POLICE DISMISS FOUR SARS OPERATIVES, CHARGE THEM TO COURT FOR ROBBERY, OTHERS

The Assistant Inspector General in charge of zone 2 command, AIG Adamu Ibrahim has upheld the  recommendation of police disciplinary body that recommended dismissal of four policemen attached to Special Anti Robbery Squad Ikeja, Lagos (SARS).

The four policemen  who were dismissed and subsequently charged to court on offences of Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Unlawful detention, Intimidation and threatening violence being the report of the Investigation carried out against them when one Mr Chukwudi Godwin Odionye popularly referred to as 'Bishop' submitted a petition against the four on 2nd day of May 2018.

The petitioner in his petition stated that on the 4th of June 2017, he was in his house around Alagbado Lagos when the four armed men stormed  his house to effect his arrest on the allegation of performing 'FAKE' miracles.  He stated that after his arrest, he was taken to one hotel at Agege where he was detained and threatened to be killed if he fails to cooperate. He explained further that on the following day 5th June 2017,  he was taken to bank where he was made to transfer seven million Naira to one of the operative's account.

On the receipt of the petition the AIG ordered Investigation into the case.

On the strength of Investigation it was revealed that no proper police procedure for Investigation was followed in Mr chukwudi's arrest and that the four SARS operatives actually abducted the man from his house and Unlawfully detained him in the hotel under the guard of the suspects for personal gain.

The police men:
Sgt Adeoye Adekunle
Sgt Adenira Adebowale
Sgt Agbi Lucky
Sgt Odighe Hehosa

Who were subsequently found guilty during the orderly room trial for professional misconduct,  corrupt practices and discreditable conduct were dismissed and consequently charged to court on criminal charges of Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Unlawful Detention, Stealing, Intimidation and threatening violence.

The Police Public Relations Officer of zone 2 command, CSP Dolapo Badmos while parading the suspects reiterated the AIG'S directive that the force will not tolerate any act of misconduct that undermines the value of International best practices of policing as she stated further that any police officer or men found guilty will not be spared.

National Carrier Project Is Wrong-Headed And A Waste, Says Ezekwesili

"I have seen a number of commentaries on this my Tweet. Let me REITERATE it now I fundamentally consider a 'National Carrier Project' A WASTE.

Before we once again SINK SCARCE PUBLIC RESOURCES into a WRONG-HEADED PRESTIGE project like an airline, I am GLAD to STAND ALONE on this," she tweeted.

READ MORE: http://bit.ly/2L521eN

Power: Fashola lambasts Discos, calls spokesperson an interloper

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, on Friday lambasted the Association of Electricity Distributors and condemned the association’s recent reactions to his directives to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Public Enterprises and Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading company.

Fashola, who called the association’s spokesperson an interloper, stressed that his directives went to legal entities and not to an unlicensed organisation, ANED and that the Discos were sabotaging Nigeria’s economy through their actions.

In a 28-page document released in Abuja on Tuesday by ANED, the power distributors argued that most of the statements about Nigeria’s power sector that were made last week Monday by Fashola were false.

They said comments made by the minister on metering, power generation and transmission capacities, stranded electricity, among others, were significantly distorted.

Fashola had briefed journalists on the status of Nigeria’s power sector at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in Abuja last week Monday and had raised a lot of lapses on the part of Discos.

The minister, who was displeased by ANED’s reaction to his briefing, issued a statement he personally signed on Friday and said, “Before fiction becomes fact for lack of a response, I feel obliged to respond to some, not all of the allegations credited to one Mr. Sunday Oduntan who presents himself as Executive Director, Research and Advocacy of the Association of Electricity Distributors, which he made in response to my directives to NERC and BPE/NBET as contracting parties to the Discos.

“Throughout my press statement which contained the directives, I referred copiously to the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act which is the law that regulates the power sector. I referred to Discos in their capacities as licensees. Mr. Oduntan should tell members of the public if ANED is a licensee.”

Fashola went on, “He should tell the public whether he is an investor in a Disco and in which Disco he has invested and what he invested. He should tell members of the public that I walked him out of our monthly meeting because he has no capacity to attend and he was not invited. If ANED is not a licensee, who is ANED? An NGO? If so, they should listen to consumers because nothing is going on about poor service.”

Punch

Photo: Stranded Nigerian Football Fans Arrive Abuja

155 out of 230 Nigerian football fans stranded in Russia after the 2018 FIFA World Cup arrived the country on Friday night.

The stranded football fans came through Ethiopian Airline flight number ET-ALP that arrived Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja at about 9.12 pm.

See the photographs courtesy NAN:

Punch

I will Honour Police Invitation- Dino Melaye

The lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye, says he will honour the invitation by the police.

