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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors' Forum has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be fair in the conduct of forthcoming Ondo governorship election.
In a statement by its Secretary, Patrick Okon, on Monday in Abuja, the forum also called for overhaul of the commission.
It alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the help of INEC, was planning to rig the poll.
"We are aware of the plan of APC to get Ondo state by all means, including enlisting the assistance of INEC.
"We are warning that we will not fold our arms to watch this impunity and day-time robbery.
"INEC is an umpire and should play its role very well so that the electorate will have confidence in it.
"From the way things are going, the people are already losing confidence in the commission,'' it said.
The forum also called on INEC to stick to its electoral mandate and should not subvert the law of the land.
"INEC should conduct itself very well in this forthcoming Ondo state governorship election to avoid a repeat of what happened in Edo election."
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that INEC on Thursday cleared Mr Jimoh Ibrahim nominated by disputed National Chairman of PDP, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff's faction, as the party's candidate for the election.
It based its action on a court order, which declared Ibrahim as the candidate of the party for the poll.
The development jolted majority of members of the party, who had in a primary supervised by INEC as provided in the Electoral Act, elected Mr Eyitayo Jegede as candidate for the election.
Jegede's nomination was submitted by Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the party.
However, the caretaker committee has the Court of Appeal to reverse the decision of High Court on the issue. Hearing on the matter has been fixed for Tuesday and Wednesday in Abuja.
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has called for the restructuring of the state's working relationship with the World Bank for efficiency, effectiveness and timely execution of projects.
Ajimobi made the call on Monday in Ibadan when he received a 14-member World Bank delegation led by Mr Benmessaoud Rachid, the bank's Country Director in Nigeria.
Ajimobi said the state government would be very glad to see a timely, effective and efficient delivery of World Bank projects for the benefit of the people.
"I am very concerned on the slow rate of the World Bank projects. We are not happy about the level of deliverables in our relationship with World Bank.
"I don't support a situation, where a representative of your bank will be responsible solely to the bank.
"I believe most of these projects are loans and such must be known to both parties in the relationship,'' said the Oyo State governor.
He urged the World Bank to continue to collaborate with his administration in improving the socio-cultural well-being of the people.
Ajimobi said the state was already working with the bank on education, adding that the government believed in capacity building for its citizenry.
"We believe you can assist us in the area of teachers' training, out-of-school project, infrastructure, environment, reduction in maternal death, agriculture and waste-to-energy projects.
"We believe that agriculture can take the country out of recession as the largest employer of labour with multiplier effect: Oyo State is the largest producer of poultry products in Nigeria.
"The state also has potential for rice cultivation instead of the billions of dollars expended on the importation of rice,'' the governor said. Ajimobi said that the state agriculture initiative – Agric Oyo – would impact more than one million citizens.
Earlier, Rachid said the World Bank team was in the state to demonstrate its commitment to the existing partnership, enhance prosperity and reduce hunger.
"We have six projects valued at 241 million dollars under implementation in the state.
"One of the six projects is valued at 200 million dollars for urban sector projects.
"The remaining five projects, worth 41 million dollars, cuts across community development projects, HIV/AIDS and agriculture," he said. Rachid said the bank was ready to assist the state in any aspect it needed support.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor presented a talking drum to the World Bank delegation during the visit.
The Kano State House of Assembly on Monday in Kano passed the Bill seeking life imprisonment for kidnappers in the state.
The Majority leader of the Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Atta, read the Kidnapping, Abduction and Forced Labour Amendment Bill 2016 before the Assembly.
Speaking shortly after the plenary, Atta said the Committee of the whole House passed the bill after considering its amendment.
"The law has been in existence since 1963, but did not provide serious punishment for kidnappers, therefore, we have to amend it to suit the current situation," he said.
Atta, who is a member representing Fagge Constituency, explained that any person found guilty of kidnapping would face life imprisonment without an option of fine.
According to him, anyone found guilty of raping or forced labour will also be sentenced to 15 years without an option of fine.
Also, in an interview with newsmen after the passage of the bill, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Alhaji Salisu Riruwe, said the amendment was a welcome development.
