NIPOST set to engage in postal banking services

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has indicated that NIPOST is considering plans to set up postal banking facilities in 1,500 branches, according to local sources.

Local media sources quote Shittu as saying that the Ministry is also looking at proposals to diversify NIPOST’s activities with new insurance, property development, logistics and e-government services.

Shittu has reportedly submitted proposals to Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General’s office.

“Until we get presidential go-ahead, it is a waiting game,” Shittu was quoted as saying.

“I hope that before the end of this year, we will be able to implement this vision of the new NIPOST that we are looking at.”

Photo for the Moment

19 cars, SUVs recovered from ex-IG Arase

Solomon Arase (former IG of Police)

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has ordered an investigation into the purchase and distribution of vehicles by his predecessors.

It was gathered that the probe was informed by the discovery that retiring officers, including former  IGs and Deputy Inspector-Generals of Police, were in the habit of appropriating police vehicles for their personal use.

Gatherings from Punch on Sunday show that the probe, which is being handled by the Special Investigation Panel, had identified and recovered 19 police vehicles from former IG, Solomon Arase.

Some of the vehicles include assorted sedans, Sports Utility Vehicles and pick-up vans.

The vehicles, it was learnt, were apart from the four vehicles he was entitled to take away with him on retirement.

A senior officer, who is familiar with the investigation, said the SIP was still working to recover five additional vehicles from the former police boss.

It was learnt that the SIP, headed by Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ali Amodu, (retd.), had also recovered a number of police vehicles from other retired DIGs.

The recovered vehicles were said to have been distributed to newly promoted Commissioners of Police and AIGs.

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej dead at 88

Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, has died after 70 years as head of state, the palace says.

The 88-year-old king was widely revered but had been in poor health in recent years, making few public appearances.

He was seen as a stabilising figure in a country hit by cycles of political turmoil and multiple coups.

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will be the new monarch, the prime minister has said.

In a televised address to the nation, Prayut Chan-ocha said Thailand would hold a one-year mourning period and that all entertainment functions must be "toned down" for a month.

Describing the king's death as "the most devastating moment for Thais", the prime minister said: "He is now in heaven and may be looking over Thai citizens from there."

Indonesia approves chemical castration law for paedophiles

Indonesia's parliament has passed controversial laws authorising chemical castration, minimum sentences and execution for convicted paedophiles.

President Joko Widodo proposed the changes in May following the gang rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl.

The laws were subject to fierce debate in parliament, with two opposition parties voting against castration.

Human rights groups have objected to the punishments, arguing that violence will not be stopped by violence.

The Indonesian Doctors Association said administering chemical castration would violate its professional ethics and said its members should not take part. The procedure entails injecting convicts with female hormones. It is used on sex offenders in Poland, South Korea, Russia, and some US states, among others. Prisoners in UK jails can volunteer for the treatment.

Crown Prince returns home as Thailand holds vigil for ailing king

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn returned to Thailand Wednesday amid growing concerns about the health of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The Crown Prince was seen making his way to the Siriraj Hospital, where King Bhumibol is being cared for by doctors. It's not yet known if the Crown Prince has visited the King, who remains in unstable condition, according to a Thai palace statement released Wednesday.

As the Thai nation holds an anxious vigil for their beloved King, hundreds gathered in temples and outside Siriraj Hospital. They held framed portraits of King Bhumibol and prayed for his speedy recovery. Well-wishers were dressed predominantly in pink, an auspicious color believed to restore health, and yellow, which is the color of the King.

Corruption is not a Crime; It's a Human Rights Violation

Corruption is the most neglected human rights violation of our time. It fuels injustice, inequality and depravity, and is a major catalyst for migration and terrorism.

In Africa, the social and political consequences of corruption rob nations of resources and potential, and drive inequality, resentment and radicalisation. Corruption cheats the continent’s governments of about $50-billion annually and stymies successful cities, sustainable economies and safe societies.

A joint report by the African Development Bank and nonprofit advisory firm Global Financial Integrity found that up to 65% of this lost revenue disappeared in commercial transactions by multinational companies. According to Oxfam, as much as 30% of African financial wealth is estimated to be held offshore, costing an estimated $14-billion in lost tax revenues every year.

This corruption discourages donors and destroys investor confidence, strangling development, progress and prosperity.

