So surprising! Girl Shows all on camera to prove her love for her Boyfriend. Download Video!

This is why we keep repeating the same thing, that Our Ladies should try to caution themselves and not send videos and pictures that shows their body or allow the guys to take their pictures while doing it.

Resource planning for start-ups

The section three of your smart business plan comprises of an outline of financial costing for your resource requirements. Once you get your resource requirements plan right, your start-up business will run smoothly through its incubation period to break even and become profitable. <--More--!> Lifespan of your start-up business The infancy phase in the lifecycle of your start-up could span the first twelve to thirty-six months as laid out in your business plan depending on the operating environments. During this phase, you will require funds to incur one-time and on-going costs in order to launch and manage your business before you begin to make money. Without gainsaying, this is a tough phase in the life of any entrepreneur. It requires discipline, sacrifice and deferment of legitimate pleasure to nurture the start-up and push it upward to the next phase of growth and stability. Ironically, this is where most new businesses fail. A study found that new businesses have short lives, about six years on the average. It also estimated that one out of every four new start-ups does not move past its infancy phase, and dies in its first year of operations. The overall performance of the economy, structural characteristics of the market, competition, specific characteristic of the start-up, size of the business, location, funding, resources and indiscipline of the business owner are identified as factors that affect the likelihood of survival of new businesses. Consequently, entrepreneurs should not underestimate any of these factors, particularly the need to adequately resource their start-ups to avoid infant mortality of their businesses. What you need to start-up your business The entrepreneur does not have a deep pocket and may not have the needed funds to acquire all the resources for start-up. Identification, planning and acquisition of requisite resources to enable the business take off are essential to smooth commencement. Every new business requires resources to function effectively. These resources are fiscal, physical or virtual entities of limited availability. They could be supply of money, materials, staff, stock or other assets. Broadly speaking, resources could be classified into six type’s namely financial, physical, human resources, technological, reputation and organisational. Financial resources are money, shares and other assets. Physical resources are tangible property such as office space and equipment. Human resources are the knowledge, training, experience as well as the time of both the business owner and employees. Technological resources are embodied in a process, system and physical transformation such as software products and custom-made information system architecture. Reputational resources include the perceptions of people about the business brand and the credibility of the owner. Organisational resources are the business structure, systems, processes, culture and routines. Leverage for opportunities Aside enabling the business to function effectively, resources are required to exploit market opportunities that the entrepreneur has identified. The deployment of these resources will help the start-up business to operate and deliver products and services to the customers. The challenge of resources acquisition Resources are limited by nature. An entrepreneur cannot have all of the resources required prior to business start-up, hence the need for planning. The resources required will vary and depend on the nature, type and size of your business start-up. It is the responsibility of the entrepreneur to identify all the resources that the business will require for seamless take off, classify them into one-time and on-going costs, and determine if the funds on hand would be sufficient to make these resources available. Otherwise, the entrepreneur will prioritise and acquire resources in this order: capital, knowledge, work space and any supplies or equipment that is critical for start-up. You are not negatively impacted with limitations in resources availability when you are able to prioritise. You are able to start ‘small’ and grow your brand and execute a feasible and bankable business plan. Typically, investors are wary of exaggerated funding for resource requirements: they prefer lean and realistic propositions. Smart entrepreneurs who start ‘small’ usually create alternatives for resources. They have a better chance of surviving ‘infant mortality’ that new businesses suffer. A business owner who is into catering, confectionery or consulting services can start from home, instead of renting an office space and save the funds for other resources. One-time and on-going costs Jewel John, our young entrepreneur is starting “lean and mean”. She has rented a space. She has paid her licenses and rates. She brought furniture and other equipment from home. She is using her personal car for distribution to her secondary target market. Her employees are working on a part-time basis. One-time costs are paid once prior to or at start-up. As may be required, you expend money on legal, accounting, and professional services. You also pay for licenses and permits. You pay for office space. You acquire furniture and fittings. The property you got may require improvements. You need to acquire equipment for production, transportation and logistics. If you chose to lease any of the equipment, it will be classified under on-going costs. On-going costs cover resources that you will need throughout your start-up business infancy. These include advertising, promotions, fuel, transport, travels, postages, mailing, technology and general business maintenance. You need working capital for salaries and day-to-day operations of the business.

