SABINEWS MORNING NEWS UPDATE FOR JUNE 15, 2017
Saraki’s discharge by CCT is outrageous- Presidency
The Presidency, on Wednesday, described as outrageous and travesty of justice the acquittal of Senate President Bukola Saraki by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which upheld the no-case submission of the Senate President.
The Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, wondered why the CCT dismissed the weight of “overwhelming evidence” against Saraki, who was tried for false asset declaration by the Federal Government. Read more
Nigeria regains Africa’s top oil producer status
Buoyed by the return of the Forcados export terminal, the nation’s oil production has surpassed that of its rival, Angola, the latest data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries has shown.
Nigeria, which again lost its Africa’s top oil producer status to Angola in January after it regained it in November last year, recorded the biggest increase in output among its peers in the OPEC last month. Read more
Osinbajo meets S’East leaders, says war start with words
The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday warned those who have been engaging in hate speeches across ethnic lines in all parts of the country to always take into consideration that wars sometimes start with words and not necessarily with bullets.
Osinbajo handed down the warning in his opening remarks at a meeting he had with leaders of thought from the South-East at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Read more
W’Bank: Infrastructural Devt in Lagos Impacting Positively on Residents
The Word Bank has commended the massive infrastructural development ongoing across Lagos State under the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration, noting that such projects were impacting positively on the lives of Lagosians.
Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank, Mr. Joaquim Vieira Levy noted this when he paid a courtesy visit to the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Idiat Oluranti Adebule at the Round House, Alausa Secretariat, recently. Read more
Building Institutional Capacity Vital for Nigeria’s Economic Recovery, Says Udoma
The Ministry of Budget and National Planning has stated that building institutional capacities is vital for Nigeria’s economic recovery, noting that the country is blessed with abundant human and natural resources, but managing these resources still remains a challenge.
The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, explained that Nigeria must begin to invest massively in developing capacity for management and human resources to achieve economic growth and stability. Read more
NGO Empowers Women Nationwide on Sustainable Work
A hands-on training workshop with the theme ‘Enhancing effectiveness and efficiency of women-run Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Nigeria’ was recently held in Lagos.
The workshop, which was held in Ikeja, sought to empower women to enhance their capacity to run sustainable NGOs that can seek support and funding from reputable organisations. It was facilitated by the Enterprise for Development International (EfDI), an international development agency and supported by ExxonMobil, an oil company. Read more
United Nations Commends Nigeria on SDGs Implementation
The efforts of the Federal Government to effectively domesticate and implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) got a big boost in Abuja recently with the United Nations pledging its partnership and support to Nigeria to deliver on the implementation of the SDGs. The pledge was made when the Global Director of the United Nations SDG Action Campaign, Mr. Mitchell Toomey paid a courtesy visit to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire. Read more
Teens unite, bridges gap between private, public schools
AS part of efforts to mark 2017 childrens’s day, Teens Unite, a non governmental organisation, NGO hosted students in Lagos to a talent hunt tagged, “ Harnessing talents for his Kingdom.” The event had students from private and public schools such as Honeyland School, Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Doregos Private Academy, Abesan Comprehensive Junior Secondary School, Faith Heritage and Jakande Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, competed in bible quiz, choreography, music and orchestral performances and drama display. Read more
AUN appoints new president
THE Board of Trustees of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), has appointed Dr. Dawn Dekle as president. Dekle who is currently serving as president of Orkhon University in Mongolia, was selected after an international search and was endorsed unanimously by the Board to assume office from July 1, 2017. Read more
#Justice4joyodama: IGP Orders Fresh Autopsy
Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 ordered fresh autopsy after meeting with parents of the deceased, family members and other parties involved in the murder issue.
The alleged killer of the deceased Alhaji Usman Adamu, who was declared wanted by the Nigerian Police Force came appeared in the room with some Policemen and took his seat after exchanging pleasantries with other police men seated during preliminary hearing. Read more
Court Remands 5 For Illegal Importation Of 661 Pump-Action Rifles
Justice Ayokunle Faji of Federal High Court in Lagos remanded five men, who allegedly imported 661 pump-action rifles into the country without lawful authority in prison custody.