"With the passage of this anti kidnapping law, we are hoping that the rampant cases of kidnapping and abduction in some areas of the state will come to an end, ''Riruwe said.
Similarly, the Assembly has also commenced the amendment process on Kano State Pension Gratuity Amendment Bill 2013 during the plenary.
Human Rights Watch, Monday, released a report accusing Nigerian officials of sexually exploiting women and girls at the IDPs.
It said it had documented 43 cases of women and girls in seven IDP camps in Maiduguri in July who have been abused by camp leaders, vigilante groups, policemen, and soldiers.
Bama IDP Camp: Cross Section of women at Bama IDP Camp in Maiduguri during Minister's Tour of Bama . Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.
"It is bad enough that these women and girls are not getting much-needed support for the horrific trauma they suffered at the hands of Boko Haram," said Mausi Segun, senior Nigeria researcher at HRW.
"It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them," he added.
Four of the victims told HRW they were drugged and raped, while 37 were coerced into sex through false marriage promises and material and financial assistance.
"Many of those coerced into sex said they were abandoned if they became pregnant. They and their children have suffered discrimination, abuse, and stigmatisation from other camp residents," the global rights body said.
HRW spoke to one 17-year-old girl who was raped and made pregnant by a policeman.
One of the victims, a 17-year-old girl who was drugged and raped by a police man recounted her ordeal to HRW saying, "One day he demanded to have sex with me," she said. "I refused but he forced me. It happened just that one time, but soon I realised I was pregnant."
"When I informed him about my condition, he threatened to shoot and kill me if I told anyone else. So I was too afraid to report him."
HRW said irregular supplies of food, clothing, medicine, and other essentials in camps were making the women vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
"In some cases, men used their positions of authority and gifts of desperately needed food or other items to have sex with women," it said.
Boko Haram has devastated northeast Nigeria in its quest to create an Islamist state, killing over 20,000 people and displacing 2.6 million from their homes.
Since taking up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009, the jihadists have disrupted trade routes and farms.
Now nearly 50,000 children are facing death by starvation if they don't get food and almost 250,000 more are severely malnourished in Borno state, according to UNICEF.
President Muhammadu Buhari has, Monday, ordered the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris and the affected state governors to commence immediate investigations into the recent report by the Human Rights Watch alleging sexual harassments of girls and women at the Internally Displaced Camps, IDPs by some officials.
In a statement issued made available to newsmen by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, it said that president Buhari was shocked and worried at the news.
Bama IDP Camp: Cross Section of women at Bama IDP Camp in Maiduguri during Minister's Tour of Bama . Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is worried and shocked by the recently released Human Rights Watch (HRW) report which alleges sexual abuse and exploitation of women and girls in camps for those displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency.”
“The welfare of these most vulnerable of Nigerian citizens has been a priority of his government. Nigerians and the international community can rest assured that the allegations raised in the HRW are not being taken lightly.”
“President Buhari has instructed the Inspector General of Police and the state governors of the affected states to immediately commence investigations into the issue. Their findings will determine the next course of action for the government and define an appropriate response.”
“While the Nigerian military continues to work hard so that these unfortunate victims of Boko Haram terrorism can soon return safely to their homes, the government will do its best to ensure their protection and welfare in the temporary IDP camps.”
Human Rights Watch, Monday, released a report accusing Nigerian officials of sexually exploiting women and girls at the IDPs.
It said it had documented 43 cases of women and girls in seven IDP camps in Maiduguri in July who have been abused by camp leaders, vigilante groups, policemen, and soldiers.
"It is bad enough that these women and girls are not getting much-needed support for the horrific trauma they suffered at the hands of Boko Haram," said Mausi Segun, senior Nigeria researcher at HRW.
"It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them," he added.
Pope Francis has landed in Sweden to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, a remarkably bold gesture given his very own Jesuit religious order founded to defend the faith against Martin Luther's "heretical" reforms five centuries ago.
While the visit initially raised eyebrows, the Vatican and Lutheran church both insist the event is no celebration of Luther's revolt.
Rather, they say, it's a solemn commemoration to ask forgiveness for the schism in Western Christianity and rejoice that relations have improved in the last five decades.
