Why Nigeria Has Lacked In All, Emmanuel Chuks

What Has Been The Problem Of Our Country, Is Because We Are Not Focused And Determined.....

A Country Without Budget Is Like A Bird Without Wings, You Know All It Effort Will Be Effortless no matter How It Tries To Make It Happen. If Only It Ask Itself What Must Have Happened To Me, Other Birds Are Flying Why I'm I Not Flying.

We Lack This Area Of Life, Knowing Our Fault And Been Eager To Know It Cause! What And Why It Happened, Nigeria Today Has Been Tossed By Fake News Today Of Which Has Made The Country A Fearless Nation To The Youth. Blaming The Youth That They Are Not Coming Out For Any Political Post......
Non Of Them Would Love To Risk Their Life For Nothing, Because he Past Rulers Has Imbibed Fear And Threats To  the Youth, Depriving Us Of Our Right And Chances To Make It Happen.

There Major Focus Is On How To Embezzle Billions And Trillions Of Naira For Their Fourth To Sixteenth Generations Coming, While Others Die Of Hunger. This Brought About The Recession/ Starvation In The Country Today, They Mines For The Future. They Forgot Many Outside Today Are Hoping To Get Just A Million To Change Their Life For Better, That's Why You See Their Children Becoming Wayward, Lavishing Their Fathers Wealth; Going To Club Spent  For About 30million At A Spot,  They Come Out To Say We'll Shutdown This Place Tonight...

The Country Money They Know Nothing about, Have No Intention To Poor And Less Privilege One's. I'm Not Happy Because US Confirmed Nigeria To Be Richer Than Them, But Where Are Our Facilities And Our Mineral Resources. Instead They Go About Selling Them And Bringing The Same White People To Come Business With Us And Go With Our Resources. What A Stupid Mindset, We Need A Change not A Chance In Our Nigeria We Need To Stop This Mess.

I Stand For Progress And Peace For Our Nation.........

South African tourism has 'huge growth potential' - Minister

South Africa will speed up visa processes and lure major conferences in an effort to boost foreign arrivals by 40 percent by 2021, its tourism minister said on Friday.

The new measures are part of a goal to attract five million additional travellers – four million international tourists and one million extra local holiday trips and will help limit the “blip” a major drought is having on South Africa’s top tourist draw card, Cape Town, said minister Derek Hanekom.

“I am bullish because there is huge growth potential,” Hanekom told Reuters in an interview.

“On the international front conditions are very much in our favour so its going to be easier to achieve the four million part than the one million,” he said.

Tourism, which contributes more than 400 billion rand ($34 billion) to Africa’s most industrialized economy, or around 8 percent of GDP, is seen by government as key to help drive growth and reduce a stubbornly high unemployment rate.

South Africa emerged from a recession last year but is struggling to grow its economy and less disposal income means locals are hesitant to travel.

However, the long-haul destination still provides good value for money for foreign tourists attracted to its white beaches, iconic Table Mountain and wildlife safaris.

Earlier this month, the World Travel and Tourism Council said travel and tourism would contribute around 424.5 billion rand to the overall economy in 2018, before rising by 3.5 percent a year to 598.6 billion or 10.1 percent of GDP in 2028.

Besides establishing a fund which is geared to help South Africa win more global conferences and exhibitions, Hanekom said home affairs officials were also developing online visa applications, as well as possibly producing them for tourists on arrival at airports.

“Of course the first prize for us and the easiest is when visitors from particulars countries don’t need visas at all,” he said.

Hanekom said discussions with home affairs and foreign relations departments would consider granting more countries visa waivers for short trips, following success with visitor numbers from Russia which increased 57 percent last year.

Tourism officials said current visa processes were putting off tourists from China, India and Nigeria, some of the world’s largest outbound travel markets.

24-year-old Nigerian Lady Is Selling Her Virginity For 50,000 Euros (photos) - Romance

Women are now making gains by selling their virginity through Cinderella Escort and a Nigerian lady has joined the trend.

Stacey, a 24-year-old Nigerian lady is selling her virginity, starting from 50,000 Euros. Stacey is a Bachelor's degree holder and says she's selling her virginity so as to further her education.

Explaining her reason for selling her virginity, Stacey said: "Selling my virginity has been something that I have always wanted to do. I want to sell my virginity through Cinderella Escorts because I want to pursue a master’s degree and a PhD.

"I already have a B.A. but I want to take my education even further since I believe that being educated will allow me

to have my dream career and life."Lol. See the Nigerian lady who is also selling her virginity for a whooping sum

Interested men are expected to bid on her. Whoever is the highest bidder will meet with Stacey in Germany for legal reasons. The buyer can choose a hotel of his choice, where Stacey will spend one night with him.

In order to make sure that Stacey is a true virgin the buyer can either bring a doctor to a meeting or visit a doctor in Germany a day beforehand.

Why we want Nwosu to takeover from Gov. Okorocha – Imo Assembly members

The Imo State House of Assembly Speaker, Acho Ihim, on Wednesday, revealed why the state’s lawmakers are backing Uche Nwosu, the Chief of Staff to Governor Rochas Okorocha to become the next number one citizen of the state.

Ihim restated the decision of 20 members of the state legislature to support Nwosu.

Nwosu is also Okorocha’s son in-law, having married his daughter, Uloma.

The Speaker told reporters, “Nwosu remains the best and most plausible panacea to the issue of disjointed and often abandoned projects syndrome that hitherto constituted a clog in the wheel of progress in most instances.”

He read the resolution of the lawmakers during a press conference in Owerri, when he led 19 other members of the House, under the aegis of Team Nwosu, to endorse the governorship ambition of the Chief of Staff.

He argued that the decision to ensure that Nwosu takes over from Okorocha was taken in the overall interest of the state.

He added that, “in a bid to ensure continuity of the numerous democratic dividends of the Rescue Mission Administration in Imo State, 20 members of the Imo State House of Assembly have affirmed their resolve to project, support and back in its entirety Ugwumba Uche Nwosu as the next governor of Imo State after His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, come 2019.

“Our people deserve Ugwumba Uche Nwosu for a continuation of this people-oriented policy to bring succour and hope for the poor and rich in the state.”

