Samsung, Apple , Tecno top list of mobile brands with highest SOV in Q2 of 2016

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Latest report released by Teksight edge Limited showing online mentions of mobile phone brands released for May and August 2016 has revealed that Samsung, Apple and Tecno topped the list of mobile brands with the highest Share Of Voice, SOV, in the second quarter of 2016 while Nokia, Injoo and Microsoft appear to be struggling to make a mark in the market.

Unsurprisingly, the latter case seems to be prevailing because it is expected that a mobile phone consumer who has used more than two mobile phones in his lifetime is likely to have used devices from at least two different mobile phone manufacturers.

Accordingly, the report effectively captured the SoVs of 18 different mobile brands operating across different markets of the world.
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From the report, Samsung generated the highest conversations month-on-month over the competition. The mobile giant’s impressive online engagement figures may be attributed to the launch of its Samsung Galaxy A and Galaxy J Series at different intervals across different markets of the world in Q2 2016 bolstered also by the release of its flagship Samsung S7 March the same year (visit Teksight Edge’s official blog to access free version of the full report).

Tecno, according to the report launched Tecno Boom J8 and Camon C9 within this same interval in the local market.
However, on the global scene, Samsung and Apple enjoyed much stronger aspirational value.

Interestingly, while the top mobile brands narrowly edged out Africa’s No. 1 mobile brand Tecno, in the share of voice (SOV), the chart revealed the Chinese mobile phone maker rising profile and clever positioning on the international scene.

The online media analysis conducted by Teksight Eedge for this report covered major mobile markets in Africa and the world including Nigeria, Kenya, China, Europe, America, South Africa, Russia, France, Germany, Japan and Korea.

Consequently, a look at a chart showing media impression of some mobile brands in Nigeria revealed Tecno as commanding 40% of market’s SoV; surpassing Samsung which is second on the chart.

Meanwhile, Tecno, according to the report is estimated to have about 25.3% mobile phone market share across six of Africa’s biggest mobile phone markets that are, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Egypt, Ethiopia and Cameroon.

The Launch of Tecno’s Phantom 6 & 6 plus as well as Apple’s iPhone 7 & 7 plus in September 2016 however significantly changed SOV results in the 4th quarter. For Tecno, the international launch of its flagship Phantom 6 & Phantom 6 Plus at Burj Khalifa Dubai increased the brand’s global competitiveness and value.

For obvious reasons, the mobile phone market is a survival of the fittest so brands will either have to continually innovate or gradually fade.

Which mobile brand will boast of having the highest engagement figures at the end of fourth quarter 2016? Well, we might just have to wait and see.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2k2bYIm

Court remands herdsman in Ekiti State

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A judge's gavel rests on top of a desk inside a courtroom. (AFP/Joe Raedle)<br />

• Delta police boss warns against jungle justice

An Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded a herdsman, Abubakar Usman, for illegal grazing and destruction of a cassava farmland.Police prosecutor, Bankole Olasunkanmi, told the court that Abubakar (30) and others at large, committed the offence sometimes in December at Iyemero Farm Settlement camp ‎in Iyemero-Ekiti in Ikole Local Council of the state.

Olasunkanmi said the accused unlawfully allowed his cattle to graze on the 70 hectares cassava farmland property of Bunmi Akingba, valued at N25 million. He said the offence contravened Section 2 (i) and punishable under Section 7 of Prohibition of Cattle ‎and other Ruminants Grazing, Ekiti State Law 2016.

The prosecutor also said that the accused and others at large, had in their possession offensive weapons contrary to Section 4(1) of the Prohibition of Cattle and other Ruminants Grazing of Ekiti and Punishable under Section 11 of Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism (Prohibition) Law 2015.

Olasunkanmi told the court that he had forwarded the case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. No plea was taken.

Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo remanded the accused in prison till the outcome from DPP office. He adjourned the case till March 3 for mention.Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, has warned the people against embarking on jungle justice, especially taking laws into their hands or getting involved in criminal activities.
 
He gave the warning yesterday against the backdrop of recent attacks and alleged killing of herdsmen by youths in some parts of the state, noting that the resort to jungle justice was uncivilized, criminal and impedes the course of peace and security. He stressed that the people should learn to seek legal redress whenever they feel wronged.
 
