…As 2nd baby mama opens up

By ONWUDIACHI ANWULI JOY

  Ayo Balogun, A.K.A Wizkid, seems to be finding a soft spot in the media this year. First it was a night club fight and now, it’s even something more controversial and messy.
The father of one has tried so hard to distance himself from social media scandals, but recent events have shown that the pop star has been proved wrong. Earlier in the week, news broke that the pop star has another love child by a second baby mama, Binta Diamond Diallo who hails from Guinea, though Wizkid has not confirmed or denied the rumour about him having another child with his alleged baby mama, Binta Diamond Diallo.
Sources close to Wizkid confirmed that his erstwhile girlfriend, Tania Omotayo, broke up with him recently, though both of them had a mutual understanding to remain civil and matured about the new development, all in a bid to avoid media scandals. Obviously, this is why she has kept her distance from the music star for sometime now. She even boycotted most of wizkid’s events. One of such events was his Industry Nite. Tania was on vacation to Dubai with her friends. Could this have been possible if they were still love birds?
It looks like Wizkid has been caught in a web spun with his own hands. The news of his second baby mama seems to ring true. According to reports, the alleged baby mama, Binta Diamond and Wizkid have been in a secret relationship for sometime now. When she became pregnant they kept the relationship on a low key till she gave birth and shared the name of her son on her Instagram page. Surprisingly, she named the child after the star boy, – Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun – which is Wizkid’s exact first, middle and last names.

LFDW: THE MAKING OF AN AFICAN FASHION MOVEMENT.

