The police in Plateau State have confirmed that four members of the same family were on Wednesday night killed in Kai village of Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State.


Plateau State Police spokesman, ASP Tyopev Terna, told Daily Trust that the incident was reported on Thursday morning around 10:30 by one Maren Mahan who said suspected herders had invaded the house of his brother, one Dauda Mahan and shot and killed the 54-year-old alongside one Mangai Agwom, 46, Christian Mangai,15, years and John Mangai, 10.
ASP Terna said a team of detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Barkin Ladi had visited the scene of crime for an on the spot assessment.


“The bodies were recovered to the General Hospital Barkin Ladi where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty and the corpses deposited in the hospital’s mortuary,” he added.


He said investigation was ongoing to track and arrest the perpetrators to face the consequences of their actions.
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/4-killed-in-barkin-ladi-night-attack-257545.html

Passengers in Nigeria travelling to various destinations for summer have been stranded in the country for the past two to three months over scarcity of passport booklets.

BusinessDay’s checks show that the passport booklets are currently scarce because the government owes its technical partners abroad huge debts running into billions of naira.

Passengers who have booked flights ahead for summer have had to cancel the travel plans and had to forgo the money spent in purchasing flight tickets.

“I was supposed to travel to London last week but I couldn’t travel because the Ikoyi passport office is yet to issue me a passport I applied for two months ago. Apart of the money I have wasted buying tickets, I have had to cancel my travel plans. It is so frustrating that a country like Nigeria has failed in all ramifications,” Romoke Akiyode lamented to BusinessDay.

According to Akiyode, she had been visiting the passport office since she applied for the passport and the immigration officers kept giving excuses that the passport booklets were scarce but assured her the passport will be ready in a near date.

“It cost me so much to buy tickets and with this new development, I cannot travel any time soon,” she told BusinessDay.

Another applicant who identified himself as Ifeanyi said his three children were supposed to go for vacation in the United States but couldn’t because their passports were not ready after 5weeks of application.

BusinessDay observed that touts are using the scarcity as an opportunity to exploit applicants by collecting as much as N20,000 to N25,000 from Nigerians who are desperate to get their passports.

A source at the office also told Business that Nigerians who live outside the country have had to reschedule their flights in order to secure their passports.

BusinessDay’s checks show that the passport booklets are presently being produced‎ by Iris Smart Technology Nigeria (ISTL) through its parent company, Iris Corporation, based in Malaysia.

A company in Netherlands is responsible for the biometrics and security details inserted into the passports, while South Africa provides the ink used for the printings done in the passports.

Amount spent on the production and printing of passport booklets annually is about N24.3billion.

Unfortunately, this development is happening at a time when air fares are relatively stable as a result of availability of dollars and airlines being able to repatriate over $600million trapped funds to their home country.

Recall that two years ago, United Airlines and Iberia airlines suspended flights into Nigeria over inability to repatriate their earnings to their home country.

Foreign airlines trapped funds were over $700million, making airfares very high. The direct effect on passengers was many could not travel and those who managed to travel, paid through their noses.

However, air fares are relatively cheaper compared to last year because airlines have been able to repatriate their earnings.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said it was encouraged by the recent developments in Nigeria where the Federal Government succeeded in clearing $600 million backlog of airline funds trapped in Nigeria.

“Summer fares are always higher because demand outweighs supplies but unlike last year summer when there were no seats because airlines could not repatriate their funds, right now, there are seats and there is access to dollars. So, there is competition and there is a lot going on. The prices of tickets are cheaper than last year. Things are stabilising this year. People have more disposable income this year, “Bernard Bankole, President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) told BusinessDay.

Bankole said people are still travelling to the conventional destinations like London, Dubai, South Africa and America, adding that Paris and Kenya are the secondary most sought destinations.

