Airtel Launched New Data Plan - You Can Now Get 2GB for N200 and 6GB for N500

After the released of Glo mouth-watering data offer in few weeks back, Airtel NG decided to follow the suite, but the Airtel new plan took a new phase and showcase with abnormal policy.

The new Airtel data offers will give you 2GB for just N200 with 14days validity period and also 6GB for just N500 with 28days validity period. This is not weekend bundle, neither night plan, it works for both day and night, also works on all device platforms.

I made mention of abnormal policy? Yeah. Before you subscribe to this new plan, it is very important to check the below so strange terms and conditions of the Airtel new 2GB and 6GB data plans;
The plan is usable on all devices
Upon subscription, it automatically deactivates any existing data plan
It only works on 2G network
No matter the strength of your network, it must be set to 2G network or else you won't be able to use your data.
2GB will last for 14days and 6GB will last for 28days.
To Subscribe to any of the two Package
Dial *482# and follow the prompt message.

I wonder why Airtel introduced this trash data plan. Anyway, the plan will be ok for browsing, but you will dislike it when it comes to downloading and streaming, think wisely before you opted in.

Why Nigerian Army desires partnership with Nollywood

Movie buffs in Nigeria are looking forward to the premiere of a game-changing film rooted in the events of the botched 1976 coup.

One of the most arduous tasks in the production of the movie, according to its Executive Director, Prince Tonye Princewill, was the effort to secure a working relationship with the Nigerian Army.

 

Meticulously executed, the pre-production period took two years including eight months of trying to secure all necessary permission from the Nigerian Army and seven months of shooting.

The script was scrutinised and an officer appointed to supervise and monitor each step of the filming process, from beginning to the end.

The movie survived three Chiefs of Army Staff. Fortunately, each one of them who took over sustained interest in the film. Determined to make it work, the production crew and cast patiently followed every instruction and met every demand from the military authorities.

A letter from the Headquarters, Nigeria Army, Department of Civil-Military Affairs signed by Major General R. I. Nicholas for the Chief of Army Staff disclosed why the military institution desires a collaboration with the creative industry. “This is in furtherance to a need to build a collaborative relationship between the Nigeria Army and the movie industry. We believe that the movie will assist in shaping the current effort at improving the civil-military relations and also educate our people on some of the historic values of the Nigeria Army.”

A large part of the action was shot at the Mokola Barracks in Ibadan, Oyo State. As the 200-member cast and crew stayed together for about seven months, bonding as a family was inevitable. Some of the striking human interest events that happened in the course of production were birthdays, weddings and passages. Chidi Mokeme and Debo Oguns, literarily got married on set (they just excused themselves for the weekend of their marriage and came right back to work, after the ceremony).

Princewill thinks ’76 is watershed of sorts in Nollywood, being the first time the Nigerian Army would encourage that level of involvement in a movie that comments on military history and an epoch in the Nigerian Army. Having opened the door, he is sure the imagination of other movie makers would be fired to follow the precedence of ’76. The movie was shot at Mokola Barracks in Ibadan and the story of how the actors were made to fit into the environment should be reserved for another day. The big budget movie which costs about N100 million promises to earn more accolades for Izu Ojukwu as director. The award-winning director is known for his work in flicks like ‘Mirror Boy’ and ‘Last Flight to Abuja.’

Beautiful African women inspired my ‘Sisi Eko’— Subzilla

Subzilla has been buzzing in the streets of Lagos since he dropped his “Sisi Eko” tune in last quarter of 2015. He’s arguably one of the next big artists in hiphop as more people around the world continue to embrace Nigerian music. In this interview the budding Star- Subzilla speaks about his life before and after “Sisi Eko” fame, his style of music and his views on other issues in the entertainment industry.

Who is Subzilla and tell us how you started music?
My real name is Boboye Emmanuel Bodunde, I hail from Ondo state, Ifedore local government area to be precise and I am from a family of five. I started music at a very tender age. I used to listen to the likes of Tuface Idibia; Orlando Owoh; King Sunny Ade; Salawa Abeni and some foreign artists. So with that, I gradually developed myself but I kicked off professionally in 2013 when I dropped my first official single titled “NGHELU”.


   

How were you discovered by UK based Lams Records?

Lams Records is a family record label/business owned by my brother who has been supporting me from day one.

Describe your style of music and what makes your brand different from others

I do Afro-pop music with a fusion of fuji music. I’m also a versatile artist by nature, inspired by the beat and the environment I find myself. If you listen to my sound you will know it’s definitely different.