He disclosed this in an interview with Channels Television on Saturday, a day after the police accused some persons in his convoy of attacking their personnel in Kogi State.

“The account of the police is false and illogical,” the lawmaker said, adding, “I will honour the invitation of the Kogi State Police Command on Thursday, despite the attempts on my life.”

Senator Melaye had accused the police of shooting at his convoy on his way to inaugurate a project at his constituency on Thursday in Kogi.

He explained that he was riding in a convoy of about 20 vehicles headed for the scheduled event and his cars were the second and third, having being led by the out riding Hilux vehicle of the personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The lawmaker noted that the police claimed that the vehicles at the back shot at them and wondered why “they shot at my cars which were in the second and third on the convoy.”

He alleged that the incident clearly indicated an attempt on his life if not for his bulletproof vehicles, claiming that the gunshots were directed at the owner’s sitting side of the cars.

Melaye purported further that after the scenario which played out on the road, there was another attack on his house in Aiyetoro where gunshots were fired sporadically.

He also said he had written to the police and the NSCDC through his lawyer, to seek protection for his planned visit.

The lawmaker claimed that while the NSCDC deployed some personnel to escort him, there was no provision made by the police.

On the other hand, the police said they were aware of the senator’s visit and had already deployed personnel to strategic points in the state.

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Mr Ali Janga, told reporters on Friday that part of the personnel deployed were those involved in the incident in which an officer was fatally injured.

He insisted that Senator Melaye was not attacked, but the police repelled an alleged initial attack by some individuals on his convoy.

“Unidentified civilians inside (a vehicle in the convoy) decided to open fire on my policemen. You don’t expect the police to fold their arms; eventually, they replied and opened fire too. Nobody attacked Dino but rather, his convoy attacked by policemen and they repelled,” Janga had said.

He said they had invited the lawmaker for questioning, noting that the police would not hesitate to declare Melaye wanted should he ignore their invite.

Senator Adeleke Wins Osun PDP Governorship Primary

The lawmaker representing Osun West district in the National Assembly, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has won the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The Chairman of the Election Committee and Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, declared the lawmaker the winner on Saturday after he defeated three other aspirants in the exercise held in Osogbo, the state capital.

Senator Adeleke polled a total of 1,569 votes to beat his closest rival Dr Akin Ogunbiyi who scored 1,562 votes.

Delegates at the primary, however, demanded a recount of the ballot papers but Governor Dickson reportedly declined the request.

Having won the PDP ticket, Senator Adeleke would contend with Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as candidates of other political parties in the September 22 governorship election.

About 3,000 delegates from various wards across the local government areas of the state participated in the exercise.

Eleven aspirants had indicated interest to represent the party in September, but seven of the candidates later pulled out.

They include a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adejare Bello, Professor Adeolu Durotoye, Jide Adeniji, Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, Ayoade Adewopo, Lere Oyewumi and Felix Ogunwale.

The aspirants said they resolved to withdraw to ensure stronger bond within the party, and because of the appeals from PDP leaders.

Senator Adeleke consequently beat Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, as well as Fatai Akinbade and Nathaniel Oke to emerge the winner of the primary.

Channels

2019 Elections: PDP Will Restore Nigeria's Economy, Unify Our Country – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on Nigerians to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the nation prepares for the forthcoming general elections.

He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of failing to secure the people and their property, as well as worsening the economic situation of the nation.

Addressing a gathering of PDP supporters on Saturday in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Atiku claimed, “My fellow Nigerians, the government of APC has failed. It has failed to unite Nigeria.”

“Today, we are more divided than any other time in the history of this country. APC government has destroyed our economy. They took over an economic growth of seven per cent and brought it down to less than two per cent,” added.

The former Vice President, who used the occasion to flag off his presidential campaign, promised to revamp Nigeria’s security architecture and fix the economy if elected as president.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar addressing supporters and PDP members when he flagged off his Presidential campaign in Adamawa State on July 21, 2018.


He was also hopeful that he would defeat President Muhammadu Buhari and reclaim power from the APC if he was given the PDP ticket.

“What the PDP is going to do is to restore our economy, unify our country, and to ensure we have security of lives and property,” he noted.

Atiku had left the PDP to join the APC in February 2014, after he lost the 2007 presidential election on the platform of the then Action Congress.

He later contested against President Buhari and three others for the APC ticket in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

Having lost again to the President in the APC primary in 2014, the former Vice President reportedly collapsed his structure to support President Buhari in during his presidential campaign.

He consequently announced his defection from the ruling party through his aide, Paul Ibe, and returned to the PDP in 2017

Channels

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.
.
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"

Do you think this kind of action is possible in, Nigeria and Africa against corrupt leaders?

Air your views
#punchnewspaper @officialEFCC #corruption #punchng #AgegePulse

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