Why Nigerian Air Force 1 Jet remains with Buhari in London- Presidency

The Presidency on Thursday said the retention of the Presidential Aircraft, NAF 001, in London where President Muhammadu Buhari is currently receiving medical attention was borne out protocol, national security, diplomacy and prestige.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja.
Shehu was reacting to recent reports especially on the social media over an outrageous fee allegedly being paid for parking the aircraft in London since May 10 when Buhari embarked on his second medical vacation for the year.

He said there is no world leader who travels abroad and is left without plans for immediate return or possible evacuation.Shehu said, “The Presidency is constrained to decry criticisms, mostly on social media, on the retention in London of the Presidential Aircraft, NAF 001 as mostly informed by lack of understanding of protocol around foreign trips by Heads of State all over the world.

“It is important to state that for reasons of protocol, national security, diplomacy and prestige, there is no world leader who travels abroad and is left without plans for immediate return or possible evacuation.

“From operational point of view, this country’s Armed Forces as represented by the Nigeria Air Force are not to abandon their Commander-In-Chief in whichever circumstance he is. This is a standard operating procedure.”

The presidential spokesman also debunked the parking fees being reported, saying presidential aircraft enjoy waivers worldwide.
He added that where a waiver is not granted, such fees do not exceed £1,000.

He urged Nigerians to discard the report which he claimed is emanating from the camp of opposition.
Citing some of the achievements so far recorded by the present administration, Shehu asked that the President be given a chance that his administration deserves.

The statement added, “We have also read claims about outrageous fees allegedly paid by Nigeria. The published amounts are totally untrue.

 Aircraft conveying Heads of State all over the world usually enjoy waivers even where payments for parking are differentiated by aircraft categories.
“We have been assured that where the waiver is not granted, payment will not exceed £1,000, which is a quarter of the amount being peddled.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this President is not the first to have a presidential aircraft standing by for him, as he will certainly not be the last. All past Heads of this country have had this privilege, and the part that surprises the most is that leaders who in the past travelled with three Nigerian aircraft did not suffer this trenchant criticism.

“We appeal to Nigerians to ignore opposition campaign aimed at derailing this administration’s big plans for the country.
“
This is a government that is constructing the Second Niger Bridge, the Mambila Power Plant, the East-West and the North-South standard gauge railway lines.

“We are a government that has saved this country an annual loss of two trillion Naira from fraudulent petroleum subsidy schemes by influential citizens and their children and rid the public service of about 50,000 ghost workers.
“The Buhari administration certainly deserves a chance.”

AFRICAN FASHION FOR THE WEEKEND

Tyson, Holyfield meet 20 years after ear bite fight in Las Vegas

Twenty years on, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield have made peace over the Bite Fight that saw the Baddest Man on the Planet turn The Real Deal into The Real Meal.It was on June 28, 1997, when Mike Tyson met Evander Holyfield in a Las Vegas boxing ring. The fight eventually went down as one of the most infamous in boxing history, as ‘Iron Mike’ was disqualified for biting a chunk off Holyfield’s ear during the bout. But the two have made peace and will forever share one of sport’s iconic moments.

Time heals, just as they say it always does. Evander Holyfield’s ear still bears the scar of Mike Tyson’s teeth but the biter has made his peace with the bitten and, exactly 20 years on, these two all-time great heavyweights are best buddies.

The desert melting pot, which was brewing on June 28, 1997 on the Las Vegas Strip, had been advertised as The Sound And The Fury. It was to go down in history as the Bite Fight.This was the e
Tyson, also known as Iron Mike, surpassed all his other obscenities by turning his illustrious rival, who was nicknamed The Real Deal, into The Real Meal.We were into the third round of their second world title fight when Tyson reverted to the mean New York streets from whence he came. He dragged the noble art back with him into the ghetto.

We had grown accustomed to Tyson’s capacity for shocking us. But now those of us at ringside in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, as well as the audiences who broke box-office records around the world, were about to be filled with revulsion.

Tyson had advertised his gruesome intention by trying to come out from his corner for the third without his gum shield. Referee Mills Lane ordered him to replace that protector. To no avail.
As they came together in a clinch, Tyson sank his teeth into Holyfield’s right ear, gnawed off several inches of cartilage and spat that grisly mouthful onto the canvas.

While Holyfield leapt into the air like a wounded lion in pain, referee Lane veered from immediately throwing out Tyson to deducting two points.
vening of ultimate infamy for he who we already called The Baddest Man On The Planet.
Undeterred, as they resumed what should have been boxing, Tyson turned the attentions of his molars to Holyfield’s left ear. As the round ended and a doctor confirmed the extent of the bites, Lane disqualified the man who still holds to this day the distinction of being the youngest ever world heavyweight champion.

Unabashed, Tyson tried to assault Holyfield in his corner, heaving punches at the stewards blocking his path.
By way of explanation, Tyson said the primitive instincts instilled during his brutal upbringing had been re-aroused by the headbutts with which Holyfield had opened a gash above his right eye.
‘If he wants to make it a street fight, so can I.’Teddy Atlas, the former trainer of Tyson who had pointed a gun at him during their angry fallout, led a body of opinion that Iron Mike had been deliberately seeking an early ending to avoid a repeat of the beating he had taken from Holyfield en route to an 11th-round stoppage in their first fight.

That theory did not survive scrutiny of a subsequent fight in which Tyson refused to quit against the much larger and younger Lennox Lewis. On that night in Memphis the referee had to rescue him when eight rounds of terrible punishment turned his face into a gargoyle. But there was no acceptable excuse for the ear-biting and repercussions were inevitable.
Tyson was fined $3million of his $13m purse and ordered to perform community service. His boxing licence was suspended, at first indefinitely but restored to him on appeal to the Nevada State Athletic Commission just over a year later.

That did not satisfy the clamour for a lifetime ban. That was generated mostly by hardcore white America, which had felt justified in its fear of Tyson and his magnetic, galvanising impact on the African-American community by his earlier rape conviction and imprisonment.
Tyson was sentenced to six years in March 1992 for the rape of Desiree Washington, an 18-year-old Miss Black America contestant. The trial became a media circus and provided a backdrop for debate on a host of social issues, especially the US justice system when young black males were on trial.

