CRAZY-DEMO !! 2019 budget: APC, PDP lawmakers exchange blows

It was a rowdy session at the National Assembly today during the 2019 budget presentation by President Mohammadu Buhari as two members of the House of Representatives, Mr Bashir Babale and Duoye Diri exchanged blows.

Punch reports that trouble started when some lawmakers brought out placards and others tore them. Just when all thought they’ve settled from continuing the unruly behaviour, Senators Samuel Ayanwu and Godwill Akpabio got into a heated argument.

it was gathered that while APC lawmakers hailed the President Muhammadu Buhari shouting ‘Sai Baba!’, the PDP lawmakers continued with protest song as the President stepped into the chamber.

- PM NEWS

5-year-old girl set ablaze by 45-year-old man in Lagos

The Nigerian Police on Wednesday said a five year-old girl, Nifemi, was burnt to death, while her mother and two siblings suffered severe burns when their makeshift house was allegedly set ablaze by a 45-year-old man.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Mr Imohimin Edgal, confirming the incident to newsmen in Lagos, said that they were sleeping at their Powerline Area residence in Alagbado, Lagos, when the incident happened.

Edgal, who spoke to newsmen on Wednesday when he visited the scene of the crime, said that the suspect had been arrested.NAN reports

He identified the victims as Mrs Anitan and her children- Ayo, Esther and Nifemi.

According to him, one of the children, Nifemi, five years, died as a result of the burns she suffered, while the woman and her two other children suffered various degrees of burns.

“They are currently receiving treatment at Gbagada General Hospital.

“This is the dwelling place for a woman and three of her children.

“They were sleeping and suddenly there was fire outbreak. They sustained severe burns before they were rushed to the hospital.

“Fortunately, the Divisional Police Officer and his team that came to their rescue did a painstaking search.

“They were able to recover a phone which was traced to Shola Adewunmi, who previously had serious altercation with the woman.

“Evidence we have so far is that the man purposely set fire on the house with intent to burn both the woman and her children alive.

“He has been arrested and I have ordered that he be taken to the state CID for further investigation,” he said.

The police chief said that the suspect would be properly investigated and charged to court, assuring the public that outcome of the investigation would be made known. 

- DAILY POST

More fresh graduates secure jobs despite increase in unemployment

People with Bachelors degrees and the higher national diploma (HND) were able to secure more jobs between the third quarter of 2017 and the corresponding period in 2018.

This is despite the increase in the country’s unemployment figures from 17.6 million people to 20.9 million people.

According to the unemployment report released by the National Bureau of Statistics released on Wednesday, unemployment among fresh graduates declined by four percent from 28.1% to 25.2%.

Underemployment, which defines people working less than 40 hours a week, increased from 11.3% to 13.8%.

“The increasing unemployment and declining underemployment rates imply that the fragile economic recovery is beginning to create employment, however, hours worked within these jobs are not yet enough for full-time employment (40+ hours within the week),” the report read.

“While this is ongoing, the inflow of entrants into the labour market continues to grow steadily, minimizing the effect of any jobs created within the economy on the overall unemployment rate.

“In absolute terms, 1,182,000 people joined the working age population (the age they are now allowed to work) in Q3 2018, out of which 961,391 people joined the labour force (those who are now eligible for work that has now started looking for work) between the second and third quarter of this year.

“The faster growth rate in the labour force over the working age population indicates that more persons previously outside the labour force (unwilling/unable/not actively seeking to work), decided to join the labour force (i.e. to actively seek work) in Q3 2018.”

According to the report, urban dwellers recorded a 2.2% decrease in unemployment while rural dwellers recorded a7.5% increase in unemployment.

“Underemployment, however, decreased for rural areas while urban areas rose in review period – 22.8% of rural residents within the labour force in Q3 2018, were underemployed (engaged in work for less than 20 hours a week); compared to 13.7% of urban residents within the labour force during the same period,” the report read.

“While urban region underemployment has increased 4.7 percentage points over the same period last year (Q3 2017), rural underemployment declined by 4.1 percentage points compared to the same period last year (Q3 2017).”

-THECABLE

We’re fully prepared for credible poll in 2019 – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is fully prepared towards making the 2019 general election free, fair and credible.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known at the 5th Northern Traditional Rulers General Assembly with the theme “pervasive insecurity in an election year” in Kaduna on Wednesday.

“Our politicians are not democratic and that is the reason why some of them keep crossing from one political party to the other,” he said.

Yakubu assured that INEC would continue to improve on its logistics to enable it conduct hitch-free election in 2019.
He further explained that conducting election in one state is more difficult than conducting general election.

