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Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, says paucity of fund is not the major challenge to the completion of ongoing Federal Government's road projects.
Fashola spoke to reporters on Saturday in Port Harcourt after an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in the South-South zone.
"There is no problem of paucity of fund on this road again; this road is now a function of man hours.
"If you have all the money needed to construct this road, you would not finish it today.
"So let us understand that these roads are built long and wide, and so will take years to be completed because roads are connecting several states.
"As we are building, it will get better but funding is not going to be a problem on this road again because we make sure that the contractor are paid," he said.
He said the contractors handling the road projects would be paid based on presentation of certificate of performance.
Fashola
Fashola cautioned contractors against the use of budgetary provisions as excuse not to be on site, adding that the budget had not solved the problem in the past.
"As at the time we had money, when a barrel of oil sells for 100 dollars per barrel, we did not take the issue of roads seriously, because the capital budget then use to be 15 per cent.
"It is Buhari's administration that is increasing capital budget to 30 per cent, which means that this government is taking the issue of roads seriously and that is why we are here.
"Contractors are coming to site after three years of lay off and as you pay a contractor, you are invariably bring people back to work, and that is the commitment that I made," he said.
The minister expressed dismay over failure of the past administration to fund the projects it originated.
"You heard the contractors saying they were not able to continue with the projects because funds were not released until December, 2016.
"You also heard from all the sites we visited that contractors were not paid for three to four years and that was at a time we were having income of 100 dollars per barrel of oil.
"People were laid off by the contractors, they could not continue the projects, so the foundation for the recession was built three years.
"In spite of the fall in oil income, the Buhari government is now saying that whatever it will take, we must pay contractors and that is why they have all returned to sit," he added.
Newsmen report that the projects visited by the minister during tour in Rivers were the Aba-Port Harcourt dual carriage way and the Bodo-Bonny bridge projects.
The minister said the Bodo-Bonny bridge, when completed, would be the only road linking the people of Ogoni land to Bonny Island.
He said the project was awarded several years ago but the contractor abandoned the site because it was not funded.
He said the Federal Government made provision to finance the project in partnership with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in the 2017 budget proposal.
Following the Port Harcourt ruling that sacked Senator Ahmed Makarfi but recognized Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the legitimate chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Ekiti state Governor, Ayodele Fayose has said that Ahmed Makarfi remains the recognized Chairman of the party until the Supreme Court decides otherwise.
Fayose who gave the statement in Ado-Ekiti, said the Makarfi-led faction of the party has already appealed the Appeal Court’s ruling, adding that “when we got the judgement at the lower court, affirming the Caretaker Committee, Sheriff was still parading himself as the chairman.”
Fayose equally said that although he knows that some people are apprehensive about whether he would win or lose the election come 2018, he is going to get to greater heights because he has the backing of the people.
Ayodele Fayose
I’m aware that some people are apprehensive of 2018 but I want to say it here that they should worry not. What I know that will happen tomorrow is that I will get to greater heights.”
“There are three major important factors in elections, the people is number one, followed by the party and the candidate. You can have a party and candidate, if you don’t have the people, you will fail because the power of the people is greater than the power of those of us in power.”
“Here in Ekiti, we have the people. I am saying it here that we are under the leadership of the Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee.”
“When we got the judgement at the lower court, affirming the Caretaker Committee, Sheriff was still parading himself as the chairman. This time around too, we have appealed the Appeal Court judgement and as such, Makarfi remains our chairman until the Supreme court decides.”
The Chairman of National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has summoned an emergency meeting of stakeholders of the party to discuss the decision of the Appeal Court which went against his leadership.
A notice of the meeting signed by the publicity secretary of the group, Dayo Adeyeye idicated that those invited to the meeting are members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Assembly members, former governors of PDP, former ministers under the platform of the PDP, former National Assembly members and party elders.
The meeting is in apparent reaction to the verdict of Port Harcourt Division of the court of Appeal which annulled the May 21, 2016 national convention which had given birth to the caretaker committee and upheld the leadership of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman of the party.
The meeting has been scheduled for Monday for 2pm at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja.
All invited members, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said in the notice if invitation, urged all invited to attend “unfailingly as crucial party matters will be discussed.”
The priest, St. Mary's Church, Ifo in Ogun State, Monsignor Sylvester E. Osigweh, has appealed to Nigerians to acknowledge sacrifice, commitment and patience as a way of reviving the ailing economy Nigeria is facing.
Osigweh, who is also the Spiritual Director, Jesus is Love and Power Catholic Healing Ministry, made this remark during a sermon he delivered at the opening ceremony of the church Annual Business Retreat held under the theme: 'Business Progress in a Distressed Economy'.
The cleric lamented that people's indifference to prayer and inability to understand God's purpose and will in their lives bring more suffering against proper reasoning and patience.
