Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel, a.k.a Mayorkuns album The Mayor of Lagos (TMOL) hit number 15 on The Billboard World Album Chart for the week of Nov 15, 2018.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Billboard magazine released the list of its most recent Billboard Hot 100 on its official website just before midnight on Nov 30, 2018.

The Billboard Hot 100 is the music industry standard record chart in the United States, for songs published weekly by Billboard magazine.

The fast rising 24 year-old star, who is signed to Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), confirmed his inclusion on the list for this week on his social media page

He wrote @IamMayorKun Too Grateful.

We made it to @billboardcharts #TMOL is #15 on World Album Charts.

TMOL consists of 15 tracks and features some famous Nigerian and African artistes including Dbanj, Davido, Patoranking and Sarkodie.

Prior to the release of this album on Nov 16, 2018, Mayorkun had dropped some hit singles including his debut single Eleko, Mama and Che Che.

Mayorkun will hold his album launch and first major concert since the release of TMOL, on Dec 14, 2018 at the Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos

Source: NAN

Three Nigerian players, Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi were among the 34 African players nominated to vie for CAFs flagship award, Player of the Year.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool leads Egypts three nominees that included, Ahmed Gomaa of El Masry and Walid Soliman of Al Ahly.

Morocco led the nominations with four players: Ayoub El Kaabi who plays with China Fortune, Hakim Ziyech(Ajax), Ismail Haddad(Wydad Athletic Club) and Mahmoud Benhalib(Raja Club Athletic).

CAF unveiled the nominations at the end of the meeting of the executive committee in Accra, Ghana.

Fifteen women players have also been nominated for the Womens Player of the Year based on the performance of the players during the year.

Among them are four Nigerian players: Asisat Oshoala (Dilian Quanjian), Desire Oparanozia ( Guingamp), Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit) and Onome Ebi (Hekan Huisanhang).

Read the full list of nominees here:

According to CAF, the winners for the African Player of the Year and Womens Player of the Year will be decided by the CAF Technical

The European Union (EU) and ECOWAS rose from the 22nd ECOWAS-EU political meeting on Friday, commending Nigeria for the progress made in the fight against Boko Haram.

The two organisations made the commendation in a communique released at the end of the meeting on in Abuja.

The meeting which was at the ministerial level of EU-ECOWAS was co-chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Mustapha Suleiman, and Secretary of State of Finance Republic of Austria, Hebert Fuchs as Chair of Council of EU.

Sulaiman represented the Chair of ECOWAS Council of Minister while Fuchs spoke on behalf of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The participants exchanged views on the security and humanitarian situation in the North East, Nigeria.

Both sides commended the progress made in the fight against Boko Haram but noted with concern the recent increase in attacks by terrorist groups.

Referring to its support provided to the Multinational Joint Task Force, the EU expressed its commitment to support the countries of the Lake Chad Basin in addressing the multiple remaining challenges in this region through a comprehensive approach, it stated.

The participants according to the communique, noted the challenging general security environment ahead of the Feb.16, 2019 election in Nigeria.

The challenge, it noted was occasioned by mainly Boko Haram activities in the Northeast, the Farmers-Herders conflict in the middle Belt regions, among other threats.

They highlighted the importance of addressing among others, the root causes of conflicts and basic needs of the population related to the strengthening of resilient humanitarian access to the affected areas.

The participants applauded the growing cooperation and collaboration that characterised the relations between the EU and ECOWAS.

They underscored their shared values and increasing convergence of views in the areas of peace and security, governance, migration, trade and other development-related issues.

They reaffirmed the importance of advancing peace and security in the ECOWAS region and their willingness to deepen their cooperation in these areas in line with ECOWAS Protocol and regional mechanism, it stated.

It stated that the EU particularly expressed its appreciation of the measure being taken by ECOWAS in strengthening peace and security as well as consolidation of the gains of democratisation process in West Africa.

The communique added that ECOWAS and the EU took note of the commencement of negotiation on future ACP-EU relations after 2020.

