Baby born twice in Texas: FG hails Nigerian Doctor, Oluyinka

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LReI-boCD3M/WBeu-Y80MwI/AAAAAAACtUo/qQfm7vj51vUiNDPOEt41aHwQPez7ni3NwCLcB/s1600/doctor-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LReI-boCD3M/WBeu-Y80MwI/AAAAAAACtUo/qQfm7vj51vUiNDPOEt41aHwQPez7ni3NwCLcB/s1600/doctor-banner.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> The Federal Government on Monday congratulated United State-based Nigerian Surgeon, Dr Oluyinka Olutoye on his recent feat in carrying out a successful operation on an unborn baby with tumour in her mother’s womb.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> This is contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to felicitate with Dr Olutoye on behalf of the President and people of Nigeria.<br /> <br /> According to the statement, President Muhammadu Buhari received the news of Dr Olutoye’s unique feat with excitement and fulfilment and looking forward to meeting with him soonest.<br /> <br /> Commended Nigerians in the Diaspora for their positive roles in enhancing the image of the country, Dabiri-Erewa stated that it is important to celebrate Dr Olutoye for the wonderful feat he performed in saving lives and projecting the good image of Nigeria.oluyinka<br /> <br /> The Senior Special Assistant to the President said Nigerians in the Diaspora are a huge potential, playing greater role in all sectors, assuring that her office was working on having a database for all the Nigeria achievers.<br /> <br /> “Nigerians are great people, making greater positive impacts in all fields of human endeavour in the Diaspora. Dr Olutoye’s feat is one of such testimonies,” the statement added.<br /> <br /> To complement that, Dabiri-Erewa said that Nigeria is working on a National Diaspora Policy guideline geared towards regulating all engagements with all Nigerians in the Diaspora.<br /> <br /> According to her, Nigerians in the Diaspora are of high importance to the growth and development of the country.<br /> <br /> She appealed to other Nigerians in the Diaspora to emulate the positive image Dr Oluyinka Olutoye has given to Nigeria which earned himoluyin recognition.<br /> <br /> Dabiri-Erewa reiterated the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari “to enhance the welfare of all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, and unadulterated determination to continue to tackle insecurity, corruption and the economy.”<br /> <br /> Recall that Dr Olutoye of Texas Children’s Hospital, USA carried out an operation on a baby at 23 weeks, who suffered from a tumour known as Sacrococcygeal Teratoma.<br /> <br /> Baby Lynlee Hope was removed from her mother’s womb, operated on and returned back. She healed and continued to grow until she was born again at 36 weeks.<br /> <br /> Dr Olutoye is Co-Director of the Texas Children’s Fetal Center and fetal surgery team member, as well as a general paediatric surgeon in USA.<br /> <br /> Dr Olutoye received his medical degree from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, in 1988 and his PhD in anatomy from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, in 1996.<br /> <br /> He completed his residency in general surgery at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, Virginia Commonwealth University, and his fellowship in paediatric surgery at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa.<br /> <br /> In addition, he is a member of the International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society and is a Fellow of the Surgical Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Surgeons; he is also a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons.

Baby born twice in Texas: FG hails Nigerian Doctor, Oluyinka

The Federal Government on Monday congratulated United State-based Nigerian Surgeon, Dr Oluyinka Olutoye on his recent feat in carrying out...

Read more »

Ondo Election: I will defeat Ibrahim, Jegede – Akeredolu boasts

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQneLXeD1Zs/WBetZMLXq8I/AAAAAAACtUc/uHGubZxX4yYegP7Gv2sn8u5I3Bw8C3D5wCLcB/s1600/Rotimi-Akeredolu-%2Bondo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQneLXeD1Zs/WBetZMLXq8I/AAAAAAACtUc/uHGubZxX4yYegP7Gv2sn8u5I3Bw8C3D5wCLcB/s1600/Rotimi-Akeredolu-%2Bondo.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election, Rotimi Akeredolu was on Monday confident that he can win the two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants, Jimoh Ibrahim and Eyitayo Jegede, put together.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He spoke with State House correspondents after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari along with Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br /> <br /> Akeredolu said: “l can always tell you, people who know me, they know that I talk most times with some confidence, let me assure you here that by the grace of God, we will win the election in Ondo state.<br /> <br /> “I can assure you I would have been happier facing both of them together, if Eyitayo Jegede was chosen as candidate and Ibrahim as his deputy, I will still win.<br /> <br /> “Infact Jegede happens to be a friend, Ibrahim too. Jimoh Ibrahim went to Ife, so we have known ourselves for long. I have no fear about both of them. We know that we are going to win this election and I have no doubt,” he added<br /> <br /> When asked to speak on efforts to settle the rift between him and the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, he denied any rift with Tinubu.<br /> <br /> He said: “I don’t have any rift with him, since the primaries you would see that as leader of the party, he has not said anything about it. He has accepted the primaries and we are moving on. So, I don’t have any rift with him at all and we are moving on.”<br /> <br /> He said that his party in the state has already called on the security agencies in Ondo to be up and doing in order not to allow miscreants take over the state in the name of protests.<br /> <br /> He said: “Because for instance as a governor you encourage lawlessness or people in the guise of protest because what the PDP has is a problem within the party, that should not lead to demonstration outside and you know that people are not demonstrating for any reason but because they have been more or less paid to come and do it.<br /> <br /> “What we said is don’t allow miscreants to be out. Nobody can control the end of such demonstration. So it’s not that we are afraid, but we fear for the life and property of the people of Ondo state.” He stated<br /> <br /> Speaking on the visit to the President, Lalong said: “A few weeks ago I was given the responsibility of leading the campaign on behalf of the National Executive for the Ondo election. And the candidate since election at the primaries have not come to be presented to the leader of our party, that is Mr President.<br /> <br /> “So today we came in with the candidate and to confirm to the President that APC has only one candidate unlike other parties that are fighting about who is their candidate.<br /> <br /> “We have only one candidate and that candidate is Chief Akeredolu Rotimi (SAN).” He said<br /> He was optimistic that the APC will win the election.<br /> <br /> He said: “Well that is not a problem to APC, since inception you knew what happened in Kogi, you knew what happened in Edo, we won the elections. It was as if it was going to be very difficult for us but we won the elections.<br /> <br /> “Today again we are going into Ondo, all the mistake we made in other states we have corrected them, we are seeing a very smooth election, not only a smooth election but the credibility of the candidate itself is something worth selling,” he said.<br /> <br /> The governor also faulted the visit of the out-going Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, to President Buhari last Friday.<br /> <br /> According to him, Mimiko should have concentrated on resolving the crisis that erupted in his state.<br /> <br /> He said: “Let me say it was even wrong for them to start running to Mr. President to help them solve the problem of PDP in their party. Mr. President is the President of Nigeria and he is not a member of PDP. Even when we have problems in APC, we don’t run to Mr. President.<br /> <br /> “If he has a problem in his state, he is the governor, let him stay there and resolve the matter. Its a matter between PDP and PDP and those matters are in court. So why should you run to the President. Is the President the chief judge of Nigeria?” He queried<br /> <br /> He went on: “He is not the INEC chairman either. Well Mr. President is a loyal party man. So he is answerable to the party although the president of Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> On the response of President Buhari to the visit, Lalong said: “He has also confirmed that he has seen the candidate and is also praying for a successful election in Ondo state.”

Ondo Election: I will defeat Ibrahim, Jegede – Akeredolu boasts

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election, Rotimi Akeredolu was on Monday confiden...

Read more »

China to launch first e-commerce satellite

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQLM8h0OvIQ/WBestGpUQlI/AAAAAAACtUU/HDx4eGwo5PMYGQsezv-Jcg6Yc9rCFt8ZwCLcB/s1600/china-flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQLM8h0OvIQ/WBestGpUQlI/AAAAAAACtUU/HDx4eGwo5PMYGQsezv-Jcg6Yc9rCFt8ZwCLcB/s1600/china-flag.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> China plans to launch its first e-commerce satellite in 2017, with the primary purpose of using satellite data in agriculture.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Han Qingping, President of the Chinarocket Co., Ltd, on Monday announced the plan during an international aviation and aerospace forum in Zhuhai.<br /> <br /> He said at the forum that launching such satellite has become imperative because in an era of space economy, the potential of a commercial space industry is immeasurable.<br /> <br /> Qingping disclosed that in 2015, the value of the global space industry in China amounted to 330 billion dollars, 76 per cent of which resulted from commercial activities.<br /> <br /> Hu Chaobin, an official from the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, said during the forum that Chinese authorities are making efforts, including legislation, to support and regulate the development of a commercial space industry.<br /> <br /> He said China is speeding up the making of space law, with the aim of having completed drafting the law by the end of this year.

China to launch first e-commerce satellite

China plans to launch its first e-commerce satellite in 2017, with the primary purpose of using satellite data in agriculture. Han Qin...

