IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Nigerian Communications Commission has declared 2017 the year of Nigerian Telecom Consumer. The commission says the key focus of this declaration is to ensure that that services yield the result of improving consumer satisfaction and also increase consumer information and education.

Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Umar Danbatta made this known at the 80th edition of the telecom consumer parliament tagged Celebrating The Telecom Consumer in Abuja. The Telecom Consumer Parliament is a platform where stakeholders engage in an interactive session with the aim of rubbing minds on issues relating to the telecommunications sector.

The Nigerian Communications Commission reiterates that all its initiatives such as simple card registration, mobile number portability, do not disturb as well as various Consumer awareness campaigns are to ensure consumer satisfaction and protection.

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State says his administration is taking immediate steps to find a holistic solution to the problem of flooding in the state. Ambode spoke on Monday at the Water Technology and Environmental Control (WATEC) sensitisation programme in Lagos.

The country’s commercial nerve centre has been battling with flooding which hit several parts of the city in the last few days as a result of torrential rainfall. Areas worst hit include the highbrow Lekki-Victoria Island axis, where motorists, on Saturday, spent up to six hours to escape the water-logged roads and expressway. Heavy floods took over the entire Ahmadu Bello Way in Victoria Island, Lagos, forcing some residents and commercial offices to unceremoniously vacate their premises.

The Lagos State Police Command had temporarily closed the road to human and vehicular movement due to threat by heavy flood. Ambode said on Monday that there was even more urgent need to embark upon a review and re-engineering of the canals and drainage systems in the state.

The details of the timetable are as follows:
• Notice of Verification(July 10, 2017). To be posted at the constituency (INEC LGA office, Lokoja).
• Last day for submission of application by interested observers (31st July 2017). INEC headquarters.
• Last day for submission of names of verification agents for the member sought to be recalled and the petitioners (August 10, 2017). By a letter addressed and submitted to the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) indicating the Polling Unit verification agents arranged by LGAs as well as collation agents and where they will serve.
• Stakeholders meeting (August 15, 2017). INEC State Office.
• Conduct of Verification (August 19, 2017). To be held in the Polling Units in the constituency.

Manchester United have signed striker Romelu Lukaku from Everton for an initial £75m on a five-year contract. The deal for the 24-year-old Belgium international, initially reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, is believed to include £15m in add-ons. Champions Chelsea had matched the Red Devils' bid, but missed out on re-signing their former player. "Romelu is a natural fit for Manchester United. He is a big personality and a big player," said boss Jose Mourinho.

"It is only natural that he wants to develop his career at the biggest club. "He will be a great addition to the group. I am really looking forward to working with him again." Lukaku, whose contract includes an option for a sixth year, said: "When Manchester United and Jose Mourinho come knocking at the door, it is an opportunity of a lifetime and one that I could not turn down. "I cannot wait to run out at Old Trafford in front of 75,000 fans."

Lukaku sent a farewell message to Everton on Monday in which he thanked the club and said it was "an honour" to play in front of their fans.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, said that Federal Government would ensure the completion of the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail services by Dec. 2018. Amaechi gave the assurance on Monday in Lagos while inspecting the ongoing rail projects at Ijoko community area of Ogun State.

The Minister said that the Federal Government was making all efforts to ensure the completion of the project as scheduled. “I have made a personally decisions to come to Lagos to get briefing and update on the ongoing project. “I have decided to come to the site monthly to put the company handling the project on their toes to ensure quick delivery of the project. “The government is committed to deliver the projects on time for the benefit of the people at least by December 2018, Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail operation should commence,’’ he said.

Amaechi added that the only challenge facing the projects was the bridges across the rail lines. The Minister said that some of the bridges include Oshodi, Ikeja and the newly constructed Ijoko Bridge by Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, of Ogun State.

Football star Lionel Messi's 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud has been changed to a fine by the Spanish courts. The Barcelona star must pay €252,000 ($288,000, £223,000), equating to €400 for each day of the sentence, the court said in a statement.

Messi, along with his father Jorge, was found guilty of defrauding Spain of €4.1m between 2007 and 2009. His father's 15-month sentence was replaced with a €180,000 fine.

The pair had been found guilty of using tax havens in Belize and Uruguay to conceal earnings from image rights.