NNPC distances self from royalty paid by oil companies (Read full details)

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it is not involved in the collection of signature bonuses (funds) paid by oil companies to the Federal Government.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, said this in a statement released in Abuja on Monday by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr Ndu Ughamadu.

Baru said this while shedding light on the role of NNPC in the oil revenue collection process at a hearing of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Oil Prospecting Licenses (OPLs) and Oil Mining Leases (OMLs).

Baru, who was represented by the Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer, Upstream, Mr Bello Rabiu, said it was the duty of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), not the NNPC, that was charged with the responsibility of taking receipts of signature bonuses and royalty.

He, however, said the arrangement allowed NNPC to lift the royalty oil from Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) and remit the proceeds to the DPR.

Baru added that confirmation and reconciliation of royalty payments to the sister agency were carried out at the monthly meeting between the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and revenue generating agencies.

He further assured the Ad-Hoc House Committee that NNPC would furnish it with all pieces of information on its royalty remittances from the PSCs to the DPR from 1992 till date.

The statement quoted the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee, Rep. Gideon Gwani, as saying that the Committee invited all agencies involved in the collection of oil revenues and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resolve the claims and counter-claims regarding signature bonuses and other revenues from some OPLs and OMLs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that there have been accusations and counter accusations on how the corporation defrauds government of oil revenues.

Mason set for rehabilitation treatment after leaving hospital…See full details

Hull City's English midfielder Ryan Mason is stretchered from the field after a clash of heads with Gary Cahill during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge in London on January 22, 2017.<br />Hull City midfielder Ryan Mason has been talking in hospital about the incident which left him with a fractured skull, the Premier League club said Monday, January 23, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS /

Hull midfielder Ryan Mason is set for a long period of rehabilitation treatment after being discharged from hospital, his Premier League club said.

The 25-year-old — capped once by England — fractured his skull in a horrific clash of heads with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill in the first-half of the 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge and was stretchered off the pitch attached to an oxygen mask.

Mason — sold to Hull by Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £13million (15.3m, $16.3) just prior to the beginning of this season — has made ‘excellent’ progress since that according to Hull to the extent he has been discharged from hospital.

However, it is believed it will be at least four months till he can start training again and he will need a medical all clear before he does so — others such as Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech have returned to action though he wears protective head gear.

“Ryan will now continue his recovery and early stages of rehabilitation at home and the club would once again like to place on record its thanks to everybody who has been involved in Ryan’s care so far,” a club statement read.

Mason wasn’t short of well wishers during his stay in hospital being visited by the members of Hull’s medical team, whose prompt work was heralded as being key to the player’s recovery, as well as club skipper Michael Dawson, his Chelsea counterpart John Terry and his former boss at Spurs Mauricio Pochettino.

“The number of messages offering support during Ryan’s recovery has been quite overwhelming,” said Hull doctor Mark Waller.

“As with everything in life, there are always lessons that can be learned and one of the most frequently asked questions that myself and the rest of our medical team have been asked in the past week is ‘how would we respond if this kind of incident happened on a park pitch during a Sunday League game without the immediate medical support that is in place at professional fixtures?

“We are grateful for the continued investment the club makes in its medical department, which is shown in dealing with situations like this. We all attend regular training to help us to manage any injury sustained on the field of play.”

Klopp seeks end of Liverpool slump, re-boot of title race…See full details

Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp / AFP PHOTO / Lindsey PARNABY /

For the first time since he arrived at Liverpool Jurgen Klopp is in the midst of a crisis to the extent that a win on Tuesday at home to Premier League leaders Chelsea is obligatory.

The 49-year-old charismatic German — who replaced Brendan Rodgers in November 2015 — has seen his side knocked out of two Cup competitions inside a week and a further loss to Chelsea would be the first time since 1923 they have lost four successive games at Anfield and only the second time in their 125-year history.

However victory over Antonio Conte’s side would reduce the gap between them to seven points whilst should Arsenal beat out of form Watford and their north London rivals Spurs beat bottom side Sunderland they would be just five and six points off the leaders respectively.

Klopp, though, accepts some confidence has seeped away from his side with just one win in eight games in January and the free-flowing, eye-catching football they were playing seems a distant memory.

“We spoke about confidence a few months ago and I said it’s a little flower,” said Klopp, who hopes to have joint-top scorer Sadio Mane at the very least on the bench after he returned from Africa Cup of Natins duty with Senegal.

“If something bounces on it, then it’s away. Obviously, that happened kind of, but it’s not that we play without confidence.

“I can see a lot of moments when we really still believe in our skills and all that stuff. So we don’t have to make it too big, but it’s not that difficult.

“It’s not that I say there’s no chance until Tuesday to make a real turn.

“Somebody asked me a second ago if this is the lowest point of my Liverpool time until now — I don’t know. But if it is, it’s the perfect point to turn because it’s not possible to go lower. That’s all we have to think about now.

“It is a home game against the leader of the league and we need everyone for the game.”

Conte’s side arrive bursting with confidence and with the Italian hoping to deal a huge mental blow to his opponents.

Since they lost consecutive Premier League games to Liverpool and Arsenal in September, they have won 17 of 19 games in all competitions since but perhaps face a pivotal week as regards the title race with Tuesday’s game followed by a home match with Arsenal.

“It could be a hard hit mentally for them (if Liverpool lose to Chelsea),” said Conte on Monday.

“It’s important to win this type of game, increase your confidence, take three points from a rival,”

Arsenal will enter their home game with Watford bursting with confidence on the back of a 5-0 whipping of rivals Southampton in the FA Cup — Watford by contrast were sent packing by third tier Millwall.

Particularly encouraging for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is the return to fitness and form of Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck who scored hat-trick and a double respectively against a limpid Saints outfit.

That has only emboldened Wenger to believe he does not need to make any last minute purchases and has the squad necessary to secure their first league title since 2004.

“I believe that number-wise and quality-wise, we have what is required to do well,” said the Frenchman, who will serve the second of his four match touchline ban.

Spurs had an almighty scare against fourth tier Wycombe in the Cup and their boss Mauricio Pochettino is hoping there is not a costly upset on Tuesday against the bottom side.

“The three points are important for them but they are very important for us, and we have to be aware of the pressure that we need to win, because at the end of the season we need to fight for big things,” said the Argentinian.

Wednesday’s action will see both Manchester clubs in action, although now the fight is more about Champions League qualification than the title.

Fifth placed City, who are 12 points adrift of Chelsea, travel to West Ham, who wll be a happier outfit having sold striking Frenchman Dimitri Payet, whilst United — 14 points off the leaders — host strugglers Hull, who beat them in their League Cup second leg semi-final tie last week but still lost on aggregate.

Fixtures (kick-offs 1945 GMT unless stated)

Tuesday
Arsenal v Watford, Liverpool v Chelsea (2000), Sunderland v Tottenham, Bournemouth v Crystal Palace, Burnley v Leicester, Middlesbrough v West Brom, Swansea v Southampton

Wednesday
Manchester United v Hull (2000), West Ham v Manchester City, Stoke v Everton (2000)

Weapons seized from Gambia ex-leader’s home…Read full details

Yahya Jammeh

The west African force deployed in The Gambia to secure the nation’s presidential transition said Monday it had recovered weapons from the former leader’s home, and arrested a high-ranking Gambian general.

Senegalese General Francois Ndiaye, who leads military forces sent by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said the arms and ammunition were found at ex-president Yahya Jammeh’s private residence in his home village of Kanilai.

Jammeh left the country after refusing for weeks to recognise his electoral defeat to Adama Barrow, who returned to The Gambia as president from Senegal this week.

“All the weapons and ammunitions are now under ECOWAS custody. So nothing will happen there,” Ndiaye said. “The situation is under control.”

He added that since the Kanilai residence is private, “There shouldn’t be any military there. In the coming days, there will be no more military there.”

He also said that General Bora Colley, the head of a Gambian military commando unit, had been arrested in Senegal, without giving further details.

Four guards of Jammeh’s wife, Zainab, were also arrested, in the border town of Karang in Senegal, and were being held in Dakar.

Ndiaye said that Gambian officers and soldiers needed to be “screened”, including “background checks, so that we know all of them”, he said.

He added, however, that the Gambian armed forces have been “very cooperative, and we are now controlling the ammunitions and the weapons. So there is no need for us to stay longer. That’s why we are downsizing

Independence bombing: prosecution witness denies part of statement (Read full details)

Charles Okah

Mr Humphrey Ohikhuare of the DSS, a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Charles Okah at the Federal High Court, Abuja has disowned part of his witness statement on oath against the defendant.

Ohikhuare reneged paragraph six of the statement during his cross examination by Mr Samuel Zibiri, counsel to Okah on Monday.

The witness said he did not depose to statement that Okah sent a consignment from Lagos to Abuja.He instead said that his correct deposition hinged on the fact that the defendant sent the consignment from Lagos to PortHarcourt.

When asked whether the said consignment contained explosive items, the witness answered in the negative.“When we opened the bags, they were scanned. They did not contain explosives items as earlier suspected,’’ Ohikhuare said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that an attempt by the Prosecuting Counsel, Dr Alex Iziyon (SAN), to re-examine the witness failed as such practice was not supported by law.Iziyon had, however, described the statement by prosecution witness as “ambiguous’’, adding that it required further clarification.

The presiding Judge, Justice Gabrial Kolawole, said the witness could not use an oral statement to counter a statement he deposed to on oath, adding that it was an effort in futility.

NAN reports that Ohikhuare is the 17th prosecution witness to testify in the matter, leaving one more witness before the prosecution closes its case.

Meanwhile, Okah, alleged Prison Officials had on Jan. 23 chained and stripped him naked and left him to languish.Okah informed the court about the incident through his counsel, Zibiri at the resumption of his trial.

“I received a message that on Jan. 23, the defendant was stripped naked, cuffed and chained by officials of the prison for exposing information to a radio station,” Zibiri said.

The Judge, however, said no prisons authority had the power and right to inflict corporal punishment on anyone in its custody.“This is an infraction and should I get such a report a second time, I will not take it likely,’’ he said.

When put on the spot, Mr Sanda Nanka, the most senior prisons official in court denied knowledge of the incident.Nanka said he was in charge of only matters of inmates that had to do with their coming to court.

Iziyon said the punishment meted on the defendant may not be unconnected with his regular usage of gadgets to communicate with institutions and people outside of the prison.

“There are reports how several of his conversations and emails and phone were intercepted by the prisons authority.

NAN reports that Okah is standing trial for allegedly masterminding the 2010 Independence Day bombing in Abuja.The matter was adjourned untill Jan.31 for continuation.

Magu calls for courage, discipline among EFCC new recruits (Read full details)

Ibrahim Magu

Ibrahim Magu, acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has identified courage, discipline, commitment and loyalty as crucial to success in the crusade against corruption.

Magu said this in a statement signed by Wilson Uwujaren, Head Media and Publicity, of the commission in Abuja

He made this assertion on Monday, while opening the second phase of the Detective Assistant course II programme at the EFCC Academy, Karu.

The EFCC boss reminded the new cadets that corruption is the mother of all crimes, adding that every evil is rooted in corruption.

Magu admonished them to always shun acts capable of compromising their official duties.

“We are passionately involved in fighting corruption, all of you must hate corruption and you should not be found to be involved in corrupt practices.

He reminded them that EFCC as an anti-graft agency has a high reputation in the world.

Magu described EFCC as an agency where anyone who has integrity and interest of the country at heart can serve
.
He warned those who joined the EFCC because they want to make money to better leave now

“We have zero tolerance for internal corruption. We will figure you out, dismiss you and prosecute you’’, said.
.
Magu, who expressed delight over the outstanding performance of the new 331 cadets from the training camp in Kaduna, congratulated them for winning prizes and making the EFCC proud.

He urged them to make sure that discipline comes first while discharging their duties.

The anti-graft boss gave reasons for the extra one month training organised for the new operatives saying:

“It is to bring you back home because you belong to the agency.

“EFCC has equipped you with skills required to work among civilians and ordinary Nigerians and teach you issues of fundamental human rights,,” he said.

Magu said the recruits would also be introduced to the EFCC code of professional ethics and EFCC core value.

“It include integrity, courage, leadership, professionalism, and partnership,” he said.

David Tukura. the commandant of the EFCC Academy, said in
his address of welcome, that the essence of assembling the newly graduated operatives was to bring them home after their six months rigorous training.

He described the operatives as “soldiers against corruption’’.

Tukura added that, their one month stay at the academy would avail them the opportunity of knowing the fundamental rights of Nigerians.

Non-League Sutton face Arsenal in FA Cup…See full details

Non-League Sutton will face Arsenal in next month’s fifth round of the English FA Cup after being given a home draw against the Premier League giants on Monday.

Sutton saw off second-tier Leeds United last weekend and have now landed themselves one of the star ties in the last 16 of football’s oldest senior knockout competition.

Lincoln City, the other non-league side to make it through to the last 16, will also face Premier League opposition when they travel to Burnley.

Championship club Fulham are at home to Tottenham Hotspur in a London derby, while FA Cup holders Manchester United, who together with Arsenal have won the Cup a record 12 times, are away to second-tier strugglers Blackburn Rovers.

Meanwhile Premier League leaders Chelsea travel to Championship side Wolves.

All ties will be played on the weekend of February 17-20.

FA Cup 5th rd draw

Burnley v Lincoln City

Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur

Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United

Sutton United v Arsenal

Middlesbrough v Oxford United

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea

Huddersfield Town v Manchester City

Millwall v Derby County or Leicester City

Ties to be played weekend of February 17-20

Cynthia Morgan – “In Love” [Mp3 + Lyrics]

Northside Inc. signed artiste, Cynthia Morgan begins 2017 with this love record titled “In Love”.

Obviously, valentine is around the corner.

Download and enjoy below…

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Yolanda Ugo – Hosanna [Mp3, Lyrics, Wiki, Bio]

Yolanda Ugo is an international gospel music minister, also the CEO/FOUNDER of Yolanda Ugo Foundation. She has a burning passion not only for her God given talent but, also for the less privileged! She has impacted the lives of the needy in various ways, i.e. sponsoring orphan’s education, empowering the widows and youths in small scale businesses, feeding and providing shelter for the homeless. She never relents when it comes to reaching out to the needy. That is why her charity foundation is. …a Bridge of Hope!

Yolanda Ugo – Hosanna

Femi – Faya DanceOluko La Nla Nla LoRuko Jesu [Mp3, Lyrics, Wiki, Bio]

Oruko Jesu is a Yoruba Gospel song with Caribbean reggae instrumental, a popular chorus in the days that proclaimed the name of Jesus. Arranged and performed by femi2joye. Ko sagbara to dabi ti Jesu, Kosa gbara to dabi ti Baba! Agbara to Ju agbara lo. Produced by emclass.

Femi – Faya DanceOluko La Nla Nla LoRuko Jesu

Ginger Trill – Nobody (Interlude) [Mp3, Lyrics, Wiki]

Ahead of his forthcoming project, Ginger Trill keeps his fans tongue moving by releasing a 3 minutes long tune titled Nobody (Interlude), which he drops bar that could compete with any else in the Hip Hop game.

Listen to the rapper and anticipate a project in coming weeks.

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US Muslim leaders sue Trump over ‘fear-mongering’ travel ban…Read full details

President-elect Donald Trump. PHOTO: JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP

US Muslim leaders filed suit against President Donald Trump Monday over an immigration order that they said was a “fear-mongering” attempt at keeping members of their religion out of the country.

Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, joined 26 others as plaintiffs in the lawsuit alleging that Trump’s temporary ban on immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries was in fact a “Muslim exclusion order” that violates the US constitution’s religious freedom protections.

“Donald Trump’s executive order is not based on national security, it is based on fear-mongering,” Awad said Monday.

“This is not a Muslim ban, it is a Muslim exclusion order.”

Besides excluding Muslim refugees and immigrants from abroad, the suit alleges Trump’s executive order will force out US-resident Muslims from those seven countries “by denying them the ability to renew their lawful status or receive immigration benefits… based solely on their religious beliefs.”

That will lead to “the mass expulsion” of both immigrant and non-immigrant Muslims, the suit, filed in the district court in Alexandria, Virginia, alleged.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include several CAIR officials, among them prominent Muslim-American lawyers and activists.

They also include unnamed plaintiffs described as legal residents and visitors to the country who would, if they left temporarily, would not be able to return under Trump’s order.

The suit said the order, announced Saturday, reflected anti-Muslim sentiments that Trump expressed during the presidential campaign.

“The Muslim Exclusion Order is the as‐promised outcome of Defendant Trump’s hateful, year-long campaign which was fueled, in significant part, by a desire to stigmatize Islam and Muslims,” it said.

Lawyers said the order violates the US Constitution’s protections of religious freedoms and the “establishment clause,” which bans the government from making laws that favor or discriminate against specific religions.

DJ Chynaman – Van Damme ft. Effelow, Zakwe & Sanieboy [Mp3, Lyrics, Wiki]

New tune by DJ Chynaman featuring titled Van Damme featuring Effelow, Zakwe & Sanieboy.

Enjoy the afro house music and enjoy below…

DOWNLOAD

Peeyuu x Sophiya – Once You Have Jesus [Mp3, Lyrics, Wiki, Bio]

This is a song of strength . It is a song that tells you who you are and what you have in Christ . Halfway through the song you will probably close your eyes and start praying ..for the power of God will meet you right where you are !
Peeyuu and Sophiya are an anointed duo that have continously stirred hearts of people via their spirit birthed songs in recent times. This latest release is for all and sundry.it was produced by power house producer CrixB for Spiritual beatz studios.

Peeyuu x Sophiya – Once You Have Jesus

L-Tido – My Clique ft. Darne, Fifresh & Ckassa [Mp3, Lyrics, Wiki]

L-Tido has released the first song after announcing he has started his own label late last year. The first released under the new imprint is My Clique which features Darne, Fifresh and Ckassa.

We haven’t heard much of Fifresh and Ckassa. Listen to My Clique down below one time.

DOWNLOAD

France to double visas for Iranian visitors…Read full details

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault speaks during a joint press conference with his German counterpart in Paris on January 28, 2017. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who was appointed foreign minister on January 27, is on his first trip as foreign minister.<br />GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP

France plans to double the number of visas it issues to Iranians, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Monday in Tehran, at a time when US travel curbs have angered Iran.

“France wants to be able to allow a larger number of Iranians wishing to travel to France to ask for a visa in improved conditions,” the French minister said at the start of a visit to the Islamic republic.

“This project, which aims to double the number of visas currently issued for Iran, should take effect in the summer of 2017,” he said at the French ambassador’s residence in Tehran.

France has been issuing 41,000 visas a year to Iranian nationals.

Iran’s foreign ministry said on Saturday it will ban Americans from entering the country in response to President Donald Trump’s “insulting” order restricting arrivals from Iran and six other mostly Muslim countries.

Trump offers Trudeau support after Quebec mosque shooting…Read full details

A Canadian police officer talks to a woman after a shooting in a mosque at the Québec City Islamic cultural center on Sainte-Foy Street in Quebec city on January 29, 2017. Two arrests have been made after five people were reportedly shot dead in an attack on a mosque in Québec City, Canada.<br />Alice Chiche / AFP

US President Donald Trump telephoned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Monday to offer condolences after Sunday’s shooting in a Quebec city mosque that left six people dead and several injured, Trudeau’s office said.

“President Trump expressed his condolences to the prime minister and people of Canada following the tragic shooting at the Centre culturel islamique de Quebec,” said a statement.

Trump also “offered to provide any assistance as needed.”

One suspect was in custody over Sunday’s shooting at the Islamic Cultural Center in Quebec while another was being questioned as a witness.

Both police and witnesses initially described two masked men open fire inside the mosque, where about 50 worshippers were gathered for evening prayer, killing six people and wounding eight.

It was unclear whether police still believed two assailants were involved.

One detainee was arrested near the mosque, while a second surrendered himself to police and confessed to taking part in the killing, said Quebec police inspector Denis Turcotte.

Trudeau called the shooting a “terrorist attack.”

“It is heart-wrenching to see such senseless violence,” he said in a statement. “Diversity is our strength, and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear.”

His office said he would travel to Quebec City in the afternoon, for a vigil.