Francis has prioritized these deeply symbolic encounters to show that even while divided on dogma, the Christian faithful can and must work together and pray together, especially in times of religious persecution.
"If we don't do it, we Christians hurt ourselves by division," Francis said in an interview this weekend with a Jesuit journal.
Francis arrived a few minutes ahead of schedule in Malmo, southern Sweden, and went immediately into an airport audience with Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, followed by a meeting with Sweden's royals.
The main event of the day is an ecumenical prayer service to commemorate the anniversary with the head of the Lutheran World Federation, Bishop Munib Younan, at the Lutheran cathedral in Lund.
The Vatican and Lutheran delegations were to ride together in a bus — itself an ecumenical voyage of sorts — to attend an event highlighting both churches' peace-making and humanitarian efforts.
Testimony from refugees and the Catholic bishop of besieged Aleppo, Syria, top the list of speakers.
Francis continues his visit on Tuesday with a Catholic Mass in the Malmo sports stadium, added in at the last minute after Sweden's tiny Catholic community balked that Francis was ignoring them and coming only for the Protestant commemoration.
"I wanted to insist on an ecumenical witness," Francis said in the interview. "Then I thought about my role as pastor to a Catholic flock" and added in the Mass and an extra day.
The Protestant Reformation started in 1517 after Luther nailed 95 theses on the church door in the town of Wittenberg, denouncing what he saw as the abuses of the Catholic Church, especially the sale of indulgences.
Pope Leo X excommunicated him, but the church couldn't stop his teachings from spreading throughout northern Europe or the world.
Catholics persecuted Protestants and vice versa for hundreds of years.
St. Ignatius Loyola founded the Jesuit order in 1537, 20 years after Luther's protest, in part as a response to the heresies being promoted, the Rev. Charles Connor, a church historian, wrote in "Defenders of the Faith in Word and Deed."
"The work of the Jesuits in defending the faith must be looked at in the context of the Counter-Reformation," he wrote. "The times called for a spirited defense of the faith. It was the time for Catholic renewal."
Years ago, Francis spoke harshly of the Protestant reformers. But in the run-up to the trip, he has had only words of praise for Luther.
He recently called the German theologian a reformer of his time who rightly criticized a church that was "no model to imitate."
"There was corruption in the church, worldliness, attachment to money and power," Francis told reporters this summer.
They are the same abuses Francis has criticized in the 21st-century Catholic Church he now leads.
By Soni Daniel Abuja- Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Father Matthew Hassan Kukah, today, Monday paid an unscheduled visit to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja, where some top-ranking Peoples Democratic Party officials, are being detained over graft-related issues.
Kukah, who was conducted round the detention facilities, described the detention facilities as which he described as 'clean and orderly" and prayed for Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Femi Fani-Kayode and Reuben Abati, who have been in detention for the second week running.
The priest, who used the visit to assess the state of the detention facilities, said he was satisfied that the EFCC paid premium attention to the well being of the detainees by ensuring that the facilities provided comfort to them.
Kukah said after the inspection tour, "I discussed with some detained suspects like Femi Fani-Kayode, Musiliu Obanikoro and Reuben Abati; and I am quite pleased they are looking cheerful.Fani-kayode, Abati and Obanikoro
“I was also happy with the humility of the acting Chairman who took me round and the way he interacted with the detainees. This is what is important for our country so that nobody takes these kinds of things personal. I am happy I came.
"We are all staff of EFCC to the extent that we want a better country and we are doing what needs to be done. We'll continue praying that God guides you, keeps you safe and ensure that we build a country that we all will be proud of. This country has suffered so much, but we hope and pray that we can bring the suffering and trauma to an end as we collectively fight corruption."
The revered priest, who was conducted round the facilities by the acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, expressed delight that the detainees appeared in high spirits despite the discomfort of temporary restriction. He urged them not to be downcast and to see their current travail as divine.
EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, told Kukah that the work the commission was doing for Nigeria was not personal but geared towards changing the country for the better.
Magu also cleared the air on the detention of the PDP top shots, saying that it was not personal.
