Reduce time spent on social media, VC urges students

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNwB0fBm-OTn2Gn1OFn-a26HRwDb9BNfrOZIbzuWyVbyNUBQ4XI-YKvNDJ050ThAO-FK-SbM72Wk7Izg6RBprP4lb7MdQ-1WQv3O3QUDMN2cwJTv07ID_mUL_4wrXYwmL-x89eSO0x7l0/s1600/social-media-mobile-apps-1024x576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNwB0fBm-OTn2Gn1OFn-a26HRwDb9BNfrOZIbzuWyVbyNUBQ4XI-YKvNDJ050ThAO-FK-SbM72Wk7Izg6RBprP4lb7MdQ-1WQv3O3QUDMN2cwJTv07ID_mUL_4wrXYwmL-x89eSO0x7l0/s640/social-media-mobile-apps-1024x576.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Prof. Isaac Adebayo, the Vice-Chancellor, Bells University, Sango-Ota, Ogun, on Saturday advised all new students to be focused and desist from spending much times on social media devices like chatting.<br /> <br /> Adebayo gave the advice at the 11th Matriculation of the institution in Sango Ota, Ogun.<br /> <br /> The don urged the new students to be serious in order to face the rigors of academic life, adding that life in the University was different from life outside the world.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “Students should desist from spending much times on social media devices like chatting, and concentrate more on their studies in order to meet competitive global market,” he warned.<br /> <br /> He implored matriculating students and under-graduates to empower themselves by acquiring additional skills and professional certificates to boost their future careers.<br /> <br /> “Parents should advise their children to be of good behaviour and prepare to go the extra mile by ensuring that their wards key into various professional certificates available within and outside the university.<br /> <br /> He told the students to take advantage of the accredited centre named ATLAS on the campus, which prepared students for professional examinations in Accounting and Personnel Management.<br /> <br /> Adeyemi said the institution’s skill development and resource centre would soon commence short-term skill acquisition training in various vocations for students of the institution.<br /> <br /> According to him, this will prepare them for the highly competitive market as well as laying the foundation for a future as employers of labour.<br /> <br /> He, however, lamented that low enrolment of students was one of the major challenges confronting private universities in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> A total of 449 students were admitted for the 2015/2016 academics session, including 427 undergraduate students and postgraduate students in four faculties.<br /> <br /> The faculties were College of National and Applied Sciences, College of Management of Sciences, College of Engineering and College of Environmental Sciences.

Latest-News Reduce time spent on social media, VC urges students

Prof. Isaac Adebayo, the Vice-Chancellor, Bells University, Sango-Ota, Ogun, on Saturday advised all new students to be focused and desis...

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Zero COT: Expert lauds CBN

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovlegKpYjRaaNpdj2Ky6nkZT4ayUbbFiA_8-ZHad50S46l7ouJ7Y695Y1CYU1KTbsHR_smAVxNaOvhyju9Ze1jaquVCNo9QAaWl-BUVpGwe0zn6g-rJ447fAdCqKD-rt89Hv9xPR1yzpD/s1600/naira+dollar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovlegKpYjRaaNpdj2Ky6nkZT4ayUbbFiA_8-ZHad50S46l7ouJ7Y695Y1CYU1KTbsHR_smAVxNaOvhyju9Ze1jaquVCNo9QAaWl-BUVpGwe0zn6g-rJ447fAdCqKD-rt89Hv9xPR1yzpD/s400/naira+dollar.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> A former President of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr Femi Ekundayo, has lauded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the zero Commission On Turnover (COT) policy.<br /> <br /> Ekundayo said on Saturday in Lagos that the policy would bring more people into the banking community.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to him, available records show that more than 60 per cent of the money in the economy is outside the banking network, a development which can be addressed by the zero COT policy.<br /> <br /> He noted the policy which the apex bank had programmed to take effect in 2016 was part of its financial inclusion philosophy, which was aimed at attracting more people into the finance sector.<br /> <br /> “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy on financial inclusion is to get more people into the financial net,’’ Ekundayo said.<br /> <br /> The financial expert explained that COT was perceived in the banking industry as a source of income to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).<br /> <br /> While noting that DMBs were expected to operate optimally and attract income, he said that many of them were leveraging the COT to“ drive patronage.’’<br /> <br /> He acknowledged that zero COT would exert some pressure on DMBs at the level of implementation, but stated that the money banks knew how to make it up from other sources.<br /> <br /> “A number of banks have been using COT to drive patronage. What the banks will lose through implementing the zero COT, they will always find a way of getting it elsewhere,’’ Ekundayo said.<br /> <br /> He revealed that the banking community had a lot to gain through the implementation of the new policy, saying that it was a way of “giving back to the banking community.’’<br /> <br /> He said that before now, COT varied from one bank to the other, but pointed out that CBN’s financial inclusion policy was geared towards international best practice.<br /> <br /> NAN reports that COT is a charge levied on customers’ withdrawals by their banks. Before now, most banks charged N1 for every N1,000 withdrawn from by a customer from his account.<br /> <br /> The “Guide to Bank Charges” implementation, which started in March 2013, has seen the COT drop to N3 per N1, 000 in 2013 and N2 per N2, 000 in 2014.<br /> <br /> It finally dropped from N1 per N1, 000 in 2015 to Zero cost on Jan.1, 2016.<br /> <br /> The CBN had in a in a circular titled “Implementation of Revised Guide to Bank Charges –Commission on Turnover”, said there was no going back on the implementation of the policy.<br /> <br /> It has directed banks that charged excess COT since the effective date to refund same to the affected customers or be sanctioned. (NAN)

Latest-News Zero COT: Expert lauds CBN

A former President of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr Femi Ekundayo, has lauded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fo...

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Watch Kelechi Ihenacho's FA Cup goal against Norwich

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieF0nw8ZfRCxX6aZA_Omnlok946l0BKVjvAzmLbe5AbbG9DXVCsObI1eI099QnUpzij-OsynwMX5ybxI2PPQULGmDsN8M7S8SMjX7zXS0RG5IjZpJhZ5Z7096sFWo9mtB-1kDRBzzLZfEb/s1600/ihenacho2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieF0nw8ZfRCxX6aZA_Omnlok946l0BKVjvAzmLbe5AbbG9DXVCsObI1eI099QnUpzij-OsynwMX5ybxI2PPQULGmDsN8M7S8SMjX7zXS0RG5IjZpJhZ5Z7096sFWo9mtB-1kDRBzzLZfEb/s320/ihenacho2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> 19-year-old Nigerian star Kelechi Ihenacho again proves while he deserves to have more game time in Manchester City colours despite his young age by putting up a very good performance against Norwich. City<br /> <br /> Watch his goal below<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x3lkc4s" width="480"></iframe><br />

Latest-News Watch Kelechi Ihenacho's FA Cup goal against Norwich

19-year-old Nigerian star Kelechi Ihenacho again proves while he deserves to have more game time in Manchester City colours despite his y...

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Fantastic Ihenacho leads Manchester City to FA Cup win

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMH9wE6VGzQXx7iws0W6hrKkqRaD_k_AyPY8Ahpt1WY8zC2K6UsP65eEilEndEplpG_UM8IObZK13nlzQi76IgBY5LxJgNMJTxdG9w9cyB_uju8Q6TtP0VUKVcyyQs4BF8d5jrdI66FA41/s1600/ihenacho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMH9wE6VGzQXx7iws0W6hrKkqRaD_k_AyPY8Ahpt1WY8zC2K6UsP65eEilEndEplpG_UM8IObZK13nlzQi76IgBY5LxJgNMJTxdG9w9cyB_uju8Q6TtP0VUKVcyyQs4BF8d5jrdI66FA41/s640/ihenacho.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Fantastic Nigerian and Manchester City starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho was among the goal scorers in his club’ s 3-0 win over Nowrich City in a 3rd round FA Cup match Saturday.<br /> <br /> This was about as comfortable as City could have hoped for. They controlled proceedings – dominating possession and creating better chances than Norwich throughout.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Sergio Aguero’s opener was superb and provided further evidence he is returning to his best. He collected the ball from Raheem Sterling’s neat flick, took on three defenders and prodded home. Pure class.<br /> <br /> The Argentine then turned provider, playing in Kelechi Iheanacho who finished superbly, despite having little room to engineer a shot.<br /> <br /> And substitute Kevin De Bruyne added another to put some gloss on what was an excellent display.<br /> <br /> An excellent 3-0 win and a safe passage into round four.<br /> <br /> Iheanacho was a constant source of energy and movement and scored a superbly taken goal.<br /> <br /> Iheanacho is proving to be more effective than the much fancied Winfred Bony, and surely deserves more game time in Manchester City<br /> <br />

Latest-News Fantastic Ihenacho leads Manchester City to FA Cup win

The Fantastic Nigerian and Manchester City starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho was among the goal scorers in his club’ s 3-0 win over Nowrich City...

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DSS arrests Faleke, Audu’s son

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMq63NYtuKo22d5ZhAXN6Ues56nGGt6I6ml3y18tPsV_PNfagLd7bX1vtf3yKFb-HWWZrCslHaOS9761ZJLrAoY0t-KwJWYMLB54yHZFZFgPDy0nNhlT_GAIcEDptMFEFhyphenhyphenJ_O7j12uPB/s1600/faleke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMq63NYtuKo22d5ZhAXN6Ues56nGGt6I6ml3y18tPsV_PNfagLd7bX1vtf3yKFb-HWWZrCslHaOS9761ZJLrAoY0t-KwJWYMLB54yHZFZFgPDy0nNhlT_GAIcEDptMFEFhyphenhyphenJ_O7j12uPB/s640/faleke.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Directorate of State Service has detained Kogi State deputy governor-elect, Mr. James Faleke and Alhaji Mohammed Audu, the son of the late Abubakar Audu.<br /> <br /> The Audu/Faleke Campaign Organisation, which confirmed the development, critisised the DSS for inviting and detaining both men.<br /> <br /> The Organisation’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Duro Meseko told newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday that Faleke was being detained alongside Alhaji Mohammed Audu, the first son of the late Prince Abubakar Audu.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He said that the duo reported at the headquarters of the DSS on invitation at about 10am only to be detained for undisclosed reason.<br /> <br /> “They were kept in an office with assurances that an officer would attend to them soon only to keep them indefinitely,” Meseko said.<br /> <br /> “I am surprised that my principal, Faleke and the eldest son of our political leader, Mohammed, are still being kept as I speak with you, which is about 4pm. One is hoping that they are not trying to arm twist them into abandoning the sacred mandate freely given to Audu/Faleke ticket by the generality of Kogi people, “he said.<br /> <br /> Meseko reiterated the resolve of the members of the All Progressives Congress in the state not to abandon the mandate, saying “no amount of technical detention, intimidation and harassment will shake our resolve to get justice through the judiciary.‎”<br /> <br /> He, however, distanced the organisation from the rumour making the rounds that the presidency was behind the DSS action.<br /> <br /> Faleke was the running mate to the late APC governorship candidate in the November 21, 2015 governorship election that was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission.<br /> <br /> Faleke is currently at the state governorship election petition tribunal seeking to be declared the duly elected governor of the state instead of Alhaji Yahaya Bello that the leadership of the APC picked as a replacement for Audu.

Latest-News DSS arrests Faleke, Audu’s son

Directorate of State Service has detained Kogi State deputy governor-elect, Mr. James Faleke and Alhaji Mohammed Audu, the son of the late...

