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UN chief pledges support for UNGA’s President-elect

June 4, 2019 11:48 pm

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres yesterday pledged his support to the vision of the President-elect of the 74th UN General Assembly (UNGA), Ambassador Tijani Mohammad-Bande.

Guterres gave the assurance in his statement shortly after the election of Mohammad-Bande at the 87th plenary meeting of UNGA in New York, United States (U.S.).

The president-elect, who is Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, emerged through acclamation at an event witnessed by world diplomats and government officials from Nigeria.

Guterres said: “It is my pleasure to congratulate Prof. Tijani Mohammad-Bande as President of the 74th session of UNGA.

“Prof Bande, you bring many …

Defence chief explains military’s role in elections

April 4, 2019 8:35 pm

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin yesterday defended the action taken by the military during the general elections.The Gen.

Olanisakin noted that if such actions were not taken and deployment of the military personnel made, the security situation of the country would have been jeopardised.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja during the orientation programme for senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect, Gen Olonisakin noted that the deployment of the army during the election was constitutional.

He insisted that the deployment helped in preventing Nigeria from being thrown into war.

Speaking on “Issues on security and governance”, the CDS

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MTN chief faults AGF on $2b tax demand

March 12, 2019 7:54 am

MTN Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rob Shuter yesterday faulted the demand for $2 billion cash by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF).

It accused AGF Abubakar Malami, of “playing games” over the demand for the cash, which the government said was in tax arrears from the telecoms giant.

Shuter spoke at a conference call where MTN’s 2018 annual results were presented to the country’s executives and stakeholders.

Malami had last September written to MTN Nigeria, demanding the payment of $2 billion in tax arrears.

He broke the cash down to a 10-year period for import duties, …

EFCC reveals Air Force ex-chief, who siphoned ₦12 billion

March 7, 2019 1:27 am

An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Tosin Owobo, yesterday told a Federal High Court, Lagos how a former Chief of Accounts in the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun (rtd), used his companies to siphon N12 billion from the force’s intelligence account domiciled with a new generation bank.

Adigun is the second defendant in a N22.8 billion fraud charge preferred against erstwhile Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd).

Ballot box snatchers’ll be dealt with – Chief of Army Staff

February 20, 2019 8:29 pm

MILITARY officers with divided loyalty were yesterday ordered to resign.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said such officers should quit not later than tomorrow.

Gen. Buratai spoke as the Army renewed its pledge to constituted authority, stressing that it will not disobey orders.

Besides, it vowed to deal with “those who seek to undermine our democracy by interfering in our electoral process”.

He said incitement against constituted authority will not be tolerated.

Gen. Buratai, at a meeting with General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and selected Commanders at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, cautioned politicians …