STARrex BLOG

Barack Obama has sympathised with the people of France in the wake of the devastating Notre Dame fire. The fire began on Monday afternoon and quickly spread through the 850-year-old building. Efforts by firefighters to put the fire out had little effect as the fire raged on for hours. There were fears that priceless artefacts and objects of cultural and historic significance have been lost. The fire has now been "brought under control" and donations are already being made towards rebuilding the historic site. Sympathizing with the people of France, former US president Barack Obama shared a photo of him and his family in the Notre Dame cathedral, Paris, in 2009 and wrote: Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief. It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost – but it’s also in our nature to rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can.?

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alerted the public on the new tricks used by car thieves to dispossess unsuspecting Nigerians of their vehicles. As gathered by NNU, the commission said the alert was borne out of investigations into alleged crime levelled against a suspected car thief, Babatunde Oluwatope Oni (aka Olu Daniel, Oni Daniel Oluwatope). Babatunde, who hails from Odo Eri in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, was arrested by the Ibadan zonal office of the commission for alleged conspiracy, stealing and issuance of a dud cheque. This followed a petition the EFCC said it received from a car dealer, Mr. Kamoru Yekini, on November 21, last year. The petitioner alleged that on October 16, last year, two men approached him at his shop in Iwo town of Osun State, indicating interest to buy a 2006 Toyota Matrix car he displayed for sale. After negotiation on the price, the two parties reportedly agreed on N1,580,000.00, and a post-dated First Bank...

Tuesday night has been slated for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie at Camp Nou. Barcelona's strong squad to face Manchester United in the long anticipated match has been released. Recall, NNU brought you report how La Liga champions had the upper hand in the tie after defeating Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side 1-0 in the first leg encounter at Old Trafford last Wednesday. Barcelona coach, Ernesto Valverde released a list of 18 players through the club’s official Twitter page on Tuesday morning. Barcelona reached the Champions League last eight after beating Lyon 5-1 in the round of 16 second-leg encounter, while Man United defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-1. Below is Barcelona’s squad against Man United: Ter Stegen, N. Semedo, Pique, I. Rakitic, Sergio, Coutinho, Arthur, Suarez, Messi, Dembele, Cillessen, Malcom, Lenglet, Jordi Alba, S.Roberto, Vidal, Umtiti and Alena. The kick-off time for the match is 8pm today What do you think of the outcome?

On Monday, the Oyo State Command of The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said it has deployed no fewer than 2,500 personnel to maintain law and order throughout the Easter period in the state. In a statement signed by Mr. Oluwole Olusegun, this disclosure was made and as it was sent to NNU new desk adequate security during and after the Easter celebrationsThe statement assured residents of the state . The statement said, “Security of live and properties of the citizens of Oyo State is not negotiable. 2,500 personnel are deployed to maintain law and order throughout the Easter period in the state. “Oyo state commandant of Nigeria security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Dr. John Adewoye today during the evaluation of first quarter security reports of all Area commands and Divisions in the state. “The state commandant made it known to the heads of all departments and area commanders that Christians worldwide will be celebrating the Easter between 19th of April to 22nd ...

The election of the next Senate President as obvious is barely 55 days and it still remain vague who President Muhammadu Buhari’s has taken as his choice candidate. The top contenders, Ahmed Lawan and Mohammed Ali Ndume, still claims up till this time t they both have his covet the backing of the president as a result of this silence flaunting their confidence to occupy the nation’s number three position. Lawan’s campaign group argues that the position of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is automatically that of the president. But Ndume’s supporters disagree, saying Buhari gave his blessing to their candidate before and after the February 23 presidential and National Assembly elections. But Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday openly adopted Lawan, urging APC members to demonstrate loyalty and do the same.He told reporters in Abuja: “I hail from the same state with the distinguished Senator Ali Ndume and I appreciate the fact that politics is local, but politics i...

Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, first leg football match between Liverpool and FC Porto at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, north-west England on April 9, 2019. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)Liverpool closed in on a Champions League semi-final meeting with Barcelona or Manchester United after sweeping aside Porto 2-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at Anfield. Far from the late drama that has accompanied the Red’s Premier League title bid of late, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino struck inside the first 26 minutes to put the hosts in command. “2-0 is a really good result, I would have taken it before the game and I take it now,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. “It was a good game, a controlled game. We deserved the win 100 percent and scored two wonderful goals.” Liverpool’s only regret may be not building a more emphatic lead to take to Portugal for next week’s s...

Tottenham Hotspur’s South Korean striker Son Heung-Min celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, on April 9, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) Son Heung-min was hailed as a hero after scoring Tottenham’s winner against Manchester City, putting them in the driving seat in their Champions League quarter-final after a match overshadowed by another Harry Kane injury. The South Korean forward scored past City goalkeeper Ederson in the 78th minute on Tuesday to give Spurs a narrow 1-0 advantage to take into next week’s return leg at the Etihad Stadium. The home side, playing just the second match in their gleaming new stadium, survived an early penalty, awarded after a VAR review, with Hugo Lloris diving to his left to deny Sergio Aguero. The Times lauded the match-winner and said “Spurs have survived without Kane in the past p...

