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Auto-crash: Offa poly mourns 3 ex- students

The Federal Polytechnic, Offa, has commiserated with the families of three of its former students who died on Thursday in a road crash on the way to the NYSC orientation camp in Katsina.   The institution in a statement on Monday by its Direction of Information, Public Relations and Protocols, Mr Olayinka Iroye, prayed that God would comfort the families and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.   The statement said: “With heavy hearts and profound sense of loss, the Governing Council, management, staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, commiserate with the families of three of our ex-students who lost their lives in a ghastly automobile accident along Mokwa road in Niger state on their way to the NYSC camp in Katsina for the Batch C stream II orientation.   “The polytechnic condoles with the families of the deceased students and prays that God will comfort and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.   “May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace.” The three graduates of the institution died on Thursday when an articulated vehicle ran over their 18-passenger bus at Mokwa. The incident claimed the lives of all occupants except the driver. Read the full article

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Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan meet over disputed Nile dam

Egypt is hosting a new round of talks with Ethiopia and Sudan on a disputed dam built by Ethiopia on the Nile, as part of an agreement reached in Washington in November.     The agreement was reached in Washington last month to break the deadlock in their long-standing row over the river’s critical water supply. The water ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan are meeting on Monday and Tuesday for talks on the rules of operating the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and filling its reservoir.     Ethiopia began building the 4.8-billion-dollar hydroelectric Grand Renaissance Dam in 2010, seeking to be Africa’s biggest power exporter. Egypt relies almost exclusively on the Nile for farming, industry and domestic water use and fears that the dam will harm its supply.     Ethiopia calls Egypt’s worries baseless. The Cairo-hosted talks are the second of four rounds agreed in Washington in November, during negotiations attended by the Foreign ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan, as well as representatives of the U.S. government and the World Bank.     A third meeting in Khartoum is set to be decided following the conclusion of Monday and Tuesday’s meetings. A fourth meeting will then be held in January in Addis Ababa, before a meeting of the foreign and water ministers of the three countries in Washington in mid-January 2020.     The timeframe for filling the reservoir has been a major concern for Cairo. The Egyptian government wants the process to be carried out slowly over the course of seven years. Read the full article

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LG Poll: Gov. Bello Congratulates 25 Newly Elected Chairmen

LG Poll: Gov. Bello Congratulates 25 Newly Elected Chairmen       Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger state has congratulated the 25 newly elected chairmen of local government councils in the state and urge them to see their emergence as a call to selfless service.     Bello disclosed this in a statement signed by Mrs Mary Berje, his Chief Press Secretary in Minna on Monday.     He urged the new chairmen to be fair and just to all irrespective of political interests and urged them to remain focused on the plight of the neglected majority by providing them with good governance and service delivery. Bello advised them to initiate policies and programmes that would generate more revenue to the LGAs in order to make them economically viable.     The governor noted that the impact of government policies cannot be felt by a larger number of people without viable leadership at the local government level, hence the need for them to live above board and make sacrifices.     “I congratulate you all once again and enjoin you to involve our traditional institutions and other relevant stakeholders in decision-making processes of your respective councils.     “The involvement will bridge communication gap and guarantee ease of governance, ” he said. Bello urged the new chairmen as Chief Security Officers of their respective councils to be proactive and ensure that they maintain relative peace and stability for socio-economic and political progress of the people of the state.     The Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) on Nov. 30, conducted election for chairmanship and councilors across the 25 Local Government Areas(LGAs) of the state.   Read the full article

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Police Recruitment: Court Strikes out PSC’s suit Against I-G Adamu

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, dismissed the Police Service Commission (PSC)’s suit, challenging Muhammad Adamu, Inspector-General (I-G) of Police’s power to recruit 10, 000 police officers.   Justice Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the judgement, said the PSC’s suit lacked merit.   The PSC had taken the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to court over the recruitment of 10,000 constables. In the motion on notice filed on Sept. 24, the commission prayed the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from ”appointing, recruiting or attempting to appoint or recruit by any means whatsoever any person into any office by the NPF pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”   While the PSC is the plaintiff, the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Muhammad Adamu, the NPF and the AGF are defendants in the case.   Read the full article

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N275bn generated from VAT in third quarter of 2019–NBS

