Top Trump aide says no evidence of wiretap operation

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Kellyanne Conway / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD

Top White House aide Kellyanne Conway said Monday she had no evidence to back up Donald Trump’s claim that his predecessor had wiretapped him, after suggesting her boss may have been spied upon using other methods.

The Trump administration is under mounting pressure to provide proof to shore up the president’s unsubstantiated allegation that Barack Obama ordered the phones to be tapped at Trump Tower during the election campaign.

“The answer is I don’t have any evidence and I’m very happy that the House Intelligence Committee are investigating,” Conway told ABC television.

Trump’s top aide was being pressed to explain weekend comments that seemed to suggest the Obama administration ordered wide-scale surveillance of her boss.

“What I can say is there are many ways to surveil each other,” Conway told New Jersey’s Bergen County Record in a wide-ranging interview published Sunday.

“You can surveil someone through their phones, certainly through their television sets — any number of ways,” including “microwaves that turn into cameras,” she told the paper. “We know this is a fact of modern life.”

Conway backed away on Monday from the comments — which were greeted with ridicule on the internet — telling ABC’s “Good Morning America” she had been referring to “surveillance generally” and not to the president’s allegations regarding Trump Tower.

Trump, meanwhile, appeared to take the media to task over its skeptical treatment of Conway.

“It is amazing how rude much of the media is to my very hard working representatives,” he tweeted minutes after she wrapped up appearances on several morning talk shows. “Be nice,” he said, “you will do much better!”

Both Obama, through a spokesman, and his former director of national intelligence James Clapper have denied ordering any wiretapping operation targeted at Trump.

But Trump’s White House is standing by its demand for a congressional investigation into the allegations.

The Republican chairman and the top ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee have written to the Justice Department asking for evidence to be provided by Monday in support of Trump’s allegation.

Democrat Adam Schiff said Sunday he doubted any evidence would be forthcoming, and said he would press the demand again during a wide-ranging open hearing set for March 20 on the issue of Russian meddling in the election.

Top Republican lawmaker and frequent Trump critic John McCain on Sunday challenged Trump to prove the wiretapping claim — or else retract it.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2nwJN5M

These Educative, Entertaining And Inspirational Pictures Will Blow Your Mind – 107

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These are just pictures but they tell stories that will either Educate, Entertain or Motivate you…

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lDgAVo

Ikeja Electric announces a month power interruption (Read full details)

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Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company

The management of Ikeja Electric (IE) has announced a planned one-month interruption in power supply to some areas within its network to enable maintenance work.

Mr Felix Ofulue, the company’s Spokesman, told newsmen on Friday in Lagos that the interruption would take place from March 6 to April 4.

Ofulue said the outage was to enable the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to carry out routine work on the Ikeja West Transmission Station.

He said that Ojodu, Magodo, Alausa, Oke-Afa, Bolorunpelu, Egbe, Igando, Shasha, Ipaja, Alimosho, Agege, Egbeda and Abesan would experience power outage during the period.

According to the spokesman, other areas to be affected include Ayetoro, Abule-Taylor, Ogba, Ifako, Shomolu, Gbagada, Oworonshoki, Ogudu, Isheri-Olowora, Berger, Anthony and Otta.

“ We are appealing to consumers to bear with the company during the maintenance work.

“The maintenance will enhance improved service delivery,” he said.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2mUwCuQ

Inland waterways key to unlocking mining, agric sectors, says Dogara

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Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara PHOTO: TWITTER/DOGARA

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, has urged the Federal Government to complete the dredging of Nigeria’s inland waterways to unlock the country’s mining and agricultural potential.

A statement issued by Dogara’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, said that the speaker made the call in Lagos on Friday.

Dogara said this when he declare open a two-day retreat “The Maritime Sector and the Nigerian Economy”, organised by the House Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways and the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

According to him, the transport sector is key to the diversification and growth of the Nigeria’s economy.

Dogara commended the efforts of the Federal Government in the rehabilitation and revitalisation of the rail infrastructure as disclosed by oversight reports.

“The scheduled train operation between Abuja and Kaduna is particularly gladdening,” he added.

The Speaker opined that the Nigerian Ports and the Maritime industry have the potential to sustain the economy of the country and that the present administration was doing a lot to reposition the sector.

According to him, more efforts should be made in unlocking the huge and untapped potential in our coastal and inland waterways.

“The Nigerian Inland Waterways have potential of providing 28 out of our 36 states and the FCT with cheap, secure and affordable means of moving bulk cargo and personnel from one end of the country to another.

“Operationalizing and maximising the inland waterways transportation and associated trades is inevitable if our mining and agricultural sectors are to reach the heights we all desire as alternative revenue sources for the nation.

“The multi modal dream we all share for our transport industry requires that our waterways, airways and our beleaguered roads must develop at the same pace and complement our rail network,” Dogara said.

