Akonuche: November 2015

Monday, 30 November 2015

PUTIN SNUBS ERDOGAN AS RUSSIAN PILOT'S BODY RETURNS TO RUSSIA

Russian President Vladimir Putin snubbed a meeting with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Paris on Monday as the body of a pilot killed when Ankara downed one of Moscow’s warplanes was flown home. Turkish authorities, meanwhile, again pledged not to apologise over last Tuesday’s downing of the Russian jet as Moscow rolled out its sanctions aimed at exacting economic revenge on Ankara.

Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Neymar were on Monday named on the shortlist for FIFA’s prestigious Ballon d’Or along with double reigning title holder, Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid. While Portuguese Ronaldo has triumphed over the last two seasons (in a total of three wins), Argentinian Messi has previously claimed the coveted award four times while Brazilian Neymar makes the shortlist for FIFA’s player of the year award for the first time.

Civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has said that it received several documents from the World Bank totalling over 700 pages on information about the spending of recovered assets stolen by the late General Sani Abacha, with some of the documents showing that the loot was spent on roads, electricity, education, health and water.

This information was disclosed by SERAP’s Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni in a statement on Sunday.

President Barack Obama said on Saturday the United States needs to "do something" to make it harder for criminals to get guns after a shooting in Colorado killed three people and injured nine.

"We have to do something about the easy accessibility of weapons of war on our streets to people who have no business wielding them. Period," Obama said in a statement. "Enough is enough."

In Friday's shooting, an assailant opened fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic, a center that provides health services including abortions, in Colorado Springs.

Arowofela Olufemi, who was being investigated by the commission following allegations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, that he fraudulently converted over N100 million dividend warrants to himself, died in a military hospital, where he was rushed to by officials of the EFCC.

A statement made available to yesterday indicated that Olufemi had complained of chest pains early in the day and was rushed to an unnamed military hospital in Lagos, where he gave up the ghost before doctors could attend to him.

The 37-year-old Bryant made the announcement in a post on The Players' Tribune on Sunday, writing a poem titled "Dear Basketball."

"My heart can take the pounding. My mind can handle the grind. But my body knows it's time to say goodbye," wrote Bryant, the third-leading scorer in NBA history. "And that's OK. I'm ready to let you go. I want you to know now. So we both can savor every moment we have left together. The good and the bad. We have given each other all that we have."

The apex Igbo organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, rose from its Imeobi (highest decision organ) meeting in Enugu and called on the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained Director of Radio Biafra and leader of IPOB, unconditionally.

However, the meeting, which was billed to hold with representatives of MASSOB and IPOB was boycotted by the pro-Biafra groups.

Ohanaeze‘s directive was contained in a communique jointly signed by the National President of Ohanaeze, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey and the Secretary General, Dr. Joe Nworgu.

Pastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos,has said the incumbent administration appears to be helpless in adequately tackling the multi-faceted challenges confronting the country.

Bakare, in a prayer session for the country in the church on Sunday, said the current situation in the country did not suggest that the government had ready-made solutions to the problems ravaging the country.

The Lagos State Government has said it will arraign the trustees of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations and the two engineers who built the church’s collapsed six-storey guest house that killed 116 persons last year today.

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice said in a statement on Sunday that the trustees and the engineers would be arraigned before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of a Lagos State High Court.

It noted that the founder of SCOAN, Prophet T.B. Joshua is one of the church’s trustees.

POPE URGED KENYANS TO UNITE AND FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION AND TRIBALISM

Pope Francis has urged Kenyans to unite and take a stand against the destructive effects of tribalism.

During a speech to young people in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, he got the audience to hold hands to symbolise that they stood together as one nation.

Kenya was shaken by inter-ethnic violence after elections in 2007 in which 1,200 people died.

Appointment of 30 new judges for the Federal High Court has been approved by President Mohammed Buhari based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council

This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the NJC Acting Director (Information), Mr Soji Oye.

The statement said the new judges would be sworn-in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed on December 2.

AMBODE COMMISSIONS HELICOPTERS, ARMOURED PERSONAL CARRIES, APCs', GUNBOATS ETC FOR LAGOS POLICE

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari today commissioned three helicopters, 15 armoured personnel carriers, APCs, two gunboats, 165 vehicles and others purchased at a cost of N4.765 billion by Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode for the police.

