EFCC recovers over N1bn in S-South

PORT HARCOURT —THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions, EFCC, said that it has recovered over N1 billion within seven months in the South-South states.
The commission disclosed this in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during a protest by the Coalition of Civil Rights Organisations, Concerned Youths and the Ijaw Nation Worldwide on the probe of the former first lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.
Addressing the protesters, the South-South Zonal Head of EFCC, Mr. Ishaq Salihu, noted that the amount it recovered falls into two categories, explaining that part of the money was from politicians, whereas the other was from cases reported to the commission.
Salihu said that the commission recovered over N500 million from top politicians in the region within the stipulated months.
He said: “Between January 2 and September 2, alone, the EFCC South-South office has recovered N1.30 billion. What I said can be verified, there are records on that.
“The amount falls into two categories. One, recovery from the Federal Government and the state governments, and recoveries from politicians, and individuals that reported their cases to the EFCC and whose money had been returned.
“We have Recovery Account at the Central Bank of Nigeria. The last time I checked, we have recovered from politicians over N500.5m, that make up the N1bn. Nobody should justify the illegality that has been going on.

Independence: Gov Abubakar pardons 22 inmates in Bauchi

Independence: Gov Abubakar pardons 22 inmates in Bauchi

Gov Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State on Friday pardoned 22 inmates serving various jail terms in the state.
Abubakar announced this in Bauchi in a broadcast to the people of the state as part of activities marking 56th independence anniversary of the country.
He said that the inmates were released from various formations in the state.
Abubakar said that the country had assumed a status of super power in spite of the skepticism that the country would derail after independence.
He said that country had witnessed 17 years of uninterrupted civil rule in spite of economic and political challenges that faced it.
The governor said that his administration was dedicated to providing infrastructure to better the lives of the people in spite of the scarce resources at its disposal.
Abubakar said that the state was one of the safest in the North East and played host to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from neighbouring states affected by insurgency.
He assured the people of the state that government would accord more attention to security to protect their lives and properties.
The governor said he was not unmindful of the sufferings of the people due to global economic recession, promising that the recession would soon be over as government at all levels were striving to check the situation.
He urged the people to support policies and programmes of his administration to enable it provide them with needed amenities.

RHYTHM FM'S DJ MIDAS PASSES ON

One of Nigeria's foremost and prominent Disc jockeys, DJ Midas has died. DJ Midas, whose real name is Michael Adedoyin, died after a brief illness yesterday Tuesday September 27th. 

Shortly before his death, DJ Midas worked with Silverbird's Rhythm FM. He joined the radio station in1998 as a pioneer and regular DJ host. He was in his 40s. May his soul rest in peace, amen.

I DIDN'T WANNA EMBARASS CLINTON AT THE DEBATE_ TRUMP

Donald Trump has suggested that he did so well at Monday Night's U.S Presidential election debate claiming he held back because he didn't want to embarrass his rival Hillary Clinton. 

Speaking to a fired-up crowd in Melbourne on Tuesday, Trump said that he has the momentum for victory after what he said was a strong win in Monday's debate against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

'Clinton is as crooked as they come," Trump said, 'Everything she did turned out bad."

"I was holding back. I didn't want to embarrass her."

"She is the candidate of yesterday, and ours is the campaign and the people of the future," Trump said. "She's an insider, fighting only for her donors and insiders. I'm an outsider fighting for you."

During his speech at the AeroMod International hangar at Orlando Melbourne International Airport, Trump said Clinton was "incompetent as secretary of State."

"Crooked Hillary is going to be worse than Obama, and we can't let it happen," Trump said.

 

Trump also promised that he would "build the wall" to prevent illegal immigration into the United States from Mexico, and that Mexico would pay for it.

Hearing those remarks, the crowd estimated to be about 8500 chanted: "Build the wall

MTN DENIES $13.92billion repatriation leveled by dino melaye

MTN has reacted to the alleged illegal repatriation of $13.92 billion leveled against it by Senator Dino Melaye at the senate plenary yesterday. Dino in a motion before the house, accused the Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah of colluding with the telecommunications company to illegally repatriate the said amount from Nigeria between 2006 to 2016. 

However a statement released by the CEO of MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman, describes the allegations as unfounded and lacks merit. 

“The allegations made against MTN are completely unfounded and without any merit”the statement read in part

MTN DENIES $13.92billion repatriation leveled by dino melaye

MTN has reacted to the alleged illegal repatriation of $13.92 billion leveled against it by Senator Dino Melaye at the senate plenary yesterday. Dino in a motion before the house, accused the Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah of colluding with the telecommunications company to illegally repatriate the said amount from Nigeria between 2006 to 2016. 

However a statement released by the CEO of MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman, describes the allegations as unfounded and lacks merit. 

“The allegations made against MTN are completely unfounded and without any merit”the statement read in part

PETROL TANKER BURNS AND KILLS SIX IN AKWA IBOM

Six people were killed, with some of them burnt beyond recognition, after a petrol tanker driver lost control and rammed into a stationed tricycle with its driver and passengers in it, at Calabar Itu expressway at Obong junction Akwa Ibom at about 7pm on September 26th. The tricycle popularly known as Keke Napep, went up in flames, burning all the occupants. See the graphic photos after the cut. *Viewers discretion advised* 

SARAKI AND EKWEREMADU FORGERY CASE ADJOURNED TILL OCTOBER 7TH

The trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu for alleged forgery of the senate standing rules that brought them into office during the senate leadership election in June last year, has been adjourned to October 7th. 

The presiding judge, Justice Yusf Haliru, adjourned the case following a application by the counsel to the Federal government and prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Umar, who asked for more time to reply a motion by the defendants challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case. 

Saraki and Ekweremadu had filed a fresh motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case of alleged forgery. They asked the court to summarily dismiss the case against them. Their application hwever did not get to the prosecuting counsel until Monday September 26th. 

The prosecuting counsel told the court that since the motion was in relation to the fundamental right of defendants to fair hearing, he needs to properly prepare his response to the motion. 

“Just now I became aware of a motion by the first defendant and served on us on September 26. The motion is fundamental because it is asking your lordship to decline jurisdiction and quash the charges. It is a short notice‎. I have not filed anything‎. It is fundamental to fair hearing. Under the circumstances, I will ask for an adjournment to enable me to respond to the motion.” he said

Justice Haliru thereafter adjourned the case till Friday October 7th. Saraki and Ekweremadu are standing trial alongside former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi.

SARAKI AND EKWEREMADU FORGERY CASE ADJOURNED TILL OCTOBER 7TH

The trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu for alleged forgery of the senate standing rules that brought them into office during the senate leadership election in June last year, has been adjourned to October 7th. 

The presiding judge, Justice Yusf Haliru, adjourned the case following a application by the counsel to the Federal government and prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Umar, who asked for more time to reply a motion by the defendants challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case. 

Saraki and Ekweremadu had filed a fresh motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case of alleged forgery. They asked the court to summarily dismiss the case against them. Their application hwever did not get to the prosecuting counsel until Monday September 26th. 

The prosecuting counsel told the court that since the motion was in relation to the fundamental right of defendants to fair hearing, he needs to properly prepare his response to the motion. 

“Just now I became aware of a motion by the first defendant and served on us on September 26. The motion is fundamental because it is asking your lordship to decline jurisdiction and quash the charges. It is a short notice‎. I have not filed anything‎. It is fundamental to fair hearing. Under the circumstances, I will ask for an adjournment to enable me to respond to the motion.” he said

Justice Haliru thereafter adjourned the case till Friday October 7th. Saraki and Ekweremadu are standing trial alongside former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi.

BORNO STATE COMMISSIONER FOR ENVIRONMENT DIES

The Commissioner for Environment in Borno state, Waziri Imam, has died. He died this morning following a brief illness at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. He will be buried today according to Islamic laws. He reportedly drove himself to the hospital when he suddenly fell ill. May his soul rest in peace Amen.

I WON'T BE SILENT ON POLICE VIOLENCE- SERENA WILLIAMS

Tennis great Serena Williams, 35, took to her Facebook to write on the growing Police/ Black people violence in the United States, saying she won't be silent on the issue.. In the post, she wrote that she had asked her 18-year-old nephew to drive her somewhere so she could work during the journey. But that when she saw a police car she "remembered that horrible video of the woman in the car when a cop shot her boyfriend" and"All of this went through my mind in a matter of seconds," she added. Read after the cut... 

MAKE UP ARTIST BACKS THE FIRST LADY OVER US TRIP

Top makeup artist Mamza Beauty has come to the defence of Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, following criticisms that greeted the First Lady's decision to fly her to the US for the just concluded UN General Assembly. Posting more photos from the session, the Abuja-based makeup artist said that Mrs Buhari's efforts towards eradicating child malnutrition, hunger, and other social issues through her pet project, Future Assured, should be commended instead.