"Every business in the world demands services and commitment no matter how small. To make progress, therefore, in a distressed economy, sacrifices and patience must be applied. Nigeria's situation now is a clear example of what we are talking about, and a clear cut answer is we must turn to God who knows all for proper direction", he stated.
"All over the world, people resort to prayers for every unhealthy situation. This is because everybody knows that God when properly consulted makes the impossible things possible. Nobody should understand stress to have permanent stay in a country state or individual. Liberation exercise must be taught by those who wish to make progress and people should see that God is not absent in every approach to make progress in their lives including business".
Guest speaker at the retreat, Dr. Chidi Okpaluba, a life coach and CEO of CEFARRD, in his remarks, stressed the need for Nigerians to have mindset shift while believing that the economic situation is a momentary situation that can be quelled with self belief.
By Henry Umoru ABUJA – THE Presidency disclosed Saturday that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has already signed seven bills into law.
Following Osinbajo’s assent to these bills, they have now fully become Acts of the National Assembly.
The Bills are Oaths(Amendment) Act, 2017; Defence Space Administration Act, 2017; Veterinary Surgeons(Amendment)Act, 2017; National Film and Video Censors Board(Amendment)Act, 2017; Pension Rights of Judges(Amendment) Act, 2017; Nigeria Institute of Soil Science(Establishment, etc.) Act, 2017 and Mortgage Institutions(Amendment)Act, 2016.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters(Senate), Senator Ita Enang read, “His Excellency the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, has assented to the following Bills passed by the National Assembly and transmitted for assent ,and the Bills have accordingly become laws, namely; Oaths(Amendment) Act, 2017; Defence Space Administration Act, 2017; Veterinary Surgeons(Amendment)Act, 2017; National Film and Video Censors Board(Amendment)Act, 2017; Pension Rights of Judges(Amendment) Act, 2017; Nigeria Institute of Soil Science(Establishment, etc.) Act, 2017 and Mortgage Institutions(Amendment)Act, 2016.
“The Acts, other than the Defence Space Administration Act and the Institute of Soil Science Act are mainly amendments to the principal Acts intended to bring the Acts in conformity with current realities.
“The Oaths Amendment Act specifically enlists courts which were not in existence at the time the Oaths Act was made and which came into being upon amendment of the Constitution creating courts such as the Federal High Court, F.C.T High Court, National Industrial Court, among others named in the Amendment Act.
” Defence Space Administration Act establishes the Defence Space Administration, to develop satellite technology and ensure security of the nation's cyber activities.
“VeterinarySurgeons(Amendment)Act reduces the membership of the Veterinary Council.
” National Film and Video Censors Board(Amendment)Act reduces the membership of the Governing Board and empowers the Board to regulate the import and export of movies.
” Pension Rights of Judges(Amendment) Act expands the meaning of a judicial officer to cover the offices of the Chief Judge or Judge of the Federal High Court, President or Judges of the National Industrial Court and Chief Judge or Judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
” Nigeria Institute of Soil Science(Establishment, etc.) Act establishes the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science which is charged with the responsibility of regulating the profession of Soil Science.
” Mortgage Institutions(Amendment)Act reviews the prescribed penalties.
“For bills transmitted but not listed herein, there are appropriate communication by the constitutional authority remitting same as allowed by law.”
Reinstated National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, said he would organize a national convention of the party within the shortest time.
He said the convention was imperative as it would enable interested party members to aspire for positions.
Sheriff, who addressed a news conference on Saturday in Abuja, said that Friday's Appeal Court judgment in Port Harcourt affirming his chairmanship of the PDP was the beginning of good things to come to the party.
He said that he was not interested to be chairman of the party, but was more interested in reuniting the members and made sure the party had credible leaders, who would make it win the 2019 elections.
He said that following the judgment, he had received many telephone calls from PDP leaders and that he had also reached out to many persons over the unity of the party.
"All the leaders of the party will be consulted between now and the next one week and we will come out with a firm roadmap that will lead to successful convention.
"I can assure you that within the shortest possible time we will organize a successful national convention so that people can aspire for whatever positions they want.
"Regarding the ruling of the Appeal Court on Friday, I want to assured that nobody is victor and no one is a loser.
Alimodu-Sheriff
" In fact, I have spoken to almost all the people that are affected by the court decision and assured them of my readiness to work with them to ensure that the party returns as one family,'' Sheriff said.
He added that he would also reach out to the party's reconciliation committee to ensure that it came up with roadmap leading to the national convention.
Sheriff said that though he had full confidence in the country's judiciary, he believed that litigation was not the best way to settle a dispute.
"I am determined to make my honest contributions to the success of this party. By doing that, I am ready to make any sacrifice for the success of this party.
"We don't want PDP to lose elections again. It is painful to lose elections.
