AgegePulse Magazine Headline News

*NEWS HEADLINES FOR WEDNESDAY 6TH FEBRUARY 2019.*



*PUNCH*



PDP candidate in bondage of his thought Sanwo-Olu

Businesses groan as Lagos roads suffer despite high IGR

AI, automation to boost hotel revenues by 10% Report

Nigeria will collapse under Buhari if re-elected Peter Obi

Should you pay off your debt early

FG seeks fresh investments in savings bonds

Crude oil production by NPDC increases by 57,000bpd

NNPC, police to intensify fight against pipeline vandalism

CBN finances 568 agric projects with N577bn

Unilever boss seals 150m purchase of Graze

Temple of justice profaned

AFEX seeks deeper commodities market

Consolidated Hallmark lists 1.1 billion shares on NSE

Sirius Petroleum issues new shares

Lafarge Africa rewards distributors, pledges support

Halogen Security unveils identity management company

Farmers, processors seek import restriction on potato puree

NNPC posts 116% growth in trading surplus

FG, Osun partner to develop gold mining

Investors pledge to inject $90bn into Nigerias economy NIPC

Delta CEO makes US business innovators list

Why more entrepreneurs need to invest in food production

Polaris Bank promotes healthy living


*VANGUARD*


Southern Christians charge INEC, security agents to remain neutral

FG to boost gold mining in Osun, others

EFCC directs banks to deny Rivers State cash 'Wike

Bad governance, parenting fuel Boko Haram insurgency ' Yobe varsity VC

Polls: Youth groups kick against political thuggery, election violence in Katsina

Polls: Masari, Lado, others sign peace accord

AKWA IBOM: When Udom flexed people's power

Delta REC vows to prosecute violators, others

Only those who don't wish Nigeria well still support APC 'Obi

End these deaths, sufferings by Ex-NNSL workers, MWUN tells PTAD

How over 600 Imo monarchs subscribed to Buhari's 'Next Level

Why Oshiomhole, Amaechi are not happy with me 'Okorocha

Why Oshiomhole, Amaechi are not happy with me 'Okorocha

Olivia Agbajoh, ADC candidates light up Delta South

Olivia Agbajoh, ADC candidates light up Delta South

We are seeking a second term, some tried looking for more ' Buhari

I deserve to be reelected'Buhari

Why l pulled out of presidential race ' Ezekwesili

CPS enrollees hit 8.41m
Uzodinma to Okorocha: I will rescue Imo from you

South East PDP governors reconsider Buhari option

Steer clear from partisan politics, Atiku warns security agencies

Buhari's wife canvasses peaceful elections in Rivers


*THE NATION*


Lagos on the march again

Killer levy

Tinubu: PTDF cash stolen under Obasanjo, Atiku

Boko Haram kills three in Adamawa attacks

Okorocha warns Igbo on 2023

Fed Govt to workers: NNPC, refineries not for sale

CODER cautions politicians on election

Political jobbers endorsed Atiku, says Fasanmi

Soyinka: den of killers regrouping to direct our nations fortunes

Atiku to military: dont dabble into elections

Acting auditor-general arraigned

Dasukis billions not illicit, says Obanikoro

Ganduje orders shutdown of Sani Abacha stadium

Sokoto Commissioner dumps PDP for APC

Court names Ogara Enugu APCs governorship candidate

Explain how you got to the US, APC challenges Atiku

NNPC, police renew synergy on anti-pipeline vandalism

MBGN Tourism wears new crown

African celeb are prone to STDs, HIV, says Haillie Sumney

I was told my movie would flop, says Wole Arole

Tony Elumelu, Wizkid hang out in a photo

ABCON seeks higher transaction margin for BDCs



*THISDAY*


Taking Advantage of Mutual Funds

Okeke: Efficiency Key to Banks Profitability

Chidoka: Stock Market Decline Offers Entry Opportunity

PPPs: Public Sector Skills Gap Worries FG

With Egina, Total Targets 23% of Nigerias Daily Oil Production

Sovereign Trust Insurance Pays N4.2bn Claims

How Lack of Succession Plan Affects Businesses

Report: Nigerias Economic Confidence at 12-month Low

10 Banks Facilitate N139trn Investment on FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange

Emefiele, CBN and Nigerias Economic Outlook

PTAD Perfects Plans For Verification of NNSL, Savannah Sugar Workers

Auto Policy Review as Recipe for Policy Instability

Gulder Introduces Own Their Journey

IPI Solutions Unveils New Management

For Saraki, Its a Make or Mar Fight in Kwara

BUHARI DESERVES FOUR PLUS FOUR

Politics and Public Reasoning

Adamu Relishes Opening Goals Account for Kano Pillars

Tearful Neymar Wishes for New Metatarsal at Birthday Party

Fighting Corruption in Nigeria Not Easy, Says Buhari

Saraki: With Pan-Nigerian Endorsement, Atiku Now Unstoppable

Transactions on CBN's I&E Window Hits $48bn

Empowering Indigent Women for Better Future


*THE SUN*


New talents 'll bolster Galatasaray's attack 'Onyekuru

U20 AFCON: S'Africa delays Flying Eagles World Cup ticket

Rohr: Championship's better for Mikel

Moses eyes Europa League glory

Dollars rains for Flying Eagles

Iwobi named third best U-25 midfielder in Europe

Iheanacho faces sack
AFCON 2019: CAF storms Egypt to inspect facilities

Atiku promises to complete Mambilla Dam, if elected

Tambuwal's commissioner defects to APC

Ogbe, Emefiele commission N2bn Gino Tomatoes Kaduna plant

70% of voters're undecided on polls -Olawepo-Hashim

NLC threatens to shut down government that privatises NNPC

APC youth committee consults Kalu, solicits Ndigbo's support for Buhari, Sanwo-Olu

