PROMASIDOR SHINES WITH COWBELLPEDIA

Stakeholders in education sector have raised their thumbs for the seamless conduct of the 2016 Cowbellpedia Qualifying examination held nationwide on Saturday, 19th March, 2016.

Obviously excited by the prospects in the competition, students and their parents have also commended the initiative by Promasidor Nigeria Limited, the promoter of the project. 

A cross section of parents, students and teachers who spoke to our correspondents at the venue of the examination in Lagos and Ogun States praised The National Examination Council, NECO for the smooth and hitch-free exercise. They also want the government and other corporate citizens to emulate the great initiative by Promasidor.

Mr. James Oluwatoyin, a teacher of one the participating schools at Ifo Center in Ogun State, expressed satisfaction with the exercise and enjoined the promoter of the initiative to keep the flag flying. The same sentiment was echoed at Ojodu center in Lagos by Mrs. Nifemi Ajelowo, also a teacher in one of the participating schools. She specifically praised NECO for the crisis-free examination and the credibility brought to bear upon the exercise. 

 Festus Tettey, Head of Marketing, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, has equally expressed delight at the conduct of the qualifying written examination

Tettey, in a chat with journalists, commended the officials of States’ Ministries of Education and National Examinations Council (NECO), who were on ground at each location to ensure the examinations were conducted in free and fair environment. He therefore gave them thumbs up for the professional way they handled the process.

 

He explained that Promasidor designed the Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics TV Quiz to discover and nurture talented students in secondary schools in Nigeria. He said the participating schools were given equal opportunity in the qualifying examination as five students in the junior category and five in the senior cadre represented each school.

 

 

In conjunction with the Ministry of Education, the Head of Marketing said Promasidor arranged for centres in strategic locations across the country in order to make accessibility easy for the participating students and their teachers.

 

In Lagos alone, examinations were written in 26 centres while in Ogun State, 9 schools were used as centres. Among the schools used in Lagos as centres for the examination are: Ransome Kuti Memorial Senior High School, Mushin; Ikeja Senior Grammar School, Oshodi; Kuramo College, Victoria Island; Amuwo Odofin Community Secondary School, Mile 2; and Oriwu Model College, Ikorodu.

 

Similarly, Remo Secondary School, Shagamu; Abeokuta Grammar School, Abeokuta; Ansarrudeen Comprehensive College, Otta; and Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode; were some of the schools used as centres in Ogun State.

 

After 18 years of involvement with the sponsorship of Mathematics competition in Nigeria, Mr. Olivier Thiry, Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited explainedthat the company significantly increased the prize money for the finals for both students and teachers. This year he said, the top prize student winner in each category will go home with One Million Naira in addition to other prizes, while the teacher will be awarded Four Hundred Thousand Naira.

 

“All these improvements are to underscore Promasidor’s effort to provide a credible platform that discovers, recognizes and rewards excellence in Mathematics, a critical component of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria. This is in addition to the quality nutrition that is provided by the Cowbell brand for the nourishment of the Nigerian populace especially children,” he said.

 

 

Kenny Duyile's Latest Wonder On Wheels

Super Big Boy Kenny Duyile Dazzles With Rolls Royce Phantom 

In the leagues of big boys in town,  Kenny Duyile has made a remarkable announcement that he is definitely here to stay for a long time. Even while overseas where he combined school with business, he never for once disappointed many who believed in him, that he is never a flash in the pan.

Recently, he returned to his fatherland to stay after so many years in the United Kingdom and he made sure that his entry was gallant in every way. Though, he loves being on the quiet side, but things around him will definitely make the noise he so much would like to distant himself from.

One of the big ways he announced his re-entry was the multimillion burial ceremonies he hosted in Ikorodu for his late mother. The soiree has become the talk of the town ever since the party held because he made sure that purchasing power was used to its optimum in sending his mother to the great beyond.

Nowadays, wherever the good looking chap who is married to equally beautiful Ifeoma goes, tongues wag because of his new toy- a Rolls Royce Phantom that he has been cruising around town in lately. The road beauty has a special plate number KD which is the initials of the Ondo high chief.