"We need people to patronize our party, democracy is about people, you either give them their right or they leave.
"What we are trying to do is to give the party back to the people," he said.
The chairman announced that all states congresses held prior to the Port Harcourt national convention remained valid, adding that congresses would only be conducted in states where it was not held.
He, however, warned those speaking for him on the social media to desist from that in order not to compound the problem of the party.
He advised that people should not look at the leadership tussle as fight between him or Makarfi or any other leader of the party.
On the reopening of the locked PDP national secretariat, Sheriff said that it would be done as soon as an order on it was given by the Police.
Chief Patrick Egone, has said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's achievements was commendable and urged Deltans to support him in developing the state.
Egone, who spoke to newsmen yesterday at his Ughelli residence, noted that Governor Okowa has executed numerous projects across the state in fulfillment of the his SMART Agenda.
He said: " Let me also commend Deltans for supporting the governor, their continued support and cooperation were encouraging Okowa to do more for the people of the state".
According to him: " Evidently, since Okowa assumed office on May 29,2015, Delta has witnessed tremendous human and infrastructural development, this is commendable, even as I urge Deltans to sustain the peace and business-friendly environment to attract more investors to the state".
The former President, Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi, on Saturday said that not all Nigerian Judges were corrupt.
Abdullahi made the remark during a public presentation of the journal on Private and Comparative Law, organised in his honour by the Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
According to him, the Nigerian judiciary has come of age as a very solid institution.
He said that in any human society, there must be good, bad and worst elements. "So, the judiciary is a human and Nigerian institution.
"Therefore, it is not surprising that some few judicial officers are been picked up for going out of their parameters of judicial function.''
He said the judiciary had been delivering services to the continuity of the country and was in the forefront in providing solutions to some of the problems facing the country.
"We are not disputing the fact that there is no bad element in the judiciary, but not all in the system are bad. "If you compare the number of the bad ones, the good ones out-number the bad ones.''
Judicial symbol
Abdullahi, therefore, said it was unfair to condemn the judiciary because of the few bad ones, as there is no sector in Nigeria that was insulated from corruption,
He however said, "There is the machinery the government can use effectively to flush out bad elements in the judiciary."
Abdullahi added that the government also has the machinery to ensure that only credible persons were appointed as judges.
Meanwhile the President, Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, said the judiciary had been trying its best in the fight against corruption.
Bulkachuwa said the judiciary has a standard of measuring judges.
"We have our code of conduct the judicial officer is expected to abide with, If you see anything different from our code of conduct, that officer would have gone astray.
"If you go strictly by the code of conduct you can't go wrong; So, we are committed to the fight against corruption,'' she said.
Permit me to begin this contribution with an aside.
It is only a weak, insecure, paranoid, wicked, heartless, ignorant, lawless and callous government that refuses to identify, apprehend, prosecute and hang the bloodthirsty, psychopathic and murdering Janjaweed Islamist Fulani militants and herdsmen and instead arrests an innocent and accomplished young man like Audu Maikori who simply had the courage to cry out to the world about the barbarous genocide that the people of Southern Kaduna and members of his ethnic group and religious faith are being subjected to all over the north.
I am convinced that my old friend Governor Nasir El Rufai has lost it. He has literally been driven mad by the power that he now wields. If he wants peace in Kaduna state and in the entire country is this the way to achieve it?
Does he really believe that locking up his critics and those that have expressed concern about the mass murder and crimes against humanity that are being perpetuated in his state by his Fulani friends and kinsmen who he publicly admitted that he sends public funds to is the way forward?
Does he not know that the suppression of dissenting voices and intimidation will only lead to more anger, resistance, violence and dissent?
Can he not build bridges rather than burn them? Can he not make friends rather than make enemies?
Here is my message to him: the people of Southern Kaduna are NOT your slaves and neither are the northern minorities, the people of the south or the Christians of Nigeria.
You can kill and lock up as many of us as you like: our faith will only continue to grow, we shall continue to go from strength to strength and we shall oppose and resist you till the bitter end.
At the appointed time the Lord will strike back at you for your power show and sheer wickedness and He shall deliver His people.
I will not beg you to free Audu Maikori but instead I will strongly advise you to do so.
This brings me to the meat of this intervention.
One of the qualities that a Prince must have is the ability to speak truth to power no matter the price, no matter the consequences and no matter whose ox is gored.
Today I will share a truth which many may not like but which, as a leader and a Prince, I am constrained to share.
Some have suggested that every Nigerian is compelled by God to pray for our ailing President. I disagree. I do not wish him ill or wish him dead but at the same time I do not subscribe to the view that I am compelled to pray for him.
I would rather save my prayers for the thousands of Audu Maikori’s of this world who are suffering persecution and who are languisjing in dingy cells all over our country for doing absolutely nothing wrong.
