FEC APPROVES N68.6 BILLION FOR ROADS PROJECTS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/04/fec-approves-n686-billion-for-roads.html

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday approved the sum of N68.6 billion for roads construction in the country.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, told State House Correspondents, following the six hours of meeting, that the N64.108 billion was approved for additional work on 43 kilometers part of Section one of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The new approval will accommodate the changing factors occurring on the project and also to modify the bitumen for the road in order to withstand the heavy vehicles passing the road.
Fashola also disclosed that N4.57 billion was approved for Sumaila-Bauchi road that links Kano State.
The Minister of State for Agriculture, Heneiken Lokpobiri, said that the council approved new 10 rice mills in the country at a cost of N10.7 billion.
The 10 states the mills will be located, he said, included Kebbi, Zamfara, Benue, Kogi, Bayelsa, Anambra, Kaduna, Ogun.
The private sector will manage the 10 mills.
He said each of the mills will have the capacity to produce 100 tonnes of rice per day.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed that N10 billion was approved to fight erosion in the country.
He also said that $460 million was approved to facilitate usage of new buildings located at airports.

MONEY LAUNDERING ACT: CBN MOVES AGAINST NON-COMPLIANT BANKS, OTHERS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/04/money-laundering-act-cbn-moves-against.html

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has rolled out sanctions for banks and other financial institutions (OFI) that do not comply with the new Anti Money Laundering and Combating Financial Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act. The apex bank’s move follows the recommendation of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) that Nigeria step up its enforcement of the new law. Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, CBN, in a circular issued and signed by its director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Kevin Amugo, said the new sanctions which had been gazetted since February 2018, would take immediate effect. “Pursuant to the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force recommendation 35 on effective proportionate and dissuasive sanctions at the 2007 Mutual Evaluation recommendation that Nigeria’s AML/CFT sanctions regime be reviewed and made to be proportionate and dissuasive, the CBN, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, has developed a robust administrative sanctions regime. “Banks and other financial institutions are by this circular informed of the attached CBN AML/CFT administrative sanctions regime, the application of which comes into effect as at the date of the gazette,” the circular read. According to the new administrative sanctions, deposit money banks (DMBs) who fail to establish written AML/CFT policies and procedures will be slammed a N20 million fine while microfinance banks (MFBs), finance companies (FCs), bureaux de change (BDCs), state primary mortgage banks(PMBs) and national PMBs will be fined N300,000, N500,000, N1 million and N5 million respectively. “Deposit money banks which fail to put in place guidelines for risk assessment and profiling of customers in the institutions will be slammed a fine of N3 million, the chief risk officer will be slammed with a fine of N1 million – they will be charged N100,000 per account; while managing directors or heads of risk management units of MFB, FC/BDC/state MFB, PMB/national MFB and other financial institutions will be fined a minimum of N100,000, N300,000, N500,000 and N1 million.” The circular also stated that each member of the board of a DMB with non-existent policy on prohibition of numbered or anonymous accounts and accounts in fictitious names will be penalised with a fine N1 million, the DMB will be fined N15 million while the board members of financial institutions, such as MFB, FC/BDC/state MFB, PMB/national MFB, will be slammed with a fine of N100,000, N300,000 and N500,000 each. The financial institutions will be fined a minimum of N300,000, N500,000, N1 million and N3 million. “Failure of the board and management to consider and document ML/TF risks as part of the approval process for the expansion of business (including introduction of new products and services) will attract a penalty of N15 million on the DMB and financial institutions such as MFB, BDC/FC/state MFB, state PMB/national MFB, national MFB will be fined N100,000, N200,000, N300,000 and N500,000 respectively.” He further stated that failure by DMBs to appoint an AML/CFT compliance officer in each office branch/subsidiary or cluster area will attract a penalty of N500,000 on each member of the board and N10 million for DMB, each member of the board of national MFB and national PMB will be fined N300,000 and N500,000 respectively, while OFIs such as national MFB and PMB will be charged N2 million and N5 million respectively. He warned banks and financial institutions to comply with the rules to avoid them being penalised.

APC SOUTH-SOUTH CAUCUS ENDORSES EX-GOVERNOR OSHIOMHOLE FO NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/04/apc-south-south-caucus-endorses-ex.html

The South-South caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday endorsed the immediate past Governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole, for the position of national chairman of the party.
The decision was reached at a meeting of the caucus held in Benin City, the Edo State capital, and was attended by the zonal leaders of the party, led by the Vice Chairman (South-South), Ntufam Hilliard Eta.
Others present at the meeting include Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, Chief Timipreye Silva, Senator Magnus Abbe, Alims Agoda, Hon. Eseme Eyibo, former Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Chief Sam Enwang, Chief Mrs Miriam Alli, Senator Francis Alimekhena, Frank Ajobena, Chief Great Ogboru, Victor Ochei, Cairo Ojougboh, Senator Domingo Obende, Speaker Kabiru Adjoto, Comrade Frank Kokori and members of the APC caucus from the South South in the National Assembly.
The incumbent national chairman of the party, Chief Oyegun and the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, however boycotted the meeting.
There was tension at the venue of the meeting when some supporters of Rotimi Amaechi, said they were not at the meeting for the adoption of any candidate, but were shouted down by majority of the leaders from the zone.
One of the delegates however nominated Oyegun, but Oshiomhole’s nomination won the day with voice vote.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the Zonal Vice Chairman of the party, Ntufam Hilliard Eta, expressed satisfaction with the outcome noting that the voice of the majority prevailed.
According to him: “You are all aware of the happenings in the party and luckily, one of the decisions taken by NEC was that the positions of the party should be retained in the various jurisdictions that are occupying those positions as at now. And you are aware that the South-South is occupying the number one position of the party in Nigeria.
“It is important that we proceed from the premise of that meeting and begin to discuss and interact on the best ways that we can use those resolutions reached at NEC to impact positively on the South-South zone of the party, given that the zone is unarguably the fastest growing zone of the party. We also took into consideration the need to put our best forward.
“It was on the basis of these reasons that we decided to meet today as the South South zone of the party. And in considering the retention of positions as regards the status quo, Edo state chapter of the party, led by its chairman, availed us with the information that the party in Edo has come to the conclusion that a candidate in the person of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole be presented to carry on the flag of the party.
“That decision was unanimous, which means every member of the state caucus accepted that this must be the position of Edo state.
“Having considered the position of Edo state, it was put to vote and majority of the members of the zonal executive committee decided that Edo state position must be affirmed by the zonal executive committee. We had some dissenting views which is normal in democracy. Majority will always have its way and minority its say.
“In the course of the deliberation, somebody had also presented the candidature of Chief Oyegun, but through voice vote of the zonal executive committee, that vote was defeated. The position of Oshiomhole prevailed and that stands as the position of the zonal executive ommittee of the party.
“Oyegun was invited for the meeting but maybe he took excuse, which is normal. This is not the first time we are doing it in the zone. In 2014, a few days to the national convention, we also had a meeting of the zone where the position of Edo was canvassed, they came to that meeting to tell us that they wanted Chief Oyegun against Chief Tom Ikimi and we followed them.
“That time, some people kicked against Oyegun, but the majority prevailed and today, the majority have said that Oshiomhole is our choice for the national chairmanship position,” he stated.

NDE-YESSO GRADUATES FIRST BATCH OF 2, 325 BENEFICIARIES
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/04/nde-yesso-graduates-first-batch-of-2.html


A total of 2,325 women and youth have graduated from the skills for job training of youth employment and social support operation anchored by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, According to a statement signed by officer, NDE-Skills for Job, Lawan Musa, this followed the successful completion of the various levels of the training by the S4J beneficiaries which comprises of life skills, sector specific skills, and entrepreneurship skills training and also placement of trainees for six months internship with private sector operators. He stated that the skills for job training, which came with a paradigm shift in the delivery of skills training has exposed trainees to: Core life skills competencies, enhanced trainees’ psycho-social behaviors and norms to assist in their future engagement. According to him, the beneficiaries have also obtained good knowledge of demand driven skills that concretely prepared them for job in either public or private establishments, entrepreneurship skills Training which has upgraded the capacity of S4J beneficiaries to effectively and efficiently manage their enterprises. He explained that in line with the federal government’s commitment towards poverty reduction and employability drive, trainees were provided with meal during orientation, and other three levels of training. The sum of N149,379,,328 million was disbursed to Payment Service Providers to pay 2,325 beneficiaries as monthly stipend at the maximum rate of N7, 500.00 while another sum of N7, 903, 000.00 was paid for NABTEB as registration and handling charges which enabled skills for Job graduates sat for Trade modular certification examination organized by NABTEB. The skills for job training constitutes one of the World Bank’s assistance to increase access of the poor and vulnerable to youth employment opportunities in the participating states of Bauchi, Cross river, Ekiti, Kogi, Kwara, Niger and oyo. The statement further said that in a bid to encourage inclusive growth and development, 66 skills for job beneficiaries in Ekiti state were provided starter-pack items to establish their micro-businesses.

