​​Okonjo-Iweala accuses oil marketers of blackmail

       The Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Saturday accused petroleum products marketers of blackmail
​ by masterminding the current fuel scarcity that has threatened to ground the economy.
The Minister, who was speaking in Abuja, said it was shocking that barely a week after she reached an agreement over ​​N200 billion ​fuel ​claims​,​ the marketers reneged and failed to continue selling fuel to consumers.

        Mrs.​ Okonjo-Iweala​,​ who spoke of efforts the government was making to ensure that the marketers’ claims were paid, said apart from the N154 billion paid a fortnight ago, about N31 billion and N350 billion were paid to the marketers previously.
She said it was curious that despite these efforts by the ​government in a year it was going through difficult times,​ the​ marketers ​were showing so much bad faith.
​The minister said after the N154 billion was paid and the marketers claim up with ​a new​ request of N200 billion as ​their ​outstanding claims, it was found out that about N159 billion was actually what they were asking for as exchange rate differential.
Consequently, she said it was agreed that a committee be set up to verify the claims before the payment was be made.
The committee was headed by the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Farouk Ahmed, with the Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Abraham Nwankwo, as well as two Directors-General from the Ministry as members.
“The marketers wanted me (Minister) to sign the claim for the payment of N159 billion and I said no, because Nigerian​s​ don’t ​know ​what is exchange rate differential. We had to call those agencies responsible to verify those claims in view of the fact that there has been so much fraud and manipulations in the claims by oil marketers​,” Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said.​
“We have to be very careful, so that Nigerians would not accuse us of giving away their money for something that was not real.
“It is the demonstration of the highest sense of bad faith that after we had an agreement during the meeting and they said everything had been settled, only for the marketers to turn around the very next day to say a complete
​​ opposite thing​.​
“They next day they shut down all the filling stations, except few of them who opened to sell. What does that tell you?
“My conclusion is that the marketers just want Nigerians to suffer. Anyone who thinks that this whole thing has to do with the money being owed is not being truthful. If it was so, the marketers would have waited for the verification to be completed.
“It is wrong to shut down their stations and depots a day after reaching an agreement with government just to make a lot money from the black market. Nigerians should not be blackmailed. Nigerians should not allow themselves to be blackmailed by the oil marketers.

We​’​ve received formal extradition ​request –​ NDLEA

A formal request for extradition from the Embassy of the United States of America triggered the siege laid by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Buruji Kashamu’s house in Lagos, Saturday​, the anti-drug agency has said.​
According to the NDLEA, Mr. Kashamu’s house arrest was to pave the way for his arraignment before the Federal High Court on Monday.

“Kashamu has been a target of both the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for over 20 years and was indicted in the Northern District of Illinois, United States​,​ on charges brought against him by ICE,” the NDLEA said in a statement Saturday.
“Kashamu, who U.S. court documents allege was known in his days as the leader of a prolific heroin trafficking ring based in Chicago, Illinois as ‘God,’ ‘Daddy,’ and ‘Kasmal,’ is wanted to stand trial on charges of conspiracy and importation of controlled substances, namely heroin, into the United States dating back to 1994.”
A special team of NDLEA narcotic operatives stormed Mr. Kashamu’s home at about 5 a.m. on Saturday to keep an eye on the Ogun East District Senator-elect.
Mr. Kashamu had blamed some members of his political party, including Bode George, a party chieftain, and his wife, as being behind the raid by NDLEA.
A U.S federal grand jury, in 1998, charged Mr. Kashamu and 14 others for their alleged involvement in an international conspiracy to smuggle heroin into the U.S.
While Mr. Kashamu, a prominent member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, had continued to deny the charges, he had refused to heed the advice of a U.S Court of Appeal to come and clear the allegations against him.
Last month, Mr. Kashamu accused former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, of plotting with the Nigerian government and U.S agents to extradite him to America to face the criminal charges against him.
Several weeks later, the Senator-elect filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Lagos, dragging 12 individuals and government agencies of conspiring with his political opponents to abduct and forcefully transport him to the U.S.
The respondents in the suit include the Inspector General of Police; the Chairman of the NDLEA; the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC; the Director General, Department of State Services; the Interpol National Central Bureau; and the Attorney General of the Federation.
Others are the Clerk of the National Assembly; the National Security Adviser to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission; Nigeria Customs Services, Nigeria Immigration Service; and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
In their statement on Saturday, the NDLEA accused Mr. Kashamu, who holds dual Nigerian/Beninese citizenship, of taking multiple preemptive actions to thwart U.S. extradition efforts.
“Efforts such as making fanciful claims that his is a case of mistaken identity, and that his deceased brother is responsible for the crimes he is being sought after in the United States,” the NDLEA said.
“Kashamu has filed injunctions in federal court both in the Northern District of Illinois, United States and in Nigeria to prevent his arrest and prosecution.”
The NDLEA assured Mr. Kashamu that he would be afforded all the protection of the law and will be given his day in court.
“At the time of his arrest, NDLEA officers allowed Kashamu’s legal attorneys – Daniel Onamusi and Barrister Oloyede – and close family members including his wife and adult daughters to speak with him and attest to his well-being,” the agency stated.
“Assertions that he will be bundled up under cover of darkness and whisked out of the country are untrue and should not be given any credence. We expect Kashamu as a senator-elect to demonstrate confidence in the Nigerian judicial system and not insinuate otherwise.

