Nigerian Eye

Shehu Sani to FG: Ask UK, Dubai govts to publish names of Nigerians with properties abroad

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Dapchi schoolgirls abduction: Atiku highlights Buhari, police failure

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Marcus Rashford grabs double as Manchester United beat Liverpool

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Two goals from Marcus Rashford gave Manchester United a crucial 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford and put them five points clear of their rivals in second place in the Premier League.<br />
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United were without the injured Paul Pogba, Rashford taking his place, while Liverpool made five changes from their Champions League game against Porto last week.<br />
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The visitors constructed the game's first move of note when Sadio Mane found Milner, whose low cross was cleared by Scott McTominay as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain waited.<br />
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But that was a rare moment of cohesion in a shapeless opening few minutes, with United content to sit back and pick off Liverpool's passes.<br />
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Ashley Young played a dangerous-looking pass towards Marcus Rashford as the home side stepped up, and then Nemanja Matic looked early for Romelu Lukaku, who was unable to make anything of it.<br />
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But the deadlock was broken after 14 minutes thanks to Rashford, who conjured a superb finish to give United the lead.<br />
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Lukaku created the chance with a header into Rashford's path, and the England forward got to the ball ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold, turned away from him and curled his shot high beyond Loris Karius.<br />
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Roberto Firmino looked for Mane at the back post as Liverpool tried to hit back, but the cross was a fraction too high.<br />
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At the other end, Rashford was in the action again as he darted into the area only for Andrew Roberson to get there and clear. But a 23rd-minute Liverpool corner should have brought the leveller only for Virgil van Dijk to fail to find a proper connection after getting away from Matic.<br />
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The defender was made to pay a minute later when he only half dealt with another Lukaku flick and Rashford, via a slight deflection, fired into the bottom corner for his second goal.<br />
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Firmino fired a low shot straight at David De Gea as Liverpool tried to find a way back into the game, while Rashford was booked for a lunging challenge on Milner.<br />
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Oxlade-Chamberlain soon followed him into the book when he fouled McTominay after losing out to him in a midfield challenge.<br />
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With half time approaching, Mata could have made it three when Alexis Sanchez floated in a cross and his attempted bicycle kick flew narrowly wide.<br />
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The visitors won a corner from which Dejan Lovren could only steer harmlessly wide as they continued to struggle to test De Gea, and Young was on the spot to clear another Mane cross seconds before the half-time whistle.<br />
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Salah attempted to get Liverpool going in the opening moments of the second half, but Robertson was unable to reach his pass out wide.<br />
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Jurgen Klopp's side were beginning the second period in bright style and Van Dijk floated a header onto the roof of the net before Young grappled with Salah inside the area only for referee Craig Pawson to wave away penalty appeals.<br />
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It was all Liverpool, and Mane tried his luck from distance only to see the effort strike Eric Bailly and deflect straight to De Gea.<br />
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Pawson was again unmoved when a Robertson cross hit Antonio Valencia on the arm, while Young was again in the right place for United as Mane flicked the ball dangerously towards Salah inside the area.<br />
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Shortly past the hour Klopp made his first change of the afternoon, bringing on Adam Lallana for Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Milner whacked an effort over moments later as De Gea remained almost untroubled in the United goal.<br />
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But that changed dramatically on 66 minutes when Mane got down the left and crossed, with the ball hitting Bailly's heel and going into the bottom corner despite De Gea getting a touch.<br />
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The United defender was hurt in the incident but got back to his feet after treatment and Jose Mourinho opted to make a change, taking off two-goal Rashford and replacing him with midfielder Marouane Fellaini.<br />
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Lukaku got away down the right and looked for Valencia as the game entered its final 20 minutes only for the move to fizzle out with the home side struggling to keep possession.<br />
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Mane tried another strike from the edge of the area but again the home defence held firm, and at the other end Sanchez almost gave Alexander-Arnold the slip before Liverpool got the ball away.<br />
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Klopp made another change as the game entered its final 10 minutes, bringing on midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum for Alexander-Arnold, and Robertson made way for Dominic Solanke as Klopp committed to all-out attack in search of a late equaliser.<br />
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Lallana crossed towards the far post where Matic produced a firm header clear, with Bailly doing likewise as Milner fired in another cross for the visitors.<br />
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Mourinho brought on Jesse Lingard for Juan Mata as the clock ticked towards injury time, with Valencia going into the book for a foul seconds later when Mane looked to be getting away from him.<br />
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Six minutes of injury time were given -- but United held on despite a flurry of late Liverpool corners.<br />
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Credit: ESPN</div>

Latest-News Marcus Rashford grabs double as Manchester United beat Liverpool

Two goals from Marcus Rashford gave Manchester United a crucial 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford and put them five points clear of their rivals in second place in the Premier League. United were without the injured Paul Pogba, Rashford tak…

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2019: What El-Rufai did to Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan that he will surely do to Buhari – Shehu Sani

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Herdsmen killings: Obasanjo visits Benue

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Live Commentary: Manchester United 2-0 Liverpool

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Welcome to <b class=""><i class="">Nigerianeye's</i></b> live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford.<br />
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There is plenty on the line in the 170th league encounter between these arch-rivals, who are separated by just two points in the race for second place.<br />
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The last four meetings have finished all square, but it is United who edge things overall with 67 wins to the Reds' 55, dating back to the first clash well over a century ago.<br />
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Follow all of the action as it unfolds with our extensive updates below.<br />
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<b><br /></b><b>26 min</b> Many have questioned why Rashford has not started more games this season - the opening 26 minutes have done little to quiet those queries. Yet another brilliantly composed finish from the Englishman, tucking home a loose ball after Lukaku's through-ball was cut out. Two chances, two goals - game over?<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">25 min GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 LIVERPOOL (MARCUS RASHFORD)</span></b><br />
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<b>24 min CHANCE!</b> Good defending from Valencia to cut out a pass intended for Firmino around the back. From the resulting corner, Van Dijk fails to find the target from five yards. Under pressure from Matic, he could only meet the cross with his shoulder and not his head.<br />
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<b>22 min</b> A quarter of the way through what has been a quiet contest, with Rashford's well-taken strike 14 minutes in proving to be the only piece of quality thus far. Klopp will not be too concerned at the moment; still plenty of time to turn things around.<br />
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<b>20 min</b> Man United have taken the lead in 352 previous home games and lost just three of them, most recently to Liverpool. Still just the one shot of any sort at Old Trafford this afternoon, leading to the game's breakthrough goal.<br />
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<b>18 min</b> Firmino does well to keep the ball in play when many had fallen asleep. The Brazilian sent a decent delivery into the box, too, with the ball inches above the head of Mane at the back post. Up the other end, Robertson gets across to deny Rashford.<br />
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<b>16 min</b> That was the first shot of any sort in that match, with the finish belying the quality of the contest up until that point. Alexander-Arnold should have done better, being bullied by Rashford after finding himself slightly out of position.<br />
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<b>14 min</b> What a finish from Marcus Rashford! The Englishman may have been frustrated by a lack of minutes over the past couple of months, but there is no way Mourinho can leave him out on the basis of this goal. Lukaku with the flick-on, allowing Rashford to nod the ball forward, before cutting inside on his right and bending it out of Karius's reach - goal number five of the Premier League campaign.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">13 min GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 LIVERPOOL (MARCUS RASHFORD)</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b>11 min</b> Rashford unlucky after getting to the ball first but failing to keep it in play. Both sides struggling to really keep a hold of the ball so far, but in many ways that is what many expected due to the tension that comes with this fixture.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>9 min</b> Firmino attempts to find Mane through the middle when he had Salah breaking down the right - bad choice. Looking at the possession stats, the visitors have seen three-quarters of the ball in the early stages here, which is quite surprising.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>7 min</b> Not a lot to report back on in the opening seven minutes of the contest. Liverpool had a turn bossing possession and now United are doing likewise, with neither side able to really get the ball into the final third of the field.<br />
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<b>5 min</b> That game has yet to really settle down, but that was to be expected in a fixture of this magnitude. Liverpool now being allowed to knock the ball around just inside the United half; the big question is whether they can feed Salah, Firmino and Mane.<br />
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<b>3 min</b> Sanchez attempts to close down Liverpool's centre-backs but soon realises he is on his own in doing so. The Chilean then appeared to ask his teammates whether they were going to push up high or allow the Reds to pass it around - strange.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>1 min KICKOFF!</b> Great atmosphere inside Old Trafford for this 170th league meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool. In case you were unaware, these two teams quite simply do not like each other! What an afternoon we are in store for.</div>

Latest-News Live Commentary: Manchester United 2-0 Liverpool

Welcome to Nigerianeye's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford. There is plenty on the line in the 170th league encounter between these arch-rivals, who are separated by just two poi…

#BBNaija: Rico makes s3xual advances at Cee-c

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What government must do to calm insurgents – Mama Boko Haram

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Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore declares interest to run for president in 2019, reveals he will defeat President Buhari

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Dokpesi paid N2.1bn for doing nothing, EFCC operative tells court

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NLC gives FG deadline for new minimum wage

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Obasanjo: If level of education in north-east matched south-west’s, there’ll be no Boko Haram

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Medical trip: Expose those who lobbied Osinbajo for VP slot – Sani dares Buhari

