₦airaland Forum

Hundreds of passengers of Aero Contractors Airline were yesterday stranded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Domestic Terminal, MMA2, Lagos, due to the inability of the airline to buy aviation fuel otherwise known as JET A1 for its aircraft to ferry it’s passengers to their various destinations. Vanguard gathered that the airline could not fly because of its indebtedness to suppliers of JET A1 who were not ready to grant it further credit facility . The situation started very early in the morning up till around 2:00pm when the passengers became restive. This is coming barely three weeks after AMCON took over the running of Aero Contractors Airline. Most of the passengers nearly traded punches with the ticketing officers. At a certain point, ticketing clerks fled the counters for fear of being manhandled by the passengers.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/aero-contractors-passengers-stranded-at-lagos-airport/

The siege on Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected Fulani herdsmen has continued with no fewer than 300 persons reportedly killed in the last one week. Vanguard gathered that several villages, including Okokolo, Akwu, Ocholonya, Adagbo, Ugboku and Aila have been razed, while decomposing bodies of those killed littered the various communities. According to a source, “several communities including Obagaji, the Local Government headquarters, where people usually took refuge in the past, have been deserted. “People are fleeing into Ugbokpo in neighbouring Apa council. It is a well coordinated attack on Agatu communities. “As I speak with you, fighting is still raging; many are missing and we have a huge number of displaced persons without facilities to house them.” A statement by Opiatoha K’Idoma, a socio-cultural organisation of Idoma sons and daughters, through its Secretary, Adoka Adaji, said the crisis had created a huge refugee situation in the area. The organisation said: “What we see happening in Agatu today can be likened to happenings in the North-East and we call for urgent action by the Federal Government. “The Idoma nation is helpless. Over 300 Agatu people have been killed and others maimed in one week without concerted effort by the state government to abate the attack, killings and destruction. “On the other hand, there are no identifiable camps to cater for the Internally Displaced Persons, which include mostly women and children; we call on the Federal Government to establish a full military base in Agatu, otherwise the area will soon become history.” Mark tasks Buhari Meanwhile, former Senate President, Senator David Mark has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently mobilise security apparatus to the area “with a view to putting a stop to the senseless carnage currently ravaging Agatu.” Senator Mark, who made the call in a release by his Special Assistant, Benue Liaison, Dr. Adakole Elijah, yesterday, lamented the incessant attacks on Agatu communities. Mark urged government to station soldiers in the area to check the attacks and also urged Benue and Nasarawa state governments to take steps to check the carnage.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/300-die-as-herdsmen-farmers-clash-in-benue/

Sellers of sachet water popularly known as ‘’Pure Water’’ Thursday took to the streets of Kubwa village environ protesting the increase of the cost price of the product. The protesters lamented that a bag of the product which usually contains 20 sachets and which was initially sold for N100 (Naira), now goes for N150 as the wholesalers attributed the increased cost to the scarcity of Dollars and the resultant depreciation of the Naira. They further argued that if the situation was not addressed urgently, they could be out of business. A protester, Yusuf lamented that the product, which hitherto sold for N100 per bag, now sells between N140 and N150. He said they witnessed low patronage in the past weeks. “Now that we sell at N15 and N20, people who drank five or more sachets have reduced their patronage, unlike when we sold at N10 per sachet. Lamenting that it was unbearable for them to sell at the new price and still make profit, some of the protesters interviewed threatened to increase the price per sachet from N10 to N20 if nothing was done by the authorities to reverse the trend. “The turnover is poor and at the end of the day, what we take home is not commensurate with the stress. We are in a season where people don’t drink much; the rains are here and people don’t seem to be thirsty like they are during the dry season. “We pay levy of between N20 to N50 every day before we are allowed to sell in motor parks and with the current situation, things are beyond our limit”. Another hawker, Mrs. Cynthia Ikwumezie said problem started when producers went on strike for alleged rise in price of water proof used in packaging the product. The protesters called on the state government to address the situation. They pleaded that government should abolish the tolls they pay in the parks. A bag of sachet water which sold for N100 now sells for between N140 to N150, while roadside retailers sell at N15 per sachet as against the previous N10.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/dollar-scarcity-pure-water-sellers-protest-hike-in-price-in-abuja/

There is the possibility of the currency of the United States of America being banned as a commodity for transaction in Nigeria if the current filed suit succeeds.

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, praying for an order restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria from allowing market forces to determine the exchange rate of naira, according to the Punch.

The senior advocate also asked the court in his suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/146/16, to direct the CBN to stop the use of the United States of America’s dollar as a legal tender in Nigeria.

The suit was filed on behalf of Falana by a lawyer in his firm, Mr. Wisdom Elum. The CBN is sued as the sole defendant in the suit which had yet to be assigned to a judge.

Falana alleged in the suit that CBN’s monetary policy‎ had led to a situation where too much naira was made to chase a few dollar with an attendant weaker naira and adverse multiplier effects such as rising inflation, closure of factories and high level of unemployment.

He also alleged that the CBN had so “dollarised the economy” that the foreign currency had become a legal tender, with school fees as well as rents now being charged and paid in dollars “to the detriment of the economy”.

‎He contended that while the CBN had fixed the exchange rate at N198 to a dollar, and President Muhammadu Buhari continuing to restate his vow never to devalue the naira, the ‎apex bank “had allowed market forces to increase the exchange rate to over N400 to a dollar”.

A supporting affidavit deposed to by another lawyer in Falana’s law firm, Mr. Femi Adedeji, stated, “The devaluation of the currency and dollarisation of the economy have made mockery of the yet to be passed 2016 budget of the Federal Government.

“The monetary policy of the defendant (the CBN) has led to a situation whereby too much naira chase few dollars thereby making the naira weaker in relation to the dollar and instigating an adverse multiplier effect.

“The monetary policy of the defendant has also led to increasing costs, rapidly rising inflation and interest rates, closure of factories and the attendant high level of unemployment.”
http://www.tori.ng/news/22096/usage-of-dollar-as-legal-tender-maybe-banned-in-ni.html

The Envoy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Amb. John Groffen, on Wednesday said that about 60 Nigerians last year benefited from the scholarships of the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP).

Groffen told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the NFP scholarships had afforded the Nigerian beneficiaries the opportunities to study in different educational institutions in the Netherlands.

