CDC Group, Britains development finance agency, plans to invest up to $4.5 billion across Africa over the next four years to boost ties with the continent.

Britain, which is set to cut ties with the European Union in March, is hoping to bolster ties with main economies such as Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.

Mr. Nick ODonohoe, the Chief Executive of CDC Group, said the company has invested nearly $400 million in Nigeria, Africas most populous nation.

To support small and medium sized companies in Nigeria, CDC committed $25 million to Synergy, a local private equity firm. A $100 million-dollar loan was also given to Nigerian fertilizer company, Indorama.

ODonohoe noted that the agency would like to invest more in infrastructure, power, manufacturing and agriculture. He said we are opening a new office to help originate more transactions in Nigeria.

CDC aims to open a regional office for West Africa in Nigerias commercial hub of Lagos early next year and establish a presence in Nairobi, while also expanding in Johannesburg. The Group also plans to establish representative offices in Abidjan and Cairo.

Source: NAN

Olamide aka Baddosneh just realesed a new Video called "Poverty Die".

The video is currently Trending as #21 on Youtube as the time of filling this report. Watch video below.

Olamide - Poverty Die (Animated Video) – 03:11
— Olamide

Two brothersAyodeji Obadimeji, 18, and Saheed Obadimeji, 19, have landed into serious trouble for allegedly beheading a 10-year-old boy in Lagos for ritual.

A statement issued by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Chike Oti on Wednesday said a team of anti-kidnapping personnel from the police command on Nov. 27 at about 20:30hrs, arrested two siblings at Ibeju-Lekki area of the state.

Oti said in the statement that policemen from the Lagos Command were on routine patrol between Ajah/Epe expressway, when the suspects were apprehended along

On interrogation, they confessed that one Sodiq Abefe contracted them to provide him with human head at the cost of N200, 000, hence they lured the victim by sending him to buy Coca-Cola drink for them and when he brought the drinks to them, they held him and cut of his head with a knife
.
The victim has been identified by his parents as Joseph Makinde, male, aged 10 years, he said.

Oti said the torso had been recovered from an uncompleted building located at Shapati and that effort was being made to arrest the said Sodiq Abefe who allegedly contracted the duo to commit the heinous crime.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi had directed that the case be handed over to the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba for further investigation.

Oti said the CP reiterated his earlier warnings to criminals to repent or relocate from the state or regret the consequence of their action.

Source: NAN

The governor of Rio de Janeiro, Luiz Fernando Pezao, was arrested on Thursday over allegations he received bribes as part of the sprawling Car Wash graft probe, according to Brazilian media.

TheGlobo Newstelevision channel showed live footage of federal police at the residence of the governor, who remains in his home in custody.

Pezao is accused of taking bribes when he was vice governor under Sergio Cabral, who is currently in prison.

The police also raided the Guanabara Palace, headquarters of Rio de Janeiros government, searching for documents.

The Superior Court of Justice issued the arrest warrant based on the confession of Carlos Miranda, a former Cabral associate, who cooperated in exchange for a sentence reduction.

According to Mirandas testimony Pezao would have received a monthly payment of 150,000 reais ($40,000) as well as end-of-the-year bonuses of up to one million reais.

The money would have been paid by companies and intermediaries bound by contracts with the Rio de Janeiro government during a period from 2007 to 2014.

The state of Rio de Janeiro is on the verge of bankruptcy and plagued by insecurity.

Wilson Witzel was elected in October to govern the state and is set to take office January 1.

Source: NAN

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has tactically denied Ukraine her countrys support in the wake of Ukraines standoff with Russia in the Crimea.

Merkel said on Thursday that there is no military solution to the Ukraine conflict after President Petro Poroshenko asked for NATO naval support in his countrys recent conflict with Russia.

She blamed Russia for the tensions in the area but noted: We ask the Ukrainian side too to be sensible because we know that we can only solve things through being reasonable and through dialogue because there is no military solution to these disputes.

Source: NAN

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has given an account of military losses in recent weeks to Boko Haram terrorists and at the same time made a chilling revelation that the insurgents have gone hi-tech in fighting Nigerian soldiers.

He revealed that the Boko Haram insurgents now use drones and mercenaries to attack troops formations in the northeast.

A statement signed by Brig. Gen. Sani Kukasheka, on behalf of Buratai and issued on Wednesday said the trend poses threats which require review of military operations against the insurgents.

