Jennifer Season 6 Episode 10 - 13

Season 6

Episode 10

Episode 11

Episode 12

Episode 13

iPhone 7 goes up in flames, sets fire to vehicle in Australia

Now, where have we seen this before? Oh yeah, a car caught fire to a Florida man’s Jeep where the main culprit was the Samsung Galaxy Note7.

In any case, similar to what happened with the Note7 phones. It appears that these phones are catching fire within the first week or two since activation. But now that the iPhone 7 has already had more than a couple of cases oh fires, perhaps a few more reports of fires and Apple could be facing a similar fate that Samsung did with the Note7, requiring a worldwide recall.What is left of car's center console: 7 News AU

Mat Jones left his phone under a bunch of clothes in his car while he went to take a surfing lesson. When he returned, he found his car filled with smoke, 7 News reports. The heated phone ignited and smoked the interior to a crisp.

Charred remains of the iPhone 7: 7 News AU

“Ash was just coming from inside the pants which then, once you unwrapped the pants, the phone was just melting inside of it”, Jones told 7 News. The Surf instructor is now left with no phone, or car, which was badly damaged during the fire.

7 News says that Apple is aware of the incident and will investigate the events that led to the phone’s ignition. The investigation would also determine whether or not the incident was caused by a defective iPhone.

The iPhone 7 was sitting under clothes, and in a car parked at the beach, it is totally possible that the heat building up in the car began to warm the phone up, speeding up the ignition process, and with plenty of fuel to burn, the poor surfer’s clothes.

If you have any phone, regardless of what it is, don’t let it overheat, and definitely do NOT charge it on your bed near a pillow, phones can get really hot if they are charging and end up under a pillow.

Okorocha refutes Buhari’s alleged medical trip to Germany

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Sunday dismissed the assertion that President Muhammadu Buhari’s three-day visit to Germany was more of a medical trip than official engagements.

Okorocha, who was part of the president’s entourage to Berlin, Germany, was reacting to media interview granted by a Kano-based social commentator, Dr. Junaid Muhaamed.

Muhammed had alleged that Buhari visited Germany on Friday to seek medical attention over an undisclosed illness.

Okorocha, who spoke to State House correspondents in Abuja, however, debunked the allegation, saying that the official engagements of Buhari in Germany, had no connection, whatsoever, with medication.
He said the visit to Germany only ended on a compassionate note on Saturday with the president’s convoy veering off its way back to the airport in Berlin, to visit a Nigerian military officer receiving treatment in a Berlin hospital.

“President never went for any medical check-up. At least I was with him till 1.00a.m, after the dinner before I left him and he went to bed,

“I went to bed and the following day I came out to see him in the morning, So, the president never went for any medical at all. The only hospital we went to was to see a general who had an accident.

“These are some of the things that people make uninformed comments and I do not know why in this part of our world we are always happy when someone is going down. I think there is need to change our attitude completely.

“If this issue had been on issue on how to move Nigeria forward, you won’t see on social media, you will not see comment on it, nobody we talk about it,’’ he said.

On the content of the President’s wife BBC interview and the subsequent reply by Buhari, he said Aisha did not grant the interview to bring down her husband as being insinuated in some quarters.

He equally maintained that the president’s reaction to the interview was just on a lighter mood, saying that Buhari was only cracking jokes.

Okorocha, who narrated how his wife once joined some commissioners and workers in Imo to condemn certain official decision he took, said Aisha’s comments were not meant to disrespect the president or the All Progressives Congress (APC)

He said her comments were targeted at making peace with perceived aggrieved members of the APC.

“If you have been with the person of the the President and where he cracks jokes, you will understand with me that it could be his style of jokes because even when he was responding, he was smiling, I don’t think the meaning that is given to it is what it is.

“If not, why would he have his five daughters having Masters and Ph.Ds and his wife educated and putting women in key positions in the country, I don’t think it is.

“Aisha Buhari, who granted the interview did not give that interview to bring down her husband’s government.

“She was only trying to make peace among perceived aggrieved members in the polity.

“I have situations where my wife joins commissioners and my workers to condemn what I do, that does not mean she is fighting me, rather a bridge of peace between me and them.’’

We will ensure liberation of all Chibok girls – Lai Mohammed

Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says the release of the 21 Chibok girls “is only a first step in what we believe will be a total liberation of all the girls’’.

The minister made the statement on Sunday at a thanksgiving service organised for the freed girls at the premises of the Department of State Security (DSS) medical centre in Abuja.