“We have a Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP), which enables Nigerians to study in the Netherlands.
“In 2015, more than 60 Nigerians benefited from our scholarship programme under the NFP, which enabled them to study in the Netherlands,’’ he said.

The Envoy expressed satisfaction at the growing level of educational and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and the Netherlands.
Groffen said that his government was looking forward to more future cooperation with Nigeria in the area of educational exchanges.

The Netherlands representative in Nigeria, also said that there were currently about 30 Dutch companies in different parts of Nigeria.
He also said that “many more” Dutch companies had indicated interest in coming to invest and do business in Nigeria.

According to him, some Dutch companies are still making inquiries about the legal framework, government and central bank policies, as well as Nigeria’s overall favourable investment environment.

Groffen, therefore, said that it was imperative for the Nigerian government to create the appropriate environment that would attract more foreign investments to Nigeria.
http://leadership.ng/news/504128/netherlands-offers-scholarships-60-nigerians

The Envoy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Amb. John Groffen, on Wednesday said that about 60 Nigerians last year benefited from the scholarships of the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP).

Groffen told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the NFP scholarships had afforded the Nigerian beneficiaries the opportunities to study in different educational institutions in the Netherlands.

“We have a Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP), which enables Nigerians to study in the Netherlands.
“In 2015, more than 60 Nigerians benefited from our scholarship programme under the NFP, which enabled them to study in the Netherlands,’’ he said.

The Envoy expressed satisfaction at the growing level of educational and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and the Netherlands.
Groffen said that his government was looking forward to more future cooperation with Nigeria in the area of educational exchanges.

The Netherlands representative in Nigeria, also said that there were currently about 30 Dutch companies in different parts of Nigeria.
He also said that “many more” Dutch companies had indicated interest in coming to invest and do business in Nigeria.

According to him, some Dutch companies are still making inquiries about the legal framework, government and central bank policies, as well as Nigeria’s overall favourable investment environment.

Groffen, therefore, said that it was imperative for the Nigerian government to create the appropriate environment that would attract more foreign investments to Nigeria
http://leadership.ng/news/504128/netherlands-offers-scholarships-60-nigerians

Ecobank Nigeria Plc has sacked 50 top managers of the bank as it struggles to stay afloat in the midst of biting economic hardship in Nigeria.

PM News gathered that the rank of those sacked ranged from Assistant General Manager, Deputy General Manager and above whose monthly salaries range between N1 million and N2 million.

The affected top management staff of the bank were handed their sack letters from the bank’s head office in Victoria Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Tuesday.

A source in the bank told PM News that the bank has been going through tough time as a result of crippling economy, occasioned by dwindling oil prices and the crumbling of the naira to dollar.

The source said the bank had been undergoing restructuring in recent times in trying to survive in a fast collapsing Nigeria economy.

According to the insider, the source of revenue to the bank had trimmed since the hardship began biting hard, noting that, it is afecting all Nigeria banks and that since Ecobank had not been making money, there was no way it could continue to pay the huge wage bill of top echelon staff which ranged from N1 million to N2 million.

“Ecobank is not the only bank facing the biting effect of the economy and the bank is only trying to trim its wages,” the source told PM News.

Adding that “since those at the top earned more, it decided to sack many at the top level”.
http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/02/24/flash-ecobank-sacks-50-top-managers/

Ecobank Nigeria Plc has sacked 50 top managers of the bank as it struggles to stay afloat in the midst of biting economic hardship in Nigeria.

PM News gathered that the rank of those sacked ranged from Assistant General Manager, Deputy General Manager and above whose monthly salaries range between N1 million and N2 million.

The affected top management staff of the bank were handed their sack letters from the bank’s head office in Victoria Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Tuesday.

A source in the bank told PM News that the bank has been going through tough time as a result of crippling economy, occasioned by dwindling oil prices and the crumbling of the naira to dollar.

The source said the bank had been undergoing restructuring in recent times in trying to survive in a fast collapsing Nigeria economy.

According to the insider, the source of revenue to the bank had trimmed since the hardship began biting hard, noting that, it is afecting all Nigeria banks and that since Ecobank had not been making money, there was no way it could continue to pay the huge wage bill of top echelon staff which ranged from N1 million to N2 million.

“Ecobank is not the only bank facing the biting effect of the economy and the bank is only trying to trim its wages,” the source told PM News.

Adding that “since those at the top earned more, it decided to sack many at the top level”.

Currently, Nigeria’s economy is in shambles as oil prices continue to slump in the international market, while the nation’s naira has continued in landslide collapse to the dollar, with about 380 naira exchanging for a dollar.

There have been clamour on the government to devalue the naira, but President Muhammed Buhari is yet to concede to this idea.

With the economy still in a mess, it is certain that more banks and other institutions will sack workers in order to stay afloat to survive the biting economic quagmire.
http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/02/24/flash-ecobank-sacks-50-top-managers/

The Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) hinted yesterday that plots of land on which 572 Housing Units in Abuja were demolished in 2012 by the Federal Capital Development Authority ( FCDA), have been re-allocated to some Senators and members of House of Representatives.

The FCDA had in 2012 demolished the housing units situated along Abuja Airport belonging to minnanuel investment limited .

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Dino Melaye ( APC Kogi West) who have the hint during the hearing of a petition written by Falana & Falana Chambers on behalf of minnanuel investment limited and forwarded to the committee said the plots of land were reallocated to Senators and Reps who served in the 7th National Assembly,based on findings from preliminary investigations made by our committee.

Melaye said, “Our findings have shown that the plots of land were reallocated to members of the FCT committees at both the Senate and House of Representatives in the last Assembly. It is unfortunate that the members of the committee became the beneficiaries of the plots.

“You destroyed the 572 houses and allocated it to Senators and Reps. This is not acceptable, we will investigate it and we will order the revocation of the lands. The Senators act is criminal and absurd”.

When asked, the director of lands of FCDA, Mainasara Babayo confirmed that the plots have been reallocated. He however didn’t mention the names of the beneficiaries.

Earlier while speaking on behalf of the petitioners, Barrister Sam Ogala of Falana & Falana Chambers said the 572 housing units were completed before the FCDA demolished it.
http://leadership.ng/news/504084/plots-demolished-572-housing-units-re-allocated-senators-reps-senate

okoji:
Thanks zik4ever, is there any improvement at the Belgian embassy or it's still the same old story?

Not sure but wont be surprised if its same old story.

