SABINEWS MORNING NEWS FOR MARCH 13, 2017
Troops kill pregnant suicide bomber, rescue 211 in Borno
Two suicide bombers, including a pregnant woman, have been shot dead by troops of the Nigerian Army after they were intercepted on Maiduguri-Damboa Road, Borno State.
It was learnt that the bombers, who were about 18 years old, were killed around a security post in Ummarari Village on Saturday, after they refused to stop for a search. Read more
Controversy as Buhari extends perm sec’s tenure twice
President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the tenure of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Jamila Shu’ara, for another one year, the Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu, has stated.
This will make it the second of such an extension for Shu’ara, whose tenure expired in February 2016, when she turned 60 years. Read more
Past administration was extravagant, says Soludo
From experts and economic actors, came a verdict that collective efforts are the requisite to turn the ailing economy back to the path of growth. The consensus was reached at the Vanguard Economic Discourse tagged, “The Hard Facts To Rescue Nigerian Economy”.
Starting the discourse was former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo, who said that Nigeria is a fragile state that needs the private sector’s involvement in getting it out of the challenge. Read more
SERAP urges minister to recall sacked whistle-blower over alleged fraud
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has been urged to ensure the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of Mr. Ntia Thompson the whistle-blower who was sacked for exposing an alleged $229,000 fraud in the ministry.
The request followed an open letter to the minister by Lagos-based rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) yesterday. Read more
Delta government, SDP trade words over N14.5b Paris fund
The Delta State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has alleged that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa misappropriated the N14.5 billion Paris club collected by the state.
The party’s chairman, Mr. Oke Idawene, told journalists yesterday in Asaba, that Okowa has refused to tell the people how the money was spent. According to him, the governor collected the fund in December last year, but allegedly spent it on frivolous projects, while claiming to have utilised it to develop the state. Read more
AMCON takes over debtor hospitality firm
Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), at the weekend, took over the assets of Mustasons Guest House Limited, as well as obtained an order, which froze all identifiable and/or traceable accounts both in Nigeria and abroad.
The move became necessary, according to AMCON, as the debt, estimated at nearly N500 million, was long due and all efforts to resolve the matter without going to court and reaching this stage were not successful. Read more
Ibori rallies support for Governor Okowa’s re-election in 2019
Former Delta state governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, has rallied support for the incumbent governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa ahead of the 2019 elections.
He spoke yesterday in Oghara, at a welcome ceremony organised in his honour by Delta Political Vanguard for Okowa, a socio-political group led by Michael Diden, member representing Warri North Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly. Read more
Compulsory fire insurance for markets
Fire outbreaks are regular occurrences in Nigerian markets. In recent times, we have had fire outbreaks in Singa Market and Sabon Gari Market in Kano, Birnin Kebbi Central Market, Kebbi State, Ikom Main Market in Cross Rivers State, fruit market in Gombe, Yola Market in Adamawa State, Old Market, Sokoto, Odopetu Market in Akure, Ondo State, Mammy Market, behind Arena Shopping Complex, Oshodi, Lagos, Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, Ariaria Market, Aba, Abia State, Timber Market, Enugu, Bodija and Aleshinloye markets, Ibadan, Oyo State and at least three fire outbreaks over the last four years in Balogun Market, Lagos, among many others. Read more
Foreign investor to stake $23m in underwriting deal
South Africa’s Liberty Holdings Company, has revealed plans to acquire a 75 per cent stake in a Nigerian long-term insurer for 160 million rand ($12 million), the company said, after reporting a 38 per cent decline in earnings, The Guardian has learnt.
This development would further enlarge foreign domination of the nation’s insurance sector, while the quest for growth and development of insurance portfolios heightened. Read more
Suspected conference laptop thief arrested in ‘house fellowship’
Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a man, who specialised in stealing laptops and property of conference participants in Lagos State.
The suspect, Ikemefuna Aje, 47, was arrested last week after he gatecrashed into a seminar organised for Internet brand managers at a popular hotel in GRA Ikeja, Lagos. He made away with five MacBooks, one HP computer and some assorted personal effects of the workshop participants. Read more
Ambode urges support for new environmental policy
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has assured Lagosians that the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, which reviewed the state’s environmental laws, will reduce rather than increase the hardship being faced by the people.
Ambode, who stated this in a statement, described the initiative as a creative solution to the seemingly intractable refuse problem confronting the state. Read more
HURIWA faults Army’s investigation of Amnesty’s report on killings, rights’ abuses
A pro-democracy and Civil rights body, Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA), says the belated decision by the Army’s headquarters to investigate the Amnesty International’s report on the killing of over 200 members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and rights abuses is an afterthought which lacks credibility. Read more
Two herdsmen killed in Southern Kaduna, group threatens reprisal attack
Two Fulani herdsmen were killed Saturday afternoon in Southern Kaduna sparking fresh fears of renewed violence in the area.The herdsmen were reportedly shot at about 4:00pm while herding cattle in Unguwan Maiyaashi village in Jema’a local government area and Madakiya community in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.
