YellowStone Media International

Fayose: In One Year, Buhari Succeeded in Running Nigeria Aground ‎ Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, today lamented that in just one year of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, the country’s economy has been ruined so much that states could no longer pay workers’ salaries. He said millions of jobs were lost, prices of essential commodities skyrocketed to the extent that Nigerians could no longer afford ‘common’ tomato just as the middle class has been wiped away completely. In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, the governor said: “Despite President Buhari’s electoral promise to reduce petrol pump price from the N87 per litre that he met it and make life more bearable for Nigerians, he has increased the price of petrol to N145 as well as increased electricity tariff in spite of lack of power supply. “Food scarcity was last experienced when Buhari was that milit

Airtel  The Voice Nigeria : Let the Battles Begin! The blind auditions for  The Voice Nigeria  came to a thrilling end as the coaches once again campaigned for some of the best talent out of Africa. The final auditions had some of the best voices on display and at the end of Sunday’s episode each coach had the maximum number of 12 talents as they prepare for the upcoming battle stages. #Team2baba scored big with Theodora, a throwback talent reminiscent of the legendary Tina Turner, and the charismatic DNA, identical twin brothers with powerful voices. #TeamPatoranking won over Nonso Bassey, a federal civil servant and the strong-voiced Osuwake Omini. #TeamTimi won over the songstress Viveeyan and the much lauded music teacher Cornel, who wowed the coaches and audience alike with his powerful, Motown-esque voice, whilst #TeamWaje won over Michael, who decided to go with his gut feeling after ironically performing Timi Dakolo’s hit song, ‘Iyawo Mi.’ Sunday’s episode was a fitting

Labour Pickets Lagos State Secretariat …Public servants protest union’s action Scores of aggrieved labour activists today marched to the Lagos State Secretariat angrily protesting against the decision of the federal government to increase the pump price of petrol. The protesters, who were led by the National Vice President, Mr. Amechi Asugwuni, marched into the secretariat complex; blocked the main gate and sealed up the office of Head of Service (HoS), Mrs. Olabowale Ademola. However, some public servants angrily took on the protesting labour unionists when the office of HoS was picketed, although security operatives quickly intervened and brought the situation under control. Consequently, the protesters who arrived at the secretariat at about 1:30 p.m., marched around the premises of the secretariat, singing different solidarity songs and demanding the reversal of fuel subsidy policy. The protesters trooped to the state secretariat through Awolowo road and

Aftermath of Labour Strike: Teenager Drowns in Edo Tragedy struck last Wednesday in Benin-city, Edo State, when a teenager simply identified as Ikponmwosa who embarked on a fishing expedition in company of his friends reportedly drowned in a stagnant pool and died. The 15-year-old male student was alleged to have drowned while attempting to catch a cat fish from a pool located on Iyoba Street, Uselu in the city after he returned from school as a result of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) strike against the increase in petrol pump price. It was gathered that the heightened tension at the scene forced his friends who accompanied him on the voyage to flee and alert his parents. The distraught mother of the deceased, Mrs. Maureen Igiebor, (Ikponmosa) was sent back from school with his mates as a result of the NLC strike. She said her son was already dead before a good Samaritan came to his rescue. "He ran home and removed his school uniform. Later, a little bo

Oyo: ‘Buhari Policy on Economy is Terrifying’ The Zonal Coordinator of Ibadan chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Segun Ajiboye, has described the increment in the pump price of petrol by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government as a ‘terror policy’. Ajiboye, while addressing a mammoth crowd of anti-subsidy removal protesters at the University of Ibadan gate today, stated that the pain unleashed on Nigerians in the past one year by the federal government had become unbearable which required a mass anti-terror movement to check it. The ASUU leader, who noted that the past one year has been full of blames of past government and pain on Nigerians, wondered what the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, wanted to add to the nation by requesting for N13million for a trip to China. He noted that the many lies of the present government must be stopped before Nigerians will be labeled liars in the international community, stating

Senate Mediates between NLC, FG Face-off * Speaker meets with striking NLC, appeals for living wage *NLC: We are open to negotiations but strike continues The Senate today intervened in the face-off between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the federal government over the recent hike in the pump price of petrol from N86.50 to N145. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has also met with national executives of the NLC over the ongoing strike against the removal of fuel subsidy. After a meeting with the leadership of NLC today, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said the Senate had called the meeting to find a lasting solution to the crisis caused by the hike in the price of petrol. Saraki also said he was happy to hear from the labour leaders that they were open to dialogue. According to him, "The meeting with the leadership of NLC was part of the moves to finding lasting solution to the impasse as well as to bring

