Blog

L-R Kylie Jenner and Jay Z

By Anita Eboigbe

Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Cosmestic mogul, Kylie Jenner has tied rapper, Jay Z as the 5th American wealthiest celebrity in 2018 with networths of $900 billion each,  according to Forbes.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the list, released on Wednesday, ranks the wealthiest American celebrities based on fortune they have amassed off their fame.

21-year-old Jenner, who is new to the list, made the bulk of her fortune through Kylie Cosmestics which has raked in more than $630 million in makeup.

The company was founded two years ago and she interacts directly with her customers through her 168 million-plus social media followers.

In July, Forbes revealed that Jenner owns 100 percent of the ‘bare-bones’ business, a stake valuable enough to put her among America’s Richest Self-Made Women when she covered it’s front page.

Meanwhile, Jay Z was ranked as the biggest dollar gainer despite tying with Jenner. His net worth is up $90 million from 2017′s figure thanks to lucrative stakes in several companies.

These include Armand de Brignac champagne and D’Ussé cognac, plus holdings in his entertainment empire Roc Nation and streaming service Tidal.

NAN reports that in February, Jay Z was crowned the richest hip-hop mogul in the business overtaking longtime champ, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.

According to Forbes, “America’s 10 wealthiest celebrities hold a combined fortune of $18.7 billion, more than the GDP of Iceland.”

Forbes‘ third annual ranking of the net worths of the famous boasted the biggest cumulative figure since they began tallying totals, up 4 percent from 2017′s $18 billion.

Top on the list is Star Trek’s founder, George Lucas with an estimated $5.4 billion which largely came from the fortune he pocketed when his Lucasfilm Production Company sold to Disney for $4.1 billion in 2012.

He edges fellow filmmaker Steven Spielberg ( $3.7 billion) and media mogul Oprah ($2.8 billion).

Michael Jordan ($1.7 billion) climbs up the ranking with a $400 million net worth increase derived from his sneaker fortune and a 90 percent stake in the increasingly valuable Charlotte Hornets. (NAN)
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Donation
By Deborah Coker
Benin, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Edo Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday presented food items and other household materials to the Compassion Orphanage in Benin.

The State NDLEA Commander, Mr Buba Wakawa, said that the gesture was a show of love for humanity in the lead-up to Christmas celebration.

He urged members of the public to always demonstrate love and care to one another in spirit of the season.

He particularly underscored the need for the people to always demonstrate love to the needy members of the public, saying that it was not the volume of what was given that mattered but the rationale behind the gesture.

“We should not wait until we are fulfilled to give to the needy but whenever we give, out of the little we have, God will always replenish our resources greatly,’’ he said.

Dr Janet Igbinosa, Co-founder of Compassion Orphanage, who received the materials, thanked the agency for the donation.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit to the orphanage was part of the activities lined up by Christian Fellowship of the NDLEA command to mark the end of year.

NAN also reports that donated items include rice, beans, garri, noodles and soap, among others. (NAN)
DCO/JI/OOK
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Editing by Joseph Idika and Dayo Komolafe

Genevieve
By Anita Eboigbe
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Cinema screening of ‘Lion Heart,’ the directorial debut of veteran actress, Genevieve Nnaji has been halted due to alleged industry controversies.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that although the movie was purchased by Netflix in July, Nnaji’s team announced last Friday that its cinema screening would commence on Dec. 21.

Following that announcement, a viral statement from the ‘Lion Heart’s team alleged that the “powers that be” (distribution companies) have refused to show the movie in their cinemas.

The statement further claimed that one of the major distributors, who had agreed to show the movie, backed out of the deal after being “arm twisted”.

Reacting to the statement, Patrick Lee, chairman of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) clarified the association’s position in a public statement.

He said that the Lionheart team did not adhere to the processes involved in exhibiting a film in cinemas in the country that’s why most of its members “rightly refused to take the movie.”

“We expect the movie to come from a licenced distributor, we expect the movie to be given adequate run time in the cinemas before it is officially released on other platforms.

“And also for our cinemas to be provided with adequate notice for the inclusion of the movie in an increasingly crowded calendar.

“It is clear from the approach taken by the Lionheart team that these processes were not adhered to and most of our members rightly refused to take the movie.

“It is also important to note that this movie had been signed up by Netflix months ago, thereby giving Genevieve’s team ample time to secure a spot on the calendar.

“An option they did not take until quite recently thereby ensuring the possibility of the movie not being shown by cinemas during their preferred date.

“Genevieve has starred and produced movies for cinema exhibition in the past so should be familiar with the way the industry works which is why this is a cause for concern for us in the cinema association.

