The Obamas arrive Argentina

Obamas leaving DC for Argentina

United States President Barack Obama arrived in Argentina on Wednesday to reset diplomatic relations and strengthen trade ties, the report said.

It said that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen a relationship with a country that was part of South America’s left wing bloc until pro-business President Mauricio Macri took power in December, 2015.
Obama’s two-day visit marks a rapprochement after years of sour relations and is a sign of support for Macri’s investor-friendly reforms aimed at opening up Latin America’s third biggest economy.

Reports say Obama and his family landed in Buenos Aires shortly after 1 a.m. and were met by Argentina’s foreign minister, Susana Malcorra, before being whisked away to the U.S. ambassador’s residence.
The U.S. leader will hold talks with Macri on Wednesday morning ahead of a joint press conference.
He will also lay a wreath at the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral, where Pope Francis has celebrated Mass, and meet young entrepreneurs before attending a state dinner.

French President, Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi also recently visited Argentina, quick to reach out to a South American leader whose predecessor forged closer ties with Venezuela, Iran and China.

“It’s good that Obama is visiting.
“ Closing ourselves off in a Chavez-like system was not the way to go,”Claudio said.
In his first 100 days in office, Macri lifted capital and trade controls, slashed bloated power subsidies and cut a debt deal with holdout creditors in the U.S.

A U.S. official said that Obama has been impressed by the pace of reform.
Yet Macri still has to grapple with double-digit inflation, a yawning fiscal deficit and a shortage of hard currency.

Report says luring foreign investors is a cornerstone of his strategy to revive the spluttering economy, as Obama arrives with a large business delegation in tow.

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UK offers Nigeria help on money laundering cases

Abubakar Malami, AGF and Justice Minister

UK’s Crown prosecution Service has sent a British born Nigerian, Ayo Awoyungbo to help anti-graft agencies, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission untangle money laundering and some other complex cases.

The Deputy Director, International Development, Crown Prosecution Service, Mr. Duncan Moass announced this during a visit to the attorney-general and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami.

Moass said that the UK government through the Crown Prosecution Service intended to assist Nigeria in providing technical expertise in complex cases with a view to meet international best practices.
He said the partnership would assist in tracking terrorism, money laundering and other forms of organised crimes.

He added that institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) were expected to benefit from the collaboration.

Awoyungbo, a leading prosecutor with the agency would relocate to Lagos to spearhead the collaboration, Moass said.

Malami said Nigeria will take advantage of the opportunity offered by the UK government to collaborate in the justice sector, with a view to train Nigerian prosecutors for better service delivery.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Salihu Isah stated that the collaboration would be on cases related to politically exposed people, terrorism, money laundering and human trafficking.

The statement said that the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, of the ministry, Mr. Taiwo Abidogun received the delegation on behalf of the Minister.

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Man charged with calling Buruji Kashamu drug baron

Buruji Kashamu: police charge man who called him ‘drug baron’

An Abeokuta Chief magistrate, Oriyomi Ogunfowora has granted bail to a man accused of calling a federal lawmaker, Senator Buruji Kashamu a drug baron and jail breaker.

The accused person, Deji Babington-Ashaye, living in Ikenne, Ogun state, was reported to have hurled the abusive words on the Ijebu Igbo businessman turned politician on social media, “PDP WhatsApp Group”, known as PDP March to Victory website.

Babingyon- Ashaye was arrested by the police and charged to court with engaging in the act that threatens the peace of the state.
He pleaded not guilty to the one count charge of breaching public peace.

Deji Babington-Asaye

The Prosecuting counsel, Sunday Eigbejiale said the accused committed the offence between March 13 and 14 ,2016 at about 2:30pm at Opposite Community High School , Ogere, Remo in Ogun State magistrate district.

Eigbejiale said, Babington-Ashaye conducted himself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by passing insult on Senator Buruji Kashamu on WhatsApp Group known as PDP March to Victory.
According to him, “the accused called Kashamu drugs baron and jail breaker”, challenging him to go to United States of America (USA) and clear the doubt.

He said Deji Babington- Ashaye committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the criminal code cap 29 Vol.11 laws of Ogun state of Nigeria 2006.
The defence counsel, Bola Oluwole however stated that the offence was bailable and asked the court to grant his client bail.

