U.S. Universities Offer $7.5m in Scholarships to Nigerian Students

More than 303 Nigerian students from the 17 states of southern Nigeria have received no less than $7.5 million in full or partial scholarships from 225 American universities and colleges to study in the United States for the 2019-2020 academic session.

Acting United States Consul General Osman Tat disclosed this in Lagos on Tuesday during the 2019 EducationUSA pre-departure orientation for students who have received offers of admission and scholarships to attend U.S. colleges and universities this fall.

Noting that the U.S. remains a top destination for international students, Acting Consul General Tat explained that the list of acceptances for Nigerian students for the upcoming academic year has been quite impressive, cutting across many of the 50 U.S. states.

“I congratulate each one of you on your tremendous success. This is a very important step in your life. I encourage you to make the most out of your time in the United States to acquire the requisite skills and knowledge needed to support Nigeria’s development,” Tat told the group of U.S.-bound students.

The students have been accepted for undergraduate and graduate degree programs at top notch U.S. institutions ranging from Ivy League universities, liberal arts colleges, women’s colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), to community colleges.

They include Stanford University, The George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Purdue University, Tufts University, Boston University, Emory University, and Howard University, among many others.

The pre-departure orientation is intended to assist students to prepare for their move from Nigeria to attend a college or university in the United States. The event included interactive sessions on topics such as travel planning, adjusting to life in America, safety on campus, and F-1 visa rules for international students.

Participants also had the opportunity to meet with students currently studying in the United States who offered tips on how to prepare for the U.S. academic, social, and cultural environment.

Among the departing students are 13 EducationUSA Opportunity Fund grantees —10 undergraduate and 3 graduate students, with full scholarships — who received financial aid to cover the up-front cost of obtaining admission.

Annually, through the Opportunity Fund Program, the U.S. Consulate’s EducationUSA Advising Centre assists talented low-income students who are good candidates for admission to U.S. colleges and universities, by funding their application process.

According to the latest Open Doors Report, published annually by the Institute of International Education, Nigeria is the 13th highest sending country of international students to the U.S., with about 12, 693 Nigerians currently studying in the United States.

Access GMD, Herbert Wigwe shares success tips with students on Children’s Day celebration

Access Bank’s Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe, reiterated his belief in the potentials of young Nigerians and their important role in the socio-economic growth of the country, as he celebrated the Children’s Day with the students of Girls Secondary Grammar School, Ikoyi, Lagos yesterday, 27 May, 2019.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Wigwe shared several successful tips built on integrity, honesty, hard work, self-love, family, perseverance, developing a savings culture, even as he encouraged them to adopt the values of discipline and hard work in all their endeavours.

“You cannot achieve success without hard work and excellence. In everything you do, be ready to go the extra mile. The biggest mistake anyone can make is to relent on one’s dream because of the fear that it is too difficult. Focus on the joy in every activity, don’t let your present circumstances ever determine your future. Don’t let anyone tell you your dreams are too big to be achieved. Beware of friends and peer groups that tell you to take shortcuts, because shortcuts always end in regrets,” he said.

He further explained the importance of imbibing good saving habits, stating that was a necessary skill that would help them achieve their goals.

“Many of the business leaders that we celebrate in Nigeria and all over the world started off by building a strong saving culture. Learning to save is one of the key things that young people need to imbibe, as it will help prepare you for important periods in your life and help you in starting up any business or career you choose.”

He also joined the students in some interesting activities, as they gathered around him for a selfie photograph, which he promised to cherish always.

A highlight of the event was the interactive session between the Access Bank CEO and the students. Discussing with a student who explained that the school needed instructional facilities, Herbert Wigwe made a commitment to refurbish the school’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory.

Chief Igbinedion woos film makers to Okada

The Esama of Benin kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion has encouraged film makers and producers across the country to take advantage of the historical sites and serene atmosphere that pervades the ancient town of Okada to shoot their films.

The octogenarian business mogul made the passionate appeal recently, when the cast and crew of Lancelot Imasuen's latest flick, 'Family First' paid him a courtesy visit after the premiering of the movie on the campus as part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the Igbinedion University, Okada.

Esema, who was excited receiving the entourage at his palatial country home, said Okada is home to many historical sites that can be used as movie locations.

'We have a forest that nobody has tampered with. Also, we have more historical sites here than anywhere else. I have seen what you people are doing in Asaba. I implore you to come and shoot their films,” he said.

