Five ways to move past infidelity in a marriage

Latest-News Five ways to move past infidelity in a marriage

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Mom excited about her baby born with 4 hands, 3 legs

Latest-News Mom excited about her baby born with 4 hands, 3 legs

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Quran is the greatest human encyclopedia that teaches peace – Buhari

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiTFYUovdj2lJIrRWH52lQygx86zYfWaxBNhr4Lu9Vjp0I2L7oT91TfwcxDG18MUVZQ7zrsPY-czbXL6JO43FJLVrao9TceCgZ08hAeiwE5xcmrRMlbsPoopjSeyPJvsyF6cDxkxsohEJ/s1600/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiTFYUovdj2lJIrRWH52lQygx86zYfWaxBNhr4Lu9Vjp0I2L7oT91TfwcxDG18MUVZQ7zrsPY-czbXL6JO43FJLVrao9TceCgZ08hAeiwE5xcmrRMlbsPoopjSeyPJvsyF6cDxkxsohEJ/s320/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to understand that all the Holy Books revealed by Allah preach peaceful coexistence among people.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Buhari stated this on Saturday in Katsina at the closing ceremony of the 32nd National Qur’anic Recitation Competition.<br /> <br /> ‘’All the Books of Almighty Allah teaches us same thing, that is how to live in peace with one another.<br /> <br /> ‘’It is clear that Quran is the greatest encyclopedia which contains all aspects of human life.<br /> <br /> ‘’Quran teaches us how to be fair and just to all including the non-Muslims.<br /> <br /> ‘’It has also been stated that during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad, Peace be Upon Him, when Muslims were being persecuted, he asked them to migrate to a Christian Kingdom in Ethiopia, where they lived peacefully,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> The President was represented by Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika.<br /> <br /> He said that the Quran should not be used as a decoration in houses, hence the need for reflecting on the teachings contained therein.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, urged states and local governments in the country to intensify efforts towards ensuring peace in their domains.<br /> <br /> ‘’It is only with adequate peace that competition like this can take place,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> He also urged Nigerians to strive and register in the ongoing voter registration as the 2019 general elections approaches.<br /> <br /> ‘’It is only with a voter card that Nigerians can elect leaders of their choice who will protect their interests,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Also speaking, Gov. Aminu Masari, frown at the way children were roaming the streets in search of survival in the name ‘almajiri’ instead  of seeking for knowledge.<br /> <br /> Masari said such children were often exposed to abuse by undesirable elements in the society, hence the need for concerted efforts to address the issue.<br /> <br /> He pledged to give scholarship to all Katsina State participants who emerge victorious at the competition.<br /> <br /> Newsmen report that Qur’anic recitation competition is an annual event organized to select those who will  represent the country at the international competition.<br /> <br /> The 2019 edition of the competition would hold in Gombe State.</div>

Latest-News Quran is the greatest human encyclopedia that teaches peace – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to understand that all the Holy Books revealed by Allah preach peaceful coexistence among people. Buhari stated this on Saturday in Katsina at the closing ceremony of the 32nd National Qur’anic Recitati…

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Odigie-Oyegun berates PDP for boycotting Edo LG poll

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUIBR0UQjIv2E7Jl10AuvTnPrmxow2EGXyqWLrrZglyMozi2SV2c9p8QT22HQ-eA4uoUBxFjOiZuC4avNfmxzmsDf_ZHmGkIz1OtAPLqaxL9ql2MMMh5zZr41HSj3ntjZAGCjJi5ILoPV/s1600/John+Odigie-Oyegun.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUIBR0UQjIv2E7Jl10AuvTnPrmxow2EGXyqWLrrZglyMozi2SV2c9p8QT22HQ-eA4uoUBxFjOiZuC4avNfmxzmsDf_ZHmGkIz1OtAPLqaxL9ql2MMMh5zZr41HSj3ntjZAGCjJi5ILoPV/s320/John+Odigie-Oyegun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Saturday berated the Peoples Democratic Party for boycotting the Edo State local government election.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The PDP had vowed not to participate in the election, claiming that it did not have confidence in the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission and urged voters to used shun the exercise.<br /> It had also challenged the alleged unlawful amendment of the notice of election from 90 to 45 days by the House of Assembly before a state High Court.<br /> <br /> But Odigie-Oyegun, who spoke to journalists shortly after casting his vote in Ward 2, Unit 2, Oredo Local Government Area of the state, described the opposition party’s withdrawal as “silly”.<br /> He stated that the PDP had only done itself more harm as the election would have provided an opportunity for the opposition party to mobilise its supporters.<br /> <br /> The national chairman’s spokesman said, “It is silly because however much you rate your chances as low, it is still an opportunity to mobilise and energise your followers. The injury is to the boycotting party.<br /> <br /> “From our history in this country, that has always been the case; you do not boycott elections. If you do so, you are paying a heavy price for it and we wish it luck. But I pray that they will boycott the others also.”<br /> <br /> Odigie-Oyegun blamed the low turnout of voters on the nature of the election, which he said was less emotive.<br /> <br /> He explained, “Well, it is a local government election; it is not usually as emotive as when you are electing a governor or a president. So, one expects the turnout not to be as much.<br /> “But all that is important is that our candidates get the majority and that they get down to work; that is why we are here.<br /> <br /> He added, “There is always apathy with local elections. You do not have the kind of star quality that comes with a governorship or presidential election. So, voting in local elections are much more lower.”<br /> <br /> Odigie-Oyegun also disagreed that council polls in Nigeria were lopsided because the ruling political party always held sway.<br /> <br /> The national chairman, “It was not the case in Edo State; the opposition did win a few local governments (in previous elections). But that is to be expected.<br /> “We are talking about local people. So if you do not mobilise at that level, then God help you.”</div>

Latest-News Odigie-Oyegun berates PDP for boycotting Edo LG poll

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Saturday berated the Peoples Democratic Party for boycotting the Edo State local government election. The PDP had vowed not to participate in the election, claiming…

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VAR technology to be used at Russia World Cup after lawmakers' vote

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKprxO_5hghIy8GkAsMOVm0PTPaTH1mVZpmDsmqaCrjZh1B08Akklsezcsb9puV3tgj8AdSYNT510zpJG_eM39aFnUU-SoQd5i-ZjcweqPMQJAOcza6AtrcbGoZBAmmPoGbCxjBw-RMzPU/s1600/var.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKprxO_5hghIy8GkAsMOVm0PTPaTH1mVZpmDsmqaCrjZh1B08Akklsezcsb9puV3tgj8AdSYNT510zpJG_eM39aFnUU-SoQd5i-ZjcweqPMQJAOcza6AtrcbGoZBAmmPoGbCxjBw-RMzPU/s320/var.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Video assistant referees will be used at the World Cup this summer after a meeting of football’s lawmakers unanimously approved the most monumental change to the rules of the game at the top level.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The introduction of the VAR system means video replays will be used at Russia 2018 and rolled out in leagues across the world thereafter, allowing referees to review key decisions that have been made in a split second. Trials have already shown it will have a fundamental effect on the game, but there is serious concern it will undermine referees on the pitch, interrupt the flow of the game and cause confusion for players and fans.<br /> <br /> The International Football Association Board made the decision to introduce VAR at its annual general meeting at Fifa’s headquarters in Zurich on Saturday. Six of eight votes were required to push through the law change with Fifa owning four votes and each of the Home Nations also having a vote. The Football Association was known to be in favour of VAR as well as the Irish FA. The Welsh FA had some reservations about the technology while the Scottish FA was known to be waiting until Saturday’s meeting to make its final decision, although the decision in the end was unanimous. The historic decision was announced by the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, after a slightly delayed meeting.<br /> <br /> It does not automatically follow that VAR will be introduced in the Premier League with a number of executives at top-flight clubs known to have serious concerns about the technology. A meeting of the Premier League clubs will take place in April with 14 votes required to adopt VAR in time for next season.<br /> <br /> The Crystal Palace chairman, Steve Parish, has already expressed misgivings about VAR, which has been trialled in 13 competitive games in England in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. It has resulted in six decisions being reversed, all of those in the FA Cup, but has also meant lengthy delays during games. “I am very worried about VAR,” said Parish, “I hate all those games that stop and start, waiting for a decision, and they don’t necessarily get the decision right.<br /> <br /> “We’re going down an incredibly dangerous road with that,” he added, “My real problem is that we’ve got it for five decisions at the moment, but I can’t see any end to it. You know the answer for everything is going to be more VAR.”<br /> <br /> The video replay system prompted outrage this week during Tottenham’s FA Cup game against Rochdale this week with the technology controversially being used to rule out a goal and a penalty for Spurs. The decision to use it at the World Cup will be formally made on 16 March at the Fifa Council meeting in Colombia. It is understood that all referees at the World Cup will have some experience with VAR although there are valid concerns that the magnitude of the occasion coupled with a new system could cause some referees to be overly hesitant.</div>

Latest-News VAR technology to be used at Russia World Cup after lawmakers' vote

Video assistant referees will be used at the World Cup this summer after a meeting of football’s lawmakers unanimously approved the most monumental change to the rules of the game at the top level. The introduction of the VAR system means video repl…

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‘N500m for new vehicles, N1.9bn for secretariat’ — APC proposes N14bn budget for 2018

Latest-News ‘N500m for new vehicles, N1.9bn for secretariat’ — APC proposes N14bn budget for 2018

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Ex-military generals can stop Buhari’s second term bid

Latest-News Ex-military generals can stop Buhari’s second term bid

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Don’t play politics with life, rescue Dapchi girls – Catholic bishop

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0klA7wf9Kh3P64YvoYIzjWmnrtfEIXecK8VY8iwsqdpk8bBKd1EsXvZ9n0A1ZwmOSXa5UmOBEzIEkABB_MZAXgzr2X0rUCSL-n8H-DwWmIOvi8_hIfnUWESL3Q02_HrDY-Hv6zA3ih8r/s1600/Dapchi+schoolgirls.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0klA7wf9Kh3P64YvoYIzjWmnrtfEIXecK8VY8iwsqdpk8bBKd1EsXvZ9n0A1ZwmOSXa5UmOBEzIEkABB_MZAXgzr2X0rUCSL-n8H-DwWmIOvi8_hIfnUWESL3Q02_HrDY-Hv6zA3ih8r/s320/Dapchi+schoolgirls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Catholic Bishop of Bauchi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Hilary Nanman Dachelem, has called on the government and security agencies to keep politics aside and rescue the 110 girls of the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, abducted recently by the Boko Haram insurgents.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He made the call in an interview with newsmen at the closing ceremony of the 2018 2nd General Assembly of the Catholic Diocese of Bauchi.<br /> <br /> The 2nd Assembly which had the theme: “Building a Sustainable Church in Bauchi Diocese: Challenges and Prospects,” brought together the Clergy and lay faithful of the Diocese comprising of Bauchi and Gombe States, to discuss religious and social issues from the standpoint of the Catholic Church and plan for ways to grow the Church.<br /> <br /> Bishop Dachelem said that he believed life is sacred and must therefore be protected and respected adding that the best the government and security agencies could do now was to rescue the abducted girls alive.<br /> <br /> “My call is for the government to leave politics aside and retrieve these girls, leave politics and protect lives. You don’t politicise life, for Christ’s sake.<br /> <br /> “Buhari is governing us because he has life, if he doesn’t have life, how can he govern us? He is governing us because we have life, if we don’t have life, he can’t govern us. When we take that life, what we are doing is destroying the foundation that makes us what we are and that is why we don’t need to toy with life,” he said.<br /> <br /> The Bishop added that “I don’t need to know who you are, political affiliation or religious beliefs, but all I know is that life is sacred and should be protected and respected by everybody. That is why it is a universal norm of morality that life is sacred and should be protected.”<br /> <br /> The Spiritual father counselled politicians in the country to value and regard life with dignity as the 2019 general elections approach.</div>

