IN PICTURES: Buhari holds bilateral meeting with former British PM, Gordon Brown, Bill Clinton & Bill Gates

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmXkecfkbMYciL_RZ6Sy2ttVP89MWC2iX2ZxKwVwXavj30XqvhyFQSPRGnOhyphenhyphensfWgqCLsjmsn8gC4LHq1kXmWqjskbsdBx4zY1MBccPyMI1h28HlSMXJG_FWuJf7OjH3O6TcTVhJdgXHq/s1600/B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmXkecfkbMYciL_RZ6Sy2ttVP89MWC2iX2ZxKwVwXavj30XqvhyFQSPRGnOhyphenhyphensfWgqCLsjmsn8gC4LHq1kXmWqjskbsdBx4zY1MBccPyMI1h28HlSMXJG_FWuJf7OjH3O6TcTVhJdgXHq/s640/B6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> President Buhari and ex-President Obasanjo held a bilateral meeting with former British PM, Gordon Brown in the US yesterday. Buhari also met with Bill Clinton & Bill Gates.<br /> <br /> More pictures below...<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb76ioRehlNqZzbL89tLJQfVNru_QVJjne4KvpivqhZTPss0cRqbk7XaFiCYaM2W2YTEXj-NBNy8t-yOvzjcALHZlUfGlUlPaheUS-1r2GYJmiLJTmVmIp1LhOQtJ20WxSOedLnikGiKtr/s1600/B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb76ioRehlNqZzbL89tLJQfVNru_QVJjne4KvpivqhZTPss0cRqbk7XaFiCYaM2W2YTEXj-NBNy8t-yOvzjcALHZlUfGlUlPaheUS-1r2GYJmiLJTmVmIp1LhOQtJ20WxSOedLnikGiKtr/s640/B7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUVuyWevSWMLL5U9bzZx-TGpdSx675lSkSXM0PUbY6L_B3G1hq_G0XkvhHhlyc5pzZ0NUrJYdaubgxs_cgjCiR2kwTn35hpoibwCj5po7AP7F-HpdotMtVrm_rhpI4ZFOk-JjOJ7iXjxI/s1600/B8%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUVuyWevSWMLL5U9bzZx-TGpdSx675lSkSXM0PUbY6L_B3G1hq_G0XkvhHhlyc5pzZ0NUrJYdaubgxs_cgjCiR2kwTn35hpoibwCj5po7AP7F-HpdotMtVrm_rhpI4ZFOk-JjOJ7iXjxI/s640/B8%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoHNbhmWzs-Zr4W66atH2IWegpVxod6d3CBQDvmPVMU7xgkWh18E-JT-hWRTBd32YfeCXfkRf4OdpjV-lZioLKFLSt-H_WR6pSgEuhOj53ZVv3JwUnbx762GVpdHIPYwUatqn8L6id5bv/s1600/B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoHNbhmWzs-Zr4W66atH2IWegpVxod6d3CBQDvmPVMU7xgkWh18E-JT-hWRTBd32YfeCXfkRf4OdpjV-lZioLKFLSt-H_WR6pSgEuhOj53ZVv3JwUnbx762GVpdHIPYwUatqn8L6id5bv/s640/B9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73GN5pmnasgLGiU45q8OGt6u_IVkM3jzA_cdF30oafGTW9QE3O3nRjRSh_Mm_oZ1Wwuq-1jXAccWhaiQrZM8YOBbpxvfgm2a6mucJqFi4_Tn8rw9nLRU9U4cEZMqUXCeSruczaK9DIbj2/s1600/B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73GN5pmnasgLGiU45q8OGt6u_IVkM3jzA_cdF30oafGTW9QE3O3nRjRSh_Mm_oZ1Wwuq-1jXAccWhaiQrZM8YOBbpxvfgm2a6mucJqFi4_Tn8rw9nLRU9U4cEZMqUXCeSruczaK9DIbj2/s640/B10.jpg" width="600" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NZ9oZIi2FRWtSeDJU79jWuybikVXOtA_-9FyDwhBbJOQy-meVSxpfHU05t7z2W4MW0pz5kiJyHjiSo6Vhi2fxp0ArwpyaRkYmuV6HmD_PryqYrR_743soHBJcm_MiLrAv96CmbbW5pn_/s1600/B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NZ9oZIi2FRWtSeDJU79jWuybikVXOtA_-9FyDwhBbJOQy-meVSxpfHU05t7z2W4MW0pz5kiJyHjiSo6Vhi2fxp0ArwpyaRkYmuV6HmD_PryqYrR_743soHBJcm_MiLrAv96CmbbW5pn_/s640/B11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8rNvO1Zp8c4KnTHo_rjIA8cbnL5xexdk2rxpacF-MWTsoIb-dKfOP6KZS_ANqA2jbMtEuleI8GGQ5HXaGbcy-8STZRnXU__NIXZYTNFnX8W-ETPVsvAc7tsqVoarsTdS0NIXEuhmmylV/s1600/B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Latest-News IN PICTURES: Buhari holds bilateral meeting with former British PM, Gordon Brown, Bill Clinton & Bill Gates

President Buhari and ex-President Obasanjo held a bilateral meeting with former British PM, Gordon Brown in the US yesterday. Buhari also ...

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Nigeria Loses Two Court of Appeal Justices In Saudi Arabia Hajj Stampede

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKPa7SQb2QpJ098rKUXCZsldX4R-KnSAFlq7Wf678J3ZGUuRJKQhYP4mQCHSLCeUbjbrhtxP_FitlYD8XkocXhinYcQ10kjoN7mXOR6T-y9v-bPmu893BcJfYIwoR86lVTapXkkaCORP5/s1600/judge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKPa7SQb2QpJ098rKUXCZsldX4R-KnSAFlq7Wf678J3ZGUuRJKQhYP4mQCHSLCeUbjbrhtxP_FitlYD8XkocXhinYcQ10kjoN7mXOR6T-y9v-bPmu893BcJfYIwoR86lVTapXkkaCORP5/s640/judge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Two Justices of the Court of Appeal are among the hundreds of pilgrims who died in the stampede in Saudi Arabia.<br /> <br /> They are Justices Abdulkadir Abubakar Jega and Musa Hassan Alkali.<br /> <br /> Justice Jega was the presiding Justice of Abuja division, while Justice Alkali was of the Ilorin division of the Court of Appeal.<br /> <br /> It was learnt that they were in Saudi Arabia for the annual Holy Pilgrimage.<br /> <br /> The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed has sent condolence messages to families of the two late judicial officers.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Media aide to the CJN, Ahurakah Isah said, in a statement issued Saturday evening, that the CJN commiserates, on behalf of the nation’s Judiciary, with “the Court of Appeal and the families of two Justices of the Court of Appeal who died during the unfortunate stampede last Thursday 24 September 2015 in Mina, Saudi Arabia while in the Holy Land to perform Hajj Pilgrimage.”<br /> <br /> “The Chief Justice of Nigeria said the death of the revered jurists is not just a huge loss to the Judiciary ,but Nigeria in entirety, adding that both men of the Bench have contributed immensely to the development of our jurisprudence.<br /> <br /> “The CJN, Justice Mohammed on behalf of the entire Judiciary in the country prayed the Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the departed Justices eternal rest and their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.<br /> <br /> “Justice Mohammed expressed his personal condolences to the immediate family and relations as well as friends and associates of the highly respected jurists who will be greatly missed by the entire judiciary.<br /> <br /> “His Lordship urges members of the deceased families to be comforted by the knowledge that the departed jurists served their country with commitment, dedication ‎and honesty.<br /> <br /> “The CJN‎ prays that Almighty Allah will receive their soul and grant them al-janah,” Isah said.

Latest-News Nigeria Loses Two Court of Appeal Justices In Saudi Arabia Hajj Stampede

Two Justices of the Court of Appeal are among the hundreds of pilgrims who died in the stampede in Saudi Arabia. They are Justices Abdu...

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Prof Jega's brother dies in Saudi Hajj stampede

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9p5BlavMPH8BKzgHNsdgi32j3H0d8ERlRFS3IdklUA0_wefn870x0TTpvnsJp5jY3vpO6ULESMRT6EocETRuNc0uAmy1wkAEZhxvwg5FlbKmdgJ7go3YYWouvzF3hkDgOL3taO9K9Y4a/s1600/inec+jega+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9p5BlavMPH8BKzgHNsdgi32j3H0d8ERlRFS3IdklUA0_wefn870x0TTpvnsJp5jY3vpO6ULESMRT6EocETRuNc0uAmy1wkAEZhxvwg5FlbKmdgJ7go3YYWouvzF3hkDgOL3taO9K9Y4a/s1600/inec+jega+a.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br /> Abdulkadir Jega, The brother of the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attahiru Jega, has been confirmed as one of the dead in the Hajj stampede.<br /> <br /> The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, Saturday, disclosed that two Court of Appeal Justices were among those that died during the stampede that led to the death of over 700 persons at Mina, Saudi Arabia on Thursday.<br /> <br /> ‎In a statement, the CJN, gave the names of the deceased Justices as Abdulkadir Jega who is the Presiding Justice of the Abuja Division of the appellate court and Justice Musa Hassan Alkali of the Ilorin Division‎.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Justice Mohammed, in a condolence message to their families, the Court of Appeal, the Judiciary and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said it was with a deep sense of shock but with gratitude to Almighty Allah that he learnt of the death of the two justices.

Latest-News Prof Jega's brother dies in Saudi Hajj stampede

Abdulkadir Jega, The brother of the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attahiru Jega, has be...

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Buhari fails to attend UN’s Boko Haram meeting

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGMImejsPBf_kMAPWMecBM0806c6CqhnRkgJLKhb6cMp9IYejN7jqyzcXJ0DlqRUr1kH3FhwFiymvueI-WZWEw_GCjJXkyByjtSBrx8bOG2br2FyF5z-FzHPXRlYfpRpvfaHtn1iZHYIX/s1600/Buhari-3-620x330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGMImejsPBf_kMAPWMecBM0806c6CqhnRkgJLKhb6cMp9IYejN7jqyzcXJ0DlqRUr1kH3FhwFiymvueI-WZWEw_GCjJXkyByjtSBrx8bOG2br2FyF5z-FzHPXRlYfpRpvfaHtn1iZHYIX/s640/Buhari-3-620x330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari and his delegation were not present at a United Nation’s meeting to discuss and proffer solution to the problems of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).<br /> <br /> The United Nations, Chad, Niger and Cameroon appealed on Friday for help for millions of people in the Lake Chad Basin region forced to flee the violence of Boko Haram and hit with repeated droughts and floods that have brought malnutrition and disease.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> US and European Union diplomats said they were disappointed that Nigeria did not attend the event chaired by United Nations aid chief Stephen O’Brien on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Latest-News Buhari fails to attend UN’s Boko Haram meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari and his delegation were not present at a United Nation’s meeting to discuss and proffer solution to the proble...

