God will expose killers, kidnappers soon - Pastor E.A Adeboye

Latest-News God will expose killers, kidnappers soon - Pastor E.A Adeboye

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Johann Gudmundsson strikes as Burnley deny Man City victory

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdn9DorwREH1PYiQo9h10LRkfLa85HuXKUln7dRnmqWi9Q7VDB2Fiv_VZcMajui_S1WCPedpvwbvS5naSr3Ii8MdocmL9CLeZsur6U4DkKbsDVCaUEzdTYs1GKS2zVVHP-t19hvaLbnI/s1600/burn+1-1+mc.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdn9DorwREH1PYiQo9h10LRkfLa85HuXKUln7dRnmqWi9Q7VDB2Fiv_VZcMajui_S1WCPedpvwbvS5naSr3Ii8MdocmL9CLeZsur6U4DkKbsDVCaUEzdTYs1GKS2zVVHP-t19hvaLbnI/s640/burn+1-1+mc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Johann Berg Gudmundsson struck a late equaliser as Burnley grabbed a 1-1 draw against Premier League leaders Manchester City at Turf Moor.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Danilo had looked like proving an unlikely matchwinner for Pep Guardiola's side with a fine strike after 22 minutes of an otherwise frustrating day for City.<br /> <br /> But after Raheem Sterling spurned a gilt-edged chance to put the game beyond doubt, the Clarets grew in confidence and earned their reward when Gudmundsson turned in Matt Lowton's deep cross.<br /> <br /> City will rue their failure to make the most of their openings, with Sterling's opportunity one of a number to pass them by.<br /> <br /> Burnley, for their part, were well organised throughout and they had already hit the woodwork through Aaron Lennon before their equaliser came.<br /> <br /> Despite the wealth of talent in City's ranks, they also arrived short of numbers. David Silva became their latest injury victim in midweek and John Stones was again absent, having been ill recently, and so Guardiola named only six substitutes.<br /> <br /> With record signing Aymeric Laporte on the bench, Vincent Kompany returned to the starting lineup and the City captain was soon in the thick of the action, clashing with both Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes.<br /> <br /> Burnley's back four, despite the absence of James Tarkowski, was well drilled and it required patience to break them down.<br /> <br /> City controlled possession but their final pass was poor. Bernardo Silva did clip a dangerous cross into the box but Kompany could not get a touch and Sterling had no joy with a long-range shot.<br /> <br /> Their breakthrough came from an unusual source after Sterling won a corner. The set-piece was taken short and Kevin De Bruyne found Danilo in space outside the area. He picked his spot and delivered a superb shot beyond Nick Pope.<br /> <br /> City continued to press and Sergio Aguero had an effort blocked before Sterling and De Bruyne shot at the keeper.<br /> <br /> Burnley were far more direct than City and they made efficient use of limited possession to create a couple of chances. On both occasions Ben Mee might have done better as he first forced a save from Ederson from a lobbed ball into the box and then headed wide following a corner.<br /> <br /> City looked to kill off the game early in the second half but Burnley's back line held firm, denying Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan a sight of goal before Sterling fired over. City even looked to Danilo again as frustration grew but this time Pope tipped over.<br /> <br /> Burnley retained a threat on the break and they almost snatched an equaliser when Lennon's thunderous shot was touched onto the post by Ederson.<br /> <br /> That injected more urgency into City and Sterling should have scored when he was picked out in front of an open goal by Kyle Walker but he somehow sidefooted wide.<br /> <br /> Burnley's defence would not yield and the hosts grew in threat in the latter stages. They eventually found their way through after 82 minutes when Gudmundsson raced onto Lowton's crossfield ball and touched past Ederson.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Credit: ESPN</div>

Latest-News Johann Gudmundsson strikes as Burnley deny Man City victory

Johann Berg Gudmundsson struck a late equaliser as Burnley grabbed a 1-1 draw against Premier League leaders Manchester City at Turf Moor....

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President Buhari, up till now, not many Nigerians have understood it – Dalung

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwgmqp4Gjx7I6a0AIKmtqK26mVIrZuRcPnxoJchv01c0xcji6qHb_fROP93TB56fYmjlOJkZ7StH223YzVecDdjXjDppy9ovIdIvgIxkKAYoxOVVJiVdseqlSwYZJPU3Ap9vx_JUWGC0/s1600/dalong2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwgmqp4Gjx7I6a0AIKmtqK26mVIrZuRcPnxoJchv01c0xcji6qHb_fROP93TB56fYmjlOJkZ7StH223YzVecDdjXjDppy9ovIdIvgIxkKAYoxOVVJiVdseqlSwYZJPU3Ap9vx_JUWGC0/s320/dalong2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Mr Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, said President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory against an incumbent in 2015 had proved that one could win election in Nigeria without having money.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Dalung, who said this, while addressing officials of the Permanent Mission, Nigeria House in New York, said there was a brewing political revolution against ‘god-fatherism’ in the Nigerian political space.<br /> <br /> Minister of Youth and Sports Development Solomon Dalung and officials of the Nigerian Permanent Mission and Nigerian Consulate in New York prayed for Nigeria before Dalung addressed them at the Nigeria House in New York<br /> <br /> “There is hope for Nigeria. The victory of President Buhari, up till now, not many Nigerians have understood it; it was a political revolution.<br /> <br /> “What it has brought is that you can contest and win election even when you do not have money.’’<br /> <br /> “God-fatherism’ was instituted to control elected officials so that they would not go beyond control.<br /> <br /> “Dalung said ‘god-fatherism’ is a political servitude where you are tested to determine your loyalty. The thing is that without a god father, they believe you can’t be controlled.’’<br /> <br /> The minister was in New York for the Seventh Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum at the UN Headquarters where he delivered a paper on: ‘The role of youth in building sustainable and resilient communities’.<br /> <br /> “The ‘Not too Young to Run’ is an advocacy that is sending strong signals to political lords that they had overstayed their welcome; either they give way or they will be forced out.’’<br /> <br /> The minister blamed those he called “urban gorillas” whom he said were in charge of the country’s political machinery for manipulating the system.<br /> <br /> “At 53 years, they still call me a small boy,” he decried, saying he had contested elections several times and won but was deprived by the ‘urban gorillas’.<br /> <br /> The minister also said that he brought the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Plateau but suffered as an orphan because he did not have a god-father.<br /> <br /> According to him, his advocacy is to liberate the young people, reorient the mindset of many Nigerian youths that have been enslaved.<br /> <br /> He also called on young people to understand the political system they were coming into so as to better strategise.<br /> <br /> According to Dalung, Nigeria is making steady progress in infrastructure, economy and security and called for unity.<br /> <br /> “We can refine and build a Nigeria of our dream.<br /> <br /> “We have the best form of selfless ministers in this era. As ministers, most of us do not have houses but we live in rented apartments in Abuja.<br /> <br /> “Some of us lived in Boys Quarters before we got apartments because people were asking for N1.5 million as rent.<br /> <br /> “I would have even preferred to stay in Gwagwa but we were told we could not for obvious reasons,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Dalung said Buhari had made a statement about the rampaging armed herdsmen but that the country would also need to engage its neighbours to stop giving access to the criminals to move freely into the country.<br /> <br /> Minister of Youth and Sports Development Solomon Dalung addressing officials of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN and Consulate-General of Nigeria at the Nigeria House, New York. With him is Nigeria’ Ambassador/Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Samson Itegboje.<br /> <br /> Earlier, Nigeria’s Ambassador/Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Samson Itegboje commended the Federal Government for the steady progress in the areas of economy, infrastructure, fight against insurgency and anti-corruption.<br /> <br /> The Nigerian ambassador pledged that the missions’ would continue to bring their expertise to bear on the international stage so as to lift the flag of Nigeria high among the comity of nations. </div>

Latest-News President Buhari, up till now, not many Nigerians have understood it – Dalung

Mr Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, said President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory against an incumbent in 2015 ha...

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2019: There’s hope for PDP in Lagos - lawmaker

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMLeSxclEEmP4fgZqUKHsA3a2ztMckaP50tZld_7JMDPcRWO8vPOQkGzHLliDfOsPkHfXz3IYFHbpXvBeHfLTiUgUwHTiCeatSslaMzZBpAoKZTjF0N4XlzHDcp9UQKRgzLy7M9EATOk/s1600/pdp-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMLeSxclEEmP4fgZqUKHsA3a2ztMckaP50tZld_7JMDPcRWO8vPOQkGzHLliDfOsPkHfXz3IYFHbpXvBeHfLTiUgUwHTiCeatSslaMzZBpAoKZTjF0N4XlzHDcp9UQKRgzLy7M9EATOk/s320/pdp-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Lagos – A PDP Lagos State legislator, Mr Dipo Olorunrinu, says there is hope for the party in the state in 2019 if the leadership will work harder.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Olorunrinu, the only PDP lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly, gave the assurance in an interview on Saturday in Lagos.<br /> <br /> “There is hope for the PDP in Lagos State in the 2019 elections. When there is life, there is hope.<br /> <br /> “The fact that someone is doing something well does not mean somebody else cannot do it well.<br /> <br /> “When we see something good, we can applaud it, but that does not mean that somebody else cannot do it excellently,” the legislator representing Amuwo Odofin 1 said.<br /> <br /> The lawmaker said that PDP leadership would need to re-strategise, re-unite members and take the party to the grassroots to guarantee success.<br /> <br /> The lawmaker, however, lauded the state Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of the APC for infrastructure development of the state.<br /> <br /> He told NAN that the governor had put in place people-oriented programmes.<br /> <br /> “Everyone can see that the government has been working excellently.<br /> <br /> “Even a blind man knows that there is development in the state.<br /> <br /> “He has been consistent.<br /> <br /> “You can see rehabilitation of roads, expansion of lanes and creation of more roads,” he said.<br /> <br /> He urged Ambode to relate more with the opposition parties to further move the state forward. </div>

Latest-News 2019: There’s hope for PDP in Lagos - lawmaker

Lagos – A PDP Lagos State legislator, Mr Dipo Olorunrinu, says there is hope for the party in the state in 2019 if the leadership will wor...

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FULL LIST: University of Ibadan retains number one position in Nigeria

Latest-News FULL LIST: University of Ibadan retains number one position in Nigeria

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Wenger reveals why Arsenal made Ozil second highest-paid EPL player

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYf8igKV_eyA_SxVNCM1JrpkEDgyjSTOhHvPoX1lFlO-8orkwam1YS3Blk2MdtA4hVyDmAxRYaM5n3bfe4Iln9HLlJ0Cld2OpuJoPaVTgxF4QPMRCidqr85rhErLua8cR60O77kw1n0Q/s1600/AW2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYf8igKV_eyA_SxVNCM1JrpkEDgyjSTOhHvPoX1lFlO-8orkwam1YS3Blk2MdtA4hVyDmAxRYaM5n3bfe4Iln9HLlJ0Cld2OpuJoPaVTgxF4QPMRCidqr85rhErLua8cR60O77kw1n0Q/s320/AW2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div> Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has defended the club’s decision to shatter the club’s wage structure to keep Mesut Ozil, calling it “the cheapest option”.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ozil signed a new three-and-a-half year contract worth £300,000 a week, making him the Premier League’s second-highest paid player behind Alexis Sanchez , who left Arsenal for Manchester United in January.<br /> <br /> Before now, Sanchez and Ozil were the best-paid players on around £140,000 a week last season.<br /> <br /> “First of all, when we let a player go we have to buy somebody of the same calibre. And if you add the transfer needed – the wages [for the new player] will be similar, but on top of that we have to pay a transfer [fee]. So overall, Ozil was for us the cheapest option,” Wenger said.<br /> <br /> New boys Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan both signed deals reportedly worth £180,000 a week, which was an Arsenal record until Ozil penned his new deal. But Wenger insisted that he had no problem with paying such high salaries, as long as it is within the club’s means.<br /> <br /> “I never put a limit on that. I just think that at the end of the day, what I never wanted to do was spend 12 when we earn 10. As long as we earn what we can pay, it’s not a problem.<br /> <br /> “I did fight my whole life to pay the players good wages. So I’m not against that. I just am against the fact that you live on credit,” the Frenchman stated.</div>

Latest-News Wenger reveals why Arsenal made Ozil second highest-paid EPL player

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has defended the club’s decision to shatter the club’s wage structure to keep Mesut Ozil, calling it “the che...

