2019: I want to rescue Nigeria from the greedy few - Buhari says

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnRanPDYFSfFapqUVv-yz-Wt_S_YMhZtXtpqu4GtEicgh30Ypl9kqdS7XyjQi975RsP4lEEt5T0awX9PJzQN-w-GcSrODtziltvQpAfU1IcHPEPwwwcYvBpz8O6ANGL-9BC92LoltGO1a/s400/buhari+a+looks.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is on a mission to rescue the nation’s resources from being appropriated by “a privileged few in their never ending quest to satisfy their greed”.<br /> <br /> The President stated in his New Year message to Nigerians which was issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday.<br /> <br /> To this end, the president said the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government had resolved to build a country in which the resources were utilised for the benefit of citizens, irrespective of their socio-political affiliations.<br /> <br /> He said: “That is the journey we have embarked on since we came on board in 2015, and we are not distracted as we move on.<br /> <br /> “We are resolved to build a country in which the resources are utilized for the benefit of the largest number, and not appropriated by a privileged few in their never ending quest to satisfy their greed.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “We are on this mission together, and I assure you of a firm commitment to the ideals of a safe, secure, fair, just and prosperous country.’’<br /> <br /> According to him, Nigerians desire peace, security, prosperity, inclusiveness and infrastructure development, a nation they can be proud of, a country that can hold its own among the nations.<br /> <br /> He, however, stated that those who continued to trumpet falsehood and negativity were on their own, fighting a losing battle.<br /> <br /> He noted that “the greater number of Nigerians are trusting and believing that we shall deliver on our promises for a level playing field at the polls, and that is what we shall do’’.<br /> <br /> He, therefore, reiterated his promises and declarations that the general elections would be free, fair and credible.<br /> <br /> “Elections need not be do or die affair, and we should not approach that eventuality in a democracy with trepidation and mortal fear.<br /> <br /> “Happily, a large number of presidential candidates have committed to peace, and peace we shall have,’’ he added.<br /> <br /> President Buhari acknowledged that the country had its challenges; ranging from security, economic, political to social, but the government had resolved to combat and overcome them all.<br /> <br /> He, therefore, expressed the hope that Nigerians would renew the mandate they overwhelmingly gave the APC in 2015, for another term.<br /> <br /> “I appreciate your support and collaboration in previous years, and look forward to same in 2019, and beyond, as I hope you will renew the mandate you overwhelmingly gave us in 2015, for another term.<br /> <br /> “We are motivated by nothing other than service to motherland, and service without selfishness or personal interest.<br /> <br /> “I can assure you all that we are making steady and sustainable progress in all areas of national life. Those who are unbiased can see and appreciate the progress the country has made since 2015.<br /> <br /> “A New Year provides opportunity for renewal of commitment, and I invite you to rededicate yourselves to the vision of a Nigeria that works for all.<br /> <br /> “We are moving from potentials to actualisation, and it’s a task to be accomplished by us all; man, woman, young, old, military, civilian, all Nigerians.Please come along, as we journey to the land of our dreams. Happy 2019,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> NAN

Latest-News 2019: I want to rescue Nigeria from the greedy few - Buhari says

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is on a mission to rescue the nation’s resources from being appropriated by “a privileg...

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Residents flee as Boko Haram takes over Borno communities

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="663" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-GOwAdyI65OIneb1GsgGfS2kD1uel2RSFwdsEMme5aSofn7ZxBCPuEng-AzzAPxXIva16YQXWJvXDKTx5EsIAIHRJZA247bbJwzKrUB1vFO23DZp1c-9VLYtd4lPFAcEejkKr60Af1iN/s400/Boko-Haram+%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> <br /> There has been mass movement of people out of communities in Borno State through Damaturu the Yobe State capital to Bauchi, Gombe, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kebbi and Jigawa states.<br /> <br /> Residents told our source, the Boko Haram insurgents, who attacked some communities in Borno, were targeting soldiers.<br /> <br /> Boko Haram had last week overran Baga, Doron-Baga, Kross Kawwa, Bunduran, Kekeno and Kukawa towns of Borno State after three days of intense fighting.<br /> <br /> Mallam Bukar Kachalla and Mr. Abacha Musa told one of our correspondents on the phone on Monday that since late Saturday there has been a mass movement of people through Dapchi and Damaturu to other neigbouring states like Jigawa, Kebbi, Bauchi, Zamfara and Gombe.<br /> <br /> Abacha said, “Baga is a big fishing community and people from other states especially Hausas used to stay there for fishing business, but following the attack on Baga and other towns, hundreds of people have been fleeing the area.<br /> <br /> “One of those who fled, Mallam Isa Haruna said the Boko Haram fighters who invaded Baga were friendly and even prayed in the mosque together.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “They were not concerned about us, the civilians, but their targets were the soldiers.”<br /> <br /> Abacha noted that those fleeing the towns in Borno under Boko Haram control have lamented the hardship facing them as they have to trek miles before getting vehicles to Damaturu.<br /> <br /> On his part, Mallam Bukar Kachalla who wondered why Boko Harm usually becomes fierce towards elections said dozens of people have been fleeing Borno since Saturday.<br /> <br /> He called on the international community to help dislodge Boko Haram from the northeast for the peace and security of the region.

Latest-News Residents flee as Boko Haram takes over Borno communities

There has been mass movement of people out of communities in Borno State through Damaturu the Yobe State capital to Bauchi, Gombe, Kebbi,...

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Presidency to air documentary on `First Term of President Buhari: Is Change Here?’

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="412" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCa8n0aNirhT4rLTdl8PMrn1YkEfhjcwJxjOj7W7E4jglBkSCDYyd70whUV668Nh05uUcIZtTeTZwLFzpEYgSPmFGZOt9y5gVZ4DdIgxYXhGsHxfCBQW-6pEvg9wFI9j11jY4AgRiCd1C/s640/change+buhari.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> The Media and Publicity Department of the State House says it has put together a 58-minute documentary on the efforts of the President Buhari administration in tackling the challenges it met on the ground.<br /> <br /> Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.<br /> <br /> According to the presidential aide, the documentary, entitled, ‘FIRST TERM OF PRESIDENT BUHARI: IS CHANGE HERE?’, gives more insight into various attempts by the administration to make Nigeria a better place.<br /> <br /> “It is made up of interviews from officials of the administration with first-hand information on how the challenges are being tackled.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “This documentary will air on Channels Television on Jan. 1, 2019 (New Year Day) between 8 and 9 p.m. and on the Network Service of the NTA on Jan. 2, 2019 at the same time belt,” he added.

Latest-News Presidency to air documentary on `First Term of President Buhari: Is Change Here?’

The Media and Publicity Department of the State House says it has put together a 58-minute documentary on the efforts of the President Buh...

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PDP blasts Buhari for not attending Shehu Shagari’s burial

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYz9HPO1l9FJNEjZoc_o3SHWFCz-TlQejnaOCHhyDI_iV2v_ZlNyB5ac_5VtViskIOn0btVe_hA7YHAcjFUjs670OyPfKAFNYd3ViQbyrFLTKVk5LV4e14dxdbdfDasgyjD9acJuEt7r5/s400/shagari.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> <br /> The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has knocked President Muhammadu Buhari for not attending the burial of former President Shehu Shagari in Sokoto on Saturday.<br /> <br /> The main opposition party said Buhari’s absence at the funeral, particularly regarding Shagari’s status, as the first Executive President of the country, was unpardonable and a very wrong precedence in national protocol.<br /> <br /> A statement on Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Buhari’s absence at the burial has also sent a wrong signal to the international community on the country’s national values and respect for its patriots.<br /> <br /> The PDP noted Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was also absent at Shagari’s burial and that the Federal Government has taken no concrete steps to give a state honour to the late former President.<br /> <br /> The party described the directive by President Buhari for the nation’s flag to fly half-mast for just three days in honour of Shagari as belated.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It also knocked the President for visiting the Shagari family in Sokoto after the burial.<br /> <br /> “Sadly, while our beloved President Shagari was at the National Hospital Abuja, passing through his last moments on this realm, President Buhari was busy at his campaign rally in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, boasting of how he, as military head of state, sacked the Second Republic, arrested and locked up President Shehu Shagari and his officials, in clear violation of our nation’s constitution.<br /> <br /> “Such disdain on our respected national figure by President Buhari is completely unpresidential.<br /> <br /> “Finally, the PDP once again condoles with the Shagari family, the government and people of Sokoto state, the National Council of State and the entire nation for this very huge national loss”.

Latest-News PDP blasts Buhari for not attending Shehu Shagari’s burial

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has knocked President Muhammadu Buhari for not attending the burial of former President Shehu Shagari ...

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PDP assures Nigerians of brighter future in 2019

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KsGQJeZm3RnsPVgduUYMLldiD9pqKd3ZkW6tMjna9LUSDBbQhCgO5KlciSQ5zhzqLquqF6xMItiZvNULaPMtRb26hKIc0TIHPxOHF3gDfHS9uvJwWRrsTIlild8pQqT5TirkfE28fY4o/s1600/PDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KsGQJeZm3RnsPVgduUYMLldiD9pqKd3ZkW6tMjna9LUSDBbQhCgO5KlciSQ5zhzqLquqF6xMItiZvNULaPMtRb26hKIc0TIHPxOHF3gDfHS9uvJwWRrsTIlild8pQqT5TirkfE28fY4o/s1600/PDP.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) has urged Nigerians to step into 2019 with unwavering optimism, faith and hope of a new era of peace, national cohesion and economic prosperity under a “new President, Atiku Abubakar, that will be elected on February 16, 2019”.<br /> <br /> The party congratulated Nigerians for their resilience in surviving the almost four years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s “incompetent, anti-people and harsh administration”.<br /> <br /> In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party urged the Nigerians to use the New Year to pray against all “negative projections” by President Muhammadu Buhari, who the PDP said, had declared more hardship for Nigerians in the new year.<br /> <br /> The statement said, “Nigerians must therefore avert such negative projections by voting out President Buhari and replacing him with their choice leader, the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “Atiku has already articulated a practical blueprint to ease their burden and pain by engendering rapid economic recovery, national cohesion and realistic solutions to our myriad of challenges.<br /> <br /> “2019, as an election year, offers our citizens their much-desired opportunity to end the trajectory of economic hardship, hunger and starvation, strange diseases, untimely deaths, collapsed infrastructure, humongous unemployment figures, wanton killings and all the evils that have bedeviled our nation in almost four years of the President Buhari’s corrupt and incompetent administration.<br /> <br /> “Our citizens have made immeasurable sacrifices to keep the nation going in the face of very harsh policies, lies and fake promises of the Buhari administration. They now eagerly long for a breathe of fresh air under Atiku as their next President.<br /> <br /> “Nigerians should therefore be optimistic as their incoming President will usher in a new era of a transparent and responsive government with the template for wealth creation, job opportunities and revitalization of our productive sector through tax cuts and direct empowerment of our hard working entrepreneurs in a manner that increases our national productivity, reduce costs of goods and services, increase exports and shore up the value of our naira.<br /> <br /> “Furthermore, Atiku Abubakar, as a new symbol of our national unity, has also perfected the outline for national reconciliation and healing and ending of all divisive tendencies with which the Buhari Presidency fouled our polity with violence, divided our people along primordial fault lines, with its attendant violence and bloodletting in various parts of our nation.<br /> <br /> “The PPCO therefore urges Nigerians to maintain their resolve to make our nation work again by continuing in rallying behind Atiku Abubakar to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of President Buhari and his vicious cabal”.

Latest-News PDP assures Nigerians of brighter future in 2019

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) has urged Nigerians to step into 2019 with unwavering optimi...

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I wonder why Buhari is seeking reelection, says Cleric

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa_JJY2uUnFRPRRpvJmH1NjMZkyeIim6zPQYDR_Hhe0YWiX9Fiw_QGM3hl7aBZbgnf3Ep28hbWHsgd5a3jXS13QPXoEzLrYTrElAJe4UaegnYSurjEMBPivYMsi0BNwwFkNWDW43d92O3/s1600/buhari2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa_JJY2uUnFRPRRpvJmH1NjMZkyeIim6zPQYDR_Hhe0YWiX9Fiw_QGM3hl7aBZbgnf3Ep28hbWHsgd5a3jXS13QPXoEzLrYTrElAJe4UaegnYSurjEMBPivYMsi0BNwwFkNWDW43d92O3/s320/buhari2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Founder and leader of Living Christ Mission Worldwide and Chancellor of Hezekiah University, His Grace, Most Rev. Daddy Hezekiah has said that he was surprised that President Muhammadu Buhari was seeking for reelection in next year’s general elections.<br /> <br /> In a Christmas and New year message, Hezekiah said “Honestly speaking, I don’t know why APC decided to ask Buhari to stand for election again. Number one, Buhari is not healthy. Is he not? A person who is unhealthy cannot handle the affairs of this great nation. Why did they choose him again?<br /> <br /> “I am not against APC, but I am against people who did not perform and yet they want to come back again. I am not like these other men of God. All I am saying is that personally, Buhari did not achieve much during his first term and it is proper to tell him to quit. Therefore, I am looking forward to seeing someone who will do better than Buhari, whether from APC or PDP, anywhere.<br /> <br /> “We need to move this country forward because nothing good happened to this country during his first tenure.”<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a></div>

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Saraki, El-Rufa’i, others condole Shagari’s family

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVa_sBnbTZHgHzHYqUPuwJN_qE_Wn8sTbQVLLSN_LWXhz6t835CNmkYRn-SIPNzjFBraJA1oshLuTtdnF5Jyrycsg60aCQ35b5LnWqN3fkXEOuQI32VFnwZ4zPu4fF-MKAELOwc1djGXI/s1600/Shehu-Shagari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVa_sBnbTZHgHzHYqUPuwJN_qE_Wn8sTbQVLLSN_LWXhz6t835CNmkYRn-SIPNzjFBraJA1oshLuTtdnF5Jyrycsg60aCQ35b5LnWqN3fkXEOuQI32VFnwZ4zPu4fF-MKAELOwc1djGXI/s320/Shehu-Shagari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Bauchi state governor, Muhammad Abubakar and his Kaduna state counterpart, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i have joined other Nigerians to condole the family of the late Alhaji Shehu Shagari, former President of Nigeria.<br /> <br /> Saraki accompanied by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Uche Secondus, Sen Sani Yarima (APC- Zamfara) and Tanimu Turaki former Minister for Special Duties, said that the former President had left a legacy worthy of emulation by all leaders in the country.<br /> <br /> “Shagari was a man of honour that lived his whole life for the development of Nigeria and service to humanity.<br /> <br /> “On behalf of the National Assembly, my family and people of Kwara state, I wish to extend our condolence to the immediate family, government of Sokoto state and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Bauchi state governor, also extended the condolence of the people of the state to the family and called on all Nigerian leaders to imbibe the good habits of forgiveness and integration of late Shagari.<br /> <br /> Abubakar described the demise of Shehu Shagari as a great loss not only to the family, but the entire country.<br /> <br /> Also, the Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufa’i extended the condolence of the people of Kaduna state to the family and people of Sokoto state, while he prayed for the repose of the late former President.<br /> <br /> Also condoling with the Shagari family, the Emir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, who led the delegations of the state government and traditional leaders and Abdullahi Balalau, the leader of Jama’atul Izalatul Bidi’a, prayed for the repose of the deceased.<br /> <br /> Responding on behalf of the family, the late President eldest son, Bala Shagari appreciated the visitors and thanked them for the condolence.</div>

Latest-News Saraki, El-Rufa’i, others condole Shagari’s family

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PDP Condemns Buhari’s Absence At President Shagari’s Funeral

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJoUd0xtKP6jKHRt6LnSXhahyphenhyphenPTN-gykudqBVXJtYDY1OU4uvFA0Ab6H24Dkjyxi0RGpj2yEKHG1tHouSICeXNvgMQH9o0UobAkb-BqEo10XLdq6qDPvJtKOQA4xxbUxnuFgHZugxrkDW/s1600/pdp-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJoUd0xtKP6jKHRt6LnSXhahyphenhyphenPTN-gykudqBVXJtYDY1OU4uvFA0Ab6H24Dkjyxi0RGpj2yEKHG1tHouSICeXNvgMQH9o0UobAkb-BqEo10XLdq6qDPvJtKOQA4xxbUxnuFgHZugxrkDW/s320/pdp-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in strong terms, President Muhammadu Buhari’s conspicuous absence at the burial of highly respected former President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, last Saturday.<br /> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari signing Condolence Register at the Late President Shehu Shagari’s residence at Sama Road, Polo Club Area, Sokoto State<br /> <br /> The party says President Buhari’s absence at the funeral, particularly regarding Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s status, as the first Executive President of our country, is unpardonable and a very wrong precedence in our national protocol.<br /> <br /> This action by the Buhari Presidency has also sent a wrong signal to the international community on our national values and respect for our patriots.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The PDP notes that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was also absent at President Shehu Shagari’s burial and that the Federal Government has taken no concrete step to give a state honour to this very patriotic Nigerian, other than a rather belated directive to fly our national flag at half mast for just three days and a dramatic visit to Sokoto by President Buhari.<br /> <br /> Sadly, while our beloved President Shagari was at the National Hospital Abuja, passing through his last moments on this realm, President Buhari was busy at his campaign rally in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, boasting of how he, as military head of state, sacked the Second Republic, arrested and locked up President Shehu Shagari and his officials, in clear violation of our nation’s constitution.<br /> <br /> Such disdain on our respected national figure by President Buhari is completely unpresidential.<br /> <br /> Finally, the PDP once again condoles with the Shagari family, the government and people of Sokoto state, the National Council of State and the entire nation for this very huge national loss.</div>

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Mayweather beats Japan’s Nasukawa by technical knock-out

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0mYT91kV7VqtknnLFBFYDW6E3YtxpKfGkvJHb6F-XuQZ7QH5xkgItbuoJNHMt4TtK7lRhbhCTadwMtIfGSXvoLK0lBaiYwBUyi8Dvy4mA2Qi1QLjnMNFbr2nXRNG1g4FgqTJI7w932hf/s1600/Flloyd-Mayweather.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0mYT91kV7VqtknnLFBFYDW6E3YtxpKfGkvJHb6F-XuQZ7QH5xkgItbuoJNHMt4TtK7lRhbhCTadwMtIfGSXvoLK0lBaiYwBUyi8Dvy4mA2Qi1QLjnMNFbr2nXRNG1g4FgqTJI7w932hf/s320/Flloyd-Mayweather.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Floyd Mayweather beat Japanese kickboxing phenomenon Tenshin Nasukawa by a technical knockout on Monday in the first round of a New Year’s Eve “exhibition” bout that brought the US boxing superstar out of retirement.<br /> <br /> Mayweather floored Nasukawa, a kickboxer less than half his age, three times in the first round of the three-round contest before the Japanese fighter’s trainer rushed in to stop the fight.<br /> <br /> The American boxer at first appeared not to be taking the fight seriously, grinning at his opponent and aiming only soft punches at him.<br /> <br /> But he then demonstrated his power, launching a series of jabs and hooks to the head of the 20-year-old Japanese fighter, sending him to the canvas after just one minute.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Sensing his opponent was struggling, Mayweather stepped in for the kill, unleashing a flurry of punches that left Nasukawa reeling again within just two minutes of the bout and facing his second standing count.<br /> <br /> With the Japanese fighter clearly struggling to stay on his feet, the trainer rushed in and stopped the fight with just one minute of the first round remaining.<br /> <br /> The 41-year-old Mayweather carried a more than 4kg (9lb) weight advantage into the ring.<br /> <br /> The rules were very strictly defined: three, three minute bouts and boxing only — kickboxer Nasukawa was reportedly facing a $5 million fine if he aimed a kick at Mayweather.<br /> <br /> There were no judges, with only a knockout or technical knockout considered a victory in the bout, promoted as a pure exhibition match.<br /> <br /> Crucially, the match did not feature on the record of either man, allowing them both to retain a cherished unbeaten record.</div>

Latest-News Mayweather beats Japan’s Nasukawa by technical knock-out

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2019 shall be a better year for Nigerians - CAN

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyBIvKFb9b6UrIkq7xMIWynSLMSdxEyaQ7dqvsrWmR9fP8lNsOK_BFuGayckVUeT-WjHYvhGCnhuChqq8ZfDnAjKVaSxIe3pdVvxsULEBLFQQS3oKELNgL8m2wehzqoDwo9zJ8YwZ7a1O/s1600/CAN-LOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyBIvKFb9b6UrIkq7xMIWynSLMSdxEyaQ7dqvsrWmR9fP8lNsOK_BFuGayckVUeT-WjHYvhGCnhuChqq8ZfDnAjKVaSxIe3pdVvxsULEBLFQQS3oKELNgL8m2wehzqoDwo9zJ8YwZ7a1O/s320/CAN-LOGO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has prophesied in its New Year message to Nigerians that the dry bone of the nation shall rise again.<br /> <br /> The president, CAN, Rev Samson Ayokunle, said this in his New Year message to Nigerians, signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant, Media &Communications to the CAN President on Monday in Abuja.<br /> <br /> Ayokunle again prophesied that 2019 would be a year of peace, prosperity, rest of mind and a year when the Almighty God would miraculously intervene in the affairs of the nation.<br /> <br /> According to the cleric, the year 2019 is a crucial year to all Nigerians because it is a year of general elections.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He urged all Nigerians to make sure that they abide in peace without being involved in violence throughout the year, especially before, during and after the election.<br /> <br /> “We should all distant ourselves from electoral manipulation in whatever form,” he said.<br /> <br /> Ayokunle urged politicians not to be too desperate to be voted into power and got involved in using thugs to cause chaos or commit electoral fraud.<br /> <br /> He described vote buying as `evil’ and urged all stakeholders to shun it.<br /> <br /> The cleric said all the law enforcement agencies, especially the Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed to maintain peace should not compromise their neutrality by working for desperate politicians.<br /> <br /> “The military should not be dragged into the electoral process but instead, they should be allowed to face their primary responsibilities.<br /> <br /> “Voters should not be intimidated and election observers should not be harassed like we witnessed in recent polls.<br /> <br /> “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its personnel should maintain neutrality in their conducts before and throughout the election.<br /> <br /> He reminded all Nigerians that without a free, fair and credible election which would bring credible leadership, the dry bones of Nigeria would not rise again.<br /> <br /> The cleric appealed to Nigerians to return to God in repentance with a view to healing the country and restoring all our losses in the past years.<br /> <br /> “As we enter into this New Year, it is natural to reflect over the previous year and consider gains and losses,” he appealed.</div>

Latest-News 2019 shall be a better year for Nigerians - CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has prophesied in its New Year message to Nigerians that the dry bone of the nation shall rise ...