The Presiding Magistrate Ogunfowora granted him bail in the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira ( N250,000 ) with two sureties in the like sum.
The matter was later adjourned till 30 March 2016.

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INEC says no results yet for Port Harcourt

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Rivers State says it is not aware of the declaration of results in the rerun election for Port-Harcourt City Federal and State Constituencies.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Aniedi Ikiowak at a press briefing in Port-Harcourt said any result declared after the commission’s official declaration on March 21st 2016 is not recognized by INEC.
He said the only results recognized by INEC are those of eight State Constituencies and one Federal Constituency.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Aniedi Ikoiwak also maintained that the commission has suspended further declaration of results of Saturday’s rerun elections in the state until after assessment and consultation with critical stakeholders.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Aniedi Ikoiwak also confirmed the death of a youth corper during Saturday’s rerun election in Ahoada West local government area of the state.

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Jonathan’s uncle second time lucky, freed by abductors

Chief Inegite Nitabai Jonathan: freed

Chief Inegite Nitabai Jonathan,72 ,uncle and foster father to former President Goodluck Jonathan abducted by gunmen on Feb. 17 has regained his freedom.

Mr Asinim Butswat, spokesman for Bayelsa Police Command, who confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday evening, said that details of the release were not yet available.

“The victim has been released and reunited with his family but I am yet to get the details,” Butswat said.
Jonathan was reportedly kidnapped at his residence in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa

along with a 35-year-old relative Mr Samuel Oki who was killed by the abductors.
He was kidnapped in February 28 2014 in his house and was freed by security agents, at Akipli Community in Ogbia on March 10, 2014.

The remains of Oki abducted along with Chief Inegite Jonathan was found floating at Otuoke creeks two days after the abduction. He had since been buried.

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Dickson urges Buhari probe killings in Bayelsa, Rivers

Governor Seriake Dickson

Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa on Tuesday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately order full-scale investigation into election-related killings in Rivers and Bayelsa. He made the call in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson and issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Yenagoa.

The governor condemned the wanton destruction of lives and property that greeted the re-run of the state and national assembly elections in Rivers at the weekend.

He warned that the growing trend where some politicians resort to violence as a means to achieving their political ambitions portends grave danger to democracy and stability of the country.
While expressing concern over the development, Dickson wondered why the Federal Government was yet to identify and prosecute those who maimed and killed innocent Bayelsans during the state governorship elections.

He explained that though security agencies have crucial role to play in elections, overzealous operatives, who go about their duties in an unprofessional manner should be investigated and punished accordingly when found culpable.

Dickson described his brand of politics as issue-based and devoid of violence.
He assured that the state government would bring all the sponsors and hoodlums that played a role in the Bayelsa saga to justice, to serve as a deterrent in future elections.

“I want to use this opportunity knowing what we ourselves passed through in this state in the last governorship elections to condemn the criminality and violence that have attended elections in Rivers.
“Just the same way we condemned the hoodlums and others who were engaged to wreak havoc on our people.

“I condemn it in its totality and call on the President to take more than passing interest in all these developments; the issue of electoral violence in Bayelsa particularly in Southern Ijaw, Brass and Ekeremor Local Government Areas.

“The President should not feign ignorance but call the security officers to conduct thorough investigation and give them marching orders to fish out those responsible because every life is important.
“No life should be cut short because of someone’s political ambition,” Dickson said

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Arsenal post Iwobi’s 13 year-old photo as young ‘Gooner’

Iwobi, left , 13 years ago

Arsenal have posted on Instagram a picture of Alex Iwobi, when he was just seven years old and had joined the club’s academy.

The academy graduateis now a man and has burst onto the scene with his impressive performance at Everton on Saturday. Apart from scoring a vital goal for Arsenal, Iwobi was also Man of the Match.

On Monday Arsenal’s Instagram reminded the club’s fans where it all started from, with the picture of Iwobi 13 years ago, with the Nigerian international wearing the away shirt from the 2004-04 unbeaten season, with the caption, ‘It’s been quite a week for @alexanderiwobi – here he is signing for #Arsenal, aged seven, back in November 2003. #YoungGun #Academy #Iwobi #Gooner.’