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Tottenham ready to sell Harry Kane to Real Madrid

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yn3IAxzaIkeOiZ71JIGoC2jtfpjpG6cNhVS1qnt55GErCIyK2kjJiFq9NE4zgF7eEwhgs72A8LYyAEUk9Zfr-27Kvoo1PTTzU_X3j1GL0Umf3TXXGSFbfdXHUmdBvOwwkK8WUTGi9aw/s1600/harry+kane3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yn3IAxzaIkeOiZ71JIGoC2jtfpjpG6cNhVS1qnt55GErCIyK2kjJiFq9NE4zgF7eEwhgs72A8LYyAEUk9Zfr-27Kvoo1PTTzU_X3j1GL0Umf3TXXGSFbfdXHUmdBvOwwkK8WUTGi9aw/s320/harry+kane3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Tottenham Hotspur will be willing to sell Harry Kane to Real Madrid, as long as the deal is done quickly and brings in €200m.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Spanish outlet, Mundo Deportivo, reports that Spurs president Daniel Levy has told Kane’s representatives that they are prepared to let him leave.<br /> <br /> Last month, the England striker told the club to start winning trophies or he is off .<br /> <br /> Kane’s current deal expires in 2022, but he has been seriously linked with Real Madrid.<br /> <br /> Asked what Tottenham need to do to keep him, Kane replied: “I’ve always said: keep progressing, keep getting better, start winning trophies.<br /> <br /> “That’s the aim. As long as the club keep doing that then, yeah I’m happy here.”</div>

Latest-News Tottenham ready to sell Harry Kane to Real Madrid

Tottenham Hotspur will be willing to sell Harry Kane to Real Madrid, as long as the deal is done quickly and brings in €200m. Spanish o...

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I reassure Buhari of my absolute, total support even for 2019 – Oshiomhole

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjgXlbj0K-orVfyzVK3LtdZRgfCF5xYPOWcKK2o_FX-a72MH1aSqa12tmPkO0v72Sc31_1p-S4NHF3HH7I8H4QWLWMo8HqNuHf1cIwYemTgXEF-0pAy-O1nMANllcWQfRYOqByPBBjBA/s1600/Adams+Oshiomole.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjgXlbj0K-orVfyzVK3LtdZRgfCF5xYPOWcKK2o_FX-a72MH1aSqa12tmPkO0v72Sc31_1p-S4NHF3HH7I8H4QWLWMo8HqNuHf1cIwYemTgXEF-0pAy-O1nMANllcWQfRYOqByPBBjBA/s320/Adams+Oshiomole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and the former governor of the State, Adams Oshiomhole yesterday met President Muhammadu Buhari separately in closed-door at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Governor Obaseki explained that his visit was to pledge his loyalty to the President especially as it was the first visit since he emerged governor of Edo State.<br /> <br /> The governor also stated that he discussed the issue of the repatriation of illegal migrants from Libya where Edo State has the highest number of returnees, adding that he has engaged the returnees in skill acquisitions and had also provided monthly stipends to them.<br /> <br /> His mission<br /> <br /> “I have not seen the president officially since I became the governor of Edo State so I came to pay him a proper visit and to pledge our support particularly since he got back home from his medical leave and the family accident, so I used the opportunity to facilitate with him and to wish him well.<br /> <br /> “I discussed two critical issues that bother us in Edo. One, is the issue of human trafficking and irregular migration. As you know it is a problem with Edo which we have accepted and we have rolled out our strategies to deal with the problem.<br /> <br /> “We want to work with the federal government and other agencies of government to end the scourge of human trafficking and modern slavery. It is against the ethos of humanity for us to accept what is going on with our young people today.<br /> <br /> “So, I came to see the president to explain what we are doing in Edo State and to solicit for more federal support for our actions.”<br /> <br /> Commenting on the report that some returnees had expressed dissatisfaction with the stipend given them, he said, “That is part of the challenge. The issues are very complex. We have waves of returnees.<br /> <br /> “The first set were those been brought back by International Organization for Migration (IOM). They did give stipends to those who were being repatriated but the last wave of returnees who were repatriated nothing was given to them and they were a bit agitated.<br /> <br /> “But what we have done in Edo is that to help returnees settle and reintegrated back to their families, we give them stipend for three months. So what we have done this time around is that as soon as we received them and bring them to Benin City, we give them their first month stipend so that they can go back home and also have money to transport themselves to the skill acquisition centers which we have set up to train them.”<br /> <br /> On how much his government had spent to rehabilitate failed federal roads in the state especially the bad portion of Benin Auch Road and whether the state had been refunded, he said he did not spend much on the roads and that the federal government has done a lot of works on the bad portion of the road.<br /> <br /> He said, “We did not spend a lot of money but fortunately the federal government has responded to the issue of the Benin-Auchi road.<br /> <br /> “As I speak now, the minister for works is inspecting work being done on the road and for those who have the benefit of using that road in the past three months, you will acknowledge that the federal government has done quite good remedial work and we hope that with the funds that have been released to pay the contractors that they will now begin proper work.”<br /> <br /> Also speaking to journalists, former governor Oshiomhole said he was at the State House to identify with the President especially as the government was facing many challenges.<br /> <br /> He said, “Well, you know it is a new year and I felt since I haven’t been here since 2017, so I came in to wish the President a happy new year and appreciate him for his leadership of the country because as an APC activist and loyalist, I’m a party man, to reassure him of my absolute and total support for his government and even for 2019.<br /> <br /> “I think that in moments like this nobody should seat on the fence. Our country have challenges and there are huge temptations here and there and it is important he knows that he has men and women who even at this hour have huge confidence in his leadership ability.<br /> <br /> “Everything taken to account I believe that every Nigerian who wants us to sustain some of the renewed vigor to deal with one of the most challenging problem that Nigeria has faced namely corruption and things like that, you cannot but appreciate the president and all that has been done under his leadership this past two years and some months.”</div>

Latest-News I reassure Buhari of my absolute, total support even for 2019 – Oshiomhole

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and the former governor of the State, Adams Oshiomhole yesterday met President Muhammadu Buhari separ...

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Ango Abdullahi is a liar – Ezeife

Latest-News Ango Abdullahi is a liar – Ezeife

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"OBJ means Obasanjo-Buhari-Jonathan"

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuxoydg-KqGqdw7Ot0DZhGP9yVE0JHyobpQc1A7nTRp9TySahSFavrBR8gGXn6v-MCm93DpaV6OxzsGcSWhmca-rNq9smvee9S5UljAb_l_w17O_O7D5CyxgBZ9ANZ2Sy5ZvrtklNRP0/s1600/buhari+jonathan.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuxoydg-KqGqdw7Ot0DZhGP9yVE0JHyobpQc1A7nTRp9TySahSFavrBR8gGXn6v-MCm93DpaV6OxzsGcSWhmca-rNq9smvee9S5UljAb_l_w17O_O7D5CyxgBZ9ANZ2Sy5ZvrtklNRP0/s320/buhari+jonathan.jpg" width="293" /></a></div> The History of Nigeria since 1969 is about three men: Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. I will aptly describe them as President General, President and President at large. The trio constitute  the Presidium, even if we are not Communists.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The recent letter to President Buhari could only have come from his former General Officer Commanding[GOC] and Commander-in-Chief. And  Dr. Obasanjo’s points made a lot of sense. I am sure many of us have noticed that the image makers domiciled in Aso villa have not fired lethal shots yet.<br /> <br /> On the part of Dr. Jonathan, he has since gone back to Abeokuta to reconcile with Obasanjo, the man who lifted him from the Creeks to the crown in less than four years. This same Obasanjo who had a running battle with Buhari as President between 2003 and 2007, teamed up with Buhari to flush out Jonathan in 2015.<br /> <br /> To the uninformed, the three appear to be fighting themselves, sometimes but are indeed, united in their bid to control Nigeria. And the head of this triumvirate is General Obasanjo, the Balogun of Owu. All three have a lot in common.<br /> <br /> Obasanjo was largely unknown until May 21, 1969 when General Yakubu  Gowon made him GOC, Third Marine Commando Division of the Nigeria Army in place of Col. Benjamin Adekunle. An Army Engineer who trained at the Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot, taking over from a Sandhurst groomed officer.<br /> <br /> Lucky man, Obasanjo brought the Civil War to a close when the Biafrans surrendered to him at Amichi before Dodan Barracks hosted the formalities on January 15, 1970. Not much was said about Sandhurst trained GOCs like Cols. Mohammed Shuwa, Murtala Mohammed, Ibrahim Haruna and Iliya Bisalla.<br /> <br /> That was the beginning of the rise of Obasanjo. Gowon later picked him as Federal Commissioner[Minister]for Works. In 1975, he became Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters[Vice President] under Murtala. Obasanjo capped it all in February 1976 when fate made him number one, following the assassination of the head of state.<br /> <br /> Obasanjo has not left Nigeria ever since. He had a hand in the emergence of Alhaji Shehu Shagari as President in 1979. Many of his kinsmen still believe he preferred Shagari to fellow Yoruba, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.<br /> <br /> As Obasanjo moved out of power, Buhari was on the rise. Under the civilians, the latter was made GOC 3rd Division.  We all have not forgotten that the former also was GOC 3rd Marine Commando Division. Buhari was outstanding as he repelled attacks by Chad and was almost capturing Ndjamena before he was reprimanded by Shagari.<br /> <br /> Buhari would later oust Shagari in December 1983 with the support of young officers, and the duo of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha. IBB sacked Buhari in August 1985, and put him in detention. At that time, Obasanjo wanted to become the first African to lead the United Nations. He did not succeed. The Commonwealth recognized him as an eminent person.<br /> <br /> Three months after Babangida stepped aside in 1993, Abacha struck. Buhari was relevant again with the Petroleum Trust Fund [PTF], an agency which controlled more funds than many states. Obasanjo was taken to jail on allegations of coup plot.<br /> <br /> From prison, IBB and Abdusalam Abubakar, planned an Obasanjo presidency. The Yoruba did not buy into it but it worked. OBJ stayed in power for  eight years, fished out Jonathan who moved from Deputy governor to Governor, to Vice President and to President.  In 2015, Obasanjo abandoned Jonathan and voted for Buhari.<br /> <br /> Let us see what holds them together. Obasanjo, like Buhari, graduated from Mons. And you cannot locate the Academy anymore because it was scrapped in 1972. Obasanjo was GOC during the Civil War and Captain Buhari served under him as Acting  Commander 16 Brigade when Maj.E.A. Utuk was on leave.<br /> <br /> Obasanjo described Buhari as “ a concessional commissioned officer” and “a field commissioned officer.”Buhari fought in Owerri where one of Obasanjo’s friends, Col. Patrick Amadi, hailed from.<br /> <br /> Obasanjo made Buhari, Minister of Petroleum. The former was a minister under Gowon. Obasanjo was Head of State and later president, just like Buhari. As president, they held on to the Petroleum Ministry as minister.<br /> <br /> There is an accord that binds Obasanjo and Jonathan. As number two, OBJ stepped in after the number one, Murtala, died. The same happened to GEJ when President Umaru Yar’adua died in 2010. No two the Vice President [or equivalent] enjoyed that uncanny luck.<br /> <br /> One of Obasanjo’s wives, Stella, had an Igbo mother from Delta. Mrs Patience Jonathan’s maternal home is Umuahia, Abia State. Mrs Obasanjo died during the Obasanjo Presidency. Jonathan lost his brother, Meni, while he was president.<br /> <br /> Obasanjo’s first job as GOC began in Port Harcourt at a time the Garden City was capital of Jonathan’s state, Rivers. Jonathan’s first job after graduating from the University of Port Harcourt was at Ebekun Community School, Iresi in Obasanjo’s Yoruba land. Ebekun sounds like Ibogun, Obasanjo’s ancestral home. Jonathan bagged a PhD before he became President. Obasanjo did after leaving office.<br /> <br /> Obasanjo, Buhari and Jonathan, are bound together by oil. Jonathan attended St. Michael’s Primary School, Oloibiri, where oil was discovered in 1956. Buhari was petroleum minister in 1977, Obasanjo became one in 1999.<br /> <br /> This is the story of nascent Nigeria. Obasanjo has spoken. Aso villa quakes. Jonathan is watching. Nigerians should not stand aside. This is a wake up call. Our destiny is in our hands. Choose your leader in 2019.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> By Emeka Obasi<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /></div>