Since 2015; the Nigerian Army in conjunction with sister services and other security agencies have systematically degraded the capabilities and capacity of Boko Haram terrorists and many successes were achieved.

However, in the last two to three months, we have noticed daring moves by the terrorists, increased use of drones against our defensive positions and infusion of foreign fighters in their ranks. These potent threats require us to continually review our operations.

Buratai disclosed that 39 soldiers were killed and 43 others wounded in multiple attacks coordinated by Boko Haram insurgents on various military locations in the past few weeks.

He disclosed that insurgents attacked Kukawa, Ngoshe, Kareto, Gajiram and Metele military locations between Nov. 2 and 18, adding that they were successfully repelled by the gallant troops and several insurgents killed.

In recent weeks, Nigerian troops deployed in the North East of Nigeria under Operation LAFIYA DOLE have come under series of attacks by large numbers of Boko Haram Terrorists.

Specifically; the Nigerian Army troops deployed at Kukawa, Ngoshe, Kareto and Gajiram came under attack at different times within a two-week period between November 2 and 17, 2018. Each of these incidents was successfully repelled and several members of the terrorists killed.

However, a total of 16 personnel were killed in the course of these attacks while 12 soldiers wounded in action and are receiving treatment at our military medical facilities.

As you are all aware, Nigeria is contributing troops to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) which has its headquarters in Ndjamena, Chad. One of the Nigerian battalions; 157 Task Force Battalion, deployed under the auspices of the MNJTF was attacked at their base on the outskirts of a town called METELE on November 18, 2018.

During the attack, the troops were forced to withdraw and several casualties were recorded. As at date 23 personnel were killed in action and 31 personnel wounded and have been evacuated to several medical hospitals within Borno State, Buratai said.

Buratai sympathised with the MNJTF, adding that necessary support would be rendered to the MNJTF to reverse the resurgence of the Boko Haram terrorists.

Buratai also sympathised with the families of the gallant officers and soldiers that paid the supreme price in the course of defending the nation, stressing that the sacrifice fallen heroes will not be in vain.

Buratai gave an assurance that the army will support the bereaved families and continue to care for the wounded soldiers, who he wished speedy recovery.

According to him, the ongoing Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference earlier scheduled to hold in Benin City, Edo State, was moved to Maiduguri, to enable its leadership get closer to the troops on the ground, appraise its activities, assess performances and identify shortcomings.

Buratai reiterated the commitments of the Nigerian Army to ensure peaceful conduct of 2019 elections as well as collaborate with other security agencies to provide a secure environment for peace and unity in the country.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his support and visit to the troops in the northeast.

The army chief also commended Gov. Kashim Shettima, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali and Nigerians for their goodwill and support to the military at this trying moment.

We wish to reassure all Nigerians of the commitment of the Nigerian Army to defend our country at all costs. We shall also continue to remain apolitical, professional and responsive in the discharge of our constitutional roles.

Source: NAN

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has called for regulations and successful deployment of 5G network to foster economic development.

Danbatta made the call on the side-lines of a workshop themed Future of Industry, Driving Innovation and Growth organised by Global System Mobile Association (GSMA) in collaboration with NCC in Abuja.

Deployment of 5G network in Nigeria – 02:36
— News Agency OF NIGERIA

The workshop brought together leaders from across the telecommunications industry and policymakers to discuss future regulations in the industry and push for consensus on reforms.

The telecom industry is a key enabler of productivity across economies and societies.

It is not only a significant contributor to economic activities of a Nation, but also towards the growth of other sectors of the economy.

The proposed 5G networks are the next generation of connectivity in the telecommunications industry, offering faster speeds and more reliable connections on smart phones and other devices than ever before, he said.

According to the NCC boss, it is imperative that issues of telecommunications be taken seriously to foster innovation and growth in the industry.

Danbatta noted that the factors hindering growth in the sector were policies, regulations and performance of networks and called for adequate measures to address them.

Similarly, Mr Akinwale Goodluck, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA said Nigeria had always been in the forefront of development and should play a leadership position in the deployment of 5G services.

Mobile connectivity has already improved the welfare of millions of Nigerians, opening doors to new digital possibilities and powering the countrys economic development.

For Nigeria to take full advantage of the next phase of its digital transformation, it is vital that collaboration between industry and government enables the right policy environment for millions more to benefit from ultra-fast mobile broadband.

If policies do not keep pace with the needs of society and technological innovation, there is a risk that citizens will be left behind and productivity and competitiveness will suffer, Goodluck said.

