DailyBells Nigeria: 2015-02-08

Friday, February 13, 2015

Nigerian Breweries Plc proposes N37.2 bn dividend for 2014 financial year

The Board of Directors of Nigerian Breweries (NB) on Friday proposed N37.21 billion as dividend for shareholders of the nation’s brewery giant for the 2014 financial year.

In a release by the brewing company, the amount represents a pay out of N4.75 per 50k ordinary share.

According to the company, the total dividend of N37.21billion was recommended by the board for shareholders’ approval at the scheduled 2015 Annual General Meeting.

Jaycee Chan, son of kung fu movie star Jackie Chan

Jaycee Chan, the son of kung fu movie star Jackie Chan, was released from jail in China on Friday after serving a six-month sentence on drugs charges.

The official Xinhua news agency said he was let out in the early hours of the morning having completed his sentence, taking into account time already served since he was put in detention in August.

Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha

The Borno Government said it would shoulder the medical bills of all the 20 persons injured in Thursday's suicide bomb attack in Biu, headquarters of Biu Local Government Area, in the state.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, said this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri on Friday.

Mustapha, who also hails from Biu Local Government area said government would also assist families of the eight persons who died in the blast.

Ekpo Nta, ICPC Chairman

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on Friday, commended Mr John Ibrahim’s family for handing their son, Joseph, over to the commission for investigation.

ICPC spokesman, Folu Olamiti in a statement in Abuja, said Joseph was declared wanted by the ICPC over fraudulent activities.

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure the integrity of the forthcoming general elections through the use of the card reader machine to authenticate the genuiness of voters.

This is contained in a statement released to newsmen in Abuja on Friday and signed by the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Oorganisation, Malam Garba Shehu.

The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on Friday in Abuja said the national senior male football team would now take on their Bolivian counterparts on March 26 in Uyo.

In a statement by NFA’s Assistant Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, the NFA said the Super Eagles would no longer be meeting Brazil on that date as earlier touted.

The Red Cross Society in Guinea said parents have taken their children out of school in some parts of Conakry because of fears that the Society was spreading the Ebola virus on campus.

This was happening less than a month after schools reopened, Youssouf Traore, the President of the Red Cross Society of Guinea, said on Friday in Conakry.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised politicians to invest their time and resources in positive strategies of winning elections rather than buying Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from prospective voters.

Mr Nick Dazang, the Deputy Director, Voter Education and Publicity, INEC, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, following a claim that politicians were buying cards and collecting their numbers.

A consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Moses Fache, says bleeding in pregnancy is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality.

Fache, of NISA Premier Hospital , Jabi, Abuja, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

He said that bleeding in pregnancy was abnormal as it threatens the well-being of both mother and the foetus.

Some men in Abuja have given some reasons why they prefer to stop over at drinking joints before going home.

Many of them, who spoke in an interview, noted that they did that to avoid unnecessary squabbles with their wives.

They also said disturbances from their children contributed to making them stay late night at drinking joints.

In a rare public tit-for-tat between the two countries involved in the fight against extremist group, Boko Haram, the Nigerian military has responded with anger after its soldiers were dismissed by the defence authorities of Niger as “cowards.”

Niger’s Defence Ministry had in an earlier statement said its soldiers, unlike their Nigerian counterparts, do not run away in the face of battle with Boko Haram militants.

“Our soldiers are not like Nigerians. They don’t run,” the statement said.

The All Progressives Congress wishes all Nigerians a happy Valentine’s Day, as they join the rest of the world to mark the Day on Saturday, and urges them to prepare to celebrate their imminent liberation from the PDP-imposed yoke under which they have laboured for many years.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said but for the insistence of the PDP and the Jonathan Administration that the suffering of Nigerians must be prolonged for another six weeks, the Valentine’s Day, which is a global celebration of love and affection, would have also marked the celebration of freedom from the PDP servitude by all Nigerians.

