President Buhari Reportedly Fit To Resume Work

President Muhammadu Buhari is fit to resume work today on Monday, March 13, 2017, a presidency source has reportedly said.

In a report by Guardian Newspaper, a source in the presidency said that the President is fit to resume his duties after spending 50 days medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

The source, reportedly dismissed the rumour of the President’s incapacitation on account of his declaration that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will continue to function for more weeks.

Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, in a tweet had ‎said the President would transmit a letter to the National Assembly to make his return to work formal, and constitutional.

Meanwhile, Buhari has appealed to Nigerians not to bother visiting the villa to welcome him.

The president reportedly said, “rather than sending delegations to Abuja to welcome me, may I appeal to our people to continue to pray for the country’s unity, progress and prosperity.”

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N5 billion fake tyres: Absence of interpreter stalls trial of two Chinese importers

The inability of the prosecution to produce an interpreter on Wednesday stalled the planned arraignment of two Chinese and a Nigerian accused of importing fake tyres into the country.

Taolung Shen, 36, Xu Jing Yao, 22, and Chinedu Madubuike alongside their companies, Sino Nigeria Import and Export Ltd and Nedeca International Limited, were charged with four counts of importation of sub-standard tyres by the Attorney General of the Federation.

The defendants allegedly imported the tyres, said to be the largest seizure in Nigeria, in February.

On Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Babatunde Alajogun, asked Justice Mojisola Olatoregun allow the charge dated March 3 to be read to the accused.

But the defence counsel, Victor Opara, said the first and second defendants did not speak English.

“I normally discuss with them by means of an interpreter,” he said.

When the judge asked Mr. Alajogun why he did not arrange for an interpreter, the lawyer said he assumed the defendants could speak English because he once heard Mr. Shen speak English.

“It was at your request that we took the case today because you said they had been in custody,” the judge told the prosecutor.

“So why are you not ready? Did you ask if they could speak English? Are you not supposed to ask?

“They are expected to understand the charge. They are expected to follow the proceedings. That’s when you would have fulfilled the legal requirements.”

The judge declined Mr. Alajogun’s request for the Chinese nationals to be remanded in prison pending the availability of an interpreter for their trial.

“I will not. They will go back to where they came from. I don’t persecute people here,” he said.

Mr. Opara promised to bring an interpreter from the Chinese consulate.

“I undertake to produce an acceptable interpreter from the Consulate within 24 hours,” he said.

Justice Olatoregun adjourned till March 20 for arraignment.

The charges:

COUNT 1

That you Taolung Shen, Xu Jim Yao, Sino Nigeria Limited, Nedecca International Limited and Chinedu Madubuike sometimes in the month of February, 2017 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did conspire among yourself and imported tyres which did not meet the relevant Nigerian industrial standards through means of stuffing various sizes of tyres into one, knowing same to be in a dangerous state or injurious to life of human beings and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 518(2) of the Criminal Code Act Cap C.38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

COUNT 2

That you Taolung Shen, Xu Jim Yao, Sino Nigeria Limited, Nedecca International Limited and Chinedu Madubuike sometimes in the month of February, 2017 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did import tyres that did not comply with mandatory standards on account of your act of stuffing various sizes of tyres into one which makes the tyres to be unfit for purpose and not complying with the mandatory standard and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 26(2)(b)(iii) of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act No. 14, 2015 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

COUNT 3

That you Taolung Shen, Xu Jim Yao, Sino Nigeria Limited, Nedecca International Limited and Chinedu Madubuike sometimes in the month of February, 2017 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did import tyres that did not meet the relevant Nigeria industrial standard on account of your act of stuffing various tyres into one, knowing same to be in a dangerous state and likely to endanger human lives and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 320(2) (b) of the Criminal Code Act Cap C 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

COUNT 4

That you Taolung Shen, Xu Jim Yao, Sino Nigeria Limited, Nedecca International Limited and Chinedu Madubuike sometimes in the month of February, 2017 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did fail to furnish returns on the condition of the imported tyres as required by law and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 32(1) of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act No. 14, 2015 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Source: Premium Times

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Nigerian leaders call for gender equality on International Women’s Day

The wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, has appealed to all stakeholders to work towards ensuring the achievement of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

This, she said, will aid the objective of sustainable development goals.