Ladies and gents,
I am concerned at the alarming theft of vehicles and this is not limited to a particular city or make of vehicle though there are obviously worse hit areas and preferred models. Perhaps this has been discussed previously on this forum or another but can we share how to avoid buying a stolen car or detecting when a stolen car is being advertised for sale?

okoji:
hello everyone, Zik4ever can I apply for Netherlands Visa through French Embassy Abuja? Don't want to go through the Belgian embassy due to their delay and incompetence.

Not sure except if things have changed. They specified that if you live in the South of Nigeria, you apply through the French Embassy in Lagos and if you live in the North and Abuja, you apply through the Belgian Embassy. Check with the VFS centre for the latest. However, some people apply for Schengen visa through the French Embassy (including Abuja) and then travel to France and from there to Netherlands (typically by train). More experienced/knowledgeable guys in the house can help please.

John Shiklam writes that plans by the Kaduna State government to relocate the 108-year-old St.George’s Cathedral, Sabon Gari, Zaria, to pave the way for the expansion of the market in the area is causing sleepless nights for the church leaders and their members

The Kaduna State government and the Anglican Church (Church of Nigeria), Zaria Diocese may be heading for a showdown if plans to relocate St. George’s Cathedral, Sabon Gari, Zaria, founded in 1908 is not resolved amicably.

It was learnt that the Kaduna State government plans to relocate the Cathedral to facilitate the expansion of the Sabon Gari Market. Ironically the market was said to have illegally found its way into the vast piece of land belonging to the 108-year-old church.

Already the Cathedral and other church property such as the staff houses, school and shops are said to have been on the list of property marked for demolition to give way to the market.

Church members are said to have been upset about the development, questioning the rationale behind relocating the church from the piece of land it legally acquired to give way for the expansion of a market which illegally encroached on the church property.

THISDAY gathered that this is the second time the Kaduna State government had attempted to relocate the church to facilitate the expansion of the Sabon Gari, Zaria Market. In 2008, when former Vice President Namadi Sambo was the governor of the state, his administration attempted to relocate the church, to give way to the expansion of the market.

However the issue was amicably resolved when the Sambo administration after appraising the facts and the critical issues presented by the church rescinded its decision directing that St. George’s Cathedral be left at its location as a historical edifice.

In a letter from the Kaduna State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, dated January 7, 2010 and signed by the then commissioner in charge of the ministry, Mohammed Yero Farakwai, the commissioner said “His Excellency (Governor Namadi Sambo) has carefully appraised your submission and gave due consideration to the critical issues raised in your letter under reference and has directed that St. George’s Church should be left at its present location as a historical edifice.

“Consequently, you will be contacted in due course on arrangements to be effected for both the Church and the market to function harmoniously/simultaneously”.

Leaders of the church are wondering why an issue which they felt had been resolved by a previous government was being revisited again by the present administration.

At the meeting with government officials in Kaduna, the church leaders presented the site plan and the Certificate of Ownership (C of O) of the massive land which was issued in December 1, 1964 to prove that the market illegally found its way into the property of the church and therefore, it is the market that ought to be relocated and not the church which is the rightful owner of the land.

But government officials at the meeting, relying on the Land Use Act, were said to have argued that all lands belong to government and government can revoke the ownership of any at any time and reallocate it for public use.

According to the Chancellor of the Zaria Anglican Diocese, Barrister Anne Yellowe, the market is located on the land belonging to the church, stressing that over time, people started encroaching into the land because the church did not fence everything.

“The cause of this problem is that we didn’t fence the whole property, so people started encroaching gradually into the land, leading to the establishment of the market in question. We have our Survey Plan and C of O which covered the entire area.

“But government wants to relocate the church and we are saying that we are the owners of the place and the church have been there for many decades before the market came.

“The government wrote to the church to come for compensation meeting so that the church can be relocated to give way for the expansion of the market, we urged the government to look at the issue fairly, justly and dispassionately,” she said.

However, in a letter he wrote to Governor El-Rufai after the meeting with government officials, Bishop Bello drew the attention of the governor to the fact that the issue of St. George Cathedral had long been settled by a previous administration in the state.

The letter dated January 26, 2016 and copied to the Kaduna State Police Commissioner, the Emir of Zazzau, the Primate, Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), Abuja, the Kaduna State Commissioners for Finance and the Commissioner of Commerce, Industry and Tourism among several others, called on the governor to drop the issue of compensation to St. George’s Cathedral since it will not be affected by the planned demolition exercise.

The letter reads: “Sequel to our receipt of the letter from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism with Ref: No S/GEN476/Vol: v/279, dated January 19, 2016 inviting us to a meeting on the payment of compensation to property owners affected by the redevelopment of Sabon Gari Market, Zaria, we, having attended the meeting on Thursday January 21, 2016 are compelled to state as follows;

“That we are favourably disposed to His Excellency’s good intention to foster the development of Zaria and its environs.

“We are taken aback by the information that our Cathedral (St. George) and other church property such as the staff houses, school and shops are on the list of the said property marked for demolition.

“We wish to observe that the church has neither received any written document nor engaged in verbal discussion on this matter with the present government for informed decision.

“Sir, for the avoidance of doubt and purposes of clarity on this subject matter, we wish to draw your attention to the following; that the church had received and entered into discussions on the above subject with previous government.

“That the Church had clearly made it known to the previous government of her possession of the Survey Plan and C of O to this property with No. NC2988 which covers the entire present day Sabon Gari Market, dated December 1, 1964.

“That after detailed and informed correspondence, discussions and negotiations on the issue, the previous government responded by approval in a letter dated January 7, 2010 to the Cathedral that St. George’s Church should be left at its present location as a historical edifice in Zaria…..Sir, in view of the above submissions, we humbly request your Excellency to note that Zaria Diocese (Anglican Communion) is peace loving, civil and law abiding.

“We wish to draw the attention of your ministry and agencies to the fact that the issue of St. George’s Church has long been settled and urged that the issue of compensation to St. George’s Church be dropped since our property will not be affected by the planned demolition exercise”.

The letter appealed to the governor to consider the re-location of the entire market to virgin land and restore the land belonging to the church as spelt out in the survey plan and C of O.

They pledged continued loyalty, support and prayers to the governor’s administration.

Although some government officials contacted over the issue declined to react on the matter, a senior official who pleaded to remained anonymous, said the matter would be resolved amicably.

According to him, the governor will not take any decision that is not in the best public interest, saying that the position of the church would be thoroughly appraised by the governor before taking a decision on the issue.

