Ray

Igob's in Northern states declare they are going nowhere

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Their stance was made known by the president-general of Igbo traditional rulers in the northern states and Abuja, Chief Chikezie Nwogwu, during a courtesy call on Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai on Tuesday, June 20, Vanguard reports.

Governor El-rufai of Kaduna State 

Chief Chikezie Nwogu, told the governor that the Igbos were not going anywhere but would remain in the north, adding that Igbos have made tremendous contribution to the region.

"We are not in support of division. We are saying that things should be done right,” he said.

VhathausaBoy learnt that the Igbo leader however, called on the government to address some of the underlying factors that have led to the agitations in different parts of the country.

“We want the government to tackle the root cause of agitations and subsequent quit notice by Northern youths and find solution.

We are not happy with the call for division. We want Nigeria as one so that all of us can benefit. Northern youths have been our brothers,” he said.
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Ray

9 new laws on SMOKING set to be implemented by Osinbajo

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On Wednesday, May 31, 2017, the world marked the World No Tobacco Day.

As part of the commemoration of the day, Isaac Adewole, Nigeria’s Health Minister announced 9 regulations in the Nigeria Tobacco Control Act that would be implemented by the federal government.

The Act which was signed into law in 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan aims at reducing Tobacco use in the country.

World Health Organization(WHO) has revealed that tobacco kills over seven million people annually, and is an increasing risk factor in non-communicable (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, cancers and chronic obstructed pulmonary disease.

Isaac Adewole

According to Premium Times, Mr Adewole, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology said the implementation of the tobacco control Act had been slow because the draft regulations need the National Assembly approval.

Below are the regulations listed by the minister to be implemented:
1. Prohibition of the sale of tobacco products to and by anyone below age 18.

2. Ban of sale of cigarettes in single sticks; cigarettes must be sold in packs of 20 sticks only.

3. Smokeless tobacco shall be sold in a minimum of a pack of 30 grammes.

4. Ban of sale or offer for sale or distribution of tobacco or tobacco products through mail, internet, or other online devices.

5. Prohibition of interference of tobacco industry in public health and related issues.

6. Prohibition of smoking in anywhere on the premises of a child care facility, educational facility, and healthcare facility.

Other places where smoking is prohibited include: playgrounds, amusement parks, plazas, public parks, stadia, public transport, restaurants’ bar, and other public gathering spaces.

7. Prosecution of owner or manager of any of the places listed above who permits, encourages or fails to stop smoking in the above listed places.

8. Prohibition of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship of any kind.

9. Compliance with specified standards for content.
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Ray

5 facts about the two bills just signed by Osibajo

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With President Buhari away, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has signed into law two bills from the National Assembly. This laws will ultimately facilitate access to more affordable credit for Nigerians. The bills which have now become ‘Acts’ are the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act, 2017 (otherwise known as Collateral Registry Act) and the Credit Reporting Act, 2017. Below are some facts about the new laws:

1. ‘The Collateral Registry Act’ ensures that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria can register their movable assets such as motor vehicles, equipment and accounts receivable in the National Collateral Registry, and use same as collateral for accessing loans.
This in turn will increase their chances at accessing financing and tackle one of the major obstacles faced by MSMEs.

2. ‘The Credit Reporting Act’ provides for credit information sharing between Credit Bureaus and lenders (such as banks), as well as other institutions that provide services on credit such as telecommunication companies and retailers. Access to credit is critical to economic growth and is considered to be the motor for driving private sector development.

Acting President Signs Two New Bills

However, in Nigeria more than 70% of private enterprises, typically MSMEs, have limited or no access to credit.
Credit applications get rejected due to insufficient credit history and information for the lender to use to make a reasonable judgement, as well as unacceptable collateral. The two new Acts remove those obstacles for MSMEs.

Traditionally, banks only give loans to businesses that can provide fixed land and property as collateral. This shuts out MSMEs which usually own only movable assets like motor vehicles and equipment.

The Collateral Registry Bill, 2017, will give confidence to lenders to utilise the Registry and thereby make credit available to MSMEs and individuals through the use of their movable assets as collateral.

3. This Act enables lenders to make reasonable judgement on whether or not to extend credit to an individual, and reduces the cases of bad loans. On February 21st, 2017, the leadership of the National Assembly publicly committed to passing the two bills as part of the 60-Day National Action Plan for Ease of Doing Business initiated by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). That promise was kept by the National Assembly last week with the Bills forwarded to the Acting President for assent.
4. With the passage of these Acts, the existing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Guidelines regulating the operations of the National Collateral Registry and Credit Bureaux have now been replaced by formal legal frameworks.