"It is not personal. This is all about Nigeria and making it better. And I think there is a consensus around this," he said
For being the first African table tennis player to make it to the quarterfinal stage of the men's singles at the Olympic Games, Nigeria's Aruna Quadri has indeed raised the bar for upcoming players to aim at in their chosen career.
At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the 28-year-old Nigerian created history by becoming the first African to reach the last eight stage in the men's singles.
For this, the final day of the just concluded 2016 ITTF Africa Senior Championship in Agadir, Morocco, the world number 25 was honoured by the ITTF Africa with an award for outstanding performance.Aruna Quadri
The award was presented by the ITTF Africa President, Khaled El-Salhy and Vice President of ITTF, Cherif Hajem.
The ITTF officials said that the two Nigerians – Segun Toriola and Aruna Quadri played an instrumental role in putting Africa on the world map in Rio and for this, the Executive Committee agreed that the two players must be acknowledged and honoured in order to motivate upcoming players to aim high like them.
President of ITTF Africa, Khaled El-Salhy said, "We were overwhelmed with the huge publicity that Africa got in the table tennis event at Rio Olympic Games because of the performance of Aruna Quadri because in the history of table tennis, no African has made it to the last eight of the Olympic Games."
Emphasizing on the importance of motivating young kids to follow Quadri Aruna's footsteps, he added,
"Players like Aruna Quadri are very rare and I know his performance was due to his commitment and hard work which was obvious in his performance. This honour is not just to celebrate him but also to inspire the other players to work hard because without hard work and discipline it will be impossible for any player to make it to the world stage."
"From his performance at the 2014 World Cup in Germany where he became the first African to make it to the quarterfinal round of the competition to being named the Male Table Tennis Star of the year at the Dubai 2014 ITTF Star Awards, Aruna Quadri has raised the bar for others to aim at and with his performance of record, more people in the continent are now paying attention to the sport and we hope he will continue to move up and other African players will surely come through," El-Salhy added.
Quadri Aruna made a giant leap in world rankings in November 2014. He moved from number 73 in October 2014 to number 30 in November 2014. After his success at the Rio Olympics in August this year, Aruna once again climbed up the ladder from number 40 in August 2016 to number 25 in September 2016.
More than anything else, its Quadri Aruna's killer instinct and his "forever fighting till the end" attitude that makes him a world class player. It's a treat to watch him play as he gives his heart and soul to win in each point which displays his passion and love for the game.
Abuja – Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to be intimidated by politicians ahead of Nov. 26 governorship poll in Ondo state.
National Coordinator of the organisation, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, gave the charge in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
He said that INEC should strive to ensure that the election was credible and transparent in spite of perceived intimidation by some politicians and their parties.
According to Onwubiko, the commission cannot afford to compromise, especially as it already has credibility problems following complaints from the Sept. 28 Edo governorship poll.
He described the allegation by a politician, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, that an INEC official demanded one million dollars bribe from him as "sensational'', and urged the commission not to distracted.
He charged INEC authorities to ensure that the independence of the commission was not compromised, adding that it should focus on improving on what happened in Edo.
Onwubiko added that the commission should not to be cowed by antics of politicians, saying that the emergence of Eyitayo Jegede as Peoples Democratic Party's governorship candidate in the state complied with the Electoral Act.
" By virtue of our extensive monitoring of the media, there is publication to show that Eyitayo Jegede is the democratically-elected candidate of the PDP.
"Any attempt by fifth columnists to stampede INEC into imposing a non-card-carrying member as the candidate of PDP in the Ondo state election will be futile and unpopular.
"It is imperative that democracy is not scuttled on the platter of sponsored and orchestrated anarchy such as introducing someone unknown to members of the party,'' he said.
Onwubiko advised that the Ondo chapter of the PDP should be allowed to pick the candidate who would win the election for the party.
Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Monday said his administration would continue to support sports development as a means to diversify Enugu State's economy through effective engagement of youths.
Ugwuanyi said made the pledge at the opening of Enugu State Sports Festival, tagged "042 Sports Festival''.
"042'' is the age-long telephone code for Enugu.
The governor, who was thrilled by the state's outstanding performances in sports, noted that it was making tremendous achievements in sports and its development among the youths.
"This administration will do all it can to encourage sports in the state. It really gives me a lot of joy to be here performing the opening of the 042 Sports Festival.