“I am aware of the need to relocate the Anglican Church in Sabon Gari, Zaria to allow for the expansion of the market in the area, I am aware that the church is not favourably disposed to the idea. All I can say is that consultations are going on and I believe that at the end of the day, the governor will resolve the issue amicably. That is all I can say on this.”

Since El-Rufai embarked on the recovery of school, hospital and government lands encroached upon by several individuals in Kaduna and Zaria, the policy has received both condemnation and commendation from members of the public.

Hundreds of houses illegally built on school lands have been demolished to allow for the expansion of the schools and ensure security. The latest of the land recovery exercise took place recently at the Millennium City where several houses said to have been illegally built in the area were demolished by the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KASUPDA).
Handling the church issue requires dialogue, wisdom and tact in a state like Kaduna.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/controversy-over-108-year-old-church/232612/

MTN Group Ltd., Africa’s biggest wireless operator, said 2015 earnings fell at least 20 percent due to a a loss of business in Nigeria, where regulators withheld services and forced the company to cut off 5.1 million customers.

Basic earnings per share excluding one-time items were at least 3.07 rand lower than the 15.36 rand reported in 2014, the Johannesburg-based company said in a statement after the market closed on Thursday. The Nigerian Communications Commission ordered MTN to disconnect subscribers that weren’t registered as part of an effort to tighten security in a country fighting an Islamist insurgency.

The row in Nigeria could cost MTN more. The company is locked in discussions with the government over a proposed $3.9 billion fine imposed after the wireless operator missed a deadline to disconnect the unregistered subscribers. A Lagos court last month adjourned a hearing called by MTN so the two sides could reach a settlement.

“There remains some uncertainty” surrounding the outcome of the talks, MTN said. The penalty was reduced from an original $5.2 billion in December.

Fighting Crime


Security agencies in Nigeria, battling insurgents from Islamist group Boko Haram, have sought to cut off service to unregistered users as they fight crime in a country with poor identity records.

“Negotiations around the Nigerian fine continue, and we expect MTN to reach a settlement well below the NCC’s last offer of $3.9 billion,” Avior Capital Markets analyst David Lerche said in a note to clients.

MTN shares gained 1.1 percent to 153.70 rand at the close in Johannesburg, a fifth consecutive day of rises, valuing the company at 284 billion rand ($18.6 billion). The stock is still 19 percent down since the fine imposed by the Nigerian Communications Authority was first made public on Oct. 26.

Nigeria is MTN’s biggest market with 63 million customers. The company has a total of 233 million subscribers across Africa and the Middle East.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-18/mtn-says-full-year-earnings-fell-20-on-weak-nigeria-performance

CRACK team of detectives from the Edo state Police Command are hunting for a Pastor identified as Henry Ojochunu Ekukpe, who allegedly stabbed his 29 year old wife to death in the presence of their six year-old baby, leaving a note containing ten questions he expected his late wife to answer. It was learnt that Henry who got married to Patience in 2014 has been having issues that forced the deceased out of his house months ago. The run away Pastor is said to Pastor in one of the branches of Mountain of Victory and Fire Deliverance Ministry in Benin City. Vanguard leanrt that trouble started last Sunday when the Pastor invited the deceased for a dialogue under the guise that he wants her back to the house. It was learnt that when the deceased came, the Pastor used a hidden knife to stab her in different parts of her body and escaped from the area. The police found a note containing ten questions meant for the late woman. The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Osifo who confirmed the incident described it as “tragic and barbaric” and vowed that the police would ensure the culprit was arrested and brought to book. Some of the questions contained in the note includes “Have we ever in life went to beg for food ever since we got married? “Has you mother ever brought food for us to eat one day because of hunger? “Have I not told you at the beginning that I hate someone insulting me? “In the first place, did you really come out with your own full mind? “Did you come to marry me because of money or for who I am? “Who gave you the order to pack your property away from our home? “Who is your adviser in this marriage that is polluting your mind against me? “You always pray that God should help you to eat the fruit of your labour? “So no man has the power to take one’s life but today we are going together. So how do you feel now?”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/pastor-stabs-wife-to-death-in-edo-leaves-ten-questions-behind/

President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela finally announced the devaluation of his country’s currency, bolivar by 59 percent, raising petrol prices by 6000 percent – meaning paying about 60 times more.

Making Venezuela’s biggest economic announcement on Tuesday, Maduro said the time has come for placing a fair price on hydrocarbons.

“This is a necessary action, for which I take responsibility,” Maduro said in a nationwide address

“The time has come to establish a system that guarantees access to hydrocarbons at a fair price but that also guarantees the funding of investment in producing that gasoline.”

Before the address, a litre of petrol in the oil rich country went for 1.5 US cents (N3), but would now go for 95 US cents (N190) per litre.

This is the country’s first increase in fuel price in 20 years.

The official exchange rate used for food and medicine imports will weaken to 10 bolivars per dollar from 6.3, as of Thursday, while a second rate will be allowed to float – affirming the country’s dual exchange rate system.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), Venezuela has long lived in denial keeping its official currency at a point, while the parallel market rate plunges – just like in Nigeria.

The country’s currency has fallen by 93 percent between 2014 and 2016, with WEF saying “Venezuela’s government has tried to deny economic reality with price and currency controls. The idea was that it could stop inflation”.

Inflation was however not curbed as the country recorded a 140 percent rise in inflation rates in 2015 alone.

In his announcement, Maduro however increased the country’s minimum wage by 20 percent, adding that he hoped the new policies “will be understood by the people on the streets”, calling against looming protests.

The policies have already been rejected by the opposition, with Henrique Capriles, two-time opposition presidential candidate, saying it is time for a possible referendum on recalling Maduro.

