Nigeria’s future is bright, Buhari assures. President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday at the University of Ibadan re-emphasised the commitment of his administration to shape the future of the country through a three cardinal approach of creativity, technology and character. The President pledged better days for Nigeria, emphasising that character of Nigerians was very important in reformation of the country, a deficit of which would negatively affect whatever idea one may have. The president, who is the Visitor to the University spoke through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, giving the assurance at the Foundation Day ceremony of the institution to mark the grand finale of the 67th convocation ceremony of the premier university. He identified series of challenges confronting the nation to include “infant mortality, extreme poverty, insecurity, climate change, the rabid activities of terrorists, all of which he described as monsters which cannot be allowed to prowl the street without being controlled.
Leave a Comment on the News Comments. Stanbic IBTC Bank secures $103m syndicated loan. STANBIC IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, which belongs to the Standard Bank Group, has secured its debut syndicated term loan facility. The one-year transaction that was led by Mashreq Bank psc as Coordinating Bank and sole Book runner was oversubscribed. Stanbic IBTC closed the syndication within six weeks of launch at a competitive pricing threshold given the prevailing market conditions. The 8-bank syndicate comprised of long-standing relationship banks of Standard Bank Group, Stanbic IBTC Holdings’ parent company, that included Mashreq Bank psc, The Commercial Bank (Q.S.C.) and ING Bank N.V. as Mandated Lead Arrangers & Book runners, while Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait K.S.C.P., Al Khaliji France S.A., Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, Filiale Luxemburg, Doha Bank Q.S.C. and SBM Bank (Mauritius) Limited participated in the Facility as Mandated Lead Arrangers.
Mashreq Bank psc is also acting as the Facility Agent for the transaction. Leave a Comment on the News Comments. Senate approves $200m World Bank loan for Lagos. Senate yesterday approved a World Bank loan of $200million (N40billion) for Lagos State government for its development projects as requested by President Muhammadu Buhari. The approval followed the last tranch of $600million by the World Bank in 2010 to be disbursed in three tranches of $200 million each. The first and second tranches were approved by the National Assembly in the 2010 and 2012-2014 Borrowing Plans, respectively. The approval was sequel to the consideration of the report of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, chaired by Senator Kabir Ibrahim Gaya (APC Kano South). President Buhari had on September 29, sent a letter to the Senate requesting a special approval of Lagos State Development Policy Operation III (DPO III) under the Federal Government External Borrowing Plan (2015-2017).
Leave a Comment on the News Comments. NSCDC deploys 5,000 personnel for Kogi guber. Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has deployed 5,000 personnel, unspecified number of sniffer dogs, as well as other security machinery to compliment other security organs in the maintenance of peace and order before, during and after the polls. The heavy deployment is aimed at providing surveillance and intelligence gathering for a peaceful and hitch-free election. A statement by its Public Relations Officer, ACC Emmanuel Okeh, said the Commandant-General, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, while ordering the deployment at the Corps Headquarters, Abuja, assured that a robust security apparatus has been put in place to guarantee the security of lives and property. The statement revealed that adequate arrangements have also been made for officers and men of the corps to discharge their constitutional mandate without fear or favour.
Leave a Comment on the News Comments. CBN seeks quality database to boost insurance penetration. Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Wednesday advised insurance companies to generate quality database of operators as a step towards combating slow insurance penetration in Nigeria. The Head of Data Management Office of the CBN, Mr. Olayinka Peter, gave the advice at the opening of a Micro-insurance Fair in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the fair is organised by the Nigeria Insurers Association, NIA. The theme of the fair is: “Making Insurance Work for the Informal Sector’’. He noted that lack of trust and financial knowledge among other factors hindering insurance penetration could be eliminated if operators could provide the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, with quality database. “It is common knowledge that insurance culture is very low among the informal sector and it will take deliberate effort like this to win the confidence of this sector.