The speaker promised that the parliament would expedite action on all important Transport Sector Reform Bills pending before the National Assembly.

“This include the Port and Harbour, Nigerian Railways Corporation Act amendment, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders, Act Amendment and the National Transport Commission.

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

Senate queries Lai Mohammed over poor IGR from culture, entertainment (Read full details)

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Nigeria's minister of Information Lai Mohammed AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI

The Senate on Tuesday subjected Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed to intense questioning over poor revenues generated from the culture and entertainment industry.

At a budget defence session with the minister and other officials of the ministry, the Senate committee on Culture and Tourism declared that it was unfortunate that the ministry presented only N620,000 as total revenue generated in 2016.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, noted that the budget should not only be about expenditure but also about revenue profile.

He said the Senate was displeased with the paltry revenue.

Senator Urhoghide said: “Budget is not just about expenditure. No one is talking about revenue. We need revenue profile. Each time you come, only expenditure is mentioned. How can you say is N620,000.00 that was raised by your ministry from the culture sector?

“We must exhaust all the avenues to generate funds internally. We seriously frown at the low and poor IGR. We query it. You must look inward because this is not acceptable.”

Senator Urhoghide who also queried the Minister for misdirecting the appropriated funds for land acquisition said that in 2016, the Senate appropriated the sum of N60,000,000 to acquire lands in Lagos, Adamawa and Edo States states for the establishment of cultural industries.

He said the Minister, instead, used the released money to acquire lands in Lagos and Adamawa, leaving Edo State, just as he said that the initial budget was to accommodate six states but reduced to three. He added that instead of the three, the Minister went to two states.

But Mohammad on his own part attributed the problem of proper and full implementation of the budget to inadequate appropriation as well as the delay in the release of funds. He also listed the cumbersome nature of procurement process as another reason.

According to him, there was also the challenge of partial release of appropriated amount, just as he called for the placement of culture and tourism on the residual list.

He said the current structure makes it difficult for the government to regulate the sector, adding that there was also the lack of political will to develop the sector, as well as the absence of ‘convention bureau’ to attract big-time events to Nigeria as a tourism destination.

He said: “There are several challenges/constraints militating against the smooth implementation of the required programmes/projects. Some of these are inadequate appropriation; delay in the release of funds; cumbersome nature of procurement process; partial release of appropriated amount; late passage of Appropriation Act; placement of culture and tourism on the residual list, which has made it difficult to regulate the sector; lack of political will to develop the sector and absence of convention bureau to attract big-time events to Nigeria as a tourism destination.”

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2l4F5fa

Box Office Alert: Hire a Man (2017) Tops Nollywood’s Box office in 3 Days With N8 Million (Movie Cast + Plot)

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‘Hire A Man’ a romantic comedy movie, showing in cinemas across the nation and directed by Desmond Elliot, has sold over N8 million in it first three days.

The movie which opens in cinemas last Friday has been adjudged as the favourite Nollywood movie in cinemas at the moment.

Speaking about the success of the movie, the producer Chinneylove Eze says, “HIRE A MAN was inspired by the pressure that single, successful women face to get married in our immediate society. It brings a sense of reality that is rarely explored in Nollywood cinemas. I am really elated about the success of the movie. To my entire colleagues and media platform that has supported me, I really appreciate. Hire A Man is one of the most trending films at the moment, it recorded sold out tickets in majority of the cinemas it showed. I give God the glory.”

The movie unwrap a captivating tale about a character named Tishe, who has a lingering rivalry with her younger sister Teni. She is therefore pressured into hiring a man to pose as her fiance when Teni calls home to inform their parents that she would be returning home with her fiancé for their yearly family retreat. The quest to meet her family’s expectation leads to the various dramatic and comical scenes that follow the story.

It stars amazing actors such as Enyinna Nwigwe, Ik Ogbonna, Zynell Zuh, Nancy Isime, Shaffy Bello, Desmond Elliot, Daniel Llyod, Keppy Epeyoung Bassey, Bayray Mcnwizu, and many others.

A staff of a cinema who doesn’t want his name disclosed had this to say, “It is indeed a griping and engaging comic love story.

Your valentine is incomplete if you don’t see this movie.” ‘Hire A Man’ is indeed a blockbuster movie. It feels as if we have a new ‘Wedding Party’ with us. Whenever people come out of the theatre after watching the movie they come out smiling and their side comments are always positive.”

See the cinema times, showings and trailers below:

Watch trailer below…

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Tanzania Govt declares War against drug traffickers

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Tanzania on Monday declared “war” on drug trafficking, announcing the upcoming questioning of dozens of officials and others in the East African country regarded as a significant international hub for the trade.

“No stone will be left unturned in our fight,” said Rogers Sianga, the first person to head the new Drug Control and Enforcement Authority.