The judge gave the order after the accused persons: Mahmud Hassan, Oscar Okafor, Donatus Achinulo, Matthew Okoye, said be at large, and Salihu Danjuma, were arraigned before him by the federal government on an eight count charge of conspiracy, importation of prohibited firearms, forgery, uttering of forged documents, and bribery. Read more
Appeal Court upturns Orubebe’s conviction for false asset declaration
The Court of Appeal has set aside the conviction of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godsday Orubebe by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
A three-man panel of the court sitting in Abuja held yesterday that the CCT, headed by Danladi Umar, was wrong to have convicted Orubebe for false asset declaration when he had sold the property he was accused of not declaring. Read more
IMN calls for release of leader Zakzaky
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has organized yet another rally in the capital, calling for the release of its leader Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaki. The Sheikh remains in custody more than 18 months after Nigerian security forces stormed his residence and killed scores of his supporters in the country’s north. Read more
Oshiomhole: why I accepted N200m severance package
Former Edo State Governor has explained why he accepted the N200m severance package approved for him by the Edo State House of Assembly.
He spoke in the current edition, described by the MD/Editor-In-Chief, Azu Ishiekwene, as “perhaps one of the most exhaustive in the magazine’s nearly two-year history”. Read more
Sagay shocked as Ozekhome, others hail judgment
Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) Chairman Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) yesterday expressed shock over Senate President Bukola Saraki’s acquittal by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
He said contrary to the tribunal’s position, he was convinced that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to warrant Saraki to defend himself. Read more
Ekweremadu, Fayose, senators happy
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose and senators yesterday described as “victory for democracy” the discharge and acquittal of Senate President Bukola Saraki by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Ekweremadu said it did not come to him as a surprise given that, “like the trumped up forgery and conspiracy charges slammed against him and Saraki which was later withdrawn by the Federal Government, the CCT trial was hatched in the coven of evil politics and was, therefore, bound to fall like a pack of cards.” Read more
Marketers beg Fed Govt to clear N800b debt
Marketers yesterday spoke of financial constraints, begging the Federal Government to pay them N800billion spent on fuel import. The cash also covers interest on bank loans.
The marketers , which are owing banks over $1.2 billion, appealed to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for “urgent intervention”. Read more
Benue Tiv community attacked
Fiidi, a Tiv community in Benue State, on the Makurdi-Gboko highway, was yesterday attacked by Jukun youths. This is coming barely three two weeks after suspected Jukun militia attacked another Tiv settlement.
Several houses were razed, including the palace of the Kindred Head of Fiidi, Chief Uor Adi.
St. Patrick Catholic Church was also burnt but the priest in charge, Fr. Vitalis Torwel, escaped unhurt. Read more
Senate seat: Hussain, Adeleke are APC, PDP candidates
A former commissioner in Osun State, Mudashiru Hussein, was elected yesterday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Osun West Senatorial District’s July 8 by-election.
He polled 2,412 of the 2,413 votes cast in the party’s primary held at the De Distinguished Event Centre on the outskirts of Osogbo in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State. Read more
Naira Watch: External reserves down to 3-month low
The nation’s external reserved has dropped to $30.22 billion, the lowest level in three months. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disclosed this Wednesday on its website. The apex bank revealed that the external reserve dropped to $30.222 billion on Tuesday June 13th, representing a weekly decline of $68 million when compared with the $30.290 billion achieved the previous Tuesday of June 6th.
Read more
Charting a New Course for Professionalism in Healthcare
In the interest of consumers in the health sector, the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy in partnership with Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has mobilised health professionals to brainstorm on the imperatives of inter-professional collaboration in fostering good healthcare. Raheem Akingbolu was at the event
It was apparent right from the beginning that this was not going to be your usual health event. Read more
Uniyal: Consumers Will Get More Value if Manufacturing Challenges are Surmounted
Managing Director, Euro Global Foods and Distilleries Limited, Mr. Manish Uniyal speaks on the nation’s economy and the efforts being made by his company to add more value to consumers’ demand. Raheem Akingbolu brings the excerpts: What is your assessment of the first quarter performance of the Nigerian Economy vis-à-vis the economic recession; would you say progress has been made?
