Pages

Saturday, 17 September 2016

AMAZING AMAZON GEARS UP FOR LAGOS AND THE WOMAN”.


The spate of domestic violence reported (as thousands would go unreported) since the beginning of the year has been alarming. There has been a prevalence of spousal abuse and violence resulting in some women being badly maimed while others lost their lives. Everyday we wake up to terrifying headlines that leaves you not only gob smacked but completely distraught and agitated.

 

In view of this, The AMAZING AMAZON INITIATIVE a support group for women from all walks of life living in different countries across the world, dedicated to their empowerment, enhancement, uplifting, personal growth and development, is putting together a conference to educate women on domestic abuse, its signs, causes and help available. 

 

The conference is themed "LAGOS AND THE WOMAN. In Partnership with the Lagos State Ministry Of Women Affairs, the programme will educate women on the provisions of the law in Lagos State for the victim of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

 

"We would also hear from women who are survivors of domestic abuse and how they rose above their situation'" said Mercy Makinde, founder of Amazing Amazon Initiative and the convener of the conference.

 

"Other issues affecting women who are resident in Lagos that would make them well-rounded individuals, help them live a fulfilled life and compete favorably with their contemporaries in other parts of the world would also be discussed," Makinde added.

 

 

The Commissioner of Women Affairs Lagos State, Honorable Lola Akande will be delivering the Keynote Address. Other Speakers include Nigeria’s foremost advocate against domestic violence, Mrs. Josephine Effah of Project Alert, Mrs Ini Onuk, the Founder/Group CEO, Thistle Group – a leadership, change management, projects and innovations management icon

 

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde one of Nigeria’s foremost Actor; exemplary wife and mother will be also be one of the speakers at the conference amongst other notable women leaders and captains of industry.

 

 

The date for the event is Saturday, September 24, 2016 and will be held at  Best Western Hotel, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.

 

Lagos And The Woman Conference is proudly supported by Helping Hands International, Unity Bank, Beko Electronics and of course the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs.

 

Media Partners are Guardian Woman, Nigerian Women Diary and Iaspire Radio.

 

 

Recession:Dangote Kicks Against World Bank Loan

"If I have challenges in my company, I would not hesitate to sell assets, to remain afloat" - Dangote



👉🏾Buhari should sell some assets in order to raise revenue to beef up reserves and strengthen the naira rather than seeking loans.

=============
Sept 16, 2016

Nigeria is a resilient country with strong fundamentals to get through tough times.

We have resolved to build resilience into the country’s economy to hedge against future oil shocks. This is because dependence on crude oil export brings about vulnerability and laziness.

We are doing a combination of things to diversify our economy, with revenue mobilisation to enable sufficient investment in developing the non-oil sectors.

Nigeria need revenue mobilisation via other means.

The only way for us to get out of this recession is to make sure we move into action quickly; action by diversifying the economy quickly.

I think the real challenge is now for us to have the political will in terms of selling some assets. I think it is an easier route than going to IMF or World Bank to borrow, because what we need to do is to beef up reserves.

If I had challenges in my company, I would not hesitate to sell assets, to remain afloat, to get to the better times, because it doesn’t make any sense for me to keep any assets and then suffocate the whole organization.

The President Muhammadu Buari-led administration had also disclosed earlier that it plans to sell some assets in order to raise revenue to beef up reserves and strengthen the naira


Nigeria advised by Africa's richest man to sell assets

CNBC.com

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote told CNBC that a wave of asset selling by the government could be the best way to boost Nigeria's recession-hit economy.

"I think the real challenge for us is now for us to have the political will in terms of selling some assets," he told CNBC Africa on Friday.

"I think it's an easier route than the IMF (International Monetary Fund) or the World Bank to borrow money, because what you need to do is actually to beef up the reserves."

"Nigeria's economy has weakened more than we expected owing to a marked contraction in oil production, a restrictive foreign exchange regime and delayed fiscal stimulus," S&P said in a report on the downgrade.