U.S. TO DELIVER 12 WAR JETS TO NIGERIA
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/04/us-to-deliver-12-war-jets-to-nigeria.html


The United States will in 2020 deliver the 12 Super Tucano fighter jets and other weapons it agreed to sell to Nigeria to combat Boko Haram insurgents and other extremist groups.

A senior U.S. Department of State official stated this yesterday during a background briefing at the U.S. Consul General’s Residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.


The official, who confirmed that the Nigerian government had paid for the war planes, said sale of the aircraft with weapons and services worth over 400 million dollars included bombs and rockets.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the propeller-driven plane with reconnaissance, surveillance and attack capabilities is made by Brazil’s Embraer.

Embraer’s second production line is in Florida in a partnership between Embraer and privately held Sierra Nevada Corp of Sparks, Nevada.

The Super Tucano is said to cost more than 10 million dollars each and the price could go much higher depending on the configuration. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT 6 engine.

On the planned visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to the White House on April 30, the official said the Nigerian leader would be the first African president to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.

“We are excited about the planned visit by President Buhari as the first African leader to be engaged by President Donald Trump at the White House.

“The most important is that it is in Washington. It will be a very high level meeting; it will help the U.S. to also understand Nigeria’s projection.”


“There will be independent conversation on security, governance, the Lake Chad Basin and Nigeria’s role as a democratic leader in the region,’’ the U.S. government official said.


Commenting on Nigeria’s 2019 general elections, the official said: “U.S. will remain non-partisan as it had the commitment to continue to support Nigeria’s elections.

“Will continue to help Nigeria’s security agencies to build capacity, not only in Nigeria but other countries in Africa,’’ the senior U.S Department of State official said.

LAGOS HONOURS GANI FAWEHINMI, UNVEILS NEW 44-FT STATUE IN OJOTA
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/04/lagos-honours-gani-fawehinmi-unveils.html

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode unveiled a new statue of the late legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi at the ‘Liberty Park’, in Ojota, Lagos Mainland, today, Sunday, April 22, 2018, saying that the 44-feet edifice symbolises the phenomenon that the rights activist represented in his lifetime.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, According to Ambode, the unveiling of the statue, in commemoration of the 80th posthumous birthday of the late icon was an affirmation of his administration’s commitment to celebrate personalities whose action have helped to define the fortune and spirit of Lagos State positively over the years.
Eulogizing the relevance of the personal sacrifices made by Chief Gani Fawehinmi in leading the struggle for attainment of human rights and dignity especially during the military regimes which dehumanized many Nigerians, Governor Ambode said the late human rights activist would continue to remain a hero and role model for many till date.
“We celebrate the invaluable contribution and personal sacrifices of Chief Gani Fawehinmi in the campaign for human rights and dignity, especially in Lagos State where he spent the greater part of his life.

“Chief Gani Fawehinmi loomed large in the minds of the people, especially the underprivileged and vulnerable masses for whom he was ready to lay down his life. In the hallowed corridors of the Law Courts where he fought many battles, he was revered as a titan. Also his acts of philanthropy were borderless. He remains a hero and role model to many till date,” Ambode said.
The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, also seized the occasion to reiterate the commitment of his administration towards advancing human rights and upholding of social justice at all time, adding that his administration would continue to draw inspiration from Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s struggles and ideals in its quest to make life meaningful for Lagosians.
“Although Chief Gani Fawehinmi is no longer in our midst; like all great men, he lives on in our hearts and memories. We will continue to keep his ideals alive and pass it on to the next generation. He will continue to inspire us as we forge ahead with the missing of building a better society. This monument stands as a testimony of his strength and courage,” she said.

THE DEADLY CULT GANGS TERRORIZING LAGOS MAINLAND AND THEIR TERRITORIES
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/04/the-deadly-cult-gangs-terrorizing-lagos.html