“Finally it’s worth pointing out that other movies such as Chief Daddy, KOB and Merry men had all been slated from early March this year.

“Mo Abudu, AY and Kemi Adetiba who are industry compatriots of Genevieve’s followed the right approach by scheduling early for cinema release.

“It’s not fair that they may now possibly have their screen times reduced because of the rushed inclusion of Lionheart in the cinemas.

“We at the cinema association are also not pleased about the attacks in the statement on some of our members and the sweeping generalisations the statement makes,” Lee said.

Lee added that the association expects to seek further clarification from its author before determining if further action needs to be taken.

NAN reports that ‘Lion Heart’ had successful screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Marrakech, Morroco and will be available on Netflix in January, 2019. (NAN)
AEE/EAL
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Cards
By Mohammed Lawal
Sabongari (Kaduna State), Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Zubairu Galadiman-Soba, the Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kaduna State, on Thursday said  more than 500,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had not been collected across the state.

He said this at a Public Enlightenment/Sensitisation Campaign on Voter Education Towards 2019 General Elections held at Sabongari Local Government Secretariat, Dogarawa, Zaria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the voter education/public enlightenment was organised by the state NOA to ensure that the electorate exercised their franchise peacefully.

Galadiman-Soba advised eligible voters to visit INEC offices in their respective local government areas to collect their PVCs to use in the coming elections.

According to him, it is the only means the voters can elect credible leaders of their choice, adding that without the voter card one cannot exercise his or her right.

The director stressed the need for all Nigerians to join hands toward making the forthcoming general elections hitch-free and successful.

He called on youths to shun thuggery and all other forms of vices that could tamper with the success of the elections.

‘‘The essence of this programme is to sensitise electorate on the need to be law abiding citizens and not to engage in anything that will mar the forthcoming elections.

‘‘NOA is not for any political party, but it is an agency of the Federal Government saddled with the responsibility of creating public awareness on government programmes and activities.

‘‘We hope, as good citizens of Nigeria, you will do everything possible to ensure that the forthcoming elections are conducted peacefully and successfully,’’ he said.

Galadiman-Soba appealed to all political parties to play politics according to the rules and to advise their supporters to conduct themselves well to ensure credible elections. (NAN)
KLM/MOL/TA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Tajudeen Atitebi

Trial

By Moji Eniola

Ikeja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN) the defence counsel for Fred Ajudua, a former Lagos socialite , challenged Lt. -Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), a former Chief of Army Staff to provide proof of the source of the 8.4 million dollars, his client allegedly defrauded him of in 2004.

Ojo, gave the challenge on Thursday at an Ikeja High Court at the resumed trial of Ajudua for the alleged fraud.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ajudua, allegedly defrauded Bamaiyi of $8.4million while they were both in custody in Kirikiri Prisons in 2004,

Bamaiyi was in custody for treason while Ajudua was in custody for fraud related offences.

Ajudua, alongside some accomplices, had allegedly approached Bamaiyi and convinced him that he could hire the legal services of Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) to help secure his freedom with Bamaiyi giving Ajudua 8.4 milliondollars as legal fees.

When the alleged fraud came to light, the law chambers of Afe Babalola and Co issued a disclaimer disassociating itself from the case.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Ojo told the court that he had been re-engaged by Ajudua to represent him and had requested to for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the last court proceedings held on Nov. 26 to keep him abreast of recent happenings in the case.

He said the defence wanted Bamaiyi to provide documents showing proof of the source of the $8.4million in order to adequately cross-examine the retired General.

” After reading the records of proceedings, I discovered that several issues which necessitating us requesting the learned counsel to the prosecution to avail is certain documents related to the evidence given by the first prosecution witness (Bamaiyi).

“These include evidence of alleged sale of items of landed property the proceeds of which according to the witness, formed part of the sources of funds he claimed to have handed to the defendant.

“The other pieces of evidence relates to the alleged transactions that took place at the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons.

“There is a need to write letters to the prison for some clarifications for us to conduct a very thorough investigation,” Ojo said.

The SAN said that there was nowhere in the proof of evidence, where the former Chief of Army Staff had stated that he had sold some specific landed money to raise the funds he gave to Ajudua.

He noted that Ajudua had been granted bail by the Court of Appeal on Dec. 10 for another fraud case he has pending before Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

“My Lord I got the CTC of the proceedings at  3 p.m on Wednesdayy and it was virtually impossible for me to have any discussion with the defendant.

“We are not blaming anybody for this because in other courts, the CTC of proceedings won’t be ready as quickly as this because of the volume of work,” he said.