Nigeria's economy is set to contract on an annual basis in 2016 for the first time in 21 years, with its all-important oil industry suffering under weak global prices. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) dropped by 2.06 percent in the second quarter of 2016, after falling 0.36 percent in the previous three months.

Dangote is worth $12.5 billion and is the richest man in Africa, according to Forbes. He is the owner Dangote Group, which bills itself as the biggest manufacturing conglomerate in West Africa and has interests in commodities.

Dangote told CNBC that Nigeria, which rivals with South Africa to be the continent's biggest economy, should have been diversified a long time ago. He lamented its overreliance on oil.

However, he was optimistic that Nigeria would exit recession in the fourth quarter of this year and said the country "had all the answers" to bounce back to health.

He urged the government to sell assets in some of its joint ventures with the private sector in an open tender process. He said that Africa Finance Corporation - a development finance institution established in 2007 - would fetch close to $800 million.

He said policymakers should also look to sell 100 percent of the country's stake in Nigeria LNG Limited, a natural resources firm.

"If I had challenges in my company, I would not hesitate to sell assets, to remain afloat, to get to the better times, because it doesn't make any sense for me to keep any assets and then suffocate the whole organization," Dangote told CNBC.

—With contribution from CNBC Africa and CNBC's Katy Barnato.


Da'Fresh drops new singles

Da’Fresh who distinct his musical talent with mixture of versatility
in lyrical exposé and voice clarity specializes in Afro pop, High
life, Reggae, R & B and Hip Hop. He was cheerfully named 'Starboy of
UNLEASH Season IV' by audience at the Grand finale.

His first singles #SISI EKO officially dropped in January 2016.

#Jubadi, his latest singles is a celebration song which he sang for
purpose of encouraging lively and happy mood at all times regardless
of the situation.

Jubadi is produced by Succil.

Succil is the Producer of some yet to be released songs by Dremo,
Mayorkun and Ihcaba featuring Ycee (all yet to drop). He also produced
for Chinco Ekun.

Da’Fresh is currently signed under the management of Fanafillit
Integrated Concepts.

NMVA Announces 2015 Winners



The organisers of the Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) have announced the winners of the 2015 edition of the awards. Recall the heavily publicized annual ceremony was called off barely 78 hours to the D-day.

The coordinators had cited logistics challenge for the decision. They said ‘it was a tough call but it was inevitable’. The orgnaisers also said ‘the need to overhaul the concept, with a view to making it more purposeful also overwhelmed it’. The event was however rescheduled for a later date.

However given reasons on why they are releasing the winners for 2015 edition despite the fact that the ceremony was not held, the Coordinator of the award, Mr. Cally Ikpe said, “all other stages of the 9th edition of the NMVA was observed, from the call for entry, the nomination and to the online voting among other ancillary programs. It is imperative that the public is let in to what the result of the process is. Though belated, but we are pleased to announce the winners in the various categories for the 9th edition of the annual Nigeria Music Video Awards. In a short while, we will also let you know what the plans for the 2016 edition are”.

The NMVA 2015 winners…. 
BEST RNB VIDEO 
TIMI DAKOLO – WISH ME WELL

BEST HIGHLIFE VIDEO 
HARRYSONG – RAGGAE BLUES

BEST SOFT ROCK / ALTERNATIVE VIDEO

ADEKUNLE GOLD – SADE

BEST GOSPEL VIDEO

HUMBLESMITH – OSINACHI

BEST VIDEO BY MINORS 
YOUNG BOBBY & LEXXY EYE – FAMOUS

BEST AFROBEAT VIDEO 
WIZKID – OJUELEGBA

BEST RAGGAE/DANCEHALL VIDEO 
SHEYI SHAY – RIGHT NOW

BEST AFRO HIP HOP VIDEO 
FALZ – KARISHIKA

BEST AFRO POP VIDEO 
ORISTEFEMI – IGBEYAWO

BEST POP EXTRA VIDEO 
TEKNO MILES – DURO

BEST VIDEO BY A NEW ARTISTE 
KISS DANIEL – LAYE

BEST CONTEMPORARY AFRO VIDEO 
KOREDE BELLO – GODWIN

MAINSTREAM HIP HOP VIDEO 
VECTOR – KINGKONG REMIX

BEST USE OF DANCE IN A VIDEO 
MAY D – IBADI

BEST USE OF COSTUME IN A VIDEO 
TIPSY – O WUNMI

BEST USE OF VISUAL EFFECT IN A VIDEO 
REEKADO BANKS – KATAPOT

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY 
MR MOE MUSA – MELO BY OLAMIDE

