BREAKING: Trump speaks with Buhari on phone, to help Nigeria combat terrorism

 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday spoke with his United States of America’s counterpart, Donald Trump, on phone, with the two leaders discussing ways to improve collaboration in the fight against terrorism.
The Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement said Trump also invited Buhari to Washington “at a mutually convenient date”.He said, “President Muhammadu Buhari this afternoon from London spoke to President Donald Trump on telephone at the request of the American President.
“The conversation was cordial and President Buhari congratulated Trump on his election as President of the United States, and on his cabinet.
“The two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment.
“President Trump encouraged President Buhari to keep up the good work he is doing, and also commended him for the efforts made in rescuing 24 of the Chibok Girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian military.
“President Trump assured the Nigerian President of US readiness to cut a new deal in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism.
“President Trump also invited President Buhari to Washington at a mutually convenient date.”

Goje Charged To Organise North East Summit to Address Marginalisation

A call has gone out to the former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje, to help put together a summit to address the political marginalisation of North East zone of the country.
A non governmental group, Youth against Marginalisation of North East, made this call in Abuja over the weekend.
The group, in an SOS message to Senator Goje, said there was an urgent need to organise a summit to tackle the issue that has plagued the zone over time.
The group noted that the North Eastern part of Nigeria has been denied the opportunity to produce a President of the country.
“If you will recall the North West has dominated the entire slot of the North in general. This include but not limited to the fact that the North West has produced nearly all the leaders from the entire North.
“From late Gen Murtala Muhammad, President Sheu Shagari, Gen Muhamadu Buhari, Gen Sani Abacha, to President Umoru Yardua and the current President Muhammadu Buhari,
“In view of the aforementioned scenario, it is crystal clear that North East has been sidelined in the affair of our great country.
‘We therefor appeal to former Governor Danjuma Goje, being the most consistent and political leader of people of North East to organise all North East politicians’ summit in order to address this issue. North East deserves to produce the next President or Vice President of this country,” the group added.
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My Story: How Shina Peters Accused Me Of Armed Robbery-Yomi Peters

Celebrated juju musician, Yomi Peters, whose latest album, Igbeyawo, is ruling the airwaves, has come out to explain what really happened the night his elder brother afrojuju musician, Sir Shina Peters, alleged him to be an armed robber.

The allegation was back in 1998, and now, 18 years after the incident, which has caused a long on/off feud between the brothers, Yomi has spoken about it again so as to clear his name once and for all as armed robbery allegations continue to trail him.

According to him, on the said night, he had gone to see Shina at his Iju Station, Lagos home to resolve some family matters because the wife of his immediate elder brother, Gbenga, had come to see him during a show at Heritage Garden, Isolo, Lagos, to complain that “my brother, Shina, had driven her out of the house she was staying with four children because her husband stayed back in America and didn’t follow her back to Nigeria. And the accommodation in question was Brother Gbenga’s share of our father’s properties.”

So he promised her to go and see Shina to resolve the issue.n the day he went to Shina’s house, it was around 7pm and he met the gateman, who knew him and greeted him. He asked and was told his brother was at home. However, the gateman did not open the gate for him but requested he get clearance Shina. After about 30 minutes without any response, Yomi, who got someone to drive him down, said he knocked the gate again.

“I wanted to ask the security that whether my brother said he should not open the gate for us,” said Yomi. “The guy that drove me there was telling me, ‘Let’s go. I don’t think this is your brother’s house.’ I said, ‘don’t worry. Maybe he is sleeping and they’re trying to tell him.’”

Both men were waiting when they started hearing shouts of thief, thief. “We heard ole, ole (thief, thief) from the house . And the person that took me to the place is telling me, let’s go. E bi like say they are shouting armed robber on you. I said no, no, no. I was scared maybe, there is armed robber there (in Shina Peters’ house), maybe something is happening. My brother’s house, since he built the house has electric fence. So you cannot climb it. How are you going to climb light wire? So definitely, climbing the fence is a lie. I just climbed the flower (bed) to open the security house to see what is going on inside because I didn’t think it was me they were calling an armed robber. So when I tried to open it, I saw my brother with short knicker with (his) wife. And before I know it, he has called police.

“So, I said, ‘ah, my brother, is it me that you are calling armed robber?’ And police came from Oko-Oba Police Station. They said, ‘everybody stand up.’ And they saw me, they saw the second guy, they looked at us, no gun, no anything and my brother now opened the gate. When he opened the gate, it was that time I know what is going on. And Sammy, his wife, said they are 20 in number, that the rest armed robber have run away.”

Upon discovering that he and Shina were blood brothers, the police said, “This is family matter.”

He added that “the situation on the day was chaotic and if not that I was also well-known in the area, they could have killed us.”

Following the initial episode, Yomi said he entered the house and confronted Shina over the allegation of armed robbery.

“I was so mad,” he said. “I started fighting with him but some people said I should leave him.”