Mourinho escapes jail in Spain tax fraud

Women involvement key to conflicts solution, lasting peace ' WANEP

MultiChoice launches 3 NTA Channels on GOtv

Lagos: Ambode presents N852.317bn 2019 budget

When presidency is not about ethnicity, religion

Sports Ministry to seek intervention for women's league

Polls: Sanwo-Olu urges Lagosians to reject PDP

Hollandia Evap introduces 'Pere' pack

Atiku's visit to USA demystifies APC propaganda



*DAILY TRUST*


Keep out foot and mouth disease

Non-participation of good politicians can pave way for the wicked' ' Former LG chief

Kwara: CNPP raises alarm over planned clampdown on oppositions

PDP, ZLP warn Ajimobi, acting IGP over incessant attacks on oppositions

Atiku, Secondus, Dogara to Nigerians: Don't allow yourselves to be deceived by APC again

Fighting corruption in Nigeria is difficult , says Buhari

NNPC increases gas supply to power plants

Nigeria recorded N32.82trn proposed investments in 2018 ' NIPC

Afreximbank commits $500m to Tunisia-Africa trade, investment

Ministry, CBN consider tomato importation ban in 2yrs

Stakeholders urge FG to liberalise downstream sector to curb subsidy

Nigeria, Lebanon partner on diaspora investment

BDCs integrate identity verification with NIBSS, immigration

IBEDC receives N150m equipment to end llorin electrical outage

Kadpoly commissions ultra-modern fish farm, block industry to boost internal revenue

USADF, All On offer $100,000 Off Grid Energy window to investors

BasketMouth, Folu Storms, Ayeni Adekunle, others to speak at SMWLagos today


*TRIBUNE*


Ndigbo, Hausa/Fulani communities, others pledge block votes for Saraki in Kwara

World Bank mourns Nigerian Executive Director

Stop blackmailing INEC, Kashamu tells Secondus

Benue has 8,910 pensioners on its payroll' Permanent Secretary

FG signs MoU to domesticate passport production

Fasuyi's installation as Balogun of Ijebu-Jesa holds Wednesday

FG appoints Alhassan as new Rector, Federal poly Nasarawa

Polls: Court slates Feb 14 to hear suit seeking Buhari's disqualification

Hands-off my case, Onnoghen tells CCT Chairman

Obasanjo campaigns for Buhari's reelection in United States

Buhari in Ondo, promises to secure Nigeria

Tambuwal's Information Commissioner defects to APC

Buhari appeals to NLC, calls for understanding on minimum wage

Fayose: I was investigated over illicit transfer of funds ' Obanikoro

FG, private firm signs MoU on production of e-passport booklets in Nigeria

NLC calls for reversal of privatisation of power sector

Makinde calls on security agencies, monarchs to call politicians to order

Aisha Buhari appeals to South-South youths to shun political thuggery

Akinlade pledges repair of Agbara, Igbesa road if elected governor

Benue police deploy 1000 personnel for Buhari rally

Verification, payment of pension arrears to ex-NNSL staff commence soon 'PTAD

Over $3tn needed to develop infrastructure 'FG

Bogoro pledges transparent, effective management of TETfund


*LEADERSHIP*


AfDB, ECOWAS Sign Agreement On 1,000km Abidjan-Lagos Highway

Nigeria Can Generate $50trn From Security ' Expert

As PMB Makes Inroad Into S'East

Fear Grips Opposition Parties Ahead Of Polls

Imposition, Political Permutation Catalyst For Defection From Gombe PDP

Presidential Poll: Can Atiku Defeat PMB

Nasarawa Agog Over PMB, Sule Campaigns

Jisalo Drums Support For PMB's Re-election Bid

FCTA Reopens N1.7bn Airport Road

Kuje-Gwagwalada Road'II Be Dualised This Year

Royal Father Decries Absence Of Social Amenities In Jiwa Community

Royal Father Decries Absence Of Social Amenities In Jiwa Community

14,000 Rice Farmers To Benefit From Farm Inputs

2019: Rising Above Hate And Electoral Violence

Gowon, Ambode For BSN Founder's Day Annual Lecture

Court Convicts Microfinance Bank MD For $166m Fraud

MultiChoice Unveils Channels For Political Matters

Ambode Presents N852.316bn Budget To Lagos Assembly

NAL Retirees Endorse PMB For Re-election

FG To Boost Gold Mining In Osun, Others

After Impressive 2018, DBN Expands Reach In 2019

Amina Zakari And The Burden Of Leadership


*BLUE PRINT*


NDIC liquidates Fortis Microfinance Bank

Against female genital mutilation

Presidential poll: Middle Belt forum backs down on Atiku's endorsement

2019: Minister's wife backs Buhari on development in South-south

Using unconventional method to tackle insurgency

Between socio-cultural groups and retired generals

In northern Nigeria, drug abuse remains a problem among women

My govt will consolidate on the gains of democracy in Gombe state ' Nafada

An amnesty programme for corruption

Zamfara: What people should know

Zamfara APC crisis: Group' berates, accuses Yari of Court contempt

Lagos-Ibadan railway: PDP comes hard on Buhari over 'hasty' commissioning schedule

