A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger suggested referees were over-protected after complaining “two offside goals” had accounted for his team in Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Manchester City.
Theo Walcott gave Arsenal a fifth-minute lead, but Leroy Sane equalised early in the second half, getting the benefit of the doubt in a tight offside call to run in and score from David Silva’s pass.
Raheem Sterling struck a 71st-minute winner, but Wenger felt Silva’s attempt to play the ball in front of goalkeeper Petr Cech should have seen the goal ruled out.
“We conceded two offside goals, which is very difficult to accept in a game of that stature,” Wenger told his post-match press conference.Wenger
“As it is well known, the referees are protected very well, that is right, like the lions in the zoo.
“So we have to live with those decisions. I want them to be safe. If they could make the right decision, it would be even better.”
Arsenal’s defeat was the second game in succession they had gone ahead, only to lose 2-1, having fallen to defeat in similar circumstances at Everton on Tuesday.
On that occasion, Wenger protested that Ashley Williams’s 86th-minute winner had stemmed from an erroneously awarded corner.
The result saw City leapfrog Arsenal into second place, leaving them seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
Chelsea won 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium two weeks ago, but City manager Pep Guardiola felt there was not much difference between that display and his side’s performance against Arsenal.
“Arsenal were lucky in the first half,” Guardiola told the BBC.
“It was a Premier League game and a good game for everybody. It was similar to the game against Chelsea. Then we played well and lost and today we won.
“The guys give everything in every game. I’m happy to be City coach. In terms of spirit, it’s always there.”
Irked by what he described as bad press against the wonder-bank, Mavrodi Mundial Movement, MMM, its founder, Sergey Mavrodi, has written an open letter to Nigerian journalists, "analysts" and all kinds of "experts" who according to him are guilty of causing unnecessary panic and tension among MMM participants in the country.
Sergey Mavrodi of inventor MMM
Mavrodi who expressed his disappointed about the way MMM is being painted in the media, said emphatically that "MMM will be back in January" while stating that the rumour about the scheme collapse should stop.
Mavrodi's open letter is coming after a one-month freezing of confirmed "Mavros" notice was sent to MMM Nigeria participants on Dec 12, 2016.
Sergey Mavrodi went ahead to describe articles from Nigerians journalists and bloggers as "provocative and worthless."
His statement read: "Dear journalists, "analysts" and all kinds of "experts"! Please stop using MMM to gain cheap popularity. Leave us alone and let us work without interference. I'm just astonished by your irresponsibility and cynical attitude. Interests of millions of people, your fellow citizens are at stake. Don't you have any sympathy for them? Why are you fueling hysteria around MMM and provoking a panic? Why are you doing this so diligently and persistently, what is your purpose?
“In fact, absolutely all your provocative and worthless articles and "analyses" (I said "worthless" because you do not have any real information about what happens in the System, and might have never had; you simply invent everything, fabricate it) are merely negative: "MMM has collapsed!!!.. MMM will not be working in January!!!.." etc.
“Are you intentionally presenting all of it in such a manner and whipping up tension by any means possible in order to increase the ratings of your publications and attract attention to them? Don't you care about people at all?
“So, nothing has collapsed, and MMM will safely resume its work in January, as announced. Suspension of work for holidays is a usual thing, merely working moment, no more than that. It would have remained a normal, just a part of the usual routine, and might have gone almost unnoticed if it were not for your totally cynical and irresponsible attempts to advertise yourself, create a scandal out of nowhere, and make the most of this news topic in any possible way.
“Again, leave MMM alone and let us work. Nothing has collapsed, and MMM will perfectly resume its work in January. We Can Change the World!"
Douglas Costa’s long-range strike rescued Bayern Munich in their 1-0 victory at bottom side Darmstadt on Sunday to reinstate his side as Bundesliga leaders before RB Leipzig showdown.
Bayern host second-placed Leipzig at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday in a mouth-watering clash with both teams on 36 points, but the Bavarians lead on goal difference.
Costa’s ferocious dipping shot from 30 metres out on 71 minutes was the bright highlight of a lacklustre Bayern display as Darmstadt battled their illustrious opponents, running seven kilometres more as a team.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Bayern had been temporarily usurped from top spot in Germany for 24 hours by Leipzig’s impressive 2-0 win at home to Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
However, this was a below-par display from Bayern, especially in the first half, against a limited Darmstadt team who suffered their seventh straight league defeat.
“We are relieved, they were three important points, it would have been hard to have played Leipzig without them,” said Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
“But the way we played — that wasn’t FC Bayern.”
With Jerome Boateng already out after needing a shoulder operation, Bayern’s captain Philipp Lahm withdrew just before kick-off after pulling a thigh muscle in the warm-up and was replaced at right-back by Rafinha.
With an eye on Leipzig, Ancelotti rotated with both Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich and Franck Ribery starting on the bench.
The Italian coach had demanded a performance with “maximum intensity”, but Bayern did exactly the opposite, failing to create a clear chance in the opening 25 minutes at the Boellenfalltor stadium.Diego Costa
Bayern lacked a creative spark and Costa made little inroads into the Darmstadt defence, until his thunderbolt of a shot settled the result.
“We didn’t play well, we weren’t fast enough, but it was important for us to win and to stay top,” said Ancelotti.
“We must play better, quickly and give our best on Wednesday.”
Bayern’s hot-shot striker Robert Lewandowski was harassed by Darmstadt defenders whenever he got the ball.
Ancelotti resorted to his prefered 4-3-3 formation, even though some of Munich’s biggest wins this season have been achieved with a 4-2-3-1 line-up.
Darmstadt’s caretaker coach Ramon Berndroth admitted he “idolised Ancelotti as a youngster”, but his side showed little respect, created a few half chances and never allowed Munich’s stars time on the ball.
Franck Ribery came on for the ineffective Arturo Vidal for the final 20 minutes just before Costa’s superb winner.
Thomas Mueller pulled defenders away from the middle and with a clear view of goal, Costa unleashed a fierce shot from well outside the area which dipped inside the top left-hand corner.
Darmstadt’s best chance came when midfielder Peter Niemeyer headed straight at Neuer from a free-kick on 77 minutes.
Bayern defender Mats Hummels admitted his side must improve before the Leipzig showdown.