They welcome the willingness expressed by the negotiating parties to readjust these future relations in the light of the current and emerging global challenges.

Also to strengthen their partnership towards the implementation of the development agenda and realisation of multilateral commitment.

Partcipants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the strategic relations between ECOWAS and the EU after 2020, it stated.

It stated that they agreed to continue the dialogue on developmental cooperation and multiannual financial framework, at a special session of the Strategic Orientation Committee.(NAN)

Source: NAN

The Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CCPM) has approached a court to demand the 2015 and 2016 tax receipts of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP).

The group had made a request to the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Abuja on November 16, citing Section 1(1) and (2) and Section 4(A) of the Freedom of Information Act.

However, according to CCPM, the demand had not been met, even after it issued a seven working days ultimatum to the FIRS to respond to the request.

Therefore, on Thursday, the group approached the Federal High Court in Abuja "for an Order of Mandamus compelling FIRS to make available either directly to the Applicants or through the Courts, copies of the 2015 and 2016 Tax Receipts of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar".

This was disclosed in a statement by Nelson Ekujumi, CCPM National Coordinator, and Solomon Sobade, CCPM Trustee, made available to SaharaReporters on Thursday.

The statement read: "Sequel to the request of the Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) dated Friday, November 16, 2018 and addressed to the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Abuja made under Section 1(1) and (2) and Section 4(A) of the Freedom of Information Act with regards to the 2015 and 2016 Tax Receipts of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

"The Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) today Thursday, November 29, 2018, consequent upon the failure of FIRS to accede to our demands instituted within the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act within seven working days from the date of receipt of our request, approached the Federal High Court Abuja for an Order of Mandamus compelling FIRS to make available either directly to the Applicants or through the Courts, copies of the 2015 and 2016 Tax Receipts of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

"From our private investigation, it has come to our knowledge that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar may not have been paying his personal income taxes AS AT WHEN DUE. We wonder how he intends to get Nigeria working again if he has been a tax dodger.

"We have instituted this court action for the purpose of enlightening Nigerians about the electoral process as well as campaigning for the accountability of public office holders and aspirants."

The Trump Organisation planned to give a $50 million penthouse in the planned Trump Tower Moscow to President Vladimir Putin while the company was in negotiations in 2016.

Buzzfeed News reported this on Thursday quoting four persons familiar with revelations made by Trumps lawyer Michael Cohen.

Cohen, also Trumps fixer, discussed the idea with Putin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, two U.S. law enforcement officials told Buzzfeed.

Trump Tower Moscow is at the centre of a plea deal Cohen reached Thursday with special counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election.

Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to congressional panels about Trumps Moscow property plans, including his plans to travel to Russia, contacts with Russian officials in connection with the project and how long the property plans were discussed within the Trump Organization.

Court documents unsealed Thursday say Cohen well knew his statements to Congress about Trump Tower Moscow were false and misleading, stating that he told the lies in order to minimize links between the Moscow Project and Individual 1, an apparent reference to Trump.

Cohen also tried to give the false impression that the Moscow Project ended before the Iowa caucus and the very first primary, in hopes of limiting the ongoing Russia investigations.

However, it was revealed that the discussions surrounding the project extended well into 2016 and Cohen regularly informed Trump about the negotiations.

It is unclear if Trump was specifically aware of the deal to give Putin the penthouse.

Trump defended the project Thursday, telling reporters, There was a good chance that I wouldnt have won [the presidential election], in which case I would have gotten back into the business, and why should I lose lots of opportunities?

Trumps relationship with Putin has been under close scrutiny since the campaign, during which U.S. intelligence agencies say the Kremlin meddled in the presidential contest.

Source: NAN

Nigeria has started trial testing of the rollout plan of 5G networks with the 26GHz, 38GHz and 42GHz spectrum bands beginning with the Eko Atlantic Project

The country to regulatory agency, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), would be ready to roll out 5G by 2020.