Confirming the incident, Spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, Aliyu Usman, said that some suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and would be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed. Read more
Edo plans state burial for Ogbemudia, Obaseki, others pay tributes
Governor Godwin Obaseki has paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, just as the state government has set up a 13-member committee to commence burial plans.
The late military governor of old Midwest and Bendel State, (now Edo and Delta states) would be given a state burial on Friday. This is in fulfillment of the elder statesman’s wish that his remains should not be allowed to stay too long before interment. Read more
PDP chieftains defect to APC
Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina and Gombe states, Senator Ibrahim Idah and Alhaji Farouk Bamusa moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the weekend. Idah represented Katsina Central Senatorial District under the People’s Democratic Party while Bamusa, a founding member of the PDP in Gombe, who once contested in the governorship primaries in 2011, announced his defection to the APC, in his ward, in Kwami town. Read more
Wike constitutes administrative panel of inquiry to review traditional chieftaincy stools
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has signed an instrument constituting an administrative panel of inquiry to review the classification of traditional chieftaincy stools in the state.
The governor will inaugurate the panel today at the executive council chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt by 2.00pm. Read more
BEDC official electrocuted during ‘illegal’ duty in Ondo
Personnel of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), were gripped with grief at the weekend as one of their colleagues, a middle-aged man, was electrocuted in the course of duty in Ondo State.
The late BEDC official, who was simply identified as Kola and working at the administrative headquarters of Ondo West Local Council, met his untimely death when trying to connect a new building to a nearby power pole. Read more
Makarfi faults Seriake Dickson’s committee report, says it will worsen crisis
National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Mohammed, has said the report submitted to Ali Modu Sheriff and the proposed party convention by Reconciliation Committee Chairman and Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson was an ill wind that blows no good for the party.
Makarfi said for Dickson to pull out of the unanimous proposal drafted at a meeting of the 11 PDP governors with former President Goodluck Jonathan and to come up with a personal proposal he submitted to Sheriff’s group was a mischievous act that would further deepen the party’s crisis. Read more
NUC approves degree programmes for Katsina education college
The Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsinma, Katsina State, has received the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to award Bachelor of Education degrees in eight programmes.
Speaking at the weekend during the school’s maiden combined convocation ceremony, the Provost, Dr. Maigari Abdu, said the development followed recent NUC and the Ahmadu Bello University visitation teams which assessed resources at the college. Read more
Nation building: JAMB lauds media with caution notes
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has commended the Nigerian media for their role in nation building and transformation of the society.
He gave the commendation in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Dr Fabian Benjamin, yesterday in Lagos.
He said the media remained a veritable tool in the board’s quest to execute its mandate of ensuring a brighter future for the Nigerian child . Read more
2 robbers killed in gun battle with police
The Bayelsa State Police Command at the weekend killed two robbery suspects in Yenagoa, the state capital.
It was gathered that a three-man robbery gang had attacked Ankos Supermarket in Opolo just before the Special Anti-Robbery Squad arrived. The police team immediately engaged the robbers in a gunfight. Two badly-injured robbers were arrested, while the third suspect escaped with bullet wounds. Read more
Navy dismisses personnel caught with Indian hemp
A Naval rating allegedly found in possession of 14.5 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa (Indian Hemp) has been dismissed and handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for prosecution.
The Nigerian Navy said that the officer was dismissed after he was found guilty of the offence. Read more
Nigeria’s economy set for growth, says finance minister
Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to return the economy on a path of sustainable growth having weathered the storm of a difficult macroeconomic environment over the years.
She said this during a courtesy visit by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington. Read more
South-East, South-South Professionals to set up Economic Union
SOUTH-East and South-South professionals have begun arrangements aimed at establishing an economic union for the zones. The arrangements, as gathered, is intended to lead Nigeria’s economic emancipation drive. Already, the groups have concluded plans to hold a conference in collaboration with the governors of all the concerned states in the region on April 18, at Owerri, capital of Imo state. Read more
Why cost of doing business is high – CBN
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, weekend stated why the cost of doing business in the country is very high, stressing that it is a component of many factors and not interest rate alone as generally perceived. The CBN further stated that the exclusion of 41 items is meant to conserve foreign exchange and encourage local production to boost the country’s export earnings. Read more
NECA Calls for Effective Implementation of FG’s Economic Recovery Plan
Members of the organised private sector under the aegis Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), have called on the federal government to ensure focused, concerted and effective implementation of the all actions and initiatives contained in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan(ERGP).