Ojo asked the court to for an adjournment to enable him file necessary documents to compel the prosecution provide documents that are not in the proof of evidence.

Mr Seidu Atteh, the lead prosecutor for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) however opposed the defence’s request for an adjournment.

“My Lord, the evidence before this honourable court is not solely based on the sale of property, that is just one of the numerous sources states in the evidence-in-chief of the first prosecution witness.

“We can cross-examine the witness today on other sources of the funds given to the defendant and if proof of the landed property sold is important to the defence, we will make it available to him on the next adjourned date.

“My Lord, refuse the application and in order to save judicial time, I urge My Lord to call the witness to the box,” the EFCC prosecutor said.

Acceding the request of the defence for an adjournment, Justice Josephine Oyefeso ordered the prosecution to provide the necessary documents to the defence.

“I take responsibility for the CTC of proceedings not being ready until yesterday.

“I agree with the submission of the defence counsel that prosecution should make available all the relevant documents as he has stated.

“I hereby grant an adjournment, the case is adjourned to Feb. 19, 20 and 21 2019 for continuation of trial,” Justice Oyefeso said.

NAN reports that Bamaiyi had while testifying on Nov. 26, revealed the sources of the funds he allegedly lost to the scam.

He said most of the money were from friends, colleagues, relations and well wishers who had pleaded with him not to identify them because some of them held positions in government.

“The other sources were from my farm products, I’ve been a farmer since 1984 when I was in service, I do different things on my farm, I grow cotton, soya beans and I’m also involved in animal husbandry.

“My Lord, I was posted to Lagos since 1986 and I remained in Lagos till my retirement in 1999. I was able to acquire some property, two duplexed on Sanusi Fafunwa in Victoria Island which were allocated to me by the Lagos State Government.

“I went into an agreement with HFP, a construction company who developed the two duplexes and rented it for six years and returned them to me, I sold those duplexes.

“My Lord, I bought a duplex and flat in Dolphin Estate which I also sold, I had a duplex in Tajudeen Olanrewaju Estate Yaba which I also sold, I have a plot of land at Dolphin Estate, and I also had two bungalows in Kaduna which I also sold.

“My Lord, these were the sources of the money,” Bamaiyi said. (NAN)

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

2019: Vote out lawmakers who are against nation`s interest, group urges Nigerians

Lawmakers

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018(NAN) The Buhari Support Group (BSG) United Kingdom  (UK), Chapter, has called on the Nigerian electorate to vote out lawmakers that do not have the interest of the people and the nation at heart in 2019.

Mr Joseph Adebola, convener of the UK BSG, made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement was in reaction to the action of some opposition legislators during the presentation of the 2019 budget by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The lawmakers had failed to comport themselves when President Buhari was presenting the budget to the Joint Session of the National Assembly.

Adebola while condemning the action of the lawmakers, described it as unruly, disrespectful and a show of political rascality that had brought shame on the country and should be condemned by all well meaning Nigerians.

“It is time for the Nigerian electorate to rise up in unison come February 2019 and demonstrate to the legislators that they are the real power brokers by ensuring they defeat every of such lawmaker at the polls.

“Nigerians deserve better than we are getting from this money guzzling legislators and it’s about time voters show them the door out of the National Assembly and out of politics for good.

“This crop of legislators had been the cog in the wheel of progress of the country since its inception in 2015, through their actions that have been antithetical to Nigeria’s development, “ he said.

He recalled how every budget presented to the National Assembly since 2015 had been unduly delayed for several months for the purpose of derailing governance.

The convener also recalled how those budgets were later found to have been padded with fictitious projects by the National Assembly, adding that majority of those projects were yet to be implemented.

This, he said, was despite funds being appropriated for the implementation of such projects.

He stressed that all of these and many more were calculated attempts by the legislative arm to derail the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration in its strides and stunt the country’s development for their selfish aims.(NAN)

EEM/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

GMOs
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) says the agency was established to ensure the safety of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), not to stop the dissemination and use.

Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General of the agency made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

“NBMA is a government agency established by law as a regulatory agency to ensure the safe handling and use of modern biotechnology and its products, which include GMOs.

“So, the establishment of the agency is not to stop the use of GMOs but to ensure their safety that they have no adverse effect on human health, plants, animals and the environment,’’ he said.

On the recent public presentation of the application for the commercialisation of genetically modified Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) Cowpea, Ebegba said that the agency was mindful of the implications of wrong decisions and the failure to act with courage and efficiency.

