updated:TOP NEWS STORIES IN NIGERIA TODAY![16/02/2016]

Hello readers, Inside this post you will find trending important news in Nigeria today, you will find news that are of concern to Politics,Entertainment Economics,Locals and more… We update this page twice daily; morning and evening.


TOP NEWS IN NIGERIA TODAY(MORNING EDITION)

=>Just In: President Buhari, Osinbajo meet with Pastor Adeboye-Naij.com
Prominent pastor 3Prominent pastor 2
President
Muhammadu Buhari was paid a visit today by the General Overseer of The
Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye. The
prominent pastor arrived the Presidential Villa, Abuja inside the Vice
President’s official car at about 12.30pm He arrived shortly after the
visit of the Liberian President Ellen John Sirleaf. READ ALSO:Buhari
alters trip schedule to three countries The clergyman was led straight
into the President’s office by Prof Yemi Osinbajo, the vice president.
According to The Punch, the trio hold a meeting meeting in the
presidential villa. Details regarding the purpose of the august visit
and the meeting outcomes are still unknown. Sources disclose that the
private meeting lasted for about 20 minutes after-which Osinbajo led the
clergyman out of the venue of into his waiting car. Adeboye however,
did not speak with State House correspondents. When asked for comment,
he simply said: “God bless you.” As he was entering his white unmarked
car, Adeboye repeated: “God bless you all.” Below are photos of Pastor
Adeboye at the forecourt with Buhari and Osinbajo.

SOURCE

=> Ribadu Goes Into Hiding As PDP Moves To Appoint Him Party Chairman – Premium Times

As
the opposition Peoples Democratic Party gets set to name a new leader
of the party, governors and other chieftains of the PDP are on a
manhunt for a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, in their bid to make him chairman.
PREMIUM
TIMES gathered that a meeting of the national caucus of the PDP is
currently holding in Abuja, after which the National Executive Committee
would meet at the Wadata Plaza secretariat of the party by 2p.m. on
Tuesday.
Mr. Ribadu was tipped for the chairmanship position last
year, shortly after the then chairman, Ahmadu Muazu, resigned from
office.

However, we gathered that the move, championed
by governors elected under the party, was thwarted by the National
Working Committee, NWC, under the interim leadership of Uche Secondus.
We
also gathered that Mr. Ribadu who had earlier agreed to take the offer
also abandoned it on account of “lack of seriousness to truly reform
the party by its top echelon”.
However, after a long back and
forth and controversy, including court cases, the party agreed to hold a
special NEC meeting to fill the position created by the resignation of
Mr. Muazu.
PREMIUM TIMES learnt of spirited attempts over the
last few days by some top party chieftains to persuade Mr. Ribadu to
accept to chair and transform the party.
A source privy to the
goings on in the PDP said some of the party’s governors visited Mr.
Ribadu in a last minute effort to get him to change his position. He was
however, said to have stuck to his guns.
“Since midnight
yesterday, party chieftains led by a governor from the South-south
region began a search for Ribadu, to no avail.
“The ex-EFCC chair
was said to have gone incommunicado since last night, making all
attempts to reach him impossible,” the source said.
He also said
at least four governors of the party and other chieftains are currently
waiting at the Bayelsa governors lodge in Maitama area of Abuja,
scrambling to reach Mr Ribadu.
SOURCE

 =>I’m Not Ready For Trial, Says Dasuki- Thecable

Sambo
Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA), says he is not ready
for trial until the federal government complies with an order of the
federal high court granting him bail. In November 2015, Justice Adeniyi
Ademola had granted Dasuki bail, but the Department of State Services
(DSS) rearrested him immediately after his release from Kuje prison.
Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), counsel to the DSS, had announced to the court on
Tuesday that the prosecution was ready for trial to commence.
But
Joseph Daodu, counsel to Dasuki, said that the defence counsel was not
ready to proceed with the trial because the federal government was
still keeping the accused person in detention despite an order of the
court granting him bail. “We cannot be ready for trial until the
defendant enjoys his constitutional rights,” he said.
“We apply
that we should be given time to prepare the defence. The conduct of the
prosecution has not enabled him to enjoy his constitutional rights.
“The worst is that for about seven weeks we do not know where he is.
Any of us here who proceeds to defend an accused person in this
circumstance may lose his license of practice.”
However, Okpeseyi
argued that the prosecution was not stopping Dasuki from enjoying his
freedom. He said that the accused person was not being allegedly held
for the charges before the court. He therefore asked the court to
reject the request for adjournment and to commence trial. But the court
adjourned to March 3 for hearing of a motion to discharge Dasuki.

