Second republic VP, Ekwueme collapses at home, admitted in Enugu hospital
Second republic Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, has collapsed and is currently at the Intensive Care Unit of Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery, by Penok petrol station in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu State.
The Punch NG stated on Tuesday night that Ekwueme collapsed around 2am last Saturday, at his residence in Independence Layout, Enugu.
The development comes barely 10 days (October 10) after he celebrated his 85th birthday.
Family members close to our correspondent said that the former vice-president went into coma soon after he collapsed.
“He was trying to get something from the table when he suddenly collapsed and immediately someone raised the alarm, we proceeded to revive him while cautious enough not to attract neighbours,” a relative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said.
He added, “When it became obvious that he had lapsed into coma, we rushed him to a hospital (unnamed) in GRA (Government Reserved Area), but we were referred to Memphys Hospital by medical consultants who had critically examined his condition.”
The source said that the family chose to keep the incident secret for a while with the hope that Ekwueme would “miraculously” come out of coma.
“When there was no sign of improvement on Monday afternoon, we rallied round and informed the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, who is like a son, and he has been making plans to fly him overseas,” the source added.
Medical personnel at Memphys Hospital said that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State broke down in tears on seeing Ekwueme at the Intensive Care Unit on Tuesday evening.
Although the governor’s visit was enshrouded in secrecy so as not to attract the prying eyes of the media and residents in the state, it was gathered that he could not hide his emotions as he wailed uncontrollably.
“My namesake, Ifeanyichukwu, do not leave us now! Even if you must go, please wait to see your daughter become the deputy governor of Anambra State before you leave us,” Ugwuanyi was reported to have wailed at the ICU.
The Punch recalls that the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the November18 poll in Anambra State, Oseloka Obaze, had presented the first daughter of Ekwueme, Lady Chidi Onyemelukwe, as his running mate. The Punch NG
Liberia’s Supreme Court halts Nov. 7 presidential run-off
Liberia’s Supreme Court has stayed the Nov. 7 presidential run-off election until it considers a challenge to first round results by a losing candidate who has alleged fraud.
Third-place finisher Charles Brumskine’s Liberty Party challenged the results of the October vote, which set up a Nov. 7 run-off between former soccer star George Weah and Vice President Joseph Boakai.
The election is meant to usher in Liberia’s first democratic transition since 1944 after long periods of military rule and a civil war that ended in 2003.
In a writ issued late on Tuesday, the court instructed Liberty Party and the National Elections Commission to file briefs by Thursday at the latest.
It was unclear if the court would rule before Nov. 7.
“This is a big step in the right direction,” Liberty Party Chairman Benjamin Sanvee said in a statement.
“Thankfully, the Court recognises the gravity of the issues, and has taken action in defense of the law and democracy.”
On Monday, Boakai’s ruling Unity Party announced it was backing the legal challenge.
It accused President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, one of its own members, of interfering in the Oct. 10 vote by holding private meetings with election magistrates before the Oct. 10 poll.
Johnson-Sirleaf denied the meeting were inappropriate and international observers like the European Union and the Carter Centre have said that they saw no major problems with the first round vote.
Weah, a former soccer star in Europe, won the first round with 38.4 per cent of the vote to Boakai’s 28.8 per cent and picked up an important endorsement on Friday from former warlord Prince Johnson, who won eight per cent of the first-round vote.
Morluba Morlu, a senior official from Weah’s CDC party, said on Wednesday that he still expected the run-off to go ahead.
“It is sad for a ruling party that has been in power for 12 years (to) be crying,” he said of Unity Party’s support for the legal challenge.
“We don’t want any mockery of this election.” Reuters
Elumelu Joins World Leaders at Obama Foundation Global Summit in Chicago
Former United States President, Barack Obama, welcomes global leaders, including Nigeria’s billionaire banker and chair of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, to Chicago as his foundation, Obama Foundation holds its first ever global summit.
“This October, we’re bringing together hundreds of leaders from all around the world for a hands-on exchange of ideas in my hometown — the city of Chicago,” the former US president said in a video clip posted on Twitter.
