SWITZERLAND, JULY 25 – International aid group, Action Against Hunger has called for the release of six aid workers kidnapped in Borno State and held by the Boko Haram aligned to the Islamic State group.
The Paris-based charity said a staff member, two drivers and three health workers for one of its projects were in a hostage video released by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) group.

The video showed the female staff member, dressed in a bright blue hijab, sitting on the floor and addressing the camera in English, her five male colleagues behind her.

The six were seized during an ambush on their convoy close to the border with Niger last Thursday in an attack that left another driver dead.
The kidnapping is the latest to target aid workers in the conflict-hit region after the abduction and killing of two female workers for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) last year.

Action Against Hunger said in a statement it “demands the liberation of its staff member and her colleagues”.
“These are humanitarian workers who chose to devote their lives to helping the most vulnerable communities in Nigeria and they are only motivated by the values of solidarity, humanity and neutrality,” it added.

Watch video here: https://www.todaysecho.com/features/breaking-6-aid-workers-kidnapped-by-boko-haram-cry-for-help-video/

The footage of the abductees, authenticated by AFP on Thursday, was released through the same channel as previous videos from the IS-affiliated jihadists.
In the recent video, Grace, the kidnapped staff urged the Nigerian Government to save her and her colleague from the hands of Boko Harram.

The Minority leader of the Nigerian senate, Eyinnaya Abaribe has said the former governor of Bayelsa state, Timpreye Silva has the DNA of the PDP in him.

He said this during day 2 of the ministerial screening at the Senate on Thursday.

The former governor, who defected from the PDP to the APC was reffered to as a PDP 'loanee' and asked to take a bow and leave without answering any question.

...The endless war in Ondo State APC
…….Why Akeredolu may not emerge party’s flagbearer in 2020

SWITZERLAND, JULY 24 – With the inclusion of former Senator representing Ondo State Central, Olutayo Alasoadura on President Buhari’s ministerial list, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu seems to have finally rewarded him for his steadfast support during his emergence as governor in 2016.

The story of Akeredolu and Alasoadura goes back to the tough APC gubernatorial primary in Ondo State in 2016. Akeredolu didn’t stand a chance from the beginning. Besides the fact that he was not a resident of the state and not well known, he also didn’t have the support of many heavyweights in the party.

APC supreme godfather in the South-West, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had pitched his tent with another candidate, Segun Abrahams. In the end, Tinubu was embarrassed as Akeredolu emerged winner ahead of his candidate and several others including Alasoadura.

Following the controversial primary, many co-contestants rejected the candidacy of Akeredolu, polarising the party in the state. Key party chieftains in the state including Senator Borofice, State Chairman Isaac Kekemeke, former Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi, Bola Ilori, Olusola Oke and Segun Abraham formed another block in the party while some defected.

Today’s Echo gathers that Alasoadura was one of the chieftains that stood behind Akeredolu through out the ordeal.
During a press conference in Akure in 2016, the lawmaker had appealed to party members to sheath their swords to work together for Akeredolu.
“Now is the time to sink our differences and move forward as a united family to win in the November 2016 governorship election for our party by supporting the candidacy of Rotimi Akeredolu by all true democrats,” Alsasoadura begged.

But it seemed Akeredolu had stepped on too many toes and there was no going back for those bitter against him. While Tinubu had rejected the former Nigerian Bar Association President, he had been accepted by some powerful APC politicians close to the presidency. These include Kayode Fayemi, Babatunde Fashola, Rochas Okorocha, Ibikunle Amosun and Yahaya Bello. With the help of these politicians who were called ‘Buhari Boys’ in Ondo State, Akeredolu won the election against Eyitayo Jegede of PDP and Olusola Oke of AD.

According to an APC chieftain from the state who spoke to Today’s Echo, Alasoadura was the arrowhead of Akeredolu’s campaign in the build-up to the election and many people knew he would be influential in his government.

“Alash(as he is fondly called) was one of the people saying Ondo State should not be dictated to by one man(Bola Tinubu) and that we should be independent of a godfather. In the end, he prevailed and Akeredolu became governor. But the seed of discord sown during that election continues to haunt our party in Ondo State today as we are still divided,” the source said.

For Akeredolu, the 2019 senatorial election in the state was the perfect opportunity to reward his friend but things did not go as expected.
Alasoadura who held a juicy position as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), got the automatic return ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest in the election, but lost to Ayo Akinyelure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 Senatorial elections.

Akinyelure had polled 67,994 votes to defeat the sitting Senator, who polled 58,092 votes.
In the follow-up to the senatorial election, Governor Akeredolu castigated the people of Akure in the Central senatorial district for not voting for his friend.

“We participated in two elections or did I lie? The first election we did, I will say it the way I noticed it. Akure people, you did not do well to our party (APC) in the first election. You might have your reasons but I want to tell us in Akure that either we like it or not, we must apologise to Senator Tayo Alasoadura as we did not do well to him,” the governor said.

By recommending Alasoadura to Buhari for a ministerial position, Akeredolu has finally rewarded his friend. However, this is not the end of troubles for Akeredolu and his alliance. As the 2020 gubernatorial election in Ondo State approaches, the division within the ranks of the APC in the state has once again become a pressing problem.

In the build-up to the 2019 senatorial elections, party members in Ondo state accused Akeredolu of engaging in anti-party activities, calling for his suspension. While he campaigned vigorously for the APC candidate, Olutayo Alasoadura in the Central Senatorial district, the governor Akeredolu was alleged to be funding the candidates of Action Alliance(AA) in the Ondo North and Ondo South senatorial districts. Dr Tunji Abayomi and Dr. Olatunji Felder.