Latest-News Don’t play politics with life, rescue Dapchi girls – Catholic bishop

The Catholic Bishop of Bauchi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Hilary Nanman Dachelem, has called on the government and security agencies to keep politics aside and rescue the 110 girls of the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State…

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2019: INEC to seek partnership with NURTW on transport arrangement

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYcBsuHuigttrqtCAyoYuKnuO-layNGrmSEfZVYqp63gEwK1XTgfP5qMa9ZLMocFAGGEbh0ojmDBcEi9ermM3wUaDcw1N7GVFwx4-_Cs5L-FGsSKloMaSKzUuFmhsE55fvHTnkLThKP4B/s1600/inec.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYcBsuHuigttrqtCAyoYuKnuO-layNGrmSEfZVYqp63gEwK1XTgfP5qMa9ZLMocFAGGEbh0ojmDBcEi9ermM3wUaDcw1N7GVFwx4-_Cs5L-FGsSKloMaSKzUuFmhsE55fvHTnkLThKP4B/s320/inec.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> INEC says it will enter into strategic partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to ensure an effective distribution of  materials and personnel ahead of the 2019 elections.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Prof Godswill Obioma, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ebonyi, said  this at a meeting attended by representatives of   the 29 branches of the NURTW and INEC  officials  on Saturday in Abakaliki.<br /> <br /> Obioma commended the union for the previous partnership with the commission in the area of transport arrangements.<br /> <br /> The REC said that transportation was a critical component of election involving timely movement of INEC personnel and electoral materials.<br /> <br /> According to him, elections are held between 8a.m.  and 4p. m.<br /> <br /> “It  becomes pertinent that adequate transportation arrangements are made to  ensure that INEC officials  and materials  are moved to designated election centres on time.”<br /> <br /> He said the meeting was in line with the directives  from the commission’s national headquarters that state offices of INEC should hold meetings with its  strategic partners on election planning.<br /> <br /> The REC told members of the NURTW that the meeting was to enable the commission embark on early transportation planning.<br /> <br /> He said that the initiative would also help the commission to overcome avoidable mobility challenges.<br /> <br /> Obioma said that the meeting was a follow up to an earlier meeting held between the commission and the union.<br /> <br /> “The main purpose of this meeting is to start planning early the transportation arrangements and it is also a follow up to the meeting held last month.<br /> <br /> “We made some far reaching resolutions during the last meeting and it becomes even more urgent to partner with your union in making transportation arrangement now that our headquarters has given us orders to do so.<br /> <br /> “We were told to go back and meet with our stakeholders in various aspects to begin arrangements in earnest for the elections.<br /> <br /> “We have just met with the committee in charge of security called the Inter Agency Consultative Committee in Electoral Security,” he said.<br /> <br /> Obioma explained that they  had used the opportunity availed by the meeting to lay out strategic plans for security.<br /> <br /> He said, “the Commissioner of Police is the chairman and REC is the co-chair man. ”<br /> <br /> The REC said that a nine-man joint sub-committee to work out the  modalities for effective engagement of the transporters would be constituted at the end of the meeting.<br /> <br /> He commended the union for attending the meeting and reassured its members of the  commitment of the commission aimed at  sustaining  existing cordial relationship between it and NURTW.<br /> <br /> Obioma also restated the commitment of the electoral body to conduct credible, free and fair elections in Ebonyi in 2019.<br /> <br /> The state chairman of the NURTW, Chief Oko Ewa, said the union would support the commission to succeed in the areas of transportation.<br /> <br /> Ewa, represented by the state secretary, Mr Sunday Ebude, said that NURTW would respect the partnership arrangement.<br /> <br /> The NURTW Chairman also commended the commission for starting the  planning one year ahead of the election.<br /> <br /> “The early planning will enable both the commission and our union to resolve every challenge that may arise along the line.<br /> <br /> “NURTW has been a critical partner of INEC and we assure you that we are going to abide by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that the committee  will come up with, ” he said.</div>

Latest-News 2019: INEC to seek partnership with NURTW on transport arrangement

INEC says it will enter into strategic partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to ensure an effective distribution of  materials and personnel ahead of the 2019 elections. Prof Godswill Obioma, INEC Resident Electoral C…

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Reconciling aggrieved members crucial to 2019 election victory - APC

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDP-StZ7lNUdQZDadaOOVMyRp3rhU0Rb1qcMJbgTI8mNCeAp-k-LHkuRhwltvdhjht3zyd3BzuL7FTCfdp5M5D5pG8AX2ZDbtur-DPuR-Mw1t5J28JucWbSyKXF2BPKu_Xibu8ESnQgWgz/s1600/APC-LOGO-17.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDP-StZ7lNUdQZDadaOOVMyRp3rhU0Rb1qcMJbgTI8mNCeAp-k-LHkuRhwltvdhjht3zyd3BzuL7FTCfdp5M5D5pG8AX2ZDbtur-DPuR-Mw1t5J28JucWbSyKXF2BPKu_Xibu8ESnQgWgz/s320/APC-LOGO-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says that reconciling aggrieved members of the party is crucial to its success in the 2019 general elections.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Spokesperson of the chapter, Mr Jacob Ogunseye, said this in a statement, a copy of which was made available on Saturday in Abuja.<br /> <br /> He described the recent appointment of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconcile aggrieved members of the party by President Muhammadu Buhari as an herculean task.<br /> <br /> According to him, no individual within the party can best handle the task than Tinubu, who is one of its leaders as he must not fail in the assignment.<br /> <br /> “The reconciliation of aggrieved party members is very crucial for the success of the party at all levels, most especially as the election year draws nearer.<br /> <br /> “The best person for the task has been given the job and we are confident that we will come out stronger.<br /> <br /> “It will be wrong to say that we have not noticed conflicts in some chapters of the party across Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “But with the personality of Tinubu, these disputes will definitely become a part of the history of our great party, ´´ he said.<br /> <br /> The statement also said that a chieftain of the party in the United Kingdom, Mr Ade Omole applauded Buhari for giving Tinubu the task.<br /> <br /> He noted that the internal crisis within the party was already taking its toll on the general well-being of the country, including its social transformation.<br /> <br /> “The visible rancor between the Executive and Legislative arms of government is a distraction we can do without. We are hopeful and trusting the leaders that the party will come out stronger,’’ Omole said.<br /> <br /> He, therefore, urged the party leaders across the country to support Tinubu and ensure that he does not fail in the task.<br /> <br /> Omole said the reconciliation within the party was required to revive its state chapters, rally party members and put it on the right track toward success in 2019 elections.<br /> <br /> Buhari appointed Tinubu to lead the APC team of consultation, reconciliation and confidence-building.<br /> <br /> His assignment among other things, was to forge cohesion within the APC ahead of the 2019 general elections as well as resolve disagreements among party members and leaders.<br /> <br /> It also involves reconciling political office holders in some APC-controlled states and addressing crises in the party`s troubled chapters, especially in Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Cross River states among others.</div>

Latest-News Reconciling aggrieved members crucial to 2019 election victory - APC

The United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says that reconciling aggrieved members of the party is crucial to its success in the 2019 general elections. The Spokesperson of the chapter, Mr Jacob Ogunseye, said this in a state…

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Boko Haram: Medecins Sans Frontieres suspends operation in Borno town

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlYErFgCo_iaNoUn3NvwrMzvUsSej3LZJdrwlC-gtbCfyST09C1r7p8zT_vd9UOaOjcm7KYJ8X5Ck8pXqd45OWNt7W84sW4N3Z7xq-HEeiHMsehBqEC82p9jQYlH24NsrY6C_-PuhxODW/s1600/boko+haram.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlYErFgCo_iaNoUn3NvwrMzvUsSej3LZJdrwlC-gtbCfyST09C1r7p8zT_vd9UOaOjcm7KYJ8X5Ck8pXqd45OWNt7W84sW4N3Z7xq-HEeiHMsehBqEC82p9jQYlH24NsrY6C_-PuhxODW/s320/boko+haram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres(MSF) said on Friday it had suspended its work in the Nigerian town of Rann and evacuated national and international staff after a deadly raid by Boko Haram insurgents.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Suspected Boko Haram gunmen killed four Nigerian aid workers in an attack on a military barracks in the town in Borno state late on Thursday.<br /> <br /> MSF said in a statement, “Following a violent attack in Rann, Borno state, on Thursday 1 March, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) suspended its medical activities in the town and evacuated 22 national and international staff.<br /> <br /> “It is still unclear how many people were killed and injured but before leaving, MSF medical staff treated 9 wounded patients.<br /> <br /> “This attack is a stark reminder that it is the people in Borno who are paying the price of this ruthless conflict.<br /> <br /> “Leaving our patients without medical assistance is an extremely painful decision.”<br /> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President Bukola Saraki have condemned the attack on the town.<br /> <br /> President Buhari said the attack on humanitarian workers in Rann more than ever showed Boko Haram insurgents as godless, brutish, and utterly to be despised.<br /> <br /> “As I have always maintained, no true religion advocates hurting the innocent. To now further attack and kill those offering humanitarian aid is the height of bestiality. It is odious before both God and man,” the President said.<br /> <br /> Buhari sympathised with the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies working at Rann, and in the country.</div>

Latest-News Boko Haram: Medecins Sans Frontieres suspends operation in Borno town

The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres(MSF) said on Friday it had suspended its work in the Nigerian town of Rann and evacuated national and international staff after a deadly raid by Boko Haram insurgents. Suspected Boko Haram gunmen killed f…

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Police confirms five dead in fresh Mambilla Plateau attacks

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjaKKUJztYlB8AYvO6O3FSBaVwdowrA2cRMa5H8if9Yq66nNouGdkOTzlkD5b-y2ECGr4Uwrk4CsCaWLOxMXCA9OWdBtwQh27KpOunbTR5VeHobCdxgpxDksHcnF4AUpbv6ivVLEK8VkD/s1600/Nigeria+Police.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjaKKUJztYlB8AYvO6O3FSBaVwdowrA2cRMa5H8if9Yq66nNouGdkOTzlkD5b-y2ECGr4Uwrk4CsCaWLOxMXCA9OWdBtwQh27KpOunbTR5VeHobCdxgpxDksHcnF4AUpbv6ivVLEK8VkD/s320/Nigeria+Police.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Police Command in Taraba Stae has confirmed that five people were killed and several others injured in fresh attacks on Fulani communities by suspected Mambilla militia in Sardauna local government area of the state.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP David Misal, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday that the crisis erupted in Nyiwa and Yerimaru areas on Thursday as a result of a misunderstanding between a farmer and a herder.<br /> <br /> He said units of mobile policemen and soldiers from the 20 battalion in Serti have been deployed in the area to maintain the law and order.<br /> <br /> Misal added that the situation, which led to the burning of several homes and killing of many cows, has been brought under control.<br /> <br /> A victim of the attack, Malam Abubakar Ardo, who escaped with his family, told NAN in Gembu that the attacks started at midday on Thursday and most of the killings occurred in the night.<br /> <br /> He said almost all houses in about 15 Fulani communities were torched by the assailants.<br /> <br /> Ardo said that the timely arrival of both the army and police prevented further killings and destruction of property.<br /> <br /> He said that about 15 people were killed during the violence on Thursday evening, adding that five of those killed were buried in Gembu on Friday.<br /> <br /> Ardo also confirmed that security personnel have been drafted to the trouble areas leading to restoration of peace.<br /> <br /> He called on the state government and security agencies to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to others.</div>

Latest-News Police confirms five dead in fresh Mambilla Plateau attacks

The Police Command in Taraba Stae has confirmed that five people were killed and several others injured in fresh attacks on Fulani communities by suspected Mambilla militia in Sardauna local government area of the state. The state’s Police Public Re…

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Buhari, APC should learn from Trump – PDP

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Oyegun’s tenure extension: APC to hold fresh NEC meeting

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Boko-Haram: Be combat ready, AOC urges NAF officers