“This leadership summit will be a place to gather and learn from one another and then go back to your communities to lead others in the hard work of change,” he said.
Obama is known to advocate active citizenship and has been finding ways to implement his out-of-office blueprint for global progressive politics since he left office in January.
According to the conference organisers, Elumelu who is the only African to speak at the inaugural global summit was chosen as a model – a pioneer in the space – who brings an “incredibly important perspective.”
Elumelu who is the Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation, which recently held the largest gathering of Africa’s entrepreneurs in Lagos, will speak on the panel ‘Building Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Emerging Markets.’
The two-day inaugural summit, taking place October 31 to November 1, according to the foundation’s website, will welcome hundreds of young leaders to “exchange ideas, explore creative solutions to common problems and experience civic art, technology and music from around the world.”
The Obama Foundation listed Matteo Renzi and Prince Harry among other speakers at the summit that will take place at the Marriott Marquis McCormick Place in the city of Chicago, United States.
“The Summit will feature five main stage sessions with talks on topics ranging from motivating young people to choose a civic path to technology’s role in creating equitable and inclusive communities.
“The summit will also include breakout sessions on topics ranging from communicating across differences to art and culture’s role in creating productive cities to understanding race in relation to one’s civic identity. Breakout sessions will provide attendees with the opportunity to dive deeper into topics, engage directly in conversation, and learn new skills, ” Obama Foundation said.
Obama will be joined by his wife, Michelle, to hear and engage directly with leaders at the conference.
“And what makes me so hopeful, so optimistic, is that so many of you have shown up, dived in and embraced the kind of active citizenship that makes our democracy work,” Obama said in an earlier video.
Football: Nigeria invites 24 players for Algeria, Argentina matches
Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has invited 24 players including team captain Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa and Ogenyi Onazi for the upcoming World Cup qualifier and Int’l friendly against Algeria and Argentina.
The Nigerian senior men football team is expected to visit Algeria next week in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, and also take on Argentina in Russia four days later in a friendly.
Goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi made the cut, alongside defenders Abdullahi Shehu, Leon Balogun and William Ekong, as well as midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo.
Forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and Odion Ighalo were also on the list, which also has three players placed on standby.
However, there is a first call-up for impressive goalkeeper Francis Uzoho of Deportivo La Coruna of Spain and midfielder Chidiebere Nwakali, a former FIFA U-17 World Cup winner.
Russia-based Brian Idowu has also been placed on standby, only for the friendly with Argentina.
2013 AFCON winner Kenneth Omeruo is on standby for both matches, alongside former junior international Alhassan Ibrahim, who now plays in Austria.
All invited players are expected to arrive in a camp in Morocco on Monday, Nov. 6, before the delegation flies to Constantine on Thursday, Nov. 9.
Two days later, the Super Eagles will leave Constantine for Krasnodar, the Russian city which will host the international friendly against Argentina on Nov. 14.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain)
Defenders: William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands);
Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England)
Midfielders: Mikel Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal);
John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidiebere Nwakali (Sogndal FC, Norway)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England);
Odion Ighalo (Chang Chun-Yatai, China); Henry Onyekuru (RSC Anderlecht, Belgium); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
STANDBY: Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Alhassan Ibrahim (FK Austria Wien, Austria); Brian Idowu (FC Amkar Perm, Russia). NAN
Atiku ‘conspicuously absent’ at APC caucus meeting
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar was conspicuously absent at the All Progressives Congress’ caucus meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The meeting was held on Monday at the new Banquet Hall, Aso Rock, Abuja.
Newsheadline247 gathered that the Turakin Adamawa might have travelled out of the country.
Report has it that the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha attended the meeting which started at about 8.45p.m.
It was also observed that some participants at the meeting were seen “struggling’’ for photo opportunity with the new SGF.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, others notable figures at the meeting include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the APC national Chairman, John Odigie Oyegun, Sen. Bola Tinubu, cabinet ministers and presidential aides.
The meeting was also being attended by governors of Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Kebbi, Nasarawa as well as deputy governors of Kwara and Yobe states.
(NAN/newsheadline247)
Maina: EFCC traces £6m pension cash to UK bank
Cash suspected to have been tampered with by government officials
Detectives have traced about £6m pension funds to a United Kingdom bank account being managed by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation(OHCSF), The Nation learnt yesterday.
The cash is being suspected to have been tampered with by some government officials.
Two former Heads of the Civil Service of the Federation(Engr. E. Okeke and Prof. O. A. Afolabi) reportedly did their best to protect the funds from being tampered with.
Also yesterday, it was learnt that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) had seized more houses believed to be owned by the embattled ex- chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina. He is one of the signatories to the UK bank account.
Besides, a former EFCC operative has been quoted as saying that he was prepared to speak up on how a minister contacted him to protect Maina.
But the operative said he would do so on oath if President Muhammadu Buhari raises a Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the mismanagement of pension funds.
At least N2b is said to have been misappropriated. There are other funds, which are believed to have been stolen.
A former chairman of EFCC allegedly collected funds for a foreign trip from Maina. But a fact-sheet has debunked the claim.
The purported N5,476,000 estacodes remitted to the former EFCC chairman was actually paid into an account in a first generation bank, according to sources close to the investigation of the multibillion naira pension scandal.
The EFCC has continued its manhunt for Maina. It has located more of his assets.
A source said: “Our detectives have linked a large farm in Keffi to Maina and we are going to invoke Interim Assets forfeiture Clause in the EFCC (Establishment) Act.
“We have also sealed off two of the suspect’s houses at No. A5 B. Close and No. 9A in Kado Estate in Abuja. We have located some houses in Maiduguri too.
“So far, we have taken possession of the houses in Abuja and Kaduna.”
There was a twist yesterday following the release of a fact-sheet, which states that no former EFCC chairman collected N5,476,000 for overseas trips from Maina.
The document said: “It is hereby stated categorically that the former EFCC chairman never received any payment whatsoever in respect of any trip in OHCSF/Police Pensions and neither embark on such trips.
“That Estacode payments to the tune of N5,476,000 purportedly made for the Executive Chairman was discovered to have been paid into the First Bank acct. No. 4033010067733 belonging to one Christian Madubuike who is an account clerk with Police Pension office (PPO).
“The money was subsequently withdrawn from his account and handed over to Mr. John Yusuf (AD Accounts PPO). However John Yusuf admitted receiving the monies but claimed that he remitted same to Abdulrasheed Maina.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC traced about £6m pension funds to the UK and uncovered 66 pension accounts in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation(OHCSF).
There was suspicion that the £6m might have been tampered with by some government officials, who are now pension suspects.
The top source added: “The EFCC has done enough in unraveling pension fraud syndicate in OHCSF, Presidential Pension Reform Task Committee, Police Pension funds and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) check-off dues among others.
The source said: “It is certainly a huge racket by civil servants some of who are still in the system. For instance, our team uncovered £6m pension funds in an account in the UK. The money was for the payment of the pensions of some British colonial officers who served in Nigeria.
A report on the said account in the UK said: “In respect of the Federal Government 6million pounds sterling investment in the U.K with Crown agents, it is worth noting that the information was discovered as a result of a search executed in the residence of Dr. Shuaibu Sani Teidi during the course of our investigation.
“Dr. Shuaibu Sani Teidi failed to disclose the account during his handing over when he was leaving the Head of Service. Mr. Charles Bornant was invited and he confirmed that Dr. Shaibu did not disclose nor include the account in his handing over. Investigation into the account is still ongoing based on relevant information at our disposal.
“During the course of investigating fraud in the Pension office of the Head of Civil service of the Federation (OHCSF), a search warrant was executed in the residence of Dr. Shaibu Sani Teidi (former director Pension Accounts) where a laptop was recovered. From the analysis of the computer laptop, a document captioned “Report of the visit to Crown Agents Investment United kingdom” was discovered. The document reveals the nature of the investment made by the OHCSF with Crown Agents Investment, UK (copy attached).
