DO NOT MISS

Tuesday, April 5

No going back on fuel subsidy removal – PPPRA

The Federal Government says it has not reversed its decision to remove subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol. In a statement released by the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Sotonye Iyoyo, the agency stated that contrary to media reports, what still exists is Price Modulation Policy, through which it considers and reviews pump price of PMS quarterly.


"The Agency also wishes to assure Nigerians that the funds from Over-Recovery in the first quarter (Q1) shall be duly utilized for whatever noticeable imbalance in April 2016 in line with the Price Modulation Principle". While appreciating the patience of Nigerians, the PPPRA reiterated its commitment to ensuring seamless supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.

Nigerian policeman calmly watching the Nassarawa State lawmakers fight

Lol. Do you spot him there calmly watching? See an upclose photo after the cut...



Lawsuit Against EFCC By Saraki's Henchman To Be Heard May 4

Nigeria’s Federal High Court, today in Lagos, adjourned hearing to May 4 in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a Lagos businessman, Dr. Kennedy Izuagbe, who is perceived to be a crony of embattled Senate President, Dr. Olusola Saraki. Kennedy Izuagbe, managing director, Carlisle Properties Investment Limited wanted by EFCC
None of the parties was present or represented when the matter was mentioned, and the presiding judge, Saidu Saliu, decided on the hearing adjournment.
In a bid to forestall his arrest and detention, Dr. Izuagbe, alongside two other applicants, Carlisle and investment limited, and the director/shareholders of Carlisle Properties Investment Limited dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the court.
The EFCC’s Director of Operations, Olaolu Adegbite, and the Attorney General of the Federation are co-defendants.
In a statement filed with the court by Mahmud Magaji in support of the application to enforce his fundamental rights, Dr. Izuagbe, who is the Managing Director of Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited, stated that he was first invited by the EFCC on the 13th of November 2014 but that following a series of interrogations, he did not hear from the commission again until the 29th of April 2015 when he was again invited.
He said the EFCC requested for some documents, including the one relating to how Dr. Olusola Saraki purchased his landed properties that Carlisle Properties manages and that he told them that the documents belonged to Dr. Saraki and that information relating thereto could only be properly addressed by Dr. Saraki himself.
He stated that he was surprised to read in the newspapers how the EFCC has been manipulating media perception to the effect that the value portfolio of his company could have been derived from the public service proceeds of its beneficial owners.
He further stated that on the 26th of August 2015, while he was in the United States on holiday, he was informed that the EFCC came to the headquarters of his company with a lorry load of policemen, ransacked their offices and carted away several documents.
It was on the basis of that background, he said, that he was approaching the court for an order directing the EFCC from further intimidating and harassing him and his law-abiding staff.
In a counter affidavit sworn to by the EFCC legal officer, Israel Akande, and filed before the court by Barrister Mutairu Olusesi, the agency denied almost all the averment of the applicants contained in Dr. Izuagbe's suit.
It deposed that it was investigating a case of money-laundering involving Dr. Saraki and had discovered several lodgments of cash and monetary instruments by companies linked to Dr. Saraki, as well as regular cash inflows into his personal account by his aides and other yet-to-be-identified persons totaling N15billion, and another $13million (US).
Mr. Akande averred further that the situation peaked on October 26th, 2009 when 88 different persons paid sums into Dr. Saraki's account on the same day, totaling N80million, and an investigation commenced to unravel the sources of the funds.
He stated further that in the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Dr. Izuagbe was the managing Director of Carlisle Properties and Investment Company which had received funds from several individuals and over 150 companies that were moved into Dr. Saraki's accounts, and that Dr. Izuagbe, acting on behalf of his principal, Dr. Saraki, directed that the inflows into the company’s account be wired offshore to the beneficial owners.
Based on the investigation the weight of the allegations, he said Dr. Izuagbe was then invited by the EFCC with a view to obtaining his reaction to the allegations. He made a voluntary statement and was asked to report back.
Akande stated that during the investigation he broke the news of his mother's death and was allowed to go on compassionate grounds, but that after that he became incommunicado.  He averred that all efforts to get Dr. Izuagbe proved abortive and his phone no longer worked, all of which hampered the investigation.
It was when every effort to reach him proved abortive, he added, that the warrant of arrest was secured for his arrest.
Mr. Akande further averred that the EFCC is statutorily empowered to cause an investigation to be conducted as to whether any person, corporate body or organization has committed any economic or financial crime. He stated that restraining the commission from further investigation into economic or financial crimes reported to it sends the wrong signal to criminally-minded persons who might want to violate the laws of the land with impunity and hide under the protection of the court.
He consequently urged the court to decline the request of the applicants.

