Nigerian Gossip

No timeframe to ending Boko Haram, says U.S Envoy

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The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Friday, said there would not be a timeframe to ending Boko Haram but a comprehensive approach to ending the insurgence was possible. 
 
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Bliken stated this at a media roundtable ahead of the second regional security summit scheduled for May 14 in Abuja. 
 
The envoy said that rather than working toward a timeframe to end the insurgency, the summit would ensure that the underlined issues were addressed to gradually end it. 
 
He added that “I don’t want to put a timeframe on the defeat of Boko Haram but we are going to be more effective, apt and have a comprehensive approach. 
 
“It may take time, for example, to stabilise communities freed from Boko Haram and to rebuild them; that is part of sustainable solutions which is going to prevent them from returning. 
 
“This will help because if you defeat Boko Haram and you are not able to deal with the underlying problems, it may make some people to be extremists. 
 
“The Nigerian government and regional governments have to deal with the immediate challenge and the underlying elements, not timeframe,” he said. 
 
He expressed American Government’s determination to tackle the insurgence in the Lake Chad Basin, noting that “we are extremely vigilant about Boko Haram going for training in Libya and come back, we want to cut the existing connection.” 
He said that Nigeria and the U.S. would together develop a comprehensive approach to ending the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin, stressing that “what we are working on is truly a comprehensive approach to the challenge posed by Boko Haram. 
 
“The military component is critical; it is necessary, but it is not sufficient. 
 
“A comprehensive approach has to include taking care of people in their home communities with good governance, with access to actual resources and to jobs so that they are not susceptible to being pulled into extremism out of desperation. 
 
“It has to include support, particularly for displaced persons, as well as refugees so that they too can have some basic livelihood.” 
 
Blinken also expressed the determination of the Ameriacn Government to ensure safe return of the Chibok school girls and other victims in the custody of Boko Haram. 
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No timeframe to ending Boko Haram, says U.S Envoy

The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Friday, said there would not be a timeframe to ending Boko Haram but a comprehensive...

Champions League Tickect Would Be a Perfect Send Off For Pellegrini - Iheanacho

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Manchester city forward Kelechi Iheanacho has said a UEFA Champions League ticket would represent d best send off gift for outgoing manager Manuel Pellegrini. 
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Pellegrini is quitting The Etihad after three years and he will be replaced by former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola. 
 
The Chilean coach helped City achieve their best-ever finish in the Champions League this season when they reached the semi-finals and Iheanacho said the team will fight to beat off the last-day challenge of rivals Manchester United to return to the competition next season. 
 
Manchester City, on 65 points, need only a draw at Swansea City to pip United, who host Bournemouth, to the remaining Champions League place on Sunday. 
 
“Manchester City are a big team who belong in the Champions League,” said Iheanacho on a television interview. 
 
“The manager has done great and he deserves for us to qualify for the Champions League.” 
 
It was Pellegrini who promoted the 19-year-old Nigeria forward to the City first team in August and he has repaid him with 13 goals in all competitions this season. 
 
“He gave me the courage,” Iheanacho remarked. 
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Champions League Tickect Would Be a Perfect Send Off For Pellegrini - Iheanacho

Manchester city forward Kelechi Iheanacho has said a UEFA Champions League ticket would represent d best send off gift for outgoing mana...

Amuneke Confident Of Osimhen's Availability Against Burundi

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Flying Eagles coach Emmanuel Amuneke is confident that star striker Victor Osimhen will feature in next weekend’s U20 AFCON qualifier in Burundi after the star striker injured his shoulder in a test game against Nigeria Olympic team. 
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Osimhen clashed with defender Segun Oduduwa and in the process pulled out his shoulder raising fears he could miss the qualifier in Bujumbura on May 21. 
 
However, Amuneke has now said scans have shown the injury is not as serious as first feared. 
 
“He is a strong boy and we are optimistic he will be fit for the match in Burundi,” said the Flying Eagles coach. 
 
Osimhen trained apart from the main squad on Friday. 
 
African champions Nigeria face Burundi next Saturday before they host them in Calabar in the second leg. 
 
The overall winners will battle the winners of the second round match-up between Sudan and Malawi for a place in next year’s U20 AFCON in Zambia. 
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Amuneke Confident Of Osimhen's Availability Against Burundi

Flying Eagles coach Emmanuel Amuneke is confident that star striker Victor Osimhen will feature in next weekend’s U20 AFCON qualifier in...

Panic as Lagos banker goes missing on way home

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An employee of the Ecobank branch at Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos, 33-year-old Bukola Olowookere, has been missing since May 5, 2016, sending her family into panic because no clue has yet to emerge as to her whereabouts. 
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Her husband of four years, Adewale, told Saturday PUNCH on Thursday that as she left her office at the close of work on the day she went missing, she called him to say she was on her way home. 
 
According to him, she called around 7pm as she stepped out of her office. But that was the last he heard from her. 
 
 
Adewale said they have a four year old son who has been asking for his mother consistently. 
 
Saturday PUNCH learnt that a colleague of hers gave her a lift from the office but dropped her off around Canoe area of Ajao Estate, Isoloon her way to Oke-Afa area of Ejigbo where she lives with her husband. 
 
No one has any inkling what could have happened to her within the short distance it would have taken her to get home. 
 
Friends and associates have been circulating her photographs on the social media appealing for information that can help locate her. 
 
But her family said they have got no calls pertaining to her, throwing them into apprehension on whether this is an abduction or not. 
 
“We wait by the phone every day with the hope that whoever is holding her will make a call and demand money, but nothing like this has happened. But we keep praying for her and we are sure we will get her back,” a family member told our correspondent. 
 
The case was reported at the Ejigbo Police Division, Lagos but so far investigation into her whereabouts has been stalled. 
 
The Lagos State Police Command spokersperson, Dolapo Badmus, said the case has been transferred to the police headquarters for more intense investigation.

Panic as Lagos banker goes missing on way home

An employee of the Ecobank branch at Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos, 33-year-old Bukola Olowookere, has been missing since May 5, 2016, sending h...

We pray for Buhari, Nigeria; says Archbishop of Canterbury

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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby has said that there is no day he does not pray for Nigeria and for President Muhammadu Buhari. 
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This came just as President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday paid him a visit at the Lambeth Palace in London. 
 
This came just as President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday paid him a visit at the Lambeth Palace in London. 
 
Recalled that it was the Archbishop who defended Buhari and Nigeria when the Prime Minister David Cameron said to the Queen of England in a private parley that ‘Nigeria and Afghanistan, possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world.’ 
 
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby in his defence said ‘But this particular president (referring to Buhari) is actually not corrupt’ and that he Buhari is trying very hard to stamp out corruption in Nigeria. 
 
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby on Archbishop of Canterbury face book page said 
 
”It was a great honour to welcome the President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari to Lambeth Palace in London this morning. 
 
It’s a rare day at Lambeth Palace when we do not pray for Nigeria, the largest country in Africa, which has a very large Anglican Church. We pray for President Buhari and for all those both in government and in opposition. 
 
We pray for the poor in Nigeria and for those who have suffered over the last number of years from the violence that has plagued the country, which President Buhari has been tackling so determinedly since he first took office. 
 
Nigeria is a country which has more promise, more opportunity, more potential than anywhere else that I know in many continents, not just in Africa. Its people are so intelligent, so full of energy, so full of commitment, that when Nigerians work together, the world – not just Africa – is affected by that beneficially. 
 
So we continue to pray for the potential and future of this land to be a place that has a profound effect for good on our world, and demonstrates what is possible to be achieved.” 
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We pray for Buhari, Nigeria; says Archbishop of Canterbury

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby has said that there is no day he does not pray for Nigeria and for President Muhammadu Buhari. ...

Kylie Jenner: Star dumps Tyga because she is too hot to be tied down by a man

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Below is how TMZ reported it today... 
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Kylie Jenner's just too successful, too young and too hot to be tied down to one man, and that's the main reason she and Tyga are done for good this time. 
 
Sources connected with the former couple tell us KJ recently realized she wants to live the single life and soak up the spoils of being an 18-year-old multi-millionaire. That frequently means flying all over the world for appearances, and we're told that didn't sit well with Tyga ... who's focusing on his music. 
 