A few weeks ago, Bola Tinubu and some senior South-West APC chieftains went to Akure in a bid to reconcile the warring parties
An APC member who spoke to Today’s Echo on the issue stated categorically that the party may lose the 2020 gubernatorial election if Akeredolu is picked again as the flag bearer.

“The governor has really messed up,” our inside source said.

“Instead of him unite the party, he is creating more divisions within the party. To make matters worse, he has not performed well as a governor and his administration has not been inclusive.”

Only time will tell if Akeredolu will be able to pull off his re-election in 2020.

https://www.todaysecho.com/exclusive/ministerial-list-akeredolu-finally-rewards-alasoadura-for-supporting-him-against-tinubuexclusive/

An Aircraft belonging to Air Peace with flight number B737 flying from Port Harcourt has reportedly crash-landed in Lagos, according to media reports.
A Twitter User with the name Laolao posted this on Tuesday afternoon:
“Airpeace B737 aircraft from Port Harcourt crashlands in Lagos. Heard someone saying “Again”?!. Please call to confirm if your loved ones were on that flight and check if they are safe and fine. God help us and guide us always.”

Another Twitter user remarked:
“An Air peace flight from Port Harcourt drops from 30feet unto to the runway when landing. This incident happened at about 1 PM on Tuesday 23rd. Thankfully all the passengers are ok.”

There are unconfirmed reports that the Boeing 737 Plane’s landing gear collapsed, causing it to drop 30 ft before landing.
A twitter user said the tire of the plane became detached while landing but the plane was able to land and everyone aboard is safe.

Watch video: https://www.todaysecho.com/business/breaking-air-peace-plane-from-port-harcourt-crash-lands-in-lagos/

Please take a look at the photos below to have a better understanding of this OPL 245 Malabu case

Former Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson has been announced the winner of the leadership contest in the Conservative Party effectively becoming the next UK Prime Minister. This is in line with projections from Today’s Echo and other reputable media outlets across the world.
Today’s Echo gathers that the result of the contest was announced at the QEII Conference centre, he had 92153 votes to defeat current Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt who had 46656 votes.
He will take over on Wednesday after Theresa May tenders her resignation to Queen Elizabeth II and advises the Queen to call on him to form the new Government. He will “kiss hands” with the Queen formally assuming the office of PM.

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Uxbridge and South Ruislip since 2015, and was the MP for Henley from 2001 to 2008. He was Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016, and from 2016 to 2018 he served as Foreign Secretary.
A member of the Conservative Party, Johnson identifies as a one-nation conservative and has formerly been associated with both economically and socially liberal policies.
Born in New York City to wealthy upper-middle class British parents, Johnson was educated at the European School, Brussels I, Ashdown House, and Eton College. He read Classics at Balliol College, Oxford, where he was elected President of the Oxford Union in 1986.
He began his career in journalism at The Times, but was sacked for falsifying a quotation. He later became The Daily Telegraph’s Brussels correspondent, with his articles exerting a strong influence on the growing Eurosceptic sentiment among the British right-wing. He was eventually made assistant editor of the Telegraph in 1994. In 1999, he left the Telegraph to become editor of The Spectator, a role he would hold until 2005.
He was elected MP for Henley in 2001, and largely adhered to the Conservatives’ party line during his first period in Parliament. He did, however, adopt a more socially liberal stance on issues like LGBT rights. He was later selected to be the Conservative candidate for the 2008 London mayoral election; Johnson defeated Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone in the election, and subsequently resigned his seat in the House of Commons.

During his first term as Mayor of London, he banned alcohol consumption on the city’s public transport, and introduced the New Routemaster buses, cycle hire scheme, and Thames cable car. In 2012, he was re-elected Mayor, again defeating Livingstone. During his second term he oversaw the 2012 Olympics. In 2015, he returned to Parliament as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, stepping down as Mayor the following year. In 2016, Johnson was a prominent figure in the referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union, becoming a leading figure in the successful Vote Leave campaign.

He later declined to run in the party leadership election immediately following the referendum, despite speculation that he would. After Theresa May won the leadership, she appointed Johnson Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. He served in this position for two years, before resigning in protest at May’s approach to Brexit, criticising the Chequers Agreement.

Johnson is a controversial figure within British politics and journalism. Supporters have praised him as an entertaining, humorous, and popular figure, with an appeal stretching beyond traditional Conservative voters. Conversely, he has been criticised by figures on both the left and the right, who have accused him of elitism, cronyism, dishonesty, laziness, and using racist and homophobic language. Johnson is the subject of several biographies and a number of fictionalised portrayals.

https://www.todaysecho.com/features/breaking-boris-johnson-emerges-conservative-party-leader-and-uk-prime-minister/

A former manager of the international oil giant, Eni, Vicenzo Armanna has revealed how the bodyguard of former president Goodluck Jonathan showed him a trolley that was used to deliver cash to government officials during the Murky Oil Prospecting Lease(OPL) 245 deal with Malabu oil in 2011.

This was revealed on Monday during the resumption of hearing of Vincenzo Armanna, a defendant in the ongoing trial of Shell/Eni in Italy for alleged corrupt practices in the 2011 acquisition of Oil Mining Lease (OPL) 245 .

