Abdul's Blog: 01/30/18

Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Commissioner Slumps At Inter-Ministerial Briefing

The Bayelsa Commissioner for Special Projects, Fred Obua, today slumped and was rushed out of the venue of the ongoing inter-ministerial briefing to mark six years of Governor Seriake Dickson in office.

The governor was sworn into office for the second term on Feb. 14, 2016.

The entrenchment of national security has been identified as the the top priority of President Muhammadu Buhari’s adminstration, as he puts in place measures to ensure that threats to peace and security are dealt with, noting that socio-economic initiatives of his government could only be achieved through adequate security.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhamed made the disclosure in Ibadan Tuesday, at the opening of a two-day national conference on “Culture, Peace & National Security: The Role of Traditional Rulers,” held at the Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, UCH, Ibadan, organised by the National Institute of Cultural Orientation in collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

EFCC Arraigns Fake University Lecturer for Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today February 30, 2018 arraigned one Mahmoud A. Sadiq before Justice Lawan Wada of the Kano State High Court on a one count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.

The accused person allegedly obtained the sum of N410,000 (Four Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira Only) from the complainant under the pretext that the said money was to secure him a job at the Umar Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina.

Super Eagles forward, Ahmed Musa has returned to Russian club CSKA Moscow, on loan from Leicester City after failing to impress at the English Club

The 25-year-old winger who signed for Leicester for a club-record fee of £16 million in July 2016, made 21 appearances for the club and scored only two goals.

Thomas Lemar will not be joining Liverpool or Arsenal in January, Monaco’s vice president has said.

Vadim Vasilyev told Sky Sports in October last year that Monaco would wait until at least the end of the 2017-18 season before allowing Lemar to leave.

Saudi Arabia has banned the kingdom’s expatriates from working in 12 occupational domains, making them available to Saudi nationals only.

The decision by Minister of Labour Ali bin Nasser al-Ghafis will take effect starting September 2018, SPA news agency reported on Sunday.

Barely a week after former President Olusegun Obasanjo advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019, campaign posters of ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, yesterday flooded the cities of Abuja and Lagos.

A federal high court in Abuja has struck out the human rights abuse suit which Patience Jonathan, former first lady, filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC).

Jonathan had filed a N2 billion suit against the commission on the grounds that the freezing of her accounts violated her fundamental rights.

Jamie Vardy has re-iterated he was in no doubt over his decision to snub the advances of Arsenal and stay with Leicester City.

When asked whether the transfer window can be a difficult period for a player, Vardy told Sky Sports News: "I think it was easier for me because I was in a hotel in France anyway.

Nigerian singers Davido, Wizkid and South African comedian Trevor Noah make the list of the most followed Africans on the social networks Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, a report has said.

According to campsbay media, the African Social Media Power Report: Top 50 Footballers and Entertainers was released on January 26.

In what will come across as a really heartbreaking development, a student of the Sultan Tambari Arabic Secondary School Illela, in Sokoto state was burnt to death in a fire incident that occured in his hostel yesterday January 29th.

However, the cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained.

The Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti has ruled that EFCC lacked power to investigate finances of a State.

The court said, in federalism, the FG is not an overseer or supervisor regarding finances of a State.

Manchester City have signed the central defender Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao.

The Premier League leaders met the 23-year-old’s £57.2m release clause last week in a deal which makes him City’s record signing. They paid £55m for Kevin De Bruyne in 2015.

The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Olafimihan Adeoye has expressed his satisfaction over the operations of officers and men of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS. The police boss made this known during the parade of four suspected car snatchers who were recently nabbed by FSARS operatives, Osun State Command.

CP Adeoye maintained that FSARS operatives have been working tirelessly in ensuring that the State is a no-go area for Criminals, a stride which was attested to by the recovery of 19 stolen vehicles.

A man simply identified as Mwansa Elexander Muma has fled after allegedly assaulting his wife, breaking her arms, stabbing her in the head and chest. The Lusaka man is believed to be a judiciary accountant who has been abusing his wife, according to reports from Zambia.

Family members of the beaten wife have launched a media campaign to find Mr. Mwansa who is currently in hiding.

Nairobi, Kenya (CNN)Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga, who boycotted the country's disputed election last year, swore himself in as the "people's president" at a mock inauguration ceremony Tuesday in protest against President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Thousands of opposition supporters gathered at Uhuru Park in central Nairobi to attend the "swearing-in" protest event, which was organized by Odinga's National Super Alliance (NASA). Police fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse crowds pulling down signs near the park on Tuesday.

Alexis Sanchez is the next in line of great players to wear and succeed in the iconic Manchester United number seven shirt, David Beckham, who also wore the shirt has assured.

Sanchez set up two goals in United’s 4-0 win at Yeovil Town on Friday on his debut, wearing Beckham’s old number seven shirt.

