Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa on Tuesday says that the state government loses about N24 billion annually to the activities of payroll fraudsters. This is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, in Yenagoa. The statement described the activities of the fraudsters as “massive problem’’. The statement also said that the administration, in the last four years, had paid over N100 billion on bonds and overpayment incurred by his predecessors. It said that about N1.3 billion went for bond deductions, while more than one billion naira was deducted as overpayments, amounting to about N2.5 billion…
Author: David Folami
The Nigerian Senate has withdrawn the controversial frivolous petitions bill, which was also known as the anti- social media bill. The bill was withdrawn today, May 17, 2016, after the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Human Rights and Legal Matters, David Umar presented the committee’s report. Umar advised that the bill be withdrawn due to the controversy it had caused and citizens’ strong opposition to it. The bill was sponsored by Kebbi State Senator, Bala Ibn Na’Allah.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has again defended President Muhammadu Buhari over the recent hike in fuel price. Osinbajo said that if left to the President, fuel price would not go up by one naira, adding that that he (Buhari) was handicapped. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, May 17, at the public presentation of a book titled “Anatomy of Corruption in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges & Solutions, a collection of essays,” Osinbajo said that the decision was necessary if the country must source for foreign exchange to import fuel. The Vice President said even if the local refineries are resuscitated, the country…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) faction led by Joe Ajaero has backed out of the proposed nationwide strike over the hike in fuel price, which is expected to begin on Wednesday, May 17. The faction took the decision after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government to set up a committee to resolve agitations over the new pump price. According to Channels TV, the committee is expected to address the downward review of the pump price, determine new minimum wage and consult with the PPPRA for effective price regulation of petroleum products. The committee is to submit its report in…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have decided to proceed with the nationwide strike, beginning on Wednesday, May 18. The labour unions’ move is despite the restraining order issued against the action by the National Industrial Court against the planned strike. The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami had filed a suit challenging the proposed action of the unions. According to reports, the decision was reached at its the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held on Tuesday, May 17, at the NLC headquarters in Abuja. The indefinite strike action is expected to commence at…
Former Minister of Aviation and a Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Femi Fani-Kayode, is still being detained by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) five days after meeting his bail conditions, report says. The ex-minister’s aide, Jude Ndukwe, condemned the continued detention of his boss, describing the EFCC and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration as “dictatorial, vengeful and vindictive”. “This tactic of keeping key and vocal members of the opposition out of circulation without due regard to our laws and or harass them with charges that cannot stand the test of judicial requirements has got to stop. The…
Former Italy striker Luca Toni believes record-breaking Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain has shown this season that he is even stronger than Luis Suarez. Higuain netted a hat-trick in Napoli’s 4-0 win over Frosinone at the weekend to take his tally to 36 goals in the 2015-16 Serie A campaign, eclipsing Gunnar Nordahl’s record of 35 set back in 1950. The 28-year-old finished four goals behind Suarez in the race for the European Golden Shoe, but Toni nonetheless prefers the Napoli man over the Uruguay international. “I think Higuain has done a fantastic job,” Toni told Tiki Taka. “He has done…
Mesut Ozil is adamant Germany are still one of the favourites to win Euro 2016 and stressed they do not fear hosts France. The world champions have endured their fair share of difficulties since their successful 2014 World Cup, with a number of players retiring from international football, an unconvincing qualification campaign and plenty of injury problems. Nevertheless, Ozil – who was included in Germany’s provisional 27-man squad on Tuesday – remains optimistic his side can go far at the Euros. “I think we are favourites, or at least one of the favourites. That’s why we go there of course…
Antoine Griezmann has called on Atletico Madrid to deliver a “perfect” performance in the Champions League final. Diego Simeone’s side edged past Bayern Munich on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate draw in the last four and will meet their city rivals in the final at San Siro for the second time in three seasons. Griezmann, who joined from Real Sociedad after Atletico were beaten 4-1 by Madrid in Lisbon in 2014, is desperate for his side to deliver this year in order to cap what he believes has been an impressive campaign. “Collectively, we’ve had a great year. The…
Liverpool midfielder Emre Can believes the Reds’ legendary battling qualities can help end their 11-year wait for a continental trophy against treble-chasing Sevilla in Wednesday’s Europa League final. In their first European final since defeat by AC Milan in the 2007 Champions League, Liverpool are bidding to scupper the Spanish side’s bid for an unprecedented third straight Europa League title at Basel’s St. Jakob-Park. It brings Liverpool’s breathtaking journey through the competition under new manager Jurgen Klopp to a thrilling climax, following dramatic wins over Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal in recent months. After seeing his side sink Villarreal…
