Bini Times

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as the board chairman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Femi Adesina, spokesman of the president, confirmed this in a statement issued on Friday. Adesina said Mustapha Maihaja hade been appointed as the new director-general of the agency, and that other members of the NEMA board are: Babachir Lawal, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Talba Alkali representing the transport ministry, Rabiu Dagari, representing foreign affairs and Ngozi Azadoh representing health ministry. Adesina also said new appointments had been made in the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). “Duro Onabule is the new board chairman of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA),” the statement read. “Other executive directors of NTA include Dr Steve Egbo, Administration and Training; Abdul Hamid Salihu Dembos, Marketing; Mohammed Labbo, News; Fatima M. Barda, Fin

A LASTMA Official was on Friday, March 31st, beaten mercilessly by Keke Napep Riders in Ikeja, Lagos, according to Twitter user, Taiwo Francis‏ @owiatsicnarf. The reason why the LASTMA official received the beating of his life is still unknown.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu BUhari has sacked the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Muhammed Sani-Sidi. A replacement was immediately announced for him. This information and appointment of executive management for some other Federal Government agencies and parastatals were contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, on Friday. Adesina said Sani-Sidi is to be replaced by Engineer Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja. According to available information, Sani-Sidi’s tenure should have ended in 2018. The NEMA Board is now to be chaired by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN). Other members of the NEMA Board are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. David Babachir Lawal; Captain Talba Alkali, representing Ministry of Transport and Aviation; Ambassador Rabiu Dagari, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Ngozi Azadoh, Ministry of Health; Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido, Ministry of Interior; Engr. Ajisegiri Benson Akinloye, Ministry

Jose Mourinho has told midfielder Paul Pogba to curb his off-field commitments and instead focus on his Manchester United career, according to a report. The France international is currently nursing a hamstring strain picked up in the Europa League win against Rostov earlier this month, which he has failed to recover from over the international break. It is claimed by The Mirror that Mourinho was unhappy with the record signing's Twitter emoji stunt earlier this season - part of many commercial agreements in place to appease his numerous sponsors. Pogba is said to have been told to cut down on his activities away from the field, or else he is at risk of being dropped from the side once returning from injury. United spent £89m to bring their former youth-team product back from Juventus last summer, but he has largely come under fire for some underwhelming displays.

A mother of two children identified as Mary Salawu has been declared missing after being abducted by unknown men at her home in Asaba, Delta state yesterday. According to a twitter user, the woman is still nursing of a 7 month old baby.

The Nigerian born and American recording artiste, Jidenna is back in the country. He was seen today with his curly beards at Beat FM, Lagos.

Manchester United have reportedly been dealt a major injury blow with the news that midfielder Juan Mata is facing a spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his groin. The Spain international, who has never previously missed a game for the Red Devils through injury in his three years at the club, is expected to miss the rest of the campaign as a result of the damage. According to Manchester Evening News, Mata trained as normal this week but complained of an issue to his groin on Thursday, with United quickly taking the decision to rectify the problem with an operation. United are already without key midfield man Paul Pogba, who is yet to shake off what was initially thought to be a minor hamstring strain, while Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are also facing spells on the sidelines. Ander Herrera and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will both serve the final match of their respective bans against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, meanwhile, as boss Jose Mourinho attempts to rejig his side

Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos have discovered cocaine hidden inside the boxer shorts and luggage of a passenger. Two suspected drug traffickers, jewellery and auto parts dealers have been apprehended in connection with unlawful importation of narcotics. The suspects according to the Agency are Okonkwo Godwin, 57, an importer of jewellery found with cocaine in his boxer shorts and Nnaemeka David Chinedu, 37, an auto parts dealer who ingested 94 wraps of heroin. This is one of the largest quantities of drugs ingested by a suspect at the Lagos airport lately. NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba said that the suspects arrived from Brazil and Uganda with cocaine and heroin respectively. “Two suspected drug traffickers are currently being interrogated for illegally importing narcotics into the country. Okonkwo Godwin was caught with one wrap of cocaine in his boxer shorts and another in

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan zonal office, Oyo State, on Thursday said a herbalist had been arrested by its operatives for falsely obtaining N 45m from a victim under the pretext of offering herbal and spiritual healing. A statement from the EFCC Head of Public Affairs in the zone, Ayo Oyewole, said the suspect, Aminat Okiribiti, 34, committed the crime with two other accomplices at large, one of who is said to be her husband. The statement said, “Aminat ( Okiribiti) was arrested for an alleged case of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences . In a rehash of the old infamous advance fee fraud tactic of spiritual help and solution to all problems, a victim recounted her ordeal in the hands of a syndicate to our operatives, signalling a warning to the public. “Aminat, alongside other three cohorts still at large, conspired, using the decoy of providing cure and spiritual solution to the health challenges of the victim’ s children and fleeced her o

