Headlines

D’banj’s ‘Oliver’ featured on BBC’s Radio 1

Posted by Unknown | Sunday, April 29, 2012 | Posted in ,

The massive single ‘OIiver’ from D’banj has been featured on BBC Radio 1, UK international radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
‘Oliver’ has popped up on ‘Playlist A’ shared by the likes of Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Jay Z and other top shot acts. Other songs currently on the list are David Guetta’s ‘Turn me on’ featuring Nicki Minaj, Jessie J’s ‘Laserlight’ and B.O.B’s ‘So good’.
Radio 1 is the biggest UK station for pop music with 11.7 million UK listeners and millions more outside the region.
The song which will mark the entertainer’s first official release in the UK will be released on Monday, May 14, 2012.

‘I never cheated Don Jazzy’ – JJC responds to D’banj allegation

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In a sharp reaction to the recent NET exclusive interview where D’banj recently had with our reporter, Abdul Rasheed Bello also known as JJC (Skillz) has spoken out, countering D’banj’s claims that he ‘cheated’ Don Jazzy
In the interview, held in London on April 21, D’banj said while he and Don Jazzy were working with JJC and his 419 Squad back in the UK several years ago, JJC had ‘cheated’ his producer friend.

N6bn payroll fraud: Bayelsa civil servants on the run

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Indications emerged on Friday that some senior civil servants in Bayelsa State, had gone into hiding to evade arrest after investigations by the anti-fraud unit of the Nigeria police linked them to a N6bn payroll scam.
The senior civil servants comprising some chairmen of boards and directors were said to be the brains behind the staggering number of ghost, underage and dead workers.
Our correspondent gathered that the state’s Treasury and the Universal Basic Education Board were significantly involved in the scam, which had depleted the revenue accruing to the state from the Federal Government.
A government source who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter said, “They have all disappeared. We suspect that the senior civil servants that no longer come to work are afraid of being arrested but we will get them, They can only run, they can’t hide.”
It was learnt that shortly after 20 officials of the treasury were arrested by the police, the acting Chairman, Supervisory Account Officer and other officials of SUBEB were also rounded up at different locations in the state capital.
Our correspondent learnt that a senior employee of SUBEB provided useful information that indicted the officials and led to their arrest.
It was alleged that some lawmakers of the state House of Assembly and a former Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development connived with some officials to inflate SUBEB’s payroll with over 100 ghost names.
The state governor, Dickson had reportedly ordered that the arrested officials should not be granted bail until a former chairman of the board and members had been apprehended.
He said the suspects had confessed to the alleged crime, adding that there was no hiding place for other suspects who were on the run.
“We discovered three sets of vouchers used in the payment of salaries in SUBEB. The place is a rotten area and that is why people are lobbying to be posted to the board.”
Dickson added that the monthly wage bill of the state had been reduced from N6bn to N3.8bn after the initial efforts of the government to remove ghost names from the payroll.
The governor further said that his administration had saved N23bn from allocations accruing to the state from the federation account between February and April.

For blaming pdp over boko haram attacks: Jonathan Angry With Gen Azazi

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President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed shock over a remark made by the National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoeye Azazi, at the just concluded South-South Economic summit, that the power rotation principle of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is to blame for the insecurity in the country.
The President, who visited This Day newspaper’s office in Abuja yesterday to ascertain the level of damage done to the building and other facilities hours after he arrived from Cote d’Ivoire, told journalists that he would seek an explanation from his security adviser on the report credited to him.
Jonathan was in Abidjan for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of Government meeting when the bomb attack occurred. Also, he was at that meeting when the South-South summit, where General Azazi made the controversial statement, took place.
The president said, “I read in some newspapers, where some journalists quoted the National Security Adviser on what he was reported to have said.  Until I read his own report and listen to him I don’t know what to do.  As human beings, we disagree to agree.  That is why political office holders, like us, must be very careful about what we say, because people might see it differently. But like I said, until I listen to him, I don’t believe he meant the struggle for power in PDP is responsible for insecurity in the country.”
The NSA had said during the summit: “We do not need to politicize the security challenge on our hands.
And most people are not always comfortable when I say in some quarters that the PDP is to blame for some of these problems. The PDP got it wrong from the beginning by claiming that its convention and rules state that this person can rule and that person cannot.”

President Jonathan, in reaction, said the PDP is one of the parties that is committed to democratic practices, so it will be wrong to say some anti-democratic activities within the party was responsible for the Boko-Haram insurgency or any other security situation in the country.

He said, “I really need to give him the benefit of what he meant to say. Like I said, until I hear from him but I don’t believe PDP is responsible for Boko Haram or any other militant activity in the country.”