“The constitutional time has come … let’s go for recall,” he said in a tweet after Maduros’ speech.
https://www.thecable.ng/oil-rich-venezuela-devalues-by-59-to-pay-60-times-more-for-petrol

MILITARY authorities in Benin, Edo State, are on the trail of a married woman, who abandoned a 22-year-old boy in a hotel room after she gave the boy an overdose of sex enhancement drugs. Vanguard learned that the boy raised an alarm when he started experiencing pains in his erect penis. The receptionist reportedly met the boy looking very weak. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital. Love Vanguard was informed that the said woman normally comes to the hotel with the boy after dropping off her children in school. A source told Vanguard: “She will be in the hotel from 8a.m. till about 2p.m., when she will go and pick the children from school. She spends all the time with the boy in the hotel room.” It was further gathered that the woman was always buying milk and sex enhancement drugs for the boy. However, on this said day, she was alleged to have given the boy an overdose, leading to the boy’s permanent state of erection. The boy is said to receiving treatment under the watch of some military personnel, who came to his rescue. It was learned that police have also been informed, but that they intend to allow the boy regain his strength before going after the married woman, who is said to be a mother of three and married to a wealthy man.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/married-woman-escapes-as-22-yr-old-lover-overdoses-on-sex-enhancement-drugs/

MILITARY authorities in Benin, Edo State, are on the trail of a married woman, who abandoned a 22-year-old boy in a hotel room after she gave the boy an overdose of sex enhancement drugs. Vanguard learned that the boy raised an alarm when he started experiencing pains in his erect penis. The receptionist reportedly met the boy looking very weak. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital. Love Vanguard was informed that the said woman normally comes to the hotel with the boy after dropping off her children in school. A source told Vanguard: “She will be in the hotel from 8a.m. till about 2p.m., when she will go and pick the children from school. She spends all the time with the boy in the hotel room.” It was further gathered that the woman was always buying milk and sex enhancement drugs for the boy. However, on this said day, she was alleged to have given the boy an overdose, leading to the boy’s permanent state of erection. The boy is said to receiving treatment under the watch of some military personnel, who came to his rescue. It was learned that police have also been informed, but that they intend to allow the boy regain his strength before going after the married woman, who is said to be a mother of three and married to a wealthy man.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/married-woman-escapes-as-22-yr-old-lover-overdoses-on-sex-enhancement-drugs/

A 28-year old lady, Nanchin Zachariah, has been allegedly strangled to death by her suitor after she refused to go out with him on Valentine’s Day, the deceased family told Daily Trust on Tuesday.
According to the family members, Nanchin was found dead in her apartment in the slums of Nasarawa-Gwom, at about past 8am, shortly after the suspect, whose first name was Dele, visited and left in a hurry.
Shem Paul, a relative of the deceased told Daily Trust at the family residence in Etubaba area of Jos, Plateau state where sympathizers had gathered, that his late sister had long rejected the suspect, who is now in police custody after he was arrested in connection with the murder.
“He has been coming around, insisting she must date him. She refused. On Valentine’s Day, he requested that she go out with him. Again, she refused. On the day she died, he had visited in the morning while the girl was completing her house chores. She invited him in. After sometime, he rushed out,” another relative said.
He said Dele informed the deceased’s landlady that her tenant was sleeping after he allegedly gave her a drug to treat her fever.
“The landlady was surprised that Nanchin would fall ill only minutes after she looked healthy, and was seen doing her house chores. So, she rushed in to speak with her, only to find out she was lifeless,” the relative said, adding that the alarm raised by the landlady attracted concerned persons and the relatives, who later invited the police for intervention.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Emmanuel Abu confirmed that a suspect is in detention at the Jos Area Command, in connection with murder of Nanchin.
“Investigation is still ongoing, but the suspect is suspected to have strangled the lady to death because she had refused going out with him on Valentine’s Day,” DSP Abuh said.
He declined to state details including giving the suspect’s name.

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/man-kills-lady-over-valentine-s-love/133895.html#X07XpmeJwFGcZLX0.99

Article by Aniebo Nwamu

By this year’s end, I expect Nigeria’s foreign exchange hawkers to sell a dollar for more than N500. If oil price fails to climb up, and the Central Bank maintains its current policy, the dollar may hit N1, 000 before the end of 2017. Is my prediction frightening?

I’m not perturbed. The CBN is perhaps not perturbed. The rates I’ve quoted are found only in the black market; in the white market, a dollar is just N197. Last year, the then opposition APC promised to make $1 equal to N1. To fulfil its campaign promise, the ruling APC should wait for some time before applying former CBN governor Chukwuma Soludo’s redenomination idea by striking out three zeros.

There is no better route to take now. Rather than hint of an impending restriction of forex for medicals and school fees, as it did last week, the apex bank should act immediately. It’s time to exclude ALL items from forex allocations. Perhaps only then would Nigerians come to their senses and begin to look inwards.

The dollar hunt has taken hawkers and bureaux de change operators to Togo, Benin and even Ghana. They won’t get enough of it. Not until the Nigerian government reverses itself on forex allocations to criminals and importers of toothpicks.

And that’s what I dread most: the lack of continuity of policies. It’s one of Nigeria’s greatest problems. In this space, a fortnight ago, I canvassed supporting importers of medicines, agric equipment and fuel with forex at the official rate. Now, I eat my words. Ban them all! Let everyone that desires dollars, euros and pounds source them at “autonomous” markets. I say so because I know what Nigerians can do. Anyone who gets forex at the official rate is likely to divert it to the parallel market: it is far more profitable to make 100 per cent profit instantly than import machinery for business, with all the risks involved.

So long as the CBN will sustain this tempo and not reverse itself, it will have my vote. We either act together or hang separately. I know Nigerians are stubborn. They are not patriotic. They suffer from inferiority complex. That’s why their greed for foreign-made goods is insatiable. Just a year ago, I was lamenting that one American dollar was exchanging with N200. As I write this, many are paying N345 for $1.The latest jump has been caused by CBN’s hint that forex restrictions would affect overseas school fees and medical tourism.

Civil “servants”, politicians and criminals have sent their children to school abroad. Those who stole Nigeria dry can only be treated in Europe when they fall sick. Certain governors and senators drink only red wine imported from Spain or whisky from Russia. Let them stick to their choice, while some of us enjoy the palmwine sourced from our villages. They don’t need to worry about the dollar now; in any case, some of them have hidden millions of dollar bills in their water tanks and cesspool pits.

I’m aware President Muhammadu Buhari has few friends in Nigeria now. Not even his ministers are happy with him. While he may not be praised for his stubbornness, he should be urged to focus on policies that cater to the needs of the common man. Hunger now makes some people collapse and die in the streets.] The dollar is not among the common people’s needs. Prices of local and foreign goods have gone up, but importers of essential items like fuel will no longer be allowed to inflate pump prices, no matter at what rate they purchase the dollar. Importers of luxury goods should go ahead! Let them quadruple their prices, and let’s see who will buy them. I believe in market forces.

