Bini Times

The President of the Trade Union Congress has said that the Central Bank on Nigeria is confused and does not know the steps to take to steer to the economy out of its sorry state. Kaigama said that all sectors of the economy had collapsed with the nation’s currency losing value against the Dollar and other foreign currencies every hour. According to him the misfortune of the Naira had continued with the currency exchanging for between N480 and N492 to the dollar in the foreign change market. Kaigama’s comments were contained in an address released to coincide with the nation’s 56th independence anniversary on Friday. He lamented while the nation was politically independent, the economy had been hijacked by the International Monetary Fund and a few wealthy individuals to the detriment of the citizenry. He said, “Ours is a tale of a country that has been hijacked by the Brettonwood institutions and an insignificant few in terms of number, who now manipulate the system to their own pers

The People’s Democratic Party on Friday carpeted the ruling All Progressives Congress, saying the party is responsible for the woes of the ordinary Nigerian. The PDP submitted that since the party came into power almost two years ago Nigerians have been facing several problems as a result of poor leadership and implementation of policies that were not people friendly. The party chairman in Niger State, Mr. Tanko Beji, who made the observations in a statement released to journalists to mark Nigeria’s 56th independence anniversary regretted that Niger state had not fared better under the rulership of the APC government of Abubakar Sani Bello. “Niger State has not fared better under the leadership of “the clueless, visionless and rudderless APC government,” Beji said in the statement. “It is sad that virtually all the social infrastructures like water, roads, health facilities etc inherited from the Peoples Democratic Party government by the APC has been allowed to rot away thereby maki

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said despite the criticisms of many, he would continue to blame his predecessors for Nigeria’s woes. He said, passing the buck, which people have been frowning on, was important in order for Nigerians to know what went wrong with the country. Buhari spoke at an event tagged, “The Conversation: An evening with creative youths,” held inside the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The event, attended also by the President’s wife, Aisha; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo; as well as governors and other top government officials, had “Creative youth as drivers of the change agenda,” as its theme. Buhari said, “I am going to bore you with what we met. I know that I am being accused in the papers of passing the buck, but passing the buck is sometimes absolutely necessary to remind people who take things for granted. “When we came in, I screamed to high heavens because I had promised a lot while seeking votes. “I asked, whe

Adibe, Esonwunne Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu State, have arrested a clearing and forwarding agent, who ingested 74 wraps of cocaine while on his way to China. Spokesperson for the agency, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said on Friday that the suspect,47-year-old Adibe Baloba, was caught during outward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian airline flight to China. The NDLEA commander at the Enugu airport, Adeofe Adeyemi, was quoted as saying that the cocaine, which Adibe ingested weighed 1.417kgs. “A second suspect, Onyechi Esonwunne, was caught attempting to send a luggage containing cannabis to China through an unsuspecting passenger. The cannabis was carefully prepared inside packs of noodles to avoid detection. Investigating officers are working hard on the cases and the suspects will soon be charged to court,” Adeofe said. The agency said its preliminary investigation showed that Esonwunne had previously been dep

Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele In a bid to track the abductors of Mrs. Margaret Emefiele, the wife of the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has deployed helicopters along the Benin-Agbor Road, where the incident had taken place. Idris, it was gathered, had also flooded the area with hundreds of police operatives and sniffer dogs in a move to put pressure on the kidnappers. A senior police officer said, “We received information on Thursday that the CBN governor’s wife was abducted alongside three women and a male driver. They were on their way to Agbor, Delta State, where she hails from. “We have deployed policemen, helicopters and sniffer dogs and we will arrest the suspects very soon.” Gunmen had on Thursday abducted Margaret along with four others and demanded N100m as ransom. The kidnappers were said to have made the demand after taking their victims to an unknown location. A senior police officer told our corresponde