The president vowed that government would curb the terrorist attacks in the country, noting that Nigeria is not the only country which is faced with such situation.
He observed that the United States of America and other countries have faced similar situations, but overcame it:  “We must come to the end of this. Other nations, particularly America, has passed through this.  We shall also overcome it too. We are working hard on it. We must come to the end of this terrorist attacks.”

On the call from some quarters that government should dialogue with Boko Haram group, he stated that government might and might not, depending on the situation. “Yes, they (those who call for dialogue) are right. Those who said we should dialogue are correct and those who said we should not are also correct. This is a terror situation; it has a global perceptive, it depends.  But we shall come to the end of it,” he reiterated.

Jonathan condemned the attack on This Day newspaper in Abuja by a suicide bomber, saying it’s time for people to join hands with government in its effort to bring an end to terrorists activities.
He said Boko Haram had attacked government facilities, security agents and members of the public, but expressed shock that they now turn their weapons on the media.
Meanwhile, the publisher of This Day newspapers, Mr Nduka Obaigbena has restated the commitment of the newspaper to the practice of true journalism without any fear.
He said “whatever is worth dying for is worth doing. We are prepared to face it; no amount of terror will stop us from doing what is right.”

Meanwhile, the PDP through its National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh, described the statement by Azazi as a very poor reflection of the foundation and the internal workings of the party as well as a wrong deduction on the roots of security challenges in the country.

Metuh said that contrary to assertions by the National Security Adviser, the PDP has remained the strongest catalyst for the unity and progress of Nigeria, arguing that equity, fairness and all inclusiveness have been the cardinal operative principles of the PDP since formation.  He said the spread of all the offices in the party as well as in the federal government which it has been controlling are firm demonstration that the PDP is a sure vehicle for every Nigerian to seek and realise political ambition notwithstanding the hindrances of tribe and religion.

“We wish to state without any ambiguity that our great party remains the only political party in Nigeria that is not owned by any ethnic group, person or group of persons. All Nigerians are equal stakeholders. All our special National Conventions for the election of our Presidential flag bearers since 1998 have seen candidates emerge on the strength of national unity, a common motive which envisages that every section of the country, majority or minority can aspire to the highest political office in our fatherland via a well entrenched rotation and zoning principle in the constitution of our party.”

“We wish to add that President Jonathan emerged with overwhelming votes of delegates from every state in the country, a feat that was again repeated in April 2011 general elections which of course, have been adjudged the best in our recent history.  “It is therefore a comment in grave error, a fatal diagnosis of facts for anyone to insinuate or directly assert that a section of the membership of the PDP or its foundation predisposes that only a certain section and not others will aspire to the highest office in the country,” he added.

Gun men attack churches in Bayero University,15 feared dead!!!!

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About 15 people are feared dead and almost a dozen others are said to have been injured when gun men attacked two churches at the old site of Bayero University Kano this morning.

Among the 15 dead are said to be two professors and a doctor from the Federal College of Education opposite the university campus.

Daily Trust reporters who went to the scene gathered that the attack started around 10am this morning. The gunmen started the attack by shooting at the worshipers before hurling bombs at them.

One group of worshipers were using a lecture theatre known as the Open Air Theatre near the entrance of the campus while the second group were worshiping at the Sports Complex within the campus when the shooting started.

According to eye witnesses, the shooting began simultaneously at both churches and as the worshipers scampered for safety, the gun men then started throwing explosives.

Our reporters gathered that over three explosions were heard, and several injured victims were seen being carried away afterwards in the university ambulances to hospitals. Men of the JTF have moved in and cordoned of all access to the attack sites but it is not yet clear if any of the attackers was apprehended.

Men of the police bomb squad are said to have also discovered and detonated a timed bomb.

Nigerian Stock Exchange Analysis: Top 10 Stocks of April

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Fortunes are being made on the stock exchange by shrewd investors, especially those with a long term holding strategy.Why? Depressed stock prices are also guided by the law of economics – that is the business cycle- what goes down must rise again (and vice-versa ofcourse).
Putting things in clearer perspective, the Nigeria Stock Exchange declined substantially since the bubble burst in 2008/2009. The market has yet to stage any significant recovery from that period. However market capitalization is up N 3 trillion since the bottom, and now stands at just over N 7 trillion.
What’s fueling the recovery? Foreign investors have become the dominant players in the Nigerian Equity market even as retail investors fled for dear lives after getting a spanking during the bubble crisis.
The All Share Index is up 6.65 % YTD.
Let us take a look at the Top 10 Stocks of the Month of April.

