Nigerian Eye

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Manchester City are back to the top of the Premier League as they condemned strugglers Fulham to their eighth consecutive defeat, winning 2-0. 
 
Pep Guardiola’s side quickly established their superiority in the west London sunshine, with Bernardo Silva’s 20-yard drive finding the bottom left corner inside five minutes. 
 
According to BBC, City, who had 10 shots in the first 15 minutes, added their second when Sergio Aguero sublimely lifted the ball over home goalkeeper Sergio Rico from close range. 
 
Some woeful defending from Fulham – who have now conceded 72 goals, the worst record in the top flight – contributed to both goals, with Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Joe Bryan both guilty of gifting the ball to City near their own goal. 
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Scott Parker’s side also struggled to make an impression at the other end of the pitch and failed to register a shot on target. 
 
City, who are chasing an unprecedented quadruple, move one point above Liverpool, who host Tottenham on Sunday (16:30 BST kick-off). 
 
The Cottagers stay second bottom, 13 points from safety with six league games remaining.

Latest-News Manchester City back on top after beating Fulham 2-0

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Tinubu states position on Buhari govt

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‘It will never work’ — Nnamdi Kanu vows to challenge his arrest in UK court

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INEC worked against APC in the elections -Oshiomhole

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Osinbajo lists legal profession’s challenges

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What God did during Nigeria elections – Bishop Oyedepo

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CAN leaders under attack for visiting Buhari at Aso Rock Villa

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What we’ll do about Okorocha’s actions in Imo – PDP

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GTBank reacts to Innoson’s takeover move

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‘APC not aligning with any party in Rivers’ — Oshiomhole denies Amaechi’s claim

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Lagos to investigate government doctors poaching patients to private clinics

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Saboteurs tried to prevent us from congratulating Buhari – CAN

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Saraki raises alarm over Nigeria

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Senate Presidency: Oshiomhole speaks on his power to choose Saraki’s successor

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Innoson to take over GTBank? Here’s what you should know

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Fani-Kayode reacts to Buhari’s meeting with CAN, warns church leaders

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'How Fayose’s aide coordinated evacuation of N1.2 Billion cash'

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<div style="text-align: justify;">A prosecution witness, Biodun Oshodi, has narrated how Abiodun Agbele, an aide to a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, coordinated the movement of N1.2bn slush funds in the build-up to the Ekiti State governorship election in 2014.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Agbele is standing trial before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, along with three companies – Sylvan Mcnamara Limited linked to a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro; De Privateer Limited run by him, and Spotless Investment Limited, whose bank account was allegedly operated by Fayose and his wife, Feyisetan.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Testifying as the third prosecution witness, Oshodi, who is the Zonal Head of Zenith Bank Plc, South-West, while being led in evidence by counsel for the EFCC, Wahab Shittu, further narrated the role he played in the movement of the cash on May 17, 2014.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">He further told the court on Thursday that the slush funds were handed over to Agbele, adding that he also “supplied the accounts in which the money was disbursed into.”</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The prosecution, thereafter, tendered the statement of the witness volunteered to the EFCC during investigation which was admitted in evidence.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">A statement by the acting EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, on Friday said another statement made to the commission on July 25, 2016 was also admitted in evidence.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Under cross-examination by counsel for the first defendant, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the witness denied receiving any instruction from Agbele concerning evacuation of the cash.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“The instruction was from his colleague, Lawrence Akande,” he said, adding that the procedure for the transaction was legal.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">When asked if he knew Obanikoro or had any dealings with him, he stated that he had never met or had any dealings with Obanikoro.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The matter has been adjourned to May 24 and 27, 2019 for continuation of cross-examination.</div>

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I will leave Nigeria better than I met it - Buhari vows

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President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he wants to leave the country better than he met it when he assumed office four years ago. 
 
The President recently won a second term in office which will take effect from May 29 and run till 2023. 
 
He spoke on Friday in Abuja when the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria paid him a visit at the State House. 
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The CAN delegation was led by its President, Rev Samson Ayokunle. The group was at the Villa to congratulate Buhari on his re-election for another term. 
 
Buhari told the visitors that of particular interest to him was the unity of the country, which he promised to strengthen. 
 
He stated, “We will continue to strive for peaceful co-existence among all Nigerians irrespective of their religious beliefs. 
 
“In the area of allocation of political offices, our focus will be on merit and national spread such that every part of Nigeria will have a sense of belonging. 
 
“We remain resolute in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, and efforts to bring back all those in captivity and other victims of kidnapping will be intensified.” 
 
Buhari also assured the CAN leadership that he would promote inter-religious harmony, using the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, adding that he appreciated the support religious organisations had given to his administration so far. 
 
Earlier, Ayokunle sought ethnic and religious balance in the choice of the leadership of the 9th National Assembly. 
 
He urged the President to direct security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of Leah Sharibu from Boko Haram insurgents and contain the killings in some parts of the country. 
 
CAN further advised Buhari to pick the best hands for inclusion in his next cabinet. 
 
The CAN president further said, “Your Excellency, our advice to you is to take your leadership beyond party politics. We were so happy listening to your speech after your re-election that you were going to run an all-inclusive government. Having been re-elected President, you have become the President of all. 
 
“In view of this, we urge you to see yourself as father to all by embracing all. We solicit inclusiveness and fairness as you constitute your cabinet and appoint worthy Nigerians to the headship and membership of critical agencies, boards and parastatals. 
 
“Your Excellency, there is no ethnic or religious group in Nigeria where you cannot find highly qualified men and women that you can engage to add value to your administration and help in moving the nation forward. This is the true and objective way in which you can give all in the country, a sense of belonging. 
 
“We, from the Christian Association of Nigeria, recognise the importance of the National Assembly to the stability and growth of our polity. It is in this regard that we call for ethnic and religious balance with depth in picking the leadership of that great institution of democracy. 
 
“Sir, to ensure that this happens is to remove any apprehension and suspicion harboured towards the leadership of this country. We equally solicit that the principle of separation of powers as it is enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria be allowed to thrive as an intrinsic aspect of modern day democracy.” 
 
Meanwhile, Buhari has explained why he opted to be observing the Friday Juma’at prayers at the Presidential Villa, as against going to the National Mosque. 
 
He said this was to avoid causing unnecessary inconvenience to worshippers and other Nigerians, whose activities would have to be disrupted because of presidential movement.

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Many killed as Boko Haram terrorists loot bank in Adamawa

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 Boko Haram insurgents have attacked a commercial bank in Michika area of Adamawa State, vandalising an Automated Teller Machine and attacking customers. 
 
The troops of the Nigerian Army attached to the 143 Battalion and 115 Task Force Brigade later mobilised to the area, killing scores of the terrorists. 
 
It was learnt that while some of the terrorists fled the scene, others were ambushed and shot dead by the Special Forces troops at Maikadiri Village in the Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. 
 
The troops were said to have recovered from the fleeing insurgents one Hilux van, two Toyota Starlet cars and some motorcycles. 
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The Defence Headquarters in Abuja confirmed the robbery incident on Friday, saying the terrorists also “carted away food items from the area.” 
 
The Director, Defence Information, Col Onyema Nwachukwu, said at a press conference that the troops engaged the insurgents in a fierce combat, forcing some of them to flee. 
 
He said, “There was an operation to repel Boko Haram terrorists attack on Michika in Adamawa State. The insurgents attacked a bank and some shops in the area, damaging an Automated Teller Machine and carting away food items. However, the insurgents were out of luck when troops ambushed and neutralised them.” 
 
It was learnt that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in the North-Central region also conducted a raid on a suspected bandits’ camp at Dogo Gawa, between Takum in Taraba State and Katsina-Ala in Benue State. 
 
It was also gathered that in a shootout that ensued, the bandits fled while the troops recovered one locally made rifle, one laptop and two cell phones. The camp was said to have been destroyed by troops who are currently on the trail of the fleeing bandits.

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Theresa May’s Brexit deal defeated for the third time

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On the day that Britain was originally scheduled to leave the European Union, lawmakers continued their impasse, voting down Prime Minister Theresa May’s stripped-down withdrawal agreement for the third time. 
 
The House of Commons voted 334 to 286 against the Brexit deal, triggering the possibility of the so-called “no deal” divorce between the United Kingdom and the EU. Now lawmakers have until April 12 to announce a new plan or leave the EU without a deal – a massive risk for disruption for people and businesses. 
 
According to Fox News, May said the implications of the lawmaker’s rejection to the deal are “grave” and that it should be a “matter of profound regret” that “once again we have been unable to support leaving the European Union in an orderly fashion.” 
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Immediately following the latest defeat, Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn called on May to resign immediately, asking whether she now “finally accepts” that MPs will not support her deal. 
 
The Sterling fell through the $1.30 mark against the United State. dollar, for the first time since March 11th, as the result of the vote was announced.. 
 
Parliament voted on the 585-page withdrawal agreement that sets out the terms of Britain’s departure – including its financial settlement with the EU and the rights of EU and UK. citizens – but not a shorter declaration on future tires that is also part of the divorce deal agreed between the UK. and the European bloc late last year. 
 
Its removal altered the deal enough to overcome a ban against asking lawmakers the same question over and over again. 
 
May’s deal, agreed with the European bloc in November, was previously rejected by 230 votes on Jan. 15 and by 149 votes on March 12. Ahead of Friday’s vote, May needed at least 75 lawmakers to change over, while losing none. 
 
The EU reacted to Friday’s defeat saying it “regrets the negative vote” and that it is now fully prepared to a “no-deal” scenario on April 12. 
 
“The EU will remain united,” a spokesperson said. 
 
Donald Tusk, the European council president, called an emergency EU summit for April 10 in light of the vote. That is two days before the deadline for the UK.’s departure.

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Shocking revelation of Boko Haram insurgents’ ‘wives’: ‘We saw hell in Sambisa forest’

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‘Wives’ of Boko Haram commanders who returned from Sambisa Forest after their escape have continued to be stigmatised by their community members who have lost trust in them. 
 
United by grief, ‘wives’ of Boko Haram commanders had different tales to tell, even though they were held in the same confinement by their abductors for years. Their stories are about human suffering, agonies, survival and ultimately, triumph. Although they could be inspiring, they are stories of assault on humanity. 
 
At some point, many of the captives had to eat grass to survive the grueling starvation so they could see another day. There were those, who in an attempt to flee and escape the harrowing experience of starvation and malnutrition suffered by their children, set out at dawn to escape but they did not reach their destinations as they found death on the way. Some were felled in their tracks by search parties of Boko Haram fighters who were saddled with the task of ensuring that anyone who attempted to escape never lived to enjoy freedom. But for many of them, despite their escape, life remains harrowing. 
 
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For Hauwa Babajo, who gave birth to a daughter after her union with a Boko Haram commander, anyone that had a plan to escape risked betrayal if they confided in any of the fellow captives or even their ‘partner’. She escaped from Sabilu Huda, a settlement within the forest. She said women who returned from the forest were also stigmatised by people in the communities who do not seem to trust them. 
 
“You don’t expect any of the wives of the Boko Haram fighters to confide in their husbands that they plan to flee. In the forest, there were commercial activities going on. There were tailors, butchers and so on. Most of the trading was done by Boko Haram commanders who had partners in Michika, Madagali, Gwoza and Damboa. Living in Sambisa Forest was hellish. 
 
“We face all manner of abuses from members of our community who call us Boko Haram. Our children are also not spared; they are called children of vipers. They say after being chased away from Sambisa, we returned with snakes from our Boko Haram husbands,” she said. 
 
Sometimes, she wished she had never returned to Madagali because of the stigmatisation she and her daughter, Zara, have had to endure since their return six months ago. Her Boko Haram husband was allegedly killed by the Nigerian military in a raid. 
 
Married off to one of the Boko Haram fighters in Sambisa, Mary Palam, similarly fled the forest after almost three years in captivity because of the difficult life she was subjected to. She said many of them begged to survive. 
 
“There was acute food shortage at the camp and finding clothes to wear was also one of the biggest challenges of living in Sambisa. Our experience can be described as living in hell while on earth. It was tough. There were people who lived on begging in order to survive. Only few families, especially those belonging to commanders, were able to feed their families,” she said. 
 
Mariam Ajuji, who was married off to Umaru Abdullahi, following her abduction in April 2014, said she also escaped from the enclave of Sambisa because of hardship, adding that she had two children for Abdulahi in the forest. 
 
“I had known him to be fighting for the group ever since I was taken into captivity by the sect. When the insurgents stormed our house in Madagali, Abdullahi indicated interest in taking me and my sister with them. My family members were initially resistant but the sect threatened to kill our father. They took us and other ladies to Limankara and later Jaji. 
 
“It was hell on earth. There were days when we were locked up without food or water. Those were days that the men would say they were going to do god’s work, meaning they had gone to either attack a town or wage a war against the Nigerian Army. My sister was separated from me but we ended up re-uniting in Sambisa again,” she said. 
 
Her eldest brother and father had died during the time she was away. She said her brother had fled to Cameroon with his wife and two kids but was killed by Cameroonian gendarme, who took him for a member of the sect. He was killed in front of his wife and children. Mariam said her days in Boko Haram captivity came to an end in November 2018 when she escaped from Sambisa Forest. After failing in her earlier attempts, her husband divorced her and threatened to execute her but took her back as wife before her fourth and final escape plan succeeded. With a search party launched to find her, a woman came to her rescue, hiding her in her home until the search was called off. 
 
For Bilkisu, her husband, Buba Yusuf, also known as Bubarisko, had no option but to agree to join the Boko Haram sect as a leader after threats that their two sons would be killed if he disagreed to abide by the sect’s doctrine. She said one of the leading figures of Boko Haram, Mamman Nur, visited her husband in Madagali and took him away. He was only returned after he agreed to do their bidding. 
 
After the Nigerian soldiers invaded Madagali to liberate it, her husband fled to Sambisa while one of her sons was killed with 29 other males after they were identified as Boko Haram fighters. He lost another son in an air raid. After her return, she was handed over to the Nigerian Army by people who identified her as the wife of a Boko Haram commandant still in Sambisa. 
 
“It has never been my husband’s will to join the sect. There was a slim chance we could get out of their web; we considered the fate of our four middle-aged boys and what would happen to them if we went against the instructions of the sect members. My husband was given a leadership role in Madagali and referred to as Amir. When I survived military onslaught with my two daughters, we returned to our community but members of the community handed us to the military over allegations that we had come to spy for my husband. 
 
“I was put in chains and taken to the military camp in Chibok where I was interrogated and asked to reveal the identities of other members of the group. But after a month, they issued me a clearance with documents (which she proudly brandished),” she said. 
 
However, Amina Mohammed, 42, was not married off to a Boko Haram insurgent; she and her husband were kidnapped by the group. She made her escape from Sambisa Forest while she was three months pregnant, but she was delivered of her baby during her journey to freedom. 
 
“I gave birth while I was fleeing. I saw a Nigerian fighter helicopter hovering over us during the journey. The soldiers took us to Gwoza which was nearby, but I told them I could not find my three-year-old son. I left my newborn child with one of the women with me when the soldiers rescued us and I informed them I was going in search of my son whom I had left behind in Sambisa. 
 
“I found the boy playing with the children of my neighbours in one of the Sambisa settlements. I took him and found my way back to Gwoza. This was after spending three days inside Sambisa Forest. I made my escape under the cover of darkness,” she said. 
 
Amina said she was held with her husband, a teacher. According to her, the escape was not a smooth one because she was twice betrayed by neighbours who told one of the Boko Haram commanders about her intention to flee. Afterwards, she was locked in a cell and threatened to be killed if she attempted to escape. 
 
“Wives of Boko Haram fighters literally live from hand to mouth and those who have difficulties coping with the deprivation and starvation choose to escape the suffering by fleeing the forest once the opportunity of escape presents itself,” Amina added. 
 
For Aishatu Usman, her sadness is that even though her daughter, Zainab, was rescued by the military from Sambisa, she (Zainab) lost her sanity while in captivity. Zainab was in junior secondary school three when she was kidnapped with other young girls and married off in the forest to a Boko Haram fighter. 
 
She said, “I have spent all I have to see that she regains herself. Right now she doesn’t like the company of people. She doesn’t also like her hair plaited; at night she awakens every one with cries of what seem like Quoranic citations. I have been suffering with her since she returned. My girl was fine before her abduction. All of her hallucinations started after her return from captivity.” 
 
The District Head of Duhu, Mohammed Sanusi, has been a source of succour to many of the women upon their return to the town. Many of them said that they would have made their way back to Sambisa Forest but for the love shown to them by Sanusi. 
 
A few years ago, Sanusi set up a reconciliation committee named Kabara Committee, as part of a post-insurgency recovery plan. The committee, which draws its membership from the headship of the six villages under Duhu District and representation from Christian and Muslim communities, identifies returnees, especially women, who were either rescued or had fled Sambisa, for resettlement. 
 
Speaking on his effort, Sanusi said that nearly 60 per cent of the youth from the area joined the Boko Haram sect, stressing that the community must come up with a system so that those who joined the sect would have reasons to abandon it and return home without fear of stigmatisation. 
 
He stressed that if the community could be more accommodating; those who felt they had done any wrong could be encouraged to return. 
 
He said, “We have to treat these women well and get them re-integrated into the communities because we have learnt that many of them have a communication channel with their husbands and we believe that they will convince them with time to come out of hiding and stop fighting on the side of the insurgents. 
 
“We seek partnership with local and international non-governmental organisations which we relay their needs to and many of them have obliged us with assistance for the women. It is still work in progress, many of them are trained to acquire skills that they want and given financial assistance that will enable them to start their own businesses.” 
 
A member of the Kabara Committee, Shinapi Pakka, said returnees were given tests to ascertain the veracity of their stories. 
 
“If someone returns from Sambisa Forest, the committee will sit with the person and find out from them if they were truly from Sambisa. We have links with NGOs which offer assistance, including livelihood support and some money to start a trade after proper checks have been carried out to ascertain that the returnee poses no threat to the peace of the community,” he said. 
 
Culled from Punch Newspaper

Latest-News Shocking revelation of Boko Haram insurgents’ ‘wives’: ‘We saw hell in Sambisa forest’

‘Wives’ of Boko Haram commanders who returned from Sambisa Forest after their escape have continued to be stigmatised by their community m...

We need $40 Billion to interconnect Nigeria by rail – Amaechi

21:19 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCq2y0SUhOxE6_3g41YDZfO5vAgawLU-mcQyR3-Ltmm6TruwVw8be95bALYRzaPoQPeyRRpnH_Q48NuXY1Ozc3-FE4R5nKn7fb0afz4EBNW1_le_N1tmolj1HkriqG7RplsmYsjIQggc3z/s1600/Amaechi+dd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="441" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCq2y0SUhOxE6_3g41YDZfO5vAgawLU-mcQyR3-Ltmm6TruwVw8be95bALYRzaPoQPeyRRpnH_Q48NuXY1Ozc3-FE4R5nKn7fb0afz4EBNW1_le_N1tmolj1HkriqG7RplsmYsjIQggc3z/s320/Amaechi+dd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
 
The hope for Nigeria’s interconnectivity by rail may not be coming any time soon, as the cost of completing the project is estimated at $40 billion. 
 
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, made this known during the inspection of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project Friday. He, also assured that the project would continue despite any Ministerial change. 
 
According to him, ” The ongoing project cannot stop. The directive of the President, Mohammadu Buhari, is to link Nigeria with rail. 
 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Like I tell Nigerians we need a little patience because we need up to $36 to $40bn to complete the interconnectivity of Nigeria. “When we had that kind of money, what did we do with it? Those criticising the President should have asked that question. I guess they didn’t know that there was a time when we had the money and we enjoyed it through corruption. 
 
“It is very difficult to meet the challenges we are facing and these challenges can only be resolved by funds. “Also, It is very clear that the project cannot be stopped because funding comes from China Nexim Bank, and we have finished paying our own counterpart money so why would it be abandoned? “The good thing about all of this is that we have won the election and the same government is trying to finish the project. 
 
Even if you change the minister it is still the same government.” Asked on challenges confronting the project, the minister expressed dissatisfaction owing to poor survey, saying “I was not impressed with what I saw going by the last inspection. 
 
But they are human beings and have assured me that in one week time they will lay the beams on the tracks. “We are having soil challenges. 
 
At current level the contractors will need to replace the soil to enable smooth operation. Those challenges are as a result of poor geological survey. It was discovered that the water level is high. It is not much of obstacle as they just need to replace the soil. ” 
 
On the Calaber rail project, Amaechi attributed funding as major setback to kick-start project. He explained that “No need to ask of the calabar project, as I am emotionally attached to it. It is unfortunate we have not gotten money yet to fund the project. 
 
The project was awarded under the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, but was supposed to have been passed under former president Olusegun Obasanjo tenue. “However, for the Lagos – Kano project, we are trying to visit china for renegotiation.”

Latest-News We need $40 Billion to interconnect Nigeria by rail – Amaechi

The hope for Nigeria’s interconnectivity by rail may not be coming any time soon, as the cost of completing the project is estimated at $4...

Tinubu is a courageous politician – Gbenga Daniel

21:09 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="400" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9xpM4suxy1nLDrYjDpzKKlHkeLZf_0TOJeIptoMmzxcHuBfKME6WvOM0iwquoXP_lFPZ8G_QQVVkqhSAXkGndfayojhMXfL4Jos2lm0MOsOqvm6hupu8hpUg5mJPzJep9OO2vs_Y6xig/s400/Gbenga+Daniel.jpg" width="400" /></div>
 
National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Hammed Tinubu has been described as a courageous politician who would not relent in any cause he believes in. 
 
Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel stated this in his congratulatory message expressing his warmest regards to the Tinubu on the occasion of his 67th Birthday Anniversary. 
 
According to Daniel, the former Governor of Lagos State has won quite a lot of admirers by his vision and quality leadership which has helped in strengthening the nation’s democratic process. 
 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Otunba Daniel then pray Almighty Allah to grant him good health, wisdom and more years of dedicated service to the country.

Latest-News Tinubu is a courageous politician – Gbenga Daniel

National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Hammed Tinubu has been described as a courageous politician who would ...

“You Only Arrest Yahoo Boys, Is Tinubu Above The Law?” – Reno Omokri To EFCC Boss

20:59 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBc7oSag1zik6uDz6HTv-48pyUmYZWd0YvIezfx8yBGd_cMWuRLei1vQBATed3gX3tltAtMauX8TPgadmAMdZv2EgfN4nXSM4S-C8IDblSaG_7Na0FkH086s3genMK5kAJxhDwzQeBkfm/s1600/Reno-Omokri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBc7oSag1zik6uDz6HTv-48pyUmYZWd0YvIezfx8yBGd_cMWuRLei1vQBATed3gX3tltAtMauX8TPgadmAMdZv2EgfN4nXSM4S-C8IDblSaG_7Na0FkH086s3genMK5kAJxhDwzQeBkfm/s320/Reno-Omokri.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
 
Popular critic of the President Mubammadu Buhari led administration, Reno Omokri jas questioned the integrity of the boss of the anti-graft agency in Nigeria. 
 
Omokri has questioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) fight against corruption. Omokri challenged the agency to go after former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for money laundering. 
 
Omokri also tagged boss of the anti-graft agency, Magu, a hypocrite for going after only yahoo boys and not corrupt politicians. 
 
See his tweet below; 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Why would <a href="https://twitter.com/officialEFCC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficialEFCC</a> turn a blind eye to the bullion vans that entered <a href="https://twitter.com/AsiwajuTinubu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AsiwajuTinubu</a>’s house in contravention of the Money Laundering Act of 2011, only for them to arrest irrelevant Yahoo boys and small time Internet love scammers? Ms Tinubu above the law? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaguIsAHypocrite?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MaguIsAHypocrite</a></div>
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) <a href="https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1111631943291097090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript">
</script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Under Magu’s <a href="https://twitter.com/officialEFCC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@officialEFCC</a>, Nigeria made its worse retrogression in Transparency International’s <a href="https://twitter.com/anticorruption?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@anticorruption</a> CPI, moving backwards 12 places from 136 to 148 in 2017. This is after we made our best ever progress under <a href="https://twitter.com/GEJonathan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GEJonathan</a> (from 144 to 136 in 2014) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaguIsAHypocrite?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MaguIsAHypocrite</a></div>
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) <a href="https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1111639366458200064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript">
</script> 
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">WATCH and SHARE 
 
Proof <a href="https://twitter.com/officialEFCC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficialEFCC</a> is fighting the opposition rather than fighting corruption. Magu is a hypocrite and lacks moral authority to pontificate on corruption. I challenge Magu to sue me for libel of what I say is untrue 
 
WATCH, COMMENT and SHARE.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaguIsAHypocrite?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MaguIsAHypocrite</a> <a href="https://t.co/A8InW2jt5w">pic.twitter.com/A8InW2jt5w</a></div>
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) <a href="https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1111214527515951104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript">
</script> 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Ibrahim Magu is both mentally and intellectually unsuited for the job of EFCC Chairman. Cast your mind to the way he fumbled at simple questions during his Senate confirmation hearing. Unlike <a href="https://twitter.com/NuhuRibadu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NuhuRibadu</a>, he does not have the character to stand up to his boss <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaguIsAHypocrite?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MaguIsAHypocrite</a></div>
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) <a href="https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1111635891628449797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript">
</script>

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Popular critic of the President Mubammadu Buhari led administration, Reno Omokri jas questioned the integrity of the boss of the anti-graf...

Pastor arrested for allegedly infecting minors with HIV in Lagos

20:49 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYpJXqrJepp8lSSeNDeuIMxx9_50x2gD9ZwUCI23XUCAy6BNuLWJ0QG0_Z7PpEPg8t064v5NUKjJV9imhUcXul3YlCq3HHEWKrLlcByx05p4xLyoJBOEAJ8m-NzZjfKLrS9txS51dq1Jj/s400/Prison+jail.jpg" width="400" /></div>
 
The Lagos State police command says it has arrested a clergyman, Rev. Ezuma Chizemdere of ‘Jesus Intervention Household Ministry’ Ejigbo Lagos for allegedly defiling and infecting some minors with HIV virus. 
 
According to a statement on Friday by the command’s spokesman, DSP Bala Elkana, the clergy had been at large for about three months before his arrest on March 21. 
 
Elkana said that On Jan. 21, a case of defilement of a minor (name withheld) by penetration was reported by a good Samaritan at Ejigbo Police Station. 
 
He said that investigation revealed that the suspect had lured about 15 young boys into his residence, where he allegedly sexually molested them. 
 
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“Investigation carried out revealed that one Rev. Prince Ezuma Chizemdere, Founder of ‘Jesus Intervention Household Ministry’ was part of the syndicate defiling teenagers in the community. 
 
“He has been at large for about three months. On 21st March, 2019, at about 1am, police laid siege of the Reverend’s residence based on the strength of information gathered that he often sneaks into the house through the back entrance. 
 
“Having discovered that police had cordoned his house, the Reverend hid himself in the ceiling for two hours. He was however arrested. 
 
“Investigation has it that Rev. Ezuma brought in about 15 boys into his apartment where he forcefully penetrated them all through the anus. 
 
Read also: Girl ‘raped to death’ in Enugu 
“Some members of the neighborhood revealed that the reverend usually wash six bedsheets daily whenever he brings in little children, suspected to be his sex partners. 
 
“On further interrogation, the “Reverend” revealed that he was HIV positive and has been receiving treatment for over three years,” Elkana said. 
 
The police image maker said one Ikem Shedrack, 16, was part of the victims and was infected by the reverend around October 2018. 
 
Elkana further said that the suspect knew he was HIV positive but wawas deliberately infecting the innocent teenagers. 
 
“He further confessed that he pays the boys N2000 each, anytime he has carnal knowledge of them. The suspect will be charged to court.,” he said. 
 
The spokesman said the Command’s Gender Unit also succeeded in arresting one Ajayi Akintunde, 29, a teacher with Fazir Omar Senior High School, Iwaya, Yaba for having oral sex with a female SS2 student for marks. 
 
He said the defilement started when the girl was in SS1 and had lasted for about two years now. 
 
He said that Investigation was still ongoing in the matter. (NAN)

Latest-News Pastor arrested for allegedly infecting minors with HIV in Lagos

The Lagos State police command says it has arrested a clergyman, Rev. Ezuma Chizemdere of ‘Jesus Intervention Household Ministry’ Ejigbo L...

Trump threatens to shut border with Mexico

20:49 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIV4abbGqAs9-MIJS-M7KZWEtcpiBpupt1TqzJi1Wuz7MOivbLIqBlSFjEGipXV6eLwVlrN_dvaD8nWbSVxLpO__zpzVNAWKS-6nIi-TUn0sf8ZD6QMj2vpqWD_p-up6A9YrVYxkjoUW9/s1600/Donald-Trump_-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIV4abbGqAs9-MIJS-M7KZWEtcpiBpupt1TqzJi1Wuz7MOivbLIqBlSFjEGipXV6eLwVlrN_dvaD8nWbSVxLpO__zpzVNAWKS-6nIi-TUn0sf8ZD6QMj2vpqWD_p-up6A9YrVYxkjoUW9/s400/Donald-Trump_-.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
 
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to shut the border with Mexico in the coming week, if the southern neighbour failed to prevent migrants from reaching and crossing the frontier. 
 
“If Mexico doesn’t immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States (though) our Southern Border, I will be CLOSING the Border, or large sections of the Border, in the coming week,’’ Trump said in a series of tweets. 
 
He said that the U.S. was losing money to Mexico, “especially when you add in drug trafficking etc’’ and therefore “the Border closing would be a good thing!’’ 
 
He also slammed Mexico, saying “they just take our money and ‘talk.’’ 
 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
In his campaign for the 2016 election, Trump attacked Mexico and even accused Mexicans of being rapists and murderers, in what was widely perceived as a racist attack. 
 
However, he has toned down some of his comments towards the country since becoming president and as the sides negotiated a new trade deal to replace NAFTA, along with Canada. 
 
Trump’s latest broadside comes as reports say a new caravan of migrants is working its way up from Central America to the U.S. 
 
Most new arrivals in the U.S. are not Mexicans, but transit through that country. 
 
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday conceded there is a problem, even as he pointed out that his country was not responsible for the situation. 
 
Trump has declared a national emergency on the southern border and is using the special powers in this pronouncement to tap funds to vastly expand a wall between the two countries. (dpa/NAN)

Latest-News Trump threatens to shut border with Mexico

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My son wonders why people criticize me in Argentina - MESSI

20:49 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="470" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyU6bFnxUw0cRi-N7hpdKggO_j868UkFErwiEWi70pHxW1UrCAEqcgzyKJFj4cofAmNZvMF0eCftFA6Ju7Z62BIs6bPQ7J6q0y7Kc5154uDj48P9aCMR_jNpNQ8_PnDRljqwB8qMAzc7W/s400/messi+cry+arg.jpg" width="400" /></div>
 
 
Lionel Messi revealed on Friday how he struggles to deal with criticism of his performances for Argentina’s national team, saying that even his six-year-old son was questioning why he was judged so harshly in his country. 
 
The 31-year-old’s return to the national side last week after an eight-month absence was marred by a humiliating 3-1 loss to Venezuela in a friendly. A groin strain then forced him to sit out an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Morocco. 
 
“My six-year-old son Thiago asked me why they were killing me in Argentina. He watches videos on YouTube all the time, and he asks me why they don’t want me,” Messi said. 
 
“I have to go through those things, but it doesn’t matter.” 
 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
The Barcelona star took a break from international duty after a disappointing World Cup last year, but his highly anticipated return proved a flop as Argentina lost to unfancied Venezuela in Madrid. 
 
“I want to win something with the national team, and I’ll keep trying,” Messi told Argentine radio station Radio Club October. 
 
He said he would continue to play for his country even though “a lot of people told me not to do it, not to suffer again.” 
 
Argentine fans and journalists have often taken their frustrations at under-par performances by the national team out on Messi, who is always expected to perform at the levels he does for Barcelona, where he is surrounded by star players. 
 
Messi hit out at repeated lies about him in the media. 
 
“People buy into everything that’s said. So then I’m the ‘son of a bitch’ and the ones that feel the hurt most of all is my family. There are many lies told. There are new lies every day.” 
 
(AFP)

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Buhari supporter dies on her way to NYSC camp

20:29 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OH1WOFz5JJradvHk9_VtwVnkbCNHa9-RYKe6b4hd4MdNpr4PRvIB3y3PsZdz9BVZHPfS7Khy8O6Ku5T81LWexgOGt-JfOtdq-csfLVjd1s7FzTXNVKTGjxLxhzuy5Jwpfqsvm2GNrqOt/s1600/spsp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OH1WOFz5JJradvHk9_VtwVnkbCNHa9-RYKe6b4hd4MdNpr4PRvIB3y3PsZdz9BVZHPfS7Khy8O6Ku5T81LWexgOGt-JfOtdq-csfLVjd1s7FzTXNVKTGjxLxhzuy5Jwpfqsvm2GNrqOt/s320/spsp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
 
Agomie Ummie Mimie, a supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari in the just concluded election, has died, on her way to the National Youth Service Corps camp in Kaduna. 
 
Agomie reportedly died in an accident on the way to the camp. 
 
Reacting to the news of her death, Buhari’s New Media aide, Bashir Ahmad, quoted a tweet announcing her death and wrote, “Allah Sarki! Ummi was a good person, may Almighty Allah (SWA) forgive all her shortcomings and grant her the highest rank of Jannah and may He comfort her family. Allah ya jikan ta.” 
 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Agomie Ummie Mimie she's one of the Bona-fide Supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari <a href="https://twitter.com/MBuhari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MBuhari</a> she died on her way to Kaduna NYSC Camp today in an accident. 
 
May your soul rest in Perfect Peace Amin.<a href="https://twitter.com/BashirAhmaad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BashirAhmaad</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FemAdesina?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FemAdesina</a><a href="https://twitter.com/GarShehu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GarShehu</a><a href="https://twitter.com/believingukhty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@believingukhty</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Ummurasulu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ummurasulu</a> <a href="https://t.co/GnLYjVCoWh">pic.twitter.com/GnLYjVCoWh</a></div>
— Abubakar Sadiq Dankanjiba (@Abubakardnk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Abubakardnk/status/1111289062114148355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript">
</script> 
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Allah Sarki! Ummi was a good person, may Almighty Allah (SWA) forgive all her shortcomings and grant her the highest rank of Jannah and may He comfort her family. Allah ya jikan ta. <a href="https://t.co/y4KfFzx7H5">https://t.co/y4KfFzx7H5</a></div>
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) <a href="https://twitter.com/BashirAhmaad/status/1111412796321746945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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</script>

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Federal lawmakers threatened me for rejecting bribe demand -NAFDAC DG

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Why I observe Juma’at Prayers at State House Mosque – President Buhari

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Rivers boils as police disperse protesters with teargas

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Bindow finally concedes, congratulates Fintiri

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Appeal Court dismisses Omo-Agege’s suit nullifying his senatorial candidacy

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Police arrest teacher who allegedly forced Lagos schoolgirl to give oral sex for marks

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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a teacher at Fazir- I - Omar Senior High School in Iwaya , Yaba area of the state for allegedly forcing an 18 - year- old pupil, Mary ( not real name ), to perform oral sex on him in return for marks. 
 
 
Speaking with our reporter on Friday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command , Mr . Bala Elkana , confirmed that the teacher has been arrested. 
 
 
Elkana identified the suspect as one Akintunde Ajayi, who is 39 years old . 
He said , “ The teacher ’ s name is Akintunde Ajayi and he is 39 . ” 
Continuing , Elkana said.“ 
 
 
“ We moved into action when we read it and we have the said teacher in custody and we are making efforts to find out whether there are other victims in the school , apart from the girl that raised the alarm. ” 
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Elkana added that the Police was working with other stakeholders to conduct in - depth investigations into the matter. 
 
 
In the meantime, a non - governmental organisation which campaigns against sexual abuse and violence against women , Jewels Hive Initiative , has called on the Lagos State Ministry of Education, the Police and other authorities to ensure that justice prevails in Mary ’ s case. 
 
 
JHI ’ s founder , Mrs. Oluwatoyin Falaiye , said the organisation has rehabilitated the victim and would provide further assistance to her and her family. 
 
 
Falaiye also demanded the Lagos State Ministry of Education to re - enroll the victim in another school in the state for her to be healed of her trauma. 
 
 
“ We have ensured that the victim is getting some help and counsel. We have taken her to a safe place for counselling and therapy. 
 
 
“ She , her mother and siblings live in a dingy one - bedroomed apartment and we strongly feel that they are not safe , becauuse she is already being shamed and stigmatised. 
 
 
“ We will do our best to raise some money to get them a befitting apartment and we demand that the Lagos State Government ensure that the victim is safely re - enrolled in another school and that her molester be made to face the full wrath of the law , ” Falaiye said.

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The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has said the Nigerian Air Force is expecting two Agusta 109 Power helicopters and one Mi-35M attack helicopter to deal with security challenges across the country. 
 
The air chief stated this on Thursday while defending the NAF 2019 budget at the National Assembly before the Senate Committee on Air Force, noting that 669 officers, 7,693 airmen and airwomen had been recruited between 2015 and 2019. 
 
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The air chief said, “The air force was involved in several internal security operations to deal with terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminalities in the country. There is increase in the serviceability of flyable aircraft from about 33 per cent in July 2015 to the current rate of between 78 and 82 per cent. 
 
“This has facilitated the conduct of over 43,000 sorties of about 57,000 hours within the period for various operations. Also, 22 new aircraft had been inducted into the NAF fleet and 13 previously unserviceable aircraft reactivated, with another eight currently being overhauled. 
 
“The NAF will soon take delivery of two Agusta 109 Power attack helicopters, as well as another Mi-35M helicopter gunship. This administration has commissioned a total of 669 officers and recruited 7,693 airmen and airwomen. Presently, another 206 officers are in training.” 
 
According to a release by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, on Thursday, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Samuel Faseyi, said the desire of the 8th National Assembly for thoroughness and transparency informed its decision to give attention to the 2019 Budget.

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Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested two pastors, Chukwuka Stephen and Ejim Stephen, for allegedly killing their brother-in-law, Peter Chukwuyem, in the Papa-Ibafo area of the state. 
 
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said in a statement on Thursday that the suspects, while living with Chukwuyem, were using the frontage of his house to conduct church services. 
 
 
He stated that Chukwuka and Ejim became embittered when Chukwuyem stopped them from conducting church services in the frontage of his house, adding that when the victim went to the farm, the brothers allegedly waylaid and killed him. 
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Oyeyemi said, “Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested two self-acclaimed pastors, Chuckwuka Stephen, 43, and Ejim Stephen, 39, for killing their brother in-law, Peter Chukwuyem, on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. 
 
“The victim, who was married to the elder sister of the two suspects, brought them from their village in Delta State to Papa-Ibafo in Ogun State, where they lived with the couple for some time. While they were living with the deceased, they were using the frontage of his house for their church activities, but when their conduct was no longer pleasant to their brother-in-law, he sent them away from the place, which led to them nursing animosity against the deceased. 
 
“On Tuesday, February 5, 2019, the deceased went to his farm with two of his teenage daughters in the morning and met the suspects on the farm. Because of the presence of the two girls, the suspects were unable to do anything to him for fear of being exposed. In the evening of the same day, the deceased went back to the farm alone and the suspects, who had been waiting for him on the farm, accosted him and butchered him to death.” 
 
Oyeyemi said when it was getting late and the deceased was nowhere to be found, his wife traced him to the farm and found his corpse. 
 
He stated that the police arrested the suspects after the daughters of the deceased informed them that they saw Chukwuka and Ejim on their father’s farm in the morning. He added that during interrogation, the suspects owned up to the crime. 
 
The PPRO said, “It was when the deceased didn’t return on time that his wife traced him to the farm and found his dead body. She subsequently went to the Ibafo Police Station, where she lodged a complaint. The two brothers were later arrested by the police at Ibafo based on the accounts of the two daughters of the deceased, who informed the police that they saw the two suspects earlier on their father’s farm. 
 
“On interrogation, the suspects denied killing their brother-in-law, but when they were confronted by the two daughters of the deceased, they confessed to killing the deceased on his farm, because he deprived them the continuous use of his frontage for their church activities. 
 
“The corpse of the deceased was subsequently removed and deposited in the General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.” 
 
Oyeyemi added that the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, had ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation and prosecution.

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INEC declares PDP’s Fintiri winner of Adamawa governorship election

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The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ahmadu Fintiri, has been declared winner of the Adamawa State governorship election. 
 
The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Andrew Haruna, declared the result on Friday morning in Yola after the supplementary election in 44 polling units across 14 local government areas of the state. 
 
Haruna said Fintiri polled 376,552 votes to defeat incumbent Governor Jibrilla Bindow of the All Progressives Congress who got 336,386 votes. 
 
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The Returning Officer said Sen. Abdul-Azeez Nyako of the ADC scored 113,237 votes to place third, followed by Emmanuel Bello of the SDP, who garnered 29,792 votes. 
 
Haruna said total votes cast was 899,097, out of which 871,307 votes were valid and 27,790 votes, invalid. 
 
Fintiri, who was the Speaker of the Adamawa House of Assembly in 2014, also served as Acting Governor in July 2014, following the impeachment of the then Gov. Murtala Nyako. 
 
(NAN)

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Nigeria denied foreign loans over herdsmen/farmers’ clashes – Lai Mohammed

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The Federal Government on Thursday lamented the alleged misrepresentation of the clashes between herdsmen and farmers by the foreign media, saying it was forced to lobby them to manage the bad press. 
 
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during his appearance before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, said the Federal Government had to engage an international public relations consultant to manage the bad press. 
 
“This government has been denied loans because of the misinformation that have been spread out there,” he said. 
 
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Mohammed, while explaining the activities of the ministry as part of his defence of the 2019 budget proposed by it, said the Federal Government had to send delegations to the United Kingdom and the United States to execute media campaigns. 
 
The minister was asked to explain the engagement of the foreign media and PR lobby consultancy contracts awarded by the Federal Government. 
 
He said, “The world has become a global village and what happens in Nigeria today reverberates all over the world. And we, in the administration, face a lot of challenges, especially from the comments of the foreign media, from the sometimes hostile positions of foreign governments, even foreign parliaments. So, it is the duty of the Ministry of Information to regularly lobby and address international media in the countries. 
 
“I remember that in 2018 we made two trips to the UK and two trips to the US, and these two trips helped tremendously in actually helping the people in the Diaspora and foreign governments to understand the real dynamics of the herdsmen/farmers clashes. 
 
“Until we got there, the impression held by many of them was that the thing was Christians/Muslims, North/South and that time we had to book for interviews with CNN, BBC, Aljazeera, Reuters and AFP. I think it is an important part of governance so that if you cannot mould their opinions, at least it can give them the opportunity of hearing our own side of the story.” 
 
Mohammed called out some foreign media organisations for their alleged “erroneous” editorials on the security crisis. 
 
“I am sure you have all noticed a lot of very erroneous editorials that have been carried by some highly respected pens like the New York Times, Boston Globe, which do not actually represent the true situation in Nigeria. So, we go there, not just for government but to give the correct impression about what goes on in this government,” he said. 
 
“Until we went there, generalisation was that, what was happening in Nigeria was religious. I always give them two examples to show that what happens in Nigeria has nothing to do with religion. I give them the example of Kebbi State, one-third of all the inmates in Kebbi prisons today are there as a result of farmers/herdsmen clashes, yet the farmers in Kebbi are Muslims and the herdsmen are Muslims. 
 
“In the case of Zamfara State, where we have lost more lives than Taraba, Plateau and Benue put together, to rustling and kidnapping, the rustlers are Muslims, the victims are Muslims. So, we needed to put this in perspective. 
 
“What we are dealing with is largely environmental. A country of 50 million people 50 years ago, today has a population of 200 million. In 1960 what was our population in Nigeria? 52 million. How many are we today? 180 million. Yet, the country has not expanded; on the contrary, it has contracted because we have lost land to desertification, we have lost land to flooding. Yet, 200 million people are supposed to use the same resources of land and water as 50 million people did.”

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FG unveils pension plan for 80 million informal sector workers

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President Muhammadu Buhari has unveiled a Micro Pension Plan for people operating in the informal sector of the economy, even as he promised to halt the rot in the nation’s pension system. 
 
The President, while unveiling the pension plan on Thursday in Abuja, noted that those in the informal sector needed to be captured in the plan just like those in the formal sector. 
 
The Micro Pension Plan targets the significant majority of Nigeria’s working population who, incidentally, operate in the informal sector. 
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With an estimated 80 million people working in the informal sector of the economy, the Micro Pension Plan would take care of participants from various informal sector workers including market women, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, and members of textile, garment and tailoring associations. 
 
Others are tricycle operators and Okada Riders Associations, butchers associations, workers in the movie and performing arts industry, mechanics and other workers in the automotive industry and single professionals like lawyers, accountants and many others. 
 
Buhari said his administration understood the importance of the pension industry, adding that this was why the Micro Pension Plan was conceived so that operators in the informal sector would have something to fall back on when they retire from active service. 
 
He added that despite its lean resources, the Federal Government would continue to support the National Pension Commission in order to successfully implement the initiative. 
 
As part of the government’s support to the initiative, he directed that the Financial System Strategy 2020 should support the plan through its financial inclusion programme. 
 
Buhari said that in the last three years, his administration had provided grants, technical support and loans to small businesses, noting that through such interventions, the lifestyle of many people had changed for the better. 
 
Having achieved so much with making the business environment-friendly for businesses, the President said it was imperative to have a social protection plan in form of pension for traders, farmers, and tailors, among others, operating in the informal sector of the economy. 
 
Earlier, the acting Director-General, PenCom, Aisha Dahir-Umar, disclosed that up to N6.51tn of total pension assets had so far been invested in government securities. 
 
She added that this represented 73 per cent of the total pension assets. 
 
The DG explained that another N95.31bn was invested in infrastructure, while N7.19bn went into the subscription of the Federal Government’s Green Bond. 
 
Explaining the Micro Pension Plan, she said that under the plan, 40 per cent of the amount contributed could be accessed for contingency purpose while the balance of 60 per cent would be set aside for retirement benefit. 
 
She said while contributors could start drawing from their 40 per cent contribution after three months of making the initial deposit, the 60 per cent balance could only be accessed at the age of 50 during retirement. 
 
She said through the implementation of the Micro Pension Plan, it was expected that the level of old age poverty would be reduced by 85 per cent. 
 
The DG said, “This event is remarkable because it unveils a unique financial product, which democratises the savings culture in Nigeria in a systematic and efficient manner. 
 
“The product also perfectly aligns with the current social empowerment programmes of the Federal Government, as it seeks to ensure, in the long-term, the sustainability of the benefits of the empowerment programmes for the participants, who may seize this opportunity to save for their old age. 
 
“Our objective is to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery as well as transparency and accountability in the administration of the product by licensed pension operators. 
 
“With the formal launch and subsequent successful implementation, the Micro Pension Plan is expected to significantly expand pension coverage to greater number of Nigerians and further generate additional long-term funds for economic development. 
 
“The Commission would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to sensitise and enlighten the target participants and the public on the features and benefits of the plan.” 
 
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, expressed optimism that the initiative would expand pension fund coverage to the informal sector. 
 
He said that the unveiling of the plan by the President would make a greater number of Nigerians to expand the pool of investible funds available to the economy.

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Buhari launches pension plan for self-employed Nigerians

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Latest-News Buhari launches pension plan for self-employed Nigerians

Early detection prevents 75% of cervical cancer in women – Official

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Latest-News Early detection prevents 75% of cervical cancer in women – Official

Asiwaju Tinubu a dogged leader – Ambode

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Buhari meets Security Chiefs in Aso Rock

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with Service Chiefs and security heads at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 
 
The meeting was expected to deliberate on the security situation in the country. 
 
The security heads are also expected to present regular briefing to the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces. 
 
The Service Chiefs at the meeting were Chief of Defence Staff General Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Naval Staff Ibok-Ete IIbas and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar. 
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The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai and the Director of National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ahmed Abubakar were represented at the meeting. 
 
Also present were the National Security Adviser Major Gen. Babagana Monguno; Director General, Department of Security Service DSS Yusuf Bichi; the Acting Inspector General of Police IGP Mohammed Adamu; Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Minister of Defence, Brigadier Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali. 
 
The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report

Latest-News Buhari meets Security Chiefs in Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with Service Chiefs and security heads at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. ...

Chocolate City announces deal with American giant, Warner Music Group

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Chocolate City, one of Nigeria’s leading music label, has sealed a music deal with Warner Music Group(WMG), also known as Warner Music, American multinational entertainment and record label conglomerate. 
 
Mr Audu Maikori, Group Chief Executive Officer of Chocolate City, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. 
 
According to him, the partnership aims to grow the reach of African artists around the world, and create new opportunities for global superstars in the region. 
 
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“The partnership with Warner Music Group is unique in the sense that our clients get the best of both worlds — curated and bespoke services by a highly experienced team across Africa and a dedicated global team to further push their music and their brands. 
 
 
At Chocolate City, we have always been passionate about discovering and developing the best talent across Africa and giving them a platform for global growth,” Audu said. 
 
Temi Adeniji, Director, International Strategy and Operations, Warner Music, said: “Nigeria is one of the most exciting music markets in the world and Chocolate City’s trailblazing role in it over the years cannot be overstated. 
 
“The label will provide us with valuable insight on best practices in the region, as well as on-ground expertise in scouting and developing emerging talent. 
 
“Our partnership allows for a free exchange of ideas and music that will promote and support local artists, exemplifying WMG’s primary objective in determining our approach to emerging markets.” 
 
In addition, Alfonso Perez Soto, Warner Music Executive VP Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa: ”The music scene in Nigeria is so rich and diverse that it’s important that we develop bespoke entrepreneurial strategies. 
 
“At the same time, we’ll keep in mind the lessons learned from other emerging markets, for instance Latin America where we successfully broke local artists globally. 
 
“We have great affinity with Chocolate City’s creative and ambitious approach and we’re excited about Warner’s role in bringing to life their vision of taking their music worldwide.” 
 
Chocolate City whose catalog boasts of music veterans Femi Kuti and M.I. Abaga will join Warner’s repertoire and receive the support of the company’s distribution and artist services via its independent label services division ADA. 
 
The deal, which is designed to broaden the reach of Chocolate City’s roster of artists across the world, includes a strategic, reciprocal marketing agreement with WMG South Africa. 
 
The label will also financially invest in Chocolate City to assist in its mission of signing and developing promising local talent. 
 
For WMG, this is the second partnership they will be announcing in the past couple of weeks after signing a licensing deal with streaming platform Boomplay. (NAN)

Latest-News Chocolate City announces deal with American giant, Warner Music Group

Chocolate City, one of Nigeria’s leading music label, has sealed a music deal with Warner Music Group(WMG), also known as Warner Music, A...

VIDEO: Pope Francis prevents people from kissing his ring

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The mystery of why Pope Francis repeatedly withdrew his right hand as a long line of people bowed and tried to kiss it this week has been resolved – he did not want to spread germs. 
 
“It was a simple question of hygiene,” Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti told reporters on Thursday after he asked the pope directly. 
 
Gisotti explained that there were many people in line and the pope did want to spread germs as one person after another repeatedly kissed his hand at short intervals. 
 
Monday’s footage went viral on social media and was featured on late-night comedy shows in the United States. 
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The pope’s refusal quickly entered what are known as the Catholic cultural wars between conservatives and progressives. 
 
One conservative Catholic website that often criticizes the pope called the episode “disturbing” and another said the pope should resign if he did not like rituals. 
 
“He likes to embrace people and be embraced by people,” Gisotti said. 
 
The spokesman noted that the pope does allow individuals to kiss his hand and ring in limited numbers, such as he did with an elderly Italian nun at Wednesday’s general audience when Francis award her for decades of service to the poor in Africa. 
 
Watch the video below: 
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">'It was a simple question of hygiene': The Vatican explains why Pope Francis wouldn't let a line of worshippers kiss his hand <a href="https://t.co/c2Xp43XDRy">https://t.co/c2Xp43XDRy</a> <a href="https://t.co/vZxhvyVQ1O">pic.twitter.com/vZxhvyVQ1O</a></div>
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1111269208032071681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Latest-News VIDEO: Pope Francis prevents people from kissing his ring

The mystery of why Pope Francis repeatedly withdrew his right hand as a long line of people bowed and tried to kiss it this week has been ...

Wike sets up panel to probe 2019 election violence in Rivers

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Rivers State Governor , Nyesom Wike , has inaugurated a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the violence , killings and other related matters that occurred during the February 23 and March 9 , 2019 general elections in the state. 
 
 
Wike also inaugurated a panel into the violent invasion and attack on the Rivers State Judiciary and destruction of public properties , which occurred at the state judiciary complex in Port Harcourt on May 11 , 2018. 
 
 
The governor inaugurated both commissions on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, with a charge that they should submit their reports within 30 days. 
 
 
Justice Monina Danagogo was appointed as the Chairman of the Judicial Commission on Election Violence , while Justice Simeon Amadi chairs the commission on the invasion and attack on the state judiciary complex. 
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Wike explained that though the function before the two judicial commissions of inquiry would be tasking , he urged the members to work diligently to deliver within the scheduled period. 
 
 
For the panel on violence , killings and related matters during the 2019 general elections , the governor said some of their terms of reference are to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the violence , killings and other related acts/ matters, which occurred during this year ’ s general elections in the state. 
 
 
“Identify the sponsors and perpetrators of the various acts of violence and killings in the state during the period of the aforesaid elections . Identify the victims of the violence , including those killed during the said elections. 
 
 
“Identify the motives , if any, behind the said violence , killings and other related acts/ matters during the aforesaid general elections in the state,” he added. 
 
 
The governor said that the panel investigating the violence during the 2019 general elections has 10 terms of reference. 
 
 
For the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the invasion of the State Judiciary , Wike explained that the panel had 14 terms of reference. 
 
 
Some of them are , “To ascertain and identify the immediate and remote causes of and /or the motives behind the violent invasion and attack on the Rivers State Judiciary and destruction of public properties , which occurred at the judiciary complex , Port Harcourt on 11 th May, 2018. 
 
 
“ldentify the persons who participated in , masterminded , counselled or procured others to participate in the violent invasion , attack , disruption of activities of the Rivers State Judiciary and destruction of public properties. 
 
 
“ Identify and ascertain the targets of the said invasion , violence and disruption of activities at the Rivers State Judiciary Complex on the aforementioned date. 
 
 
Wike said that it is unfortunate that anyone would plot the attack on the Judiciary , which he described as the last hope of everyone. 
 
 
He pointed out that a former Rivers State governor, who shut down the courts , was the first to seek refuge when the courts were re-opened. 
 
 
Responding , Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violence , killings and other related matters during the 2019 elections , Justice Monina Danagogo , said txhat the commission would carry out its duties in line with the extant laws. 
 
 
Also , Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the violent invasion and attack on the Rivers State Judiciary , Justice Simeon Amadi , said the invasion of the state judiciary complex would not be swept under the carpet. 
 
 
Amadi described the desecration of the temple of justice as anathema to any democracy.

Latest-News Wike sets up panel to probe 2019 election violence in Rivers

Rivers State Governor , Nyesom Wike , has inaugurated a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the violence , killings and other rel...

Why inconclusive elections are rampant - INEC explains

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As it presented certificates of return to Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai and 34 elected house of assembly members in Kaduna on Thursday, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why inconclusive elections have become the order of the day in Nigeria. 
 
The election management body noted that though, inconclusive elections did not start with the present commission, it became rampant because elections have become highly competitive. 
 
National Commissioner supervising Plateau, Niger, Kaduna States and FCT, Professor Antonia Okoosi-Simbine stated while presenting certificate of return to the Governor and the lawmakers. 
 
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According to Professor Okoosi-Simbine, “Our democracy is deepening incrementally having conducted the sixth successive election without an interregnum; there is improved integrity in the electoral system; the elections are becoming more and more competitive and the margin between winners and runners-up are decreasing to the extent that in many instances elections into the Executive and Legislatures are increasingly becoming inconclusive. 
 
“This explains why the phenomenon of inconclusive elections appears to have increased. To be sure, it existed prior to the existence of the present commission. We cannot expect less when a few big parties are contesting for power at every level.” He said. 
 
She also noted that the election was marred by violence through, “a new trend in which some parties and candidates engaged in violent behaviour, including manhandling election duty officials and intimidation of voters, collation and Returning Officers. 
 
“The Commission views this trend with grave concerns and will continue to work on greater voter enlightenment for mandate protection as well as with the security agencies to curtail this ugly trend.” 
 
She, however, advised politicians who felt aggrieved in the just concluded general elections to seek judicial remedy in law court. 
 
“The commission advises disgruntled persons and parties to feel free to seek judicial remedy where they believe they have genuine case(s) to pursue. 
 
“Indeed, seeking judicial remedy is not only a part and parcel of the electoral process in Nigeria, it is consistent with the culture of democracy as opposed to resorting to self-help. 
 
However, the INEC boss called on governor El-Rufai to ensure the people of the state enjoy dividends of democracy. 
 
“I encourage you to deliver more materials benefits to the diversity of people in Kaduna in order to meet their governance expectations”. She told El-Rufai. 
 
Shortly after receiving the certificate, El-rufai said in a remark that he would carry everybody along in governance irrespective of political differences. 
 
He assured of security of lives and property, just as he expressed gratitude to the people for re-electing him to serve them for the second term.

Latest-News Why inconclusive elections are rampant - INEC explains

As it presented certificates of return to Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai and 34 elected house of assembly members in Kaduna on Thursd...

Osun Election: APC's Oyetola asks Appeal Court to reverse tribunal’s decision

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Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, who contested the last governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has asked the Court of Appeal in Abuja to reverse the majority judgment given on March 22 by the Osun State election tribunal. 
 
The tribunal had, by a majority judgment given by two of its three members, voided the election of Oyetola, pronounced Ademola Adeleke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) winner. 
 
It then asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC to issue him a certificate of return. 
 
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In a 39-ground notice of appeal filed on March 26, 2019 by his team of lawyers, led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Oyetola faulted the majority judgment, given by Justices Peter Obiora and Anyinla Gbolagunte, on the grounds that it was perverse, replete with contradictions and not supported by evidence led by the petitioners. 
 
Oyetola wants the Court of Appeal to uphold his appeal, set aside the majority judgment and dismiss the October 16, 2018 petition by PDP and Adeleke. 
 
The governor said his complaint, in the appeal, was against the entire majority judgment, except where the tribunal held that it lacked jurisdiction to set aside INEC Guidelines; that the allegation of over voting was not proved; that the petitioners did not prove voided votes and other parts of the judgment where the tribunal agreed with their arguments. 
 
Oyetola is contending, in his first ground of appeal, that the entire of the majority judgment is a nullity because it was written and delivered by Justice Obiora “who did not participate in all the proceedings of the tribunal and who was not present when all the witnesses gave evidence.” 
 
He noted that Justice Obiora was absent on February 6 when the respondents witnesses (RWs) 12 and 13 – Ayoola Soji and Oladejo Kazeem – testified and tendered exhibits, which the tribunal admitted in evidence. 
 
The appellant argued that, having not attended the tribunal’s siting on February 6, 2019, Justice Obiora could not see the two witnesses and was unable to examine their demeanour, as required, and therefore, unlawful for the judge to have authored a judgment in which he reviewed the evidence given by the witnesses. 
 
He said: “The writing of and or the participation of the Honourable Justice P. C. Obiora in the writing of the judgment of the lower tribunal of 22nd March 2019 and delivery of same, vitiates the entire judgment.” 
 
Oyetola also argued the tribunal, in its majority judgment, erred in law and acted without jurisdiction when it accepted the petitioners’ complained of non-compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act in relation to the September 22, 2018 governorship election in Osun State and on that basis proceeded to nullify the victory of Oyetola and APC. 
 
It was equally the appellant’s contention the tribunal acted without jurisdiction by basing its decision to uphold the petition and set aside the return of the appellants on the basis of allegation of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, in relation to the September 22 governorship election. 
 
The appellant noted that, nowhere in the entire petition, did Adeleke and the PDP complained about non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act in relation to the September 22, 2018 election. 
 
He added that the only ground, in the petition, alleging non-compliance with the provision of the Electoral Act was in relation to the rerun election held on September 27, 2018. 
 
Oyetola noted the tribunal contradicted itself in its conclusion, in page 191 of the majority judgment, to the effect that the information omitted by the election officers in the Forms EC8A in the 17 polling units, where the tribunal voided results, were essential to proving over-voting. 
 
He argued that, having earlier found that accreditation is not done on Form EC8A and that same (accreditation) cannot be proved without voters’ register, the tribunal was without jurisdiction to overrule itself. 
 
The appellant further argued that the tribunal erred in law when it cancelled elections in 17 polling units on the mere allegation of improper ballot accounting and accreditation details. 
 
He argued that since all the witnesses called by Adeleke and the PDP admitted that the voting process was regular; that votes scored by each party were publicly announced after counting and that the announced scores of parties were truly reflected on Forms EC8A tendered by petitioners, the tribunal was wrong to have proceeded to cancel results. 
 
Oyetola said: “All petitioners’ witnesses testified and admitted that petitioners were not short-changed regarding the scores recorded for them in each Form EC8A tendered, and that no addition of votes was reflected in favour of the appellants. 
 
“The lower tribunal had rightly found that there was no over-voting; there was no voiding of valid votes; that accreditation can only be done through voters’ register; that no single ballot paper was tended before it. 
 
“By cancelling of elections in 17 poling units the lower tribunal acted without jurisdiction. By deciding as aforesaid, the lower tribunal discountenanced Section 139(1) of the Electoral Act.”

Latest-News Osun Election: APC's Oyetola asks Appeal Court to reverse tribunal’s decision

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, who contested the last governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (AP...

Amosun snubs Tinubu’s 67th birthday colloquium

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Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, failed to attend the 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium, which held in Abuja on Thursday. 
 
Amosun was the only governor from the South-West that failed to attend the colloquium, which is held yearly in commemoration of Tinubu’s birthday. 
 
The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, called out the names of all the governors present, as protocol demands. 
 
They are: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State; Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State; his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola. 
 
Others present include: Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State; his Bauchi State counterpart Mohammed Abubakar; Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu; former Governor Rauf Aregbesola; and Lagos State Governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. 
 
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The presence of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; service chiefs and several monarchs were also acknowledged. 
 
However, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who has been suspended by the APC, was not acknowledged by the Vice-President despite being present. Ditto for Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State. 
 
Amosun, who had attended the last three Bola Tinubu colloquiums, was absent on Thursday. 
 
The Ogun governor, who has been suspended by the APC, has been at loggerheads with Tinubu and other party stalwarts after he was denied the opportunity of hand-picking his successor. 
 
Amosun, who is now a senator-elect, had described Tinubu as a Capo di tutti of Lagos at the height of the crisis. 
 
The Capo di tutti is a term of Italian origin often used to describe the overall boss within a mafia family or group. 
 
The tension reached a climax when Tinubu and others were humiliated at the APC Presidential rally in Abeokuta last month. 
 
A crowd comprising Amosun’s loyalists, shouted ‘thief, thief’ at Tinubu. 
 
Tinubu’s preferred candidate, Abiodun, eventually won the election; but his victory is being challenged by Amosun’s candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, at the election petition tribunal. 
 
Efforts to get comments from Rotimi Durojaiye, the Special Assistant on media to Governor Amosun; or his Special Adviser on Media, Eshiomhomo Imoudu, were not successful. 
 
Both of them did not answer the several calls made to them through their mobile phones. 
 
They also did not reply to the text messages sent to their individual mobile phones.

Latest-News Amosun snubs Tinubu’s 67th birthday colloquium

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, failed to attend the 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium, which held in Abuja on Thursday. Amosun was the ...

Tinubu warns Buhari's government - 'Don't try to increase VAT'

15:28 Unknown 0

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The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Thursday urged the Federal Government not to increase the Value Added Tax. 
 
He said an increase in VAT will reduce the spending capacity of the people and might increase hardship. 
 
He urged the Federal Government to rather consider increasing the tax net. 
 
He spoke on Thursday during the 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium marking his 67th birthday, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. 
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It may be recalled that, sequel to the approval of N30,000 as minimum wage by the National Assembly, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma; and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, had said the Federal Government was considering an upward review of the Value Added Tax by 50 per cent. 
 
 
Udoma and Fowler who stated this on Tuesday when they appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance, said the increment was to, among others, enable the Federal Government to fund the new national minimum wage. 
 
 
Fowler said the proposed payable VAT by Nigerians based on the increment would actually be between 35 per cent (6.75%) and 50 per cent (7.25%). 
 
The government is currently charging five per cent VAT on all products in the country.

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Rivers Accord Party gov candidate, Lulu-Briggs wants governorship polls cancelled

15:28 Unknown 0

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Mr. Dumo Lulu- Briggs, the Accord Party governorship candidate in Rivers State, has called for the cancellation of the March 9 Governorship and House of Assembly elections for lack of credibility. 
 
Lulu-Briggs made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Port Harcourt. 
 
He said that the call was necessitated by the Independent National Electoral Commission testimony on the gross electoral misconduct and insecurity that led to the cancellation of elections in several polling units in the state. 
 
The politician said that the subsequent suspension of the process was enough reason to ask for a fresh election in the state. 
 
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“What is most important is the credibility of the electoral process and legitimacy of any government. 
 
“Remember that on March 9, INEC had issued a press statement that reports from their men on the field indicated that there were widespread irregularities and violence in substantial polling units and collation centres. 
 
“That INEC staff was taken hostage and materials, including result sheets were destroyed by unauthorised persons. 
 
“And that they could no longer vouch for the credibility of the electoral process. 
 
“INEC having raised such an alarm in this sort of atmosphere, the various party agents went back to their houses,” he said. 
 
Lulu-Briggs said it was disheartening that INEC was now saying that they have some results they intend to collate and announce, tell me how credible such result could be? 
 
“Even if they are authentic results, what confidence will the people have in the electoral umpire who kept the acclaimed results without the monitoring of party agents? 
 
“It’s said that justice should not only be done but should also be seen to have been done,’ Lulu-Briggs said. 
 
(NAN)

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Married woman dies while spending night with polygamous lover

15:19 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqEdR7v7HOauuFzXuGtOUdtzfFwaF4zz1RuYI8jVDdox6oZuTaFo1dVGFBhM_DI6uT7-pMa3V5t5d0F7rp_pK3c3fTXMK3Z0kVJpq11rtBDWbuMwE50VGFvcd-S58Z8URy2lXFXz0KCdU/s1600/rip+dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="786" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqEdR7v7HOauuFzXuGtOUdtzfFwaF4zz1RuYI8jVDdox6oZuTaFo1dVGFBhM_DI6uT7-pMa3V5t5d0F7rp_pK3c3fTXMK3Z0kVJpq11rtBDWbuMwE50VGFvcd-S58Z8URy2lXFXz0KCdU/s320/rip+dead.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
 
The Plateau Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old man, Gundumi Saya, over the death of his married lover, one Mrs. Hajara Markus, who died while spending the night with him. 
 
According to the Police charge sheet currently before Justice Daniel Longji of the Plateau State High Court, Jos, Saya, who has three wives and 14 children, is a resident of Zango-Dinya in Bassa Local Government of Plateau. 
 
The accused, who is being charged with culpable homicide, allegedly committed the offence on November 21, 2018. 
 
The Police alleged that the suspect, on November 21, committed the act of adultery with the deceased when he lured her out of her matrimonial home to have sexual intercourse with her, an offence that contravened Section 368 of the Penal Code. 
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The charge sheet further said that the suspect intentionally dumped the body of the deceased by the road side, after he realised that she had died in his custody while he was having sexual relations with him. 
 
It said that the accused refused to inform the Police of Hajara’s death, thereby contravening sections 189 and 102 of the Penal Code. 
 
The suspect, in a confessional statement, however, denied killing his lover, stating that he woke up to make love to her in the middle of the night, only to find her dead. 
 
“I have known Hajara before she got married; I have been in a relationship with her for a long time. In-between, she got married and got divorced twice, but we still kept on seeing each other until she got married again a few years ago. 
 
“Whenever I wanted to have sexual relations with her, I invited her to the bush where we will catch our fun, and she will return home. 
 
“On the said date, we arranged to meet at my friend’s place, one Ojukwu, who is also married, after she had told her husband that she was going for a wedding in Bauchi State. 
 
“As agreed, we met at Ojukwu’s house and he (Ojukwu) gave us a room to pass the night. 
 
“Ojukwu’s wife later sent a boy with garri (cassava flour) and kuli-kuli (groundnut cake) to Hajara, which she soaked and took after which she retired to sleep. 
 
“I woke up at 2a.m. to make love to her, but discovered that she was motionless. I quickly ran to Ojukwu’s room to alert him, but his wife told me that he did not sleep at home. 
 
“I called him on phone to tell him what happened; when he came, I suggested that we should report the matter to the Police, but he told me not to do that because I would land in serious trouble.’’ 
 
The statement quoted the accused as claiming that Ojukwu advised him to dump the body by the roadside, which they both did, and went their separate ways. 
 
The statement said further: “Six days after we dumped Hajara’s body, I heard some commotion in front of my house and when I peeped, I saw policemen who came to arrest me. 
 
“I ran to the bush and stayed there for three days after which my daughter called to tell me that my elder brother had been taken away by the Police. 
 
“I felt bad when I heard that sad news and decided to surrender myself to the Police.’’ 
 
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Jos, Saya maintained that he had no hand in the death of the late woman. 
 
“I did not kill her. But I may not know if my friend’s wife poisoned the garri she gave her because that was the last thing she took before going to bed.’’ 
 
Husband to the deceased, Mr. Markus Jagaba, 44, in his statement, said his late wife took permission from him to attend a wedding at Jakandangiwa village in Bauchi State. 
 
Jagaba said he allowed her to go because it was a family occasion and he did not suspect that she was going to meet another man. 
 
“My wife told me she was going to attend a family occasion at Jakandangiwa village in Bauchi State. I did not argue with her. I simply allowed to go because I didn’t know she had other plans. 
 
“I became worried when she did not return home after the wedding and did not respond to my phone calls. I called her family members and was shocked to learn that she was not at the wedding. 
 
“When we did not see her after searching everywhere, my family and I reported the matter to the Police, after which I was called by the Police, some days later, to come over and identify the corpse which I confirmed to be my wife’s.’’ 
 
Elder brother to the suspect, Mr. Yakuba Saya, told NAN that no one in the family knew that he (suspect), was dating a married woman until the Police stormed their house to make the arrest. 
 
“I was at home when the Police barged in to arrest my brother. When they could not find him, they arrested me,’’ he said; adding that his brother (the suspect) confessed to him that he actually dumped the body of his lover on the roadside. 
 
“He told me he actually dumped the body of the woman on the roadside, but he insisted that he was not behind her death.’’ 
 
NAN reports that the Police have charged the suspect to court on three counts of adultery, culpable homicide and failure to give notice/information to a public servant. 
 
Saya is to be arraigned on Monday, April 1, before Justice Daniel Longji of the Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos. 
 
(NAN)