Saturday, 24 September 2016
Wedding cancelled after the bride-to-be was cut kissing another man.
E Money's son birthday vs Peter okoye's son birthday.
5 Star Music CEO, E Money's son Chukwuebuka turned 3 years old yesterday and his father shared these photos of the excited boy playing around his cake lit with sparklers.
P-Square's Peter Okoye first born Cameron turned 8 years old today and a birthday party was thrown for him.
P-Square's Peter Okoye first born Cameron turned 8 years old today and a birthday party was thrown for him.
Arnold Schwarzenegger meets Barcelona player Neymar.
Arnold Schwarzenegger who is in Spain for his Arnold Classic Europe bodybuilding event met with Barcelona players and spent some time with superstar, Neymar. The Hollywood icon expressed his delight at the meeting writing on Instagram: 'Fantastic to kick off the @arnoldsports Europe by meeting a true champion, @neymarjr! Great to see you my friend!'. The man seem to be old already...
More photos...
Thursday, 22 September 2016
Photo of couple that had sextuplets 6years ago..
The young shall grow. Nothing pleases a parents like seeing their children grow well in all ramifications. Six years ago and now, the picture of a family that had sextuplets has resurfaced.
Imo state governor is 54 today.
Imo state governor
Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha (born 22 September 1962) is a Nigerian multi billionaire businessman, education philanthropist and politician from Imo State ,
Nigeria who won the 6 May 2011 gubernatorial election in Imo State and was reelected for his second term on April 11, 2015. He is the founder of Rochas Foundation, a charity comprising a number of special schools that are spread all over Nigeria that gives scholarship to the less privileged children in the Nigerian society.
In his first attempt, he ran on the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) platform [1] and ran on the All Progressives Congress in his second shot. In both occasions, Rochas defeated his closest rival, incumbent governor Ikedi Ohakim and serving Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha , by a close margin of votes and had to go for reruns.
Background
Rochas, an Igbo , was born on 22 September 1962 in
Ogboko, Ideato South , Imo State . He attended Juladaco High School, Jos (1976-1981). He studied at the University of Jos (1990-1991), obtaining a diploma in Public Administration. He returned to the University of Jos (1993-1994) to obtain an advanced diploma in Public Administration.
[2] Career positions include President, Nigeria Red Cross Society, President/Founder, Rochas Foundation Inc, President, Rochas Group of Companies Limited, Pro Chancellor, African Business School and Former Chairman, Board of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency. [2]
From Rags to Riches
Rochas Okorocha wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He was born into a poor family. And as he puts it, “I found out that I was born into a home that is relatively poor from all the definitions of poverty. So, I understand from the onset that I have a task ahead of me and the name of the game is survival." [3] He said he had to work extra hard to make both ends meet by combining education with street trading. He said he didn’t have a straight school experience while growing up. He was involved in street trading at one point in time or the other. He said, "Honestly, there has never been a dull moment in my life. In fact, I engaged in too many things just for the sole purpose to survive.” [3]
Okorocha, who acknowledged that he broke even early in life, said “The first one was at a very tender age of my life when I was selling used clothes. I broke even because I was able to buy a bus. I was able to buy a bus in secondary school and I bought television set in primary school as small as I was from the sale of oranges, coconuts and used clothes. What I do is that if I sell, I post some of the profits and at the end of the year I buy something with it. So, it has been a worthwhile experience but where I would say I made the first one million dollars, was as a commission agent from the sale of used equipment in Bauchi State where Balfour Beatty was constructing the Balanga Dam. When the company was winding up I was one of the agents that sold used equipment and I made N1.1 million when it was equivalent to $1 million dollars. And I put the entire money into the business of used cars then later graduated to the sale of new cars to what they called ‘Rochas Motors” but what made me really rich was real estate business. [3]
“At the age of nine I bought a television set, at 14 I bought a bus, at the age of 19/20 I became head of a commercial school, at the 22/23 years I became a proprietor of a school and I went into cement business (BBC) in Gboko, Benue State. And at the age of 24 plus I got married, at the age of 29 I became a member of National Constitutional Conference, I became a member of Federal Character Commission thereafter then I went to contest for governor and failed and shortly after that I ran for presidency and later became a presidential adviser. I ran for presidency again. You see, I moved on and on in life with hard work and challenges." [3]
Early political career
Okorocha was a Commissioner on the Federal Character Commission and a Member of the National Constitutional Conference. [2] When democracy was restored in 1999, Rochas Okorocha competed in the primaries to be People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governor of Imo State, but lost to Achike Udenwa . [4] He moved to the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP), and was an unsuccessful candidate for President on the ANPP platform in 2003. He returned to the PDP, and President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as Special Adviser on Inter-Party affairs. [5]
Rochas Okorocha formed the Action Alliance (AA) party in 2005, planning to become a Presidential candidate for the AA in the 2007 elections. [5] He again returned to the PDP, and in September 2007 indicated that he was interested in becoming PDP National Chairman. [6] After Governor Ikedi Ohakim decamped from the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to the PDP in July 2009, Okorocha denied that Ohakim had taken over the PDP in the state, saying he was named as leader since he was governor, but a proper PDP congress should be held to decide on policy. [7]
Imo state governor
Okorocha decamped from the PDP to the All Progressive Congress. [9] However, Okorocha went on to campaign as APGA candidate and won subsequently. Rochas in 2013 decamped to the All Progressive Congress.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared that the Imo State gubernatorial elections held on 26 April 2011 were inconclusive since the collation of results was marred by irregularities. [10] The INEC ordered reruns in four local government areas and one ward, to be held on 6 May 2011. [11] In the event, elections were not held in
Oguta local government area due to a security threat.
[12] The final results had Okorocha of the APGA declared winner with 336,859 votes. He was followed by the incumbent governor Ikedi Ohakim of the PDP with 290,490 votes. Former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was third with 107,068 votes. [11] President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated Okorocha on his election, saying the people of Imo State had spoken through the ballot box. [13]
In preparatory for the 2015 elections, former deputy speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, threw in his hat for the governorship tussle. After being able to snatch away the PDP tickets from other contenders, he had to slug it out with the incumbent, Okorocha. The election eventually took place on April 11, 2015 after the first date was shifted by six weeks when the federal authorities cited security concerns. Just as Okorocha's first election debacle, the second one was also declared inconclusive.
INEC declared the April 11 governorship polls in Imo inconclusive, a development that led to the cancellation of elections in more than 250 polling units in 23 of the 27 local government areas. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Gabriel Ada, listed the state constituencies affected in the re-run to include; Ikeduru, Isiala Mbano, Isu, Oguta, Owerri West, and Oru East. He explained that the electoral commission ordered re-run for the governorship election because of the 79,000 difference between the votes scored by the leading and the second candidates. [14]
Okorocha won the rerun election fixed for April 25, 2015. [14]
APC
On 2 March 2013 Rochas led an APGA faction to form the All Progressives Congress . [15] He was later elected by his colleague governors in the opposition as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum.
Nigeria who won the 6 May 2011 gubernatorial election in Imo State and was reelected for his second term on April 11, 2015. He is the founder of Rochas Foundation, a charity comprising a number of special schools that are spread all over Nigeria that gives scholarship to the less privileged children in the Nigerian society.
In his first attempt, he ran on the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) platform [1] and ran on the All Progressives Congress in his second shot. In both occasions, Rochas defeated his closest rival, incumbent governor Ikedi Ohakim and serving Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha , by a close margin of votes and had to go for reruns.
Background
Rochas, an Igbo , was born on 22 September 1962 in
Ogboko, Ideato South , Imo State . He attended Juladaco High School, Jos (1976-1981). He studied at the University of Jos (1990-1991), obtaining a diploma in Public Administration. He returned to the University of Jos (1993-1994) to obtain an advanced diploma in Public Administration.