The recent call by a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, that the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, should resign has shown cracks in the party, which may set the pace for the 2019 presidential election, GBENRO ADEOYE writes For more than a decade, there has been a lion at the centre of South-West political empire whose name is Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu. But the enduring rein of the man also known as the Lion of Bourdillon appears to be facing its stiffest test yet. Tinubu rose to the position of real influence and prominence because of his hold on Lagos politics and the roles he played in breaking the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti states as the leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria. Then his role in the merger that brought about the All Progressives Congress and the success the party recorded at the last general elections further enhanced his profile as a political godfather. The AC

Thousands of protesters staged a protest in Amman on Friday (September 30) to demonstrate against a $10 billion gas deal between Jordan and Israel. The deal will supply 1.6 trillion feet (tcf) of gas to Jordan's National Electric Power Company and marks a significant step forward in Israel's efforts to exploit its offshore gas reserves. But protesters said they didn't want a deal with Israel, saying the government had other energy alternatives. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has often played up Israel's potential as an economic partner with Sunni Arab countries in the region. In that respect, the deal with Jordan represents a breakthrough. While Israel and Jordan signed a peace deal in 1994, relations are not always good, but as economic ties deepen, Israel hopes they will become firmer. Talks on the contract began more than two years ago. The 15-year deal for the massive Leviathan natural gas field, which holds an estimated 22 tcf of gas, should help the U

People walk on the rubble of damaged buildings in the rebel held area of al-Kalaseh neighbourhood of Aleppo, Syria, September 29, 2016. REUTERS Russia is sending more warplanes to Syria to ramp up its air campaign, a Russian newspaper reported on Friday, as the United States said diplomacy to halt the violence was "on life support" but not dead yet. Fighting continued to intensify a week into a new Russian-backed Syrian government offensive to capture rebel-held eastern Aleppo and crush the last urban stronghold of a revolt against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that began in 2011. Moscow and Assad spurned a U.S.-Russian brokered ceasefire agreed to this month and launched attacks on rebel-held areas in Aleppo in potentially the most decisive battle in the Syrian civil war. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by telephone for a third straight day, with the top Russian diplomat saying Moscow was ready to consider more ways

Authorities on Friday released two videos of police shooting an unarmed black man dead in El Cajon, California, but the grainy footage, much of it without sound, was not likely to pacify community outrage over the incident. Police and prosecutors said an investigation was still under way into the fatal shooting on Tuesday of Ugandan-born Alfred Olango, 38, and that no decision had been made on whether to criminally charge the officers involved. "This is as difficult a situation as any law enforcement officer will ever encounter and its one we never seek," El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis told a news conference. "That being the case, a tragic event took place that took a life and had a major impact on our community." Video of the incident comes from two sources: A camera mounted at the drive-thru window of the Los Ponchos taco stand in El Cajon and the cell phone of a bystander. Both videos show two officers confronting Olango in the restaurant's parking lot be

China's yuan joins the International Monetary Fund's basket of reserve currencies on Saturday in a milestone for the government's campaign for recognition as a global economic power. The yuan joins the U.S. dollar, the euro, the yen and British pound in the IMF's special drawing rights (SDR) basket, which determines currencies that countries can receive as part of IMF loans. It marks the first time a new currency has been added since the euro was launched in 1999.The IMF is adding the yuan, also known as the renminbi, or "people's money", on the same day that the Communist Party celebrates the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. "The inclusion into the SDR is a milestone in the internationalization of the renminbi, and is an affirmation of the success of China's economic development and results of the reform and opening up of the financial sector," the People's Bank of China said in a statement. China will use this o

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte gestures during a news conference upon his arrival from a state visit in Vietnam at the International Airport in Davao city, Philippines September 30, 2016 Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte appeared to liken himself to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler on Friday and said he would "be happy" to exterminate 3 million drug users and peddlers in the country. Although the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama played down the remark, Duterte's comments triggered shock and anger among Jewish groups in the United States, which could create pressure on the U.S. government to take a tougher line with the Philippines leader. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter told a news conference following a meeting Southeast Asian defense chiefs in Hawaii that he personally found Duterte's comments "deeply troubling", though the matter wasn't discussed at the meeting. State Department spokesman Mark Toner had earlier described Duterte&