But the wider fascination with Tyson the monster created such box-office attraction that he was always certain to return to the ring. By the time it happened Holyfield, not only the Real Deal but a true gentleman, had expressed understanding and forgiveness.
Tyson responded with a fulsome apology to him on a live television chat show. When Holyfield was elected to the boxing Hall of Fame, it was Tyson who did the honours by introducing him as ‘my friend, one of the greatest world champions.’

They meet up ‘from time to time,’ as Tyson puts it.Recently, Mike dropped by Evander’s home to present him with a glass jar containing what he claimed to be that right ear preserved in aspic. That was light-hearted amusement for them both.

The spat out lobe was actually picked up by Mills Lane from the floor of the ring. He handed it to one of Holyfield’s seconds, who put it in ice and passed it on to the doctor who would sew it back into place that night.It took a little longer for them to patch up their relationship. But that friendship endures now as a testament to the healing power of sport in this troubled world.
Culled from Dailymail.co.uk

Why we have not arraigned Evans – Police

Reasons were given by the police high command this morning why billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, decided to drag the Nigeria Police to court over his continuous detention.

Evans had on Wednesday dragged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the Police Service Commission, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni and the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad to the Federal High Court in Lagos.

In the suit filed by a Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, Evans is claiming that his continued detention is an abridgement of his fundamental human rights.

However, sources at the high command said that it was Evans’ gang members who are yet to be arrested that sought for and got the services of Ogungbeje to frustrate further investigation into the case.

A source said: “Evans gang members who wanted him to go to court before Police will finish investigations that have been leading to their exposure and arrests, hired a lawyer who sued the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and OC SARS.

“They are insisting that Evans should be charged to court.”
It was however, gathered that the Police IRT team expected such a sharp move early enough. The police IRT, it was learnt had equally secured an order of the Federal High Court to detain Evans for at least three months.

The order, police sources told newsmen, was secured last week Thursday. The order covered Evans and all his gang members who have so far been arrested. They are to remain in Police custody for three months.

The source said this is to enable the Police conclude all investigations in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa so that all those involved in the kidnapping ring run by Evans would be brought to book.

The source added: “Unfortunately for them, we can also renew the order after three months, which is what they failed to take into cognizance,” the police said. “But I am sure we will not even need up to that.
“And their running helter skelter is even helping us as they are daily making mistakes that have been further exposing them"

$1.2 Billion Bank Loan: Etisalat Nigeria CEO, Hakeem Belo-Osagie Resigns

In an attempt to absolve themselves of criminal and civil liability for the non-payment of a $1.2 billion loan taken from 13 Nigerian banks, the directors of Etisalat Nigeria, save for its chairman, Hakeem Belo-Osagie, have resigned en masse from the seven-man board of the network operator.

According to sources close to Etisalat, the six Mubadala and Etisalat Group-appointed Non-executive Directors (NEDs), all nationals of the United Arab Emirates, resigned last week, following Emirates Telecoms Group Company’s (Etisalat Group) reporting disclosure on the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange that it was transferring 45 per cent of its stake and 25 per cent of its preference shares in its Nigerian subsidiary to United Capital Trustees Limited, the legal representative of the lending banks.

Other shareholders of Etisalat Nigeria include Mubadala Development Company with a 40 per cent stake and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services (EMTS), representing the Nigerian shareholders, with 15 per cent.

The consortium of banks had threatened to takeover the operations of the telecoms company, unless it repaid the loan in full.

One source who was aware of the directors’ resignation informed THISDAY that they stepped down from the board intentionally in an attempt to exonerate themselves from the liability of the debt default that has en

He explained that what the directors forgot is that they had used a Dutch-registered company, of which they are also the directors, to guaranty the loans from the banks, and as such cannot run away from their obligations to their Nigerian lenders.

“Yes, they resigned because they are trying to absolve themselves of the loans they have left behind.
“But they cannot run away because they had used a company registered in the Netherlands where they are directors to guaranty the loans, so they will still be held liable should Etisalat Nigeria fail to repay the loans to the banks,” he said.

He also disclosed that the only NED left on the board was the chairman, Belo-Osagie, clarifying that the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Wilshire, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer and Chief Commercial Officer are not directors of the company.

But as the crisis in Etisalat assumes a new dimension, it was also learnt that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have summoned a meeting, inviting the 13 banks, equipment suppliers and IHS, a telecoms tower and infrastructure provider, for a meeting friday.

They are slated to meet with NCC and CBN in Abuja to address the situation in order to stem value erosion of the network provider and job losses.

The banks, said a source, are also keen on reaching a resolution, as they would rather not appoint a receiver manager for Etisalat Nigeria.

Right now, the noose is being tightened around Etislat’s neck to repay the loan, with shareholder groups in the capital market advising the firm to settle the debt, even as the banks are insisting on the prosecution of the foreign directors of the company and its principal, Mubadala.

The banks claim that the Mubadala-appointed CFO of Etisalat Nigeria diverted over $700,000 from the proceeds of the sale of its towers to IHS.
Culled from Thisday
veloped Etisalat Nigeria, but said the banks will not allow them to go scot-free.

Fidelity Bank Admits Disbursing Diezani Bribe To INEC Staff

 
Staff of Fidelity Bank Plc., Mr. Timothy Olaobaju, has told the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, that his bank disbursed the sum of N264 million to two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Christain Nwosu and Isa Olarenwaju Adedoyin, who are currently standing trial for unlawful gratification.


 Mr. Olaobaju, who gave testimony as a prosecution witness, told the court on Wednesday that a sum of N115,000,000 was deposited into the bank by different oil companies and some individuals on the instructions of former minister for petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

 He stated further that more instructions came from the minister that certain individuals whose names were drafted on a list would come with means of identification and that the money be disbursed to them. "Around 2015, there was a meeting between our MD and former petroleum minister, in which she explained that some companies and individuals will come to pay into some accounts.

 In addition, she said certain individuals were bringing some cash for her and a total sum of $89,000,000 was paid into these accounts.
Those individuals brought $25,000,000," the witness said. He added that the money was converted to naira, totaling N115 billion and distributed across persons from 36 states of the federation. When the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, who lead the examination in chief, asked the witness how he knew the defendants, he said, "There was an instruction that they should be paid N264,880,000 and they were paid. The instruction to pay them came from head office as instructed by Diezani." 