BusinessDay’s checks show that last year, Emirates airline return economy class ticket on the Lagos-London route, which was sold for N500,000 to N550,000, currently costs N380,000 to N450,000.
http://www.businessdayonline.com/exclusives/summer-passengers-stranded-scarcity-passport-booklets/

Who is the other candidate? As it is, forget all the arm chair analysis, the painful truth is PMB will win again, though with fewer votes except a miracle or something extraordinary happens -NOT impossible but difficult. He has lost significant ground among Northern Christians but he will sweep his traditional North West and North East (some decline in Adamawa, significant decline in Taraba). He will struggle in North Central (e.g. can't get the 25% in a place like Benue which he even won in 2015). He will lose the traditional South South and South East. As in 2015, the South West will decide and honestly, I don't see what PDP or any other party will offer the South West. Perceived mismanagement of the South West contributed significantly to PDP losing 2015 and same may replay. Note that I am NOT from the South West! Buhari has lost goodwill and grounds but who has gained goodwill or ground -PDP, Atiku, Coalition for new Nigeria? Before you come for me, note that I am NOT a member of BMC or his supporter. Fact is, many commentators have no PVC and expressing anger on internet won't change election outcomes. In the 'far North' people will trek for miles, queue up patiently under the sun and in the rain to vote but my neighbor who doesn't want Buhari and always criticizing him, will tell me that her polling booth is too far for her to go and vote. That's what she said in 2015. Abeg!

These atrocities should feature prominently in the debate and votes for 2019 elections!

The 2019 elections is a sort of referendum, whether we are saying yes or no to these killings.

The key thing to weep about is that Nigeria has been reduced to a mindless killing field by marauding murderers.
Our leaders are fiddling while Nigeria burns. That is the front burner and a major issue for 2019 votes.

The killings by these marauding murderers ought to be the subject of the 2019 elections. To continue with this madness or not.

I must commend the patience of Nigerians. I don't think things were this bad under the Shagari government. I am not and never rooting for a military coup but it is obvious that this government has woefully failed to deliver the fundamental objective and minimum key performance indicator of governance -the welfare and security of it's people. Please don't bring lame excuses of religion, region or tribe into this and please put aside APC and PDP quarrel. All Nigerians including you who will type and insult or disagree with me, are in clear and present danger from criminals who are having a field day while politicians of all shades including those in office are busy campaigning for election and/or re-election. The temerity and audacity of some of our politicians is simply unbelievable as is the gullibility and naivety of their followers including some Nairalanders.

I have seen this quote severally in social media especially WhatsApp. It may be well intended but it looks like some people want to make political capital out of it. I'm not sure if and when Pastor Kumuyi said that. That said, all the killings of any human being of any tribe and any religion is condemnable. However, the blame and onus lies squarely with the federal government not me or you who will post to insult or criticize me, to protect tax paying and law abiding citizens. We will continue to pray but also speak out against this mindless killings. Government must accept responsibility and do the needful. No excuses will ever be acceptable. Either deliver or get out!

OnyeOGA:

are they not the same people that were Jubilating over the killings of our brothers through operation Python dance
The guy said his mind and stop trying to be smart.
St. Nwachineke i sight!
Cc immhotep lzaa

Thanks bro. Wish you well. One love.

Odingo1:


Having PVC is good but thinking that pvc can be used to remove a power hungry terrorist from power is like chasing shadows.

The whole security forces in Nigeria are from the core north and INEC also, how did you tend to win .

You guys have to face the reality,the election has been rigged already.

Thanks bro. If the election has already been rigged, what do we do? Would be nice to hear any innovative ideas please.

Bro, I don't think the Benue people mentioned in the write up, actually spoke for each and every child of Benue State when they condemned IPOB. Neither do I think every Benue person including those killed in these attacks, fought for or supported killing of Igbos during the civil war. Many people including some Nairaland commentators were not even born during the war. As of today, we have Igbos who have married people from Benue and other States and vice versa. While I agree with you that we can't just wish away the past, it is good that more people and groups are realizing that we are collective victims of people carrying out war crimes, genocide and ethnic cleansing. Beyond internet rhetoric, the new-found understanding should foster collective angst, oneness amongst the oppressed groups, mobilization to register and/or collect our PVCs and do the needful at the polls. It is unfortunate that many people including some online commentators do not have PVC and some who have, have no intention of voting! Do we pay the price to queue up under the sun and the rain, trek or walk miles to vote? Instead, we are divided and divisive. God help Nigeria for vain is the help of man (especially one called a politician)!!

