Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday chaired the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting.
The meeting started when the Vice President arrived the Council Chamber of the State House around 11am.
Opening Muslims prayer was offered by the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Thursday paid a familiarization visit to the agencies in the ministry: Nigerian Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday quizzed some management staff of the Kwara state Scholarship Board over alleged N150 million bursary fraud.
Those interrogated by the operatives of the Ilorin zonal office of the commission over the case include the Chairperson of Kwara Scholarship Board, Hajia Fatimoh Yusuf, Executive Secretary of the board, Fatai Lamidi and the Board’s Accountant, Stephen Ajewole among others.
As at the time of filing this report, the officials of the board are still being grilled by the operatives of the commission
It was gathered that the Kwara state government in 2017 and 2018 released the sum of one hundred and fifty million naira as bursary allowances for ten thousand students who are indigenes of the state in various tertiary institutions.
It was also gathered that the board did not pay up to 4000 students but allegedly fraudulently converted the remaining ones to personal use.
The petitioners who are students of some higher institutions of learning had alleged that their names appeared as beneficiaries of bursary allowances at the board but never received the money.
During interrogation with the operatives of the Commission, the students who sighted their names, matriculation numbers and signatures became very angry, insisting that the names and matriculation numbers were correct but their signatures were forged.
They claimed not to have been the original beneficiaries of the controversial bursary allowance despite their particulars on the scholarship board documents.
The officials of the board had earlier told the operatives of the anti-graft body that the students were issued cheques but the commission discovered that only few beneficiaries were given cash.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has declared probe into the rape accusation by celebrity photographer, Busola Dakolo against founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo inconclusive.
It said the five-man investigative panel it set up sat for over a month with presentations and attendance by key stakeholders such as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), church leaders and others.
National Publicity Secretary of the PFN, Bishop Emma Isong, who briefed reporters on Thursday on the outcome of the panel’s sitting said Busola and her husband, Timi Dakolo also attended the sittings.
He however said the panel could not conclude its work because Fatoyinbo refused to show up despite “several invitations and efforts.”
According to Isong: “The panel met for over one month and interfaced with parties involved in the matter. Unfortunately, all attempts to meet with Fatoyinbo failed despite many efforts we made.”
Asked what efforts they made specifically, he said Fatoyinbo was invited through letters, calls and proxies without any success.
Isong stressed: “Several efforts were made. Several calls were made but he rebuffed us. He shunned the invitation of the panel to defend himself.”
He said since the accused was absent, it would be impossible for the panel to conclude on its investigation.
PFN however commended the Dakolos for showing up at the panel.
It said: “PFN appreciates the respect that Mrs. Dakolo and her husband accorded the panel by showing up and interacting with members.”
It lamented Fatoyinbo snubbed the panel despite asking the body to intervene during the heat of the accusation.
Dakolo accused Fatoyinbo of raping her 20 years ago when she was a 16-year-old attending the church with her family in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.
The accusation attracted public outcry and protests in the Abuja headquarters and Lagos branch of the church following which Fatoyinbo stepped aside from the pulpit on July 1 to allow for investigation.
He denied the accusation, saying he had never raped a woman all his life.
He however returned to the pulpit on August 5, sparking another round of public outcry.
Unknown gunmen in the wee hours of Thursday unleashed horror on Ilile, a riverine community, in Ohaji-Egbema Council Area of Imo State, killing five persons and injuring many others.
Among those killed by the rampaging gunmen in the pre-dawn attack were a retired Police Officer and a community leader.
The assailants, according to eyewitnesses, stormed the community around 3am.
A reliable source, who pleaded not to be named, gave the identity of the slain ex-cop simply as Mr Ukpabi and another victim, who was the immediate past President General of the community as Napoleon Amadi,.
The community source told our correspondent that others who were wounded by bullets were hospitalised.
The gunmen, our correspondent learnt invaded several families, shot their targets before fleeing in the wee hours, our correspondent learnt.