The Nigerian economy, which was severely hit in 2016 by the drop in the crude oil price and crude oil production, is beginning to show some signs of positive outlook and recovery. The economy, which officially entered into a recession in Q2 2016 following the release of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures showing two consecutive quarters of GDP contraction, is showing strong signs of recovery. Read more
Nigeria’s economy threatened by increasing U.S. oil exports, price volatility
Nigeria’s oil based economy may be living on borrowed time, as the global market, especially the United States (U.S.), becomes less dependent on Africa’s crude and prices face more and more volatility, The Guardian reports.
Rystad Energy, the energy data warehouse, predicts oil production in the U.S. is growing so fast that an all-time high of 10 million barrels per day could be reached before December 31. Until recently — when it was upstaged by China and India — the U.S. was a major destination for Nigeria’s crude. But ramped-up production of shale is providing an alternative. Read more
Building Institutional Capacity Vital for Nigeria’s Economic Recovery, Says Udoma
The Ministry of Budget and National Planning has stated that building institutional capacities is vital for Nigeria’s economic recovery, noting that the country is blessed with abundant human and natural resources, but managing these resources still remains a challenge.
The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, explained that Nigeria must begin to invest massively in developing capacity for management and human resources to achieve economic growth and stability. Read more
Lekoil gets minister’s nod for interest in OPL 310
Lekoil, a West Africa-focused oil company, says it has received the consent of the Federal Government to complete the transfer of the original 17.14 per cent participating interest that it acquired in OPL 310 in February 2013 to its subsidiary, Mayfair Assets and Trust Limited.
The company said its acquisition of Afren Plc’s remaining 22.86 per cent participating interest in OPL 310 (through Lekoil 310 Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lekoil) as announced on December 1, 2015, remained conditional upon receiving ministerial consent. Read more
ExxonMobil, others to empower 10,000 people
The fourth edition of a youth development programme organised by ExxonMobil, National Basketball Association and Africare, is expected to empower 10,000 beneficiaries drawn from schools and vulnerable communities.
A statement on Wednesday said the Power Forward programme would teach and mentor 300 students from 10 secondary schools annually in Abuja on health literacy and life skills such as leadership, respect and personal responsibility through basketball and other programming to positively impact the students. Read more
‘NFF Must Learn Lessons From Eagles’ Defeat To Bafana’
Nigerian international and Fulham forward, Sone Aluko has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to learn lessons and move on from Super Eagles’ stunning defeat to South Africa last weekend in Uyo, saying there are lots of improvements to be made.
Goals from Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau were all Stuart Baxter’s men needed to silence Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo – a result that could have big implications in the race for 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Read more
How Rohr Sparked Rumours Of His Sack By NFF After Meeting With Technical Committee
Rumours of the sacking of Gernot Rohr by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made rounds on social media no thanks to the comment of the coach after a meeting with the technical committee of the NFF.
Rohr had a meeting with the Chris green lead Technical committee of the NFF to discuss the fall out from Nigeria’s 0-2 loss to South Africa in the AFCON 2019 Qualifiers played in Uyo. Read more
Why Arsenal Linked Wonderkid Did Not Turn Up For Nigeria Vs South Africa
Arsenal linked wonderkid Lateef Omidiji Jnr didn’t turn up at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium for his presentation to the public and media on Saturday.
The Nigerian Federation had planned to present the 13-year-old before the national team’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa but his school in the Netherlands didn’t give him the go-ahead to travel to Uyo.
”Lateef would have loved to honour the invitation, but school is in the final weeks. There will be plenty of opportunities, hopefully the Cameroon game, ” a top source close to the Feyenoord striker told allnigeriasoccer.com. Read more
Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool Nigerian Stars Discover Premier League
The Premier League announced the schedule for the 2017-2018 campaign on Wednesday morning, and there are some interesting match-ups involving players of Nigerian descent on the opening day, August 12, 2017.
Super Eagles winger Alex Iwobi and teammate Chuba Akpom will be hoping to be in the Arsenal squad for the visit of Leicester City, who pay the wages of Ahmed Musa and Wilfred Ndidi. Read more
Harry Maguire’s exit from Hull City to Leicester City to be announced today
Harry Maguire’s Hull City career is expected to formally end today with the conformation he’s signed a deal with Leicester City.
