Lagos police to arrest Okada riders plying restricted roads

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Oladapo Badmos, on Tuesday said the command would ensure strict enforcement of all laws made by the State Government.

Badmos said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He warned commercial motorcycle riders, popularly called Okada riders, not to flout the restriction order by the state government not to ply some express roads.

“We are carrying out the order to apprehend motorcycles on every restricted route,’’ she said. Badmos said that the recent ban placed on Agility Street along Mile 12 Market on Ikorodu road was being strictly enforced.

However, NAN correspondents who visited some roads along Apapa-Oshodi, Ikorodu road-Mile 12 and Mile 2 reports that the riders operated carelessly on the restricted routes.

They told NAN that they made more money on the highway than plying the hinterlands.

A commercial motorcycle along Ikorodu road, Mr Peter Chukwu, said that the police had never relented in arresting operators found culpable.

Another rider on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Mr Alfred Balogun, said that he usually took the risk whenever he got irresistible offers from passengers.

“Sometimes you can be at your park looking for N100 passenger and somebody may offer more than N1,000 to catch an appointment mostly if there is go slow,’’ he said.

Malam Sani Haruna, a rider on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, said that the riders were filling a need on the highway.

“Sometimes the traffic on this road gets so bad that only Okada is the sure means of transportation here.

“About three months ago there were multiple truck accidents due to bad road, we were the only ones who could move people from Apapa through Mile 2 to Oshodi,’’ he said.

He appealed to the state government to reconsider the ban on some routes.

A rider in Oshodi, Mr Austine Onwudiwe, said he operated on the highway during peak periods to support his business.

“I am a graduate, no job but I have a small store in the market where I am managing with my brother but I drive Okada only during rush hours.

“I pray before I come out every day, I don’t believe police can catch me even if I drive on the expressway since my aim is to support my business,’’ he said. (NAN)

9 ships laden with petrol, diesel, aviation fuel arrive Lagos ports

Nine ships have arrived Lagos ports, waiting to discharge petrol, diesel, base oil, butane, Aviation Turbine Kerosene and aviation fuel.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) stated this in its publication – ‘Shipping Position’,’- a copy which was made available made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

The document noted that 20 ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods were being expected to arrive Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports from March 22 to April 18.

NPA explained that the expected ships contained bulk rice, buck wheat, bulk charcoal, diesel, petrol, container, bulk gypsum and Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK).

NAN reports that 20 other ships are at the ports discharging general cargoes, bulk gypsum, buck wheat, fuel oil, bulk fertiliser, diesel and petrol.

Breaking News: Judge hands-off Saraki’s suit over alleged N2bn bribe

Owing to allegation that N2billion bribe was traced to his bank account, Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, disqualified himself from a suit seeking ‎to stop the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT.

Though the suit was scheduled for Judgement, however, Justice Kafarati, said he was left with no option than to hands-off the matter after his attention was drawn to two online publications alleging that he has been compromised by the Senate President.

‎The judge bemoaned that his integrity was gravely “maligned” in two separate reports carried by Sahara Reporters and Naij.com, which he said claimed that the N2bn was traced to his account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

“The two publications made allegations against my person, alleging that I have been compromised with N2bn. They also alleged that I am known in the legal cycle for being susceptible to corruption.

“What this has done is to put my integrity to question. I however regard the publishers as people of unsound mind. They know that what they said is not true. They just derive ‎pleasure when they malign the integrity of a judicial office.

“It is unfortunate that we don’t have the appropriate laws to take care of this. As it stands, I am caught between two devils, if the ‎judgment goes in favour of Saraki now they will say that I have been compromised, on the other hand, if it goes against him they will say I have been intimidated.

“In light of the allegation, the right and appropriate thing to do is to disqualify myself and return the case-file to the Chief Judge for re-assignment to another Judge”, Justice Kafarati held.

Meanwhile, the decision resulted to a war-of-words between Saraki’s lawyer, Dr. Kayode Oluyode and EFCC lawyer, Mr. Adebisi Adeniyi.

Whereas Oluyode fingered EFCC as the brain behind the publications, Adeniyi maintained that it was improper for him to make such “spurious allegation” without proof.

“Your Lordship has taken the right steps. It is however unfortunate that the applicant is the one to suffer. It is equally bad that the EFCC has gone to this level. We know that it is behind the publications”, Oluyode insisted.