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Why Nigerian delegation to UN missed “unofficial meeting” on IDPs - Presidency

<div align="center"> <img alt="Why Nigerian delegation to UN missed "unofficial meeting” on IDPs - Presidency" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhfRQv_sa1NYAB0t011W1GehgQOyvFSorHw8Ant2ooqGCt8ByB5jSJhyzxVXhf2ydplSsjw5Nv4-0VmWWVU-8mH3LZ6L5AQxqVkVxfq-grmjYzrlkT6RodwcA-Z0xmd-eSl65U7gl8Qj8/s1600/buhari+signs.jpg" title="Why Nigerian delegation to UN missed "unofficial meeting” on IDPs - Presidency" /></div> <br /> <div> The Presidency has issued a statement responding to reports that the Nigerian delegation to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly missed a meeting on help for displaced persons.</div> <br /> <div> In the statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the presidency said the said meeting "was not the only one or the most important of such meetings in New York that are paying attention to the problem of insecurity, migration and violent extremism in the Lake Chad area and the rest of the world".</div> <br /> <div> <b>Read full statement below.</b></div> <br /> <div> "Contrary to the erroneous impression that may have been created by reports that the Nigerian delegation to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly missed a meeting on help for displaced persons, President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration remain fully committed to the rehabilitation and well-being of all persons who have been displaced or adversely affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.</div> <br /> <div> "Indeed, the war against terrorism, improved security across Nigeria and additional measures to give succour to internally displaced persons have been central to discussions President Buhari has had with other world leaders since his arrival in New York on Thursday night.</div> <br /> <div> "The issues were dominant in the President’s conversations on Friday with Chancellor Angela Merkel, the King of Spain, His Majesty Don Felipe VI and former Prime-minister Gordon Brown who came with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to discuss the actualization of the safe schools initiative, which is of special interest in parts of Nigeria most vulnerable to terrorist attacks.</div> <br /> <div> "President Buhari is handling his duty as leader of the Nigerian delegation to this year’s General Assembly with the greatest possible diligence and will certainly not tolerate any tardiness on the part of the delegation in seizing every possible opportunity to advance Nigeria’s interests.</div> <br /> <div> "This notwithstanding, it must be realized that it will be near impossible for any national delegation, no matter its size, to participate in all the meetings that are simultaneously happening in and around the General Assembly in New York.</div> <br /> <div> "The meeting at which Nigeria was reportedly absent was not one of the official events of the United Nations for which President Muhammadu Buhari and his modest delegation are in New York.</div> <br /> <div> "While the meeting referred to in media reports is commendable, it was not the only one or the most important of such meetings in New York that are paying attention to the problem of insecurity, migration and violent extremism in the Lake Chad area and the rest of the world.</div> <br /> <div> "Nigeria was represented earlier today at an important side event devoted to the North-East called by the UN Population Fund, UNFPA on "Building Stability and Resilience in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin Countries."</div> <br /> <div> "President Buhari fully conscious of his responsibility to Nigeria and will accept nothing short of the best for Nigerians in the meetings taking place in and around the United Nations.</div> <br /> <div> "Anyone trying to create an impression of dereliction of duty, based on the Nigerian delegation’s absence at an unofficial meeting, is only being mischievous and uncharitable."</div>

Latest-News Politics Why Nigerian delegation to UN missed “unofficial meeting” on IDPs - Presidency

The Presidency has issued a statement responding to reports that the Nigerian delegation to the 70th Session of the United Nations Gener...

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Emir Sanusi secretly marries 18-year-old girl

<div align="center"> <img alt="Emir Sanusi secretly marries 18-year-old girl" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oRuobx2vUaVe2kqA0cyZ5kFcHEuY3sNchyphenhyphensD-m3llOUwQf3ozpHUx1WBpZF6aYvk05d-k_PzOFm_Y1GWmkfv8kz_mU1wj7z-veXJUJKe9rCkpSIIZNH911ij3oEGysvUQoC1OWUp3XoV/s1600/Muhammad-Sanusi-II.jpg" title="Emir Sanusi secretly marries 18-year-old girl" /></div> <br /> The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has finally tied the knot with his rumoured heartthrob, Sa’adatu Barkindo-Musdafa, the daughter of the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Barkindo-Musdafa, <i>Premium Times</i> reports<br /> <br /> The 18-year old becomes the emir’s fourth wife. She recently completed secondary school and is been enrolled for advanced level studies.<br /> <br /> In addition to his first wife, Sadiya, who is the daughter of the late emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, Mr. Sanusi has two other wives - Maryam and Rakiya.<br /> <br /> The secret wedding was contracted in a low-keyed ceremony in the town of Yola on Friday.<br /> <br /> Palace sources in Yola stated that the wedding fatiha held inside the palace of the Lamido minutes after Jumma’at prayer.<br /> <br /> Insiders say that the influential emir only sent out invitation to some dignitaries across the country, as Kano government officials sneaked into Yola for the wedding fatiha to avoid journalists.<br /> <br /> The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, was said to have acted as the guardian for the groom, while his Adamawa counterpart, Jibrilla Bindow, played the role of the bride’s guardian, who gave her hands out in marriage to the monarch.<br /> <br /> Mr. Sanusi’s rumoured marriage to the princess was debunked in the past.<br /> <br /> “His decision to take a new wife is in line with Islamic injunction.<br /> <br /> Islam allows having a maximum of four wives for those who can treat all of them equally and provide for a large family,’’ said a top Kano state government official who travelled to Yola for the wedding.<br /> <br /> A social commentator, Dan’Almajiri Ibrahim, argued that in ancient times, links between empires were tightened by marriages among royals and nobles across boundaries.<br /> <br /> “So, the engagement of the Adamawa princess to Emir Sanusi II may also be a move to deepen royal bond between Adamawa and Kano.<br /> <br /> “You see, historically, both emirates have similar origins in the 19th Century Uthman Bn Fodio’s jihad,’’ he concluded.<br /> <br /> Emir Sanusi could not be reached for comments as he is currently away in Saudi Arabia, where he is acting as leader of Nigeria’s delegation to this year’s hajj.<br /> <br /> A highly placed palace source however confirmed the development to our source, saying Sa’adatu would not move in with the emir immediately.<br /> <i><br /> From Premium Times</i>

Latest-News Lifestyle Emir Sanusi secretly marries 18-year-old girl

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has finally tied the knot with his rumoured heartthrob, Sa’adatu Barkindo-Musdafa, the daughter of...

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Why APC is opposed to Ekiti Airport project - PDP

<div align="center"> <img alt="Why APC is opposed to Ekiti Airport project - PDP" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIEJcbWp-MbICBzWD7atGgkg8kDqk1Sqed3hhqhhACdd58eeNFNpHn_lfJUb3hj45jdYtDSpKVaoiRzL5jg1Mv0xnqHYR1ZUmznsIFAX4cUk8GddW6JbFHFMeusDGVKieerhQy5dwR6kR/s1600/Ekiti-State-Governor-Ayodele-Fayose.jpg" title="Why APC is opposed to Ekiti Airport project - PDP" /></div> <br /> The Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has given reasons the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) was opposed to the execution of the airport project in the state, saying the APC was only ashamed that a PDP government was showing the political will to bring the project conceived by the Federal government since 2009 to reality.<br /> <br /> The PDP said the Ekiti Airport project was initiated in 2009 by the Musa Yar’Adua government but frustrated by the APC government of Dr. Kayode Fayemi even though fund was budgeted for it in 2011 by the federal government.<br /> <br /> The party, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday by the State Publicity Secretary, Jackson Adebayo, said the people of Ekiti State had seen through the deceit of the APC and would not fall victims again.<br /> <br /> The PDP spokesperson pointed out that “As at 2010, terrain flight check for site selection had been done, site approval obtained from the Ministry of Aviation, perimeter land survey completed, meteorological data (i.e. Wind-Rose) already obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Form AC-001 had been collected for completion and submission to Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), guidance materials on the procedures to be followed for development and certification of airport and related technical and regulatory requirements to be met had been collected for necessary assessment; and materials needed for runway orientation and establishment of Obstacle Limitation Surfaces had virtually been concluded.”<br /> <br /> He said APC chose to deprive the State of the Federal government project while running the affairs of the state because of parochial and selfish political reasoning.<br /> <br /> He said; “Instead of the APC government of Dr Kayode Fayemi to collaborate with the Federal government on the airport project, he, out of political vendetta, told the Federal government that airport was not the priority of the state.<br /> <br /> “However, the same Fayemi, who had said that the airport was not necessary, describing it as a white elephant project, complained when the then President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan visited Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, that the non take-off of the airport project was slowing down the pace of economic activities in the state.<br /> <br /> “Also, during campaigns for the presidential election, Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola said here in Ado Ekiti that an airport will built in Ekiti State if General Muhammadu Buhari becomes president.<br /> <br /> “Isn’t it therefore hypocritical and shameful that the APC is opposing the same project promised when they were seeking Ekiti people’s votes?”<br /> <br /> Speaking further, the PDP spokesperson said: “The APC is known for reneging on its promises and this, the people of Ekiti State have known. We all remember that during the tenure of APC chieftain, Niyi Adebayo, he said the state had no money to dualise any road in the state, Ayodele Fayose came on board and dualised all the major entry points to Ado-Ekiti.<br /> <br /> “Fayose is in the saddle now. The political will and prudence that the APC lacks, he has and he is showing them. This is not strange. Fayose and the PDP are known for scoring first in good things in Ekiti State.<br /> <br /> “All the states that were created in 1996 like Ekiti have airports or at least airstrips. The APC is only showing malice and bitterness about the project because they know that by God’s grace, the project will be executed by Fayose and an airplane will land on Ekiti soilvery soon.<br /> <br /> “Leaders, stakeholders including traditional rulers in Ekiti State who mean well for the state and the people are solidly behind the project.They know there is need to open up the state for businesses. They know that if it is a standard airstrip, the state deserves one.<br /> <br /> “If the APC has started to experience belly aches because of the airport project, we advise them to be ready to take more analgesic, as Fayose and the PDP will deliver to the good people of the state many goodies. One of it is that flyovers will be built to decongest traffic in some points in Ado-Ekiti.”<br /> <br /> Adebayo enjoined the people to continue their support for Fayose and the PDP, as the administration would deliver to them more dividends of democracy.

Latest-News Politics Why APC is opposed to Ekiti Airport project - PDP

The Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has given reasons the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) was oppose...

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Hajj stampede: Sokoto confirms death of 9 pilgrims

<div align="center"> <img alt="Hajj stampede: Sokoto confirms death of 9 pilgrims" border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTFW0mXCosxWlHtL5aAwTUUB_fYdJbzdfUFIEXTxtEoHRBj1Oq69tg8oPGHp8__J3TuhtxoV2cIdU8XtPT8_vV1rgjjzQSZ_mbHztwqZRFlpweKIc7Bu9Ju4hQVNuFCrLQGUp7u8gAlK-/s640/arafat+mecca.jpg" title="Hajj stampede: Sokoto confirms death of 9 pilgrims" width="640" /></div> <br /> Sokoto State Government has announced that nine pilgrims from the state were among those who lost the lives in the stampede that occurred on ‎Wednesday in Mina, Saudi Arabia.<br /> <br /> In a statement in Sokoto on Saturday, the government said that its officials, led by the Amirul Hajj and leader of its delegation, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, who was still in Saudi Arabia, confirmed the tragedy.<br /> <br /> It said that the team was still working round-the-clock to identify many of the pilgrims from the state who were injured in the incident.<br /> <br /> According to the statement signed by Imam Imam, Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on Media and Public Affairs, the injured are receiving treatment ‎in different hospitals in Saudi Arabia.<br /> ”At this moment of grief and sober reflection, the state government urges all citizens to remain calm and intensify prayers as we await further confirmation from authorities concerned.<br /> <br /> ”May God bless the souls of those who died and may His healing ‎be visited upon all the injured. May God console us all,” the statement said.<br /> <br /> (NAN)

Latest-News World News Hajj stampede: Sokoto confirms death of 9 pilgrims

Sokoto State Government has announced that nine pilgrims from the state were among those who lost the lives in the stampede that occurred...

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'90% of politicians in Nigeria are guilty of false declaration of assets'

<div align="center"> <img alt="'90% of politicians in Nigeria are guilty of false declaration of assets'" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcWsGE_I-ljeaybGl0B1vup3CBEbuVKRV7hieI8BdClSY_CJngzOy6BN1Y3nnC_E8j7ZrxfBI9MMqRaHqNOVYJp0QGNRknHWu0-A3sfLI8rA23vFJXa8WSEsMCGNb_widljSENIEmTTQm/s1600/saraki+docked.jpg" title="'90% of politicians in Nigeria are guilty of false declaration of assets'" /></div> <br /> Chairman of the 2014 National Conference Convocation Committee, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, said on Saturday that more than 90 per cent of politicians in the country are guilty of false declaration of assets.<br /> <br /> Okunrounmu stated this while interacting with newsmen on the sidelines of the 80th birthday celebration of the Founder of O’odua Peoples Congress, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, in Ikeja, Lagos.<br /> <br /> He said if anybody had done anything that was against the law or Constitution, the person should be called to account.<br /> <br /> According to him, it is good and part of the fight against corruption, saying the fight should be holistic.<br /> <br /> “It should cover all the people who are guilty, not just target a few individuals. Ninety per cent of politicians declare assets falsely, so the law should go after all the people that are guilty of such false declaration of assets; try them and bring them to justice.<br /> <br /> “They shouldn’t just target one or two people,” he said.<br /> <br /> On the National Confab, Okunrounmu alleged that the All Progressives Congress had always opposed it.<br /> <br /> “May be, the Constitution is favourable to some parts of the North; many northern APC leaders have always opposed a national confab.<br /> <br /> “May be, one can understand why they oppose a confab, but those who know how the current Constitution came to being know that it was fashioned by successive military rulers, mostly from the North,” he added.<br /> <br /> He said the southern wing of the APC had always agitated for a national conference, but opposed to the 2014 confab “for political reasons”.<br /> <br /> On the delay in cabinet formation by President Muhammadu Buhari, the former confab convocation committee chairman said there was no provision for the President to administer Nigeria without a cabinet.<br /> <br /> (NAN)

Latest-News Politics '90% of politicians in Nigeria are guilty of false declaration of assets'

Chairman of the 2014 National Conference Convocation Committee, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, said on Saturday that more than 90 per cent of p...