To those who know Chief Kenny, he has driven many wonders on wheels that the king of the way- Phantom has become like the icing on his cake as it concerns his love for automobiles.

He has graced many occasions lately, amongst is the twentieth anniversary of City People Magazine which held at the Lekki Coliseum

EFCC Arraigns Former Acting DG of NIMASA for Alleged N156m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  today April 12, 2016 arraigned former Acting  Director General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,  NIMASA, Haruna Baba Jauro, his brother in-law, Dr Dauda Bistrus Bawa and his company Thlumbau Enterprises Limited before Justice C.M.A Olantoregun of the Federal High Court Lagos on 19 count charge of stealing and money laundering. 

Jauro was arrested by the EFCC based on its findings during the investigation of his predecessor, Patrick Akpobolokemi. In the course of investigation,  it was discovered that the former Acting DG while being the Executive Director, Finance of the agency received the sum of N156,477,500 as gratification from Akpobolokemi to allow the former DG and his cohorts to embezzled large sums of monies from the agency. The said monies were traced to Jauro's company account, Thlumbau Enterprises Limited, which his brother in-law, the second accused person oversees. 
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Jauro is said to have refunded N35, 000,000 (Thirty Five Million Naira), being part of the money he collected from Akpobolokemi to the Federal Government.
One of the charge read, “ that you Haruna Baba Jauro, Dr Dauda Bistrus Bawa and Thlumbau Enterprises Limited on or about the 6th day of January 2014, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honorable court did conspire among yourselves to commit an offense to wit: conversion of the sum of N156,477,500 ( One Hundred and Fifty Six Million,  Four Hundred Seventy Seven Thousand,  Five Hundred Naira Only)  property of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sum were proceeds of stealing and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition (Amendment)  Act, 2012 and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty after listening to the charge.  
Rotimi Oyedepo, the prosecution counsel did not oppose the bail application filed by the counsel representing the accused persons.  
Consequently, the accused persons were granted bail in the sum of N5, 000,000 (Five Million Naira ) and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and must present tax clearance for the last three years. 
The case was adjourned to May 16 for trial.
In a related development,  the EFCC also arraigned Alu Dismas, personal assistant to Patrick Akpobolokemi ,  Calistus Nwabueze,  Executive Director,  NIMASA and two companies: Grand Pact Limited and Global Seal Investment Limited, on eight count charge of stealing and Money Laundering before Justice  Olantoregun.

Calistus as Executive Director, was said to have received the total sum of N136,105,000 (One Hundred and Thirty Six Million, One Hundred and Five Thousand Naira )  from Akpobolokemi. 
The second accused person,  Alu Dismas who  was personal assistant to Akpobolokemi also received various sums of money.

One of the charge against them reads:  “that you Calistus Nwabueze and Dismas Alu on or about 5th day of August 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honorable court did conspire among yourselves to commit an offense to wit: conversion of the sum of N111,000,000 (One Hundred and Eleven Million Naira ) property of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency knowing that the said sum were proceeds of stealing and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition (Amendment)  Act, 2012 and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge. And were admitted to bail in the sum of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira Only) and two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned to May 16 for trial.

TROOPS ORGANIZE JOINT CLEARANCE OPERATIONS WITH CAMEROONIAN SOLDIERS

Troops of  152  and 155 Task Force  Battalions at Operation LAFIYA DOLE in conjunction with troops of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) from Cameroon, conducted a massive joint clearance operation of suspected Boko Haram terrorists yesterday Monday, 11th April 2016 along Nigeria-Cameroon borders. The unprecedented clearance operation swept through over 10 suspected Boko Haram terrorists hideouts along the border in which they killed 22 terrorists, arrested  3 Ameers (commanders) and  rescued  abducted persons.

During the operation the troops cleared Nbaga, Bula, Dabube, Ybiri, Greya and Suduwa towns and other adjoining settlements. The towns and settlements were occupied by suspected fleeing Boko Haram terrorists who escaped from villages previously cleared by troops of the Nigerian Army. The apprehended terrorists commanders  include Lawal Abba, Mallam Hisna and Mallam Gana in Shatte, Bulla Jaja and Bula Burra towns. 

