Sani Abacha's mansion ☛ where is it located?

Sani Abacha is one of the most famous leaders in Nigeria; his tenure was one of the most corrupt in the country`s history. He also erected a beautiful mansion that has been the talk of the town for ages. Continue reading to find out details about Sani Abacha`s house.

Sani Abacha Fortune

According to the New York Times, Sani Abacha and his family stole about five billion pounds from Nigeria. According to the Transperancy.org, Sani Abacha was named the fourth most corrupt leader in the history.

Abacha was also involved in several cases of human rights abuse during his reign. Till this day, a lot of his supporters still refuse to speak with the press about the former Nigerian leader.

What are the most interesting facts about General Sani Abacha and where is his fortune? Let us take a quick look at some of Sani Abacha’s houses.

Sani Abacha’s House

Sani Abacha has been named one of the most corrupt country leaders in the world; however many people still wonder where his treasures are hidden. If you try to browse the internet to find his house, you will most likely not find any helpful information. Different pieces of information about the belongings of the former ruler of Nigeria can be found on various news websites.

The Tide News Online reported that Sani Abacha’s house which is located in Port Harcourt has been renamed Chief Dapa-Biriye House, and is being occupied by the Niger Delta Development Commission. Therefore, a lot has changed since the times of the corrupt general.

Another of Sani Abacha’s mansion was also mentioned in Rufus Kayode Oteniya’s article; according to the article, the mansion is located in Bishops Avenue, Hampstead, London. It is one of the richest avenues in England. Some of the houses on this avenue are owned by the Saudi Royal family members.

According to the words of the reporter, Sani Abacha’s mansion was one of the largest in the area. It is difficult to estimate the cost of this house, but the smallest house on Bishop Avenue was sold for five million pounds, so we can only imagine how much Sani Abacha`s grand mansion would cost.

According to Oteniya, Sani Abacha bought this house during his presidency; therefore, it is one of the clearest signs of corruption amongst Nigerian politicians. The article also mentioned several other houses owned by the family of Sani Abacha. Nonetheless, the information provided in the article have not been confirmed by any authority.

Conclusion

It is almost impossible to calculate the number of houses, cars and other properties owned by the former Nigerian leader. Sani Abacha’s net worth is estimated to be billions of  naira. 

Nevertheless, even with all the facts and information on the funds embezzled by Sani Abacha in Nigeria, it is still impossible to recover all of them. There is not much information about his houses and cars; however, it is believed that one day Nigerians will get back all he has stolen, even if it takes years.

#ENDSARS: Police orders immediate re-organisation of SARS

#ENDSARS: Police orders immediate re-organisation of SARS

SARS Official

Following growing outrage against the activities of the police special anti-robbery squad, SARS, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the immediate reorganisation of the notorious unit.

A statement from the Force Public Relation’s Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said Mr. Idris also ordered the immediate investigation into the activities of SARS, with the aim of prosecuting cases of human right abuses.

“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni concerned with public interest and the need to reposition the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for more efficiency and effective service delivery to all Nigerians and ensure that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operates based on International Core Value of Policing with integrity and make sure the rule of law prevails in the operations and activities of the outfit, the IGP has directed the immediate re-organization of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide and instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions levelled against the personnel of the Special Anti Robbery Squad across the country by the IGP X-Squad of the Force,” the statement said.
“In the new arrangement, a Commissioner of Police is now the overall head of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad nationwide under the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters Abuja.

“The Police Zonal Commands, State Commands and Divisions will continue to operate anti-crime units/sections, crime prevention and control squads and teams imperative to prevent and detect crimes and criminalities in their Area of Responsibilities, and other crack squads necessary to sustain law and order and protection of life and properties in their Area of responsibilities (AOR).

“Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) will now exist and operate in the State and Zonal Commands under the Commissioner of Police (F-SARS) at the Force Headquarters.”

Other changes were also made which include the following:

“A Federal SARS Commander of a Rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and not below Superintendent of Police (SP) will be in charge of FSARS in State and Zonal Commands across the Country. All Commissioners of Police have been directed by the Inspector General of Police to comply with this directive with immediate effect and warn their personnel not to pose as SARS operatives. The IGP X-Squad has been mandated to go round the Commands and Police Formations nationwide to ensure strict compliance and apprehend any erring police officer.

“Furthermore, a new training program to be organized by the Force in collaboration with some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Local and International NGOs, and other Human Rights Organizations on core Police Duties, Observant of Human Rights and Handling, Care and Custody of Suspects have been directed by the Inspector General of Police for all Federal SARS personnel nationwide with immediate effect,”

The statement urged aggrieved members of the public to register their complaints through various channels.

