Management of Dangote Cement gives replies

The management of Dangote Cement Plc. says that the price of a bag of cement from its factories and plants in Obajana and Gboko is N2,450, and N2,510 at Ibese.

Mr Devakumar Edwin, the company’s Group Executive Director in charge of Strategy, Portfolio Development and Capital Projects, disclosed this in a statement he made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday.

He said that these were the prices of cement which included the Value Added Tax (VAT) as at April 12.

According to him, the clarifications become necessary in view of the recent insinuations that the company sells cement in Nigeria at higher prices relative to how much it sells it in other countries, particularly in Ghana and in Zambia.

” While a bag of Cement sells for an equivalent of $5.1, including VAT in Nigeria, it sells for $7.2 in Ghana and $5.95 in Zambia ex-factory, inclusive of all taxes,” Edwin explained.

He said that though, the company has direct control over its ex-factory prices, it cannot control the ultimate price of cement when it gets to the open market.

Edwin frowned at what he called “intentional misinformation ” that Dangote was selling its cement at higher prices in Nigeria relative to other African countries at the expense of Nigerians.

” This allegation is false, misleading, and unfounded,” he said.

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He attributed the high cost of cement in Nigeria to the global rise in demand for cement as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

” Nigeria is no exception as a combination of monetary policy changes and low returns from the capital market has resulted in a significant increase in construction activity.

“To ensure that we meet local demands, we had to suspend exports from our recently inaugurated export terminals, thereby foregoing dollar earnings,” he said.

Dangote cement management talking about price of cement

Why price of cement is high, says Dangote

Independence national electoral commission declares the winning candidate

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jude Ogbimi, as the winner of Saturday’s Isoko North Constituency by-election.

It said 11 parties contested the House Assembly poll.

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The Returning Officer, Prof. Christopher  Onosemuode of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), who announced the result yesterday, said Ogbimi scored 29, 421 votes to defeat eight other candidates.

He said the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Tabuko, polled 2,543 votes to emerge second, while the candidate of the ADP, Agose Ogagaoghene, came third with 66 votes.

Said he: “I, Prof. Christopher Onosemuode of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, Delta State, hereby declare that Ogbimi of the PDP, having scored the highest number of valid votes, is hereby pronounced as the winner of the Isoko North Constituency by-election in line with electoral guidelines.”

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Police in Lagos have arrested two women over the death of one Osita Anwuanwu, 64.

The deceased was said to have slumped and died during an altercation with a lady friend Juliet Eguebor, 35.

The squabble took place at a bar owned by Eguebor’s friend Ngozi Emezue, 38.

Police said the incident occurred on April 8, around 8:45pm, at Arida area of Ikotun.

A statement by police spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the man’s daughter, Linda Anwuanwu, a resident of Temitope street, off Governor Road, Ikotun, reported to the police at Ikotun Division that she was informed that her father was lying down in a bar at Arida after he had a misunderstanding with the women.

“The police operatives at Ikotun Division raced to the scene and rescued the deceased to the General Hospital, Igando where he was certified dead.

“According to preliminary investigation by the police, the deceased had gone to check his lady friend, Juliet, who he had not seen for some time, at Ngozi’s bar, where he engaged the duo in a hot argument and physical assault before he slumped.

“The two suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba for proper investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Osita Anwuanwu,” he said.

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Adejobi said detectives at Ikorodu Division also arrested a 50-year-old man, Wisdom Okoro, over the sudden death of his lover, Enobong Udoh, 38.

He said the incident occurred on Sunday around 10am, opposite Meras Hotel, along Igbogbo Road, Ikorodu.

“One Blessing Pius, of 46, Adegboruwa Street, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, reported to the police that the deceased was found dead in her house, opposite Meras Hotel, along Igbogbo Road, Ikorodu, on April 11, at about 10am.”

“The police operatives swung into action and invited her boyfriend for interrogation where he, Wisdom Okoro, confessed that the deceased informed him that she was pregnant in February and he was in her house to check on her on April 10, at about 5:14pm when the deceased informed him that she had terminated her pregnancy.

“The statements and utterances of Wisdom revealed that he has some questions to answer. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu has ordered that he should be transferred to the  Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba for further investigation."

“The Commissioner of Police therefore assured the general public, especially Lagosians, of thorough investigation into the cases for justice to prevail,” said Adejobi.

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two women in handcuff as they are being arrested

Two women detained over man’s death in Lagos

The palace has announced the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Phillip, husband and consort to Queen Elizabeth II, recently spent four weeks in hospital, his longest stay ever.

