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  • Macron to visit Fela’s Afrika Shrine Tuesday

    French leader Emmanuel Macron will on Tuesday visit the Afrika Shrine, a nightclub in Lagos founded by Nigerian music legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

    Macron will  become the first “real president” to enter the club synonymous with marijuana smoke, sexy backup dancers and protest music. And he is not a stranger to Nigeria. He trained as a senior civil servant at the French Embassy in Lagos in 2004, seven years after Fela died.

    Late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, afrobeat king

    The  Afrika Shrine located in the teeming Lagos district of Ikeja replaced Fela Kuti’s original club that burnt down in 1977, but for millions of fans it still represents the original Shrine built by the musical maverick.

    President Emmanuel Macron : First real President to visit the Shrine

    “The Shrine is a must-see place,” said Olivier Laouchez, the head of the TRACE media and entertainment group and organiser of the event Macron will attend, adding that Lagos is “Africa’s cultural capital”.

    The evening will feature concerts, fashion shows by leading African designers and a meeting with stars from Nigeria’s booming Nollywood film industry.

    The sexy dancers at Fela’s Shrine that will entertain President Macron on Tuesday. AFP Photo

    Lagos is also giving Johannesburg — the other African cultural hotspot — a run for its money in the art world with its annual Art X event.

    “There is clearly something abuzz in Lagos, with auctions mushrooming, and this will explode,” said contemporary art specialist Marie-Cecile Zinsou, who is based in neighbouring Benin.

    “The idea is to show the richness and diversity of African cultures,” said Laouchez.

    “Europe does not know Africa or at least its cultural dimension.”

    Macron, who is visiting the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott to attend an African Union summit on Sunday, will go on to Nigeria’s capital Abuja for talks with his counterpart Muhammadu Buhari on security and terrorism, before coming to Lagos, a vibrant megapolis of 20 million people.

    Fela Anikulapo Kuti came from a patrician Nigerian family whose pioneering music and quest for social justice made him an international star and the bugbear of Nigeria’s former military rulers. Fela died on 2 August 1997. He was 59 years old.

    Called the “black president” by adoring fans, Fela Kuti’s trademark style, christened Afrobeat, featured songs in his native Yoruba and pidgin and were searing indictments of corruption and incompetence.

    Ibrahim Tcha-Tchere, a veteran employee of the Alliance Francaise cultural institute in Lagos, said Macron’s visit was fitting given that “France has always had great cultural cooperation with Nigeria.

    “It was the French who organised Fela’s first European tour in 1981,” he said.

    “Then his sons Femi and Seun launched their international careers in France.”

    The shrine is a big hall, painted brown and yellow, with patterns of green, red and black, suggesting African symbolism.

    Laouchez joked that organising the event was no cakewalk, saying: “It requires great organisation because there are frequent power cuts and you have to ensure that the ceiling fans do not fall on the heads of guests… but it’s exciting.”

    “Musically speaking, the new Nigerian Afrobeat movement is global,” he added, pointing to stars such as Davido, Wizkid and Mr Eazi.

    *AFP

  • Industrial Court passes resolution on AUPCTRE, DESOPADEC dispute over alleged unlawful labour practice

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Thursday passed a resolution ordering the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE), and Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), to maintain status quo in relation to their suit before the court.

    Justice Babatunde Adejumo, who gave the resolution said all parties should maintain status quo.

    When a court orders parties to maintain status quo, it means an order of injunction.

    It means the parties to the suit are restrained from committing any act which may bring change in the position, nature and character of the parties or of things in the suit.

    The judge held that the order will be subsisting pending the hearing and determination of the matter before the court.

    Adejumo gave the resolution after the submissions of Aduojo Abah, in the originating process he filed on behalf of AUPCTRE whose union members are staff of DESOPADEC.

    The judge also ordered the transfer of the case to Yenegoa Division of the court for continuation of trial

    AUPCTRE, the claimant, in the originating process prayed the court to declare that the refusal of the defendant to address issues of workers welfare constitute unfair labour practice.

    Abah alleged that AUPCTRE- DESOPADEC branch through several attempts had made efforts to have meetings with the defendant, but the defendant never honoured any of the invitations.