The blood letting should be on the debate agenda for 2019 elections!

2019 elections should actually be a referendum on these killings!

Seems Nigeria has been turned into a killing field and these mindless murders may determine 2019.

In Port Harcourt, the venue for the December Retreat is Deeper Life Camp Ground/State Headquarters, Rumuodara (near Tank) along the East West road. There are various locations nationwide.

Have the prices gotten better now or still at ridiculously high levels?

Every Nairalander and online commentator should go get PVC. 2019 isn't about arm chair analysis. INEC will count votes.

I wish every Nairalander will go and get PVC!

Every online commentator should go get PVC!

Biggie225:
Another job for bmc now,,oya defend ur master
Bubu supporters and all their media crews right now..

Please what does bmc stand for? Been seeing it in several posts. Thanks.

ayungmony15:


http://nouedu.net/programmes/msc-peace-studies-and-conflict-resolution

Thanks mate but this hasn't said anything different from what I have been told or what I have said! Question is, what's the way out about the Maths thing? Is there an alternate exam for instance that can remedy it or is considered equivalent? Or is it to go and register for 6-8 WAEC papers and sit for only Maths after 25 years?

My WAEC result is 25 years old with a pass in Maths. I have a degree and want to do MSc Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. NOUN says I must have credits in O'level maths. Is writing another WAEC 25 years later, the ONLY solution?

nonsoafm:

6- 10th December 2017

Thanks. Indeed it starts today. Old rugged cross.....old time religion...never fails. Not some cheap, carnal, cosmetic, commercial 'gospel' which is no gospel.

Can anyone confirm that ailing Aero Contractors has suddenly stopped flights without communicating with its passengers and the public?
Yours sincerely has a booked aero flight and a contact at the Airport said there's been no aero flight from Abuja since late last week. No one is at their desk in the airport and they are not picking calls on their advertised numbers.

Another tale of woe and lamentation!

https://www.nairaland.com/4110460/belgium-visa-processing-delay#61353570

See a previous thread on same subject. Na their way!
https://www.nairaland.com/2372131/schengen-visa-delay-belgium-embassy

oderinlewo:
I applied for Belgium VISA through VFS Lekki since August... Up to this moment,I haven't heard from them and virtually all my original documents are with them.Even the purpose has been defeated already...Somebody should enlighten me more on this...

Seems you are a new comer to them! So sad but it's their way. I suffered same fate with them in 2015. Several others had similar tale of woe as well.

Any idea of date for this year's MLR?

The renowned German Evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke, is set to return to Nigeria for a five-day crusade and a three-day multi-purpose ministers’ fire conference.

According to Christ for All Nations’ African Director, John Darku, the conference will rescue the country from its spiritual pollution and socio-political corruption.

According to him, more than 10 million people across Africa are expected at the crusade billed to hold at the large expanse of land close to Sparklight Estate, opposite OPIC Plaza, Isheri Osun, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway in November.


As Lagos crusade would be the last of Bonnke’s international crusade, Darku said the “CFaN anticipates conversion of many souls to Christ as Bonnke delivers his farewell message to crowd of worshippers in Nigeria.”

Darku added, “One of the highlights of the crusade will be a ‘passing the burning torch conference’ for leaders and church workers. Bonnke believes in God for many thousands of pastors and evangelists from around the globe to be inspired to evangelism.

“There is great excitement from all the churches in the country, and we are expecting a spectacular harvest of people coming to Christ.”

Also, the Lead Evangelist of CfaN, Daniel Kolenda, expressed optimism that the crusade would transform the church not only in Nigeria but across the African continent.

“I am thrilled to join with Reinhard in this vision, and know that the results of this crusade will be farther reaching and of even greater consequence than we can even imagine.

“Ever since God gave Evangelist Bonnke a vision for a blood-washed Africa – a continent washed in the blood of Jesus Christ – over 40 years ago, he has been filled with a burning commitment to win the continent for Jesus,” Kolenda said.