NSE-led Corporate Challenge Race against Cancer Rounds off Third Edition in Lagos Hundreds of individuals, corporate bodies and celebrities trooped out on the street of Lagos last weekend (May 14) to run against kin in the third edition of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Corporate Challenge tagged ‘e-Race Cancer’. The race which was organised by NSE in conjunction with the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) started at the Muri-Okunola Park, Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island aimed at raising awareness and funds for the purchase of 37 Mobile Cancer Centres (MCCs). Over 600 runners from 100 companies participated in the race that saw Paul Alabi from Aluko & Oyebode emerge the overall winner of this edition of the NSE Corporate Challenge race.​ Anolue Uzochukwu from Cutix Plc and Austin Ani from Stanbic IBTC came second and third respectively, while Esther Obiekwe from Diamond Bank emerge the fastest female, and Rene Gabriel from Nigerian Brewerie

Enugu Residents Condemn New Pump Price Regime as Queues Return Residents of Enugu State today berated the federal government for the removal of subsidy on petrol which has consequently increased the price of the product from N86.50k to N145.00. The organised labour in the state has equally expressed its opposition to the new price regime, insisting that it would impose further hardship on the people. Also, most filling stations within the metropolis had adjusted to the new price, while a number of independent marketers sold at N155.00 this afternoon. However, most major stations owned by major marketers remained under lock and key as they claimed that they were still studying the situation resulting to large queues in most places.  While the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Virginus Nwobodo, said the organisation had already fixed an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja today, his Trade Union Congress (TUC) cou

Buhari, APC Engaging in Advanced Fee Fraud, Fayose Alleges …As governor Incites labour movements against president Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, today accused President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) of engaging in ‘Advanced Fee Fraud’ over the removal of fuel subsidy and increment of pump price from N86.50 to N145 per litre. Describing the increment as wickedness taken too far, he asked: “Was the federal government paying up to N58.50 as subsidy on one litre of petrol before now?” Fayose, who reiterated his call on Nigerians, especially the labour movement, to resist what he called “this wicked act of President Buhari and his party,” added: “Those who opposed removal of fuel subsidy in 2012 and funded the ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protest must not be allowed to get away with this imposition of hardship on Nigerians now that they are in power.” He said labour unions, civil society organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians shou

FG Approves Akwa Ibom International Jetty The federal government has granted licence to the Akwa Ibom State Government to establish an international jetty at Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state. Similarly, the state government is equally working towards obtaining recertification for the operational of the Oron jetty in the state. The state Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Godwin Ntukudeh, who revealed this, said when operational, the two jetties would boost the industrialisation pursuit of the state Governor, Udom Emmanuel’s administration.  Ntukudeh who fielded questions from journalists on the activities of his ministry posited that tug and service boats, drilling vessels of the multi-national companies would now be landing in the state when the jetties become operational. “ With that licence obtained for the establishment of an international jetty in Ikot Abasi, we are looking forward for a greater future in the marine transport in the st

FG Should Stop Shielding Killer Herdsmen, HURIWA Says A pro-democracy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has ‎challenged the federal government to stop shielding the rampaging Fulani herdsmen who have refused to desist from the wanton killings of innocent Nigerians. The National Coordinator of the group, Emmanuel‎ Onwubiko, who made this known in a statement today in Abuja also accused the federal government of placing ethnic politics above national security interest in the cases of mass killings by armed Fulani herdsmen. According to him, "There is a well-funded campaign by Northern governors and top federal government officials to seek actively to change the narratives of the real identities of the killer Fulani herdsmen who wreaking havoc across Nigeria." The rights group wondered why the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, appeared before a Senate Committee last Monday and made sensationally un

PD P will Return to Power in 2019, Rivers Governor Promises The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will take back the reins of governance at the federal level in 2019. Addressing PDP delegates at the Rivers State Congress of the party at the Obi Wali Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Governor Wike said the reorganisation of the party will place it on a sound footing to attain victory in 2019. He said: “The PDP will return to the seat of power at the Federal level by 2019. This congress is part of the process of repositioning the party”. He assured the people of Rivers State that the party will continue to deliver on all fronts in line with the pledges of his government. The governor said his administration has lived up to the expectations of the people of the state in the execution of pro-people projects and programmes. He said: “This administration will showcase our superlative performance in the last one year

Osinbajo’s Claim not True: State House Clinic not for all Nigerians Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, is well regarded across the country as a stickler for truth and integrity. But it be can authoritatively reported that the nation’s number two citizen did not tell the truth regarding who can receive healthcare at the State House Medical Centre in Abuja. The vice president was responding to questions at the Pastors and Leaders Retreat of the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos. He said the medical centre was a well-equipped general hospital always open for use by the public. However, when an online medium visited the hospital on May 4 and 7, the Vice President’s claims were found to be untrue. The question Mr. Osinbajo answered at the event was triggered by a  PREMIUM TIMES report of February 2 indicating that the presidency planned to spend more on the State House Clinic than on all the federal teaching hospitals in the country. Based on the budget proposal