Gov Dickson bags Rotary Int'l Greenwheel on environment ....bemoans IOC's exploration activities in Niger Delta

Bayelsa state Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson has expressed dismay over the insensitivity of the multinational oil companies to the plight of the host communities in the Niger Delta region.

Dickson at the weekend, received the prestigious Green Wheel award by the Rotary International District 9141 in recognition of his contribution to the Environmental challenges as it affects the people of the region.

The presentation of the award was done by the District Governor Rotary International District 9141, Adeyemi Oladokun in Government House, Yenagoa

 Dickson who was represented by the commissioner for Environment of Bayelsa State, Hon. Ebipadei Apaingolo condemned the multinational oil firms for brazenly destroying the Niger Delta environment without adherence to international best practices in their activities.

Dickson while commending Rotary International for deeming it fit to recognise the activities of his administration with a highly prestigious award especially on issues relating to Environment as it affects the people of the state, has called on International Oil Companies and the Federal Government to operate in accordance with best practices.”

The governor who reiterated his commitment in fighting environmental degradation, noted that the launch of Rise For Bayelsa Campaign was an initiative aimed at attracting global attention to the ravaging effects of oil spills, pollution and environmental degradation in the state.

According to him, the commission was inaugurated “ to investigate the environmental, health, socio-economic, cultural and human damage caused by operations of both local and multi-national oil companies.”

They are equally mandated to “analyse the legislations governing the operations of multi-national oil companies in Bayelsa State, and in Nigeria, as well as establish a set of recommendations that would lead to the development of a new legal framework that ensures accountability.”

The governor, therefore, sought the partnership of the Rotary International and other groups, locally and Internationally in his quest to address the Environmental challenges confronting the people of Niger Delta region.

Earlier in his address, the District Governor of Rotary International District 9141, Mr. Adeyemi Oladokun noted that, the activities of Governor Seriake Dickson led administration, especially the recently held programme, ‘Rise for Bayelsa’with the theme; The Environment, Our present, our future, Rotary observed that the inauguration of an 8-member international Bayelsa Oil and Environmental Commission headed by the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu and the visits to impacted communities by the commission attracted the attention of the international body.

According to the District Governor, “It was based on these developments that the Organisation decided to honour the government with the prestigious award.

The Bayelsa State Government delegation which was led by the Commissioner of Environment Hon Ebipiti Epiangolo included the Head Media and Events and Project Officer Rise for Bayelsa Campaign, Ono K.Akpe, Special Adviser to the Governor, VIP Protocol, Hon. David Nanakumo and Permanent Secretary Special Duties , Mightyman Aye Dikuro.

Gov. Dickson offers automatic employment to Ph.D holders from Bayelsa, other Ijaw speaking states

Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has offered automatic employment to all Ph.D holders of the state origin as well as those from Ijaw speaking states in the country.

The Governor said that beneficiaries of the offer include Ijaws from Ondo, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, sad in a statement on Friday that Governor Dickson made the announcement on p while inaugurating the Committee for the Employment of Ph.D holders across Ijaw land.

He said those to be employed would be deployed to the various state-owned tertiary institutions: the Niger Delta University (NDU), the University of Africa, the Bayelsa Medical University, the College of Education, the Bayelsa State Polytechnic and others.

According to him, the massive employment of Ph.D holders which also covers those in the disaspora is part of the ongoing efforts of the Restoration Government to reposition the state education sector and make it more viable.

Iworiso-Markson explained that following the inauguration of the committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Kemela Okara those who are interested could apply through the committee for immediate employment.

The Commissioner said that all PhD holders in the state civil service would be deployed to lecture in the tertiary institutions where their services would be better appreciated.

He added that the employment of Ph.D holders will boost tertiary education in the state and help to develop the capacity of undergraduates in the different higher institutions.

The Government spokesman noted that the automatic employment for Ph.D holders was coming few weeks after the governor announced similar gesture for all first class graduates of the state origin.

"This is another clear statement we are making in our resolve to reposition our education sector for greater productivity. There is no doubt that Governor Dickson has delivered in that critical sector. We believe strongly that this automatic employment will bring about academic excellence in our tertiary institutions.

"It is a great opportunity for all Ph.D holders to advantage of this offer. In his usual magnanimity he has also extended the gesture to all those who are not from Bayelsa but hails from Ijaw speaking states like Rivers, Delta, Ondo, Edo and Akwa Ibom.”

MTN Group announces changes to Board And Establishment of Interl' Advisory Board

MTN Group today announced significant changes to the Group Board and the establishment of an International Advisory Board (IAB).

The MTN Group Board is of the view that MTN has entered a more stable and settled period which enables it to now effect an evolution of the Board following recent challenging regulatory environments and competitive trading conditions.

Here are the changes announced to occur over the next 12 months:

1. The Chairman of MTN Group, Phuthuma Nhleko, will step down from the Board on 15 December 2019.

2. Chairman-designate, Mcebisi Jonas, will assume the position of Chairman of MTN Group effective 15 December 2019.

3. Dr. Khotso Mokhele will assume the responsibilities of Lead Independent Director with effect from 15 December 2019.

4. Alan Harper, Jeff Van Rooyen and Koosum Kaylan will step down from the Board on 15 Dec 2019

5. Peter Mageza and Dawn Marole will step down from the Board effective 30 April 2020.

"Further to the above, we are pleased to welcome onto the Board His Royal Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Vincent Rague with effect from 1 July 2019," the statement from MTN Group read.

The Board has resolved to establish an international advisory board (IAB) of prominent persons of considerable and wide-ranging experience. The primary purpose of the IAB will be to counsel, guide and support the MTN Group from time to time in fulfilling its vision and objective of being one of the premier African corporations with a global footprint in telecommunications, contributing to increased digital inclusion in Africa and the Middle East, a pivotal aspect of the fourth industrial revolution.

Whilst the IAB will be non-statutory in nature and not have any fiduciary responsibility, it will make an important contribution and play a highly valued role in ensuring that the Board is guided and assisted in achieving the company’s vision in a technically complex world with uncertain and shifting geopolitical interests. The IAB will commence on 1 July 2019.

The following have been announced as the IAB members:

1. His Excellency former President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki (Chair)

2. His Excellency President John Kufuor, former President of Ghana

3. Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, former African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs

4. Dr. Mohammed el Baradei, former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency

5. Dr. Momar Nguer, President of Marketing & Services Total S.A. (France)

6. Phuthuma Nhleko, Chairman of MTN Group MTN Group Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko com

No plot by detractors can stop our national convention, says PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, has said that no plan can stop its Saturday’s national convention to elect its presidential candidate for 2019 national elections.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the party’s National Working Committee’s meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.

Ologbondiyan said that the convention would be successful in spite of alleged plot by some organisations to disrupt the event scheduled for Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 in Port Harcourt.

He said that PDP was aware of plots or machinations of all kinds to stop its national convention.

According to him, the party leadership has been informed of machinations by some organisations to disrupt PDP convention to ensure that we do not have a presidential candidate.

“We invite Nigerians to take note of this. We invite the international communities to take serious note of the plots to thwart the efforts of the opposition to elect a candidate that will go into the February 2019 general elections against President Muhammadu Buhari

“We invite all Nigerians to take cautious note of this development. However, on our own part, we wish to inform Nigerians, particularly member of the PDP, that the national convention where our presidential candidate will be elected that has been scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt will go on as planned. No plot, no plan by detractors can stop our national convention,” he said.

Asked if the party had made necessary preparations for security, Ologbondiyan said that the necessary security operatives and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been served notices on the convention.

He also disclosed that the party would be holding a special meeting this morning, October 5.

U.S. Consul General F. John Bray’s Remarks 2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship Reunion Conference

Welcome to the 2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship Reunion Conference. I am exceptionally pleased to be here to open this event, and very happy to see all of you, recently returned from your six-week fellowship experience in the United States!You spent time at some of the best educational institutions our country has to offer, and I hope to hear about your experiences.

In 2014,President Barak Obama created the Mandela Washington Fellowship in an effort to engage entrepreneurial and energetic young African leaders, thus bringing Africa and the United States closer as we move forward together.

Since then, nearly 3,700 young Africans have traveled to the U.S. for an exchange designed toempower them and enhance the great work they are already doing. Among those who have participated in the program were 360 Nigerians. I am told, the course work, leadership training and networking opportunities you experienced were invaluable.

Now that have returned to Nigeria, you will enter the next phase of this exchange. The purpose for bringing you all together immediately after your fellowship experience is first and foremost to compare notes on your experiences and explore ways for all of you and the U.S. government to collaborate going forward.

