Presidency Reacts To Brouhaha Over Buhari’s Telegraph Interview

The State House has described as misconstrued, the various interpretations of President Muhammadu Buhari’s comments in an interview granted to the UK’s Telegraph newspaper on February 5.

In a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, said that the wave of negative reactions to the President’s remarks about the reputation of Nigerians abroad was as a result of an incomplete understanding of President Buhari’s point.

“President Buhari was asked about the flood of migrants from Nigeria and the fraudulent applications for asylum put in by people desperate to leave their motherland at any cost, and it was this question that elicited his response,” Mr Shehu said, encouraging Nigerians to avail themselves of a full text of the interview, which has now been made available on the Telegraph’s website.

The President’s spokesman added that it was preposterous for anyone to imagine that the President of Nigeria would describe all the citizens of the country he leads as criminals, when he himself is a Nigerian – obviously not a criminal – and when there are many Nigerians of honest living making their country proud all over the world.

“Unfortunately, there are also Nigerians giving their country a bad image abroad and it is to those Nigerians that the President referred in his comments,” he said.

Mr Shehu maintained that people may play politics and online games with the President’s comments, but the fact of the matter remained that Nigeria’s reputation abroad has been severely damaged by her own citizens.

“These Nigerians who leave their country to go and make mischief on foreign shores have given the rest of us a bad reputation that we daily struggle to overcome,” he said.

The President’s aide called attention to the many efforts of President Buhari to clean up Nigeria’s image such as the war on corruption, stating that “Acknowledging you have a problem is the first step to preferring a solution.

“President Buhari is very aware of the problems the people of Nigeria face both at home and abroad; and he is not shying away from admitting them even as he focuses on solutions to bring them to a permanent end,” he said.

Army To Close Markets In Borno, Yobe

The Nigerian Army is set to close some markets in Borno and Yobe states identified for engaging in illegal trade.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja, the Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman said that the measure is to curtail illicit trading and smuggling in the northeast.

Also speaking at the news conference, the Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Major General Nicholas Rogers added that the Nigerian Army is collaborating with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to ensure thorough search of vehicles and commuters and arrest anyone in possession of arms and ammunitions.

Kenya’s Athletes Threaten To Pull Out Of Rio Olympics

Kenya has threatened to pull its elite runners and other athletes out of the Rio Olympics unless it gets assurances they would not be exposed to the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil.

Sports authorities across the world are scrambling to find out more about the mosquito-borne virus as they make plans for the Games in August.

Kenya was expected to be one of the star performers at Rio, fielding some of the best middle and long-distance runners in the world.

The East African nation topped the medals table at the 2015 world championships.

Meanwhile, top health officials say they were sticking to existing guidelines regarding warning related to the Zika virus.

The Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr Anthony Fauci says athletes would need to make a personal decision about whether or not to skip the Olympics.

Producers Explain Why Nollywood Movie, ’76, Took 7 Years To Make

Producers of the movie ’76, collaborated with the Nigerian Army on the flick which was inspired by the botched military coup of 1976.

The movie, which was shot for about 6 months at various locations stars top Nollywood actors, Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberesima and several others.

Those who acted as soldiers, including Daniel K Daniel, got military training for a month, but the young actor insists the training was to make them real soldiers as they went through the same rigorous tasks as the other men of war at the barracks.


“We did that for a whole month just to become soldiers. Not to act like soldiers but to be soldiers… They told us once you cross that gate and you get into the barracks, you are no longer a civilian, you are no longer an actor. You are a soldier and we will treat you as such”.

But this is not the reason for the 7 year production. Director of the movie, Adonija Owiriwa explained.

“We took this long because we wanted get this right… we wanted to tell the story at the same level as Hollywood story.

“This is a made in Nigeria film for the rest of the world. It is our story. We have told the story and we are very sure that the rest of the world will appreciate the story because there’s a uniqueness when you tell your own story.”

‘If Anyone Piss You Off, Feel Free To Piss Them Off Back’ – Tekno cries out Loud

With the year just starting and several celebrity feud having been witnessed already in the Nigerian music industry, few celebrities have finally weighed in on this new found way of seeking short-lived fame (just saying).

Among the artistes that weighed in on the several beefs 2016 has witnessed already. is singer, Teckno, and top comedian, AY.