But for the distortions brought by treasury looters, smugglers and their accomplices, Nigerians, by now, wouldn’t be worried about the dollar exchange rate. Nigeria has become a consumer nation simply because every thief is allowed to flaunt their ill-gotten wealth unchallenged. Thanks to the EFCC, we no longer see multi-storey buildings going up in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna and Port Harcourt. The number of flashy cars painting our cities red is now in decline. Bank employees no longer earn millions for getting deposits from crooks.

So, Buhari is still on the right track. Maybe he should do something about the judiciary that has constituted a cog in the wheel of the anti-corruption war. Since the legislature is not likely to pass a bill prescribing the death penalty for corruption, a special tribunal would be necessary. The EFCC cannot locate all stolen properties; so, after seizing the ones it could find, it should be helped with a property tax. Each mansion that is not occupied by its owner, for instance, could be taxed N10million per annum. A private jet should attract N50million per annum, except it is put to commercial use.

This country has all it takes to be great. A part of the little foreign exchange available should now be used to support genuine entrepreneurs. I hope government is aware of a young man near my village that produced a generator that uses water for fuel. Many of such technologists have been wasting away in parts of the country. They are the ones that should be sent dollars and pounds, so they could import things they need to build industries. I know a local plant whose pulp kills malaria instantaneously. Herbal healers don’t need any forex. Nor do real farmers.
http://www.leadership.ng/columns/501088/the-dollar-hunt

At one point in history, aerocontractors was the most valuable, viable aviation company in Nigeria. The sequence of management changes through its acquisition, merger, ownership and partnership have left the company in ruins. Aero worker’s union has not helped matter either.

There are ample signs that the airline will not survive the next three years if the ownership feud between the Ibru family and Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) is unresolved. There is no visible indication that the battle will ever cease.

AMCON’s decision to appoint Tunde Fagbemi as the chief executive officer of aero is another grave mistake that will exacerbate a very bad situation. If Fagbemi’s antecedents should be a point of reference, nothing good will happen to the airline. Aerocontractors will surely dive into insolvency, no matter how much restructuring, funds are pumped in.

Aero Contractors was formed in 1959 and officially registered in Nigeria in 1960. At that time, it was wholly owned by Schreiner Airways B.V. of the Netherlands.

It became a company with initially 40 percent Nigerian holding in 1973 and subsequently 60 percent in 1976, anticipating the requirements of the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree of 1977, also known as the indigenization decree. In January 2004, Schreiner Airways was bought by CHC Helicopter (CHC), which acquired a 40% holding in Aero, while the 60% majority share remained within the Ibru family.

On 1 July 2010, CHC sold its interests in Aero for the consideration of one Naira, when Aero became wholly owned by the Ibru family.

In March 2013, industrial action grounded flights for 18 days, in a dispute over outsourcing and reduction in staff numbers. The strike, from 13–28 March, grounded Aero’s active fleet of nine aircraft, and was reported to have cost the airline at least N10bn in ticket sales.

After financial intervention, the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), an arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria, held 60 percent of Aero, and in August 2013 it was reported that AMCON had taken over the management of the carrier. Hugh Fraser was named as new CEO.

In August 2013 there was press speculation that the Federal Government will use Aero Contractors as the nucleus of a new national carrier, recapitalizing it through a N200 billion initial public offering (IPO). The new airline was allegedly to be known as ‘Nigerian Eagle’, several years after the liquidation of the defunct flag carrier Nigeria Airways, and that the airline would commence full operations before the end of the year (2013). The factual basis for this report was the repainting of the aero plane in the colour of the Nigeria national football team, the Super Eagles. The Ministry of Aviation, however, clarified the repainting of the aircraft was only publicity related to the qualification of the National team for the 2014 World Cup.

With this pedigree, it is highly disheartening to witness the potential end of a once giant and enviable aviation company.

Although the Ibru family has been involved from the start, they are equally responsible for all the troubles in the company, and probably, the terminal end of aero. From over inflation of used seven B737-400 & 500 series aircraft, to outright cash withdrawal through fictitious contracts, there is no feasible, profitable way for the carrier to remain operational.

AMCON’s financial support, naturally, would have salvaged the airlines demise if a competent and honest management team was in place. Mrs Ibru’s children took total control of the affairs, with uncaring, fraudulent intent. At will, they embezzled and misappropriated the fragile revenues.

The general misconception that airline business is profitable, judging purely from cash receipts from sale of tickets overshadowed the Ibrus’ glare of the true state of aero’s financials.

Another unhealthy situation with aerocontractors was the incessant board room politics created by the Ibru family to sustain a strong hold to keep milking its resources. In less than three years, aero changed four to five of its managing directors. This was a clear sign of instability orchestrated by the Ibru family, who would dislodge any disloyal head of the company. Captain Akin George’s dedication to serve the airline with protective guards was thwarted because all his actions checkmated the greed and absolute authority of the first family of aero.

The backlash of it all was the regular reactions from the employee union of pilots and engineers, even flight attendants had their moment in the equation. There is nothing more damaging to an airline’s operation than irate crews.

The carrier’s adventure into schedule services would have been profitable if the goal was to maintain a world-class airline capable of sustaining itself. Greed and impatience through various unhealthy loans of Oceanic bank, another company of the Ibrus, clearly led to uncontrollable indebtedness of the company. The huge debts warranted AMCON’s involvement in the first place.

Combining all these factors, it was only a matter of time for aero to nose-dive.

Since the directors of the company cared less for its survival, the rational thing to do was for the main financier, AMCON to takeover. Aero’s loan of over N20 billion bought over by AMCON was never serviced; and with ageing airplanes, the future of the airline was in absolute doubt.

No one can challenge the asset company of Nigeria as the true owner of the company, since its equity in the company stands above 65 percent.

The true value of aero’s assets as of today is less than N6billion. All the equipment it flies cannot exceed N4 billion in a realistic, professional valuation.

What is quite unpleasant about the recovery or takeover of the airline by AMCON is the appointment of Tunde Fagbemi to manage it. He has no solution to revive the ailing carrier, no matter how much money is reinvested in the company.

It is harder to reengineer an airline in trouble than to bring a dead soul to life. This is probably the end of aerocontractors.
http://www.leadership.ng/columns/500840/the-end-of-aerocontractors

Op, robbery is really more frequent than is being reported publicly. This morning in Rumuodomaya area, my cousin's house was robbed around 3am. The robbers stole Laptops, handsets, cash, the Tv on the wall and even wedding ring. Robbery is a nationwide thing in Nigeria but the scale and intensity varies from place to place. Safety is of the Lord!