Mrs Buhari made the appeal on Wednesday in a statement released to celebrate the International Women’s Day.

She said “This year’s theme, Be Bold for Change, encourages taking ground-breaking action that drives the greatest change for women; accelerating gender parity and helping women advance and unleash their limitless potential.

“It is imperative to appeal to all stakeholders, governments at all levels to rise to the global challenge of ensuring the achievement of gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls in line with the objective of sustainable development goals,” she said.

Mrs. Buhari also used the opportunity to reaffirm her commitment to the cause of women through her initiative “Future Assured” from which thousands of women and children have benefitted.

The Acting President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, in a statement said the Buhari administration remains committed to ensuring the protection of all women from all forms of gender-based violence in the country.

He said Nigerian women will live to fulfil their aspirations in a peaceful and prosperous country.

In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki said that “the Day presented an opportunity for every Nigerian to recognise and celebrate the talent and achievement of women and girls.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Gender Advocacy, Fatima Kakuri, Mr. Saraki called on Nigerian women to be “bold for change’’ and work towards redefining opportunities for future generations of women.

“In everything that we do, we need to be bold for change. We need to challenge bias and inequality by standing up when women are excluded from positions of leadership,’’ he said

The International Women’s Day is celebrated every March 8 throughout the world to commemorate the struggle for women’s right.

In same development, ​the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Sani Aliyu, called for gender equality as the world marks the International Women Day.

Mr. Aliyu said gender inequality issues are key drivers of HIV/AIDS epidemic in several ways as women currently constitute 59 per cent of HIV positive individuals.

He, however, encouraged women to be bold today and beyond by taking that bold step to speed up gender parity and truly drive the greatest change for women.

“Be Bold to know Your HIV Status. Make positive changes to live a positive and healthy life if you are HIV positive and if you are not, then stay negative by learning how to protect yourself from HIV infection”, he added.

In his message, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said that Nigeria as a country must invest heavily on girl child education as a means of bridging the gap in school enrolment statistics between boys and girls and disparity in literacy levels.

Mr. Dogara maintained that gender should not restrict the dreams and aspirations of millions of “our daughters, so we all must be bold for change and support the women around us to achieve their goals and maximise their potentials and talents

Also, Cleen foundation, a non-governmental organisation, urged lawmakers and security agencies to curb the rate at which women and girls suffer domestic and sexual violence.

It stated that 2016 particularly saw an increase in the media of reports of domestic violence that led to the deaths of women.

In his message, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, assured Rivers women that his administration will continue to be women-friendly as it strives to develop the state.

He noted that women are strategically placed in his administration to help in translating the tenets of the New Rivers Development Blueprint into reality.

He also felicitated with women across the globe for their roles in the promotion of peace, development and societal stability.

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Charles Ibitoye, in his message appealed to government at all levels to strive to encourage more young women, especially in tertiary institutions, to embrace agriculture as a course, profession and vocation

He stated that agriculture remains a veritable platform for achieving the desired economic diversification envisioned for the country.

He said a situation where farming was being categorised as a business for men could be a stumbling block to government’s’ effort at transforming the sector.

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Rating Osinbajo above Buhari is ‘mischievous’ – Presidency

Comparing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari, and concluding that Mr. Osinbajo is doing better as he acts on behalf of the president who travelled on medical leave, is mischievous, the presidency has said.

Mr. Buhari left Nigeria for the United Kingdom on January 19 for what was initially scheduled to be a 10-day medical leave, but later extended his stay indefinitely.

