NLNG to resume gas supply after pipeline explosion

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Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Ltd. says it is rectifying the pipelines which exploded on Feb. 22 in Rivers, to ensure resumption of industrial gas supply within the week.

The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Ltd. says it is rectifying the pipelines which exploded on Feb. 22 in Rivers, to ensure resumption of industrial gas supply within the week.

Mr Tony Attah, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview on Monday in Lagos, that engineers had been mobilized to restore supply quickly.

According to Attah, the gas transmission pipelines do not belong to the company but have same right of way with NLNG pipelines. “The pipeline that exploded belongs to a third party, which house our own pipeline too.

“Our engineers are working with the other engineers to see that we restore the pipeline back. “The pipelines will be restored this week and gas transmission will commence immediately,” he said.

He, however, said that the explosion did not affect the domestic supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), which is cooking gas, for local consumption.

According to him, the company is committed to providing up to 250,000 tonnes of LPG, about 40 per cent of local consumption, to the Nigerian market annually.

NAN recalls that on Feb. 22, the Right of Way housing two gas transmission system pipelines, one of which belongs to NLNG Ltd., exploded in Rivers.

The General Manager, External Relations Division of NLNG, Kudo Eresia-Eke, said in a statement on Feb. 23 that the explosion occurred in Rumuji area of the state, but no life was lost.

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Telecoms operators seek direct foreign exchange allocation

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Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators (ALTON)

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has called for direct Foreign Exchange (FX) allocation for the telecommunications sector.

ALTON Chairman, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, said in a statement in Lagos on Saturday that the sector deserved to be supported with such allocation from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Adebayo said that operators faced challenges while trying to purchase FX from Interbank Market to fulfill obligations to Equipment Suppliers and Foreign Vendors.

According to him, this situation is adversely impacting on ALTON members’ network operations and urgent assistance is needed from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

He said that the prevailing scarcity had made the operators not able to obtain FX for an upward period of six months, despite the submission of pre-requisite documentation for such transactions.

Adebayo decried the exemption of the telecommunications industry from the CBN’s intervention window.

”In November 2014, the CBN excluded telecommunications equipment from the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS), where the exchange rate was N155 per dollar.

”ALTON members were mandated to purchase FX from Inter-bank at the rate of N199 per dollar.

”The CBN subsequently introduced a floating FX regime at the inter-bank market and cleared three months backlogs at N280 per dollar, and this technically moved the exchange rate from N199 to N280 levels.

”CBN then issued another circular mandating banks, effective Aug. 22, 2016, to sell 60 per cent of all FX availability, irrespective of source of inflows, to the manufacturing sector and the balance (40 per cent ) to other sectors.

”This directive tactically closed FX inflows even from ALTON’s members, thereby exacerbating the impact of the liquid FX market on our members operations and the industry at large,” he said.

Adebayo said that on Oct.14,2016, CBN further requested banks to submit all outstanding FX requests for the manufacturing, agriculture and airlines sectors, to enable it sell two months forwards.

He said that the equipment imported by the telecommunications industries, either via Letters of Credit or Certificate of Capital Importation (based on deferred payment terms), were excluded from the intervention.

”Telecommunications service providers are similar to manufacturing firms and deserve to be treated in the same manner.

”The core network equipment and other auxiliary equipment procured for providing voice and data services are equivalent to plant and machinery acquired by the manufacturing firms,” he said.

He said that the telecommunications sector was termed ”infrastructure of infrastructures” and the ”Social Overhead Capital”, which propelled productivity in other sectors of the economy.

According to him, the multiplier effects of efficient and reliable telecommunications services on other spheres of the economy cannot be overemphasized.

”In the light of the foregoing, ALTON respectfully requests the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to fast-track the ongoing engagement with the CBN.

”NCC should include telecommunications equipment, both visible and invisible ones, among the list of items to be allocated from the 60 per cent FX availability by the banks, regardless of source of inflows.

”This is to ensure the continued provision of world class telecommunications services to the consumers,” Adebayo said.