BEST DIRECTOR 
MATTMAX – KINGKONG RMX BY VECTOR

BEST NEW DIRECTOR 
WOLE SIREN – OKORO BY JOWANA

BEST EDITOR 
UNLIMITED LA – AWW BY DIJA

RECORD LABEL OF THE YEAR 
MAVIN RECORDS

VIDEO OF THE YEAR 
VECTOR – KINGKONG REMIX

Mike Murdock: How Some Pentecostal Pastors Blackmailed Him From Attending Celestial Church Event


Details have emerged on why America born preacher, Mike Murdock disappointed over 10,000 people over the weekend by not showing up at this year Excel 2016, a celestial church of Christ concert organized by Genesis Model Parish in Lagos.
Murdock, who was contacted to motivate participants at the event on Sunday, September 11, 2016, was nowhere to be found even though his absence was not really felt. 

According to findings, Murdock couldn’t attend the event, which was held at the Grand Ballroom, Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, as a result of blackmail leveled against the Celestial church by some Pentecostal pastors.
According to the host, prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe popularly known as Genesis, he alleged that on hearing Murdock’s coming some pastors in Nigeria started calling to blackmail him from coming.

“They called Mike Murdock, saying that he should not come for a programme by white garment church in Nigeria. According to the Pentecostal pastors, white garment churches don’t have integrity. They told him that if he attends their programme he would soil his reputation”, the prophet said.
He also said he wondered why some so called Pentecostal pastors would go to such extent to blackmail a man of God from coming to Nigeria or taking part in a programme for the work of the gospel, noting that most of the so called Pentecostal pastors are marketers and not serious men of God.

According to findings, Ogundipe was said to have invited the preacher to be part of Excel 2016, and in which the preacher agreed to as evident in the advert aired on Channels TV, a day to the event. But at the last minute, on his arrival in Nigeria, some Pentecostal pastors allegedly led by a Nigerian pastor who has the biggest church in UK, were said to have approached Murdock not to honour the invitation, alleging that his reputation would be soiled if he graces the event. 
 
However, even with Murdock’s absence, the event was a success as there was plenty to take home for participants in terms of spiritual blessings, entertainment and motivation to excel.
On the entertainment stand, Lara George, Lanre Teriba, Big B, George Audu Sax and the Genesis choir performed at the event.
Excel is said to be a yearly spiritual event mixed with praise, worship and motivational talks to propel participants to keep on excelling. 

Alade Market Women's Tale of Woe ..... Flood, Thugs Make Life Miserable For Them

This is a distress message from one the women who lost her shop to pave way for a modern market as promised by the Lagos State government.
"This is the new Alade ultra modern so called market"  commissioned recently by Lagos state when the case is still in court pending hearing in October. Majority were robbed of our allocations. The APC in Lagos divided it among themselves and started selling it back to poor market people. I did not get an allocation as well.
But pls look at the location and see the Government lack of responsibility for health and safety. The local government officials have collected money from the developer and the Iya looks Elizabeth Aina Adenuga & master realty ( Layi  omotola)"



Thursday, 15 September 2016

Unity Bank reengineers for greater performance


 

Pursuant to its transformation initiatives, Unity Bank is said to have made significant strides in its repositioning drive with the attraction of specialist skills to its workforce since the relocation of its head office from Abuja to Lagos in sync with its plan to grow market share in viable clusters of the retail market.