I would rather save my prayers for the souls and families of those that have been cut short by the guns and bullets of government security forces, the bombs of radical Islamic terrorists and the matchetes and knives of the Fulani militias and herdsmen.
When the Holy Bible says we must pray for our leaders the author was referring to God-fearing and Godly leaders and not usurpers and tyrants.
The Bible says we must ‘resist evil’ and few would dispute the fact that with the economy in shambles, with the naira at its lowest value in its entire history, with the level of impunity and corruption in government and with the amount of brutal persecution, politically-motivated arrests and prosecutions and the massive shedding of innocent blood that goes on in our countrt today, Buhari and his Federal Government are pure evil.
As a matter of fact they are a cursed government that have come to do nothing but spread death, disease, poverty, tears, hardship, suffering, division, hatred, persecution, injustice, destruction and wickedness.
To those that insist that even evil tyrants are worthy of our goodwill and prayers I put the following questions.
Would you have prayed for Herod, Pharaoh, Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar, Jezebel, Ahab, Athalia, Nimrod, Adolf Hitler or Idi Amin?
Again would you have had night vigils or made passionate supplications for Emperor Bokassa, Josef Stalin, Pol Pot, Nero, Caligula, Sennacherub, King Leopold 11 of Belgium, Count Vlad the Impailer of Transylvania and Tsar Ivan the Terrible of Russia?
Would you have conducted Holy Mass or rolled your rosary for Osama Bin Ladin of Al Qaeda, Muhammed Al Baghdadi of ISIL, Abubakar Shekau of Boko Haram or Usman Dan Fodio of the Fulani Caliphate?
Again would you have fasted and prayed for Atilla the Hun, Genghis Khan, Kaiser Wilhelm 11 of Germany, the Inca and Aztec Kings of South America, the Borgias of Spain, King Darius of Persia and so many more of history’s monsters and beasts to remain alive and to continue to torment and rule their people?
Do you know that those listed above collectively killed or caused the deaths of over 500 million people between them?
Do you really believe that they were God’s choices and that it was wrong to pray them out or remove them from power?
Did God make a mistake when He killed Pharaoh and slew Herod for their wickedness and evil against the children of Israel AFTER their victims rose up in prayer and cried to Him to deliver them?
Did you read anywhere in your Bible that the holy Prophets and believers prayed for the wicked Kings and rulers to continue to rule?
Did Elijah not oppose Jezebel and did David and Samuel not renounce and stand against Saul?
Do you not know the difference between a righteous ruler whom God loves and whom He installed and a blood-sucking demon and vicious tyrant whom the devil is using?
Do you know the number of people that has been killed whether they be Biafran and IPOB youths, Shiite Muslims or Christian refugees?
Do you know the number of Christians that are being slaughtered in the north on a daily basis by Government-backed and protected Fulani militias and herdsmen?
Do you know that Buhari once said that an attack on Boko Haram is an attack on the north? Do you know that he once said that he believes that sharia should be spread throughout the federation?
Do you know thay he once said that Muslims should only vote for Muslims? Do you know that he once said that Christians should not be concerned about sharia because it is the limbs of Muslims that are being cut off and not theirs?
Do you know that he once went to Oyo state and accused Governor Lam Adesina’s “people” (meaning the Yoruba) of killing his own Fulani people?
Do you know that the Minister of Information of his Government, by the name of Lie Mohammed, once said that it was wrong and unconstitutional to proscribe and ban Boko Haram?
Do you know that about one year ago the same Liar Mohammed said that Boko Haram had been “technically defeated” and that a few days ago he said that it was “a fallacy” to say that Muslims killed Christians in Nigeria?
This was after 808 Christians were slaughtered in cold blood on Christmas eve and Christmas day a few weeks ago.
Do you know the third Mahdi of Nigeria? The first was Usman Dan Fodio, the second was Sir Ahmadu Bello and Muhammadu Buhari is the third.
Do you know that their vision and dream is for the Fulani to be the “first amongst equals” and to conquer, rule, dominate and subjugate the people and numerous ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria in perpetuity and “dip the Koran in the Atlantic ocean?”
Do you know that they have gone very far in this quest and almost achieved their objectives? Do you know that restructuring the nation or, failing that, a complete break up of Nigeria into two or more pieces is the only thing that can save the people of the south and the Middle Belt from serfdom and slavery?