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned his media aides against “engaging or instigating attacks” against former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his recent statement on the performance of the president.

Mr. Obasanjo last week issued a damning statement accusing Mr. Buhari of incompetence and asked him not to seek re-election in 2019.

France’s move comes after Britain's first "sex doll brothel" opened - where customers are offered a "try before you buy" service. (Photo: AFP)

France recently got its first sex doll brothel in Paris for people who prefer the company of plastic than real women.

The sex club has several rooms and customers are offered services of a silicone model instead of a real prostitute.

A Nigerian lady from Delta state has accused her landlord (also said to be a Nigerian) of throwing her from a 3-storey building in Florence, Italy because she refused to sleep with him.

According to Precious (victim) on that faithful day, when she returned from work her landlord, Mr Daniel came to her room and demand for sex with her which she refused, while attempted to rape her he realised that she had her phone on record.

Twenty four hours after smashing a deadly kidnap syndicate in Imo State, the operatives of Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad of the state Police Command have arrested another suspected “deadly member” of the gang.

The state commissioner of police, Chris Ezike, who addressed journalists on Monday in Owerri about what he called “massive breakthrough” for his command and the state, said the number of exhibits recovered from the suspect was mind-boggling.

There is tension in Taraba State Government House as the Chief of Staff to the governor, Rebo Usman, tendered his resignation letter to Governor Darius Ishaku yesterday. A source told Vanguard that Rebo Usman, in the early hours of yesterday, went to the office of the governor to present the letter. According to the source, “he came in without his usual Police escort; he was calm and steady. He went in silently and came out without discussing with anybody.

A girl and her lover boy who allegedly dumped their three-week-old baby girl by the roadside were on Monday brought before an Upper Area Court 3 in Jos.

Zainab Yakubu, a 15-year-old student, was arraigned with her boyfriend, Abdullahi Ismail, the suspected father of the abandoned child.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the offense punishable under Sections 97 and 237 of the Penal Code.

A Lagos State High Court has discharged and acquitted a couple, Mr. and Mrs Innocent Eloka, alleged to have misappropriated about N285 million by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seven years ago.

Former chairman of Clarion Bonded Terminal Limited, Mr. Jude Igbanugo, had petitioned the EFCC alleging that the couple, who are part owners of the firm, defrauded it but the court declared them innocent of all the charges.

Miyetti Allah, farmers and monarchs in Imo have agreed that owners of farms destroyed by herdsmen would be duly compensated.

The pact was signed yesterday at a joint meeting held at the Imo state Police command.
Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, presided over the meeting.

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday passed two bills on Land Use Charge and Embedded Power Supply to further enhance the economy of the state.

The House passed the bills after the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, conducted voice votes on the two bills.

Popular Busty Lagos socialite, Roman goddess is officially off the market… as she’s finally walked down the aisle with her white husband.

Roman’s selling point is her curves and big chest… and Recall, she recently shared some photos and videos with her “bae” in Dubai before showing off her engagement ring… and then later announcing on social media that she’d be getting married soon.

A Nigerian grandpa claims a flight crew bound and punched him and taped his mouth shut for hours onboard a Chicago-bound flight he was taking to reunite with his family.

David Ukesone, 71, was eight hours away from landing at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, his attorney said, when a dispute with flight attendants turned hostile.

United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has announced the extradition of Onyekachi Emmanuel Opara from South Africa, for participating in fraudulent business email compromise scams that targeted thousands of victims around the world, including the United States.

Collectively, the scams attempted to defraud millions of dollars from victims, according to the FBI.

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that he won’t waste his time reading the special statement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration because it was too long.

Obasanjo had earlier last week, written a lengthy and strong-worded statement where he advised Buhari not to run in the 2019 election, adding that the President should resign, go home and rest.

David de Gea has declared himself to be “very happy” at Manchester United amid ongoing links to La Liga giants Real Madrid.

Following a slow start to his time at Old Trafford which saw early questions asked of his suitability to life in the Premier League, the Spain international has matured into one of the finest goalkeepers in world football.

A few days after Apostle Johnson Suleman released a video of Miss Stephanie Otobo apologising to him and saying she was hired by unnamed politicians to unhinge the preacher with a sex scandal, a newly released video has surfaced to show the confession was scripted by Apostle Suleman and his handlers.

For the second time in less than one week, members of the House of Representatives and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), disagreed openly on Monday at the National Assembly over the execution of power projects.

Fashola had appeared before the House Committee on Power to honour another summons.

The committee, which is chaired by a member from Cross River State, Mr. Dan Asuquo, was looking into the “Need to Facilitate Swift Action in the Management of Transmission Company of Nigeria for Electric Power Reforms.”

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, yesterday, insisted that the All Progressives Congress, APC, administration under President Muhammadu Buhari is sick and failing the people.