The President of NECA, Mr. Larry Ettah, who spoke on behalf members of the association on the state of the Nigerian economy in Lagos, commended the federal government on the release of the ERGP. Read more
Group harps on privatisation of assets to support economy
Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has reiterated the need for the Federal Government to relinquish its interests in national assets.This, NESG believe would enable government to focus primarily on regulations, welfare of citizens and benefit maximally from private sector-led economic development.
It has been argued that if government divested its stakes in these assets, the proceeds can be deployed in the development of other sectors particularly infrastructure, which is seen to be in dire state. Read more
CBN to Auction N219bn Treasury Bills
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is expected to auction treasury bills worth N218.8 billion this week, in line with its mandate to manage the volume of liquidity in the system.
Also, this week, it is expected that money market rates would trend northwards as liquidity levels tighten in response to the scheduled treasury bills auction, the Debt Management Office’s (DMO) monthly bonds auction and the commencement of the FGN savings bonds. Read more
Forex: 41 items remain banned, says Emefiele
Those thinking that the embargo on the 41 items may have been lifted were proed wrong over the weekend as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, stated that the ban is not only in force but also canvassed their support for the policy.
According to Emefiele, the policy was not just in response to the pressure on the Naira, but also as an opportunity to change the economy’s structure, resuscitate local manufacturing, and expand job creation for the citizenry. Read more
Economic recovery: German parliament pledges support
Head of Bundestrat, Ms Malu Dreyer, disclosed at the weekend that the Upper Chamber of the German Parliament has pledged the country’s support to Nigeria, in its economic recovery effort.
Dreyer said this when she received a delegation of the Nigeria Senate, led by its President, Dr Bukola Saraki, in Berlin. She noted that Nigeria deserves Germany’s support, to boost its economic recovery plans.
A statement by Saraki’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, quoted Dreyer as saying that “Germany will support the on-going economic recovery programme in the country.” Read more
Nigeria to lose Africa’s economic crown
In April 2014, Nigeria proudly declared that, as a result of a statistical revision, its economic output in 2013 had hit $509bn, almost twice as high as previously thought. With South Africa’s gross domestic product coming in at just $372bn, Nigeria had taken pole position as Africa’s largest economy.
A year later, the gulf had grown wider still, with strong growth propelling Nigeria’s GDP to $568bn, even as South Africa, undermined by weak growth and a falling rand, saw its GDP, in dollar terms, slip to $352bn. Read more
Malabu Oil Scandal: Former Nigerian Attorney General Adoke Implicates Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan
Former Nigerian Attorney-General General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke has claimed innocence of any fraud in the controversial Malabu Oil Settlement Scandal, saying the transaction was approved by former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, the late Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan. Read more
RusselSmith Bags Chevron Environment and Safety Award
At the recently concluded Chevron Contractor Line Management HES Forum, RusselSmith Group, a leading Integrated Oilfield Services company, received a recognition certificate in acknowledgment of projects concluded without recordable incidents over a one year period (January 2016 to December 2016) for the Nigeria/Mid Africa Strategic Business Unit of Chevron Nigeria Limited.
At the presentation of the certificate, which took place in Lagos, Chevron Nigeria Limited lauded RusselSmith for quality and safety-focused service delivery on projects executed within the period. The event also saw other contractors being recognised for excellent service delivery. Read more
Nigeria may lose OPEC‘s oil production exemption
Nigeria may lose the oil production exemption granted it and Libya by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as a result of production disruptions, it was gathered at the weekend.
These disruptions were occasioned by attacks on infrastructure in the two countries. Read more
Good policies can reposition Nigeria’s oil, gas industry
Nigeria’s inability to attract fresh investment in the oil and gas sector or expand existing ones has left the country in a precarious situation. The loss for Nigeria has become the gain of other countries, including, Ghana, Gabon and Angola, which have become new frontiers for oil exploration in Africa.
Today, investors, especially those operating in upstream, have found new haven in these countries. The investment loss for the country is occasioned by the lack of clear cut policy direction for the oil and gas industry as policies, including fiscals and legal regulatory framework, are not clear enough and in some cases shrouded in secrecy. Read more
NCDMB, IOCs pledge to fast-track projects implementation
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and some international oil companies (IOCs) have promised to fast-track oil and gas projects implementation to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production and create opportunities for the growth and development of Nigerian Content.
The IOCs gave the assurance when the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Simbi Kesiye Wabote, visited them in Lagos to seek collaboration and make firm commitment to support upcoming projects. Read more
Plateau United, EL Kanemi maintain lead, Remo Stars beat ABS 3-0
Plateau United and El Kanemi Warriors yesterday continued their cozy ride on top of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) table with 2-0 victories over Kano Pillars and Niger Tornadoes respectively.