NAN reports that the 5G network is expected to support a significantly faster mobile broadband speed and heavier data usage than previous generations while enabling full potential of the internet of things.

Mr Sunday Dare, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, Oluwatosin Bamidele, Chief Technical and Information Officer of Ntel were among stakeholders at the workshop. (NAN)

Source: NAN

An Airbus A340 government aircraft carrying German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her delegation to the G20 summit in Argentina, was forced to land en route after suffering technical problems on Thursday evening, the captain said.

Around an hour into the trip from Berlin, the captain told passengers he had decided to land at Cologne-Bonn airport in northwestern Germany after the malfunction of several electronic systems, but said there had been no security risk.

It was not immediately clear when a new aircraft would arrive to continue the 15-hour flight to Argentina.

Merkel and other passengers initially remained on board the aircraft, called Konrad Adenauer as mechanics inspected its brakes and several fire engines waited nearby, according to a Reuters reporter on board.

Later, the delegation traveled by bus to a hotel in Bonn. Delegation sources said efforts were underway to organize new flights for Merkel and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, possibly on a commercial carrier.

The delay could complicate Merkels schedule at the two-day meeting in Argentina, where the Group of 20 industrialized countries already expect to face very, very difficult negotiations on myriad issues.

Merkel, who had planned bilateral meetings with the presidents of the United States, China, Russia and India, was unlikely to arrive in Buenos Aires until Friday evening, German government sources said.

Source: NAN

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday abruptly canceled a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Argentina, registering his disapproval of Russias treatment of Ukraine and casting new uncertainty over U.S.-Russian ties.

Trump said he pulled out due to tensions over Russian forces opening fire on Ukrainian navy boats and then seizing them and their crew on Sunday near Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

His decision also comes as a federal investigation into his 2016 election campaigns ties to Russia is intensifying. Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty on Thursday to lying to Congress about a proposed Trump real estate project in Russia.

Based on the fact that the ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia, I have decided it would be best for all parties concerned to cancel my previously scheduled meeting in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin. I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved! Trump tweeted.

Trumps tweet, from aboard Air Force One shortly after takeoff from Washington on the way to Buenos Aires for a Group of 20 summit, was a sudden turnaround.

Roughly an hour earlier, he had told reporters he would probably meet with Putin at the summit and said it was a very good time to have the meeting.

Trumps cancellation marked a dramatic change in tone. In the past he has repeatedly stressed his desire for a warm relationship with Putin. When the two leaders met in Helsinki in July, Trump refused to criticise Putin and drew fire at home.

His announcement appeared to catch Moscow by surprise, with Russian officials getting their first news of it from the media.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told RIA news agency that the Kremlin regretted Trumps decision and said Russia is ready for contact with him.

A cancellation means that the discussion on key international issues is being postponed indefinitely, Peskov said.

Trump based his move on advice from senior advisers who have taken a harsher tone toward Russia than he has. He was briefed on Air Force One by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, White House chief of staff John Kelly and national security adviser John Bolton, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

Bolton has pushed for Trump to withdraw the United States from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty over what U.S. officials called Moscows violation of it.

U.S. officials are watching with alarm the crisis surrounding Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday accused Putin of wanting to annex his entire country and called for NATO to deploy warships to a sea shared by the two nations.

Source: NAN

Michael Cohen, President Donald Trumps former longtime personal lawyer, pleaded guilty on Thursday to lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Organization skyscraper in Moscow, prompting the president to lash out at Cohen as a liar and weak person.

The unexpected plea stemmed from Special Counsel Robert Muellers intensifying investigation into Russias role in the 2016 election and whether Trumps campaign conspired with Moscow to boost his chances, and put new pressure on the president.

Cohen, a former member of Trumps inner circle who in the past called himself the presidents fixer, described efforts to pursue Trumps ambitious Moscow real estate project deep into the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, later than previously disclosed.

He entered his guilty plea in federal court in Manhattan to one count of making false statements to two congressional panels about the project.

According to a court document, Cohen briefed Trump on the project more than three times, as well as members of his family.

Not long after Cohen entered his plea, Trump abruptly canceled a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled to take place during this weeks Group of 20 industrialized nations summit in Argentina, citing the current Ukraine crisis.

Cohen had pleaded guilty in August to eight criminal charges, including tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations, in a separate case brought by federal prosecutors in New York. His sentencing in that case is scheduled for Dec. 12.

