Goods Under-declaration: Customs May Introduce Duty Benchmark

11:59 PM Business No Comments

Comptroller-General of Customs, Inde  Dikko Abdullahi

There is a growing apprehension among importers and their  freight forwarders  that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is planning to introduce  ‘Duty Benchmark’ on certain categories of imported goods.

Although, the details are yet to be made public, the idea is to discourage importers and their freight forwarders from   engaging in the crime of  goods under-declaration   or concealment which many importers  commit in a bid to evade payment of correct duties.

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Ultimate Cruise Trip Costs £1m Per Couple

11:57 PM Business No Comments

 Cruise ship

The world's most expensive cruise trip has been unveiled – and it comes with the hefty price tag of £1million per couple.

Six Star Cruises’ trip of a lifetime lasts 124 days and comes complete with VIP transportation and stays in the world’s most opulent hotels.

The luxury starts from the moment the cruisers leave home, with a helicopter picking them up and whisking

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PH Airport Upgrade: Omagwa Residents Give Kudos to FAAN

11:53 PM Business No Comments

FAAN MD, George Uriesi

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has been commended by the people of Omagwa, the host communities of the Port Harcourt International Airport over the rehabilitation and expansion project going on at the airport.

Paramount ruler of Omagwa community, Jacob Orji gave the commendation at the weekend when a delegation of FAAN went on a courtesy visit to the two communities on whose land the airport is located.

The visit which was at the instance of Inter Bau Construction Company which is handling the project became

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U.S. Weighs Release of Oil Reserves, World Frets About Iran

11:51 PM Business No Comments

(Reuters) - The United States is considering a release from its strategic oil reserves, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Friday, acknowledging the harm that supply disruptions from Iran could have on the global economy.

Rising tensions between Iran and the West over its disputed nuclear program have fueled a rise in oil prices, pushing benchmark Brent crude above $125 a barrel on Friday.

"There is a case for the use of the reserve in some circumstances and we will continue to look at those and evaluate that carefully," Geithner said on CNBC television.

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Nigeria Loses N111bn to BASA Agreements Annually

11:47 PM Business No Comments

Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah

Nigeria’s revenue drive is being undercut by about N111 billion annually, which it loses to its Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with foreign nations that have their airlines operating in the country.
This amount, THISDAY gathered, is 50 per cent of the billions of Naira which these foreign carriers repatriate as capital flight from Nigeria every year.

In 2011 alone the concerned airlines repatriated over N210 billion as revenues from its Nigerian operation.
But in the last four years, royalties paid on commercial agreements, which are offshoot of the BASA agreement by foreign airlines, amounted to over $70 million (N11.2 billion), which comes to N2.8 billion

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Europe Faces Pressure as G-20 Debates IMF Role

11:45 PM Politics No Comments

IMF MD, Christine Lagarde

(Bloomberg) U.S., Chinese and Japanese officials say they will press euro-area countries to do more to merit outside help when the world’s largest economies gather  for a meeting dominated by Europe’s sovereign-debt woes.

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Amaechi, Orji, Odili, Eulogize Ojukwu

11:09 PM News No Comments

Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi

Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has paid glowing tributes to the late former Military Governor of the defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, at a public lecture in Ojukwu’s honour in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital Friday.

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Speaker Takes Over as S’Court Sacks Kebbi State Governor

11:08 PM News No Comments

The Sacked Governor of Kebbi State, Saidu Usman Dakingari

Following the removal of Kebbi State governor, Saidu Usman Dakingari, by the Supreme Court, the Speaker of Kebbi State House of Assembly, Aminu Habib Jega, was inaugurated Friday night as acting governor.

The oath of office was administered on Jega around 9:30pm by the Chief Judge of the state, Ibrahim Umar.

The Supreme Court removed Dakingari from office and ordered a fresh election in the state.

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Jonathan Embargoes New Missions

11:03 PM News No Comments

President Goodluck Jonathan has embargoed the opening of new embassies and High Commissions by Nigeria till next year until after existing ones are renovated and equipped to international standards.

He disclosed this Friday while responding to a request by Nigerians in London for a Consulate to be opened in Scotland to bring needed services closer to numerous Nigerian living in Scotland.

Jonathan said Nigerian professionals were needed to develop and reposition the country "especially as the entire world was getting more interested in the progress the country was making."

Said the President: "Nigerians all over the world are interested in the development of their country. I really

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ACN Loses Another Lawmaker

11:00 PM Politics No Comments

Governor, Mr. Peter Obi of Anambra

Hours after the Action Congress of Nigeria lost its member representing Anambra West Constituency to the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Anambra State, another lawmaker, Mrs. Rita Maduagwu representing Nnewi South Two constituency Friday followed suit by decamping to the ruling APGA at a brief ceremony at

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Abike Dabiri Lectures in UK

10:59 PM News, Politics No Comments

Chairman on Diaspora Affairs, House of Representatives, Abike Dabiri-Erewa

The Chairman on Diaspora Affairs, House of Representatives, Abike Dabiri-Erewa has urged Nigerian Students in Diaspora to contribute to the development of the country even as they are studying in the UK.

