Devaluation of Naira not now - Buhari

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has laid to rest the fate of Nigerian currency, the Naira when he ruled out the devaluation. He declared late Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya that he was yet to be convinced that Nigeria and its people would derive any tangible benefit from an official devaluation of the Naira, according to The Guardian.

Speaking at an interactive meeting with Nigerians residents in Kenya, Buhari, according to a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu maintained that while export-driven economies could benefit from devaluation of their currencies, devaluation would only result in further inflation and hardship for the poor and middle classes in Nigeria’s import-dependent economy.

The President added that he had no intention of bringing further hardship on the country’s poor who, he said, have suffered enough already.

Likening devaluing the Naira to having it “killed”, Buhari said that proponents of devaluation will have to work much harder to convince him that ordinary Nigerians will gain anything from it.

The President also rejected suggestions that the Central Bank of Nigeria should resume the sale of foreign exchange to Bureaux de Change (BDCs), saying that the Bureau de Change business had become a scam and a drain on the economy.

According to him, “We had just 74 of the bureau in 2005, now they have grown to about 2,800.”

He alleged that some banks and government officials used surrogates to run the BDCs and prosper at public expense by obtaining foreign exchange from government at official rates and selling it at much higher rates,

Buhari maintained that, “We will use our foreign exchange for industry, spare parts and the development of needed infrastructure.

“We don’t have the dollars to give to the BDCs. Let them go and get it from wherever they can, other than the Central Bank,” Buhari told the gathering, reaffirming his conviction that about a third of petroleum subsidy payments under the previous administration was bogus.

“They just stamped papers and collected our foreign exchange,” he said.

The President appealed to Nigerians studying abroad to bear with his administration as it strives to address the challenges they are facing as a result of new foreign exchange measures.

He said that he was optimistic that the Nigerian economy will stabilize soon with the efficient implementation of measures and policies that have been introduced by his administration.PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has laid to rest the fate of Nigerian currency, the Naira when he ruled out the devaluation. He declared late Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya that he was yet to be convinced that Nigeria and its people would derive any tangible benefit from an official devaluation of the Naira.

Speaking at an interactive meeting with Nigerians residents in Kenya, Buhari, according to a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu maintained that while export-driven economies could benefit from devaluation of their currencies, devaluation would only result in further inflation and hardship for the poor and middle classes in Nigeria’s import-dependent economy.

The President added that he had no intention of bringing further hardship on the country’s poor who, he said, have suffered enough already.

Likening devaluing the Naira to having it “killed”, Buhari said that proponents of devaluation will have to work much harder to convince him that ordinary Nigerians will gain anything from it.

The President also rejected suggestions that the Central Bank of Nigeria should resume the sale of foreign exchange to Bureaux de Change (BDCs), saying that the Bureau de Change business had become a scam and a drain on the economy.

According to him, “We had just 74 of the bureau in 2005, now they have grown to about 2,800.”

He alleged that some banks and government officials used surrogates to run the BDCs and prosper at public expense by obtaining foreign exchange from government at official rates and selling it at much higher rates,

Buhari maintained that, “We will use our foreign exchange for industry, spare parts and the development of needed infrastructure.

“We don’t have the dollars to give to the BDCs. Let them go and get it from wherever they can, other than the Central Bank,” Buhari told the gathering, reaffirming his conviction that about a third of petroleum subsidy payments under the previous administration was bogus.

“They just stamped papers and collected our foreign exchange,” he said.

The President appealed to Nigerians studying abroad to bear with his administration as it strives to address the challenges they are facing as a result of new foreign exchange measures.

He said that he was optimistic that the Nigerian economy will stabilize soon with the efficient implementation of measures and policies that have been introduced by his administration.

10 Remarkable Facts Of Watermelon That Might Surprise You

Watermelon, also known as Citrullus lanatus is a plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae with smooth green skin, pulp, and watery juice. The vine-like flowering plant is a nutrient dense food with contains a high amount of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for a low amount of calories. Here are some facts about watermelon that might surprise you.



Wild watermelons originated in southern Africa.
There are more than 1200 varieties of watermelon that come in various weights, shapes, sizes and colours.



The colours are; Red, orange, yellow and white.
Key commercial varieties of watermelon include the Carolina Cross, Yellow Crimson, Orangeglo, Moon & Stars, Cream of Saskatchewan, Melitopolski, and Densuke.



Farmers in Japan have started growing cube-shaped watermelons by growing them in glass boxes where they assume the shape of the box. Originally this was done to make the melons easier to stack and store, but the novelty of the cubic watermelon can fetch double the price of a normal one at market.

Watermelon is a fruit and a vegetable too. It is a vegetable because it is a member of the same family as the cucumber, pumpkin and squash. It is also harvested and cleared from fields like other vine growing vegetables.