Armanna has accused his former colleagues of knowing that bribes would be paid to Nigerian officials and planning kickbacks for themselves. All deny wrongdoing.
In 2011, Shell and the Italian oil company Eni paid $1.1 billion in a murky deal for an oil block located off the coast of Nigeria: OPL 245. However, there are documents showing that this money didn’t go to benefit the Nigerian people.

“Instead it went to convicted money launderer and former oil Minister, Dan Etete, who had awarded himself ownership of the block in 1998 via a company he secretly owned, Malabu Oil and Gas, ” Global Witness says in a report.

Read more: https://www.todaysecho.com/features/jonathans-bodyguard-showed-me-trolley-used-to-deliver-money-to-nigerian-officials-eni-executive/

The US Women’s Football Team celebrated their fourth World Cup championship with a ticker-tape parade in New York City on Wednesday
Several of the stars documented the celebration on social media, starting even before the floats took off down the streets of New York.

Months before the World Cup kicked off, women’s team stars Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Becky Sauerbrunn filed a lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation, claiming they deserve to be paid what the American men are paid for their international performances.

The federation denied the claim in May, saying the disparities were the product of business decisions rather than any efforts to discriminate, Sports Illustrated and other media outlets reported. The USSF also said the men and women are subject to different collective bargaining agreements, which are not made public.

While the parade was going on, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he has signed equity pay legislation in New York state.
He tweeted a photo of himself at today’s parade.

“The women’s soccer team plays the same game that the men’s soccer players play — only better. If anything, the men should get paid less,” he tweeted.

The New York City parade celebrating the US women’s soccer team was billed as a “ticker tape parade” — and it delivered on that promise.

Masses of confetti rained down on lower Manhattan as the championship team rode floats.
So what is ticker tape, anyway? Printed from stock tickers, a machine that that tracked stock information, ticker tape became a source for scrap paper thousands used to celebrate the homecoming of national heroes.

But Wednesday’s confetti probably didn’t come from tickers. As the stock exchange upgraded to using electronic devices, ticker tape became harder to come by, and parade attendees began using shredded paper.

SWITZERLAND, JULY 10 – The United Kingdom’s Ambassador to the United States, Kim Darroch has tendered his resignation after the American president, Donald Trump insulted him and the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, calling them ‘foolish’.

Donald Trump had condemned the ambassador over leaked memos critical of the White House, as Downing Street insisted Sir Kim Darroch had its full support.

The escalating crisis began after a Sunday newspaper printed extracts of confidential memos in which Darroch labelled Trump’s administration “inept” and “dysfunctional”. The US president announced on Monday that he would no longer deal with the ambassador.
In a fresh volley of tweets on Tuesday morning, Trump again condemned Darroch, and renewed his criticism of the prime minister over her Brexit negotiations, which he had praised on his state visit to the UK just over a month ago.

“The wacky ambassador that the UK foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy,” Trump wrote.
“He should speak to his country, and prime minister May, about their failed Brexit negotiation, and not be upset with my criticism of how badly it was handled.

“I told her how to do that deal, but she went her own foolish way – was unable to get it done. A disaster! I don’t know the ambassador but have been told he is a pompous fool. Tell him the USA now has the best economy and military anywhere in the world, by far and they are both only getting bigger, better and stronger.”

The UK Foreign Office has praised Sir Kim’s “professionalism and class”. The ambassador said he wanted to put an end to speculation, adding the leak had made it “impossible” to do his job.

In a letter to the Foreign Office, Sir Kim said: “Since the leak of official documents from this Embassy there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding my position and the duration of my remaining term as ambassador.”
“I want to put an end to that speculation.”

In response to the letter Sir Simon McDonald, permanent under secretary and head of the diplomatic service, said Sir Kim had served a “long and distinguished career, with dignity, professionalism and class”.

Describing the leak as “malicious” Sir Simon added: “You are the best of us.”
Theresa May said it was a “matter of great regret” that Sir Kim felt the need to resign, saying officials needed to be able to give “full and frank advice”.

“Sir Kim has given a lifetime of service to the United Kingdom and we owe him an enormous debt of gratitude,” she added.

Telecoms giant, Airtel Africa listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE) on Tuesday.
Today’s Echo gathers that the company entered the NSE in a flotation that valued it at 1.364 trillion naira, making it the bourse’s third-largest stock by market capitalisation.

India’s Bharti Airtel offered shares in its African unit two weeks ago via a London IPO and said it would dual list in Nigeria, its biggest market in Africa. It listed the shares at 363 naira each in Lagos.

Last Friday, the NSE had postponed the listing of Airtel’s shares barely two hours to the initial planned time.

The bourse announced the postponement of the listing, saying there were processes yet to be followed by the firm.

The NSE, in a statement on Friday, said, “The cross-border secondary listing of 3,758,151,504 ordinary shares of Airtel Africa Plc has been postponed from the scheduled date of Friday, July 5, 2019.
“This postponement was necessitated by the need to ensure that the company meets all the post NSE approval pre-requisites for listing on the NSE.”

Read more: http://www.todaysecho.com/business/breaking-airtel-africa-lists-on-the-nse-at-n363-per-share-emerges-third-largest-stock/

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the airstrike on a Libyan migrant detention facility in which African migrants, including up to 150 Nigerians are kept in Tripoli, the country’s capital.

At least 44 people were killed and over 130 injured in the unprecedented attack, which the United Nations say, may amount to war crimes.