 

"Read...for those who CARE to be enlightened about her trip....Getting Her Excellency(Wife of the President of Nigeria) ready for the 71st United Nations General Assembly(I am deeply honored);

where she is advocating for support to push forward the Child nutrition project which would CREATE JOBS for our youths, SOLVE MALNOURISHMENT , HUNGER issues and help BOOST our nations' GDP. Food for malnourished and hunger stricken children are deployed from donors to help alleviate poverty and solve the problem of malnourishment, but before the food reaches Nigeria some of the children die from starvation. So Mrs Buhari is pushing to solve this predicament for the Nigerian child amongst other programs by pushing for the set up of a food factory (Nutritional plant) in Nigeria, which would produce healthy and nutritious ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF)for babies and toddlers 'AT NO COST'. Some neighboring countries in Africa (Niger) have a factory set up to produce their own food, empowered by the UN...so@aishambuhari asks "WHY NOT NIGERIA"? . It is easy to judge from the sidelines when u don't really know what is going on..."

OBASANJO BACKS SALE OF NATIONAL ASSET

backed the call for the sale of some National assets to revive the current ailing economy. Obasanjo ‎endorsed the sale of the assets at the opening ceremony of the National Council On Finance and Economic Development Conference (NACOFED) in Abeokuta yesterday September 27th. 

“I do not see why 49 per cent of NNPC cannot be privatised. I think the problem is in the coinage “selling of asset” as if we want to throw out our inheritance. 
What we are actually doing by that is simply re-organising. It should however be done transparently and let it actually go public and not to cabals, relations and friends. This is always the fear of Nigerians when issues like this arise,” he said Also speaking at the 2016 World Pension Summit in Abuja yesterday, the former President said that former state governors who were in office during his administration ‎contributed to the current economic recession as they refused his government to save for the rainy day. “I remember when I was in government and I told, particularly, the governors, ‘please let us save for the rainy days.’ They said no!. There was no rain at that time, now that the rain has come; there is nothing we can fall back on to cushion us.”he said

OBASANJO BACKS SALE OF NATIONAL ASSET

backed the call for the sale of some National assets to revive the current ailing economy. Obasanjo ‎endorsed the sale of the assets at the opening ceremony of the National Council On Finance and Economic Development Conference (NACOFED) in Abeokuta yesterday September 27th. 

“I do not see why 49 per cent of NNPC cannot be privatised. I think the problem is in the coinage “selling of asset” as if we want to throw out our inheritance. 
What we are actually doing by that is simply re-organising. It should however be done transparently and let it actually go public and not to cabals, relations and friends. This is always the fear of Nigerians when issues like this arise,” he said Also speaking at the 2016 World Pension Summit in Abuja yesterday, the former President said that former state governors who were in office during his administration ‎contributed to the current economic recession as they refused his government to save for the rainy day. “I remember when I was in government and I told, particularly, the governors, ‘please let us save for the rainy days.’ They said no!. There was no rain at that time, now that the rain has come; there is nothing we can fall back on to cushion us.”he said

NIGERIA'S NNEMKADI OGWUMIKE AWARDED THE WOMEN'S NBA MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike also known as Nnemkadi Ogwumike has been awarded the Women's NBA Most Valuable player of the year award for her fine displays in the USA women's basketball league this season.

Ogwumike, 26 ranks third in the WNBA in scoring (19.7) and rebounding (9.1) while leading the league with 66.5% shooting, the second-best percentage in WNBA history.

Congrats to her

MAKE UP ARTIST BACKS THE FIRST LADY OVER US TRIP

Top makeup artist Mamza Beauty has come to the defence of Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, following criticisms that greeted the First Lady's decision to fly her to the US for the just concluded UN General Assembly. Posting more photos from the session, the Abuja-based makeup artist said that Mrs Buhari's efforts towards eradicating child malnutrition, hunger, and other social issues through her pet project, Future Assured, should be commended instead.

 

"Read...for those who CARE to be enlightened about her trip....Getting Her Excellency(Wife of the President of Nigeria) ready for the 71st United Nations General Assembly(I am deeply honored);

where she is advocating for support to push forward the Child nutrition project which would CREATE JOBS for our youths, SOLVE MALNOURISHMENT , HUNGER issues and help BOOST our nations' GDP. Food for malnourished and hunger stricken children are deployed from donors to help alleviate poverty and solve the problem of malnourishment, but before the food reaches Nigeria some of the children die from starvation. So Mrs Buhari is pushing to solve this predicament for the Nigerian child amongst other programs by pushing for the set up of a food factory (Nutritional plant) in Nigeria, which would produce healthy and nutritious ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF)for babies and toddlers 'AT NO COST'. Some neighboring countries in Africa (Niger) have a factory set up to produce their own food, empowered by the UN...so@aishambuhari asks "WHY NOT NIGERIA"? . It is easy to judge from the sidelines when u don't really know what is going on..."

OBASANJO BACKS SALE OF NATIONAL ASSET

backed the call for the sale of some National assets to revive the current ailing economy. Obasanjo ‎endorsed the sale of the assets at the opening ceremony of the National Council On Finance and Economic Development Conference (NACOFED) in Abeokuta yesterday September 27th. 

“I do not see why 49 per cent of NNPC cannot be privatised. I think the problem is in the coinage “selling of asset” as if we want to throw out our inheritance. 
What we are actually doing by that is simply re-organising. It should however be done transparently and let it actually go public and not to cabals, relations and friends. This is always the fear of Nigerians when issues like this arise,” he said Also speaking at the 2016 World Pension Summit in Abuja yesterday, the former President said that former state governors who were in office during his administration ‎contributed to the current economic recession as they refused his government to save for the rainy day. “I remember when I was in government and I told, particularly, the governors, ‘please let us save for the rainy days.’ They said no!. There was no rain at that time, now that the rain has come; there is nothing we can fall back on to cushion us.”he said

PATIENCE JONATHAN'S SCANDAL

Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court in Lagos will on October 7th deliver judgement on the case of the seized $15.5 million found in four company accounts that have been linked to former First lady Patience Jonathan. 

The Nation reports that at the resumed hearing of the case yesterday September 27th, counsel to former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, who is also a defendant in the case,  urged the Federal High Court to nullify the guilty plea by four companies that have been linked to the case. The four companies in whose accounts the seized $15 million was found in, had on September 15th pleaded guilty to laundering the said amount when they were arraigned.  

The companies namely Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by FridayDavis), Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Agbor Baro), Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Dioghowori Frederick) and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd (represented by Taiwo Ebenezer) pleaded guilty to laundering the monies that have Mrs Jonathan had come out to claim ownership of. The companies, along with a lawyer Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku, were arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi. 

Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku, however, pleaded not guilty to a 17-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Yesterday, Dudafa and Briggs, through their lawyers, urged the court to set aside the guilty plea entered on the firm’ behalf by their representatives. They urged the court to replace the guilty plea with a “not-guilty” plea for the companies. They also contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to accept the companies’ guilty plea. Dudafa and his co-accused argued that those who pleaded guilty for the companies did not exhibit any letter authorising them to do so by the firms’ board. They argued that the prosecution failed to comply with Section 477(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which specifies that such a representative must have authorisation. According to Dudafa’s lawyer, Gbenga Oyewole, the four representatives had earlier made statements to both the EFCC and the court denying any connection with the companies and alleging that their names and signatures were forged. He argued that Mrs Jonathan had sued EFCC claiming ownership of the funds in the companies’ accounts, adding that neither the Federal Government not any state had stated that the funds were stolen from them. According to him, the same representatives had earlier denied any link to the companies when they were first charged before Justice Abdulazeez Anka, who sat during the vacation. He said Justice Anka replaced their guilty plea with “not guilty” after their denial.

“The purported representatives did not produce a statement of appointment by the companies,” Oyewole argued.

Objecting to his argument, counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, said there was evidence at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) that Davies, Baro, Fredrick and Ebenezer were the companies’ directors. Oyedepo said the four also had the mandate to operate the Skye Bank accounts where the $15.5million is. He added that the companies representatives were of sound mind and made a deliberate decision to plead guilty.

“The prima facie evidence before Your Lordship is that those who appeared before Your Lordship are the directors of the fourth to seventh defendants (the companies).

EFCC said the accused persons conspired on November 13, 2013 in Lagos to launder $15,591,700. It said the defendants “reasonably ought to have known that the funds form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act”.

Seagate Property, Dudafa, Bolodeoku and Sompre Omiebi (said to be at large) were accused of indirectly retaining $1,094,500 through a Skye Bank Plc account (2110002207) between November 14 and 19, 2013. EFCC said the money “forms part of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

They were also accused of indirectly retaining $1,200,000 through the Skye Bank account between January 21 and December 19, 2014; as well as $1,349,700 through the same account between March 31 and May 20, 2015, among others.

BATCH B ZAMFARA CORP OLAYIWOLA DECLARED MISSING

Sorunke Olayiwola Lukman, a Batch B Stream 1 corp member serving in Zamfara state has reportedly been declared missing. His photo and details are being shared via Social Media and a mail was sent in to LIB. Read below.

He is Sorunke Olayiwola Lukman ZM/15B/0110 a serving corp member with Zamfara state, Anka Local Government area to be precise. He left home (Abeokuta) for his place of primary assignment to do his final clearance as he was a Batch B Stream 1 corp member, on Wednesday 20th to board a night bus to Zamfara.