The lawmakers who penned down their signatures were: Ozuruigbo Ugonna (Nwangele), Chinedu Offor (Onuimo), Uju Onwudiwe (Njaba), Ngozi Obiefula (Isu), Max Odunze (Orsu), Ikechukwu Amuka (Ideato South), Arthur Egwim (Ideato North) and Kennedy Ibe (Obowo).

Others were Nkem Nzeruo (Oru East), Lugard Osuji (Owerri Municipal), Henry Ezediaro (Oguta), Chukwuemeka Loyd (Owerri North), Victor Onyema (Owerri West), Uche Agabige (Orsu), Chika Madumere (Nkwerre), Uche Ejiogu (Ihitte Uboma, Emma Orie (Ohaji-Egbema) and Lawman Duruji (Ehime Mbano).

What Buhari, Saraki, Oyegun discussed at APC caucus meeting

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has said that the National Caucus meeting of the party held on Monday, was “to conclude the agenda we started last time which we didn’t conclude”.

Oyegun stated this when he spoke with journalists after the meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

The national caucus meeting had in attendance, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

Also present at the meeting were other members of the NWC and ministers.

Present and past state governors, federal lawmakers, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, and other cabinet members were at the meeting.

However, the National Leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, and the pioneer national chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande were absent.

“The meeting was actually beautiful, lively, it is a meeting to conclude the agenda we started last time which we didn’t conclude. Today, we are discussing true federalism and something more serious,” he said.

On whether the issue of the court case instituted by some party members over tenure elongation of members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and that of state executives was discussed, he said: “We didn’t discuss anything like court case, courts are for lawyers.”

On the call for his removal, he said, “Ahh, can’t we move forward, that brings us to history.”

Also speaking, Saraki, said: “We had a good meeting. We deliberated on a number of issues to do with the constitution of the party which are very important issues, the constitution and to prepare for NEC tomorrow, it was a good meeting.”

No Mexico player can match Messi - Rakitic

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic says there's no one like his club teammate Lionel Messi, nor will there be anyone approaching his level on the field Tuesday when Croatia takes on Mexico in a friendly.

"This doesn’t exist, not in Mexico, not in Croatia. You have to say that. He’s not the best in the world for nothing — for me, the best in history," Rakitic said after he was asked which Mexico player could be the most similar to Messi. "With all respect to everyone else, If we only talk about one team, not a whole team, there’s no player in the world that even compares to Leo. Leo is unique. We all know that.

"We know tomorrow we’re going to face a very strong group that will put a lot of pressure on us, they’re very aggressive. They have a good atmosphere in their group, they want to give everything for the shirt, and our goal is to be better than them. ... They’re a very strong national team, but having said that, with all respect, it’s very difficult to match Leo."

Rakitic could be tasked with shutting down Messi in a few months, when his Croatia side faces Argentina in the teams' second match of the World Cup.

The midfielder said he'd chatted about the game with his teammate, but noted that Argentina's 2-0 victory against Italy without Messi showed it's not only "La Pulga Atomica" who Croatia will have to worry about.

"They have a ton of talent. They could even take a second team to the World Cup and be able to compete," Rakitic said. "We're preparing well. We know it's not only Argentina, but we have a very complicated group and [will] try to have the perfect World Cup. First, we have to go through Nigeria. After [that], enjoy the game against Argentina. And after that, [face] our old friends from Iceland to get out of the group.

"Of course, we’ve talked and I’d definitely like us to go through together, but we have to fight a bit and hopefully we can go through together."

After Tuesday's game against Mexico, Croatia faces Brazil on June 3 in England before hosting Senegal five days later. The Croatians open their World Cup against Nigeria on June 16 in Kaliningrad.

Magufuli's Easter greetings to church critics

The spokesperson for Tanzanian President John Magufuli says the government has nothing to say in response to strong criticism of Mr Magufuli's leadership by the country's bishops.

A tweet (in Kiswahili) said that the only thing they will say is to wish all Christians a Happy Easter.

The church leaders had warned that Tanzania's unity and peace are under threat.

A statement from the influential Conference of Lutheran Bishops criticised the government - condemning recent kidnappings, attacks on political leaders and the use of violence to break up opposition protests.

The government has closed down critical media outlets in recent months. The bishops warned that freedom of expression was under threat.

In December, the government said it would take action against religious organisations that interfered in politics.

Mr Magufuli took office in 2015 with a tough anti-corruption stance, but his detractors say his authoritarian leadership style amounts to a clamp-down on opposition and freedom of expression.

APC national secretary reacts to TY Danjuma’s ‘defend yourselves’ Call

The National Secretary of APC, Alhaji Maimala Buni, on Sunday condemned the recent statement by former minister of defense, Theophillus Danjuma.

Danjuma on Saturday called on the people of Taraba State to rise and defend themselves against “ethnic cleansing”.

He spoke at the maiden Convocation ceremony of Taraba State university in Jalingo, the capital.

“You must rise to protect yourselves from these people, if you depend on the armed forces to protect you, you will all die.

“This ethnic creasing must stop in Taraba, and it must stop in Nigeria,” Danjuma said.

Reacting, Buni cautioned Nigerians against inflammatory statements capable of undermining government efforts in restoration of peace and security in the country.

He said that elder statesmen had great roles to play in uniting the country rather than preaching divisive tendencies.

Buni noted the statesmen had opportunities of reaching out to government on any national or regional issue to advise appropriately; and wondered why they opted for the media to pass their messages.

“The elder statesmen have great roles in seeing the unity of Nigeria than sending signals of war and disobedience to constituted authorities,” he told Press

“The play to gallery by elders to be seen as ethnic champions is detrimental to national unity and peaceful coexistence.

“It is only Nigerians with skeletons in their cupboards that are scared of this administration because of its fight against corruption and the no business as usual posture,” he said.

The APC scribe urged Nigerians to disregard advice that will only brew hate, disunity, even as he commended President Buhari for ensuring the return of the Dapchi girls.

He expressed the commitment of government to secure the release of the lone Dapchi girl and the remaining Chibok girls still in captivity.

