Nigeria Air: You can’t deceive Nigerians, PDP tells Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party has asked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government to perish the thought of trying to use the ‘unveiling’ of a what it described as a nonexistent national carrier to deceive Nigerians now that election is around the corner, saying that the alleged ruse cannot yield any dividend.

The party said it was unfortunate that, having run out of ” fake promises and not having any development project to parade”, President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress had now resorted to international kite-flying aimed at hoodwinking unsuspecting Nigerians.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said in a statement in Abuja on Friday, that it was not funny that the Federal Government was merely unveiling logos and drawings of an airplane and imaginary routes.


He said, “Is it not comical that while other nations are unveiling and rolling out real planes, the Buhari administration, in a most hilarious manner, is ‘unveiling’ drawings of an airplane, name, logo and imaginary routes of a nonexistent fleet, as our national carrier, in faraway London?

“What President Buhari and his handlers fail to understand is that Nigerians can see through their fraud and lies.

“Apart from drawings of airplanes, there are no structures to indicate that a new airline, billed to commence operation in December this year, is being set up; there are no offices, no recruitment of personnel and no form of ground activity anywhere in the country.

Punch

Breaking: Nigeria Striker Sylvester Igbonu Extends Contract With Russian Premier League Club, FC UFA

Agege born and Nigeria striker Sylvester Igbonu Sly has extended his contract with Russian Premier League club, FC UFA by two more years.

AgegePulse reliably gathered that pacy striker who has been playing for Ufa since 2015 has played 78 matches with 14 goals for the club.

The 27-year-old joined FC UFA from Danish side, FC Midtjylland in 2015 where he scored 41 goals in a record breaking transfer contract.

Read more stories on AgegePulse.blogspot.com

However, the Nigerian goal poacher has been one of the major inspirational players that earned UFA an Europa League slot having finished sixth last season with seven goals in 26 league appearances.

Confirming the new development, Sly said: "I am happy to sign a new contract with my team FC UFA. I thank God and the UFA football club for believing in me. I promise to always give my all for the team."- Sly.

Federal government evacuates 230 stranded Nigerians in Russia

Nigeria's ambassador to Russia, Professor Stephen Davies Ugbah

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that Nigerians stranded in Moscow, Russia, at the end of the 2018 World Cup Tournament would be evacuated on Friday.

The Ministry’s Spokesperson, Dr Tope Elias-Fatile, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja said over 230 stranded Nigerians had been cleared to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to Abuja on Friday.

He said that the development was sequel to Mr President’s directive that stranded Nigerians in Russia be evacuated with immediate effect.

According to him, the Ministry and Nigerian mission in Moscow in collaboration with the Ministry of Aviation have been monitoring the process of the evacuation.

”As at the last count, over 230 stranded Nigerians had been cleared to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to Abuja.

”The aircraft would depart Domodedovo Airport in Moscow with the stranded Nigerians at 08.30 hours Friday, July, 20th and arrive Abuja at 16.00 hours same day,” he said.

He noted that over 150 stranded Nigerians were among the fans who travelled to the Russian Federation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament that besieged the Embassy of Nigeria in Moscow on July 12th.

The fans according to him, were stranded after the events due to lack of funds for their upkeep as well as allegation that some airline travel agents cancelled return tickets of their customers without their knowledge.

”Consequently, the Mission submitted a formal complaint to host authorities against the airlines that brought the stranded Nigerians to the Russian Federation.

”The Mission also made arrangements for the feeding and accommodation of the stranded Nigerians in hostels around Moscow,” he said.
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He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had on July 16 directed the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Aviation to evacuate the Nigerians to Abuja immediately.

Fatile said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to monitor the evacuation process and keep the public informed.

Read more stories on AgegePulse.blogspot.com

Photo: South Korean court sentences ex-president Park to another eight years in prison"

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PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE: ADARANIJO DEMANDS REGULAR CHECKS ON PILOTS, CREW MEMBERS

Agegepulse Magazine

The House of Representatives, yesterday, raised concerns on the dangers of pilots flying under the influence of alcohol and drugs and ordered the relevant aviation authorities to carry out comprehensive checks to avert any air mishap.

That was consequent upon a motion sponsored by Member, representing Agege federal constituency, Hon. Taofeek Adaranijo, calling on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), to routinely subject members of crew and pilots to various tests before and after flights to determine their fitness before they can fly.

. In adopting the motion, the lawmakers urged airline owners to carry out due diligence to ensure only responsible pilots and crew members were allowed to fly aircraft and as matter of importance do it regularly to reflect when they were first employed by the airline management.

While leading debate on the motion, the lawmaker expressed worry over the rate at which aircraft crew members were addicted to drug use and abuse. He informed that in 2016 and 2017 medical certificates of five crew members suspended because they tested positive to marijuana during a drug test conducted on participants of cabin crew training basic course at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria.

 “In May 2017, when NCAA conducted random test on 87 personnel from Air Peace, Med-View and Air Traffic controllers of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) as they were about to embark upon flight operations and air traffic control duties, a member of crew tested positive to a psychoactive substance- Tetra hydro can animal(THe) which is known to be the chemical responsible for most marijuana’s psychological effect”.

Adaranijo explained that psychoactive drugs worked by manipulating the synapses in between nerves in the central nervous system, thereby distorting thought processes and causing a variety of side effects such as anxiety, psychosis, moods swings, depression and sleep problems, all of which are not suitable to the job demands of pilots and member crews.

