The Editorials

Oredola Adeola | Okoro Emmanuel, creative director of the fashion brand Emmy Kasbit, who produced the jacket worn by Mrs Theresa May, UK Prime Minister on her  official visit to Nigeria on Wednesday. Okoro Emmanuel and Theresa May  In a recent tweet, Emmanuel said, “ I was honoured to Have The British Prime Minister @TheresaMay Wearing A Custom Jacket From Our Spring Summer 18 Collection. “ Thanks to All The Beautiful Women (Artisans) Who Work Tirelessly Day And Night Crafting These Beautiful Textiles, Be proud of Nigeria African culture." Okoro who was the lucky recipient of the Lagos Fashion Week, Fashion Focus Fund powered by FETSP. wallet, in a recent interview, said, “ Emmy Kasbit was launched in January 2014, as an ethical fashion brand birthed out of my passion to clothe the unconventional man and woman who believe their outfit is deliberate and not accidental.” “I am a self-taught designer with a lot of internships under my belt. That has really helped me

Nigeria has again come to spotlight after statement credited to US President, Donald Trump, who allegedly called President Muhammadu  Buhari, LIFELESS, and UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, who says the country is the home to the poorest people in the world. In this new development, Harvard University gave to its students assignment, using Nigeria as a case study, on the topic: Nigeria – Fates in the Balance. Contained in the assignment is the following text:- Africa is growing. Seven of the ten fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa, and the continent’s largest economies are becoming less dependent on extractive commodities. The continent’s rising middle class has demonstrated a taste for consumer goods and technological innovation, and Africa’s population-currently more than a billion people- is booming and overwhelmingly young at a time when populations in other regions are shrinking and aging. Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa’s largest economy, epitomizes both t

Germany has handed back the human remains of indigenous people killed during a genocide in colonial rule, seized from Namibia more than 100 years ago, on Wednesday. A Namibian government delegation received the skulls at a church service in the capital, Berlin. Tens of thousands of Herero and Nama people were murdered in response to an anti-colonial uprising. The extermination order was issued in October  1904 by Lothar Von Trotha, the head of Military Administration in the then German South West Africa. The genocide began in 1904 after a Herero and Nama rebellion in response to the German expropriation of their land and cattle. The Herero and Nama were forced into the desert and any who were found trying to return to their land were either killed or put into concentration camps. There is no agreed figure of how many died but some estimates have put it as high as 100,000. It is thought that 75% of the Herero population and half of the Nama population died. The skulls of

Olayinka Edward 1. Nigeria the poorest nation in the world. Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, says Nigeria is the home of the highest number of poor people in the world. She's expected in Nigeria this week. The UK PM in South Africa, said Africa is home to a majority of the world’s fragile states, and a quarter of the world’s displaced people. She added that Africa has the highest number of poor people in the world, stating that 87 million Nigerians were living below the poverty line of $1 and 90 cents per day. “Much of Nigeria is thriving, with many individuals enjoying the fruits of a resurgent economy, yet 87 million Nigerians live below $1 and 90 cents a day, making it home to more very poor people than any other nation in the world,” she said. 2. This is Bookings Institution Report: Nigeria has now taken over as the nation with the highest number of extremely poor people, a report by Brookings Institution has shown. Before now, India used to h

Ahead of her visit to Nigeria, on Wednesday, August 28, Mrs. Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has admitted that Nigeria has the highest number of poor people in the world. She made this remark in Cape Town, South Africa, on Tuesday, being part of her scheduled trade mission tour of three African economies ahead of Britain leaving the EU in 2019. The UK PM revealed that Africa is home to a majority of the world’s fragile states, and a quarter of the world’s displaced people, adding that the continent has the highest number of poor people in the world, stating that 87 million Nigerians were living below the poverty line of $1 and 90 cents per day. She said, “Much of Nigeria is thriving, with many individuals enjoying the fruits of a resurgent economy, yet 87 million Nigerians live below $1 and 90 cents a day, making it home to more very poor people than any other nation in the world. May said achieving the inclusive growth is a challenge across the world, ad

Posu , Joseph Sewanu I considered it a sweet - bitter emotion when I received the news of that ' unpresidential ' remark of Trump against President Buhari that the latter is lifeless. In all honesty, this is an aberration and a slap on the collective face of Africans. It's reprehensible and deserves outright condemnation from all and sundry. That said, why would Trump have that gut and audacity to call Buhari , the number one citizen of the most populous black nation on planet Earth , such an unprintable name? Would Nigeria have a sound  sleep had reverse been the case ? Africa truly does not have the balls to kick against any form of bully from the West. We have no heart of our own. The reason is because we depend on these guys for virtually everything. When fall sick, those saddled with the responsibilities of building our hospitals rush down to those countries for medicare. When  we talk of first - rated educational systems, we don't think of building

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) has warned Senator Bukola Saraki, Senate  President, to resign his position immediately or be forcefully removed. Alhaji Garus Gololo , National Coordinator of the association in Benue State, made this threat during a press chat with reporters in Makurdi on Tuesday. Gololo claimed Saraki had created numerous problems for the administration of President Muhammad Buhari , which he said had affected the economic and social growth of the nation. He said, “ It is on this note that we are saying that Saraki ought not to be in office again as Senate President, more so, Saraki has failed to coordinate and organise the National Assembly to offer quality legislation that Nigerians need. “ Nigerians are in dire need of people that have the interest of the masses . Miyetti Allah is looking for a leader that would preside over the affairs of the Senate with ultimate respect for the executive and the judiciary , not someone like Sena

OREDOLA ADEOLA| The Lagos State Government and Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing have agreed to shut down  the Third Mainland Bridge temporarily for four days starting from midnight of Thursday, August 23 to midnight of Sunday, August 26, 2018, for Investigative Maintenance Test to be carried out. The maintenance and repair works at the bridge which is also known as Gen Ibrahim Babangida Bridge, is expected to cost N18.874 billion. Recall that this amount was approved on Wednesday, May 2, by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, out of a total of N99 .01 billion budgeted for repair and maintenance of roads and bridges nationwide. The contract was awarded to Borini Prono an Italian construction firm which constructed the bridge from the onset. The Federal Government had earlier announced plans to shut the bridge in July 27 to July 30, but had to be shifted to August 24 to 26, after due consultation with the Lagos State Government and wide deliberations with other sta

A Yahoo boy,  Taiwo Akinola, 29, has made attempt to use his mother, Mrs Alice Iyabo Akinola, for ritual in what is known as Yahoo Plus, on Sunday August 19, 2018. This was confirmed in a statement released by CSP Chike Oti , Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer on Monday. According to him, the incident occured in Ayobo, Ipaja, Lagos State on Sunday 19/08/2018. He said, " The boy  battered his helpless mother whose face and skull, in his morbid attempt to advance his cyber fraud business ( yahoo.com) to the bloody or ritual level  (yahoo plus). " The incident took place on the Sunday at about 0830hrs, at No.2 Raji Ajanaku street, Alaja Road, Ayobo, Lagos, inside the flat the suspect,Taiwo Akinola, age 29 years lives with his mother, Mrs Alice Iyabo Akinola and her grandchild Master Faruk, age 14 years.  " In a carefully thought out plans to kill his mother, Taiwo, said to be staunch member of the notorious Aiye confraternity,  went to the victi

Popular Gospel- Highlife musician, Yinka Ayefele, has lamented the demolition of the his radio station, Fresh FM by the Oyo state government. Recall that the building popularly known as Music House, is located in Challenge area of Ibadan, Oyo state. It was destroyed at the early hours of Sunday by the officials of the Oyo state government despite a court injunction restraining the government from carrying out the exercise. The government said that the building contravened physical planning rules, while Ayefele claimed that all the necessary papers were obtained for the construction of the building. In his reaction to the statement, he said, “Oyo state government did it at last……my pains my sweat ….So help me God.” He also commended Toyin Arulogun and Oyo State Government for demolishing his property. "I greet the entire Fresh Fm fans both home and abroad. I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude for this opportunity and experience. "As we all know, Fresh Fm i

Oredola Adeola| The  Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, who doubles as the Convener of  Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) Worldwide, Iba  Gani Adams, disclosed that the Osun Osogbo festival was the pioneer cultural festival to be promoted by the pan-Yoruba group. He made this statement on Friday at the grand finale of the Osun Osogbo festival 2018, at an event  organized by the Oodua People’s Congress ( OPC) at Laaro Primary School , Asubiaro Area, Osogbo in commemoration of the festival. The National Coordinator of OPC while addressing members of the group and other dignitaries present at the event, reaffirmed the commitment of his group towards promoting the Culture of Yoruba race across the World. He further disclosed that promotion of cultural events has transformed the entire concept of the Oodua People’s Congress, adding that since 2001 when the group started participating in the festival, the group has been promoting the consciousness of the Yoruba tradition, identity an

By Femi Aborisade The detention of Mr. Samuel Ogundipe, a Premium Times Security Sector Reporter at the cell of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Abuja, on 14 August 2018, allegedly for reporting the tentative Report of investigations and findings by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the siege on the National Assembly by the State Security Service (SSS), which was sent to the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and  without being charged to court within 24 hours is not only a sad reminder   of   brutal suppression   of   press   freedom   under   Decree   No.   4   of   1984,   it   is  an unacceptable violation of Section 35 (1), (4) & (5) and Section 39(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, which provide constitutional guarantees   for  personal   liberty,  being   brought   before  a   court   within  a   reasonable   time defined as one day where there is a court of competent jurisdiction within a radius of forty kilo

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his 10-day vacation and has written to the National Assembly to that effect. The letter signed by Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, he revealed that the extension was necessitated in order for the president to complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors. Part of the letter reads: “The President had planned to return to Abuja this evening (Sunday), but was advised to complete the test cycle before returning. “The notice has since been dispatched to the Senate President, and Speaker, House of Representatives. " Mr President expresses his sincere gratitude to Nigerians for their concern, prayers and kind wishes.”

Dr. Nnaemeka Onyeka Obiaraeri I will be shocked, If Saraki and Dogara  allow/approve the  planned  sharing of the N98bn recovered Abacha loot by the Buhari government amongst the phantom poorest folks in Nigeria. The APC has REINVENTED and restructured the vote buying antics into another fearsome and brazen dimension.  Now they share monies to voters even with the aide of security men and electoral officials. A party Chieftain releasing cash to INEC official during the just concluded Bye-election in Bauchi  Having weaponized  poverty across the nation space ,  through their  retrogressive and poverty foisting policies, which has seen over 10Million Nigerians pushed into the gaping extreme poverty hell hole in the last three years , N98Bn will buy over 19m votes at N5000 per vote. For those of you thinking that 2019 is going to bring the nun dimities of the APC across the political  landscape of  Nigeria because of  their too glaring  records of atrocious governance  over

OREDOLA ADEOLA | The Federal Government has launched TRADERMONI, being a new initiative under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), which the administration is proposing to empower two million petty traders between August to December 2018. The credit scheme according to the government aims at extending financial inclusion down to the grassroots, the bottom of the ladder, considering the contribution of petty traders to economic development. The scheme, which was launched  last week Tuesday, in Lagos, would grant a minimum of 30,000 loans in each State of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. It has kicked off with tens of thousands beneficiaries already in some selected market in Lagos State, including Mushin, Ikotun, Agege, Ketu, and Abule Egba markets. This newspaper however gathered that the two million mark for the project is expected to be attained on or before the end of this year, with petty traders in Lagos, Kano and Abia States se

After 120 years of elaborate celebration of new year festival, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwunsi, Ojaja II,  has revived the age-long festival in Ile-ife, Osun State, being part of his Cultural Tourism Agenda for the Yoruba nation. The Arole Oodua who joined multitude of indigenes, tourists and invited guests to revive this historical rituals in Yorubaland popularly, known as "Odun Isu”  at the Ile-Oodua palace, Ile-Ife, disclosed that a deity called "Oreluere" who was one of the 401 deities sent by God(Olodumare) to establish the world was the first hunter on the planet earth that planted yam before Oduduwa supported him to make on it a success. Ooni Ogunwusi while addressing the mammoth crowd at the festival acknowledged that God had provided all different necessary foods for sustainability of humanity and annual germination and growth of yam for human consumption. The Ojaja II observed that the process of originality of yam production em

An aide to President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that Governor Aminu Tambuwal, of Sokoto State, who recently decamped from All Progressive Congress to Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) made attempt to overthrow President Buhari when the president was ill. This was revealed by Lauretta Onochie, Special Assistant on Social Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday via her Facebook page. She was speaking against the backdrop of Tambuwal’s defection to PDP. Onochie said, “Tambuwal lied about the reason why he left APC, explaining that the Sokoto state governor left the ruling party after his plan to overtake Buhari’s tenure as President failed.  “Governor Tambuwal of Sokoto state, yesterday, returned to his vomit. It was expected. The problem I have is that he lied about the reason for leaving APC. “APC? A haven for the corrupt? And he returned to PDP? He is not an honourable man. ” He is a man who wished for, prayed for and desperately wanted the death of President Mu

Adam Oshiomole, Chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any person or officers of the party have been barred by an Ilorin High Court from dissolving or taking any action towards dissolving Kwara state executive committee of the party led by Mr. Isola Balogum-Fulani. This was contained in the order of the court which granted the application and submission filled by Abdulwahab Bamidele, counsel to Isola Balogun – Fulani (chairman Kwara APC), Chief Christopher Tunji Ayeni, (secretary Kwara APC), who are claimants /applicants in the suit number KWS /292/218 filed before the court of Justice TS Umar. The claimant had dragged the national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole and five others before the court on the purported dissolution of the Kwara APC executive committee by the NWC of the party. Other defendants/respondents in the suit include Mallam Mai Mala Binu, National Secretary of APC, the party, APC NWC, INEC and Hon. Ba

Justice Stephen Pam of the Federal High Court Abuja, has ordered a bench warrant against Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for disobedience of court order. Justice Pam gave the order on Wednesday, following the INEC Chairman's absence in court to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for alleged contempt of court. Recall that the Supreme Court had in Jan. 2016 declared the list of candidates submitted by the Ken Emekayi led faction of the Anambra PDP, illegal. This was in respect of a suit filed by the Ejike Oguebego faction on behalf of themselves and others including Mr Chris Uba. The suit was for the apex court to determine who the legal and validly nominated candidates of the party to stand for the last general elections for the party in the state. Going by the ruling, the list of nominated party candidates in the 2015 general election from the Oguebego-led executive of the Anambra PDP was the on