Below are the headlines found on The Punch Online Newspaper for today, Friday, 8th September, 2017.
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Punch Editorial Board Lagos residents are going through hell in the hands of the police, who have turned the state into a cauldron of extortion. To underline the menace tearing the soul of the state apart, Edgal Imohimi, the newly-appointed Acting Commissioner of Police, on Monday, removed Akinlade Akinjobi as the officer-in-charge of the state's []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Niyi Odebode, John Alechenu, Fidelis Soriwei and Eniola Akinkuotu The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan, on Thursday, said that there was no going back on her decision to support former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 presidential election. Alhassan, who stated this in an interview with State House correspondents at the []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Tony Okafor, Awka Ahead of the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State, voter cards have become a precious commodity in the state. Investigations by our correspondent showed that politicians were buying the cards for N5,000 each, depending on location. In rural communities, the cards were sold for N5, 000 each while in urban areas []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Kamarudeen Ogundele and Leke Baiyewu Some governorship aspirants under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State have rejected the emergence of the state Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as the party's consensus candidate in the 2018 governorship election in the state. They described the process that produced Olusola as illegal and as []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Simon Utebor, Yenagoa There is disquiet in Bayelsa State over an alleged plan by former President Goodluck Jonathan to take over the control of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state. A PDP leader in the state, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, 'The former President wants to control the state because he desperately []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Akinpelu Dada with agency report The Sovereign Wealth Fund currently stands at $2bn, with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority seeking further growth through agriculture and the addition of asset management. The government's contribution stands at $1.5bn, with the rest, including funds owned by the institution and those managed for several government agencies, the Chief Executive []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Ozioma Ubabukoh The country's telecommunications sector contributed N1.549tn to the Gross Domestic Product in the second quarter of this year, representing 6.68 per cent increase from the first quarter's figure of N1.452tn, the Nigerian Communications Commission has said. The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said on Thursday that the figures were derived from []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Everest Amaefule, Abuja The inability of electricity distribution companies to absorb the output of power generation firms is threatening the operation of the Gencos, investigation has shown. Worse hit among the power generation companies is the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, which has a total of 10 power stations across the country. The NDPHC, which []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Stanley Opara The country's equities market appreciated on Thursday as the Nigerian Stock Exchange market capitalisation soared by N175bn after a 4.74 per cent gain in Dangote Cement Plc sustained the market's place on the green zone. Equities capitalisation appreciated to N12.448tn from N12.273tn as the All-Share Index closed at 36,116.19 basis points from 35,609.07 []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Everest Amaefule, Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and its upstream joint venture partner, ExxonMobil, are seeking new measures to expand existing operational portfolio with a view to increasing crude oil production and availability of gas for power generation. The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, said this in Abuja after a meeting with []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Ted Odogwu, Kano The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Olusegun Awolowo, on Thursday in Kano, stated that the Federal Government had approved N20bn for the settlement of the 2017 export claims. At a stakeholders' forum on the revised guidelines on the Export Expansion Grant, Awolowo, stated that the review of the scheme []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Ifeanyi Onuba, Abuja The Centre for Social Justice on Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rejig his cabinet by getting technocrats to effectively manage key sectors of the Nigerian economy. The group said this in a statement on the Gross Domestic Product growth rate report released on Tuesday by the National Bureau of Statistics. []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Anna Okon The Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Island Port Command, generated N183bn in revenue in the first eight months of this year. The command said it recorded the highest revenue yield in the month of August with N28bn. The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Uche Ejesieme, said this on Thursday in a []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Maureen Ihua-Maduenyi The Lagos State Government and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria have mobilised security agencies and traffic officers to help passengers as construction work commences on the Airport Road. FAAN said on Thursday that other logistics that would mitigate the effects of the construction on road users had also been put in place. []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Oyetunji Abioye with agency report The naira may depreciate against the United States dollar at the parallel market on dollar shortage next week. The local currency closed at 365/dollar on Thursday, the same level it recorded on Wedneesday. The local currency has been trading flat at 365/dollar since Monday. This was despite a $250m dollar []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Nike