Since then he has not been reachable, his cellphones are not going through, he didn't get to his destination neither did he return home. Ibadan was the last place we could track him to, around coca cola area.

 A preliminary report confirmed an accident on Ogbomosho - Oyo express road, around Odo-Oba axis involving an eighteen seater passengers bus conveying mostly corp members to the north and  a truck full of PMS which spilled on the road and subsequently caught fire. 

We call on relevant authorities to help reveal the identities of all members of the Eighteen seater bus who were mostly burnt beyond recognition. For any information to offer to help find this young soul and others involved in the incident, pls contact 07035683121, 08110871851, 08189427903, 08062225724, 08160141268.

KEVIN HART TOPS FORBES LIST OF HIGHEST PAID COMEDIAN

Kevin Hart, 37, has dethroned Jerry Seinfeld as the highest paid comedian, with his earnings of $87.5 Million. According to Forbes, Between June 2015 and June 2016, Kevin Hart made $87.5 million - over $30 million more than longtime earnings leader Jerry Seinfeld, who made $43.5 million. 

Combined, the world’s 10 highest-paid comedians made $233.5 million over Forbes' scoring period, prior to taxes and management fees. Their earnings came from touring, endorsements, films, DVD sales, TV specials and paid appearances. These comedians are: 

1. Kevin Hart: $87.5million (£67.3 million) 
2. Jerry Seinfeld: $43.5million (£22.5 million) 
3. Terry Fator: $21million (£16.15million) 
4. Amy Schumer: $17million (£13.1million) 
5. Jeff Dunham: $13.5million (£10.4million) 
6. Dave Chappelle: $13million (£10million) 
7. Jim Gaffigan: $12.5million (£9.6million) 
8. Gabriel Iglesias: $9.5million (£7.3million) 
9. Russell Peters: $9million (£6.9 million) 
10. John Bishop: $7million (£5.4 million)

PATIENCE JONATHAN'S SCANDAL

Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court in Lagos will on October 7th deliver judgement on the case of the seized $15.5 million found in four company accounts that have been linked to former First lady Patience Jonathan. 

The Nation reports that at the resumed hearing of the case yesterday September 27th, counsel to former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, who is also a defendant in the case,  urged the Federal High Court to nullify the guilty plea by four companies that have been linked to the case. The four companies in whose accounts the seized $15 million was found in, had on September 15th pleaded guilty to laundering the said amount when they were arraigned.  

The companies namely Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by FridayDavis), Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Agbor Baro), Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Dioghowori Frederick) and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd (represented by Taiwo Ebenezer) pleaded guilty to laundering the monies that have Mrs Jonathan had come out to claim ownership of. The companies, along with a lawyer Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku, were arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi. 

Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku, however, pleaded not guilty to a 17-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Yesterday, Dudafa and Briggs, through their lawyers, urged the court to set aside the guilty plea entered on the firm’ behalf by their representatives. They urged the court to replace the guilty plea with a “not-guilty” plea for the companies. They also contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to accept the companies’ guilty plea. Dudafa and his co-accused argued that those who pleaded guilty for the companies did not exhibit any letter authorising them to do so by the firms’ board. They argued that the prosecution failed to comply with Section 477(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which specifies that such a representative must have authorisation. According to Dudafa’s lawyer, Gbenga Oyewole, the four representatives had earlier made statements to both the EFCC and the court denying any connection with the companies and alleging that their names and signatures were forged. He argued that Mrs Jonathan had sued EFCC claiming ownership of the funds in the companies’ accounts, adding that neither the Federal Government not any state had stated that the funds were stolen from them. According to him, the same representatives had earlier denied any link to the companies when they were first charged before Justice Abdulazeez Anka, who sat during the vacation. He said Justice Anka replaced their guilty plea with “not guilty” after their denial.

“The purported representatives did not produce a statement of appointment by the companies,” Oyewole argued.

Objecting to his argument, counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, said there was evidence at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) that Davies, Baro, Fredrick and Ebenezer were the companies’ directors. Oyedepo said the four also had the mandate to operate the Skye Bank accounts where the $15.5million is. He added that the companies representatives were of sound mind and made a deliberate decision to plead guilty.

“The prima facie evidence before Your Lordship is that those who appeared before Your Lordship are the directors of the fourth to seventh defendants (the companies).

EFCC said the accused persons conspired on November 13, 2013 in Lagos to launder $15,591,700. It said the defendants “reasonably ought to have known that the funds form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act”.

Seagate Property, Dudafa, Bolodeoku and Sompre Omiebi (said to be at large) were accused of indirectly retaining $1,094,500 through a Skye Bank Plc account (2110002207) between November 14 and 19, 2013. EFCC said the money “forms part of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

They were also accused of indirectly retaining $1,200,000 through the Skye Bank account between January 21 and December 19, 2014; as well as $1,349,700 through the same account between March 31 and May 20, 2015, among others.

COURT FREEZES IMO STATE GOVERNMENT'S ACCOUNT

The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, has ordered the freezing of all the accounts of Imo State Government and the confiscation of all monies domiciled in them. The court gave the order while delivering judgement on an appeal filed by the Governor of the state Rochas Okorocha, the Attorney General of Imo State, the Environmental Transformation Committee and the Ministry of Petroleum and Environment, Imo State. 

The state government had approached the court to upturn earlier judgments delivered by Hon. Justice Maryann Anenih of Maitama High Court, Abuja, and Hon. Justice Ijeoma Agugua, in suit numbers FCT/HC/M/9257/2016 and HU/538/2011, filed by one of its contractors, E. F. Network Nigeria Limited and Mr. Gideon Egbuchulam who the state owed N1 billion. 

The Abuja courts had delivered judgments in favor of one of the state contractors. The Court of Appeal in its ruling yesterday ordered that the confiscated funds of the state be used to offset the N1 billion debt owed E. F. Network Nigeria Limited and Gideon Egbuchulam.

COURT FREEZES IMO STATE GOVERNMENT'S ACCOUNT

The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, has ordered the freezing of all the accounts of Imo State Government and the confiscation of all monies domiciled in them. The court gave the order while delivering judgement on an appeal filed by the Governor of the state Rochas Okorocha, the Attorney General of Imo State, the Environmental Transformation Committee and the Ministry of Petroleum and Environment, Imo State. 

The state government had approached the court to upturn earlier judgments delivered by Hon. Justice Maryann Anenih of Maitama High Court, Abuja, and Hon. Justice Ijeoma Agugua, in suit numbers FCT/HC/M/9257/2016 and HU/538/2011, filed by one of its contractors, E. F. Network Nigeria Limited and Mr. Gideon Egbuchulam who the state owed N1 billion. 

The Abuja courts had delivered judgments in favor of one of the state contractors. The Court of Appeal in its ruling yesterday ordered that the confiscated funds of the state be used to offset the N1 billion debt owed E. F. Network Nigeria Limited and Gideon Egbuchulam.

OLAYINKA OLADIRAN, WINNER OF MTV BASE VJ SEARCH 2016

After a nail-biting two month nationwide search, 23 year old Olayinka Oladiran from Abeokuta was finally revealed as the winner of the 2016 MTV Base VJ Search – Nigeria on MTV Base(DStv channel 322) on Friday 23 September. 

Four finalists from all over the country slugged it out for the top slot during the televised grand final in front of Viacom executives Alex Okosiand Katung Aduwak, as well as famous faces from the entertainment industry including Olisa Adibua, Vector Tha Viper, Ikechukwu, Niniola, among many others 

Olayinka Oladiran beat fellow finalists Tomiwa Olorunfemi (23), Tochukwu Onwubiko (21) and 19 year-old twins, Grace and Glory Danbaki after competing with thousands of hopefuls in Lagos, Enugu and Abuja plus online and social media applicants.  While all the competitors brought their “A-Games” to the finale, K’Ola outstripped the competition thanks to her bubbly personality, relaxed stage presence, and the ability to relate to the audience. 

The other finalists also went home with contracts and will be representing MTV Base as VJs on new shows coming to the channel. 

Speaking about the victory, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, commented, “Congratulations to K’Ola, who really has shown the rare combination of qualities we look for in an MTV Base VJ.  We are so excited to welcome K’Ola to our MTV Baseand VIMN Africa family and look forward to seeing her on screen on MTV Base in the coming weeks.  The finalists were so strong and amazing this year that we plan on contracting all of them to represent the brand as VJs” 

K’Ola who could not contain her excitement after being named as the latest MTV Base VJcommented, “I feel very blessed by this experience and I’ve learnt that any dream that is worth having is worth pursuing.” 

Olayinka Oladiran will now join Ehiz Okoeguale, popularly known as “Dadaboy Ehiz” on MTV Base’s in-house talent roster, where she will start off presenting ‘Word on the Street” and “Newsish” on MTV Base.  K'Ola, who also walked away with a contract worth 20million Naira, will also get the opportunity to travel around the world with the MTV Base team on a wide range of glittering entertainment events such as the MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016, the MTV EMAs, BET Awards, BET Experience Africa, and many other events in the Viacom portfolio. 