The naira yesterday appreciated to N360.55 per dollar in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window even as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) injected N210 million into the inter-bank foreign exchange market. Figures obtained from the CBN yesterday showed that authorized dealers in the wholesale segment of the market received $100 million, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment and customers requiring foreign exchange for invisibles were allocated $55 million each. A statement by the apex bank’s spokesman, Mr. Isaac Okorafor reiterated the CBN’s commitment to continue to boost interbank foreign exchange market to ensure liquidity and stability in the market. Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for the I&E window dropped to N360.55 per dollar from N360.68 per dollar on Monday, translating to 13 kobo appreciation for the naira. The volume of dollars (turnover) traded yesterday dropped by 50 percent to $132.88 million from $88.79million sold on M...

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has employed the services of a United States lobbyist firm to advance his challenge of the outcome of the February 23 presidential poll. President Muhammadu Buhari defeated Atiku with over three million votes in the election but Atiku rejected the results and had challenged same at the presidential election petition tribunal, alleging that the poll was heavily militarised” and results manipulated. According to a report by Centre for Responsive Politics , CRP, Bruce Fein, former justice department official and his firm Fein & DelValle PLLC registered on March 24 as foreign agents on behalf of PDP and Atiku. The firm is expected to “encourage Congress and the Executive to forbear from a final declaration and recognition of Nigeria’s February 23, 2019 presidential election until outstanding legal challenges to the initial government of Nigeria assertion that incumbent Buhari was the victor are impartially...

Former Barcelona striker, Samuel Eto’o has claimed he was the reason behind the team’s successes under ex-manager Pep Guardiola, not fellow forward, Lionel Messi as speculated. Messi, who is currently in Manchester ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final against the Red Devils, is believed to be the star behind the Barca’s success streak at the Champions League about a decade ago. Both Eto’o and Messi partnered in two Champions League finals, a 2-0 win in Rome 10 years ago and the 2011 win at Wembley. These titles add to two more European honours and nine La Liga titles. Messi was joined at Barcelona for five seasons by Eto’o, who scored 130 goals in nearly 200 appearances. The Cameroonian striker now plays in the Middle East, with more than 350 goals in his career. Speaking to beIN SPORTS, Eto’o said: “I’ve said to Guardiola ‘you’ll apologise to me because it’ll be me that will make Barcelona win, not Lionel Messi’. “It was a situation back then. “Messi would come later ...

By Okenedo Joshua   - Ex-Senate president, Ken Nnamani, has called for the implementation of Uwais report to reform the Nigerian electoral system - Nnamani also opined that corruption cannot be eradicated in Nigerian unless financial gain attached to political offices is reduced - The ex-lawmaker also admonished the Nigerian government to follow the path of nations like South-Africa in the choice of its electoral sheriff Former president of the Senate, Ken Nnamani, on Tuesday, April 9, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to adopt the recommendations of the Uwais Report in order to holistically reform the nation’s electoral system. Nnamani represented by Mallam Mohammed Bello. made the call in a keynote address titled, ''Towards a More Credible, Fair and Free Elections in Nigeria,'' presented at the 3rd Oronto Douglas Memorial Dialogue held in Abuja. He said: “It is obvious that the Uwais Report represents a high point in the search for an electoral system that wi...

The Lagos State Fire boss and six others kidnapped at the weekend along Epe expressway have been released by their abductors. Lagos State police spokesman, Bala Elkana, who made the disclosure on Wednesday morning said that their release was secured in the night. According to Elkana, “On 09/04/2019 at about 11.45pm, the Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaki Musibau , and 6 others kidnapped on 06/04/19 at about 8.00pm, at Ketu-Ereyun, Ikorodu were released unhurt by their Abductors. “The Victims have since reunited with their families. The Command’s Tactical teams are still in the creeks and forests combating the hoodlums. A water-tight security measures are emplaced across the state to forestall future occurrence. The Command deeply appreciate the support of Lagos State Government and the good people of Lagos State who stood by us and also provided useful information that facilitated the prompt rescue of the victims. ” Together we will continue to make Lagos State one of the s...

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday, launched operation “Tsaftan Daji” (Clean Forest), to flush out bandits in the North-West, NAN reports. Launching the operation in Katsina, Air Officer Commanding, Special Operations Command, Napoleon Bali, an Air Vice-Marshal, said the operation was drawn from “Diran Mikiya” operation of the NAF. Mr Bali said the exercise was also designed to add value to the existing operation “Saharan Daji” for the ground forces. “You are all aware of what is going on in the North-West; the security forces have been putting in their best. “However, the bandits have been changing their tactics thereby killing and kidnapping innocent civilians. “The Chief of Air Staff decided that there is the need to get more air access in Katsina so that the air planes will be able to reach areas where these bandits are hiding. “We are going to dominate the air and simultaneously pound bandits’ hideouts to make it easier for our ground forces to go in and flush out bandi...