Iwobi signing long term deal with Arsenal in 2015

Iwobi, having signed a long term deal with the club in October last year, has made 14 appearances for Arsene Wenger’s side so far this campaign and has recently managed to displace Theo Walcott on the right flank.

The Nigerian, who is the nephew of Jay-Jay Okocha, was praised by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry on Twitter following his strike at Goodison Park.

Iwobi wins Barclays Man of The Match

‘Hard work pays off. Well done @alexiwobi you deserve it. #COYG,’ posted Henry.
The Gunners prodigy was thrilled to score his first goal for the club and thanked fellow forward Danny Welbeck for his influence. ‘It is not bad, I’m enjoying the moment,’ Iwobi told the club website. ‘I’m just happy to help my team and that is a positive so we will take that into the next game.

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Harrysong plans UK tour in May

Harrysong

Popular Nigerian Artiste and Gala Ambassador, Harrison Tare Okiri, popularly known as Harrysong is set to go on UK World Tour by May 2016.

The Delta Born instrumentalist who rose to fame after his tribute song to Nelson Mandela has since 2008 been toping most of Nigeria playlist and beyond.

Harrysong with the hit track, `Raggae Blues’, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Monday in Abuja, that the tour came up as a result of the high demand of the fans living in the UK.
“The demand for the brand Harrysong from that part of the world (UK) has been very high, and we have been so busy over here.

“We have kept them waiting enough, now it’s time to reach out to them, and share the Harrysong love.
“So the tour is basically about reaching out to my other fans over there in the UK,’’ he said.
Speaking on his fans expectations, he said he was sure they would not be disappointed, because he would be meeting all their expectations.

“The tour would be on for 3 weeks and would hold in 10 cities including Swansea, Manchester, London, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Leeds,, Liverpool, Cardiff, Coventry and others.
“It will just be me and me alone on stage with my fans, and I will be singing some of my hit tracks; Better pikin, Raggae Blues, Akagum, Ebeano, and lots more,’’ he said.

He further thanked his fans for their support, and urged them to look forward to the release of his next track which he said would wow them.

Harrysong has also been listed as one of the musical acts for Basket Mouth’s “Lord of the Ribs’’ US Tour, as well as I go dye “Standing Ovation’’.

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2 die, 100 shanties razed in Kuramo Lagos

Two persons have died in an early morning fire incident which razed over 100 shanties in Kuramo, near Lekki in Lagos.

The Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe said that the burnt bodies of a man and a woman were recovered at the scene.

“The shanties spread to about four plots of land. We got information that the fire started at about 3.15 a.m.
“Information we got was that a young lady was cooking in one of the shanties and there was a fuel container nearby, which ignited the fire and spread to other parts.

“It took us about four hours to put out the fire. My men did not know there was anybody inside while they were fighting the fire.

“We met the man and woman in two different locations roasted after we finally put out the fire,’’ Fadipe said.
The director said that the corpses were handed over to police officers from Ilasan Division, who later took them to the mortuary.

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Benue water board needs N350m for Makurdi supply

N350m needed to supply water to all parts of Makurdi

Benue State Water Board, said on Monday in Makurdi that it needed N350 million to effectively supply water to residents of the state capital.

Mr Michael Dzungu, the General Manager (GM), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the money would be for the extension of water lines to areas hitherto unconnected.
He said this was the alternative since the state government could not afford to spend over N50 billion needed for the reticulation of Makurdi town.

“Alternatively, the board will use N350 million to extend the old water lines, “ he said.
Dzungu condemned the lukewarm attitudes of the residents of the state concerning water issues and charged them to take the matter more seriously.

“People here did not take water issues seriously and that is a bad habit. There are several issues of illegal disconnections and connections of water lines yet the people cannot inform the board if they are not having water.

“Most of the disconnections in the town are not carried out by my staff. It is through the activities of illegal connections that such disconnections occur.

“We really need to change our attitudes concerning water issues in the state, “ he cautioned.
Dzungu said that the board had submitted lists of water debtors to the Benue State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Water and Environment for it to act upon.

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