Aminu Tambuwal has said the prevailing interest rate charged by banks is hurting small businesses in the country and should be reviewed downwards to enhance growth and economic stability. “I want to urge banks in the country, and especially the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to look into this problem because many small and medium scale enterprises have gone under due to lack of access to finance. “The ones that have struggled to stay afloat find it hard to expand. So the banks should look inwards and introduce policies that will, at the end, provide a win-win situation for them…
Author: David Folami
Senator Dino Melaye has attributed his escape from court premises on Friday, March 2, 2018, to handiwork of some ‘Angels of the Lord’. Senator Melaye was arraigned for allegedly providing false information and misleading the Police on the attack on him in Kogi with the intention of framing the chief of staff to the state government, Edward Onoja. The lawmaker who was sorting out his bail conditions when some operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) stormed the court premises. “I was quickly alerted that they were over one hundred Policemen from SARS that they were outside the court waiting…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has called for the proper implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015. Wabba said that the proper implementation was necessary to prohibit all forms of violence against persons in both private and public life. Waba expressed concern that violence against women and girls was the most widespread violation of human rights in the world. “This occurs everywhere; at home, in schools, on the streets and at work, but often treated with impunity. “We, therefore, support the ILO Convention on Gender Based Violence for the realisation and protection of women’s rights and increased productivity…
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Hon. Ibrahim Rufai Imam as new Grand Khadi of Sharia Court of Appeal. The confirmation followed the consideration of the report of Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters during plenary. The report was presented by Chairman of the Committee, Sen. David Umaru. In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said “let me on behalf of the entire Senate congratulate the new Grand Khadi of Sharia Court of Appeal, Hon. Ibrahim Rufai Imam and wish him a successful tenure. “I hope that he continues to play his role in…
Ike Ekeweremadu has said that there is a tendency that the military can still take over power in Nigeria. Ekweremadu said Governor Bello should retrace his steps, otherwise he will not return to power in 2019. He said this while reacting to Senator Ahmed Ogembe’s report of how the Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello allegedly organised thugs to disrupt an empowerment program he organised for his constituents. He said “So today I am advising the governor again, that road he is travelling will not lead him to anywhere. Ultimately, these people he is seeing here will be back here and…
Two goals against the run of play within three minutes midway through the second half handed Juventus a 2-1 win — 4-3 on aggregate — to help the Italian champions past Tottenham and into the last eight of the Champions League on Wednesday. In the end Tottenham’s profligacy in front of goal — combined with a little naivety, as they lost concentration at a crucial time — cost them dearly, as Juventus scored twice on the break. Spurs pressed hard for the equaliser that would take the game into extra-time and came close in the dying minutes when a Harry…
Lionel Messi has acknowledged that his role on the pitch has changed over the last year but said the idea is still to get forward and to score goals. In Ernesto Valverde’s 4-4-2 formation, though, he increasingly finds himself in a deeper position, often dropping into his own half to get on the ball in central positions and dictate play. “Yes, in the past year I have moved a bit deeper, getting to the goal from behind, unlike other years when I was more in the final third of the pitch,” Messi told Pepsi. “So it’s true that I have…
Casemiro has said teammate Cristiano Ronaldo is “the best player in the world” after the Portugal captain earned another scoring record in his side’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. “As for Cristiano, we’re talking about the best player in the world,” Casemiro said after the game, which Madrid won 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals 5-2 on aggregate. “I want to continue to enjoy seeing him score goals and put in the performances he does, because he’s the best player in the world.” Casemiro said a third consecutive trophy was possible as Zinedine Zidane’s side cannot be defeated when…
Jupp Heynckes talked about his intention to retire at the end of the season once again, and according to reports, and talked up former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel as his successor at Bayern Munich. “Thomas Tuchel has the quality to coach Bayern.” Heynckes said. “I rate Thomas Tuchel. He has continued the progression from the youth teams at Mainz. That is the stairway to success that you must take, learning the correct approach and people skills. “Under Tuchel, Borussia Dortmund played excellent football with a good system — all of today’s modern footballing elements were there for everyone to…
Jose Mourinho has again questioned Manchester United’s home support after suggesting the club should make sure the travelling fans who were so vocal at Crystal Palace on Monday attend the game against Liverpool this weekend. “I think [Liverpool and United] both want to finish top four but we both want to finish second, so I think it is a big game, and then Seville knockout and Brighton knockout so we have three matches at Old Trafford,” Mourinho told MUTV. “If possible, [we should] give some tickets to the United fans that were [at Selhurst Park].” Mourinho made a similar plea…