Popoola LASACO Assurance Plc has settled the N1.063bn legacy pension funds in its custody, in compliance with the directive of the Federal Government, through the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate. A statement obtained on Thursday said the company paid the sum to PTAD as final settlement of the funds meant for pensions of six Federal []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Anna Okon Tanzania is set to take Nigeria through stages of sustaining economic recovery following its exit from recession in order to prevent a relapse. The President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Frank Jacobs, stated this on the sidelines of the pre-Annual General Meeting media briefing in Lagos on Wednesday. Jacobs said the former President []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Anna Okon The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said that there is a need to provide greater market access for operators in the Small and Medium Enterprise sector of the Nigerian economy. The President, LCCI, Dr. Nike Akande, said this in an interview with our correspondent after the opening ceremony of the LCCI []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Etim Ekpimah, Uyo The Akwa Ibom State government will celebrate its 30th anniversary with the launch of the largest syringe factory in Africa. The syringe factory which will be the second but largest factory in Africa will produce 400 million syringes per year. The syringe factory is expected to cater for the syringe needs of []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Anna Okon The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria have said improved monetary policies accounted for the country's exit from recession. The National President, NACCIMA, Chief Alaba Lawson, said in a statement that the association attributed Nigeria's economic growth of 0.55 per cent in the []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Oyetunji Abioye Fraudsters purporting to be from your bank can be convincing, but there are some things your bank will never ask you. Your bank will never ask for more than three digits from your PIN to confirm your identity, for example. New ways to bank ' by telephone, the Internet and now your mobile []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Simon Utebor, Yenagoa A billionaire industrialist and President, Azikel Group of Companies, Dr. Eruani Azibapu, has said that he and other industrialists will work towards filling the infrastructure and funding gaps in the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He spoke in an interview on Wednesday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, after his inauguration as []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Anna Okon The Chief Executive Officer of Balmoral Group, Mr. Ezekiel Adamu, has said that the Nigerian drinks industry has a market share of over N6m. According to Adamu, whose firm organises the International Drinks Festival, there are not many players in the market, compared to other countries in the world, adding that Nigeria has []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Ife Ogunfuwa highlights some competitions that will propel small businesses to realise their mission optimally Many opportunities abound for start-ups to connect with investors, win cash prizes to expand their business and gain international recognition for their impact. Some of them are listed below. GSBI Accelerator programme Global Social Benefit Institute is calling on social []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Why do you want to build a mobile app' Do you want to ride the wave of other entrepreneurs, or did you come across a problem that you feel you can resolve' The answer to this question will determine whether your app will be successful or not. Here is a guide to get you started, []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Online banks revolutionised brick-and-mortar banking by making it greener, quicker and more convenient. Now, online banking is going mobile to offer consumers even more perks, such as heightened security, easier access and a plethora of helpful applications for smartphones. According to www.bankrate.com, here are some of the advantages of mobile banking: -Consumers have a greater []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
John Alechenu, Abuja A study carried out by a group of environmentalists under the aegis of Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria has identified land grabbing by multinational companies as a major threat to communities who depend on agriculture. The study/country brief entitled: 'Bottom up accountability and security communal land rights in Cross []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Stanley Opara A.G. Leventis (Nigeria) Plc has reported a group revenue of N12.78bn for the 2016 financial year, and is currently undergoing a restructuring within the group, with special attention on its Leventis Foods Limited division. The group recorded a two per cent rise on its 2016 revenue compared to the 2015 result, but at []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Anna Okon The Bank of Industry has noted that the leather industry has the capacity to drive economic growth as well as create job opportunities for Nigeria's teeming unemployed youths. The Managing Director, BoI, Investment and Trust Company, Betsy Obaseki, stated this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding with DAI-Market Development in the Niger Delta []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Stanley Opara In a letter filed with the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Thursday, Oando Plc confirmed to the bourse, shareholders and other stakeholders across the country that its 40th Annual General Meeting slated for September 11, 2017, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State would hold. Following the response of the Securities and Exchange Commission to petitions []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Idris Adesina Basketball coaches, Peter Ahmedu, Sani Ahmed and Scott Nnaji, have said the inclusion of four home-based players in the Nigerian team to the 2017 FIBA Africa Championship in Tunisia and Senegal indicated that the country is heading for a new direction in the sport. D'Tigers team to the 2017 AfroBasket, who