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Veteran actor, Pete Edochie leads protest in Port Harcourt

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#BBNaija: Nina’s boyfriend deletes her pictures from his social media page, gives reason

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Ambode sets up committee to tackle gridlocks

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IN apparent response to public outcry over persistent gridlock across Lagos metropolis, the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has taken steps to tackle the resultant traffic, inaugurating a committee to address the issue immediately.<br />
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The committee chaired by Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Ladi Lawanson, includes representatives from Nigerian Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC and Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA, National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN.<br />
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In an interview with newsmen yesterday, Lawanson, said: “We want a more collaborative approach and that is why we have involved the unions because they know the commercial drivers more than anyone in the state,” he added.<br />
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The commissioner stressed that the need for the traffic committee became imperative considering increase in travel time across the state.<br />
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Lawanson hinted that clearance exercise would commence in Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Government, saying, we believe this axis often experience persistent traffic.<br />
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“If the strategy works in this axis, it would be spread to other parts of Lagos to reduce travel time especially during rush hours.”</div>

Latest-News Ambode sets up committee to tackle gridlocks

IN apparent response to public outcry over persistent gridlock across Lagos metropolis, the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has taken steps to tackle the resultant traffic, inaugurating a committee to address the issue immediately. The committee c…

"APC NEC did not extend Oyegun´s tenure"

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The Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr. Anslem Ojezua, yesterday declared that the purported extension of the tenure of members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party including that of the National chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun was illegal and called on the leadership of the party to correct it in order not to plunge the party into crisis ahead of the 2019 general election.<br />
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Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC)<br />
Ojezua who addressed journalists in Benin City yesterday, said no decision was reached at the party’s NEC meeting extending the tenure of Chief Oyegun, explaining that  only a motion was moved to extend the tenure of Chief Oyegun and others but NEC was reminded about provisions of the party’s constitution.<br />
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Barr Ojezua stressed that no decision was reached at NEC as regards  tenure elongation and explained that state chairmen of the party supported it because they were beneficiaries.<br />
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He said,  “There must be a misconception as what decision the National Executive Committee of the APC made.</div>

Latest-News "APC NEC did not extend Oyegun´s tenure"

The Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr. Anslem Ojezua, yesterday declared that the purported extension of the tenure of members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party including that of the National chairman…

APC crisis worsens as party chieftain wants court to stop extension of Odigie-Oyegun’s tenure

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos State, Dr. Wale Ahmed has dragged the party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other senior officials of the party to court over what he alleged as the illegal extension of the tenure of office of the national executive.<br />
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Ahmed, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly submitted in his court processes that the extension of the tenure of the National Working Committee, NWC headed by Chief Odigie-Oyegun and other committees across the country was in violation of the constitution and other extant laws.<br />
Ahmed was also a former commissioner for Special Duties in Lagos State.<br />
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In the suit filed on his behalf at the Federal High Court, Lagos, by his lawyer, B.A.M Fashanu (SAN), Ahmed is thus asking that the declaration by the APC National Executive Committee, NEC be declared of no effect on the basis that the extension was illegal, and against the constitution of the country and the party.<br />
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Noting Section 223 (1a) and (2a), of the 1999 Constitution, he submitted that “the constitution and rules of a political party shall provide for the periodic election on a democratic basis of the principal officer and members of the executive committee or other governing body of the political party.”<br />
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Continuing, he averred that “the election of the officers or members of the executive committee of a political party shall be deemed to be periodical only if it is made at regular intervals not exceeding four years.”<br />
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Adding the provisions of the APC Constitution (2014 as amended), “all officers of the party elected or appointed into the party’s organs shall serve in such organs for a period of four years and shall be eligible for re-election or re-appointment for another period of four years only, provided that an officer elected or appointed to fill a vacancy arising from death, resignation or otherwise shall notwithstanding be eligible for election to the same office for two terms.”<br />
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The suit with reference number FHC/L/CS/364/18 filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, also had the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni, Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu, National Secretary Mallam Ibrahim Gubi, National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Chief Pius Akinyelure, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.<br />
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In his prayers, he is seeking among others that:<br />
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“A declaration that the first to sixth defendants have no power under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to extend the tenure of the elected organs/officers beyond four years from their election /inauguration<br />
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“A declaration that the purported extension of the tenure of the extant National Working Committee (NWC) and /or other executive committees or their members of the All Progressives Congress at various levels for another 12 months from June 30, 2018 by the National Executive Committee of or by the All Progressives Congress, is illegal, null and void and of no effect<br />
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“A declaration that any provision of the sixth defendant’s constitution or any memorandum, circular or pronouncement of the first to sixth defendants purporting to extend the tenure of the first to fifth defendants beyond their extant elected or inaugurated four year tenure is in conflict or is inconsistent with the provision of Section 223(1) (a) and 223 (2) (a) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and is null and void to the extent of its inconsistency.<br />
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“An injunction restraining the first to sixth defendants, their servants and/or agents, from taking any steps to implement the purported tenure elongation of the presently elected/constituted organs/officers of the All Progressives Congress, which pronouncement or decision was made on or about the 27th of February, 2018, or in any manner howsoever, stay in office beyond four years from the date of their election/inauguration.<br />
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“An injunction restraining the seventh defendant, its servants and /or agents, from recognising the decision or any decision of the first to sixth defendants to extend the tenure of the sixth defendant’s extant elected organs/officers beyond their elected/constituted four years, or, taking any step, in any manner howsoever, to implement such decision.”<br />
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Ahmed in his submission averred that: “We must avoid a situation whereby a dangerous precedent will be laid by the deliberate violation of party constitution, rules and regulations on leadership recruitment and renewal of tenure. Our party is known for its avowed commitment to the rule of law, the due process and the constitution. We must obey our own laws and respect the constitution of the country.”</div>

Latest-News APC crisis worsens as party chieftain wants court to stop extension of Odigie-Oyegun’s tenure

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos State, Dr. Wale Ahmed has dragged the party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other senior officials of the party to court over what he alleged as the illegal extension of th…

Ex-minister, others allegedly collected N650m on Diezani’s instruction – Witness

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An investigator, Usman Zakari, who appeared as the second prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, narrated to the court how former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide and others allegedly took delivery of a cash sum of N650m March in 2015.<br />
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Akinjide and two others are being prosecuted by the EFCC over alleged fraud.<br />
<br />
According to Zakari, Akinjide and two others collected the N650m cash at the Dugbe branch of new generation bank in Ibadan, Oyo State on the standing instruction of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.<br />
<br />
The witness said his investigation revealed that the N650m was part of a total sum of N23bn which Diezani warehoused in the bank.<br />
<br />
He said he found that the N23bn was the naira equivalent of a total of $115.01m, which Diezani allegedly collected from three oil marketers and one Lano Adesanya in the build-up to the 2015 general election.<br />
<br />
Zakari, who was led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, said his investigation followed “a top classified Category A intelligence” about a meeting convened by Diezani in her house in December 2014.<br />
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According to him, the meeting was attended by Diezani, the Managing Director of the bank and some oil marketers.<br />
<br />
At the meeting, the ex-Petroleum Minister, according to Zakari, informed the bank MD that the oil marketers would be bringing different dollar sums to him, which she instructed the bank chief to help her keep in the bank’s vault until further instructions.<br />
<br />
The investigator said pursuant to the meeting, one Autus Integrated Limited took $17.8m to the bank; another company, Northern Belt Oil and Gas, took $60m to the bank; while one Mid-Western Oil Services Limited also paid $9.5m.<br />
<br />
“An individual, Lano Adesanya, brought the sum of $1.8m; our findings further revealed that the three oil marketers made payment of the sum of $89m and some fractions.<br />
<br />
“Investigations further revealed that the then Petroleum Minister’s aides made available $25m and some fractions in suitcases, which were warehoused in the bank’s cash vault,” the investigator narrated.<br />
<br />
“Upon the receipt of the money by the Bank, the then Petroleum Minister instructed the bank to convert the said amount into naira, precisely on March 26, 2015.<br />
<br />
“The bank complied with the instruction; the said amount was converted into naira to the tune of N23bn and some fractions.<br />
<br />
“After the conversion, the then petroleum minister, instructed the bank to pay the 1st defendant (Akinjide) and the 2nd defendant (Senator Ayo Adeseun) and one Mr. Yinka Taiwo the sum of N650m, through her son, Ogbonna Madueke.<br />
<br />
“The 1st defendant and the 2nd defendant and Mr. Yinka Taiwo then proceeded to the bank, Dugbe branch in Ibadan, Oyo State and signed a receipt of payment individually for the collection of N650m.<br />
<br />
“They signed for the money and took it to the residence of the 1st defendant (Akinjide).<br />
“The defendants made a cash payment of N650m without going through any financial institution, an amount which was more than the amount authorised by law to be paid in cash,” Zakari said.<br />
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He told the court that upon being interrogated, Akinjide and Adeseun “admitted making cash payments in that amount.”<br />
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But the defence counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, Michael Lana and Akinola Oladeji, urged the court to expunge Zakari’s entire evidence for being hearsay.<br />
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They contended that the investigator could not give evidence about the meeting in Diezani’s residence and the payments of money, which he did not personally witness.<br />
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“I’m placing reliance on Section 38 of the Evidence Act, which says that hearsay evidence is not admissible,” Oladeji argued.<br />
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He added that the persons competent to testify about the meeting were Diezani, the bank’s MD and the oil marketers who were.<br />
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He said since it was not established that the people who attended the meeting were dead, Zakari could not testify about the meeting.<br />
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Same line of argument was pursued by Ayorinde and Lana.<br />
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But the prosecutor, Oyedepo, maintained that Zakari’s evidence was not hearsay but his personal findings in the course of his investigation.<br />
<br />
Trial judge, Justice Muslim Hassan adjourned till March 23, 2018 for further proceedings.</div>