Libya’s UN-backed government accuses forces loyal to Benghazi-based warlord, General Halifa Haftar of being responsible for the heinous act.

On Wednesday afternoon, President Buhari wrote:
“The airstrike on a migrant centre near Tripoli, Libya, is inhuman, wicked and callous. An international investigation is required; those behind this horrendous attack on helpless and defenceless people must be brought to justice.”

The latest tragedy has again brought to the fore, the issue of thousands of people from Nigeria and other countries desperately trying to migrate to Europe through the Sahara Desert and the Libyan coast. They are subjected to grievous danger in the hands of terrorists, smugglers and the high sea as they struggle to get to greener pastures. Now a lot of them are stranded in war-torn Libya.

http://www.todaysecho.com/crime/buhari-condemns-airstrike-on-libya-migrant-camp-where-150-nigerians-are-kept/

There are fears that several Nigerians may have lost their lives in the Airstrike that hit a migrant detention centre in Libya on Tuesday after news channel Al Jazeerah revealed that up to 150 Nigerians were staying at the camp.
The Tajoura camp on the suburb of the Libyan capital of Tripoli, reportedly holds migrants from several African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
An Al Jazeerah correspondent who visited the camp in December 2017 and January 2018 said conditions there are terrible with migrants living in precarious conditions.

At least 40 people have lost their lives in the air strike late on Tuesday

Some 130 people were injured in the attack, which the United Nations has described as a War Crime.
The Africa Union also issued a statement calling for an inquiry into responsibility for the attack.

It is the highest publicly reported toll of an airstrike or shelling since eastern forces loyal to Haftar launched an offensive three months ago with ground troops and aircraft to take the capital held by the internationally recognised government.

Libya is a key departure point for migrants and refugees from Africa and Arab countries trying to reach Italy by boat, but many get picked up by the Libyan coastguard, which is supported by the European Union.
Centre officials blamed the raid on Haftar’s forces [Mahmud Turkia/AFP]
Thousands are being held in government-run detention centres in what human rights groups say are often inhuman conditions.

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has reacted to the controversial Federal Government initiative to build RUGA settlements for Fulani herdsmen.
Akeredolu said his state is only interested in ranches and the primary reason for the RUGA settlements does not factor in the interests of every State.

“Our stance on the RUGA settlements debate is clear. Ondo is only interested in ranches. We have 2 large ranches existing in Akunnu & Auga. Auga can accommodate 5000 cows. A key difference here is that we have no preference for who manages the cattle. The ranch owners decide,” Akeredolu said on Tuesday.

“The primary reason for RUGA Settlements, although understandable does not truly factor the interests of every State. We have a youth unemployment crisis our ranches can address. Ondo State must prioritize agriculture due to the arable nature of our land.

“A lot of our land is already earmarked for forest reserves. The FG must understand why we need to be strategic in our decision making. We implore the FG to revisit the proposal based on feedback from the different States & act accordingly.

“Not the same. The focus of a ranch is the livestock. These are grazing areas. The focus of the RUGA settlements are the people managing the livestock. These are communities,” Akeredolu added.

You knew that Shell needed permission from the Nigerian oil minister for the deal? ”
“Yes.”

“You knew this oil minister, Mrs. Diezani, is a former Shell employee?”
“Yes.”

“You also knew she had a love affair with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan?”

“Yes, there were rumors.” His source worked in the secret service.

The above was part of the cross examination of a Russian spy and diplomat, Adnan Agaez, who is both a witness and a defendant in the ongoing trial of Shell and Eni oil executives for their role in the illegal $1.7 Billion acquisition of Nigeria’s Oil Prospecting Lease(OPL) 245, known as the Malabu scandal in Nigeria.

In 2011, Shell and the Italian oil company Eni paid $1.1 billion in a murky deal for an oil block located off the coast of Nigeria: OPL 245. However, there are documents showing that this money didn’t go to benefit the Nigerian people.

“Instead it went to convicted money launderer and former oil Minister, Dan Etete, who had awarded himself ownership of the block in 1998 via a company he secretly owned, Malabu Oil and Gas, ” a report said.

Read more: http://www.todaysecho.com/features/malabu-milan-trial-exposes-influence-of-foreign-intelligence-agencies-on-nigerias-oil/

Giannis Antetokounpo, a Greek boy originally from Nigeria has emerged the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2019 season.

Antetokounmpo, a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, is known as the Greek Freak due to his imposing height and his country of adoption. He led his team to the Eastern Conference Finals, but lost to the Toronto Raptors who went on to win the NBA Finals.

As he received the award on Monday night, he gave a heartfelt speech thanking his coaches, teammates and his father, Charles, who died in September 2017 of a heart attack.

“I want to thank my dad. Obviously, you know, he’s not here with me. Two years ago, I had the goal in my head that I’m going to be the best player in the league and I’m going to do whatever it takes to help my team win and I’m going to win the MVP,” he said.

“Everyday that I step on the floor, I always think about my dad and that motivates me, that pushes me to play harder and move forward.”
Many did not know that he was actually a Nigerian and his surname, ‘Antetokounpo’ was an error on his passport to make him look more Greek. His original name is ‘Adetokunbo’.

Now, Antetokounpo wants to go back to his roots.

“Obviously, a lot of people don’t know where I’m from,” Antetokounmpo said during a recent interview.