are captained []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Tana Aiyejina Champions D'Tigers begin their FIBA AfroBasket title defence against West African rivals Ivory Coast in a Group A match at the Salle Omnisport de Rades, Rads, Tunisia, on Friday. The Nigerians, who will be playing in familiar territory, having won the African title two years ago in Tunisia, then play other group opponents []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Idris Adesina Nigerian weightlifter, Maryam Usman, has expressed her excitement at being decorated with her Beijing 2008 Olympics bronze, saying the medal was a reward for her hard work. At the Beijing Games Usman competed in the +75 kg division and finished fifth with a final lift of 265kg. But it was upgraded to a []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Idris Adesina Athletics coach, Tobias Igwe, and ex-athlete, Deji Aliu, have said the board of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria must adopt a new approach to solve the current problems facing the sport in the country. The new AFN board, led by Ibrahim Guasu, has reportedly been enmeshed in crisis since its inauguration in July. []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Mario Kempes weighed in on Argentinas underwhelming performances Thursday, saying the team needed to show more courage like their compatriot Juan Martin Del Potro at the US Open. Two or three with the heart of Delpo in the team and we wouldnt have many problems or be criticized, said the footballer-turned-commentator, a World Cup winner []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Ayo Olukotun Short of significant breakthroughs in the ongoing negotiations between government and striking resident doctors as well as university teachers, the country may well be entering another season of prolonged strikes. For example, on Wednesday, the Non-academic Staff Union, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, and the National Association of Academic Technologists, announced []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Tunji Ajibade Early in August, the Gombe State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, marked the 2017 World Desertification Day. As part of his programme, Dankwambo planted trees in Bojude, Kwami LGA, Gombe State. His effort calls my attention to a fundamental angle to tree-related issues. Now, Bojude is a few kilometres outside Gombe town, the []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Pat Utomi In recent weeks, I have recorded an episode of Patito's Gang on social media and identity theft. Part of the motivation was a spate of fraudulent activities that have come to my notice in which my identity was stolen. This is not a new phenomenon, the attempts to steal my identity for fraudulent []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Fola Ojo He has a disinclination to being branded a 'rich man'. But Tola is a Nigerian business guru with monumental means. He was educated in the United Kingdom; lived in London for 16 years; and worked in a British bank as an accountant before heading back home. His work experience as a banker earned []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Oludayo Tade 'My stomach is with me. When I am full, I know' 9ice There is a big error of fact in what President Muhammadu Buhari was quoted to have said after meeting with some of his ministers who briefed him on the state of the economy after he returned from the UK, the other []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Nigerians reacted wildly, on Wednesday, to the news that the country had exited recession. To several people who don't really understand how the economy operates, it was cheerful jubilation especially, but, to the operators in the economy, it is not yet Uhuru, as the economy is still weak and showing negative indicators. Nigeria officially slumped []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Samson Folarin The committee investigating alleged unethical conducts and the sexual harassment of suspects' family members by policemen attached to the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism Squad of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, Lagos State, has started its sitting. PUNCH Metro learnt from sources that all the parties were present at the meeting on []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Chukwudi Akasike and Friday Amobi Kidnappers struck again in Rivers State on Thursday, waylaying an 18-seater bus and abducting the 19 occupants of the vehicle, including the driver. It was gathered that the incident happened on Isiokpo-Elele Road in the Ikwerre Local Government Area, about 30 kilometres from Agip Junction in Port Harcourt, where the []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Afeez Hanafi Policemen at the Iju Ishaga Police Division, Lagos State, have asked the father of a three-year-old girl to provide a vehicle to facilitate the arrest of a suspected kidnapper. The girl allegedly escaped abduction on Wednesday in the Toyin area, Iju Ishaga, while she was returning from church with her parents. PUNCH Metro []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri The suspected killers of Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo of the Orlu Catholic Diocese, Imo State, were on Thursday paraded by the state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike. The prime suspect was identified as a 32-year-old dismissed ex-Corporal Jude Madu, who allegedly masterminded the abduction of the cleric. The late reverend fathered had []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Godwin Isenyo, Kaduna Tragedy struck at Ungwan Gwari community, in the Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Thursday when a six-year-old boy was killed following torrential rainfall in the area. It was gathered that the rain also destroyed the victim's parents' house in the community. The downpour, which started on Wednesday with []
Fri, 08 Sep 2017
Chux Ohai Rapper Jude Abaga, a.ka. MI (Mister Incredible), virtually lost his cool during a Loose Talk podcast hosted by the trio of music critic, Osagie Alonge, Ayomide Tayo and Steve Dede on Wednesday. MI, who had arrived the event in company with another rap artiste known as Loose Kaynon, spoke at length about his []
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