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Cattle Colonies: "FG should count Urhobo Out"

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbPkCDLOOqxDWhv0RajBfmGOc03-FvP_8L9p39CWuaqsfSEOa59ocr6v_eUN3Zn1TM-WzALzpw1VODX-0eiwAwvvt7LP9LCBGjoyRKPhiIv3afMT4QQZVmCJRFVVIal5jneblRBpP_kc/s1600/fulani+herdsmen.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbPkCDLOOqxDWhv0RajBfmGOc03-FvP_8L9p39CWuaqsfSEOa59ocr6v_eUN3Zn1TM-WzALzpw1VODX-0eiwAwvvt7LP9LCBGjoyRKPhiIv3afMT4QQZVmCJRFVVIal5jneblRBpP_kc/s320/fulani+herdsmen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Senator Ovi Omo-Agege, APC, Delta Central has asked the Federal Government, to as a matter of urgency, jettison the idea of creating cattle colonies in any part of Urhobo land and anywhere else in the country where the people are overwhelmingly opposed to the policy.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to Senator Omo- Agege, the establishment of cattle colonies will not curb the herdsmen and farmers crisis, rather, it will further exacerbate the problem and    divide the country along ethnic and religious lines given the widespread opposition in certain parts of the country.<br /> <br /> In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Senator Omo- Agege said that the only way out of the problem of herdsmen clash  with natives across the country would be strict enforcement of fire arms law that will ensure safety of communities and peaceful co-existence between herdsmen and farmers in any part of the country.<br /> <br /> The Senator also urged the police and other security agencies to therefore do their job by disarming the herdsmen, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the heinous crimes and establish law and order in the affected communities, adding, “And now is the time to act. The Nigerian Fire Arms Act (1990) prohibits non-military members of the public from carrying military grade weapons such as the AK-47,” he said.</div>

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FG’s investment programme gets only N110bn of N900bn two years’ budgets

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tBQfot3jZOD6xX4iI3SQu6JVxF6UOZnRuZYpYj-GnX7DIs8aU9KhVq62Z3vnwSUWsPQKvLAtST7IWrKO2aBXlCqhb9gL4-lSbjfO17LOqXfqQ3aES_GWQjaN2_H_yz1DDvtXCdGe02E/s1600/Federal+government+of+Nigeria.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tBQfot3jZOD6xX4iI3SQu6JVxF6UOZnRuZYpYj-GnX7DIs8aU9KhVq62Z3vnwSUWsPQKvLAtST7IWrKO2aBXlCqhb9gL4-lSbjfO17LOqXfqQ3aES_GWQjaN2_H_yz1DDvtXCdGe02E/s400/Federal+government+of+Nigeria.png" /></a></div> The Presidency on Saturday said out of a total of N900bn allocated to the the present administration’s National Social Investment Programme in the 2016 and 2017 Budgets, only N110bn was released.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement while giving updates on the programme.<br /> <br /> Akande said, “A total of N900bn was appropriated for the SIPs in 2016 and 2017; with N500bn appropriated for 2016 and N400bn appropriated for 2017.<br /> <br /> “However, the total amount released was N110bn for 2016 and 2017, with the total expenditure of N109n.<br /> <br /> “Below is a breakdown of the N109bn released between October 2016 and November 2017 for the SIPs, namely: GEEP, CCT, NHGSFP, N-power, and general expenditure.<br /> <br /> “The GEEP expenditure was N11,700,200,466, while the CCT gulped N5,235,401,087.<br /> <br /> “In the same vein, between October 2016 and November 2017, N22,370,719,017 was expended for the Home-grown School Feeding Programme; while N69,731,256,122 was expended on N-power, which is the Job Creation component of the SIP, during the same period.”<br /> <br /> Akande also disclosed that over 246 million meals have been served to date to primary pupils across 20 states in the country, since the first meal served in December 2016 under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme.<br /> <br /> He said the figure would be increased reach 313,928,420 meals by the last week of February 2018.<br /> <br /> He added that the programme now feeds 6,044,625 pupils in 33,981 public primary schools across 20 states.<br /> <br /> More states, according to him, are expected to be added to the programme this year.<br /> <br /> “The NHGSFP plans to implement feeding in a total of 28 States, while it aims to link farmers to school feeding markets,” he added.<br /> <br /> Akande said many other milestones were recorded by the present administration’s NSIP in 2017, in line with its inclusive growth plan, which includes tackling poverty and hunger, and creating jobs for Nigerians.<br /> <br /> He added, “About 40,000 direct jobs have since been created from the School Feeding Programme across the participating states.<br /> <br /> “The 20 states that have so far been covered by the NHGSFP include Anambra, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Delta, Abia, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Imo, Jigawa, Niger, and Kano.<br /> <br /> “Also, in 2017, the school feeding programme collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Health to deliver an integrated deworming programme for pupils in all public primary schools classes 1 to 6 across 17 states nationwide.”<br /> <br /> He disclosed that the school feeding programme now has a social media-based quality assurance tracking system, #TrackWithUs, ensuring that required standards for menu for pupils and meal distribution are adhered to across the states in a transparent manner.<br /> <br /> “Similarly, the Conditional Cash Transfer has so far recorded over 280,000 beneficiaries in 21 states, while about 300,000 Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme micro-credit, interest-free loans have been disbursed nationwide.<br /> <br /> “In the same vein, in 2017, the N-power scheme, which is targeted at providing jobs for unemployed young graduates, started its physical verification process for the 2017 applicants. In 2018, more beneficiaries are expected to be added to about 200,000 young graduates currently employed under the scheme,” he added.</div>

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FG collating foreign bank accounts, assets of Nigerians – Adeosun

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnDirYAp6v8E5uKHO0zAeCw1evDN-aD2IBTFTc_vPIafOPF0ufdH7SoEfz3oWNaZmY7kfQMiJ6b8lz7Pulvubrw8Mx8PMs5GSpgokEqHkngufq23tuoOE3pMaucTx9jJP1C9WqSSNXlE/s1600/Kemi+Adeosun.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnDirYAp6v8E5uKHO0zAeCw1evDN-aD2IBTFTc_vPIafOPF0ufdH7SoEfz3oWNaZmY7kfQMiJ6b8lz7Pulvubrw8Mx8PMs5GSpgokEqHkngufq23tuoOE3pMaucTx9jJP1C9WqSSNXlE/s320/Kemi+Adeosun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Federal Government has commenced Automatic Exchange of Tax Information (AETI), on overseas assets held by Nigerians.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Yelwa, told Vanguard that the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, had not been adhering to provisions of the law.<br /> <br /> The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, disclosed this while receiving Progress Report on Tax Laws Reform by the Vice Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, in Abuja, yesterday,<br /> She expressed satisfaction with the data being supplied to Nigeria by foreign countries under the AETI.<br /> <br /> Her words, “The data received in Nigeria with regard to overseas assets held by Nigerians has been impressive and will underpin a long term improvement in the nation’s tax to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ration, in turn, will improve life for the masses.<br /> <br /> “The data on bank accounts, property and trusts, which has come automatically from a number of countries is being used to support the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) by allowing the tax authorities to check the accuracy of declarations received.<br /> <br /> “The Federal Government is also using the data to generate ‘nudge’ letters which are being sent to those identified as being potential tax defaulters.”<br /> <br /> She disclosed that Nigeria had written to a number of nations to request specific information about offshore trusts and bank accounts held by its citizens.<br /> <br /> Mrs. Adeosun urged users of offshore structures to take advantage of VAIDS to regularise their taxes before the expiry of the amnesty programme.<br /> <br /> “The offshore tax shelter system is basically over. Those who have hidden money overseas are being exposed and whilst Nigerians can legally keep their money anywhere in the world, they must first pay any taxes due to the Nigerian Government so that we can fund the needs of the masses and create jobs and wealth for our people.<br /> <br /> “The moral argument against illicit financial flows and tax evasion and the strong international co-operation are such that every Nigerian tax payer should do the right thing. The needs of our people for development override any other argument against payment of tax,” she stated.<br /> <br /> She stressed the need for a sustainable revenue that could deliver infrastructural development for Nigeria and improve the tax to GDP ratio of the country.<br /> <br /> She assured that the Federal Government would build a robust tax system and implement the recommendations by the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC) on tax laws reform.<br /> <br /> Earlier in his address, Mr. Oyedele, said the committee considered three major policy documents namely; the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), the National Tax Policy and Ease of Doing Business Plan.<br /> <br /> He said seven major tax areas that would have the highest impact. These include: Company Income Tax (CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT), Customs & Excise Tariff (CET), Personal Income Tax (PIT), Pension Contributions, Industrial Development Income Tax Relief (IDITR); and Tertiary Education Trust Fund.</div>

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Stop insulting Nigerians, Falana warns Obasanjo