Ibrahim also frowned at the attitude of the herdsmen who provocatively graze their cattle on people’s farmlands and warned them to refrain from such criminal acts, stressing that any herdsman caught destroying people’s crops, molesting, or preventing farmers from accessing their farmlands or bearing firearms or any other dangerous weapons, will be arrested and brought to book.
   
Meanwhile, the police commissioner reassured Deltans of the readiness and willingness of the police and other security agencies in the state to continually discharge their duties responsibly and called on citizens to cooperate with the security agencies towards ensuring that peace and security prevails in every part of the state.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2l1Ekn5

Showdown as citizens take to the streets to stand with Buhari, Tuface

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<img src="http://ift.tt/2kvZzjm&quot; alt="" width="1280" height="720" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-238586" srcset="http://ift.tt/2kvZzjm 1280w,http://ift.tt/2jJE8a0 640w,http://ift.tt/2kw4xg9 1062w,http://ift.tt/2jJFFwW 320w,http://ift.tt/2kw4v81 281w,http://ift.tt/2jJynZS 562w,http://ift.tt/2kw3H2F 531w,http://ift.tt/2jJIGNL 487w,http://ift.tt/2kvZsEc 974w,http://ift.tt/2jJzNDN 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px"http://cdn.gdn.ng/, Nigerians will be sharply divided into three distinct groups – #IStandWithBuhari, #IStandWithTuface and #IStandWithNigeria. All three will be stomping the streets in a popularity contest from Sunday.

Of the three, #IStandWithTuface, a sort of 2012 remake of #OccupyNigeria and #EnoughisEnough fuel subsidy protest, is leading the pack in popularity and resilience, as the other two appear to be a belated afterthought in response to the growing acceptance of a movement that may well define public consciousness and shape the next general elections in 2019.

The missions of the three groups are well stated. Popular music icon, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface, is leading a nationwide protest against the government and for good governance; a group, which sponsors are yet to be unveiled, #IStandWithBuhari immediately launched a counter protest in support of the government; while a fairly unknown group, led by those who refuse to be bystanders in the emerging power show, is floating #IStandWithNigeria.

The third group will on Monday, February 6, assembly by 8:00a.m. at the National Stadium, Surulere in Lagos and march to the National Theatre, Iganmu. According to Bemigbo Awala, one of the organisers, “we are marching on the two national icons that epitomize our decline as a nation.

“We want to state very clearly and peacefully that #IStandWithNigeria and the country must work for all of us and all of us must work for Nigeria,” he wrote on his Facebook page yesterday.

Ahead of the clash of the mega rallies, it has been a feverish war on the social media space with each canvassing for supporters and maligning the others.

The group in support of the government had on Wednesday in a Facebook post stirred some controversy when it announced its nationwide solidarity rally for February 5 to take place on the same day Tuface had earlier fixed his protest march.

Not taking the bait, the #IStandWithTuface group immediately shifted their rally to Monday, February 6, to avoid some clash with the president’s supporters, while announcing they intend to hold the march on the day President Muhammadu Buhari would be returning to the country from his 10-day vacation in London.

Despite the controversies generated by the much-publicized protest, including the warning by the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, stopping the protest, the ‘African Queen’ crooner yesterday vowed to go ahead with the protest.

Meanwhile, the police have been advised to desist from becoming tyrannical by attempting to stop the Tuface Idibia-led rally. A pro-democracy and Non-Governmental Organization, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) said the Nigeria police should not attempt to stop an idea whose time has come just as it affirmed that the peaceful nation-wide rallies called by the reputable social crusader and musician, Idibia is in compliance with a plethora of human rights provisions enshrined in the Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution.

In the same vein, activist-lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, yesterday said the police cannot stop the planned mass rally organised by the popular musician, saying it is an attempt to intimidate those who wish to partake in the rally.

“For the information of the police commissioner, Nigeria is a democratic country governed strictly in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. Section 39 of the Constitution grants freedom of expression, including the right to be heard and disseminate information.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kvPqD4

Why I stopped going to Abuja, by Wike

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has explained that he stopped going to Abuja in the last four months due to the ‘excessive prevalence of lies’ at the Federal Capital.

Speaking while flagging-off the second phase of the reconstruction of Port Harcourt township roads, the governor said,  “The Federal Capital Capital has been enmeshed in political falsehood and deception, which negatively impacts on development.”