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Bayelsa Poll: Soldiers arrest ballot box-snatching suspects

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGKRr3yYHk44C-v9vG8TgqmQRT6EQjNYKx-4as-UK_7ohlwY8G0d46gn1wexV2Oj1b2Ik6Qpeivf7baAw5Trf3ULOzBFzVzAC6DM52WIn6vHTgtIdviKVdNdaCUVuEFuS0Nqz5-1MRM8U/s1600/ballot-box2+inec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGKRr3yYHk44C-v9vG8TgqmQRT6EQjNYKx-4as-UK_7ohlwY8G0d46gn1wexV2Oj1b2Ik6Qpeivf7baAw5Trf3ULOzBFzVzAC6DM52WIn6vHTgtIdviKVdNdaCUVuEFuS0Nqz5-1MRM8U/s400/ballot-box2+inec.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Two persons suspected to be agents of one of the political parties involved in Saturday’s supplementary governorship election in Bayelsa have been arrested for allegedly snatching a ballot box.<br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspects were arrested by soldiers at Otuokpoti Unit 1, Ward 2, Ogbia Local Government Area, where the box was allegedly snatched.<br /> <br /> The suspects were said to have forcefully carried the ballot box while polling was ongoing at the unit.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The incident caused pandemonium at the unit but after the suspects were taken away, accreditation and voting resumed.<br /> <br /> An Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official in the ward, who did not want to be named, confirmed that security reinforcement had been sent to the area and that election would continue.<br /> <br /> A member of the security team in the ward said that the suspects would be taken to Yenagoa, the state capital, while investigation would be carried out on the incident.<br /> <br /> However, Police in the state said they were yet to receive report on the incident.<br /> <br /> Spokesman of the command, Mr Asinim Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said it was possible that such incident occurred in the polling area but that the command had not received report on it.<br /> <br /> Butswat, however, told NAN that the situation was calm in most polling units where the election was being conducted.<br /> <br /> NAN reports that the supplementary election in the state is holding in Southern Ijaw and in 101 polling units in other parts of the state where the Dec. 5, 2015 governorship poll was cancelled due to violence.<br /> <br /> According to Butswat, reports from the units indicate that all is calm.<br /> <br /> “ The command has done necessary deployments to all polling units. In most units, accreditation and voting have commenced and it has been peaceful so far.<br /> <br /> “ Our men are on ground and are on top of the situation,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, accreditation and voting began in Otuabagi, Otuekemi and other units in Ward 12, Ogbia Local Government Area between 8.15 a.m. and 8.40 a.m.<br /> <br /> NAN observed the card reader in the polling units were functional.<br /> <br /> Mr Mike Ebong, a voter in unit 16 who assessed the conduct of the exercise told NAN that it was orderly.<br /> <br /> Another voter, Mr James Tariowrie, said that he decided to vote for the betterment of the state. (NAN)

Latest-News Bayelsa Poll: Soldiers arrest ballot box-snatching suspects

Two persons suspected to be agents of one of the political parties involved in Saturday’s supplementary governorship election in Bayelsa ...

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Akwa Ibom PDP chairman defects to APC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4Kki-_VFfHRV3dWyXsDhMzgXHG9DQS3EAXBKyJTpHG9C_9dgdthpPCIfYsRg0SMfFTG_fF3wiBqFv49dre9241ttxUScccQWb1FyPH1YJ2V2ES8pwjWbgPOV57u1QZvnnd_qZbv_NoM3/s1600/PDP+DEFECTS+TO+APC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4Kki-_VFfHRV3dWyXsDhMzgXHG9DQS3EAXBKyJTpHG9C_9dgdthpPCIfYsRg0SMfFTG_fF3wiBqFv49dre9241ttxUScccQWb1FyPH1YJ2V2ES8pwjWbgPOV57u1QZvnnd_qZbv_NoM3/s400/PDP+DEFECTS+TO+APC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Otu Ita Otoyo has defected to the All Progressives Congress. He defected alongside a former senator, Aloysius Etok and former member of the House of Representatives, Eseme Eyiboh.<br /> <br /> These decampees including former chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area and many others were received into the party at a prayer summit and reception held in honour of Obong Umana Umana, candidate of the APC in the last governorship election.<br /> <br /> The reception followed his victory at the Appeal Court.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The decampees noted that the PDP was no longer the party they once believed in. They lamented that it has been hijacked by a few people.<br /> <br /> Toyo berated the PDP for deviating from the ideals upon which the party was founded. He said it was that deviation that caused Akwa Ibom people to seek change.<br /> <br /> He called on people of the state to embrace the change which APC represents.<br /> <br /> “We brought change to Akwa Ibom in 2007, but that change has been hijacked by a few people for themselves. I screamed but nobody listened, today, Akwa Ibom people have decided for change and as such have moved to a new party”, he said.<br /> <br /> Two term senator, Aloysius Etok, on his part, thanked Umana Umana for “championing the struggle to liberate the state”, assuring that the APC administration will redeem the state and reposition it to acheive unfulfilled potentials.<br /> <br /> Also speaking, Eseme Eyibo, who was former spokesperson of the House of Representatives, said he was joining the APC, to “take part in the struggle to rescue the state and its people”. He maintained that things cannot be allowed to continue as they are.<br /> <br /> Receiving the decampees into the party, South-South National Vice Chairman of the APC, Chief Elias Eta, said this time around, they would defend every vote cast by the party in Akwa Ibom.<br /> <br /> He lamented the violence that marred the last election and urged the people not to be intimidated by the PDP, assuring that security agents and thugs will not be allowed to disrupt the forthcoming rerun.<br /> <br /> “The former governor, Godswill Akpabio has done a lot of things and he will be made to account for them. All those who are working against good governance will not be allowed to succeed”, he said.<br /> <br /> Finally, the APC candidate, Obong Umana Umana hailed the decampees for their courage, saying with their support and that of Akwa Ibom electorate, they will reclaim “their stolen mandate”.<br /> <br /> He thanked the people for standing against what he called tyranny and injustice, stating that, “the God of justice and blood of innocent voters killed during the the past election will see the party to victory”.<br /> <br /> “The victories at both the tribunal and Appeal Court are not just for me as a person. They are for the people. You have proven that no weapon or amount of money can break you. The battle is between freedom and slavery and this event has shown that the people have chosen freedom”, he added.<br /> <br /> He urged the people to further show their support by turning up en mass to cast their votes during the forthcoming elections.<br /> <br /> The APC Candidate hailed President Muhammad Buhari for his anti-corruption stance, urging him to carry on. He assured the president of the support of Akwa Ibomites.<br /> <br /> Earlier, Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Chief Ita Awak, said the turn out at the event is an indication that money is not the ultimate.<br /> <br /> “Today, we have put to shame people who say what money cannot do, more money will. We did not give these people here anything. We only appealed to their concience, to come together and pray so that the state can be exorcised. The people came here to rescue themselves. What you are seeing is a mass movement. The state is the richest in Nigeria, yet the people are not feeling the impact. Change has come and there is no going back.”

Latest-News Akwa Ibom PDP chairman defects to APC

Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Otu Ita Otoyo has defected to the All Progressives Congress. He defect...

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Early results from Supplementary poll in Bayelsa

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJNq4F86FJWcxmwQ1XEcyv5G6LqytSXOwvqvlS546ZqcB6qYa36Jam5BhrMCV912W8L6XocXu75-wN1Ibu3K-d4CUvtNHF2PM4AS9J18ZhmDNPenmF67CON2kIxH7ysZRQo5m45ZsnHrB/s1600/dickson+sylva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJNq4F86FJWcxmwQ1XEcyv5G6LqytSXOwvqvlS546ZqcB6qYa36Jam5BhrMCV912W8L6XocXu75-wN1Ibu3K-d4CUvtNHF2PM4AS9J18ZhmDNPenmF67CON2kIxH7ysZRQo5m45ZsnHrB/s400/dickson+sylva.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Results from the Supplementary poll in Bayelsa are staring to come in.<br /> <br /> The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is the only body recognised by law to declare result and announce winner.<br /> <br /> The underlisted results are not verified or authenticated by INEC but a product of field report from the various polling units.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> OTUAN WARD 5 IN SOUTHERN IJAW LGA.<br /> <br /> PU 012<br /> PDP……….81<br /> APC……… 31<br /> <br /> WARD 1,<br /> UNIT 08:<br /> <br /> APC 26,<br /> PDP 68.<br /> <br /> Angiama Community- Ward 2 SILGA, PU 003 (Isianlubo Open space)<br /> <br /> APC- 15.<br /> <br /> PDP- 210<br /> <br /> WARD 1,<br /> Silga constituency 2<br /> UNIT 11:<br /> <br /> PDM 1,<br /> APA 1,<br /> APC 27,<br /> PDP 110<br /> <br /> Ward 9 unit 21<br /> Constituency 1 Ammasomma<br /> Pdp – 151<br /> Apc – 25<br /> <br /> Unit 12<br /> Pdp – 92<br /> Apc -26<br /> <br /> Unit 11<br /> Pdp – 67<br /> Apc – 23<br /> <br /> Unit – 1<br /> Pdp – 94<br /> Apc – 12<br /> <br /> WARD 7<br /> Ofoniawor Community Square PU 011<br /> <br /> APC 35<br /> PDP 35<br /> <br /> WARD 7<br /> Sagbama LGA, Otuasamoh PU 014<br /> APC 43<br /> PDP 39<br /> <br /> Ward 10<br /> Oyeke Open Space Yenagoa PU 009<br /> APC 78<br /> PDP 61<br /> <br /> Nembe( Ogbolomabiri)<br /> Ward 2:<br /> PDP: 412<br /> APC: 06<br /> <br /> Ward: 8<br /> PDP: 245<br /> APC: 8<br /> <br /> Ward: 9<br /> PDP: 505<br /> APC: 6<br /> WARD 6,AMANAGBENE/OBIRIGBENE UNIT 10<br /> <br /> PDP=158<br /> APC=9<br /> <br /> OGBOSUWARE WARD 5,UNIT 006<br /> PDP=62<br /> APC=0<br /> <br /> ADIEGBE WARD 5,UNIT 4<br /> PDP=189<br /> APC=0<br /> <br /> WARD 1 Constituency 2<br /> <br /> IGEBIRI COMMUNITY<br /> <br /> PU 29<br /> PDP 149<br /> APC 71<br /> <br /> PU 30<br /> PDP 105<br /> APC 55<br /> <br /> Polling Unit 31<br /> PDP 217<br /> APC 90<br /> <br /> Unit 8 ward one in constituency 2 Silga<br /> <br /> Pdp 62<br /> Apc 26<br /> Dpm 1<br /> Dpc 1<br /> <br /> Otuegwe ward 2 unit 09<br /> <br /> PDP 124<br /> <br /> APC 4<br /> <br /> Ward 2 unit 015<br /> <br /> Onuebum Ogbia<br /> <br /> APC – 27<br /> PDP – 55<br /> DPC- 2

Latest-News Early results from Supplementary poll in Bayelsa

Results from the Supplementary poll in Bayelsa are staring to come in. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is the only...