You released ‘Sisi Eko’ last year and the remix featuring Tekno and Reminisce earlier this year, what inspired the song and why did you do a remix?

I thank God for making the original “Sisi Eko” a hit song which was inspired by the well endowed beautiful African women out there. It’s more like a studio freestyle but I always try to make sense whenever I am recording even though it’s a freestyle because I always want my song to be meaningful.

As for the remix, although fans tweeted suggesting a lot of artistes to me but I decided to work with Tekno and Reminisce because of their originality and street credibility.

What does it feel like working with Tekno and Reminisce on a song?

Like I said earlier it was wonderful working with them, the chemistry was good and they have been very supportive.

What have been your challenges so far in the music industry?

Life itself is a challenge and everybody knows that music is very challenging because it requires a lot of money, time and hardwork to become an A-List artist. Now I thank God because everything is working as planned with my record label Lams Records. My management team and I are getting there by God’s grace.

What’s the meaning of Subzilla and why did you choose it as your stage name?

Initially, I was called Zilla which means being different because I always try to be unique in everything I do. My friends used to hail me back then like “what’s up Zilla or Sup Zilla” and it sounded cool so I accepted the tag SUP but I changed it to SUB on my songs to make it SUBZILLA because it sounds cool to me than SUP.

How did it feel winning Gbedu Awards street-next-rated artist of the year 2016?

It feels great and encouraging because I never saw it coming. I thank God for everything and shout out to Gbedu awards for the honour and for recognising me.

Who are your role models locally and internationally?

Locally, I respect 2baba, Don Jazzy, D’banj and P-Square. Internationally I Love Pharrel Williams, Jay-Z, Trey Songs and Lil Wayne.

What is your view about piracy and the feud among artists in the music industry?

I believe the Nigerian government is working strongly on how to eradicate piracy and I believe with the help of God it will definitely come to pass. Concerning the feud, I believe devil is at work but I pray for peace.

Any message for your fans out there?

I would like to say thanks to all my fans for supporting me because without them there’s no me and they should expect more good songs and videos from me. I will always keep it coming and I will never disappoint them. Just watch out and keep supporting your boy SUBZILLA. God Bless you guys.

All artistes have skeletons in their cupboards — Jaywon

From living in the street, James Oluwajuwonlo Edahi, popularly known as Jaywon, broke into the music industry with the hit song ‘File Be’ and since then, has remained relevant in the industry.

After a rather tumultuous departure from Kennis Music, the new self-acclaimed ‘king of music’ charted a new way to go with a record label of his own ‘’Next World Music’’. How far he has gone after Kennis Music, and how he has survived all life has thrown at him, Jaywon tells it all in this interview:

What has been happening to Jaywon?
I have been doing a lot of work but I have just dropped a new album titled Oba Orin  in April. And the album has been doing well in the market.

 

Why the name “Oba Orin” (king of music)?

That is a million dollar question. The title  Oba Orin  does not connote I am giving myself a title and being proud of it. In fact, many of my fans now address me as  Oba Orin, (King of music) on the social media. We were deliberating on other titles but the marketer felt  Oba Orin was cool. Oba Orin is a 21-track album, 2 skits with an intro. The album features the biggest voices in the industry like Olamide, Reekado Banks, Tiwa Savage,  Oritsefemi, 9ice, Reminisce and the rest.

You now have a label of your own, how many artistes have you signed on?

I have always believed in discovering new talents and that is what my record label will be known for and not just signing artistes. I have discovered more producers in the industry than anybody. I will be supporting and grooming some artistes and ensure they become a force people will reckon with in the industry.

Talking about grooming new talents, how do you intend to teach artistes the rudiments of music?

I have a studio where my artistes will be tutored. I will see them getting to perform on different platforms. Also, I will work on networking and doing a lot of publicity of their activities. They will also perform with me . I have done all these for a lot of artistes in the past. Basically, I have two artistes signed under me.

Things you look out for in an artist?

Talent. And we have many talents in Nigeria. Behavioral attitudes too.

How have you been able to stand out in most of what you do?

I think the love for what I do has been able to put me up there. Some people don’t know that I am one of the most travelled artists in Nigeria. I love what I do, I love my job. My job is not just like a profession or business. I love making music. It’s passion.

In 2012, you had a hit song, “This year”. Are you planning another hit song this year?

‘’This year’’ is so big that I doubt one would be able to make such a hit song again. I never envisaged that the song would do very well. I didn’t go into the studio and said, I want to make a song that would sound like this. I went there to record what came to my mind. I mean just doing it as the inspiration came.

How do you get inspiration for your songs?

I think and meditate a lot.

Aside music, do you do other things?