Corruption stimulates recruitment of young Nigerians into the ranks of militant group, Boko Haram. In a recent study, 70% of those interviewed in the state of Sokoto cited corruption as a factor driving radicalisation.

Trump apologizes for video bragging about groping women

In his video apology released early Saturday morning, Trump says he's never claimed to be a "perfect person."

“Anyone who knows me knows these words don’t reflect who I am," Trump said.

“I said it, I was wrong and I apologize."

However, in a statement shortly after the video's release, Trump dismissed its importance.

“This was locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago," the GOP presidential nominee says. "Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course — not even close. I apologize if anyone was offended.”

Top Republicans denounced their nominee, and House Speaker Paul Ryan Friday night essentially uninvited Trump from an event in Wisconsin Saturday where they were scheduled to campaign together.

“I am sickened by what I heard today," the House speaker said in a statement. "Women are to be championed and revered, not objectified. I hope Mr. Trump treats this situation with the seriousness it deserves and works to demonstrate to the country that he has greater respect for women than this clip suggests. In the meantime, he is no longer attending tomorrow’s event in Wisconsin.”

Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, will make an appearance instead, Trump said in a statement. Trump said he will not attend because. "I will be spending the day in New York in debate prep with RNC Chairman Reince Priebus."

That debate session could be interesting because Priebus issued a short, but blistering statement Friday night, denouncing the GOP nominee's language.

"No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever," Priebus said.

Trump's Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, tweeted that the latest revelations were "horrific."

"We cannot allow this man to become president," she wrote. A later Clinton tweet included a portion of the video itself with a note: "Women have the power to stop Trump."

Clinton's running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, wrote on Twitter that Trump's behavior was "disgusting."

"It makes me sick to my stomach," Kaine tweeted.

The video's release comes two days before a critical presidential debate where Trump hopes to rebound following a widely criticized performance in his opening face-off with Clinton.

In that debate, Clinton brought up a former Miss Universe's allegations that Trump had called her "Miss Piggy" and had made other disparaging remarks. That exchange led to days of the GOP nominee attempting to defend his actions, culminating in a series of tweets posted in the early morning hours by Trump in which he further attacked Alicia Machado, including referring to a sex tape.

ECOWAS Court Says Dasuki Detention Illegal, places FG on 15m Fine

Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) Former National Security Adviser (NSA)

The ECOWAS Court on Tuesday has ordered the immediate release of former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, currently facing trial over $2.1 billion illegal arms purchase deal.

Dasuki has been in detention since December 2015 as fresh allegations on the money emerges and also standing trial for illegal possession of arms.

The ECOWAS court in Abuja said that the detention of Dasuki violated both national and international laws on the right of persons and citizens to freedom of liberty.

Justice Chijioike Nwoke of the ECOWAS Court delivered the judgment by slamming a N15 million fine against the Nigerian Federal Government as to compensate damages to Dasuki for the deprivation of his freedom to liberty and the deprivation of his properties.

The court dismissed the allegations of unlawful possession of firearms and economic crimes allegedly committed by Dasuki.

The court also said that the Nigeria Government missed the track because the applicant applied before the court for the enforcement of his breached and contravention of fundamental right.

Justice Nwoke said that even if the applicant had committed a crime, due process which is inculcated by the law must be observed in his trial adding that it is an established fact that the applicant was put on trial in three different Nigeria High Courts and was granted bails by the courts.

The court said that the action of the Federal Government in subjecting Dasuki into the detention without trial is condemnable because criminality has not been established against him.

Nigerian actress expelled for 'immoral' music video

A famous Nigerian actress, Rahama Sadau, has been expelled by the Hausa indigenous film industry known as Kannywood, after she featured in a music video which they say was "immoral". 

The Kannywood star appeared in the video with popular singer, Classiq, in a song titled I Love You.

In the film you can see her being hugged by Classiq.

The statement from the Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) says that Ms Sadau was "hugging and cuddling the music artist" in clear violation of code of the conduct "known to all practitioners".  

It goes on to say that the body would not tolerate behaviour that goes against the conduct and ethics governing the industry. 

The statement also says that they hope the expulsion would serve as a "deterrent for other actors and actresses" and urged them to be ambassadors of the society they represent.