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Why I decided to go to Wolfsburg — Osimhen

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsIOiTdjDrE0Q7JXBjXlAQc65BHeGn1h50uCWHj0rv3XpwZUZuVXF-7X9odaez8ms2MWRaIs55KJZnyeVW_C6c89DBSJ-mDp-o6ycphmVJwo9O3haHs871YM6R4WkUtuzPSeek-_GH6GG/s1600/osimhen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsIOiTdjDrE0Q7JXBjXlAQc65BHeGn1h50uCWHj0rv3XpwZUZuVXF-7X9odaez8ms2MWRaIs55KJZnyeVW_C6c89DBSJ-mDp-o6ycphmVJwo9O3haHs871YM6R4WkUtuzPSeek-_GH6GG/s400/osimhen+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Victor Osimhen, the most outstanding player of the victorious 2015 Golden Eaglets squad, has said that he will pursue his professional career at Wolfsburg, a German Bundesliga club.<br /> <br /> Osimhen made the disclosure in an interview on Friday in Abuja.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to him, the Wolfsburg’s coach assurances are morale booster for him and that he prefers playing for the German club to any other club in Europe.<br /> <br /> “I just want to clear the air on this; I visited Wolfsburg and I think with the promises the Head Coach of the team made to me when I visited the arena, I think Wolfsburg is my destination.<br /> <br /> “As long as I am enjoying myself there, I will be there for some years then, I will move on.’’<br /> <br /> Osimhen, who won the 2015 Glo-CAF Youth Player of the Year Award, expressed confidence that he was cut out for great things in his football career, saying he would not relent in reaching for greater heights.<br /> <br /> “Actually I was born for greatness and God has been guiding me.<br /> <br /> “I think I am ripe enough to compete with big names in football and I think I still have enough to learn.<br /> <br /> “Going to Europe to compete with the best requires a lot of hard work; the under-17 and under-21 are different from the football played in Europe but I think I am ready for the task ahead.<br /> <br /> “Education is my first priority, though, I got the fame in football but I will like to continue my education in Europe; it will be best for me.’’<br /> <br /> He urged Nigerian youths to always believe in themselves in all their endeavours.<br /> <br /> “From my own experience, irrespective of the situation, we should just keep our heads high, be focused and put God first in all we do.<br /> <br /> “I want to thank Coaches Emmanuel Amuneke and Samson Siasia for what they have done in my life.”

Latest-News Why I decided to go to Wolfsburg — Osimhen

Victor Osimhen, the most outstanding player of the victorious 2015 Golden Eaglets squad, has said that he will pursue his professional car...

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FA Cup: Arsenal, Man City qualify for next round

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGiY0CNJV9N1wedmlTUsOcZq9yKzLckIBe32X-aRUg3az07oKctRsoFn3cxEZhLrcGGZ6AIUCo7pKy4fUlNMxLALFKcH7MocJXjJw-6w16jCtMgapvnLv6inVQfgri4dJNq087jscTOFn/s1600/Arsenal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGiY0CNJV9N1wedmlTUsOcZq9yKzLckIBe32X-aRUg3az07oKctRsoFn3cxEZhLrcGGZ6AIUCo7pKy4fUlNMxLALFKcH7MocJXjJw-6w16jCtMgapvnLv6inVQfgri4dJNq087jscTOFn/s400/Arsenal2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud scored as Arsenal started their FA Cup defence by coming from behind to defeat Sunderland 3-1 in the third round on Saturday.<br /> <br /> Arsenal were joined in round four by Premier League title rivals Manchester City, who won 3-0 at Norwich City, but Southampton and Newcastle United were both eliminated and West Bromwich Albion survived a huge scare.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Sunderland took a 17th-minute lead at the Emirates Stadium through Jeremain Lens, but Joel Campbell equalised eight minutes later before second-half goals by Ramsey and Giroud gave Arsene Wenger’s men victory.<br /> <br /> Premier League leaders Arsenal are seeking to become the first team to win three FA Cups in a row since Blackburn Rovers between 1884 and 1886.<br /> <br /> A side showing five changes fell behind when Lens picked Laurent Koscielny’s pocket and fired home, but minutes later Theo Walcott teed up Campbell to tuck away the equaliser.<br /> <br /> Substitute Ramsey made it 2-1 in the 72nd minute after a one-two with Hector Bellerin and Bellerin then teed up Giroud for Arsenal‘s third goal four minutes later.<br /> <br /> Manchester City strolled through at Carrow Road, where Sergio Aguero put the visitors ahead in the 16th minute with a driving run and emphatic shot.<br /> <br /> Aguero set up 19-year-old strike partner Kelechi Iheanacho for City’s second goal on the half-hour and substitute Kevin De Bruyne wrapped up victory 12 minutes from time.<br /> <br /> Southampton and Newcastle both fell at the first hurdle, but could at least console themselves that they were beaten by fellow Premier League teams.<br /> <br /> Wilfried Zaha’s 68th-minute goal gave Crystal Palace a 2-1 win at Southampton, while Troy Deeney punished a loose back-pass from Georginio Wijnaldum to give Watford a 1-0 home victory over Newcastle.<br /> <br /> – Morrison rescues West Brom –<br /> <br /> West Brom manager Tony Pulis had James Morrison to thank for an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time that prevented his side from losing at home to second-tier Bristol City.<br /> <br /> After substitute Saido Berahino gave West Brom a 67th-minute lead, goals from Jonathan Kodjia and Kieran Agard put Bristol City in charge, only for Morrison to secure a 2-2 draw at the death.<br /> <br /> Aston Villa’s wretched season continued as they were taken to a replay by fourth-tier minnows Wycombe Wanderers following a 1-1 draw at Adams Park — their 16th successive game without victory.<br /> <br /> Eleven points adrift of safety at the foot of the Premier League table, Villa took a 22nd-minute lead through Micah Richards, only for Joe Jacobsen to equalise with a penalty early in the second half.<br /> <br /> Villa captain Richards went over to speak to frustrated Villa fans at the final whistle and manager Remi Garde said: “It was brave of him to do that.<br /> <br /> “As professionals, we have to face our responsibilities — not only Micah, me and all the players.”<br /> <br /> Bolton Wanderers, bottom of the Championship and at risk of bankruptcy, narrowly escaped succumbing to the day’s biggest shock as Darren Pratley’s scrappy 87th-minute goal earned them a 1-1 draw at fifth-tier Eastleigh.<br /> <br /> The lowest-ranked team left in the tournament, Eastleigh had gone ahead in the 51st minute via an own goal by Bolton’s French defender Dorian Dervite.<br /> <br /> Manchester United face lower-league opposition later on Saturday in the form of third-tier cup specialists Sheffield United, who reached the League Cup semi-finals last season and the FA Cup last four the year before.<br /> <br /> Liverpool were taken to a replay by fourth-tier Exeter City on Friday, Brad Smith’s 73rd-minute equaliser sparing Jurgen Klopp’s youthful side from an ignominious exit.

Latest-News FA Cup: Arsenal, Man City qualify for next round

Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud scored as Arsenal started their FA Cup defence by coming from behind to defeat Sunderland 3-1 in the thir...

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Voting begins in Bayelsa Governorship Supplementary Poll

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpQnxh07SyrGzfVrANVI-lIXefxh3-9JtXv4HmB0wA2Ve2CtXRm8Zjv-fPT214KlPyBwvYTr-bBaxPBSvgAwCqPfozcVZAUAkZ50HNv-OhwLh26FQ1-NEYwkQEYpAdEepERMbQllmrLE-/s1600/ballot+inec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpQnxh07SyrGzfVrANVI-lIXefxh3-9JtXv4HmB0wA2Ve2CtXRm8Zjv-fPT214KlPyBwvYTr-bBaxPBSvgAwCqPfozcVZAUAkZ50HNv-OhwLh26FQ1-NEYwkQEYpAdEepERMbQllmrLE-/s400/ballot+inec.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Voting has commenced in several polling units in Saturday’s Bayelsa supplementary governorship election.<br /> <br /> Voting is about to commence in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and some wards in some other local government areas.<br /> <br /> The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared the election inconclusive during the December poll.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Apart from Southern Ijaw LGA where the entire results were cancelled, some of the other LGAs where election were cancelled included Brass Ward 1, in Brass LGA, Tarakiri Ward, Oporoma Ward and Bassambiri Ward all in Ekeremo LGA.<br /> <br /> Election was also cancelled in Ologi Ward in Ogbio LGA, Asamabiri in Sagbama LGA and Attissa Ward in Yenagoa LGA of the state.<br /> <br /> As at Friday evening, INEC is said to have distributed electoral materials to all the affected areas while security agencies have deployed their officers and men too.<br /> <br /> The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, had announced the deployment of no fewer than 5,000 officers and men while a DIG, an AIG and three police commissioners were also deployed to the state to ensure a hitch-free poll.

Latest-News Voting begins in Bayelsa Governorship Supplementary Poll

Voting has commenced in several polling units in Saturday’s Bayelsa supplementary governorship election. Voting is about to commence in...

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African player of year Aubameyang home to hero’s welcome

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZWK5_EtBUv_iXkqQ-37Pecbxcnmmzo1NP62Sh1TVeqECm3tUPCC_Mub1gKvpTRz1i1qtIUEO2zxX4i04s54CqXSGrvZvBZj25Sj46UGzr2fSna6HyRPVafgCsiJA3u3sP9Yj_OGCtdKp/s1600/JP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZWK5_EtBUv_iXkqQ-37Pecbxcnmmzo1NP62Sh1TVeqECm3tUPCC_Mub1gKvpTRz1i1qtIUEO2zxX4i04s54CqXSGrvZvBZj25Sj46UGzr2fSna6HyRPVafgCsiJA3u3sP9Yj_OGCtdKp/s640/JP2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the newly-crowned African Player of the Year, received a hero’s homecoming on Friday where he was hailed by thousands of fans as the pride of Gabon.<br /> <br /> The 26-year-old Borussia Dortmund star pipped four-time winner Yaya Toure of Manchester City and Ivory Coast to win the prestigious award, an achievement which had fans dreaming of Africa Cup of Nations success on home soil in 2017.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “He has risen through the ranks and this is a just reward,” said Brice Ignegue, the president of the Panthers’ (the national team’s nickname) fan club.<br /> <br /> Sabrina, a young fan who came out to greet Aubameyang, said the player was a national hero.<br /> <br /> “Aubameyang represents Gabon, he is the national panther. He is the pride of Gabon and Africa,” she said.<br /> <br /> Gabon president Ali Bongo Ondimba posted photos of the player’s arrival on his Twitter account as he welcomed his compatriot to the presidential palace.<br /> <br /> The president immediately conferred upon Aubameyang one of the country’s leading civil honours, Commander of the National Order of Merit.<br /> <br /> “I am happy and proud with this honour that I dedicate to the people of Gabon, my family and you, Mr President,” said the Dortmund star.<br /> <br /> Aubameyang then was feted by thousands of fans who packed the Nzeng Ayong stadium where he showed off the player of the year trophy.<br /> <br /> “Long live Aubameyang, long live Gabon!”, they shouted.<br /> <br /> “Now we expect him to win the Africa Cup of Nations for us in 2017 just like Yaya Toure did with Ivory Coast,” said Achilles, a local student.

Latest-News African player of year Aubameyang home to hero’s welcome

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the newly-crowned African Player of the Year, received a hero’s homecoming on Friday where he was hailed by th...