A new banner has been positioned in front of the private residence of the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu condemning the invasion of the Bourdillon Road by battle ready and helmet wearing soldiers.

In the blanket banner, the message says, “This is not Sambisa forest: Wrong posting.”

An Indonesian cleric on Friday said Muslims should not celebrate Valentine’s Day because it glorifies promiscuity.

The Head of Education at the semi-official Indonesian Council of Muslim Scholars, Anwar Abbas, said the sale of condoms in bags of chocolates gift raised concerns.

Valentine Day freaks excited over rescheduling of Presidential Election

Some Valentine Day freaks have expressed joy over the rescheduling of the general elections, saying that with the recent development, they would now be able to celebrate Lovers' day on Feb. 14.

St Valentine's Day, also known as Lovers' Day, is celebrated on Feb. 14 in many countries of the world with the exchange of a variety of gift items including cards, candy and flowers.

Besides gifts, many celebrants use the occasion to wine and dine at various eateries and hotels.

A Surulere Chief Magistrates' Court in Lagos State on Wednesday sentenced one Sunday Paul,19, to one year imprisonment and a day community service for stealing two cell phones valued at N65,000.

Chief Magistrate A.F Adeeyo, in her judgment, said that the sentence was without an option of fine.

Adeeyo said that after considering all the evidence before the court, it was established that the convict was guilty of the offence.

An Igando Customary Court, Lagos, on Wednesday dissolved an eight-year-old marriage between Mr Musiliu Abdul and his wife, Bisola, for sex denial.

The President of the court, Mr Rasak Adeyeri, while delivering judgment, said Abdul and Bisola were no longer husband and wife.

Abdul,49, businessman, has urged the court to dissolve the marriage, alleging that his wife starved him of sex.

Ghana's President John Mahama has announced a 25,000-dollar reward for each member of the Black Stars who won silver at the just- ended 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

The money was made available by the state-owned Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), the headline sponsor of the team.

``We have a reward for you. GNPC is your headline sponsor and GNPC has made a promise to reward you when you come back.

The Vice-Chairman, Unistar Hi-Tech Systems Ltd., Lagos, a local meter manufacturing company, Mr Atilade Bolarinwa, has disclosed that his firm had retrenched more than 70 per cent of its workforce.

Bolarinwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the situation followed the low patronage of its products by electricity distribution companies in the country.

Farmers in Ekiti have been advised against planting of crops following early rainfall being recorded.

An agriculturalist, Mr Durojaye Omole, gave the advice in Ikole, Ekiti, on Wednesday in an interview with NAN.

He noted that the ground was not wet enough for planting despite the downpour in recent days.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday struck out a suit challenging President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to seek re-election in the 2015 presidential election and awarded N50,000 cost to the president.

The plaintiffs, Prof. Tunde Samuel, Dr Junaidu Mohammed, Mr Rasak Adeogun and Yahaya Ndu, had challenged Jonathan’s eligibility to seek re-election on the ground that he had reached the constitutional maximum of being sworn into office twice.

The Federal Government has cautioned members of the diplomatic community against making what it termed ``unguarded utterances" on matters that are strictly within the domestic jurisdiction of Nigeria.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali, gave the warning in Abuja at an interactive session with the diplomatic community over the shift of the general elections.

Wali expressed ``the strong displeasure of the Federal Government with the conduct of some Heads of Mission” who have continued to breach the laid down diplomatic channels of communication.

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated his belief that a distinction should made between stealing and corruption.

According to the President, the word 'corruption' has been grossly abused.

During the Special Presidential Media Chat held last night, reacting to the question that has gone viral in the past few months that he had mentioned that stealing is not corruption, the president stated:

“I quoted the ex-Chief Judge (Justice Mustapha) when I said stealing is not corruption. Stealing and corruption are not the same thing. In the Western part of the country, when you say someone is corrupt, he would be ignored, but if you call him ole or thief, you can imagine what would happen to him.

