PICTURES: GOV. AMBODE’S CONVOY APPREHENDS AIR FORCE CADETS FORDEHUMANISING CITIZEN AT MILE 12 ON IKORODU ROAD, LAGOS

 Apprehended Air Force Cadets – Abdullahi Fahad (left) and Peter O. Solomon (right) by Lagos State Governor’s Convoy, for locking a citizen, Dahiru Lawal in the trunk of the car, at Mile 12 on Ikorodu road, Lagos, on Wednesday, December 30, 2015. 

Gani Adams Lauds Lai Muhammed On Plans For Cultural Promotion

The declaration made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed that “I can assure you that by January 2016, when we will start rolling out our programmes, we will be able to mop up as many unemployed youths as possible using the cultural platform, “What we have decided to do is to cooperate with all states and ask each state to give us 10 cities in their state,

Security: Police partner local hunters in Ogun

 The Ogun Police Command says it is ready to partner with local hunters to provide adequate security in the state.

The Police Commissioner in the state, Abdulmajid Ali, said this on Saturday while addressing the hunters at Odeda Police Divisional Headquarters in Odeda Council Area of the state.

OPC rounds off 2015 with Ajagunmale Festival

The year 2015 ended on a happy note for i and members of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), as thousands of gaily dressed members turned up for the 2015 edition of Ajagunmale Festival, which held at the premises of Lekki Local Council Development Area, Lekki, Lagos State.
Being the last festival for the year in the crowded festival calender of the organisation, the members, who were already in festive mood, turned out to celebrate Ajagunmale, who was described as the chief praise singer in heaven.

Boko Haram Terrorists Bomb Experts Nabbed

Another  catastrophe was averted in Kaduna State and other contiguous areas when troops of the Nigerian Army arrested 7 suspected Boko Haram terrorists bomb and Improvised Explosive making Devices (IEDs) specialists.

The terrorists were arrested in Kaduna after painstaking surveillance and proactive intelligence operations over period of time.

Troops Intercept Suicide Bombers

Yesterday evening, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, intercepted and destroyed 10 suspected  Boko Haram terrorists suicide bombers at the outskirts of Maiduguri city.

Nigeria’s 4 refineries repositioned to produce 10m litres of PMS daily - Minister

 

 The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said the nation’s refineries had been repositioned to produce not less than 10 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, per day. 

Kachikwu stated this on Sunday during his official visit to Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC).

According to him, the mission of the visit was to ascertain the current state of the refinery and identify areas of challenges for the workers at the refinery.

FEAR OF JUJU FORCE LASU ADMIN/SENATE BUILDINGS UNDER LOCK FOR 9MONTHS

The fear of objects alleged to be ``Juju’’ or charms has continued to keep the Lagos State University Administrative and Senate buildings under lock-and-key, as well as deserted for the past nine months now.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the buildings which house the office of the V-C and other principal officers of the institution had been shut since March 16. 

The alleged charms were said to have been found around the buildings sequel to a rift between the former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa and the four staff unions of the university.

Police nabs Pastor over charm buried in church premises

Benin, Dec. 27, 2015 (NAN) The police in Benin arrested one Apostle Ikenna Okafor on Sunday for allegedly burying charm in his church premises in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the identity of what the suspect buried was unknown even though residents around the church located along Esigie St. in Benin alleged it was a live animal.

HERITAGE EBANK RESTATES COMMITTMENT TO SMEs

.....AS WINNER EMERGES IN THE SEASON 2 OF THE NEXT TITANS  TV ENTERPRENUERSHIP  REALITY CONTEST

Heritage Bank Limited has restated its commitment to the development and sustenance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises as a major plank to address youth employment in the country.

Stakeholders Task ATON on Vehilce Tracking

The Association of Telematics Operators of Nigeria (ATON) has officially taken off as it was unveiled to the public recently at an impressive public outing in Lagos.

In its first inaugural stakeholder conference held on Thursday 17th December, 2015 at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, the association intimated the public of its activities and what the association stands for.