The source said: ” As we speak, five persons have been confirmed dead. Among the dead are a retired police officer, Mr Ukpabi, the immediate past president general of our community, Napoleon Amadi, a member of vigilante group in our community, Uwagwu Eze and two others. ”
” Three persons died on the spot while two others died at the hospitals. Several others are lying critically. They invaded their families around 3am and shot them. They killed them in their houses while they were asleep. They visited them one after the other in their households. It was indeed a tragedy.”
On what led to the killings, the source said: “It was purely cultism. I don’t know the names of the warring cult groups but they were cult related. This is indeed too much to bear.I can’t believe it.
When contacted , the Police Public Relations Officers in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, said three persons were killed.
Ikeokwu said that he could not confirm if the killings were cult-related but stated the Commissioner of Police, Rabui Ladodo had ordered a investigation into the matter with a view to bringing the killers to justice.
He said ” I can confirm that three persons were killed. But I cannot confirm if it was cult-related because they came and shot their targets. The CP had ordered a full-blown investigation into the killings with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice “.
The Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun said five persons died in road traffic accident in the state between Aug. 8 and Aug. 20, while 36 others sustained injuries.
Mr. Babatunde Akinbiyi, the spokesperson for TRACE, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta on Thursday said that 17 road traffic accidents were recorded during the period, involving 23 vehicles and one motorcycle.
He said 63 persons were involved in the accident out of which 36 persons, 23 males and 13 females sustained various degrees of injuries.
Akinbiyi said those that died included four males and one female.
He said that 45.73 per cent of the accident was caused by speeding, 22.84 per cent by dangerous driving, 9.80 per cent by bad tyres, 2.45 per cent by driving against traffic and 19.18 per cent by other causes.
“Furthermore, 57 motorists and 25 motorcycle operators were apprehended for 125 offences,’’ he said.
Comparing the period with the corresponding period of 2018 when the Eid-el-kabir was celebrated, Akinbiyi said that deaths arising from accident reduced by 16.67 per cent.
Akinbiyi stressed that the resolve to reduce road accident deaths and injuries in the state would be pursued vigorously in 2019.
The spokesman appealed to motorists and other road users to obey traffic rules, adding that no traffic offender in the state would be spared.
In recent weeks, Nigerian telecommunications company MTN has found itself on the watchlist, with investors from across the globe are looking to buy stocks in this African company with a worldwide customer base. Formerly known as M-Cell, MTN has forged a respected name for itself across African countries, as well as in Europe and Asia. From its Johannesburg headquarters, the ambitious organisation has worked hard to become the world’s ninth largest mobile network operators, no mean feat for a company that is still under 20 years old.
Last month, in another sign of its growing success, MTN listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for the first time, creating an opportunity for investors. While the company’s primary listing is on the Johannesburg stock market, this latest move has been seen as a real vote of confidence in its future. To coincide with the new listing on the NSE, MTN released a statement, saying: “This is just the beginning, we still intend to pursue a future public offer giving more Nigerians greater access to the MTN opportunity.” Ralph Mupita, who is CFO of MTN Group also said that listing the organisation on NSE also represented an important move towards pushing up local ownership of MTN in Nigeria, thus adding strength to the country’s equity capital markets.
The latest news on MTN may be positive but things haven’t always been rosy for the telecoms giant. As recently as 2015, the organisation found itself in trouble with the Nigerian Communications Commission when it failed to disconnect over 5 million subscribers with unregistered SIM cards. This event saw MTN’s share drop by 12% and the company was fined $5.2 billion for its misdemeanour. However, this amount was ultimately reduced to $1.7 when MTN said it would list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. So, MTN’s route to the exchange has been somewhat chequered.