Bonnke, who wrote about the crusade on his facebook wall said, “Hello friends, I have a special announcement for you today. I am returning to Lagos, Nigeria for my ‘Farewell Crusade’ in November of this year.

“This will be a truly momentous event, where we believe millions will, not only hear the gospel, but will be saved, healed, and delivered. As much as I am concerned, I am inviting the whole world.

“The Lord spoke to me, that I should go back for one more crusade in Africa.

“I want not only to see a gigantic harvest of souls, but to pass my burning torch to this generation.

“Recently, I travelled to Lagos, Nigeria to meet with the spiritual leadership there and they gave their unanimous support. I believe God is going to do something I have never seen before.”
http://punchng.com/reinhard-bonnke-returns-to-nigeria-for-farewell-message/

The President and founder of Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, has set aside N200 billion to establish a world-class university in Abuja.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the proposal has since been delivered to the National Universities Commission, NUC.

A former Executive Secretary of the NUC, Julius Okojie, who is the chairman of the technical team for the establishment of the university, said the foundation intends to drive technology and research in stimulating economic growth.

Mr Okojie, who led his team to the current Executive Secretary of the commission, Abubakar Rasheed, said the proposed university is meant to be technology-driven and asked for the cooperation and support of the NUC towards the realisation of the goal.

According to a National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, publication, the team, accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the foundation, Zouera Yousouffou, disclosed that Mr. Dangote’s desire was to float a unique university of technology with all the necessary infrastructure and best faculty members from across the globe.

Mr. Rasheed, who applauded the bold step, promised to offer all the needed assistance for the success of the project.

He, however, advised the team to reconsider its plan of establishing a university of technology to ‘a conventional university running all programmes but with specialty in the area of technology.’

The executive secretary, who underscored the advantages of the conventional university over the special one, said with the countless impacts on society by the business mogul, the project would be a success.









He asked the team to consult widely and look at the universities in Nigeria and abroad with a view to creating a unique university that would be different in terms of quality in all its operations.

In her remarks, Mrs. Yousouffou said the foundation was ready to make the dream a reality with the sum of N200 billion already earmarked for the project.

She said the land was purchased and preliminary measures were in place for the headquarters of the university at the nation’s capital city of Abuja.

Mr. Dangote is a Nigerian mega-entrepreneur cum billionaire, who owns the Dangote Group, which has interests in diverse commodities.

The company with massive business tentacles operates principally in Nigeria but has corporate interests in other African countries.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/241301-dangote-establish-university-abuja-earmarks-n200-billion.html

Prices of brand new vehicles sold in Nigeria have risen by more than 200 percent between 2014 and 2017 and are now out of the reach most individuals and corporate buyers who need them for their business.
The significant rise in the prices of brand new vehicles has been blamed largely on the bogus auto policy, which raised import duty on cars to 35 percent in addition to a 35 percent levy, amounting to 70 percent, as well as a weaker naira.
Analysts say the policy automatically raises the prices of cars by 70 percent, pricing out the middle-class and other low income earners in need of mobility.
Added to this, is the weaker exchange rate of the naira that is compounded by the increase in duties and levies on imported new vehicles.
According to industry watchers, the 70 percent increase in taxes on imported new vehicles, along with the 86 percent fall in exchange rate of the naira from N196 to the dollar, to relative stability at N365 in recent times, including other incidental expenses at the ports and company overhead costs, have combined to force prices of vehicles northwards.
Many individuals who can no longer afford the new cars have resorted to maintaining their old cars for extended periods of time, even as prospects of workable financing schemes remain unavailable.
Many banks accustomed to changing cars for top executives every four years, have suspended the practice, due to high cost of procuring the new vehicles.

