Nigeria Customs Service bans rice importation through land borders

Nigeria Customs Service has announced the re-introduction of ban on importation of rice through land borders across the country. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, made the announcement at a review meeting with Comptrollers of Border Commands and Federal Operation Units in Abuja.

According to Ali, the Service observed that the revenue from rice imports through the land borders hardly matched the volume of rice arriving in neighbouring ports. ‎

He said the presidency had given approval for the reversal of the ban put in place in October 2015 which allowed rice imports through land borders, once appropriate duty and charges were paid.

FG files charges against GEJ's former aide, Kingsley Kuku

The Federal Government has filed a two-count charge on criminal conspiracy and fraudulent acquisition of property against former Senior Special Adviser to ex-President GoodLuck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Kingsley Kuku.

Kuku, who was to be arraigned before Justice Mamman Kolo of the FCT High Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja was, however, absent in the court.

Kuku, who is also a former Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, is charged along with one, Lawrence Pepple, who served as his a technical assistant.

Pepple‎ was specifically accused of ‘’knowingly acquiring interest in a private company where he is a Director and Sole signatory of the company's account’’.

He was also accused of being employed in the public service as Technical Assistant on Reintegration to the Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs.

‎Kingsley Kuku and Henry Ogbolue, his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, were also to appear before the court on another two-count charge.

The charges border on criminal conspiracy and award of contract worth over N27 million to a private company which has Ogbolue as the sole signatory to the account of the company.

Ogbolue is specifically accused of deliberately failing to declare his assets located at Plot 261, Durumi, Abuja while filling his assets declaration form on the Sept. 4. 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that though no reason was given for the absence of the two defendants, the court has fixed April 20 as new date for their arraignment.

Forbes Africa to launch first global TV platform - Forbes Africa TV with Peace Hyde

Leading business magazine, Forbes Africa is set to launch the first global TV platform, Forbes Africa TV. The publication is the sixteenth local-language edition of the highly successful Forbes magazine - renowned for exploiting various matters, as well as
 its many lists based on the levels of global wealth and power, offering topics such as “The World’s Most Powerful People”, “Global High Performers,” and “The World’s Billionaires”.



This year marks yet another milestone in the life of the publication which is the number 1 monthly read magazine amongst Africa’s Affluent according to the Ipsos EMS Survey.

 Forbes Africa is launching its first ever TV platform with flagship show “My Worst Day”, anchored by award winning Forbes Africa and Forbes Woman correspondent, Peace Hyde. The show brings the unique Forbes journalistic style and glitz to the silver screen and focuses on the most challenging day in the lives of some of the most successful and enterprising business leaders of our time.

My Worst Day features Africa’s business powerhouse’s in a way never seen before. “You always hear about the success stories of Africa’s biggest mogul’s but this is the first time we find out the darkest days in business for some of the most successful industry leaders and how they overcame it.

My Worst Day is a message to all young entrepreneurs that no matter what challenges you are facing in business today, if these captain of industries were able overcome some of the most remarkable challenges, then with the right focus and determination all young entrepreneurs can too,” says Peace Hyde.

The show will air on the CNBC Africa platform which provides a unique blend of International and African business and economic content making it essential viewing for the African investor and business person with a total distribution to over 5 million homes on the DSTV platform.

The Pan African show is set to have its global release across the continent. The show is in partnership with financial giant Zenith Bank.

Watch out for the exciting show which is set to air in April 2016.

EVENT: Julius Agwu's Laff 4 Christ Sake Easter Extravaganza

The shows will take place in Port Harcourt, Calabar, Uyo and Bonny Island. See more banners after the cut...

Kemi Adeosun -Minister says FG States, LGs shared N345bn as February revenue

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun on Tuesday in Abuja, said that N345 billion was shared among the federal, states and local governments as revenue for February 2015.

Adeosun, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Mahmoud Isa Dutse, announced this when she addressed newsmen on the outcome of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting.

She said that the shared amount comprised the month's statutory revenue of N270.5 billion.

"Also, there is the exchange gain of N3.49 billion which is proposed for distribution.

"Therefore the total revenue distributable for the month of February including VAT of N64.7 billion is N387.7 billion," she said.

Adeosun said also that the money shared included the N6.3 billion refunded to the federation by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that N370.3 billion was shared to the three tiers of government as revenue for the month of January. This shows an increase of N25.2 billion in revenue.

Giving the breakdown of revenue among the three tiers of government, Adeosun said the Federal Government received N127. 2 billion, representing 52.68 per cent; states, N64.5 billion, representing 26.72 per cent.

The local governments, she said, received N49.7 billion, amounting to 20.60 per cent of the amount distributed.

She announced that N22.7 billion representing 13 per cent derivation revenue was shared among the oil producing states.

Adeosun said that the country generated N176.3 billion as mineral revenue and N94.1 billion as non-mineral revenue in February.

She said this showed an increase of N2.7 billion and a decrease of N23.1 billion from what the country generated as mineral and non-mineral revenue in the preceeding month.

She said that for the first time since July, 2015, the government has credited its Excess Crude Account.

She put the new balance at 2.26 billion dollars, which showed that about one million dollars was credited.

Adeosun said vandalism of oil pipelines, among other factors, continued to negatively impact on oil revenue generation.

She said the shut-in, shut-down of production for repairs, resulted to shortfall due to technical hitches at different terminals throughout the month, impacting negatively on crude oil and gas revenue.

Also, there was revenue loss of 45.9 million dollars as a result of drop in income recorded from Oil and Gas Royalty, Companies Income Tax and Import Duty.

When questioned about the ongoing recovery of looted funds, Adeosun said she could not give any data for now, because some issues around it were under litigation.

Empire Season 3 gets the green light from FOX

FOX has renewed the blockbuster drama Empire for a third season, it was announced today by Gary Newman and Dana Walden, Chairmen and CEOs, Fox Television Group.
With 35 nominations, Empire is the most-nominated television series this season, and recently was named a Top 10 Television Program of the Year by the American Film Institute. It was the only broadcast series to earn a Golden Globe Award nomination this year in the category of Best Television Series – Drama.


Additionally, Taraji P. Henson won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama. The series also earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. Having taken TV audiences by storm in its record-setting first season, Empire returned this season as the No. 1 series on broadcast television among Adults 18-49, averaging 7.3/23 in Live+7 ratings, and 21.2 million viewers across multiple platforms. The series also is the most tweeted-about scripted program on broadcast television on Twitter.


Cookie, Lucious and the entire Lyon family return with a vengeance when the series airs its Season Two spring premiere Wednesday, March 30 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.


WATCH ON YOUTUBE 

Empire Creator, Lee Daniels and Jussie Smollett Now Dating

Gossip outlet is reporting that Empire creator, Lee Daniels and Star of the show, Jussie Smollet who acts the part of Jamal are now dating.
This rumours were sparked after a scene at the Human Rights Campaign 2016 Los Angeles Gala Dinner. The cast of Empire were being honoured and actor Jussie Smollett walked over to producer Lee Daniels, and kissed him on the mouth. Both are known to be openly gay.

There have long been rumors that Lee and Jussie were “dating” in a very non-exclusive manner. But after that kiss, the rumors appear to have been confirmed.

2016 Easter: FG Declares 25th & 28th Of March As Public Holidays

2016 Easter – Friday 25th and Monday 28th of March have been declared by the Federal Government of Nigeria as public holidays.

Friday 25th was declared for Good Friday celebrations, while Monday 28th was marked out for Easter Monday festivities.
Don’t Miss Out On The Easter Family Party This Holiday
The public holidays were announced by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido on Tuesday for the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau on behalf of the Federal Government.

Dambazau enjoined all the Christian faithful and Nigerians in general to support and co-operate with President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained efforts to build a peaceful, united and virile Nation.

 

He further urged all Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace and unity across the Nation.

MUSIC: 9ice – “At The Moment” (ATM)

9ice is back with this hot new single jam titled “At The Moment (ATM)”. Surely it’s a Banger every Fan would to tune Into.
Produce By 9ice’s Newly Sign Artiste/Produce OLUMIX.
Download, Share and Enjoy Below

9ice – “At The Moment” (ATM)

MUSIC :DJ Spicey – “Atarodo” ft. Jumabee & Koker

Just while his banging Joint “FASHI” ft Skales is still rocking the airwaves.. The ever blazing DJ Spicey does not feel like relenting as he follows up with a new one “ATARODO”  ft S2DB’S frontier Jumabee and Choc city’s finest Koker..PRODUCED BY JOE WAXY

DJ Spicey – “Atarodo” ft. Jumabee & Koker

MUSIC: MNS | Gamu Mun Fito

Money Never Sleep Music Records King has done it again, Gamu Mun Fito is a hausa track, describing how successful they are after getting into the game of Music, The rapper Prince Hakilu Othmaan silently cuts his lyrics to ensure the Music reaches the larger part of the world, Featuring one of the best singer Dr N, this song is good and a must download for you.

Download Enjoy and share.

Download MUSIC: Gamu Mun Fito

National Assembly Receives 2016 Budget Report

The Appropriations Committees in both the Senate and House of Representatives have given their reports on the 2016 budget.

Senator Danjuma Goje, leader of the Committee on Appropriations, gave the report to the Senate, while Abdulmumin Jibrin submitted the report to the House of Representatives.

According to Senate President Bukola Saraki, the N6.08 trillion budget will be passed this week.
The budget, which was presented by President Muhammadu Buhari three months ago, was initially going to be passed in February, but its passage was delayed due to several errors that needed to be corrected, according to Senate Spokesman Abdullahi Sabi. The presentation of the budget was further adjourned due to the death of House member Musa Onwana, who died on Thursday.


In addition to the budget, the Senate received the report of the Conference Committee on the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) and the Auditor-General’s annual report.