Ant McPartlin held over drink-driving after collision

TV presenter Ant McPartlin has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after a collision involving three vehicles in south-west London.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to Lower Richmond Road in Mortlake at 15:59 GMT.

The ambulance service and London Fire Brigade also attended and a number of people were treated for minor injuries.

Police said a 42-year-old man was arrested at the scene after failing a roadside breathalyser test.

He has been taken to a south London police station for questioning.

A child passenger in one of the cars was taken to hospital for a check up as a precaution, the Met added.

Ant McPartlin co-hosts several ITV shows with Declan Donnelly, including Britain's Got Talent, I'm A Celebrity and Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

US-educated Yi Gang becomes head of China's central bank

US-educated economist Yi Gang has been named the next governor of China's central bank, replacing Zhou Xiaochuan.

Mr Yi joined the People's Bank of China (PBOC) 20 years ago and has been its deputy governor since 2008.

His appointment is being seen as one of ensured continuity as Beijing continues to try and rein in growing debt and limit risky financial practices.

The announcement was made on the second-last day of the annual sitting of the National People's Congress.

Mr Yi will take over a central bank tasked with the ongoing reform of China's financial landscape, including encouraging foreign investment into the financial markets, and monetary policy reform.

But he will also take over a bank with new powers.

Last week, as part of sweeping changes to China's central government structure, the NPC said China's central bank would have increased control over making new laws and regulations for the banking and insurance sectors.

It was also announced that a newly formed banking and insurance super regulator, formed out of a merger between the Banking Regulatory Commission and the China Insurance Regulatory Commission, would oversee all of China's banking and insurance sector - and would effectively report into the PBOC.

The reforms to the banking and finance regulatory systems will see the PBOC become one of the most powerful bodies in the country.

However, unlike the United States and other large democracies, China's central bank does not operate independently of the government, and so Mr Yi will ultimately report into President Xi Jinping.

At the beginning of the NPC earlier this month, China approved the removal of the two-term limit on the presidency, effectively allowing Xi Jinping to remain in power for life.

Mr Yi has a degree in economics from Beijing University, together with a master's degree and PhD in economics from the University of Illinois, US.

Candidates yet to access UTME 2018 results one week after exam

Some candidates, who wrote this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) over a week ago, are yet to be notified of their results.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has begun releasing the results, with highest-scoring candidates emerging.

David Fedoje, who wrote the exam on March 10 in Lagos, says he has been checking ever since without any success.

“Every time I check for my results on JAMB’s website, they keep telling me ‘no result’. Even the people that wrote after me have seen theirs,” he told Press.

Fedoje added that he also knows a few other candidates that are getting the ‘no result’ message.

Last weekend, JAMB urged candidates to patiently await the results of the just-concluded examination .

The Head of Media of the Board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said the board was working diligently to ensure that all results are processed and posted on the board’s website soonest.

Miyetti Allah cattle breeders decry killing of Fulanis in Plateau

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, in Plateau State has alleged that soldiers have killed 5 of their members and burnt down over 150 houses.

MACBAN also noted that properties worth millions of Naira were set ablaze.

A statement signed by its state chairman, Muhammed Nura also alleged that the soldiers opened fired on 46 cows and carted away about 400 cows.

“For the avoidance of doubt; Baddikko Rogo, Adamu Musa, Salisu Ibrahim, Usman Alh Wada, Babangida Bajjhe and Damina Kiri were brutally killed and their villages of Rafiki, Dutsen kura, Maraban Dere and Rafin Bauna all fulani villages were affected and set ablazed,” the statement alleged.

It said over 2,764 (Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Four) persons mostly women and children were displaced while others fled for refuge to other neighbouring Fulani villages.

They explained that, “We are therefore calling the attention of the National Emergency and Management Agency, NEMA, to directly come to the aid of the displaced Fulani communities.“

They added, “We want to warmly put it on record by reflecting the past incidences meted against the Fulani herdsmen from August 2017 when the root caused of Fulani herdsmen and lrigwe started after the execution and beheaded of Abubakar Wada (Fulani) by Irigwe militia group in Dan Tanko village of Bassa Local Government Area.“

They said that on 15th October 2017, six (6) innocent Fulani headsmen children were killed and beheaded in katumme village of Rukuba chiefdom of Bassa LGA by Irigwe.

“The defenceless children were killed in cool blood. There was neither arrest of the culprits nor attempt to investigate into the matter by security agencies.

“On Monday, 15th January, 2018 Irigwe armed militias group have attacked Fulani rearers around Gidan Ado village and rustled over 300 cows and 56 sheep. Two herd of cattle that were rustled have been recovered completely.

“From the first two herd cattle of 126 cows, 26 were recovered alive but sold in the market due to major injuries, 7 were recovered healthy, 38 were machetes to dead and dump in a ditch at Mai Yanga village, while the remaining 55 were not recovered and we don’t know their where about till today. For the 56 goats, (45 that belong to Idris Gidado while the remaining belong to Usha’u Usman Wada) were not recovered.

“In the same vein, on 22nd January, 2018, the Irigwe armed militias held from Kwachudu village of Bassa LGA attack Fulani cattle rearers at Raffin Bauna village shot and matchete 18 cows to dead belonging to the Fulani rearers. A total of 5 cows were confirmed killed and 13 seriously injured.

“On 23rd January, 2018, the unfortunate event kept accelerating, the Irigwe armed militias attacked Fulani cattle rearers at Dan Kuturu village from Kwal District in the same Bassa LGA at about 1500 hours killed Anas Lado and Musa Idris in cold-blood for no cause. The militias fired at some cows and injured 5.

Gattuso refuses to blame defeat on Welbeck dive

An apparent dive by the Gunners striker played a big role in Thursday's win, but Gennaro Gattuso is not playing the blame game.

AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso is not going to judge English football on Danny Welbeck's apparent dive in Arsenal's 3-1 Europa League win, suggesting the striker had to do what he did.

Gattuso's side had taken a 1-0 lead on the night through Hakan Calhanoglu's stunning long-range strike, cutting the aggregate score to 2-1 in Arsenal's favour.

But six minutes before half-time, Welbeck seemed to go to ground in the area under minimal contact from Ricardo Rodriguez, with referee Jonas Eriksson subsequently pointing to the spot.