A source close to the Bank said the new focus of the Business has led to significant enhancement of human capital in its various business units. This is with a view to injecting fresh ideas, initiatives and energies to strengthen the various departments of the bank with capabilities to pursue the attainment of strategic business focus in the Agricultural financing, retail/SMEs and development of rural economy.


About 200 new hires were said to have been recruited by the Bank to drive the transformation initiative began by the Management in the last one year while about 100 other staff were said to have been promoted recently.

Meanwhile, some members of staff numbering about 215 have been allowed to go in an exercise that will enable the Bank realign its operation to pursue its long term growth strategy. However the affected staff were said to have exercised the option to resign while Management has approved severance package in line with the Bank’s policy.

Commenting on this development, an industry expert asserted that these exercises are part of the hard choices that forward-looking organizations desiring optimum performance had to take from time to time to enable it deliver consistently on shareholders expectations.

Monday, 12 September 2016

OGD Felicitates With Muslims On Sallah... Calls For Restructuring

The immediate past governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has stated  that Nigeria will experience rapid transformation when true federalism is allowed to thrive and the Federal Government does not casually and unilaterally foist unfounded mandates on the States. 

This was contained in his message to Nigerians on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir festival.

According to the former governor, the only way for Nigeria’s survival as a nation is for all governments in the land, irrespective of their political, ethnic or religious affiliations to initiate programs that would contribute to the uplift of the life of the citizenry. 

While he felicitated  with Muslims on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, he urged them to pray for the nation against religious intolerance and other acts that threatened its unity, progress and peace.

He also called on Muslim faithful to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice as demonstrated by Ibrahim in his willingness to sacrifice his son in line with divine injunction, adding that such should be replicated by not only the Muslims but the generality of Nigerians to overcome the various social, economic and political challenges being experienced in the nation at present.

He also urged Nigerians to renew their spirit of sacrifice and patriotism  and rededicate themselves to values and virtues that would promote tolerance, brotherhood and unity across the country.

On the current upheaval in the Niger Delta, the former governor advocated for peace and harmonious co-existence in a diverse society like ours as he renewed his call for restructuring among the federating States of Nigeria

Police Begin Manhunt For Mohammed Babangida's Children


09207F83-EEA1-45E8-8274-72CF87CE0157


The  Nigeria police force has waded into what now seems more like a kidnapping case of the two children of Mohammed Babangida in the aftermath of his crashed marriage to Rahama Idimi,Daughter of maiduguri based billionaire, Mohammed Idimi. 

Sources revealed that the mother of the missing children, Rahama is in Saudi Arabia and left the two children in the custody of the sister, Zahra Idimi. 

The police we gathered waded into the matter based on a customary court order obtained by the father, Mohammed.
The interim order given us that both parties maintained the status quo pending the final determination of the case. 
Zahra idimi has since taken to the social media calling out Mohammed and accusing him of stalking her. 
A source however revealed that the unfolding drama is now causing a serious rift even between Zahra Idimi who is suspected of being in custody of the children and their father, Mohammed Idimi who has expressly given an order that the children be handed over to their father. 
"Now Zahra is fighting her absentee sisters' war and crying wolf in the social media instead of cooperating with the authority figure out the whereabouts of the kids who have never left the custody of their father even when rahama moved out of the house over three years ago. 
The police have reportedly narrowed down the search to Sunnyvale estate, a popular estate in the heart of Abuja.
Zahra Idimi we gathered told the police she has not seen the children in her custody since last Sunday and has refused to report the matter to the police but "fighting and cursing "on the social media. 
It is one week now since anyone claim to have seen the young Babangida kids and the question the police are now asking us "what has happened to the kids ",



Olufemi Davies
Publisher 
Metronews Nigeria
07055555607

Traders, family cry over land snatch by Sole Administrator of LCDA




Traders of  Agboyi Ketu Local council development area and Balogun family has cried out over land snatched by  the Sole Administrator of Agboyi/Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr. Tunji Ilelaboye.

The spokesmen of the family, Mr Yakubu Ishola Balogun, alleged that the LCDA had concluded plans to lease the  land to a modern market , adding that there is document that the land was sold to them.