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Cross River Votes for New Gov Today

10:54 PM Politics No Comments

Former Cross River Governor, Liyel Imoke

The people of Cross River State will Saturday go to the poll to elect a governor that will run the state for the next four years. 12 candidates angling for the number one office, including former governor Liyel Imoke of the Peoples Democratic Party who is eyeing a second term.

The other 11 candidates and their parties include Mr. Usani Uguru Usani (CAN); Mr. Victor Udom (ALP);

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Romney Unveils Economic Plan in Speech in Detroit

10:51 PM News, Politics No Comments

Mitt Romney walks onto Detroit's Ford Field

In what his campaign billed as a major economic speech, Mitt Romney sought to boost his conservative credentials by pledging "more jobs, less debt and smaller government" if he is elected president.

Criticizing President Barack Obama's handling of the economy, Romney said in a speech delivered from the

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Obama Feels Squeeze of High Petrol Prices

10:46 PM News, Politics No Comments

Soaring petrol prices in America are threatening to become an economic and a political problem for President Barack Obama, reports Sky News.

In the past week the average price per gallon in the US jumped by 9 cents to $3.61.

In some states, like California, the average is much higher, reaching $4.20.

According to the AAA fuel gauge report, prices at this time of year have never been higher.

That's problematic for American consumers, who are accustomed, historically, to comparatively low petrol prices. When petrol gets expensive, it is deeply unpopular.

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NATO Pulls Out of Afghan Ministries after Kabul Attack

10:40 PM News 1 Comment

Scene close to Afghan interior ministry

NATO has withdrawn all its personnel from Afghan ministries after two senior officers were shot dead in the interior ministry building in Kabul.
NATO said an "individual" had turned his gun on the officers, believed to be an American colonel and major, and had not yet been identified or caught, reports the BBC.

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Palestinians Mourn Protester Slain by Israelis

10:38 PM News No Comments

Palestinian mourners carry the body of Talaat Abdel-Rahman Ramiya during his funeral procession in the town of Al-Ram on the outskirts of Jerusalem

Palestinians and Israeli troops clashed on the edge of Jerusalem for a second day on Saturday after the funeral of a protester killed Friday.

"Rocks, fire bombs and burning tyres were hurled at soldiers," a military statement said. "After exhausting all other means, rubber pellets were used."

Palestinians at the scene, in the West Bank neighbourhood of Al-Ram, adjacent to Israeli-annexed east

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Mugabe Blasts Gays on 88th Birthday

10:30 PM News No Comments

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe marked his 88th birthday with a trademark attack on gays and foreigners at a mass rally of his supporters on Saturday to celebrate the occasion, reports AFP.

He told British Prime Minister David Cameron "to hell with you" over his calls to respect gay rights and accused non-governmental organisations of trying to destabilise the country, at a birthday rally in the eastern border town of Mutare.

"NGOs come with these stupid ideas, some to destabilise us. Quite often they support one party. We say to them get away from our country. Leave us to solve our political problems. Leave us to manage our own systems," Mugabe said.

Africa's oldest leader lambasted Cameron, who at the Commonwealth summit last year said countries

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Italy: Berlusconi Bribe Case Thrown Out

10:29 PM News No Comments

Former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi

Judges have thrown out a bribery case against former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, because it expired under the statute of limitations.

Berlusconi was accused of paying his former British tax lawyer, David Mills, to lie in court to protect his interests, reports the BBC.

The case dates back to the 1990s.

Berlusconi, who denies wrongdoing, says this and other court cases against him are all part of a politically-motivated smear campaign.

He is on trial separately on charges of tax fraud and sex with an under-age prostitute.

The prosecution alleged Mills was given $600,000 (£382,000) to lie in court about Berlusconi's business interests.

Mills - who was not on trial - denies that any such payment was made.

In December he told a court he was "deeply ashamed" for falsely claiming that Berlusconi had given him $600,000.

Mills said the money had actually come from an associate he had not wanted to admit dealing with.

BBC

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EPL: Odemwingie Can’t Stop Scoring, Chelsea Hammer Bolton

10:25 PM Sports No Comments

Osaze Odemwingie celebrates his brace against Sunderland

A fortnight after bagging a hattrick for himself against Wolves, Osaze Odemwingie followed up with a brace against Sunderland Saturday, to help West Brom to a first home Premier League win since November in a 4-0 victory.

Odemwingie’s red-hot form must be music to the ears of Super Eagles manager, Stephen Keshi ahead of Wednesday’s South Africa 2013 qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali.