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the sum of N275.12 billion was generated as Value Added Tax (VAT) in the third quarter of 2019.     The NBS made this known in its Sector Distribution of VAT for 2019 third quarter report in Abuja on Monday.   It explained that what was realised in the third quarter was less compared to N311.94 billion generated in the second quarter of 2019.   The NBS report indicated that the sum of N273.50 billion was generated in the third quarter of 2018 representing 11.81 per cent decrease Quarter-on-Quarter and 0.59 per cent increase Year-on-Year.   It further explained that professional services generated the highest amount of VAT with N32.09bn. According to NBS, after professional services, manufacturing is next, which generates N30.27billion, then Commercial and Trading with N14.47billion. The bureau disclosed that mining generated the least and closely followed by Textile and Garment Industry and Pharmaceutical, Soaps & Toiletries with N44.30 million, N253.83million and N291.06 million respectively. The NBS noted that out of the total amount generated in the third quarter 2019, N150.74 billion was generated as Non-Import VAT locally while N63billion was realised as Non-Import VAT for foreign. It added that the balance of N61.37 billion was gotten as Nigeria Customs Service NCS-Import.   Read the full article

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Why we donated vehicles to Cameroonian vigilante -Borno

The Borno State Government said it had donated patrol vehicles to members of Cameroonian vigilante to enhance thebfight against insurgents in border communities of the state.   Mr Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser on Public Relation and Media Strategy to Gov. Babagana Zulum, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Maiduguri. Gusau dismissed as misleading reports indicating that the vehicles donated by the state government to 150 members of the Cameroonian vigilante violated Nigeria’s sovereignty and military protocols.   He explained that representatives of the government presented vehicles to the Cameroonian vigilante in concert with the Headquarters, 5 Brigade Nigerian Army Cell of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Damasak, Mobbar Local Government Area of the state.   Gusau noted that Zulum was a member of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum established with support of the Federal Government and UN Security Council Committee on counter terrorism.   He added that the gesture was in line with the forum spirit to enhance cooperation on cross border security among member states. Gusau said: “Gov. Zulum operational arrangements with the 150 Cameroonian vigilante ‎happened with full involvement of the Nigerian Army’s component in the MNJTF currently fighting Boko Haram in eight regions affected by the insurgents’ attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republics.   “The Cameroonian vigilantes are operating in parts of northern Borno; located in the shores of the Lake Chad, and they are operating under the coordination and command of the Nigerian Army Cell of the MNJTF.   “One of the key benefits of having these vigilantes is the latitude to generate and pass on intelligence from border communities in Cameroon and to also pursue insurgents who occasionally flee from Nigerian territories to border communities in Cameroon where Nigerian troops may be constrained to engage them.   “The main objective of the Lake Chad Basin Governor’s Forum is to ease cross border cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the affected countries.”   Read the full article

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Taraba Assembly elects Joseph Kunini as new Speaker

The Taraba House of Assembly on Monday, elected Mr Joseph Kunini and Alh Hamman-Adama Abdulahi as the new Speaker and deputy Speaker of the Assembly.   The election followed the resignation of the former speaker, Mr Peter Abel Diah and his deputy Alh Muhammad Gwampo from the positions.   The assembly, which convened on Monday morning, elected an impeached deputy speaker, Gwampo as Speaker pro tempo who chaired the election.   Kunini was nominated by Mr Bonzana Kizito (PDP- Zing) constituency, and he was seconded by Mr Ammed Jedua of Gembu constituency.   His election was unanimous with 16 of the 24 members present at the sitting. In his remarks, Kunini pledged to be just and equitable in carrying out his functions. “This is a house of justice and equity. Taraba should be greater than any individual and we must work hard to take the state to greater heights. I will work to champion this, “ he said.   He promised that the house would work as a team and partner with the executive to make the state a greater place. “I will run an open door Parliament where even the minority will have a say. “Thank you for this trust. I assure you that it will be used as a medium to serve God and humanity. Thank you for this privilege”, he said. Kunini who represents Lau constituency was a third-term member of the House.     The House also nominated Mr Douglas Ndatse as the Majority leader of the House to replace the new speaker who occupied the position before now.   Read the full article

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Film company sets to premiere sci-fi video streaming series in Lagos