Playing at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos, Plateau United scored a goal in each half through Ibeh Johnson (15th minute) and Elisha Golbe in the 55th-minute to hold onto the top of the table. It was Pillars first defeat in six games, just as it marked Plateau United’s sixth home win at the stadium. Read more
NPFL: Plateau maintains lead, as 3SC holds Gombe
Plateau United maintained its leadership of the Nigeria Professional Football League table after an impressive 2-0 win against Kano Pillars at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos on Sunday.
A goal in each half from Ibeh Johnson and Elisha Golbe in the 15th and 55th minutes sealed the win for Plateau United.
The victory was Plateau’s sixth at the Rwang Pam Stadium this season, it was Pillars’ first defeat in their last six games, after three wins and two draws.
In Maiduguri, El Kanemi Warriors stretched their winning run at the El-Kanemi Stadium to 20 games and kept pace with leaders Plateau United at the top of the log following a 2-0 win against Niger Tornadoes. Read more
Douglas: Group, family criticise NFF for shunning burial
The National Association of Nigerian Professional Footballers has criticised the Nigeria Football Federation for its absence at the burial of former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles player, Douglas Uzama, in Benin on Saturday.
The 18-year-old Gombe United player was shot dead by suspected cultists in Benin on December 29, 2016. Douglas was reportedly relaxing with some of his friends in a nearby bar close to their 14, Apostolic Street, off Sakponba Road residence when two boys came in and shot the player. Read more
Manchester City dream big as Leicester wrestle Sevilla
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne is targeting another deep Champions League run, although Pep Guardiola’s side must first negotiate a tricky last 16 second leg against Monaco this week.
City recovered from twice falling behind to outgun the French league leaders 5-3 in the opening leg in Manchester, but Monaco’s formidable attacking threat could still shatter the Premier League club’s aspirations.
Under Manuel Pellegrini last season City reached the semi-finals for the first time, losing to eventual champions Real Madrid 1-0 on aggregate, and De Bruyne is confident they can go further with Guardiola. Read more
Petr Cech defends under-fire Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez
Petr Cech has leapt to the defence of under-fire teammate Alexis Sanchez and insists any claims that the player was laughing at Arsenal’s plight during their 5-1 thrashing to Bayern Munich are “disrespectful.”
Sanchez came in for criticism when he appeared in jovial spirits while sat on the bench having been substituted during Arsenal’s record defeat at the Emirates Stadium. Read more
Real Madrid go atop La Liga with controversy as Barca lose a squeaker
FC Barcelona lost the leadership of La Liga on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat away to Deportivo la Coruna.
Barca went into the game in the wake of their 6-1 win at home to Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday night, but played without Neymar, and fell behind to a 40th minute goal to Joselu. Luis Suarez drew Barca level quickly after the break, but Alex Bergantinos, making a rare start for Deportivo, netted the winner with 16 minutes remaining. Read more
Ramos strikes again as Real Madrid prosper from Barcelona hangover
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos struck another late winner as the European champions usurped Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Real Betis on Sunday.
Earlier, Barca boss Luis Enrique accepted his side had struggled to shrug off the euphoria of a remarkable Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain as the Spanish champions slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat at Deportivo la Coruna. Read more
The Kim Jong Nam murder is the best smokescreen for Malaysia
I AGREE Malaysians need to stand behind the government in their efforts to negotiate for the return of the nine Malaysians currently in North Korea, who are being denied the right to leave the country by the authorities.
For those who may be unfamiliar (although I can’t imagine who), this is an incident directly linked to the murder of Kim Jong Nam, the older half-brother of North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un. Read more
Guatemalan children’s shelter fire: death toll rises to 40 as demonstrations erupt
The death toll in a fire at a Guatemalan children’s shelter has risen to 40 with the announcement that another girl ha died of burns.
The death was announced by Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala’s capital. Nineteen of the adolescents perished at the scene of Wednesday’s inferno and 21 others have died in local hospitals. Read more
Saudi deputy crown prince goes to meet Trump – agency
Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman left Saudi Arabia on Monday for the United States for a visit scheduled to include talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Royal Court said in a statement carried by state news agency SPA.
It will be the first meeting between the powerful son of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, who is spearheading a Saudi economic reform plan, and the U.S. president since Trump came to office in January. Read more
Donald Trump casts long shadow over Dutch election
The long shadow Donald Trump is casting across Europe is falling first on the Netherlands, where voters go to the polls Wednesday for the first test of whether his political coattails have a real lift, or serve as a dangerous drag on the prospects of Europe’s resurgent populist right. It will be evidence as to the appeal of anti-Muslim candidates seeking to ban refugees and reject the concept of a united Europe. Read more