Read more »

‘Igbo made the “biggest sacrifice,contribution to building of modern Nigeria'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2da5yy1xKs/WBesa41ELmI/AAAAAAACtUQ/zeTsekBNYyAjLiaaz5uhG9m2m42nPaV4ACLcB/s1600/ohaneze%2Bigbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2da5yy1xKs/WBesa41ELmI/AAAAAAACtUQ/zeTsekBNYyAjLiaaz5uhG9m2m42nPaV4ACLcB/s1600/ohaneze%2Bigbo.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> IGBO leaders have called on the Federal Government to immediately release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and other prisoners of conscience in line with the rule of law, saying that their agitation does not constitute threat to peace.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> They also called for the restructuring of the nation so that Igbo that have made the “biggest sacrifice and contribution to the building of modern Nigeria” will be allowed to live and operate freely as equal citizens without discrimination.<br /> <br /> Rising from a three-day 2016 World Igbo Summit held at Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Igbo leaders also condemned in strong terms, the destructive activities of herdsmen and urged governors and the lawmakers in Igbo states to enact laws prohibiting open grazing in Igboland.<br /> <br /> In a communiqué issued at the end of the summit, which was attended by prominent Igbo people, including first class traditional rulers and co-chaired by General Ike Nwachukwu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Col. Joe Achuzia (retd.), Chief Francis Oji and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, they resolved that Ndigbo should take full responsibility for the rebuilding of Igbo economy and development.<br /> <br /> Other resolutions, according to the communiqué read by Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, are that governors in Igboland should form a joint commission for the development of their areas; that the 1999 Constitution should be repealed and a new one enacted that will recognise the inalienable rights of each constituent group to self-determination and regional autonomy as enshrined in the 1960 Independence Constitution and 1963 Republican Constitution: “Ndigbo, hereby, resolve to take full responsibility for the rebuilding of the Igbo economy and development of Ala-Igbo and hereby shall adopt the digital economy as the organising paradigm and implementation framework for the sustainable development of Ala-Igbo.<br /> <br /> “That Igbo political leadership (elected and appointed) must act in the best interest of Ndigbo and be prepared to be held accountable by the people for all their actions and inactions; that in view of the threat by the herdsmen, which constitute present and imminent danger to peace and security in Igboland, the Igbo governors and the states assemblies should immediately legislate against any form of open grazing in Igboland, among others.” … as minister urges Biafra agitators to follow due process Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, has accused those agitating for the Republic of Biafra of using uncivilised methods, advising them to follow constitutional and diplomatic processes to achieve their aim. The minister said that MASSOB and IPOB have the fundamental right to clamour for Biafra, “but they should be rational and not emotional in going about it.” He spoke with newsmen in Enugu shortly after the end of a stakeholders/caucus meeting of the Enugu state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Onyeama then urged those spearheading the breakaway project to critically look at the rules relating to secession.<br /> <br /> According to him, those agitating for Biafra “are not speaking for Ndigbo, as they do not have the mandate of the Igbo race to do so.” He asked them to embrace dialogue rather than resorting to violence. He, however, called on Nigerians, particularly those from the South-East, to keep supporting the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government, pointing out that the government has the capacity to tackle the current challenges facing the nation.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, the Chairman of APC in the state, Dr. Ben Nwoye, assured the national leadership of the party that the state chapter was highly committed to wrestling power from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2019. Nwoye said that existing political structures are being oiled and strengthened at all levels in the state, calling on true democrats and progressives to embrace the party to ensure a better Enugu State.

‘Igbo made the “biggest sacrifice,contribution to building of modern Nigeria'

IGBO leaders have called on the Federal Government to immediately release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, M...

Read more »

Nigeria moves against use of chemical weapon

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mqdy14D4vr0/WBerRos_OKI/AAAAAAACtUE/aHFQIh2lItMCw0ITQ4Z-3JMJsOZEqyU4gCLcB/s1600/buhari%2Bd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mqdy14D4vr0/WBerRos_OKI/AAAAAAACtUE/aHFQIh2lItMCw0ITQ4Z-3JMJsOZEqyU4gCLcB/s1600/buhari%2Bd.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> The Federal Government is taking steps to prevent use of chemical weapons for insurgency and militancy in the country.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Apart from banning unneeded dangerous chemicals from coming into the country, the government is also monitoring the use of dangerous chemicals needed for other legitimate use in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> The Acting Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Yetunde Oni and the Permanent Secretary of Political and Economic Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the NAC/BWC Office, Ambassador Olukunle Bamgbose, disclosed the new move in Abuja on Monday.<br /> <br /> They spoke during an international workshop on Assistance and Protection Against Chemical Weapons” organised by the National Authority on Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).<br /> <br /> Oni said: “You are aware NAFDAC is not solely meant for food and drugs alone, we also control chemicals. In a bit to do what is expected of us in ensuring the chemicals are used for the purpose for which they are meant, NAFDAC restructured and we established the chemical evaluation and research directorate. The onus is on this directorate to ensure that whoever is bringing in the chemicals is given a checklist.”<br /> <br /> According to her, there is increasing evidences that chemical can contribute to health, environmental and security problems at various stages during their life-cycle from production, import and disposal.<br /> <br /> Bamgbose said that the event seek to identify and bridge the gaps in the implementation of the Chemical Weapon Control and proffer improvement.<br /> <br /> The workshop, he said, is also to evolve a National Action Plan to guide and regulate the use and threat to the use of chemical weapons in Nigeria among others threats.<br /> <br /> The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs. Halima Ahmed warned the Federal Government against ignoring the possibility of the Boko Haram and Niger-Delta militants using biological and chemical weapons for terrorism.<br /> <br /> She said: “ECOWAS is committed to ensuring that chemical and biological weapons threats are not allowed with the consequences of their usage in Syria and other parts of Middle Eat. On no account should Boko Haram insurgents and Niger Delta militants be allowed to have access to chemical and biological weapons in Nigeria or other terror groups in Africa.”<br /> <br /> The Director General, Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) represented by the Project Officer, Assistance and Protection of the organisation Esmel Oscar Meless urged the domestication of all legal instruments to prohibit usage of chemical and biological weapons in West Africa and Africa.

Nigeria moves against use of chemical weapon

The Federal Government is taking steps to prevent use of chemical weapons for insurgency and militancy in the country. Apart from bann...

Read more »

FBI has no case in email review – Clinton

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsKoWt6NM6k/WBeqKPID7lI/AAAAAAACtT8/wv2fhhpP35s6s_przhZDsVqmH54YLtTjwCLcB/s1600/angry%2Bhillary%2Bclinton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsKoWt6NM6k/WBeqKPID7lI/AAAAAAACtT8/wv2fhhpP35s6s_przhZDsVqmH54YLtTjwCLcB/s1600/angry%2Bhillary%2Bclinton.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Hillary Clinton said Monday there was “no case” to be found in a federal review of her emails, which the FBI director announced last week, convulsing the US election campaign in its home stretch.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “I’m not making excuses. I’ve said it was a mistake and I regret it,” she said on Monday of her decision to use a private email server while secretary of state, which sparked a controversial FBI investigation.<br /> <br /> FBI boss James Comey announced in a letter to lawmakers that his agents are reviewing a newly discovered trove of emails, resurrecting an issue Clinton had hoped was behind her.<br /> <br /> US media reports say those emails were found on a laptop used by one of her closest aides, Huma Abedin, and Abedin’s estranged husband who is being investigated for alleged sexual overtures to a 15-year-old girl.<br /> <br /> “Now they apparently want to look at emails of one of my staffers, and by all means, they should look at them,” Clinton said.<br /> <br /> “I am sure they’ll reach the same conclusion they did when they looked at my email for the last year.<br /> <br /> “There is no case here,” she said to cheers and applause from hundreds of supporters at a rally in Kent, Ohio, a key battleground state in her race to defeat Donald Trump at the ballot box on November 8.<br /> <br /> It was the first time Clinton directly addressed the email furor since Saturday, when she lashed out at Comey, calling his move “deeply troubling” while campaigning in another vital swing state, Florida.<br /> <br /> Comey’s announcement thrust back into the spotlight allegations that Clinton put the United States at risk by using the private email server.<br /> <br /> Comey in July accused Clinton of being “extremely careless” but did not recommend that charges be brought against her, angering Republicans.<br /> <br /> The Democratic nominee is still the overwhelming favorite to win the presidency, but polls have pointed to an increasingly tight race.<br /> <br /> Clinton used much of her speech at Kent State University, 40 miles (60 kilometers) south of Cleveland to paint her Republican opponent as unfit for office and a threat to national security.<br /> <br /> Trump holds the slenderest of leads in the state, where he is just one point ahead at 45.3 per cent to 44.3 per cent in a four-way race, according to the poll average from RealClearPolitics.<br /> <br /> AFP

FBI has no case in email review – Clinton

Hillary Clinton said Monday there was “no case” to be found in a federal review of her emails, which the FBI director announced last week...

Read more »

Naira appreciates against dollar

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LPjduMoAo6o/WBepdXUKvNI/AAAAAAACtT4/yAGeBneGRKE6leE4ZJ5FNKNsvLamO0ZbACLcB/s1600/naira%2Bdollar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LPjduMoAo6o/WBepdXUKvNI/AAAAAAACtT4/yAGeBneGRKE6leE4ZJ5FNKNsvLamO0ZbACLcB/s1600/naira%2Bdollar.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> The Naira on Monday in Lagos appreciated marginally against the dollar at the parallel market, gaining N2.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The currency exchanged at N468 to the dollar as against N470 it traded on Friday.<br /> <br /> The Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N565 and 510, respectively.<br /> <br /> At the interbank market, however, the naira depreciated against the dollar, eroding the gains of Friday in that segment. It shed N4.31 to close at N308.81from N304.50 posted on Friday.<br /> <br /> Trading at the Bureau De Change window showed that the currency closed at N385 to the dollar, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro traded at N564 and N504, respectively.<br /> <br /> A BDC operator, Mr. Abubakar Adamu, expressed optimism that the naira would appreciate further in the coming days.<br /> <br /> NAN

Naira appreciates against dollar

The Naira on Monday in Lagos appreciated marginally against the dollar at the parallel market, gaining N2. The currency exchanged at N...

Read more »

LMC Announces Kick Off Date For 2016/2017 NPFL Season

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for NPFL" height="320" src="http://www.naijascoreboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/NPFL-logo-600x300.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> The Chairman of the League Management Company, Shehu Dikko, has revealed that the Nigeria Professional Football League, 2016/2017 season will start in the first week of December.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <div><br /></div> <div> <div>There was rumour of December 4 starting date for the new season and Dikko has said the plan to start the league in December was to allow the teams playing on the continent to prepare for the competition.</div> <div><br /></div> <div>He stated further that the target for the new season was to improve on the achievements of the last season and also to take the league to another level.</div> <div><br /></div> <div>“We want to start so as to allow our clubs playing on the continent to be in a competition mood,” he told New Telegraph.</div> </div> </div>

LMC Announces Kick Off Date For 2016/2017 NPFL Season

The Chairman of the League Management Company, Shehu Dikko, has revealed that the Nigeria Professional Football League, 2016/2017 season ...