Hon Adaranijo's motion was overwhelmingly supported by  Hon. OGHENE EGOH EMMANUEL, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos; Hon. ABDULRAZAK SAAD NAMDAS Jada/ Ganye/Mayo Belwa/Toungo, Adamawa State ; Hon. PWAJOK EDWARD GYANG, Jos South/ East, Plateau State and  Hon. Diri Douye Kolokuna -- Opokuma/Yenagoa, who described it as apt and imperative towards the safety of airlines passengers and Nigerians.

Just In: Agege Train Accident Kills One, Many Injured

An accident occurred at Railway Crossing, Nitel Bus Stop, Agege, Lagos, involving a train and a commercial bus at early hour of today. One reported dead, many injured as police,  lasemasocial  and other emergency responders take over the scene.

See photos below

INEC ISSUES CERTIFICATE OF RETURN TO EKITI GOVERNOR- ELECT, FAYEMI

The Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The National Commissioner in charge of Oyo, Ekiti and Osun states, Adedeji Soyebi, presented the certificate to him at a ceremony held at state’s INEC office in Ado-Ekiti.

Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress won last Saturday’s governorship election, defeating the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka

AgegePulse Magazine

PUNCH

Dutch Company indicates Interest in Building Cattle Ranches in Nigeria

Mr Klaus Struilesma of a company called Cownexxion has indicated the interest of the organization in building cattle ranches in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement by the special adviser media to the president, Femi Adesina, when President Muhammadu Buhari met with Chief Executive Officers of Dutch companies Monday on the sidelines of his official visit to The Hague, Netherlands.

Over 20 CEOs of Dutch-owned companies were at the round table meeting.

Recall that the federal government is mulling the idea of building cattle ranches in some states as a way of stemming the tide of killings due to the incessant farmers and herders clashes.

Also according to the presidential spokesman, Mr David Suddens of Vlisco said the company would invest on 400 hectares of land for a textile park in Nigeria, while Mr Hein Schumacher of Friesland Campina described Nigeria as “a most important country to us,” adding that the conglomerate would invest about 11 million euros in a “ready to drink project, using 100% locally sourced milk.”

He also pledged continuous training for dairy farmers, and provision of fortified milk for school pupils.

Mr Andrew Brown of Shell, which has done business for over 60 years in Nigeria, with over 3,000 local employees, said the company would maintain its emphasis on oil and power generation, while Mr Roland Pirmez of Heineken commended the government for “stability in exchange rate for the past six to eight months.”

He added that the company was also planning to use renewable energy for its power needs, President Buhari also assured them of a safe and secure Nigeria, where their investments would be safe, and yield handsome returns.

“Stability was the first thing in our campaigns. You have to secure a country first, before you can efficiently manage it. Before businesses can thrive, security is paramount. That is why we lay so much emphasis on securing the country.

“After security, our next emphasis is reviving the economy, and then, fighting corruption,” the President said.

He commended the many Dutch-owned companies operating in Nigeria for dealing fairly, noting that with many of them, “the relationship dates back more than two generations, and it is now almost a blood relationship rather than commercial.”

Urging the businesses to build factories in Nigeria, and source raw materials locally rather than wholesale import, President Buhari said he was impressed with the economic cooperation between Nigeria and Netherlands.

Speaking specifically about Royal Dutch Shell and the harnessing of Nigeria’s gas potentials, the President said: “We are more of a gas than petroleum producing country. We should be making more money from gas today than we make from petroleum, but the plans we made were scuttled.

“When I was Petroleum Minister (in the 1970s) for three-and-a-quarter years, the plan we had was to have 12 LNG trains by 1983, but more than a generation later, we are just on the 7th train. This was because some people came, and did just what they liked. If they knew what they were doing, we would have gone very far by now.

Today.ng

I thought it was a dead dog - Nigerian doctor celebrates once malnourished child

Nigerian doctor, Betta Edu recently shared a heart-felt post about little Christy

- Dr. Edu saved Christy and her teenage mother who she met on the brink of survival

- Dr. Betta celebrated the young child who is now three years old and healthy

Not all heroines wear capes. Dr Betta Edu is one woman who has saved lives and recently had a reason to celebrate the work she believes God has sent her to do on earth. In a recent post shared on Facebook, Dr Betta, Director General of CRSPCDA narrated the story of little Christiana Etim and her then 16-year-old mother, Esther Etim Effiom.

Looking back, she revealed that when she first met Christy she mistook her for a dead dog lying in a dirty environment in Ikot Ekpo Axis of Calabar during a Maternal and Newborn Child Health Week.

Upon realising it was a malnourished child, her heart broke in several pieces and she decided to change the story of the child and the mother. On July 17, little Etim clocked three years of age and together with classmates and family, she was celebrated with love and compassion she deserves.

Like yesterday I clearly remember when I thought it was a dead small dog lying on a dirty veranda. I told the state nutrition officer who was with me on a community sweep seeking for malnourished children, that we will not go into that compound because I don’t want any rabies infected dog to bite me since one was dead already another could be by the side.

God had you in mind Christy it was your day for rescue! “My Son said no madam, that is a dying child not a dead dog” we were 2 compounds away! The minute I heard dying child, my blood ran cold and I walked over to her. At first I wondered how a woman will let her child die in her very face, until I met the mother who was only a teeneger and was equally struggling to stay alive, I knew immediately that this was the real reason God brought me there, to save Christy and her teenage mother Esther.

