E-payment: Access Bank launches self-service banking

 As part of efforts towards inclusive banking and cashless policy, Access Bank has opened a self-service electronic branch in Ikota, Lagos State.

The bank said the self-service banking service (e-branch) is its innovative response to smart-banking revolution craved by customers in this technology age. The smart-banking solution is expected to bridge the existing service gap and improve overall customers’ service experience.

Political tension rises in Abia as Nweke resigns

 The political tension in Abia State has risen, following a recent meeting of politicians across the state hosted by former governor,  Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

The meeting that held at the Igbere home of Dr. Kalu had in attendance, political bigwigs from wards in all the 17 local government areas of the state .

The former governor had told the politicians not to fold their hands and watch things go wrong in Abia State.

He urged well-meaning Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan in his transformation programme. One of those who attended the meeting and Chairman, Abia State Housing and Property Development Corporation, Chief Ahamdi Nweke, had resigned his appointment.

Nweke,  a lawyer who was appointed in 2011, was governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2007 elections.

The British-trained legal luminary and development economist resigned without granting a press interview and has declined an interview with the media.

Court orders government to pay Sanusi N50m

 Lagos - Reprieve came the way of suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as a Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services from arresting or harassing him,  reports Premium Times.

The court also ordered the federal government to pay Sanusi N50 million as damages for breach of his fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

Alongside the payment of the compensation, the DSS is to release Sanusi’s passport to him immediately.

Bank workers worried over long working hours

 Lagos - The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSIBIFI) is worried about the increasing working hours of bank workers in the country, reports The Nation.

Olusoji Salako, President of the union, said the association is not happy with the work schedules of bank workers considering the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to International Labour Convention on decent work.

 He noted that the association will no longer tolerate the poor worklife situation of its members in pursuit of profits by the banks.

He said the union intends to take its concerns to the National Assembly through the Senate Committee on Banking in order to fashion out laws that specifies the number of hours bank workers must put in daily on their jobs.

Chinese investments in Nigeria worth $1.7bn

 Lagos - Chinese investments in Nigeria currently stand at about $1.79 billion.
 Liu Kan, the Consul-General of the Peoples Republic of China in Nigeria, disclosed this at a Chinese-Nigeria business networking event and seminar organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in Lagos.
According to him, bilateral business relations between the two countries have resulted in foreign direct investments in various sectors of the economy.
"Both countries have entered into mutually beneficial trade agreements which have created rapid development of the Nigerian economy.
"There are currently more than 40 Chinese companies that have been playing positive roles in the satisfaction of demand and creation of jobs in Nigeria.
"We have been actively involved in the manufacturing, retail and agricultural sectors of the economy," he said.
Kan commended the Federal Government for creating enabling environment for foreign businesses to thrive, while calling for the protection of Chinese entrepreneurs' safety in the country.
Perry Fung, the Regional Director, Middle East and Africa, HKTDC, said that China had been able to satisfy world's growing demands for consumer goods.
“China's Gross Domestic Product has grown rapidly in recent years, increasing to 7.1 percent in 2013 and projected to increase to 7.3 per cent in 2014.
Sola Oworu, Lagos State Commissioner of Commerce, had earlier reiterated the state government's commitment toward attracting foreign investments for the economic development.
Oworu said that Lagos State Government had invested in rail and water ways projects to ease the problems of goods transportation.
She said that the establishment of Lekki Free Trade Zone had created business growths and employment opportunities.
Muda Yusuf, Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also pledged his chamber's support towards facilitating business partnerships between the two countries.

Innoson to manufacture made-in-Nigeria cars by December 2014

 Enugu - The Innoson Group of Companies says it will start manufacturing cars in Nigeria before the end of the year.
The Marketing Manager of the company, Jonah Nnamani, disclosed this at the ongoing 25th Enugu International Trade Fair.
Nnamani said that the cars to be produced before December would come in different brands of IVM Z100, IVM B200 and IVM 200T.
The manager also said that the price range of these cars with low petrol consumption would be between N1.62 million and N2.1 million.
He said the cars would be part of the various products that would include 14, 33 and 48-seater buses as well as jeep and double cabin pickups.
According to him, the cars will compete favourably with imported cars.
Nnamani said the company was at the trade fair to showcase its various products as well as make some sales at the fair.