“However, aggrieved members of the public who have any complaint in the past or present of violation of their rights by any Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel anywhere in the country are to report through any of the following channels for investigation and further actions

GP X-Squad: 0902 690 0729 – Calls 0903 227 8905 – SMS 0903 562 1377 – what’s app

Email:integrityxsquad@gmail.com

FORCE PUBLIC COMPLAINT BUREAU

07056792065 Calls/SMS/what’s app

08088450152 Calls/SMS/what’s app Email: bailisfree@gmail.com,pressforabuja@gmail.com Twitter: @Policing www.facebook.com/ngpolice

PUBLIC COMPLAINT RAPID RESPONSE UNIT (PCRRU)

08057000001 – Calls Only

08057000002 – Calls Only

08057000003 – SMS & whatsapp only

Gunmen kill two Nigerian police officers

Gunmen kill two Nigerian police officers

The Police Command in Nasarawa State on Monday said two of its officers were killed by gunmen along the Akwanga-Keffi federal highway.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Kennedy Idirisu, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lafia.

According to Mr. Idrisu, the police officers were stationed at Kubere village, some few kilometres away from Gudi, along the Akwanga-Keffi highway, when the gunmen attacked them from the bush, killing two of them.

He said the command had deployed officers from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and the mobile police detachment alongside the vigilance group to comb the forest for the suspected assassins.

He said the spot had been identified as a flashpoint for kidnapping and other nefarious crimes, hence the decision by the command to station its officers in the area.

The police spokesperson said the command would not be deterred by the sad incident in its resolve to perform its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.

“The hoodlums, by this act, wanted to dampen the morale of the police as we approach the Yuletide so that they can have their way.

“However, the command remains resolute and determined to tackle crime head-on as the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Uba-Kura, has ordered the deployment of more officers and men to identified flash points across the state,” he said.

Mr. Idirisu appealed to members of the public to always provide the security agencies with useful information that would help in curbing crime and criminality in the state.

Former Nigerian Senator kidnapped

A former senator and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State, Ayo Arise, has been abducted by unidentified gunmen.

The incident was said to have occurred in the early hours of Monday while he was on his way to Abuja.

A former senator and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State, Ayo Arise

PREMIUM TIMES could not at press time confirm the actual area where he was kidnapped as the police in Ekiti and Ondo did not give details of the kidnap.

Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, who confirmed the incident, however said he could not make comments because it did not happen within his jurisdiction.

It was however gathered that the kidnappers have contacted the family of the politician and had made a demand of N80 million before he could be released.

I won’t allow my office to be dragged into petty squabbles — Malami To EFCC

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), says he will not allow his office to be “dragged into petty squabbles” in the midst of burning national issues. 

He said this while refuting the claim that his office leaked the list of those being allegedly probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Kayode Fayemi, minister of mines and steel; Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria; Ngozi Okonjo-Iwala, former minister of finance; Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom state are some of those on the list.

After the was list leaked, the EFCC said investigation had been damaged.

But in a statement by Salihu Othman Isah, media aide to the minister, Malami said he knew nothing about how the information was made public.

“The honourable attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice wishes to express his displeasure over the unfortunate and unbecoming innuendo by certain persons and agencies which sought to accuse his office of leaking what was termed as classified information to the public,” the statement read.

“This office, therefore, wishes to state categorically, but with absolute repudiation, that it did not at any time leak such information to the media as wrongly alluded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“The pertinent question to ask is since the EFCC has publicly denied that the honourable chief justice of Nigeria is not under probe or investigation; is it then possible for the same EFCC to have forwarded any classified information on a non-existent probe or investigation of the Honourable CJN to the honourable attorney-general of the federation?

“It also goes to show that the office of the honourable attorney-general of the federation could not have leaked a non-existent classified information on an equally non-existent probe or investigation.”
He also distanced himself from any unpatriotic effort to denigrate his exalted office of the chief justice of Nigeria.

“We therefore use this opportunity to reaffirm our deep respect for the distinguished person and office of the honourable chief justice of Nigeria,” he said.

“We wish to state unequivocally that the office of the honourable attorney-general of the federation will continue to collaborate with his lordship in his efforts to reform the judiciary and galvanise the anti-graft war.

“Indeed the present administration appreciates his lordship for his unwavering support for its anti-corruption drive. We wish to state further that we are neither aware of nor privy to any purported probe or ongoing investigation of the honourable chief justice of Nigeria by any security or anti-graft agency.

“The office of the honourable attorney-general of the federation dissociates itself from the baseless allusion or suggestion obviously made in bad faith to the effect that his lordship is under any form of probe or investigation whatsoever.”

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Diezani rents London flat as £11m asset forfeiture looms

Diezani Alison-Madueke, former minister of petroleum resources, is no longer the woman she used to be. The multi-million dollar jewelry and multi-million dollar houses are fading into history as she comes to terms with the new realities of her life.