"For us in Enugu State, it is our desire to diversify the state economy through sports development.
"We are glad that Enugu has started reaping the desired results with the recent victory of Rangers International FC in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after 32 years drought.
"And the gold medal winning efforts of one of our daughters at the 2016 Rio Paralympics Games. We hope to continue in this stead until our aims are fully realised,'' he said.
Chief Eric Chime, a sponsor of junior golf event in the festival, said there was great need to introduce the sport to youths in the state.
"It is part of our responsibility to teach youths with various sporting talents for them to become huge income earners for their families and the state at large by getting to the peak of their chosen sports.
"We hope to take this message to the hinterland to discover and develop talents in sports,'' Chime said.
Charles Ndukwe, the state's Commissioner for Youth and Sports in a goodwill message, applauded all that found time to attend the event.
"The festival will help to discover new talents that will make good representation of the state in national and international sports meets,'' Ndukwe, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ngozi Ani, said.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday gave reasons for non-pumping of petroleum products through System 2B Pipelines Network by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The South-West Chairman of NUPENG, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that NNPC was recording a huge financial loss when pumping fuel through the network due to the activities of vandals.
System 2B Pipelines Network is the pumping of petroleum products from Atlas Cove in Lagos Island to Ejigbo to Mosinmi in Ogun to Ibadan to Ore in Ondo State and Ilorin in Kwara.
Since April, the corporation had stopped pumping petroleum products through the network thereby making use of private depots in Apapa to distribute its products.
"NNPC said that for so many years it has been pumping fuel through the network, it has not made any profit.
"If NNPC pumps five million litres of petrol in the night, it will be accosted on its way to its depots before getting to their destination.
"They called on all the Area Managers in all their NNPC depots to sign bond that they will account for all litres of fuel pump into their depots but they said no.
"So, in the alternative, NNPC now have made arrangements with private tank farm owners in Apapa,'' Korodo said.
According to him, with this new arrangements, NNPC now brings its vessels to private tank farm owners, drops the products in their care and collect money after selling.
He said that now that the corporation (NNPC) had made these arrangements, it had led to no vandalism of pipelines because there was nothing to vandalise.
"The exact quantities given to tank farms are the exact amount of money returned to NNPC.
"So, government instead of losing as they used to do in the past, they are gaining now.
"Logically, I look at it and discovered that there are man-made blunders in the System 2B Pipelines Network because if the corporation pumps five million litres, it will be accosted on the road,'' Korodo said.
The NUPENG chairman advised the Federal Government to sell the pipelines network, adding that retaining the asset without being used, was a big loss.
The report that the Nigerian Army has placed an order for 50,000 boots from local manufacturers in Aba has generated commendation from Nigerians for the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria product. Among the commendations flooding in are some who said that the morale of the troops will be boosted by wearing such made-in-Nigeria boots fashioned for the rigors and harsh weather and soil condition of the country.
Army boots
The Army was reported to have asked Aba shoemakers to produce 50,000 pairs of boots for soldiers.
Nigeria had in the past patronize foreign boots for the army, but this singular step has elicited commendations that the government had taken the lead to patronize local goods.
Aside the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who had seen it as a patriotic act, residents have equally thrown in their support for the locally-made products. They however, urged the manufacturers to maintain the quality of the boots in order to encourage more patronage.
An Akwa-based businessman, Mr Afam Okeke, said: "The Nigerian Army has done a good job by patronising made in Nigeria goods of this quantity.
"When other establishments of government do the same, the amount of money that will be in circulation will be much and will help ease us out of the current recession.”
"What the Army has done – ordering 50,000 boots from a local manufacturer – is leading by example, which others should emulate,'' Okeke said.
Stanley Ogba, a student, called on local manufacturers to maintain the standard they have set for their products.
"It will be hard for Nigerian Manufacturers to maintain the standard they used for their first products when there is more demand from the populists.
"The morale of our officers will be boosted if they wear boots that can withstand the vagaries of the thick forest, desert, and quagmire they have to go through for them to fight our enemies and protect our interests," he added.
Chief Anayo Ileka, a financial analyst, urged manufacturers in the country to apply global best practice in the production of their goods.