He transferred power to Mr. Osinbajo before traveling, plugging a potential power vacuum and constitutional crisis once witnessed when late President Umaru Yar’Adua travelled for treatment in 2009.

As acting president, Mr. Osinbajo has amongst other things, supervised the implementation of a new foreign exchange policy that has managed to strengthen a rapidly sliding naira.

The government has also announced a reduction in attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in recent weeks, cuts that follow Mr. Osinbajo’s tour of the Niger Delta and talks with community leaders.

Many Nigerians view those decisions as swift and firm, and have compared them with President Buhari’s often unhurried response to needling national problems.

But the president’s political adviser, Babafemi Ojudu, on Monday condemned the assessment, and said it was done by “mischief makers” whose intention is to cause disharmony in the presidency.

“These are mischief makers, those who do not wish this country well, who are always promoting crisis, who will not allow the people to benefit from this democracy,” Mr. Ojudu told journalists. “They are the ones promoting this kind‎ of divisive tendencies.”

Mr. Ojudu said all steps taken by Mr. Osinbajo were with the approval of Mr. Buhari.

“There is nothing that has been done since the vice president started acting that is not something that started far back in the past. A good example is the Niger Delta initiative.

“The President called the Vice-President and said ‘I am giving you the mandate, go into the Niger Delta and meet with everyone who is a stakeholder, all the communities, talk to the militants and make sure you solve this problem for the benefits of Nigerians.

“We are losing 1.2 million barrels of oil per day, all the gas pipelines powering the turbines are being blown up. And the President has said unless and until we resolve this problem we will not get out of recession.

“The VP took up the mandate and went to the Niger Delta, it is the initiative of Mr. President not that of the Vice-President.”

On the foreign exchange policy, Mr. Ojudu said claims of superior leadership capacity in favour of Mr. Osinbajo are touted by “The same people who said we never had economic team, no policy, nothing”.

“It is now that the policies we are implementing are maturing and they are seeing the result. It is not a question of one person being better than the other person,” he said.

Also, a lawmaker representing Kankia/Ingawa/Kusada Federal Constituency, Katsina State, Ahmad kaita, told PREMIUM TIMES that “baseless, ill-motivated” comparison of Messrs. Buhari and Osinbajo was capable of affecting Nigeria’s unity.

“It is one presidency; and whatever anybody does in this administration is to President Buhari’s credit,” said Mr. Kaita.

“Meanwhile, all we now see that means progress takes root from the time before the President travelled, with the two leaders working cordially for the good of the country based on the manifesto of our party, APC.”

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Buhari Not In Hospital, Not Critically ill – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Monday insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari is neither critically ill nor in the hospital.

Speaking during a Town Hall meeting in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Mohammed maintained that Bubari was not experiencing life threatening situation as being speculated by some section of Nigerians.

The Minister disclosed that he spoke with the President on Saturday and that there was no cause for alarm.

He said, “I can say here very boldly and confidently that there is absolutely no cause for alarm.

“`Mr president called me at 2.43 p.m. on Saturday and we spoke.

“If Mr president is in the hospital or is critically ill, as minister of information, I will give daily bulletin on his health.

“Mr president is neither critically ill nor in the hospital and there is nothing life threatening about the checks he is going through.’’

Buhari who is currently on medical vacation in London, has been rumour dead.

This was further fuelled by the fact that the President who was expected back in the country, following the completion of his vacation, sent a letter to the National Assembly same day , extending his 10-day vacation in the UK to enable him complete and receive medical results.

Last week Tuesday, the President through his media aide, Femi Adesina revealed that series of medical check-ups he carried out in the cause of his vacation had necessitated his prolonged stay in London.

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Under proposed law, winners of elections being challenged at tribunals won’t be inaugurated – Official

On the day a court sacked a senator, who has been in office for almost two years, for not being validly elected, the government pledged to enact a new law that would bar the swearing-in of candidates whose cases  are still at the tribunals.