TheCable understands that with her UK property worth over £11 million now treated as “proceed of crime” and subject to forfeiture, she has had to “step down” her taste: she now lives in a rented flat in the same London building housing the $2.8 million property allegedly bought for her by Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko, her business associates.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen accounts linked to the former minister, including those belonging to family members and known associates. This makes it virtually impossible for her to access money from any source and she is now living off the goodwill of those who still remember her.

Nigerian courts have already forced Alison-Madueke to forfeit her property at Banana Island, Lagos. It reportedly has 24 apartments, 18 flats and six penthouses valued at $37.5 million.

She was also recently forced to forfeit about N7.6 billion “hidden” in a Nigerian bank, in addition to the temporary forfeiture of property worth $21,392,224 across Nigeria.

Alison-Madueke is expected to report to the Charring Cross Police Station close to Trafalgar Square on September 20 as part of the conditions of her bail after her arrest by the British National Crime Agency in 2015.

£2,800,000 Property at Marylebone Road

This building at Harley House, Marylebone Road, London, is where the former minister currently lives. It also houses her £2.8m flat now subject to forfeiture.

Alison-Madueke has moved from landlady to tenant in the same building

THE £3,250,000 property at Buckinghamshire

The property at 96 Camp Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire

The fall of Diezani: The front entrance to 96 Camp Road

£1,730,000 Property at 39 Chester Close North

This property at 39 Chester Close North, London, is now under lock and key

No visitors to entertain at 39 Chester Close North

£3,750,000 Property at Prince Albert Road

Her property here is Flat 5 Park View, 83-86 Prince Albert Road, London

Her flat is in this four-storey building

The street sign

Source: TheCable

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Ethiopian government bids to take over Arik Air

 
Ethiopian Airlines, owned 100 percent by the Ethiopian government, says it has made a bid to the Nigerian government to take over Arik Air, Nigeria’s biggest airline.

In February, Arik Air was taken over by the Federal Government via the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) due to the company’s huge debt profile, which was over N300 billion.

The government immediately dissolved the airline’s management team, and appointed a receiver-manager.

“The airline will now be managed by Capt. Roy Ukpebo Ilegbodu, under the receivership of Mr. Oluseye Opasanya, SAN,” the government said in February.

Speaking at the World Bank/IMF meetings in April, Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance, said the government was speaking with some investors on the sale of the flagship airline.
 
She did not disclose the name of the investors, but said “it was a preliminary discussion. They just expressed interest in buying the airlines and we told them that we would look into it”.

“Most of them are interested in investing in Nigeria and they just want to be sure that the timing is right. Some are looking at buying one of the airlines with AMCON and just waiting to be sure that our policies are right.”

Esayas WoldeMariam, Ethiopian’s managing director of international services, told CNN that the airline had made an offer, and was just waiting for the response of the government.

“We have outlined our terms and conditions to the Nigerian government and we are waiting to see if they agree. We are capable and desirous of handling the airline,” she said.

WoldeMariam did not specify details of the offer, but added that he expects to face competition for Arik from international airlines.

Calls placed through to the spokespersons of Arik and AMCON were not answered nor returned.
An insider however told TheCable that he was not aware of any of such deal.

Ilegbodu said two weeks ago that the airline was now gaining stability, and has retaken its place as the biggest in western Africa.

“We can now boast of approximately 4,000 passengers daily in our various flight operations,’’ he had said.


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US probes Chinese oil firm over ‘$100m bribe paid to Nigerians’

US authorities are investigating China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation known as Sinopec over an alleged $100 million bribe paid to some Nigerian officials.

According to Bloomberg, the bribe was aimed at resolving a $4 billion business dispute between the company’s Addax petroleum unit in Geneva and the Nigerian government.

The dispute is said to be related to drilling and other capital costs, tax breaks and a division of royalties between Addax and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Investigators from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as the US department of justice are reportedly looking into allegations.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

In 2009, Sinopec bought Addax in 2009 “for about $7.8 billion” – dubbed one of its biggest acquisition –  in a bid to build a corporate presence in Geneva and to also expand its oil production in Africa, the company had said.

However, the Nigerian government was said to have decided that the side letter agreement which granted it tax breaks and reimbursements for the capital cost should no longer apply. That was in 2014 during which the government also demanded that Addax repay about $3 billion of past benefits, Bloomberg quoted a source as saying.

Addax, however, filed a lawsuit against the government to protest the government’s decision. It also claimed the NNPC had taken more than its share of crude allotments — a practice known as ‘overlifting’, seeking for the reimbursement of “at least $1 billion”.

The bribery allegations followed the disagreement between the two parties then came up in January after Deloitte, an auditing firm, resigned as Addax’s auditor, following claims that there were no “satisfactory explanations” given for $80 million Addax paid to an engineering company for Nigerian construction projects in 2015.

The source said shortly after the said payment was made on May 25, 2015, Addax and the Nigerian government reached a settlement which was approved by a Nigerian high court.

“The agreement validated the original terms of the side letter, effectively nullifying Nigeria’s demand that Addax repay $3 billion,” he said.