Read more »

Aruna Quadri Honoured By ITTF Africa For Rio Feat

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Aruna Quadri" height="361" src="http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/punchng/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/08230345/aruna-quadri.png" width="640" /></div> <br /> The African President of the International Table Tennis Federation, Khaled El-Salhy, has praised Aruna Quadri for the heights the Nigerian attained this year.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Quadri was honoured by the ITTF Africa with an award for outstanding performance after he made history at the 2016 Rio Olympics by reaching the quarter-finals of the men's singles event.<br /> <br /> He also helped Nigeria retain the men's doubles title at the (ITTF) Africa Senior Championships last Saturday.<br /> <br /> Though he lost 4-3 to Omar Assar in the men's singles final, the 28-year-old won a gold and two silver medals at the event.<br /> <br /> El-Salhy told the official website of the ITTF that the Nigerian top-ranked table tennis star has brought prestige to the continent.<br /> <br /> “We were overwhelmed with the huge publicity that Africa got in the table tennis event at Rio Olympic Games because of the performance of Aruna Quadri, because in the history of table tennis, no African has made it to the last eight of the Olympic Games," El-Salhy said.<br /> <br /> Emphasizing on the importance of motivating young kids to follow Quadri Aruna’s footsteps, he added:<br /> <br /> “Players like Aruna Quadri are very rare and I know his performance was due to his commitment and hard work which was obvious in his performance. This honour is not just to celebrate him but also to inspire the other players to work hard because without hard work and discipline it will be impossible for any player to make it to the world stage.<br /> <br /> “From his performance at the 2014 World Cup in Germany where he became the first African to make it to the quarterfinal round of the competition to being named the Male Table Tennis Star of the year at the Dubai 2014 ITTF Star Awards, Aruna Quadri has raised the bar for others to aim at and with his performance of record, more people in the continent are now paying attention to the sport and we hope he will continue to move up and other African players will surely come through."<br /> <br /> Following Quadri's success at the Rio Olympics in August this year, he rose in the rankings from number 40 in August 2016 to number 25 in September 2016.</div>

Aruna Quadri Honoured By ITTF Africa For Rio Feat

The African President of the International Table Tennis Federation, Khaled El-Salhy, has praised Aruna Quadri for the heights the Nigeria...

Read more »

Lawyers protest in Abuja, want SSS to obey court orders

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qy7VUCBNRFA/WBdygrFHzRI/AAAAAAAAalw/fbBQui5nbWA53gR5wdOuF8UR7G8uAFMnwCLcB/s1600/lawyers1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qy7VUCBNRFA/WBdygrFHzRI/AAAAAAAAalw/fbBQui5nbWA53gR5wdOuF8UR7G8uAFMnwCLcB/s400/lawyers1.png" width="400" /></a></div> Thousands of lawyers have stormed the streets of Abuja, in protest of the alleged continued disobedience of court orders by the State Security Service, SSS.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> The lawyers, supported by members of the civil society community, have stormed the Federal High Court Headquarters in Maitama, the Attorney General’s office, National Human Rights Commission.<br /> <br /> They are currently heading to the Three Arms Zone, which hosts the Aso Rock presidential villa, Supreme Court and the National Assembly, a witness said.<br /> <br /> The lawyers say judges must not step down from cases involving the SSS as that would amount to victory for tyranny and intimidation.<br /> They are also demanding that all judiciary workers to go on strike until the SSS obeys all pending judgments.<br /> <br /> “Currently, major roads have been barricaded and there is palpable tension as the protesters meet heavy resistance from security agents who are blocking the protesters who are insisting on marching into Aso Rock,” a witness told reports.<br /> <br /> The standoff is happening on the Road leading to the Three Arms Zone.<br /> <br /> The SSS has been accused of disobeying several court orders since 2015.<br /> <br /> The most notable cases involve the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and the leader of the pro-Biafra group, Nnamdi Kanu.<br /> <br /> Some judges have recently stood down from cases involving the SSS, following the arrest seven senior judges on allegation of corruption.

Lawyers protest in Abuja, want SSS to obey court orders

Thousands of lawyers have stormed the streets of Abuja, in protest of the alleged continued disobedience of court orders by the State Secur...

Read more »

Ronaldo Dumps Desire Cordero

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Cristiano Ronaldo Desire Cordero" height="379" src="http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/78/590x/Christiano-Ronaldo-date-Miss-Spain-supermodel-Desire-Cordero-UploadExpress-Gerard-Couzens-712453.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> Portuguese tabloid Correrio Da Manha have announced on Monday that Cristiano Ronaldo’s relationship with Desire Cordero is over.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> And not only is it over, but the Real Madrid star reportedly angry with the former Miss Spain after it’s been claimed the Portuguese superstar was “used”.<br /> <br /> To recap, back at the start of October, Spanish magazine Corazón Czn announced that Ronaldo and Desire Cordero were in a relationship.<br /> <br /> In recent weeks, the likes of Spanish paper Sport have questioned whether the union was real, as it was suggested that it was a ‘relationship of convenience’.<br /> <br /> But the way Correrio Da Manha tell the story, Ronaldo was genuine with his feelings towards Desire Cordero, however she played him to gain exposure.<br /> <br /> The accusation is that Desire Cordero was only with Ronaldo to gain fame and attention.<br /> <br /> Correrio Da Manha add that the relationship was supposed to be secret, so when the news broke in public Ronaldo’s distrust of his partner grew.<br /> <br /> Stressing just how fractious the break up has been, it’s also claimed Ronaldo and Desire Cordero are no longer friends.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Source: Correrio Da Manha</div>

Ronaldo Dumps Desire Cordero

Portuguese tabloid Correrio Da Manha have announced on Monday that Cristiano Ronaldo’s relationship with Desire Cordero is over. And n...

Read more »

Governors and The Comic Approach To Governance By Philip Agbese

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sqRjoYYKZN8/WBdv-sjRyxI/AAAAAAAAalo/p1CGs9U4MyQe7WozK-DSnNfRPQfM0RyGACLcB/s1600/IMG_20150911_002437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sqRjoYYKZN8/WBdv-sjRyxI/AAAAAAAAalo/p1CGs9U4MyQe7WozK-DSnNfRPQfM0RyGACLcB/s400/IMG_20150911_002437.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> At a time when all hands should be on deck in returning Nigeria back to the path of growth from the current economic recession, nothing can be as disheartening as the failure of the 36 state governors to realize that the times call for seriousness and not clowning.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Yes. The entire 36 governors without exception. They have all failed to live up to billing and the ones that Nigerians may think are being useful appear so only by way of relativity. Their performance is so dismal across board that any governor that is able to complete and commission a culvert or a track road is deemed a performer.<br /> <br /> To be clear, the governors are a beneficiary of the failure of Nigerians to mentally migrate from the unitary mindset, a refusal to hold the other tiers of government other than the centre accountable for our wellbeing. The governors have thus been able to use the federal Government as a smokescreen to mask the joke that their stay in office have become.<br /> <br /> This cover provided by concealing their misrule under the Federal Government has opened the gateway for the absurd. Katsina State governor, Bello Aminu Masari thought the most pressing need of his state was to buy 3000 metal biers, used for conveying corpses for burial (which people have dubbed metal coffins). He must have concluded that his inept government would somehow kill off the state's population and they will need to simultaneously convey 3000 corpses to the cemeteries for burial so the need for that capital outlay – that macabre purchase would be retired under capital project by the way.<br /> <br /> In nearby Kano state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje's preoccupation was with stopping mass weddings. He must have somehow come to the conclusion that the children that would be born from those marriages would increase the state's population hence the number of people that would demand good governance.<br /> <br /> In Ondo and Ekiti states, Olusegun Mimiko and Adams Oshiomole, practically took leave of absence to be on the campaign trail as they abandoned governance to ensure they plant pliant successors. It does not matter that they become so preoccupied with trouncing the opposition that they forgot the economies of their states were priorities.<br /> <br /> Neglecting the economy would have been good fortune for the people of Benue state since at least white elephant projects that will worsen the people's life would not be embarked upon. In that state, Samuel Ortom thinks building a cargo airport, in a state without finished goods to freight anywhere, would be the perfect excuse to ass to add to his numerous borrowings and attempt to the lack of desired response since the outrage over the airport is shifting attention away from the failure of governance across the state.<br /> <br /> Benue might have been dubbed "The Food Basket of the Nation" but it is now one of the places where the people have been forced to do 0-1-0 and some families 0-0-0 meal patterns resulting in numerous deaths across the state. Knowing that he has comprehensively failed in addressing the problems besetting Benue state, Ortom has chosen to blackmail "God" by forcing down the opium of religion down the people's throat. It is far easier to direct an impoverished people to take their problems to God when their prayer points are requests that should have been presented to the government.<br /> <br /> The people in neighboring Kogi state are being insulted to their own very faces as, Yahaya Bello decided that the best that can happen in a state where workers are owed in perpetuity is to borrow N3.7 billion from a commercial bank to buy 109 cars for officials. What happened to getting homegrown mechanics and artisans to overhaul the existing fleets – that would circulate much needed cash in the state's economy without having to borrow money that would be injected into the economy of the country from where those cars would be shipped.<br /> <br /> Ekiti and Rivers states have Ayo Fayose and Nyesom Wike, who, tired of irritating the people of their respective states have found added bonus in peeving residents of other states. It either they are spending their states' scarce resources in futility attempting to influence elections in other states  or they become the pro-corruption activists that prevent security agencies from arresting corruption suspect; while at it they whip up such media storm that the space for discussing productive issues are swamped.<br /> Bordering Ekiti is Kwara state whose governor manages to stick to only what concerns his state, which is basically to continue servicing the dynasty that installed him. Abdulfatah Ahmed, somehow found time off from his godfather to construct an underpass over a dilapidated road at the mind boggling sum of N3.7 billion. He has of course continued the tradition of illegal deductions from local government councils account like all his other colleagues and succeeded in bringing the amount so cornered to N33.6 billion from the reckoning of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Kwara state.<br /> <br /> Ahmed is also in the league of the junketeers-in-chief alongside the governors of Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Zamfara, Adamawa, Bauchi, Niger and Borno states who have no qualms about taking estacodes in USD to attend symposium in the almighty United States of America. They somehow lost that ability to demand the higher ground and demand the US specialists who want to educate them should come host the event in Nigeria. That would have given us a few hundred USD in tourists spending when the experts are done dispensing knowledge to our student governors. Of course, the governors know they could crack a few jokes about their trip and the citizens would keep quiet as they worry about the source of their next meal.<br /> <br /> Lagos may not be in the north but Akinwunmi Ambode caught the same travel virus as his colleagues. He thus makes it a point to duty to pop into those well run countries when he is not thinking of the latest way to sell his state short even though unlike his Imo state counterpart, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, he does not deliberately leave smelly refuse to punish residents. In Ebonyi state, David Umahi's preoccupation is shadow boxing perceived opponents while the state has nothing to show economically and the story is no less dismal in Abia state where Okezie Ikpeazu is an absentee chief executive officer.<br /> <br /> A complete list of the governors would yield stories of failures is so compiled. Some of them have even resorted to playing religion and sectarian cards to distract citizens from addressing the issue of incompetent leadership that has practically buried state economies.<br /> Sadly, the malady, as seen from the foregoing is spread across geographical and party divide, which means that it must be tackled as a national emergency. In all of the 36 states the media are reporting the bizarre extremes to which poverty has driven the poor ones.<br />  <br /> The state governors may be enjoying the joke they have reduced governance to – pictures of them at the National Economic Council always portray them laughing among themselves even when the economy is discussed in the most perilous terms. Citizens are however at their breaking point and something will give at some point. Directing attention to the federal government would not continue to work for ever and sadly for the governors they do not have state police to quell the pockets of uprisings that will herald the end of their misrule.<br /> <br /> Agbese writes from the United Kingdom.