Second, we hope to help you expand and increase the sustainable impact of the Mandela Washington Fellowship in your communities and nation-wide, forging new networks to magnify the positive changes that you are already making. We will do this through the grants and assistance that we provide Mandela Washington alumni each year. We also encourage you to reach out to the alumni of other U.S. exchange programs and to engage with the thousands of young people who have joined the YALI Network in Nigeria.

We have made a considerable investment in you and I am sure you will prove that it was a worthwhile investment in the future of your country and in the future of Africa.

Now, I would like to single out a few high-achievers sitting in your midst, Mandela Washington Fellows who have gone above and beyond to impact their communities and who have proven themselves outstanding partners for us in our work to support Nigeria.

2018 Mandela Washington Fellow Ugochi Obidiegwuis a true leader. She hasbeen an instrumental force in bringing a group of young professionals together to establish the Lagos hub of the YALI Face@Face group, a key partner for the U.S. Mission in our effort to reach young Nigerians and discuss important topics such as democracy, economic development, education and entrepreneurship. Thank you so much for your hard work Ugochi!

This year, 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow UchennaOnwuamaegbu-Ugwu mentored five school girls from Onitsha, helping them develop an app titled FD-Detector, which helps to identify fake pharmaceuticals. Noting the importance of their work, she entered the group as competitors in the junior category of the 2018 Technovation Challenge in the U.S. Last month the young girls won first prize. Outstanding work Uchenna!

SegunFatudimu, 2017 – 2018 President of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association, worked with other MWF officers of the alumni association to significantly increase the effectiveness of the organization he leads. Under his leadership, the MWF Alumni Association sponsored more frequent and more effective events focused on uplifting Nigerian youth. Theyhosted a Young Leaders Assembly, which inspired 500 young Nigerians to develop strategies for achievingNigeria’s Sustainable Development Goals, and they sponsored the Beyond School Challenge, which harnessed the entrepreneurial skills of secondary school students from across the Nigeria and helped them hone their efforts.Segun, you and your colleagues are an inspiration!

As Consul General, I have been interacting with MWF alumni for years, always impressed and captivated by your achievements. I will tell you that thesuccess stories from within your ranks emergewith amazing frequency and each new story provides me renewed inspiration. Thank you all!

I hope that over the next two days you will all benefit from the time you have together, working hard yet again to enhance your individual and collective efforts through collaboration. I know there is no limit to your potential. Keep up the work, and please have an excellent reunion – you deserve it.

CSP. Peter Y. Gana, The Intelligent Police Officer

Two Lagos-based media Organisations, VOAiyekoto Reporters and Our Moment Newspaper, recently honoured the Officer-in-Charge of FSARS Operations in Lagos, CSP Peter Y. Gana, with the Cop-of-the-year Gold Award.

The presentation., which was done inside Gana's Office at the Lagos State Police Command premises., was attended by Police Officers, journalists, professionals, Lawyers, Civil Servants, Friends, Colleagues, well-wishers, etc.

In his acceptance speech., Gana thanked the Inspector General Of Police, Mr. Idris Ibrahim in ensuring that young officers like himself are awakening to modern policing  in accordance to his dictates . He also thank the organisers of the award and promised to continue to be of good service both in public and private life. He said:' I am very happy to receive this award today. It shows that our little contributions to good and effective policing in the Nigeria Police Force is recognised. I promise to continue to be of good service and to continue to uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I dedicate this award to all gallant officers in the Nigeria Police Force, both living and dead.' 

In his remarks., the Editor of Our Moment Newspaper, Mr David Olanrewaju, thanked CSP. Peter Gana for receiving the award and promised the support of his media organisation for the Command. He said:' We have been keeping a close watch on CSP Peter Gana for the past 5 years and the result is this award presentation today. One of the things that endeared us to CSP Peter Gana is his amazing humility. This Police Officer, CSP Peter Gana is very humble and we strongly believe that he will go places. On our part, we will continue to offer selfless services to the Nigeria Police and the Society at large in terms of reporting, information dIsemination and news coverage.'