[2] Career positions include President, Nigeria Red Cross Society, President/Founder, Rochas Foundation Inc, President, Rochas Group of Companies Limited, Pro Chancellor, African Business School and Former Chairman, Board of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency. [2]
From Rags to Riches
Rochas Okorocha wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He was born into a poor family. And as he puts it, “I found out that I was born into a home that is relatively poor from all the definitions of poverty. So, I understand from the onset that I have a task ahead of me and the name of the game is survival." [3] He said he had to work extra hard to make both ends meet by combining education with street trading. He said he didn’t have a straight school experience while growing up. He was involved in street trading at one point in time or the other. He said, "Honestly, there has never been a dull moment in my life. In fact, I engaged in too many things just for the sole purpose to survive.” [3]
Okorocha, who acknowledged that he broke even early in life, said “The first one was at a very tender age of my life when I was selling used clothes. I broke even because I was able to buy a bus. I was able to buy a bus in secondary school and I bought television set in primary school as small as I was from the sale of oranges, coconuts and used clothes. What I do is that if I sell, I post some of the profits and at the end of the year I buy something with it. So, it has been a worthwhile experience but where I would say I made the first one million dollars, was as a commission agent from the sale of used equipment in Bauchi State where Balfour Beatty was constructing the Balanga Dam. When the company was winding up I was one of the agents that sold used equipment and I made N1.1 million when it was equivalent to $1 million dollars. And I put the entire money into the business of used cars then later graduated to the sale of new cars to what they called ‘Rochas Motors” but what made me really rich was real estate business. [3]
“At the age of nine I bought a television set, at 14 I bought a bus, at the age of 19/20 I became head of a commercial school, at the 22/23 years I became a proprietor of a school and I went into cement business (BBC) in Gboko, Benue State. And at the age of 24 plus I got married, at the age of 29 I became a member of National Constitutional Conference, I became a member of Federal Character Commission thereafter then I went to contest for governor and failed and shortly after that I ran for presidency and later became a presidential adviser. I ran for presidency again. You see, I moved on and on in life with hard work and challenges." [3]
Early political career
Okorocha was a Commissioner on the Federal Character Commission and a Member of the National Constitutional Conference. [2] When democracy was restored in 1999, Rochas Okorocha competed in the primaries to be People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governor of Imo State, but lost to Achike Udenwa . [4] He moved to the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP), and was an unsuccessful candidate for President on the ANPP platform in 2003. He returned to the PDP, and President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as Special Adviser on Inter-Party affairs. [5]
Rochas Okorocha formed the Action Alliance (AA) party in 2005, planning to become a Presidential candidate for the AA in the 2007 elections. [5] He again returned to the PDP, and in September 2007 indicated that he was interested in becoming PDP National Chairman. [6] After Governor Ikedi Ohakim decamped from the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to the PDP in July 2009, Okorocha denied that Ohakim had taken over the PDP in the state, saying he was named as leader since he was governor, but a proper PDP congress should be held to decide on policy. [7]
Imo state governor
Okorocha decamped from the PDP to the All Progressive Congress. [9] However, Okorocha went on to campaign as APGA candidate and won subsequently. Rochas in 2013 decamped to the All Progressive Congress.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared that the Imo State gubernatorial elections held on 26 April 2011 were inconclusive since the collation of results was marred by irregularities. [10] The INEC ordered reruns in four local government areas and one ward, to be held on 6 May 2011. [11] In the event, elections were not held in
Oguta local government area due to a security threat.
[12] The final results had Okorocha of the APGA declared winner with 336,859 votes. He was followed by the incumbent governor Ikedi Ohakim of the PDP with 290,490 votes. Former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was third with 107,068 votes. [11] President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated Okorocha on his election, saying the people of Imo State had spoken through the ballot box. [13]
In preparatory for the 2015 elections, former deputy speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, threw in his hat for the governorship tussle. After being able to snatch away the PDP tickets from other contenders, he had to slug it out with the incumbent, Okorocha. The election eventually took place on April 11, 2015 after the first date was shifted by six weeks when the federal authorities cited security concerns. Just as Okorocha's first election debacle, the second one was also declared inconclusive.
INEC declared the April 11 governorship polls in Imo inconclusive, a development that led to the cancellation of elections in more than 250 polling units in 23 of the 27 local government areas. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Gabriel Ada, listed the state constituencies affected in the re-run to include; Ikeduru, Isiala Mbano, Isu, Oguta, Owerri West, and Oru East. He explained that the electoral commission ordered re-run for the governorship election because of the 79,000 difference between the votes scored by the leading and the second candidates. [14]
Okorocha won the rerun election fixed for April 25, 2015. [14]
APC
On 2 March 2013 Rochas led an APGA faction to form the All Progressives Congress . [15] He was later elected by his colleague governors in the opposition as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum.
King sunny Ade is 70 today
In 1987, Sunny Adé returned to the international spotlight when Rykodisc released a live concert he did in Seattle and was given an astonishing embrace by fans across the globe who were eager for another international album release. who?
He soon employed an American manager, Andrew Frankel, who negotiated another three album record deal with the Mesa record label (a division of Paradise Group) in America. One of these albums was 1988's Odu, a collection of traditional Yoruba songs, for which he was nominated for the second Grammy Award and thus making him the first African to be nominated twice for a Grammy. Apart from being an international musician Sunny Adé is also prominent in his native Nigeria, running multiple companies in several industries, creating a non-profit organisation called the King Sunny Adé Foundation, and working with the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria.
In recent times, hip hop music appears to be holding sway with the electronic media in Nigeria with massive airplays. Nonetheless, Sunny Adé's musical output has continued to inspire a vast generation of other Nigerian musicians, who believe in the big band musical set up which Sunny Adé and late Fela Kuti are noted for. The musician Lagbaja is one of the very many musicians whom Sunny Adé's music has inspired. In 2008, his contributions to world music was recognised; as he was given an award for his outstanding contribution to world music at the International Reggae and World Music Awards held at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York.
NNPC tower To be bombed my Niger delta group if EFCC arrests Mr's Jonathan
The Niger Delta Peoples Professional Volunteer Force (NDPPVF), a group which says its members are workers in the oil and gas industry, has threatened to bomb the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) if the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrests Patience Jonathan.
Accusing the anti-graft agency of witch-hunting the former first lady, the group advised EFCC to lift the No Debit Order imposed on her Skye Bank accounts.
The accounts contained more than$15 million, but Jonathan’s wife has since explained that the money was meant for her medical bills.
Last week, the EFCC filed money laundering charges against Waripamowei Dudafa, Jonathan’s special adviser on domestic affairs,whom the former first lady directed to open the accounts Dudafa, Amajuoyi Briggs, a lawyer; and Damola Bolodeoku, a Skye Bank official.
On Tuesday, Ibrahim Magu, chairman of the EFCC, also told reporters that Jonathan’s wife was under investigation.
But in a statement by Parkinson George-Amabo, spokesman of NDPPVF, the group warned Magu that investigating Patience could result into “bad blood, embarrassment and possible unrest in the Niger Delta”.
The group said it is not in support of corruption, but against the manner in which the agency is investigating Patience who has had an “impressive and fortuitous pedigree”.
“As a matter of fact, the EFCC has launched a criminal investigation of Mrs. Jonathan and in the process, frozen her bank accounts domiciled with a Nigerian commercial bank without affording her opportunity to state her own side of the matter,” the statement read.
“Nobody is above the law. The NDPPVF does not support or condone corruption. If Mrs. Jonathan was found to be corrupt, we shall not hesitate to call for her prosecution.
“We, however, have a grouse with the modus operandi of Mrs. Jonathan’s investigation, given her status as the wife of a former deputy governor, former governor, former vice-president, former acting president and finally, former president. She is perhaps, the only Nigerian woman – dead or alive – with such an impressive and fortuitous pedigree; which accounts for why the EFCC needs to thread with caution.
“Recently, there have been calls on the attorney-general of the federation as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)to arrest and prosecute the former First Lady for alleged money laundering.
“We shall simultaneously bomb the 4 wings of the NNPC Towers the day it is announced that MRS. PATIENCE GOODLUCK JONATHAN has been arrested by the EFCC.”
Accusing the anti-graft agency of witch-hunting the former first lady, the group advised EFCC to lift the No Debit Order imposed on her Skye Bank accounts.
The accounts contained more than$15 million, but Jonathan’s wife has since explained that the money was meant for her medical bills.
Last week, the EFCC filed money laundering charges against Waripamowei Dudafa, Jonathan’s special adviser on domestic affairs,whom the former first lady directed to open the accounts Dudafa, Amajuoyi Briggs, a lawyer; and Damola Bolodeoku, a Skye Bank official.
On Tuesday, Ibrahim Magu, chairman of the EFCC, also told reporters that Jonathan’s wife was under investigation.
