Adama Indimi’s Achilles’ Heel

Without a doubt, Adama, one of the daughters of billionaire businessman and Chairman of Oriental Petroleum Oil, Mohammed Indimi, is strikingly beautiful. She is one of the few ladies  whose beauty would make any full-blooded man drool. So many features, including her curvature, come-hither-looks, and infectious smile can make any man weak at his knees.  No one sees her without taking a pause to appreciate her God-given endowment. Besides, she has a good sense of fashion.

However, what Adama, a graduate of the Lynn University, Florida, US, gains in physical attributes, she allegedl five y lack in character. This, it was gathered, is the only reason she is not hooked to date.

Interestingly, Adama, who runs a travel agency, Kauna Solutions, is not in short supply of men who want her as a partner. But most of the dashing and successful men whose paths had crossed hers had reportedly parted ways with her on account of her alleged haughtiness.

When  the beautiful model was jilted last year by sensational singer, D’ Banj, many had attributed the break-up to her “bad attitude”, which made the Koko Master to seek love in another woman , Didi Kilgrow. Before then, the duo were an item. In fact, it was revealed that both families were aware of their affair, as Indimi was always visiting D’banj’s mother in Lagos, while he was also a regular guest at her family’s house in Abuja.It will be recalled that her wedding introduction with a son of a Niger State top politician was reportedly cancelled at the last minute when the young man could no longer cope with her.  Though she was distraught over the development, she soon came over it and moved on.

Read More »

Buhari Offers to Host D8 Ministers in Abuja Next Month

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Istanbul, Turkey pledged Nigeria’s preparedness to host the meeting of D8 Ministers of Industry between November 14 and 17, this year in Abuja.

The President’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to international trade and development and urged D-8 leaders to prioritise incentives and measures aimed at increasing trade and investments among member countries.

‘‘As the D-8, we need to intensify our activities with a view to enhancing various measures and incentives introduced to promote trade and assist the business communities from Member States to invest in our countries and widen our cooperation.Shehu said Buhari who made the appeal at the ninth summit of the D-8, observed that the private sector and business communities in the economic organisation must be assisted with incentives to widen economic cooperation among member-states.

‘‘We need to work hard to establish integrated manufacturing structures and markets. I will like to reiterate the importance of increasing trade and investment among our Member States,’’ Buhari was quoted as saying.

Highlighting the attractive business and investment opportunities in the country, the statement added that the President stressed the need for prospective investors to take advantage of the federal government’s new policies on trade facilitation.

‘‘Nigeria is committed to, and is actively pursuing a policy of trade and investment facilitation for growth.  The gains from trade are reflected in greater competitiveness, improved productivity, job creation, consumer welfare and prosperity.

‘‘Economies that grow fastest and at more sustainable rates are those that actively promote trade and attract investment. We are committed to creating an enabling environment and making Nigeria an attractive place for business and investment,’’ the President said.

Shehu said the President also urged D-8 member countries to support the efforts of the African Union (AU) to establish the first ever single market for trade in goods and services on the continent and described the AU-backed Continental Free Trade Area for Africa as a ‘’win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.’’

Buhari added: “I am pleased to inform you of positive market developments currently in Africa, that will support our efforts as members of the D-8 to enlarge our markets, facilitate our trade and investments, and develop our economies.

‘‘In Africa, we are on the threshold of finalising negotiations to establish the first ever Single Market for Trade in Goods and Services on our Continent, in the Continental Free Trade Area for Africa.  This will be a win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.

‘‘As partners, I urge that we work together to support this effort of the African Union that will have a positive effect on global economic development and integration.’’

Earlier, Buhari had congratulated the outgoing Chairman of D8, Pakistani government, and Dr. Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi, the outgoing Secretary-General, on their commitment and strong resolve to forge the organization ahead even in the face of serious challenges.

He also congratulated Turkey on assuming the new leadership of the economic organization.

He assured D-8 leaders that Nigeria would continue to support the secretariat in its assignments to achieve the visions and objectives of the organization.

Read More »

NFF Set to Resolve World Cup Bonuses with Eagles

• Budgets N6.4bn for next year 
• Stops bonus payments to age-grade teams

Femi Solaja

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has moved to ensure that World Cup 2018 bonuses are concluded with the Super Eagles before the end of this year to avoid repetition of what transpired in Brazil three years ago.
At the Mundial in the South American country three years ago, Super Eagles players abandoned training ahead of a crucial second round clash with France as a result of disagreement over bonuses.

It took the intervention of then President Goodluck Jonathan who directed Senate President, Senator David Mark to fly into Brazil with the cash from Abuja to pay the players at their Campina camp before they returned to training. Nigeria eventually lost the match 1-0 to France.