A woman with maggots dropping continuously from her private parts shocked residents of Olakula area of Idiroko in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State on Wednesday. According to TheNation, the scene turned chaotic as residents trooped out to see the woman, identified as Iya Toheeb, who sat in a car with the assistance of family members and sympathisers. It was thought that she might have been a victim of money-making ritual after her condition allegedly defied orthodox medication. The woman was also brought to one of the men she was associated with, a carpenter in the community. Of the reason for bringing the afflicted woman to the man, a source at the scene who asked not to be named, said:     “The woman was brought to the carpenter who was her former husband. Her family members believed that the man may be responsible for her worsening condition that defied treatment in hospital where she was admitted for months.     Doctors were said to have advised her relatives to seek alt

There was confusion in Enugu on Friday over reports that the National Judicial Commission has retired the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezuluike. The NJC has been investigating various allegations of acts of corruption brought against the Chief Judge. Umezuluike was alleged to have forged legal judgments for his personal gain. He was equally accused of receiving the sum of N10m as bribe, and also ordering the arrest of petitioners. Unconfirmed reports had it that the NJC recommended his compulsory retirement after investigating the allegations. The development led to confusion at the headquarters of the Enugu State High Court, where Umezuluike’s office is located. When our correspondent called at the state high court complex on Friday, judicial workers were observed discussing the development in low tones. The development disrupted work at the high court, as nearly all the staff engaged in discussions about the matter. Visitors were also involved in the discussions.

  Veteran Nollywood actor, Martins Njubuigbo, popularly known as Elder Maya has died months after battling a liver-related ailment. Actor Yomi Fabiyi broke the sad news last night. A campaign to raise funds for the actor, fondly called Papa Labista and popular for his village chief priest’s roles in movies, had been started by his colleague after he was diagnosed with liver disease at a hospital in Lagos State. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Nigel Farage flew to the US last night to coach Donald Trump ahead of his next presidential debate with Hillary Clinton     Former Ukip leader will give the Republican nominee debating tips     Trump set to debate Clinton in eight days time and again on October 19     New York debate this week gave Democrat Mrs Clinton a boost in the polls     Republican advisers said to have been frustrated by Trump's performance     Farage triumphed over Nick Clegg on a TV debate on Europe in 2014 Nigel Farage flew to the US last night to coach Donald Trump ahead of his next presidential debate with Hillary Clinton. The former Ukip leader will give the Republican nominee tips on how to defeat Mrs Clinton ahead of their second meeting in eight days' time. And Mr Farage – praised for his debating skills during the EU referendum campaign – will also offer help in the build-up to the final clash, which is on October 19. Mr Farage has been brought in at the last minute after the first debate i

 12 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons have all expressed their wishes on what they want to see, how they want to be treated, and what they want as citizens of Nigeria. NoStrings recently conducted a ‘wish hunt’ and was able to successfully extract 12 interesting wishes from LGBT Nigerians who in the process used the opportunity to express their hopes, frustrations, and desires. Read below the 12 entries that were extracted.     1. Anonymous; I wish for a Nigeria were I can get married to the woman of my dreams without fear of being lynched at the wedding venue. I wish for a Nigeria where I can hold my girls hand in public and not get killed or raped for doing so”     2. John Adewoye; I wish we are honest enough to face our reality before our families and friends.     3. Idoh; “I wish someday that LGBT Nigerians would be able to walk freely on the streets without facing any form of abuse and be able to hold hands and kiss in public; I also wish to marry the man I love and

Mike Towell Scottish boxer Mike Towell has died after he was knocked to the canvas twice in a bout in Glasgow on Thursday night. Dundee fighter Towell, 25, was taken from the ring on a stretcher in the fifth round of his welterweight title final eliminator with Dale Evans on Thursday night.  The young father, who had 11 wins and one draw from his 12 fights prior to taking on Evans, was knocked down by a left hook in the fifth after also hitting the canvas in the first following a brutal right hand. Tributes have been pouring in for the Scottish fighter with boxing fans left 'absolutely heartbroken' while former European champion Spencer Oliver, Glasgow pro Joe Ham and former WBC Silver International lightweight champion Tommy Coyle have paid their respects online. Towell got back to his feet and continued but after Evans landed more blows as the fight progressed, referee Victor Loughlin stepped in. Loughlin stopped the bout in the fifth, Towell subsequently rushed to hospit