COURT FREEZES IMO STATE GOVERNMENT'S ACCOUNT

The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, has ordered the freezing of all the accounts of Imo State Government and the confiscation of all monies domiciled in them. The court gave the order while delivering judgement on an appeal filed by the Governor of the state Rochas Okorocha, the Attorney General of Imo State, the Environmental Transformation Committee and the Ministry of Petroleum and Environment, Imo State. 

The state government had approached the court to upturn earlier judgments delivered by Hon. Justice Maryann Anenih of Maitama High Court, Abuja, and Hon. Justice Ijeoma Agugua, in suit numbers FCT/HC/M/9257/2016 and HU/538/2011, filed by one of its contractors, E. F. Network Nigeria Limited and Mr. Gideon Egbuchulam who the state owed N1 billion. 

The Abuja courts had delivered judgments in favor of one of the state contractors. The Court of Appeal in its ruling yesterday ordered that the confiscated funds of the state be used to offset the N1 billion debt owed E. F. Network Nigeria Limited and Gideon Egbuchulam.

BUHARI IS SIMPLY INCOMPETENT

Former governor of Jigawa State and chieftain of PDP, Sule Lamido, says that President Buhari is simply incompetent and was never ready for the job as President. Lamido who is presently standing trial alongside his two sons for allegedly embezzling N1.3 billion public funds while he served as Governor of Jigawa state, said this in a recent interview with DailyTrust; 

“President Buhari is simply incompetent on the provision of the welfare of the citizens because he was never ready for the job, and so, he lacks the capacity to source for the wherewithal to do it well to the satisfaction of Nigerians. 
If he (Buhari) cannot ensure the provision of basic needs of Nigerians, tell him to hand over to me and see how I will source for the wherewithal to do it. Imagine a husband who, before marrying his wife, promised her that he would provide all her legal and legitimate needs according to the obligations of matrimony, only to confront the wife shortly after the wedding and tell her that he didn’t know that he would have to provide her ‘this’, and he has now realized that he cannot, and she should please bear with him; and the wife, because of the love she has for him, overlooks that limitation. The following day, he confronts her again, explaining his inability to provide another basic need, pleading with her to overlook it, and she does so; again he comes to her another day to say he didn’t know that he also has to provide so and so to her, and now he has realized he cannot; it should dawn on the wife that he simply cannot discharge the obligations of matrimony to her, and it is legal and legitimate for her to seek divorce,” he said

BUHARI IS SIMPLY INCOMPETENT

Former governor of Jigawa State and chieftain of PDP, Sule Lamido, says that President Buhari is simply incompetent and was never ready for the job as President. Lamido who is presently standing trial alongside his two sons for allegedly embezzling N1.3 billion public funds while he served as Governor of Jigawa state, said this in a recent interview with DailyTrust; 

“President Buhari is simply incompetent on the provision of the welfare of the citizens because he was never ready for the job, and so, he lacks the capacity to source for the wherewithal to do it well to the satisfaction of Nigerians. 
If he (Buhari) cannot ensure the provision of basic needs of Nigerians, tell him to hand over to me and see how I will source for the wherewithal to do it. Imagine a husband who, before marrying his wife, promised her that he would provide all her legal and legitimate needs according to the obligations of matrimony, only to confront the wife shortly after the wedding and tell her that he didn’t know that he would have to provide her ‘this’, and he has now realized that he cannot, and she should please bear with him; and the wife, because of the love she has for him, overlooks that limitation. The following day, he confronts her again, explaining his inability to provide another basic need, pleading with her to overlook it, and she does so; again he comes to her another day to say he didn’t know that he also has to provide so and so to her, and now he has realized he cannot; it should dawn on the wife that he simply cannot discharge the obligations of matrimony to her, and it is legal and legitimate for her to seek divorce,” he said

KRIS JENNER AND BLAC CHYNA SAGA

Rob Kardashian took to twitter some hours ago to slam his family for planning a baby shower for him 'without inviting the mother of his child, Blac Chyna'. Without stating how that was even possible, he shared his younger sister Kylie Jenner's phone number on the internet and it had to be quickly disconnected. Now while no Kardashian/Jenner family member has responded to Rob's public attack, Kris Jenner shared a photo of herself in Paris and Blac Chyna commented with a love struck emoji.

SLAUGHTER ANY COW FOUND IN ABUJA CITY, SENATE TELLS FCT RESIDENTS

ABUJA— Peeved by the continued movement of cattle in Abuja metropolis in despite several warnings to their owners by the Federal Capital Territory Authorities, the Senate, through its Committee on FCT, yesterday, asked residents of the area to, henceforth, slaughter cows found in the city centre.
The directive was handed down to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, by Chairman of the committee, Senator Dino Melaye, (APC, Kogi West), when he appeared before the committee, yesterday.
Melaye, who gave the order in a speech read at the session, said it was very disappointing, annoying and embarrassing that despite the ban placed on cattle grazing in FCT by FCTA authority, some stubborn herdsmen were still moving cows along and across highways within the metropolis.
He ordered the FCT Minister to go beyond the ban by facilitating the slaughtering order issued by the senate committee.
Melaye told the minister, “the Senate is not happy at how herdsmen continue to move their cows across the city centre, which we are aware you had given directive against some time ago.
“From now on, get knives and ask your men to slaughter cows found in the capital city or prosecute herdsmen seen with cows in the city centre with a fine of N50,000 per cow. This order must be carried out.”
Melaye further revealed that the Senate was in receipt of complaints that some residents of the territory were converting their apartments into hotels and brothels, a situation he said was distorting the original master plan of the city.
He noted that some people were already undermining FCT authority under his watch, which he said was unacceptable.

Sale of national assets: NLC mobilises for nationwide protest

—Organised labour, yesterday, said it was mobilising to confront the Federal Government over its decision to sell some national assets which had before now sustained the nation’s economy.
Organised Labour’s declaration came on a day the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against planned sale of the assets.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, president of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, described the proposed decision of the government to dispose of the national assets as reckless auctioning of the nation’s commonwealth to a coterie of capitalists and government’s close associates.
Wabba, who also inaugurated a committee, alongside the Academic Staff Union Of Universities, ASUU, to engage the Federal Government on the issue, said if the dialogue with the government to stop the sale of national assets failed, it would mobilise its members across the country to embark on a nationwide protest.
He said that the congress was also considering the option of dragging the Federal Government to court, saying at least 20 lawyers had indicated interest to represent the Congress in court.
Wabba admitted that the congress had been passive on several national issues, but assured that it would engage government vigorously and ensure that the assets were not sold.
He said the NLC decided to engage the services of intellectuals to come out with alternative policy ideas besides the ones being canvassed by government
Panama Papers
He said: “The Panama Papers leaks which up till now have not been investigated, in other states, it has been investigated and the veracity of the allegation has also been proved.
“I think because certain individuals who are also now canvassing the sale of our national assets may be reason these issues have not investigated. We demand that those issues must continue to be investigated.
“Therefore, transferring our commonwealth to the ownership of a few will further impoverish all of us. I think it is high time even for government to try to take stock of all enterprises that have been privatised before now and what is their state.
“What comes to mind is the power sector, which was privatised for over three years now. I am sure that all of us will agree that no value was added, instead they have been exploited.
“We have been paying bills that cannot be justified. Even to provide meters have nearly been difficult even with the pronouncement by the court that they reverse the tariff, it has certainly not received any attention.”
The NLC President contended that considering that previous privatisation programmes failed woefully, it made no sense to sell off national assets, stating that, “these are clear avenues where such instances have been used to undermine our commonwealth and also few people have actually taken over those very strategic assets.
“We are, therefore, restating our position that we are opposed to the sale of those strategic assets in whatever guise in order to try to address the challenges in the economic.
“We say this very patriotically, and we say this with the best of intention. I think the consequences would be more dangerous if we don’t take necessary steps now to protect those important national assets. It would also not serve any public good if those assets found themselves in the hands of a few.”
NUTGTWN
Meanwhile, the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against the planned sale of some national assets.
The union urged the President to be mindful of the “feverish prescriptions of few economic hit men” who, contrary to the spirit and content of the 1999 constitution, deliberately undermined national development through recommendations that fostered national assets stripping rather than sovereign wealth generation.
General Secretary of NUTGTWN, and member of the National Executive Council, NEC, of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Issa Aremu, in a statement in Kaduna, titled
Nigeria Not for Sale, argued that Nigeria was not short of resources, but lacked genuine resourceful leaders at all levels committed to nation building.
Aremu, who is also the Secretary, Alumuni Association of the National Institute, insisted that at 50 dollars per barrel of crude oil, Nigeria was still a rich country but “sadly impoverished by miserable leaders whose business as usual governance life styles include scandalous budget padding, illegal double prohibitive pension compensation for increasing army of two term governors, sheer theft of public funds officially put at trillion of Naira and lack of authentic vision of building the wealth of the nation.”