According to him, “I have not travelled to Abuja for more than four months because it is a centre of lies. Let them continue to lie in Abuja.“As they suffer economic downturn in Abuja, we shall continue to make progress in Rivers. They lie too much in Abuja, so there is no reason to listen to them. Here, we make promises and we keep to our promises.”

The governor also explained that the second phase of the reconstruction/rehabilitation of Port Harcourt township roads would enhance the economy of the densely populated areas.

He noted that his administration contracted Julius Berger Construction Company for the second phase of the project because it believes there is need for durable jobs in the suburbs.

The governor urged the contractor to employ youths from the state capital to be involved as they execute the project. “I am doing this for the township because you people stood by me all through the electioneering period.  This is a symbiotic relationship,” he said.

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

FAAN evicts retirees from quarters after quit notice expires

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Evictees’ property

There was confusion at the Federal Airport Authority of Nigerian (FAAN) quarters in Lagos yesterday following the forceful eviction of some retirees of the authority who refused the quit their apartment.
 
A combined team of officials led by policemen and FAAN personnel in security, administration, legal, operations, environment, estate and stores departments stormed the official duty quarters in the early hours to remove the property of the recalcitrant retirees.
 
A source hinted that four policemen attached to the Airport Police Command were arrested and locked up by their superiors for participating in the exercise without “official approval”.

 
The four policemen were reportedly locked up for taking firearms to the quarters. Their arrest followed lack of due process in participation in the exercise.
 
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Airport Command, Joseph Alabi, promised to investigate the involvement of his colleagues.But chairman of Aviation Parastatals Retirees, Thadeus Obidike, said the eviction of the retirees violated existing agreement between FAAN and its workers who are covered in the Monetisation Policy of Federal Government. He said the matter was already in court, saying FAAN acted in violation of existing discussions.
 
In a swift reaction, the Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Henrietta Yakubu, said the authority took the right steps to evict the retirees having served them series of notice to pack out of the duty quarters.
 
She said the six affected retirees were the first batch of former workers who have abused the privilege granted by the authority.Yakubu said FAAN took the right steps to secure the “duty quarters” so that serving staff in essential operations department have accommodation to rapidly respond to emergencies. She said if the previous occupants have not vacated the quarters, the serving staff would not have accommodation.
  
“FAAN evicted the retirees from the duty quarters because the affected persons have been paid their gratuity and other entitlement in the last one year. They have to vacate the duty quarters because FAAN has paid them and written several notices to them.

“They were even given an ultimatum, and they signed a letter of undertaking that they will move. But, as at yesterday they refused to move and we have to activate the evict order. The issue of FAAN harassing them does not arise, FAAN acted within the laws of the land.
 
“The apartments cannot be sold, they are duty houses for essential staff. Such people have to disabuse their minds from thinking that they can buy government houses. In the condition of service, the provisions made have being complied with. The affected retirees are just giving excuses that do not hold any water.
 
Investigations revealed that the six retirees have been paid their gratuities by FAAN, but refused to vacate the premises. Meanwhile, some of the affected retirees had to make arrangement to evaluate their property out of the quarters.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2k7yK3W

Navy pledges increased support for Dolphin Club, as La Liga group championship ends…See full details

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Gift Willy was first runner up at the La Liga Group Golf Championship held at the Navy Golf Club, Ojo…recently.

The Nigerian Navy leadership has pledged improved support for the Dolphin Golf Club, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, which just rounded up a two-day tournament organized by the La Liga group to mark its end of year 2016 activities. 

Speaking at the end of the tournament, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, affirmed that sports is a good way of keeping fit, adding that the Nigerian Navy will continue to lend a helping hand in sports because it goes a long way in contributing to the mental alertness of her men.

While acceding to the request of the Club in putting their Mikano generating set in order, the admiral called for fair play in competitions and understanding among participants, as he looks forward to getting involved in the game of golf.

Earlier, president of the La Liga group in the Dolphin Golf Club, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, Engr. Francis Olo, disclosed that the group would host a Pro-Am championship at the end of 2017.

Olo said his confidence stemmed from the fact that the 2016 end of year tournament attracted 30 professionals from around the country, adding that Tobias Chidi with a net score of 69 emerged the champion of the La Liga Group end of the year golf tournament.Willy Gift with a net score of 71 finished second, while Francis Ekpe with a net score of 73 finished third.