Cohen said in court on Thursday that in 2017 he submitted a written statement to Congress saying all efforts relating to the real estate project in Moscow had ceased by January 2016. Cohen said that in fact those efforts continued until June 2016, after Trump had clinched the Republican presidential nomination.

The proposal to build a tower bearing Trumps name in the Russian capital ultimately did not materialise. Cohen provided false statements to both the Senate and House intelligence committees to create the impression the project had ended by the time the political primary season began, the charging document said.

Trump on Thursday distanced himself from Cohen, who last year told an interviewer he would take a bullet for the president.

Hes a weak person and not a very smart person, Trump said to reporters. Hes got himself a big prison sentence. And hes trying to get a much lesser prison sentence by making up this story.

U.S. President Donald Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen exits Federal Court after entering a guilty plea in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 29, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
Trump, who last week submitted written answers to questions posed in Muellers investigation, called the Moscow project a deal that didnt happen mostly because he was busy running for president, but defended its propriety.

Even if he was right, it doesnt matter because I was allowed to do whatever I wanted during the campaign, Trump said. I was running my business, a lot of different things during the campaign.

Everybody knows about this deal. I wasnt trying to hide anything.

Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani said the president had provided written answers to questions from Mueller on the Moscow project. Asked whether there was anything in those answers that contradicted Cohen on the project, Giuliani told Reuters: Not that I know of.

Cohen said that in his statement to Congress he claimed to have had limited contact with Trump concerning the project, when in fact it had been more extensive. Cohen also said he falsely told Congress he never took any steps toward traveling to Russia when in fact he had discussed going there, although he never went.

I made these misstatements to be consistent with individual 1s political messaging and out of loyalty to individual 1, Cohen, who previously identified individual 1 as Trump, said in court.

Trump has called Muellers investigation, which has cast a cloud over his presidency, a witch hunt. Mueller also is looking into whether Trump has sought to unlawfully obstruct the probe.

Trump, a wealthy real estate developer and reality television star before entering politics, has flirted with building in Moscow several times over the years. During a visit to Russia in 2013 for the Miss Universe pageant he told journalists he was talking with potential Russian partners for a Moscow skyscraper modeled on New Yorks Trump Tower.

The proposed Moscow project also involved Felix Sater, a Russian-born property developer and former business associate of Trump.

According to the charging documents, Cohen told an associate who matches the description of Sater that he was willing to travel to Moscow to pursue the project before the July 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, and that Trump could travel to Moscow after the convention once he becomes the nominee of the Republican Party.

Cohen in January 2016 spoke with an assistant to Putins press secretary about the project, and requested help in securing land and financing, the charging documents said.

Mueller, who took over the Russia investigation from the FBI in May 2017, has secured guilty pleas from several former Trump aides and associates, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn, and also has charged a series of Russian individuals and entities.

After Cohens guilty plea in August, Trump described Cohen as one of many of his attorneys and as someone who did small deals and not somebody that was with me that much.

Cohen told the court in August that Trump had directed him to commit a crime by arranging payments to silence two women, adult-film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who said before the 2016 election that they had affairs with Trump.

Asked by reporters if she was concerned about Cohens plea, top House of Representatives Democrat Nancy Pelosi said, Of course. He lied to the American people.

Muellers team said on Monday Manafort had breached his plea deal by lying to federal investigators. Trump said on Wednesday he had not ruled out granting a pardon to Manafort.

Joshua Dressler, an Ohio State University law professor, noted that Cohens plea came after Trump submitted his written responses to Mueller.

If Trump was asked anything relating to the matters about which Cohen has now admitted he lied, then the president could be found to have lied to the special prosecutor, which is a crime and impeachable offense, Dressler said.

Cohens lawyer, Lanny Davis, noted that Trump called his client a liar. Who do you believe? Davis asked on Twitter.

Source: NAN

Real Madrids Santiago Bernabeu stadium will now host on 9 December the twice postponed final leg Superclasico between Argentine rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate.

South American footballs governing body CONMEBOL confirmed this on Thursday night.

Originally scheduled for last weekend at Rivers Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, it was postponed after some Boca players were injured when their team bus came under attack from their arch rivals fans throwing projectiles.

Boca appealed to CONMEBOLs independent disciplinary committee to be awarded the trophy and have River expelled from the competition, but that was also rejected on Thursday.