The impact has been seen in a sharp drop in the sale of new vehicles in the country, resulting in the closure of many car dealerships and the consequent loss of jobs.
The Federal Government had in 2013 increased the duties and levies on imported new vehicles, to encourage local auto assemblers through some incentives under the 2013-2023 National Automotive Industrial Development Plan (NAIDP) as supervised by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
A sample list of car prices from the Koreans, Japanese and German manufacturers, which come in various engine capacities across model ranges, exclusively obtained by BusinessDay, showed that prices have more than doubled between 2014 and 2017.
In 2014, a brand new Kia Cerato 1.6 litre automatic transmission saloon car sold for N3.96 million but now costs N9.54 million in 2017, while a Kia Picanto 1-liter engine capacity, which cost N2.25m three years ago, is now sold for N4.95 million in 2017.
Toyota Corolla 1.6 liter GLI automatic transmission fabric sold for N4.45 million three years ago, now costs N18.9 million.
In the same period, a Mercedes-Benz C200 luxury sedan, which was sold with a dealership price tag of N10.5 million, costs N25 million in 2017, while a Mercedes G63AMG model which previously sold at N50 million, presently wears a price tag of N78 million.

This shows a price jump of over 100 percent and this applies to other brands of vehicles in the market, apart from those manufactured in Korea, Japan or Germany.
According to Kunle Ade-Ojo, Managing Director/CEO, Toyota Nigeria Limited, the rise in vehicle prices is majorly due to the unfavourable exchange rate of the naira.
Ade-Ojo explained that as the dollar is scarce, so also is the naira pretty much scarce and that bank’s interest rates have gone up.
“Even though the exchange rate has moderated from a high of about N520 to the dollar at a very critical period and trading at about N366 to the dollar and below, from the end of 2016 to 2017, it is still not available.”
Ade-Ojo estimated that the country’s auto industry is expected to import and sell between 8,000 and 10,000 new vehicles this year, which is lower than the 15,000 projected at the end of last year.
The forecast, Ade-Ojo said, was based on the industry’s performance in the first quarter of 2017, adding that at the end of the first quarter of 2017, total import figures in the nation’s automobile industry, from the nation’s ports, came to about 350 units, compared to about 3,500 units that came in at the same period last year.
He said with this statistics, “imports dropped by about 90 percent between 2016 and 2017 first quarter.

“In terms of retail sales, we are estimating, based on the information we have, that the auto market did about 2,000 vehicles, compared to about 5,000 vehicles that was done in first quarter of 2015, a drop of over 50 percent in retail sales.
“Passenger cars reduced more than commercial cars and of course, when you look at the duties on passenger cars also at 70 percent, compared to 35 percent for commercial, the impact is more on passenger vehicles.”
Retail sales went from about 32,000 in 2015 to about 18,000 last year, representing a market drop of about 42 percent.
While giving the status of the implementation report of the NAIDP between October 2013 and June 2017 at a recent stakeholders meeting involving local auto assemblers and other stakeholders in Lagos recently, Luqman Mamudu, Director of Policy & Planning, National Automotive Design & Development Council (NADDC) revealed that the automotive policy is seeing tremendous progress, despite doubts in some quarters and that soon, Nigerians will begin to see positive result.
He disclosed that at the inception of the automotive policy in 2013, the number of approved local assemblers by the NADDC was 11 companies and grew to 53 companies in 2017.

Production capacity rose from 108,380 units in 2013 to 408,870 units in 2017. Actual production size increased from 1665 in 2013; 4776 in 2014; 11,332 in 2015 and started witnessing a drop from to 11, 332 in 2015 to 10,673 in 2016 and 8,473 in 2017.
Reacting on the astronomical jump in prices of new vehicles, Olawale Jimoh, Marketing Manager, Kia Motors Nigeria Limited, stated that for over two years now, the steady increase in the prices of cars in Nigeria has been misconstrued by some industry followers.
He argued that the local assembly of cars will invariably bring a new dawn that will result in affordable “Made in Nigeria” cars.

That expectation should ideally not be out of place, if Nigeria’s economy over the years has been stable.

He lamented that with the fast depreciation in the value of the naira, prices of cars have increased by more than 100 percent, which may still not totally compensate for the drop in the value of the naira.

Jimoh lamented that at this stage of the country’s auto development, assembly plants still import SKD kits to assemble, on account of the dearth of component manufacturers in the country, among the interplay of other factors.
http://www.businessdayonline.com/nigerias-bogus-auto-policy-pushes-car-prices-200/