But in a statement by Parkinson George-Amabo, spokesman of NDPPVF, the group warned Magu that investigating Patience could result into “bad blood, embarrassment and possible unrest in the Niger Delta”.
The group said it is not in support of corruption, but against the manner in which the agency is investigating Patience who has had an “impressive and fortuitous pedigree”.
“As a matter of fact, the EFCC has launched a criminal investigation of Mrs. Jonathan and in the process, frozen her bank accounts domiciled with a Nigerian commercial bank without affording her opportunity to state her own side of the matter,” the statement read.
“Nobody is above the law. The NDPPVF does not support or condone corruption. If Mrs. Jonathan was found to be corrupt, we shall not hesitate to call for her prosecution.
“We, however, have a grouse with the modus operandi of Mrs. Jonathan’s investigation, given her status as the wife of a former deputy governor, former governor, former vice-president, former acting president and finally, former president. She is perhaps, the only Nigerian woman – dead or alive – with such an impressive and fortuitous pedigree; which accounts for why the EFCC needs to thread with caution.
“Recently, there have been calls on the attorney-general of the federation as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)to arrest and prosecute the former First Lady for alleged money laundering.
“We shall simultaneously bomb the 4 wings of the NNPC Towers the day it is announced that MRS. PATIENCE GOODLUCK JONATHAN has been arrested by the EFCC.”
Wednesday, 21 September 2016
Mamman Daura seem to be the source of the speech that Plagiarized Obama
Two sources at the Presidency in Abuja have told SaharaReporters that Mamman Daura, a nephew of President Muhammadu Buhari and arguably the biggest power player in the government, was the source of a major speech delivered by the Nigerian president in which the words of US President Barack Obama were plagiarized.
The two sources claimed that Mr. Daura had hijacked the task of providing speeches for the Nigerian president, adding that he often threw away draft speeches that he did not commission.
Asked whether the president’s nephew personally wrote the controversial speech that stole Mr. Obama’s words without attribution, our sources said that Mr. Daura certainly produced the speech. “It is possible he wrote it himself, or he went and asked somebody else to go and write it and bring,” said one source. The other stated, “I can tell you that nobody writes speech anymore for President Buhari but Mamman Daura.”
According to our sources, Mr. Daura was behind President Buhari’s inauguration speech, which lifted a famous quote from the late French leader Charles de Gaulle. They said the president’s nephew was also solely responsible for writing or commissioning Mr. Buhari’s now infamous speech entreating Nigerians to accept the idea of “Change begins with me.”
Our sources disclosed that the Presidency was trying to fool the public through its spokesman, Garba Shehu, who said a deputy director had written the now widely ridiculed speech. Mr. Shehu had also declared that the speechwriter would be punished.
Our investigator discovered that Mr. Attah Esa is the only deputy director attached to the State House media office. His duties are concerned only with newspaper reviews.
Our sources disclosed that, unlike former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar'Adua, and Goodluck Jonathan, President Buhari does not have an identified official speechwriter. SaharaReporters learned that presidential aides, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, often only get to see President Buhari’s speeches when such speeches are distributed at official functions. “That’s why Nigerians no longer get an advance synopsis of presidential speeches online as happened during Jonathan’s era,” said one source.
The same source added: “Under President Buhari, all types of speeches, whether on the economy, education or terrorism, are organized solely by Mamman Daura, who thinks he knows everything. Buhari’s Personal Assistant, Sabiu Yusuf (popularly known as Tunde Idiagbon) then types the speeches.”
Our sources disclosed that Mr. Daura even discouraged any input from MDA. “He is known not to use drafts submitted by MDAs, even on technical issues such as budget, climate change and maternal health,” one of them said.
During Jonathan's Presidency, Oronto Douglas, who died last year, served as the official speechwriter. Draft speeches from MDAs were submitted to him for vetting, and he consulted with the agencies throughout in order to ensure objectivity and correctness.
Ken Nnamani moves to save Sir Emeka Offor
Former Senate President Ken Nnamani has initiated at least two moves to assist a controversial government contractor, Emeka Offor, to grapple with two severe challenges facing the businessman. Mr. Nnamani and the government contractor have a chummy relationship. Offor made the senator chairman of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, which the Goodluck Jonathan administration handed over to Offor on November 1, 2013, in very controversial circumstances.
Former Senate President Ken Nnamani has initiated at least two moves to assist a controversial government contractor, Emeka Offor, to grapple with two severe challenges facing the businessman. Mr. Nnamani and the government contractor have a chummy relationship. Offor made the senator chairman of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, which the Goodluck Jonathan administration handed over to Offor on November 1, 2013, in very controversial circumstances.
The first move by Senator Nnamani is to help raise funds to enable Offor, one of the leading beneficiaries of the 16 years in which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power from 1999 to 2015, to bury his late father. Mr. Offor, whose businesses have collapsed since the exit of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, has been reluctant to bury his father, Bennett Offor, fondly called Nnakaibeya by his kinsmen. The older Offor died last February in his hometown of Oraifite in Anambra State. Our sources said Emeka Offor’s father passed away a few months after a minor scuffle with a family member.
A relative of the businessman’s deceased father accused Emeka Offor, who likes to be addressed as Sir E., of delaying his father’s burial to enable him to source hundreds of millions of naira with which to impress the public. “Sir Emeka Offor just wants to use Nnakaibeya’s funeral as an opportunity to display wealth. But we know he has not paid his workers for more than a year because he is no longer swimming in cash,” said the relative.
Our correspondent learned that former Senate President Nnamani has called a meeting of a number of wealthy Nigerians to hold in his residence in Abuja on Tuesday, September 20. One of the men invited to the meeting disclosed that Mr. Nnamani is requesting that he and other guests donate generously to help Mr. Offor to bury his father in November.
The late Offor was a police inspector who was demoted to sergeant following a petition of blackmail, intimidation, bribery and corruption against him by Ignatius Nwabueze, a schoolteacher who lost his position as the organist of St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Ihiala, in Anambra State when the church discovered that he was a secret member of the Rosicrucian Order, a mystical group based in California. The Catholic Church regards the Rosicrucian Order as a secret cult.
Business has been rough for Offor since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office on May 29, last year, as all his offices in Abuja have been closed down. One employee of the controversial businessman told our correspondent, “Sir Emeka Offor has not paid salaries since May, 2015.”
Our correspondent learned that Valentine Orji, another former employee of Mr. Offor’s who was also a classmate of Mr. Offor’s at Abbot Boys Secondary School in Ihiala in the 1970s, has been complaining to friends that the businessman treated him with great contempt and humiliation. One mutual friend said Mr. Orji has expressed regret that he abandoned his thriving advertising practice to handle communication matters for Mr. Offor’s Chrome Group.
Our correspondent reported that the second step Senator Nnamani is taking was to assist Mr. Offor to reach the inner circle of the Muhammadu Buhari administration—and, preferably, the president himself. Sources aware of Mr. Nnamani’s plans said the erstwhile Senate President was angling to lead the Southeast group in an impending dialogue with the Federal Government. Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo had strongly recommended the idea during his private meeting last July 25, stating that such a dialogue with Buhari was key to dousing tensions arising from the activities of separatist agitations by groups like the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) as well as the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
Among the persons working for Mr. Nnamani in this project are Osita Izunaso, the national organizing secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who is a former journalist and a senator from Imo State, and George Moghalu from Nnewi in Anambra State, a former national secretary of the All Peoples Party, one of the parties which collapsed into the APC. If Mr. Nnamani heads the Igbo delegation, a source familiar with the intrigues told our correspondent, it would enhance his political credentials and thus his ability to broker a deal for Mr. Offor at the Presidency.
However, Mr. Nnamani may be up to a tough task, as President Buhari late last year warned his powerful chief of staff Abba Kyari against allowing “Aso Rock contractors like Emeka Offor” into State House. A source at the Presidency told our correspondent that President Buhari believes such unscrupulous business people collaborated with various PDP governments to ruin the national economy and destroy social values.
In a separate development, our correspondent learned that the marital feud in Offor’s family has taken a turn for the worse following an article to launder Mr. Offor’s image. The piece, written by Chinwe Ugwu, an Enugu-based female politician, appeared in Thisday of Sunday, September 3. According to a family source, Mr. Offor’s three wives are infuriated that Ms. Ugwu, a supposed mistress of the woe-betide businessman, had the effrontery to write a sweetheart article on their husband in a public forum. “Sir E.’s wives are very angry, especially since the woman praising their husband had a notorious breakup of her marriage to one Frank Oloto.” The wives are reportedly threatening to deal with both Ms. Ugwu and Mr. Offor for the effrontery.
