Nigerian Eye

Stoke City 0-4 Chelsea: Alvaro Morata scores sublime hat-trick as champions ease past Potters

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Chelsea continued to show there is life after Diego Costa with another Premier League victory at Stoke, with Alvaro Morata scoring a hat-trick in a 4-0 win. 
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Morata, the club-record signing bought to replace Costa, was on the scoresheet again early on before Pedro extended the lead on the half-hour mark. 
 
Both goals came from defensive mistakes by Stoke, whose manager Mark Hughes had demanded a response from his players following the disappointing midweek defeat at Bristol City in the Carabao Cup. He did not get it, with Morata rounding off the win in the final quarter-hour. 
 
The game was just over a minute old when Cesar Azpilicueta's long ball forward dissected Stoke's makeshift back line and allowed the lethal Morata to take a touch and finish calmly past Jack Butland. 
 
With Kurt Zouma, on loan from Chelsea, ineligible against his parent club and Ryan Shawcross, Geoff Cameron and Kevin Wimmer all out injured, Glen Johnson, making his first Premier League start of the season, and Erik Peters played either side of Bruno Martins Indi in Stoke's central defensive three and Chelsea capitalised on the unfamiliarity immediately. 
 
It was Morata's fourth league goal since joining the club in the summer from Real Madrid with the impending departure of Costa in mind. 
 
Relations between Costa and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte began to deteriorate in January when the striker reportedly had his head turned by a big-money offer from the Chinese Super League, which soon evaporated. 
 
It was further strained over the summer with the player - having initially been granted an additional summer break after being told he could leave the club - ending up in exile in Brazil. 
 
But on Thursday a deal was agreed for Costa to return to his former club Atletico Madrid and that move should be finalised next week. 
 
Morata has so far proved to be an able successor and only a timely interception from Martins Indi denied him the chance of a second goal. 
 
Chelsea's second goal arrived after 30 minutes and it came from another mistake. Darren Fletcher attempted to chest the ball down to Martins Indi but got the weight wrong, allowing Pedro through on goal to score with a lovely finish from the edge of the penalty area. 
 
That was hard on Stoke, who had the champions on the back foot for much of the first half without really troubling goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and arguably enjoyed the better of the second half up until Morata's late double. 
 
Mame Diouf went close for the hosts with an acrobatic effort just before half-time while on the other side of the break the same player slid another shot narrowly wide following a knockdown from substitute Peter Crouch. Courtois then kept out a header from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting with 74 minutes on the clock. 
 
Most inside the bet365 Stadium could sense a goal coming, but it was a surprise when Chelsea scored it three minutes later as Morata accelerated past Johnson and Fletcher before clipping the ball beyond Butland. 
 
He completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute when Azpilicueta and Cesc Fabregas combined to lay on a tap-in and seal a fourth win in five Premier League matches for Conte's team. 
ends. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit: ESPN</div>

Latest-News Stoke City 0-4 Chelsea: Alvaro Morata scores sublime hat-trick as champions ease past Potters

Chelsea continued to show there is life after Diego Costa with another Premier League victory at Stoke, with Alvaro Morata scoring a hat-trick in a 4-0 win. Morata, the club-record signing bought to replace Costa, was on the scoresheet again early o…

Manchester City 5-0 Crystal Palace: Guardiola's men sink strugglers to go top

17:15 Unknown 0

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Sergio Aguero moved within a goal of Manchester City's all-time record as Pep Guardiola's men thrashed bottom side Crystal Palace 5-0 in the Premier League. 
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Aguero headed a Leroy Sane cross through the grasp of Wayne Hennessey for his 176th goal in City colours during the second half of another commanding display at the Etihad Stadium. 
 
The prolific Argentinian now needs just one more goal to equal the record tally of Eric Brook, which has stood since 1939. 
 
Leaders City were already well on the way to victory when Aguero struck their fourth in the 79th minute after an opener from Leroy Sane and quickfire double from Raheem Sterling. Substitute Fabian Delph added a superb late fifth. 
 
For Palace the misery continues, although they showed signs of looking more organised under the guidance of former England boss Roy Hodgson. 
 
The Londoners have failed to win in six games without scoring - the longest wait for a first goal of the season in top-flight history. 
 
They did trouble the hosts at times in the first half but the result never looked in doubt after Sane's 44th-minute breakthrough. 
 
Such are City's attacking options that Gabriel Jesus was left on the bench with Aguero up front alone, with Sane and Sterling in support. 
 
They immediately went onto the front foot and Palace survived an early scare as Mamadou Sakho headed a Kevin De Bruyne onto his own post. 
 
Sane fired a low shot across goal and Benjamin Mendy had an effort deflected wide as City maintained the pressure. Nicolas Otamendi then had an effort blocked and Fernandinho's follow-up was parried by Hennessey before Sterling also shot at the Palace goalkeeper. 
 
Throughout this initial dominance from the home side, Palace remained unflustered and started to grow into the game. 
 
Counter-attacking opportunities arose and Ruben Loftus-Cheek twice went close as he had a shot deflected onto the post and then miskicked in front of goal. 
 
City suffered a blow when Mendy was forced off after injuring his knee in a challenge on Andros Townsend, for which he was also booked. 
 
City stepped up the tempo before the interval with Aguero sidefooting over from a Sane cross before the German himself opened the scoring. 
 
It came from a slick move in which Sane combined well with David Silva and raced onto the Spaniard's lobbed return pass. Sane flicked the ball over Scott Dann's head with his first touch and then calmly slid it past Hennessey with his second. 
 
That made for a second half stroll for City. Sparking a flurry of activity, Sterling doubled the lead after 51 minutes as he raced into the middle to turn home a low Sane cross. 
 
Sterling's second came just eight minutes later as he diverted home an Aguero pull-back from close range. 
 
Sane had a shot saved by Hennessey but Aguero, denied earlier by Hennessey's feet, got in on the act with a powerful header late on. 
 
There was still time for more and Delph, making his first league appearance since April, curled a fine shot into the top corner in the 89th minute. 
ends</div>

Latest-News Manchester City 5-0 Crystal Palace: Guardiola's men sink strugglers to go top

Sergio Aguero moved within a goal of Manchester City's all-time record as Pep Guardiola's men thrashed bottom side Crystal Palace 5-0 in the Premier League. Aguero headed a Leroy Sane cross through the grasp of Wayne Hennessey for his 176th goal in …

Lukaku strikes again as United stutter past Saints

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Manchester United made hard work of beating Southampton, with Romelu Lukaku sealing a 1-0 victory. 
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Romelu Lukaku scored his eighth goal in as many games for Manchester United to seal a 1-0 victory away to Southampton on Saturday. 
 
The Belgium international converted a rebound in the first half to give Jose Mourinho's side a fifth win in six Premier League games and keep pace with Manchester City at the top of the table. 
It was a largely unconvincing performance from the visitors, who made the most of their one clear-cut opportunity in a comfortable first half and spent the majority of the second on the back foot. 
Lukaku scored after seeing a header saved by Fraser Forster, prompting a repeat of the controversial chant from the away section in support of the former Everton man, but United created little otherwise in a disjointed display and Mourinho was sent to the stands in the dying minutes. 
 
Mauricio Pellegrino's side enjoyed 70 per cent of the possession in the second half but struggled to find a way through United's rearguard, underlining the attacking problems of a team who have failed to score in nine of their last 11 home league games. 
 
United move on to 16 points, the same as league leaders City, but Mourinho will no doubt want improvement from his side when they travel to Russia to take on CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday. 
 
Nathan Redmond flashed a half-volley over as Saints started in encouraging fashion, but United snatched control of the half on 20 minutes. 
 
Ashley Young, starting again at left-back, danced his way into space and curled a fine cross onto the head of Lukaku and, although Fraser Forster saved his effort superbly, the Belgian had the simple task of scuffing the rebound into the unguarded net. 
 
A large number of United fans celebrated with the controversial chant about Lukaku, despite the player and club asking for them to refrain from singing it this week following a complaint by anti-discrimination body Kick It Out. 
 
United looked comfortable as they kept Saints at bay for the remainder of the half, but the home side stepped up their pursuit of an equaliser after the break and Oriol Romeu flashed a shot wide when the visitors failed to clear a corner. 
 
Redmond then cut inside from the left and fired in a low shot across goal, forcing David de Gea to save well and gather the rebound away from the lurking Shane Long, before the Republic of Ireland striker was denied a clear run at goal by a strong shoulder charge from Phil Jones that went unpunished. 
 
Mourinho responded to the growing pressure by bringing on Ander Herrera in midfield, and United should have snatched a second goal on the break, with Lukaku shooting straight at Forster's feet after being played in by Henrikh Mkhitaryan. 
 
Fellaini cleared a Dusan Tadic header from just in front of the line and the winger dragged a low cross inches past the right-hand post moments later, before Herrera blasted over the crossbar when given time and space to pick his spot on a rare United attack. 
 
Saints kept up the pressure in the closing minutes but United held firm for an important –  though far from impressive – three points, even as Mourinho was ordered into the stands in injury time by referee Craig Pawson. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit: Goal</div>

Latest-News Lukaku strikes again as United stutter past Saints

Manchester United made hard work of beating Southampton, with Romelu Lukaku sealing a 1-0 victory. Romelu Lukaku scored his eighth goal in as many games for Manchester United to seal a 1-0 victory away to Southampton on Saturday. The Belgium interna…

Strong 6.2-magnitude quake shakes Mexico City

15:05 Unknown 0

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A strong earthquake shook Mexico on Saturday, causing new alarm in a country reeling from two still-more-powerful quakes this month that have killed nearly 400 people. 
 
The US Geological Survey says the new temblor was centered about 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of Matias Romero in the state of Oaxaca, which was the region most battered by a magnitude 8.1 quake on September 7. 
 
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It swayed buildings and set off a seismic alarm in the capital, prompting civil defense officials to temporarily suspend rescue operations in the rubble of buildings downed by Thursday's magnitude 7.1 quake in central Mexico. 
 
That quake dimmed activity in the stylish Condesa neighborhood, where young revelers typically spill out from dimly lit bars and restaurants on a Friday night. But the first weekend since a 7.1 magnitude earthquake toppled buildings just blocks away began on a somber note. 
 
Instead of crowds gathered with beers, small handfuls of rescue workers still dressed in reflective vests took breaks from digging through rubble. Entire restaurants with white linen tables were empty. Metal gates shuttered others. 
 
"It feels lifeless,'' said Mariana Aguilar, 27, a hostess at a bar and restaurant who stood waiting for guests yet to arrive. ``I walk through these streets every day and you never imagine something like this would happen.'' 
 
The upscale Mexico City neighborhood was one of the hardest hit by the quake that killed at least 295 people, with more than a half-dozen collapsed buildings in the immediate vicinity. The few Condesa residents who ventured out Friday night said they were anxious for relief from an anguishing week. 
 
"The city is still quite tense,'' said Israel Escamilla, an engineer, as he sipped a plastic cup filled with Coke at an empty bar. ``But as good Mexicans we have to keep lending support however we can.'' 
As rescue operations stretched into Day 5, residents throughout the city held out hope that dozens still missing might be found alive. More than half the dead 157 perished in the capital, while another 73 died in the state of Morelos, 45 in Puebla, 13 in Mexico State, six in Guerrero and one in Oaxaca. 
Along a 60-foot stretch of a bike lane in Mexico City's downtown, families huddled under tarps and donated blankets Friday, awaiting word of loved ones trapped in the four-story-high pile of rubble behind them. 
 
"There are moments when you feel like you're breaking down,'' said Patricia Fernandez Romero, who was waiting for word on the fate of her 27-year-old son. ``And there are moments when you're a little calmer. ... They are all moments that you wouldn't wish on anyone.'' 
 
Along the bike lane, where families slept in tents, accepting food and coffee from strangers, people have organized to present a united front to authorities, who they pressed ceaselessly for information. 
They were told that water and food had been passed along to at least some of those trapped inside. On Friday morning, after hours of inactivity blamed on rain, rescuers were readying to re-enter the site, joined by teams from Japan and Israel. Fernandez said officials told them they knew where people were trapped on the fourth floor. 
 
It's the moments between those bits of information that torment the families. 
"It's that you get to a point when you're so tense, when they don't come out to give us information,'' she said. ``It's so infuriating.'' 
 
Jose Gutierrez, a civil engineer attached to the rescue who has a relative trapped in the wreckage, gathered other families of the missing to let them know what was going on. 
"My family is in there. I want them to get out,'' Gutierrez said, his voice breaking. ``So ... we go onward.'' 
 
A roller coaster of emotions played out on Friday for Roberta Villegas Miguel, who was awaiting word of her 37-year-old son, Paulino Estrada Villegas, an accountant who worked on the fourth floor and is married with two young daughters. 
 
Wrapped in a fuzzy turquoise blanket against the morning chill she said that her daughter-in-law was contacted by a friend who said she had received a call from a cell number that belonged to her son, but there was no conversation. Her daughter-in-law ran to authorities with the information, but hours later returned to say that it was her husband's old cell number. At first they held out hope that he had given his old phone's SIM card to a co-worker who was using it to call out of the building. 
 
But eventually authorities traced the call to Queretaro state, extinguishing that glimmer of hope. 
The arrival of rain late Thursday and the resulting work suspension drove Villegas' optimism down. But Friday morning the arrival of the Japanese rescuers buoyed her once again. 
 
"We want to be hopeful,'' Villegas said. ``We don't want to lose faith.'' 
 
Meanwhile, the time was nearing for bulldozers to be brought in to clear rubble and replace the delicate work of rescuers, though officials went to great pains to say it was still a rescue operation. 
National Civil Defense chief Luis Felipe Puente acknowledged that backhoes and bulldozers were starting to clear away some wrecked buildings where no life has been detected or where teetering piles of rubble threatened to collapse on neighboring structures. 
 
"It is false that we are demolishing structures where there could be survivors,'' Puente said. ``The rescue operations will continue, and they won't stop.'' 
 
The long week's torment weighing heavy on rescuers and residents alike, several of those gathered Friday night in Condesa said memories of the quake and worries for neighbors and victims were hard to escape. 
 
Dionicio Pelaez, 57, the owner of a bike shop who has been helping collect donations, played pool with a dozen other men at a mostly empty restaurant. He said many of his neighbors lost their apartments. 
"We came to distract ourselves a bit,'' he said, his voice shaking. ``This place is always full Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Now it's empty.''

Latest-News Strong 6.2-magnitude quake shakes Mexico City

A strong earthquake shook Mexico on Saturday, causing new alarm in a country reeling from two still-more-powerful quakes this month that have killed nearly 400 people. The US Geological Survey says the new temblor was centered about 12 miles (19 kil…

Iran joins North Korea, tests new ballistic missile

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Just like North Korea, Iran has tested a new ballistic missile that is reportedly capable of carrying multiple warheads after a successful unveiling on Friday at a military parade in Tehran. 
 
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The missile known as “the Khorramshahr”, has a range of 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) and can carry multiple warheads, according to Press TV. 
 
“The Khorramshahr missile launched from an unknown location has become smaller in size and more tactical and it will be operational in the near future,” the broadcaster said. 
 
With such a range, the missile would be easily capable of reaching Israel and Saudi Arabia. 
 
Speaking during Friday’s parade, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran would press ahead with strengthening its missile capabilities and military defenses. 
 
“We will promote our defensive and military power as much as we deem necessary,” Rouhani said. “We seek no one’s permission to defend our land.” 
 
He added, “Whether you like it or not we are going to help Syria, Yemen and Palestine, and we will strengthen our missiles.” 
 
Rouhani said the United States and Israel have isolated themselves by opposing the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the other major powers. He added that Iran remains fully committed to the pact, Press TV reported. 
 
The United States extended sanctions relief for Iran last week as part of the agreement, which President Donald Trump has described as “the worst deal ever.” 
 
It was mainly a procedural move, but it was significant since re-imposing nuclear-related sanctions could lead Iran to end its compliance with the deal and revert back to rapid uranium enrichment; something it’s threatened to do if the United States reneges.

Latest-News Iran joins North Korea, tests new ballistic missile

Just like North Korea, Iran has tested a new ballistic missile that is reportedly capable of carrying multiple warheads after a successful unveiling on Friday at a military parade in Tehran. The missile known as “the Khorramshahr”, has a range of 1,…

"Why Buhari’s government is failing"

14:55 Unknown 0

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The spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Ango Abdullahi, has blamed the seeming failures of President Muhammadu Buhari’s failures to bring visible development to the people on the political system in the country. 
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According to him, Buhari is a good man who found himself in a wrong system that hamstrung the realization of his good intentions for the country. 
 
Abdullahi, however, said Buhari should welcome politicians who wish to vie for the Presidential ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC) ahead of 2019 general elections as the outcome of the Party primaries and the main election would be a way of assessing his own performance in office. 
 
He told Sun newspaper: “You see, the problem is the system. Buhari may be a good person; he could be a gentleman who wants to work honestly but in a wrong system. It was a system of military fiat when he was a head of state, but the system he finds himself now does not allow him to manoeuvre. 
 
“He has to cross many hurdles and checkpoints at the National Assembly and his party before he can execute anything meaningful, and all these squabbles are not based on principle but personal interests, either at party level or at constituency or at the level of the judiciary. 
 
“All this really will make it impossible for a good person or committed person to operate effectively in this country in the manner which will accelerate development. Perhaps, you might ask the question if we can really change? 
 
“Buhari might not have failed, but the system of government that he is operating in has substantially failed in the same manner as the ones before it. 
 
“You see the fact that Buhari is incumbent does not automatically confer on him the candidature of the party in the next election if there is internal democracy in the party. The fact that you are a sitting president does not mean other members of the party cannot contest against you. If I were Buhari, I will welcome competition in my party. 
 
“This is an opening for democracy in my party and I will ask people to come and test their popularity. If he has done well, people will re-elect him. This is a confirmation he has done well and that both the party and voters trusted him. I criticize all political parties for the system they employ in conducting primary elections. 
 
“The one I am most familiar as good was the one used by Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1992, that was a direct primary election, where every member of the party has a chance to come and vote for who will represent him as a councillor, chairman, governor or president. In direct primaries, all parties have chance to come, cue and vote or elect any person of their choice. 
 
“But the current delegate system brings nothing except corruption. Once the parties are corrupt, certainly, government must be corrupt, this is what is happening now all over the country.”</div>

Latest-News "Why Buhari’s government is failing"

The spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Ango Abdullahi, has blamed the seeming failures of President Muhammadu Buhari’s failures to bring visible development to the people on the political system in the country. According to him, Buhari is …

Harry Kane brace inspires 10-man Tottenham to win vs. West Ham

14:50 Unknown 0

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Harry Kane kept up his impressive scoring record against West Ham with his brace inspiring 10-man Tottenham to a 3-2 victory at the London Stadium. 
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Kane netted twice in the space of four first-half minutes to take his tally against the Hammers to seven goals in his last six Premier League games. 
 
Javier Hernandez pulled one back for West Ham after Christian Eriksen had made it three, but despite Sergie Aurier picking up a red card and Cheikhou Kouyate netting late on, the hosts were unable to stage a comeback. 
 
West Ham looked slightly more threatening in the early stages, with Hernandez seeing a hopeful effort from distance palmed over by Hugo Lloris and Marko Arnautovic being thwarted by a last-ditch tackle from Aurier in the box. 
 
The first real clear-cut chance did not come until the 34th minute and Tottenham made it count, with Dele Alli running onto Eriksen's ball before picking out Kane in the middle to head home. 
 
And Tottenham then made it two just four minutes later, with Kane finding the back of the net again, this time firing in a rebound after Alli had been denied by a save from Joe Hart. 
 
Kane could have had a hat trick on the hour-mark when he smashed a free kick goalbound, only for his effort to rebound off the post. 
 
But just a few seconds later, Aurier's deflected pass landed at the feet of Eriksen, who picked out the bottom corner from the edge of the box to make it three for Spurs. 
 
It was not long until Kane hit the woodwork again, this time his low effort came back off the other post after he had linked up well with Alli. 
 
West Ham did pull one back on the 65th minute, with Jose Fonte heading on a corner to find Hernandez at the back post, who then nodded home from close range. 
 
And the home side were given a further boost five minutes later when Tottenham were reduced to 10 men after Aurier was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Andy Carroll. 
 
West Ham pulled another back with just a few minutes left on the clock when Kouyate arrived at the far post to head in Arthur Masuaku's cross, but Spurs were able to hold on for the three points. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit: ESPN</div>

Latest-News Harry Kane brace inspires 10-man Tottenham to win vs. West Ham

Harry Kane kept up his impressive scoring record against West Ham with his brace inspiring 10-man Tottenham to a 3-2 victory at the London Stadium. Kane netted twice in the space of four first-half minutes to take his tally against the Hammers to se…

Presidency insists Buhari is working, gives reasons

14:50 Unknown 0

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The Presidency has said contrary to claims by some section of Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government is working. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Personal Assistant to Buhari on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, made the declaration while presenting fact sheets on the Buhari’s administration. 
 
In a series of tweets via her social media page, the Presidential aide wrote: “What the noise was all about. What they did not want you to hear or See. But the government was not distracted. 
 
The fact sheets posted below her tweets reads in part: “Restoring the moral of Nigerian Military: Reorganizing and better equipping the Nigerian Armed Forces. 
 
“Purchase of 12 Super Tucano aircraft worth $600m to aid the Nigerian Military’s current operation in the North East. 
 
“Ensuring continued peace in the Niger Delta through constituent funding of Federal Government’s Amnesty programme for ex-Militants. 
 
“Implementing the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP, to aid economic recovery, taking the country out of her worst recession in 29 years despite fall in oil price. 
 
“Trillions expended on capital/infrastructure project nationwide, a milestone in the nation’s history. 
 
“Effective implementation of Treasury Single Bill Account and increasing government revenue by over N3trillion.”</div>

Latest-News Presidency insists Buhari is working, gives reasons

The Presidency has said contrary to claims by some section of Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government is working. Personal Assistant to Buhari on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, made the declaration while presenting fact sheets …

“I’d let Morata marry my daughter” - Conte

14:40 Unknown 0

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Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has hailed “good guy” Alvaro Morata and says he is the kind of man, you would allow your daughter marry. 
 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Conte, however, urged Morata to add aggression to his game. 
 
Morata came in to replace Diego Costa over the summer in a £70million deal. 
 
“I know Alvaro well, he’s a really good guy, a good person,” Conte said. 
 
“I think he’s a good signing for Chelsea because Alvaro is only 24-years-old. I like him because he’s a complete player and also he has a lot of room to improve in every situation. 
 
“Tactically, physically, technically, he’s very committed during the training sessions, his behaviour is always fantastic. He is a very polite player, I like this, also I like that he’s a good finisher, he feels the goal in every moment. 
 
“He’s very good to understand which is the best position in the box to receive the ball and to anticipate where the ball is going. He’s a really good guy. He’s the sort of guy who you would let a daughter marry. 
 
“He is a really good guy, a polite person. However, this is a process for him, when I speak about a lot of room for improvement it also means this aspect, to be more aggressive.”</div>

Latest-News “I’d let Morata marry my daughter” - Conte

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has hailed “good guy” Alvaro Morata and says he is the kind of man, you would allow your daughter marry. Conte, however, urged Morata to add aggression to his game. Morata came in to replace Diego Costa over the summe…

PDP chairmanship: "Bode George will not step down"

14:30 Unknown 0

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said former National Vice-Chairman of the party (South), Chief Olabode George, remained the best candidate for the party’s national chairman. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Babatope, who is leading George’s campaign organisation for his aspiration in the Dec. 9 convention of the party, told the News Agency of Nigeria  in Lagos on Friday that George had the ability to lead the party. 
 
He described as “improper” the call by a group within the party on George to step down for a younger candidate ahead of the convention. 
 
The group, “Renaissance’’, made up of some ex-governors and National Assembly members have reportedly backed former governor of Ogun, Mr Gbenga Daniel, as the party’s chairman. 
 
But, Babatope said George would never step down for anyone as experience, maturity and passion, more than anything else was required to reposition the party. 
 
“How can anyone say George should step down for a more youthful candidate? No, that is wrong, George will never step down for anybody. 
 
“What the party needs at this point in time is someone with maturity, experience and passion to reposition the party and return it to winning ways. 
 
“I can tell you that Chief Bode George is an embodiment of all that. He is experienced, tested and trusted. He is a stickler to the philosophies of the party and he will deliver. 
 
“You see, the elders can’t be governors but they give directions to the youths based on their experience. 
 
“The issue of youthfulness does not come in here; George is the best to lead the party,’’ he said.</div>

Latest-News PDP chairmanship: "Bode George will not step down"

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said former National Vice-Chairman of the party (South), Chief Olabode George, remained the best candidate for the party’s national chairman. Babatope, who is leading George…

Federer Thanks God For Nadal Fightback

14:25 Unknown 0

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Roger Federer has admitted his year would have been “very different” had he not battled back from a 1-3 fifth-set deficit in his Australian Open triumph against Rafael Nadal. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Without a Grand Slam title since 2012, Federer fought back to beat Nadal in January’s decider in Melbourne, setting himself up for a stunning return to form. 
 
He followed it up with back-to-back Masters victories at Indian Wells and Miami before winning his 19th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon and has risen to number two in the ATP ranking. 
 
“I don’t think I would have won both Indian Wells and Miami,” said Federer, 36, in an interview published in Saturday’s edition of The Times newspaper. 
 
“Maybe I would have won one. I would have played on the clay maybe. The season would have been very different. 
 
“My plan was to play maybe the quarters at best at the Aussie and then take it from there. 
 
“By winning all those big three events at the beginning of the year, it allowed me to sit there in the top eight of the world already after a few months of the season and not worry about being ranked number 35 if I had lost early in the Australian Open because of the points I had to defend. 
 
“It changed the entire mindset. Thank God it happened like this.” 
 
Federer and Nadal’s resurgence coincided in difficult seasons for Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, both of whom saw their years curtailed by injury. 
 
Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic are also currently sidelined, but Federer does not believe players are put under too much strain on the tour. 
 
“I think that all of the guys had to take a break because either they are carrying an injury for a while or they are really not doing well. Some have had surgery,” Federer said. 
 
“I think this is just a freak moment in time that it hit a lot of the guys at the same time. The US Open wasn’t quite the same. 
 
“It was still a successful event — Rafa played phenomenal and four of the women in the semis were American, so the tournament was a success. But you did miss those guys. It’s normal.” 
 
While Federer is resisting the ravages of time thanks in part to his fast, aggressive game, he does not think Djokovic or Murray would necessarily benefit from adopting similar tactics. 
 
“Andy or Novak, we are talking about big champions and future hall of famers,” said the Swiss, who was speaking at the inaugural Laver Cup team event in Prague, which he has launched. 
 
“These guys know what they have to do. I feel if you had the success they had, they will be able to get close to it or again do it. I don’t worry too much about the playing style. 
 
“These guys are so good, they can play different ways. That’s what sets them apart from pretty much the rest.”</div>

Latest-News Federer Thanks God For Nadal Fightback

Roger Federer has admitted his year would have been “very different” had he not battled back from a 1-3 fifth-set deficit in his Australian Open triumph against Rafael Nadal. Without a Grand Slam title since 2012, Federer fought back to beat Nadal i…

BREAKING: Former First Lady Of Akwa Ibom is dead

13:00 Unknown 0

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The wife of the first civilian governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Imo Isemin is dead. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Mrs Isemin died in a private hospital in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital. 
 
A source in the family, said that the first lady died after a brief illness. She was said to have been taken to the hospital after she suddenly fell ill. 
 
Her husband, Mr. Isemin died in 2009, 16 years after leaving office as governor due to the military coup in Nigeria that brought Sani Abacha, a general, into power. 
 
Until her death, Mrs. Isemin was a successful entrepreneur and a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the state. 
 </div>

Latest-News BREAKING: Former First Lady Of Akwa Ibom is dead

The wife of the first civilian governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Imo Isemin is dead. Mrs Isemin died in a private hospital in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital. A source in the family, said that the first lady died after a brief illness. She was said …

Presidency reveals who will decide if president will contest in 2019

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The Presidency has revealed that only President Muhammadu Buhari can disclose his plans for the 2019 Presidential election. 
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Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said this while speaking on the sideline of the United Nations, UN, General Assembly in New York. 
 
Adesina stressed that currently, his principal is concentrating on delivering his campaign promises to Nigeria, adding that when he decides on 2019 election, Nigerians will be told. 
 
According to Adesina, “It is only President Buhari who can say definitively whether he would run in 2019 or not. When he decides yes or no, the country would be told. For now, he is concentrating on fulfilling his campaign promises to the electorate.” 
 
On the plans of the Federal government to attract Foreign Direct investment into Nigeria, Adesina said, “Even at UNGA, there was a parley with the business community, which attracted about 80% American businessmen. 
 
“A good number have expressed desire to do business in Nigeria. Many of such fora hold round the world, and results are showing.”</div>

Latest-News Presidency reveals who will decide if president will contest in 2019

The Presidency has revealed that only President Muhammadu Buhari can disclose his plans for the 2019 Presidential election. Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said this while speaking on the sideline of the United Nations,…

Oil Not The Biggest Asset In Nigeria – Atiku Abubakar

11:50 Unknown 0

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Former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Saturday faulted many Nigerians who believed that Oil is the biggest asset in the country. 
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Atiku who made this known via his tweeter handle equally said that the country’s biggest asset is ‘Nigerians’. In his words, “Oil is not Nigeria’s biggest asset. Nigerians are”, he said. Emphatically, the former vice president stated that human minds contain the most gifted asset ever imagined. 
 
He lauded himself for creating over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs. “The treasure in the minds of our people is more important than oil”, he finally wrote. 
<div> </div>
</div>

Latest-News Oil Not The Biggest Asset In Nigeria – Atiku Abubakar

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Saturday faulted many Nigerians who believed that Oil is the biggest asset in the country. Atiku who made this known via his tweeter handle equally said that the country’s biggest asset is ‘Nigerians’. In his wo…

WAFU 2017: Super Eagles coach vows to defeat Ghana in final

11:45 Unknown 0

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Head coach of the home-based Super Eagles, Salisu Yusuf, has said his teams know what it needs to do, to beat Ghana in the final of the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) cup final on Sunday. 
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Salisu, whose team dealt a 2-0 blow to the host nation, Ghana in the final group stage game on Monday, said: “We know what they will be up to and what they will be ready to give to take the trophy., 
 
“We are more than ready to confront them and give them more than they expect. 
 
“The Super Eagles have become used to winning, from winning the CHAN ticket to conquering Sierra Leone and even Ghana here to reach the final, and we cannot stop now. 
 
“We want that winning mentality to remain all the way to the CHAN finals early next year.” 
 
Nigeria defeated 10-man Benin 1-0 on Thursday to qualify for this year’s WAFU Cup final. 
 
The final match, which will see two teams with seven African titles between them lock horns, will start at 7pm Nigeria time.</div>

Latest-News WAFU 2017: Super Eagles coach vows to defeat Ghana in final

Head coach of the home-based Super Eagles, Salisu Yusuf, has said his teams know what it needs to do, to beat Ghana in the final of the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) cup final on Sunday. Salisu, whose team dealt a 2-0 blow to the host nation, Gh…

Nigeria wants IMF, World Bank reformed

10:45 Unknown 0

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Nigeria has demanded the reform of the Bretton Wood Institutions to make them responsive to the needs of developing countries and also reflect the realities of the 21st century. 
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, stated this at the 41st Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77 plus China (G77+China) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. 
 
The G77 is a coalition of developing nations at the UN that promotes its members’ collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the UN. 
 
The Bretton Woods Institutions are the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), established at a meeting of 43 countries in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA in 1944. 
 
Onyeama commended the G77 for its role at shaping global discourse on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a collective and robust engagement. 
 
World Bank and IMF are seen as wielding tremendous power and influence, but exclude the voices of developing countries most adversely affected by financial and trade policies. 
 
“Equally important in the international development strategy is the need for a reform of the governance structure of the Bretton Wood Institutions. 
 
“Not only should they be made more transparent, consultative and inclusive but also they should be more responsive and appreciative of the peculiar needs of developing countries. 
 
“In consonance with the principle of ownership, the greater infusion of developing countries in the governance structure of Bretton Wood Institutions would undoubtedly allow them to take advantage of the local knowledge that developing countries can bring to the work of the institutions,” he said. 
 
Onyeama said the group, to which all the African countries are members, is a formidable group within the international system. 
 
“We echo one another in our conception, aspirations and desire for a world that is just, fair, inclusive and tolerant. 
 
“The G77 should not relent in its demand for a more equitable international trading system as trade is an essential tool for economic development. 
 
“It is, therefore, imperative that the global community should, as a matter of urgency and fairness, address factors responsible for trade imbalance between the North and South. 
 
“Such as the protectionist measures and barriers to trade policies of developed countries. Nigeria joins others to underscore the necessity for the timely conclusion of the DOHA Round of multilateral trade negotiation.” 
 
Onyeama said Nigeria was pleased with the role of the G77 at curbing illicit financial flows and the enhancement of asset recovery.</div>

Latest-News Nigeria wants IMF, World Bank reformed

Nigeria has demanded the reform of the Bretton Wood Institutions to make them responsive to the needs of developing countries and also reflect the realities of the 21st century. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, stated this at the 4…

Neymar apologizes to Cavani, PSG team-mates over penalty fight

10:40 Unknown 0

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World-record signing, Neymar, has said sorry to Edinson Cavani and his Paris Saint-Germain team-mates, after he argued with the striker over a penalty last weekend. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Neymar and Cavani clashed over who should take a late penalty during Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Lyon at the Parc des Princes. 
 
Cavani missed from 12 yards and L’Equipe reported that the pair had to be separated by team-mates in the changing room after the match. 
 
The French paper now claims the Brazilian has apologised to the PSG squad following the incident. 
 
Manager Unai Emery revealed on Thursday, that both Neymar and Cavani would be trusted to take penalties. But he refused to reveal who was his preferred choice.</div>

Latest-News Neymar apologizes to Cavani, PSG team-mates over penalty fight

World-record signing, Neymar, has said sorry to Edinson Cavani and his Paris Saint-Germain team-mates, after he argued with the striker over a penalty last weekend. Neymar and Cavani clashed over who should take a late penalty during Sunday’s 2-0 vi…

Ahmed Musa relegated to Leicester City reserves

10:40 Unknown 0

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Super Eagles winger, Ahmed Musa, appears to have lost his first-team spot at Leicester City, after an indifferent start to the 2017/2018 Premier League campaign. 
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On Friday, Musa started for Leicester’s B team against the U-23s of Chelsea. 
 
The 24-year-old played a crucial role, as they ran out 2-0 winners in the Premier League 2 fixture, played at the King Power Stadium. 
 
He set up George Thomas to score both goals and came close to scoring himself late in the match. 
 
Musa has failed to break into manager Craig Shakespeare’s squad since the start of the season and was left on the bench in the Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool on Tuesday. 
 
Shakespeare watched the entire game, where Musa will be hoping he has done enough to force his way back into the first-team picture.</div>

Latest-News Ahmed Musa relegated to Leicester City reserves

Super Eagles winger, Ahmed Musa, appears to have lost his first-team spot at Leicester City, after an indifferent start to the 2017/2018 Premier League campaign. On Friday, Musa started for Leicester’s B team against the U-23s of Chelsea. The 24-yea…

Neymar-Cavani Rivalry ‘healthy’ For PSG – Okocha

10:40 Unknown 0

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The tension between Paris Saint-Germain forwards Neymar and Edinson Cavani is “healthy” and they should be left to sort things out themselves, according to the club’s former star Jay-Jay Okocha. 
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Cavani and world-record signing Neymar squabbled over a penalty during PSG’s 2-0 win over Lyon last weekend, which Cavani took and missed, and Neymar is since reported to have apologised for his behaviour. 
 
But Okocha believes the two players can help push each other to greater heights and says that when he and Ronaldinho were on free-kick duties at Parc des Princes, they simply took it in turns. 
 
“It’s healthy competition. It’s always good to have more than one player who can take free-kicks or penalties,” he told AFP during an interview in London on Friday. 
 
“At the end of the day, it happens in almost every team. You just have to negotiate and say: ‘You take the first one, I take the second one.’ 
 
“It’s all about the team and winning matches. It can be negotiated. Each player has got his best spot, so you know that if it’s in that area, you’re definitely taking it. 
 
“And if it’s in a neutral area, whoever feels good can take it.” 
 
Okocha was present at the announcement of the three-man shortlist for this year’s Best FIFA Men’s Player Award, which pits Neymar against Cristiano Ronaldo and his former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi. 
 
Ronaldo and Messi have won every major world player award since 2008, but Okocha believes Neymar’s move to Paris will help the 25-year-old Brazilian in his quest to eclipse them. 
 
“He’s not too far. It’s all about competing, believing in himself and consistency,” said Okocha, who played for PSG between 1998 and 2002. 
 
“The other two have refused to give in so to go above them, you have to do a bit more than they are doing, which is a very tough ask. 
 
“He took a bold decision to move, but now he can be his own man and he can show that he has what it takes to be the best.” 
 
– Iwobi ‘should be patient’ – 
 
Okocha, 44, also had some words of advice for his nephew, Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi. 
 
While Iwobi was praised for his performance in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw at Chelsea last weekend, after being selected ahead of Alexis Sanchez, his uncle believes he may have to bide his time before nailing down a first-team place. 
 
“I don’t know about getting ahead of Alexis Sanchez, but he has done well so far,” Okocha said. 
 
“We shouldn’t forget this is his second season with the A team. He can only get better. 
 
“My happiness is that he’s in good hands. He’s in a very good team and he’s progressing as a player. He’s got an opportunity to grab. 
 
“I don’t want to put him under pressure. All I care about is his progress as a player. He should be patient.” 
 
Iwobi, 21, is one of the new breed of Nigeria players who have taken the Super Eagles to within touching distance of a place at next year’s World Cup. 
 
After missing out on a spot at successive Africa Cups of Nations, it would be Nigeria’s first major tournament appearance since the 2014 World Cup. 
 
The team’s difficulties prompted Okocha to think about running for president of the Nigeria Football Federation, but he says recent results suggest a corner has been turned. 
 
“I was worried about the direction our football was going in. We were suffering,” said the Nigeria great. 
 
“I realised that we had to change the administrative part of the game because if you don’t put a good structure in place, especially for the younger players, you will suffer in the future. 
 
“That was one of the reasons why I was thinking about that, but things are looking better now. If they can save me that stress, I will be happy doing what I’m doing now.”</div>

Latest-News Neymar-Cavani Rivalry ‘healthy’ For PSG – Okocha

The tension between Paris Saint-Germain forwards Neymar and Edinson Cavani is “healthy” and they should be left to sort things out themselves, according to the club’s former star Jay-Jay Okocha. Cavani and world-record signing Neymar squabbled over …

Gov. Udom Canvasses For Governors, Wants Tenure Elongation

10:30 Unknown 0

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 Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has on Friday canvassed for tenure elongation of the present crop of Governors at the helm of affairs in the states of the federation. 
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This was as he said if the country can be blessed with the crop of Governors who are at the helm of affairs and beyond 10 to 15 years, the country will be developed. 
 
Emmanuel stated this when he visited Katsina State as part of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of both states (Katsina and Akwa Ibom states) under the then former President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. 
 
The Governor said the present crop of governors have the passion, love for their people and the zeal to move the state to the next level as well as patriotism that overshadows every selfish interest. 
 
“Let me also use this platform to appreciate his Excellency, my own brother, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari for his sterling quality of leadership. This I found in him, the passion, love for his people and the zeal to move the state to the next level. The patriotism that overshadows every selfish interest is in him. I also believes that definitely our of office that we will never place our interest above the interest of our people, that I found in him. These also extends to him. And these also extends to most of the governors that you have in the present crop of Governors. 
 
“If Nigeria can be this blessed with these crop of Governors for the next 10 to 15 years, believe me, we will record a remarkable development in this country. Because in the present Governors you will see love, unity, forget about political parties. It is just a platform to serve the people,” he said. 
 
Governor Emmanuel continued when he said the two states would rank among the fastest growing states in the African continent, talking about pace of development and quality of leadership over time just as he vows to sustain the development. 
 
Governor Aminu Bello Masari said the presence of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom in the katsina state to mark the anniversary demonstrates in a very powerful way that the unity of the diverse people of the nation is sacrosanct at all times. 
 
“It also demonstrates in a very power way that what unites us are far stronger and more viable than what divides us. 
 
“By choosing to be with us have shown that this bond of sisterhood is strong and unassailable, and the unity of the diverse people of our nation is sacrosanct at all times. 
 
“To our honoured guests who came from far and wide, I say let us continue to strengthen this bond of friendship and build the brigades of understanding, tolerance, accommodation and unity bequeathed to us by our founding fathers. 
 
“Let us champion love over hate, tolerance over intolerance, sacrifice over selfishness and accommodation over confrontation in all our dealings with one another,” Governor Masari said. 
 
Earlier, the Chairman, Main Organizing Committee and the Secretary to the State Government, Mustapha Inuwa highlighted the outlined programme to include award presentation of personalities and illustrious sons who have done the state proud. 
 
The event featured a lunch and cultural entertainment by both troupe from Akwa Ibom and Katsina. 
 
In attendance at the historic event were the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, former Deputy governors, politicians, top government officials, Business tycoons, members of both National Assembly and States house assembly.</div>

Latest-News Gov. Udom Canvasses For Governors, Wants Tenure Elongation

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has on Friday canvassed for tenure elongation of the present crop of Governors at the helm of affairs in the states of the federation. This was as he said if the country can be blessed with the crop of Governors …

"Some Nigerians In The Diaspora Remit Funds To Support IPOB"

10:25 Unknown 0

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Intelligence reports by the Federal Government as revealed by top security source have led to the discovery of an account in Paris into which some Nigerians in the Diaspora remit funds in support of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). 
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Also uncovered was how some IPOB members have invaded Nigerian embassies in Hong Kong and Spain where they created some scenes in the last 72 hours. 
 
 
The top security source, who spoke in confidence to Nations Newspaper, said: “Intelligence gathering has led to the discovery of an account in Paris into which some Nigerians in the Diaspora remit funds to support IPOB. 
 
“From the said account, funds were being drawn for the activities of IPOB at home and abroad. The relevant security agencies did a thorough job and provided incontrovertible evidence on the basis of which the government proscribed the terrorist organisation. 
 
“These Nigerians in the Diaspora are using France as a clearing house. 
“Investigations also confirmed inflows into the account from Holland, Hungary, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Turkey, Singapore and other parts of Europe. 
 
“In fact, a football tournament was recently organised in Senegal to raise funds for IPOB. 
 
“As a matter of fact, the account is being used to get money from a lot of people in the Diaspora. 
 
“What many Nigerians did not know is that the Minister of Information and Culture was talking on the basis of credible intelligence report.” 
 
“With cooperation by the international community, especially relevant countries, we will soon get the list of all the people remitting funds into the account in Paris.” 
 
The source said: “IPOB members are becoming desperate in the last 72 hours. About two days ago, some members of the terrorist group breezed into our Embassy in Hong Kong under the pretence of renewing their passports but ended up staging a protest. 
 
“The IPOB members also demonstrated at our embassy in Spain a few days ago.” 
 
At press time, the details of the session between the French Ambassador and the Minister of Information and Culture were yet to be formally released. 
 
But a source said: “The Ambassador actually told the minister that France would never condone the activities of any terrorist group, including IPOB. 
 
“He recalled that France has always been at the receiving end of terrorists and so cannot under any circumstances back IPOB. 
 
“He restated the determination of the French government to support any policy or initiative which will strengthen Nigeria’s unity. 
 
“He actually made it known that his government will not back secessionist agitation in this country.” 
 
On the account in Paris, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Denys Gauer was said to have told the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohamme during their meeting on Friday that France was “not aware of the account, but Nigeria should make a formal report.” 
 
The source said the minister also reiterated that he “never said that France was supporting IPOB, because there is a robust relationship between France and Nigeria. 
 
“We can never accuse France of collaborating with terrorists, because it has been assisting us in tackling Boko Haram insurgency. 
 
“France played a major role in setting up and managing the operation of the Multinational Joint Task Force</div>

Latest-News "Some Nigerians In The Diaspora Remit Funds To Support IPOB"

Intelligence reports by the Federal Government as revealed by top security source have led to the discovery of an account in Paris into which some Nigerians in the Diaspora remit funds in support of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Also uncov…

Group seeks Orji’s arrest, prosecution over alleged N2.6bn misappropriation

10:20 Unknown 0

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A group, known as the Concerned Citizens of Nigeria, has called for the immediate resumption of a suit involving the former Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji, in a case of an alleged misappropriation of over N2.6 billion belonging to the state government between March, 18 2003 to December 2005. 
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Orji, who is now the senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District in the senate was the chief of staff to former Governor Orji Kalu between 1999 and 2007. 
 
The group in a letter to the chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay, stated that the former governor and other government officials from the state were charged to court in a case no: FHC/L/ 45C/2007 before the Federal High Court, Lagos, but he was granted bail by the Court of appeal, Lagos on May, 29 2007 when he became governor. 
 
CCN in the latter dated August 2, 2017 singed by Mr. Taiwo Akinyele, which was cited by our correspondent, stated that the prosecution of the former governor was stalled as result of his immunity by operation of law. 
 
The group pointed out that two years after the immunity of the former governor ceased, the prosecution of the case against him has not resumed till date. 
 
It alleged that no effort had been made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (the prosecuting Agency), the office of the attorney General of the federation and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to prosecute Orji as required by law and in consonance with the anti-corruption drive of the Federal Government. 
 
The letter read in part, “The non-prosecution/recovery of the said huge sums of money gives credence to the fact that the former governor is untouchable and above the law of the land as he has flippantly boasted in several quarters.” 
 
The group, which stated that it wrote the letter in line with the “whistle blowing” policy and fight against corruption of the Federal Government, urged Sagay to intervene urgently and ensure the resumption and prosecution of the 100 charges against the former governor in the interest of justice and the people of the state.</div>

Latest-News Group seeks Orji’s arrest, prosecution over alleged N2.6bn misappropriation

A group, known as the Concerned Citizens of Nigeria, has called for the immediate resumption of a suit involving the former Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji, in a case of an alleged misappropriation of over N2.6 billion belonging to the s…

Boko Haram Is Defeated – Nigerian Army

01:30 Unknown 0

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The Nigerian Army has described reports in a section of the media that Boko Haram is still holding seven local governments in Borno State, as not only an attempt to propagate falsehood but a futile effort to misinform members of the public. 
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The army in a statement by Onyema Nwachukwu, said contrary to the opinion of one Buba Galadima in an interview that Boko Haram is still in control of seven local governments in Borno, the reality on ground belie this as the terrorist group does not hold or control any local government area in the state. 
 
Read the full army statement on the issue below: 
 
The attention of the Headquarters Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole has been drawn to a publication in The Guardian newspaper of 21 September 2017 where one Buba Galadima in an interview claimed that ‘Seven Local Governments of Borno State were still under control of Boko Haram terrorists’; even though he failed to furnish members of the public with the names of those Local Government Areas. 
 
Obviously, this sweeping statement is not only an attempt to propagate falsehood but a futile effort to disinform members of the public on the true security situation in the north east from a perspective of one who is evidently detached from the realities of the counter terrorism cum counter insurgency operations in the north east. It is very crucial to set the record straight by making it crystal clear that contrary to his opinions, the Boko Haram Terrorists group does not hold or control any Local Government Area in Borno state or in the north east as claimed in the interview. These Local Government Areas have been liberated by troops of operation Lafiya Dole and the troops have continued to ensure security in these areas after routing out the insurgents. As a matter of fact, locals have been encouraged to return to their communities to resume their vocations and normal life. 
 
It may perhaps be needful to refresh memories by recalling that prior to the inauguration of Operations Lafiya Dole, the entire north east was infested with Boko Haram Terrorists, who became emboldened to the extent of declaring a caliphate with headquarters in Gwoza town. All that became history as the gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole came into the theatre, gradually but steadily decimating the insurgents and liberating held territories in a series of well-planned and coordinated joint ground and air operations. One of such major operations was the Operation RESCUE FINALE, which routed the insurgents out of its tactical headquarters in Camp Zeiro in Sambisa forest and out of its so called spiritual headquarters in Alargarno. 
 
Ever since, Operation Lafiya Dole has continued to relentlessly conduct several other operations such as Operation DEEP PUNCH, CHIKIN GUDU Operation and Operation RAWAN KADA alongside the Multinational Joint Task Force. These and many other operations have culminated in the degradation and incapacitation of the insurgent group. Apparently, this is the reason, the terrorist group is striving to remain relevant by resorting to callously use women and children to carry out suicide bomb attacks on soft and vulnerable targets. 
 
Currently, Operation Lafiya Dole in its resoluteness, is carrying out precursor operations that will lead to a final assault to decisively and finally put an end to the insurgency in the north east. 
 
Talking about logistical supplies, Operation Lafiya Dole regularly provides logistical support and replenishment to own troops deployed in all locations and Forward Operational Bases through the normal channels, using our main supply routes. 
 
More also, Theatre and formation Commanders routinely conduct working visits to troops in their formations and units within the theatre of operation. Hence, the question of troops been inaccessible as portrayed in the said article, is an irredeemable fallacy. Perhaps it is necessary to note that considering the vastness of the north east, Operation Lafiya Dole, aside holding tactical defensive positions to block the insurgents from access to logistics, has also gone ahead to insert Mobile Strike Teams in the theatre of operations to effectively patrol localities as well as seek out and neutralize the insurgents from their hideouts. 
 
Suffice to mention that in the month of August alone, a total of 82 Boko Haram insurgents have been killed in combat and 630 remote settlements were cleared by own troops. 
 
Our troops are tirelessly on the trail of the fleeing insurgents as devastating coordinated aerial and artillery bombardments are being unleashed on the terrorist group. Our troops are therefore not waiting only to repel BHT attacks as erroneously painted in the article, but are rather tactically deployed to deny the adversary freedom of action and access to logistics. 
 
Needless to add, that a group of insurgents on the run cannot hold or control any territory. Boko Haram lacks the capability to hold any territory in the north east, hence its mindless attack on innocent and vulnerable civilians with suicide bombings, most of which were made unsuccessful by our vigilant troops. 
 
While not attempting to dismiss the fact that as the fleeing faceless insurgents rummage for logistical replenishment, they occasionally mix up with unsuspecting locals and thereafter attack them. This definitely cannot be described as holding territory, rather, it only simply underscores the need for other relevant agencies to do more to ensure progressive reintegration of the locals into their various communities. 
 
Without sounding immodest, it is worthy to note that the counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations of Operation Lafiya Dole in the north east, has been commended within Nigeria and in the international community, resulting in several high level official visits to the north east by national and international bodies. 
 
While assuring that our focus in Operation Lafiya Dole remains clear and will not be derailed, the general public is urged not be misguided by the insinuations and disinformation contained in the said article as they are devoid of the true and realistic impressions of the security situation in the north east.

Latest-News Boko Haram Is Defeated – Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army has described reports in a section of the media that Boko Haram is still holding seven local governments in Borno State, as not only an attempt to propagate falsehood but a futile effort to misinform members of the public. The army…

IPOB sues FG, Army over proscription order

20:50 Unknown 0

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The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday, sued the Federal government of Nigeria and the Nigerian army for proscribing its activities and tagging it a terrorist organisation. At a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, IPOB prayed the court to set aside the order of injunction proscribing its activities. The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Kafarati, on Wednesday in Abuja, granted Federal Government an interim injunction proscribing activities of the group. 
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Kafarati granted the injunction in chambers after the Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, had approached the court with an exparte motion urging the court to do so. President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier given written approval for the proscription of the group, pending legal process. Governors of the Southeast states took the first step to ban the activities of the group after the military had declared it a militant terrorist group. 
 
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to IPOB, led Maxwell Okpara, Chinwe Umeche, Habila Turshak, P. M. Umegborogu and Augustine Ezeokeke to file the process on behalf of the group. The motion, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/871/17 was brought pursuant to Section 6(6) (1) (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2011. It was also brought under the inherent jurisdiction of the court. The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation was listed as respondent. 
 
The applicant averred that the grounds upon which the application was brought hinged on the fact that the Sept.20 exparte order made against it by the court was without jurisdiction. The lead counsel said the order granted against the entity was unknown to law. Ejiofor posited that there was clear suppression and misrepresentation of facts in the AGF’s affidavit evidence, pursuance to which the order was granted. “The order is unconstitutional, as it was made in clear violation of constitutionally guaranteed right of the Indigenous People of Biafra to self-determination. 
 
“It also violated Article 20(1) of the Africa Charter on Human & Peoples Rights, now domesticated into our law under (Ratification and Enforcement Act) (Cap 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990. “It ran against the right to fair hearing, right to freedom of expression and the press. 
 
“It further violated the right to peaceful assembly and association clearly provided for under sections 36, 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as (Amended) 2011,’’ Ejiofor said. According to him, a declaratory order cannot be made pursuant to an exparte application without hearing from the party against whom the order is made. He submitted that the Indigenous People of Biafra who were majorly of Igbo extraction had no history of violence in exercising their right to self-determination. 
 
“The Indigenous People of Biafra does not carry arms and has no history of arm struggle in the exercise of its constitutionally guaranteed right to self-determination. 
 
“Prior and during the military invasion of the South Eastern states, IPOB members had never at any time resorted to arm struggle or engaged in acts of violence capable of threatening national security. Justice Binta Nyako of Federal High Court No 4 had in her ruling delivered on March 1 held that the Indigenous People of Biafra was not an unlawful organisation.” 
 
Ejiofor further said that Justice Nyako’s decision still subsisted as it was not appealed against to be set aside by any appellate court. The matter is yet to be assigned to any judge of the court.

Latest-News IPOB sues FG, Army over proscription order

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday, sued the Federal government of Nigeria and the Nigerian army for proscribing its activities and tagging it a terrorist organisation. At a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, IPOB prayed…

Operation Python Dance: Nigerian army keeps mum on Nnamdi Kanu’s whereabouts

20:40 Unknown 0

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The Nigerian Army said on Friday it has successfully curtailed the activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the South East, while clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the region had been prevented by troops in the past two weeks. 
 
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However, the army was silent on the whereabouts of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who was said to be on the run after troops laid siege on his compound in Aba, Abia state. 
 
Providing an update on Exercise Egwu Eke II (Python Dance II) the army said activities of kidnappers and other criminals have also been checkmated while several people have been arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution. 
 
A statement signed by the Deputy Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, Col. Sagir Musa, reassured the public that the army was ready to maintain peace and order in the entire South East. 
 
 
 
The statement reads: “Following the commencement of Exercise EGWU EKE II on Friday, 15th September 2017 in 82 Division Area of Responsibility, simultaneous activities have started in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Cross River States without hitch. 
 
“The essence of the exercise is to enhance troops’ preparedness and proficiency in dealing with emerging security challenges peculiar to the South-East region, such as kidnappings, armed robbery, communal crisis, farmers- herdsmen clashes, cultism, violent agitations and insurgency, amongst others. 
 
“One interesting aspect of the exercise is that, it is multi agency in nature and execution, thus enhancing synergy of efforts among the Services, security and response agencies. Relevant para-military organizations such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Department of State Security Service (DSS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) are all synergizing and collaborating in the exercise to ensure attainment of these objectives. Similarly, there are elaborate humanitarian activities associated with it, hence, the 82 Division Nigerian Army embarked on free medical services. 
 
“The first was on Tuesday, 18th September 2017 at the Adult Education Mass Literacy Centre, Nkwuagu Primary School Amaagu, Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai, accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major Gen. Adamu Baba Abubakar and the Chief of Training and Operations, Army Headquarters, Major Gen. David Ahmadu and other senior Army Officers, were personally present at the commencement of the free medical outreach. 
 
“The turnout was impressive, as over 2,000 people benefited in the areas of dental, optometry, laboratory services and blood pressure measurements. Others were dispensing of eye glasses, de-worming tablets, assorted drugs, mosquito nets and sanitizer to various categories of people. In the same vein, similar medical outreach will be conducted at Nnarambia community Central Primary School, Ahiara Mbaise in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State on 23rd September 2017 as part of the activities of Exercise EGWU EKE II. 
 
“The Division has also scheduled similar free medical outreaches in other states covering its area of responsibility during the exercise. Furthermore, in addition to visiting the Operational Headquarters of Sector 5 of Exercise EGWU EKE II, at 24 Support Engineering Regiment, Abakaliki, the Chief of Army Staff also visited the Step-Up Headquarters of 82 Division at the Nigerian Army Language Institute, Ovim, in Isiuokwuato LGA of Abia State. 
 
“So far, the troops have been carrying out routine activities associated with the exercise seamlessly along with other supporting Services and agencies. Some suspected criminals were arrested, farmers-herdsmen as well as communal clashes have been averted. Similarly, kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers and other criminal elements have been denied freedom of action through patrols, raids and manning of checkpoints.”

Latest-News Operation Python Dance: Nigerian army keeps mum on Nnamdi Kanu’s whereabouts

The Nigerian Army said on Friday it has successfully curtailed the activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the South East, while clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the region had been prevented by troops in the past two weeks. …

Trump, North Korean leader in hot exchange

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 North Korea leader, Kim Jong-un, has said remarks by United States President, Donald Trump, have convinced him he is right to develop weapons for his country. 
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In an unprecedented personal statement, Mr. Kim said Mr. Trump would “pay dearly” for a United Nations speech where he threatened to “totally destroy” the North Korea if the U.S was forced to defend itself. 
 
Mr. Trump responded that the “madman will be tested like never before.” 
 
The two countries have engaged in ever more heated rhetoric in recent months, the BBC reports. 
 
Mr. Kim ended his statement by saying he would “surely and definitely tame the mentally deranged U.S dotard with fire.” 
 
China responded to the war of words, warning that the situation was “complicated and sensitive. 
 
“All relevant parties should exercise restraint instead of provoking each other,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang. 
 
Russia also urged restraint. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was “deeply concerned by an escalation of tensions”.

Latest-News Trump, North Korean leader in hot exchange

North Korea leader, Kim Jong-un, has said remarks by United States President, Donald Trump, have convinced him he is right to develop weapons for his country. In an unprecedented personal statement, Mr. Kim said Mr. Trump would “pay dearly” for a Un…

'Kill my son if he’s involved with drugs' - President tells police

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he would have his son killed if accusations of drug trafficking against him proved true, and that he also would protect the police who would kill his son from prosecution, The Guardian says. 
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Duterte’s son, Paolo Duterte, denied trafficking allegations made against him in front of a senate inquiry earlier this month. 
 
The younger Duterte reportedly has been accused of being a member of a Chinese triad gang and assisting in the smuggling of a large shipment of crystal methamphetamine from China. 
 
During last year’s election race, Rodrigo Duterte – who took office in June 2016 and has initiated a violent war against drug use in the country – said none of his children was involved with drugs, but that if they were, they would face severe punishment. 
 
He reiterated that stance this week during a speech in Manila. 
 
“If I have children who are into drugs, kill them so people will not have anything to say,” Duterte said Wednesday, according to The Guardian. 
 
“So I told (Paolo): ‘My order is to kill you if you are caught. And I will protect the police who kill you, if it is true.'” 
 
Philippine authorities have reported the deaths of more than 3,800 people in connection with anti-drug operations since July of last year. Thousands of other killings have reportedly occurred as well. 
 
Protesters both for and against Duterte held rallies in the Philippines on Thursday. Supporters see the president as their best chance for change and a leader concerned about ordinary people, Reuters reports; while opponents see him as a reminder of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Latest-News 'Kill my son if he’s involved with drugs' - President tells police

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he would have his son killed if accusations of drug trafficking against him proved true, and that he also would protect the police who would kill his son from prosecution, The Guardian says. Duterte’s son, P…

North Korea triggers Olympics security scare

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Austria and Germany joined France on Friday in raising the spectre of staying away from the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea amid security fears over nuclear-armed North Korea. 
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Despite efforts by the International Olympic Committee to calm the jitters, winter Olympic powerhouse Austria said it was prepared to envisage staying away from the Pyeongchang Games next February if security concerns deepened. 
 
Karl Stoss, head of Austria’s national Olympic committee, said that “if the situation worsens and the security of our athletes is no longer guaranteed, we will not go to South Korea.” 
 
Stoss’ comments follow those by France’s Sports Minister Laura Flessel, who warned Thursday: “If this gets worse and we do not have our security assured, then our French team will stay here.” 
 
The absence of Austria and other leading winter sports powers would be a hammer blow to the Pyeongchang Games. 
 
Austria alone took home 17 medals from the previous Winter Olympics Sochi Games in 2014 and has been the dominant force in alpine skiing and ski jumping. 
 
A more muted response came from Germany, another winter sports heavyweight that tops the all-time Olympic medal table in biathlon, luge and bobsleigh, and whose team won 19 medals in Sochi including eight golds. 
 
The security question and the possibility of keeping the German team at home would be addressed “in good time” by the government, the National Olympic Committee and security authorities, the German interior ministry told AFP subsidiary SID. 
 
French sports minister Flessel, a five-time Olympic medallist in fencing, was the first leading politician to publically cast doubt over a country’s participation at the Olympics which run from February 9-25 in Pyeongchang which is situated just 80km (50 miles) from the heavily-fortified frontier with North Korea. 
 
– ‘No Plan B’ – 
 
On Friday, the IOC issued a statement aimed at calming security fears amid escalating tensions over bellicose North Korea’s recent nuclear test and missile launches. 
 