By ONWUDIACHI ANWULI JOY

The gt Sentfrom Eko Atlantic, and the myriad of feeds documenting the highs and lows both on the catwalk and off it have long been replenished with new material, but the story so far of LFDW and the impact it is having on global conversations around the power and opportunities in the fashion industry in Africa ’ s 55 countries continues to resonate. This Gear ’ s outing was perhaps the most dynamic yet , with an enhanced programme that showcased , supported and celebrated the full value- chain of the fashion industry . A plethora of participants from the worlds of design, retail, garment production , academia , finance and government illustrated the African truism that it is not only a case of it taking a village to raise a child, but also wide range of actors to raise an industry .
2017 : A Year Of Unparalleled Standards
As with all art, and fashion is one , standards were only as high as the reflection, development and critically , execution of ideas developed. If there is one thing LFDW 2017 will be known for , at least in the instance of the shows on the runway was it was the year we all ‘ got back to our roots’ . Many collections featured the use of traditional fabrics from Africa : with Adire and Aso- oke being as much an essential part of a designer’s artillery as silk , lightweight wool, or lace. Maki Oh , Tiifany Amber , and Kenneth Ize were some of the designers who chose to reclaim, repurpose and re - fashion traditional fabrics and create pieces that were both contemporary and covetable .
Digging deeper into African norms and aesthetics was further evident in the way that different iterations of traditional menswear found their way onto the runway with the likes of Mai Atafo, P . O . C, Ugo Monye and Emmy Kasbit all creating pieces that re - imagined ‘trad ’ as it is more affectionately known. Because the 21st Century African man is a cultural and visual omnivore , informed as much by the content he sees on his smart - phone as his village of origin , there was suiting fabric that wouldn’ t be out of place in Savile Row , sportswear motifs and silhouettes aplenty and cuts that challenged the sartorially brave . From a visual and intellectual perspective it was an exciting sight that spoke to an active and somewhat collective decision to love and embrace our own norms and pick and choose what we are influenced by rather than be subsumed by it . The words of Plato: “To thine own self be true , ” has become the diktat of the designers who showed; who were no longer seeking validation via mimicry but were choosing to explore , explain and present what it is to be African today .
A critique that has been levelled in the past at LFDW has been the Nigerian focus of what is presented : but organisers have chosen , bravely it must be added , to not buckle to positive discrimination or to ‘ genetically engineer ’ the schedule to be Pan - African . Nigeria remains Africa ’ s most populous nation , one of its largest economies and arguably a country that has a reputation and pedigree for a deep love of fashion and style being a national characteristic , and so this too translated in the make - up of designers . However , those who hailed from further afield were a riposte to any assumption that fashion began and ended in Lagos . Stand out collections from Christie Brown of Ghana , Loza Maléombho and Elie Kuame of Cote D’ Ivoire and finally Maxhosa by Laduma and Gert - Johan Coetzee of South Africa were illustrative of the breadth of talent to be found across the continent .
Owning the Narrative , Driving the Business
Beyond the excitement of the runway shows held in the evening , the business of fashion was dissected , debated and reviewed at length . The Fashion Business Series were created interactive sessions that put different aspects of the fashion value chain under the microscope . MBA Professor and Brand Strategist Sissi Johnson delivered an explosive talk highlighting what was at stake for the industry at this particular juncture: “ Technology and youth are Africa ’ s biggest opportunities. As the youngest and fastest growing population in the world , Africa is home to millions of future fashion consumers and producers . This generation of fashion designers are digital natives at the forefront of a global revolution with the responsibility to reframe our collective narrative through technology , not just product design . ”
Her point regarding owning the narrative and possessing sturdy resolve was further buttressed by Sara Maino , Deputy Editor of Vogue Italia who stated in her own panel that those in the industry must above all things “Have a vision , stay focused and be passionate . ” The African fashion businesses of the future require entrepreneurs who are agile , yet driven , forward thinking yet anchored in their truth; it is only then that they can truly capitalise on opportunities both within the region and globally .
The importance of regional cooperation was effectively highlighted by the African Development Bank led Fashionomics sessions . Legislation that supported business, cross - border trade agreements that reduced tariffs and an overhaul of transportation and infrastructures remain a challenge , if the full economic potential of the fashion industry is to be realised .
One visible exemplum of how a cohesive approach can create real value was the successful launch of the Designers Consociate Designer Shirt Project spearheaded by Designers Consociate, an interdisciplinary consultancy and advisory firm that adds value across the fashion supply chain , the Human Capital Development Centre ( HCDC ) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Centre ( NEPC ) . Designers Consociate engaged six leading lights in the design field and asked them to design a shirt that was made in local Nigerian factories. The participants were Andrea Iyamah , Bridget Awosika , Grey , Lisa Folawiyo , Loza Maléombho and Vathiswa By Keji and the shirts unsurprisingly were a sell - out and one of the week ’ s big talking points and must -have purchases . Most pertinent of all the initiative illustrated how important it is that all segments of the fashion value chain are supported , that design and garment production is encouraged , especially in Africa where the majority of apparel comes from overseas , and Asia in particular . Other retail successes in the Creator ’ s Lounge included cult accessories brands Zashadu and Didi Isah and Uber- Stylist Yummie Ogbebor ‘ s Styled By Yummie whose vintage edit has become a go- to for many a fashionista.
FROM IMPRINT TO IMPACT : 7 YEARS ON
When LFDW first launched in 2010 few would have imagined to what extent it would grow or the impact it would make on the industry as a whole. However , with nearly a decade since inception, its role as an incubator or talent , an advocate for the industry and ambassador of excellence is undeniable. Speaking to Chekwas Okafor, founder of luxury online retailer Onychek . com , its role as marketplace catalyst was clear : I made sure to attend LFDW, so I could immerse myself in the Nigerian fashion scene. I believed that being in that environment would create serendipity and enable me to build relationships with industry players . Furthermore he was bullish about the prospect of African design’ s positioning both locally and globally adding : “I believe that people will increasingly prefer local fashion brand over western brands. With platforms like LFDW and Fashion Focus , we should expect more homegrown designers to share their creativity with the world …. Creating the future of African fashion industry is intentional and active .
“It is an optimism shared by Sissi Johnson who believes that with “Lagos Fashion & Design Week [ we can achieve] our common goal to rebrand the continent by Africans , for Africans . ” An audacious aim to be sure , but one that is achievable , especially in light of increasing actors who have chosen to collaborate and work alongside LFDW founder Omoyemi Akerele and her team .
The most measurable metric for the success thus far and impact made by LFDW is probably the designers themselves . The consensus is by and large unanimous in appreciation with many designers acknowledging the conduit role that LFDW has played for them. Lisa Folawiyo , Creative Director of Lisa Folawiyo Studio , Jewel by Lisa and the J Label is emphatic in her response when she states : “ It is always with great pleasure that I show at LFDW . This is a platform that has remained unrelenting in its bid to not only show African fashion to the world , but build the industry from the inside out . Furthermore , LFDW have been largely responsible for the strength of our international presence and visibility by giving us opportunities such as Pitti , and showings in Milan and Paris . ”
Orange Culture ’s Creative Director Bayo Oke-Lawal is equally effusive of the international exposure that showing at LFDW has afforded his brand : “For Us Appearing at LFDW has helped globalise us even further … It has also given us structure and a place where we can show at home – every designer needs a platform at home they can trust ! From being listed on BoF , to stocking at Selfridges a lot of opportunities have come for me because of my consistent showing at LFDW”
Designers who have been based in multiple locations previously or moved to Africa have also acknowledged the benefit of showing at LFDW : Bridget Awosika noted : “Visibility is undeniable, and I have also received many enquiries as a result of clients seeing my collections . ” However she adds that increased capacity would help designers further when she notes that “It would be even greater if they worked with each designer individually to help with what might be needed to get our brand across internationally , especially with buyers. ” Capacity building remains an ongoing challenge especially when one is reviving and charting a new direction for a whole industry . London based Hazel Aggrey -Orleans , Creative Director of Eki Orleans states : “As we are not based in Nigeria, LFDW makes it possible for us to have a presence on the continent and keep our brand at the forefront of peoples’ minds and LDFW has generated sales enquiries . ” She also adds an important note about how the show production is doing much to shift people ’ s perceptions and expectations of an African based platform and event when she adds : “I often get frustrated with the impression some people abroad have of Africa but LFDW executed this show to perfection and can easily compete with the likes of New York , Paris , London and Milan. It makes me immensely proud to be Nigerian . ”
Looking Forward: Future Possibilities
To review the past without an eye to the future is a futile task , especially in as fast - paced an industry as fashion . The story so far indicates there are many trajectories : from Aggrey - Orleans who asserts that “The future of fashion is slow fashion [ and ] having a few key pieces that you can mix and match and keep for a long time rather than buying trendy cheaper quality pieces that contribute to the wastage on the landfields . ” To Oke- Lawal who is anticipating “the future of fashion in Africa is having proper structure and being listed on the international calendar as one of the fashion weeks to head to” or Johnson’ s insistence that “The global fashion market is oversaturated . Designing a beautiful line is not enough to sustain a brand on the market and technical and business training as well as authentic storytelling are key factors to being competitive ” .
However , what is certain is much headway has been made by LFDW. In developing and creating measurable benefits and impact, it has illustrated definitively the full scope and potential of the fashion industry in Africa .
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RELATED LFDW