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has said that it is "flattering" to be linked with the likes of Barcelona, but insists that he is happy at Stamford Bridge. The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the Premier League's leading defenders since joining Chelsea in 2012 and has flourished in a back three under manager Antonio Conte this season. The Spain international's level of performance has resulted in reported interest from Barcelona, who are understood to be in the market for a new full-back, but Azpilicueta insists that he is solely focused on Chelsea. "Right now I am only thinking about Chelsea and I feel loved here. I've been here five years now and I extended my contract not long ago," he told The Guardian. "It's flattering to be linked to Barcelona: it means you're playing well. I wasn't hearing those sort of stories last season. That's a consequence of us being top of the Premier League, things are going well. &q

Antonio Conte has told Eden Hazard that he can become a legend by staying at Chelsea this summer and helping the club to even more silverware. The Belgium international is a rumoured target for Real Madrid, who are said to be willing to break the £100m barrier to land their man when the transfer window reopens for business. Conte understands why his star attacker, on course for a second PFA Player of the Year crown in three years after playing a direct part in 15 league goals this term, is being so heavily linked with the European giants. However, Conte is adamant that Hazard can achieve all his career ambitions by remaining at Stamford Bridge for the long term, with the former Juventus boss planning to build a dynasty in West London with his current group of players. "Now it's a great challenge to win the Premier League, more difficult a challenge for a player or a coach than other leagues. I think this league is really top in all aspects," he told reporters. "Eve

The Nigerian Senate has approved the use of electronic voting in future elections and election results to be electronically transmitted in an encrypted and secured manner to collation centers, in order to prevent hacking. The Senate took the decision as it concluded its amendment of the Electoral Act 2010. The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Abubakar Kyari, told journalists that the bill also addressed issues in the last election in Kogi state where a candidate died before results were declared. “In the event of the death of a candidate during elections, before the announcement of the result, that the commission (INEC), shall suspend election for a period of 21 days and give the opportunity to the party whose candidate had died; if the party has interest that is, to continue with the election. “If the party still thinks that they want to continue with the election, then they would be given 14 days to conduct a primary election and produce a candidate. The rea

The NNS pathfinder of the Nigerian Navy in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, has continued to destroy illegal refineries in its area of operation in the Niger Delta. The method of destruction, through burning and the activities of the operators of the illegal sites, have however been identified by the Rivers state government Task Force on Black Soot, as part of the problems of its persistence. The Commissioner of Environment who led the Task Force on an inspection of the sites, urged perpetrators to end their activities as it has become highly detrimental to the health of residents. “What we are saying is that this air we are breathing, is not very good for us, for our health; and we know that everyone has been complaining but if you know anyone involved in illegal bunkering, all you do is to just tell them that it is not the best for us because it is affecting our health derogatorily.” The Naval Commander, also speaking to Channels Television, stated that the Force would continue to ensu

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana, has stated that no legislative House has the power to suspend a member even for a single day. He made the comment while addressing the Senate’s recent suspension of one of its members, Senator Ali Ndume, for allegedly bringing the House to disrepute, as well as the investigation and summoning of some of its members. The Senate spokesman was quoted to have said that although the 1999 constitution does not exactly state that the Senate has the power to suspend a member, they have the power to do so based on the internal House rules. In reaction to this, the senior lawyer stated that: “The Senate labours under the very erroneous impression that it can do anything, whether allowed by law or not; particularly when it purports to exercising its oversight functions. “Allegations of crime, certificate forgery, allegations regarding under-payment of Customs duties, are criminal offences that can only be investigated by the appropriate authorities

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Mike Ozekhome, has stated that the Senate has the right to summon it’s members to order at anytime. “The Committee of the House or the House, can summon any person. it says any person, and it didn’t say some people. “It didn’t say whether those elected or not elected. Any person; to bring papers, memos, come with evidence, and that if such a person is summoned to come and testify or to come and answer questions and he refuses to come, under Section 5, the Branch of the National Assembly can order the Police to arrest and bring such a person.” He added that “the Senate President or the Speaker of the House of Representatives if satisfied that the person has entered into recognizance, they can release the person but if not satisfied, they can tell them to keep the person there.” He made his position known while speaking on Channels Television’s Breakfast show, Sunrise Daily. Mr Ozekhome’s view was however in contrast to that of his colleague, Mr Femi Fa

The French ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer says his government is seeking more bilateral trade investments in Nigeria through the French Development Agency which has committed over one billion Euros by way of loans for various projects. In an interview at the government House in Benin City, the state capital, the French envoy said his mission in Edo state is to explore the investment opportunities. The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on his part, said the meeting was in line with his policy of wealth creation to dissuade the youths from embarking on fruitless journeys abroad in search of greener pastures.