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Saraki lied over N10m donation to victims of Offa robbery, says Lai Mohammed

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6gkaE-w9z-qk0nGKcC0cOwxw5S2qAZbVVRMdOXTQgpYVDDTTi0oHnlndn4ocKAkyf086WlGw7hL-waVGZEWgVGvYC9FqzlUHF7t9UFqDOU7-faFv2bgP2ZkT-0Os4fNh5ct95p-oZPK6/s1600/Lai-Mohammed.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6gkaE-w9z-qk0nGKcC0cOwxw5S2qAZbVVRMdOXTQgpYVDDTTi0oHnlndn4ocKAkyf086WlGw7hL-waVGZEWgVGvYC9FqzlUHF7t9UFqDOU7-faFv2bgP2ZkT-0Os4fNh5ct95p-oZPK6/s320/Lai-Mohammed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,  says the claim by the Senate President, Dr Bukola  Saraki, that he donated N10 million to  victims of  the April 5  robbery in Offa  “is patently false.’’<br /> <br /> In a statement issued on Monday in Lagos, the minister admonished the Senate President “to stop dancing on the graves of the innocent souls” who died in the bloody robbery attack in Offa.<br /> <br /> The statement signed Mr Segun Adeyemi, the Special Adviser to the Minister,  was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.<br /> <br /> “He did not! The N10 million he referred to was donated when the Offa market got burnt and it was made in Ilorin, not Offa.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “When Dr Saraki visited Offa to commiserate with the community in the aftermath of the robbery, he did not donate a dime! I challenge him to prove me wrong,’’  he said.<br /> <br /> The minister reiterated his earlier warning against playing politics with the unfortunate incident.<br /> <br /> He alleged that Saraki had said in a radio interview that he donated the N10 million when he visited Offa to commiserate with the people in the aftermath of the robbery.<br /> <br /> Mohammed added that the senate president in the interview also said that the N10 million he donated was more than the N7 million that was stolen from the robbed banks’ vaults.<br /> <br /> “The overly aggressive and crude response by Dr Saraki to that warning has shown that he is not ready to heed the admonition, hence the need to re-state it, and to condemn any attempt to denominate human lives in Naira and Kobo,” he said.<br /> <br /> The minister said that in the wake of his warning, the apparently embarrassing radio interview was hurriedly edited to remove all references to the Offa robbery and then re-aired across Kwara state.<br /> <br /> Mohammed further said: “Instead of stopping at that, which in itself constitutes an acceptance of wrong-doing, Dr Saraki went ahead to hurl insults at me even when I have been largely restrained in issuing my earlier warning.<br /> <br /> “Had I not been restrained, I would have gone ahead to divulge what actually transpired. But with politics in the air, the truth becomes the first casualty.<br /> <br /> “Realising that he goofed, Dr Saraki apparently caused the radio interview in question to be edited to remove the donation reference, and then re-aired.<br /> <br /> “Is it not an irony that the people who engaged in this egregious act of dishonesty are the same ones calling others names?”<br /> <br /> He said he would continue to steer the debate on the political developments in Kwara to issues rather than an exchange of personal insults which he had always been averse to.<br /> <br /> “The people of Kwara, who are bone-tired of the long years of ‘bolekaja’ governance in the state, are all saying in one voice, ‘O to ge’ (enough is enough).<br /> <br /> “They will soon have the opportunity to express their frustration with their votes,” the minister said. </div>

Latest-News Saraki lied over N10m donation to victims of Offa robbery, says Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,  says the claim by the Senate President, Dr Bukola  Saraki, that he donated ...

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Shehu Shagari planned to hand over to Ekwueme as president – Gov. Obiano

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Atiku attacks Buhari in New Year message

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DSS siege, mace theft, booing of Buhari and other events that shook n’assembly in 2018

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Five relationship must-dos for you and your partner in 2019

Latest-News Five relationship must-dos for you and your partner in 2019

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Muslim group recounts what lawmakers, politicians did to Nigerians in 2018

Latest-News Muslim group recounts what lawmakers, politicians did to Nigerians in 2018

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Nigeria to expect 25,685 new babies on New Year Day – UNICEF

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YAiaf_4dio9YaRzgDV7fqmm3v-ZWdW9dYqm78UO40-yhwswQqfhnnX9GoUGvw3V91YUwW2EWOQc47oEdTzyNiRWN9rBXR1m0Qe14F5D421RFvoDpu5L-XYCYXObYFgwIEEuYS1kQjeAR/s1600/Unicef+logo.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YAiaf_4dio9YaRzgDV7fqmm3v-ZWdW9dYqm78UO40-yhwswQqfhnnX9GoUGvw3V91YUwW2EWOQc47oEdTzyNiRWN9rBXR1m0Qe14F5D421RFvoDpu5L-XYCYXObYFgwIEEuYS1kQjeAR/s320/Unicef+logo.png" width="320" /></a></div> The United Nations Children’s Fund says an estimated 25,685 babies will be born in Nigeria on New Year Day.<br /> <br /> According to a statement issued on Monday by UNICEF Nigeria Communications Specialist, Eva Hinds, Nigerian babies make up 6.5 per cent of the estimated 395,072 babies born on New Year Day globally.<br /> <br /> “Within Africa, Nigerian babies will account for almost 40 per cent of all those born in West and Central Africa, and more than 23 per cent of those born in sub-Saharan Africa.<br /> <br /> “Globally, over half of the world’s births are estimated to take place in just eight countries, including Nigeria.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “At current life expectancy rates, a child born in Nigeria today is likely to live only to the year 2074, which is 55 years of age.<br /> <br /> “A child born today in Denmark is likely to live until the 22nd century.<br /> <br /> “Only children born in three countries today have a lower life expectancy than that of Nigerian children, including Central African Republic, Chad and Sierra Leone,” it said.<br /> <br /> The statement said that globally in 2017, about one million babies died the day they were born, and 2.5 million in just their first month of life.<br /> <br /> It said that in Nigeria, about 262,000 babies die at birth each year, the world’s second highest national total; while 257 babies die within their first month of life.<br /> <br /> “Among these children, most died from preventable causes such as premature birth, complications during delivery, and infections such as sepsis and pneumonia, a violation of their basic right to survival,” it added.<br /> <br /> UNICEF Nigeria’s Acting Representative, Pernille Ironside, said in the statement that more could be done to ensure children born in Nigeria survive their first day of life.<br /> <br /> Ironside added that such children should be able to survive and thrive for many months and years to come.<br /> <br /> “In Nigeria today, only one out of every three babies is delivered in a health centre, decreasing a newborn baby’s chance of survival.<br /> <br /> “This is just one of the issues that need to be addressed in order to improve the chances of survival of those babies born today and every day.<br /> <br /> “This New Year Day, let us all make a resolution to fulfill every right of every child, starting with the right to survive.<br /> <br /> “We can save millions of babies if we invest in training and equipping local health workers so that every newborn is born into a safe pair of hands, “ he said.<br /> <br /> The statement also noted that 2019 marked the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child which UNICEF would be commemorating with worldwide events throughout the year.<br /> <br /> According to the statement, under the convention, governments committed to, among other things, taking measures to save every child by providing good quality health care.<br /> <br /> “Over the past three decades, the world has seen remarkable progress in child survival, cutting the number of children worldwide who die before their fifth birthday by more than half.<br /> <br /> “But there has been slower progress for newborns; babies dying in the first month account for 47 per cent of all deaths among children under five.<br /> <br /> “UNICEF’s Every Child Alive campaign calls for immediate investment to deliver affordable, quality health care solutions for every mother and newborn.<br /> <br /> “These include a steady supply of clean water and electricity at health facilities and the presence of a skilled health attendant during birth,’’ it stated.<br /> <br /> It further called for ample supplies and medicines to prevent and treat complications during pregnancy, delivery and birth as well as empowerment for adolescent girls and women who could demand quality health services.</div>

Latest-News Nigeria to expect 25,685 new babies on New Year Day – UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund says an estimated 25,685 babies will be born in Nigeria on New Year Day. According to a statement iss...

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2019: Governors donating buses for campaigns - Sani Shehu

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4t0R9lvgmbtAv5h6SKx8LYDSz48Wjk_m2ktDDgjc20FzK3up3GlCZ_svVX5DqJ3GJE1zdsJtDOUPz80H6AQvtmqUu0gbBhAmKy-J9019pYNH8qdN1ZOmWIBF6xpMSFQ6V8yYK51UvPNLH/s1600/Shehu+Sani.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4t0R9lvgmbtAv5h6SKx8LYDSz48Wjk_m2ktDDgjc20FzK3up3GlCZ_svVX5DqJ3GJE1zdsJtDOUPz80H6AQvtmqUu0gbBhAmKy-J9019pYNH8qdN1ZOmWIBF6xpMSFQ6V8yYK51UvPNLH/s320/Shehu+Sani.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div> Senator Sani Shehu, on Monday, called the attention of anti-graft agencies to the donation of buses and cars to candidates in the 2019 general elections for campaigns.<br /> <br /> He revealed that he was bringing this up as the anti-graft agencies had earlier promised to monitor election campaign spendings.<br /> <br /> The senator representing Kaduna Central on his verified Twitter handle, said, “Somewhere I read anti-corruption agencies warning and threatening that they will monitor campaign spending and somewhere I read about serving state governors comfortably donating cars and buses for campaigns.”<br /> <br /> See his tweet:<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Somewhere I read anti corruption agencies warning and threatening that they will monitor campaign spending ;and Somewhere I read about serving state Governors comfortably donating cars and Buses for Campaigns.<br /> <br /> — Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) December 31, 2018<br /> <br /> It would be recalled that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, over the weekend, donated 18 buses to the Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation in the state.<br /> <br /> A House of Reps member, Abdulmumin Jibrin also donated some vehicles recently towards the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.</div>

Latest-News 2019: Governors donating buses for campaigns - Sani Shehu

Senator Sani Shehu, on Monday, called the attention of anti-graft agencies to the donation of buses and cars to candidates in the 2019 gen...

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We have a warrant to arrest Dino, says Police

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgothdNJoWDdu18M4qFXJnIkKzvPKCogkoNArHQskJC4HapN-FhbVO_OBzHeuginYnGZ2aaciVYFwYdLGsYeqHCR4E72HX8Fh7vvz8JzoWWEUjdCJJNeHSrDuVJ09xJeps6-zTPyZXt2Gqm/s1600/dino_melaye.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgothdNJoWDdu18M4qFXJnIkKzvPKCogkoNArHQskJC4HapN-FhbVO_OBzHeuginYnGZ2aaciVYFwYdLGsYeqHCR4E72HX8Fh7vvz8JzoWWEUjdCJJNeHSrDuVJ09xJeps6-zTPyZXt2Gqm/s320/dino_melaye.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Nigeria Police said it had “a duly obtained warrant of arrest duly deployed” to apprehend Senator Dino Melaye at his residence in Abuja.<br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria reports that policemen have laid siege to Melaye’s residence to effect his arrest over a case of culpable homicide.<br /> <br /> NAN also recalls that the member representing Kogi West Senatorial district and some suspects were accused of shooting a Police officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force while on duty in Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.<br /> <br /> A statement by the Force spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood on Monday in Abuja, said the Police would continue to occupy his residence until he surrenders.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “We will not retreat until Senator Dino Melaye surrenders himself for arrest and investigation,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Moshood said that Melaye was wanted by the Police for a case of criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide, committed on July 19.<br /> <br /> He explained that Melaye and his armed thugs allegedly attacked Police personnel, shooting and wounding Saliu in the process.<br /> <br /> The spokesman alleged that the lawmaker had refused to report to the Police Command in Kogi to answer the charges in spite of the letter written to the Clerk of the National Assembly.<br /> <br /> He said Saliu was yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack and was still under intensive medical care in the hospital.<br /> <br /> Moshood said the Force would ensure a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure that the rule of law prevails.</div>

Latest-News We have a warrant to arrest Dino, says Police

The Nigeria Police said it had “a duly obtained warrant of arrest duly deployed” to apprehend Senator Dino Melaye at his residence in Abuj...

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"Buhari will record landslide victory in South East, South South in 2019"

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJZHx5lZWfYrMeXPk85u2WToTyxgwIAqquS8rGxFzIeBAjWnA99fVxHIeSZjQ1JaQ7Ihafq1s-wTJJ4Hlh-QnzZvlp4x4ru3Pia3LgJ-_tEz7o1JXuIpB-laOViJpPGbNntX6Nk9ESGg5/s1600/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJZHx5lZWfYrMeXPk85u2WToTyxgwIAqquS8rGxFzIeBAjWnA99fVxHIeSZjQ1JaQ7Ihafq1s-wTJJ4Hlh-QnzZvlp4x4ru3Pia3LgJ-_tEz7o1JXuIpB-laOViJpPGbNntX6Nk9ESGg5/s320/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Mr Chermberline Adiaso, the South East Coordinator of the Presidential Support Committee (PSC) says the South East and South-South would join forces by voting massively for re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.<br /> <br /> He said this in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Umuahia.<br /> <br /> Adiaso, who is also the PSC Chairman, noted that the impressive turnout of supporters at the start of the Presidential Campaign in Uyo, in Akwa Ibom, was a sign that Buhari would win in the two zones.<br /> <br /> The chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Abia said that the president had done well in the two areas to guarantee his re-election.<br /> <br /> “Some of Buhari’s achievements in the South East include the implementation of the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) in all the five states, whereas there was random selection of states in other geo-political zones,” he said.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Adiaso maintained that the second Niger Bridge project and the Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway reconstruction as well as rehabilitation in Aba are part of the footprints of Buhari in the South East.<br /> <br /> He further said that the investment of 5 million dollars in the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, to establish modern diagnostic centres, were among the laudable achievements of Buhari’s administration in the zone.<br /> <br /> The coordinator therefore assured that he and his campaign team would work tirelessly to ensure a landslide victory for Buhari and APC in South East in 2019.<br /> <br /> Adiaso also called for total support for the Uche Ogah/ Martins Azubuike governorship candidacy in Abia under the APC platform.<br /> <br /> He stressed that the state was in dire need of progressive change to bring smiles to the faces of the people once more.</div>

Latest-News "Buhari will record landslide victory in South East, South South in 2019"

Mr Chermberline Adiaso, the South East Coordinator of the Presidential Support Committee (PSC) says the South East and South-South would j...

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Shagari an epitome of integrity, forgiveness - Obasanjo

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWt1Sts5tlFcbzr-5wBs9lfFjs_JybLYTPE4UVNCoulo2jJvOBUhrcqSOSR6dnKdNMmb-eLLYv2pCR7RcH7C6rRGd0-TkqoSWNIa36QblzM2ovpAvcl0ljtXvxmHXzJCGqq3PQD69BAars/s1600/Olusegun-Obasanjo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWt1Sts5tlFcbzr-5wBs9lfFjs_JybLYTPE4UVNCoulo2jJvOBUhrcqSOSR6dnKdNMmb-eLLYv2pCR7RcH7C6rRGd0-TkqoSWNIa36QblzM2ovpAvcl0ljtXvxmHXzJCGqq3PQD69BAars/s320/Olusegun-Obasanjo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, condoled the family of ex-President Shehu Shagari, describing him as an epitome of integrity, commitment, who had faith in God.<br /> <br /> Obasanjo visited the home of the deceased in company with Governor Aminu Tambuwal.<br /> <br /> Condoling the family, Obasanjo said late Shagari was a man, who was committed to national interest.<br /> <br /> The former President while recalling his days in the military and his relationship with late Shagari, while they were federal commissioners in General Yakubu Gowon’s cabinet said the deceased was an honest, transparent and a committed Nigerian.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “I had the opportunity to work with him, immediately we were kicked out of government, I was appointed Chief of Staff and had the task of managing our colleagues back to their respective places. He thanked me for making arrangement for him to get back to Sokoto.<br /> <br /> “Shagari should not be mourned. He should be celebrated as a true, honest and sincere leader who was a nationalist to the core. Nigeria has lost a gem.”<br /> <br /> Obasanjo further recalled how late Shagari expressed surprise when the mantle of leadership was handed to him in 1979 by a military head of state which happened to be himself.<br /> <br /> “He was a true friend indeed not a fair weather friend. His life was an embodiment of something to celebrate. We have learnt a lot from him. If we learn the lessons of forgiveness which he taught us, Nigeria will be a good country”, said the former President.<br /> <br /> Responding, Bala Shagari thanked the former President for the condolence visit. He recalled that Obasanjo was the man who helped his late father to own a house in Abuja.</div>

Latest-News Shagari an epitome of integrity, forgiveness - Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, condoled the family of ex-President Shehu Shagari, describing him as an epitome of integrit...

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Federer relishing ‘once in a lifetime’ Serena clash

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhk0vLE8twV_k__6eg7wuf5DZ7ndfpz1lxPdSCiZ7JWigWMDoqYQ-_akPABuTVbbYfdfN0T4XiDHZHMahPaiZB5zprCxegpFStijEKoTZ8puDw_fqIl7SmQ9Hn_Q-f-F-dNvxo0XcJEGb/s1600/federer+serena.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhk0vLE8twV_k__6eg7wuf5DZ7ndfpz1lxPdSCiZ7JWigWMDoqYQ-_akPABuTVbbYfdfN0T4XiDHZHMahPaiZB5zprCxegpFStijEKoTZ8puDw_fqIl7SmQ9Hn_Q-f-F-dNvxo0XcJEGb/s320/federer+serena.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Hopman Cup might have saved its best for last as excitement builds for the most anticipated tennis match involving a man and woman since the “Battle of the Sexes” in the 1970s.<br /> <br /> Roger Federer and Serena Williams, two of the greatest players in history, will face off across the net for the first time on Tuesday when United States go up against defending champions Switzerland in the mixed doubles of the unique two-player, mixed teams event.<br /> <br /> This year’s tournament is expected to be Perth’s final Hopman Cup and Tuesday’s group tie is an early sellout on the back of the prospect of seeing two of the all-time greats, with 43 Grand Slam singles titles between them, on the same court.<br /> <br /> “It is very exciting for both of us and I hope a lot of tennis fans tune in and watch it,” said Federer after opening his Hopman Cup campaign with an easy singles win on Sunday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “I admire everything she’s done on and off the court, we are both fierce competitors and we always want to win,” added the 20-time Grand Slam champion of the once-in-a-lifetime match.<br /> <br /> “It is going to be one time, probably never again. She is one of the biggest champions in our sport ever, men and women combined, so it is great to be playing against her.”<br /> <br /> The original “Battle of the Sexes” saw Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in an exhibition singles match in 1973.<br /> <br /> Federer said he had plenty of experience playing against women, going back to his days as a teenage tour hopeful in Switzerland.<br /> <br /> Despite their long concurrent careers and having attended a few Wimbledon champion dinners together, Federer said the pair barely knew each other.<br /> <br /> “I don’t know her that well,” he said.<br /> <br /> “In the corridors and cafes, walking by each other, sometimes in the past she has asked me how are the kiddies and how is everyone doing, but if I said I know her it would be a bit of an exaggeration.”<br /> <br /> Williams has said in a television interview that she was looking forward to getting a picture with Federer for her Instagram page.<br /> <br /> “It is the age of social media,” said Federer, with a grin.</div>

Latest-News Federer relishing ‘once in a lifetime’ Serena clash

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APC intensifies efforts to defeat Atiku in Adamawa

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US group makes revelations on Buhari govt, Boko Haram, deaths of Badeh, Alkali

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Revenue loss: NCC faults Falana’s N600bn claim

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxjH8A4Bz4oQHs2e43Nm9FLzccvav3HuT0gfplaS84MzNsK-tsz6V5_ICLg71QQmBEca8Pw6F_DplyqEs3L47q5qDhc2-JyQO_H16FZzk9O1BAY5FPoMS1uiWTxewVnwTNdU_Z6K2vJtD/s1600/femi+falan.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxjH8A4Bz4oQHs2e43Nm9FLzccvav3HuT0gfplaS84MzNsK-tsz6V5_ICLg71QQmBEca8Pw6F_DplyqEs3L47q5qDhc2-JyQO_H16FZzk9O1BAY5FPoMS1uiWTxewVnwTNdU_Z6K2vJtD/s320/femi+falan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Nigerian Communications Commission has faulted the claim by a Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), that the country was losing about N600 billion from the telecommunications industry.<br /> <br /> The NCC, through its Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Sunday Dare, faulted Falana’s claim in a statement in Lagos on Monday.<br /> <br /> Dare gave assurance to stakeholders in the telecommunications industry that the NCC was committed to due process and high integrity in its regulatory roles.<br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Falana said the loss was due to the failure of the commission to issue “contract award letter’’ to a firm that allegedly won the contract for the implementation of ”Revenue Assurance Software”.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Falana, in a publication titled: ”How NCC is making Nigeria Lose N600bn Revenue Every Year”, threatened to sue the commission within two weeks if it failed to issue the letter.<br /> <br /> Dare said, “Our attention has been drawn to sponsored reports alleging that the Federal Government of Nigeria is losing up to N600 billion yearly.<br /> <br /> “Ostensibly because of the alleged failure of the Nigerian Communications Commission to issue a ”contract award letter” to a firm which supposedly won a contract to implement a Revenue Assurance Software.<br /> <br /> “Ideally, the commission would not join issues in the media on what is essentially an ongoing procurement exercise of a very sensitive nature.<br /> <br /> “We are however obliged to make this clarification, so as to set the records straight, and to reassure stakeholders of the commission’s commitment to due process.<br /> <br /> “As well as the integrity of its regulatory and other processes which were unfairly called into question by the said media publication.<br /> <br /> “For the records, there is no iota of truth whatsoever in the allegation of revenue losses to the tune of N600 billion from the telecommunications industry.”<br /> <br /> He said that the industry currently contributed a significant portion to the National Gross Domestic Product and government revenues.<br /> <br /> According to him, NCC’s initiative of implementing a Revenue Assurance System was motivated by its firm belief that the industry has the potential to generate more revenue for government.<br /> <br /> The executive commissioner said that the commission had deployed remarkably stringent processes with which it monitored the industry and collected all revenues.</div>

Latest-News Revenue loss: NCC faults Falana’s N600bn claim

The Nigerian Communications Commission has faulted the claim by a Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), that the country was losing about N600 ...

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2019: Elect visionary leaders, Atiku advises Nigerians

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62_Y9lzNd0MD_dHUb6SIaSuVcURYZK69M2AZLClPgtk_Sic9SGPLU_nI8dRjIPnnCrzxs1H1uUd5Mi_kNL2vls-dFB6VJvPYI9ed0T5q78OBA1Dcg9bfMYKkAZQVEeCFw4G__MSNVN4vL/s1600/Atiku+Abubakar.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62_Y9lzNd0MD_dHUb6SIaSuVcURYZK69M2AZLClPgtk_Sic9SGPLU_nI8dRjIPnnCrzxs1H1uUd5Mi_kNL2vls-dFB6VJvPYI9ed0T5q78OBA1Dcg9bfMYKkAZQVEeCFw4G__MSNVN4vL/s400/Atiku+Abubakar.jpg" /></a></div> The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has advised Nigerians to elect visionary leaders in 2019.<br /> <br /> Abubakar in his new year message issued on Monday in Abuja said that the citizens could collectively chart a new course for the country in 2019.<br /> <br /> “2019 is as yet a blank page. As a nation, we must not settle for whatever it brings.<br /> <br /> “We already have the vision, the vision of a nation that is a beacon of hope for the black race and the world at large,” he said.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The former Vice President also advised Nigerians not to lose heart and hope, saying Nigeria is no stranger to overcoming difficulties.<br /> <br /> He urged the citizens to remember how Nigeria became the first nation in the world to defeat and overcome the wild Ebola virus, when even first world nations were struggling with the scourge.<br /> <br /> Abubakar said that the resilience was domiciled in the Nigerians national psyche and “together we shall win forever’’.<br /> <br /> “I wish you all a Happy New Year and may 2019 be the year of Nigeria,’’ he said.</div>

Latest-News 2019: Elect visionary leaders, Atiku advises Nigerians

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has advised Nigerians to elect visionary leaders in 201...

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Guardiola names title rivals that is best team in the world

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPQtvoIJNJx4tYcklKNUZLeaBr4e2o2T1I6yYNnwWXsfLjR_ORJQ-CkfD8p99ka31bU0bwRwMLmXgIfIl70ngBqiIO8gzUWOiP9WrwuNuQfkV2Y_Iol-IOpcYaegJ_af4NbcBbne2Ppyl/s1600/pg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="460" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPQtvoIJNJx4tYcklKNUZLeaBr4e2o2T1I6yYNnwWXsfLjR_ORJQ-CkfD8p99ka31bU0bwRwMLmXgIfIl70ngBqiIO8gzUWOiP9WrwuNuQfkV2Y_Iol-IOpcYaegJ_af4NbcBbne2Ppyl/s320/pg2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Man City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said Liverpool have a claim to be the best team in the world right now.</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <div><br /></div> <div>Guardiola and his team are trailing the Reds by seven points in the Premier League race and welcome Liverpool to the Eithad on Thursday in a top-of-the-table clash.</div> <div><br /></div> <div>The encounter is being billed as a must-win game for City, after Guardiola admitted his team’s title defence would have been over, if they had not beaten Southampton on Sunday.</div> <div><br /></div> <div>A 3-1 win restored some of City’s confidence, but Guardiola warned his players that they are about to take on the world’s in-form side on Thursday.<a name='more' id="more"></a></div> <div><br /></div> <div>“The problem is the other team is fantastic.</div> <div><br /></div> <div>“[Liverpool are] maybe the best team in Europe or the world right now and in top form.</div> <div><br /></div> <div>“You have to accept it. All we can do is do our job, play our games and after that we will see,” Guardiola told BBC Sport.</div> <div><br /></div> <div>Liverpool won every single one of their December games, while City suffered three costly defeats in the same period.</div> </div> </div>

Latest-News Guardiola names title rivals that is best team in the world

Man City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said Liverpool have a claim to be the best team in the world right now. Guardiola and his team ar...

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Shagari would have industrialized Nigeria if not 1983 coup – NLC

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWXX74i6uliKM9ySwZeDwybpJgv-CqM8BE6ddhgTYUC-0vQG-AJoTODXZNiMYovXdD8Q1CIYKQtQ-dsaZmYkbRvDgFmQrgiNkRtqDEP6DHfswSmmBOKphEaxu4Eajf9YxvaDUHB8Zi0c1/s1600/NLC.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWXX74i6uliKM9ySwZeDwybpJgv-CqM8BE6ddhgTYUC-0vQG-AJoTODXZNiMYovXdD8Q1CIYKQtQ-dsaZmYkbRvDgFmQrgiNkRtqDEP6DHfswSmmBOKphEaxu4Eajf9YxvaDUHB8Zi0c1/s320/NLC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The organised labour, Sunday, mourned the demise of Nigeria’s first executive president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, saying that the country would have been industrialized if not the 1983 coup that sacked the Shagari’s government.<br /> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari took over government after the coup that dethroned the civilian administration led by Alhaji Shagari.<br /> <br /> In a statement in Abuja, the organised labour through the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, noted with delight that the late Shagari signed into law the National Minimum Wage Act of 1981 that provided for a new national minimum wage of N125 which was equivalent to about $200.<br /> <br /> The statement read, “We at the Nigeria Labour Congress would like to join the Nigerian government, world leaders, family members and other Nigerians in mourning the death of Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, Elder statesman and first Executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<br /> “As President, Shagari, as he was popularly known, was humble, personable, considerate and broad-minded, some of the reasons that explained his popularity amongst the ordinary people.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “Shagari initiated some of the landmark projects including iron and steel and petrochemicals in his quest to make Nigeria an industrial hub.<br /> <br /> “Not a few hold the view that but for the coup that removed him from power in 1983, unceremoniously cutting short his second term, Shagari would have seen through his vision of a highly industrialised Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> Commenting on the former President’s life style, Wabba said, “We similarly hold the view that given his urbane and simple and straight forward life style, Shagari would have built an enduring culture of democratic succession in spite of some of the disputed elections in his time.<br /> <br /> “However, Shagari was blamed for not exercising requisite control over some of the rambunctious and corrupt members of his cabinet or party, a fact not a few, today, believe was largely responsible for his removal from power.<br /> <br /> “Amazingly, his removal did little to diminish his towering stature as no act of corruption or wrong doing was traced to him.<br /> <br /> “Thus, in retirement, he was both a respected voice of moderation and wisdom from which succeeding leaders befitted till death took him away.<br /> <br /> “For us at the Nigeria Labour Congress, Shagari, in spite of having come to power on an ideological platform that was manifestly different from the one we subscribed to, holds a special place in our hearts. For instance, he signed into law the National Minimum Wage Act of 1981 that provided for a new national minimum wage of N125 which was equivalent to about $200.<br /> <br /> “It took more than deft move and political will to execute this. It took the milk of human kindness in Alhaji Shehu Usman Shagari and his deep appreciation of the dignity of labour and value of the human life to do this.<br /> <br /> “To truly appreciate the value of what Shagari did for workers way back then without a bloody fight, let us pause and reflect on the value of the present national minimum wage of N18,000 which is $49; and the new national minimum wage of N30,000 (equivalent to $82) which is due since 2016.<br /> <br /> “One of his other legacies was a national housing scheme, a component of which was the building of low-cost houses for workers across the then 19 states of the federation<br /> <br /> “In light of his contributions to national development, peace in the land, and welfare of workers, Shagari remains a national hero, patriot, and a distinguished gentleman.<br /> <br /> “He never for a moment allowed the allure of office to becloud his judgement, especially about the objective conditions of workers. The good he has done shall therefore not be interred with him but shall live after him.<br /> <br /> “It is reason why we join others in mourning this great patriot and nationalist.<br /> <br /> “We do hope his death will offer us all an opportunity to reflect not only on our mortality, but our life in office, actions or decisions taken in power.<br /> <br /> “Fare thee well, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari. To live in the hearts of those who love you, is not to die. Your deeds shall continue to live after you.”</div>

Latest-News Shagari would have industrialized Nigeria if not 1983 coup – NLC

The organised labour, Sunday, mourned the demise of Nigeria’s first executive president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, saying that the country wou...

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Report on alleged corruption in military vindicates our position – PDP

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLTWFUaaZgeiLM7Da5472IYlsY5a2z1Z1ZYKFMBFid-kiK8_BqP838pfV9SM61phl95JFVA7R4foWJY8zo19S1luPAT2AsQgKHQn3j50UqR3bJvGITkeZdVz-yWpym-Q25Pf2r-c8Aqhq/s1600/pdp-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLTWFUaaZgeiLM7Da5472IYlsY5a2z1Z1ZYKFMBFid-kiK8_BqP838pfV9SM61phl95JFVA7R4foWJY8zo19S1luPAT2AsQgKHQn3j50UqR3bJvGITkeZdVz-yWpym-Q25Pf2r-c8Aqhq/s320/pdp-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, said the report of corruption in the nation’s military hierarchy published by International Strategic Studies Association, ISSA, was a vindication of its position that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration war against corruption was a ruse.<br /> <br /> ISSA, based in the United States of America, had alleged that massive corruption among the top hierarchy of the armed forces as it relates to procurement of arms and logistics, responsible for the inability of Nigerian troops to defeat Boko Haram.<br /> <br /> ISSA, a Washington-based non-govermental organisation, in its Defence and Foreign Affairs reports published on December 28, blamed corruption in the Nigeria’s military circle for the festering Boko Haram insurgency in the North-Eastern part of the country.<br /> <br /> Speaking yesterday, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, urged President Buhari to review his parade and adopt new strategies to curtail the menace of insurgency in the land.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He said: “We have stated it for the umpteenth time that President Buhari needs fresh strategies to tackle insurgency. Now that an independent foreign-based report has indicted the military under his watch of complicity, we are waiting to see what action he would take.<br /> <br /> “When innocent people are being killed recklessly and soldiers trained to defend their fatherland are being slaughtered like chickens by gunmen, it means something is definitely wrong and a quick fix has to come into play.<br /> <br /> “As a party, the report has vindicated us and we call on Nigerians to take the opportunity of the 2019 elections to vote in a purpose-driven leader that will rescue this nation for good.”</div>

Latest-News Report on alleged corruption in military vindicates our position – PDP

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, said the report of corruption in the nation’s military hierarchy published by International Stra...

