Huawei, a telecom giant which prides itself as unparalleled leader in 5G, has warned the United States President, Donald Trump, on the danger inherent in his recent executive order aimed at prohibiting US companies from using any telecoms equipment manufactured by Huawei.In a statement in Nigeria, the smartphone maker warned Trump that restricting it from doing business in the US will not make the US more secure or stronger.
“Instead, this will only serve to limit the US to inferior yet more expensive alternatives, leaving the US lagging behind in 5G deployment, and eventually harming the interests of US companies and consumers.
“In addition, unreasonable restrictions will infringe upon Huawei’s rights and raise other serious legal issues.”
The owners of the company said that they were ready and willing to engage with the US government and come up with effective measures to ensure product security.
“Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Android’s key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry.
“Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products covering those have been sold or still in stock globally.
“We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally.”
Governor Ibikunle AmosunThe Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has installed Alayeluwa Oba Samuel Olukayode Sodimu as the first Olu of Sunren Olorunsogo Igbein, Egbaland, Ifo Local Government of Ogun State.
The new Olu of Sunren Olorunsogo Igbein Kayode Samuel Sodimu received his appointment letter, signed by the Director, Chieftaincy affairs, Adesoji Adewuyi on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, yesterday, Monday 20.
The letter read in part thus:
“I have the greatest pleasure to inform kabiyesi that sub-sections(1) and (2) of section 25 of the chiefs law of Ogun state of Nigeria, 2006, the Ogun Government of Ogun state of Nigeria has approved your appointment as the first Kabiyesi Alayeluwa Olu of Sunren Olorunsogo in Ifo local government with effect from 13th may 2019.
“I am to convey to kabiyesi, on behalf of the state government, hearty congratulations on this appointment and wish kabiyesi good health, long life and many years of peaceful and prosperous reign.”
Performing the installation and presentation of letter to the monarch at the Obas’ Complex Hall, Oke – Mosan, Abeokuta, Senator Amosun said that the promotion and upgrade of Baale of Olorunsogo Igbein Kayode Samuel Sodimu fulfilled the requirements for upgrade of traditional rulers, as stipulated in sub sections (1) and (2) of section 25 of Chiefs laws of Ogun State, adding that all appointment and promotion followed due process and recommendation from prescribed authorities.
Governor Amosun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, pointed out that Ogun State had witnessed tremendous growth and development in the last eight years, noting that traditional institutions had played prominent roles in achieving this by ensuring that peace and stability reigns in their domains. He charged the monarch to see his upgrading from Baale to a coronet Oba as a call to serve his people as well as an avenue to mobilize them for the socio-economic development of the community, saying he should embark on more projects to complement State government efforts.
Newly elected FCT area council bosses during the inauguration, in Abuja.Chairmen of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Adamu Abdullahi Candido has confirmed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello is a unique man with the fear of God.
Candido who was re-elected as chairman for a second term, speaking on behalf of the five other newly elected Chairmen at a swearing in ceremony in Abuja today, Monday, said that the Minister had always promptly release allocations from the Federation Account to the Area Councils.
“This Minister does not deduct a dime from our Federation Account allocation. We get it exactly as approved and on time. This has helped us a great deal in the work that we do for our people and we are very grateful for it.”
This was even as the Minister asked the new Chairmen to imbibe the virtues of good governance and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
He called on them to be accountable to God and to the people who elected them to office.
“The temptations that come with occupying an elected public office are enormous, but you must not lose sight of the fact that you are accountable first to God and very importantly, to your people.”
He also advised the Chairmen to always ensure that public funds are used for the purpose for which they are intended.
“You must learn from past mistakes and build on existing successes. You should resist the temptation to discard good ideas or discontinue laudable projects because they are not your own and you want to initiate your own. You should know that when projects are not completed it is a disservice to the people.”
Those who were sworn in are Abdullahi Adamu Candido as Chairman of AMAC and Lawrence Onuchukwu as Vice Chairman; Abdulrahman Ajiya as Chairman of Abaji Area Council and Abdullahi Abubakar as Vice Chairman; Dr John Gabaya Shekwogaza as Chairman of Bwari Area Council and Aminu Gumel as Vice Chairman; Adamu M. Danze as Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council and Kasimu Mohammed as Vice Chairman; Abdullahi Sabo as Chairman of Kuje Area Council and Shema Kwasu as Vice Chairman and Danladi Chiya as Chairman, Kwali Area Council while Zubairu Jibrin is Vice Chairman
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has rejected the new guidelines for the accreditation of media organisations, journalists/ correspondents covering the National Assembly, describing it as primitive, undemocratic and blatantly anti-press and anti-people.The guidelines, issued by management of the National Assembly (NASS) are due to become effective from June 11 2019. It demands among other draconian provisions that a media organization wishing to be accredited for coverage of NASS activities should submit a copy of its income tax return for the last two years.