Martin O'Neill's Sunderland had won five of their last six away games but were behind inside three minutes through Odemwingie's header.

James Morrison doubled the lead with another header, before Odemwingie drove in shortly after the restart.

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Mandela 'Stable after Operation'

10:21 PM News No Comments

Former South Africa President, Nelson Mandela

BBC

Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela is in a stable condition after undergoing surgery, the BBC understands.

Officials said he was taken to hospital overnight for a "long-standing abdominal complaint" which needed "proper specialist medical attention".

Sources have told the BBC he is talking and likely to leave hospital on Sunday.

The 93-year-old statesman and anti-apartheid icon has suffered declining health in recent years.

As the country's first black president after a history of white minority rule, the BBC's Andrew Harding in

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Sylva Faces N2.5bn Fraud Allegation

10:14 PM News No Comments

Former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Friday at a Federal High Court in Abuja slammed former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, with a six-count charge bordering on alleged stealing of N2.5 billion belonging to the state.

Sylva is said to have travelled out of the country since his tenure was recently terminated alongside four other governors by the Supreme Court.

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FG Criticised for Abandoning 2nd Abuja Airport Runway

10:12 PM News No Comments

Minister of  Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah

Chairman, House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development, Bethel Amadi has berated the Federal Government for abandoning the second runway project for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,  after the House stepped down the project because of its highly inflated cost.

Amadi, the former Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, said that instead of abandoning the project, government should have reviewed the cost downwards, noting that N63.5 billion that was the planned cost of the project could have built more than one airport and not a mere runway.

In June,  2010 the Federal Government cancelled the N63.5 billion (then $423 million) project awarded to

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UN panel gets list of rights violators in Syria

9:59 PM News No Comments

AN international panel investigating rights violations in Syria for the United Nations (UN) said it has compiled a list of regime officials suspected of crimes against humanity, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported yesterday.
The panel commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council said in a report that the Damascus government had “manifestly failed” to protect its people, while adding that investigators also found instances of gross abuses committed by armed opposition groups.
It said it has given UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay “a comprehensive database containing all evidence collected” so that perpetrators of violations, that may be crimes against humanity, are “held accountable”.
Meanwhile, Western powers vowed yesterday to boost pressure on the Syrian regime and push it to allow in vital humanitarian aid at a global conference today to tackle the country’s increasingly bloody crisis.
As the flashpoint city of Homs came under renewed shelling, officials said today’s “Friends of Syria” meeting

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Cats: Some Questions Answered

9:56 PM No Comments

Do cat’s eyes change when they are about to eat?
YES, the pupils of cats’ eyes may enlarge by as much as four times their usual diameter when they approach their feeding bowl.
Actually, human beings respond to pleasurable stimuli in the same way; but because the dilation is much less pronounced, we don’t particularly notice it.

How old can cats grow?
Cats begin to enter old age at nine years, and the “average” life expectancy is eleven to thirteen years, depending on whose statistics you want to believe.
But there are a surprising number of cats that survive into their late teens, and some even reach the age of 25. Such cats have in essence spent the majority of their lives in old age. Even senile cats function better than senile dogs.
Obviously, cats that live to a great age have “good genes,” but they have always been exceptionally well

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‘No Substitute For Good Governance’

9:52 PM News No Comments

CHIEF (Dr.) Micheal Olawale-Cole was recently installed as the 18th President and Chairman-In-Council, Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM). In this interview, the former governorship aspirant, two-time commissioner in Lagos State proffers managerial solutions to the challenges of corruption in the oil and gas Industry, Boko Haram menace, unemployment and waste in governance. He spoke to BANKOLE SHAKIRUDEEN ADESHINA.


As the new man at the helms of affairs of NIM, what is your agenda for the institute?
I am retaining the existing structures and programmes at the institute such as Distinguished Management Lecture, Annual Alumni Conference, and Reorientation Empowerment Programmes for the society among others. We are also looking at membership extension by 50 percent from about 170,000 at present.
Essentially, we will be focusing more attention on public policy advocacy. This resolution was informed by our

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Banner Destroyers Of Family Relationships

9:49 PM Fashion/Lifestyle No Comments

WHY do we have so much grievances and hatred in our families? Africa is known for communal living and sharing. But although we pretend to be at peace and live a communal life, it is obvious it’s no longer so.
As usual, some ladies are going to crucify me for telling the truth, but it must be told: women contribute a lot to the hatred and quarrels we have in our families.
Some of these grievances and disputes date back to even before our grand parents were born. We try to make things up and live like nothing is happening while they exist.
As children, we were made to believe that every adult must be involved in the proper raising of children. We saw adults who were in no way related to a child take up the responsibility of discipline whenever the child misbehaved even in the absence of the parents. What we see these days are adults who sit and watch a goat