Scores were feared dead at Dakasoye village, Garun Mallam local goverment area of Kano, Friday, when a suicide bomber hit Shia procession on their way to Zaria, witness says.

FG: PAYMENT OF N5,000 TO UNEMPLOYED NIGERIAN YOUTHS BEGINS NEXT YEAR

The All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government, yesterday, said the payment of the N5,000 stipend to the unemployed Nigerian youths will commence next year.

It regretted that the payment could not take off immediately because it was not included in this year’s budget.

Nearly six months after change of government in Nigeria, former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the first time congratulated former President Goodluck Jonathan for successfully handing over to President Muhammadu Buhari and commended him for continuing to have faith in Nigeria.

Obasanjo’s commendation was contained in his reply to President Jonathan’s earlier notification of his plans to establish a foundation following the end of his term in office as president.

Jonathan had in a letter dated September 22, 2015, formally notified Obasanjo of his intention to set up a foundation to promote good works.

AFP - The Turkish army on Wednesday released a series of audio recordings of apparent warnings issued to a Russian jet before it was downed near the Syrian border.

"This is Turkish Air Force speaking on guard. You are approaching Turkish airspace. Change your heading south immediately," a voice in one of the recordings can be heard saying in English, repeating the message several times.

An opposition candidate in Venezuela's upcoming legislative elections was shot dead during an event, alongside the wife of a jailed opposition leader, an official said.

The House of Representatives has asked the Nigerian Customs Service to stop the practice of mounting road blocks in search of goods that have already been brought into the country.

After considering a motion of public importance raised by Temitope Olatoye, the House urged the Comptroller General of Customs to deploy more personnel to the borders to curtail the activities of smugglers.

Some of the deportees

Forty-Eight Nigerians were deported by the United Kingdom Government on Wednesday over immigration related offences.

The deportees came aboard a chartered plane that touched down at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 8am.

According to the Spokesperson of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mr. Ekpedeme King, who confirmed the development, said the Nigerians were deported for immigration-related offences, “Some of them have overstayed their visa,” he added.

NDLEA: ABOUT 2000 SUSPECTED DRUG TRAFFICKERS ARRESTED THIS YEAR

About 2,000 suspected drug traffickers have been arrested and charged to court since January, Director-General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Roli Bode-George has said.

She spoke at the 50th anniversary of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) held at the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) headquarters in Apapa.

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said that he will continue using his experience and fortune to bolster democracy and education in the country.

This is contained in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mr Paul Ibe on Tuesday in Abuja.

The statement was issued to mark his 69th birthday on Nov. 25.

According to the statement, the former vice president has provided scholarship both in Nigeria and abroad to thousands of needy Nigerian students and had also built several schools across the country.

Victor Osimhen, top scorer at the Under-17 World Cup, has been included in Nigeria’s squad for the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.

Osimhen was drafted in to replace Isaac Success who has not been released by his Spanish club side Granada.

The finals take place from 28 November to 12 December.

FIFA vice-president Michel Platini could be facing a life ban from football, according to his lawyer.

The suspended UEFAa chief is serving a 90-day suspension on corruption charges alongside outgoing Fifa president Sepp Blatter, while Fifa’s adjudicatory committee considers its verdict.

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday reduced the Monetary Policy Rate from 13 per cent to 11 per cent.

The decision was announced by the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, while addressing journalists shortly after the MPC meeting held at the apex bank’s headquarters in Abuja.

PHOTO: CONTAINER CRUSHES CAR IN LAGOS

The scene of an accident involving a Toyota car and an articulated vehicle in Ilasamaja, Lagos, Today.

DIAMOND BANK URGE MSME's TO EMBRACE BEST PRACTICE IN HUMAN RESOURCES

In line with its strategic thrust and promise to help enhance the development of human capacity within the Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs), Diamond Bank has charged operators in the sector to adopt best practice in human resource development, pointing that it is the only way to foster business sustainability.

The charge was made at the 62nd BusinessXpress Seminar organized by the Bank to train MSME stakeholders on how to efficiently and effectively manage human resources for optimum business outcome.

Turkish military says it shot down an unidentified warplane Tuesday near the Turkish-Syrian border, contending it repeatedly violated Turkish airspace and ignored repeated warnings. Turkey's semi-official Anadolu news agency cites Turkish Presidential sources in reporting that a Russian SU-24 was "hit within the framework of engagement rules" in Syria's Bayirbucak area near the Turkish border.