Milan never recovered and Arsenal ultimately added further goals from Granit Xhaka and Welbeck in the second half, but Gattuso was keen to not lay the blame entirely at the feet of the referee.

"I don't want to talk about the referee," he told reporters after the match. "We can't find any alibi or [blame] bad luck.

"He [Welbeck] is a striker. He has to do what he does, but we can't use that as entire influence of English football.

"There is a great deal of fair play in English football. I'm not going to judge."

Gattuso cut a frustrated figure on the touchline for most of the match and went as far as throwing the ball towards the face of Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal.

But the pair shook hands soon after and the Italian apologised publicly in his news conference.

"I would like to apologise to Monreal," Gattuso added. "It may have looked like I threw the ball at his face, but that was not my intention."

Although Gattuso generally seemed happy with his team's performance, he was frustrated by the manner of Arsenal's third goal, appearing to accuse his players of giving up after the Gunners' second.


"I'm very upset because in a few years' time we're only going to see 3-1 as the result," Gattuso said.

"When you're on the pitch, you should never give up and concede easy goals. The third goal really upset me. We have to start from the mentality."

Blackberry modified to 'help drug cartels'

The chief executive of a company that created highly-secure smartphones allegedly used by some of the world's most notorious criminals has been indicted.

Canadian-based Phantom Secure made "tens of millions of dollars" selling the modified Blackberry devices for use by the likes of the Sinaloa Cartel, investigators said.

The charges marked the first time US authorities have targeted a company for knowingly making encrypted technology for criminals.

The Department of Justice arrested Vincent Ramos in Seattle last week. He was indicted on Thursday along with four associates.

The BBC has been unable to reach Phantom Secure.

They are charged with racketeering and conspiracy to aid the distribution of drugs. Both crimes have a maximum penalty of life in prison. Mr Ramos is the only one of the group currently in custody.

"This organisation Phantom Secure was designed to facilitate international drug trafficking all throughout the entire world," US attorney Adam Braverman told the BBC.

"These traffickers, including members of the Sinaloa Cartel, would use these fully-encrypted devices to facilitate their drug trafficking activities in order to avoid law enforcement scrutiny."

'Handful of other organisations'

Blackberry did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday - and investigators would not say whether the firm had worked with them on this case. Mr Braverman said Blackberry was not alone in having its handsets altered for illegal purposes.

"Our understanding is there are a handful of other organisations that exist like this. The FBI, and our office, will continue investigating not only Phantom Secure but any other company that provides this kind of communication device to criminal organisations."

He added that while almost every smartphone on the market offers hard-to-crack encryption - as well as apps from Facebook, Google and Apple - Phantom Secure should be held culpable for what the users of its services were doing.

"The difference is this company was specifically-designed to aid international drug trafficking organisations," he said.

"The only way that you're able to actually utilize one of these devices and obtain one of these devices is if somebody else vouched for you."

Phantom Secure sold devices on a subscription basis at a cost of $2,000-$3,000 for around six months of use.

In order to become a customer, an existing user must vouch for the new person. That system, authorities said, was a way of preventing law enforcement from getting hold of the devices.

Agents estimated as many as 20,000 Phantom Secure-modified handsets are in use around the world.

Communications through the phones are automatically routed to servers in Panama and Hong Kong, according to court documents, making data more difficult to trace.

Phantom Secure could also remove key functionality from the devices to lock them down, such as voice communication, microphone, GPS, camera, internet and messaging apps, leaving just the text functionality.

Law enforcement authorities have repeatedly been frustrated by encryption technology making it harder to access communications between suspects.

In 2016, Apple refused to provide a tool that would allow the FBI to unlock an iPhone belonging to Syed Farook, a man involved in a mass shooting that resulted in the death of 14 people.

On Thursday, a spokesman for the FBI reiterated the agency's concern about criminals being able to "go dark" and hide behind these sophisticated technologies.

Privacy and open rights activists argue that removing or just weakening encryption would put everyone at risk of data theft and surveillance - not just criminals.

Buhari jittery about herdsmen but declared IPOB terrorists – Soyinka explodes

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly treating killer herdsmen with kid gloves.

Soyinka, while speaking at the Ripples Nigeria Dialogue in Lagos, on Thursday, charged the president to declare herdsmen terrorists.

“We expect the president to have the courage to declare such monsters as terrorists and enemies of humanity with the same dispatch in which he declared the far less violent, albeit, disruptive IPOB terrorists. We expect a culture of even-handedness”, he said.

“I have always refrained from labelling the herdsmen as Fulani but since they have publicly come out to admit they are responsible for the killings, we can say they are Fulani herdsmen.

“An organisation has been rampaging the nation armed to the teeth and descending on innocent people. Their spokesman appeared on TV, unrepentant, distorting history, calling on a state government to rescind their laws and proceeding to defy such laws.

“They went ahead and threatened continuation of the same acts of degradation. The nation has been placed on the defensive simply because of the failing of governance.

“Have you ever encountered a more cynical rendition of the sequence of events when spokesmen of this same organisation came out to say the killings were taking place because of the laws which was made to stop the killings in the first place?

“I have not heard that the leaders of that group have been summoned the way those who do far less things would have been summoned. Nigeria is not the first country to experience natural disasters but this is not an excuse to take guns to destabilise other peace-loving people in their communities.

“While addressing the victims of the rampage of Fulani herdsmen, the minister of defence asked the victims what they wanted the herdsmen to do when the grazing routes for their cattle were being blocked and that minister is still in Buhari’s cabinet.

“I get impatient when I hear people say that Buhari failed to sympathise with victims in Benue and Taraba. Who needs presidential sympathy? Is it sympathy that will re-order their broken lives? We are talking about security of lives and property and bringing perpetrators to book.

“We expect the government to respond with massive punitive action when the fundamental security of a people is violated. We expect the president to immediately show up at the scene of these disasters and order his troops into action against these arrogant and blood thirsty people.

“When stung by the criticism that the president rather chose to attend a wedding in Kano instead of being present in Dapchi, presidential apologists said the wedding was a needed therapy for the trauma caused by the abduction of the schoolgirls in Dapchi. That statement is blasphemous.

