BBNaija: Bassey becomes Head of House

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Abuja – Bassey became head of of the Big Brother Nigeria house Monday morning after winning the task in the ongoing Big Brother Nigeria competition.

He won by picking the blue stone.

The task involved housemates picking a stone each and the person who picked a blue stone would be deemed to have won the task. It was an entire game of chance and Bassey eventually picked the blue stone.

Former head of house for two times in a row, ThinTallTony lost after he, like other housemates drew white stone. This win gave Bassey the power to save and replace any housemate after today’s nominations.

It was Bassey who suggested that the housemates sing a birthday song for TBoss as a surprise on her birthday.

Bassey has continued to show himself as an entertainer with his recent role as the Master of Ceremony (MC) for the wedding between Efe and Marvis last week.

He did the job excellently, gaining more fans.

Meanwhile, the eight contestants await nominations as the struggle for N25Million and a Kia Sorento car gets tougher, with the show finale drawing closer.

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254 pregnant women, nursing mothers escape NYSC paramilitary training

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By Daud Olatunji, Abeokuta
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State says no fewer than 254 pregnant women , nursing mothers and others with critical health conditions have been excused from three weeks paramilitary training .

The state coordinator of the NYSC, Gladys Mbachi, stated that the corps also registered 2,513 which she said comprised 1,122 males and 1,391 females.

Mbachi spoke during the swearing-in of the 2016 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Sagamu.

While explaining the essence of the three weeks orientation programme organised for the corps members, the NYSC boss said they would acquire the right frame of mind that would enable them face the challenges of national service and the future.

She said: “We have registered a total of 2,513 comprising 1,122 males and 1,391 females. However, over 254 pregnant women,  nursing mothers and others with critical health conditions among them have been excused from stenosis aspects of the programme and, consequently, given a permission  to  leave the camp”.

Meanwhile, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has pledged to make the corps members stay in camp worthwhile.

Amosun, represented by the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Moruf Afuape ,urged the corps members to avail themselves the opportunity abound the state.

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Seized helicopters belong to Rivers Govt – Wike

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Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has stated that the two seized helicopters by the Nigerian Customs Service belong to the Rivers state government and that he officially wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari asking him to hand over the two armoured helicopters  to Nigeria Air Force (NAF).

The governor’s claim contradicts the claim of NCS that the owner of the aircraft was not known.

Wike, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Simeon Nwakaudu, in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said he wrote the president because of high custom duties and refusal of the Federal Government to grant waiver on the helicopters.

He said, “these helicopters were imported by the immediate past administration; and when I assumed office, we wrote to the Federal Government that the helicopters were strictly for security use.

“I went to the Federal Government to give me waiver for us to clear the helicopters but they refused.

“Thereafter, I wrote to President Buhari to assure him that the helicopters are meant for security purpose and that it should be handed over to the Nigeria Air Force.

“We stated that we cannot pay the custom duties because the helicopters are not for commercial use; but to monitor the creeks and track criminals.

“In any case, where will the Rivers Government get money at this time to import armoured helicopters to which the previous administration imported because it had money (at the time).

“I’m surprised that they have started propaganda and political falsehood on the said armoured helicopters.

“What am I going to use armoured helicopters for; what kind of country are they turning Nigeria into?” he asked.

Wike said it was unfortunate that some security agencies would allegedly resort to political propaganda and outright lies when facts of the seized armoured helicopters were known.

He said it was shocking that NCS would turn around to claim that it impounded the helicopters rather than telling the truth.

Wike claimed that the chief of staff to the president commended the Rivers government when the letter was delivered to the president.

On Friday, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of NCS handed over two civil model Bell helicopters imported into the country by unknown persons to the NAF.

The Service said the aircraft were seized on Nov. 7 2016.

It explained that the aircraft were handed over to NAF because of the failure of the yet-to-be-identified importers to produce end user certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser.

The Customs said the action contravened the Customs and Excise Management Act.

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5 ways power shortage is affecting Nigerian businesses

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The World Bank data on ease of doing business released this year ranked Nigeria 169 out of 190 countries. Ten sub-indices were used for this ranking such as starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency.

One sub-indices that many Nigerians can relate with is electricity. Although all Nigerians are feeling the effects, businesses are feeling it more. Jumia Travel identifies 5 ways power shortage is affecting Nigerian businesses.

Huge amounts are budgeted for diesel and generator

There is no way any business can run smoothly without having a generator notwithstanding if it is a startup or an established business. The budget for generators, diesel as well as servicing these generators is humongous. These monies, if there is no power interruption, can be deployed to other aspects of the businesses.

Startups are likely to fail

Many young Nigerians have ventured into the uncertain world of entrepreneurship despite the recession. They have satisfied all the constitutional requirements for setting up a business but they have to still a factor in how to provide electricity. Over time, you will observe that some of these great startups are likely to fail due to power shortage. They can only do as much.

Businesses cannot employ

If electricity can be tackled in Nigeria, the monies companies spend on providing power can be used to employ more Nigerians. This is a part reason why some companies prefer to use contract staff.

 No room for growth or expansion

Growth and expansion are essential to any business. The more businesses spend on electricity, the more they cut back on growth. Combining power shortage with the economic recession, some companies have no choice than to lay off some of their workers.

Businesses are moving out

Nigeria is the biggest market in Africa. At the same time, it has the biggest challenges. Some of them have decided to continue running their businesses in the country, others have made the decision to move their operations to other countries while maintaining a little presence in the Nigeria.

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Count Okowa out of planned protest against Uduaghan -Onuesoke

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has advised those linking Governor Ifeanyi Okowa  to the planned protest against former Governor Emmanuel Udughan to count the governor out of the action.

Onuesoke, who spoke at Osubi Airport on his way from the PDP extended meeting in Abuja, described the allegation against the governor as a figment of imagination of mischief makers out  to tarnish the name of Okowa.

He wondered what the governor will gain sponsoring Facebook organisers of the protest against Uduaghan, disclosing that Okowa is a pan- Delta governor who had been closing the bridge among  the ethnic groups in the state and  managing the scarce resources available to the state since he assumed office for the benefit of the people.

The PDP strong man accused those dragging Okowa’s name  into the planned protest   as enemies of the state who want to create disunity between different ethnic groups in the state. He said the governor’s driving force of unity are  equity, justice, peace and security as partners.

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Masaba, controversial Islamic preacher, dies in Bida

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