Right now, music has been putting food on my table and providing for my family.

How do you relax?

For a while now, my life has been really hard that I don’t do things just because I want to do them. I just create time out of no time to rest. Sometimes, I go to the studio and listen to some of the songs I have produced. I play table tennis too. I have been really busy.

Your crush among the female artistes?

I’m actually crushing on Niniola. She is very good, talented, and beautiful. She is just perfect.

Are you still with Kennis Music?

No, I am no longer with Kennis Music .

Your experience at Kennis Music?

Everything I know today was from Kennis music. No matter what happens, I will always acknowledge Kennis Music. It is only a stupid person that goes about rubbishing his former employer. Kennis Music is the best thing that has ever happened to me. What happened between us only happened because we were close. We were business partners and some things would naturally happen.

If you have the opportunity to go back to Kennis Music would you?

For sure, I would want to go back but with a different arrangement and understanding . Many things have changed, you know. This is not the same type of industry we had back then . So, in order to remain relevant in today’s industry, one has to follow the trend very well.

Has Jaywon ever delved into movie making?

Of course yes, I will be one of the cast in the next Super Story. I featured veteran actors and actresses in one of my videos, “Back to sender’’. I am an entertainer.

Anything you really don’t like about the industry?

The entertainment industry is ‘’fake”. That element cannot be removed from the industry. Again, we often celebrate people more when they are dead. We should cultivate the attitude of appreciating people who have contributed immensely to the development of the entertainment industry when they are alive.

These days, we see young artiste featuring King Sunny Ade, Pasuma, Obesere, and the rest. But we are yet to see anyone feature Salawa Abeni. Is this because the Waka music is totally dead or what?

It is far from it. For somebody like me, I have done some projects with Obesere and that is because I have access to him. My point is that most of the young artistes don’t have access to the older artistes.

Your take on musicians having Baby mamas?

I have actually said a lot about this. I don’t really see it as bad or as a problem. My only fear is people should take responsibility for their children. In fact, I think we should have a law that will see anyone who does not take care of his or her child sent to jail. If any one has ten baby mamas and can afford to take care of them, then it is nobody’s problem. I don’t care if you have 10 baby mamas but take care of the children you bring into this world. That’s what matters. Is it being married for a few months and separating that is good?

Artistes beef each other, is this good for the industry?

Beefing comes as a result of two persons who wrong each other and I think it’s allowed. But these days, we make too much noise about it. Some of us also see it as an avenue to be in the papers. I don’t want to be in the papers for such things.

Managing controversies?

I don’t want to be controversial. Whether we like it or not, we all have some skeletons in our cupboard. Some artistes have done some bad things to me in the past. Some will even remix my songs without acknowledging me. I ignore so many things. Intellectual properties are not respected in this part of the world.

Any plans to have a foundation?

I follow my instincts to do so many things. If my instincts tell me to give out 20% of my income, so be it. I intend to do more on my birthday.

Should your fans expect something new from you before the end of the year?

Sure, we have many things to unveil this year.

What would Jaywon like to be remembered for?

I want to be known as the best artiste in Africa.

Like winning a Grammy Award?

It is every artiste’s dream to win a Grammy.

The craziest thing a female fan has done to you?

It happened in Dublin where a female fan wanted an autograph on her breast and recently another lady wanted a deep kiss from me.

Did you oblige to their request?

I gave her a peck instead.

Iran condemns Canada court ruling on ‘terror’ attacks

Iran Saturday condemned a Canadian judge’s order for Tehran’s non-diplomatic land and bank accounts in Canada to be given to victims of attacks allegedly carried out by Hamas and Hezbollah.

“This decision runs contrary to the international commitments of the Canadian government,” said foreign ministry spokesman Jaber Ansari, quoted by state news agency IRNA.

“It is also contrary to the statements of the new Canadian government that it wants to normalise relations” with Iran, he said.

“Any normalisation of diplomatic relations between the two countries requires a revision of the extremist and erroneous policies of the Canadian government.”

The judgment, obtained by AFP on Friday, awards a reported $13 million to the families of Americans who died in eight bombings or hostage-takings in Buenos Aires, Israel, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia between 1983 and 2002.

Hundreds died in the attacks.

The families, led by the parents of Marla Bennett, who was killed when a suicide bomber struck at a cafeteria at Hebrew University in Israel in 2002, had successfully sued the Islamic republic in the United States.

The US court found that Iran was responsible for training operatives of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and Lebanon’s Shiite militant group Hezbollah, as well as backing the groups financially.

But those judgments remain largely unpaid.