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDXUPP334rNeIZbihNlR0HyZFPhrsUF4Pziluw9Ld0Bnz14Wz8jUIZ16XUWQIcLh_FFawmi4puD5rMZX3Y16x_nWb59rpnJXmLTSp_P_cTmrulivjYOvmYTp8zhs4OPKyj6UUg22xYek/s1600/femi+falan.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDXUPP334rNeIZbihNlR0HyZFPhrsUF4Pziluw9Ld0Bnz14Wz8jUIZ16XUWQIcLh_FFawmi4puD5rMZX3Y16x_nWb59rpnJXmLTSp_P_cTmrulivjYOvmYTp8zhs4OPKyj6UUg22xYek/s320/femi+falan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Popular legal practitioner in Nigeria, Femi Falana(SAN) has called on ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo to stop insulting the collective intelligence and memories of Nigerians, saying that  he instituted the culture of impunity under the democratic dispensation while serving as President.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Falana gave the advice in Benin yesterday while reacting  to  the former President’s open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.<br /> <br /> He stated that Obasanjo had the opportunity to have made the country great by providing good leadership, getting rid of corruption when he was the President but he failed to do so.<br /> <br /> He said, “If President Obasanjo who ruled this country for eleven and half years has institutionalized democracy, rule of laws, respect for human rights, we will not be in this mess and the control of Nigeria by the Nigerian people, we will be having an Eldorado by now.<br /> <br /> “So, please, let Obasanjo and others be honest to admit that they brought us this shameful episode. So, nobody should grandstand when it comes to the mis-governance in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “Nobody has apologized. The fact that between 1999 to 2007, this country, made close to 100 billion US Dollars from the sale of one commodity, oil. What is there to show for it rather than permanent darkness.<br /> <br /> “The more you spend on energy, the more darkness you get. What is there to celebrate? Mass unemployment, sales of the assets of the country to a few boys who were close to the presidency, rigging of elections.<br /> <br /> “You have all forgotten that the results from Delta, Ondo and others were announced in Abuja and in those states in order to rig them. What is there to celebrate?<br /> <br /> “President Obasanjo is entitled to form his own political party or his own movement but he should please desist from insulting the collective intelligence and memories of Nigerians.<br /> <br /> “When Sharia started, the Federal government did not challenge the unconstitutionality. Under that era, we had ethnic religion violence that claimed over 20,000 lives of Nigerians.<br /> <br /> “So, there is no member of the Nigeria ruling class that can really grandstand,” he said.<br /> <br /> The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said apart from the allegations of nepotism and clannishness leveled against President Muhammadu Buhari by Olusegun Obasanjo, both are as guilty as charged<br /> <br /> “With great respect to former president Olusegun Obasanjo, apart from the allegations of nepotism and clannishness, which cannot be disputed, every other allegations made there, is nothing to write home about. In another words, all the other allegations took place under president Obasanjo and in fact, he institutionalized  the culture of impunity under the democratic dispensation  in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “Many of us have forgotten the adoption of governor Chris Ngige, many of us have forgotten that the fact that the national assembly, the house of representatives displayed bales of naira with which it was alleged that the presidency wanted to bribe the legislators.<br /> <br /> “Many of us have forgotten about the third term agenda or  the fact that many people  who were also close to the seat of power were treated like sacred cows even in the fight against corruption but I do not want to join issues with Obasanjo for now on his letter so that one is not seen as endorsing impunity in our country but other than the allegations of nepotism and clannishness which the presidency is notoriously noted for, I think, they are birds of same feathers” Falana posited.<br /> <br /> On the case of Ibrahim Magu, Falana said the court never ever made any pronouncement on the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Magu as the acting chairman of the EFCC. No statement was made to that effect adding that there is nothing to celebrate.<br /> <br /> “It is not a judgement to celebrate with great respect. I have read the judgement of the case filed by a private lawyer based in Abuja, Mr. Tolu Ajaomo against the attorney of the federation and the senate. Mind you, EFCC is not a party, Mr. Ibrahim Magu was not a party, so no court in Nigeria can make order against a person who was not joined in any suit.<br /> <br /> “But having read the ruling, with great respect the case was stroke out. If a case was stroke out, you cannot rely on it. The court held that the lawyer has no locus standi to have filed the action and therefore stroke it out.<br /> <br /> “However, in an academic exercise, the court said, having regard to section 2, 3 of the EFCC Act, the senate has the power to confirm or reject the nomination of the president. The court never ever made any pronouncement on the appointment of Mr.Ibrahim Magu as the acting chairman of the EFCC. No statement was made to that effect.<br /> <br /> “So, there is nothing to celebrate in the judgement. So, I was therefore flabbergasted this morning when I read that the senate was asking the president to bring a fresh nomination.<br /> <br /> “It is the prerogative of the president. He cannot act more than the tenure of the substantive chairman. He cannot act in perpetuity”, he explained.<br /> <br /></div>

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2019: "Why Buhari should step down for Saraki"

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK6Pw9njx9dS8LBafpDX9Sd-jxoOcB8OLsjuTZ_2VzFi8MH1aSoT_TrwzlspE_AEhC-WZPyLM-bPGfFDV8PVrF-Q85I9Q2lpgXysRXlZNUTLqHktvxQob9RzHHJS7sMFVvByjCHwJgtg/s1600/Bubu+sara.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK6Pw9njx9dS8LBafpDX9Sd-jxoOcB8OLsjuTZ_2VzFi8MH1aSoT_TrwzlspE_AEhC-WZPyLM-bPGfFDV8PVrF-Q85I9Q2lpgXysRXlZNUTLqHktvxQob9RzHHJS7sMFVvByjCHwJgtg/s320/Bubu+sara.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Head and Spiritual Leader of INRI Spiritual and Evangelical Church, Oke Afa, Isolo, Lagos, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to heed the advice of former President not to seek re-election, but allow and support Senate President Bukola Saraki to fly the flag of All Progressive Congress, APC in the Presidential election next year.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Primate Ayodele who stated this during a chat with Saturday Vanguard yesterday said: “the President as good-hearted leader should step down for Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki as presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to face whoever would emerge as opposition in the 2019 general election,” adding that Bukola Saraki has what it takes to continue with the good job he has done and drive it to a logical and more successful end.<br /> <br /> He added: “Buhari should step down for Saraki so that his second term will not come with more dangerous challenges for Nigeria.    Bukola Saraki has all that it takes to turn Nigeria around from where Buhari will stop.    That is what I have seen and the Lord does not lie,” he said.<br /> <br /> Clarifying the both “divine” statements coming from him, the Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State-born church leader said, “There is no difference in what I said then and what I have just seen now.    I had seen and said that Buhari’s second term was dicey and that it would come with challenges but that he however would win if APC presented him as candidate for the 2019.</div>

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Nigeria, England fight for Manchester City defender, Tosin Adarabioyo

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBj7bJJi5ziz5ZxlRRI1Ypd6xPuJjpdYIzp5x752zprbhhqd5fbas_u4yemVu26FJXJO8Ay-Dj7_vFt7Tf9xg9rH2k_Fb_lZ4NzBWCG1GTJ_6E7jp7266cKQV-X01unIGclAREfCe1bg/s1600/Tosin+Adarabioyo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBj7bJJi5ziz5ZxlRRI1Ypd6xPuJjpdYIzp5x752zprbhhqd5fbas_u4yemVu26FJXJO8Ay-Dj7_vFt7Tf9xg9rH2k_Fb_lZ4NzBWCG1GTJ_6E7jp7266cKQV-X01unIGclAREfCe1bg/s320/Tosin+Adarabioyo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The latest player to be caught up in a tug-of-war between Nigeria and England, is Manchester City starlet Tosin Adarabioyo.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The highly-rated central defender has been tipped for senior international honours, having represented England juniors all the way up to Under-19 level.<br /> <br /> However, the 20-year-old is being targeted by Nigeria, his country of heritage.<br /> <br /> Adarabioyo was made available for loan by City, during the final 48 hours of the transfer window, following the arrival of Aymeric Laporte. But a deal failed to materialise, with the youngster named on the bench by Pep Guardiola, for City’s 3-0 win over West Brom on Wednesday night.<br /> <br /> It has emerged that Super Eagles handler, Gernot Rohr, was planning to watch him play at senior level, before deciding whether to tempt him with a place in their World Cup squad.<br /> <br /> Nevertheless, Nigeria’s concrete interest in Adarabioyo remains.<br /> <br /> The Eagles have successfully persuaded Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi, who have both played for England at junior level, to change their international allegiance in recent years.</div>

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Nigeria vs Morocco: Ezenwa ruled out of CHAN 2018 final

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbi1sJmOs_L7kwzPSDWTcTHsNKobFfenZ5sUrZkbQJx1OVmjtg2gh0FFnfIE4fYeGNdyw23RTmqtq5iTHSb_FNyp1fOo_D6w7X1oK9uMLkycp3MB33dTR7As7ABbl_IGxjENUou4Rh1Y/s1600/Ikechukwu+Ezenwa.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbi1sJmOs_L7kwzPSDWTcTHsNKobFfenZ5sUrZkbQJx1OVmjtg2gh0FFnfIE4fYeGNdyw23RTmqtq5iTHSb_FNyp1fOo_D6w7X1oK9uMLkycp3MB33dTR7As7ABbl_IGxjENUou4Rh1Y/s400/Ikechukwu+Ezenwa.jpg" /></a></div> Home-based Super Eagles captain and goalkeeper, Ikechuckwu Ezenwa, will miss the final of this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) against Morocco.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ezenwa suffered a leg injury against Sudan in the semi-final on Wednesday and will not be fit in time for Sunday’s game in Casablanca.<br /> <br /> Plateau United stopper, Dele Ajiboye, is expected to start in goal.<br /> <br /> Ajiboye was named Man of the Match against Sudan.<br /> <br /> It is the first time both countries would get to the final of the championship since its inception.<br /> <br /> Nigeria’s best outing at the competition, was when they finished third under Stephen Keshi in 2014.</div>

Latest-News Nigeria vs Morocco: Ezenwa ruled out of CHAN 2018 final

Home-based Super Eagles captain and goalkeeper, Ikechuckwu Ezenwa, will miss the final of this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) ...

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EFCC charges CCT chairman with demanding N10m from accused

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGc8MtWcoxbSS9FXPVIvWXo5dxaSDBquidWEDtIqKvmU-LtMp-tuxzVeNNIpxS4v9HGb6wrWV8D_HDrUOOl3J7OO5Kp_cnakncjiErvExxCcV-avp6mU6-nq87q5vd1VWsCrLbtcDO4I/s1600/efcc+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGc8MtWcoxbSS9FXPVIvWXo5dxaSDBquidWEDtIqKvmU-LtMp-tuxzVeNNIpxS4v9HGb6wrWV8D_HDrUOOl3J7OO5Kp_cnakncjiErvExxCcV-avp6mU6-nq87q5vd1VWsCrLbtcDO4I/s400/efcc+2.jpg" /></a></div> The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday charged the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, with demanding and receiving favour from a defendant standing trial before the tribunal in 2012.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> This came as the CCT last week fixed Tuesday for the continuation of the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.<br /> <br /> Our correspondent learnt that the CCT, headed by Umar, had last week issued notices served on parties for the continuation of Saraki’s trial following the December 12, 2017 judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on three counts false assets declaration.<br /> <br /> The EFCC, through a private lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, filed the charges against Umar before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Friday.<br /> <br /> The prosecution, in the case, marked CR/109/18, accused Umar of demanding N10m as a favour from a defendant, Rasheed Taiwo, standing trial before the CCT in 2012.<br /> <br /> The anti-corruption agency also accused Umar of receiving, through his personal assistant, Alhaji Gambo Abdullahi, the sum of N1.8m from Taiwo in the same year.<br /> <br /> The offences were said to be contrary to Section 12(1)(a) & (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2003.<br /> <br /> The charges read, “That you, Danladi Yakubu Umar, being the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal and presiding over a case with charge no. CCT/ABJ/03/12, involving one Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo, sometime in 2012, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did ask for the sum of N10m from the said Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo, for a favour to be afterwards shown to him in relation to the pending charge (no. CCT/ABJ/03/12) in discharge of your official duties and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 12(1)(a) & (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2003.”<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for Umar’s arraignment.</div>

Latest-News EFCC charges CCT chairman with demanding N10m from accused

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday charged the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, with demanding ...

