Thursday, December 31, 2015

FOR THE RECORD; PMB'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians
that life will be better for them in 2016.

AJIMOBI RAISES SIX-MEMBER PANEL TO PROBE REPEATED SANGO PLANK MARKET FIRE INCIDENTS

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has constituted a six-member panel of inquiry to investigate the two fire incidents that gutted the Sango Igbajo Plank Market on Christmas Day and Monday, which the traders blame on sabotage.

LAGOS LAWMAKERS PARDONED IMPEACHED DEPUTY GOVERNOR, EIGHT YEARS LATER.

Seven years after his impeachment and subsequent forfeiture of all his entitlements as Deputy Governor of Lagos, Femi Pedro has been pardoned by the state House of Assembly.

MTN MUST PAY FINE BEFORE DEADLINE - NCC

Nigeria said it was expecting telecoms giant MTN to meet a deadline for paying a record $3.9 billion fine which expires Thursday, despite the South African operator challenging the penalty in court.

TARABA; APC LOSES AT COURT OF APPEAL

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday reversed the judgment of the Taraba State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which had on November 7, 2015 sacked Governor Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party and ordered the All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate in the state, Aisha Alhassan, to be sworn in his stead.

LAGOS ASSEMBLY APPROVES AMBODE’S N662.588BN Y2016 BUDGET

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday passed into law the N662.588bn Year 2016 Appropriation Bill presented by the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on December 17, 2015.

Monday, December 28, 2015

10 DIE AS FEMALE SUICIDE BOMBERS HIT ADAMAWA TOWN

Over 10 people lost their lives on ​Monday when two female suicide bombers attacked a busy motor park in Madagali town of Adamawa State.

EVERY COMMUNITY WILL FEEL THE PULSE OF OUR GOVERNMENT- AMBODE

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday restated his commitment to keep faith with the promise he made during the electioneering campaign to run an all-inclusive government, where every community will not be left out in the scheme of affairs.

FOR THE RECORD; PMB'S MESSAGE AT YULETIDE



I felicitate with all Nigerians,
especially our Christian brothers and sisters, on the joyous occasion of this year’s Christmas.
On this occasion of the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, let us all rededicate ourselves to the virtues of peace, love, honesty, justice, equity, piety, humility and service to others which he taught. 

BLACK MONDAY AS INSURGENTS KILL 50 IN MAIDUGURI

Boko Haram Islamic extremists struck the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri for the first time in months Monday with rocket-propelled grenades and multiple suicide bombers, witnesses said. At least 50 people were killed and the death toll could go higher.

ARSENAL GO TOP AS CHELSEA, MAN U DRAW

Mesut Ozil inspired Arsenal to reclaim top spot in the Premier League, at least for 24 hours, as they won their first league meeting with Bournemouth.

BOKO HARAM'S MULTIPLE ATTACKS AND CLAIMS OF TECHNICAL VICTORY

Boko Haram Islamic Islamists have struck the northeastern city of Maiduguri twice in the past two days, less than a week after Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari declared that his military had “technically won the war" against Boko Haram.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS; 'BOKO HARAM NOW MORE DANGEROUS THAN EVER BEFORE'

 In a year packed with terrorist attacks, the world's deadliest militant group has carried out massacres the size of the San Bernardino killings once or twice a week. And over time, it has undertaken dozens of attacks that dwarf November's deadly rampage in Paris, sometimes shooting down several hundred civilians at a time.

NIGERIA SET TO REDUCE PUMP PRICE, SCRAP SUBSIDY JANUARY 1

Nigeria will reduce gasoline costs and scrap a fuel subsidy under a pricing mechanism to come into effect from January, Petroleum Minister of State Emmanuel Kachikwu said.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

MY TEN KOBO; PARADISE- A TRIBUTE TO BARRY WONDER

PARADISE
(In Memory of Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister)
*****Set to the lyrics of Nightshift by the Commodores*****

THE POETRY OF MR. FUJI....A TRIBUTE BY LAGBAJA

Being bombarded with incredulous stories of dizzying billions and the unbelievable wickedness in high places, it is difficult to think or talk about much else. Poorly equipped soldiers being massacred while their superiors were busy lining their pockets with funds meant for essential weapons? Extreme!

AMBODE DRUMS SUPPORT FOR MILITARY TO BOOST WAR AGAINST INSURGENCY

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday advocated the need for acknowledgement of the gallant and bravery efforts of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces both in protecting the territorial integrity of the nation and keeping the country united.

FG DECLARES THREE DAY HOLIDAY FOR MAULUD, CHRISTMAS

The Federal Government has declared December 24, Dec.25 and Dec. 28 public holidays to mark Maulud Nabiy, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, respectively.

MY TEN KOBO;THE LABOUR OF OUR HEROES PAST

Nigeria is dying, Nigerians are groaning, living in Nigeria used to be fun, but things are no longer funny.
The Naira is in a freefall, which means it costs more to do business in Nigeria. Actually forty percent more than just a year ago.