Other requirements include “presentation of evidence of certificate of incorporation of the media organization, evidence of membership of professional bodies for the journalists, maintenance of a functional Bureau in Abuja (staff strength not less than five Editorial staff) and daily circulation of 40,000 copies for the print media with evidence to support the claimed circulation figure.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors described the guidelines as vexatious, disrespectful and draconian, adding that it is a scurrilous attempt to gag the press in a democracy “and it cannot stand.
“These guidelines run contrary to the grains of reason, democratic ideals and they are a clear affront on the letter and spirit of the Nigerian constitution which empowers journalists to freely practice their profession without any gag, muzzling and restriction.
“The NASS guidelines negate the constitutional principle of freedom of expression and run contrary to the African Charter on fundamental rights and the right of the people to know. The Guild strongly objects to these guidelines in their entirety as they serve no public good except the myopic interest of its chroniclers and purveyors.”
The Guild said that it is disappointed that the same 8th National Assembly which benefited immensely from free press in its moments of trial has turned round to put the same press in shackles and chains.
“We reject this crude abrasion of our constitutional rights to freely disseminate information. It cannot stand.”
It called on all media houses across the nation to rise up and reject this medieval intrusion into the media space in the 21st century, much more in a democracy which Nigerian media doggedly fought for and for which some journalists paid the supreme price.
EFCC boss, Ibrahim MaguThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that it froze N5 billion funds belonging to the Imo State Government to halt Governor Rochas Okorocha from spending it to buy vote in the just concluded general elections in Nigeria.
The EFCC’s Zonal Head for South-East, Usman Imam, in a chat with journalists, said that the Commission’s timely intervention saved the state over N5 billion that would have been deployed in vote buying by the Okorocha’s administration during the last elections.
The EFCC director said about N8 billion from the Paris Club Refund bailout meant for payment of workers’ salaries was kept by the government, only to begin spending it frivolously on the eve of the elections.
“About N7.9 billion is what had been blocked, although with pressure, subsequently, about N2.5 billion was released for salaries. On the whole, we have over N5 billion of those funds blocked; we are following up to see what actually happened.
“Honestly, what we discovered was that within two days, N700m was withdrawn in cash; N200m on the first day and N500m on the second day and all these monies were disbursed in a manner that was honestly unpalatable.
“Distribution to school teachers; I don’t know, schools that you were not funding and you woke up on the eve of the election and withdrew N500m cash and start distributing N1000 each or so to teachers. Whatever that means, I don’t know.
“When we came in, we were able to save about seventy something million of the funds that we discovered were not disbursed, we also blocked it. People are still answering questions as to who asked them to move those monies, monies that were blocked at the banks.”
Usman Imam described it as unfortunate the funds in question that were meant for the payment of salaries and pensions have remained unpaid.
“The sad story about this was that these monies were the intervention funds; the bailout funds that the Federal Government released to states to pay salaries when they were having problems paying salaries.
“They didn’t utilise that money to pay the salaries; they warehoused it and kept it until the election period, they started attempting to draw down the money. Whatever happens, we have saved over N5bn of that money, as we talk, two weeks to handover. Probably, the next government would have that money to use it better. There are a lot of other general investigations going on in Imo right now.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC has arrested the Accountant-General of Imo State, Uzoho Casmir, for allegedly helping Okorocha, to launder N1.05 billion for the governorship and assembly elections.
Okorocha, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), supported his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, of the Action Alliance (AC) against the governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
The act earned Okorocha a suspension from the party last week.
Source: Punch.
The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as being reputed for “saucy and distractive statements’’ even as he begged Nigerians not to be angry with the opposition party, but assist it to overcome its colossal defeat in the February 2019 elections.“Don’t blame them. They are handicapped by the traumatic feelings of the colossal loss of the election. You should help them to manage the trauma.”
Asiwaju Tinubu, who spoke today, Monday in Makkah after an Iftar dinner meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, along with Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and Emir of Kazaure, Dr. Najib Hussaini Adamu, appealed to elderly Nigerians to avoid inflammatory statements that could undermine peaceful co-existence among the nation’s diverse communities.
He asked all Nigerians to consider the enormity of challenges facing the nation, and support the President and rally round him to solve the problems and stabilize the polity.
“The President worked hard and will continue to do so to ensure peace and stability in the country, which are important for the economy to make progress. These are the key pegs of his agenda. Let us all come together to support him,” he said.