Fuel hike: Imo monarch plans protest at NASS

By Ighoavodha Alice

FOLLOWING reports of increase in
pump price of petrol, a traditional ruler, Eze Desmond Ogugua of Eziudo in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area, in Imo State, said he would demonstrate against the increase to the national assembly.
Ogugua who spoke at his palace yesterday, added that states should be allowed to establish refineries.
He said: “Nigeria crying over shortage of fuel is unfortunate. Shame to the leadership. Why
can’t states establish their own refineries? How can they think that three refineries can serve Nigeria with millions of people?
“If the government is sincere, they should allow states to own their own refineries. I remember when David West was the minister of
petroleum, he invited me to his office in Lagos.
“I challenge the minister of petroleum and the NNPC to tell the country why we should have three refineries in Nigeria. I am begging
President Buhari, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara to look into the petition I wrote to them. If not, I will lead a self protest to the National Assembly.
“K. O. Mbadiwe, Chief A. K Hart, Obafemi Owolowo and myself Eze Desmond Ogugua,among others should be appreciated for letting this country know the secret of how
many barrels of oil produced daily in Nigeria”.
The Imo monarch recalled that, “the people who worked for the interest of this countrynwere not appreciated. It is on record that without us, Nigeria might not have established the NNPC.”
Nigeria government got facts from us.
“Why should we stay in this country and start to cry for petroleum. And this happens, during the festivals, Christmas, that was when wensuffer for scarcity of petroleum.
“In the Southeast region, we can float over twenty refineries, because we have individuals who can build a refinery. New Jersey in United States of America, have over one hundred and thirty refineries.
“Enough is Enough Nigeria. This matter, I brought it up when Buhari, was minster of petroleum, that was when he visited Washington.”

Account for looted fund SERAP urges FG

By Ighoavodha Alice

Stakeholders at a re-cent seminar organised by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, have called on the Federal
Government to comply with the order of the Federal High Court which directed the government to account for the looted funds recovered since 1999 till date to promote transparency and accountability.
This came as a human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, accused the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of failing to remit over $20.2bn to national coffers since the return of democracy in 1999 to date, saying
that, “Instead of piling up external loans, the Federal Government should be compelled by the Nigerian people to embark on the
immediate recovery and repatriation of hundreds of billions of dollars from the NNPC.”
Prominent Nigerians who participated in the national seminar with the theme, Promoting Transparency and Accountability in the Recovery of Stolen Asset in Nigeria: Agenda for Reform, organised by SERAP in collaboration
with the Ford Foundation, USA, said,
transparency and accountability were the only way to save the country from impunity and
corruption.
Those at the seminar included Eva Kouka, Senior Program Officer, Ford Foundation, Linda Ochiel, Ford Foundation, Sonia Warner, DFID,
Osai Ojigho, Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, Adeniyi Kayode, Open Government
Partnership, Obono Obla, Senior Assistant on Prosecution to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr Abiodun Aikomo who represented the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister
of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, and Bola Oyebamiji, Commissioner for Finance represented the Ogun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
Falana who presented the lead paper said, “Transparency and accountability are interconnected to the application of economic, political and administrative management of the affairs of a state. The exercise of these affairs
is that they must be seen to be exercised by the citizens of a state. Where a government parastatal such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is said to have failed to remit oil revenue to the tune of $20
billion, issues of good transparency and governance become a crucial issue.
“The Federal Government has to re-focus its recovery of stolen assets by vigorously
pursuing recovery of assets from multinational corporations and not just the countries that are
illegally keeping the looted wealth of the country. The recovery of our looted wealth should also be extended to the few Nigerians
who have been indicted in the Panama and Paradise papers. The EFCC and the Federal Inland Revenue Service should recover
appropriate taxes from the offshore companies set up by such individuals.”
Speaking on efforts the government needs to make in the recovery of the funds looted by public officials, the lawyer stated that unless
the Federal Government adopts diplomatic and legal measures, it would be a difficult task retrieving the stolen funds. The lawyer who
talked about transparency and accountability, asset recovery, criminalisation and legal framework for forfeiture in Nigeria, noted that
transparency and accountability in political office imply that elected government officials are conscientious and accountable for their decisions and actions and imbibe integrity, selflessness and neutrality in order to ensure
probity in service.
Falana noted: “It is undoubtedly clear that the governments of western countries and the
United Arab Emirates are not going to co- operate with Nigeria in the repatriation of the nation’s looted funds unless the Federal
Government is prepared to adopt appropriate diplomatic and legal measures. In addition, the labour unions and other civil society
organisations in the affected countries have to be mobilised to mount pressure on their
governments to return our looted wealth.
He submitted: “Upon the inauguration of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the governments of the US, United Kingdom and Switzerland assured the Federal Government that funds and assets stolen from Nigeria
would be repatriated. Not only have these countries refused to cooperate with Nigeria,
they have also frustrated the efforts of the Federal Government to recover and repatriate such tainted funds and assets.
“Transparency and accountability in political office imply that elected government officials
are conscientious and accountable for their decisions and actions and imbibe integrity, selflessness and neutrality in order to ensure
probity in service. Transparency and
accountability in public services create confidence in the citizenry in terms of implementing governmental processes to promote the public good.”