‎Saraki had approached the high court, praying it to declare that the chairman of the CCT, Justice Danladi Umar is not fit to preside over the 13-court charge preferred against him by the federal government.

He told the court that Justice Umar is still being investigated by the EFCC over allegations bordering on corruption.

In his fundamental right enforcement suit, Saraki, said he would not be accorded fair-hearing by the tribunal, saying the charge against him was instigated by the EFCC.

He argued that Justice Umar, in a bid to save himself from prosecution, would dance to the tune of the anti-graft agency which he said usurped the responsibility of the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, by recommending his trial for an offence that was allegedly committed some years back.

Contrary to report that it was the CCB that identified discrepancies in four assets declaration forms he submitted while in office as the governor of Kwara State between May 2003 and May 2011, Saraki, told the court that it was the EFCC that okayed him for prosecution before the CCT.

He alleged that the criminal case against him was a product of a special task force that was set-up by the EFCC.

“The EFCC took away the role of the CCB, then rushed the case before the CCT whose chairman it is investigating”, the Senate President insisted, saying the charge was in gross abuse of his fundamental right to fair hearing and justice.

Saying he was “denied the right to be heard before the case was referred to the CCT”, Saraki said it would amount to a violation of his right to fair hearing under section 36 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, for him to be compelled to face trial before a tribunal whose “impartiality and fairness cannot b

fuel problem used to be black market but now we have black stations – Oyedepo

The Chancelor of Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara state, Bishop David Oyedepo, has challenged the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari to be more sensitive to issues that affect ordinary nigerians saying that things have not been working well.

Oyedepo,also the founder of Living Faith Church worldwide,a.k.a Winners Chapel further described the socio-economic challenges in the nation as those borne out of systemic failure,adding that there is no point blaming any political party or individual for the current travails Nigeria is facing .

The clergyman cum academician spoke with journalists in Omu Aran at the fifth founder’s day celebration of the private university he estaablished in Omu Aran,his country home.
According to him,”Our problem is a systemic problem not political or leadership problem and we must find solution to it. Nigeria will not go down the drain, we will proffer solution to it.”

“The present administration should be more sensitive to issues that affect ordinary people, because things had not been working well.”

He noted that,”Where we are today is not where we should be. The effect of the forex has a lot to do with small scale industries and that is where the bulk of Nigeria employment is.”

” Anybody can make mistakes but if people in the authority are not sensitive to the cry of the people, we would keep making more mistakes. My understanding is that it is never late to be right. If a decision is made and we discovered it is not right we should do an informed review.”he added.

Oyedepo also said,”What am saying is that things have not been working and we are all aware of it. There is no point pointing accusing finger. Each individuals in the country also have a lot to play to recover the dignity of our nation. ”

He however stressed that,”The challenges have been with us for many years, it didn’t just happen now. Government should be sensitive on issue that affect everybody.”

” We have been fighting over the issue of power for many decades now. Government should have its priority. They should itemise the fundamentals that can move Nigeria forward and commit to it. “He added.

He noted that,”We don’t have to have the resources, if we have the platform for investors to come in because they are more in touch with the issues. ”

“Look at the present fuel problem. It used to be black market but now we have black stations and they have the right to sell at any price because they are private marketers but the government still need to come out and take a decision on it. ”

Oyedepo also said ,”Solution should not be only thinking, we should go beyond thinking to reasoning, logical, rational and analytical reasoning by identifying the issues and proffer possible way out of the problem.

” Nigeria problems is all about cost effective solution that will come out of sound reasoning. Remember the people in government are from us. So, we are all in government since they are not foreigners. So each one of us has a role to play. Private bodies should be allowed in all other areas of the country just like we have in the education sector. “He stressed.

He further said that,”Nigerians need to take responsibility of our challenges and find solutions to them because we have nowhere else to go. We should not sit down and cast blames.”

“We have to be committed in finding the solution and stop the blame game even though government has a major role to play, each one of us also has roles to play. People will not listen to a critique but a consult who are thinking value addition taught. We learn from other nations efforts in solving problems.”he added.

Pianist's estranged wife arrested in killing of her 2 daughters in Texas

The estranged wife of world-renowned pianist Vadym Kholodenko was arrested Monday in Texas in the stabbing deaths of their two daughters.

