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Thursday 28 December 2017

George Weah elected President of Liberia

Former football star George Weah has been elected as Liberia's president.

With nearly all ballots from Tuesday's run-off vote counted, Mr Weah is well ahead of opponent Joseph Boakai with more than 60% of the vote.

As news of Mr Weah's victory emerged, his supporters began celebrating in the capital Monrovia.

He will succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first elected female president, in Liberia's first democratic handover in decades.

"My fellow Liberians, I deeply feel the emotion of all the nation," Mr Weah wrote on Twitter after the results were announced.

"I measure the importance and the responsibility of the immense task which I embrace today. Change is on."

Who is George Weah?

Mr Weah starred at top-flight European football clubs Paris St-Germain and AC Milan, before ending his career in England with brief stays at Chelsea and Manchester City.

He is the only African footballer to have won both Fifa World Player of the Year and the prestigious Ballon D'Or.

He entered politics after his retirement from the game in 2002 and is currently a senator in Liberia's parliament.

Who is George Weah?When sports stars make a run at politics

How did we get here?

Liberia, founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century, has not had a smooth transfer of power from one elected president to another since 1994


This time Mr Weah's campaign - under the Coalition for Democratic Change banner - appealed to the youth vote, while incumbent Vice-President Boakai was seen as old and out of touch.

But Mr Weah's election is not without controversy, as his running mate was Jewel Taylor, former wife of the jailed president.

Why a run-off?

Mr Weah, 51, won the first round of the presidential election in October with 38.4% of the vote, compared with the 28.8% won by second-placed Mr Boakai, 73. The failure of any candidate to secure an outright majority forced the run-off.

The National Elections Commission (NEC) said on Thursday that with 98.1% of the run-off vote counted, Mr Weah had won 61.5% of the vote while Mr Boakai was far behind with 38.5%.

Legal challenges delayed the vote to replace Ms Sirleaf, and turnout was low - put at 56% by election officials.

But election observers have praised the conduct of the poll.

More than two million people were eligible to cast their ballots in the nation of 4.6 million people.

Credit: BBC

Monday 18 December 2017

Watch Tony Elumelu Performing As The New African Micheal Jackson At Heirs Holdings Christmas Party


PICTURES: Tony Elumelu Dresses, Displays Michael Jackson’s Moves At Heirs Holdings Christmas Party


Last Saturday, 16 December, 2017, Tony Elumelu, Group Chairman of the United Bank Of Africa, UBA and Heirs Holdings, got into the festive spirit when he hosted a spectacular Christmas party.
The event was a 70’s Disco themed party, and Elumelu conformed with both the dress dictate and dance moves of this era. Being an ardent fan of Michael Jackson, the 54-year old business mogul
danced to some classics by the King of Pop like ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Black and White’.
Midway through the performance, he was joined on stage, by some other performers, who dressed in similar costumes as that of the UBA chairman. Watch video on Tony Elumelu's facebook timeline and beam at pictures below
https://www.facebook.com/tonyelumelu/videos/10154919641116949/?hc_ref=ARQKgZkLZHmrwgwi3DujdiBaR0zS9klK14gWtPrKqIp4kQu-2-nMxG96IyAT0Nxg02c

Saturday 16 December 2017

Paris Club Refund: Court Orders Akwa Ibom Govt To Deposit N20b Over Failure To Pay Mauritz Walton


On Friday, December 15, 2017, a Federal High Court ordered Akwa Ibom State government to deposit the sum of N20bn in three banks following a suit filed by Mauritz Walton Nig. Ltd against the government.
The banks, according to the court are First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank.
Mauritz had sued the Minister of Finance, Accountant General of the Federation, Central Bank of Nigeria, and Akwa State government, as the 1, 2, 3, and 4 defendants over the refusal of the government of Akwa Ibom to pay it consultancy fee over the Paris Club Refund.
Mauritz challenged the defendants on ground their refusal to abide by the Court’s interlocutory order freezing Akwa Ibom State Paris Club Refund Account, pending the determination of suit filed against the state over refusal to pay it consultancy fee on the Paris Club Refund.
Mauritz dragged the state before the court seeking the attachment of the said amount as a result of the failure of the state government to pay the applicant 30 per cent of the state’s Paris Club refund by the Federal Government being consultancy charge for the services it rendered to the state government in pursuing the refund on behalf of the government.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole gave the order Friday in the suit marked: NO FHC/ABJ/CS/1154/2017.
In a ruling, Justice Kolawole held: “Upon the application of the plaintiff’s counsel, Ahmed Rsji, SAN, informing the court of the irregularities on the Defendants Affidavit to show cause as ordered by the court of 30/11/2017; it is hereby ordered as follows:
“That in the absence of any affidavit to show cause, and the one filed by the first defendant having been held to be irregular field, it is the interest of justice that prayer in the plaintiff motion ex parts dated 31/11/17 be granted as prayed to abide the hearing and determination of the plaintiff motion and notice interlocutory injunction which may be held at future date with fourth defendant notice of preliminary objection dated 12/12/17.
“That the said prayer granted shall enable the first, second and third defendants to pay the said sum in prayer five into an interest yielding account with any of these banks: Zenith Bank, GTB PLC, and or First Bank PLC
“That this should be ruling of this court based on the agenda which I have set for today’s proceeding on 30/11/17 when the plaintiff ex parts motion was held.”
The matter was adjourned till January 30, 2018.
Justice Kolawole had frozen seven accounts linked to Governors’ Forum, which, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, were used by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to launder the sum of N10bn said to be derived from the proceeds of the Paris Club refund.
Justice Kolawole directed that the freezing order would last for 45 days within which the EFCC must either institute charges in respect of the transactions against the relevant suspects or apply to the court for an extension of the order.
The judge also gave seven days to the account owners, if interested in seeking the setting aside of the freezing order, to file an application which must be served on the EFCC.

