BYF EXPOSEMILL

Prominent leaders in the South-South geo-political zone on Tuesday urged the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to remain steadfast in his fight for the enthronement of ideal democratic culture in Nigeria. They also lauded Oyegun for playing a pivotal role in the fight against corruption.  Reacting to the orchestrated attack on the person and leadership of Chief Odigie-Oyegun by some misguided youths and their backers, the leaders described the calls for Oyegun’s resignation as puerile. “These individuals do not mean well for the ruling party. Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is on the right track. He deserves the encouragement of all” the leaders said. In a statement akin to a reckless juvenile bravado, Peter Oyewole demanded the immediate sack of Oyegun. He also accused the national chairman of not supporting the anti-corruption crusade of the President Muhammadu Buhari led-APC government. “This is a laughable accusation and shows th

T he information reaching us disclose that the federal government has raised N6.7 billion through the auction of savings bonds in the last eight months, the Debt Management Office (DMO) has said. An analysis of data from the DMO showed that the savings bond was highly subscribed in the first few months. At its debut offer in March, the debt office raised N2.068 billion from the 13.01 percent two-year bond. In April, N1.288 billion was raised through the 12.794 percent two-year bond and 13.794 percent three year bond. Subsequently, it raised N791.15 billion with yields rising to 13.189 percent for the two-year bond and 14.189 percent for the three-year bond in May.Figures from the DMO show a yield of N6.3 billion in September, signaling an increase of approximately N400 million between September and October. However, statistics showed reduced subscription for the month of October, with N389.19 million raised through the 12.059 percent two-year bond and 13.059 percent three-

While their relationship was admired by many, it seems singer and actress Selena Gomez and rapper The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye have been waiting for the right moment to go their separate ways. After a 10-month long relationship, the two have called it quits. As confirmed by E! News, the couple, who started dating in January, decided to officially end things because according to them, their separation had been a long time coming A source said the pair realised things were not working out for months and distance seems to have played a major part in their split as well. “It’s been hard for them to come to the realisation that this is the direction things were heading, but it’s been hard for months. “They have been open and honest about it and where they were going. Distance definitely played a factor.” Seemingly, The Weeknd and Selena have spent less time together in the coming weeks with the Fetish singer filming in New York and the Starboy hitmaker on tour. Apparently, this wasn

T he latest update as Femi Adesina, special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, says nobody can pressure his principal into doing anything. Meanwhile Adesina said this while reacting to insinuations that Buhari was forced to move against Babachir Lawal, secretary to the government of the federation. Lawal, who was indicted of corruption by the senate committee on the humanitarian crisis in the north-east, was relieved of his duty on Monday. He had initially been suspended. Adesina said those insinuating that Buhari acted as a result of pressure do not know the president. “Anybody who knows this president will know that he’s a man that takes his time but when he makes up his mind, he makes it up real good,” he said during a Channels TV programme. Who can pressure the president? There’s nobody that can pressure him.” He added that with the dismissal, Buhari has shown himself to be a “painstaking and a thorough person” who would ensure that the rig

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 commission, after duly considering a deluge of memoranda submitted, noted that Rangers being a big brand in the football business should enjoy and leverage on this. “This can only be, by lifting the burden of sponsorship from the state government.’’ Okolie disclosed that the commission also suggeste

The UN refugee agency and Nigerian authorities have so far registered some 2,000 Cameroonians who have fled into southeastern Nigeria since October 1, while another 3,000 were awaiting registration. Even more people are believed to be trapped in forests on the Cameroonian side.  We are preparing to help up to 40,0000,” UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told AFP, stressing though that the number of people fleeing into Nigeria could easily surpass that figure. French-speaking Cameroon has a large anglophone minority which comprises around a fifth of its population of 22 million. Gathered mainly in two regions, many English speakers say they suffer inequality and discrimination. Resentment has fuelled a breakaway movement that on October 1 issued a symbolic declaration of independence for the putative state of Ambazonia, prompting a crackdown by President Paul Biya’s security forces that left dozens dead and many injured. UNHCR said it was helping Nigerian aid workers distribute relief items

Comments from the  International Monetary Fund (IMF)   around Nigeria’s low tax-to-GDP ratio highlight the importance of driving higher levels of payroll and accounting automation among the country’s businesses, especially small, micro and medium-sized enterprises, says  Magnus Nmonwu  , Regional Director for Sage West Africa. The IMF has warned that Nigerian governments’ ability to effectively finance infrastructure and services is constrained by low tax collection. Despite recent tax reforms by the Federal Government, Nigeria needs to grow tax revenue by registering more tax payers and enhancing collections and compliance, says Nmonwu. Initiatives such as the government’s  Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS)  which gives taxpayers an opportunity to voluntarily declare all previously undisclosed assets and income are steps in the right direction, he adds. Higher levels of automation and modernisation among tax authorities as well as increased use of digital f