“The data we received from NAICOM is not comprehensive enough to form the basis of research for the industry. How we rob our victims – Robbery suspect. A suspected criminal who specialises in robbing unsuspecting passengers of their money and valuables, through a means popularly known as ‘one chance,’ one Miss Chidimma Onuoha has narrated how they robbed their victims. The suspect, who stated that she operates at Elelenwo in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, was arrested alongside her other four accomplices during a clamp-down on criminals by men of the state police command in the area. The suspect, who claimed to be okra seller at the popular Oil Mill Market, said they usually robbed their victims while he or she is trying to lock the car door. “I am here because I have no help.
I do this thing because of family problem as I don’t have anybody helping us. The government should please sympathise with us. They should tamper justice with mercy. Leave a Comment on the News Comments. BABIES AS ENDANGERED SPECIES. Not to long ago, the media was awash with a story about a baby factory uncovered in Lagos where young girls were being used to breed babies for sale. It is so unfortunate that this type of story has become normal to the sensibility of even rationalists among us. The extent to which some persons can go to get money and power is unimaginable. For several years now, reports of houses, black market maternity and motherless homes where young girls between the ages of 15 to 23 are kept for the purposes of producing children have been rife. Equally, young and unsuspecting sturdy men are recruited to impregnate the girls for the purpose of mass-producing and selling children to buyers who are either ritualists or human traffickers.
Usually, these young women are paid paltry sums ranging from N15,000 to N20, 000 per month while their babies are harvested and sold at N150,000 for baby girls and N200,000 or N250,000 for baby boys. Leave a Comment on the News Comments. We must restructure Nigeria now, says Okorocha. Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has reiterated the need for the restructuring of Nigeria. Governor Okorocha said restructuring Nigeria was the only way to solve most of the perennial problems bedeviling not just its growth but also the unity and peaceful coexistence of the numerous components that make up the nation. The governor gave this advice in Abuja while delivering a lecture titled ‘Managing Change in a Democracy’ during the FRCN 2015 Annual Lecture said it was worrisome that since the nation’s independence in 1960, it is still battling with how to coexist as one nation devoid of all the numerous problems of ethnicity and religion.
“There is a major issue that we must address urgently in Nigeria and that is the issue of unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am happy that Alhaji Coomassie mentioned the issue but I hope he had said more about it. Leave a Comment on the News Comments. Dataxis rates Nigeria second in Africa’s pay-TV market. Nigeria’s pay-TV market is rated as second in Africa with about 14.5 percent domination according to a recent study done by telecom, TV and media business market research firm, Dataxis.
South Africa tops the continent pay-TV market with 35.8% of the continent’s total market share dominated by a single, entrenched player, MultiChoice, with its DSTV offering. The study shows the total pay-TV subscriptions across Africa amounted to 15.9 million as of Q2 2015, an increase of 18% over the 13.4 million recorded in the same period last year. Commenting, Research director at Dataxis, Gavin Patterson, said, “We compile subscription numbers based on publicly available information from listed operators, national regulators, government agencies and equipment vendors.”
Leave a Comment on the News Comments. StarTimes to sponsor Nigeria National League. Africa’s leading Digital TV entertainment platform, StarTimes is on course to be unveiled as the official title sponsor of the Nigeria National League, NNL, and this is authoritative. “Everything is set for the announcement of the deal which will be for four years. It is a juicy contract and it will sure boost the game in the lower league,’’ an insider at the NNL told Nigerian Pilot Sports exclusively yesterday.
We gathered that an announcement on the deal will be made in a fortnight and StarTimes will also be part of the NNL Super Four in Abuja. In a related development, the management of the Nigeria National League, NNL, has announced a sudden shift in date for the commencement of the Super Four Play offs. The season-ending tournament is to determine over all champions in the abridged four division format of the League. It will feature Niger Tornadoes, Plateau United, Ikorodu United of Lagos and Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC, Lagos.