He also informed the court that they signed the receipt of payment which was subsequently admitted as evidence. The defendants were arraigned on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 alongside one Tijani Bashir, who in the course of the trial entered into a plea bargain agreement with the commission.

 Bashir pleaded guilty, returned property purchased with the proceeds of crime and paid a fine of N5,000,000. They were accused of taking bribes from the former Minister of Petroleum. The presiding judge, Justice Muhammed Idris, adjourned the matter till Thursday, June 29, for continuation of trial@saharareporters

Bank set to sell Kola Aluko’s New York house

A European bank is set to sell the 79th floor penthouse in Manhattan New York, owned by Nigerian oil mogul, Kola Aluko, who has been declared wanted by the EFCC.

The sale according to New York Post could be the biggest in the city in recent times.
The 48-year-old oil  tycoon — who is pals with Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell and Leonardo DiCaprio —hasn’t been paying his bills on the $50.9 million luxury condo, and a European bank is forcing a sale next month.

The Luxembourg-based Banque Havilland, which issued a $35.3 million mortgage on the 6,240-square-foot spread at 157 E. 57th St., has listed as collateral Aluko’s 213-foot yacht, the Galactica Star, and is looking to collect what it’s owed plus interest, court documents show.
On top of the unpaid mortgage that came due last fall, Aluko has been racking up maintenance fees and taxes on the property. He has not been seen for some time, prompting speculation that he is hiding out on the Galactica Star.

The boat — which Aluko rented to Jay-Z and Beyoncé in 2015 for $900,000 a week — was last registered in Freeport, Bahamas, on May 3, but is currently “out of range,” yacht trackers said.
According to sources, Aluko did appear with the yacht at the ill-fated Ja Rule Fyre Festival music event in the Bahamas in late April. Prior to that, the Galactica Star left Cabo last year and was briefly berthed in Turkey, records show.

Aluko, who claims Switzerland as his residence, was among those who allegedly obtained lucrative contracts from Nigeria’s former oil minister, who has also been accused in a $1.76 billion scheme to defraud the government of oil sale profits that both have denied.

The alleged plot may have parked the money in assets around the world, including jets, automobiles and pricey real estate in London, Sweden, Dubai, New York and California.
Aluko has been busy flipping many of the expensive properties he’s bought. In Montecito, Calif., Gwyneth Paltrow paid Aluko an undermarket $4.9 million for a 2.4-acre estate that was equipped with a massive pool.

In 2012, Aluko paid $14.7 million for an 11,478-square-foot manse in Beverly Hills that was rented to Ariana Grande. The singer had to leave when Aluko sold it for just $13 million in 2016.

More recently, a shell company controlled by Aluko has been trying to unload an apartment at 1049 Fifth Ave., which it bought for $8.5 million in 2013.
The apartment, whose two combined units boast four bedrooms and four bathrooms, a maid’s apartment and two storage units, has liens on it of more than $20,000, and it owes $61,000 in taxes to the city as of July 1.

Luxury skyscraper One57, built by real estate mogul Gary Barnett’s Extell Development, holds the sales record for a full-floor apartment, with one unit that sold for $100.5 million.
But with lots of competition from new Billionaires’ Row towers, including 432 Park Ave., it has become harder to sell and rent mega-priced condos.
*culled from New York Post

 

What Gives Me Sleepless Nights – Dangote Reveals

 

The Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has revealed a problem that causes him sleepless nights.

He said he finds it hard to sleep because of the current high rate of unemployment in Nigeria.

Dangote said this when a team of business executives from Lagos Business School (LBS), visited his multi-billion dollars refinery and petrochemical projects in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

“What keeps me awake at nights is not really the enormity of business ideas running through my mind, but it is actually high rate of unemployment in the country.

‘It is an eyesore and I think we have collective responsibility to solve this problem”, Nation quoted him as say
Dangote noted that the nation’s growing population should have been a blessing if the youth energy is harnessed to drive growth, but regretted that poverty increases with the population.
“
The more poverty that you have in a society without education, the more criminals you breed.
“It is surprising that poverty grows in this country as population grows, especially in the North where you have low income families bearing score of children they cannot cater for”, he added.

Dangote said it was not the duty of government to create jobs, stressing that creation of enabling environment for entrepreneurs to thrive should be the focus of any government.

Africa’s richest man said developed economies were not created by the government, but private sector which acts as drivers of growth and development.

He linked insurgency and militancy to unemployment, saying criminality would fester in a society where government does not encourage entrepreneurs to create jobs.

Buhari On Life Support For 20 Days, Needs Prayers - Fayose

The Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari has been on life support since June 6 at a hospital in West End, London. 

The governor made the claim in a personally signed statement issued on Wednesday.                          

According to Mr. Fayose, the President needs prayers to surmount his health challenges and called on him to resign from office to attend to his health. He also called on the Presidency to be honest about

President Buhari's health status, saying it has been handled with a lot of opacity. 
He noted that Wednesday makes it 53 days since President; Muhammadu Buhari left Nigeria for treatment abroad and there has been no official information as to his whereabouts and his state of health.

Mr. Fayose said he does not wish the President dead, the reason he claimed to have maintained a "dignified silence" since the President embarked on his second medical trip abroad this year.

He described the recorded audio message released by the Presidency as a damage control strategy, one which moved him to set the records straight with his statement.

"No doubt, the audio message was only a damage control strategy aimed at further deceiving Nigerians. The audio message does not represent the truth as our President does not only have voice impairment, he has been on life support since 6 June at a West-End, London, Hospital," Mr. Fayose said.

He similarly claimed that the President's wife, Aisha, was not allowed to see her husband during her last visit to the United Kingdom, but she is unwilling to admit what happened.

"Only three Nigerians, who are of the President’s cabal, are allowed access to the President. I will keep their identities for now. Anyone with a contrary claim should produce the President to Nigerians within the next 48 hours. It is obvious that Nigeria is drifting like the last days of the Yar’Adua government," the governor said.

He stated that he warned Nigerians against electing President Buhari on the account of his age, health and mental capacity.

 He also claimed that when the Presidency released pictures to the press claiming that President Buhari had an interview with Kemi Fadojutimi of “All Eyes on Africa” TV Show in London, on 23 February 2015, he proved that the interview was conducted in Suite 881 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
"
Hate me or like me, again,
I am putting Nigerians on notice on the present state of health of our President.