Dasuki
is facing a four-count charge of money laundering and illegal
possession of firearms brought against him by the DSS. He is also
facing multiple counts of laundering money at the federal capital
territory (FCT) high court, Abuja.

READ FULL NEWS

=> Budget: South-West Gets Lion’s Share Of Projects – Daily Trust

The
Southwest geo-political zone has got the largest share of N88.7
billion for major projects in the 2016 proposed budget for the Ministry
of Power, Works and Housing, a Daily Trust analysis has revealed.
The ministry has N433.4 billion total sum for the capital projects of the ministry and some agencies under it.
The main ministry’s capital budget is N334.3 billion, NREA N15.3 billion, TCN N50 billion and FERMA N25 billion.
Other
agencies are Electricity Management Services Limited (EMSL), N19
billion; National Power Training Institute, N1.8 billion and Nigeria
Electricity Liability Management Limited, N2 billion.

The
North-West has the second largest allocation of N30.1 billion;
North-Central, N29 billion; South-South, N22.5 billion; South-East was
allocated N2.9 billion; North-East has N9.4 billion.

The analysis showed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja brought up the rear with N926.7 million of the total sum.
The
analysis showed that a total of 10 projects will be executed in the
South-West by the ministry, the National Rural Electricity Agency (NREA)
10; the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) 7; and the Federal Roads
Maintenance Agency (FERMA) 13.
A total of 44 projects has been
earmarked for the North West. The ministry would execute 5, NREA 8, TCN
13 and FERMA 18, while a total of 40 projects will be done in the
North-Central.
Similarly, the North-East will have a total of 20
projects; South-South and South-East will have 29 and 23 respectively
and the FCT, seven.

Some of the major projects to be
executed in the South-west are rehabilitation of Lagos- Ibadan road N50
billion; Apapa – Oshodi- Oworoshoki road N5billion; pavement
strengthening and asphalt overlay of Ajebandele- Benin-Shagamu road in
Ogun State N6.5 billion; construction of Apakun-Murtala Muhammed
International Airport road in Lagos State N5 billion.

In
the North-West, major projects include construction of 2x60MVA
connection of Gurara to national grid N1.442 billion; construction of
Kaduna eastern bypass, Kano western bypass and dualization of
Kano-Katsina road N3 billion; 2nd Kaduna-Kano 33KV DC line N1.7
billion; completion of on-going electrification projects in Katsina
State N383 million; and rehabilitation of existing /completion of rural
electrification scheme in 9 communities in Kaduna State N306 million.
READ FULL NEWS

 => Mob Amputates Mechanic For Stealing N10k In Lagos (pic)

Jungle
justice has taken place in Ajegunle, a Lagos suburb also known as the
Jungle, after an angry mob amputated a 25-year old mechanic, Seun Adisa,
for allegedly stealing N10,000.

The incident happened at Ajegunle, a suburb of Lagos State, western Nigeria.
Kwara
State-born Adisa was allegedly caught in the early morning after
robbers invaded Mokoya street in Olodi Apapa, an extension of Ajegunle
in Lagos State, western Nigeria, and carted away valuables.
Adisa was reportedly caught and searched while the robbers were escaping and was found with some stolen items.

P.M.NEWS
gathered that a resident brought out a cutlass and cut off his right
arm and when he was about to cut off one of his legs the police came and
they handed him over to them.
The police alleged that Adisa and other members of his gang who are now at large, allegedly broke into the home of Augustine
Enijore and stole the N10,000 he kept in the house including a wrist watch and necklace.
While
the operation was going on, the residents mobilized and went after the
gang and Adisa was apprehended and was found with the stolen money and
the items.
The residents first recovered the items before one of them used a sharp cutlass and cut off Adisa’s arm.
But as he was about to cut off Adisa’s leg, the police arrived the scene and rescued him.

Adisa was brought to court on Monday with his right hand covered with bandage and when he was arraigned, he pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr T.A. Aborenwa granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.
He was ordered to be remanded in custody pending when he will perfect the bail.
However,
because of the injury he sustained, the prison officials rejected Adisa
and insisted that they needed medical report before they would accept
him as an inmate.
Adisa was taken back to police custody pending when the report will be ready.

SOURCE

 => APC exposes how Wike won Supreme Court judgment-PM News
The
All Progressives Congress in Rivers state has stated that the
revelation of Governor Nyesom Wike about how he won the state
gubernatorial poll dispute at the Supreme Court as an indictment on the
apex court. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter APC exposes how Wike won
election APC exposes how Wike won election Wike had said during a
thanksgiving service on February 7, narrated how a former governor of
the state, Dr. Peter Odili would call him at night to instruct him on
what to do and who to see adding that he took all the advice which could
be attributed to his victory. READ ALSO: Bayelsa election tribunal
relocates to Abuja The APC in a statement by its chairman, Dr. Davies
Ibiamu Ikanya, on Tuesday, February 16, in Port Harcourt said that the
governor statement had ended the mystery over how he secured the
judgment considering that Odili’s wife, Mary Odili, is one of the
justices of the Supreme Court. Ikanya said: “That Wike may have
influenced the outcome of the judgement given by the Supreme Court for
PDP in Rivers State was further exposed by PDP supporters, who started
celebrating the judgement by 9am – almost ten hours before the
incredulous judgement was delivered at 6.45pm on Wednesday, January 27,
2016.” The APC expressed disappointment over the judgment adding that by
the verdict, the people of the state had been denied the opportunity to
vote for the gubernatorial candidate of their choice just because “to
Wike, everything in this world, including every judgement, has a price
tag”, PM News reports. The party further added that the party aligned
itself with the position of the Head of the Presidential Anti-Corruption
Committee, Professor Itse Sagay, who said that the apex court reason
for delivering the judgment was not convincing.

READ FULL NEWS

=> Three army generals’ sons molest 18-year-old girl in Chad -Naij.com
Zouhoura Mahamat Brahim Ali was raped by some sons of army generals. Photo: PM News
Reports
emanating from Republic of Chad have it that three young men whose
fathers are army generals have molested an 18-year-old girl. The three
young men, who perpetrated the said act with the son of a minister of
foreign affairs, reportedly videoed the girl while the action lasted.
According to PM News, the four young men are yet to be arrested by
security authority, a situation which has the authority has sparked
widespread protest in the country resulting in the death of a 15-year
old protester. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Zouhoura Mahamat
Brahim Ali was raped by some sons of army generals. Photo: PM News
Zouhoura Mahamat Brahim Ali was raped by some sons of army generals.
Photo: PM News Mahamat Hassan, a Chadian-American who resides in
Brooklyn, USA, informed that the authorities have refused to act on the
matter and in a message to PM News, explained that the incident occurred
on February 8, 2016. He wrote: “An 18-year old girl was kidnapped at
gun point in front of her school (HEC Tchad College). No one could any
anything about it because the five kidnapers are sons of military
generals and the minister of foreign affairs in Chad. “This girl was
kidnapped to a remote location out of the capital city (Ndjamena) and
they raped her while she was crying and begging them not to do so.
“Moreover, they videotaped her and published it on social media. The
girls’ name is Zouhoura Mahamat Brahim Ali. This incident sparked the
social media in outrage and anger. However, the Chadian authority
including the President Idriss Deby Itno had to express his sympathy on
Facebook. “People from all around the world are expressing their support
and demand for justice for Zouhoura which is not enough. There are some
hashtags initiated such #jesuiszouhoura and #justicepourzouhoura, they
have been on Facebook and have been active for the last couple days.”
While lamenting the refusal of the security authorities to accost the
offenders, Hassan stated that it may never happen because their parents
are influential in the society.

READ FULL NEWS

=>Breaking:  Ex-Borno Governor, Ali Sheriff, Emerges PDP Chairman


A former governor of Borno State, Ali Sheriff, has been named the new chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The PDP is Nigeria’s biggest opposition party, and was defeated only in May 2015 after holding power for 16 years.
Mr.
Sherrif, who is replacing Ahmadu Mu’azu, the former chairman who
resigned shortly after the polls, has been a controversial figure amid
allegations he funded and sponsored the extremist sect, Boko Haram. He
denies the allegation.

The spokesperson for PDP, Olisa Metuh, who
addressed journalists at the Abuja’s Wadata plaza secretariat of the
party, on Tuesday, said all organs of the party, including, the national
caucus, PDP governors’ forum and the national assembly caucuses agreed
on the choice of Mr. Sherffi, who is also a former senator.

Mr.
Metuh said the decision would be communicated to the Board of Trustees
and subsequently, the National Executive Committee, NEC, for
ratification before a formal announcement would be made.

SOURCE

=> FG, NLC set for showdown over N5.14 trillion pension funds-Nigerianeye


Federal
agencies are considering all options to dance around dwindling oil
revenues triggered by tumbling prices of crude at the international
market. One of such options is a request by the Mr. Babatunde Fashola,
the minister of Housing, Works and Power, to access the N5.14 trillion
pension fund to finance critical infrastructure. But, the Nigerian
Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the proposal.
“It should thus
be avoided immediately before it gains ground within the corridors of
power. It is a kite the congress and the generality of workers will not
want to see fly in this circumstance.
“Nigerian workers are
worried when we remember that it was in the midst of the mess that the
public sector had made of the public sector pension fund scheme that
the unified pension fund scheme was established.
“The thought of
using our pension fund for investment in public sector infrastructure
development is highly frightening given the well-known penchant for
mismanagement inherent in public sector institutions in Nigeria.

“The
future of Nigerian workers cannot be guaranteed under a scheme
controlled entirely by crass, profligate and often insensitive
politicians famous for their careless handling of public funds.
“We
find it difficult to muster any confidence from anywhere to entrust
our livelihood in the hands of a group that has historically and
systematically decimated our collective resources over the years
pauperising us at the slightest opportunity without any conscience.

“Moreover,
we want to state that the Minister in all intents has only seen a pool
of funds and sees it as something that could be annexed for the usual
things Nigerian politicians do with our funds. Our pension fund is
managed by the PFAs under the advisory of PENCOM.

READ FULL NEWS

 =>Senate Orders Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission To Suspend 40% Hike-TheCable

See statement from the Senate below;
“Today, the 8th Senate
directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to
immediately suspend the February 1st, 2016 tariff hikes, which are
estimated to be upwards of 40 per cent.
This move is necessary
because any increase in cost, without the necessary improvement in
service delivery by the power companies is unacceptable.

Furthermore,
the power distribution companies must work to ensure that every
establishment in Nigeria is provided with capabilities for metered
billing. Doing this would end the sharp practice of arbitrary billing,
which estimates the power consumption of Nigerians in the generation of
their monthly bills.”
The senate on Tuesday asked the
ministry of power, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission
(NERC), and electricity distribution companies to immediately suspend
the increase in electricity tariff by 40 percent. Last week, there were
protests across the country against the increase in electricity tariff,
which kicked in on February 1.
Acting on the call of Nigerians
for a reversal of the new electricity tariff regime, Suleiman Nafiz, a
senator who represents Bauchi north, urged the senate to immediately
intervene in the situation. He also asked the senate to probe how funds
allotted to electricity companies had been spent, and to look into
factors hindering the optimal functioning of the power sector.

Making
his contribution, Dino Melaye, a senator from Kogi west, observed that
the latest increase in electricity tariff was the fourth since the
privatisation of power. “We ask for an immediate reversal of the 40
percent increase in electricity tariff because it is arbitrary,” he
said.
Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, also ventilated
his opinion against the new tariff regime. “As a country on life
support, we do not need to add to the suffering of the people,” he said.
“For me this tariff increase is ultra-wicked and unconscionable. We
must reverse it immediately.”
SOURCE

 =>Breaking: Kogi Speaker, Momoh Lawal Impeached
LOKOJA – Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Momoh Jimoh Lawal has been impeached.
Also
said to be impeached along the Speaker were the Majority Leader,
Kolawole Matthew, Deputy Speaker, Alih Ajuh. “New” Majority Leader of
the House, Friday Sani said Lawal was impeached because he was running
the House like a sole proprietor.

However, embattled Speaker,
Momohjimoh Lawal whose two previous impeachment has remained
inconclusive said the development is a ‘Kangaroo’ arrangement that can
not pass under a sane atmosphere.

Details later.SOURCE

ENTERTAINMENT

=> I Go Dye set to celebrate 20 years on stage with world tour for charity


After two decades of thrilling his teeming fans with his rib cracking
joke, popular comedian and united nation ambassador, Amb.Francis Agoda
a.k.a I Go Dye will be embarking on a world tour.
We also gathered that the ace comedian will be taking his brand I Go Dye
Standing to other European cities also to America,Canada and Asia.
This year the comedian has decided to embark on his world tour to thank
his fans for the love and support since the past two decades.

It will be remarkable on 28th March 2016 Easter Monday ‘BANK HOLIDAY’ An
event for fun, comedy and music lovers, as I Go Dye will be standing on
a “Diplomatic Mission,”.