Also, in his own closing remarks, the ubuiqutous Publisher of Aiyekooto Reporters, Prince Osuya  Omotunde, sang the praises of CSP Peter Gana and encouraged him to improve on the services of the Lagos State FSARS Operatives. It would be recalled that FSARS operations is under review by the IGP .Omotunde remarked:' The work of a Police Officer, unknown to many people, is very tedious. They work every day and night. However, CSP Gana has been someone that we love and adore a lot because of his intelligence,  humility, brilliance, passion, compassion and discipline. He's a very focused and no-none sense Police Officer. I will also love to use this opportunity of our award presentation to beg him to up the game of his officers. The FSARS operatives have been under severe criticism for too long and I believe the new entrance of CSP Peter Gana to  the Lagos State Police Command can rightly do something about this. He is in a familiar terrain, having worked in Lagos for so many years in the past.'

The award is an annual event given to the best officer in the Nigeria Police Force in the year under review. It is aimed at encouraging them to continue to be of good service, which in the end, will improve the Force and add to the good image of Nigeria Police as a whole, in the eyes of its citizens and the international community. The 2017 edition was won by CSP Ben Osuji of Zone 2.

USAID increases support for good governance and health in Nigeria

A USAID-supported nurse sets an IV line for a patient at the Dikwa General Hospital, Borno State.

The U.S. Agency for International Development,USAID, recently announced additional development assistance to support achieving the development goals outlined in the bilateral Development Objectives Assistance Agreement between the U.S. and Nigerian governments signed in 2015.

Of the new funding, $25 million will strengthen good governance by supporting state governments’ efforts to bolster Nigeria’s Open Government Partnership commitments to improve transparency and fight corruption. An additional $1.5 million will support a healthier, more educated population in targeted states through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), for a total of $26.5 million in additional assistance.

USAID is also partnering with federal and state health ministries to build stronger health systems with the aim of guaranteeing equitable access to quality healthcare services nationwide. The additional new funding brings the total U.S. government assistance provided under the five-year Development Objectives agreement to $1.1 billion.

“The United States believes that as the most populous country in Africa, with the largest economy on the continent, Nigeria holds tremendous influence over the future of Africa,” Acting Mission Director Erin Holleran said.

“USAID is committed to partnering with the government and the people of Nigeria to address its development challenges.”

USAID collaborated with Nigeria’s ministries of Budget and National Planning, Health, Agriculture, Power, and Education, as well as state-level government counterparts to structure the bilateral assistance agreement, which runs through 2020.

Ecobank in Victoria Island on Fire

There was a fire outbreak today (Tuesday) at 8:40am at the Ecobank Transnational Inc. (Ecobank) head office on Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to reports, the bank’s diesel tanker supplier was offloading diesel for the company when it caught fire ostensibly while the generating set was still on.

As at the time of filing this report, witnesses say the fire is yet to be put out.

More details soon….

Star Lager National Promo: Kaduna, Onitsha produce 18 more Millionaires

Star Lager millionaires promo now in its sixth week, has produced eighteen more millionaires in Kaduna and Onitsha.

Among the winners were John Paul Ocheme a thirty-five year old student based in Kaduna and Zenith Abubakar, a forty-four year old businesswoman based in Sokoto.

Cornelius Ocholi a forty one year old Police Officer was also among the lucky Nigerians who became millionaires in the past week.

The new millionaires were full of joy and gratitude all through the evening, while meeting with the Nigerian Breweries brand representatives in Kaduna and Onitsha during the presentation events.

Star Lager team has promised to continue rewarding winners with multi-millions in the weeks to come.

To be a part of the promo, consumers are expected to look under the crown cork of the Super Eagles special edition bottles of Star Lager, where they’ll see a 7-digit winning code which is redeemed via a USSD dial of *566*20#.

Transforming the Future: Women Mentoring Women in the Workplace

By F. John Bray, the United States Consul General in Nigeria

I am very pleased that you could take time away from your work to join us for this introduction to structured mentoring.

Mentoring is not new and I would guess that many of you have either been mentored or have served as mentors.

I have been both a mentee and mentor during my time in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Department of State.

Both roles have been meaningful to me……

The program of structured mentoring,to whichPublic Affairs Officer Darcy Zotter will introduce you, was created by the Department of State’s Human Resource bureau to address a number of challenges.

Like many of you at your companies the Department of State was looking for a way to retain its best employees and develop future leaders.

We wanted to connect our rising stars with leaders, top performers, and others.

We recognized that we needed to take steps to ensure that our leadership was both ethnically and gender diverse.