“The Investment Account was brought to the attention of the OHCSF via a letter with reference No. CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/EGFED/PEN/VOL.1/375 dated 18th February, 2011, while requesting for the following information:
List of Pensioners in Diaspora and their payment point(s)
Records of remittances of funds to all payments point
iii. Details investment of pension funds with Crown Agents Financial Services
“On receipt of our letter the OHCSF made further enquiries and responded to us via a letter dated 22nd February, 2011.
“The following facts emerge from our Investigation.
- a) That the OHCSF maintained an overseas investment account with Crown Agent Investment Management United Kingdom titled “Nigeria Federal Civil Service Pension Fund”;
- b) That the current Management agreement was drawn on the 23rd of May, 1990, attempt was made to review it between 20th to 22nd January 2009;
- c) That the Crown agents have a representative in Nigeria;
- d) That the market value of the Fund as at 31/03/2011 was GBP 6,275,176.80;
- e) That Engr. E.O Okeke (Head of Service) and Dr. S.T Shuaibu (Director Pension Accounts) were the signatories to the account between 30th July, 2007 and 6th July, 2011.
- f) That Prof. O.A Afolabi (Head of Service) and Abdulrasheed Maina (Head Pension Task Team) became signatories of the account on 6th July,2011 after our discovery;
- g) That the current signatories to the account were only updated in July 2011, several years after Engr. E.O Okeke retired from Service and Dr. S.T Shuaibu redeployed from OHCSF. Dr. Shuaibu failed to properly hand over to his predecessor;
- h) That the former Head of service Prof. O.A. Afolabi instructed that the total sum of GBP36,717.68 should be remitted to the Nigerian High Commission office in London for the payment of the outstanding and subsequent pension due to the expatriate (colonial service) pensioners.
”Our investigation revealed that the NUP are entitled to 1% only of the total monthly pension as Union Dues, which is being paid by the OHCSF on monthly basis. In view of the above, the OHCSF confirmed that the total amount entitled to NUP between 23rd of April, 2008 and 10th March, 2011 is N780,000,000.00. However, it was discovered that the Union connived with Dr. Sani Shaibu to inflate the figures by N1.5billion.
“Hence, they were paid the total sum of N2,290,593,322.35 (N2.3billion) from the OHCSF within the period. The President and Secretary of the NUP, Alh Ali Abatcha, and Eleder Actor Zal confessed that they returned the inflated amount to Dr. Shuaibu. The case has been charged to court.”
Color Settings & Typography Settings
Color Settings
Thing to remember: First of all you need to login your WordPress website after
that you need go to Dashboard. Follow this instruction to set header title and logo.
First Go to Dashboard > Appearance >Customize >Color Settings >
Click on Categories color and change color of each categories.
click on color setting and change body text color.
Typography Setting
Dashboard > Appearance >Customize > Typography Setting
Now you can see many lists of the typography Setting options , Now, you can check individually. Here you can find lots of options. We list some of them, they are given below….
- Header Font Size Options: In this section you can find all the header font size settings, which cover header area.
Now you can see screenshot for the header font size options: It’s makes your task very easy:
- Font sizes for title: In this section you can find Font size for title (From h1 to h6 and post, page, Widget and comment title. Its very easy to change font size of different title.
- Footer font size option: In this section covers all the Footer font size settings, which cover the footer area.
BREAKING: Buhari sacks Babachir, Oke
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday terminated the appointment of suspended Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal and Ambassador Ayo Oke, Former Director General, Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA)
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
According to Adesina’s statements, the sacking of the two government officials was based on the report of a three-man panel led by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo that investigated them.
Also, Adesina said Buhari has subsequently appointed Mr.Boss Mustapha as the new SGF.
The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has studied the report of the panel headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, which investigated allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir David Lawal, and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayo Oke.
“The President accepted the recommendation of the panel to terminate the appointment of Mr. Lawal, and has appointed Mr. Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The appointment takes immediate effect.”