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'Reasons why I dumped PDP and defected to APC' - Wike’s ex-Media Adviser

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUaArtKQ4DZy5xgD6txWjq7jG6svbIA3sbYx21WR9Sg339YhmfyFj66bXEG___8BUObzdV3Yu5UmpB9zIW6AjhN-_8bPIAhA81ZpU4dM4JKM3Eu-oMsWg8c1RhPSpcPWKxp_OG7r8UpBf/s1600/Chief-Nyesom-Wike.-Supervising-Minister-of-Educationjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUaArtKQ4DZy5xgD6txWjq7jG6svbIA3sbYx21WR9Sg339YhmfyFj66bXEG___8BUObzdV3Yu5UmpB9zIW6AjhN-_8bPIAhA81ZpU4dM4JKM3Eu-oMsWg8c1RhPSpcPWKxp_OG7r8UpBf/s640/Chief-Nyesom-Wike.-Supervising-Minister-of-Educationjpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The immediate past Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, yesterday in Port Harcourt stated that he decided to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on account of the love shown him by APC leaders when he recently escaped assassins’ bullets in the state and took ill afterwards.<br /> <br /> Inko-Tariah, who is publisher of the Port Harcourt-based Hard Truth newspaper, disclosed that former Rivers governor and now Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Rivers APC’s governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside; and an ex-Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority, Ade Adeogun, all APC leaders, cared for and assisted him in his trying period, when Wike, of the PDP, abandoned him.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In defecting to the APC, he noted that it was natural for him to reciprocate the kind gesture of leaders of the party, thereby supporting Peterside to emerge as Rivers’ next governor in 2016.<br /> <br /> The former media adviser stressed that although he criticised Amaechi in the past, it was reinvigorating to note that the transportation minister called to sympathise with him and gave his widow’s mite.<br /> <br /> Inko-Tariah declared that to reciprocate Amaechi’s gesture, he would do his best to ensure that Peterside emerge as governor of the state in the event of a rerun.<br /> <br /> He said: “It was surprising that a man I censured, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, CON, the Hon. Minister of Transportation, was the same person who showed unsolicited love and care.<br /> <br /> “It was reinvigorating when he called to sympathise and also gave his widow’s mite, while I was already in the United States for medical treatment, after reading my resignation letter. How compassionate can a man be!<br /> <br /> “On my support for Hon. (Dr.) Dakuku Peterside, it is only natural that one reciprocates gestures. Therefore, I state my support for Rt. Hon. Amaechi and Dr Peterside for the love they have shown.<br /> <br /> “Moreso, Dr Peterside is a man whose refreshing initiatives and articulated policy options will help refuel the ethos of good governance in Rivers State.”<br /> <br /> Inko-Tariah, while giving further insight into his reason for resigning from Wike’s government, noted that he sustained head injuries from falling in a bathroom, after earlier escaping assassination, declaring that the Rivers governor did not show concern for his plight.

Latest-News 'Reasons why I dumped PDP and defected to APC' - Wike’s ex-Media Adviser

The immediate past Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, yesterday in Po...

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Thugs Invade Shoprite Warri, goods worth several millions of Naira looted

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mKpUAUrNDGnOi1E1fRIn0cg-Hc8nXkrXpfWn0tZq2M0r2W9gd0EsxbQQgSSpcmmvCxWU1RN7cljq0yQN87j7EdRV6WthyphenhyphentwsJLGm_Pg0dgkoLlss1sSsDFfv4wbDzhd5Al8d_IrzG8W0/s1600/shoprite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mKpUAUrNDGnOi1E1fRIn0cg-Hc8nXkrXpfWn0tZq2M0r2W9gd0EsxbQQgSSpcmmvCxWU1RN7cljq0yQN87j7EdRV6WthyphenhyphentwsJLGm_Pg0dgkoLlss1sSsDFfv4wbDzhd5Al8d_IrzG8W0/s640/shoprite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Goods estimated at millions of naira were Friday looted from the Delta City Mall Warri following an invasion by youths suspected to be from Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.<br /> <br /> The Delta State Police Command, however, said that it could only arrest one person when its men stormed the place following a distress call from the manager of one of the popular retail occupants of the city mall, Shoprite.<br /> <br />  Millions worth of goods were carted away from Shoprite retail shop and surrounding stalls by the hoodlums<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a>.<br /> <br /> The hoodlums also destroyed valuables including automated glass doors and numerous valuable installations at the commercial facility.<br /> <br /> The police said that hell was let loose after Me Henry Baro, the suspended chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State allegedly had a disagreement with a naval rating at the shopping mall on Friday morning.<br /> <br /> The argument was said to have attracted some other security operatives attached to the Delta City Mall making the suspended council chairman to retreat and leave the premises of the shopping mall.<br /> <br /> Another account claimed that the embattled council chairman was slapped by two security officials during the argument.<br /> <br /> However, Baro was said to have left only for hundreds of fierce-looking youths loyal to him in the area to invade the shopping mall and creating mayhem and pandemonium as many people were allegedly manhandled and dispossessed of their personal effects.<br /> <br /> Some of the invading youths were also reportedly seen chasing some security officials into the main bow of the mall.<br /> <br /> Manager of Delta City Mall, Mr Oni Shola, confirmed the attack on the mall while briefing newsmen later on the incident.<br /> <br /> According to Oni, "Earlier today we had some street urchins who came into the mall. They had issues outside the mall and then they came into the mall to violate it. We have security men in place - the navy, army and police. There were instructed that no matter the threat they should not shoot because we don’t want chaos in the mall.<br /> <br /> "They didn’t shoot; they allowed them in. When they went into the mall. I’m sure you have seen pictures of glasses that were broken. News went into town that armed robbers raided the mall but it wasn’t. It wasn’t like the security operatives couldn’t stop them but they were working on instruction. We never expected streets urchins would do this to the mall.”

Latest-News Thugs Invade Shoprite Warri, goods worth several millions of Naira looted

Goods estimated at millions of naira were Friday looted from the Delta City Mall Warri following an invasion by youths suspected to be fr...

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Nigeria to probe persons involved in 2015 election violence

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiu2JHC6xMgATDUwlV_YqWYPVunYPHs1ewA38mcX7ECUmhpS_VWrnS3ai7m-H8clTz2CwwG9g2HHU7JD0d5ESBPsNm6N26A76UOHjhy3H8U8MxHZhpC0WltxO6MUZm4ywxUmSgkZUw8V0/s1600/Post-Election-Violence-600x337+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiu2JHC6xMgATDUwlV_YqWYPVunYPHs1ewA38mcX7ECUmhpS_VWrnS3ai7m-H8clTz2CwwG9g2HHU7JD0d5ESBPsNm6N26A76UOHjhy3H8U8MxHZhpC0WltxO6MUZm4ywxUmSgkZUw8V0/s640/Post-Election-Violence-600x337+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will soon be inviting top Nigerians, among others, who were alleged to be involved in the 2015 general election violence.<br /> <br /> NHRC Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Amgwe ,who disclosed this in Abuja when the Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) led by the Executive Director, Frank Tietie, protested to his office on the Bayelsa rerun, said those invited would be asked about their roles in the violence.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Amgwe said the commission had set up a special investigation panel to investigate all those persons who were alleged to have made hate comments capable of destroying the country.<br /> <br /> “We will continue to consider you and your organization as partners in progress and we will ensure that rights of Nigerians are respected,”Amgwe said.<br /> <br /> He vowed that any military officers found wanting during the forthcoming Bayelsa rerun election would be punished, according to law.<br /> <br /> The NHRC boss said the commission would be in Bayelsa to monitor the election and conduct of security agencies.

Latest-News Nigeria to probe persons involved in 2015 election violence

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will soon be inviting top Nigerians, among others, who were alleged to be involved in the 20...

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Robbers disguised as policemen rape female NYSC members on the highway

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDd8nBJnbBwqGEmobjR40DS_wT12cHPBVCn88leSVnIZAVjt_L9GBUZFfgAhY3iel-jDhAG0LKuNa3DMSA0JfJSIpujuZozk9672Oxx9vgw7ztMWzTI-SjXeDUbcAHlO2ULbi9LKM5kND/s1600/Robbers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDd8nBJnbBwqGEmobjR40DS_wT12cHPBVCn88leSVnIZAVjt_L9GBUZFfgAhY3iel-jDhAG0LKuNa3DMSA0JfJSIpujuZozk9672Oxx9vgw7ztMWzTI-SjXeDUbcAHlO2ULbi9LKM5kND/s640/Robbers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Seven corps members returning from the recent holidays were among the 16 passengers attacked by robbers at a spot on the Kaduna-Abuja highway on Sunday.<br /> <br /> The females among the corps members serving in Enugu and Ebonyi states were reportedly raped by the hoodlums who blocked the highway to stop vehicles.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> A victim of the attack told the News Agency of Nigeria in Enugu on Friday that the 16-seater bus carrying them was attacked by the robbers who disguised as policemen.<br /> <br /> She said that the bus left Television Garage in Kaduna around 8:30pm and was attacked a few kilometres away from the garage.<br /> <br /> The victim further said the robbers mounted a road block to give the impression that they were policemen on duty.<br /> <br /> “As we approached the road block, the driver noticed that they were not policemen and tried to retreat but it was late.<br /> <br /> “The robbers sensing what our driver wanted to do, left other cars and descended on us,” she said.<br /> <br /> The victim said that the robbers forcefully raped all the female corps members in the bus and took all their belongings which included laptops, jewelries, handsets, foodstuffs and money.<br /> <br /> The corps member appealed to the government to ensure adequate security on the highways.

Latest-News Robbers disguised as policemen rape female NYSC members on the highway

Seven corps members returning from the recent holidays were among the 16 passengers attacked by robbers at a spot on the Kaduna-Abuja hig...

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$2.1 Billion Arms Scam: 'Former Oyo governor, Rashidi Ladoja received N100 million'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNIGAazOr6xiCUd4gDJ0egkXjQEUFq1m7AfucwALBpjAhnHlvindCse_ujxZMPRSzX5wSp0OsaBPmCp2OkkvX5drysOVXfXcIbW7fa3vln5ICN8y2nVF3k1wRFmFtSdezm8Kynl79_TrF/s1600/rasheed-ladoja-360x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNIGAazOr6xiCUd4gDJ0egkXjQEUFq1m7AfucwALBpjAhnHlvindCse_ujxZMPRSzX5wSp0OsaBPmCp2OkkvX5drysOVXfXcIbW7fa3vln5ICN8y2nVF3k1wRFmFtSdezm8Kynl79_TrF/s400/rasheed-ladoja-360x225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Accord, one of the minor political parties which did not sponsor a candidate in the 2015 presidential election, has confirmed that its leader, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, received N100m from former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih, ahead of the election.<br /> <br /> Ladoja is a former governor of Oyo State and was the governorship candidate of the party during the last election.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The confirmation of the money he received from Anenih, which was believed was from the $2.1b meant for the procurement of arms, was contained in a letter to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, by the National Secretary of Accord, Mr. Nureni Adisa.<br /> <br /> In the letter titled, “Release of One Hundred Million by Chief Tony Anenih” and dated January 8, 2016, Adisa said that the money was used to money to support the second term presidential ambition of former President Godluck Jonathan.<br /> <br /> Jonathan was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 election, but was defeated by President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.<br /> <br /> Adisa’s letter to the EFCC chairman read in part, “Our attention has been drawn to a newspaper report that the sum of N100m was released to the Accord leader, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja by Chief Tony Anenih, the (former) Chairman BoT of the PDP.<br /> <br /> “We confirm that the sum of N100m was given to the party through our leader after series of meetings between the leadership of Accord and Chief Tony Anenih in preparation for the 2015 general elections.<br /> <br /> Issues discussed at the meetings, according to the statement, include the need to support the presidential candidate of the PDP since Accord had no presidential candidate, the need to ensure that peace was maintained to enhance peaceful movement during periods of campaign, elections and after the elections and the need for the PDP to support Accord’s campaign effort.<br /> <br /> “Accordingly, the PDP (former) BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih released the sum of N100m for these purposes through our leader, Sen. Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.<br /> <br /> “The money released was accordingly used for the purposes as stated above.”<br /> <br /> Efforts made to get the reaction of Ladoja on Friday were not successful as the former governor didn’t answer calls made to his mobile telephone.<br /> <br /> He also failed to respond to a text message sent to him.<br /> <br /> The former National Security Adviser, Col. Sabo Dasuki (retd.) was reported to have disbursed varied sums of money to the accounts of some PDP leaders with the aim of using the funds to mobilise for the re-election of Jonathan.<br /> <br /> Dasuki, who is currently undergoing trial, is alleged to have diverted $2.1bn meant for procurement of arms and ammunition that the armed forces would have used to fight Boko Haram insurgents.<br /> <br /> N260m was reportedly traced to the account of Anenih.<br /> <br /> But in a letter to the EFCC, Anenih had explained that the money was a part refund of the money former President Goodluck Jonathan instructed him to release to some political groups for mobilisation and post-election peace advocacy.<br /> <br /> The former PDP BoT chairman explained that he was not a direct beneficiary of the money, stated in his letter to the EFCC that N100m was given to the leader of the Social Democratic Party, Chief Olu Falae; N100m to Ladoja and N63m to a group headed by elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai.<br /> <br /> He said the N260m could not defray the total money, estimated at over N440m that he eventually doled out from his pocket to other groups and individuals on the instructions of the former President.<br /> <br /> Both Yakassai and Falae had already confirmed that they received N63m and N100m respectively from Anenih for the purposes specified.