Sianga said he had ordered the arrest of all government officials who last year allowed the importation of 21 tons of chemicals reported as pesticides, but which could be used to make drugs.

He did not say how many officials were ordered to be arrested.

In addition, Sianga said his office had a list of 97 people including politicians, businessmen, musicians and religious leaders who would be questioned in connection with drug-related offences.

The office was also preparing a list of judges who had not handled drug cases adequately to prepare for their eventual impeachment, the anti-drug boss said.

According to the U,S, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Tanzania is a significant transit country for illicit drugs, most notably heroin originating in Afghanistan and cocaine from South America, with a growing domestic user population.

Over the past two weeks, police impounded 544 sachets of heroin and cocaine as well six sacks of cannabis, police said.

Charges were also filed against 117 people.

The post Tanzania Govt declares War against drug traffickers appeared first on Vanguard News.

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Make a choice: Where do you belong in Nigeria?

Dangote Rice ready before December

Kidnapped Isheri North estate secretary regains freedom

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By Evelyn Usman The secretary, Isheri North Estate, Government Reserved Area , Lagos, Dayo Adekoya, who was abducted last Thursday by gunmen suspected to be militants, has been freed. He was released at the early hours of Monday. Although it could not be ascertained if any ransom was paid but Vanguard gathered that he was dropped closed to the canal by his estate at about 3am. More details later…

The post Kidnapped Isheri North estate secretary regains freedom appeared first on Vanguard News.

Vía Vanguard News http://ift.tt/2lIkcGQ

I’m unaware of plan by Ibori to join APC, says Gov Okowa

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By Emma Amaize, Festus Ahon, Perez Brisibe Ochuko Akuopha and Paul Olayemi

ASABA– GOVERNOR of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, said he was unacquainted with any arrangement by a former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, who returned to the country after his jail term in the United Kingdom, last Saturday, to abandon the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Okowa, who spoke in response to a question by a journalist at a quarterly media chat in Asaba, said Ibori was not talking about politics at the moment, but more interested on how to manage his family.

“I am not aware of that, I do not even believe that the man is here talking about the issue of political parties. I believe that the first thing in his mind is his family and to bond with his family,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of the state, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, former PDP governorship aspirant, Mr. Tony Obuh, visited Chief Ibori at his country home in Oghara, Ethiope West local government area, yesterday.

Otuaro arrived Ibori’s residence at exactly 2:57 p.m in a convoy of 10 cars, while Obuh came afterward. Other visitors were the chairman, governing board, Delta State School of Health Technology, Mr. Nelson Ejakpovi, prominent politician, Chief Solomon.Ighrakpata, management and staff of the Delta State University, DELSUTH, Oghara and Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe, Oghara.

Chatting with newsmen, Chief Ighrakpata said Chief James Onanefe Ibori would provide political direction to the Urhobo people, adding: “Wherever he goes, the Urhobo will follow him.”

However, it appeared, yesterday, that Ibori’s media handlers have become weary of reporters hanging about Ibori’s country home, as they ordered them to disappear from the environment completely.

Some of the tenacious reporters walked a safe distance from the gate and sat under a tree after their eviction, still keeping tab on the goings on at the newfound political Mecca of the state.

The former governor will hold a thanksgiving service on Sunday.

The post I’m unaware of plan by Ibori to join APC, says Gov Okowa appeared first on Vanguard News.

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2020 Olympics: Federation calls for early preparation

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Yahaya Mohammed, Vice-President, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, has called on the Federal Government to release funds early, to ensure adequate preparation of athletes ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Mohammed stated this in Abuja that the country’s poor performance in previous Olympics was due to poor preparations.

He said that government’s prompt release of funds would go a long way in helping the federations to prepare adequately for the Tokyo Games.

“One major problem we have in Nigeria is lack or late release of funds, which leads to late preparation. This is a major problem that cuts across all the federations.

“In Nigeria, we don’t prepare on time for any competition. We are supposed to make all our selections two or three years ahead of the competition.

“But in Nigeria, what we have most time is the “fire brigade approach’’ which is not good. We are supposed to make preparations on time.

“We should put our athletes in camp a year or two before the Olympics year.

“What we have in Nigeria is that it is in the Olympics year or even in the same month that we will go to camp.

“We are calling on the Federal Government and private organisations to look into Nigeria’s sports,’’ he said.

Mohammed appealed to the government to make good its promise of giving federations their budget to manage

“In 2016, the National Assembly called on all federations to come and defend their budget, but the money was given to the ministry to appropriate.

“But this year, the government has promised that the money will be given to the federations to appropriate.

“We have submitted our programmes for 2017 to the National Assembly, and we hope we will be given our money directly,’’ Mohammed said.

The post 2020 Olympics: Federation calls for early preparation appeared first on Vanguard News.

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We confirm receiving Buhari’s letter to extend vacation-senate