How to detect, avoid ‘money doublers’

Mercy was typing away on her computer at work when she overheard her colleagues talk about a new investment that had given them outstanding returns. She always wondered how her colleagues were able to afford the nice shoes and dresses they wear despite them earning the same salary. She decided to probe further and asked them if they could let her in on the investment plan. They told her all she needed to do was invest N500, 000 every month and she will be paid N65, 000 in interest from the second month. After 10 months she will receive her capital. It was too good to be true so she decided to probe further. She asked them what they did with the money and how they are able to pay such a high interest. One of her colleagues told her they are into haulage whilst the other said they sell crude. Another said they export farm products and also mention she heard they sell forex. No one seemed to know exactly what they did as the profits and consistency in their ability to pay back their interest was enough for them not to worry about what their underlying business is. Mercy continued to probe further and asked who the owners of the company were. Again her colleagues said they weren’t sure but all opined they were some young sharp boys who just came into the country. One simply said she never bothered to ask as that wasn’t necessary after all she gets her money as and when due. Not to be deterred Mercy asked if there was any agreement signed before they released their money to the company. They told her there was no agreement as all you did was just to fill a form indicating how much you wanted to deposit, your tenor and bank details. The form was just a single page and doesn’t require any stamping, photographs or any of those requirements that just delay transactions. What next after you fill a form? They told her that you deposit your money into their bank account, collect the teller and present it to the office receptionist. Once she confirms the deposit has been paid, she issues you a receipt. How about getting your interest paid? They told her it was also easy as all you needed to do was wait till the end of the month and your bank account will be credited. “They don’t waste time”, they tell her. They went on to tell Mercy that there are even other incentives that can make you earn even more. For example, if you bring five more people to the business they give you a success commission and could even pay you a steady commission based on the volume of what your additions invested. They also promise to pay you 50 per cent of your monthly interest as additional interest for every month you decide to rollover your interest. Mercy did the calculation and figured she could even invest up to N1m for starters. She also had a smart idea and thought she could simply just get a bank to lend her at an interest which she can more than quadruple via this new fledging business she expect to now do with her colleagues. She got home feeling excited and decided to discuss it with her Hubby. After listening to her speak her hubby turned to look at her with a sense of shock. This by all means is a Ponzi scheme he screams. “Everything you just said is a hallmark of a Ponzi scheme” he yelled. “What is a Ponzi scheme” she retorted? A Ponzi scheme or money doubling as it is called in Nigeria is a financial fraud that lures subscribers to invest in exchange of astronomically high interest holding their money for a period of time. Rather than actually invest the money and pay the subscribers interest out of the profits made, they do none of that. Rather they pay back subscribers from the subscribers own money as if it is interest. So basically, if Mercy brings N1m they will pay her N130, 000 from her N1m monthly and after 10 months they pay the principal. To ensure this works, they will need other people to subscribe otherwise within seven months Mercy’s N1m will be exhausted and they will need to pay her principal. However, if someone else comes along with another N1m then they keep paying Mercy and hope to find another person to keep the pyramid going. Ponzi schemes work because they perpetuators ride on their victim’s greed. They lure you with huge interest pay outs that ordinarily can’t be justified by any fundamentals. How to avoid and detect a Ponzi? From the story above we ignore or remain cautious when we see these signs;

Interest is too high and too good to be true
You don’t understand what they do with the money
There is no face to the owners of the business
The company or office building is probably not more than two years old
They don’t sign any legal binding agreement with you
You don’t get collateral from them
It is not approved by SEC or any other body allowed by law to approve such a scheme
They give you incentives to bring in more subscribers to the scheme

Have you been approached by suspected money doublers in the past? Share your experience with me via emailugodre@nairametrics.com and follow me on twitter @ugodre.

Security experts seek better protection for schools

Experts fear for more attacks on schools ahead of the one-year anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok school girls, FOLASHADE ADEBAYO writes Just a few days to the one-year anniversary of the abduction of more than 200 school girls by the Boko Haram insurgents, security experts have warned of likely attacks on more schools in the coming days.<--More--!> More than 200 female pupils of the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State were kidnapped in their hostels on April 14 last year. In separate interviews with our correspondent, a former Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Gen. Williams Obene, and a security consultant, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, said schools remained a soft target for the insurgents despite the recent successes recorded by the military in dislodging them. According to Ekhomu, the new political dispensation and lack of security plans in many schools will also make them more vulnerable to attacks from the terrorists. “School security is taken for granted in this part of the world and terrorism will bring out new threats, particularly to the school population. Attacks on schools have been part of their repertoire and you can see a pattern in Pakistan and recently in Kenya, where the Garissa University was attacked.