“The respect is huge and it’s going to be a demanding test. We will have to put in a top performance, a standard one isn’t going to be good enough against a team like that,” said the centre-back.
Later, Ingolstadt, who beat RB Leipzig 1-0 last weekend, pulled off another shock win with a 2-1 victory at 10-man Bayer Leverkusen.
US midfielder Alfredo Morales gave Ingolstadt the lead at the BayArena before Leverkusen’s Chile hardman Charles Aranguiz was sent off just after the break for his second booking.
Swiss striker Admir Mehmedi equaliser after burying Julian Brandt’s superb pass, but Israel midfielder Almog Cohen netted Ingolstadt’s winner on 73 minutes.
The result pulls Ingolstadt up to 16th, still in the bottom three, while Leverkusen are ninth.
Manchester City breathed fresh life into their Premier League title challenge as they came from behind to secure a crucial 2-1 win over Arsenal, while Tottenham beat Burnley 2-1 to close the gap on the top four on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side recovered from Theo Walcott’s early opener as second half goals from Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling delivered the knockout blows in a heavyweight clash at Eastlands.
City’s second win in five days lifted them into second place and closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to seven points ahead of the busy Christmas period.
“At half-time I told them not to think about the score, I told them to keep going. Arsenal were lucky in the first half,” Guardiola said.
“The guys give everything in every game. I’m happy to be City coach. In terms of spirit it’s always there.”
Just days after squandering the lead in a late loss at Everton, Arsenal’s second successive defeat leaves the fourth placed Gunners languishing nine points behind Chelsea as their 14-match unbeaten run suddenly becomes a distant memory.”
“Of course I’m disappointed and frustrated. We had a very good first half and then we conceded two offside goals,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.
“It’s difficult to accept. I believe there’s a lot going on (regarding refereeing decisions). It’s hard going into game like that and get decisions go against you.”
Guardiola’s latest stab at finding the right formula in City’s creaky defence saw the Spaniard again leave out John Stones and deploy full-back Aleksandar Kolarov alongside Nicolas Otamendi.
But it took Arsenal only five minutes to expose City’s soft centre as Alexis Sanchez caressed a fine pass behind Otamendi to Walcott, who dispatched a cool finish past Claudio Bravo from close-range.
Showing impressive composure, Guardiola’s team monopolised possession after that and Sterling almost equalised when he headed just wide from Kevin de Bruyne’s cross.
City’s territorial dominance was rewarded in the 47th minute when David Silva’s pass picked out Leroy Sane and the German winger beat the offside trap to slot home.
Unable to stem the tide, Arsenal needed a series of saves from Petr Cech to keep them level, but the Gunners defence was finally breached again in the 71st minute when England forward Sterling beat Cech at his near post.
– Lethal finish –
While Arsenal stumbled, their north London rivals Tottenham battled back to defeat Burnley at White Hart Lane.
Burnley stole the lead against the run of play in the 21st minute when George Boyd’s cross came off Moussa Dembele and Ashley Barnes was alert to convert his side’s first away league goal in open play this season.
But Mauricio Pochettino’s men were level five minutes later through England midfielder Dele Alli, who made a well-timed run to meet Kyle Walker’s cross with a lethal finish.
Tottenham’s winner arrived in the 71st minute when Moussa Sissoko’s found Rose in space and the England left-back smashed home at the near post to move his fifth placed team within one point of the top four.
“We knew Burnley are a team that fights a lot, but we played in a very good way and fully deserved the victory,” Pochettino said.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez bagged a brace to inspire his side’s 3-1 win against local rivals Bournemouth.
Rodriguez hadn’t scored in the league since August but he ended that barren stretch with a second half double in the south coast derby at Dean Court.
Claude Puel’s team had fallen behind to Nathan Ake’s early opener, but Ryan Bertrand levelled soon after to set the stage for one of the better days in recent memory for the injury plagued Rodriguez.
Southampton’s second win in their last nine away league matches lifted them into seventh place, while Bournemouth remain in mid-table.
Saidu Ayorinde of Nigeria on Sunday emerged the 13th Africa Scrabble Champion winning 23 games of 32 in Tema, Ghana.
Ayorinde dethroned his Nigeria counterpart, Nsikakabasi Etim, the immediate past Africa Scrabble Champion, when he finished first in a 32-game scrabble marathon to become the best in the duel.
Ayorinde was ranked sixteenth at the 2015 World Scrabble championship.
NAN further reports that some Nigerians, namely: Eta Karo, Umebiye Cyril, Nsikakabasi Etim and Rex Ogbakpa emerged in the second, third, fourth and fifth positions respectively.
A Kenyan, Gitonga Nberitou, broke Nigerian line up to take the sixth position.
Other Nigerians in the listing are: Ogbogu Azubuike, seventh; Dennis Ikekeregor, eight; and Anthony Ikolothe, the National Scrabble Coach of the Senior Team, ninth.
John Curtis Ebomah came tenth.
Nigeria won nine of the ten positions in the championship and consolidated its position as the best team of the championship since nine of its representatives finished in top positions.
Ikolo revealed in an interview that the victory was due to hard work and dedication.
"It is a testimony to the potential of Nigeria as a country and the sacrifice and hard work of the players," he said.
I have, in the last few months, been shuttling from villages to towns across the three senatorial districts of Delta State at a high frequency for various reasons that additionally paid off in a manner I least envisaged. In the vast majority of areas thus visited, the common denominator of my journeys can be encapsulated within the context of a landmark developmental statement presently dominating the geography of Delta.
My numerous trips ended up becoming a firsthand experience of the developmental strides of the Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa led government, a series of encounters that have inspired me to share those experiences with Deltans, more so for the reason of avoiding false spin from false prophets and self-seeking politicians who have appointed themselves naysayers to each and everything good the Okowa administration is entitled to legitimately take credit for.
It is as such, most gratifying to report that despite the lean purse of the state, the Okowa administration somehow managed to construct and complete 55 road projects, inclusive of an impressive 113 kilometers of concrete lined drains in its first year! As if determined by some abiding article of faith in achieving the seemingly impossible, between June 2016 and now, contracts for the construction of a further 29 roads have already been awarded.
More specifically, whereas the Oreorokpe-Eku section of the Effurun-Eku Road has, in the past one year, been fairly good, certain portions of the Osubi-Oha-Oreorokpe section of the road has been begging for urgent attention. One is thus glad to report that tremendous rehabilitation work is currently taking place in the worst of all the failed sections with the Delta State Direct Labor Agency having divided the challenged sections into several parts and commenced simultaneous work on them so as to make them pliable for road users this yuletide.
In a fashion reminiscent of the mass attack style of squaring up to a multifaceted challenge, the agency has similarly rehabilitated the Effurun Flyover section of the Effurun/Sapele and NPA/DSC expressways, Uvwie LGA; the Old Sapele-Agbor Road, Abraka, Ethiope East LGA, as well as the Ughelli-Asaba Highway by Otovwodo junction, Ughelli North LGA.
While driving from Warri to Asaba, enroute Abraka, a few days ago, I found myself having to stop briefly at the Eku-Abraka site because what I found going on there seemed more like fresh reconstruction rather than rehabilitation. Barr. Alex Esiyoma, an impressed public affairs analyst, who is from Ethiope East LGA and does his business in Warri, remarked after watching the massive deployment of equipment, machines and human resources: "There is still hope for Delta State; truly Okowa is working".
Equally crucially, the conspicuous presence of the Special Security Unit code-named, "Eagle Net" in particular has verifiably discouraged armed robbers and kidnappers from the flashpoints they had de facto appropriated across the state. Capitalizing on the failed portions which naturally forced motorists to stop, kidnappers in time past had had a field day. As we speak, incidences of such heinous crimes have nosedived across the state.
While on my voyages, I noticed that the Okowa administration has completed the Reconstruction/Expansion/Construction of Kefas Road/Old Emede Road/Uzere Junction, Oleh in Isoko South LGA; Construction of the Extension of Ikokogbe / Idumuizomor / Palace Road, Owa-Oyibu in Ika North East LGA; Construction of Access Road to Awaritse Industrial Park, Obitugbo (Phase) 1 in Warri North LGA; Rehabilitation of Roundabout at Nnebisi/Okpanam/Anwai Roads and Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan Way Intersection, Asaba (Section I); Construction of Ejinyere/Orodje Streets Orerokpe, Okpe L.G.A Orerokpe, Reconstruction of Oteri Township Road Ughelli North LGA, amongst others. To any unbiased eye, these feats are a testament to responsive leadership calibrated by abiding passion and unwavering commitment to the public good within the compass of a detribalized approach to governance.
Michael Tidi is Special Assistant on News Media to Governor Okowa.
By Gabriel Ewepu and Imanuel Jannah ABUJA – NO fewer than 150 missionaries of Ike, Gbegede, Laleyi, Kwoita, Dafa, and Yakoji mission fields in Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja received welfare packages when Redeemed Christian Church of God organized one its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes in the Federal Capital Territory.
The Greatness zonal headquarters, venue of the humanitarian gesture hosted hundreds of faithful including those who had earlier benefited from such act of charity in the past first time beneficiaries.
The benefiting detailed examinations as their mission works demanded.
Speaking during the programme, Gwagwalada zonal Pastor of RCCG, Gideon Dagunduro told the people that the gesture was part of the church's way of sharing with those in the mission fields and supporting them in their work of propagating the gospel as initiated by the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
While thanking all the people that supported this year's charity event, the cleric urged Christians to always remember missionaries that are far away in the fields and reach out to them this season.
Responding, some members of the community expressed appreciation.
Mr. Suleiman Garba, a Muslim converted by one of the missionaries, thanked the church for distributing the welfare package to those in the mission fields, stating that such humanitarian services were difficult to acquire in their inner cities.
He explained that some that could not afford the high cost of such welfare gifts have had to live in poverty and deprivation. He maintained that he was particularly impressed that there this was the first of its kind they had received this yuletide season.
To Sunday Bako, the joy of partaking in the show love to the less privileged is overwhelming. He expressed satisfaction at the way the programme was organized.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include; Senator Dino Melaye; wife of Aso Villa Chaplain, Pastor Oby Malomo; Arc. L. T Malgwi; Air Commodore Ohalele; Pastor and Pastor Mrs. Nosa Ukponmwam; Pastor-in-charge of province- CSR, Pastor Sola Onakoya among others.
Mario Balotelli scored twice on his return to the starting line-up as Ligue 1 leaders Nice stretched their advantage at the top to four points on Sunday with a 2-1 victory at home to Dijon.
The Italy striker made his first league start in six weeks after recovering from a calf injury and converted a first-half penalty to fire Nice ahead at the Allianz Riviera.
Julio Tavares replied with a spot-kick for Dijon five minutes later, but Balotelli turned home the winner early in the second half to send Nice seven points clear of reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Second-place Monaco could trim the gap back to just a single point when they host Lyon in Sunday’s late game.
“The victory wasn’t undeserved but it was a tough one to come away with,” said Nice coach Lucien Favre. “It’s not a surprise, Dijon are a well organised team with good players.”
Nice’s Italian forward Mario Balotelli (C) vies with Nantes’ French midfielder Adrien Thomasson (L) during the French L1 football match Nice (OGCN) vs Nantes (FCN) on October 30, 2016 at the “Allianz Riviera” stadium in Nice, southeastern France. AFP
Balotelli played a full 90 minutes and scored a late consolation in Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat against Bordeaux in the French League Cup, with his return providing a timely boost for Favre’s men.
Wylan Cyprien stung the palms of Baptiste Reynet with a free-kick midway through the opening period and Nice grabbed the lead on 32 minutes after Alessane Plea was fouled by Yunis Abdelhamid.
Balotelli converted from the spot for his first league goal since October 30, although their advantage was short-lived with Arnaud Souquet harshly penalised for a challenge on Vincent Ruefli in the Nice area.
Cape Verde international Tavares swept home to level and revive Dijon’s hopes of snapping a seven-game winless run that has seen them sucked into the relegation places.
But former Dijon defender Souquet atoned for his earlier foul with a low strike across goal that Balotelli poked in as the flag stayed down despite replays showing the Italian was in an offside position.
Plea then struck the bar late on as Nice sought to close out the game, while Dijon finished with 10 men as captain Cedric Varrault picked up a second yellow card.