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaj0-1MVsm4AI9wo5P_0VCTFHXBmS23vrsbTiSGm_3CvW9z5WXahWUc-D28Ucd9DI4rKw6sL1oQzsrdMKIs-f6gGmWZx2VKAs6hGCEnSD3pDrVDRcZHpm1-WfXUPPGerb22MX-R9ZCNG8B/s1600/boko+haram.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaj0-1MVsm4AI9wo5P_0VCTFHXBmS23vrsbTiSGm_3CvW9z5WXahWUc-D28Ucd9DI4rKw6sL1oQzsrdMKIs-f6gGmWZx2VKAs6hGCEnSD3pDrVDRcZHpm1-WfXUPPGerb22MX-R9ZCNG8B/s320/boko+haram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Air Vice Marshall Sampson Akpasa, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Nigerian Air Force Ground Training Command (GTC), Enugu has urged officers and men of the airforce to be combat ready at all times.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Akpasa gave the advice shortly after the 1st Quarter Route March of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel in Enugu on Saturday.<br /> <br /> The AOC, who led the route march, which covered a stretch of 10 kilometres, said that fitness of officers and men of NAF was a pre-requisite for successful operations within and outside the country.<br /> <br /> He noted that the route march would also enhance the health and agility of officers and men as well as make them flexible to adapt to emergencies.<br /> <br /> According to him, a soldier that is not fit cannot perform satisfactorily, especially during emergencies.<br /> <br /> “The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has made it mandatory that each of the officers and men of NAF must participate in this exercise.<br /> <br /> “The essence is to keep NAF officers and men ready for operational combat at any moment,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> The AOC also urged officers and men to be ready for deployment on internal security duties in order to quell insurgency and other forms of criminality.<br /> <br /> “It is only a fit soldier that can out run a criminal as well as make tactic maneuvers  necessary to nip crime in the bud,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> The exercise covered Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Abakaliki roads within Enugu metropolis and lasted for two hours.</div>

Latest-News Boko-Haram: Be combat ready, AOC urges NAF officers

Air Vice Marshall Sampson Akpasa, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Nigerian Air Force Ground Training Command (GTC), Enugu has urged officers and men of the airforce to be combat ready at all times. Akpasa gave the advice shortly after the 1st Quar…

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Benue grazing law has come to stay - Ortom

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLVkkgkprP7rz6WhSl23_9wnr01I47tJTw5L8EsoviH9tHR8OjpKJ4E5GneWDRRQACQdghdlMNcRRaBr9rqBt_v5PQx1b923oOB8c3zJwQr6HSA9Z6_j4WuFyjB8HdvDvwf3u5JJA66Tr/s1600/Samuel+Ortom.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLVkkgkprP7rz6WhSl23_9wnr01I47tJTw5L8EsoviH9tHR8OjpKJ4E5GneWDRRQACQdghdlMNcRRaBr9rqBt_v5PQx1b923oOB8c3zJwQr6HSA9Z6_j4WuFyjB8HdvDvwf3u5JJA66Tr/s320/Samuel+Ortom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue and major stakeholders of the state have urged the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris and those kicking against the recently enacted Open Grazing Prohibition of the state to seek redress in court to canvass their position on the law.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It will be recalled that the IGP had at a forum last Wednesday, faulted the decision of state governments to outlaw open grazing in their respective states without developing ranch facilities.<br /> <br /> They spoke Thursday in Makurdi, when members of the board of trustees and advisory council of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation led by the former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu paid a condolence visit on the government and people of the state over the new year day killings by suspected herdsmen that claimed over 73 lives in Logo and Guma local government areas of the state.<br /> <br /> According to Chief Abu Shuluwa, a second class Chief and Tor Sankera, the recent day activities of Fulanis herdsmen negated the ideals which the late Sardauna of Sokoto and the first Premier of the Northern Nigeria region stood for.<br /> <br /> “Benue cannot remain with the north if the north continues to kill us. We are surprised that nobody is talking in the north about the killings in Benue. But let me say this, the Tivs have never been conquered by Fulanis and they will never be conquered.”<br /> On his part, the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN in the state, Rev. Akpen Leva, wondered why the IGP whose responsibilities included the enforcement of laws supposedly took sides with the Miyetti Allah who had consistently wrecked havoc in the state.<br /> <br /> “With what we see happening currently, it is obvious that the federal government is acting the script of Miyetti Allah. We are disappointed with the federal government because of its posture. These happenings are a grand plan to Islamise the country, because the attacks are targeted at Christian dominated areas.<br /> <br /> “The development is dangerous to the development of this country as it affects its unity. There is a hidden agenda in what is happening, unless they want this country to cease to exist because once you do away with Benue that is the end of Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> Also speaking, Governor Ortom maintained that the law had come to stay, stressing that “if the Inspector General of Police has any personal grouse with the law which met every constitutional requirement before it was signed into law, he has the option of seeking legal action.”<br /> <br /> Several others who spoke at the meeting, lampooned the federal government for its nonchalance over the killings in the state.<br /> <br /> Earlier, while condoling the government and people of the state over the killings, former Governor Aliyu said the foundation would always stand for the principles of justice and equity that once kept the northern region as one.<br /> <br /> Former Governor Gabriel Suswam who is also a member of the organisation sympathised with the people, assuring that everything would be done to paint the true picture of the situation in Benue state to the relevant authorities.<br /> <br /> Retired Justice Mamman Nasir, who is the chairman of the advisory council of the foundation condoled with the people and called for peace in all parts of the country.</div>

Latest-News Benue grazing law has come to stay - Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue and major stakeholders of the state have urged the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris and those kicking against the recently enacted Open Grazing Prohibition of the state to seek redress in court to canvas…

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Goodluck Jonathan gets new appointment

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Benue Government speaks on Boko Haram kingpin heading its security outfit

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Election re-ordering: What we’ll do if Buhari refuses to sign bill into law – Senate

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Senate blasts Nigerians criticizing death penalty for hate speech

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NFF seeks $2.8m for Russia World Cup

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9Ul2dybe7k7_kxbdG9lWzKNm3vz9A9Mx_TVEcSIq8QXp6aprEV5lIjP0Au_Weblx5nMsoiUpYNozkZJcliU5UpEc-A-MhlDkKT-lTDccE0kbncR9e95Vcac8FEEDUegOGEwWrOlMG3qe/s1600/ap.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9Ul2dybe7k7_kxbdG9lWzKNm3vz9A9Mx_TVEcSIq8QXp6aprEV5lIjP0Au_Weblx5nMsoiUpYNozkZJcliU5UpEc-A-MhlDkKT-lTDccE0kbncR9e95Vcac8FEEDUegOGEwWrOlMG3qe/s320/ap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick,  on Friday said the federation wants  to raise $2.8 million for the Super Eagles’ participation at the Russia 2018 World Cup.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Pinnick, who disclosed this during the commissioning of Western Nigeria Football Forum office located at the famous Cocoa House in Ibadan, said good financial support was necessary for the team.<br /> <br /> “We have to support them to succeed. We cannot afford to fail at the FIFA World Cup,” he said.<br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that football stakeholders in the South Western zone of Nigeria organised the Forum in collaboration with the DAWN Commission,  to revive the region’s football fortunes.<br /> <br /> The NFF president said the federation has been monitoring the performance of Super Eagles players in their respective clubs.<br /> <br /> “For instance, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, Kelechi Iheanacho and others are being monitored in their clubs to ensure they are doing well.<br /> <br /> “Also, we have assisted Oghenekaro Otebo to move to UD Las Palmas in Spain to ensure that he plays in a strong league where he can play against world-class players like Lionel Messi,” he said.<br /> <br /> Pinnick, while unveiling the new office, described the innovation as the future of football in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “I must commend the emergence of Western Nigeria Football League. It will form the future of Nigerian football. It is a pacesetter for other regions and it will assist in discovery of new stars,” he said.<br /> <br /> Pinnick said the South West zone which produced the likes of Segun Odegbami, Muda Lawal, Felix Owolabi and Sam Ojebode has again shown it is always the pacesetter.<br /> <br /> “Ibadan, the headquarters of South West, is noted for being the first in the establishment of television, radio and university. This is another first the zone has recorded,” he said.<br /> <br /> While congratulating those behind the move, the NFF president promised to furnish the new office for the Forum.<br /> <br /> Seyi Akinwumi, NFF’s First Vice-President and Chairman of Lagos Football Association (LSFA), traced the establishment of the Forum to a meeting held by stakeholders at Abeokuta in 2015.<br /> <br /> He said the idea behind the Forum is aimed at integration, which is also in line with the NFF Statutes on regions.<br /> <br /> “It is not going to be a kind of discrimination, but something being done to engender regional integration and also help to promote grassroots football, as well as produce future stars,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Akinwumi promised that the development would witness the formation of a league, revival of Principals’ Cup and Tertiary Institutions’ competitions.<br /> <br /> He also assured that the initiative would accommodate all the stakeholders in the zone, such as  coaches, referees and media.<br /> <br /> “For instance, coach Adegboye Onigbinde will handle coaching programmes in the zone, to prepare them for football development, with all the other coaches from other zones attending,” the NFF first vice-president said.<br /> <br /> While assuring that the zone has come into the game to stay, Akinwumi disclosed that there would be television and online broadcasting of the league to make it vibrant.<br /> <br /> Also, Seye Oyeleye, the Acting Director-General of DAWN Commission, said the commission  supports the Forum because of the potential football offers youths from the south west zone.<br /> <br /> “Football is a good business and DAWN Commission will assist youths in the zone to benefit from the potential,” he said.</div>

Latest-News NFF seeks $2.8m for Russia World Cup

The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick,  on Friday said the federation wants  to raise $2.8 million for the Super Eagles’ participation at the Russia 2018 World Cup. Pinnick, who disclosed this during the commissioning of …

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Court urged to nullify tenure extension for Odigie-Oyegun, others

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcbu6wuJ1ZnzxWz4RRx_KQ0n4R1NrS-AiwpwGoauaNqJf1_ITwelWzLhOL6cI79n-aQZ28TB1jop6IP_j7O8nbbP9Q6cNaUeLhtpeDsvZpMf45_uD3CXS6VRkNmLtWKzcC3HTp3bC2w4Q/s1600/John+Odigie-Oyegun.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcbu6wuJ1ZnzxWz4RRx_KQ0n4R1NrS-AiwpwGoauaNqJf1_ITwelWzLhOL6cI79n-aQZ28TB1jop6IP_j7O8nbbP9Q6cNaUeLhtpeDsvZpMf45_uD3CXS6VRkNmLtWKzcC3HTp3bC2w4Q/s320/John+Odigie-Oyegun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A member of the All Progressives Congress in Imo State, Mr. Okere Uzochukwu, on Friday, filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging the extension of the tenure of members of the National Working Committee of the party by one year.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The tenure of the leadership of the party at the state, local government and ward levels was also extended by one year, according to the decision taken by the National Executive Committee of the party on February 27, 2018.<br /> <br /> Uzochukwu, who said he was an aspirant to the state chairmanship position of the party in Imo State, contended in the suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/219/2018, that the tenure extension was undemocratic and violated the provisions of the constitution, the Electoral Act and the constitution of the APC.<br /> <br /> He sued the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission as the first and second respondents.<br /> <br /> Uzochukwu argued through his lawyer, Mr. Nnamdi Okere, that the extension of the tenure of the officials of the party at various levels was “the primary function and responsibility of the national convention” by virtue of the provisions of Article 13 and 13 (3) (ii) of the constitution of the APC 2014 (as amended).<br /> <br /> He, therefore, stressed that the tenure extension was unconstitutional and undemocratic since the national convention did not hold.<br /> <br /> The plaintiff urged the court to hold that the tenure extension for the NWC, the state working committees as well as the local government and ward executive committees of the party commencing from June 2018 to June 2019 “is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void  and of no effect.”<br /> <br /> He urged the court to compel the incumbent John Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC and others to vacate their respective offices with effect from June 1, 2018, when they would have completed their four years tenure.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the plaintiff also sought an order compelling INEC “to reject, cease to recognise and stop dealing with or having official communications with the Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee” and others effective from effective from June 1, 2018, “for having spent the constitutionally allowed tenure of office.”<br /> <br /> He sought an order declaring that he, as a registered and card-carrying member of the party, “has been denied the right to aspire and contest the Imo State Chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress, a position he is aspiring and canvassing for and has spent enormous resources, to warrant and justify the extant action.”</div>

