Why I banned seven countries

President Donald Trump

President of the United States of America, USA, Donald Trump says the executive order banning citizens of seven countries from entering the US was aimed at curbing terrorism.

Recall that Trump while announcing the erection of a wall along the US-Mexico border, had  declared a ban on some Islamic countries.

Nigeria must borrow more

Kemi Adeosun

Speaking to Daily Trust newspapers amidst other reporters recently, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, told the participants: “we have no choice but to borrow”. She disclosed that the Federal Government received “about N140 billion” from the federally allocated revenue while she must cover N330bn a month before she could embark on a single capital project. This disclosure by the main manager of the Federal Government’s finances is hardly reassuring for those who look up to her for cheering news of steps being taken to grow the economy with innovative ideas. 

She merely announced a monthly financing gap of N190 billion without explaining how the gap would be bridged. The implication was that if things continued this way, the Federal Government would have to depend heavily on borrowing to run a large portion of both the recurrent and capital platforms of our annual budgets.

Nigeria/Chad seek $50b for Lake Chad

Geoffrey Onyema

Nigeria and the Republic of Chad are seeking a $50 billion aid for the recharging and refilling of the drying Lake Chad.

The two countries have solicited the support of the African Union (AU) and international donors to raise the fund.

The two countries made the call at the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) on the sidelines of the ongoing 28th AU Summit.

Afenifere warns on herdsmen threat to food security

A cross section of the Afenifere Renewal Group

Barrow removes 'Islamic Republic' tag

President Adama Barrow

Adama Barrow, The Gambia’s new President, has vowed to reform the country’s intelligence agency and also ensure media freedom in the country.

Barrow spoke on Saturday at his first news conference since returning to the country to assume power.

Lagos Red line project gets FG nod

Lagos Red Trains

The Lagos State Government at the weekend disclosed that the federal government had finally approved right of way for the construction of another light rail (red line) project.

The state government also disclosed that it had started the construction of Osho-Abule-Egba Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), noting that the project, second of its kind in Nigeria, would be completed in 20 months.

Goodluck writes Trump

Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR

The immediate past president of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has written an open letter to the United States of America President-elect, Donald Trump.

In the letter, Jonathan expressed optimism that Trump's administration will work with the African continent to help her people realize its goals and aspirations.

The letter dated Friday, January 20 was posted on the ex-president's Facebook page.

The letter was however silent about rumours which surfaced in the Nigerian media space yesterday, January 19 that Dr Jonathan will be attending Trump's inauguration. 

Jammeh concedes, plans exile

President Alpha Conde of Guinea

Gambia’s former president, Yahya Jammeh will now leave Banjul on Saturday with President Alpha Conde of Guinea, to begin a new life in exile.

This followed Friday’s final peace move by Conde and Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.

Journalists gagged again, Stop! - pleads writers/journalists

Desmond Utomwen (CABSOJA) and the leadership of the Nig. Union of Journalists 

A group of Nigerian writers, intellectuals and media figures called on President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday to stop the persecution of journalists, after an online publication's news staff was briefly detained.

PMB to release economic recovery plan - Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, on Wednesday said plans have been concluded to launch its economic recovery plan in February.

Speaking on the sideline of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Vice President said that massive investments in the people and their skills would bring about economic prosperity.

The VP was quoted to have said this via a statement by his media aide, Mr. Laolu Akande.

CBN bars untraceable currency transaction

CBN Headquarters, Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has barred deposit money banks and all other financial institutions from the operation of any form of virtual currency.

The warning by the apex bank yesterday was contained in a circular by the CBN Director of Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mr. Kevin Amugo, a copy of which was obtained by The Guardian.

'Step aside' - Jammeh's lawyer

Gambians fleeing to neighbouring Senegal at  road check point

Mr. Edward Anthony Gomez, the lawyer to embattled President Yaya Jammeh of Gambia, has fled to Senegal and advised his client to step aside and respect the wishes of Gambian people as expressed in the presidential election results.

Saraki operated, undeclared forex accounts

A docked Saraki

The Head of Funds Transfer Unit of the Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Amazi Nwachuckwu, appeared before the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja on Tuesday giving details of how the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, operated and funded offshore accounts between 2009 and a 2012, while serving as a public officer.