He revealed that the group was formed to bring together all the members of the club who belonged to different groups (Hexagon and Max Fly) and were sponsored by different outfits.

Olo said it was easy to bring the groups together after their sponsors stopped bankrolling their activities.Although they expected about 20 pros in the championship, Olo said the 30 that showed up proved that the tournament was gaining the confidence of golfers around the country.

“We are very proud of the achievement and the progress we have made and everything will be done to make it better with more professionals taking part. And aside playing the game, the tournament is also to foster friendship among the military and their civilian counterparts.”

Captain of the Club, Navy Commodore Muftau Adeoye (Rtd), commended Olo for the initiative and promised that the club would continue to support initiatives that aid development of the game. He also revealed that the club would also host a competition that would bring together the best golfers in the country.

At the end of the event, Efe Samuel, who went home with N87, 100 was the highest La Liga earner, while the prize for the longest drive hole (18) went to Emmanuel Usen. Joseph Omatsogunwa with 2880 points was the highest La Liga point earner, while Olo, who made 44 appearances, was named the highest participant.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2jJxX5W

Cross River secures FDI to overhaul education sector

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Ben Ayade

Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, has disclosed that his administration on Monday, secured Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to further the nation’s education sector.

Ayade, who met with a cross-section of business community in London, along with a leading international financial services business, Falcon Group, and Nigeria based investment bridge and financial news company, Footprint To Africa, signed an agreement with two notable institutions from the United Kingdom (UK). They are Schools Company and Construction Academy to establish Construction Academy in Calabar, a Teachers Training Institute in Obubra, and nursery, primary and secondary schools in Obudu, which will be affiliated with U.K universities.

Expectations are that Nigeria’s yearly loss to other countries on account of poor education and inadequate training of teachers would drastically reduce if the pact becomes feasible, as the project would also create job opportunities.

Insisting that the state remained an ideal destination for investors, the Governor, in a statement made available to The Guardian disclosed that the educational institutions would be established across the three senatorial districts of the State.

Considering that over 40 per cent of Nigeria’s population is made up of youths, Ayade stressed the need his administration attaches importance to the value of education for the people, particularly in Cross River State.

He tasked the U.K partners to build quality schools that would further help to raise future African leaders. And fixed 20th of February, as the official hand-over of the Construction Academy site to the investors in the state.

The governor described the projects as economic projects with significant value to the state, Nigeria and indeed other neighboring African countries. Ayade, who stated that export activities were bound to experience an upsurge following the return of the country to agriculture and development of the mining sector, stressed the urgent need for new sea ports in Nigeria, to ease congestion at the existing ports because of massive importation into the country.

On its investment drive, the state also secured partnership with Footprint to Africa to produce a documentary that would showcase “The Real Cross River.”
Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, which is currently filming a documentary on the Nigerian economy in partnership with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Osita Oparaugo, is optimistic that the state has great opportunities that would be uncovered through the documentary.

He lauded Ayade’s moves, particularly his vision and leadership quality in conceiving and executing various landmark projects, especially the training and provision of jobs for unemployed youths.Oparaugo noted that the economic documentary would further persuade investors to “Think Nigeria- Invest Cross River.”

Schools Academy’s Elias Achilleos, said the company would deliver the highest level of excellence in the schools to promote the attainment of knowledge.

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

Dealers raise the alarm over adulterated kerosene in Delta (Read full details)

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Kerosene

Kerosene dealers in Delta have raised the alarm over the prevalence of adulterated product in the state. Marketers, who spoke yesterday in Asaba, alleged that illegally refined sample was in circulation in all major markets statewide. They added that the fake sold cheaper than the ones from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

It was gathered that the suspected substandard goods were being produced in the creeks of the Niger Delta by operators of illegal refineries. The products, believed to emanate from Warri-South West, Warri South and Warri North, are yellowish, smell badly and go for N250 as against the prevailing N300 and N350 price tag of the original one.

A customer said: “I often buy kerosene from the creek. They are cheaper and sell for N250 against NNPC’s N350.”Several traders in Asaba, Warri, Ughelli and Agbor who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, said the adulterated products had flooded the markets with unsuspecting consumers flocking for them.

