Life Daily

The Downtrodden People’s Empowerment Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, has appealed to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to accelerate metering of its customers in satellite communities of the FCT. Its President, Mr Tijani Olabode, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said the appeal became necessary because of the volume of unmetered customers in the satellite communities. Olabode also said that the organisation had written to Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to prevail on Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to intensify mass metering, provide and upgrade overloaded transformers in the country. He listed the satellite towns in the FCT that required metering and change of the overloaded transformers, including Tudunwada and Sauka-Kauta villages in Lugbe. Others are Jikwoyi in Karu and Bako communities in Gwagawalada in the FCT. AEDC’s Managing Director Ernest Mupwaya had recently said at a workshop for judges in the FCT that the company h

The Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, has said that the local cement manufacturers produce over 25 million tonnes cement thus saving the country two million dollars annually. He said this while addressing State House Correspondents after a meeting of the Presidential Industrial Advisory Council chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa. “The most important thing I think is that the cement industry in Nigeria will continue to save Nigeria a lot of foreign exchange. “If for example, you look at what we have produced in Nigeria today, maybe 25 million tonnes to 30 million tonnes, if we quantify that in terms of foreign exchange it is almost two billion dollars per year. “That is a lot of money being saved because if we do not have these cement plants definitely we have to import cement. “And not only do we have to spend money in terms of foreign exchange import but the price of cement definitely would have been higher than what it is today,’

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) says it has engaged the services of bill collection agents as part of its efforts to expand its bill payment platforms. Mr Emeka Ezeh, the Head of Communications Department of EEDC, disclosed this in Enugu on Tuesday . According to him, the move is aimed at complementing the company’s payment channels and easing bill payment. Ezeh said that with the new development, customers of EEDC would now have convenient and accessible options to pay their electricity bills. “This move has become necessary to minimise situations where some of the customers who do not have time to visit EEDC cash office, bank or even use the online platforms, can now conveniently pay their bills through these agents within their neighbourhood. ”Currently, one of the agents, Capricorn Digital Limited, promoters of “Baxi Box”, are already on ground collecting electricity bills on behalf of EEDC. ”Customers are therefore encouraged to feel free and pay thei

An Evbuoriaria Magistrates’ Court in Benin, on Tuesday, sentenced a 68-year-old man, Abdullahi Ashiru, to three years imprisonment for car theft. The Magistrate Mrs C. E Oghuma, who did not give the convict an option of fine, said the jail term was with hard labour. The Prosecutor, Insp. Olatoye Oluwaseun, had told the court that the convict committed the crime on June 3, at No. 11, Idahosa Street, Benin. Oluwaseun said the stolen Toyota Camry car with registration number BEN 263 JR, property of one Edward Idahosa, was worth N1.2 million. The convict had however pleaded not guilty to the charge. Via....NAN

Mr Paul Akporowho, National Secretary, Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), has called on the Federal Government to rehabilitate inactive ports across the country to boost national revenue. Akporowho made the call on Tuesday in Warri, while speaking with newsmen on the state of the nation’s ports. He stressed that if the government could rehabilitate ports like Delta, Calabar and Onne ports, among others, it would particularly facilitate efforts to decongest the Apapa seaport. He noted that the Apapa port had been overwhelmed by heavy commercial activities, which had consequently affected the state of the roads in the neighbourhood. “For instance, the number of accidents on the Apapa road is enormous; a lot of tankers and trucks often tumble because the roads are bad and over-used. “This is not good for our economy as a nation; so there is need for the government to reactivate other seaports in the country in order to decongest the Apapa port. “For instance, the Delta port