Jammeh declares state of emergency in Gambia

Buhari, Sirleaf, Jammeh, Koroma ... how did the parley go wrong?

A day before the official end of his tenure, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has declared a 90-day state of emergency, Gambian State television has announced.

The terms for the state of emergency are not known as the announcement did not provide further details.

Gambians flee, Barrow/Buhari leaves Gambia...

Adama Barrow - President-elect

President Muhammadu Buhari and other West African leaders have tactically taken Gambia’s president-elect, Adama Barrow, into safety after a botched attempt to persuade President Yahya Jammeh to voluntarily cede power after he lost the 1 December election.

Mr. Jammeh’s tenure ends January 19. And both ECOWAS and the AU have said he would cease to be leader of West Africa’s smallest country by January 20.

Black Lady Liberty on US gold coin

In April, the U.S. Mint is releasing a gold coin that will mark American currency history. For the first time, the coin will show a black Lady Liberty, rather than the white, European-esque woman gifted by France.

On Thursday, the Mint and the Treasury Department announced the 24-karat coin -– worth $100 at face value -– will be available for purchase on April 6th.

However, they won't be circulated like typical currency. The New York Times reported that only 100,000 coins will be produced and, depending on the value of gold, could be worth upwards of $1,000.

Army releases B/Haram suspects

Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor

The Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Borno State was marked with the release of 257 suspected Boko Haram members arrested by the Army at the expansive Ramat Square, Maiduguri.

Handing over the suspects to the Deputy Governor Usman Mamman Durkwa, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, said they were thoroughly screened before their release.

Late Justice Oputa will 'cringe in his grave' - Charly Boy

Charly Boy Oputa

An activist and former President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Charles Oputa, a.k.a Charly Boy, said in Lagos on Sunday that his late father, a retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, will be cringing in his grave over corruption in the nation’s judiciary.

He spoke at the 13th Chief Gani Fawehinmi Annual Memorial lecture and symposium with the theme, “Nigeria Anti-Corruption War: Whither The Legal Profession and The Judiciary?”

Bird -flu hits Kano

Agriculture Minister - Audu Ogbeh

The Kano State government said it would soon begin disinfection of all poultry farms and markets as part of measures to curb the spread of the recent outbreak of bird flu in the state.

The Director, Veterinary services of the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Shehu Bawa, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Kano.

UNFPA/Kano to end child marriage

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje - Kano State Governor

A new deal is being worked out towards ending child marriage in the country, as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Kano State Government and the Emirate Council in the state have come together to push for its legislation.

Already, the Kano State government and the Kano Emirate Council have set up committees to fine-tune legislations that would make it criminal for anybody in the state to marry a girl below the age of 18.

66 Medical Centres shut in Abuja

FCT Minister - Muhammad Musa Bello

The FCT Health Management Board said it shut down 66 medical facilities that fell short of professional standards in addition to not having operating licences last year.

This disclosure was made by the Acting Secretary of FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), Mrs. Achu Odey at a media briefing on the activities of the HHSS for last year.

Mrs. Odey said the facilities were sanctioned by Private Health Practice Committee, which after an assessment sealed them up for not complying with best medical practice standards.

While offering more explanation on the development, the FCT Director Medical and Diagnostics, Dr. Uche Egheyi, said 39 of the affected facilities were medical laboratories discovered to be operating without approved licences.

According to Egheyi, the Private Health Practice Committee, following a routine and intensive inspection of some laboratories in the council areas of the federal capital territory, placed locks on the facilities for illegal operation.

She said the committee would adopt a strategy where all certificates of the various medical laboratory practitioners would be referred to the various regulators of health professionals and medical laboratories of Nigeria to verify if the practitioners were genuine.

Egheyi advised FCT residents to look for license of practise, whenever they go to any private medical facilities, including laboratories, adding that any centre where the licence was not displayed in the reception portend that the centre was not registered and permitted to conduct medical services.

Meanwhile the HHSS has confirmed receiving the FCT own share of $1.5 million for the Save 1,000,000 lives project.