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Herdsmen killings: Stop calling Buhari a murderer Presidency warns

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZkoft9JXjLArBgLx5cO89biY1i4Gw3vhSw5YhnhVjHO-xjMung4fCow-ng4vOQuBIdnGbUNZ2kbSt9mvjh0l1pHRJXejg0IJ5stjXd1UhKajoSvJVUN-lnEZBUtlW7TUELznf7ruPow/s1600/buhari2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZkoft9JXjLArBgLx5cO89biY1i4Gw3vhSw5YhnhVjHO-xjMung4fCow-ng4vOQuBIdnGbUNZ2kbSt9mvjh0l1pHRJXejg0IJ5stjXd1UhKajoSvJVUN-lnEZBUtlW7TUELznf7ruPow/s320/buhari2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Presidency said on Friday that it was “grossly” disrespectful and unfair to refer to President Muhammadu Buhari as a murderer over the killings by suspected herdsmen in Benue and other parts of the country.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that people should learn to express their grievances and criticisms without resorting to name calling.<br /> <br /> He said the President, in accordance with the constitution, had the primary responsibility of protecting lives and property and that he had been doing that.<br /> <br /> He said, “Those beating the gongs of war and fanning the embers of discord must remember what prevailed in Rwanda before the genocide of the early 90s, during which hundreds of thousands of lives were lost as a result of consistent hate speech spewing from that country’s media.<br /> <br /> “We must learn to express our grievances and criticisms without resorting to gutter language or to name calling, and the press has a responsibility to maintain that, even if it means calling their columnists to order.<br /> <br /> “Calling him (Buhari) a murderer is not only grossly disrespectful but unfair, especially when the President has written a letter to the Senate detailing his efforts to quell the crisis in Benue State.<br /> <br /> “The President had also dispatched the Minister of Interior and the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in the aftermath of the unfortunate incident, and receiving a direct briefing from the IG the following day.”<br /> <br /> The presidential spokesperson also raised concerns over some media reports on the recent killings, describing them as unfortunate.<br /> <br /> He cited a recent column published in a national newspaper (not The PUNCH) alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari was the first to endorse the Benue massacre on New Year Day.<br /> <br /> Shehu said the same columnist described the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali as “a dyed-in-the-wool Fulani irredentist who places trade over and above human life” and that the writer went further to invite Nigerians to arm themselves and fight one another.<br /> <br /> Shehu also frowned at the headline of one of the said newspaper’s edition, titled ‘Expect More Blood in Benue…’<br /> <br /> He said some media reports on the recent Benue killings displayed lack of respect for journalism ethics and press laws.<br /> <br /> He appealed to members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to show more decorum and professionalism in the reportage of security and humanitarian situation in the country.<br /> <br />  No decision yet on compensation for victims of Benue killings —Presidency<br /> <br /> The Presidency also said that no decision had been taken on possible compensation for families who lost their loved ones in the killings that took place in Benue State on January 1, 2018.<br /> <br /> Shehu said this during an interview with our correspondent.<br /> <br /> He said that it was premature to be talking about whether the Federal Government would pay compensation to the victims or not at a time when the authorities were still investigating the incident.<br /> <br /> He said that the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led committee, set up by the National Economic Council, on the matter was still meeting.<br /> <br /> The presidential spokesman explained that after the committee members had completed their assignment, they would report to President Muhammadu Buhari on their findings and solutions.<br /> <br /> He said, “You know there is the Vice President Osinbajo committee that has nine governors as members and they are discussing modalities. Whatever their conclusions are, they will definitely get back to the President.<br /> <br /> “It will, therefore, be premature at this time to talk about whether compensation will be paid or not.<br /> <br /> “You have to be patient and wait for the committee members to finish their work.<br /> <br /> “In fact, at Thursday’s meeting, they set up another committee that will report back to the main committee and then the main committee will report to the President.”<br /> <br /> Some persons suspected to be Fulani herdsmen had on January 1, 2018, attacked Guma and Logo local government areas of Benue State, killing 73 people and injuring many others.<br /> <br /> Thousands of people were also said to have been displaced as a result of the attack.<br /> <br /> During Thursday’s meeting, the Osinbajo-led committee set up a sub-committee that would interface with members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and other groups with a view to ending the killings.<br /> <br /> The sub-committee is headed by the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.<br /> <br /> Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, made the disclosure to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.<br /> <br /> Yari, who is the Governor of Zamfara State, said that the governors of Plateau and Adamawa states were members of the dialogue committee headed by Umahi.<br /> <br /> He said that some technocrats would also be invited to join them in visiting states affected by the crisis.</div>

Latest-News Herdsmen killings: Stop calling Buhari a murderer Presidency warns

The Presidency said on Friday that it was “grossly” disrespectful and unfair to refer to President Muhammadu Buhari as a murderer over the...

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Restore peace in Benue or forget 2019, Bafarawa tells Buhari

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5iNCwKUAiPZoE5XjqEbwNz2A6XK6RzxkDLdi-WcBRbNCVEws19Q5badOIo6Jhdc-FcJv4Pue4RtlZrmEguIgH4q6qNA_E2fpfMmV9R1BPLISov7x3Yg_3P3RFlQOBc7vHq8r5lDClJY/s1600/buhari2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5iNCwKUAiPZoE5XjqEbwNz2A6XK6RzxkDLdi-WcBRbNCVEws19Q5badOIo6Jhdc-FcJv4Pue4RtlZrmEguIgH4q6qNA_E2fpfMmV9R1BPLISov7x3Yg_3P3RFlQOBc7vHq8r5lDClJY/s320/buhari2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, on Friday said that there would be no elections in Nigeria in 2019 if the Federal Government failed to restore peace to Benue State.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Bafarawa made the statement during a condolence visit to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital, to commiserate with him and the people of the state over the killings of 73 persons on January 1, 2018, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.<br /> <br /> Bafarawa said, “Why would there be an election in 2019 when there is no peace? The most important thing you can bring to a society is peace. When you bring peace to them, you have brought life and can then talk about the election.”<br /> <br /> Speaking further, Bafarawa said that while it was the duty of the Federal Government to put serious efforts to restore peace in Benue State and other parts of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari must involve other stakeholders, irrespective of political affiliation, to solve the problem.<br /> <br /> The former governor thereafter made a cash donation of N10m to support the family of the victims of the January 1 killings.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, Ortom thanked Bafarawa for the show of solidarity, maintaining that the herdsmen and farmers crisis was a national problem which needed a national solution by the government at all levels in the country.</div>

Latest-News Restore peace in Benue or forget 2019, Bafarawa tells Buhari

A former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, on Friday said that there would be no elections in Nigeria in 2019 if the Fed...

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Herdsmen attacks: We’re in IDPs camps instead of our classrooms – Benue schoolchildren

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiPaYL9E3iMefXRJaxTKQ6A96Xcc9AL_0mhr0DRPHH7puqKbzTDLEOJSGYuuBYg0PgkMOtsqG9tZkwRe8t5PDx5uEjQyxgT8EBPl1A-1Emrkggm4xWJ8Rf2kXvzwSBrG2i6Wd28124cU/s1600/idp2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiPaYL9E3iMefXRJaxTKQ6A96Xcc9AL_0mhr0DRPHH7puqKbzTDLEOJSGYuuBYg0PgkMOtsqG9tZkwRe8t5PDx5uEjQyxgT8EBPl1A-1Emrkggm4xWJ8Rf2kXvzwSBrG2i6Wd28124cU/s320/idp2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> It was about 10am and the sun was already rising, making it a bright day.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> For the little children at Agan Internally Displaced Persons’ Camp located at Old Toll Gate area, Makurdi, it was a normal day for football as some of the kids chased after a dusty ball.<br /> <br /> Our correspondent spoke to some of the children and their parents at the camp and they lamented the difficulties they were facing at the camp, particularly lack of water, medical facilities and school to attend or teachers to teach.<br /> <br /> Our correspondent, who visited the IDPs’ camp in Guma Local Government Area of the state observed that the camps were dominated by children of nursery, primary and/or secondary school age.<br /> <br /> Apart from their inability to access schools, food is another major challenge being faced by the internally displaced persons at the camps.<br /> <br /> The displaced persons therefore appealed to both the state and federal governments to find a lasting solution to the herdsmen/farmers crisis in the state to enable them to return to their homes and live a normal life.<br /> <br /> For Tyohemba Joy, a primary four pupil at St. Alfred Nursery and Primary School, Torkula in Guma LGA, life has been hell without her school and the opportunity to study.<br /> <br /> “Our village was attacked by some people, who were killing us and we had to abandon the place. Since then, we have been living in this camp.<br /> <br /> ”We had just resumed school in our area when the herdsmen came to attack our village. My parents’ property was all destroyed by the herdsmen. We were able to escape with the help of security agents.<br /> <br /> “It is a shame that I cannot go to school now. Every morning when I wake up, I think about my friends who must be heading to school while I waste my time here,” she said.<br /> <br /> Another victim, Vivian Shor, who is a junior secondary school one student of RCM-UBE, Kadarko, said that she had just got admitted to the school but had to abandon her studies and run with her parent to the IDPs’ camp in Daudu in order to secure her life.<br /> <br /> Shor described her experience as terrible as she said a word of prayer for the souls of those who lost their lives to the attacks and those who were yet to experience such in life.<br /> <br /> “Nobody would pray to have that experience or see their fellow human beings being killed or denied of what is legitimately their right; it was a sad experience,” she said.<br /> <br /> Similarly, it has been a gloomy period for Mrs. Rebecca Orgugar, who hails from Tokula village; she said that children in the axis had stopped going to school because schools were often the targets of the attackers each time they struck.<br /> <br /> She said many teenage girls of school age were still missing as a result of the suspected attacks by Fulani herdsmen in Kadarko.<br /> <br /> ”Since the herdsmen attacked our community, two out of my five children have been put at risk of dropping out of school because they are supposed to register for their West African Senior School Certificate Examination, but my farm and its produce, which should raise money for their registrations, have been destroyed by herdsmen.<br /> <br /> “Now, I have no hope of getting money anywhere,” she stated.<br /> <br /> Orgugar also urged the government to act fast to end the menace so as to allow those affected by the attacks to return to their various homes and live normal lives.<br /> <br /> A retired solider with nine children, Thomas Agede, from Gida Sule in Guma, said that suspected Fulani herdsmen came to his residence early on Sunday morning to attack them.<br /> <br /> He said one of his children, who was in Primary Five had been missing since then, adding that the development had made him to develop high blood pressure.<br /> <br /> ”At about 4 am on Monday, we heard that some Fulani had entered our village and killing people, so I started to gather my family members so that I could move them out, but before l was set, they had reached my area.<br /> <br /> “I watched them slaughtering innocent people as if it was during the Biafran war. I thought l was in a war, but l could not do anything. They were with heavy guns, so l hid myself and allowed them to finish their evil act before leaving my hideout. Now my child is missing,” he said with a note of sadness.<br /> <br /> Dooter Osuhu, a primary six pupil at Wisdom Primary School, Hagher, said her school had been shut down indefinitely because of the recent attacks.<br /> <br /> ”I have seven siblings, but all our schools have either been shut down or now being used as IDPs’ camps. This development has forced us out of school. I am calling on the Benue and Nasarawa state governments to jointly resolve this problem before it consumes us all,” she said.<br /> <br /> James Tyor, who is a Junior Secondary School 1 student at Comprehensive Secondary School, Kuduku in Keana LGA, Nasarawa State, has taken refuge at Tse- Finds camp in Guma.<br /> <br /> He noted that apart from lack of adequate space to sleep, water, security, health personnel and facilities, he was also worried that he had been forced out of school.<br /> <br /> According to him, his parents lost everything to the suspected herdsmen’s attack and the situation will make it even difficult for him to return to school.<br /> <br /> “I’m worried that I cannot go back to school, and the problem has affected many of us as many schools have been closed. We are young children, we should all be in school but we are in IDPs’ camps,” he said.<br /> <br /> There is no doubt that Benue State is presently facing a grave challenge due to the recent killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen in two local government areas of the state. Before the recent attacks, Benue, in the last five years, had been turned to a theatre of war occasioned by constant attacks by suspected herdsmen.<br /> <br /> That scores of people lost their lives in the recent killings is no longer news; the growing number of children of school age who are being forced out of school due to the attacks is what is also giving the people of the state sleepless nights.<br /> <br /> According to the state governor, Samuel Ortom, over 100,000 people had been displaced by the recent attacks on Guma and Logo local government areas of the state.<br /> <br /> A government source told our correspondent that no fewer than 75,000 of the number were youths scattered across seven designated internally displaced  persons’ camps.<br /> <br /> The Benue State Universal Education Board had said that at least 10, 000 pupils had been forced out of schools in the two local government areas. The chairman of the board, Rev. Philip Tachin, said many schools were affected as many families fled their homes alongside the children to different camps following the attacks.<br /> <br /> An official of State Emergency Management Agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the current situation as ‘shocking and alarming’.<br /> <br /> The source said that the figure kept rising every day as a result of continuous attacks, adding that about 35,000 children of school age had been forced out of school and now living under difficult conditions in the camps.<br /> <br /> The SEMA official also that some of the new entrants at the camps were from the troubled Kadarko area in the neighbouring Nasarawa State.<br /> <br /> Further checks revealed that a faith based institution had opened camps in some parts of Benue State to tackle the influx of displaced people in need of refuge.<br /> <br /> The source said, “It was disheartening to see thousands of school children forced out of school by the invasion of suspected herdsmen on some communities in Guma and Logo LGAs; the state government is making frantic efforts to attend to the welfare of the displaced persons for now while we hope that peace will soon return to the state so that those children will be able to return to school.”<br /> <br /> The SEMA official, who said he was not authorised to speak on the matter, even as the Executive Secretary of the agency was indisposed as of the time of filing this report, said there were about 4,000 children of school age in one of the camps in Guma alone.<br /> <br /> “This is the multiplier effect of this genocidal operation. There are seven IDPs’ camps in these two affected local governments and if the statistics of these school children are the same across the IDPs’ camps, over 35,000 children might have been forced out of school. Understand that in one camp here in Guma, there are over 4,000 children of school age,” he said.<br /> <br /> He added that if the Federal Government failed to decisively stop the killings, then its efforts in education would be a mere waste of resources.<br /> <br /> “Many schools have been affected; though, we are yet to ascertain whether school buildings have been destroyed the same way houses in villages were destroyed. We spoke with one of the policemen that were attacked by the armed herdsmen and he confirmed that they were Fulani.<br /> <br /> “They were heavily armed; the Federal Government should be honest by not playing politics with this serious security problem because it is capable of conflagration. We want one Nigeria and we shouldn’t be pushed to having a divided country,” the source added.<br /> <br /> The Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on SEMA, Vincent Tsea, disclosed that there were 6,000 children of school age in one of the new camps in Daudu, while registrations were still ongoing as a result of the crisis, which broke up in Kadarko area of Nasarawa State.<br /> <br /> He stated that the Wednesday’s attack in the council area made the number of school children to rise beyond what the SUBEB had earlier stated.<br /> <br /> According to him, when registrations in those additional new camps are completed, he will be able to give out the exact figures of children of school age in the camps.</div>