Rep. Sunday Katung (PDP/Zango-Kataf/Jaba), has disbursed a total of N6.5 million on skills acquisition to 218 persons, beneficiaries to start off their businesses. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that each of the trainees received N30,000 at the completion of the training on Tuesday, in Zonkwa. Among the new entrepreneurs were youths and women, who acquired skills on the making of soap, detergent, deodorant, pomade, among others. Katung, at the ceremony, said that the money was a take-off capital to establish their business outfits. Represented by Mr Yohanna Allahmagani, former local government commissioner in Kaduna State, Katung said that the gesture was in fulfillment of his promise to focus on human capacity development to enhance self reliance. Mr Micha Audu, who represented Mr Samuel Basa, PDP Chairman, Zangon Kataf Local Government, commended the legislator for the gesture which he described as “a giant stride”. In a goodwill message, Mr Ben Bako, former in

Japanese police arrested a 27-year-old man on Tuesday after finding at least nine dismembered bodies in his apartment, local media reported. The suspect, named as Takahiro Shiraishi, confessed to cutting up the bodies in a bathroom in his room in the city of Zama, 40 kilometres south-west of Tokyo, broadcaster NHK reported, citing police officials. Police found the bodies of eight women and one man in cold-storage containers on Monday afternoon, as they were conducting a search on suspicion of the man’s involvement in the disappearance of a young woman, NHK said. Police suspect they include the body of the missing 23-year-old, the report said. The woman, from Hachioji, a city in the greater Tokyo area, and the man were found to have exchanged messages on Twitter after she expressed suicidal thoughts on the social media platform. She said on September 20 she was “looking for someone who will commit suicide with me,” the Kyodo News agency reported. Footage from security camer

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Adm. Bello Al-hassan, on Tuesday said the Navy had deployed seven ships and 37 patrol boats for martime security drill in the Niger Delta. Al-hassan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne, that the command had commenced a sea/backwater exercise code named: ‘Octopusgrip’ in Onne, Rivers. He said the exercise would give the participating ships and crew a great opportunity to showcase their professional capacity in securing the maritime environment within the Command’s Area of Responsibility. According to him, the sea-based operation is to enhance the combat readiness of the troops which commenced on Monday and will last for three days. The FOC said the objective of the exercise was to consolidate on the gains of “Operation Rivers Sweep” that was launched in January. He said the earlier operation had reduced crude oil theft and other maritime illegalities, which caused high deg

Nigeria has moved up 24 places to 145th in the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ report published today, and for the first time the country is recognized as one of the top 10 most improved economies in the world. The World Bank Doing Business project provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement across 190 economies. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, in a reaction to the report said: “I welcome Nigeria’s improved performance. We are one of the top ten reforming economies in the world in 2017.  After a decade-long decline in Nigeria’s rankings, last year the Government recorded a modest increase. This year, Mr President set us an ambitious target of moving up twenty places in the rankings – I am delighted that we have exceeded his goal. “Improving the business environment is at the heart of the Buhari Administration’s reform agenda. We are reinforcing our economic turnaround by a vigorous and active implementation of the Economic Recovery and

The President of the Senate Dr, Bukola Saraki has said that the sack of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babchir Lawal had vindicated the senate. This is even as he has directed all committees of the Senate to quickly conclude all corruption investigations currently pending before them. The President of the Senate also commended the Federal Government for doing the right thing by sacking the former SGF. Saraki recalled that the travails of Lawal emanated from the senate when it commenced probe into the involvement of the former SGF in the alleged grass cutting scandal in the North East. Speaking on the sacking of the former SGF, Saraki said that it was now clear that the senate was justified in exposing and fighting corruption. “It has been a tough journey to defend the institution. I want to commend the government for doing what is right. “When we started the investigation, we were being blackmailed but we will continue in our commitment to fight c

will soon be floated on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), an official of the Administrative Commission of Inquiry on Rangers confirmed on Tuesday. Based on the submissions made by the commission, the Enugu State Government will likely divest its shares and stakes in Rangers soon. About two months ago the state government had set up the Administrative Commission of Inquiry, which had been looking into the club’s activities. The seven-time league champions who won the 2015/2016 title about 32 years after the last time had a poor outing in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. A member of the commission, Norbert Okolie, told NAN on Tuesday that putting the club’s shares at the NSE was part of the major recommendations made by the commission. Okolie, who is also the Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu State, said the commission’s report was submitted to the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Friday. He said the commissi

The Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Mounir Gwarzo, has been described as a purposeful leader who had brought positive changes to the commission. Mr James Ume of the Communication department of SEC told our correspondent in an interview in Abuja that the DG had brought purposeful leadership that transformed the organisation for the better. Ume said since the appointment of Gwarzo as the Director-General of SEC in May 2015, he had contributed immensely to the progress recorded in the commission. He added that the DG had ensured transparency in the commission in the award of al contracts. “The Public Procurement Act empowers the D-G as the Chief Executive Office of the Commission to approve contracts within certain thresholds. “However, to ensure transparency in the procurement process of the Commission, the D-G has delegated every procurement exercise of the Commission to the Minor Tenders Board, completely excluding himself from the processes

China’s parliament is considering criminal penalties for those who disrespect the national anthem, Reuters reported Monday, citing from state news agency Xinhua. A draft amendment to the country’s Criminal Law was submitted for deliberation at a session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee on Monday. Violators could face up to three years in prison, according to the draft. China passed a new law in September mandating up to 15 days in police detention for those who mock the “March of the Volunteers,” which is China’s national anthem. The law also covers the Chinese territories of Hong Kong and Macau, Reuters reported. According to Fox News it is not clear when the amendment would be voted on or take effect. The report comes at a time when there is debate about NFL players in the U.S. who take a knee during the national anthem before football games. Some see the protest as disrespecting the flag, while others say the players are using their first amendment r

Kenyans waited on Tuesday for the response of opposition leader Raila Odinga to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory in the Oct. 26 election. Odinga, a veteran politician who has now lost his fourth election, is expected to give his first reaction to Kenyatta’s Monday night victory in a speech to loyalists from his Luo tribe some time after 8 a.m. “We are just waiting for Baba to speak,” said Desmond Litava, an Odinga supporter in Kawangware, a restive slum in the capital, Nairobi, using a term of respect for the leader. In the worse case, Odinga could call for his supporters to take to the streets, unleashing chaos in cities such as Nairobi and Kisumu to the detriment of the already struggling economy. After a disputed election in 2007, around 1,200 people were killed in clashes between rival ethnic gangs that also led to a prolonged slump in the region’s biggest and most important economy. On the other hand, Odinga could limit his appeal to the courts, as he did in 2013, and

Nigerian have urged the newly launched satellite television provider, TSTV not to renege on its promise to begin sales of its decoders by November 1. Nigerians who took to various social media platforms urged TSTV not to dash their hopes like it did on October 1, during its official launch . Nigerians had anticipated an immediate sale of the TSTV decoders following its formal launch but the TV provider however announced that sales would commence Nov. 1. After the launch, Nigerian in excitement went on to mock popular satellite TV provider DSTV and other providers. However the failure of TSTV to begins sales immediately coupled with an allegation that it was illegally claiming to have license to air some content belonging to bEIN seemed to have dampened the zeal of some Nigerians. However, many other Nigerians who took to their twitter handles insisted that they were ready to go with TSTV all the way no matter the amount of channels it had. Many of them insisted that TVST he

Adamawa Government on Monday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Boss Mustafa as new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Malam Ahmad Sajoh, gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola. He said Adamawa Government and people were happy over the return of the position of SGF to the state and thanked the President for the gesture. The commissioner added that “the government and people of Adamawa are happy with the development. I just spoke to many stakeholders, including Gov. Bindow Jibrilla, who expressed happiness and thanked President Muhammadu Buhari over the appointment. “Boss Mustafa is our son and we are confident about his ability to discharge the responsibilities of that office.” Sajoh reiterated Adamawa Government’s commitment to stand by Mustafa to ensure that he succeeded in his new assignment. The state’s Organising Secretary of All Progr