Latest-News Ex-minister, others allegedly collected N650m on Diezani’s instruction – Witness

An investigator, Usman Zakari, who appeared as the second prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, narrated to the court how former Minister of the Federal C…

Buhari’s aide, Ojudu, joins Ekiti gubernatorial race

10:09 Unknown 0

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The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, has declared that the All Progressives Congress will stop Governor Ayodele Fayose from foisting a successor on the state.<br />
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He said the Peoples Democratic Party’s reign in the state must be brought to an end at the next governorship poll.<br />
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Ojudu spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Friday while declaring for the July 14 governorship election.<br />
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He said, “But our party needs to tread cautiously to be able to defeat this man because he had succeeded in infiltrating our ranks. He has planted people in our ranks to leak vital information to him, so we must be cautious.<br />
<br />
“I know that the challenges of the recent years have galvanised our people to be resolute to fight the battle ahead. The next election is a must-win for APC.<br />
<br />
“Governor Fayose is planning to rule the state by proxy by attempting to put his surrogate on the governorship seat. Let me assure you, we are going to foil such attempt.<br />
<br />
“Let me say this, I have all it takes to liberate Ekiti from the slavery they were put into by Fayose. I had once defeated him in a senatorial contest and I will do same again if given the opportunity.”<br />
<br />
Ojudu urged the APC members to stop destroying themselves and instead focus on how to work together to defeat the PDP.<br />
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He promised to work with whoever emerges at the primary to ensure that the party triumph in the July 14 governorship election.<br />
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“They said I can defect if I am not picked at the primary, never, I will never have anything to do with the PDP. Even if I die and they cover me with PDP’s cloth, I will wake and burn the cloth before dying again,” he added.<br />
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Ojudu said he had dedicated his life to taking care of the poor being a product of poverty, urging the people to be steadfast and prepare for the July poll.<br />
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“Today, we are facing serious challenges of hunger, poverty and squalor. Our people are hungry and our youths are without jobs. Our state needs redemption and to be put back on the path of glory.<br />
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“We must rescue our people and if you give me the ticket, be sure that I will defeat Fayose. The time has come, let’s work together for the people. Together we will make Ekiti the state we can all be proud of.”</div>

Latest-News Buhari’s aide, Ojudu, joins Ekiti gubernatorial race

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, has declared that the All Progressives Congress will stop Governor Ayodele Fayose from foisting a successor on the state. He said the Peoples Democratic …

Ibadan-Kaduna railway: FG submits loan requests to China

09:59 Unknown 0

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The Federal Government on Friday announced that it would be forwarding loan request documents to the China Exim Bank for the release of funds in order to commence construction work on the Ibadan-Kaduna railway project.<br />
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According to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, the government is optimistic that China will release the loan this year so that work can commence on the project.<br />
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Amaechi disclosed this on the sidelines of an event in Abuja where he inaugurated the boards of five agencies under the Federal Ministry of Transportation.<br />
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The minister said, “We are currently working on the Lagos-Ibadan railway and we’ve completed the spur from Kaduna to Abuja. We’ve awarded the contract from Ibadan to Kaduna and from Kaduna to Kano. We will be forwarding our documents for the loan to the China Exim Bank, hoping that they will give us the loan this year for us to commence construction.<br />
<br />
“We are negotiating for the contract from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, which is about 2,000km, because we had to take a spur from Port Harcourt to Owerri, and from Owerri passing through Nnewi to Awka, and then from Awka to Abakaliki, while proceeding on to Gombe. From there, we will take a spur to Yobe, Yola and Borno.”<br />
<br />
The minister had earlier tasked members of the boards he inaugurated to live up to expectation, as Nigerians would hold them responsible if they failed to take the agencies to greater heights.<br />
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This is coming as the Nigeria Railway Corporation on Friday assured passengers travelling on the Abuja-Kaduna train service of safety while onboard the trains and at rail stations.<br />
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The Deputy Director, Public Relations, NRC, Yakub Mahmood, said it had become expedient to allay the fear of the passengers.<br />
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“The NRC management wishes to allay the fear of our passengers after the reported incident where miscreants along the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor engaged in an unwholesome act of stoning our passenger trains as against the unsubstantiated and purported report of an attack by gunmen,” he stated.<br />
<br />
Mahmood said this did not constitute a security threat to the operations of the train service but was a deliberate attempt by unpatriotic individuals to damage the assets of the Federal Government.<br />
<br />
He added that the NRC had deployed additional security equipment and personnel to check such acts.</div>

Latest-News Ibadan-Kaduna railway: FG submits loan requests to China

The Federal Government on Friday announced that it would be forwarding loan request documents to the China Exim Bank for the release of funds in order to commence construction work on the Ibadan-Kaduna railway project. According to the Minister of T…

PDP condemns Presidency, APC over alleged illegal importation of military equipment

09:59 Unknown 0

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the linking of the alleged illegal importation of military equipment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) interests, particularly in Kogi State, is revealing and calls to question the integrity of the ruling party.<br />
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<div>The party said Nigerians have been wondering how weapons and other military equipment got into the hands of marauders, who have been ravaging the nation, adding that this ‘discovery’ could offer a clue to some unanswered questions the people have been asking.</div>
<div>It also expressed fears that the development could be part of the alleged plot by the APC to compromise the nation’s security system, preparatory to the intimidation of voters in the 2019 general elections.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Saturday further tasked the Presidency and military high command to immediately explain how the Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello allegedly secured the permission to import military equipment, which function is exclusively under the watch of the Presidency and the military.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>The statement read: “From the reports so far, it appears that we are now having a clue on how weapons and other military equipment being used by marauders and criminals to ravage and murder our citizens, are illegally sneaked into the country and by which interest.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>“Nigerians now know that some persons and officials linked with APC interests have been playing roles in compromising the security of our nation by smuggling in military equipment for unknown groups ostensibly to carry out evil activities.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>“We hold that this is a very critical matter and as a pro-people party committed to the well being of Nigerians, urge the Presidency and the military to quickly offer explanations to Nigerians on who issued the end user certificate for the importation of the said military equipment into our country.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>“The PDP demands an open forensic investigation so that Nigerians will know the truth. Nigerians need to know where the military gadgets were sourced from and who purchased them? They need to know who issued the end user certification for the importation and, if they are not for the military, who the actual end user is and the intended final destination.”</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>The party also demanded “an open inquest into the alleged involvement of Governor Yahaya Bello and his aides in this matter.”</div>
</div>
</div>

Latest-News PDP condemns Presidency, APC over alleged illegal importation of military equipment

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the linking of the alleged illegal importation of military equipment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) interests, particularly in Kogi State, is revealing and calls to question the integrity of the ru…

No war in Rivers, PDP tells Buhari

09:54 Unknown 0

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Ahead of the expected visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Rivers State, the Peoples Democratic Party has said that it is not necessary for him to visit the state as a result of insecurity.<br />
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 The State Public Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, explained that there was no war or any form of insecurity in Rivers State that would warrant a visit by the President based on insecurity.<br />
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Nwanosike explained that the people would be pleased if President Buhari would visit the state to apologise for the absence of any Federal Government project for about three years.<br />
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The state PDP spokesman made this remark in Port Harcourt on Friday while receiving hundreds of defectors from the All Progressives Congress to the PDP.<br />
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Nwanosike noted that Buhari’s visit is only aimed at settling the internal crisis rocking the APC in the state, adding that the APC needs serious attention.<br />
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 He said, “We heard that President Muhammadu Buhari is visiting crises-rocked states and that he would visit Rivers State. We want to tell him that there is no crisis in Rivers State.<br />
<br />
 “The people of Rivers State are living happily in a peaceful state. We are not under any war. He should visit states in the North-East and Central. If he comes to the state, he is only coming to settle his party’s crisis.”<br />
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 Also, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Nyesom Wike on Political Planning and Strategy, Chief Glory Emeh, noted that Wike had performed well in the areas of security and infrastructure.<br />
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 Some of the defectors, who moved to the PDP through the Grassroots Development Initiative, said their decision was based on failed promises by the APC-led Federal Government.<br />
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One of them, who simply identified himself as Julius from Abonemma Wharf, explained that they were promised empowerment by the APC, adding that nothing had come to them.<br />
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Earlier, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had stated that President Buhari’s proposed visit to the state might be aimed at reviving the fortunes of the APC that was dead in the state.<br />
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The governor, who said this while flagging off the reconstruction of Egbelu Street and construction of link roads in Rumuodara, Obio Akpor Local Government Area, said that the Federal Government had not informed him of the President’s visit and the reason behind his visit.<br />
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“I hear they say that the President is coming to our state.  I have not been told the President is coming and why he is coming. He has the right to come to any state.<br />
<br />
“Maybe the President is coming to make sure that he will improve the fortunes of the APC that is dead in Rivers State,” he added.<br />
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 But a statement by the state APC on Friday described the governor’s remarks as inciting, provoking, unacceptable and should be withdrawn.<br />
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 The statement was signed by the state Chairman of the party, Dr. Davies Ikanya and circulated by his Media Consultant, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze.<br />
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 It read, “The party warns Wike that the President’s visit is not the same as the visit of some northern governors that visited Port Harcourt in 2014 to sympathise with the then governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi over the wicked humiliation he suffered in the hands of Wike and his collaborators.”<br />
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The party further stated that the visit of Mr. President is to commiserate with the people of Omoku in ONELGA for the sad and unfortunate killings of their loved ones during the New Year massacre.<br />
<br />
On the false allegation that President Buhari abandoned Rivers State since he assumed office, the party reiterated that the present Federal Government under the watchful eyes of President Buhari has not and will not abandon Rivers State.</div>