The embattled businessman had earlier been grappling with several family feuds, including a minor squabble between his father and another family member, leading to his father’s fall and subsequent death, and the physical takeover of his Oraifite country home by his first wife, Nkiru, along with her children. Mr. Offor’s relatives told our correspondent that Nkiru and her children descended on Oraifite, forcibly changed all the locks and dismissed all domestic workers employed by Offor. Nkiru has accused her estranged husband of attempting to kill her through spiritual means following a partial stroke she suffered last January. She has, in addition, told some relatives that Mr. Offor has deep hatred for her children, accusing him of abandoning their first son Chuka in the streets of London and of refusing to bless the union between their first daughter, Ndidi, who is a 32-year-old lawyer, and a man from the southwestern part of Nigeria, even though that relationship has produced children.
Man city omitted Yaya Toure in teem photo
Four time African player of the year, Yaya Toure who earns about £226,000 per week has been omitted from the Manchester City team photograph of players for the season. The photo released on Tuesday, includes Nigerian starlet Kelechi Iheanacho- the only African and comes after Pep Guardiola issued an ultimatum to Yaya's agent to either apologize to him and the club or be frozen out of the team.
FG starts shortlisting candidates for #500,000 job. Lai Mohammed.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when a delegation of the National Council for Women’s Societies (NCWS) paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
Mohammed said that applications were being received and government had started processing them for the recruitment.
“The process for the recruitment has started.
“About 1.2 million people applied and they classified them into categories including agriculture support officers, teachers, technical officers and so on,’’ he said.
The minister also said that the payment of N5,000 conditional cash transfer promised by the government would begin before the end of the month.
He said the Minister of Finance, Dr Kemi Adeosun had earlier announced this.
Mohammed reiterated the commitment of the government to improving the well-being and standard of living of the citizens.
“We are very concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and we are not sleeping; we are working day and night to ensure that the country retraces its step.
“Many of our critics have been unfair to us because many of them know that we did not invent the problems we are facing today.
“ This is time to join hands together to support the government to move the nation forward,’’ he said.
The National President of NCWS, Mrs Gloria Shoda, expressed the confidence in the resolve of the government to implement programmes for the advancement of girls and women in the society.
She drew the attention of government to its promise of providing free maternal and children health care and implementation of the National Gender Policy.
Mohammed said that applications were being received and government had started processing them for the recruitment.
“The process for the recruitment has started.
“About 1.2 million people applied and they classified them into categories including agriculture support officers, teachers, technical officers and so on,’’ he said.
The minister also said that the payment of N5,000 conditional cash transfer promised by the government would begin before the end of the month.
He said the Minister of Finance, Dr Kemi Adeosun had earlier announced this.
Mohammed reiterated the commitment of the government to improving the well-being and standard of living of the citizens.
“We are very concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and we are not sleeping; we are working day and night to ensure that the country retraces its step.
“Many of our critics have been unfair to us because many of them know that we did not invent the problems we are facing today.
“ This is time to join hands together to support the government to move the nation forward,’’ he said.
The National President of NCWS, Mrs Gloria Shoda, expressed the confidence in the resolve of the government to implement programmes for the advancement of girls and women in the society.
She drew the attention of government to its promise of providing free maternal and children health care and implementation of the National Gender Policy.
Enugu state police arrests herdsman
Enugu State command of the Nigeria Police Force has arraigned a herdsman, Ibrahim Adamu before an Enugu magistrate’s court. Adamu was recently arrested with AK 47 riffle and some ammunition on August 29 at Affa in Udi local Government Area of Enugu State.
He was arraigned on a three count charge for illegally possessing and having under his control Ak 47 rifle with 24 rounds of live ammunition in contravention of the firearms Act and thereby committing an offence contrary to section 6(a) and punishable under section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provision) Act Cap.R11 vol.14, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 amongst other count charges.
Angelina Jolie set to divorce
Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from husband Brad Pitt, citing irreconcilable differences.
According to the court documents, the pair separated on September 15, two years and one month after they married in August 2014.
Jolie is seeking physical custody of their six children and asking the court to grant Pitt visitation.
She is also asking to keep "miscellaneous jewelry and other personal effects" as well as any earnings from after the date of their separation and other separate assets to be determined later.
Already there is speculation that a tabloid-friendly, child-unfriendly custody battle may ensue over their six children. But a source close to them asserted that both sides want a cordial breakup.
"Other than the fame of the people involved, this is like so many other divorces," the source said.
"I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the wellbeing of our kids," Pitt said Tuesday in a statement to CNN. "I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time."
Jolie's camp is also focused on the children.
"This decision was made for the health of the family," Robert Offer, an attorney for Jolie told CNN in a statement Tuesday. "She will not be commenting at this time, and asks that the family be given their privacy during this difficult time."
While Pitt and Jolie married in 2014, their relationship became the subject of speculation in 2004, when they co-starred in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith." At the time, Pitt was married to actress Jennifer Aniston.
In January 2005, Pitt and Aniston announced they were splitting and Aniston filed for divorce a few months later.
In April 2005, photos surfaced of Pitt, Jolie and her adopted son Maddox in Kenya.
Jolie later adopted daughter Zahara from Ethiopia and in early 2006 she announced that she and Pitt were expecting a baby. Shortly thereafter, Pitt was granted the right to legally adopt Maddox and Zahara.
Their daughter Shiloh was born in May 2006 and son Pax was adopted from Vietnam in March 2007. Jolie gave birth to twins Vivienne and Knox in July 2008.
The couple announced their engagement in 2012.
Pitt was there to support Jolie in 2013 when she underwent a preventive double mastectomy.
Jolie said at the time that she underwent the surgery following the discovery she carried a mutation of the BRCA1 gene which greatly increased her risk for cancer
"My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk
of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman," Jolie wrote in an article for the New York Times. "Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy."
In 2014 they were married in a small, private ceremony in a chapel at Château Miraval in the village of Correns.
The following year, Jolie once again made headlines for her health when she had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to guard against cancer.
The couple talked to NBC's Tom Brokaw in 2015 about their marriage, her health struggles and working together as they promoted their film "By the Sea."
Jolie also wrote and directed the film about a couple in a troubled marriage. Jolie said the characters' relationship was far from hers and Pitt's.
"I'm counting on the audience to know that if it was close to us at all we could never make this film," Jolie said. "It's because we are actually very, very stable and these aren't our issues."
The pair have also been partners in giving.
Pitt has worked for years to help rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Jolie is a United Nations special envoy for refugee issues, a critical topic at the UN General Assembly meeting in New York this week.
According to the court documents, the pair separated on September 15, two years and one month after they married in August 2014.
Jolie is seeking physical custody of their six children and asking the court to grant Pitt visitation.
She is also asking to keep "miscellaneous jewelry and other personal effects" as well as any earnings from after the date of their separation and other separate assets to be determined later.
Already there is speculation that a tabloid-friendly, child-unfriendly custody battle may ensue over their six children. But a source close to them asserted that both sides want a cordial breakup.
"Other than the fame of the people involved, this is like so many other divorces," the source said.
"I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the wellbeing of our kids," Pitt said Tuesday in a statement to CNN. "I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time."
Jolie's camp is also focused on the children.
"This decision was made for the health of the family," Robert Offer, an attorney for Jolie told CNN in a statement Tuesday. "She will not be commenting at this time, and asks that the family be given their privacy during this difficult time."
While Pitt and Jolie married in 2014, their relationship became the subject of speculation in 2004, when they co-starred in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith." At the time, Pitt was married to actress Jennifer Aniston.
In January 2005, Pitt and Aniston announced they were splitting and Aniston filed for divorce a few months later.
In April 2005, photos surfaced of Pitt, Jolie and her adopted son Maddox in Kenya.
Jolie later adopted daughter Zahara from Ethiopia and in early 2006 she announced that she and Pitt were expecting a baby. Shortly thereafter, Pitt was granted the right to legally adopt Maddox and Zahara.
Their daughter Shiloh was born in May 2006 and son Pax was adopted from Vietnam in March 2007. Jolie gave birth to twins Vivienne and Knox in July 2008.
The couple announced their engagement in 2012.
Pitt was there to support Jolie in 2013 when she underwent a preventive double mastectomy.
Jolie said at the time that she underwent the surgery following the discovery she carried a mutation of the BRCA1 gene which greatly increased her risk for cancer
"My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk
In 2014 they were married in a small, private ceremony in a chapel at Château Miraval in the village of Correns.
The following year, Jolie once again made headlines for her health when she had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to guard against cancer.
The couple talked to NBC's Tom Brokaw in 2015 about their marriage, her health struggles and working together as they promoted their film "By the Sea."
Jolie also wrote and directed the film about a couple in a troubled marriage. Jolie said the characters' relationship was far from hers and Pitt's.
"I'm counting on the audience to know that if it was close to us at all we could never make this film," Jolie said. "It's because we are actually very, very stable and these aren't our issues."
The pair have also been partners in giving.
Pitt has worked for years to help rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Jolie is a United Nations special envoy for refugee issues, a critical topic at the UN General Assembly meeting in New York this week.
The Federal, States and Local Governments of Nigeria yesterday shared a total of N510,270 billion for August revenues
The Federal, States and Local Governments of Nigeria yesterday shared a total of N510,270 billion for the month of August as revenues.
Announcing the distribution yesterday at the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja, Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance said the the amount when compared to the N493.82bn shared in the month of July represents an increase of N16.4bn.
The gross statutory revenue for the month under review was disclosed as N315,045 billion which was higher than the N287,819 billion received in the previous month (July) by N27.226 billion.
According to Adeosun, from the Net Statutory Allocation shared, the Federal Government received N149.310 billion, state governments received N75.732 billion, Local governments received N58.386 billion while the oil producing states received N20.293 billion as 13 per cent derivation.
Crude oil export volume increased by 2.2 million barrels in May, 2016 despite the brief Force Majeure declared at Qua Iboe and Bonny Terminals and a subsisting Force majeure at Forcados Terminal.
According to the communique issued at the end of the FAAC meeting, “there was $109.40 million revenue increase in Federation Export Sales as a result of the increase in average price of Crude Oil from $42.21 in April to $46.06 per barrel in May, 2016.
“A rise in the volume of dutiable imports contributed significantly to the increases recorded by Import Duty and VAT. Increase in Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) collections was attributed to receipts from NPDC and Joint Venture Operators.”
The communique further revealed that the sum of N6.330 billion was refunded by NNPC to FG while a total of N84.263 billion was declared as Excess gain.
The Minister also announced that the balance of the excess crude account, currently stands at $2.91bn.
Announcing the distribution yesterday at the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja, Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance said the the amount when compared to the N493.82bn shared in the month of July represents an increase of N16.4bn.
The gross statutory revenue for the month under review was disclosed as N315,045 billion which was higher than the N287,819 billion received in the previous month (July) by N27.226 billion.
According to Adeosun, from the Net Statutory Allocation shared, the Federal Government received N149.310 billion, state governments received N75.732 billion, Local governments received N58.386 billion while the oil producing states received N20.293 billion as 13 per cent derivation.
Crude oil export volume increased by 2.2 million barrels in May, 2016 despite the brief Force Majeure declared at Qua Iboe and Bonny Terminals and a subsisting Force majeure at Forcados Terminal.
According to the communique issued at the end of the FAAC meeting, “there was $109.40 million revenue increase in Federation Export Sales as a result of the increase in average price of Crude Oil from $42.21 in April to $46.06 per barrel in May, 2016.
“A rise in the volume of dutiable imports contributed significantly to the increases recorded by Import Duty and VAT. Increase in Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) collections was attributed to receipts from NPDC and Joint Venture Operators.”
The communique further revealed that the sum of N6.330 billion was refunded by NNPC to FG while a total of N84.263 billion was declared as Excess gain.
The Minister also announced that the balance of the excess crude account, currently stands at $2.91bn.
NNAS member dies
Resumption of plenary by the National Assembly after eights week recess failed on Tuesday following announcement of the death of a member of the House of Representatives, Mr Elijah Oluwatayo (APC-Lagos).
Reports that the aborted resumption was to mark the beginning of the second legislative year of the 8th assembly.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, while reading a letter from the family of the deceased, said that Oluwatayo died on July 20, 2016, at the age of 66.
Dogara also announced the death of three former members of the House – Muhammed Useni, Alex Eze and Etim Atakpa.
He said that Useni represented Makarfi Federal Constituency of Kaduna state from 1999 to 2003, while Eze represented Nsukka/Igboeze Constituency of Enugu state within the same period.
He said Atakpa represented Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal constituency of Akwa Ibom from 1992 to 1993 on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention.
“As a serving member is involved, and as the tradition of the House demands, we have to adjourn sitting till Wednesday to honour the deceased,’’ Dogara said.
Tuesday, 20 September 2016
Governor Yahaya Bello goes on his knees after Supreme Court affirmed him
The Supreme Court on Tuesday affirmed the election of Governor Yahaya Bello
of Kogi State.
The seven-man panel headed by Justice Sylvester Ngwata affirmed the election after listening to the closing statements of all the counsel.
The court in a unanimous judgement dismissed the appeal filed by Hon. James Faleke, the running mate to late Abubakar Audu, the initial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, and a former Governor of the State, Captain Idris Wada, who was also the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the election.
of Kogi State.
The seven-man panel headed by Justice Sylvester Ngwata affirmed the election after listening to the closing statements of all the counsel.
The court in a unanimous judgement dismissed the appeal filed by Hon. James Faleke, the running mate to late Abubakar Audu, the initial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, and a former Governor of the State, Captain Idris Wada, who was also the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the election.
N-power test questions
SEE the questions given to N-TEACH
Candidate
Which is the smallest fraction among the following?
Select one:
a. 3/4
b. 6/7
c. 1/2
d. 6/5
How did you do in the test? Not so well. I ______ much better but I misread the directions for writing.
Select one:
a. will have done
b. can have done
c. must have done
d. may have done
e. could have done
Q: The Capital of Lagos State is_____
Select one:
a. Bariga
b. Isale-Eko
c. Eko
d. Ikeja
e. Ikorodu
Q. If the day tomorrow is Sunday, what was it yesterday?
Select one:
a. Monday
b. Tuesday
c. Friday
d. Saturday
Q. Amaka was the cynosure of all eyes at the party. This means that __________
Select one:
a. she attracted everybody's attention
b. everybody was surprised that she attended the part
c. None of the options
d. everybody looked down at her
e. she was notorious for her behaviour
Q: Who is the current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
Select one:
a. Alhaji Mai Borno
b. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
c. Godwin Emefiele
d. Adamu Chiroma
e. Charles Soludo
Q. In words number 14 can be written as _________
Select one:
a. Forteen.
b. Fourteen.
c. Fortin.
d. Fourtin.
[Choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the uppercase worD.] Few people prefer the RURAL to the ______ areas.
Select one:
a. urban
b. modern
c. pastoral
d. central
e. rustic
Q: A piece of land completely surrounded by water is known as_________
Select one:
a. a platform
b. a lagoon
c. a lake
d. an island
e. None of the options
Q. Bose shouldn't have interrupted the teacher, _________?
Select one:
a. could she
b. didn't she
c. should she
d. did she
e. can she
Are you willing to be deployed to a rural area?
Select one:
a. YES
b. NO
At this time, do you have any computer programming or software development skills?
Select one:
a. YES
b. NO
At this time, which one or a combination of these devices do you own:
Select one or more:
a. Smartphone ( mobile phones with Internet capabilities)
b. Laptop
c. Tablet
Do you have any physical disability?
Select one:
a. Yes
b. No
Q. Gender?
Select one:
a. Female
b. Male
Q. Which of these classifications and/ or post-graduate degrees apply to you?
Select one:
a. 3rd Class / Pass
b. 1st Class / Distinction and Masters
c. 2nd Class Lower / Lower Credit + PGD
d. 1st Class / Distinction
e. 3rd Class /Pass + PGD
f. 2nd Class Upper / Upper Credit
g. 2nd Class Upper / Upper Credit + PGD
h. 3rd Class / Pass + Masters
i. 2nd Class Lower / Lower Credit
j.
2nd Class Lower / Lower Credit + Masters
k. 2nd Class Upper / Upper Credit + Masters
l. 1st Class / Distinction and PGD
Q. What is your current employment status?
Select one:
a. Full-time
b. Part-time
c. Freelance
d. Unemployed.