Naij.com

What you Need To Know About The Nigerian Air

Nigeria Air is coming almost 15 years after Africa's largest economy shut down Nigerian Airways as a result of corruption and maladministration of the airline.

Here are things you need to know about the Nigerian Air

1. Nigeria will take about 30 aircraft in the 5 years but will start 3 aeroplanes as the first set.

2. The airline will start operation on December 19, 2018.

3. The airline pre-startup cost is $8.8 million and will cost over $300 million in the next three years.

4. The national carrier will be entirely private sector controlled but the Nigerian government is financing its initial take-off.

5. The airline will have flights on 81 domestic, regional and international routes.

Workers to know new minimum wage in August, says TUC

The President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, announced on Wednesday that a new amount agreed on by the Federal Government and labour to serve as Nigeria’s new minimum wage would be announced next month.

Bobboi, who made the disclosure in an interview with the labour correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, said that the committee working on the minimum wage had almost concluded negotiations on the matter.

The Federal Government had set a September date to roll out a new minimum wage for workers, although the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, was recently reported as “double-speaking’’ on the issue.

Civil servants in Nigeria are eagerly awaiting a wage increase after years of enduring a wage structure, described by analysts as one of the lowest in the world.

But public office holders in Africa’s most populous nation, including members of the bi-cameral parliament enjoy some of the biggest wages in the world, according to analysts.

Kaigama said that a tripartite committee meeting was holding on Wednesday in Abuja but refused to elaborate on issues being discussed at the meeting.

“The tripartite meeting is holding today but I do not want to pre-empt the outcome or the level we have reached in our discussions, otherwise there will be unnecessary anxiety.

”But by the end of August, I am assuring you that workers will know what the agreed new minimum wage will be, ” he said.

On November 22, 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of a 30-member committee to work out a new minimum wage. He inaugurated the committee on November 27.

Buhari was, subsequently, hailed by workers for listening to their cries for a review of the current N18, 000 minimum wage put in place by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.

The labour movement, including the Nigeria Labour Congress and the TUC had previously demanded N56, 000 as new minimum wage.

However, the President of the NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba later submitted a memorandum to the wage committee, demanding N66, 500 “living wage’’.

Wabba said the living wage was necessary to restore confidence for workers, whom he said, had been devastated by years of exploitation and enduring slave wage.

The committee negotiating the new wage is made up of representatives of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, the TUC/NLC and the government, represented by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

(NAN) Punch

BREAKING: Aviation: Nigeria's national carrier Now Has A New Name

The Nigerian government has unveiled Nigeria Air, a new national airline at the Farnborough International Public Airshow in London.

Nigeria Air is coming almost 15 years after Africa's largest economy shut down Nigerian Airways as a result of corruption and maladministration of the airline.

The Farnborough International Airshow is the industry's largest air show and aerospace technology exhibition in 2018. Thousands of commercial and defence aerospace professionals will come together July 16-22 at this renowned venue outside London.

Hadi Sirika, Nigeria's minister of state for Aviation, revealed the national carrier logo, colour scheme, structure and the type of aeroplane for the airline at the event on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.

Sirika said the government will not own more than 5% of the airline.

Here are things you need to know about the Nigerian Air

1. Nigeria will take about 30 aircraft in the 5 years but will start 3 aeroplanes as the first set.

2. The airline will start operation on December 19, 2018.

3. The airline pre-startup cost is $8.8 million and will cost over $300 million in the next three years.

4. The national carrier will be entirely private sector controlled but the Nigerian government is financing its initial take-off.

5. The airline will have flights on 81 domestic, regional and international routes.

Police Arrest Eight Suspected Kidnappers Of Chibok Schoolgirls

 Eight persons suspected to have taken part in the kidnap of the 276 Chibok schoolgirls in Borno state have been paraded by the Nigerian Police in Maiduguri, the state capital.

The eight suspected Boko Haram terrorists who are among 22 persons paraded, were said to have been arrested by operatives of the Inspector General’s Intelligence Response Team (IGP’s IRT) in Borno, Adamawa and other adjoining communities.

The suspects are alleged to have masterminded over 50 suicide bomb attacks within Maiduguri and Adamawa.

They (suspects) also launched several other attacks leading to the death of thousands of Nigerians.

The students of the Government Girls Secondary school in Chibok were captured by the members of the terrorist group on April 14, 2014, an incident that triggered international outrage and campaign for the rescue of the schoolgirls.

So far, 112 of the girls have regained their freedom, mainly following negotiations between the Federal Government and representatives of the terrorist group.

Source: Channels Television

Mandela Day Celebration: Egunjobi urges activists to emulate Late freedom fighter

Executive Chairman, Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, Alh. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, has called on Nigerian activists to emulate former South Africa President late Nelson Mandela.

Egunjobi made the charge when he received in audience a cross section of civil society organizations on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, in his office in celebration of the 100 years of the birth of late Nelson Mandela.

The centenary celebration was set aside by the United Nations to reflect on Mandela’s life and legacy and follow the deceased’s call to “make the world a better place”.

The Council chief appealed to his guests to emulate the late icon, saying he stood for truth in the face of persecution, oppression and imprisonment and did not betray the trust reposed in him by black South Africans.