Mohammed, who was with the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Jumai Alhassan, at the service, said negotiation was on-going for the release of the others in captivity.

“This is just the beginning and we are very optimistic that another batch, bigger than this will be released to us soon.
“Negotiation is on-going even as we speak now but it is only those who ought to know that know the details.

“All we can do is to support them with prayers so that in a very short time we are going to have a bigger reunion than this,’’ he said.

The minister cautioned “naysayers’’ who doubted the process and some social commentators to refrain from making comments that could jeopardise the process.

“We want to sound a note of warning, particularly to many reckless analysts and commentators who are not helping the situation.

“We still have more than 120 of our children in captivity, therefore we must be careful of the kind of comments we make.

“We must not make comments that will make the release of other girls difficult or impossible.

“We should know that these are very delicate situations. There are some promises we made also about the confidentiality of the entire process and we intend to keep them,’’ he said.

The minister specifically frowned at the comments of some people, who were claiming credit for the release of the 21 girls and speculating specific period for the release of others.

He said the event, which witnessed the reunited of the girls with their parents, was a day the entire world had been expecting.

“Many doubted the ability of government that this day will come but they have been proved wrong.

“When President Muhammadu Buhari said that the Boko Haram saga will not be closed until all the abducted girls have been released to their families sadly many doubted us but we thank God for today.

“We can all see the joy and emotion of the parents and this is ample proof that the girls that were released were indeed those that were abducted,’’ he said.

The minister reiterated that the girls were not swapped for Boko Haram members in captivity and that government did not pay ransom for their release.

He said it was unparalleled in the history of kidnapping and terrorism what the government had done; securing the release of the girls safely without any ransom or swap.

“This was achieved because of the single mindedness of the administration; we are focused, we are dogged and we refused to be stampeded,’’ he said.

The minister thanked Nigerians for their prayers and assured the parents and relations of those yet to be released of their freedom.

For the 21 freed girls, Mohammed said the team of doctors, psychologists and trauma experts would continue to examine them to ascertain their physical and mental state before their gradual re-absorption into the society.

On her part, Alhassan said she was excited and happy to see the girls reunited with their parents.

“You can see the joy of the parents who arrived this morning.

“They arrived in Abuja at about 2a.m. and it took me a lot of persuasion to keep them to rest till now before bringing them to the children.

“As my colleague had said, this is just the beginning; the others, by the grace of God, will be released safely soon.

“I am also happy that from the interim reports we are getting, the girls are well and okay,’’ she said.

The minister reiterated the earlier promise by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo that government would take care of the education of the girls.

Earlier in a sermon, a clergywoman, Sister Shiktra Kwali, urged the girls not to allow the challenges and the trauma they went th

UNILAG expels 125, rusticates 198 students

UNILAG

Authorities of the University of Lagos have expelled 125 students and rusticated 198 others for various offences, including examination malpractices during last academic session.

The lists of the affected students were published on the university’s website on Sunday.

The institution’s Deputy Registrar (Information), Mr. Toyin Adebule, confirmed the expulsion and estimation to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday,

Adebule told NAN that the university “will soon publish and display the names and photographs of the students in the media’’.
He said that the action was in line with the university’s zero tolerance on malpractices and other vices in campus.

“Yes we have published some names on our website and these students will be punished in various degrees, depending on the severity.

“Last session, a number of students were caught in various forms of malpractices during their examinations.

“Some were found cheating during the examination with “micro sheets” while others were hired as surrogates to write papers for others.

“Others were caught smoking weeds (Marijuana) right in their halls of residence by their colleagues and reported to the university authorities.

“For those who were caught impersonating, writing examinations for others, they will face outright expulsion,’’ Adebule said.

Adebule said the other categories of students, such as those caught with micro sheets and the smokers, would face suspension ranging from two to four semesters.

“In other to get the desired effect of their various punishments, we are planning to publish all their names as well as display their photographs all over the campus in the next one week.

“We shall carry out this measure in all the departments and faculties in the institution.

“This is to help the university ensure that the affected students will have nowhere to hibernate on campus.

“By doing this, the affected students would know that the university want to ensure total compliance to the sanction and would not want to be seen anywhere around the campus,’’ he said.

Adebule said that before every examination, the university normally make available the rules and regulations for the students to abide by.

He said that such rules and regulations were usually accompanied by various sanctions for defaulters.

According to him, the university will continue to do all it can to sustain set standards and best practices as obtained in other top universities around the world.

Adebule, however, clarified that the development had nothing to do with those involved in the recent students’ riot.