Candidate
Which is the smallest fraction among the following?
Select one:
a. 3/4
b. 6/7
c. 1/2
d. 6/5
How did you do in the test? Not so well. I ______ much better but I misread the directions for writing.
Select one:
a. will have done
b. can have done
c. must have done
d. may have done
e. could have done
Q: The Capital of Lagos State is_____
Select one:
a. Bariga
b. Isale-Eko
c. Eko
d. Ikeja
e. Ikorodu
Q. If the day tomorrow is Sunday, what was it yesterday?
Select one:
a. Monday
b. Tuesday
c. Friday
d. Saturday
Q. Amaka was the cynosure of all eyes at the party. This means that __________
Select one:
a. she attracted everybody's attention
b. everybody was surprised that she attended the part
c. None of the options
d. everybody looked down at her
e. she was notorious for her behaviour
Q: Who is the current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
Select one:
a. Alhaji Mai Borno
b. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
c. Godwin Emefiele
d. Adamu Chiroma
e. Charles Soludo
Q. In words number 14 can be written as _________
Select one:
a. Forteen.
b. Fourteen.
c. Fortin.
d. Fourtin.
[Choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the uppercase worD.] Few people prefer the RURAL to the ______ areas.
Select one:
a. urban
b. modern
c. pastoral
d. central
e. rustic
Q: A piece of land completely surrounded by water is known as_________
Select one:
a. a platform
b. a lagoon
c. a lake
d. an island
e. None of the options
Q. Bose shouldn't have interrupted the teacher, _________?
Select one:
a. could she
b. didn't she
c. should she
d. did she
e. can she
Are you willing to be deployed to a rural area?
Select one:
a. YES
b. NO
At this time, do you have any computer programming or software development skills?
Select one:
a. YES
b. NO
At this time, which one or a combination of these devices do you own:
Select one or more:
a. Smartphone ( mobile phones with Internet capabilities)
b. Laptop
c. Tablet
Do you have any physical disability?
Select one:
a. Yes
b. No
Q. Gender?
Select one:
a. Female
b. Male
Q. Which of these classifications and/ or post-graduate degrees apply to you?
Select one:
a. 3rd Class / Pass
b. 1st Class / Distinction and Masters
c. 2nd Class Lower / Lower Credit + PGD
d. 1st Class / Distinction
e. 3rd Class /Pass + PGD
f. 2nd Class Upper / Upper Credit
g. 2nd Class Upper / Upper Credit + PGD
h. 3rd Class / Pass + Masters
i. 2nd Class Lower / Lower Credit
j.
2nd Class Lower / Lower Credit + Masters
k. 2nd Class Upper / Upper Credit + Masters
l. 1st Class / Distinction and PGD
Q. What is your current employment status?
Select one:
a. Full-time
b. Part-time
c. Freelance
d. Unemployed.
Buhari and Hollande meets in New York
Some Nigerian banks close branches
Recession increases
A number of Deposit Money Banks in the country will close many of what they described as unprofitable branches as the economic recession continues to bite harder, investigation by our correspondent has shown.
It was similarly gathered that most of the banks would lay off hundreds of workers between now and December.
The revelation came barely 24 hours after Unity Bank Plc laid off about 300 workers, more than the 220 that was mentioned last week.
Diamond Bank Plc, Ecobank and Skye Bank Plc had earlier in the year sacked over 3,000 members of their workforce.
It was learnt that following the economic downturn in the country, a number of bank branches could no longer justify their existence as cost analysis had shown that the financial institutions were spending more on salaries and overheads than the income from the branches.
Some top bank executives, who confirmed the development to our correspondent under the condition of anonymity on Monday, said some lenders might be forced to relieve more workers of their duties before the end of this year.
An executive director in one of the banks that recently asked some of its workers to go said, “We have laid off some of our staff members but that it still not enough. Many branches are just existing for the sake of being there. They are not generating enough income. What they are bringing in is far less than what the bank is incurring as costs on them.
“We may have to close such branches before the year ends. I know a number of other banks that are planning something similar.”
Commenting on the development, an ex-banker and Chief Executive Officer, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, described branch closure as an ongoing action in the banking sector, especially in times of economic downturn.
He, however, noted that banks were required to notify the Central Bank of Nigeria before closing any branch.
“It is an ongoing administrative thing in the banking industry. Banks will want to rationalise branches, especially in a difficult economy. Banks are planning to cut costs. Branch rationalisation is normal but the CBN has to be notified,” Chukwu explained.
The banking sector has been facing a number of challenges following the downturn in economic activities.
The slowdown in the economy, which has led to a high rate of non-performing loans in the banking system, made four lenders to lose at least N17bn in profits in the first quarter of this year.
Specifically, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc recorded a combined decline of N17bn in their profits before tax for the three months ended March 31, 2016, when compared with the corresponding period of 2015, according to the results of the financial institutions posted on the website of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
When compared with the PBT of N30.52bn, N32.65bn, N4.26bn and N7.94bn recorded by the banks in the first quarter of 2015, the combined PBT of the four banks dropped by N17bn from N75.4bn in the first quarter of last year to N58.4bn in the same period of this year.
While Ecobank’s PBT fell from N30.52bn in the first quarter of 2015 to N20.63bn in a similar period of this year, GTBank’s dropped from N32.65bn to N30.68bn. That of Unity Bank dropped from N4.26bn to N1.05bn, while Diamond Bank’s came down from N7.94bn to N6.04bn.
In terms of their profit after tax, the four banks recorded a decline of N14bn.
Banks in the country had been posting sharp increases in profits before tax and profits after tax since 2011 after the establishment of the Asset Management of Corporation of Nigeria in 2010 following the banking sector crisis in 2009.
However, consistent drop in the global prices of crude oil, Nigeria’s main foreign exchange earner, since June 2014, caused banks’ profits to start declining at the end of 2015.
Majority of the 15 banks listed on the NSE recorded declines in their full-year profits in the 2015 financial year. However, a few ones such as Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and GTBank outperformed the market despite sizeable volume of bad loans.
In the first quarter of 2016, 13 out of the 15 banks posted a combined PBT of N135.36bn, compared to N148bn in the corresponding period of last year.
Similarly, the 13 banks posted profits after tax of N116.6bn in the first quarter of 2016, compared to N126.4bn in the first quarter of 2015.
The 13 banks are Access Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, GTBank, FCMB Limited, Sterling Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, UBA Plc, Unity Bank, Wema Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc.
Skye Bank Plc and Stanbic IBTC Bank have yet to release their full-year 2015 and first-quarter 2016 financial results.
A number of Deposit Money Banks in the country will close many of what they described as unprofitable branches as the economic recession continues to bite harder, investigation by our correspondent has shown.
It was similarly gathered that most of the banks would lay off hundreds of workers between now and December.
The revelation came barely 24 hours after Unity Bank Plc laid off about 300 workers, more than the 220 that was mentioned last week.
Diamond Bank Plc, Ecobank and Skye Bank Plc had earlier in the year sacked over 3,000 members of their workforce.
It was learnt that following the economic downturn in the country, a number of bank branches could no longer justify their existence as cost analysis had shown that the financial institutions were spending more on salaries and overheads than the income from the branches.
Some top bank executives, who confirmed the development to our correspondent under the condition of anonymity on Monday, said some lenders might be forced to relieve more workers of their duties before the end of this year.
An executive director in one of the banks that recently asked some of its workers to go said, “We have laid off some of our staff members but that it still not enough. Many branches are just existing for the sake of being there. They are not generating enough income. What they are bringing in is far less than what the bank is incurring as costs on them.
“We may have to close such branches before the year ends. I know a number of other banks that are planning something similar.”
Commenting on the development, an ex-banker and Chief Executive Officer, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, described branch closure as an ongoing action in the banking sector, especially in times of economic downturn.
He, however, noted that banks were required to notify the Central Bank of Nigeria before closing any branch.
“It is an ongoing administrative thing in the banking industry. Banks will want to rationalise branches, especially in a difficult economy. Banks are planning to cut costs. Branch rationalisation is normal but the CBN has to be notified,” Chukwu explained.
The banking sector has been facing a number of challenges following the downturn in economic activities.
The slowdown in the economy, which has led to a high rate of non-performing loans in the banking system, made four lenders to lose at least N17bn in profits in the first quarter of this year.