“The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, following the approvals from the Federal Ministry of Environment and NBMA conducted confined field trials at selected sites in Nigeria on the PBR Cowpea for nine years.

“Over the years, the ministry’s Biosafety Unit and NBMA closely supervised the trials’ process during which all the requirements pertaining to biosafety compliance were fully met.

“Accordingly, IAR submitted to the NBMA a formal application, seeking permit for the general release of the PBR Cowpea in Nigeria, pursuant to the provisions of the NBMA Acts, 2015 and the National Biosafety Regulations.

“The application for commercial release of GM food crop, is the first of its kind and in line with the NBMA Acts.
“It requires the agency to build on the past efforts to make certain that stakeholders are aware of the basic science of PBR Cowpea and the biosafety measures put in place by NBMA.

“We organised public presentations to afford the agency the opportunity to sustain momentum in its various efforts to ensure information sharing and dissemination among stakeholders.

“We enhance public participation in our decision making process by inviting representatives of agencies that we have signed MoUs with for synergy and for effective biosafety regulation in the country.

“Representatives from relevant ministries, departments and agencies, experts, scientists, the media, professional bodies including NBA, Civil Society Groups (including environmental activists opposed to the technology) partners and faith-based organisations for obvious reasons.”

Ebegba said that the objective was for the applicant to take stakeholders through the basic science of the genetically modified cowpea and other relevant issues related to the safety of the gene of insert and the processes of the development of the GM Cowpea.

“At the end of the presentation, there would be a 21day public notice in three national dallies and on the agency’s website on the application, indicating the locations where the application/dossier would be deposited.

“This will enable members of the public to review the application and present their views to the NBMA.

“NBMA will also constitute a National Biosafety Committee and National Biosafety Technical Subcommittee of Eminent Experts and Scientists to carry out detailed review of the risk assessment and risk management, and make recommendations to guide the NBMA’s final decision.

“I wish to assure the public that the NBMA would carry out a thorough risk assessment review of the application and make the best decision in the interest of Nigerians and the nation.
He said that NBMA as a competent national authority on biosafety in Nigeria had since inception faced various criticisms by some environmental activists.

“Some of these activists have released some publications and held public fora aimed at discrediting the agency and continually fed Nigerians with contradictory and false information about the agency.

“While the agency believes that citizens are free to criticize government agencies’ decisions, it is expected that such criticism should not be without relevant knowledge.

“And should not be intended to damage the integrity of officers who are carrying out their legitimate duties in the implementation of the mandate of the officers.’’

Ebegba said that those who constantly criticise NBMA never at any time visited the agency to find out why the agency took whatever decisions it took.
“Even when they are invited to our programmes, they refuse to attend.
“ We must remember that the world’s development is dynamic and the world will not wait for Nigeria.”

He noted that every new technology was bound to face suspicion but Nigeria should not fail to move on and develop the technology.

“In spite of the various enlightenment programmes of the agency and its engagement with the public on the mandates and workings of the agency, the agency is still confronted with controversies.

“Despite the odds, the NBMA has continued to discharge its duties to the people of Nigeria while meeting the mandate of government with knowledge and courage.

“Be rest assured that the agency will not fail in the discharge of its responsibility in the regulation of the application of modern biotechnology, handling and use of genetically modified organism.”

NAN reports that the agency draws its mandate from the NBMA Act 2015.

The act states that the agency is charged with the responsibility of providing regulatory framework, institutional and administrative mechanism for safety measures in the application of modern biotechnology in Nigeria;

This is with the view to preventing any adverse effect on human health, animals, plants and the environment.’’ (NAN)
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Universities

By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) A Scholar, Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie, has urged the Federal Government to meet United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) benchmark for educational spending to revamp higher education system.

Nnadozie, the Executive Director, African Capacity Building Foundation, Harare, Zimbabwe, made the appeal during a lecture at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike (AE—FUNAI), Ikwo, Ebonyi.

Nnadozie said the Federal Government must allot 26 per cent of its annual budget to the education sector as stipulated by UNESCO to seriously tackle the myriads of problems militating against higher education in the country.

“Universities and other categories of higher education are struggling under this financial squeeze which has adversely affected the growth of the system in Nigeria and Africa.

“Allocating 26 per cent of the federal budget will also ensure that the problem of infrastructure being experienced in universities among others will be solved to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

“Critical infrastructure needed for conducive learning such as science laboratories, workshops, students’ hostels, libraries and power supply among others, will in turn be provided to achieve desired goals,” he said.

The professor noted that such funding would also solve the problem of inadequate teaching personnel experienced in higher institutions for effective teaching.