Northern forum suspends Adamu

By Ighoavodha Alice

ABUJA—Senators under the umbrella of the Northern Senators Forum have removed Abdullahi Adamu as their chairman. He was
replaced by Aliyu Wammako, a former governor of Sokoto State.
The removal was announced in a letter read by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, shortly before the end of the plenary, yesterday.
Sen. Abdullahi Adamu sacked by Northern Senators Forum The letter signed by Public Relations Officer of
the forum noted that Adamu was removed for “financial mismanagement and other related
matters.”
“This is to inform the Senate that the majority signatories of members of the Northern Senators Forum have removed Sen. Abdullahi Adamu as chairman of Northern Senators Forum for financial mismanagement and misadministration. We announce his replacement with Senator Aliyu Wamakko immediately. Find the attached names and signatories of members,” the letter reads.
The removal is coming a week after Adamu led nine others to oppose the Senate passage of the amendment to the Electoral Act.
Adamu (Nasarawa-APC) questioned the conduct of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, in the passage process.
“We are part of the whole body of senators who oppose the process by which the so-called conference report was laid and considered as rushed. I had the opportunity (to
speak), I was heard but the Senate President said my observation was being noted,” Adamu had said.
The lawmaker questioned the Senate’s amendment of the election sequence for 2019.
The amendment, if signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, would see the National Assembly election coming up first in 2019, followed by state assemblies and governorship, with the presidential election coming last.
Adamu had on Monday, attacked ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo for publicly criticising President Buhari in an open letter.

LGA autonomy: Ihedioha berates Imo Assembly

By Ighoavodha Alice

THE former deputy speaker of the
House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, said yesterday that the reported refusal of the Imo state House of Assembly to endorse the
constitutional amendment, seeking local government autonomy, was unacceptable.
In a statement in Owerri by Ihedioha’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, the lawmaker said the step was against public interest.
Ihedioha went further to advise other state Houses of Assembly to see the Imo lawmakers’ stance as anti-people.
The statement read in part: “The bill was forwarded to all the 36 state assemblies by the National Assembly for their concurrence as part of the process of altering some identified clauses in the constitution.
“The National Assembly had proposed an amendment to the constitutional provision that hitherto guarantees State Joint Local Government Accounts.
“The amendment bill which was opposed by Imo lawmakers sought that the joint account be set aside such that each local government
would be able to operate special and distinct accounts, thereby, pushing for secure financial independence for the third tier of government “Ihedioha described the failure of Imo State House of Assembly to ratify the bill as
outlandish, unacceptable and against the interest and aspiration of the generality of the people many of whom according to him reside at the local communities.”

Catholic Diocese donates relief materials to IDPs in Nasarawa State

By Ighoavodha Alice

The Bishop of Lafia Catholic Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Mathew Audu, advised those affected by communal clashes in Nasarawa State to cooperate with the government to restore law and order.
Audu made the appeal at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Keana Local Government Area on Wednesday to donate
relief materials to victims of communal fights.
He said the church had made similar donations at the camps in Obi and Awe local government
areas, adding that the gesture was aimed at a ameliorating the suffering of the people.
Audu advised the people not to take laws into their hands but to cooperate with the government and security agencies for peace to
return to the affected areas.
“Do not do anything that will further escalate the already bad situation we are having in. border communities with Benue.
“If you do anything contrary to obeying law and order it will frustrate the efforts of the
security agencies and prolong your stay in IDPs camps,’’ he added.
The items that the church donated to the camps were bags of rice, clothes, oil and money.
The bishop urged the state government to put a machinery in motion to ensure the return of
IDPs to their communities to enable them to go return to their normal activities.
Responding on behalf of the IDPs, Abude Joffery, expressed gratitude to the bishop for the support and promised that they would be law abiding.
He appealed to government to beef up security in Nasarawa/Benue border communities to facilitate their return.
The programme also featured special prayers for the return of peace in crisis-torn areas in the country.
NAN

PROSCRIPTION: IPOB goes to appeal cour

By Alice ighoavodha

ABUJA —The Indigenuos People of Biafra,IPOB, yesterday, went before the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge the order that proscribed and designated it a terrorist organisation.
This was as the leadership of IPOB worlwide, publicly apologised to the leaders of the Eastern Consultative Assembly, ECA, over the embarrassment of its leaders in Enugu on Tuesday.
IPOB, through its lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, is praying the appellate court to set aside in its entirety, the ruling/final decision of the Acting
Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Abdu-Kafarati, which on September 15, 2017, outlawed its activities in Nigeria.
The high court had proscribed IPOB on the strength of an ex-parte motion the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, filed on
behalf of the Federal Government.
In a follow-up ruling on January 22, 2018, the court dismissed a motion IPOB filed to challenge the legal validity of the proscription order which it said was surreptitiously obtained by the AGF.
Meantime, in its five grounds of appeal, IPOB contended that Justice Abdu-Kafarati erred in law and occasioned a miscarriage of justice,
when he ruled that the mandatory statutory condition requiring President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval, under Section 2 (1) (C) of
the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013, was satisfied, on the authority of a Memo the AGF issued on September 15, 2017.
It told the appellate court that the lower court Judge failed to evaluate, consider or mention in his rulings, affidavit evidence that was tendered
to establish that IPOB was not a violent organisation.
“Proper findings of facts built on a meticulous evaluation of affidavit evidence placed before the Court below, will resolve whether the
activities and characters of the appellant as clearly distinguished vide compelling exhibits placed before the Court, meet the threshold
definition of terrorism acts, as contemplated under Section 2 (i) (a) (b) & (c) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
“The appellant’s activities as contested in its written submission before the trial court, strongly supported by credible affidavit evidence falls short of acts of terrorism as contemplated under Section 2 (1) (A) (B) & (C) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment)
Act; this submission was not considered by the learned trial judge,” IPOB stated.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the appeal.

…apologises to Igbo leaders

The apology was contained in a statement signed by the Publicity and Media Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful and made available to
Vanguard in Enugu yesterday.
IPOB, however, threatened that its members would disrupt a meeting on restructuring of the country by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, scheduled for
March 16, in Enugu, as its members would not tolerate any discussion on Nigerian unity because of the level of discriminations against
the easterners in the country over the years.
The statement read in part, “We (IPOB) wish to clarify that events that took place at the ECA gathering in Enugu on Tuesday, February, 27 is regrettable and unfortunate under the circumstance because it happened in the presence of the two most distinguished and respected elder statesmen we have in Professor Ben Nwabueze and Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi.
“For this, we respectfully and unreservedly apologise to both elders and the leadership of ECA over how the ceremony came to an
(abrupt) end.”

Union shuts Kogi health sector

By Alice ighoavodha

National Medical Association, NMA, Kogi State chapter, has directed its members to sustain the industrial action embarked upon by the association until the state government responds to their demands, also directing all Federal and private health centres in the state to shut down.
Gov Yahaya Bello This was the resolution of the association at
the Ordinary General Meeting held at NUJ Press Centre in Lokoja, Wednesday.
The resolution, which was contained in a communiqué issued yesterday by the Chairman and Secretary, Dr. Tijani Godwin and Dr Zubair Kabiru, respectively, said the state government has remained adamant to agreement reached with the association over payment of their salaries.
They also listed the compulsory retirement of some experienced medical officers without any cogent reason as part of their grievances.
The communiqué read in parts: “The ongoing industrial action will be sustained until our minimum demands are met, which are the
payment of the balance of 40 percent salary arrears from August to December 2017; payment of 100 percent salaries and arrears for
January to February 2018 as well as the implementation of revised CONMES.”