Gowon: Nigeria passing through the wilderness

Gowon

• Osinbajo: To Build Great Nation, Leaders Must Shun Evil

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, yesterday, described Nigeria’s current economic and political travails as a wasteland, expressing optimism the nation would overcome.

He spoke in Abuja at a thanksgiving service to mark 20 years of the intercessory initiative, Nigeria Prays.

“Nigeria is currently walking in the wilderness but joy is coming very soon. This is the promise of God for our beloved country,” said Gowon.

He said the organisation had succeeded in laying a solid spiritual foundation for national reflection and intercession, and had continued to promote virtues of patriotism and transparency among the citizenry, alongside good governance and incorruptibility in leadership.
“For the past 20 years, we have resolutely remained on our knees, so that Nigeria could stand on her feet. We held the first National prayer rally at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, October 1, 1996. When we started out, we had very clear vision to mobilise Nigerians, particularly the Church, to wake up and offer sincere, fervent and consistent intercession for healing and transformation of our land,” he added.

It is unclear whether the same can be said of all or some past Nigerian leaders, but at launch of the book, The Praying General: Story of Yakubu Gowon and Nigeria Prays, emerged revelation that the former Head of State never helped himself to the national purse.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who made the disclosure, said Gowon lived a life without blemish, a virtue that stood him out. “He did not steal our money. He served this country with all his heart. He served it with honesty and righteousness. He deserves to be celebrated.”

Heaping praise on the military leader, who held the reins of power during the Civil War years, Osinbajo described Gowon as a man who provided guidance to all and who had became a symbol of morality.

The Vice President noted that prayer and fasting alone would not transform the nation, except citizens turned away from evil. “What our nation lacks is commitment to righteousness, not prayers,” he said.

He added: “We will continue to pray. God has really sustained this nation through prayers. But we are going to take the next step, if we are to be a truly great nation. If we want to be a great nation that would be able to feed its people, using its resources to do the things that need to be done by government, we must turn from our evil ways and practice righteousness.

“If righteousness is preached on our pulpits, our people will stand out and do right things. We don’t tell our people that they can’t give or take bribes. We don’t tell our people that they must stand for the truth. If we, who are called by God’s name, truly stand for truth, stand up for righteousness, our country will be truly great.”

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, who read the scripture for the service, said he was convinced Nigeria would recover from its challenges.

While speaking on the topic, ‘God’s Praying General’, the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Paul Adefarasin, noted that there was no inheritance greater than a good name.

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JAMB AMENDMENT BILL FROM 1 YEAR TO 3 YEARS

The Senate on Thursday extended the validity of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination  result conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board from one year to three years.

It also backed the scrapping of the conduct of post-UTME for tertiary institutions’ admission seekers.

If President Muhammadu Buhari gives his assent to the bill and it becomes law, candidates with old results will, henceforth, be given preference over new UTME candidates in subsequent admission processes by the tertiary institutions.

The validity extension and the  post-UTME scrapping was part of the amendments made to the JAMB Act.

The Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, which presented its report on “A Bill for An Act to Amend the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Act and for Other Matters Connected Thereof, 2016 SB.245” to the chamber during Thursday’s plenary, said the purpose of the bill was to amend the JAMB Act to increase the validity period of the UTME from one academic year to three academic years.

The Senate had passed the bill for the second reading on June 1, 2016, before referring same to the committee.

The committee said, in considering the bill, it made reference to the contributions of the lawmakers regarding the financial hardship experienced yearly by parents and guardians while sponsoring their children and wards for the UTME.

The report  partly read, “A new Subsection ‘B’ is inserted after sub section ‘A’ of Section 5 as follows:

“5(b) The matriculation examination conducted by the board shall be the sole examination required for admission and entry into all universities, polytechnics (by whatever name called) and colleges of education (by whatever name called) to the exclusion of any other institution or body.

“(c) The appointment of examiners, moderators, invigilators, members of subject panels and committees and other persons with respect to matriculation examination and another matters incidental thereto or connected therewith;

The committee inserted a new ‘Section 6’which spells out the validity of UTME result.

The section partly read, “(i) Any examination conducted by the board pursuant to the powers conferred by this Act shall be valid for a period of three academic years from the date of the examination;

“(ii) A candidate meeting the requirements for admission and being duly qualified shall remain so qualified for the period prescribed in sub section 1 of this section;

“(iii) A candidate awaiting admission shall be given preference in the succeeding year over fresh applicants who shall only become eligible when the backlog has been cleared.”