“Terrorism is one of the world’s greatest threats,” Ontario Superior Court Justice Glenn Hainey said in his decision.

“The broad issue before the court is whether Iran is entitled to immunity from the jurisdiction of Canadian courts for its support of terrorism.”

The Canadian lawsuits were brought under a law passed in 2012 that allows victims and their families to collect damages from state sponsors of terrorism.

Canada lists Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Iran did not defend either the US or Canadian lawsuits.

The ruling comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government seeks to re-establish diplomatic ties with Iran, and following Tehran’s detention of a Montreal professor, Homa Hoodfar, without charges.

Stop the bombings, Tompolo begs Avengers again

FORMER militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, today, called on the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, yet again to halt the ongoing bombing of oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta region.

Tompolo, in a statement, Saturday, said: “I wish to once again write the members of the Niger Delta Avengers to embrace the Federal Government dialogue option as a way out of the brewing crisis in the Niger Delta region. As I have said before now, I do not know you and how to reach you except through the mass media, therefore it is high time you stopped the bombing and destruction of crude oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.”

He asserted: “One thing you guys may not be aware of is that you have not only succeeded in militarizing the Niger Delta region now, but also succeeded in given birth to so many negotiators and political jobbers within the government circle, who are very serious rumour peddlers in the country now.”

The ex-militant leader, who is currently on the run, said that Gbaramatu people had not known peace since the Avengers started bombing oil facilities, while the military was intimidating them under the guise of hunting for NDA and himself, who they have criminally and wickedly linked to the Niger Delta Avengers.”

His words: “Presently all communities in Gbaramatu kingdom have been deserted by residents for fear of a repeat of the 2009 military invasion, which still leave the communities in shambles. Even until now, the military has not returned the symbol of authority they took away from the Egbesu Shrine and other valuables in Oporoza community during the May 28, 2016 invasion.”

“It is pertinent to state that I have not heard and seen in any part of Nigeria, even the most volatile North Eastern part of Nigeria,where Boko Haram has been killing innocent people, the way and manner the Military desecrated the traditional worship centres in Gbaramatu Kingdom. This is a clear oppression and intimidation of the peace loving people of Gbaramatu Kingdom

“Another dangerous dimension my traducers have introduced into this issue is the allegation that some of my closest men are coordinators of the Niger Delta Avengers. In addition, this is currently trending in the social media, specifically in the niaja.com platform, that Benji Ekeremor, Super and Owomor aka VIP are the coordinators of the Avengers,” he said.

Tompolo said: “The truth of the matter is that I can no longer endure these blackmails from my traducers, as I have seen that they are not resting in their oars, as they have vowed to implicate me by all means necessary. God forbid!”

“To set the records straight, these are responsible men who had had skilled training under the Presidential Amnesty programme that are currently using their acquired skills to eke out a living. Therefore, the allegation that they are the coordinators of various axes of the Avengers is a malicious and mischievous one,” he said.

“On a final note, I wish to reiterate that you guys must stop the bombing and destruction of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region now and embrace the dialogue option from the Federal Government as it is (dialogue) the only pragmatic means in resolving a crisis no matter huge and complicated such crisis is. In addition, I believe fervently that the Government is serious and willing to end this re-occurring crisis in the Niger Delta region. Enough is enough,” he added.

Release results of June 12, 1993 Presidential poll, Afenifere group urges Buhari

Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, on Saturday, called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to release the official result of the June 12, 1993, Presidential Election, won by Bashorun M.K.O Abiola.

 

In a statement to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of June 12, the ARG chairman, Olawale Oshun, said President Muhammadu Buhari, as the beneficiary of a ballot revolution that mostly mirrored that of 1993, owed Nigerians the duty of declassifying the result, particularly now that 23 years had elapsed and the Official Secret Act could no longer be binding on the document.

ARG, according to the statement, believe releasing the result would “reverse the stigma occasioned by the foolish act of canceling that election, adjudged to be the most peaceful in the history of Nigeria.”

The group said releasing the result would also open up the “hypocrisy” of military rule and help project democracy as a better form of governance.

“June 12 is no longer a struggle but now an obligation,” the statement said.

“The people have played their own part. It is now the obligation of the beneficiaries of that struggle to set the country on a truly democratic path by deliberately replacing every stamp of military rule on Nigeria’s nationhood, including the imposed governance structure and constitution, through democratic rights and tenets. There is no alternative way to deepen democracy in Nigeria.

“Let nobody be deceived. Until the federal government takes conscious steps to restructure Nigeria, the country will continue to wobble from one crisis of nationhood.”