Attack on humanitarian workers godless, despicable – President Buhari

By Alice ighoavodha

President Muhammadu Buhari says the attack on humanitarian workers in Rann, Borno has shown that the Boko Haram insurgents are godless, brutish, and utterly to be despised.
The President said this in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,
Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday.
“As I have always maintained, no true religion advocates hurting the innocent.
“To now further attack and kill those offering humanitarian aid is the height of bestiality. It is odious before both God and man.’’
He sympathised with the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies working at Rann
and in the country generally.
According to him, such cowardly attacks can only bolster the determination of government to
bring the Boko Haram insurgency to a decisive end in the shortest possible time.
Newsmen recall that four UN aid workers, all Nigerians, were killed in a night attack by Boko Haram insurgents at Rann Community in Kala Balge Local Government of Borno.
A female aid worker is also missing, while one other sustained various degrees of injuries in the attack on Thursday. Samantha Newport, Head of Communications, UNICEF Office for Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA), confirmed the incident to NAN.
She said that two of the deceased were contractors of the UN client organisation, International Organisation of Migration (IOM)
deployed to Rann as camp managers.
Newport added that others killed were a medical doctor working as consultant with UNICEF and an aid worker with the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC)
affiliate organisation.
The UNICEF communications head said a female nurse was abducted, while another female aid worker was injured in the attack.
She explained that all the deceased personnel were Nigerians, adding that the world body would soon issue a statement on the incident.
NAN

Veteran Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo declares gubernatorial ambition on social media

By Onokpojeruo Praises

- Veteran actor, Kenneth Okonkwo recently declared his intention to run for gubernatorial elections
- He reveals on social media that he will running under the APC flagship for governor of Enugu state
- Okonkwo also receives blessing from the immediate past governor of the state, Gov Sullivan Chime
Many remember veteran actor Kenneth Okonkwo as the one actor who makes professing love on TV look like a young man pleading for food for his entire kinsmen. The actor turned politician recently revealed his plans to run for gubernatorial elections in Enugu state.
Okonkwo shared the news with his fans on his social media page. Stating that he is privileged to have gotten the blessing of immediate past governor of the state, Sullivan Chime, and to be running under the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagship.
He shared photos from the fruitful meeting he had and captioned it: "Just declared my intention to contest for the Governorship candidate of APC in Enugu State. It was heart warming to receive the blessings of the immediate past Governor of Enugu State,His Excellency, Gov Sullivan Chime. To God be the glory."

Ghanaian Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale was on Sunday arrested by Ghana Police Service for assaulting a police officer.

By Onokpojeruo Praises

Over the weekend, a viral video of the controversial musician in a heated verbal brawl with a police officer, who had apparently stopped an unregistered Range Rover was shared.
The Range Rover with no number plate belonged to Shatta Wyale but was being driven by another person.
Upon arriving at the place after being called, Shatta Wale verbally assaulted the police officer in charge and drove off in another unregistered car.
This necessitated his arrest, DSP Buckman confirmed to Andy Dosty on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM. She said “ Shatta Wale was picked up by the police on Sunday and granted enquiry bail.
“It wasn’t just unregistered, it had no number plate at all, which goes against our laws.
“In an attempt for the policeman to ask questions… Shatta Wale assaulted the police officer and also exhibited insulting behaviour. Because of that, he was arrested on Sunday and he’s been granted police enquiry bail to reappear at the police station this morning.”
According to her, assault does not only consist of a physical battery but insults as well, especially to an officer of the law carrying out his official duties.
“If you look at Act 29 [of the Criminal Code 1960], a person does an act of assault where the intent is to lead to harm or cause any other event that will lead to harm,” she said.
“It is an offence for anyone to drive a vehicle with no number plate at all.
“Every vehicle owner must either possess the normal registration plate or an interim one (DV or DP), she said stressing “nobody can drive a vehicle in this country without any form of registration, no way!?”

Financial Inclusion: CBN grants Freedom Network super-agent licenceFinance , News /

BY ONWUDIACHI ANWULI  JOY

THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has granted an approval-in-principle, AIP, to 3Line Card Limited to operate as a super-agent in the nation’s financial services system in order to boost financial inclusion in Nigeria.
To realize the objective of financial inclusion, 3Line will work closely with the CBN, commercial banks, microfinance banks, other financial institutions (OFIs), government, as well as ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and other stakeholders to provide financial services to the underserved and unbanked population.
The network aims to ensure access to affordable financial services through its agent network, Freedom Network. The platform would recruit 200,000 agents in five years, to address social challenges in key areas such as savings, credit accessibility, insurance, government social intervention disbursement etc.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Femi Omogbenigun in a statement, commended the CBN for the super-agent licence and added that the licence would assist the company to deliver numerous gains to the Nigerian economy including enhancing financial access, financial inclusion, sustainability and growth of the small and medium (SMEs) enterprises

Japan set the pace in Judo Grand Slam

By ONWUDIACHI ANWULI JOY

The Düsseldorf Grand Slam, the newest Grand Slam on the IJF World Judo Tour, gets underway at the ISS Dome
On day one of the 2018 Dusseldorf Judo Grand Slam, from the ISS dome, the Ukrainian wonderkid Daria Bilodid shone once again as she took her third world judo tour gold on the bounce.
After reaching the final in style she faced Hungary's Eva Csernoviczki.
She waited until golden score to produce the goods, a wonderful uchimata ippon flattening her opponent for the full ippon score.
With successes in Tunis, Paris and now Düsseldorf 2018 is turning into a great year for the incredible Bilodid.
She was our woman of the day.