Friday 1 December 2017

World Cup 2018 Fixtures, Dates and Venue Schedule in FULL

Here is World Cup 2018 fixtures and schedule in FULL: Every key date and venue
When and where will the games take place at next summer's World Cup in Russia? Find out here....
*All times listed CET. Kaliningrad uses CET. Kazan, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, St Petersburg, Saransk, Sochi and Volgograd are one hour ahead of CET. Samara is two hours ahead of CET. Ekaterinburg is three hours ahead of CET.



GROUP STAGES
Thursday, June 14
Russia vs Saudi Arabia Moscow (Luzhniki) 5pm
Friday, June 15
Egypt vs Uruguay Ekaterinburg 2pm 
Morocco vs Iran St Petersburg 5pm
Portugal vs Spain Sochi 8pm
Saturday, June 16
France vs Australia Kazan 12am
Argentina vs Iceland Moscow (Spartak) 3pm
Peru vs Denmark Saransk 6pm
Croatia vs Nigeria Kaliningrad 9pm
Sunday, June 17
Costa Rica vs Serbia Samara 2pm
Germany vs Mexico Moscow (Luzhniki) 5pm
Brazil vs Switzerland Rostov-on-Don 8pm
Monday, June 18
Sweden vs South Korea Nizhny Novgorod 2pm
Belgium vs Panama Sochi 5pm
Tunisia vs England Volgograd 8pm
Tuesday, June 19
Poland vs Senegal Moscow (Spartak) 2pm
Colombia vs Japan Saransk 5pm
Russia vs Egypt St Petersburg 8pm
Wednesday, June 20
Portugal vs Morocco Moscow (Luzhniki) 2pm
Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia Rostov-on-Don 5pm
Iran vs Spain Kazan 8pm
Thursday, June 21
France vs Peru Ekaterinburg 2pm
Denmark vs Australia Samara 5pm
Argentina vs Croatia Nizhny Novgorod 8pm
Friday, June 22
Brazil vs Costa Rica St Petersburg 2pm
Nigeria vs Iceland Volgograd 5pm
Serbia vs Switzerland Kaliningrad 8pm
Saturday, June 23
Belgium vs Tunisia Moscow (Spartak) 2pm
Germany vs Sweden Sochi 5pm
South Korea vs Mexico Rostov-on-Don 8pm
Sunday, June 24
England vs Panama Nizhny Novgorod 2pm
Japan vs Senegal Ekaterinburg 5pm
Poland vs Colombia Kazan 8pm
Monday, June 25
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt Samara 4pm
Uruguay vs Russia Volgograd 4pm 
Iran vs Portugal Kaliningrad 8pm
Spain vs Morocco Saransk 8pm
Tuesday, June 26
Australia vs Peru Moscow (Luzhniki) 4pm
Denmark vs France Sochi 4pm
Nigeria vs Argentina St Petersburg 8pm 
Iceland vs Croatia Rostov-on-Don 8pm
Wednesday, June 27
South Korea vs Germany Kazan 4pm
Mexico vs Sweden Ekaterinburg 4pm
Serbia vs Brazil Moscow (Spartak) 8pm
Switzerland vs Costa Rica Nizhny Novgorod 8pm
Thursday, June 28
Japan vs Poland Volgograd 4pm
Senegal vs Colombia Samara 4pm
Panama vs Tunisia Kaliningrad 8pm
England vs Belgium Saransk 8pm


LAST 16
Saturday, June 30
1C vs 2D Kazan 4pm (Match 50)
1A vs 2B Sochi 8pm (Match 49)
Sunday, July 1
1B vs 2A Moscow (Luzhniki) 4pm (Match 51)
1D vs 2C Nizhny Novgorod 8pm (Match 52)
Monday, July 2
1E vs 2F Samara 4pm (Match 53)
1G vs 2H Rostov-on-Don 8pm (Match 54)
1F vs 2E St Petersburg 4pm (Match 55)
1H vs 2G Moscow (Spartak) 8pm (Match 56)


QUARTER-FINALS
Friday, July 6
Winner match 49 vs winner match 50 Nizhny Novgorod 4pm (Match 57)
Winner match 53 vs winner match 54 Kazan 8pm (Match 58)
Saturday, July 7
Winner match 55 vs winner match 56 Samara 4pm (Match 60)
Winner match 51 vs winner match 52 Sochi 8pm (Match 59)


SEMI-FINALS
Tuesday, July 10
Winner match 57 vs winner match 58 St Petersburg 8pm
Wednesday, July 11
Winner match 59 vs winner match 60 Moscow (Luzhniki) 8pm


THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF
Saturday, July 14
St Petersburg 4pm


FINAL
Sunday, July 15
Moscow (Luzhniki) 5pm

2018 Russia World Cup Final Draw: Nigeria - Argentina repeats, Portugal face Spain as England meet Belgium


2018 Russia World Cup Final Draw is over in Moscow as Portugal face Spain while England meet Belgium in the group stage. Check the draw in full:
Group A
Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay

Group B
Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran

Group C
France, Australia, Peru, Denmark

Group D
Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria

Group E
Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia

Group F
Germany, Mexico, Sweden, Korea Republic

Group G
Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

Group H
Poland, Senegal, Columbia, Japan

The 32 Teams involved in the draw...
UEFA (Europe): Russia, France, Portugal, Germany, Serbia, Poland, England, Spain, Belgium, Iceland, Switzerland, Croatia, Sweden, Denmark
CONMEBOL (South America): Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, Peru
CONCACAF (North/Central America and Caribbean): Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama
AFC (Asia): Iran, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Australia
CAF (Africa): Tunisia, Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt
Coach Gernot Rohr reacts to 2018 FIFA #WorldCupDraw, says Group D is filled with good teams and playing Argentina again will make things tougher for us. https://twitter.com/NGSuperEagles/status/936633677966204933


 

Wednesday 22 November 2017

Uber fined $8.9m for using criminals as drivers

Uber: One week, one trouble

Uber is in the news again and this time a Colorado, U.S. regulators issued an $8.9 million fine against its parent company for allowing employees with serious criminal or motor vehicle offenses to work for the company as drivers.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission said it launched an investigation into the ride-hailing service in March after an Uber passenger said his driver assaulted him in the mountain resort town of Vail.

Within the last year and a half, the commission said it found that nearly 60 of the company’s drivers were allowed to work in Colorado despite having previous felony convictions.

The drivers included a habitual offender, a former prison escape and others with major traffic violations including drunk driving.

Colorado state law prevents people with felony convictions, alcohol or drug-related driving offenses, unlawful sexual offenses and major traffic violations from working for rideshare companies.

“We have determined that Uber had background check information that should have disqualified these drivers under the law, but they were allowed to drive anyway.

“These actions put the safety of passengers in extreme jeopardy,” Public Utilities Commission Director Doug Dean said.

In a statement, the commission said it also found felony convictions that Uber didn’t catch, and “in other cases, we could not confirm criminal background checks were even conducted by the company.”

Uber said in a statement that it recently discovered a “process error” that was inconsistent with Colorado’s ridesharing regulations and affected what the company called a small number of drivers.

It said it notified the state and fixed the problem but did not elaborate.

“Per Uber safety policies and Colorado state regulations, drivers with access to the Uber app must undergo a nationally accredited third party background screening.

“We will continue to work closely with the CPUC to enable access to safe, reliable transportation options for all Coloradans,” it said.

The Colorado PUC said the $8.9 million penalty was calculated based on a $2,500 fine for each day an employee was illegally behind the wheel.

The commission said Uber can pay half of that amount within ten days to resolve the case or it can schedule a hearing and contest the allegations in before a judge.

The company’s image has been tarnished by findings of sexual harassment of employees and multiple reports of drivers assaulting passengers.

Last week, two women who said they were sexually assaulted by Uber drivers filed a federal lawsuit in San Francisco alleging that inadequate background checks and monitoring left them and thousands of others vulnerable.

Source: Fox News

Tuesday 21 November 2017

Breaking : Robert Mugabe announces his resignation as President of Zimbabwe

Breaking : Robert Mugabe  has voluntarily resigned as President of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe announced his resignation with immediate effect.

Wild celebrations broke out as Mr Mugabe's resignation letter was read out in the country's parliament, where impeachment proceedings against the ruler had begun.
Mr Mugabe said he had chosen to step down "to allow the smooth transfer of power" and made the decision voluntarily.
Details shortly.
www.nujeurope.org

Breaking : Robert Mugabe officially resigns as President

Breaking : Robert Mugabe  has officially resigned as President of Zimbabwe

Details shortly.
www.nujeurope.org

Friday 17 November 2017

All You Need To Know On How To Play PaddyPaddyBet

All You Need To Know On How To Play PaddyPaddyBet 


As a fledgling sport-betting game-changer, Paddypaddybet, a popular online bookmaker, boasts of varying ranges of sport betting via pre-match and play for mobile devices and desktops

This is brewing and it's brewing real fast...It's not just one of the usuals but this is a uniquely designed betting platform that caters for friends and all...It's PADDYPADDY BET!

How it works? Simple... Sign up on www.paddypaddybet.com and follow the prompts to register accurately on the platform.


Like other betting portals, you need a *Username* and *password* to access your account. Deposit any sum into your PaddyPaddybet account and remember to keep your password safe.


You can place your bet live on over 30 sports ongoing or stakes as you wish.

Log in to the portal and follow prompts for deposit or withdrawal anytime.


*Paddypaddybet.com*is safe and secured operating on licence by relevant authorities.

...Place your bet, now. !


Here is firsthand information on how to play Paddypaddybet to your advantage without any stress.