5. The passage of these Acts would facilitate the achievement of the goals of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) set up by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2016 and chaired by the Vice-President to progressively make Nigeria an easier place for businesses to start and thrive.
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Ray

1,114 confirmed dead due to meningitis in Nigeria

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A total of 1,114 people have died in 22 weeks of meningitis outbreak in Nigeria which hit the country in November 2016.

It was gathered that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control stated the outbreak which has been ravaging the country for 22 weeks has affected four additional local government areas bringing the total affected local governments to 226 compared to what was obtainable last month.

Premium Times reports that Zamfara state recorded the first case of the latest meningitis and has recorded the highest casualty; followed by Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi and Yobe, which have reached the alert/epidemic threshold.



A total of 14,005 suspected cases have been identified from 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory so far.

The increase in the number of suspected cases was attributed to an increased knowledge of the case definition for the disease by the health agency.

Many health professionals at inception of the outbreak had missed the epidemiology of the disease when it first presented itself thereby making government intervention in providing vaccines to combat the spread of the disease late.

The health agency said the case management of CSM, like other disease conditions, follows a sequence of case detection, laboratory confirmation, treatment using the preferred drug of choice and supportive care.

In order to prevent future outbreak of the disease since CSM is a seasonal event of public health concern, the agency said there is a need for intensive and periodical community sensitisation on the disease.

The agency also said there is the need for early presentation and use of the public health facilities for immediate and proper treatment.
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Ray

Senate pass into law the bail to jail corrupt custom officers for 5 years

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The Nigerian Customs Service Management Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2017 was passed today, Wedesaday, May 31 by the Nigerian Senate.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Hope Uzodinma representing Imo West Senatorial District and members of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Senate president, Bukola Saraki, congratulated the Senate Committee on Custom and Excise duties for the timely passage of the bill.

Senate President Saraki was happy after the successful passage of the bill

Saraki expressed optimism that the bill will reform the Nigerian Customs Service procedures and ensures that Nigerians comply with World Trade Organization.

The bill also made provisions to jail corrupt Customs officials for 5 years. “We hope this new bill will increase revenue and create an enabling environment for business," an excited Saraki said.
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Ray

Saraki's media office replies African Confidential Magazine

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The media managers of Senate president, Bukola Saraki has refuted a story that appeared in top magazine, African Confidential.

The article titled 'Ambitious Men' suggested that Saraki, was one of those who stood against President Muhammadu Buhari's presidential nomination in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014.

The article also mentioned that Saraki has retained London Communications consultants Aequitas, to help launder his image.

Senate President Saraki one of APC strongest chieftain 

Responding on behalf of Saraki, his spokesman, Yusuph Olaniyonu said the claims in the article are incorrect. “Dr Saraki did not contest the last presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress.

“Dr. Saraki publicly announced in a statement in Ilorin on October 12, 2014 that he would not contest against Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) who was then an aspirant because"

some of us need to make sacrifice and be part of the solution rather than part of the problem of the party.

“He then declared that he would support the candidacy of the retired General Bihari.  Dr. Saraki was one of the people who worked tirelessly to ensure General Buhari won the APC ticket, and the general election,"

Olaniyonu wrote. He also said Saraki does not retain the services of Aequitas as contained in the article.

“He formerly engaged Aequitas for strategic policy services while he was governor of Kwara state, and chair of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and at the initial stage of his period as Senate President.He no longer retains the services of Aequitas effective from January 1, 2017," he added.

Olaniyonu said Saraki's interest now is to reform the Senate and make it an institution whose impact and relevance is felt and appreciated by the generality of the people.

He said his boss has pledged his full support for and commitment to the success of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
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Ray

Boko haram kills military chief,after attacking soldiers playing football in Cameroon

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Boko Haram struck in a small town about 30 kilometers from Makary, not far from the Cameroon-Nigeria.

The small town had so far being spared. On May 25, 2017 the militants came attacking:

“According to local residents, the attackers who came on board two pick-ups surprised the soldiers who were playing football. Were it not for the valor of the soldiers, the human damage could have been very heavy.

Military post in Cameroon

The terrorists also set fire to the military post," one reads.

A man named Naiguissia who was the head of the Bongour military post, was reportedly killed during the attack.

On May 26, another attack occurred in Kolofata, this time in Mayo-Sava. L'oeuil Sahel, a newspaper reports:

“Around 9 am on that day a bomber carrying a large explosive charge on a bicycle attempted to infiltrate the town by the main road linking Kolofata to the border with Nigeria."
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