The suspected explosives belt was found in a dustbin in the Montrouge district

French police are examining what appears to be a suicide bomb belt dumped on a Paris street, 11 days after the attacks that killed 130 people.

It is said to resemble belts used by the attackers and was found in a suburb which a suspect is thought to have passed through after the attacks.

The US has issued a worldwide travel alert in response to the attacks.

OKTO is a beautiful beast, a 66-meter custom-built motor yacht launched by Italy's ISA yard in 2014.

With gray and black decking and sleek interiors, she looks like the plaything of a billionaire movie villain.

For half a million dollars a week, you'll get your own helicopter landing pad, an elevator, Jacuzzi, pool, gym, seven-meter speedboat and plenty of towables and toys.

Five suites accommodate up to 10 guests served by a crew of 17.

If you're the one forking out for her you'll probably want to bag the VIP Stateroom.

As far as destinations are concerned, you can pick from hundreds of idyllic Caribbean islands and hideaways in winter, or the Mediterranean in summer.

See more pictures after the cut.....

Director of Radio Brafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu's lawyers on Monday opposed an application by the Department of State Services to withdraw the charges instituted against the detainee before a Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.

The lawyers, led by Mr. Jude Aboje, told the court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Shuaibu Usman, that they wanted the orders of the court, directing the release of the accused from DSS custody, to be complied with before the withdrawal of the case.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday said it would sanction MTN, Airtel and Globacom for defying its directive on automatic migration to Pay-As-You-Go data bundle.

NAIRA IN FREE FALL AS DOLLARS SCARCITY PARALYSES ACTIVITIES IN THE PARALLEL MARKET

The Naira on Monday fell freely at the parallel market, as scarcity of dollars paralysed activities.

It lost N3 to exchange at N241 to the dollar on Monday afternoon, after it traded for N238 to the dollar on Friday.

The official inter-bank rate remained at N197 to the dollar.

Conservative Mauricio Macri has been confirmed as the winner in Argentina's presidential elections after his ruling party opponent conceded.

With almost all votes counted, Mr Macri led Daniel Scioli by 51.5% to 48.5%.

He danced on stage at a victory rally at his Buenos Aires headquarters and thanked his staff for their support.

The remains of former Kogi governor, Prince Abubakar Audu was this afternoon laid to rest at Ogbonicha, Ofu Local Government Area. The burial took place at his residence.
The burial rites were conducted by a team of Imams from across Igalaland.
View more pictures after the cut....

Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, has arrived the Abuja Chief Magistrate Court to answer criminal charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

The court had ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to produce Mr. Kanu unfailingly before it on Monday.

Kanu had earlier failed to appear in court as the prosecution counsel, Mr Moses Idakwo, told the court that the IPOD leader was not brought to court because of an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to continue the trial, which was already slated for hearing.

Triple MG singer Iyanya has been appointed ambassador of Cross River state.

The appointment was revealed yesterday November 22 at the 2015 Calabar Carnival in Cross River state. Iyanya was the chosen by the state Governor Ben Ayade.

At the appointment ceremony Senator Florence Ita-Giwa was present as well Triple MG boss Ubi Franklin and his wife Lilian Esoro.

Fotor, Leader of the dreaded gang of bank robbers that robbed commercial banks in Lagos and Ogun states in military uniforms has disclosed that his gang never intended to kill nine officials of the Department of State Service, DSS, who went missing last September.

The suspect, identified as Kelly Fotor, an Ijaw native of Arugbo, Ondo State, was arrested last Saturday by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team, SIRT, at a wedding ceremony in Sapele, Delta State.

L-R: Onyebuchi Irogbarachi, Money Transfer Officer, Western Union, Diamond bank Plc; Chidinma Lawanson, Head, MSME and Agency Banking, Diamond Bank Plc; Ayoola Yusuf, Prize Winner; Hauwa Abdullahi, Prize Winner; Ebere Nwaolikpe, Assistant Marketing Manager,Western Union, ECOWAS Region; and Osho Eigbe, Money Transfer Officer, Diamond bank Plc, at the Back To School WESTERN UNION prize presentation ceremony held in Lagos recently.

CBN: 39.5 MILLION NIGERIANS EXCLUDED FROM FINANCIAL SERVICES

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has restated that about 39.5 million Nigerians were totally excluded from the financial services system. These include insurance services, pension and banking services.

The bank said greater numbers of persons were excluded from insurance and pension services.