“A lot of people think my mom or my dad are from Greece, but no. Both of my parents are black. Both of my parents are Nigerian.”
Charles and Veronica Adetokunbo moved from Lagos to Greece in 1991 in hopes of a better future for themselves and their family after struggling to find employment. The Adetokunbos’ eldest son, Francis, was left behind in Lagos to be raised by his grandparents. Charles Adetokunbo worked as a handyman and wife Veronica as a baby sitter in their struggle to make ends meet for their family, which was the only black one in the area, according to The New York Times.

The Adetokunbos had four more sons, all born in Greece, including Giannis on Dec. 6, 1994. (Antetokounmpo became Giannis’ surname after it was spelled that way on his Greek passport instead of his birth name of Adetokunbo.)

Antetokounmpo grew up in Greek culture learning the language, going to school and eventually starting to play basketball at age 7. But when he was home with his family, he learned and lived the Nigerian way.

“I grew up in a Nigerian home,” Antetokounmpo said. “Obviously, I was born in Greece and went to school in Greece. But at the end of the day when I go home, there is no Greek culture. It’s straight-up Nigerian culture. It’s about discipline, it’s about respecting your elders, having morals.”

Veronica Adetokunbo spoke to her sons in the Nigerian language of Igbo, which is one of the four official Nigerian languages and is spoken by about 18 million people in Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, according to several websites.

“I can understand it a little bit. I can count. It’s not like I’m fluent,” Antetokounmpo said of Igbo. “It’s not like I can go back home to Nigeria and they can understand what I am saying. It’s kind of funny.

“Both my parents are from Nigeria. But Nigeria is like 250 dialects, so my mom and my dad don’t speak the same language.”
Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, who is arguably the greatest international basketball player of all time and one of the greatest NBA players, also has a Nigerian connection with Antetokounmpo. Olajuwon told said that he and Antetokounmpo are Yoruba.

“I know from his last name that we are from the same tribe, the Yoruba tribe. His last name, which in Yoruba is spelled Adetokunbo, means ‘the crown has returned from overseas,’ ” Olajuwon said.

“I’m sure Nigerians are very proud of him, especially because of the way he has conducted himself and how he is dominating the league,” Olajuwon said. “He has accomplished a great deal in such a short period of time.”

http://www.todaysecho.com/features/giannis-antetokounpo-greek-boy-of-nigerian-origin-wins-nbas-mvp-award/

Malaysian based Nigerian socialite, Mompha recently hung out with Lagos big boy and socialite, Jowi Zaza in his Lamborghini Aventador reportedly worth N115 Million.

In a latest video posted by Jowi Zaza, the two big boys are seen having fun.

“Jowi Zaza, Jowi Zaza. Na you be the only pesin wey dey worry me for Lagos!” Mompha is seen screaming in delight.
Back in 2017, Today’s Echo unveiled Jowi Zaza, the mysterious young Nigerian billionaire who has been enjoying his wealth in the background but is now known to many in the Lagos Social cycles.

Also Read: Jowi Zaza, the mysterious millionaire who is younger and richer than Hushpuppi

Jowi Zaza drives the latest, sleekest of cars and hangs around in the poshest places. You will always find him lounging and hanging out in places like the Al Jumeirah in Dubai, the Red-light district in Amsterdam, New York, the Caribbean, London, Turkey, and a host of others.

Watch video here: https://www.instagram.com/stories/jowizazaa/

Shina Peller, the Quilox night club boss and now House of Representatives member recently dubbed Jowi Zaza, ‘Enjoyment President’.

Few days after removing the Group CEO of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu and some other board members, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), today appointed Mutiu Sumonu, a to head the interim management of the indigenous oil giant.

Although there are indications that Wale Tinubu and his team will challenge the SEC decision in courts, the regulatory agency has gone ahead with replacing the leadership of the company. The SEC also mandated members of the interim team to conduct an Extra Ordinary General Meeting on or before July 1 to appoint new directors to the Board of the company.

There are also reports that one of Oando’s creditors, Italian-born Gabriele Volpi is making moves to take over the oil giant.

Below is the profile of Mutiu Sunmonu, SEC’s appointed head of Oando’s management:
Mutiu Sunmonu, CON graduated from the University of Lagos in 1977 with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. He joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) in August 1978 and served in various capacities in Nigeria, UK, and the Netherlands.

After 36 years , he retired from Shell as the Managing Director of SPDC, and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria.
Since Mutiu Sunmonu’s retirement, he has continued to be active in the Oil and Gas industry.

Mutiu Sunmonu is currently the chairman of San Leon Energy UK. He is the Chairman of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. and the Chairman of Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank. He was appointed to the Board of Unilever Nigeria Plc. in December 2015.

http://www.todaysecho.com/business/what-you-need-to-know-about-mutiu-sumonu-secs-man-to-head-oando/

Asamoah Gyan Rescinds Decision to Dump Ghana National Team After President Begged Him

Ghanaian football star, Asamoah Gyan has rescinded his earlier decision to quit the country’s national team ahead of the African Nations Cup(AFCON) in Egypt.

According to a press statement from the footballer on Wednesday, the Ghanaian president, Nana Akufo-Addo had appealed to him to rescind his earlier declaration that he would be retiring from international football.

“I have had the opportunity to speak with the father of the nation, the president of the Republic, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who though respecting my wishes as spelt in my letter of 20th May 2019, has asked me to rescind my decision to permanently retire from the Black Stars,” Gyan said in a statement on Wednesday.

Due to the escalating suicide rate in the country, social media influencer and opposition figure, Reno Omokri has prosed that President Buhari set up a National Suicide Prevention Scheme to stem the tide of the growing menace.