But thursday, NFF decided at its executive committee meeting that held at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Jos that bonuses agreements with the players must be concluded before the end of the year.Football aficionados attributed the loss in Brasilia to the dispute and the fact that Eagles stayed awake almost all the night leading to the match to pick up the cash.

“World Cup bonuses must be firmly concluded and agreement signed before the end of this year, for the sake of stable preparations and credible participation at the World Cup finals without any distractions,” observed the communique released after the meeting.

The committee also resolved that adequate and intensive preparation of the Super Eagles for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup, including the arrangement of quality friendly matches for the team, is non –negotiable.

“To this end, a comprehensive plan of action would be released after the World Cup Draw in Moscow on 1st December 2017, which would encompass training camps, friendly matches, marketing and funds drive to ensure a great outing at the World Cup finals.”

In line with global best practices, the NFF has also decided to stop payment of bonuses for all age grade national teams. Also, it stopped bonus payment to coaches and backroom staff of the senior teams.

“The committee reiterated that henceforth, only the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons will be entitled to bonus payments per match. Players, coaches and backroom staff of other teams will earn daily allowances, approved bonuses at the end of successful qualifying campaigns and approved allowances (including daily allowances) at championships.”

Meanwhile, the General Assembly approved the NFF Financial Statement for the year 2016 and the 2018 Budget as proposed.

The Federation’s total budget for year 2018 activities is the sum of N6,382,500,310.00. The guaranteed revenues from sponsors and government subvention is the sum of N3,062,500,310.00, leaving a shortfall of the sum of N3,320,000,000.00, which the Federation has to work to augment through sponsorships and special interventions.
Another far reaching decision at the Congress also includes the adoption of the motion to the effect that future Elective Congresses be moved away from the FIFA World Cup year. Katsina has been selected to host the next Elective Congress.

“This is to guarantee stability in the system to prepare the national team for credible participation at the finals, and to avoid the distractions and crises usually associated with the World Cup year.

Read More »

Wike: FG Weakening Nigeria’s Justice System with Systematic Intimidation

• Fight against corruption in the judiciary dubious, discredited  
• Judges lack courage to defend our collective rights to an impartial judicial system

By Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has accused the federal government of weakening the justice system in the country by clamping down on judges “to lay the grounds for the wholesale politicisation of the justice sector in the country.”  

The governor said the “systematic intimidation of the judiciary by the federal government” had nothing to do with “its dubious and much discredited fight against corruption in the judiciary”. 

According to Wike: “The danger in the incremental politicisation of the judiciary has started manifesting in the poor quality of justice from the election tribunals where judges are appointed and directed to execute pre-determined results, and also in the quality of the Court of Appeal, where seniority, proven competence and integrity are blatantly passed over for partisan affiliations in the appointment or elevation of judges to that court.Speaking during the Special Court Session to mark the opening of the 2017/2018 Legal Year, Wike said the federal government was guilty of impunity, and threat to rule of law and impartial delivery of Justice. 

 “When all is said and done, let us not forget that Nigeria is still a nation of laws and not of strong men. While the federal government is guilty of impunity, the greatest threats to the rule of law and the independence of our judiciary are the judges who lack the courage to defend our collective rights to an impartial judicial system or compromise their oaths in order to remain in office.” 

The governor noted that the present federal government operates in denial of the fact that the judiciary is a separate arm of government, which must be unreservedly respected, protected and preserved for the sustainable development of the country. 

He alleged that since 2015, the nation had not seen any single initiative from the federal government to either reform or correct real or perceived inefficiencies in the nation’s judicial system. 

He said: “We continue to witness an insidious erosion of the Rule of Law and the independence of the judiciary through a combination of vile threats, unwarranted interferences and opportunistic pressures on judges in a manner and scale never seen before in the political history of this country. 

“Indeed, judges appear to have been intimidated to the point where some now find it very uncomfortable even to attend official State functions with governors for fear of being blacklisted thereafter and eventually punished,” he stated. 

On the achievements of his administration in the Justice sector, the governor said his administration had built new courts and renovated existing courts. 

Wike said: “Just two months ago, we flagged off the residential housing scheme for judicial officers, including those serving at the Federal level so that our judges can have the peace of mind to do their work in their own comfortable homes for life. 

“Today, I am happy to announce that we have equally designed a similar housing scheme for magistrates, which construction we shall flag off in a couple of weeks”. 

In her address, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyaye-Laminkara, stated that the Rivers State Judiciary would continue  to uphold justice in the state.

 She lauded the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for his regular release of funds for the administration of Justice.  

Also speaking, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) urged the Police and other security agencies to  respect the tenets of the law. 

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, Victor Frank Briggs and the Spokesman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chief Onueze Okocha ( SAN). 

 Wike later inaugurated the New Ultra-Modern Block E Building and Newly Renovated Electronic Library at the State High Court Complex. 

Read More »