NCC said in Abuja on Thursday during a collaborative meeting with GSMA for 5G rollout in Nigeria.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said 5G broadband data will drive connectivity and allow humans to interact with connected devices to check their health status and remotely control home appliances without physical contact.

Danbatta acknowledged the deficit in infrastructure rollout and spectrum availability in the country but added that the NCC was already working to address the challenges.

He said NCC would begin with the available 26GHz, 38GHz and 42GHz to drive 5G rollout in the country.

Danbatta said, NCC is already working on the three key factors that will drive 5G deployments, which include infrastructure, spectrum and regulation ahead of the 2020 rollout date.

We will rely on existing policies and regulation and still come up with additional policies and regulation that will address any hiccups.

Also speaking, the Head, sub-Saharan Africa for GSMA, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, said although Nigeria still operates 2G and 4G networks, they will gradually give way for 5G as the demand for 5G increases among the millennial, who are the digital natives.

GSMA used the occasion of the collaborative meeting to launch its latest report, which focused on Spotlight on Nigeria: Delivering a Digital Future.

Source: NAN

Presidential ticket of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria
(ACPN) is now complete after Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili announced Alhaji Abdulganiyu Galadima as her running mate.

Galadima was unveiled at an event Wednesday in Ilorin, during which Ezekwesili also launched the partys manifesto.

He was the chairman of the party and had vied for the top post along with Ezekwesili.

Galadima, a community leader and former ACPN presidential candidate, was born on June 11,1964.

He studied Public Administration at the Kwara State Polytechnic, where he also later served as member of the institutions Governing Council.

He is a businessman who is chairman of major business boards.

He has private sector and corporate governance experience with a market-focused enterprise, friendly government vision, the statement said.

The presidential candidate said the selection of Galadima, a businessman, would bring to the ACPN ticket an experience at grassroots politics at the local, state and national levels.

She described her running mate as a man of integrity, saying his principles and selfless politics aligned with hers and her vision for the country.

This experience complements my incomparable competence and capacity when it comes to socio-economic and governance issues.

Like me, Alhaji Galadima has shown a long-standing commitment to the fight to rescue our nation by standing with people of integrity.

He refused to join questionable alliances and coalitions led and bankrolled by ruling parties in this election and in that of 2015, where he ultimately emerged as the fourth most popular candidate across the nation.

Together, by the grace of God, we will work closely, selflessly and as a team to fight for every Nigerian person, family, community, ward or state, and rescue our country from the clutches of an irresponsible political class.

Together we will lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty and unlock prosperity for every citizen, she said.

Galadima assured Ezekwesili of his loyalty and promised to work with her towards getting peoples mandate in the 2019 general elections.

Source: NAN

Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has kicked against smuggling in West African countries and appealed to the governments to address the menace in the region to ensure smooth trade among member states.

The President of MAN, Alhaji Mansur Ahmed, expressed disdain for smuggling at a joint news conference with other stakeholders at the ongoing 9th Trade Ministers Forum on West African Monetary Zone in Abuja.

The Theme of the forum is Harnessing Intra-West Africa Monetary Zone (WAMZ) Trade Potential Through Value Addition and Diversification.

Ahmed said that activities of smugglers had continued to hamper the progress of trade in West African countries.

According to him, apart from the problem of smuggling, some counties that are not members have taken advantage of the free trade movement agreement to sell their goods in the region.

He said that they packaged their goods in the names of member countries deceitfully to enable them sell their goods without hindrance.

The MAN president charged customs authorities in member states to live up to their responsibilities in tackling the activities of smugglers.

The president also decried the inability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operators to access finance as a major problem affecting smooth trade in the sub-region.

He said that in Nigeria, there were various initiatives by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for SMEs operators to access funds but, was being hampered by the stringent conditions attached to the funds.

Also speaking, Dr Ngozi Ejbuna, the Director-General, West Africa Monetary Institute (WAMI), said that the forum had made a lot of useful recommendations on the way forward to promote trade in the sub-region.

Ejbuna disclosed that the issue of harmonised standard products on competitive advantage in the zone was equally discussed.