MTN may soon be joined on the Nigerian Stock Market by another large telecoms company – Airtel Africa Ltd, which is part of Bharti Airtel Ltd, an Indian telecommunications group. Airtel Africa Ltd has indicated it may float on the London Stock Exchange in a bid to expand its services across Africa. And, it’s also said it may soon be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, joining competitor MTN. When MTN listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, it did so with 20.35 billion shares as a cost of N99 per share.
In recent days, MTN’s shares have increased in value, but some market analysts have said that the company doesn’t necessarily have a clear run ahead. Network expansion, the disruption caused by that industry fine and certain geopolitical tensions in Iran have all made for slightly rocky foundations. However, while MTN’s late 2018 share price suffered a steep drop, it has definitely rallied since then.
As with all matters buying and selling shares, it’s not possible to predict with any accuracy whether MTN’s fortunes will rise or fall. However, it currently seems as though this Nigerian telecommunications company is certainly one to watch, on the NSE and potentially on bigger stock exchanges in the months and years to come.
Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim has dragged a Ghanaian TV presenter, one Akuko Perming over the comments she made about her failed marriage with ex-hubby Kwadwo Sofa.
The gorgeous actress, who took to her Instagram page @julietibrahim to express how she felt, also shared a photo of the TV presenter with a captioned of featherless chicken alongside with a long post.
“Miss Akuko Perming – Not until I was sent this senseless video of yours posted on Tv Africa’s page I never knew of your existence.
“It is obvious everyone wants to trend using my name! You all Do anything for clout!
“Even ugly chickens feel they have a say in someone’s personal life! Dead TV station with dead ass TV presenters looking for clout off Juliet Ibrahim as usual.
“If you think you know better about marriages why the F aren’t you married yet zombie?
“You say I should go back to my ex-husband and stop waiting for Mr Right, even after all I went through with him and how he moved on with the lady he impregnated while we were married?
“Stupid clown, I am not a desperate woman who’ll lower her standards for anyone on this earth because I deserve better and I will never ever SETTLE!
“Why don’t you go to him and be a mistress to his new wife?, ” she said.
Ibrahim, who compared Perming to a cleaner for intruding on her divorce issue, insulted and called her some distasteful names.
“Since it is obvious you have no self-value and self-worth DumbAss!! Until you have walked in someone’s shoes don’t open your stupid toilet hole to pour out stink shit! Clown, with your nasty brown teeth and cheap hair and eyelashes.
” Don’t you dare come at me ever again in your miserable life.
“You chose the wrong day, wrong time and wrong person to talk about on your dead ass stupid senseless show!
“And it is a shame on TV Africa for tolerating such utterances when their so-called presenters can not even do research before blabbing bullshit about people they talk about.
“If you want to discuss me and my former marriage on your station why not spend “ 50 cedis “ ONLY to buy MY BOOK; read and understand what happened before I left my marriage and my ex-boyfriend?
” How hard is it to practice Professional journalism in Ghana? If anyone cares to speak or say anything about me henceforth go and buy @atoasttolifebook.
“After you done reading you have the freedom to talk or invite me for interviews.
” #PISSEDOFF #ENOUGHISENOUGH #ATOASTTOLIFE #NEVERSETTLE #IDESERVETHEBEST,” she concluded.
The renowned actress recently shared with fans an in-depth of her experiences while growing up, from being a refugee to becoming one of the most sought after actress in Africa.
She published her first book ‘A Toast To Life’ where she wrote about the different phases of her life.
She started from growing up as a refugee in different African countries, getting molested and raped at some point to become one of the most sought after actress in Africa.
The book gave a first-hand feelings of the former beauty queen’s rags to riches story.
Ibrahim had revealed that her marriage with Sofa was a mistake which should not have happened while pointing out that her ex-husband’s family was never in support of her marriage.
She was married to Safo in 2010 after she got pregnant for him in the course of their friendship.
They were however granted divorce in June 2014 after he allegedly cheated on her.(NAN)
An Uber driver, Richmond Temple, found in possession of N12million church equipment belonging to The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), has appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Temple, 33, was arraigned by the police on a four-count charge of conspiracy, breaking, entering and stealing.