He noted with concern the growing trend in Nigeria where some persons joined activism because of pecuniary gains saying the situation was a pointer to how low we have sunk in the country.

“It is sad that we go inordinate length to look for money including resulting to subtle blackmail under the cover of civil society organisations. We must be honest in our pursuits and play the game by the rule so that we can achieve Nigeria of our dream,” he enjoined.   

Decrying people’s apathy towards government, Egunjobi enjoined activists to lead the charge on citizen participation in governance saying, “People cannot complain of bad leadership and government if they stay aloof and do not keep public office holders and government officials on their toes. In developed climes, everybody is involved. I appeal to you, to mobilize people to developed interests in government’s activities at any level.”         

Lagos Lawmaker gives free eye care to constituents

Over a hundred residents of Epe Constituency 2 have benefitted from a free eye care programme organised by their representative in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Segun Olulade.

Olulade while addressing journalists at one of the venues of the treatment in his constituency office in Odomola, said he was motivated to embark on the project based on his discovery that some people in the area have serious eye problems.

He revealed that his interaction with the people and his experience during electioneering for his second term ambition in the constituency showed that many people were suffering from common eye diseases.

He emphasised that the exercise, which was done in collaboration with Eye Foundation Centre, was not limited to the people of the area as several people came from other areas within and outside the state.

His words: “The programme is about free eye treatment, surgery and provision of glasses for the people. It is not limited to the people from my constituency as we made announcements on the radio and social media

Daily Independent

Super Eagles Player Beats Wife Over Infidelity

Super Eagles of Nigeria right back Shehu Abdullahi has reportedly battered his wife, Sumayya Mustapha, over a phone call, accused her of infidelity.

The incident happened, recently at the couple’s residence in Sokoto. It was gathered that Sumayya was on the phone with someone and cut the call when Shehu came into her room.

However, when the phone rang again, she refused to pick it because the husband was always eavesdropping on her phone calls with friends and family. She claimed that, at times, Shehu would hide to record her conversations.

She also revealed that he is fond of accessing her phone while asleep to read her chats and take pictures of her chats.

On that particular night, the angry right back,  descended on wife leaving her with a bloodied eye. As at the time of filing this report, a family meeting was about to be held to seetle the issue.

Source #insidearewa

Why I drive a 2008 model vehicle — Banky W

Pop singer , Olubankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W , has hit back at some women who insulted him for allegedly owning a 1999 sports utility vehicle.

The incident , which happened three days ago , showed the musician being filmed by two women at a grocery store who apparently felt the vehicle he was driving was not suitable for someone in his class , whereas raining insults at him as he was offloading goods into his vehicle.


In response to the “ cringe worthy, creepy video ” as described by the artiste, he revealed that the vehicle was in fact not a 1999 model but a 2008 own and it was currently on sale to the highest bidder.

“ The 2008 Range is up for auction . We ’re using the car sale to raise money for a worthy cause, so we’ll start the bidding at one million naira only ,” Banky said.

He noted that he still drove a 2008 model SUV due to the need to own a nice home before a newer car.

“ You see , I’ ve never found it necessary to own more than one car. Mostly because I can only ever drive one car at a time; and when I bought the car in 2011, I promised myself that I would never buy another car until I owned the home I live in.

“ To me , owning a nice car might help me look like I was doing okay , but owning a nice home would help me know,” he added.

Banky said as the car went from being “ kind -of - trendy” to being just old, he decided to get a smaller vehicle and remained adamant at getting a nicer model until he got a house of his own .

Copyright PUNCH .

Lagos/Abeokuta rail project: FG Relocates Abeokuta Train Station Again

The Abeokuta train station, for the proposed Lagos/Abeokuta rail project, earlier scheduled to be located at the Trade Fair complex, Laderin, Abeokuta, is to be relocated to the Oba New City, a 6-km distance from the state capital.

Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this, after an on-the-site visit to the project site, together with the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and engineers handling the project.

He said the earlier chosen site, was declared unsuitable by the engineers, adding that the new location, which incidentally falls within the proposed  new city of the Ogun State Government, will enhance the new city development project as well as attract rapid development to the area.

According to him, the initial location will have necessitated the demolition of about 2000 houses, adding that the decision will avert the big loss to residents.

Amosun, in his remarks, restated that the government was not only heeding the advise of the engineers but also avoiding inflicting pain on residents, whose properties will have given way for the project.

Atiku Promises To End Boko Haram As President

Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is aspiring to become President in 2019, on Tuesday, said he would put an end to the Boko Haram crisis in the shortest time after his inauguration as Nigeria’s number one citizen.

Abubakar, who is one of the presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, made the vow while addressing his supporters at the Forshams Hall, Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital.

He said, “Nigeria ended its civil war in only two and a half years despite the thick forest in the South-East. I wonder why the war against insurgency took us nine years; there must be something wrong somewhere.”

He added, “If elected, I will not allow any commander to tell me stories, we must end insurgency within the shortest possible time because the insurgency has crippled everything in the North-East.”

The Director-General, Atiku campaign Organisation, Senator Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, said they were in Maiduguri in consultation with PDP stakeholders in Borno.

He said, “This is the chance for the people of the North-East to produce the next President, you should not miss this opportunity to produce the President. So, I call on you to support one of your own.”