Edo election: Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, says outcome of Edo poll is a fulfilment of President Muhammadu Buhari`s promise of ensuring free, fair and credible elections in the country.   He stated this at the Rivers South-East Senatorial District rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday at Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area of the state. Represented by Dr Dakuku Peterside, Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Amaechi said that after the March 19 rerun elections in Rivers, he reminded Buhari of his promise to conduct free and fair elections in the country. “I went to the president because there were more guns in hands of criminals than Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in hands of peaceful people during the March 19 legislative rerun elections. “The president assured me that to signpost the fact that never again will electorate be held hostage by gunmen, watch out for Edo governorship electio

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Engr. Babachir David Lawal has stated that the Federal Government will soon establish ranches and grazing reserves for herdsmen across the country. Disclosing this in Abuja, when he played host to a delegate of Tabital Pulako Njode Jam Foundation, Lawal explained that the government aims to end the lingering crises between herdsmen and farmers in the country. A statement by the Director of Press in the office of the SGF, Bolaji Adebiyi quoted Lawal as saying that the attacks on farmers across the country was the handwork of foreign herdsmen. According to the statement, Lawal “reiterated the decision of the present administration to establish ranches and grazing reserves across the country as a solution to the incessant clashes between Fulani Cattle Rearers and Local Farmers. “He also noted that nomads from outside Nigeria have migrated into the country and that they are the ones perpetuating most of the crimes on the far

Troops from the 13 Brigade Nigerian Army Calabar, on Friday, repelled an attack on its soldiers by killing seven armed militants at Efut Esighi in Bakassi local government area of Cross River.   Capt. Kayode Owolabi, Army Public Relations Officer (APRO) who disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Calabar, said that the militants attacked the Army post in Efut Esighi. Owolabi linked the militants to be `boys’ of the most wanted militant leader, Benjamin Ene a.k.a `G1’ who has been on the wanted list of security agencies in the state. “The very determined troops from the 13 Brigade and Operation Delta Safe repelled an attack from armed militants at Efut Esighi in Bakassi local government area this morning. “The militants tried to attack the Army post in Efut Esighi. Some of them were wearing Nigerian military camouflage. “We recovered 250 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, rocket propelled gun luncher, GPMG belt links and various charms on their bodies. Other militants

A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, has described the emergence of Godwin Obaseki as the governor of Edo State as fraudulent. Ikimi said Obaseki’s election was against the choice of the people of Edo State. APC’s Godwin Obaseki defeated the candidate of the PDP, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, by 319,483 to 253,173 votes. The Peoples Democratic Party chief, who hails from Igueben Local Government Area in Edo Central Senatorial District of the state, insisted that the APC didn’t deserve victory in the poll. Speaking with newsmen on Thursday, Ikimi said the election did not represent the wish of the people. He said, “All I can say is that I dispute the election completely. I take the view expressed by our candidate that the outcome of the election as announced by INEC is completely at variance with what happened on the ground. “So, we dispute it completely and we will seek redress through constitutional means.” Asked if he was surprised at the conduct of the elec

A BRT driver Agape Enyere has helped a woman who wanted to enter his bus to deliver a baby girl. The pregnant woman wanted to board a bus to Mile2 but went into labour leading the driver to get down and help her deliver her bundle of joy. According to reports, the driver is a midwife’s son, so delivery means almost nothing to him. He has seen it all.

