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Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop various security agencies from further violating human rights in the course of carrying out their duties. He said in a statement on Sunday that this had become necessary in view of the ban by the United States of America on the sale of arms to Nigeria over alleged continued violation of human rights under the Buhari administration. Falana said though the basis for the ban on sale of arms by the US could be queried, the President should stop the violation of people’s rights and also release all political detainees. He specifically urged the President to order the release of the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who has been held in custody without a court order. Falana said the release of Dasuki would allow the ex-NSA’s trial for alleged diversion of arms funds to go on smoothly. He said the government should obey the ruling of the ECOWAS...

Following the uproar which greeted his unfulfilled prophesy that Former Democrat candidate, Hillary Clinton will beat Republican candidate, Donald Trump, in the just concluded US Presidential election, General Overseer, The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet TB Joshua, Sunday, chided his critics, saying “Our levels are different. We are not on the same level.” Prophet Joshua, who made this remark during a service at the headquarters of his church in Ikotun, Lagos on Sunday, said: “We have seen the outcome of the election in America. Having read, you will notice that it is all about the popular vote, the vote of the majority of Americans. “In this case, we need the Spirit of a Prophet to recognize or to know a Prophet. Our levels are different. We are not on the same level. “We might have great cathedrals, huge bells, and all kinds of activities that are good by human standards but human point of view is limited. “1 Corinthians 1:25. The foolishness of God is wis...

Lagos – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday said it would sanction 13 telecommunications operators for failing to comply with the ‘2442 Do Not Disturb (DND)’ directive on unsolicited telemarketing. According to a statement signed by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, the directive was issued on April 20, 2016. Ojobo said that the 13 operators included: Airtel Network Ltd., MTN Nigeria, Globacom Nigeria, Smile Communication, Visafone Communications, Ntel, Etisalat, Multi-Links, Starcomms, Danjay Telecoms, Gamjitel Ltd., Megatech Engineering Ltd. and Gicell Wireless. According to him, the service providers have been given another one-week ultimatum, from Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, to remedy the situation or face the sanctions enshrined in the directive. “Worried by the non-compliance by the operators, occasioned by a deluge of complaints by subscribers across Nigeria, the NCC inaugurated an eight-member committee to look into the matter. “After several me...

The academic union of universities (ASUU) have declared a one week warning strike from the 16th of November to 22nd 2016. This was made known in a bulletin released after their NEC meeting November 12th. Some of the issues being protested by ASUU includes  funding for revitalization of public universities based on federal government and ASUU memorandum of understanding of 2009, non-release of subvension of state universities by their visitors and registration of NUPEMCO. Other lingering issues are payment of earned academic allowance (EAA) and shortfalls in salaries leading to payment of fractions of staff salaries. According to ASUU, the strike is total and comprehensive with no teaching, examination or any other routine activities of any kind.

Four persons, including a soon-to-wed young security guard, were reportedly killed by dare-devil armed robbers robbery during an attack on a Bank at Otun-Ekiti in Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Thursday night. Among those killed were the Manager and cashier of Heritage Bank, security man at Unity Bank and the night guard to the town’s monarch, Oba Adedapo Popoola, Oore Otun of Moba land.

BENIN CITY the capital of Edo state is agog ahead today’s inauguration ceremony of Mr Godwin Obaseki as governor of Edo state and his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, with the arrival of All Progressives Congress (APC) governors yesterday.

LOKOJA—Kogi State House of Assembly has called on the Federal Government to accord the state its rightful status as an oil-producing one, following the exploration of oil in Echeno and Udeke, all in Ibaji Local Government Area of the state. The call followed the adoption of John Abah’s (Ibaji constituency) motion appealing to the Kogi State government to expedite action in ensuring the declaration of the state by the Federal Government as an oil-producing one. The motion read in part: “Late Prince Audu Abubakar, the former governor of Kogi State, on July 18, 2001, conveyed a letter to the Group Managing Director of NNPC, notifying the corporation of discovery of crude oil in Ibaji Local Government Area. “He also requested NNPC to carry out a thorough investigation to determine the extent of the deposit. Even though the preliminary investigation carried out by NNPC was not published, it is no longer in doubt that there is oil deposit in Ibaji Local Government Area. “Orient Petroleu...