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has a new board led by a former Newspaper Editor and former Presidential Spokesman, Mr Duro Onabule. President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday approved the new board which consists of six other Executive Directors. They are: Dr. Steve Egbo, Administration and Training; Abdul Hamid Salihu Dembos, Marketing; Mohammed Labbo, News; Fatima M. Barda, Finance; Stephen Okoanachi, Engineering; and Wole Coker, Programmes. Some other appointments were also announced in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina. “At the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Aliyu Hayatu is new chairman, while Buhari Auwalu and Yinka Amosun, are Zonal Directors, Kaduna and Lagos, respectively. “Under the Ministry of Information and Culture, the following agencies have new appointees: Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr. Chika Maduekwe, General Manager; National Theatre and National Troupe of Nigeria, Comrade Tar Ukoh, Art

It may not be the best of times for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), as the Federal High Court in Abuja nullifies the Constitution of the NBA under which the current leadership came into power, declaring it null and void. However, the court judgement has been appealed by the leadership of the NBA, who sought a stay of execution to Justice John Tsoho’s judgement. The judgement had held that the amended NBA Constitution, under which the present executive was elected, breached Section 597 and 598 of the Company and Allied Matters Act, especially as it relates to the registration of the amended constitution. But a Court of Appeal in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory has granted a stay of execution on Justice Tsoho’s judgement.

The trial of a former Governor of Oyo State, Mr Rashidi Ladoja, continued on Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, with the prosecution witness Adewale Atanda giving evidence in the case. He said Mr Ladoja in 2007 allegedly sent the sum of 600,000 pounds sterling to his daughter, Bimpe in London. Mr Atanda, who was at that time a Senior Special Executive Assistant to Ladoja, told the court that the money was part of the sum of 634 million Naira, which some stockbrokers contributed for expenses during the former governor’s impeachment process. According to him, Ladoja had earlier instructed the sale of some shares belonging to the Oyo State Government to the stockbrokers. However, under cross-examination by Ladoja’s lawyer, Mr Atanda said he did not receive any acknowledgement for the payment of the £600,000 from Ladoja’s daughter. The case has been adjourned till April 12 and 13. Mr Ladoja, alongside a former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, Waheed Akanbi, is accused of consp

Romelu Lukaku’s four goals in March have earned the Everton striker the Premier League Player of the Month award. Lukaku received the accolade after moving to the top of the scoring chart, taking his tally to 21 strikes for the season with three deadly performances. He finished March with two goals in a 4-0 triumph over Hull City, making him the first Everton player in history to reach 20 goals in a single Premier League season. The 23-year-old Belgian claimed the prize ahead of Artur Boruc and Joshua King of Bournemouth, Nathan Redmond of Southampton, Crystal Palace’s Mamadou Sakho and Liverpool midfielder, Georginio Wijnaldum.

The Oyo State Government has been lauded for its initiative to immortalise late General Aguiyi Ironsi and Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi with a Memorial Park and Garden at Lalupon area of the state. The Nigerian Army, Ironsi family, Fajuyi Foundation, Oyo State House of Assembly and the Lalupon community praised the government for its efforts which they described as one that will not only sustain the heritage but encourage patriotism among the people. The commendation was given during the working visit and post-site clearing inspection of the proposed Ironsi – Fajuyi Memorial Park and Garden, which is going to serve as a tourist centre. They noted that developing the assassination site of the two martyrs killed on July 29, 1966 during Nigeria’s first military coup is a way of immortalising them and promoting gallantry, loyalty, trust and unity amongst Nigerians. The Nigerian Army, represented by the Engineer Brigade Command, Mokola Barracks, Gabriel Ochigagno, lauded the Oyo State Governmen

There was a delay to the swearing-in of new ministers selected by President Jacob Zuma in South Africa, as the programme had to be rescheduled for Friday evening. The President’s sacking of the country’s Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, has drawn mixed reactions from South African leaders, with some praising Mr Gordhan’s virtues. They believed he is victim of a witch-hunt, because he had been digging up dirt on the President. Reacting to his sack, the former Finance Minister said an intelligence report used by President Zuma as justification was ‘absolute nonsense’. Gordhan was sacked alongside 14 other members of the cabinet, following an urgent meeting of the African National Congress (ANC) convened by the South African President on Thursday night.

