Nigerian Banks fight each-other on social media

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Zi9UF_IMRp030BHW27mdDtzAyQ5XWySVYsQNu5GpsJ4S2feJiipyXtpACOWROZ_y5xthPCvc0APYgDt9rVIxxPvG6rektEDDScsw_FOIf8DW2ISeILIhCt-3xIXJVd8VAMl8qVGGqbFj/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Zi9UF_IMRp030BHW27mdDtzAyQ5XWySVYsQNu5GpsJ4S2feJiipyXtpACOWROZ_y5xthPCvc0APYgDt9rVIxxPvG6rektEDDScsw_FOIf8DW2ISeILIhCt-3xIXJVd8VAMl8qVGGqbFj/s640/b1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nigerian banks on Saturday engaged in a social media battle, throwing banters at each other on their Twitter handles. Some seem to be winning and others are at the receiving end.</b></span><br /> <br /> Five major banks so far involved in the battle of wits are Sterling Bank, Access Bank, First Bank, FCMB and Union Bank.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The beef apparently started when Sterling bank took to its twitter handle @Sterling_Banking to post a picture with the inscription: “In shooting for the moon men become stars”<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Zi9UF_IMRp030BHW27mdDtzAyQ5XWySVYsQNu5GpsJ4S2feJiipyXtpACOWROZ_y5xthPCvc0APYgDt9rVIxxPvG6rektEDDScsw_FOIf8DW2ISeILIhCt-3xIXJVd8VAMl8qVGGqbFj/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Zi9UF_IMRp030BHW27mdDtzAyQ5XWySVYsQNu5GpsJ4S2feJiipyXtpACOWROZ_y5xthPCvc0APYgDt9rVIxxPvG6rektEDDScsw_FOIf8DW2ISeILIhCt-3xIXJVd8VAMl8qVGGqbFj/s400/b1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The picture that started the Twitter fight</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> They had below the picture, logos or illustrations that clearly depicted some other Nigerian banks.<br /> <br /> First from the left was a man rocking a boat that had the colours used by Access Bank and having symbols contained in Access Bank logo. The next icon was an orange coloured brick (GTB uses orange as its main colour): then a man riding an ‘elephant’ which is majorly used by First Bank, then another man on a rocket coloured in Sterling Bank’s primary colours, heading to a red moon (Sterling bank’s logo): this was then followed by a man riding a white Horse (Horse is the main logo of Union Bank).<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Below the picture, another inscription read: “Choose a partner that takes you higher.<br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Shoot for the moon, become a star - it's the least you deserve. Welcome to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SterlingBank?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SterlingBank</a> 😊 <a href="https://t.co/Jt7M5AkSSb">pic.twitter.com/Jt7M5AkSSb</a></div> — Sterling Bank Plc (@Sterling_Bankng) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sterling_Bankng/status/1020366168287309825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> The post by Sterling Bank didn’t quite go down well with some of the banks whose logos or signature animals were depicted as most of them tweeted their clapbacks at the post by Sterling Bank.<br /> <br /> First Bank took to its twitter handle @FirstBankngr to tweet a ‘clapback’: “What an elder sees while sitting, a child cannot see even if he travels to the moon. #RespectYourElders #YouFirst<br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">What an elder sees while sitting, a child cannot see even if he travels to the moon. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RespectYourElders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RespectYourElders</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YouFirst?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YouFirst</a></div> — FirstBank Nigeria (@FirstBankngr) <a href="https://twitter.com/FirstBankngr/status/1020708526484869120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Tell them 🙌🏾 <a href="https://t.co/XddRejdC5T">pic.twitter.com/XddRejdC5T</a></div> — JOEY! 🇳🇬 (@joecode27) <a href="https://twitter.com/joecode27/status/1020711776697143298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> <br /> Still not satisfied with the “comeback”, First Bank again tweeted, this time a GIF image of a rocket crashing right from the skies. The GIF had the inscription: “Mr Burns Groaning.<br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">... And straight into the trash can. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RespectYourElders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RespectYourElders</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MoveOver?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MoveOver</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NextPlease?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NextPlease</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YouFirst?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YouFirst</a> <a href="https://t.co/tkyZe9FVgc">pic.twitter.com/tkyZe9FVgc</a></div> — FirstBank Nigeria (@FirstBankngr) <a href="https://twitter.com/FirstBankngr/status/1020696933420228608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> Access Bank also followed suit with a comeback punch line when it took to its twitter handle, @myaccessbank to write: “We will travel on an imaginary rocket too, if we were a one-customer Microfinance Bank; but with ten million customers and counting, we rather bring the galaxy to you!.”<br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">We will travel on an imaginary rocket too, if we were a one-customer Microfinance Bank; but with ten million customers and counting, we rather bring the galaxy to you! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YouAreWorthIt?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YouAreWorthIt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TakeTomorrow?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TakeTomorrow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KnowYourElders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KnowYourElders</a> <a href="https://t.co/pBGuW8JaLo">pic.twitter.com/pBGuW8JaLo</a></div> — Access Bank Plc (@myaccessbank) <a href="https://twitter.com/myaccessbank/status/1020679455503724545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> Union Bank on its part took to its twitter handle @UNIONBANK_NG to take multiple jabs. First it wrote: “Heading to the moon without a spacesuit…journey mercies.”<br /> <br /> It went on to tweet another jab where it wrote: “When the elders speak… #SimplerSmarterSAFERBank” with a picture of a dog holding using its paws to close the mouth of another dog.<br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">When the elders speak... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SimplerSmarterSAFERBank?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SimplerSmarterSAFERBank</a> <a href="https://t.co/xCgYbcniDm">pic.twitter.com/xCgYbcniDm</a></div> — UNION BANK (@UNIONBANK_NG) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNIONBANK_NG/status/1020666973770747904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> As if it was not enough, Union Bank went on to tweet: “There’s no coming back after “Ether” or “Story of Adidon”…settle down now, take a deep breath. Back to counting this Naira, Dollars and Pounds…<br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">There's no coming back after "Ether" or "Story of Adidon"...settle down now, take a deep breath. Back to counting this Naira, Dollars and Pounds... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SimplerSmarterSAFERBank?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SimplerSmarterSAFERBank</a> <a href="https://t.co/LGSRSsOPtw">pic.twitter.com/LGSRSsOPtw</a></div> — UNION BANK (@UNIONBANK_NG) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNIONBANK_NG/status/1020672070726836224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> ‘Ether’ was the title of one of the best ever dis tracks, where American Rap artists Nas dissed another rap artist Jay-Z, a track which many rap analysts said there was ‘no coming back from’.<br /> <br /> A twitter user who sought to know who was the elder among the banks that spoke of themselves as elders also got a punchline response from First Bank which wrote: “Even fathers have fathers; they are called ‘forefathers’. #Babababawon #YouFirst.<br /> <br /> FCMB (First City Monument Bank) on their own part were glad to observe the 'social media bank war' as a spectator since they were not dragged into it yet.<br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Observing.... <a href="https://t.co/1I9oB2J3r0">pic.twitter.com/1I9oB2J3r0</a></div> — FCMB (@MyFCMB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MyFCMB/status/1020698605496209408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> GTB (Guaranty Trust Bank), although were dragged into the social media fight have chosen to ignore the banter by Sterling bank so far.<br /> <br /> The Fight may not be over as of yet as some of the banks that were depicted in the original post are yet to respond to the tweet as at the time of this report.<br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">So who is the winner of this bank fight on social media in your opinion?</span><br /> <br />

Latest-News Nigerian Banks fight each-other on social media

Nigerian banks on Saturday engaged in a social media battle, throwing banters at each other on their Twitter handles. Some seem to be wi...

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OSUN 2018: Davido's uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke emerges PDP candidate

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaq9Xf6uYYeGy5uvQjQvrJhwg6G8371MinoC_wOQ3Ue_IfOgw4-R6iVWE9lsQBkkcuu3AhTBOO15VaiUZohNQQoFi4_Ggod-mMZVHeFmw92RnOkHoAESGydcNnVJ0zuKZSqnn0qqknTL6/s400/ademola+adeleke.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Senator Ademola Adeleke has emerged as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the September 22 governorship election in Osun State<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a>

Latest-News OSUN 2018: Davido's uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke emerges PDP candidate

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Kogi Shooting: I will honour Police’s invitation – Dino Melaye

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgsU63KxuJSwmrbaV6MTfuP8b-Yvn8gIlmbVermnk52AZsA12mI23zHeUqe-gB3CjwDiwrNT6akxqoZiP_9YuEFrtgy4-mMTZLboojgUtXba8bJ0sn3r-ltWW-79Vnhd2CBexDGBUI3zy/s1600/dino+laugh.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="412" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgsU63KxuJSwmrbaV6MTfuP8b-Yvn8gIlmbVermnk52AZsA12mI23zHeUqe-gB3CjwDiwrNT6akxqoZiP_9YuEFrtgy4-mMTZLboojgUtXba8bJ0sn3r-ltWW-79Vnhd2CBexDGBUI3zy/s320/dino+laugh.png" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> Dino Melaye, the lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has said he will honour the invitation by the police.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He disclosed this in an interview with Channels Television on Saturday, a day after the police accused some persons in his convoy of attacking their personnel in Kogi State.<br /> <br /> “The account of the police is false and illogical,” the lawmaker said, adding, “I will honour the invitation of the Kogi State Police Command on Thursday, despite the attempts on my life.”<br /> <br /> Senator Melaye had accused the police of shooting at his convoy on his way to inaugurate a project at his constituency on Thursday in Kogi.<br /> <br /> He explained that he was riding in a convoy of about 20 vehicles headed for the scheduled event and his cars were the second and third, having being led by the out riding Hilux vehicle of the personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).<br /> <br /> The lawmaker noted that the police claimed that the vehicles at the back shot at them and wondered why “they shot at my cars which were in the second and third on the convoy.”<br /> <br /> He alleged that the incident clearly indicated an attempt on his life if not for his bulletproof vehicles, claiming that the gunshots were directed at the owner’s sitting side of the cars.<br /> <br /> Melaye purported further that after the scenario which played out on the road, there was another attack on his house in Aiyetoro where gunshots were fired sporadically.<br /> <br /> He also said he had written to the police and the NSCDC through his lawyer, to seek protection for his planned visit.<br /> <br /> The lawmaker claimed that while the NSCDC deployed some personnel to escort him, there was no provision made by the police.<br /> <br /> On the other hand, the police said they were aware of the senator’s visit and had already deployed personnel to strategic points in the state.<br /> <br /> The Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Mr Ali Janga, told reporters on Friday that part of the personnel deployed were those involved in the incident in which an officer was fatally injured.<br /> <br /> He insisted that Senator Melaye was not attacked, but the police repelled an alleged initial attack by some individuals on his convoy.<br /> <br /> “Unidentified civilians inside (a vehicle in the convoy) decided to open fire on my policemen. You don’t expect the police to fold their arms; eventually, they replied and opened fire too. Nobody attacked Dino but rather, his convoy attacked by policemen and they repelled,” Janga had said.<br /> <br /> He said they had invited the lawmaker for questioning, noting that the police would not hesitate to declare Melaye wanted should he ignore their invite.