Over the years, Lagos Mainland residents have witnessed the threats posed by various gangs who have dominated territories across communities and as well-formed a stronghold of forces where they strike fear into the minds of residents in their immediate surroundings.
Residents have suffered mixed fates in the hands of these gangs as they often times wreak havoc to communities where people lose their lives and hard-earned properties during their attacks.
Some of these gangs had spread their tentacles even to the riverine communities and places where residents barely knew they ever existed where they carefully plan their attacks on their targets.
While the gallant security operatives continue to devise means to battle the gangs and ensure peace in these communities, the gangs have found ways to create new mode of operations as the security officers unravel one. This has continued for ages with some of the gangs and their leaders getting arrested and prosecuted in line with the provisions of the laws.
To ensure Mainland residents are more conscious of their surroundings as well as protect themselves against these gangs who sometimes operate in a reckless manner during their attacks, the Eyes Of Lagos team with the support of top Police sources have investigated and discovered the deadly gangs on the Lagos Mainland and their territories they have massive control over.
During the investigations which took months to complete, the team discovered the various cult gangs, militant groups including the street urchins that operates in the nooks and crannies of Lagos Mainland communities. The gangs were however mapped and classified into groups based on their areas (local government areas) of dominance to aid easy understanding by Mainlanders.
Ikorodu – Badoo, Militants, Eiye, Aiye and Buccaneers
In Ikorodu community, residents of the area had witnessed barbaric crimes perpetrated by faceless gangs such as Badoo assailants who have murdered more 250 persons since they began to strike in Ikorodu and environs. The gang members are fond of attacking their targets with pestles or grinding stones and allegedly use their blood for ritual purposes.
In addition, cult confraternities such as Eiye, Aiye and Buccaneers also operate in the area not forgetting the militant group who once threatened the existence of members of the community.
Somolu – Eiye cult group, NURTW boys
Residents of Somolu community have had to tolerate the excesses of Eiye cult group who are the leading perpetrator of the attacks in the community. Sometimes in 2017, the operatives of the Lagos State Police Command arrested a leading cult member identified popularly as Small JPron for most of the deadly attacks in the axis.
Also, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) also are part of the gangs who terrorize residents of the area.
Kosofe – NURTW, cult groups – Eiye and Aiye gangs
Like Somolu community, members of the NURTW also dominate the groups carrying u dadly attacks in areas such as Ketu, Owode, Mile 1 and other parts of Kosofe. Meanwhile, majority of the cult gangs in Lagos Mainland including the Eiye and Aiye gangs are also found in this part of the Mainland.
Agege – Awawa boys, Akerele boys, Eiye cult
In Agege, the worry of residents in the area is that of the teenage cult group comprising kids who are young enough and bubbling with lots of energy who attack with reckless abandon. This group, usually identified by their tattoos attack in numbers and they steal gadgets, monies and other valuables from their victims. They often times operate with broken bottles, knives and axes.
Moreso, there is a neighbourhood in Agege community dominated by a group identified as Akerele Boys. InsideMainland learnt from sources that the area is dreaded by the Police and residents as some of the deadliest of crimes are carried out in that part of the Mainland.
Furthermore, the Eiye cult gang also holds influence in a part of Agege where they dominate and carry out their attacks on their targets.
Oshodi – NURTW factional gangs – MC Oluomo/Agbede, Awawa Boys
Aside the Kosofe end of Lagos Mainland, Oshodi is the part of the state where the fearless NURTW gang operates. This is connected to the number of leading NURTW members who base is in this part of the state.
In the last few years, this part of the state had witnessed clashes of factions in the NURTW which often lead to a bloodshed and loss of lives. Fresh in the memories of residents was the death of a lading NURTW member popularly known as Hamburger who was shot dead in his neighbourhood in Oshodi ahead of the last council polls in Lagos.
Similarly, the Awawa group also operates in Oshodi due to the influx of people in the area and how well it connects with other communities on the Lagos Mainland.
Ajeromi – Ifelodun – 1 million boys, Eiye group and Buccaneers
For residents in Ajeromi, they are faced with the attacks perpetrated by the group known as 1 million boys. These sets of boys usually rush into a marketplace or gathering of people where they rob their unsuspecting victims before disappearing from the area.
The community also has rival gangs such as Eiye and Buccaneers who dominate various sections in the area.
Amuwo – Odofin – Eiye and Aiye groups and Militants
In Amuwo – Odofin, residents are familiar with the crises caused by gang members belonging to Eiye and Aiye groups while the militants also hold sway in the riverine areas in the area.
The continuous attacks by the deadly gangs have sometimes led to the loss of lives and properties while some members of these gangs take opportunity of the clashes to rob unsuspecting victims of their valuables.
Lagos Mainland – Kogbagidi boys, Fagbayimu gang, Otto Boys
While other parts of the Mainland have the presence of cult gangs, Eyes Of Lagos investigations revealed that the deadliest attacks ever witnessed in the Lagos Mainland local government area were carried out by gang members belonging to either the Kogbagidi Boys, Fagbayimu gang, or Otto Boys.
Police sources told Eyes Of Lagos that various suspects arrested for different crimes have confessed to being part of these groups who have a stronghold on the Lagos Mainland community.
Mushin – Alamutu boys, Union Boys, Eiye and Aiye
The mention of Mushin alone strikes fear into even the bravest minds on the Lagos Mainland as a result of the heinous crimes perpetrated by some sects in the community.
Eyes Of Lagos investigations revealed that there is a part of Mushin community known as ‘Empire’ which is mostly dominated by youths who are involved in drugs, alcoholism and other forms of crimes.
While the Alamutu Boys dominate the area in terms of control and authority, cult gangs such as Eiye and Aiye group also control some parts of the neighbourhood where some of the deadly attacks on the Lagos Mainland are carried out.
Alimosho – Eiye, Aiye and Buccaneers
The Alimosho end of the Lagos Mainland is majorly controlled by the Eiye, Aiye and Buccaneers confraternities who have carved out parts of the community where they have their base.
The community at intervals witness attacks by these groups who publicly show supremacy by ‘dropping’ their ‘targets’ to strike fear into the minds of their rival group and members of the community.
Ojo – Highway robbers, Aiye, and Eiye cult
In Ojo community, apart from the Aiye and Eiye cult group who dominate the area due to the presence of leading institutions such as the Lagos State University, LASU, Police sources told InsideMainland that highway robbers also terrorize residents and many others who ply the route to access their various destinations.
Surulere – Eiye Aiye and Buccaneers
Although street urchins, Union workers and other petty robbers also have presence in this part of the state, investigations showed that the deadliest of attacks are carried out by the cult gangs – Eye Aiye and Buccaneers.
Some of the attacks and tussles caused by these groups also spill over to other parts of the Mainland due to the location as closeness to areas where the culprits usually hide from the preying eyes of the security operatives.
Badagry – Shaku shaku boys, Buccaneers and Eiye cult
According to Police sources, members of Badagry community have consistently expressed fear on the emergence of a group known popularly as ‘Shaku Shaku’ boys. “This group consists young boys who maim and steal from their suspects while inflicting injuries on those who dare to struggle with them,” a Police source said.
The community also has the presence of Buccaneers and Eiye cult who control territories where people shiver mostly when they carry out their attacks.
Ikeja – Awawa boys, Eiye cult group
Although the capital of the State and a leading business hub on the Mainland, Ikeja is no free from the attacks and crimes perpetrated by these gangs. The leading gangs in Ikeja are the teenage Awawa Boys and the Eiye cult group investigations revealed.
Ifako – Ijaiye – Awawa boys, Eye cult group and Aye cult
Like Ikeja, Agege, and Oshodi, the Awawa Boys group, Eiye and Aiye confraternities also have presence and authority in Ifako – Ijaiye.
Apapa – 1 million boys, Eiye and Aiye cult groups
For residents of Apapa community, the gangs that wreak havoc and give them sleepless nights are the 1 million boys, Eiye and Aiye cult groups. These gangs have continued to dominate the community with majority of the deadly clashes often as a result of power tussle or battle for supremacy to drive fear into the rival groups.

UNION, KENYA AIRWAYS BICKER OVER SACK OF 22 NIGERIANS
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/04/union-kenya-airways-bicker-over-sack-of.html

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) says it is set for industrial action with the management of Kenya Airways over the recent sack of no fewer than 22 Nigerians. Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, Mr Olayinka Abioye, the General Secretary of NUATE, told the newsmen on Monday in Lagos that the union was unimpressed with the shabby treatment meted to Nigerian employees by the airline. “The union has already reported the issue to several top agencies of government. We are consulting with the staff now before we plan our next line of industrial action. “Definitely, there will be action, the consequences of which we did not know at the moment. “We are going to make sure that we ground the operations of the airline in Nigeria, if the management fails to do the needful,’’ Abioye said. He alleged that the airline violated the extant labour laws by declaring the affected workers redundant and refused to pay them their entitlements. According to him, the union has been communicating in writing with the management of the airline before they took the unilateral decision to disengage the workers. “Management does not have the right to unilaterally negotiate the severance package of workers without inputs from the union; that is not how it works and I am sure they cannot do that in Kenya. “So, there is certainly going to be an action unless they officially write us and call us back to the table to begin to renegotiate,” he added. However, the airline, had in a letter dated April 11 addressed to NUATE, accused the union of being unwilling to engage the management in negotiations on behalf of the affected workers. The letter, which was signed by Kenya Airways acting Chief Human Resources Officer, Mrs Bridgette Imbuga, claimed that the airline had to use its best endeavours to negotiate terms for the workers. Imbuga noted that the employees affected by the redundancy were those performing sales and commercial roles which had now been contracted to a General Sales Agent (GSA). She said that the airline had complied with the provisions of Sections 20 (1) (a) and (b) of the Labour Act, Cap 198, Laws of Nigeria, in declaring the affected workers redundant. Imbuga said that subsequently, the airline would proceed with the payment of their one month salary in lieu of notice and severance allowance at the rate of 23 days’ basic salary for every completed year of service. According to her, among other entitlements, the workers will also receive payment for unutilised leave days accrued as at the date of redundancy.

2019: AREWA YOUTHS VOW MOBILIZE SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT BUHARI’S RE-ELECTION
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/04/2019-arewa-youths-vow-mobilize-support.html

The Arewa Youth Assembly, on Monday, declared that it will “widely” mobilize support for the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari, ahead of 2019.
Leadership of the group said it will ensure that Buhari’s second term “comes with people of integrity as our representatives at all levels.”
In a statement jointly signed by Speaker and Clerk of the Assembly, Mohammed Salihu and Desmond Minakaro, the group also cautioned the National Assembly against victimising and disbanding the Pro-Buhari Senators with a view to allegedly “promoting corrupt and unethical practices which the President stood against.”
The youths said the recent suspension of Senator Ovie Omo Agege from the Senate and the refusal to take same appropriate action on Senators Dino Malaye, Shehu Sani, as well as Isah Misau for publicly “insulting the number one citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his office, was no doubt a betrayal of the collective trust.”
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, According to the youths, such act of punishing some lawmakers and refusing to punish others was “totally undemocratic, unprofessional and selfish, which must be resisted at all means by patriotic Nigerians.”
The statement reads, “Our National Assembly should be seen to be representing our interest and not politicizing and blacklisting well-thought initiatives for selfish gains.
“We will mobilize widely for the great change that will ensure that the President Buhari second term which we are working towards, comes with people of integrity as our representatives at all levels. Never again should we fold our arms and allow corruption fight back as presently seen in the Senate.
“The Leadership of Arewa Youth Assembly wish to draw the attention of well-meaning Nigerians to the ongoing plot by the Leadership of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly to disband the Pro Buhari Senators with a view to promoting corrupt and unethical practices which President Muhammadu Buhari has always stood against. While we respect the independence of every arm of Government, it is important that such privilege should not be abused. The interest of the Nigerian citizens should always be of paramount importance.
“The Arewa Youth Assembly which is an important integral part of the country controlling more than two third of the Nigerian Youth population and belongs to the highest office in the country, which is the office of the citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the power to decide who Governor represents their collective interest, has observed with keen interest the plan by the Senate President Bukola Saraki and others to discredit our able President Buhari.
“We demand the immediate suspension of Senator Abaribe for calling Mr President incompetent, which is an abuse on the office of the President and morally wrong of a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Under the very watch of the Senate President, our 8th National Assembly is turned into a Trade Union, where only a few individual interests are being promoted to the detriment of Nigerians.
“We, therefore, wish to call Senate President Saraki to order and urge him to redirect his actions towards the unity and progress of Nigeria or the Arewa Youth Assembly will mobilize to resist any further betrayal of its collective interest.” He declared.”