Yomi said that, while he and his brother were slugging it out, his brother’s wife locked the gate and unknown to him, went to call another set of police. This time, the police called Yomi an armed robber and said he should follow him to the police station in their vehicle. But Yomi said he resisted following them in their vehicle, telling the police, “the person that said I’m armed robber is supposed to follow us. He’s the one that’s supposed to write statement. He’s the one that called police.”

Yomi said it was later agreed that he and the driver that brought him should drive behind the police as well as Shina. However, he claimed Shina diverted and never reached the station.

“When we got to the junction, police station is by the right. The police took right, I followed them. My brother followed left and ran away but we didn’t know. When we got to police station, the complainant, we didn’t see him. At the end of the day, the police say ‘they will lock me.’ I said it’s better because I don’t know what to write because I don’t know what is happening. Unless I see the complainant, I can’t write anything. So, they said I should go. I said ‘I can’t go because if I go, I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. At the end of the day, they (police) said they are going to lock me up. So they locked me and that guy (driver). They seized the car of that guy.

“So, when they locked us, early in the morning, the first paper (newspaper), the DPO or somebody in the station brought the paper. It (headline) said ‘Yomi Peters with armed robbery gang invade Shina Peters’ house.’ Front page. All the papers, not inside, but front page. Within that night and morning.”

Yomi said Shina wanted to settle the matter the next day.

“He sent one of his fans, Tunde Adaba, on the second day, that he should come and tell them (police) that I am not (an) armed robber.”

But the police were adamant and said nothing could be done until Shina came himself.

“So they (police) locked Tunde Adaba.”

Yomi said Adaba’s wife now went to cause a scene at Shina’s house over the detention of her husband. It was not until the third day that Yomi said the police asked him to go.

“And I told them I can’t go.”

He said that on the third day, Shina peters came to the police station with an ex-police commissioner who pleaded with him.

“The man called me and used Bible to preach to me. He used Koran too. And I asked him one question. If the man is still alive, he would still remember. I asked him: ‘Am I an armed robber?’ He said, ‘Let’s forget it.’

He added that Shina asked the police to make him sign an undertaking that he, Yomi, “would never enter his house again.”

Yomi recalled signing the undertaking after saying “if that is what you want.”

Though Yomi said a lot of people prevailed on him to settle the rift and his brother called him after the incident and said it was over. And after a first visit, decided not to go again, especially after he was reminded that he had signed an undertaking not to go there again.

“So that day, I just wanted to please people but I saw that pleasing people can get me into trouble.So since that time, I’ve never entered his house.”omi sojourned to the United States shortly after the armed robbery allegation incident but has since returned to Nigeria to resume his music in the country said he is not ‘fighting’ with his brother, Sir Shina Peters.

Rather, he’s just trying to clear his name as the allegation still trails him.

Mercedes Benz Presents the New Mercedes-Benz Atego 1718 Refuse Collector Compactor.

Weststar Associates, Authorized General Distributors of Mercedes-Benz in the Federal Republic of Nigeria are proud to officially announce the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz Atego 1718 Chassis with Usimeca Refuse Collector-Compactor. Produced in the same high-tech factories in South America, this truck comes at a competitive price without any compromises on Mercedes-Benz renowned values of Durability, Quality, Reliability and Safety.

The Refuse Collector-Compactor body has a capacity of 12 cubic meters and the chassis has a wheel base of 4760mm. It possesses a Euro 3 engine version with 6-speed manual transmission and an output of 180Hp. Special safety features present are the front and rear axle drum brakes with Anti-Lock Braking system (ABS) and auto brake adjustment which yield a longer brake service life.

Best suited for the Nigerian operating terrain, the Mercedes-Benz Refuse Collector Compactor is equipped with reinforced parabolic steel spring Suspension System, an adjustable steering column and maintenance free batteries for easy operation. On the inside, the 17.1-ton Variant Chassis with Daycab provides a seating capacity of 2 passengers with exterior seating for up to four runners to climb in and out to load bins. Other features include fabric seating, air-conditioning (for maximum driver comfort), radio pre-wiring, rotating safety beacons and exterior LED work lights. This 4 x 2 truck rides on 22.5 inch tires and possesses steel bumpers to help protect the headlights from hazardous objects.

“As promised earlier on in the year, this is in line with the commercial strategy for the proposed launch of new products better suited for the Nigerian market. The Atego 1718 Chassis with Usimeca Refuse Collector-Compactor body offers an impressive Total Cost of Ownership, ease of operation and excellent value for money. It is designed for easy integration into the Nigerian operating environment and backed up by our well-established Mercedes-Benz Aftersales and Parts Network.” stated Mirko Plath, MD/CEO of Weststar Associates.