On the assumption of office, President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly left the original terms of the letter intact but had also planned to revoke its terms effective beginning from January 1, 2016, “ which would deny Addax at least $1 billion in future benefits and end reimbursement claims”.

FLAGGED TRANSACTIONS

Deloitte had also revealed details of additional payments “exceeding $20 million” made by Addax to “legal advisers” in Nigeria beginning from 2015.

It said it had “received a number of whistle-blowing allegations from within and outside Addax, some of which allege that such payments have been made to bribe foreign government officials and that certain amounts have been embezzled by certain members of management within Addax Petroleum Group”.

Following Deloitte’s allegations, Yves Bertossa, a Geneva prosecutor, then began a probe into the matter which led to series of raids and arrests of Addax’s offices and officials respectively.

The case was however closed barely four months later, with neither the company nor its executives being charged following Bertossa’s claims that “no criminal intent could be established.”

US authorities are now investigating the matter “to establish whether payments handled by an unidentified Nigerian lawyer who is a member of the California bar were used to pay some of the alleged bribes”.

The lawyer in question was reportedly hired to advise Addax executives on the terms of the settlement with the Nigerian government.

Bloomberg said spokespersons of SEC, US Department of Justice as well as Sinopec declined comments on the issue.

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Police commission summons senator who accused IGP of bribery

 
The Police service commission has invited Isah Misau, senator representing Bauchi central, to appear before a committee over the authenticity of his retirement letter.

The police declared the senator a deserter after he accused Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP), of receiving money before he approves postings of commissioners and other officers.

The senator had showed a letter to journalists, dated March 5, 2014, containing the approval of his retirement from the force but the police said the letter was “forged.” in a letter to senator which was signed by O. Adekeye, a retired justice of the supreme court and chairman of the special panel, on Wednesday said it wanted to determine genuineness of “the two letters of retirement supposed to have emanated from the Police Service Commission in connection with this retirement.”

In a letter signed by O. Adekeye, a retired justice of the supreme court and chairman of the special panel, the commission said it wanted to determine genuineness the f “the two letters of retirement supposed to have emanated from the Police Service Commission in connection with this retirement.”
The commission said it received correspondence from the Nigeria police force special investigation panel (SIP) force headquarters dated August 28 relating to the senator’s retirement from the force.

“The Police Service Commission, the only organ saddled with the statutory responsibility of issuing letters of retirement to all Police Officers except the IGP has a vital role to play in determining the authenticity of this letter,” it read.
 
Misau was asked to appear before the panel on September 6 with the original copy of his letter of retirement for authentication.

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Osinbajo commissions BUA’s $1bn cement factory in Edo

 
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has commissioned BUA’s $1 billion Obu cement factory in Okpella, Edo state.

Speaking at the ceremony, Osinbajo said the construction of the factory is a big boost to the Nigerian economy as it would provide thousands of direct jobs.

The vice-president said the development connotes self-sufficiency in cement production.
“I am extremely proud to be a Nigerian and I’m sure that several of us here are. This is a wholly Nigerian enterprise and we know that the planning, the execution and successful establishment of this industrial complex was done by a Nigerian and by a Nigerian team. It is really good to know,” Osinbajo said.

“The construction of this plant is of course, a big boost to the Nigerian economy, it will provide thousands of direct jobs and indirect jobs, both for skilled and unskilled workers from the commencement of the construction of the plant to the smooth-running of the operation processes.
“At the level of production obtain it also means the consolidation of the Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in cement and a big boost to our export capacity.

“I am happy to note that for the construction of power production facility for this plant, the BUA Group has used the most modern and efficient gas turbine which combines low and economically value-cost with a very high degree of reliability.”

Earlier, Abdulsamad Rabiu, chief executive officer of the BUA group, said the BUA has started the construction of another cement plant in Sokoto with an annual capacity of 1.5 million tons at a cost of over $300 million which would be commissioned in 2018.

“Today’s event has witnessed the commissioning of one of the best cement plants anywhere in the world. It is engineered to be the most environmentally friendly cement plant in Africa with the most advanced duct emission systems,” Rabiu said.

“We also use natural gas, which is a very clean energy for both our kiln as well as the power plant in addition to having a very green environment.

“Similarly, BUA has started the construction of another greenfield cement plant in Sokoto State with an annual capacity of 1.5 million tons at a cost of over $300 million which will be commissioned in 2018.

“Additionally, our investments in the 2 cement lines in Edo State represent the largest non-oil and gas related investment in the whole of the South-Southern region of Nigeria.

“With these, BUA will have invested over $2 billion dollars in the Nigerian cement industry with capacities in excess of over 12 million tons per annum within the course of a decade.”

Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo; Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano; Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Edo and Okechukwu Enelamah, minister of industry, trade and investment were some of the dignitaries present at the ceremony.