Sofya Tsygankova is accused of killing 5-year-old Nika Kholodenko and 1-year-old Michela Kholodenko. Tsygankova also suffered multiple stab wounds, but authorities believe those were self-inflicted, said David Babcock with Benbrook, Texas, police. Benbrook is near Fort Worth.

"She's still undergoing the mental evaluation, but she's now being also being held on our charges as well," he said.

Kholodenko found the children when he went to pick up his daughters from his estranged wife's home on Thursday. He called 911.

"Being in a great grief, I would like to address this message to everyone who thinks about my family. The loss of my children will be with me forever. But I would like to say that I feel the support of the Fort Worth community and all people who are sending me messages all over the world," he said last week.

Kholodenko, who was born in Kiev, made his first appearances in the United States, China, Hungary and Croatia when he was just 13. He performs all over the world and is the winner of various international competitions.

Investigators are in the process of filing the cases with the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, according to police.

The charge of capital murder of a person younger than 10 is a first-degree felony.

Helping the CBN to help the economy

AS  Nigerians across different cities of the country eagerly look up to the APC-led federal government of President Muhammad Buhari to revamp the country’s economy and stimulate growth, there is no doubt that the government would require more time if we will tell ourselves the honest truth. But more importantly, a number of efforts would also have to be put in place in bringing about the much-needed turn-aroundwe all hope to see in the dwindling economy.

But the current state of the economy is not helped by the fact that oil prices crumbled and forex inflow went south as a result. Indeed, while monthly forex inflow into the country hovers around $1 billion, the monthly forex demand by Nigerians and businesses in the country, according to figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is around $3.6 bn. This puts enormous pressure on Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which have depleted by 25% in the last 18 months.

Of course, the gravity of the situation we have in our hands is illustrated by the fact that we risk complete depletion and total disappearance of the country’s Forex reserves if things are not well-managed. That we have for long been an import-dependent country only made the situation further complicated. Here in lies the sense in the CBN’s decision to stop forex supply for the importation of some items, 41 of them,  which it believes can be locally produced by Nigerian companies. Some of these items include soap and cosmetics, rice, Indian incense and toothpicks, tomatoes/tomato pastes, wheelbarrows, head pans, and roofing sheets, among others.

Although the apex bank did not create the present Forex challenge since the factors driving the crunch are outside of the it remit and control, however, it has, in line with its statutory responsibilities, been battling to stabilise the Naira and Nigeria’s foreign reserves. It is a difficult battle and there are no easy or painless ways out.  Like some other public analysts have said, this really is not the best of time to be a CBN Governor. And that is why I seriously pity the Governor, Godwin Emefiele. If you ask me, I think he is a very strong man to have absolved some of the insults that have been hauled at him by angry Nigerians.

But quite frankly, some of the measures put in place by CBN have also come at some costs to some stakeholders, a number of whom have complained that their business operations are being hurt. But I believe doing nothing couldn’t have been an option. At the same time, some of the alternative policy options being prescribed by critics of the bank, such as devaluation, are not cost-free and do not necessarily address what is essentially a supply problem.

Meanwhile, for those who may not understand, the CBN couldn’t have waited until the cabinet was sworn in last October by President Buhari before doing what it ought to do in the best interest of the country. The apex bank, with the statutory responsibility of managing the key rates – forex, inflation, and interest – had to act fast especially in the absence of fiscal policy support to address the imbalance in the country’s international trade. And this was even aside its efforts at providing forex to Nigerian manufacturers who need to import machinery and intermediate goods to remain in business. This was basically to encourage “Made-in-Nigeria” products and services, a campaign which is already catching on well among the populace and gaining traction.

However, despite the CBN’s seeming good intentions to revamp the economy, I doubt if this can achieve the desired result for the economy if not complemented by other initiatives. Frankly, I think what we currently have on our hands can be likened to the case of a student who has an examination to write before he graduates but chooses to focus all his attention and energies on one particular course only while neglecting the others. Even if he scores an ‘A’ in it, he will still most likely come out a failure since he had a poor preparation for the ot

RUMORS: REAL MADRID ENDS DE GEA INTEREST

The goalkeeper narrowly missed out on a move last summer, but the ever-improving form of Keylor Navas reportedly will see the current No. 1 earn an improved contract.