The group further stated that continuing to ignore calls to publish the result would amount to a tacit support by elected officials for everything that transpired during the military era, a reason that, it said, military rule had transited to ‘do or die’ politics and citizens believed they had a right to take up arms against their country.

“ARG therefore called on President Buhari, as a former military ruler and now a self-confessed democrat, to see himself as best poised to help Nigeria make this transition. This can be his best legacy and the starting point, we dare say, is to release the June 12 presidential election result and its winner appropriately recognised and honoured.”

FG plans fresh financial relief package for states

The Federal Government, Saturday, said it is finalizing a conditional Budget Support Facility to provide financial relief to State Governments based on the states meeting a set of stringent fiscal conditions.

The Finance Ministry, in a statement in Abuja, said the facility is aimed at providing support to the states to help them overcome their financial challenges.

The Ministry of Finance said the states would only be able to access the facility if they meet a stringent 22-point reform agenda called the Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP), that was approved by state governments, the National Executive Council, last month.

According to the Finance Ministry, the FSP encompasses a framework of reform measures including the requirement for the states to publish audited financial statements and budgets, biometric and Bank Verification Number (BVN) payroll review exercises to sanitise payroll costs, as well as limits on recurrent expenditure levels.

Other reforms, the Ministry said, will require states to set and meet targets to enhance Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), the establishment of Efficiency Units to reduce overhead costs, privatisation of State Owned Enterprises, domestication of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and limitations on securing further bank loans.

More details soon.

Queen Elizabeth II begins 3 days of birthday celebrations

Queen Elizabeth II marked her official 90th birthday Saturday by taking the salute at a special military parade in London where her vivid green outfit caused a sensation.

After Trooping the Colour, members of the royal family appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a military flypast, including Prince William and Kate with their children George and Charlotte.


   

Prince George, who is nearly three, waved at the planes as they flew by, while one-year-old Princess Charlotte, who was carried by Kate, blocked her ears.

The parade featured almost 1,500 uniformed officers and their men as well as more than 300 horses.

But it was the queen’s unusually bold dress and hat combination in a green so bright as to be almost fluorescent which caught the eye of many.

On Twitter, some compared it to the colour of Kermit the Frog from Jim Henson’s TV comedy “The Muppet Show”.

The queen favours bright colours for public appearances so she can be easily seen by crowds, though they are normally in more muted shades.

On Friady the beaming Queen Elizabeth II greeted flag-waving crowds outside St. Paul’s Cathedral despite being delayed by London’s traffic as she made her way to celebrate her official 90th birthday.

The queen turned 90 on April 21, but British monarchs also have an official birthday celebration nearer the summer to make the most of the warmer weather in a tradition going back 250 years.

On Saturday, she was accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, who wore a ceremonial red military uniform and bearskin hat.

Thousands of people flocked to see the spectacle.

The queen celebrates two birthdays as part of a royal tradition which dates back over 250 years.

The actual date of her birth is April 21, 1926.

But her official birthday is also marked in Britain on a Saturday in June with Trooping the Colour.

The birthday parade features the Household Division of the British Army — seven regiments traditionally seen as the monarch’s official guards.

On Sunday, a giant street party known as the Patron’s Lunch will be held on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace to mark the queen’s official birthday.

The celebrations started on Friday with a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Even Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose country has frosty relations with Britain, sent a message of congratulations to the queen.

The Kremlin said Putin “noted the rich history of relations between the two countries and expressed confidence in the further development of constructive cooperation”.

Investors are also interested in infrastructure, technology, agri-business – ICC

The Nigeria International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), is set to host the first Africa Regional Arbitration Conference in Lagos to boost foreign investments in emerging markets in Africa.

The Chairman of the planning committee , Mrs Dorothy Ufot, made the disclosure in an interview on Saturday in Lagos.

Ufot said that the theme of the event, scheduled to hold from June 19 to June 21, is “Arbitration and Africa: Prospects and Challenges’’.

She said that the planning committee came up with the idea as a result of Africa being the next major destination for Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) by the international community.

Ufot urged the international community to support Africa ‘s effort to promote economic growth and investments.

She said that the interest of investors across the continent was so numerous that oil mining companies were looking forward to developing natural resources.

“The investors are also interested in infrastructure, technology, agri-business, consumer goods and manufacturing companies that would create sustained growth and create jobs and improve livelihood.

“There is no how commercial disputes will not arise during the processes and the conference aims at setting background for their resolution,’’ Ufot said.

She said that the conference would give insight and valuable analysis on the latest developments in Arbitration and the need to always explore ICC Arbitration as a globally- accepted means of settling disputes.