The Palace said in a statement: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”

Prince Philip was very involved with the affairs of the Royal family until his retirement at age 96  in 2017.

Philip, described himself as "world's most experienced plaque unveiler", and he was the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch.

He was the oldest-ever male member of the British Royal Family. And he made his final solo public engagement on 2 August 2017 when he met the Royal Marine Corp.

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Born into the Greek and Danish royal families, to begin his education, Philip Mountbatten attended Gordonstoun School.

He went on to join the Royal Navy and served with the Mediterranean and Pacific fleets in the Second World War.

He married Princess Elizabeth in 1947 and gave up his promising naval career when she became Queen in 1952, following the unexpected death of her father, King George VI.

Since their union he has served with the Queen, who was aged 27 at the time, carrying out thousands of appearances and engagements over nearly seven decades.

He also set up the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, which in the 1950s was designed to bridge a gap between leaving school and beginning national service.

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Over the decades millions of teenagers have participated in the award scheme taking place in many different countries.

With the full support of his wife, the Queen, Philip stepped down from his public duties in August 2017. Although, he was present at the wedding ceremony of his grandchildren Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie, in May and October 2018 respectively.

He also attended his granddaughter Princess Beatrice’s royal wedding in July 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, and Lady Gabriella Windsor's in May 2019.

Philip and the Queen spent more time together than they had for some time during the coronavirus pandemic, living together at Windsor Castle for most of the year.

He had retired to Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate but moved to be with his wife.

Buckingham Palace said it was not due to his health, though the Duke has faced a number of scares in recent years.

Abdominal surgery, bladder infections and a blocked coronary artery seeing him admitted to hospital on a number of occasions, as well as hip surgery in April 2018.

He spent four days at King Edward VII hospital in London just before Christmas 2019, on the advice of his doctor and was discharged in time for the usual family celebrations in Sandringham.

In February 2021, he was admitted to the same hospital, on his doctor's advice, after feeling unwell.

It came after the duke had received the first coronavirus vaccine, and the palace said it was not linked to COVID-19.

Funeral plans will be announced in the coming days.

rince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,  Dies at 99

Just in: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,  Dies at 99

Edo and Bayelsa state bags gold at Nigeria sports festival

Edo and Bayelsa states have shared the gold medals available in the Team Time Trials event in cycling at the ongoing National Sports Festival decided at Irhirhi road in the outskirts of Benin City.

The Edo women’s quartet team led by Tombrapa Grikpa finished the 10km race in a time of 12mins, 02.14secs to win the gold medal.

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Their closest rival, Delta with Ese Ukpereseraye as the lead settled for the silver after posting a time of 12 minutes, 16.48 seconds.

Oyo State Quartet which had Joke Durogbade as lead rider finished in a time of 12 minutes, 42.36 seconds to clinch bronze ahead of Plateau state.

Bayelsa State clocked 10 minutes, 25.99 seconds to win the men’s gold. Caleb Kalizibe made a difference as they finished ahead of Delta state which settled for Silver after returning in a time of 10 minutes, 29.42 seconds.

Edo recorded a time of 10 minutes, 29.49 seconds to finished third in the event that had 16 participating states.

Edo and Bayelsa win gold at NSF 2020 cycling 

NSF 2020: Edo, Bayelsa Team Win Gold In Cycling

Kogi State government on Wednesday started the vaccination against COVID-19 in Lokoja.

Healthcare workers and frontline essential non-health workers in the state were the first to be administered the vaccine on.

16,900 doses of the vaccine were received by Kogi state on Monday.

Commissioner for Health Dr. Saka Audu kicked-off the exercise just as Dr. Abubakar Yakubu, Executive Director, Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KSPHCDA), was the first person to take the jab.

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He was followed by the Chief Medical Director of Kogi Hospital Management Board, Dr. Usman Zakari, and some other medical officers.Some other dignitaries, who received the vaccines were CAN Chairman in Kogi, Bishop John Ibenu and Chairman of Kogi chapter of Jamaatul Nasir Islamiyyah (JNI), Amb. Usman Bello.

Chairman of Kogi branch of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Omakoji Oyiguh and some reporters also took the jabs.

In his remarks, Audu called on Kogi residents to volunteer to take the vaccine, saying nobody would be deprived or forced to receive it.

Kogi state begins vaccination against COVID-19

Kogi state commences COVID-19 vaccination

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the national Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described First Lady, Aisha Buhari, as an agent of unity and development.

He hailed her for dignifying the office of the First Lady, which he said used to be a subject of controversy.