In the meantime, the Nigeria Navy (NNS) has in the last three weeks uncovered a number of illegal refining facilities.In a telephone chat, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, his men had destroyed over 42 of such facilities and 4,000 metric tons of stolen and illegally refined diesel.

He assured the people that the force would soon bring the operators to book. NNPC officials, who pleaded not to be mentioned because they were not authorised to speak on the issue, blamed the illegality on desperation from the jobless youths, adding that efforts were being made to arrest the situation.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2kYgZFI

Navy pledges increased support for Dolphin Club, as La Liga group championship ends

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Gift Willy was first runner up at the La Liga Group Golf Championship held at the Navy Golf Club, Ojo…recently.

The Nigerian Navy leadership has pledged improved support for the Dolphin Golf Club, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, which just rounded up a two-day tournament organized by the La Liga group to mark its end of year 2016 activities. 

Speaking at the end of the tournament, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, affirmed that sports is a good way of keeping fit, adding that the Nigerian Navy will continue to lend a helping hand in sports because it goes a long way in contributing to the mental alertness of her men.

While acceding to the request of the Club in putting their Mikano generating set in order, the admiral called for fair play in competitions and understanding among participants, as he looks forward to getting involved in the game of golf.

Earlier, president of the La Liga group in the Dolphin Golf Club, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, Engr. Francis Olo, disclosed that the group would host a Pro-Am championship at the end of 2017.

Olo said his confidence stemmed from the fact that the 2016 end of year tournament attracted 30 professionals from around the country, adding that Tobias Chidi with a net score of 69 emerged the champion of the La Liga Group end of the year golf tournament.Willy Gift with a net score of 71 finished second, while Francis Ekpe with a net score of 73 finished third.

He revealed that the group was formed to bring together all the members of the club who belonged to different groups (Hexagon and Max Fly) and were sponsored by different outfits.

Olo said it was easy to bring the groups together after their sponsors stopped bankrolling their activities.Although they expected about 20 pros in the championship, Olo said the 30 that showed up proved that the tournament was gaining the confidence of golfers around the country.

“We are very proud of the achievement and the progress we have made and everything will be done to make it better with more professionals taking part. And aside playing the game, the tournament is also to foster friendship among the military and their civilian counterparts.”

Captain of the Club, Navy Commodore Muftau Adeoye (Rtd), commended Olo for the initiative and promised that the club would continue to support initiatives that aid development of the game. He also revealed that the club would also host a competition that would bring together the best golfers in the country.

At the end of the event, Efe Samuel, who went home with N87, 100 was the highest La Liga earner, while the prize for the longest drive hole (18) went to Emmanuel Usen. Joseph Omatsogunwa with 2880 points was the highest La Liga point earner, while Olo, who made 44 appearances, was named the highest participant.

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

Court stops FCDA’s plan to demolish Abuja community (Read full details)

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High Court

Forced evictions are prohibited under international law, says AI

A federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja has given judgment against the Federal Capital Development Authority (FDCA) in its bid to evict residents of Mpape community. The court described the attempt as illegal and unlawful.

Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, after hearing the witnesses, evidence and processes in over four and half years of the court process and having himself passed through three courts in Bwari, Jabi and the judgment court at Apo, made the declaration in favour of Mpape residents in the matter.

Residents of Mpape community, which is within Bwari area council, had instituted a court action in July 2012 challenging the legality of demolition threat by officials of the Department of Development Control of the FCDA who served the residents with quit notice.

The residents, in response, protested the planned eviction of the densely populated community covering approximately 400 hectares of land, which, according to census figures of the Mpape Residents Community Development Association (MRCDA) has over 60,000 houses and thousands of residents.

At the court sitting yesterday, Justice Kutigi, in his declaration, granted judgment in favour of the plaintiffs due to failure of the defendants to issue statutory notices in compliance with provisions of applicable laws and due process before embarking on actions aimed at demolishing their properties at Mpape. He declared the action as illegal and unlawful.

The judge also declared that: “The defendants cannot demolish the plaintiffs’ house situated in Mpape. Properties identified included MT105 along Ajegunle street, No. RB55 Arab road, No. B239 behind Catholic Church on Ajegunle road, No. 1 Okenugo opposite Berger quarry road, No. 1 Olutanmola lane G.R.A Mpape and other structures and facilities attached to land in Mpape, FCT with strict compliance with requirements of applicable laws.”