Ufot said that the conference would be focusing on the relationship between the Inward Foreign Direct Investment in Africa as well as ways to tackle disputes that could arise during the investments processes.

According to her, ICC Nigeria is an affiliation of ICC Headquarters in Paris.

She said that ICC in Paris has ICC International Court of Arbitration as one of its operational arms.

Ufot recalled that ICC was established in 1919 in Paris, which was one of the largest business organisations in the world with over six million companies and chambers of commerce and business associates in more than 130 countries including Nigeria.

“ICC Nigeria is a district and an independent body in the sense that, it provides a platform for members to tap international best practices and opportunities within the 130 countries.

“The ICC Commission usually concentrates on issues of trade and investment, technical and sectoral subjects such as Arbitration, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Commercial Law, Customs, Trade and Banking Techniques,’’ she said.

Ufot said that the conference is expecting more than 100 young lawyers and some members of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) with a token fee to encourage them on arbitration.

She said that an Arbitrator was not limited to a lawyer, saying that people from other disciplines could also become Arbitrators, after having basic knowledge of the profession.

Ufot, however, commended organisations who had supported the Nigeria ICC Conference such as Global Network, Dangote Company, NBA, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Ports Authority, among others.

NCC to embark on nationwide raid of MP3 dealers, says DG

Abuja – The Director- General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission(NCC), Mr Afam Ezekude says the commission will soon embark on a nationwide raid of MP3 dealers and outlets across Nigeria.

Ezekude who spoke in Abuja on Friday, said; “we are set to clamp down heavily on pirates who deal in MP3 across the country’’.

“It is a relatively new form of piracy, and it will no longer be business as usually for people who download and sell other people’s music using the MP3.

“This anti-piracy raid on MP3 will state in major cities known to be piracy hubs across the six geo-political zones,” Ezekude said.

According to him, the planned invasion of MP3 dealers is to further reaffirm the commission’s zero tolerance stand against piracy in all its forms.

He added that the commission was conducting anti-piracy surveillance exercises across major markets and streets within some cities.

“Alaba is the hub of piracy in Lagos, so the commissions operations in the South West will be focused on the market within this period.

“Other towns such as Ilorin, Ibadan, Yola, Kaduna, Enugu, Benin City, as well as the Federal Capital Territory will also be checked,’’ he noted.

Ezekude stated that the raid would serve as a warning to those planning to venture into MP3 business that it was no longer a lucrative venture.

“The era in which pirates enrich themselves through fake products, thereby undermining the sales and distribution of legitimate products is over,” he warned.

He also commended other enforcement agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Customs Service for their collaborative roles in the commission’s fight against piracy.

NAN reports that MP3, short for MPEG-1 Layer 3, is a compression standard that can compress music files, while maintaining the same quality.

It is this great decrease in size that has attracted the attention of many pirates.

With an average modem, it only takes a few minutes to download a song.

This type of device comes in the form of a car stereo, a portable discman type device, and a home entertainment device which will also play DVDs.

While the MP3 compression technology is not illegal, the distribution of MP3 files without the copyright owners consent is a violation of the copyright law.

De Gea scandal won’t destabilise Spain – Pedro

Chelsea forward Pedro Rodriguez insisted Saturday that Spain’s quest to win an unprecedented third consecutive European Championship will not be blown off course by sex scandal claims against goalkeeper David De Gea.

The Eldiario.es news website reported witness testimony that alleged De Gea organised a party at which women were forced to have sex with two footballers. The Manchester United stopper fiercely denied the claims as “a lie”.

“David is very well, I see him training calmly and he was calm when we spoke about the subject,” Pedro said.

De Gea is battling Spain captain Iker Casillas for a start when the holders open their Euro campaign against the Czech Republic on Monday.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque explained De Gea had met with the rest of the squad on Friday to stress his innocence and was given his full backing.

“We are with him, we need to support him. We are calm, as is he and this will not destabilise us,” Pedro said.

“He has a cool head and that is the most important thing for the group.

“It doesn’t affect us. There is a very good harmony within the group, we want to start the tournament in the best way possible and that is by winning.”

Pedro suffered a frustrating season at club level failing to live up to expectations after making a £30 million move from Barcelona to Chelsea.

However, having also been part of the Spain squad that crashed after just two games at the World Cup two years ago, Pedro is keen to make amends.

“I was here four years ago and now the players have a different mentality,” he added.

“There is a desire to do something great, to have a great tournament.

“Maybe it is because we didn’t have a good World Cup and we want to turn that situation around.”

N91m fraud suspect, Desmond Nunugwo, dies in EFCC detention

A suspect under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission died yesterday, a few hours after he was taken into custody, the commission has said.