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Atiku mourns Hajj stampede victims

<div align="center"> <img alt="Atiku mourns Hajj stampede victims" border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xLy8Ab3LcFqgxMXqMFXWzUkzsy9rSHD04-lgWZuxzEIh-UdalTdV4HlgmsDHWvCIIXBNoCBk352F567cDGYAnBpZlESagTkL885-d8NdxY4lReAU_-yjAbWGyvo6_y3I6G1NvqXYJFqL/s640/atIKU+TIRED.jpg" title="Atiku mourns Hajj stampede victims" width="640" /></div> <br /> Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has expressed regret on the death of more than 747 Muslims on September 17 in a stampede during pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.<br /> <br /> A statement issued in Abuja by the Head of Media to Atiku, Mr. Pul Ibe, described the incident as one of the grievous accidents to have befallen Muslims in recent memories.<br /> <br /> According to the statement, Atiku notes that such colossal loss of human lives is rare and remarkably regrettable.<br /> <br /> It urged the Muslim world to be united in grief and offer prayers to God to avert the recurrence of such accident in future.<br /> <br /> “Life is so precious that whoever dies, the world should be united in grief because we are bound by our common humanity.<br /> <br /> “The late Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf, one of the Nigerian victims, was a shining light of the journalism profession in Nigeria,” it said.<br /> <br /> (NAN)

Latest-News World News Atiku mourns Hajj stampede victims

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has expressed regret on the death of more than 747 Muslims on September 17 in a stampede during pilg...

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Buhari applauds Nigeria’s removal from countries on polio list

<div align="center"> <img alt="Buhari applauds Nigeria’s removal from countries on polio list" border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6okD843Ulbi22PIM07RACgfXrgt-elU8PbZr5_thy9aPH1hArvbW8hL4hun9C5TIfYAH7sC4mqw_Qlh_JnufjVV13rB3z_cMC_YRwRKUrs4qFSFpH-dLgvxPHbySFszuXDbuCg8QXjU7/s640/buhari+suit+2.jpg" title="Buhari applauds Nigeria’s removal from countries on polio list" width="640" /></div> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed Friday’s announcement by the World Health Organisation that polio is no longer endemic in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> The President’s reaction to the development was contained in a statement on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.<br /> <br /> The president expressed delight over the announcement, which followed the absence of any case of the wild polio virus in Nigeria since July 24, 2014.<br /> <br /> He applauded the concerted efforts of government officials, health workers, volunteer groups, civil society, religious leaders, traditional rulers and international partners, which resulted in this historic achievement.<br /> <br /> Buhari, who joined other Nigerians and the global community in celebrating Nigeria’s removal from the list of polio-endemic countries, urged continued vigilance to ensure that “Nigeria maintains this new status.”<br /> <br /> The President directed all government ministries, departments and agencies involved in the polio eradication effort, to remain proactively engaged and on guard against the re-emergence of the polio virus in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> He assured the WHO and the global community that the Federal Government would ensure that immunisation and surveillance activities continued across Nigeria, to keep the country polio-free.<br /> <br /> (NAN)

Latest-News Nigerian News Buhari applauds Nigeria’s removal from countries on polio list

President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed Friday’s announcement by the World Health Organisation that polio is no longer endemic in Nigeria...

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Saraki’s attackers invaded God’s abode - Ilorin Emir

<div align="center"> <img alt="Saraki’s attackers invaded God’s abode - Ilorin Emir" border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBuRdvr3ZJin4udI9EBeNlJ9SYQ1kETKDs3PJZV9-LvBjfGgZzA7xhyphenhyphen09BzTz2w6WMPty8xDcgn2bDt3zwInvFAg28ZVhv56CL0ED-1BrrLQhKOKEM09W2VwEHzTkEhJqWavoaQIgGpy3/s400/saraki+as.jpg" title="Saraki’s attackers invaded God’s abode - Ilorin Emir" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, on Saturday described as an offence against God the disruption of the Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Ilorin Eid ground on Thursday.<br /> <br /> Sulu-Gambari, who is the Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, spoke when he paid the annual Eid-el-Kabir visit to the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, in Ilorin.<br /> <br /> Some protesters reportedly threw sachet water, stones and other objects at dignitaries, including Senate President Bukola Saraki and the emir among others during the Sallah prayer on Thursday.<br /> <br /> The Emir said the attempts by the miscreants to defile the sanctity of the place of worship and deny Muslims their right of worship were condemnable and a possible invitation of the wrath of Allah, whose abode, he noted the the miscreants invaded.<br /> <br /> The monarch added that the development was despicable and unfortunate.<br /> <br /> Sulu-Gambari urged parents to train their children not to tarnish the good image of Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State as a peace loving and united entities.<br /> <br /> Ahmed, in his response, said despite that the September federal allocation had not been received, his administration had paid the state civil servants and facilitated loan for local government areas to offset local government workers’ salaries.

Latest-News Politics Saraki’s attackers invaded God’s abode - Ilorin Emir

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, on Saturday described as an offence against God the disruption of the Eid-el-Kabir praye...

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Messi out 7-8 weeks with knee ligament damage - Barcelona

<div align="center"> <img alt="Messi out 7-8 weeks with knee ligament damage - Barcelona" border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpE7ai821Rtn5nw0SgRheY6sDUARrVDWGWk7uq-mLnbU0j9RFNhJ21CVWI5o4tu-PiORPhz2BfD8HwpfnGq4PE0GQQUrcQEXCivR5_t69PcoCrYVguPhBYOHYYagp4XIa3DhoriO56vKFs/s640/messi+sad.jpg" title="Messi out 7-8 weeks with knee ligament damage - Barcelona" width="640" /></div> <br /> Lionel Messi will be out for up to eight weeks after suffering knee ligament damage in Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Las Palmas on Saturday, the Catalan giants confirmed.<br /> <br /> “Tests have confirmed that Leo Messi suffered a torn internal collateral knee ligament. The estimated time out will be seven to eight weeks,” Barcelona said in a statement.<br /> <br /> Messi, 28, looks set to be sidelined for at least eight Barca games, as well as Argentina’s first four 2018 World Cup qualifiers, including a meeting a home to Brazil on November 13.<br /> <br /> Moreover, he is now a huge doubt for the first El Clasico of the season away to Real Madrid on November 21.<br /> <br /> Barca face Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano, Eibar, Getafe and Villarreal in La Liga before visiting the Bernabeu.<br /> <br /> The European champions host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday and will also have to do without Messi for back-to-back games against BATE Borisov.<br /> <br /> Messi clashed with Las Palmas defender Pedro Bigas as he tried to turn the ball home inside the area and suffered a blow to his left knee in the process.<br /> <br /> He briefly returned to the field after receiving treatment, but was clearly unable to run freely before he was replaced by Munir El Haddadi.<br /> <br /> Video images then emerged of Messi limping heavily he left hospital after undergoing tests.<br /> <br /> It is the first serious injury Messi has suffered since a hamstring injury kept him out for the final two months of 2013.

Latest-News Sports Messi out 7-8 weeks with knee ligament damage - Barcelona

Lionel Messi will be out for up to eight weeks after suffering knee ligament damage in Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Las Palmas on Saturday, t...

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Leicester City 2-5 Arsenal: Alexis hits hat-trick to end Foxes' unbeaten run

<div align="center"> <img alt="Leicester City 2-5 Arsenal: Alexis hits hat-trick to end Foxes' unbeaten run" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi4lkw-dM2FiHJJZM2fESribGRZRrl0hKfkkHSV8dTdGFnwrwqqAszK-5KtOmuVCebZJp4nE3YSXsjz9im-ij5efMznnHuPX95FyERF9HbxLaGvSO1wJYmc879Kenxsh5S_0ZRhZJO-Ue/s1600/alaexia+away.jpg" title="Leicester City 2-5 Arsenal: Alexis hits hat-trick to end Foxes' unbeaten run" /></div> <br /> The last unbeaten record of the Premier League season fell on Saturday as Arsenal came away from the King Power Stadium with a 5-2 victory over Leicester City, Alexis Sanchez roaring back into form with a hat-trick.<br /> <br /> Claudio Ranieri's side took the lead early in the game when Jamie Vardy was released down the left and fired home from a narrow angle but Theo Walcott exploited his pace to equalise just five minutes later, the England man's 12th goal in his last 13 Premier League starts.<br /> <br /> Alexis finally scored his first goal of the season to see the Gunners through to half-time with an advantage and the Chilean followed up just short of the hour when he headed in from Mesut Ozil's cross.<br /> <br /> The Arsenal forward then sealed his hat-trick in the 81st minute, skipping inside a defender to shoot long and low into the bottom corner from 25 yards.<br /> <br /> There was a consolation for Leicester late in the day when Vardy scored his second of the match, a curling finish after Arsenal failed to properly clear the ball, but there was no question that the Alexis-inspired visitors were going to lose control of the result. That much was confirmed when Olivier Giroud swept in a fifth for Arsene Wenger's men at the death.<br /> <br /> Leicester would have been behind early on if not for a goal-line clearance from Ritchie De Laet but responded well and could have gone ahead themselves as Jeffrey Schlupp drew a fine save from Petr Cech.<br /> <br /> Moments after hitting the post with a scuffed effort, Vardy lit up the game as he latched onto Danny Drinkwater's raking pass and drifted in from the left to curl a superb finish beyond Cech.<br /> <br /> The England international was just inches away from second five minutes later, his header clipping the top of the crossbar, and Arsenal hurled themselves level from the resulting counterattack, Santi Cazorla sliding through to Walcott, who raced in behind Robert Huth to squeeze home a finish off the left-hand upright.<br /> <br /> Wenger's men completed the turnaround shortly after the half-hour as Hector Bellerin's drilled cross was helped on by Walcott, with Alexis on hand to tuck home from close range.<br /> <br /> Leicester captain Wes Morgan should have restored parity on the stroke of half-time but he failed to apply the finish after connecting with Marc Albrighton's pinpoint free-kick.<br /> <br /> Arsenal's goalscorers combined well after the interval, Alexis latching onto Walcott's flick, but his strike was deflected wide.<br /> <br /> Alexis did double his tally just prior to the hour, ghosting in from the right flank to beat Leicester's offside trap and head in past the despairing reach of Kasper Schmeichel.<br /> <br /> And Alexis had his hat-trick with nine minutes remaining, floating inside from the left before firing into the bottom-left corner from 25 yards.<br /> <br /> Although Vardy curled in a second for the hosts, Arsenal substitute Giroud swept in from Nacho Monreal's cross to add a fifth, as the visitors doubled their tally of league goals for the season in one outing.<br /> <br /> (Goal.com)

Latest-News Sports Leicester City 2-5 Arsenal: Alexis hits hat-trick to end Foxes' unbeaten run

The last unbeaten record of the Premier League season fell on Saturday as Arsenal came away from the King Power Stadium with a 5-2 victor...