Omokri also calls for the ban on Sniper, a highly poisonous insecticide that has become a rampant tool for suicide in recent times. he advocated that Sniper should be highly regulated if allowed to be sold in the market.

“Dear President Buhari, SUICIDE is at epidemic levels. I urge you to set up a National Suicide Prevention Team. Ban sales of SNIPER and similar substances. But most importantly, address the nation and give hope to the hopeless. God bless you,” Omokri said via a tweet on Wednesday morning.

“Many Nigerians don’t understand how the banning pharmaceuticals work. In advanced nations, substances, like sniper, are regulated. Before you can buy them, you need a certificate or a prescription. We need this. These substances shouldn’t just be available for sale to just anyone.”

Many prominent Nigerians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have spoken out about the alarming suicide rate in the country.
Last week, a 400-Level student of the University Of Nigeria Nsukka committed suicide by drinking sniper.
The suicide note reads: “Forgive me. In case you are the one who found the body, I am really sorry. It had to be someone you know.

Outgoing Kaduna State Senator, Shehu Sani has begged Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, to abandon his plans to start large scale cultivation of Marijuana in his state.
He advised the governor to instead and instead, focus on partnering with other states on alternative agricultural initiatives.
Recall that Akeredolu and the Director-General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), Mustapha Abdallah had travelled to Thailand to understudy commercial legal Marijuana cultivation.

Akeredolu had boasted that Ondo State is the largest producer of marijuana in Nigeria, a claim corroborated by a 2017 report by Today’s Echo listing six states that produce the substance the most in Nigeria.

“My Brother Akeredolu, Lagos Partnered with Kebbi for Rice, please partner with Niger for Beans, Kaduna for Ginger or partner with Benue for Yam; Please leave this Indian Hemp matter for now, Abeg,” Shehu Sani said on Wednesday, via Twitter.

Shehu Sani, who keeps a long hair also told the presidential candidate of the AAC in the last elections, Omoyele Sowore that his hair does not need marijuana to grow.

During his presidential campaign Sowore had stated that he would embark on commercial production and exportation of marijuana if elected as president.
“My Friend Yele Sowore,my Hair doesn’t need that marijuana to glow, I wish you, Governor Akeredolu and Majek all the best; if you succeed,then you are right.When we meet we shall debate it.”

Victoria Murray, a 17-year-old school girl has been declared missing after her parents realized she never reached her school when she left home two weeks ago.

Sources revealed to Today’s Echo that Victoria, a student of Holy Childs Secondary school in Ikoyi, had left home in Oniru area of Victoria Islands, Lagos at around 7:30 am to board a bus at SandFill to her school. She never got to school, and has now been declared missing by her parents who are currently in trauma.

“This is Victoria Murray. Today marks 2 weeks that she’s been missing. She left home in Oniru to take a bus from SandFill (4 points) to Holy Childs school in Ikoyi. This would have been around 7 -7.30am. She has not been seen since. …HELP please. SHARE and keep SHARING. She can still be found. Every second counts,” a close friend of the family announced.

Victoria is described as 17yrs old , around 6ft tall and light skinned.

Meanwhile, friends and family members have intensified search for the missing school girl with announcements on social media platforms as many people become concerned and fears grow that she may have been kidnapped.

“LET’S TRY TO SAVE ONE!! Our children are not needles that disappear into a haystack..they are not plumes of smoke that dissapear into thin air! They are the joys of our souls and the custodians of the future,” a social media user said on Wednesday with a photo of the missing girl.

“So pls take a moment to just look at her face a few times. Cast your mind back; Were you in the 4 points area around 7-7.30am on the 2nd of May? Or Maybe you saw her in Ikoyi around 8am? Could you have seen her getting on the bus or trying to get away from danger? Did you see anything suspicious?”

At Today’s Echo, our hearts are with Victoria and her parents. Our hope for her and every other children in similar situation is that they are found and reunited with their loved ones.

Meanwhile, this week, Leah Sharibu, a school girl kidnapped by Boko Haram and has been held by the terrorists for over a year, turned 16.
#FreeLeahSharibu

http://www.todaysecho.com/features/17-year-old-school-girl-gets-missing-on-her-way-to-school/

Analysts have often called Africa the next frontier due to its perception as a place for the future rather than the present. Though overflowing with natural resources, lack of visionary leadership has kept Africa backward for a long time. However, in the past decade, Africa seems to be undergoing an economic revolution as young Africans rise above the challenges in their environment to create opportunities through enterprise.
“Something new is happening in Africa. Once upon a time, talk of investment in the continent’s countries was dismissed as idealism. Now global investors are turning their eyes–and their funds–to a new investment frontier. Is this short-term euphoria,” Javier Santiso, Chief Development Economist and Deputy Director OECD Development Centre said in March 2019.

With a population of over 1.3 billion, and a nominal GDP of over $2 trillion, Africa is expected to see a stronger growth in 2019 with an expansion of 3.7 percent from its current 3.5 percent. A couple of African countries have emerged from the dark shadows of the past and are poised for rapid economic development while others are fast emerging as centres of enterprise and development. Besides South Africa, countries to watch out for in 2019 include Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Congo DRC, and Angola.

As the continent evolves, certain enterprising individuals have been positioned to play significant roles in the emerging scenario. The list is inexhaustive as there are many people doing amazing things. However, we have settled for ten of them. Today’s Echo’s list is a blend of some of the current richest people in Africa and some others who may not be so wealthy but are likely to play a vital role in Africa’s development.