The report added, “The committee recommends that the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria do approve its recommendations accordingly. The committee wishes to express its profound gratitude to the entire Senate for its usual support and accordingly urge the Senate to give this bill quick passage.”

The bill was unanimously passed by the senators.

Vietnam pledges support for Nigeria’s non-oil sector development

Mr Dao Duc, Head of Trade Office of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Friday expressed his government’s readiness to support Nigeria in the development of its non-oil sector.

Dao, who made the disclosure at the Nigeria-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NVCCI) Stakeholders’ Forum in Lagos, advised Nigeria against over-dependence on oil as her revenue earner.

The theme of the forum is “Harnessing Export Strength of Products of Nigeria for Rapid Economic Advancement; Possible Lessons from Vietnam’s Experience’’.

“Nigeria and Vietnam are friends, and we know the current challenges being faced by Nigeria and this is really giving us concern.

“Oil cannot continue to be Nigeria’s mainstay. Vietnam is really ready and interested in working with Nigeria in the development of its non-oil sector resources.

“We are ready to share our know-how and experiences with Nigerians for the development of their non-oil sector,’’ he said.

Dao, however, said that it was currently impossible for more Vietnamese companies and investors to invest in Nigeria due to
problems of infrastructure and other challenges.

Former Nigerian Ambassador to Beijing, China, Amb. Oluwole Coker said that there was a lot for Nigerians to learn from Vietnam in developing their country’s non-oil sector.

Coker enjoined Nigerians to reduce their travelling to Vietnam for just buying and selling, but to visit Vietnam to learn things that
would make Vietnamese companies come to establish in Nigeria.

He said that it was imperative for Nigerians to know that Vietnamese had new technologies, discipline and patriotism that they should learn
from.

The NVCCI’s President, Mr Oye Akinsemoyin, said that Nigeria should learn from Vietnam, which after devastating wars was able to transform her economy from being import-dependent to being export-oriented.

“Vietnam has been able to resourcefully turn itself from poverty to a force to be reckoned with in the Association of South-Eastern Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“She has been able to radically transform its non-oil external trade sector from being import-dependent to being export-oriented within a
short period of time.

“Nigeria can choose to learn from Vietnam to be able overcome its current economic situation,’’ he said.

The highpoint of the NVCCI’s event was the conferment of Award as its Grand Patron on the former External Affairs Minister, Prof.Bolaji Akinyemi.

NVCCI also conferred its Honorary Award on the Chairman of Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), Prof. Pat Utomi.

Customs seizes N1.3 bn smuggled rice, others, arrests 23

Nigeria Customs Service

A total of N1.3 billion worth of smuggled items have been seized by a special team set up by Hamid Ali, Comptroller General [CGC], Nigeria Customs Service, two months ago, an official said on Friday.

Musa Jalo, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs who heads the CGC’s Compliance Team, said in Kaduna that 23 suspects were arrested in various operations it carried out across the country.

He said that the seized items included rice, vegetable oil, sphaghetti, poultry products, used tyres, used vehicles, second hand clothes and mosquito coil.

“Two months down the line, our aggressive patrols of creeks, highways and suspected routes used by criminals and smugglers, and strong deployment of intelligence have continued to justify the creation of the team.

“Within the period under review, we have been able to make a total of Five Hundred and Ninety One assorted seizures across the country, with Duty Paid Value of One Billion, Three Hundred Million Naira only [N1, 300, 000.00].

“It is important to point out that, this is what would have been lost had this team not been created by the CGC because our operation focus on areas of leakages,” he said.

He noted that rice was the most smuggled item acros the country, and assured that the service would continue to enlighten Nigerians on the effect of smuggling to the nation’s economy.

According to him, some traders have been arrested a week ago in Lagos rebagging unwholesome smuggled rice.

“This shows that smugglers are only after profits making, they do not care whether people lose their lives after consuming it.

“They do not care whether our local rice farmers lose their investments, they do not care about national economy or job opportunities for our youths. All they want is money.

“We are determined to stop this and protect the economy and secure the well being of all Nigerians, no matter whose toes we step on in the process.”

The assistant comptroller advised those engaged in smuggling to find legitimate businesses or spend their lives in jail.

The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that items seized included 23, 237 bags of rice, 2, 715 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 2. 070 cartons of sphagetti, 5, 676 cartons of frozen poultry products.

The rest were 1, 055 bales of second hand clothes, 4, 491 used tyres, 319 cartons of mosquito coil and 237 used vehicles.