“It is more difficult to conduct election in one state than conducting general election, because people will be more focused on the state where the election is taking place,” he said.

Yakubu said there were improvements in the last Osun election, saying that voting materials arrived at the polling unit early.

He promised to consolidate on that and ensure that the 2019 general election meet the global standard.

- PM NEWS

Grenfell Tower fire : Nigerian fraudster who claimed £33,000 intended for victims jailed for five years

A fraudster who claimed insanity from fasting drove him to claim more than £30,000 in financial assistance intended for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire has been jailed for five years.

Abolaji Onafuye claimed in the immediate aftermath of the June 2017 tragedy that he lived at a flat on the eleventh floor of the tower and was the brother of one of the victims who died in the fire, Isleworth Crown Court heard.

He then claimed accommodation and financial assistance from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and from the Rugby Portobello Trust charity, worth around £33,000, before the fraud was discovered.

He was sentenced to five years’ in jail at today after being found guilty of two counts of fraud by false representation.

During the seven-day trial, the court heard that Onafuye stated during his police interview he only claimed to have been living in Grenfell as he was suffering from temporary insanity caused by not eating during Ramadan.

He later alleged that he had been volunteering after the disaster and was rehoused as a result of suffering trauma during that time.

Onafuye also said he had never claimed to live in Grenfell Tower and disputed the evidence given by staff from various organisations.

Judge Giles Curtis-Raleigh said on Tuesday Onafuye had shown no remorse for the scam and had even accused genuine victims of lying.

Jailing Onafuye for five years, he added: “The fire at Grenfell Tower on June 14, 2017, was a tragedy in which dozens of innocent lives were lost, families were ripped apart and communities devastated. It was a disaster which shocked the nation. Most people reacted with horror and dismay and feelings of deep sympathy and profound concern for the survivors.

“Your response was very different. You decided to use the situation to your personal advantage to enrich yourself dishonestly by plundering public funds designed to assist genuine victims of that disaster in their hour of need.”

He added: “You denounced the genuine victims, the genuine occupants of 84 Grenfell Tower whose statement had been presented in that interview as liars and you have continued lying. You have shown not a shred of remorse throughout these proceedings.”

Ben Holt, prosecuting, said Onafuye had planned the scam by spending time in the Grenfell area after the fire and getting to know the names of victims Zaynab Deen and her son Jeremiah.

He added: “The defendant did spend time in the area of Grenfell Tower after the fire. At some point, he clearly came to know the names of two victims of the fire. He simply could not have plucked those names out of thin air.”

Speaking after the verdict, Detective Constable Carlos Araujo, who led the investigation, said: “Onafuye shamelessly took advantage of the support being offered to those who were directly affected by the Grenfell tragedy and he has continuously failed to own up to his deplorable actions. We will continue to investigate and prosecute anyone who is exploiting what happened at Grenfell and our thoughts remain with the real victims of this tragedy.”- INDEPENDENT/ PRESS ASSOCIATION

Three people stabbed at east London health centre

Three people have been stabbed in a machete attack at a health centre in east London.

The incident occurred at a doctor's surgery in St Stephen's Road, Tower Hamlets.

A man has been arrested and the condition of those injured is not known.

Police stressed that the incident was not terror related.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Police were called at 11:06hrs on Wednesday, 19 December to reports of a stabbing at a health centre on St Stephen’s Road, Tower Hamlets.

"Officers, including specialist firearms officers, attended and found three people (no further details) suffering from stab injuries.

"They were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service; their injuries are not being treated as life-threatening.

"A man (no further details at this early stage) was detained nearby and taken to hospital suffering from an injury. Cordons remain in place while enquiries are ongoing. This incident is not terror related."

Witnesses at the scene described a huge police presence and reported seeing a man arrested.

Posting a video of the aftermath on Twitter, Onuoha Olere wrote that a man had gone on a stabbing spree with a machete.

 A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 11:05am today to St Stephen's Road, E3, to reports of an incident.

“We sent an incident response officer, an advanced paramedic, two ambulance crews and two single responders in cars to the scene. We also dispatched a response car from London's Air Ambulance.

“We treated four people at the scene. We took three of the four to a major trauma centre as a priority and one to hospital."

- THE TELEGRAPH

Transfer news : Chelsea battling German duo for Lille's Mendes

Chelsea could sign Lille midfielder Thiago Mendes in January, with Lille needing to raise funds.