Breaking: President Buhari arrives Taraba

BY ONWUDIACHI ANWULI JOY

 

 President Muhammadu Buhari arrived Taraba state with Governor Darius Ishaku for on-the-spot security assessment.
Buhari who is under fire because of mounting security threats, including Boko Haram, is to tour states worst-hit by the violence, his office said Monday.
Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, said he would be making an “on-the-spot assessment” of “recent terrorist attacks, criminal activities and communal clashes” on his visits.
He would also “meet and console the communities affected”.
Adesina sought to play down allegations that Buhari is out of touch with the security situation, saying he had received daily briefings and been “in constant touch” with governors.

One of the two survivors from the infamous Sosoliso crash, Kelechi Okwuchi drew a standing ovation from the audience and judges after her voice had everyone gasping at the America got talent show audition

By onwudiachi Anwuli Joy

 The Nigerian singer, who amazed the judges and audience at her audition has made it to the next round of the show.
America’s Got Talent’s audition page congratulated her saying: “You made it through to the next round! You better celebrate @kechi_agt!”
She also announced the news on her own Instagram page:
I MADE IT TO THE NEXT ROUND!!! Thank you @agt for this aMAzing opportunity God is ever faithful#agt#agtauditions.

Substandard products: Don seeks stricter penalties for erring importers

By  Alice ighoavodha

A lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Lagos State University (LASU), Orisagbemi Adetokunbo, has
called on the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to enforce stricter penalties on erring
importers of fake and substandard products, stressing that Nigeria can no longer be a safe haven for substandard products.
Adetokunbo stated that the SON Act 2015 needs to be reviewed to ensure that unscrupulous importers and foreign investors who take advantage of Nigeria’s porous system to conduct shady businesses that are injurious to lives and property of the citizenry,
pay dearly for their dubious acts.
According to him, some dubious foreigners engage in businesses that they ordinarily will not be able to do in their country, calling on
the federal government to strengthen collaborations with embassies of different countries to curb this nefarious act.
The counsel, who spoke at a sensitization forum on SON Act 2015, also recommended the
need for SON to have its own tribunals set up by the federal government in all the six geo
political zones to prosecute these unscrupulous offenders responsively.
In his words, “Special ailment requires special attention. I will be suggesting further amendments in the Act. The SON has to have its own tribunals. We have six geo political zones and we can have three in each zone and areas where we have industrial parks to be
flooded with these tribunals. If we take the economic effect of these bad practices seriously we will not have to waste time, if all of these things are in place, you will see that in the next three or four years, things will stabilize,” he said.
Adetokunbo said, “It is like a suggestion to the agency, let us look inward to see how we can
quickly get back to the National Assembly to tell them that our courts are filled with activities, let there be tribunals established
under the Act majorly for the business of the Act and these tribunals should not just be seated in Abuja alone, but present in the six
geo political zones and zones where we have industrial hubs to attend to matters and dispense with this in the shortest time possible.”
He further stated that the owners of companies indulging in these fraudulent and illicit practices
are mainly foreigners who have access to hard currencies, calling for an increase in the fines they pay when found wanting.
“It is not a question of you getting a defaulter and he pays fines, he avoids prisons and he goes back to that act, he makes the money
within the economy anyway, so paying N2 million is not a problem. These are people who are willing to use N20 million to bribe, so I think in the area of penalty using N1 million to pay fine should be raised to about N5 million and the same time if he is a foreigner, he should lose his residence status here, business
permit should also go with it.
There is no basis for him to do business here and if he is a Nigerian, he should have his
imprisonment increased,” he recommended.
Earlier, the Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma, said the Act was set out to sanitize the nation’s industrial, commercial, business
and market space of sub-standard products, stating that it is in tandem with the economic diversification, economic growth and recovery,
industrial and agricultural revolution
programme of the present federal government.
“Therefore, using the instrumentality of the Act, Nigeria should be able to attain industrial development via standardisation, quality assurance and control as well as monitoring
and compliance.
“The Act stresses the need for all stakeholders to be involved and carried along in its implementation (hence the need for sensitization workshops which we have embarked upon. Therefore it is a clear proof of our determination to engage in robust public- private partnership that works,” he said.