"In as much as the move will generate jobs for the teeming youths, buying made in Nigeria goods will also conserve foreign exchange.
"Even if their gain in the transaction is not much, local manufacturers should maintain the standard they have started with for it pays in the long run than lowering the quality of their products later on in an attempt to maximise profit," he stated.
BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME PORT HARCOURT – A group , Ikwerre Youth Movement International, IYM has described bribery allegations leveled against the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi by two judges as a clear reflection of effort by mischief makers to destroy the reputation of the Minister.
In a statement in Port Harcourt Chikere Wanjoku, Tony Okocha, Lucky Worluh said the allegations were latest attempt by those who failed to stop Amaechi ‘ s nomination as Minister to paint him black with unsubstantiated claims.Amaechi and Justice Ngwuta
The statement also signed by Kingsley Owhonda, Chimenem Nnanta-Weli and Prince Amadi said it was unfortunate that rather than explain how they came by the huge sums found in their houses by the Department of State Services, DSS, they were busy diverting attention with unfounded bribery allegations.
“We are mindful of the fact the attacks on the RT Hon Chibuike Amaechi is a well choreographed attempt by mischief makers using the two judges to paint the Minister in unpalatable social colours having failed to stop his nomination, clearance and subsequent swearing in as Honourable Minister.
We make bold to say that all their allegations bear marks of their paymasters who hiding under the immunity clause will do all within their ill gotten powers to politicise the issues of corruption levelled against the justices “, the statement said.
Lagos – Deji Tinubu, Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, has appealed to all involved in organising the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations tournament to ensure its success for the benefit of youths.
Tinubu, who made the appeal on Monday in Lagos, said the organisers of the tournament should use it to further ensure that the Lagos became the biggest sports hub in Africa.
He told NAN that the incumbent administration in the state was using sports to bring development to its citizens, especially the youth.
The tournament, slated for Dec. 13 to Dec. 18, at the Eko Atlantic Beach is being organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and tournament's Local Organising Committee (LOC).
Tinubu told NAN that engaging the masses in sports was a great tool in curbing societal ills and providing source of income for the teeming youths.
"We want Nigeria to look good and be successful, so, we will do the best we can by taking advantage of every opportunity to achieve greatness.
"We will work closely with the NFF and the LOC for the tournament to see the best of sports in Lagos.
"We are delighted that this administration is all out to support sports and we won't restrict support to just a few but all sports.
"Lagos will give 100 per cent cooperation to the success of sports so that we can get the best out of it,'' he said.
NAN reports that the Lagos State Government had pledged its support toward the success of the CAF organised tournament.
The CAF AFCON Beach Soccer competition, now in its second edition, was initially hosted by Beach Soccer Worldwide.
Eight African countries have qualified for the event, tagged "Nigeria 2016'' which will also serve as qualification competition for the 2017 World Beach Soccer Tournament billed for Bahamas.
The participating countries are host Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Côte D'Ivoire in Group A and Madagascar, Libya, Senegal and Morocco in Group B.
The two best teams in the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the Bahamas 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup.
Ibadan – The National Industrial Court in Ibadan on Monday stopped the University of Ibadan management from ejecting a sacked lecturer, Dr Adenike Ogunshe, from her official residence, pending the determination of a suit.
Ogunshe, a lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, is challenging the institution and its council over the unlawful termination of her appointment.
The institution had also directed the claimant to vacate her quarters on the institution's campus.
Counsel to the claimant, Mr Femi Aborisade, in a motion exparte, urged the court to stop the University of Ibadan from carrying out the directive.
Justice Firstina Kola-Olalere granted the motion and instructed the University of Ibadan not to eject the claimant from her official residence.
The judge, however, adjourned the case till Jan. 19, for hearing of the suit.
NAN reports that the claimant's appointment was terminated over alleged misconduct.
Aborisade had earlier told the court that the appointment of his client was wrongly terminated, adding that due process was not followed.
He further said that the termination of the appointment of his client was unconstitutional, unlawful and a violation her constitutionally guaranteed right to life, natural justice and fair hearing.