Paddypaddybet, if you must know is one of Nigeria-based sports booking sites that have adopted the best practices from other climes where the game is in vogue. They have major client support sections in Oyo, Lagos and Delta States and their common goal is to ensure that ‘every players WIN’, which interestingly is their slogan. Their website provides odds on sport results in Nigeria, Europe and other parts of the world.

With Paddypaddybet check coupon, it is not impossible that after placing your bets, you may begin to wonder how you can check the live score so you can monitor the activities of the game. This is so that you can know which team won or lost the game. For a lot of punters, it is much better to watch the game live after wagering, particularly when it comes to leagues that are very popular, for example, Champions League, Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, French Championat etc.

Meanwhile, you may find yourself in a fix after you have placed your bet on some games from other countries’ leagues. In this kind of situation, your cable TV provider may not be able to beam the game live, so you would not have the opportunity to check the scores. That is why punters usually monitor the game through the live score page on the website, but even at that, lots of such leagues may not even be featured on the live score.  In such cases, usually, you will not have any other option except to check your betting site to see whether you have won or lost a game. But don’t fret; you can check your bet history on Paddypaddybet through this simple method.

Checking your coupon results? You only need to visit the Paddypaddybetonline betting site. There you will find the option “Check Coupon” and click on it. You can find it on the right side of the page, just after “Fast Sport”.

Then the page will be displayed for you to insert your Paddypaddybet Betting Slip Number, and you will see the results of your bets. It’s that simple. Paddypaddybet, basically, is for those who are ready to make money and spend money. If you have decided to try your luck or you have a particular strategy, all you need is to register on the official site, choose a category, make the payment charge of a minimum ₦100, and bet the whole deposit at once. Follow our site to learn more interesting information.

Thursday 16 November 2017

Oyo 404 acres of land dispute : Defence closes case

The almost five-year old land dispute between some families in Ibadan and the government of Oyo State entered a crucial stage on Wednesday with the defence closing its case by the calling and cross-examination of two and the last witnesses in the case.

Some families in the Oyo State capital had dragged the government of the state as represented by the governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi and two of his Commissioners (Lands, Housing and Survey and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice) before Justice Adegboye Gbolagunte of the State High Court, MKO Abiola Way (former Ring Road), Ibadan over the 404 hectares of land between Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) and Nigerian Institute of Horticultural Research (NIHORT), both based in Ibadan.

The land, which was previously acquired by the Federal Government (FG) was returned to the original owners (the families) through the state government, but it became an issue for litigation when the state government after the release revoked it, a development that did not go down well with some of the families.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, counsel to the defendants, Niyi Ajewole called two witnesses, Alhaji Iyanda Adetunmbi and Rafiu Adejare, the fourth and fifth respondents respectively and led them in giving evidence.

Alhaji Adetunmbi in his evidence admitted that the prime member among the claimants, Chief Ganiyu Ladigbolu is a member of the families claiming to be the original owners of the land just as he told the court that STAD, a private property company which negotiated the release of the land with the FG had sometimes in 2012 sued the same Alhaji Ladigbolu and the court paper was tendered and admitted as ‘Exhibit DD’.

Under cross-examination by another counsel, N.A. Abiola from the State Ministry of Justice, the old man admitted that after the release of the land to the original owners, the state government acquired the same land through notice of revocation served on the families.

Abiola also led the witness to corroborate the fact that a hundred acres (100 acres) of the land was given to the families by the state government as compensation which both the original owners as represented by High Chief (now Oba) Eddy Oyewole (6th defendant) and the state government agreed on.

Out of the 17 different families presented as the original owners, the witness under cross-examination dismissed about 15 as not part of the families, though, he insisted that Adeleye family belongs to the group of original owners contrary to the insinuation by Abiola.

In his own witness as being led by Ajewole, Alhaji Adejare owned up to have signed an oath on 23rd September, 2014 and pleaded that the document be taken as his evidence, but, under cross- examination by one of the counsel to the claimants, Kelly Ogbe, he admitted that he could neither read nor write and could only converse in Yoruba Language.

Earlier before the defence called his witnesses, there had been the announcement of two different applications by two different parties seeking to join both as the claimants and the defendants, but were stepped down because they were not ripe for hearing.

Though, one of the new counsel tried as much as possible to prevent the court from proceeding with the case until his application is heard, the judge stood his ground that the case should continue, recalling that it was about this time last year that a similar application was brought and assured the counsel that his application would be heard on its merit.

The judge, Justice Adegboye Gbolagunte subsequently adjourned the case till 16th January, 2018 for further hearing and the taking of all the applications.

Wednesday 15 November 2017

World Cup 2018 : Spain Nigeria and England awaiting group of death as 32 tabs confirmed

32 teams for 2018 World Cup confirmed: England, Spain & Nigeria awaiting Group  of Death! 

 The draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place on 1 December 2017 at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia.