A Lagos based film production company, HowBoutAKiss (HBK) Motion Pictures, is set to premier a science-fiction series, titled, “S0.CI3.TY”, on his Shortz video streaming platform.   HBK Founder, who is a West Indian film maker and director, Khris Burton, made this known in a statement signed by the company’s Managing Director, Mr Folorunso Oladele, on Monday in Lagos.   “The first season of S0.CI3.TY tells the unseen story of a regulated citizen of the “THE CITY” who awakens on a deserted island of strange events and has to embrace his own humanity to survive.   “It has five episodes, each less than nine minutes, but gives depth to so many things the world society stands for.   “You can get access to the entire season on MTN Shortz by sending KRIS to 700,” Burton said. Burton said that the objective of the sci-fi would help to lend a fresh voice and style to the burgeoning Nollywood industry.   He added that the outfit would also expose new talents, and provide a truly competitive-edge in the global film industry.   “Also, we will be establishing a great collaborative relationship with fans, the press, and other entertainment houses.   “More information about HBK Motion Pictures’ plan for the Nigerian film industry will be unveiled in the coming days via the company’s official website, various social media platforms as well as radio and TV. ”   Khris Burton, who hails from from Martinique, in the French West Indies, is an award-winning film and commercial director, His birth name is Christian Rodin and like many celebrities, Rodin picked Khris Burton as his trademark and brand name. Read the full article

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Yoruba leaders to hold colloquium on South West security

Yoruba leaders to hold colloquium on South West security     Prominent Yoruba leaders, including Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye and Chief Gani Adams, would join other stakeholders on Friday at a colloquium on national security with particular focus on South West Nigeria.     The colloquium, which would hold at Western Sun Hotel, Ede, Osun State, is being organised by a group of professionals and business leaders under the aegis of Ede Unique Club of Nigeria.   A statement jointly signed by the Co-Conveners, Dr Dhikrullah Yagboyaju and Dr Kajogbola Alimi, gave the theme of the colloquium as “Imperatives of National Security for Development: South West Nigeria in Focus”.     According to the organisers, the colloquium will galvanise different perspectives of stakeholders from academia, civil society and non-state actors on the way out of the security challenges facing the nation.     “This theme could not have been more apt, considering the serious security challenges facing the nation, with particular focus on South West Nigeria,” the organisers said.     They cited kidnappings, armed banditry, ritual killings and child abuse among the security challenges facing the country.   “Also, Prof. Olutayo Adesina of University of Ibadan will bring on board historical perspectives, while Alhaji Adebayo Jimoh, former Group Managing Director of Oodua Group, will set the tone for the discussion as chairman at the colloquium,” the group said.   The colloquium, according to the group, is aimed at promoting dialogue and informed discourse on salient national issues with a view to stimulating ideas and proffering workable solutions.   The statement said that some eminent Nigerians would also receive merit awards for their contributions to society at the event, organised to mark the group’s 36th Anniversary.     Among the awardees are Wife of Osun State Governor, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola, who would be honoured for her pioneering role of singlehandedly repatriating back home a Nigerian family that was stranded in Ukraine.     Other awardees are Chief Mrs Modupe Adeleke-Sanni, Philanthropist and Member of the Governing Council, Adeleke University; Alhaja Latifat Giwa, Commissioner for Governor’s Office, Osun State; and erudite lawyer, Mr Abiodun Layonu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).   Among the past recipients of the club’s merit award are Alhaja Rahmat Adisa, a former First Lady of Oyo State and Mrs Betty Ajiborisha, pioneer First Lady of Osun State.     Other past awardees include Late Chief Yisa Yagboyaju, Founder, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria; Late Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, First Executive Governor of Osun State; and Late Chief Mufutau Olanihun, foremost business mogul and industrialist.   Read the full article

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Court Remands 9 Unemployed Over Alleged Robberies at gunpoint