    He said one of the relief the claimant is seeking for their members is an order compelling the defendant to pay arrears of 30% of salaries they have been owing them from July, 2009 till date.

    The counsel also said another of the union demand for their members is payment of their End-of- Year allowance for two years.

    According to Abah, the claimant is also seeking an order compelling the defendant to implement the medical package as stipulated in the Staff Conditions of Service.

    Abah also said the claimant is seeking an order of the court to compel the defendant to set aside the queries and suspension issued to members as a result of their union activities.

    He said the union is demanding promotion for members who are due for promotion in line with the provision of the defendant Staff Conditions of Service.

  • Trump orders King Salman jack up oil output by 2mbpd

    King Salman of Saudi Arabia: Trump orders him jack up oil output by 2m barrels to bring down prices

    US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Saudi Arabia’s King Salman had agreed to his request to ramp up oil production, a week after OPEC already announced an output rise.

    “Just spoke to King Salman of Saudi Arabia and explained to him that, because of the turmoil & dysfunction in Iran and Venezuela, I am asking that Saudi Arabia increase oil production, maybe up to 2,000,000 barrels, to make up the difference,” Trump announced in an early morning tweet.

    “Prices too high! He has agreed!”

    Trump has repeatedly lashed out at OPEC on Twitter in recent months, piling pressure on Riyadh, a major ally, to boost output as he hopes for lower pump prices before midterm congressional elections in November.

    His latest comments come a week after ministers from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries — of which Saudi Arabia is a major member — had already agreed to raise output from July.

    Non-OPEC member Russia on June 23 also backed the effort, capping a week of tense diplomacy for the grouping that averted a damaging rift between arch foes Iran and Saudi Arabia.

    The ministers announced they would ramp up oil production by around one million barrels a day from July.

    “I think it will contribute significantly to meet the extra demand that we see coming in the second half,” Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Faleh told reporters at the time.

    The talks had centred on whether to amend an 18-month-old supply-cut deal between OPEC members and allied countries, including Russia, that has cleared a global oil glut and lifted crude prices.

    Saudi Arabia, backed by non-member Russia, had argued strongly in favor of increasing production as grumbles in major consumer countries like the United States, India and China have grown about high prices.

    Iran opposed any changes to the original production-cut deal at a time when its oil industry is facing renewed sanctions over Trump’s decision to quit the international nuclear deal with Tehran.

    In the end, both sides were able to save face.

    The current production curb pact calls for participating countries to trim output by 1.8 million barrels a day.

    But production constraints and geopolitical factors have seen several nations exceed their restriction quotas, keeping about 2.8 million barrels off the market, according to OPEC.

    By agreeing to collectively raise output by a million barrels, member countries are simply committing to comply fully with the deal struck in late 2016.

    Iran has accused Trump of trying to politicize OPEC and said it was US sanctions on Iran and Venezuela that had helped push up prices.

    Saudi Arabia was producing more than 9.9 million barrels a day in May, according to OPEC, citing secondary sources.

  • President Buhari sympathises with victims of explosion in Kaduna

    1. President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sympathy with victims of a gas explosion in Kaduna.

    The President’s message is contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday.

    President Buhari said he felt their pains at the hour of distress, considering the economic ruin suffered by the “hardworking Nigerians striving to make a living through honest labour”.

    He added: “”As a human being, I fully understand the economic impact of this accident on the lives of these hard working Nigerians.’’

    The President advised Nigerians to pay greater attention to safety procedures and precautionary measures at their business premises.

    According to him, more attention on safety procedures can help avert some disasters.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that gas explosion had on Saturday evening burnt down 14 shops and a pharmacy with one person injured on Ibrahim Taiwo Road by Abeokuta street in  Kaduna.

    Some good Samaritans as well as residents of the affected area, however, mobilised to put out the fire before it spread further in the densely populated part of the metropolis.

