, so this become a very serious challenge. Also the Thabo Mbeki’s report on illicit financial flows out of Africa gave us a perspective on the enormousity of the challenges. So if you look at the challenges, is at the heart of our activity.

“In most countries the issue of development is taken to the background and worst hit are the working class, their families and pensioners and therefore it should be a priority. For us at the NLC we remain committed in partnering with government in trying to effectively wage a serious war against corruption, because we believe is a result of corruption that our critical infrastructure are not working despite enormous resources committed to fixing these infrastructure”.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/fg-nlc-partner-to-tackle-corruption.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

All serving Corps members are to be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable them access qualitative healthcare.

Executive Secretary of the NHIS Professor Usman Yusuf disclosed this today when he visited the NYSC Director-General Brigadier General Sulaiman Kazaure.

He said the proposal followed a Presidential directive on evolving measures that would enhance access to qualitative healthcare for the Corps members.

Usman said NHIS officials would go to all camps during Orientation course to capture biometric data of Corps members as a first step in the process of enrollment.

He explained that, as the Corps members get posted to places of primary assignment, the NHIS would assign each of them to a hospital where they would be getting treatment in the event of illness.

The Executive Secretary also said the agency had made proposal to government to enable it make direct payments to hospitals that would renders healthcare services to the Corps members instead of doing so through the Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).

This, he said, was to avoid hitches often occasioned by failure of some HMOs to make appropriate payments to the hospitals.

The Executive Secretary also announced plan to deploy Corps members posted to the NHIS for primary assignment to its Desk Offices that would be established in all hospitals nationwide.

“The Desk Officers will be there to serve as advocates for the enrollees and for them to be our ears and eyes in the hospitals.

“They have direct access to me. So if there are problems in the hospitals; with the doctors or the nurses, if they are not treated well or the HMOs are not paying them, they know who to get to,” he added.

Usman also explained that the planned deployment of Corps members to the Desk Offices was part of several measures the agency would be taking to ensure their effective utilization.

Reminiscing on his service year experience, the Executive Secretary lauded the role of the NYSC in the unity and development of the country, and went to say he supports its continued existence.

Responding, the Director-General, Brigadier General Sulaiman Kazaure, thanked the NHIS for coming up with the idea of enrolling Corps members.

Kazaure disclosed that the NYSC Management was already nursing similar idea, adding that it would help to advance Corps welfare policy of the Scheme.

The Director-General also welcome the proposal by NHIS to make direct payment to hospitals noting that payment through an HMO led to the failure of a previous initiative by the NYSC on enrollment of Corps members several years ago.

He, however, appealed to the NHIS to ensure that the Corps members enjoy comprehensive services instead of the present situation whereby many healthcare providers claim that the NHIS does not cover certain healthcare needs.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/nhis-set-to-enroll-nysc-corps-members.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

Enjoy this short poetry piece which talks about how lovely and beautiful life is.

Life is all about love, because life without love is empty.

The best expression of love is time.
The most desired gift of love is focused attention.

Whenever you give your time, you are making a sacrifice and sacrifice is the essence of love.
One can give without loving but cannot love without giving.

Love means giving up - yielding one's preferences, comfort, goals, security, money, energy or time for the benefit of someone loved.

The best use of life is love and the best expression of love is time, and the best time to love is now.
Time is precious because it waits for no man.

There is a time to love and time to die when one will either regret his/her actions or laugh back at the sweet memories of love.

Love makes one feel more younger, because it covers all grey hair, skeleton, wrinkles, spot.

A fulfilled man is a loved man.

Written by Idowu Folayemi

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

The Osun State police command has paraded a graduate of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) and others for snatching a motorcycle.

Segun Oluwalogbon known as Baado by his Eiye fraternity members was a graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology was paraded along side with some others suspects namely: Segun Olaniyi, Adeyemo Lekan, Mathew Bamidele, Babatunde Afeez, Akinloye Femi, Taiwo Femi, Hammed Olatunji, Ayodeji Adewale, Babangiga Yahusa and one Azeez (surname unknown).

Segun Oluwalogbon and three others on 1st January, 2017 at 2:30am was said that they charted a commercial motorcycle at Ola-Iya junction, Osogbo to onward area Ogo-Oluwa where they launch attack on the motorcyclist and whisked away the bajaj motorcycle, phone and N20,000.