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday remanded nine unemployed men over alleged dispossession of cars and other valuables at gunpoint.   The defendants are: Musa Akeem, 24; Abbey Macdonald, 25; Collins Ikechukwu, 23; Uche John, 31; Bolanle Olamide, 21; Benjamin Okafor, 33; Sylvester Anyebe, 23; Godwin Ani, 23, and Omo Mezie, 22.   They are facing charges of conspiracy and robbery. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs G. O. Anifowose, who did not take their pleas, ordered that they should be kept in the Kirikiri Correctional Facility, Lagos, pending advice from the state director of public prosecutions.   Anifowose adjourned the case until Jan. 9, 2020, for mention. Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Felicia Okwori, told the court that the defendants committed the offences between April 4 and May 30 at Lekki, Epe and Ajah axis of Lagos.     Okwori alleged that the defendants robbed one Mr Michael Tasker of three laptops valued at N2. 3 million, Nikkon camera worth N700,000, wristwatches valued at N300,000 and a gold necklace worth N265,000.     “Other valuables stolen from Mr Tasker are iPhone X valued at N600,000, Samsung Galaxy X4 valued at N150,000 , Infinix phone valued at N42,000, iPad valued at N200,000, Nike Porche canvas valued at N100,000 and cash of N399,000,” she said.     The prosecutor alleged that defendants also robbed one Mr Kelvin Omoregie of a Toyota Corolla valued at N2 million, at gunpoint.   Okwori further said that the defendants robbed one Mr Emmanuel Goodluck of his Toyota Camry valued at N1.8 million. “The defendants also robbed Mr Ege Akpos of his Tecno phone valued at N92,000 , iPhone 8 valued at N84,000, Gionee phone valued at N65,000 and a cash of N93,000,” she said.   According to the prosecutor, the alleged offences contravened Sections 219, 297 and 299 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.   Read the full article

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Ex-Gov. Kalu: Court Adjourns judgment on N7.2bn Fraud Charge

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday adjourned until Dec. 5, judgment in a N7.2 billion fraud case against former Gov. Orji Kalu of Abia.   The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Kalu and a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Ude Udeogo.     Also charged along with Kalu is a company, Slok Nig. Ltd. The judgement could not be delivered on Monday (Dec. 2) as earlier slated, as Justice Mohammed Idris was not available.   EFCC had on Oct. 31, 2016, preferred a 34-count charge against the defendants. The charge was later increased to 39 counts. The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts, and were granted bail. Idris, who tried the case, has been elevated to the Court of Appeal. He consequently conducted and concluded the trial by fiat. Following accelerated hearing, Idris concluded trial in August. On Oct. 22, both the prosecution and defence counsel adopted their written submissions before the court. The judge then reserved judgement now to be delivered on Dec. 5.   It was reported that on Nov. 12, 2018, Kalu was absent for his trial, after being absent on a previous adjourned date – Nov. 5, 2018.   Although, defence counsel informed the court that he was away for medical treatment in Germany, the court revoked his bail, and ordered that at his return to Nigeria, he must submit himself and his travel documents to the EFCC, or be arrested.   In the charge, the EFCC said that the defendants committed the alleged offences between August 2001 and October 2005.   It said that Kalu utilised his company’s account to retain N200 million in First Inland bank (now First City Monument Bank). The commission claimed that the sum formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government. In one of the counts, Kalu’s company (Slok Nig. Ltd.) and one Emeka Abone said to be at large, were alleged to have retained in the company’s account, the sum of N200 million on behalf of the ex-governor.   In counts one to 10, the defendants were alleged to have retained about N2.5 billion belonging to the Abia.   The EFCC said that the defendants diverted over N7.2 billion from Abia government’s treasury during Kalu’s tenure as the governor, in contravention of Sections 15(6), 16 and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2005.   The commission said that the offences also contravene the provisions of the Money Laundering Act of 1995 as amended.   Read the full article

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Fayemi Appoints Board Members For Fountain Holdings