As one source put it ...she wants to jet set, he wants to chill in a studio -- and they both knew it wouldn't work. 
 Also, we're told since their mini break last fall ... there's been constant drama over "dumb stuff" -- what to eat, what they say on social media, blah, blah. 
 
As for the model at Mother's Day brunch with Tyga? We're told he admits having a couple models "hanging around," but no serious girlfriends -- and Kylie's confident there was no cheating before they split.</div>

Kylie Jenner: Star dumps Tyga because she is too hot to be tied down by a man

Below is how TMZ reported it today... Kylie Jenner's just too successful, too young and too hot to be tied down to one man, and tha...

APC Chairman, Oyegun Begs Labour Unions Over Strike

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Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed to the Nigerians, the labour unions and other civil society groups to understand the situation that has led to the deregulation of fuel prices. 
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Chief Odigie-Oyegun, who made the appeal yesterday at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja while speaking with journalists, said: 
 
- The subsidy regime had become so intensely manipulated and abused that it was no longer operating in the interest of the Nigerian public. 
 
- The current the kind of queues that had become endemic over several regimes in Nigeria is a clear indication that something has gone “seriously wrong” with the subsidy regime. 
 
- Those who were privileged were exploiting it to amass more wealth 
 
He said the new regime would ensure the availability of the fuel, prevent “indecent queues at petrol stations” that encouraged over pricing and free the economy when the laws of demand and supply were allowed to operate. 
He said he foresees a situation whereby the sky-rocketing prices of commodities and services would crash down in the next three months when the products are available, citing what happened in the telecommunication industry. 
 
“The economy is in bad shape as a result of which our people are going through hard times. But unless we correct some of these chocked points within the economy, we will not revive as quickly as if should be,” he warned.

APC Chairman, Oyegun Begs Labour Unions Over Strike

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed to the Nigerians, the labour unions and...

Nigerian Troops Arrest Wanted Boko Haram Leader in Sambisa Forest

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Nigerian troops have arrested one of the declared wanted Boko Haram terrorists leaders, and also conducted patrols and clearance operations within the theatre of operations. 
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At about 1.35pm yesterday troops of 143 Battalion arrested one Sulaiman Umaru, a suspected Boko Haram terrorists group member whose photograph is on the poster containing the photographs of the 100 Boko Haram terrorists declared wanted, Army Spokesperson, Col. Usman Sani said in a statement. 
 
He has since been moved to 28 Task Force Brigade Headquarters for further investigation. 
 
Troops of 21 Brigade have continued with the clearance operations at Yerimari, while troops of 22 Task Force Brigade Garrison have also embarked on patrols along Dikwa–Mafa-Maiduguri road. The patrol was aimed at picketing the road to keep it safe and open.

Nigerian Troops Arrest Wanted Boko Haram Leader in Sambisa Forest

Nigerian troops have arrested one of the declared wanted Boko Haram terrorists leaders, and also conducted patrols and clearance operations...

Bayelsa Govt. Slashes Political Appointees’ Salaries

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The Bayelsa State Government has announced a 30 per cent slash in all political appointees pay in the state. 
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The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, who spoke on Thursday, shortly after the State Executive Council meeting in the Government House, Yenagoa, announced that the 30 per cent slash in salaries was necessitated by the prevailing economic situation. 
 
He, however, gave a glimmer of hope for workers in the local governments, saying they would start receiving the salaries they were being owed as from Monday, May 16, 2016. 
 
In his remarks, the Head of Service, Singabele, said the executive council directed that all permanent secretaries, heads and chief executives of parastatals and extra- ministerial departments as well as all headmasters and principals of secondary schools should prepare an authentic nominal roll and payroll of their various establishments.

Bayelsa Govt. Slashes Political Appointees’ Salaries

The Bayelsa State Government has announced a 30 per cent slash in all political appointees pay in the state. The state Commissioner for ...

CBN Reacts To Naira Devaluation Reports

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Nigeria’s Apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria has reacted to various reports that the Naira had secretly been devalued to N290 to a dollar. 
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The CBN denied the reports and any plans to devalue the Naira in the future. 
 
The bank’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okoroafor, stated that the naira was never devalued further, saying the speculations are unfounded. 
 
He said; “Naira has not been devalued. The naira devaluation rumour is untrue,”. 
 
Nigeria’s current economic crisis might not go away very soon due to fluctuating oil prices, devaluation uncertainties and shortages of forex.  
 
Although the CBN as has stiffened its defense of its exchange-rate policy, devaluation might be a last resort if things don’t go as expected in the future.

CBN Reacts To Naira Devaluation Reports

Nigeria’s Apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria has reacted to various reports that the Naira had secretly been devalued to N290 to a doll...

Burna Boy's baby shares proof of her pregnancy

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Yesterday an Instagram user with the name Uju Stella called out Dancehall singer, Burna Boy for getting her pregnant and abandoning her. 
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And now, Uju has shared a photo of herself rocking her baby bump as proof of the news she shared yesterday with the whole. Uju is accusing the singer of abandoning her after she refused to commit an abortion.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Burna Boy and his management are yet to respond to this accusation, we guess they are working on a solid press release to kill this controversial news.</div>
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Burna Boy's baby shares proof of her pregnancy

Yesterday an Instagram user with the name Uju Stella called out Dancehall singer, Burna Boy for getting her pregnant and abandoning her. ...

Keisha Cole finally finds her biological father after 34 years of searching

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Keyshia Cole and her long lost father are back together! The R&B songstress shared with her thousands of followers on Instagram that she's found her father after 34 solid years. 
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The singer revealed a paternity test has confirmed that boxing trainer, Virgil Hunter is indeed her biological father. The very overwhelmed singer is currently in Oakland, California, spending time to know her father, reports Vibe. 
 
She put up a picture of him with the caption "The story behind this is beyond me!!!! God has his hands all in this!!! I’m so excited. So excited with taking this a day at a time!!!" 
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Keisha Cole finally finds her biological father after 34 years of searching

Keyshia Cole and her long lost father are back together! The R&B songstress shared with her thousands of followers on Instagram that s...

NEW VIDEO: Phyno ft. Olamide – Fada Fada

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Phyno drops the official video to his latest joint “Fada Fada” featuring Baddo, Olamide. 
 
The video which was shot in Lagos Island showcases Phyno in the thanksgiving mode as he does what he knows best, bringing undiluted entertainment with every video he releases. 
 
Fada Fada is already receiving massive airplay and this video will no less be everyone’s favourite. 
 
Enjoy. 
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 <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9F53UQ_2L_I" width="660"></iframe>

NEW VIDEO: Phyno ft. Olamide – Fada Fada

Phyno drops the official video to his latest joint “Fada Fada” featuring Baddo, Olamide. The video which was shot in Lagos Island showc...

Again, militants bomb Chevron facility in Delta

04:28 Unknown 0

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Another explosion rocked Chevron’s Makaraba line in the wee hours of Friday, making the second time the same facility will come under attack. 
 
It was learnt that the Makaraba line had been abandoned before yesterday’s explosion since last week’s attack on the offshore Okan manifold. 
 
Before now, there have been attacks on Chevron facilities as Abiteye, Utunana and Makaraba platforms in Warri South-West area of Delta State were sabotaged leading to the loss of about 40,000 barrels per day. 
 
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A militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers had claimed responsibility of an earlier attack on the Makaraba line last week, even as the militant group had remained silent over Friday’s explosion on the same line. 
 
It was also gathered that yesterday’s explosion could be attributed to the handiwork of some contractors working on the facilities. 
 
A community source maintained that the explosion was not as a result of any attack by members of any militia group. 
 
“There was a blast at well 10 around Makaraba. We may not be able to ascertain the time because those areas have already been shut down as a result of the Okan blast 
 
“As a result of this, they are not producing. You can recall that they also blew up the Otunana/ Abiteye line before. So, they are not producing. 
 
“But the information available to us now is that some of the contractors repairing the pipelines are using some boys to destroy more of the lines so that they’ll have more points to work on when they eventually commence repair works. 
 
“This is because for the boys, the servicing companies pay them like N5m to N6m for each vandalised point to be repaired,” the source added. 
 
However, efforts made to reach an official of Chevron, Mr. Victor Anyaegbudike, were not successful.