French outlet RMC Sport reports that the Ligue 1 side are preparing to sell the Brazilian midfielder in the January window, with Wolfsburg and Stuttgart also alerted by his availability.

All three clubs were interested in signing the player during the summer window, but he remained with the French side for the time being.

Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be keeping close tabs on his situation and could pounce.

The report claims that Lille would be tempted into a sale for a fee in between €25-€30 million.

Chelsea have been long-term admirers of Mendes and have followed him since his time in Brazil with Sao Paulo.

While Lille have been impressing in Ligue 1, they need to raise funds and the sale of Mendes would allow them to do just that.

- READ SPORT

Transfer news :Man City told to pay at least €70m to re-sign Sancho

Manchester City have been told that they will need to pay at least €70 million if they want to re-sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.

According to a report from Bild, as cited on Calciomercato, the Bundesliga leaders have named their price for the player as he continues to impress in Germany.

Despite only seriously breaking into the Dortmund side this season, Sancho is already being linked with a move back to the Premier League.

It is his former side Manchester City who are reportedly favourites for his signature.

The Watford-born winger left City to join Dortmund as he wanted to pursue regular first-team football.

Sancho has since played a key role in Dortmund’s push for the title this season and has formed great relationships with the likes of Marco Reus and Mario Gotze.

The winger’s form has seen the highly-rated American winger Christian Pulisic fall out of favour.

- READ SPORTS

PL : Mourinho breaks silence after being sacked by Man United

Jose Mourinho insists he has a future in football after being sacked by Manchester United.

Tracked down in London, the 55-year-old said he will now go about living his "normal life" until finding another job in the game.

"I don't change. What I did when I left Chelsea, for example, is the same I am going to do now," Mourinho told Sky Sports.

"I keep the good things and I don't speak about anything that happened in the club. We could speak about so many good things and we could speak about not as good... that's not me. It's finished. Manchester United has a future without me and I have a future without Manchester United, so why should I now be sharing with you or even with the supporters any of my feelings?"

Recriminations begin

Mourinho was dismissed on Tuesday after leading United to their worst ever start in a Premier League season.

The final straw proved to be a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield which left his former charges wallowing in sixth place in the table and 19 points adrift of their bitter rivals.

In the 24 hours that have passed since his sacking, recriminations have already begun with reports emerging from Old Trafford that Mourinho was unpopular with his players, had not spoken face-to-face with medical staff at the club in nearly 18 months and had alienated the boardroom after wearing a hoody and trainers to a Munich air disaster memorial.

Nevertheless, Mourinho insisted he did not wish to dish the dirt on any of his former players, colleagues or senior management.

"It's over and that's the way I have always been and I was always very critical of managers that leave clubs and then they come out and they speak about the details of what happened and who was to blame for it," he added. "That's not me. I just want to finish like it happened yesterday and, as I like to say, it's game over.
"I just hope that you media respect this and my way of reacting to these kind of situations and until I get back to football I think I have the right to live my normal life like I am going to do now. I am going to do a little shopping, go for my little walk and that's what I want to do. Manchester United is the past."

Statement

Shortly after the interview, Mourinho released the following statement:
"I have been immensely proud to wear the badge of Manchester United since the first day I arrived, and I believe all United supporters recognise this. Just as was the case with my previous clubs, I have worked with some wonderful people and I believe that some will be my friends for life.

"I know that you are all aware of my professional principles. Each time a chapter is closed I show my deepest respect and I don't make any comments about my former colleagues.

"I hope the media will also respect my position and let me live my normal life until the moment I decide to return to football.

"Merry Christmas."

- i NEWS

Nigerian drowns in South Africa

The Nigerian Union, South Africa (NUSA) has announced the tragic demise of Mr Udebuani Chidokweanaukwu, who drowned in that country.

Chidokweanaukwu, a native of Nando in Anambra, drowned in a beach in Swellendam near Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
The Publicity Secretary of the Union, Mr Habib Miller, confirmed the accident in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

“With sorrow and heavy heart, we have received the news of the death of Udebuani Chidokweanaukwu from Nando, Anambra State.
“According to the information from an eye witness, Chidikweanaukwu got drowned on the beach at Swellendam on Dec. 17.

“He is survived by his wife and children. NUSA sympathises with his family and friends at this difficult time of grief and pray God comfort them,” he said.

Miller urged members to be cautious as well as obey safety rules when visiting the beach and other hazardous places.

- DAILY POST

35-year-old man arraigned for beating, injuring mother-in-law

A 35-year-old man, Seun Okwuyigbo, who police accused of beating and injuring his mother-in-law in the eye,on Wednesday appeared in an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The police charged Okwuyigbo with assault.