SLAUGHTER ANY COW FOUND IN ABUJA CITY, SENATE TELLS FCT RESIDENTS

ABUJA— Peeved by the continued movement of cattle in Abuja metropolis in despite several warnings to their owners by the Federal Capital Territory Authorities, the Senate, through its Committee on FCT, yesterday, asked residents of the area to, henceforth, slaughter cows found in the city centre.
The directive was handed down to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, by Chairman of the committee, Senator Dino Melaye, (APC, Kogi West), when he appeared before the committee, yesterday.
Melaye, who gave the order in a speech read at the session, said it was very disappointing, annoying and embarrassing that despite the ban placed on cattle grazing in FCT by FCTA authority, some stubborn herdsmen were still moving cows along and across highways within the metropolis.
He ordered the FCT Minister to go beyond the ban by facilitating the slaughtering order issued by the senate committee.
Melaye told the minister, “the Senate is not happy at how herdsmen continue to move their cows across the city centre, which we are aware you had given directive against some time ago.
“From now on, get knives and ask your men to slaughter cows found in the capital city or prosecute herdsmen seen with cows in the city centre with a fine of N50,000 per cow. This order must be carried out.”
Melaye further revealed that the Senate was in receipt of complaints that some residents of the territory were converting their apartments into hotels and brothels, a situation he said was distorting the original master plan of the city.
He noted that some people were already undermining FCT authority under his watch, which he said was unacceptable.

BRITAIN WILL OPPOSE ANY IDEA OF AN EU ARMY- DEFENCE ARMY

Britain will oppose all EU plans for increased military cooperation that could interfere with NATO, despite being about to leave the union, Defence Minister Michael Fallon said Tuesday.
“We are going to continue to oppose any idea of an EU army or an EU army headquarters which would simply undermine NATO,” Fallon said at a meeting with his 27 counterparts in Bratislava, where European Union leaders earlier this month agreed to step up joint military efforts.
Asked if Britain could veto the plans while it still remains a member of the European Union ahead of Brexit, Fallon said: “There is no majority here for a EU army.”
“There are a number of other countries who believe with us that cuts across the sovereignty of individual nation states,” he added.
“We agree Europe needs to do more, it’s facing terrorism, it’s facing migration, but simply duplicating or undermining Nato is the wrong way to do it.”
EU leaders met without Britain in the Slovakian capital on September 16 to discuss plans to move forward in the wake of the stunning British vote to leave the bloc on June 23.
They agreed on a six-month roadmap to create a new “vision” for the EU, including beefed up defence cooperation, which Britain has always opposed.
Fallon insisted however that Britain would continue to contribute to European defence as a member of NATO.
“We are leaving the European Union but we remain committed to the security of Europe and putting more troops into Estonia or Poland next year

AMERICA CANNOT BE THE POLICEMAN POLICE OF THE WORLD'S WORLD

Hillary Clinton touted her foreign policy experience during Monday’s presidential debate as proof she’s fit to be the next commander in chief, but rival Donald Trump argued that the ex-secretary of state left the Middle East in flames.
As the two White House hopefuls sparred on several foreign policy fronts including Russia, Iran and fighting Islamic State jihadists, Clinton sought to allay the worries some global leaders have about the populist businessman making a run for the White House.
“I want to reassure our allies in Japan and South Korea and elsewhere, that we have mutual defense treaties and we will honor them,” the Democrat said as she put Trump on the defensive over nuclear proliferation, Iraq and the role of NATO.
“I want to — on behalf of myself, and I think on behalf of a majority of the American people — say that our word is good.”
Clinton has long pointed to her extensive experience on the world stage to proclaim herself the more qualified candidate, and she hammered Trump — a foreign policy novice — for suggesting that Washington would re-evaluate longstanding partnerships if he were the next president.
“We have to work more closely with our allies. That’s something that Donald has been very dismissive of,” Clinton said.
Trump has criticized NATO members for not contributing their fair share to the organization, and he reiterated his warning again Monday night that Washington cannot be left holding the bag.
“I want to help all of our allies, but we are losing billions and billions of dollars,” Trump said. “We cannot be the policeman of the world.”
– ‘Bad experience’ –
Trump also counterpunched against Clinton’s experience claim, noting that it was the quality of work, not the stamps in a diplomat’s passport, that mattered.
“Let me tell you, Hillary has experience. But it’s bad, bad experience,” he said.
“You look at the Middle East, it’s a total mess — under your direction, to a large extent.”
Clinton and Trump have battled for more than a year over what led to the rise of the Islamic State group and how to defeat the jihadist insurgency, with the Republican asserting that Clinton and President Barack Obama “created a vacuum the way they got out of Iraq.”
“You’re talking about taking out ISIS. But you were there, and you were secretary of state when it was a little infant,” Trump said, in one of his more powerful criticisms of the night.
“Now, it’s in over 30 countries, and you’re going to stop them? I don’t think so.”
Clinton argued that air strikes against jihadists have intensified, and said Washington was hoping to push IS out of Iraq “within the year.”
“We’re making progress,” she said.
Clinton also pressed the point that Trump’s harsh rhetoric about Muslims — last year he called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country — only enflames US adversaries.
Trump “has consistently insulted Muslims abroad, Muslims at home, when we need to be cooperating with Muslim nations and with the American Muslim community.”
Clinton also said it was vital to stand tough against the Kremlin, as she said there was “no doubt now” that Russia has conducted cyber attacks on US targets.
But she stated that instead of condemning Moscow, Trump has been “very praiseworthy of Vladimir Putin,” the Russian presiden

KEY NOTES FROM CLINTON AND TRUMP DEBATE

Democrat Hillary Clinton and her Republican White House rival Donald Trump went head-to-head on Monday night in a prime-time duel in front of tens of millions of American voters.
Here is a selection of key quotes from the first of three debates leading up to the November 8 election:
Stamina to lead?
“I said she doesn’t have the stamina. And I don’t believe she does have the stamina. To be president of this country, you need tremendous stamina” – Trump
“Well, as soon as he travels to 112 countries and negotiates a peace deal, a ceasefire, a release of dissidents… or even spends 11 hours testifying in front of a congressional committee, he can talk to me about stamina” – Clinton
The right experience?
“Let me tell you, Hillary has experience. But it’s bad, bad experience” – Trump
Too much prep?
“I think Donald just criticized me for preparing for this debate. And yes, I did. And you know what else I prepared for? I prepared to be president. And I think that’s a good thing” – Clinton
Your own reality
“I know you live in your own reality, but those are not the facts,” Clinton said, after Trump took her to task over her support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.
A racist lie
“He tried to put the whole racist birther lie to bed. But it can’t be dismissed that easily. He has really started his political activity based on this racist lie that our first black president was not an American citizen” – Clinton, referring to Trump’s longtime support of the “birther” movement questioning Barack Obama’s citizenship.
Show you mine/Show me yours
“I have no reason to believe that he’s ever going to release his tax returns, because there’s something he’s hiding” – Clinton
“I will release my tax returns against my lawyer’s wishes when she releases her 33,000 e-mails that have been deleted” – Trump
Trumped-up economics
“The kind of plan that Donald has put forth would be trickle-down economics all over again. In fact, it would be the most extreme version, the biggest tax cuts for the top percent of the people in this country than we’ve ever had. I call it trumped up trickle-down” – Clinton
Talk the talk
“Typical politician. All talk, no action. Sounds good, doesn’t work. Never going to happen” – Trump, rubbishing his rival’s economic plans
World’s policeman
“I want to help all of our allies, but we are losing billions and billions of dollars. We cannot be the policeman of the world, we cannot protect countries all over the world, where they’re not paying us what we need” – Trump, reasserting criticism of long-standing US alliances.
Middle Eastern mess
“You look at the Middle East, it’s a total mess, under your direction, to a large extent.”
“You’re talking about taking out ISIS. But you were there, and you were secretary of state when it was a little infant. Now, it’s in over 30 countries, and you’re going to stop them? I don’t think so” – Trump
Shhh… don’t tell the enemy
Clinton: “Well at least I have a plan to fight ISIS.”
Trump: “No, no, you’re telling the enemy everything you want to do.”
Clinton: “No, we’re not.”
Trump: “You’re telling the enemy everything you want to do. No wonder you’ve been fighting ISIS your entire adult life.”
When it’s all said and done
“I want to make America great again. I will be able to do it, I don’t believe Hillary will. The answer is, if she wins, I will absolutely support her” – Trump

HILLARY HAS EXPERIENCE BUT IT'S BAD_TRUMP

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump traded insults and sparred over temperament, stamina and judgement Monday, in a fiery US presidential debate that often saw the Republican on the back foot.
With six weeks until election day and polls showing a virtual dead heat, Clinton repeatedly questioned her rival’s fitness to serve in the Oval Office.

Before an anticipated television audience of up to 100 million, Clinton painted the celebrity real estate mogul as fatally out of touch and willing to say “crazy things” to get elected.
“You live in your own reality” said the 68-year-old Democrat, accusing Trump of launching his political career on the “racist lie” that Barack Obama is not American.