She said that the resolutions of the meeting would be presented to the ministers for ratification on Friday at the forum of Ministers.

In his remarks, Mr Nathaniel Patray, the Governor, Central Bank of Liberia stressed the need for governments in West Africa to create enabling environment for smooth trade in the sub-region.

Patray explained that African governments must remove trade barriers, ensure access to finance for businesses as well as provide good leadership for business to thrive.

He said that having an enabling environment was key and important for business to flourish in any part of the world.

If I talk about enabling environment, I dont mean governments should construct roads but I mean the things hampering our businesses from moving forward in Africa.

There is the need for governments to address problems affecting the businesses by re-examining our domestic policies, he said.

The Liberian apex governor also urged governments in various countries to increase salaries and wages of officers and men manning the borders to prevent corruption.

He said that some officers compromise by taking bribes at the border posts, the attitude he said had hampered smooth trade in the sub-region.

Source: NAN

Nigerias military will not be able to receive the already paid-for 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft until 2024 from the United States.

Reports said the United States Department of Defence has just awarded a $329 million contract to the Sierra Nevada Corporation to manufacture the planes for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), months after Nigeria paid for them.

The planes are needed to combat Boko Haram insurgency in the north east of the country.

reported that the contract was announced on 28 November and is worth $329m for the aircraft, although the total not-to-exceed amount is approved at $344.7m.

It will include Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) systems for six of the aircraft. These systems will be funded soon after the initial contract award, the website said.

In addition to the 12 aircraft, the contract provides for ground training equipment, mission planning systems, mission debrief systems, spares, ground support equipment and support services.

Nigeria paid $462m for the aircraft and a host of other accessories and weapons in April.

The Department of Defence said that work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida, and is expected to be completed in May 2024.

The Nigerian Air Force in December 2017 received letters of offer and acceptance for the Super Tucano deal.

In August last year the Nigerian deal was valued at $593 million and included Paveway II guided bombs, laser-guided rockets, 12.7 mm ammunition, unguided bombs and infrared sensors. Some of this may be acquired under separate contracts.

Based on an earlier request, it can be assumed that Nigeria will be getting AN/AAQ-22F electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor and laser designator turrets.

The sale of the aircraft has been dogged by controversy.

Under Barack Obama, the deal was cancelled due to accusations of human rights abuses against Nigerias military.

But President Donald Trumps administration approved the sale to support Nigerias efforts to fight Boko Haram militants and to boost US defence jobs.

However, the deal nearly stalled earlier this year when the Nigerian defence ministry complained over the late delivery date of the aircraft and the fact that Nigerian personnel were to be excluded from the aircrafts production and maintenance processes.

Defence Minister Mansur Dan Ali in January refused to accept these conditions.

Source: NAN

Saudi Arabia has resolved to lend Tunisia $500 million at a favourable interest rate and will finance two projects worth $140 million in spite of the protest by Tunisians against Saudi.

The package was released a day after the visit of Saudi Crown Prince sparked protests in Tunisia.

Tunisians staged a protest against Saudi Arabias Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, denouncing him as a murderer involved in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The Crown Prince, who faces no overt criticism in his country, received lavish receptions earlier in his tour in visits to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

Tunisias President, Beji Caid Essebsi received the Crown Prince and awarded him the republics medal, the countrys highest official award. The African country has been struggling economically and is dire need of funding.

An advisor to the president, Nourredine Ben Ticha told state television that Tunisia will announce in a few days important deals with Saudi, including a loan with low interest rate, agreements on investment and other important details.

An official and a source close to the discussions between Prince Mohammed and Essebsi, told Reuters that the loan would be worth $500 million. The two sources also acknowledged that the Saudi Development Fund will finance two projects worth about $140 million, but did not give more details.

Tunisia is currently struggling to cut its budget deficit, stabilize falling foreign currency reserves and manage expectations of international lenders demanding reforms such as trimming the public wage bill.

Source: NAN