“Universities for instance, lack lecturers needed to adequately handle teaching loads which results in overworking of such lecturers.

“Research capacities have also been impaired due to limited grant support and weak mentoring capacity by senior academics due to brain drain,” he said.

He noted that the frequent labour disputes and closure of higher institutions could be checked with effective funding to halt the incessant disruption of the academic calendar.

“There is hardly an academic session that passes without disruptions in the tertiary institutions calendar by academic and non-academic staff unions,” he said.

Nnadozie said that revamping higher education in Nigeria could be promoted through collaborative efforts by government, business sector, civil society and academics among other stakeholders.

“Appointing a qualified person for the job of minister of education will be a positive step towards the revamping process, as this should be linked to network of academic and practical excellence in education.

“The government should also stem the tide of emigration to higher institutions in Ghana and other countries and increase efforts to transform the country into the continental and global educational hub,” he said.

He noted that the higher education system was expected to contribute in individual talent development which meets societal future needs and demands of the labour market.

“The teaching curriculum and learning approaches should be periodically assessed to determine their usefulness to the graduate.

“Quality education must recognise that the labour market requires employees and entrepreneurs with problem-solving skills, the capacity for effective teamwork, creativity and professional knowledge.

“Higher institutions should maintain current communication with their graduates and use their feedback mechanism to revamp curricula and teaching methods,” he said.

Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, appreciated the Federal Government for approving financial resources for payment of salaries and capital development, especially through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

“We are grateful for energising education programme by which the rural electrification agency is currently working to install a hybrid power plant (1MW) that utilises solar energy to energise power in the university,” he said. (NAN)
RCO/OIF/PDE
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(Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Peter Ejiofor)

Strike: ASUP to meet FG negotiation team Jan. 10

Negotiation
By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) says it will meet with the Federal Government negotiation team on Jan. 10.

Mr Usman Dutse, National President of ASUP told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that the new date was communicated to the union.

Dutse said the meeting became necessary because the last meeting held on Dec. 17 in Abuja was inconclusive.

He said that the union would continue with its strike until they were satisfied with the offer from the government.

The ASUP president said the report presented by the government during the last meeting was not acceptable to the union.

“We are meeting with the Federal Government representatives on Jan. 10, to continue with our discussion.

“The last meeting we had with the government was inconclusive.

“We met with the government representatives and we discussed issues on the previous agreements at the last meeting, but government was not sincere.

“We demanded that more things should be done because what they presented was not acceptable.

“We told them that we were not satisfied with the report they gave us.

“Another meeting has been fixed for Jan 10,” he said.

Dutse urged the Federal Government to pay more attention to polytechnic education and prioritise the sector in the new year.

He said the sector has been underfunded and neglected for too long.

NAN reports that the polytechnic teachers began an indefinite strike on Dec. 12, over non implementation several agreements by the Federal Government.

The demands of the striking union include implementation of NEEDS assessment report, payment of CONTISS 15 arrears, implementation of scheme of service, non-payment of salaries in state-owned institutions, and victimisation of members, among others.

The strike has crippled academic activities in many polytechnics across the country.(NAN)
OOG/SOA

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Man getsN2.3m bail over alleged N2.2m case of cheating
Cheating
By Nana Musa
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Karmo Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja on Thursday admitted one Adamu Isah, 75, to N2.3 million bail over an alleged criminal breach of trust in a N2.2 million fishery investment.
The Judge, Mr Inuwa Maiwada, said that the accused must produce two sureties in like sum, adding that he admitted Isah to bail because of his age.
Maiwada said that the sureties must produce valid means of identification, utility bills and swear to an affidavit that the accused would not escape trial.
The judge adjourned the case until Feb. 19 for hearing.
Isah, who resides at Jabi in Abuja, had pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.
The Prosecutor, Ijeoma Ukagha, told the court that one Mohammed Atabor of Duste Abuja and Nahir Sanusi of Life Camp, Abuja, reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station on Dec. 15.
Ukagha said the complainants reported that sometime in July, the accused was allegedly entrusted with 12,500 fishes to breed for a period of five months.
She said that the accused was also given feeds that would last for the period, adding that in all, the complainants invested 2.2 million in the business.
The prosecutor said during the harvest, the complainants found less than 1,000 fishes in the pond, which was sold for N87,000.
Ukagha said during police investigations, the accused could not give satisfactory account of the missing fishes.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.
Counsel to the accused, Mr I. Nwosu, who applied for his bail, assured the court that his client would not jump his bail. (NAN)
NHM/JI/TA
Editing by Joseph Idika/Tajudeen Atitebi