VIDEO: Aramide – “Love Me” ft. Adekunle Gold

Headies 2015 winner and Afrosoul Diva Aramide, this week dropped the much-anticipated video for her latest single featuring YBNL’s Adekunle Gold. “Love Me”
The video, which sees Adekunle Gold play Aramide’s love interest details a love story that everyone who has been in love can relate to, while making those who haven’t been, yearn for love
Shot in Ikoyi, Lagos by Stanz Visuals, the release of the video continues the flourishing alliance between Aramide and Stanz, who was also responsible for her last single “I Don’t Care”



“I am happily in love, and I write songs based on my feelings, Writing ‘Love Me’ came naturally, I wanted to do the song alone, but my team suggested I featured Adekunle Gold. I am a very huge fan of Adekunle, My kind of music is real life based, and Adekunle is a real musician too, so naturally, he was the perfect person to be featured”
“Love Me” has been well received by fans and critics alike since it’s release, and the video being released at this point, can only boost its acceptability and rating.




download Aramide – “Love Me” ft. Adekunle Gold

#PanamaPapers: Ex-Nigeria Senate President, David Mark, Illegally Operates Secret Companies In Tax Haven

Nigeria’s immediate past Senate President, David Mark, has links to at least eight offshore shell companies while holding public office, in violation of a federal code of conduct law, a massive leak of files belonging to Mossack Fonseca, a law firm in Panama, shows.
The files, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, show how Mossack Fonseca, reputed as one of the most secretive companies in the world, helped clients register offshore entities, some of which are then used to launder money, evade tax and dodge sanctions.
They also provide details of the hidden financial dealings of 128 more politicians and public officials around the world, including in Nigeria.
The trove of 11.5 million files shows how a global industry of law firms and big banks sells financial secrecy to politicians, fraudsters and drug traffickers as well as billionaires, celebrities and sports stars.
The revelations are among the findings of a lengthy investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and more than 100 other global news organizations – including PREMIUM TIMES.
PREMIUM TIMES is the only Nigerian publication involved in the investigation, which lasted a year.
As a former senate president, Mr. Mark stands out among other notable Nigerians named in the files.
The 68-year old former military officer spent the last 40 years covered by the investigation largely as public office holder. But he is widely seen to be far richer than his legitimate incomes could have provided.
He served as military governor of Nigeria’s north-central state of Niger, minister of communications, and later as president of the Nigerian Senate from 2007 to 2015.
Mr. Mark has been in the senate since 1999, and remains a senator of the federal republic, representing Benue South Zone in the upper legislative chamber.
Mr. Mark and his secret companies
The Mosseca Fonseca database show that Mr. Mark is one of Nigeria’s most extensive users of offshore shell companies, even while being a public official.
In documents, Mr. Mark was linked to eight active companies registered in the British Virgin Island.
They are Sikera Overseas S.A, Colsan Enterprises Limited, Goldwin Transworld Limited, Hartland Estates Limited, Marlin Holdings Limited, Medley Holdings Limited, Quetta Properties Limited, and Centenary Holdings Limited.
In the documents, Mr. Mark was repeatedly marked as a politically exposed person, and at a point the former Senate President had to send documents, across to Mosseca Fonseca to prove that he was clean.
It remains unclear what businesses Mr. Mark is conducting with the companies.
While not all owners or operators of such offshore entities are criminals, owning or maintaining interest in private companies while serving as a public official is against Nigerian laws.
Section 6(b) of the Code of Conduct Act says a public office holder shall not, “except where he is not employed on full‐time basis, engage or participate in the management or running of any private business, profession or trade”.
In a previous investigation by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Mark’s estranged wife, Vikky Preye Mark, was also exposed as an operator of secret offshore accounts.
Mrs. Mark operated an account with the Swiss branch of HSBC, but with details made largely secret.
Although she was known within the bank as the beneficial owner of the account, she was largely identified with a secret code – 14312MP.
Mrs. Mark opened the account on December 18, 1989 and closed it on July 12, 1991. About that time, her husband, then a top ranking army officer, had served as military administrator of Niger State and federal minister of communications, a period during which he is believed to have made a fortune.
Court papers during a messy divorce with his wife suggested that some of Mr. Mark’s children schooled in Switzerland, but it is not clear whether it was during that period that Mrs. Mark operated the HSBC account.
The court papers also showed that the Marks operated foreign accounts elsewhere.
About six million pounds in four accounts – three at the Northern Bank, Isle of Man, and one at the Allied Irish Bank, Jersey – were frozen in October 2000 as a result of the ancillary relief sought by Victoria Mark in the couple’s divorce case.
Part 1, Section 7 of the Code of Conduct law provides that, “Any public officer specified in the Second Schedule to this Act or any other persons as the President may, from time to time, by order prescribe, shall not maintain or operate a bank account in any country outside Nigeria.”
If the Code of Conduct Bureau decides to slam charges on Mr. Mark following the #PanamaPapers revelation, the politician may lose his senatorial seat, a position he won back just on February 20 after his initial election of March 28, 2015 was annulled by a tribunal. His fiercest challenger had alleged irregularity.
Section 23 of the Code of Conduct law, which stipulates punishment for violators, say:
(1) Where the (Code of Conduct) Tribunal finds a public officer guilty of contravening any of the provisions of this Act, it shall impose upon that officer any of the punishments specified under subsection (2) of this section.
(2) The punishment which the Tribunal may impose shall include any of the following-
(a) vacation of office or any elective or nominated office, as the case may be;
(b) disqualification from holding any public office (whether elective or not) for a period not exceeding ten years; and
(c) seizure and forfeiture to the State of any property acquired in abuse or corruption of office.
The #PanamaPapers had on Monday exposed Mr. Mark’s colleague in the Senate, Bukola Saraki, as failing to declare at least four assets belonging to his wife, all tucked away in secret offshore territories, as required by Nigerian laws.
But the President of the Senate denied any wrongdoing, saying he “declared his assets properly in accordance with the relevant legislation,” and that the charges against him “are both unfounded and politically motivated.”
Mr. Mark wouldn’t comment
The former senate president did not answer or returns calls made to him by PREMIUM TIMES reporters seeking comments. He also did not respond to a text message.
His spokesperson, Paul Mumeh, initially said he would only comment if given access to the database from which the story about his boss was sourced. He later said Mr. Mark was out of Abuja, and was unreachable.
“I’m not sure about the accuracy of your claims,” Mr. Mumeh said. “I need to consult him (Mr. Mark) before commenting.”