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Monday in Abuja frowned at the use of unregistered SIM cards in the country in spite of subsisting government ban. Burutai said the development was a major setback in the use of digital and mobile forensics by the Nigeria military in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other national threats. The army chief spoke at the opening of the 6th International Digital, Mobile and Computer Forensics Conference and Training Expo organised by the Computer Forensics Institute of Nigeria (CFIN). In a paper edtitled, “Digital, Mobile and Computer Forensics as a Tool in Fighting Terrorism and Internal Threats’’, he said military investigators were able to get unregistered SIM cards from vendors last week without difficulty. Buratai, who was represented by Brig.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo, also identified improperly registered SIM cards in use in the country as a challenge. These, he noted, were making identity tracking, especially in the

Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu says President Muhammadu Buhari will not stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from its investigation against Babachir Lawal and Ayo Oke, who were relieved of their appointments. Shehu, who stated on Monday in Abuja, said President Buhari had taken the necessary administrative action against the two officials. President Buhari, had on Oct. 30, approved the appointment of Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and terminated the appointment of the suspended SGF, Babachir Lawal. The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, also approved the termination of the appointment of the suspended Director-General National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ayo Oke. The presidential aide said: “”The President has taken the administrative action. All other actions will be taken by relevant government agencies. ““The position of the President, therefore

APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has dispelled the rumour of an existing cabal in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet, saying it was both myth and fake news. Tinubu spoke with State House Correspondents after a closed door meeting with Buhari ahead of the party’s caucus meeting in Abuja. He said the APC is a party for the people, by the people and for the people adding that “it is a democratic environment; each of us has our roles to play and that is how we are playing it. “I don’t believe in the myth; I believe in the confidence building, the trust that we have in the President and in building that confidence in a journey of democracy you are going to have twists and turns. “Conflict resolution mechanism is inbuilt in how you handle your party; the governance and the party are joined by the hips.’’ On whether the APC government is still on course, Tinubu referred to the 16 years of the past PDP administration and what happened then and said that “APC government is o

Tip: When on a date, the best way to judge a person's character is to see how they treat waiters and waitresses. Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching. Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy. Via... @thefactsbook..

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Monday ordered the redeployment of troops who participated in the special military exercise in the Niger Delta to Lake Chad region. Buratai announced the redeployment at the closing of Exercise Crocodile Smile II in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers. He said the redeployed to Lake Chad was to flush out remnant of Boko Haram insurgents, and also complement efforts of security outfits in the area. According to him, the Nigerian Army is passionate and committed to flushing out remnant of Boko Haram insurgents within the nation’s territory. “I want to assure that most of the troops that excelled in the operations across the (Niger Delta) region would be redeployed. “The Troops would be redeployed especially within the Lake Chad waters to flush out remnant of Boko Haram terrorists that are within the Lake Chad islands and other areas. “Boko Haram remnants which are virtually within the border areas of our neighb

Flight delay and cancellation affected many passengers at the Lagos airport on Monday, with domestic airline operators blaming it on insufficient aviation fuel. A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who monitored the situation at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 and the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) observed that only few flights operated on schedule. A reliable airline source told NAN that the problem was caused by the inability of petroleum tanker drivers to lift aviation fuel from Apapa as a result of gridlock on that axis. The source noted that the problem, which was more pronounced on Sunday, was, however, gradually abating as some marketers had been able to start trucking products to the airport. Confirming the development, the media consultant to Med-View Airline, Mr Obuke Oyibhota, said it was a general problem faced by the airlines. “There is a general scarcity of aviation fuel. We have gotten a way around it to enable us continue our operations during the pe

Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has invited 24 players including team captain Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa and Ogenyi Onazi for the upcoming World Cup qualifier and Int’l friendly against Algeria and Argentina. The Nigerian senior men football team is expected to visit Algeria next week in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, and also take on Argentina in Russia four days later in a friendly. Goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi made the cut, alongside defenders Abdullahi Shehu, Leon Balogun and William Ekong, as well as midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo. Forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and Odion Ighalo were also on the list, which also has three players placed on standby. However, there is a first call-up for impressive goalkeeper Francis Uzoho of Deportivo La Coruna of Spain and midfielder Chidiebere Nwakali, a former FIFA U-17 World Cup winner. Russia-based Brian Idowu has also been placed on standby, only for the friendly with Argenti