This event will be hosted by American star, Michael Blackson, also
performing : Aphrican ape, Chris Mapane, IamDulo all the way from
America, Timaya, I Go Save,

This show is unveiled as one of his world tour starting with the UK tour
at theindigo, O2 London, UK according to the UK event promoters
Akinlolu JEKINS & Co/Cococure APP.

SOURCE

TOP NEWS IN NIGERIA TODAY(MORNING EDITION)
                      

=>President Buhari sacks more DGs -Naij.com

Yet again, the federal government has sacked the heads of 24 federal agencies and parastatals. The sacking of the DGs was made known by Babachir Lawal, the secretary to the government of the federations. FG had earlier announced the sack of the heads of the six information-related parastatals under the ministry of information and culture. The affected agencies includes, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). READ ALSO: EFCC investigating 7 army generals over arms scandal Others are: Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB), Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Petroleum Equalization Fund, Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC), Bureau of Public Procurements (BPP), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Bank of Industry (BoI), National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Nigerian Export-Import Bank, National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic In Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP).
READ FULL NEWS

=>See photos of the Nigerian made cars spotted in the Senate-Naij.com

Innoson motors cars Senate
The local car manufacturers, Innoson motors cars were spotted at the senate car park of the National Assembly on Monday, February 15. The cars spotted at the car park were six in number which include a jeep, a van and other salon vehicles. At the Made in Aba trade fair which took place at Area 11, Garki Abuja on Monday, February 8, Cornel Osigwe, the Spokesman of Innoson Motors revealed that the company would try to get the National Assembly to acquire its cars as its official car. “Government’s recognition of Innoson and the likes, will act as an endorsement for the brand. “It can also boost patronage from Nigeria and other African countries,” he said. READ ALSO: Photo and video of Saraki at the Made in Aba trade fair The patronage granted by the National Assembly is to promote locally made products in Nigeria as part of plans to diversify the economy. The trade fair was facilitated by Senator Ehinnaya Abaribe representing Abia south senatorial district, who Saraki eulogised for his foresight in organising the event. The NASS correspondent at Naij.com were able to take spme pictures of the vehicles. See more pictures below.
Nigerian made cars in Senate Nigerian made cars in SenateNigerian made cars in Senate
SOURCE

 =>David Mark raises alarm over a plot to assassinate him-PremiumTimes

David Mark, a former president of the Senate, has raised alarm over alleged plot by Benson Abounu, the deputy
governor of Benue state, and some APC chieftains to assassinate him – The former Senate president alleged that Daniel Onjeh, the APC candidate for the election, in connivance with the deputy governor, had hired cultists to unleash terror in the district – Mark petitioned Solomon Arase, the Inspector General of Police Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Idoma Youths Drums Support For Onjeh, Slams Mark ahead of 2016 Benue South David Mark has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase. David Mark, a former president of the Senate, has raised alarm over alleged plot by Benson Abounu, the deputy governor of Benue state, and some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to assassinate him ahead of Saturday’s rerun in the southern senatorial district. Premium Times reports that Mark made a statement by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, on Monday, February 15. The former Senate president alleged that Daniel Onjeh, the APC candidate for the election, through his campaign Director, Okpokwu Ogenyi, in connivance with the deputy governor, had hired cultists to unleash terror in the district and in the process eliminate him. According to the statement, the cultists allegedly hired for the assassination include the notorious supreme Vikings squad from Jos, Plateau state and the dreaded Black Axe in Makurdi, the Benue state capital. READ ALSO: David Mark writes APC chairman, John Oyegun, read why Mark had already petitioned Solomon Arase, the Inspector General of Police, and informed him of the plot by the APC stalwarts in the state to assassinate him. In a petition signed by his counsel, Ken Ikonne, the former Senate president

READ FULL NEWS

=>Biafrans to wield weapons from Wednesday in self defense-Naij.com

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members have resolved to start carrying guns in self-defence from Wednesday, February 17, 2016. According to Igberetvnews, this disclosure was made by the Emma Nmezu, group’s spokesperson in Umuahia yesterday, adding that failure to carry arms had exposed its members to attacks and killings by security agents. The statement read: “Now, we have come to the painful but irreversible conclusion and determination to take our fate and destiny in our own hands. Starting from Wednesday, February 17, 2016, ‘Biafrans’ will now be in the mode of self defence as enshrined by the relevant acts and declarations of the United Nations. “Let no country or world leader attempt to tag us as terrorists because we are not terrorists, rather we are fighting for our survival and from being exterminated from the surface of the earth. “We shall defend ourselves with everything and anything necessary to avoid the continual killing of our mothers, fathers, and children. This is the time for all Biafrans to rise and defend themselves. We cannot fold our arms and watch them kill us the second time after killing over two million of us in 1968.” IPOB had in a statement last year September alerted the world on plans to provoke Biafrans into retaliation but got a tag of terrorist organization in return. Meanwhile, Chris Adimora, the chairman of Anaocha branch of the NBA, commented on the repeating denial of bail to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Adimora shared his thoughts and observation with newsmen in his Onitsha office on Friday, February 12 thus: “The reasons adduced by the prosecution for refusing Kanu bail is not tenable. He did not commit any offence by having dual citizenship. He can’t be refused bail because his charges are still mere allegation which are not yet proven.”
SOURCE