Latest-News Herdsmen attacks: We’re in IDPs camps instead of our classrooms – Benue schoolchildren

It was about 10am and the sun was already rising, making it a bright day. For the little children at Agan Internally Displaced Persons’...

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Restore peace in Benue or forget 2019, Bafarawa tells Buhari

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5iNCwKUAiPZoE5XjqEbwNz2A6XK6RzxkDLdi-WcBRbNCVEws19Q5badOIo6Jhdc-FcJv4Pue4RtlZrmEguIgH4q6qNA_E2fpfMmV9R1BPLISov7x3Yg_3P3RFlQOBc7vHq8r5lDClJY/s1600/buhari2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5iNCwKUAiPZoE5XjqEbwNz2A6XK6RzxkDLdi-WcBRbNCVEws19Q5badOIo6Jhdc-FcJv4Pue4RtlZrmEguIgH4q6qNA_E2fpfMmV9R1BPLISov7x3Yg_3P3RFlQOBc7vHq8r5lDClJY/s320/buhari2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, on Friday said that there would be no elections in Nigeria in 2019 if the Federal Government failed to restore peace to Benue State.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Bafarawa made the statement during a condolence visit to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital, to commiserate with him and the people of the state over the killings of 73 persons on January 1, 2018, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.<br /> <br /> Bafarawa said, “Why would there be an election in 2019 when there is no peace? The most important thing you can bring to a society is peace. When you bring peace to them, you have brought life and can then talk about the election.”<br /> <br /> Speaking further, Bafarawa said that while it was the duty of the Federal Government to put serious efforts to restore peace in Benue State and other parts of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari must involve other stakeholders, irrespective of political affiliation, to solve the problem.<br /> <br /> The former governor thereafter made a cash donation of N10m to support the family of the victims of the January 1 killings.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, Ortom thanked Bafarawa for the show of solidarity, maintaining that the herdsmen and farmers crisis was a national problem which needed a national solution by the government at all levels in the country.</div>

Latest-News Restore peace in Benue or forget 2019, Bafarawa tells Buhari

A former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, on Friday said that there would be no elections in Nigeria in 2019 if the Fed...

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Restore peace in Benue or forget 2019, Bafarawa tells Buhari

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5iNCwKUAiPZoE5XjqEbwNz2A6XK6RzxkDLdi-WcBRbNCVEws19Q5badOIo6Jhdc-FcJv4Pue4RtlZrmEguIgH4q6qNA_E2fpfMmV9R1BPLISov7x3Yg_3P3RFlQOBc7vHq8r5lDClJY/s1600/buhari2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5iNCwKUAiPZoE5XjqEbwNz2A6XK6RzxkDLdi-WcBRbNCVEws19Q5badOIo6Jhdc-FcJv4Pue4RtlZrmEguIgH4q6qNA_E2fpfMmV9R1BPLISov7x3Yg_3P3RFlQOBc7vHq8r5lDClJY/s320/buhari2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, on Friday said that there would be no elections in Nigeria in 2019 if the Federal Government failed to restore peace to Benue State.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Bafarawa made the statement during a condolence visit to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital, to commiserate with him and the people of the state over the killings of 73 persons on January 1, 2018, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.<br /> <br /> Bafarawa said, “Why would there be an election in 2019 when there is no peace? The most important thing you can bring to a society is peace. When you bring peace to them, you have brought life and can then talk about the election.”<br /> <br /> Speaking further, Bafarawa said that while it was the duty of the Federal Government to put serious efforts to restore peace in Benue State and other parts of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari must involve other stakeholders, irrespective of political affiliation, to solve the problem.<br /> <br /> The former governor thereafter made a cash donation of N10m to support the family of the victims of the January 1 killings.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, Ortom thanked Bafarawa for the show of solidarity, maintaining that the herdsmen and farmers crisis was a national problem which needed a national solution by the government at all levels in the country.</div>

Latest-News Restore peace in Benue or forget 2019, Bafarawa tells Buhari

A former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, on Friday said that there would be no elections in Nigeria in 2019 if the Fed...

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Restore peace in Benue or forget 2019, Bafarawa tells Buhari

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5iNCwKUAiPZoE5XjqEbwNz2A6XK6RzxkDLdi-WcBRbNCVEws19Q5badOIo6Jhdc-FcJv4Pue4RtlZrmEguIgH4q6qNA_E2fpfMmV9R1BPLISov7x3Yg_3P3RFlQOBc7vHq8r5lDClJY/s1600/buhari2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5iNCwKUAiPZoE5XjqEbwNz2A6XK6RzxkDLdi-WcBRbNCVEws19Q5badOIo6Jhdc-FcJv4Pue4RtlZrmEguIgH4q6qNA_E2fpfMmV9R1BPLISov7x3Yg_3P3RFlQOBc7vHq8r5lDClJY/s320/buhari2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, on Friday said that there would be no elections in Nigeria in 2019 if the Federal Government failed to restore peace to Benue State.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Bafarawa made the statement during a condolence visit to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital, to commiserate with him and the people of the state over the killings of 73 persons on January 1, 2018, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.<br /> <br /> Bafarawa said, “Why would there be an election in 2019 when there is no peace? The most important thing you can bring to a society is peace. When you bring peace to them, you have brought life and can then talk about the election.”<br /> <br /> Speaking further, Bafarawa said that while it was the duty of the Federal Government to put serious efforts to restore peace in Benue State and other parts of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari must involve other stakeholders, irrespective of political affiliation, to solve the problem.<br /> <br /> The former governor thereafter made a cash donation of N10m to support the family of the victims of the January 1 killings.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, Ortom thanked Bafarawa for the show of solidarity, maintaining that the herdsmen and farmers crisis was a national problem which needed a national solution by the government at all levels in the country.</div>

Latest-News Restore peace in Benue or forget 2019, Bafarawa tells Buhari

A former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, on Friday said that there would be no elections in Nigeria in 2019 if the Fed...

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Benue killings: Keep your differences, lets fight insecurity – Ortom

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMKSC6-w92DzUd9a7kFnOUGD8jCC3qwJLpbAGcpCMLFbdFU1sld-uACh2anfRGc7cqMoL6JPAZ9i3kDeMFQast4gNHgVRNvHVNTwlvzkc6WxpdLqufXMFixcTmGTjQgsyVtKw7cyDdh0/s1600/Samuel+Ortom.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMKSC6-w92DzUd9a7kFnOUGD8jCC3qwJLpbAGcpCMLFbdFU1sld-uACh2anfRGc7cqMoL6JPAZ9i3kDeMFQast4gNHgVRNvHVNTwlvzkc6WxpdLqufXMFixcTmGTjQgsyVtKw7cyDdh0/s320/Samuel+Ortom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has called on the people to set aside their political differences and support the government in tackling insecurity in the state.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ortom made the call when he received Mr Joseph Tondo, the state Chairman, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties,  and other members of the coalition on a condolence visit to him in Makurdi on Friday.<br /> <br /> The governor emphasised the need for synergy to tackle the security challenges faced by the state, pointing out that the activities of terrorists did not know APC, PDP, LP or APGA.<br /> <br /> He said those terrorising the people of Benue had ulterior motives, including the takeover of the state, and had made their intentions known in several fora.<br /> <br /> He expressed optimism that God would see the people of the state through the current security challenges given the way  the stakeholders were going about the issues.<br /> <br /> Earlier, Tondo said that they came to commiserate with the governor over the incessant killings of Benue people by suspected herdsmen.<br /> <br /> He said the attacks had caused a lot of setbacks in the state but  commended the governor for the pragmatic steps he had taken  in handling the crisis.<br /> <br /> He urged the governor to sustain efforts aimed at restoring order in the state and hailed his leadership style of appointing  people across party lines into public offices.</div>

Latest-News Benue killings: Keep your differences, lets fight insecurity – Ortom

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has called on the people to set aside their political differences and support the government in tackling insecu...

