Saturday 3 March 2018

Buhari Writes UK's Serious Fraud Office Asking Them To Probe How Saraki, Ekweremadu Acquired £15million, And £4m London Homes


The United Kingdom's Serious Fraud Office (SFO), SaharaReporters has learned,  is on the verge on launching an investigation under the Unexplained Wealth Order into how the Messrs after receiving a letter from the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. 


Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, President and Deputy President of the Senate respectively, acquired pricey landed properties in the  United Kingdom.

Iker Casillas falls victim at cost-cutting Porto


Spain’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Iker Casillas will be released by Porto at the end of the season as the cash-strapped Portuguese giants look to cut costs.

Francisco Marques, the Porto spokesman told A Bola daily, that the former European champions need to slash the contracts of their best-paid players.

Apple reportedly planning to release cheaper MacBook Air later this year


Apple hasn’t done much with its ultra-thin MacBook Air in recent years, opting to slim down some of its other offerings instead. But the computer is reasonably popular, and according to Apple analyst KGI Securities (via 9to5Mac), the company is reportedly planning to release a cheaper model at some point in the second quarter of 2018.

NCC: Nigeria’s GSM subscribers hit 140 million


The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has said there are 140m GSM subscribers in the country as at September 2017.

This was disclosed by the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Garba during the NCC Day at the ongoing 39th Kaduna International Trade Fair.

Politics is not my calling, I don’t like the limelight – Folorunsho Alakija


In this interview with KUNLE FALAYI, one of Africa’s richest women, Folorunsho Alakija, speaks on her philanthropy, family and meeting the current richest woman in Africa.

You talk glowingly about your husband anytime you have the chance, do you ever quarrel?

Of course, we do quarrel. Even the mouth and the tongue quarrel. The good thing is that we make up within our home and family. Hardly does it ever get to the children. If the children ever find out about it, no problem. The whole idea is to ensure it never extends beyond our own walls and family. We know how to communicate and obviously, something must have worked for 42 years. Before that, we had courted for three and half years. By now, we already know more about each other, our likes and dislikes. You have to study your partner and find the easiest way to make up with each other. For instance, when he is moping or something, I may go to him and tell him to help me do my zip. That makes his heart melt and from there, we start talking again.

Angel Di Maria on the mark as Paris Saint-Germain turn focus to Real Madrid


Angel Di Maria kept up his irresistible form as a Paris Saint-Germain side missing Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe defeated Troyes 2-0 ahead of their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.

The Argentine notched his 13th goal in 14 starts this year during Saturday’s visit to the Stade de l’Aube, which coincided with Neymar successfully undergoing an operation to repair a broken bone in his right foot.

Thierry Henry: I learned how to play football again under Pep Guardiola


Thierry Henry says his perspective on football altered when he played under Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola during his three-year spell at Barcelona.

The Sky Sports Premier League pundit joined the La Liga giants from Arsenal in the summer of 2007 and, despite a barren first campaign at the Nou Camp, played a key role as Barca became the first Spanish side to complete a domestic and European treble in 2008/09.

South Africa fuel prices to fall in March on stronger rand


The retail price of petrol and the wholesale price of diesel in South Africa will fall on Wednesday after the rand strengthened, the energy department said on Friday.

The price of petrol will fall by 36 cents to 13.76 rand per litre in commercial hub Gauteng province. Diesel will go down by 47 cents to 12.09 rand.

Man arrested for adorning kidnapped victim’s cloth, shoe


A 30-year-old suspected member of a kidnapping gang, operating in Agbor area of Delta State, Chima Chekube, has walked himself into police net after he was sighted wearing the cloth and shoe of one of his victims, Pascal Izunna.

Chima, who was said to have confessed to the crime, led operatives to arrest seven other members of the gang. They were recently paraded by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammad Mustafa.

PSG: Neymar to have six weeks of physio before training return


Neymar will not resume training for at least six weeks following a successful operation on his broken foot in Brazil, his club Paris Saint-Germain said on Saturday.

The world’s most expensive footballer flew to his homeland where he had surgery on Saturday on a broken metatarsal in his right foot, performed by Brazilian national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.

7 Suspected Crude Oil Thieves Die In Bayelsa Pipeline Explosion


Some suspected members of a gang of oil thieves have died in an explosion caused by their alleged their attempts to breach a crude oil pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Bayelsa State.

There were conflicting figures on the number of the victims consumed in the pipeline vandalism explosion as community sources, on Saturday, put the casualty figure at six and seven.

Nigerian prison cells where inmates live like kings, use co-prisoners as servants


The revolting pictures of Nigerian prison cells on the internet and in newspapers are enough to give anyone visiting a jail house in the country a panic attack.

But amidst these dingy, damp and dimly lit rooms in prisons, overcrowded with the damned, deceased and dying from all over the country, there are cells reserved for some affluent inmates who live out their terms in happiness and merriment.