Akwa Ibom 2019: Udom, Ekere endorsements raise stir

By Alice ighoavodha

Akwa Ibom State stir controversy amidst concerns for geopolitical balancing.
By Harris-Okon Emmanuel
Though united by culture, Akwa Ibom’s three dominant ethnic groups are varied in their political dominance. The Ibibio had dominated the political space, having produced three of the four civilian governors since the creation of the state. The Annang produced the immediate past governor in the person of Senator Godswill Akpabio while the Oron, the third in the ethnic tripod holding the state, is yet to produce a governor.
Udom & Nsima It is thus not surprising that the Oro nation as
the Oron people are wont to call themselves, have often alleged ‘’perpetuation of political and economic marginalisation against them, as a calculated attempt to disinherit Oro of its right as the third largest ethnic group.”
The political handicap thus explains the controversy that is now trailing the alleged endorsements of Governor Udom Emmanuel on one hand, and Mr. Nsima Ekere, the managing director of the Niger-Delta Development Commission, NDDC, by different Oro groups.
Oro Think Tank (OTT), composing of Oro intelligentsia was alleged to have endorsed Ekere, an Ibibio, during a recent visit to his Uyo
residence.
Chairman of Oro Think Tank, Dr. Monday Dickson, was said to have applauded Ekere during the visit for his achievements, as according to him, the Commission under his
watch has regained its stride.
Dickson, who declared Ekere as a friend of Oro, stated that, “Oro people know their friends. We
can confidently describe you as one of the few friends of Oro in Akwa Ibom State. It is on record that during the Oro governorship struggle of 2015, you were the only person outside Oro who made a public case for Oro governorship despite being an aspirant.”
The declaration immediately triggered contrary reactions among some who claimed that the group lacked the locus standi to make such a weighty pronouncement as only the Oron Union, the umbrella body of the Oro people, has
the powers to do so.
Pioneer youth president of Oro Nation, Prince Edem Otioro Antakikam, took a swipe at Dr.
Dickson, describing the ’outburst’ as “a pandemonium capable of disorganising the Oro people,” and called on all Oro sons and daughters to rally round the President-General, Dr. Janet Amba, to enable her pilot the affairs
of the Union to greater heights and take Oro to the next level of development.
“We don’t welcome any visitor who cries more than a bereaved house wife. We should stop creating pandemonium by going to politician’s houses. We should come together to build Oro under the leadership of PG Janet Amba. We will no longer condone mudslinging and ‘food is ready’ politics. We should support the
leadership of Janet Amba whom the entire Oro people elected to champion the affairs of Oro till December 2019,” he said.
For his part, the spokesman of Oron Union, Comrade Ita Omunam cited Article 15, sub section two [XV (ii)] of the Constitution to buttress the fact that OTT is one of the Union’s
standing committees which has no power except it is expressly given by the union.
Continuing, he said that Janet Amba, the first female President-General of the 93-year-old union was the present prime minister of Oro Nation and the only person vested with the authority to speak for and on behalf of Oro Nation and queried why the group went to
Ekere’s residence, as such “declaration by self- aggrandised politicians is tantamount to insubordination and is capable of provoking thebPG to dissolve the OTT.”
Oro youths under the aegis of Oro Youths Movement, OYOM, equally condemned the sequence of endorsements of governorship aspirants for the 2019 general elections by various groups parading themselves as representing Oro Nation, saying such groups are self-seeking and not speaking for the general interest of the people. Underlining the issue of the marginalisation of the Oro nation, it said: “Our marginalised
position in the state cannot push us to undermine our collective integrity,” as Oro.Nation has respected people who cannot
condescend so low as to visit homes and offices of desperate politicians to endorse them
for 2019 general elections.
According to them, royal fathers and other stakeholders were not consulted before embarking on endorsement spree in the name
of Oro Nation, adding that, the royal fathers and stakeholders of Oro Nation have not mandated any group or association to endorse
anybody for governorship seat or any other position for the 2019 general elections.
Comrade Victor Mkpofor and Eyo Asuquo Eyo, chairman and secretary respectively, of the group maintained that not even Oro Union
which is the apex body representing the elders and youths has the exclusive right to endorse any candidate without due consultations with stakeholders.
They warned any group, organised family units or associations who are in the habit of visiting politicians in their homes and offices with endorsement parcels portraying themselves as representatives of Oro Nation to desist from ‘’such criminal acts of impersonation.”
They said: ‘’Oro nation is made of five local government areas in the state , no local government area or group has the mandate of Oro Nation to make such weighty declaration.
For the purpose of clarification, Oro Nation comprises of Urue Offong/Oruko, Udung Uko, Okobo, Mbo and Oron local government areas of the state; the leaders of all the areas must be consulted as a block before any decision binding on the region is enforced.
“We feel greatly embarrassed that some groups in recent times have besieged politicians in their homes and offices endorsing them to contest for elective positions when they have not formally declared their intentions to contest for such positions.
“Oro interest is paramount, the elders and stakeholders must appraise the aspirants to
know which of the aspirant has an agenda for the Oro Nation before we can unanimously endorse such a politician’s candidature.
The Oro Think Tank Chairman, Dr. Monday E. Dickson, has, however denied claims that the group endorsed Ekere.
“….it should be known, that Oro has not endorsed anyone for any position as regards 2019 general elections. Parties are yet to conduct their primaries and Oro Nation cannot adopt any aspirant.