While Adeyemo Lekan, Segun Olaniyi and others who are now at large rushed out to of the bush with cutlass to attack an commercial motorcyclist identify as Wasiu Ajase by inflicting cut on him and went away with his bike.

While the commissioner of Police was addressing the journalists he said Segun was apprehended by vigilante men on patrol and diligent effort is engaged to arrest others fleeing suspects.

He said ” During the course of the investigation followed by the complain of Wasiu to the police station Adeyemo Lekan was arrested which lead to the arrest of other thirteen suspects and we recovered fifteen different make of motorcycle.”

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/police-parades-lautech-graduate-others.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

One of Africa’s leading financial institutions, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), has sent its Chief Executive Officer Kennedy Uzoka to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

The WEF is a Swiss nonprofit foundation based in Cologny, Geneva, that is recognized by Swiss authorities as an international body to improve the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders to shape global, regional, and industry agendas. It is best known for its annual meeting at the end of January in Davos, a mountain resort in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland.

The meeting will bring together over 2,500 top business leaders, international political leaders, economists, and journalists for up to four days to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world.

The UBA delegation will interact with global business and political leaders during the event.

A statement from the bank said the delegation will also include Group Head of Correspondent Banking Sola Yomi-Ajayi and Head of Embassies and Development Organizations ( EMDOs) Dupe K. Outsole, responsible for relationships with multilateral and development organizations.

UBA is present in 19 African countries, as well as in London, New York and Paris.

The WEF will provide a forum for UBA to build engagement with international institutions.

UBA CEO Uzoka said in a release about the event: “It is critical that UBA joins world business and political leaders to discuss issues central to the progress of our world, and with specific relevance to the continent of Africa.

“UBA is the natural partner for those seeking access to Africa’s business opportunities – we look forward to engaging with the world’s business community – to show that Africa is open to business and that UBA is ready to partner.”

He said as a bank operating in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, and other African countries, UBA evolved into a pan-African provider of banking and related financial services to more than 11 million customers, through diverse channels.

Despite the current strong economic headwinds across Africa, the Group is committed to increasing its pan-African footprint, officials said.

According to its website, the bank’s “strength in corporate banking, payment technology, trade finance, and its million-strong customer base make UBA a natural partner for global businesses focused on the African opportunity.”

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/uba-ready-to-partner-with-global.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

The Union of Tomato Paste Manufacturers in Nigeria has raised alarm over the danger of the foreign exchange policy on the industry.

They said that the once vibrant industry might cease to exist next year if the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) did not amend its policy on forex to exclude triple concentrate tomato paste from the scope of the 41 items under the restricted list.
The union raised the alarm through its spokesperson, Mr. Nnamdi Nnodebe.

Nnodebe, who is also the Managing Director, Sonia Foods Industries Limited, said: “While trying to heal the economy, the pillars that hold the economy together are being removed. Pillars such as the tomato industry are invaluable to growing a vibrant economy. The total investment in the packing manufacturing sector of tomato paste is about N19 billion. The economy cannot afford to lose such a huge industry that provides millions of direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians.

The fact is this industry that grew to be the 13th largest in the world and second largest in Africa might die before the second quarter of next year if the ban on forex is not lifted.”

“The unavailability of tomato paste triple concentrate for the industry will grind production to a halt; meaning millions of people who depend on the industry for their livelihood will lose their jobs or have reduced incomes. The impact of this on the economy will be massive and negative as consumer behaviour will also be influenced leading to low purchase of goods in all sectors, not just tomato. These workers also patronise electronics shops, banks, petrol stations, they pay taxes etc. but they will no longer be able to fulfill all these.”

The value of imported tomato paste in Nigeria used to be about 170 million USD (before the CBN ban on 41 items). The imported triple concentrate tomato paste used as raw material by the packers used to be around $50 million out of the $170 million (2014). The imported concentrated raw material is then further processed in order to make it available for the consumers into products such as consumer packs of tomato paste, ketchup, sauces etc.

“It makes better economics to import the raw materials that will enable production, grow the economy and keep jobs rather than importing the finished products or frustrating efforts to get the raw materials, thereby rendering millions jobless which might further kill the economy.

