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(FILES): This file photo taken on February 01, 2017 shows US National Security Advisor Mike Flynn speaking during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 1, 2017. The White House announced February 13, 2017 that Michael Flynn has resigned as President Donald Trump’s national security advisor, amid escalating controversy over his contacts with Moscow.  AFP PHOTO / NICHOLAS KAMM Donald Trump’s national security advisor Michael Flynn resigned amid controversy over his contacts with the Russian government Monday, a stunning first departure from the new president’s inner circle less than a month after his inauguration. The White House said Trump had accepted Flynn’s resignation amid allegations the retired three-star general discussed US sanctions strategy with Russia’s ambassador Sergey Kislyak before taking office. Flynn — who once headed US military intelligence — insisted he was honoured to have served the American people in such a “dist...

US President Donald Trump, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Vice President Mike Pence walk to greet Harley Davidson executives and union representatives on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 2, 2017 prior to a luncheon with them. / AFP PHOTO / NICHOLAS KAMM • Calls President Buhari in London, invites him to Washington • Group accuses S’West APC leaders of plotting president’ s exit • Borno CAN holds seven-day prayers for quick recovery President Donald Trump of the United States (U.S.) has assured of his country’s readiness to assist Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism. Trump also extended an invitation to President Muhammadu Buhari to visit Washington at a mutually convenient date, according to a terse statement from the presidency yesterday. The development indicates the willingness of the U.S. government under President Trump to strengthen its relationship with Nigeria for mutual benefits to both countries....

The Federal Government has released N844 million and employed 11,775 cooks to start its one-meal per day programme to more than one million primary school pupils across seven states in the country. The Federal Government has released N844 million and employed 11,775 cooks to start its one-meal per day programme to more than one million primary school pupils across seven states in the country. This was announced in a statement by Mr Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity (SSA Media) to the President, Office of the Vice President. Akande said this while giving a media update on the Social Investment Programme of the Buhari’s administration. Advertisment  He said that the money had been released for the commencement of National Homegrown School Feeding Programme in Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun and Zamfara states. The SSA noted that not all the states had implemented the programme, adding that it had commenced in Anambra, Enu...

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: Singer Beyonce speaks onstage during The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS/AFP Beyonce made her performance debut as the expecting mother of twins on Sunday with a New Age celebration of women at the Grammy Awards. The pop superstar, who leads the night’s nominations, appeared for the first time in public since she set the internet ablaze with news that she is pregnant. Beyonce chose not to play it safe, instead putting on an extravagant and abstract performance with touches of Indian spirituality and ancient Egypt. Advertisment  Beyonce was introduced by her proud mother before an image of the 35-year-old singer, her baby bump openly visible under her bra, flashed on the screen. She was also shown with her mother and daughter Blue Ivy, all in gold. The real Beyonce then appeared wearing a golden crown and flowing cape alongside dozen...

Recording artist Chance The Rapper accepts the award for Best Rap Album onstage during The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP Chance the Rapper on Sunday won three Grammys including Best New Artist, validating the rapid rise of the hip-hop star who has released his music only through streaming. The rapper, who has been open about his Christianity, told the televised gala: “I claim the victory in the name of the Lord.” “I know people think that independence means you do it by yourself, but independence means freedom,” Chance said as he pointed to members of his team. Advertisment  The 23-year-old rapper from Chicago, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, won Best New Artist in a field that included electronica crowd-pleasers The Chainsmokers and experimental hip-hop artist Anderson .Paak. He also won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album, going up against A-listers incl...

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in London spoke to President Donald Trump by telephone at the request of the American President. The president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said in a statement in Abuja on Monday that the conversation was cordial and Buhari congratulated Trump on his election as President of the United States, and on his cabinet. Adesina said the two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment. Advertisment  According to him, Trump encourages Buhari to keep up the good work he is doing, and also commends him for the efforts he has made in rescuing 24 of the Chibok Girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian military. “Trump assured the Nigerian president of the U.S readiness to cut a new deal in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism. “Trump also invited Buhari to Washington ...

The suspect, Harrold Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command, have arrested a lady in Agbor, Delta State, for allegedly drugging her male friend, a medical doctor, in a hotel in Ojodu area of Lagos and carting away his car, laptop and mobile phones. The lady, Mitchel Harrold, 37, from Warri, Delta State was on Tuesday arrested after the operatives traced her through a car dealer in Lagos, whom she had engaged to help perfect import papers for the stolen Volkswagen Passat Wagon, 2001 model. It was gathered that the suspect had on Thursday, January 19, around 5:30p.m., together with her man friend, checked into a popular hotel (name withheld) in Ojodu, Berger, with the plan to spend the night. Harrold had, after settling down gone to get a malt drink and yoghurt while the boyfriend was taking his bath. According to the victim, Daniel Biyi (not real name) “I went in to take a bath and when I returned, she had gone to buy some...

L-R: Nigeria;s finance minister Kemi Adeosun and the country’s acting president Yemi Osinbajo at the 2nd Presidential Quarterly Business Forum in Abuja on Monday, January 23, 2017 Govt recovers N54.1 billion through whistleblowing policy  Nigeria is considering a new debt service provisioning of N361 billion ($1.2 billion) for the $1 billion (N305.1 billion) Eurobond which was acclaimed to have been over-subscribed. When consummated, the development will not only add to the country’s debt stock, its current debt service provision at over N1.4 trillion will rise, and it will deepen the troubled debt-to-revenue ratio which has been impeding the country’s ability to freely finance growth projects. Government had said its 15-year Eurobond offer was priced at 7.875 per cent, with a lump sum repayment of the principal ($1 billion) at the due date – February 2032. Advertisment  The investors had opted for a higher yield to cover their assessed risks or devalua...

Commuters using the LAGBUS and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses in Lagos will pay more from March 1, following the Lagos State Government’s approval of upward review in their fares. Thousands of Lagos residents queue up daily to make use of the buses to enjoy lower fares and use the BRT to beat gridlock in the city due to their use of dedicated lanes. The Lagos State Government said on Monday that it had approved fare increase ranging from 20 per cent to 50 per cent on different routes plied by the buses. Advertisment  Mr Abiodun Dabiri, Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), told newsmen in Alausa that the new fare structure for regulated bus operators in the state would take effect from March 1. He said that though the government was mindful of the current financial difficulties residents were going through, it approved the fare increase to save the bus schemes from collapse. Dabiri said what the bus operators spent on fuel ...

Dangote Rice, a subsidiary of Dangote Group is set to launch a 25,000 hectares of rice outgrower scheme with a prospect of creating employment opportunities for rural communities in Sokoto. A statement issued by Mr Francis Awowole-Browne, the Head of Media, Dangote Rice, said President of the Group, Aliko Dangote would on Wednesday inaugurate the pilot project of 500 hectres at Gonroyo Dam, in Goronyo community. Awowole said that the inauguration which would be performed by Governor Aminu Tambuwa would witness seedlings being distributed to both primary local farmers. Advertisment  According to him, the company plans to purchase harvested rice from the farmers under the Outgrower’s programme for milling and final processing at Dangote Rice mills. The head of media noted that through the Dangote Rice Outgrower Scheme, the company would partner with smallholder rice farmers to cultivate and grow rice paddy. “ The company will provide inputs, technical assista...

A probe of the allegedly missing N48.6billion that accrued to Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) since May, 2015 is urgently necessary, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said at the weekend. In fact, the party demanded that Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa be probed by the Delta State House of Assembly on the issue. According to a statement by state APC chairman, Prophet Jones Ode Erue, it represents 50 per cent of N97.2 billion that accrued and had been paid by the Federal Government in respect of 13 per cent derivation funds that is specifically meant for developing oil-producing areas in Delta. Advertisment  Following an allegation by Delta APC that the fund was yet to be remitted to DESOPADEC and the call on Okowa to account for its whereabouts, the governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagu, had said: “The money was deducted to service several financial debts and commitments of the state government. The govern...

Lagos State Task Force Lagos State Ggovernment has prosecuted no fewer than 210 night marauders and hoodlums arrested by the operatives of the Lagos State Task Force at Oshodi. Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police, disclosed that the miscreants were raided by the agency during a surprise mid-night operation around Oshodi. Egbeyemi disclosed said the raid was carried out on the directive of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode through the Lagos State Commissioner of Police,Mr. Fatai Owoseni. Advertisment  He stated that the hoodlums were raided along railway lines, markets and under bridge at Oshodi between mid-night and 3:00.am at the weekend. He revealed that an ex-convict, who was just released from ‘Potoki Prison’ at Badagry was among those arrested. While Egbeyemi commended Ambode for his efforts at re-developing Oshodi and other parts of the state, he enjoined members of the public to always furnish security ou...

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: Singer Adele accepts the award for Song of The Year for “Hello” during The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS/AFP Christopher Polk / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP Adele’s heartache ballad “Hello” won the Grammy on Sunday for Song of the Year, in a new triumph for the blockbuster single that marked the English singer’s victorious return. Adele and the Los Angeles producer Greg Kurstin shared the award, which recognizes best songwriting. “Thank you for your patience with me and helping to create my favorite song I’ve ever done,” Adele said as she accepted the award, moments after she restarted a performance in her second straight year of technical snafus. Advertisment  “Hello” beat out Beyonce’s edgy “Formation.” It is the second time Adele has won for Song of the Year. She triumphed in 2012 with English producer Paul Epworth for “Rol...

• Airline needs N10 billion to bounce back • Operators blame multiple charges, others for woes The new management of Arik Airline will this week scale down flight operations to realign with the number of serviceable aircraft currently at its disposal. The new schedule, The Guardian learnt, will mean smaller number of flights per day, compared to about 100 to 120 the airline ran some months ago. With limited frequencies on some high-traffic domestic routes, and temporary suspension of others including the internationals, passengers may be faced with limited options. There may also be further reduction in the revenue accruing to the airline, regulators and government agencies. Advertisment  The Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), owned by the Federal Government, last week took over the managerial control of Arik Air to save the carrier from collapse due to a heavy financial debt burden. Arik, the largest carrier in West and Central Africa, was a...