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ASUU strike affecting one of my children, says Ngige

 

Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, says one of his children is affected by the indefinite strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

 Speaking at the end of the federal executive council meeting on Wednesday, the minister said the government is doing its best to reach an agreement with the union and put an end to the strike.
“Students who are supposed to take their exams and promotional exams have been forced by circumstances beyond their control to stay at home,” Ngige said.

“I have one of my child at home as we speak. Government is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that we reach a conclusive agreement with ASUU so that they can go back to the class room.

“This is the first national strike that this government is facing and we want to discuss.

“At council today, the vice-president took over some of the aspects of the negotiations and discussions. So, we are continuing the meeting in his office and when we finish meeting, we will get back to ASUU for another round of meeting and we are hopeful that we will be able to go to an appreciable extent to solve some of the outstanding issues that is preventing them from going back to work.”

Ngige also said the government’s team on the national minimum wage committee is ready, but waiting for other members from the private sector.

“We have on the government side four ministers – ministers of labour and employment, finance, budget and planning, I can’t remember the last one now but we have our team ready,” Ngige said.

“The chairman will be unveiled when we have a full component of the committee. The aspect that is delaying from inaugurating the committee is the organised private sector.
“So we are waiting for these nominations, when they come in the government will nominate the chairman and inaugurate the committee.”

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‘Saraki didn’t sponsor thugs to beat up observers at Kwara court’

Bamikole Omishore, special assistant on new media to Senate President Bukola Saraki, says his principal did not sponsor thugs to beat up observers at a high court in Kwara state.
 
On Wednesday, there was pandemonium at the court when some thugs unleashed violence on people who came to observe proceedings in the libel case between the senate president and Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters.

The court had asked Sowore to pay Saraki N4 billion for allegedly defaming him. But the activist is seeking a vacation of the order.

Sowore gave his own account of what transpired at the court on his Facebook page, alleging that thugs hired by the senate president attacked his lawyers and supporters.

But in a statement sent to TheCable on Wednesday, Omishore denied the allegation.

“It is absolutely false that supporters of the senate president attacked anyone. It is on the record that Sowore has been making frantic efforts to instigate people against Saraki,” he said.

“Sowore posted on his Facebook page a few days ago begging people to come to court in Kwara state to his defence which failed, that must have been why he paid two people to disrupt the court proceedings.

“I was informed that two individuals were apprehended in Ilorin Kwara state at the premises of the court for trying to cause a fracas, during questioning they mentioned that they were paid by Omoyele Sowore of Sahara Reporters.

“Since the judge ruled against Sahara Reporters to pay damages of N4 billion, Sowore has been running from pillar to post to intimidate everyone including members of the judiciary. But the time has come for that to stop and we are determined to follow this to the letter.‎”

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Adeosun: Even FG contractors evade tax

 
 
Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance, says less than 20% of contractors paid by the federal government and its agencies state the income received in their tax returns.

Adeosun, who made this known in a statement released on Wednesday, said the lapse was discovered following the sampling exercise carried out by the ministry of finance.

She said the federal government has started reviewing the tax compliance records of contractors who have received payments from the federal government and its agencies in the last seven years.

“It was a matter of concern that those who earned money directly from government, which is both traceable and verifiable, still failed to pay the correct taxes thereon,” she said.

She also gave the assurance that the new multi-agency, data-driven approach will make it easier for tax authorities to cross check information provided in tax declarations to ensure that the correct taxes are paid.

According to the statement, the ministry of finance and office of the accountant general of the federation are now compiling records of all payments exceeding N100m made in the last seven years including details of the beneficiary bank accounts.

The statement also said that “all agencies have 30 days to return the information on payments made, and accounting officers are required to certify the accuracy of the data supplied. Deliberate omission or manipulation of data by accounting officers will attract sanction”.

According to the statement, a database project called Project Light House, which would build comprehensive profiles of tax payers using bank verification numbers, foreign exchange allocations, land registry records and information obtained from foreign governments, has commenced.
The data will be used to crosscheck information provided to tax authorities.

The minister said the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is committed to improving tax compliance as this is related to efforts being made to reduce dependence on oil.

She encouraged companies to take advantage of the concessions provided by the voluntary assets and income declaration scheme.


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Melaye: I must repent

 
Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, says, Nigerian leaders, including himself, must repent and deal sincerely with hunger and poverty in the country.

Melaye said this in a tweet on Wednesday.

“Hunger and poverty have no political party, hunger and poverty have no religion. To have brought people to discuss on the line of APC or PDP is not correct because the poor PDP man and the poor APC can all go to the same market.”

This comes less than a week after he listed himself among the elite who have failed Nigeria and her teeming youth.

“Unfortunately, we the leaders, myself inclusive, have failed this nation and have failed the younger generation — myself inclusive. The reason why we are where we are today is because there is a disconnect between leadership and followership,” Melaye had said at a symposium organised by The Osasu Show Symposium.