FEDERAL LAWMAKER, HON. FEMI GBAJA JOINS ‘LERE RESIDENTS TO FIGHT DISCOS ON ESTIMATED BILLINGS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/04/federal-lawmaker-hon-femi-gbaja-joins.html

Following the demand by Mainlanders including Surulere community residents’ demand for prepaid meters to put an end the ongoing estimated billing practice of power holding company, Ikeja Electric, Surulere Federal lawmaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has added his voice to the yearnings of his constituents.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, In a message shared via his official Twitter handle, @feigbaja, the lawmaker instructed his constituents who are currently given estimated bills by the disco company to forward all complaints to his office.
“Dear Constituents, kindly send your electricity tariff complaint alongside a copy of the estimated bill generated by your DISCO to houseleadergbaja@gmail.com,” Hon. Gbajbiamila said.
The development has however earned the lawmaker applause from his constituents who have continued to shower encomiums on him across social media platforms.
Recall that Hon. Gbajabiamila was recently endorsed by leading stakeholders in Surulere constituency to run for a fifth term in office representing Surulere Federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

NEW MINIMUM WAGE: LABOUR MOVES AGAINST DEFAULTING GOVS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/04/new-minimum-wage-labour-moves-against.html

e organised labour has proposed stiff penalties for state governors who are not willing to pay the current minimum wage of N18,000. This is contained in new memorandum submitted to the tripartite committee negotiating the new minimum wage of N65,000. While some states currently owe workers backlog of salaries and pension, Labour, in the memorandum obtained by our correspondent, recalled that the Justice Belgore-led tripartite committee which negotiated the current N18,000 minimum wage in 2011 had recommended a comprehensive review of the prescribed penalties for non-compliance to serve as effective deterrents. It said it is unfortunate that, in amending the Act in 2011, these recommendations were not taken on board. “It is our recommendation that these penalties be comprehensively reviewed upwards and the legal framework for their enforcement strengthened,” the memo stated. The organised labour had in a joint memorandum proposed a new package of N66,500 as new minimum wage, citing rising cost of living in the country as reason for the new package. Other issues being proposed for review include the number of employees an employer needs to employ before he can pay the minimum wage. The memorandum reads in part: “In the present Act as amended in 2011, minimum wage coverage is applicable to employers who employ at least 50 workers. This provision is problematic and allows undue exploitation of workers. “Best international practice is that the minimum wage law should apply to all workers. Our recommendation is, therefore that this limitation be expunged from the law. “

WHY I INTERVENED IN FETHI CRISIS – FAYOSE
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/03/why-i-intervened-in-fethi-crisis-fayose.html

Ekiti State Governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose, has said he intervened in the crisis that rocked the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti recently even though it is a federal institution because of the need to defend the interest of the people.


According to the governor, corporate interest must be placed above personal or even political consideration.

He stated this in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday when members of the board and the management team of the hospital paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House.

Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, In a press release by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor also reiterated the call that the Federal Government should include nominees of host state governments in the boards and councils of federal institutions, saying that would facilitate flow of information and cooperation.
“What is important is Nigeria and our people. Public interest is the ultimate and we must protect it. The Federal Government should find states important to include them on the boards and councils of federal institutions located in those states. Political differences must not stop us from doing the right things

“Political parties are mere vehicles to get to some destinations and even the vehicles can be changed as well as the driver. We need people who are gadfly, who will put those in authority on their toes for effective performance,” he said.

On the clamour for restructuring, Fayose noted that the process could start gradually and issues taken one after the other.

He opined that the results of restructuring would eventually come to bear on the polity and the coming generations.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the board, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, thanked the governor for his intervention and efforts at resolving the crisis that rocked the hospital some months ago.

The Chief Medical Director, Dr Kunle Ajayi, said the hospital was ready to contribute more to the development of the state.

MINISTER SUSPENDED FOR SLAPPING LAWMAKER DURING PLENARY
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/03/minister-suspended-for-slapping.html

Zambia’s parliament suspended a cabinet minister on Tuesday from its proceedings for one month for slapping a fellow lawmaker within parliament grounds.
Verbal abuse is common among members of parliament in Zambia but physical assault is rare.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, Speaker of the National Assembly, Patrick Matibini, said Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo was suspended for slapping outspoken lawmaker Chishimba Kambwili in October 2017.
Kambwili has repeatedly accused government officials of corruption since his dismissal as information and broadcasting minister in November 2016 but the state denies the allegations.
Kambwili complained after the incident that Lusambo had slapped him twice after accusing Kambwili of making false accusations against the government.
Matibini said Lusambo was banned from entering parliament grounds and using its facilities during the period of suspension and would not be entitled to any allowances.

TWO CRITICALLY INJURED IN GHASTLY AUTO CRASH IN SURULERE
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/03/two-critically-injured-in-ghastly-auto.html

According to Information gathered by Eyes Of Lagos that a ghastly auto crash which occurred along Bode Thomas in Surulere, Lagos Mainland few hours ago has left two persons critically injure
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that during the accident, a woman who was driving the car alongside her daughter were seriously injured after the car tyre went off suddenly.
The situation led to a crash which claimed the front bumper of the car due to the impact of the collision.
While InsideMainland cannot independently verify the cause of the tyre going off on speed, it was gathered that victims of the accident have been rushed to a nearby hospital for immediate care.
Residents added that emergency response team of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) are expected at the scene to remove the affected vehicle off the road.

SHOCKING: WOMAN INJURES MAID WITH HOT IRON IN IKEJA
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/03/in-agege-council-boss-goes-after.html

The Lagos State Police Command on Friday, March 9, 2018, arrested a mother of four, Nkeiruka Ngwu, who resides at 47 Ogundana Street, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos Mainland, for brutalizing her 10- year -old househelp, Chioma Samuel, whom she brought to Lagos from Umuoju, Ngwu, Abia State sometime in January 2018 after the death of the girl’s father.
Rather than keeping the promise of good life she made to the girl, Ngwu made life a living hell for her. She was mentally and physically abused with many injury marks to show for it, the Police said.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, According to the Command, her latest tale of woes was recorded on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, when the suspect allegedly used a well heated clothes iron to cause grievous injury on the victim’s hands and legs. She also poured hot water on her, which scalded her skin.
She met her Waterloo on Thursday, March 8, 2018, when she took her children to school. Unfortunately for her, the prying eyes of other mothers caught the wounds on the upper and lower limbs of the victim who accompanied the suspect to the school.
After questioning the girl, they waited for her Madam who had gone to drop her kids in their different classrooms. When she finished and was about to drive off, she was confronted by these women who nearly mobbed her.
The women told the suspect to take the girl to a hospital or else they would petition the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, but in spite of their warnings, Ngwu stubbornly went to the school on Friday, March 9, 2018, accompanied by the child victim whose wounds were manifestly untreated.
On seeing that their warnings were taken for granted, the women called the attention of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State to the matter.
She was subsequently arrested by the Command and will be charged to court tomorrow, Monday, March 12, 2018

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTS N16BN SUKUK BOND ON SOUTH EAST ROADS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/federal-government-invests-n16bn-sukuk.html