“Now that we are going to have a new president, they are going to become more emboldened because they know it will take some time for him to settle down. They are going to hit schools because they know it hurts and will give us a bad name in the international community,’’ he said. Ekhomu also faulted the Safe School Initiative of the Federal Government and some international partners, describing it as a ‘window dressing’ approach, which lacks depth. He urged the incoming president, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to conduct a holistic security assessment of the situation. He added, “Boko Haram does not respond to building schools and fitting them with closed circuit television. What kind of security assessment has been done? It is crucial to know the attacker, his motivation and possible methods.’’ “There must be security awareness among pupils and members of staff. Before the security personnel will get to you in a conflict zone, you have to defend yourself first; otherwise, you become a statistics when the security men arrive. There must also be pacification of reclaimed areas because you do not just chase out insurgents and ask the people to come back. It has to be confirmed and reconfirmed that the insurgents have truly been dislodged before the people can rebuild their lives.” Obene also said that without a policy framework, schools and other ‘critical infrastructure’ remains a likely target for attacks. “As a nation, we are not prepared for terrorism. We have yet to put the correct policy framework to protect our critical infrastructure, such as schools and markets. We have only been reacting and our strategy is disorganised. It is not a rocket science that the insurgents will attack this critical infrastructure. Terrorism is not going to go away. “It is very unfortunate and a shame to our nation and the international community that the Chibok girls have yet to be found. We are fighting a global war and the three approaches to fighting terrorism are disciplinary, multiagency and multinational. How much cooperation are we getting from the international community?’’ he asked. Obene also advised Buhari to focus on gathering intelligence, as many Nigerians will expect him to lead the fight against terrorism and bring back the girls as soon as possible.

“I pity the incoming government because the Chibok girls issue and insurgency is a big liability. Nigerians will expect that having a General in the saddle will help to recover the girls. But we need to have intelligence as where the girls are and be circumspect in the rescue operation,’’ he added. A coordinator of the #BringBackourGirls, in Abuja, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, said it was hypocritical to advocate safe schools when the environment is not safe. She said it was shameful that the school girls had yet to be found one year after their disappearance. “How can you talk about safe schools in an unsafe environment? The entire North East is not safe. So many Internally Displaced Persons are out of school. There has been much abduction after the kidnapping of the Chibok girls. ‘It is our belief that the government did not make this matter a priority early enough. It took the Federal Government 15 days to accept that the girls were missing and what they have done since is to discredit and harass our members,’’ she said. A member of the Chibok community, Mr. Allen Manasseh, also holds this view, claimed that 23 of the abducted girls were his cousins. Speaking to our correspondent on Thursday, Manasseh berated the government for keeping parents and relatives in the dark about efforts so far taken to rescue the girls. According to him, the situation has forced the parents to rely on unsavoury and traumatic media reports and hearsays. Manasseh, who is also a member of the #BringBackourGirls, alleged that no fewer than 15 parents of the abducted girls were either killed by the Boko Haram insurgents or died of trauma. “Let me announce to you that one of the parents, Mallam Bama, was killed by the Boko Haram on Tuesday and his wife died of shock on Wednesday. We do not have any progress report. Nobody has met us and there is no counselling programme for the parents. “The narrative was that the military knew where the girls were and they would soon be rescued. Imagine the parents listening to the Chief of Army Staff, Kenneth Minimah, saying on television that the villagers of each town they recaptured from Boko Haram said they have not sighted the Chibok girls,’’ he lamented. Calling on Buhari to be decisive in dealing with the insurgents, Manasseh also debunked reports that the Chibok community was against the Safe School Initiative of the Federal Government. “Inasmuch as we maintain that the rescue of the girls be kept on the front burner, we are not rejecting the development or intervention from any government level. We are appealing to the President-elect to take the lead and launch a grand investigation into the whole affair. “He should endeavour to bring sponsors and members to book and let Nigerians know the brains behind the insurgency. We have strong hope that these girls are alive and will be rescued no matter how long it takes,’’ he added.