I appointed Jega and if I think he's not good, I have the power by constitution to remove him - #JonathanPresidentialMediaChat

On Jega: I wish Jega were here, I could have asked him to answer whether I have confidence in him Yes those who called for his sack may be close to me, but they express their own opinion.

More than 80 per cent of those who sponsor messages on our behalf we don't even know them. People use the reschedule of election to misinform Nigerians.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Fashola condemns soldier’s siege on Tinubu’s residence

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has condemned soldiers’ siege on the Bourdillon residence of the All Progressive Congress, APC, National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Soldiers had been deployed to Tinubu’s residence where they have kept surveillance of the house for three consecutive days, raising fear that the central government is trying to cow the opposition party to submission.

Former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku on Tuesday in Abuja, denied reports making the rounds in the media that he accused President Jonathan of being the sponsor of Boko Haram.

Maku, who addressed newsmen, said the reports were false and an attempt to discredit Jonathan by using his ardent supporters to make the falsehood look believable.

He said that his campaign organisation had long refuted the publication.

The absence of some lawyers and interested parties on Tuesday stalled the coroner's inquest into the collapse of a guest house within the Synagogue Church of All Nations.

The coroner, Mr Oyetade Komolafe, who expressed dissatisfaction with the low turn-out, said the court was determined to conclude its proceedings within the next two weeks.

The Borno Police Command said on Tuesday that it had uncovered 147 Unexploded Cluster Ordinances (UXOS) in a village near Jakana in Konduga Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Clement Adoda, the Commissioner of Police, stated this at a news conference in Maiduguri.

Adoda said that the items were uncovered on Feb. 8 by a combined Bomb Disposal Unit of the command.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has directed all fund managers operating in the nation's bourse to register with the Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN).

This is contained in a statement posted on the commission's website.

It said that the commission was working with FMAN to develop the funds/portfolio management industry in Nigeria through enlightenment and training and complaints resolution amongst others.

A prison inmate, Theophilus Adeniyi, has received a second class upper degree in peace studies and conflict resolution from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Adenyi, an awaiting trial inmate and pioneer student of NOUN at its Enugu Prison study centre, was on Tuesday presented the certificate by the Controller-General of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Dr Peter Ekpendu, at the first convocation of the centre.

Ekpendu commended Adeniyi for making the NPS proud and promised to continue to encourage inmates to reach their potentials in whatever trade they chose.

Gov. Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has warned civil servants in the state against involvement in partisan politics, saying that those found culpable will be made to face the consequences.

Fayose handed down the warning while addressing the public servants on Grade level 01-17 at the State's Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti, on Tuesday.

He said civil servants, by their training and orientation, had no business in party politics, adding that workers’ partisanship in politics had the tendency of destroying the entire service.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has constituted a committee to investigate allegations of attempted rape and child trafficking in some Internally displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the North-East.

A statement signed by Mr Sani Datti, NEMA's Senior Information Officer, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the move was in reaction to an online publication entitled ``Grim Tales of Rape, Child Trafficking in IDP camps’’.

Farmers in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State have pledged support for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

They made the declaration in Iseyin on Tuesday at an interactive session with Chief Olajumoke Akinjide, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who was on a campaign tour of the area.

The spokesman of the farmers, Alhaji Hassan Tijani, said that Nigerians needed a leader who would uphold the unity of the country and see Nigeria as one entity irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday reiterated his commitment to consolidate on the achievements of Gov. Babatunde Fashola's administration, if elected.

Ambode spoke at a rally organised by APC in Oshodi/Isolo area of the state.

No fewer than 5, 000‎ students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta, on Tuesday took their matriculation oath after being admitted to read National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) courses.

Addressing the new students, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Oludele Itiola, assured them of an enabling academic environment with modern facilities to enable them excel in their studies.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will host a special edition of the Presidential Media Chat tomorrow, Wednesday, February 11, 2015.

