Buhari begins first phase of homegrown school feeding across the country

• No counter-part funding required to start, but state govts welcome to complement
• N70 per meal estimated
• Caterers to be paid directly by the federal government
• Programme expected to spur Agric, and create jobs 
• Will also foster children's nutrition and learning 

To ensure the effective implementation of the National Home-grown School Feeding, HGSF, Programme, the Muhammadu Buhari presidency has already provided enough funds in the 2016 budget that will ensure that in the first instance 5.5 million primary school pupils would be served one free hot meal a day.

Making this explanation Tuesday afternoon in Abuja was the Senior Special Assistant, Media & Publicity in the Office of the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, who added that while states are an active participant in the school feeding plan, their counterpart funding is not required to start the programmer's implementation.

Willing states are however being encouraged to complement the programme so it can reach more pupils, but state governments cannot and will not be compelled to do this. However the support of the states is vital whether they are able to fund in addition to what the FG will do or not, according to the SSA, saying "we want the states to embrace this programme, it is good for the people, it's a win-win for everyone."

Power Sector Illegally Sold, Fashola Says

The Federal Government and labour agreed yesterday that the power sector was illegally privatised but they differed on how to redress the “illegality.”

Labour leaders are demanding for the cancellation of the sale and reversal of 45 percent increase in tariff effected in February.

However, the government said though it agreed the deal was fraudulent there were legal issues that might make it impossible to reverse the sale.

Speaking at a Senate public hearing on the electricity tariff yesterday, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said government’s interests were illegitimately sold to some private businesses.

Pregnant woman pours boiling water on househelp's breasts for waking up late

A pregnant woman faces child abuse and human trafficking charges after she attacked her housemaid with boiling water for waking up late.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, mother of one Kemi Egbukole, 36,  poured boiling water on 16-year-old Hope David leaving her breasts with severe injuries. Police said Egbukole would be charged after investigations are concluded.

Badeh denies $1m was found in his Abuja home, challenges EFCC to provide proof

Embattled former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, has denied claims by EFCC that $1 million was found hidden in his Abuja home. A source at EFCC had claimed that they found $1 million during a search at Badeh's home at Number 6, Ogun River Street, Maitama‎ Auja. Badeh refuted the claims in a statement issued by his counsel Samuel Zibri, challenging EFCC to provide proof to substantiate their claim.

The statement reads

FG appoints KPMG, PWC to audit NNPC, other revenue generating agencies

The Federal Government has appointed international audit firms, KPMG and PriceWaterhouse Cooper, to conduct comprehensive audit of the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other revenue generating agencies from 2012 to 2015.

Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomole announced this after the second meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) in Abuja today August 13th.

“The probe will now cover value for expense as the affected agencies will be made to account for things expended on at their correct value. This is about making Nigeria work for the benefit of other Nigerians and we have to bear in mind that governments are not run on the basis of collection of crude oil but government regardless of colour or political affiliation is run on race and so if you have tax generating agencies that are not remitting taxes government cannot run like that" he told state house correspondents

ICPC orders Mike Okiro to refund N133m to FG

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has directed the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro, to remit N133 million to the Federal Treasury through the ICPC recovery account at First City Monument Bank.

This was the balance of the N350m he received from the Federal Government for staff trainings and physical monitoring of police personnel during the last general elections.

The ICPC also ordered the workers of the commission who were paid 2-way return ticket and Airport taxi fares to location within the Federal Capital Territory and States with close proximity to Abuja during the monitoring exercise to refund to the treasury monies amounting to N11.75 million.

“Consequently, this commission hereby directs, as follows, that the total balance of N133,413,845.99 from the N350,000,000 2015 Election monitoring exercise domiciled within FCMB be remitted to the Federal Treasury through the ICPC Recovery Account No. 1012929790 at Zenith Bank Plc,” it directed.

The anti-graft agency said these in its report of investigations into allegations of graft levelled against Okiro by a PSC worker, Solomon Kaase, who petitioned the ICPC in May, 2015 over alleged moves by Okiro to swindle the PSC to the tune of N275 million.

Sunday Oliseh & his foreign assistant coach arrive for their unveiling

Sunday Oliseh and Jean Francois Losciuto have arrived the National Stadium Abuja where they will be unveiled today July 15 as the new Super Eagles coach and assistant coach.

More photos after the cut...

What Would You Do if a Car Wash Attendant Crashed Your Jeep into a Wall?

This is the question one man in Abuja had to ask himself when this happened to him.

According to online reports, the owner of the jeep parked it at a car wash to be cleaned.

Shortly after he left, the men who worked at the car wash reportedly heard that some FCT environmental taskforce personnel were heading to their location. One of the men is said to have panicked and jumped into the vehicle in an attempt to escape the premises.

Apparently, the man didn’t have much experience driving and shortly after going a short distance, he lost control of the car and subsequently crashed into a wall.

What would you do if you were the owner of the car?

President Buhari Moves To Aso Rock

Three weeks after his May 29 inauguration, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday evening relocated to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He joined his wife, Aisha, who had moved in on Thursday.

Before he finally moved in, the President had in the afternoon of Sunday visited the Presidential Villa where he stayed for about 30 minutes.

Those who thought that he had finally relocated to the seat of power were however shocked when Buhari left the premises after spending a few minutes. He later returned finally in the evening.

Credit: Punch