The federal government has invested N16.6 billion of the N100 billion Sukuk Bond for the rehabilitation of some roads in the South East geopolitical zone. In October 2017, the federal government had released the proceeds of the N100 billion Sukuk bond to 25 key economic road projects across the country. Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, The director of Highways, South East, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Adetokunbo Sogbesan, made the disclosure in Enugu yesterday during a media tour of ongoing federal projects in the zone. Sogbesan said the investment is aimed at improving road infrastructure in the zone, adding that four different road sections were covered by the fund. He listed the sections to include the Enugu – Onitsha expressway, Enugu – Lokpanta, Lokpanta – Abia Tower and Abia Tower – Aba section of the Enugu – Port Harcourt expressway. At the 9th Mile – Enugu section of the Enugu – Onitsha Expressway, Sogbesan expressed satisfaction on the job done so far by the contractors, Reynolds Construction Company Ltd (RCC). He said the project, which covered a distance of 58km, is from Amansea in Anambra to Enugu. “Forty kilometres of the road is in Anambra while 18km is in Enugu section of the road. The contractors have achieved about 35 per cent completion of the project,” he said. He said that with the quality of job being done by the contractors, the road would make its expected lifespan of between 20 years and 30 years. Sogbesan, however, expressed concern over the heavy traffic flow on the road. He said, “I pray we get more funding so as to deliver this project at the right time. This project will improve transportation infrastructure. The micro-economy impact of this road will go a long way to help Nigerians”. Also, the federal controller of Works, Enugu, Mr Oluropo Oyetade, said that monitoring of the project had been encouraging since the contractors reported to site. Oyetade said that the contract with a completion period of 36 months was awarded in 2014 but was not funded till 2017, just as he noted that the job is expected to be delivered by December 2019. In a related development, the federal government has said it will use Infrastructure Bond Investment from financial institutions and investors to expedite execution of road and housing projects across the country. According to a statement from the information unit of the Works department, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this while receiving institutional investors, including HSBC, China group 3 and 4 led by the managing director of Stanbic IBTC, Dr. Damola Sogunle, in his office yesterday. Fashola explained that to finance road/bridge projects through Tax Relief and Islamic banking “Sukuk” cannot be enough to provide infrastructure development in Nigeria. He added that Infrastructure Bond Instrument will complement government efforts at providing the needed critical infrastructure to end users. The Minister however expressed the need for a reset in the housing sector in the country, emphasising that the “financial establishment must stand as the vanguard of the reset” by borrowing a leaf from countries that have successfully utilised similar investment practice, such as United Kingdom. Fashola disclosed that the Pilot Home for the National Housing Programme of the present administration has taken off in 33 states of the federation. This, he said, is made up of one to three bedrooms model, which are expected to be valued accordingly, considering the standard and infrastructure. The minister further disclosed that the federal government, currently holding 40% equity in the power sector, is of the opinion that privatisation is logical, arguing that it has been successful in the media, banking, aviation sectors amongst others. According to him, the Ministry will optimise on existing capacity even as government has approved distribution extension programme in power.

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HERE’S WHY NIGERIAN FOOTBALL STARS STORMED GBAGADA COMMUNITY TODAY
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/heres-why-nigerian-football-stars.html

The Gbagada end of Lagos Mainland became a mecca or sort earlier today, Tuesday, February 27, 2018, after retired top football stars stormed the community for the official opening of the newly upgraded Araromi Youth Development Centre, Gbagada, Lagos Mainland.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, Prior to the launch of the Youths Centre, a government delegation led by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule visited the location alongside other dignitaries.
Dr. Adebule, flanked by government functionaries and other leading personalities subsequently commissioned the centre declaring it open for use for residents of the community.
The commissioning was followed by a novelty match involving retired Super Eagles of Nigeria players against a Gbagada selected Legend team. The match featured players such as Emmanuel Babayaro, Peter Rufai, Ifeanyi Udeze, Victor Ezeji, Victor Agali, Julius Aghahowa and many others.
The match ended 3 – 2 in favour of ex Super Eagles players with goals from Julius Aghahowa and Victor Agali winning the tie for the international stars.
Recall that construction works began on the youths centre in 2017 before it was duly completed earlier in the year.
See some photos from the commissioning below.

SENATOR MELAYE: APC HAS FAILED NIGERIANS

source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/senator-melaye-apc-has-failed-nigerians.html


The lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye, has taken a swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for failing to meet the expectations of Nigerians, many of whom he said, defied the odds to vote for Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s President in the 2015 general elections.
According to Eyes Of Lagos reports, Melaye who spoke after he was conferred with the Legislator of the Year 2017 at the Daily Asset Newspaper maiden annual awards and lecture in Abuja, also charged Nigerians to conquer fear by rising up to ask critical questions on governance and service delivery.
Prefacing his remarks with his usual coinage; “If you speak the truth, you die. If you lie, you die. I, Dino Melaye has decided to speak the truth and die,” the fiery Senator wowed the audience with his vitriolic against his own party, which he likened to the Public Complaint Commission, apparently due to its penchants for blaming past administrations for its inability to deliver on some of its electioneering campaign promises.
“The APC government has become Public Complaint Commission. I say this without fear or favour. We have more complains in the APC and even in the Presidency than service rendered. We cannot as a people continue like this.
“The President said two days ago we should all embrace peace but I want to say without fear or favour that there can be no peace without justice. There is hunger in the land, there is poverty in the land, and there is unemployment in the land. A lot of decision has not been taken; yet we say we want peace. The primary objective of government is the security and welfare of the people. There is no security, there is no welfare,” he said.
According to the federal lawmaker, “Nigeria is not only sick presently but equally suffers from regretful congenital abnormality. There is therefore a serious need for amelioration, palliation and correction. The question is: are you going to be part of that correction? I want to say that in an unjust society, silence is a crime, and every one of us here today, is the reason why (sic) Nigeria is sick.
“It is not about the leadership, it is the inability of the followership to check the leadership. Today Nigerians have become indolent, we are suffering and smiling. We are not reactionary. We are not asking questions and that is why we are where we are.
“Democracy will continue to be government of the people by the people for the people but what we have today is greedocracy which is government of the greedy by the greedy and for the greedy, “he added.
While decrying the squalid social conditions in which the people live in, Melaye warned those in positions of authority not to forget that their failure to make the most of their offices in the interest of the people could turn out to hurt them, arguing that not even the rich would be immune from the disaster that looms in the horizon.
“2019 is around the corner again. Many of us are lackadaisical about the future. I delivered a lecture recently at the University of Lagos and some students from very wealthy homes, two of them said they didn’t care who the president of the country is and that it was none of their business because their parents were very successful. I said to them that when the poor have nothing to eat, they will start eating the rich.
“A time will come when it will be difficult to drive your expensive jeeps and cars on the streets. A time will come when it would be difficult to switch on your generator because everywhere around you is dark. Will you be the only one having light? There was no kidnapping before, and kidnapping is seen as the redistribution of both ill-gotten and legitimate wealth. People now take from the rich and they now appropriate to themselves,” he noted even as he urged the masses to be wary of the elites whom he accused of polarizing the rest of the populace.
“The elites have divided us using tribal sentiments. When you go to the hospital, there is a column for religion on your call card, a column for tribe and local government as if this will in any way facilitate your recovery. We have become too ethnic conscious. I sponsored a bill that is about to go for a second reading. The bill is saying that we should abolish state of origin and in its place; we should have state of residence. This is when we will have a true Nigeria when you will not need a Senator’s note to get job with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN or the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC,” he added.
On his part, former Kaduna State governor and Chairman of the defunct National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who bagged the Man of the Year 2017 award said the APC cannot provide the expected good leadership because the party is made up of strange political bedfellows.
While dedicating the prize to the entire PDP family, Makarfi promised Nigerians that the party will restore their hope and deliver on quality governance if given the opportunity again. In a private chat with Vanguard, an elated Makarfi said the award would spur him to do more for Nigeria and her people.
“The award will surely encourage me to do much more. As the chairman of the occasion, Babangida Aliyu mentioned, APC is conglomeration of incompatible political interest groups which Senator Melaye re-echoed. Therefore, they cannot provide good leadership,” he said.
Co-chairman of the occasion and former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, also slammed the APC, saying it was never prepared for governance. “Why is APC not doing very well? It is because it has not become a political party. It won election before becoming a political party. It is a combination of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and one-quarter of PDP,” said Aliyu who also lamented the lack of unity among leaders in the northern part of the country.
“Why is it that there is the problem of insecurity more in the North? Why is that we cannot speak with one voice?” he asked noting that while the government of President Buhari claimed to have defeated Boko Haram, herdsmen/farmers ‘clashes birthed leading to the death of many across the country.
Also honoured at the event were the trio of Aminu Tambuwal, Darius Ishaku and Mohammed Abubakar, the governors of Sokoto, Taraba and Bauchi States respectively as Governor of the Year 2017. Other awardees included Nnamdi Okonkwo, Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank PLC (Banker of the Year 2017); Luke Onofiok (Young Achiever of the Year 2017); Igho Charles Sanomi (Business Person of the Year 2017) and the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (University of the Year 2017).

WHY FOREIGN INVESTORS ARE IGNORING NIGERIA’S AGRIBUSINESS – MINISTER
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/why-foreign-investors-are-ignoring.html

The minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has explained that foreign investors, who are interested in doing business in Nigeria, have continued to have cold feet because of lack of data. Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, The minister gave the explanation during the 2017 Agricultural Performance Survey Public Presentation and Stakeholders Forum in Abuja yesterday.