NNPC to restore fuel supply back to normalcy 2014-04-02 17

 Abuja - The The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its downstream subsidiary, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) have assured Nigerians of restoring normalcy to fuel supplies across the country , reports Leadership.

Haruna Momoh, Managing Director of PPMC, said there was no cause for alarm as the NNPC/PPMC and other marketers are jointly supplying fuel to the market.

He noted that the PPMC has stepped up fuel supply to marketers and distributors, saying  the move was part of measures to end the current fuel scarcity being witnessed in some parts of the country.

Fathia Balogun wins best actress award

 Ibadan -The Yoruba movie genre celebrated their own at the Yoruba Movie Academy Awards (YMAA), with Fathia Balogun and Odunlade Adekola winning best actress and actor respectively, reports Vanguard

It was also revealed that Fathia’s former husband Saidi Balogun, left the venue after he lost in the best director category.

See the full list of winner:

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
-Kola Ogunmola
-Akinwunmi Ishola
-Duro Ladipo
-Mama Awero

BEST ACTOR IN A LEAD ROLE
Odunade Adekola in Mufu Olosa Oko

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Fathia Balogun in Opo

BEST ACTOR IN SUPPORTING ROLE
Dele Odule in Feranmi

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Joke Muyiwa in Ayitale

BEST CROSS OVER ACTOR
Kelvin Ikeduba in Adanikanrin

BEST MUSICIAN IN ACTING ROLE
Alabi Pasuma in Irawo Meji

BEST COMEDY FILM
Olojojo

MOST PROMISING ACTOR
Tunde Owokoniran in Penkelemesi

MOST PROMISING ACTRESS
Memunat Yinusa in Mimiano

BEST CULTURAL MOVIE
Aramotu

BEST MARKETER
Olasco Films

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
Niji Akanni in Aramotu

BEST PICTURE
Arinzo Aramotu

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMA
Riche Riche

ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING
Eja Tutu

Say what?! Kim and Kanye to spend £75 000 on each wedding guest

 Los Angeles - Kim Kardashian and Kanye West will spend £75 000 on each of their wedding guests.

The couple are expected to tie the knot in Paris next month in front of 200 of their loved ones, and last week those lucky enough to be asked to attend were given hand-delivered invites which each cost £600 to produce.

A source told Grazia magazine: "Kim and Kanye wanted the invites to be as lavish as possible and commissioned a couture designer to create gold silk boxes containing a photo album of their fairytale romance and a silk invite etched in real gold leaf with a clasp of natural pearls.

"It's the first glimpse their friends and family have had into their Paris wedding so they wanted them to be special."

The couple - who have nine-month-old daughter North together - are said to have hired the 199-room Trianon Palace Hotel for their guests, who will be flown by private jet to France, to stay in, and no expense will be spared for their comfort.

The source added: "Guests will be greeted with goodie bags containing £300 bottles of Bollinger champagne, £120 Creme de la Mer products, handmade souvenir trinkets with Kim and Kanye's initials etched in Swarovski crystals, bottles of scent from local perfumeries and £150 vouchers for treatments at the hotel spa.

"This is going to be the wedding to end all weddings and Kim wants to ensure that she and Kanye, as well as all their guests, have an experience they will never forget."

As for the bride herself, she is planning to don three wedding gowns on the big day, and is said to be having a spray tan containing real diamonds and 14-carat gold so that she "sparkles".

Odemwingie to make Super Eagles return

 Lagos - Peter Odemwingie is expected to be named in Nigeria's provisional World Cup squad after mending fences with coach Stephen Keshi, KickOff Nigeria reports.
Last week, Stephen Keshi disclosed that the Stoke forward had apologized, not only to him, but to the federation and everyone else he had lashed out at during his now infamous Twitter tirade.
The former West Brom striker is currently on top form in club duties, and a blended relationship with Keshi may now see him come back to the fold.

Powerful 7.8 quake rocks northern Chile

 Santiago - A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 rocked northern Chile late on Wednesday, just a day after a deadly 8.2 jolt in the same region, authorities said.

Sirens rang as a tsunami warning was issued and thousands of people in the north who had just endured the latest quake were again ordered to evacuate inland from coastal areas, according to authorities.

Peru to the north also declared another tsunami warning, according to its Navy.