Do you know that Herbert Macauly, Bode Thomas, Obafemi Awolowo, Kaduna Nzeogwu, Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Victor Banjo, Fajuyi, Emeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu, J.S. Tarka, Isaac Boro, Solomon Lar, Josiah Olawoyin, Paul Gindiri, J.D. Gomwalk, Silas Janfa, Zamani Lekwot, T.Y. Danjuma, Jolly Tanko Yusuf, Gideon Orkar, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Tony Nyiam, Saliba Mukoro, MKO Abiola, Bobo Nwosisi, Franklin Atake, Alfred Rewane, Abraham Adesanya, Ayo Adebanjo, Olaniyonu Ajayi, Bola Ige and so many others that saw this satanic agenda coming and unfolding many decades and years ago and resisted it with every fibre of their being have now been vindicated?
Do you know that the principle of self-deterimination and the concept of Biafra and southern and Middle Belt liberation is more alive today than ever before?
Do you know that there are millions of youths all over this country today that are prepared to sacrifice their lives for this principle and concept and resist ethnic and religious bigotry, subjugation, domination and tyranny with the last drop of their blood?
Do you know that those that have been subjected to genocide by the usual suspects for the last 56 years of our existence as a nation are now saying “enough is enough?”
Do you know what northern Christians have been and are still being subjected to over the years and particularly today?
Do you know that Igbo youths and Shiite Muslims have been subjected to crimes against humanity by the Nigerian state in the last one year and seven months?
Do you know that Nigeria under President Buhari is a failed state which lives on lies, thrives on deceit, breathes on persecution, feeds on supression, energises on intimidation and is fuelled and propelled by the most basic, crude and primitive form of Goebellian propaganda?
Do you know anything at all? Do you know how many people are being locked up and persecuted in the name of a fake and selective anti-corruption war in this country?
Do you know the level of wickedness and injustice that is being perpetuated by this government?
Do you know how many families have suffered and been destroyed by them? Do you know about the abuse of power and the gross violation of human rights and civil liberties that is going on?
Do you know how corrupt and deceitful thiis government is? Do you know how much blood they have on their hands?
Then you say that we should pray and support such people? There is nowhere in the Bible that we are called to pray for liars, cheats, sadists, anti-Christs, cold-blooded murderers and pyschopaths as our leaders.
Rather the Bible says we must resist evil and injustice and stand up for the weak, the persecuted, the hungry, the suffering, the vulnerable and the poor.
There is no where in the Bible that we are enjoined to support and encourage genocidal maniacs, the killer of believers, the tormenters of the faithful, the persecutors of God’s servants and the destroyers of the Church.
Nigeria has no place for quislings and psychophants that are trying to curry favour with or impress those that are desperately trying to enslave our people and islamise our country.
My position is simple and clear. I will never pray for those who I consider to be evil and I will never allow myself to be subjugated, silenced or turned into a second class citizen in my own country.
Whatever the consequence is for my defiance, if the Lord wills it, let it come. Let us finish this thing once and for all. I would rather be a free soul in heaven than a quivering and gutless slave on earth.
I speak for millions when I say that we will NEVER bow to those that believe that they were born to rule and that seek to impose their faith, their values and their way of life on us.
Unlike others in these shores, those of us that are prepared to stand up and say “no more” are captains of our ship and masters of our soul.
We either forge our own destinies, chart our own course and free our own people or we shall die trying. God wills it. And so it shall be.
As part of preparations for the 2016/2017 season of Nigerian National League (NNL), the Mighty Jets of Jos has recruited 25 new players and retained 20 old ones.
Usman Adams, the club's Technical Adviser told journalists on Saturday in Jos that the overhaul was to fortify the team to fight for laurels.
Adams said that the massive recruitment was to strengthen the team to fight for promotion to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) which is the team's main target.
The technical adviser told journalists that all departments of the team ranging from goalkeeping to striking were considered in the recruitment.
He said that most of the players were signed from Plateau United after they were placed on transfer.
Adams expressed optimism that their experience playing in the top flight would count in the team's quest for promotion to NPFL.
He listed some of the players recruited from Plateau United to include; goalkeeper Abayomi Olorunda; defenders Adeiza Suberu and Charles Okafor with forwards, Caleb Baba, Emmanuel Odafe and highly gifted midfielder Edward Bewarang.
Kids in action at a football match.
According to him, striker Moshood Kasali who had a brief stint in Sudan is making a return while veteran Kolade Abobade, who played for Plateau United and JUTH FC, has joined the club.
"Another gifted Midfielder, Mamaya Yusuf, who played for Ranchers Bees of Kaduna, Katsina United and Sharks of Port Harcourt was also recruited", Adams said.
Adams also stated that a total number of 45 players , including the newly recruited and retained players, were registered for the new season.
He commended the Chairman of the club, Chief Alexander Wukari and the entire management for the confidence reposed in him and his technical crew.
The technical adviser said that the management wasted no time in approving the list submitted to the technical committee by the coaches. Newsmen report that the draws for the NNL is expected to take place in Abuja on Feb. 24, while the league is to commence on March 5.