In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Reuben Abati, during the programme, which would be broadcast live on the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA),

**** Nobody can intimidate me, says National Leader of the All Progressives Congress

For about three days now, the private residence of the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu located on Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi has been under surveillance by battle ready and helmet wearing soldiers.

Close to 30 stern-looking soldiers in three patrol vans and an army trucks have been noticed to been stationed close to the entrance of the gate to Tinubu’s house.

There have been insinuation that their mission might be to arrest Tinubu and perhaps scare away hordes of politicians and visitors to the APC national leader’s residence.

Buhari's Certificate: Senior advocates storm court for mention of suit

Many Senior Advocates of Nigeria on Monday stormed an Abuja Federal High Court for the mentioning of a suit challenging APC presidential candidate, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s eligibility to run for president.

It would be recalled that Mr Max Ozoaka, a lawyer, had filed the suit seeking to disqualify Buhari from contesting this year’s elections over an alleged failure to provide evidence of his secondary school certificate.

Sterling Bank Plc says it has remodelled 40 of its branches to reflect its retail positioning and commitment to service delivery.

In a statement on Monday in Lagos, the bank said that the remodelling was in line with its focus on the retail end of the market.

The national leader of Nigeria’s main opposition party, All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has stated that the general elections were postponed because President Goodluck Jonathan was afraid he was going lose if the election had held.

The former governor of Lagos state noted that the general elections were announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega but the words were those of Jonathan.

Information available from sources within the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] indicates that the days of the INEC chairman may be numbered at the seat of Chair of the INEC.

A close source to the INEC Chairman reveals that the Chairman has already drafted his resignation letter – in wait for the “right moment”.

According to the available information, the embattled INEC Chairman had opted to resign several times before the 2015 election following unflattering practices attributed to his person and office.

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) said on Monday it was working hard to introduce new building methods that would substantially reduce the cost of houses in the country.

The Managing Director of the bank, Mr Gimba Yau'Kumo, told newsmen in Abuja that the reason most civil servants could not access the fund was due to their low salary level.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised registered voters yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to use the opportunity offered by rescheduled election dates to collect their cards.

The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Kayode Idowu, gave the advice in an interview in Abuja on Monday.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje has called on his supporters to eschew violence ahead of the coming general election.

Agbaje spoke at the PDP rallies in Mushin and Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Areas of the state.

Earlier in the day, the governorship candidates in the state, had signed a pact for non-violence before, during and after the polls.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has expressed disappointment with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the for shifting the date of the general elections.

INEC chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega had on Feb. 7 announced the postponement of the date of the presidential and NASS elections from Feb. 14 to March 28.

The date for the governorship and state Assembly elections were shifted from Feb. 28 to April 11.

A major independent petroleum marketer in Kano, Alhaji Auwalu Rano, has slashed price of kerosene from N140 to N110 per litre.

The Manager, A.A Rano Petroleum at Yankaba, Kano, Alhaji Lawal Sabo, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Monday.

According to him, the company has directed all its subsidiary filling stations across the country to sell the commodity at uniform rate.

China Population Association (CPA) said that the country was expecting at least one million more births in 2015, as one million couples have applied to have second child.

The Head of the CPA, Zhai Zhenwu, said on Monday in Beijing that this was coming up as a result of change in policy and as China eased its one-child policy in 2014, allowing couples to have a second child if either parent was an only child.

The Independents National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that the 2015 general elections would be credible.

The INEC Commissioner in charge of South- South zone, Mrs Thelma Iremiren, gave the assurance at a voter education seminar in Port Harcourt.

The seminar, which had ``Are Nigerians Ready for the 2015 Election’’ as its theme, was organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt branch, in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission and INEC, among others.

The Nigerian Navy has stated that it was ready to provide security for the election materials meant for use in the riverine areas.

Rear Adm. Henry Babalola, the new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, made this known to newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

He, however, said that the deployment of troops would be at the request of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

``We will standby to assist INEC to provide security to transport electoral materials to riverine areas when we are called upon.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Monday, February 09, 2015

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