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Manchester United 3-0 Sunderland: Rooney on target as Van Gaal's men go top

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pEXaRxN12Y0cuaVJo_qIin0KeA3MX909KJKxYjX_S0ArMTq9o7arzKohf5bcHamOJ6PFlaWsxiuIRn1aoz3uS7FT1fSnNSlHvHB-gajdG96eySj7_8PsrNtJzEzfRWLW2tDxCigDoMbR/s1600/rooney+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pEXaRxN12Y0cuaVJo_qIin0KeA3MX909KJKxYjX_S0ArMTq9o7arzKohf5bcHamOJ6PFlaWsxiuIRn1aoz3uS7FT1fSnNSlHvHB-gajdG96eySj7_8PsrNtJzEzfRWLW2tDxCigDoMbR/s640/rooney+d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Wayne Rooney ended his Premier League goal drought as Manchester United moved to the top of the table with a 3-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.<br /> <br /> The England captain's first league strike for 1,000 minutes was sandwiched by efforts from Memphis Depay and Juan Mata as United leapfrogged Manchester City.<br /> <br /> Louis van Gaal's men headed into the fixture knowing victory would lift them to the summit following City's 4-1 loss at Tottenham Hotspur.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> That scenario doubtless added to the frustration of the home supporters as United failed to craft a meaningful opportunity for much of the opening half.<br /> <br /> Yet they still headed into the break ahead after Depay finished a fine move for his first league goal since joining United from PSV Eindhoven in the close season.<br /> <br /> Rooney's long-awaited goal came just after the break and Mata added a third late on to cap another miserable afternoon for the Wearsiders.<br /> <br /> A hamstring complaint meant Jermain Defoe had to settle for a place on the Sunderland bench, with Fabio Borini leading the line.<br /> <br /> The Italian had little opportunity to make an impact during the early exchanges, however, as United enjoyed the lion’s share of the ball.<br /> <br /> Yet their possession was not yielding chances, and Sunderland threatened first when John O'Shea's looping header forced a simple save from David de Gea.<br /> <br /> De Gea required a better stop midway through the opening half, the Spaniard using his legs to keep out Jeremain Lens' fizzing half-volley.<br /> <br /> The hosts quickly settled back into a composed passing rhythm, although their final ball was leaving a lot to be desired.<br /> <br /> United's first real moment of quality brought an opener in first-half injury time.<br /> <br /> <br /> Daley Blind's superb diagonal ball found Mata's clever run, with the Spaniard playing a controlled first-time pass for Memphis to slot into an empty net.<br /> <br /> A second came instantly after the restart as Rooney ended his recent dire run.<br /> <br /> Anthony Martial brilliantly worked his way past Younes Kaboul before firing in a cross that hit the skipper's knee and flew into the net.<br /> <br /> Sunderland responded impressively and almost reduced the arrears when Ola Toivonen was denied by De Gea.<br /> <br /> De Gea had to be on high alert again soon after as Patrick van Aanholt raced on to Borini's delicious through-ball - only to hit straight at the goalkeeper.<br /> <br /> But his poor finish paled in comparison to Memphis's in the 67th minute, the Dutchman somehow failing to beat Costel Pantilimon when clean through after some superb work from the impressive Martial.<br /> <br /> United did make it 3-0 in the final minute though as substitute Ashley Young crossed from the left for Mata to fire high into the net.<br /> <br /> (Goal.com)

Latest-News Manchester United 3-0 Sunderland: Rooney on target as Van Gaal's men go top

Wayne Rooney ended his Premier League goal drought as Manchester United moved to the top of the table with a 3-0 win over Sunderland at O...

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Late comeback ensures Chelsea avoided 4th defeat in the premier league

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyhauPBn3zdpCPb5cEZNAYv9tPISGZcu_pUGN-_lcz2KG1vQnyiZezuNYHsNW67MP5qEfxhM9eXPVJEDJxXtWZ5x4nDLiqKtrn4cwdnaZ63m8zLiFZgnTqWhqNWcgIrQYgpadUSZEMYHd/s1600/mourinho+sad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyhauPBn3zdpCPb5cEZNAYv9tPISGZcu_pUGN-_lcz2KG1vQnyiZezuNYHsNW67MP5qEfxhM9eXPVJEDJxXtWZ5x4nDLiqKtrn4cwdnaZ63m8zLiFZgnTqWhqNWcgIrQYgpadUSZEMYHd/s400/mourinho+sad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> A late comeback spared Jose Mourinho's blushes as Chelsea denied Steve McClaren his first Premier League win in charge of Newcastle United after coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.<br /> <br /> Goals from Ramires and Willian earned the champions a share of the spoils at St James's Park on Saturday after it appeared Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum had secured the points for Newcastle.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Chelsea entered the game on the back of off-field issues, with club doctor Eva Carneiro's controversial departure coming in a week when Diego Costa was retrospectively given a three-match ban for violent conduct in last Saturday's win over Arsenal.<br /> <br /> And Jose Mourinho's issues grew as Newcastle enjoyed the better of the first half, deservedly heading to the break ahead thanks to Perez's fine strike.<br /> <br /> Chelsea responded impressively after half-time, only to be hit by a sucker punch when Wijnaldum nodded home a second.<br /> <br /> But the visitors showed their resolve thereafter, with Ramires' wonder strike and Willian's fortuitous goal ensuring they left the north-east with a point.<br /> <br /> McClaren opted to immediately recall striker Aleksandar Mitrovic following a three-game ban, with Chelsea starting Loic Remy in place of the suspended Costa.<br /> <br /> The latter offered the first threat, Remy poking just wide after being found by Branislav Ivanovic.<br /> <br /> Newcastle then came into the game, Mitrovic heading just wide from Wijnaldum's cross. That set the tone for a good spell as Moussa Sissoko hammered narrowly wide from 20 yards.<br /> <br /> The hosts continued to look dangerous, with Chelsea thankful for two good saves from Asmir Begovic in quick succession. He first denied Perez from close range, before repeating the trick after Daryl Janmaat stretched to fire at goal.<br /> <br /> Chelsea threatened an opener themselves soon after, Cesc Fabregas unleashing a powerful 25-yard strike that forced a fine stop from Tim Krul.<br /> <br /> And Krul's intervention looked all the more important when Newcastle took a deserved 42nd-minute lead through Perez.<br /> <br /> The forward controlled a Vurnon Anita cross after Kurt Zouma inexplicably let the ball drop before unleashing a fizzing volley which flew in off the post.<br /> <br /> <br /> Chelsea produced the expected riposte after the interval and almost levelled when Remy headed Oscar's cross just wide but they failed to make the most of their dominance and Newcastle capitalised.<br /> <br /> Perez sent in a threatening corner and Wijnaldum, profiting from being completely unmarked, glanced a header into the bottom corner.<br /> <br /> Chelsea were given a route back into the game thanks to a stunning Ramires goal, the Brazilian's rasping 25-yard drive flying into the top corner with 14 minutes to go.<br /> <br /> They should have equalised in the 83rd minute as Fabregas' stunning long ball found Pedro, who hit over when one-on-one with Krul.<br /> <br /> An equaliser came three minutes later, however, as Willian's free-kick evaded everybody and flew into the net.

Latest-News Late comeback ensures Chelsea avoided 4th defeat in the premier league

A late comeback spared Jose Mourinho's blushes as Chelsea denied Steve McClaren his first Premier League win in charge of Newcastle U...

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Saudi Stampede: Taraba confirms death of Hajj leader, two wives

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIm-sFa6JUzlqmpLsw0IBCsghgdzHIJa8RP2slZaOqzFL_p-ArOSH_iF5ZYd0aFCdb4LQRYjmpsR0pzgThIH6071JrNo26Zru7ZGH17Eo4aRCe0U4yjWHjMQ7AVMeI_lbO0EHJ4Z_NUy_/s1600/mecca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIm-sFa6JUzlqmpLsw0IBCsghgdzHIJa8RP2slZaOqzFL_p-ArOSH_iF5ZYd0aFCdb4LQRYjmpsR0pzgThIH6071JrNo26Zru7ZGH17Eo4aRCe0U4yjWHjMQ7AVMeI_lbO0EHJ4Z_NUy_/s1600/mecca.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> The Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, has confirmed the death of the state’s Amirul Hajj for the 2015 pilgrimage, Alhaji Abbas Ibrahim, the First Class ruler of Zing.<br /> <br /> The chairman of the board, Alhaji Hamman-Adama Tukur, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview from Saudi Arabia.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Tukur explained that the emir died on Thursday during a stampede that claimed the lives of more than 700 pilgrims.<br /> <br /> The victims, among others, were at the site of the Jamrat, where they were to fulfill one of the Hajj rites of a symbolic stoning of the devil.<br /> Tukur said that the body of the late traditional ruler had been recovered and buried in Makkah on Friday.<br /> <br /> He disclosed that many indigenes of Taraba were still missing, while a few others, whose names he did not mention, but who sustained injuries, were receiving treatment in some Saudi hospitals.<br /> <br /> Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa, Chief Press Secretary to Taraba Governor, also confirmed the death of the monarch.<br /> <br /> He however said that consultation was still ongoing between the State Government and the Zing Traditional Council, before a formal pronouncement would be made.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Zing Traditional Council has also confirmed that the Emir died along with two of his four wives during the stampede.<br /> The Tafidan Zing, Gurama Bawa, who confirmed the death of the wives in an interview with NAN, said the late emir was aged 62 and had been on the throne for 19 years.<br /> <br /> He left behind, two wives and 13 children.

Latest-News Saudi Stampede: Taraba confirms death of Hajj leader, two wives

The Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, has confirmed the death of the state’s Amirul Hajj for the 2015 pilgrimage, Alhaji Abbas I...

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Buhari will appoint ministers in 4 days - Presidency

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEX-1NbL2EIKue6cAeRD6nPRiuPlT29dtxVoqWu4Troopc0SpCIFVP7VfZWuynXDIDV-nVp7QNjgSegWr063BfjzPWrRMGXmySTKVAAQ6uSjNjllQNKGj9FYWZNyvEEixGb2hYU8EAm6x/s1600/Buhari-620x330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEX-1NbL2EIKue6cAeRD6nPRiuPlT29dtxVoqWu4Troopc0SpCIFVP7VfZWuynXDIDV-nVp7QNjgSegWr063BfjzPWrRMGXmySTKVAAQ6uSjNjllQNKGj9FYWZNyvEEixGb2hYU8EAm6x/s1600/Buhari-620x330.jpg" /></a></div> <b><br /></b><b>Presidency has assured that the September 30 promise by President Mohammadu Buhari as deadline for the appointment of Ministers would be met.</b><br /> <br /> The presidency spoke against the backdro of a growing apprehension in the polity on the fact that it is only 5 days to the end of the month.Cartoon-appointment<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Of concern also was the current travails of the senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, which many Nigerians feared may make the deadline not feasible.<br /> <br /> At the moment, the senate whose function it is to receive and screen the Minister nominees from the presidency is on vacation to resume on September 29, barley a day September 30.<br /> <br /> But in an exclusive chat with the Senior Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, on the issue recently, he stated that Nigerians needed not to worry as the deadline given by president Mohammadu Buhari to form his cabinet has not yet elapsed.<br /> <br /> He said: “Time given has not yet elapsed and the president himself said of by September 30, there is no cabinet, you should come and ask him questions. That is it.”<br /> <br /> It will be recalled that the president had in his visit to Ghana on September 7 told Journalists that he would unfailingly constitute his cabinet on or before the end of September.<br /> <br /> “After I was sworn-in, I said I will have my cabinet in September. I expect that Nigerians should ask me questions after the 30th of September if I do not do so,” he said.

Latest-News Buhari will appoint ministers in 4 days - Presidency

Presidency has assured that the September 30 promise by President Mohammadu Buhari as deadline for the appointment of Ministers would be m...

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Tottenham trash Manchester City 4-1

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5pcilQXtW79yqjEs43up0Hy9cdsUcJe3iJgA3TJwtf-UDMFkQL0VVNHwbQeg8d3tkQ0HaM1MQha7SQqqT7USNZFBp-zaqnvnFC78mOO8jqIRHPgPQmzWXnXv-vS7AuwFZFtqpuNtErKl/s1600/kane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5pcilQXtW79yqjEs43up0Hy9cdsUcJe3iJgA3TJwtf-UDMFkQL0VVNHwbQeg8d3tkQ0HaM1MQha7SQqqT7USNZFBp-zaqnvnFC78mOO8jqIRHPgPQmzWXnXv-vS7AuwFZFtqpuNtErKl/s400/kane.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to thrash English Premier League leaders, Manchester City 4-1 at White Hart Lane thanks to goals from Eric Dier, Toby Alderweireld, Harry Kane and Erik Lamela.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> City was in the driving seat 25 minutes into the match when record signing, Kevin De Bruyne gave the Citizens the lead. Manuel Pellegrini’s side played with more purpose and intensity but all that will come to an end with Dier’s strike.

Latest-News Tottenham trash Manchester City 4-1

Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to thrash English Premier League leaders, Manchester City 4-1 at White Hart Lane thanks to goals from E...