“Apart from militocracy, politics is responsible for poverty and hunger in Nigeria.”


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Mark Zuckerberg And Wife Welcomes Second Daughter, Named Her August

Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan on Monday welcomed their second daughter whom they named ‘August’.

In usual practice, Zuckerberg announced the birth of August on Facebook, saying they hope “she doesn’t grow up too fast”.

“Priscilla and I are so happy to welcome our daughter August,” he said adding that they “wrote her a letter about the world we hope she grows up in”.

The letter reads:

“Dear August,

Welcome to the world! Your mom and I are so excited to see who you will become.
When your sister was born, we wrote a letter about the world we hoped she and now you will grow up in — a world with better education, fewer diseases, stronger communities, and greater equality.

We wrote that with all the advances in science and technology, your generation should live dramatically better lives than ours, and we have a responsibility to do our part to make that happen. Even though headlines often focus on what’s wrong, we still believe these positive trends will win out. We’re optimists about your generation and the future.

But rather than write about growing up, we want to talk about childhood. The world can be a serious place. That’s why it’s important to make time to go outside and play.
You will be busy when you’re older, so I hope you take time to smell all the flowers and put all the leaves you want in your bucket now.

I hope you read your favorite Dr. Seuss books so many times you start inventing your own stories about the Vipper of Vipp. I hope you ride the carousel with Max until you’ve tamed every color horse. I hope you run as many laps around our living room and yard as you want. And then I hope you take a lot of naps. I hope you’re a great sleeper. And I hope even in your dreams you can feel how much we love you.

Childhood is magical. You only get to be a child once, so don’t spend it worrying too much about the future. You’ve got us for that, and we’ll do everything we possibly can to make sure the world is a better place for you and all children in your generation.
August, we love you so much and we’re so excited to go on this adventure with you. We wish you a life of joy, love and the same hope you give us.”


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Adekunle Gold: Why I cannot make disposable music

Despite the prevalence and success of ‘disposable’ (commercial) music in the music industry, Adekunle Gold says he’s not ready to hop aboard that bandwagon.

The singer says although “there is that pressure” to make music that will possibly expand his fan base, he constantly reminds himself of why he got into “this business”.

Gold says he’s keen on making “timeless music” that will remain evergreen for as long as possible.
“My goal is not to make disposable music, I want to make timeless music. Constantly I remind myself. I feel like I can write any type of song but will it last me for a decade or a century,” he said in a YouTube Interview.

The singer also narrated how he came about the name ‘Gold’ in 2008.

He said: “I was in church one day and during a sermon, this guy said ‘you can’t substitute rice for gold’. He said it three times and I just knew there and then that this is my name.”

The singer, who wrote Orente for his collaborator/rumoured flame Simi, said one of the downsides of being an entertainer is getting misquoted often.

“I am misquoted almost all the time. You say one thing, someone says another,” he said.
Fame, Adekunle Gold said, has deprived him of his privacy and ability to stay closeted – as he’d love to.
“For some of us that don’t like attention, your privacy is almost gone. It’s okay. I’m not complaining, I’m just saying,” said the singer who was a graphic artiste for YBNL before getting signed by Olamide.


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Man fined $4k for saying Dr Dre will marry S’Korea’s ex-first lady

For spreading rumors about an “unlikely romance” between hip-hop mogul Dr Dre and 95-year-old South Korea’s ex-first lady, an unnamed man has been fined $4,000.

The man, 72, had said the rapper, who owns Aftermath Entertainment, was due to marry Lee Hee-Ho.

He had alleged that the marriage was intended to launder funds which belonged to the late former president, Kim Dae Jung.

Hee-Ho is an influential figure in South Korea. She was the first lady of South Korea from 1988 to 2003.

According to BBC, a Seoul district court ruled on Friday that Lee “violated the honor of the deceased and the bereaved”.

Lee Eun-hee, a judge in the court, said the rumor was baseless.

“The rumour about the slush fund and the marriage between Lee and Dr Dre is groundless,” Eun-hee was quoted as saying.

“It’s unclear, however, whether anyone ever fell for the news of the unlikely romance.”

Asides from being one of the world’s influential music stars, Dr Dre is known for the sale of Beats Electronics – makers of his party headphones, Beats by Dre – to Apple in 2015 for $3bn.
Dr Dre co-owns Beats by Dre with music mogul Jimmy Iovine.
 
The rapper-producer is married to Nicole Threatt, and they have two children together.


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Nollywood actor dies after battle with diabetes

Obi Madubogwo, a Nollywood actor, has died after battling chronic complications of diabetes.

Madubogwo was said to have died Monday evening after he came down with a fever and was subsequently rushed to the hospital, Vanguard reports.

