The Editorials

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged Nigerian youth to delay the take  off of the “ Not Too Young To Run” bill till 2023, as a result of his plan to recontest in 2019. He said this jokingly at the State House , Abuja on Thursday, after signing the “ Not-too-young-to run” contest. According to him, the signing of the bill is only a starting point which presents the youth the opportunity to make their marks on the nation’s political space, he however asked them to postpone their campaigns till after the 2019 elections. He said,  “You may all know that the Bill I just assented now becomes an Act of the National Assembly,. The new law  permits all Nigerian youth to run for the various political offices. “Thus, it may be tempting for you to think of this as the end of the journey. However, it is only the beginning; there is still a lot of work ahead, towards ensuring that young people take full advantage of the opportunities provided not only by this constitutional amendment bu

By Tope Fasua "Our GDP rose to the level of 80 trillion yuan (12.3 trillion US dollars). Over 13 million urban and rural jobs were created. Our old-age insurance system now covers more than 900 million people, and 1.35 billion people are covered by basic medical insurance. "More than 10 million rural residents were lifted out of poverty… 3.4 million people were relocated from poverty-stricken areas and now live in new warm housing. The construction of 6 million apartments in shanty areas has begun ahead of schedule… Our country’s great development has been achieved by the people, and its fruits should be shared by the people… "The Party committees, governments, and officials at all levels must constantly hold in their hearts the interests and concerns of the people, and regard the benefit of the people as their highest career accomplishment. They must think for the people, respond to their needs, and work for the greater happiness of the people,"this was

OREDOLA ADEOLA| Notable personalities including traditional rulers, aides, investors, cultural troupes, business captains, prominent herbal medicine practitioners, representatives of relevant government agencies; NIPC, NEPC, NTDC, NACCIMA and others are among the 120 personalities who would accompany the Ooni of  Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, in his 10-day historical visit to Brazil between June, 6 to 17, 2018. This was contained in a press statement released by Yera  Olafare, Director, Media & Public Affairs to the Ooni of Ife, and obtained by this newspaper. According to the statement the Ooni's team would depart Nigeria on June 6 and return to the country on June 17, 2018. It was revealed that the visit will strengthen the cultural affinities between the Afro-Brazilians and Yorubas in Nigeria with a view to using cultural heritage for an economic partnership that will be beneficial to the two countries. The statement said, “The trip will strategi

By Ninyo Omidiji The black bank has become a huge industry all over the continent of Africa and in black communities all over the world.  It is where the average black man takes his hard-earned money, for safe-keep and with the hope of a massive return on investments. Through a series of extensive, elaborate and systematic marketing strategies, his mind has been re-trained to believe this is the wisest investment he could make to secure his future on earth and beyond. The owners and operators of the Black bank have promised returns, manifold returns on investments. In some cases a hundred-fold return is promised. Months have turned to years, years to decades and the black man is still waiting for returns. But, the black bank has multiplied branches all over the black communities. The black bank has defied all economic hardships thrown at the black communities. It is the only industry that thrives in the midst of scathing squalor. Matter-of-factly, the more the hards

The Presidency has released document profiling and detailing President Muhammadu Buhari’s achievements in three (3) years, since the administration came on board. The statement released ahead of the May 29, Democracy Day, reads in part: Economy The presidency says the Nigerian economy is back and is on the path of growth after the recession of 2016-17. It said the Buhari administration’s priority sectors of agriculture and solid minerals maintained consistent growth throughout the recession. It said inflation has fallen for the fifteenth consecutive month while the nation’s external reserves are at their highest levels in five years, currently double the size of October 2016. “The new FX Window introduced by the CBN in April 2017 now sees an average of $1 billion in weekly turnover, and has attracted about 45 billion dollars in inflows in its first year, signalling rising investor confidence in Nigeria. “Nigeria’s Stock Market ended 2017 as one of the best-performing

By Cayley Clifford Pan-Africanism – the liberation of Africans through regional cohesion and solidarity – has played a crucial role in shaping the continent's development. First championed by Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere in the 1960s, it was later advanced by Thabo Mbeki and Olusegun Obasanjo, whose presidencies in South Africa and Nigeria respectively saw the introduction of important continental institutions, including the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Since their departure from office, the spirit of Pan-Africanism has dimmed. Coupled with the weakening of leadership in traditional powerhouses like South Africa and Nigeria, no single personality has truly taken up the leadership mantle in Africa. However, the current generation of African leaders continues to push an agenda inspired by Pan-African ideals with the objective of furthering development, enhancing economic integration and managing co