The full list of the new players : Mamaya Yusuf, Edward Bewarang, Abayomi Olorunda, Bolaji Muhammed, Eziekel Ofum, Danlami Ibrahim, Chijioke Ekezie, Charles Okafor and Emmanuel Odafe.
Others were Adeiza Zuberu, Abia Abdulahi, Rotshak John, Manga Kuchili, Anwal Barde, Musa Musa,Tony Igoche, Kingsley Oguche and Bala Peter.
Also recruited were Caleb Baba, Ali Mondula, Ali Ibrahim Pele, Moshood Kasali, Kolade Abobade, Haruna Babalo and Nanle Christopher.
Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has assented to seven bills passed by the National Assembly. The bills which include Oath (Amendment) Act 2017, Defence Space Administration Act, Veterinary Surgeons(Amendment) Act) have now become Nigerian laws.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters Senator Ita Enang confirmed Osinbajo endorsement of the bills.
Other bills signed by Osinbajo are National Film and Video Censors Boad, Pension Rights of Judges, Nigerian Institute of Social Science(Establishment ACT and Mortgage Institutions Amendment Act.
Ag Pres Osinbajo
Enang said the Acts, other than the Defence Space Administration Act and Institute of Soil science are mainly Amendments to the Principal Act and they are intended to bring the Acts in conformity with current realities.
Osinbajo has been acting for President Muhammadu Buhari since 19 January, almost a month today.
President Buhari, who is in London, partially on medical vacation, was initially intended to resume on 6 February, but he asked for an indefinite extension, to enable him get the results of some medical tests from his doctors.
The first ever Executive Council of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Sokoto State has been inaugurated on Saturday.
The new council has Kabiru Gobirawa as Chairman, Adeniyi Olagbemi and Usman Zubairu as Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively.
Others are Umar Shehu as Assistant Secretary; Aminu Manyanchi as Treasurer and Abubakar Gani, Financial Secretary.
Gobirawa, the new chairman pledged to reposition the association to promote sports development in the state.
He solicited the support of members and other stakeholders, to succeed in discharging their mandate.
In his remark, the state Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Musa Ausa, said the government would work with the association to push sports to the next level.
He announced plans by the government to construct stadias in Tangaza, Sabon-Birni and Tambuwal, to promote grassroots sports.
Also, the state Chairman of NUJ, Isa Shuni advised the new executives to live above board in discharging their responsibilities.
Shuni said, "This great occasion is historic in the sense that this is the first of it's kind since the existence of the NUJ council in the state."
The Nigerian Conservation Federation (NCF) has warned that anyone found guilty of exploitation and commercial hunting of wild animals risked 10-year imprisonment with an option of N1million fine or both.
Director-General of the federation, Mr Adeniyi Karunwi, gave the warning in Ibadan on Saturday at a workshop organised by the Pangolins Conservation Working Group, Nigeria.
The workshop organized in collaboration with National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), South West Zone and entitled "Speak Up for Pangolins" was in commemoration of 2017 World Pangolins Day.
"Our environment is in danger; a lot of wild animals like pangolins are at the risk of going into extinction and there is over-exploitation of these animals.
"People need to know that exploitation and commercialisation of wildlife identified under Schedule 1 of the Endangered Species Amendment Act is a criminal offence that attracts a 10-year jail term," Karunwi said.
According to him, conservation of wildlife is important in order to promote ecological tourism to the country.
The Jos-lion
On her part, Dr Olajumoke Morenikeji, Coordinator, Pangolin Conservation Working Group, said that pangolins risked going into extinction, because they were the most illegally hunted and traded mammals.
Morenikeji, who is an Environmental Biologist, said that pangolins were illegally traded for their scales, meat and body parts which were in high demand in Asia, especially in China and Vietnam.
"Pangolins' meat is considered a delicacy, while their scales are used in traditional medicine and folk remedies to treat a range of ailments.
"There is insatiable demand for pangolin scales, especially in China where they are used for traditional medicines.
"There is a belief that the scales has curative properties like keratin and can be used to treat skin diseases.
"There is also the claim that its liver, throat and toes can successfully treat asthma, goitre, elephantiasis and impotence," she said.
She, however, said that the claims of the traditional medicine practitioners were yet to be scientifically evaluated.
"If pangolins go into extinction before research can be done, the human race would have lost a lot of benefits.
"The issue of pangolin is a shame to the country for a recently seized shipment in China contained kilograms of pangolin scales, which totaled 7, 200 pangolins, got from Nigeria. "We are appealing to hunters to stop the exploitation and trafficking of these animals.
"Pangolins, like all animals going to extinction, serve as buffer for human beings. If we remove all the buffers in the ecosystem, one day, the human race will also go into extinction.
"We need a grassroots approach to education and awareness on the importance of pangolin conservation to the ecosystem; humanity should be the guardian of pangolins, not the predator," Morenikeji said.