Nigerians urged to reduce salt intake

Public health consultant, Dr. Omowunmi Bakare, has advised Nigerians to reduce the quantity of salt they use in their cooking and diets. Bakare, who spoke at a public lecture and free medical screening exercise organised by Babatunde Femi Owolabi Memorial Heart Foundation, said reduced salt was a cost effective way to prevent, treat and manage hypertension and diabetes.<--More--!> Bakare in her lecture entitled, ‘Taking charge of your life,’ described hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, as a condition in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure greater than 140/90mmHg. She said some of the warning symptoms include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, chest pain, confusion, nose bleeding and palpitation; and that when not detected and controlled, it could lead to heart diseases Bakare said the disease was killing many Nigerians due to late detection, as many people do not know they have it. She said, “One in every 10-15 Nigerian adults is affected; and less than one third of those that are aware of the condition are receiving any form of treatment because they don’t even know they have high blood pressure.” She identified obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, age, family history and lack of physical exercise as other risk factors. The president of the foundation, Mr. Tope Owolabi, told participants the importance of periodic medical check-up. He said that ignorance on the part of citizens and the lack of access to medical facilities in many parts of the country are major factors contributing to the rising cases of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Explaining the rationale behind the establishment of the foundation, Owolabi said his desire to curb the increasing cases of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and diabetes was the motivating factor behind the free medical screening and public lecture. He admonished Nigerians to embrace both non-drug and drug treatment in preventing and controlling diabetes and hypertension. Some of the preventive strategies he highlighted included weight reduction, reduction in red meat/processed food, reduction in alcohol intake, stress, eating of more vegetables and fruits, and regular physical exercise.

Experts decry increasing cases of glaucoma

Consultant ophthalmologists who spoke at this year’s Glaucoma Day, held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, decried the low awareness about the disease, arguing that that was why cases of glaucoma were on the increase.<--More--!> They called on governments at all levels to sensitise the public to the danger it poses to humanity. The physicians argued that this became necessary because glaucoma accounted for the largest number of blindness in Nigeria. A consultant ophthalmologist at the OOUTH, Dr. Oluwatosin Onabolu, said the disease accounted for about 40 per cent cases of blindness in the country, stressing that the level of awareness about it was disappointing. His colleague in the same institution, Dr. Moruff Ajibode, maintained that the disease accounted for 20 per cent of the total blindness in Nigeria among people of age bracket 40 years up. He said, “The disease is prevalent among the people of this age bracket due to the lack of awareness about its prevention and treatment.” The physicians also urged faith-based organisations to urge their members to undergo screening so that it could be detected when treatment is likely to be effective. They also recommended effective funding and equipping of the hospitals with modern equipment for the treatment of the disease. They canvassed the inclusion of awareness about glaucoma in school curriculum in order to curtail its spread. The Chief Medical Director, OOUTH, Dr. Alfred Jayesimi, said glaucoma should be tackled before it becomes national scourge.