 =>Suspected Boko Haram terrorists caught, 112 people rescued -Punch

Troops demining of a section of the road between Kirawa Junction to PulkaSome rescued pesons and their personal effectsSome of the persons rescued from Boko Haram
The cordial relationship between Nigeria and neighbouring countries in the fight against Boko Haram is yielding fruitful result. The commander of Cameroonian 1st Battalion has handed over two suspected Boko Haram terrorists to Nigerian troops. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Troops demining of a section of the road between Kirawa Junction to Pulka Troops demining of a section of the road between Kirawa Junction to Pulka The commander, who paid a courtesy call on his counterpart, the Commanding Officer of 121 Task Force Battalion in Pulka, assisted in demining of a section of the road between Kirawa Junction to Pulka. READ ALSO: Boko Haram: We are bringing the war to conclusion – army Eight men, 36 women and 68 children were also rescued in the area. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Some rescued pesons and their personal effects Some rescued pesons and their personal effects This was disclosed by Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the acting director army public relations. However, one of the visiting unit’s vehicle ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), buried along Pulka-Ngoshe road. A Cameroonian officer lost his life while eight soldiers sustained injuries. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Mine clearance by the troops Mine clearance by the troops “Also, troops of 113 Battalion on patrol to Ngwala cleared Boko Haram terrorists’ camps at Ngorta and Aritimie villages. “The troops also came across the terrorists market at the area. However, on sighting the troops the suspected Boko Haram terrorists ran and abandoned their supplies. “The patrol also conducted cordon and search operations around Ngwala and recovered 2 pick up vehicles and 12 motorcycles belonging to the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists. The market has been closed indefinitely,” Usman disclosed. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Some of the persons rescued from Boko Haram Some of the persons rescued from Boko Haram According to him, the troops are more determined to destroy Boko Haram terrorists and clear them from wherever they may be in the north eastern part of our country. Two days ago, Usman had said the army was making tremendous progress in the fight against insurgency. He disclosed how Boko Haram enclaves were cleared, five IEDs detonated by the troops and an IED manufacturing workshop destroyed. Some days earlier, Cameroon soldiers killed at least 27 Boko Haram fighters after launching a cross-border operation in the Nigerian locality of Goshi.

READ FULL NEWS

 => Court appearance: Tompolo still on the run -Punchn—Tribune

The Nigerian police force have deployed officers in Bayelsa state to arrest the former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo. READ ALSO: Photo: Tompolo congratulates Udom,Okowa, Ikpeazu According to The Punch, Solomon Arase, the inspector general of police, had ordered the Bayelsa state police command to carry out Tompolo’s arrest in compliance with the order of the Federal High Court, Lagos. Bisi Kolawole, the public relations officer, confirmed that the IG had directed officers to apprehend Tompolo, who has also been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court had ordered the arrest of the former militant leader for his failure to appear before him to answer 40 counts on an alleged N45.9bn fraud. The EFCC had charged Tompolo and a former director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi, alongside eight others with a N45.9bn fraud. The police spokesperson stated that the force would do everything possible to arrest Tompolo in compliance with the bench warrant issued by the court. Meanwhile, with four days to the February 19 date given by the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to the nation’s security agencies to produce the former militant leader, there is no clue as to his whereabouts, Vanguard reports.  His Ijaw relatives also are not ready to give up the former militant leader, who the people of Gbaramatu-Ijaw in Warri South-West local government area of Delta state regard in very high esteem. A royal father, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “No Gbaramatu man will reveal the hideout of Tompolo to any security man even if he knows, unless that person does not have a true Ijaw blood flowing in him.”