Dr. Mohammed Kawu of Health Planning, Research and Statistics said the naira value of the fund was received last week and had started to implement the programme that also focused on the wellbeing of mother and child.

Kawu said the fund was being managed by a technical committee headed by him to be disbursed to all the units captured under the programme.

Culled from Thisday Newspapers

Nigerian Mercenary Judges irk Gambia

Chief Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle and President Yahaya Jammeh

Gambian lawyers and members of the country’s opposition have accused the country’s leader, Yahya Jammeh, of using “mercenary judges” from Nigeria, and other officials sent as technical assistants to the country’s judiciary, to hound dissidents.

The Gambian Bar Association also accused the Chief Justice of Gambia, Emmanuel Fagbenle, of plotting to use Nigerian judges to overturn the outcome of the December 1, 2016 presidential election in which Mr. Jammeh lost to Adama Barrow.

Accounting firms to manage States fiscal compliance

Finance Minister - Kemi Adeosun

The Federal Government has commenced independent review of State financial management by appointing eight reputable accounting firms including KPMG, Ernst & Young and PWC.

The firms are to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the 22-point Fiscal Sustainability Plan which specified the conditions under which 35 State Governments in June 2016 started accessing N510 billion Budget Support Facility, a statement by the finance ministry said Tuesday.

Ndume removed as Senate Leader

Senator Ali Ndume

The All Progressives Congress members of the Senate have removed Ali Ndume as their leader.

The development was conveyed by Senate President Bukola Saraki who read a letter he claimed was sent to him by the caucus.

The caucus elected to replace Mr. Ndume with Ahmed Lawan, the letter read by Mr. Saraki said.

FRC explains why Churches must comply with Govt. directives

Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the FRC, Jim Obazee, at the weekend said that though only 89 out of the 23, 216 registered churches in the country have complied till date, the council would be unrelenting till the right thing is done.

NUPENG strike imminent

Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, will begin a three-day nationwide warning strike on Wednesday, over disputes with International Oil Companies, IOCs.

NUPENG explained that the decision follows indiscriminate sack of workers without benefits and refusal to allow their workers to join union.

MMM adopts Bitcoin

Ahead of January 14 when the pop­ular ponzi scheme, Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox (MMM) is expected to lift suspension on payment of participants, the operators of the scheme have intro­duced Bitcoin as its cur­rency for payment.

Bitcoin emerged the world’s best performing means of payment in 2016 and is tipped to become the safest asset globally.

The Bitcoin currency had been in demand but had not gained much pop­ularity among Nigerians compared to the MMM ponzi scheme which mil­lions of Nigerians patron­ised in 2016 before it was suspended in December last year.

Although hopes among the participants of the ponzi scheme are still high in Nigeria, many have continued to turn to Bit­coin which had been there but had little patronage like it was with the ponzi scheme.

According to the new arrangement, partici­pants to receive payment in bitcoin, and watch their monies grow in bitcoin which the MMM were allowed to provide help with before the accounts were frozen in December 2016.

A statement to partic­ipants yesterday by the MMM operators on Fa­cebook read: “Due to the recent sharp price fluctua­tions of Bitcoin, MAVRO-BTC is being introduced in the system”.

“So far, we have only had Mavro-Naira in the System. Even though you provided help via Bitcoin, your Bitcoins, anyway, were recalculated into the Nigerian Naira at the ex­change rate at the moment of providing help, and you were credited with Mavro-Naira in your PO.

Hold on! Religious regulation law

Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah - Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment

Strong indications have emerged that the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah, and the Executive Secretary of the Financial Regulatory Council of Nigeria, FRCN Mr. Jim Obazee, are currently in a cold war over the council’s regulation, which stipulates 20 years tenure ‎for heads of religious groups and civil society groups in the country.

Shell/Niger Delta Oil Communities in London legal tussle

A court in London will decide in coming weeks whether Royal Dutch Shell can face trial in the UK over oil spill allegations in Nigeria, a decision some legal experts predict could attract more cases against multinationals in Britain.

The High Court will judge whether members from two communities, Bille and Ogale in Nigeria's oil-rich Delta region, can sue the Anglo-Dutch company in British courts.