According to the ‘Duro’ crooner:

I think some of these musicians want to start acting films, so they are learning how to act….that is why the drama is so dramatic.

He further added:

If Anyone pisses you off, feel free to piss them off back.

UNIJOS Direct Entry Admission Form — 2015/16

From the information reaching us, we are glad to inform the general public that University of Jos (UNIJOS) 2015/2016 academic session Direct Entry Screening admission application form is out.

The University of Jos Direct Entry Screening Exercise for the 2015/2016 Academic Session admission shall take place from Monday, February 8, 2016 to Friday, February 12, 2016 at 9.00am each day.

The screening exercise shall take place at the Board Rooms of the respective Faculties of applicants.

NOTE: Only candidates who applied through JAMB for Direct Entry admission and chose University of Jos as their first choice are eligible for the screening exercise.

Candidates must also come alone with evidence of payment of the screening fee of N2,000.00 only.

All payments shall be made online on or before February 12, 2016 using ATM Card (Verve or Master) of any bank operating in Nigeria via the University’s website.

To check for eligibility and pay, click the link below:

UNI JOS UTME PORTAL

How To Check Your Data Balance on MTN, AIRTEL, ETISALAT AND GLO

Do you ever feel the need to know how much data is remaining in your Internet subscription? Or maybe you’d like to check exactly when your plan will expire? We’ll treat all that here.

Checking MTN Data status/balance

Check MTN Mobile data plan: Text 2 to 131

Check MTN BB BIS subscription: Text Status to 21600

Check MTN SME Data: Dial *691*7 # or text sharebalance to 131

Check MTN Goodybag: Text 403 to 131

Checking Glo Data status/balance

Check Glo data plan: Text Info to 127

Check Glo BIS subscription: Text Status to 777

Checking Airtel Data status/balance

Airtel mobile data: Dial *141*11*0# or *123*10# or dial *141*712*0#

Check Airtel BIS: Text Status to 440 or dial *123*9#

Checking Etisalat Data status/balance

Check Etisalat data balance: Text Bal to 228 or dial *228#

Check Etisalat BIS: Dial *228#

Court Refuses To Release Kanu’s Travel Documents, Cash

The self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, has lost his bid to compel a Federal High Court to release the sum of $2,200 and 7,000 Naira as well as his travel documents.

The items were retrieved from him when he was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Mr Kanu, through his lawyer, Mr Chris Momah, had told the court that the said items did not form part of the evidence listed by the prosecution as evidence in the case.

Trial judge, Justice James Tsoho, declined the request on the ground that it was not filed at the appropriate time in the case and that the prosecution is at liberty to determine and use whatever evidence, it wants to use to prove its case.

Alleged N2.6bn Fraud: Bank, 16 Others To Be Arraigned March 2

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed the arraignment of a distressed bank, Nigeria International Bank Limited and 16 other accused persons till March 2.

The accused persons were charged before the court by the Federal Government on a 20-count charge bordering on conspiracy, intent to defraud, falsification of document, fraudulent alteration and diversion of over 2.6 billion Naira.

The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba had to adjourn after the prosecuting counsel, Mr Chukwudi Chikelue, urged the court to grant the short adjournment to enable the charge be served on all the accused persons.

Those charged alongside the bank include: Chief C. S Sankey, Peter Harris, Adekunle Oladosun, Okechi Egwu, Lulu Ndubuka, Oyowole Ariyo. Ukabiru Bello, and J.E Eriagbon; Samson Ebie, Steve Obodomechine, Mikky Dons Nigeria Limited, Mark Anaele, Ariyo Odunala, Peter Oriade, Olusola Fagbure and Obianwa Chuba.

In the charges, the accused persons were alleged to have conspired among themselves to induce MicMerah International Agency Limited, to deliver the sum of 2.6 billion Naira to them, to be used for offsetting a fraudulent import finance facility scheme.

They were also alleged to have falsified documents to fraudulently secure the release of four Volvo luxury buses and two 40-feet containers from the Nigeria Customs Service.

They are also to face a charge of obtaining property by false pretence, as well as corruptly enriching themselves.