Latest-News $2.1 Billion Arms Scam: 'Former Oyo governor, Rashidi Ladoja received N100 million'

Accord, one of the minor political parties which did not sponsor a candidate in the 2015 presidential election, has confirmed that its lea...

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BAYELSA: We are ready for PDP today - APC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3StxBNJ-rv-8sf7-nkxsTOzHTqcC_juLgJtsfSQWGjMO5Ayw255aWXBwUx1IOowIEHHe6KR9nNNKkfSdyURpOqhdyItlupUgYkW-xuX6VuaGf1UtggYXUyD1hbLaSneie0kMK64Y23SA/s1600/pdp+apc+vs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3StxBNJ-rv-8sf7-nkxsTOzHTqcC_juLgJtsfSQWGjMO5Ayw255aWXBwUx1IOowIEHHe6KR9nNNKkfSdyURpOqhdyItlupUgYkW-xuX6VuaGf1UtggYXUyD1hbLaSneie0kMK64Y23SA/s400/pdp+apc+vs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The All Progressives Congress, Bayelsa State, is adequately prepared to resist an alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party to disrupt today’s supplementary poll, a leader of the APC, Chief Bodi Arerebo, has said.<br /> <br /> Arerebo, who hails from Governor Seriake Dickson’s Sagbama Local Government Area, alleged that the PDP took the APC by surprise when it allegedly rolled out its violent plots to rig the December 5 election.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The chieftain said, “The truth is that we were very ready for the last election and we put in all our efforts to achieve a free and fair poll, but the PDP did not come out in a transparent way. For example, I was in my own polling unit in my community and the PDP came in three speedboats with machetes and gun.<br /> <br /> “But God saved me from them. All the violence that took place was masterminded by the PDP. But we are ready for them this time around. And we are going to win.”<br /> <br /> <br /> Arerebo, who spoke in an interview in Yenagoa, on Friday, described Dickson as a “chameleon”.<br /> <br /> He said, “Let the Bayelsa populace know that the man they see as their governor is a chameleon and all the bad things he said that our candidate and former Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has been doing (are not true); he is the mastermind of the whole evil.<br /> <br /> “His party is hijacking ballot boxes and mopping up Permanent Voter Cards. The APC has always prepared for a free and fair poll because we know that in a free and fair election, Dickson stands no chance.”<br /> <br /> He urged the people of Southern Ijaw and other units to come out in their large numbers to elect Sylva, saying that a vote for the APC candidate would bring about development and empowerment.<br /> <br /> Arerebo said with outstanding votes of over 150, 000, the APC would beat the PDP.<br /> <br /> The chieftain stated, “What transpired in that last election was as a result of the rigging and other atrocities the PDP and its cohorts committed. Bayelsans are in deep need of change and they know that APC has come to stay.”

Latest-News BAYELSA: We are ready for PDP today - APC

The All Progressives Congress, Bayelsa State, is adequately prepared to resist an alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party to disrupt...

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Selfish leaders are hindering Nigeria's growth - Obasanjo

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K1OMZOnoN9zpEDQtaqUukM9N8Rn3AXyjky6EjSCs78ywfWcf9tgqxfrTuKHPdi2QWUFL45b9pxi9ViZi-I01QS6HVDPMcMQuZhJfJTPdg7qW-Lqwc96yuiVr1F5xLMnIGuZLnbZsTmp5/s1600/obasanjo+%25281%2529+obj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K1OMZOnoN9zpEDQtaqUukM9N8Rn3AXyjky6EjSCs78ywfWcf9tgqxfrTuKHPdi2QWUFL45b9pxi9ViZi-I01QS6HVDPMcMQuZhJfJTPdg7qW-Lqwc96yuiVr1F5xLMnIGuZLnbZsTmp5/s640/obasanjo+%25281%2529+obj.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has advised the nation’s leaders against selfishness in the interest of the country’s growth and progress.<br /> <br /> He said they should let the interest of the governed be paramount to them.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He gave this advice on Friday at his Presidential Hilltop residence, Abeokuta, when the leadership and members of the Scout Association of Nigeria paid him a courtesy visit and decorated him as Messenger of Peace Ambassador for Africa.<br /> <br /> The former President who recalled when he was decorated as Queen’s Scout years ago, emphasised that for any leader to succeed, such a leader must always be prepared to face challenges, especially the unexpected ones.<br /> <br /> He said, “We need a scout spirit in our country not just for individual benefit alone but for services to the nation. Work collectively and provide the leadership that will make us get progress.”<br /> <br /> Obasanjo called on Nigerians to work collectively with their leaders, arguing that this would ensure meaningful progress in all spheres.<br /> <br /> Obasanjo said, “I will not only live up to expectations but also inspire others. Be prepared in all ramifications, if you are adequately prepared mentally, spiritually, educationally, religiously and culturally, there will be no situation in life you cannot be able to face.<br /> <br /> “As you move ahead in life, you will meet unexpected things, so prepare for all eventualities.”<br /> <br /> He assured the group that he would help to inform President Muhammadu Buhari to fix the date for his own decoration as the Grand Patron of the association, which would be automatic in line with the association’s constitution.

Latest-News Selfish leaders are hindering Nigeria's growth - Obasanjo

A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has advised the nation’s leaders against selfishness in the interest of the country’s growth ...

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Buhari is losing his respect and integrity – Doyin Okupe

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7W-S8Gta08ZcvnCDS2YF-k3UH3YcnyCs7QpunDGiDU7R-8I7Xo7iqcjrTJddp2j0usRzFghiitsq_69LZaAnBKEw5qe60PKU6N0qnarPMRR9j5AC18lwWXh-qpQ-cLyBMlQ8q3mFiJqYV/s1600/doyin+okupe+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7W-S8Gta08ZcvnCDS2YF-k3UH3YcnyCs7QpunDGiDU7R-8I7Xo7iqcjrTJddp2j0usRzFghiitsq_69LZaAnBKEw5qe60PKU6N0qnarPMRR9j5AC18lwWXh-qpQ-cLyBMlQ8q3mFiJqYV/s400/doyin+okupe+2.png" width="400" /></b></a></div> <b><br /></b><b>A former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of pursuing a selective war against corruption and ignoring the rule of law.</b><br /> <br /> According to Okupe, recent developments including the arrest of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, is making the President to lose respect.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “Buhari is respected but with the hounding of opposition members, he is losing respect in the eyes of the international community. This selective probe is eroding his integrity,” He told newsmen yesterday.<br /> <br /> Okupe condemned Metuh’s detention, insisting that the PDP sourced and utilised its campaign funds the same way the All Progressives Congress did.<br /> <br /> He said, “The Federal Government should not try to dabble into or control the finances of the PDP. The way and manner the ruling party is undertaking its selective probe by hounding opposition leaders is unbecoming and very disheartening.<br /> <br /> “Party finances are not the business of the government. The former National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, cannot deny that he didn’t collect money for campaigns during the last elections.<br /> <br /> “Why is the Federal Government not asking questions on the sources of the APC’s campaign funds? The way the PDP spent billions of naira to fund its campaigns in the media was the same way the APC did theirs? Where did the APC get its campaign funds from? The opposition must be given the liberty to thrive.”<br /> <br /> Reacting to an allegation that a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, benefited from the $2.1bn arms funds, Okupe said the former minister merely provided a service to the PDP during the electioneering and should not be questioned.<br /> <br /> Okupe urged the President to be tolerant of criticism even as he condemned a statement credited to the National Chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, in which the APC chair asked Nigerians not to abuse Buhari.<br /> <br /> He advised Buhari to emulate Jonathan who he said was insulted by many leaders of the opposition but never retaliated.<br /> <br /> Fani-Kayode had said on Wednesday that the All Progressives Congress spent more than the Peoples Democratic Party which was in power during the last general elections.<br /> <br /> Fani-Kayode, who was the spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, made the claim while reacting to the probe of some key officials of the PDP by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.<br /> <br /> He said, “No election campaign anywhere in the world, including that of President Buhari was run with just words, goodwill, grass and pebbles and neither were we given free campaign adverts or airtime. All these things were run and paid for with large sums of money.<br /> <br /> “This is especially so with publicity and media because that was the lifeblood of the various campaigns. I repeat, there is nothing that we did in the campaign organisation or that my directorate did that Lai Mohammed, Buhari and the APC did not do in theirs.<br /> <br /> ‘As a matter of fact, they spent far more than we did but I have no idea where they got their money and whether they were private or public funds.”<br /> <br /> The ex-minister also denied reports that he collected N1.7bn from the embattled former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Latest-News Buhari is losing his respect and integrity – Doyin Okupe

A former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari ...

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PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh set to spend weekend in detention

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVXRmLMzXjtgejrru6bt5ttr_pcnwTF3M-QedjYc8SD0_0O57PJkHAa_cQJvKetY5CfU4ED8SkP-rSntFOjhUSIfHMwl3z5UVIinWPRn37cHwfgzzN3mytJukhwrNmpHX_mRhGu9RrpiL/s1600/metuh+pdp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVXRmLMzXjtgejrru6bt5ttr_pcnwTF3M-QedjYc8SD0_0O57PJkHAa_cQJvKetY5CfU4ED8SkP-rSntFOjhUSIfHMwl3z5UVIinWPRn37cHwfgzzN3mytJukhwrNmpHX_mRhGu9RrpiL/s640/metuh+pdp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <b>The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission might not release the spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, and others in detention this weekend.</b><br /> <br /> It was gathered that the anti-graft agency might not release the detainees until after charges had been prepared.<br /> <br /> It was further learnt that operatives were still grilling the suspects as of the time of filing this report by 10.30 pm on Friday.<br /> <br /> A top operative, who confided in our correspondent, wondered why the people were talking of granting bail to the suspects when the commission was still at the stage of interrogation with them.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The operative said, “Those people you are talking about are still being detained, they are facing interrogation.<br /> <br /> “Nobody can tell you when they are going to be released, may be, that could come up after their charges have been prepared.<br /> <br /> “This gives a strong indication that the Spokesman of the PDP, Olisah Metuh, will spend the weekend at the EFCC detention facility.”<br /> <br /> Apart from Metuh, the commission is still detaining the former military assistant to the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki. The assistant, who is a serving colonel, is believed to have spent two weeks in detention.<br /> <br /> Also, a German believed to have been engaged to facilitate the training of 750 Special Forces in Belarus who was picked up on December 28, 2015, is still waiting to face charges being prepared against him in court.<br /> <br /> On Wednesday night, the EFCC arrested a former military administrator of Kaduna State, Jafaru Isah, also in relation to the ongoing investigation into the $2.1 Billion arms procurement probe.<br /> <br /> Isah is a close associate of President Muhammadu Buhari. He was the governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change in Kano State, which Buhari founded in 2011 to actualise his presidential ambition

Latest-News PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh set to spend weekend in detention

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission might not release the spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, and ...