SOURCE

=> Obasanjo Awarded $841.6m Rail Project Without MOU And El-Rufai Signed It – Chinese Firm –  Punch

The Project Manager of a Chinese civil engineering and construction
company, Etim Abak, on Monday told the Senate Committee on the Federal
Capital Territory that former President Olusegun Obasanjo awarded the
Abuja Rail Project in 2007 without an engineering design or a Memorandum
of Understanding.
The Minister of FCT and current governor of
Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, allegedly signed the $841.645,898m
contract based on an uncalculated estimate.
The committee was
also told that the contract, which was for 60.67-kilometre rail project,
was inflated by $10m per km and that the length was later reduced to
45km without refund of the cost for the 15.67 km that was dropped off
from the project.

The Senate committee, led by Dino Melaye, who
were at the site of the project to carry out oversight functions,
therefore, demanded the refund of $195,878,296.74 being the amount for
the 15.67km that was cut out, from the Chinese firm handling the
project.
Abak told senators that the contract was signed by the
then FCT minister without design and MoU, and that it was carried out
based on conceptual design.
Abak said, “The contract was awarded
based on conceptual design and estimates were not properly done. There
was no formal design submitted and rail bridges and crossover bridges
were not captured in the contract.”
Melaye said his findings
revealed that the rail project was inflated by over $10m per km and
wondered why such an act was perpetrated by the handlers of the project.
The
senator added that the contract sum was $841.645,898m and that the
project completion period was 48 months while the scope of work was
60.67km standard gauge, with double railway tracks and associated
permanent way within the FCT.
He wondered why the 60.67km project was later reduced to 45. 245km without reduction in its cost.

READ FULL NEWS

=> Naira Falls To N345/$ In Parallel Market- Vanguard


LAGOS — The naira, yesterday, suffered its biggest daily depreciation
against the dollar as it exchanged for N345 to a dollar in the parallel
market.
This represents N20 depreciation when compared with the
closing exchange rate of N325 per dollar in the market on Friday. But
the naira was relatively stable at the official interbank foreign
exchange market as the interbank rate stood at N197.47 per dollar at the
close of business, yesterday.
The naira also depreciated by N45
against the British pound as the parallel market exchange rate rose to
N485 per pound, yesterday, from N340 on Friday. Bureaux de Change
sources, who confirmed the development to Vanguard, attributed the sharp
depreciation to persistent scarcity of the dollar and pound sterling in
the market.

According to an Abuja-based BDC operator, who spoke
on condition of anonymity, “the market is experiencing huge demand for
dollars but there is no supply. Even those who have dollars are not
willing to sell. The way things are going, the rate might reach N350 per
dollar before it stabilises.” This development widened the gap between
the interbank rate and the parallel market rate to N147.53 per dollar
from N127.53 per dollar last week.

The naira has been on steady
decline since January 12, 2016, when the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,
stopped weekly dollar sale to BDCs. Prior to this action, the naira
traded at N265 per dollar in the parallel market. Consequently, the
naira has depreciated by N80 in the parallel market since the CBN took
the action.

The steady depreciation was also aggravated by
inability of the CBN to meet foreign exchange demand. Vanguard
investigations reveal that the parallel market is being bedevilled by
demand for foreign exchange from importers of the 41 items excluded from
the official market by CBN last year as well as importers of items not
excluded from the official market.

READ FULL NEWS
=> Sacked Director-General In Trouble For Blowing N200b On PDP’s Campaign – The Nation – Vanguard


EFCC, ICPC to quiz ex-CEOs of agencies
why they had to go
●Donation by a woman DG of N700m to PDP’s presidential campaign in 2015
●Furnishing of an office at N800m
●Construction of a store at N240m instead of N40m
●Failure to account for revenue by a DG who diverted equipment to his private medium
●N15b found in a secret account in violation of TSA
●More than N6b debt in an agency generating at least N9b monthly
●Personal assistant remanded in prison for alleged N17m bribery but DG stayed on
●DG implicated in alleged N68b fraud

