Sacked Lawmaker, Hembe, Appointed Board Chairman By Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Herman Hembe, a sacked lawmaker, as the board chairman of the Michael Imoudo National Institute for Labour Studies (MINLS).

The Benue lawmaker was one of the 209 chairmen appointed to fill board positions.

Hembe was on June 23 sacked by the Supreme Court of Nigeria as led by Walter Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

He was removed on the basis that he did not win the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to represent Vandeikya/Konshisha federal constituency at the national assembly.

The five-man panel of judges led by Onnoghen had declared Dorathy Mato as the winner of the primary election of the APC.

Hembe was ordered to return all salaries and benefits collected while in office within 90 days and pay N700,000 to Mato, while APC was also mandated to pay Mato and the court N300,000 each.

In an affidavit seen by TheCable, Hembe pleaded with the apex court to set aside the order to repay all the salaries he received in office, on the grounds that he had spent all the monies and did not save.

"I have tried very hard to raise a loan to enable me comply with the above order of the honourable court, but have not yet succeeded," read the affidavit.

HEMBE'S CONTROVERSIAL TRACK RECORD

Hembe became one of the youngest federal lawmakers in Nigeria in 2007, when he was elected — at 31 — to represent his constituency at the green chamber. At the time, he was with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

By 2011, he was re-elected and later selected as the chairman of house committee on capital market and other financial institutions.

As the chairman, he led a probe of the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), and in the course of the probe, Arunma Oteh, director-general of the commission, accused Hembe of soliciting a bribe of N40 million from SEC.

He denied the allegation, saying it was Oteh who offered him N30 million bribe. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged him to court but could not secure a conviction.

By February 2016, now an APC lawmaker, Hembe was appointed to head a committee of the house to probe the $18 billion centenary city project.

Anyim Pius Anyim, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) in charge of the project under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, also accused Hembe of asking for a bribe.

Again, Hembe denied the allegations.

In 2017, after 10 years as a federal lawmaker, Hembe was sacked by the supreme court, as a result of irregularities in the election that got him to claim the seat as the APC candidate.

'PRODUCT OF IMPUNITY'
Hembe approached the supreme court for redress, asking the apex court to reverse itself on the payment of two-year salary.

The CJN said: "If somebody has been in the House where he is not supposed to be and has reaped the benefits which it should not be, you mean we should close our eyes to this product of impunity?

"No, we cannot go back to that because the imposter has no right to it. Whatever he collected should be refunded. This court is sending a message to everybody so that right from the primaries, the right thing should be done."

Hembe will, with immediate effect lead the MINILS board, under the ministry of labour and employment.

Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) was established vide Act Cap 261 of the Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1990 as the only tripartite institution in the West African sub-region responsible for providing workers' education.

Source https://www.thecable.ng

Lagos promises spectacular One Lagos fiesta finale

The Lagos State Government on Saturday promised Lagosians and visitors a world-class, spectacular finale for the ongoing One Lagos Fiesta holding simultaneously across the five divisions of the state.

An array of A-list artistes, a new set of talented youths that emerged from the Lagos Grows Talent (LGT) competition and a spectacular display of fireworks are some of the “special effects” lined up for the countdown concert, which will usher in the new year and draw the star-studded fiesta to a close at the Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island, Agege Stadium, Ikorodu Town Hall, Badagry Grammar School and Epe Marina waterfront.

In a press statement signed by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the 8-Day, 5-Centre fiesta has again highlighted Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s passionate commitment to the promotion of art and culture, development of entertainment and tourism and using the creative sector to engage and empower the teeming youths in the State.

An estimated 300,000 people have thronged the five locations of the fiesta on a daily basis in a multi-dimensional arrangement that has made it Africa’s biggest end-of-the-year artistic event.

“It is a fiesta that has provided direct, indirect and induced jobs to more than 6,000 people like musicians, dancers, technicians, stall owners, brand ambassadors, food and beverage sellers as well as security guards and transport services owners,” Ayorinde said.

He added that the Victoria Island zone for tomorrow’s grand finale will hold inside the sprawling Eko Atlantic City as against the Bar Beach end where the first seven days fiesta held since December 24.

According to the Commissioner, the fiesta train is needed to move from Bar Beach to Eko Atlantic City in order to better appreciate the spectacular display of fireworks that will herald the New Year at exactly 12 midnight on Sunday.

He assured that adequate parking provision has been made for those coming in their cars while shuttle buses would be available at the Bar Beach end from 6pm to take guests into the Eko Atlantic venue where some of Nigeria’s biggest artistes like King Sunny Ade, Wizkid, Davido, Olamide, Falz the Bad Guy, Adekunle Gold, Simi, Humble Smith and Osupa Saheed among others will stage a world-class performance that will be broadcast live on various national and international television and online stations.

Ayorinde added that the same high standard that will be experienced at Eko Atlantic will be seen at the other four venues to give Lagosians a memorable countdown/crossover night experience, in tandem with Governor Ambode’s electoral promise that every part of the State would be carried along in all of government activities.

“The Governor is impressed and happy that citizens’ participation in the fiesta has been exemplary across the five zones and that in spite of the unprecedented turn-out, crowd control has been effective; people have conducted themselves responsibly and no untoward incident has happened,” he said.

The statement conveyed the Governor’s best wishes to Lagosians and urged them to continue in this orderly and peaceful manner till the end of the fiesta tomorrow.

The Governor also expressed gratitude to NBplc, South Energy X, Eko Atlantic, GTBank, Access Bank Plc, Eko Hotels LTD, Pepsi, Dangote Group and JMG among other sponsors and partners whose support has not only made the OLF 2017 incomparable, but has also further developed the creative economy of the State.

Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, alongside Prince Harry and his fiancée, Meghan Markle step out for Christmas Service,

The British royal family looked picture-perfect as they stepped out for a Christmas day service  at St. Mary Magdalene Church on Monday.

Serena Williams Reflects on Her Top Moments of 2017!

Serena Williams has had an incredible year and now she’s reflecting on her favorite moments!

The 36-year-old tennis superstar, who married her love Alexis Ohanian and welcomed daughter Alexis, compiled her top 10 moments of 2017.

“This year has been amazing for me. As it comes to its end I want to share 10 personal moments,” Serena wrote.

At the top of the list was the day she found out she was pregnant, writing that she “had to pretend everything was normal but I was dying inside. After all I had a grand slam to play!”

Her other top moments including winning the Australian Open, her bridal shower and herVanity Fair cover.

Check out all the photos below…

Click inside to see all of Serena’s top moments…

1. The day I found out I was pregnant. I had to pretend I everything was normal but I was dying inside. After all I had a grand slam to play.
2. Melbourne 7 weeks pregnant
3. Wow I won the Australian Open. I was 9 weeks by then. No one knew outside of Venus and my fiancé Alexis
4. Everyone got me stuffed animals for my bridal shower.
5. 24 weeks.
6. bridal shower by @thevlvgroup
7. still hitting at 7.5 weeks
8. @vanityfair cover of the year for me
9. Just about ready to pop
10. The day before I checked into hospital to have my amazing baby

I feed, clothe him, but he steals my money, and still demands for respect, woman tells court

Oja Oba/Mapo Court C Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the union between a woman, Aminat Mouruf and her husband, Olasupo Mouruf.

Aminat had filed a divorce suit against her husband, accusing him of irresponsibility, battery and theft.

She appealed to the court to dissolve their union, grant her custody of their two children and make her husband responsible for their upkeep and education.

Aminat gave her evidence before the court, but Olasupo refused to show up after being served court hearing twice.

Giving his judgment after listening to the plaintiff, the court president, Chief Ademola Odunade stated that it was obvious that there was no more love between the plaintiff and the defendant.

He added that the defendant’s refusal to honour the court’s summon showed that he was defiant in nature and also didn’t cherish his marriage.

He thus dissolved their marriage and granted custody of their two children to the plaintiff.

The defendant was ordered to pay N8, 000 through the court as their children’s feeding allowance and be responsible for their education and health care.

Aminat stated thus: “My lord, my husband is the head of the home in name and not in act.  I have been the one feeding my family since we got married eight years ago.

“He doesn’t know how food gets to the table or how we clothe our children, but he sits comfortably to eat.

“My husband is also not interested in our children’s education. I was the one who enrolled them in school and also paying their school fees. He doesn’t know which school our children are attending and what classes they are.

“Any time I raise the issue of their education, he gets angry and sometimes beats me.

“We fight almost every day because he’s always demanding for respect. I always tell him respect is earned and not demanded for.”

“He’s fond of ransacking our room in case he will come across my money. He has stolen my money on many instances but he will always deny doing so.

“Any time we fight, he will drive me out of the house and won’t let me in until neighbours appeal to him on my behalf.

“He finally sent me packing a year ago. I moved back to my parents with our children. He never checked on our children nor provided them with their needs. Any time he is at my parent’s place, his mission is to fight me and my mother in particular.

“My lord, my husband is nothing but a nuisance. All I have been experiencing since we got married is set back. I, therefore, pray for a divorce so that I can start my life afresh, “she concluded.

Women, you don’t have to have millions to start a business —Funmilola, wife of ex-Police Affairs Minister

Funmilola Jallo Adesiyan, wife of former Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Oyewale Adesiyan is a trained Respiratory Therapist from Camino College, Los Angeles, California, United States of America. She is also an entrepreneur and a Licensed Realtor. In this interview by TAYO GESINDE, the Chief Executive Officer of Benny Dee Nigeria Limited speaks on how she developed a passion for entrepreneurship at a young age and why she went back to school to study entrepreneurship.

 

What was growing up like for you?

Growing up was beautiful. I was born in Osogbo but grew up in Ibadan. My mother that I lived with was a businesswoman so I used to follow her to Agbeni market at weekends and during the holidays, that was where I learnt the rudiment of buying and selling. So, I actually developed interest in entrepreneurship from a young age. I attended Saint Anne’s College, Molete, Ibadan. From there, I proceeded to Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti but I didn’t complete my studies there because I had to travel to the United States. When I got to USA, I studied Respiratory technology; it has to do with helping people to breathe, giving oxygen to people who are involved in accident or during surgery. I studied the course because I felt it was a way to make money because people make a lot of money from doing Science-oriented courses in America. However, I didn’t really practice with my certificate as I went straight into business after I completed my study. I managed the business for ten years before returning to Nigeria in 2009 to start my business. I am currently in school studying Entrepreneurship at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State.

 

What has been your experience as a business owner in Nigeria?

I faced a lot of challenges but due to the fact that I was introduced into business at an early age, I was able to overcome the challenges. It is not easy being a business owner in Nigeria but you can break even with the help of God. Anybody who wants to do business in Nigeria must be educated, have a business plan and a vision. If you don’t have a vision for your business you won’t go far in life.  Your vision and your mission in life are the key. Also if you have passion for the business you are doing, you will be successful in it. When starting a business, make sure you do feasibility study, get the right location then try and raise capital either from your savings or family and friends. You will face challenges but if your mission is to meet and provide for people’s need, you will make it. You don’t have to wait till you have millions before starting a business, start with whatever you have. Start from little, do the right things and don’t spend lavishly when you do this, the business will grow big. The key to succeed in business is to separate your business money from your personal money. Many people don’t know their incomes they just spend money as it comes, that is wrong. Although the situation of the country can make one to do that but we have to train ourselves to be disciplined financially. I will advice anybody that wants to go into business not to spend their capital; they should only spend the profit.

 

Many women divert their capital into taking care of their families because they cannot afford to see their children suffer. How can such women possibly separate their business money from their personal money?

It is a tough situation that many women especially mothers face. I would do the same so that my children and family won’t suffer. However, one still needs to put boundaries in place so that the business won’t crumble.

 

In what ways do you think government can help women entrepreneurs get access to loans?

Government is helping but the interest rate from the bank is killing. I will even advise women not to start a business with loan. It is not good at all. It is better to raise money from family and friends. When you start a business with loan, the business is dead already as it won’t be easy to service the loan and build a business at the same time. It is a big problem. If you want to take a loan at all, let it be after the business has expanded but you still have to apply wisdom in using the money.

 

How have you been combining the home front, your business and your studies?

I am really enjoying it. It is tough but I am enjoying it. Like I said earlier, I was introduced into business at an early age but I went back to school to know more about entrepreneurship. And I have really learnt a lot since I started studying the course. To be an entrepreneur is to have skill, to be creative and innovative. A woman should be able to be independent; a woman needs to strive to become somebody in life. Back to your question, thank God everybody around me has been understanding and cooperative. Before I started the course, I told them what I wanted to do and they asked if I could cope and I said yes. My husband and children have been helping me. As for the business, whenever I am around, I monitor it. I am still the one that supplies our clients. I am not allowing my education to affect my business negatively. The days I don’t have lectures, I face my business. My husband is a very wonderful man, he has been my pillar of support.  Being a wife and mother does not stop a woman from acquiring further education. This will help her to be able to stand tall anywhere she finds herself.

 

There is a saying that no matter the number of degrees a woman has; she will end up in the kitchen. What is your take on that?

That is the woman that wants to end up in the kitchen. It depends on the woman. They have told us we need to respect our husband and love our family and so on. When you need to get something from your husband, you need to know how to talk to him and let him know that what you want is for the benefit of both of you. Going to school might not mean using the certificate to work; it might just be to get more knowledge, experience and exposure. Women have to develop themselves. Many men prefer women who can support them financially.

 

How can parents safeguard their children against s3xual abuse?

It saddens my heart whenever I hear the story of a little girl or boy being s3xually abused by adults. As mothers, we need to take good care of our children. We need to monitor them closely, before you put them in a school check out the school first to see that it has a conducive environment for your child to school in. Also, if you want to employ house helps make sure you thoroughly investigate them. The most important thing we need to do, as parents is to take our kids as our priority. We need to spend quality time with them then, leave the rest to God.

 

What advice do you have for parents on how to empower the girl-child?

Give them basic training from the beginning. Give them love, let them be your best friend, let them know there is nothing they cannot discuss with you and tell them that there is nothing they cannot do or be in life. Discipline them when the need arises but also show them love. Let them have a best friend in you and not an outsider.

Liberian election: Weah postpones victory speech

President-elect, George Weah (Left) and Vice President-elect, Jewel Howard-Taylor

AN overwhelming crowd of supporters and sound-system malfunctioning forced Liberia’s President-elect, George Weah, to postpone his victory speech on Friday night.

Weah was billed to formally accept his election at his Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) headquarters in Monrovia at 6.30 p.m., an hour after his declaration as President-elect.

Immediately after the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced the final results of the presidential runoff polls and pronounced him elected, the city erupted in jubilation again.

Thousands of young people poured out from different parts of Monrovia and adjoining towns and headed to the CDC headquarters located on the only road linking the capital.

Soon, a mammoth crowd of ecstatic supporters filled the expansive premises where they sang and danced to music supplied by a disc jockey.

It was a carnival of the sort outside as an overspill of supporters sang and danced along the road, resulting in a heavy gridlock on both sides.

Similar scenes played out in other parts of the city. Monrovia was literally on standstill for Weah, a man of the people.

When the president-elect finally arrived at 8.42 p.m in company with his wife, Clar, and the Vice President-elect, Jewel Howard-Taylor, the crowd went out of control.

Efforts by the CDC youth leader, Jefferson Koijee, and security men to manage the situation proved abortive as the sea of heads pressed towards the stage where the dignitaries sat.

Two women fainted due to suffocation and were lifted on to the stage where they later got revived.

“We are thirsty, we want water,’’ a section of the crowd chorused, interrupting the National Chairman of CDC Campaign, Mr Toga McIntosh, who was delivering his speech.

The sound system was not helping matters either, as it kept malfunctioning probably due to suffocation too.

When the president-elect rose from his seat to calm the situation, the crowd went wilder in euphoria, chanting “George Weah, George Weah.’’

At this stage, Weah made a hand gesture to announce the postponement of the event till Saturday.

“What you are witnessing here today is a demonstration of the love and hope that the long-suffering people of Liberia have in Ambassador Weah.

“We can’t help celebrating like this,’’ said Peter Konty, a supporter, who returned home on foot like this reporter following the gridlock.

NAN

Former Kebbi Gov, deputy defect to APC

1. 

A former Kebbi governor, Alhaji Sa’idu Dakingari and his deputy, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, on Friday defected to All Progressive Congress (APC) from PDP.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other top PDP members that defected to the APC included the former Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Rabiu Kamba, former member House of Representatives, Alhaji Sani Kalgo, Abdullahi Dan-Alkali, Alhaji Haruna Hassan and Halima Tukur.

Speaking to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Friday,  Gov Abubakar Bagudu, described the defection as a welcome development for the growth of  the state.

“We are very much delighted as we are now more united than we were.

“The essence of our union is nothing more than to move our state and the country forward, ” he said.

Also speaking, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami, said their defection to APC was timely.

“We want all and sundry in the state to rally round the governor in order to assist him to record unprecedented success in moving our state forward.

” The Federal Government has been doing its best in social, economic and security aspects as many roads construction have been going, electricity has improved and security situation in the country has also improved ,” he said.

He called on the defectors to put in their years of experience by contributing in all areas they could in order to move the state and country forward.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, the former deputy governor, said they dumped the PDP to APC in order to move the state forward.

“This nation needs peace and this state needs development, we came to APC to unite our people under one fold and that fold is APC,” he said. (NAN).

China mall erects giant Trump dog statue

Trump dog statue

A mall in northern China has installed a larger-than-life canine statue with more than a passing resemblance to US President Donald Trump to welcome the coming Year of the Dog.

The giant pooch towers above shoppers in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province, sporting a slick golden pompadour, angled brows and a red scarf with one index finger raised in a distinctly Trumpian manner.

As he was born in 1946, Trump, who has been accused of having more bark than bite, is a dog under the Chinese zodiac — a trait which he shares with his predecessors George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Those born in the Year of the Dog, according to Chinese astrology, are forthright and extremely loyal, in addition to having a strong sense of justice. But they can also be stubborn, irritable and easily angered.

Last year the mall erected a large Trump-like rooster, which inspired numerous replicas, including a giant inflatable one placed not far from the White House this summer.

Egypt’s Morsi sentenced to three years in prison

Mohamed Morsi

An Egyptian court sentenced ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi to three years in prison along with 19 other defendants on Saturday for “insulting the judiciary,” his lawyer said.

The other defendants include former members of parliament, activists and three journalists.

Morsi had already been sentenced to a total of 45 years in prison in two other trials after the military ousted him in 2013.

The defendants had all been charged with making statements deemed insulting to the judiciary.

Five other defendants, including jailed activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, were fined 30,000 pounds (about $1,680) each.

Morsi was also ordered to pay two million pounds to the head of the judges’ syndicate and another judge, while 22 other defendants were ordered to pay one million pounds to the head of the syndicate.

Morsi’s lawyer Abdel Moneim Abdel Maqsud told AFP that he would appeal the verdict.

Thousands of Islamists have been arrested and put on trial since the military ousted the divisive Morsi following mass protests demanding his resignation.

The crackdown extended to other opponents of then army chief now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who was elected a year after Morsi’s overthrow.

Accident: Gov. Bindow condoles with President Buhari family

Yusuf Buhari

Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa, has condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari and his family on the motorbike accident involving Yusuf Buhari.

Bindow in a statement he signed on Saturday in Yola, said his family and the people of Adamawa received the news of the accident involving the president’s son with shock.

“We are indeed touched by this unfortunate incident because as a people, Adamawa State is related with your family; anything that touches the family of Mr President touches our dear hearts.

“We, therefore, wish to express our heart-felt sympathy on this unfortunate incident and may God Almighty grant him speedy recovery,” Bindow said.

Dad Fathered 8 Kids With Own Daughter After Keeping Her As S*x Slave For 20 Years

A dad has been accused of fathering eight children with his own daughter after keeping her as a sex slave for more than 20 years - in a sick case which echoes that of Austria's Josef Fritzel.

Domingo Bulacio, 56, repeatedly raped his own daughter over two decades during which time she gave birth to multiple kids, a court in Argentina heard.

The father reportedly began raping his then 15-year-old daughter 22 years ago. There are conflicting reports about what happened to the girl's mother, with one claiming he threw her out their family home, forcing her to leave with three of their children, according to El Liberal.


Other local reports say she died, and the younger three children went to live with relatives. Evidence provided to the court revealed that a DNA test confirmed that Bulacio was the father of all eight of his daughter's children.

He was arrested in January last year after the woman took her youngest son to the doctor.

When the doctor asked who the boy's father was broke down and told him her father was also her son's dad.

Bulacio was eventually taken into custody after fleeing police and becoming a fugitive for 45 days - hiding out at a relative's home in Loreto, Santiago del Estero 30 miles away from his own.

The case is hauntingly similar to that of Fritzl's, who kept his own daughter Elisabeth captive for 24 years in his guesthouse in the town of Amstetten in the north-eastern state of Lower Austria.

He fathered seven children with her after using her as a sex slave in a soundproofed horror dungeon, where he raped her more than 3,000 times.

It was only when Kerstin, the eldest daughter fathered by Fritzl, slipped into a coma that the horror father took her to hospital, where doctors noted her malnourished condition and rotting teeth.

When Elisabeth was given permission to finally leave the cellar to visit Kerstin in hospital, she was arrested and told police about the horrific crimes her father had committed.

Fritzl, who recently changed his surname to Mayrhoff so that other prisoners might not recognise him any more, is serving life for murder and rape at Austria's most secure psychiatric prison after being jailed in 2009.

Bulacio has been charged with sex crimes and will now stand trial.

According to local reports, the victim was abandoned by her mother who was allegedly physically abused by Bulacio.

Six of the eight children are living at the boarding school of Eva Peron in Santiago del Estero, local media reported.

There is no further information about the mother whose name has not been made public.

The case, which has been adjourned until next week, continues.

APC National leader, Bola Tinubu’s first daughter, Shade, welcomes her first child through surrogacy

APC National leader, Bola Tinubu's first daughter, Shade Tinubu-Ojo, has welcomed her first child, through surrogacy. Shade who is currently the leader of market men and women in Nigeria, welcomed her son on Monday, December 25th. Shade and her hubby have been married for many years and had been waiting for a child.

After many attempts of having a baby via other reproductive means, Shade and her husband decided to go the route of surrogacy. She got another woman to carry an egg that had been fertiilized by her husband's sperm. The pregnancy reached full term this month and the baby was born on Christmas day.

According to PM news, Shade was seen at the commissioning of the Johnson, Jakande, Tinubu, JJT Park three weeks ago without any visible trace of pregnancy. In fact, she was the one who cut the tape for the commissioning of the project in the presence of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

The naming ceremony of the baby has been fixed for Monday, January 1st 2018.

VIDEO: Governor Fayose storms drinking joint in Ado-Ekiti to celebrate the yuletide with indigenes

Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, on Wednesday, stormed a drinking joint in the state to celebrate the yuletide with young men and women at the joint. His brother, Isaac, who shared a video of his visit online, wrote

''Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, the Osokomole, Apesin Apagun - P'ote visited some DRINKING JOINT in Ado Ekiti, especially a popular bar along Adebayo road, Ado Ekiti yesterday, to celebrate Christmas with the guys and the ladies... it was all fun... Can your governor do this?''

BREAKING: Badoo kills couple, infant in Ibeshe, Ikorodu

Tragedy struck on Friday, December 30, in Lagos state, as terror gang Badoo reportedly killed a father, mother and their child.
According to reports that the assailants killed a couple and an infant in Ibeshe in Ikorodu area of the state.

Residents of Ikorodu were recently made to live through what can best be described as a nightmare.

A deadly gang went on a rampage killing people including women and children for months, sometimes even going as far as wiping out an entire family.

Meanwhile, it had been reported that the Badoo on Tuesday, November 21, allegedly struck again, killing a mother and her two children.

The victims, identified as Iyabo (mother), David, a four-year-old boy and Rachael, an eight-year-old girl were reportedly killed at a Celestial Church of Christ parish in the neighbourhood.

No big deal about 'controversial' list of board appointments- Presidency

The presidency has said there was no big deal about the controversy being generated by the inclusion of dead persons' names on the list of appointees into the boards of agencies and parastatals.The federal government had on Friday evening, announced the appointment of 1,468 Nigerians into the boards.

But checks revealed duplications names, inclusion of names of dead persons and individuals who are no longer in the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The Presidency however downplayed the matter Saturday as, according to a spokesman of the president, there was nothing scandalous about the list.

The spokesman of the President Garba Shehu, told Premium times by telephone that “the list has a history” which explains the controversy around it.

“In 2015, Mr. President requested all state chapters of the party to submit names of 50 party members for board appointments,” he said.

He said the names where compiled by the national secretariat of the APC and forwarded to the then secretary to the government of the federation, Babachir Lawal.

“However, complaint arose from some governors who felt they were not carried along in the process. To answer this, the president constituted a committee under the vice president to review and reflect the interest of the governors”.

Mr Shehu however said action was delayed on the report of the committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as President Muhammadu Buhari took ill.

“The current SGF was only directed to complete that process by releasing the list which he apparently did without altering it,” Shehu explained.

While admitting that errors were committed, he added that “no human undertaking can be free of mistakes”.

He said the errors identified with the list were not enough to describe the exercise as scandalous, adding that all errors in the list would be corrected.

Expect major facelift in power, rail, roads, presidency tells Nigerians

The Presidency on Saturday told Nigerians to expect major facelift in power, rail and roads in 2018 based on the present administration’s investment in infrastructure.


The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja.

Adesina listed some of the achievements of the present administration in the outgoing year and concluded that President Muhammadu Buhari has done well.

“President Buhari’s investment in infrastructure will see major facelifts across the country in power, rail and roads, which have been scheduled to come on stream in 2018,” Adesina said.

The Presidential spokesman said it was appropriate to, at the twilight of 2017 and at the threshold of a New Year, recount some key achievements of the administration in the outgoing year.

He said despite global economic challenges and initial outlook of slow, or unlikely, recovery, the Nigerian economy trumped predictions and witnessed some remarkable changes in 2017.

He listed the changes to include Nigeria’s exit from what he called the worst recession in decades and a gradual stabilisation of the naira.

“In our review of the economy based on facts and figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, we are pleased to note that the economy has been on the path of steady growth since the second quarter, after contracting for five consecutive quarters.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is hopeful that the exit from recession, stabilisation of the naira and robust harvest in the agricultural sector will continue to impact on the livelihood of Nigerians,” he said.

Adesina noted that multilateral institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have already projected higher growth for the economy in 2018.

He said the government was hopeful that the gains of 2017 in agriculture would be further improved.

He added, “The agricultural sector posted consistent growth levels throughout the recession, leading other sectors into positive growth rates.

“Accordingly, Nigeria saw bumper food harvests, especially in rice, whose local production continues to rise significantly with states like Ebonyi, Kebbi and Kano leading the pack, while Ogun joined the loop by the end of 2017.

“The price of a 50kg bag of rice – a staple in our country – has fallen by about 30 per cent since the beginning of 2017, as local production continues to rise. The price will keep falling, as production remains consistent and rises.

“The Food and Agriculture Organisation said the number of Nigerians facing food insecurity in the northeast dropped by half this year.”

Adesina said against all odds, 2017 has turned out the year of Nigeria’s agriculture revolution, embodied by the successes of the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative and the Anchor Borrowers Programme.

He said more than a dozen moribund fertilizer blending plants were revived under the PFI in 2017.

He added that inflation rate fell for 10 consecutive months in 2017, February to November, with the Central Bank of Nigeria projecting that it is likely going to drop to single digit by 2018.

The presidential spokesman added, “The Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme rolled out across the states and currently 5.2 million primary school children in 28,249 schools in 19 states are being fed daily, while 200,000 unemployed graduates were enlisted into the N-power Job Scheme.

Sexy Lady Claims John Dumelo Is The Father of her 2years old son (pics)

Ghallywood actor, John Dumelo is officially closing the year with some baby mama drama and we don’t know how accurate these accusations are, however sources close to the actor claim he secretly had a fling with his alleged babymama in 2015 while on Texas.

The Texas based Liberian woman called Florence Flomo @face_by_florence is accusing John Dumelo of fathering her nearly two year old son. In a post shared on Facebook and deleted shortly afterwards, Florence shared a photo of John Dumelo as a child alongside her son who shares an uncanny resemblance with the Ghallywood actor. •

She wrote: “Nobody don’t call my fucking phone tonight since your want to know so bad…There you have it…that’s my son father. I am fucking tired of being bully…I’m not the only one who got fuck by an actor before with mine I had a baby by him! I don’t regret my child I love my child very much!…Your push me! By saying my son don’t have a father just because I refuse to tell your who my son father is!..I don’t give this man credit I don’t post him because he haven’t step up to take full responsibility…”

The actor is yet to comment on the allegation of being the father of Florence’s child, let’s hope he does the dutiful if it’s true

FRSC Promotes 1,925 Personnel, SGF Approves Appointment of Abubakar Ringim As Deputy Corps Marshal

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, has approved the promotion of the  Zonal Commanding Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Charge of Zone RS3HQ, Assistant Corps Marshal Abubakar Ringim to the rank of the Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM).

In a statement made available to the press by the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, stated that Boss Mustapha had equally approved the promotion of 298 Officers of the Corps.

The officers promoted include: 33 Chief Route Commanders, 34 Superintendant Route Commanders, 93 Route Commanders, and 137 Deputy Route Commanders.

In a similar development, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi had equally approved the promotion of 685 Marshal Inspectors, and 942 Road Marshal Assistants.

According to Kazeem, the Marshal Inspector promoted include: 57 Deputy Marshal Inspectors, 71 Assistant Marshal Inspectors, 54 Principal Marshal Inspectors, 234 Senior Marshal Inspectors, 207 Marshal Inspectors I, and 62 Marshal Inspector II.

While the Marshal Assistants promoted are:  45 Deputy Chief Road Marshal Assistants, 81 Senior Road Marshal Assistants, 146 Road Marshal Assistants I, and 670 Road Marshal Assistants II.

According to Kazeem, Oyeyemi commended the performance of the newly promoted Officers and Marshals of the Corps, numbering 1,925, as well as encouraging them to put in their bests in the course of their duties as they assume higher responsibility in their career.

Oyeyemi also assured  the newly promoted personnel of more opportunities of  promotion in the nearest, and urged them to be of good character as 2018 will afford them more opportunities.

The corps marshal therefore, admonished them to put in a great effort to achieve the mandate of the Corps which was aimed at combating road crashes by 15% and Fatality by 25% yearly.

Army Removes Defence Spokesman ,Redeploys 398 Others

A major shake-up in the military has seen the redeployment of the Director of Defence Information, Defence Headquarters, Maj-Gen. John Enenche, and 398 other senior army officers.

A statement from the Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Sani Usman, said the postings and redeployments of the affected officers represented the 2017 Fourth Quarter Postings.

Gen. Usman said the postings were with effect from January 2, 2018.

The statement reads: “The Nigerian Army has today, Friday 29th December 2017, released the 2017 Fourth Quarter Postings and Appointments of its Officers.

“It will be recalled that recently, some senior officers were promoted to the ranks of Brigadier-General and Major-General, while some have also left service on completion of mandatory years of service in the Army.

“The posting is also aimed at injecting new hands to further actualise the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. T. Y. Buratai, which is ‘to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.’

“Accordingly, the posting and redeployment has affected some Principal Staff Officers at Defence and Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, General Officers Commanding  (GOC), Commandants of Training Institutions and Directors, amongst others.

“In all, the postings and appointments affected 399 officers.

“Those affected include Major General R.O. Yusuf, Commander Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), who is now the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army); Major General A.A. Salihu, Chief of Defence Communications, will now take over as Commander, TRADOC; Major General L.O. Adeosun, also from Defence Headquarters, has been appointed Commander, Infantry Corps; Major General C.M. Abraham has been moved from 2 Division to Defence Intelligence Agency as Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence while Major General O.F. Azinta replaces him as General Officer Commanding 2 Division.

” Major General U.S. Yakubu is now to take over as Commandant of Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre; Major General F.O. Agugo is now Commander, Command Army Records; Major General J.S. Malu is now the Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Engineers and Major General J.G.K. Myam, the Director of Operations is now the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Abuja.

FG Redeploys Nine Permanent Secretaries

The Federal Government on Friday approved the redeployment of nine Federal Permanent Secretaries.

The affected government officials include those who were inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari recently.

“The processes for handing/taking over should be completed on or before Monday, 8th January, 2018,” the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winnifred Oyo-Ita, said in a statement announcing their redeployment.

According to her, Aminu Bisalla was redeployed from General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, while Aliboh  Lawrence was moved to the Special Duties Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation  from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

Other affected permanent secretaries are Odewale  Olajide, who was moved from SDO-OHCSF to Budget and National Planning; and Dr. Umar  Bello, who was retained in his Special Services Office, OSGF position.

Four of the newly appointed permanent secretaries, Sulaiman  Lawal, was deployed to Career Management Office (OHCSF); Adekunle  Adeyemi, GSO- OSGF; Ekaro Chukwumuebodo, Federal Civil Service Commission; Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu to Mines and Steel Development; and Osuji  Marcellinus to Service Policy and Strategies Office.

Prophet Ayodele reveals what God told him about Nigeria, Buhari, Tinubu, 2019

 

Founder and leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has revealed what God told him concerning a national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria as a country.

He said Tinubu will become insignificant in the ruling party and will not continue in politics after 2019 general election because someone else will take his position.

The prophet had earlier said former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar should consult God before finally making his decision to contest for presidency.

He said if the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP fields the right candidate, they will unseat Buhari but if that they don’t get one, Buhari will remain in power.

Speaking in an interview with Sun, the prophet predicted that Nigeria’s oil will dry in the next 15 years.

“Tinubu, after 2019 will not continue in politics. He may not be able to go around again.

“He might not continue not because of health, but another leader may take over the leadership of the party.

“Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb, so the state of the Nation is very bad; we are still in a recession but they tell us that we are no more in recession.

“The ship of the country is shaking, the ship is in the storm, there is a storm surrounding Nigeria and only God will help us.

“I know at the appropriate time, something mysterious will happen, and that is the reason why anybody cannot put Nigeria together again. If we go to the original system of government, it is fine.

“But not all the agitators will do all of these things but God has a time for everything, in his own appropriate time, it will happen. Nigeria will not break up now but what will lead us to the breaking point is already in the pipeline.

“There is nothing to do to checkmate the breaking up because the breaking up is not now.

“So, if anybody is talking about breaking up, he is just making noise.”

Hoodlums hijack rice sent to Kogi workers by National Assembly

Hoodlums yet to be identified have vandalised the first consignment of 220 bags of rice sent to Kogi State by members of the National Assembly for workers.


A statement signed Vice Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress, Kogi State Chapter, Comrade Meliga Obaka, made available to newsmen in  Lokoja on Friday (yesterday) condemned in totality the attitude of the hoodlums that vandalised the consignment.

The union also debunked claims that Union leaders were part of the agreement for the payment of percentage salaries to the state and local government workers.

Obaka said,  “The first consignment of 220 bags of rice was still in the truck that brought it to Lokoja at the old market when hoodlums invaded the area and looted the rice.”

He described the occurrence as very unfortunate and called on the law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

OMG! Fani-Kayode continues with his attacks,says Buhari is suffering from dementia

 

Femi Fani Kayode, former Minister of Aviation on Saturday said President Muhammadu Buhari is suffering from dementia.He said this in reaction to the appointment of deceased Francis Okpozo as chairman of Nigerian Press Council.

Buhari yesterday appointed 209 chairmen and 1258 members to fill the board positions.

It would be recalled that Senator Okpozo died in 2016 at the age of 81.

Until his death, the Second Republic senator was member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fani-Kayode in his tweets said Buhari’s age is taking a toll on him.

He wrote :“First you forgot your own age. Then you appoint an 81 year old who drawls, who can barely walk and who wears clothes from the 1940’s as our Ambassador to the U.S.A.

“Now you appoint a dead man, Sen. Francis Okpozo, as Chairman of the Press Council. Your dementia has gone viral.”

Weah’s election a big lesson for Nigeria — Odegbami

The election of football icon, George Opong Weah as President of Liberia in a run-off poll conducted December 26 has a “very serious implication” for Africans all over the world, former Nigeria international, Chief Segun Odegbami has said.


Reacting to the result of the poll, Thursday, Odegbami enthused, “Weah’s election is of very serious implication for the world and Nigeria, in particular where sports is ranked very low – indeed, below 40 in our priority list.”

He said, George Weah played football and won everything conceivable. But as a man   concerned about the poor condition of his people, he decided to assume the leadership of his country, and the people accorded him that recognition by giving him their mandate. He is a shining example of how sports has the power to change the world.”

Odegbami said developments in Liberia could influence a lot of change in the way Africans are perceived by the outside world.

“Our young men and women, through their music, movies, arts and sports are redefining the global cultural landscape. America once dominated the world in all these areas but not now that our entertainment industry is developing a culture for the world to emulate.

“Let us lay emphasis on the arts because of the breakthrough our youths have attained in that area. Now more of our youths are interested in the arts and technology.

“Mandela once said, ‘the day Nigeria becomes liberated, the whole of Africa will be liberated’. It is time we brought that statement to reality.”

He said most importantly, “Weah’s election also shows that footballers or sportsmen and women cannot be taken for granted. “Here in Nigeria, my attempt to become “ordinary FIFA Presdent” was met with a lot of scepticism, as some even asked, “who is Odegbami to contest for FIFA presidency? Even to become the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, ex-footballers are not considered good enough.”

The former Nigeria captain expressed confidence in the President-elect, George Weah’s ability to steer the affairs of Liberia because of his personal feelings for the people and the level of investment he had put into developing himself.

Odegbami recalled, “after the last Presidential election which he contested against Sirleaf Johnson, President Obasanjo invited both candidates to Nigeria. He told Weah to suspend his ambition of becoming president albeit, temporarily so that he could go back to school. The Nigerian leader told him that if he(Weah) heeded his advice he would personally ensure he becomes the next President of Liberia. Weah indeed, listened to Obasanjo, took his advice and went back to America to read.

“We met in South Africa in 2010 and we talked about it. Today Weah holds a Masters Degree  and is very prepared for leadership.

“He will succeed and I am sure he  will get a lot of support from Nigeria.