In its statement announcing the demise of Desmond Nunugwu, the commission said Nunugwo was taken into its custody last night for defrauding an unsuspecting victim to the tune of N91 million.

 

The statement, which was signed by EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, explained that the death of Nunugwu was confirmed at an undisclosed hospital where he was rushed to after he suddenly took ill.

According to EFCC, late Nunugwu fraudulently obtained N91million from an acquaintance after he tricked her into believing that he had high net worth business associates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates who were to buy Nicon Insurance and convinced her of their disposition to help her stock fish business.

Consequently, she wired N91m into Nunugwo’s nominated account (Mainagghe General Merchants) in Diamond Bank.

After the transfer of the funds, Nunugwo became evasive forcing the complainant to report the transaction to the EFCC.

“Consequently, Nunugwo was arrested in Utako, Abuja at about 5.33pm on Thursday, June 9, 2016. His statement was taken, where he admitted receiving the money from the complainant, with the additional information that he transferred N30m of the said money to Norway. But he could not explain the whereabouts of the balance of N61m.

“The suspect was detained at about 7.30pm, in the absence of anybody to take him on bail.

“Six hours later, he suddenly complained of discomfort and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“The incident has already been reported at the Wuse Police Station, where investigation into the cause of the sudden death has commenced.”

Alleged N676m job scam: Each Comptroller got N300, 000, Ex-NIS boss tells court

Erstwhile Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, Mr. David Shikfu Paradang, on Friday, narrated before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, how the botched recruitment exercise that led to the death of 20 persons across the country in 2014, was planned and executed.

Paradang, who insisted that he was not fully carried along by the former Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, told the court that all the Comptrollers in each state of the federation, “received alert of N300, 000.00”, a day before the ill-fated recruitment exercise took place.

 

He said the “alert” was sponsored by the company the ex-Minister, Moro, awarded the contract to recruit for the NIS, Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.

The former NIS boss testified before trial Justice Nnamdi Dimgba as the star prosecution witness, PW-1, of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which is prosecuting the former Minister over alleged N676million job scam.

Those equally on trial over the alleged recruitment fraud are the former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia and a ‎Deputy Director in the Ministry, Mr. F. O Alayebami. They were charged alongside the firm.

The defendants are answering to an 11-count charge.

EFCC earlier told the court that ‎one of the alleged culprits, Mr. Mahmood Ahmadu, who it said was a Director at the firm, was at large.

Meantime, in continuation of his evidence-in-chief on Friday, Paradang said he was “shocked” to discover through advertisements in Newspapers that the Immigration Service under his leadership was recruiting.

He told the court that the ex-Minister subsequently informed him that a date had already been fixed for the exercise.

“It was very surprising for all of us. I called my management team and told them that the Minister has announced that the recruitment exercise will take place on March 15, 2014, and we should start getting ready.

“I did not receive any official letter on the issue. But we started to mobilise. We wrote the state commands to begin to get ready, thinking ahead of time, to secure venues and make adequate preparations.

“Thereafter, we called all the service heads to hold preliminary meetings to plan for the recruitment exercise. I attended that first meeting where we decided to set up sub-committees of our Admin officers to plan and brief us. My Admin officer reported to me that they met and the first issue that came to the fore were the procedure and financial implications of holding such exercise.

“With respect to the financial implications, we made it known that we were not ready as we had no money to fund the exercise. We communicated this to the committee which went back and tabled our position and suggested whether the company that was engaged by the Ministry to carry out the recruitment exercise could fund it.

“The said company is the 4th defendant. Based on the issues we raised, the sub-committee invited the company to our next meeting and showed it our budget to the exercise.

“Officers of the service told them since N1, 000 was collected from applicants whether it could pay for the recruitment exercise. The company said its agreement with the Ministry did not specify so or require it to pay for the exercise.

The company said the N1, 000 they collected from applicants was for online services only and not to fund the expenses of the recruitment exercise.

“Then we were brought back to zero-level, where it seemed like there was no way forward. It was agreed that the situation should be brought to the knowledge of the Minister whether he could raise money to foot the bill.

“The committee submitted report on the financial implications and procedure, and gave us a copy.

“After then, we awaited the decision and money required for the exercise. There was no response till March 14, 2014.

“On that day, I got a letter from the board written on March 13, which indicated that arrangement was concluded for the recruitment exercise for the next day, March 15, and we should inform all the states.

“After then, I called Secretary to the board if he has money for the officers. He asked me to tell each Comptroller to send their account numbers”.