Bafetimbi Gomis scored again for Marseille as Rudi Garcia’s side picked up a third victory in succession with a 2-0 win over Lille to climb up to sixth.
Winger Florian Thauvin added a superb solo strike as Marseille went some way to making amends for their shock last-16 cup exit at second-tier Sochaux on penalties earlier in the week.
On Saturday, Unai Emery’s PSG slumped to a second defeat in three matches after losing 2-1 at Guingamp.
Yannis Salibur and Nill de Pauw both found the target to give Guingamp a two-goal lead with Edinson Cavani’s 17th league goal of the season unable to prevent the visitors sliding to a fourth loss already this term.
Former Vice-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Wale Olaitan, said that Nigeria has an unproductive and poor economy based on bonanza from oil sector.
He said unfortunately, the bonanza from the oil sector is not showing enough capacity to pay for our profligacy.
The former University VC said Nigeria has been so damaged by the free money from the oil bonanza that we are not prepared for any hardwood again. “Even when the government talks about diversification, the expectation is to jump into another sector where free money could flow. Unfortunately, there is no such other sector.
He added that any other sector that would bring revenue would need the hard-work of production and this is what the government and the people of Nigeria do not want and do not want to engage in.
He said: “We see the Federal Government setting out a budget with massive revenue expectation from the Customs and Ports Authority in an economy in recession as if there would not be a decline in importation under recession.
“And we see State Governments also projecting massive increases in tax collection even without any projected improvement in production within the States."
Prof. Olaitan said ordinarily as production increases, tax accruing to government increases which is why government is always interested in helping to expand and increase production.
“But Nigerian governments would want more taxes even where production is plummeting because they are already so used to easy money. But there is a logic to the world that we cannot run away from however we try in spite of our oil bonanza – and that is that you can only live on hard-work and production.”
Delivering a paper weekend at the Third Anniversary Annual Lecture of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), Ede Chapter, Osun state, Prof. Olaitan said Nigeria is assailed in very many respects at this time and not just in its economic organisation.
“Yet, the one that strikes such resonance because of its impact and high effect on virtually all Nigerians is the economic crisis. And outside of the concern of Nigerians about the growing lack of resources and incomes for the majority in the country in the midst of growing prices, Nigerians are simply nonplussed about the nature of the economic crisis facing the country,” he said.
Quoting the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that the economy has been on rising contraction in the first six months of 2016, he said production has a major role to play in the country’ s economy.
He added that “This means that every economy and its health would be much dependent on the nature and health of production, such that where production is not going on well, the economy would definitely be in stutters. ”
He said the implication is that all Nigerians are living at a lower level of production reality this year with the recession in the economy as the country is not able to reach its last year’s level of production.
Prof. Olaitan said what the recession has done is to exacerbate the poverty level which United Nations report says has been ‘increasing’.
While noting that Economic recession is about contracting production, he said what should concern Nigerians is why would production in an economy start to go down.
He said in the case of Nigeria that the economy operates essentially as a monocultural one that picks its strength mainly from petroleum. “Unfortunately, what constitutes the strength of the Nigerian economy does not contribute to production which we have said is the real strength of any economy. We therefore have a situation in which the Nigerian economy is essentially weak on production.”
Noting that the oil sector contributes only about 10 percent to Nigeria’s GDP, even though the country derives 95 per cent of export earnings and 70 per cent of government revenue from the sector, shows a distorted economy, making most of its money from a sector that is not known for production.
He said ordinarily, money should result from production such that there would be more money by having more production. “But in this distorted economy, money comes without production to the extent that revenue is from the oil sector which is not known for production.”
He added that the major issue that is responsible for the current downturn and recession is simply the fact that Nigeria has less revenue from oil.
“The major reason for the current recession is therefore the decline in the oil prices especially against the backdrop of depending heavily on the oil revenue for revenue and spending not related to production.
“The decline of the oil revenue which is the mainstay of the economy would necessarily lead to profound decline in the economy itself, hence the recession.”
While noting that Nigeria Nigeria has been a poor country for long and not just under the current recession, he said this is so because we are all used to describing Nigeria as a rich country.
“But it is all a further reflection of the warped and false sense of life that has pervaded the country since the era of petrol revenue.”
He said even at the height of the country being described as the largest economy in Africa that production level in the country was low.
He added that South Africa has productivity that is almost three times the achievement in Nigeria.
Prof Olaitan said though what we are witnessing now is a decline in the revenue from our bonanza sector, we should realize that it would not just decline but end sooner or later.
“There would be a time there would not be easy money from any bonanza and we would then have to face the ultimate reality that economy rests or production and nothing else. And that it is only to the extent of our production that we would be able to enjoy.
“This is the lesson that is creeping on us through the current recession except that we are busy confronting it by not acknowledging where it is coming from.”
By Rotimi Ojomoyela Ado – Ekiti-Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has taken a swipe at some clerics who had predicted that he would be impeached or removed from office in less than a year after his assumption of office.
It would be recalled that in 2014, shortly after his re-election and after his inauguration as governor, two clerics, (names withheld), from Ibadan and Akure, predicted that Fayose would not survive a year in office, adding that he would either be impeached or chased out of office as it happened in 2006 during his first tenure.
There were fierce legal and political battles afterwards that threatened his office but he was able to weather the storm.
Boasting that negative prophecies against him will always fail because he is God’s project whose destiny is only determined by God, governor Fayose declared in Ado-Ekiti Sunday during the annual Christmas Carol Service at the Government House Grounds, that whatever God has purposed for him could not be altered by mere wishes of men.Fayose
According to a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, Sunday, Fayose, who was first Ekiti governor to read the ninth Bible reading for the sixth time, also warned his aides against betrayal or subversive actions, saying whoever does that would only have himself to blame in the end.
“God knows everything and for Ekiti and her people, we are going forward and with God all things are possible. In January this year, a cleric said I would be removed in 2016 and I am still here by God’s grace. On April 22, 2015, somebody said myself and Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State would be removed from office, but am still here.
“My enemies can’t change my destiny. I am God’s project and all that he plans for my life will come to pass, no matter how bitter some people feel. Anybody with a negative prophecy against me and this state will fail. We won’t lose any battle in Ekiti.
God is bound by His words and will accomplish them,” he said. Governor Fayose urged the people of the state to be positive minded and hope for a better and brighter future.
