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Russia 2018: Nigeria deserves to be in the World Cup – Green

Chris Green, member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said on Monday that the Super Eagles worked hard and deserved to be at the Russia 2018 World Cup.

Nigeria topped group b with 14 points to qualify for the World Cup. Other countries in the group, tagged the group of death are, Algeria, Cameroon, and Zambia.

Green, the chairman, player’s status of the Federation, said this in Lagos that comments made by Stuart Baxter, Coach of the South African national team about Nigeria were unfair.

Baxter, in a post-match reaction after losing 2-0 to Senegal, said that Nigeria and Senegal are not better than South Africa.

“ Maybe, I am being blue-eyed, but I don`t think Senegal or even Nigeria were much better than us,” Baxter said.

Green said that he sympathized with the South African coach for his inability to qualify the team for the World Cup.

“ First of all, I sympathize with Stuart Baxter for his inability to qualify South Africa to play in the World Cup. He tried very much for his team, but, it did not work out.

“ But as sportsmen, he cannot say that a team that qualified ahead of you, that you are better than that team,” he said.

According to Green, there is no reason to say that South Africa is better than Nigeria when Nigeria qualified ahead of them.

“ The World Cup is bigger than AFCON, CHAN, and so, it is the biggest stage and so, you cannot rightly say that you are better than Nigeria, that is not right, and that is not sportsmanly.

“Much as one will want to respect the South African team, as one of the teams that are emerging in African football, it will not be right for anybody to say that his team is better than the other team,” he said.

Green stressed the need for coaches to show respect to one another adding that he did not expect a coach like Baxter to make such comments.

“ We should remember that Nigeria is the first in Africa to qualify for the World Cup,” he said.

Read Also: Nigeria 1-1 Algeria: Super Eagles Finish 2018 W/Cup Qualifiers Unbeaten

November 13, 2017
Nasarawa to train information officers on modern journalism

Nasarawa State Government said on Monday it would train information officers in the state on modern trend of journalism for effective service delivery.

Mr bdulhamid Kwarra, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, made this known in an interview in Lafia.

He said that the training was to sharpen the skills of the information officers for optimal productivity and efficiency in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The commissioner said that Gov.Tanko Al-makura’s administration was media-friendly and would continue to engage the media at all times.

“The ministry is planning to organize in-house training for information officers in the state in order to meet up with modern trends of journalism.

“This is part of the commitment of the state government to improve journalists and workers’ capacity,” he said.

Kwarra advised information officers in the state to be cautious of the dangers posed by the social media and brace up to the challenges it posed to factual information transmission.

He also called on journalists in the state to ensure balance in their reports “in the interest of peace and for the socio-economic development of the state.”

The commissioner urged journalists to adhere strictly to the ethnics of their profession, to guarantee fairness, accuracy and balance.

NAN

November 13, 2017
PDP to work with any chairman elected at Dec. 9 convention

The eight contenders for the National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP )have agreed to work with any of them elected at the party’s National Convention on Dec. 9.

Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, made the disclosure at a news briefing in the early hours of Monday after a five and half hour closed door meeting in Enugu.

Fayose said that the governors met to deliberate on the forthcoming national convention and discussed with the chairmanship aspirants.

According to him, the forthcoming PDP convention will serve as template for future conventions in the country.“We put PDP first and PDP is first.

We are leaving Enugu believing that we will take power at the centre in 2019.

Fayose flanked by other PDP governors expressed the belief that the party would win the Nov. 18 governorship poll in Anambra.

“We believe we will take over Anambra if the election is free, fair and credible.“Nigeria is of age to conduct election that is acceptable internationally,” he said.

Governors at the meeting were, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia; Darius Ishaku, Taraba; Ibrahim Dankwambo, Gombe.

Others were Emmanuel Udom, Akwa-Ibom; Ben Ayade,Cross River; ifeanyi Okowa, Delta; Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa; Nyesom Wike, River, while Ebonyi was represented by the deputy governor.

Eight chairmanship aspirants, South-west had six, while South-South had two.They are: Bode George, Jimi Agbaje, Taoheed Adedoja, Tunde Adeniran, Rasheed Ladoja, Gbenga Daniel, Raymond Dokpesi and Uche Secondus.

Former governors at the meeting were Gabriel Suswam of Benue and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom.

The meeting was also attended by former External Affairs Minister, Tom Ikimi, Kema Chikwe, former Senate President Adolpus Wabara, and incumbent Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

NAN

November 13, 2017
AFRIMA is transforming Nigeria’s Creative Industry – Lai Mohammed

The annual All Africa Music Awards ( AFRIMA ) which Nigeria has hosted since its inception in 2014, is helping to transform the nation’s creative Industry to creative economy.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said at the 2017 Awards night held on Sunday in Lagos.

Mohammed who was the guest of honour at the event said that securing the hosting right for the Pan Africa Music Awards initiative had been beneficial to the nation’s creative industry.

“This Administration has identified the creative industry that is music, films theatre and fashion as a major avenue to diversify our economy.

“What we have seeing tonight is not just entertainment but how the creative industry is transforming into creative economy.

“You can see the huge economic potential that can come out of this endeavour.

“We have the entire world, not just the Africa here today, and more importantly is that it is being beam live all over the world.

“You can see what the government is doing to ensure the creative industry becomes creative economy,’’ he said.

The minister said that as parts of incentives to encourage investment in the sector, the creative industry enjoys pioneer status which allows investors to get a tax holiday.

He assured the Federal Government commitment to creating the enabling environment for the industry to thrive.

Mohammed said that AFRIMA annually provided the platform for talented African musicians to showcase their potentials and be given awards and incentives to encourage them to do better.

He said the Awards should be sustained to propel musicians to take African music to the next level.

AFRIMA which enjoys the partnership and support of the African Union ( AU ) was birth to inspire generations and celebrate African music.

The Awards is designed to promote the distinct rich African music worldwide, by propelling African music to glorious pinnacles beyond the borders of the continent.

Nigeria won the rights above 13 other countries to host the biggest music event in Africa for three consecutive years from 2014 to 2016.

Following its successful hosting of the 2014-2016 editions the AU, again, awarded the hosting right for the Pan African Music Initiative, to Nigeria for another three years (2017-2019).

The 2017 edition held last night was anchored by Damala Badara better known as Akon, an American-born Senegalese singer, songwriter, businessman, record producer and actor.

The event which witnessed host of African stars saw Nigerian acts – Wizkid, Simi, M.I, Tiwa Savage, Ycee, Orezi, 2Baba- all got awards

Of special note was Wiz Kid who took home three major Awards of the night – Song of the Year, Artist of the Year & Best West African Act ( Male )

Africa Music Legend Awards won by Salif Keita, Afro-pop singer and songwriter from Mali was presented by the Minister.

NAN

November 13, 2017
Ex CIA director assumes Trump ‘afraid’ of Putin amid Russia meddling probe

Former CIA Director John Brennan suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump might be “afraid” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid Russia meddling probe.

On Saturday, Trump said after a brief on-the-go meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit with Putin that he believed the Russian leader when he said “he absolutely did not meddle in our election.”

Trump said that the Russian president was insulted by the ongoing investigation, which is not good for the United States.

Read also: Trump requests additional $4bn for missile defence programmes

“I think Mr Trump is, for whatever reason, either intimidated by Mr Putin, afraid of what he could do, or what might come out as a result of these investigations,” Brennan told CNN.

The U.S. Congress is currently investigating Russia’s alleged meddling in 2016last year’s US presidential election.

The FBI has been carrying out a similar investigation under Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

A number of hearings regarding the issue have been held in Congress, but intelligence service officials did not provide any evidence, claiming that the information was confidential.

Russia denies meddling in the 2016 US election, calling the accusations absurd and groundless.

NAN

November 13, 2017
JAMB meets with ‘critical stakeholders’ to review UTME

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ) says it will meet with “critical” stakeholders in education on Wednesday to appraise the general conduct of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination ( UTME ).

JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, said this on Monday in Lagos that the meeting, scheduled to hold in Abuja, would brainstorm on the conduct of the examination and identify possible areas for review.

Among the stakeholders expected at the meeting were Foreign Affairs Ministry officials, university lecturers, vice- chancellors and rectors of polytechnics, he said.

“We are also expecting top media executives, state commissioners of education and heads of colleges of education.
“Other stakeholders expected at the meeting are labour unions of Nigeria universities such as ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), among others,’’ he said.

Benjamin said the board had held a similar meeting with owners of Computer Based Test (CBT) centres and administrators nationwide to appraise the registration and conduct of the 2017 UTME.

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, had during meeting with administrators of the CBT centres announced new measures that would further strengthen the integrity and general conduct of the examination.

Oloyede had also banned the use of pens, wrist watches and other devices as part of the newly introduced measures for the 2018 UTME.

According to him, experience has shown that some candidates were using the devices to perpetrate examination malpractices.

No fewer than 617 centres had been accredited nationwide for the examination while 72 others waiting for approval.

NAN

November 13, 2017
I will return party to people, if elected- Gbenga Daniel

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairmanship aspirant, Chief Gbenga Daniel, on Friday promised to bring back the party to the people, if elected at the Dec 9 convention.

Daniel spoke with newsmen in Jalingo while on a campaign tour.

He said that alienation of the people by taking away their power to make decisions was responsible for all the party’s woes.

“Our coming here physically to speak with our people one on one is something unique and part of what we are going to do to return this great party back to the people.

“The motto of the PDP is Power to the People, but over the years, it does appear that power has been taken off the grassroot, and that is the cause of our disaster in the last general election.

“ We are going round, restoring hope, talking to our people, sensitising and giving them the real situation that, now, power has come back to them,” the aspirant said.

Daniel expressed optimism that he would win the chairmanship election, having previously contested and won two governorship elections in Ogun State.

“ Most of my friends and colleagues competing were appointed officers; they did not contest and win elections, and I am sure that will be looked at when the time comes.

“But more than anything else, we have a good party with popularity nationwide, and we are ready to correct the mistakes of the past,” the aspirant said.

Daniel had earlier met with the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Haruna Manu, and other government officials on his arrival.

NAN

November 10, 2017
Monkey Pox: LG boss warns against eating bush meet

Alhaji Abdullahi Muktar, the Sole Administrator of Kauru Local Government in Kaduna State has warned people of the area against eating bush meat in view of the danger of monkey pox disease.

He gave the warning during a meeting with unions of hunters and butchers in the area in his office at Kauru Local Government Secretariat on Friday.

Muktar said the call became necessary in view of the dangers associated with monkey pox disease, which remained a threat to the country.

The administrator said “let me use this medium to call on our people to avoid eating bush meat to guard themselves against the dreaded disease.

“According to experts, the disease is as a result of intake of bush meat, hence the need to completely avoid it for the sake of our health.”

He said government would not fold its arms and allow people to fall victims of the disease.

Responding, a hunter, Malam Abdullahi Kauru, applauded the administrator’s efforts toward ensuring good health in the area.

He advised people to avoid any form of interaction with monkeys and assured the administrator of their support toward tackling the problem.

NAN

November 10, 2017
Ondo Govt. tasks NPA on modern facilities

The Ondo State Government, has tasked the Nigeria Ports Authority ( NPA ) to provide modern facilities for its operations so that the 48-hour clearance target at the ports could come to a reality.

Mr Timehin Adelegbe, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative Services, made this appeal on Friday in Akure at a one-day seminar, organised by the Nigerian Shippers Council.

The theme of the seminar was: “Economic Regulation: Facilitation of a New Port Order in Export and Import Trade.’’

Adelegbe said that the reduction of trade barriers must be accompanied by other policies and institutional reforms that would enhance investments in the local environment as well as growth in productivity.

The commissioner said that such a sustainable programme required a mutually-reinforcing policies geared towards the promotion of sustainable growth.

He enjoined the Federal Government to support the yearning of the State Government and its citizenry on the establishment of a seaport in the coastal area of the state.

According to him, the state is an agrarian society that supplies a reliable percentage of the Nigeria’s agricultural produce.

Adelegbe assured potential investors that the present Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu administration would continue to create the necessary enabling economic environment for investment.

He, therefore, urged the participants to examine all issues discussed with objectivity and come up with relevant recommendations that would assist the government and others interested in maritime trade.

“Ondo State will always play its roles effectively in rendering adequate support for all programmes that would assist in improving international trade to the state.