Specifically, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc recorded a combined decline of N17bn in their profits before tax for the three months ended March 31, 2016, when compared with the corresponding period of 2015, according to the results of the financial institutions posted on the website of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
When compared with the PBT of N30.52bn, N32.65bn, N4.26bn and N7.94bn recorded by the banks in the first quarter of 2015, the combined PBT of the four banks dropped by N17bn from N75.4bn in the first quarter of last year to N58.4bn in the same period of this year.
While Ecobank’s PBT fell from N30.52bn in the first quarter of 2015 to N20.63bn in a similar period of this year, GTBank’s dropped from N32.65bn to N30.68bn. That of Unity Bank dropped from N4.26bn to N1.05bn, while Diamond Bank’s came down from N7.94bn to N6.04bn.
In terms of their profit after tax, the four banks recorded a decline of N14bn.
Banks in the country had been posting sharp increases in profits before tax and profits after tax since 2011 after the establishment of the Asset Management of Corporation of Nigeria in 2010 following the banking sector crisis in 2009.
However, consistent drop in the global prices of crude oil, Nigeria’s main foreign exchange earner, since June 2014, caused banks’ profits to start declining at the end of 2015.
Majority of the 15 banks listed on the NSE recorded declines in their full-year profits in the 2015 financial year. However, a few ones such as Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and GTBank outperformed the market despite sizeable volume of bad loans.
In the first quarter of 2016, 13 out of the 15 banks posted a combined PBT of N135.36bn, compared to N148bn in the corresponding period of last year.
Similarly, the 13 banks posted profits after tax of N116.6bn in the first quarter of 2016, compared to N126.4bn in the first quarter of 2015.
The 13 banks are Access Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, GTBank, FCMB Limited, Sterling Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, UBA Plc, Unity Bank, Wema Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc.
Skye Bank Plc and Stanbic IBTC Bank have yet to release their full-year 2015 and first-quarter 2016 financial results.
Nnamdi kanu ill in the prison
The Indigenous People of Biafra has said its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is critically ill in Kuje prison.
The group said it got the information from Kanu’s lawyers who visited him recently,
In a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, on Saturday, the group said Kanu was suffering from chest and abdominal pains as well as a violent cough.
The group alleged that Kanu’s poor health might not be unconnected with the bad treatment he had been allegedly subjected to by prisons officials.
It called on the international community to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to allow its leader to have access to medical treatment.
The statement read, “We have notified the international community about his present condition which include debilitating abdominal pains and occasional tightening of the chest resulting in cough, which has persisted.
“The Department of State Services has this information in its record and we suggest it makes it public for the world to know. Kanu’s loss of blood through bleeding from the nose prompted the agency to send in an external doctor to examine him while in their custody.”
The group also declared its support for the United States Republican Party’s presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
The group ranked Trump among other world leaders such as Vladimir Putin of Russia, Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, and Angela Merkel of Germany.
It said Americans and the world should be desirous to see Trump as the next US President.
It also expressed hope that if Trump became the President of the US, he would address “the plight of Biafrans.”
The statement added, “We are calling on the international community, world leaders like Vladimir Putin of Russia, Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, Angela Merkel of Germany and Donald Trump, whom the good people of America, to come and make the US greater. These leaders and others who recognise the ideals of freedom for all should come to our rescue.”
The group decried the DSS’ declaration of the wife of its leader, Uchechi and one Powerful as wanted persons.
Monday, 19 September 2016
Important of cross-laminated timber (CLT)
A sustainable future
Timber has other properties that make it attractive to engineers and architects. CLT lends itself to prefabrication, explains Lawrence, because it can be cut precisely in a factory and is easily assembled on site."A building of CLT is like a giant piece of flat-pack furniture. That's why the construction industry has fallen in love with it, because it's so easy to transport, crane and assemble," Lawrence says.
Though CLT made from softwood such as spruce has been in use for some time, the full potential of hardwood has not been explored until now.
Photos: timber and bamboo.
David Venables, European director of the American Hardwood Export Council, believes hardwood CLT could also help buildings be more sustainable.
"Over one billion cubic meters of this tulipwood material is standing in American forests right now," he says. "If we want to be sustainable we have to use all the material that nature provides."
"Timber construction is absolutely the future," he adds. "'The Smile' is the beginning of something. This isn't the end of the journey."
"The Smile" will be on display through October 12 at Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground, Chelsea College of Art and Design in London.
How to make a wood strong
The secret of strong wood
A collaboration with Arup and the American Hardwood Export Council, "The Smile" is an experimental building -- part pavilion, part sculpture -- designed to showcase the structural and spatial potential of a material that could transform the way architects and engineers approach timber construction.
"I think the potential of hardwood is yet to be discovered, it's the next step," Brooks says.
Tulipwood CLT is light but naturally strong, allowing the two ends of "The Smile" to soar into the sky.
"I think what's kind of amazing is how thin the walls and floor are," she adds. "Tulipwood has a tight grain and a really rich variation in color. It has a lot of warmth."
While steel and concrete have been used as structural materials in buildings for decades or even centuries, the use of timber has long been hampered by the fact that it did not come in panels large enough to be used in a building's fabric or structure, for instance in the core.
This issue has been resolved by the development of CLT.
"CLT is a really clever way of making very large panels from small trees," says Andrew Lawrence, timber specialist at Arup.
This is achieved by gluing planks together in layers. The planks in each layer are turned at right angles to the next in a crisscross effect.
"The Smile" is made of just 12 panels manufactured by German CLT pioneers Zublin-Timber, and held together by screws.
The largest panel is 14 meters (46 feet) long and 4.5 meters (15 feet) wide, a size that can compete with precast concrete.
A collaboration with Arup and the American Hardwood Export Council, "The Smile" is an experimental building -- part pavilion, part sculpture -- designed to showcase the structural and spatial potential of a material that could transform the way architects and engineers approach timber construction.
"I think the potential of hardwood is yet to be discovered, it's the next step," Brooks says.
Tulipwood CLT is light but naturally strong, allowing the two ends of "The Smile" to soar into the sky.
"I think what's kind of amazing is how thin the walls and floor are," she adds. "Tulipwood has a tight grain and a really rich variation in color. It has a lot of warmth."
While steel and concrete have been used as structural materials in buildings for decades or even centuries, the use of timber has long been hampered by the fact that it did not come in panels large enough to be used in a building's fabric or structure, for instance in the core.
This issue has been resolved by the development of CLT.
"CLT is a really clever way of making very large panels from small trees," says Andrew Lawrence, timber specialist at Arup.
This is achieved by gluing planks together in layers. The planks in each layer are turned at right angles to the next in a crisscross effect.
"The Smile" is made of just 12 panels manufactured by German CLT pioneers Zublin-Timber, and held together by screws.
The largest panel is 14 meters (46 feet) long and 4.5 meters (15 feet) wide, a size that can compete with precast concrete.
A Material Stronger than concrete
The Smile.....
"The Smile," designed by architect Alison Brooks, is the most complex structure ever to be made out of cross-laminated timber
CLT is unique in that it can be used in panels large enough to be used in building construction
In the future, it could be used as a sustainable building material.
If the 19th century belonged to iron and steel and the 20th century belonged to concrete, could timber be the building material of our age?
That is the question posed by architect Alison Brooks' "The Smile," currently on display at the Chelsea College of Art and Design as part of this year's London Design Festival .
Constructed out of tulipwood, "The Smile" is a 34-meter long, 3.5-meter high (111.5 feet by 11.5 feet) rectangular tube that curves at both ends into a huge Cheshire cat grin. Viewers can wander through the hollowed interior, while holes in the walls cast light patterns across the floor.
Read: Barber & Osgerby's evolving designs
It is the most complex structure ever to be made out of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and, as such, it is one of the most exciting installations at the UK's largest design festival.
"It's going to open up a whole new world of possibility," says Brooks. "It reveals the possibility of buildings being completely fabricated in wood."
Charmian Carr, Liesl in 'The Sound of Music,' dies
Charmian Carr, best known for her role as Liesl in the film version of "The Sound of Music," died Saturday at the age of 73, her website and the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization confirmed.
Carr died of complications from a rare form of dementia, her family said.
The actress sang one of the movie's classic songs, "Sixteen Going on Seventeen."