Earlier speaking, the Borno State Coordinator,  Atiku Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Mohammed Imam, said there was no need for them to be in Maiduguri, “as he (Atiku) need not campaign in the state.”

“Borno State is your own; you need not to campaign. We the people of Borno and Yobe are behind your candidature,” he promised.

Kylian Mbappe To Donate World Cup Money to Charity Home

Though Kylian Mbappé was already turning heads and lighting up the pitch at Parc des Princes, the 19-year-old has shot into the national limelight after this summer’s 2018 FIFA World Cuptournament, winning over football and non-football fans alike. 

Having helped led Les Bleus to their second World Cup victory, along with being named the tournament’s best young player, Mbappé will be making another big statement: the breakout star will be donating all his World Cup winnings to charity.

During the tournament Mbappé made roughly $22,300 USD per match plus a reported $350,000 USD bonus for winning the Final against Croatia on Sunday night. Roughly adding up to $500,000 USD, Mbappé will be donating the money to Premiers de Cordée, a charity that provides free sports instruction to disabled children and hospitalized children. Mbappé signed with Paris Saint-Germain in August of 2017 and makes $1.7 million USD a month.

“Kylian, he’s a great person,” said Sebastien Ruffin, general manager of Premiers de Cordee. “When his schedule allows it, he intervenes for us with pleasure. He has a very good [relationship] with children, he always finds the right [words] to encourage them. I sometimes even feel that [he] takes more pleasure to play with the kids than the kids themselves.”

Juventus director reveals how 'crazy' Ronaldo move happened

Goal

An incredible overhead kick in April gave the Old Lady the idea to make an effort to land the Portugal star

Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici said his club got the idea to sign Cristiano Ronaldo after his stunning bicycle kick against them in April.

The then-Real Madrid star lit up the Champions League quarter-final first leg in Turin with two goals, including a sensational overhead kick in the second half.

Ronaldo's strike was so stunning that it even caused fans at the Allianz Stadium to stand up and applaud the visiting player's effort.

In addition, Paratici has revealed it was the moment that set the move in motion.

"The crazy idea started after the crazy goal he scored against us," Paratici told Sky Italia.

"(Ronaldo's agent) Jorge Mendes told us that Cristiano was stunned by the attention he received, he said that one day he would like to come to Juventus."

That vision became a reality earlier this month, when Ronaldo signed for Juve in a deal worth €100 million (£88m/$117m).

Policemen extort N100,000 from building contractor through POS

Oluwatosin Omojuyigbe

Some policemen attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Edo State Police Command, have been accused of extorting N100,000  from a building contractor, Emmanuel Alabede.

The operatives allegedly collected the money using Point Of Sale (POS) machine after threatening to kill him if he failed to give the bribe.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Alabede was travelling from Ibadan to Abuja when the car he was travelling in was stopped by the cops on the Ibilo-Okene Expressway and the bags of the occupants of the car were searched.

Alabede said the operatives told him to give them his mobile phone but he declined, telling them to state what his offence was.

Twenty eight year-old  Alabede, who said that the operatives raised their voice and threatened to kill him, added that he eventually released his phone to them.

He said, “They searched my phone but they found nothing incriminating; all they saw were pictures of uncompleted buildings. They asked me if the buildings belonged to me and I told them that they were not mine but they belonged to my clients.

“They said I was lying and accused me of being an Internet fraudster but I told them I was not and showed them my ID card and my company’s card, but they did not release me.

“While they were with my phone, a notification of alert of over N200,000 popped up on my phone from a client and they said they were going to collect the N200,000 from me.

“I told them that the money was not for me; that it was for a client that wanted me to work on his building, but they told me that if I didn’t give them the money they would kill me and nobody would hold them responsible.”

Alabede said when he refused to give the cops the bribe demanded, they told the driver of the car he was travelling in to go.

The Oyo State indigene added that he had to cooperate with the operatives to save his life.

He said, “I told them that I could not give them the whole money but I can give them part of it; so they told me that they would not collect anything less than N100,000 from me.

“They took me to a POS operator and I made a transfer of N100,000 to the operator  who charged N2,500 for the transaction and gave the cops N97,500.”

Alabede further stated that the operatives who were in their uniform when stopped his car, changed to mufti when they were going to the POS operator’s stand.

 He said he reported to the police helpline (0805700000) immediately he left the scene but was rebuked by the person that picked the call for not calling when he was with the cops.

Punch

Alfa used fake vision to rape student in Lagos – Police

Deji Lambo

An Alfa, Mustapha Hammed, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly raping a 29-year-old student of Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos.

The police said the 23-year-old suspect told the victim that he saw a vision that she would die in 24 hours, unless the student took three spiritual baths.

It was gathered that after the victim received the message, Hammed allegedly took the girl to Itowolo in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State for cleansing to avert the death.

While addressing the press during a parade at the state police command on Monday, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, said the victim never knew Hammed had a clandestine plan, as he sexually assaulted her.

He also said  since Hammed allegedly raped the victim, she had remained traumatised.

Imohimi said, “The Alfa deceived the victim that he saw in a vision that she was going to die within 24 hours. He took the girl to Ikorodu, Lagos, for cleansing so that she will not die.

“At Ikorodu, he raped the girl, who was a virgin.

“He thereafter wiped of her blood with a white handkerchief and since then, according to the victim’s father, the girl has been behaving abnormally because she was completely devastated and traumatised by the incident.”