6 things to know before touring West Africa by road

The idea of going on a road trip out of Nigeria to other West African countries can be exciting for adventurous people but, while people travel every day to other west African cities such as Cotonou, Togo, Accra and Douala, either by public buses or private cars, very few of them are prepared for the experience they eventually face on the road. They leave excited and return discouraged, determined never to go on another road trip.
The truth is, travelling to other West African countries from Nigeria by road can actually be rewarding as long as you keep these things listed below in mind and prepare yourself for them. To help you prepare appropriately, Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 onlinehotel booking portal suggests 6 things every traveler must know before setting out on this journey.
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Your Nigerian Passport and Yellow fever Card are essential
Most people assume that they can just freely travel from Nigeria to neighboring West African countries without their International passport as they are all members of ECOWAS nations and have their visa waived, but that is not the case.
Every traveler is expected to provide their passports for stamping, as well as the Yellow card for proof of health before they are allowed to pass the border. Travelling without these documents can ruin your trip with border delays and denied entry.
Adult diapers will not work
Most cross-country trips can take from as long as 5 to 24 hours, depending on where you are going to and where you take off from.
A lot of travellers are skeptical about using the toilet on the bus, stopping by the roadside to ease themselves or using public toilets along the way, so they resort to wearing adult diapers. Unfortunately, adult diapers are of no help when travelling outside the country to West African countries. Not only will it be utterly uncomfortable, thanks to the long distance and bumps on the way, it could arouse undue suspicion from the officers at the border or even the NDLEA staff.
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It is cheaper to change currencies before setting out
The Naira is only relevant for buying and selling within the country, and so, you will need to use the currency of whatever country you are visiting to be able to make purchases there. As a result, you have to ensure you visit any bank of choice or ‘bureau de change’ to trade the money you need for the trip before you set out. Some would advise that you wait till you get to the border before you change your money, but the truth is that the exchange rate at the border is always higher and less beneficial. You best bet is the bank. Alternatively, you can decide to use your ATM card if your bank allows that, but the charges for such transaction are also usually very high.
There is are different time zones
We may all be West African countries, but different countries operate in different time zones. For instance, Nigeria is 1hour ahead of Ghana and Benin Republic. Ensure you research to note the time difference between Nigeria and the country you are visiting, that way it is easy for you to keep track of time.
Also, some people are affected when they migrate into different time zones. If you are one of those, you may want to prepare yourself and pack whatever remedy you need to keep your body in check.
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You will cross most borders by foot
Before setting out on your trip, ensure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes as aside from several stops that the bus will have to make for you to stretch your legs and buy food, you will have to cross most borders by foot.  
For most of these borders, especially the Ghana border, it is a long trek which will be very difficult if you are not prepared for it. It is advisable to carry a small handbag where you can keep your valuables, so that when you are crossing the border, you only need to hold it and leave the other entire luggage in the vehicle.
Prepare to stay offline for most of the trip
The beauty of a road trip is taking random pictures and posting them online on making instant videos for Snapchat and Instagram.
If you are travelling out of Nigeria to West African countries, you may not be able to do these as the roaming rates are very high. Sending a text from Togo alone is as high as N300 per text message and the data rates are outrageous.  Also, unless you are an MTN subscriber you may not even have access to any of the mobile networks. The only way out may be to buy a new SIM card that works in the country you are visiting at the border and insert it on your phone.