And equally important we wanted to provide a mechanism for knowledge sharing between older and younger employees.

The starting point for addressing these issues was a structured mentoring program.

The U.S. Department of State is committed to advocating for and including women in the workplace both in the United States and abroad.

The first female diplomat was hired in the 1920s but she had to resign when she married.

The “marriage rule” was not abolished until the late 1970s.

When I joined the Department the State Department workforce was 27 percent, most of these people doing clerical work.

It is now 40 percent, but still not the 50 percent we are committed to achieving.

The number of female diplomats has remained steady at 30 percent for the past decade.

The percentage of senior positions held by women at the State Department is at an all-time high – 30 percent.

Through structured mentoring programs run by Executive Women at State and our Human Resources bureau we are working to increase the number of women in line with our goal of having a workforce that reflects the makeup of U.S. society.

To support women internationally, we established the office of Global Women’s affairs in 1995.

We have identified assisting women to achieve senior positions in both the private and public sector as a priority.

One of the many programs that we have includes the Global Women’s Mentoring program.

I know that a number of Nigerian women have participated in this program, a collaboration between Fortune and the Department of State, as well as TechWomen and other programs.

Darcy is well-qualified to share this mentoring program with you. She was elected to the board of the Executive Woman at State where she actively participated in mentoring women. Additionally she was selected by the Director General of the Department of State to lead training for the Human Resources department’s 600 employees on structured mentoring for everyone.

Thank you for coming and I hope that you find the training informative and useful.

False Assets Declaration: Supreme Court Dismisses Charges against Saraki

The Supreme Court reportedly has dismissed the remaining three charges bordering on false asset declaration against Senate President Bukola Saraki in a case before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Delivering judgment on Friday, a five-man panel of the court, led by Justice Dattijo Muhammad all upheld Saraki’s appeal, dismissing the remaining three counts against him and declaring the evidence led by the prosecution as hearsay.

According to Naija News, in June last year, the Code of Conduct Tribunal, under the leadership of Danladi Umar, dismissed the entire 18 counts preferred against the Senate President.

The federal government however, not satisfied by the ruling, approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja which in its ruling on December 12, 2017, restored three out of the dismissed 18 counts and ordered Saraki to return to the CCT to defend the three charges.

Saraki, also in turn, appealed to the Supreme Court against the part of the Court of Appeal’s decision restoring three of the 18 counts, with the Federal Government cross-appealing against the part of the decision affirming the tribunal’s dismissal of the rest of the 15 counts.

However, in its lead judgment on Friday, Justice Centus Nweze upheld Saraki’s appeal and dismissed the Federal Government’s appeal.

Justice Nweze agreed with the CCT that the evidence led by the prosecution at the tribunal was entirely baseless.

Ruling further, he held that the Court of Appeal was wrong to have restored three out the 18 counts earlier dismissed by the CCT when it agreed that the evidence led by the prosecution was hearsay but went ahead to isolate three of the counts as having been proved.

A part of the Court of Appeal’s judgment where it held that “the prosecution failed to call those who have direct knowledge of the facts sought to be proved, to testify,” was quoted by Justice Nweze.

He said the decision of the Court of Appeal’s to restore three of the counts based on the evidence it had declared as hearsay, was “equivalent to judicial equivalent of a forensic somersault”.

BREAKING: Adamu Ciroma’s death, a great loss, says Gbenga Daniel

Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba (Engr.) Gbenga Daniel has described the death of one of the foremost Nigerian politicians, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma as a great loss.
Ciroma, a former Minister of Finance, passed on Thursday,  at the Turkish Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja, where he had been hospitalised since last week. He was 83.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Ayo Giwa, Daniel stated that late Alhaji Ciroma Nigeria was a highly respected personality who distinguished himself as a public servant, journalist, banker, administrator and politician.

Late Alhaji Ciroma, he said, “was a very strong force in Nigerian polity and well respected in the political landscape over the years as he improved on the democratic ideals of the founding fathers and played his roles conscientiously and selflessly in the service to the his fatherland.

According to the former governor, the demise of Alhaji Ciroma ended a glorious chapter in the nation’s history as one of the few remaining titans and forefront nationalists who laid the foundation for modern day Nigeria.