According to him, the land was owned by his Father , Late Chief Ishola Balogun  when he was alive, he liked to develop a community and had strategies that ensured that the community had many facilities“. 

 He further explained that “his father has a friend called Alhaji Salami Lawon (Late) who his into trading business, like meals, plants in Lagos Island during 19s”.“My father enlightened him on why he can build his market to Ketu instead of Lagos state because there a lot of consumer in Maryland can easily buy whatever they want,” he said.

But my father told him that, he will need to pay some amount of money which the Late Lawon agreed.

After the market got burnt on  2014, the  Sole Administrator of LCDA, Ilelaboye visited the land and told the family that he wanted to build a modern market without selling the land to anybody,  Balogun stated.

According to him, the matter was taken to Lagos High court before the Hon. Justic G.A. Safari, who  ordered all the parties to maintain the status quo existing in respect of the land.

“It is also ordered that parties take a photograph of the land in dispute and submit copies of same to the court.Balogun explained that, the court has told them not to work, but the Sole Administrator of Agboyi/Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr. Tunji Ilelaboye brought a contractor to the land and gave them order to start working.

Meanwhile, every attempt by our reporter to reach the council chairman at the time of filing this report proved abortive.When our reporter visited the Council area, an officer who refused to mention his name insisted that with no prior appointment, they are not allowed to see the sole administrator of LCDA.

Sunday, 11 September 2016

KWARA AUGMENTS LG AUGUST ALLOCATION WITH N250M



The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the release of N250 million as augmentation for local councils in the State to enable them pay their workers’ August, 2016 salaries in full.


According to the State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, the governor gave the approval on arrival from Abuja this evening, following the verification of the figures provided by the 16 LG chairmen in the State. 


Alhaji Banu said with the approval, the local councils will start receiving the money as from tomorrow (Friday) morning after all necessary documentations are completed . He also expressed optimism that the LG workers will start getting their salary tomorrow. 


The Commissioner noted that the N250 million will be shared among the local governments based on their specific shortfall in August allocation. 


Alhaji Banu expressed optimism that the current financial crisis facing all tiers of government in the country will soon be a thing of the past, while also urging the LG workers to be patient with their respective council authorities while the payments are processed. 


It will be recalled that Governor Ahmed while meeting with LG chairmen and officials of the State chapter of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on Tuesday, expressed the willingness of the State government to assist the local councils to meet their salary and pension obligations. 


MNJTF Strikes 12 Terrorist Camps, Loses 2 Personnel in Diffa



The effects of difficult terrains and unpredictable weather conditions continue to pose serious challenges to the conduct of Operation GAMA AIKI. However, despite these limitations for the ground forces, the Air Component of the operation, through successful combined air operations continue to deny the terrorists freedom of action and movement within the battle fields. Recent air strikes and simultaneous clearing operations on Twelve (12) identified Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) camps and hideouts have greatly shattered their cohesion.

2. Moreover, continuous blockade of the terrorists main supply routes and arrest of their logistics suppliers caused serious economic hardship and led to the surrender of many terrorists in different locations in the Area of Operation (AOO) of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). Additionally, the troops of Sector 4 in Diffa Niger Republic tracked and neutralized 4 x BHT suspected to have attacked the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp and Two (2) others were arrested at Tumoua village.

3. In another unfortunate development, the troops of Sector 4 while on clearing operation after successful air strikes at Baroua village, encountered Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) explosion. This incident led to the death of 2 personnel (1 x Officer and a soldier) and Six (6) soldiers were wounded. The deceased personnel were given befitting burial in Diffa and while the injured soldiers were evacuated to Niamey, Niger Republic for medical treatment. In spite of this unfortunate event, the morale and fighting spirit of the troops remain very high. 

Dimeji Bankole Visits Ooni of Ife

Rt. Hon. Dimeji Sabur Bankole, CFR today paid a courtesy visit to His Imperial Majesty- OONI Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi Ojaja II. The OONI Of Ile-Ife.

Arole-Oodua- Olori-Alade Gbogbo.