Buhari laughs off wife’s comments, says she belongs to my kitchen

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently in Germany to confer with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to comments made by his wife, Aisha, that she may not support him if he seeks reelection in 2019.

“I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote like I did before. I will never do it again,” Mrs Buhari said in an interview with BBC Hausa’s Naziru Mikailu.

But President Buhari has laughed off his wife’s comment while talking to reporters in Germany where he is meeting with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.

“I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room,” said President Buhari, Associated Press reported.

Mrs Buhari claimed that her husband is surrounded by people he does not know and suggested that the government might have been hijacked from him, a sentiment shared by the president of the Nigerian senate, Bukola Saraki.

Saraki had on June 27, 2016, claimed that there was a cabal in the Federal Government that had taken over the rein of government from President Buhari.

But the president has discounted Mrs Buhari’s sentiments. “So I claim superior knowledge over her and the rest of the opposition because in the end I have succeeded,” he said.

“It’s not easy to satisfy the whole Nigerian opposition parties or to participate in the government.”

562 Nigerians return from Libya within 3 months – NEMA

Muhammad Sidi

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday said that no fewer than 562 Nigerians have returned in batches from Libya in the last three months.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was contained in the data made available in Lagos by Mr Ekekiel Manzo, NEMA’s Information Officer.

Manzo said that 167 returned from Libya in June, 241 in August and 154 in October under the Assisted Voluntary Returnee initiative of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

He said that Dr Nahashon Thuo, the head of IOM Office in Lagos, said the returnees had opted to return voluntarily, adding that the Swedish and Swiss governments assisted in the successful process.

Manzo said that the returnees were received by officials of NEMA, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Police, the Air Force and the IOM on their arrival.

He said 154 returnees were received on Oct. 10 by the Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sidi, who was represented by the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Salisu Mohammed.

“ The returnees comprised 96 women and 58 men. There were nine pregnant women, three minors and three others with medical challenges,’’ he said.

Sidi, he said, warned Nigerians at the forum against travelling out of the country unless they were sure of legitimate and decent employment where they intended to go.

He said that one of the returnees, Miss Omogui Happiness, commended the Federal Government and IOM for facilitating her return after a harrowing experience in the quest to enter Europe through Libya.

Recounting her ordeal, she said it was by God’s grace that she survived a boat mishap on the Mediterranean sea after three nights of floating on the water.

”We ended up being detained for about four months before the opportunity for the voluntary return back home came our way,” she said.

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Despite second recall, Galaxy Note7 usage numbers continue to rise

Peter, 14 October 2016

People don’t like being told what to do - even if you tell them to put away a potential fire hazard. Samsung officially canceled the Galaxy Note7 and asked buyers to power off their units and send them back according to instructions (including special shipping).

That was several days ago and yet the number of users of the Note7 keeps growing - this Sunday it peaked at 10% higher than when the cancellation was announced. You can see that after the first recall, the usage dropped off almost instantly, rebounding as replacement units started arriving.

No such slump is seen here, even after reports came out that replacement units have the same potentially fiery issue. The worst incident so far was when a smoking Note7 (a replacement unit) caused a Southwest plane to be evacuated (the plane was on the ground at the time, no one was injured).

Samsung reported it sold 2.5 million Galaxy Note7s and looking at that chart makes it clear that many people are still using it. Don’t do it - trade in your Note7 and get a crisp $100 bill. The phone will never see a software update, you’ll get no warranty and no customer support, it’s not worth keeping it.

Aisha Buhari has vindicated Saraki, senate president’s aide says

Bukola Saraki

Senate president Senator Bukola Saraki has been vindicated by the recent comments made by President Muhammadu Buhari’s wife that the government has been hijacked from her husband, said an aide to the senate president.

Mrs Aisha Buhari had suggested in an interview with BBC’s Naziru Mikailu that the rein of the government might have been hijacked from her husband in spite of famously declaring that he belonged to nobody during his inauguration.

“The president does not know 45 out of 50, for example, of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years.”

She added that “Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position.”

Saraki’s special assistant on new media, Bankole Omishore, said on Twitter that Mrs Buhari’s comments were in line with the senate president’s June 27, 2016 statement.

“It has become clear that there is a government within the government of President Buhari who have seized apparatus of executive powers to pursue their nefarious agenda,” said Saraki in a statement at the time.

Omishore said Saraki’s comments, like those of Mrs Buhari, were made in good faith and that those who bought into the President Buhari’s vision for Nigeria and campaigned with him were sidelined.