    NAN also reports that most of the shops affected by the gas explosion contained kitchen equipment, gas cylinders and refiling facilities. (NAN)

  • Stanbic IBTC hails PenCom as multi-fund investment structure begins

    Stanbic IBTC hails PenCom as multi-fund investment structure begins

    Mr Eric Fajeminsi, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd., says the multi-fund investment structure for workers will protect and improve the investment performance of Nigeria’s N7.8 trillion pension assets.

    In a statement on Sunday in Lagos, Fajeminsi noted that the new structure superseded the previous “one-size-fits-all” investment structure.

    He commended the National Pension Commission (PenCom) for evolving the multi-fund investment structure.

    The IBTC Pension boss said that the structure which started on Sunday would resolve the challenge of asset-liability risks faced by the pension operators.

    “The new multi-fund investment structure that kicked-off on July 1, would eliminate the asset and liability risks by aligning the age and risk profile of Retired Saving Account (RSA) holders to match four new investment funds.

    “This will enhance contributors’ chance to earn improved returns on their pensions in proportion to their risk appetites.

    “The different categories of the multi-fund investment structures are Fund One, Fund Two, Fund Three and Fund Four,” Fajeminsi said.

    He noted that Fund One was targeted at workers aged 49 years and below willing to take more risks in the quest for higher returns.

    “Fund Two is aimed at people who are aged 49 years and below and still working but are satisfied with moderate returns and levels of risks.

    “Fund Three targets people of 50 years and above still working and have very low risk appetite while Fund Four are for retirees who have the lowest risk profile of all categories.

    ” Even if people retire, their pension should continue to work for them; there is the need to plan for a comfortable life in retirement,” Fajeminsi said.

    He advised workets yo plan well for their retirement.

    “A well-structured financial planning process must commence from the Day One on a first job, and it involves setting aside a part of current income into RSA,” he said.

    “Stanbic IBTC Pension made a promise to our clients that they will retire very well. It is a promise we always keep.”

    According to him, Stanbic IBTC pension is serving over 1.6 million RSA holders, with assets under management in excess of N2 trillion. (NAN)

  • N5.4trn debt: AMCON to seize assets of debtors, says negotiation time over

    N5.4trn debt: AMCON to seize assets of debtors, says negotiation time over

    The Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) has said that there will be no more room for negotiation with obligors as the company is now set for a new stage which is complete assets take-over.

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AMCON, Mr. Ahmed Kuru, who disclosed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, said that the N5.4 trillion debt had lingered for too long.

    Kuku said that AMCON had gotten tired of obligors (debtors), coming to their office and telling lies about wanting to embark on a staggered payment which they ended up never complying.

    He said that most part of the N5.4 trillion had been with the banks for five years before AMCON bought them over, adding that after 7 years of the companies operations, the obligors were yet to pay.

    “Resolutions through staggered plans have never worked. Let us not forget that before those loans were transferred to AMCON they have been with the banks for over five years.

    “Now, AMCON is almost seven years, so the facility has been running bad for 12 years. It is not easy to recover those kinds of facilities.

    “So now we have changed our strategy from sitting down and drinking tea and the obligors telling us lies and we pretend that we don’t know you are telling us lies.

    “There is no more time for lies because we have a sunset period. So now our focus is on recovery. We do not want to hear anything, you cannot come and tell me you are going to pay me in the next six years, I do not have that time.

    “If you cannot pay me the money now then give me my assets because the assets belong to AMCON so that we can sell it.”

    Kuku added that in the case where the registered assets of a company that is in debt is not enough to clear their obligation, then AMCON would also go after the directors and their private companies.

    He said that as part of the new strategy of AMCON, Directors of companies would now be sought after so that they would be forced to take part in repaying the loans.

    “We are training our people more to see that they become more efficient.

    “Most fundamentally we have changed our strategy. Before our strategy had been only resolution: you come, you give us a payment plan and we respect it.

    “But we have realized that more than 80 per cent of AMCON’s recoveries are as a result of either forfeiture or taking over of businesses or outright cash payment.

    “My law allows me to not only go after the assets that are served as collateral but I can also go after the directors of companies. I can go after the assets that have not been served as collateral.

    “This is where we are now heading to because the law had anticipated this situation that we are now in,” he said.

    Speaking further on the way forward for AMCON, Kuru said that there was need for some sections of the law to be amended, adding that the company was working with the National Assembly to amend relevant laws.