Sen. Lokpobiri lamented that lack of database for agricultural sector has not only made the sector unattractive to both the foreign and local investors but also has continued to retard the growth of agribusiness in the country. He noted the urgent need for adequate data for the sector, advising that Nigerians should begin to signify ample interest in farming business in as much as in the next few decades; agriculture will supplant oil to become the mainstay of the country’s economy. “It is unfortunate that we don’t have data in Nigeria and even when we have, the data will not be publicised. This is a landmark exercise and for that, it is going to be an annual survey event. “We have over 84 million hectares of land ready for farming but foreign investors who are interested in Nigerian agribusiness are discouraged because of lack of data. “We want a situation where all the states of the nation are interested in agriculture to create jobs and wealth. “Part of the problem of data collection and research is funding. It is not enough to do a research; you have to commercialize your research results because the era of government doing everything is gone. “The young people are encouraged to go into farming. For that, farming has to be made sexy and attractive.”

The minister commended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for conducting the 2017 wet season agricultural performance survey, adding that from this year, there will be both dry and wet season survey. Speaking earlier, the vice-chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Ibrahim Garba assured that the institute would continue its utmost best to provide research and extension services in all the aspect of agriculture, adding that they shall also continue to serve the teeming population of farmers and other stakeholders with information, skills, technologies and other services to make the country achieve self-sufficiency in food production and improve the economic wellbeing of the citizens through agriculture. He said, “This institute has continued to collate, evaluate and disseminate agricultural technology and provide capacity building for stakeholders. This is in addition to core mandate and responsibility of research in agricultural extension methodologies and development of extension workers nationwide. “Today, we are to witness the presentation of 2017 APS by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri. This survey coming in 2017 is probably the 30th because it has been going on for the last 30 years but only this year, we have chosen to present it in public. But in the last 29 years of research, it has always been conducted and it has always been there in the Ahmadu Bello University. “Minister sir, we appreciate your ministry’s interest and continued support to agricultural research institute in Ahmadu Bello University, and I assure you and the nation at large that we shall continue our utmost best to provide a research and extension services in all the aspect of agriculture that we have a national mandate on. “We shall also continue to serve our teeming population of farmers and other stakeholders with information, skills, technologies and other services to make our country achieve self-sufficiency in food production and attainment of the economic wellbeing of our citizens through agriculture.”

NNPC, KOGI SIGN MOU TO PRODUCE 84M LITRES OF BIO-FUEL
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/nnpc-kogi-sign-mou-to-produce-84m.html

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Kogi State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a fuel-ethanol plant that will produce 84 million litres of bio-fuel annually. Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, The NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru said this in a statement issued by the corporation’s Spokesman Mr Ndu Ughamadu in Abuja on Tuesday. Baru said the project would also yield a cane mill and a raw and refined sugar plant of 126,000 tonnes annually. He said that the Bagasse co-generation plant would also generate 64 megawatts of power, stressing that the plant would include a carbon dioxide recovery and bottling plant with a capacity of 2,000 tonnes per year. “The sugarcane feedstock plantation would be on a 19,000 hectares and it would produce 63,000 tonnes of animal feeds per year,’’ Baru said. Baru said the execution of the MoU was a milestone considering the present administration’s determination to diversify the economy and meet growing energy demand. “NNPC is committed to implementing Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement aimed at combating global Climate Change. “This, President Muhammadu Buhari signed and deposited Nigeria’s `Instrument of Ratification’ to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in May 2017.” He said the project would mitigate the negative effect of climate change and earn Nigeria carbon credits and serve as an additional line of profitable business for NNPC, including food production and power generation. Baru envisaged that the proposed NNPC Bio-fuels project in Kaba/Bunu, Kogi State would be an integrated feedstock plantation and process plants complex. “It will be on a land mass of 20,000 hectares for sugarcane and or 15,000 hectares for cassava with potential for further expansion. “NNPC has carried out seven bankable feasibility studies which include three integrated sugarcane fuel ethanol projects in Benue, Kebbi and Gombe States. “Two integrated cassava fuel ethanol projects in Ondo and Anambra States and two integrated oil palm bio-diesel projects in Rivers and Cross River States,’’ Baru said. In his remarks, Gov. Yahaya Bello said the MoU was a milestone, adding that the project would take no fewer than two million indigenes out of the streets. He applauded the President and Baru for their doggedness to diversify the Nigerian economy, adding that the state was ready to provide all the needed support for the take-off of the project.

RICE FARMERS HAPPY OVER $1 BILLION APPROVAL TO BOOST AGRICULTURE
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/rice-farmers-happy-over-1-billion.html

The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) on Saturday lauded the Council of State for approving one billion dollars to boost agriculture and empower livestock farmers, including the Fulani herdsmen.
The council on Friday, endorsed the one billion dollars to increase agriculture funding from the current 200 million dollars.
The financial assistance to cattle farmers, the council said, was not designed to support the rich livestock producers but movement of the existing herdsmen causing problems and incessant clashes with farmers.
The fund will be disbursed through Anchor Borrower and Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme, CACS Programmes, to encourage diversification of the economy and promote food security.
National Treasurer of RIFAN, Alhaji Sadiq Daware, in an interview with the Eyes Of Lagos in Yola, the development was “good news to farmers who were now convinced of the present administration’s commitment to diversify the economy through agriculture”.
“We are happy with this development and want to assure government that we will continue to organize our members on how to maximize those opportunities being provided to boost agriculture,” Daware said.
The treasurer who was in Yola to inaugurate the distribution of farm inputs to dry season rice farmers under a special Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) pilot project known as RIFAN/CBN/BOA Model, thanked CBN for the confidence it has in RIFAN.
He urged beneficiaries of various all CBN supported loans to boost rice production to ensure prompt repayment of such loans for sustainability and more bigger opportunities.
Daware noted that the RIFAN/CBN/BOA Model was designed in such a way that only genuine farmers would benefit.
“Under this model, farmers would be provided with the needed inputs instead of cash based on the size of their respective farms.
“A serious farmer’s priority is inputs; through this cashless model we have weeded out political farmers who are after cash,” Daware said.
He also explained that under the model, small scale farmers are not expected to pay five per cent equity share, but only required to deposit N2,000 in their account.

DAPCHI GIRLS ABDUCTION: WE DIDN’T WITHDRAW BEFORE ATTACK, MILITARY FAULTS YOBE GOVERNMENT
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/dapchi-girls-abduction-we-didnt.html

The Defence Headquarters, on Saturday, denied that troops withdrew a few days before the abduction of schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State.

It explained that the troops were located just 30 kilometres from the school.



Eyes Of Lagos reports gathered that, The Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. John Agim, in a text message to one of our correspondents, said there was no truth in the allegation that the military withdrew a few hours to the attack.

Agim said, “There is no truth in the allegation because the military has been in a location that is about 30 kilometres to the school.”

Efforts to get the spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, Moshood Jimoh, did not succeed as he neither returned calls to his mobile nor responded to an SMS sent to him.

A national newspaper had reported on Saturday that the Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, said security men withdrew from Dapchi a few hours to the attack.

Gaidam stated this when the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, paid him a visit in Damaturu, the state capital.

The Boko Haram insurgents, who abducted the girls, were reported to have arrived at Dapchi at 7pm on Monday and left at 9pm.