Tinubu spoke on Thursday at the public presentation of the biography of Mrs. Aisha at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Titled “Aisha Buhari: Being different”, the book was written by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Women Affairs, Dr Hajo Sani.

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Tinubu, who chaired the presentation, said: “Given the First Lady’s achievement, no one can reasonably question the role of a First Lady any longer. Remember that there were those who argued that the constitution does not assign any official role to the First Lady. With Dr Aisha Buhari, their concerns have been forever laid to rest.

“First lady has played an uplifting, unifying role both in symbol and substance. She has been a voice of conscience calling us to be of our better self for the good of the nation and for the vulnerable among us.”

Buhari, who is in London for routine medical check-up, is being represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, his wife, Dolapo as well as Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; and Mrs Folorunsho Alakija who is the Special Guest of Honour, are some of the dignitaries at the event.

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'Aisha Buhari an agent of unity,' says Tinubu

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Itsekiri people to adjust after the announcement of a new Olu of Warri-designate.

Buhari, in a message to the Itsekiri by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, prayed for a peaceful reign under Olu of Warri-designate, Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko.

“President Muhammadu Buhari sends sincere greetings to the Itsekiri nation on the announcement of a new Olu of Warri, as pronounced by the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom."

“The President also condoles with the Itsekiris on the passage of the immediate past Olu, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli," which was equally formally announced.

“President Buhari prays that the Olu-designate, Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, will have a peaceful reign, signposted by massive development of Itsekiri land."

“He counsels love and reconciliation after a pulsating race for the throne, noting that peradventure any dissension exists, such should be resolved through due process."

“As the Itsekiri nation mourns their departed Olu for three months, President Buhari prays godly comfort for them, and a smooth ascendancy for the incoming monarch,” the statement said."

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Opposition against the emergence of Prince Emiko

The suspended Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief Ayiri Emami, yesterday explained that his opposition to the emergence of Prince Emiko as Olu-elect was because of the failure of the Ruling House to adhere to due process.

He said he was not eyeing the position and described the Olu-elect as his friend.

He said: “I have no personal problem with Tsola Emiko. He is very close to me. All I said is that he must follow the tradition and custom. I will not dance to the gallery.”

Emami spoke on Arise TV monitored in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

He said: “The oracle has the final say, but it is after the due process. What is the due process? It is the process conducted by the Ologbotsere.”

He added that only the Olu has the power to suspend him or remove him as Ologbotsere.

Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILOT) secretary Sunny Amorighoye Mene criticised Emami’s opposition. He told The Nation the Itsekiri body was desirous of a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

“There is nothing like Prime Minister in Warri Kingdom. There is one Olu (monarch) and chiefs appointed by him. All chiefs have only three functions in Itsekiri: Uko Olu (Olu’s messenger), who like the name implies are Olu’s emissaries; Aya-Olu (Olu’s maidens) because they take care of the Olu; and finally they are the Olu’s advisers."

“Beyond the above, they do not have any other function. There is No 2, 3 or any other number. We have Ogiame and Aja (that is the people). The people own the Olu and he owns the people. The word Prime Minister is not in the Itsekiri language;  it is alien to our people and nobody can act in place of the Olu. The Ologbotsere is the most senior chief. It is important to make these clarifications because I keep seeing people referring to Prime Minister. No, it does not exist in our kingdom.”

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick, urged Emami to give peace a chance. He congratulated the Olu-elect.

He added that the Itsekiri had in the past settled crisis as a united family.

“He (Chief Ayiri Emami) knows the process can never ever be reversed. It is not possible. The process is fixated on crowning Prince Tsola Emiko in three months’ time. And by God’s grace, nothing will stop it."

“The edict was put together by people with various persuasions and interests. We are not going to go into that. The Constitution of Nigeria is superior to that edict."

“You (Chief Ayiri Emami) have paid your dues in Iwere land. I am appealing to you not to allow yourself to be used by those hiding under you."

“This is not the Itsekiri that I know. Everything we do, we do it within the confines of the Aghofen (Palace Family) and it ends there."

“We had 20 Olus and Four Ologbotseres. What does that tell you? Of the four Ologbotseres, only one has crowned the Olu. What has happened? Nothing! And nothing will happen in three months’ time.”

Buhari to Itsekiri: resolve differences over Olu of Warri

The outgoing Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has handed over to his successor Usman Alkali Baba.

The ceremony took place at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He handed over after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo decorated Baba with his new rank in the State House, Abuja.