He commended President Buhari for the recognition of June 12th as the nation’s Democracy Day.
This was even as Sultan Abubakar pledged his support to the success of the President’s administration even as he led prayers for President Buhari’s second term in office, and for the nation to overcome current challenges.
Other guests at the Iftar dinner were: Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Justice Isa Dodo, Malam Mamman Daura, Isma’ila Isa, Mr Wale Tinubu and Mr Hakeem P. Fahm, the Commissioner of Science and Technology, Lagos State.
Africa’s foremost serial digital entrepreneur and Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, has said that the only way the Nigerian economy can realize the desired impetus to survive is for the Federal and State Governments to support disruptive entrepreneurs who are now the corporate miracles of every progressive economy.He cited America as an example which has produced the known whizkids of the century and raised global giants such as Google, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft, etc.
The digital guru, who delivered talk at the Access Bank-sponsored 2019 African Fintech Disrupt Conference held at the Landmark Centre in Lagos today, Monday said that Nigeria has a huge stock of smart kids who can change and sustain the developmental story of this country.
He said that all they require is an enabling environment which is not too expensive for the government to provide.
While advising entrepreneurs not to see hope as a strategy in business, he reminded them of a critical configuration required for a self-audit before deciding if they really want to be entrepreneurs.
According to Ekeh, who also doubles as a Global Advisor to Microsoft, success as an entrepreneur in Africa requires 40% common sense, 20% spirituality and 40 percent knowledge of the business.
According to him, the 21st century has defined two types of entrepreneurs – disruptors and regular entrepreneurs.
While advising startups and other budding business owners, he noted that their passion must pay their bills, else there is no justification for the business they are launching.
He reminded startups of the essential few ingredients of success, humility, ability to see the end from the start, an eye for the bigger picture, creative mindset, knowledge and energy to occupy the sector as well as the capacity to manage cash and excitement.
He, however, cautioned that they must be prepared to take reasonable pains before pleasure as they must postpone luxurious life until when they have built enough reserves to sustain such a lifestyle.
He counseling female entrepreneurs, the self-professed disruptive entrepreneur even as he assured them that they will lead in the second quarter of this century as informed women are known to operate efficiently in structured environments with auditable systems.
He said that no government has a choice to deny the youths of progressive infrastructure, except they want to face the wrath of this dominant segment of the populace.
Ekeh advised those leaving the country for supposedly greener pastures not to waste their time as the population and lifestyle of Nigeria holds unquantifiable demand structure which is wealth on its own.
Minister of Justice, Malami AbubakarThe Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has dragged two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Federal High Court, Abuja on a five count charge of electoral malpractices in the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections held in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo state.
In a statement today, Monday by the Special Adviser to the minister on Media and Publicity, Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, , the Federal Government slammed the charges against the defendants pursuant to Sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Names of the culprits were given as Sulaiman Ikhuoriah, 36, of No.13 Aisosa Street, Off Okhoro Road, Benin City who served as Collation Officer for Ward 6 in Saint Maria Gorreti Secondary School, and Olugbenga Omotiloye, 50 of Plot 1, Longe Street, Okoh Central, Benin City, Edo State.
They were accused of having falsified results in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate.
According to the charges filed by a Principal State Counsel in the Department of Public Prosecution of the Federal Ministry of Justice, on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Magaji Labaran, the INEC officials allegedly committed the offence in their capacity as electoral officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission on and around the 23rd day of February, 2019 during the Presidential and National Assembly polls in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state which is within the jurisdiction of the honourable court.
They were alleged to have conspired among themselves and with others now at large and upon receipt of an offer to procure the return of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the House of Representatives elections for Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency in Edo State thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 123 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
Ikhuoriah was also alleged to have, without lawful excuse acted in breach of his official duty by placing a call to Honourable Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma and requested him through a telephone conversation for gratification for the purpose of delivering his ward to his party, the PDP during the elections. This he did erroneously thinking he was discussing with the PDP chairman, not knowing he was talking to Hon. Agbonyinma of APC. By doing this, he has committed an offence punishable under Section 124 (b) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
The Collation Officer is also accused to have received the sum of a hundred thousand naira as bribe for delivering the ward for his supposed paymaster, the PDP candidate; which is an offence punishable under Section 124 (b) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
On his part, and as count four, the Electoral Officer, Olugbenga Omotiloye while serving in his capacity as INEC electoral officer on the 2nd day of March, 2019 at Bishop Kelly, beside St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City held a meeting with Honourable Ise-Edehen and collected the sum of one hundred thousand naira as gratification.
The sum collected is said to be in appreciation of his effort in ensuring that PDP won the election during the February 23rd National Assembly polls for Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.
Isah equally detailed that count five, Omotiloye on the 25th February, 2019 was directed by Senator Matthew Urhoghide not to take the Senatorial election’s result to Eghosa Grammer School which he complied in clear breach of his lawful duty thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 123 (3) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
To quote Count Three on the charge sheet, “That you Sulaiman Ikhuoriah, male, 36 years old, of No. 13 Aisosa Street, off Okhoro Road, Benin City, Edo State, on 26th February, 2019 at Mr. Biggs, opposite the NNPC Mega Filling Station, Sapele Road Benin City, received the sum of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) only as bribe for delivering your Ward, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 124 (b) of Electoral Act 2010 (as Amended).”
While Count Five details, “That you, Olugbenga Omotilayo, male, 50 years old, of Plot 1, Longe Street, Oko Central, Benin City, Edo State, on the 25thFebruary, 2019 was directed by Senator Matthew Urhoghide not to take the Senatorial election’s result to Eghosa Grammer School which you complied in clear breach of your lawful duty, you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 123 (3) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as Amended).
A case summary deposed to by Magaji Labaran, stated thus; “My Lord, the summary of this case is electoral malpractices, perpetrated by the defendants who were the INEC Collation Officer and INEC Electoral Officer (E.O) respectively during the 23rd February, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections in Ikpoba-Okha LGA, Edo State. The defendants have acted in breach of their official duties by been involved in electoral malpractices including bribery and conspiracy.
“The defendants were invited for interview on the 27th day of February, 2019 and 5th day of March, 2019 following a petition by the member representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, E.J. Agbonayinma (Hon.), where his Techno Ponvair (Model LA7) with GSM No. 0803-428-5260 was exploited. Thus, some incriminating text messages between him and one Matthew Urhoghide (Senator), with GSM No. 0803-3385-5557, Adaeze Onubagu with GSM No. 0703-528-5622 were found on the device.
“The suspects made voluntary statements under caution, and admitted collecting the sum of N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) only from Ise-Idehen (Hon.), as appreciation. My Lord, during the trial, the prosecution shall lead evidence to prove the guilt of the defendant based on credible and undisputed facts.”
President Muhammad Buhari has approved the appointment of Rabiu Yadudu as the new Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).This is contained in a statement by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs of the Ministry of Transportation, James Odaudu, in Abuja today, Monday.
According to Odaudu, the new MD, who is a Flight Captain, will take over from the erstwhile Managing Director, Saleh Dunoma, a certified engineer.
The appointment takes immediate effect.
The new MD is an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Airport Council International (ACI) accredited International Airport Professional.
Until his new appointment, Yadudu was the Director of Airport Operations of FAAN.
The new helmsman holds professional certifications in Avionics, Airport Safety Management Systems, Airport Security Management, Air Transport Systems Management, amongst others. Source: NAN.
Sen. Udoma Udo UdomaThe minister of Budget and National planning, Udoma Udo Udoma has said that the first quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) performance in 2019 indicated continued economic growth and that it showed how the economic recorded a real GDP growth of 2.01 percent.
The minister, who spoke to news men shortly after briefing the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which was held today, Monday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the growth of the GDP reflects the strongest first quarter performance in GDP since 2015.
According to Udoma, the first quarter is always the weakest in terms of growth, even as he said that the Federal Executive Council is most encouraged by the fact that growth continues to be driven by the non-oil sector which affects most of the population.
He said that agriculture grew by 3.17 percent “and this represents the strongest growth in agriculture since the fourth quarter in 2017.
“The council is also pleased to note that there are improvements in other economic indicators such as the inflation rate, which tend to have high inflation during an election period, but it has been stable.
“Our external reserves and our trade balance have also remained healthy over the period which our exchange rate to the dollar has also been stable.
“So notwithstanding the elections, there has been stability. The council believes that the dividend arising from the peaceful elections and the re-elections of President Muhammadu Buhari will lead to a further boost in economic growth.
“The nation should therefore expect faster growth rate as the incoming cabinet continues to intensify work on the implementation of the economic recovery and growth plan.
“Council is pleased to note that in the next level, the President is committed to further work on initiatives to among other things protect Nigeria from vulnerability to any external shocks, reverse the contraction in the oil sector and stimulate faster growth in agriculture and manufacturing.
“In short, under the next level agenda, even more initiatives will be rolled out to ensure that growth is faster and even more inclusive as well as job creating.
“So council believes we are still on target to achieve three percent growth rate which is our target this year.”