Governors and The Comic Approach To Governance By Philip Agbese

At a time when all hands should be on deck in returning Nigeria back to the path of growth from the current economic recession, nothing can...

Read more »

It seems I have developed mental problem - Nigerian imprisoned alongside Turkish soldiers

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-f82IxqFTM/WBdsz-fBnvI/AAAAAAAAalg/dbjakANub5UWKj274RHEEdJEWDEVyG1UwCLcB/s1600/Hassan-Danjuma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-f82IxqFTM/WBdsz-fBnvI/AAAAAAAAalg/dbjakANub5UWKj274RHEEdJEWDEVyG1UwCLcB/s400/Hassan-Danjuma.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Hassan Danjuma Adamu, a Nigerian from Yobe state, says he may be battling with a psychological problem after spending three months in a Turkish maximum security prison.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Adamu, who studied computer education and instructional technologies at Bahcesehir University in Turkey, told TheCable in an interview on Monday that he now suffers from anxiety.<br /> <br /> He explained that he would suddenly wake up at night with a shock, and that he would be too terrified to go back to bed.<br /> <br /> Adamu revealed that he had graduated, and that he was waiting to get his certificate when he was arrested alongside Mohammed Alhaji Abdullahi, another Nigerian student, who shared a hostel with him.<br /> <br /> He said was he arrested on July 28, just a few weeks after the coup, which resulted in a crackdown on opposition elements with ties to Fetullah Gulen, the US-based cleric accused of sponsoring it.<br /> <br /> Adamu said the Turkish police found nothing on him, but they still held him for no reason.<br /> <br /> “I asked them why they were holding us – Mohammed and I, but they refused to give us an answer. We were held in the police cell for all whole day without food. We spent the whole night awake. The next morning they took us to court without an explanation. And from the court, they took us to Silivri maximum security prison in handcuffs,” Adamu said.<br /> <br /> “The guards at the prison told the police to deport us because foreign prisoners were not to be there, but they refused saying our offence was grievous. They asked us to do frog jump, and they would hit us in the back in the process.<br /> <br /> “I was really scared because I didn’t know the type of people I would meet there. It was when we got to prison that the guys there told us we were being incarcerated for being members of an armed group. It was shocking because I knew nothing. We were in that cell for 14 days, after which they moved us to another one where soldiers who were accused of plotting the coup were. The prison stank, there was no ventilation. I found it hard to sleep.<br /> <br /> “Within three months we were allowed to speak with our family only once. I think I may have a mental problem because I wake up with a shock every night now, and I cannot go back to bed because I am too terrified.”<br /> <br /> Mohammed, who also spoke to TheCable, said they left Turkey with nothing. He said their phones and laptop computers were seized, and that they were not returned to them.<br /> <br /> He also corroborated Adamu’s story.<br /> <br /> The two students returned to Nigeria last Friday.<br /> <br /> The Turkish government began a crackdown on Nigerian students in the country after the Buhari government refused to accede to its request of shutting down schools linked to Gulen.<br /> <br /> Last weekend, Hakan Cakil, Turkish ambassador to Nigeria, said reports of Nigerians arrested in his country were exaggerated, insisting that Nigerian students were safe.

It seems I have developed mental problem - Nigerian imprisoned alongside Turkish soldiers

Hassan Danjuma Adamu, a Nigerian from Yobe state, says he may be battling with a psychological problem after spending three months in a Tur...

Read more »

He is mentally unstable – Tunde Agbaje’s ‘lover’ responds

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfSUQ4nqgCM/WBdqxVoSIpI/AAAAAAAAalY/630MCqfWWCULvkD7QN_NfJDQ1kMTczwRACLcB/s1600/Agbaje-d-lover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfSUQ4nqgCM/WBdqxVoSIpI/AAAAAAAAalY/630MCqfWWCULvkD7QN_NfJDQ1kMTczwRACLcB/s320/Agbaje-d-lover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Tunde Agbaje, cousin of a former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje hit the news today for trekking from Lagos to Zaria to show love to a lady.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> The lady in question simply identified as Donald has responded to the courageous feat of the 26-year-old Agbaje.<br /> <br /> Donald said she knew Agbaje was embarking on the trek, adding that she warned him against it.<br /> <br /> She said, “Tunde (Agbaje) has been harassing and stalking me for the past six years and as far as I am concerned, this is just a new escapade in a series of his harassment.<br /> <br /> “I met Tunde at a church when I was living in Lagos and we were both part of the youth ministry. He never had a friendship, let alone a relationship, with me. I was in a music group and some of the youths had my phone number, including him.<br /> <br /> “He later found out where I lived and came to my house. My mum warned him to leave me alone, but he refused. ‎<br /> <br /> “I changed my phone number and moved to the US, but I don’t know how he got my contact. I have stopped picking calls from Nigeria because of him.<br /> <br /> “He later called me and said he was going to trek to prove his love for me in a non-violent way and I told him not to do it because he could die. I said that not because I cared, but just for Christian charity. This guy is mentally unstable, because how can you still be stalking a woman who has turned you down for six years?”

He is mentally unstable – Tunde Agbaje’s ‘lover’ responds

Tunde Agbaje, cousin of a former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje hit the news today for ...

Read more »

Buhari orders IGP, state govs to investigate sexual abuses reported at IDP camps by HRW

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPFZapOVkDc/WBdkTixel6I/AAAAAAAAalI/vbD_GhpYXoAunLOzYfxPEoarftHiSGrAQCLcB/s1600/pensive%2BBuhari.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPFZapOVkDc/WBdkTixel6I/AAAAAAAAalI/vbD_GhpYXoAunLOzYfxPEoarftHiSGrAQCLcB/s320/pensive%2BBuhari.png" width="320" /></a></div> President Muhammadu Buhari has, Monday, ordered the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris and the affected state governors to commence immediate investigations into the recent report by the Human Rights Watch alleging sexual harassments of girls and women at the Internally Displaced Camps, IDPs by some officials.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> In a statement issued made available to newsmen by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, it said that president Buhari was shocked and worried at the news.<br /> <br /> “President Muhammadu Buhari is worried and shocked by the recently released Human Rights Watch (HRW) report which alleges sexual abuse and exploitation of women and girls in camps for those displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency.”<br /> <br /> “The welfare of these most vulnerable of Nigerian citizens has been a priority of his government. Nigerians and the international community can rest assured that the allegations raised in the HRW are not being taken lightly.”<br /> <br /> “President Buhari has instructed the Inspector General of Police and the state governors of the affected states to immediately commence investigations into the issue.<br /> <br /> Their findings will determine the next course of action for the government and define an appropriate response.”<br /> <br /> “While the Nigerian military continues to work hard so that these unfortunate victims of Boko Haram terrorism can soon return safely to their homes, the government will do its best to ensure their protection and welfare in the temporary IDP camps.”<br /> <br /> Human Rights Watch, Monday, released a report accusing Nigerian officials of sexually exploiting women and girls at the IDPs.<br /> <br /> It said it had documented 43 cases of women and girls in seven IDP camps in Maiduguri in July who had been abused by camp leaders, vigilante groups, policemen, and soldiers.<br /> <br /> “It is bad enough that these women and girls are not getting much-needed support for the horrific trauma they suffered at the hands of Boko Haram,” said Mausi Segun, senior Nigeria researcher at HRW.<br /> <br /> “It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them,” he added.

Buhari orders IGP, state govs to investigate sexual abuses reported at IDP camps by HRW

President Muhammadu Buhari has, Monday, ordered the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris and the affected state governors to...

Read more »

Fifa unveil Ballon d'Or replacement

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for The Best Fifa Football Awards" height="359" src="http://img.fifa.com/mm/photo/ballon-dor/organisation/02/84/70/67/2847067_full-lnd.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> Global governing body Fifa have unveiled their own prize for the world’s most outstanding players, naming them “The Best Fifa Football Awards”.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The prizes, which will be handed out on January 9 2017, take the place of the Fifa Ballon d’Or, a five year merger between France Football’s prize and the governing body’s own World Player of the Year Award.<br /> <br /> Prizes include The Best Fifa Men’s Player, The Best Fifa Women’s Player, similar prizes for Coaches, the Fifpro World 11 and the Puskas award for the best goal.<br /> <br /> Voting for the prize will be split 50-50 between the choices of captains and head coaches of national teams and an online ballot combined with the submissions of journalists.<br /> <br /> The 23 candidates for The Best Fifa Men’s Player prize will be announced on November 4, with voting running until November 22. A three-strong shortlist will be announced on December 2.<br /> <br /> France Football announced the 30 players in the running for the Ballon d’Or earlier this month. London stars Hugo Lloris and Dimitri Payet joined favourite Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale on the list of nominees.<br /> <br /></div>

Fifa unveil Ballon d'Or replacement

Global governing body Fifa have unveiled their own prize for the world’s most outstanding players, naming them “The Best Fifa Football Aw...