Leave a Comment on the News Comments. Why India is increasing its UK investments. When it comes to Indian investment in the UK, among the most high profile is Tata Motors’ ownership of carmaker Jaguar Land Rover. Yet this is just the tip of an iceberg when it comes to UK firms owned by Indian businesses. The visit to the UK by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which starts on Thursday, comes at a time when India is emerging as perhaps the strongest player among the so-called Bric nations – Brazil, Russia, India and China. While the Brazilian, Chinese and Russian economies are all showing signs of slowing, India is booming. Shielded from China’s slowdown thanks to its huge domestic market, India’s economy is growing at a rate of 7 per cent/ per year, putting it neck and neck with the Chinese. And some of that Indian growth is finding new markets in the UK. Leave a Comment on the News Comments.
Hazard of smokeless tobacco. Cigarette smoking unarguably is known to be a “gradual killer”, asides its health and other socio-economic and legal implications to the consumers. However, many don’t understand that smokeless tobacco or chewing tobacco is more hazardous than cigarette smoking itself and is linked to more than a quarter of a million deaths worldwide yearly.
A recent finding by some British researchers from the University of York assesses the international impact of smokeless tobacco on adults from 113 countries, and discovered that the impact was even higher than regular tobacco. It concluded that smokeless tobacco causes more deaths due to cancers of the mouth, pharynx and oesophagus and even more from heart disease. According to the findings, India remains the hotspot as it account for 74 percent of smokeless tobacco-related diseases worldwide. Other findings of the World Health Organisation, WHO, show that no fewer than 6 million people die from tobacco consumption annually. Comments. NSSF wants Eaglets monitored, nurtured. Nigeria School Sports Federation, NSSF has called on authorities concerned to ensure that the victorious Golden Eaglets at the recently concluded FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile are properly monitored and nurtured for future glory.
President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation, Mallam Ibrahim Muhammad, while congratulating the victorious lads for their sterling performance during the competition said all the players are products of school sports. ‘’It is clear that schools remain the best breeding grounds for champions in all sporting endeavors and therefore, government must continue to assist the schools through education and sports. ‘’As good ambassadors of the country while at the tournament in Chile, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and the National Sports Commission, NSC should put in place a comprehensive plan to that these talents are not wasted either through bad advice or wrong choices because of the sudden stardom.
Leave a Comment on the News Comments. Lamentations of Nigerian coaches. As time goes by, Nigerian coaches have continued to groan quietly and sometimes outwardly over the continued delay in the payment of their salaries and allowances while serving as national team handlers. In addition to withheld payment, the coaches are intermittently exposed to working under pressure and sack threat should fail to churn out expected result especially when any competition draws near. Some if not all are accused of collecting bribe from players as was the case of victorious Golden Eaglets’ coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, during the recruitment of players for the World Cup.
Nigerian Pilot Sports can also recall a case in point when Amuneke could not win U-17 African championship held in Niger, earlier this year amidst various challenges ranging from delayed payment to lack of adequate preparation as at then NFF wanted to sack him, labeling him as incompetent. The somewhat trend many opined has become an enigma of sorts on team handlers who are mainly ex-internationals. Comments. Stakeholders task dalong on rio 2016. Sports stakeholders have charged the newly the appointed minster of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalong to hit the ground running as the time left for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is drastically reduced. With barely ten months to the games, the stakeholders are of the believe that preparations have to commence in earnest is a bid to avert the disaster recorded during the London 2012 Olympic Games where Team Nigeria failed to win a single medal. Only last week, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC Alhassan Yakmut told Nigerian Pilot Saturday Sports that the commission is already jittery following the late preparation and lack of funds.
Yakmut gathered all the sports federations’ chairmen and top egg heads in the commission to a round table meeting on preparation as well as map out strategies for medal haul during the games. Leave a Comment on the News Comments. BoI lauds Coy for boosting production capacity. NUPENG vows to end casualisation in oil industry. Ogun Tribunal: How Isiaka/PDP lost the petition from first day. Rising inflationary pressure on the economy. Sepp Blatter discharged from hospital after breakdown. Dalong is new sports minister! Bauchi lawmakers pledge to tackle corruption. NPA promises to pay embattled dockworkers before Christmas.