A veteran producer, Chidi Nwokeabia, was quoted to have confirmed Madubogwo’s death.
“Obi is dead, We just spoke to the wife. He developed fever yesterday, went to the hospital this morning, had complications and died. The family will be taking the corpse home tomorrow,” he was quoted as saying.

Emeka Rollas, the new president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, was also reported to have confirmed Madubogwo’s death.

“It’s sad that after receiving Oni’s congratulatory message on the telephone, he didn’t live to see me face to face and thereafter meet the reforms we are about bringing to AGN with this new excos.

“Obi was part of this dream to see that I become the President of the Guild. Last year, I chaired the event organized by his Saving Life for Africa Diabetes Foundation.

“We talked about how I would use AGN to help drive his foundation if become president of the guild. This is another sad day for Nollywood. May his soul rest in peace.”

Madubogwo was popular for starring in ‘King of Musanga’, ‘Passion of my blood’, and ‘Mothers-in-Law’.


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Dino Melaye Enjoys Himself At Nottinghill Carnival: PHOTOS

Dino Melaye, lawmaker representing Kogi east senatorial district, is taking time to unwind since the upper chamber of the national assembly is on recess.

Photographs of the lawmaker with his children on holiday trips have been circulated on social media.
This time around, pictures of him participating in the Nottinghill Carnival, an annual event in London, have been made public.

 

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How i met Kanye West --- ‘I spent weeks trying to reach him: D'Banj

Singer Dapo ‘D’banj’ Oyebanjo has revealed details of his music partnership with American rapper-producer Kanye West and his G.O.O.D Music record label.

In an interview with Ebro Darden on Apple Music’s Beats 1, D’banj said after running into Kanye by chance in Dubai, he emailed him for “two straight weeks” before they could meet up in New York.
He said Kanye was the “first person to ever take notice [of Afrobeat, AfroPop, African sound] and do something about it”.

Describing his meeting with Kanye in 2010, he said: “I had a concert in Dubai and on my way out of Dubai when we got to the airport I was with my entourage, I came out and the steward came running to me with a plaque saying Mr. Kanye West. So they thought I was Kanye.

After that incident, he told his crew to keep an eye out for Kanye. He continued: “So we’re checking into first class and then saw him with a hoodie. He’s there with his bodyguard. Then before I knew it one of my teammates, one of them ran to him and said “Yo, Mr. Kanye I have the biggest artist from Africa. African Michael Jackson. Let him play you the record.”

D’banj said Kanye listened to two records, and said: “This sound is the new sound”, after which he asked him to meet up in New York.

“I want to do the same thing I did with Estelle. Same thing I did with John Legend. I want to do with you,” the singer quoted Kanye as saying.

“So we flew straight to New York and we’re here in this wonderful city in 2011. We were here for two weeks. I was trying to reach Kanye for two weeks.

“For two weeks straight we waited to no avail and we sent an email that said, ‘I have to got to LA to shoot the Snoop Dogg’s video. On my way back if its possible I would like to see you’ and then we got an email that same night saying, ‘Mr. Kanye West will see you at the address below’. When I got there the whole family was there too you know. Everybody from G.O.O.D. Music. And Kanye said you have to listen to this guy and then he played all the records and we didn’t have Oliver Twist then.

After releasing ‘Oliver Twist,’ D’banj said he wrote another e-mail to Kanye West, saying, “there’s this song I recorded even though our deal is not done yet can I release it in the U.K. and Europe and when we’re done we’ll release it in America and Kanye was kind enough to say I’m in London come through and he heard the song.

“He said, ‘When are you shooting the video?’ I said, ‘I will shoot it now if you are going to be in the video. Just tell me you will be in the video. I will shoot it now’.

D’banj said when Kanye gave him his word that he would show up with the G.O.O.D Music crew for the video shoot, he “immediately broke the bank” to make the video.

The singer however said Oliver Twist was never released in the US.

“Kanye surprised me and they came and I became history and everything blew up, but the song never released in the states,” he added.


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Nigerian dancer’s attempt to break world record fails

Few days ago, dancer Joshua Usoro set out to break the world record for ‘Longest Dance Marathon by an Individual’ but on Monday afternoon, his attempt ended abruptly.

Blaming “unforeseen circumstances”, Usoro who sought to enter into the Guinness Book of World Records says he will give it another shot in the future.

The 25-year-old graduate of Covenant University was attempting to break the record currently held by Kalamandalam Hemaleth.

The Indian set the record in 2010 record after dancing for 123 hours and 15 minutes in a session tagged ‘Mohiniyattam’. It took her six days to set the record.

Usoro was only able to achieve a dance marathon of 63 hrs 15 minutes.

“We are deeply sorry for the late post on updates #JasonGWR. We announce the stop to the attempt of longest dance marathon by an individual due to unforeseen circumstance. To all of our sponsors and supporters, we really appreciate the indulgence,” a statement by his management read.

