Olokun festival will boost tourism development, cultural integration –Adams

Adams said this on Sunday in Lagos at a news conference organised to announce programmes earmarked for the 13th edition of the festival.

Adams, who is also the initiator of Olokun Festival,said that the ceremony was mainly to showcase the cultural values and tradition of the Yoruba.

The coordinator said the celebration had provided an opportunity for prominent people and dignitaries to come to Nigeria from every part of the world.

"Tourists and adventurers annually come from across the globe to Nigeria to witness and see for themselves the beauty inherent in the Yoruba culture.

"The reason for celebrating Olokun festival annually is borne out of our desire to project the Yoruba culture to the world.

"As a foremost institution poised to promote the Yoruba culture, Olokun Festival Foundation, under my leadership, is determined to set the pace for cultural integration and tourism development in Nigeria.

"Nigeria is a blessed nation, but we can only make lasting impact on the world if we appreciate our culture and make our tourist sites attractive to the world," Adams said.

He noted that the celebration was an avenue for people to see the beauty of the Yoruba's abandoned culture and "how we can regain our lost glory through the festival".

He assured that 2015 Olokun celebration would give the best pastime for participants at home as well as others from other parts of the world.

"It is my belief that as we roll out the drums to celebrate this year's Olokun festival, it will open a new chapter of progress in the annals of this country.

"It will also create a window of opportunities for Nigerians who share the same dream of a great nation as we do," Adams Said

Presidency confirms arrest of former oil minister in London

The presidency  on Monday confirmed the arrest in London of former oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke on suspicion of bribery and money laundering.

"Nigeria is aware of the arrest of the former petroleum minister in London on money laundering charges," presidential spokesman Garba Shehu told AFP.

"The government has been informed and the DSS (Department of State Services) is collaborating with the relevant security agencies in the UK to handle the matter," he said.

Britain's National Crime Agency said on its website on Friday it had detained five people on suspicion of bribery and money laundering but did not disclose the identities of the suspects.

"All five people arrested were released on conditional bail later that evening, pending further investigation both in the UK and overseas," a statement said.

"The investigation commenced in 2013 under the Proceeds of Corruption act, and transferred to the NCA earlier this year."

Media reports quoted unnamed family members of Alison-Madueke as confirming her arrest.

Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) refused to confirm the arrest but was reported to have sealed her home in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.

Alison-Madueke, 59, was oil minister under former president Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 until earlier this year when he was defeated in elections by Muhammadu Buhari.

She was the first woman oil minister in Nigeria — Africa's largest producer — and the first female president of the global oil cartel OPEC.

Alison-Madueke has previously been accused of large-scale fraud in the management of the country's multi-billion-dollar oil wealth but denied any wrong-doing.

In February 2014, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, claimed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had failed to remit $20 billion in revenue.

Sanusi was later removed from his post by Jonathan, who disputed the figures involved, in a move many saw as politically motivated.

Buhari, who last week announced he would take personal charge of the oil ministry, has begun a purge of the NNPC, ordering a review of its finances and sacking the entire board.

Independence: Buhari’s administration lacks economy blue print for Nigeria—Rights Activist

…Blasts Aregbesola for anti-masses policies  A human rights activist and member of the opposition groups in the country, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman has declared that the present administration of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) have no economy blue print for the country, saying that the present administration has not given any economy direction to the country than the mere propaganda by his party, All Progressives Congress (APC). Comrade Sulaiman also described the menace of corruption as the bane of economy and political crisis facing the country, calling for urgent action from the government at all levels with the cooperation of the Nigeria masses to stamp out the cankerworm out of nations' system, adding that Buhari's government failed to assert its position on whether to remove the oil subsidy or not. The rights activist however, blasts Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State for his anti-people policies, stressing that Aregbesola was a disgrace personality to the human rights community in Nigeria which he claimed to be part of it in the past, alleging that some known members of the community were given liver to Aregbesola's government to continue with anti-masses agenda, to the extent of running the State aground in the face allocations accrue to the State from Federation Account. He alleged that Aregbesola has run the State aground by putting Osun State into bankruptcy with the incurring of billion of naira loan in almost commercial banks in the country, adding that "despite the Aregbesola's loan incurred from almost all the commercial banks in Nigeria in the last five years, but what we saw in return ,was Governor Aregbesola to declare openly that the financial crisis facing the State was beyond his capacity  and instead  for Mr. Aregbesola to resign honourably ,he sent his groomed thugs popularly known as "STATE BOYS" to disrupt a peaceful mass protest  against his on Tuesday, July 7th,2015,where the thugs were directed to take my life for no just reason than being the leader of the human rights' and Civil Societies Organization(CSO) that has been critics of his government". Speaking yesterday in Lagos State as a guest speaker  on the lecture/symposium  entitled:"Degenerating Economy and Political Crisis, which way forward for Nigeria" organized by the National Conscience Party(NCP)  to mark its  21st formation anniversary of the party /independence lecture symposium, held at  the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial  Organization(GAFAMORG) office  hall at Olayinka Bamigbose, off Olowu, Ikeja,Sulaiman who is the Chairman, Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State(CSCEO) further stressed that  Buhari's administration was full of denial and lies of electioneering campaign promises, faulting President Buhari's  body language of looking  for foreign help to solve the mirage of problems facing the country. According to the CSCEO boss, "Presently, Nigeria economy is nothing to write home about, because the present administration of Buhari does not give  any meaningful economy direction to the nation. Nigeria people believed that immediately after Buhari was sworn-in, as elected President and Commander –in- Chief of Armed Forces on May 29th, 2015, action would commence on redirection of the nation's economy but till the present moment, President Buhari is looking for external help to fix the Nigeria degenerating economy. "To my surprise, Buhari could not assert his government position, whether to remove oil subsidy or not. Before he came into power, he posited that the fuel subsidy was a fraud of highest order and conduit pipe where few elements in the land, were using to siphone the commonwealth of the country into private pocket, but when he came, he continues in that direction, what a double speak and deal? And this is the reason why nothing changes in our economy till today. I want to say unequivocally that General Muahhmmadu Buhari (rtd) does not have any economy blue print for Nigeria and the nations' masses will continue wallowing in abject poverty and my heart bleed for those who supported them dogmatically during the electioneering process without asking a question. I strongly hold that it is very much in the national interest and national security to speak against the ills in our society, no matter whose ox is gored". Sulaiman added that, "There is no way Buhari could fight the menace of corruption in the land without cleansing his own dirtiness because a leader should lead by a good example. But how somebody that call himself a "man of integrity?" would not ask where his party men source for fund to sponsor his electioneering campaign  or do we ask somebody that told Nigeria people during the electioneering process that he borrowed money from Commercial bank  to obtain his party's nomination form for presidential contest at the rate of over #27million. "I am very sure and I stand to be corrected that Muhammadu Buhari's administration fights against corruption will fail because Buhari is not ready to fight corruption within his party and Yoruba adage says, 'Charity must begin at home', you could understand this position with Buhari's body language and you will see that this government will be at the end of the day, be the government as usual. President Buhari would not be able to succeed in his fight against corruption with the advice of Professor Itse Sagay as Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption".