Continuing, Paradang said: “On that day, each of the Comptrollers received alert of N300, 000 each on March 14. It was the board that facilitated the payment, I was not involved. I did not know the source of the money. When I asked, they told me it was from the company Drexel (4th defendant).

“However, the money was inadequate for the exercise because there was supposed to be ambulances and allowances for the officers. Then I asked senior officers in charge of each zone to supervise the exercise in their zones.

Narrating circumstances that led to the instant death of 15 applicants with 165 others injured, the former NIS boss said: “On March 15, 2014, not too long after the exercise commenced, most states called me that they were overwhelmed by the number of persons that turned out for the exercise. I advised them to seek help from sister security agencies and keep me informed.

“I remember clearly that on that day I was in Jos and the Minister was with me there, then I started receiving text messages and calls that there were casualties. I then went to the Minister where he was seated and told him what happened and that I would need to go back to Abuja immediately to coordinate.

“I left Jos immediately. I called each command to give me verbal report and also back it up with a written report. At the close of the day we had 15 casualties and the Department of State Services gave us report that injured people were 165 in number.

“Some of the applicants were just exhausted and when revived were asked to go home. The Minister upon return from Jos asked me to accompany him to the National Hospital. We went ward to ward to check the victims, then we went to the Stadium to observe what happened.

“After then there was national outcry. There was public hearing and the National Assembly invited us. Former President Goodluck Jonathan also made remarks in the Federal Executive Council where he spoke in sober tone to the nation. The President was very sad and directed that families of those who died should be given three slots and those who were injured if still fit should take a job with the NIS.

“The then President called us about a year later and gave the 15 families of those that died, three letters of employment each.

“Immediately after the letters were sent, the President also informed us to do a fresh recruitment. Those who were injured were screened and also given letters of employment. However, shortly after, the board directed them to bring back the letters.

“The President had constituted a committee to conduct the fresh recruitment exercise. But families of the deceased that were given three automatic employment slots were not part of that fresh exercise

“The letters given to them were however withdrawn later because the Ministry said it was an illegal recruitment.

“I was a member of that Presidential committee by virtue of my office. However my lord, I was not a signatory to the contract awarded for the recruitment exercise”, Paradang added.

Meanwhile, Justice Dimgba has adjourned the case till July 1 and 5 to enable counsel to the defendants to cross-examine the witness.

The Judge also directed the defendants to meet with the prosecution to harmonise on documents they may wish to rely upon.

Specifically, EFCC alleged that the defendants defrauded 676,675 Nigerian applicants of N676, 675,000 (Six Hundred and Seventy Six Million, Six Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Naira).

Each of the 676,675 applicants were charged N1, 000 each for participating in the ill-fated Immigration recruitment exercise.

The defendants were alleged to have flouted the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 in the award of the contract for the organisation of the recruitment test to Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.

‎EFCC said its investigations revealed that the firm, which it said was not validly registered to operate in Nigeria, never bidded for the contract.

It said the contract was awarded through selective tendering procedure by invitation of 4 (Four) firms without seeking the approval of the Bureau for Public Procurement, contrary to sections 40, 42 and 43 of the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 and punishable under section 58 of the same Act.

Shuaibu Amodu was hypertensive and has been on medication – Source

Tragedy has hit Nigeria football again as former Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu died just days after another national team coach Stephen Keshi passed away.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Saturday that Amodu, 58, died after complaining of chest problems.

On Wednesday, Keshi, 54, died suddenly in Benin City.

Amodu, four-time Super Eagles coach, also died in his sleep in the same city.

Amodu, who qualified Nigeria to two World Cups, in 2002 and 2010, was to have replaced Sunday Oliseh, who quit as the country’s coach in February, but he declined on health grounds.

 

The top coach was recently appointed Nigeria technical director.

Senior football officials told AFP Amodu was hypertensive and had been on medication.

Keshi assisted Amodu when Nigeria qualified for the 2002 World Cup.

Amodu rose to prominence when he guided BCC Lions of Gboko to win the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1991.

He was subsequently rewarded with leading the Super Eagles in 1994.

He would take up this post at least three other times during which time he qualified the country to two World Cups.

But on both occasions he was not the man in charge at the final tournaments.

Breaking News: Amodu Shuaibu is dead

Coach Amodu Shuaibu, four-time manager of the Nigerian Super Eagles and Technical Director of the NFF is dead.

 

Amodu died in Benin three days after the death of former Super Eagles Captain and Coach, Stephen Keshi, who also died in Benin.

Reports have it that Shuaibu Amodu complained of chest pains on Friday night and died in his sleep.

More details soon…