SEE QUALIFIED TEAMS ALLOCATED BY POTS 

(*) for October 2017 FIFA World Ranking standings

POT 1:

Russia (Hosts, 65), Germany (1), Brazil (2), Portugal (3), Argentina (4), Belgium (5), Poland (6), France (7)

POT 2: 

Spain (8), Peru (10), Switzerland (11), England (12), Colombia (13), Mexico (16), Uruguay (17), Croatia (18)

POT 3:

Denmark (19), Costa Rica (22), Iceland (23), Sweden (25), Tunisia (28), Egypt (30), Senegal (32), Iran (34)

POT 4:

Serbia (38), Nigeria (41) , 
Australia (43), Japan (44), Morocco (48), Panama (49), South Korea (62), Saudi Arabia (63)

QUALIFIED TEAMS ALLOCATED BY CONTINENTS

Europe:

Russia, Belgium, Germany, England, Spain, Poland, Iceland, Serbia, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Croatia, Denmark

South America:

Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, Peru

Asia:

Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia

CONCACAF:

Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama

Africa:

Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco

Saturday 28 October 2017

Live Update: How Anthony Joshua defends tittle against C Takam

[28/10 11:03 pm] Lashley Oladigbolu: Round 5
Another nervy star. Just as the action picks up, the referee calls time and calls for the ringside doctor to inspect the cut over his right eye. The doctor is satisfied and the fight continues. Takam rushes in and Joshua lands a right uppercut that doesn’t appear to faze the challenger, incredibly. Better combination punching from Joshua here. An AJ combo finds nothing but leather upstairs but he follows with a hook to the body that stops Takam in his tracks, then a right to the head when Takam drops his guard. Two more big shots to the body and those shots will most certainly take their toll. Takam makes it out of the round but his face is a bloody mess and he’s lost the spring in his step. Not much longer now, we feel safe in predicting.
Unofficial score: Joshua 10-9 Takam (Joshua 50-44 Takam)
[28/10 11:07 pm] Lashley Oladigbolu: Round 6
Joshua continuing to close in on Takam. He throws a combination but Takam claps back with a left upstairs. Now he bursts forward and misses with a combination. Last stand, feels like. Joshua looking collected as ever, jabbing, jabbing, jabbing away with the left and looking for an opening. Takam rushes in and clubs a right to Joshua’s body but it doesn’t seem to affect the champion one bit. Another left downstairs from Takam right on the beltline, but Joshua fires back and lands a right upstairs. Takam now in a variation of the Philly shell or crab defense with the right hand guarding his face and the left to his body. Joshua landing away with the hook almost at will, but none of the more than 74,500 on hand can question Takam’s toughness.
Unofficial score: Joshua 10-9 Takam (Joshua 60-53 Takam)

Friday 20 October 2017

Is Buhari Really Swindling The South? By Dele Sobowale


    
To begin with, any loans sourced from the World Bank or any other source will ultimately be repaid, with interest, from revenues generated mainly from sale of crude oil, corporate taxes and the Value Added Tax, VAT. Even the village idiot knows where the crude oil is produced – the Niger Delta. The fool knows that the bulk of corporate taxes are collected in Lagos. And, the moron is aware that Lagos provides close to sixty per cent of the VAT.
 
 

 
 
“YOU know, in my very first meeting with President Buhari, he said he would like us to shift our focus to the northern region of Nigeria and we have done that. Now, it has been very difficult. The work there has been very difficult.” Jim Yong Kim, World Bank President.
If any more evidence is needed that President Buhari has deliberately embarked on running Nigeria’s democracy him as “Government of the Northern Region, by the Northern Region and for the Northern Region”, the World Bank, WB, President has removed all doubt. The very use of the term “northern region” makes it very clear that the man millions of us in the Southern Region trusted, campaigned for and supported is after all a northern bigot. As one of those who trusted him sufficiently to follow him in 2011 and 2015, it is difficult to express the depth of disappointment felt when reading that statement which reflects as much corruption as anything Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke,  has been accused of perpetrating. The man who announced in May 2015 that he was for everybody and for nobody has demonstrated in many ways that he was being deceptive. Henceforth nothing he says can be believed.
To begin with, any loans sourced from the World Bank or any other source will ultimately be repaid, with interest, from revenues generated mainly from sale of crude oil, corporate taxes and the Value Added Tax, VAT. Even the village idiot knows where the crude oil is produced – the Niger Delta. The fool knows that the bulk of corporate taxes are collected in Lagos. And, the moron is aware that Lagos provides close to sixty per cent of the VAT. Obviously, what “our dear” President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has in mind is a situation in which the “Southern Cows” will be milked, for the “Northern Cattle” to drink. And, he actually believes that that is a fair way to be the Father of the Nation. At least now we have a clear picture of how his mind works.
We now know that the lopsided appointments in favour of the Northern Region, which started from his first day in office, were premeditated acts of discrimination against the Southern Region. We also now realize that other inequitable recruitments favouring the Northern Region by the Department of State Services, DSS, diplomatic service, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, were premeditated and designed to favour his people more than others. Cheating Southerners, which is a worse form of corruption than an appointed official stealing public funds, was planned even as the campaign for change was going on. While the officials of the former government who had been dragged through media trial by a compromised Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, might have been guilty of heinous crimes, it is a fact that whatever they did was not government policy. We have had no evidence yet that Jonathan was aware of them.
By contrast, the powers of the Presidency had been harnessed to perpetuate injustice to ALL Southerners as the World Bank revelation has proved beyond reasonable doubt. It is the President of Nigeria who is masterminding the policy of robbing Southerners to deliberately favour Northerners. It was a grave mistake and the consequences for all Nigerians will be grievous.