Cleaner Lagos Initiative: Visionscape to employ 200 scavengers


Visionscape Sanitation Solution says it will employ 200 scavengers at its Landfill sites to help in the sorting of waste as part of move to boost the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, CLI.
Chief Operating Officer, Thomas Forgacs, disclosed this during a tour of its Landfill in Epe area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, along with top officials of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, PSP operators and journalists.

‘N500m for new vehicles, N1.9bn for secretariat’ — APC proposes N14bn budget for 2018


The All Progressives Congress (APC) has budgeted a sum of N14.82 billion for 2018.
The proposal was contained in a memo presented by Bala Gwagwarwa, party’s national treasurer, to the APC national caucus on Monday.
The ruling party hopes to fund its 2018 budget from levies on elected and appointed office holders, nomination fees, fundraising and sale of party membership cards.

Arsene Wenger has overstayed his welcome - Peter Hill-Wood


Former Arsenal chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, has said that manager Arsene Wenger has overstayed at the club.

Hill-Wood was the man who appointed Wenger in 1996.

Saudi crown prince sets off on maiden foreign tour


Saudi Arabia’s crown prince lands in Egypt Sunday on the first leg of his maiden foreign tour as heir to the throne, a diplomatic charm offensive that follows his stunning rise to power.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s two-day visit to Cairo comes ahead of a scheduled trip to Britain on Wednesday for talks with Prime Minister Theresa May and the United States from March 19-22.

EU, Germany support Nigeria’s power sector growth with €33 million


The European Union and Germany yesterday announced a fresh financial package worth €33 million to support further developments in Nigeria’s power sector especially renewable energy.

This new package is coming on the heels of the World Bank’s approval of $486 million credit facility for the country’s electricity grid improvements a forthnight ago.

Atiku Is Pdp’s Best Bet For 2019 Presidency – Asari-Dokubo


Former Niger Delta militant leader, Alhaji Mujadid Asari- Dokubo has tipped ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP’s best candidate to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC in the 2019 general elections.
Asari- Dokubo in this interview with FEMI FOLARANMI in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, dismissed some names being touted as the PDP likely presidential candidate and warned that if the party fails to pick a strong candidate that can rally the people for the general election, it would lose the polls.

Inside story of Mushin mayhem


For the uniniated, Akala Street in Mushin, a Lagos suburb, is usually a ‘no-go’ area. Most of the adjoining streets in the community are ‘relaxation’ spots for hemp smokers and drug addicts, who in the fit of craving and lack of money exchange their clothes and other personal valuables for wraps of hard substance.
But that crowd of craving young men on the streets of Akala, Elegba and environs with lit marijuana and bottles of beverages spiced with other hard drugs, was yesterday replaced by sullen faces ruing either the loss of their wares to the police raid, vandalised properties or the arrest of their loved ones.

I Didn't Become A Pastor Because I'm Broke, Kaz Cries Out


Former singer now Pastor, Kaz has cried out saying he didn't become a Pastor because he got broke or lost out from music, but it was a covenant he made with God when he was 7 years old. Speaking with Saturday Beats, Kaz says those saying he is broke or his career is dead needs Jesus because he actually acquired two houses just from two songs and even started several businesses from proceeds of music... Hear him;

EFCC loses fight to retain NFIU as Senate, House of Reps agree on central bank control


The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh says Thailand has accused Nigeria of being responsible for the collapse of its seven rice mills following the drastic fall in rice importation from the country.

The minister made this known at a meeting of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative ( PFI ) and leadership of the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers of Nigeria ( FEPSAN ) held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

Spain Jails Rapper For Praising Terror Groups


A court in Madrid has sentenced Spanish rapper Pablo Hasel to two years in prison for glorifying terrorism and insulting the Spanish royal family. The case has sparked a debate about free speech in Spain.

The Spanish National Court handed rapper Pablo Hasel a two year jail sentence and fined him €24,300 ($30,000) on Friday for praising terror groups, inciting violence and insulting the Spanish Crown and state institutions.

Dietician: Late night feeding causes overweight, high sugar level


A dietician in Garki Hospital, Abuja, Grace Abasirim, has warned that late night feeding can lead to overweight and increase in blood sugar level.

Abasirim told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja that late night food would result in accumulation of calories and nutrients in the system, if not digested by the body system.

Bayelsa residents applaud federal govt’s road repair on Mbiama-Yenagoa


Some residents of Bayelsa have applauded the on-going emergency repair works being carried out by the Federal Ministry of Work, Housing and Power on Mbiama-Yenagoa road in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that major sections of the road which failed several years ago, are now receiving the much needed rehabilitation.

Nigerian Man Set To Break Guinness World Record


A Nigerian, Olawunmi Treasures Bayode is about to break the Guinness World Record in the category of the Longest Reading Marathon (Read Aloud)

He’s attempting to read for 120 straight hours. The current world record is 113 hours 15 minutes, completed by a man from Nepal.