While he berated the President for failing to meet up with expectations of Nigerians, Fayose said: “when a government is sick, it is the leader that is sick and when a government is failing, it is the leader that has failed.”

The management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Companies, IBEDC, has warned that Nigeria’s power sector is on the brink of collapse as its dysfunctional and foundation related issues are yet to be addressed.

This came as the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the United States Power Africa on technical partnership to improve its service across the network coverage at the Obasanjo Presidential library at Abeokuta in Ogun state.

West Brom FC have completed the signing of Liverpool striker, Daniel Sturridge on loan for the rest of the season.

The Baggies’ beat Premier League rivals, Newcastle United and Serie A side, Inter Milan to sign the 28-year-old.

Liberian President George Weah said Monday he would seek to remove a “racist” clause in the country’s constitution that restricts citizenship to black people, and pledged to take a pay cut in a dire economy.

Liberia was founded by freed slaves from the United States in 1847, who inserted the requirement into the constitution to create “a refuge and a haven for freed men of colour”.

Arsenal and Chelsea have agreed a £15million fee plus bonuses and add-ons for Olivier Giroud.

According to Sky Sports Italia, the deal will not be completed until the Gunners finalize Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

Comptroller Abdullahi Bello Gusau, who was allegedly unlawfully retired, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to compel the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) to comply with the judgment mandating his reinstatement.

The Supreme Court had in its judgment about 12 months ago ordered the Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, to reinstate him.

A pastor's wife who mistakenly sent her nude videos to members of her church WhatsApp group platform, has reportedly attempted suicide out of embarrassment.

‘Osofo Maame’ who has become a subject of public discussion, especially among members of the husband’s church, was reported to have tried drinking a poisonous substance. But for the timely intervention of family relations who are keeping a close eye on her since the event, she would have taken her life.

New York's chief prosecutor says the state is opening an investigation into a firm that allegedly sold millions of fake followers to social media users.

"Impersonation and deception are illegal under New York law," said Eric Schneiderman.

The company, Devumi, stands accused of stealing real people's identities, which it denies, according to the New York Times.

It was meant to be a routine visit, but yesterday’s oversight duty by senators at the Customs headquarters turned out to be more. It sparked another confrontation between them and Comptroller General (CG) Colonel Hameed Ali (retd.).

The Senate and Col. Ali had a long row over his refusal to appear before the upper chamber in uniform.

Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika said yesterday that Nigeria will soon have a full private sector-driven national carrier.

He spoke in Addis Ababa on the sidelines of 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union after the AU inaugurated the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) aimed at enhancing connectivity among member nations and ensuring cheaper continental flights

The Chairman of Miyetti Allah, Alhaji Audu Diko, has apologized to monarchs and farmer in Imo State following the incursion of herdsmen into farmlands and subsequent destruction of crops.

He described the culprits as “unknown herdsmen”.

Diko, who made the appeal during a meeting with the leadership of Hausa/Fulani herders, Imo community farmers, and traditional rulers, said the Imo people are peace loving and do not deserve any form of assault.

Nigeria’s stocks have been rated among the world’s best-performers in the past four months, and foreign investors are a big reason for that, Bloomberg reported Monday.

The New York-based financial software, data, and media company said net foreign inflows to Nigerian equities totalled N337 billion ($940 million) last year, the first time flows have been positive since at least 2013.

Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt, teamed up with South African side Mamelodi Sundowns at their training facility today as the 31-year-old eight-time Olympic gold medalist is visiting the country as part of an Athletics South Africa development scheme.

The 2016 African champions announced Bolt’s arrival on their Twitter account and also posted a video of the Jamaican in training with the squad.

Several members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) executive committee and some secretariat staffers have been ordered back from the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in Morocco.

The staff were said to have arrived Morocco on Saturday night, but were forced to rebook their return tickets after it was alleged that the sports ministry maintained they are not part of the N500m budget the federal government has for CHAN 2018.

Nigerian singer and Chocolate music act, Shasha Damilola Alesh aka Dice Ailes came within inches of being kidnapped over the weekend.

It was reported that his car was ambushed by two cars which sandwiched his at an undisclosed location.

Disbelief and shock yesterday trailed Federal Government’s claim that it would spend over N1 billion in preparation for the burial of the former Vice President, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, whose remains arrived in Enugu yesterday.

The Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, was quoted as saying that the Federal Government approved N1bilion, part of which had been spent, in readiness for the burial billed for February 2 in Oko, Anambra State.

Former Commissioner for Finance in the administration of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, Dapo Kolawole, has sued Governor Ayodele Fayose and others demanding damages over alleged slander and libel against him by the defendants.

He is also seeking an order of the court stopping disbursement of loan and reinbursement funds to Ekiti State Government from the Federal Government and its agencies pending the determination of the matter.