He insisted that the government had been hijacked by those who did not share the same principles with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari. This, he said, has precluded the government from delivering on its campaign promises.

“To say there is #govtwithingovt is now an understatement. What baffles me the most is the fact that they don’t even share same ideology,” Omishore tweeted.

TCN wheels out 4,362mw of electricity to 11 DISCOs

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Friday wheeled out about 4,362 megawatts of generated electricity to the 11 distribution companies as the country’s power supply stabilises.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the power generation data was obtained from daily forecast on the Nigerian Electricity System Operator (SO) website.

The website shows that the country’s power generation also recorded lowest peak at 3,605 megawatts.

According to the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) operational report for Oct. 14, the power sector hit a peak generation of 4,362 megawatts as against 3,536. 4 megawatts recorded in Oct. 5.

NESI said the sector recorded highest system frequency of 51.60Hz; lowest system frequency of 48.48 Hz; highest voltage recorded was 372KV, while lowest voltage recorded on the same day was 300KV.

It will be recalled that the TCN had on Sept. 8 sent 3, 810 megawatts to the distribution companies.

The lowest energy generation on that day was 2,520 megawatts while highest generation was 3,502 megawatts.

NAN reports that the nation’s electricity generation has been relatively stable in the last two months, while generation has increased above 3,000 megawatts.

Meanwhile, the management of Ikeja Electric Distribution Company has apologised to customers over power outage currently experienced within its network operation.

Mr Felix Ofolue, Head, Communications of the company, made the appeal in a statement made available to NAN in Lagos.

”The company regrets the prolonged outage witnessed by our customers in and around Ejigbo, Oke Afa, Ikotun Egbe, Egan, Igando, Arepo, Warewa and Channels Television axis.”

He said that the outage was due to a faulty 100 MVA transformer at Ejigbo Transmission Station and other multiple faults along the network in that area.

He said that the transmission company had commenced repairs on the faulty transformer.

Ofolue, however, said that in the interim, customers would be temporarily back fed through alternative sources to mitigate the current blackout pending the completion of the repair.

According to him, the recent damage of the 33 KV Electric Towers on Abeokuta Expressway by a truck has resulted in power outage in Millennium Estate, LSDPC Estate Ojokoro, Agbado, Aboru, Jankara and parts of Abeokuta environs.

The spokesman said that the technical teams had commenced effecting repairs, adding that work would be completed in five days.

NNPC to resume oil exploration in Bauchi, Gombe

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Maikanti Baru PHOTO: TWITTER/NNPC

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has concluded plans to move heavy equipment to Bauchi and Gombe States preparatory to oil exploration, said Group Managing Director Maikanti Baru.

The NNPC boss, who was received by senior officials of the corporation and the Bauchi State Chief of Staff, Audu Sule Katagum, said his mission to both states was to sensitise people on the forthcoming activity.

At the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Airport, Bauchi, yesterday, Baru said: “We are here to signify our intention to sensitise the good people of Bauchi and Gombe States on our effort to move back to the Gongola Basin.

“Our intention is to start 3D seismic acquisition and cover as much of the basin as possible, to continue work, in terms of exploring hydrocarbon in the North East. Of course, our activities in the Chad Basin will also be re-activated, as soon as we get clear sign.

“Our mission is to sensitise the people, so that if they see the seismic crew moving about in their farms, drilling boreholes, and dropping seismic lines across various areas, they would not be distracted or scared.

“We have come specifically to lay various equipment and take seismic data. That data will be analysed and we will see as deep as possible below the surface, as much as 10 to 15 kilometers below the ground.”

On the possibility of getting oil in Bauchi and Gombe, Baru said: “The prospect is good because exploration that was done in one of the wells near Yankari Game Reserve showed interesting find, although not in commercial quantity. Our intention is to probe with more definitive seismic data that will ensure we cover as much as possible.”

CBN institutes monopoly in forex trading

• First Bank becomes sole dealer
• 195 BDCs suspended
• ‘Why decision has changed nothing’

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) might have inadvertently instituted a monopolistic system solely enjoyed by First Bank of Nigeria Plc. But some analysts have described the decision to ban all other banks from trading in foreign exchange (forex) with Bureaux de Change (BDCs) as “very strange”.

The apex bank on Wednesday banned all but First Bank for flouting its rules on sale of foreign currency proceed of international money transfers to BDC operators. It also suspended as many as 195 BDCs from forex trading.

The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Credit Administration (ICA), Prof. Chris Onalo, has, however, warned that the action was capable of heating up the economy, noting that government regulators had to be mindful of the country’s international reputation.