A representative of CBN at the micro insurance fair recently held in Lagos, Mr. Olayinka Peters from the Financial Inclusion Secretariat of the apex bank stated this while addressing exhibitors and visitors at the fair.

Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi will today be installed as the new Ooni of the ancient city of Ile-Ife.

The Ooni-designate began the traditional rites at Ilofi in Iremo area on Friday, October 30 and was expected to have left last Thursday after 21 days, but he left Ilofi Sunday evening.

Jordan's King Abdullah, a U.S. ally, will hold talks in Moscow on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin on how to tackle "terror groups" led by Islamic State in Syria, an official source said.

Jordan reached an agreement with Moscow last month to ensure Russian bombing of targets in southern Syria, which borders the country, does not target Western backed rebels known as the Southern Front - a grouping it supports as a buffer against the spread of hardline Islamist groups.

A 42-year-old unemployed man was crowned Zimbabwe's ugliest man at a pub pageant in Harare -- but the contest turned ugly when the runner-up accused judges of bias.

Maison Sere, who was missing several teeth and dressed in torn overalls, beat off five other contestants for the $500 Mr Ugly prize -- a large sum in a country facing massive unemploment.

The Lagos State Government has warned residents against the consumption of exhumed and contaminated poultry produce that are in circulation in the state as they pose a serious health risk.

According to Mr. Toyin Suarau, Commissioner for Agriculture, "some imported contaminated products were seized by the Nigeria Customs Service in Badagry but were later exhumed by some people who planned to sell them to unsuspecting members of the public. The imported poultry produce was preserved with chemicals like formalin which was poisonous, that it could lead to slow death".

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Mr Abubakar Audu, is dead. Mr Audu is reported to have died of undisclosed medical reasons shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the governorship election inconclusive on Sunday.

He was leading in the results announced by INEC, scoring 240,867 votes while the incumbent Governor, Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party polled 199,514 votes.

INEC DECLARES KOGI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION INCONCLUSIVE

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Kogi State governorship election inconclusive.

Declaring the results of the election, the Returning Officer, Professor Emmanuel Kucha, said the electoral body’s decision was reached after collation of results showed a number of cancelled votes that was higher than the margin between the leading candidate and the runner-up.

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy equalled a Premier League record by scoring for the 10th straight match as they went top with a 3-0 win at Newcastle United before Manchester City were crushed 4-1 by Liverpool on Saturday.

On a day when champions Chelsea ended their slump with a 1-0 win over Norwich City, Leicester became the third team in five hours to top the table after Manchester United also briefly led following their 2-1 victory at Watford in the early kickoff.

Police detectives in Asaba, Delta State, have arrested 21 students who have been allegedly involved in same sex activities.

According to PUNCH, a reliable sourced confirmed that the two state-owned polytechnics (names withheld) where the suspects were arrested, were a beehive of perverse sexual acts as male students engage in same sex activities for financial gains.

UPDATE: AFTERMATH VIDEO OF THE BANK ROBBERY IN AGBARA

Remember the bank robbery in Agbara estate early this week?

please see video of victims in pain......

The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has directed all Igbo living outside Igbo land to start returning home and re-establish their businesses and investments in the South-East.

Decrying what he described as the nonchalant attitude and insensitivity of many Igbo people residing in northern and western parts of the country the MASSOB National Director of Information, Mr. Uchenna Madu, said that, “we have decided and promise to provide adequate security for lives and property in Igboland.

LIFE ESSENTIALS: STEPS TO LIVE HEALTHY AND LAST LONGER

Making just a few changes in your lifestyle can help you live longer. A recent study found that four bad behaviors—smoking, drinking too much alcohol, not exercising, and not eating enough fruits and veggies—can hustle you into an early grave, and, in effect, age you by as many as 12 years.

Fortunately, you can do something to correct these and other unhealthy behaviors. Adopt the following nine habits to keep your body looking and feeling young. #Life Essentials

Despite the release of Spectre, the latest instalment from the 007 James Bond Franchise, a locally produced film, Taxi Driver (Oko Ashewo), is competing favourable in cinemas across the country following its recent unveiling.

Figures available at the end last weekend indicate a very close head to head with the much publicised and highly popular James Bond Brand.

Industry watchers describe it as one of the biggest of the year, equating it with the performance of another indigenous movie, 30 Days in Atlanta, which went on to dislodge top Hollywood blockbuster in the cinemas last year.

Monday, 30 November 2015

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Saturday, 21 November 2015