Let me state that I am not unaware of the various attempts on my life.

 I am undaunted, as I remain committed to truth and fearlessness because a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

It is time that the President takes the interests of Nigerians above his own and resign from office so that our country can move forward," Mr. Fayose stated.
    

BREAKING: Suntai, ex-Taraba gov is dead

 After almost five years in and out of hospital, a former Governor of Taraba State, Mr. Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, died in a United States hospital on Wednesday.
He died just two days to his 54^th birthday.
The former governor was born in Suntai, Bali local government area of Taraba on June 30, 1961.

Suntai, who was involved in a life-threatening chopper’s crash on October 25, 2012, managed to complete his tenure in 2015 on sick bed.
The Cessna helicopter crash also affected his Aide-de-Camp, Dasat Iliya, the Chief Security Officer, Timo Dangana and the Chief Detail, Joel Dangana, who were all flown abroad.
Following the crash of the private chopper, the ex-governor was initially treated at Adamawa Standard German Hospital in Yola before being transferred to the National Hospital Abuja on October 26, 2012 and eventually flown to a hospital in Germany.
But after he was discharged in Germany, he was moved to a rehabilitation centre in the U.S.
Before the air mishap, Suntai had in 2009 survived food poisoning as a sitting governor and he had to take a medical leave to detoxify his system in a German hospital.
According to a former Commissioner for Information in the state, Hon. Emmanuel Bello, the ex-governor died in the early hours of Wednesday.

Bello, who was overwhelmed over the death of his former boss, said:  “Former Governor Suntai is dead. It is two days to his birthday. Life. And death. And politicsitics.” But Bello could not give exact details of the hospital where Suntai died in the U.S.
The ex-governor had his secondary education at the Federal Government College, Kano, from 1975 to 1980 before proceeding to the School of Basic Studies at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria between 1980.
He later read Pharmacy at ABU and graduated in 1984. He did his internship at Yola Specialist Hospital and his National Youth Service at the State Hospital, Ijaiye Quarters in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Between 1989 and 1993, Suntai was elected the chairman of Bali Local Government (1989–1993). From 2000 to 2007, he occupied many posts in the state including being the chairman of Taraba State Investment and Properties Limited, Commissioner for Education (2000–2003), and  the Secretary to the Taraba State Government.
In April 2007 Suntai won election as the governor of Taraba State following the disqualification of Danladi Baido who won the gubernatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

UBA Foundation launches Read Africa in Liberia

In pursuance of its mission to uplift the lives of the communities in which the United bank for Africa (Plc) operates, UBA Foundation’s initiative, Read Africa is visiting schools in African countries to encourage young children embrace the culture of reading.

Read Africa is an initiative of UBA Foundation geared at rekindling the dwindling reading culture amongst African youths. Conceived and introduced in 2011, by the Foundation, the project involves the provision of recommended Literature for junior and senior secondary school students across the African continent.

This year, the foundation has selected the book The Fisherman by Chigozie Obioma as one of the books that will be distributed to children on the continent. The Fisherman is a tale of four brothers growing up in the 90's in Akure, Nigeria and the secret that bound them together.Acting CEO, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta visited the C. William Brumskine elementary school in Monrovia to introduce The Fishermen to a delightful group of young students with hopes and aspirations for the future.  As she  read passages of The Fishermen to the children, she told them: “We at UBA Foundation are eager to better the lives of people across the continent. I am here to tell you a bit about the importance of reading and how it can change your lives dramatically. Reading will encourage you to dream; it will broaden your knowledge, your vocabulary. You can read yourselves into very successful careers in the future’ she said.

United Bank for Africa (UBA)Plc, Africa's global bank, is committed to being a socially responsible company and role model for all businesses in Africa. UBA realises that there is a need for a social contract between the bank, the communities in which it operates, and its people. To this end, in 2006, United Bank for Africa became the first bank in Nigeria to institute a foundation, the UBA Foundation. As the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the UBA Group, UBA Foundation is committed to the socio-economic betterment of communities across the African continent focusing on development in the areas of Environment, Education, Economic Empowerment and Special Projects.

Ghana ahead of Nigeria in aviation hub race

Ghana appears to be leading in the race for the aviation hub in the West African region, despite Nigeria’s comparative advantage.Whereas both West African neighbours currently parade the “ease of doing business” initiatives of their governments, Ghana is making more progress with specific policies that are attracting more international airlines to Kotoka International Airport in Accra.
Experts are unanimous on the comparative advantages Nigeria has over Ghana in terms of passenger traffic, local airlines and infrastructure, among others. They are, however, concerned that the dormant state of the Nigerian aviation sector would adversely affect the economy.
Specifically, with foreign airlines fueling in Ghana and routing through the country, after picking passengers in Nigeria, ancillary revenues that would have gone to hotels and aviation agencies in Nigeria are now being made in Ghana. To reverse the trend, the experts called for aviation specific policies to s
Recall that the Ghanaian government over a year ago mapped out plans to ease means of doing business and attract foreign airlines to Accra. In partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the government slashed the price of aviation fuel by 20 per cent, remodelled the old Kotoka International terminal and subsequently removed Value Added Tax (VAT).
Today, several airlines operating on the West African coast find aviation fuel in Accra cheaper. South African Airways, for instance, now routes through the airport for direct flights to Dallas and Washington, in the United States. Meanwhile, on board these flights are over 50 per cent passengers from Nigeria.
The Local Operating Officer of one of the foreign airlines told The Guardian that the Ghana Aviation Authority (GAA) had gone steps ahead with the open doors and trade liberalisation policies.
timulate activities in the sector and enhance growth for larger economic development.
“That is why everyone is finding Ghana attractive. Even our passengers find the Kotoka Airport more accommodating than what we have in Nigeria.“We have to give credit to the Federal Government with the new policy. To be honest, Nigeria is a very strategic traffic hub after South Africa, but still has a long way to go. I said that with all sense of responsibility as a Nigerian.Unfortunately, aviation business is high capital intensive with very little margin for profit. So, it is not done by sentiment. If the condition in Accra supports my business plan, why wouldn’t I go there?” the top official said on condition of anonymity.
Indeed, Nigeria commands many advantages to compete with established African hubs like Johannesburg (South Africa), Nairobi (Kenya) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) for the African air travel market.
For instance, Nigeria sits at the trigger point of the continent and the shortcut (about six-hour travel time) to the rest of the world. With 170 million plus population, internal movement of about 15 million passengers (just eight per cent of the population) is second highest after South Africa. Besides, no other country can boast of eight local carriers like Nigeria, airports as many as 26 scattered across the country and being the sixth largest producer of crude oil (for JetA1) in the world.
The Chairman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt. Nogie Meggison, said there was no doubt about the huge potential at the disposal of the country, but this would continue to be potential until Federal Government comes up with a deliberate economic policy to help grow the aviation subsector.
Meggison said: “There is an urgent need for a deliberate economic policy that will eliminate the many challenges that adversely affect the sector in a bid to guarantee survival of domestic airlines in the country and to make Nigeria the hub for Africa.
“Following the air crashes of 2005/06, the Federal Government came up with a policy to ensure air safety in Nigeria. As a result of that singular action, today Nigeria has an excellent safety record of 93 per cent between 2006 and 2017. The country also secured the Category 1 Status and most of the scheduled airlines are currently IOSA-certified as a strong testimony of the country’s commitment to air safety.
“However, safety and economic policy go hand-in-hand. Where there is no financial profit for airlines, safety would be compromised. A clear economic policy for the survival of domestic airlines is very critical at this time. Absence of it has resulted over the years in the death of over 25 airlines in 30 years. Safety and financial economic policy must go hand-in-hand; as airline investors are in the business of aviation for the profit and can’t make profit without safety or have a safe airline without profit,” he said.
The airline operators said they could compete on the regional and international fronts but the Federal Government must provide an enabling environment that specifically addresses the crippling effect of multiple taxation, VAT and navigation aids, among others.Specifically, they recommended the removal of VAT; review of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) to a flat rate (in line with the global best practice); and harmonisation of over 35 multiple charges which add a huge burden on airlines.