MY TEN KOBO;TRIBUNE AND THE SAGAY SAGA

I would like to commend the Management of African Newspapers Nigeria PLC, Publishers of the Tribune titles, for the swift and decisive action they took to quickly nip the fallout of the Sagay saga in the bud.

FOR THE RECORDS; PMB'S 2016 BUDGET SPEECH

Full Text Of President Buhari’s 2016 Budget Speech
Protocols
“I am honoured and privileged to present the 2016 Budget proposal. This is my first address before this joint session of the National Assembly. I have come here today, not only to address members of the National Assembly, but also to speak directly to the men and women who placed us here.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

TWO DIE AS ARMY TROOPS ARREST SHI'TE LEADER IN ZARIA

Nigerian troops arrested the leader of a minority Shi’ite Muslim sect and killed his deputy and chief spokesman in raids on his house and other buildings on Sunday, the group said, a day after shooting dead seven others in a clash in the northern city of Zaria.

'WHY WE COLLECTED COMPENSATION' - NEWSPAPERS PROPRIETORS

The Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has said that the N120 million compensation to media houses that were affected by the disruption of the circulation of their newspapers by armed soldiers in several cities was a collective decision.

ARSENAL BEAT VILLA 2-0 TO GO TOP OF THE TABLE

Arsenal ended a good week by going top of the Premier League courtesy of a win at Aston Villa that leaves Remi Garde's side further adrift at the bottom.

VICTORIOUS U-23 TEAM RETURNS ON MONDAY

Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, says players and officials of the victorious U-23 national team, Dream Team VI, who lifted the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations on Saturday night, will arrive Nigeria on Monday.

LAGOS APPROVES FLYOVER BRIDGE FOR AJAH, ABULE EGBA

The Lagos State Government has approved the construction of flyover bridges for two of the State's high-density traffic zones - Ajah round about and Abule Egba junction.

Friday, December 11, 2015

MY TEN KOBO; FASHOLA AND THE JOURNEY TO SANITY

For those who have been following my posts, blogs and analysis in the past few years, it is obvious I am not a big fan of Fashola.

FAMILY, FANS MARK BARRISTER'S 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH PRAYERS, BOOK LAUNCH AND A CONCERT

Five years after his death, all is now set to honour fuji creator, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.

DASUKIGATE; MY SIDE OF THE STORY - OKONJO-IWEALA

The immediate past Minister of Finance , Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday, reiterated her innocence in the ongoing probe on the multi-billion dollar arms deal, stating that in all her dealings, she strived to protect the interest of the country.

FIGHTING CORRUPTION IS A COLLECTIVE TASK - PMB

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said the nation’s laws needed to be strengthened to realistically contend with the miasma of corruption.

NORTHERN CONGLOMERATE TO START OIL EXPLORATION IN THE NORTH EAST IN 2016

The New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) on Friday, said it would begin oil and gas exploration in the north- east in the first quarter of 2016.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

ARSENAL BRUSH ASIDE OLYMPIAKOS , ADVANCE TO LAST 16

Olivier Giroud scored his first hat-trick for Arsenal to ensure the Gunners qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League by beating Olympiakos.

More winners emerge in ‘Life Progress Booster Radio Show’

The Life Progress Booster project, an entrepreneurial scheme sponsored by Life Continental Lager Beer, has produced two more winners. The winners: Chibuzor Okwu and Ikechukwu Ojukwu emerged at the Umu Oganiru Carnival held at the weekend in Onitsha, Anambra State.

NIGERIA BEATS SENEGAL, QUALIFY FOR RIO OLYMPICS

Nigeria has reached the finals of the U-23 African Nations Cup, after beating Senegal with a penalty scored in the 76th minute by Etebo.

LAGOS BANS OPEN PROCESSION, FIREWORKS DURING YULETIDE

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday warned residents to desist from holding open processions during the yuletide season, urging them to limit such gatherings to the enclosure of the venue.

WE ARE SETTING THE AGENDA FOR CHANGE - FASHOLA



Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing has outlined how he intends to tackle the problem of power, roads and housing in Nigeria.

Monday, December 7, 2015

MY TEN KOBO; GOVERNORS, GOVERNANCE AND THE ILLUSION OF GRANDEUR

Sometimes last year, a governor of one of the South West states was slated for an award at an event held at Eko Hotels. The event, billed for 6pm, had the hall filled to the brim and the parking space fully occupied by 4pm.

FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS; WHAT IS BIAFRA?

More than 45 years ago, Nigeria was nearly divided by a bloody civil war that led to the deaths of over a million people.

PRESS BILL; SENATORS ARE ON THEIR OWN - PRESIDENCY

The Nigerian Presidency has issued the statement below, quoting President Muhammadu Buhari as dissociating himself as his administration from the media muzzle law being cooked by the Nigerian Senate.

OONI OF IFE, OBA OGUNWUSI GETS STAFF OF OFFICE

The new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called on youths in the country to support the leaders to ensure peace and progress in the country.

AGAIN, INEC DECLARES ANOTHER ELECTION INCONCLUSIVE

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared the Bayelsa State governorship election as inconclusive.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

MY TEN KOBO ;CORRUPTION, MEDIA TRIALS AND BACK TO THE FUTURE

In those heady days after the military sacked the inept Shagari administration and started corralling politicians into prisons and giving them jail sentences that even their grandchildren would serve part of, there was this self satisfying feeling that a Daniel has come to judgement.

DSS ARRESTS TWO OF ITS OPERATIVES OVER N310M ROBBERY

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested two out of five of its staff members for their alleged involvement in a N310 million robbery, a statement said in Abuja on Sunday.

NIGERIA NEEDS N23BN ANNUALLY TO DEVELOP INFRASTRUCTURE - TIB BOSS

Mr Adekunle Oyinloye, the Chief Executive of The Infrastructure Bank (TIB) who disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos at the weekend, said that infrastructure decay in the country was massive and required huge funding.

INEC DECLARES APC WINNER OF KOGI ELECTIONS

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Alh. Yahaya Bello as the winner of the Kogi governorship poll.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

THE RISE AND RISE OF COMEDY IN NIGERIA - NEW YORK TIMES

LAGOS, Nigeria — The thieves were having a field day, t
the comedian Ali Baba exclaimed to a large auditorium of lawyers. It was so bad that they struck every car along a deeply potholed road — that is, until a former governor came along.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

PMB IN CHINA TO RESTART STALLED RAIL PROJECT

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week to discuss restarting stalled rail projects in Africa’s biggest oil producer

DASUKIGATE; MY STORY - DOKPESI

High Chief Aleogho Dokpesi, Daar Communication (Ray Power and AIT) founder, has explained what transpired on Tuesday 1 December 2015 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invited him.

SHELL ACCEPTS COMPLICITY IN SARO WIWA'S DEATH,AGREES TO PAY N3BILLION

In what is clearly a landmark settlement, multinational oil giant, Royal Dutch Shell, on Tuesday agreed to pay a settlement of $15.5 Million (N3 billion) over the killing of novelist and environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and eight other Ogoni leaders.

IGP READS THE RIOT ACT TO PROTESTERS

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase has issued a stern warning to MASSOB and IPOB activists to stop threatening public peace or face the full weight of the law.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

TB JOSHUA, OTHER SYNAGOGUE TRUSTEEES, ENGINEERS FOR TRIAL OVER DEATH OF 116 PERSONS

The trustees of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) will on Monday, November 30, 2015 be arraigned before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over the collapse of a six-story building in the church on September 12, 2014, which led to the death of 116 persons.  

Friday, November 27, 2015

EDITORIAL ; AMBODE AND THE MAN IN THE MIRROR

A few minutes ago, the Governor of Lagos , Akin Ambode, made a public presentation of some equipment bought to fight crime in Lagos, which includes helicopters, patrol boats, cars, bikes, APCs and other sundry items that would return Lagos to the glory days of a crime less society.

PMB APPOINTS 30 NEW JUDGES TO FEDERAL HIGH COURT

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of 30 new Judges for the Federal High Court on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council.

AMBODE HANDS OVER N4.8 BILLION SECURITY EQUIPMENT TO THE POLICE

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday handed over series of security equipment and vehicles to the State Police Command and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), just as he charged them to ensure that the equipment are deployed effectively to tackle criminal activities as residents will no longer accept excuses.

SPECIAL;PMB AND THE ECONOMY

When Muhammadu Buhari clinched victory in Nigeria’s presidential elections in March, stocks soared as investors looked to the former military ruler to reverse decades of economic mismanagement and policy inertia. Now hopes have fizzled in his ability to turn around Africa’s largest economy and oil producer.

21 DIE IN KANO EXPLOSIONS

At least 21 people were killed on Friday when a suicide bomber blew himself up in the crowds at a Shia Muslim procession near the north Nigerian city of Kano, in the latest violence to hit the troubled region.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

SANCHEZ KEEPS ARSENAL HOPES ALIVE

 Arsenal kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League last 16 asAlexis Sanchez inspired a vital 3-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.

Monday, November 23, 2015

AUDU - THE DEATH OF COMMON SENSE

A few years ago, the baby brother of a friend died twenty four hours after moving into his duplex at Isheri.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

WORK RESUMES ON THE LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY

Construction giants, Julius Berger PLC and RCC, are back on site in continuation of the re-construction of the N167 billion Lagos-Ibadan express way.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

KOGI ELECTION ; GENERAL CALM AS VOTING ENDS

Most of the Card Reader machines deployed for the conduct of Kogi Governorship election have been working effectively across the state.

Friday, November 20, 2015

MINIMUM WAGE; THE GOVERNORS ARE JOKING -NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Friday said workers in the country would resist any attempt by government to review downwards the current N18,000 national minimum wage.

5 REASONS WHY BOKO HARAM IS MORE DEADLY THAN ISIS

After three attacks in as many weeks — in ParisBeirut and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula — in which a total of at least 397 people were killed, the world's attention is fixed on the Islamic State and its horrific brutality.

NEW HOME, CAR OWNERS EMERGE AS COWLSO ENDS THREE DAY WOMEN'S CONFERENCE.

As the 23rd edition of the National Women's Conference organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), ends today...