The National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC) says the ballot papers for Tuesday’s presidential run-off elections have arrived in the country. NEC said in a statement on its website that the materials were imported from Slovenia and that they landed at the Roberts International Airport in Monrovia on Saturday. It said the ballot papers “were later conveyed to a safe location under heavy security escort by officers of the Liberia National Police’’. The run-off election holds on Nov. 7 and is between ex-football star, Mr George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai of the ruling Unity Party (UP). Weah and Boakai secured the highest number of votes among 20 candidates in the first round of the elections on Oct. 10. While Weah secured 596,037 votes or 38.4 per cent, Boakai polled 446,716 votes, representing 28.8 per cent of the total 1,641,922 votes cast. A winner needs 50 per cent plus one vote to succeed outgoing Pre

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Monday declared victor of the country’s deeply divisive elections, taking 98 percent of the ballots cast in a poll boycotted by his rival Raila Odinga, sparking fears of further violence in flashpoint opposition strongholds. Despite his crushing win, the turnout of just 38.8 percent among 19.6 million registered voters is set to raise questions about the credibility of an election that has plunged East Africa’s most stable democracy into its worst crisis in a decade. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati said Kenyatta had received 7,483,895 votes to Odinga’s 73,228 — less than one percent of votes cast — in a sign the boycott had held. A total of 7,616,217 cast ballots in Thursday’s protest-hit election. The vote was the chaotic climax of two months of political drama after the Supreme Court overturned Kenyatta’s victory in August 8 polls over widespread irregularities and mismanagement by the IEB

The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele says the apex bank will continue to provide suitable platform for the discovery of talents for the country’s sports. Emefiele spoke in Lafia at the finals of the 31st edition of the CBN sponsored Financial Institutions Football Competition. He said that the apex bank would continue to provide the opportunity for the youths to channel their energy to useful ventures and be empowered to be responsible citizens. The governor, who was represented by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, stated this in a statement that some players, who had played at the competition, had gone ahead to become world class stars like Austin Eguavoen, late Stephen Keshi, Austin JJ Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, among others. Emefiele said: “I am delighted that what we are doing in tennis, golf and football is yielding positive result if we measure it against the quality of players who have played in this competition in the

Paul Manafort, a former campaign manager for President Donald Trump, was indicted on charges of money laundering and conspiracy against the United States, the most serious step yet in a special counsel investigation into Russian links with Trump’s 2016 White House campaign. Manafort, 68, a longtime Republican operative, arrived at the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington field office on Monday morning to hand himself in after being indicted by a federal grand jury. Manafort associate Rick Gates was also indicted. He was also due to surrender, the New York Times reported. The 12-count indictment was the first from the investigation by Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller into alleged Russian meddling in last year’s campaign to try to tilt the vote in Trump’s favor. Lawyers for Gates and Manafort did not immediately return calls for comment. The Russia investigations by Mueller and by several congressional panels have cast a shadow over the Republican’s nin

The police in Adamawa have arrested 200 Cows for invading a farmland at Yolde-Pate in Yola South Local Government Area. Adamawa police spokesman, Othman Abubakar, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola that the incident occurred on Saturday. “In collaboration with the district and village heads in the area and timely intervention of police and other vigilante members, the situation is now under control.” Abubakar said. He applauded the affected farmers for exhibiting maturity by not taking the law into their own hands. He also commended the herdsmen for accepting responsibility for the destruction by their cattle and their commitment to pay for the damages. He said that all the aggrieved farmers were shortlisted for possible compensation while the arrested cattle were handed over to the District Head of Yolde Pate for safe keeping Via... NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and terminated the appointment of the suspended SGF, Babachir Lawal. Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, confirmed this development in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday. Adesina said the president also approved the termination of the appointment of the suspended Director-General National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke. The statement read: “President Muhammadu Buhari has studied the report of the panel headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, which investigated allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir David Lawal, and the Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke. “The President accepted the recommendation of the panel to terminate the appointment of Mr Lawal, and has appointed Mr Boss Must