Hilton and Transcorp Hotels Plc, a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc have signeda 20-year extension to the current agreement to manage the iconic Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja. The agreement will see Hilton manage the property until 2037. The hotel, which is a national landmark for having hosted countless heads of state and global events like the World Economic Forum on Africa, has been operated by Hilton since its opening in 1987. Speaking at a signing ceremony in Washington DC, Chris Nassetta, Hilton’s President and CEO, said: “We have had an incredible relationship with the Transcorp team and we are happy to announce that we will continue to grow that relationship throughout the next 20 years. With our mission to be the world’s most hospitable company, I am delighted we will be able to continue welcoming guests to this hotel until at least 2037.The award-winning 667-room hotel – one of the largest in sub-Saharan Africa – is currently undergoing a multi-

Commissioner of Police, Olukolu Tahir Shina, has confirmed the kidnap of a nurse, Ephraim Ajuju, working with a government-owned hospital in Dadin Kowa, Gombe State. The nurse was abducted at his residence Tuesday morning by hoodlums armed with locally manufactured guns.  Commissioner of Police, Olukolu Tahir Shina, has confirmed the kidnap of a nurse, Ephraim Ajuju, working with a government-owned hospital in Dadin Kowa, Gombe State. The nurse was abducted at his residence Tuesday morning by hoodlus armed with locally manufactured guns. “One Ephraim Ajuji was kidnapped by seven armed hoodlums wielding dane guns” he said. Shina said all efforts to bring down the criminals are on, adding that the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) in collaboration with agents from the Department of State Security and members of a vigilante group are working to ensure the safe release of the nurse. “They are now tracking the criminals. It’s our believe that they will eventually be arreste

The need to revitalise Federal Government-owned hospitals on Tuesday caught the attention of the Senate as the lawmakers charged the Finance Ministry to prioritise release of funds to the Ministry of Health. This followed a motion sponsored by Monsurat Sumonu, Oyo-APC, which seeks to improve the condition of Federal Government-owned hospitals across the country. Presenting the motion, Mrs. Sumonu, noted that despite Nigeria’s strategic position in Africa, the country’s health sector is greatly under-sized due to inadequate health facilities and incessant strikes by health workers. She observed that despite a N308, 464, 276.782 allocation to the sector in the 2017 budget, government-owned hospitals are unable to provide basic medicine while medical equipment malfunction due to lack of electricity. She said that “renovation or even constructions (of government-owned hospitals) are baseless if hospitals are not well-equipped with basic facilities to save lives.” Speaking on t

 L atest report disclose that the Nigeria Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday expressed delight over the World Bank’s latest “Doing Business” report that saw Nigeria moving up 24 places to 145th and recognising the country as one of the top 10 most improved economies in the world. As gathered he congratulated all stakeholders who worked with the Federal Government to achieve what he described as “significant result.” Osinbajo’s position was contained in a statement made available to journalists by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande. He said, “I welcome Nigeria’s improved performance. We are one of the top 10 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 20 places in the ranking – I am delighted that we have exceeded his goal. “Improving the business environment is at the

As the growth of Nigeria’s middle class over the past decade drives the consumption of petrochemical products like fertilizers and food packaging, Africa’s largest oil producer appears on its way to becoming a petrochemical hub with three plants expected to bring fertilizer output to 7.2 million metric tons next year, along with 900,000 thousand metric tons of polypropylene and 860,000 metric tons of polyethylene,  Business Day  reports. These capacity additions could value Nigeria’s petrochemical market at $5.8 billion per annum by 2018. Nigeria’s current biggest fertilizer producer, Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Limited, commissioned its expanded plant in July 2017, pushing capacity to 1.5 million metric tons of urea and 4,000 metric tons of NPK fertilizer. The company’s plant is also designed to produce 120,000 metric tons of polypropylene and 360,000 metric tons of polyethylene per year. Ethylene is the foundation for making plastics essential to many consumer and industrial go

With the Super Eagles list of players invited for the game against Algeria set to be released sometime this week, a number of players shone to put themselves in the reckoning for Rohr’s team. While some are not in contention for a Super Eagles berth, their brilliance over the weekend caught the eye as they made our weekly list of outstanding Nigerian players. There really isn’t a better time for Hapoel Be’er Sheva forward to get firing than this time. Nwakaeme who started off on the left of the Camel’s attack scored a beaut of a goal almost reminiscent of his goal, six days before, against Maccabi Tel Aviv. It wasn’t Tony working his way to the shot this time, it was more instinctive, seeing a loose ball from Maor Melikson’s heavy touch, the forward ran up five yards to hit a perfectly-placed, low, first time shot form the edge of the box in the 63rd minute to put his team ahead. He put the icing on the cake six minutes to the end of regulation time when he and Melikson combined