Read more »

Kukah visits Obanikoro, Abati, Fani-Kayode in EFCC custody

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2HBGbbGOX8/WBddMyv_esI/AAAAAAAAak4/RsNXLAZj4EYch9qu022xQ6xUPsIgT8frgCLcB/s1600/Mathew-Hassan-Kukah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2HBGbbGOX8/WBddMyv_esI/AAAAAAAAak4/RsNXLAZj4EYch9qu022xQ6xUPsIgT8frgCLcB/s400/Mathew-Hassan-Kukah.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Father Matthew Hassan Kukah, today, Monday paid an unscheduled visit to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja, where some top-ranking Peoples Democratic Party officials, are being detained over graft-related issues.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Kukah, who was conducted round the detention facilities, described the detention facilities as which he described as ‘clean and orderly” and prayed for Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Femi Fani-Kayode and Reuben Abati, who have been in detention for the second week running.<br /> <br /> The priest, who used the visit to assess the state of the detention facilities, said he was satisfied that the EFCC paid premium attention to the well-being of the detainees by ensuring that the facilities provided comfort to them.<br /> Kukah said after the inspection tour, “I discussed with some detained suspects like Femi Fani-Kayode, Musiliu Obanikoro and Reuben Abati; and I am quite pleased they are looking cheerful.<br /> <br /> “I was also happy with the humility of the acting Chairman who took me round and the way he interacted with the detainees. This is what is important for our country so that nobody takes these kinds of things personal. I am happy I came.<br /> <br /> “We are all staff of EFCC to the extent that we want a better country and we are doing what needs to be done. We’ll continue praying that God guides you, keeps you safe and ensure that we build a country that we all will be proud of.<br /> <br /> This country has suffered so much, but we hope and pray that we can bring the suffering and trauma to an end as we collectively fight corruption.”<br /> <br /> The revered priest, who was conducted round the facilities by the acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, expressed delight that the detainees appeared in high spirits despite the discomfort of temporary restriction.<br /> <br /> He urged them not to be downcast and to see their current travail as divine. EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, told Kukah that the work the commission was doing for Nigeria was not personal but geared towards changing the country for the better. Magu also cleared the air on the detention of the PDP top shots, saying that it was not personal.<br /> <br /> “It is not personal. This is all about Nigeria and making it better. And I think there is a consensus around this,” he said<br /> <div><br /></div>

Kukah visits Obanikoro, Abati, Fani-Kayode in EFCC custody

Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Father Matthew Hassan Kukah, today, Monday paid an unscheduled visit to the custody of the Economic a...

Read more »

Troops invade shrine of N’Delta militants, ‘arrest chief priest’

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eZZMhBDp9k4/WBdaq5IG5oI/AAAAAAAAako/buXktGyVo-AS_Gaxux1Gxv17kBTgoaQIACLcB/s1600/Bakassi-militants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eZZMhBDp9k4/WBdaq5IG5oI/AAAAAAAAako/buXktGyVo-AS_Gaxux1Gxv17kBTgoaQIACLcB/s400/Bakassi-militants.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE, a military outfit in the Niger Delta, have arrested the chief priest of Bayelsa Strike Force, a militant group in Cross River state.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> Olaolu Daudu, spokesman of the outfit, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.<br /> <br /> He said the shrine located in Ikot Offing Ambai in Akpabuyo local government area of the state, was destroyed.<br /> <br /> Daudu said a militant was also killed, while ammunition were recovered.<br /> <br /> “Troops deployed at Ikang border patrolled Ikot Offing Ambai in Akpabuyo local government area discovered militants shrine and also apprehended the chief priest of the group with empty box of ammunition at another shrine at Ekpri Ebutong Estate in Bakassi,” he said.<br /> <br /> “During anti-militancy operation, troops of sector 4 raided Efut Esighi forest and killed a notorious militant popularly known as Okon Iyo while he was trying to escape.<br /> <br /> “Troops discovered the dead body of one of the Bakassi Strike Force militant who was earlier engaged in Efut Esighi but escaped with gun injuries. His body was seen in a bush close to the main road in Effionsa, Bakassi local government area.<br /> <br /> “Meanwhile, troops also raided the compound of a suspected member of Bakassi Strike Force; Otobong Sunday Essien,  at Road 27 Resettlement Center Bakassi.<br /> <br /> “A Motor Bike was recovered from his compound. In addition, troops intercepted a Passat wagon car owned by a suspected Bakassi Strike Force militant known as “G1”. He is the sentry Commander of the group.”<br /> <br /> He added that an attack on an oil facility in Delta state was foiled.<br /> <br /> “On 31 October 2016, troops foiled vandalism of NPDC Well Head at Kokori Oil Field, Oil Mining Lease 30 located at Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State,” he said.<br /> <br /> “Operation DELTA SAFE will continue to ensure sanity of the Niger Delta Region as law abiding members of the public go about their legitimate daily businesses.”

Troops invade shrine of N’Delta militants, ‘arrest chief priest’

Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE, a military outfit in the Niger Delta, have arrested the chief priest of Bayelsa Strike Force, a militant gr...

Read more »

Arsenal supporters claim Hillary Clinton is a fan of the club

Arsenal supporters claim Hillary Clinton is a fan of the club

Read more »

Cold War: Putin signs law stopping plutonium deal with US

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xkB8XJMSY4E/WBdY5vAGoHI/AAAAAAAAakc/JpQbgIm5PI8OZ902L-9W88DTp3NlzcymwCLcB/s1600/Putin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xkB8XJMSY4E/WBdY5vAGoHI/AAAAAAAAakc/JpQbgIm5PI8OZ902L-9W88DTp3NlzcymwCLcB/s400/Putin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a law suspending an agreement with the United States on disposing of weapons-grade plutonium amid a rise in tensions with the West.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> The law, published Monday in the government’s online database, comes weeks after Putin had ordered the deal — signed in 2000 to allow both nuclear powers to dispose of plutonium from their defence programmes — be halted.<br /> <br /> The Russian parliament had previously approved the legislation.<br /> <br /> The move comes as Russia is locked in its worst standoff with the West since the Cold War over its 2014 annexation of Crimea, the conflict in Ukraine and stalled efforts to end the war in Syria.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> In addition to tearing up the cooperation deal, Russia said earlier this month that it was suspending joint research on nuclear projects with the United States.<br /> <br /> The law sets a series of unprecedented conditions for the deal to be reinstated, including the cancellation of Western sanctions against Moscow and the withdrawal of US troops from eastern European NATO members.

Cold War: Putin signs law stopping plutonium deal with US

President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a law suspending an agreement with the United States on disposing of weapons-grade plutonium amid...

Read more »

If Fashola were Igbo, he would have betrayed Tinubu - Orji Kalu

<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NuJpgcfBFvs/WBdRPaaysXI/AAAAAAAAaj0/se2hxWJGHm82t37pyGGqmJ-JA4QYuZCHACLcB/s1600/Orji-Kaluu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NuJpgcfBFvs/WBdRPaaysXI/AAAAAAAAaj0/se2hxWJGHm82t37pyGGqmJ-JA4QYuZCHACLcB/s400/Orji-Kaluu.jpg" width="400" /></a>Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia state and billionaire businessman, says Igbos are very good in commerce, and in “anything they do” — but not in politics.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> In the latest edition of The Interview, Kalu said a number of the elite in the region are not only selfish, but they get their political calculations wrong.<br /> <br /> Referring to the fractured relationship between him and Theodore Orji, his successor, Kalu said were Babatunde Fashola, former Lagos state governor an Ibo man, he could have betrayed Bola Tinubu, his predecessor.<br /> <br /> “Igbos are their own worst enemies,” he said.<br /> <br /> “Let me tell you, there were more problems between (Asiwaju Bola) Tinubu and (Babatunde) Fashola than there were between me and TA Orji, but it is the discipline of the Yorubas that kept them at bay.<br /> <br /> “Igbos have no discipline in terms of politics. They are very good traders; they’re good in anything they do, but they don’t understand politics.”<br /> <br /> According to Azu Ishiekwene, managing director of The Interview, Kalu illustrated his point with a conversation he claimed to have had with President Muhammadu Buhari, who wondered aloud why previous high-profile Igbo appointees had done nothing for the region.<br /> <br /> Kalu also spoke on the Biafra agitation and the travails of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and allegations that while he governed Abia for eight years, his mother ruled.

If Fashola were Igbo, he would have betrayed Tinubu - Orji Kalu

Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia state and billionaire businessman, says Igbos are very good in commerce, and in “anything they do” —...

Read more »

Nigeria officials sexually abusing Boko Haram victims – HRW

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LSXnuh_wzgY/WBdMhAnhrYI/AAAAAAAAajo/2nBqeVan85wnWfxqDhux4Q6BnDPNhGUHwCLcB/s1600/idp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LSXnuh_wzgY/WBdMhAnhrYI/AAAAAAAAajo/2nBqeVan85wnWfxqDhux4Q6BnDPNhGUHwCLcB/s400/idp1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Human Rights Watch on Monday accused Nigerian officials of sexually exploiting women and girls living in camps for victims of Boko Haram in the North East.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> HRW said it had in July documented 43 cases of women and girls in seven internally displaced persons’ camps in Maiduguri, the epicentre of the seven-year insurgency, who had been abused by camp leaders, vigilante groups, policemen, and soldiers.<br /> <br /> “It is bad enough that these women and girls are not getting much-needed support for the horrific trauma they suffered at the hands of Boko Haram,” said Mausi Segun, senior Nigeria researcher at HRW.<br /> <br /> “It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them,” he added.<br /> <br /> Government officials were not immediately available for comment on the allegations.<br /> <br /> Four of the victims told HRW they were drugged and raped, while 37 were coerced into sex through false marriage promises and material and financial assistance.<br /> <br /> “Many of those coerced into sex said they were abandoned if they became pregnant. They and their children have suffered discrimination, abuse, and stigmatisation from other camp residents,” the global rights body said.<br /> <br /> HRW spoke to one 17-year-old girl who was raped and made pregnant by a policeman.<br /> <br /> “One day he demanded to have sex with me,” she said. “I refused but he forced me. It happened just that one time, but soon I realised I was pregnant.<br /> <br /> “When I informed him about my condition, he threatened to shoot and kill me if I told anyone else. So I was too afraid to report him.”<br /> <br /> HRW said irregular supplies of food, clothing, medicine, and other essentials in camps were making the women vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.<br /> <br /> “In some cases, men used their positions of authority and gifts of desperately needed food or other items to have sex with women,” it said.<br /> <br /> Boko Haram has devastated northeast Nigeria in its quest to create an Islamist state, killing over 20,000 people and displacing 2.6 million from their homes.<br /> <br /> Since taking up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009, the jihadists have disrupted trade routes and farms.<br /> <br /> Now nearly 50,000 children are facing death by starvation if they don’t get food and almost 250,000 more are severely malnourished in Borno state, according to UNICEF.

Nigeria officials sexually abusing Boko Haram victims – HRW

Human Rights Watch on Monday accused Nigerian officials of sexually exploiting women and girls living in camps for victims of Boko Haram in...

Read more »

Onigbinde: How Taribo West sabotaged Nigeria’s 2002 World Cup chances

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Taribo West crying" height="400" src="http://cdn1.dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/taribo-west-crying-400x400.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Super Eagles handler to the Korea/Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, has claimed that his untouchable defender, Taribo West, sabotaged the team’s aspiration to do well in the competition by deliberately allowing opposing teams to score goals against the Nigerian team.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Onigbinde, revealed to Newtelegraph that, inviting the likes of Taribo, Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo and other Eagles stars from the disbanded Mali 2002 Nations Cup team was a big mistake.<br /> <br /> He said, “Soon after the collapse of the Super Eagles team at the Mali 2002 Nations Cup, I was with the then Sports Minister, late Ishaya Mark Aku, in Abuja, when one of his aides brought a security report from the department of State Service, SSS, which the minister gave me to read.<br /> <br /> It states that, “The disbanded Eagles players had agreed that, if the new Eagles coach should invite some of the players and not all of them for the World Cup, none of them would honour the invitation.<br /> <br /> “Five minutes later, another security report came, and it reads, if any member of the Mali 2002 squad is invited to the World Cup 2002 team, such would be coming to sabotage the team.”<br /> <br /> According to the former coach, he left all the disbanded stars out of the new Eagles initially for all the seven pre-World Cup friendly matches played, out of which his boys predominantly home-based stars, won five.<br /> <br /> “It was when we played our last friendly game in England that I invited four players from the disbanded team; Taribo West, Kanu Nwankwo, Austin Okocha and Ike Shorunmu.<br /> <br /> “The four players blended with the team during the preparations until we got to the World Cup proper.<br /> <br /> “The other three players stood neutral while Taribo West acted as the saboteur and he sabotaged the team in two crucial group games against Argentina and Sweden.<br /> <br /> “In the match against Argentina, Taribo deliberately stood flat footed and never jumped to contest the ball from a corner kick to allow Gabriel Bastituta to score Argentina’s only goal of the match to beat Nigeria 1-0.<br /> <br /> “If the match had ended in a draw, Nigeria would have had the chance to qualify for the next round of the competition and subsequently move to the finals of the competition.<br /> <br /> “The second one was against Sweden, when Taribo left Henrik Larsson unmarked to score a goal. In that same match, the penalty foul Taribo committed against Henrik Larsson was also deliberate; he kicked the Swede without justification when he had the opportunity to clear the ball into safety.<br /> <br /> “So in all, he gave out three solid goals that sent Nigeria out of the 2002 World Cup. When these happened I remembered the security report.”</div>

Onigbinde: How Taribo West sabotaged Nigeria’s 2002 World Cup chances

Super Eagles handler to the Korea/Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, has claimed that his untouchable defender, Taribo ...

Read more »

20-year-old student remanded for stealing goods worth N3.675m

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqrPSOOaCJs/WBdL1bpDz-I/AAAAAAAAajk/l8M6rFIQTbQL3BD_1AB-AICp6YqerLvWwCLcB/s1600/Court.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqrPSOOaCJs/WBdL1bpDz-I/AAAAAAAAajk/l8M6rFIQTbQL3BD_1AB-AICp6YqerLvWwCLcB/s320/Court.png" width="320" /></a></div> An Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday ordered the remand of a 20-year-old student, Segun Adeoye, at the Olokuta Prison’s custody over an alleged armed robbery of goods worth N3,675,000.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> Adeoye is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and possession of firearms.<br /> <br /> Magistrate Sunday Adedapo ordered the accused to be remanded pending the receipt of legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPPs).<br /> <br /> He also ordered that the original copy of the case file should be sent to the State Chief Registrar for safe keeping.<br /> <br /> Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Pelumi Adejuwon, had told the court that the accused and others at large were armed with a locally-made single barrel gun and other offensive weapons when they carried out the attack.<br /> <br /> “The accused and others at large attacked and stole a Toyota Yaris saloon car marked as BX 244 RBC valued at N3,500, 000.<br /> <br /> “Other items stolen by them are: a Nokia Lumia handset valued at N25,000, a Samsung camera valued at N50,000 and N100,000. “Some food stuffs and other valuable, property of one Mrs Faturoti Sharon,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Adejuwon said that the accused failed to give satisfactory account of how he came about the locally-made single barrel gun found in his possession.<br /> <br /> The prosecutor alleged that the accused committed the offence on March 30, 2016 at about 9 p.m., at Palmgrove Street, Ondo town in Ondo State. He said that the offences contravened Sections 6(a) & (b), 1 & 2(a) & (b) and 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearm (special provision) Act Cap Rii Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.<br /> <br /> The plea by Mr Habib Bidmus, counsel to the accused, was not taken by the court. The court then adjourned the case till Nov.28 for first review and legal advice.

20-year-old student remanded for stealing goods worth N3.675m

An Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday ordered the remand of a 20-year-old student, Segun Adeoye, at the Olokuta Prison’s custody over...

Read more »

Gareth Bale becomes highest-paid Real Madrid player

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Gareth Bale" height="359" src="https://m.dreamteamfc.com/c/s3/dreamteamfc-prod/uploads/2016/01/gareth-bale3.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> Gareth Bale has agreed terms on a new six-year contract with Real Madrid, which ties him to the La Liga club until 2022, 8when he will be 31.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Welsh winger, who was this week nominated for the Ballon d’Or, joined Madrid in a world-record move from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013.<br /> <br /> He has gone on to score 62 goals in 130 appearances for Los Blancos, winning two Champions League crowns and the 2013/14 Copa del Rey.<br /> <br /> According to reports, Bale will be earning £350,000 per week after tax – with a buyout clause set at €1 billion (£900m) – making him the best-paid player at the Santiago Bernabeu.<br /> <br /> Cristiano Ronaldo, who reportedly earns £288,000 per week, is said to be negotiating new contract terms himself, however, and is expected to be the club’s top earner again before the end of 2016.<br /> <br /> “Real Madrid CF and Gareth Bale have agreed to the extension of the player’s contract, which is linked to the club until 30 June 2022,” a short statement released on Real’s official website read.</div>

Gareth Bale becomes highest-paid Real Madrid player

Gareth Bale has agreed terms on a new six-year contract with Real Madrid, which ties him to the La Liga club until 2022, 8when he will be...

Read more »

Update: Orji Kalu pleads not guilty to money laundery charges

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MHT5O70uos8/WBdHeoPgznI/AAAAAAAAajY/fhhTjHhf1BAenyvWyZlIp-Oobv_UibZJwCLcB/s1600/kalu-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MHT5O70uos8/WBdHeoPgznI/AAAAAAAAajY/fhhTjHhf1BAenyvWyZlIp-Oobv_UibZJwCLcB/s400/kalu-a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday charged former Gov. Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia with money laundering before a Federal High Court in Lagos.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Kalu is charged alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Ltd., and his former Commissioner for Finance, Jones Ude, on 34 counts bordering on money laundering.<br /> <br /> The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.<br /> <br /> After the plea, counsel to the accused, Mr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), urged the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, to allow the accused to continue with an earlier bail condition.<br /> Ozekhome informed the court that the accused had earlier been arraigned before Justice Nyako, Adamu Bello and Uweh, all of Abuja Federal High Courts before they were re-arraigned today.<br /> <br /> The prosecutor, Mr Adeniyi Adebisi, did not oppose the submission of defence counsel.<br /> <br /> Adebisi, however, added that EFCC was only interested in the justice of the case which included the trial of the accused persons. Idris consequently, adjourned the case to Dec. 12 and 13 for trial and ordered that the accused continue with the subsisting bail terms. In the charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offence between August 2001 and October 2005.<br /> <br /> Kalu was alleged to have utilised his company to retain in the account of a First Inland Bank, now FCMB, N200 million.<br /> <br /> The sum is alleged to have formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government.<br /> <br /> In one of the counts, his company (Slok Nig Ltd) and one Emeka Abone, who is said to be at large, were also alleged to have retained in the company’s account N200 million, on behalf of the first accused.<br /> <br /> They were alleged to have utilised Manny Bank (now Fidelity Bank Plc), Spring Bank Plc, the defunct Standard Trust Bank and Finland Bank, now First City Monument Bank (FCMB).<br /> <br /> In counts one to 10, the accused were alleged to have retained about N2.5 billion in different accounts which funds were said to belong to the Abia State Government.<br /> <br /> Cumulatively in all the counts, the accused were alleged to have diverted over N3.2 billion from the Abia State Government’s treasury during Kalu’s tenure as governor.<br /> <br /> The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of sections 15(6), 16, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2005. It is also said to have contravened the provisions of the Money Laundering Act of 1995 as amended by the amendment Act No. 9 of 2002 and section 477 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation, 1990. (NAN)

Update: Orji Kalu pleads not guilty to money laundery charges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday charged former Gov. Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia with money laundering before a Fed...

Read more »

BBOG urges FG to hasten release of remaining Chibok girls

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sfh_emuq0A8/WBdFFh1KLTI/AAAAAAAAajM/wKb9rYPk9CkBOvmu0uaByHr3AR8sotvbwCLcB/s1600/BBOG.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sfh_emuq0A8/WBdFFh1KLTI/AAAAAAAAajM/wKb9rYPk9CkBOvmu0uaByHr3AR8sotvbwCLcB/s400/BBOG.png" width="400" /></a></div> Mrs Fatima Kaka, a member of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement, has urged the Federal Government to hasten the process for the release of the remaining Chibok girls.<br /> Kaka made the appeal on Monday in an interview in Abuja.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a>She also urged the government to hasten the release of other Nigerians kidnapped in the North East. The Presidency on Oct. 12 confirmed the release of 21 of 291 Chibok girls kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorists on April 14, 2014.<br /> <br /> Kaka said: “We don’t know the number of people in captivity; we just know that a lot of people are in captivity. “The number available to the public is not consistent; the government should double up its efforts for the release of abducted people in the North East.<br /> <br /> “For the remaining 197 remaining Chibok girls, the government has to do everything possible and whatever it takes to get the girls,” Kaka said. She noted that the condition of the 21 girls so far released by the insurgents was not encouraging, adding, “the faster we recover everybody, the better.’’<br /> <br /> Kaka, however, commended the federal government for its efforts in securing the release of some of the girls, saying that their release in batches was in order.<br /> <br /> “When people are taken, another thing is the issue of negotiation; they have to come in batches; that is what happens all over the world.<br /> <br /> “As long as they are coming out, we are okay, no matter the number at a time but let it just be fast- tracked,” said the the BBOG member.<br /> <br /> She appealed to the government not to jeopardise the prospects of the abducted girls to excel in life.