“There were so many formula that would have been adopted to ensure that the couple had their wedding without the accompanying exhibition of lavishness so soon after a national tragedy. The nation was in mourning and Buhari would have told the couple that he was not obliged to be there,” Soyinka said.

Unilever goes Dutch for HQ as London loses out

Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever, maker of Marmite and Dove soap, has chosen Rotterdam over London for its headquarters.

The company said it would move to a single legal entity in the Netherlands in an effort to become "more agile".

Unilever's dual-headed structure has existed since 1930, when Dutch margarine firm Unie merged with British soap maker Lever Brothers.

The company said the decision over its HQ was "not about Brexit".

At the same time, Unilever - which also makes Pot Noodle and Ben & Jerry's ice cream - said it would be reorganising its business into three divisions: beauty and personal care, home care, and foods and refreshment.

The Beauty and personal care and home care divisions will be headquartered in London, while foods and refreshment will continue to be based in Rotterdam.

The company employs 7,300 people in the UK and 3,100 in the Netherlands. No jobs will be lost by the move.

Unilever is one of the largest companies in the UK's FTSE 100 share index, but may not be eligible for the index after the change.

A government spokesperson said: "Unilever has today shown its long-term commitment to the UK by choosing to locate its two fastest-growing global business divisions in this country.

"As the company itself has made clear, its decision to transfer a small number of jobs to a corporate HQ in the Netherlands is part of a long-term restructuring of the company and is not connected to the UK's departure from the EU."

Unilever chief executive Paul Polman told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the move to a single legal entity was being made for "technical reasons", as the bulk of its shares - 55% - were traded in the Netherlands.

"This is not about Brexit," he said, adding that "both countries are attractive from an investment point of view".

However, anti-Brexit campaigners described the move as a "major blow" to the UK government as it prepares for next year's exit from the European Union.

The chief executive of the Best for Britain group, Eloise Todd, said it showed "what business really feels" about the UK's departure from the EU.

She added: "The government are saying to anyone who will listen this is not to do with Brexit, but anyone with any sense knows it's a factor.

"The company has had an HQ in the UK for over 90 years, and all that history and legacy has gone down the plughole."

Tax change

Unilever announced a review of its dual-headed structure last year, after it foiled a $143bn takeover offer from Kraft Heinz.

The company has had talks with the governments of both countries in the run-up to its decision.

According to reports, Mr Polman lobbied the UK government for changes in UK takeover rules, while the government expressed concerns over Unilever's decision to pick Rotterdam for its HQ.

The company's shares will continue to be listed in London, Amsterdam and New York.

Speculation that it would choose the Netherlands has increased in recent months, following the proposal of a tax change by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, himself a Unilever veteran, seen as benefiting Anglo-Dutch multinationals.

Since 1930, Unilever has operated with two parent companies - a British PLC headquartered in London and a Dutch NV based in Rotterdam.

Although run as one company, the distinct legal entities have different shareholders, separate stock listings and annual meetings and are subject to different laws and corporate governance requirements.

PDP calls self most-democratic, discovers how to sack APC

From the report of its national reconciliation committee headed by Governor Seriake Dickson, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been told how to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in next year’s general elections.

This strategy entails building alliances with other parties and Nigerians including those who have dumped the party and are desirous of rescuing the country from sustained “mismanagement” by the current administration.

This was contained in the report of the reconciliation committee submitted to the National Working Committee, NWC, led by the national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.

The committee, which described the PDP as the most democratic party in the country as well as the most women-friendly, advised the NWC to deliberately cultivate women and assure them that party doors shall remain open for them at all levels of the PDP.

Part of the report reads, “The committee is of the view that the PDP should lead a broad-based coalition to wrest power from the APC in order to salvage Nigeria from further ruin. It recommended that the party should build alliances and establish inter- personal contacts with everyone, including those that have either left or abandoned the party. This desire for the broad-based coalition should be open to everyone who intends to salvage the country from the present mismanagement of the ruling party.”

PRESS recalls that former chairman of the PDP national caretaker committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi had stated that the opposition party is working towards reclaiming power in 2019, but would not reveal its strategy.

'Messi was the difference' - Conte claims Chelsea were 'unlucky' against Barcelona

Antonio Conte acknowledged his Chelsea side were undone by the best player in the world after Lionel Messi's brace put Barcelona through to their 11th consecutive Champions League quarter-final.

The reigning Premier League champions were held to a 1-1 draw by a Messi equaliser in the first leg at Stamford Bridge last month and the five-time Ballon d'Or winner broke the deadlock in the third minute of the return fixture at Camp Nou.

He nutmegged Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to score for a second time, bringing up 100 career Champions League goals after the hour and sealing a 3-0 win, with Ousmane Dembele's thunderous strike halting an encouraging spell for the visitors in the 20th minute.

"I think tonight and in these two legs Messi made the difference. As you know very well we are talking about the best player in the world," Conte told BT Sport.

"I think that over the two legs we were a bit unlucky. We hit the post four times and in our best moments they scored.

"They were very, very clinical and tonight I think we created many chances but we didn't take them."

It was a game to forget for Courtois in particular but Conte's attention was drawn back towards the star of the show.

"We are talking about a player who every season finishes with 60 goals and assists," he continued.

"We are talking about not a top player but a super top player. He made the difference.

"But, at the same time, we have no regrets. I must be pleased for the commitment of my players. I am very proud because they gave everything tonight and maybe we didn't deserve to lose 3-0."

Conte was furious on the touchline when Marcos Alonso – who hit the upright with a free-kick before half-time – had a penalty claim rejected following a challenge from Gerard Pique early in the second period, but he insisted it was no time to make excuses.

"I didn't see it again on TV but during the game from the bench, for me it was clear it was a penalty," he added.

"But now I will not complaint. We have to move on and prepare the game against Leicester [in the FA Cup quarter-finals] on Sunday."

GDPN zones presidential ticket to North East, reveals how it will unseat Buhari

The Grass- Roots Development Party of Nigeria has zoned its presidential ticket to credible members of the party in the North East region.

The party has also vowed to unseat President Buhari in the 2019 election, alleging that Nigerians are tired of poverty and economic deprivation under the APC.