Again, militants bomb Chevron facility in Delta

Another explosion rocked Chevron’s Makaraba line in the wee hours of Friday, making the second time the same facility will come under att...

I want £150,000-a-week - Iheanacho tells Manchester City

04:13 Unknown 0

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Teenage sensation Kelechi Iheanacho wants a new deal worth £150,000-a-week from Manchester City, The Mirror reports. 
 
The striker’s advisers believe he has earned parity – at least – with teammate Raheem Sterling, on the basis that Iheanacho’s emergence has saved the Blues from having to spend big on a new young frontman this summer. 
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They also feel rising-star Iheanacho has proved himself superior to Wilfried Bony , who has flopped since his £28m move to the Etihad from Swansea 17 months ago. 
 
City fully recognise £15,000-a-week Iheanacho’s value and are set to reward him with a vastly-improved deal once a contract wrangle over who represents him is resolved. 
 
Iheanacho has graduated to the first team and scored 13 goals so far in this his debut senior campaign. 
 
England international Sterling , who signed from Liverpool for a package totalling £49m last summer, has netted 11 times in his first season with the Mancunian Blues. 
 
Bony, who earns £100,000-a-week plus a £20,000-per-game bonus, has managed only eight goals this season and a total of ten in all competitions since being signed in January last year. 
 
Many of Iheanacho’s goals have come off the bench, which means he already has one of the best goals per minutes ratios in Europe. 
 
He was among the goals on the way to City’s Capital One Cup final win in February. 
 
The 19-year-old has also played in both legs of their Champions League semi-final loss to Real Madrid. 
 
City are waiting for the outcome of a complaint over his representation that has been lodged with the FA before they can enter negotiations over a new deal. 
 
United States-based First Eleven Management have represented Iheanacho since he was a schoolboy and advised him over his move to the Etihad in January 2014. 
 
The youngster signed a new representation agreement when he turned 18, but London-based Stellar Group say they are his new advisers. 
 
City beat Arsenal to the signing of Iheanacho from Nigeria’s Taye Academy two years ago. 
 
Now a full Nigeria international, he is set to be a big part of new boss Pep Guardiola’s plans next season.

I want £150,000-a-week - Iheanacho tells Manchester City

Teenage sensation Kelechi Iheanacho wants a new deal worth £150,000-a-week from Manchester City, The Mirror reports. The striker’s advi...

4 ways to get your husband to do whatever you want

04:13 Unknown 0

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If you want your husband to do something for you, try these four suggestions. 
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1. Show appreciation with food and intimacy 
 
The next time your husband actually does something you really wanted him to do, show appreciation by making him his favorite food or by initiating intimacy. 
 
Telling your husband how much you appreciate him while being intimate or as he’s eating his favorite pie will create a link in his brain that says, “Helping my wife makes me happy. I should help her more.” And he will start to do more. 
 
However, be careful about taking this too far. s*x is a sacred tool to bond with your husband and not to control him. 
 
Nothing is more motivating for a man than for his wife to show him appreciation in the ways he loves most. After time, you’ll be surprised how he’ll notice you need something and do it for you without even being asked. 
 
Showing appreciation is the secret. 
 
2. Ask direct question 
 
Many women get upset because their husbands don’t do what they ask. But dropping subtle hints isn’t actually asking. Men don’t hear them anyway, so stop getting upset by stopping the subtle hints. Men can’t read your minds or decipher the subtle-hint code. 
 
Just be direct. 
 
Instead of saying to him, “I’m so tired. I wish the dishes would just clean themselves tonight,” or “The trash is piling up. I think it’s trash day today,” simply ask, “Will you please do the dishes tonight? I’m exhausted from watching the kids all day. I would really appreciate your help.” 
 
The more direct your request, the more your husband will respond. 
 
3. Tell him you need a listening ear only 
 
Many arguments start because the woman justifiably complains to her husband and he provides an unwanted solution when all she wanted was a listening ear. 
 
Men are solution-oriented and paid at work to solve problems. It’s very difficult for a husband to hear a problem and not provide a solution, especially when the woman he loves is having the problem. 
 
His instinct is to solve it and make her feel better. But providing solutions doesn’t make her feel better because all she needs is a few minutes of adult conversation and a listening ear. 
 
To avoid getting extra upset, just tell your husband upfront whether you want a listening ear or a solution. Remind him, “It’s not about the nail.” 
 
4. Find out his love language and do it 
 
Some men like physical affection; others like words of affirmation. And others feel love a different way. The key to getting your husband to do what you want is to show him you love him using his love language. Do this especially when you see him performing a task you really appreciate. He’ll start to do more for you.

4 ways to get your husband to do whatever you want

If you want your husband to do something for you, try these four suggestions. 1. Show appreciation with food and intimacy The next t...

10 ways to nurture your long-distance relationship

04:12 Unknown 0

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We get it, long-distance relationships are tough. However, while the situation may not be ideal, it really can be as positive or negative an experience as you make it. If you choose today to be intentional about making this a positive experience, you will be amazed at how the closeness between you and your spouse grows, how love flourishes, and how your marriage comes alive again as you conquer a difficult challenge together. 
 
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As you practice some of these ideas, you’ll both be strengthened through this experience, and even though you wouldn’t want to do it again, you’ll be grateful for all that you learned. 
 
So how do you nurture your marriage, feel close to each other, and create a thriving marriage with so many miles between you? 
 
Here are 10 suggestions that may help you both be more committed to making this work. (Remember, you made promises to each other when you were married, promises that you should both be determined to keep even if you are separated for the time being.) 
 
1. Be romantic 
 
Write handwritten love notes, smother them in kisses and cologne, and send them via snail mail (super romantic). Or send your spouse your favorite perfume or cologne so they can spray it on their pillow at night and think of you. Say “I love you,” “You are gorgeous,” and other compliments of that sort – OFTEN. 
 
2. Practice healthy communication 
 
If ever there was a time to be a great communicator, it’s now. 
 
LISTEN! Listen. Listen. Listen. Listen. Listen. Listen. Listen. This becomes even more important when your connection comes over the phone or internet. Come up with little phrases, code names, or other words that are significant between the two of you – those little things build friendship and are a great way to quickly communicate a special message, and will help strengthen your love for each other. 
 
Try not to fight – fighting long distance is the worst because the silent treatment can last forever. If you do fight, be quick to forgive, apologize, and say you’re sorry. 
 
Find humor in small things – share anything funny that happened in your day, or that you came across online. 
 
3. Find reasons to celebrate 
 
Celebrate hump days, milestones, and other small and big achievements. Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and holidays via Skype or other means. Set goals together and then motivate and celebrate each other’s progress daily. 
 
4. Go on a date 
 
Yes, a virtual date. Ask your spouse out in advance, and schedule a solid block of time where you can be together, just the two of you. Be creative – you can sit down to a nice dinner together, play a game, plan your next vacation, read a book back and forth, or just chat and catch up with each other. 
 
Dating nurtures marriages because it helps couples reconnect on a deeper level. Lucky for you, you can have that kind of connection even via Skype or Facetime. It’s not ideal, but possible. Just make it happen. 
 
5. Work hard 
 
Whether you are the one at home or away, work hard at being the best person you can be. Work hard at being a good spouse, a good parent, a good neighbor, a good employee, and a good community member. Find ways to get involved and to go the extra mile. If you’re away for work, focus your attention on being the best employee/leader you can be. While remembering that your marriage is more important than your career, time away from home is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself a little more in that project or engagement you’ve been working on – it can keep you out of trouble too. 
 
6. Stay in touch 
 
Call, Skype or Facetime as often as possible (even with a time difference). Have something to say. Be excited to see each other. Talk about anything and everything, just as you do when you’re together. 
 
Try not to focus on the negatives, but rather stay positive and upbeat. 
 
Keep a list of questions and answers going between the two of you and use this time apart as a time to really get to know each other’s hearts. Also, know each other’s schedule and what is going on, so you can send encouraging texts throughout the day. You should also text or email pictures throughout the day. This is great way to feel like you’re still an important part of each other’s lives, even though you’re miles apart. 
 
7. Be loyal 
 
Have an object/action that can remind you of your spouse (especially when you feel weak or vulnerable). This could be a trinket they gave you, your wedding ring, a picture, or just something you do (like tapping your heart with your fore-finger). The principle is simple – come up with something to help you remember your spouse and the promises you made to them when you were married – especially if you find your mind or heart wandering. 
 
