Interview

May God give Nigeria Prudent and Honest Leaders like Jakande –Tinubu
Interview, Lagos News, News, Nigeria, Press Statement

May God give Nigeria Prudent and Honest Leaders like Jakande –Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Friday, hailed the late first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, saying the country needed more leaders with integrity and pragmatism. Jakande, who served between October 1, 1979, and December 31, 1983, passed away last Thursday at the age of 91. Tinubu, who is also a former governor of Lagos, spoke at the eighth-day Fidau prayer session for Jakande, saying had started his political career at the late ex-governor’s house. Recounting a conversation with Jakande, the APC chieftain stated, “He said, ‘Go, we need many like you. Go to the Senate.’ The rest is history. “We pray for Nigeria to give us more leaders that are prudent, very honest, and give priority to the future, looking a...
I Didn’t Plan to Have Kids out of Wedlock – Flavour
Celebration, Interview, Lifestyle, News, Nigeria

I Didn’t Plan to Have Kids out of Wedlock – Flavour

Singer, Chinedu Okoli, aka Flavour N’abania, is one artiste who doesn’t just sing about women, he has also been romantically linked with a couple of them. The ‘Chop Life’ singer in a recent interview with media personality, Ebuka Uchendu also confessed that he indeed loves beautiful women. Asked if he agrees with the impression that he is a womaniser, Flavour said, “That’s people judging (me), you know. As long as you are in the public eye, you would get stuff like that. It was never planned, though I cannot deny that I love beautiful women. I am an African man, not a white man. I have taste too with women. I don’t just go with anything.” The father of three noted that he had always known it would be difficult dealing with women because of his career. He said, “I knew that with my jo...
I Was Surprised Trump Opposed My Candidacy – Okonjo-Iweala
Economy, Finance, Interview, News, Nigeria, Trade, Women Empowerment

I Was Surprised Trump Opposed My Candidacy – Okonjo-Iweala

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's former Finance Minister, says she was surprised that President Donald Trump's administration could stand in her way of leading the World Trade Organisation (WTO). At a press briefing, the new Director-General of WTO said she did not see it coming. She said she felt she had a good understanding with the US government, which interviewed her about the job twice. "I think I was quite surprised when that came (opposition from Trump) because there was no indication that there was any problem with the US. "I had two good interviews with the authorities and with the administration, so it was a surprise. But that's the way life works. When things happen, you take them in your stride and you move on. "It was wonderful when the Biden/Harris administration b...
NIN Mandatory for Bank Account Opening, Voter Registration – Pantami
Communication, Information Technology, Interview, News, Nigeria, Science

NIN Mandatory for Bank Account Opening, Voter Registration – Pantami

Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, says the national identification number (NIN) is compulsory for transactions such as bank account opening, payment of taxes and voter registration. Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, he said the government is determined to ensure that all citizens have NIN. Pantami quoted section 27 of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) act as stating that benefitting from government services as a citizen without NIN is an offence punishable by imprisonment. “This is most important in the area of NIN, which is a mandatory number, based on the NIMC order of 2007 that has actively been neglected for years, ” he said. “It is key to our national planning, budget, security, social development and many more. But it was neglected despite...
Tambuwal Revokes Contracts Awarded by Wamakko
Communication, Interview, News, Nigeria

Tambuwal Revokes Contracts Awarded by Wamakko

Over five major contracts including that of a General Hospital in Wamakko town awarded by the former  Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji  Aliyu Wamakko were revoked by the Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s led government. Also revoked are four others located at the Murtala Muhammed Hospital as follows: two additional blocks of wards, landscaping of the hospital, construction of 47 staff quarters and that of the completion of a special work at the hospital which comprises a theatre, mortuary, laundry and others. However, Tambuwal approved three  projects for execution amounting to N4 billion. The new projects comprise of two health facilities and one for education. According to the state government, the General Hospital project was abandoned in 2013. Those approved for execution...
IPPIS is a Scam, Fed Govt Deceived Us – NASU Chair
Education, Interview, News, Nigeria

IPPIS is a Scam, Fed Govt Deceived Us – NASU Chair

Chairman of the University of Lagos chapter of the Non Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions, Mr. Kehinde Ajibade, has described the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) used to pay civil servants as fraudulent.  He accused the Federal Government of deceiving the Union to sign up for it. NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) began an indefinite strike last Friday to protest the skewed operations of the IPPIS platform and the nonpayment of arrears of earned allowances, among others. “IPPIS is a scam; it is fraudulent; in fact it is not sustainable within the university system.  That is just the fact because we found out that the federal government just deceived us to enrol on that platform,” he said in an inter...
MTN Expands NIN Enrolment Capabilities
Communication, Information Technology, Interview, Nigeria

MTN Expands NIN Enrolment Capabilities

MTN Nigeria has disclosed that it is exponentially increasing capacity to provide National Identity Number enrolment services across its customer interaction touch points pan-Nigeria, rural locations inclusive. The telco in a statement issued on Thursday said it had deployed an onsite appointment booking system designed to limit indoor crowding, alongside standard COVID-19 safety protocols at its service centres, adding that it planned to launch an online version shortly. The company said this was to further support the Federal Government and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy’s efforts to drive the NIN registration. According to MTN, a reliable and sustainable national identity management system would deliver multiple benefits to the telecoms industry and the coun...
Why I Shunned Ajax Move – Ajayi
English Premiership, Interview, News, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

Why I Shunned Ajax Move – Ajayi

West Bromwich Albion defender has explained his quest for first-team football made him reject an opportunity to join Ajax. The 27-year-old centre-back started his career at Charlton Athletic academy and was promoted to the senior team in 2012. During his time at the Valley, the Super Eagles star also spent time on loan with Dartford before moving to Arsenal permanently in 2013. The defender spent two years with the Gunners but did not get a chance to feature for the senior team and had to leave the Emirates Stadium. Ajayi went on trial at Ajax before sealing a deal with Cardiff City and has revealed why he decided not to join the Dutch side despite their interest to sign him. “When I left Arsenal, they allowed me to go and train at clubs and have a look at clubs and explore ...
I’ve Forgiven Americans for Voting Racist Trump —Soyinka
Interview, News, Nigeria

I’ve Forgiven Americans for Voting Racist Trump —Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, says he has forgiven Americans for electing former President Donald Trump whom he described as a “racist” and a “xenophobe”. Soyinka said this during an interview with Arise Television on Wednesday. The Nobel Laureate, who had in 2016 torn his American immigrant visa to shreds for voting Trump, said he would not be renewing the green card since he usually visits the United States even without it. The playwright, who displayed pieces of his torn green card, stated that America had redeemed itself with the removal of Trump Soyinka said, “I feel honoured to be associated with the democratic forces of the United States for correcting the unbelievable error that they committed four years ago.” On the green card issue, he said, “I consider mysel...
No Plan to Increase VAT – FG
Economy, Finance, Interview, Nigeria

No Plan to Increase VAT – FG

The Federal Government has debunked claims on social media that it plans to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) and other taxes in its proposed Finance Bill. Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, who issued the disclaimer while defending the Ministry’s budget before the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja, said the report of an imminent increase in VAT and other taxes in the proposed Finance Bill to be presented to the National Assembly was false. Ahmed said: “There will be no increase in VAT or any form of taxes because we see 2021 as a year of recovery – not only for government but businesses as well.” Earlier, the Account General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, who was present at the session, complained about poor budgetary allocation to his office. Idris said: “We have 37 offi...