Man Gives Out Son As Loan Collateral In Calabar - Crime -

Knificent.blogspot.com .
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a couple for allegedly trafficking their two-year old first son to an agent in Port Harcourt in exchange for money.

The command’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, who presented the suspects to journalists on Tuesday in Calabar, said the couple was arrested on July 23 in Calabar after a report by the mother of the child, Mrs Magdalene Bassey.

Inuwa explained that the mother of the child reported that her husband, Mr Daniel Bassey, gave out the child to a trafficking agent for an undisclosed amount of money.

“On July 23 2018, one Mrs Magdalene Bassey reported at Efut Divisional Headquarters in Calabar that her husband, Mr Daniel Bassey, took their first son to an unknown person in Port Harcourt through one woman called `Mummy’.

“The police immediately swung into action and arrested the suspect. During interrogation, the suspect revealed that his wife was a party to the transaction.

“The duo are now in police custody to unravel the cause of this inhuman action and possible prosecution,” he said.

The father of the child told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that said he gave out the child as collateral for N180,000 to help him pay his house rent.

“I did it based on the debt of N21,000 I collected from a friend to pay my house rent.

“There is no work in this rainy season and I am jobless. A guy from my area informed me that he knows a woman who lends money to people.

“That my friend told me that I can give out the child as collateral to get the money without necessarily selling him.

“The woman gave me N180,000 immediately after she received the child.

“After that, my mother-in-law came and asked me of the child and I lied to her that I took the baby to my brother for holiday,” he said.

The commissioner also presented 37 suspected armed robbers, 20 suspected cultists, eight suspects for unlawful possession of firearms and five suspects for murder, among others.

He assured his audience that the command would continue to work in collaboration with other security agencies and residents of the state with a view to safeguarding lives and property.(NAN)

David Mark Picks PDP Presidential Nomination Form (Photo) - Politics -

Knificent.blogspot.com .


Former Senate president David Mark this afternoon picked PDP nomination form for president.

(Quote) (Report) 1 Like (Like) (Share)

Eko Hospital Re-positioned For Improved Healthcare Service - Health

Knificent.blogspot.com .

EKO HOSPITAL RE-POSITIONED FOR IMPROVED HEALTHCARE SERVICE
source : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/09/eko-hospital-re-positioned-for-improved.html



The management of Ekocorp Plc on Monday said it has concluded the first phase of the transformation of its hospital, Eko Hospital, saying the hospital has been re-positioned for efficient healthcare service delivery.Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, Speaking at press conference in Lagos on the transformation done in the hospital in the last six months, the Interim Chief Executive of Ekocorp, Chukwuka Monye said it has been a new experience for its clients. The transformation of the hospital according to him was focused on the main areas which are automation, finance and care delivery. He explained that the automation of processes has reduced the wait time of patients improving their experience at the hospital. Asides this, he said the transformation process carried out by the interim management ensured that the hospital was managed such that it would return to profitability. Also speaking the interim chief financial officer of Ekocorp, Ayodeji Adewale noted that the healthcare provider which is listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) plans to commence payment of dividend to is shareholders soon. According to him, Ekocorp which has not paid dividend for over a decade is on its way to profitability and would soon begin to yield returns for its shareholders. He noted that discussions are on with some investors on injecting more funds to gurther equip thr hospital and extend its operations beyond its three outlets. On his part, the Chief Medical Officer of the hospital, Dr Adegbite Ogunmokun noted that the automation of processes in the hospital has not only improved the experience and wait time of patients but is also driving data collection for research purposes in the hospital. “Research is done easier and we have been able to publish some paper in the local journals international journals” he stated adding that the hospital through its training programmes have been able to produce 25 consultants.

(Quote) (Report) 2 Likes (Like) (Share)

Funny Toheeb Recreates Bambam Chicken Dress To AMVCA With Live Chickens - Celebrities -

Knificent.blogspot.com .


Former BBNaija housemate, Bambam who wore chicken dress to the just concluded 'Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award' (AMVCA) 2018.

Social media comedian, Funny Toheed creates Bambam Chicken Dress with many diffecrent livestocks.