Keep pictures of your spouse close by. Think of your spouse often – when your thoughts wander, let them wander to your spouse. Beware the temptation to share your more personal thoughts or feelings with a member of the opposite s*x – emotional infidelity can be just as real as physical infidelity. Simply put, don’t do anything to break the trust your spouse has in you. 
 
8. Send something thoughtful 
 
Send gifts, pictures, care packages, and little things your spouse would love. Make homemade cards, advent calendars, memes, etc. 
 
9. Take care of yourself 
 
Take care of yourself emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally and socially. Eat healthy food, get plenty of sleep, and exercise often. Find an outlet or learn a new skill by yourself or together (i.e. -Take an online class or learn a new language at the same time as your spouse.). Strive to make a positive difference in the lives of those around you. Finding ways to serve and lift other’s burdens magically keeps our own problems in perspective. 
 
10. Visit each other if possible 
 
If you don’t have the money, there are plenty of fund-me type sites out there you could try. Or you can just save your pennies. If your spouse isn’t in the military, make an effort to meet up somewhere in the middle. Or, you could take turns flying out on weekends to see each other. Do all you can to make physical in-person visits a real possibility. Those short visits will strengthen and renew you for the time of separation that may still remain. 
 
We recognize how difficult long-distance relationships can be, but please don’t get discouraged! Don’t ever think about giving up! YOU can take the lead and choose to be intentional about nurturing your marriage (which will probably motivate your spouse to make more of an effort to stay close to you!), even with distance between you. And you can start today. You can do this!

10 ways to nurture your long-distance relationship

We get it, long-distance relationships are tough. However, while the situation may not be ideal, it really can be as positive or negative ...

Naira depreciates further, now N370/1$

03:57 Unknown 0

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The sharp depreciation of the naira in the parallel market triggered by the deregulation of petrol importation continued yesterday, with the naira depreciating to N370 per dollar.  
 
 
<a name='more' id="more"></a>The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA on Wednesday said that, with the deregulation of petrol importation, importers will henceforth be permitted to source for their foreign exchange requirements from secondary sources. 
 
This triggered speculation and increased demand for the dollars in the parallel market on Thursday, halting the two-month exchange rate stability in the market. On Thursday the naira lost N7 naira to the dollar, as the exchange rate rose sharply to N334 per dollar from N320 per dollar. 
 
 This persisted yesterday with the parallel market exchange rate rising to N370 per dollar, indicating N50 depreciation of the naira in two days. 
 
Investigations revealed that the sharp depreciation was driven by two factors, increased demand for dollars and hoarding in anticipation of further depreciation of the naira. 
 
According to a BDC operator who spoke to a reliable source, “With the exchange rate going up, those who have dollars don’t want to sell, expecting the rate to rise further so as to maximise their returns.” Recall that the naira depreciated to N400 per dollar in February in the parallel market before retreating to N320 by the end of the month due to declining demand by importers. 
 
According to President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, “The market has been stable all this while due to drastic reduction in import activities hence demand for dollars by importers reduced sharply. Those who had bought dollars when the rate was high and used it to import were having difficulty selling their goods, hence those who are still importing have reduced. 
 
 But the announcement yesterday has changed the whole thing. More demand for dollars for petrol importation is expected in the market; meanwhile, there is no supply of dollar. Some people with dollar, especially those who bought when the exchange rate was high, feel the rate is too low for them to sell, hence they are withholding their dollars, waiting for the rate to go higher.”

Naira depreciates further, now N370/1$

The sharp depreciation of the naira in the parallel market triggered by the deregulation of petrol importation continued yesterday, with ...

Labour plans nationwide total strike over petrol price hike

03:57 Unknown 0

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Sequel to last Wednesday’s partial deregulation of the downstream sector of Petroleum industry by the Federal Government with an increase in pump price of petrol from N86.50 to N145, the organised labour and their civil society allies have resolved to lead Nigerian workers on strike after Wednesday, May 18. 
 
It was learnt that labour leaders will send a letter to government latest tomorrow demanding a total reversal to the N86.50 pump price of petrol before 12 am on Wednesday, failing which all installations will be shut down thereafter. 
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The industrial unions have said between Monday and Tuesday, they will mobilize members for a nationwide total strike, and therefore urged Nigerians to prepare for the industrial action by stockpiling food items and other essential things they may need during the duration of the strike. 
 
SOurces revealed that while leaders of Ayuba Wabba faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, will meet with their Trade Union Congress of Nigeria ,TUC, counterparts today in Abuja alongside some civil society groups to harmonize positions on how to go about the planned action, the Joe Ajaero led NLC will also meet today in Lagos with some civil society groups to take position. 
 
It was also gathered that though the National Executive Council, NEC, meetings of Ayuba Wabba faction of NLC was very stormy as labour leaders from the north were foot-dragging over the planned strike, labour leaders from the South west, South-South and South-East, insisted on fighting the government to a stand still over the hike. After much pressure, it was gathered that labour leaders from the north agreed to give the planned strike their total support. 
 
It was then resolved that a letter be sent to government between today and tomorrow on the resolve of labour and their civil society allies and that industrial unions should mobilize their members between Monday and Tuesday for a total strike that could commence on or after Wednesday. 
 
Meanwhile, TUC on its part, at its NEC meeting gave government till Wednesday to invite labour leaders to find a way forward to avoid a total shut down of the country. 
 
However it is expected that at today’s meeting between TUC and Wabba faction of NLC, both positions would be harmonized for the action to begin on Wednesday. 
 
Addressing journalists after its NEC meeting, yesterday in Lagos, TUC President, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, said the body was giving the Federal Government till May 18, to invite labour leaders to discuss the way forward to avoid nationwide strike. 
 
“‘The NEC in session has given the government till Wednesday 18, to invite the leadership of labour for discussion aimed at determining the appropriate way forward,’’Kaigama said, According to him, the leadership of TUC would interface with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Civil Society Allies to work out plans that would be put in place to protest the increase in fuel price if the government fails to meet the Wednesday deadline. 
 
Similarly, the Ajaero led faction of NLC which had earlier given indication that members would join forces with other bodies and Nigerians to fight the hike, would meet today and also take a position. 
 Ajaero revealed that as pro-people group, it would always stand by the people to find out how to lessen their pains.

Labour plans nationwide total strike over petrol price hike

Sequel to last Wednesday’s partial deregulation of the downstream sector of Petroleum industry by the Federal Government with an increase...

Nigerian governors squander states’ funds on personal luxury - Kalu

03:42 Unknown 0

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A former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu has accused current set of Nigerian governors of squandering their states’ funds on personal luxury, saying it was the main reason they cannot pay workers salaries in their respective states. 
 
Speaking against the backdrop of the recent demand for more funds by the governors to meet up with their statutory obligations, Kalu said that the demand was unnecessary, revealing that the States already have sufficient funds to function optimally. 
 
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He hinted that the governors have the penchant of drawing a whooping sum of N35 million as traveling allowance, saying that unless they stopped tampering with the security vote for personal use, the states wouldn’t see development. Kalu who spoke to State House Correspondents after a private meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinabjo at the presidential villa, Abuja on Friday however gave exceptions of some governors whom he said were fixing their states. 
 
He said: “I think most of these governors are doing very well and some of them also are living in the euphoria of the office.You can see most of them who are very active, I don’t need to count them for you. “The issue of crying for fund, honestly, in my opinion, these governors have enough fund to work for their people because if you check, the money drawn as security vote is excessive. 
 
They should stop that. “Unless they stop drawing on security vote they will not have enough fund to work with and most of them are living in absolute luxury, which is not their money that they worked out for. So it is impossible to continue living in this manner. “Most of the governors are even living in Abuja now, they don’t even live in their states, honestly. 
 
If you look at the books very well, in each trip they make, they will take travel allowance of N35 million, which is un-heard of.” “What are you going to do with that. So, how are we going to progress. Not all the governors. I have gone through Rivers, I see that Rivers is hitting the ground. I have gone through Adamawa and I see Adamawa is hitting the ground. 
 