Prosecuting Sergeant Friday Mameh alleged that the defendant and accomplices, who are on the run, committed the offences at about 3am on August 9, 2019 at TREM (Restoration Parish) Chevron Drive in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos.
“The defendant and others at large did break and enter The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM). They did steal three amplifiers, three electronic keyboards, one laptop computer, one digital console and one CD printer, all valued at N5million.
“At about 4am, same day, at Ikate Roundabout in Eti Osa LGA, the defendant was found in possession of suspected stolen items in his car, including: two Samsung Plasma TVs, one Wharefedric Pro MP 2800, one Yamaha keyboard, two Peak Monitors, MOSFET 2000 professional power amplifier, one saxophone, two base guitars, all valued at N7milion,” Mameh said.
He said Temple could not give a satisfactory response to questions at the Ilasan Police Station.
According to Mameh, the offences contravened Sections 287, 311 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Temple pleaded not guilty.
His counsel, O. Bridget, applied for his bail “in the most liberal terms.”
Bridget told the court that the defendant was an upright, hardworking family man, who mistakenly picked up thieves in his vehicle.
She said: “The defendant is an Uber driver, who, in the course of his duty, was hired by two men to move their goods. He didn’t know them from anywhere and didn’t know the equipment were stolen.”
She added that the men fled when police stopped the vehicle, leaving the defendant to face the consequences.”
In a bench ruling, Magistrate B. I. Bakare granted Temple N50, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum, among other conditions.
The case continues on September 19.
Many people have already thought of starting up something, may it be a routine or anything that signals a change in one’s life. But some people thought of starting a sports blog. Many have hoped for this opportunity to open up since sports are excellent past time for most American citizens. Most of them either play, watch, or talk about games whenever the chance comes. On top of these choices, some even think of being a writer for a sports column.
On another note, a sports enthusiast might be looking forward to seeing a blog curated by a fellow sports fan too. Of course, to make your blog successful, you must reach an audience that can willingly engage with your blog posts. Try going beyond a general audience like your family and opt to let your content come across fans of sports, teams, and players as well. Fortunately, the technology of the 21st century can provide your desire to start. The Internet and blogosphere will bestow this golden opportunity for you.
Now, forget about not being a formally-trained sports writer. You will still garner a content-hungry audience for your sports blog. But before anything else, make sure you have a lot of time in your hands to eagerly manage everything from top to bottom. The Internet and blogosphere will bestow this golden opportunity for you. To have an idea with your blog layout, take a look at Betway Insider sports blog and see if it fits your style.
Is it easy starting a sports blog?
Having too many insights on one thing can either make drive you to share it or keep it. As a sports fan, you might want to share it. Who knows, fans that twirl around the world of sports might be looking out for you. Try to imagine concocting posts that started from sharing with your family and friends and moving to an audience locally or even worldwide. It’s the Internet. Hence there will be a big chance that your content will be put out there to be read by millions of people! Many sports websites, such as Betway, has amassed a loyal audience. Also, never lose sight of the path, which leads to successful sports blogs in creating a consistent revenue stream. Take note, and it’s not only another small money cow, but it can also attract a broad enough audience, taking you to consider it as a business too.
I’m ready! But where and how do I begin making my sports blog?
As a newbie, the best way is to learn by doing while watching and reading tutorials on the side. The Internet is a massive treasure trove. It has everything you need: free plugins, how-to guides on blogs, tutorials, information, and resources. It’s all available if you look hard enough. Explore every website that caters to your blogging needs. Sports websites like Betway can give you an idea. Aside from that, dwell into different forums to get support and immerse yourself more than ever in the sports community.
7-step Beginner Guide
Starting from the bottom up doesn’t have to be complicated. If you also don’t know where to begin, here’s a beginner guide in making your first sports website: