The Kaduna home of former Vice President, Namadi Sambo was raided by heavily armed security operatives yesterday, June 28, 2017. The team of policemen and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were led by officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission to Sambo’s residence on No 1, Alimi Road. The search reportedly lasted for two hours as the perimeter around the house was blocked off by the operatives who, according to the Vanguard, were aggressive. The operatives were said to have been searching the building for documents and cash, with an artisan reportedly accompanying…
Author: David Folami
Mr Muhammad Babandede, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has reassured Nigerians on availability of passport booklets at Passports Issuing Centres in the country. He gave the reassurance in a statement by the NIS Spokesperson, Mr Sunday James, on Wednesday in Abuja. The NIS boss said the clarification became necessary following reports by a section of the media on alleged scarcity of passport booklets. He said “we wish to use this opportunity to allay the fears of passport applicants that the NIS is not experiencing any scarcity of passport booklets.” “This clarification becomes necessary to avoid unnecessary…
As you may recall, plans are afoot to bestow Zlatan Ibrahimovic with his very own statue outside the Swedish national football stadium in Stockholm. Several months after the initial announcement was made, the enormous 2.7 metre tall bronze is now entering the final stages of production. Indeed, Zlatan himself took to Instagram to keep us all updated in typically modest fashion. “The symbol of Sweden is almost done,” the 35-year-old free agent beamed, posting a short video of his own disembodied head air-drying in the workshop. Like the rest of the waiting world, we can’t wait to witness the finished…
After bumping into Jesse Lingard in Miami on Saturday night, Ronaldinho managed to tick another big one off his bucket list this week. The Brazil legend scored a chance meeting with Lingard’s Manchester United teammate, Marcus Rashford, as the two dined out in a Florida restaurant. “Nice to sit down and chat with the king,” Rashford said, posting a photo of the brief encounter on Twitter. Ronaldinho duly reciprocated, adding that it was nice to meet such a “humble and good” young player. It’s all kind of sweet in a way. Hope they stay in touch.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will not play in Sunday’s Confederations Cup third place playoff after leaving the camp after Wednesday’s semifinal defeat to Chile to visit his new born twins. Portugal lost to Chile on penalties, and shortly after the match the Portuguese FA (FPF) released a statement saying Ronaldo would not feature in the playoff. “We were informed before the Confederations Cup that Cristiano had become a father,” the statement said. “The player, despite the birth of his children, had remained at the service of the national team, a gesture which we must underline and praise. “With it now…
Sen. Ben Murray-Bruce has said the National Assembly will soon work on a bill that will punish people engaging in hate speeches in the country. The Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District said the National Assembly will soon work on a bill that stipulates great consequences for people engaging in hate speeches in the country. Speaking at a meeting convened by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Student Affairs, Nasiru Adhama for regional youth leaders in Abuja, Murray-Bruce said Nigerian youths must not create unnecessary tension. The senator stated that the proposed bill when passed into…
Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose Wednesday gave shocking claims about the health status of President Mohammadu Buhari who has been in a London hospital for 54 days now. Governor Fayose, in a press briefing at the Government office in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, claimed that facts available to him shows that President Buhari has been on a Life-Support since June 6 at a West-End Hospital in London. He said that not only does the President has voice impairment, and could not have spoken in Hausa to Nigerians on Ramadan day as claimed by the Presidency, but also that the…
A former minister of aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned comments by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra that ex-president Goodluck Jonathan was incompetent as a leader. In a twitter message, the former minister said he does not believe that ex-president Jonathan was weak as portrayed by the IPOB leader. Fani Kayode said: “I believe that he is a profoundly good man and a courageous and exemplary leader.” The former minister also commended the former military president Ibrahim Babangida for his support for the restructuring of the Nigerian system. The former minister said Babangida has shown immense courage with…
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, expressed deep concern over the recourse of National Assembly’s spokesperson to name calling over his observations on the 2017 budget. Fashola in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Hakeem Bello, said he was worried that the National Assembly scribes failed to address the fundamental issues relating to cut in the allocations to several projects under his ministry and other ministries. NASS had, through Senate’s spokesperson, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, accused the minister of attempting to instigate Nigerians against them by raising an alarm over cuts in allocations…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun has accused the APC of a plan to rig the July 8 Osun West Senatorial bye-election in the state. The PDP State Chairman, Mr Soji Adagunodo, made this allegation at a news conference on Tuesday in Osogbo. Adagunodo alleged that some electoral officers were conniving with some APC chieftains to disenfranchise eligible voters at the strongholds of the PDP. “There are plans by the APC to ensure that INEC allocate non-functioning card readers to area considered as stronghold of PDP.” “This, in their thinking, would slow down accreditation of voters and get voters…
Voters in Osun West Senatorial District have been urged not to associate themselves with deceitful politicians who suddenly joined politics for personal reasons. Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state including the state party chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun, the state APC Secretary, Alhaji Rasaq Salinsile, APC Osun West Senatorial Leader, Alhaji Yinusa Amobi, Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Elder Peter Babalola among others stated this in Iwo/Ayedire/Ola-Oluwa federal constituency during the APC Campaign for the July 8 By-Election in the district. According to the leaders, voting the APC candidate, Senator Mudashiru Hussein, in the polls provides a…
National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to postpone Osun West Senatorial bye-election, scheduled for July 8, 2017. Sheriff gave the advice in a statement issued by his acting spokesperson, Mr Bernard Mkko, on Wednesday in Abuja. He said that PDP’s attention had been drawn to “subterranean efforts” of the Government of Osun to precipitate the postponement of the bye-election from July 8, to a preferred and pre-determined date. He recalled that INEC had at a meeting of stakeholders, assured all the political parties that the July…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship aspirant in Anambra state, Senator Andy Uba says purposeful leadership is a catalyst for development. Senator Uba stated this at the 50th birthday of Rt. Rev. Owen. C. Nwokolo of the Diocese of the Niger, Basilica of St. Andrew Odo-Akpu, Onitsha. The event coincided with the book launch by the author entitled; Parenting in the Old Testament: Contemporary patterns, challenges and solutions for Nigeria. Speaking at the event, Uba who is currently on a sensitization tour in Anambra state ahead of the APC primaries called on public office holders to live exemplary lives. The…
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), on Tuesday allayed fears over the purported circulation of adulterated and illegally refined petroleum products in Bayelsa State. Mr Asuquo Antai, Operations Controller of DPR in Bayelsa, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that members of the public who patronise licensed fuel stations have nothing to fear. He said that the DPR had increased its surveillance following recent reports of adulterated products in Bayelsa and conducted random checks, which indicated that products in circulation were of good quality. “We got reports that the Bayelsa Government Task Force on Petroleum was after filling…
The Federal Government said on Wednesday that it has no plans to concession or sell the refineries in the country. President Muhammadu Buhari said this while declaring open the 5th Triennial National Delegates’ Conference of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria(PENGASSAN) on Wednesday in Abuja. The theme of the conference is: “Emerging Trends in the Oil and Gas Industry and its Impacts on Labour Movement in Nigeria.” Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Ibe Kachikwu said that it was imperative to make the clarification as there were rumours, especially…
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, heard that two INEC employees, Christian Nwosu and Yisa Adedoyin, allegedly received N264million from a former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke. A prosecution witness, Mr Timothy Olaobaju, said that the money was paid to Nwosu and Adedoyin in cash. Olaobaju said this while testifying at the resumed trial of the accused persons, facing charges of corruption and undue enrichment. They are charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of receiving bribe from the former minister. Also charged is Tijani Bashir. Adedoyin had pleaded guilty to the charge and was…
Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike also known as Evans, has sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris for illegally detaining him. According to Daily Post, Evans, in the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, wants the court to compel the police to charge him to court or release him. Reports say the Lagos police spokesman, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole has denied knowledge of the suit. Famous-Cole said “Evans sued us? I have no information on this yet. But if this has happened, then we have not been served. “Please get back to me later. However, we will respond once we…
A group, Aggrieved Constituent Voters in Kogi West senatorial district, says there is no going back on the recall of Sen. Dino Melaye who represents the constituency at the Senate. The leader of the group, Mr Olowo Cornelius, made the statement while addressing news conference on Wednesday in Lokoja. He said that the recall bid was premised on lack of performance and total disconnect between the senator and his constituents. “The recall of Sen. Dino Melaye was entirely initiated and is being pursued by constituents of Kogi West Senatorial District. “This is after having had enough of Dino’s unbearable utterances,…
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The FEC also approved the enrolment of members of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC) into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to guarantee them access to quality healthcare services. The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, stated this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting. Adewole expressed optimism that the inclusion of the corps’ members in the health scheme would not only check the reported unnecessary deaths among NYSC members but would…
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday urged the Edo House of Assembly not to pass the bill seeking the establishment of the Edo State Control of Nomadic Cattle Rearing/Grazing Agency into law. Bishop Oyonnude Kure, the Chairman, Edo Chapter of CAN, who stated this in Benin at a news conference, said Christians in the state would be mobilised to attend the public hearing. Kure advised the assembly to reject the bill because “it is retroactive and backdated to 2016.’’ The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill which has scaled through second reading, is scheduled for…