“For instance, in view of the importance of export and import trade to the development of our nation, Ondo State has put in place some structures to facilitate the ease of doing business,” he said.

He listed the measures to include: the ease of obtaining Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for land acquisition and the establishment of the Ondo State Development and Investment Agency.

According to him, these measures are expected to guide investors and accelerate the pace of industrial development in the state.

NAN

November 10, 2017
$1.8bn oil debt: Court to hear FG’s suit against Omokore, Aluko Nov. 23

A Federal High Court in Lagos will resume hearing of Federal Government’s suit seeking recovery of 1.8 billion dollars from two oil firms in Nigeria on Nov. 23.

The companies are Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nig. Ltd, ( AEDC ) and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Ltd ( AEBD ).

Joined as co-defendants in the suit are; Jide Omokore and Kolawole Aluko, Chairman and Director of the two companies, respectively.

The case, earlier slated for Friday was further adjourned till Nov. 23.

Although, the trial judge, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, had sat in the morning to deliver rulings, and entertain some matters, the court, however, rose, as she had to be away on official assignment.

In the suit, Omokore, Aluko and the two companies, are said to owe the Federal Government, approximately 1.8 billion dollars for crude oil lifted under a Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAT) between them.

The government had sometimes in 2016, alongside the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Ltd (NPDC) and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ), dragged the defendants to court.

Government had urged the court to restrain the defendants and their agents from demanding or receiving payments from 19 commercial banks in Nigeria, eight offshore banks, and eight other companies listed before the court.

The applicants in an affidavit sworn to by one Mr Kehinde Oginni, averred that Omokore, Aluko and the two companies are indebted to government.

He averred that the defendants by virtue of the SAT agreement were granted licence to lift crude oil and other associated products in Nigeria for sale and for parties to share the profits in agreed terms.

He averred that the defendants lifted and sold the crude oil and have been paid, but deliberately, refused to pay the government, and unlawfully diverted the profits share of 1.8 billion dollars due to the government to their private use.

The deponent listed the diversions as follows:

“Several vehicles with combined value of over N800 million were purchased by the defendants and donated to the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) through its National Chairman, Prince Secondus.

“Additional vehicles valued at over N130 million were purchased by the defendants and distributed to former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Dieziani Alison-Maduekwe, and some other managerial staff of NPDC.”

He also stated that 18 million dollars and N1.1 million were paid to FBN Mortgages Ltd by Aluko as part payment for Block A, consisting of 26 Flats at 46 Gerrard Road Ikoyi Lagos purchased at a total cost of N5 billion

The deponent also stated that payment of 25 million dollars and N95 million were made to Real Bank for the purpose of part financing the acquisition of AEDC and AEBD companies’ property as well as renovation of some properties.

The deponent had consequently urged the court, to issue a Mareva Order, restraining the defendants from dissipating all known assets directly or indirectly, including but not limited to assets listed on the face of the motion paper before the court.

After hearing the submission of applicant’s counsel, Justice Oguntoyinbo had issued an order restraining the defendants and their agents from transacting with the assets of the defendants in banks, houses, land and shares in Nigeria and others located outside Nigeria.

The banks were ordered to sequestrate all monies and negotiable instruments standing to the credit of the defendants in the sum of 1.8 billion dollars, and keep same in an interest yielding account, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The court had also ordered that the ruling should be served on the affected parties through advertisement in Newspapers circulating within and outside the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the defendants had appealed the ruling and filed a motion seeking a stay of proceedings in the suit.

Apart from the pending application for stay, there is also a pending application filed by a Limited Liability Company, Virtual Properties and Investment Ltd as an intervener.

The intervener is urging the court to discharge or vary its order, as it relates to Marion Apartments, on the grounds that the property known as Marion Apartments consists of 56 apartments owned and developed by the intervener.

It added that by virtue of two separate deeds of sublease, the intervener conveyed its interest in 43 out of the 56 apartments to Realblanc Energy Engineering Ltd, an affiliate company of the defendants.

The intervener says it still retains ownership of 13 out of the 56 apartments in Marion Apartments.

It avers, therefore, that the order of the court is prejudicial to its interest, and interferes with its right of ownership over these flats.

NAN

November 10, 2017