APC: ASIWAJU TINUBU ON SALVAGE MISSION – BISI AKANDE
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/apc-asiwaju-tinubu-on-salvage-mission.html

The pioneer National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebisi Akande, has justified the reason why the former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accepted to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, Chief Akande, in a statement issued to justify the action of Tinubu, copy of which was made available to newsmen, noted that Tinubu accepted the role to salvage the party from destruction.
According to him, the mission was aimed to avoid “the journey to the undertakers, we are all agreed that prevention is often a wise counsel. More so for the APC, a party born out in necessity at a time Nigeria needed a lifeboat, a new lease of life.
“For the purpose it was birthed it succeeded in unseating an incumbent government. And for a higher purpose it is working hard to succeed at good governance.
“Nobody watches the child he birthed to die just like that. The responsibility to save the child comes suddenly upon the father. The APC cannot be allowed to wither away because of omissions and commissions.
“Times like this calls for sacrifice and service. Of note is the saying that a real man, a hero is known by where it stands in the time of adversity. Bola Tinubu, President Buhari and myself stand together in this effort to save APC from itself.
“Serving the nation has complex colours, which constantly dazzle distant onlookers. The job at hand is not about Buhari. It is not about position sharing. It is not about ethnic nationalism. It is about the strength and the beauty of one’s deeds at one time or the other. It is about our party – the APC – Buhari or no Buhari.
“Tinubu was a major participant in the emergence of APC! He must never be happy seeing it destroyed. Let APC be – no matter who may be lucky using it to gain power, make money, get famous – be such lucky ones born by Yoruba, Ibo or Hausa-Fulani.
“For as long as APC remains relevant, so long shall Bola Tinubu’s contributions to nation-building be magnified in Nigerian History.
“Guess. Those that are problematic or now crossing away from APC were not part of its initial making. They must have joined after wreaking their old parties and after the merger became recognised and approved by INEC with a view to merely using APC as a platform for positions.
“Let’s all join with Buhari and Bola Tinubu side by side to make APC stronger and more attractive for other generations to use as a vehicle for political emancipation.”

UBA CONTACTLESS CARDS HIT INDUSTRY HIGH OF 3MILLION
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/uba-contactless-cards-hit-industry-high.html

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has said it has issued over three million Near Field Communication (NFC) technology enabled contactless cards to its teeming customers bringing its total card issuance to over 13 million. Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, The bank in a statement issued yesterday said it has issued over 10 million debit and prepaid cards, serving both customers and non-bank customers in its countries of operation. UBA with operations in 19 African countries, said it had developed the NFC solution to ease transactions and to make life simpler for its customers in all parts of the world. “This has been done in response to the increasing need for digitally-driven processes as well as to develop products to meet up with the current fast-paced needs of consumers,” it said noting that the introduction of contactless payment cards which enable customers pay with ease by leveraging the NFC technology. The NFC technology allows wireless communication between devices that are a few centimeters apart. The NFC payment Card uses microchips/antenna to transmit data via shortwave radio frequencies. Usually, when one NFC-enabled device is close enough to another NFC device, a connection can be established and data shared between them. The card communicates data to the reader to initiate and complete the transaction using NFC technology. The bank said with the contactless card, users continue to experience limitless convenient payment services as the contactless payments are fast, easy and secure with the added advantage of the NFC technology which works by simply touching the card against the reader without slotting it into the terminal. Customers are also able to use the cards to pay on regular POS terminals. UBA’s Group Head, Cards, Dr. Yinka Adedeji, said, “we are delighted to reaching this milestone. Our customers have found out that with our contactless cards, they make payments for everyday essentials and other things that money can buy the contactless way, and these cards can be used across all the channels where you use your regular card – ATM, POS and Web.” He also explained that all UBA contactless cards use the Combined Data Authentication EMV Chip “which is currently the highest standard for chip technology used in payment cards to ensure that UBA contactless cards are absolutely safe.” These cards, which work anywhere in world, have over the years, made it easy for customers to have access to basic banking transactions quickly, safely, and conveniently without having to visit bank branches, via ATMs, POS and on the internet. UBA’s group managing director, Kennedy Uzoka, said the bank remains a leader in the e-banking innovation space, adding that UBA cards are protected with the best in class security tools. He said, “We have driven other initiatives such as the acceptance of international cards on our POS terminals and that UBA PoSs are now NFC enabled. Our POS terminals are also enabled for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), which means customers and non-customers using foreign payment cards on our POS can see their transaction value in the currency of their card or home country; this aids transaction tracking and personal account reconciliation.”

JAMB CLOSES 2018 UTME REGISTRATION
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/jamb-closes-2018-utme-registration.html

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has closed registration for the 2018 unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME).
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, Fabian Benjamin, spokesman of the board, announced this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The statement said candidates who paid and obtained pins but have not been able to register have 24 hours to complete their registration.
“The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) wishes to inform the general public that the sale of 2018 UTME application is closed,” he said.
“However, the public is urged to note that all candidates who paid and obtained pins and could not unsuccessfully register at the close of sale are allowed to quickly within 24 hours complete their registration as no complaints would be entertained afterwards.
“For purposes of emphasis, this applies to only candidates who had initiated registration processes and have paid and procured the registration epins but could not register at the close of sales.
“Take note that candidates are not to generate any profile code for the purpose of 2018 UTME registration as doing so would have no effect and a waste of time and resources.”
The statement said over 1.6 million candidates applied within the three months that registration was open.
“The board commenced the sale of the 2018 UTME registration on the 6th of December 2017 and was to close on the 6th of February, 2018 but extended to 11th of February, 2018,” it said.
“At the close of pin vending a total of 1,662,818 candidates paid and obtained the epins while 1,650,547 had successfully registered for the 2018 UTME. The difference are the numbers outstanding who have not registered but are holding the epins and are now allowed to register within 24 hours.”

MAN REMOVED FROM A WHOPPING 150 FT DEEP WELL IN IGANDO – PHOTOS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/man-removed-from-whopping-150-ft-deep.html

A resident of Igando community, Lagos Mainland was rescued from the jaws of death by the officials of the Lagos State Fire Service yesterday, Monday, February 12, 2018, after falling inside the well he was working in.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, According to the officials of the Lagos State Fire Service, the victim identified as Billiaminu Abdullahi was rescued from the well at about 2:00 pm after he fell inside the well.
The victim, a local artisan was engaged to dig the well and in the process, slipped and fell inside the well and got trapped.
Speaking on the incident, the Public Affairs Officer of the Fire Service, Bola Ajao, while confirming the rescue operations, stated that Officers of the Fire Service responded to the distress call at about 2:00 pm from the Ikotun Fire Service Station.
Ajao stressed that the agency promptly mobilized to the scene to rescue the victim who was already battling for his life inside the well.
He noted that the men were able to rescue the victim even as it was almost impossible, considering the depth of the well and the trapping of the victim by materials inside the well.

CBN SEEK LEGISLATIVE POWERS TO REVOKE BANK LICENCES
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/cbn-seek-legislative-powers-to-revoke.html



The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) yesterday urged the House of Representatives to amend the laws, so as to empowers it to revoke the licences of erring banks and power to be able to inject funds in a ailing bank.Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefelie, stated this yesterday in Abuja at the commencement of a -two public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency on a bill to amend the Banking and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) and other bills. Emefiele, who was represented by the Director, Legal Services department, Mr. Johnson Akinwunmi, also called for the abolition of shell banks in the country. He said Shell banks,which are institutions that carry out activities where they are not licensed, serve as avenue for money laundering. The CBN boss added that apart from being used for money laundering, the Shell banks distort the banking system and pose a problem to regulatory agencies. ” We wish to propose the introduction of new subsections 3(6) and (7) for the proscription of shell banks in response to the latest recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on money laundering to read: “Any bank or its subsidiaries without physical presence in the country where it is incorporated and licensed and is not affiliated to any financial services group that is subject to effective consolidated supervision shall not be allowed to operate in Nigeria and no Nigerian bank orbits subsidiaries shall establish or continue any relationship with such bank or subsidiary'”. Earlier, in his welcome address, chairman of the House committee on Banking and Currency, Hon.Jones Onyereri said some of the proposed amendment to Bofia Act include an increase in the penalty for erring banks and officials. Onyereri said some of the penalties in include: “a fine of N20 million on banks that fail to comply to the conditions of the licence, a fine of N20 million on any director that fails to declare any property he/she owns that runs contrary to the Act. “A fine of N10 million against a director or manager that fails to keep a book of account and a fine of N2 million on banks that fail to publish its annual report of its general meeting in two reputable national dailies among others” The lawmaker said the increase in the penalties to defaulting banks and their operators would streamline the operations of such banks to conform to international best practices.