The troops also rescued  1,275 persons held hostage by the terrorists. The rescued persons are being administered  and screened by 152 Taskforce  Battalion pending onward movement to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp. It is gratifying to note that the operation was a huge success as there was no casualty  or injury on the  troops. 

RAPID RESPONSE SQUAD NABS 2 TRAFFIC ROBBERS

The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested two traffic robbers for stealing N23,500.00 from the pocket of a bus passenger.
The suspects, Oyahkilome Okwonkwo, 22, and Oche Joseph, 25, were arrested at Agbado U – Turn after they had successfully pulled out N23,500.00 from the pocket of their suspect.
The leader of the group, Oche Joseph, a secondary school drop - out stated that Iyana-Ipaja/Agbado – Ijaiye route is his most profitable routes for pickpocketing, adding that, whenever he is financially down, he is sure of making money from pickpocketing on that route.
Oche disclosed that he was jobless and that he learnt the ropes of pickpocketing from one Kudus for three months before teaming up with Oyahkilome. He added that he has done virtually all type of jobs from conductor, driver and factory worker but none was more profitable than pickpocketing.
“Although, I live in 17, Mosalasi Street, Opposite Ojo Cantonment, Mile 2 to Okokomaiko to and fro is my regular route but Agbado to Ijaiye is the most lucrative route for my business. It has remained my ‘sure banker’ ”. 
There are too many pickpockets on Oshodi to Mile 2 route. Those are our popular routes. We meet ourselves at almost every bus stop on that axis, though you would still make money but I chose Iyana – Ipaja/Agbado – Ijaiye route because there are almost none there. 
We monitored our victim come out of a bank and we followed him into a bus. We were at the bus stop together but we couldn’t bring out the money from his pocket at the bus stop.
We followed him into a bus and we began to pull out the money from his pocket. Because the money was in N500 denomination, it was difficult removing the entire money all at once. I was removing the money in tranches, but unfortunately for us, he was alighting at the next bus stop. On all occasions, as soon as we conclude our operations, we get down fast at the available bus stop.
In this instance, he got down before us and instantly, he sensed some money were missing from his pocket and this was when he raised alarm and RRS men at that point stepped in. They were searching passengers when my colleague, Oyahkilome, brought out the stolen N23, 500:00 and handed it out to the police to save us the embarrassment and to let the matter rest like that but, we were shocked when they transferred us to RRS Headquarters. 
Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dolapo Badmos, stated that the force was following up the suspects’ revelations and that the police would act as soon as investigations are concluded.
The suspects have been transferred to SARS.

ALWAYS GIVE THANKS TO GOD, CLERGY URGES DANIEL AT 60.

The Bishop of Remo Anglican Diocese, Revd. (Dr.) Michael Fape has urged former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba (Engr.) Gbenga Daniel to always give thanks to Almighty God for his laudable achievements in life as he attains the diamond age of sixty years. 
Bishop Fape, at an interdenominational service held at Oriental Hotels, Lagos on Sunday as part of activities marking the former governor’s 60th Birthday celebrations also advised Otunba Daniel to praise and worship the Lord incessantly for the wonderful blessings and mercies he has received over the years in all spheres of his life. 
“You are a rare breed. Whatever that has happened in your life, God has always stood by you like the rock of Gibraltar and delivered you like the Biblical Daniel and that is why many great people in traditional rulers, statesmen, former Governors, captains of industry, elders, men of God, all have come to rejoice with you on this special occasion”. 
“As you celebrate your 60th birthday Anniversary, let me assure that God has not finished with you as greater achievements still lie in wait for you.  Create time to worship God and praise God with all your heart and what you have for His continued protection and blessing over you and your family”, he added.  
In the same vein, the presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo, prayed for a long life and sound health for the former Governor as he marks his 60th birthday Anniversary urging the congregation to be closer to God and be kind to people around them.    Also present at the service were the representative of the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fife and Miracles, Dr. Daniel Olukoya and senior clergymen from the Methodist, African, Aladura and the Pentecostal churches.  
The Service was followed by a grand Ball that was graced by many dignitaries including the former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Governor Ayodele Fayose, many traditional rulers led by the Awujale of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, former governors of Western Nigeria: General Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd.) and General Oluwole Rotimi (rtd.), Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, former Governor Donald Duke, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Chief Adebutu Kessignton, former and serving senators and members of the Federal House of Representatives, Chief Rasaki Akanni  Okoya, Dr. Oba Otudeko and a host of others.   