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Hajj: Gombe declares five pilgrims missing

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5rGJJmcsA-zsGBrmzmHUgKampN_1yDYs6qwrMOeLkUd7GTAwVSQ84LMP2VTSThcczn7Yk8DZoSc06TEt_7_Pv5gxsg_K7JHj6kX2MQwrsOpTuCAm2QjbgKT6IdJBxb50mAAGEJ4Q4STe/s1600/gombe+map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5rGJJmcsA-zsGBrmzmHUgKampN_1yDYs6qwrMOeLkUd7GTAwVSQ84LMP2VTSThcczn7Yk8DZoSc06TEt_7_Pv5gxsg_K7JHj6kX2MQwrsOpTuCAm2QjbgKT6IdJBxb50mAAGEJ4Q4STe/s640/gombe+map.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Five pilgrims from Gombe State have been declared missing in Saudi Arabia.<br /> <br /> The Executive Secretary, Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Usman Gurama told newsmen in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday that the pilgrims could not be located since Thursday.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He said members of the medical team had been checking hospitals and mortuaries with a view to locating them or their remains.<br /> <br /> He, however, said that for now, it had not been confirmed as to whether they were among those who died as a result of Thursday’s incident at the Jamrat (stone throwing venue) where over 700 pilgrims died.<br /> <br /> Gurama confirmed that seven pilgrims from the state were injured at the scene of the incident and were responding to treatment.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State on Saturday gave the state pilgrims $585,300 (about N32.7 million) as Sallah gift.<br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria reports that each of the pilgrims had 300 Saudi Riyals (N16,800).<br /> <br /> Addressing the pilgrims shortly after presenting the gift, Dankwambo urged them to pray for President Muhammad Buhari to enable him deliver the dividends of democracy.<br /> <br /> He commended the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and the Amirul Hajj team for doing a good job.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, the State Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Abdullahi Mai-Kano, thanked the governor for his commitment towards ensuring the success of the exercise.<br /> <br /> He also commended the pilgrims for their cooperation, adding that investigations on the missing pilgrims were in progress.<br /> <br /> (NAN)

Latest-News Hajj: Gombe declares five pilgrims missing

Five pilgrims from Gombe State have been declared missing in Saudi Arabia. The Executive Secretary, Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare ...

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Gunmen invade Kogi DSS office, policeman, attackers killed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYo2iePQCoBYJHQHpiep-pWs1mWfUmX5bP1IAMyDBkw-ATaEk1Ypp3ufSLo6kHWxv6sfXbgSpop2G7V5ScKmKkjDyMgIUhVBk3eRcZoNSEUVKRU6EnI0Ny_2W_kl3LWY-BIj6RQZ_Cxqd1/s1600/gunmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYo2iePQCoBYJHQHpiep-pWs1mWfUmX5bP1IAMyDBkw-ATaEk1Ypp3ufSLo6kHWxv6sfXbgSpop2G7V5ScKmKkjDyMgIUhVBk3eRcZoNSEUVKRU6EnI0Ny_2W_kl3LWY-BIj6RQZ_Cxqd1/s640/gunmen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> A riot policeman and three other persons were said to have been killed in Lokoja, Kogi State, following the invasion of the state headquarters of the Department of State Services.<br /> <br /> It was gathered on Saturday that a band of gunmen, armed with with sophisticated weapons, at about 9.45pm on Friday, invaded the DSS office.<br /> <br /> A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the heavily armed attackers appeared to overwhelm the DSS operatives in a gun duel, prompting a Deputy Director of the agency, whose name is yet to be ascertained, to quickly put a distress call to the police at about 10. 40pm.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It was gathered that patrol teams with combined efforts of the military men, who were later drafted in, engaged the invaders in a gun battle for over seven hours.<br /> <br /> The source said the security operatives later overpowered the attackers while some of the invaders fled into the bush.<br /> <br /> He added that at the end of the shootout, the lifeless body of a riot policeman and three of the attackers were discovered.<br /> <br /> The source said two of the fleeing attackers forced themselves into the flat of a woman at Otokiti Housing Estate in the state capital.<br /> The woman was said to have assured them of their safety before she locked them in.<br /> <br /> It was gathered that she quickly invited the Army, who responded immediately, arrested and and took away the distressed attackers.<br /> <br /> The Kogi State Police Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, confirmed the attack to journalists in Lokoja.<br /> <br /> He confirmed that the hoodlums attacked the state DSS office in Lokoja at 9.45pm on Friday.<br /> <br /> According to him, the prompt response of the police command led to the death of killing of the attackers while the command lost a policeman.<br /> <br /> He said he could not confirm whether the attackers succeeded in entering the DSS office or not.<br /> <br /> The CP stated that the command had commenced investigation into the attack.<br /> <br /> Ojukwu said, “We are still investigating and we cannot say much for now until we are able to lay our hands on the suspects. I cannot confirm whether they are Boko Haram members or not. All I know is that they are criminal elements and the law will take its course.<br /> <br /> “We are working assiduously with other security agencies in the state to ensure that we get to the root of he attack.<br /> <br /> “Our mandate is to keep the environment and Kogi free and safe for Nigerians to go about their lawful businesses.<br /> <br /> He urged the public to partner with the police in the fight against crime.<br /> <br /> “We should have an understanding that there is no way you can solve crime without community involvement.<br /> <br /> “Criminals live in our midst. Don’t hide them, criminals don’t respect persons. If you are not a victim today you may be a victim tomorrow if you don’t report criminal elements in your midst,” Ojukwu added.<br /> <br /> An eyewitness told the News Agency of Nigeria that the gunmen arrived in the DSS office at about 10.30pm.<br /> <br /> He said the gunmen barricaded the adjoining roads to the office and shot at motorists from all directions.<br /> <br /> (NAN)

Latest-News Gunmen invade Kogi DSS office, policeman, attackers killed

A riot policeman and three other persons were said to have been killed in Lokoja, Kogi State, following the invasion of the state headqua...

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Brazil court freezes Neymar assets worth $47 million

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcImySPSUkPHfWdNHTI0Rml8_5-0-Au1YWskeuh_Qx99vZgPygIlS3Z9AjIRKX2CgwFgof-f_CugkuKTHpQHXBSp9Upw80tAscnxs19rwEXdTMs3teixjM6SCcQGNEwzhsU8JnZuuKAv7R/s1600/neymar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcImySPSUkPHfWdNHTI0Rml8_5-0-Au1YWskeuh_Qx99vZgPygIlS3Z9AjIRKX2CgwFgof-f_CugkuKTHpQHXBSp9Upw80tAscnxs19rwEXdTMs3teixjM6SCcQGNEwzhsU8JnZuuKAv7R/s400/neymar.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Sao Paulo (AFP) – A Brazilian court on Friday froze $47 million in assets belonging to football superstar Neymar over tax evasion allegations surrounding the Barcelona striker.<br /> <br /> Judge Carlos Muta wrote in a ruling that Neymar — who is facing fraud claims in a separate case in Spain — had been subjected to a “special fine” concerning alleged unpaid taxes between 2011 and 2013.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “I confirm that a special fine of 150 percent was applied… requiring payment of 188,820,129,25 reals ($47.3 million), of which 63,591,796 relate to income tax and the rest to fines and interest, with regard to events that took place in the calendar years from 2011 to 2013,” Muta wrote.<br /> <br /> The court ruling is another bodyblow to the reputation of Neymar, the figurehead of Brazil’s national team.<br /> <br /> The 23-year-old is already battling fraud allegations in Spain stemming from the financial arrangements surrounding his move from Santos to Barcelona in 2013.<br /> <br /> In June, Spain’s National Court admitted a lawsuit alleging “corruption and swindling” by Neymar, his father and Santos.<br /> <br /> The case has been brought by a Brazilian investment fund, DIS, which owned part of the transfer rights for the player when he was at Santos.

Latest-News Brazil court freezes Neymar assets worth $47 million

Sao Paulo (AFP) – A Brazilian court on Friday froze $47 million in assets belonging to football superstar Neymar over tax evasion allegat...

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Plateau governor, Simon Lalong turns part-time teacher

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZpJsjG8XYFZi-H2UbPaX5c1a35cINeW79qOOOyun96c290lZl9DXAacpCiL_XRjIF-AxiVbfJjU_64QzejEYD2TnfFCvDrCP-Du1DffXp3BQI-Kh16nFSE3YuhRUmXG5YUhDQtl3BBga/s1600/new+plateau+gov+Simon-Lalong-Plateau1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZpJsjG8XYFZi-H2UbPaX5c1a35cINeW79qOOOyun96c290lZl9DXAacpCiL_XRjIF-AxiVbfJjU_64QzejEYD2TnfFCvDrCP-Du1DffXp3BQI-Kh16nFSE3YuhRUmXG5YUhDQtl3BBga/s640/new+plateau+gov+Simon-Lalong-Plateau1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Governor Lalong promises to become ‘part-time teacher’ to boost education in Plateau State and has compelled his deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden to start teaching as well.<br /> <br /> Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau, on Saturday, pledged to create time and teach for at least one hour weekly as his contribution towards boosting education in the state.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Lalong made the pledge when he received officials of City of Refuge Friends Club, Pankshin.<br /> The governor stated that members of his cabinet, when constituted, would do same, not minding their professions.<br /> <br /> “My Deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden is teacher, the director of Research, Prof John Wade, is a teacher, they must teach,” he said.<br /> <br /> He acknowledged the importance of education, saying that his administration would give special attention to sector<br /> <br /> “We inherited a rot in the sector but are trying to give it the attention it deserves because if you build the roads and the people are not educated, you have nothing,” he said.<br /> <br /> Lalong promised to revisit the issue of amnesty, which nobody had been granted in past eight years in the state.<br /> <br /> He said that he had asked the state Chief Judge to reintroduce the amnesty, so that those who deserved it would be pardoned.<br /> <br /> Earlier, Miss Nenpan Zakka, Founder, City of Refuge, told the governor that they came to intimate him of their model of free education, designed by youths, for youths.<br /> <br /> Zakka said that no school could boast of the number of teachers that City of Refuge had, pointing out that the teachers taught for free, while the students paid no school fees.<br /> <br /> She said that in the 10 years of the special school, it graduated several sets of students who furthered their studies to degree level.<br /> <br /> The founder said that through the goodwill of members of public, the school now had a permanent site.<br /> <br /> She appealed to the governor to volunteer to teacher for free, and to also replicate the model to boost education in Plateau.

Latest-News Plateau governor, Simon Lalong turns part-time teacher

Governor Lalong promises to become ‘part-time teacher’ to boost education in Plateau State and has compelled his deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyod...

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Saudi stampede inevitable, happened based on destiny - Islamic cleric

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtIQ4Ob-OASMnpsS6KsUcuQSJ4tNEZjiIOafqRVWCvmlLU16R4IyW0Fnh81zgrmDC3wEjLiL_Z23_3hIUUICBAqSlvtulYQRzKuINgvRAvIq5G3ouNnbHkrDHcNhxsJVOU1xvQBAthI48/s1600/Stampede-Victim-610x380+hajj+mecca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtIQ4Ob-OASMnpsS6KsUcuQSJ4tNEZjiIOafqRVWCvmlLU16R4IyW0Fnh81zgrmDC3wEjLiL_Z23_3hIUUICBAqSlvtulYQRzKuINgvRAvIq5G3ouNnbHkrDHcNhxsJVOU1xvQBAthI48/s640/Stampede-Victim-610x380+hajj+mecca.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Saudi Arabia’s top religious leader has said that the Hajj stampede which killed 717 pilgrims was beyond human control, official media reported on the final day of this year’s pilgrimage.<br /> <br /> The stampede was the worst disaster in a quarter-century to strike the annual event and drew fierce criticism of the Saudi authorities’ handling of safety, particularly from regional rival Iran.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “You are not responsible for what happened”, Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh told Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef in a meeting in Mina on Friday, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Saturday.<br /> <br /> “As for the things that humans cannot control, you are not blamed for them. Fate and destiny are inevitable,” the sheikh on told the prince, who is also minister of interior.<br /> <br /> Bib Nayef chairs the Saudi Hajj committee and has ordered an investigation into Thursday’s stampede during a symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims at Jamarat Bridge in Mina, just outside the holy city of Mecca.<br /> <br /> King Salman, whose official title is “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” in Mecca and Medina, also ordered “a revision” of how the Hajj is organised.<br /> <br /> On Saturday, groups of pilgrims were moving from early morning towards Jamarat Bridge for the last of three stoning days.<br /> <br /> The interior ministry has said it assigned 100,000 police to secure the Hajj and manage crowds.<br /> <br /> But pilgrims blamed the stampede on police road closures and poor management of the flow of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in searing temperatures.<br /> <br /> Abdullah al-Sheikh, chairman of the Shura Council, an appointed body which advises the government, stressed that pilgrims must stick to “the rules and regulations taken by the security personnel… In doing so, they protect their lives, their security and facilitate their performing of the rituals.”<br /> <br /> Health Minister Khaled al-Falih earlier made similar remarks that faulted the worshippers

Latest-News Saudi stampede inevitable, happened based on destiny - Islamic cleric

Saudi Arabia’s top religious leader has said that the Hajj stampede which killed 717 pilgrims was beyond human control, official media re...