The counsel urged the court to set aside the purported termination of the appointment and reinstall the claimant to her position, without any loss of earnings, salaries and allowances.
He also urged the court to order the respondents to pay N8 million as general damages, for failure to give the equitable three months notice before termination of the claimant's appointment.
Akure – An Akure Chief Magistrates' Court on Monday ordered the remand of a 20-year-old student, Segun Adeoye, at the Olokuta Prison's custody over an alleged armed robbery of goods worth N3,675,000.
Adeoye is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and possession of firearms.
Magistrate Sunday Adedapo ordered the accused to be remanded pending the receipt of legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPPs).
He also ordered that the original copy of the case file should be sent to the State Chief Registrar for safe keeping.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Pelumi Adejuwon, had told the court that the accused and others at large were armed with a locally-made single barrel gun and other offensive weapons when they carried out the attack.
"The accused and others at large attacked and stole a Toyota Yaris saloon car marked as BX 244 RBC valued at N3,500, 000. "Other items stolen by them are: a Nokia Lumia handset valued at N25,000, a Samsung camera valued at N50,000 and N100,000. "Some food stuffs and other valuable, property of one Mrs Faturoti Sharon,'' he said.
Adejuwon said that the accused failed to give satisfactory account of how he came about the locally-made single barrel gun found in his possession.
The prosecutor alleged that the accused committed the offence on March 30, 2016 at about 9 p.m., at Palmgrove Street, Ondo town in Ondo State.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 6(a) & (b), 1 & 2(a) & (b) and 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearm (special provision) Act Cap Rii Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The plea by Mr Habib Bidmus, counsel to the accused, was not taken by the court.
The court then adjourned the case till Nov.28 for first review and legal advice.
Rangers International of Enugu Coach, Imama Amakapabo , on Monday said that the team would be fortified with additional experienced players ahead of the 2016/2017 season.
Amakapabo told newsmen in Enugu that injecting new players into the squad became necessary, for the club to also go far in the CAF Champions League.
According to the coach, the team has set its eyes on defending the cup they won in the just concluded season and would recruit experienced players to achieve its target.
The club last won the competition in 1984.
The coach, however, did not disclose the number of additional players to be injected into the team.
"For the 2016/2017 season at the national level, we will defend our hard-earned NPFL title and participate in the CAF Champions League.
"We need to fortify the team with some experienced players because competing in the continent is a higher task.
"Also, we needed to keep a good number of reserve players to meet-up with the national encounters – Federation Cup as well as in the NPFL- where we needed to defend our hard earned title,'' he said.
Amakapabo, who was a member of the 1985 Golden Eaglets World Cup winning team in China, urged the club's management to improve the players' welfare, to get the best from them.
"We will approach the CAF Champions League, NFPL and Federation Cup with the same zeal, hard work and system we deployed to win the league title.
"We will strive to become the first team to win the CAF Champions League for Nigeria since Enyimba in 2004,'' he said.
Amapakabo, who had recently signed a two-year contract with Rangers, attributed the team's success to God's grace, hard work, unity and discipline.
Lagos – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday charged former Gov. Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia with money laundering before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Kalu is charged alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Ltd., and his former Commissioner for Finance, Jones Ude, on 34 counts bordering on money laundering.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.Orji Kalu
After the plea, counsel to the accused, Mr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), urged the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, to allow the accused to continue with an earlier bail condition.
Ozekhome informed the court that the accused had earlier been arraigned before Justice Nyako, Adamu Bello and Uweh, all of Abuja Federal High Courts before they were re-arraigned today.
The prosecutor, Mr Adeniyi Adebisi, did not oppose the submission of defence counsel.
Adebisi, however, added that EFCC was only interested in the justice of the case which included the trial of the accused persons.
Idris consequently, adjourned the case to Dec. 12 and 13 for trial and ordered that the accused continue with the subsisting bail terms.
In the charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offence between August 2001 and October 2005.
Kalu was alleged to have utilised his company to retain in the account of a First Inland Bank, now FCMB, N200 million.
The sum is alleged to have formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government.
In one of the counts, his company (Slok Nig Ltd) and one Emeka Abone, who is said to be at large, were also alleged to have retained in the company's account N200 million, on behalf of the first accused.