In his sermon, the Bishop of Ekiti Diocese of the Anglican Church, Right Reverend Christopher Omotunde, said the celebration of Christmas is meaningless in the life somebody who has not accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.
He urged Christians to be prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ, saying whoever fails to do that would have eternal regret awaiting him.
Germany is to provide Nigeria with three million Euros for the procurement of surveillance equipment, mobile medical care unit and other support services for the country's armed forces .
The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, announced this on Sunday at joint news conference with the German Defence Minister, Ursala Von dar Leyen, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Air port, Abuja.
The Germany defence minister was in Abuja to hand over some military equipment donated her country to Nigeria.
Dan-Ali said that the money would be provided through the extension of the German Technical Advisory Group Agreement for three years, 2017 to 2020.
The minister said that under the existing agreement between the two countries under the group, 2012 to 2016, Germany had donated two mobile care units with extensive care unit facilities to the country.
Also donated to the country by Germany, according to Dan-Ali are Vallon metal detector/Improvised Explosive Device and Explosive Ordnance Disposal equipment, as well training of personnel and maintenance of the device.
He said Nigeria had also received three Mobile Tactical Ground Surveillance Radar systems from Germany for border security in the North East.
The minister thanked Germany for the assistance it had extended to the Nigerian armed forces so far to enhance their capacity to fight the Boko Haram terrorists.
"As we are all aware, terrorism is a threat to the existence of humanity and its development. We must, therefore, continue to stand resolute and united in our fight to stamp terrorism out of the planet,'' Dan-Ali said.
In her remark, the German defence minister, who handed over the equipment to Dan-Ali, noted that combating terrorism was both "difficult and dangerious.''
"Everywhere, the terrorists live bloody trail of destruction and death and time and again, they single out the most vulnerable of their targets like children just like the Boko Haram does in Nigeria.
"This is why it is in our common interest that the population at home in my country, as well as here in Nigeria is safe so that the economy can grow again.
"Because that is the basis for jobs and prosperity so people can believe in the future in their homeland,'' Leyen said.
According to her, terrorists abuse religion for their own evil purposes. Terrorists spread terror and violence all over the world, in France, Belgium, Aghanistan, Iraq, Turkey, Germany and here in Nigeria.
Leyen said that the objective of the cooperation between her country and Nigeria was to assist the country to "conduct crisis prevention, crisis management and peace building operations.''
"To compliment this, Germany is focusing on practical, very concrete issues – the capability and equipment the Nigerian servicemen need most urgently such as the protection against the many IEDs place by the Boko Haram.''
She noted that Nigeria was fighting a hard but most important fight, assuring the support of her country.
The Federal Government's initiative on labour and job creation received another boost over the weekend with an offer by the Islamic Republic of Iran to key into Nigeria's efforts through diverse cooperation in vocational skills acquisition programmes.
"This marks the beginning of a robust labour and job related relationship between our two countries. Nigeria and Iran share a lot in common and here is an opportunity for us to explore this for the benefit of our two countries," said Sen. Chris Ngige, the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment while welcoming Mr. Morteza Zarchi, the Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria in his office.
Expressing the appreciation of the Federal Government to an offer by Iran to build vocational skills centres in major cities in Nigeria, locally train and sponsor some of the trainees to Iran, the Minister restated the unwavering commitment of the Buhari administration to job creation and fair labour practices, urging the Iranian Ambassador to relay the great opportunities of investment offered by the 2017 budget back home to the Iranian business community.
"Nigeria is an investment haven, a destination, contrary to publications in some international media. We have our challenges just like many other countries, but Nigeria is generally peaceful and investment friendly. Having heard our President present the 2017 budget, I appeal to you to invite the Iranian business community, tell them about the friendly investment climate in Nigeria, ask them to exploit the fertile opportunities in our construction, manufacturing, agriculture, trade and even real estate."
The Minister further requested Iran to cooperate with Nigeria on International Labour Migration in order to make it possible for Nigerians with skills in various vocations to legally work in the country, adding that "Nigeria was already working with the ILO in that direction."
Making his presentation, Mr. Morteza Rahimi Zarchi expressed confidence in the efforts being made by Nigeria to steer her economy out of recession, applauding significant steps taken by the Buhari administration. "I am very happy that one of the most important issues raised by President Muhammadu Buhari in his budget speech was the creation of jobs in the country. I will be very happy that in these last days of 2016, I can raise up some issues concerning the joint co-operation between our two countries in this sector," he said.
He recalled that Nigeria and Iran have similar challenges and requested for closer co-operation to further explore common grounds and boost labour, trade and industry in the two countries.
"I have made a lot of contacts with people coming from Nigeria, and with different relevant authorities on labour related matters. I am very confident that through the exchange of views, we can activate some of these grounds. Iran is ready to create vocational skills centres in different cities in Nigeria and train those to be recruited. Some can travel to Iran for training in various vocational programmes which we run."
He further said his country would assist in expanding job creation activities in Nigeria through the transfer of production and managerial skills as well as capital inflow to stimulate small and medium scale industries.
Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has pledged not to abandon the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in spite of the crisis currently rocking the party at the national level.
Umahi made the pledge on Sunday during a Christmas 'Get-Together' he organised for the State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP including its local and zonal committee members.
The governor spoke against the backdrop of fears in the state that he would soon dump the party due to the crisis and to secure his second-term bid.
According to him, the current challenges confronting the party will not lead to its demise as it will soon fizzle out with the commitment of its dedicated members.
"Anybody who believes that I would leave PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other party is sleeping and should be woken from sleep.
"APC and other parties cannot win election in this state because PDP has performed marvellously and cannot be arm-twisted,'' he said.
The governor said that infrastructure projects, especially roads were being executed in all Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, courtesy of the PDP- led government.
Umahi
'"We are not just constructing roads but doing so on asphalt and stone base and other sectors such as education, health, agriculture, human empowerment among others, are feeling our impact," Umahi said.
The governor advised the party leaders to shun corrupt and divisive tendencies in order to succeed and reposition the party for the onerous tasks ahead.
"You must avoid taking bribes, embezzling party funds among other negative acts, as contentment and Godliness is very important to achieve success.