2019: El-Rufai plotting to rig polls, CUPP alleges

Atiku urges workers to reject Buhari

Poor performance will deny Udom re-election, says Umana

We'll vote out bad govt in Abia, says Apugo

FG restates commitment to teachers' welfare as NTI trains 3,700 teachers

Prostitutes may declare free sex, as 10,000 storm Abuja for Atiku

Finally, Ambode presents 2019 budget, see picture

Don't fall for PDP's threat, APC tells INEC, others

Buhari now unstoppable with NULGE, generals' endorsement ' BMO

Heavy wind collapses scoreboard at Stephen Keshi stadium

Uncollected PVCs below 20% in Bayelsa ' INEC


*BUSINESSDAY*


Rising unemployment, poverty, insecurity worry voters 10 days to elections

Why Nigeria must promote local cocoa consumption

Niger Delta oil reserves half-way through their lifespan

Lagos airport road, Oshodi transport inter-change for completion

Mission drift and microfinance in Nigeria

Showcase success stories of agripreneurs to attract youths, experts tell FG

The 20 apostles of judicial & legal reforms

The fiscal challenge and the 2019 window of opportunity

Tobacco tax revenue in Nigeria: To earmark or not to earmark

The Nigeria auto industry part III: The suggested way forward

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Fallout Of Budget Leads To Several Insinuations -Lagos Speaker, Obasa

AgegePulse Magazine

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has said that the fallout of the presentation of the 2019 Budget by the state government has led to several insinuations in some quarters.

Obasa, who was reacting to the presentation of the 2019 Budget by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday, stated that the fallout of the budget brawl has led to series of negative publications both on social media and in the print media.
The Speaker stressed that the publication was being sponsored by "a faceless group calling themselves the Legislative Probity and Accountability (LPA) led by one Olu Fajana with its pseudonym."

He added that this started immediately the misunderstanding between the Executive and Legislative in respect of the Y2019 budget; which he said meant that such could not be ruled out to have emanated from the Executive.
"A section of the media has even been mischievously misled into sensationally writing all manners of write-ups against this assembly.

"Some of our friends in the media are personalizing the issue thereby
misinforming the public.

"The fact of the matter is that the issue is between one arm of government and another. What was at stake then was nothing but the matter of appropriation.
"Unfortunately, no one from the Executive has risen to refute the
baseless allegations. Since no one has come up to address this, it is
incumbent on us then to come forward and debunk the allegations."

The Speaker then used the medium to challenge the Governor, the Finance Commissioner and the Accountant General of the state to 'prove that we have been collecting N800 million per month since the onset of this administration.

"Thank God, the governor is before us here today; so also, is the Finance commissioner sitting in this hallowed chamber. I likewise challenge the faceless group to prove that this Assembly has been collecting N800 million per month as alleged."

 Obasa added that the event was also an opportunity to shed more light on "unsubstantiated allegations regarding financial misappropriation, which is a clearly well-orchestrated campaign to disrepute my character and integrity as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and by implication tarnish the image of the legislative arm of the state government."

He emphasized that  the monthly running cost of the Lagos State
House of Assembly covers the entire expenditure of the House
comprising the 40 elected legislators and the administration of over
700 staff.

According to him, it includes sundry items such as travels, training (both local and overseas) office running and maintenance, vehicles, entertainment, publicity, security, protocols, logistics and administrativecosts among others.
'Dear Lagosians, as an arm of government, we are not at odds with
the Governor over anything.

"Rather, we are diligently playing our roles in contributing to the transparent and accountable governance that has made Lagos the envy of all and a model frame of reference in terms of development in this political dispensation.

"We need to remind ourselves that democracy is about institution and we must all learn to protect this. We must not, in whatever
circumstance, derogate or smear this institution. Failure to do so will affect our democracy," he said.

Obasa thanked meaningful Lagosians and Nigerians, who he said had been calling to ensure that peace reign in Lagos as well as the quick presentation of the budget.

He appreciated the likes Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, Alhaji Musiliu Adeola Kunbi Smith, members of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, all members of Governing Advisory Council (GAC), the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Oshinbajo and particularly APC National Leader, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu "for their concerted efforts towards ensuring that peace reign supreme among all the three arms of government in Lagos State."

He explained that the role of budget in economy and its essence
are key as provided in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in Section
121, stipulating that the Governor must prepare and lay the budget
before the House, which he said now creates the avenue to incur expenditure.
"All the arms of government must work together to ensure economic
growth and human development.