Smoke rises from Cadereyta prison where two inmates were killed following a second day of riots. [Julio Cesar Aguilar/AFP] Mattresses were set ablaze, a pharmacy robbed and prisoners poisoned during two days of riots at a Mexican prison in Cadereyta that left two dead and at least 13 wounded. The demonstrations in the northern state of Nuevo Leon began on Monday due to the use of new X-ray equipment at the entrance to the prison. Guards detained two women who tried to enter the jail with drugs hidden on them, according to state security spokesman Aldo Fasci Zuazua. After the riot, Fasci said that pregnant women would not have to go through the X-ray machines. About 40 inmates began protesting by blocking the corridors with blazing mattresses to prevent the passage of guards, Fasci said. Prisoners also said they were being deprived of food and water. It was the second fatal security breach in a week for Mexico's troubled prison system. On Friday, three inmates died in a prison r

Latest reports say China has nearly completed construction on three man-made islands in the disputed area of South China Sea [Reuters] Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he confronted the American ambassador about the US' inaction in stopping China's construction of man-made islands that are now at the heart of a regional dispute in the South China Sea. "Why did you not send the armada of the 7th Fleet," the straight-talking president said he told US Ambassador Sung Kim. Duterte said in a speech on Wednesday that Kim was unable to reply to the question when they met on Monday in southern Davao city, where the president had a separate meeting with the Chinese ambassador. Duterte said he told Kim he was surprised by what he described as US inaction when newspapers were publishing pictures of China's construction of runways and other structures on the newly built islands in the disputed waters. "Had America really wanted to avoid trouble, early on ...

An estimated 5,000 people died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean in 2016 [File: Mathieu Willcocks] A rubber boat packed with nearly 150 migrants sank in the Mediterranean and the presumed sole survivor - a 16-year-old Gambian boy - told rescuers he believed all other passengers drowned. A humanitarian vessel, the Iuventa, found the boy hanging onto a fuel tank in the sea on Tuesday. He was transferred first to an Italian Coast Guard ship, then to a Spanish frigate and brought to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa early on Wednesday. "He said that everyone else died. But there's some hope that the Italian Coast Guard picked up others," said International Migration Organization (IOM) spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo in Rome, after speaking to staff in Lampedusa. It should become clear on Thursday whether others survived, as a Coast Guard vessel disembarks migrants in eastern Sicily that day, he said. "The boy said they left Sabratha, Libya, a couple days ago on

World football’s ruling body FIFA will get rid of local World Cup organising committees and take full control over tournaments’ organisation starting in 2026, according to FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura. “We will organise the 2026 World Cup on our own,” Samoura said in an interview published Wednesday in Russia’s Vedomosti business daily. She added that the current system, which mandates local committees with organising the World Cups hosted by their countries, would go under reforms mid-way between the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. The next two World Cups will not be affected by the changes. “We don’t want to have to create a new structure from scratch (for every World Cup),” Samoura said, stressing that this process was “difficult and costly”. “We want to have a permanent professional team that will have all competences like organisation and combine this experience with local know-how.” Samoura said the move was meant to increase “control and effectiveness”, with local organisin

Macron, presented as an anti-system candidate who has ambitions to revolutionise the French political landscape, is the very product of the system, writes Saad [Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters] Presidential elections in France have never been as scandalous and controversial as this year's. But what really sets the 2017 election apart from previous ones is how French mainstream media is behaving itself in terms of objectivity and fair standards of coverage. In a democratic context, the general objective of media coverage during an election campaign should ultimately be the dissemination of fair and impartial information, through an equal distribution of broadcasting time among all candidates taking part in the elections, as well as an objective and critical analysis of the candidates' discourses and/or policy platforms while avoiding granting preferential treatment to one candidate at the expense of all others. By law, airwave time and exposure is monitored and enforced by the state

The funeral of celebrated South African anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada on Wednesday was transformed into a rally against President Jacob Zuma, who had been barred from the event. The family of the African National Congress stalwart, one of Nelson Mandela’s closest colleagues in the struggle against white minority rule who died on Tuesday aged 87, had asked Zuma to stay away. It was however attended by vice president Cyril Ramaphosa, cabinet ministers and all of the country’s living post-apartheid former presidents. South Africa was thrown into political turmoil on Monday when Zuma ordered the respected Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan to return early from an overseas investor trip, fuelling speculation that he was preparing to replace him with a loyalist. The move sent the rand tanking and renewed investor fears that the country could be about to enter a period of economic and political uncertainty. In a fiery eulogy, former president Kgalema Motlanthe said Kathrada was “deepl