Most memorable club career moments for Frank Lampard

      

Frank Lampard will wave goodbye to the Premier League on Sunday, when Manchester City face Southampton on the final day of the season.
The Chelsea legend is set to switch to the MLS this summer, where he will continue his career with New York City FC. Ahead of his final game on these shores, we look back at 10 of his most memorable moments in club football...

                                                First Premier League title with Chelsea

 After 50 years of waiting, Chelsea travelled to Bolton in April 2005 knowing victory would make them champions of England. Jose Mourinho's side were fortunate not to fall behind during a frustrating first-half but Lampard stepped up after the break with two second-half goals to seal the Premier League title. There were still three league games to go and the Blues eventually finished 12 points clear of Arsenal – but the golden moment belonged to Lampard.

                                           Captaining Blues to Champions League win

                                         Lampard lifts the Champions League trophy

With club captain John Terry suspended for the final after picking up a red card against Barcelona in the semis, Lampard pulled on the armband and led Chelsea out into their second-ever Champions League final. The memories of their 2008 final defeat to Manchester United must have been vivid but the Blues battled back from conceding to Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller seven minutes from time to win a dramatic contest on penalties. "This is one of the greatest days of my life,” said Lampard.
Becoming Chelsea’s all-time top goalscorer
With Lampard’s contract due to expire at the end of the 2012/13 season, the race was on for him to break Bobby Tambling’s all-time goal-scoring record for Chelsea. Needing two goals from the Blues’ final three games to set a new benchmark, Lampard was far from certain of achieving his aim. However, a second-half double against Aston Villa clinched the record – and virtually assured Chelsea of Champions League football the following season. “It means everything, it’s amazing,” he said afterwards.

                                              FA Cup final winner in 2009

Lampard nets the FA Cup winner in 2009

 

Lampard lifted four FA Cups during his time with Chelsea but his standout moment in the competition is surely his superb winner against Everton in the 2009 final. After Drogba had cancelled out Louis Saha’s fastest-ever FA Cup final goal, Lampard cut back onto his left foot and fired a 25-yard strike past Tim Howard – his 20th goal of the season.
First trophy with Chelsea
Chelsea’s 2005 League Cup triumph was the club’s first trophy in the Mourinho era and kicked off the most successful era in the club's history. Finalists Liverpool had taken the lead through John Arne Riise, but the Blues eventually came through to win in extra-time. Lampard had previously won the Intertoto Cup with West Ham - but this was the start of him becoming one of the most decorated players in English football history.

Former Chelsea and West Ham midfielder Frank Lampard looks back on his 20-year career in England
22 league goals and the double
Lampard’s superb goal-scoring record sets him apart from many top midfielders of his generation and the 2009/10 season under Carlo Ancelotti exemplified his prowess at finding the net. Having scored 20 goals or more in all competitions for the previous four seasons, Lampard weighed in with a remarkable 27 – including 22 in the league – as Chelsea landed the Premier League and FA Cup double. The England man even registered 17 assists in his stellar campaign.
THAT goal against Barcelona
Long range strikes and clinical finishes in the penalty box became Lampard trademarks during his career – but in a Champions League group stage game at Barcelona in 2006 he demonstrated his inventive talent, too. Picking up a loose ball on the Barca by-line, eight yards out, Lampard shaped to cross the ball for Drogba but, at the last moment, hooked the ball over Victor Valdes - a remarkable lob from the tightest of angles.