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Boko Haram: UN Security Council arrives Maiduguri, visits Osinbajo Monday (Read full details)

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The Security Council Visiting Mission to the Lake Chad Basin Region will arrive Nigeria on Sunday with a visit to Maiduguri, Borno and proceed to Abuja to meet with the acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday.

The Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York, reports that the delegation will meet Northeast stakeholders in Maiduguri on Sunday before proceeding to Abuja where members will meet with Osinbajo and other stakeholders on Monday.

Matt Moody, Spokesperson and Head of Communications, UK Mission to the UN, said: “on Day 5 of the UK Presidency, the Security Council will transfer to Maiduguri, Nigeria, where they will meet local officials and civil society organisations before visiting an IDP camp. In the evening, the Council will transfer to Abuja

“On Day 6 of the UK Presidency (Monday), the Security Council will meet Civil Society Organisations, Women’s Groups, and leaders of the Nigerian Government in Abuja.”

NAN reports that the visit is part of the UN Security Council’s mission under the UK Presidency, to the areas devastated by Boko Haram terrorists in the countries of the Lake Chad Basin – Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

The mission to Nigeria is aimed at enabling the UN body to get first-hand information on the various issues affecting the country. This will be the first time the UN Security Council is visiting Nigeria.

With the ongoing crisis in the North East and other challenges faced by the country, the delegation will use the mission to engage with Federal and State authorities.

The Council will also engage actors on the ground supporting national response efforts and visit selected affected populations. The delegation will have engagement with journalists in Maiduguri at 5 p.m. on Sunday and Abuja at 7 p.m. on Monday.

The delegation, led by Amb. Matthew Rycroft, UK Permanent Representative to the UN and the Security Council’s President for the month of March, had earlier visited Cameroon, Chad and will leave to Niger on Saturday night.

“First of all, we came here in order to shine a spotlight on the situation in the Lake Chad Basin.

“We came to hear the individual stories of people involved, whether they are refugees or displaced people or other victims of Boko Haram. “We stand with the government and the people of Cameroon, and the wider region, in tackling the scourge of terrorism.

“And in encouraging them to look broadly and deeply at the root causes of the set of crises going on here. “Whether humanitarian, to do with development, to do with education, agriculture and so on,” Rycroft said on Friday in Cameroon.

NAN reports that the UN says no fewer than 4.8 million people are now in urgent need of food assistance and 5.1 million are predicted to be food insecure if not supported by the humanitarian community in 2017.

The UN said that an estimated 300,000 children in Borno alone will suffer from severe acute malnutrition over the next 12 months and up to 450,000 in total across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, if adequate assistance is not received.

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Akeredolu bans logging activities in Ondo

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Deforestation

Ondo State Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has banned logging activities in forest reserves across the 18 local government areas of the state.

In a statement signed by Mr Toyin Akinkuotu, the state Head of Service, on Friday in Akure, Akeredolu said that the ban had immediate effect.

The governor also dissolved every taskforce on forestry and related matters.

He directed law enforcement agencies and forestry officials to ensure strict compliance with the directives.

‘‘This development is coming on the heels of reported illegal exploration activities going on in forest reserves across the state.

‘‘The illegal activities have resulted in loss of huge revenues by the state government,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akeredolu of the APC was sworn-in on Feb. 24, following his election on Nov. 26, 2016.

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“Lagos @ 50’’ celebrations: Everyone is welcome on board, says LASG

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Lagos – The Lagos State Government (LASG) had said that it was ready to accommodate and involve individuals and corporate organizations willing to contribute to the success of `Lagos @ 50’ celebrations scheduled to start on May 27.

The acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, said on Tuesday after the end of Lagos Theatre Festival’s opening symposium at the National Theatre in Lagos.

She said that the celebrations would also involve those living in the Diaspora.

“First and foremost, we will be celebrating the creation of Lagos State some 50 years back, the achievements so far recorded by the state and its cultural heritage.

“Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State has set up a planning committee to come up with a programme of activities and everyone will definitely be carried along,” she said.

Lagos State was created out of the old Western Region on May 27, 1967 to become one of the 12 states in Nigeria by the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon.

Also the state would be 50 years by May 27, 2017.

Sequel to this, Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State had to inaugurate a planning committee for the ‘Lagos @ 50’ on Feb.10, 2016 and he named the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Soyinka, as its chairman.

Other members of the committee are: Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Chief Olawale Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mr. Abimbola Obafunwa, Prof. (Mrs) Senapon Bakare, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Mr. Folarin Coker, Prof. Ademola Abass, Bolanle Austen Peter and Mrs Olufunmilayo Balogun as secretary

The commissioner also said that the activities would start on May 27, 2017 in the five divisions that originally made up of Lagos State Viz: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe .

She added that `Lagos at 50’ would be the celebration of the cultural values, showcasing the cultural strength and the diverse languages of the divisions.

She said that the state had extended invitations to corporate organizations and individuals that included artists to come on board with suggestions and inputs on how we would have a successful celebration.

Akinsola also said that the programme for the celebration would be unveiled in due course for the public including the roles that the artists would be expected to perform.

“Everyone will be involved, Lagosians and non- Lagosians, to celebrate the greatness and achievements of our great city.

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Man, 52, rapes daughter, threatened to kill her

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Lagos – A 52-year-old man, Chukwuma Eze, was on Wednesday charged before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly raping his daughter.

The accused, a driver, who resides at No. 2, Agbeke Close, Iyana -Era, Badagry-Express way, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a charge of rape.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny, told the court that the offence was committed in June 2016 at the accused’s residence.

“The accused raped his 17-year-old daughter and threatened to kill her if she tells anyone.

“The victim’s mother was separated from her father and because of this, she stays with her mother and goes to her father for holidays.

“When the victim got to her mother’s house, she told her what happened,’’ he said.

Donny said that the accused was later apprehended by the police.

The offence contravened Section 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, entered a “not guilty’’ plea.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Davies Abegunde, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Abegunde adjourned the case to March 22, for advice from the Office of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

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Court awards N530,000 against MTN for unauthorised deduction

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Ibadan – The Federal High Court in Ibadan on Wednesday awarded N530,000 to Oluwole Aluko for unathorised deduction from his mobile lines by MTN, Nigeria.

In his judgment , Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel, held that MTN had admitted guilt by not challenging the action.

“The plaintiff has the right to allow or reject the use of a caller tune. MTN cannot force the use of any caller tune on him or anybody because it is unlawful.

“Though the plaintiff sought N10 million as damages, but I hold that any damage suffered must be commensurate with the claim.

“I, hereby, award a cost of N500,000 for the damages suffered and another N30,000 as cost incurred during the court process,” he said.

The plaintiff, who is also the counsel in the case, had in 2016 instituted a N10 million suit against MTN.

He claimed that the communication company unlawfully made series of deductions from three of his MTN lines for caller tunes he did not subscribe to.

However, Mr Fatiullah Tiamiyu, the defence counsel, denied that MTN was not served any court process.
“That is the reason the company has not been represented in any previous sitting,” he said.

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Dubai airport records 8m passengers in one month

Two hurt in police gun accident at Hollande event

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A policeman providing security for Francois Hollande accidentally fired his gun as the French president was giving a speech on Tuesday, injuring two people in the VIP area of the crowd, an official said.

Hollande was inaugurating part of a high-speed rail line in the southwest of the country when the mishap occurred.

“It was an accidental shot by a police officer which injured two waiters, or at least one waiter and an (event) employee. The injuries aren’t life threatening,” local government chief Pierre N’Gahane said.

“The bullet grazed one person’s calf and then lodged in another person’s leg,” he said, adding that the victims were in a VIP area next to where Hollande was speaking.

The officer, who was helping to provide security for the president, was standing on an elevated point, N’Gahane said.

He made a “mistake in handling while changing positions”, an informed source told AFP.

Video from the incident shows Hollande halting his speech after a bullet shot is heard in the background, with the president saying, “I hope there’s nothing serious” and holding his hands up to the crowd.

But a few seconds later he says “I don’t think so” and resumes talking about the railway project.

The victims were treated at the scene in a separate area from where the French president was speaking, before being taken away by firemen, who confirmed the injuries were minor.

N’Gahane told reporters that neither victim was in danger and that an investigation had been opened.

Hollande spoke briefly to the two injured guests before departing, N’Gahane said.

This is not the first mishap to occur during one of Hollande’s speeches.

While he was running for the presidency a woman threw flour over him as he wrapped up a speech on housing problems, in protest over housing laws not being applied.

A shoe was thrown at him at another event on the campaign trail.

He said such events were “occupational hazards” but his security detail was boosted from two to 14 bodyguards after the flour attack.

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Lagos ready to take over Surulere National Stadium – Ambode

Court strikes out six charges against Nnamdi Kanu, others

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Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu (second right) arriving at the Federal High Court for his trial in Abuja. PHOTO: LUCY LADIDI ELUKPO

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday struck out six out of the 11 charges preferred against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and three others.

The other defendants are:David Nwawuisi, Benjamin Madubugwu and Chidiebere Onwudiwe, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively.

Nyako held that the six charges were not supported by proof of evidence by the prosecution, but sustained the other five charges.

She said there was no evidence before the court to prove that IPOB, which was allegedly managed by the defendants was an unlawful society. The judge sustained charges of count 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8, which all the defendants entered a fresh plea of not guilty.

The sustained charges bordered on conspiracy, treasonable felony, publication of defamatory matter and Kanu’s alleged importation of goods contrary to Section 47(2)(a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

In count three of the remaining charges, the Federal Government alleged that Kanu had in a broadcast he made in London on April 28, 2015, through Radio Biafra, disparaged President Muhammadu Buhari.m He referred to Buhari as a “Pedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil.”

The judge adjourned the matter till March 20 and 21 to commence trial of the defendants.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), recalls that on the last adjourned date, counsel to Kanu, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, filed an application, seeking to quash the charges against the four defendants.

He also informed the court of another application challenging the competence of the charges against the defendants.

Ejiofor said that the proof of evidence did not support the charges against Kanu to warrant his continual detention.

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Anti-doping: our system is faulty – Putin admits

Court sentences 2 brothers to death by hanging for armed robbery

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Abeokuta – An Abeokuta High Court on Wednesday sentenced two brothers, John Kuku, 45, Fabu Kuku, 33, to death by hanging for armed robbery.

The accused persons who live at Opic Estate at Agbara in Lagos, were found guilty of a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.

In her judgment, Justice Olatokunbo Majekodumi said the convicts were found guilty of the offences.

“Having found that the accused persons are guilty as charged on both counts, you shall be hung by the neck until you are dead, may the Lord have mercy on you,” Majekodunmi said.

The judge said that the offences committed contravened Section 6(b) and was punishable under Section1(2)( a) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap Rll Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The convicts, who had been standing trial since June 2012, had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The duo were arrested and charged for robbing one Mr Kojo Debue of N300,000.

Majekodunmi said the convicts and others at large committed the offence at about 12.00 am at Asaidu village, Ajebo via Obafemi-Owode Area in Ogun.

Majekodunmi said the two convicts who are from Cotonou, Republic of Benin, and others robbed the complainant and his family in their house.

She said the duo and one other came into the house of Debue at midnight and asked them to open the door, the complainant’s younger brother Sunday who was living with them opened the door.

Majekodunmi said one of them pointed a gun at the complainant while the others carried the box inside which the complainant kept his money.

“During the trial process, the second accused confessed that it was Sunday, the younger brother to the complainant that accosted them.

” He, then, told them his elder brother was a treasurer of a local contribution group and has up to N1 million at home which they would go and rob.

“He said after the robbery operation they all flee into the bush, when the complainant shouted for help, the vigilante group in the village rushed inside the bush and searched for them.

“During the searching process in the bush, the vigilante group shot one of the robbers, Kasim Olajide on his leg, which later led to his death.

“They also arrested the other two robbers and handed them over to the police at Ajebo while Sunday was nowhere to be found.

“All effort made to arrest Sunday, the mastermind of the alleged robbery proved abortive,” she said.

The prosecution counsel, Mr O. K. Adeniyi said that all the proof tendered convinced the court beyond reasonable doubt that the convicts committed the offences.

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Father allegedly rapes daughter, threatens to kill her if she tells anyone

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A 52-year-old man, Chukwuma Eze, was on Wednesday charged before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly raping his daughter.

The accused, a driver, who resides at No. 2, Agbeke Close, Iyana -Era, Badagry-Express way, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a charge of rape.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny, told the court that the offence was committed in June 2016 at the accused’s residence.

“The accused raped his 17-year-old daughter and threatened to kill her if she tells anyone.

“The victim’s mother was separated from her father and because of this, she stays with her mother and goes to her father for holidays.

“When the victim got to her mother’s house, she told her what happened,’’ he said.

Donny said that the accused was later apprehended by the police.

The offence contravened Section 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, entered a “not guilty’’ plea.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Davies Abegunde, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Abegunde adjourned the case to March 22, for advice from the Office of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

 

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Young Nigeria Players, others warned to avoid two Maltese clubs

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Footballers have been advised against joining two clubs in Malta’s 12-team Premier League after evidence emerged of poor treatment of foreign players, including youngsters from Nigeria and the United States.

FIFPro, the World Footballers’ Association, said in a statement that players who recently signed contracts with Mosta FC and Pembroke Athleta were “housed in cramped conditions, and were ignored or even threatened when they complained about not getting paid on time”.

FIFPro said dozens of young players from outside the European Union had signed contracts with clubs in Malta, where they can field seven foreign players per match, with a view to launching a career in Europe and because it is relatively easy to secure a working visa.

“However, most players on the Mediterranean island earn less than $2,000 per month and, according to the recently-released 2016 FIFPro Global Employment Report, 79% are not paid on time. Almost half (49%) are not satisfied with medical support,” FIFPro said.

The body quoted an American teenager at Pembroke who claimed his complaints about not receiving his salary of 700 euros per month on time were ignored.

FIFPro said it had also spoken to several Nigerians who said they were among 15 foreign players squeezed into a four-bedroom house after signing to play for Mosta. Some complained of the cold because the home had no central heating.

“They can bring African players at any time, they just get rid of the old ones,” one of the Nigerians said. “Nigerian players are better off in Africa.”

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Champions League progress near impossible, says Neymar

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Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar. / AFP PHOTO / PAU BARRENA

Barcelona’s Brazil star Neymar says it will be a virtual ‘mission impossible’ for the Spanish giants to progress in the Champions League after their 4-0 first leg demolition by Paris Saint-Germain.

No team has ever come back from a 4-0 first leg deficit to remain in the Champions League and Barcelona are under no illusions about the mountain they will have to climb for the second leg of the last 16 clash at Camp Nou on March 8.

“Now we have to think about the return match and see what we can try to do to reverse this situation,” the Brazilian star told journalists.

“But it will be very difficult, practically impossible. However, we can’t give up.”

Barca were totally dominated during the game in which Angel di Maria scored twice alongside further goals from Julian Draxler and Edison Cavani in a match Barca coach Luis Enrique dubbed a disaster for the Spaniards.

Neymar poured praise on PSG and said that being hammered was unfamiliar to Barcelona’s galaxy of international stars.

“All credit to PSG,” he said. “This match was atypical, we are not in the habit of finding ourselves in this sort of situation.

“It will be very difficult to prepare for the return match, with a four-goal deficit. I don’t think this has ever happened to me.”

He said that Barcelona had not prepared well for the game but were still surprised by the punishment they had received.

“We were not good, we did not do our work as we should have done and we were surprised by this result,” he said.

The joint heaviest defeat in coach Enrique’s three seasons in charge means Barcelona face missing out on the quarter-finals for the first time since losing on away goals to Liverpool in the last 16 in 2006/07.

“It was a disastrous night for us in which we were clearly inferior,” Enrique acknowledged.

Neymar, Lionel Messi and teammates took part in a closed-door training session at Camp Nou earlier on Wednesday to wind down after the PSG defeat. A glum looking trio of Messi, Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique were pictured on the club website taking part in the session.

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Senators launch query on Trump’s smartphone security…Read full details

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US President Donald Trump PHOTO: AFP/NICHOLAS KAMM

Two US senators have requested details on President Donald Trump’s smartphone security, saying he could jeopardize national secrets if he is still using his old handset, as some reports say.

“Did Trump receive a secured, encrypted smartphone for his personal use on or before Jan. 20? If so, is he using it?,” said a tweet Tuesday by Senator Tom Carper, who along with fellow Democrat Claire McCaskill released a letter to the administration requesting information on the president’s device.

“Trump should be well aware by now of the appropriate and necessary protocol to safeguard our nation’s secrets.”

The letter from the two lawmakers, dated February 9, was sent to Defense Secretary James Mattis along with Homeland Security chief John Kelly and the National Security Agency director Michael Rogers. The senators released the letter late Monday.

The lawmakers said they were concerned by reports that Trump was still using an Android device that may be several years old for his frequent personal Twitter messages.

“While it is important for the president to have the ability to communicate electronically, it is equally important that he does so in a manner that is secure and that ensures the preservation of presidential records,” the letter said.

“The national security risks of compromising a smartphone used by a senior government official, such as the president of the United States, are considerable.”

The New York Times reported last month that while Trump had received a new, secure device after his inauguration, he still relied on his older device despite protests from aides.

That report prompted a flurry of comments from security experts who argued that the president would be inviting danger by using his old personal phone.

Trump’s smartphone “would probably be the most widely prized device on the internet for hackers — and top of the target list for intelligence agencies around the world,” said independent security researcher Graham Cluley in a blog post Tuesday.

Last month, Nicholas Weaver of the International Computer Science Institute in Berkeley, California, warned that “Trump’s continued use of a dangerously insecure, out-of-date Android device should cause real panic.”

Writing on the Lawfare blog, Weaver noted that hackers could gain access to the phone’s location as well as its microphone and camera and that “the working assumption should be that Trump’s phone is compromised by at least one — probably multiple — hostile foreign intelligence services and is actively being exploited.”

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At least eight soldiers killed in Boko Haram ambush

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At least eight Nigerian soldiers have been killed in a Boko Haram ambush in the Northeast.

Details to come

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FG to commence another phase of intervention projects in 12 new universities-Minister

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Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, on Friday said that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) would commence another phase of intervention projects this year in the newly established 12 Federal universities.

The minsiter stated this at the inauguration of some buildings lined up as part of activities marking the second convocation ceremony of Federal University Dutse, Jigawa.

Adamu was represented by Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, Prof. Adamu Rasheed.

He explained that the planned intervention projects by TETFUND would fast-track rapid development of the new institutions,adding that henceforth, the new universities would be benefiting from needs assessment projects

He said that there would be nation-wide retreat next week on the allocation of needs assessment projects by universities.

According to the minister, the treat will be held in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

He also disclosed that the National Assembly was equally making efforts to assist the 12 universities in making provision to ensure their rapid development.

The Minister commended pioneer Vice Chancellor of Federal University Dutse, Prof. Jibrila Amin, for laying a good foundation for the institution.

He said that from his assessment, FUD is one of the best among its contemporaries in terms of infrastructural development.

In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Fatima Mukhtar, appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in the construction of access roads and drainage in the school.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the projects inaugurated by the Minister include two hostels, two faculties, Library, Senate Building and Social Economic Research Centre.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kX42vH