Ayeiroyin

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said that his commission won't engross Nigerian companies in any electoral materials because of what it absorb. He stated this while responding to questions from members of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters during the 2017 budget defence yesterday in Abuja. Prof.  Yakubu said much as the commission would wish to engage Nigerian companies, it was practically impossible to do so for fear of disappointment, considering the time frame and the volume of work involved. “Yes we should look inward, but there are issues such as the volume you have to produce within a short time. If you engage local companies, you may realise that they don’t have the capacity to produce large number within a short period. “There’s also the Nigerian problem. People will quickly go and register a patent and make claims. Some of the procurements are time bound. We can’t allow somebody to ho...

Islamabad High Court (IHC) slam ban on public performance of Valentine's Day in the country on Tuesday . The Pakistani court on Monday, issued a ruling against observing Valentine’s Day across the country.   Barrister Abdul Waheed told newsmen that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the media not to publicise anything concerning the lover's day.   Majid Bhatti, a legal practitioner at the IHC, confirmed this that the court law conceal the entire country.   Report says Valentine’s Day draws mixed responses from people every year with many voicing objections, citing religious teachings.   In 2017, President Mamnoon Hussain had urged people not to observe Valentine’s Day because it was not a Muslim, but a Western tradition. “Valentine’s Day has no connection with our culture and it should be avoided,’’  the president had said.   Waheed said had asked the court to issue orders against the promotion of Valentine’s Day becaus...

The 59th edition of the annual Grammy awards held last night in Los Angeles, California with several stunning performances from the different acts. Pregnant Beyonce also brought the stage to its knees as she rendered a flawless performance of two of her songs. British singer, Adele, swept a total of five awards and made history as the first singer to win two Album and Song of the Year awards. However snapped her Album of the Year Award in two and gave the other half to Beyonce whom she regarded as an inspiration. Here the full list of winners at the music awards ceremony: Album of the year: “25,” Adele,  Record of the year: “Hello,” Adele,  Best new artist: Chance the Rapper,  Song of the year (songwriter’s award): “Hello,” Adele and Greg Kurstin,  Best pop solo performance: “Hello,” Adele,  Best pop vocal album: “25,” Adele,  Best traditional pop vocal album: “Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin,” Willie Nelson,  Best pop duo or gro...

The Former German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has been elected as the nation’s 12th president. Steinmeier was backed his largely ceremonial post of president by Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling coalition. The election which took place in a secret ballot consist of 1,260-member Federal Convention, comprising lawmakers and leading community figures. The 61 years old will replace Joachim Gauck, a 77-year-old former East German pastor and human rights activist, who has been head of state for five years and his tenure will come to an end next month and proper handling over will be made. Regularly voted in opinion polls as the nation’s most popular politician, Mr. Steinmeier faced four other candidates in the election for the post. The newly president was elected to become the nation’s president by an overwhelming majority of a special constitutional assembly, despite the vote falling short of what had been expected. He was voted in by 931 voters out of the 1,...

Federal Government has recovered another $151 million and N8 billion ($26.32 million) looted funds from three sources through whistle-blowers. According to the Nigeria Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed statement issued on Sunday in Lagos. He said actionable information given by whistle-blowers to the Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation led to the recovery of the looted fund. Mohammed said the looted funds not consist the $9.2 million in cash allegedly by a former Group Managing Director of the NNPC, also a dividend of the whistle-blower policy. “The biggest amount of $136.7 million was recovered from an account in a commercial bank, where the money was kept under an apparently fake account name. “This was followed by N7 billion and $15 million from another person and N1 billion from yet another,” he said. The minister reiterated the position of government that there was a primitive and mindless looting of the na...

L agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right), presenting the trophy to the Winner of the 2017 Lagos City Marathon, Abraham Kiptum from Kenya (middle) while 3rd Prize Winner, Kiprotich Kiroi from Kenya (2nd right); Group Managing Director, Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe (right); 2nd Prize Winner, Ronny Kipkoech Kiboss from kenya (3rd left); President, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede (2nd left) and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (left) watch with admiration during the 2017 Lagos City Marathon at the Eko Atlantic City, on Saturday, February 11, 2017 . In a time of two hours, 15 minutes and 20 seconds, Kenya’s, Abraham Kiptum who won the maiden edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon  on Saturday  successfully defended his title at the second edition of the race carting away the grand prize of $50,000. His time was a new record in the Lagos Marathon as he posted a time of two hours, 16 minutes and 19 seconds in ...

The Federal Government yesterday said it had secured $1.5 billion from the China Exim Bank to begin work on the Lagos-Ibadan rail line project. Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi said this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Land Transport, chaired by Gbenga Ashafa, to give a status report of the 2016 budget and also present the 2017 budget. Amaechi said the foundation of the Lagos-Ibadan Segment Two of the Lagos- Kano rail project would be laid before March 31. He said the target of the Federal Government is to begin work from Apapa sea port to Ogun and then to Ibadan. Amaechi said: “In the first quarter of 2017, the foundation of the Lagos-Ibadan Segment Two of the Lagos- Kano rail project will be laid. “The implication here is that we will start the Lagos-Ibadan rail line before March 31. “Our target is to begin from Apapa sea port down to Ogun and then to Ibadan. “The counterpart fund is ready but don’t forget that we are borrowing from China. The Chin...