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We will not leave Dino Melaye’s home until he surrenders – Police

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1xV4bPXHg633t1CBT-U6U_3_w4XLblFyPVA2nX-CszswqIPrjqDyRArrU9rFQ5kblya9Ur1IZUdA7rxC4AKYgF0BLSKrL9-TAm72X9YPC2CiG3rTOOno7Fv0vHrgPRaJ42GLQAx-5vkk/s1600/dino_melaye.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1xV4bPXHg633t1CBT-U6U_3_w4XLblFyPVA2nX-CszswqIPrjqDyRArrU9rFQ5kblya9Ur1IZUdA7rxC4AKYgF0BLSKrL9-TAm72X9YPC2CiG3rTOOno7Fv0vHrgPRaJ42GLQAx-5vkk/s320/dino_melaye.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Nigeria Police Force has said that its police operatives deployed to arrest Senator Dino Melaye in his residence will not retreat until the Senator surrenders himself for arrest and investigation.<br /> <br /> The Police made this known in a statement on Sunday night saying furhers that Senator Dino Melaye is wanted by the Police for a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide, committed on 19th July, 2018, when Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs attacked Police personnel; shot and wounded Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF) on stop and search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.<br /> <br /> The Police in the statement signed by Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood, Force Public Relations officer Force Headquarters Abuja said that ‘the operatives with a duly obtained Warrant of Arrest deployed to arrest Senator Dino Melaye in his residence in Abuja will not retreat until Senator Dino Melaye surrenders himself for arrest and investigation.<br /> <br /> ‘It is on record that the Police investigators submitted a Letter of Invitation dated 23rd July, 2018, signed by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command addressed to the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja, inviting Senator Dino Melaye to report on 26th July, 2018 at 1100Hrs at the Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja to answer to a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide against him under investigation in the Kogi State Police Command. The claim by the Senate President in the Media that the Police did not submit a letter of invitation to the Clerk of the National Assembly is therefore incorrect as can be seen on attached letter with acknowledgment stamp of the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja “24 JUL 2018“. Despite this, Senator Dino Melaye bluntly refused to report himself to the Police till date.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> ‘For avoidance of doubt, attached to this Press Release are the copies of pictures of the shot Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, the Police Invitation Letter addressed to the Clerk of National Assembly, Abuja and the Medical Report from the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State, confirming the admission of Sgt. Danjuma Saliu into the Hospital for treatment of the gunshot injury he sustained from the attack by Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs while on Stop and Search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State on 19th July, 2018.<br /> <br /> ‘The Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, is yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack and still under intensive medical care in the hospital.<br /> <br /> ‘The Force will ensure a thorough investigation into this matter while making sure that the rule of law prevails and that no suspect no matter how highly placed, involved in any criminal matter escape justice.<br /> <br /> The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, also on Sunday reacting said with the continued lockdown on the residence of Senator Dino Melaye by the police, the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency is turning Nigeria into a police state, where those opposed to the President’s re- election bid are treated like enemies of the state.<br /> <br /> The party in a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan said “the continued siege, which has been widely condemned as unwarranted and provocative, shows that the police under President Buhari, has become an instrument of oppression to subjugate dissenting voices ahead of the 2019 general election.<br /> <br /> “The party invites Nigerians to note that the only sin committed by its Presidential Campaign Director of Civil Societies, Senator Melaye, is his return to the PDP and his forthright stand against the misrule of the Buhari administration, which are all well within his rights as a citizen.<br /> <br /> “Since Senator Melaye, left the APC, the Buhari administration has continued to hound and harass him, as well as the members of his family with trumped up charges, all aimed to silence and put him out of circulation ahead of the 2019 general election.”<br /> <br /> The party also said it “has become extremely worried about the safety of Senator Melaye and his family members under police lockdown and charges Nigerians to hold President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC, responsible should any harm befall him or any member of his family.<br /> <br /> “The PDP hopes that opposition figures such as Senator Melaye will not suddenly become victims of ‘accidental discharge’, unexplained assassinations or mysterious motor accidents as the nation moves on to the general elections.”</div>

Latest-News We will not leave Dino Melaye’s home until he surrenders – Police

The Nigeria Police Force has said that its police operatives deployed to arrest Senator Dino Melaye in his residence will not retreat unti...

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Hoscon hails Buhari over resolve on 13% derivation

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdq7dCF9nhj4m3wyxYYStoE8QQfoFEJyNxKJha-EXJB24JJXm6lSDk5W1ZQb059nQajmXZerPjlZRzij7GbERLw1MqABjtvhvjA_qaqTw132czTXNg9zf9ZePUfOA1q0obf_voV1MK_qW/s1600/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdq7dCF9nhj4m3wyxYYStoE8QQfoFEJyNxKJha-EXJB24JJXm6lSDk5W1ZQb059nQajmXZerPjlZRzij7GbERLw1MqABjtvhvjA_qaqTw132czTXNg9zf9ZePUfOA1q0obf_voV1MK_qW/s320/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Host communities of  Nigeria  Producing Oil and Gas, HOSCON, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for  supporting call  for the 13 percent derivation fund  to go to  oil bearing communities  in the Niger Delta region.<br /> <br /> The body at the end of a meeting   in Warri, Delta State also  passed a vote of confidence on the President for the resolve, adding that it will speed up development of oil communities.<br /> <br /> Spokesman of the group, Mr  Monday Whiskey also enjoined President Buhari to consider HOSCON security company in the pipeline surveillance job in the region.<br /> <br /> “That the meeting resolved that President Buhari’s intention to ensure that 13 per cent derivation fund is made available to the people of the oil/gas bearing constituents is one of the most outstanding decisions that this government had taken as it affects the socio-economic and infrastructural transformation of the long neglected and environmentally improvised oil bearing region of the country.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “The meeting appealed  to President Buhari to ensure that HOSCON security company was giving adequate recognition in the proposed community pipeline policing initiative, as HOSCON promised to use her good will and grassroots contact to ensure adequate and effective policing of the vast pipelines within our communities,” he said.</div>

Latest-News Hoscon hails Buhari over resolve on 13% derivation

Host communities of  Nigeria  Producing Oil and Gas, HOSCON, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for  supporting call  for the 13 percen...

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My father pardoned Buhari before he died, says Shagari’s son

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddSstxBJWP495nQ7wCAhvcqgLpDXbl2_K9TS5TImcNTyryH61RqrDDJZCo-HIvKffnzP58mYiCGNOz_UO74D1VBL2Sx82BB8m6HR3klltyDIsEY4SjNs-Pohm7Nz4sTQRk_Dmka5kd-ml/s1600/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddSstxBJWP495nQ7wCAhvcqgLpDXbl2_K9TS5TImcNTyryH61RqrDDJZCo-HIvKffnzP58mYiCGNOz_UO74D1VBL2Sx82BB8m6HR3klltyDIsEY4SjNs-Pohm7Nz4sTQRk_Dmka5kd-ml/s320/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Alhaji  Bala Shagari, eldest son of late President Shehu Shagari has expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari over his condolence visit to the family in Sokoto State, even as he noted that his father told them that he had pardoned everybody before his death.<br /> <br /> According to him, his father had no grudge against Buhari or anyone because Shagari “told us he had pardoned everyone.”<br /> <br /> The eldest son told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday, in Sokoto, Sokoto State, that the family was happy with the visit and Buhari’s pledge to immortalize the late president.<br /> Bala, who is the District Head of Shagari town in Sokoto, however, said he would not comment on Buhari’s pledge until it was fulfilled.<br /> <br /> Late Shagari, aged 93, died on December 28 at the National Hospital, Abuja and was buried on Saturday at Shagari, his home town.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Shagari was President of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983. He was dethroned by a coup d’etat that brought in Buhari to power as military Head of State, three months after he (Shagari) was sworn in for a second term.<br /> <br /> He said the late president did not leave any will beside the directive that he should be buried at his home town, Shagari.<br /> <br /> According to Bala, the directive was strictly observed and implemented as his remains were buried at Shagari town, on Saturday.<br /> <br /> He acknowledged that the Sultan had offered that the late president should be buried at Hubbare, where Shehu Usman Dan Fodio was laid to rest.<br /> “We acknowledged it but late Shagari had told us that he should be buried in Shagari town and even indicated a specific location, so we have to comply with his will,” he added.<br /> <br /> He explained that the late president’s absence at functions was due to his ill-health, saying that was the reason he stayed in Sokoto and Shagari town before he died.<br /> Earlier, President Buhari condoled with the wives and children of late Shagari at the deceased’s residence on Sama Road in Sokoto.<br /> <br /> During the visit, Prof. Shehu Galadanci led the prayers for late Shagari.<br /> <br /> He also prayed to God to change the mindset of those spreading hate and disunity among citizens as well as those individuals or organisations working against the laudable and pro-human policies and programmes of the Buhari administration.<br /> <br /> Buhari was accompanied by Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko and Sokoto State Deputy Governor Alhaji Mannir Dan-Iya, among others.<br /> <br /> The visit was cheered by crowds chanting; “Nigeria Sai Maigaskiya” meaning Nigeria is for a truthful person.<br /> <br /> The Federal Government’s delegation led by Secretary to the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, had earlier attended the late president’s funeral on Saturday in Shagari town.<br /> <br /> The deceased, who held the traditional title of Turakin Sokoto, was born on February 25, 1925 in Shagari, in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto state.<br /> <br /> After his early education, he worked as a teacher briefly before he became politician in 1951. In 1954, he was elected to the Federal House of Representatives.<br /> He served seven times as a federal minister and federal commissioner from 1958–1975, before he was elected president in 1979.</div>

Latest-News My father pardoned Buhari before he died, says Shagari’s son

Alhaji  Bala Shagari, eldest son of late President Shehu Shagari has expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari over his condole...

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Keyamo to Atiku: Produce evidence of corruption against Buhari or keep quiet forever

Latest-News Keyamo to Atiku: Produce evidence of corruption against Buhari or keep quiet forever

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Police stay put at Dino Melaye’s residence, want him to surrender

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="412" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoKBfoVfZsZ8y-5Bof2W6UJ2W_tsfx8gC2mHp5aMOrAzIwVRINs00rA0XRyS6nBoLWiWPcvAu4BLCXTfq45Goy3W4Bw81kG3ZBLLZ7qvbrcfaOWtxcTQ5jQSy4iiDEX8REPrMjm6gwwT-/s400/Dino-Melaye-dance.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Nigerian Police Force said its men sent to arrest Senator Dino Melaye in his residence in Abuja will not retreat until the senator surrenders himself for arrest and investigation.<br /> <br /> According to police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, the officers have a duly obtained Warrant of Arrest to pick the senator, representing Kogi West.<br /> <br /> “Senator Dino Melaye is wanted by the Police for a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide, committed on 19th July, 2018, when Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs attacked Police personnel; shot and wounded Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF) on stop and search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State”, Moshood said.<br /> <br /> “It is on record that the Police investigators submitted a Letter of Invitation dated 23rd July, 2018, signed by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command addressed to the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja, inviting Senator Dino Melaye to report on 26th July, 2018 at 1100Hrs at the Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja to answer to a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide against him under investigation in the Kogi State Police Command.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “The claim by the Senate President in the Media that the Police did not submit a letter of invitation to the Clerk of the National Assembly is therefore incorrect as can be seen on attached letter with acknowledgment stamp of the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja “24 JUL 2018“. Despite this, Senator Dino Melaye bluntly refused to report himself to the Police till date.<br /> <br /> “For avoidance of doubt, attached to this Press Release are the copies of pictures of the shot Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, the Police Invitation Letter addressed to the Clerk of National Assembly, Abuja and the Medical Report from the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State, confirming the admission of Sgt. Danjuma Saliu into the Hospital for treatment of the gunshot injury he sustained from the attack by Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs while on Stop and Search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State on 19th July, 2018.<br /> <br /> “The Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, is yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack and still under intensive medical care in the hospital.<br /> <br /> “The Force will ensure a thorough investigation into this matter while making sure that the rule of law prevails and that no suspect no matter how highly placed, involved in any criminal matter escape justice.”

Latest-News Police stay put at Dino Melaye’s residence, want him to surrender

The Nigerian Police Force said its men sent to arrest Senator Dino Melaye in his residence in Abuja will not retreat until the senator sur...