Instead, Conmebol hit River with a two-game stadium closure that will be applied from 2019 in official continental competitions, and a $400,000 fine.

CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez said in a press conference in Asuncion, the Paraguayan capital, that Real president Florentino Perez had offered use of the Bernabeu for free.

Madrid is the city with the biggest Argentine population in the world, outside Argentina, said Dominguez.

Its the 10th safest city in the world, it has the airport with the greatest connectivity, and its a city with a football tradition.

He added that fans of both teams would be admitted to the Bernabeu, something that was not the case for the original clash.

Away fans have been barred from stadiums in Argentina since 2013 due to football-related violence that has seen more than 300 people killed in the last 50 years, according to one charity.

Dominguez had a message to the hooligans, known as barrabravas in Argentina, should they be thinking off attending the match.

The barras should not even dream of going. There is no place for them.

Im sure the message that the fans are going to send is what the world is waiting for: that the good guys are going to win this time.

Several Boca players suffered cuts from broken glass and the effects of smoke inhalation following the bus attack on Saturday.

While CONMEBOL initially insisted the match would go ahead, the two sides presidents agreed to postpone the second leg for 24 hours.

But a day later, Boca refused to play again, insisting they would be disadvantaged, and the match was indefinitely postponed.

On Monday, Boca petitioned CONMEBOL to be awarded the victory but a day later, the governing body said the match would go ahead outside Argentina.

The Buenos Aires rivals drew their first leg in early November at Bocas iconic Bombonera arena 2-2.

Madrid double

The choice of the Bernabeu means that both the Copa Libertadores and Champions League finals will be played in Madrid within six months of each other.

The final of Europes premier club competition will be played at the home of Reals own city rivals Atletico Madrid, the Wanda Metropolitano, on June 1.

Several cities and stadiums had been vying to host the prestigious all-Argentine final clash, dubbed a superclasico and the most important club encounter in the countrys history.

Possible venues ranged from Genoa in Italy to Asuncion and even Qatars capital Doha.

But Madrid won out, with Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeting that the country is ready to organise the final.

He said Spain has ample experience in such events and is already working on the necessary deployment to guarantee the security of the event.

The Bernabeu has a capacity of more than 80,000 seats.

Spains national statistics institute says there are 72,000 Argentines living legally in the European country.

River and Boca are the two most popular teams in Argentina, allegedly commanding between them 70 percent of the countrys football fans.

They have won the Copa Libertadores nine times between them. While Boca have won the title twice as many times, River held it aloft most recently, in 2015.

Source: NAN

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has added Jamaican reggae, Georgian wrestling and Japanese Raiho-shin rituals, among six new elements to its list of intangible heritage for the world to treasure.

The UN cultural agency said the listings were meant to further improve the visibility of often little-known and understood arts traditions.

The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is meeting until December 1 in Mauritius, inscribing new elements to its much coveted-list

A lot of music lovers were happy to learn that Jamaican reggae, originating from marginalised groups, mainly in Western Kingston, was also inscribed.

UNESCO said the genres contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the element as being at once cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual.

From the border between Asia and Europe, in Georgia, it added Chidaoba, which combines elements of wrestling, music, dance and special garments.

The practice encourages a healthy lifestyle and plays an important role in intercultural dialogue, according to UNESCO, which called its code of conduct chivalric, and noted that occasionally the wrestlers leave the arena with a Georgian folk dance.

Hurling, a field game from Ireland, which dates back 2,000 years, and features strongly in Irish mythology, also made the grade.

Played by two teams using a wooden hurley stick and a small sliotar ball, UNESCO said, hurling is considered as an intrinsic part of Irish culture and plays a central role in promoting health and wellbeing, inclusiveness and team spirit.

Japans Raiho-shin rituals, used to admonish against laziness and teach children good behaviour, was another winner.

Stemming from folk beliefs that deities visit communities and usher in the new year or season, local people dress in outlandish costumes and visit houses as deities.

The UN cultural agency said: By performing the rituals, local people notably children have their identities moulded, develop a sense of affiliation to their community, and strengthen ties among themselves.

Practised across many areas of Jordan, As-Samer, another new inscription, consists mainly of dancing and singing. Performed on various occasions, most commonly during weddings, UNESCO explained.

The UN agency said that poetry formed an integral part of the tradition, expressing feelings of joy, peace, intimacy and empathy among those in attendance.

Marking the end of the old and beginning of a new annual horse-breeding cycle, the spring festive rites of Kazakh horse breeders were also inscribed.

Rooted in traditional knowledge of nature and an age-old relation between man and horse, the rites involve skills inherited from nomadic ancestors, adapted to meet present-day conditions to ensure its continued viability.

Also listed was a historic joint bid made by both North Korea and South Korea, to include traditional Korean wrestling known as ssirum or ssireum.

Fundamentally linked to land and agriculture, UNESCO said its Executive Director, Audrey Azoulay, was instrumental in persuading North and South Koreas to combine cultural forces, embracing both a national sport and a very popular cultural practice.

UNESCO quoted Azoulay as saying the unprecedented result was a highly symbolic step towards inter-Korean reconciliation, that reminds us of the peace-building power of cultural heritage.

The UN cultural agency said: All the listed elements are important in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of growing globalisation, without recognising standards of excellence or exclusivity.

Source: NAN

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and music producer DJ Khaled with failing to disclose payments.

The charge is about payments they received for promoting investments in initial coin offerings (ICOs).

The two did not admit or deny the regulators charges, but agreed to pay a combined 767,500 U.S. dollars in fines and penalties, the SEC said in a statement on Thursday.

Source: NAN

The report of the killing of some 44 soldiers by insurgents at Metele village in Guzamala local government in Borno has continued to generate interest as the House of Representatives decided to probe the incident.

The House has set up an ad-hoc committee to unravel the lapses that led to the death of the soldiers.

The committee was set up after the lawmakers deliberated on a motion of urgent public importance during Tuesdays at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Chukwuka Onyema, sponsored the motion one week after the Senate deliberated on the attack by Boko Haram insurgents on a battalion of Nigerian soldiers in Metele.

In his words, Onyema said, The house also notes that the initial figures of casualty were put at 44.

But as more details emerge, it is now confirmed that 118 soldiers and officers were killed together with their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Sakaba, while about 150 more soldiers and officers are still missing.

In their various contributions, lawmakers from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) put their political affiliations aside and discussed who should be held responsible.

An APC member from Plateau State, Edward Pwajok, called for the replacement of the service chiefs, stressing that the killing of the soldiers in the line of duty was condemnable.

Whatever pressure you put on this service chiefs, I do not think that anything good can come out of them, Pwajok said.

Why can they not be changed? Is there a pact between them and the Commander-in-Chief? Mr Speaker, this is intolerable.

Aliyu Magaji from Jigawa State was on the same page with his Plateau counterpart as he alleged that the service chiefs have failed to live up to their responsibilities and must, therefore, resign their various positions.

A PDP lawmaker from Sokoto State Abdulsamad Dasuki, on his part, accused President Muhammadu Buhari of failing the people.

On the way forward, the House Committee Chairman on Intelligence, Sani Aminu, called for better equipment for the soldiers in the fight against insurgency.

His colleague from Abia State Nnenna Elendu-Ujeke called for adequate air support for ground troops and asked the Federal Government to take a cue from other countries that have overcome similar challenges.

The House Committee Chairman on Army, Rimamnde Kwewum, on his part, said, There is a need for the security agencies to account for the $1billion that they took.

There is a need for us to continuously know how much or how the resources they have been given are being applied, Kwewum informed told his colleagues.

Other lawmakers who contributed to the motion faulted the different committees of the House whose mandate was to oversight the military.

The House, thereafter, resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the attack on the soldiers.

It also directed the committee to probe how all the funds appropriated for the fight against insurgency have been utilised.

The lawmakers urged the Nigerian Army High Command to release the names of the soldiers who lost their lives in the attack, after due consultation with their families.

However, no timeline was set for the ad-hoc committee to submit its report.

Source: NAN

Senator Joshua Lidani Moljobok of the Peoples Democratic Party has switched to the All Progressives Congress.

Lidanis defection was announced on the floor of the Senate by the Majority Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan.

Lidani Moljobok, 64 years old, represents Gombe South in the upper chamber.

The Senate shared the news of Lidanis switch on its verified Twitter handle, @NGRSenate on Wednesday.

Senator Ahmad Lawan announces the defection of Senator Joshua Lidani from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate)

Senator Ahmad Lawan announces the defection of Senator Joshua Lidani from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Source: NAN

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and 500 other youth leaders across Nigeria have endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari as a youth advancement champion.

This is even as the youths groups are set to confer on Buhari with the Grand Patron of Nigerian Youth (GPNY), in an awards ceremony organized by the NYCN in partnership with Iykon Global Foundation (IGF).

In a statement co-signed by the President of the Youths Council, Malam Bello Shagari and IGF, the award to President Buhari is in recognition of investments by the administration in development and empowerment of Nigerian youths.

The award ceremony which will hold at the Shehu YaAdua Centre on Nov. 29th, has as its theme: Peaceful Election, Good Governance and The Role of Nigerian Youths.

According to the statement, the 500 youth leaders who would be converging on Abuja would also use the opportunity of the awards to sensitise Nigerian Youths on the need to serve as the agent of positive change.

It said that youths needed to wake up to their responsibilities to Nigeria by engaging in the election processes and use government machineries to promote social standard in the country.

According to the NYCN President, the conference will speak to the issues of preventing electoral violence and corruption by Nigerian youths.

Participants will also be given fresh ideas how to be law abiding citizens.

Source: NAN

By Folasade Folarin

The Federal Government, States and Local Governments, on Wednesday shared N788.13 billion as federal allocation for the month of October at the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC)meeting.

A statement issued by Mr Oise Johnson, Head, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), said the meeting was held after the 2018 National Council On Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED), in Kaduna.

He said that the figure distributed was higher than the N698.7 billion shared for the month of September by N89.42 billion.

Oise said a communique signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris was issued at the end of the meeting.

Thecommuniqu issued by the Technical Sub -Committee of FAAC indicates that the gross statutory revenue received is N682.16 billion which is higher than the N569.28 billion received in the previous month by N112.88 billion.

In the same vein, crude oil export sales increased by 0.82 million barrels, resulting in an increased revenue to the federation of 54.19 million dollars.

However, the average unit price dropped further from 75.69 dollars to 73.92 dollars.

The distributable statutory revenue for the month was N682.16 billion, while, the total revenue distributable for the current month (including Value Added Tax (VAT) and Exchange Gain Difference) was N788.13 billion.

In the summary of the distribution,the Federal Government got N284.3 billion from statutory revenue, N15.14 billion from VAT, N0.372 billion from the exchange gain, culminating in N299.9 billion.

The states got N144.2 billion from statutory revenue, N50.48 billion from VAT, N0.18 billion from the exchange gain, culminating in N194.9 billion.

The Local Governments got N111.2 billion from statutory revenue, N35.3 billion from VAT, N0.145 billion from the exchange gain, culminating in N146.6 billion.

The oil producing states received N58.09 billion also representing 13 per cent derivation revenue.

The communique also said that the cost of collection, transfer and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) refund came up to N 88.421 billion.

The communique said that the shut-in and shut -down of pipelines at various terminals persisteddue to leaks and maintenance.

Revenues from oil and gas royalties, Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT) and VAT increased significantly, while Companies Income Tax (CIT), import and excise duties increased only marginally.

The NACOFED conference which ended on Wednesday, was held for State Commissioners for Finance, Accountants-General of states, staff of FIRS, Budget Office of the Federation, Debt Management Office and other stakeholders in the finance sector. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Ummul Idris

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has attributed poor remuneration and inadequate health facilities as some of the major reasons for mass exodus of medical doctors.

Dr Ekpe Phillips, the FCT Chapter NMA Chairman, said this at the opening of the Annual Health Week of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Phillips described the pay package of doctors in Nigeria as poor, stressing the need for government to increase the remuneration of doctors to address the challenge.

He noted that many doctors who left the country to take up foreign appointment did so due to inadequate facilities among other factors.

He listed mass unemployment, lack of placement for residency faced by a high proportion of medical professionals in Nigeria as other factors.

Phillips said Nigeria is losing doctors to foreign countries, adding that Nigerian doctors are leaving the country for greener pastures and the workload is becoming too much on the doctors that stay.

We hear doctors collapsing because the workload is too much because their colleagues have left to find a greener gesture.

We have internal and international brain drain; Nigeria now has one doctor catering for 5,000 patients instead of one doctor to 600
patients.

Brain drain is now becoming pandemic and sad news because government did not and still is not doing enough; there is no serious commitment to stemming this syndrome.

Nigeria which was one of the richest 50 countries in the early 70s has metro greased to become one of the 25 poorest countries in the
World today, he said.

Dr Michael Olarewaju, the President of Association of Residents Doctors, FCT chapter, said that brain drain was a massive problem to Nigerias health system.

He said that if the problem was not properly tackled in the next two to three years there would not be enough doctors to treat patients in the country.

He observed that initially the problem in the sector was strike by health workers but now they are not going on strike but are exiting the country.

Source: NAN

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr Umar Ajiya, has urged Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) to regulate the volume of petroleum products dispatched to their member stations close to the borders.

Ajiya in a statement issued by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporations(NNPC) spokesman, Mr Ndu Ughamadu in Abuja on Wednesday said it would stem cross border leakages and forestall attendant product price hikes.

He said that price arbitrage and differential between regulated price in Nigeria and the high product prices in neighbouring countries encouraged smuggling.

Ajiya noted that MOMAN and its members remained most reliable in the Nigerian Downstream Petroleum Sector distribution network.

He advised that members of the Association should endeavour to increase the respective storage in their depots and stations to avoid stock-out as the yuletide approached.

He said that NNPC/PPMC had enough stock of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol, as well as other products, adding that the companys petrol stock alone would last about 45days.

According to him, the target is to get the sufficiency level to 50 days.

We have 2.2 billion litres of petrol, 1.1 on land and 1.1 on marine, 800 million litres in PPMC depots in addition to 27-day sufficiency of AGO, 98-day sufficiency of ATK and 48-day sufficiency of DPK, Ajiya said.

He implored MOMAN to take advantage of the NNPC/PPMC stock sufficiency and request for products to always wet membersstations across the country.

He further disclosed that NNPC/PPMC had stocked-in products in the nine Inland depots, including Enugu and Aba and would commence selling by Saturday.

This, he said was with a view to forestalling frequent shortages being experienced during Christmas and New Year in the eastern part of the country.

On his part, MOMAN executive secretary, Mr Clement Isong, said the association was committed to wetting stations in state capitals and other locations across the country.

We are ready to support NNPC/PPMC to flood the nation with products during the yuletide season and beyond as we go into general elections next year, Isong said..

He encouraged NNPC/PPMC management to sustain the tempo of petroleum products supply to MOMAN to ensure product availability at all times. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the downward review of Examination registration fees for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Senior Secondary and Basic Education Certificate.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, disclosed this at the end of the Councils meeting which was presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the minister, the JAMB fee for the UTME has been reduced from N5,000 to N3,500, the Senior Secondary School fee charge by NECO is now N9,850 as against N11,350 while the Basic Education certificate by NECO is reduced from N5,500 to N4,000.

Today the Council approved a reduction of fees paid for JAMB, Senior Secondary and Basic Certificate Examinations.

This has been long awaited since the current administration came into office and then (effected) a change in JAMB Management (to one) with prudence.

Nigeria slashes exams fees – 00:48
— News Agency of Nigeria

We were able to see that what is being charged as fees for JAMB examination shouldnt be because a lot of it was siphoned in the past by corrupt officials

So, in answer to the yearnings by parents, the President directed that we should look into ways of reducing the charges.

So accordingly, with effect from January 2019, JAMB fees for tertiary examinations will be reduced from N5,000 to N3,500; for the SSCE fees charged by National Examinations Council NECO will be reduced from N11,350 to N9,850 and for the BSCE by NECO, it will reduce from N5,500 to N4,000.

On the on-going negotiations between government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) the Minister said that the meeting would reconvene on Nov. 30.

Minister of Interior, retired Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau who also spoke on the outcome of the meeting, announced that the Council approved the production of an Identity card for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for Nigerians.

He said this followed approval of the committee of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS that the Identity Card should be produced for all its member countries.

He said: I presented a memo on the production of ECOWAS biometric identity card.

This is in response to the decision of the committee of Heads of State and Government, taken sometime in 2014, to replace the current ECOWAS travel certificate. This was to take effect in January 2016.

The project is to cost about N14.7billion and this is a contractor financed project and what that means is that the service provider is to use his funds to finance the project.

The contract will be for a period of 10 years and within those 10 years, it is expected that about 13 million cards would be produced.

According to him, it is hoped that the new identity card will help to enhance security at all Nigerian borders.

Currently the ECOWAS travel certificate in use does not have biometric features and so it is subject to abuse and can be produced anywhere without room for checking the background of the holder.

But the new identity card carries the photographs, fingerprints and other details of the card which can be checked instantly.

It will reduce the time spent at entry points and it will also help the Interpol identify persons involved in cross-border criminal activities, Dambazau said. (NAN)

Source: NAN