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Before The Baby Comes

9:47 PM Health No Comments

PLANNING for pregnancy prepares an expectant couple both mentally and physically. For some, getting pregnant is as easy as thinking about it.
For every 100 couple, 30 will conceive, 75 in six months, 80 to 90 in one year and the remaining 10 to 20 take longer.
Getting pregnant comes with its own surprises and those who prepare themselves make the best of them.
Pregnancy is such a huge deal and impacts mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually especially on the woman.
Today, planning a pregnancy has become an essential task for both couples much more than in the past.
Achieving pregnancy is more rewarding when planned particularly by a new couple and those who see their

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The Art Of Body Language

9:46 PM Fashion/Lifestyle No Comments

BODY Language is non-verbal communication that takes up a great percentage of our total communication even more than what we say. Have you ever wondered why your words aren’t taken as seriously as you think they should? Most probably, the signals your body sends aren’t in agreement with the words you use. Being consciously aware of the signals we send as well as the ones others send is very vital for effective communication and in the cultivation of a more influential status.
Practicing the right posture also prevents fitness maladies like lower back pains as well as projects an image that is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. Non-verbal communication skills are fundamental to a more wholesome projection of our image and purpose. When we consistently preserve

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To Anyim Pius Anyim, SGF, At 51

9:41 PM News No Comments

ON the way to Bwari, a suburb of the FCT, made popular by the Nigerian Law School, is the Lower Usman Dam.  Hidden behind the sparking blue waters of the Dam is a lone complex, massive and resplendent, with a simple inscription on its entrance gate: “National Institute for Security Studies”.  The environment is serene and welcoming and the people polite and civilized. Here intense and rigorous intellectual work goes on, on a daily basis.
The Institute was holding the inaugural lecture, for its Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 5, the theme of which was “Nigeria in Transformation”.  The guest lecturer turned up in a suit, attire Nigerians rarely see him in.  He was to confess himself that knowing the occasion he was invited for and the nature of the business for the day, he had to

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Writing To Train Minds, Nursing To Save Lives…

9:37 PM Fashion/Lifestyle No Comments

Lara Daniels is a romance suspense writer. She  writes on diverse issues affecting African women such as injustice, poor education, poor health care and poverty. She is also a registered nurse in Dallas, Texas, United States of America. In this chat with IBUKUNOLUWA KAYODE she speaks on her efforts at ensuring women and youths get more informed on inborn abilities.
LARA Daniels will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Even while she has a life to save every morning as a registered nurse, she keeps her pen working at night when most people are enjoying the comfort of their beds.
An avid romance suspense writer, Lara is a Nurse Administrator in Latter Glory House, a nursing facility in Dallas, Texas, United States of America. It can be hard to see any link between nursing and writing. But Lara

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Ways To Improve Your Health During Lent

9:35 PM Health No Comments

SO, Lent has started. This is the time when most of us are on our best behaviour. A number of people also use it as a period to shift some weight by eating only once a day. This is not necessarily a bad thing; I don’t think it takes away from the essence of it. However, we have to be careful so as not to do anything crazy that will be harmful to our health or counter what we are trying to achieve.
Lent is also a good time to develop good healthy habits and get rid of the not so good ones. Below are some things we can challenge ourselves with our this period.
Stop smoking
Do l really need to say more? You’ve heard it all. I know it can be tough to give up a habit you have had for a long period of time. However, since it’s a period of giving something up, why not this? You’ll also find that

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‘We’re Going To Manage Electricity Subsidy To Avoid Fuel Subsidy Pitfalls’

9:31 PM News No Comments

AS part of the reform in the power sector, workers at the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) headquarters in Abuja are being posted out, causing anxiety their fate when the distribution companies they are being redeployed to are privatised, as well as the much-talked about subsidy in the sector. But Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, explained to journalists, including MADU ONUORAH, on how these would work out in a win-win situation for both the workers and electricity consumers.
Staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Abuja are being posted out to the new distribution companies and they are saying that even if they accept the posting, the Ministry ought to pay them their entitlements, as the distribution companies will not

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Obama regrets Afghan Qur’an burning

9:26 PM News No Comments

UNITED States (U.S.) President Barack Obama has sent a letter of apology to Afghan President Hamid Karzai over the burning of copies of the Qur’an at an American military base, Agence France Presse (AFP) quoted Karzai’s office as saying yesterday.
About eight people were killed yesterday, including two NATO soldiers, in violence across Afghanistan, after the burning of the Qur’an.
But Obama said the incident was not intentional and pledged a full investigation, a statement from the president’s office said.
“I wish to express my deep regret for the reported incident,” Obama wrote in the letter presented to Karzai by U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker.
“I extend to you and the Afghan people my sincere apologies.
“The error was inadvertent; I assure you that we will take the appropriate steps to avoid any recurrence, to

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