Thailand ‘blames Buhari’ for collapse of its rice mill


Audu Ogbeh, minister of agriculture, says Thailand has accused President Muhammadu Buhari’s government of being responsible for the collapse of seven of its rice mills.
The minister made this known at a meeting of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) and leadership of the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers of Nigeria (FEPSAN) held at the council chamber of the presidential villa, Abuja, on Friday.

Buhari, Tinubu, governor, others to grace Ganduje’s daughter’s wedding in Kano today


The ancient city of Kano was yesterday agog ahead of today’s wedding between the daughter of the Kano State  Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Fatima (Baby) and the son of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Idris.
President Muhammadu Buhari, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors and other top dignitaries are expected to witness the grand ceremony today.

ICYMI: How Telephone Robbers Now Steal Millions From Bank Customers’ Accounts


YEMI AREMU, a Lagos-based journalist, was about going to bed when he got a sms message alert reminding him that his mobile phone internet subscription was due for renewal the next day. 

Since he was already in bed and tired, he decided to leave the renewal till the next morning before travelling out of town. The following morning, he reached for his smartphone, dialled the codes for the Guaranty Trust Bank’s (GTBank) mobile banking, punched the four digit numbers and paid for another 30 days internet subscription without hassle in less than five minutes and set out on a trip to Ogun State. About 30 minutes later, his sweet experience using his phone to carry out financial transaction turned bitter after his smartphone was stolen while he was in transit between Ota and Ifo areas of the state. The gravity of the phone loss dawned on Aremu when he checked his email on his second phone only to discover that the phone robber had transferred a sum of N29, 600 from his bank account, shortly after stealing the phone.

Zimbabwe court orders state to compensate evicted black farmers


A court in Zimbabwe has this week ordered the government and the head of the police force to pay reparations to a group of resettled black farmers whose homes were demolished in 2015 to make way for the former first lady’s game park.

The court victory provides little immediate comfort to the farmers at the Manzou farm in Mazowe district, about 50 kilometers north of Harare.

AIT Sacks “300 Staff” Nationwide


The management of the African Independent Television, AIT, has sacked at least 300 of its staff.

According to reports, the sack took place today and its believed to have been directed by its owner Raymond Dokpesi who allegedly signed the letters for the disengaged staff.

FG extends search for 110 Dapchi girls to neighbouring countries


The Federal Government yesterday said it has extended the ongoing search for the 110 girls abducted from the Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State, to the neighbouring countries.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who disclosed this in a statement, said top military and security officials on Thursday travelled to the northeast to add more urgency to the search, which has now been extended beyond the northeast theatre.

Court urged to void extension of APC NWC members’ tenure


The Federal High Court in Abuja has been urged to void the extension of the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congioress (APC) by its National Executive Committee (NEC).
The request formed part of the prayers in a suit by Okere Uzochukwu, who described himself as a member of the APC in Imo State.

Saraki’s camp kicks as ‘rebel’ group unveils members


The unveiling of members of the new group that emerged in the Senate has upset the camp of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Daily Trust gathered. 

Daily Trust had last week exclusively reported the emergence of the group as a result of the crisis that trailed the passage of the reordered election sequence. It was gathered the roll call of the group was unveiled at a meeting late Thursday night held at the residence of a former governor who is a senator. 

Wanted Boko Haram Suspect Now Head Of Benue Security Agency


Dateline: September 25, 2011. Nigerians were treated to a theatre of the absurd when the police high command raised the alarm that a self-confessed kingpin of the Boko Haram Islamist sect, which held the nation by the jugular, had surreptitiously slipped out of custody.

Shockingly, the same man is today the head of Benue State local security agency called Livestock Guards.

His arrest and escape from police custody

2019: Fresh crisis hits PDP as Jerry Gana, Adeniran, Orubebe, Turaki, others dump party for SDP


Three former ministers are leading an exodus of top members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after efforts to heal the wounds of the last national convention of the party hit the rocks.
Ex-Information Minister Jerry Gana,ex-Education Minister Tunde Adeniran and ex-Niger Delta Minister Godsday Orubebe  are moving to the  Social Democratic Party (SDP) which is merging  with the  Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Peoples Salvation Party (PSP) to form a formidable party ahead of next year’s elections.

Police arrest five over abatement, forgery in Sokoto


The Police Command in Sokoto State has arrested five suspects for alleged abatement and forgery of the National Identity Card.

The Spokesperson of the command, ASP Cordelia Nwewe, said this while presenting the suspects to newsmen in Sokoto on Friday.

Paul Ince: Paul Pogba would be better at Manchester City or Tottenham than Manchester United


Paul Pogba is not suited to Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United and would be “a better player” at Manchester City or Tottenham, says Paul Ince.

Questions continue to be asked of an £89 million addition at Old Trafford and his contribution to the collective cause.