Obi of Owa Mourns Late Benin Monarch   Sunday Okobi   The Obi of Owa Kingdom in Delta State, His Royal Majesty Dr. Emmanuel Onyike Efeizomor II, yesterday mourned the passing of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo-N-Oba Uku Akpolokpolor.   The Obi, in a statement he signed which was made available to THISDAY, noted that he received the news of the demise of the Oba of Benin with great shock, urging the people of great Benin Kingdom to raise their heads high as well as take heart over the death of the great monarch because he lived a life of total fulfilment.   According to Obi Efeizomor in the statement, “The Imperial Majesty, Oba of Benin means many things to many people.   “Here in Owa Kingdom, the Omo-N-Oba represents a father, a sign post of peace, a great light of civilization, a bridge builder and a helper. He was a great teacher and a good listener. His sense of humour and personal accommodation made conflict resolution easy.”   The Owa king

Operation Crackdown: Time to Back our Military, CPC Charges Nigerians As the Nigerian military operatives commenced the final crackdown on Boko Haram insurgents in their stronghold, Sambisa Forest, known as Operation Crackdown, Concerned Professionals Congress (CPC) today rallied all Nigerians to wholeheartedly support the military’s campaign to end the terrorists’ carnage in the country. The group, reputable for its vehement support for Nigerian military, stated that the support and prayers of Nigerians would strengthen the troops, stressing that it would also boost their morale “to accomplish the task of restoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation particularly in the North-east region.” CPC, in a media briefing jointly addressed by its Coordinator, Tukur Tilde, and Chief Media Strategist, Emeka Nwapa,  in Kaduna, stated that the Sambisa Forest operation is similar to United States military final onslaught on Al Qaeda exactly five years ago which

Abia Civil Servant Commits Suicide over Unpaid Salary As the effects of unpaid salaries bite harder, a civil servant in Abia State tragically ended his life at the weekend when he could no longer cope with the pressure of life. Dee Nwankwo, 52, a staff of the Ministry of Lands and Survey, was said to have hanged himself in his sitting room while his wife and three children left the house for church service. His dangling body from the ceiling was discovered by his family members when they came back from church service in the afternoon. According to an eye witness, the alarm raised by the wife of the deceased attracted neighbours who expressed shock at the ugly development as some saying that the deceased had taken an extreme decision of taking his own life. He said the father of three had left a suicide note, saying he could no longer bear the pangs of unpaid salaries and the attendant shame of not being able to live up to his responsibilities as husband and fath

Safety Guidelines for Drone Operators in Nigeria Outlined The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)  today said it has recognised the growing requests for the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) leading to its proliferation in Nigeria and has therefore issued safety guidelines to check its use in the Nigerian airspace. The authority has therefore directed that no government agency, organisation or an individual will launch an RPA/UAV in the Nigerian airspace for any purpose whatsoever without obtaining requisite approvals/permit from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Office of National Security Adviser (NSA). The regulatory body noted that in recent times, RPA/UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are being deployed for commercial and recreational purposes in the country without adequate security clearance. “Therefore with the preponderance of these operations particularly in a non – segregated airspace, there has to be proactive safety guidelines. The devel

NRC Management Regrets Derailment of Kano-Bound Train as Four die in Jebba The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has described the derailment of Kano-bound train as unfortunate and regrettable as it also sympathized with the families of the victims involved in the accident. Four people-three male and a female-were confirmed dead in the accident involving a Lagos-Kano intercity passenger train which occurred at the entrance point of railway station in Jebba bordering Niger and Kwara States. THISDAY learnt that the accident which happened in the early hours of last Saturday involved two baggage vans and a power car coach which capsized, adversely affecting the coach (guard van) next to them. The NRC Director of Public Relation (DPR), Abdulrauf Akinwoye, who spoke to THISDAY on the phone today stated that the corporation acting Managing Director, Fidet Ohkiria, who was at the scene of the derailment lamented that: "It is an unfortunate incident

IG to Probe Murder of Akwa Ibom Medical Doctor The Inspector General of Police (IG), Solomon Arase may take over investigation into the murder of the Head, Pathology Department of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Dr. Ivy Umana, the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Folorunso Adewole has said. Adewole, who addressed the management and staff during a visit to the Hospital at weekend also pledged federal government assistance to the health institution to meet its obligation especially in the completion of projects and recruitment of nurses. Calling for a minute silence in honour of the late Umana, the minister expressed disgust that more than two weeks after the killing, the culprits have not been arrested to face the law. “I will take it up with the IG when I get back to Abuja so that they can appreciate the seriousness and urgency on the matter. “I will also raise it with the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, because unless we apprehend those who com