Just In: Adamu hands over to acting IGP Baba

Irakli Garibashvili, Georgian Prime Minister, said Tuesday he tested positive for coronavirus amid a fresh spike in cases in the Caucasus nation despite the start of a vaccine rollout.

“I am feeling well,” Garibashvili, 38, said on Facebook. “I am in self-isolation and continuing to work remotely.”

On Tuesday, Georgia registered 897 new coronavirus cases — three times the average number of daily infections recorded over the past months.

Overall, the Black Sea nation of some four million people has registered more than 275,000 coronavirus cases and 3,832 deaths, the health ministry said.

In mid-March, Georgia began a national vaccination campaign by inoculating medical workers with AstraZeneca’s jab.

In addition to some 43,000 doses of AstraZeneca provided through the Covax vaccine-sharing programme, Georgia also received enough doses of the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine to inoculate some 14,000 people.

More than 11,600 people have been vaccinated so far, director of Georgia’s National Centre for Disease Control, Amiran Gamkrelidze, told journalists on Monday.

He said the rollout “needs to be accelerated”.

The authorities in Georgia have so far ruled out any further anti-virus curbs.

Deputy Health Minister Tamar Gabunia said on Monday there was “no need at this point” for further anti-pandemic restrictions.

In May last year, Georgia lifted its coronavirus lockdown and allowed shops to reopen, but a night-time curfew has remained in place.

prime minister tests positive for COVID-19

Georgia PM Tests Positive As COVID-19 Cases Spike

A Kaduna State High Court has directed the interim forfeiture of N316,748 belonging to one Haruna Mamuda, over allegations of fraud.

Mr. Mamuda was docked before Justice M.M. Ladan of the Kaduna State High Court on allegations of corruption by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) following a receipt of a petition against him.

He was alleged to have fraudulently demanded and received the sum of N120,000 from one Bartholomew Ifeanyi Nwagu, as a security clearance fee for a non-existent federal government committee.

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ICPC had approached the court with an ex parte motion pursuant to section 45, 47 and 48(1) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 for an order for the interim forfeiture of the money held in the First City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB) account of Mamuda.

Justice Ladan gave the order restraining the respondent by himself, his privies or anybody from withdrawing, transferring, interfering, deducting, or dealing with the amount in the bank account of the respondent in any manner pending the determination of investigation.

The court also ordered that the forfeited money be kept in the custody and management ICPC until the conclusion of the case against the respondent.

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ICPC Secures Interim Forfeiture Of N316,748

The Federal Government has promised that the victims of the recent killings in Ebony state will receive justice. 

Vice President Yemi Osibanjo made the pledge on Sunday in Abakaliki while addressing stakeholders of the state after inspecting the affected communities and the Effium/Ezza-Effium intra-communal crisis.

Osibanjo, who commiserated with the government and people of the state over the unfortunate incident, promised that the assailants would be arrested and duly prosecuted.

“I convey the condolences from President Muhammadu Buhari as there is no justification whatsoever for the killings and destruction of property."

“The killings must be condemned in its strongest terms as the victims must have lived together for long with those who may have killed them,” he said.

The Vice President said that it was the responsibility of federal, state and local governments to ensure that such killings did not occur.

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“I am, however, pleased that at the Egedegede Community, the political leaders found some facts and evidence which would help security agencies in their investigations."

“This would help trace the perpetrators of this terrible act but our duty as political leaders is to maintain absolute peace in areas where we serve as leaders,’’ he said.

He pledged that the Federal Government has beefed security in the affected areas and other parts of the state by deploying additional soldiers and police personnel to the areas.

“We need to ensure that relief is sent to the affected areas as the National Emergency Management Agency, among other relevant agencies, would be mobilised to assist the people with relief materials,” he said.

Gov. David Umahi thanked the Vice President for accepting to be sent by Buhari to visit the state in its mournful situation.

“You must have been reading in newspapers and the social media the amount of insults which southeast governors receive for their efforts to ensure the unity of Nigeria."

“I thank God that we prevented a serious retaliation when the incident occurred but as the chief security officer of the state, I cannot control the situation if such an attack re-occurs,” he said.

Chief Martin Elechi, the immediate predecessor of the current governor, urged the Federal Government to take action immediately and put an end to the killings and destruction across the country as it was becoming an eyesore.

Chief Eni Uduma, Representative of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Ebonyi Chapter, said that the people couldn't stand the frequent killings and carting away of their properties by suspected herdsmen.

Vice president of Nigeria speaking on the killings in Ebonyi state

Ebonyi killings: FG promises justice for victims

Nigerian newspapers,on one page.