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic is banking on Manchester United winning the FA Cup to give his team automatic qualification for next season’s Europa League. West Ham lost 2-1 at Stoke City in their last game of the season, allowing Southampton to leapfrog them into fifth place in the Premier League standings and leaving Bilic’s men seventh in the table, just outside the Europa League places. United, in sixth place, can also qualify for the Europa League by beating Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Saturday. If they do so, a Europa League spot will become available…
Swansea City top scorer Andre Ayew has cast doubt over his future at the club but says he wants to remain in the Premier League. The Ghana international, who scored 12 Premier League goals in his first season at the Welsh club, said on British television that whether he stayed was in the hands of Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins. Ayew, 26, has been linked by the media with possible moves to Sunderland or West Ham United. “I think you should ask the chairman. If I have to stay, fine. If I have to leave, I have to leave. What is…
Chelsea striker Diego Costa was left out of Spain coach Vicente del Bosque’s provisional 25-man squad for Euro 2016 on Tuesday. The nationalised Brazilian missed Chelsea’s last two games of the season due to a persistent hamstring injury and has struggled at international level with just one goal in 10 games since declaring to play for Spain in 2013. World Cup winners Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and Javi Martinez were also high-profile names left out by Del Bosque. Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla was also excluded having just returned from a long-term knee injury. The uncapped Saul Niguez and Lucas Vazquez of…
Uncapped midfielders Joshua Kimmich and Julian Brandt were on Tuesday included in Germany’s provisional 27-man squad for next month’s European championships in France. Defensive midfielder Kimmich, 21, caps a meteoric rise having only broken into Bayern Munich’s first team earlier this season and has been now promoted from Germany’s Under-21 team, as has 20-year-old Bayer Leverkusen winger Julian Brandt. Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has 114 caps, has been included as he recovers from a torn medial knee ligament. Head coach Joachim Loew will cut his squad from 27 to 23 on May 30, the day after their friendly against…
Fans arriving at Old Trafford spoke of their anger and frustration over Sunday’s cancellation, which left visiting supporters facing two 500-mile (800-kilometre) round trips in three days. The atmosphere inside and outside the stadium was subdued and there were visible signs of dissent against the unpopular Van Gaal. One banner read held up by fans read: “TIME TO GO LOUIS! NOT GOOD ENOUGH!” Once again occupying a withdrawn midfield role, Rooney did his best to get United going by spraying passes around from deep, but it was not until the 32nd minute that the hosts threatened, with Michael Carrick just…
Louis van Gaal was booed by his club’s own fans after Manchester United ended their Premier League campaign by beating Bournemouth 3-1 in Tuesday’s re-arranged Old Trafford fixture. In a game carried over from Sunday following a postponement caused by the discovery of a fake bomb accidentally left behind during a terror training exercise, United needed a 19-goal victory in order to steal past Manchester City into the fourth and final Champions League qualifying berth. Goals from Wayne Rooney, 18-year-old Marcus Rashford, named in England’s provisional Euro 2016 squad a day earlier, and substitute Ashley Young secured the three points,…
Nollywood actress, Uche Ogbodo is 30-year-old today and in celebration of her day, she released some stunning photos of herself. Shot by AEC Studios, she can be seen striking different poses while having fun. Nollywood actress, Uche Ogbodo, has been receiving a lot of animosity from her fans and haters alike in recent times. This is hardly the first time Ogbodo had been taken to the cleaners for one reason or the other, and has even responded in an unsavory manner, with or no change.
Kim Kardashian nudity won’t be off our face anytime soon and probably for life, especially after receiving the first ever Break the Internet award! Kim was honoured at the Webby Award for breaking the Internet twice with racy nude photos of herself, and of course she is very proud of her cyber powers. The mother of two who has over 70 million Instagram followers, 45 million Twitter followers, and a hugely successful mobile game, made a promise to keep posting nude photos until the day she dies. Other nominees include Jessica Alba who won “Entrepreneur of the Year award” for…
Veteran actor, Richard Mofe Damijo, RMD is not slowing down! The grandfather and lawyer is currently in Edinburgh, Scotland and he shared a collage of himself on Instagram today, May 17, 2016 showing off his dabbing skills. “Hello Edinburgh!!! A #dab, a smile and we’re in… lol #Edinburgh #Scotland @donjazzy where are you at… We waiting on you so we can all #ProgressWithJoy,” he captioned it. Just when we thought RMD couldn’t get any younger he surprises us with this. In the photo, the grandfather looked younger than ever in a blue t-shirt, paired with blue ripped jeans, a jacket…
Iran is not happy with Kim Kardashian definitely not after her recent achievement which she got from Webby Award for breaking the Internet with her racy photos. Kim Kardashian is accused of being a secret agent who have nefarious influence on the youth and young woman in Iran. According to Vanity Fair, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp, an agency tasked with policing domestic culture and heading off the influence of other nations, is concerned about the social-media popularity of Kim Kardashian. You think the whole idea sound funny and absurd? Iran, has already began to crack down on locals who…