The new temblor struck at 23:43 (0143 GMT Thursday), 20km south of the city of Iquique, the navy's alert service said.

"Based on its strength a tsunami warning has been issued," the Chilean national oceanographic agency, known as SHOA, added.

There were no immediate reports of fatalities or major damage from the new quake.

Waves have started lashing the coast, said Ricardo Toro of the national disaster relief agency Onemi.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who was assessing damage in the northern city of Arica far north of the capital Santiago, was among those evacuated to higher ground, said state run TVN.

Thousands of Chileans had just returned home after spending the night on hills following Tuesday's 8.2-magnitude earthquake that killed six people and sparked tsunami fears as far as Japan.

The tremors on Tuesday were felt as far inland as landlocked Bolivia and sparked evacuation warnings up the Pacific coast of South America and into Central America.

Dangote to float block making academy in Enugu

 said it would soon establish an academy to train block-making artisans in the South East Zone.

The company’s South East Regional Sales Manager, Mr Tunde Mabogunje, made the disclosure in Enugu during training of block makers at the ongoing 25th Enugu International Trade Fair.

The manager said that the training had become necessary in order to expose artisans to new block-making skills and in line with new technology, as well as create jobs for the unemployed youths in the zone.

Mabogunje said the training was the company’s contributions toward youth empowerment and job creation.

According to him, participants will be provided with machines to start their own businesses after the training.

The regional manager added that the academy would be established in Enugu.

In his presentation, the company’s Head of Training, Mr Johnson Olaniyi, urged block makers to embark on training to enable them to save incidences of collapsed buildings in Nigeria.

According to him, if the mixing of cement and other components like water and sand is wrong, it will affect the block and leads to cases of collapsed building.

"It is also important to use the right tools, including good moulding machines for making of blocks,’’ he said.

Olaniyi said the new brand of Dangote Cement called 42.5Rapid was the best for any kind of building, adding that it was strong, long lasting and easy to mould.

One of the builders, Mr Emeka Nwaka, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that block making business was a good venture.

Nwaka thanked Dangote company for the training and stressed the need for regular training and awareness due to change in technology and for job creation. 

Sambo gives thermal power plant contractors ultimatum on a

 Vice President Namadi Sambo, yesterday, asked the contractors handling the Kaduna 215mw Thermal Power Plant to ensure that the project was ready for completion by the end of this year.
Sambo gave the directive at a meeting with project consortium,  consultants and representatives of the ministries of Power, Transport, among others in Kaduna,
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Umar Sani.
According to Sani, ‘’Sambo, who requested for a detailed programme of work for the project, it was to ensure that the project was commissioned on schedule.
’’He frowned at requests made by the consortium for variation of optional items outside the scope of work and urged the Ministry of Power to conclude the arrangement for the fuel storage tank and directed Rockson Engineering, one of the companies in the consortium, to provide their records of procurements for the Balance of Plant, BoP, and schedule of deliveries and commence without delay, the civil works and construction for the storage tank.
He also called for a schedule of completion of alignment of the turbines from General Electric.
’’Sambo was satisfied with the report presented by the Minister of Transport on the construction of railway tracks that would connect the rail with the power plant to enable for easy transportation of the fuel from source.
He also noted the challenges faced by the consortium at the site and directed them to sort out all issues and report back within two weeks.
Those issues were on the eight turbines alignment, storage tank, electrical control system which was one of the major engineering issues for project delivery and additional works.

How Jonathan ended Niger Delta militancy — Kuku o

 ABUJA—Special  Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, said on Wednesday that it was actually President Goodluck Jonathan that paved the way for the cessation of the militancy that drastically reduced the nation’s oil production between 2006 and 2009.
Kuku, who spoke when he received the new leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council in Abuja, made it clear that it was actually Jonathan who while serving as Nigeria’s Vice President wrote the amnesty brief, persuaded the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to accept and implement the deal for the militants in exchange for peace.
Kuku said that beyond the persuasion of Yar’Adua to grant amnesty to the militants, Jonathan was actually the most senior Federal Government officials who risked his life and frequently went to militant camps and begged the militants to lay down their arms and accept peace.
“So, the truth must be told that it was actually Goodluck Ebele Jonathan that paved the way for the amnesty that has made it possible for peace to return to the Niger Delta and for oil to begin to flow in significant quantity, thereby making more money for the country and its people,” the presidential aide explained.
“The records are there: Jonathan went to the notorious Camp 5, begged Tompolo and other fighters to lay down their arms and accept the terms of the amnesty programme, which he drew up and showed to them.
“Without President Jonathan’s strong voice for amnesty and his personal involvement to get it off the ground, there would have been no oil for the country today. Nigeria is lucky to have him as a President and we should put the record straight,” he said.
Kuku, who frowned at what he called a deliberate attempt by some Nigerians to distort the history of the Presidential Amnesty in Nigeria, said that they IYC, which was at the heart of the Niger Delta struggle, would not allow the change of the story of the region for political reasons.