The United Global Resolve for Peace(UGRFP), an NGO, has called for the immediate resignation of Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and the disengagement of the state’s Head of Service, Mrs Deborah Ogunmola. UGRFP, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said that the duo should quit office over their complicity in the death of Mr Edward Soje, who died over abject poverty caused by unpaid eleven months salaries. The statement was signed by Mr Olaseni Shalom, the Executive Director, UGRFP. Soje, a Director in the Kogi State Civil Service, committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree in Lokoja, the state capital on Oct. 21. His body was found dangling on a tree behind the mammy market at the Maigumeri barracks, the Nigeria Army Command Record. Soje, a Grade Level 16 Officer in the Kogi State Teaching Service Commission, was allegedly being owed 11 months’ salary arrears as at the time he took his life. The Kogi State Government, had in its reaction, said that Soje was last paid salar

Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu, Bayelsa Commissioner for Health, on Monday dispelled the romour that two new cases of monkey pox disease were detected in the state. Etebu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the two cases were not fresh but old ones. According to him, blood samples sent for confirmatory tests at the World Health Organisation reference laboratory in Dakar returned in batches. “The additional two positive results, though not a new outbreak, will break the total recorded cases in the state to five. “ WHO in September confirmed three cases of monkey pox disease in Bayelsa,” he said. The official allayed the fear that the disease was spreading further. He said that the epidemic had been largely contained following the joint efforts of the state government, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and international public health partners. The commissioner said that most of the 21 patients isolated at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri,

Gombe State Government on Monday said it had approved N8 million for the procurement of anti-snake venom for the Snake Bite Treatment Centre, Kaltungo. Dr Kennedy Ishaya, Commissioner for Health, Gombe State, disclosed this to newsmen in Gombe. He said the state government would inform the public as soon as the venom arrive the centre. Kennedy said the centre provided free treatment, antibiotics as and surgical care to patients bitten by snakes. He said the Federal Government had in July provided 100 ampoules to the centre, adding that all the drugs had been exhausted. He said patients from parts of the country, Cameroun and Chad Republic were patronising the centre for snake bite treatment. He, however, said that the new 250-capacity ward for snake bite treatment was furnished with modern equipment, adding that the ward would be inaugurated in November. The commissioner appealed to the federal government to supply additional ampoules. Dr Abubakar Balla,

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed door with visiting President Alassane Quattara of Cote D’Ivoire at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Quattara, who arrived the Presidential Villa at about 12.15 p.m., was introduced to some cabinet ministers and presidential aides by President Buhari before the commencement of their meeting. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two presidents are meeting officially for the first time since the inauguration of President Buhari’s administration on May 29, 2017. Quattara, had on April 20, 2015, met with Buhari, then, as President-Elect, shortly after a meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan. Via... NAN

Alhaji Jamilu Ibrahim, the Chairman of Rice Farmers in Daura, Katsina State, has urged the Federal Government not to lift the ban on the importation of rice. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government banned the importation of rice to protect local rice farmers and promote local rice consumption in the country. Ibrahim told NAN after a meeting of Local Rice Farmers of Daura on Monday that there was the need for the government to maintain its stand on rice importation to boost local production. The ban on importation will assist the local rice farmers to produce more at affordable prices for local consumption as well as assist the government to conserve foreign exchange. “In Nigeria, we have fertile land in no fewer than 25 states where rice can be produced in large quantities for local consumption,” he said. The chairman called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to set aside more funds that could be used to grant loan to local rice farmers in the c