“No doubt, his death is a great loss to the country and particularly, Yobe State having served across borders during his distinguished career but we take solace in the solid legacies he left which will continue to inspire coming generations”, he said. A prominent player in Second Republic politics who later played a prominent role in the Fourth Republic as one of the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party,Ciroma,  is expected to be buried after Islamic rites st the National Mosque, Abuja. His death came two days after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited him at the hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

President Buhari apologises to the family of late MKO Abiola: Read full text of his address at the commemoration and Investiture honouring the heroes of June 12, 1993 saga

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY MUHAMMADU BUHARI PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE COMMEMORATION AND INVESTITURE HONOURING THE HEROES OF JUNE 12 1993

WEDNESDAY 12TH JUNE, 2018

Today, I am very happy to be present and to preside over the Commemoration and Investiture, marking the formal official Federal Government recognition of June 12 as National Democracy Day.

2. The decision and this event is not meant to be and is not an attempt to open old wounds but to put right a national wrong. Nigerians of their own free will voted for Late Chief MKO Abiola and Amb. Baba Gana Kingibe, the Presidential flag bearer and running mate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 1993 elections. The Government of the day inexplicably cancelled the elections when it was clear who were going to be the winners.

2. We cannot rewind the past but we can at least assuage our feelings; recognize that a wrong has been committed and resolve to stand firm now and in the future for the sanctity of free elections. Nigerians would no longer tolerate such perversion of justice.

This retrospective and posthumous recognition is only a symbolic token of redress and recompense for the grievous injury done to the peace and unity of our country.

3. Our decision to recognize and honour June 12 and its actors is in the national interest. It is aimed at setting national healing process and reconciliation of the 25 year festering wound caused by the annulment of the June 12th elections. I earnestly invite all Nigerians across all our national divide to accept it in good faith.

4. Our action today is to bury the negative side of June 12, the side of ill-feelings, hate, frustrations and agony. What we are doing is celebrating and appreciating the positive side of June 12. The June 12, which restate democracy and freedom. The June 12 that overcome our various divide and the June 12 that produced unity and National cohesion. This is the June 12 we are celebrating today and we will nurture it to our next generation.

5. Accordingly, on behalf of the Federal Government, I tender the nation’s apology to the family of Late MKO Abiola, who got the highest votes and to those that lost their loved ones in the cause of June 12 struggle.

6. At this juncture, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like everybody present to stand and observe a minute silence in honour of the memory of Chief MKO Abiola and Chief Fawehinmi and indeed all those who lost their lives in the struggle of June 12 1993.

6. Thank you all and God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.

President Buhari presides over Special Investiture,National Honors Award ceremony

President Buhari presides over the Special Investiture and National Honors Award ceremony in State House Conference Centre on 12th June 2018

June 12th photo: President Buhari with Prof. Wole Soyinka, SGF Boss Mustapha, Award Recipient Amb. Babagana Kingibe (GCON), Vice president Yemi Osinbajo, Son of MKO Abiola (KOLA), Wife of Chief Gani Fawehinmi (Mrs Ganiyat) and Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu shortly after the Special Investiture and National Honors Award ceremony in State House Conference Centre on 12th June 2018

BREAKING: Suspended SEC Boss, Commissioner Arraigned For Misappropriating N115m, Get Bail

Mounir Gwarzo

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission on Tuesday arraigned the suspended Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mounir Gwarzo, and a commissioner, Zakwanu Garuba, for acts of corruption involving alleged mismanagement of over N115m.

According to reports, the ICPC accused Gawarzo of receiving between May and June 2015 the sum of N104,851,154.94 as severance benefit when he had yet to retire, resign or disengage from service and also the sum of N10,983,488.88 in excess of car grant” in the same period.

Garuba, an Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services of SEC, was accused of conferring a corrupt advantage on another public officer in the person of Gwarzo by approving the payments to the suspended SEC boss.

They both pleaded not guilty to the five counts, three of which related to Gwarzo and the two others to Garuba, when the charges were read to them before Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja.

Shortly after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, their lawyers moved their separate bail applications anchored on the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and filed on May 30.

The defence lawyers, Mr. Abdulhakeem Mustapha, SAN, (for Gwarzo) and Mr. A. A Malik (for Gruba), urged the court to grant bail to their clients in the same terms and conditions as ICPC had done administratively prior to their Tuesday’s arraignment.

The ICPC, represented by its lawyer Mr. Henry Emore, confirmed the defence lawyers’ claim that the defendants had been faithful to the conditions of the administrative bail earlier granted them by the commission.

After the defence lawyers briefly argued their clients’ separate applications on Tuesday, Justice Baba-Yusuf granted bail to each of them in the sum of N25m to be secured by a surety each.

The judge who noted that under the ACJA which came into force in 2015, granting bail to a defendant especially when not opposed by the prosecution was sacrosanct.

He directed that the sureties to be produced by the defendants must not be less than a Deputy Director in any Federal Government establishment.

The sureties must be resident and own landed properties in Abuja, the judge said, adding that they must also submit the title documents of the properties to the court’s registry.

Ruling that the essence of bail was to ensure that the defendants appeared for their trial, the judge ordered them to deposit their passports with the court’s registry.

They can formally apply for the passports whenever they have cause to travel abroad, the judge said.

The court adjourned the case until June 28 and 29 for trial.

Facebook announces new music features on ‘Live’

Facebook is sharing the first updates from its partnership deal with music companies around the world - an agreement aimed at building a foundation for new musical experiences on the platform.

In a statement released today, Tamara Hrivnak, Head of Music Business Development & Partnerships at Facebook and Fred Beteille, Head of Product, Music & Rights at Facebook said, “We've been partnering with music companies around the world to bring music to more experiences on Facebook. Today, we are announcing new ways for people to express themselves with music by testing the ability for people to add music to their personal videos and introducing a new feature, Lip Sync Live.”

Facebook's mission and music share something special -- at their core, they both bring people together, enable stories and emotions to be shared, and forge bonds. Together, Facebook and the music industry are bringing the songs you love into the way you express yourself on Facebook, Instagram, Oculus, and Messenger.

Some of the new updates being introduced today are listed below:

SHARE VIDEOS WITH MUSIC ON FACEBOOK

From weddings and holidays to everyday celebrations, the special moments in life are often ones we associate with music. In patnership with the music industry, Facebook is working to enable people around the world to include music in their videos on the platform, opening up more options for creativity and sharing meaningful memories with friends and family. Currently being tested in several markets, it will soon be available more broadly.

LIP SYNC LIVE

Who doesn't have fun singing along to their favourite songs with friends? Facebook is rolling out Lip Sync Live, which lets you lip sync to songs from forever favourites like “Welcome to The Jungle” by Guns N Roses to new hits like “Havana” by Camila Cabello. Facebook Live enables you bring people into the moment with you as it happens, and with Lip Sync Live, you can express yourself with music from a variety of genres in real time. So whether you prefer songs like “Happier” by Ed Sheeran or “God's Plan” by Drake, Lip Sync Live lets you bring friends and family into spontaneous musical moments.

To try it out, choose the "Lip Sync Live" option when starting your Live video. After selecting a song from the song list, you can also add a description and customize your video with masks or a background.

When broadcasting with Lip Sync Live, friends will see the artist and song highlighted on the video and can tap to follow the artist on Facebook.

STAY “TUNED” FOR MORE

Facebook is exploring more ways to bring music to the platform. In the coming months, the company will start testing options for adding the music you love to Facebook Stories, and this is just the beginning. Facebook is looking forward to continuing to work with the music industry to create new ways for people to connect and express themselves through music across our family of apps.

Gbenga Daniel Mourns With the Aboderin Family

Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has expressed his shock on the passing of the Chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited. Mr. Wale Aboderin.

In his message of condolence to the Aboderin family, Otunba Daniel lamented the heartbreaking incident which he described as incomprehensible and very painful at such a youthful age.

“It is with great shock that I received the news of the death of the Chairman, Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr. Wale Aboderin - a man of uncommon courage, hard work, vision and integrity who made his mark in the media, sports and philanthropy during his lifetime”.

“It is very saddening and incomprehensible to hear of the terrible loss at such a youthful age when he was still active and full of noble ideas and dreams. He kept the light of Aboderin dynasty aglow with his unique style of management taking the tabloid, PUNCH to an enviable height and made it primus inter pares”.

In his untimely demise, Otunba Daniel stated, “the media world and indeed the whole nation in general has lost a great son but we take solace in his charming life and the wonderful legacies he left behind”.

He then, on behalf of his family and organizations, offered his deepest sympathy on this great loss and pray that Almighty God grants the deceased eternal rest and gives the family, the entire management and staff of Punch Nigeria Limited and those who shared in the grief the courage and strength to move forward in peace.