The Foxes are set to announce the defender after the 24-year-old yesterday completed his medical and agreed personal terms with the 2016 Premier League champions. Read more
France announces host cities for 2019 Women’s World Cup
Earlier on Wednesday, the French Football Federation announced the nine cities that will host the matches of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The 8th edition of the tournament, the World Cup will feature 24 international squads that will journey through Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon, Allianz Riviera in Nice, Stade Oceane in Le Havre, Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, Roazhon Park in Rennes, Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes, Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, and finally Stad Jean-Bouin in Paris in an attempt to hoist the World Cup TrophyRead more
Bayern signs Corentin Tolisso in Bundesliga record transfer
MUNICH (AP) Bayern Munich signed French midfielder Corentin Tolisso for a Bundesliga-record of at least 41.5 million euros ($46.8 million) from Lyon on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Tolisso signed a five-year deal, Bayern said, while Lyon announced the transfer fee and said that add-ons could see it increase by another 6 million euros ($6.8 million). Read more
Messi is a ‘f****** great guy’ – Barca team-mate Suarez
Lionel Messi is a “f****** great guy” according to Barcelona team-mate Denis Suarez, who praised the five-time Ballon d’Or win for remaining humble at Camp Nou.
Spanish midfielder Suarez returned to Barcelona last July and featured in the first team alongside the club’s all-time leading scorer Messi. Messi enjoyed another fine campaign, scoring 54 goals in all competitions. Read more
Tunisia extends state of emergency for another four months
For the first time, Tunisia has prolonged the countrywide state of emergency, which has been in place for more than a year and a half the president’s office announced yesterday.
“Following consultations with Prime Minister Yusuf Al-Shahid and the Parliament Speaker Mohamed Al-Nasser, President Beji Caid Essebsi has decided on Wednesday to extend the state of emergency for four additional months, effective as of Thursday, 15 June” according to a statement issued by the president’s office. Read more
Algeria’s Bouteflika urges spending cuts, warns on foreign debt
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Wednesday ordered his government to keep reducing imports and to rationalise spending to cope with a sharp fall in oil and gas earnings, but warned against turning to foreign debt.
Bouteflika, who has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013, appeared on state television briefly presiding over a cabinet meeting with the new government put in place last month after legislative elections. Read more
Trump admin amends travel ban date to keep legal battle alive
The Trump administration on Wednesday moved to amend the starting date of its proposed 90-day travel ban on people entering the United States from six Muslim-majority countries in a bid to keep its legal battle alive.
The amendment appears intended to avoid the administration’s legal case at the US Supreme Court becoming moot on grounds that parts of the executive order have expired. Read more
Remaining in the Customs Union is the very worst mistake the UK could make
THIS week’s newspapers reported that the Prime Minister wants to “stick to the plan” to leave the Single Market. And yet the chancellor is said to be pushing hard to maintain participation in the Customs Union.
The HM Treasury line is deeply worrying. Retaining the common external tariff would remove any tariff threat from trading with the EU, but it would also be a very big mistake. Read more
Late night Ramadan shopping shows Indonesia’s economic spirits brightening
INDONESIA’s economic spirits are rising judging by the line of women outside a packed Furla bag shop for a traditional midnight Ramadan sale at a Jakarta mall.
The Muslim holy month, due to end in late June, is half over, and how much shopping Indonesians do during Ramadan is regarded as a reliable sign of the mood in an economy where private consumption accounts for 57 percent of gross domestic product. Read more
Qatar signs $12 bln deal to buy F-15 jets from US
Qatar’s Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday the country signed a deal to buy F-15 fighter jets from the United States for $12 billion.
The deal was completed despite the Gulf country being criticized recently by US President Donald Trump for supporting terrorism. Read more
Japan passes controversial anti-terror conspiracy law
Japan’s lawmakers have passed a controversial bill allowing authorities to target terror conspiracies.
PM Shinzo Abe’s ruling bloc pushed it through the upper house early on Thursday, despite vocal opposition. The government argues the law is needed to improve security ahead of the 2020 Olympics, and to comply with a UN agreement Japan has signed. Read more