Hammed confessed that he deflowered the girl when he took her to Itowolo in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State to spiritually cleanse her.

The Oyo State indigene said, “On April 7, 2018, I called the girl to come and meet me at my house. The girl is a friend to my girlfriend. When she came, I told her that I saw a vision that she has spiritual husband while I was praying and told her she needed to bath three times to solve the spiritual problem.

“The girl agreed to follow me to my house in Ikorodu. When we got there, she bathed the first time, but before she had the second bath, I had put a frog inside the water. I threw the frog inside the water because I want to marry her but do not know how to tell her.

“When she saw the frog, she ran out of the bathroom. I told her that it was a bad sign and she asked what to do. I then told her to call her boyfriend to meet her at my place. She told me that she could not call anybody and asked me to help her to do everything. She said she was still a virgin and told me to deflower her, so I did. But it was on that day that I realised that she was a virgin.

Hammond also said the girl was fine when they got back from Ikorodu, adding that he was not responsible for her abnormal behaviours.

He said, “When we came back to Bariga from Ikorodu, I saw her about two weeks ago and she was fine. I was arrested on Thursday, July 12, and they said I raped the girl and used her to do something; I did not use her to do anything.”

The CP said the case had been transferred to the Gender Section Unit for further investigation, adding that the suspect would be charged to court at the end of investigation.

Punch

Employment: 5,000 undergraduates begin training in three Lagos centers

At least 5,000 final year students from eight tertiary institutions in Lagos have commenced training in three different centres for the third edition of the Ready.Set.Work, an Entrepreneurship and Employability Training programme of the State’s Ministry of Education.

The training programme commenced at the weekend at the three designated centres including LASU, Ojo Campus; LASPOTECH, Ikorodu Campus and UNILAG, Akoka, with scores of professionals from different sectors of the economy, who have signed up as volunteers in the Ready.Set.Work Faculty which will run for 13 weeks.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh in a statement on Monday, said the peculiarity of the ongoing edition of Ready.Set.Work initiative was a testament to the unwavering commitment of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to human capital development, especially for Students in Lagos State.

He said, “This administration has committed resources to the Ready.Set.Work project since its inception. In his resolve to empower youths in the State and stem the tide of unemployment, the Governor has mandated that the programme must be expanded to cater for every student in any Tertiary Institution in Lagos State.”

“You we recall that the programme started in 2016 with 500 final year students from three institutions namely; Lagos State University, LASU; Lagos State Polytechnic, LASPOTECH and Lagos State College of Health Technology, LASCOHET. I am glad to announce that this year; we have 25,000 students from eight institutions participating in the programme. About 5,000 of these students, who are in their final year, have resumed the 13-week campus classes as of Saturday, while 20,000 others in their penultimate year will participate in the programme through the RSW Online Academy.”

Vice Chancellor of LASU, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun (SAN) as well as the Provost of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Dr. (Mrs.) Oladele Aina were on ground for the kick off at the LASU Centre hosting over 2,400 Ready.Set.Work students.

Addressing the students, Dr. Aina stressed the importance of the programme, expressing optimism that it would help the beneficiaries see the real world of work and give them a seamless transition into it.

Professor Fagbohun, on his part, emphasized how privileged the final year students were to be in the programme this year.
“About 10,000 final year students wanted to be a part of this programme, but only you were chosen. What that tells you is this: You are the best of the best. You must recognize your strength and give it your best,” he said.

In Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, where over 2,000 students are enrolled in the programme, the Rector of the Institution, leading the entire management team was on ground throughout the day to inspire the students and ensure a smooth kick off.

Some of the students could not hold back their excitement as they took to their various social media platforms to give kudos to the State Government and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the laudable project.

Tejumade Akintunde said, “This is an amazing programme, I can’t wait to receive more interesting lectures. The content of the programme is rich and impactful”.

Another participating student, Olumide said, “Lagos State is really investing a lot in the Ready.Set.Work programme. It is totally worth the time.”

This year, as in previous years, the programme boasts a team of Volunteer Faculty and project support staff, all professional and talented individuals who have chosen to give up theirSaturday to train, mentor and positively impact the lives of these students.

For the next 13 weeks, they will be bringing to bear their knowledge and wealth of experience to shape and inspire the next generation of workers and business owners.

The Ready.Set.Work 2018 cohort includes students from Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Lagos State College of Health Technology (LASCOHET), Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), a private institution, CALEB University.

FLOOD: LAGOS ALLAYS FEARS, SAYS MAINTENANCE OF DRAINAGE CHANNELS ON COURSE

In the wake of torrential rainfall experienced in some neighbouring States, the Lagos State Government on Monday allayed fears of residents, assuring that the on-going flood abatement and ocean shore protection measures will keep them out of harm’s way during the rainy season.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, in a statement, said the Government had already commenced the maintenance of all primary, secondary and tertiary drainage channels under the Cleaner Lagos Initiative.



“Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration is mindful of the terrain and geographical location of Lagos State being very close to the coast which makes it relatively prone to flooding and as such has come up with the global best practices through the engagement of reputable and competent contractors for all year schedule maintenance of all primary, secondary and tertiary drainage channels in the five divisions of the State,” Bamigbetan said.