NIGERIA SUPREME COUNCIL FOR ISLAMIC AFFAIRS MEETS IGP ON NATIONAL SECURITY · Expresses confidence in Police

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, fdc, NPM, on 21st December, 2015, received a delegation of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs on a courtesy call in his office at Force Headquarters, Abuja. 

Stanbic IBTC appeals Court ruling on the matter of Starcomms Private Placement

Stanbic IBTC Bank last week, exercised its constitutional right of appeal in relation to a judgment given by   the Honourable Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, which ordered the bank and Starcomms to pay the sum of N1.3 billion plus interest for alleged breach of a 2008 contract in a suit involving a former Group Managing Director of Afribank Nigeria Plc, Patrick Olayele Akinkuotu and his company, Long Term Global Capital Limited.

Communal clash: Kwara sets up committee

The Kwara State Government has set up a fact finding committee on the remote and immediate causes of the recent communal clash between Share and Tsaragi communities in the state. The committee, headed by the State Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisra and comprises members of the state executive and security councils, has since visited the communities with a view to finding a lasting solution to the crisis.  

Former NLC State Secretary is dead, for burial December 28

The death has been announced of the former Secretary of the Rivers State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and educationist, Sir Joseph Osaro Ejire Awala, KSC.

A statement by his son, Mr. Innocent Sam Awala said that the former unionist passed away peacefully at his home in Alode, Rivers State on December 03, 2015 age 75.

See Star Actress Ope Aiyeola's very beautiful Xmas Photos

Isn't she lovely?

Subsidy Removal Will Further The Hardship of Common Man- Gani Adams

Our attention has been drawn to a call by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy.



This call, coming at this time when Nigerians are suffering untold hardship as a result of the downturn in global economy is both shocking and disappointing.


It is particularly disturbing that such call was made by a leader of the APC, a party whose leaders were in the forefront of a protest that shook the nation when former President Goodluck Jonathan increased fuel price to N97 per liter a few years ago.


As we speak, more than 15 states are unable to pay their workers as a result of the shortfall in the nation's earnings.
Without doubt, the removal of the fuel subsidy, which in truth is about the only thing that Nigerians enjoy from the government, will inflict more hardship on hapless Nigerians.


Therefore, any increase in the price of fuel via the removal of subsidy will definitely lead to increase in the prices of food stuff, while transport fares will shoot up, leaving civil servants who are already suffering from the shortfall in government's allocations to suffer more.


Rather than attempt to remove subsidy, the government should focus its attention on efforts to put our refineries in good shape.
It is a shame that at this age of our national life, Nigeria takes her crude oil to smaller countries like Equatorial Guinea to refine and later bring back same into the country as imported fuel.


Nigerians cannot continue to take the same old story by government that it cannot continue to subsidize the price of fuel, when we all know that that is only little benefit that Nigerians enjoy.


But the truth is that the call for subsidy removal should not surprise any Nigerian with discerning mind.
The government had for some time now drummed it into our ear to prepare for tougher times.
Government has also promised us change, but whatever change Nigerians expect and deserve from President Muhhamadu Buhari should not be to further push them into poverty.
Let President Buhari and all organs of government responsible for production and distribution of oil in the country stop the blame game and go after the disease instead of continuing to treat the symptom, which at all times, have only given us temporary reprieve.


More importantly, it is imperative that the government should know that any attempt to remove subsidy will only benefit the oil marketers, the cartel and all those who have combined to make living hell for Nigerians.


It is also important to remind government that any talk of subsidy in Nigeria is a government magic designed to deceive the people.
If truth be told, it is Nigerians that subsidize the little the government is doing.
Nigerians provide their own power, borehole, security, fill potholes and send their kids to private schools.


These are the problems President Buhari and the government should focus its attention on and not a planned subsidy removal as punishment for Nigerians for voting for him.