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)  has granted a ‘No Objection’ to 22 firms to procure and install meters for customers under the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos). By this, it means the metering burden has automatically been taken off from the DisCos. This was confirmed in a statement by Usman Abba-Arabi, General Manager, Public Affairs. According to him, the ‘No Objection’ order, qualifies intending investors to participate in the meter procurement and installation processes in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). He said, “The investors are empowered to do this through the MAP Regulation which took effect on April 3, 2018. The new regulatory framework structured the financing pattern through which the mass metering plans for electricity users would be implemented. “It also mandated the DisCos to engage meter assets providers i.e the new investors, who fund purchase, installation and replacement of meters to meet DisCos’ meteri

OREDOLA ADEOLA | All Progressive Congress (APC) on Thursday, inaugurated 78 Man National Campaign Committee For Ekiti State Governorship Election. It is headed by the Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu. Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who acted on behalf of Chief John Oyegun, APC Chairman, during the inauguration at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja, urged the committee members to take the task as a very important. He said," Just as we all have stressed it, this will not be the first time the party is expressing and underscoring the importance of this election. "When South-West Party leaders met with the president recently, he underscored the importance of this election. “We have faced enough of affront as a party. Challenge has been thrown to us not only by the PDP, but by Governor Fayose. So we must be united to confront that challenge. We will give our all to ensure that we win Ekiti State for the APC. “This will be a sec

By Ninyo Omidiji | There are many in the church today that are carrying heavy loads that have nothing to do with their faith in Christ. They are burdened by a lot of obligations that have been placed on them by the religious system. The long list of obligations to be met, all in an attempt to curry God's favor and be loved by Him, stares them in the face, day in day out. That's what they have been taught. Much like the Pharisees during Jesus' earthly ministry, their teachers have laid heavy burdens on them. But when Christ came He declared to his listeners "come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest". Rest is what Christ brought you sir, not religion. And definitely not a long list of obligatory meetings, conferences, programs, offerings and sacrifices. Check it well, If it is getting too burdensome, there's no Christ in it sir. If it is getting too heavy, it doesn't belong in Christ. It doesn't belong

OREDOLA ADEOLA| The Presidency has released facts and figures indicating recovery and growth in the economy. This was contained in a statement released  on Thursday by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity. According to him, some people have made it a pastime to talk as if there is no silver lining in the sky as far as the Nigerian economy is concerned. He observed that these folks talk as if the economy has been doom and gloom all the way, adding that their rhetoric have hoodwink the public, gained them and their principals undue political advantage. Presenting the facts  about the Nigerian economy, which he claimed naysayers may not be able to do anything about, Adesina said, “According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the economy has recovered from the slow-down and eventual recession, which started in 2014. "There has been improvement with stronger growth for three successive quarters. From contracting by

Following the allegation by President Muhammadu Buhari that former President Olusegun Obasanjo misappropriated $16bn on power sector without result to show for it, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project ( SERAP) has urged the President to instruct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) to arrest the two leaders who ruled between 1999 and 2015. The human rights advocacy group in a statement released by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni made this request on Wednesday. The group also revealed that apart from the $16bn, Buhari should also charge the anti- graft agency to look into the alleged squandering of a total of N11trn in the power sector between 1999 and 2015. Mumuni disclosed that N11trn was squandered under ex-Presidents Obasanjo, the late Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan under the guise that the money was being spent to provide regular supply of electricity in the country. SERAP boss further urged President Buhari to ensure that anyone

Fast rising Pan-African music star, Tunde Joseph, fondly called TJMalaika, has once again scored another feat in Republic of Benin, as he was honoured as the Most Valuable Pan-African Artiste at the authentica mod 2018 grandpopo festival, held in that West African country. The event which was held on Saturday May 19, in the border town between Republic of Benin and Togo, is one of the biggest cultural events in the country, attended by participants and tourists from within and outside the country. Speaking on the award TJ Malaika said, “The honour is an endorsement of efforts that I have put into promoting pan-Africanism through music. "It is a confirmation that those efforts have yielded results and my fan base has expanded beyond expectations.I am infact pleased that my music is being heard. "I dedicate this award to my fans across the world for the support and for believing in me. God bless you all. “Special appreciation to Dr.Bonny Botoku, Promoter of Af

Tunde Joseph, surnommé TJMalaika, a une fois de plus marqué un autre exploit en République du Bénin, puisqu'il a été honoré en tant qu'artiste panafricain le plus précieux au festival du grandpopo authentica mod 2018, qui s'est tenu dans cet ouest. Pays africain. L'événement qui s'est tenu le samedi 19 mai dans la ville frontalière entre la République du Bénin et le Togo, est l'un des plus grands événements culturels du pays, auquel ont participé des participants et des touristes de l'intérieur et de l'extérieur du pays. S'exprimant sur le prix, TJ Malaika a déclaré: "L'honneur est une approbation des efforts que j'ai déployés pour promouvoir le panafricanisme à travers la musique. "C'est une confirmation que ces efforts ont donné des résultats et ma base de fans s'est développée au-delà des attentes. Je suis en fait ravie que ma musique soit entendue. "Je dédie ce prix à mes fans du monde entier pour leur soutie

Col. Hameed Ali,  Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service has disclosed that only lazy Nigerians would claim to be hungry under President Muhammadu Buhari's administration. He stated this on Tuesday when he led members of the Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) to the Presidential Villa. According to him, manna does not fall from heaven, hence the lazy must be hungry. He said, “What more can we say in terms of growth of wealth? People say we are hungry. Of course, the lazy must be hungry because if you do not work hard, manna doesn’t fall from heaven. “So, when people say we are hungry, there was never a time in Nigeria that food was dropped in the mouth of the people and there can never be.” He told Buhari that Nigerians were behind him in his quest to seek re-election in 2019. “All we want to say on behalf of Nigerians is that we are solidly behind you in this second term bid,” Ali told Buhari. The Customs boss attributed Buhari’s decision to lead the c

In response to comment made by President Muhammadu Buhari on the $16b power project allegedly wasted during his tenure, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has replied him saying the action of President Buhari was based on ignorance, adding that he was relying on the unsubstantiated allegations against him by the then leadership of House of Representatives over the project. This was released by Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo’s media aide in Abeokuta on Tuesday. Recall that earlier on Tuesday President Buhari revealed that Obasanjo and other leaders who mismanaged Nigeria’s economy in the past, through fraudulent electricity projects and misuse of revenue earnings from oil , had no love for the country. OBJ said “It has come to the attention of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo that a statement credited to President Muhammadu Buhari, apparently without correct information and based on ignorance, suggested that $16 billion was wasted on power projects by “a former President”. We believe that

President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other leaders who mismanaged Nigeria’s economy in the past, through fraudulent electricity projects and misuse of revenue earnings from oil, had no love for the country. Receiving members of the Buhari Support Organisations (BSO) led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, the President urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and ensure that only ‘‘people of conscience are in-charge of governance at all levels’’, as the nation prepares for general elections in 2019. President Buhari in a statement released by Femi Adesina, his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, he said, " I challenge anybody to check from Europe, America and Asia; between 1999-2014, Nigeria was producing 2.1 million barrels of crude oil per day at an average cost of 100 USD per barrel and it went up to 143 USD. ‘‘When we came it collapsed to 37 – 38 USD and later wa

OREDOLA ADEOLA| Ahead of Tuesday’s  GOTV Max Cup challenge against the Super Eagles’ B team in Uyo, Europa league Champion, Atletico Madrid stars have arrived Nigeria with a grand reception at Ibom International Airport. Ushers welcome Fernando Torres to Uyo The Super Eagles' B team will play Atletico Madrid at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. According to the organiser, the match billed for May 22 is an international friendly tournament organised by MultiChoice Nigeria. Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Sales and Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, explained that top-notch security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that fans are protected in and around the stadium. “Our customers and fans alike have nothing to fear, as are working with government and private security officers to ensure safety for everyone who comes to the Godswill Akpabio stadium. As such, we are calling on football fans in Uyo and environs to come and watch the Super Eagles

The United Arab Emirate (UAE) Cabinet, under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at a cabinet meeting held on Sunday, announced the government’s decision to permit 100% foreign ownership of companies established in the country. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the Cabinet meeting on Sunday The Cabinet also agreed that UAE will adopt a new visa system for international “investors and talents,” by offering them long-term 10-year visa for certain categories of professionals. Sheikh Mohammed during the meeting directed the Ministry of Economy to coordinate with concerned parties to implement the resolution, and follow up on its developments, promising that the Cabinet’s decision will be enforced by third quarter of this year. Speaking shortly after the meeting , UAE Prime Minister said, “ At Sunday's Cabi

OREDOLA ADEOLA Presidential hopeful, Tope Fasua, candidate of Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party(ANRP) in the 2019 Presidential election has released statement stating why he is seeking votes to be elected as Nigeria's President. His statement reads in part: “What have we achieved so far? Is it the right time to chest-thump? I believe not. But I also believe that it is absolutely important to count one’s blessings because elsewhere things are a lot worse. A grateful heart will always take stock of the past and give thanks to the Almighty and all persons who has been catalytic to the journey so far. Tope Fasua , Presidential Candidate of ANRP We started barely 18 months ago. It is easy for people to stand afar and criticize and pick holes and point out our many imperfections. “How come you guys aren’t 1million in membership yet?  Are you sure Nigerians are buying your ideas? How are you different from the rest of the rat pack? Can you win anything with 50,000 membe