Manchester United defender, Chris Smalling has disclosed that Barcelona stars, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, will keep Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men on their toes when both sides clash in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. Smalling, who stated this on Tuesday, said he cannot wait to face one of the best players in the world. Speaking ahead of Man United’s clash with Barca, Express UK quoted Smalling as saying: “It is a challenge to relish. Bring it on. “What kind of plan can you have to stop one of the best players in the world? “This season we have played Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus and Kylian Mbappe at PSG. “Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, they will keep our defenders on our toes so let’s see how we manage.” The kick-off time for the match is 8pm.Source: https://dailypost.ng/2019/04/10/champions-league-smalling-reveals-barcelonas-messi-suarez-will-man-united/

TraderMoni, FarmerMoni and MarketMoni Beneficiaries The Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program (GEEP) is a micro-credit scheme of the Federal Government of Nigeria executed by the Bank of Industry. GEEP started in 2016 and has empowered 1.8 million micro-enterprises with collateral-free, interest-free loans to grow their businesses; making it the largest government-led microcredit program globally. GEEP beneficiaries are petty traders, merchants, enterprising youth, and agricultural workers in over 1600 clusters and markets across Nigeria. These people comprise the MSME sector and contribute 76% of Nigeria’s GDP, employing 60% of Nigeria’s labour force. Yet they are often neglected by traditional banks. According to a 2016 report by McKinsey and company limited, 85% of these enterprises cite “access to finance” in their top three challenges. Of all bank loans in 2017, only about 0.4% were lent to this microenterprise segment. Most people in this segment have not used financial...

Chelsea have released their squad that will tackle West Ham United in today’s Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge. According to Tribuna, the Blues manager, Maurizio Sarri has released a list of 22 players. Chelsea head to the game following a 3-0 victory over Brighton in their last Premier League encounter. Below is Chelsea’s squad against West Ham: Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero, Rob Green. Defenders: Antonio Rudiger, Davide Zappacosta, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, Ethan Ampadu, Andreas Christensen, David Luiz, Emerson. Midfielders: N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Forwards: Eden Hazard, Willian, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Gonzalo Higuain, Olivier Giroud, Pedro. The kick-off time for the match is 8pm.Source: http://dailypost.ng/2019/04/08/epl-chelseas-squad-west-ham-revealed-full-list/

House of Representatives A storm is reportedly brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus of the House of Representatives, especially returning and newly elected members as incumbent speaker, Yakubu Dogara holds meeting with APC lawmakers. According to Daily Independent , a source, who asked not to be named for personal reasons, also said the leadership of the APC is aware of Dogara’s scheming and is monitoring its members and their activities building up to the leadership elections in June. While the source did not mention how many APC lawmakers were holding meetings with Dogara and who they are, he, however, stated that a major contender for the seat of speaker from the North Central, Ahmed Idris Wase, was also approached by the group for meetings with Dogara, but has serially stayed away. “I can tell you that they have tried severally to get Wase to attend the meetings, but he kept dodging them. One of them even said the speaker is considering him for the deputy spe...

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, on Monday, shed lights on how the chairmanship of standing committees in the National Assembly should be formed. Dogara who was presiding over the morning session of the ongoing induction program organized in Abuja for Senators-elect and Members-elect, said, contrary to the belief that the presiding officer appoints committee chairmen, it’s actually the selection committee that has such powers. The Speaker, while answering questions raised by Senator Aliyu Ndume (Borno Central), said, the caucus of each zone in the House is also given opportunity by the selection committee, to nominate capable hands from each zone, to serve as chairmen or vice chairmen of committees. Ndume, former Leader of the Senate and an aspirant for the position of Senate President, had raised some pertinent questions on the need to have stable and universal rules which could be beneficial to all members of the Assembly. Senator Ndume argued that, ...

Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu has explained why the club didn’t sign Manchester United star, Paul Pogba, from Juventus in 2016. According to Bartomeu, Pogba didn’t join the La Liga champions because Barca could not afford to compete with Man United to sign the France international when he left Juventus three years ago. “In the summer of 2015, Paul Pogba was playing in Turin and we simply told Juve that, if one day they decide to sell the player, we would be interested,” Bartomeu told ESPN. “When they sold the player in 2016, they told us what the offer would have to be and we couldn’t afford that amount of money at the time. “So he went to United, and he’s making them better as a team because he’s one of the stars of the world of football right now.” Pogba will hope to lead Man United to victory when they tackle Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final first leg tie at Old Trafford on Wednesday.Source: http://dailypost.ng/2019/04/08/man-uniteds-pogba-didnt-join-bar...

In the first of its kind, Britain will make social media bosses, such as Mark Zuckerberg personally liable for harmful content and shut down offending platforms under a government action plan published Monday. The long-delayed and eagerly anticipated proposals lay the groundwork for legislation that could be passed in the coming months. Zuckerberg They were drawn up after consultations with social media moguls such as Facebook chief Zuckerberg and have faced little resistance from other platforms that have also been blamed for allowing the spread of hate and abuse. Some of the proposals have sparked concerns from free speech groups. “What we’re proposing today is that companies that deal with user-generated content should take greater responsibility for keeping those users safe,” culture and media minister Jeremy Wright told BBC radio. “These are world-leading proposals. No one in the world has done this before.” ‘Nigerian media must move with digital trend’ The proposed regulations ...