Usoro, while thanking everyone who supported him, said, “I am so happy and sincerely grateful, the love was unbelievable. I did this for passion and to inspire someone to push beyond despite fear or doubt, give a shot. Life is beautiful and it’s an honor to have shared such a wonderful experience with you all.

“Just want to say a big thank you to all my partners for the love and support, my team and to everyone. Will attempt it again. I love you so much. I am very much healthy and resting.”

Usoro’s dance marathon, which held at the Circle Mall in Lekki, Lagos, was attended by ace dancer Kafayat Shafau, who popped in to show him support on the third day.


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I’m still childless; 8 years After I had an abortion because of my white wedding…

Photo credit: Google

“I found out I was pregnant when it was four months away from our wedding day. The discovery was devastating. Abortion became the only option for me. 

The wedding invitation cards had been printed and dispatched. The hall had been rented and paid for.
I and my fiancé had been planning our wedding and attending pre-marital counselling in church. Part of the requirement for the eligibility for a church wedding included a negative pregnancy test which would have been carried out at about a week from the wedding date.

I decided to abort the pregnancy. It was devastating but I had to do it, partly because I am the only daughter of my parents and they had always dreamt of organizing a massive white wedding for me. I couldn’t bear to disappoint her and a host of other aunties who had already invested in our ‘Aso-ebi’.
It was the hardest decision of my life and it tears me apart every day.  I thought I would get pregnant again immediately after the wedding, but it is eight years after I walked down the aisle and I am still trying to conceive. I am now a shadow of former boisterous self. I have been living with deep regret and shame over my past action. I wish God could find a place in his heart to forgive me”.

The story of Stella (not real name) represents a percentage of women who are struggling with their emotions after an abortion. Many women and men alike experience complex emotions, whether the decision for abortion was for the right medical reasons or for other reasons.

Abortion and infertility
Having an abortion won’t usually affect your chances of becoming pregnant and having normal pregnancies in the future. There is however a risk to your fertility and future pregnancies if you develop a womb infection that isn’t treated promptly. In rare cases, multiple dilations and curettages (the cleaning out of the uterus, also known as D& C) can cause scarring at the top of the cervix or uterus.

Other causes leading to infertility after an abortion has been attributed to the perforation of the uterus, incompetent cervix, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, where an egg implants itself outside of the womb. A procedure called hysteroscopy can be used to investigate and correct this problems.

History of the white wedding gown
A church wedding is not compulsory! In a recent expose by renowned Family Life coach, Praise Fowowe he reveals that the white wedding gown doesn’t signify purity. “It was a concept that became popular in 1840, when Victoria wore a white gown to incorporate some lace she prized. The picture went viral and many opted for it afterwards”. The veiling of the bride originated from the idea that she must be hidden from evil spirits lest she becomes vulnerable to enchantments. “So the wedding veil was to scare of spirits”.

The wedding reception originally held at the bride’s home for the couple to receive their community and the family’s financial standing often dictated the style and magnitude of the reception.

Unresolved grief
While a previous abortion may affect your chances of getting pregnant or sustaining one, it is more important to rid yourself of guilt. Many of the complex emotions women are left to cope with after abortion and delayed conception, begins as soon as a woman learns or suspect she is pregnant. Confusion, fear, guilt, shame, isolation, anxiety usually sets in the case of an unplanned pregnancy.

Loss
Grieving is a natural human process and it is important that we allow ourselves and others to feel grief after a loss  just like any experience of loss, the emotions after an abortion will differ from person to person. You can deal with the loss in a much more positive and useful way by representing it in a meaningful way. Grief and loss are emotions, just like anger and fear are emotions.   We can feel grief and loss after losing a loved one, a relationship break-up, or a job.

Guilt
Some women experience Post Abortion Stress syndrome (PASS). Those affected can find themselves experiencing a common set of physical or emotional issues after experiencing momentary relief. Abortion is also often accompanied by complex feelings of guilt if they feel it has compromised their spiritual, ethical or political beliefs. In this cases, guilt can be resolved by forgiving oneself and seeking forgiveness from God or a spiritual higher power. You may need to talk to someone about it to help you move through the process.

Shame
Many are afraid of sharing their physical and emotional experiences due to the fear and shame of political and religious backlash.  Shame is a more prevalent emotion that can be felt depending on one’s religion. “Shame is something we feel based on our perception that others think we could or should have done differently”.

Isolation
The fear of judgment and feeling alone can cause many women who are dealing with guilt, loss and even infertility after an abortion to remain quiet. It is a disenfranchised grief and loss that the society does not validate. People do not also feel the need to grief the loss because it was their choice or because of the stigma associated with the act.

Please know that it’s part of your story and you have every right to experience every emotion that comes with it. While this is not a way of validating your action, it is seeking a greater release that helps you move on to be all that you were destined to be in life. The emotions of guilt and shame is crippling. Consider opening up to a professional counselor or therapist, while also seeking a support system.

 Source: TheCable

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