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South Africa denies turning away Bill Gates

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDzd0QuZtmM_V_sQBIPIJb77oyYN0s9BgPJtNaKpV3kVfCpbjoVIYhEJBsCI-chjsQ6IH5AqAEmLSr8odJRNfzAHu0qLtC71VKBeHjhZVNdRqWfh0vjufm_d_4TqQ91OtnPwKCngdQiwG/s1600/bill+gates+ooo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDzd0QuZtmM_V_sQBIPIJb77oyYN0s9BgPJtNaKpV3kVfCpbjoVIYhEJBsCI-chjsQ6IH5AqAEmLSr8odJRNfzAHu0qLtC71VKBeHjhZVNdRqWfh0vjufm_d_4TqQ91OtnPwKCngdQiwG/s640/bill+gates+ooo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The South African government on Friday denied reports that it has denied entry of American business icon Bill Gates because he failed to abide by the country’s visa regulations.<br /> <br /> There was no record of Gates having entered the country in the past few days, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said.<br /> <br /> According to the South African.com website, Gates wanted to visit South Africa a week ago but was turned away because his daughter didn’t have an unabridged birth certificate.<br /> <br /> Referring to the reports, DHA spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete said that if Gates were to visit, he would be expected to abide by the law.<br /> <br /> “If Bill Gates had gone to a port of entry and didn’t have the necessary documents our immigration officers were going to apply the law and ask him to provide documents,” he said.<br /> <br /> But Tshwete said the reports about Gates being denied entry were false.<br /> <br /> Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba reportedly is looking into this matter.<br /> <br /> Under the new visa regulations implemented on June 1 this year, children entering or leaving South Africa must present unabridged birth certificates, in addition to passports.<br /> <br /> The controversial new visa regulations have sparked sharp criticism for affecting tourism.<br /> <br /> In another change in visa regulations taking effect in May last year, visitors are required to provide biometric data when they apply for visas. This is a particular problem for people in large countries, such as China, where there are South African consulates only in Beijing and Shanghai.<br /> <br /> Also on Friday, Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom said Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is to announce soon whether the government will scrap controversial the visa regulations.<br /> <br /> Hanekom said a task team has compiled a report on its findings on how the regulations are affecting international tourism.<br /> <br /> “The task team is now ready to present its recommendations so we are waiting to be convened again by the Deputy President.

Latest-News South Africa denies turning away Bill Gates

The South African government on Friday denied reports that it has denied entry of American business icon Bill Gates because he failed to a...

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Pope Francis crowns New York visit with public mass

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37nzJ7xwu1q4uPRZYEkyGd-nC4jyFrjmCW4bJgdXe_I7jb8XCHuI2N1kpTxS19GFqaRCegwD5rzceYxhUeUKFZvB_NJdmKeKtn4Xesy0nygp3oIsw9VLIWGsKPCxhYrPjT5LYCxS8v6mM/s1600/pope+unknown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37nzJ7xwu1q4uPRZYEkyGd-nC4jyFrjmCW4bJgdXe_I7jb8XCHuI2N1kpTxS19GFqaRCegwD5rzceYxhUeUKFZvB_NJdmKeKtn4Xesy0nygp3oIsw9VLIWGsKPCxhYrPjT5LYCxS8v6mM/s640/pope+unknown.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Pope Francis has capped a packed tour of New York by celebrating mass at Madison Square Garden (MSG), after greeting crowds in Central Park and praying for world peace at the 9/11 Memorial.<br /> <br /> About 20,000 people packed into MSG, the home of the Knicks basketball team, to take communion in the presence of the 78-year-old pontiff.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The city’s premier concert venue, originally booked Friday by Billy Joel, was lit up by the singer’s own crew who turned it into a serene and beautiful venue for Catholics to celebrate mass.<br /> <br /> Once again, the hugely popular pope focused on society’s most vulnerable during his last public remarks in the country’s financial capital, a city of extreme wealth and poverty.<br /> <br /> He praised big cities for their diversity but called on worshippers not to forget “the faces of all those people who don’t appear to belong, or are second-class citizens.”<br /> <br /> “They are the foreigners, the children who go without schooling, those deprived of medical insurance, the homeless, the forgotten elderly.”<br /> <br /> It marked his last public engagement in New York before he leaves for Philadelphia, where he is set to greet more huge crowds at the Festival of Families, which takes place every three years.<br /> <br /> Earlier on Friday, the pope led a gathering of 700 at Ground Zero, where he paid tribute to the nearly 3,000 who died and those who were first in line responding to the September 11 attacks.<br /> <br /> The head of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics led a multi-faith prayer for world peace bringing together Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Greek Orthodox, Muslim and Jewish leaders.<br /> <br /> “In this place of pain and remembrance I am full of hope,” said the Argentine pope.<br /> <br /> “I hope our presence here sends a powerful sign of our wish to share and reaffirm the wish to be forces of reconciliation, forces of peace, of justice.”<br /> <br /> (Al Jazeera)

Latest-News Pope Francis crowns New York visit with public mass

Pope Francis has capped a packed tour of New York by celebrating mass at Madison Square Garden (MSG), after greeting crowds in Central Pa...

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NEW VIDEO: Davido - DODO

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXxY_XHMH_5uLoxq7jtiZGPEqKufNYnkE5rZQshzCZ0JcFzIBmB-XmoXSM5wQcPQcKD0t3XVbHg9ypFk15hsWiBgdp7NB-6irTKUHGDVRKeftz7dHloH5-OFScYoBqn7uwdnONCxvavM0/s1600/Davido+Dodo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXxY_XHMH_5uLoxq7jtiZGPEqKufNYnkE5rZQshzCZ0JcFzIBmB-XmoXSM5wQcPQcKD0t3XVbHg9ypFk15hsWiBgdp7NB-6irTKUHGDVRKeftz7dHloH5-OFScYoBqn7uwdnONCxvavM0/s640/Davido+Dodo.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Just few days after dropping the hot new single, <b>'DODO'</b> Davido has dropped the visuals to the widely accepted new single off his forthcoming album B.A.D.D.E.S.T.<br /> <br /> Amazing video directed by Adasa Cookey; very creative and humorous. Davido’s new album will be released very soon, so keep your ears and eyes out for the release date.<br /> <br /> Watch video below...<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nyg6W-xrCTI" width="660"></iframe>

Latest-News NEW VIDEO: Davido - DODO

Just few days after dropping the hot new single, 'DODO' Davido has dropped the visuals to the widely accepted new single off his...

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Breakdown of the nationalities of the 717 pilgrims killed in Thursday’s hajj stampede

<b><br /></b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrpy40Y2f8rLuk1epNTQhjlkhHW0c30LF-OHN_OltUDz5eNQcro7UXnDp2-h0cC4YAypiJt7ttU9INfKoZCsVEJuVJ1yDWsvmJgHi51hJEeod7o7ejQHu_0uAcdjb-Nr3SLrQmr2yFI9e/s1600/hajj+stampede+mecca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrpy40Y2f8rLuk1epNTQhjlkhHW0c30LF-OHN_OltUDz5eNQcro7UXnDp2-h0cC4YAypiJt7ttU9INfKoZCsVEJuVJ1yDWsvmJgHi51hJEeod7o7ejQHu_0uAcdjb-Nr3SLrQmr2yFI9e/s640/hajj+stampede+mecca.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <b><br /></b><b>Saudi authorities have yet to provide a breakdown of the nationalities of the 717 pilgrims killed in Thursday’s hajj stampede, but several foreign countries have announced the deaths of nationals.</b><br /> <br /> Here is the toll given by foreign officials and media so far:<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> – Algeria: 4 dead<br /> <br /> – Benin: deaths confirmed but number unspecified<br /> <br /> – Burundi: 1 dead<br /> <br /> – Cameroon: at least 20 dead<br /> <br /> – Chad: 11 dead<br /> <br /> – Egypt: 14 dead<br /> <br /> – India: 14 dead<br /> <br /> – Indonesia: 3 dead<br /> <br /> – Iran: 131 dead<br /> <br /> – Kenya: 3 dead<br /> <br /> – Morocco: 87 dead, according to Moroccan media<br /> <br /> – Netherlands: 1 dead<br /> <br /> – Niger: at least 19 dead<br /> <br /> <b>– Nigeria: 3 dead</b><br /> <br /> – Pakistan: 7 dead<br /> <br /> – Senegal: 5 dead<br /> <br /> – Somalia: 8 dead, according to media reports<br /> <br /> – Tanzania: 4 dead

Latest-News Breakdown of the nationalities of the 717 pilgrims killed in Thursday’s hajj stampede

Saudi authorities have yet to provide a breakdown of the nationalities of the 717 pilgrims killed in Thursday’s hajj stampede, but sever...

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Stop corruption now - EFCC warns Nigerians

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphN1dpD8BChsR_sWarGXhXJqAO8mxFpdR3djv4ICXrA4F4OCJj1Ohk6dGk97wHOG6W-i4DrStZrF46aLArHT1AmlnGvYw1gbyGFwN8GvcK-tkE_xdFoXEy-rywNoyw3rzcd9clF-9b4I3/s1600/EFCC-Chairman-Ibrahim-Lamorde1-360x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphN1dpD8BChsR_sWarGXhXJqAO8mxFpdR3djv4ICXrA4F4OCJj1Ohk6dGk97wHOG6W-i4DrStZrF46aLArHT1AmlnGvYw1gbyGFwN8GvcK-tkE_xdFoXEy-rywNoyw3rzcd9clF-9b4I3/s400/EFCC-Chairman-Ibrahim-Lamorde1-360x225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, has warned Nigerians against corrupt practices, saying that if it was not timely stopped, the poor citizens would revolt violently.<br /> <br /> Lamorde, who spoke through his representative, Mr. Osita Nwaja, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during a one-day sensitisation workshop organised by the commission, noted that there is corruption in every sector of Nigeria’s economy and that it had relegated the country in the comity of nations.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He also noted that the act had caused doom for the country, adding that it has retarded human, social, political, and the economic development of the country.<br /> <br /> “If the educational sector is corrupt, it can never produce qualified graduates who can favourably compete with their contemporaries anywhere in the world,” he added.<br /> <br /> Presenting a paper titled, “How Women Organisations can aid in fight against Corruption, Economic and Financial Crimes,” Lamorde said that women could play a critical role in the fight against the practice.<br /> <br /> He described women as managers of homes and could help curb corruption by inculcating good virtues in their children from early ages.<br /> <br /> The EFCC boss added that the active participation of women in anti-graft activities would add additional inputs in the collective efforts to reduce and kill the ‘cankerworm’ in Nigerian.<br /> <br /> Earlier in his address, the Coordinator of African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, Mr. Chidi Onumah, posited that the group was dedicated to media and information literacy training, research and advocacy, maintaining that such knowledge or intelligence would assist in winning the war against grafts in Africa, particularly Nigeria.<br /> <br /> While presenting on “The Role of Women In The Anti-Economic and Financial Crimes Crusade,” various resource persons, including the Head of Reorientation, EFCC, Aisha Musa, and Mrs. Mma Olebara, the duo urged women, the media and civil society organisations to continue to play vital roles in the fight against corruption by exposing it and those who indulge in it, no matter how highly- or lowly-placed they are in the country.

Latest-News Stop corruption now - EFCC warns Nigerians

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, has warned Nigerians against corrupt practices, saying ...