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Teenager sells siblings to raise WASSCE registration fee

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgi7KykcQyAQ2uQljQHmvjcesZ7PvZJ0J_W_0_gLp2yheVAB3Vd54IqxqZPCRQ6wT4JQw5RVCOyXB0bcvwvcZiP-l3c9us5KDuJtaQ-a6hFHI_yCmrc2w7TXCGwX7vUduFfzVhYyxcdESr/s1600/waec.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="795" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgi7KykcQyAQ2uQljQHmvjcesZ7PvZJ0J_W_0_gLp2yheVAB3Vd54IqxqZPCRQ6wT4JQw5RVCOyXB0bcvwvcZiP-l3c9us5KDuJtaQ-a6hFHI_yCmrc2w7TXCGwX7vUduFfzVhYyxcdESr/s400/waec.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> A teenage girl has been arrested after she stole two siblings between the ages of two and seven, and sold the children for N800,000.<br /> <br /> The 15-year-old girl, Precious Ehiedo, and two others, Juliet Ogben and Favour Okoh, were arrested by men of the operatives of the Imo state police command.<br /> <br /> While parading the suspects before newsmen and also handing one of the recovered babies to the parents, the state Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, said Precious stole the siblings, two-year-old Chiemerem and seven-year-old Mmesoma Nwoke, in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State after following the advise of her parents who refused to give her money for money to register for the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination WASSCE, when she asked.<br /> <br /> Her parents had told her they had no money for her exam registration and advised her to do what her ‘mates are doing’, steal children, sell them and make money.<br /> <br /> “On November 13 at around 9am, one Precious Ehiedo, 15, daughter of Mr and Mrs Romeo and Uchechi Ehiedo, resident at Ogbuaku in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State but natives of Abraka in Delta State, requested from her parents money for the SSCE registration. Her parents told her to go and steal children for them to sell in order to raise money for her examination. Being familiar with the two children at her maternal home, Umuezeala Ama, in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State, she stole the children.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “The girl and her father left for Mbano, but the father stopped at the Amaraku Market square, waiting for his daughter to hand over the children, who he had instructed her to steal. The 15-year-old met the children playing, stole them and joined her father at the Amaraku Market and both left with the children to Ogbaku. The children were sold to one Mama Joy at the rate of N800,000. Mama Joy, with one Favour Okoh, resold one of the children to one Juliet Ogbor for N750,000.”<br /> <br /> Galadanchi said the police immediately commenced investigation and was able to recover one of the children, Chiemerem, on December 15th at Agbor in Delta State.

Latest-News Teenager sells siblings to raise WASSCE registration fee

A teenage girl has been arrested after she stole two siblings between the ages of two and seven, and sold the children for N800,000. The...

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Again, Buhari’s New Year message will be empty promises — PDP

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="297" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jyQ8nuiYD94zncpSPp2_tKVoVrH_KyQeKfWwIoHxIbk9CxfomC4OeldiIugCKZUoKdIjHgDjnlaaMOeHBzkHtIwEh9n3O_Hm3JNYDwaHOuS08OY9GTYEkXSR-0Q8IFhvv3c282i1x1Ov/s400/buhari+a+PDP.jpeg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s New Year message will be filled with fake promises.<br /> <br /> The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that the president had nothing to offer Nigerians after his promise of more hardship in 2019.<br /> <br /> He said, “The message will be a rehash of fake promises which had been foisted on Nigerians since December 2015.”<br /> <br /> Ologbondiyan, who is also the Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, said Buhari had already admitted failure in governance.<br /> <br /> He added that Buhari had no solutions and as such would only dwell on fictitious claims and cosmetic patriotism, in an effort to sway Nigerians and divert their attention from his perceived failures and insensitivity to their problems.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He said, “However, in case Mr. President considers the New Year message, a ritual which he must fulfil, he should use the occasion to provide answers to the allegations that he soiled his hands in the alleged corrupt acquisition of Etisalat Nigeria and Keystone Bank Plc by members of his family under the official cover of his presidency.<br /> <br /> “No New Year message would be more apt than Mr. President explaining how his family members came about the sum of N1.032tn for this scandalous acquisition.<br /> <br /> Ologbondiyan stated that Buhari may also wish to use the occasion to provide answers to the alleged false performance claims in his 2019 budget speech that led to him being booed by federal legislators.<br /> <br /> He said, “Moreover, instead of harping on his discredited war against corruption, President Buhari should use his New Year message to explain the whereabouts of the over N11tn that disappeared from government coffers under his watch, including the N9tn detailed in the leaked memo at the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation, which his administration has refused to account for.<br /> <br /> “President Buhari must not continue to play the saint when his administration has skeletons in its cupboard. He must provide answers to Nigerians.<br /> <br /> “If not, he should not bother sending any New Year message as the nation has moved beyond mere rhetoric, blame game and false promises, which have been the hallmarks of his administration.”

Latest-News Again, Buhari’s New Year message will be empty promises — PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s New Year message will be filled with fake promises. The PDP Nat...

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Fulani herdsmen set Benue governor’s rice farm ablaze

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SMh4VE-5HjXZgSfSX2ruJQ3c_696BZcXK8IH7nQuDZ6z3XLByxPbfOm1tZNH7pR4WlNGBbit7LUq_n224pxniWhn-pTkbR_Aw3H2S33jXjmvnrokjUIUx6vGeUhcX90X9mmd7N2o0xZR/s400/benue+ortom.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Over 20,000 hectares of rice farm belonging to Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom have been set ablaze by suspected herdsmen in Tse-Adorogo, Mbabeagh, Nzorov, Guma Local Government Area.<br /> <br /> In a telephone interview with newsmen, the governor said he had not harvested his rice farm, which is incorporated under Oracle Business Limited, before the suspected herdsmen set it ablaze.<br /> <br /> Orace Farms, which started when the governor was the Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, is into massive rice and soybeans cultivation.<br /> <br /> It was learnt that this was the fourth time Ortom’s farms had been attacked.<br /> <br /> When he was Minster of State in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, suspected herdsmen attacked his Oracle Farm on Naka Road at gunpoint and stole 30 cows.<br /> <br /> The herdsmen struck again in 2014 at his Tse- Adorogo, Mbabeagh country home and set his rice farm and house ablaze.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> When he became governor in 2015, herdsmen again set ablaze his rice farm in 2016 and 2017.<br /> <br /> The governor expressed concern that herdsmen again destroyed crops in the state.<br /> <br /> He reiterated his called for ranching of animals, saying there is no more land for anyone to feed their cattle in the name of grazing.<br /> <br /> “I said ranching is the international best practice for animal husbandry. But if anyone has an alternative method, let him bring it to the table,” he said.<br /> <br /> Ortom urged youths not to take the law into their hands but report to security agencies if any cattle encroached on farm lands in any part of the state.<br /> <br /> The governor told newsmen that he would officially visit the rice farm tomorrow to assess the damage done to it.

Latest-News Fulani herdsmen set Benue governor’s rice farm ablaze

Over 20,000 hectares of rice farm belonging to Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom have been set ablaze by suspected herdsmen in Tse-Adorog...

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Buhari orders release of $877 million arms to fight Boko Haram

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CibJbLroLGX3CH1I6l4drAPMGyY4KeTJsIOcIBRdRo_2S6mMN-rNO5fixhjF7Jc8uAhDODN37SDc58LbYRInjSNOuepazg9nJMkK3rfQWUZnrvfhTYeRq3QvG1FeVadNtphfjIIt7N1B/s640/buhari+new+2017.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> Out of the $1 billion approved by the National Assembly for the procurement of military equipment, $877 million has been released.<br /> <br /> There has been some controversy over the whereabouts of the money.<br /> <br /> Immediately after the Metele, Borno State attacks on the military last month, the controversy got bigger. Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said the military had not received such cash from the government to boost the anti-Boko Haram and other campaigns.<br /> <br /> However, according to a relaible source $496,374,470 was released from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the purchase of Super Tucano aircraft from the United States. The payment has been made.<br /> <br /> Besides, $380,513,958.71 was released (as first tranche) for the procurement of critical equipment for the Army, the Navy and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), a source said.<br /> <br /> These releases along with other deductions may have contributed to the depletion of the ECA from $3.502 billion in January to $631 million in December 2018.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Finance Minister Mrs. Zainab Ahmed attributed the “rapid” depletion of the ECA to payments made to the military as approved by the National Assembly.<br /> <br /> A source in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) confirmed to newsmen that $876m had since been released to the military. But the source did not give the exact date when the payout was made.<br /> <br /> The source also disclosed that the ECA had an opening balance of $3.502 billion in January 2018, made up of $2.451 billion as balance brought forward on the January 1, 2018 and additional inflows of $1.052 billion.<br /> <br /> In the course of the year, the source said that $1.761 billion was withdrawn from the ECA as refund to state governments for Paris Club deductions made in the past from the state governments accounts. Besides, $0.233 million was withdrawn and paid to state governments as grants to fund their Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) obligations.<br /> <br /> These deductions brought the ECA down to over $600 million balance as at the last Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja.<br /> <br /> Gen Buratai did not categorically say how much the military was expecting from the government but said that the government had not released funds to the military to effectively prosecute the war against insurgents across the country.<br /> <br /> A member of the Senate Committee on Defence said it was not aware that the fund had been released.<br /> <br /> He spoke of how some members of the committee made inquiries, but were not told that part of the $1 billion had been released.<br /> <br /> He said: “We are actually in the dark as far as the issue is concerned. It is an important issue. When the Chief of Army Staff said they had not received the money as approved by the National Assembly, some of us made enquiries.<br /> <br /> “May be because of the security nature of the fund, the authorities may not want details of the releases to be known. We will definitely follow up, although it may not be for public consumption because of the security implications.”<br /> <br /> “We may have to invite relevant authorities to brief us,” the senator, who did not want his identity disclosed, told one of our reporters.<br /> <br /> The House of Representatives is investigating the whereabouts of the $1 billion appropriated for the procurement of arms and equipment in the fight against Boko Haram in the Northeast and general insecurity.<br /> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the release of $1 billion for the procurement of security equipment.

Latest-News Buhari orders release of $877 million arms to fight Boko Haram

Out of the $1 billion approved by the National Assembly for the procurement of military equipment, $877 million has been released. Ther...

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PDP kicks as police continue siege to Dino Melaye’s home

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="412" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsILvgW5rDZK3Us2yadZBamNHe7KE4cfvWpxALes81dHF6JeT54lJ8sRET7ot0JehRliN94y-2iyWHq_1tQ6oKAvgwFaluwY_Vdi34P1ue7R-2f7xaMyw3OMrJh0gUe8c74LDcy_sooL8/s400/dino+laugh.png" width="400" /></div> THE Police yesterday said they will continue their siege to the Abuja home of Senator Dino Melaye until he surrenders himself.<br /> <br /> Some operatives were at the weekend deployed to arrest the Kogi West senator, who the police alleged failed to honour their invitation.<br /> <br /> The police spoke as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautioned the President Muhammadu Buhari administration against turning the country into a police state.<br /> <br /> In a statement, the main opposition party’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, decried the way and manner key opponents of President Buhari in next year’s election were being treated like enemies of the state.<br /> <br /> But the the Police said Melaye was invited to answer to a case of attempted culpable homicide on the shooting of an officer, Sgt Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF) while on duty at a stop and search point on Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to the police, the offence was committed by Melaye and his armed thugs in Kogi State on the 19th July, 2018 when they shot and wounded Saliu.<br /> <br /> The police also noted that the officer has not recovered from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack and still under intensive medical care.<br /> <br /> Police spokesman Jimoh Moshood, an Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) had, in a statement at the weekend said: “Police investigators have written the Clerk of the National Assembly for Senator Dino Melaye to report at Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja for him to answer to these offences against him under investigation in Kogi State Police Command but he has bluntly refused to report himself to the Police.<br /> <br /> “The offence for which Senator Dino Melaye is being investigated is capital in nature and not compoundable. The Force will not tolerate attack on his personnel by any individual no matter how highly placed. The law must take its course.”<br /> <br /> Three days after the siege, Senator Melaye took to his Twitter handle @dino_melaye on Sunday to decry the continuous siege to his residence.<br /> <br /> The senator, who stated in the tweet that he would not run away from the country, also alleged that the police cut off his light and water supply.<br /> <br /> The tweet reads: “To God alone be the glory. I shall not die but live. Nigeria is my only country; I cannot and will not run away because of frivolous lies and charges. We all own this country and justice must reign. I will never be afraid of him who can only kill and injure the flesh and not the spirit.<br /> <br /> “Nigerians can drive or walk through my street to confirm Moshood Jimoh’s lies. Water and light cut off for 3days now. These guys are so dishonourable. God help Nigeria. We shall overcome.”<br /> <br /> Moshood, however, denied cutting off water and power supply into the senator’s house.<br /> <br /> “We are neither plumbers nor electricians, how do we cut off water and light? He claimed not to be at home, how did he know that they cut water and light? We did not cut the water, nor light because we are neither electricians nor plumbers. We are only there to enforce the law, so let him surrender himself.<br /> <br /> The PDP decried what it cried police lockdown on Melaye’s residence.<br /> <br /> Ologbondiyan said in the statement: “The continued siege, which has been widely condemned as unwarranted and provocative, shows that the police under President Buhari, has become an instrument of oppression to subjugate dissenting voices ahead of the 2019 general election.<br /> <br />

Latest-News PDP kicks as police continue siege to Dino Melaye’s home

THE Police yesterday said they will continue their siege to the Abuja home of Senator Dino Melaye until he surrenders himself. Some opera...