BBOG urges FG to hasten release of remaining Chibok girls

Mrs Fatima Kaka, a member of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement, has urged the Federal Government to hasten the process for the rele...

Read more »

Group asks court to order Amaechi, Onu’s arrest

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GK-73OKiZL4/WBdCIOMVA1I/AAAAAAAAai4/-kqTTL0ttiYbm5Evu98-3c6y20CBqnpTACLcB/s1600/R%2BAmaechi%25E2%2580%2599s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GK-73OKiZL4/WBdCIOMVA1I/AAAAAAAAai4/-kqTTL0ttiYbm5Evu98-3c6y20CBqnpTACLcB/s400/R%2BAmaechi%25E2%2580%2599s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> A group, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the arrests of the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and his Science and Technology counterpart, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onu.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> The plaintiff also sought an order of mandamus compelling President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sack both ministers in public interest and public morality based on the allegations of attempts to influence court decisions recently levelled against them by two Justices of the Supreme Court.<br /> <br /> Two Justices of the Supreme Court, Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro, had accused Amaechi and Onu of attempting to influence the decision of courts in some election cases between 2015 and 2016.<br /> <br /> <br /> Based on the allegations, the plaintiff filed the suit with number FHC/ABJ/CS/857/2016 through its counsel, Mr. Okere Kingdom, on Monday.<br /> <br /> In addition to the originating summons, the plaintiff filed an ex parte motion seeking leave to properly commence the legal action as stipulated in the rules.<br /> <br /> Joined in the suit as defendants are Amaechi, Onu, the Department of State Service, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.<br /> <br /> The plaintiff, in its originating summons stated that “the allegations made against the 1st and 2nd defendants (Amaechi and Onu) by the two Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria… are grievous enough to warrant their arrest, investigation and prosecution by the 3rd and 4th defendants (DSS and EFCC).”<br /> <br /> The group also alleged that the allegations were weighty enough “to warrant their removal from office without delay by the 5th defendant (President Buhari), who was also accused to have sent the 1st defendant (Amaechi) on the mission to ensure that the All Progressives Congress wins all their governorship election cases at all costs and by all means.”<br /> <br /> It asked the court to declare that the failure of President Buhari to sack Amaechi and Onu “are grievous enough to conclude that President Buhari’s fight against corruption is window-dress, witch-hunt, selective, high-handed, vindictive, malicious and prosecuted with gross disregard to the rule of law.”<br /> <br /> It therefore sought an order of mandamus compelling the DSS and EFCC to “immediately and without further delay whatsoever, arrest, investigate and prosecute the 1st and 2nd defendants (Amaechi and Onu), based on the allegations of corruption and attempt to induce or bribe the Justices of the Supreme Court”.<br /> <br /> It also sought another order of mandamus compelling President Buhari “to immediately and without delay and without any further delay whatsoever sack or cause the 1st and 2nd defendants to resign from offices as Minister of Transportation and Minister of Science and Technology on the ground of public interest, public morality and to enable the 3rd and 4th defendants (DSS and EFCC) speedily carry out their statutory responsibility of arresting and prosecuting the 1st and 2nd defendants.”

Group asks court to order Amaechi, Onu’s arrest

A group, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the arrests of the Minister of Transportation,...

Read more »

Gambia goalkeeper dies while crossing to Europe by boat

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="fatim" src="http://cdn1.dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/fatim.jpg" /></div> <br /> Goalkeeper of Gambian women’s senior national football team, Jawara Fatim has died while attempting to move over to Europe by boat.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Fatim met her sudden death on attempt to cross to Europe through Libya, where she is said to have spent weeks in a secluded camp in Misrata.<br /> <br /> She was among a plethora of African migrants daring the high waves in a bid to reach Lampedusa, south of Italy.<br /> <br /> According to Gambia News, an agent, who she paid to facilitate her move, confirmed her death, disclosing that she died last week Thursday.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Gambia Football Federation, GFF, has expressed utter shock at news of Jawara’s sudden death.<br /> <br /> GFF boss, Lamin Kaba Bajo said at a press briefing, “I received the news today and it has really shocked me. The young girl is a talent and on the move for greener pastures but the way she died is just shocking and sympathetic.<br /> <br /> “We at the GFF are very sad about the development and on behalf of the Football Federation, I want to send our condolences to the family of the girl and her former club Red Scorpions.”<br /> <br /> Choro Mbenga, who coached Jawara at her local club side, Red Scorpions, until she traveled to Libya, said, “She was bold and stood for her teammates boldly. A talented goalkeeper, she will really be missed.”<br /> <br /> The deceased was part of the Gambian team that made history, putting the country’s name on the world map in the women’s U-17 World Cup in Azerbaijan in 2012.</div>

Gambia goalkeeper dies while crossing to Europe by boat

Goalkeeper of Gambian women’s senior national football team, Jawara Fatim has died while attempting to move over to Europe by boat. Fa...

Read more »

UK businessmen set to invest $1.5billion in NPFL

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for NPFL" src="data:image/png;base64,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" /></div> <br /> A consortium of investors from the United Kingdom has indicated interest in investing 1.5 billion dollars in the Nigeria Professional Football League, sports minister Solomon Dalung has revealed.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In a statement, Dalung disclosed that the UK-based sports promo and marketing firm under the auspice of Arabella 21st Century made the proposal during a visit to his office in Abuja.<br /> <br /> “Yes, they want to bring in about $1.5bn into Nigerian football, but there is a caveat to it. They are not going to tamper with the constitution, statutes or football article,” said Dalung.<br /> <br /> “It is the same thing they did in China and Japan. The league board will operate with the NFF and the Ministry will be involved.<br /> <br /> “They want to set up a Football Development Company that will be quoted on the stock exchange, with the same applying to all the football clubs in Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> Chairman of the firm, Femmy Carrena said his team of investors was ready to invest in the country’s league for the next 20 years with core restructuring but on few conditions.<br /> <br /> “They want to come to Nigeria and manage our league for the next 20 years. After a meeting with the ministry and other stakeholders, they’ll set up the company but their Nigerian counterparts are expected to invest 30 percent of the $1.5bn,” he continued.<br /> <br /> “They’re ready to put their own money into the stock exchange, but they’ll have the controlling share.<br /> <br /> “They will restructure the league, get the television rights but not before a conference which will explain to everyone how it will work.<br /> <br /> “They will be coming with technical experts from the premiership that will be operating in the development company that they will set up, which will include representatives of the ministry, the LMC, and the NFF.”<br /> <br /> When the deal is established,  the country’s national teams are expected to benefit from training and subventions. The League Management Company (LMC) had recently urged domestic clubs to register with the Nigerian Stock Exchange.</div>

UK businessmen set to invest $1.5billion in NPFL

A consortium of investors from the United Kingdom has indicated interest in investing 1.5 billion dollars in the Nigeria Professional Foo...

Read more »

2016 AWCON: Super Falcons May Boycott Tournament

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Super Falcons Of Nigeria 2016" height="429" src="http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/super-falcons.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> Nigeria’s senior women national team, may stay away from the upcoming Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Cameroon, over ongoing issues with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The players are reportedly not happy, because the federation has not paid their outstanding qualifying match allowances and bonuses.<br /> <br /> “The players are unhappy that to date the NFF has only paid N10,000 qualifying bonuses to each of the players to enable them to travel back to their respective homes after April’s successful qualifying match against the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal in Abuja,” an unnamed source told SuperSport.<br /> <br /> “The NFF had cited financial challenges, promising to pay their bonuses and allowances soon but that’s yet to see the light of day.<br /> <br /> “They want all the outstanding allowances paid forthwith or they will stay away from the upcoming Africa Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon.<br /> <br /> “They are not happy that NFF has continued to treat them as outcasts compared with the male counterparts, Super Eagles who were handsomely rewarded with Four and Five Thousand Dollars respectively for a draw and win in the failed 2017 Afcon qualifying campaign.<br /> <br /> “They have told whoever that cares to listen that their presence in camp as well as training for the championship should not be misconstrued as weakness or evidence of their preparedness to participate in the biennial football competition.<br /> <br /> “They said the country is in for a big shock unless the federation does the needful by quickly paying off their backlog of match bonuses.<br /> <br /> “The players said they are ready to cooperate with the head coach, Florence Omagbemi, to successfully defend the African title but on condition that their arrears of bonuses are paid forthwith.”<br /> <br /> The competition runs from November 19 to December 3 and the Falcons, who are the defending champions, have been pitched in Group B together with arch-rivals Ghana, Mali and newcomers Kenya.</div>

2016 AWCON: Super Falcons May Boycott Tournament

Nigeria’s senior women national team, may stay away from the upcoming Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Cameroon, over ongoing issue...

Read more »

4 Nominees who rejected Buhari's offer and their reasons

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlZGp8rDhDg/WBH-Th7CetI/AAAAAAAAaLw/V_22PrDZpMEWEEg_481DuLBlHsciSXm9ACLcB/s1600/nominees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlZGp8rDhDg/WBH-Th7CetI/AAAAAAAAaLw/V_22PrDZpMEWEEg_481DuLBlHsciSXm9ACLcB/s400/nominees.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Not less than four prominent Nigerians have turned down President Muhammadu Buhari's appointment and nomination since May 29, 2015.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Apart from the disappointment from the APC chieftains and governors over the inability of the Presidency to inform them about the nomination from their States, some of the nominees are unaware of the appointments as well.<br /> <br /> Here are four Nigerians who have rejected President Buhari's offer:<br /> <br /> <b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>1. Usman Bugaje</b> He rejected President Buhari’s ambassadorial nomination, and he was convinced not to mention his decision to the media.<br /> <br /> He said: “Regarding the published nomination for an ambassadorial posting, I have not spoken to the press and may not do so anytime soon.<br /> <br /> “I thank those who think me fit for the job, but I have so much in my hands already, especially the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), which is the only broad platform in the North driving development. I have weighed the options and have decided to remain home and continue the struggle for development and good governance.<br /> <br /> Thank you for the concern, support and prayers”.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>2. Dame Pauline Tallen</b> is the former deputy governor of Plateau state. She is also a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) board of trustees. She turned down the offer for nomination for ambassadorial appointment to attend to her ailing husband.<br /> <br /> “It is a hard decision I had to take but I have to, because he is my primary responsibility,” she said.<br /> <br /> <b>3. Professor Akintunde Ibitayo Akinwande</b> is a Nigerian American engineering professor at the electrical engineering and computer science department of Massachusetts institute of technology.<br /> <br /> Professor Akinwande rejected an offer by the president to serve in the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as chairman.<br /> <br /> Akinwande was said to have turned down the offer based on the alleged fact that he was not consulted before the nomination was made.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>4. Najatu Muhammad</b><br /> <br /> The federal government on Saturday, February 13, 2015, appointed Muhammad as the chairperson of the governing board of the Dutse federal university through a paid advertorial on a national daily. He rejected the offer by saying: “Sir, I Najatu Muhammad wishes (wish) to thank you so much for considering me worthy of being appointed the chairperson of Dutse Federal University.<br /> <br /> “It’s however unfortunate that I was not consulted before the announcement in the media. I also regret that I have to use the same medium to announce that I can’t accept the appointment for personal reasons.”