 F resh report as Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has promised to continue his landmark projects to improve the living condition of Rivers people. Governor Wike made the pledge, on Monday night, before a global audience in his acceptance speech, after receiving the Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA), which took place at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters, in New York City. He was honoured with the “Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award”, under the “Individual Initiatives to Advance Sustainable Development Category”. The award was presented to Governor Wike by the Vice President of Global Forum on Human Settlements & Sustainable Cities, Dr. Taj Hamad. Wike received the award alongside 22 other personalities drawn from different countries, which included Nigeria, China, Bulgaria, Germany, USA, India and Indonesia. In his acceptance speech, Wike expressed: “Let me on behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State sincere

 I t is gathered that the erstwhile Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has reacted to Bola Tinubu’s closed-door meeting with the president Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. The ex-minister described Tinubu visit to Buhari as a shame, adding that the APC leader has no pride and dignity. The APC leader had, after the meeting, refused to comment on Buhari’s 2019 ambition But according to Fani-Kayode, Tinubu would wish he was never born after Buhari deals with him. “Tinubu says that he still has confidence in Buhari. Poor him. “Does slavery and the selling of one’s kinsmen, soul and heritage not have limits? “Is there no pride and dignity left? Must some live on their knees? “By the time Buhari finishes with him he will wish he had never been born!” Fani tweeted

The Senate says sack of former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, has vindicated its position on investigation carried out by its Ad hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East. It urged other committees charged with the responsibility of investigating other alleged corrupt matters in the country to expedite action and report to the Senate for further action. This followed a Point of Order by the Deputy Leader of the Senate, Sen. Bala Na’Allah, at plenary on Tuesday. Quoting Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rule, 2015 as amended, Na’ Allah said efforts by some disgruntled Nigerians to drag the name of the Senate in the mud had been defeated The leader of the Senate said the resolve of the red chamber of the National Assembly to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption and in defence of the constitution would continue no matter the distraction. “Section 80 sub-sections 2b, says the powers conf

My husband doesn’t feed me and he is also in the habit of beating me all the time. “The hardship I pass through in his house is just too much for me. “I cannot endure it anymore, and that is why I am pleading with this court to help me out by dissolving this marriage,” she added Danshalele, however, denied his wife’s allegations, saying he had always done his best to cater for her. He maintained that he still loved his wife and would not want them to go their separate ways. The judge, Ahmed Bima, urged the couple to give peace a chance and try to settle their differences, as marriage required a lot patience and understanding. He adjourned the case until Nov.13 for report of settlement. “I will give you the chance to try and win back the love of your wife. You are to come back and inform the court of the outcome of your reconciliatory efforts,” he said. (NAN)  A housewife, Fatima Muazu, on Tuesday begged a Minna Sharia Court to dissolve her marriage to Hassan Danshale

The Adamawa police command has arrested eight persons suspected to be behind kidnap cases in the state. Commissioner of Police, Mr Moses Jitoboh, told newsmen on Tuesday that the suspects were arrested on Sept. 23, in Mubi South Local Government Area of the state  Jitoboh stated that their arrest was as a result of intensive security patrol by men of his command. He said “ Exhibits recovered from the suspected kidnappers include one locally made pistol, two live 7.62 millimeter ammunition, 58 live cartridges and seven empty cartridges. “Others are one double-barrelled gun, two masks, one ear protector, two military helmets and SIM cards, among others”. The police boss gave assurance that the command would continue to collaborate with the other security agencies in the state to protect lives and property of the citizens

Chibueze had killed up to 200 people in a campaign of murder and kidnap that began when he was just 11. Among them was his former girlfriend whose house in the capital Lagos he stormed, murdering her and six children. He had been busted out of police custody in January by his ruthless gang members and went into hiding in the south of the country.

However, he died in his village of Wada in Nigeria after contracting malaria, the  Daily Post of Nigeria  reported. Dauda’s penis was sliced off by his then 17-year-old stepmother Bara’atu Rabiu in June 28. She is currently being detained in jailed . Mariam Kolo, of the Child’s Right Agency, said Dauda had "malaria which made his temperature rise and he died even after he had been administered his prescribed drugs". The baby had needed a number of corrective surgeries after the incident and was due to have treatment in Britain. But Kolo said his death was not connected to any complications from surgery.

President Muhammadu Buhari is booked to fly out of Nigeria on Tuesday to Niamey, the capital of the Republic of Niger. While in the nation, Buhari will take an interest in a meeting on basic money for the West African sub-area. Part nations of the ECOWAS Task Force on Common Currency are: ‎Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Niger. The President will be joined by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, at the meeting. Buhari is relied upon to come back to Abuja same day after the meeting.

Nigerian pop star, David Adeleke, known as Davido, has reacted to the news circulating online that he was involved in the death of his friend Tagbo Umeike. With accusations,counter-accusations and alleged autopsy result, Davido has stood his ground that he is innocent of all malicious publications against him. He wrote, “Lies everywhere due to respect for Tagbo and his family, I haven’t spoken about this issue since. “Soon a statement and footage will be released, enough is enough.