He said the Federal Government is signatory to international treaties, protocols and conventions, adding that these obligations must be respected.While counsels to both the plaintiff and defendant were in court, Bwari Area Council, under which Mpape is situated was absent.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International (AI) has expressed concern on the fate of Mpape residents had the court judgment been pronounced in favor of the FCDA.

Nigeria’s Housing and Social Rights Researcher for AI, Morayo Adebayo said: “It will be used as an excuse to forcibly evict thousands of Mpape residents, many of whom have lived there for decades and have no alternative homes.

“This would be a violation of Nigeria’s human rights obligations under a range of international and regional treaties.“Forced evictions are prohibited under international law in all circumstances.”

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2knyhZZ

No going back on closure of Abuja airport as minister inaugurates security committee (Read full details)

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Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

Minister of state for Aviation, Senator Hadi Serika, yesterday foreclosed the possibility of yielding to pressure not to temporarily shut down the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport Abuja to pay way for rehabilitation work on its runway.

The minister who met with members of the House of Representatives committee on Aviation to defend his ministry ‘s 2017 budget proposal also allayed the fears being nursed by travelers that the Abuja – Kaduna expressway is unsafe.

He stated that his ministry, in conjunction with key stakeholders like security personnel have put in place measure to ensure a hitch free trip for those that will use the Kaduna alternate airport.

According to him: “The process has commenced and it will culminate in the closure of the airport. Unfortunately, for the period 8th of March and to open 19th of April.

“This as I said is done in the interest of safety. Just before coming, I inaugurated a high level committee headed by AIG, membership of an Air vice Marshall, top officials of the civil defence, SSS, and other paramilitary services. They will be in charge of the security of the road between Kaduna and Abuja and from Kaduna to the airport.

“They will carry out the operation using the normal patrol style and there will also be the air patrol and other means of ensuring the safety and security of passengers and goods as they travel. The Kaduna state government also deserves commendation.

“They are constructing the road from the airport to Mando, and also from the airport to Rigachikum. They have already put streetlights, they have cleared the bush and they are even servicing the road. And they are also doing total rehabilitation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe road to the western bypass in Kaduna. We have met with stakeholders, including hoteliers and car hire owners, restaurants and other service providers in Kaduna. So Kaduna is ready to receive the expected traffic within this period.”

The inaugurated security committee to be chaired by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Alkali Usman Baba, was given the task of providing security at the Abuja and Kaduna Airport including the road and rail transport.

It will also monitor traffic movements from Abuja to Kaduna airport, provide security to passengers and cargo between the airport, among other security issues as deemed necessary.

The Director Safety and Technical Policy in the Ministry would serve as the Vice Chairman, while members include Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Department of State Security Services (DSS), Nigeria Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Army.

Other members of the committee include Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Airport Authority Aviation Security (AVSEC), Department of Air Transport Management and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2kYaPFT

Military kills 36 Boko Haram terrorists, arrests 3, 332 civilian suspects (Read full details)

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Nigerian Soldiers

Death toll in Air Force accidental bombing hits 112

Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have killed 36 Boko Haram terrorists and arrested 3,332 civilian suspects in coordinated aerial and ground military operations against fleeing insurgents from Sambisa Forest and other hideouts.

Among the arrested civilian suspects, 26 were foreigners from Chad and Niger and they would be handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Services for further investigation and deportation.

Announcing the arrest in Maiduguri, the Theatre Commander, Major General Lucky Irabor disclosed that the killing of terrorists occurred in Borno and Gombe states.

He said some arrested civilian suspects were also cattle rustlers and suppliers of fuel and food to Boko Haram.Irabor added that the seven cattle rustlers were in procession of 34 cows, before they were intercepted in Mafa Council Area of the state.

He disclosed that five of the Boko Haram terrorists, surrendered to the troops, including 31- year old Mohammed Abubakar, whose right hand and leg were amputated by insurgents for fleeing their hideout in Sambisa Forest.

Speaking on Rann death toll, Irabor said that though investigation by the board of inquiry was still going on, the casualty figures have hit 112, while the injured stood at 97 persons.

Meanwhile, a member of the Presidential Committee on North East Initiative (PCNI), Yusuf Buba Yakub has said that modality has been put in place to ensure that north east economy was brought “back to life.”