Real Madrid has dropped its interest in David de Gea, with Keylor Navas now set to be rewarded with a pay increase following a string of impressive displays, according to German news agency DPA.

The Spain international, who was on the verge of a move to the Liga giants last summer only to miss the transfer deadline by minutes, signed a new four-year deal with Manchester United in September.

Navas, who was set to be a part of the De Gea deal, took advantage of his second chance to impress at Santiago Bernabeu, cementing himself as first-choice under Rafael Benitez and Zinedine Zidane.

DEMBELE: NO BAYERN AGREEMENT IN PLACE

  

As well as the Bundesliga leaders, the teenage winger has seen himself linked with Barcelona - but he assures that for the moment he is only concentrating on his own game.

Rennes youngster Ousmane Dembele has denied he is on the verge of moving to Bayern Munich, as he celebrated his first call-up to the France Under-21 ranks.

The 18-year-old prodigy has enjoyed a wonderful season with the Breton club in Ligue 1, and as a result has seen his name linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs - including the German giants as well as Barcelona.

More performances like Friday's, where he helped dismantle Marseille on its own patch with a goal and assist, will hardly cool interest in the winger.

But when asked about the possibility of a move to Bavaria, Dembele affirmed that nothing had been decided.

"I was not even aware there was talk of me at Bayern, I read it in the press. I have no agreement with Bayern," he told Goal when questioned on the prospect of him following in the footsteps of compatriot Kingsley Coman.

"Kingsley is a very good player that I like to watch."

Dembele added that he was determined not to let transfer speculation affect his meteoric development, with inclusion in the France Espoirs side the latest step forward.

"It's good for me. I was very happy to see my name. Two important games are coming up, we have to win them to continue on the right track," he said of his Under-21 selection.

"I am well, I do not let [the rumors] go to my head, I am only thinking about what happens on the pitch, about football.

"It's a good feeling. I am keeping my head on straight."

The teenager's ability to move with the ball at his feet - he has attempted 133 dribbles in Ligue 1 this term - have invited comparisons with Barcelona star Neymar.

Dembele revealed his admiration for the Brazilian, and admitted he could learn from him when it comes to making the right calls on the pitch.

"It is important to dribble, I've always been like that. Dribbling is good, but it has to be effective. At one point, we must take out the opponent to create gaps," he explained.

"What could I take from Neymar's game? His choices. They are almost always good, he makes the pass when he needs to, he strikes at the right time.

"He also knows how to calm things down. he dribbles, but also knows when not to do and keep it simple. I am working on that in training."

Guys, Do You Think GOD Can Answer This Kind Of Prayer? See This

I don’t think he would…

How can you just lazy about and say this Kind of Prayer….  Not even praying of getting a contract worth the amount..

N20m for Road? I can’t imagine.

Do You Think GOD Can Answer This Kind Of Prayer?

Drop your Comments.

OPEC sees lower demand for oil in 2016

THE Organisation of  Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, weekend, predicted global demand for its crude oil will be less than previously thought in 2016, as supply from rivals proves more resilient to low prices, increasing the excess supply on the market this year.

The monthly report from OPEC contrasts with that of the International Energy Agency, IEA, which last Friday, said producers outside OPEC were cutting production by more than it had expected.

Saudi Arabia in 2014, led a change in OPEC strategy to defend market share instead of cutting output to support prices, hoping to slow growth in rival supplies such as U.S. shale oil. The move accelerated a collapse in prices, which hit a 12-year low of $27.10 in January. The price drop has started to slow the development of relatively expensive supply sources such as shale and forced companies to delay or cancel billions of dollars-worth of projects, putting some future supplies at risk.

In the report, OPEC said it still expected supply from outside the group to fall by 700,000 barrels per day, bpd, this year. But it revised up the absolute level of non-OPEC supply in 2015 and 2016, and said producer efforts to maintain output made its 2016 forecast more uncertain.

“There has been a reduction in production costs, mainly in the U.S., as well as increased hedging, with producers choosing to produce with losses rather than stopping production,” OPEC said. “This has caused the non-OPEC supply forecast in 2016 to become more uncertain.”

As a result, OPEC now expects the global demand for its crude to average 31.52 million bpd in 2016, down 90,000 bpd from last month’s forecast.

The group pumped 32.28 million bpd in February the report said, citing secondary sources down about 175,000 bpd from January, mainly due to outages in Iraq and Nigeria.