Latest-News No war in Rivers, PDP tells Buhari

Ahead of the expected visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Rivers State, the Peoples Democratic Party has said that it is not necessary for him to visit the state as a result of insecurity. The State Public Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Samuel Nwanos…

Ortom speaks ahead of Buhari’s visit to Benue

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Latest-News Ortom speaks ahead of Buhari’s visit to Benue

…

Northerners should be blamed for insecurity in Nigeria -Ohanaze

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Latest-News Northerners should be blamed for insecurity in Nigeria -Ohanaze

…

My dad dug his grave, shared property before dying – Former Gov. Egbemudia’s son

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Latest-News My dad dug his grave, shared property before dying – Former Gov. Egbemudia’s son

…

VIDEO: Security agents shoot as youths stone Gov Bello, chant ‘one term’

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Latest-News VIDEO: Security agents shoot as youths stone Gov Bello, chant ‘one term’

…

Nnamdi Kanu’s brother reveals who allegedly kidnapped, sold IPOB leader to military

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Latest-News Nnamdi Kanu’s brother reveals who allegedly kidnapped, sold IPOB leader to military

…

Wike taunts Buhari: Rivers APC is dead… your visit can’t resurrect it

09:29 Unknown 0

Latest-News Wike taunts Buhari: Rivers APC is dead… your visit can’t resurrect it

…

Students asked to pay N15,000 for "Adeboye handshake"

22:54 Unknown 0

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<b><br /></b><b>The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, is at the centre of an alarming allegation that secondary school students are being charged N15,000 each to have a ‘holy hand-shake’ with him.</b><br />
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Writing on Facebook, Temitope Aduroja recounted the dilemma of a struggling family in Minna, Niger State and the friction that emerged over the alleged payment necessary to meet ‘Daddy GO’.<br />
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“The students of Redeemer Secondary School in Minna were told to pay N15,000 each to be able to see Pastor Adeboye and receive his handshake,” Aduroja wrote, explaining that the respected Pastor is due to be at an event in Abuja on Sunday 11th March 2018.<br />
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Clearly disgruntled, the ‘whistle-blower’ added that this information came from a work colleague who had three children in that particular school and was unwilling to pay such a fee.<br />
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“His wife remained adamant that he must pay the money because his children must see Pastor Adeboye for the first time in their lives and receive his handshake and blessings,” Aduroja continued.<br />
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It took the combined effort of a local Redeemed Pastor and his grandmother to finally bring settlement to the heated squabble which almost resulted in “physical combat”.<br />
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“After serious pleading and begging from the pastor and family members, the husband agreed to pay for a child, the wife for the second child while the grandmother agreed to pay for the third child,” he explained.<br />
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Aduroja proceeded to ponder on the ‘craziness’ exhibited by Nigerian woman “in the name of religion”, as well as express scepticism on the actual impact of this “handshake excursion”.<br />
<br />
“Must we continue to waste money on something that doesn't mean much in the name of religion or a pastor,” he whimsically concluded.<br />
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The post drew heated response, many rising to Adeboye’s defence and stating the school was simply taking students on “an excursion” and such amount was to cater for the journey’s costs. Others, however, corroborated the allegation.<br />
<br />
Oyeyemi Ganiat wrote, “That's how they always do. My children are attending Redeemer School here in Agege, Lagos. They will tell you Baba Adeboye is doing his birthday every March and that all children must pay N5,000 to be able to go and celebrate.”<br />
<br />
Akintayo Taiwo went deeper to suggest such behaviour stemmed from the unhealthy “quest for position and power” within the Redeemed Church.<br />
<br />
“In RCCG, promotion from Parish pastor to Area Pastor to Zonal Pastor to Provincial Pastor depends on your weekly remittance to the church Headquarters in Lagos. The more tithes and offerings - and other godly and ungodly charges you are able to remit to the Church - the faster your promotion,” he alleged.<br />
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“We may say that Baba Adeboye doesn't know about this but he is definitely culpable because he accepts the money coming from all these Parishes without questioning the source,” Taiwo opined.<br />
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“No matter how fast church growth is in Nigeria, as long as the Church makes money the centre of the gospel, morality will continue to decrease among believers,” the commentator brazenly ended.<br />
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RCCG has yet to make any official statement on the matter.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/adurojatemitopesamson/posts/1872587392815623">SOURCE</a>

Latest-News Students asked to pay N15,000 for "Adeboye handshake"

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, is at the centre of an alarming allegation that secondary school students are being charged N15,000 each to have a ‘holy hand-shake’ with him. Writing on Face…

Guardiola fined £20,000 over Catalan ribbon protest

16:54 Unknown 0

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<br />
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been fined £20,000 by the Football Association (FA) and warned over his future conduct after wearing a yellow ribbon supporting political prisoners in his native Catalonia.<br />
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On Monday, Guardiola accepted the FA charge of "wearing a political message", putting him in breach of the organisation's kit and advertising regulations.<br />
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The City boss began wearing the pin in support of pro-independence politicians Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, who were imprisoned as part of the crackdown that followed last October's referendum in Catalonia and remain in custody.<br />
<br />
A brief statement issued by the FA read: "Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been fined £20,000 and<br />
warned as to his future conduct after admitting an FA charge for wearing a political message, specifically a yellow ribbon, in breach of The FA’s kit and advertising regulations."</div>

Latest-News Guardiola fined £20,000 over Catalan ribbon protest

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been fined £20,000 by the Football Association (FA) and warned over his future conduct after wearing a yellow ribbon supporting political prisoners in his native Catalonia. On Monday, Guardiola accepted the …

Drama as football match ends in bloodshed after referee kills player

15:54 Unknown 0

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<br />
 A referee is facing murder charges after football players allegedly forced him to kill a member of the opposing team in southern Malawi, police said Friday.<br />
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<br />
The referee was overseeing a football match between two local teams , Billiat FC and Chilengo FC, in the town of Thyolo on Wednesday , when Chilengo FC players refused to accept the referee’ s decision to invalidate a goal, district police spokesman Benjamin Foster told dpa.<br />
<br />
In the ensuing scuffle , the referee fled to a nearby house, which the players lit to smoke him out , according to Foster.<br />
<br />
When the referee ran out of the burning building , the players forced him to smack a Billiat FC player repeatedly with a stick , the spokesman said .<br />
<br />
The player later died of his injuries in hospital, added Foster.<br />
<br />
“The referee turned himself over … He is facing murder charges, ” he said . </div>

Latest-News Drama as football match ends in bloodshed after referee kills player

A referee is facing murder charges after football players allegedly forced him to kill a member of the opposing team in southern Malawi, police said Friday. The referee was overseeing a football match between two local teams , Billiat FC and Chilen…

Buhari returns to Abuja, after visiting Plateau

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<br />
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday returned to Abuja after two-day working visit to Plateau, and joined hundreds of Muslim faithful to perform the weekly Juma’at prayer at the Aso Rock Mosque.<br />
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Newsmen report that among those who joined the president to observe the prayer were the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Alhaji Ahmed Rufa’I and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura.<br />
<br />
The President had earlier on Friday in Jos inaugurated the Plateau State Tractor Ownership Scheme as part of activities to mark the end of his working visit to the state.<br />
<br />
The scheme has a tripartite arrangement, in which the beneficiaries would pay 60 per cent of the total cost while state and local governments would pay 30 and 10 per cent balance respectively.<br />
<br />
The tractors were supplied at the cost of N1.4 million each.<br />
<br />
Also, in the course of his two-day official visit to the state, President Buhari had on Thursday at a Town Hall meeting inaugurated the Plateau State Roadmap to Peace, and congratulated the Gov. Simon Lalong for uniting the people of the state.<br />
He restated his commitment to arrest the cycle of violence that had engulfed some parts of the country.<br />
<br />
He said: “I wish to encourage your Excellency to continue with the good work you are doing, and I wholeheartedly congratulate you for uniting the people of Plateau State.<br />
<br />
“I am indeed quite impressed with gains and successes recorded in the area of conflict management and peace-building, which has returned this state to the path of relative peace.<br />
<br />
“Let me express the Federal Government’s commitment to support and assist the Peace Building Agency in its effort to arrest the vicious cycle of violence and lay the foundation for sustainable peace in our country.”</div>

Latest-News Buhari returns to Abuja, after visiting Plateau

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday returned to Abuja after two-day working visit to Plateau, and joined hundreds of Muslim faithful to perform the weekly Juma’at prayer at the Aso Rock Mosque. Newsmen report that among those who joined the preside…

#BBNaija Nina Performs S3xual Act On Miralce (VIDEO)

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PHOTOS: Senate Committee inspects prohibited security gadgets allegedly imported by Kogi Governor

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Latest-News PHOTOS: Senate Committee inspects prohibited security gadgets allegedly imported by Kogi Governor

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Trump, North Korea leader, Kim Jong Un finally agree to meet

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Nigerian doctors most irresponsible, National Assembly chasing nonsensical issues – El-Rufai

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Herdsmen strike, kill 5 in Plateau, despite Buhari’s presence in state

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Latest-News Herdsmen strike, kill 5 in Plateau, despite Buhari’s presence in state

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What will happen to journalists, bloggers if hate speech bill is passed - Shehu Sani

14:37 Unknown 0

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<br />
Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly has said Nigerian prisons will be filled with bloggers, critics and perceived political opponents if the hate speech bill is passed.<br />
<a name='more' id="more"></a><br />
<br />
Sani said the law against hate speech will be used against free speech.<br />
<br />
According to him, Nigeria being a democratic state must, ”balance its security exigencies with its constitutional obligations and moral duty to uphold the rule of law and respect fundamental rights of its citizens.”<br />
<br />
The lawmaker, however, maintained that, anyone who does not want to be criticized should not occupy a public office.<br />
<br />
Sani on Facebook wrote, ”Most people in power are intolerant to criticism and allergic to dissent to be trusted with a capital punishment for hate speech.The law against hate speech will be used against free speech.<br />
<br />
”Many critics and social media enthusiasts will end up in the gallows.Our condemned cells in the prisons will be filled with bloggers,critics and perceived political opponents.We must fight Hate speech,Hate speech is a real threat to peace,unity and order of a nation but we must protect free speech.Free speech is the shield of the oppressed.<br />
<br />
”When you have state police and you have capital punishment for hate speech,you will have tyranny and terror as a state policy. People in power should think twice about what they do with power as someday they will be out of power.<br />
<br />
”If you are in public office and you don’t want to be criticized or challenged, please dismount and go back to your family where you can be an imperial emperor.”</div>

Latest-News What will happen to journalists, bloggers if hate speech bill is passed - Shehu Sani

Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly has said Nigerian prisons will be filled with bloggers, critics and perceived political opponents if the hate speech bill is passed. Sani said the law again…

Ekweremadu to face trial over ‘hidden assets’ in UAE, UK, US

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Latest-News Ekweremadu to face trial over ‘hidden assets’ in UAE, UK, US

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Ben Bruce asked to ‘emulate Canadian doctors’ by protesting high pay for senators

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Latest-News Ben Bruce asked to ‘emulate Canadian doctors’ by protesting high pay for senators

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Ajaokuta plant: ‘Go ahead if you think you can do without us’ — reps reply Fayemi

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Latest-News Ajaokuta plant: ‘Go ahead if you think you can do without us’ — reps reply Fayemi

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Stop embarrassing Nigeria with your ‘dance’ – Group slams Senator Adeleke

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Latest-News Stop embarrassing Nigeria with your ‘dance’ – Group slams Senator Adeleke

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Herdsmen killings: Benue cancels mass burial

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Latest-News Herdsmen killings: Benue cancels mass burial

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Armed herdsmen will be treated as robbers, kidnappers – Police

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Latest-News Armed herdsmen will be treated as robbers, kidnappers – Police

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Tragedy averted as Arik plane makes emergency landing in Ghana

13:17 Unknown 0

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<br />
Another major air disaster was on Tuesday, averted when an Arik plane made an emergency landing in Ghana after smoke was detected in the cabin.<br />
<a name='more' id="more"></a><br />
<br />
The incident involved a fully-loaded Ghana-bound Dash 8 NextGen propeller aircraft with registration number, W3304 Stephen.<br />
It was gathered that no sooner than 35 minutes after the plane took off from the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos for Accra, Ghanaian capital than smoke started coming out from the cabin.<br />
<br />
One of the passengers onboard the aircraft disclosed that there was confusion in the plane as air hostesses were busy scampering around, opening the cabins and the lavatories to check if they could trace the source of the smoke without success.<br />
<br />
According to the thankful passenger, “While that continued, the oxygen masks that were always being advertised during the safety demo prior to take-off couldn’t be released instead we were handed tissue papers (otherwise called serviets) to use to cover our noses to minimize and filter out possible carbon monoxide inhalation.<br />
“About 5 minutes after, precisely with 15 minutes of flight time remaining, the pilot came on the public address system to inform us that they have smoke coming into the cabin and that they don’t know the source and that they have declared emergency”.<br />
<br />
“To the glory of God, the flight successfully landed by 8.15pm (7.15pm Accra time) to the waiting of several fire service trucks at Kotoko International airport, Accra.<br />
<br />
“We were evacuated into a waiting bus with instruction to leave everything behind in the cabin. Sadly there was no Arik official to address us neither was there any manner of first aid attention given to the passengers to manage stress and possible elevated blood pressures,” the passenger lamented.<br />
<br />
Confirming the incident via a statement, the airline said no-one was hurt during the incident.<br />
<br />
The statement reads: “Arik Air flight W3 304 from Lagos to Accra on March 6, 2018 declared an emergency in line with standard operating procedures, when unknown source of smoke was detected in the cabin 81 miles from Accra.<br />
<br />
“The captain of the flight briefed the passengers accordingly assuring them that the aircraft was under control and safe for landing in Accra.<br />
<br />
“The aircraft, a Dash 8 Q400, landed safely in Accra without further incident and all passengers disembarked normally.<br />
<br />
“The aircraft is currently parked in Acrra and our team of engineers are conducting comprehensive inspections on the aircraft to ascertain the cause of the smoke, after which the aircraft will be flown without passengers to a maintenance facility for rectification and testing.<br />
<br />
“The relevant aviation authorities in Ghana and Nigeria have been briefed appropriately on the incident.”<br />
<br />
The incident occured barely on month after emergency exit door fell off a Dana Air jet as it landed in Abuja after flying in from Lagos.<br />
<br />
In another averted disaster, an Atlanta-bound Delta airlines jet was forced to return to Lagos after a fire was detected in one of its engines with passengers using emergency slides to evacuate the plane, officials said.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has commenced investigation into how Dana Air plane overshot the runway at Port Harcourt International Airport.</div>

Latest-News Tragedy averted as Arik plane makes emergency landing in Ghana

Another major air disaster was on Tuesday, averted when an Arik plane made an emergency landing in Ghana after smoke was detected in the cabin. The incident involved a fully-loaded Ghana-bound Dash 8 NextGen propeller aircraft with registration numb…

UTME 2018: JAMB directs candidates to website for details

12:43 Unknown 0

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<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr">Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has advised candidates for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations  yet to receive their examination details to visit its website for such information.</div>
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<div dir="ltr"><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">The board’s Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, gave the advice in an interview with <i>News Agency of Nigeria</i> on Friday in Abuja, following complaints by candidates.</div>
<div dir="ltr">The examination commenced on Friday in JAMB-approved  Computer Based Test centres, with some 1.6 million candidates registered for test holding from March 9 to March 17.</div>
<div dir="ltr"><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">Benjamin said candidates must not wait for the board to send the details, but they should visit its website and follow the instructions provided for viewing and printing out their examination slips.</div>
<div dir="ltr">He warned that the board would not be responsible for anyone who misses the test or fails to adhere to instructions on the exercise.</div>
<div dir="ltr"><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">Some candidates have complained that they have yet to receive examination information, including date, time, town and centre from the board, to be able to sit for the test.</div>
<div dir="ltr"><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, on Wednesday advised candidates not to come late and to adhere to regulations on the exercise.</div>
<div dir="ltr"><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">He said the board would not reschedule the examination for anyone who misses their chance and urged candidates to ensure they print their e-slips as from Tuesday to enable them to get prepared. </div>
<br /></div>

Latest-News UTME 2018: JAMB directs candidates to website for details

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has advised candidates for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations yet to receive their examination details to visit its website for such information. The board’s Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benja…

Trump, North Korea’s Kim to hold historic meeting

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President Donald Trump has agreed to a historic first meeting with Kim Jong Un in a stunning development in America’s high-stakes nuclear standoff with North Korea.<br />
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Standing in front of the White House, South Korean National Security Advisor Chung Eui-yong announced the first ever meeting between a US president and North Korean leader, which he said would take place by the end of May.<br />
<br />
Chung had recently returned from Pyongyang, where he met Kim, who, he said “expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible.”<br />
<br />
Trump hailed “great progress” in the push to persuade Pyongyang to end its nuclear weapons program.<br />
<br />
“Meeting being planned!” he tweeted. “Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time.”<br />
<br />
“Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached.”<br />
<br />
News of the summit is the latest step in a quickening diplomatic detente that has seen North and South Korea exchange envoys.<br />
<br />
Pyongyang also sent a delegation to the Winter Olympics in the South, which Seoul had dubbed the “Peace Games” and which saw the two countries marching under a unified flag.<br />
<br />
The thaw came after a period of extreme tension between Washington and Pyongyang that sounded like the growing drumbeat of war.<br />
<br />
Just months ago, Trump mocked Kim by calling him “little rocket man” and Kim returned the favor by describing Trump as “mentally deranged” and a “dotard.”<br />
<br />
The United States and North Korea were foes throughout the Cold War and fought on opposite sides of a bloody war in the 1950s.<br />
<br />
In the last two decades, they have been engaged in what is perhaps the world’s most dangerous nuclear standoff, with 30,000 US military personnel stationed just over the border in the South.<br />
<br />
– Paradigm shift –<br />
<br />
Pyongyang’s decades-long race to develop a nuclear weapon capable of hitting the continental United States has proved a problem for successive administrations.<br />
<br />
Trump’s strategy has been to ramp up sanctions, tighten the diplomatic screws and regularly threaten military force.<br />
<br />
The White House said in a statement that strategy of “maximum pressure” would stay in place, for now.<br />
<br />
“We look forward to the denuclearization of North Korea. In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain.”<br />
<br />
But the prospect of a top-level meeting is a paradigm shift.<br />
<br />
North Korean leaders have sought face-to-face talks with consecutive US presidents, who have rebuffed the idea as an effort to achieve strategic parity that does not exist.<br />
<br />
Pyongyang now seems to have achieved its goal, while only agreeing to a temporary suspension of nuclear tests.<br />
<br />
It is a gambit fraught with risk for Trump. On multiple occasions, Kim’s father Kim Jong Il dangled the prospect of talks and denuclearization as a means of buying time, easing sanctions and dividing South Korea from its allies.<br />
<br />
However his decision also carries historic echoes of Richard Nixon’s visit to communist China or Barack Obama’s overture to Cuba, both of which offered the hope of better ties.</div>

Latest-News Trump, North Korea’s Kim to hold historic meeting

President Donald Trump has agreed to a historic first meeting with Kim Jong Un in a stunning development in America’s high-stakes nuclear standoff with North Korea. Standing in front of the White House, South Korean National Security Advisor Chung E…

No decision yet on 2019, our concern is restructuring – Ohanaeze

11:17 Unknown 0

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The apex socio-political body of the Igbo, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said it will consult widely before taking any decision on the 2019 elections.<br />
<a name='more' id="more"></a><br />
<br />
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Mr. Chuks Ibegbu, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said the association’s position on the forthcoming elections would be based on the views of Ndigbo.<br />
<br />
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo will consult widely before taking any decision on 2019.<br />
<br />
“The apex Igbo body will not take any decision on 2019 without subjecting it to the opinion, views, inputs and contributions from a wide spectrum of Igbo society,” Ibegbu said.<br />
<br />
However, the Ohanaeze spokesman stressed that the body’s major concern at the moment was the restructuring of Nigeria.<br />
<br />
He said, “Our main concern now is the restructuring of Nigeria in sync with other progressive groups and individuals in Nigeria. Once Nigeria is restructured, other things will fall in place.<br />
<br />
“We want a level-playing ground for all sections of Nigeria; we want justice, equity and fair play. We want a Nigeria in which the bountiful talents of Ndigbo and other Nigerians will be fully realised. The nation as it is presently constituted kills initiative,” Ibegbu added.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to first disarm Fulani herdsmen before ordering licensed gun owners to submit them to the police.<br />
<br />
Ibegbu, who stated Ohanaeze’s demand in the statement in Enugu, faulted the IG’s directive that all licensed gun owners should submit the firearms to the police.<br />
<br />
“Without disarming the armed Fulani herdsmen, it will be inappropriate to tell licensed gun owners to submit them in the face of terror and attacks on innocent citizens in all parts of the country, especially in the Middle Belt and the South.”<br />
<br />
Also reacting to the IG’s directive, a pan-Igbo group, Igbo Peoples Congress, described it as “a grand design to expose innocent Nigerians to massacre by armed Fulani herdsmen who ought to be disarmed first before any such order is given.”<br />
<br />
The spokesman for the group, Mr. Okey Colbert, expressed regrets over what he described as the “unfortunate reduction of the killings in Benue, Taraba and Adamawa states to a mathematical contest of the number of casualty” by President Muhammadu Buhari.<br />
<br />
“Maybe if his own children were butchered by hoodlums, he would know how other victims of the Fulani herdsmen terror feel too,” he noted.</div>

Latest-News No decision yet on 2019, our concern is restructuring – Ohanaeze

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Science, maths teaching in indigenous languages to begin soon – FG

11:17 Unknown 0

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The Federal Government has said that the teaching of science subjects and mathematics in indigenous languages in primary and secondary schools across the country would commence soon.<br />
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Director-General of the National Centre for Technology Management, Prof. Okechukwu Ukwuoma, stated this during a retreat organised for researchers in Akure, capital of Ondo State.<br />
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Ukwuoma, who is a member of a committee set up to supervise the project, also disclosed that experts were contracted to translate science and mathematics terminologies to the various indigenous languages spoken in the country.<br />
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He said, “Last year, the Minister of Science and Technology and the Minister of Education inaugurated a committee to teach science and mathematics in indigenous languages. The major issue in that regard is the translation of terminologies to the languages for which we have consulted experts in different languages in the country.<br />
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The don, who commended the Federal government on the idea, expressed optimism in the success of the project. He also noted that many textbooks had already been translated to some Nigerian languages through the efforts of the committee.<br />
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The NACETEM boss stressed the need for researchers to contribute toward the development of science and technology in the country. He lamented the lack of good research works in the country, blaming it on the lust for quick and easy money amongst the people.<br />
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“All over the world everything about science and technology is always hard to sell because you need to convince people. Nigerians are good researchers, but they lack something.<br />
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“Many businessmen who are supposed ensure the commercialisation of research inventions prefer to buy fake ones outside the country and come back to make quick money,” he said.<br />
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However, Ukwuoma disclosed that the Federal Government had established a National Research and Innovation Fund, which would be accessed by entrepreneurs or innovators interested in developing science and technology inventions<br />
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The don said, “Information is what people need. When people lack information, they find it very difficult to find solution to some problems. So we need really to get some information about what is going on.”</div>

Latest-News Science, maths teaching in indigenous languages to begin soon – FG

The Federal Government has said that the teaching of science subjects and mathematics in indigenous languages in primary and secondary schools across the country would commence soon. Director-General of the National Centre for Technology Management,…

Benue cancels mass burial, prepares for Buhari’s visit

11:17 Unknown 0

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Benue State Government has cancelled the planned mass burial for victims of Fulani herdsmen attack in Okpokwu.<br />
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The state governor, Samuel Ortom, had announced the mass burial for the victims of Fulani herdsmen attack during his visit to Omusu Edimoga in Okpokwu local government area of the state.<br />
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Twenty four persons were said to have been killed during the attack which left many people injured and several persons missing.<br />
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In a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, the governor said, “There wouldn’t be mass burial of victims of Fulani herdsmen attacks in Okpokwu.”<br />
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No reason was given for the cancellation of the mass burial<br />
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The statement added that the burial will now take place next week Thursday.<br />
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According to the statement, “A church service, followed by burial of the victims, will take place on Thursday, next week at Okpokwu.”<br />
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Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom has announced that President Muhammad Buhari will be visiting the state on Monday.<br />
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Latest-News Benue cancels mass burial, prepares for Buhari’s visit

Benue State Government has cancelled the planned mass burial for victims of Fulani herdsmen attack in Okpokwu. The state governor, Samuel Ortom, had announced the mass burial for the victims of Fulani herdsmen attack during his visit to Omusu Edimog…

Focus on football – Iwobi fires back at Balotelli

10:27 Unknown 0

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Toni Iwobi, who has just been elected to the Italian Senate, has hit back at Mario Balotelli, after the Nice striker criticised him for representing a political party renowned for causing racial controversy.<br />
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Iwobi, who was born in Nigeria but has lived in Italy since the 1970s, became the first black Senator to be elected after the Lega party, led by Matteo Salvini, earned the majority of votes in Spirano.<br />
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Balotelli posted a message on his Instagram story that said: “Maybe I’m blind or maybe they haven’t told him yet that he’s black – what a disgrace!”<br />
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When asked about Balotelli’s message during an interview on Radio Capital, Iwobi replied:<br />
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“I’d rather just ignore him. I’m not interested in what he writes. I have to deal with enough controversy. I just want to think about my territory and the new role I’ve been elected to.<br />
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“He’s a great footballer and he will remain one, but I hope he sticks to his job, considering that’s what he is good at.”</div>

Latest-News Focus on football – Iwobi fires back at Balotelli

Toni Iwobi, who has just been elected to the Italian Senate, has hit back at Mario Balotelli, after the Nice striker criticised him for representing a political party renowned for causing racial controversy. Iwobi, who was born in Nigeria but has li…

Again, police prevent Peace Corps from occupying office

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I’m not plotting to remove Saraki… he’s like my son - Senator Adamu

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‘I am gradually becoming senior citizen’ – Osinbajo

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Reps to review Peace Corps Bill, 21 others

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Men have failed! One day Nigeria shall have a female president -Secondus

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Latest-News Men have failed! One day Nigeria shall have a female president -Secondus

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Ajaokuta: Fayemi decries accusations by Reps

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A week after being slammed with a no-confidence vote by the lower chamber of the National Assembly, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday,  took serious exceptions to the litany of allegations and attacks unleashed on him and his minister of state, describing them as unwarranted and unbecoming.<br />
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Among the allegations, Fayemi is taking exceptions to are: claims that he had blocked the Russians who had offered to complete the Ajaokuta Steel Plant for Nigeria and the other that the hands of the ministry and its officials were tied to certain unnamed concessionaires favoured by them.<br />
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He said the Russians have neither offered nor expressed interest in reviving the plant since he became minister even though he has met severally with Russian ambassador and other officials from the country.<br />
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“These are unfounded allegations that are becoming unbearable and unbecoming and we have to speak out,” the minister said.<br />
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Fayemi, who spoke at a crowded news conference in Abuja, rejected what he called ‘’unsubstantiated claims’ made against him and top officials of the ministry by the lawmakers in relation to ongoing efforts of the Federal Government to reposition the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State.</div>

Latest-News Ajaokuta: Fayemi decries accusations by Reps

A week after being slammed with a no-confidence vote by the lower chamber of the National Assembly, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday, took serious exceptions to the litany of allegations and attacks unleashed on…

Order IG to enforce Benue anti-open grazing law, Reps tell Buhari

08:52 Unknown 0

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The House of Representatives on Thursday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to direct security agencies to immediately begin the enforcement of the Open Grazing (Prohibition) Law in Benue State and halt the killings by herdsmen.<br />
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The House passed the resolution in Abuja as lawmakers again condemned the latest attacks on villagers in the Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state where 26 more lives were lost on Monday.<br />
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The session, which was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, stated that the government must recognise the fact that as a state, Benue was covered by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to make laws for the good governance of its existence.<br />
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It stressed that there were no alternatives to enforcing a law duly passed by a state assembly and called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, and heads of other security agencies to implement the anti-open grazing law.<br />
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An All Progressives Congress member from Benue State, Mr. Hassan Saleh, had drawn the attention of the House to the latest killings, blaming the actions of the herdsmen on the “refusal of the police and other security services” to enforce the law.<br />
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The development came as another APC member from Edo State, Mr. Johnson Egwakhide-Oghuma, faulted the use of quota system in recruitment into the country’s security agencies.<br />
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“Security is a specialised issue. You don’t recruit people into security services on the basis of quota system.<br />
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“Security is not necessarily a matter you use for the mere sake of providing employment.<br />
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“It is a specialised duty where you do not compromise merit, education and the willingness to do the right thing,” Egwakhide-Oghuma stated.<br />
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Leading the debate on the killings, Saleh, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, told his colleagues that the police and other security services simply turned their backs while the herdsmen continued to hack down defenceless citizens.<br />
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He said, “The government has not restricted the herdsmen. These same herdsmen and their cultural organisation, Miyetti Cattle Breeders, have vowed to continue the killings until the anti-open grazing law is reversed.<br />
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“The IG and other security services must arrest these killers and prosecute them. We are playing with the future of this country.<br />
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“I have received about 700 calls since Monday alone; people are telling me that they are willing to defend themselves. I have to keep pleading with them.<br />
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“We must be careful. Mr. Speaker, if we don’t arrest this situation of insecurity all over the country, one day it will consume all of us.<br />
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“Mr. Speaker, when it starts, you and I will not be able to sit here in Abuja.”<br />
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Dogara did not allow further debate on the motion. He quickly referred it to the ad hoc committee already set up by the House to look into insecurity cases in the country.<br />
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However, on his part, Egwakhide-Oghuma called for a review of the recruitment process into security services to play up merit, intelligence and the ability to respond to training.<br />
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The lawmaker argued that a government that used job creation as a criterion for recruitment into its security agencies was not prepared to combat crime.<br />
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Though, he commended Buhari for the efforts of his administration to recover all territories hitherto occupied by Boko Haram insurgents, Egwakhide-Oghuma insisted that the government must do more.<br />
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The House also passed a separate resolution calling for adequate security cover for international aid agencies working in the North-East, particularly Borno State.<br />
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Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said residents of parts of the country where members of the Boko Haram sect were operating before he assumed office in 2015 were in the best position to disclose the change that had taken place under his watch.<br />
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According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President spoke while receiving a delegation from King Salman of Saudi Arabia at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br />
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“President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja said Nigerians in the areas affected by Boko Haram insurgency are in the best position to provide correct assessments of the changes that have taken place since he assumed office in 2015,” the statement.<br />
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Shehu quoted the President Buhari as saying that his administration was mindful of the three-pronged promises made to Nigerians before the 2015 elections.<br />
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He said he remained undeterred and focused on securing the lives and properties of Nigerians.<br />
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Buhari told the Saudi Arabian delegation that the priority of his administration had so far been on securing the country, buoying the economy and curbing corruption so that Nigerians would start benefitting from the rich natural and human resources of the country.<br />
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In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said the delegation from Saudi Arabia had already visited the Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters and taken a tour of IDP camps in Maiduguri as part of their schedule.<br />
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The Leader of the Saudi Arabian delegation from King Salman, Nasser Bin Mutlaq, said the visit and the donation of materials was an extension of the good relations both countries had shared over the years.<br />
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“We are directed to offer materials and food for the displaced persons in the North- East worth $10m. We have had a field visit to the places and seen the humanitarian situation ourselves,” he added.</div>

Latest-News Order IG to enforce Benue anti-open grazing law, Reps tell Buhari

The House of Representatives on Thursday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to direct security agencies to immediately begin the enforcement of the Open Grazing (Prohibition) Law in Benue State and halt the killings by herdsmen. The House passed the r…

Government should go, bring back our daughters, Dapchi parents tell FG

08:47 Unknown 0

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Parents of the 110 abducted Dapchi schoolgirls on Thursday marched to the National Assembly to register their pains with the federal lawmakers in continuation of their clamour for the release of the pupils abducted by Boko Haram terrorists penultimate week.<br />
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Wearing swollen faces that bore marks of pain and agony, some of the parents recounted their ordeals since the abduction of their daughters, saying that it had been a heartbreaking experience and nightmare since their daughters went missing.<br />
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The parents, who were adorned in black shirts with inscription, “We are Dapchi People”, said that they had not come to criticise and attack the government but to demand the rescue of their daughters.<br />
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A father of three of the abducted girls, Mr. Yahaya Taributu told Vanguard that his entire household has been traumatised since the abduction occurred.<br />
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“Each time my wife looks upon the bed our daughters lie at night, she breaks down in tears and weep profusely. Nobody in my entire household has experienced joy since the girls went missing. Happiness has deserted my home,’ he said.<br />
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While refraining from blaming the government over the abduction, Taributu demanded express action in the rescue of the girls.<br />
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“Government should go and bring back our daughters. We cannot, and will not rest over this matter, until we meet four eyes with our daughters,” he said with a troubled look on his face.<br />
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Another parent, Aisha Alhaji Bukar, whose daughter also suffered abduction, shared a similar story. She however said the porous security of Dapchi town and the negligence of the security forces made the abduction very easy for the insurgents.<br />
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According to Mr. Ariyo Atoye of the Coalition of in defence of Nigerian Democracy and the Constitution Civil Society Organisations, supporters of the peaceful protest, the National Assembly “should show leadership and take actions that can spur the executive arm of government in speedy action necessary to ensure the rescue of the abducted girls.”<br />
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He also urged the National Assembly to conduct a powerful investigation into the conspiracies that have been alleged so far, and the circumstances surrounding how the Dapchi school girls were abducted.</div>

Latest-News Government should go, bring back our daughters, Dapchi parents tell FG

Parents of the 110 abducted Dapchi schoolgirls on Thursday marched to the National Assembly to register their pains with the federal lawmakers in continuation of their clamour for the release of the pupils abducted by Boko Haram terrorists penultima…

APC must be voted out – Lamido

08:47 Unknown 0

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Former governor of Jigawa State and a presidential aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has called on Nigerians to vote out All Progressives Congress, APC, government in 2019, lamenting that Nigeria has deteriorated under APC.<br />
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This is just as a chieftain of PDP in Delta State, Chief Felix Anirah, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take the path of honour by resigning to allow a more competent hand to govern the country.<br />
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Alhaji Lamido spoke, yesterday, in Calabar when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State in his office during a consultation tour of the state.<br />
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“Today, Nigerians are not only suffering under the yoke of Boko Haram, but also under ‘Hunger Haram’ and APC people do not seem to have a solution to any of the problems, therefore they should be sent away in 2019,” Lamido said<br />
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The former governor accused the APC government of inviting foreigners in the name of herdsmen to invade the country and cause havoc in all parts of the country, saying “we have never gone through this kind of harrowing experience as a country.”<br />
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Responding, Governor Ayade said the loyalty of the PDP in Cross River State is solid and always speak with one voice and function in one accord.<br />
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He said: “The people of Cross River State have been treated unfairly by the Federal Government. Our land has been ceded to other countries; they have collected our oil wells and our revenue is the least in the federation today.”<br />
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On the call for the President to resign, Chief Anirahi insisted that President Buhari has failed on all fronts, saying “the Buhari and APC-led government have failed woefully on three promises— anti-corruption, security and social welfare— for which they were elected.<br />
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Lamenting the abduction of over 100 girls in Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, by the Boko Haram sect, Anirah alleged that the Federal Government thrived on propaganda.</div>

Latest-News APC must be voted out – Lamido

Former governor of Jigawa State and a presidential aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has called on Nigerians to vote out All Progressives Congress, APC, government in 2019, lamenting that Nigeria has dete…

State of emergency will stop Boko Haram in 6 months – Clark

08:47 Unknown 0

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Former Federal Commissioner of Information Senator Edwin Clark has pressed the case for the suspension of the three governors in Northeast under a state of emergency as the only panacea to the defeat of the insurgency ravaging the region.<br />
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Clark in a statement said, without temporarily removing the political authorities in the three states that the fire for the insurgency would not be removed.<br />
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The South-South leader also charged the presidency not to heap its failures in addressing the security in the country on the Goodluck Jonathan administration.<br />
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Chief Clark spoke in response to assertions by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina.<br />
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He said: “To win the war against insurgency in the three North Eastern States is very easy because of the fighting spirit, competence and commitment of the nation’s troops which have fought similar battles abroad, if only those who are confusing and manipulating the system in the North East are removed from office, and the military is allowed to deal with the insurgents professionally.<br />
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“If this is done, I am sure that in a space of six months Boko Haram will be given the final burial. Anything short of this, the nation will be fighting a ding dong war,” Clark said as he enjoined the presidential spokesman not to “base the failure or lack of change of this Federal government on previous governments, particularly, the government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.”</div>

Latest-News State of emergency will stop Boko Haram in 6 months – Clark

Former Federal Commissioner of Information Senator Edwin Clark has pressed the case for the suspension of the three governors in Northeast under a state of emergency as the only panacea to the defeat of the insurgency ravaging the region. Clark in a…

Buhari to inaugurate N50bn sugar mill in Niger

08:47 Unknown 0

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The Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc said that arrangements were in top gear for the inauguration of its sugar mill, the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, in Mokwa, Niger state.<br />
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The ill which is expected to produce 100,000 metric tons of sugar yearly is to be established at the cost of N50 billion.<br />
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A statement issued by the company’s Media Officer, Mr Tola Samuel, said that the estate scheduled to be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on March 15, would set the country on the path to become self-sufficient in sugar production.<br />
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According to the statement, the farm at peak production will provide direct employment for about 10,000 people yearly, and impact up to 50,000 people indirectly, including 3,000 small-scale out growers who will be cultivating sugarcane to feed the mill.<br />
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It added that the sugar estate would feature 17, 000 hectares of irrigable farmland and a sugar mill that processes 4,500 metric tons of sugarcane per day.<br />
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“At full capacity, the estate is expected to produce 1 million tons of sugarcane which roughly translates into 100,000 metric tons of sugar yearly.<br />
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“Enclosed within a 35-kilometer dyke, the production facility area is 15,100 hectares, with a cane area that features a maximum output of 10, 000 hectares.<br />
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“The dyke provides flood protection from the River Niger.<br />
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“Over N1 billion was invested in the state-of-the-art irrigation system that will ensure the efficient cultivation of sugar cane, with infrastructure that includes drain pumps, pump stations, and a power grid,’’ the statement said.<br />
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It further said that the establishment of the project would reduce sugar importation into the country as well as save money in foreign exchange.<br />
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“It will also boost local capacity and reduce unemployment by putting thousands of Nigerians to work,’’ it added.</div>

Latest-News Buhari to inaugurate N50bn sugar mill in Niger

The Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc said that arrangements were in top gear for the inauguration of its sugar mill, the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, in Mokwa, Niger state. The ill which is expected to produce 100,000 metric tons of sugar yearly is to be es…

We won’t sack DPR, PPPRA workers - Kachikwu

08:37 Unknown 0

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The establishment of a new regulatory agency, the Nigeria Petroleum Regulatory Commission, as captured in the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, will not lead to the mass retrenchment of workers in three agencies that are currently under the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.<br />
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According to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, fears of a possible mass sacking when the three affected agencies are collapsed into one entity should be dismissed, as the government has no such a plan.<br />
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In the PIGB, the NPRC will take over the functions of the Petroleum Inspectorate, the Department of Petroleum Resources and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency.<br />
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The PIGB has been passed by the National Assembly and will become law as soon as it is assented to by the President.<br />
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Kachikwu also called for a fully independent petroleum industry regulator, adding that proper funding must be given to the NPRC once it commenced operations in order to enable it deliver its mandate as a regulatory commission.<br />
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The minister spoke in Abuja on Thursday at an event organised by the Nigeria Natural Resource Charter in partnership with Media Initiative on Transparency in Extractive Industries on ‘Understanding the Petroleum Sector Reforms proposed by the PIGB’.<br />
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Kachikwu, who was represented by his Senior Technical Assistant, Upstream and Gas, Adeniji Adegbite, said, “One key thing that we must understand with respect to the PIGB is that we need a very good regulator that is fully independent and is insulated from all forms of interference.<br />
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“Having a very good regulator is key and is at the same time dangerous if it does not have competent people to manage it. And when we say competent people, that does not mean we envisage or plan to lay off workers as it is being said in some quarters. That is not the plan.”<br />
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The minister explained that rather than lay off workers, employees in the affected agencies would be reorganised and their skills enhanced.</div>

Latest-News We won’t sack DPR, PPPRA workers - Kachikwu

The establishment of a new regulatory agency, the Nigeria Petroleum Regulatory Commission, as captured in the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, will not lead to the mass retrenchment of workers in three agencies that are currently under the Federa…

Thanks for being a loyal partner, Buhari celebrates Osinbajo at 61

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday joined Nigerians in wishing Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo a happy 61st birthday.<br />
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In a message posted on his Twitter handle, @MBuhari, the President thanked Osinbajo for being “a loyal and dependable partner.”<br />
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Buhari wrote, “Happy 61st Birthday, @ProfOsinbajo. Thank you for being a loyal and dependable partner on this journey.<br />
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“I join millions of your friends and well-wishers around the world to wish you many more years of service to God, to Nigeria, and to humanity.”<br />
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The Presidency, via @NGRPresident, also posted a photograph of the President, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Plateau State, congratulating Osinbajo on the telephone.<br />
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The message that accompanied the photograph read, “President @MBuhari wishing Vice-President @Prof Osinbajo a Happy Birthday from Jos, Plateau State, earlier today.”<br />
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Also, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, congratulated Osinbajo, saying despite occupying a high office, the VP had not changed.<br />
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He said the Osinbajo’s life has been one of commitment to the principles of justice, honesty and equality of all people.<br />
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In a personal letter to the VP released by his Media Office, Tinubu said, “My dear Yemi, I congratulate you today on your 61st birthday. This day presents an opportunity for us to thank God for the years he has given you and to pray that He provides you with many more birthdays.<br />
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“Your birthday also gives me the chance to tell you that the respect and affection I have for you as a brother and friend are deep and abiding. Your life has been one of commitment to the principles of justice, honesty, fairness and equality of all people under God.<br />
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“As a lawyer, you plied your knowledge of the law to advance the welfare of the common man and thus protect those ideals and beliefs integral to the exercise of our collective humanity.<br />
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“During your eight years as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, you continued to stand for profound and worthy causes just as you did in private practice. You did not allow high office to change you or dilute your humanity.<br />
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“You vitally contributed to most of the landmark cases and laws passed in the state, which paved the way for the ongoing development of the state. Those same rare talents and traits you continue to live by today.<br />
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“Holding the office of the Vice-President has not changed you.  You remain as humble, as brilliant and as committed to performance as you have ever been.<br />
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“Your performance and service to the nation is a source of pride to those who know you. Along with President Buhari, you have helped to show that assumption of high office does not have to lower one’s sense of morality or lessen their humanity.<br />
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“Thank you for being a champion for those who are without.  Thank you for your service to the country. Thank you for your loyalty to President Buhari.<br />
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“May God grant you more years, good health, strength and wisdom. I wish you a most happy birthday dear brother.”<br />
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Meanwhile, Osinbajo noted that growing older had placed greater responsibility on him.<br />
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He spoke at a brief surprise birthday event organised in his honour at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br />
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The VP said, “I am grateful to God for preserving my life. It is just exciting to be one year older. I think we are gradually getting to that class of people who are called senior citizens and in some way, it places greater responsibility on us.<br />
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“But I am immensely grateful to God and I thank everyone for the surprise. I pray that our country will be greater, that it will prosper and that we will experience true joy and true peace.”<br />
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The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, who led other top government officials and aides to the VP to the event, said it was their own way of sharing the joy of the day with Osinbajo.<br />
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He said, “We are gathered to share with you on this very auspicious day. Our prayer is that God will continue to watch over you, continue to fill you with wisdom and understanding.<br />
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“We pray that at every point in time, as you counsel Mr. President, you will give him Godly counsel, that he will depend on you for insight into the governance of this country.<br />
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“We also pray that for those of us working with you, we will receive direction to take this country forward and to greater heights.”<br />
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Also, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, described Osinbajo as a patriotic Nigerian committed to the development and growth of the country.<br />
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This was contained in the congratulatory message that the Speaker sent to the VP on his 61st birthday on behalf of members of the state House of Assembly.</div>

Latest-News Thanks for being a loyal partner, Buhari celebrates Osinbajo at 61

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday joined Nigerians in wishing Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo a happy 61st birthday. In a message posted on his Twitter handle, @MBuhari, the President thanked Osinbajo for being “a loyal and dependable partner.” Bu…

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