Nigeria’s foreign exchange market was tension-soaked yesterday, as the Naira raced towards N500/USD1. It closed at N490/ USD1 in the parallel market, with dealers expecting further rise today to hit the dreaded N500 mark.   Surprisingly, the Naira appreciated significantly to N305/ USD at the official interbank market same day, although dealers said foreign exchange was not available to most of the bids. Meanwhile, the global investment bank, Morgan Stanley of United States of America, has warned that its MSCI Nigeria Indexes would be reclassified as Stand-alone next year, if currency restriction was instituted by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Also the World Bank said, yesterday, that Nigeria and South Africa would drag down Africa’s growth rate by 1.6 per cent in 2016, as strings of negative economic indicators continued.

Apparently an elderly man died yesterday at one of the polling units in Edo State. The incident happened at Abico Market unit 10 ward eight in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government. Mr. Solomon Omorogbe, an agent of the All Progressives Congress reportedly slumped and died at the polling unit.   It was gathered that the 58 year-old man left his house to his polling unit early in the morning where he was to serve as a polling agent. It was further gathered that the deceased slumped shortly after casting his vote. He was said to have been rushed to Akugbe hospital by his first son and other sympathizers, at the polling unit where he was confirmed dead by the doctor.

Veteran actress, Joke Silva turned a year older on 29th September and some Nigerian celebrities including Kaffy, Waje, TY Bello and Simi hung out with her to celebrate her day.

Phyno and flavour Nabania are currently in enugu as both celebrate with fans and masquerade. The fun was awesome as people turn out.

It was harvest of tears on Thursday in the Ipakodo, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, after some gunmen invaded a house and murdered a man and his two sons. The suspects, who killed the man identified as Celestine Nwokoye, and his sons, also shot his wife and his two daughters, who are battling for their lives at the moment. The wife and the injured daughters were said to have been rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment, Punch reports. A resident of Ebute, who visited the scene, but did not want his name in print, said the attackers were suspected to assassins. He said, “The man’s house is located on Agbose Street, off Oluodo Junction. He worked at a taxi park in the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja. The killers came on Thursday morning. They shot him and all the members of his family. He and two male children died instantly, while they left his wife and the two daughters with bullet injuries. “The attackers

A middle-aged woman, Glory Abang, has been sentenced to two years in prison for allegedly keeping her 12-year-old half-sister as her slave while exploiting and exposing her » to psychological for many years.   The sentence was handed down to the Akwa Ibom State-born Abang by a Federal High Court sitting in Minna, the capital of Niger State, on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, after she was arraigned by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The NAPTIP prosecutor had earlier told the President of the court, Hon. Justice Y. Bogoro , that Abang had engaged the girl child in activities that were exploitative, injurious or hazardous to her physical, social and psychological development. Abang, a resident of Chief Palace, Goram, was arrested by the NAPTIP officials in July 2015, following a tip-off by her neighbours on the ill treatment she was meting out to her sister. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Abang had taken the girl f

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday sent names of six proposed commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commissioners (INEC) to the Senate for consideration and confirmation. The President also forwarded five names of proposed commissioners for the National Population Commission (NPC). In a letter read by Senate President, Abubakar Bukola saraki on the floor of the Senate Thursday, President Buhari said that he was forwarding the list of names in accordance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). President Buhari said that the appointees were made from the six geo-political zones of the country. Those nominated included, Prof. Okechukwu Obinna Ibeanu Anambra (member) (South East), May I. Agbamuche-Mbu (Delta) (member) South South, AVM Ahmed Tijani Mu’azu (rtd) (Gombe) member (North East), Mohammed Kudu Haruna (Niger) North Central (member), Dr.Adekunle Ladipo Ogunmola (Oyo) South West, (member) and Abubakar Ahmed Nahuche (Zamfar

A private get belonging to Portugal superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, is reported to have crashed in Barcelona, Spain. The Real Madrid ace player bought the jet for a whooping amount of £15 million last year. According to The Mirror, Ronaldo was not on board the plane when the crash happened at El Prat airport. It is understood the plane’s landing gear broke on impact, and a runway at the airport was closed. The pilot was treated for minor injuries, but no one was seriously hurt. The 31-year-old often rents the jet, a Gulfstream G200, to private clients, and none of the star’s friends or family was on board when the crash occurred.