Air Nigeria in second chance to shine on Lagos-London route

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The recommencement of Air Nigeria's operations to London and Johannesburg has generated excitement in the aviation industry. At least, this will bring choices to travelers on the lucrative Lagos-London route.
THE planned return of Air Nigeria on the international route has elicited joy for teeming Nigerians. Their excitement is understandable as it is coming at a time many Nigerians are crying of lack of choices.
It is equally coming at a time travellers, particularly premium travellers, lovers of Business and First class fliers are complaining of exorbitant high fares on the lucrative London route.
The resumption of the airline to London on May 16 and to Johannesburg on May 17 would make the carrier to also partake in the huge market share lost to foreign airlines on the route.
Two European mega carriers, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways are the undisputed heavy weight on that route and their monopoly has been attributed to the quality of service, high safety level, timeliness that has made them the preferred choices among Nigerian travellers.
Nigerian airlines have been accused of the opposite of what these carriers stand for. But Air Nigeria would only have itself to blame if it fails on the route.
Government has also not helped the carriers like what is obtained in other climes.
Stakeholders urged the government to come up with a policy to protect airline operators like what is obtained in the United States where airlines are protected under the bankruptcy law.
Speaking to The Guardian recently, the Secretary-General of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Mohammed Joji said, "All we are saying is give us a single digit loan and use the assets as security. America has chapter five, chapter six and chapter 12 bankruptcy protections. They protect the industry from going bankrupt.
"One American airline alone has over 750 aeroplanes and employs over 200,000 people; the government has to protect them because if that airline collapses, the entire economy of that region will collapse, including fuel suppliers."
The AON general secretary added, "If I borrow, for instance, $10 million from abroad for a three-year period, I will pay an equivalent of N353 million on it. If I do the same thing in Nigeria, I will pay equivalent of N1.35 billion, how can you survive under that condition? How much will you charge?
"Sometimes, we had to go to Ghana to change an engine and bring it back to Nigeria, why should we do that? That is what we are saying that there are so many issues, which we have to look at; the cost of operations is very high."
Joji tasked the government to come up with a policy to protect airline operators like what is obtained in the United States where airlines are protected under the bankruptcy law.
"If I say I am going to bring an aeroplane for lease, Customs will demand performance bond. Performance bond is given just for a year and is renewable twice every six months; what happens to the balance of three years? The business is anti-airline."
Joji lamented a situation whereby the tax exemption granted the aviation industry by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration even years ago had yet to be implemented.
According to him, such a development will make Nigeria to play second fiddle to other nations in terms of aviation, adding that the sector was a catalyst to economic growth and development.
Already, there are signs that the airline has studied the terrain very well and with the assurance coming from the Director, International Operations of the airline, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, the carrier is at the verge of providing the services that Nigerians would enjoy.
Air Nigeria is to start schedule flights from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos to London Gatwick on May,16 2012.
Also, the following day-May 17, commence flights to Johannesburg, South Africa, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft to service both routes.
This was disclosed last week by the Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Mr Kinfe Kahssaye at a press briefing in Lagos to announce the new development.
Speaking on the commencement of both services, Kahssaye, said: "After the successful turn-around of the airline over the last two years, the airline is now well positioned to compete favourably on the international market".
The airline is currently implementing a growth phase strategy initiated by Jimoh Ibrahim who acquired the airline two years ago.
The recommencement of the long-haul flights mark a historic moment for Nigerian aviation and in the West African sub-region as passengers now have a wider array of choice and more than ever before, can conveniently connect onwards to London and Johannesburg and points beyond.
Kahssaye further noted that the recommencement of the long-haul flights confirms Air Nigeria's commitment to boost business and tourism travels through regular growth and innovation that will meet the aspirations of the travelling publics.
"Passengers will have distinctive onboard experience on the flights as indigenous meals and variety of movies will be offered as the airline is committed to delivering quality services at an affordable price".
At the inauguration of the international flight operations on May 16 and 17, Air Nigeria will operate three flights weekly to both London and Johannesburg, and by June 16, 2012, increase the frequency on the Lagos-London Gatwick route to daily flights.
The long-haul services will be operated with the recently acquired modern Airbus A330-200 aircraft in two class configurations of 24 Business seats and 244 Economy class seats.
The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art iPADS for in-flight entertainment in the business class cabin, making Air Nigeria one of the first African airline to offer such a product to passengers.