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Southern Governors Forum has cemented ties with South East – Gov. Ambode

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-YvUQr_zOP4l8OUhrOc7OXnniFrxW7dfwq_gqaDcjz2Tm5kZP4hKM0UK4-bsd7ZpUqHqh_ROodZGcN9CHOXtbBvwz-zuxR1BVz9SWuvfvIF6VMHjNNLRURnGStcGC-NHQuMCEi6y0V4/s1600/Akinwunmi-Ambode.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-YvUQr_zOP4l8OUhrOc7OXnniFrxW7dfwq_gqaDcjz2Tm5kZP4hKM0UK4-bsd7ZpUqHqh_ROodZGcN9CHOXtbBvwz-zuxR1BVz9SWuvfvIF6VMHjNNLRURnGStcGC-NHQuMCEi6y0V4/s320/Akinwunmi-Ambode.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State says the forum has cemented the ties between the South East and South West zones.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ambode said this in Enugu on Friday during a visit to his Enugu State counterpart, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi en route the burial of the former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.<br /> <br /> He said that being a governor in a state with a huge concentration of people of the South East had made him to be part of the people from the area.<br /> <br /> “I am more Igbo than any other person because Lagos is a cosmopolitan state. I am not too sure whether I can cross any street in Lagos without meeting an Igbo brother or sister.<br /> <br /> “If you want to govern Lagos State properly, you have to abide by the conditions of business people and which the majority happen to be our brothers from the South East,” he said.<br /> <br /> The governor said that he had tried to unite residents of the state irrespective of where they came from as that was the only panacea for peace.<br /> <br /> “I have in the last 32 months tried as much as possible to maintain peace and harmony because that is the only way our economy can grow. That is why we are for a united Nigeria,” he said.<br /> <br /> He said that his love for the people of the area made him choose to attend the burial of the elder statesman.<br /> <br /> Ambode expressed delight in the infrastructural development in Enugu which he said had defied the economic challenges in the country.<br /> <br /> The governor said that he was moved by the development strides embarked by successive administrations in the state irrespective of party leanings.<br /> <br /> “Irrespective of party affiliation, development is development and progress is progress and the whole thing is more about being people-oriented.<br /> <br /> “We give God all the glory that there are still people who can prove that there is good governance in Nigeria,” Ambode said.</div>

Latest-News Southern Governors Forum has cemented ties with South East – Gov. Ambode

The Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State says the forum has cemented the ties between the South E...

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You are not Buhari’s adviser, Oshiomhole blasts Obasanjo

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN8M55ds3P6rInYcfZhyMb8I4TMWWqssjlINg6ALvtFiqPLWlzMhWC1ac8DCOiNuL_8h_djXmrNv_iyVxhg_hS9JVTelb6oUka1R9KgVnf7V2y2aDmt5cp3TStyH_m5siWz5Yh_zlcmU/s1600/Adams+Oshiomole.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN8M55ds3P6rInYcfZhyMb8I4TMWWqssjlINg6ALvtFiqPLWlzMhWC1ac8DCOiNuL_8h_djXmrNv_iyVxhg_hS9JVTelb6oUka1R9KgVnf7V2y2aDmt5cp3TStyH_m5siWz5Yh_zlcmU/s320/Adams+Oshiomole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A former governor of Edo State, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday took a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo for advising President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Oshiomhole said Obasanjo was not in the right position to give such advice because the former President was not a known adviser to Buhari.<br /> <br /> The former governor spoke with State House correspondents shortly after meeting the President behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br /> <br /> Obasanjo had in a special press statement titled, ‘The Way Out: A clarion call for a Coalition for Nigeria Movement,” last week questioned Buhari’s competence to rule Nigeria further, advising him to forget his second term bid.<br /> <br /> The former President told Buhari not to test the patience of Nigerians, advising him to consider a deserved rest after the completion of his first term.<br /> <br /> But Oshiomhole said Obasanjo had no such power to advise the President.<br /> <br /> He said, “I’m not sure when I see the list of the (President’s) advisers, that President Obasanjo is one of the advisers.<br /> <br /> “I also recall with respect that the day President Obasanjo was inaugurating in some of his advisers, he did say that anybody who is his adviser can advise him, he will make his own decisions. I think that principle still stands.”<br /> <br /> The former governor said, as a loyal party man, he was in the Presidential Villa to reassure Buhari of his government and also for 2019 election.<br /> <br /> He said it was important for Buhari to know that at this trying times, he has men and women who have huge confidence in his leadership ability.<br /> <br /> He said Nigerians could not but to appreciate the President and all that has been done under his leadership in the past two years and some months, especially in the fight against corruption.<br /> <br /> He said those who are conversant with the nation’s history would admit that its problems did not start with the present administration.<br /> <br /> He said although many people had advised against blame game, there was no way the country could move forward without accessing the past.<br /> <br /> Oshiomhole said those who understood the dynamics of governance knew that the rot of 16 years could not be cleared in two years.<br /> <br /> He said, “Nigeria was below ground level and from what you guys report that I read, we have always had challenges but never in terms of this scale and magnitude.<br /> <br /> “What President Buhari inherited is difficult to describe. I have said so before that when you meet such a situation, your first task is to halt the drift. When you halt the drift, then you stabilise before you begin to go. There is no miracle about it.<br /> <br /> “I don’t think that anybody who understands the challenge of nation building, of national economic management and so on will expect that in two years, you can fix in a sustainable manner all of the things that have been destroyed over 16 years before this party came into office.<br /> <br /> “Yes, there are challenges; there are a couple of things we need to begin to do and re-enforce but there is no question that a lot has begun and a lot is being done.”<br /> <br /> Oshiomhole lauded the present administration for its Social Investment Programme that seeks to among other things pay the poor under the Conditional Cash Transfer component of the scheme.<br /> <br /> He, however, admitted that paucity of data is a major challenge to the plan.<br /> <br /> “For me, there is a commitment. I can see a heart that cares for the poor.<br /> <br /> “But that doesn’t mean caring for the poor will make the poverty disappear overnight but that is a starting point.<br /> <br /> “If you don’t recognise that we have these people amongst us and they are in millions, then you are not even likely to reflect on how to deal with their problems.<br /> <br /> “For me, in terms of values, I can see a lot,” the former governor concluded.</div>

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A former governor of Edo State, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday took a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo for advising President ...

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We are determined to build robust tax system – Adeosun

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MupXID8_h6wiX8e55lskb8yS8orNw6etFHDquizJxLXu4ffjWhz4sVSVR6mE1rCjihnLMwNXrfKnRVDUnDzg55EszE1-0nAaFN7KKhprDhE45eH9KUjLruWrYMlEh2WiAXJI6BNZEyk/s1600/Kemi+Adeosun.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MupXID8_h6wiX8e55lskb8yS8orNw6etFHDquizJxLXu4ffjWhz4sVSVR6mE1rCjihnLMwNXrfKnRVDUnDzg55EszE1-0nAaFN7KKhprDhE45eH9KUjLruWrYMlEh2WiAXJI6BNZEyk/s320/Kemi+Adeosun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, said Federal Government was committed to implementing any policy that would boost the country’s tax system and ensure ease of doing business.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Adeosun said this on Friday in Abuja while receiving a Progress Report by the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee on tax law reforms.<br /> <br /> She said that the government was laying emphasis on tax because it was the only reliable source of revenue to achieve its developmental goals.<br /> <br /> “I want to underscore that this government led by Muhammadu Buhari, came in at a time when oil price was as low as 28 dollars per barrel.<br /> <br /> “This led us in search of a revenue base that is sustainable, predictable and can deliver development and succour to the masses.<br /> <br /> “One of the functions of the tax system, which many people overlook, is that it is the most reliable tool for government to use to redistribute wealth from rich to poor.<br /> <br /> “Many of the programmes we are undertaking will do exactly that, whether it is fixing our roads, or our social interventions like N5, 000 Conditional Cash Transfer to the poorest.<br /> <br /> “There is also the N30, 000 to some of our unemployed graduates or the school feeding programme.<br /> <br /> “These are all methods of redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor and that is one of the functions of a good tax system,” she said.<br /> <br /> Adeosun reiterated government’s willingness to take the recommendations of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, which she explained, would not only boost revenue but also improve ease of tax payment.<br /> <br /> She said that the recommendations would be submitted to the Economic Management Team, National Economic Council, Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly for ratification.<br /> <br /> Earlier, Mr Taiwo Ayedele, Vice President of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, had said that the committee identified the tax laws that were obsolete and making the country’s tax system inefficient.<br /> <br /> He said that the committee recommended that Company Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Customs Excise and Tariff, Personal Income Tax, Pension Contribution, Industrial Development Income Tax Relief and Tertiary Education Trust Fund be reviewed.<br /> <br /> “The proposed changes to the tax laws are expected to increase government revenue, simplify paying taxes and doing business and promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).<br /> <br /> “It will also remove obsolete, ambiguous and contradictory provisions in the law and protect most vulnerable persons in the society,” Ayodele said.</div>

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Alex Ekwueme finally laid to rest

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwAsTLgKdVoID67uPzvp5g8nBxvpRhSWZUwwxTDhziWZM18w9svCNDCSnJ4zujx61deo2hJOpR7bgA6vZq7PZVmohIcOC6oujK3kvzkEDO8aaKDDbax6tDcO_moocFTzLqQm-01Wrzq4/s1600/Alex+Ekwueme.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwAsTLgKdVoID67uPzvp5g8nBxvpRhSWZUwwxTDhziWZM18w9svCNDCSnJ4zujx61deo2hJOpR7bgA6vZq7PZVmohIcOC6oujK3kvzkEDO8aaKDDbax6tDcO_moocFTzLqQm-01Wrzq4/s400/Alex+Ekwueme.jpg" /></a></div> Nigeria’s former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, was laid to rest on Friday at his hometown, Oko in Anambra state after a week-long burial rites.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Top government officials, close friends and family members gathered to pay their lasts respect to the 85-year-old elder statesmen who died in November 2017.<br /> <br /> Some of those present to witness the final moments were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience.<br /> <br /> Other are former Vice President Namadi Sambo; the Anambra state Governor, Willie Obiano; Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state, Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state, among others.<br /> <br /> The former Vice President whose remains returned to Nigeria on Monday, died at a hospital in London United Kingdom on November 19, 2017, following a respiratory illness.<br /> <br /> Born October 21, 1932, Ekwueme started his career as an architect after earning a bachelor’s degree in architecture and city planning, as an awardee of the Fulbright Scholarship, from the University of Washington in the United States.<br /> <br /> He later obtained a master’s degree in urban planning and also earned degrees in sociology, history, philosophy and law from the University of London.<br /> <br /> Furthering his education, he obtained a PhD in Architecture from the University of Strathclyde, before gaining the BL (honours) degree from the Nigerian Law School.<br /> <br /> In 1979, Ekwueme became Nigeria’s first Vice President, serving as deputy to Shehu Shagari, until 1983 when they were ousted in a coup.<br /> <br /> Over the years, he played several roles domestically and internationally, cementing his status as a statesman.<br /> <br /> In the course of the week, tributes poured in from many prominent Nigerians and top government officials who shared experiences from their relationship with him and described him as a rare gem who will be greatly missed.<br /> <br /> As he is finally laid to rest today, the hope of many is that his legacies live on and Nigeria continues to uphold the virtues of unity and integrity and selfless service as he had always practised.<br /> <br /> The Federal Government has renamed the Federal University in Ebonyi State as Alex Ekwueme University.<br /> <br /> The university is located in Ndufu Alike Ikwo in Ebonyi.<br /> <br /> Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo announced the honour today at the funeral rites for the former vice-president at the St John of the Divine Church, Oko Anambra state.<br /> <br /> The ceremony was attended by former president Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience.<br /> <br /> Osinbajo said that Ekwueme, who was Nigeria’s vice-president between October 1979 and December 1983, was being immortalised for his selfless service, integrity and contributions to national development.<br /> <br /> He described Ekwueme as a true Nigerian icon and statesman whose life and times were worthy of celebration.</div>

Latest-News Alex Ekwueme finally laid to rest

Nigeria’s former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, was laid to rest on Friday at his hometown, Oko in Anambra state after a week-long buri...