Although the CBN is yet to make the sanction public, spokesman for the regulator, Isaac Okoroafor, in response to The Guardian’s enquiry, said the move “is not monopolistic.”

He said: “Since depreciation has stopped, we now have a more reliable way of providing liquidity for the BDCs. The banks flouted our rules, so we have to sanction them and operate what works better.”

Refusing to comment on First Bank’s escape of the sledgehammer, Okoroafor said the BDCs were suspended for various offences.

“I can confirm that the CBN suspended 195 BDCs. Some of them have not renewed their licences and some have not made returns to us.”

Some of the affected banks told The Guardian nothing has “really changed.”

“Yes, we have been banned from selling forex to the BDCs, but it would have been a sanction if CBN had also banned banks from selling to Travelex. We still sell to Travelex, who, in turn, sell to the BDCs. The Travelex operators still come to the banks for forex.”

Meanwhile, First Bank is euphoric over its success, declaring the CBN’s pronouncement as “a testament to the Bank’s strong financial base and its avowed support to the growth and development of a sustainable national economy.”

A statement, yesterday, from the bank’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, said: “The announcement is coming on the heels of the Bank’s strengthened money transfer services, as well as its strict compliance with CBN’s rules and directives on the sale of foreign exchange. The Bank had consistently sold dollars to over 500 BDCs, as directed by the CBN, to improve dollar liquidity and strengthen the naira in line with the new flexible foreign exchange policy.”

FG denies exchanging Boko Haram prisoners for 21 Chibok girls

Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government has denied claims that four Boko Haram prisoners were exchanged for the twenty-one Chibok girls released on Thursday.

AFP, quoting local sources, reported that “the four Boko Haram militants were brought to Banki from Maiduguri in a military helicopter from where they were driven to Kumshe in ICRC vehicles.”

But Nigeria’s minister for information and culture, Lai Mohammed said the girls were released after credible lead was pursued.

“the moment we had a credible lead, Mr President gave the green-light to the DSS to pursue it,” Mohammed said at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

“We can confirm that the DSS pursued the lead in collaboration with a friendly European country and a renowned international humanitarian organisation. The DSS was supported by the military.

“As soon as the necessary confidence was built on both sides, the parties agreed on the date and the location of the release of the 21 girls. Please note that this is not a swap. It is a release, the product of painstaking negotiations and trust on both sides.

The twenty-one girls were released around 5.30am on Thursday and were flown to Kaduna from the location of their release, the minister said.

They are expected to be in Abuja later today where an assembled team of medical doctors, psychologists, social workers, trauma experts, would examine them.

“They will also be adequately debriefed,” Mohammed said

Buhari, BBOG welcome release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls

This video grab image created on August 14, 2016 taken from a video released on youtube purportedly by Islamist group Boko Haram showing what is claimed to be one of the groups fighters at an undisclosed location standing in front of girls allegedly kidnapped from Chibok in April 2014. PHOTO: AFP / BOKO HARAM

President Muhammadu Buhari and the leader of the Bring Back Our Girls Movement, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, on Thursday expressed delight over the release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls by the Boko Haram sect.

Malam Garba Shehu, the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, said this in his twitter handle.

He stated that the president, however, cautioned “Nigerians to be mindful of the fact that more than 30,000 fellow citizens were killed via terrorism.’’

While expressing her happiness, Ezekwesili, who is currently in California, tweeted “I can only weep, right now. You know that kind of cry that is a mix of multiple emotions.
Lord. Some of OUR Girls ARE BACK!!! B. A. C. K.!!”

Presidency confirms release of 21 Chibok girls

Twenty-one of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram have been freed. The girls’ release has been confirmed by the Presidency

“It is confirmed that 21 of the missing Chibok Girls have been released and are in the custody of the Department of State Services,” said Garba Shehu, Special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, on his verified Twitter account.

“The release of the girls, in a limited number is the outcome of negotiations between the administration and the Boko Haram brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government. The negotiations will continue,” he added.

Shehu said the president has been briefed of the development by the director-general of DSS, Lawal Daura.

The identity of the girls has yet to be confirmed, said Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Aisha Yesufu told AFP. But Shehu promised that their names would be released shortly.

He said the DSS would hand them over to the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo after the girls have rested.

I won’t leave any project uncompleted, says Fayose

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has said he would not leave any project started by his administration uncompleted.

He also promised to clear all salaries and allowances of workers before the expiration of his tenure in 2018.