In his view, Mr Adeleke Ajani, South-West Zonal Director, NESREA, said that pangolins were important in the maintenance of ecological balance.
"Pangolins need to be sustained because they are very important in the ecosystem; they also serve as biological pest control.
"They are very voracious ant eaters; one pangolin can eat 70 million insects, including pests in a year. This means if you remove all of them you are calling for trouble," he said.
Describing their sustainability as crucial, Ajani said that pangolins were peculiar animals, which mated only once in a year and gave birth to just a single young one.
"Pangolins are very vulnerable creatures which cannot breed in captivity; they only breed well in their natural environment.
"We need to go into research as well as get the actual inventory of these animals in the wild and see possible means of domesticating them," he said.
According to Ajani, NESREA, as a regulatory body, is scaling up efforts to prohibit and prosecute the illegal trafficking and international trade of pangolins and their scales.
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has cautioned communities having boundary disputes not to take laws into their hands.
The minister spoke on Saturday in Abuja when the 10-member FCT Boundary Committee visited him.
According to Bello, peace remains the best approach to resolve issues, adding that peaceful co-existence has no alternative.
He urged community and political leaders to encourage their subjects as well as followers to embrace peace at all times.
The minister, however, warned that the FCT Administration would not hesitate to sanction community or political leaders that allowed boundary disputes to cause breakdown of law and order.
He urged the communities to follow due process to get disputes resolved amicably in the interest of peace.
"I want to state here very clearly, in all the communities, whether it is inside the FCT or at the bordering communities, any community that takes the law into its hands or tries to create misunderstanding that results into violence will be dealt with.
FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa-Bello
"The traditional rulers of that community and the relevant political and administrative officers of that community will be held fully and squarely responsible,'' he warned.
The minister listed the terms of reference of the committee which include -"dealing with inter and intra Area Council Boundary disputes, define and delimit Inter Area Council Boundaries, intervene in areas of potential disputes,'' among others.
Responding, Dr Babatope Ajakaiye, FCT Permanent Secretary, and Chairman, FCT Boundary Committee, assured they would do a thorough job. "We are going to do this professionally and dispassionately.
"The committee will not take sides. The committee will ensure that everything is done with the fear of God because it is God that gives absolute peace," he said.
Members of the committee include- representative of the Attorney General of the Federation, FCT Police Commissioner, Director of FCT Command of DSS, among others.
The Director of FCT Survey and Mapping will serve as Secretary.
The victorious Senator Ali – Modu Sheriff, has described the judgement by the Port -Harcourt Court of Appeal on Friday, as a victory for the party.
Alimodu-Sheriff
However, he said that the interest of the party supplants his office as the National Chairman. 'I am willing to relinquish the position for the party to move forward into achieving its goals'. He said.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja over the weekend, he said 'I will consult other leaders of our party to see how we can organise our national convention, to stop our division and leadership tussle.'
Following intense backlash from Nigerians and human right groups, the Nigerian Police Force has released Chocolate City boss, Audu Maikori whom it arrested yesterday over alleged “inciting comments” on the killings in Southern Kaduna.
Maikori’s lawyer, Mark Jacob who confirmed the news said Maikori was released on bail on Saturday.
Earlier, the police had confirmed his arrest, noting that he was being investigated for false information capable of causing religious and communal crisis.
Audu Maikori released
Though the officer who confirmed the news declined to disclose the exact department that made the arrest, he however said the Police has a duty to ensure investigation of allegations and petitions made by Nigerians especially one that is capable to threatening peace and stability in any part of the country.
However, according to reports which had flooded the social media, the arrest was allegedly on the orders of the Kaduna state Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai who took to the offensive following Maikori’s advocacy wherein he was condemning the killings in Southern Kaduna.
Audu’s lawyer had equally told newsmen yesterday that "Audu has been detained. There was nothing we could do as the detention order had been signed before his statement was even taken. The superior officers that could vary the detention order had all closed for the day leaving only the rank and file who were apparently, just obeying orders."
Recall also that Maikori’s troubles began when he wrongly tweeted that 6 students of a college of education were killed by Fulani herdsmen. The story which later turned out not to be correct saw Maikori writing a retraction to that effect.
Gareth Bale made an instant impact on his return from injury as Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga to four points with a 2-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday.
Bale had been sidelined three months and on his return took just 13 minutes to score as he swept home into the far corner after coming on as second-half substitute in a much changed Real line up.
Alvaro Morata opened the scoring of an otherwise uneventful contest when he bulleted home Isco’s cross 12 minutes before half-time.
Earlier, substitute Kevin Gameiro hit a five-minute hat-trick as Atletico Madrid maintained their grip on fourth with a 4-1 win at Sporting Gijón.
Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane made seven changes to the side that started Wednesday’s 3-1 Champions League last 16, first leg win with difficult La Liga trips to Valencia and Villarreal to come in the next week in mind.
Morata was one those handed a rare chance to start up front with Karim Benzema left out of the squad altogether.
The Spanish international hadn’t started any of Real’s previous five league games, but made his case for more minutes as he powered home Isco’s fine in-swinging cross for his 11th goal of the season.
Morata just failed to get on the end of a tantalising Cristiano Ronaldo cross and Ronaldo also had a goal ruled out for offside as Real bossed a first-half short on clear-cut chances.
Ronaldo should have made the game safe when he headed over from close range midway through the second-half.
Bale’s much-anticipated return since injuring ankle ligaments away at Sporting Lisbon on November 22 came 20 minutes from time when he replaced Morata.
And the Welshman showed the home fans what they have been missing for the past three months as he finished off a lightning quick Real counter-attack by firing into the far corner.
– Quick fire Gameiro –
In Gijon, Gameiro was seconds away from making history as he just missed out on beating David Villa’s record for the fastest hat-trick in La Liga history.
Gameiro was only introduced 28 minutes from time but struck in the 80th, 81st and 85th minutes and dedicated the hat-trick to his recently deceased grandmother.
“Those goals are for my grandmother, who died this week. I scored three for her.”
Yannick Carrasco had bundled Atletico into the lead seconds into the second-half before Sergio Alvarez levelled three minutes later.
Defeat leaves Sporting still languishing in the relegation zone, two points off safety.
The visitors got a break right at the start of the second period when Carrasco was allowed to bear down on goal despite Antoine Griezmann standing in an offside position and tapped home at the second attempt after Ivan Cuellar had saved his first effort.
The lead lasted just three minutes as Atletico’s once solid defence was breached by Alvarez as his effort evaded the attempts of Stefan Savic to clear off the line.
Atletico have now conceded more goals in La Liga so far this season than all of last season in La Liga.
Gameiro was summoned from the bench just after the hour mark as Atletico upped the pressure in search for a winner.
Griezmann was harshly denied by the offside flag 15 minutes from time.
However, the French international did have a vital role to play in Gameiro’s first as it was his through ball from which Gameiro rounded Cuellar to slot home.
Thomas Partey teed up Gameiro to thrash home seconds later and Gameiro completed his hat-trick with another composed finish on the counter-attack.
The Nigerian Community in South Africa have confirmed attacks and looting of Nigerian-owned businesses in Pretoria West on Saturday.
Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, President, Nigeria Union, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria, South Africa, that the attacks began at 4.00am.
He said that the union had reported the incident to the Nigeria mission and South African police.
" As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian businesses, including a church have been looted and burned by South Africans.
" One of the buildings is a mechanic garage with 28 cars under repairs, with other vital documents, were burned during the attack.
" Also, the pastor of the church was wounded and is in the hospital receiving treatment," he said.
Anyene said the union had informed Nigerians in South Africa to be vigilant in the face of renewed xenophobic attacks.
According to him, the union received information that there will be xenophobic attacks against foreigners on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23.
" We began taking precautionary measures when the incident took place today.
" The attack in Pretoria West is purely xenophobic and criminal attack because they loot the shops and homes before burning them," he said.
Anyene called on the Federal Government to persuade its South African counterpart to protect Nigerians in their country.
" These attacks should not be allowed to continue because it is a big setback," he said.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga rained down ten aces, finishing off Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-4 in 72 minutes on Saturday to power into a second Rotterdam World Tennis final and record his 400th career win.
The French sixth seed will compete for his first title at the Ahoy stadium after finishing runner-up six years ago.
He faces the winner from Belgian third seed David Goffin and surprise semi-finalist Pierre-Hugues Herbert, a French qualifier and member of the top ATP doubles side.
Tsonga was unstoppable against Berdych, the 2014 champion and 2015 finalist playing his fourth semi-final at the Dutch event.
Tsonga came good in his second semi-final of the season as he bids for a first trophy since winning at home in Metz in 2015.
Berdych came to the court with an 8-3 lead in the series, including wins in their last two meetings, one a Doha quarter-final last month.
Tsonga finished with two breaks of the 13th-ranked Czech while never facing a break point in what quickly became one-way traffic.
“My only goal is to win the next match, this would be important for me,” 2011 runner-up Tsonga said.
“I’m not too worried about my (14th) ranking unless I were able to get to eighth, that is the position where you are protected in the draw from other seeds.
“Berdych played a tough match, he’s a power player, hitting the ball hard like me. My strategy is always the same — the best strategy is to just play well.”
Goffin, who earned revenge in the quarter-finals as he beat Grigor Dimitrov five days after the Bulgarian won the Sofia event at the Belgian’s expense, will be facing Herbert for the first time.
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