News & Announcements

About 13 more bodies have been recovered from the ill-fated boat sailing from Mile 2 to Ibeshe, a suburb of Lagos, on Saturday, bringing the total dead bodies recovered to 17.
The South-West Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said this in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.

Farinloye said: “Late yesterday night (Saturday), two more bodies were recovered in addition to the two earlier recovered in the morning. With this, it is now a total of 17 bodies recovered.“It has been found out that illegal operators are rendering services after the end of official hours of 7:00pm, thereby violating the Inland Waterway operations rules“It was revealed that the regulatory bodies have tried to stamp out illegal operations of small boat operators who hardly use life jackets after official hours but more efforts will be put in place to stop them.

“It was also observed that wooden boats are not permitted to be used as passengers’ boats but it is only at these odd hours the illegal operators always put the lives of unsuspecting passengers at risk.
“Efforts are on to address the gaps with all stakeholders such as Nigerian Navy’s Special Boat Service, Association of Boat/Ferry Operators of Nigeria, LASWA, NIWA, NEMA, and Marine Police to address the situation.”Attachments area

The very public war between famous singer Shakira and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has been dominating the headlines for many weeks.
Their relationship has always been the topic of much discussion since they started going out back in 2010. Things have changed since their recent separation which appeared to be caused by Pique having an affair.

Tension has grown and grown in recent weeks and now the focus has turned to the custody of their two children.
Both of them have hired a team of lawyers to work on the custody battle already, according to La Razon. Pique has gone with the services of a firm that specializes in this exact type of case and Shakira has done the same with her choice of lawyer.

The pair have been clear that they do not want to cause issues for their children with the process so it should not take long for the matter to be concluded.
Shakira has expressed her desire to move to Miami and start a new life. The former Manchester United defender wants his children to remain in Barcelona and continue their education.

According to the media, both will have to decide whether they want to resolve the matter amicably or through litigation. In the latter case, La Razon reports that they would have to file a lawsuit for paternal custody measures.

Shakira suffered an anxiety attack related to her love crisis with Pique 
In this case, both could take the matter to court, where each of them – through lawyers – would set the measures regarding their children’s relations.

Shakira and Pique are facing what is possibly the last ‘face-to-face’ between the two before finally closing this matter. In the meantime, both are keeping quiet for the moment.

The City of David Church of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has showcased a commercial and leisure space built on 14-floors, located strategically at the heart of the fast-developing commercial area of Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Christened Trinity Towers, the novel project is a unique and innovative masterpiece that comprises three towers (South, Middle, and North Towers) all in one building. The promoters claim the building is the first tri-tower and first commercial building with the highest lift per square meterage.
Last week, the doors of the towers were thrown open to the public where the brokerage firms, Estate links (Gbenga Olaniyan & Associates) together with Knight Frank invited notable brokers for a walk-through of the building, a program tagged, ‘Agents Partnership Forum’, which attracted leading firms in the real estate industry in Lagos State.

Mr. Gbenga Olaniyan of Estate Links explained that Trinity Towers was set up to generate income enabling the church to carry out its wide range of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.

“The City of David has a major CSR project and expected rental income is in excess of N2 billion per annum. That is the kind of money the church will have for its CSR. All the fund goes to charity,” he said.
According to him, Trinity towers building stands out amid its contemporaries in the aspects of having the best parking ratio of 1:33square metres, air, water, and land accessibility, high lift square meterage, which boasts of 14 lifts in the building, well-appointed retail shops on the ground and upper floors, making the complex a one-stop for work, leisure and play.

Interestingly, the building is also an engineering feat by ITB, a building and civil engineering firm and the main contractor; having a transfer beam at the ceiling of the 4th floor, which carries all floors sitting on only that beam without pillars.

Also, the building takes pride in several other features such as a multi-story car park on split levels for approximately 673 cars, gymnasium and wellness center, medical center, recreation zone, ATM gallery, 4,500 seater concert hall, rooftop terrace, helipad, automated and integrated lighting, sound and video system, electric car chargers and smart access control, tenant-dedicated external garden terraces protected by a lattice framework among others.

Olaniyan said: “As a building that offers prestige and value, key companies in Nigeria and beyond have started taking the commercial spaces even during the early construction stage. Currently, the building offers short and long leases on the available commercial spaces, A-class restaurant, and food court.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has said Tuesday’s attack on the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre by terrorists speaks volumes about the failure of the country’s security architecture.
The Senate President said this on Thursday when he led a delegation of the leadership of the Senate to assess the level of attack on the correctional facility.