                                            Emotional penalty against Liverpool

                                       Lampard scored from the spot against Liverpool

Just one week after the death of his mother, Lampard demonstrated his professionalism and composure to fire home a crucial penalty-kick to put Chelsea 3-2 up on aggregate in their 2008 Champions League semi-final with Liverpool. An emotional celebration followed before Didier Drogba completed the win. "Frank is a brave man," said boss Avram Grant. "He was very close to his mother and what has happened to him over the last few days has not been easy. He played extremely well and is a little bit happy now."
Football Writers’ Player of the Year
As Chelsea swept to their first Premier League crown under Jose Mourinho, Terry, Drogba, Arjen Robben, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Ashley Cole all starred. However, it was ever-present Lampard who won the Football Writers’ Player of the Year prize, after scoring 13 goals and recording a league-high 16 assists in Chelsea’s title triumph. “It means a massive amount to me,” he said. “I was quite confident my time would come and I would win these kind of awards - I'm delighted it's happened now.”
                                    Scoring against Chelsea for Man City

                            Lampard refused to celebrate his equaliser against Chelsea

“I didn't expect to come on and score like that.” Lampard was lost for words after scoring a late equaliser for Manchester City against his beloved Chelsea in September 2014. Having left the Blues at the end of the previous season for a new start in the MLS, Lampard’s detour to the Etihad set up an inevitable reunion with his former club and City’s title rivals – but ever the professional, the midfielder did what he does best, arriving late in the box to finish clinically.

Gay Lovers Shocked To Find Out They Are Blood Brothers Form The same Mother

           Two gay men who met online and started a physical relationship discovered they were actually brothers live on the Jeremy Kyle show.
A DNA test revealed the shock truth for lovers Paul and Lee, who had been a couple for years after coming across each other online.

 

 

     

 The pair – who exchanged flirty messages for a full two years before hooking-up – were none the wiser to the fact they shared the same mother…and were in fact closer than either of them could ever have imagined.

        The reality only came to light when Lee’s family and friends first met his new lover and noticed a striking similarity between Paul and his mother’s former husband, Ron. The pair sitting in a stunned silence for 20 seconds, with even notorious motor-mouth Kyle left lost for words at the shock revelation. The couple-come-brothers had never met before chatting online.

         Paul was taken into care when he was only 18 months old, with Lee later conceived by the same mother, Ena.

 

Daily subsidy Expenditure on petrol hits N1.81bn Despite scarcity.

           The Federal Government is still spending about N1.81bn daily to subsidize ( Premium Motor Spirit), petrol, notwithstanding the nationwide scarcity of the product.

Recent figures from the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency show that the government is paying N45.28 as subsidy for every litre of petrol consumed in Nigeria. Specifically, the agency, in its pricing template released on May 21, 2015, based on prices for May 20, 2015, stated that the Expected Open Market price or total cost for petrol was N132.28 per litre.

This was against a retail regulated price of N87 per litre. The difference between the EOMP and the retail price is therefore N45.28.

According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria consumes about 40 million litres of the PMS daily.

Multiplying the amount of fuel consumed across the country on a daily basis with the current amount spent on subsidizing the product, it means that the government spends about N1.81bn on subsidy daily, provided the N45.28 per litre subsidy figure persists.

The PPPRA stated that the effective date of the approved pricing template was January 19, 2015, noting that the actual landing cost of the product was N116.79 per litre.

The cost elements that make up the landing cost include the product’s offshore cost, N104.87; trade margin, N1.47; lightering expenses, N4.19; NPA, N0.77; financing, N1.68; jetty depot throughput charge, N0.8; and storage charge, N3.

On the cost of the product’s distribution margin, according to the agency, retailers get N4.6; transporters, N2.99; dealers, N1.75; bridging cost is N5.85; marine transport average, N0.15; and the admin charge, N0.15. The sub-total margin stands at N15.49.