4 Nominees who rejected Buhari's offer and their reasons

Not less than four prominent Nigerians have turned down President Muhammadu Buhari's appointment and nomination since May 29, 2015. ...

Read more »

Ondo election: INEC officials risk imprisonment over PDP candidate — Sheriff

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83dwvKHcDXI/WBH7u6AzCLI/AAAAAAAAaLk/roIX2f5iUFgsrBWUxJWmhCAOrURV2K-DACLcB/s1600/Ali-Modu-Sheriff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83dwvKHcDXI/WBH7u6AzCLI/AAAAAAAAaLk/roIX2f5iUFgsrBWUxJWmhCAOrURV2K-DACLcB/s400/Ali-Modu-Sheriff.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has warned that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, risk going to jail if they refused to declare his faction’s candidate, Jimoh Ibrahim, as candidate of the PDP for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Sheriff, who was represented at a press conference yesterday by the National Secretary of his faction, Professor Wale Oladipo, stated that Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Abuja had recently confirmed Ibrahim as candidate of the party and directed INEC to recognise him as such.<br /> <br /> He warned that recognising another person as candidate of the PDP would be contempt of court, adding that he would as well file contempt charge against INEC, if his candidate was not recognized and his name published.<br /> <br /> Ibrahim emerged from a parallel primary election ‎conducted by Sheriff’s faction, few days after the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee produced Mr Eyitayo Jegede as candidate for the election.<br /> <br /> The former Borno governor pointed out that the crisis bedeviling the PDP, “has assumed a national security issue,” adding that democracy was being threatened because of the failure of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the leading opposition PDP, to chart a way forward towards deepening democracy in the country.<br /> <br /> His words, “We are mindful of the expectations of Nigerians and hope that Nigerians have interest in the PDP. Sheriff and Makarfi are determined to do the reconciliation to a logical conclusion but due process must be followed.<br /> <br /> “Dividend of democracy depends on the vibrancy of the ruling and the opposition parties. So, we must make sacrifices to ensure our democracy survives. It is more important for Jimoh Ibrahim to contest as candidate of the PDP than lose Ondo State.”

Ondo election: INEC officials risk imprisonment over PDP candidate — Sheriff

Factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has warned that officials of the Independent Na...

Read more »

Foreign Coaches Battling To Handle Kano Pillars

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Kano Pillars" height="400" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ab/Kano_Pillars_F.C.svg/942px-Kano_Pillars_F.C.svg.png" width="367" /></div> <br /> Several foreign coaches have applied to handle Nigeria premier league club Kano Pillars, according to new chairman Tukur Babangida.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Slovenian Ivo Sajh led Pillars to the semi-finals of the 2009 CAF Champions League, while Ghanaian coach Malik Jaber also handled the club.<br /> <br /> Pillars are without a coach after Mohammed Babaganaru quit at the end of the past season.<br /> <br /> “We have received applications from coaches in Nigeria and overseas,” disclosed Babangida.<br /> <br /> “Very soon we will go through these applications. We hope to then interview the short listed coaches very soon.”<br /> <br /> Babangida is back in his second spell as Pillars boss and he admitted he is under pressure to meet the huge expectations on the club.<br /> <br /> “I have done it before but the expectations are high from the fans and from the people of Kano State,” he lamented.<br /> <br /> “I don’t have a technical adviser now and I don't have a team while others have a technical adviser.<br /> <br /> “We have two immediate objectives - getting a technical adviser and sign committed players and the technical adviser is our first priority.” </div>

Foreign Coaches Battling To Handle Kano Pillars

Several foreign coaches have applied to handle Nigeria premier league club Kano Pillars, according to new chairman Tukur Babangida. Th...

Read more »

Nigerian nanny feeds baby to death in US

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy-kOQfGeW4/WBH2-j7FyYI/AAAAAAAAaLU/AhaZmQ7SGsQzsBtK-pKX3T6lmSKRRTekQCLcB/s1600/nigerian-nanny.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy-kOQfGeW4/WBH2-j7FyYI/AAAAAAAAaLU/AhaZmQ7SGsQzsBtK-pKX3T6lmSKRRTekQCLcB/s400/nigerian-nanny.png" width="295" /></a></div> The United States police have arrested a 66-year-old Nigerian nanny, Oluremi Oyindasola, for murder.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Oyindasola of Glenarden, Maryland has also been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse, resulting in death and other offences.<br /> <br /> This is coming after she force-fed an eight-month-old baby girl to death.<br /> <br /> According to Prince George’s County Police, a home surveillance system recorded the accused taking a nap when the crying infant, eight-month-old Enita Salubi, approached her in a toddler walker.<br /> <br /> Col. Harry Bond with Prince George’s CountyPolice said Oyindasola unsuccessfully tried to feed the child, then when she got frustrated with the infant not wanting to eat, she proceeded to pour a large amount of white liquid directly inside the victim’s mouth.<br /> <br /> Bond said, “On October 24th, at about 4.10pm, she forcefully poured the two bottles of what looks to be milk down the baby’s mouth, causing her to not be able to breathe and suffocating her.<br /> <br /> “The baby had been rushed to a hospital after she became unresponsive at home. She was pronounced dead a short time later.<br /> <br /> “An autopsy on Tuesday revealed the baby’s cause of death was asphyxiation. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.<br /> <br /> “The preliminary investigation revealed the injuries to the baby occurred while in the sole care and custody of Oyindasola.<br /> <br /> “Oyindasola is in the custody of the Department of Corrections.”

Nigerian nanny feeds baby to death in US

The United States police have arrested a 66-year-old Nigerian nanny, Oluremi Oyindasola, for murder. Oyindasola of Glenarden, Maryland h...

Read more »

Nigeria’s ranking in World Bank’s doing business report positive – FG

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vlHgiBWKA90/WBH08ARVRjI/AAAAAAAAaLI/lGeKWYX_8ZA7YJD4WZvC13SyNeRTy7_XACLcB/s1600/worldbank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vlHgiBWKA90/WBH08ARVRjI/AAAAAAAAaLI/lGeKWYX_8ZA7YJD4WZvC13SyNeRTy7_XACLcB/s400/worldbank.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The Presidency says the World Bank’s Doing Business 2017 Report, released on Tuesday is an indication that the government’s reform initiatives are yielding positive results.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “The Buhari administration is gratified that the various reform initiatives put in place towards instituting a positive business environment is slowly but gradually yielding some dividends.<br /> <br /> “Nigeria’s ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business remains static, halting a falling trend in the past several years,’’ the Vice Presidential spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande, said, via a release issued on Thursday in Abuja.<br /> <br /> <br /> Akande recalled that the latest report had ranked Nigeria 169 out of 189 countries in the overall Ease of Doing Business rank.<br /> <br /> He described the ranking as “a positive indication that the focus and tenacity of President Muhammadu Buhari to reposition the nation’s business and economic environment is working and on course.<br /> <br /> “While Nigeria’s position remains the same as at last year on the index ranking, it is encouraging that Nigeria has recorded some positive outlooks in four critical areas of the ranking.’’<br /> <br /> Akande listed the areas as: Starting a Business; Dealing with Construction Permits; Registering Property and Access to Credit.<br /> <br /> He noted that the objectivity and reliability of the report coming from an international development institution, lent weight to the milestone recorded in particular on the distance to frontier (DTF) metric.<br /> <br /> Akande observed that on the metric, the country’s score improved slightly from 44.02 in Doing Business 2016 to 44.63 in Doing Business 2017.<br /> <br /> According to the World Bank report, the improvements noted mean that last year, Nigeria’s business regulatory environment as captured by the Doing Business indicators improved slightly in absolute terms.<br /> <br /> According to the report “the country is decreasing the gap with the global regulatory frontier.<br /> <br /> “This is a morale booster for stakeholders involved in the efforts aimed at removing existing bottlenecks in the business environment.’’<br /> <br /> Akande declared that the observation by the World Bank was recognition of the bold initiatives and untiring work of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.<br /> <br /> He said it was particularly achieved through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.<br /> <br /> He said Buhari in August had set-up PEBEC, which had an active collaboration with the private sector, “to remove the bottlenecks that stifle businesses and create the right enabling environment and investment climate.”<br /> <br /> PEBEC has nine ministers, the Head of the Service and the CBN governor as members and is mandated to give progress reports to the Federal Executive Council every month.<br /> <br /> The council’s secretariat with a team comprising staff from both public and private sector, is supported by knowledge experts and collaborates across ministries, departments and agencies as well as private sector stakeholders to achieve reform objectives.<br /> <br /> According to Akande, Buhari is absolutely committed to boosting reform activities so as to continue to arrest the past decline, where the country fell from number 94 in 2006 to number 169 in 2016.<br /> <br /> He said the reforms would positively project the business climate to an enviable position in the international business community.<br /> <br /> “With the reform efforts being put in place now, indications are that in subsequent years, Nigeria will scale up significantly in the ranking,’’ he declared.

Nigeria’s ranking in World Bank’s doing business report positive – FG

The Presidency says the World Bank’s Doing Business 2017 Report, released on Tuesday is an indication that the government’s reform initiati...

Read more »