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PICTURES: President Buhari addresses the UN General Assembly + Full speech

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZqbzDLSG_h-4Gwf2E2Ek_97D3tLLAsPR3C9sb75cvtB5rxc4BSmBg2_CSrhB01QL4RGt7Xpo1Ae5DUOU5_gxdTbKa4WLdUaCt6X6QkPpxnIH1u2fR9I9IH6-UDiktSpUff5dvIXYQLyz/s320/buhari+un5.png" width="320" /></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH5NzZ_rEU4G8tHrs65PlbwZBG6knFbaaFRPpUihQucy8blD2-HZFErupEJOYGPcAY_63nmSccCGDVunG_ISlkgfwSYXN2o-PiJXs4UA7sQS-Gf9L0dTv1-DV-Llp1vDG9ehf6DGZBui5/s1600/buhari+un1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH5NzZ_rEU4G8tHrs65PlbwZBG6knFbaaFRPpUihQucy8blD2-HZFErupEJOYGPcAY_63nmSccCGDVunG_ISlkgfwSYXN2o-PiJXs4UA7sQS-Gf9L0dTv1-DV-Llp1vDG9ehf6DGZBui5/s400/buhari+un1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgato178hIEivZyqoOSz2FIKIDILCOic0ot_yJqIr278LMsaTSPUnZTWtPGLuaZPepuDzDx41sQUteJBYdseYXM4GVikklq8UpLb23TcoBH0YNvV9CqJgYo0qiIWKucV1mouFl1BnFb4vR1/s1600/buhari+un2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgato178hIEivZyqoOSz2FIKIDILCOic0ot_yJqIr278LMsaTSPUnZTWtPGLuaZPepuDzDx41sQUteJBYdseYXM4GVikklq8UpLb23TcoBH0YNvV9CqJgYo0qiIWKucV1mouFl1BnFb4vR1/s400/buhari+un2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKb98pr6pZSE879xHQmNbqgf-AoWUOlUrlz9QuwS34PZALo8Rm7G4CIq4qOv3fCKwj4yQjLPnqNh-Za9y_10Hh1MeLDubbJS-0li7ELWo2sTxl40Y49c4mVfcxCiDB5YUayxHGsBmxlQg/s1600/buhari+un3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKb98pr6pZSE879xHQmNbqgf-AoWUOlUrlz9QuwS34PZALo8Rm7G4CIq4qOv3fCKwj4yQjLPnqNh-Za9y_10Hh1MeLDubbJS-0li7ELWo2sTxl40Y49c4mVfcxCiDB5YUayxHGsBmxlQg/s400/buhari+un3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhije_rb1euR6eoynBvn7AAMXHlbu_KFkqyEWIPT_Dvf28ZzQsiswS7DBiegKNfibFJWi800NYTBsvJM5BfR-KVqX40S6h_17Gi5m0Mpoef-g-4AtiNBWAFw6moU7ghyphenhyphenpZCpCpKiB21ZCsD/s1600/buhari+un4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhije_rb1euR6eoynBvn7AAMXHlbu_KFkqyEWIPT_Dvf28ZzQsiswS7DBiegKNfibFJWi800NYTBsvJM5BfR-KVqX40S6h_17Gi5m0Mpoef-g-4AtiNBWAFw6moU7ghyphenhyphenpZCpCpKiB21ZCsD/s400/buhari+un4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Excellencies,<br /> <br /> Ladies and Gentlemen,<br /> <br /> I welcome you to this important event. Let me express Nigeria's sincere appreciation to UN-AIDS for the support and collaboration in organizing this event.<br /> <br /> 2. We are on the threshold of history as world leaders adopt the successor development agenda to the Millennium Development Goals. For over 30 years, HIV as a public health challenge has been causing havoc and untold hardship in virtually every part of the world. To date, several million children have been orphaned and some communities have been devastated, while economic activities have been disrupted.<br /> <br /> 3. Unfortunately, Sub -Saharan Africa bears a disproportionate burden of this epidemic. The good news is that the effort of the global community has resulted in greater control, less spread and better management.<br /> <br /> 4. Furthermore, we have made significant progress towards the interception of mother to child transmission of HIV. In 2014 alone, over 3million pregnant women were tested for HIV and 63,000 of these tested women, accessed anti - retroviral therapy.<br /> <br /> Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,<br /> <br /> 5. What is required in our continued fight against HIV/AIDS is improved health delivery system, education, and cheaper production of anti - retroviral drugs through technology exchange. Our countries should also look at the whole field of medicare and strengthen our partnership with all stakeholders including the civil society, inter- faith and cultural bodies for education and dissemination of information at all levels. Nigeria will also like to call upon all pharmaceutical companies for more cooperation and understanding in reducing the cost of anti - retroviral drugs through production of generic items.<br /> <br /> Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates.<br /> <br /> 6. Nigeria will continue to work with development partners and key stakeholders to strengthen the means of implementation of the SDGs as elaborated in the Post- 2015 Development Agenda. At the continental level, Nigeria remains fully committed to the outcome of the Abuja process as evident in the 2002 Declaration, the Action Framework on Roll – Back Malaria. In addition, the 2013 Abuja + 12 Declaration is a strong commitment towards eliminating HIV and AIDs in Africa by 2030.<br /> <br />  Globally, the United Nations Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS of 2011 is a major reference point for intensifying efforts to eliminate the epidemic.<br /> <br /> 7. Nigeria appreciates the support of our development partners for their support and commitment to the total eradication of HIV/AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria as well as other deadly communicable diseases, for example Ebola, when an epidemic arises.<br /> <br /> 8. I therefore encourage you to continue in your efforts to sustain the fight against infant and maternal deaths, HIV and AIDs, Tuberculosis, Malaria and other communicable diseases, high on the global development agenda.<br /> <br /> 9. Let us work together to make HIV and AIDs history by 2030.<br /> <br /> 10. I thank you.

Latest-News PICTURES: President Buhari addresses the UN General Assembly + Full speech

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you to this important event. Let me express Nigeria's sincere appreciation ...

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'How the Hajj stampede happened, killed over 700 people' - Nigerian pilgrim

<b><br /></b><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGZpTKR3AcmJmYakdsm_GN1kRxaXW4EX-uVYJswRhIUJzI6yqKyeaANYTP3rFIjyHV5w13sDYXj9UTgz9PYu90JC0f1fFOE09vlKp4jzQ5i07GsgjV9hLkhvx-LZ1aa1B2E0nw4NiTdBT/s1600/Stampede-Victim-610x380+hajj+mecca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGZpTKR3AcmJmYakdsm_GN1kRxaXW4EX-uVYJswRhIUJzI6yqKyeaANYTP3rFIjyHV5w13sDYXj9UTgz9PYu90JC0f1fFOE09vlKp4jzQ5i07GsgjV9hLkhvx-LZ1aa1B2E0nw4NiTdBT/s640/Stampede-Victim-610x380+hajj+mecca.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <b><br /></b><b>A Nigerian pilgrim from Sokoto, Alhaji Muhamadu Ilela, who was at the scene of the stampede that killed over 700 people in Saudi Arabia, has revealed that the deaths occurred because the Saudi police blocked one of the gates leading to the Jamrat area.</b><br /> <br /> ‘’For over one hour, the queue didn’t move and we were in the scorching sun. After some time, people started collapsing because of the heat wave, This was what caused the initial deaths. A stampede followed which caused the deaths of most pilgrims.’’ he alleged.<br /> <br /> The Public Relations Officer of the National Hajj Commission, Uba Mana, said that Emir of Kano, who is the leader of the delegation, and others were meeting.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Saudi Civil Defence Directorate reported on twitter that 4,000 personnel had been sent to the scene of stampede, along with more than 220 emergency and rescue units.<br /> <br /> Incidentally, the emir of Kano earlier in the week urged pilgrims to accept the arrangement which the<br /> <br /> Saudi Authorities have put in place over ‘’the stoning of the devil’’ at Jamrat.<br /> <br /> Amirul Hajj Sanusi revealed that performing the stoning of the devil in batches and spreading the time for the Islamic rite to include the period of Zawal (sun rise) is necessary to protect the lives of pilgrims.<br /> <br /> The Emir noted that ‘’on many occasion, pilgrims have been killed at the stoning site from stampede arising<br /> <br /> out of thousands of pilgrims converging to do the throwing at the same time, among number of causes.’’<br /> <br /> Emir Sanusi II recalled that 266 pilgrims had died in 1994 while 98 others were injured at the stoning site that year. Ten years later, 251 pilgrims died in 2004 and in 2006, 346 also died, he added.<br /> <br /> According to him, ‘’all these incidents happened at the Jamarat. The frequency and sheer enormity necessitated the following arrangement of the concerned authority, by performing the ritual in a way that will protect human life.’’

Latest-News 'How the Hajj stampede happened, killed over 700 people' - Nigerian pilgrim

A Nigerian pilgrim from Sokoto, Alhaji Muhamadu Ilela, who was at the scene of the stampede that killed over 700 people in Saudi Arabia, h...

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WHO removes Nigeria from polio-endemic countries

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsERyfwoFgNhHGNo1IVsbR6JFx4LUbWmQ61uAtYsa_5r30QiNnChN1RSIjHizcxmIQH8zliJISV6pRl30OygXJN4SadSeURjlTE6A0bIa0-ThiN2L2_aWyEn8P4IfVVcOTemOxDM2oQH3/s1600/buhari+new+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsERyfwoFgNhHGNo1IVsbR6JFx4LUbWmQ61uAtYsa_5r30QiNnChN1RSIjHizcxmIQH8zliJISV6pRl30OygXJN4SadSeURjlTE6A0bIa0-ThiN2L2_aWyEn8P4IfVVcOTemOxDM2oQH3/s640/buhari+new+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <b><br /></b><b>The World Health Organisation, WHO on Friday announced that polio is no longer endemic in the country.</b><br /> <br /> “This is the first time that Nigeria has interrupted transmission of wild poliovirus, bringing the country and the African region closer than ever to being certified polio-free,” the United Nations sub-body said in lengthy statement.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> WHO quoted Global Polio Eradication Initiative, GPEI, the public-private partnership leading the effort to eradicate polio, as calling this stride a ‘historic achievement’ in global health.<br /> <br /> Nigeria has not reported a case of wild poliovirus since 24 July 2014, and all laboratory data have confirmed a full 12 months have passed without any new cases, WHO noted.<br /> <br /> As recently as 2012, Nigeria accounted for more than half of all polio cases worldwide.<br /> <br /> Since then, a concerted effort by all levels of government, civil society, religious leaders and tens of thousands of dedicated health workers have resulted in Nigeria successfully stopping polio.<br /> <br /> According to WHO, more than 200, 000 volunteers across the country repeatedly immunized more than 45 million children under the age of five years, to ensure that no child would suffer from this paralysing disease.<br /> <br /> “Innovative approaches, such as increased community involvement and the establishment of Emergency Operations Centres at the national and state level, have also been pivotal to Nigeria’s success.<br /> <br /> “The interruption of wild poliovirus transmission in Nigeria would have been impossible without the support and commitment of donors and development partners. Their continued support, along with continued domestic funding from Nigeria, will be essential to keep Nigeria and the entire region polio-free,” WHO said.<br /> <br /> Polio, which can cause lifelong paralysis, has now been stopped nearly everywhere in the world following a 25-year concerted international effort.<br /> <br /> It however remains endemic in only two countries – Pakistan and Afghanistan and WHO said the eradication of polio globally now depends primarily on stopping the disease in these countries.<br /> “As long as polio exists anywhere, it’s a threat to children everywhere.<br /> <br /> “Nigeria has made remarkable progress against polio, but continued vigilance is needed to protect these gains and ensure that polio does not return.<br /> <br /> “Immunization and surveillance activities must continue to rapidly detect a potential re-introduction or re-emergence of the virus. After three years have passed without a case of wild poliovirus on the continent, official ‘certification’ of polio eradication will be conducted at the regional level in Africa.<br /> <br /> “Eradicating polio will be one of the greatest achievements in human history, and have a positive impact on global health for generations to come.<br /> <br /> “Nigeria has brought the world one major step closer to achieving this goal and it’s critical that we seize this opportunity to end polio for good and ensure future generations of children are free from this devastating disease,” WHO said

Latest-News WHO removes Nigeria from polio-endemic countries

The World Health Organisation, WHO on Friday announced that polio is no longer endemic in the country. “This is the first time that Niger...

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Boko Haram invades Adamawa communities, many killed

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtxGSTHKGMIcuuUESXAQTb5l3BQ1QlZbA7i1_40EUK7fdyFuzkg_9kWpqlbE_snubvSH8oOKMIp-_Yi5HJahFGXAv5dbXTDqinaRN0cmkEizXYcSuG4KfHFwUnjggURjGNgXdUB8Vz_Wu/s1600/Boko-Haram-attack-school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtxGSTHKGMIcuuUESXAQTb5l3BQ1QlZbA7i1_40EUK7fdyFuzkg_9kWpqlbE_snubvSH8oOKMIp-_Yi5HJahFGXAv5dbXTDqinaRN0cmkEizXYcSuG4KfHFwUnjggURjGNgXdUB8Vz_Wu/s640/Boko-Haram-attack-school.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Suspected members of dreaded Boko Haram terrorists invaded three communities of Sabon Gari, Kafin Hausa and Bakin Dutse of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, leaving scores of people mostly returning farmers and herdsmen dead after setting ablaze their residential houses. The attacks were said to have lasted for three days and over 50 houses burnt.<br /> <br /> Adamawa-bokoMadagali is the council headquarters of Gulak, a town bordering Borno State which had suffered series of deadly boko Haram attacks that led to the sacking of the whole people of the area.<br /> <br /> According to a unanimous police officer from the area but who is based in Maiduguri, “Our family house was one of those destroyed by the terrorists, but when some people alerted the security operatives stationed in Gulak and Madagali, there was no response until the whole place was destroyed by the insurgents.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “My distressed people called me about the deadly attacks that lasted for three days beginning from Wednesday, but no positive response until the whole villages were destroyed; many of our people might have been killed, but fortunately, after they returned to the troubled communities, they chose to spend their whole day and night in their farmlands for safety.”<br /> <br /> He added that the town is now deserted as most of the lucky survivors have fled into the bush while many houses are still on fire and that thick smoke still engulf the whole communities.

Latest-News Boko Haram invades Adamawa communities, many killed

Suspected members of dreaded Boko Haram terrorists invaded three communities of Sabon Gari, Kafin Hausa and Bakin Dutse of Madagali Local...

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SHOCKING: The astonishing village where girls grow penis at puberty and become boys

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLCsiYDrUCycnpuWVeev0DnPdaYaVXUGnJo6ur3Z7CpBlHW7sgIm2Q6ckYEFan26enjAdR1rVxOTyKF8FdxezfYFIeMS6rJ5myp3Wbw_JcrkUKS2924KlxabMtbfV7x5brT7zykiNCZst/s1600/Catherine-and-his-cousin-Carla-Guevedoces-in-the-Dominican-Republic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLCsiYDrUCycnpuWVeev0DnPdaYaVXUGnJo6ur3Z7CpBlHW7sgIm2Q6ckYEFan26enjAdR1rVxOTyKF8FdxezfYFIeMS6rJ5myp3Wbw_JcrkUKS2924KlxabMtbfV7x5brT7zykiNCZst/s640/Catherine-and-his-cousin-Carla-Guevedoces-in-the-Dominican-Republic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Girls in a remote Caribbean village are becoming boys when they hit puberty due to a rare genetic disorder. One in 90 children born in Salinas in the Dominican Republic grow a penis in a natural transformation from female to male. Known as the guevedoces, which translates as penis at 12, these youngsters are referred to in medical terms as “pseudohermaphrodite”.<br /> <br /> It is so common to be a pseudohermaphrodite in Salinas that it is accepted as a third sex, alongside male and female. The phenomenon is explored in a new BBC2 series called Countdown to Life – the Extraordinary Making of You. Presenters meet Johnny, 24, who is physically and biologically male but was once known as Felicitia.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> As a child, he did not have a penis and was brought up as a girl. He said: “I remember I used to wear a little red dress. I was born at home instead of in a hospital. They didn’t know what sex I was. “I went to school and I used to wear my skirt. I never liked to dress as a girl. When they bought me girls toys I never bothered playing with them. All I wanted to do was play with the boys.”<br /> <br /> The rare genetic disorder is caused by a missing enzyme which prevents the production of the male sex hormone dihydro-testosterone in the womb. It creates what looks like a baby girl on birth. But at puberty, when testosterone flows, their voices break and they grow a male sexual reproductive organ that they become recognised as male.<br /> <br /> BBC presenter Dr Michael Mosley said: “Guevedoces are also sometimes called ‘machihembras’ meaning ‘first a woman, then a man.’ “When they’re born they look like girls with no testes and what appears to be a vagina. “It is only when they near puberty that the penis grows and testicles descend.”<br /> <br /> The guevedoces were first studied by Cornell University endocrinologist Dr Julianne Imperato in the 1970s. She travelled to the region to learn more about rumours that girls were morphing into boys.

Latest-News SHOCKING: The astonishing village where girls grow penis at puberty and become boys

Girls in a remote Caribbean village are becoming boys when they hit puberty due to a rare genetic disorder. One in 90 children born in Sa...

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Hajj disaster: We are from God, to Him shall we all return – Aregbesola

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnSzRWgyLIh1ORPfQig4NJl9QiUk4ImD8OzecrBYbPFvJ4uLXUH-nbFuoCSbE3ScUEC8G5jdBFulXvP0OQIo5uvhi9JbK22Y-id7FuGIV2TjdFUGIyDs8Yu1ZQZnErweTxLZ03JLRodL2/s1600/Ogbeni-Rauf-Aregbesola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnSzRWgyLIh1ORPfQig4NJl9QiUk4ImD8OzecrBYbPFvJ4uLXUH-nbFuoCSbE3ScUEC8G5jdBFulXvP0OQIo5uvhi9JbK22Y-id7FuGIV2TjdFUGIyDs8Yu1ZQZnErweTxLZ03JLRodL2/s640/Ogbeni-Rauf-Aregbesola.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Governor of Osun state, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has sent heartfelt condolence to the families of those who lost their lives in Saudi Arabia as a result of stampede during the performance of hajj rites on Thursday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Aregbesola, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, described the incident in Mina near Makkah as unfortunate but one that happened according to the will of God who must be praised forever.<br /> <br /> In the statement the government of Osun said it has established contact with the Osun delegation in Saudi Arabia, which confirmed that no single pilgrim from the state was among those who lost their lives.<br /> <br /> Accordingly, he assured the families of the pilgrims from the state to be calm as their people, all pilgrims from Osun, are alive and in good condition.<br /> <br /> The statement said: “This incident is very unfortunate. Information at our disposal is that even though the nationals of many countries were affected, including Nigerians, no pilgrims from Osun is affected.<br /> <br /> “We have contacted the Osun delegation in Saudi Arabia and confirmed that all our pilgrims are in good condition.<br /> <br /> “This message of assurance is germane to allay the fears of the good people of our state.<br /> <br /> “We urge families of these pilgrims at home to be informed that their people were not affected by the unfortunate incident.<br /> <br /> “We send our heartfelt condolences to the states whose indigenes are affected. Our sympathy also goes to the families of the affected pilgrims.”<br /> <br /> “We also commiserate with the entire Muslim Ummah across the world and pray that Allah gives the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.”<br /> <br /> “Government and the entire people of Osun pray that Allah reposes the souls of the dead in Aljana Firdaus. From God we come, to Him shall we return”.

Latest-News Hajj disaster: We are from God, to Him shall we all return – Aregbesola

Governor of Osun state, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has sent heartfelt condolence to the families of those who lost their lives in Saudi Arabia as...

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REVEALED: Nigerians who died while 'stoning the devil' in the Hajj stampede

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVMZ4ImJq3rOPWxgbCWghpX0AIsT3tFI4PNqQbX1MYwEj8LOSOwlKmDjngD8TkLtmuKS0_5t_IGnltYiokpJOiaHAoKG5c_fIT_7Ex_R1TWfIoiWJTyJH964V5zHcqPhMlseWxwddypoj/s1600/Hajj-Stampede-Bilkisu-Yusuf-Professor-300x204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVMZ4ImJq3rOPWxgbCWghpX0AIsT3tFI4PNqQbX1MYwEj8LOSOwlKmDjngD8TkLtmuKS0_5t_IGnltYiokpJOiaHAoKG5c_fIT_7Ex_R1TWfIoiWJTyJH964V5zHcqPhMlseWxwddypoj/s640/Hajj-Stampede-Bilkisu-Yusuf-Professor-300x204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <b>About 717 people were killed and 863 injured at the Hajj stampede in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.</b><br /> <b><br /></b>According to the Saudi Civil Defence Service, the stampede broke out during the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual.<br /> <br /> Several Nigerians are believed to have been killed in the stampede, which occurred in Mina.<br /> <br /> A journalist with the Voice of American, Nasir Adamu el-Hikaya, revealed to Thisday, that many of the Nigerian victims were from Lagos, Kastina and Borno states.<br /> <br /> <b><i>NigerianEye</i></b> confirmed that Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Maiduguri, Prof Tijani al-Miskin, and a female Nigerian veteran journalist, Bilkisu Yusuf, were among the 717 pilgrims who died in the Hajj stampede in Mecca on Thursday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Yusuf, who was the first female editor from the North, was a graduate of political science and journalism. She pursued a successful career in journalism in Nigeria, working for Daily Trust and Leadership newspapers.<br /> <br /> Another victim was Hafsat Shittu, who was a member of the Nigeria’s medical team in Mecca.<br /> <br /> Reacting to the tragedy, the factional Deputy National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Issa Aremu, on Friday said though the death of pilgrims in Mecca was tragic, they did not die in vain.<br /> <br /> Aremu, who spoke to journalists in Ilorin, described the incident as a spiritual accident.<br /> <br /> He said, “We believe, as Muslims, that death is inevitable, but it is more exciting when one dies in the Holy Land.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gww9Ajhrbh3lenV0NaKfRXxEFdZGByCVk1N_nvym0KxkpfVUkqhO1nUx2vKpjII2FUUYOyIs2PFa_rko1w9u5Iq0BVixjbwGvfMiLS7F01AvUNYJjpjoOEoQ26I_j8NImfjjIlXz2Cql/s1600/HAJJ+ST.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gww9Ajhrbh3lenV0NaKfRXxEFdZGByCVk1N_nvym0KxkpfVUkqhO1nUx2vKpjII2FUUYOyIs2PFa_rko1w9u5Iq0BVixjbwGvfMiLS7F01AvUNYJjpjoOEoQ26I_j8NImfjjIlXz2Cql/s400/HAJJ+ST.PNG" width="387" /></span></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Professor of Islamic Studies, University of Maiduguri, Prof. Tijjani El-Miskin</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> “They died in the course of serving Almighty Allah. They did not die stealing money; they did not die destroying public property and they did not die killing people like suicide bombers, but they died while worshiping Allah.”<br /> <br /> While the Saudi authorities blamed the incident on the pilgrims’ failure to follow crowd control rules, its regional rival, Iran, had expressed outrage at the deaths of 131 of its nationals, with Iranian politicians suggesting that Saudi authorities were incapable of managing the event.<br /> <br /> “Death to the Saudi dynasty!” hundreds of demonstrators chanted at a protest in Tehran Iran, the Jerusalem Post reported.<br /> <br /> Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani also blamed Saudi Arabia for the incident.<br /> <br /> “I ask the Saudi Arabian government to take responsibility for this catastrophe and fulfill its legal and Islamic duties in this regard,” Rouhani said in a statement published on the state news agency IRNA.<br /> <br /> But Saudi Health Minister, Khalid al-Falih, assured that an investigation would be conducted and a final toll of the dead and wounded calculated.<br /> <br /> “The investigations into the incident of the stampede that took place in Mina, which was perhaps because some pilgrims moved without following instructions by the relevant authorities, will be fast and will be announced as has happened in other incidents,” Falih said in a statement.<br /> <br /> Saudi King Salman had also ordered a review of Hajj plans after the disaster, in which two big groups of pilgrims collided at a crossroads in Mina, a few miles east of Mecca, on their way to performing the “stoning of the devil” ritual at Jamarat.

Latest-News REVEALED: Nigerians who died while 'stoning the devil' in the Hajj stampede

About 717 people were killed and 863 injured at the Hajj stampede in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. According to the Saudi Civil Defence Serv...

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