The Chairman of the Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee, Ken Nnamani, said the ongoing reform will discourage swearing-in of office holders with cases at the election tribunals.

Mr. Nnamani, who spoke at the South-East zonal public hearing on electoral reforms on Monday in Enugu, said that the measure would discourage attempts by politicians to win at all costs.

He said that politicians were in the habit of deploying unwholesome means to be declared winners following which they would dare their opponents to go to the tribunal.

“We want to come up with a new system whereby no one can be sworn into office if they have election petitions hanging on their necks,” the presidential committee chairman said.

“Politicians are fond of fighting to win and saying ‘let us go to court,” he said.

Under the existing electoral law, election winners are sworn-in even when they still have existing cases relating to the elections.

The inaugurated officials thus have the advantage of using state resources or money legitimately earned while in office to prosecute their case.

Speaking on Monday, Mr. Nnamani said it was sad that prosecution of election cases had become costlier than campaigns.

“Experience has shown that majority of the cases in our courts are either pre-election or post-election matters and we want to find a way out of this,” he said.

Mr. Nnamani said that the committee would ensure that future elections were credible such that no court would be able be upturn any of such elections, adding that such would also discourage unnecessary litigations.

He said that the prevailing circumstance where cases were won in the courtrooms was discouraging.

“We want to ensure that after a candidate had spent time to campaign and given the mandate by the electorate such mandates will not be dropped at the court by way of losing in the case,” he said.

He said that the work of the committee would not go the way of others before it, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari being a victim of electoral fraud had shown enough political will to implement the outcome.

“The president has been a victim so Nigerians should not entertain any fear whether or not the report of this committee will be implemented.

“I can assure you that if the president remains in office he is most likely to implement the outcome of our work.

“The easiest thing anyone can do is to criticize but we are here to listen to the public,” he said.

The chairman said that the committee was made up of political veterans and consultants who could tell where the electoral act was faulty.

Mr. Nnamani said that the need for a new electoral act could not be over emphasized as laws were dynamic and in line with the dictates of the time.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that no fewer than 23 memoranda were received by the committee.

The public hearing is the first of seven of such that will hold across the country.

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Xenophobia: No fewer than 100 ransacked shops overnight in Johannesburg — Police

Police on Monday said no fewer than 100 people ransacked shops in Johannesburg overnight, in the latest wave of looting incidents in South African cities.

“We are following up on leads and we are expecting to make more arrests,” police spokesman, Mathapelo Peters, a Brigadier, said.

She said she did not know the nationalities of the shopkeepers and police were waiting for owners to come forward, so that they could open cases of violence and damage to property.

Similar incidents have taken place in Pretoria this month, but police have been reluctant to characterise the attacks as being directed against foreigners.

Anti-immigrant violence has flared sporadically in South Africa against a background of near-record unemployment, with foreigners being accused of criminal activity and taking jobs from locals.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba on Friday acknowledged violence had flared up against foreigners this year, saying that “unfortunately, xenophobic violence is not new in South Africa.”

On Friday, police fired tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse marches by hundreds of anti-immigrant protesters in Pretoria, after mobs looted stores believed to belong to immigrants. More than 150 people were arrested.

Also, a Reuters witness said doors and windows were smashed in, and food and other items were strewn on the floor in stores believed to belong to immigrants in Jeppestown, an area in the central business district.

“We’ve been stuck inside here until the police came,” Abdul Ebrahim, a Somali shop owner, said after emerging from his store, where a number of his colleagues had barricaded themselves.

“No one told us what they were looking for,” he added when asked why the mob had attacked his shop.

At least one person was arrested.

The Nigerian Government on Thursday urged the South African government to put in place measures to end the incessant xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in that country.

Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Khadija Abba-Ibrahim, gave the task in Abuja during a second summon to the High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Lulu Aaron-Mnguni, on the issue.