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Lassa fever spreads across Nigeria kills 40 people in 10 states

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjrKwEtIeDqgO5YTVh0Crv_5vki_feU4mu-6CHXQVI7yQ_Yr95tS1ENt3fxPoDKnPnbJx8hJgU9DGnpKz_XxjYsStuYMKlz7N2r2K1mtbkMbrKqBzFaJ4E4ZIp4c7_WmKxWmCONJURSbO/s1600/lassa+fever+rat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjrKwEtIeDqgO5YTVh0Crv_5vki_feU4mu-6CHXQVI7yQ_Yr95tS1ENt3fxPoDKnPnbJx8hJgU9DGnpKz_XxjYsStuYMKlz7N2r2K1mtbkMbrKqBzFaJ4E4ZIp4c7_WmKxWmCONJURSbO/s640/lassa+fever+rat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Federal Government on Friday confirmed the death of 40 people out of 86 reported cases of Lassa fever outbreak in 10 states. Prof. Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health, said this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the outbreak of the haemorrhagic fever. Adewole advised communities to improve on their hygiene, including food hygiene and food protection practices.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He also urged the public to avoid contact with rodents and rats as well as food contaminated with rat’s secretions and excretions. “Avoid drying food in the open and along roadsides, it is also important to cover all foods to prevent rodents contamination,” he said. The minister said affected states have been advised to intensify awareness creation on the signs and symptoms of the disease.<br /> <br /> According to him, the affected states are Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo. “The public is hereby assured that government and its partners and other stakeholders are working tirelessly to address the outbreak and bring it to timely end,” said the minister.<br /> <br /> He said the ministry had ordered for the immediate release of adequate quantities of “ribavirin”, the specific antiviral drug for Lassa fever, to the affected states for prompt treatment of cases. Adewole added that the ministry deployed rapid response teams to all affected states to assist in investigating and verifying the cases as well as tracing of contacts.<br /> <br /> He said also clinicians and relevant health care workers had been sensitised and mobilised in areas of patient management and care in the affected states.<br /> <br /> Besides, he advised family members and health care workers to always be careful and avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons infected by the disease.<br /> <br /> He also directed health facilities in the country to emphasise routine infection prevention and control measures and ensure that all Lassa fever patients are treated free.<br /> <br /> Adewole said Nigeria has the capability to diagnose Lassa fever, adding that “all the cases reported so far were confirmed by our laboratories”.<br /> <br /> “The ministry would not impose travel restrictions as a form of control measure ‘from and to’ the areas currently affected by the outbreak,” Adewole said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the first case of the current outbreak was reported from Bauchi in November.

Latest-News Lassa fever spreads across Nigeria kills 40 people in 10 states

The Federal Government on Friday confirmed the death of 40 people out of 86 reported cases of Lassa fever outbreak in 10 states. Prof. Is...

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Buhari to provide 'new insurance package' for soldiers fighting Boko Haram

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYunOYZCuhtWLbdrA9QuL22Wr294HwlDJkEVXmamhhBO6xu9UfzvajHuOi9x1Bsvnna5-KEcuNWlTZKLMhD0jFgcgRzqq0j_oEMVjpR9wPMuE1suSWMGXHkT6soKKR_9Svsy6mAsIpB6UU/s1600/NigerianTroops+jtf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYunOYZCuhtWLbdrA9QuL22Wr294HwlDJkEVXmamhhBO6xu9UfzvajHuOi9x1Bsvnna5-KEcuNWlTZKLMhD0jFgcgRzqq0j_oEMVjpR9wPMuE1suSWMGXHkT6soKKR_9Svsy6mAsIpB6UU/s640/NigerianTroops+jtf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <b>The Minister of Defence, retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, said on Friday that the Federal Government would introduce insurance package for soldiers fighting insurgency in the North-East.</b><br /> <br /> Dan-Ali made the disclosure while briefing newsmen shortly after a Special Juma’at Prayer to mark the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja.<br /> <br /> He said that already there were numerous packages enjoyed by the military as a way of motivating them to ensure the success of the ongoing counter insurgency operation.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “Normally we have package for the families of the fallen heroes but recently we are introducing the death insurance which has not been done before.<br /> <br /> “It is an additional package by President Muhammadu Buhari to motivate our gallant armed forces and to take care of the families of the fallen heroes,“he said.<br /> <br /> The minister solicited for prayers from all Nigerians to ensure the defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists.<br /> <br /> He said that the military was getting it right in the ongoing fight against insurgency, and expressed optimism that Boko Haram would soon be a thing of the past in the country.<br /> <br /> “I believe Nigerians are fully aware of what the military has done so far and with their prayers everything will come to an end very soon, “ he said.<br /> <br /> Earlier, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said that the prayer was part of recognition of the sacrifice made by men and women who laid down their lives to defend the country.<br /> <br /> “We must continue to do this not only to motivate their families that are left behind but to also encourage our men that are presently fighting insurgency, “ Saraki said.<br /> <br /> He called on all Nigerians to always remember the fallen heroes in their daily prayers and also pray for the unity and development of the country.<br /> <br /> On his part, the Deputy Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Sheikh Ahmad Onilewura, prayed for the victory of the armed forces over the forces of evil in the country.<br /> <br /> The prayer was attended by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Minister of state for Environment, Alhaji Usman Jibrin, among others. (NAN)

Latest-News Buhari to provide 'new insurance package' for soldiers fighting Boko Haram

The Minister of Defence, retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, said on Friday that the Federal Government would introduce insurance package f...

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Borno governor expresses sadness over murder of IDP

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXalIXY3apl3cNkF6NtkM0wjnsMBL8zgojcuh_ej8Egh9hEUpkzTQ1ExjNVEzBi8RfDqmEUx6X7P9JeCR5-XdK4wyabBHQfWFdBC7MQreIKMj_IaXoMuG5hxqtU_GbMmQqoiNkkPlYI6Ct/s1600/Gov+Borno+cry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXalIXY3apl3cNkF6NtkM0wjnsMBL8zgojcuh_ej8Egh9hEUpkzTQ1ExjNVEzBi8RfDqmEUx6X7P9JeCR5-XdK4wyabBHQfWFdBC7MQreIKMj_IaXoMuG5hxqtU_GbMmQqoiNkkPlYI6Ct/s400/Gov+Borno+cry.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Governor Kashim Shettima has received with utter shock and sadness information concerning the murder of an Internally Displaced Person (IDP), name withheld, whose body was found at the Shettima Ali Monguno Teachers Village camp on Thursday.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Initial report, though unconfirmed indicated that the victim was beheaded inside the camp after misunderstanding that erupted between him and some aggrieved youth over a girlfriend who is among the fleeing refugees.<br /> <br /> It was also observed that there would be a serious problem in the nearest future when IDPs return to their communities following illegal marriages that occurred amongst IDPs while in the camps, as some of the marriages were contracted among those who had already gotten married with their former spouses, but due to the sacking and displacement of their communities by insurgents, some fled to neighbouring Cameroon, Niger and Chad Republic, while their wives fled into Nigeria who later got married to another men they met in camps.<br /> <br /> The fully fenced camp, located at Pompamari, near the headquarters of the Garrison Commander 7 Division, Nigerian Army hosts 13,000 displaced persons from Ngala and Kukawa local government areas while two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of Ngala and Kukawa alongside policemen under their formations live at the camp as part of security measures long adopted by government.<br /> <br /> According to a close government source, the male victim’s body was not found beheaded. Contrary to media reports, the victim was found tied with bruises on his head apparently resulting from hits.<br /> <br /> Governor Kashim Shettima who is very much disturbed has since ordered immediate investigations by the police and demanded arrest of any person connected to the incident.<br /> <br /> The Governor also directed officials to comb the camp throughout the night of Thursday to search within and around the camp to ensure no displaced person has any object that can cause injury.<br /> <br /> The police has recovered the body of the victim and his identity will be revealed to members of the public after his family is contacted.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Engineer Garba Satomi informed Governor Shettima on Thursday that the police has arrested a displaced person in connection with the the attack and that more suspects where being trailed.<br /> <br /> Satomi also said the investigation has so far pointed at a disagreement between a group of youths who later conspired an attacked the murdered victim.<br /> <br /> As at 8pm of Thursday, camp officials were already complying with Governor Shettima’s orders as meetings were being held between officials and chairmen of the two local government areas at the camp with participation of members of the civilian JTF while the camp was combed with searches being conducted.<br /> <br /> However, Shettima said Government will never accept threats in any IDP camp where citizens already suffer the trauma of being displaced as a result of insurgency attacks.

Latest-News Borno governor expresses sadness over murder of IDP

Governor Kashim Shettima has received with utter shock and sadness information concerning the murder of an Internally Displaced Person (I...

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PDP's politics of rice and garri is now out of fashion - Oshiomole

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZa5Nj7LVpwiZWmpdYkwafkXbGSYm-lCI-gd849qMAS88l32ji4JZRLdhG_UHowFSSbHcQFN7irymsIm0ZMyU8L8n5wwY-pQQDUSr89jGNtsRtsT1jVmogFdP3brsAvA4MN6sHh41lsuf/s1600/Oshiomhole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZa5Nj7LVpwiZWmpdYkwafkXbGSYm-lCI-gd849qMAS88l32ji4JZRLdhG_UHowFSSbHcQFN7irymsIm0ZMyU8L8n5wwY-pQQDUSr89jGNtsRtsT1jVmogFdP3brsAvA4MN6sHh41lsuf/s400/Oshiomhole.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Following the alleged diversion of Goodluck Jonathan campaign rice meant for distribution to the people of Edo State in the last general election by a gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Friday, took a swipe at the said aspirant and the PDP, saying the people of Edo State will no longer be swayed by rice and garri politics.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> A chieftain of the PDP, Mr Okharedia Ihimekpen had alleged that bags of rice released by former President Goodluck Jonathan to sway votes in favour of the PDP in the last general election were not distributed.<br /> <br /> Speaking at the 2016 Auchi Day celebration, on Friday, Governor Oshiomhole said politics of rice and garri was out of fashion as the people now prefer politics of development which his administration has introduced to the state in the last seven years.<br /> <br /> Giving his scorecard to the mammoth crowd of natives of the town who thronged the palace of the Otaru, Alhaji Haliru Momoh, Ikelebe 111 and some invited guests at the Auchi Day celebration, Oshiomhole said: “the PDP Federal Government awarded the Auchi erosion contract to one of their own; in the name of Auchi erosion, they enriched themselves and abandoned even the tractor in the erosion site, compounding the erosion problem. You wrote petitions and those letters were read and ignored but we thank God for using me.<br /> <br /> “We thank God that today, in the Auchi Erosion site, we can now locate two, three football pitches of Olympic standards in those areas that erosion had claimed.<br /> “We have shown that government needs not lament, that government can listen and when contracts are awarded, they are meant to be done, not to provide avenue for them to deepen their pockets and use out of it to buy rice once in two years.<br /> <br /> “I am glad that, Otaru, it will go down in the records that it was under your reign that God used us to dualise the Auchi road which your highness has kindly named Oshiomhole way and I am humbled. At night, we now can have street light in spite of the challenges of power arising from PDP mismanagement of billions of naira that was voted for power.<br /> <br /> “As you drive here, you see red roofs of schools that Auchi children can now attend and this year before the end of my tenure your Highness, the remaining schools in Auchi will wear red roofs. We will do that because your highness, you deserve it and I will try to discharge only part of my debt obligations to you.<br /> <br /> “Every commitment that I have made, I will do, including the ones we are already doing. We will sustain them, we will complete them before the end of my tenure. My government will never lament. When others are not paying salaries, we paid before Christmas because my task is to make things happen, not to cry.”

Latest-News PDP's politics of rice and garri is now out of fashion - Oshiomole

Following the alleged diversion of Goodluck Jonathan campaign rice meant for distribution to the people of Edo State in the last general ...