Fayose, who stated this in Ado-Ekiti yesterday while laying the foundation of a new high court complex, also berated the Department of State Security Services (DSS) for invading judges’ residences‎ at night, saying it was a bad omen for Nigeria’s democracy.
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“We are embarking on this project because we know the Judiciary as an arm of government deserves respect and due recognition and judicial officers must also be given the necessary support and provided with the wherewithal to work with. By the grace of God, this project will be completed in the next one year.

“When there is a will, there is always a way. We have the vision of a virile Judiciary and we will also go ahead to build a magistrates’ complex after this one. I am also optimistic that the project would be completed on time. We won’t leave any project uncompleted. I am also saying that by God’s grace, we won’t leave any salary unpaid and in the spirit of the celebration of our second anniversary, we will pay one month salary next week,” he said.

The governor also promised that his government would implement the Magistrates Court Law and called on the leadership of the judiciary to support the efforts by cooperating with the executive arm of government.

On the raid on judges’ residences, Fayose said the Federal Government should stop labelling others as thieves and corrupt persons.
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He opined that even if the affected judges stole the whole world, due process must be followed in bringing them to justice.

“If we do not allow due process, the DSS would soon descend on other arms of government and innocent people. They may soon descend on the media and others because of the feelings that they are not doing their biddings. I won’t approach any judge for assistance or subvert justice in any way whatsoever,” he further said.

Meanwhile, a foremost lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), thanked Fayose for deeming it fit to embark on the project despite the lean resources at the disposal of the government.

Also, the first Chief Judge of the state, who is now the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, said it was a great honour that Fayose named the edifice after him.

Arrest of judges threatens harmony in judicial council

• Emergency meeting extended to third day
• Investigations to end soon, says DSS

The National Judicial Council (NJC) is fast losing its harmony as members failed to take a common stance on the arrest of judges after meeting for two days in Abuja.

They extended the meeting to a third day — today.

The council is one of the federal executive bodies created by law to insulate the judiciary from undue influence of the executive arm of government.

The Department of State Services (DSS) at the weekend arrested seven judges suspected to be corrupt. Many Nigerians, including the country’s body of lawyers — the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) — and major corporate organisations, have condemned the manner of the arrest.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mahmud Mohammed, who chairs the NJC, condemned the action and members still failed to take a definite position at the end of yesterday’s meeting. The Council’s media unit disclosed that the meeting has been adjourned till Thursday.

The council had summoned an emergency meeting on Tuesday to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests, at the end of which it was expected to issue a statement.

At the end of the first day, the resolution was not reached as the meeting was rescheduled for the following day.

There was an assurance from the media unit that a statement would be issued before the end of the meeting yesterday.

Having waited continuously without further information, journalists decided to remain on the premises of the council, the venue of the meeting, pending when it would be called off.

They were dispersed mid-day by security guards, who insisted that any form of gathering was not permitted around the premises for security reasons.

At the end of the day, it was learnt that the meeting had been extended till today.

Meanwhile, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court heard some cases yesterday.

Activities in various courts within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had reduced drastically since the Monday following the clampdown on judges.

The DSS has said investigations into the judges over alleged corruption case would be concluded this week.

A security expert told journalists yesterday evening that the judges might be arraigned next week.

A close associate of the NJC, who did not wish to be named, had said on Tuesday night that judges across the country were disturbed at the manner the SSS went about arresting their colleagues.

He said he was not aware that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed, wrote any damning letter to President Muhammadu Buhari implicating some of the president’s subordinates in an attempted bribery.

“Even if there was any letter, I am not in a position to know, but all the talk about what they discussed when they met could not have been true,” he said.

He admitted that there was anger among the rank and file of the judiciary over the manner the judges were treated.

Police confirms killing of suspected Shiite member

The Police Command in Sokoto State on Wednesday confirmed that hoodlums killed a Shiite (a member of an Islamic group) in Tudun Wada in Sokoto North Local Government area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Deputy Commissioner of Police Alkasim Sunusi disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Sokoto.

He said that the deceased was attacked on his way to a procession of the sect.

Sunusi said that the victim was “seriously beaten and killed, while his Toyota Avensus vehicle with registration number BRK 144 CM was burnt by the hoodlums”.

He said that some members of the sect also engaged members of the public in a violent confrontation at Tamaje area of Sokoto South Local Government.

Sunusi said that three motor cycles belonging to the sect members were burnt, while one person was arrested with cutlass.

The police boss said that the command had since embarked on further investigation and called on members of the public to go about their normal businesses.