Business  |  Aviation  

Meggison said: “There is an urgent need for a deliberate economic policy that will eliminate the many challenges that adversely affect the sector in a bid to guarantee survival of domestic airlines in the country and to make Nigeria the hub for Africa.
“Following the air crashes of 2005/06, the Federal Government came up with a policy to ensure air safety in Nigeria. As a result of that singular action, today Nigeria has an excellent safety record of 93 per cent between 2006 and 2017. The country also secured the Category 1 Status and most of the scheduled airlines are currently IOSA-certified as a strong testimony of the country’s commitment to air safety.
“However, safety and economic policy go hand-in-hand. Where there is no financial profit for airlines, safety would be compromised. A clear economic policy for the survival of domestic airlines is very critical at this time. Absence of it has resulted over the years in the death of over 25 airlines in 30 years. Safety and financial economic policy must go hand-in-hand; as airline investors are in the business of aviation for the profit and can’t make profit without safety or have a safe airline without profit,” he said.
The airline operators said they could compete on the regional and international fronts but the Federal Government must provide an enabling environment that specifically addresses the crippling effect of multiple taxation, VAT and navigation aids, among others.
Specifically, they recommended the removal of VAT; review of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) to a flat rate (in line with the global best practice); and harmonisation of over 35 multiple charges which add a huge burden on airlines.

Others challenges identified are poor navigational and landing aids that limit operations to daylight for most; high cost and epileptic supply of JetA1; obsolete infrastructure that hamper the ease of doing business; and lack of consultations with airlines before the introduction of new charges and policies, among others.

IATA recently conducted a quick impact analysis of a potential removal of the domestic VAT of five per cent. “Using an average domestic airfare, it would reduce the ticket price by 4.39 per cent, which would mean a boost in domestic air traffic of 3.51 per cent or around 133,000 passengers a year together with the multiplier effect of additional turnover of revenue from other indirect businesses. For instance, the more landing and parking fees for the airports, hoteliers, car hire and airline support services, the more the spending to jump-start the economy out of recession.
“This growth in demand for domestic air travel and making Nigeria the hub for Africa can easily make aviation the fourth contributor to the economy and a major contributor to the GDP as well as create 200,000 new jobs for our youths through its direct and indirect link (airlines, airports, ground handlers and catering companies) and will increase revenues also for FAAN, NCAA and NAMA. This is a step that Ghana took recently and the benefits are there for all to see today as Accra is now the hub for West Africa,” Meggison said.The Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, commended the Federal Government for the ease of doing business plan in the aviation business sector. But he urged the government to do more.
Source-The Guardian

Middle Belt, northern minorities seek 12 regions, 54 states

 

 • Want govt to implement 2014 confab report
• Say current arrangement unbalanced, unfair
Leaders of the Middle Belt and other northern minorities met in Abuja yesterday and asked the Federal Government to immediately begin the implementation of the 2014 national conference report to address the agitations for the restructuring of the country.

The meeting, which was convened under the aegis of Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum was attended by other leaders from Adamawa, Taraba, Southern Kaduna and the six states in the North Central zone.
They specifically canvassed a middle belt region made up of the current six states in the North Central zone, as well as Southern Kebbi, Southern Kaduna, Southern Borno and parts of Adamawa, Taraba and Gombe states.
In attendance at the meeting presided over by former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, were former Deputy Senate Leader, Jonathan Zwingina from Adamawa; Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd) also from Adamawa; former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Ahmadu Ali from Kogi State; and former Senate President, Iyiorchia Ayu, from Benue State.
The meeting condemned what it called the “murderous activities of Fulani herdsmen” and called on the presidency to quickly take serious measures to curb the menace.

The Middle Belt leaders who met for over six hours agreed on how the much-canvassed restructuring could be achieved.
They noted that the existing structure of the Nigerian federation has become a problem, and suggested that the country could best be more successful by introducing a regional government.
The meeting resolved that in line with the recommendations of the 2014 confab, a structure of 12 regions as federating units with 54 states as basic centres of development would be better for the country.

“Since these fundamental matters were considered and resolved at the 2014 National Conference, we urge the Federal Government to take appropriate and urgent steps to ensure the full implementation of the resolutions and recommendations contained in the confab report.
“We believe that a faithful and effective implementation of those recommendations will promote peace, harmony and greater security, thereby giving Nigeria a new lease of life.