The tussle over the leadership of the House of Representatives is not yet over, following indication that those opposed to the leadership of the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, have raised issues leading to what sources called ongoing investigation of the Speaker’s role as chairman, House Services Committee in the seventh Assembly.

Sources in the legislature told the Nigerian Tribune that persistent grumbles from anti-Dogara camp had led to the discovery of some allegations bordering on how the speaker ran the committee in the seventh Assembly.

It was learnt that investigators drawn from separate agencies of government had already taken up the issues and had kicked off a probe of the Speaker.

It was confirmed that since the allegations bordered on the role of the House Services Committee in managing members’ welfare in the Seventh House, the investigators were particularly interested in the records of the House Services Committee, which was headed by Honourable Dogara at that time.

Sources confirmed that the investigators were generally checking through the records of the Strategic Committee of the House, which was responsible for payment of members, as well as their welfare.

Dogara emerged the Speaker of the House in June 2015 against the recommendation of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which had recommended Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila as the preferred candidate.

Since his emergence, Dogara has had to battle through a number of huddles which got escalated recently with some members dragging him to court.

It was gathered that the investigators, some of whom were drawn from the anti-graft agencies, had examined several records and were at the verge of turning in their findings to the authorities.

A source said if Honourable Dogara was found culpable of any issues, he could be put on trial, the same way Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, was currently undergoing trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Sources confirmed that the bid to probe the House Services Committee of the Seventh Assembly, headed by Dogara, stemmed from a disagreement at some closed sessions in the wee days of the last Assembly, where some principal officers attempted to move against Dogara, ahead the inauguration of the eighth Assembly.

It was gathered that some top members of the House of Representatives in the last Assembly had raised issues against the House Services Committee and wanted to use the same to block the chances of Dogara emerging Speaker of the eighth Assembly.

But it was learnt that former Speaker of the House, who is the current governor of Sokoto State, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, looked into the matter and dismissed them, giving a clean bill to Dogara.

It was, however, learnt that those opposed to Dogara had resurrected the issues and that the development was the basis of a secret probe of the Speaker’s activities in the last Assembly.

A source said the Speaker might be faced with a similar battle as the one the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was facing over the CCT trial.

But the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media, Turakhi Hassan, told the Nigerian Tribune that his boss was unaware of any such probe, adding that the Speaker’s records as committee chairman contributed in no small measure to his winning the top job.

Meanwhile, rival groups in the Senate have started regrouping ahead the resumption of plenary tomorrow.

Senators of the Senate Unity Forum (SUF) loyal to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are said to have resumed their strategic meetings at the weekend, while loyalists of Senate President, Saraki, were also said to have commenced series of meetings at a five-star hotel in the capital city.

It was also learnt that members of the SUF had resolved to raise issues on the floor of the Senate and called for Saraki’s resignation, following the decision of the Supreme Court that gave a go-ahead to his trial at the CCT.

It was gathered that the camp of the Senate President was aware of the plan by members of the SUF to raise a motion, seeking Saraki’s resignation.

Sources in the chamber, however, confirmed that the Like-Minds senators, who were loyal to the Senate President were aware of the plot by the SUF and were watching their counterparts closely.
http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/house-leadership-tussle-more-troubles-for-dogara

Dana Airline yesterday dispelled the rumour making the round of an attempted bomb attack on one of its aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. Communication Manager of Dana Airline, Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa who spoke to Vanguard said that the rumour making the round that some passengers came on-board its aircraft en-route Lagos to Abuja with guns and other ammunition with intention of bombing the aircraft was not true. Mr. Ezenwa pointed out that the passengers in question were the security aides of Former Vice President Abubakar Atiku stressing that they were four in number and one of them came with some bullets which made the security officials of the airline to stop them from boarding the aircraft.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/608832/

How much will it cost for you to design and supervise the building of a 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalow?

States in the South-eastern part of Nigeria have retained their lead as details of the May/June 2015 West African Senior School Certificate Examination results were made public on Thursday.

The region is leading in the performance chart of candidates who obtained credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. Abia State topped the chart with 33,762 of its 52,801 candidates.

In four Federal Government colleges, no candidate obtained five credits and above, including English and Mathematics.

The schools are the Federal Government Girls’ College, Bajoga, Gombe State; FGGC, Bauchi; FGGC Gboko, and the Federal Science and Technical College, Kafanchan.

To ensure university admission in the country, a student must obtain credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

In the chart, Anambra State came second with 28, 379 out of 46, 385 candidates. While Abia State scored 63.94 per cent, Anambra got 61.18 per cent out of 100 per cent.

Edo State emerged third with 38, 052 of its 62, 327 candidates getting five credits and above. It had 61.05 per cent. Rivers and Imo states came fourth and fifth respectively.
Meanwhile, with 4.37 per cent, Yobe State came last on the 2015 rankings list with only 646 candidates obtaining five credits and above including English and Mathematics. Fourteen thousand, seven hundred and eighty-four pupils, comprising 10, 807 males and 3,977 females, sat for the examination in the state.

Apart from Yobe State, seven other northern states took the bottom positions in the rankings involving the 36 states and Abuja. They are Zamfara (36th), Jigawa (35th), Gombe (34th), Katsina (33rd), Kebbi (32nd) Bauchi (31st) and Sokoto (30th).

Lagos with 68, 173 out of 141, 963 candidates that sat for the examination is placed sixth on the rankings. In fact, 32, 595 males and 35, 578 females obtained the required benchmark for university admission.

The statistics as obtained by Punch on Thursday showed that Osun and Oyo states placed 29th and 26th respectively. While 8,801 candidates out of 48,818 obtained the basic entry requirement for university admission in Osun, Oyo State recorded only 21.03 per cent success in the examination.

Of the 78,896 candidates Oyo State presented, only 16,588 of them obtained five credits and above including English and Mathematics.

According to a WAEC source, the breakdown is the consolidated results approved by the council following its National Examinations Committee meeting held in November.

One million five hundred and ninety thousand, two hundred and eighty-four candidates sat for the examination in which only 562, 413 candidates obtained credits in five subjects and above including English Language and Mathematics.

Put differently, 1,029,871 representing 64.63 per cent failed to obtain admission requirement to the nation’s universities.