The local packing industry can also form the hub for exports to the hinterland countries as there are adequate local capacities to more than cater to the domestic requirement,” Nnodebe said..

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/tomato-paste-manufacturers-tackle-cbn.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

Nigerian lawmakers have adopted an official exchange rate of 305 naira per dollar for the 2017 budget but have asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to initiate measures to close the 40 percent spread with the black market, deputy senate president said on Wednesday.

Members of the upper house of parliament said during a review of the budget on Wednesday that they were worried about the exchange rate differential, which they described as damaging to the economy and said had led to a loss of investor confidence.

“We are worried by the huge gap. The CBN needs to do something about it and stabilize the currency. We must find a way of bridging the gap and restore investor confidence,” deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu read out in the house.

The naira’s official rate, controlled by the government, has hovered just above 300 to the dollar since it was devalued in June. But the gap, 40 percent stronger than the parallel market, is discouraging investment from overseas and leaving Nigeria starved of foreign currency.

Echoing the senate’s concerns, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said on Tuesday that Nigeria needed to close the gap “very soon”, as Africa’s largest economy grapples with inflation and the risks of devaluation.

The official and black market naira foreign exchange rates will be “unified” this year, but there is no time frame for when it could happen, said Osinbajo.

Financial institutions, among others, have argued that Nigeria must allow its currency to float freely to solve its foreign exchange woes, a measure which has met opposition from President Muhammadu Buhari.

In an effort to step up the foreign currency shortfall, Buhari’s government has been in talks with financial institutions, including the World Bank, for loans.

But those efforts to secure funds have stalled because Nigeria has not submitted the required economic reform plans, according to one of the banks and sources close to the matter.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/2017-budget-nigeria-adopts-305-naira.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

A Robber has made away with over N600,000 belonging to Bank Customers in the Apapa-Warehouse Branch of Diamond Bank in Lagos State after disguising as a Bank Staff. See full Story below:

As shared by Facebook User, Nnamdi Ikeh-Akabogu:

INTELLIGENT ROBBERY, WITHIN BANKING HALLS:

“I have a neighbour who sells foodstuffs. She travelled for the new year so so instructed a relation to pay in the money(130,000) into her Diamond Bank Account…

She was in the Banking Hall, Warehouse Branch, Apapa, with the money in her bag. While filling her teller, someone asked her if she was paying in & at which she said yes. She later joined the long pay-in queue.

After a moment, and with d queue practically not moving, a young man, dressed in corporate suit (all thought was the Bank’s cashier) came close to her and in a low voice asked for people who were paying above 100,000.

About five people stepped out and he asked them to follow him a few meters away from the queue. They all thought he was the Bank’s staff, out to offer help.

He collected all their money, the completed tellers and asked them to wait on the line, so he can go in and stamp their tellers…..

And so the man left. They waited and waited endlessly, not knowing that he had long exited the Bank,through the rear exit, with their over #650,000.00.

It was after d seemingly unending wait they decided to report d matter to the Manager,who had to come down… checked the CCTV footage and behold, the gentleman in suit, was neither the Bank’s cashier nor even a staff !

The security guard confirmed it was the third time such was happening in that same Branch alone !

My fellow Nigerians, we must BEWARE of activities of fraudsters, particularly in the Banking Halls !!

We should please share to avoid more people falling victims.”

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/very-disturbing-report-coming-in-from.html

The Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has warned Nigerians against the risk involved in investing in digital currencies such as Swisscoin, OneCoin and Bitcoin, as vehicles of investment.

In a public notice on its website, SEC said that none of the individuals or companies promoting the use of the currencies is recognized by it or any other regulatory agency in the country.

Such digital currencies, otherwise known as Cryptocurrency, is a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange using cryptography to secure the transactions and to control the creation of additional units of the currency. Bitcoin became the first decentralized cryptocurrency in 2009.

The Commission, therefore, said such investments been promoted by the companies could be risky with possibility of loss of money by investors, while others could be outright fraudulent pyramid schemes.

“Given that these instruments and the persons, companies or entities that promote the digital currencies have neither been authorized, nor any guidelines/regulations developed for them by any of the regulatory authorities in Nigeria, there is no protection available to users or investors in these virtual currencies from financial losses if the virtual currencies fail or the companies promoting them go out of business.