Latest-News Court urged to nullify tenure extension for Odigie-Oyegun, others

A member of the All Progressives Congress in Imo State, Mr. Okere Uzochukwu, on Friday, filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging the extension of the tenure of members of the National Working Committee of the party by one year…

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Real Madrid’s Luka Modric charged with false testimony

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBckBl1Hs7N_mB-1vI4AIyRhoFJ26qZuenvqw3Sluee92x3dejywfyv6ZRUs3FCsuEr3RaAqBMlu3gvNn6xEif5eZOkk55vOgtzzoU8Se5Jj_0g-SpmLi9bAgQr3Zra6vyqB45YukGpbM/s1600/luca+modric.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBckBl1Hs7N_mB-1vI4AIyRhoFJ26qZuenvqw3Sluee92x3dejywfyv6ZRUs3FCsuEr3RaAqBMlu3gvNn6xEif5eZOkk55vOgtzzoU8Se5Jj_0g-SpmLi9bAgQr3Zra6vyqB45YukGpbM/s320/luca+modric.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Real Madrid’s Luka Modric was charged Friday with giving false testimony at the corruption trial of Dinamo Zagreb’s powerful former chief Zdravko Mamic, prosecutors said.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The 32-year-old midfielder was charged with “committing the criminal offence of giving false testimony” last June during a trial against Mamic and three others before a local tribunal, a prosecutors’ statement said.<br /> <br /> In line with Croatian law the prosecutors did not name Modric as the indictee but identified him as a “Croatian citizen born in 1985.”<br /> <br /> Local media identified him as Modric.<br /> <br /> If found guilty, the Croatia captain faces up to five years in prison.<br /> <br /> Mamic is accused — along with his brother Zoran Mamic and two others — of abuse of power and graft that cost the former Croatian champions more than 15 million euros ($18.4 million), and the state 1.5 million euros.<br /> <br /> Cash was allegedly embezzled through fictitious deals related to player transfers. Modric testified last June over the details of his 2008 transfer from Dinamo to Tottenham Hotspur.<br /> <br /> From there he joined Real Madrid in 2012.<br /> <br /> The prosecutors charge Modric that, when questioned at the tribunal, he falsely said he had signed an annex to a contract with Dinamo over conditions for future transfers while still playing in Croatia.<br /> <br /> When questioned during investigations in 2015, Modric said the annex was signed after he joined Tottenham, according to the prosecutors.<br /> <br /> Mamic is considered the most powerful man in Croatian football and his connections extend into many spheres of public life.<br /> <br /> Most Croatian football fans see him as the real boss of the Croatian Football Federation and believe its formal chief Davor Suker is merely Mamic’s puppet.<br /> <br /> Modric, who grew up as a refugee in Zadar on the Dalmatian coast, was highly popular in Croatia where he has a reputation for modesty.<br /> <br /> But the testimony has tarnished his image.</div>

Latest-News Real Madrid’s Luka Modric charged with false testimony

Real Madrid’s Luka Modric was charged Friday with giving false testimony at the corruption trial of Dinamo Zagreb’s powerful former chief Zdravko Mamic, prosecutors said. The 32-year-old midfielder was charged with “committing the criminal offence o…

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Nigeria to issue N150bn green bonds in 2018

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfjvPZzBGnCAOFG_5cn_kdK2pn2BH6_LXPPuHn9q7jRPUhH4LQiAhkxhAQumOf0x-AFNQ7b-JL7O-P4e5oXSJHPhejqA-2Ccs5fZLC1AyQt-cEnOyu5rhHgmBPGcjqbNbcx4xtGzVHnOX/s1600/Nigerian+National+flag.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfjvPZzBGnCAOFG_5cn_kdK2pn2BH6_LXPPuHn9q7jRPUhH4LQiAhkxhAQumOf0x-AFNQ7b-JL7O-P4e5oXSJHPhejqA-2Ccs5fZLC1AyQt-cEnOyu5rhHgmBPGcjqbNbcx4xtGzVHnOX/s320/Nigerian+National+flag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>  Following increased calls for climate funding, Mr Ahmad Salihijo, a technical assistant to the Minister of Environment, said the ministry planned to issue N150 billion green bonds to the public.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Salihijo revealed this in a panel discussion on Making Climate Finance Work for Women and Non-State Actors organized by Climate Wednesday in the just concluded social media week in Lagos.<br /> <br /> Green bonds, also known as climate bonds, are fixed income securities issued to finance projects that have positive impact on the environment and provide solution to change.<br /> <br /> Nigeria’s debut issuance of Green bonds was part of many efforts directed towards its Paris based NDC commitments.<br /> <br /> He said following the success of debut issuance of N10.69 billion bonds issued in 2017, the ministry was now targeting the issuance of N150 billion green bonds in 2018.<br /> <br /> “Everybody is excited about the idea of climate funding, everybody wants to be a part of it. Highly reputable organizations within and internationally are supporting us.<br /> <br /> “We will use the success of our first issuance to see how we can issue more. Where we are now, seeing the success of the first issue, our target this year is N150 billion. Already we are getting more proposals and support,” he said.<br /> <br /> The technical adviser revealed that proceeds from the green bonds are channeled towards three major projects.<br /> <br /> “We came up with guidelines for the green bonds, where we categorize the use of proceeds. We were able to advice other MDAs on how to place these bonds.<br /> <br /> “As at today, green bonds have issued N10.6 billion over three projects.<br /> <br /> “The first project is the Energizing Education Project registered with the Federal Ministry of Power under the Rural Electrification Agency, the second project is the Rural Electrification Municipal Project also under the Federal Ministry of Power and the third project is the Afforestation Project which is registered under the Federal Ministry Of Environment,” he said.<br /> <br /> Salihijo said the success of the green bonds in Nigeria resulted in a positive assessment by the international Climate Bond Initiatives, where the country is rated as the only country in Africa with such certification.<br /> <br /> “ We were able to get an assessment by the Climate Bond Initiatives. This is a very rare achievement for the country, we are the only ones in Africa that has that certification from the Climate Bond Initiatives.<br /> <br /> “To get the certification we had to go through a rigorous processes where all our projects were studied carefully,” he said. </div>

Latest-News Nigeria to issue N150bn green bonds in 2018

 Following increased calls for climate funding, Mr Ahmad Salihijo, a technical assistant to the Minister of Environment, said the ministry planned to issue N150 billion green bonds to the public. Salihijo revealed this in a panel discussion on Makin…

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MSF quits Rann after deadly Boko Haram attack

Latest-News MSF quits Rann after deadly Boko Haram attack

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Thailand ‘blames Buhari’ for collapse of its rice mills

Latest-News Thailand ‘blames Buhari’ for collapse of its rice mills

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VIDEO: Dapchi schoolgirls are safe with my son and his friends, says ‘Mama Boko Haram’

Latest-News VIDEO: Dapchi schoolgirls are safe with my son and his friends, says ‘Mama Boko Haram’

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Current revenue sharing formula illegal – Reps

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRt4LiLO7-Me6aTj0r8DoAy4WnMBLCcxfv_CVxRQ38r-bPQEa1gVHFe_WICyJK6Ig2Asn9qHfZSoHe17GgKmrNbm2YYehua7qzzCnaVM2Z79nKrujHX0BACcF8oCsha2yfmMerfNz7UFT/s1600/house-of-representative.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRt4LiLO7-Me6aTj0r8DoAy4WnMBLCcxfv_CVxRQ38r-bPQEa1gVHFe_WICyJK6Ig2Asn9qHfZSoHe17GgKmrNbm2YYehua7qzzCnaVM2Z79nKrujHX0BACcF8oCsha2yfmMerfNz7UFT/s320/house-of-representative.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> An ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives on Friday described the current revenue allocation formula in the country as illegal on account that it didn’t receive the approval of the National Assembly.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The committee, which is headed by a member of the All Progressives Congress from Benue State, Mr. Mark Terseer-Gbillah, is investigating data collection processes, maintenance and usage by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.<br /> <br /> Under the current sharing formula, the Federal Government takes the lion’s share of 52.68 per cent from the Federation Account. The 36 states take 26.72 per cent , while the balance of 20.60 per cent is given to the 774 local governments in the country.<br /> <br /> Over time, the formula has generated controversies and remains a key factor in the clamour for true federalism.<br /> <br /> Speaking at a pre-public hearing session with the acting Chairman of RMAFC, Mr. Shettima Abba-Gana, at the National Assembly, Terseer-Gbillah said the legislature would continue to oppose the revised sharing formula on the grounds of its non-approval by the parliament.<br /> <br /> Abba-Gana had told the committee that RAMAFC indeed reviewed the sharing formula as a statutory duty and sent its report to the Presidency, saying the formula had been updated.<br /> <br /> He added that the Presidency was expected to forward the report to the parliament. He, however, said he could not authoritatively say whether or not it was submitted to the National Assembly for approval.<br /> <br /> The committee members promptly described the formula as “illegal”, arguing that there was no evidence that such an approval was obtained from the National Assembly.<br /> <br /> Teseer Mark-Gbillah spoke further, “What this means is that the current revenue allocation formula is illegal and unconstitutional because it is not backed by law. If it is true that you got it across to the President, then it should have been here by now.<br /> <br /> “Members were also alarmed that in spite of the important nature of RMAFC’s work, the agency was still collecting data manually from the 36 states and local governments for processing, with little or no Information and Communications Technology input.”</div>

Latest-News Current revenue sharing formula illegal – Reps

An ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives on Friday described the current revenue allocation formula in the country as illegal on account that it didn’t receive the approval of the National Assembly. The committee, which is headed by a mem…

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Buhari, others to witness Ganduje, Ajimobi’s children’s wedding

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghthZs0CLd9XfQ1j9OHIGW3_ue96pFwVCwOLs6AQKPy0VLKQAPx0jPNKHPgIbA8lLtXmRBS93u77QcKRJaIYI1imPPNJlnvTy4dQRL_08YxR88koZ0b3v-jIDzMUE3Wg1dWi4tfCLoSPiU/s1600/Idris+Abolaji+Ajimobi%252C+and+Fateema+Ganduje.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghthZs0CLd9XfQ1j9OHIGW3_ue96pFwVCwOLs6AQKPy0VLKQAPx0jPNKHPgIbA8lLtXmRBS93u77QcKRJaIYI1imPPNJlnvTy4dQRL_08YxR88koZ0b3v-jIDzMUE3Wg1dWi4tfCLoSPiU/s400/Idris+Abolaji+Ajimobi%252C+and+Fateema+Ganduje.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Ahead of the wedding of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s daughter, Fatima, and the son of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Idris, in Kano, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to lead other high-profile guests like Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and governors from several states to the occasion on Saturday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Apart from government officials, technocrats, captains of industries and diplomats representing different nations are also expected to be a part of the ceremony.<br /> <br /> Wife of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Oludolapo, had arrived Kano on Friday in company with wives of 15 state governors in preparation for the event.<br /> <br /> The wedding Fatiha is expected to hold at the Kano Central Mosque, adjacent to the Emir’s palace.<br /> <br /> Stern-looking security personnel had taken positions in strategic locations all across the city as of Friday while more were expected to arrive on Saturday for the event.<br /> <br /> Commenting on the event’s security arrangement, Commissioner of Police, Kano Police Command Mr. Rabiu Yusuf, said that all necessary plans to ensure the safety of guests had been put in place.<br /> <br /> He said, “We have deployed our men in strategic positions. Everywhere is calm and there is no cause for alarm.”</div>

Latest-News Buhari, others to witness Ganduje, Ajimobi’s children’s wedding

Ahead of the wedding of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s daughter, Fatima, and the son of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Idris, in Kano, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to lead other high-profile guests like Senate President, Bukola Saraki…

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Polls re-ordering: Senate backs Reps, to override Buhari’s veto

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZeqec35zWfORI1dwyvWkjXHMA-A8SjTXZLwxFCgKEhCMpToXamNYKrh-5EdpMlnFu1A_pLsSp-rs6EyWvGTWHIUVEWCKUpATTqP0QPxvmJixHMYnsdD0XISQept_JSwKpzNcM3Kb9bGJ/s1600/senate.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZeqec35zWfORI1dwyvWkjXHMA-A8SjTXZLwxFCgKEhCMpToXamNYKrh-5EdpMlnFu1A_pLsSp-rs6EyWvGTWHIUVEWCKUpATTqP0QPxvmJixHMYnsdD0XISQept_JSwKpzNcM3Kb9bGJ/s320/senate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Senate has expressed its readiness to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which seeks to re-order the sequence of the polls during general elections.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The upper chamber of the National Assembly disclosed its intention to exercise its veto powers should Buhari withdraw assent to the bill.<br /> <br /> Earlier on Wednesday, the House of Representatives had said the lawmakers would not hesitate to override the President’s decision if he vetoed the bill. The lower chamber had stated that there was no going back on the bill, particularly the provision on the re-ordering of elections ahead of the 2019 polls.<br /> <br /> The Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Abdulrazak Namdas, told newsmen that members would not change their minds on the Electoral Act as amended, stating that the National Assembly expected Buhari to append his signature to the bill.<br /> <br /> He had said, “We are serious about this issue and we are not ready to reverse it. For now, the bill has gone to Mr. President and we are waiting for his response. If his response is that he won’t sign, we are ready to override his veto.<br /> <br /> “I can assure you that in both chambers of the National Assembly, we will get the required two-thirds majority to override the veto.”<br /> <br /> Confirming the uniformity of the choice by the two chambers, the Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, who spoke to newsmen on Friday, stated that the lawmakers were set to override the President on the bill.<br /> <br /> According to him, the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission on the amendment was “irrelevant” to the National Assembly and its legislative functions.<br /> <br /> Murray-Bruce said, “If you understand the principle of separation of powers, you will see that is not necessary. We make laws for the country. That is our job, to make laws. We make the law and they obey it. It is non-negotiable. We make laws for the country and everybody including the executive must obey the laws we make. It is not for them to decide which laws to obey or which ones to accept or not.<br /> <br /> “If the bill is not signed within 30 days, then we will override it. It is not important if the President signs it or not. Once it is 30 days, we will override it. It is irrelevant. They have just 30 days. If he vetoes it in 30 days, we will override him.”<br /> <br /> A controversial new Section 25 introduced into the Act changed the sequence of elections by making the National Assembly elections to come first, followed by the governorship and state House of Assembly elections, while the presidential poll will now come last.<br /> <br /> The amendment had passed in both the Senate and the House and the bill is now awaiting Buhari’s assent.<br /> <br /> However, in the elections timetable already released by INEC before the amendment was passed, the presidential election was fixed to come first.<br /> <br /> Only on Monday, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had said that the commission would stick to its timetable and not the reversed one by the National Assembly.</div>

Latest-News Polls re-ordering: Senate backs Reps, to override Buhari’s veto

The Senate has expressed its readiness to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which seeks to re-order the sequence of the polls during general elections. The upper chamber of the National Assembly disclose…

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Nigerian Man Set To Break Guinness World Record

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbibnix9yGkpl_Jl1wWnCwiTo0GJGqSXZHBJ0e2qhzihdrXRdObAz8SVrcQ2UXmLQilVzMFrz22cHUaAD4KluLeSY_fRxRZMNEeAEpiiPIZZ6lhBWPYZHk5w1ATwJq4CILz1RnuAlmXY/s400/Olawunmi-e1520033450976.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Something is going on at Herbert Macaulay library.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> A Nigerian, Olawunmi Treasures Bayode is about to break the Guinness World Record in the category of the Longest Reading Marathon (Read Aloud)<br /> <br /> He’s attempting to read for 120 straight hours. The current world record is 113 hours 15 minutes, completed by a man from Nepal.<br /> <br /> He has done over 85 hours of reading out loud now. And he is still reading till Saturday.<br /> <br /> His objective is to raise a campaign to improve the dwindling reading culture of Nigerians.<br /> <br /> He is supported by Lagos State Ministry of Education and GTBank. This is in line with the Ministry’s drive to improve the reading culture of Lagosians through the Eko Reads Initiative.

Latest-News Nigerian Man Set To Break Guinness World Record

Something is going on at Herbert Macaulay library. A Nigerian, Olawunmi Treasures Bayode is about to break the Guinness World Record in the category of the Longest Reading Marathon (Read Aloud) He’s attempting to read for 120 straight hours. The cur…

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#BBNaija: Bambam‘s parents dismiss social media claims

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD7Rm3-mZ7UZnpN-jdLmcfUcRxMLSvO0yqgqOdRvhv9LV7JCr9HGhGrwZe9DWl8bR0Vd76gmFwxihH5cVc9zB1E9BGSYlysO0asggjem3Mga-knW7kvfpI6APDmo-InpNvnQrRXevlDA/s1600/bam+bam+teddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="400" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD7Rm3-mZ7UZnpN-jdLmcfUcRxMLSvO0yqgqOdRvhv9LV7JCr9HGhGrwZe9DWl8bR0Vd76gmFwxihH5cVc9zB1E9BGSYlysO0asggjem3Mga-knW7kvfpI6APDmo-InpNvnQrRXevlDA/s400/bam+bam+teddy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <b><br /></b><b>The family of Big Brother Naija “Double Wahala’’ housemate Bambam has dismissed suggestions on social media claiming her parents want her withdrawn from the show</b>.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> This is due to the recent social media frenzy surrounding her escapade in the toilet with fellow housemate Teddy A.<br /> <br /> Video images of what looked like the two housemates copulating have been circulating on the Internet over the past week.<br /> <br /> The actions of these two housemates have caused a resurgence of a wide debate among Nigerians that focused on the immorality of the show.<br /> <br /> BBNaija followers have emphasised on Bambam’s claim to be a religious and dedicated member of her church at the beginning of the show.<br /> <br /> An alleged member of her church Stephanie Amaty took to social media to express her disappointment in Bambam, who she claimed is a chorister in her parish.<br /> <br /> She said “I am personally disappointed in Bamike “Bambam” she is a choir member in my parish’’.<br /> <br /> Followers of the show on social media have claimed the parents of the BBNaija housemate have requested to have their daughter withdrawn from the show as a consequence for her wrongdoings in the BBNaija house.<br /> <br /> Contrary to those reports, the family of Bambam has released an official statement through Bambams Instagram page appreciating her fans and reinforcing their support for their daughter.<br /> <br /> The statement reads “there’s been a false news circulating on social media about BamBam’s parents requesting for her to leave the big brother house to return home.<br /> <br /> “This news is very false as the supposed person is not family, friend or even supporter of BamBam, I repeat it is completely false and as such should be disregarded.’’<br /> ‎<br /> The family completely disregarded the source of information of the alleged claims and appealed to viewers to continue showing support toward Bambam.<br /> <br /> “We do not know the said user from anywhere and have no affiliations with her. Its the work of unscrupulous elements and it is what it is. Thank you for those who stuck out for us and brought it to our notice.<br /> <br /> “We crave your indulgence to please spread this news and continue to show your support as we stand together to ensure victory is ours by Gods grace.”<br /> <br /> Bambam’s initial game strategic partner Teddy A, had earlier proclaimed in the show to respect Bambams’s religious background by abstaining from any form of sexual intercourse with her.<br /> <br /> NAN

Latest-News #BBNaija: Bambam‘s parents dismiss social media claims

The family of Big Brother Naija “Double Wahala’’ housemate Bambam has dismissed suggestions on social media claiming her parents want her withdrawn from the show. This is due to the recent social media frenzy surrounding her escapade in the toilet w…

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Boko Haram finally speak on abducted 110 Dapchi schoolgirls

Latest-News Boko Haram finally speak on abducted 110 Dapchi schoolgirls

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Senate rejected me because I’m doing my job well - Magu

Latest-News Senate rejected me because I’m doing my job well - Magu

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Shehu Sani asks Buhari to reconsider Peace Corps bill

Latest-News Shehu Sani asks Buhari to reconsider Peace Corps bill

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SACK HIM! Ekiti Teachers hail Reps vote of no confidence on Fayemi

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1g0eUOlzDkI8Q9v7MdDklvxy0L75eQMyV_oxZgEe42Frt1E6ZN3nW6HE18uAH782wBC_EAknQoRZ3XG3d6nT4SYM-of3Fyv_y3wkBuDuxOGUVDSwj_KO_TuO0KnjYpXXnoPlQaDHTTxT/s1600/Kayode+Fayemi.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1g0eUOlzDkI8Q9v7MdDklvxy0L75eQMyV_oxZgEe42Frt1E6ZN3nW6HE18uAH782wBC_EAknQoRZ3XG3d6nT4SYM-of3Fyv_y3wkBuDuxOGUVDSwj_KO_TuO0KnjYpXXnoPlQaDHTTxT/s320/Kayode+Fayemi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Teachers in Ekiti State under the aegis of Positive Minds Club (PMC) for Ekiti Teachers, have hailed the House of Representatives for passing a vote of no confidence on the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, over his refusal to attend the House sectoral debate on the steel sector to find solutions to the troubled Ajaokuta Steel Plant held yesterday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The PMC, which is a gathering of retired and serving teachers in Ekiti State, also called for the immediate sack of Dr Fayemi, who is a former governor of the State, and saluted the courage of the Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who moved the motion of no confidence vote, not minding political affiliation.<br /> <br /> Rising from its meeting in Ado Ekiti on Friday, the teachers said in a communique signed by the PMC President, Comrade Patrick Ojo and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Olusola Agbele and read to journalists that “By passing a vote of no confidence on Dr Fayemi, who has never hidden his hatred for teachers in Ekiti State and Nigeria in general, the All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled House of Representatives has further exposed him as lacking competence and integrity to continue to hold any public office in Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the minister and get a better replacement among APC members in Ekiti State, noting that he lacked the required competence and integrity to hold public office.<br /> <br /> The statement read in part; “In saner climes, Dr Fayemi would have resigned or be sacked by now.<br /> <br /> “Nigerians should be reminded that consequent upon his indictment by a duly constituted Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which probed his tenure as governor of Ekiti State between 2010 and 2014; Dr Fayemi was banned from holding public office in the state for 10 years.<br /> <br /> “It should also be noted that the same way Dr Fayemi held the House of Representatives with contempt yesterday was the way he refused to appear before the Ekiti State House of Assembly and the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.<br /> <br /> “As Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Fayemi did not only loot the treasury with reckless abandon and plunge the State into debt; he killed the morale of teachers by demoting them and imposing unwarranted Competency Test on them, thus collapsing education in the State. He has also continued to lend support to needless sacking of teachers in the country, especially in Kaduna State.<br /> <br /> “Interestingly, the same teachers that he termed as incompetent were the ones still teaching pupils in Ekiti schools, and have achieved first position in NECO Exams twice and tremendous improvement in WASSCE.<br /> <br /> “Even as a minister, nothing can be pointed to in Ekiti as his impact despite the solid minerals that abound in the State.<br /> <br /> “Therefore, such a character lacked the required competence and integrity to hold public office and we call on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack him and get a better replacement, which abounds in Ekiti.<br /> <br /> “Among APC members in Ekiti State, there are competent people who will represent the State better in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”</div>

Latest-News SACK HIM! Ekiti Teachers hail Reps vote of no confidence on Fayemi

Teachers in Ekiti State under the aegis of Positive Minds Club (PMC) for Ekiti Teachers, have hailed the House of Representatives for passing a vote of no confidence on the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, over his refusal …

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Reverend Billy Graham being laid to rest at North Carolina home

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VsdkUUqBFxPQLubV7KTNvdtZqtPTQZkPKFo5VYCV8totHPVuQLQ4Q93ORHbqn5dI7QYXSPUDjCtzZDkAzZCc2TY1iL5NIxlfarf1OCnOw4gFJNJ52-bxNl2v21NmELWVgTwyxGF29IOU/s1600/billy+graham.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VsdkUUqBFxPQLubV7KTNvdtZqtPTQZkPKFo5VYCV8totHPVuQLQ4Q93ORHbqn5dI7QYXSPUDjCtzZDkAzZCc2TY1iL5NIxlfarf1OCnOw4gFJNJ52-bxNl2v21NmELWVgTwyxGF29IOU/s320/billy+graham.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The late Reverend Billy Graham, spearhead of an evangelical Christian movement that touched millions worldwide and who provided spiritual counsel to several US presidents, returned to his North Carolina home for good Friday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are attending the noon (1700 GMT) funeral, a private ceremony including some 2,000 mourners who gathered to say goodbye to the man who became known as “America’s pastor.”<br /> <br /> The ceremony will take place at the Billy Graham Library on the family’s property in Charlotte, under a broad white tent that harkens back to the “canvas cathedral” in 1949 that helped propel Graham to prominence.<br /> <br /> “It was Mr. Graham’s explicit intent that his funeral service reflect and reinforce the Gospel message he preached for more than 60 years,” Mark DeMoss, spokesman for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said on the group’s website.<br /> <br /> Graham, who preached to millions of faithful face to face over his decades-long career and tens of millions more through the power of television, died last week at age 99, leaving a Christian evangelist movement without its best known champion of modern times.<br /> <br /> Graham was bestowed the rare tribute of laying in honour in the US Capitol’s Rotunda for two days this week, when Trump praised him as “an ambassador for Christ who reminded the world of the power of prayer and the gift of God’s grace.”<br /> <br /> The bulk of official Washington — including Trump, Pence, half a dozen cabinet members and many of the 535 lawmakers in Congress — were in attendance, alongside Graham’s relatives.<br /> <br /> Graham will be laid to rest next to his late wife Ruth, at the foot of a cross-shaped brick walkway in the library’s prayer garden.<br /> <br /> He will be buried in a simple but elegant plywood casket that was constructed by inmates at a Louisiana prison. Their names are burned into the pine wood.<br /> <br /></div>

Latest-News Reverend Billy Graham being laid to rest at North Carolina home

The late Reverend Billy Graham, spearhead of an evangelical Christian movement that touched millions worldwide and who provided spiritual counsel to several US presidents, returned to his North Carolina home for good Friday. President Donald Trump a…

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President Buhari, ECOWAS President hold closed-door meeting

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7uCqjROYCirH47sk9DnEHEtpVwHdPTwndxPcMxw85bHctfgySpeADoHiU47j01mCOqCzqbNW3e37t4hP0ZzzifNtQn2halQrhzOz9GzBiB2ffupOby3GXJb2rrRQpFipq3Y97dJzyJks/s1600/President+Muhammadu+buhari+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7uCqjROYCirH47sk9DnEHEtpVwHdPTwndxPcMxw85bHctfgySpeADoHiU47j01mCOqCzqbNW3e37t4hP0ZzzifNtQn2halQrhzOz9GzBiB2ffupOby3GXJb2rrRQpFipq3Y97dJzyJks/s320/President+Muhammadu+buhari+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> President Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidents of Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Mr. Jean Claude Brou, Friday held closed-door meeting at Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Brou who took over as ECOWAS President on Thursday said his visit to the State House was to thank President Buhari on his efforts towards regional integration in the West African sub-region.<br /> <br /> He also said that issues like stability in the sub-region, common market as well as common currency were discussed at the meeting.<br /> <br /> He said, “Well yesterday (Thursday) March 1, the handover was done and I took charge. It was important after having taken charge, that I come and visit President Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to inform him that I am the new President of ECOWAS and to thank him for the support that he has continued to give to ECOWAS.<br /> <br /> “Nigeria is the host country of ECOWAS and the most important country of ECOWAS, so it is extremely important that we come and thank President Buhari for the continuous support that Nigeria has provided to ECOWAS and inform him of some of the key issues facing ECOWAS.<br /> <br /> “There are several activities, programmes and challenges and it is an opportunity to really seek President Buhari’s guidance, advise and how best we can advance the agenda of integration in West Africa.”<br /> <br /> On what was the response of President Buhari at the meeting, the ECOWAS President said, “President Buhari of course responded very positively. He is fully committed to promoting the regional integration agenda and he has promised to continue his support so that progress can be made for the benefit of all the population of the 15 member countries of the Economic Community.”<br /> <br /> He also said that he discussed some key challenges facing the sub-region with President Buhari.<br /> <br /> According to him, “There are several challenges and of course many progresses have been made, many advances have been made but of course we still have to continue to work.<br /> <br /> “The Heads of State have given clean orientation to issues such as peace, stability, economic integration, common market and the issue of a common currency.<br /> <br /> “Recently there was the Heads is State meeting in Accra, Ghana, there is a task force to work on this issue, the issue of agriculture and several other issues.<br /> <br /> “Of course, if we continue to work together, we will make more progress and consider these issues.”<br /> <br /> Present at the closed-door were the Corte D’Ivore Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Toure Nee Konne Nanan and Mr. Diane Mamadi, Special Adviser to the President of Corte D’Ivoire.</div>

Latest-News President Buhari, ECOWAS President hold closed-door meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidents of Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Mr. Jean Claude Brou, Friday held closed-door meeting at Presidential Villa, Abuja. Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Brou wh…

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When will Lai Mohammed respect his age and stop lying? – Reno

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXAO2rXGA_zrr3keurTCCXPkMH7Oql97Va_d2lbu80VJ2CfDIz1mmL7OBuE-XbGE6lKeahyphenhyphenfdHdyVFTEodq8q-VYz2WWkThmSwpF9P1ATNlKBBrofvX1WJvZpcIsA5HENnDcYlKjIMi22/s1600/reno+omokri.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXAO2rXGA_zrr3keurTCCXPkMH7Oql97Va_d2lbu80VJ2CfDIz1mmL7OBuE-XbGE6lKeahyphenhyphenfdHdyVFTEodq8q-VYz2WWkThmSwpF9P1ATNlKBBrofvX1WJvZpcIsA5HENnDcYlKjIMi22/s320/reno+omokri.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> My attention has been drawn to fallacious comments made by the notoriously dishonest Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to the effect that the Jonathan administration did not act on time when the Chibok Girls were kidnapped whereas the Buhari government acted promptly when the Dapchi Girls were kidnapped.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of the Editors’ Plaza by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Lai Mohammed said:<br /> <br /> “Now, don’t compare orange with apple. When Chibok girls were kidnapped, it took the PDP government 18 full days to admit that the girls were kidnapped. This time we swung into action within 24 hours”.<br /> <br /> Lai’s comments are reminiscent of the statement made by Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, justifying President Buhari’s inaction on killer Fulani herdsmen because the herdsmen also killed during Jonathan’s tenure.<br /> <br /> When will Lai Mohammed respect his old age and stop lying? Is he not ashamed at the storm he is currently facing on social media after he lied that 100 planes are searching for the Dapchi Girls, a statement that was promptly denounced as a lie by the Nigerian Air Force? Even members of his own government know Lai Mohammed is a liar.<br /> <br /> For the avoidance of doubt, it is not true that the Jonathan government took 18 days to admit that the Chibok Girls were kidnapped.<br /> <br /> The Chibok Girls were kidnapped on April 14, 2014. Exactly three days later, on April 17, 2014, then President Goodluck Jonathan called an emergency National Security Council meeting at Aso Rock Presidential Villa.<br /> <br /> If the Jonathan administration did not admit that the Chibok Girls were kidnapped, why would the President summon a Nation Security Council meeting?<br /> <br /> Now more than a week after the Dapchi Girls were kidnapped, has President Buhari held a National Security Council meeting to address the situation? No he has not. As a matter of fact, to prove to Nigerians how inept he is, the President canceled this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting.<br /> <br /> Which serious leader cancels the most important meeting in his nation at a time when Kaduna is facing ethnic and religious killings, Zamfara is facing mass killings by bandits, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa and Taraba are facing an onslaught from Fulani herdsmen and 110 girls were kidnapped in Dapchi?<br /> <br /> Going back to the Jonathan administration, the Nigerian Army and Air force began searching for the girls after the emergency National Security Council meeting on April 17, 2014, with sorties being flown in search of the girls.<br /> <br /> But very curiously, Nigerians would recall that the All Progressive Congress Governor of Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima, admitted in an interview he gave Premium Times on April 2, 2016, that he deliberately did not inform the then President about the Chibok kidnap when it happened. President Jonathan had to find out from military forces on the ground.<br /> <br /> Why would the chief security officer of his state be that negligent?<br /> <br /> My advice to Alhaji Lai Mohammed is that he should direct his lying talents to the specific task of cooking up lies to counter the testimony of the APC Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Geidam, who blamed the kidnapping of the Dapchi Girls on the Buhari administration.<br /> <br /> According to Mr. Geidam, the Nigerian Army under President Buhari pulled out the troops guarding Government Girls Science and Technology College, Dapchi.<br /> <br /> Who gave the order for the troops to leave their guard duty? The sector command has said that they handed over security of the school to the Nigerian Police Force, an assertion that has been denied by the police.<br /> <br /> These are the things that should concern Lai Mohammed, not a contest with an administration that scored higher anti-corruption ratings from Transparency International than the corrupt government he is serving. And if he has too much time on his hand, Lai Mohammed can travel to more European football clubs to disgrace himself and his family by wearing a suit jacket on top of an agbada.<br /> <br /> Let me end by saying that whoever named Lai Mohammed at birth must have been a prophet. The person was able to look far ahead into Lai’s future and gave him a name that rhymes with his life’s purpose.</div>

Latest-News When will Lai Mohammed respect his age and stop lying? – Reno

My attention has been drawn to fallacious comments made by the notoriously dishonest Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to the effect that the Jonathan administration did not act on time when the Chibok Girls were kidnapped whereas the Bu…

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Accomplic of billionaire kidnapper Evans loses bid to get bail

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosqY_JeY_BMrht0Y0KNWAwXfoDa0xeSa2YA2q8Vnwf4DFAuJRphFc1kyt-ASnwzGVp4aM0vlZXz4HU1fLN3-YbRiUEuXnS-TP9gaX7qBL8KZdkM0OlaSsAtMN9GoXZP_yF_NKc0NVgnEH/s1600/evans+kidnapper.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosqY_JeY_BMrht0Y0KNWAwXfoDa0xeSa2YA2q8Vnwf4DFAuJRphFc1kyt-ASnwzGVp4aM0vlZXz4HU1fLN3-YbRiUEuXnS-TP9gaX7qBL8KZdkM0OlaSsAtMN9GoXZP_yF_NKc0NVgnEH/s320/evans+kidnapper.png" width="320" /></a></div> The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Friday dismissed the bail application filed by Victor Aduba, who is facing criminal charges alongside alleged notorious kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Justice Hakeem Oshodi, in his ruling, said he was persuaded by the prosecution’s argument that Aduba was a flight risk, more so, as he had no relation in Lagos.<br /> <br /> The judge held that Aduba did not place sufficient material before the court to make the court exercise its discretion in his favour.<br /> <br /> “The bail application is hereby refused and is dismissed,” Justice Oshodi held.<br /> <br /> Aduba, Evans and four others were arraigned before the judge on August 30, 2017 on two charges bordering on conspiracy and kidnapping.<br /> <br /> The other defendants are Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Okuchukwu Nwachukwu and Chilaka Ifeanyi.<br /> <br /> Proceedings in case was however stalled on Friday as Evans’ lawyer, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, was absent.<br /> <br /> While adjourning the matter till March 16, 2018, following prayer for same by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Titilayo Shita-Bey, the judge said he hoped that the letter written by Ogungbeje to seek an adjournment was not a ploy to frustrate the case.<br /> <br /> Earlier, the judge, in a short ruling, foreclosed the opportunity of the 4th defendant, Nwachukwu, to cross-examine the first prosecution witness, Mr. Anselem Dunu.<br /> <br /> The witness is the elder brother of the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceutical Limited, Donatus Dunu, who was allegedly kidnapped by the gang sometime in February this 2017.<br /> <br /> The judge’s decision to foreclose Nwachukwu’s chance of cross-examining Dunu was based on Nwachukwu’s unwillingness to cross-examine the witness by himself as he was not represented by any lawyer on Friday.<br /> <br /> The lead prosecuting counsel, Shitta-Bey, had urged the court not to allow Nwachukwu’s failure to get a lawyer to stop Friday’s proceedings.<br /> <br /> She said, “The matter was adjourned for continuation of trial, particularly cross-examination of PW1 by the 4th defendant.<br /> <br /> “That the 4th defendant is not represented by counsel should not prevent the cross-examination of the witness from going on.<br /> “He has been given ample opportunity by this court to get counsel of his choice.</div>