To begin with any Southerner, Professor Sagay included, who still clings to the false notion that we have a man with integrity as President must either not know what integrity means or needs to consult a doctor. A man with integrity when placed in a position of power must wield that power like a honest justice of any court. He must conduct the affairs of his office with absolute fairness to all concerned without fair or favour. How on earth can anybody now claim that Buhari satisfies that criterion of fairness after all the revelations?
“There is no equality in the world of [corrupt] power. The masters calculate, at usurious rate, the price of their own blood.” Albert Camus, 1903-1960. French philosopher; Nobel Prize Winner.
We should also bear in mind the other disclosures – especially the budgetary allocations to the State House Clinic which provides services to only a few thousand people, mostly Northerners well-connected to the Presidency. The front page of VANGUARD on October 13, 2017, reported that for the three years Buhari had been President, the State House Clinic was allocated more funds than all the sixteen University Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria providing services to millions of “Fellow Nigerians”. What sort of “Father of the Nation” would be responsible for that sort of injustice and be still be regarded as someone with any trace of integrity? As Rotarians would ask, “Is it fair to all concerned?” Merely looking at the disparity in naira per person served is sufficient to point to the selfishness underlying the allocations. And, now we are being treated to the possibility of a scandal involving the Clinic right in the seat of power from where for months we have been inundated with self-righteous pronouncements. Is it fair to 180-plus other Nigerians?
We also recollect that in 2014 and up to Election Day in 2015, when the proclamation of CHANGE was made from every roof top by the Presidential candidate, that the impression was given that such disparities  would not occur again once Jonathan was sent packing. Even overseas treatment for government officials was denounced. Today as unannounced millions of dollars are sent to Britain by the hypocrites who conned us into voting for undefined change, we wonder where is honour – without which there can be no talk of integrity?
The first and most fundamental consequence of the World Bank disclosure is that it has now forced each of us to decide if henceforth we can believe anything Buhari says. For me, it has now become almost impossible. Too many dirty waters have passed under the bridge for that. The only thing the Buhari in Aso Rock and Buhari the 2015 candidate have in common is name. While the candidate represented hope; the President signifies disappointment and the feeling that Nigeria will again go through four wasted years until 2019.
For every finger he points at others called corrupt, there are at least two or more pointing back in his direction. The reputation for integrity has been severely eroded, not by his political enemies, but by Buhari himself. His October 1, 2017 address to the nation is symptomatic of the transformation that has occurred to the man for whom I would have been willing to stake my life in 2011 and 2015. Now, I won’t bet a kobo because I might probably lose it. Buhari announced that his government had provided N500 billion in two years for Social Intervention Programme, SIP and the power production has reached 7000MW per day. In reality, less than N100 billion out of N1 trillion was provided by his government. And, the power supply to consumers, which is what counts, had never reached 5000MW. At the end of that address, as I turned off the television, tears were coming out of my eyes because it became very clear that I.F. Stone was right after all when he said, “Every government is run by liars and nothing they say should be believed.”  In 2011 and 2015, it never occurred to me that Buhari’s government would ever be counted among those swindling their people.
 
LAST LINE
Dr Ibe Kachikwu should just quit and leave them to take their turn at the NNPC. Few people believe there is a fight against corruption going on in Abuja anymore. Pity. – Independent
 
Dele Sobowale is an economist, a media and management research consultant
 

Monday 16 October 2017

OPINIONS ON AARE ONAKAKANFO: The Cap Fits Gani Adams.

AARE ONAKAKANFO: The Cap Fits Gani Adams by Ogunwusi Bamidele Segun.

 

Bob Nesta Marley, the legendary reggae king says in one of his popular hits that  "Who the cap fit, let them wear it".

Who is Aare ONAKAKANFO?


In ancient times, it was a position that symbolized the might of Oyo Empire. The Aare Onakakanfo was the generalissimo of the Yoruba army. He either conquered or died. The kakanfo must never be defeated. To everybody’s shock, the mystique and tragedy have refused to depart from that office even in modern times.

Samuel Johnson, the foremost authority on Yoruba history described the Kakanfo as fearless and courageous; irascible and prone to warfare. 

To buttress his position, Johnson submitted a most effective piece of evidence: Kakanfo Ojo Aburumaku had no war to fight. He fomented a civil war in his native Ogbomoso which he then had a good sport of putting down with severity. Afterall, he was Aare Onakakanfo, the Supreme head of the Esos, the 70 military commanders who make the Yoruba warrior caste.

Search for Gani

In the last 19 years, many names have dominated  discussions as possible Aare ONAKAKANFO of Yorubaland.

From Alani Akinrinade to Olusegun Obasanjo, from Victor Omololu Olunloyo to Gen Aduwo and from  Faseheun to Bola Tinubu.

Thank God Gani is not a moneybag because if he is, many people would have argued he bought the title. 

Looking at antecedents, I am  convinced he deserves it more than the last two occupants who were politicians.

Oba Adeniran Alabi, Oba Adeyemi 11 gave the title to Ladoke Akintola to spite Awolowo and he got  deposed for that singular act. Akintola was Aare between 1962 and 1966.
The last occupant, MKO Abiola got the title not because of his contribution to Yorubaland but was meant to boost his CV for Presidency. 

For me, the last  true warrior of the title was Aare Latoosa who later became Olubadan between 1914 to 1925.

For 37 years the title was vacant before it was given to Akintola.

It was vacant again for 22 years before MKO Abiola emerged and 19 years later, the title which has gone to notable warlords from Ajase, Ijaiye, Ibadan, Ogbomoso has berthed in the remote town of Arigidi Akoko to a man who is older in intelligence, experience and maturity than his 47 years.

Congratulations, Aare Gani Adams

Segun Bamidele Ogunwusi a Financial Journalist for Independent Newspapers writes from Lagos.


HOW OTUNBA GANI ADAM EMERGED AS THE 15TH AARE ONA KAKANFO OF YORUBALAND
- By Adejare Ibrahim. 
Few months ago, we were with the Alaafin of Oyo in the palace. We were about five in his private office (Prince Adeyemi Akeem, Prince Adeleke Adeyemi, Otunba Ajeje Rasaki and I). He was taking us through some lessons on Yoruba history. In the cause of our discussion, the issue of the Aare Ona Kakanfo was raised by Prince Adeleke. Kabiyesi, in his response said: 
"Yorubas are blessed with many illustrious sons; who are capable of being saddled with the exalted; but taxing, position of Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland. Due to one reason or the other, some are avoiding it".

Based on his pedigree and influence across all divides in Nigeria; especially in Yorubaland, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was approached, but he declined the sumptuous offer. He forbore, not borne out of fear, but as a result of the attending heavy tasks required of the office, which he may not have the luxury of time to expeditiously perform. He said "Asiwaju Tinubu has been penned down for another title, the Asiwaju of Yorubaland". This will be done in collaboration with other prominent monarchs in Yorubaland.

Furthermore, he said, "Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is equally capable and eminently qualified, but age is no more on his side. I would have loved him being the Aare Ona Kakanfo. Obasanjo is brave and fearless". Fayose and some other prominent Yorubas were also mentioned. The Alaafin then assured that: Though, it is the prerogative of the Alaafin to appoint anyone deemed fit for the title, but further consultations will be made. By these assertions of Kabiyesi, it became emphatic and expedient that the two gladiators, Tinubu and Obasanjo, are out of the race. 

After all, it is not that there are no other people of high profile besieging the palace of Kabiyesi, jostling for the burdensome title. However, the title of Aare of Ona Kakanfo is not that ceremonial. It means the Generalissimo of Yorubaland in the real sense of it. The Aare Ona Kakanfo heads the Alaafin's special military force and the entire army of the Yoruba nation. Holding this premium title is arduous, onerous, laborious and demanding. You must think well, before taking such a task. It is no child's play. Therefore, the Aare Ona Kakanfo is the exclusive preserve of the greatest Yoruba tactician.

Otunba Gani Adam is one of the besiegers who intermittently throng the palace of the Alaafin for the title of Aare Ona Kakanfo. I have seen him in the palace on many occasions. Gani Adams may not be liked by all, but give it to him, he is definitely paying his dues. Without mincing words, Otunba is a force to reckon with in Yorubaland. Take it or leave it, this young man has made indelible imprints. As a human being, he is not perfect. He has his shortcomings, deficiencies and inadequacies. Nevertheless, he is eminently qualified and up to the task. He is educated and well-known. His name is not strange to anyone. Mention him anywhere, he is known. Gani Adam is a household name. His OPC and OPU are the strongest forces the Yoruba nation can parade anywhere. He has close relationship and good rapport with all the southwest governors. He is an icon in his own right.

His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, after extensive and exhaustive consultations, has revealed his choice. He has picked Otunba Gani Adam as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, The Field Marshal of all sons and daughters of Oduduwa. This is a carefully made choice. The same Alaafin that installed Chief MKO Abiola is the same the Alaafin that has opted for Gani Adam_ a difference of almost thirty years! 

In spite of the wide acceptance that greeted the choice of Abiola, it was still contested by the Late Amuda Olorunosebi, the Ashipa of Oyo, in the Oyo State High Court by his legal Counsel, Chief M.L. Lagunju. Everybody cannot accept a decision uniformly. We are not the same. It was the brilliant defence of the legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola, in the presence of Justice Aderemi of the Oyo State High on behalf of the defendant, The Alaafin of Oyo, that later earned him the prestigious title of the 'Aare Bamofin of Oyo Kingdom'. The suit was struck out for lack of substance. Alaafin was vindicated in the verdict of Justice Aderemi. Chief MKO Abiola was installed as the 14th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland on Saturday, 14th of January, 1988. I was quite young at that time, but I was there. 

 List of All the 15 Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland


*Mogaji #Gboyega_Adejumo*
submitted that:
After Alaafin Shango had initially divided Yorubaland into Ekun Otun and Ekun Osi under the headship of Gbonka and Timi, about a thousand years ago, then came Alaafin Ajagbo mogun'leti Ale elemele, 700 hundred years ago who further divided the realm into Four, adding Ekun Ebolo and Ekun Epo, and made The Aare Ona Kakanfo to be the Head, with 3 provisos;

1, THAT NO KAKANFO MUST LIVE IN OYO!
2, THAT NO AARE MUST ATTACK HIS OWN MOTHER'S HOMETOWN OF IWERE-ILE!
3, THAT NO AARE MUST ATTACK ILE-IFE!

Here's the *List of All the 15 Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland* to Date and where they hailed from.
1. *Kokoro Gangan of Iwoye Ketu Benin Republic/Ogun State*
2. *Oyapote of Iwoye Yewa Egbado Ogun state*
3. *Oyabi of Ajase Benin Republic*
4. *Adeta of Jabata Oyo State*
5. *Oku of Gbongan Osun State*
6. *Afonja of Ilorin Kwara state*
7. *Toyeje of Ogbomosho Oyo State*
8. *Edun of Gbogun, Obafemi Owode Ogun State*
9. *Amepo of Abemo Ido Oyo state*
10. *Kurumi of Ijaye Oyo State*
11. *Ojo Aburumaku of Ogbomosho Oyo State*
12. *Latoosa of Ibadan Oyo State*
13. *Ladoke Akintola of Ogbomosho Oyo State*
14. *MKO Abiola of Abeokuta Ogun State*
15. *Gani Adams of Akoko Ondo State*
Comment
 

Saturday 14 October 2017

Nollywood Actress Eniola Ajao Unveiled As PaddyPaddyBet Brand Ambassador!


 

Eniola Ajao Unveiled As PaddyPaddyBet Brand Ambassador
PaddyPaddyBet Makes Eniola Ajao Brand Ambassador


In a glamourous accolade witnessed by celebrities on Saturday at Bestwestown hotel, Victoria Island , Lagos, Nollywood actress and movie producer, Eniola Ajao recorded another feat, as she has been officially unveiled as the new face of a thriving fortune company. The actress has been made the ambassador by the fast-rising betting company, PaddyPaddyBet. This is in recognition of her growing fame and popularity and her widely-reached fan base.

With this brand ambassadorship, the beautiful actress is expected to help grow the company and attract more customers among other functions.

 

According to the General Manager of PaddyPaddyBet, Alexander Ezekiel, the deal will see the actress as the face of the brand for the next 5 years with an option to renew the contract after it elapsed.
Speaking on this achievement, Eniola who has featured in several movie productions said she is excited about being made PaddyPaddyBet first brand ambassador and will utilize her fame and social media platforms to promote the betting platform among her teaming fans.


"I am really excited about being made the image of PaddyPaddyBet brand. It is my best endorsement at the moment. I have a huge respect for the owner of the company and the management. I will utilize my wider reach on social media to bring attention and growth to the company. I know betting companies are the rave of the moment due to the huge football followership in Nigeria. And also they are creating jobs and impacting lives in their own way. I will deploy my links and social media platform to market the brand.’’ 


Asked whether she's a football lover, the actress answered in the affirmative.
 "Of course, I love football. I support Manchester United Football Club of England. I just love the club and the historic profile of the club," she added.

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Thursday 12 October 2017

BREAKING: VP Osinbajo Finally Breaks Silence On N640bn NNPC Contracts


    

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says he approved contracts of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) when President Muhammadu Buhari was on medical vacation in the UK.

Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum resources, had accused Maikanti Baru, group managing director (GMD) of the NNPC, of awarding contracts without due process, an allegation that the corporation denied.

But in a series of tweets on Thursday, Laolu Akande, spokesman of the vice-president, said Osinbajo approved the contracts as part of necessary actions to deal with a backlog of unpaid cash calls and incentivise investments.

“In response to media inquiries on NNPC joint venture financing, VP Osinbajo, as Ag President approved recommendations after due diligence & adherence to established procedure. Action necessary to deal with huge backlog of unpaid cash calls which Buhari adm. inherited and also to incentivize much needed fresh investments in the oil & gas sector,” he tweeted.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT


PRESS RELEASE


NNPC: AG. PRESIDENTIAL APPROVALS WERE FOR FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS NOT CONTRACTS SAYS VP OSINBAJO


"Approached by reporters after the groundbreaking of the multi-billion Naira historic Bonny-Bodo road project, in Bonny, Rivers State, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, explained specifically that the approvals he granted as Acting President to the NNPC while he was Acting President were for financing arrangements for the Joint Ventures between the corporation and IOCs, and not approvals for contracts.


Said he : "these were financing loans. Of course you know what the Joint Ventures  are, with the lOCs, like Chevron, that had to procure. In some cases, NNPC and their joint venture partners have to secure loans and they need authorisation to secure those loans while the President was away. The law actually provides for those authorisations. So I did grant two of them and those were presidential  approvals but they are specifically for  financing joint ventures and they are loans not contracts.


Earlier today, I had tweeted on the same matter thus:


In response to media inquiries on the NNPC Joint Venture financing arrangements, VP Osinbajo, as Acting President approved the recommendations after due diligence and adherence to established procedures. This was of course necessary to deal with huge backlog of unpaid cash calls which the Buhari administration inherited, and to incentivize much needed fresh investments in the oil and gas sector."





ACTING PRESIDENT OSINBAJO CHAIRS PEBEC 0A&B. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo during the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council at the Presidential Villa. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MAY 18 2017

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