“We denounce recent calls and threats to Nigerians from the South-East living in the northern states to move back to their areas of origin. Being free, equal and legitimate citizens of Nigeria, such calls are totally unconstitutional and unacceptable. We urge the federal and state governments to take effective steps to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians, wherever they may choose to reside.”The Senate had last week passed a resolution asking the presidency to submit the 2014 confab report to the National Assembly for appropriate legislative work.

The leaders also suggested a three-tier federating structure which would retain a president to preside over the affairs of the federation by heading the Federal Government, while each of the 12 regions should have a governor-general, and the states should continue to have elected governors. “Local governments should be the responsibility of state governments to ensure effective grassroots development,” they stated.

A statement issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the Secretary of the Middle Belt Forum, John Dara, reads: “In a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country like Nigeria, the federal system makes enormous sense, because it allows the federating units to fully look after their local affairs and to develop at their own pace. Therefore, we hereby renew our loyalty, love and strong support for a united Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We appeal to all separatist agitators to allow the restructuring initiative to run its full course. We need to stay and work together to ensure that new leadership that can make Nigeria great emerges in the next elections.

“We condemn the murderous activities of Fulani herdsmen in the Middle Belt and other parts of Nigeria. We call on the Federal Government to step up security measures to curb this menace.“Similarly, we call on the Federal Government and Borno State government to bring back our Chibok girls and resettle our people of Southern Borno and other internally displaced people in their ancestral lands and homes.

“However, we are resolutely of the view that the current federal structure is unbalanced, unfair, over-centralised and therefore unstable. Accordingly, we firmly support the demand to re-structure the federation, together with appropriate devolution of powers to the federating units, and a commensurate revenue allocation formula.

Abducted Lagos councillorship candidate’s daughter regains freedom

Bukola, daughter of Mr Bode Adeosun, All Progressives Congress (APC) councillorship candidate in Ward C1B of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos, has regained freedom, three days after she was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

 

The 19-year-old, who was kidnapped on Tuesday evening, was dumped by her abductors around 12:30am Friday morning in Damegoro Street in Mushin.

She is said to be unconscious after her release. The Nation learnt that she was found blindfolded, with her hands and legs tied  by rope.

 

Her release came amid speculation that the father had transmitted a letter of withdrawal from the councillorship race to the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), a condition given by the kidnappers to release the daughter.

 

Adeosun, in a telephone call with our reporter at 2:06am, confirmed the development, saying she is presently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

American ‘dupes’ Nigerians of $565,000 for issuance of US Green Card

An Ikeja High Court yesterday remanded an American, Mr Marco Antonio Ramirez, in Kirikiri Prison for allegedly defrauding three Nigerians of $565,000.
The defendant, who claimed to be the Managing Director of USA Now Plc, Eagleford Instalodge Group and USA Now Energy Capital Group, will remain in custody, pending the hearing of his bail application.
His remanded followed his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Josephine Oyefeso on a 16-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence.
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Mrs V.O Aigboje said Ramirez committed the offence between February and August 2013.
Ramirez was alleged to have collected $10,000 from Olukayode Sodimu under the pretext facilitating the issuance of an American Green Card by the US Immigration Services.
He was also alleged to have fraudulently obtained $10,000 from Abubakar Umar through a fictitious investment programme in the US that would make him eligible for a US green card.
Ramirez was also accused of collecting $545,000 from Ambassador Godson Echejue under the pretext of investing it in his company, Eagle Ford Limited, to facilitate the procuring of a US green card.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant in prison pending his trial.
But, Ramirez’s counsel, Chukwudi Maduka urged the court to remand his client in EFCC custody and not in prisons.

Ramirez, he said, was on EFCC’s administrative bail.
But, the prosecutor said the EFCC facility was over stretched, adding that the defendant be kept in prison.
Ruling, Justice Oyefeso ordered the defendant remanded in prison stressing, “the proper place for remand is prison. I so order”.
She adjourned till July 3.

Sharp Shooter FC Wins Taiwo Afolabi U-17 Football Tournament

The maiden edition of Taiwo Afolabi Football tournament was played to honor Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Group Executive Vice Chairman of SIFAX Group, who clocked 55 recently.

The tournament was a partnership between SIFAX Group and the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association; he was represented by Executive Director, Finance, SIFAX Group Mr. Mike Owope, Cooperate Affairs Manager, SIFAX Group, Mr.  Olumuyiwa Akande And The General Manager SIFAX Shipping, Mr. Henry Ajoh. The event which kicked off on Saturday, 22nd April, 2017, took place At St. Paul Playing Ground Yaba, Lagos.

On Sunday 21^st May 2017, was the Final match between Sharp shooter Agbado Vs Success Ace, the competition took place at Campus Mini Stadium Ajele Lagos Island, in which sharp shooter Agbado led by Coach Joseph Azuka, team captain, Apesin Babatunde, emerged 1^st, Success Ace Mile 2 led by coach Ganiyu Agboola, team captain, Anthony Oshodi came 2^nd, Magbon F.C Ajegunle led by coach Samson Adekinwonsa, team captain Kehinde olawore came 3^rd and lastly Lenard star Oshodi led by coach Oloto Olayemi, captain of the team, yusuf Afeez took the 4^th position.

The first runner up was given a sum of #500,000 while second runner up was given #300,000 then the third runner up was given #200,000 lastly, fourth runner up was given #100,000 to compensate for game well played.

Jetvan Automobiles Takes Service Quality for the Mercedes-Benz

-Announces Special Season Promo on Aftersales Services

In preparation for the Ramadan celebration, Jetvan is offering a 50% service discount on labour and diagnostics to its customers as part of activities to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride all through the Ramadan season. According to Mr. Tobi Ajayi, Managing Director, Jetvan Automobiles Limited in a recent communique, this special offer is aimed at ensuring all her Sprinter customers are in perfect driving condition and all necessary safety precautions are taken in this peak season.

Proudly supported by a wide network of after-sales representatives nationwide, the Sprinter has gained the confidence of the public by providing a delightful driving experience regardless of the distance travelled. Jetvan Automobiles Limited is equipped with not just state-of-the-art maintenance facilities but a dedicated professional team, steadily willing to offer technical advice, service and genuine spare parts to the public, which is in line with the global benchmark set by Mercedes-Benz.