Cameron urges EU to build flexible union of free states. Electronic voting: Elixir for credible poll in Nigeria. Senate and probe of EFCC. NIGERIA POLICE FORCE AND BETTER SERVICE DELIVERY. Chile 2015 fall-out: Amadi hails Udoh despite Golden Gloves miss. Road to Russia 2016: Oliseh says Swaziland will be tough. Cristiano Ronaldo premieres his film in London. Midnight Crew celebrates 14th anniversary. N3.1bn fraud: Suswam denies allegations. Estate agent remanded over N28m fraud. FG signs MoU with private firms on power. Pamela Peter-Vigboro wins Miss Nigeria 2015. KSA, Ebenezer Obey for HID’s burial. Gov Lalong appoints acting HoS. IDC worldwide announces 2016 predictions. Group urges Buhari to address basic needs of Nigerians. AS WORRIES OVER NIGERIA’S ECONOMY HEIGHTEN. 2018 WC qualifier: Super Eagles begin training tomorrow. Russia 2018: Ighalo arrives as flight hitches delay Mikel, Iheanacho.
I’m yet to decide on Rivers guber rerun election – Princewill. Gov Wike is a good man – Rivers PDP. Buhari constitutes cabinet Wednesday, swears-in INEC chairman, others today. Fresh crisis looms as Dogara inaugurates committees. Is Biafra agitation for real? Rising cases of suicide in Nigeria. Sunny Ade, Tiwa, Waje, others to perform at “Fifty” world premiere.
Aunt gives insight into Bobbi Kristina’s death. “Spectre” breaks box office records, grosses $80.4M in 1st week of release. Customs boss targets N944bn revenue. N5bn spent to reposition Automotive Council – DG NADDC. EU partners FG on agricultural investment. DEALING WITH HIGH MORTALITY RATE AMONG PREGNANT TEENAGERS. World Rugby ranking: Nigeria slumps to 75th position. FIFA rankings: Nigeria drops 7 places. Mark Mentors hit Cotonou as FIBA club qualifiers dunk off. Argentina to train coaches, youths in Kano. Namibia to host COSAFA 2016. CAF U-23 tourney: Siasia faces selection headache. Why we staged Principals’ Cup – FCT FA. NSC orders payment of Siasia’s salaries amidst row with NFF. Pinnick off to Chile for Eaglets, Mexico clash. Oguche, Bullet Energy drink plan grassroots basketball development. NB Plc boosts Chess players with N3.3m prize money.
Nigeria 4 – 2 Mexico. NSC orders payment of Siasia’s salaries amidst row with NFF. Partnership with GWSL, NIMASA enters third year. Labour moves to strengthen regional body. Recognizing the place of informal sector workers. Agency rescues three victims of vessels collision. Remove Multiple Taxes on Goods and Services. Buhari’s ministerial nominess not gender sensitive. Enforcing rights of children in Nigeria. APC Reps and fight over ‘juicy committees’ Mr. President, Nigeria is broke, so what are you doing about it? Giving Buhari a long leash; setting him up for failure. Niger Gov assures of teachers’ welfare, education counterpart fund.
Bailout fund: Don’t blame Audu, blame yourself, Kogi youths tell Wada. Ebonyi Assembly, Gov Umahi on war path. Bayern plot Arsenal fall in Germany. El Clasico: Messi in doubt. UCL: Ideye set to nail Dinamo Zegreb again. Voigt proud to be part of D’Tigers history. MTN, NCC AND NIGERIA’S TELECOM INDUSTRY. Chidinma Okeke wins Miss Anambra 2015. Che hits Nigeria music industry with bang. Many Nays against Halloween in Nigeria. APC’s self implosion and Bayelsa’s December 5 guber poll. Union Bank launches ‘UnionKorrect’ product. Ecobank Bank flags off customer service week. Skye Bank pledges funding, capacity building for SMEs, to launch YesMall. Customs approves appointment of 6 DCGs, 8 ACGs. Arik applauds FG for non-devaluation of naira. Stocks end on bearish note. Farmers Field Day: FG to sanction fake seedlings producers. Sirius Petroleum gets approval to drill Ororo-2A well. Onigbinde, Esin back Osimhen to smash all-time World Cup record.