Ndem Nkem
Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria

3 Kidnappers Arrested In Military Uniforms In Imo State (Photos)

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These three kidnap suspects were apprehended by the Imo State Police Command on Sunday, April 3, along Nwaorieubi in Mbaitoli LGA of the state.The suspects who were arrested in militaryuniforms were nabbed following a tip-off bygood spirited individuals who quickly alerted the police.20160405131050

LAUTECH Postgraduate Admission List – 2015/16

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, LAUTECH postgraduate admission list for the 2015/2016 academic session is out.
LAUTECH postgraduate admission list
This is to inform all the candidates that applied for the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH) postgraduate programmes admission  that the management of the university has released the names of successfully admitted candidates for the 2015/2016 academic session.

Check LAUTECH Postgraduate Admission List.

  1. Go to LAUTECH postgraduate portal at http://pgschool.lautech.edu.ng/application/login.php,
  2. Enter your Form Number and Password in the required columns,
  3. Finally, click ‘Login’ to access your admission status.
Note: Successfully admitted candidates are to print their admission letter and other documents.

LAUTECH Part-Time Admission List is Out – 2015/16

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, LAUTECH part-time programme admission list and admission letter for the 2015/2016 academic session are now available online.
LAUTECH part-time admission list
Authority of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH) has released the part-time programme admission list for the 2015/2016 academic session.

Check LAUTECH Part-Time Admission List.

  1. Go to LAUTECH part-time portal at http://admissions.lautech.edu.ng/ptapp2015/login.php,
  2. Enter your Form Number and Password in the required columns,
  3. Finally, click ‘Login’ to access your admission status.
Note: Successfully admitted candidates are to print their admission letter and other documents.

4 reasons to buy ‘previously-used’ gadgets in Nigeria

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With the dawn of the 21st century, consumer technology has moved at the speed of lightning with new inventions constantly flooding the market, leaving a lot of people with old devices and hardware to sell. Although tech companies advertise these new products in such a way that the previous models are made to look obsolete, the ‘previously-used’ market for gadgets is still booming.
A large number of Nigerian markets are filled with fairly-used goods such as electronics, home appliances, computer gadgets, and the locals patronize them well. Apparently, these local buyers have not been scared away from a used gadget purchase, as they know the value of  these seemingly  imperfect machines.
Looking to buy a fairly used gadget but need some convincing? Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking website reveals 4 reasons to this trend is big in Nigeria.
You get an amazing deal
Fairly used gadgets, which most times include old stock in large stores, returned gadgets, and pawned gadgets are always cheaper than originals and give same value, if not more. You can often buy a two or three-year-old device for one-half to one-quarter of its original price. You probably may have to do some extra cleaning or deal with fixing a minor factory defect. The secret is to always test the product before you make the purchase, that way you know what you are getting yourself into. Some markets offer gadgets at ridiculously low prices without prior testing, for those gadgets, there is a chance that you will end up getting screwed, as they may be outrightly destroyed.
They have better quality
It is hard to believe but most of the fairly used gadgets actually have better quality that the sparkling new ones you find in Nigerian stores. The thing about these products is that some of them are strong brands from companies in countries such as Germany, England, Korea e.t.c and they have better quality than the new ones you find built either locally or imported from china.