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Buhari, Atiku supporters clash again

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="412" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJzeeX7IOFWcyCElYMpR4AQgslwjEuOltKqxbzjn97yDiQJGZp6Q05gOF1Z4lInaNFC0W2bMHfDREJjzvzZPB-w-9NOwOdiEApD9KOltdD2t0qTPrdoqBduUiARoSeieK8a8hQfW4tpeq/s400/Buhari-atiku+bb.png" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) and the Atiku Media Office clashed yesterday over an allegation that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar was planning to bring into the country illicit funds.<br /> <br /> In a statement, the BMO alleged the former vice president Atiku Abubakar plans to flood the country with what it described as illicit funds in the run-up to the 2019 elections.<br /> <br /> Its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Customs Service NCS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to watch out for illegal funds’ transfer across the borders.<br /> <br /> But Atiku’s Media Adviser Paul Ibe dismissed the allegation as “another infantile outburst that tells more about the accuser than the accused.”<br /> <br /> Ibe said the PDP standard bearer has no looted funds anywhere.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In its statement, the BMO accused the former vice of being desperate to bring money stashed abroad into the country with a view to outspending the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).<br /> <br /> It reads: “We have it on good authority that the PDP and its Presidential candidate are making strenuous efforts to bring in public funds stashed abroad including those from recent sales of assets in Angola which were acquired with illicit funds.<br /> <br /> “We also know that the former vice president has made promissory transaction commitments on a number of strategic national assets including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and a percentage holding in the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) to a foreign syndicate.<br /> <br /> “All these are out of desperation and as a result of his inability to raise funds from governors elected on PDP platform, many of whom are themselves locked in stiff battles for their seats.”<br /> <br /> According to Akinsiju and Madueke, the decision to bring in funds by the PDP candidate followed stringent measures put in place by the CBN and EFCC to ensure sanity in the banking sector.<br /> <br /> It alleged that said top officials of the last PDP government used some third generation banks to funnel public funds to party officials in all states of the federation before the last election.<br /> <br /> The statement added: “It is clear to Atiku Abubakar and PDP elements that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has put in place a system that has made it difficult for the type of situation in 2015 where a former minister could warehouse $115,000,000 (One hundred and fifteen million dollars) which was then shared among party officials to influence electoral officials.<br /> <br /> “They also know that even the EFCC is very much on the alert at local airports as seen in the manner its operatives have twice in recent times intercepted undeclared sums of money running into millions of dollars.<br /> <br /> “So these opposition elements are now working out a more crooked way of bringing in money through the borders in order to circumvent the system before and during the February 2019 elections”.<br /> <br /> The group urged all relevant agencies to double their efforts to enforce provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended).<br /> <br /> Reacting, Atiku’s spokesman said the former vice president has a reputation of blocking the transfer of illicit funds.<br /> <br /> Ibe said: “For the avoidance of doubt, history shows that rather than smuggle in looted cash, Waziri Atiku Abubakar has a record of preventing looted funds from being smuggled into Nigeria.<br /> <br /> In 1984, it was Atiku Abubakar, as head of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command of the Nigerian Customs and Excise Department, that stopped the ADC of the then Military Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, from smuggling in 53 suitcases of looted money into the country.<br /> <br /> “Young Nigerians and millennials, who may not be aware of this incident, will do well to Google it. Only the guilty are afraid.”<br /> <br /> Ibe quoted what Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai said of the controversial suitcases, adding that Atiku had survived all the traps set for him because he had nothing to hide.<br /> <br /> He said: “Atiku Abubakar’s plane was searched, his accounts have been perused and his businesses have been thoroughly investigated with a fine tooth and nothing remotely corrupt or illegal has been found.<br /> <br /> “And while they are at it, we urge them to tell Nigerians those behind Etisalat and Keystone Bank and how they suddenly possessed such wealth overnight.”<br /> <br /> The Buhari campaign office had defended the President’s integrity and accused the opposition party of deliberately planning to drag the name of President Buhari in the mud.

Latest-News Buhari, Atiku supporters clash again

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) and the Atiku Media Office clashed yesterday over an allegation that the presidential candidate of th...

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TRENDING VIDEO: Angry Nigerian soldiers complain of inadequate weapons, vows to return home

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1504" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-ur6hpo9bcKWt54I2QwO4s3ZoiVnMOy25_8yazNNPflL2nZ6KR9RMTp3ciJGzpvw1RlTEVMfW-4RjToPTy0dN612yDfjjc33DQEI-WhhQc9yGMFUXlOxoqiG9QUMvp0SDBZ7HZFdIU4n/s400/jtf+boko.JPG" width="400" /></div> <br /> <br /> Several Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast have once again accused the authorities of not being serious with the fight against the terrorists.<br /> <br /> A video which has gone viral showed five Nigeria soldiers moving on a road as if retreating. They accused the Nigerian Army of not providing them with adequate weapons to fight the insurgents.<br /> <br /> The soldiers said they were going home to spend the New Year with their families and accused the Nigerian authorities of wasting their lives. They also confirmed that many of their colleagues have been killed by the insurgents.<br /> <br /> Hear one of them: ”Omo many men don fall o so we just gas to go house. If army is ready, if Nigeria is ready to fight them, they should call us back to fight those idiots but we don’t have enough weapons, adequate weapons to fight them, so we can’t just be wasting our lives. We have families, but without weapons you are not a soldier, weapons make us to be a soldier.<br /> <br /> Let them provide the weapon and we fight the idiots out but is not that they will give me this (touching his gun) and then they (Boko Haram) will come with something more than this, times three, old boy, no oh, i have blood in myself, so blood runs through me, So, we just have to go. We are going home. Let us go and do the new year with our family. If the army is ready, let them call us back with adequate weapon.”\<br /> <br /> WATCH VIDEO BELOW....<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">The video below is a confirmation of the level of damage and how much destruction the <a href="https://twitter.com/MBuhari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MBuhari</a> led <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialAPCNg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficialAPCNg</a> administration has done to Nigeria. Our galant soldiers running away from the battle field because of lack of arms and ammunition. It’s a shame. <a href="https://t.co/QfTDtatmBr">pic.twitter.com/QfTDtatmBr</a></div> — SophyBest (@SophyBest2) <a href="https://twitter.com/SophyBest2/status/1079507785342246912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br />

Latest-News TRENDING VIDEO: Angry Nigerian soldiers complain of inadequate weapons, vows to return home

Several Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast have once again accused the authorities of not being serious wi...

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$5 million bribe to Hamzat – Goodluck Jonathan responds

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Pqrtfcqb7aWv_6VVb3icTtFEagDbGDJ3LvZ6pOi5lg1r3DI4yzkUbcYiSnoWRlT8rc1jOuqQvTiO0J6u7kUbabZscMkyozdRlciGAZOTvzWok9a-XOMVzecy7BDhpcoM_FnDF4gSV41O/s1600/hamzat+jonathan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Pqrtfcqb7aWv_6VVb3icTtFEagDbGDJ3LvZ6pOi5lg1r3DI4yzkUbcYiSnoWRlT8rc1jOuqQvTiO0J6u7kUbabZscMkyozdRlciGAZOTvzWok9a-XOMVzecy7BDhpcoM_FnDF4gSV41O/s1600/hamzat+jonathan.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to claim that he offered $5million bribe to Hamzat Obafemi, the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship running mate in Lagos State.<br /> <br /> Jonathan said Hamzat was a politician desperately looking for votes, hence should be ignored.<br /> <br /> In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Ikechukwu Eze, on Sunday in Abuja, the former president stated that Hamzat was unknown to him.<br /> <br /> The statement reads:<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> <blockquote>“There is no better way to respond to this frivolous claim than to quickly dismiss it as a blatant lie apparently concocted by a wannabe politician desperate for votes in a campaign season.<br /> <br /> “The point has to be clearly made that former President Jonathan has never met this man who was obviously not relevant in the national politics of 2015, let alone seek to offer him bribe.<br /> <br /> “If the former President did not offer anyone bribe, having clearly acquitted himself as a man who does not believe in desperate politics, how on earth could he have sought to compromise an individual he didn’t even know and who obviously had no means of helping him politically?<br /> <br /> “Assuming anybody had $5 million dollars to spend to better his political fortune as Mr Hamzat claimed, why seek to waste it on a man who was just a commissioner prior to 2015, and whose best outing so far is to function as a hand-picked running mate to a governorship candidate in the forthcoming 2019 elections?<br /> <br /> “His is obviously the antics of a desperate and dishonest politician seeking to apply subterfuge and outright lies, believing that such could boost his lowly image, win him public sympathy and possibly, votes.<br /> <br /> “It is the action of people like Hamzat that conjures up in the minds of Nigerians the Biblical ‘Mark of the Beast’ to the effect that to be accepted in his party, one must be adept at telling lies.<br /> <br /> “If this is how Mr. Hamzat wishes to anchor his own political doctrine on lies and name dropping, he should be reminded that those who follow this route do not go far either in politics or personal growth.<br /> <br /> “This definitely should not be the character and colour of a person who wants to become a governor or deputy governor of a state, lest we lose all hope in the expectation that we have all it takes to rescue our country from the bleak future that stares it in the face.<br /> <br /> “What we know about liars is that they always leave a loose end which readily exposes them for who they are. Otherwise, Mr. Hamzat should have been bold enough to tell Nigerians where the money was presented to him and in whose presence the offer was made.<br /> <br /> “We have always made the point that there should be a limit to these lies if we must make progress as a democratic nation.<br /> <br /> “Nigerians are not fools. It is high time those in positions of responsibility stopped running this country on lies.”</blockquote>

Latest-News $5 million bribe to Hamzat – Goodluck Jonathan responds

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to claim that he offered $5million bribe to Hamzat Obafemi, the All Progressives Congress,...

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