"We also need to know that infrastructure of the state is crucial, and the position of Lagos State is germane in Nigeria and its West African suburbs.
"Being the fifth largest economy in Africa, everything must be done to sustain the leadership quality of Lagos State in all spheres.

"Nevertheless, may I call on the governor that with the few months to go, he should endeavour to attend to urgent needs of Lagosians
especially by addressing the inner roads of the state as well as issue
of environment.

"We should be cognizant of the fact that the essence of democratic governance is that people remain the object of development," he said
The Speaker said that with the remaining parts of this tenure, more could still be done to ease socio – economic problems, particularly on finishing all road projects and rehabilitations, provision of housing, making surethat our environment is clean and poverty alleviation programmes embarked upon, before the end of this administration.

"As we hope that the Y2019 Budget will be of great benefit to the
people of Lagos State, we however appeal to His Excellency and
Lagosians to give us sufficient time to enable the House do a thorough job on a financial document that has great influence on the lives of the people.

"The Assembly would not delay the passage of the budget, but we will be interested in placing high premium on the need to ensure that the interests of Lagosian are protected socio-economically and politically. We are your representatives here at the House of assembly and we are duty bound to do justice to every sector of the state’s economy.

"May I use this medium, however, to appeal to everyone, especially
Lagosians to be law abiding as we prepare for the general elections. I
urge us all to come out en masse to support the continuation of the
good jobs our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has embarked on since the beginning of our administration by voting for all our candidates at all levels in the forthcoming elections as we move on to the Next Level," he said.

How To Save Mobile Data When Using WhatsApp

AgegePulse Magazine

One of the limited and scarce commodities in mobile communication is mobile data. Unlike Wi-Fi and Asymmetric digital subscriber line, a mobile data plan gives a limit not to go past, and there is a price for each megabyte you use.

According to Lifewire, in some places and for some people, it ends up getting rather expensive at the end of the month. For each app running on your smartphone, you can tweak to save data as much of it is squandered on things you could do without is no exception. Here are four things you can do to use your mobile data optimally with WhatsApp.

Set WhatsApp to use less data during calls

The app has an option to save data during chats and calls. It allows you to lower the amount of data it uses during voice calls. Although it is not clear how WhatsApp does this exactly in the background, the quality seems to be lower when the Low Data Usage option is activated. It could possibly be using a codec with higher compression, for example. You can test the option by activating it for some time and see how you like the lower-quality calls and make a trade-off.

To activate the data saving option, enter Settings, then Data Usage. In the options, check Low Data Usage.

Don’t download heavy media automatically

Like many other instant messaging apps, WhatsApp allows the sharing of images and videos which can be quite bulky. Videos are nice to share and watch but can have dire consequences on data consumption and phone storage. By the way, if you see your smartphone’s internal storage getting used up and lacking, having at the media folder of WhatsApp and doing some cleaning up can save you a lot of space.

You can set WhatsApp to download multimedia files automatically only when on Wi-Fi. You may already know that your phone automatically switches to WiFi whenever such a connection is present, thereby saving your mobile data.

In the Settings > Data Usage menu, there is a section for Media auto-download. Selecting ‘When using mobile data’ gives you a menu to check whether to download images, audio, videos, and documents or none of these (by keeping all options unchecked). If you are on a serious mobile data diet, uncheck all. You can, of course, check all in the ‘When connected on Wi-Fi’ menu, which is the default setting.

Note that if you choose to not download multimedia items automatically, you will always be able to download them manually even on mobile data connection. In the WhatsApp chat area, there will be a placeholder for the item, which you can touch to download.

Restrict Your Chat Backup

WhatsApp allows you to make a backup of your chats and media to the cloud. This means that it stores a copy of all your text chats, images and videos (not your voice calls though) on your Google Drive account so that you can retrieve them later, such as after changing phone or re-installation. This feature helps a lot if you value your conversations and their contents.

Now your chat data does not need to be back up when you are on the go. You can wait till you reach a Wi-Fi hotspot to have it done. You can set that in Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. In the ‘Back-up over’ option select Wi-Fi instead of Wi-Fi or Cellular. You can also restrict the interval of your backup. By default, it is done monthly. You can change that on the ‘Back up to Google Drive’ option to never backup, to do it as often as daily or weekly, or whenever you want. There is a button in the main chat Backup menu that allows you to make the backup whenever you want manually.

You also want to exclude videos from your backups, which anyway can be downloaded anyway whenever you want. So, in the same Chat backup menu, make sure the ‘Include videos’ option remains unchecked.

For iPhone users, the settings are a little bit different. The backup is done on iCloud. There aren’t as many options as with the Android version, but the feature is there. Enter the iCloud driver settings in Setting > iCloud > iCloud Drive and set the Use Cellular Data option to off. Excluding videos when backing up can be done in WhatsApp Settings > Chats and Calls > Chat Backup, where you can set the Include Videos option off.