The Ministry had on Monday, February 20, summoned the South Africa High Commissioner over the matter.

NAN also reports that Nigerian buildings, properties and places of worship worth millions of dollars were destroyed by South Africans on Feb. 5 and 18.

“The Federal Government strongly urges the South African government to take all necessary measures to protect the lives and foreigners living and working in South Africa.

“Furthermore, the federal government urges the South African Government to bring perpetrators of these deplorable acts of violence to justice.

“The ministry continues to urge Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm and law abiding, and be vigilant at the same time.’’

“The Federal Government of Nigeria will strenuously work towards the protection of Nigerians everywhere, including in South Africa,” she added.

However, the minister said that no Nigerian lost their lives in the attacks contrary to reports in some media.

According to her, the reports that mentioned the killing of Nigerians in the xenophobic attacks are unsubstantiated.

“The ministry has not received the report of any death of Nigerian in the latest incidents of attacks against foreigners.”

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Rivers Election: 25 electoral officials hospitalised — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said that more than 25 of its staff members were hospitalised due to Saturday’s supplementary election held in Etche, Rivers.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aniedi Ikoiwak, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that the victims were attacked and wounded by Rivers people.

According to him, one of the victims regained consciousness on Sunday.

“This is one area that Nigerians should ask questions: over 25 INEC staff members are in hospital today because the people of Rivers State decided to either kill or wound them.

“They were all beaten up because they went to those villages to conduct an election.

“Let the people of Rivers State tell us the offence of any of them.

“What did they do? They were bringing materials for the election; they decided to descend on them, beat them up, collect their personal belongings and run away,” he said.

Mr. Ikoiwak noted that the victims were on official duties and needed a peaceful environment to achieve success.

He called on Nigerians to condemn the alleged attack.

“It is very sad. None of them was beaten up in his home but where they went to conduct an election.

“Why shouldn’t Nigerians discuss that? Why should people sent to conduct an election be beaten up and their belongings taken away from them?” he asked.

NAN reports that about 700 staff members of the commission were mobilised for the supplementary legislative election in Etche.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had withdrawn from assisting INEC in the election due to security issues.

(NAN)

Source: PREMIUM TIMES

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PDP sweeps elections in Taraba, Gombe, Rivers

 

The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, candidates have been declared winners of 13 local government chairmanship seats so far declared by the Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission.

The PDP had also won all the local government chairmanship and councillorship seats in neighbouring Gombe State. The party also won the two parliamentary seats in the rerun election in Rivers State.

Philip Duwe, the Chairman of the Taraba commission, announced the results of the February 25 council polls in Jalingo on Sunday.

Mr. Duwe declared Mohammed Umar as Chairman-elect of Gashaka, Nicholas Waniyafiwani, Lau; Abdul Boboji, Jalingo; and Danladi Suntai as Chairman-elect of Bali Local Government.

Others are Salisu Dogo, Ardo-Kola; Joseph Mika, Yorro; Mr Adi Daniel, Wukari, Christopher Koshombo, Zing; Yahuza Yahaya, Gassol; and Nashuka Musa for Donga.

Mr. Duwe also declared Shiban Tikari as chairman-elect for Takum; Stephen Agya, Kurmi; while Rimansikwe Karma was declared Chairman-elect for Ussa Local Government.

Results from Sardauna and Karim Lamido Local Governments are still being waited, while the exercise was suspended in Ibi Local Government after violence broke out during the exercise.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the All Progressives Congress won three councillorship seats in Jalingo, with the SDP winning one councillorship in Zing, while the rest were cleared by the PDP.

(NAN)

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N-Power: Nigerian govt targets 350,000 unemployed graduates in 2017

       The Presidency said on Sunday that its Social Investment Programmes, SIP, had a plan to hire 350,000 more unemployed graduates under the N-Power Volunteer Corps in 2017.