"Charmian Carr played the oldest Von Trapp child, and in some ways she maintained that role in real life -- guiding, cheering, supporting and generally being there for the rest of her 'sisters' and 'brothers,'"
Carr died of complications from a rare form of dementia, her family said.
The actress sang one of the movie's classic songs, "Sixteen Going on Seventeen."
"Charmian Carr played the oldest Von Trapp child, and in some ways she maintained that role in real life -- guiding, cheering, supporting and generally being there for the rest of her 'sisters' and 'brothers,'"
The king and his servant
Long Piece but worth reading
😰A King had a male servant who, in all circumstances always said to him; My king, do not be discouraged because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes. One day, they went hunting and a wild animal attacked the king, the servant managed to kill the animal but couldn't prevent his majesty from losing a finger. Furious and without showing gratitude, the King said; if God was good, I would not have been attacked and lost one finger. The servant replied, 'despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good and everything He does is perfect, He is never wrong'. Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his servant. While being taken to prison, he told the king again, God is Good & Perfect. Another day, the king left alone for another hunt and was captured by savages who use human beings for sacrifice. On the altar, the savages found out that the king didn't have one finger in place, he was released because he was considered not "complete" to be offered to the gods. On his return to the palace, he ordered the release of his servant and said; My friend, God was really good to me. I was almost killed but for lack of a single finger, I was let go. But I have a question; If God is so good, why did He allow me to put you in prison? His servant replied; My king, if I had not been put in prison, I would have gone with you, and would have been sacrificed, because I have no missing finger. Everything God does is perfect, He is never wrong. Often we complain about life, and the negative things that happen to us, forgetting that everything happens for a purpose. God knows why you are reading this message today, please bless someone with it by sharing it. God is good and perfect!!
My dear friend, a good attitude will determine your altitude. When you look at your life, career, job or family life, what do you say? Do you praise God? Do you blame the Satan? A good attitude towards God makes Him move on your behalf. Just sit down and say, Today , I am thankful I had a peaceful sleep, I am thankful I am alive with possibilities, I am thankful I have a roof over me, I am thankful I have a job, I am thankful that I have Family and Friends. Above all, I am thankful that I have God in my life . Be blessed and don't be envious or shocked when others are prospering because you don't know what they have been through to get there (test, trials and tribulation) so thank God for what you have. "Little is much when God is in it. It Is Well With God's grace. Touch someones life with this message if God is for us, who can be against us? Don't read if you can't forward. God has seen you struggling with something. God says it's over. A blessing is coming your way.
😰A King had a male servant who, in all circumstances always said to him; My king, do not be discouraged because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes. One day, they went hunting and a wild animal attacked the king, the servant managed to kill the animal but couldn't prevent his majesty from losing a finger. Furious and without showing gratitude, the King said; if God was good, I would not have been attacked and lost one finger. The servant replied, 'despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good and everything He does is perfect, He is never wrong'. Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his servant. While being taken to prison, he told the king again, God is Good & Perfect. Another day, the king left alone for another hunt and was captured by savages who use human beings for sacrifice. On the altar, the savages found out that the king didn't have one finger in place, he was released because he was considered not "complete" to be offered to the gods. On his return to the palace, he ordered the release of his servant and said; My friend, God was really good to me. I was almost killed but for lack of a single finger, I was let go. But I have a question; If God is so good, why did He allow me to put you in prison? His servant replied; My king, if I had not been put in prison, I would have gone with you, and would have been sacrificed, because I have no missing finger. Everything God does is perfect, He is never wrong. Often we complain about life, and the negative things that happen to us, forgetting that everything happens for a purpose. God knows why you are reading this message today, please bless someone with it by sharing it. God is good and perfect!!
My dear friend, a good attitude will determine your altitude. When you look at your life, career, job or family life, what do you say? Do you praise God? Do you blame the Satan? A good attitude towards God makes Him move on your behalf. Just sit down and say, Today , I am thankful I had a peaceful sleep, I am thankful I am alive with possibilities, I am thankful I have a roof over me, I am thankful I have a job, I am thankful that I have Family and Friends. Above all, I am thankful that I have God in my life . Be blessed and don't be envious or shocked when others are prospering because you don't know what they have been through to get there (test, trials and tribulation) so thank God for what you have. "Little is much when God is in it. It Is Well With God's grace. Touch someones life with this message if God is for us, who can be against us? Don't read if you can't forward. God has seen you struggling with something. God says it's over. A blessing is coming your way.
current price of (US Dollar to Nigeria Naira)
Most Popular USDNGN conversions
US Dollar (USD)
Nigeria Naira (NGN)
1 $ 1 USD ₦ 304.00 NGN 1 US Dollar = 304.00 Nigeria Naira
2 $ 5 USD ₦ 1,520 NGN 5 US Dollar = 1,520 Nigeria Naira
3 $ 10 USD ₦ 3,040 NGN 10 US Dollar = 3,040 Nigeria Naira
4 $ 20 USD ₦ 6,080 NGN 20 US Dollar = 6,080 Nigeria Naira
5 $ 50 USD ₦ 15,200 NGN 50 US Dollar = 15,200 Nigeria Naira
6 $ 100 USD ₦ 30,400 NGN 100 US Dollar = 30,400 Nigeria Naira
7 $ 250 USD ₦ 76,000 NGN 250 US Dollar = 76,000 Nigeria Naira
8 $ 500 USD ₦ 152,000 NGN 500 US Dollar = 152,000 Nigeria Naira
9 $ 1,000 USD ₦ 304,000 NGN 1000 US Dollar = 304,000 Nigeria Naira
10 $ 5,000 USD ₦ 1,520,000 NGN
5000 US Dollar = 1,520,000 Nigeria Naira
11 $ 10,000 USD
₦ 3,040,000 NGN
10000 US Dollar = 3,040,000 Nigeria Naira
12 $ 50,000 USD
₦ 15,200,000 NGN
50000 US Dollar = 15,200,000 Nigeria Naira
13 $ 100,000 USD
₦ 30,400,000 NGN
100000 US Dollar = 30,400,000 Nigeria Naira
14 $ 500,000 USD
₦ 152,000,000 NGN
500000 US Dollar = 152,000,000 Nigeria Naira
15 $ 1,000,000 USD
₦ 304,000,000 NGN
1000000 US Dollar = 304,000,000 Nigeria Naira
US Dollar (USD)
Nigeria Naira (NGN)
1 $ 1 USD ₦ 304.00 NGN 1 US Dollar = 304.00 Nigeria Naira
2 $ 5 USD ₦ 1,520 NGN 5 US Dollar = 1,520 Nigeria Naira
3 $ 10 USD ₦ 3,040 NGN 10 US Dollar = 3,040 Nigeria Naira
4 $ 20 USD ₦ 6,080 NGN 20 US Dollar = 6,080 Nigeria Naira
5 $ 50 USD ₦ 15,200 NGN 50 US Dollar = 15,200 Nigeria Naira
6 $ 100 USD ₦ 30,400 NGN 100 US Dollar = 30,400 Nigeria Naira
7 $ 250 USD ₦ 76,000 NGN 250 US Dollar = 76,000 Nigeria Naira
8 $ 500 USD ₦ 152,000 NGN 500 US Dollar = 152,000 Nigeria Naira
9 $ 1,000 USD ₦ 304,000 NGN 1000 US Dollar = 304,000 Nigeria Naira
10 $ 5,000 USD ₦ 1,520,000 NGN
5000 US Dollar = 1,520,000 Nigeria Naira
11 $ 10,000 USD
₦ 3,040,000 NGN
10000 US Dollar = 3,040,000 Nigeria Naira
12 $ 50,000 USD
₦ 15,200,000 NGN
50000 US Dollar = 15,200,000 Nigeria Naira
13 $ 100,000 USD
₦ 30,400,000 NGN
100000 US Dollar = 30,400,000 Nigeria Naira
14 $ 500,000 USD
₦ 152,000,000 NGN
500000 US Dollar = 152,000,000 Nigeria Naira
15 $ 1,000,000 USD
₦ 304,000,000 NGN
1000000 US Dollar = 304,000,000 Nigeria Naira
Horoscope for sagittarius
You find yourself at your most imaginative this day, at least when it comes to ideas and thoughts. Right now you have an opportunity to transcend the everyday thoughts and soar into more cosmic or eternal musings. If you are involved in teaching or lecturing this day, you have nothing to worry about as your way of describing the essential meat of the report will be easily understood.
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