Read here for the full list: www.todaysecho.com/business/ten-african-entrepreneurs-that-will-shape-the-continents-bright-future/

The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo on Friday afternoon, met with top executives of the China Civil Engineering Construction Company(CCECC), the firm constructing the Lagos-Ibadan rail line which is due to be completed soon.

The CCECC executives were led by the chairman of the company, Chen Fenjian.

“Vice President Professor Osinbajo received in audience the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) led by the Chairman, Mr. Chen Fenjian at the State House, Abuja,” the Government announced via its Twitter account.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, visited the site of the Lagos-Ibadan rail line, being built by the Chinese company. The government said Amaechi was carrying out a final inspection of the 156km long railway, being built with $1.6 billion in Chinese loan.

source: http://www.todaysecho.com/features/osinbajo-meets-top-executives-of-the-chinese-company-building-lagos-ibadan-rail/

Fame is a two-edged sword. When it is well managed, it is a door that opens to limitless opportunities and makes dreams come true. When it comes suddenly and unprepared for, it can be a trap that compels people to lose their personality.

Indeed, the case of Olajumoke Orisaguna, former bread seller turned model, is interesting. Recently, Olajumoke revealed she is walking out of her 9-year-old marriage which had produced two children.

Read more: http://www.todaysecho.com/exclusive/olajumoke-and-the-sudden-wealth-syndrome/

Celebrity Toke Makinwa is mad at the dragon queen Daenerys Tagayrean after watching episode 4, season 8 of HBO’s blockbuster TV series; Game of Thrones.

“This week’s episode of GOT bleeped with me, I am so mad at Dany, she’s literally becoming the mad queen,” Toke fumed on Twitter, recanting the dragon queen’s series of mistakes in the latest episode, leading to the death of Missandei, one of the loveliest characters in the series.
“Darny is becoming my least favorite character, her emotions her the best part of her. Everything the throne, she’s forgotten why she started this journey.

“She started to free everyone in chains, she knew what it was like but now the thirst of the throne is distracting her from the obvious.”
Toke believes Daenerys should listen more to Sansa Stark, the lady of Winterfell, who has been proven right on several occasions to make sound political judgement but is often underestimated, even by her half brother/cousin; Jon Snow.

http://www.todaysecho.com/entertainment/game-of-thrones-toke-makinwa-mad-at-daenerys/

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally intervened in the case of Zainab Aliyu, a Nigerian lady wrongfully accused of drug trafficking and jailed in Saudi Arabia.
According to the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Foreign Relations & Diaspora Affairs, Abike Dabiri,
Buhari has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to take necessary action. Dabiri expressed optimism that Zainab will be released and sent back to Nigeria soon, along with two others in similar situation.
Her words:
“We’ve been on this , in the last two weeks. President Buhari has directed AGF to take necessary action. We are making good progress. She will be back, along with 2 others in same situation.”

Recall that last week, Today’s Echo had reported that, on 26th of December 2018 about 12.45 midnight, the Saudi Arabian police came to the hotel room where Zainab was staying and arrested her on allegation that one of the luggage tagged to her name and passed has prohibited drugs, tramadol. The Nigerian government was informed as part of due process.
Zainab is presently in detention in Saudi Arabi awaiting investigations and prosecutions. Her family protested to the Nigerian government and the NDLEA decided to investigate the case in Nigeria

However, after investigations by the NDLEA, it turned out that Zainab, a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano, was innocent of the crime. She had been incriminated by members of the crime syndicate who had planted the illicit drug on her at the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, shortly before flying to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, accompanied by her mother and her sister.
The NDLEA has now established that the drug cartel in the airport had planted the tramadol-bearing luggage on Zainab.

http://www.todaysecho.com/features/buhari-intervenes-in-the-case-of-zainab-nigerian-wrongfully-charged-for-drug-trafficking-in-saudi/

Fans of the most popular TV show in the world, Game of Thrones across the world are waiting with bated breathe tonight as the show brings on the longest and largest battle scene in movie history; The Battle of Winterfell

The battle of Winterfell depicts an epic showdown between an alliance of almost all the good guys in the show and an army of the undead, threatening to unleash an apocalypse on the cinematic continent of Westeros. The battle takes place around the ancient cinematic city of Winterfell.

“For diehard fans, every new “Game of Thrones” episode is appointment viewing, but Sunday night’s show has anticipation at an all-time fever pitch,” says Brandon Giggs of CNN
Director Miguel Sapochnik told Entertainment Weekly he tried and failed to find a longer battle scene in a movie. The closest was the 40-minute siege of Helm’s Deep in 2002’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” which has long been a gold standard for epic cinematic battles.
The episode required 11 weeks of night shoots in Northern Ireland, where much of “Thrones” is filmed.