When added to the landing cost of N116.79, an EOMP of N132.28 per litre is arrived at. But this is subsidized and a flat official rate of N87 per litre is given.

Meanwhile, many independent marketers hardly sell at the regulated N87 price since the latest scarcity of petrol started.The scarcity of fuel has continued throughout the country.

In Abuja, many motorists spend quality man-hours in fuel queues, especially at filling stations where the product is sold at the regulated pump price.

Our correspondent, who monitored the situation in the Federal Capital Territory throughout last week, found that it was mainly petrol stations in the city Centre that sold fuel at the regulated price.

Other stations in the satellite towns away from the city Centre sold the product between N125 and N140 per litre, without any fear of being sanctioned by the Department of Petroleum Resources.

The situation worsened on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the city Centre as virtually all stations in the town were closed.

On why fuel subsidy was not sustainable, a renowned economist and the Chief Executive, Financial Derivatives Company, Mr. Bismark Rewane, said as he was asked that the continued payment of subsidy was making it difficult for the government to have enough funds to run the country’s economy.

He said the country’s debt was rising, adding that the subsidy on petrol was not helping matters.

Rewane said, “The debt servicing burden is quite high. We are spending almost 25 per cent of our revenue to service debt, and again we have another large percentage that is spent on subsidy. When you consider all these, you will find out that there will be nothing left to run the economy.”

After paying N130 and above for a litre of petrol, some motorists, who spoke with our correspondent, also called for the removal of subsidy on petrol by the Federal Government.

Oriaku Emmanuel, an official with a private security firm, stated that fuel marketers were getting richer at the expense of consumers, who empty their savings to fuel their vehicles and generators.

He said, “How can I pay N135 per litre and you are asking me if it is okay for the government to continue subsidizing fuel? I don’t think there is still subsidy. But if there is, then this is the right time to stop it.”

Azu Michael, a resident of the FCT, also said, “Many people now know it is hard to get fuel at the regulated price of N87 per litre. If you want to buy at that price in Abuja, be ready to spend up to four hours in queue .

“A lot of us prefer paying the N140 for the product in most of the filling stations outside the city Centre, than to spend quality time in queue. And you may end up spending such man-hours and still not get the product.

Luis Figo has pulled out of the FIFA presidential race, leaving incumbent Sepp Blatter and Jordanian former FIFA executive committee member, Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, to slug it out.
Dutch FA president, Michael van Praag, had earlier withdrawn from the race.
Figo had been frustrated by Blatter’s refusal to participate in a public debate and labelled his 17-year reign as a “dictatorship”.
The former Real Madrid and Barcelona star claimed the electoral process was “anything but an election.

    This process is a plebiscite for the delivery of absolute power to one man – something I refuse to go along with,” he said.
“That is why, after a personal reflection and sharing views with two other candidates in this process, I believe that what is going to happen on May 29 in Zurich is not a normal electoral act.”
Figo also revealed that from attending meetings of the confederations around the world, he has seen practices that “should shame anyone who desires soccer to be free, clean and democratic
He added: “I have seen with my own eyes federation presidents who, after one day comparing Fifa leaders to the devil, then go on stage and compare those same people with Jesus Christ. Nobody told me about this. I saw it with my own eyes.”

Dogo challenges PDP’s NWC, Mu’azu to Give account of stewardship.

     A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bauchi State, Bibi Dogo, has urged the immediate past national Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to account for his stewardship of the party as one of the ways to deepen the country’s democracy. Dogo, who described Mu’azu’s resignation as a welcome development, told newsmen in Bauchi, yesterday, that the National Working Committee, NWC, should also account for their actions before and during the elections, especially the N9 billion allegedly realized from the sale of nomination and interest forms He said: “Mu’azu should come back and hand over officially, because we learned from the National Publicity Secretary, Oliseh Metuh, that the party realised N9 billion from the sale of forms.

       He should give an account of his actions and the money because it is public fund.” Dogo said PDP could not have achieved any further successes with Mu’azu at the helm of affairs. “We welcome his resignation because that is what PDP members had been fighting for before the election. “Even though the Board of Trustee, BoT, Chairman, Tony Anenih, has resigned too, it is not enough because all the NWC, state, local government and ward executives should also resign to enable us restructure the party and achieve success. “I can vividly recall that I drew the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan to the fact that Mu’azu was not capable of winning the election for the party and that his continued stay in office would lead to the party’s defeat, but he neglected my advice and now the truth has finally come out. “If we work hard, PDP will bounce back in 2019.” He kicked against imposition of candidates in the party saying that it was a major factor that led to its woeful defeat during the general elections in the country.” Dogo expressed optimism that most of the governors-elect, who were PDP members that left the party for All Progressives Congress, APC, because of imposition of leaders, would definitely come back if the party was restructured.

Cape Verdean Model, Lara Fortes marries Edo State Governor,Aliyu Adams Oshiomhole.

It was glitz, glamour and a list of who-is-who in the country was in attendance as Governor Aliyu Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Friday, exchanged marital vows with his heartthrob, former Miss Iara Fortes.

The governor and his bride signed the dotted lines at a private marriage registry attended only by family and a few friends at his Iyamho residence after which top dignitaries in the country were led by the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to the wedding reception held at the People’s White Hall  in the governor’s country home.
Among other top dignitaries who also graced the ceremony were the Vice President-elect, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and his wife Dolapo. 

All Progressives Congress’ chieftains were led by its National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun; governors and governors-elect across the country, Senators Bukola Saraki, Domingo Obende and a host of others and Senators-elect from across the country were also in attendance.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal led members of the House of Representatives and incoming ones to the wedding reception.

Captains of Industry, who were led by to the ceremony by Aliko Dangote, included Jim Ovia, Femi Otedola, Noggie Meggisson, Hosa Okunbor,  among others.

Royal fathers were not left out as they attended the ceremony in their numbers.

The Oba of Benin was represented by high ranking palace chiefs who include David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom.

The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, former Governors Kayode Fayemi, Oserheimen Osunbor, Senator Tunde Ogbeha; Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, Niyi Adebayo were also in attendance.

Top military brass, including Brigadier-General MJ Abel, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Auchi, were also in attendance.


The Director-General of the State Security was represented by Joseph Oworuya, while Mr Bello Bakori, Director, SSS Edo State, was also at the ceremony.

Parents of the bride, Mr and Mrs Fortes flew in from their home in the Netherlands to attend the ceremony while the governor’s mother, Aishetu Oshiomhole, was also in attendance.

The governor’s children Steve, Adams, Jane and two of his grandchildren were also on hand to show love and support for their father and his wife.

The governor’s marriage is coming about five years after the painful death of his first wife, Clara, following a protracted battle with cancer.

Iara, a lawyer by profession and top model, is from the Cape Verde Islands. She is a former staff of Emirate Airlines, and is in her early thirties, aides of the governor say.

The chairman of the ceremony, former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, said the governor’s wife completes and complements him and he admonished the couple to show true love and have patience in their dealings with one another.

Sun Set for BB King

Riley B. King, the legendary guitarist known as B.B. King, whose velvety voice and staccato-picking style brought blues from the margins to the mainstream, died Thursday night. He was 89.

  His life was the subject of the documentary "B.B. King: The Life of Riley," and the inspiration for the The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, which opened in 2008.

King's enduring legacy came from his refusal to slow down even after cementing his status as an American music icon.

Even with a long list of honors to his name -- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Presidential Medal of Freedom -- he maintained a relentless touring schedule well into his 80s.

Throughout his career, King evolved with the times to incorporate contemporary trends and influences without straying from his Delta blues roots. Whether he was sharing the stage with U2 on "When Loves Comes to Town" -- a scene memorialized in the 1988 concert film, "Rattle and Hum" -- or playing in the East Room of the White House with Buddy Guy, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck and others, King's single-string guitar notes trilled with an unmistakable vibrato from his hollow-bodied Gibson affectionately known as Lucille.

Governor Oshiomhole’s Wedding

The wedding between the Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, and the Ethiopian beauty, Lara Fortes,  scheduled for  Friday, May 15, 2015 has just been held.The couple has exchanged their vows in front of close friends and family.
The wedding was held at the Etsako West Local Government Council Marriage Registry, Auchi, while the reception is about to commence at the governor’s country home, Iyamho.