Since its incorporation in 2014, Jetvan Automobiles Limited has steadily built a reputation for its impeccable sales and aftersales services. These services include sales and maintenance of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans and minibuses. As Weststar’s sole authorized dealer of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Buses in Nigeria, Jetvan also engages in the provision of VIP vans/mini bus charter service to individuals and corporate institutions. The Sprinter is often seen on Nigerian roads as it caters for emergency centers, travel and logistics, schools, hotel pick-ups, family van and VIP shuttles.

“The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter offers a revolutionary transport and logistics solution for Nigerians. All thanks to the Sprinter’s key qualities of safety, comfort and efficiency, over 300 units have been sold to fleet owners since its inception. This is due to the fact that God is Good Motors and our other key fleet partners have been able to identify with what sets the Sprinter apart from other brands.

Again for this season, we’re on a mission to ensure the safety of our customers while on the move With our team’s specific combination of skills, offering the best for a reasonable cost, especially this Ramadan season is a priority for us - knowing that our customers will be doing a lot of travelling and family celebrations, we therefore urge the public to pay us a visit for hassle free maintenance while benefiting from our special offer.” – Mr. Tobi Ajayi.”

Jetvan officially commenced dealership responsibility in April 2015, as part of Weststar’s expansion plan to accommodate the demands of Mercedes-Benz ever-growing customer base while maintaining premium customer service standards in Nigeria. “We consider ourselves the partner of all seasons, motivated to prevent unnecessary tragedies related to our products on the road. Customers and fleet owners can visit our dealership at Kilometer 46, Lekki-Epe expressway, Ajah, Lagos as well as our field service workshops in Benin, Abuja, Asaba and Port-Harcourt to enjoy this Special offer” - Mr. Tobi Ajayi .

Nigeria begins yam export to Europe, U.S. June 29

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, has said the country will commence yam exports to Europe and america on June 29.
He said 72 tonnes of yam would be exported on the said date.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the minister (Media), Dr. Olukayode Oyeleye, in Abuja on Thursday, said Ogbeh disclosed this at a meeting with members of the Committee on Nigeria Yam Export Programme.
The minister said the inauguration of the yam export would be done at the Apapa Port and would be exported in three containers of 24 tonnes each.
According to him, one container will be exported to the United Kingdom, while the other two will be taken to the United States.
The minister appealed to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service to reduce inspection charges on export produce to encourage more exporters and enable the country become competitive in the export market.
“To make yam competitive, we will work on the packages and the right types of trucks to be used for transportation of the produce.
“Oil and gas cannot employ millions of people, just like agriculture; so, we must work hard to move from oil to earning foreign exchange from agriculture,’’ Ogbeh said.
The Chairman of the committee, Prof. Simon Irtwange, said they were working with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council to commence the process of the export.
An exporter, Mrs Elizabeth Nwankwo, the Chief Executive Officer of Oklan Best Limited, the move would help to rebrand the image of the nation and acceptability of the country’s produce at the international market.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the committee was inaugurated in February to facilitate the acquisition of warehouses at the receiving destinations, address markets in Europe and Canada.
It will also sensitise farmers and exporters on required international standards of yam before exportation.
The committee is made up of representatives from the Nigerian Customs Service, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service  and the Nigerian Ports Authority  among others.

Eko Disco announces power outage in parts of Lagos

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDP) on Thursday said there would be interruption of power supply in some parts of Lagos communities on Saturday.


Mr Godwin Idemudia, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, said in Lagos that the outage would be between 10.00 a.m and 2.00 p.m.

Idemudia said that the outage was occasioned by routine maintenance work to be carried out on Ajah-Alagbon 132KV line.

He said that the areas affected by the outage were Ikoyi, parts of Victoria Island, Central Lagos Island and Yaba/Akoka axis.

 

The general manager said that the routine maintenance was for better efficiency of the power facilities to enhance improved service delivery to the customers.
Idemudia appealed to its customers to show understanding over the inconvenience the outage might cause.
He said that electricity supply would be restored to the affected areas immediately the maintenance work was concluded.

Eid el-Fitr: FG declares Monday, Tuesday public holiday

The Federal Government has declared Monday, June 26 and Tuesday, June 27 as Public Holiday to mark Eid el Fitr.
Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau made the annnouncement on behalf of the Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja.
‎
He‎ enjoined all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to use the occasion of the celebration for sober reflection and pray for peace, unity and progress of the nation in its march to nationhood.
‎Dambazau urged all Nigerians to shun hate speeches and divisive tendencies and join hands with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to build a peaceful, strong and united Nigeria.
He assured of a Nigeria, ‎which guarantees fundamental freedoms, including the right of residence in any part oThe minister reaffirmed the determination of the Federal Government to protect all lives and property of Nigerians.
‎
He warned hoodlums not to test the will of the administration.
The minister said the government has the capability to deploy security agencies to deal with any individual or group that may threaten the corporate existence of the nation, as well as the peaceful co-existence of the people.
He ‎further assured Nigerians of the government’s resolve to be just and fair to all.
‎
The minister wished Nigerians a peaceful and rewarding celebration.
f the country, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

INEC to recall Dino Melaye July 3rd

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set July 3rd 2017 as the commencement date for the recall process of senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Mr. Dino Melaye.
INEC has also notified Senator Melaye of a petition seeking his recall.
The Commission in a statement issued in Abuja Thursday acknowledged the receipt of the petition submitted on Wednesday by the people from Mr. Melaye’s district.

The statement which was signed by Mallam Mohammed Haruna, a National Commissioner and member, Information and Voter Education Committee said INEC has set  3rd July date for the commencement of the verification exercise to ascertain the authensity of the signatories.
The date for the verification he said was arrived at during the weekly meeting Thursday where the issue was discussed. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held its regular weekly meeting today and considered the petition submitted by some registered voters from Kogi West Senatorial District to kick start the process of recalling Senator Dino Melaye.
“In accordance with the INEC guidelines for the recall of members of the National Assembly, the Commission has formally acknowledged the receipt of the petition to the petitioners’ representatives and has conveyed a letter notifying Senator Melaye of our receipt of the petition.
“The next step is to verify that the petitioners are registered voters in the Kogi West Senatorial District.
“INEC will on the 3rd of July, 2017 issue a public notice stating the day (s), time, location and otherdetails for the verification exercise.”