According to the Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, President Muhammadu Buhari has requested appropriation of N157.75 billion in the budget for the N-Power scheme.

He said that in addition to the 350,000 unemployed graduates to be hired and trained, 50,000 non-graduate youth would be engaged as artisans and in other creative ventures.

He said that from the allocation the administration had earmarked N4.5 billion for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, (STEM) programme to support young Nigerians in building skills in those disciplines.

Mr. Akande, who welcomed the great public enthusiasm the SIP programmes had so far generated, urged Nigerians to expect more this year especially in the area of implementation.

“While we were able to engage 200,000 unemployed graduates last year, we will do 350,000 more this year,” he assured.

Mr. Akande disclosed that about N75 billion was earmarked for the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme to provide one meal a day to five million primary school pupils.

He said that in 2016 the feeding programme covered about one million pupils.

Mr. Akande said the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme aimed at providing interest-free loans to up to 1.2million market men and women, traders, artisans, youths and farmers was allocated N112.2 billion.

He said: “2017 implementation of the SIP is going to be far more impactful than what we were able to do under the 2016 budget, so Nigerians should expect more this year.

“The resolve of the Buhari presidency is firm that more lives must be touched positively under these programmes which Nigerians have come to appreciate.”

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to actively take advantage of the different schemes this year.

(NAN)

Photo credits: Premium Times

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Cashless Policy: Banks Set To Charge N150,000 On Every N5M Withdrawal

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced that new charges on deposits and withdrawal made by Nigerians in Banks.

In a circular released, the apex bank said the decision was made at the 493rd bankers committee meeting that held on February 8.

The CBN also said it would extend its cashless policy to the remaining 30 states which were not implementing the policy.

“Please be informed that the bankers committee at its 493rd meeting held on February 8 reviewed the cashless policy charges on withdrawal and deposit and decided that the policy be extended to the 30 remaining states of the federation,” the circular read.

According to the CBN, for individuals, deposits ranging from N500,000 to N1 million will attract a 1.5% charge, while withdrawals within the same range would attract 2% charge.

Deposits of amounts above N1m to N5m will attract 2% and withdrawals will attract 3% charge. Deposits and withdrawals above N5m will attract 3% and 7.5% charge respectively.

In the corporate category, the CBN said that deposits and withdrawals below N3m will not attract charges. Deposits and withdrawals between N3m and N10m will attract 2% and 5% respectively, while deposits and withdrawals between N10m and N40m will attract 3% and 7.5% respectively. Deposits and withdrawals above N40m will attract 5% and 10% respectively.

“The new charges would take effect from April 1 in the existing cashless states (Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra, Rivers and the FCT). The policy shall be implemented with the charges taking effect on May 1 in the following states: Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Ondo, Osun and Plateau,” the circular read.

“The policy shall be implemented with the charges taking effect on August 1 in Edo, Katsina, Jigawa, Niger, Oyo, Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Ebonyi, Taraba and Nasarawa. The policy shall be implemented with the charges taking effect on October 1 in Borno, Benue, Ekiti, Cross-River, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Yobe, Sokoto and Zamfara.”

CBN said the income generated from the charges would be shared between it and the banks in a ratio of 40:60.

It said exemptions would only be available for the government, diplomatic missions, embassies and aid donor agencies.

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Donald Trump In Serious Trouble As Witches From All Over The World Gather To Cast Spell On Him (See Photos)

America’s 45th president, Donald Trump, may have landed in serious trouble after it emerged that witches from all over the world collaborated to cast a spell on him.

According to Daily Mail, singer Lana Del Rey also pledged her support for the people hoping to cast a spell on the American president.

Although the desired crowd of people could not be achieved, the few people who attended were enough proof that the American president may be under severe attacks pretty soon.

The president’s Manhattan Midtown penthouse hosted the worldwide witches as their spell is said to be a way of stopping Trump from doing harm and maybe banish him from office.

See Another Witches Photos Below;

After Friday night’s spell, the witches are hoping to carry out same on March 26, April 24 and May 23.

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What President Buhari told me today – Femi Adesina

  Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Muhammadu on Media and Publicity, posted the update below on his Facebook Page, detailing a telephone conversation he said he had with his boss on Saturday afternoon.

Mr. Buhari is on medical vacation in London, and there has been widespread speculation about his health.

Read Mr. Adesina’s update below:

AND PRESIDENT BUHARI CALLED AT 2:43 P.M
At exactly 2.43 p.m today, Saturday, February 25, 2017, my phone rang. Who was at the other end? Tunde Sabiu, personal assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Hold on for Mr President,” Tunde said.

And in a matter of seconds, the very familiar voice came:

“Femi, how are you?” (He calls me Adesina most times, but today, he opted for Femi)

I screamed :”Mr President, I have missed you. How are you sir?”

    He first laughed. That familiar laugh. Then he said: “I am still resting. Thank you for holding out against mischief makers.”

I said it was my duty, the very least I could do, adding how happy I was to speak with him.

“How is your family?”

I said we were fine, and he asked me to extend his greetings to them.

“I hope to call you again, ” Mr President said, and I bade him farewell, adding: “Best wishes, sir.”

It was a defining moment for me. For more than a month, I had always spoken with aides who are with the President in London.

Not once did I ask them to take the phone to him, deliberately so, because I didn’t need to speak with him to validate the fact that he was alive. And since he was on vacation, he had a right to his privacy.

Of his own volition, President Buhari spoke with me. It made my day. Even if he hadn’t done so, he would have remained my President, my leader, and my man. Any day.

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We Give MTN, DSTV And Others 2 Days To Leave Nigeria Or Face Trouble – Nigerian Students Issue Ultimatum Over Xenophobic Attacks

The National Association of Nigerian Students has given all South African companies in Nigeria 48 hours to relocate over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

The students gave the ultimatum at a demonstration at some South African companies in Abuja on Thursday.

During the protest the students carried placards and a banner, which read, “NANS Against Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians.’’

The President of NANS, Mr. Kadiri Aruna, said in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria at the office of DSTV, a South African company, in Wuse 2, Abuja, that Nigerian students had resolved to condemn the attacks.

“We are saying that enough is enough as South Africans have openly attacked and bullied Nigerians.’’

Aruna said that the protest would also serve as a warning to other countries trying to underrate Nigerians.

He said that after 48 hours, if nothing was done, messages would be sent to students in all university campuses to bring down MTN masts all over the country.

Aruna said that DSTV and Shoprite would also be affected as the union had put adequate strategies in place to make the action effective.

“All the South African business empires in Nigeria and their collaborators in Nigeria will be affected,” he said.

“I don’t want to say we will be barbaric but we will not be lawful in our actions, we will do it and face the consequences, enough of this rubbish.”

Aruna stressed that the poor treatment being meted out to Nigerians was particularly insulting given the role Nigeria played in ending the apartheid regime in South Africa.

“Nigeria contributed 80 per cent of the freedom the South Africans are enjoying today because we saved them from the jaws of apartheid.

“Who is South Africa to humiliate Nigeria? So they forget things so soon, let them go back to history and records to see how much financial assistance and what the country did to save them,’’ he said.

The union president said that the situation was inhuman and for this reason all reasonable Nigerians must react.

“In science they say you use malaria to cure malaria, now you use madness to cure their madness, and that is why we are advising them to leave Nigerian soil before 48 hours.’’

The NANS president called on the Federal Government not to wait until the dying minutes before evacuating Nigerians from South Africa.

“Government should take extra-diplomatic measures in dealing with the latest deadly assaults because if nothing drastic is done it will become a regular occurrence,” he said.

He said the current attacks occurred because the last time xenophobic attacks happened nothing was done, no action was taken and no arrest was made.

-NAN

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