PROF SAGAY: TRIBUNE SACKS REPORTER....PLACES EDITOR ON SUSPENSION

The Sunday Tribune published an interview in its December 20, 2015 edition with the headline: "Buhari not sincere with corruption fight--Sagay." A lot of issues have since cropped up on that interview with the supposed interviewee disclaiming it through an online medium. We have done a preliminary in-house investigation into how the interview was conducted and on what could have gone wrong with it.

TROOPS CLEAR BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS ENCLAVES

As part of their determined efforts to rid the society of all known Boko Haram terrorists enclaves and hideouts, troops of 25  Task Force Brigade based on tip off conducted a fighting patrol along Damboa-Njaba-Bale road in Borno State.

Another Court Grants Dasuki, Five Others Bail

Another Federal Capital Territory( FCT) High Court has granted the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki( rtd.) bail. Other granted bail include former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa,  ex-Minister of Finance, Bashir Yuguda, a former Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Mr. Shuaibu Salisu and two others on the condition that they provide N250 million bond each and a surety in like sum.

NEW THEATRE COMMANDERS FOR OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE APPOINTED

...  Reposition to Attain Combat Readiness

The Defence Headquarters has restructured the Operation Lafiya Dole in the North East to reposition it for more efficiency, effectiveness and combat readiness in the discharge of its assigned tasks of crushing the remnant of terrorists.

Joint Investigation Committee Clears Mister Abubakar Sadiq

The Joint Investigation Committee (JIC) in Maiduguri has cleared Abubakar Sadiq earlier arrested as one of the 100 wanted Boko Haram terrorists.

SOLDIERS DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED

The death sentences by firing squad passed on 66 soldiers in January and March 2015 by separate General Court Martials have been commuted to 10 years imprisonment each. 

CYNTHIA SHALOM WINS NEXT MOVIE STAR 2015

27-year old Cynthia Shalom has emerged the winner of the 2015 edition of the Next Movie Star. The budding Nigerian actress, model and dance instructor beat 15 other housemates to emerge winner of the coveted crown and is set to smile home with a brand new SUV, management deal, movie contract for three years and mouthwatering wardrobe allowance.

FCMB sponsored COPA Lagos Tournament kicks-off with excitement

The 2015 edition of COPA Lagos Beach Soccer tournament, sponsored by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, kicked-off yesterday (Friday, December 18, 2015) at the Eko Atlantic Beach in Lagos with soccer administrators, fans and the general public praising the Bank for raising the status of the tournament through its various supports. They also hailed the organisers, Kinetic Sports Limited, for its efforts at promoting beach soccer in Nigeria.

Asha Microfinance Bank Limited Extends CSR To Students

Management of Asha Microfinance Bank Limited on Wednesday 16th December, 2015 extended their Corporate Social Responsibility to Yewa Junior High School, Agege, Lagos by donating textbooks and branded exercise books to the students of the school at a ceremony attended by parents, teachers and clients of the foremost bank.

Association of Telematics Operators of Nigeria Berths

Apparently disturbed by the activities of quacks,  vehicle tracking agents in Nigeria, The Association of Telematics Operators of Nigeria (ATON) has finally taken the bull by the horn to address the situation. 
The association has therefore begun to put all those in the business of vehicle tracking into integrity test that is in conformity with laid down rules and regulations of Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC.

According to ATON, a major step to begin the campaign to sanitize the industry will begin on Thursday, 17th December 2015, at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Ikeja when the association will be formally launched and presented to the public in the presence of strategic stakeholders like The Police, Nigerian Communications Commission, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Federal Road Safety Commission and the rest of such.

ATON is made up of of NCC-Licensed Tracking Companies involved in the sale and installation of Telematics Products and Services in Nigeria.
ATON is currently the only organization of its kind.

According to the association, it's primary existence is for the PROTECTION and PROJECTION of tracking and telematics industry and standards, and the delivery of RETURNS to all stakeholders as reflected in their vision ' To Improve  standards in the vehicle security industry in Nigeria'.