    For him, the National Assembly had been very good so far and had been working hard to close the gaps. (NAN)

  • NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains on Monday

    NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains on Monday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted prospects if thunderstorms and rains over the central states such as Abuja, Minna, Lafia, Bauchi, Gombe, Jos, Yola and Mambila Plateau axis on Monday morning.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Sunday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 29 to 33 and 19 to 26 degrees celsius.

    It added that localised thunderstorm and rains were also probable over Minna, Kaduna, Jos, Abuja, Lafia, Makurdi and Jalingo in the afternoon and evening period.

    The agency predicted isolated rains over the southern cities in the morning and afternoon hours with day and night temperatures of 28 to 30 and 19 to 23 degrees celsius.

    According to NiMet, Northern States will experience thunderstorms over Dutse, Katsina, Kano, Zaria, Gusau, Maiduguri, Sokoto and their environs in the morning hours.

    “Later in the day localized thunderstorms are expected over the entire region with day and night temperatures in the ranges of 30 to 35 and 19 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

    “There are prospects of thunderstorms and rains over the country within the next 24 hours” NiMet predicts. (NAN)

  • IPAC tasks political parties on transparency, internal democracy

    The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged political parties to promote transparency, fairness and internal democracy in their congresses and primary elections.

    Chairman of the council in Yobe, Alhaji Umaru Kukuri, made the call on Sunday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu.

    Kukuri, who is also the Chairman of National Conscience Party in the state, said transparency and fairness were key attributes to democratic growth.

    He urged the parties to emulate the civility and unity of purpose exhibited by All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state in its last congresses.

    “There are great political lessons to learn from the peaceful conduct of the APC congresses in the state.

    “The council identifies with this peaceful conduct and urges all political parties and democrats to emulate this democratic development.

    “The ideals of IPAC as an umbrella body of political parties are to encourage parties to do the right thing to enhance the growth of democracy.

    “Therefore, as political parties, we should all strive to promote peace, internal democracy and tolerance in our activities,” he said.

    Kukuri attributed the common front adopted by the APC in the state as a major factor in the emergence of Alhaji Maimala Buni as National Secretary of the party.

    “In Yobe, we have to promote peace in all our programmes because of our bitter experience of insurgency,” he said. (NAN)

  • Polio: C/River Govt. targets 808,470 children for immunisation

    The Cross River Government on Sunday said it is targeting no fewer than 808, 470 children across the state for the Second Round of the 2018 National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDS).

    Dr. Betta Edu, Director General, Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, made the disclosure in Calabar during the flag-off  of the programme by the state’s Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu.

    Edu said the state government had mobilised  7, 588 health workers to ensure the success of the exercise in the 18 local government areas of the state.

    “The agency is working tirelessly in ensuring that children between zero to five years have unhindered access to polio vaccine.

    “We need a 100 per cent coverage of this four-day immunisation across the state.

    “We are targeting no fewer than 808, 470 children across the state and we have equally mobilised 7, 558 health personnel for the exercise.

    “Our dream is to see a Cross River and Nigeria that is certified polio free; we must fight anything that is fighting to destroy the future of our children.

    “Polio vaccines are safe and free; the state and development partners have paid for everything”, she said.

    Also speaking, the Deputy Gov., Esu said that every child in Cross River deserved the right to be immunised against polio.
    He explained that the policy trust of Gov. Ben Ayade led administration was to have a zero per cent of childhood diseases in the state and this has benefits.

    “When a child is fully immunised against childhood diseases, he or she will grow healthy, stronger and happier.
    “The exercise is totally free; I urge parents to bring their children out to benefit from the exercise”, he said.

    Dr Inyang Asibong, the State’s Commissioner for Health, said it was important for mothers to always vaccinate their children against childhood diseases.

    Asibong said that Cross River was adjudged by the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund as the state with the best child survival indices in Nigeria.

    “Within these four days, I urge all care givers and parents to locate any nearest healthcare centre in their locality to benefit from the numerous health care programmes designed for pregnant and nursing mothers,” Asibong said. (NAN)