As Clinton projected steady experience, Trump played the populist bruiser, pitching to frustrated blue-collar voters fed up with politicians.
“Let me tell you, Hillary has experience. But it’s bad, bad experience,” quipped the billionaire, accusing the former secretary of state, first lady and US senator of being a “typical politician. All talk, no action. Sounds good, doesn’t work.”
The 70-year-old Trump has faced tough questions about his temperament during a deeply polarizing 15-month campaign that has brought rightwing populism to the American political mainstream.
He began the keenly awaited debate at New York’s Hofstra University with a restrained tone. But as the temperature rose, he brought out the verbal brickbats, repeatedly interrupting Clinton and even questioning her stamina after a bout of pneumonia.
“Well, as soon as he travels to 112 countries and negotiates a peace deal, a ceasefire, a release of dissidents… or even spends 11 hours testifying in front of a congressional committee, he can talk to me about stamina,” Clinton shot back.
Trump appeared to get increasingly irritated and riled, at one point rolling his eyes and emitting a frustrated “ugh.”
– Reactions –
In a snap CNN poll of 521 voters, 62 percent judged that Clinton had won the debate against 27 percent for Trump.
John Hudak, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told AFP that “hands down, Clinton looked better than Trump.”
“You don’t have to think that her performance was perfect, but the unique part of a presidential debate is that you don’t have to excel, you just have to do better than the only other person on stage.”
Steffen Schmidt, a professor of political science at Iowa State University, also praised Clinton’s performance.
However, he said, “Trump more than held his own with an informal and often unorganized ‘speech salad’ where he mixed things in odd ways but often with humor, and cleverly.”
Trump gave an upbeat assessment of his debate outing, telling AFP: “I thought it went very well for me.”
“We’ve been having an awfully good run and I think this continues it — according to all the online polls, you see what’s happening there? Through the roof.”
Clinton visited supporters who had attended a debate watch party in Westbury, New York, telling the crowd, “Do you feel good tonight? Well, I sure do… We had a great debate.”
– ‘Stiffed’ –
If Clinton’s brightest moments came when debate turned to foreign policy, Trump’s came when he tapped into rich seams of malaise about politics and the economy.
“Our country is suffering because people like secretary Clinton have made such bad decisions in terms of our jobs,” he charged.
Trump squarely blamed Clinton and the political class for losing jobs to Mexico and China through what he termed bad trade deals and incompetence.
Clinton tried to undercut Trump’s CEO-in-chief acumen by accusing him of having “stiffed” small businesses throughout his career.
She demanded Trump honour tradition and release his tax returns, suggesting he may be lying about his much-vaunted wealth, his charitable donations, his tax bill or his ties with foreign benefactors.
She also accused him of backing an economic platform amounting to “the most extreme” package of tax cuts for the wealthy in US history.
“I call it trumped up trickle-down, because that’s exactly what it would be,” she quipped.
Trump fired back that he would release his tax returns, “when she releases her 33,000 e-mails that have been deleted,” alluding to the Democrat’s use of a private email server as secretary of state.
– A real shot –
Trump’s biggest handicap may be accusations that he has a weak grasp of policy — which he sought to counter by accusing his rival of sowing chaos in the Middle East during her tenure as secretary of state.
But he appeared on shaky ground as he defended his refusal to reveal his plan for defeating the Islamic State group.
“You’re telling the enemy everything you want to do. No wonder you’ve been fighting ISIS your entire adult life,” he said of the group that only came to prominence in the last decade.
Clinton has a massive organizational advantage, a bigger campaign war chest and a lead in the popular vote and is in a notably stronger position state-by-state.
But Trump weathered allegations of bigotry and sexism to triumph in a vicious Republican primary campaign, and now has a real shot at being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on January 20.
There are two more debates in the 2016 US presidential race, which could be pivotal in deciding whether Clinton will become the first woman president, or if Trump can pull off the greatest upset in US political history.

PRESIDENT BUHARI ARRIVES NIGERIA AFTER UNGA71 IN NEW YORK

President Buhari arrived Abuja today, September 25, after his participation at the United Nations General Assembly UNGA71 in New York.

At the conclusion of his five-day activities during the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA71), President Muhammadu Buhari declared that he had a very successful outing.

Addressing the media to round off his visit to New York, the President reviewed all his major and side events during the visit and highlighted the issues on which he sent a clear and direct message to world leaders. 

"I highlighted the need for the international community to work together to liberate humanity from poverty, save our planet from the devastation of climate change and rid the world of terrorism for a more peaceful and prosperous future," he said.

President Buhari also stressed that, “I mentioned that the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) arising from Boko Haram terrorism is of particular concern to us. For this reason, we have taken concrete steps to address their humanitarian needs and to ensure that necessary conditions are established to enable the voluntary return of the displaced persons to their homes in safety and dignity.”

While acknowledging that "Nigeria as a developing country has been adversely affected by the global economic downturn,” he however, stressed that “we are undeterred and have embarked on a wide range of reforms in our efforts to diversify our economy and shift emphasis to mining, agriculture, industrialization, infrastructure development and the creation of the enabling environment for Foreign Direct Investment."

He also noted that “fighting corruption remains of prime importance to our administration,” adding that the campaign is already yielding positive gains including significant stolen assets recoveries.

The President stated clearly Nigeria’s position on Climate Change, development in developing countries, youth development, statehood for the Palestinians, and reform of the UN Security Council with Nigeria ready to serve on a reformed Council to “advance international peace and security.”

President Buhari listed his meetings with world leaders and the benefits from some of the side events such as the US-Africa Business Forum during which discussions focused on how top American business executives “can collaborate with us to diversify our economy, which will in turn drive development, job creation and general business development in Nigeria.”

He mentioned his meeting with top Nigerian professionals in the United States and the urgent need to reclaim the shrinking Lake Chad, even as he expressed delight that “some countries notably the United Kingdom and United States pledged additional support in the tune of US $391 million humanitarian aid for the Lake Chad region.”

President Buhari used the occasion of the media event to thank relevant United States authorities for efficient security and administrative arrangements and officials of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for demonstrating “that we still have capable officers in our Foreign and Civil Services.”
He commended the Nigerian officers for the “tireless effects in projecting a positive image to our country, even in difficult times.”

President Buhari did not forget members of the Nigerian media, as he thanked them for “going through elaborate security checks and clearance procedures to follow my activities and hectic schedule in order to keep all our people at home well informed of my meetings and engagements.”

.

JIM IYKE IN LAS VEGAS FOR HIS 40TH BIRTHDAY

Actor Jim Iyke landed in Las Vegas a few hours ago to celebrate his 40th birthday with his family. Check out the cute video he shared after the cut... 

And it begins with sis' surprise!! Havent seen her in 11 months. Miss my girls.Luv! Luv! Let's go! #Blessed #PrivatePartyLoading #Grateful #FamilyOverEverything #GladysGirls #HarvAunt #VegasChronicles

A video posted by Jim Iyke (@jim.iyke) on Sep 25, 2016 at 12:32am PDT

MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAN HUNT IN WASHINGTON ARRESTED

After an overnight manhunt, police have arrested the young man responsible for the shooting that left five people dead at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington. According to reports, Turkish immigrant Arcan Cetin, 20, is suspected of killing four women and a man on Friday night. 

The suspect was apprehended by police 30 miles from the scene of the crime in what was described as a 'zombie-like state'. Cetin, allegedly opened fire in the make-up department of Macy's in Burlington's Cascade Mall, killing four women and one man. 

He reportedly took three legally purchased guns from his father, drove to Macy's where his ex-girlfriend once worked, started shooting before dumping the weapons and escaping. His ex-girlfriend who worked at the mall had quit several months ago and was not at the mall at the time of the shooting. 

Also, according to FOX-Q13, there have been unconfirmed reports he shouted a woman's name multiple times just moments before opening fire and fatally shooting some people. 

During a press conference on Saturday night, officials confirmed that along with having Cetin in custody, they also had his rifle. A Lieutenant, Mike Hawley said after tips from the community, he heard a report over the scanner that the suspect had been spotted. He drove to the Oak Harbor area, spotted Cetin and put on his lights. Surprisingly, the suspect completely complied with orders and was taken into custody without issue. 

The police have so far refused to 'rule out or rule in' terrorism. 

A former classmate of Cetin, Uhlaine Finnigan, who spoke exclusively to Daily Mail, said he was a loner who appeared troubled to her. 'I didn't think he'd take it as far as mass murder but I knew he was trouble,' Finnigan said. 

OKIEMUTE EMERGES AS PROJECT FAME SEASON 9 WINNER

After all coaching, competition, elimination, fun and anxiety.The project fame season 9 has finally come to an end with okiemute emerging as the winner, and Elizabeth, kitay, pere, emerging the runner ups respectively. Best of luck to them

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

English Premier League table after Saturday’s early match (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):
Man City 5 5 0 0 15 4 15

Everton 5 4 1 0 10 3 13

Man Utd 6 4 0 2 12 7 12

Tottenham 5 3 2 0 8 2 11

Arsenal 5 3 1 1 12 7 10

Chelsea 5 3 1 1 10 6 10

Liverpool 5 3 1 1 11 8 10

Crystal Palace 5 2 1 2 7 5 7

Watford 5 2 1 2 10 9 7

West Brom 5 2 1 2 6 5 7

Hull 5 2 1 2 6 7 7

Leicester 6 2 1 3 8 11 7

Middlesbrough 5 1 2 2 5 7 5

Southampton 5 1 2 2 4 6 5

Swansea 5 1 1 3 4 7 4

Burnley 5 1 1 3 3 8 4

Bournemouth 5 1 1 3 3 9 4

West Ham 5 1 0 4 7 13 3

Sunderland 5 0 1 4 3 9 1

Stoke 5 0 1 4 3 14 1

NIGER DELTA AVENGERS END CEASEFIRE, BOMBS PIPELINE IN BONNY

Militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, have ended their ceasefire as the group attacked the Bonny 48 inches crude oil Export Line yesterday evening at about 8.40pm. The group announced the new attack on its website. Read the statement below On the 23rd September 2016, our strike team at 20:40PM hours time has brought down oil productions activities at the Bonny 48 inches crude oil Export Line.