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has approved the appointment of members of Board of Fountain Holdings Limited, the investment company owned by the state government. The new board is headed by Mr Jide Ogundare. Other members of the board are: Prof Abiodun Ayeni- Agbaje, Dr Tunde Adeniran, Ms. Folakemi Fatogbe and Prince Bode Adetoyi. Statutory members of the board are the State Commissioner for Finance and the Commissioner for Investment, Trade and Industry, while the MD/CEO, Mr Seyi Aiyeleso will also serve on the Board. Members of the new board come with extensive experience in the private and public sectors and are expected to drive the investment portfolio of the company. The Chairman, Mr Jide Ogundare is CEO of MBO Capital. He is a trained Economist and former Executive Director and Head, Retail Banking Division of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), where he worked for 21 years, before retiring in 2011. He holds a Masters’ degree in Business Administration from Cardiff Business School and a degree in Law from School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987. Prof. Abiodun Rafiat Ayeni- Agbaje, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), is a lecturer at the Department of Accounting, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. She is also the Chairman of ICAN, Ekiti State chapter. Dr Tunde Adeniran, has a PhD in Geology and was General Manager in Total Nigeria Plc, where he spent 22 years and held different managerial positions before his appointment as Group Executive Director in charge of NNPC Ventures in 2016. Adeniran supervised 11 commercial and investments companies of the corporation dealing in crude and LPG sales and was charged with the responsibility of diversifying NNPC’s economic base through commercialisation of non -assets and creating new investments. He is presently the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy Matters. Ms Folakemi Fatogbe is the Director of Risk Management at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Prior to her appointment at the CBN, she had a twenty-year long career in the banking industry (mostly in the United Kingdom), where she held positions as Senior Risk Analyst, and Programme Director among others. She holds an MBA in Finance & International Business from the University of Wales, Cardiff Business School. Prince Bode Adetoyi is Chief Executive Officer of Hi-Nutrient International Limited. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and a Master’s degree in Animal Nutrition and Bio-Chemistry. He has undergone extensive trainings in business management in Nigeria and overseas. Their appointments take immediate effect. Read the full article

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Hit-and-run driver kills woman in Awka

A yet to be identified woman was on Sunday killed by a hit-and-run driver in Awka. The accident occoured at about 11:05pm at Regina Caeli Junction on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.   According to Mr Andrew Kumapayi, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra, the accident left the woman dead instantly.   Kumapayi said the corpse had been deposited at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital morgue, Awka.   The sector commander reiterated the call for pedestrians to be careful on the road, especially during festive periods, because of increased vehicular movement. “My advice to road users especially pedestrians during this season is to be extra careful when crossing the road. “They should endeavour to use the pedestrian bridge provided for them if any, and if there is none, they should look left, right and left again to make sure that the road is free before crossing. “Let them wear reflective clothes when walking in the night so that they can be seen by oncoming vehicles,” he said. Read the full article

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Australia's James Bond, George Lazenby, 80, boasts about bedding more than a thousand women

Australian actor, George Lazenby, who became the youngest person to play James Bond in 1969 at 29-year-old has revealed he slept with a lot of women when he was in his prime.   The 80-year-old told The Herald Sun on Sunday he has likely slept with more than a thousand women in his time, adding: 'I would go through six girls a week in London.'   Speaking of his promiscuous life at that time, George, who is the only Australian to have ever played 007, said: 'It was the time of the pill, mini-skirts, the girls were crazy. You had to run and hide after a while.'  

  The legendary star said the rumour of him bedding a thousand women was most likely true, explaining: 'There wasn't anything better to do. I don't know, I never counted but it went on from 1964 until 1980 when AIDS came in. I didn't want to die for it.'   Describing one shocking sexual encounter on the 1969 film set, George said: 'I was messing with the receptionist at the hotel in the stuntman's tent and she was walking up the path and the boys lifted the side of the tent up and there I was on the job. That blew it with Diana and me' he recalled. Read the full article

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Border closure, forex restriction’ll boost capital market –Minister

By Tony Ademiluyi The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, has said the gains being recorded from the border closure and the foreign exchange restriction on 44 items will increase domestic business’ activities and make the capital market more active. Adebayo, while speaking at the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s session on consumer goods, said there was no doubt that the consumer goods sector remained a critical segment and played an integral role in the development and advancement of the Nigerian economy. According to him, available statistics show that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 1.94 per cent year-on-year in real terms in the second quarter of 2019, with the manufacturing sector contributing 11.49 per cent to nominal GDP. He said the sector had nonetheless experienced various economic turmoil in recent years as witnessed in the foreign exchange market between 2014 and 2017, which made the government take immediate steps to redress the problems by banning forex access for purchase of 41 items in 2015. Adebayo stated that the consumer market in the country was valued at $377bn in 2013 and expected to peak at $454.3bn by 2025. He said, “Nigeria, with a population estimated at 200 million people with 72 per cent under the age of 30, indicates a huge potential for future investment and consumption activities. “Nations must be proactive and focused to deliver the right policies and programmes using critical institutions – both public and private – to boost output by providing the right environment and financing for businesses to thrive. “This, to my mind, is where the capital market should take the lead as a financial intermediator.” He added that the Federal Government remained committed to improving the business environment towards industrialisation and economic prosperity. The Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, said the exchange had made policy advocacy and strategy execution efforts to ensure a positive impact was made in the private sector, and more importantly, listed companies. He said the NSE continued to engage the Federal Government on tax incentives for listed companies and exemption relating to investments in the capital market. Onyema said, “We are delighted to note that we have made some strides in our discussions, some of which are evident in the proposed amendments to the Finance Bill 2019, which has now been passed by both Houses of the National Assembly.” He noted that the NSE was mindful of the legislative process and was optimistic of future implementations.