Giorgio Chiellini has said “it’s the history of Tottenham” to come up just short in big moments as his side eliminated Spurs from the Champions League on Wednesday night. Tottenham, meanwhile, were playing in the Champions League knockout stage for only the second time in the current format, and Chiellini said Juventus played into their opponents’ inexperience in big matches. “It’s the history of Tottenham,” he told BT Sport. “They always created many chances to score so much, but at the end they miss always something to arrive at the end. “We believe in the history. I think yesterday and…
Andriy Shevchenko has warned Arsene Wenger his Arsenal players will be facing a rejuvenated AC Milan side that is beginning to resemble their great teams of previous years. “Rino Gattuso has really changed the face of Milan,” said Shevchenko. “It’s almost like two different teams. “With [previous manager Vincenzo] Montella, Milan signed 11 players and it was a time of transition. It’s always difficult when so many players come to find the perfect solution. Any manager needs time to adapt players and bring them into [the] team in the perfect positions. “The second stage, when Rino came, it has really…
Roberto Firmino has said Liverpool are not fearful of anyone in the Champions League and are not worried about meeting Premier League opposition in the quarterfinals. But whoever they get in next Friday’s draw, which is free from geographical or group stage restrictions, will not concern them. “Yes, we’d like a draw against an English club. Why not?” Brazil international forward Firmino said. “We have shown in the past few seasons we can beat all the English clubs. Our record is good against them. “We feel we have played well against the top English clubs and shown we can beat…
Arsene Wenger has begged Arsenal not to forget that they are “good football players” as they look to end their slump at AC Milan in the Europa League on Thursday. Wenger is under increasing pressure, and has told his players to forget about their recent struggles and focus on the simple things. “In life you forget quickly how good you are,” he told a news conference. “When you have a bad week, players change their minds about their own quality. So [it is important] not to forget that we are good football players, but as well to fix reachable targets,…
Loris Karius believes Liverpool will be a threat going into the Champions League quarterfinals and beyond after they knocked Porto out of the round of 16 on Tuesday. And Liverpool are particularly strong at Anfield, where Klopp has lost just two of his 23 European matches, scoring 51 goals in that time. “I don’t think anyone would be happy to come here,” Karius told the club’s website. “We know that. But it doesn’t really matter who the next team is. If you want to win this competition, you have to come up against them eventually. “We’ll take it as it…
“There will be problem in solving Nigeria’s enormous challenges if President Muhammadu Buhari fails to seek reelection,” Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger state has said. He backed President Buhari’s reelection ambition said Nigeria will slip back into recession if President Buhari was not reelected. “The support declared by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors was to ensure continuity and sustainability of Buhari’s good work in Nigeria,” Bello said. “If President Muhammadu Buhari does not contest in 2019, there will be problem in solving the enormous challenges facing the country because he is truthful, fair and just in administering the country.…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Enugu State Chapter, on Sunday, endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office as the 2019 General Elections draw close. The party equally passed a vote of confidence on the president and Dr Ben Nwoye, led executive committee of the party in the state. According to Nwoye, the Lion Building (Enugu Government House) is our target, and in doing that, we must also make ensure that President Buhari gets the highest votes that will be cast in the state. “We have the power and all it takes to confront the PDP in 2019,’’…
“There will be problem in solving Nigeria’s enormous challenges if President Muhammadu Buhari fails to seek reelection,” Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger state has said. He backed President Buhari’s reelection ambition said Nigeria will slip back into recession if President Buhari was not reelected. “The support declared by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors was to ensure continuity and sustainability of Buhari’s good work in Nigeria,” Bello said. “If President Muhammadu Buhari does not contest in 2019, there will be problem in solving the enormous challenges facing the country because he is truthful, fair and just in administering the country.…
Atiku Abubakar has said he left the cinema unhappy after watching Marvel’s African superhero movie, Black Panther. Atiku was at the Silverbird Cinemas at Jabi Lake Mall to see the movie on Saturday, March 3, 2018, showered free tickets for all who wanted to see Black Panther. According to the movie, Black Panther saved the abducted Chibok Girls. The mention of Nigeria in relation to the sad event left Atiku upset. “Over the weekend, I joined my children to watch the much talked about ‘Black Panther’,” he wrote on his official Facebook account. “It was a good film, and I…
Rochas Okorocha has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will rule for 24 years in Imo state. He also spoke on the reason why he endorsed his son-in-law to be Governor of the state. “The same America, where George Walker Bush became the 43th president, from 2001 to 2009 after his father, George Herbert Walker Bush had been the country’s 41st president from 1989 to 1993. “At the moment, the All Progressives Congress, APC, holds the political ace in Imo and will continue to govern the state uninterruptedly for the next twenty-four years. “What gives victory in an election…