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED THE EXTENSION OF OSHODI – INT’L AIRPORT ROAD RECONSTRUCTION
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/lagos-state-government-has-approved.html

Eyes of Lagos gathered that, The Lagos State Government on Monday approved the extension of the ongoing reconstruction of the International Airport Road to Ladipo International Market axis along Oshodi Apapa Expressway. The state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who disclosed this during inspection of ongoing projects across the state, said the extension was to complement the Airport Road reconstruction in line with the regeneration of the entire Oshodi axis. He said, “There is no point doing the Airport Road if we don’t extend that contract to where I am standing here and so I want to do it from Oshodi to Guardian Newspapers axis; I want to rehabilitate the road and turn it to a modern road. The only way I can do it also is if you don’t do any trading on the road. “I promise you I will also do a Pedestrian Bridge at Toyota Bus Stop. So, the contractor that is doing the Airport Road will commence work on the Pedestrian Bridge and this road next week if you allow me. That is why I have come here personally; I was here yesterday. I don’t want to inconvenience you but I have come to appeal to you; just be patience with us; we will bring growth and development to this place.” Ambode, who also inspected ongoing construction of roads around Ladipo International Auto Spare Parts Market, called on traders to leave the road to enable the contractor complete the projects. The Governor expressed concern that the presence of traders displaying their wares on the road was hampering the construction work and delaying the completion on schedule. Addressing thousands of traders who came out to hear from him, he said he had come out personally to appeal to them to leave the road to enable work continue and that if they comply, the project would be delivered by May 2018. “When I came here last year and I went through the Ladipo Market, I promised you I will do all the roads within the market and you will all cooperate with me. So, last year August, I fulfilled my promise; I awarded the contract of Akinwunmi Street, the Ladipo Street and then the other streets on the adjacent side.

FG DIRECTS NBC, APCON, OTHERS TO BOOST TV, RADIO ADVERTS REVENUE
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/fg-directs-nbc-apcon-others-to-boost-tv.html

The minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has set up a task team of industry experts to work out the modality for setting up a scientific Audience Measurement System, as part of measures to boost radio and television advertising revenue in the country. Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, The minister who announced the setting up of the team in Enugu state, at the launch of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in the state yesterday said the task team will comprise representatives of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Signal Distributors, and Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), amongst others. He said that bringing Nigerian TV advertisement market in line with global best practices could bring an additional $200-400 million in revenue to the industry. The team’s terms of reference include: identifying in line with best practices audience measurement system that will support the sustainable growth of the Nigeria creative and entertainment industry; recommend a framework for supporting the sustainability of the audience measurement system, independent of the federal government, and recommend a payment and disbursement framework among the key stakeholders in the industry. Mohammed said the current diary audience measurement system is not ideal for the critical transitional phase before full Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) migration. ‘’We need an objective and scientific Audience Measurement System that articulates the value of the content to consumers as well as the value of the audience to advertisers, particularly in the television sector,’’ he said. He said the delay in adopting a scientific Audience Measurement System had resulted in under-investment in the sector, which is necessary to foster the growth of the industry as the advertising community continues to rely on subjective factors when making decisions on the content they want, as opposed to how many viewers the content truly attracts. ‘’As a consequence, television platforms are subjected to renting out space on their channels to sustain their business, and content producers have become increasingly over-reliance on sponsorship which, unfortunately, skews the authenticity of their creative output in favour of a few decision makers, rather than the millions of TV viewers,’’ the Minister said. On the DSO launch in Enugu, the minister said the state is the fifth, after Plateau, FCT, Kwara and Kaduna, to enjoy digital television. ‘’There is no better evidence of our commitment to rapidly spread the massive benefits of digital television to the people of Nigeria…We are now at the cruise level of the journey we started in Jos, Plateau State, in April 2016, as the DSO train has now transversed Abuja, Ilorin, Kaduna, to arrive here in Enugu, its latest stop. From here, the DSO train will proceed to Osun State, as we continue our rapid rollout of digital television across the country,’’ he said. The minister announced the donation of 100 set-top boxes to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, while the Governor also announced the purchase of 10,000 set-top boxes to be given free to low-income households across the state.

LEKKI SEAPORT TO BECOME REGIONAL HUB – ICRC CHIEF
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/01/lekki-seaport-to-become-regional-hub.html

The Acting Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Chidi Izuwah, says the Lekki Deep Water Port, once completed, will become a regional hub for port operations in West Africa.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, Izuwah said this on the sidelines of the commission’s monitoring visit to the Lekki Deep Water Port on Saturday in Lagos to have an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing project.
He said the project was expected to grow to about 4.5 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units container capacity annually upon its commencement, from the current 1.5 million target.
“With this feat, Lekki port will no doubt become one of the largest water ports in the region, and serve as a hub for port operations in the whole of West Africa,” Izuwah said.
He said the promoter, Lekki Port Enterprise Limited, also planned to dredge the port channel to about 16 metres draught, currently not obtainable in any seaport in the country.
Izuwah also said that was an indication that ships of large sizes would visit the port, and greater efficiency and lead economy of scale would drive and generate revenues for the economy with government earning a significant portion of it.
The ICRC boss, however, said the commission was worried that several years after the execution of the contract, the concessioner had yet to attain a financial close on the project as a result of certain contingent challenges.
According to him, the project promoters had earlier planned to attain financial close by second quarter, 2016 and commence full operations by second quarter, 2019, thereby giving a period of three years for the construction work.
Izuwah encouraged the promoters to do their best to ensure that the project comes on stream, saying the ICRC would continue to give its support toward the attainment of the objective.
He said: “We at the ICRC firmly believe that if all the parties to this contract demonstrate utmost commitment toward this project, the goals and wonderful picture painted above will become a reality in less then three years.
“I have said this, bearing in mind the enormous work which has already been done by the project promoters and the quantum of resources committed to this cause.
“I promise you that the ICRC under my leadership will go above and beyond the call of duty to assist you reach the financial close.”
Izuwah also said the commission was willing to join the promoters on focuses lender and investor roadshows to seek additional debt and equity capital and among others.
Izuwah said, “We will also play a key role in driving the creation of inter government and agency high impact team to solve some of the project’s immediate problems like high capacity’s evacuation route from the port site.
“This is to assure investors and lenders that all containers and goods arriving at the ports will be evacuated flawlessly and efficiently.
“We have gone too far on the project, so we can’t afford to fail or slow down.
“If we fail to lay a good foundation for the upcoming generation, not only will posterity hold us accountable, but you and I will not be able to sleep peacefully at night with our eyes closed.”
The ICRC is charged with the responsibility of monitoring and ensuring the efficient execution of all Public-Private Partnership projects entered into by MDAs on behalf of the Federal Government.
The concession agreement for Lekki Port was signed on April 21, 2011 by Nigerian Ports Authority, Lagos State Government and Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise.

NNPC RELEASES 250 TRUCKS AS FUEL SCARCITY RETURNS TO LAGOS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/01/nnpc-releases-250-trucks-as-fuel.html

Fuel queues have started springing up again in most filling stations in the metropolis of Lagos.
The queues which were noticed in the early hours of Saturday had begun to increase by afternoon across the state.
Many of the filling stations operated by major marketers were not selling while outlets owned by Independent Marketers were shut.
At Ikorodu, Epe, Mile 12 and Lekki axis most filling stations who had products were selling above the official pump price.
However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Sunday said that it had released 250 trucks of petrol to Lagos metropolis for effective dispensing at filling stations to forestall any scarcity.
Mr Ndu Ughamadu, the corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, disclosed this in an interview in Lagos.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, According to him, there has been a slight change in the distribution network in Lagos, as Lagos is currently being supplied by members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN).
“At the weekend there was a hitch in discharging of petrol by ships which has been ratified.
“Today, 250 trucks have been discharged to Lagos compared to less than 200 trucks usually allocated to Lagos at the weekend,” he said.
The NNPC spokesman said that the ships which commenced discharging since Saturday night had finished discharging, adding that in a couple of hours the long queues will disappeared and normalcy will return to Lagos.
Ughamadu, urged motorist to avoid hoarding of petrol and panic buying, as there is sufficient products in stock that will last for days.
The NNPC spokesperson also acknowledged a slight hitch at the Port Harcourt refinery due to power problem.
“Port Harcourt refinery is slightly down for now, pending when the problem will be rectified.
Reacting to the situation Alhaji Abiodun Lawal spokesman of NIPCO said the company was consistently loading and supplying to marketers, but the volume had marginally dropped.
“I can confirm we are currently loading but I don’t have the statistics; however I must say that we don’t have enough supply at the moment. I think that explains the resurgence of queue at filling stations”, he said.
Also, Mr Olufemi Adewole, the Executive Secretary of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketing Association, (DAPPMA) noted that there was shortage of petrol supply across the country.
Adewole said that what is playing out at the moment is the preference of NNPC deploying more supply to the major marketers.
“The truth is that there is short supply at the moment, if NNPC can raise supply we will be able to get to inland areas and focus on major cities, but I can tell you there is no much supply from NNPC,’’ he explained.