The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of sections 1(1) (a), 1(3), and 8 (a), of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related offence Act, 2004; and sections 161, and 162 of the Custom and Excise Management Act, Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004 as well as sections 2, 2(1) and 10 (1) of the Recovery of Public Property Act, 2004.

UK Donates £6.7m To Support Boko Haram Victims

The British government has donated the sum of 6.7 million Pounds in support of humanitarian assistance for the 2.2 million victims that were displaced by the Boko Haram insurgents in northeast Nigeria.

The donation is coming on the heels of the visit of the British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Baroness Anelay, who arrived Nigeria on Tuesday.

The Press and Public Affairs Officer of the British High Commission in Nigeria, Mr Joseph Abuku, said in a statement that the Minister would hold high level discussions with government officials on how to ensure the protection of civilians in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.

He added that Anelay, who is also the UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI), would meet with various civil society activists and NGOs to discuss the importance of preventing sexual violence in such conflicts.

According to Abuku, “The Minister will discuss additional humanitarian support that the UK is providing in helping those affected by the fight against Boko Haram.

“This includes £6.7 million to enable the government of Nigeria, as well as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), UN agencies and the Red Cross to deliver food assistance, education, sanitation and safe water, shelter material (as well as) other basic necessities.”

The Commission’s spokesman added that “The Minister will meet with the Bring Back Our Girls campaign and reiterate the importance of preventing gender based violence in conflict.

“She will also visit UK sponsored projects that work to reduce intra-community conflict and violence against women and girls, promote community-government security dialogue and improve access to schooling.”

He said that an estimated 2.2 million people have been displaced and over 14.8 million others were affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Mr Abuku disclosed that the UK government is providing £6.7 million of humanitarian support to help those affected by Boko Haram, while 60% of DfID’s £222 million development budget for Nigeria would be spent in the northern region.

Teachers Yet To Resume In Kwara State

Although teachers of Junior Secondary Schools in Kwara State have suspended their strike, most of the schools are still under lock and key.

Some of the students were reportedly caught unaware and disappointed for not meeting their teachers in school.

The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Kwara State, Abdul Lateef Okandeji, however, commended the teachers for suspending the industrial action.

Mr Okandeji, who is also the Chairman of Ilorin East Local Government, assured the teachers of the payment of their salary arrears latest by the first quarter of the year.

He urged them to return to the classrooms in the interest of the students.

Some of the disappointed students have also appealed to their teachers to return to school.

The teachers and Local Government workers in Kwara State had on Monday, suspended their three-month old strike following the intervention of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Emir of Ilorin.

Etisalat Sues MTN Over Use Of Frequency In Nigeria – REUTERS

Etisalat Nigeria has filed a court case against rival MTN over the use of a new frequency band which MTN acquired when it bought internet provider Visafone, it said on Monday.



South Africa’s MTN bought the privately held Nigerian firm Visafone last month to improve its broadband services in its biggest market, giving it access to the use of 800 MHz frequency band on CDMA technology.



MTN operates 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands which the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) renewed last November, similar to frequencies operated by Etisalat and India’s Airtel that use GSM technology.



“The action is considered necessary to challenge the use of the spectrum by MTN at this time,” the local arm of Abu Dhabi-listed telecoms firm Etisalat said in a statement.

“The use of the 800 MHz spectrum to deploy broadband services ahead of its competitors … will further entrench MTN’s dominance in the Nigerian telecommunications sector”.

Etisalat said it was in contact with the NCC to understand the logic of its decision to approve the MTN deal despite declaring the South African firm a dominant player in Nigeria’s wholesale and retail voice markets in 2013.

MTN and the NCC did not respond to requests for comment.

The legal challenge is the latest headache for MTN in Nigeria, which contributed more than a third of the company’s total revenue in 2014.
Nigeria’s telecoms regulator fined the South African company $5.2 billion last year for failing to disconnect unregistered lines on time, before reducing the penalty by a quarter in December. MTN is contesting the fine, which is greater than its past two years of net profit.
Mobile phone subscription in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest telecom market, has grown in leaps and bounds since the advent of GSM technology in 2001 but average revenue per user (ARPU) has been on a downward trend due to increased competition.

MTN has 62 million lines in Nigeria while Visafone has 2 million. Etisalat ranks fourth in the industry with 23.5 million subscribers, according to NCC’s data.