Of
the 26 Directors-General and Heads of parastatals sacked yesterday, no
fewer than 10 may be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission(EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related
Offences Commission(ICPC) for investigation, a source said last night.
It
was gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari opted to give some of the
chief executives the push, following reports of large-scale fraud in
their agencies. One allegedly spent N200 billion on last year’s Peoples
Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) presidential campaign.
Some of the former chief executives also awarded contracts to cronies.
The
agencies under the searchlight of either the EFCC or the ICPC include
National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),
National Broadcasting Commission(NBC), Federal Radio Corporation of
Nigeria (FRCN), Bureau of Public Enterprises(BPE), National Women
Development Centre(NWDC); Industrial Training Fund(ITF); Nigerian
Investment Promotion Council; Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) and
Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSIT), among others.
A
source, who spoke in confidence, said: “At least 10 of those sacked
chief executives will be handed over to the EFCC and the ICPC. The
report on their misconduct is ready for these anti-graft agencies to act
upon.
“All security agencies received the list of those affected
about 24 hours before the formal announcement. They will all be placed
on surveillance until cleared.
“Some of them have actually
appeared before EFCC and ICPC in the last eight months. Their cases are
under various stages of investigation.
“The revelations are
mind-boggling and it is sad that some of these chief executives
continued with the impunity even after a new government had taken over.”
Responding
to a question, the source added: “The President bid time to get
intelligence report on the atrocities, recklessness and outright graft
by some of these former CEOs before sending them packing.”
The source gave an insight into some of the infractions.
He
said one of the former chief executives allegedly withdrew N200 billion
(using curious sub-heads) to fund the campaign of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP)

READ FULL NEWS
=> FG, NLC set for showdown over N5.14 trillion pension funds-Nigerianeye


Federal agencies are considering all options to dance around dwindling
oil revenues triggered by tumbling prices of crude at the international
market. One of such options is a request by the Mr. Babatunde Fashola,
the minister of Housing, Works and Power, to access the N5.14 trillion
pension fund to finance critical infrastructure. But, the Nigerian
Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the proposal.
“It should thus be avoided immediately before it gains ground within the
corridors of power. It is a kite the congress and the generality of
workers will not want to see fly in this circumstance.
“Nigerian workers are worried when we remember that it was in the midst
of the mess that the public sector had made of the public sector pension
fund scheme that the unified pension fund scheme was established.
“The thought of using our pension fund for investment in public sector
infrastructure development is highly frightening given the well-known
penchant for mismanagement inherent in public sector institutions in
Nigeria.

“The future of Nigerian workers cannot be guaranteed under a scheme
controlled entirely by crass, profligate and often insensitive
politicians famous for their careless handling of public funds.
“We find it difficult to muster any confidence from anywhere to entrust
our livelihood in the hands of a group that has historically and
systematically decimated our collective resources over the years
pauperising us at the slightest opportunity without any conscience.

“Moreover, we want to state that the Minister in all intents has only
seen a pool of funds and sees it as something that could be annexed for
the usual things Nigerian politicians do with our funds. Our pension
fund is managed by the PFAs under the advisory of PENCOM.

READ FULL NEWS

ENTERTAINMENT

=>Singer Kiss Daniel Gets a plot of land worth N50 million

Caroline Ekanem Danjuma is always in the news usually for the wrong
reasons especially (when she is fighting with her husband’s numerous
mistresses.)
The former Nollywood actress must be tired because a
few days ago she posted a picture of a broken heart with the caption
“No Regrets” as rumours circulated that her husband Musa Danjuma brought
his new mistress to their matrimonial home.
When a friend asked
her if it was “bye” she said yes…. and today she posted another
picture saying she is single. Fellow Nollywood actress Georgina Onuoha
whose a marriage is also rumoured to be in trouble then consoled her
saying she is always beautiful.

SOURCE 



The bank officially unveiled the woman of the moment as the bank brand ambassador today
In the bank statement they are so delighted and
inspired by Olajumoke, we’d love to move her forward.

SOURCES

=> Olajumoke Lands Endorsement Deal With Payporte(photos)


Payporte said: We are glad to announce the signing of @Olajumoke__o (Bread Seller turned model) as “Face of PayPorte 2016”.
We will be featuring Olajumoke on our billboard campaigns through the year 2016.
Most importantly, we will help Olajumoke complete her long abandoned education.SOURCE

=>“Your Birkin Bag Is Fake” – Fan To Linda Ikeji, ‘I’m Too Rich To Buy Fake Bag’,


 Some fans were always tormenting Linda Ikeji who is fond of posting her
shoes and bags collection on Instagram about not having a Birkin bag. A
birkin bag is a very expensive and high end designer bag by Hermes.
Linda
posted these two pictures of birkin bags she purchased and fans came
for her due to the stress it takes to buy a birkin bag as there is
usually a long list of clientele and waiting period which could be up to
3 years before a person can purchase one birkin bag. Some have even
reported that a person can only buy one birkin bag per year and Kim
Kardashian is even reported to have waited years to get a birkin bag.
Putting
all this into consideration must have been the reason, some fans were
not buying it when she posted pictures of her birkin bags and they
called it fake.
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