“The public and consumers of financial services are further advised that before making any investment or entering into any financial services transaction they should ascertain that the entity with whom the investment or transaction is being made is authorized by the Commission or other financial services regulatory authority as applicable to provide such services.,” it said.

It would be recalled that the Nigeria Insurance Deposit Commission, NDIC, in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, had recently set up a committee to study the trending “digital currency, ‘bitcoin.

According to Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, Managing Director, NDIC, the Commission would look at the advantages and disadvantages of the currency and what it means for the payment system in Nigeria as well as safety and security of customers

“We will also look at what it means for money laundering, anti corruption, crime and measurement of money /near money instrument for the economy. But we need a lot of education to do this and I am calling on you (media) to educate yourselves about all of this so you can educate the public,” he said.

He said that a lot of Nigerians have already started patronising bitcoin, stressing that ‘it had started to creep in and nobody could stop it.

He said that in Europe and the United States, it has gained ground and some of the leading banks in Europe have also adopted their own versions of bitcoins.

“Some of the central banks have also adopted it and are seriously doing everything possible to bring in the emergence of these invisible products,” he added.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2017/01/sec-warns-against-investment-in-bitcoin.html

Lalasticlala Mynd44 seun Dominique

Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) is always welcomed with mixed feelings by all Nigerian graduates.

Why? Because of the epic tales – of good, bad, ugly and unbelievable experiences of young Nigerians during the nation’s youth corp programme.

Anyone who has undergone this compulsory one-year service will identify with the following… (but if you haven’t yet served your fatherland, anticipate them).

Posting tension
This is the first of many challenges faced by youth corp members. The fear of an unknown destination is one that prospective corp members usually have to grapple with.

Even if your uncle is friends with the director-general, there are times when you wonder what would happen if you’re posted to a remote town.

While some cherish the chance to explore a new culture, others dread having to go far away from home.

Camp activities and morning drills
From registration to the 4am morning drills, the 3-week orientation exercise can be a nightmarish experience for corp members.

Daily lectures which are intended to educate and expose corp members to entreprenurial opportunities, could drag on for hours, such that corp members often get distracted and begin to dream of lunch time.

PPA (a.k.a Primary place of assignment)
While a few youth corp members are spared of this challenge , those affected can testify to the difficulty in securing an organisation to work with for the service year.

Many youth corp members eventually resign to fate and settle with becoming a teacher for the mandatory one year scheme.

Monthly clearance
This is a monthly NYSC ritual and anyone that has passed through the scheme would understand how tiring the process can be.

Getting the monthly clearance done is most often in four stages.

Before a youth corper can get paid their monthly allowance, they first have to submit a clearance letter for signing, carry out thumb printing, write down account details and eventually submit the files and await bank alerts.

This process, despite being seemingly straightforward, is the true definition of “easier said than done”.

Accommodation
For those who get posted to states outside their states of residence, accommodation can be a big problem.
Getting a comfortable place on a corper’s salary can be a bit challenging.

Catcalls
Walking on the streets in your NYSC uniform has its rewards — catcalls.
Ladies in particular, can relate to this.

You’ll have to decide whether to ignore or acknowledge “corper”, “Otondo” and every other nickname Nigerians have coined for corp members, over the years.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2016/08/6-nysc-challenges-every-youth-corp.html

After the huge success of his Maiden Movie ’30 Days in Atlanta’ AY the Comedian is back with another monster Flick titled ‘ A Trip To Jamaica’ Featuring Celebrated Hollywood Veteran Eric Roberts, Paul Campbell of ‘The 3rd World Cop’ fame in Jamaica, Nollywood A- List actress Nse Ikpe-Etim, Ghanaian Lover Boy Chris Attoh, Dan Davies from Hollywood and Rebecca Silvera.

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2016/08/download-trip-to-jamaica-starr-ay-funke.html

Episode 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of Jenifas diary now fully posted for easy download

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2016/08/download-jenifas-diary-complete-season.html

We are Here to serve u better

Episode 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of Jenifas diary now fully posted for easy download

http://www.kikiotolu.com/2016/08/download-jenifas-diary-complete-season.html

We are Here to serve u better

I vote FYNESTBOI



Cc. NLJega

I vote for Lanicky CC NLjega

I vote Lanicky cc nljega