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I was warned to be wary of Shaibu, SSG –Obaseki

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Sunday disclosed that he was warned to be wary of his deputy, Philip Shaibu and the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, after he was inaugurated as governor. The governor, who spoke at a praise and worship night to mark Shaibu’s 50th birthday, however, said there was no internal rancour in his administration because himself, Shaibu and Ogie were driven by the same values. He said the three of them aligned easily in taking decisions because they shared the same thoughts and values. He said, “Once I made the decision of picking him (Shaibu) as my running mate, I didn’t have peace. People said I was finished and have been set up. They said I should not eat or drink in my office when I am with him and Ogie. “I was clear in my mind. I do not see how we would have succeeded in doing the things we have done without him. “For him, it is about Edo people. What I find unique about him is that he is not driven by materialism. He is in the struggle not for himself or his family.” Obaseki described Shaibu as a die-hard loyalist who, he said, staked his life for the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole.  Apparently responding to the allegation by Oshiomhole that Shaibu betrayed him, the governor said his deputy was rather betrayed when the person he looked up to was unraveled as unreal.  Ogie on his part said he met the deputy governor during the struggle to free the people of the state from the godfathers. He said, “They call us twin brothers but we are now three. We are getting stronger every day. Shaibu is a man you can trust. He is a man of conviction. He has given everything for our state. “It is unfortunate that those who we sacrificed a lot for to keep in office are now on the other side. Will they come back to appreciate the price that was paid for them?” On his part, Shaibu promised to continue to live by those values and vowed to stand by Obaseki.

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Jan 12 date for illegal aliens’ deportation stands — FG

The Federal Government has insisted that any undocumented alien that fails to take part in the e-registration of the Nigeria Immigration Service will be deported after the January 12, 2020 deadline.  The NIS spokesman, Sunday James, who stated this  in a telephone interview also said any Nigerian who engaged undocumented migrants as security guards, nannies or housemaids could be sentenced to seven years in jail and fined N1m by the court as from January 2020. The NIS also said aliens who failed to participate in the ongoing e-registration would be deported and might be barred from returning to Nigeria. James admonished Nigerian employers of irregular migrants to encourage them to register with the NIS in order to avoid the stiff sanctions awaiting defaulters. He stated that the concerned foreigners, including ECOWAS nationals, had till January 12 to register on the NIS portal. James disclosed that over 30,000 migrants had registered in the Federal Capital Territory since the programme started in July. He said, “By the Nigeria Immigration Act, 2015, any Nigerian keeping irregular migrants who have not been documented in their house or in their business places would also partake of the punishment that would be meted out to the undocumented migrant. “There is a fine of N1m or seven years imprisonment or both for the Nigerian host or employer of the irregular migrant. This would be prescribed by the court. For the migrant, he or she will be deported and would not be allowed to come back to Nigeria. We have given all undocumented foreigners till January next year to register on the e-migration portal.” Meanwhile, the Republic of Benin will on Monday (today), begin the census of her nationals in Nigeria in compliance with the ECOWAS treaty to guarantee their security in the host country. Announcing this in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Sunday, the Deputy General Secretary of Benin Government, Cyrille Govgbedji, told journalists that the exercise would begin simultaneously in Abuja and Saki in the Oke Ogun area of Oyo State. The census would last three weeks, he stated. On the objectives of the census, Govgbedji said, “the exercise is to make sure that any Beninoise national resident in Nigeria has ECOWAS Identity Card to guarantee his or her stay in accordance with the existing statute.” Read the full article