“I have gone through few more states, they are hitting the ground, they are working. I don’t speak with sentiments. I don’t speak for anybody. You can see those who are working and those who are not working. Let them sit down and do the job they are elected for.” The former governor also added that the private sector had a role to play in national development if the government could create an enabling environment for them. “Well, the private sector will also need government guarantees and access to credit.”

Nigerian governors squander states’ funds on personal luxury - Kalu

A former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu has accused current set of Nigerian governors of squandering their states’ funds on per...

SEE PICTURES: Doyin Okupe prostrating and begging Obasanjo for forgiveness

23:58 Unknown 0

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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">“Vintage Baba, he descended on me heavily and vented his anger copiously. I prostrated and held his feet as a well trained Yoruba man and pleaded earnestly for his forgiveness"</div>
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Former senior special assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on public affairs, Doyin Okupe, has recounted how he begged and prostrated before former President Olusegun Obasanjo. 
 
Narrating his encounter with the former president on his Facebook page, Friday, Dr. Okupe said he ( Obasanjo),” descended on me heavily and vented his anger copiously. I prostrated and held his feet as a well trained Yoruba man and pleaded earnestly for his forgiveness.” 
 
 
Okupe wrote: ” Last Sunday , in the company of some friends I met with Baba Obasanjo principally to try and settle and resolve the misunderstanding that has existed between Baba and I since I joined the Jonathan’s administration,” he wrote on his Facebook page on Friday, May 13. 
 
 “Vintage Baba, he descended on me heavily and vented his anger copiously. I prostrated and held his feet as a well trained Yoruba man and pleaded earnestly for his forgiveness, occasionally given short explanations for areas I considered my actions were misunderstood.  
 “Also typical of Baba, ever willing to forgive a repentant son, we embraced, I even kissed him as a loving son.“Politics sometimes is such a bad business, you hurt your friends and even benefactors, but its all that is well that ends well.”  
 
Okupe is one of the Chieftains of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West, who vowed to pull out of the party if its Chairmanship position is not zoned to their regio 
 
Photo Credits: Premium Times

SEE PICTURES: Doyin Okupe prostrating and begging Obasanjo for forgiveness

“Vintage Baba, he descended on me heavily and vented his anger copiously. I prostrated and held his feet as a well trained Yoruba man and ...

Oil workers demand N90,000 new minimum wage

23:58 Unknown 0

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In the light of the increase in the price of petrol from N86.50 to N145 per litre, oil workers in the country have called on the federal government to increase the new minimum wage from N18,000 to N90,000.' 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Rising from their meeting in Calabar, Cross River on Friday, the oil workers under the aegies of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association commended the Federal Government for removing subsidy on petrol. 
They said that they would push for a new minimum wage demand of N90, 000, given the new development. 
 
“With the new pump price of N145 per litre, government must speed up the negotiation process for a new minimum wage of N90, 000 to cushion the effect of the envisaged inflation. 
 
“ As the price of fuel increases, there should also be an increment in workers’ salary as the old minimum wage of N18, 000 has no effect again,’’ they stated. 
 
In their communiqué jointly signed by Mr Francis Olabode-Johnson, President of PENGASSAN and his counterpart of NUPENG, Dr Igwe Achese, the workers welcomed the petrol price increase, adding that the measure would benefit Nigerians in the nearest future. 
 
“After a joint meeting of NUPENG and PENGASSAN, we hereby applaud the Federal Government for the removal of subsidy to create way for private participation in the oil and gas sector. 
 
“We will seek negotiation with the Federal Government in order to monitor the proceeds that would accrue from the price increase. 
“It is not all about price increase; we must monitor the proceeds and ensure that it is being re-invested into critical sectors of the economy. 
“We will watch with keen interest how the money that would accrue from the increase would be implemented to better the lives of Nigerians,’’ the communiqué said. 
 
According to it, Nigerians have been yearning for the removal of subsidy for many years now but to no avail. 
 
“The price is the secondary issue; the Federal Government has brought up a policy that would stop money from entering into the hands of few individuals. 
 
“The subsidy removal is a welcome development; we must not mortgage our economy into the hands of few selfish individuals,’’ the workers said. 
Both unions condemned the renewed spate of pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta, and urged the government to check the illegalities of the militants. 
 
They also urged the government not to sell refineries to private individuals as scrap, but should grant full financial autonomy to the management of the refineries for optimal production.

Oil workers demand N90,000 new minimum wage

In the light of the increase in the price of petrol from N86.50 to N145 per litre, oil workers in the country have called on the federal ...

The N145/L fuel price would crash within the next three months - APC vows

23:58 Unknown 0

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The All Progressives Congress APC has lent its voice to the federal government’s removal of fuel subsidy, saying, the pump price of fuel would crash within the next three months. 
 
APC said, like the Global System of Mobile telecommunication, GSM, the price of fuel is bound to reduce soon as a result of increased competition. National Chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun stated this on Friday in Abuja during a brief chat with journalists. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
“From our point of view as a party, it has become necessary to fully and in order to recover from the economic situation which we have been plunged to totally free the economy and let the normal laws of demand and supply operate. Of course, with government standing by to protect the long suffering Nigerian who is at the margin. 
 
If is unfortunate, it is painful what has happened, it will increase cost in all directions. But in the medium term, in three months at best, I foresee that the prices will come crashing down when there is availability. 
 
NNPC will continue to be in the field anyway either through the refineries whenever our pipelines are allowed to function or through importation and so will continue to be a player in the fuel supply market. Prices are bound to come down. A typical example is what happened when mobile phones were introduced. 
 
I remember that I bought a SIM card for over N30,000, but today, it is virtually free. If we free the fuel market, that same thing will happen which was as a result of competition is likely to happen. “Over time, the subsidy regime has become so intensely manipulated, so abused that it really was no longer operating in the interest of the Nigerian public. 
 
I think that it has become very clear that the kind of queues that has become endemic over several regimes in this nation is a clear indication that something has gone seriously wrong with the subsidy regime. Those who were privileged were exploiting it to amass more wealth. Meanwhile, the people for whom it was basically meant had to bear the cost in higher transport fare. 
 
Each time these queues develop, of course the ordinary Nigerian bears the cost while the importers and manipulators of the system are the ones that makes all the money”, Oyegun said. 
 
The federal government had on Wednesday hiked fuel price to N145 from the earlier price of N86. He added that the current budget did not provide for subsidy and so, “if the region of subsidy is to be reintroduced, it can only divert resources from the crying needs of other sectors, including the programme to help the Nigerians living at the margin”. 
 
“So, the appeal which is a very sincere appeal to the Nigerian people; yes there is a lot of hardship, yes increased pump price will also increase that hardship. But the economy is being freed in a way that the ordinary Nigerian will become the major beneficiary and we are talking of a matter of months from removing this one last bottleneck that has held the Nigerian economy down. 
 
So, it is an appeal and we should watch what happen in the next few months as far as the fuel issue is concerned because I am sure it will come crashing down. In any case, it will free resources eventually that will be used to create good jobs which has been promised and improve the lot of the Nigerians at the margin. 
 
That is the message the party wants to convey. The economy is in bad shape as a result of which our people are going through hard times”, he added.

The N145/L fuel price would crash within the next three months - APC vows

The All Progressives Congress APC has lent its voice to the federal government’s removal of fuel subsidy, saying, the pump price of fuel ...

BREAKING: Buhari set to finally devalue the Nigerian currency, ₦290 To $1

22:57 Unknown 0

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Fresh reports reaching us suggests that President Muhammadu Buhari has finally bowed to IMF pressure, and he will soon devalue Naira according to <a href="http://saharareporters.com/2016/05/13/buhari-bows-imf-pressure-devalue-naira-290-dollar">Sahara Reporters</a> 
 
After months of insisting that he had no plans to devalue the naira, has caved to pressure to change course; SaharaReporters has learned from an exclusive briefing by a few top aides of the president. 
 
 
<a name='more' id="more"></a>A day after the Buhari administration increased the price of the pump price of fuel by 67%, from N86.5 to N145 a liter, our sources disclosed that Mr. Buhari has also agreed to demands by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that he significantly devalues the Nigerian currency. 
 
Our sources indicated that the naira would be pegged at N290 to one dollar. The current official rate is about N200 to a dollar. 
 
Our sources said Mr. Buhari and his economic team took the decision to accept the IMF’s terms for funds that the Nigerian government wants to access to bridge a critical shortfall in revenue occasioned by a drastic decline in oil revenues. 
 
An administration insider told SaharaReporters that Nigeria could receive as much as $3 billion in credit facilities from the IMF. “The truth is that Nigeria cannot operate without sourcing credit from the IMF,” said one of our sources, an economic adviser to Mr. Buhari, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “And the IMF was adamant that we must devalue before they can discuss extending credit to us,” he added.

BREAKING: Buhari set to finally devalue the Nigerian currency, ₦290 To $1

Fresh reports reaching us suggests that President Muhammadu Buhari has finally bowed to IMF pressure, and he will soon devalue Naira acc...

New deadly disease,Stephen Johnson Syndrome (SJS) surface in Nigeria

22:57 Unknown 0

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A new deadly disease known as Stephen Johnson Syndrome (SJS), an unusual allergic reaction, has surfaced in Nigeria, according to the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole. 
 
According to Adewole, the disease has killed one person, while another is being treated at the National Hospital Abuja. The health minister announced the emergence of the new disease in Nigeria at a press briefing in Abuja earlier today... 
 
 
A Senior Consultant Physician/Dermatologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Olanrewaju Falodun who spoke about the disease, said 
 
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“Stephens Johnson Syndrome, is an immune complex mediated hypersensitivity reaction that typically involves the skin and mucous membranes and was first described in 1922 by Albert Stevens and Frank Johnson. SJS is a rare and unpredictable reaction, and is also a minor form of toxic epidermal necrolysis with less than 10 percent body surface area involvement. SJS is a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening contagious drug reaction. Incidence of SJS is estimated between 1.1 and 7.1 cases per million per year and is more prevalent in women than men. Incidence in Europe is two per million per year” he said. 
 
He listed the symptoms of the SJS disease to include fever, sore throat, running nose, fatigue, general aches and pains, ulcers in mouth, genitals, anal regions as well as conjunctivitis. 
 
According to him, the health complications of the disease includes pigmentation problems, skin scarring, scarred genitals, joint pains, lung diseases, obstructive disorders and eye complications, adhesions, ulcers, and blindness. 
 
He said the cause of the disease has not yet been discovered in a quarter to half of cases but that self-medications appeared to be one of its causes. He advised Nigerians to avoid misuse of drugs, while individuals with previous drug reactions should always inform healthcare practitioners. 
 
The Minister of Health says efforts are now being made to sensitize the public about the disease 
“We have to find a means to communicate with Nigerians,so they should all be aware of this dangerous disease and it is the sole business of government to enlighten the society by trying to increase their awareness, knowledge and to improve their quality way of life.”

New deadly disease,Stephen Johnson Syndrome (SJS) surface in Nigeria

A new deadly disease known as Stephen Johnson Syndrome (SJS), an unusual allergic reaction, has surfaced in Nigeria, according to the Min...

I Will Speak On Recovered Loot On May 29 – Buhari

21:58 Unknown 0

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 Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, says he will on May 29 speak on the recovered stolen funds from persons that had been indicted in the fight against corruption. 
 
The report is expected to be part of his speech on that day recognised as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. 
 
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In an interview with Channels Television in the UK, where he took part in the London Anti-Corruption Summit, President Buhari said: “So far, what has come out, what has been recovered, in whatever currency, from which ministry, department and individuals, I intend on the 29th to speak on this because all that Nigerians are getting to know are from the newspapers, radio and television. 
 
“We want to make a comprehensive report by May 29”. 
 
On whether the names of the corrupt government officials or those indicted would be published, he said it would eventually be done. 
 
“We want to successfully prosecute them. But you know you can’t go to the court unless you have the documents to do your prosecutions – where some of these people sign for these monies, send it to their personal bank accounts. 
 
“Their banks gave a statement that the money is there when it came how much of it available and so on. 
 
Never Heard The Word ‘Padding’ 
 
On the 2016 budget and the delay that had characterised its processing, he pointed out that if he had not uncovered the padding of the budget, corruption would have crept into the budget, blaming it on technocrats. 
 
“I never heard the word ‘padding’ until this year. I never heard about it. And what does it mean? 
 
“It means that the technocrats just allow the government to make its noise, go and make presentation to the National Assembly so they will remove it and put their own. So, when we uncovered this, we just have to go back to the basics again,” he told Channels Television’s correspondent, Chukwuma Onuekwusi. 
 
President Buhari also made comments on security issues, fight against Boko Haram, increasing herdsmen attacks on communities, militancy in the Niger delta and what will happen to those bowing up gas pipelines in the oil-rich region. 
 
He stressed that he had asked the Chief of Naval staff and other Service Chiefs to work together and make sure that those blowing up installations and subverting the investment in Nigeria would be dealt with eventually. 
 
“When I was in the Petroleum Trust Fund, we made a comprehensive study of cattle routes and grazing areas through Nigeria. I am referring the Governors’ Forum and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to it. Let them see what they can do and save the situation. 
 
“There seem to be some credibility to the fact that there are other than Nigerian cattle rearers involved,” he said, linking the development to the crisis in Libya. 
 
“Now this is because of what happened in Libya. When Gaddafi during his 43-year regime, he trained some people from the Sahel… Militarily, he trained them. 
 
“When his regime was overthrown, those people were again dispatched to their countries. They are gone, carrying their weapons and they found themselves even in Boko Haram,” he explained. 
 
President Buhari further said that the increasing herdsmen attacks on communities in Nigeria had become a governmental project, with the government ready to “trace them, disarm them and if necessary try them and discipline them”. 
 
President Buhari had during the London Anti-Corruption Summit requested for the repatriation of funds that had been stolen and taken to the UK by past government officials.

I Will Speak On Recovered Loot On May 29 – Buhari

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, says he will on May 29 speak on the recovered stolen funds from persons that had been indicted in th...

'Let the young people take over PDP and rebuild it' - Fayose

21:58 Unknown 0

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The governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose has stated that the despite some of the problems the party seem to be facing at the moment, its national convention slated for May 21, 2016 in Portharcourt, Rivers. 
 
 
<a name='more' id="more"></a>Governor Fayose who was responding to the purported dissolution of the National Working Committee of the party by a group of concerned party members led by Professor Jerry Gana, insisted that those against the leadership of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff have lost relevance in the party as they no longer have fresh ideas to bring forward. According to governor Fayose, “politics and governance is crisis management. 
 
Have you seen a party that is not in crisis when it comes to interest and leveraging of interests? Politics is about interests. Are you saying that you will call somebody in the village to come and take a position? That era is gone. You have to struggle, you have to make efforts and show that you actually need that position. Before now, a lot of the people that were in party positions were unwilling characters. Now willing characters are coming out that is why you see the struggle that much. As a result, a lot of people will be displaced or feel displaced. 
 
A lot of people are feeling displayed but it is not displacement as it were. “As I have always said, elders are wonderful people but they should take the back seat. We won’t say they should go. They should take a back seat. I have no apology over that statement. And I am saying it again that if I am struggling for a position with my father, it is ridiculous. New generation should take over this party and build it. Anything you are doing and your children do not have insight into it will perish. 
 
Since this party started we have always deferred to them. But are we saying that we should continue to say the younger generation should go to blazes? The question to ask our elders with all due respect to them is that, at some times, if you are the one eating the food, you will pack the plates yourself. We will have differences. It is normal in politics but washing your dirty linen in public is bad. Let the young men take over in Nigeria” he said. He said most of the people running to court to get injunction against the party do not have followers. “If you are leading as elders and we lost election; most of the people who were Jonathan’s adviser were elders and we lost election. 
 
In most of the advanced democracy, if you lose election, it is just decent for you to allow other people to try, especially young people. I was governor at 42. You need a lot of energy to be a leader, not when they are giving you Pandol to be strong. Age is a disease on its own” he said. He said despite the problems in the party, there is not threat that the party would disintegrate, noting that “the fact that there is so much in fighting show that the party is strong. 
 
The fact that everybody wants to be relevant in the party shows that the party is strong. If there is no future for PDP, there would be no such struggle”. On the call for the postponement of the party, Fayose said that “you can wish anything but God’s plan for the PDP is that the 21st May convention cannot be stopped” he said.

'Let the young people take over PDP and rebuild it' - Fayose

The governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose has stated that the despite some of the problems the party seem to be facing at the moment, i...

'Nigeria loses 800,000 children every year'

21:58 Unknown 0

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Every year, about 800,000 children under five years die in Nigeria, Developmental Communications Network (DEVCOMS), a non-governmental organisation, said on Friday. Biodun Owo, the organisation’s programme officer, said half of the deaths are as a result of malnutrition. 
 
“In Nigeria, about 12.3 million children suffer from chronic malnutrition, out of which 300,000 are at risk of dying,” he said. “For those that survive, reaching their full potential becomes an uphill struggle. 
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“Malnutrition, including under-nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, including Vitamin A, Iron deficiency, Iodine remains problems of public health significance in Nigeria.” The 2015 national nutrition and health survey indicated that 19.4 per cent of children under five years old were underweight. It also stated that 32.9 per cent were stunted and 7.2 per cent were wasted. 
 
“These have far-reaching effects on individuals and impede the economic development of nations; however, the deficiencies can be effectively tackled through food fortification,” said Owo “Food fortification is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as ‘the practice of deliberately increasing the content of an essential micronutrient. “That is, vitamins and minerals, including trace elements in food, irrespective of whether the nutrients are originally in the food before processing or not.” 
 
He said on May 10, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) in collaboration with National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hosted a stakeholder’s summit on food fortification. Owo said the summit aimed to reduce the undesirable impact of malnutrition and sustain the food fortification programme in Nigeria. 
 
“Stakeholders at the summit agreed that scaling up the availability and consumption of fortified foods in Nigeria will contribute to the achievement of a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said. “Reduce the incidence of Spina Bifida in unborn children, anaemia among women of reproductive age and enhance cognitive development within the first 1000 days of life.”

'Nigeria loses 800,000 children every year'

Every year, about 800,000 children under five years die in Nigeria, Developmental Communications Network (DEVCOMS), a non-governmental or...

THE FUEL PRICING DEBATE: OUR STORY - Vice Presient, Yemi Osinbajo

21:58 Unknown 0

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Fellow Citizens: 
 
I have read the various observations about the fuel pricing regime and the attendant issues generated. All certainly have strong points. 
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The most important issue of course is how to shield the poor from the worst effects of the policy. I will hopefully address that in another note. 
 
Permit me an explanation of the policy. First, the real issue is not a removal of subsidy. At $40 a barrel there isn't much of a subsidy to remove. 
 
In any event, the President is probably one of the most convinced pro-subsidy advocates. 
 
What happened is as follows: our local consumption of fuel is almost entirely imported. The NNPC exchanges crude from its joint venture share to provide about 50% of local fuel consumption. The remaining 50% is imported by major and independent marketers. 
 
These marketers up until three months ago sourced their foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria at the official rate. However, since late last year, independent marketers have brought in little or no fuel because they have been unable to get foreign exchange from the CBN. The CBN simply did not have enough. (In April, oil earnings dipped to $550 million. The amount required for fuel importation alone is about $225million!) . 
 
Meanwhile, NNPC tried to cover the 50% shortfall by dedicating more export crude for domestic consumption. Besides the short term depletion of the Federation Account, which is where the FG and States are paid from, and further cash-call debts pilling up, NNPC also lacked the capacity to distribute 100% of local consumption around the country. Previously, they were responsible for only about 50%. (Partly the reason for the lingering scarcity). 
 
We realised that we were left with only one option. This was to allow independent marketers and any Nigerian entity to source their own foreign exchange and import fuel. We expect that foreign exchange will be sourced at an average of about N285 to the dollar, (current interbank rate). They would then be restricted to selling at a price between N135 and N145 per litre. 
 
We expect that with competition, more private refineries, and NNPC refineries working at full capacity, prices will drop considerably. Our target is that by Q4 2018 we should be producing 70% of our fuel needs locally. At the moment even if all the refineries are working optimally they will produce just about 40% of our domestic fuel needs. 
 
You will notice that I have not mentioned other details of the PPRA cost template. I wanted to focus on the cost component largely responsible for the substantial rise, namely foreign exchange. This is therefore not a subsidy removal issue but a foreign exchange problem, in the face of dwindling earnings. 
 
Thank you all. 
 
VICE PRESIDENT YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN 
May 13, 2016

THE FUEL PRICING DEBATE: OUR STORY - Vice Presient, Yemi Osinbajo

Fellow Citizens: I have read the various observations about the fuel pricing regime and the attendant issues generated. All certainly h...

NUPENG, PENGASSAN support subsidy removal

21:58 Unknown 0

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The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), have thrown their weight behind the decision of the Federal Government to stop the payment of petrol subsidy. 
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Chairmen of NUPENG and PENGASSAN, Comrade Igwe Achese and Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, respectively, addressing reporters after a joint National Executive Council meeting in Calabar Friday, said, “The deregulation of the sector is what we have been agitating for the past eight years or more. But each time we want to react, Nigerians want to live on the bedrock of lies. And that has been our problem. We have been living on the bedrock of lies. Successive governments come in, what we hear are full of lies. The oil and gas sector must have transparency and it is only when it is transparent that the nation’s economy will beginning to grown and job opportunities would be created. 
 
“For us our clear position is that the deregulation of the sector and opening of the market is a welcome development. Someone asked me about the price whether it is not too high and I say the price is a secondary issue. The most important thing is that government has come up with a firm stand that would stop payment of subsidy into the hands of few Nigerians. That is the first thing Nigerians must appreciate. It was tried by the past administration and I know what happened. It was politicized. Some members of the political lines took over these issues as if it was their bed right to continue milking the nation’s purse. 
 
“It is clear that we must deregulate and stop payment of subsidies into the hands of few Nigerians. We must not mortgage the nation’s economy into the hands of few Nigerians. We must open up the system and see how we can now talk about regulation. The key fundamental issue in the issue of this price modulation is regulation and putting in place the necessary checks and balances that can control the price environment as it is. 
 
“But government should put in place the mechanism to start negotiation immediately on the minimum wage. It is very key to us. Because you cannot tell us that you are doing this and there are no palliative and one of the key palliative in the Nigerian environment is to renegotiate the minimum wage. Government must move in quickly and do this otherwise there would be a reaction somewhere.” 
 
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, they commended President Muhammadu Buhari in his fight against corruption and insecurity in the country. 
 
It read in part, “The NEC in session had an extensive discussion on the recent price modulation. The NEC-in- session is of the view that price deregulation has its benefits in the immediate and near future. 
 
“However, NEC-in session strongly demands the federal government’s engagement with the stakeholders to work out a clear direction on how to reinvest the gains into the economy to cushion the effect of the price. 
 
“The NEC-in- session after an exhaustive deliberation of all these resultant effects ,resolve that , there is an urgent need for a paradigm shift and a new direction in the management of new investments and income in the oil and gas industry , but with critical proviso, among which include: 
 
-Government must ensure optional performance of the existing refineries and also put in place machinery for the construction of new refineries in the country to ensure adequate production for domestic consumption and possibly export. 
 
-Immediate commencement of negotiation of minimum wage for workers across all cadres. 
 
-Engagement of critical stakeholders for the federal government to provide a road map for with timelines of the infrastructures it intends to embark upon with the proceeds from this price modulation to cushion the harsh effects of the new direction. 
 
-Immediate reconstruction of the board of the PPPRA and PEF for the management of the new price regime. 
 
–The reconstitution and the re-strengthening of relevant agencies such as Standard Organisations of Nigeria (SON) , DPR and the Nigeria Customs and Excise Department to prevent the abuse of the new framework of PMS supply and distributions.

NUPENG, PENGASSAN support subsidy removal

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (P...

Man rapes his two-year-old daughter in Kaduna

21:58 Unknown 0

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A biological father, Daniel Joseph, 31-years have been handed over to the Kaduna Police Command for raping own two years old daughter name withheld. 
 
The incidence was said to have occurred in Gonin-Gora, Chikun local government area of the state and leading to the daughter discharging. 
 
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Joseph, a Carpenter was said to have been exposed by his Neighbours who reported the case to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development after which he was handed over to the police command (CID). 
 
It was also gathered that mother of the girl is late and giving room for the father to allegedly have carnal knowledge of his daughter. 
 