“What we have asked the production team and crew to do this year truly has never been done in television or in a movie,” co-executive producer Bryan Cogman told EW. “This final face-off between the Army of the Dead and the army of the living is completely unprecedented and relentless and a mixture of genres even within the battle. There are sequences built within sequences built within sequences,” he added.
“It’s been exhausting but I think it will blow everybody away.”
The battle of Winterfell is expected to be dramatic, tragic and interesting. Fans have been speculating on which of the favourite characters will die. Even betting companies are placing odds on different characters and encouraging fans to play.
Brandon Giggs of CNN drew a lit of characters that may die and why:

Brienne was knighted by Jaime (sob, sob), which brings their complex mutual admiration to a natural end. It wouldn’t shock anyone to see her die gallantly on the battlefield.
Ser Jorah has survived numerous battles, been cured of greyscale and is now carrying a Valyrian steel sword. There’s not much left for him to do. He has repeatedly sworn his life to protecting Daenerys, so a heroic sacrifice would seem fitting.
Beric has already been killed six times and brought back to life by Thoros. Thoros is now dead. Bye-bye, Beric.
Grey Worm just vowed to take his love Missandei to her home island of Naath to canoodle on the beach after the war is over. Never make plans before a war! It’s the equivalent of saying “I’ll be right back” in a horror movie.
Varys is just sort of … hanging around. There’s a surplus of advisers in Winterfell, and the show’s writers don’t seem to know what to do with him.
Gendry made dragonglass weapons for everybody and assisted Arya with losing her virginity. Good job Gendry! His work is done.
Theon has volunteered his hard-luck services as a bodyguard to Bran, who’ll be human bait for the Night King. Good luck with that.
Then there are all the people — Sansa, Tyrion, Gilly, etc. — who will supposedly be taking refuge in the crypt beneath Winterfell. Everyone keeps saying how safe they will be down there, which by “Thrones” logic means not very safe at all. And don’t get us started on the possibility that the White Walkers could breach the crypt and reanimate all those dead Starks.

Which ever way it goes. Whether the living or the dead wins, I am sure of one winner at the end of the battle; HBO.

http://www.todaysecho.com/features/game-of-thrones-fans-wait-eagerly-for-the-longest-battle-scene-in-movie-history/

Oil giants, Eni and Shell paid $1.1 billion to government officials to give away Nigeria’s share of oil returns in what is now known as Malabu scandal, Today’s Echo has gathered.

“Italian Prosecutors allege that the $1.1bn paid by Shell and Eni for the OPL 245 licence was used to pay former Nigerian oil minister Dan Etete and “intended for payment to President Jonathan, members of the government, and other Nigerian public officials”. Shell, Eni and some of their senior managers are now standing trial, charged with international corruption, with prosecution pending in other countries, Global Witness, an international organization working to expose the systems that enable corruption and conflict stated in a press release issued on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

Malabu and the OPL 245 deal
In 2011, Shell and the Italian oil company Eni paid $1.1 billion in a murky deal for an oil block located off the coast of Nigeria: OPL 245. However, there are documents showing that this money didn’t go to benefit the Nigerian people.

“Instead it went to convicted money launderer and former oil Minister, Dan Etete, who had awarded himself ownership of the block in 1998 via a company he secretly owned, Malabu Oil and Gas, ” Global Witness says in a report.

After six years of denying any wrongdoing, Global Witness’ investigation forced Shell to admit it knew the money would be diverted into private hands, and went ahead with the deal anyway.

The landmark trial, which began hearing evidence in Milan in September 2018, involves current and former senior staff from two of the world’s largest corporations. They include Eni’s current CEO Claudio Descalzi, and former Royal Dutch Shell Executive Director for Upstream, Malcolm Brinded CBE.
The case brought by the Milan Public Prosecutor alleges that $520 million from the deal was converted into cash and intended to be paid to then Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and other Nigerian government officials. The prosecutors further allege that money was also channelled to Eni and Shell executives, with $50 million in cash delivered to the home of Eni’s then head of African Operations Roberto Casula.

Current Revelations
Today’s Echo found out from Global Witness representative, Barnaby Pace, who has been monitoring the trials at the Milan Palace of Justice, that new analysis finds Shell and Eni would not pay $1.1bn upfront for Nigeria’s OPL 245 oil field until Nigerian Government officials agreed to give away their rightful share of oil. The $1.1bn is alleged to have funded a vast bribery scheme.

The analysis of Shell and Eni’s valuation documents prepared before they agreed the deal in 2011 appears to show that the transfer of Nigeria’s share of future revenue to the companies was essential for the companies to be willing to pay over a billion dollars upfront, money that prosecutors say was used to pay massive bribes.

The analysis also found that the Nigerian state’s ability to buy their rights back was heavily restricted in the deal with Nigeria having to pay $650m plus interest up front to re-acquire a stake worth an estimated $2 billion in future revenue. These rights would still leave Nigeria with a far lower share of the oil production than recommended by the IMF, and 15% or $3.5bn lower than previous terms for the same license.

http://www.todaysecho.com/features/malabu-eni-and-shell-bribed-nigerian-govt-officials-to-give-up-national-oil-wealth/

President of the African Development Bank(AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina has had a reunion with his former driver while he was Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture four years ago.

Adesina, who was a guest of president Buhari at Aso Rock during the week, took the time to reconnect with his former driver, Alhaji Gidado, who is still working at the presidency.

“One of the highlights of my visit to the State House in Abuja this week was seeing my former driver when I was a Minister, Alh. Gidago. It was such a joy to see him again to thank him for his good work and selfless national service! Thank you Gidado, ” Adesina tweeted on Thursday.

Akinwunmi Adesina was Nigeria’s Minister for Agriculture under president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration from 2010 to 2015. He became the president of the AfDB, in 2015 based on recommendations from the current president, who defeated his former boss. Adesina still has deep ties with Nigeria and its government.

http://www.todaysecho.com/lifestyle/afdb-boss-adesina-reunites-with-former-driver-in-aso-rock/