Metuh’s Move to Stall Trial Rejected … Ordered to Enter Defence

The National spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Monday April 11, 2016, again attempted to throw another spanner in the wheel of justice at his ongoing trial before Justice E. O Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on the seven count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Metuh who is being prosecuted alongside his company, Destra Investments Limited for the alleged N400m fraud, had earlier on Friday April 8, 2016, met a brick wall in his attempt to stall his trial.

Metuh brought a new counsel Tochukwu Onwugbufor, SAN, to represent his company, Destra Investment Limited. The counsel, had through an application sought for an adjournment to enable him formalize his appearance as he needed to be properly briefed by the former counsel, Emeka Etiaba, SAN.

Justice Abang however dismissed the application saying it was “not deserving” and adjourned to April 11, 2016 for the defence to open their case.

At the resumed hearing today, the new counsel to the 2nd defendant (Destra Investment Limited), Onwugbufor, SAN, again renewed his application for adjournment to enable him go through the previous proceedings in order to prepare for defence.

“My application is based on the provisions of Section 36 (6) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which gives the defendant the right to fair hearing. My lord, we are incapacitated to continue with this trial unless we are given facilities and time to prepare for trial”, Onwugbufor argued.

Counsel to the 1st defendant, Emeka Etiaba, SAN, also aligned himself with Onwugbufor’s submission though he said the first defendant (Metuh) is ready with his witness to open his defence.

Responding, counsel to the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, prayed the court to discountenance Onwugbufor’s application, adding that the notice is not formal and that there is no difference between the instant application and the one that had been decided on Friday.

Justice Abang after listening to the submissions of both counsel ordered the 1st defendant to open his defence.

The defence witness (DW1), Ik Abugu, a media consultant in his testimony, told the court how he was contracted by Metuh to work with him to rebrand the PDP and the image of then President Goodluck Jonathan.

He further told the court that, he attended a meeting with Metuh at the presidential villa where he made a presentation on the strategies for the rebranding of the party and Metuh was asked by the president to supply his account details for payment.

Justice Abang thereafter adjourned to April 20, 2016 for further hearing

PLEASE HELP! 28 Year Old Medical Student Olumuyiwa Needs N7m For Kidney Transplant

A Third year medical student, Olaoluwa Oluwamuyiwa, (Nickname – Dr Lulu) who is down with renal failure has appealed to Nigerians to help save his life.

Born on February 16, 1988, 28-year old Oluwamuyiwa hails from Ondo State from a small family of four, comprising his parents, himself and his younger sister.

“Dr Lulu”, as he is fondly called, began to experience difficulties in pursuit of his childhood dream to become a medical doctor in 2000 when his father lost his job. Shortly after, he had a ghastly accident that made him unconscious for several months. He has been unable to fully use his legs well till date.

Undeterred by the challenge, Lulu travelled to Ukraine to study medicine, but had to abandon the study owing to financial difficulty.

He came back to Nigeria. But refusing to give up on his dream, he went to China after some years to study medicine again. He is currently in his third year.

However, Lulu now faces a major challenge as he is suffering from renal failure. He is currently undergoing dialysis pending the time he will be able to raise the N7m required for kidney transplant.

His family has appealed for assistance from good spirited Nigerians and corporate organizations to help raise the funds. He undergoes three dialysis sessions every week at the cost of N60,000, with his friends and family helping him run around to raise the fees to ensure he lives.

You can help keep Lulu alive by donating to OLUWAMUYIWA OLAOLUWA OYINDE’s account no. 0108134961 at GUARANTY TRUST BANK.