2015 Presidential Election: Jonathan Steps Down For David Mark

 Few months before the 2015 Presidential election hold next year, it has been revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan has decided to hand over the mantle of leadership to Senate President, David Mark.



* Senate President David Mark tipped to take over from President Jonathan

According to a report, Jonathan's decision to back out of the race is unconnected to the ongoing activities in some parts of the country.

A dependable source within the PDP caucus informed that the president was forced to accept the decision because some persons had vowed to make his government ungovernable if he returns in 2015.

"I can assure you that the president has accepted to step down for the senate president, David Mark. He has accepted to support him during and after the election," the source said.
The source also said, "this decision came after several meetings and consultations with party leaders. It is obvious some people don't want Jonathan. The ongoing activities in some parts of the country tell it all and the only option left is for him to pull out of the race."

Asked if the incumbent president would be given any federal appointment, the source said the president has agreed to return to his Otueke home, from where he will go back to classroom.

A media aide to the President, while debunking the news, said there was no element of truth in it.

WORLD CUP: NFF And Keshi Clash Over Eagles List

 The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi are said to have arguments regarding the release of provisional list for the pre-World Cup camp.



While the NFF technical committee, which had a meeting in Abuja last week, demands the immediate release of the squad composition ahead of the camp opening on May 26, Keshi is not in a hurry with the provisional list.

The national coach criticized the technical committee over putting pressure on him, adding:

"First, the report was that I was to submit 40 names. Now I am hearing it is 35 players. I will only submit a list of 30 players when I am ready."

Controversies between the federation and Keshi started last week when Super Eagles coach was queried for attending a sponsor's event in Lagos the very day he had a scheduled meeting with the technical committee.

It was revealed by the sources within the NFF that Keshi also failed to reply to the issues raised in the query by the Chris Green-led committee.

Before the World Cup games to be held in Brazil starting from June 11, Super Eagles are facing 3 friendly matches: against Scotland, USA and Greece in America.

4 Suicide Bombers Killed, Many Feared Dead As Multiple Explosions Shake Maiduguri

 According to the statement signed by Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, three of the four explosives-laden vehicles were demobilized by soldiers' gunfire at a major checkpoint in Mulai, a community along the Damboa-Biu road. Five soldiers have been reported injured.

Speaking to Agence France-Presse, Borno State police spokesman Gideon Jibrin reported that one car exploded at 7:50 a.m., killing 3 civilians. Ten minutes later, a bomb hit a police vehicle, killing 5 officers and 3 another persons who are yet to be determined either as civilians or Boko Haram insurgents.

Sources at the scene say that the suicide bombers, driving four Volkswagen golf cars laden with improvised explosive devices rammed into two military patrol vehicles. Others indicate the attackers were trying to speed past the checkpoint to set off the blasts at the petrol station, which was backed up with vehicles because of fuel shortages across Nigeria.

Immediately after the blast, 7 Division men of Nigerian Army, mobile policemen and vigilante youths mobilized to the scene and cordoned off the area to prevent any further attacks. Residents of Molai and Damboa road are fleeing their homes.

It would be recalled that an emergency rule has been imposed onto the Northern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in May, 2013. Recently, the Nigerian military reclaimed the Maiduguri Giwa Barracks, capturing and killing several members of the Boko Haram sect insurgents.