This action is a signature to the over dramatization of the so-called dialogue and negotiation process on the side of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government. Since, the cessation of hostilities and the commitment of the PAN Niger Delta Elders and stakeholders team, the Nigerian government and her agents are turning the expectations of the Niger Delta to shameful scenes obtainable in Nollywood acts and as well intimidations, blackmails and continuous profiling of Niger Delta sons and daughters. 

This is only a wake up call; we may not have other way to say it better. We are still in favour of the dialogue and negotiations but we are warning against " the peace of our time! 

We want the peace with honour”. We will resist all actions undermining the ceasefire from side of the government and it security agents/ agencies. The world is watching, time is running against the Nigerian state; while we were promised that the concerns of Niger Delta will be addresses once a truce is declared, the activities of the government and her agents are not assuring enough, there has been no progress and no breakthrough. 

We cannot be continuously fooled, the government cannot justify the indiscriminate targeting of Niger Delta youths while glorifying on these victimization of law abiding citizens of the region

5BN FOUNDED IN ACCOUNT OF ARMY GENERAL

EFCC operatives have reportedly found N5 billion lodged in an account operated by the daughter of an Army General. According to an official in the antigraft agency who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Sun, investigations so far carried out into the account, showed that N10 million was sometimes deposited 5 to 6 times within a day. 

The source stated that the Army general's daughter is under 30 and recently got married. The account officer, a lady who manages the account was subsequently invited by the EFCC. She gave useful information which led to the invitation of the Army General’s daughter towards the last week of August. The source stated that she pleaded for more time to enable her attend to her infant child. 

The young nursing mother eventually turned up with her mother, baby, husband and lawyer about two weeks ago. And for two days, she faced interrogation though she was not detained because she is a nursing mother. “Details of the account show that cash deposits of about N10 million were consistently paid into the account sometimes five or six times a day. The money so far deposited into that account and another in London should well be over N5 billion”, the source said. 

Investigators also discovered that even though the lady was still a student in the United Kingdom, hundreds of thousands of Pound Sterling were wired into the bank account of a London based firm’s bank account for her. The firm, Carrington Whyte Consulting with Flat 4, Grove End Gardens 33 Grove End Road NW8 9LL London, as its address, was curiously registered around June 2014 and shortly after, the funds began to hit its bank account from Nigeria in torrents. 

Though the Army General’s daughter is currently on administrative bail, she is however, expected to report back for further interrogation next week. “We had to study her last statements, juxtapose them with our findings and draw up fresh questions for her and with which we confront her next week”, the source explained.

CLINTON'S SUPPORTER FIRES AT TRUMP

The entertainer who is a prominent supporter of Hilary Clinton tore into the Republican presidential nominee in a piece for Huffington post and she pulled no punches. Responding to Trump's jibe that Hillary doesn't look presidential, she called him "a raccoon in a tanning bed with a flying squirrel on his head", she also accused him of “spreading and reflecting bigotry and hatred” throughout America. Read the piece after the cut...

When a politician ends almost every sentence with “believe me”... don’t! He’s probably lying.

According to PolitiFact, Donald Trump’s statements are rated “false,” “mostly false,” and “pants on fire” 71 percent of the time. In other words, the majority of the time that Trump speaks, he is not telling the truth. 

But do the facts matter to Donald Trump or many in the media who are too entertained to correct his lies? We saw how Matt Lauer didn’t challenge him. Chris Wallace, the Fox News personality who is hosting one of the debates, has gone on record saying that facts are not relevant to him. This should be profoundly unacceptable to the American people. Our country and its stability is on the line. Facts do matter! 

When Trump throws around words like “crooked,” he’s really describing himself and he doesn’t even know it. In psychological terms, it’s called “the disowned self.” Psychiatrists have explained how a person who refuses to recognize his own flaws will often project them onto other people. 

As an article in The Washington Post recently said, “Trump’s history of corruption is mind-boggling.” This is a man who has bankrupted companies, reneged on bank loans, and cheated small business owners. For someone who claims to be a champion of the people, his m.o. is actually to stiff the little guy. Trump is notorious for refusing to pay painters, carpenters, plumbers and all sorts of vendors the money he owes them. The contracts he signed mean nothing to him. After the work is done, he’ll offer pennies on the dollar and say, If you don’t like it, sue me!... knowing full well that these mom-and-pop businesses don’t have the resources to take him to court. Even so, he’s been sued nearly 1,500 times over the last 30 years. 

To those supporters who believe he’s a rich businessman and think he’s going to make them rich... get the facts straight. Investors in his failed casino ventures lost 90 percent of their money between 1995-2005. When the going gets tough, Trump vanishes. He eventually filed for bankruptcy, leaving others holding the bag. 

And this man has the nerve to insult Hillary, who has always cared about other people? From the time she was in college, she’s been working to improve the lives of others... women, children, minorities. 
What has Donald Trump ever done to serve others? 

He only cares about promoting himself. 
While Trump was being investigated and then sued by the Department of Justice for refusing to rent apartments to black and Hispanic people... Hillary was in Texas helping to register black and Hispanic voters. 
While Donald had to be shamed into coming up with the contribution he promised to veterans... Hillary actually got legislation passed when she was in the Senate to expand their health care and other benefits. 

While Donald has vowed to appoint Supreme Court justices who will overturn the ruling on marriage equality, Hillary declared that “gay rights are human rights” when she was Secretary of State. 
Trump is both spreading and reflecting bigotry and hatred. He said a judge was not capable of doing his job because of his Mexican heritage. 

One in five of his supporters believe slavery should never have been abolished and 61 percent believe President Obama wasn’t born in the United States. For five years, Trump has wasted our time with his crackpot birther conspiracy theory.  Only now he has suddenly had a conversion, but he doesn’t even have the decency to apologize. And he has the audacity to say Hillary started it all... another outrageous lie. He sounds like a child on the playground trying to escape punishment. 

He’s basically a bully, but like all bullies, he’s a coward at heart. He skipped out on a debate because he didn’t like the moderator. He can’t handle the tough questions. He’s so thin-skinned that as soon as anyone challenges him, he sues them. 

Hillary has been attacked right and left for decades and is still standing. 

She has negotiated with leaders around the world to keep us safe from nuclear threat because it would destroy the planet... while he shockingly said, “If we have nuclear weapons, why can’t we use them?” 
And he has the nerve to call her “trigger-happy”? “Unstable”? 

His ignorance is astounding. 

So how come Hillary is not getting credit for all her accomplishments? It goes back to something I’ve felt for many years...strong women, powerful women have always been suspect. 

Some men are challenged by strong women... afraid of them... and some women are jealous of them. 
Strong women have too many opinions for some people... they prefer women who are quiet. They want us to speak less and smile more. After Hillary answered questions on national security, Reince Priebus complained that she didn’t smile enough. Well, guess what... there was nothing to smile about. As she said, this is serious business. 

And Trump says Hillary doesn’t look presidential? What does that mean... coming from a guy who looks like a raccoon in a tanning bed... with a flying squirrel on his head? That’s what a president is supposed to look like? A wrestler who dies his hair blonde? 

Republicans play dirty and their smear tactics unfortunately work. As they say, “If you repeat a lie long enough and loud enough, people will believe it.” And that’s what’s happening and it’s terrifying. 
We can’t allow ourselves to be swiftboated again. We can’t let that happen to Hillary... a woman who has the temperament and the experience to be president... unlike Donald Trump, whose idea of foreign policy was bringing the Miss Universe pageant to Russia. How can you support a man who says, “Women... you have to treat them like sh—“ and believes such hateful things about 51 percent of the American population? 

These views are deplorable. Hillary Clinton was right to denounce Trump’s racism, sexism and xenophobia. 

And then he has the nerve to say he’s going to make America great again?? 

Here are some more facts. The New York Times just reported that household incomes rose for American families by 5.2 percent last year, according to figures from the Census Bureau... the biggest one-year increase since 1967! Household incomes are now higher than when President Obama entered office. The stock market is above 18,000, which means it has more than doubled since Obama came into office. 

If we want the country to continue to improve, we must continue President Obama’s incredible policy work, successful despite the worst opposition we’ve ever seen in Congress, and vote for Hillary Clinton — and down the ballot for Democratic senators and congresspersons who will not be negative and obstructionist. Instead, they will work with her to get legislation passed on gun control and campaign finance reform. My heart sinks when I read that billions of dollars have already been spent during this Presidential election cycle. Just think what that kind of money could have done for medical research... our schools... our infrastructure. 

We cannot allow America to fall into the hands of a narcissist who has shown no regard for anyone but himself... a bigoted and misogynist reality-TV character with no political experience and no qualms about lying loudly and often. 