He wrote; Incase you are looking for your chicken or Turkey, am not around, come back in the Night is not me oo but @bammybestowed that used it in her outfit, people can testify through this pishaw ��� #funnytoheeb

http://gistmore.com/comedian-funnytoheeb-receates-bambam-lady-gaga-chicken-dress-many-livestocks-pics

(Quote) (Report) (Like) 1 Share (Share)

ee more photos here >>> http://gistmore.com/comedian-funnytoheeb-receates-bambam-lady-gaga-chicken-dress-many-livestocks-pics

(Quote) (Report) 1 Like (Like) (Share)

Real Madrid To Swap Marcelo For Alex Sandro Of Juventus - Sports -

Knificent.blogspot.com .





Spanish giant, Real Madrid will likely swap Marcelo for Juventus left-back Alex Sandro in the January transfer window.

According to Italian newspaper Tuttosport, Marcelo has a questionable relationship with new Real manager Julen Lopetegui, especially after being substituted off against Girona.

This comes after it was alleged that the Brazilian wants to be reunited with his former team-mate and close friend Cristiano Ronaldo, who made a £100million move in the summer to Juventus.

The Italian newspaper also claimed that Juventus are interested in him and were, in fact, keen to sign him in the summer but could not resolve a series of issues in time.

And for the future of Alex Sandro, the current left wing-back at Juventus, Real Madrid are now keen to bring him in as part of a swap for Marcelo, making the deal more possible.

Reports in Spain also claimed that Marcelo's relationship with Lopetegui has taken a different turn with defender now forced to train with the reserves.

After the Girona game, Marcelo said: 'I was surprised by the change but I respect the decision of the coach.
I wanted to continue because I felt 100 per cent good. I do not understand the substitution but with respect, it is a decision of the coach. I always want to play.'

http://www.purplefeel.com/2018/09/real-madrid-to-swap-marcelo-for-alex-sandro.html

(Quote) (Report) 1 Like (Like) (Share)

Flood Kills Soldier, 9 Others In Kebbi - Travel

Knificent.blogspot.com .


Kebbi Government on Tuesday confirmed the death of a soldier and nine others in two separate flood disasters across the state.

A statement by Abubakar Dakingari, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Atiku Bagudu issued in Birnin Kebbi, said the flood occurred in two local government areas on Thursday.

He listed the communities affected as Kanya village in Danko Wasagu Local Government and Mahuta in Fakai Local Government.

“A soldier and nine other people were killed by heavy flood as a result of incessant rainfall in the state; the soldier was said to have died while trying to rescue a woman from the flood.’’

Dakingari said although the body of the woman was recovered, that of the soldier had been washed away, but effort was on to recover the corpse.

He added that the remains of five victims were recovered at Kanya and three in Mahuta.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Bagudu had earlier visited the communities to commiserate with the victims.

At Kanya, the village Head, Alhaji Isah Dan Hassan, told the governor that many houses, livestock and farmlands were destroyed by the flood.

He urged government to construct emergency bridge and provide canoes for the immediate evacuation of residents to safer areas.

During the visit, Bagudu also made a stop over at Waje bridge, where a young man was reported to have jumped to his death.

At Fakai, Chairman of the local government, Musa Jarma, said 48 houses and a bridge linking the town to other parts of the state were destroyed.

http://www.metronaija.ng/flood-kills-soldier-9-others-in-kebbi-2/

(Quote) (Report) (Like) (Share)

Gerard Pique Goes To Training With His N4M Electric Bike B'cos Of Driving Ban - Sports

Knificent.blogspot.com .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpHm3ubDSYg

Spanish football player Gerard Pique was forced to ride is customised electric bike to training after being banned from getting behind the wheels.

The Barcelona star is facing a 6 month prison sentence or a fine of £5370 (N2.5m) after he was found driving illegally with no points on his license.



With the zero point , he was banned from driving until he has completed a 24-hour course and pass a test at the Traffic Headquarters.

He lost all 12 points given to Spanish drivers through various traffic offences.

The soccer star has a history of traffic offences from breaking the speed limit to reckless driving.

The 31 year old was fined £9400 in 2014 after an argument with a traffic officer. In 2015,he was caught driving with a child in his arms instead of putting him on a designated seat.







Greyp Bikes, a sister company of electric car maker Rimac Automobili presented the high-performance electric bike to him, Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi in 2016.





The personalised bike can reach over 45mph and with a massive 3kWh battery, the Greyp G12H can go up to 150 miles on a single charge.

https://autojosh.com/barcelona-star-gerard-pique-now-goes-to-training-on-his-n4m-electric-bike-because-of-driving-ban/

(Quote) (Report) 2 Likes (Like) 3 Shares (Share)

China's Billion Dollar Loans To Africa: Why US Should Be Worried - Business -

Knificent.blogspot.com .