Ekiti APC lawmakers to CJ: Raise panel to probe Fayose

The 19 All Progressives Congress members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly have written to the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, asking him to set up a panel to investigate the allegations contained in their impeachment notice to Governor Ayodele Fayose.<--More--!> The seven-member panel which should be constituted within seven days of the receipt of the letter is to investigate allegations of impunity, violence, stalking and other constitutional breaches the lawmakers levelled against Fayose and his deputy, Kolapo Olusola. The legislators reached the resolution at a special sitting presided over by their Speaker, Adewale Omirin, at the Mary Hills Boys’ High School, Ado Ekiti. According to a statement by Omirin’s media aide, Wole Olujobi, the lawmakers, in a unanimous vote, supported the motion directing the chief judge to set up the panel. The Majority Leader, Churchill Adedipe, who explained on Thursday that the sitting ought to have taken place in the hallowed chamber on April 7, 2015, said they were waylaid by political thugs who mounted roadblocks and threatened their lives. Due to the violence, he said, they jettisoned the plan to go to the assembly. He said, “Relying on Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Adedipe moved the motion empowering the CJ to set up the panel. “His motion was seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Adetunji Orisalade, representing Ido/Osi Constituency II. “The Assembly adjourned to the next legislative day.” The lawmakers relied on Section 101 of the 1999 Constitution as amended which empowers the Assembly to regulate its sittings, including sitting in a public building within the state capital if the lives of members are not safe. The CJ could not be reached by our correspondent in the state but the Chief Registrar of the state High Court, Obafemi Fasanmi, said he was not aware of the lawmakers’ letter. Journalists, who visited the school, were told by students that they saw no strange faces in their school on Thursday. However, Fayose has argued that no sitting of the assembly took place on Thursday as claimed by the APC lawmakers. The governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said, “The State House of Assembly is on recess. No sitting took place in the House of Assembly. “Kindly disregard information being circulated by the APC that their lawmakers are sitting somewhere in Ado Ekiti. “Of course, members of the House of Assembly can gather anywhere in the world to have social or political meetings. “Parliamentary business is done in the hallowed chamber of the House of Assembly. “Besides, Omirin, who claimed to be the speaker of the assembly was impeached on November 20, 2014 and he is in court, challenging his impeachment.” Fayose and Olusola had during the week raced to a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the APC legislators from going ahead with the impeachment process. But they met a brick wall as the judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, turned down their request and granted only the prayers contained in their ex parte application relating to the service of the court processes on the defendants. Fayose and Olusola, in the ex parte application, asked for an interim order stopping the impeachment notice served on them and the moves to remove them from office. Rather than granting the prayers for interim injunction, Justice Mohammed ordered the defendants in the suit, including Omirin, and the CJ, to appear in his court on April 16. The APC has however reacted to the rejection of Fayose’s request to stop impeachment proceedings against him, saying that it was laughable that the governor who once desecrated the judiciary could approach the same institution to protect him from his “illegal acts.” It also expressed surprise that the governor could approach the FHC in Abuja for protection over a matter that happened in Ekiti after lampooning the party. It recalled that Fayose once ridiculed it for approaching the same court in Jos, Plateau State, while seeking protection from his harassment and attacks. The APC added in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, that the governor was confused on how to handle his cases in court, having desecrated the state judiciary and instigated its workers to refuse to resume duties. It said, “Fayose didn’t allow Ekiti courts to function and he declared the state Chairman of the APC, Olajide Awe, wanted over a phantom murder charge. Awe obtained an injunction against his arrest from a FHC in Jos, which the governor referred to as a ‘‘black market injunction.’’ “He has now run to Abuja to get an injunction to restrain the 19 lawmakers from impeaching him but the court in its wisdom has turned this request down.” Also, the APC Elders Forum, declared that there was no escape route for Fayose beacuse he had “serially breached the constitution, desecrated the esteemed office he occupies and should be ready to face the consequences of his actions.” The Publicity Secretary of Ekiti APC Elders Forum, Bayo Orire, therefore warned the military and the police against being used to hinder the lawmakers from carrying out their constitutional functions. The forum also congratulated Buhari on his victory in the March 28 presidential poll. Also on Thusday, the Ekiti Justice Forum urged Fayose to respond to the impeachment notice served on him by the lawmakers with maturity and all sense of responsibility. The forum which called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to postpone the House of Assembly election, accused the governor of worsening the political crisis in the state. In a statement by its Chairman, Sesan Fatoba; Secretary, Dare Owotomobi; and Director of Publicity, Ojo Andrews, the group advised the governor to know that no amount of impunity could solve any constitutional crisis. It said, “The political tension created in the last few days by the move of the 19 Ekiti State House of Assembly members to commence impeachment process against Governor Fayose has been made worse by the negative response of the governor. “The majority of the Ekiti State House of Assembly members being hunted by Governor Fayose are candidates in the April 11, 2015 election.’’ Ekiti monarchs urge peace The state Council of Traditional Rulers has also advised Fayose and the APC lawmakers to sheathe their swords for peace to be restored in the state.

