ENOCH BASSEY EFFIONG popularly known as BORN-FLOW, one of the fastest rising highlife stars in South-South Nigeria, releases his debut album titled BORN-FLOW KEDO. The 11 tracks album is a must listen as it encapsulates varieties of sounds that will not just catch your ear but makes your legs move.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday joined other chieftains and stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to celebrate the victory of the Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee at the Supreme Court. “I thank God for this day of justice and may God bless Nigeria,” Jonathan stated in a tweet. “The party that gave Nigeria the largest economy in Africa is a party whose heart is large enough to find a place for all Nigerians and a free market economy that provides a level playing ground for all PDP is an inclusive vehicle not an exclusive one. “We see Nigerians as human beings deserving of rule of law and separation of powers.” He urged members that left the PDP while the leadership crisis lasted to return to their natural home and build the party. “Thus they must take inspiration from Gen. Gowon and declare no victor no vanquished policy. “But as a moral victory of constitutionality over arbitrariness. As I congratulate the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker c...
The Police command in Borno has confirmed the death of two persons in a suspected Boko Haram attack along the Maiduguri-Damboa highway. Mr Damian Chukwu, the Borno Police Commissioner, who confirmed this on Tuesday said that the dead persons included a police man and a truck driver. “You would recall that since the Maiduguri-Damboa highway was reopened, motorists ply the road strictly on military escort. “Initially it was only the military that provides the escort, but later the police was invited to join,” Chukwu said. He said that the convoy left Maiduguri with the military in the front while the police was at the rear. “The convoy had about 200 vehicles among which included an 80-seater bus conveying a newly deployed Mobile Police Unit from Oghara in Delta heading for Askira Uba one of the newly liberated communities. “The convoy also had a burial party of a late Special Investigation Bureau police woman who died last week,” Chukwu said. He added:”The convoy st...
The United States on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to the Federal Government’s anti-corruption drive, saying it would continue to offer material and intelligence supports to ensure Nigeria is rid of graft. The U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Mr. David Young, said the cost of corruption to the economy should not be measured by figures of stolen assets, but its effects on hardworking citizens. The diplomat said America would continue to support open partnership with agencies of government and civil society organisations to end corruption in Nigeria, adding that all Nigeria’s stolen assets stashed in the U.S would be recovered and returned to the country. Young spoke at the launch of Report Yourself, a web-based anti-corruption platform to promote citizen engagement in the fight against corruption. The event was organised by BudgIT in collaboration with the U.S Mission to Nigeria and Religious Leader Anti-corruption Committee (RLAC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO). The w...
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Monday said the National Assembly’s response to his observation on the 2017 Budget did not address fundamental issues raised on funds allocated to key ministries. Fashola, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Hakeem Bello, expressed concern over the recourse to name-calling and personal attack by the federal lawmakers, insisting the legislators lack power to insert items in budget prepared by the executive. The minister said he was worried that spokespersons of the Senate and House of Representatives failed to state the reason the National Assembly cut allocations to key infrastructure projects of the ministry. While acknowledging that legislators could contribute to budget making, Fashola disagreed that members of the legislative arm have powers to alter items in the budget after putting the executive members through defence sessions and committee hearings. The minister observed that ...
Chelsea will reportedly be forced to give up their pursuit of Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, and instead will focus on Virgil van Dijk. Given the close relationship that he would have built up with Bonucci during their time together at Juventus and with Italy, it’s no surprise that speculation continuously linked Conte with a reunion. Combine that with the fact that the Italian international and defensive stalwart remains one of the best in his position in Europe, he would have been the ideal addition to further solidify the Chelsea backline. However, according to the Evening Standard, Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri has ruled out the chance of seeing the 30-year-old leave Turin this summer, and hinted at the likelihood that he will take the captain’s armband from Gianluigi Buffon when the legendary goalkeeper calls time on his playing career. As for Chelsea, that presents them with a problem as to who they should sign instead to bolster their backline, with the report g...
The Federal Government plans to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar. It targets domestic production of 1.7 million metric tonnes of sugar by 2020, to, among others, halt the yearly loss of about N350 billion to importation of the product and create jobs. But the realisation of these targets via the implementation of the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) is being threatened by smuggling, community hostility, and flooding, among others. Already, investors are worried that they may not savour the sweetness of their multi-billion naira investments in sugar, unless remedial steps are taken urgently. Asst. Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports. T he three major investors in the Nigerian sugar industry – Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, BUA Sugar Refinery Limited and Golden Sugar Company Limited – are, no doubt, big ticket investors credited with having the Midas touch. Their successes in turning businesses into extremely profitable ones are widely known. However, their foray into the sugar sector ...
The Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) yesterday said it is going ahead with the timetable for the recall process for Senator Dino Melaye because it has not been served any court ruling or process. The recall process is expected to begin on Monday. Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja had on Thursday rejected Melaye’s ex-parte motion for a temporary injunction to restrain the INEC from proceeding with the recall process. Tsoho only asked the parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice. According to a top official of the electoral commission, who spoke with our correspondent at about 6pm yesterday, the recall process will go ahead. The source said: “As at the close of work, we were not served any order, ruling or a process from the Federal High Court. “Even if we had received any order from the court, our legal unit will still advise us on what the status quo means. We cannot act in vacuum. “Certainly, we a...
One of the top 20 universities in the United Kingdom, The University of Sussex will provide a full scholarship to the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 NNPC/Shell Cup tournament. This was made known by the General Manager, External Relations, SPDC, Igo Weli during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with University of Sussex, UK as education partners of 2017 NNPC/Shell Cup in Lagos on Tuesday. “We have a new and equally exciting collaboration as we have on board one of the top 20 universities in the United Kingdom, The University of Sussex in Brighton, as the Education sponsor to the NNPC/Shell Cup 2017 edition. “This will provide education opportunities for the Most Valuable Player for the 2017 edition and strengthen the NNPC/Shell Cup experience for our students as the university will have sessions with the players during this week. “Sussex will support the prize for the MVP with full scholarship for one MVP, including tuition, flight and accommodation- to atte...
The presidents of Niger, Guinea-Bissau and Benin arrived at the Aso Rock Villa today Tuesday, to visit their Nigerian counterpart, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano yesterday announced the payment of pensions and gratuities to 385 retirees, after 38 years. It was learnt that the governor had released N700 million while payment will begin at the end of June and last till May 2018. Commissioner for Information and Strategic Planning, Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta, addressed reporters yesterday in Awka, the state capital, on the development. Some corporations whose retirees have died include Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) and Anambra Newspapers Company, publishers of National Light. Nnacheta said those involved had been suffering for years, adding that the money had been provided to stop their agony. The commissioner said the affected workers were 227 ABS ex-workers, 158 from National Light. He recalled that since 1979 and 1992, retired workers of the corporations had not been paid their pensions or gratuities. The state government also announced that it is currently handling 181 projects across the s...