Fairly used gadgets are much more durable
The gadgets no doubt are usually older versions and may not have certain perks of the new versions, but these older products are much more durable than the new ones…even though they are old and have already been used. Prior to this time, things were made with more natural materials – steel, glass, ceramics, and wood. The items may not have been as convenient or as stylish, but they were functional and made to last. In current times, however, people are more interested in flashy and so they get flashy products made with cheap materials.

Opportunities for resell
It is actually easier to resell these fairly used gadgets than the new ones. For instance, most buyers would rather buy a 2nd hand Kenwood blender that has been used for 6 years than a brand new Saisho blender. Buying fairly used gadgets ensure that you are able to make your money back or even make some profit while reselling.




Ndem Nkem
Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria


5 Ways to Deal with Online Trolls

The internet has its limitations despite all its advantages, one of which are the presence of online trolls whose responsibility is to target others by posting abusive, threatening, rude and hateful messages. They are simply out to ridicule others  and they can be very frustrating.
It's therefore, becomes ever more important to deal with because they will not go away. Jovago.com, Africa's No 1 hotel booking portal shares several tips on how to deal with them.
Internet-Troll
Ignore them  
This is perhaps the smartest way to deal with online troll; ignore them. If you ignore them, they will not have the opportunity of achieving their desires which is to make you feel bad. So, do not give them that satisfaction.
Expose or block them
Online trolls thrive on bullying others. You will think they have got nothing else doing but to close-mark other people like a defender does to a striker. You tweet or post pictures on Instagram, they respond with rude remarks. At this point, you do not need to ignore them, you can expose them to your followers. If you like, you can block them!
Fight back with facts
Online trolls are good at one thing, they rarely make mistakes. They can go to any length to embarrass you especially when you do not get your facts right. But if you do, they can only do as much.  
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You may stop  show-off online
The trend online is for Nigerian celebrities to show off their latest cars, house, shoe closet, money and designer bag. You have a right to show off these things but there are people online that question why you are displaying your wealth online.  If you do not want pesky trolls on your  case, maybe you should stop the online extravagance.  For example, online trolls took popular blogger, Linda Ikeji to the cleaners for posting a look-alike Hermes bag. The online troll went as far to proof that the bag is counterfeit. Ikeji had to pull the picture on Instagram.
Employ humor
There have been circumstances whereby some people deleted their social media account because to excessive taunting by online trolls. The trolls will be happy kicking you off social media. However, if you take it lightly and respond with humor, the troll will may move on to others. But if you respond the same, you have opened the floodgate to trolling!



Ogunfowoke Adeniyi
Travel/Technology Writer

Mary's 'yes' to God changed history, Pope Francis says

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Pope Francis marked the Feast of the Annunciation on Monday by reflecting on the power of Mary’s “yes” to God.

“Mary’s ‘yes’ opens the door to Jesus’ ‘yes’: I have come to do Your will, this is the ‘yes’ that Jesus carries with him throughout his life, until the cross,” he said in his April 4 homily.

The Pope celebrated Mass at the Casa Santa Martha residence Monday morning, Vatican Radio reports.

Through Mary’s affirmation, God “becomes one of us and takes on our flesh,” he said.

“Today is the celebration of ‘yes’,” the Pope continued. “It is God’s ‘yes’ that sanctifies us and keeps us alive in Jesus Christ.”

The Feast of the Annunciation marks the visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, when he told her that God had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus Christ. Mary responded “Let it be done to me according to your will,” according to the Gospel of Luke.

The Pope reflected on major figures from the Bible – such as Abraham and Moses – who “said ‘yes’ to hope offered by the Lord.” Other figures, like Isaiah or Jeremiah, initially refused or hesitated before saying “yes” to God.

The Pope noted the presence of priests in the congregation who were celebrating the 50th anniversary of their priesthood. He also recognized the Sisters of Santa Martha who renewed their vows in silence at the Mass.

He encouraged each person in the congregation to reflect on whether he or she says “yes” or “no” to God.

“Or am I a man or woman who looks away, so as not to respond?” he asked.

The Pope prayed that God “grant us the grace to take this path of men and women who knew how to say ‘yes’.”  
 
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