Latest-News Kogi Shooting: I will honour Police’s invitation – Dino Melaye

Dino Melaye, the lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has said he will honour the invitation by the police. He disclose...

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Nigerian school comes under fire for printing names of indebted students in magazine

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiJpNChUpJjQFEkmj3iKyjsHEI91cv2AbAYNA60rVFTp6OVMdzzU6aTOAVbtrGQV3OF5bcWuhGEzfBPDXtfG6Kg1AkoZ3RQDoW8E6l5taNweZs8x-l5y3bUT0XOziDdySnwAyYANQdPNO/s1600/gra1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiJpNChUpJjQFEkmj3iKyjsHEI91cv2AbAYNA60rVFTp6OVMdzzU6aTOAVbtrGQV3OF5bcWuhGEzfBPDXtfG6Kg1AkoZ3RQDoW8E6l5taNweZs8x-l5y3bUT0XOziDdySnwAyYANQdPNO/s640/gra1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> A private secondary school based in Ondo State on Saturday came under fire for allegedly printing the names of final year students, who didn’t contribute towards the purchase of a television set in the school.<br /> <br /> A Twitter user, Bhadmus Hakeem @Bhadoosky revealed the anguish of parents of the graduating students, who discovered that the names of their children and wards, had been printed in the school’s send-forth magazine as debtors.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">What would you do if you find out your child’s name was printed on his/her school’s send forth magazine as “Debtor” because he/she didn’t pay N5000 to buy the school a parting gift? A school you were paying N104,000 per term for six years? Thread</div> — Bhadmus Hakeem (@Bhadoosky) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bhadoosky/status/1020563517336891392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> <br /> Hakeem in his Twitter thread said that the students were required to contribute the sum of 5,000 naira towards the purchase of a 32″ television set. “Yesterday (20/7/2018), a school in Arigidi Akoko, Ondo state, decided to throw over 24 parents and their children into sorrow on a day they should be the most joyous because they didn’t pay N,5000 to buy the school “32 inches TV”.<br /> <br /> On a graduation day, the worst thing you can ever do to a parent and child is make them sad and also document their sadness forever. How do you explain unprofessionalism of this magnitude to people? What were (sic) the school management trying to achieve with this stupidity?”<br /> <br /> When our source reached out to the school, they revealed shock at the news, saying that it was the decision of the graduating students to buy a television set for the school as a legacy of their set<br /> <br /> According to the School Coordinator, Mr Austin Duyi, “Hundred per cent of the information” posted by Hakeem is “incorrect.”<br /> <br /> He said, “SSS three students were the ones that organised the project to help their school and leave a legacy. The person, who posted the malicious information about the school, we don’t know.”<br /> <br /> When asked if the students had been the one to put the names of indebted students in the magazine, Duyi said, “In every school magazine, there is a page given to the student to allow themselves to express themselves. They are the ones who wrote everything and said it should be printed.<br /> <br /> “It is, therefore, a surprise to us that someone would pick up only that column of the magazine, which is between 60-70 pages. The person didn’t see the good aspects of the school, only the negative. We are shocked.”<br /> <br /> Tweet below....<br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">What would you do if you find out your child’s name was printed on his/her school’s send forth magazine as “Debtor” because he/she didn’t pay N5000 to buy the school a parting gift? A school you were paying N104,000 per term for six years? Thread</div> — Bhadmus Hakeem (@Bhadoosky) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bhadoosky/status/1020563517336891392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br />

Latest-News Nigerian school comes under fire for printing names of indebted students in magazine

A private secondary school based in Ondo State on Saturday came under fire for allegedly printing the names of final year students, who d...

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Candle light burns baby to death in Onitsha

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpbTNSwtmRNysypOyASDXuRi4Bznqt6AKjh3hkhgDC1uf_7X44AmsARHEAxwRMaWiNXqILZh5QSd6KTV6mKVL7kFFcAh8-pJ8iV8Fzp4VuDMPmbbaURFshl5512k74EMrfWKDODvNVyDl/s1600/candle+light.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpbTNSwtmRNysypOyASDXuRi4Bznqt6AKjh3hkhgDC1uf_7X44AmsARHEAxwRMaWiNXqILZh5QSd6KTV6mKVL7kFFcAh8-pJ8iV8Fzp4VuDMPmbbaURFshl5512k74EMrfWKDODvNVyDl/s320/candle+light.png" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> A 4-month old baby, Chimmuanya Chukwu was on Saturday, burnt to death following a candle fire that gutted a room apartment at Okija Street, Awada in Onitsha, Anambra State.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It was gathered that the mother of the baby had left the baby at home around 7pm to recharge her torch in the neighborhood when the incident happened.<br /> <br /> Narrating her ordeal, the mother of the baby, Mrs Oluchi Chukwu said her baby was fast asleep when the wax of the candle light she litted got exhausted and spread into the inflammable material she laid on.<br /> <br /> “I went out to charge my rechargeable torch because there was no electricity within my vicinity when the candle exhausted its wax and melted on an inflammable material leading to the fire which engulfed their room,” she said.<br /> <br /> The visibly devastated woman explained that those who assisted in putting out the fire could not rescue the baby as they were ignorant of her presence in the room.<br /> <br /> Read Also: Four bankers feared drowned in Onitsha flood<br /> “My baby couldn’t have died if those who came to our rescue were aware that she was inside. It was unfortunate that I lost my baby in such a manner,” she lamented.<br /> <br /> Chukwu said she took the baby to a private hospital where she was confirmed dead, adding that she had been buried.<br /> <br /> The caretaker of the building, who witnessed the incident, regretted that the baby had died before the inferno was brought under control by neighbors.<br /> <br /> A tenant, Innocent Chukwu said the fire could have escalated but for the quick intervention of neighbours.

Latest-News Candle light burns baby to death in Onitsha

A 4-month old baby, Chimmuanya Chukwu was on Saturday, burnt to death following a candle fire that gutted a room apartment at Okija Street...

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Fayemi warns Fayose: Be ready to account for Ekiti funds

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="360" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJAQjbbivl4L5pajNlHDLQE7jVjaMcnFb1N9oUUjJ3y7V-cValKgkg6i4i1XI_tCEMoQlqd2rferYbpI25uNoer9vuj_6ZU69DJ21njooUeXBVIhDBLY_YP651yofylH-Q1D1-KFmRJ23/s400/Fayose-and-Fayemi-360x259.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said he is not on a vendetta mission on his decision to probe how the state’s finances were managed when he takes office on October 16.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Fayemi said there is need to know why the state government still owes several arrears of workers’ salaries and pensioners’ benefits after receiving three tranches of bailout funds, Paris Club refunds, Budget Support Funds and secrecy with which the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is shrouded in the last four years.<br /> <br /> The governor-elect also warned against illegal appointments at Ekiti State University (EKSU) saying “the ongoing staff upgrade at the university to create vacancies for employment is a subtle means to ensure that Governor Ayodele Fayose’s political agents occupy strategic positions they may not have competences to hold.”<br /> <br /> Fayemi was replying to an allegation by the administration of Governor Ayo Fayose that his plan to probe the management of the state finances, assets and liabilities by outgoing government was a mission of vengeance and vendetta.<br /> <br /> The governor-elect also urged Fayose and his media handlers to accept defeat in good faith after Ekiti people had realized that they had been dealing with a deceitful governor who can no longer fool them.<br /> <br /> In a statement on Saturday by the Director of Media in the Media in the Office of the Governor-elect, Mr. Wole Olujobi, also urged Fayose to be prepared to prepare for life outside office and answer to various alleged criminal cases hanging on his neck.<br /> <br /> Fayemi said: “We are not surprised that it is now that Fayose is saying that he is ready to open the state’s books for probe and we wonder why he had refused to let Ekiti people know the state’s IGR figures in about four years while nobody knew how he spent budget support facility, Paris Club refunds and bailout cash. “Rather than continue to brag shamelessly and issue tissues of lies as press releases as he has been doing in the last four years, Fayose should bury his head in shame for misusing the opportunity of redeeming his battered image.<br /> <br /> “Fayose is one of the luckiest men in history, who has a second chance to redeem himself but he blew it because of greed, arrogance and covetousness. “We are also surprised that a beneficiary of 2014 poll fraud through criminal manipulation of Federal resources is the one now describing the free and fair election that produced Fayemi as flawed after Ekiti people went to poll to take their destiny in their hands by voting for Fayemi who can be trusted with power and resources of the state unlike Fayose who secretly collected N117b loans but refused to pay workers their salaries and pensioners’ entitlements. “We advise Fayose to brace up for life after government, especially to render accounts of his stewardship to Ekiti people in the last four years and must also be prepared to defend himself over a plethora of criminal cases hanging on his neck.”<br /> <br /> He advised Fayose to accept defeat and be prepared to face the law over his alleged infractions against the law while he was governor instead of launching blackmail against the plan to probe him. Fayemi cautioned EKSU Vice Chancellor, Prof Samuel Oye Bandele, against pandering to the preferences of the governor in the running of the university. He added: “We are aware of the plot to use staff upgrade to create hundreds of vacancies for Fayose’s agents for employment in the face of the dwindling economic fortunes of the university that cannot pay staff salary regularly and where infrastructure has decayed while subvention and capital grants have not been paid for more than a year.<br /> <br /> “We know that the strategy is to create more problems for the incoming administration, more so that the decision to employ more hands was taken after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lost the last governorship election to the All Progressives Congress (APC). “The manner of the ill-motivated appointments lacks merit, coming at the eclipse of Fayose’s administration after failing to recruit staff in the last three years during which time staff were not motivated and infrastructure left to rot away.”

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Buhari reiterates Nigeria’s readiness to assist African countries in distress

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhydi5bbUuJZOSHnJtcdl_-cy5jtDD0YF7QkjVXVpczDH6Ia-eeATHl87yl0azytRaJg4nqwpOd0NfJU66vtP8u_yvG_FpVmv_VRuIEnq_sNQzt-3OT0zs7h5UmeTj9W57E0pT6Ti1k3Q/s1600/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhydi5bbUuJZOSHnJtcdl_-cy5jtDD0YF7QkjVXVpczDH6Ia-eeATHl87yl0azytRaJg4nqwpOd0NfJU66vtP8u_yvG_FpVmv_VRuIEnq_sNQzt-3OT0zs7h5UmeTj9W57E0pT6Ti1k3Q/s320/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>  President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to assist African countries in distress.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> President Buhari stated this When he received the outgoing High Commissioner of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mrs Haja Afsatu Kabba, at the State House, Abuja, on Friday.<br /> <br /> The President said brotherly assistance extended to the West African country during the Ebola epidemic and the recent mudslide natural disaster, was the least Nigeria could do.<br /> <br /> “I congratulate your new President on his election, and believe that our long-standing relationship, which dates back to almost 60 years, will continue to flourish,” he said.<br /> <br /> He wished Kabba, who had spent two years in Nigeria, the best of luck in her next assignment.<br /> <br /> The outgoing High Commissioner expressed gratitude to the government and people of Nigeria for the support granted her and her country.<br /> <br /> She expressed optimism that the good bilateral relations between Nigeria and her country would continue.</div>

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Aspirants withdraw from Osun PDP primary as voting begins

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJRaHEqRZmvq8aB5uZp3YF_fALjvQuoZ0cMp4OUifs9I_wb9xlmEoxDKMJYiOM4NR-mRXhtMrZY1OOUIqnxIDax0pKdULIMB7UXtwuk_PDqbuFXfXNVTf1h2Ge0SSqW-o9uGNFe56b-w/s1600/pdp-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJRaHEqRZmvq8aB5uZp3YF_fALjvQuoZ0cMp4OUifs9I_wb9xlmEoxDKMJYiOM4NR-mRXhtMrZY1OOUIqnxIDax0pKdULIMB7UXtwuk_PDqbuFXfXNVTf1h2Ge0SSqW-o9uGNFe56b-w/s320/pdp-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Some aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State have announced their withdrawal from the governorship primary election of the party shortly before the exercise commenced.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Some of the aspirants who announced their withdrawal from the governorship primary are Professor Adeolu Durotoye;  former Minister of Youth Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Akinlabi and Felix Ogunwale.<br /> <br /> Other aspirants who would also not contest because of their decision to withdraw from the race are: Chief Lere Oyewunmi; former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Adejare Bello; Jide Adeniji and Ayoade Adewopo.<br /> <br /> With the withdrawal, the primary election is now among  Senator Ademola Adeleke; former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade; the Chairman, Mutual Assurance, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi and Mr Nathaniel Oke ( SAN).<br /> <br /> The Chairman of the Osun State PDP Governorship Primary election, Seriake Dickson, who is the Bayelsa State Governor, promised that the primary would be free, fair and credible.<br /> <br /> He said the delegates would pick the most popular aspirant as the flag bearer of the party in the governorship poll holding on September 22, stressing that the panel would not tamper with the wish of the people.<br /> <br /> He said, “This exercise will be free, fair, transparent and credible. The delegates will pick the candidate of the party. We won’t tamper with the wish of the people.”<br /> <br /></div>

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Arsenal to sign Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona on one condition

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhER-RXjI4dWIGZEIEhFnIHIq-jJsQyyXpY4YQhc0CHJaQN1pKgIo-sbIlSM_YGehOGWwuTzO437FE_u5eI4EigWaHTZeyaJoveHRFc5AoW-C3qJd72FLuKOgriVDfLb0qp5I-Eljz64sE/s1600/Ousmane-Dembele.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhER-RXjI4dWIGZEIEhFnIHIq-jJsQyyXpY4YQhc0CHJaQN1pKgIo-sbIlSM_YGehOGWwuTzO437FE_u5eI4EigWaHTZeyaJoveHRFc5AoW-C3qJd72FLuKOgriVDfLb0qp5I-Eljz64sE/s320/Ousmane-Dembele.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Arsenal will sign France youngster, Ousmane Dembele if Barcelona decide to send the forward on loan this summer.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Gunners hope of landing Dembele hinge on the Catalan giants’ decision whether to send the winger on loan.<br /> <br /> Arsenal’s head of recruitment, Sven Mislintat (then at Dortmund) signed Dembele for Dortmund when the winger emerged as one of the most exciting players in Europe with Rennes in France.<br /> <br /> Dortmund could not stop Dembele from joining Barcelona for around £110m in 2017, but the Frenchman had a difficult first season at the Camp Nou.<br /> <br /> Mislintat now believes Dembele is perfect for the Emirates but Barcelona are unwilling to let him leave permanently.<br /> <br /> Football London reports that the only possibility of Arsenal landing the winger this summer is if Barcelona allow him to leave the club on loan.<br /> <br /> Arsenal new manager, Unai Emery has made five signings so far since his appointment at the Emirate Stadium to replace Arsene Wenger.<br /> <br /> <br /></div>

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Super Eagles midfielder, Etebo denies dragging Pinnick to EFCC

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEF2K4sQNN0u24mO7h9sjB6KXJwSvXNFPoSgpo8II3QCOUqRGG94wJ-61JmB5nBzbzZVBzTszx-EBS2ZGIbq3CdfxMOIk-qx5avvH0kADQnRVViGDfo-jMN3ju3Yvklt7dX9qFSaM3Y4/s1600/oghenekaro-etebo-of-nigeria_ydqoxmwi2jktzcwhtcyv85bx.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEF2K4sQNN0u24mO7h9sjB6KXJwSvXNFPoSgpo8II3QCOUqRGG94wJ-61JmB5nBzbzZVBzTszx-EBS2ZGIbq3CdfxMOIk-qx5avvH0kADQnRVViGDfo-jMN3ju3Yvklt7dX9qFSaM3Y4/s320/oghenekaro-etebo-of-nigeria_ydqoxmwi2jktzcwhtcyv85bx.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Super Eagles midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo, has denied that he dragged embattled President of the Nigeria Football Federatio (NFF), before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Etebo insists he is not ready to join “the enemies” in pulling down Pinnick, who is involved in a leadership tussle in the Glass House.<br /> <br /> “My attention was drawn to a newspaper report that myself and Daniel Akpeyi signed a petition against Warri Wolves.<br /> <br /> “My picture was even used in the story, which is totally false and a calculated attempt to drag my name into something I know nothing about.<br /> <br /> “Since I left Warri Wolves, I have never complained about money to anyone, neither did I sign any petition.<br /> <br /> “This story is meant to create distractions and confusion.<br /> <br /> “I don’t want anyone to use my name to create confusion. I want to concentrate on my career.<br /> <br /> “I think they just want to use my name and Akpeyi to score a point, but it is not fair,” Etebo was quoted as saying by The Guardian.<br /> <br /> There were media reports earlier in the week that the midfielder, who recently signed for Stoke City in England, wrote a petition to the EFCC, calling for Pinnick’s head for refusing to pay him and other players after featuring for Warri Wolves FC.<br /> <br /> Pinnick was the head of Delta Sports at the time, calling the shots in the Sports Commission, Warri Wolves FC and Delta FA, when Etebo and Super Eagles goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi featured for the club.</div>

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Osun governorship election, a walk-over for APC – Oshiomhole

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="780" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHuKWAfFUDaDHLa8p8bOODcMlKA1w75QGRh7HmVzpNXVDqDBTsjpgspmwPPT9zkmUUkCjj_duXUqhhirv7tsqGk1511SHU65GgP61o_0IrucbA_opTODw1HgHuGUoIwoXBqAjpHW7sxub/s400/Adams-Oshiomole-Edo-Governor.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has described the forthcoming Osun State governorship election as a walk-over for the party, saying it is confident to emerge victorious.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Oshiohmole told State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Friday, that APC had no political challenges in Osun as the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, was at home with the people.<br /> <br /> According to him, Gov. Aregbesola is a mobiliser, an organiser and an astute politician, capable of winning elections for the party in the state.<br /> <br /> He explained that the party had resolved to adopt direct primaries to elect candidates for the Sept. 22 governorship election in Osun.<br /> <br /> He added that “as for Osun State, we are even much more confident because we have a governor who is at home with his people, a mobiliser, an organiser and an astute politician.<br /> <br /> “We have also decided that in order to give people a more sense of ownership in the electoral process, we will use direct primaries, which means that every card-carrying member of APC will participate in choosing who should fly the party’s flag.<br /> <br /> “The method will give more people a sense of ownership and a sense of commitment to the candidate that they have all chosen.<br /> <br /> “It will also return the party to the grassroots so it can have new sense of renewed ownership, renewed sense of participation and inclusion by itself and a value that will make the actual election easier.<br /> <br /> “So, we are confident that the great people of Osun State will vote for our party because the candidate that will emerge will be the candidate chosen by the party members and not the party oligarchy. That makes a lot of difference.”<br /> <br /> On reported threat of mass defection from the APC, Oshiohmole dismissed the reports, saying it was the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that suffered from mass defection.<br /> <br /> He said: “I think it is something you should ask the PDP. They are the ones who suffered huge, huge mass defection even of the so-called founding fathers.<br /> <br /> “I mean, in those good old days, people like Professor Jerry Gana will tell us, we are the founding fathers.<br /> <br /> “People like President Obasanjo will tell us, you know I was the first President. All of these people are gone.<br /> <br /> “I think the media need to get more engage and scrutinise us, those of us who are political players. When we speak from both sides of the mouth or we are turning the story upside down.<br /> <br /> Just few months back, you know that a good section after their convention, people like Oyederan, Prof. Jerry Gana and a host of others who can be said to founding fathers of that party, they left to form what they call SDP or ADC or both.<br /> <br /> “So, they broke out and then when it dawn on them that even together we defeated them just four years ago, and now further factionalised, what can they do.’’<br /> <br /> He said that members of the opposition were only interested in power not the welfare of Nigerians.<br /> <br /> According to him, the PDP just want to capture power for the sake of power.<br /> <br /> “So they say, even though we have already broken the house, can we for the sake of power come together. Does it make sense?<br /> <br /> “In the morning, you broke away from PDP to SDP and then to ADC.<br /> <br /> “And there is no better proof than that old man who is going round as an organising secretary recruiting people, looking for tired players to continue with a third term agenda which Nigerians have rejected.<br /> <br /> “By whatever form they come in, Nigerians have spoken. They are not going to return to the era where central bank and NNPC security money is shared to people based on PDP philosophy ‘share the money’. We won’t do that, if they have forgotten.<br /> <br /> “It is quite easy for robbers to forget easily the robbery they just did but it is not easy for the victim of the robbery to forget,’’ he said to further buttress his point.<br /> <br /> On the conduct of APC congresses in Imo as directed by the court and the subsequent court injunction, Oshiohmole said he was not aware of any court injunction against the conduct of fresh congresses in the state.<br /> <br /> He said: “There is no stay of execution. A stay of execution is not something that is secret. If anybody has one, he should show it to you.’’

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How we abducted Chibok girls in 2014 — Boko Haram commanders

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JDUYNzMLNh0f8RCHtO4p5Q4XOqKDn9XuL9hqFq6JZzpIChfyvu1AYYynIl70qGMSOmhDxNX3ZHtTm2pOLpfRoQjJUbtGy1medfL0ZMT2CL04WbioKZ4ses7Jq_DI3j8bDC_1b4hROQQ/s1600/Chibok+girls+released.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JDUYNzMLNh0f8RCHtO4p5Q4XOqKDn9XuL9hqFq6JZzpIChfyvu1AYYynIl70qGMSOmhDxNX3ZHtTm2pOLpfRoQjJUbtGy1medfL0ZMT2CL04WbioKZ4ses7Jq_DI3j8bDC_1b4hROQQ/s320/Chibok+girls+released.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Following the recent arrest of 22 members and commanders of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team, IRT, shocking revelations have emerged on the murderous activities of the sect.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It was gathered that three commanders of the Civilian Joint Task Force, an outfit created by the Borno State Government, to assist the Nigeria Military in trailing and arresting members of the sect, were among those arrested by the IRT, for giving out operational information of the military   to members of the sect.<br /> <br /> Eight other suspects also confessed during interrogations that they were part of the group that carried out the April 2014, kidnap of over 200 schoolgirls from a government secondary school, in Chibok area of Borno State.<br /> <br /> When Vanguard interviewed the suspects, some of the commanders, foot soldiers and informants narrated their roles and the various tasks executed for the group.<br /> <br /> Maita Alhaji Modu alias Abu, a   20-year-old Boko Haram commander from Bama Local Government of Borno State,  who was a farmer and had no formal education confessed that he took an active part in the 2014 kidnap of Chibok schoolgirls and he was equally responsible for moving young girls who were used for suicide bombings  from Sambisa Forest into Maiduguri Town.<br /> <br /> He said as  a commander, he had been fighting for the sect since 2011 and assisted the group in taking over several towns, villages. He said he also participated in ambush attacks across the Northeastern states of Nigeria and some parts of Niger, Chad and Cameroon.   He disclosed that the leadership of the group usually paid each fighter the sum of N30,000 after each attack.<br /> <br /> Narrating how the group carried out the April 2014 Chibok school girls attack, he said; “one of our commanders, who received direct orders from our leader, Abubakar Shekau,   Bana Chungori, called out over 100 of us and we all assembled at the   Sambisa Forest.<br /> <br /> He told us that our leader, Shekau had ordered that we should all go to Chibok Local Government and kidnap some school girls at the school. We couldn’t ask questions, because it was a direct order from Shekau and we all mounted our trucks.<br /> <br /> We had five big military trucks, three Toyota Hilux vans and two Isuzu pickup trucks. We left Sambisa Forest around 5pm that evening and arrived the school around 10pm.<br /> <br /> We surrounded the school when we arrived and when we were certain that there would be no resistance, Chungori gave orders that we should all go in and we found the girls running in fear. We kidnapped many of them and took them away in our trucks.<br /> <br /> When we got to the entrance of the Sambisa Forest, Chungori asked all the foot soldiers and other lower commanders including me to leave the truck because he was to take the girls to Shekau, whose camp was deep inside the forest.<br /> <br /> I didn’t see the girls again because I was not close to Shekau, but I was paid the sum of N30,000 on the day of the kidnapping and I was also given the sum of N60,000 after a set of ransom was paid for the release of the girls.”<br /> <br /> Abu also said; “sometime in December 2014, two of our top commanders; Bakura and Ibrahim, ordered me to take two girls with suicide vests to Maiduguri town and supervise them until they had detonated their bombs.<br /> <br /> But each time I got to Maiduguri, I would not go into the Metropolis with them and I would leave them at the outskirt of the town and before you knew it they would have detonated their bombs. The first one they did was at Muna garage and the second was at Dalori which was also on the outskirt of Maiduguri town.<br /> <br /> A member of the group, Adam, who had a taxi in Maiduguri, then called our commander and told him that the suicide bombers I had been bringing in had been unable to enter into the town where they were large crowds of people and since he was a taxi driver, he could always help us locate densely populated areas where people could be killed in larger numbers, if only my commanders would pay him.<br /> <br /> They agreed on N200,000 per mission and each time I took the girls from Sambisa forest, I would   take them to Adam, who would then take the girls into Maiduguri metropolis and after each successful attack, I was the person who used to take his money to him.   My commanders used to pay me between N60,000 to N70, 000 after each operation. I wasn’t doing this because of my Islamic faith, I was just doing this because of the money.” he stated.<br /> <br /> I was paid N200,000 to take suicide bombers to target locations—Mustapher<br /> <br /> 21-year-old Adam Mustapher, a native of Maiduguri told Vanguard that he joined the sect in 2009 when Mohammed Yusuf, its founder was alive, but he didn’t take part in the fight at the beginning, because he was too young. But he said he became attracted to the group in 2014 when he realized people were making money from the group’s activities.<br /> <br /> He also confessed that his job as a member since 2014 was to take young girls being used for suicide bombings to their target locations and he normally earned N200,000 for each operation; “I attended only an Islamic school and I didn’t complete my education.   I am a taxi driver and I have been in the business in the last four years.   I joined the Boko Haram Sect in the year 2009 when the founder Mohammed Yusuf was still alive.<br /> <br /> I used to pray with the sect in their mosque but I didn’t join in the fight from the beginning, I went underground. But I rejoined the group four years ago when one Ibrahim, a member of the group approached me with the idea of buying stolen cows and other livestock from the group, which I would sell in Maiduguri.<br /> <br /> I made so much money from the business, but that my friend Ibrahim was later killed during an encounter with some soldiers. I bought a vehicle with the money I made and the group then gave me a new assignment which was for me to always convey suicide bombers, who were mainly young girls, from the Sambisa forest, with their suicide vests to their target locations.<br /> <br /> The person   who normally took the girls from   Sambisa forest to Muma Garage in Maiduguri, where I would pick them up, was one Abu, who has also been arrested.  Sometimes I got instruction from Sambisa forest on where the suicide bombers would attack and where there was none I would take them to any area where I felt the casualty figure would be very high.<br /> <br /> But my targets were usually densely populated areas and before I received the girls from Abu, I normally drove round the town to find areas that were populated.<br /> <br /> I took the suicide bombers to several places such as Post Office area of Maiduguri, where they carried out attacks, I also took them twice to Baga Road, Monday market, 33 Army barracks, and several other places where so many people lost their lives during the attack.  I was usually paid N200,000 after each successful mission.<br /> <br /> My last mission was on the 10th  of May 2018 in an operation we carried out at 33, Army Barracks in Maiduguri.     In one of my operations on Baga Road, one of my younger brothers was killed during the suicide bomb attacks, I felt very bad about the incident and I wanted to quit but I couldn’t because the money they promised me was tempting.   But I regret everything I have done now. I don’t know how the police learnt about me, I was in my house when they came and arrested me.”<br /> <br /> I supplied food items, sold diamonds for   Boko Haram—Mala<br /> <br /> One of the group’s logistic suppliers, 48-year-old Ibrahim Mala, a native of Goza local Government area of Borno State, said as a security man at a petrol station, he earned just N5,000 monthly which made him to join the group.  “ I am a member of Boko Haram and I am one of the group’s logistic suppliers.<br /> <br /> I met the group through one Arramma, who brought one Abu to me and they asked me to buy some stolen rams and goats from them. I bought the livestock for N22,000 and then they told me that they were members of the Boko Haram.<br /> <br /> They then requested me to be their supplier.   Sometimes they brought money to me from the Sambia forest to help them buy food items and other things they would need and after buying the items, I would keep them in my house and call them on the phone to come and pick up the items.<br /> <br /> They would then come at night to carry the items.   They usually paid me the sum of N100,000 on each trip. But in the month March they brought some diamonds for me to sell for them and they also linked me to one Alhaji Talba Gonie, who resided at Zageri Ward, on Baga Road, who they said knew how to sell the diamonds.<br /> <br /> After selling the diamonds, Alahjai Talba Gonie would hand over the money to me and the sect members would instruct me on what they needed me to buy for them with some of the money after which they would come and pick them and the balance of their money. I sold the diamonds for them on five occasions and they rewarded me handsomely, but I don’t know where they got the diamonds from. I bought a land with the money I made from my dealings with the group.<br /> <br /> But I am regretting my actions because I was once a Boko Haram victim as they killed my uncle and his son, when they attacked my village in 2014 but the money they offered to pay me if I became their supplier was so tempting. Even my wife wasn’t happy that I joined the group but there was nothing she could do about it”, he lamented.<br /> <br /> Mohammed Bashiri, 34-year-old member of the civilian JTF, which was set up to work against the Boko Haram sect, said he opted to work for the sect, because he was not earning any money as a Civilian JTF but the sect was ready to pay him for information he passed across to them.<br /> <br /> According to him,  “I was part of the group that formed civilian JTF in 2012, and I also joined the military in fighting against the sect, but the government was not paying me then and I was forced to join Boko Haram.   It was one Adam who lured me into the group and I became his informant.<br /> <br /> I used my position as a civilian JTF to pass information to him and whenever he wanted to take supplies to Boko Haram in Sambisa forest, he would need me to give him information about movement of military men.<br /> <br /> He used to pay me N10,000 on each information I gave to him and he promised that the group would soon reward me handsomely.</div>

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Ohanaeze, others back South-East senators’ protest against Buhari’s appointments

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAjdqyWKsCpoKRMtTGSNkByCijmX_NnpfbcWh95JjjVsZIiRU-tPH2iTnIchmMcPzzk0OiEY4Mnyua8DqDLJBfWvUDhXfvyhzHFc7ZPWnP9GlBLekmiSoczG2cX9ASjTKkdFLu-u6SWk/s1600/Ohaneze+Ndigbo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAjdqyWKsCpoKRMtTGSNkByCijmX_NnpfbcWh95JjjVsZIiRU-tPH2iTnIchmMcPzzk0OiEY4Mnyua8DqDLJBfWvUDhXfvyhzHFc7ZPWnP9GlBLekmiSoczG2cX9ASjTKkdFLu-u6SWk/s320/Ohaneze+Ndigbo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Some South-East groups have thrown their weight behind the South-East Senate Caucus’ protest against the “lopsided” appointments by President Muhammadu Buhari.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The groups, in separate interviews with our correspondent in Enugu, include the apex socio-political body of the Igbo, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra and Southern Nigeria Forum.<br /> <br /> The Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mr. Chuks Ibegbu, said the senators did the right thing, saying the President wasn’t making any effort to win the confidence of the Igbo.<br /> <br /> He said, “The senators are right; the appointments made by the President are indeed lopsided, with the Igbo being particularly marginalised. So, as people who were elected to protect the interest of their people at the National Assembly, they did what was expected of them.<br /> <br /> “Relevant constitutional provisions are very clear on the need for fairness, equity and justice in all national affairs, including federal appointments, but unfortunately the Buhari administration has ignored these provisions. He is the President of Nigeria, not the President of the North or the President of Daura in Katsina State.”<br /> <br /> Also, the Country (Nigeria) Director of the Southern Nigeria Forum, a socio-political pressure group, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha, commended the step taken by the lawmakers, adding that they should also stage a walk-out on the floor of the National Assembly if the President continued to marginalise the Igbo in future appointments.<br /> <br /> He said, “Mr. President has been defying the principle of federal character with reckless abandon since he came into office and we feel his attitude is becoming dictatorial. The courageous protest by the senators was long overdue and we encourage them to go further to stage a walk-out on the floor of the National Assembly if need be.<br /> <br /> “This reckless nepotistic impunity must stop; else our democracy will be classified as a pseudo-military democracy.”<br /> <br /> Although it also commended the action of the South-East senators, MASSOB alleged that Buhari would continue to marginalise the Igbo in his appointments due to his “deep hatred of Ndigbo.”<br /> <br /></div>

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Osinbajo orders 72-hour operation to clear Apapa gridlock

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3DE9wSszXcmCvV33T4dAFla0oV1ZRovVCeD3hyphenhyphen-sFDVTUo3szD4aP62iWEpdl1kL-NOlVyYWPJ1u-Y0LIwKkOGyF62iCEWQunOuRs4CFLfc5F032RyXZUNlLRoecyLHgEZvVoH7rFUU/s1600/yemi+osinbajo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3DE9wSszXcmCvV33T4dAFla0oV1ZRovVCeD3hyphenhyphen-sFDVTUo3szD4aP62iWEpdl1kL-NOlVyYWPJ1u-Y0LIwKkOGyF62iCEWQunOuRs4CFLfc5F032RyXZUNlLRoecyLHgEZvVoH7rFUU/s320/yemi+osinbajo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has ordered a 72-hour joint operation to clear the gridlock around the Apapa Expressway caused by stationary trailers.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The situation had made movement in and around the axis difficult for many road users in recent days.<br /> <br /> Osinbajo, who made an unscheduled visit to the area on Friday to assess the situation, directed relevant government agencies to immediately embark on the decongestion of the popular road, leading to the Apapa seaport.<br /> <br /> The vice president arrived in the area in a chopper and was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and senior naval and police officers.<br /> <br /></div>

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Ekiti election: Vote-buying as bad as rigging - UK

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxonhJgQbxKfLKlpXMtET7piitXjbdrtVbXBw6yS7S6OL0bNMHPckTX_0TUhFnMuXz_bztuuU_szB0N9ylMq47-y5O-VW3LmSZOqEQN1J08x_Uu_22ksp4OKpO31FBv1DSM7ckgW370A/s1600/voting.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxonhJgQbxKfLKlpXMtET7piitXjbdrtVbXBw6yS7S6OL0bNMHPckTX_0TUhFnMuXz_bztuuU_szB0N9ylMq47-y5O-VW3LmSZOqEQN1J08x_Uu_22ksp4OKpO31FBv1DSM7ckgW370A/s320/voting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The British Government has condemned vote-buying, which was rampant in the recent Ekiti State governorship election.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, described vote-buying as a form of electoral misconduct like rigging and ballot stuffing, while addressing journalists shortly after a meeting with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in Abuja on Friday.<br /> <br /> He said, “I was there in Ekiti to monitor elections and I heard a lot of reports of alleged vote buying and we are convinced that some vote buying went on. I condemn it. Vote buying is illegal; it is against the law, it is just as vote rigging, it is just as bad as ballot stuffing.<br /> <br /> “We cannot make a distinction when all these activities are illegal so I condemn that. What are we going to do about it? Well we just had a meeting with the chairman of INEC, we have been talking about public awareness and how the political parties themselves can take responsibility for condemning this action and not continuing it.<br /> <br /> “We do hope that 2019 will be free, fair, credible and of course, peaceful elections.”<br /> <br /> The British envoy, however, commended INEC for the conduct of elections in recent times, saying the UK government had faith in INEC and its leadership.<br /> <br />  Arkwright also said the UK and United States governments had pledged $60m (N21.6bn) to voter education in Nigeria for the next six years.<br /> <br /> He added, “I think the election process itself went well, the materials were there, the security forces kept their distance and did manage to keep a peaceful election and we are seeing progress in how INEC is carrying out each election. So, we have confidence in INEC and the chairman.<br /> <br /> “The UK has been a very strong supporter of INEC and together with the USAID, we are spending about $60m over a six-year period in support of deepening democracy in Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> In his remarks, the Department for International Development Secretary of State, Penny Maudaunt, advised security agencies to be neutral in conduct even as the 2019 general elections approach.<br /> <br /> Maudaunt said, “Though the elections were largely peaceful and results widely endorsed by stakeholders, vote buying by both the main political parties was widely criticised.<br /> <br /> “There is time to tackle some of the challenges noted before next year’s elections. But INEC will not be able to solve all electoral problems on its own. Everyone in society has a role to play and a contribution to make.<br /> <br /> “Political parties must respect a code of conduct adhering to the highest standards. We encourage security agencies to remain visibly neutral and ensure a safe and secure environment for the electorate.”<br /> <br /></div>

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BREAKING: Fire razes Terminus market in Jos

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpZwmYGvcqC5u42s4dRH-mIx9rkn0hwJbwFPEqcOuEx2Z73HN0tinWgmtGumDBoXhaZOAn4SqQOHJmf0DA_Vc2O7ebG7XswVRNo25igM-l0ic7_-6ahTPPrHPiFwahUP6Xn_2j3kCEX0/s1600/fire.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpZwmYGvcqC5u42s4dRH-mIx9rkn0hwJbwFPEqcOuEx2Z73HN0tinWgmtGumDBoXhaZOAn4SqQOHJmf0DA_Vc2O7ebG7XswVRNo25igM-l0ic7_-6ahTPPrHPiFwahUP6Xn_2j3kCEX0/s400/fire.jpg" /></a></div> Traders from different ethnic nationalities on Saturday morning broke down in tears following a fire outbreak which gutted the popular Terminus Market in Jos.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The market which is mostly populated by Igbo businessmen was said to have been destroyed some years ago following a bomb explosion which was allegedly linked with the Boko Haram Islamic sect.<br /> During the latest fire incident which was said to have started last night, several warehouses were burnt to ashes.<br /> <br /> The total amount of money lost to the incident could not be ascertained as of the time of this report.The spokesperson of Plateau State Police Command, Matthias Tyopev, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the fire incident in an interview with newsmen.<br /> <br /> He said, “Yes, there was a fire incident at the popular Terminus market in Jos. Goods and warehouses were destroyed. The Plateau State Commissioner of Police (Undie Adie), and chairman of Jos North Local Government Area were there to ascertain the level of damage and you will get the details from me later.<br /> <br /> “For now, we can’t estimate the total amount lost because of the fire because so many people were involved; the money lost unquantifiable because the fire incident was very severe.”</div>

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Obasanjo to Nigerian women - Free yourselves from ‘the other room’

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="727" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1ICLx39Jx_CWBTiK3QEF5pxNgRPN_r_3_pr9CTjtrHXA2H3516l_7Dkrhev3XmBWPHiaxL5ALWjEqGYqrIckMWlT7e8WgsV43aLeAAzcz6krRtI9-B3FIEGtknvMU7oHqjfZQdihbps6/s640/Olusegun-Obasanjo+obj.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> Former president Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday in Ibadan charged Nigerian women to fight for their political and economic relevance instead of accepting to be confined to the other room.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Obasanjo spoke on the topic, ‘My understanding of women aspiration in business and politics’ at an event organised by Initiative for Information, Arts and Culture Development in Nigeria and The American Corner, Ibadan.<br /> <br /> At the programme, which was held in support of women’s participation in government, political processes and the work place, Obasanjo said it was a huge shame that no woman was among the 50 people that drew the Nigerian constitution. He said he encouraged women to join politics by ensuring that nine women were chosen to serve in his cabinet when he was the president.<br /> <br /> He pointed out that Nigeria was ranked far below South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and Mauritania among countries that encouraged women in politics.<br /> <br /> He said, “No longer should our women allow themselves to be consigned only to the ‘other room’ and the kitchen. In 2017, according to the United Nations, gender inequality cost Africa $95bn. That is tremendous waste. We cannot continue heaping up waste and expect that we will not maintain our poor record of being the world’s poverty headquarters. The starting point is girl child education. Child marriage must be made unlawful.”<br /> <br /> He said women should make definite efforts to fight for their place in politics and economy, as women and children are usually the direct and indirect victims of poor leadership. He said men would not relinquish their position willingly.<br /> <br /> The Public Affairs Officer at the United States Consulate, Lagos, Ms. Darcy Zotter, had earlier called on Nigerian women to trigger the agent of 21st century positive change in them by increasing their political awareness and challenging men for political space.<br /> <br /> “You don’t have to be a superwoman, you have a vote and you can be the 21st century change maker,” she added.

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World Cup: Stranded Nigerians in Russia arrive Abuja

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpYc86ig5MWG2quaDeiSD7NUmBUToSdIwDkWybcvqnGR8cgmSLsdY_dYAMMdPAn5ftLexfj3cqCg1xqU_KPRinh4p0T-Fb09KfC0-1iJvVRDab2EFEziUsM3PrDuivqBI5gFEcgMH2TSv/s1600/Pic.28.-155-stranded-Nigerians-in-Russia-arrive-Abuja-e1532129247480-768x409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="768" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpYc86ig5MWG2quaDeiSD7NUmBUToSdIwDkWybcvqnGR8cgmSLsdY_dYAMMdPAn5ftLexfj3cqCg1xqU_KPRinh4p0T-Fb09KfC0-1iJvVRDab2EFEziUsM3PrDuivqBI5gFEcgMH2TSv/s640/Pic.28.-155-stranded-Nigerians-in-Russia-arrive-Abuja-e1532129247480-768x409.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBsx8frISDEIHhjSSAhCtDKZquNJSUXSGH969_FDS44c-NAuF3KqzeEYa-qy5cnhVbl2t-PPREGwlmG3Z7jrnP1lC8jo0pRBRobPJNLeXS10sA27taSp-m3jxIhzq9sKKTtGI6N4QfPhW/s1600/stranded+nigerians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="650" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBsx8frISDEIHhjSSAhCtDKZquNJSUXSGH969_FDS44c-NAuF3KqzeEYa-qy5cnhVbl2t-PPREGwlmG3Z7jrnP1lC8jo0pRBRobPJNLeXS10sA27taSp-m3jxIhzq9sKKTtGI6N4QfPhW/s640/stranded+nigerians.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br /> A nursing mother and 154 out of 230 Nigerian football fans stranded in Russia after the 2018 FIFA World Cup arrived the country on Friday night.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The stranded football fans including a nursing mother in her mid thirties came through Ethiopian Airline flight number ET-ALP that arrived Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja at about 9.12 p.m on July 20.<br /> <br /> The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, who was at the airport to monitor their arrival, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s effort to ensure their safe return.<br /> <br /> He said that that the President directed that Nigerians, who were stranded in Russia after the 2018 World Cup tournament, should be evacuated immediately.<br /> <br /> According to him, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been monitoring the process of the evacuation, which is under the coordination of the Mission of Nigeria in Moscow.<br /> <br /> He said that 155 stranded Nigerians were cleared to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to Abuja.<br /> <br /> ”The aircraft departed Domodedovo Airport in Moscow with the stranded Nigerians in the afternoon and arrived in Abuja this evening.<br /> <br /> Onyeama said he had been working very closely with the Minister of State for Aviation following President Buhari’s directive on the exercise.<br /> <br /> Some Nigerian football fans who were stranded had besieged the Embassy of Nigeria in Moscow on July 12.<br /> <br /> ”They were among the fans who travelled to the Russian Federation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Tournament and were stranded after the events due to lack of funds for their upkeep.”<br /> The minister explained that there was also an allegation that some airline travel agents cancelled return tickets of their customers without informing them.<br /> <br /> He said President Buhari, however, gave the directive that they should be evacuated with immediate effect at the expense of the government.<br /> Onyeama commended the good gesture of Mr President, saying those stranded were never part of government delegates to Russia.<br /> <br /> According to him, the Nigerian Mission had been supportive by making arrangements for the feeding and accommodation of the stranded Nigerians in hostels around Moscow.<br /> <br /> One of the returnees, Bamidele Fatai was full of praises to President Buhari for making their journey possible.<br /> <br /> He also thanked the Nigerian Mission in Moscow for giving them necessary support.<br /> <br /> Another returnee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was swindled by an agent who cancelled his return ticket.<br /> <br /> He said he was in Moscow to support the Nigerian Football Team and to catch fun only to discover that his ticket had been cancelled when he was ready to return home.

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Dino Melaye suspends inauguration of projects

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="640" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUnBigic-nFxxrO0p-pP9H6MZseJjiI9yt1FFA500UBhMqrlfMDCWVOuDt3GcA8Ot6DVENgA0tMAXnHfJUGo2IHjt39vJ7DYu3EqN3_QduEURMbv9b9NXc9ypZuTGWKORvksuFh0vnvo-/s400/Dino-Melaye.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> <br /> Citing security reasons, embattled Sen. Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi West), has suspended the inauguration of his constituency projects.<br /> <br /> He also on Friday announced he had put on hold, the planned thanksgiving service to thank God for surviving alleged attacks.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Melaye said this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Gideon Ayodele, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja.<br /> <br /> He said the tour of his constituency and inauguration of projects which commenced on July 18, was marred by violence.<br /> <br /> “You would recall that several weeks ago I announced plan to tour my Kogi West senatorial district and as well use the opportunity to commission numerous projects I facilitated for my constituents in different locations.<br /> <br /> “The inauguration of projects started on Wednesday, July 18, despite the unwarranted arson on two schools in Lokoja Local Government area, which can only be the handiwork of my political enemies.<br /> <br /> “It has become necessary to put out this statement in the face of Thursday’s unprovoked Police assault on my entourage while returning from Yagba Federal Constituency where I went to commission my constiuency projects,” he said.<br /> <br /> Melaye added that all the programmes were expected to culminate in a Grand Finale/Thanksgiving Service on Saturday in his hometown, Aiyetoro-Gbede.<br /> <br /> The senator, however, said that all the programmes would have to be put on hold in view of concerns arising from the security situation.<br /> <br /> He apologised to his constituents and invited guests for the inconveniences the development might cause them.<br /> <br /> “This is however a painstaking decision for me in order to safeguard precious lives and property of peace-loving people of Kogi West,” he said.<br /> <br /> On Thursday, the Kogi State Police Command has summoned Senator Dino Melaye to report at the State Criminal and Investigation Department after his armed guards fired on a team of policemen on patrol duties in the state.<br /> <br /> A police sergeant was the victim of the shooting, the police said and is recuperating in the hospital.<br /> <br /> The Kogi Police Command asked Melaye to report at the SCIID office in the state capital, in the company of his armed guards, as investigation began on the shooting.<br /> <br /> According to the police, their statement, signed by DSP William Ovye Aya, the PRO, was partly to refute Melaye’s allegation that he was shot at by the police.<br /> <br /> On the contrary, the police said that Melaye’s guards opened fire first, with the police responding. (NAN)

Latest-News Dino Melaye suspends inauguration of projects

Citing security reasons, embattled Sen. Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi West), has suspended the inauguration of his constituency projects. He al...

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2019: Reasons why I announced my re-election bid early – Buhari

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje785gw-IgdK9gNo5FLWaWpdUYPsJcux4KgMcZeT65ustxPLaFdWrJlmq08A64pWt3uWTv5EGlARvLDneiXaTYYkEW_KnwXCpoBX6493hef9RNr-yiA0PYtUvFl-q-UyLTt8-TrOhFUtL1/s1600/buhari+%25281%2529+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="500" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje785gw-IgdK9gNo5FLWaWpdUYPsJcux4KgMcZeT65ustxPLaFdWrJlmq08A64pWt3uWTv5EGlARvLDneiXaTYYkEW_KnwXCpoBX6493hef9RNr-yiA0PYtUvFl-q-UyLTt8-TrOhFUtL1/s320/buhari+%25281%2529+smile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said he decided to announce his desire to seek re-election early enough in April in order to ease tension.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Buhari said this while receiving members of the Buhari Support Group Centre at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br /> <br /> He thanked members of the group for consistently standing by him over the years without getting any reward.<br /> <br /> Buhari said, “I had to announce before the National Executive Committee my intention to ask for the party’s nomination for next year’s elections so that we can save a lot of time and calm nerves.<br /> <br /> “A lot of people were trying to make it a habit of being a nuisance to themselves and to many Nigerians.<br /> <br /> “So, when I announced my intention, I said okay, let those who are serious come out and I tried to make sure that the party is reorganised and consolidated.<br /> <br /> “This is so that we can start from bottom to top, so that Nigerians will be involved and that each constituency will pick those it wants to represent it at the various levels, whether in the local governments, state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and finally, the Presidency itself.<br /> <br /> “With this participation, some of the people who are educated and sophisticated have said to those who have got the money, bring the money, but we will still do what we want to do.”<br /> <br /> Buhari said having contested the presidential election four times before eventually winning at the last attempt, he was familiar with happenings in different constituencies.<br /> <br /> He reiterated that his failure in the previous three attempts was a result of people sitting down somewhere and writing election results and asking those aggrieved to go to court.<br /> <br /> Lauding the introduction of the technology, which he said assisted in his victory at the last election, he called on the BSGC to encourage Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards.<br /> <br /> The President added, “Thank God that technology has come in. With PVCs, with the card reader, wherever you register, it will show whether you voted or not. That is why voter education is very important.<br /> <br /> “Tell people to take pride in their PVCs, let them keep it and use it. This is an additional assignment for your group.<br /> <br /> “I have been talking to the governors, urging them to carry out voter education. It may not favour them, but people will eventually understand it whether they tell the truth or not, people will do what they feel is right.”<br /> <br /> The Chairman of the BSGC, Umaru Dembo, said members of the group saw Buhari as a leader who had sacrificed his life for the well-being of the common man in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “All of us and various groups attached to us will convey in various forms the successes of your government in the last three years to others,” he said.<br /> <br /> He assured Buhari of their commitment to his re-election in 2019.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the President on Friday said it was a thing of joy for the country to lend a helping hand to any African country in distress.<br /> <br /> According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari spoke while receiving the outgoing High Commissioner of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Haja Kabba, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br /> <br /> The President said brotherly assistance extended to the West African country during the Ebola epidemic and the recent mudslide natural disaster was the least Nigeria could do.<br /> <br /> The President wished Kabba, who had spent two years in Nigeria, the best of luck in her next assignment.

Latest-News 2019: Reasons why I announced my re-election bid early – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said he decided to announce his desire to seek re-election early enough in April in order to ease ten...

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Ignore crocodile tears of selfish leaders - Presidency to Nigerians

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqZOdCsRNZvWaLMn1ZtE_BSXs8EG1XktLhpqK-jUdcMWUgtVaytaWkj4zbkBH6JF_JSnQYwECybEjXXrMYnGfjihTD6u5gArc3zEmz8wsI0vg43kRTqFPPTHBxzzWXnp6mGQbb0kRxPum/s1600/Garba-Shehu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="640" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqZOdCsRNZvWaLMn1ZtE_BSXs8EG1XktLhpqK-jUdcMWUgtVaytaWkj4zbkBH6JF_JSnQYwECybEjXXrMYnGfjihTD6u5gArc3zEmz8wsI0vg43kRTqFPPTHBxzzWXnp6mGQbb0kRxPum/s320/Garba-Shehu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Presidency on Friday urged Nigerians to ignore tears being shed by some selfish leaders in the country.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the Presidency considered a communiqué issued by some ethnic and sectional groups assembled in Abuja recently as the shedding of crocodile tears by selfish leaders, who felt alienated after a transparent and accountable system halted their disproportionate survival on resources of the state.<br /> <br /> He said “The communiqué issued by the leaders of some socio-cultural organizations led by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and some ethnic and sectional groups had accused the Muhammadu Buhari administration of incompetence in handling the security situation in the country.<br /> <br /> “The Presidency urges Nigerians to ignore the unholy alliance by these groups who are stepping up their assault on the All Progressives Congress administration as it expands its national dominance and moves closer to securing an outright victory in the elections next year.<br /> <br /> “The Presidency notes with dismay that the refrain about President Buhari not doing anything about security in the country had turned into the number one fake news item being peddled in the media.<br /> <br /> Read Also: Presidency releases timeline steps against insecurity<br /> “The Presidency refers all the purveyors of falsehood to a State House press release published a few days ago and signed by Special Adviser the President, Femi Adesina, which clearly outlined the government’s major achievements and initiatives in tackling security challenges from January to July, 2018.<br /> <br /> “The press release which was titled: “Combating Insecurity in the Country: Lest We Forget – Presidency’’ listed out on going security operations: (1) Nigerian Army’s Exercise Ayem Akpatuma covering Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States launched in February to tackle cases of kidnappings, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, among others; (2) Nigerian Air Force establishment of three new Quick Response Wings (QRW) in Taraba, Nasarawa and Benue States respectively, and deployment of Special Forces personnel.”<br /> <br /> He said that the press release also noted President Buhari’s approval for the establishment of a new Battalion of the Nigerian Army, as well as a new Police Area Command, in Birnin Gwari Local Council in Kaduna State, as part of measures to scale up security in response to the banditry affecting the area.<br /> <br /> “We advise Nigerians to read Adesina’s statement if they haven’t yet, or re-read it for better understanding of the efforts to ensure peace in the country.<br /> <br /> “It is sad and misleading for anyone to say that President Buhari had not responded to the security challenges in the country<br /> <br /> “No one can honestly say that President Buhari is doing nothing about security. It’s just a fake news item being peddled by selfish politicians with vested interests in keeping Nigerians incensed, and it risks being entrenched as reality if we don’t educate ourselves with the truth.” he stated

Latest-News Ignore crocodile tears of selfish leaders - Presidency to Nigerians

The Presidency on Friday urged Nigerians to ignore tears being shed by some selfish leaders in the country. In a statement by the Seni...

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VP Osinbajo orders 72-hour joint operation to clear Apapa traffic gridlock

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="700" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CpHgfCPQNssnk8APQzbWifIcu19P9iPmmQ6-RsXYWI8NPrDTBk9x17pYxpp4PVZ8dubLjkzHREzjkBkP6vRxWD7GuW3T215G2Fr2cxsTZn0dt1ZhEM7BvJPSSoW11Ork-LlhyNdiMgHK/s640/Osinbajo-1.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday directed security agencies and relevant bodies to commence a 72-hour joint operation to restore order around Apapa and environs with a view to easing vehicular movement in that part of Lagos.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Trailers parked indiscriminately over a long stretch of the Apapa/Oshodi expressway have been causing massive traffic gridlock on the road for several days now.<br /> <br /> Osinbajo who made an unscheduled visit to the road to personally assess the situation also asked relevant government agencies to speed up decongestion of the Apapa ports.<br /> <br /> Involved in the 72 hour joint operation are the Police, Navy, Army, Air Force, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).<br /> <br /> The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), LASEMA, Container truck drivers, National Association of Road Transport Owners, NUPENG, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria are also joining in the operation.<br /> <br /> The vice president was flown in a Navy chopper,first to Tin Can Island park.<br /> <br /> He was accompanied by Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi and senior Naval and Police officers.<br /> <br /> He walked close to the traffic to see the situation for himself and then proceeded to the Five Star Berth at the NPA where he met with relevant officials and security officers.

Latest-News VP Osinbajo orders 72-hour joint operation to clear Apapa traffic gridlock

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday directed security agencies and relevant bodies to commence a 72-hour joint operation to restore ord...

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Ekiti election: Apostle Sulaiman under attack over failed prophesy

<b><br /></b><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="667" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ew1QcEzZulm8t3pDyoWthdOE_zEJ6lTQFqtqPfEZxLN6qiMJm6AKZzXO7-r9jujc6ritOrsZ8Uwc5uGudgZuNek_xPjBIBwYj98bVeRKHG5b2JX6UCF5KoSTY1m5RDvi1dBUVpjOQbyy/s640/Apostle-Johnson-Suleman-31296591o46hhny7kx651m.jpg" width="640" /></div> <b><br /></b><b>Over the years, the controversial Apostle Johnson Sulaiman has not ceased to curry controversy through his remarks on socio-political issues and prophesies.</b><br /> <br /> First, in the wake of the controversial anti-preaching bill in Kaduna State in April 2016, the founder of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide had a spat with Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, calling him out for initiating such law.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> So hot was the spat that the lanky clergy ‘predicted’ El-Rufai’s death.<br /> <br /> Not given to such intimidation, Governor El-Rufai dared the cleric to declare the exact day he (governor) would die.<br /> <br /> “Of course, I will die. But if that apostle is truly an apostle, he should mention the day I will die,” El-Rufai was quoted as saying in an interview.<br /> <br /> Sulaiman’s response was, however, short of public expectation of the reinforcement of his ‘prophesy’ when he said: “The man (El-Rufai) said I should give him the date of his death. You are dead already, ask for the date of your burial. I don’t give dates for death, but I can give (the) date of your burial.”<br /> <br /> Next, an attempt made by the Department of State Service (DSS) to arrest Sulaiman on January 24, 2018, during a two-day crusade in Ado-Ekiti, was foiled in a dramatic manner by Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, whose aversion to President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency is not hidden.<br /> <br /> The botched arrest of Sulaiman followed a statement credited to him in which he asked members of his church in Auchi, Edo State to resist killings by suspected herdsmen and alleged plot by Buhari to Islamise the country.<br /> <br /> Fayose, who had participated in the opening day of the crusade, stormed the hotel where the clergyman was lodged with his security men and prevented DSS operatives from arresting Sulaiman.<br /> <br /> Like the proverbial tortoise in Nigerian folklore, Apostle Sulaiman again in May this year went prophetic on the recently concluded Ekiti governorship election as though he was in direct contact with God, saying: ”God told me expressly that APC is finished in Nigeria and you see how God will disgrace them in Ekiti.” With a dose of finality, he added: “They will lose heavily.”<br /> <br /> With the turn of events during the Ekiti governorship election, where the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) standard bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi trounced PDP’s candidate, Prof. Olusola Eleka, garnering 197,459 votes as against Olusola’s 178,114 to emerge as governor-elect, Sulaiman attempted to rationalise his blunder in a Twitter message/video he posted on July 16.<br /> <br /> Claiming that the video containing his prediction was done long before the election, he said: “That video making the rounds was done three weeks ago, before the Ekiti election. I gave a prophecy about Ekiti that I saw PDP taking over, but if PDP in that state do not take care, they will lose it because I saw people gathering to pray against it.”<br /> <br /> But the pastor’s remarks on his failed prophesy did not go down well with many Nigerians who immediately called him out on online news sites as well as the social media.<br /> <br /> A social media user, Solomon Lemoro, said: “Face saving! It won’t work. You didn’t see anything ab initio.”<br /> <br /> “Come see wayo Pastor, said another respondent, Abdullahi Umar Palladan, who chose to write in pidgin.<br /> <br /> George Okon on his part wrote: “Doesn’t it feel good when naysayers are made to eat their words for discrediting a honest government like President Buhari’s? Who God has blessed, no one can curse. Positive predictions about Buhari all the way from now.”<br /> <br /> Yet another commentator, Wyclef Nzavi, wrote: “No, buddy. You can’t give two possible outcomes and claim it to be prophetic. It’s either a win or a loss, not a game of chances.”

Latest-News Ekiti election: Apostle Sulaiman under attack over failed prophesy

Over the years, the controversial Apostle Johnson Sulaiman has not ceased to curry controversy through his remarks on socio-political issu...

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APC, Buhari beg Saraki not to defect to PDP

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="400" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOsoA3iL5n-qN4Hwc4aSLO1l50X9InnCUGd0PVUKZaaEq47L7FoGpwOZNustE3fAEMivh1n6s_xuR_kxh-2QwIvbNt_qfs8w9RnDrdDt6JaPVplQeb7-ZYERZ1TEL3V9uVhcdsLVcDy3t/s640/saraki+q.png" width="640" /></div> <b><br /></b><b>There were strong indications that President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress and governors are considering juicy offers for the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to prevent his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).</b><br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It was learnt that some prominent leaders of the party, especially the coordinator of the reconciliation initiative, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, might be involved in the negotiation with Saraki.<br /> <br /> Tinubu was said to have been briefed about the President’s interaction with Saraki and others.<br /> <br /> But Saraki, who bowed well for the President after a meeting at the Presidential Villa, was frank in expressing his mind.<br /> <br /> He said he felt humiliated by the party he co-founded and the government he jointly put in place with others.<br /> <br /> He was solemn in expressing his disappointment to the President and some APC governors.<br /> <br /> Investigation conducted by our correspondent revealed that the President and some APC governors met with the Senate President as a follow-up to the talks with New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) caucus of APC being coordinated in the past few months by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.<br /> <br /> It was gathered that most APC leaders, governors and other members were unhappy that the party was on the verge of losing Saraki to PDP.<br /> <br /> They believed that the defection of such a “political heavyweight” to the opposition might affect cohesion in APC for the 2019 poll.<br /> <br /> The consequences of a depleted APC impelled some governors and party leaders to broker understanding between the President and Saraki.<br /> <br /> A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “At least, for the first time, there was a frank session between the President and Saraki.<br /> <br /> “He expressed disappointment with his humiliation by the government he fought hard to put in place.<br /> <br /> “We were all sober while he relived his travails, because none of us would pray to be in such a situation.<br /> <br /> “We understood with him but we felt it was time to forgive and forget in order to move forward.<br /> <br /> “As part of preventing Saraki’s defection, we may offer him juicy terms including:<br /> <br /> <br /> <ul> <li><b>Automatic return as the President of the Senate in 2019</b></li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>More consultation and inclusiveness in key decisions henceforth</b></li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Mutual Executive-Legislature relationship</b></li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Revisiting all issues raised by nPDP Caucus which formed the basis of talks in the past few months</b></li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Reconciling with all aggrieved leaders of nPDP</b></li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Avoiding a repeat of past mistakes which led to his humiliation</b></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> “We also appeal to Saraki to shelve moves to defect to PDP or any other party. We agreed that he has a better stake in APC than any other party.”<br /> <br /> Asked if Saraki made any commitment, the source added: “There was none yet, but the atmosphere was cordial and hopeful.<br /> <br /> “After the meeting, he even bowed well to the President.<br /> <br /> “The session was the climax of talks in the past few months. As one of our leaders, we leave the final decision to Saraki to take.<br /> <br /> “But one thing was clear from Saraki: he will want all commitments put into writing and documented in case of any breach in the future.<br /> <br /> “To some of us who have been wooing him, such a demand is in order. It is a case of once bitten, twice shy.”<br /> <br /> Responding to a question, the source said: “The final stage of talks with Saraki will still involve some of our leaders, like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who is coordinating the reconciliation in the party.<br /> <br /> “In fact, Tinubu has been briefed on the outcome of the meeting at the Villa and why he has to play a key role too.”<br /> <br /> Some of the major complaints on nPDP are:<br /> <br /> <br /> <ul> <li>Grudges on the conduct of state congresses</li> <li>Alleged refusal of the party leadership to stamp its feet on parallel congresses in some states</li> <li>In the constitution of the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) the New PDP block was generally sidelined as virtually no position was conceded to it. The only member of FEC that belonged to former New PDP block comes from a state that contributed virtually no vote to the APC in the 2015 presidential election.</li> <li>There has been no significant patronage and appointments to executive positions in various government agencies such as Chief Executives and Executive Directors of government agencies and parastatals as members of our block of the party continue to helplessly watch as these positions are shared by the erstwhile CPC, ACN, ANPP and even APGA blocks of the party and those who have no party at all.</li> <li>In appointments into boards of various government agencies, very few former New PDP members were patronised. These are, however, not commensurate with our contributions to the growth and victory of the party.</li> <li>When members of the former New PDP block showed interest in running for the offices of President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, they were subjected to a vicious and relentless political opposition as if they were not legitimate members of the APC family.</li> <li>During the party primaries preparatory to the 2015 general elections, most of the promises made to sitting members of the National Assembly, who belonged to the former new PDP in terms of a level playing field were reneged upon or observed more in breach.</li> <li>There has been general lack of consultation, non-recognition and even persecution of former New PDP members and leaders by the party and government. For example, some of our leaders are denied the security cover necessary to visit their constituencies even though they are elected representatives of the people in a government they sacrificed so much for.</li> <li>Harassment, intimidation and persecution of former New PDP leaders by the government is still an ongoing affair. We do not want to overstate the obvious by cataloguing names of former new PDP stalwarts that are targets of this political pogrom.</li> </ul>

Latest-News APC, Buhari beg Saraki not to defect to PDP

There were strong indications that President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress and governors are considering juicy offers fo...

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Gunmen kill two in Zamfara market

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="412" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlPqlppab_PJDv6p6_8CxU0yTGCRb2mqHnOQg36S5es2t_qyJB6iClrFbsKxjeZq0LUwSshN10L-Ci57kGNYp4aKAZ4qzUMeHIfuseXYQ-0gP0xgD6YlzTmEZypvyK5cwlhVjCUiW_SUU/s400/gunmen.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Zamfara State Police command confirmed on Friday that two persons were killed by unknown gunmen in Bungudu local government area of the state.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Three other persons were injured in the attack.<br /> <br /> The Command’s spokesman, Muhammad Shehu, said the incident occurred on Thursday evening at Karakai market.<br /> <br /> He said: “There were sporadic gun shots by unknown gunmen at the market. We recorded the death of two persons while three others were injured.<br /> <br /> “During the attack, the police team at the market could not exchange fire with the attackers to avoid further loss of lives and property.<br /> <br /> “However, the attackers used the crowd as human shield to escape from the scene.<br /> <br /> “Normalcy has been restored with patrol teams keeping vigilance in the affected environs.<br /> <br /> “Investigation has commenced with a view to fishing out and arresting the perpetrators of the attack.”

Latest-News Gunmen kill two in Zamfara market

The Zamfara State Police command confirmed on Friday that two persons were killed by unknown gunmen in Bungudu local government area of th...

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NYSC launches mobile app

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH3W4RJI4ea4d3iVnJQU10CYOOF_-QZdwOiqLjXQqEV1NgJOJHGs9rDeKWwzdmKu7I27ELHveEvBMKbLTsAgP-nATdl71twOHFIQg5G0PRAK3IPqcrt4vqmySNb40VqKnaogm5yV9wBCj/s400/NYSC1.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The National Youth Service Corp on Thursday deployed its mobile app in the build-up to the commencement of the 2018 Batch “B” orientation camp.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> On the official handle of the corp, it was revealed that the mobile app is for both the general public and prospective corp members.<br /> <br /> Corp members were advised that they can get the underlisted features from the mobile app:<br /> <br /> NYSC Official Website<br /> 2. NYSC Registration Portal.<br /> 3. Verify Senate List.<br /> 4. Verify NYSC Certificates (Certificate of National Service, Exemption Certificate and Exclusion Letter).<br /> 5. NYSC State Secretariats Location Nationwide.<br /> 6. NYSC Orientation Camp Addresses.<br /> 7. NYSC Social Media Platforms.<br /> 8. NYSC Support Lines.<br /> 9. NYSC Official Email.<br /> 10. NYSC National Directorate Headquarters address.<br /> 11. News and Event about the activities of the NYSC Scheme.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Suleiman Kazaure informed State Coordinators on Tuesday that no sick Corps Member must be allowed to stay in the Camp Clinic for more than twelve hours while those with complicated or critical illness should be immediately referred to tertiary health facilities for proper medicare.<br /> <br /> General Kazaure also admonished the State Coordinators to ensure that basic drugs are available at the Camp Clinics while they liaise with the State Ministries of Health and other relevant stakeholders to improve on the availability of drugs.<br /> <br /> “Senior Medical Personnel from the nearest Federal Tertiary Health Institutions must be on camp throughout the duration of the exercise in order to handle all cases of illness”.<br /> <br /> “l urge you to encourage the Corps Members to report to the Camp Clinic and disclose their true health conditions for effective management”, Kazaure added.

Latest-News NYSC launches mobile app

The National Youth Service Corp on Thursday deployed its mobile app in the build-up to the commencement of the 2018 Batch “B” orientation ...

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NAF fighter aircraft neutralises Boko Haram terrorists

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="620" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIaE_KaALvwFfK_XWxjptaOtA2QHSEqJW1klL7UD2zlS8OCm4a_cruCOFttqa0lHltZilhNhYbJd_Lsd99A133FPDvqtNmnIFLraF6Zv2n6egv_njdUolTardGQfiSwBi3QGFVNnlfbvB/s400/airforce+bombs.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Nigerian Air Force says Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole, has neutralised several Boko Haram terrorists at Bulagalaye and Kwakwa, both in Borno, through successful air strikes.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya, who confirmed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the operation was conducted on Sunday.<br /> <br /> “The successful air strikes on both locations were a result of efforts to trail and neutralise fleeing terrorists after Nigerian Army troops had repelled the attack on their location around Bama.<br /> <br /> “Upon receiving reports of the attack, the ATF scrambled an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform and the Alpha Jet aircraft to locate the fleeing terrorists.<br /> <br /> “Consequently, the insurgents, who were seen assembled at a staging area in Bulagalaye, began to disperse upon sighting the attack platforms.<br /> <br /> “However, the NAF fighter aircraft acquired and attacked the fleeing insurgents with bombs and rockets.<br /> <br /> “As a result of the air strikes, the terrorists were neutralised while their vehicles and weapons were destroyed, leading to a thick cloud of black smoke,” he said.<br /> <br /> Adesanya said that intelligence reports later revealed that a smaller bunch of the terrorists had re-assembled in a settlement known as Kwakwa.<br /> <br /> He said that the ATF then conducted a wave of strikes on the location.<br /> <br /> “Overhead Kwakwa, the ISR platform successfully identified the terrorists’ location and vectored the attack platforms to the target area, which was attacked with bombs and rockets,” he said.<br /> <br /> (NAN)

Latest-News NAF fighter aircraft neutralises Boko Haram terrorists

The Nigerian Air Force says Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole, has neutralised several Boko Haram terrorists at Bulagalaye and Kwakw...

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Reconciliatory moves won’t stop APC defectors – PDP

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGA4ny3zEV8Ks9wN6cHb1xFuxDpbDFNqq6XwwjQHIC4cdAYhDxLWI_pupkwmF4cSBqSWzJquLxv_xChoeySKpvow0Y00MuEw1Ugi8_Vf9OtKSvaSe-I1pTYNygyyTNtwpgLCiatHv9wVe/s1600/PDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGA4ny3zEV8Ks9wN6cHb1xFuxDpbDFNqq6XwwjQHIC4cdAYhDxLWI_pupkwmF4cSBqSWzJquLxv_xChoeySKpvow0Y00MuEw1Ugi8_Vf9OtKSvaSe-I1pTYNygyyTNtwpgLCiatHv9wVe/s320/PDP.jpg" width="317" /></a></div> <br /> The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on Friday the ongoing reconciliatory moves initiated by the Presidency and the leadership of the All Progress Congress (APC) would not stop the disgruntled members of the APC from defecting to the PDP.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman of the APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, are spearheading fresh reconciliation moves to dissuade members of the Reformed All Progressives Congress (RAPC) from going ahead with their defection plan.<br /> <br /> The President had on Thursday met the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at the Presidential Villa in what many perceived as a new lease in the frosty relationship between members of the RAPC and the mainstream APC.<br /> <br /> Similarly, Oshiomhole had met with Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Thursday at the APC National Secretariat, following announcement by the governor that he was on his way out of the party.<br /> <br /> Ortom had declared that he was being pushed out of the APC by some forces he declined to name.<br /> <br /> The PDP, however, has dismissed the reconciliation efforts by President Buhari and Oshiomhole as belated, saying it’s a complete waste of time.<br /> <br /> The PDP said discussions with the intending defectors from APC have already crossed the rubicon, stressing that there is nothing Buhari, Oshiomhole or anybody in the APC can do to stop a “moving train.”<br /> <br /> The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in response to a text message from our correspondent on Friday, said arrangements with the intending defectors had reached a final stage.<br /> <br /> Ologbondiyan said: “PDP is confident that our discussion with compatriots who are determined to rescue our nation from the shackles of deception, lies, bloodletting, starvation and hunger of the APC-led federal government is boldly ongoing.<br /> <br /> “As a party, we are very certain that these discussions are near their end and we are just dotting the i(s) and crossing the t(s).”<br /> <br /> And as if to buttress Ologbondiyan’s position, Governor Ortom had on Friday declared that his decision to quit the APC was intact.<br /> <br /> Addressing members of a Tiv group in Abuja on Friday, the governor said nothing would make him change his mind and that the APC in Benue State is a “one man show.”

Latest-News Reconciliatory moves won’t stop APC defectors – PDP

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on Friday the ongoing reconciliatory moves initiated by the Presidency and the l...

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