WEEKLLYHIP

The Ikeja Police barracks building that collapsed earlier on Sunday failed integrity tests on two occasions, news agent can report. Yakubu Suleiman, the south-west zonal coordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority, stated this at the scene of the incident during the demolition of the rest of the building by officers of the agency. “We have understanding that the building has failed integrity tests, twice,” the NEMA boss told news agents . Junior police officers across Nigeria who live in the various barracks usually live in terrible conditions in decrepit, unmaintained buildings. Mr. Suleiman disclosed that victims of the building collapse include a police officer and the officer’s relative. A part of the building, known as W block, collapsed at about 4:00 a.m. on Sunday. Bodies of the victims have since been deposited at the mortuary. The demolition of the rest of the building was ongoing at the time of this

The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, on Sunday said that in 2017, God would grant President Muhammad Buhari the solution to the numerous challenges facing the country. Kumuyi gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen when he played host to the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who led some members of the Assembly on courtesy visit to the church’s December Convention. The cleric said, “We talk of the hours of recession, difficulty, distress and all that, but God is granting us His promises. We are not going to carry over our problems. “We pray and believe that the Lord will answer. “As you will see, as we get to the New Year, there is no carryover of our problems. God will give solutions to the problems of our lives, families, communities, the state and our nation.” The pastor said that with prayer and faith in God, the country would get out of all its challenges, including the ...

A Lagos lawmaker, Mr Segun Olulade, says he is optimistic of a burgeoning economy early 2017 just as President Muhammadu Buhari had assured Nigerians of an end to economic contraction in the new year. Olulade, the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health Services, said in line with God’s plan through His various prophets, 2017 would usher in a period of economic buoyancy and new lease of life for the country. “The current economic downturn in the country no doubts is biting hard, but I believe that as we transit to the new year and with what the administration has so far put in place the country will witness a turnaround,” he said on Saturday. According to him, the country will move out of the current recession into economic prosperity for the good of all. Olulade (APC-Epe II) urged Nigerians to approach the new year with hope and excitement for national prosperity and new lease of life for all. Meanwhile, the lawmaker has lauded the rice cultiv...

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians, especially Christians, to offer prayers to God to enable the country overcome its current challenges. He also enjoined the people to show tolerance as that was the only way peace could reign. Buhari, in his message  on Christmas, asked Nigerians to pray for the troops fighting Boko Haram insurgency and the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the North-East. He assured that the country would get out of its economic woes as government was working hard to reflate the economy. Tinubu: Set aside artificial differences In his own message, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said it was time for all Nigerians, Christians and non-Christians alike, to set aside the artificial differences that too often divide us and pit brother against brother, neighbour against neighbour. “We must dedicate ourselves to focusing on our common humanity because we all seek much the same thing for ourselves ...

HEALTH EXPENDIITURE For several years, Nigeria has consistently spent only about one per cent of its GDP on health, said the Provost of the College of Medicine of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Kehinde Oluwadiya. Mr. Oluwadiya, a professor of medicine, disclosed this while delivering a lecture titled “Impact of Present Economic Challenges on Health Indices in Nigeria and Medical Practice in Nigeria as a whole” organised by the Association of Resident Doctors of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, LAUTECH, Osogbo chapter. According to him, governments at the various levels have been spending just over one-third of what should have been spent on the health of citizens. Statistics showed that the government only spent one per cent of Nigeria’s GDP on health in 2013, a figure he noted has remained unchanged since 1995. There is a difference between GDP and total budget expenditure, the don explained. “Government is spending an ...

Kiss Daniel was the biggest winner at the Headies awards 2016, taking home three awards, one of which was for album of the year. Ill Bliss, indigenous rapper, was right on Daniel’s tail with a total of two wins, his highest ever in the history of the Headies. Darey Art-Alade also won two awards for his hit single, ‘Pray for Me’. One of his awards was in the coveted category of ‘recording of the year’. Wizkid, as expected, was named artiste of the year while Olamide won for ‘best rap single’ and ‘best streethop’. Here’s the full list of winners: Best video Clarence Peters (Soldier) Best R& B/Pop album Kiss Daniel (New Era) Best R&B Darey Art-Alade Recording of the Year Darey Art-Alade (Pray For Me) Hip Hop World revelation Kiss Daniel Lyricist on the Roll Ill Bliss Best Rap Single Olamide (Eyan Mayweather) Best Rap Album Ill Bliss Best Streethop Olamide Special Recongnition Award Flavour Album of...

Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari has saluted the gallant troops of the Nigerian Army for their historic final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa Forest. In a goodwill message to troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole on the successful capture of the Boko Haram enclave in Sambisa Forest, Buhari said that he was proud of the troops. He said: “I am delighted at, and most proud of the gallant troops of the Nigerian Army, on receipt of the long-awaited and most gratifying news of the final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest. “I want to use this opportunity to commend the determination, courage and resilience of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at finally entering and crushing the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents at “Camp Zero”, which is located deep within the heart of Sambisa Forest. “I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the Camp fell at about 1:35pm on Friday, Dec. 22, and that the terrorists ...