Monitor Your Consumption

That was about controlling your data, but half of controlling is monitoring. It is good to know how much data is being used. WhatsApp has some detailed and interesting statistics that give you an idea of how much data it is consuming. In the WhatsApp menu, enter Settings > Data Usage > Network usage. It gives you a list of figures that have been counted since you installed and used WhatsApp on your device. You can reset all values to zero and start counting over again so you can have a better idea about your usage after a specific number of days. Browse all the way down to the last item in the list and select Reset statistics.

The figures that will more likely interest you if you want to monitor your device for in view of saving mobile data are the Media bytes received and sent, which indicated how much data are spent on media, one of the biggest data consumers. Note that you spend your mobile data when sending messages and media as well receiving. Same applies for calls, you spend data when receiving calls as well as making them. You will also be interested in the number WhatsApp call bytes sent and received. There are figures for data used up for backing up as well. The most important figures are the total bytes sent and received, which appear at the bottom.

Your operating system can help you control data usage as well. You access it through Settings > Data Usage. You can set a mobile data limited, beyond which your mobile data will automatically turn off. This applies not only for WhatsApp but for the total number of bytes used in the whole device. Android gives you a list of apps that consume mobile data, sorting them in descending order of data consumption. The hogs will appear on top. For each of them, you can choose to restrict background data, which implies barring the app from using mobile data when running in the background. We do not recommend this for WhatsApp though, as you will definitely want to be notified when a WhatsApp message or call arrives. For this, it needs to run in the background.

Y2019 Budget'll Be of Great Benefit To Lagosian, Says Obasa

AgegePulse Magazine

The Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has today expressed optimism that the budget would be of great benefit to the people of the State.

Obasa stated this briefly after the presentation of the proposed N852.316Bn Y2019 Budget presented by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode at House of Assembly Complex, Alausa Ikeja.


He assured that the House would work with the executive to pass the budget aptly.


According to the  Governor, N462.757billion representing 54 percent of the total budget size had been earmarked for capital expenditure, while N389.560billion representing 46 percent had been dedicated to recurrent expenditure, saying that key projects such as the Oshodi-Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road, Agege Pen Cinema Flyover bridge and Oshodi Interchange Terminal, among others would be completed.


“In 2019, as was with our previous budgets, Economic Affairs still dominates the sectoral allocation of the proposed budget. This is due to our continued focus on the completion of major on-going projects such as: Oshodi-Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road; Agege Pen Cinema Flyover; Phase II of Aradagun-Iworo -Epeme Road, Oshodi Interchange Terminal; completion of JK Randle Complex, Onikan Stadium; Imota Rice Mill; Renovation/Furnishing of Lagos Revenue House, amongst others in order to meet their specified deliverable outcomes without any bias or prejudice to others.” Ambode asserted.

AMBODE PRESENTS N852.316BN Y2019 BUDGET TO HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

…Earmarks 54% To Capital Expenditure, 46% For Recurrent

…Targets N775.2bn IGR, To Complete Major Ongoing Projects

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday presented the year 2019 budget proposal of N852.316billion to the House of Assembly, with a pledge that it had been carefully prepared to be all-encompassing and dedicated to complete major ongoing projects in the State.



The Governor said N462.757billion representing 54 percent of the total budget size had been earmarked for capital expenditure, while N389.560billion representing 46 percent had been dedicated to recurrent expenditure, saying that key projects such as the Oshodi-Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road and Oshodi Interchange Terminal, among others would be completed.

He said from inception of his administration, nine key areas were given priority after careful assessment of the needs of the citizens, adding that such had informed the massive investment in the said sectors which he listed to include security, transport / traffic management, economy -including tourism and agriculture, housing, education, health, infrastructure - social and physical, water, wealth creation - skill acquisition/microfinance, e-Governance and enhanced capacity building, sustainable environment and smart city projects.



Giving details of what informed the budget size, Governor Ambode said the performance of Y2018 budget of N1.046trn as at November 2018 stood at 60 percent owing to reduction in revenue projections, while the total revenue stood at N530.192billion. 



According to him, “In the outgoing year, however, we experienced a reduction in our revenue projections, which affected our projected performance and our desired implementation of the Y2018 Budget. The overall Budget performance as at November 2018 stood at 60 per cent/N574,206billion with actual cumulative total revenue of N530,192billion/64 per cent, Capital Expenditure closed at N311,930billion/49 per cent and Recurrent Expenditure performed at N262,276billion/82 per cent.



“In preparing the Year 2019 Budget, therefore, we were very mindful of the out-going year performance, the yearnings of our people and the fact that we are going into an election year. Consequently, we are today presenting a Budget that will be all-encompassing, reflect the level of resources that will be available and with special consideration to the completion of major on-going projects in the State.”



While outlining the key components of the Y2019 budget and the sectoral allocations, the Governor said with priority given to completion of major infrastructure projects and smooth transition to the next administration, the government was proposing a total budget size of ‘N852,316,936,483,’ including a deficit financing of N77.086billion which is expected to be sourced from internal loans and other sources.



He added: “The projected total revenue for Year 2019 is ₦775.231billion, of which ₦606.291billion is expected to be generated internally, ₦168.940billion is expected from Federal Transfers while a total of  ₦77.086billion will be sourced through deficit financing within our medium term expenditure framework.