The people of Kogi West Senatorial District has made good their threat to recall Mr. Melaye on Wednesday when they submitted signatures of about 188,588 voters from electorates in Kogi West senatorial district demanding the recall of the senator.
The signatories are about 52.3 per cent of the registered voters in the district.
The law requires 50 per cent of voters in an area sign to recall a lawmaker.
The signed documents, it was learnt were contained in six bags alongside other documents and were submitted to INEC’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
The local governments and the percentage of voters who signed the recall petition showed that Yagba West had the highest number of voters asking Melaye to return home from the Senate.
The breakdown, as shown in the petition is Yagba West, 55.7 percent; Lokoja, 54.8 per cent; Kogi, 52.77 per cent; Yagba East, 52 per cent; Ijumu (Melaye’s local A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress in Ijumu, Mr. Cornelius Olowo, who led the delegation, insisted that the constituents were not satisfied with the quality of Melaye’s representation.government), 51.8 per cent; Mopa/Moro, 50.4 per cent and Kabba/ Bunu, 46.7 per cent.

It's Not True, No Banks Take Ownership of Etisalat- Consortium

 Strong indications emerged on Wednesday that the consortium of banks being owed N541 billion by Etisalat Nigeria has no intention of taking over ownership the telecoms network.

Some media reports had indicated that the consortium led by Access Bank had moved to take over the telecoms form following the collapse of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services, EMTS, promoted by-one time Chairman, United Bank for Africa, UBA, Hakeem Bello-Osagie, to reschedule the $1.72 billion debt.

Sources close to the banks told our correspondent that the facilities approved by the banks for Etisalat Nigeria fell due for payment and the company has serially defaulted on repayment.

“Part of the facilities have become delinquent while the sponsors and management of Etisalat Nigeria were not forthcoming with the various restructuring options proposed by the lenders,” one source with knowledge of all the discussions said.

The source, who did not want to be named because he was not authorized to speak officially on the issue, confirmed that the consortium of banks have not been involved in the ownership of Etisalat Nigeria and therefore was not in a position to transfer or retain any percentage of Etisalat Nigeria shares.

Bloomberg reported on 20th June, 2017 that Etisalat Group, the parent company of Etisalat Nigeria announced a filing to Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in Abu Dhabi, UAE of its intention to pull out of their operations in Nigeria without meeting their obligations.

Sources close to the banks noted that the telecoms firm’s precarious position and the response of the parent company amounts to abandoning the company’s monumental obligations in Nigeria, which includes a N541 billion syndicated and bilateral loans approved by 13 Nigerian banks, now delinquent as well as taxes and levies due to the Federal Government of Nigeria and regulatory agencies.

They also cited other third party creditors such as vendors, service providers and contractors and the apparent disregard for the commercial contracts entered into Nigeria as worrying signs of the parent company’s disdain to meeting its obligations.

We were reliably informed that while other operators sold their towers and utilized the entire sales proceeds to repay their loans, Etisalat Nigeria in 2014 sold its towers and did not apply the sales proceeds to repay its loan.

The telecoms firm had been under pressure to repay the loan in the wake of the dropping value of the Naira but has so far failed to either reach any agreement with the consortium or attract fresh capital injection from its parent company, the Etisalat Group.

Mikel set to return for Cameroon clash

Super Eagles’ Captain, John Mikel Obi has hinted that he will be back in action for his Chinese Super League club, Tianjin Teda  in few weeks, and later for Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Mikel has been out of action for the past three months after undergoing surgery to repair the abdominal strain he sustained while playing for Tianjin Teda.

The former Chelsea midfielder shared a short video of him via his Instagram page @mikel_john_obi as he did a ball work, pacing in different directions with a set of cones.
“Few more weeks and I am back on the pitch with my boys #TianjinTeda #SuperEagles #recovery,” Mikelwrote beneath a video he posted on his Instagram page.


Mikel’s last appearance for Tianjin Teda was in their 2-0 victory over Chongqing Lifan in April in a Chinese Super League clash.
He missed his club side’s last 13 games and was sorely missed for the Super Eagles who lost 2-0 to South Africa in Uyo in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

UBA Wins Again! Emerges Financial Brand of the Decade

Pan African banking and financial services group, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has added yet another laurel to its cap as it emerged the Financial Brand of the Decade at the Marketing Edge Awards which was held over the weekend.

The award in recognition of UBA’s innovative and pacesetting role, is a product of painstaking review and assessment of the iconic contributions of the brand to the growth, development and continuing evolution of the Nigerian banking industry. It also recognises UBA’s commitment to the enthronement of global best practices in the Nigerian banking sector.

The awards session was dedicated to outstanding brands (both corporate and product) and to personalities in the integrated marketing communication industry aimed at promoting the brand idea, in line with the company’s vision. The award also celebrated the career exploits and achievements of brands, agencies and nominees of which UBA emerged the big winner.

Mr. Toruka Osandunkwu, UBA’s Head, Brand Management, who received the award over the weekend in Lagos, expressed his delight and commended the organizers for the recognition given to UBA. He explained that UBA’s dedication to innovation and hardwork towards satisfying customers’ needs, earned the bank the award of Financial Brand of the Decade. He emphasized the bank’s endless commitment to excellent service in line with its renewed focus to put the customer first.

He said, “We have worked very hard to make this brand what it is today, and we are indeed grateful for the recognition of our various efforts, which have resulted in UBA coming up with innovations that are changing the face of banking on the African continent’.

Mr. John Ajayi, the CEO, Marketing Edge Publications Limited, organizers of the awards, said UBA’s impactful strides in the face of daunting challenges, especially its pathfinder role and market leadership for the past 70 years has earned the bank the award of Financial Brand of the decade.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading pan-African financial services group, with presence in 19 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France.

UBA was incorporated in Nigeria as a limited liability company after taking over the assets of the British and French Bank Limited who had been operating in Nigeria since 1949. The United Bank for Africa merged with Standard Trust Bank in 2005 and from a single country operation founded in 1949 in Nigeria - Africa's largest economy - UBA has become one of the leading providers of banking and other financial services on the African continent. The Bank provides services to over14 million customers globally, through one of the most diverse service channels in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 1,000 branches and customer touch points and robust online and mobile banking platforms.

UBA was the first Nigerian bank to make an Initial Public Offering, following its listing on the NSE in1970. It was also the first Nigerian bank to issue Global Depository Receipts. The shares of UBA are publicly traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Bank has a well-diversified shareholder base, which includes foreign and local institutional investors, as well as individual shareholders