ABUJA-MEMBERS of the House of Representatives Wednesday resolve to probe into the operations of the internet based wonder bank, otherwise known as “MMM Nigeria Scheme” in order to save innocent Nigerians from falling prey to fraudsters in this era of economic recession. Consequently, the House has mandated its committees on banking and currency as well as that on financial crimes to probe the operations of the wonder bank and report back to the House for further legislative action within the next four weeks. This was however sequel to the adoption of the motion promoted by Rep. Saheed Akinade Fijabi, APC, OYO, complaining about the wide acceptance by Nigerians of the unregulated Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox scheme, popularly known as MMM which was established in 1989 by three Russian nationals with a promise that participants in the wonder scheme will make 30 per cent on investment after 30 days. Fijabi noted that every Nigerian participating in the MMM scheme which has no legal back...

The Naira on Friday strengthened against the dollar in all segments of the foreign exchange market. At the interbank market, the currency gained N1.45 to close at N304.75 from N306.50 recorded on Thursday. At the Bureau De Change window, naira exchanged at N385/400 to a dollar, Central Bank of Nigeria controlled rate, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N555 and N500, respectively. The naira gained N5 at the parallel market to exchange at N455, from N460 recorded on Thursday, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N555 and N505, respectively. Traders at the market said that activities were low as Thursday’s raid on the market by the operatives of the Department of State Service and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had instilled suspicion among them. Reacting to the raid, a Senior Economist at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella,  said that the raid was not a solution to the problem of foreign exchange sca...

New Algerian Coach Boasts he Will Beat Nigeria for the upcoming world cup qualifiers In Uyo claiming he Knows their Weaknesses. He also said Cameroon Are No Threat. The  former coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Philippe Troussier won the race to replace sacked Milovan Rajevac as coach of Algeria, after promising the FA that he will beat Nigeria. Algeria fired Serbian coach Rajevac after drawing 1-1 at home in their first 2018 World Cup qualifiers tie. A result that made the players revolt and subsequently lead to the sack of the coach, just three months and three games into his tenure as coach. Their next group game will be against Nigeria in just over three weeks, hence the FA resorted to appointing a coach who has experience of the African terrain in Troussier, who has handled Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, South Africa and Morocco, aside spells with various club sides on the continent. Frenchman Troussier reportedly told representatives of the Algerian F...

The Algerian national team on Thursday evening hit Uyo aboard a chartered flight ahead of their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. A statement by Ademola Olajire, spokesman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said that a delegation of 61 persons including the players landed in Uyo. According to the statement, the Desert Foxes will hold a training session on the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium pitch on Friday evening. The statement said the delegation was received at the Ibom International Airport by NFF’s Deputy General Secretary and Protocol Officer, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and Emmanuel Ayanbunmi respectively. It also stated that the match officials, led by Hassan Osama Atta Ibrahim El Manan (match commissioner from Sudan) passed the night in Lagos on Thursday, and is expected to be in Uyo on Friday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the referee for the match, Bakary Papa Gassama is from Gambia, while Jean-Claude Biru...

The face off between the Adams Oshiomhole’s Edo state government and the monarch of Uromi town has reached a climax, with his deposition. Oshiomhole government in a terse statement  today by secretary Professor Julius Ihonvbere announced government’s decision. Government in a letter today  conveyed its decision to the deposed king, Ojuromi of Uromi. The letter addressed him  ordinarily as Mr Aselm O Edenojie. The government statement  which was entitled:  “Deposition from Office as Ojuromi of Uromi: Addendum”, read: “Please be informed that the initial Exco decision of 26th October 2016 has been further affirmed. “Consequently, you have been deposed as the Ojuromi of Uromi pursuant to Section 28 (i & ii) of the Traditional Rulers & Chiefs Law, 1979. “Kindly, therefore, disregard our letter of 4th November 2016 on the subject “Re: Letter of Apology to Edo State Government.” The king’s problem with the Oshiomhole government began on  28 Sept...

The Federal government says it is facilitating the procurement of additional 40 large-scale rice mills to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2018. Chief Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday at a workshop themed “Big Boost for Agro Diversification and Export.’’ Ogbeh said that the Integrated Rice Mills (IRMs) of the Ministry had increased the rice milling capacity in the country. He said that the Ministry’s new goal was to attain self-sufficiency in food production and annually export 10 million metric tonnes of food to ECOWAS region and beyond by 2019. According to the minister, the country’s food import bill has further declined from N1.1 trillion in 2009 to N684 billion in 2013. “Nigeria has huge agricultural potentials with 11 million hectares of arable land but only cultivates 40 per cent; 263 billion cubic metres of water with two of the largest rivers in Africa. “We have a cheap labour force to support agricul...