He listed the areas undergoing dredging and cleaning to include Adetokunbo Ademola collector drain; 1004 collector drain – 1004 – Bishop Aboyade Cole to IGI; Idejo collector drain – Idejo – Adeola Odeku to Ozumba Mbadiwe; Billy collector drain, Epe; Beecroft/Simpson collector drain Lagos Island; Jankara/Adeniji Adele/Dolphin Estate Channel, Lagos Island; Ashimowu/Bakere Channel, Mushin; Ladipo Trape Zoidal channel, Mushin; Kehinde/Eta-oko collector drain, satellite Town, Amuwo-Odofin and dredging of Ketu-Alapere channel.



Others, according to the Commissioner, are dredging of 3.50km long Ketu-Alapere Drainage Channel, Kosofe LGA; 2.07km long Lakowe Drainage Channel, Lakowe, Ibeju Lekki; NTA 7 Tejuosho/Alaka Channel, Surulere; Osapa/Maiyegun Channel, Eti-Osa; Abeokuta/Egbe/Idimu Channel, Alimosho LGA; Ogombo Channel, Eti-Osa; Aguda/Coker Channel, Surulere and 615m long Kokoro Abu/Adeniran Ogunsanya Drainage Channel, Sabo, Ikorodu.



He also listed areas being cleaned up under the exercise to include Akibo Savage Collector drain, Victoria Island; Church gate collector drain, Victoria Island; Agoro Odiyan collector drain Victoria Island; Old Ewu Road collector drain, Oshodi Isolo; 5.00km long Ladipo Collector Drain, Fatai Atere, Mushin LGA; 1.98km long Alafia Collector Drain, Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA; 2.30km long 21 Road Collector Drain, Festac, Amuwo Odofin LGA; 820m long Amuto/Adeniji Adele Collector Drain, Lagos Island LGA; 235.0m long Thomas/Adeniji Adele Collector Drain, Lagos Island LGA; 850.00m long Oba Sefiu Adewale Drainage, Epe LGA and 950.0m long Billy Tertiary Drain, Epe LGA.



Noting that the administration’s efforts to protect the shores and the coastal communities led to the construction of 15 groins, Bamigbetan thanked environmental authorities for commending the Government’s efforts and recommending the construction of more groins from Lagos to Escravos to increase the protection.



“In addition, the Lagos State Public works has also commenced the cleaning/clearing of some road drains and inlets capable of causing traffic during the heavy down pour such as the inlets along Odo-Iya Alaro Bridge,” he said.

Abeokuta Flood: Amosun Warns Against Indiscriminate Building of Houses, Dumping of Refuse

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has  embarked on an assessment visit to  some areas affected by Friday's flood, which wrecked havoc around Abeokuta metropolis, warning against the indiscriminate building of houses.

He said the flood, as a result of a three-hour downpour and said to have claimed lives and properties, was avoidable.

Amosun, in company of his wife, Olufunso, Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga and cabinet members, during the visit, asked residents to desist from building on waterways.

Such action, he noted, is unlawful and can cause great havoc when water movement is disrupted and hindered.

He also warned against the dumping of refuse inside drainages, after he visited Ijeja, Gbangba bridge, Itoku market, Kuto, Isabo and Lafenwa areas.
He commiserated with those who lost their loved ones, praying that God will comfort them and grant them the fortitude to bear the losses.

Amosun also assured those who lost valuables, of government's commitment to intervene and cushion their losses.

While noting that the damage would have been more devastating, if not for the massive infrastructure put in place by his government, he stated that it would  not relent in doing more, to avert a future occurrence.

Imo crisis: God’ll impeach Okorocha, says Umeh

Tony Okafor, Awka

The senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Victor Umeh, on Sunday, asked God for forgiveness over his role in the emergence of Rochas Okorocha, as the Governor of Imo State in 2011 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

Describing Okorocha as an evil who had become an island unto himself, Umeh said the governor had become   “a pain in the neck of his people.”

Umeh, as the APGA national chairman in 2011, led members of the party to Imo State and after giving the party’s ticket to Okorocha, campaigned for him and he won.

Okorocha, however, dumped APGA and joined the All Progressives Congress.

Speaking during the inauguration of “Senator Victor Umeh Support Group” at Neni in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State ahead of the 2019 general elections, Umeh wondered why Okorocha should be desperate to instigate the impeachment of his deputy, Eze Madumere.

The senator recalled how Madumere worked so hard to ensure the success of Okorocha as governor of the state.

He said, “Madumere was even detained because he was fighting for Okorocha, only for the governor to want to impeach him because the governor wants his son-in-law to be governor of the state.”

Umeh said the Imo State Governor had in 2013 spearheaded the impeachment of his first deputy, adding that there must be something wrong with the governor as he could not be the only ‘Mr Right” all the time.

Customs officer kills two colleagues in Lagos

Two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service lost their lives in a tragic accident on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway on Saturday.

The three officials were reportedly attached to the Seme Border Command, Lagos.

While the two crushed customs officers died on the spot, the driver of the Avalon was said to be unconscious at the Intensive Care Unit of the Badagry General Hospital, where he was receiving treatment.

Our correspondent gathered that officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, led by the Badagry unit Commander, Fatai Bakare, deposited the remains of the deceased in a morgue.

A witness said the accident was caused by a burst tyre.

He said, “The incident happened around 7.45am on Saturday at Gbaji checkpoint. The customs officers were crushed to death by a Toyota Avalon driven by another customs officer of the same command.