They were alleged to have utilised Manny Bank (now Fidelity Bank Plc), Spring Bank Plc, the defunct Standard Trust Bank and Finland Bank, now First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
In counts one to 10, the accused were alleged to have retained about N2.5 billion in different accounts which funds were said to belong to the Abia State Government.
Cumulatively in all the counts, the accused were alleged to have diverted over N3.2 billion from the Abia State Government's treasury during Kalu's tenure as governor.
The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of sections 15(6), 16, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2005.
It is also said to have contravened the provisions of the Money Laundering Act of 1995 as amended by the amendment Act No. 9 of 2002 and section 477 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation, 1990.
Abuja – The British High Commission, in collaboration with the Chevening Alumni Association of Nigeria (CAAN), is organising leadership summit geared towards Nigeria's economic development as its contribution to efforts at boosting the nation's economy.
The summit, according to a statement by the British High Commission Press and Public Affairs Officer, Joe Abuku, aims at charting positive and productive way forward for Nigeria's economy.
The summit is scheduled for Nov. 18 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos.
Abuku said it was to reconnect and engage with Nigerians who were awarded the UK Chevening Scholarships between 1984 and 2015.
According to him, the summit with the theme "Economic prosperity of Nigeria and the role of Chevening Alumni in contributing to Nigeria's economic growth", is the first of its kind.
He said that the gathering would draw on key Chevening Alumni in business, government, the media and other sectors to discuss a way forward for Nigeria's current economic challenges.
He reported the British High Commissioner to Nigeria Paul Arkwright as saying that the summit would provide ideas to help to overcome economic challenges.
"The global oil price slump has put the Nigerian economy under immense strain, but has also focused attention on opportunities for diversification and structural reform to expand Nigeria's non-oil export base.
"The UK is providing Nigeria with support in a variety of ways, one of which is drawing on our Chevening Alumni network.
"The network, made up of some of the brightest minds in different sectors of Nigeria's economy, is expected to develop ideas to overcome the current economic challenges."
According to Arkwright, solutions that are owned and driven by Nigeria and Nigerians will have the best chance of achieving lasting success.
Arkwright expressed confidence that the summit would be an excellent opportunity to chart a positive and productive way forward.
CAAN was established in 2012 to provide a forum for members to network and make sound contributions to important national and international issues while promoting links between the UK and Nigeria.
The discussions at the summit, according to Abuku, will feature plenary sessions and panel discussions with alumni and external experts around current economic realities, policies and the Nigerian business terrain.
He said there would also be discussions around diversification into non-oil sectors, opportunities and challenges across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Some Alumni speakers and panelists expected include John Momoh ,CEO Channels TV; Adesola Adeduntan ,CEO, First Bank Group and Sani Muhammed, Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Kaduna State.
Others are former Minister of Youths and Sports Bolaji Abdulahi and Human Resources Executive, MTN Nigeria, Amina Oyagbola
Abuja – Mrs Fatima Kaka, a member of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement, has urged the Federal Government to hasten the process for the release of the remaining Chibok girls.
Kaka made the appeal on Monday in an interview in Abuja.
She also urged the government to hasten the release of other Nigerians kidnapped in the North East.
The Presidency on Oct. 12 confirmed the release of 21 of 291 Chibok girls kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorists on April 14, 2014.
Kaka said: "We don't know the number of people in captivity; we just know that a lot of people are in captivity.
"The number available to the public is not consistent; the government should double up its efforts for the release of abducted people in the North East.
"For the remaining 197 remaining Chibok girls, the government has to do everything possible and whatever it takes to get the girls," Kaka said.
She noted that the condition of the 21 girls so far released by the insurgents was not encouraging, adding, "the faster we recover everybody, the better.''
Kaka, however, commended the federal government for its efforts in securing the release of some of the girls, saying that their release in batches was in order.
"When people are taken, another thing is the issue of negotiation; they have to come in batches; that is what happens all over the world.
"As long as they are coming out, we are okay, no matter the number at a time but let it just be fast- tracked," said the the BBOG member.
She appealed to the government not to jeopardise the prospects of the abducted girls to excel in life.