Enquiries can also be made via telephone numbers 08177356420 (OLAOLUWA) or 08036607719 and 08029140079 (Dr Lulu’s father).

Pictures From King Rokan's 20years On Stage Celebration Held In Lagos

It was fun galore yesterday as the multi purpose hall of R and A Hotel came to life. The event was the well hyped 20years on stage celebration of America based Juju music star, King Rokan. The even also witnessed the public presentation of his latest Album,'Igba Ope'.

King Rokan's immediate constituency was well represented as the likes of Fuji rave, Saheed Osupa,Lanre Teriba Atorise,Wale Thompson,Segun Blessing,Mega 99',Canada based Yinka Farinde,Bukola Oke.

The national coordinator of Odua People's Congress,and Convener of Oodua Progressive Union, Otunba Gani Adams chaired the event. 

Here are pictures from the well attended celebration.

DSS Official Statement on Barnawi and IPOB

This Service wish to inform the general public that further to its efforts to stem the tide of terrorism in the Country, it has recorded another major breakthrough in the arrest of one Mohammed USMAN, widely known as Khalid AL-BARNAWI, alias KAFURI/ NAZIRU/ ALHAJI YAHAYA/MALLAM DAUDA/ALHAJI TANIMU.  

2. Khalid AL-BARNAWI was apprehended by this Service on 1st April, 2016, in Lokoja, Kogi State, while hiding under a false cover. AL-BARNAWI was a founding member of the Jama'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid Da'wah Wa'l-Jihad (Boko Haram) and later the Amir of the break-away faction, Jama'at Ansarul Muslimim Fi Biladi Sudan (JAMBS). 

3. Khalid AL-BARNAWI is a trained terrorist commander, who has been coordinating terrorist activities in Nigeria, while talent-spotting and recruiting vulnerable young and able Nigerians for terrorist training by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in North African States and the Middle-East. 

4. Subject was involved in many terrorist attacks in States of the Federation, including Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Sokoto and FCT-Abuja. This resulted in the killing and maiming of innocent citizens of this Country. ALBARNAWI is also responsible for the bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja, on 26th August, 2011; the kidnapping of two European civil engineers in Kebbi State in May, 2011, and their subsequent murder in Sokoto State; the kidnap of a German engineer, Edgar RAUPACH in January, 2012, the kidnap and murder of seven expatriate staff of Setraco Construction Company at Jama'are, in Bauchi State in February, 2013, the attack of Nigerian troops at Okene in Kogi State, while on transit to Abuja for an official assignment. 

5. Meanwhile, subject would soon be charged to Court to face his charges after investigation is completed.

6. This arrest is a major milestone in the counter-terrorism fight of this Service. This arrest has strengthened the Service’s resolve that no matter how long and far perpetrators of crime and their sponsors may run, this Service in collaboration with other sister security agencies, will bring them to justice. 

7. In another development, the Service has uncovered the heinous role played by members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), in the abduction/kidnap of five Hausa-Fulani residents, namely Mohammed GAINAKO, Ibrahim MOHAMMED, Idris YAKUBU, and Isa Mohammed RAGO at Isuikwuato LGA in Abia State.

8. The abducted men were later discovered at the Umuanyi forest, Abia State, where they were suspected to have been killed by their abductors and buried in shallow graves, amidst fifty (50) other shallow graves of unidentified persons. Arrest and investigation conducted so far, revealed that elements within the IPOB, carried out this dastardly action.  

9. It is pertinent therefore to alert the general public that IPOB, is gradually showing its true divisive colour and objectives, while steadily embarking on gruesome actions in a bid to ignite ethnic terrorism and mistrust amongst non-indigenes in the South-East region and other parts of the country. Following this act, tension is currently rife among communal stakeholders in the State with possibilities of spillover to other parts of country. 

10. Against the foregoing, the Service will not hesitate to act decisively within its statutory mandate to ensure that the sponsors and perpetrators of this action are apprehended and prosecuted for their crime. Accordingly, law-abiding citizens are enjoined to go about their civil duties and businesses freely, as efforts are being intensified by security agencies to maintain law and order in the State and across the Federation.