Latest-News Accomplic of billionaire kidnapper Evans loses bid to get bail

The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Friday dismissed the bail application filed by Victor Aduba, who is facing criminal charges alongside alleged notorious kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans. Justice Hakeem Oshodi, in his ruling, sa…

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Trucks of fertilizer disappeared under previous governments – Buhari

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLyD2GOb-da-8h-OQ42uU2ouGBpXBnsF4cjL7uOgcW1-JqYaxF_gD9KZ7T4Cm3fQRcsBXXHZIbMpPIC770tcgIV7W_leJrTIMvW2P2u2jK0d-RJ6GMhHxjuw_tvZPos8rAtcXtr4Rx6rY/s1600/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLyD2GOb-da-8h-OQ42uU2ouGBpXBnsF4cjL7uOgcW1-JqYaxF_gD9KZ7T4Cm3fQRcsBXXHZIbMpPIC770tcgIV7W_leJrTIMvW2P2u2jK0d-RJ6GMhHxjuw_tvZPos8rAtcXtr4Rx6rY/s320/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> President Muhammadu Buhari again on Friday took a swipe at his predecessors, saying trucks conveying fertilizer disappeared “miraculously” in transit under previous governments.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Buhari spoke while granting audience to members of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br /> <br /> He expressed delight that contrary to what happened under previous governments, none of the 3,333 trucks that participated in the fertilizer programme of his administration in 2017 got missing.<br /> <br /> He promised that his administration would continue to provide adequate security in order to sustain the programme.<br /> <br /> The President said, “Unlike in previous governments where trucks conveying fertiliser would miraculously disappear in transit, in 2017, none of the 3,333 trucks that participated in this programme went missing.<br /> <br /> “I want to assure all participants of the PFI that, we will continue to provide adequate security so that this programme, and its positive impact on Nigeria, is sustained.<br /> <br /> While acknowledging the partnership among the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and state governors to ensure Nigeria feeds itself, Buhari urged them to continue on the track.<br /> <br /> He urged stakeholders to continue to support programmes like the PFI and work together to ensure that the country never returns to the dark days of import dependence.<br /> <br /> He added, “The rains are upon us. Farmers in the Southern part of the country will be planting soon. We must all do our bit to ensure fertiliser is readily available.<br /> <br /> “Therefore, the Ministry of Finance and Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority should immediately engage the Governors Forum to conclude their orders.<br /> <br /> “The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should conclude the planning for all government programmes for the 2018 season to ensure synergy. “</div>

Latest-News Trucks of fertilizer disappeared under previous governments – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari again on Friday took a swipe at his predecessors, saying trucks conveying fertilizer disappeared “miraculously” in transit under previous governments. Buhari spoke while granting audience to members of the Presidential Fer…

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Dapchi schoolgirls: Boko Haram has contacted me, says woman who facilitated release of Chibok girls

Latest-News Dapchi schoolgirls: Boko Haram has contacted me, says woman who facilitated release of Chibok girls

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Drama as INEC detects 299 foreigners’ names in voter register

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uh6FUiYdnhgZKlImoPr0dpUF7vgMFtHwDM3XkLvwiSiVqSqOADP8Us8PB7_yc81w5zrXpr90kJWul47x-s8z2k57le12_8txhtOdj8X0o-rnuThGJEEo6Ct_Axn2Jbccy4KK6muxpSJK/s1600/inec.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uh6FUiYdnhgZKlImoPr0dpUF7vgMFtHwDM3XkLvwiSiVqSqOADP8Us8PB7_yc81w5zrXpr90kJWul47x-s8z2k57le12_8txhtOdj8X0o-rnuThGJEEo6Ct_Axn2Jbccy4KK6muxpSJK/s320/inec.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday said it had expunged 299 names of aliens from the voter register.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known at a consultative meeting of the commission with security agencies in Abuja.<br /> <br /> Yakubu said that the foreigners were discovered through information made available by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).<br /> <br /> He said that registering to vote and actual voting were exclusive rights of Nigeria’s citizens to which aliens were excluded by law.<br /> <br /> According to him, the commission has agreed with NIS to deploy their officers to every registration centre nationwide to ensure that only Nigerians are registered.<br /> <br /> The INEC boss promised that the commission would continue to work in partnership with all security agencies to purge the voter register of all ineligible voters.<br /> <br /> “Those who are below the age of 18, aliens, those registered in absentia, those barred by statutory regulations from registering as voters are not qualified.<br /> <br /> “Persons who do not ordinarily reside, work or originate from the area covered by the registration are ineligible.<br /> <br /> “We will continue to thoroughly scrutinise registrants in the ongoing exercise in order to ensure that only eligible registrants get registered,” he said.<br /> <br /> Yakubu noted that the consultative meeting came at exactly 350 days to the commencement of the 2019 general elections.<br /> <br /> He added that the meeting was also timely as it was 133 days and 203 days to governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun, respectively.<br /> <br /> He assured the electorate that the commission, in collaboration with security agencies, would continue to work in line with the rules of engagement.<br /> <br /> Yakubu said that the synergy would guarantee citizens’ rights during campaigns and actual voting in a professional and non-partisan manner, consistent with the provisions of the law.<br /> <br /> He said that INEC was working hard to address all the challenges currently facing the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).<br /> <br /> He assured all registered voters and those intending to register, of getting their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) before the 2019 elections.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd), commended the commission for maintaining sanity in the electoral process in the country.<br /> <br /> Represented by the Director, Internal Security, Mrs Peace Abdalla, Monguno said that preparation for elections at state and federal levels were on top gear.<br /> <br /> He said that he remained committed to working in unison with the commission to achieve best practices in electoral process across the nation.<br /> <br /> Monguno said that the consultative meeting was poised to achieve the set target of free, fair and credible election.</div>

Latest-News Drama as INEC detects 299 foreigners’ names in voter register

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday said it had expunged 299 names of aliens from the voter register. Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known at a consultative meeting of the commission with secur…

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"Boko Haram contacted me over abducted Dapchi school girls"

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSLSFrrmFy5HfKDoqIQG0Sx1QXnY3Nadm5YgDuvazMY08E1cBj8wOpd5ggiowHXPaKd4PP8X-9_ukiKQOEWVv11nc3Y7qf0piBajnBE_eeR72nA5YtfTiKbRw3hNyV_aNUCw-a8cs5anF/s1600/Dapchi+schoolgirls.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSLSFrrmFy5HfKDoqIQG0Sx1QXnY3Nadm5YgDuvazMY08E1cBj8wOpd5ggiowHXPaKd4PP8X-9_ukiKQOEWVv11nc3Y7qf0piBajnBE_eeR72nA5YtfTiKbRw3hNyV_aNUCw-a8cs5anF/s320/Dapchi+schoolgirls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> As the Nigerian government extended to neighbouring countries, the search for the 110 schoolgirls abducted last week in Dapchi, Yobe State, a human rights activist, Mrs Aisha Wakil, claimed a Boko Haram faction had contacted her to confirm it has the girls.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Aisha Wakil, who is also known as Mama Boko Haram, was a member of the Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges Committee in the northern region, set up during the President Goodluck Jonathan era.<br /> <br /> In an interview with The News Agency of Nigeria, the activist said the Barnawi faction of Boko Haram contacted her on Thursday.<br /> <br /> She added that the abductors confirmed to her that the girls were safe, healthy and in good condition.<br /> <br /> In an interview with PRNigeria earlier this week, Wakil had called on the abductors to release the girls to enable them to be reunited with their families.<br /> <br /> Wakil, who is said to have communication links with Boko Haram and respected by some leaders of the sect, declared that she was ready to sacrifice her life to rescue the girls.<br /> <br /> Wakil said: They are even the ones that called me, and said Mama we heard what you have said and told me that they are with the girls and they are going to release them.<br /> <br /> “I begged of them and said please let this not be another 1,000-plus days of Chibok girls, and they laughed and said no.<br /> <br /> “I asked them where I can come and stay with them (girls) for two days, but they did not say anything.<br /> <br /> “I can assure Nigerians that so far they are with my son Habib and his friends; Habib is a nice guy, he is very nice boy. He will not harm them, he will not touch them, and he will not kill them.<br /> <br /> “He is going to listen to us, and so far he indicated interest that he loves peace. And I love them for that and believe what they said on this.<br /> <br /> “They will definitely give us the girls. All I am begging Nigerians is to calm down, be prayerful, everything will be over in God grace”.<br /> <br /> NAN reports that the activist had at various times participated and played key role in negotiations between the military authorities and Boko Haram insurgents’ commanders, which facilitated released of numerous abductees from terrorists’ captivity.<br /> <br /> In a statement today, the Federal Government announced it has stepped up the search for the 110 girls to the neighbouring countries.<br /> <br /> The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said top military and security officials on Thursday travelled to the North-east to add more urgency to the search, which has now been extended beyond the North-east theatre.<br /> <br /> The officials include the nation’s top military officer and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Army Staff; Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Alhaji Lawal Daura.<br /> <br /> They joined the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who had earlier relocated to the North-east, as well as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), who has also visited the theatre.<br /> <br /> The Federal Government had earlier released the names and other details of the 110 girls who have yet to be accounted for, following the attack on the GGSTC, Dapchi, Yobe State, on 19 Feb. 2018.<br /> <br /> The panel set up by the Federal Government to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the girls was inaugurated on Thursday by the NSA.</div>

Latest-News "Boko Haram contacted me over abducted Dapchi school girls"

As the Nigerian government extended to neighbouring countries, the search for the 110 schoolgirls abducted last week in Dapchi, Yobe State, a human rights activist, Mrs Aisha Wakil, claimed a Boko Haram faction had contacted her to confirm it has th…

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Buhari working on affordability of rice for Nigerians – Atiku