Veteran actor and former Commissioner for Tourism, Delta State, Mr. Richard Mofe-Damijo, has said that it is only because of entertainment that Nigeria is still respected in the comity of nations. He spoke at the Voice of Women (VOW) conference organised by WFM 97.1, a radio station for women, on Friday. He said: “We are the last frontier in Nigeria today. In Nigeria the only reason why there can be an increase in radio stations is because of what we have done. President Barack Obama said entertainment is the engine upon which the economy of America operates. “In the past Nigeria got 70 percent of her income from oil but trust me today, entertainment is the engine upon which a lot of things operates, even technology. It is driven mostly on the entertainment value that we can build around it.” Speaking on what they expect from the government, he said, “ government needs to realize that they owe us; you cannot subsidize agriculture and not subsidize culture beca...

Children and parents alike are in for a fun-filled adventure as MandK Activity Center Limited (MACL), an entertainment company has unveiled Nigeria’s first family entertainment centre. The event centre which recently launched its brand in Lagos promises a safe and thrilling environment for kids, teenagers and adults. With plans to provide interactive Family Entertainment in Nigeria and West Africa by developing and operating world-class leisure and entertainment centers under the Maxtivity Brand, Maxtivity family entertainment centers will offer a full bouquet of unique attractions and games for kids, teens and adults such as bumper cars, extreme trampolines, bowling, soft play, thrill rides, pedal boats, climbing walls, challenge ropes course, arcades, video games and so much more. The centers will also offer party rooms, lounge and food in a secure, well-designed environment comparable to the highest quality & safety standards around the world. Speaking on the launch, CEO...

By Emmanuel Elebeke The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Friday denied the online report which quoted him, as saying that “Indians are buying over MTN Nigeria”. The statement was reportedly made at an event organized by Centre Proprietors Association of Nigeria (CPAN) wherein the representative of the Honourable Minister allegedly made the statement. In a statement by the Press Secretary to the Minister, Mr. Taye Akinyemi, Dr. Onu said he did not make, neither did he authorize anyone to make such baseless pronouncement on his behalf. ‘’The attention of the Federal Ministry of Science and technology has been drawn to an online report quoting the Minister Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu as saying that “Indians are buying over MTN Nigeria. The statement reads: ‘‘For the records and for the avoidance of doubt, the Minister did not make, neither did he authorize anyone to make such baseless pronouncement on his behalf. ‘‘As ...

Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Friday said the period of economic challenges in the country was only a passing phase that will soon become history. Mrs. Ambode made the remarks at the Carol Service in Alausa, Ikeja, organized by the State Government, as part of activities to celebrate the 2016 Christmas season. She noted that tough times do not last but tough people do, adding that there was no endlessly smooth situation without interlude. She said the theme of the Carol Service, ‘Emmanuel, God with us’, was a confirmation that God will continue to see Nigeria through the turbulent waters. “Our nation and the State will once again witness abundance and our individual and collective lives new grace and upliftment”, she said. The Governor’s wife also said the occasion of the Carol Service was to give gratitude to God for His abiding faith in the lives of the individuals in spite of the prevailing economic situation. “Deut...

THE Federal Government has said it would embark on building of nuclear plants and careful application of nuclear energy to meet the needs of the country. Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Wednesday in Abuja. Mr. Onu said that nuclear energy would bridge the energy gap needed to enhance agriculture, advance health, improve education and boost manufacturing in the country. He said that the Federal Government had started making arrangement with the Russian State Nuclear Corporation, Rosatom, to actualise its dream of application of nuclear energy. He said that the reason the country chose the Russian state nuclear corporation was because of its essential experience in nuclear technology. According to the minister, Rosatom will prepare the agreement on the construction of a nuclear power plant in the country. Onu said that the country would in turn prepare an agreement on the development of the pro...

The British government has expressed concern over Nigeria’s plan to close Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for six weeks in 2017. The UK Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Harriet Thompson, met with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Thursday, three days after the government announced the planned closure. The government had announced on Monday that all Abuja-bound domestic and international flights would be diverted to Kaduna for six weeks in 2017 to enable the government upgrade the airport’s runway. Passengers would then be transported by government-provided buses to Abuja, some 210 kilometres away. Some Nigerians have expressed concerns about passengers’ safety, amid reports of banditry and kidnapping along Kaduna-Abuja Road. Mr. Thompson raised the same fears on Thursday, the News Agency of Nigeria reported. Mr. Sirika said the government would provide necessary security to travelers. He told the UK diplomat t...