“His car was descending the Gbaji Bridge and heading for Seme when one of his tyres burst. He lost control, thereby sending the two officers to their death.”

The customs unit commander, Bakare, however, said the accident was caused by speeding.

He said, “The customs officers were inside their vehicle at one of the checkpoints on the Lagos-Seme Road. The driver of the Avalon was on top speed when he crashed into them. He veered off the road and rammed into them. The two customs officers died on the spot, while the man responsible for the accident is in a coma.”

The Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Seme Command, Saidu Abdulahi, confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Usman and Kabiru.

 He also confirmed that the driver of the Avalon was a customs officer and identified him as George.

 He said, “On Saturday, July 14, 2018, I received reports of an incident involving three officers of the Seme Area Command at Gbaji checkpoint. Usman and Kabiru were involved in a ghastly motor accident which resulted in their fatalities.

“The driver of the other vehicle, George, is currently on admission at a general hospital.”

Punch

EFCC mocks Fayose, says we’re expecting you soon

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has lampooned Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State after the failure of his preferred candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, at the polls.

The EFCC said in a tweet that with Fayose’s tenure ending in less than three months coupled with the loss of his immunity, he should begin to prepare to visit the commission.

The commission hinted that investigation into Fayose’s alleged N1.3bn poultry project during his first term from 2003 to 2006, would be reopened and the prosecution would be able to continue

The tweet read, “The parri (party) is over; the cloak of immunity torn apart and the staff broken.

“Ekiti Integrated Poultry Project/Biological concepts Limited N1.3bn fraud case file dusted off the shelves. See you soon.”

However, a large section of Nigerians on Twitter accused the EFCC of being unprofessional and fighting a one-sided anti-corruption war.

The anti-graft agency subsequently deleted the tweet.

Fayose has been having a running battle with the EFCC since 2007 but it intensified in 2016 after it was discovered that the governor, while running for office in 2014, allegedly received over N1.3bn from the then Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, who is now a member of the All Progressives Congress.

The money was said to have emanated from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who has been in detention for nearly three years.

Fayose’s aide and trusted ally, Abiodun Agbele, who allegedly received the money from Obanikoro, has since been arraigned by the anti-graft agency while all of Fayose’s accounts have been frozen.

The governor was, however, untouched due to his immunity.

Obanikoro has, however, been converted to a prosecution witness and will be expected to give evidence against the governor when his tenure ends.

With Fayose’s tenure coming to an end on October 16, 2018, his case is expected to be immediately reopened.

Punch

Adeboye advises Nigerians

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has told Nigerians to expect dream-like miracles that will turn their lives around.

He, however, added that they must be ready to work towards such miracles.

The G.O., who spoke at the dedication service of the RCCG Region 19 Headquarters, Acme, Ikeja, stated that those who received dream-like miracles were either visited by God or God passed by and branched at their houses.

Adeboye, who mentioned Solomon in the bible as one of the people who had dream-like miracles, said he did what no one had done unto God which made God do what no one had seen before for him.

He said, “When you go through the scriptures, you will notice that all those who got dream-like miracles either invited God to visit them or God was passing by and they opened the door for him to come in.”

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, however, called upon the congregation to rededicate their lives to God’s service, urging them to continue praying for the peace and unity of the country.

Ambode, who was represented by the state’s Head of Service, Folasade Adesoye, said, “I want to congratulate the pastor and the members of Region 19 Dominion Sanctuary, on the dedication of the sanctuary. It gladdens my heart to be a part of this dedication in which I have the grace to serve as a worker.

“The theme of today’s dedication, Dream-like Miracle, is taken from Psalm 126: 1-3; this dedication, therefore, should be a reminder for us as Christians and workers in the vineyard of God, to rededicate ourselves to His service.”
Punch

Workers’ salary arrears will be paid in six months –Fayemi

The winner of the Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said that he will pay the backlog of salaries owed civil servants in the state within the first six months of his return to office.

Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress beat Kolapo Olusola of the Peoples Democratic Party in a keenly contested race to succeed the incumbent Governor  Ayodele Fayose.

Speaking at his residence in Isan-Ekiti, the former Minister of Solid Mineral Development, said Ekiti State lost value under Fayose, while also promising to re-introduce free education in the state.

He said, “Ekiti people should expect the eight-point agenda redoubled. They should expect the backlog of salaries cleared within the first six months of my coming to the office. They should expect re-introduction of free education, including payment of fees for the West Africa Examination Council, National Examination Council, National Business and Technical Examinations Board and the national entrance examination into tertiary institutions which they lost out on.

“We will re-introduce social security scheme for the elderly in an enhanced manner. They should expect the return of our youth volunteer programme. Luckily, the Federal Government has started a programme similar to what we used to have in Ekiti State, called N-Power. We will add our own initiative to that programme.

“The outgoing government is not interested in what happens to the young in our society beyond using them as thugs and forcing them to eat crumbs from the table of the master. They should expect a return to decency, decorum, integrity, values in Ekiti State. It is about reclaiming our land and restoring our values which we have lost in the past four years.”

Meanwhile, an APC chieftain, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has congratulated Fayemi on his victory at the poll.

According to the former Minister of State for Works, Fayemi’s victory will change the leadership style in the state, stressing that the people of Ekiti deserved mature leaders who value development of state’s human and natural resources.
Punch