By Grant T. Harris

This week, China hosted leaders from across Africa for a summit in Beijing. The last summit was held in December 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa, where Chinese President Xi Jinping announced $60 billion in funding support for infrastructure development in Africa.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation included an eye-popping announcement of billions of dollars more in Chinese financing to build infrastructure across the continent. But these massive loans can come with steep and opaque conditions.

It’s tempting for Americans to think this is not our problem. But as African countries sink deeper and deeper into Beijing’s carefully laid debt trap, the United States could pay a steep cost in reduced cooperation on counterterrorism and job creation.

Chinese debt has become the methamphetamines of infrastructure finance: highly addictive, readily available, and with long-term negative effects that far outweigh any temporary high. This is particularly true in sub-Saharan Africa, where China has become the largest provider of bilateral loans. Forty percent of sub-Saharan African countries are already at high risk of debt distress; by having so much debt concentrated in the hands of a single lender, they are dangerously beholden to their supplier.

Why does this matter? Because in Africa and elsewhere, governments have secured massive loans from Beijing using strategic assets—such as oil, minerals, and land rights— as collateral. If borrower nations find themselves unable to repay the loan, China can claim the strategic asset. Sri Lanka recently learned this the hard way and handed over control of the port of Hambantota, giving China a strategic foothold along a busy trade waterway.

According to Professor Brahma Chellaney at the New Delhi-based Center for Policy Research, “several other countries, from Argentina to Namibia to Laos, have been ensnared in a Chinese debt trap, forcing them to confront agonizing choices in order to stave off default.”

While Chinese debt diplomacy may not seem relevant to most Americans, it is a serious threat to US national security. Most directly, China’s crafty negotiations and seizure of strategic assets can limit US influence and access overseas.

For instance, the tiny country of Djibouti is home to the most significant American military base in Africa. Thanks to Chinese loans, Djibouti’s debt-to-GDP ratio surged from 50 to 85 percent between 2014 and 2016. If Djibouti were to default and relinquish the port that resupplies the US base, American military capability in Africa and the Middle East could be seriously threatened.

More broadly, unsustainable levels of debt can destabilize African states, which also compromises American security interests. Over-leveraged governments can get caught in a downward spiral of credit downgrades, reckless economic policies, and reduced spending on social services. With economic stagnation comes fewer opportunities for Africa’s fast-growing and young population. And the toxic brew of economic hopelessness and political disillusionment can drive disaffected youth toward violent extremism. That can threaten Americans abroad and, potentially, even at home.

Finally, China’s debt diplomacy shuts out opportunities for US businesses. Not only do Beijing’s cheap infrastructure loans come with conditions to employ Chinese companies, they also set out technical specifications for projects like high-speed railways and wireless networks in a manner that favours Chinese firms. The combined effect of these efforts “would push the United States away from its current position in the global economy and move China toward the centre,” according to Jonathan Hillman, a fellow at the Center for International and Strategic Studies. China already earns $180 billion annually from its investments in Africa; if its debt diplomacy remains uncontested, it’s likely that even more revenues and jobs will flow to China, instead of the US.

But this outcome is far from inevitable. The US has plenty of good options, but it needs to dramatically step up its game and support alternatives to Beijing’s aggressive finance initiatives. Perhaps most fundamentally, the US needs to focus on boosting African economic growth. Helping African states to strengthen investment climates and economic governance will help them attract more private sector capital and provide more entry points for US companies. A key component is assisting African efforts to increase transparency, so that all the costs and benefits of project finance options are openly known. Fully staffing US embassies and offering more technical assistance to evaluate loan agreements and investment contracts would be a good start.

To date, the Trump Administration’s Africa policy has been adrift, defined more by racial epithets than any cohesive strategy or results. By comparison, China has a clear vision that will yield long-term benefits.

In Africa and around the world, much more needs to be done to confront Chinese debt diplomacy. If not, the US will pay a heavy price in its commercial and national security interests.

Harris is CEO of Harris Africa Partners LLC and advises companies on investing in Africa. He was senior director for Africa at the White House from 2011-2015.

https://www.businesspost.ng/2018/09/04/chinas-billion-dollar-loans-to-africa-why-us-should-be-worried/

(Quote) (Report) (Like) (Share)