“In 2019, as was with our previous budgets, Economic Affairs still dominates the sectoral allocation of the proposed budget. This is due to our continued focus on the completion of major on-going projects such as: Oshodi-Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road; Agege Pen Cinema Flyover; Phase II of Aradagun-Iworo -Epeme Road, Oshodi Interchange Terminal; completion of JK Randle Complex, Onikan Stadium; Imota Rice Mill; Renovation/Furnishing of Lagos Revenue House, amongst others in order to meet their specified deliverable outcomes without any bias or prejudice to others.”



Expressing optimism that the revenues of the State would improve in 2019, Governor Ambode said the government had begun consolidating on the already established public financial management and technology-driven revenue reforms through data integration and use of multi-payment channels, just as he said that every strata of the society would benefit from the budget.



“The Year 2019 Budget has been carefully planned to accommodate all and sundry; women, youth and physically challenged, young and old. We will continue to spread development to all part of our state even as we embark on effective transition knowing fully well that the implementation, failure or success of the Budget depend on all of us,” he said.



Besides, Governor Ambode commended the Speaker and members of the Assembly for the support accorded his administration in the last three and half years, while also acknowledging the role of Royal Fathers, Religious leaders, members of the Business Community, Professional Bodies, Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, public servants and all residents as well as members of the fourth estate of the realm for their various support and contribution during the lifespan of his administration.



 In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa expressed optimism that the budget would be of great benefit to the people of the State, just as he assured that the House would work with the executive to pass the budget.

Chief Olabintan Famutimi: Celebrating an Icon at 74

Chief Olabintan Famutimi is an accomplished administrator and industrialist who has made an indelible impact in the Nigerian business space. He has dedicated a large part of his life to the advancement of entrepreneurship, commerce and socio-economic development of the country.

The illustrious business leader began his academic career at St. Jude’s Primary School, Ondo before he proceeded to Molusi College, Ijebu-Igbo where he achieved the best result in Advanced Level General Certificate of Examinations (GCE) in the entire Ijebu province, and then studied Geography/ Geomorphology in the prestigious University of Ibadan between 1968 and 1971.

Olabintan

Interestingly, the septuagenarian never worked in any georgraphy-related business organization during his working days. Most of his career was in pharmaceutical firms like Boots Company Nigeria Plc, Beecham and Pfizer Products Company Plc. He has also previously worked with United African Company (UAC) Plc, RT Briscoe Nigeria Plc, Hawker Siddeley Engineering Company UK, and Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER).

As an astute administrator, the alumni of the esteemed Institute European d’Administration des Affairs (INSEAD), Fontainebleau, France has demonstrated quality leadership in various capacities like President of Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Chairman/MD of Beebs Holdings Limited, Chairman of Capital Heritage Limited, Director of Goldlink Insurance Plc, and Director of Orion Shipping Co. Ltd.

In 1977, the industrialist delved into the oil and gas industry when he founded Tricontinental Group, an organization that has business interests in energy, oil and gas exploration, pipeline and structure inspection, drill rig support, procurement and construction. To his relentless drive and sheer dexterity, the indigenous company has grown in leaps and bounds and has extended its operations into three continents covering countries like Angola, Canada, USA, and Trinidad and Tobago. He has since left the leadership of the conglomerate into the good hands of erudite Professor Oluwatoyin Ashiru.

This firm believer in the principles of hard work, commitment and resilience has affiliations with various institutes like Institute of Directors, Chartered Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Association of Nigerian Exporters.

Chief Famutimi is a well-respected member of the Nigeria diplomatic community with his strong links with international organizations like the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nigerian German Business Council, International Airline Passengers Association amongst others.

The accomplished businessman is not all work though!  He is a member of societies like the Metropolitan Club, Lagos, Ikoyi Club 1938, Rotary Club of Ikeja where he has being able to socialise, network for the social development of the country.

The Basorun of Iparuku, Ondo has helped in the development of the town, deliver philanthropy to the needy and underprivileged in the society, and helped in the education of many children and youths.

It is 74 hearty cheers to the illustrious Ondo high chief and to pray for long life in the service of the community, nation and world at large.

-Oki Samson
Trek Africa
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Islamic cleric, two others caught with Human skull

AgegePulse Magazine

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested an Islamic cleric, Jamiu Olasheu, 35, and three others for being in unlawfull possession of a human skull.

It was gathered that a police patrol team from the Agbara Division, which was on routine crime prevention patrol of the area, accosted two men on a motorcycle at the Kofedoti area of Agbara.

When the men, Teslim Ayeniromo, 45, and Sunday Kolade, 35, were searched, a human skull was discovered in a sack found with them.

Confirming the arrest, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the duo were promptly arrested and taken to the Agbara Divisional headquarters, where the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Adegbite Omotayo, personally interrogated them.

Oyeyemi said upon interrogation, the suspects claimed that the human skull was given to them by one Michael Osanyinbi, 51, for onward delivery to the Islamic cleric.

Oyeyemi added, “The cleric has made a confessional statement that he actually requested the skull, which Michael Osanyinbi promised to get for him at the rate of N25,000 plus N1,000 for the motorcyclist, who would deliver it to him. He stated further that the skull was needed for a yet-to-be-disclosed ritual.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliaysu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad for further investigation and prosecution.”

FG To Ban Tomato Importation This Year

AgegePulse Magazine

The federal government will soon ban the importation of tomato paste before the end of this year, the minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh has said.

Addressing tomato farmers at Dangote tomato processing firm in Kadawa, Kura local government in Kano on Monday, Ogbeh said the ban was aimed at encouraging massive production of tomato by local farmers.

Chief Ogbeh said the federal government would invest N250billion into the Bank of Agriculture for the purpose of assisting Nigerian farmers with loan facilities.

He said, “Before the end of this year, we shall ban importation of tomato paste into Nigeria. We will rather export same to other countries.”

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Ogbeh said federal government is aware of the suffering Nigerian farmers were experiencing and assured that the government had planned more goodies for them in the next 4-year tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said, “I am proud of Kano farmers because since the time of late Audu Bako, the first governor of Kano state, they have been the best farmers in the country.”

The Chairman, Dangote Tomato Processing Company, Alhaji Sani Dangote assured that by 2023 Nigeria would start exportation of tomato paste.

Dangote said, “If we can get the right support from state and federal government, by 2021, Nigeria will not import a single kilo of tomato from abroad and by 2023 we will start exporting tomato paste to other African countries.

“In Kadawa alone, we have 60,000 hectares meant for tomato production. So far 200,000 farmers were engaged in tomato farming but they are producing only two million tonnes of tomato annually.

“So if we can engage 200,000 farmers and provide them with seedlings that can yield 70 tonnes per hectare, we can produce 16 million tonnes of tomato annually,” he assured.

Daily Trust

See 10 lawmakers who will not return to Lagos Assembly

AgegePulse Magazine

Ten lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly will not return for the 9th Assembly, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN reports that the publication of final list of candidates for the state assembly election in Lagos State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reveals that some lawmakers’ names were missing.

While some of these lawmakers lost out in their aspirations to return to the house, and others who wanted to represent their respective federal constituencies in the House of Representatives failed at primary elections.

The lawmakers who couldn’t secure return tickets to the house during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, according to NAN findings are: Messrs Akeem Bello (Amuwo Odofin II) and Sola Giwa (Lagos Island)

Others are: Oladele Adekanye (Lagos Mainland I) and Dayo Famakinwa (Ajeromi-Ifelodun I).

NAN also reports that the four are all first term lawmakers in the house.

Bello, the former Minority Leader of the House and Famakinwa were part of the seven lawmakers that defected in 2017 from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC.

Other PDP defectors include Mr Victor Akande (Ojo I); Olusola Sokunle (Oshodi-Isolo I); Jude Idimogu (Oshodi-Isolo II); Fatai Oluwa (Ajeromi-Ifelodun II) and Mrs Mosunmola Sangodara (Surulere II).

Out of the other six lawmakers who aspired to represent Lagos in the National Assembly, only Mr Bayo Osinowo (Kosofe I) became the candidate of APC for Lagos East.

The likes of Messrs Segun Olulade (Epe II), Lanre Ogunyemi (Ojo II); Adefunmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin I); Saka Fafunmi (Ifako Ijaiye) and Mrs Omotayo Oduntan who aspired to get ticket to their federal constituencies all failed.

30 other lawmakers, including the only PDP member in the house, Mr Dipo Olorunrinu (Amuwo Odofin I), got their return tickets.

If they emerge winners at the poll, they will all be back in the assembly in few months.

NAN also reports that 45 candidates are currently contesting the Lagos State governorship seat, while 640 candidates will be jostling for the 40 seats in the state house of assembly.

BREAKING: Appeal Court Gives INEC Green Light To Accept APC Candidate In Rivers

AgegePulse Magazine

When INEC released its list of candidates for the general election last week, it omitted APC in Rivers, based on the ruling of the High Court.

 However, it said it would wait to see if the Appeal Court would give a different ruling on the controversy, which has now happened.

Sahara Reporters

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Sports: We're very happy with the three points, says Ilechukwu

AgegePulse Magazine

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC coach Fidelis Ilechukwu says his team is excited after their 1-0 victory over Wikki Tourists.

The Olukoya Boys claimed yet another home win on Sunday at the Soccer Temple, Agege Stadium courtesy of a 69th minute goal by substitute, Chijioke Akuneto and moved to top of the Group A table of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The visitors gave a good account of themselves in both halves as they threatened the hosts on many occasions. The first 45 minutes of the match ended goalless.

On resumption of the second half, Ilechukwu made two early tactical changes. He substituted Akanni Elijah and Balogun Alade for Akuneto and Mubarak Said.

The two substitutes combined well after 24 minutes of play. Akuneto received a low cross from Mubarak and tapped the ball in to give MFM the only goal of the game.

The head coach expressed his excitement after the victory and promised to make some corrections before his team's next NPFL game.

"It was a fantastic win for us; before the game we talked about their team and the quality players and we analyzed them. They are a very good side, we beat them today because we prepared for it and we are very happy about it.

"It's all about three points for now.

"You know after a game even if you win you have to look at what happened to your team during the match and you must look for a way to close the lapses even when you win or draw but now we won the game and we know that we have a lot of lapses but we will work on them and make corrections maybe tomorrow before traveling for our away match," he told MFM FC Media.

The Lagos-based team currently sit in the first position on the Group A standings with nine points from five NPFL games.

12 Persons Die in Ogun Road Accident

AgegePulse Magazine

Twelve persons, including two drivers and a child, died yesterday in a road accident on Abeokuta-Kobape-Sagamu road.

The accident reportedly occurred when a speeding Kia Cerato car veered off its lane, crossed the median and rammed into a commercial bus on the opposite direction.

All occupants of both vehicles were said to have died on the scene.

The accident occurred around 1 p.m at the Siun stretch of the road.

The remains of the 12 victims were reportedly deposited at the morgue of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu.

The Kia Cerato car, which was said to be speeding, had a burst tyre.

In panic, the driver was said to have applied the break and lost control of the wheel.

This led to the collision with the Toyota bus travelling in the opposite direction.

The state’s Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mrs Florence Okpe, announced this yesterday.

In a statement on behalf of the Sector Commander of the FRSC, Clement Oladele, the education officer urged the people whose family members travelled within the period of the accident to contact the FRSC Command in Abeokuta, the state capital, or the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu for identification of the victims.

The statement reads: “A black KIA Cerato car on high speed suffered a tyre burst and the driver was suspected to have applied break suddenly, which led to him losing control of the speeding car that left its lane, climbing the road divider and racing to the opposite direction where the car collided with a passenger bus, a grey Toyota sports space bus.

“The bus was traveling from Abeokuta towards Sagamu. The unfortunate crash killed all the occupants of the two ill-fated vehicles. The suspected cause of the crash is tyre burst and speeding.

“The details of the two vehicles are: LSR 334 FF for the Toyota sports space van (ash) and the second vehicle is marked (Lagos) KJA 806 BT, KIA Cerato, black colour.

The Nationonline

INEC to collate elections results manually

AgegePulse Magazine

Results of the general elections will be collated and transmitted manually, the  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday.

This is the only system that the law allows, according to INEC, which plans not to give the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) the power to recruit collation officers.

INEC insists that it has enough courage to conduct free and fair elections, but it urged Nigerians to prevail on political parties to comply with the guidelines for the exercise.

The position of INEC was made known by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, at an interactive session with some media homes in Abuja. Okoye said INEC was ready for the conduct of the polls in 1, 558 constituencies and 774 Local Government Areas. He said the commission has concluded the identification and recruitment of over 814, 453 ad hoc staff.

Okoye spent much time to clarify issues surrounding collation of results. He said: “ For this general election, we are collating results manually and transmitting manually in accordance with the existing laws. Even in some advanced countries, some of them collate and transmit election results manually because in this age of technology, anything can happen. ” INEC has been consistent in following the processes and procedures in collating and transmitting results. If tomorrow the National Assembly changes the laws, we will adopt e-collation and transmission of results.

“The National Commissioner  said INEC will not allow Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs)to recruit collation officers.

Okoye added: “ The practice of recruiting collation officers centrally by INEC headquarters has been in practice since 2011. In all elections since 2011, including the 195 off-season elections since 2015, the recruitment of collation officers is centrally done by INEC headquarters.

“So, since 2011, no REC has been involved in the recruitment of Collation Officers. We will continue to recruit Collation Officers from INEC headquarters, we won’t allow RECs to do that.”

The commission met with the Committee of Vice Chancellors and agreed on the modalities for recruiting and forwarding the names of Collation Officers to INEC headquarters.

“Responding to a question, the National Commissioner said: “Collation Officers are not allowed to make phone calls or receive calls during collation.”

Okoye assured that the commission will be fair to all parties and candidates

The Nation

Mother sells own baby for N200,000

AgegePulse Magazine

Police operatives attached to the Madalla Division in Niger State have arrested two suspects for alleged human trafficking.

The two suspects, Blessing Aluna, 23, of the Rimi Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, and one Oludare Jeprince, 36, of Giri Abuja, were apprehended in the Madalla area of Suleja for abducting a three-year-old child.

It was learnt that Aluna, who resides in the Madalla area of Suleja, had at some point allegedly sold her one-week-old baby for N200,000.

It was learnt that she was nabbed for allegedly conniving with Jeprince, who was said to be her boyfriend and accomplice, to kidnap and facilitate the sale of the three-year-old baby.

Northern City News gathered on Sunday that Aluna had in 2017 sold her week-old baby to one Nkechi Udo, of Tungan Maje, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Further checks revealed that Aluna had assisted one Precious Ade of the Gwagwalada area of Abuja to sell her 15-month-old baby for N250,000.

The suspect reportedly received the sum of N50,000 as her share of the proceeds of the crime.

In an interview with our correspondent, Aluna blamed poverty for her involvement in the crime.

She said, “Imagine me selling my child for money; that will tell you the level of hardship in the country.

“I sold my own child for N200,000 in order to open a provision store in Suleja at least to take care of myself and my siblings.”

When asked whether she regretted her action, the suspect said, “I have done the worst thing to humanity and especially to my own child. I don’t think I deserve to be alive, let the law  its course.”

Punch