There is NO equivalency between these two candidates. Only Hillary Clinton has the skills, the knowledge, the temperament and the compassion to lead this nation.

5BN FOUNDED IN ACCOUNT OF ARMY GENERAL

EFCC operatives have reportedly found N5 billion lodged in an account operated by the daughter of an Army General. According to an official in the antigraft agency who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Sun, investigations so far carried out into the account, showed that N10 million was sometimes deposited 5 to 6 times within a day. 

The source stated that the Army general's daughter is under 30 and recently got married. The account officer, a lady who manages the account was subsequently invited by the EFCC. She gave useful information which led to the invitation of the Army General’s daughter towards the last week of August. The source stated that she pleaded for more time to enable her attend to her infant child. 

The young nursing mother eventually turned up with her mother, baby, husband and lawyer about two weeks ago. And for two days, she faced interrogation though she was not detained because she is a nursing mother. “Details of the account show that cash deposits of about N10 million were consistently paid into the account sometimes five or six times a day. The money so far deposited into that account and another in London should well be over N5 billion”, the source said. 

Investigators also discovered that even though the lady was still a student in the United Kingdom, hundreds of thousands of Pound Sterling were wired into the bank account of a London based firm’s bank account for her. The firm, Carrington Whyte Consulting with Flat 4, Grove End Gardens 33 Grove End Road NW8 9LL London, as its address, was curiously registered around June 2014 and shortly after, the funds began to hit its bank account from Nigeria in torrents. 

Though the Army General’s daughter is currently on administrative bail, she is however, expected to report back for further interrogation next week. “We had to study her last statements, juxtapose them with our findings and draw up fresh questions for her and with which we confront her next week”, the source explained.

2018 W/Cup qualifier: Iheanacho to spearhead Eagles attack

Apart from the vocal Nigeria football fans, Rohr has of late come under intense pressure to drop Ighalo in favour of Iheanacho, even from within the Eagles technical crew. Atop assistant of the Franco-German tactician last week said, “I can’t categorically say it will happen but I can confirm to you that talks have been held and the prospect of Iheanacho leading the line against Zambia is a possibility.”

He further informed that “talks didn’t start because of his(Iheanacho’s) recent goal scoring form, not at all. It started since after the Tanzania game. Rohr is a big fan of his finishing abilities right from the training ground. He could lead the line ahead of Ighalo and Ideye in Ndola when we play Zambia in October,” he said.
On Thursday, Rohr released a list of 23 players invited for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier clash between the Super Eagles and Zambia’s Chipolopolo in Ndola.
Conspicuously missing was Watford forward, Odion Ighalo, who will attend his father’s burial in Nigeria on Saturday, 8th October, the eve of the big match at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
With this development, Kelechi Iheanacho becomes the natural choice for the top striker’s role, except Rohr decides to use Olympiacos of Greece forward, Brown Ideye for the role. However, between Iheanacho and Ideye, we gathered the Super Eagles technical crew will rather go for the Manchester City starlet whose rich vein of form has seen him net four goals in five matches for club and country.
“Iheanacho has earned his number one position in the Eagles set up,” a top official of the powerful NFF technical committee echoed, adding that Ighalo’s absence will be an opportunity for the goal monger to prove his mettle”.
Given the lad’s consistency and ability to take chances when they come his way, Iheanacho, it is believed will make a feast of the opportunity. “He is sure to make a meal of it,” our source said, adding, “with the support of another youthful player in Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Iheanacho is sure to utilise the opportunity beckoning on him.”
The Franco-German tactician retained belief in the squad that pipped Tanzania 1-0 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Uyo on 3rd September, but has added Alanyaspor of Turkey defender Kenneth Omeruo, Belgium –based midfielder Anderson Esiti and English Premiership duo Isaac Success and Alex Iwob

ECONOMIC RECESSION: MARITIME OPERATORS DIFFER

OPERATORS in the maritime industry are divided over the comment of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, that the economic recession in the country would be over before the end of the year.
While most of them expressed hope of government achieveing the feat at the said time, others questioned government’s plans to overcoming the recession. However, some others stressed that recovery from recession would not be of any benefit to the industry.
Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, SOAN, while expressing hope that government will be able to get the economy out of the recession. However, said he could not comment on the claim since he does not know the basis on which the statement was made.
According to the SOAN chairman, “I am not competent to comment on the claim of the CBN governor because I do not know on what basis he said what he has said.
That is all I can say at the moment. I will hope that the economy can come round the bend so that it can bring respite to Nigerians.
“You are a Nigerian like me; if we are able to get the economy out of the woods in the shortest possible time, why will that not have a positive impact on you? It will definitely have positive impact on Nigerians and the economy in general. It will help every Nigerians to get out of the present economic hardship we are all going through.”
Former National President of the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association, NITOA, Margaret Orakwusi, said that it is heartwarming if government is able to get the economy out of the present situation but it would not have any effect on the maritime industry.
Orakwusi noted that investment in the industry is capital intensive and that the absence of single digit funding in the sector has been a problem, pointing out that even when the economy gets out of the recession it would not have any meaningful impact on the sector. “I know the main problem in the industry is funding, lack of cheap funding, we have interest rate at double digits. I can’t see any significant effect it will have on the maritime sector, the cost of funding is too high and investment in the maritime industry is capital intensive. There is nothing wrong in keeping hope alive, let’s be positive.
“We have a lot of human resources, we have natural resources and if properly harnessed we should be able to come out of the recession but then we have to build on our export.
If we do not build on our export by diversification of the economy and we are still relying on crude oil, then there is a problem.
“You can see how the prices are coming down, since we are spending more than we are earning, our income as a nation is in foreign currency, so we must pay attention to the things that we can earn foreign currency from. So right now we are spending more than we are earning and that is where the problem is.”

6YRS OLD GIRL DEFILED BY 59YRS OLD HIV POSITIVE MAN IN DELTA STATE

59 year old HIV positive man, Monday Ekpade, has been arrested by the Delta state police command for sexually assaulting a 6 year old girl in Agbor on Sept 4th. According toMonday, he had sex with the minor because he believed that sleeping with her would cure him of HIV. 

Speaking on his arrest, the spokesperson of the state police command, Celestina Kalu, said

"On the 4th of this month, we got a report from our division in Agbor, that one Monday defiled a small girl of six years. You can imagine this man with HIV penetrating a small girl of six years, what would be the fate of the little girl? And we don't know how many little girls he has done this to".

The little girl's grandfather who she was staying with when the incident happened, said Blessing was out on an errand when she met withMonday

"Her mother sent her on an errand to go and buy something. When she was going, Mondaycaught her on the road and had sex with her"he said

When interrogated, Monday confessed to the crime but however blamed the devil 

"It is the devils work. The little girl caused it. She came to our house and then I tried having sex with her but my manhood was too big. I have only defiled her two times but the little girls its three times"he said

He would soon be charged to court

GTB FASHION WEEKEND

Leading African bank, Guaranty Trust Bank plc, has announced the debut of the GTBank Fashion Weekend which will hold in Lagos on the 12th and 13th of November 2016. The two-day consumer focused event is themed “Promoting Enterprise” and is set to create an ultimate fashion experience, where the most promising and talented retail brands will showcase the latest fashion trends and products to a large and diverse audience of consumers, fashion aficionados & industry professionals. 

Positioned as a sequel to the GTBank Food and Drink Weekend, the GTBank Fashion Weekend is part of the Bank’s initiative to strengthen small businesses in key economic sectors through non-profit consumer-focused fairs and capacity building initiatives that serve to boost their expertise, exposure and business growth. 

The Weekend will be headlined by top fashion industry experts, trend setters as well as locally renowned designers and style authorities. Attendees will be treated to a series of fashion events such as Entrepreneurial and Fashion Master Classes and Retail Exhibitions.

At the heart of the GTBank Fashion weekend are the fashion Master classes facilitated by renowned local and international fashion experts. This year’s Master Classes will cover relevant topics addressing challenges and opportunities across the entire industry value chain including: Fashion Entrepreneurship; Perfecting Design; Brand Positioning, Growth & Profitability; Product Development; The e-Commerce Leap and several others. 

The Retail exhibition will showcase dozens of leading Small Businesses within the fashion and beauty industry, offering a diverse range of affordable and luxury apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty items, and much more. As part of the exhibition experience, there will be a craft section, featuring handcrafted indigenous garments and accessories. Culminating each day will be a series of Runway shows featuring collections by renowned Nigerian and African Fashion brands. 

Commenting on the GTBank Fashion Weekend, Mr Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, said; “We are thrilled to be the first in the Nigerian financial sector to pioneer an initiative that will assist in unlocking growth opportunities for businesses in the fashion industry. We believe we have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that our customers have all the necessary tools to achieve success within the global economy.  We will use our strength, global reach, expertise and relationships to make a positive impact for our customers and invariably our communities.  We are committed to growing SMEs in a sustainable manner that is not driven by profits but focused on empowering our customers and growing our economy collectively.” 

GTBank has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry. The GTBank brand is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation.

To find out more, please visit this link: Fashionweekend.gtbank.com