Europe is in the throes of a far-right populist resurgence, threatening mainstream politics and the very idea of European integration. Nationalism is playing a key part in elections across the continent, while Europe waits to see how far the far right has come, and how far the European Union has left to go. "To understand Europe and where we are today in terms of European integration and some of the phenomena we're seeing in the contemporary period, we do have to go back to that Europe that no longer exists, the post-World War II Europe," says Alina Polyakova, the director of research on Europe and Eurasia at the Atlantic Council. In 1945, at the end of World War II, the continent had been divided by nationalism and devastated by war. But it was also ready for a new beginning. At a meeting in the Crimean resort of Yalta, US President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin marked out a joint plan for a liberated Euro

The immediate past governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has described the job of Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as ‘most challenging’ in Nigeria. According to him, Magu’s job was more demanding than those of President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President Bukola Saraki. Speaking on Monday at the first national anti-corruption stakeholders’ summit at the EFCC Academy in Abuja, he said, “You have the most difficult and challenging job in this country today, more challenging than the job of a governor, the job of a President, the job of a Senate President or any other person because those ones are clearly defined and the values are there but this one is really problematic.” According to Oshiomhole, the anti-corruption efforts of the present administration were not selective. “In the past we were made to believe that you could not probe the armed forces because of security reasons because they could overthrow; so, army account

Watford’s Christian Kabasele has admitted that Victor Anichebe is the toughest striker he has faced in the English Premier League. Both players have been sidelined by injury since January, but Anichebe is expected to be back in action on April 1. The last time they faced each other, the Nigerian tormented the former Genk defender, as Sunderland won 1-0. “I was mentally prepared to take the plunge [of coming to England],” Kabasele told RTBF. “I did not have too many problems with the pace of the matches, even if the attackers are much faster than in Belgium. “Dealing with a [Sergio] Aguero, [Diego] Costa or [Sadio] Mane does not leave you a second of respite, so I need my ability to catch up with attackers who have gone past me.” “I had the most trouble against Victor Anichebe,” he admitted.

The General Overseer, Our Sanctuary Gospel Church, Bishop Udo Azogu has warned that if President Muhammadu Buhari dies, forces of darkness will overrun Nigeria. Addressing his congregation during a church service in Lagos, Azogu urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the President to overcome his health challenges so as to defeat the dark “satanic” forces. The clergyman insisted that Buhari’s Presidency was ordained from heaven. According to Azogu, ‘‘God in the revelation warned that if Buhari dies, the forces of darkness with ‘black and white banner’ will overrun Nigeria. ‘‘God revealed that a satanic organization will try to take over the reins of government by force but, that the church should pray against it. The spiritual symbol of the satanic group is dragon. ‘‘God has equipped President Buhari to counter the evil forces. If Buhari dies, Nigeria will be in serious trouble.’’ Azogu appealed to the President to terminate the ongoing prosecution against the Senate President, Buko

Mr. Ademola Odunade, the President of a Customary Court sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, on Monday dissolved a 16 year-old marriage between Opeyemi Aremu and his wife, Tolade, citing the woman’s arrogance and disobedience. The court also awarded the custody of the four children of the marriage to Opeyemi, noting: “He has demonstrated that he has capacity to take care of them.” Odunade said he decided to dissolve the union as a result of lack of love between them. The petitioner, Opeyemi, who resides at Orita-Aperin, had told the court that his wife Tolade was arrogant and insolent. “My Lord, I wish I did not marry Tolade; may be things would have been better for me today. Tolade is frustrating and troubling me. “Arrogance is her watchword as I mean nothing to her. Not only does she disrespect me, Tolade is also rude to everybody around me. “Worst still, she is highly disobedient to me because she does not take instructions from me. She also accused me of preventing her from having access to

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday alleged of plans to try their detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, under Sharia Law. It descried such plan as an inhuman act, stating that adopting such measure amounted to continuing what it described as the ongoing crime against pro-Biafra groups in Nigeria. The group further alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari had authorized the fresh trial. In a statement made available to journalists by the group’s media and publicity secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB lameneted that pro-Biafra groups were going through what the people of Biafra went through during the 1967 – 1970 civil war, that led to the destruction of the lives of many people, mainly Christians. Describing the alleged move to try Kanu and others under Sharia Law, Powerful observed that, even in the predominantly Moslem part of Northern Nigeria, nobody had been tried secretly under Sharia Law since the creation of Nigeria by the British merchants in 1914 and wondered why