“Athletes safety and security are of course a primary concern for the IOC,” the statement said. 
 
“We are in close contact with the heads of government concerned and the United Nations over the past months and there, in none of the discussions, has anybody expressed any doubt about the Olympic Winter Games 2018.” 
 
“We continue to monitor the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the region very closely. We are working with the Organising Committee on the preparations of these Games which continue to be on track.” 
 
IOC president Thomas Bach sought personally to downplay security fears 10 days ago, and a day earlier a confident IOC spokesman insisted: “There is no plan B”. 
 
However the situation has since deteriorated, sparking concern among some countries while others say they are preparing for the event as normal. 
 
Sweden’s sports minister Annika Standhall, speaking to news agency TT, said it was “very worrying that some countries are imagining not to taking part…” while neighbour Norway said normal preparation were underway. 
 
Italy said they had been reassured by IOC chief Bach’s statement on security and were looking forward to a “safe and secure” Olympics while Dutch Olympic Committee spokesman Geert Slot said growing tension on the Korean peninsula was a factor but saw no reason “as things stand at the moment” to follow the French example. 
 
AFP

Latest-News North Korea triggers Olympics security scare

Austria and Germany joined France on Friday in raising the spectre of staying away from the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea amid security fears over nuclear-armed North Korea. Despite efforts by the International Olympic Committee to calm the ji…

Diezani’s thefts wouldn’t be harshly condemned if she were a man — Chimamanda

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Nigerian-born author and feminist, Chimamanda Adichie has condemned what she calls “making a fetish of evil when it manifests in the female form.” 
 
Speaking at the University of Edinburgh where she was awarded an honorary PhD on Thursday, the globally rated, multiple award-winning writer notes that female evil should be as normal as the male evil. 
 
“We shouldn’t have highest standards for women; we shouldn’t assume that because a person is born of a woman, that person is somehow just a step lower than angel. 
 
“I find it highly dehumanising for women because what it means is that women cannot be judged on the same terms as men,” she argues. 
 
In her speech, she used the example of ex-Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Maduekwe, to buttress her argument, saying she recalls a journalist exclaiming, “And she’s (Diezani) a woman!” 
 
“Somehow, the assumption is that it would be better if she were a man because then, we wouldn’t judge her so harshly because we expect men to steal. 
 
“And so, the idea of women being a species of angels is bad for both women and men because it makes the standards uneven,” she says. 
 
She reiterates her dream of a world where women are seen as human, “a world in which women are allowed to be many things; a world where women can be something and another thing, rather than something or another thing 
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Latest-News Diezani’s thefts wouldn’t be harshly condemned if she were a man — Chimamanda

Nigerian-born author and feminist, Chimamanda Adichie has condemned what she calls “making a fetish of evil when it manifests in the female form.” Speaking at the University of Edinburgh where she was awarded an honorary PhD on Thursday, the globall…

Every group like IPOB will be proscribed – Presidency

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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shehu</td>
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The Presidency, on Thursday, said every other group that operated like the secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra, would also be proscribed and tag a terrorist organisation. 
 
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The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this during a live television programme titled, ‘Sunrise Daily’ on Channels Television. 
 
Shehu said IPOB operated like Boko Haram by declaring an independent state and hoisting a foreign flag on Nigerian soil. 
 
He also accused the secessionist group of printing Biafran currency; issuing Biafran passports and extorting money from people under the guise of compulsory tax collection. 
 
When asked what the Federal Government would do if a similar group emerged following the proscription of IPOB, Shehu said, “If another group comes up and produces passports and produces currency and sets up an intelligence agency and a para-military organisation of sorts, the law will apply to them as it did to IPOB.” 
 
The President’s spokesman said groups like the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, would not need to be proscribed because they were not as violent and unruly as IPOB. 
 
He said the Arewa youths, who issued a notice to quit to Igbo, were not given the IPOB treatment because they had withdrawn their threat and had succumbed to the voice of reason. 
 
Shehu, however, said the same could not be said of IPOB. 
 
The President’s aide also rubbished arguments that the Federal Government was treating the herdsmen crisis with kid gloves. 
 
He said, “There is a criminal activity and terrorist activity. Yes, the Fulani herdsmen are a criminal gang and they are being dealt with in accordance with the law but IPOB, like Boko Haram, has carved out a territory as a sovereign state and they have raised concerns in Kogi and Benue and have boasted that they will take over Bayelsa and Rivers. 
 
“That was exactly what Boko Haram did and the taxation system and hoisting of flags. This is not acceptable.” 
 
When asked why the government was able to quickly identify the source of IPOB’s funding but had failed to trace that of Boko Haram, Shehu said IPOB’s case was easier because they usually canvassed funds openly. 
 
He said, “Funding is canvassed for IPOB openly in some Western countries and traders of Nigerian origin in these countries send money back home. Why is the government not able to identify the source of funding for Boko Haram? 
 
“It is perhaps more complicating than we are seeing and if you look at the President’s message at the United Nations, he asked for the funding of Boko Haram be traced and blocked.”

Latest-News Every group like IPOB will be proscribed – Presidency

Shehu The Presidency, on Thursday, said every other group that operated like the secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra, would also be proscribed and tag a terrorist organisation. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and P…

Asking a woman for her phone number may become illegal

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France is working on putting an end to street harassment. The nation has announced a ban on bugging women for their phone numbers and following them. 
 
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The crackdown comes after a survey revealed that virtually all women in France have been harassed on public transportation. 
 
During his election campaign, France’s new leader, Emmanuel Macron, has pledged to end the harassment. 
 
Gender equality minister, Marlene Schiappa, is attempting to define the punishment for street harassment. 
 
Some lawyers say such instances would be difficult to prove and that men should only be prosecuted if a police officer witnesses an offense. 
 
Of course, street harassment is nothing new. In New York, offenders can be slapped with a $250 fine, AOL reports.

Latest-News Asking a woman for her phone number may become illegal

France is working on putting an end to street harassment. The nation has announced a ban on bugging women for their phone numbers and following them. The crackdown comes after a survey revealed that virtually all women in France have been harassed o…

IPOB urges court to set aside proscription order

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The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja should set aside the order of injunction proscribing the activities of the group. 
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Recall that the Chief Judge of the Federal High, Justice Abdu Kafarati, on Wednesday in Abuja, granted Federal Government an interim injunction proscribing activities of the group. 
 
Kafarati granted the injunction in chambers after the Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, had approached the court with an exparte motion urging the court to do so. 
 
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier given written approval for the proscription of the group, pending legal process. 
 
Governors of the Southeast states took the first step to ban the activities of the group after the military had declared it a militant terrorist group. 
 
NAN reports that Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to IPOB, led Maxwell Okpara, Chinwe Umeche, Habila Turshak, P. M. Umegborogu and Augustine Ezeokeke to file the process on behalf of the group. 
 
The motion, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/871/17 was brought pursuant to Section 6(6) (1) (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2011. 
 
It was also brought under the inherent jurisdiction of the court. 
 
The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation was listed as respondent. 
 
The applicant averred that the grounds upon which the application was brought hinged on the fact that the Sept.20 exparte order made against it by the court was without jurisdiction. 
 
 
 
The lead counsel said the order granted against the entity was unknown to law. 
 
Ejiofor posited that there were clear suppression and misrepresentation of facts in the AGF’s affidavit evidence, pursuance to which the order was granted. 
 
“The order is unconstitutional, as it was made in clear violation of constitutionally guaranteed right of the Indigenous People of Biafra to self-determination. 
 
“It also violated Article 20(1) of the Africa Charter on Human & Peoples Rights, now domesticated into our law under (Ratification and Enforcement Act) (Cap 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990. 
 
“It ran against the right to fair hearing, right to freedom of expression and the press. 
 
“It further violated the right to peaceful assembly and association clearly provided for under sections 36, 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as (Amended) 2011,’’ Ejiofor said. 
 
According to him, a declaratory order cannot be made pursuant to an exparte application without hearing from the party against whom the order is made. 
 
He submitted that the Indigenous People of Biafra who were majorly of Igbo extraction had no history of violence in exercising their right to self-determination. 
 
“The Indigenous People of Biafra does not carry arms and has no history of arms struggle in the exercise of its constitutionally guaranteed right to self-determination. 
 
“Prior and during the military invasion of the South Eastern states, IPOB members had never at any time resorted to arm struggle or engage in acts of violence capable of threatening national security. 
 
Justice Binta Nyako of Federal High Court No 4 had in her ruling delivered on March 1 held that the Indigenous People of Biafra was not an unlawful organisation.” 
 
Ejiofor further said that Justice Nyako’s decision still subsisted as it was not appealed against to be set aside by any appellate court. 
 
NAN reports that the matter is yet to be assigned to any judge of the court.

Latest-News IPOB urges court to set aside proscription order

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja should set aside the order of injunction proscribing the activities of the group. Recall that the Chief Judge of the Federal High, Justice Abdu Kafara…