Ukeme Eyibio's Blogosphere

Having depreciated in value to N500 to the dollar at the parallel market, the value of the naira appreciated to N498 to the dollar, the value it had been trading for weeks or weeks, even as external reserves rose to $28.28 billion the highest in the year highest in a year. The naira however remained stable at N305.25 to the dollar at the interbank market, on the website of the Association of Bureau de Change Operators; the naira was quoted at N315.38 to the dollar. Demand for the greenback grew and the Central Bank of Nigeria rationed dollar supply, having sold $660 million in 3- and 5- month currency forwards at an auction aimed at clearing a backlog of dollar demand. Traders however said the dollar sale was not enough to satisfy the market. Data on the website of the apex bank showed that the nation’s external reserves has risen by 7.89 per cent since the beginning of the year. Traders said while the apex bank has been selling dollars on the official market to support the naira,

Power failure had momentarily disrupted the ongoing screening of non-career ambassadorial nominees by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. The committee is currently on the seventh nominee – Baba Ahmed Jidda from Borno state – went the light went off at about 12.13pm, a situation which forced the committee to halt proceedings for about five minutes. But power could not be restored immediately and the committee is going on with the screening of Jidda in darkness.

The Nigerian Police Force has displayed monies recovered from INEC officials said to have been given to them by Governor Nyesom Wike for them to influence the Results of the 2016 Rivers Rerun Elections

As shared by Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP EBONG EYIBIO, who is the Area Commander of Kafanchan, Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State: THESE CHILDREN, SUCCESS JOSEPH 7YRS & GODWIN JOSEPH 5YRS, ARE SAID TO HAVE DISAPPEARED ON THEIR WAY TO SCHOOL, ST MARY PRIMARY SCHOOL, KAFANCHAN. IF SEEN REPORT TO THE NEARBY POLICE STATION PLEASE. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=687690738077703&id=100005103498286

Th e Nigeria police have raided PREMIUM TIMES head office in Abuja, and arrested the newspaper’s publisher. The publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi, was arrested alongside the paper’s judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu. Plain-clothed officers conducted a search at the office shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday and said they were acting on a complaint filed by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai. The arrests came days after PREMIUM TIMES turned down the army’s demand to retract news stories about the Nigerian Army and its operations. The paper’s Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, condemned the raid. “They should stop deluding themselves that they can muzzle the press and intimidate PREMIUM TIMES,” said Mr. Mojeed. “They should know that our loyalty lies with our readers and the Nigerian people who have a right to know.” He said the paper would continue “to discharge its responsibilities in line with global best practices, social responsibility, and patriotism, even at great risk to our per

Manchester United generated the most revenue of any football club in the world last season, according to a report published by Deloitte.   United dethrone Real Madrid – who held top spot for 11 years – after accumulating a record revenue of 689m euros (£515m) during the 2015-16 term.   The Premier League club saw commercial revenue grow by 100m euros (£71m).   Combined revenue for the top 20 clubs during the 2015-16 season grew 12% to 7.4bn euros (£6.41bn) – a new record.   It is the first time Manchester United have topped the annual Deloitte Football Money League since the 2003-04 season.   Real drop down to third, behind Spanish rivals Barcelona, who remain in second spot.   German giants Bayern Munich move up a position to fourth and Manchester City also climb a spot to fifth – having generated 524.9 euros (£392.6m) – up from 463.5 euros (£352.6m) during the previous season.   It is the first time they have reached the top five of the annual list.   Eight Premier Le

Lagos based human rights lawyer Mr. Inibehe Effiong has written a letter to the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Idorenyin Daniel Udoh the roof contractor who handled the roofing of the uncompleted building of the Reigners Bible Church International in Uyo which collapsed on Saturday, December 10, 2016 killing and injuring several guests and worshippers during the bishopric consecration ceremony of the Founder and General Overseer of the Church, Apostle Akan Weeks. In a four pages letter dated 30th December, 2016 with Reference No. PT/01/IEC/2016 to the Akwa Ibom State Police Boss, the lawyer expressed dismay that his client who voluntarily went to the State Criminal Investigation Department to make a statement following the collapse of the uncompleted building has been arbitrarily detained since the 12th of December, 2016. The letter reads in part ‘’Our Client was hired by Apostle Weeks to construct the Steel Roof/Truss o