Saudi Arabia told OPEC it kept output in February steady at 10.22 million bpd, after the top oil exporter struck a preliminary deal with fellow OPEC members Venezuela and Qatar, plus non-OPEC Russia, to freeze output.

Iran, which wants to regain market share after the lifting of Western sanctions on Tehran rather than freeze output, told OPEC it raised supply to 3.39 million bpd – about 250,000 bpd more than the secondary sources’ estimate.

The report indicates supply will exceed demand by about 760,000 bpd in 2016, if OPEC keeps pumping at February’s rate, up from 720,000 bpd implied in the previous report.

Meanwhile, IEA said that while oil prices have “recovered remarkably” in recent weeks, this should not “be taken as a definitive sign that the worst is necessarily over.

“Even so, there are signs that prices might have bottomed out,” the IEA said in its latest monthly report published on Friday echoing oil markets which have seen a recovery in recent weeks on the back of a weaker dollar which helps to fuel demand.

“For prices there may be light at the end of what has been a long, dark tunnel, but we cannot be precisely sure when in 2017 the oil market will achieve the much-desired balance,” the IEA cautioned.

“It is clear that the current direction of travel is the correct one, although with a long way to go. Without an increase in demand expectations, high-cost oil suppliers will continue to bear the brunt of the market-clearing process.”

On Friday, benchmark Brent crude futures were trading at $40.81 a barrel (up from the $32.80 a barrel last month when the IEA published its report). U.S. crude was also higher at $38.69 a barrel. At the start of the year, prices tumbled to around $26 a barrel as supply continued to outstrip demand.

But there are signs that prices could have finally bottomed out, the IEA said. These include “possible action by oil producers to control output; supply outages in Iraq, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates; signs that non-OPEC supply is falling; no reduction in our forecast of oil demand growth; and recent weakness of the US dollar.”

The IEA maintained its forecast for global oil demand growth for 1.2 million barrels a day (mb/d) in 2016, unchanged from last month. It said there had been a “sharp deceleration in demand growth in the three months to March, particularly in the US and China.

Egypt won’t escape defeat in Kaduna – Pinnick

 Ahead of the 2017 AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and Egypt, the air of optimism in the Super Eagles camp has been overwhelming and this was aptly expressed by the NFF President Amaju Pinnick when he said visiting Pharaohs can’t escape defeat in Kaduna.

Pinnick tipped English Premier League trio Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi and Obi Mikel to lead the Super Eagles to victory in Kaduna March 26 against the Pharaohs.

The NFF boss expressed his appreciation over what 19-year-old Alex Iwobi produced in his last 2 showings against Barcelona and Everton where he managed to score his first goal in the Premier League.

“Our boys are in the best form for the Egypt game, and if they reproduce such form in Kaduna on Friday, goals will rain against the visitors,” Pinnick expressed.

“With the form of Iwobi , Mikel, Odion and other players in England and other leagues of Europe, Egypt know they are in real trouble and will not escape defeat in Kaduna. What we are praying for is that our foreign based players give the game their best and win the first leg before going for the final kill in the second leg duel,” Pinnick pointed out.

“Already, some of the players have called to reassure us that they would show no mercy against Egypt and I believe them. We are not taking any chances against the Pharaohs.

Egypt sit top of the AFCON 2017 qualifying group with six points, while Nigeria sit second with four points.

Team Dangote clinches MTN President’s Polo Cup

Team Dangote has  emerged champions of the MTN sponsored 2016 Presidents’ cup tournament of the Lagos Polo Club. The final game of the 3-day tournament was held at the weekend with team Dangote defeating team Shinkafi 6-4.

Speaking on the tournament, Sani Dangote, Group Vice President, Dangote Group of Companies and a former president of the Club, commended MTN Nigeria for sponsoring the tournament. He described the relationship between MTN and the tournament as a special one that has improved the development of the game of polo in Nigeria.

Dangote’s nephews, Bashir, Usman and Sadiq who participated in the tournament, added that the special relationship between MTN and Nigerian polo, and particularly the Lagos Polo Club, remains one of the major high points in the development of the noble game of kings in Nigeria.

“We are happy with MTN for consistently supporting the Lagos Polo Club in organizing this tourney. The competition has grown to become one of Nigeria’s foremost polo tourneys and this is largely due to MTN’s support. We are grateful for this and we look forward to keeping them as our partners to develop the game to enviable heights beyond the shores of Nigeria and Africa.” Dangote stated.

Dangote, along with other past presidents of the club who were on hand to cheer the participating teams to victory in the three-day tourney, urged other corporate organizations to emulate MTN’s gesture in developing sports in the country.

Dola Bamgboye, MTN’s Events and Sponsorship Manager, assured that the company will continue to be a major contributor to sports development in the country in line with its commitment since it commenced operations in Nigeria in 2001.

“Like the services we provide, polo is a unifying force that knows no boundaries. We are tapping into the passion that people feel for the game to bring to the front burner the need to develop the sports sector. This is part of MTN’s contribution towards making life better for Nigerians,” he added.

The exclusive polo fiesta which attracted over eight teams is revered as one of the biggest tournaments on the annual calendar of the Lagos Polo Club. The event ended on Sunday with Team Dangote and Team Shinkafi locked in a pulsating final. The tournament also had teams Fasinro, Ogunbanjo, Akinrele, Amusan and Oshogwemoh as participants attracted the creme-de-la crème of the country.

18-yr-old boy in court over baby theft

A teenager, Balogun Segun, was yesterday charged before an Ota Magistrate’s Court in Ogun State, for allegedly stealing a baby, Aluko Faith.

Segun, 18, who lives at 7, Owolabi Street, Iyana-Ilogbo, Ota, is facing a one-count charge of stealing a baby.

The prosecutor, Itaita Ebibomino, told the court that the accused committed the offences on February 25 at about 5p.m. at Oko-Agi Area, Ota.

He said that the accused stole a baby, Aluko Faith, belonging to Aluko Kehinde.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge preferred against him.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Funke Odubanjo, granted N200,000 bail to the accused with responsible sureties in like sum.

She said that the sureties should be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and should be gainfully employed.

Odubanjo also directed that one of the sureties should be a guardian or parent of the accused, while others should produce one year tax clearance from Ogun State Government.

In addition, the sureties should submit four recent passport photographs to the court and the addresses of the sureties should be verified and the case adjourned till April 29 for hearing.

CCT denies withdrawal of charges against Orubebe

The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, has denied the withdrawal of the charges against former of Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe.

There were media reports , yesterday claiming that the federal government has withdrawn its charges against the accused.

However, the CCT, in a statement in Abuja, said that there was nothing of such and that the reports were misleading.

A statement issued by the Head, Press & Public Relations, Mr. Ibraheem Al-hassan, said in part, “Our attention at the Code of Conduct Tribunal has been drawn to recent publications from some section of mass media, indicating that the Federal Government has withdrawn charges against former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Godsday Peter Orubebe.

“The Tribunal is compelled to refute the said publications. The purported withdrawal of the case was quoted to be based on the case being fundamentally defective.

“Pursuant to the above, CCT advices that, to the best of our knowledge based on available records, as at the time of this report, the information is misleading, distortive and as such it should be ignored.

“The case of Mr Godsday Peter Orubebe before CCT in Charge NO: CCT/ABJ/02/15 is on-going. What transpired in court in the last session held on 8th March, 2016 was a substitution of the initial charge with a newly filed charge by the prosecution, of which leave was sought from, and granted by the Tribunal.

The case had been adjourned to 7th April, 2016. Thus; there is no withdrawal of the case by the prosecution”.

Dangote tomato company begins test production in Kano

The newly-established Dangote Tomato Processing Factory in Kadawa, Kano State has the capacity to process 120 tonnes of fresh tomatoes per day at full capacity, an official has said.

The Managing Director of the company, Alhaji Abdulkadir Kaita, said in Kadawa on Monday that the company, which began test production last week, had processed 500 tonnes of tomatoes.

“We have not commenced production at full capacity. This is the reason why we are taking the product in batches,’’ Kaita said.

He said the company would do everything possible to ensure that the finished product met required quality standards.

According to him, the management of the company will fix a tentative date for the official inauguration of the company soon.

He said the company bought tomatoes from farmers at higher prices than the existed in the open market.

“We purchase the commodity at N20, 000 per tonne irrespective of the tomato specie.

“So we buy a basket of the commodity above N1, 000 per basket and the current price at the market is N300. This is more than twice the price at the open market.