Mr. Charlse Eguridu, the former Head of National of the council, announced the release of the results last August.

A further breakdown of the 2015 results, revealed that the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th positions went to Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu and Ebonyi states in that order.

Ekiti State is placed 11th with 8,954 out of its 21, 333 candidates that sat for the examination getting the required admission benchmark.

Kaduna, Ondo, Abuja, Kogi, Benue, Akwa Ibom, and Kwara states came 12th, 13th, 14, 15th and 16th in that order.

Ogun State with 75,994 candidates occupied the 19th position. The state bagged 32.89 per cent with its 25, 006 candidates, comprising 12,059 males and 12, 947 females, obtaining five credits and above including English and Mathematics.

In the 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25 slots are Cross River, Taraba, Plateau, Nassarawa, Kano and Borno states in that order. While 15,903 candidates out of 62,511 obtained the benchmark in Kano, 5,347 out of 21,695 got the same results in Borno.

Adamawa and Niger states seat on the rankings list ahead of Osun State. They are on the 27th and 28th. While Osun State recorded 18.03 per cent success, Niger and Adamawa states got 19.66 and 18.08 per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, the federal Government Girl’s College, Benin outshined the others with 230 of its 232 candidates meeting the University requirements in the performance register for the 104 Federal Government colleges in the same examination.

The Federal Government Girls’ College, Kazaure, occupied the second slot with only two of its pupils also missing the benchmark. But while FGGC Benin, obtained 99.14 per cent, its Kazaure counterpart, got 98.10 per cent.

The breakdown showed that the Federal Government College, Rubochi, came third with its 146 candidates, comprising 94 males and 52 females, out of 156 that sat for the examination putting up good showings.

The Federal Government Academy, Suleja; FGC, Okigwe, and the FGC, Nise, came fourth, fifth and sixth.

From the Unity schools in Lagos, the FGC, Ijanikin, which occupied the seventh position in the rankings, emerged the best in the state with 357 out of its 387 candidates that sat for the examination obtaining the basic university entry requirement.

It came ahead of the over 100-year-old Kings College (18th), Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba (21st) and the Queens College (54th). While 361 out of 452 candidates obtained their papers at KC, 181 out of 413 females succeeded at QC.

Occupying the eighth, ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th positions are the FGC, Okposi; FGC, Ikole-Ekiti; FGGC Efon-Alaye; FGGC, Minjibir, and the FGC, Jos, in that order.

From the statistics, it was observed that of the 74 candidates that sat for the examination at the FGGC, Bajoga, no one got the basic admission requirement.

It was the scenario at the FGGC, Bauchi and Gboko. Whereas 143 candidates sat for the examination in the Bauchi school, 144 females did the same at the FGGC, Gboko.

For the FSTC, Kafanchan, of the 40 candidates, comprising 29 males and 11 females that sat for the examination, no one also obtained the minimum entry requirements to the university.

Of the 26 Unity schools occupying the bottom positions on the performance chart, 22 of them are located in the North. The other four colleges are the FGGC, Ikot Obio Itong, Ukam at 89th position; FGGC, Calabar (92nd); FSTC, Uyo (93rd) and the FGC, Idoani, Ondo State occupying the 96th position.

In the May/June 2014 WASSCE, 529,425 candidates, representing 31.28 per cent of the candidates, obtained the minimum university entry requirement. One million, six hundred and ninety-two thousand, four hundred and thirty-five candidates sat for the examination that year.

In May/June 2013, 639,334 candidates, representing 38.30 per cent, qualified to seek admission to university in the country. One million five hundred and forty-three thousand, six hundred and eight-three candidates sat for the examination.
http://dailypost.ng/2016/02/05/south-eastern-states-lead-as-wassce-releases-2015-mayjune-results/

Committee for Defence of Democracy (CDD) has condemned the raid of the Maitama residence of Bayelsa Monarch, King A.J Turner, by the Directorate of State Security (DSS) operatives, describing it as unlawful and abuse of power and rights.

The CDD wondered what could warrant the raid of the residence of the Bayelsa monarch if not political vendetta.

“Consequent upon the latest action of the DSS invading the residence of His Royal Highness, King A.J Turner, the Civil Society situation room is issuing a 24-hour ultimatum to the DSS to desist from this glaring war against the South South region, particularly allies of former president Goodluck Jonathan.

“If so much honour and respect can be accorded to the traditional institutions in the North and Yoruba land, same institutions in the South South cannot be subjected to ridicule in the name of political vendetta,” CDD Warned.
http://www.leadership.ng/news/499346/dss-raids-king-j-turners-maitama-residence-cdd-describes-action-unlawful

Please how much would an Architect charge on the average to design a 2 bedroom semi-detached bungalow and supervise the building?

There was a mild drama at the Kaduna State Chief Magistrate Court 1 on Friday night when the presiding judge of the court showed up at 7pm to attend to alleged criminal case brought before him by the Kaduna State government against an anti-government critic and lecturer of the Kaduna State University, Dr John Danfulani.

The Judge had left the court premises at about 1 pm for Friday’s prayer while both parties were in court. He however didn’t come back until 7pm when he ordered the university lecturer to be remanded in police custody until Monday this week.

The university lecturer, who had gone to the Kaduna State Police Command to honour their invitation following a petition by the Kaduna State government on Thursday last week, was subsequently detained by the authorities.

The Chief Magistrate, Alhaji Awwal Musa while presiding on the case ruled that the police was empowered to protect, investigate and carry out their duty assigned to them hence the court cannot deny the police their power to detain the accused person.

He said, the police has not finished their investigation and thereby directed the police to go ahead to conduct their investigation while Dr Danfulani remained in police custody until investigation was concluded in the matter latest by Monday, 1st February, 2016.

Dr Danfulani, is being accused of alleged inciteful and hateful statements in social media against the people of Northern Nigeria, thereby capable of causing breakdown of law and order in northern Nigeria and other parts of the country contrary to section 417 and 418 of the penal code of northern Nigeria.

The charge also read against the accused said, “On 20th January, 2016, the above mentioned case was reported at the state Criminal and Investigation Department (CID), by a letter written by the director of prosecution in the ministry of
http://leadership.ng/news/496943/kaduna-judge-sits-7pm-remands-anti-govt-critic-police-custody

The man nominated for deputy did not only boycott the swearing in, he also made it clear that he did not and never ran on any joint ticket with the Governor. How does that pan out legally?