ATON acts as a catalyst for the national and economic development of the telematics industry through the increased usage of telematics technology-based solutions and services in the Corporate and Government Sectors with optimal customer satisfaction.

Among its various objectives are:  (a) To establish a close relationship with Government through the supervising Agency, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) on behalf of the Telematics & Tracking community for the development of the industry.
    (b) To assist in the formation of industry standards, specifications, protocols and laws and other inter related technologies and applications in Telematics which are in harmony with international standards.
    (c) To be the industry reference point as the recognized body of professionals who can / will do professional tracking and telematics practice with guarantee and peace of mind.
    (d) To encourage research, development, education and training in Telematics operations.
    (e) To encourage the printing, publishing and circulation of journals, periodicals, books, papers, reports and other technical and commercial literature related to its fields of activities.
    (f) To launch publicity campaign to educate the stakeholders including awareness building about the benefits of integrated Telematics community and a host of others.
The Association according to its Public Relations Officer, Eno Essien, is open to those who meet its eligibility criteria as stated on their website www.aton.com.ng  
At the moment the association has as its Chairman, Olugbemi Oyeneyin.

LIFESTYLE AND HEALTH ‘BOOK OF REVELATION’

The year’s edition of the Beer and lifestyle symposium actually lived up to its billings as Nigeria’s top celebrities across social and political circles converged at the Grand Ball Room of the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the venue of the event.

The annual beer symposium tagged: ‘Beer and Life Style’ drew participants – Nollywood actors, academia, scientists, and nutritionists - from far and near. 

SENATE ORDERS REINSTATEMENT AND PROMOTION OF POLICEMAN SUSPENDED FOR 21 YEARS, SENATOR ADEOLA REACTS

Following a petition presented by Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) on behalf of one of his constituents, Sgt. Amos Olaniyan on October 6, 2015, the Senate has ordered the reinstatement, promotion and payment of all dues to Sgt Olaniyan who was verbally suspended from the Nigerian Police Force 21 years ago.

This follows the consideration and adoption of recommendations of the Report of the Senator Sam Anyanwu led Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition that investigated the suspension of Sgt. Olaniyan from the Force.

Nine Foreigners Bag five Years Jail Term for Illegal Oil Bunkering ... Two Nigerians Also Bag Two Year Jail

Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday, December 15, convicted and sentenced nine foreigners alongside their vessel for illegal oil bunkering. The convicts, arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on June 18, 2015 were found guilty on a 4-count charge that bordered on conspiracy and illegal oil bunkering.

EXCLUSIVE PICTURE OF ZAKZAKY WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED.....AS HIS MEMBERS UNLEASH VIOLENCE IN KADUNA

 Police opened fire Tuesday on unarmed Shiite Muslim protesters in the northern city of Kaduna, leaving three dead, the spokesman for Shiites in Nigeria said, as activists accused soldiers of having killed hundreds of Shiites in "a massacre" in a nearby town in recent days.

Spokesman Ibrahim Musa of the Shiite Islamic Movement in Nigeria says 10 people were also wounded when police shot "peaceful protesters." They were condemning the mass killings over the weekend and early Monday in the ancient Muslim university town of Zaria, and demanding the military release their leader, Ibraheem Zakzaky.

Retirees still collect N2000 as pension in Adamawa--Official

Comrade Umar Mairiga, Secretary, Adamawa chapter of  the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), on Tuesday in Yola said that some pensioners still collect N2,000 monthly as pension in the state.

Mairiga told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that "Adamawa is the state where you find the least paid pensioners in the country; we still have pensioners that collect N2000, N3000 and N4000 as pension".

FCMB Excites Customers with Cash, Gifts at ‘’Millionaire Promo Season 2’’ Draws

Another set of 643 customers of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited have emerged as winners of cash and various exciting gifts at the second draws of the Bank’s ongoing reward scheme tagged, ‘’FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 2’’, held nationwide on Tuesday, December 15, 2015. The electronic selection of the winners was witnessed by officials of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Consumer Protection Council and thousands of customers of the financial institution.