The process for the award of the 2017/2018 PTDF scholarship scheme, both local and overseas, has commenced with the invitation of applications from suitably qualified candidates. The scholarships which are in MSc and PhD categories will be awarded for studies in the United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, France, United States of America and Federal Universities and Centres of Excellence in Nigeria. 32 courses are approved for sponsorship to MSc while there are 9 priority areas for the award of PhD scholarship. They include Ship Building and Marine Technology, Refining Technology, Reservoir Engineering/ Production Technology, Renewable Energy, Civil and Marine Engineering. Others are Geology and Petroleum Geology, Flow Assurance and Pipe line Engineering, Marginal Fields development and Environmental Studies and Health Safety and Environment (HSE). Related:  LIST OF APPROVED COURSES FOR SPONSORSHIP  The award for Masters Degree is for one year while the duration of the PhD a...

Watching an Indian news channel I was intrigued to see a newsflash that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was about to address the nation. As I am in Delhi to report on the UK Prime Ministers trade mission to India, I assumed it was an announcement in some way connected to the UK and India's future trade relationship. It was much much bigger than that. The Indian PM announced the withdrawal of 500 (£6.50) and 1,000 (£13) notes from circulation from midnight tonight. Wow. The waiters at the restaurant where i was enjoying a Mutton Rogan Josh were open mouthed in astonishment - but totally supportive. We have too much "black money" in the economy - one told me. According to the chef who emerged from the kitchen to watch the news Mr Modi is doing the right thing - cracking down on an unmanageable, untaxable illegal economy. "Lots of people who come in here pay in bundles of cash that is unknown to the government. It is good what Mr Modi is doing." Caught...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the 500 ($7.60) and 1,000 rupee banknotes will be withdrawn from the financial system overnight. The surprise move, announced on Tuesday evening, is part of a crackdown on corruption and illegal cash holdings. Banks will be closed on Wednesday and ATM machines will not be working. India is overwhelmingly a cash economy. New 500 and 2,000 rupee denomination notes will be issued to replace those removed from circulation. "Black money and corruption are the biggest obstacles in eradicating poverty," Mr Modi said. People will be able to exchange their old notes for new ones at banks over the next 50 days but they will no longer be legal tender. The announcement prompted people across the country to rush to ATMs that offer 100 rupee notes in an attempt not to be left without cash over the next few days.

• President, president-elect meet today • Buhari, others congratulate winner It was a vote for national interest yesterday as Democrat Hillary Clinton congratulated victorious Republican Donald Trump and pledged to work with the president-elect to lift the United States. In her concession speech, amid thunderous applause by her supporters, Clinton said: “Last night I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country. I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans. This is not the outcome we wanted or we worked so hard for, and I’m sorry we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country. “But I feel pride and gratitude for this wonderful campaign that we built together. This vast, diverse, creative, energized campaign. You represent the best of America, and being your candidate has been one of the greatest honours of my life. “I know how disappointed you feel, because I feel it too. A...

The House of Representatives on Wednesday asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria to immediately go after the promoters of the Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox, otherwise known as MMM, in Nigeria. Lawmakers strongly opposed the investment scheme, which has lately gained popularity among Nigerians in the wake of the current economic recession in the country. The MMM promises 30 per cent return on investment for any money put into the scheme for 30 days. The investment scheme has a Russian origin and “involves directing clients to make money available for an anonymous person with a promise of 30 per cent return within one month.”  But, members of the House described the scheme as a scam and warned Nigerians not to be carried away by the mouth-watering returns on investment that it promised. Lawmakers warned that the trick being used by the operators was to attract as many Nigerians as possible to invest substantial amounts of money befo...

A photo of another soldier killed in Boko Haram attack has emerged. Aide to Kogi State Governor, Petra Akinti Onyegbule posted the photo on Facebook and wrote:  "Another one pays the supreme price. Such a young, handsome man. Indeed, death has no sense of shame. Rest in peace, soldier"

THE Senate on Tuesday unanimously threw out plans by President Muhammadu Buhari to engage in external borrowing of $29.960billion for execution of key infrastructural projects across the country between 2016 and 2018. The Senate did not even discuss it as it was killed immediately it was mentioned as an executive communication by Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume “that the Senate do consider the request of the President Commander in Chief on the 2016 – 2018 External Borrowing Rolling Plan.” Soon after Ndume’s remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki now puts it to Vote and the Nays had it. Senator Saraki who was surprised and trying to give President Buhari a soft landing, decided to put it into vote the second time and the Nays still had it and he ruled. It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday last week written to the National Assembly seeking for the approval of external borrowing plan of $29.960billion for execution of key infrastructural projects acros...