This diesel truck is readily available for immediate delivery at Weststar Associates Limited. All inquiries should be forwarded to our office at Gottlieb Daimler road, 3rd roundabout (Ikate), Lekki, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos on 0809 999 8375 / 0809 999 8376 or mailed to: u.ekanem@weststar.com.ng

I speak with Buhari daily, says sister Hajiya Rakiya

 

Hajiya Rakiya, the only surviving elder sister of President Muhammad Buhari, has appealed to Nigerians to continue to pray for the well being of the President, instead of spreading rumours about his health.
In an interview with a correspondent of the News agency of Nigeria in Daura, Katsina state, the 84-year-old said the president needed the prayers of every Nigerian for him to succeed in the task of addressing the problems facing the nation.
She said President Buhari being a mortal is bound to fall ill or even die “at any time his Creator wishes’’.
She said she speaks with the president everyday since his departure to London on his annual leave and he is in high spirit.
“I just returned from the lesser Hajj and even while in Saudi Arabia I was communicating with him everyday,” Rakiya popularly called Amadodo told NAN. She said while in Saudi Arabia, she communicated with him every ten hours”
“We were 28 from our mother late Hajiya Zulaihatu who died in 1992,but Buhari was her last born” she said.

Volkswagen overtakes Toyota as the world's biggest carmaker

Japan's Toyota, which had topped sales for the past four years, sold 10.175 million vehicles globally in 2016. That fell short of the 10.31 million sales which VW reported last week.

The milestone comes despite VW's scandal over emissions tests cheating, which sparked a global backlash and multiple lawsuits. A spokesman for VW said: "2016 was a very challenging year for us."

The company "made strides in resolving and overcoming the diesel crisis" and initiated fundamental change in the company's long-term strategy, he said. "Nonetheless, we managed to stabilise operating business in difficult conditions: the fact that we handed over more than 10 million vehicles to customers last year bolsters the group and its brands as we head for the future," he added.

Volkswagen, which makes the Audi, Porsche and Skoda brands, saw a 3.8% increase in sales buoyed by demand in China. And it has been making inroads in other markets too. In Sweden for example, the Volkswagen Golf was the most popular new car in 2016.

Toyota's sales grew by 0.2% - though it appears to have suffered from a slowdown in the US car industry. General Motors reports its figures next week, but it is expected to lag both the Japanese and the German firms.

FG, UBA Restate Commitment to Developing Creative Industry

REDTV, a dynamic online lifestyle channel that puts the spotlight on Africa with a distinct global appeal, in conjunction with The Naked Convos has premiered a new web-series titled, ‘Our Best Friend’s wedding’.  REDTV is supported by the United Bank for Africa’s (UBA Plc)

The impressive gathering which held this past weekend, attracted a good number of A-list dignitaries and business leaders, from different industries across Nigeria  including: the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture,  Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Group Managing Director, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka and players in the entertainment and film industries

Speaking at the premiere, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was visibly impressed with the quality of the movie spoke glowingly about the unrelenting support of UBA towards the growth of the creative industry in Nigeria, noting that UBA is no doubt one of the very few organisations that truly understands the far reaching impact the creative industry can add to Nigeria’s economy.

The minister applauded the high quality of the television series, attesting that Nigeria’s television production and creative industries have come of age with capabilities to contribute significantly to the country’s socio-economic development. This, according to the minister is part of the objectives the recently signed pact between the Federal Ministry of Information and The Tony Elumelu Foundation hopes to achieve. The Tony Elumelu Foundation is founded by the Chairman of UBA Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu.

“I recall that before the MOU we signed with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we identified a plethora of problems in the Creative Industry ranging from  systemic failure, lack of monitoring of intellectual property and lack of capacity. Having said that, I am particularly delighted to tell you that after organisations like the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the British Council came to the rescue of the creative industries, the story has now changed for good”, the minister said.

Reiterating why the MoU is important for Nigeria’s creative industries, he explained that the film industry, best known as Nollywood, is the most energetic in the world and has a total estimated value of over $500 million per annum. It also provides jobs for thousands of people but sadly, an estimated $200milion is lost to piracy annually because of the absence of formal, legal distribution systems.

 

Also speaking at the premiere, the Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications, UBA Plc and executive producer of the television series, Mrs. Bola Atta appreciated the critical interventions by the government in creating an enabling environment for the creative industry to thrive, whilst noting that the series, made by Nigerians in Nigeria is of world class standard. According to her, in just a few days of its release, the series garnered   over 130,000 views on the YouTube channel.  .

 

The movie, Our Best Friend’s Wedding is a romantic dramedy of a young man who panics and buys an engagement ring on a whim. He recruits his two female best friends to help go through a list of potential candidates and sets off a series of events that lead to a wedding.

 

The series stars Adebola ‘Illrymz’ Olowu, Oreka Godis, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Chris Attoh, Timi Charles-Fadipe, Unamka Marycolette, Yewande Lawal, Sarah Boulos and Theo Lawson.

  
REDTV is a digital online television network that features the very best of entertainment, news, design, travel, fashion, music, sports, comedy and much more. The channel is available on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms.