The Editorials

By Ayo Akinfe One annual hallmark of Christmas in Nigeria is that almost every person of Igbo extraction travels back to the southeast. There are approximately 35million Igbos in Nigeria, of which 20m of them live in other parts of Nigeria. More Igbos live outside Igboland than within it, which is one thing that makes Ndigbo unique. No other of Nigeria’s 300 odd ethnic groups has this characteristic. Consequently, you get about 20m Igbos all scrambling to go back to the southeast at this time of the year. Can you just imagine what this entails logistically? Those of us that are Wazobians see this as a Nigerian problem. Can you imagine how many road accidents we suffer due to this? For starters, transport fares skyrocket. A bus ride- in most of the rickety coaches- from Lagos to Enugu is about N15,000 right now and rising. More worrying for me is the lack of infrastructure, facilities of amenities to deal with this huge influx. At Christmas, the southeast looks like some

The Federal Government has expressed shock at the rate in which Nigerians engaged in boreholes drilling across the country, despite efforts to find a solution to potable water. Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources, expressed the view of the government, at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum, held in Abuja on Sunday. According to the Minister, the situation is attributed to lapses in the provision of potable water, adding that the issue could have been minimised, if there were workable water schemes in the country. Adamu said, “I am appalled at the rate at which boreholes are being drilled in urban centres. There is really no need for it if we have good and sound municipal water schemes working; we shall have no reason; we shall have no business having boreholes at all. “I had the opportunity of working in a water agency in the old Kano State for years, in those years in the old Kano city; you could hardly see a borehole anywhere in the town. But I was shocked at

By Pius Adesanmi Modees Usman, one of my protégés, was supposed to come and see me at the Ake Arts and Book Festival last month in Abeokuta. The gentleman is a patriotic Customs officer and, in my estimation, one of the brightest hopes for the sort of pan-Nigeria I envision ceaselessly in my public reflections. A devout Muslim, his sensibilities and advocacy for Nigeria reach across all our fault lines and bitter divisions. He is a picture perfect portrait of my ideal Nigerian. Suffice it to say, he did not make it to Abeokuta for our meeting. However, he sent a carton of non-alcoholic wine to me through another wonderful pan-Nigerian patriot, Remy Binte Oge. My protégé couldn’t make it to Abeokuta because he had to travel to Calabar to attend the wedding of his childhood friend. He was in fact the designated best man at the occasion. I sent word to him that his attempt to bribe me with a carton of wine would not work: he would still have to pay a fine for failing to som

The Federal Government has revealed plan to set aside N305 billion or $1 billion for fuel subsidy payment in the 2019 budget proposal which was presented before the Joint Session of the National Assembly, Abuja, Wednesday. President Muhammadu Buhari in his presentation disclosed that the N305 billion or $1 billion will be used to cater for NNPC “under-recoveries” or “fuel subsidy.” He said, “We have allowed N305 billion, equivalent to $1 billion for under-recoveries by NNPC on premium motor spirit in 2019. “We will continue working to bring it downwards, so that such resources are freed to meet the developmental needs of our people. “Let me also use this opportunity to address and clarify the under-recoveries or subsidies on petrol in a period of economic challenges, our purchasing power is weak, we must reduce some of the burden on Nigerians. The President further revealed that his subsidy arrangement is much more different from what they used to be in the past, stating

Oredola Adeola | Adieu my first Editor, Mentor and Professional Guidance The PEN drops  Pen has refused to write , the ink stocked in its reservoir B'cos the Proof reader has gone The Pen has refused to write, fingers have lost the strength to grip.. B'cos the Editor has gone My Pen has refused to write, dragging on the piece of paper  B'cos the Content watch-dog has gone The newsroom loses its lustre, stories refuse to fly B'cos the Veteran Word-Smith has passed on    When the news broke, that TK has gone to meet his ancestors  I struggled to hold my tears, I am worried, who will tolerate my editorial inadequacies Since the Pen has failed to write, how will the readers know th at Tunde Adekeye has joined the saints  Hmmm……  TK's advice resonates….. “Adeola, you can do it , just keep at it , you have what it takes to be a GREAT journalist “ – This is one of the many charges and encouragement, that I received from you till about

Oredola Adeola| Abule Egba, a suburb in Lagos Mainland on Wednesday recorded a fire outbreak as a result of activities of pipeline vandals who were caught up in the explosion which started about 3:30 am on Wednesday morning. Scene of fire incident in Abule Egba . Picture credit: Akinsuli Bamidele Eye witness confirmed to this newspaper that the raging fire also touched some vehicles,  residential and commercial houses, as most residents of the area were seen scampering to safety. Casualty figures remain unknown as at period of filing this report, while men of Lagos Fire Servicemen and LRU firemen have reportedly been drafted to the area to combat further spread of the inferno in order to adjoining buildings and also the nearest Filling station.

Two notorious female kidnappers and 12 other suspected have been arrested by the  Kaduna State Police Command. This was announced in a press briefing on Tuesday by the State Police Commissioner, Abdurrahman Ahmad, in Kaduna. Also arrested with the two kidnappers are 12 other suspected criminals some of whom were arrested for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and possession of firearms. Another three for kidnapping, culpable homicide, theft and receiving stolen property. Others include three suspects arrested for alleged armed robbery and five suspects over possession of Indian hemp. He identified the two suspected female kidnappers as Hashiya Dauda and Safara’u Mohammed Tahir, both aged 23. “The other suspected kidnappers are Ishaq Sulaiman, 33, Sale Ya’u, 20, Yusuf Sulaiman, 23, and Iliyasu Ali aged 22 years. “The suspected armed robbers are Mark Pwa’ashino, 28, Abdulganiyu Musa, 25 and Sabi’u Yusuf, 23 years. “Also the suspected drug peddlers are Abdulkarim Rabi’u, 2

A Manchester United football club legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has been tipped as a replacement for the sacked club manager, Jose Mourinho, the club's website has confirmed. A video on United's official website, featuring Solskjær scoring the winner in the Club’s Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 1999, was captioned: "Solskjaer becomes our interim manager, 20 seasons after clinching the Treble with THAT goal at Camp Nou..." However, Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg, in a tweet which was later deleted, welcomed Solskjaer's appointment, said,: "Great day for Norwegian football. Good luck keeping control of the Red Devils." She later deleted the tweet.  Solskjaer, 45, until his appointment was the Norwegian football manager and was the former manager of Eliteserien club Molde. As a player, he spent most of his career playing as a forward for Manchester United. H e scored 126 goals for the club in 11 seasons, under Sir Alex Fe

Manchester United has sacked Jose Mourinho, as manager of the club with immediate effect. The sack is sequel to the club's disappointing 3-1 loss to arch-rivals Liverpool last Sunday after which questions were raised on the team's listless performance. "Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect," a club statement read. "The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future. "A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager." Mourinho took over at the start of 2016-17 season where he managed to lead the team to a Europa League triumph. However, things have not gone to plan since, culminating in a terrible start to the current season. He has struggled this season with the team languishing in the 6th spot with ju

By Chiddy Ozumba Nigerians might go down as the dumbest people that have ever walked the face of this planet earth. Yesterday, someone narrated to me how they had spent six hours traveling from Lagos to Asaba , but then spent five hours just crossing the Niger bridge. A journey of five minutes tops. I asked him why ? He said that it was bcos of the month . I said December? The guy said yes of course.  He went on to say that every December, there was always huge traffic due to people returning for Christmas and these days pretty much everyone going to the north uses that bridge bcos of kidnapping in Edo state. As fate would have it, a friend called from Lagos telling me that he was traveling overnight to the east so as to avoid the slow go at Niger bridge . He claimed that those who left yesterday morning didn't cross the bridge till midnight.  I said ok. He claimed that they would sleep in Ore or Benin briefly and then pass during the early hours , say by 5 am. So at

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday officially endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, affirming  that the duo are committed to taking on the task of moving the State to greater heights. Ambode disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the State secretariat of the party on Acme Road in Ogba, where he raised the hands of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat before scores of party leaders and faithful and wished them well in the March 2, 2019 election. He said, “As we are looking forward to February 16, 2019, we know it is the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket that the whole of Lagos will vote for. As we proceed two weeks after on March 2, we also declare that it is the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat ticket that will come to take over from me by the special grace of God. “I pray for them and bless them that they will take over from me successfully in good health and in good spirit,” he sa

Posted By: Femi Adesina That’s him, that’s him,” the two old women, wrinkled and bent with age, exclaimed. You could see wonderment and fulfillment in their eyes. And as if on cue, they both began to cry. It was in Bauchi earlier this year. President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting to commiserate with the people on the ravages of windstorm, which had destroyed many homes and other property. As he waved at the tumultuous crowd, the two women saw him, perhaps for the first time in their lives.  And so great was their satisfaction, their pure joy, that they began to cry. That is the kind of emotion that courses through millions and millions of Nigerians when they behold their President, the honest man (maigaskiya), the man of integrity, man of accountability, one who’s word you can take to the bank. The man who loves them, and they love and trust in return. Don’t misunderstand me. Not all estimated 196 million Nigerians share this sentiment. Not possible. There are those w

Oredola Adeola | The Youth Tourism Development Organisation ( YTDO) has taken youth tourism promotion to another level by staging a classic and trendy fashion show on the Tarzan’s boat. Being the first in Nigeria, the fashion show is part of activities packaged to spur interest of young Nigerians into country’s tourism business. The event which held on Sunday, December 16, was the fourth edition of the  annual boat cruise packaged by YTDO in partnership with Tarzan Marine Enterprise- owner of Tarzan Jetty, The event was attended by Hospitality and Tourism undergraduates from different institutions of higher learning across Nigeria, tourism stakeholders, tour operators and public officers. The boat took off at Tarzan Jetty and navigated through the entire body of water which makes the Lagos Five Cowries Creek. The tourists were treated to the beautiful scenery of the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge, Falomo bridge and Independent bridge and later returned to the jetty after five hours t

The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) has expressed plan to hire Mr. Alan Greenspan,  Economist Political editor who is also a former Chairman of the United States Federal Reserve Bank,  to help its Presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, implement its agenda. Send.Ben Bruce , Alan Greenspan and Reno Omokri This was disclosed by Senator Ben Bruce in a Facebook post. He said, “ Reno Omokri and I meeting now with Alan Greenspan, one of the greatest ever economists and former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Bank who I invited to Nigeria to help the PDP and Atiku implement our #letsgetnigeriaworkingagain agenda.” Greenspan served as chairman from 1987-2006 under Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. During that period, he earned a reputation as the "Maestro" who helped orchestrate the U.S. economy through some rapidly changing economic times, from the Reagan boom through the days just before the financial crisis that explod

Ogun state has scored a major feat as the location of the country’s first gold refinery. The refinery is developed by Kian Smith Trade & Co Ltd. (“Kian Smith”), an indigenous company in Mowe, Ogun State, with plan to commence commercial production before the end of first half of 2019. Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony which was held on Thursday, December 13, Nere Teriba, Vice Chairman of Kian Smith disclosed that the refinery will start with a production capacity of 3 tonnes per month of 99.99% gold and 1 ton per month production of 99.99% silver. Teriba said, “We will be supplying the Central Bank, the Jewellery and the Electronic Industry. We have already secured a significant monthly supply of gold from Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Ibadan, Ile-Ife, Ilesha and about 100kg per month from other parts of Africa. We are presently finalizing supply agreements and terms from suppliers in Kano. Next week, we will be securing supply from Kogi State. “The refine

The Nigerian army has accused the UNICEF of working for Boko Haram insurgents, thereby suspending the activities of the UN humanitarian agency in Nigeria. Nigerian Army Deputy Public Relation Director, Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed that it took the action since the organisation had been sabotaging the war against insurgency. The statement said, “The Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE has observed with dismay that some of the activities of International humanitarian agencies and Non-governmental organisations’ operating in the North East have left so much to be desired. “There is credible information that some of them are indulging in unwholesome practices that could further jeopardise the fight against terrorism and insurgency, as they train and deploy spies who support the insurgents and their sympathisers. “It is baffling to note that some of these organisations have been playing the terrorists’ script with the aim to continue demoralising the troops who are doing so muc

Oredola Adeola | American gospel music minister,  Pastor Donnie McClurkin on Wednesday morning survived a fatal car accident while driving on the highway. Donnie in the hospital Releasing the details of the unfortunate incident on his official Facebook page, the gospel musician, who was one of the guest ministers that performed at the 2018 edition of The Experience in Nigeria, wrote :- “I was in a serious accident at 12:50am this morning...passed out while driving on the highway. Totaled the car...hospitalized, going through a myriad of tests..... But I’m alive!!! “Lost consciousness driving...but two human angels followed my swerving car with their emergency blinkers onto stop traffic ....drove behind me until my car crashed into the middle concrete island. "I remember none of it except those two angels pulling me out of the passengers side of the crumbled TOTALED car..airbags deployed...crushed metal and Fiberglas!! I AM ALIVE!!!! Somewhat mangled, st

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state has promised to support the career Dr Aarinola Olaiya, 24- year old Usin- Ekiti born, Obafemi Awolowo University's Best Graduating student to any level she desires. He made this pledge as a guest during the convocation ceremony of the institution held on Thursday, December 13. Dr. Fayemi said, “I want to pledge before this august audience and the council, she hasn't told me what she wants to do but whatever she tells me, she can consider it done. “If she wants to go into housemanship, residency or even a PhD in medicine, we will support her. It is very important to us that we restore the values for which we are known in Ekiti. “We are not a state of stomach infrastructure. We are the centre of excellence in this country and when it comes to intellectual capital, we really should restore our very first place and that's what the government in Ekiti is about. “It is about promoting the knowledge economy and celebrating the

Some Nollywood actors and musicians on Wednesday joined President Muhammadu Buhari at the launching of the Together Nigeria events organised by the Buhari Support Organisation which held at the State house conference hall, Abuja. Also at the event are Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Governor Al-Makura Tanko of Nasarawa State, Wife of the President Mrs AIsha Buhari, Wife of the Vice President Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo and HRH Igwe Maduabuchi Nevobasi Igwe Omeluenyi 1 of Aguneese, Ezeani III of Mmaku. In his address during the launch of the group, President Buhari expressed delight at seeing people from different backgrounds coming together to support his reelection bid. He said, “ I am particularly happy to be here face to face with some of our celebrities whom I only see on television. This event once again reminds me of our political struggles over the years and the support I enjoyed from many support structures such as The Buhari Organization (TBO) and Buhari Support Organizati

The United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF has in a report released recently disclosed that more than 13 million children in Nigeria are out of school, adding that most of them are in Nigeria’s northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, where Boko Haram has been waging a campaign against Western education since 2009. The UNICEF's  survey indicated that the population of out of school children in Nigeria rose from 10.5 million to 13.2 million, the highest in the world. The  Fund said most of these children are in northern states where Boko Haram insecurities have disrupted academic activities. This is despite claim by the government that about 8.596 million pupils were currently being fed across 46,247 public primary schools in 24 states of the federation. It claimed to have spent N49 billion on feeding of pupils in public primary schools across 24 states of the country in the last two years and that the programme has achieved 30 percent improvement in school enrollmen

The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has debunked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode's allegation made on September 30 that he once suffered from mental health issues and had undergone rehabilitation at Gbagada General Hospital. He affirmed that he is mental fit to contest the 2019 general elections. He made this revelation on Sunrise Daily, a live programme of Channels Television, on Wednesday morning, while responding to claims by Governor Ambode. The APC gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State further disclosed that in politics, people are bound to make “unfounded allegations” in a bid to gain the upper hand. According to him, “This is me. I’m 53 years old. I’m sure I’m older than all of you (programme anchors). “I missed my exercise this morning just because I needed to come here. But you know, in all of the things you’ve talked about, people get overly excited. For whatever it is, emotions will rise. “People will say t

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Mr. Tunde Ayeni,  former Chairman of Skye Bank Plc (Now Polaris Bank for fraud. The anti-graft agency also filed charges against the former Skye Bank boss before a Federal High Court in Maitama. Recall that he was invited over abuse of office and for illegally injecting funds into the re-election campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan, as the Chairman of the bank from 2010 to 2016. The CBN took control of the bank on July 4, 2016, and appointed a new management. The agency is expected to charge him for mismanaging the funds of the bank which almost led to its collapse. He would also be arraigned before the Court for fraud running into billions of naira. Mr. Tony Orilade, acting Spokesman for the EFCC,  disclosed that Mr Ayenj was grilled by detectives. He said, “I can confirm that he is in our custody. More information will be released tomorrow. The anti-graft agency had entered into an agreement with the A

By Yinka Odumakin Shortly after I started work as General Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman in 2011, Mrs Aisha Buhari approached me to facilitate some media exposure for her. She didn’t need to spend time to convince me that we needed her face and voice out there. I saw her as an intelligent, sharp-witted and gutsy woman who could add a lot of value to the campaign, especially in the South where womanhood in the North is largely perceived as purdah. I told her I was going to organise a media parley for her and that a cerebral journalist in Lagos had been asking me about the wife of my principal. We agreed on a date. When it was two days to to the appointment, something told me I should clear with my principal what I was about to do.  I walked up to him to inform him about the media session for madam. His eyes became red. It was the only time he raised his voice against me: “Don’t ever.” I had to call the journalists to cancel the meet. The genie was kept in the bottle for another