The Queen of England has approved the appointment of a Nigerian-born medical doctor as the first black Bishop of the Church of England. The government of the UK’s website said the new Bishop, the Reverend Prebendary Dr Woyin Karowei Dorgu was announced on Tuesday. The Vicar of St John the Evangelist Upper Holloway, in the Diocese of London, he will take charge of the Suffragan See of Woolwich, in the Diocese of Southwark. Dr Woyin Karowei Dorgu Dorgu is aged 58, a General Practitioner, studied at the London Bible College for his BA, and studied for his ordination at Oak Hill Theological College from 1993 to 1995 and also holds an MA in missiology. He was Curate at St Mark’s Tollington in London Diocese from 1995 to 1998, before moving to be Curate at Upper Holloway in the same diocese until 2000. From 2000 to 2012 he was Team Vicar at Upper Holloway before becoming Vicar in 2012 and from 2016 he has been Prebendary at St Paul’s Cathedral. He is married to Mosun,...

Yusuf Rabiu went door-to-door urging people in the northern Nigerian city of Kano to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in last year’s elections. Now he’s regretting his decision. “We expected him to solve our economic problems,” Rabiu, a 36-year-old hat seller, said at the city’s Kurmi market as a group of friends nodded in agreement. “I didn’t know voting for him would mean more hunger, more suffering.” After ending the 16-year reign of the People’s Democratic Party last year in what won praise as a peaceful transition of power in Africa, Buhari is facing a firestorm of criticism. Even some of his ruling party members have met with their erstwhile opponents about forming a new party to challenge him if he seeks re-election in 2019, according to two people familiar with the meetings. For Buhari, who ruled as a military dictator in the 1980s, 2016 has been a tough year. He pledged the naira currency would become as strong as the ...

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu has said that in spite of over 40 per cent recent rise in the price of cement in Nigeria, the country still retains the most affordable pricing for the commodity in Africa. He stated while speaking fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja. “In August this year, the price of cement per 50kg of cement bag rose by more than 40 per cent from N1,400 to N2,350 and has since hovered between N2,200 and N2,300,” he said. According to him, the price remains the most competitive when compared to other countries in Africa. He also noted that he does not foresee any possibilities of price reduction in the near future. “If you look at the price of cement today, vis-a-vis the price cement is selling in other countries, even in Africa, in terms of dollars, you would see that the price of cement in Nigeria today is probably the cheapest. The price we are selling today translates to less than $100 per tonne. I do not ...

Lago- Some Nigerians on Thursday expressed displeasure with the celebration of the release of James Ibori, a former Delta Governor, from a prison in London. They said in Lagos that such celebration was condemnable, unfortunate and uncalled for. The former governor of Delta was on Wednesday released from prison in London, U.K. Ibori was jailed in 2012, two years after he was arrested by the Interpol in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, where he was hiding after fleeing Nigeria. Ibori after his release from prison in the United Kingdom He was sentenced to 13 years in prison by Southwark Crown Court on April 17, 2012 after pleading guilty to 10-count charge of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud. In spite of his guilty plea and conviction for corruption, his kinsmen at Oghara and other Urhobo communities in the Delta, however, turned the affair to a carnival as they lined up major streets dancing. There was wild jubilation in Delta following the news of the release of the for...

President Muhammadu Buhari has said his government is irreversibly committed to meeting the June 2017 deadline for digital switchover (DSO) from analogue. He therefore appealed to states and local governments to be actively involved in the project because of the obvious advantage to Nigerians.Buhari, who said this while commissioning the Abuja digital switch over from analogue to digital television broadcasting yesterday, stated that the DSO would liberalise access and increase the versatility of media information. He added that interactive programming, two-way data exchanges, mobile reception of video, Internet and multimedia data will open up. The president maintained that the local industry was already experiencing a boost from the new vista in digital economy, with several indigenous companies now manufacturing set-top-boxes. He disclosed that many of the set-top-boxes for the Abuja switchover were produced in Nigeria. The president explained that digitisation would create jobs ...

Jim a as , a federal agency has been alleged to have abandoned students on scholarships in Philippines -The students were also alleged to be living in terrible conditions in the country -Efforts to get the agency’s side of the story has proved futile as at the time of filing this report The federal government has been accused of abandoning students sent to study in the Philippines The students are supposed to be enjoying scholarships from the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) launched by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in 2009, but are reportedly having difficult times in the country as a result of the abandonment. These students were alleged to be sent to study Marine Engineering, Nautical Science and Naval Architecture in the following schools: University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, Lyceum of the Philippines University and  University of Cebu The programme was launched by President Goodluck Jonathan administration wit...

Hurray, it’s countdown to the 40 celebration of Oluwole Sogunro community of Ogba as all hands are on deck toward the celebration of their settlement since moving from Lagos Island to Ogba. The event is scheduled to start on the 24 of December, 2016 with the opening ceremony which will feature panel session where dignitaries will talk about their contributions and plan to the development of the community with cultural dance, drama and key note address. Second day of the event, 25 , which is the Christmas day celebration, will have the children’s party which will have Santa dish out gifts with various competitions. The third day of event, 26 , will see Oluwole and Sogunro community engaged in a football competition to see the side that is good in the round leather game. While on the 27, 28, 29, will be a youth empowerment day and free health care services for the people of the community. Then the grand finale which will be on the 30 of December 2016, as been described as...