Germany has a well-deserved reputation as a land of beer drinkers with more than 6 million people attending this year’s Oktoberfest in Munich. But data released on Monday showed a further decline in beer sales in the nation as interest grows in a healthy lifestyle and the choice of drinks expands. Germany’s about 60 breweries sold 72.0 million hectolitres of beer in the first nine months of 2017 – down 3.1 per cent from the same period last year, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said. Domestic beer sales fell 2.7 per cent after contracting for years. The domestic market represents 81.9 per cent of German brewers‘ total sales. The decline so far for 2017 partly reflects that there were no major sporting events, notably football championships, held this year. But worryingly for the German beer industry, their exports also fell sharply this year, dropping by 3.1 per cent to the nation‘s main trading partners in the European Union and by 6.6 per cent to non-EU

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has mapped out strategies to boost security around its depots and pump stations to ensure they remain functional. A statement by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, said this was part of efforts to consolidate on the successes recorded in the steady supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country. The statement reported the Managing Director of the Nigerian Pipeline and Storage Company (NPSC), Mr Luke Anele, as saying the company was desirous of engaging reputable and competent security firms to safeguard its critical assets for efficient service delivery. ”This particular exercise avails us the opportunity to identify competitive offers from companies that are competent and ready to secure our assets such as depots and pump stations at competitive rates. ”The NPSC assets are wide spread nationwide, which means security is important; if you have anything of value, you must prov

The Nasarawa State Government, on Monday, warned residents of the state against connecting pipe borne water without obtaining approval from the government. The Acting General Manager of the state water board, Mr Abdullahi Agbo, gave this warning when he visited the state water board area in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area. Agbo urged those who were involved in the illegal connection of water to desist from the act in their interest in order to boost water supply in the state. He added that the illegal connection of pipelines had affected water supply in the state negatively, hence the need for the people to avoid illegal connection. Agbo reinstated the commitment of the board to continue to provide potable water supply to communities across the state. He said that providing water to the communities would not only improve on the people’s living standard but the nation’s development. The General Manager said that the state was doing its best to provide potable water to com

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an Igbo socio-cultural group, has urged its people living in the north to court more friends so as to actualise the ethnic group’s quest to produce Nigeria’s President in 2023. The call is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the 19 northern states and Abuja. The meeting, held in Minna, ended Sunday night. The communique restated the group’s resolve to promote one indivisible Nigeria with equal opportunities for all, and urged Igbo people resident in the north to live in harmony with their host communities. It lauded the contributions of Mr John Nwodo, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, toward a united and prosperous Nigeria, and urged him to continue to defend the interest of the people. The cultural group extended its hands of fellowship to other Igbo associations the world over, and called for more unity in the pursuit of Nigeria’s presidency in 2023. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 44 ch

Mr Geoffrey Uba, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor of Anambra on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), says Anambra is one of the best in the implementation of sustainable development goals projects in Nigeria. He said the state was also among the best three in the country in terms of security, road networks, economic development, and collaborations with international donor organisations. Uba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday that Anambra which was listed among the educationally disadvantaged states in the South-East now ranked the first in education. The governor`s attributed the successes recorded in the state to the well articulate manifesto of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and prudent management ability of Gov. Willie Obiano. Uba, however, dismissed the rating of APGA by some people as a one state party, saying “APGA is a national party.’’ “ Let me emphasize that APGA is a national party. It is not a one state party. We

Oil markets were firm on Monday, with Brent crude opening above 60 dollars per barrel on expectations that OPEC-led production cut, due to expire next March would be extended. Brent crude oil futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were at 60.63 dollars per barrel at 0018 GMT, up 19 cents or 0.3 per cent from their last settlement. That’s close to their highest level since July 2015 and up more than 36 per cent since their 2017 lows last June. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up by 16 cents, or 0.3 per cent, at 54.06 dollars a barrel. “With strong compliance to OPEC’s production curbs already supporting prices, comments from the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince that suggested the production cut agreement should be extended added to gains,” ANZ bank said on Monday. The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) plus Russia and nine other producers have agreed to hold back about 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) to get rid of a supply g