The National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Odiom Shedrack told PRESS in Bauchi while addressing party’s supporters that the party’s decision was informed by the urgent need to ensure peace and improve on security challenges in the troubled region.

Shedrack blamed the country’s woes on APC failure, especially to have instituted permanent poverty and unemployment.

“Our mission to Bauchi state which is part of the North East is to declare that the party has zoned its presidential ticket to the zone for purposeful development,” Shedrack stressed.

The Chairman reiterated that GDPN is the only solution to Nigeria’s problems armed with the vision and mission to rescue the country from APC failure.

According to Shedrack, the party has zoned the Vice President slot to South East for equity to prevail.
He then charged Nigerians to vote out APC in support of GDPN for effective development.

Olisa Metuh arrives court on wheelchair, begs to travel to UK

Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, on Wednesday, arrived for continuation of his trial before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, in a wheelchair.

Metuh was wheeled into the courtroom to continue his defence of the seven-count charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him and his firm, Destra Investment Limited.

EFCC alleged that he had before the 2015 Presidential election, received N400million from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, without executing any contract.

At the resumed proceeding on Wednesday, Metuh through his lawyer, Mr. Emeka Etiaba, SAN, applied to be allowed to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

Metuh’s lawyer told the court that his client’s health had badly worsned in the past two months.

He said the situation would require urgent medical attention from his doctors in London.

He tendered as an exhibit, a letter from one Dr. Adrian T. H. Kasey, a Neurosurgeon at Wellington Hospital in London, which he said emphasized the need for Metuh to be treated urgently.

However, trial Justice Abang requested both the prosecution and defence lawyers to address him on whether the court could grant Metuh’s request considering that he previously dismissed two similar applications on May 25, 2016 and on February, 2017.

Recall that Metuh was on February 9, brought to court in an ambulance, after Justice Abang threatened to revoke his bail and commit him to prison if he failed to appear for his trial.

What I told my players after 2-1 loss to Sevilla – Mourinho

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has revealed he told his players in the addressing room that he was happy with their sadness following their Champions League 2-1 defeat to Sevilla.

The Red Devils are out of the Champions League following the outcome of yesterday’s game.

Sevilla capitalised on United’s sluggish display in the second half as Wissam Ben Yedder struck twice before Romelu Lukaku found the net to give the hosts a glimmer of hope.

Manchester United will face Brighton on Saturday for a place in the semi-final of the FA Cup and the former Chelsea boss insists his players have no time to dwell on their defeat.

He told MUTV, “Of course everybody is sad, as I told the players in the dressing room, I’m happy with this sadness, I’m really happy with that.

“But we have no time to be sad for a long time; we have a match on Saturday.

“The players are back to the training ground, and focusing in an important match on Saturday as I was saying these two matches against Sevilla and Brighton, if you win you’re in, if you’re lose you’re out.”

Opposition party planning to set up parallel vigilante – Wike raises alarm

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has alleged that there is a plot by a familiar opposition party to float an armed vigilante group in the State.

Governor Wike claimed that the plan of the illegal vigilant groups was to cause clashes with the State Neighbourhood Watch to pave the way for the police to ban the new security outfit.

The Governor, who spoke while playing host to the new Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 6, AIG Usman Abubakar, at the Government House Port Harcourt, said such political plots will fail as the State Neighbourhood Watch had come to stay.

He stated that only a court of competent jurisdiction can stop the Neighbourhood Watch.

Governor Wike said the Neighbourhood Watch was strictly a security organization that will support security agencies with intelligence to promote the security of the state.

He said that the Neighbourhood Watch was fashioned in line with the operations of a similar agency set up in Lagos State to support security agencies.

According to Wike, “In setting up the State Neighbourhood Watch, we adopted the process established in Lagos State. This is a replica of what is already in existence in Lagos State.

“We are setting up the State Neighbourhood Watch for intelligence gathering. Policemen and other security agencies cannot be everywhere.

“They need the relevant support to maintain security across the state”.

Google cofounder's flying taxi takes to the skies in New Zealand

Google cofounder Larry Page's flying taxi project is cleared for take off.

Kitty Hawk, the Silicon Valley startup backed by Page, said it is building and testing "all-electric vertical take-off and landing products" in New Zealand.

It released footage of one of those vehicles in flight, billing it as a cross between the Delorean from "Back to the Future" and "The Jetsons" hovercar.

Dubbed "Cora," the vehicle can "take off like a helicopter and transition to flying like a plane," Kitty Hawk said in a statement on Monday.

Cora is also self-piloting, can fly faster than 150 kilometers per hour (93 miles per hour) and has a range of 100 kilometers (62 miles), according to the company.

"We are offering a pollution free, emissions free vehicle that flies independently," Fred Reid, head of Kitty Hawk operations in New Zealand, said in a video posted on the company's website.

Kitty Hawk had previously tested another flying vehicle prototype called the "Flyer" last April. It looked less like a car than a jet ski with wings.

Several other companies, including Uber and Airbus, are also racing to commercialize flying taxis. The vehicles more often look like small planes than flying cars. Like Kitty Hawk's Cora, many rely on drone technology and vertical takeoff and landing, so they don't need a runway.

Airbus' (EADSY) flying car prototype -- the Vahana -- made its maiden flight in Oregon last month. Executives said they hope to have a marketable version of Vahana ready to sell in 2020.

Messi’s 600th goal sees Barca beat Atletico to go eight points clear play video

Barcelona struck what will surely prove to be a decisive blow in La Liga's title race on Sunday afternoon, establishing an eight-point advantage over nearest challengers Atletico Madrid with a 1-0 win at the Nou Camp.

Although the victory came by the narrowest of margins, it was a fully deserved success for the home team, who managed to create several decent chances to add to Lionel Messi's magnificent free-kick after 25 minutes against a stubborn Atletico defence that has only conceded 12 goals in 27 league games.

The winning goal was also the 600th of Messi's career.

The closest Barca came to a second goal was the unlikely route of a fierce left-footed volley by the excellent Sergio Busquets from a corner, forcing visiting keeper Jan Oblak into a smart reflex save.

There were also a couple of efforts on target for ex-Liverpool man Philippe Coutinho, who delivered a bright performance starting on the right of a forward three and then on the left of midfield after captain Andres Iniesta went off injured.

Messi also had a dangerous shot deflected over the bar and Luis Suarez sent a late curler narrowly wide, while at the other end Atletico only managed one shot on target in the whole game - and that was only a gently looping header by Saul Niguez which home keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved with ease.

Atletico attempted to increase their intensity in the final stages as manager Diego Simeone finished with four forwards in a bold 4-2-4 formation, but Diego Costa was subdued by the excellent home central defensive pairing of Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti, and reported Barca transfer target Antoine Griezmann couldn't maintain his golden form after coming into the game on the back of consecutive hat-tricks.



It was entirely appropriate that Messi was the match-winner of this top-of-the-table clash with his brilliant first-half free-kick, because the Argentine has been magnificent throughout the campaign to lead La Liga in both scoring (24) and assists (12).

The goal also completed another spectacular week for Messi, who somehow conjured up a new way of making headlines by blasting home magnificent free-kicks of varying styles in three consecutive games.

First, against Girona last weekend, he took advantage of a jumping defensive wall to fire low and hard into the bottom left corner.

Then at Las Palmas on Thursday he unleashed a missile into the top left corner, while today's effort was sent soaring gloriously into the top right.

This potentially title-winning goal also marked another milestone for Messi as he reached the scarcely believable total of 600 career goals for club and country.

And with their main man in this kind of form, it would be unwise to bet against Barca as they set their sights on matching the achievements of the teams led by Pep Guardiola in 2009 and Luis Enrique in 2015 - recording the league, cup and Champions League treble.



They can also create another piece of history by becoming the first team in La Liga history to go through an entire season unbeaten; 27 down, 11 to go.

Atletico to focus on Europa League?

La Liga's title race is now surely over, with Barca boasting an eight-point lead which is effectively nine points due to La Liga's use of head-to-head results, rather than goal difference, to split tied teams. The teams drew 1-1 in Madrid in October thanks to a late equaliser from Luis Suarez, so Barca hold that advantage.

With that being that case, it means Atletico need to win all their remaining games - and one of them, in early April, is a trip to face local rivals Real Madrid - and hope that Barca lose three of their remaining 11 games.

As Ernesto Valverde's men have not lost at all so far in the league this season, that looks an extremely forlorn hope for Simeone's team.

In fact, Atletico will now probably turn their attention to the Europa League, having suffered a major disappointment earlier in the campaign by getting knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage.

Africa's richest woman denies corruption allegation

The daughter of Angola's former president, Isabel dos Santos, has denied allegations of corruption when she was head of the state oil firm, Sonangol.

She described as entirely legitimate a payment of nearly $40m (£29m) to a Dubai-based company after she was dismissed from Sonangol.

She said, under Angolan law, public officials must continue in their roles until a replacement was found.

Last week, the public prosecutor's office opened an investigation into the alleged graft.

Angola's new president Joao Lourenco has taken a number of steps to tackle corruption and nepotism.

Ms dos Santos was fired in November. Her brother José Eduardo dos Santos was removed as head of the country's $5bn (£3.7bn) sovereign wealth fund months later.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United: Team news, injuries, possible lineups

Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United will battle Crystal Palace on Monday night at Selhurst Park in the Premier League.

United will hope to continue their excellent form as they came from behind to defeat Chelsea 2-1 in their last match to move to second position on the league table.

The Red Devils are sixteen points behind league leaders, Man City at the top of the league table; the title race is somewhat over now. But United will surely be glad about the fact that a top four finish looks right around the corner for them.

Marouane Fellaini, Daley Blind, Zlatan Ibrahimovic join Herrera in the list of unavailable players for the Red Devils. Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones are close to returning to the squad, but the Monday clash will likely come too soon for them.

Meanwhile, since the appointment of Roy Hodgson as Crystal Palace manager, the london-based side have revived and climbed out of the drop zone, which looked impossible for them at that moment.

Despite all the hard-work, the injury crisis have let them down, and no wins in their last five league games threatens to undo all of their hard-work.

Crystal Palace are seventeenth on the league table and cling to safety on goal differential. This position is still better than the last time these teams faced each other; after seven games, the Eagles were without a point and were yet to score a goal.

Potential Crystal Palace starting XI (4-3-3):

Hennessey (GK)

Wan-Bissaka (RB), Tomkins (RCB), Kelly (LCB), Schlupp (LB)

Riedewald (RCM), Milivojevic (CDM), McArthur (LCM)

Townsend (RWF), Benteke (ST), Sorloth (LWF)

Potential Manchester United starting XI (4-3-3):

De Gea (GK)

Valencia (RB), Lindelof (RCB), Smalling (LCB), Young (LB

McTominay (RCM), Matic (CDM), Pogba (LCM)

Lingard (RWF), Lukaku (ST), Sanchez (LWF)

The kick off time for the match is 9:00pm Nigeria time.

French unions meet to plan rail strike

French railworkers' trade unions were to meet on Tuesday evening to discuss a strike that could paralyse the SNCF rail network after the government's announcement that it will put through changes to the company by executive order.

For the unions, the government has crossed two red lines - the use of ordonnances, executive orders that fast-track the plan by reducing the time of parliamentary debate, and a plan to abolish railworkers' special employment status, decried as a "privilege" by ministers and media commentators.

So the four unions with elected representatives in the company were to meet at 5.00pm on Tuesday to discuss strike action.

The strongest one, the CGT, has already called for a day of protest on 22 March but now says it is ready to launch strike action.

"To force the government to back down, a month-long strike will no doubt be necessary," its railworkers' leader, Laurent Brun, told Le Parisien newspaper.

Another usually less militant union, the CFDT, has proposed an indefinite strike to start on 14 March.

The other two organisations also indicated they were ready for a fight.

The government has promised a two-month consultation process and Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne is to hold a first meeting with unions on Thursday.

Rising debt

After commissioning a report from former Air France boss Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe unveiled the government's plans to reform the SNCF on Monday.

The company is in debt to the tune of 46.6 billion euros, with that sum rising by about three billion euros a year, and will be opened up to competition in 2019, to comply with European Union law.