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Nigeria has no regrets fighting apartheid in South Africa – Buhari

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHWEeQiPHbLcXjwiu1FccNfqIwxtnhHiZ62ASGLflFITvd2NnFrbHqL0xJsp9iZQ3gy4J7K3Lav0BIiiS_jYqFjs6XElnUSHVaoVxGoDnCf5fWxv0-Eydt1Wab4dEC51f8LouacBYAx0/s1600/buhari2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHWEeQiPHbLcXjwiu1FccNfqIwxtnhHiZ62ASGLflFITvd2NnFrbHqL0xJsp9iZQ3gy4J7K3Lav0BIiiS_jYqFjs6XElnUSHVaoVxGoDnCf5fWxv0-Eydt1Wab4dEC51f8LouacBYAx0/s320/buhari2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said Nigeria had no regret fighting the scourge of apartheid in South Africa until full democratic system was established in the country.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The President stated this when he received the outgoing South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Lulu Mnguni, at the State House, Abuja.<br /> <br /> He said Nigeria made lots of sacrifices during the years of apartheid to ensure that full rights were restored to all citizens, irrespective of the colour of their skin.<br /> <br /> According to him, Nigeria will continue to strengthen its historic and fraternal relationship with South Africa.<br /> <br /> The President, who congratulated Mnguni on the successful completion of his duty tour, said bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa would be improved, especially in trade where both countries have areas of competitive advantage.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, the outgoing envoy expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for all the support he received.<br /> <br /> He said the relationship between both countries had a long history of brotherliness and partnership in promoting the African cause, adding that he would return to South Africa with fond memories of Nigeria.</div>

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Dickson earmarks N1bn to repair roads in Jonathan’s LGA

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHKqc5zT824lHoLgMGPckhCjZT0Bme7Qfp9U1XKB40Ak8YSCtqkgfOL356RT0K0DvM2gM8d-wImcrU8fJBd3BjQNYzf_pGJB0uUML54CFs9DRpq55ALBLpMDNgvYqfpQbRWOGnqrmbf8/s1600/Seriake+Dickson.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHKqc5zT824lHoLgMGPckhCjZT0Bme7Qfp9U1XKB40Ak8YSCtqkgfOL356RT0K0DvM2gM8d-wImcrU8fJBd3BjQNYzf_pGJB0uUML54CFs9DRpq55ALBLpMDNgvYqfpQbRWOGnqrmbf8/s320/Seriake+Dickson.jpeg" width="319" /></a></div> The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has reportedly earmarked N1bn to repair internal roads and carry out other projects in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s council, Ogbia Local Government Area.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths, Mr. Osaanya B. Osaanya, revealed this during a mega solidarity rally in support of the governor.<br /> <br /> Ogbia youths, led by Osaanya, had held a 10,000-man solidarity rally to thank Dickson for the support he had been giving to Jonathan and the appointments of many Ogbia persons in government.<br /> <br /> Osaanya said, “Among other things, Dickson had completed the model school in the area and earmarked N1bn recently for the repair of internal roads in the area. He also commissioned‎ other projects in various communities in the area to demonstrate his love for our people.<br /> <br /> “We want to assure the governor that the youth of the area will continue to support his government and play their part to bring an end to all forms of crime and criminality. Only an atmosphere of peace will attract meaningful development.”<br /> <br /> The youth leader, therefore, urged ‎youths of the area to shun kidnapping, pipeline vandalism and other vices but rather key into the different opportunities that abound by embracing the various empowerment schemes Dickson had introduced.<br /> <br /> Osaanya stated, “We have come out today to appreciate the governor, Seriake Dickson, for what he has been doing for us. It is clear and evident for us to see. Our resolve to thank him is hinged on the fact that he has done well and will still do more.<br /> <br /> “Dickson has in the last six years made Bayelsa a centre of attraction; building significant and legacy projects. We will give him more support and work to maintain peace in Ogbia kingdom.”</div>

Latest-News Dickson earmarks N1bn to repair roads in Jonathan’s LGA

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IGP in closed-door meeting with Senators over Benue killings

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7UM1rm6Xq1hMEcyX9IPLoa2oSZ9K11ZJfgCAS3V8f0RP8EBSFQpSEkCakbGx6qsgs0O-43Uibxl9dd-2LwIKi85h-UlLOmXhUkp2gCMfAS4wkKvsjdeeeBeUlpd6t2IQP5ZJt5n_vVY/s1600/Ibrahim+Idris.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7UM1rm6Xq1hMEcyX9IPLoa2oSZ9K11ZJfgCAS3V8f0RP8EBSFQpSEkCakbGx6qsgs0O-43Uibxl9dd-2LwIKi85h-UlLOmXhUkp2gCMfAS4wkKvsjdeeeBeUlpd6t2IQP5ZJt5n_vVY/s320/Ibrahim+Idris.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris is currently in a closed-door meeting with the Senate over the recent killings by herdsmen in Benue state.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Mr. Idris is appearing before the Senate’s joint Committee on Police Affairs and Intelligence to give reasons why he did not comply with the 14 days ultimatum earlier given him by the Senate to bring solution to the incessant killings in Benue state.<br /> <br /> Recall that the Senate, Wednesday, summoned the IGP to appear before it over the crisis in Benue and to explain the measures he had taken to stop the killings in the state.<br /> <br /> Journalists and lower ranks police officers who accompanied Idris were however dismissed from the venue after the introductory session.<br /> <br /> The Senate on Wednesday summoned the IGP to explain the steps taken by the police to prevent further killings in Benue state.<br /> <br /> The Senate Committee on Police and National Intelligence were mandated to invite the IGP after Senator Joshua Lidani, from Gombe State, raised a point of order calling the attention of the Senate to the continuous killing in Benue State despite the 14-day ultimatum given to the IG of Police.</div>

Latest-News IGP in closed-door meeting with Senators over Benue killings

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris is currently in a closed-door meeting with the Senate over the recent killings by herds...

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Soldiers arrest Shehu Sani’s aide in Kaduna

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Letter to Buhari: Obasanjo is playing politics - Tinubu

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza8L5QdRzb5BulKc45nc4QlX0p8eLIfw74XBcgRWhmtq633h0gPYaOkoAeXcIH9O2Ib8JyeAMcD8KCu5heoTc4pyyJKfPAnWR0VFLP-_mz6n4j-5utHv-M3LZesoejTisw28Sbxz2UNM/s1600/bola+tinubu.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza8L5QdRzb5BulKc45nc4QlX0p8eLIfw74XBcgRWhmtq633h0gPYaOkoAeXcIH9O2Ib8JyeAMcD8KCu5heoTc4pyyJKfPAnWR0VFLP-_mz6n4j-5utHv-M3LZesoejTisw28Sbxz2UNM/s320/bola+tinubu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu, has said ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo was playing politics with the open letter he wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari recently.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He said if Obasanjo had meant well, he would have met with Buhari to talk about the issues he raised in the letter.<br /> <br /> Tinubu spoke in an interview with journalists when he visited Governor Rochas Okorocha in company with the pioneer National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, at the Government House Owerri, on Friday.<br /> <br /> Tinubu said, “They both had the same background. So, I believe that would have been the conversation of retired military heads of State.<br /> <br /> “They have unfettered access to each other, either through the Council of State or via any other means. He could see the President privately.<br /> <br /> “He (Obasanjo) was also his (Buhari) senior in the army. I think Obasanjo was playing politics with the public letter. That is all I see.<br /> <br /> “They also met at the African Union meeting. He has a way of discussing with the President any time he wants.”<br /> <br /> On the coalition, the APC leader said the time is not appropriate for a response to the coalition government which Obasanjo had started campaigning for.<br /> <br /> On what brought him to Owerri, Tinubu said, “I am here to see a very good friend of mine, the governor, Owelle Okorocha, who happens to be the governor of APC state and then pay respect to the gentleman, nationalist, great leader of our generation.”</div>

Latest-News Letter to Buhari: Obasanjo is playing politics - Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu, has said ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo was playing politics wi...

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Security Challenges: Army to conduct more exercises in 2018 – Buratai

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesRGoqckuEXbi4McqZj3Vv5W2oUjeoYX4vey3WE8yh6nKmBkjm8hIFtBD0Tz7xyJdpT3hEl1WH40ugvEmQ68hxvHcKCF2eGEgQVEWCaIWjHh-GO8CsTxXEG3ROJENHxL65MBk2kl21o4/s1600/Tukur+Buratai.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesRGoqckuEXbi4McqZj3Vv5W2oUjeoYX4vey3WE8yh6nKmBkjm8hIFtBD0Tz7xyJdpT3hEl1WH40ugvEmQ68hxvHcKCF2eGEgQVEWCaIWjHh-GO8CsTxXEG3ROJENHxL65MBk2kl21o4/s320/Tukur+Buratai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Army will conduct more exercises in 2018 to assist civil authorities to deal with internal security challenges in parts of the country, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Speaking with newsmen on Friday after leading troops on a 15km Route March, Buratai said Exercises Harbin Kunama III, Crocodile Smile III and Egwu Eke Dance III would also be conducted in 2018.<br /> <br /> Exercise Harbin Kunama I and II were conducted in 2016 and 2017, respectively, to deal with the menace of cattle rustling and herdsmen/farmers clashes in parts of North-West and North-Central.<br /> <br /> While Crocodile Smile and Egwu Eke Dance were conducted in the Niger Delta and the South-East, respectively, in 2017 to tackle pipeline vandalism, oil theft and piracy, violent agitation and kidnapping.<br /> <br /> Asked if there would be a special exercise to address recurring herdsmen/farmers clashes in Benue, Taraba and part of Nasawara State, Buratai said the military was not thinking of a particular situation.<br /> <br /> “Well, we are not thinking of any particular situation, we are going to train on general areas which could include that aspect (Benue killings) as well.<br /> <br /> “But our focus will be to ensure that security is provided across the country.<br /> <br /> “So, definitely, expect Harbin Kunama III; Crocodile Smile III and Egwu Eke Dance III and probably another exercise coming which will be made known at the appropriately time,’’ the army chief said.<br /> <br /> Earlier, Buratai charged the troops to be prepared as some of them may be deployed to any part of the country at short notice for operations to assist civil authorities to tackle internal security challenges.<br /> <br /> He said he had approved funds for training in 2018 and therefore, they should expect a “robust training’’ during the period.<br /> <br /> According to him, “this is to enable us to accomplish the task assigned to us by the Commander-In-Chief”.</div>

Latest-News Security Challenges: Army to conduct more exercises in 2018 – Buratai

The Army will conduct more exercises in 2018 to assist civil authorities to deal with internal security challenges in parts of the country...

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