Economic growth is expected to rise to 3.4 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa in 2018 from 2.6 per cent in 2017, the IMF said in a report on Monday. The IMF, however, warned that rising debt and political risks in larger economies would weigh down future growth. The IMF said a good harvest and recovery in oil output in Nigeria would contribute more than half of the growth in the region this year. The fund added that an uptick in mining and a better harvest in South Africa as well as a rebound in oil production in Angola will add to growth. The fund said South Africa has been clouded by the rule of Jacob Zuma, who has battled scandals, including corrupt allegations ahead of his ANC party’s conference in December to elect a new party leader. “Key downside risks to the region’s growth outlook emanate from the larger economies, where elevated political uncertainty could delay needed policy adjustments and dampen investor and consumer confidence,” the IMF said in a report launched in

A passenger plane with 122 people on board destined to New Delhi was on Monday diverted midway following a threat call, local media reports said. The Jet Airways flight from Mumbai to Delhi was diverted to Ahmedabad early on Monday after a security threat was reported on board. Reports said an air hostess in the plane found a note informing the plane was hijacked and should not land in New Delhi, and she alerted the pilot. Media reports said the airline carrier confirmed that the incident had taken place. “Boeing 737-900 from Mumbai to Delhi was diverted to Ahmedabad following the declaration of an emergency as per established security procedures, due to the detection of an onboard security threat. “The aircraft landed without incident at Ahmedabad and was parked at a remote bay, where all 115 guests and seven crew members were safely deplaned,” the local media quoted a statement released by Jet Airways as reporting. So far no untoward incident was reported. The authoritie

Alhaji Danladi Sankara, former Senator representing Jigawa Northwest, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). Sankara was received by the Jigawa Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru at the Malam Aminu Kano triangle Square on Sunday in Dutse. Badaru said that the defection of the former senator was a welcome development to the party in the state. The governor said that the APC had caught a big fish, for the entrance of Sankara to APC in view of his pedigree in his former party. Badaru recalled that Sankara was one time National Vice chairman, PDP Northwest geo-political zone and Sole Administrator of the party in Sokoto state. “With his defection to APC, PDP is completely dead in Jigawa because Sankara is one of the founders of PDP in the country and the person that brought it to jigawa,’’ he said. The governor, however, said that the immediate past administration left a contract liability of N92 billion to him but with the h

Ghana’s Vincent Torgah on Sunday won the West Africa Golf Tour’s (WAGT) Nigeria Masters title at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Torgah scored one over par after 72 holes emerging as winner of the second edition of the tournament. Torgah has accumulated three consecutive victories over the last month, namely: the Nation@57 in October in Port Harcourt, the Ivory Coast Open two weeks ago and the Nigeria Masters. The Ghanian, who started the tournament with a three over par on the first day, had a tremendous improvement going into the second round with a one over par. He continued round three with a course par and ended the tournament with a three under par. Cameroonian Pristhy Nji was second, followed by Desire Ebele and Issa Nlareb. “I am so excited to have won this title today after coming so close to winning it in the first edition. “Even though the course was proving tough this week, I kept

Swiss ace Roger Federer has pulled out of next week’s Paris Masters, saying his body needs some rest. His decision has virtually ensured old rival Rafael Nadal will end 2017 on top of the world rankings. Federer, 36, withdrew from the final event of the regular season after battling past Juan Martin del Potro 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-3 to win his eighth Swiss Indoors title in Basel. Federer, winner of a 95th career title which puts him into second on the all-time list behind the 109 of Jimmy Connors, had said all week that he would make a late decision depending on his post-Basel fitness. “My body is asking for a break,” said the Swiss legend. “Basel takes a lot out of me emotionally. I had five matches in six days. I feel sorry and sad for Paris. “I love to play at Bercy, it’s a few times now that I’ve not played there. It’s a tough one but they have to understand that it’s for the cause of staying injury-free and healthy. “I’d like to be fully fit for London (the Worl