Energy sector welcomes new Calabar conference centre

 Abuja - The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has lauded Cross River State government for initiating a world-class conference facility which the union said would serve as an iconic venue in the sub-Sahara Africa.
Frank Esanubi, leader of the delegation and Chairman of PENGASSAN, Chevron Nigeria Ltd Branch, made the commendation during an inspection tour of some of the legacy projects embarked by the State Governor, Liyel Imoke.
“The project is a novel idea and one project that I will advise government to ensure its completion before the expiration of this administration because it will add value to their tourism drive. I commend Governor Liyel Imoke for what is currently developing, I learnt the conference facility has 5 000 seating capacity, and currently so many organizations which have large members will always prefer Abuja for their events because there is an International Conference Centre there, but with this facility now, coupled with peace and serenity of Calabar, I am sure the traffic will gradually move to Calabar,” he said.

Esanubi said Calabar was the best choice place of having meetings or conferences in Nigeria.
“While planning for this conference, we agreed that our choice of a venue must be a place where the people are receptive, a place that we can feel at home, safe and it was the unanimous decision of the executive to settle for Calabar. So, for any institution or organization, Calabar is the best choice whenever you think of having meetings or conferences in Nigeria.”

He said Cross River State had been blessed with good leadership compared to other states in the federation since the return to democracy.

“It is something that is worthy of emulation and commendable too,” concluded Esanubi.

12 Sure Games For Your Match Predictions Today

Leads united vs Chalton- over 1.5
Wigan vs Leiceter city- 2
Sheffield united vs Brentford - 12
Stevanage fc vs Wolves- x2
Dartford vs Luton town 2
Sutton united vs Borehamwood- 1
Portvale v Crawley Town - 12
Wrexham vs Grimsby - x2
Manchester United vs Fc Bayern Munich- 1x
Bishop stortford vs Eistleigh- x2
Rushall Olypmic vs Afc Fylde- x2
Altrincham vs Boston United- 1x

N:B  This games are 80 percent sure under standard and suitable conditions

Photos: Launching Of Patience Ozokwor's Plaza

 Nollywood star actress, Patience Ozokwor a.k.a Mama G opened her multi-million Naira plaza in Coal City Garden Enugu on Saturday March 29th and some Nollywood stars graced the occasion, the likes of John Okafor a.k.a Mr Ibu, Angela Okorie, Aneke Twins, Charlse Awurum and others alongside the Hon Commissioner for Tourism, Enugu State.

Madrid's Marcelo Ruled Out Of Dortmund Tie

 (AFP) - Real Madrid left-back Marcelo will miss both legs of his side's Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund due to a hamstring injury. "After tests were carried out on Marcelo, a first grade tear has been detected in his left hamstring," the club said in a statement. The Brazilian international is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of two weeks meaning he will also miss crucial La Liga games against Real Sociedad and Almeria and faces a race against time to be fit for the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 16.

Fuel scarcity: Marketers threaten nationwide strike

  Lagos - Oil marketers on Monday threatened to embark on industrial strike following the shutdown of Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) by National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

NUPENG shutdown the NIPCO facilities on March 24.

Abidemi Agunbiade, chairman, a concerned group of IPMAN, expressed worries over  the looming fuel scarcity in Lagos.

Agunbiade said that the shutdown of the NIPCO had affected over 1 000 marketers who had paid money to load petrol.

According to him, over 450 million litres of fuel imported to discharge into NIPCO depot are still on the high seas due to the shutdown of the company.

“About four vessels are on the high seas including those of the NNPC.

“The stranded vessels are paying demurrage of 15 000 dollars to  20 000 dollars on daily basis due to the  shutdown of NIPCO by the leadership of NUPENG," he said.

The concerned marketers said that the shut down had congested Apapa jetty with vessels that were ready to discharge products to NIPCO tank farms.

Agunbiade said that about 80 million litres of petrol had been shut at the depot.

He said that the depot dispensed over 20 per cent of total fuel demand of the nation.

Agunbiade said that all the retail outlets of IPMA would be shut down if NIPCO was not reopened  by March 31.

"We are just being careful not to shut down our retail outlets nationwide because we control over 87 per cent retail outlets.

The marketers and workers of NIPCO were still protesting the closure of the company and said that they were ready to commence operations.

Some tanker drivers said that they had exhausted all the money on them after staying in the depot for over eight days.

NUPENG Deputy Chairman, Oladejo Ambali, who addressed the workers, said that the situation was fast assuming a dangerous dimension.

He promised to take the workers’ grievances to the national leadership of the union.

-  NAN