The Prosecutor, Insp Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the accused committed the offence at No. 7, Shifawu Street,Ikosi-Ketu, on Dec. 14.

He said said the accused beat up his mother-in-law, Mrs Tolani Bisiritu, 65, who was trying to find out from her daughter the reason why her husband locked her and the children in a dark room.

Ihiehie said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

Assault occasioning harm is punishable with three years imprisonment.

After the charges were read to him, he pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate E. Kubeinje,admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Kubeinje, ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Govt.

The magistrate adjourned the case until Feb. 11.

- PM NEWS

EFCC raids Abuja estate, arrest three ‘Yahoo’ boys

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday stormed No 24, 1st Avenue, Fort Royal Estate, Airport road, Abuja and arrested three suspected internet fraudsters.

The suspects are Marvin Nwankwo, Prince Ojenike and Jude Olatekobowale. They created a Facebook account with the following names: Rodney David; David Rodgers and Carlos David, respectively.

A statement released by the anti-graft agency said their arrest was based on intelligence report that the suspects turned the said residence into their office, using laptops, phone and other gadgets to defraud innocent people, including foreigners, of their hard earned money and other valuables.


The intelligence further revealed that the suspects aged between 22 to 30 years, used the proceeds of their crimes to acquire different properties such as cars which include a GLK Mercedes Benz SUV, a Toyota Corolla, amongst others.

On receipt of the intelligence report, operatives of the EFCC swung into action and mounted surveillance on the said address, to monitor the activities of the suspects.

After thorough investigations, the suspects were arrested and items, which included several laptops of different makes, very expensive mobile phones, modems, many Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards, amongst others were recovered.

- DAILY POST

Nigeria’s unemployed rises from 17.6m to 20.9m in nine months

Data made available by the National Bureau of Statistics have shown that the number of unemployed Nigerians has risen to 20.9 million from 17.6 million.

The report, which was released on Wednesday, contained the employment trends from Q4 2017 to Q3 2018.

According to the report, the working-age population (people between 15 – 64 years) increased from 111.1 million to 115.5 million.

“The total number of people in employment (i.e with jobs) increased from 68.4 million in Q3 2015 to 68.72 million in Q3 2016, to 69.09 million in Q3 2017 and 69.54 million in Q3 2018,” the report read.

“The total number of people in full-time employment (at least 40 hours a week) increased from 51.1 million in Q3 2017 to 51.3 million in Q3, 2018.

“The total number of people in part-time employment (or underemployment) decreased from 13.20 million in Q3 2015 to 11.19 million in Q3 2016 but increased to 18.02 million in Q3 2017 and to 18.21 million in Q3 2018.

“The total number of people classified as unemployed, which means they did nothing at all or worked too few hours (under 20 hours a week) to be classified as employed increased from 17.6 million in Q4 2017 to 20.9 million in Q3 2018.”

Of the 20.9 million people who were unemployed, the report said 8.77 million of them were first-time job seekers, 0.93 million people were unemployed because they lost their jobs and 11.1 people were working for less than 20 hours a week.

- THECABLE

Man Utd appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjær as caretaker manager

Manchester United has appointed club legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjær as their caretaker manager until the end of the 2018/19 season.

Solskjær will be joined by Mike Phelan as first-team coach, working alongside Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna. He will be charge of the first team with immediate effect while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new full-time manager

The former striker scored 126 goals in 366 appearances for United between 1996 and 2007. He was the club’s reserve-team manager in 2008 before taking the managerial role at FC Molde in Norway.

Reacting to his appointment, Solskjær said “Manchester United is in my heart and it’s brilliant to be coming back in this role. I’m really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club,”

Executive Vice Chairman, Ed Woodward has high expectation for Solskjær as the club head into the second half of the season.

“Ole is a club legend with huge experience, both on the pitch and in coaching roles. His history at Manchester United means he lives and breathes the culture here and everyone at the club is delighted to have him and Mike Phelan back. We are confident they will unite the players and the fans as we head into the second half of the season.”

- PM NEWS

South Africa issues arrest warrant for Grace Mugabe

South Africa has issued an arrest warrant for Zimbabwe’s former first lady Grace Mugabe over an alleged assault in an upmarket district of Johannesburg last year, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.

After the alleged assault with an electric cable came to light in August 2017, the South African government granted Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity.

That immunity was overturned by a South African court this year after the alleged victim, model Gabriella Engels, challenged the decision.