“The farmers are happy about the price because we have had several meetings with the officials of their association before we agreed on the prices.

“Once we collect the tomato, the company will pay you within two days,“ he said.

Kaita said as soon as the factory commenced full operation, it would buy the commodity from farmers in some neighbouring states of Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa and Plateau.

“We are not restricting ourselves to tomatoes from Kano farmers as we shall purchase from farmers in Plateau, Jigawa, Katsina and Kaduna states.

“This will encourage more farmers to embrace tomato production in addition to reducing wastage of the commodity,“ he said.

Some tomato farmers who spoke on the development, thanked the Dangote group for establishing the factory.

Business activities have increased in the factory area.

At least 13 dead, 35 injured Belgium airport blasts

At least 13  people were feared dead, with 35 others injured in Brussels airport blasts, according to reports by Belgian media.

A string of explosions rocked Brussels airport and a city metro station on Tuesday, as Belgium raised its terror threat to the maximum level.

Two explosions targeted the main hall of Zaventem Airport at around 8:00am (0700 GMT), with a third hitting the Maalbeek metro station, near the European Union’s main buildings, just as commuters were making their way to work in rush hour.

More than a dozen people were lying on the pavement outside the station, being treated by emergency service for facial wounds.

The blasts come days after the dramatic arrest in Brussels on Friday of Saleh Abdeslam, prime suspect in the Paris terror attacks that killed 130 people in November, after four months on the run.

There were chaotic scenes at the airport as passengers fled in panic, with a thick plume of smoke rising from the main terminal building.

The blasts smashed the windows of the departure hall and sent ceiling tiles shattering to the floor.

Witnesses told Belga news agency there had been shots and shouts in Arabic at the airport before the blasts hit.

Federal police told Belga they could confirm one person had been killed in the blasts at the airport on the northwest outskirts of Brussels.

Details later.

Get 4.5GB Data For Just 2K on your Airtel sim

Airtel old data plan of 4GB for N1,500 promo, was quite economical and very affordable for the average Nigerians, subscribers were not happy when the plan was cancelled by Airtel. Today I actually got a great news for Airtel subscribers, Airtel has introduced new data bundle with N2,000 you can get 4.5GB data. This is a promo plan like that of 4GB for N1,500 which was blocked sometime ago. As we know Airtel, they have been so selective on their data offers, unfortunate not all Airtel lines will be able to accept this offer, to verify either your line will be among of eligible/qualified, just follow the below procedure.

Before you load the required amount to your phone for this plan.

Simply dial *440*161#

When you receive a message: “Dear customer, you do not have sufficient balance for this plan”, which means your line is eligible for the offer.

Proceed with the loading of required amount to your account.

But if after dialing the code, you get this message “Dear customer, you do not qualify for this plan”, don't load the money on it because it will not work for that line, but you can always try other Airtel Sims at your disposal, definitely one would turn up for you.

After you have confirmed that your line is eligible, here are the procedure to get 4.5GB for 2k:

Load your Airtel line with N2,000 Airtime.

Then dial *440*161# or *437*1#. 

You'll be credited with 4.5GB data bundle valid for 30 days.

Dial *141*712*0# or *123*10# to check your data bundle balance.

No special setting required, just insert that sim to your modem, smartphone or any browsing device, connect with the normal Airtel setting you are using before and you are good to go.

I think this should be a better alternative to the MTN Night Plan of N2,500 for 4.5GB which makes you stranded during the day when you exhausted 1.5GB allocated. Enjoy it while it last. 

Stay tuned to HAMZYS UNLIMITED for latest updates on naija latest tweaks and tricks to browse for free...........

6 killed in accident on Lokoja-Abuja road

 Six people died in a ghastly auto accident which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday on the Lokoja-Abuja road.

Ten other people were seriously injured in the accident, which occurred at about 4:a.m., at a bend at Ohono village located on the ever busy road.

The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Kogi, Mr Ogochukwu Ugboma, who confirmed the incident, said a truck carrying cement belonging to Dangote Cement Company and a J5 bus were involved.

He said that traffic control was ongoing at the bend to avoid disruption to vehicular movement, adding that four other persons escaped unhurt in the accident.

Ugboma said the accident may have been caused by hazy weather and the state of the road.

Those injured, he said, were taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Lokoja for treatment while the corpses were deposited at the morgue of the hospital.