According to Lawan, an attack on the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre could only have been possible through the collaboration of insiders within the nation’s correctional system.
He faulted the Nigerian Correctional Service for not providing Closed Circuit Television at the Kuje correctional facility and others across the country.

He asked the Comptroller General of the NCS to include a request for the provision of CCTV across maximum and medium correctional centres across the country in its 2023 budget proposal to the National Assembly for approval.

Speaking after an assessment of the correctional facility, Lawan said, “The attack on this correctional facility is symptomatic of the failure of security failure. The attack is only a culmination of the failure.
“We were told that an estimated 300 terrorists attacked this facility. They came on foot, and I believe they should have been detected.

“In the first place, three hundred people will not come for an operation like this without planning. Planning must have taken a week, a month or a bit more. I believe that our security agencies should have picked this from their tracking systems in the FCT.

“Secondly, having gone round the facility itself, we are disappointed that this facility does not have Closed Circuit Television cameras, something that would record and give you details of what is happening and sometimes record the events.
“This is a medium-security custodial centre, how on earth in the FCT facility of this magnitude we don’t have CCTV? It means we can say that all other medium security centres across the country do not have CCTV.

“We have asked the Comptroller General of Correctional Centre to ensure that the request for CCTV at the maximum and medium custodial centres of the country are included in their 2023 budget because this is essential and indispensable.

“Now, as this facility lacks a functional CCTV, there’s no record of what happened, except narration. But if we had CCTV, at least the records would have been there and analysis made, and an arrest will be based on the information from the CCTV.
“Thirdly, going from one cell to another to release people, specifically, those that are known to be insurgents, tells a lot of stories.

“It may not be far away from an insider job, someone who is either working in this place or must have worked here.
“I think we have to look deeper into what happened, so that we find the culprits, because when things like this happen, then there should be sanctions.
“Where people fail to do their job properly, and they have been given that responsibility, they should be asked to take responsibility.

“If people don’t take responsibility for their failure, then it means nobody would bother to do what is expected of their office or the job that the person has been given.
“Having this kind of situation today in the FCT, that we have criminals who are free now all over the city is very dangerous and you can never have peace of mind.

“The FCT has the seat of government, and today that seat is not safe. So, we have to do whatever it takes to get everybody back.”

United Kingdom prime minister, Boris Johnson, will resign today (Thursday) following pressure from members of his government.

Some ministers have resigned from the government, citing a loss of trust in Johnson.
The resignations followed the latest scandal to engulf Johnson’s government, his handling of the concerns raised over Chris Pincher, deputy chief whip, over allegations of sexual misconduct.

Minister for children and families, Will Quince; Minister of state for school standards, Robin Walker, and Treasury John Glen, resigned their positions on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, UK secretary of state for health and social care, Sajid Javid, and UK treasury chief, Rishi Sunak, resigned from the cabinet.
Earlier in the year, Johnson appointed Pincher — who has now resigned over claims that he groped two men at a private members’ club — as the deputy chief whip, despite the allegations.
Although Johnson had apologised for backing Pincher, he vowed to fight on.

“The job of a prime minister in difficult circumstances, when he has been handed a colossal mandate, is to keep going, and that’s what I’m going to do,” he had said.
Several UK cabinet ministers reportedly gathered on Wednesday at the office of the prime minister to ask him to resign.

The US Embassy in Nigeria has warned its citizens in Nigeria not to travel on the Abuja airport road.
On Tuesday, suspected terrorists attacked and freed inmates at the Kuje prison.
In addition, UK citizens were advised not to be wary of visiting Nigeria’s 19 states.
Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River are among the states.

They were advised to only embark on essential travel to Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, and Kogi, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State, Abia, and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, and Taraba.

In a statement on Wednesday, titled, ‘Abuja FCT prison break near the airport on July 5, 2022’, the US Embassy noted that crime has become endemic throughout Nigeria.
The statement read, “On the night of July 5, 2022, an attack on Kuje Prison freed a large portion of the estimated 1,000 prisoners. The prison lies approximately 27 miles southwest of the Central Business District.

“An increase in crime is expected in and around Abuja. It is recommended that U.S. citizens should maintain a high state of personal security awareness for the next two weeks and avoid unnecessary travel on the airport road.
“Crime is endemic throughout Nigeria and tends to spike after dark. Avoiding locations and situations that increase the likelihood of being victimized is the best defence. Avoid displays of valuables and limit nighttime activity.

“Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack –including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is focused on unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:
“High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.), hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists, places of worship, schools, parks, shopping malls, and markets, and public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights).

“Actions to take: Be aware of your surroundings, Keep a low profile, carry proper identification, monitor local media for updates, review your personal security plans, always drive with your windows rolled up and the doors locked, and avoid large gatherings and protests, review alternative travel routes in case of unexpected protests or unrest, exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests, always keep the doors to your residence locked, even when at home.”

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) is investigating the outcome of two matches that produced an unbelievable total of 187 goals.

On Sunday, Kahunla Rangers shattered Lumbebu United 95-0 as Kono’s Gulf FC thrashed Koquima Lebanon 91-1. Both teams were in contention for promotion. With equal points, everything had to be decided on goal difference.

Given the extent of the score (which was only 2-0 and 7-1 at halftime), the two results could not be approved.
An investigation was immediately opened by the president of the federation, Thomas Daddy Brima: “We cannot let such mediocrity go unpunished. Those responsible will have to appear before an anti-corruption commission and will have to answer for their actions”.

Last month, arranged results caused a stir in South Africa where fourth-level teams conceded dozens of goals. Suspensions of 6 to 8 years had been pronounced against the leaders of the offending clubs.
A few years ago, Nigeria was hit by unchecked goals coring in the amateur divisions.
In 2013, Plateau United dominated Akurba FC 79-0 when Police Machine FC passed 67 goals to Babayaro FC.

Reality TV star, Maria Chike, has noted that she doesn’t want to get married, as she noted that marriage was a scam.
The Big Brother Naija season 6 ex-housemate, however, added that she wanted to have kids when she’s ready.

Maria was responding to a fan on Twitter who called on the reality TV star’s lover, Kelvin, to propose to her.
The fan, identified as @chikesquad, noted that when Kelvin proposes to Maria, the Intensive Care Units in hospitals would be flooded.

“Kelvin should just propose if he has not done that yet. ICUs will flood,” the fan tweeted on Sunday.
In response, Maria said, “I don’t want to get married though. That’s the truth! Marriage is a scam. I do want babies soon though when I am ready.”

Maria, who is currently on vacation in Santorini, Greece, had earlier announced that her lover added one more destination to her tour.
She said, “He just added one more destination to this vacay! I’m done, I can’t. My clothes won’t be enough!

“Can you stop carrying me on blogs? The more you do, the more he wants to show me off! Stop it! I need my bed back in Lagos or Dubai.”

Gunmen, on Tuesday, opened fire on the security team of President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina state.
The president is scheduled to visit Katsina during the Sallah celebration which will hold over the weekend.
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu,  who confirmed the attack in a statement on Tuesday, said two persons sustained injuries.

He added that the security team was on its way to Daura to prepare for the president’s visit when it was attacked.

“The Presidency has described as sad and unwelcome, the shooting incident near Dutsinma, Katsina State, at the convoy of cars carrying the Advance Team of security guards, protocol and media officers ahead of the President, Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Daura for Sallah.

“The attackers opened fire on the convoy from ambush positions but were repelled by the military, police, and DSS personnel accompanying the convoy.
“Two persons in the convoy are receiving treatment for the minor injuries they suffered. All the other personnel, staff, and vehicles made it safely to Daura,” the statement reads. The development comes amid attacks by gunmen on communities across the country, leading to killings, abductions, and destruction of property in recent years.

The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Muhammad Barkindo, is dead. Barkindo died late Tuesday.
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kyari, announced Barkindo’s death in a tweet posted to his verified Twitter handle, @MKKyari, in the early hours of Wednesday.

“We lost our esteemed Dr. Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo. He died at about 11 pm yesterday 5th July 2022. Certainly a great loss to his immediate family, the NNPC, our country Nigeria, the OPEC, and the global energy community. Burial arrangements will be announced shortly,” Kyari tweeted.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had, on Tuesday, honored Barkindo, describing him as a worthy ambassador of the country, at the State House, Abuja.

Reacting to Barkindo’s death, a former lawmaker in the eighth Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, tweeted to his Twitter page, “Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo, former GMD NNPC and until recently, @OPECSecretariat scribe, was honoured yesterday. He died at 11 pm yesternight. May Allah grant him Aljanna firdausi. Amin. That is the ephemerality and transience of life.”