“I can confirm that a warrant for the arrest of Grace Mugabe was issued last Thursday,” South African Police Service spokesman Vishnu Naidoo said.

He added that police were seeking Interpol’s help to enforce the warrant.
There was no immediate comment from Mrs Mugabe or from authorities in Harare.

Mrs Mugabe was seen as a potential successor to her 94-year-old husband Robert, who ruled Zimbabwe from 1980 until he was ousted in a coup late last year.

He lived in a luxury hotel in Johannesburg’s Sandton district at the time of the incident.

She has denied assaulting Engels with an electric cable, saying an “intoxicated and unhinged” Engels attacked her with a knife after the model had gone to see the Mugabes’ sons at the hotel.

South African advocacy group Afriforum, which represented Engels, has dismissed Mrs Mugabe’s denial as a lie.

Mrs Mugabe has retreated from the limelight in Zimbabwe since her husband was ousted in the November 2017 coup.

- PM NEWS

2019 budget: Buhari enters NASS chamber to present appropriation bill amidst protest

It was a pitch fight and protest by some lawmakers, Wednesday, ahead of the walking in of President Muhammadu Buhari into the House of Representatives chamber as he came to present the 2019 budget appropriation before the joint session of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Many lawmakers were seen with placards singing protest song – freedom come, by struggle, by struggle.

This rowdy session was mainly engaged by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers as the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers were seen struggling with their counterparts to quell the protest.

-DAILY POST

Nigeria Can Pay N30,000 Minimum Wage, Says Oshiomhole

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, has backed the organised labour’s agitation that N30,000 should be the national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

He also stressed that as a member of the Nigeria Governors Forum when he was the governor of Edo State, he had told his colleagues publicly that “when it comes to the issue of minimum wage, I am not with them.”

The APC chairman spoke in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Monday night during a reception held for Ayuba Wabba and Safiyanu Mohammed, who were recently elected as the President of International Trade Union Confederation (Global) and African Regional Secretary of International Transport Federation, respectively.

Oshiomhole said that his position on the national minimum wage had not changed despite being the chairman of the ruling APC.

He said, “I do not think it is about the (APC) party here, it is about Nigeria. Do not try to ask a partisan question. I think you should ask a question that has to do with governance in Nigeria because this is an issue in which it appears all governors on the party platform are united, that is the truth. So, it is incorrect to ask that question from a partisan point of view.

“When I was a member of the (governors) forum, I did publicly advise my colleagues that when it comes to the issue of minimum wage, I am not with them, not only secretly, but publicly, that I am going to dissociate myself. I believe we need a national minimum wage, I believe Nigeria is capable of paying minimum wage. I believe the primary purpose of government is the welfare of the people and payment of wages is a function of prosperity.

“So, I am clear, whether I am chairman of the ruling party, or other parties, my views are not corrupted by the position that I occupy. What is constant in my life is my background, which is labour , and I do not deny it or hide it. And I am clear that the Nigeria Labour Congress has a right working with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria to promote a reasonable living wage.

“And when I was governor, I made the point because they say action speaks louder than words. I increased the minimum wage from N18, 000 to N25,000 three years ago. If I did it and my successor is paying it then, I think I have spoken!”

According to him, the national minimum wage would be necessary because the prices of labour, goods and services have not been static.

“The price of labour cannot be static if all other prices are changing and I said this creates a vicious circle. When you lack purchasing power in an economy, how do you stimulate the economy to provide more goods and services and create jobs?

“So we create a vicious circle of poor people, too poor to buy and consume anything and therefore those who provide goods and services cannot sell, and because they cannot sell, they are closing shops and more people are being sent out of work.

“Now, we should be more bold and courageous. I also argued and it is a fact that  those who are more patriotic and inward looking in their consumption pattern are the working class people. They are the ones that buy garri, yam, ordinary tomatoes and fish. They do not import fish; they do not buy Toyota jeeps and aircraft.

“Their pattern of spending is such that the money circulates. They are the ones who live in a local room and parlour house, pay rent to a local man whose only pension is the fact that he built a room and parlour house when he was in active service. When you don’t pay them living wages, you trigger a process of vicious circle of poverty.”

At the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said Wabba and Mohammed’s election came to President Muhammadu Buhari “as a pleasant delight that despite what we think our country is, the entire world has come to acknowledge and recognise the excellence with which we lead as a nation.”

In their remarks,  Wabba and Mohammed promised that although the task ahead would be very challenging, they would not disappoint the nation, adding that they would strive to put Nigeria on the positive map of the world.

- PUNCHNG