Upon interrogation, the suspect was said to have denied it but people in the area testified that he is fond of the ungodly act. 
 
It was however gathered that a Doctor who examined the little girl confirmed penetration & serious infection. 
 
Efforts to reach the Kaduna Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Zubairu Abubakar for formal confirmation of the development proved abortive as he was not picking his calls. 
 
Earlier, the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Rabi Abdulsalam expressed shock and condemned the act in totality. 
 
She however directed that the little girl be given proper medical treatmen

Man rapes his two-year-old daughter in Kaduna

A biological father, Daniel Joseph, 31-years have been handed over to the Kaduna Police Command for raping own two years old daughter name...

I take responsibility for collapsed market complex – Amosun

21:58 Unknown 0

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Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Friday said he has taken responsibility for the collapse of an Ultra – Modern Market complex being constructed at the Old Oyo road by the popular Itoku market, Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. 
 
A wing of the dual four – storey market complex caved – in around 9am, killing one person – Mrs Noimat Sikiru (a nursing mother), and injuring seven others out of about 18 workers who resumed work there in the morning. 
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Amosun who was sighted coordinating the rescue efforts at the scene of the collapsed structure, said he would not leave the location until the excavators and rescue team had gotten to ground zero to ascertain that nobody is still trapped in the rubbles. 
 
Speaking with reporters on ground, he said the state government would investigate the incident to establish what caused the structure to crumble down. 
 
Amosun said: “I take full responsibility of what happened here, not even the Commissioner for works can take the responsibility because when the glory comes we share it together but if anything goes wrong, I take the blame so I take full responsibility but we are going to get to the root of the matter”. 
 
“As early as 9 o’clock in the morning, the workers were here as always, 16 all together as we have told and a little minute after 9am we have this partial collapse of this building. 
 
“Out of those 16, eight came out immediately the building collapsed and the remaining 8 they were hurriedly taken to the hospital, one unfortunately died on the way to the hospital, two were discharged immediately because they sustained minor injuries. The remaining five are still at the hospital, they also sustained minor injuries”. 
 
“We can’t leave this place the way it is, because it is better for us to act under caution we are not that comfortable with the way this place is and that is why we have to get to what we called ground zero and we will get there before we leave here today because we want to be sure that nobody is still trapped under the collapse. 
 
“The most important thing to us is to ensure that no further lives are lost. We will leave here until we are sure that nobody is still trapped in there. 
 
“We are going to find out the cause of the collapse. When you look at this building particularly you will discover that the topography of this side of the building is lower and that is why we have the basement here and sure the engineers and everybody else will get to the root of the matter”. 
 
“We didn’t pray for this but we are going to double check other buildings of the State projects to determine their structural viability. We are very saddened about the fact that we lost a live, we have gotten across to the members of his family.”

I take responsibility for collapsed market complex – Amosun

Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Friday said he has taken responsibility for the collapse of an Ultra – Modern Market complex being constructed...

FIFA Appoints A Woman As Secretary General

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The FIFA Council has appointed Fatma Samoura, a  Senegalese United Nations official, as the new FIFA Secretary General, thus making her the first woman to hold the prominent position at football's world governing body. 
 
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino made the announcement at the 66th FIFA Congress in Mexico City and Samoura will take up the position before mid-June after undergoing an eligibility check administered by the independent review committee. 
 
She replaces Jerome Valcke, who was banned from all football-related activityfor 12 years for misconduct during his term. 
 
A statement read: "Ms. Samoura is a 21-year veteran of United Nations programmes who is currently the UN's Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria. 
 
"Since starting her UN career as a senior logistics officer with the World Food Programme in Rome in 1995, Ms. Samoura has served as country representative or director in six countries: Republic of Djibouti, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Madagascar and Nigeria. She speaks French (her mother tongue), English, Spanish and Italian. 
 
"In her current UN role in Nigeria, Ms. Samoura has wide-ranging responsibilities including budgeting, human resources, and procurement, among others. She coordinates the activities of approximately 2,000 staff members, and monitors and evaluates the security, political and socio-economic situation and trends in Africa's most populous country." 
 
 Infantino said: "Fatma is a woman with international experience and vision who has worked on some of the most challenging issues of our time. She has a proven ability to build and lead teams, and improve the way organisations perform. Importantly for FIFA, she also understands that transparency and accountability are at the heart of any well-run and responsible organisation. 
 
"It is essential for FIFA to incorporate fresh perspectives -- from outside the traditional pool of football executives -- as we continue to restore and rebuild our organisation. No one exemplifies what we need more than Fatma does, and we are thrilled that she has joined our team." 
 
Ms. Samoura added: "Today is a wonderful day for me, and I am honored to take on the role of FIFA's Secretary General. I believe this role is a perfect fit for my skills and experience -- strategic, high impact team building in international settings -- which I will use to help grow the game of football all over the world. I also look forward to bringing my experience in governance and compliance to bear on the important reform work that is already underway at FIFA. 
 
"FIFA is taking a fresh approach to its work -- and I am eager to play a role in making that approach as effective and lasting as possible." 
 </div>

FIFA Appoints A Woman As Secretary General

The FIFA Council has appointed Fatma Samoura, a Senegalese United Nations official, as the new FIFA Secretary General, thus making her ...

Fuel price increase not about removal of subsidy – Osinbajo

21:58 Unknown 0

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Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said the Wednesday increase in pump price of Petroleum Motor Spirit was not a subsidy removal issue. 
 
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He said the issue was about foreign exchange problem in the face of dwindling earnings. 
 
Osinbajo who supervises the nation’s economy made the clarification in a document tagged “A personal note to Nigerians” made available to journalists by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande. 
 
In the document titled “The fuel pricing debate: Our story,” Osinbajo said he had read the various observations about the new fuel pricing regime and the attendant issues generated. 
 
While saying that all the observations have strong points, the Vice-President said the most important issue was how to shield the poor from the worst effects of the policy. 
 
That, he promised, he would address in another note. 
 
Osinbajo said the fuel price hike was not about removal of subsidy because there was not much of subsidy to remove at the current price of crude oil. 
 
He said President Muhammadu Buhari was one of the “most convinced pro-subsidy advocates.” 
 
The Vice-President explained, “First, the real issue  is not a removal of subsidy. At $40 a barrel there isn’t much of a subsidy to remove. 
 
“In any event, the President is probably one of the most convinced pro-subsidy advocates. 
 
“What happened is as follows: our local consumption of fuel is almost entirely imported. The NNPC exchanges crude from its joint venture share to provide about 50% of local fuel consumption. The remaining 50% is imported by major and independent marketers. 
 
“These marketers up until three months ago sourced their foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria at the official rate. However, since late last year, independent marketers have brought in little or no fuel because they have been unable to get foreign exchange from the CBN. 
 
“The CBN simply did not have enough. (In April, oil earnings dipped to $550 million. The amount required for fuel importation alone is about $225million!) . 
 
“Meanwhile, NNPC tried to cover the 50% shortfall by dedicating more export crude for domestic consumption. Besides the short term depletion of the Federation Account, which is where the FG and States are paid from, and further cash-call debts pilling up, NNPC also lacked the capacity to distribute 100% of local consumption around the country. 
 
“Previously, they were responsible for only about 50%. (Partly the reason for the lingering scarcity). 
 
“We realised that we were left with only one option. This was to allow independent marketers and any Nigerian entity to source their own foreign exchange and import fuel. 
 
“We expect that foreign exchange will be sourced at an average of about N285 to the dollar, (current interbank rate). They would then be restricted to selling at a price between N135 and N145 per litre. 
 
“We expect that with competition, more private refineries, and NNPC refineries working at full capacity, prices will drop considerably.” 
 
Osinbajo said the Federal Government’s target was that by Q4 2018, Nigeria should be producing 70% of its fuel needs locally. 
 
He said at the moment, even if all the refineries were working optimally, they would produce just about 40% of the nation’s domestic fuel needs. 
 
“You will notice that I have not mentioned other details of the PPRA cost template. 
 
“I wanted to focus on the cost component largely responsible for the substantial rise, namely foreign exchange. 
 
“This is therefore not a subsidy removal issue but a foreign exchange problem, in the face of dwindling earnings,” the Vice-President concluded.