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiqcvhaCs1pMIgcx4HsBO6XHlVm40aKsVI3tws3m1OaVpaPOOdkuo-9u0UsAjuIDozwzz84PMJZBu5DpIO_6eJXYteO3cA6XJBDQj9cqriKrWtX8ODzs7kpK2QJsKuGn40UF_Buw8BVRH/s1600/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiqcvhaCs1pMIgcx4HsBO6XHlVm40aKsVI3tws3m1OaVpaPOOdkuo-9u0UsAjuIDozwzz84PMJZBu5DpIO_6eJXYteO3cA6XJBDQj9cqriKrWtX8ODzs7kpK2QJsKuGn40UF_Buw8BVRH/s320/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and the Chairman, Presidential Taskforce on Rice and Wheat Production, has assured Nigerians of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s determination to ensure rice availability and affordability.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Bagudu gave the assurance when he spoke to newsmen after meeting with the Rice Distributors Association of Nigeria and the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria in Lagos on Thursday.<br /> <br /> According to Bagudu, from the contributions of all the stakeholders, it is apparent that what Nigerians want is actually not about making subsidy available for rice production.<br /> <br /> He said that making rice affordable and accessible such that Nigerian produced rice could be as competitive as those of the imported ones was the yearning of Nigerians.<br /> <br /> “The mandate given to this taskforce which is under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is to ensure Nigeria attains self-sufficiency in rice and wheat production.<br /> <br /> “But so far, the stakeholders within the value chain, either as farmers, distributors or millers are not talking about subsidy.<br /> <br /> “What they are saying is help us tell Mr. President that we will like to have our rice at a competitive price with the so-called imported ones.<br /> <br /> “That has to do with affordability, and I can tell you that Mr. President is committed to that,’’ Bagudu said.<br /> <br /> The governor explained that the stakeholders were patriotic and interested in selling Nigerian produced rice because it is nutritious and will help to provide employment for the Nigerian populace.<br /> <br /> On smuggled rice, Bagudu said the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control and Standard Organisation of Nigeria, had responsibilities to discharge and that government would intensify efforts in that regards.<br /> <br /> He restated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure that Nigeria attained self-sustainability in food production.<br /> <br /> “All the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory can grow rice to help to contribute to the President’s mantra of `we must grow what we eat and eat what we grow’.’’</div>

Latest-News Buhari working on affordability of rice for Nigerians – Atiku

Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and the Chairman, Presidential Taskforce on Rice and Wheat Production, has assured Nigerians of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s determination to ensure rice availability and affordability. The News Agency…

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BREAKING: Female suicide bomber kills self, injures three in Yobe

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0_8XKCuF6HlausmOfZS4DJ6QJxSZfSyFQPmchZ9yQ82iH_fkA4-vG-yw8u_O-DV06sPs2RCSOHuzYRDyoZwYodosHzJAYiYzJjgKMzMbXlRDsWVo4bs82JGMZ5Ak20w5phhT0Kc74SHj/s1600/bomb.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0_8XKCuF6HlausmOfZS4DJ6QJxSZfSyFQPmchZ9yQ82iH_fkA4-vG-yw8u_O-DV06sPs2RCSOHuzYRDyoZwYodosHzJAYiYzJjgKMzMbXlRDsWVo4bs82JGMZ5Ak20w5phhT0Kc74SHj/s320/bomb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A female suicide bomber in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, killed herself and injured three others when a bomb wrapped on her exploded in the early hours of Friday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> An eye witness who declined to be identified said the incident occurred at about dawn prayer time at Fulatari ward in Buni Yadi.<br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria gathered that the injured persons had been taken to hospital and were in stable condition.<br /> <br /> Buni Yadi, a former stronghold of Boko Haram insurgents, was reclaimed by security forces in 2015 and currently has army formations, including a military training institution.<br /> <br /> The spokesman of 3 Division, Nigeria Army, Col. Kayode Ogunsanya, could not be reached for comments as his phone was switched off. </div>

Latest-News BREAKING: Female suicide bomber kills self, injures three in Yobe

A female suicide bomber in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, killed herself and injured three others when a bomb wrapped on her exploded in the early hours of Friday. An eye witness who declined to be identified said the incident occurred at about dawn prayer …

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Chibok girls: Jonathan speaks on abduction, blasts APC govt, Lai Mohammed

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SERAP backs Saraki on single pay for ex-governors

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxQYoAdVm-_D4oKiU1FbDLydoQQZwWg5aETKJiWR-NHca1udHF6AF6F7-0ZRzkHvsd09HT7Cu0oSK9LGwmGq9GO3wcLViOc4TkcG2ueHqAd3jFGXsgVh7CjoG8HIwwHIlgciqGY_J17VA/s1600/bs3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxQYoAdVm-_D4oKiU1FbDLydoQQZwWg5aETKJiWR-NHca1udHF6AF6F7-0ZRzkHvsd09HT7Cu0oSK9LGwmGq9GO3wcLViOc4TkcG2ueHqAd3jFGXsgVh7CjoG8HIwwHIlgciqGY_J17VA/s400/bs3.jpg" /></a></div> The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has backed the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki on his call that all ex-governors still serving in government should not receive pensions from their states.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Saraki on Wednesday had commended the Kwara State House of Assembly for heeding his call and passing a bill to stop pensions of ex-governors still holding elective or appointive positions.<br /> <br /> Saraki had then called on other states and their assemblies to emulate Kwara state by passing a similar bill to abolish double pay.<br /> <br /> In backing the stance of Saraki, SERAP challenged the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari and his colleagues to show commitment and end double pay for ex-governors and their deputies.<br /> <br /> The NGO had on Tuesday requested the President of the Senate to “use his leadership position to sponsor a resolution in the Senate that would call on other states to abolish payment of double emoluments to ex-governors and their deputies.”<br /> <br /> SERAP had continued to frown at the situation where former governors and deputies receive pension after expiration of their tenures in office, while still holding public offices.<br /> <br /> According to the organization, the Zamfara State governor should “emulate the example of Senate President Bukola Saraki and make a clear public commitment that the Governors’ Forum and all governors will take immediate steps to abolish double emoluments laws for former governors and deputies in their states.”<br /> <br /> SERAP in a statement on Thursday by its deputy director Timothy Adewale said, “Governor Yari should show leadership by example by starting the campaign within the Governors’ Forum to abolish double emoluments laws.<br /> <br /> The organisation called on Yari to kick start the move from his own Zamfara State which has passed laws allowing “former governors to receive pension for life; two personal staff; two vehicles replaceable every four years; two drivers, free medical for the former governors and deputies and their immediate families in Nigeria or abroad; a 4-bedroom house in Zamfara and an office; free telephone and 30 days paid vacation outside Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> “Following the positive engagement and intervention by the Senate President on the matter, it is now indefensible for the Governors’ Forum to remain indifferent to the issue of double emoluments for ex-governors and their deputies.<br /> <br /> “We urge Governor Yari to speak out strongly against double pensions laws and encourage his colleagues to urgently take measures to abolish such laws in their states for the sake of millions of Nigerians who deserve good governance and sustainable development,” SERAP said.<br /> <br /> SERAP had in a letter to Malami last year accused the following governors receiving double emoluments and large severance benefits from their states, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Kabiru Gaya (Kano); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Theodore Orji (Abia); Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara); Joshua Dariye (Plateau), and Jonah Jang (Plateau). Others include: Ahmed Sani Yarima (Zamfara); Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe); Adamu Aliero (Kebbi); George Akume (Benue); and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).”<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Mines and Steel Development and his counterparts in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, and Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola have denied ever receiving double payments and retirement benefits as former governors in addition to other roles in public office.<br /> <br /> Saraki had also last year said that he wrote a letter to the state government to stop the payment of the pension “the moment I saw that SERAP allegation.”<br /> <br /> “Under the Lagos Pension Law a former governor will enjoy the following benefits for life: Two houses, one in Lagos and another in Abuja estimated to cost between N500 million and N700 million. Others are six brand new cars every three years; furniture allowance of 300 per cent of annual salary every two years, and a close to N2.5 million as pension (about N30 million pension annually); free medicals including for his immediate families; 10 per cent house maintenance; 30 per cent car maintenance; 10 per cent entertainment; 20 per cent utility; and several domestic staff.”<br /> <br /> “In Rivers, state law provides 100 per cent of annual basic salaries for ex-governor and deputy, one residential house for former governor anywhere of his choice in Nigeria; one residential house anywhere in Rivers for the deputy, three cars for the ex-governor every four years; two cars for the deputy every four years; 300 per cent of annual basic salary every four years for furniture; 10 per cent of annual basic salary for house maintenance.”<br /> <br /> “In Akwa Ibom, state law provides for N200 million annual pay to ex governors, deputies; pension for life; a new official car and utility-vehicle every four years; one personal aide and provision of adequate security; a cook, chauffeurs and security guards for the governor at a sum not exceeding N5 million per month and N2.5 million for the deputy governor; free medical services for governor and spouse totaling N100 million for the governor per annum and N50 million for the deputy governor; a five-bedroom mansion in Abuja and Akwa Ibom; and allowance of 300 per cent of annual basic salary for the deputy governor; 300 per cent of annual basic salary every four years and severance gratuity.”</div>

Latest-News SERAP backs Saraki on single pay for ex-governors

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has backed the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki on his call that all ex-governors still serving in government should not receive pensions from their states. Saraki on Wednesday h…

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FG to complete N537m Osun bridge

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_GFs_6vaZzvgHlrmy6-TOVIA-FS9fW0jPWMVdmDdJAMfySdtVjvBN2mLhfZXF-_M9WUzVB5QDkcvmssp55En8rAYD4h_lLsPO85NZ_P5-S444eJ88K9QMkb59VSwqRwPPKkgqFdHiXhI/s1600/Babatunde+Fashola.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_GFs_6vaZzvgHlrmy6-TOVIA-FS9fW0jPWMVdmDdJAMfySdtVjvBN2mLhfZXF-_M9WUzVB5QDkcvmssp55En8rAYD4h_lLsPO85NZ_P5-S444eJ88K9QMkb59VSwqRwPPKkgqFdHiXhI/s320/Babatunde+Fashola.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Federal Government on Friday gave an assurance that it would complete the ongoing N537m Ojutu bridge in Ilobu, Osun.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said this while assessing the level of work on some ongoing Federal Government projects in the state.<br /> <br /> Represented by Mr Adetunji Adeoye, the South-West Director of the ministry, Fashola said that he was impressed with the level of work done at the site.<br /> <br /> The minister, who noted that the contract was awarded in April 2017, said the contractor had been paid N137m out of the total contract sum.<br /> <br /> Fashola also said that government was committed to ensuring that all the ongoing projects in the state and other parts of the country were completed on schedule.<br /> <br /> Also speaking, Mr. Wasiu Atitebi, the Federal Controller of Works in the state, told newsmen that the contract was awarded and to be completed in 12 months.<br /> <br /> Atitebi said the project was already 50 per cent completed, adding that government did not owe the contractor.<br /> Mr Humphrey Eihebholo, the representative of Preconsmith Construction Company handling the project, confirmed that government did not owe the firm.</div>

Latest-News FG to complete N537m Osun bridge

The Federal Government on Friday gave an assurance that it would complete the ongoing N537m Ojutu bridge in Ilobu, Osun. The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said this while assessing the level of work on some ongoing Fede…

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FG Extends Search For Dapchi Schoolgirls To Neighbouring Countries

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQX3iVRAII2jjm75j-89_oLbQKqWFkSIpNXLmw9CxaiHIHU1HHD-KwZ8-DDJRybstaADVyH49d7btjv1n4TDvvT3Iz5iXtX1jrXtKGvEPhtu7GTjhI1R-W7rDcEs01cl8eoLTOwSWrYUU/s400/Dapchi-Students.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> <br /> The ongoing search for the 110 girls who were abducted from the Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State, has been extended to the neighbouring countries, the Federal Government has announced.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said top military and security officials on Thursday travelled to the North-east to add more urgency to the search, which has now been extended beyond the North-east theatre.<br /> <br /> The officials include the nation’s top military officer and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Army Staff; Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Alhaji Lawal Daura.<br /> <br /> They joined the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who had earlier relocated to the North-east, as well as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Retd), who has also visited the theatre.<br /> <br /> The Federal Government had earlier released the names and other details of the 110 girls who have yet to be accounted for, following the attack on the GGSTC, Dapchi, Yobe State, on 19 Feb. 2018.<br /> <br /> The panel set up by the Federal Government to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the girls was inaugurated on Thursday by the NSA.

Latest-News FG Extends Search For Dapchi Schoolgirls To Neighbouring Countries

The ongoing search for the 110 girls who were abducted from the Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State, has been extended to the neighbouring countries, the Federal Government has announced. In a statement issued …

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