"When you are given N10 million for instance, present the actual amount to the members because the worst thing in life is to embezzle funds meant for all, alone," he said.
The state PDP Chairman, Mr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, thanked the governor for the reception and pledged to support him in justifying the mandate given to him by the people.
"We have learnt from the mistakes of the past and have been repositioned to maintain our resounding electoral success in 2019 and beyond.
"The people are witnesses to your massive infrastructure strides and impact in all sectors of the state which would make us maintain our overwhelming dominance in the state," he said.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bernard Odoh, thanked the governor for identifying with various sectors of the state during the yuletide.
"Ebonyi is the only state that earmarked N1.7billion to touch the lives of its people during this Christmas period.
"This will definitely cushion effects of the current recession in the country and make the people part of the state's governance,'' Odoh said
Party stakeholders used the occasion to suggest ways of enhancing the party's well-being and pledged their support for the governor.
Chief James Onanefe Ibori has asked journalists to stop maligning him almost on daily basis. Ibori made this in a statement of Sunday signed Tony Eluemunor, Head of Ibori's Media Office.
He said that Ibori has particularly condemned the bare-faced lies, that some journalists and news organizations, have continued to heap against him.
What makes it galling is that the matter under contention was the Department of State Security's report that stopped the Senate from confirming Mr. Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and did not warrant the dragging in of Ibori's name at all.
Yet, the online publication went wild all the same, making baseless accusations against Ibori, though it had said it was checking the facts in DSS' allegations.
Specifically, on "ALLEGATION ONE: That during the tenure of Farida Waziri as EFCC chairperson, sensitive documents were found in Mr. Magu's home", the online newspaper wrote: "The facts do not support that claim. A reporter for this newspaper extensively reported that event in 2008 when it happened, and is familiar with what transpired at the time".Chief James Onanefe Ibori
Ibori is not concerned with the fact that the publication chose not to cross-check the facts but rested on answers a journalist got almost a decade ago, and he did not say how he acquired that information, no, that is left with readers to worry about. What Ibori finds irresponsible is what follows:
"Based on pressure from political gladiators of the period (among which were former Governors James Ibori and Bukola Saraki), then President Musa Yar'Adua unceremoniously removed Nuhu Ribadu as chairman of the EFCC".
Mr. Nasir el-Rufai has exposed this claim as a terrible lie. In his book, The Accidental Public Servant", he stated the source of the trouble he and Ribadu had with the late President Umar Yar'Adua. On page 358, in a section entitled "Umaru Asks Nuhu for Support: the Beginning of Our Trouble" he wrote that Ribadu was so maddened that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had favoured Yar'Adua above Nasir-el-Rufai to succeed him as President in 2007 that he told Yar'Adua to his face:" Well, Obasanjo has not told me, and as far as the presidency is concerned, I have my candidate for president, and that is El-Rufai.
El-Rufai continued on page 359: "It took sometime before Nuhu figured out Obasanjo's games and what was really happening. Nuhu's instinctive reaction was that of a typical policeman – dust of EFCC's files and comb for petitions against Umaru. Nuhu did not realize it at that time, but he was the one in trouble not Obasanjo or Umaru. He dusted off all the files against Umaru and launched investigations. He was clearly trying to take Yar'Adua out of the race and narrow all options to zero except for El-Rufai"
Ibori continued: "It is clear that from El-Rufai's that there was no way a clear-headed Yar-Adua would have appointed a power-drunken Ribadu, who had unjustly arrested some Katsina state's LGA chairmen just to demonise Yar'Adua to remain as EFCC Chairman – to continue to arrest people unjustly, play politics with his office and hypocritically claim to be fighting corruption when he was neck deep in the worst corruption – maligning others just because of politics.
So, Ibori has advised Nigerian journalists to try and give Nigerians a decent picture of events because the nation's future would rest on that.
In another Development, Ibori has called on his well-wishers to disregard reports about when he will return to Nigeria. A newspaper wrote at the weekend: "Ibori would on December 23 arrive in a chartered jet via Heathrow Airport, London to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, where family members, friends and close associates are expected to receive him in a red carpet reception before jetting to Osubi Airstrips, near Warri, from where his convoy would take off for his Oghara hometown for another grand reception".
Ibori has asked the public to disregard such wrong information. An earlier report had said Ibori would return on an Arik Air flight. When the time comes any important information will be made available to the public and nothing would be left for conjecture.
Maiduguri – The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Bakasi Camp in Maiduguri have called for empowerment from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
The IDPs made the call on Sunday when the UNHCR High Commissioner, Filippo Grandi, visited the camp
Chairman of the Camp, Mr Buba Gamashi, who spoke on behalf of the IDPs, commended the commission and other donor agencies for providing shelter at the camp.
Gamashi said the government had been meeting their feeding needs, calling on the agencies to introduce skill acquisition programme to help them to be self reliant and take them out of idleness.
He explained that about 90 per cent of the IDPs were farmers that had been displaced from their communities as well as dispossessed of their means of livelihood.
According to him, such programme like carpentry, tailoring, shoe-making and other skills will not only reduce their dependence on humanitarian assistance but also help them overcome trauma and psychological imbalance.
"We are also asking for provision of drugs and other consumables in our clinics and ambulance in case of emergency.
"We also need more toilets because what we have at the moment is not enough and many of us are still sleeping on the bare floor because there are no enough mattresses," he said.
Gamashi, however, commended the federal and state governments for providing food and other necessities at the camp.
Also, Mr Said Alkali, Relief and Transportation Officer, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said the major challenge of the IDPs was idleness. Alkali, who is the Camp Coordinator, said that idleness could cause another crisis in future if something was not done to empower them while the plans to resettle them were on.
He disclosed that the camp currently had a population of 21,194 from five local governments of Monguno, Gwoza, Guzambala, Marte and Nganzai comprising 3,987 men, 6,116, 5,093 boys and 5,989 girls.
The coordinator also disclosed that the school in the camp currently had about 3,000 pupils, adding that more children needed to be encouraged to get enrolled.
According to him, feeding is good but nutritional food is important to enhance their health.
"UNHCR has been able to provide shelter for the IDPs in this camp and we are really grateful to the agency and other donor groups," he said.
Responding, the UNHCR boss pledged to continue to give humanitarian assistance to the IDPs and collaborate with the government in its reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement programme.
Grandi called for enhanced security of the camp while commending the level of sanitation in the camp.
Task Sultan of Sokoto on killing of Igbo in North By Clifford Ndujihe
A coalition of pressure and socio-political groups in the South-East on the banner of the Eastern Consultative Assembly, ECA, has made the restructuring of the country, a major condition for backing any candidate or political party in the 2019 general elections.
Rising from a meeting in Enugu, the Enugu State Capital, leaders of the groups, who lamented the killings of Igbo people in many parts of the country and refusal of the Federal Government to punish the culprits, said Nigeria cannot afford to continue with the unitary system of government.
Held at the residence of Chief Mrs. Maria Okwor, the meeting had in attendance leaders of the Clergy, Christian Association, CAN, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, town unions, students groups, women associations, youth organizations and traders unions.
Also present at the meeting were relatives of Ndubisi Uzoma, who was beheaded by Fulani herdsmen, last week, in Abuja and Pastor Mike Agbahime, who decried the release of Dauda and co who murdered his 74 year old wife, Bridget, in Kano last June.
In a communique by Mrs. Maria Okwor and secretary of ECA, Evang. Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, the ECA said ”the continued pretence by the central government that the loss of faith in unitary Nigeria as shown by various agitations for secession can be resolved through force of arms is childish and actually paints government as unserious and insincere about the need to save Nigeria's future. Every adult in Nigeria, knows Nigeria's survival is hinged only on a sincere restructuring of the polity along the lines of regional autonomy, anchored on true fiscal federalism according to the 1963 constitution. Continuous delay in restructuring Nigeria only deepens the acrimony, distrusts and fears presently ruling the land.”
The leaders also tasked the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubabakar 111, who is visiting Enugu, today, on the killings of Igbo in the North and menace of Fulani herdsmen.
They said: ”As a new awareness slowly but certainly emerges from the ashes of these trying period, we warn our leaders without followers that their 46 years old self-centred agenda and mindless exploitation of the masses’ helplessness has abruptly come to an end, as they have to key in to the people’s demand of political restructuring of Nigeria, if they want to truly lead the people.
”No politician who is not in support of restructuring Nigeria will receive votes in Igbo land, from ward elections, through state and National legislative elections to governorship and presidential elections. Our people will only vote for freedom from eternal slavery henceforth.”
It condemned the release of Dauda Ahmed and co, who were charged for the murder of 74 year old Bridget Agbahime in Kano on June 2 2016, and urge both the Kano state government and the Federal government to re-arrest and retry the five murderers and bring to justice the killers of Mrs Agbahime as earlier promised by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The ECA also condemned the non arrest and prosecution of Fulani Herdsmen who beheaded and carted away the head of citizen Ndubisi Uzoma in Iddo, airport road Abuja last week over incessant altercations with Fulani herdsmen due to the destruction of his farms.
It stated that the continuous refusal by government to set up a Judicial commission of enquiry as demanded by the Senate, Amnesty International and others, over the extra-judicial killings of Igbo youths especially on February 9, 2016 at National High School Aba and St Edmonds Catholic Church Nkpor on May 30, 2016 has earned the secessionist groups more sympathy and painted government as the villain.
”The current government strategy of ‘we have enough ammunition to deal with you people’ exemplified by military operations named after all kinds of reptiles, is clearly not working. Identifying and addressing the issues that has led millions of young people to lose faith in Nigeria remains the only solution to resolving these agitations. Military solution only exacerbates it,” it added.
A Lagos High Court in Ikeja has fixed January 19, 2017 for continuation of trial of the contractors and engineers involved in the construction of a guest house belonging to Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) which collapsed on September 12, 2014 and killed 116 persons.
The Lagos State Government is prosecuting the SCOAN Trustees, two engineers – Messrs Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun; and their companies – Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company and Jandy Trust Limited, before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo on 111-count charge for their involvement in the collapsed building.
The defendants were last month arraigned on 111-count charges bordering on criminal negligence, manslaughter and failure to obtain building permit.
During his testimony at the last adjourned date, Lagos State Chief Medical Examiner, Professor John Obafunwa told the court that five dead bodies who fell victim of the incident were still yet to be identified.
Led in evidence by Mrs. Idowu Alakija, the State's Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Obafunwa, who is a Consultant Pathologist to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the former Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), said the victims of the collapsed building died due to multiple injuries, traumatic asphyxia, severe blood loss, severe fracture and compression of the skull with the brain tissue, congested heart failure against the background of hypertension and accumulation of blood in the chest cavity.TB Joshua-Synagogue Church
The Chief Medical Examiner said: “To avoid any decomposition, we have to embalm the bodies in the various mortuaries and were equally given identification numbers.
“On the 22nd of September 2014, I received a Coroners’ order to commence a post-mortem examination for identification purposes.
“The bodies were finger printed, examined externally, opened up and examined internally, and samples were taken from various organs to examine them under the microscope.
“We took samples of bones, muscles, pulled hair where available for the purposes of DNA analysis and those samples were sent to a laboratory in South Africa about middle of October, 2014.
“We also collected DNA samples from the relations of the deceased victims and the whole idea was to identify the cause of the death of the affected victims and in the process we were able to identify one hundred and ten (110) victims from the one hundred and sixteen (116) that died apart from the one that died after ten days he was admitted at LASUTH," Obafunwa narrated.
He also said that all the dead bodies were issued a death certificate each after identification, and that the immediate cause of their death was indicated therein.
Meanwhile, the State Government has said that it was aware of the alleged stampede in the premises of the Synagogue Church in Ikotun area of the State last weekend which reportedly led to the death of about three victims.
The State's Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, in a statement, said government would ensure proper and thorough investigation of the incident and take appropriate and necessary step on the outcome of the investigation.
Kazeem also reiterated the commitment of the present administration in the State to ensure security and safety of all residents and visitors.
A consultant Pathologist, Dr. Sunday Soyemi, on Friday revealed how two persons died of bullet wounds fired by militants who kidnapped the Oniba of Iba in Lagos State, Oba Goriola Oseni on July 16, 2016.
The State Government had charged four suspects arrested in connection with the crime before a Lagos High Court in Igbosere. They are Duba Furejo, Ododowo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, Soyemi, who is also a senior lecturer at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), said the security guard attached to the Palace, Sunday Okanlawon and a motorcycle rider, Joseph Okeke died as a result of the wounds of the bullet fired by the kidnappers.
While being led in evidence by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, Soyemi told the court that he performed the postmortem on the two deceased persons and that the result revealed that they died of bullet wounds.
Soyemi said the body of Okanlawo was identified by his son, Seun Okanlawon and the Investigative Police Officer (IPO) in charge of the case, Sergeant Ademo Rahim, while that of Okeke was identified by the said IPO.
In his testimony, Soyemi narrated that “the essential findings on Okanlawon were a circular hole on the shoulder at the back, a structure on the bridge of the nose, and a structural defeat on the upper part of the head.”
The Pathologist added that the base of the skull shows fracture and there was bleeding into the brain and extensive cerebral laceration.
He said the result of the autopsy revealed that the death of Okanlawon was ascribed to “severe crenel cerebral injury following a penetrative injury to the skull.”
Besides, Soyemi said that the autopsy result of Okeke revealed a destruction of the left femoral vessel.
He said from investigation, there was an entry and exit wound and such was usually caused by bullet wound, adding that the wounds on both bodies were consistent with bullet wounds gun shot.
He said after the postmortem, death certificates were issued to the families of the deceased persons.
During cross examination by the defendants’ lawyer, Soyemi reaffirmed the results of the autopsy.
It would be recalled that the IPO (Rahim) had earlier testified in the matter where he told the court that in the course of investigation, he discovered that the security guard at the palace, one Sunday Okanlawon was shot in the head.
The defendants are standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on kidnapping of the Oniba of Iba, conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, robbery, armed robbery and felony preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.
Meanwhile, the trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo has adjourned the case to February 3, 10 and 14, 2017 for continuation of trial.
The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, said that agency was set to enforce full implementation of the NIMASA Stevedoring Regulation 2014.
The Head, Corporate Communications Team, Hajia Lami Tumaka, in a statement on Sunday in Lagos, said that the director-general disclosed this at a one-day Stakeholders' Sensitisation Seminar on NIMASA Stevedoring Regulation, 2014.
The director-general said that the enforcement of NIMASA Stevedoring Regulation 2014.would strengthen stevedoring operations in all dock labour operational areas.
Peterside said that the regulation prescribed standards for the appointment and operations of stevedoring services at the ports, terminals, jetties, onshore or off shore oil and gas or bonded terminal, Inland Containers Depots (ICDs) or dry ports, off dock terminals and platforms within the Nigerian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Represented by the agency's Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr Gambo Ahmed, the director-general said that NIMASA would continue to ensure a conducive working environment for employers of maritime labour in line with international best practices.
"Let me assure you that the agency under my watch will strive to create the enabling environment for maritime labour employers to operate in line with International best practices.
Dakuku Peterside
"As a competent authority for the implementation of International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and regulations, the agency will also conduct its maritime related affairs in the spirit of tripartism and consultation with all relevant stakeholders aimed at promoting a decent work agenda and moving the industry forward,'' Peterside said.
The director-general reminded stakeholders of the need to adhere to high safety standards in their operations in order to stem the tide of industrial accidents in the ports, jetties and terminals.
He also implored operators and dock labour employers to ensure that their workers are adequately remunerated, adding that it would go a long way in enhancing productivity in all aspects of the industry.
Peterside also solicited the cooperation of stakeholders in the industry and reiterated the agency's commitment toward moving the maritime industry to greater heights by emphasising best internationally acceptable operational practices.
According to him, this is with a view to ensuring that the relevant provisions of the Law and International Conventions and Instruments are implemented to the letter.
Stakeholders at the event include: the President of the National Association of Stevedoring Companies (NASC), Mr Bolaji Sunmola and Otunba Kunle Folarin of the Ports Consultative Council (PCC).
The stakeholders welcomed the sensitisation programme and called for effective implementation and enforcement of the NIMASA Stevedoring Regulation 2014.
The Regulation as gazetted by the Federal Government is in consonance with the powers conferred on the minister by section 25 (l) of NIMASA Act, 2007.
It was developed pursuant to relevant sections of the NIMASA Act, 2007 (part viii), section 27 (i) and NPA Act, Section 7 (e) (ii) after due consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Berlin voiced outrage Sunday over an alleged decision by a German-backed international school in Istanbul to scrap Christmas festivities, although the claim was swiftly denied in Turkey.
“We don’t understand the surprising decision by the management of the Istanbul Lisesi,” said the German foreign ministry.
“It is too bad that the good tradition of pre-Christmas intercultural exchanges at the school with a long German-Turkish tradition has been suspended,” it said.
“We are of course taking this up with our Turkish partners.”
Set up in 1884, Istanbul Lisesi is a Turkish-German bilingual state school but is partly backed by the German government.
The school denied any such ban.
“The reports in German media about restrictions on Christmas festivities of German teachers do not reflect reality,” it said.
“A concert was cancelled by the German teachers in question without explanation and there is no question of the school or its management placing an obstacle in its way or prohibiting it.”
Ruling AKP party MP Mustafa Yeneroglu also denied the claims, saying “such false reports do nothing for Turkey-Germany relations”.
German politicians had reacted with fury over the reports.
Left party lawmaker Sevim Dagdelen told Tagesspiegel the government must “immediately summon the Turkish ambassador and send a note of protest to Ankara”.
The Greens’ education policy spokesman Ozcan Mutlu said the alleged ban is “simply shocking”.
If the ban remains, then the question of whether German taxpayers should continue to fund the school must be examined urgently, he told the media group Redaktionsnetzwerk.
Andreas Scheuer, the general secretary of the CSU — Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Bavarian allies, said the move was “new proof that (President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan’s Turkey is burning all bridges with Europe”.
Christmas is part of Germany, and that applies too for a German school abroad, Scheuer told the Funke regional media group.
Relations between Ankara and Berlin have been strained in the wake of the July failed military coup, with Germany repeatedly expressing concern over the scope of a massive crackdown on Erdogan’s opponents.
Developments in Turkey have a strong resonance in Germany, home to a three-million-strong ethnic Turkish population, the legacy of a massive “guest worker” programme in the 1960s and 1970s.
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