PRCAN Members Pass Vote Of Confidence in EXCO

 

Managing Director of NECCI Ltd, Mrs. Nkechi Ali-Balogun , President PRCAN, John Ehiguese, Red Media Africa of Newly Inducted agency , Mr Adebola Williams and Honourable Treasurer of PRCAN, Mrs. Mojisola Saka,  at the  concluded 2015 PRCAN Annual General Meeting /Induction of New member held in Lagos recently.

The members of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), the umbrella body of PR consultancy firms in Nigeria, arose from their 2016 Annual General Meeting on Thursday, December 10, 2016, with a unanimous expression of support for their EXCO in its efforts to rid the profession of charlatans and those consultancy firms practicing PR illegally in Nigeria.

PRESIDENCY CONFIRMS BUHARI RECEIVED MONEY FROM DASUKI

According to Sahara Reporters Presidential spokesman has confirmed that President Buhari received money from Dasuki,as well as bullet proof vehicles. Adeshina claims they were statutory entitlements  of the President.

"Why They Are After Me" Juliet Chukkas Onaeko--ITF--DG

After weeks of a snowballing scandal of blackmail, calumny, baseless accusations and personal attacks against the Director General of Industrial Training Fund, Mrs. Juliet Chukkas Onaeko; the phantom crisis sparked off protests by hired goons and fifth columnists, who barricaded the ITF headquarters in Jos, as part of a purported strike by Union workers, calling for the sacking of the Director General. But it is now emerging that the smear campaign was manufactured by vested interests in what ITF officials described as an “entrenched chain of corruption”

STF recovers 169 cows in Plateau, asks owners to come for identification

The Special Task Force (STF), in charge of peace in Plateau, has recovered 169 cows stolen in Plateau, according to its spokesman, Capt. Iweha Ikedichi.

Ikedichi, in a statement in Jos on Monday, said that the cows were in the custody of the Force.

TROOPS CLEAR BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS FROM AULARI

Troops operating in Bama axis on a fighting patrol today cleared Boko Haram terrorists out of Aulari general area located within the Sambisa forest. 

The troops cleared all the 4 camps located within the area that includes Faldan, Kidiziromari, Kuroshini, Kurumari and Ngulda. One Boko Haram terrorist was killed while trying to escape and about 31 persons were rescued from the terrorists. 

N2.1bn alleged fraud: Court grants Dokpesi bail

A Federal High Court Abuja on Monday granted bail to former Chairman of African Independent Television (AIT) Raymond Dokpesi, who is standing trial over alleged N2.1bn fraud.

In a ruling of the court, Justice Gabriel Kolawole granted bail to Dokpesi in the sum of N400 million and two sureties in like sum.

He said that each surety must have a landed property worth N200 million each.

Bauchi govt sponsors 185 Christians to 2015 pilgrimage in Israel

Rev. Vincent Bature, Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi, said Bauchi State Government has sponsored 185 of its members to Israel in 2015.

Bature made this known on Monday in Bauchi when state officials of the association paid a courtesy-call on Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of the state.

FG to partner British Council on cultural development

 The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Monday expressed his ministry’s readiness to partner with the British Council on cultural orientation and development in the country.

Mohammed said this when the Country Director of the council, Mrs Connie Price, led a delegation on a visit to his office in Abuja.

He said the ministry wanted the council to assist in area of cultural orientation to positively change people's attitude towards discouraging corruption, impunity and indiscipline.

He minister requested the council to also assist in areas of capacity building, infrastructure development, digitization programme, women empowerment through cottage industries and revival of dead cultural industries.

According to him, the ministry needs the council to stem piracy in the film industry.

Mohammed said the partnership was imperative but it should be done in a cooperative manner.

Earlier, Price said that the UK Government had sustained its cordial relationship with the Federal Government.

She said the purpose of the visit was to discuss with the ministry and identify programmes that required the council’s intervention.