You can eat watermelon rind and seeds. All parts of a watermelon can be eaten, even the rind, which actually contains a number of nutrients too, but due to the unappealing flavour, it is rarely eaten. In China, the rind is used as a vegetable and stir-fried, stewed or pickled. Try putting it in a blender with some lime for a healthy, refreshing treat. Not only does the rind contain plenty of health-promoting and blood-building chlorophyll, but the rind also contains more of the amino acid citrulline than the pink flesh. Same goes for the seeds; you can just consume them as snacks in between your meals.

Nutritionally, watermelons contain high levels of vitamin B6 (which increases brain power), vitamin A (good for eyesight), potassium (which helps in curing heart disease and keeping the heart healthy). The watermelon also contains Vitamin B1, C and manganese which protect against infections.



By weight, a watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water. The high water and electrolyte content of watermelons make them ideal as a refreshing summer thrust quenchers. They keep us hydrated, our skin fresh, and can clean the kidneys of toxins.

Watermelon and watermelon juice have been shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time following exercise in athletes. Researchers believe this is likely to do with the amino acid L-citrulline contained in watermelon.

EFCC detains former Chief of Air staff, Amosu

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has arrested the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosu.

Amosu was arrested Wednesday night at about 9pm and has since been detained by the anti graft agency.

Air Mashal Adesola Amosu is one of the 21 former and serving officers who have been penciled for probe by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Nigeria Air Force personnel being investigated are expected to explain their involvement in a $2 billion and another N29 billion procurement deals that took place between 2014 and 2015.

A top source at the EFCC said that Amosu is being detained to give vital information concerning the deals, especially with the contracts awarded, many of which were suspected to have been inflated.

With The Guardian

The best-dressed footballer’s wives

From Coleen Rooney to Shakira, the wives and girlfriends of the world's most famous footballers are leading the charge in the style stakes. Here's our seven best-dressed footballer's wives.

Whether they're modelling the latest trends on the terraces or cheering on the team in couture, the wives and girlfriends of the world's most famous footballers are bringing a touch of style to the sport.

From Victoria Beckham's fashion-forward look to the skinny jeans and sunglasses uniform of  Alex Garrard, we're taking a look at the best-dressed footballer's wives.


 
Victoria Beckham

The reigning style queen of the WAGS, despite David's retirement, we've come to expect nothing short of perfection from the acclaimed fashion designer.



Christine Blealey

TV presenter Christine hasn't let her style slip since getting involve with fiance Frank Lampard. She always look screen-ready, whether walking the red carpet or hitting the streets.



Abbey Clancy

Model and mum-of-two abbey is often seen showcasing her enviable pin in skinny jean and sky-high heels.  Since winning Strictly in 2011, she' left the sequins behind and embraced a more muted colour palette; after all, black never goes out of styles.



Coleen Rooney

The wardrobe of Wayne Rooney's childhood sweetheart evolve over the years from tracksuit wearing WAG to a perfectly polished trendsetter. She's also a designer in her own right, creating clothing ranges for Littlewoods and very.



Shakira

Pop superstar and partner of FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, Shakira always stand out from the crowd with her style. Whether she's rocking on embellished mini dress at an event or meeting fans in a relaxed jean and jacket look, Shakira is always number one in the fashion charts.



Alex Gerrard

Since following husband Steven Gerrard Stateside, Alex has become the LA style crush. She's swapped her sinny jeans for slouchy ankle boots and boho mini dresses, all worn with a statement handbag and a pair of sunnies, of course!



Melanie Walcott

The new kid on the block, Melanie Walcott, wife of Theo, has perfected girl-next-door style. Whether she's wearing jeans and a trench coat while hitting the shops or attending an event in an A-line skirt and heels, Mel makes looking effortlessly stylish seem easy.


With Sales Gossip

DasukiGate: EFCC gives Obaigbena two-week ultimatum to refund N670m

As the ongoing probe of $2.1billion arms deals continues, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday gave “ThisDay” publisher  Prince Nduka Obaigbena a two-week ultimatum to refund N670million allegedly collected for unexecuted contracts.

A source at the commission informed that some military personnel reported for interrogation yesterday, without elaborating. But still in custody is Obaigbena who had reported to the commission early on Tuesday.

Obaigbena was invited for interrogation in December 2015, but reports claimed he was outside the country. He, however, wrote a letter to the EFCC, admitting he collected N670 million from the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). The money, according to him, was a compensation for the bombing of his offices in Abuja and Kaduna by Boko Haram insurgents.

"The administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan paid the said sums to “ThisDay” and the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) as compensation for the bombing of the newspaper house by Boko Haram  and the seizure of copies of many newspapers by the military."

He also claimed 12 members of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) collected part of the money as compensation for the loss incurred as a result of the clampdown on their materials and newspapers by solders during the period.

Despite denying collecting any compensation by some of the newspaper houses, and return of the monies by those who admitted being compensated, the EFCC has been inviting all the newspaper houses mentioned by Obaigbena to answer questions. The investigation started last week and is on-going.

While other invited newspapers have been represented by their managing directors, Obaigbena has been asked to report in person which he eventually did on Tuesday. The EFCC source explained that Obaigbena is needed in person because he was the one who collected money for his organisation and on behalf of some of the other NPAN members.