Mimiko commissions mega market

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Ondo State Government would soon commence the rehabilitation of some township roads in Igbara-Oke, the headquarters of Ifedore Local Government Area.
This is coming on the heels of the inauguration of an Ultra-Modern Caring Heart Mega market in the town yesterday by the state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, which is the latest in the implementation of the government Urban Renewal Programme
The wife of the governor, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko presented cheques of N10 million empowerment loan to women groups within the market on behalf of the state Microcredit Agency and another Empowerment Loan Scheme instituted by the Commissioner for Community Development, Mr. Clement Faboyede.
The governor in his address vowed not to be distracted by the lies of the opposition in the pursuance of programmes to transform the state and assured the electorate that the government would never disappoint them.
Mimiko, who thanked the people for their support, noted that the government’s Abiye Safe Motherhood Programme, which has now become a template for African continent, was piloted in the council area.
The governor maintained that market women as backbone of any family should not be subjected to hardship, especially while transacting businesses, restating the resolve to provide conducive environment for market men and women remains unchangeable. While stressing that market occupies a strategic position in the culture of the people as it was usually situated around the King’s palace, Mimiko promised to continue to build more markets for the people of the state.
Earlier in his address, the Asiwaju of Igbara-Oke, Prince Adefarakanmi Agbede thanked the state government for the market, which according to him, has been the desire of the people for a long time.
Prince Agbede added the community has benefited immensely from the administration in the area of provision of High Court Complex and other infrastructural facilities, promising the support of the people for the success of the administration.

Port terminal operators at loggerheads over Customs deal

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Crisis is brewing among port terminal operators over an allegation that one of them has been favoured by the Nigeria Customs Service to corner a larger percentage of imported vehicles coming through Lagos ports for clearing.
The aggrieved terminal operators and shippers who spoke with our correspondent on Friday claimed to have lost over 30 per cent of their vehicle cargo to the ‘favoured operator’ in the last one year.
They backed up their claim with valuation assessment forms obtained from the Customs by importers/shippers on some imported vehicles, which were cleared at different terminals in Lagos.
The Federal Government, through the Bureau of Public Enterprises, in 2006 awarded the management of port terminals to10 private operators as part of its reform programme aimed at improving the operating environment and shoring up government’s revenue from the sector. 
The Customs is expected to have a template for assessing all cargoes coming into the country to enable it to issue a uniform surface duty on identical product for clearing at any of the terminals.
But some shipping companies and terminal operators have questioned the template being used by the NSC for the valuation.
They said the subsisting arrangement, allegedly skewed in favour of a particular terminal operator (name withheld), was a major threat to their business.
A shipper, Mrs. Olaide Adebisi, for instance, said she had lost eight out of 20 vehicle importing customers in less than one year because her rate was found to be higher than what was being charged.
Another shipper, Mr. Mike Okonji, said, “How can the Customs charge N250,000 on a vehicle and slam N450,000 on the similar vehicle coming from a different terminal in Lagos?”
He complained that the favoured operator had used the reduced rate to lure many importers to use its facility.
Some Customs valuation documents obtained by our correspondents on Friday also showed discrepancies in the rates.
For instance, a valuation assessment form issued on March 23, 2012 in respect of a Toyota Corolla 2010 model put the Customs duty rate at N400,000 on the vehicle whose estimated cost in dollar was $13,334.
Another vehicle, Toyota Camry 2009, cleared from the favoured terminal on April 05, 2012, got a N200,000 Customs duty rate with $666 as the dollar value of the car.
A manager in one of the terminals said, “The Camry should have cost higher than the Corolla, notwithstanding the one year difference; imagine the difference of N200,000; something must be done about this.
“I think it is under-valued, a deliberate act to deny the government of its expected revenue.”
But investigation by our correspondent showed that a vehicle duty rate was usually calculated based on the estimated cost of the vehicle.
The valuation for Camry, for instance, came to N200,000, as 20 per cent of the value of the car ($666) at N150 rate of exchange.
For the Corolla, it was also 20 per cent of $$13,334 using the same exchange rate.
A car dealer, Mr. Adekola Abiola, said the Corolla could be acceptable at N2m form Europe, but doubted if N99,900, could buy the Camry as presented in the assessment.
The NCS has denied any deal with a terminal operator to bring down its duty value.
The NCS Public Relations Officer, Tincan Island, Apapa, Mr. Christian Osugwo, said, “There is no iota of truth in the allegation. We have a harmonized database for Customs value on vehicles in all Customs commands. The Customs management is doing its best to have a level playing field for all operators.”
He said the operators had requested for a benchmark, which was granted and later modified as agreed by all players, adding that none of them had any reason to complain.
The Nigerian Ports Authority, in its reaction, said the matter had not been officially reported to the authority.
The General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Ports Authority, Chief Michael Ajayi, said, it welcomed a healthy competition among the terminal operators, but stressed that the concession was meant to free the market and was never done in favour of any player.
The 10 concessionaires were given between 10 and 25 years to manage the port terminals.