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Mexico recaptures world's most wanted drug kingpin ‘El Chapo’

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8Ke_49vHc1MbRTSSpxoAXA4kF-3_yRzMW4DH4M4Z8ykPHUxIwJ81RB4D6taHFwbCt6wN_sZxfvQSmjTyzJqlx7eVMOcnHRcNCsLw6nbgELJU_B-KBXKGlHcRkIconlbsERBgCwIXo3vc/s1600/el-Chapo-Guzman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8Ke_49vHc1MbRTSSpxoAXA4kF-3_yRzMW4DH4M4Z8ykPHUxIwJ81RB4D6taHFwbCt6wN_sZxfvQSmjTyzJqlx7eVMOcnHRcNCsLw6nbgELJU_B-KBXKGlHcRkIconlbsERBgCwIXo3vc/s400/el-Chapo-Guzman.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Mexican authorities recaptured fugitive drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman on Friday, six months after his spectacular prison break, President Enrique Pena Nieto said, triumphantly declaring “mission accomplished.”<br /> <br /> The AFP reported that Mexican marines conducted extensive operations in the northwestern states of Sinaloa and Durango in search of Guzman since the 58-year-old drug lord’s July 11 escape from a high-security prison.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Guzman’s arrest will be a major sigh of relief for the president, whose administration was humiliated by Guzman’s prison break.<br /> <br /> “Mission accomplished: We got him. I want to inform Mexicans that Joaquin Guzman Loera has been arrested,” Pena Nieto wrote on Twitter, without elaborating. He was scheduled to address the nation later Friday.<br /> <br /> A presidential spokesman confirmed the authenticity of the tweet to AFP but officials declined to say more about the arrest. The government website said the capture occurred Friday.<br /> <br /> The US Drug Enforcement Administration, which played a key role in Guzman’s previous arrest in 2014 by providing intelligence, praised Mexican authorities.<br /> <br /> “DEA is extremely pleased at the capture of Chapo Guzman. We congratulate the MX Government and salute the bravery involved in his capture,” the DEA wrote on Twitter.<br /> <br /> News of his arrest came shortly after the navy reported that five suspects were killed in a clash with marines in the Sinaloa city of Los Mochis, but it did not indicate whether it was related to Guzman.<br /> <br /> Six people were detained after the shootout, which broke out when marines were tipped off about the presence of armed men in a home, the navy said in a statement.<br /> <br /> A suspected gang leader identified as Orso Ivan Gastelum Cruz was in the house but managed to escape, the navy said, adding that a dozen weapons, including a rocket-grenade launcher, were seized.<br /> <br /> On July 11, after 17 months at the Altiplano maximum-security prison in central Mexico, Guzman slipped through a hole in his cell’s shower, climbed on a motorcycle mounted on rails, and traveled 1.5 kilometers (one mile) through a tunnel to freedom.<br /> <br /> US and Mexican law enforcement officials say Guzman then flew to his home turf at the Sinaloa-Durango state border, where he is revered as a modern-day Robin Hood.<br /> <br /> More than a dozen prison and federal police officials have been arrested on charges of helping Guzman flee, along with several associates of the drug lord who worked from the outside on building the tunnel.<br /> <br /> Marines nearly recaptured him in October in a remote mountain region straddling the two states. Authorities said Guzman injured his face and a leg while falling in the rough terrain, but special forces failed to nab him.<br /> <br /> Guzman had been captured on February 22, 2014 in the Sinaloa resort of Mazatlan. He was found in a condo with his wife and their young twin daughters.<br /> <br /> He had been on the lam for 13 years after escaping a first time in 2001 from another prison, in western Jalisco state, by hiding in a laundry cart. He had spent eight years in prison following his 1993 capture in Guatemala.<br /> <br /> Questions will now likely turn on whether Mexico will extradite Guzman to the United States.<br /> <br /> Pena Nieto had refused to hand Guzman over to the United States before his escape, but the authorities have since then secured an arrest warrant to extradite him.<br /> <br /> The man whose nickname means “Shorty” had used the money from a drug empire whose tentacles reach Europe and Asia to dig himself out of trouble.<br /> <br /> He is a legend of Mexico’s underworld, with musicians singing his praise in folk ballads known as “narcocorridos,” tributes to drug capos.<br /> <br /> With his daring underground escapes and ability to sneak narcotics under the US-Mexico border, he also earned the nickname “Lord of the Tunnels.”<br /> <br /> The bathtub in one of his houses in Culiacan, capital of Sinaloa, opened into an escape route into drainage systems that he used to flee from troops in early 2014.<br /> <br /> US and Mexican authorities have regularly discovered sophisticated tunnels with rails and electricity to ship marijuana, cocaine and other drugs into the United States, with cash and weapons coming the other way.<br /> <br /> Born on April 4, 1957, to a family of farmers, Guzman had humble beginnings in a region known as a bastion of drug trafficking.<br /> <br /> He dropped out of primary school to work in marijuana and opium poppy fields.<br /> <br /> He was recruited by Guadalajara cartel boss Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, the godfather of Mexico’s modern drug cartels.<br /> <br /> After Felix Gallardo was arrested in 1989, Guzman’s Sinaloa drug cartel began its meteoric rise.<br /> <br /> The mustachioed drug lord married an 18-year-old beauty queen, Emma Coronel, in 2007 and is believed to have 10 children with various women.<br /> <br /> Guzman’s family has paid dearly for his life of crime. One of his brothers was killed in a Mexican jail in December 2004 and a son was shot dead in a shopping center parking lot in May 2008.<br /> <br /> AFP

Latest-News Mexico recaptures world's most wanted drug kingpin ‘El Chapo’

Mexican authorities recaptured fugitive drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman on Friday, six months after his spectacular prison break, ...

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N82 million dinner: Wole Soyinka’s reaction is disappointing – Rivers commissioner

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClaIZn5X9BQqyJOVjPBUEBZhUs-dcr09fzmdxv5CYBD6Jj7qHqKol_0w6CFXMwnxF4TkALAzSutjbUOkV97dyuaR0F8HJnEL0t2qhuQev-feS4kJ5EhCEjBDSUcNuC1seyXe4bfUSC15Y/s1600/wole-soyinka+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClaIZn5X9BQqyJOVjPBUEBZhUs-dcr09fzmdxv5CYBD6Jj7qHqKol_0w6CFXMwnxF4TkALAzSutjbUOkV97dyuaR0F8HJnEL0t2qhuQev-feS4kJ5EhCEjBDSUcNuC1seyXe4bfUSC15Y/s400/wole-soyinka+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Austin Tam-George, has described as disappointing and depressing Professor Wole Soyinka’s reaction to attempts to confirm from the Nobel Laureate if he shared in the N82 million allegedly used by former governor Chibuike Amaechi to host a dinner for him on his 80th birthday at Government House, Port Harcourt.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Commissioner in a statement, yesterday, said he had expected Soyinka to condemn what he described as unconscionable misuse of public funds in his name since he had come to know that such outrageous amount was used to organize a dinner for him by a government that was owing civil servants salaries and pensioners. Continuing, Tam-George said Professor Soyinka, from his response, had carried himself in the manner of one who “suffers from a god complex, someone who does no wrong “<br /> <br /> The Commissioner alleged that Amaechi’s administration will go down in history as having a record of the highest number of abandoned projects in the state since its creation in 1967 inspite of the about three trillion naira it allegedly got. According to him, a physical tour of the Greater Port Harcourt city project of the Amaechi’s government which gulped over hundred billion naira showed a “ putrid landscape of corruption, broken dreams and wasted resources. “<br /> <br /> Will Soyinka condemn this pornography of waste and excess by Rotimi Amaechi? That is the moral question”, he said and wondered how Professor Soyinka would be indifferent to such “atrocious legacy.” He further recalled that the American Noble Laureate Toni Morrison on her 80th birthday had a hearty laugh over coffee with friends at her home in Ohio, stressing that no tax payers fund was wasted to host a dinner for her by the state of Ohio<br /> <br /> “Can Soyinka reasonably claim to be indifferent to the exemplary moral contrast provided by Toni Morrison?”he queried.

Latest-News N82 million dinner: Wole Soyinka’s reaction is disappointing – Rivers commissioner

Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Austin Tam-George, has described as disappointing and depressing Professor...

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Yaya Toure in epic rant, says defeat to Aubameyang "brings shame to Africa"

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_WE6VLnJH6NAoVjJygnSXUuyJX4YShhJ5blRkpgg-Tf7y_szih_QZtNitJU3IxRhyphenhyphenYrLUNfA-fSIu4s3mqM206Vyo-nYstnPFDGC-Uxygxej-zq6QDLk1y0HuGSTWh_tr5ZIYqnxrrHm/s1600/yaya+toure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_WE6VLnJH6NAoVjJygnSXUuyJX4YShhJ5blRkpgg-Tf7y_szih_QZtNitJU3IxRhyphenhyphenYrLUNfA-fSIu4s3mqM206Vyo-nYstnPFDGC-Uxygxej-zq6QDLk1y0HuGSTWh_tr5ZIYqnxrrHm/s400/yaya+toure.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has reacted angrily to losing out on the CAF African Footballer of the Year award, saying the decision is "pathetic", "indecent" and "brings shame to Africa".<br /> <br /> Toure hit out at his critics in a controversial interview in October, accusing detractors of "spreading bulls***", and has had a number of run-ins with the press in the United Kingdom and his home continent.<br /> <br /> The 32-year-old captained the Ivory Coast to their first Africa Cup of Nations triumph since 1992 at the start of last year and was named in the competition's team of the tournament.<br /> <br /> But he lost out to Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the individual stakes - voted for by coaches and technical directors - and has now hit out at the decision makers, insisting "even Fifa" would not have reached such a conclusion.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “I’m very, very disappointed," he told Afrique Foot. "It’s sad to see Africa react this way, that they don't think African achievements are important.<br /> <br /> “I think this is what brings shame to Africa, because to act in that way is indecent. But what can we do about it? Us Africans, we don’t show that Africa is important in our eyes. We favour more what’s abroad than our own continent. That is pathetic.<br /> <br /> “Even Fifa, with all its history of corruption, wouldn’t do this.”<br /> <br /> Toure is no stranger to courting controversy in the press and it appears more on the way after he vowed to "tell the truth" when questions come his way.<br /> <br /> “Yaya will take care of Yaya and let Africa take care of itself," he added. "As I’ve been told many times, you can’t take care of Africa too much because Africa will be the first to let you down.<br /> <br /> <br /> “When I return to Europe, a lot of questions will be asked. I think I’m going to have to answer them. As I’m someone who’s honest, I will always tell the truth.”

Latest-News Yaya Toure in epic rant, says defeat to Aubameyang "brings shame to Africa"

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has reacted angrily to losing out on the CAF African Footballer of the Year award, saying the decisi...

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BREAKING NEWS: Jim Nwobodo dumps PDP for APC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9zen-jXoVo3UgIo17Oh4URybAichWBaG_dYjtABSRl5c6HjxuKcjCFOADOWp67UosLo8pAIWIZmN0X7-1mSLuuV8w8nAVXRdmj_u6bcpsaUGpCcULrobo_5vVVN3sBYLGQlCQ4Mngmtl/s1600/jim+nwobodo+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9zen-jXoVo3UgIo17Oh4URybAichWBaG_dYjtABSRl5c6HjxuKcjCFOADOWp67UosLo8pAIWIZmN0X7-1mSLuuV8w8nAVXRdmj_u6bcpsaUGpCcULrobo_5vVVN3sBYLGQlCQ4Mngmtl/s400/jim+nwobodo+s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> A former minister of information, and governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, on Friday defected to the All Progressive Congress.<br /> <br /> Nwobodo, a former Senator and presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, attended an APC meeting, reportedly convened by Foreign Affairs minister, Dr. Jeffrey Onyeama, in Enugu.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He declared his membership of the party at the meeting, to the surprise of most of the APC members present at the event.<br /> <br /> A former PDP senator from Enugu State, Chief Fidelis Okoro, also defected to the APC at the meeting.<br /> <br /> Okoro was in the Senate between 1999 and 2007.<br /> <br /> There were indications that the former PDP bigwigs’ defection did not go down well with the some APC members, who openly voiced their dissatisfaction with the development at the meeting.<br /> The party faithful could not hide their surprise, and shock, when Nwobodo arrived at the venue of the meeting in company with Okoro.<br /> <br /> Some APC members, who apparently understood the duo’s mission at the meeting, voiced their disapproval.<br /> <br /> Chairman of the party in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, who appeared to have prior knowledge of the defection, got the aggrieved party members to calm down before Nwobodo made his declaration speech.<br /> <br /> In his declaration speech, Nwobodo had harsh words for his old party, PDP.<br /> <br /> Nwobodo condemned the PDP, and blamed the party’s leadership for allowing five governors to leave for the APC in the build up to the 2015 general elections.<br /> <br /> According to him, he is joining the APC to move the people of Enugu State into the mainstream at the federal level.<br /> <br /> Drawing from his experience as a governor, he said it was not good being in the opposition.<br /> He said members of the APC in Enugu State should not to be discouraged by the electoral losses they suffered in the state in the past.<br /> <br /> “You must always lose, what matters is the ability to rise again.<br /> “I must condemn our former party, PDP – I know we had problems.<br /> <br /> “I told our former chairman, how come did we allow five governors to leave the party?<br /> “I am not looking for a job, I am talking because I want peace.<br /> <br /> “I want our people to be part of the Federal Government at the centre.<br /> “I had a problem being an opposition governor.<br /> <br /> “I am not coming into APC because I want anything.<br /> “I want our people to be reintegrated and have our own share of the Federal Government resources,” Nwobodo said.<br /> <br /> Nwobodo recalled that while he was in PDP, his wife had always been an active member of the APC.<br /> He pointed out that the slogan “change” did not start now with the APC.<br /> <br /> According to him, it started in 1983, when he was an opposition governor.

Latest-News BREAKING NEWS: Jim Nwobodo dumps PDP for APC

A former minister of information, and governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, on Friday defected to the All Progressive Cong...

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Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria embarrassing – Minister

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpySxXSrkns3KfcM8R9xwhCwvlPlxNT9-1aLxvH78Y1kuh71F78cf-UxK8JWKlhmpJmt7eLd1W_d48ItjUiANnjcXyhEL-dfzxzmxcrKfeZvc4MvXsxdkyiING5Xypqzq8HqwTzSk9lsXt/s1600/lassa-fever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpySxXSrkns3KfcM8R9xwhCwvlPlxNT9-1aLxvH78Y1kuh71F78cf-UxK8JWKlhmpJmt7eLd1W_d48ItjUiANnjcXyhEL-dfzxzmxcrKfeZvc4MvXsxdkyiING5Xypqzq8HqwTzSk9lsXt/s400/lassa-fever.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Federal Government has described as embarrassing the current outbreak of Lassa fever in the country.<br /> <br /> Number of persons infected by the outbreak had increased to 86, while 40 deaths had been recorded in the affected states.<br /> <br /> States with recorded cases Lassa fever are – Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, spoke on the outbreak of the disease at a press briefing in Abuja Friday.<br /> <br /> To curb the spread of the virus, the minister said families of victims will not be allowed to perform burial rites, adding that the state will take over the activities.<br /> <br /> Adewole said: “Lassa fever is not new to us in Nigeria, what is new is that it has continued to embarrass us. The first confirmed case was in 1969, in Lassa village in Borno State. The number of cases peaked in 2012 when 1,723 cases with 112 fatalities were recorded.<br /> <br /> “It is also important to highlight that it is not the outbreak that it is unusual, what is unusual is the large number of deaths recorded so far and these deaths came largely from three states – Kano, Bauchi and Niger.<br /> <br /> “The three states contributed to about 75 percent of the cases and deaths. The situation in Niger is worrisome because we had unusual death dating back to August and only came to light about three to four months after and that represents a breakdown in disease notification system. We are trying to strengthen this because deaths even when they are unusual should be reported and we should not have waited for 35 cases in Niger before sitting up and that is the worrisome part of it.”

Latest-News Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria embarrassing – Minister

The Federal Government has described as embarrassing the current outbreak of Lassa fever in the country. Number of persons infected by ...

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Senator Ekwunife dumps PDP for APC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOp-DeAJ7K40gxctJbVcx0wxrTtUqp_I-D3eDkoFyZsv_KMRo9xSHtRZS6NLoS2Sa4qwPlpCP57Ju0t3ipW4Lw_iP0TFFsdN0cJXVU7r6dOIJW2BW86SdDEF-rYJ_GPD0jR5zJbrf9xld/s1600/Uche-Ekwunife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOp-DeAJ7K40gxctJbVcx0wxrTtUqp_I-D3eDkoFyZsv_KMRo9xSHtRZS6NLoS2Sa4qwPlpCP57Ju0t3ipW4Lw_iP0TFFsdN0cJXVU7r6dOIJW2BW86SdDEF-rYJ_GPD0jR5zJbrf9xld/s400/Uche-Ekwunife.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Sen. Uche Ekwunife, the erstwhile senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, announced on Friday that she had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).<br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Ekwunife, who was inaugurated as senator in June, 2015, had her election nullified by Appeal Court in Enugu on Dec. 6, 2015, on grounds of irregularities.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in the zone within 90 days.<br /> <br /> Ekwunife, who has begun preparation for the repeat poll confirmed her defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to newsmen in Awka.<br /> <br /> ” It’s better now for me to join the APC.<br /> <br /> “Let the heat be there; I am already on campaigns for my return to the senate, to complete my contract with the people of Anambra Central District,” she said.<br /> <br /> Ekwunife said that her goodies for her people under the APC would soon be made public.

Latest-News Senator Ekwunife dumps PDP for APC

Sen. Uche Ekwunife, the erstwhile senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, announced on Friday that she had defected to t...

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'Charge Metuh to court if you have evidence of fraud against him' - Fayose challenges Buhari

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeQplIrAtcHlLljqN4Re7oeviD6_K3YbobuBP0WRPGeq53MJOKhMb0D4KNtUekxAHyaowJb-xoHUya6Pe6JaliPQX9I93R3bDTpIitnrBxKe6xlBPuTFzvjvSUSDocFlHc9Ffm4GZqQT9/s1600/Buhari+Fayose.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeQplIrAtcHlLljqN4Re7oeviD6_K3YbobuBP0WRPGeq53MJOKhMb0D4KNtUekxAHyaowJb-xoHUya6Pe6JaliPQX9I93R3bDTpIitnrBxKe6xlBPuTFzvjvSUSDocFlHc9Ffm4GZqQT9/s640/Buhari+Fayose.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, on Friday, challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to charge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh to court if the commission was sure of evidences of fraud against him, saying “the EFCC appears to be operating a system in which an accused person is first arrested, detained endlessly while the anti-corruption agency goes about looking for evidence.”<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> Governor Fayose, who maintained his support for a genuine fight against corruption, challenged the EFCC to also act on petitions submitted to it against All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and President Buhari’s election sponsors.<br /> <br /> Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose cautioned that nothing untoward must happen to Metuh, adding that the APC’s desperation to decimate and silence the opposition has dragged the Buhari-led government in the mud of lawlessness.<br /> <br /> Fayose said: “In saner climes, you don’t arrest people for alleged fraud and start to look for evidence to prosecute them. Rather, before you arrest anyone for fraud, anti-corruption agencies must have established a prima facie case and arresting the suspect will only be to enable for his or her arraignment in court.<br /> <br /> “However, what we are witnessing in Nigeria today is a situation whereby the EFCC will arrest PDP leaders, humiliate them by subjecting them to media trial, detain them for weeks in the process of trying to force them to make statements during which the commission will be looking for evidence.<br /> <br /> “For instance, in the case of Metuh, we are being told that the EFCC is insisting that he must write statements and one begins to wonder if it has now become mandatory for an accused to write statements in law enforcement agent’s custody. Shouldn’t the EFCC have simply charged Metuh to court based on its own evidence? Or is Metuh’s statement the evidence the EFCC requires to prosecute him?<br /> <br /> “The international community, especially the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), European Union (EU) and others are put on notice on this condemnable act of arresting and detaining opposition leaders by agents of the Buhari-led government before fishing for evidence.”<br /> <br /> While challenging President Buhari to extend his anti-corruption crusade to those who sponsored his election, Governor Fayose said any anti-corruption effort that targets only members of the opposition and those with axe to grind with the government of the day can never succeed.<br /> <br /> “If President Buhari did not wait for any petition to move against PDP chieftains, asking people to come forward with allegations of corruption against APC chieftains, especially those who sponsored President Buhari’s election is clearly hypocritical.”<br /> <br /> The governor added: “Most importantly, that the EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu even said the commission do not have any petition against APC chieftains when indeed there are loads of petitions against ministers serving in Buhari’s government and other notable APC chieftains goes to show the hypocrisy of the fight against corruption.<br /> <br /> “It is even more hypocritical and anti-democratic for the President to have turned himself to the accuser, prosecutor and judge, carrying on as if those he accused of corruption have already been convicted.”

Latest-News 'Charge Metuh to court if you have evidence of fraud against him' - Fayose challenges Buhari

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, on Friday, challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Comm...

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'Make public evidence that Metuh received N1.4 billion from Dasuki' - PDP to EFCC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UwFEHD9bRDWFw5yWn6P3_W_CsD_Yj9BQDBAYTZLz7Nr_0H5WPbQQwxeEAyKYgox_MIaBnHRUYgS2JnX04wsYyZ0gjF6-wJHiFc04eDhmNS_4K3hpmivkBbAhHVmsV-5CVWbyx-cG9dHe/s1600/metuh+pdp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UwFEHD9bRDWFw5yWn6P3_W_CsD_Yj9BQDBAYTZLz7Nr_0H5WPbQQwxeEAyKYgox_MIaBnHRUYgS2JnX04wsYyZ0gjF6-wJHiFc04eDhmNS_4K3hpmivkBbAhHVmsV-5CVWbyx-cG9dHe/s640/metuh+pdp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The office of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party has debunked allegations that the spokesman of the party, Olisa Metuh, received N1.4 billion and N4 million monthly stipend from the Office of the former National Security Adviser.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In a statement by Metuh’s media aide, Richard Ihediwa, the party said: “These reports are completely false, mischievous and fabricated to mislead the public and derail the course of proper investigation on issues relating to Chief Metuh.”<br /> <br /> He said neither Metuh nor his office received the figures reported in the media.<br /> <br /> “We therefore challenge the EFCC to substantiate that Chief Metuh received the said N1.4 billion figure, as well as make public any evidence that he ever received N4 million monthly stipend from the Office of the National Security Adviser.<br /> <br /> “This office is deeply worried at the turnout of events since Tuesday when Chief Metuh was arrested and detained while fictitious figures continue to be bandied against him in the media.<br /> <br /> “Chief Metuh, as a well-known citizen and a public figure, had always stated his readiness to honor any invitation by the EFCC or any agency of government for that matter on any issue regarding any allegations against him.<br /> <br /> “This office is therefore persuaded that the continued detention of Chief Metuh is ostensibly part of the plot by the APC to silence or keep the opposition spokesperson out of circulation for obvious reasons of clipping the wings of the opposition PDP,” said the statement.

Latest-News 'Make public evidence that Metuh received N1.4 billion from Dasuki' - PDP to EFCC

The office of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party has debunked allegations that the spokesman of the party, O...

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