Yakub, who is the chairman of the sub committee on economic development, disclosed in Gombe, that their tour of the zone was to observe things for themselves to enable them take appropriate measures in ensuring stability in the zone.

He said government was already working towards ensure that the wanton killings by the fleeing insurgents were halted, disclosing that normalcy had returned to some areas.

In Yobe State, about 10,261 internally displaced persons (IDPs) at Kukareta Resettlement Camp have resolved not to return to their ancestral communities over fear for their lives and property.

Announcing their decision yesterday in Damaturu, the Kukareta village Head, Lawan Babagana said that 10, 126 IDPs households refused to return because of the fear of Boko Haram attack in their respective communities.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2knGXzo

Dealers raise the alarm over adulterated kerosene in Delta

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Kerosene

Kerosene dealers in Delta have raised the alarm over the prevalence of adulterated product in the state. Marketers, who spoke yesterday in Asaba, alleged that illegally refined sample was in circulation in all major markets statewide. They added that the fake sold cheaper than the ones from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

It was gathered that the suspected substandard goods were being produced in the creeks of the Niger Delta by operators of illegal refineries. The products, believed to emanate from Warri-South West, Warri South and Warri North, are yellowish, smell badly and go for N250 as against the prevailing N300 and N350 price tag of the original one.

A customer said: “I often buy kerosene from the creek. They are cheaper and sell for N250 against NNPC’s N350.”Several traders in Asaba, Warri, Ughelli and Agbor who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, said the adulterated products had flooded the markets with unsuspecting consumers flocking for them.

In the meantime, the Nigeria Navy (NNS) has in the last three weeks uncovered a number of illegal refining facilities.In a telephone chat, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, his men had destroyed over 42 of such facilities and 4,000 metric tons of stolen and illegally refined diesel.

He assured the people that the force would soon bring the operators to book. NNPC officials, who pleaded not to be mentioned because they were not authorised to speak on the issue, blamed the illegality on desperation from the jobless youths, adding that efforts were being made to arrest the situation.

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

Court stops FCDA’s plan to demolish Abuja community

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High Court

Forced evictions are prohibited under international law, says AI

A federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja has given judgment against the Federal Capital Development Authority (FDCA) in its bid to evict residents of Mpape community. The court described the attempt as illegal and unlawful.

Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, after hearing the witnesses, evidence and processes in over four and half years of the court process and having himself passed through three courts in Bwari, Jabi and the judgment court at Apo, made the declaration in favour of Mpape residents in the matter.

Residents of Mpape community, which is within Bwari area council, had instituted a court action in July 2012 challenging the legality of demolition threat by officials of the Department of Development Control of the FCDA who served the residents with quit notice.

The residents, in response, protested the planned eviction of the densely populated community covering approximately 400 hectares of land, which, according to census figures of the Mpape Residents Community Development Association (MRCDA) has over 60,000 houses and thousands of residents.

At the court sitting yesterday, Justice Kutigi, in his declaration, granted judgment in favour of the plaintiffs due to failure of the defendants to issue statutory notices in compliance with provisions of applicable laws and due process before embarking on actions aimed at demolishing their properties at Mpape. He declared the action as illegal and unlawful.

The judge also declared that: “The defendants cannot demolish the plaintiffs’ house situated in Mpape. Properties identified included MT105 along Ajegunle street, No. RB55 Arab road, No. B239 behind Catholic Church on Ajegunle road, No. 1 Okenugo opposite Berger quarry road, No. 1 Olutanmola lane G.R.A Mpape and other structures and facilities attached to land in Mpape, FCT with strict compliance with requirements of applicable laws.”

He said the Federal Government is signatory to international treaties, protocols and conventions, adding that these obligations must be respected.While counsels to both the plaintiff and defendant were in court, Bwari Area Council, under which Mpape is situated was absent.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International (AI) has expressed concern on the fate of Mpape residents had the court judgment been pronounced in favor of the FCDA.

Nigeria’s Housing and Social Rights Researcher for AI, Morayo Adebayo said: “It will be used as an excuse to forcibly evict thousands of Mpape residents, many of whom have lived there for decades and have no alternative homes.

“This would be a violation of Nigeria’s human rights obligations under a range of international and regional treaties.“Forced evictions are prohibited under international law in all circumstances.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2k7D2bx