The monarchs, in a communique read by their Chairman and the Onitaji of Itaji Ekiti, Oba Adamo Babalola, lamented that their troubleshooting efforts were frustrated by both parties. They advised that since the parties were in court, any discussion or action by them would be subjudice. The communiqué read in part, “This position stalled all further deliberations and efforts to find an amicable settlement of the matter. “The recent development in our dear state is a source of concern and embarrassment to all well-meaning people of Ekiti State. “It is unfortunate that the incident which resulted in the death of one Mr Modupe Olaiya of Efon Alaaye could have been avoided. “Council appreciates the representations from various individual groups, and associations such as, the Ekiti State Council of Elders, the labour unions, both serving and retired, religious leaders, business and professional bodies for their concerns and suggestions. “Council hereby appeals to all political gladiators to sheathe their swords, eschew violence and give peace a chance, as we believe that violence cannot solve the problems at hand.” The monarchs called on the law enforcement agencies to ensure the security of lives and property during and after the April 11 elections. The council said it would soon convoke an expanded meeting of stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the face-off. Police commissioner redeployed The state Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, has however been redeployed. He has been replaced with Emmanuel Ibine. Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, disclosed this in an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja on Thursday. Ojukwu, an acting commissioner of police, said the redeployment is with immediate effect. The PUNCH had earlier learnt on Thursday that an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, M. J. Gana, was directed to take charge of the state during the elections and until violence in the state abated. When contacted on the redeployment of Lakanu, the Peoples Democratic Party Publicity Secretary in the state, Joseph Adaraniwon, said, “We have no problem with the deployment. The power to redeploy is with the Police authorities.” Adaraniwon’s APC counterpart, Taiwo Olatubosun, could not be reached for comments. Ekiti State has been embroiled in crisis since the declaration of Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) of the APC as the winner of the March 28 election. Gunmen had attacked the APC secretariat and some members of the party in the state. The APC members had just returned from Ado Ekiti where they had gone to celebrate the victory of Buhari when thugs attacked them. The party petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, over attacks. The petition by the state Secretary of the party, Paul Omotoso, was also sent to the National Human Rights Commission; the AIG in charge of Zone Eight in Lokoja; Lakanu and the State Director of the Department of State Services, Samuel Tamuno. Fayose also sent a petition to the IG , accusing an APC lawmaker of firing the shot that killed Olaiya in Efon Alaye on Tuesday. Fayose, in the petition, urged Abbah to investigate the role of policemen in the killing.

Jonathan’s wife wants INEC to rig Rivers’ poll – Amaechi

AHEAD of the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections, the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has accused the wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, of pressurising the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to rig the governorship election in the state.<--More--!> Amaechi, who observed that President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife was in Okrika, her hometown, for the governorship election, hoped that there would not be a repeat of alleged electoral malpractices that happened on March 28 in the state. The governor, who spoke during a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday in Port Harcourt, said the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mrs. Gesila Khan, already had a mindset of delivering the state to the Peoples Democratic Party. He said the governorship candidate of the PDP, Chief Nyesom Wike, must answer for the killings in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. Amaechi insisted that INEC must make available original result sheets at all polling units and called on the people of the state not to allow the election to hold without result sheets. The governor said, “The reason for this meeting is to let you know that what happened on the 28th of March, 2015 may or may not repeat itself. Few days ago, I said it would not repeat itself. But as at this morning, there are enormous pressure on the security operatives by the wife of the President. “There is also enormous pressure on INEC by the wife of the President. I hope that they will not repeat the hijacking of results that we witnessed on March 28. In most of the local government areas, if not all, there were no result sheets. This time around, I hope they will bring the result sheets to the different units. I hope they will not forget the result sheets at the collation centre. “For me as the governor of Rivers State, what is material to me is that we want to see the result sheets. We want to ensure that as we vote, our votes will count. Most of you have been asking this question; who will take over from me? I told you that we don’t want anybody to force a candidate on us. “We don’t want people to be made governor because they want to share our resources. That is not what we want. We want to be allowed to vote and let our votes be counted. Let the wife of the President stay in her house. She should not force a candidate on us. “They should tell her that security agencies have assured us that they will allow votes to count. I assure you that the security agencies will not be biased and I hope that the security agencies will keep to that. I hope that the woman posted here as the Resident Electoral Commission would know that her responsibility is not to allow anybody to see the result sheets.” Calling on the electorate not to allow anybody to intimidate them, Amaechi explained that communities should use the Ubima (his community) formula by locking down their villages to ensure that nobody would steal their votes. He warned that INEC should not endanger the lives of its members of staff by deliberately withholding the results sheets or failing to do what was expected of them according to the law. Amaechi urged communities not to allow any INEC official to leave until the right actions were taken in order to ensure a free and fair election. “Anywhere there is no result sheets, don’t allow the election to hold. Basically, I don’t mind the fact that almost all those employed by INEC in the state; collation officers, electoral officers, are PDP members. “There will be no boycott, there will be no refusal to vote. I hope only the right persons will be there to do the job and the result sheets will be available. If not, the Rivers State Government cannot determine what happens in the communities,” he added. The governor, however, announced the ban on the use of commercial motorcycles in areas such as Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Abua/Odual, Ahoada East and Ahoada West, described as hot spots, until after the elections. Cautioning those in the habit of fomenting trouble in the state to know that power had changed hands at the centre, Amaechi restated that those involved in politically-motivated killings in the state would face the law before the end of his administration. He disclosed that three persons had been arrested in connection with politically-motivated killings in the state, adding that about 400 All Progressives Congress members that were arrested on trumped-up charges had been released.

Push APC into Atlantic Ocean, Agbaje tells Igbo

The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has urged Igbo across the state to push the All Progressives Congress ‘into the lagoon’ by voting for him on Saturday.<--More--!> Agbaje said this while addressing Igbo traders at the Alaba International Market on Thursday. The PDP candidate urged them to ignore the threats made by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, that if they do not vote for the APC governorship candidate on Saturday, they would die in the lagoon. “Nobody can push you into the Atlantic Ocean. Rather, you should use your votes to push the APC into the Atlantic Ocean by voting massively for the PDP on Saturday,” Agbaje said. He urged the people to ignore the scare tactics being marshalled by the APC, saying, it was the antics of a drowning party. Agbaje said, “Election is like a snake. You have to make sure you win by killing the snake completely by using your votes to drive the APC out of power. The reason why they are harassing you is because they fear Igbo votes. They will try to do ‘shakara’ for you but you must vote massively for the PDP and protect your votes.” Agbaje, who was accompanied by his running mate, Alhaja Safuratu Abdulkarim; and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, said the APC had become arrogant because the party had been in power for too long. He said, “In the last 16 years, the APC has been full of arrogance. This arrogance must end once and for all. Saturday is the time to say enough is enough.” Counselling the audience to eschew violence and refuse to be intimidated at the polling venue, Agbaje urged them to guard their votes. He said, “God is on our side and power will change hands on Saturday and life will be better for you and your businesses. There will be no oppression again because this election is about freedom from bondage.”

Nanny demands N15m for kidnapped Lagos children

A nanny, Mary Akinloye, who allegedly kidnapped three kids in the Surulere area of Lagos State has demanded N15m from the victim’s parents, PUNCH Metro has learnt. Our correspondent learnt that the family was contacted on Thursday by the suspect and others, who were suspected to be members of her group. They were said to have demanded the N15m as ransom. PUNCH Metro had reported on Wednesday that the Orekoya family had posted information on OLX, an online sales portal, seeking the service of a nanny. Our correspondent reported that Akinloye indicated interest and gave the Orekoyas the contacts of two people who she said were her relatives. It was reported that the family agreed to formalilse documentation with the purported relatives before the week ran out. After the 23-year-old resumed for work on Tuesday, she was said to have taken the three children ─ Aderomola (11 months old), Adedamola (4 years old), Demola (6 years old) ─ out, while their parents were away. She had since not returned. A family friend, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the kidnappers contacted the family and demanded N15m on Thursday. The information was confirmed by another friend who put up the post on a social medium, Facebook. He said, “Is it a crime to employ a house help? The kidnappers have demanded N15m.” Efforts to reach the family were abortive as they continued to reject calls made to their lines. They also did not reply to three text messages sent to them on the matter. The Police Public Relations, Kenneth Nwosu, said investigations were on. He said, “Investigations are on and that is all I can say for now. “There are things you do that can jeopardise investigation. “What is important in a case like this is to ensure that the children are returned hale and hearty. There are information you may have and if you disclose it, you could break the line of communication. So, we are still on the matter to ensure the safe return of the kids.”

APBN seeks improved business environment from Buhari

The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria has called on the incoming administration of Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to create a comfortable business environment that will support the industrialisation of the economy.<--More--!> The body also expressed its desire to see positive changes in the areas of governance, standard of living, electricity supply and affordable health care services from the President-elect and his team. In a congratulatory message to the President-elect, the umbrella body of professional bodies in the country pledged its support to the government in line with its mandate. It expressed the hope of seeing changes in the areas of security of life and property, quality and standard education and employment of the youth. The APBN advocated the establishment of more crude oil refineries, industrialisation and development of the country. The letter signed by the President and Chairman of Board, APBN, Mr. Foluso Fasoto, read in part, “On behalf of the Executive Council and member-bodies of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, I write to congratulate you on your well-deserved victory at the poll during the last general election in Nigeria. “Your victory at the poll is a clear testimony of the trust and confidence that the Nigerian people have in you as the leader of the change phenomenon currently on the lips of majority of Nigerians. “Your election as the President of Nigeria and leader of the most populous black nation of the world is ordained by God. This is particularly so when one considers the state of our nation and the clamour for change. We are hopeful of positive change in all areas of life. “As professionals, we are ready to offer advice and render such other assistance to the government at the federal and state levels in line with the provisions of our constitution.” The body also commended the maturity with which President Goodluck Jonathan accepted defeat and the peaceful conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

My Lagos visit, not to rig for Agbaje – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday faulted a claim by the All Progressives Congress that his Thursday visit to Lagos was to coordinate rigging plans for the Peoples Democratic Party in the Saturday governorship election.<--More--!>

He wondered why he would rig the governorship election for the PDP when he did not rig the March 28 presidential election in which he was a candidate.

Jonathan’s position was contained in a statement made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

Abati insisted that there was nothing unusual in people paying homage to the President when he is on a visit to Lagos or any other part of the country. He said the APC spokesman lied as usual and was rude to insinuate that Jonathan met with people in Lagos for the purpose of rigging the elections. The presidential spokesman said Muhammed and his paymasters were only cooking up meaningless tales in order to change the commendation Jonathan had received across the globe for conceding defeat in the presidential election. He said, “Lai Muhammed is wrong to say that the President came to Lagos to rig the governorship and State House of Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, April 11. He is of course lying as usual. And rude. “President Jonathan visited Lagos. He arrived on Thursday and left on Friday. People visited him. So what? Anytime the President is in Lagos or any part of the country, a lot of people come to pay homage to him. “Nothing unusual happened during his last visit to Lagos. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro’s visit to the President in Lagos is not something that anybody should use to play politics. Koro is a Minister of the Federal Republic. He came to see his boss. “Mr. Jimi Agbaje is the governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos. I don’t see how his visit to the President, who is also the leader of his party, the PDP, should become an issue. “Yes, Gani Adams also visited, but so did a lot of other people.” Abati added that the President did not hold meetings with INEC officials, neither did he meet with the police, polling officials or with anybody who is involved in organising elections. He said to claim that the President went to Lagos to supervise the rigging of Saturday’s election was most uncharitable and cruel. “After the presidential election, the President immediately congratulated Gen. Buhari and the whole world has commended him for saving Nigeria. “President Jonathan’s sportsmanship, statesmanship and leadership saved this country at that critical moment. He has demonstrated his commitment to free and fair election, the rule of law and due process. He has shown that he is a man of character, honour and integrity. Nigerians generally are proud of him. “He has left a worthy legacy and shown a great example. That, obviously, is the narrative that Lai Muhammed and his masters want to change, so they are now cooking up meaningless tales. “Lai Muhammed should look for another target and leave the President alone. His fatuous tale does not make any sense. I repeat: we will like to advise that the APC should just leave the President alone. “President Jonathan was a candidate in the presidential election; he did not rig the election. Why would he want to rig tomorrow’s elections? he added.

CBN raises N183bn T-bills at lower yields

The Central Bank of Nigeria has raised N183.64bn ($923m) in Treasury bills with yields falling compared with the previous sale last month.<--More--!> The Treasury bill yields fell in accordance with declining yields on fixed assets on renewed investor interest in the local debt market after a peaceful presidential election. The CBN on Thursday said it raised N20.15bn in the three-month debt at 10.5 per cent at the auction held on Wednesday compared with 10.69 per cent at the March 25 auction. The bank also sold a total of N33.49bn worth of the six-month paper at 14.1 per cent, lower than 14.55 per cent at the previous auction. The bank raised N130bn of the one-year note at 14.15 per cent, down from 14.85 per cent at the last auction. Investors – mostly domestic banks and pension funds – submitted bids worth a total of N433.13bn against N297.06bn at the last month’s auction. Three weeks ago, the central bank sold Treasury bills worth N167bn. The CBN is planning to issue Treasury bills worth N995.5bn ($5bn) during the second quarter of this year. It said the bills would have tenors of between three-month and one-year maturities, according to the debt issuance calendar. The central bank said it would issue a total of N202.25bn of the three-month debt note during the period, and a total of N236.81bn worth of the six-month tenor; a total of N556.46bn worth of the one-year paper would be sold during the period. A total of N945.5bn worth of Treasury bills issued earlier will be due for repayment during the same period. The central bank had over two weeks ago sold Treasury bills worth N254bn ($1.3bn). The yields on the debt notes were higher compared with a record on February 18.