In this situation, "the status quo is no longer possible", government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said on Tuesday, while accepting that "clearly there will be a strike".

Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire and Budget Minister Gérald Darmanin both suggested that the government could take over responsibility for the debt but only on condition that the company is "transformed".

EU-ordered competition

The debt is owed by the SNCF's permanent way branch, which is responsible for the track and other infrastructure and became a separate company to the branch that runs the trains in 1997.

The government claims that it does not want the SNCF to be privatised and that sorting out the debt and abolishing the special employment status is essential for the company to become competitive.

In fact, rail freight has already been opened up to competition and the SNCF has lost 40 percent of its trade to about 20 rival operators, who may be regretting their investment today since the market has drastically declined.

Regional train services will be opened up to competition in 2019, meaning that the SNCF will have to compete for contracts with private operators.

Several regional authorities have declared their intention of pressing ahead with the process as quickly as possible.

But many branch lines are highly unprofitable and the government rejected Spinetta's proposal to audit them with a view to closures after protests from MPs and local politicians.

That leaves a question mark over their future should more profitable lines be privatised.

Main lines, such as the TGV high-speed service, will cease to be a state monopoly in December 2020.

Shortage of train drivers

CGT leader Philippe Martinez on Tuesday denounced a "campaign of lies" about railworkers' employment status, accusing President Emmanuel Macron of suggesting that "those who have a little are privileged compared to those who have nothing at all".

The status, which was introduced when private companies had difficulty recruiting at the beginning of the 20th century, guarantees a job for life - except for in cases of professional misconduct - annual pay rises and early retirement.

Spinetta claims that it reduces competitivity by 30 percent.

But unions claim that the average wage at the SNCF is only about 100 euros a month higher than th

Murray could return from hip operation before grass-court season

Britain's Andy Murray is planning to return to the practice court towards the end of March and could be back in action before the grass-court season.

The 30-year-old, who had hip surgery on 8 January, has not played a competitive match since Wimbledon last year.

The early stages of his rehabilitation are going well, according to those close to the former world number one.

The grass-court season starts at the beginning of June, before Wimbledon begins on 2 July.

"I'm certainly not going to rush anything," Murray said immediately after his operation in Melbourne.

The Scot, Wimbledon champion in 2013 and 2016, has not played competitively since losing in five sets to American Sam Querrey in the SW19 quarter-finals last year.

He played exhibition fixtures against Roger Federer and Roberto Bautista Agut before pulling out of the Australian Open in January and then deciding to have surgery.

Murray is back in the gym, where he is using weights and working out on the exercise bike and a vertical climber.

Pilates - which can aid flexibility, and is considered a useful tool in injury prevention - remains an important part of his routine, as it has been since Murray experienced back problems in the run up to his 2013 surgery.

In the immediate aftermath of his operation in Melbourne, the three-time Grand Slam champion suggested he might be back on the practice court about now.

But as he stressed in January, in a conference call with a group of British journalists from his hospital bed, he does not want to set himself rigid deadlines.

"I'm not going to try to get back as quickly as I can," said Murray.

"And I'm going to take my time to make sure that the rehab is done properly, and make sure that the surgery is as successful as it can be.

"A lot of what the surgeons will tell you, a lot of it is down to your determination and your work ethic and how well you rehab, how much you listen and do all the correct things."

Some warm-weather training will be on the agenda - perhaps in early April - and if everything goes very smoothly, it remains possible Murray could be back in action before the summer.

May would seem a best-case scenario, even though Murray has referred to a typical 14-week recovery period from this type of surgery (which, in his case, would be mid-April).

"I'm not interested in coming back for a specific tournament," he said in January.

"I want to come back when I'm fit and ready to play, not to get into a situation like in Brisbane or New York, where I'm unsure when I turn up at a tournament how fit I am.

"I want to know when I come back that I'm ready."

It will be fascinating to see whether he feels ready to put his body through any part of the clay-court season. The French Open, where he reached the semi-finals last year, begins at Roland Garros on 27 May.

But if he prefers to wait for the grass, then his first opportunity would come a week later in south-west London when the Surbiton Trophy is staged on the ATP Challenger Tour.

Ex-Governors’ pensions: Emulate Saraki – SERAP tells Gov. Yari

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari to emulate Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and kick against double emoluments laws for former governors and deputies in their states.

Saraki on Wednesday hailed Kwara State House of Assembly on the passage of bill to suspend payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies when they hold a public office.

SERAP in a statement to DAILY POST by its deputy director, Timothy Adewale urged Gov. Yari to show example and abolish double emoluments laws.

The statement reads “ Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari to emulate the example of Senate President Bukola Saraki and make a clear public commitment that the Governors’ Forum and all governors will take immediate steps to abolish double emoluments laws for former governors and deputies in their states.”

“Governor Yari should show leadership by example by starting the campaign within the Governors’ Forum to abolish double emoluments laws from his own Zamfara State, which has passed laws allowing former governors to receive pension for life; two personal staff; two vehicles replaceable every four years; two drivers, free medical for the former governors and deputies and their immediate families in Nigeria or abroad; a 4-bedroom house in Zamfara and an office; free telephone and 30 days paid vacation outside Nigeria.”

“Following the positive engagement and intervention by the Senate President on the matter, it is now indefensible for the Governors’ Forum to remain indifferent to the issue of double emoluments for ex-governors and their deputies. We urge Governor Yari to speak out strongly against double pensions laws and encourage his colleagues to urgently take measures to abolish such laws in their states for the sake of millions of Nigerians who deserve good governance and sustainable development.

“By providing the necessary leadership on the matter, Governor Yari will be sending a powerful message to his colleagues that public function is meant to be exercised in the public interest. Such public commitment and action to abolish double emoluments laws would also be entirely consistent with article 19 of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.”

“Given the strong influence of senators on their states, we also urge the Senate President to now build on his public statement to state assemblies by immediately taking steps to sponsor a resolution at the Senate on the matter.”

“The abolition of such laws is a necessary first step towards delivering on the constitutional promise of equal protection and equal benefit of the law for a distressingly large number of Nigerians. Otherwise, public officials will remain seriously out of touch with a major source of poverty and discrimination in the country.”