Winlot lottery launches online apps

WINLOT lottery has launched an online lottery mobile app as part of the activities designed to generate more revenue to the government.

  The Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lottery Board, Lanre Gbajabiadi at the launch of Winlot Lottery mobile app in Lagos, said revenues which are generated from the lottery commission are used to finance other sectors of the state; health, education, infrastructure and environment sector.

  “Remitted revenues from the operation of lottery are used by the Lagos State government, which are beneficial to the citizens of the state.”

    He confirmed the online lottery mobile app to be the easiest and the most convenient way of playing a lottery game in the comfort of their homes.

  He said this platform was first of its kind in Lagos and a new distribution channel targeted to reach out to people. Accessing the standard living of Nigerians, opportunities are created by the lottery board to improve the standard of living.

  He commended the efforts of Winlot in making this mobile app launch a success and urged other operators to imitate this bold step in sharing Nigeria good vision of providing more revenue.

  He advised that lottery should be played through licensed operators endorsed by the regulator, stressing that Premier Lotto, Golden chance lotto, Superior lotto and Winlot lotto are the registered bodies licensed by the regulatory board to operate the lottery games.

  It was however, disclosed that upon launch, players will be able to play the lottery on iPhone, Android and later extended to Blackberry device and IOS mobile devices with option to download the app with either MTN or Glo telecommunication anytime anywhere with their mobile devices. By login for the first 5000 players’ N200 airtime bonus will be awarded for playing. Players can check the result and their prizes with ease.

  Already, statistics showed Nigeria has the potential to become the largest social media user in the African continent. According to report, Nigeria is the second largest social media user in Africa, closely following South Africa. 25 per cent of Nigerian mobile subscribers use smartphones, which account for four million smartphone users.

  The Chief Executive Officer, of Winlot Lottery, Nimish Bhatnagar revealed “We are happy to have this enriching experience to launch this interesting lottery mobile app with Glo and MTN that has enrich our gaming profile within the region. Most important of all, it can provide players with more convenient channel to enjoy our services”.

  Bhatnagar launched the website of downloading the mobile app” www.mywinlot.ng/mobile and the games are categorized into three stages; Winlot Gold Coast, Winlot International and Winlot Jackpot respectively”

At Awesome College, sports, academics play prominent roles

  Sports combined with education play prominent role in the upbringing of children and ‘that is what we encourage at Awesome College,’ the chairman of the school’s Sports Committee, Igbokwe Emmanuel, has said.

  Speaking at the end of Awesome College’s fourth annual inter-house sports competition at the University of Lagos Sports Centre, Igbokwe, who was delighted by the performance of the students, said “Nigeria would be a better country if students are encouraged to combine sports with their academics.

   "We have never celebrated it like this before. This year is more like the Olympic Games. We had nothing less than 60 sports during this year’s event.

   “Students should not lay emphasis on their classroom education alone, sports is also very important."

  He added: “Awesome College encourages pupils to fulfill their potential by giving them the opportunity to excel in all areas of life.

   "At Awesome College, there is no sport we can talk about that we do not train our pupils in. Among them is football, basketball, volleyball, athletic, tennis badminton and the likes.”

  Emmanuel urged parents to help their children discover their skills and nurture them by providing the necessary moral support, adding, “if not for any other reason, children should be exposed to sports activities for health reasons because promotes longevity.”

  The fourth edition of the biennial competition came to a thrilling end with Oikos Grace House (Blue) winning the over all best team trophy with 16 gold, 15 sliver and 13 bronze medals.

    Oikos Mercy House (Green) came second with total 12 gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals, while Oikos Red House (Red) was third with 10 gold 15 silver and 15 bronze medals, followed by Oikos Praise (Yellow), which placed fourth with nine gold, seven silver and 10 bronze medals.

There were races in different categories: 100 metres boys/girls, junior and senior, 200 metres, 400 relay boys/girls likewise baton exchange. There was also sack race and tug of peace.

Other sporting activities vied for by pupils and students of the various houses were, table tennis, skipping, lime and spoon, sack race, tug of peace, head balancing, badminton, football among others.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola