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The Indegenious People of Biafra, IPOB, has named and honored the governor of Ekiti state Ayode Fayose the governor of Biafra.
Governor Ayo Fayose and Nnamdi Kanu at Federal High Court Abuja
This was made known to newsmen (PUNCH), through its statement issued and signed by its media and publicity secretary Emma Powerful.
Report holds it that Gov. Fayose was honoured in respect to his courage depicted during Nnamdi Kanu's trial and circumstances that led to his bail.
However, the statement reads thus, "We also acknowledge the immense contributions of the honorary Biafran Gov. Ayodele Fayose who did what no south-east or south-south governor had the courage to do," the statement read.
IPOB also commended Osita Chidoka and Femi Fani-Kayode, former aviation ministers; Chukwuma Soludo, Pat Utomi, Ike Ekweremau, deputy senate president; Enyinnaya Abaribe and others "for their support in the release of its leaders."
Former prime minister Matteo Renzi was poised to win the leadership of Italy’s ruling Democratic Party (PD) in a primary election Sunday, propelling him back to the forefront of the national political scene.
Former Italian Matteo Renzi addresses the press while campaigning for the Italian Democratic Party leadership, in Brussels on April 28,2017. Renzi decided to finish his campaign for the leadership of the Italian Democratic Party in Brussels to demonstrate his commitment towards the European Union. / AFP PHOTO
Renzi, 42, resigned as prime minister in December after Italians overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional referendum aimed at streamlining the parliamentary system.
Nearly 1.5 million people had voted three hours before the polls closed, organisers said. This was lower than earlier primary contests but not as much as some analysts had predicted, given what many called a lacklustre campaign.
A high turnout is expected to had a large mandate to Renzi. The roughly 10,000 polling stations — mainly stands in the streets, but also in cultural centres and bars — closed at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT), and final results are expected later in the evening.
Renzi himself had set the bar for success at one million voters, and an internal vote conducted by the PD this month suggested a clear Renzi victory after he scored 66.7 percent, with 25.3 percent for Orlando and eight percent for Emiliano.
“It’s a festival of democracy,” Renzi told reporters after casting his vote.
“I hope that others will do the same, it doesn’t hurt,” Renzi added, taking a swipe at the rival Five Star Movement, which is running close to the PD in opinion polls but which decided to hold its primary contest via an online vote.
His two rivals on Sunday are considered farther to the left: Justice Minister Andrea Orlando and Michele Emiliano, who heads the southern Puglia region.
Emiliano said the election would be a flop if fewer people voted this time around, while Orlando said that fewer than two million cast ballots would signal a failure.
When he first took over the leadership in December 2013, Renzi won the backing of close on 68 percent of 2.8 million voters.
But in the aftermath of his referendum’s defeat and facing a rebellion from the left wing of his centre-left party, Renzi stepped down as party leader in February with the aim of regaining legitimacy in a future vote.
The vote was open to all Italians over 16 years old, EU citizens residing in Italy and non-EU foreigners with valid residency permits — on condition of paying a donation of at least two euros.
– Railing against ‘stagnation’ –
Lorenzo De Sio, a professor of political sociology at the Luiss University in Rome, said the turnout would be crucial in determining Renzi’s legitimacy.
“Rather than a competition, we’re looking at a process of legitimisation, a sort of crowning of Renzi as leader of the PD. We can expect a huge Renzi victory but with weak voter turnout. People on the left do not seem to be mobilised,” he said.
“If participation rates are around a million people or less, Renzi’s legitimisation won’t be strong; if it is between 1.5 and two million, he will wind up in a stronger position,” he said.
The winner of the vote will lead the party during legislative elections slated for spring 2018, unless parliamentarians come to an agreement on electoral reforms before then and call for early elections.
During the only televised debate between Renzi and his two competitors, the former prime minister said he would do “everything to bring back energy, momentum and vigour to the country”, and railed against “stagnation that seems to be blocking political and institutional life” since the referendum.
In addition to the contrasting styles, with Orlando and Emiliano generally more reserved than the exuberant Renzi, the debate laid bare key differences over national politics.
Renzi disagrees with his two challengers on a wealth tax, which he opposes.
If the spring election outcome requires the formation of a coalition following the legislative elections, Orlando and Emiliano have said they would seek to govern with left wing defectors or other parties on the left.
Renzi, meanwhile, has not ruled out forming an alliance with centre-right leader and former premier Silvio Berlusconi.
By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor Former President Goodluck Jonathan has defended his decision shunning entreaties to make his assets public while in office between 2011 and 2015.
Former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the State House in Abuja
The former president, whose action is captured in the new book, 'Against the Run of Play: How an incumbent president was defeated' by Segun Adeniyi, argued that he did not believe that declaring his assets publicly could stem the tide of corruption or degrade the level of terrorism in the country.
Jonathan said: "It is not the President declaring his assets that will end Boko Haram and whether I am criticised from head to toe I will not declare my assets publicly; it is not right; I did not even want to declare my assets as VP but was forced by the then President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
"The law is clear. A public officer should declare his asset, and if there are issues, then the relevant agencies would have a basis to assess whether you have amassed wealth or not.
Pressed further to make public his assets in the spirit of the anti-corruption war and moral basis, the book quotes Jonathan as saying, "I don't give a damn about it. The law is clear about it and so, making it public is not issue and I will not play into the hands of people. I have nothing to hide.
"I declared under Yar Ádua because he did it, but it is not proper; it is not the president declaring assets that will change the country," he insisted.
The book noted, "By refusing to make public his assets declaration, Jonathan easily played into the hands of the opposition that had started to define him as a corrupt leader.
"That characterisation hounded him throughout his tenure and would become a major campaign point in 2015.
"But if there was any corruption scandal that did incalculable damage to the credibility of his government, it was the mismanagement of the fuel subsidy funds," the book noted.
It went further: "And with that, critical stakeholders, including organised labour unions and civil society groups-responded with anger and condemnation, vowing to challenge the Federal Government by calling for a nationwide strike."
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has congratulated the Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Football Club for winning the Under-15 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs tournament in Lagos, on Saturday.
Bukola Saraki
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, commended the sterling efforts made by the players and their technical crew throughout the the period of the competition before capping it with a resounding 3-1 victory in their final match against Katsina United.
He also commended the organizers of the tournament for their objective which is to groom talents for the national team.
He noted that the competition which involved over 400 under-15 teenagers from 20 NPFL clubs was a giant step in proactive youth engagement, crime reduction and the discovery of future super stars for the country.
Saraki said: “While I commend the ABS Club for their superlative performance that enabled them to win the competition, I also want to congratulate all the clubs that participated in the tournament.
“The successful hosting of the inaugural edition of the NPFL U-15 Promises Tournament, once again, points clearly to one fact: that the country is replete with talents that need to be harnessed, not only to advance our game of football but to develop the country in all ramifications”, he said.
The Senate President also reiterated his earlier call for corporate organizations to make the sponsorship of sporting activities in the country a priority as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), in view of the lean resources available to government.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has predicted cloudy conditions over the central states of the country on Monday with chances of localised thunderstorms over Makurdi, Lafia, Jalingo, Mambilla and Obudu in the morning.
NiMet's Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Sunday in Abuja, also predicted prospects of localised thunderstorms over Jos, Lokoja, Abuja and Southern Kaduna later in the day.
It added that the region would have day and night temperature of 31 to 38 and 19 to 28 degrees Celsius respectively.
The agency predicted that southern states would experience cloudiness with chances of localised thunderstorms over the coastal cities of Port Harcourt, Calabar, Lagos and Yenagoa in the morning.
It also predicted afternoon/evening localised thunderstorms in Akure, Ado-Ekiti, Benin, Warri, Oshogbo, Owerri, Enugu, Awka and Abakaliki with day and night temperatures of 31 to 34 and 21 to 25 degrees Celsius respectively
According to NiMet, northern states will experience partly cloudy condition with day and night temperatures of 38 to 43 and 23 to 30 degrees Celsius respectively.
"Partly cloudy condition is expected to prevail over the northern cities, while the central cities down to the coast will experience cloudy to partly cloudy condition with prospects of localised thunderstorms,'' NiMet predicted.
The minister for transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that he is not corrupt and does not like money. Ameachi made the remark on Saturday in an interview with newsmen ( Channels).
During the interview session, Amaechi was asked if he is corrupt, responding to her, see the video bellow:
Dr Rafiu Ladipo, President-General of Nigerian Football and other Sports Supporters Club, has emerged President of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) at an election held on Sunday in Lagos.
Rafiu Ladipo
He secured 20 votes to defeat Ademola Omotosho who garnered two votes only. Details soon.
Chelsea took a significant step towards the Premier League title on Sunday with victory at Everton but Tottenham ensured the champagne will stay on ice for a bit longer with an impressive 2-0 win over Arsenal.
As well as the engrossing fight for the title the battle for the two remaining Champions League places has become a real dogfight — Arsenal missing a chance to make up ground on the two Manchester clubs, who both stumbled on Sunday against relegation candidates.
Arsene Wenger Photo: Arsenal.com
Second-half goals by Dele Alli and Harry Kane, from the penalty spot, sealed the three points and ensured that Spurs will finish above their North London rivals Arsenal for the first time in 22 years.
But whether Spurs will ever hunt down relentless Chelsea is another matter, with just four games left and Chelsea still four points clear, and with an easier run-in.
“I am so pleased. It was a very important game and it was a complete performance,” Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino told the BBC.
“The race for the title is down to four points and we will see what will happen.
“To be above Arsenal for the first time in 22 years is fantastic for our fans. it is fantastic for us too, but we want to win the title.”
A superb second-half strike by Pedro and late goals from Gary Cahill and Willian ended Everton’s run of eight successive home wins and had piled the pressure on Spurs, who were playing afterwards.
Chelsea took time to settle but once Pedro scored their opener — his first goal in nine matches — the floodgates opened and they ran out 3-0 winners.
“This gives us lots of confidence,” manager Antonio Conte told Sky Sports. “Now it is important to prepare the final rush.
“If in the next game against Middlesbrough you don’t win, you lose this victory. We must look step by step.”
– ‘Huge result’ –
Cahill’s eighth goal of the season and Willian’s beautifully worked third inflicted only Everton’s second home defeat of the season.
“It was convincing but we had to work hard for it,” Cahill told Sky Sports, sensing this might be the win that delivers the title in Conte’s first season at Chelsea.
“Pedro’s goal was special, at times you need a bit of class to open up a team, that’s what he did today. I’m buzzing with that, it’s a huge result for us.”
City had to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 at Middlesbrough and United drew 1-1 at home to Swansea on a bad day for the Manchester giants.
City relied on 20-year-old striker Gabriel Jesus to secure them a point in the final five minutes of their game against a Boro side scenting back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since May 2008.
“We controlled the game and missed so many chances,” Jesus told Premier League Productions.
“Today’s result is disappointing but at least we have a point.”
Arsenal’s defeat in the last North London derby at White Hart Lane leaves manager Arsene Wenger’s proud record of qualifying for the Champions League in real trouble.
They are sixth, five points behind United and six behind City in fourth, although the Londoners have a game in hand on both.
Only the top four get into the Champions League.
Liverpool, the other team in the mix, travel to Watford on Monday looking to cement third spot.
– Wenger unimpressed –
Wenger — whose future at Arsenal is mired in doubt — gave credit to Spurs for deserving to beat them but was unimpressed by the fact that the Gunners would finish below their rivals for the first time in his long tenure.
“Mathematically it has to happen once,” Wenger told Sky Sports.
“We are not happy with it but we don’t compare ourselves to Spurs, we compare ourselves to where we want to be.”
A sublime free-kick by Icelandic international Gylfi Sigurdsson gained Swansea a deserved point against United at Old Trafford and dented Jose Mourinho’s hopes of breaking into the top four.
Sigurdsson’s 10th goal of the season, but first in 11 matches, cancelled out veteran Wayne Rooney’s contentious penalty in time added on in the first half when Marcus Rashford made the most out of minimal contact with Swans goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
Winner of the 2016 edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature, Africa's most prestigious literature Prize, will be announced on May 20, 2017 at a grand finale/award presentation ceremony which will hold at the upscale Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The winner will be selected from the three shortlisted authors: Jacqui L'Ange author of The Seed Thief; Jowhor Ile, author of And After Many Days, and Julie Iromuanya, author of Mr & Mrs Doctor.
Speaking about the grand finale, the Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, said that apart from being the climax of a series of milestones that makes the Prize unique, the award presentation further underscores Etisalat's unwavering commitment to the development of African literature.
"The Etisalat Prize entails a rigorous process which the winner and the two runners-up have endured. We are elated by the thoroughness of the entire process; from the call for entries, the longlist, the shortlist and finally, the award ceremony where the winner will be unveiled. We thank the judging panel for their fair evaluation of the entries and commitment that has resulted in the uncovering of a literary talent in fiction writing that Africa can boast of", he stated.
As a prelude to the award presentation ceremony, Etisalat will organize a series of literary events including book reading sessions, book donations, a flash fiction training workshop, media visits and interviews aimed at connecting the three finalists with literary enthusiasts in key cities across Africa.
The Winner of the Etisalat Prize will receive £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen and a high-end device. The winner will also attend the Etisalat-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia under the mentorship of Giles Foden an English author best known for his novel The Last King of Scotland.
In addition, the winner and the two runners-up will also participate in a multi-city book tour sponsored by Etisalat thereby earning global recognition. Another big plus for the shortlisted authors is that Etisalat will purchase 1,000 copies of their books for distribution to schools, libraries and book clubs across the African continent.
The Panel of Judges for the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature is chaired by multiple award-winning writer, Helon Habila who is currently an Associate Professor of creative writing at George Mason University, United States. Others are Ivorian writer and translator, Edwige-Renée Dro and Zimbabwean-born South African writer, Elinor Sisulu.
Premier League leaders Chelsea were left four points out in front with four games to play as second-placed Tottenham Hotspur maintained their title charge with victory over Arsenal in the last North London derby at White Hart Lane.
Both Manchester clubs dropped points in their race for a Champions League place after United and City were each involved in frustrating draws, while Sunderland had their relegation confirmed.
Here are five things we learned in the Premier League this weekend.
Pedro underlines Chelsea strength
Pedro may not make headlines in quite the same way as Diego Costa but the way in which he opened the scoring in an eventual 3-0 win away to an obdurate Everton said much about the strength in depth that has left Chelsea eyeing the Premier League title.
Antonio Conte’s side initially found it impossible to impose their high tempo game as Everton matched them blow for blow in a bruising first half. But Pedro broke the deadlock with a bolt from the blue, the impish Spanish winger blasting home from 20 yards before goals from Gary Cahill and Willian completed the victory. Arsenal no longer lord it over Spurs
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger asserted prior to his side’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur that talk of a north London power shift was premature, but Spurs' devastating 2-0 victory in the last derby match at White Hart Lane suggested he may come to eat his words.
Second-half goals from Dele Alli and Harry Kane ensured Spurs will finish above Arsenal in the table for the first time since 1995. Defeat left Arsenal six points off the Champions League places, albeit with a game in hand. As Champions League perennials with a massive global fanbase, the Gunners are still the dominant club in north London. But with a young, hungry team steered by one of the most dynamic coaches in world football, and with a spectacular new stadium to move into next year, Spurs are closing the gap.
United injuries add to Mourinho’s woes
Jose Mourinho has never been shy of criticising his players in public but the Manchester United manager may need to adopt a different approach as he tries to inspire his injury-hit side in the closing weeks of the season. Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Swansea was made worse for United by the sight of Eric Bailly and Luke Shaw going off to join an already extensive list of sidelined defenders. With a tough domestic run-in, United’s best hope of Champions League qualification could lie in winning the Europa League, where they face Celta Vigo in a two-legged semi-final. Battling Boro sum up Guardiola grief
If ever a match demonstrated why Pep Guardiola will end this season without a major trophy for the first time in his managerial career it was surely his Manchester City side’s 2-2 draw away to relegation-threatened Middlesbrough on Sunday. A comparable La Liga or Bundesliga clash when the Spaniard was in charge of either Barcelona or Bayern Munich would most times have ended in a comfortable win for one of the European football giants. But the Premier League, for all the questions regarding its quality, is generally more competitive, with City twice having to come from behind in a match where Gabriel Jesus’s equaliser five minutes from time rescued a point for Guardiola’s men.
Sunderland pay the price for inaction
As the relegation picture began to take shape over the English winter, several club owners near the foot of the table sacked their managers. Crystal Palace, Swansea City, Hull City and, most strikingly, Leicester City pressed the panic button and all have since witnessed upturns in their fortunes. Only Sunderland and Middlesbrough kept faith with their managers, Boro eventually sacking Aitor Karanka, by which time it was effectively too late. David Moyes’s Sunderland sank into the Championship after losing 1-0 to Bournemouth on Saturday and Middlesbrough are poised to follow them. Sometimes it pays to change.
Bayern Munich party hard after winning a fifth straight German league title while Ingolstadt frustrate Leipzig again.
Here are five things we learned from the 31st round of Bundesliga matches this weekend:
Bayern party timeBayern’s team celebrates with a mock-trophy becoming the new German champion after the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfL Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich on April 29, 2017 in Wolfsburg, northern Germany. Bayern Munich won a fifth consecutive German league title. / AFP PHOTO
Their 6-0 hammering of Wolfsburg confirmed Bayern are Bundesliga winners again and the squad proved they are party champions too.
Captain Philipp Lahm kicked things off, taking to the loudspeaker to lead the singing on the pitch.
The squad wore red T-Shirts showing a white palm — a finger for each league title over the last five years.
The victory was toasted in the dressing room with champagne, beer and music.
“It was too quiet — we need a new sound system,” joked Mats Hummels.
Cans of beer and freshly delivered pizza joined the team on the flight back to Munich, where the celebrations continued in an Italian restaurant.
Defender Rafinha was the last man standing and he posted a bare-chested video on Instagram with a copy of the Bundesliga trophy and a glass of sparkling at 7:00 am on Sunday.
Bayern will be presented with the real Bundesliga trophy after the last league match, at home to Freiburg, on May 20. Leipzig made to wait
RB Leipzig’s plans to beat strugglers Ingolstadt at home and celebrate winning an automatic Champions League place fell flat in Saturday’s goalless draw.
Last December, second-from-bottom Ingolstadt ended RB’s record 13-match winning run at the start of their first Bundesliga season with a 1-0 defeat.
The Bavarians struck again at Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena in a bad-tempered affair.
There were seven yellow cards and Ingolstadt defender Alfredo Morales was sent off late on for a second booking.
Leipzig’s top-scorer Timo Werner had to go off on 66 minutes with a leg injury.
RB’s Champions League celebrations must now stay on ice until their next home game — against Bayern on May 13. Rivals’ showdown
Borussia Dortmund drew a blank in their goalless draw with Cologne, but are relishing Saturday’s home match against Hoffenheim — a showdown between the rivals for an automatic Champions League place next season.
Hoffenheim’s 1-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday saw them leap-frog Dortmund into third, with Borussia just one point behind.
The team which finishes third in Germany’s top flight qualifies directly for the Champions League while fourth goes into a play-off.
“It’s great for everyone, when the third plays fourth,” said Dortmund midfielder Gonzalo Castro.
“We’re looking forward to it and the good thing is that we have things in our own hands,” he added before the home clash at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park.
Second chance for Kruse
Max Kruse is set to feature for Germany at the Confederations Cup after hitting 10 goals in his last eight games for Werder Bremen.
He scored in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Hertha Berlin in a week when Germany’s head coach Joachim Loew praised the 29-year-old’s prowess in front of goal.
Loew kicked him out of the Germany squad in March 2016 for off-the-field indiscretions, but the signs indicate Kruse is set for another chance.
“I’m glad, honoured even, that the national coach has seen my performances,” said Kruse.
Kruse could taste international competition next season with sixth-placed Bremen set for a Europa League place.
Hot-shots do battle
Bayern are confirmed champions, but the race to be the league’s top scorer rages on.
With three games left Robert Lewandowski’s two goals at Wolfsburg leave him on 28 league goals — one more than Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Lewandowski is looking to retain the hot-shot title he won last year with Bayern still to face Darmstadt (h), RB Leipzig (a) and Freiburg (h).
Aubameyang’s Dortmund play Hoffenheim (h), Augsburg (a) and Werder Bremen (h) in their remaining league games.
Tottenham’s Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen said the pressure is all on Premier League leaders Chelsea after his side kept their title hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday.
Petr Cech Goals by Dele Alli and a penalty from leading scorer Harry Kane kept the gap between them and Chelsea — who beat Everton 3-0 earlier on Sunday — to four points with four matches remaining.
“The pressure is on Chelsea. One loss (for them) and a win for us and the gap will just be a point,” Vertonghen told Sky Sports.
Vertonghen, who led the defence superbly alongside compatriot Toby Alderweireld, said Spurs had been hungrier for victory which also ensured they will finish above Arsenal for the first time in 22 years.
“It was a massive game in so many different ways,” he said. “We showed from the start we wanted to win more than them, and that we want to stay in the title race.
“It was a great performance throughout the team, from Hugo (Lloris) in goal to Harry (Kane).”
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said it had been a “fantastic afternoon”.
“To win against Arsenal in the last derby at White Hart Lane, it was emotional for everyone,” said the 45-year-old Argentinian whose team faded in pursuit of Leicester in last season’s title race.
“Now we can say that we are more mature,” said Pochettino. “Today was another chance to see the team learning and improving.
“It is so important now to try and win trophies, that is our aim. I think still we are in the race.”
Arsenal boss counterpart Arsene Wenger dismissed the significance of Spurs finishing above them in the table.
“Mathematically it has to happen once,” the Frenchman told Sky Sports.
“We are not happy with it but we don’t compare ourselves to Spurs, we compare ourselves to where we want to be.”
Kane for his part was ecstatic at the result.
“Incredible,” he told Sky Sports. “We obviously wanted to finish the last north London derby here (White Hart Lane as they will play at Wembley next season) on a high note and we did that.
“We worked hard, we created the better chances, what a day. The fans having bragging rights (winning the derby and finishing above Arsenal) is just an added bonus.”
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech was devastated and realised the defeat could have a major impact on their hopes of making the Champions League next season.
“I am very disappointed. This is not the game to lose,” the Czech great said.
Ghana’s Sulley Muntari dramatically walked off the pitch while playing for Pescara at Cagliari on Sunday after his complaints of alleged racist abuse were met with a yellow card.
Muntari
The former AC Milan and Inter midfielder also angrily confronted Cagliari fans, shouting at them: “This is my colour.”
Muntari could now face disciplinary measures after deciding, voluntarily, to leave the field seconds before full-time — a decision that earned him a second yellow card, and then a red, in the 96th minute of the game that his team lost 1-0.
Earlier, he had spoken directly with a section of the Cagliari supporters targeting him with racist abuse.
And when he protested to match referee Daniele Minelli and other officials in the 89th minute that he was still being targeted, Muntari was booked.
While leaving the pitch in frustration and murmuring “Basta ! (Enough)” minutes later, Muntari went to address more supporters, showing them his arm and shouting: “this is my colour, this is my colour.”
His protest was later backed by Pescara coach Zdenek Zeman, although in comments to Sky Sport the Czech veteran said Muntari should not have quit the game.
“He asked the referee to intervene, but he (said he had) neither heard nor seen anything,” Zeman said. “Muntari was right, but he shouldn’t have left the pitch.”
Muntari was at AC Milan when former teammate Kevin Prince Boateng angrily walked off the pitch while being targeted with racist abuse during a friendly with lower league side Pro Patria in January 2013.
It prompted a wave of support on social media, although football’s ruling body FIFA, while applauding Boateng’s principles, said it did not condone his decision to walk off.
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has promised to spare no effort in ensuring that the state clears the four months outstanding salaries of workers in the state.
He made the disclosure in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka on Sunday, ahead of the commemoration of 2017 Workers' Day celebration.Gov Ajimobi
The state owes the workers four months salaries, having cleared the backlog till December 2016.
Ajimobi urged the workers to continue to put in their best and key into the state government's reform agenda aimed at enhancing productivity.
"I congratulate the entire workforce in the state, including those in the private and informal sectors.
"This year's workers day has provided another opportunity for you all to take stock and assess your performance.
"I can say without any equivocation that workers in the state are among the very best you can find anywhere in the country.
"But, for the few yet to embrace the new order of hard work, accountability, dedication and commitment, I urge you join the trend," he said.
He said that the government was exploring many opportunities to enhance the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state, promising that no effort would be spared to clear the four months salary arrears.
"No doubt, times are hard because of the pervading poor state of the economy.
"I feel your pains and I'm optimistic that we shall soon sing a new song of prosperity and abundance. May none of you be missing by that time,." he said.
Ajimobi prayed for a hazard-free 2017 for workers in the state as the year enters the second quarter, and that God would give them good health to celebrate more workers' days to come.
Traditional rulers from Okunland in Kogi have appealed for unconditional release of the detained Administrator of Ijumu Local Government, Mr Taufiq Isa to allow for amicable resolution of alleged feud between him and Sen. Dino Melaye. The traditional rulers led by the Acting Chairman of the Okunland Traditional Council, the Olubunu of Bunu land, Oba Adewale Ikusemoro made the appeal on Sunday in Lokoja at a press conference.
Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello and Dino Melaye
He said Dino and Isa are their sons and they have summoned them for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. The Police had on April 29 in Abuja paraded Isa and five other suspects for allegedly being behind the April 15 gun attack on Melaye at his residence at Ayetoro-Gbede in Ijumu Local Government. Ikusemoro who was flanked by other leading traditional rulers from Okunland warned that if the crisis was not carefully handled it might engulf the whole of Okunland He said that they had also met with the state Governor, Yahaya Bello, to ask for his support on the peaceful resolution of the crisis. Also speaking at the press conference, a group of political office holders from Okunland led by the Majority Leader of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Mathew Kolawole said that they stand in solidarity with Isa in his travail. They implored the police not to hold Isa further but charge him for opportunity to defend himself in court. Also at the briefing, the Kogi Integrity Group led by Mr Dare Michael said the police should have concluded investigations into the alleged crime before parading Isa and the others. The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folasade Ayoade, the Commissioners for education, Mr Joseph Tolorunleke, Finance, Mr Idris Asiwaju, and other political appointees from Okunland were at the briefing.
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara Sunday said that the House was committed to passing a new minimum wage bill.
Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara fielding questions from State House Correspondents after closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
Dogara in a statement to mark the 2017 Workers’ Day, signed by his Special Adviser,Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassa, reiterated the resolve and commitment of the parliament to enacting the New minimum wage bill for Nigerian workers.
He said that increasing workers’ salary and wages has become necessary in view of the current inflation, naira devaluation and rising cost of living.
According to him, ” I wish to congratulate the entire Nigerian workers as they join their counterparts the world over in commemorating the International Workers’ Day. While commending you for your sacrifice and commitment to the service and building of the nation.
“I wish to assure you thatthe National Assembly and in particular , the 8th House of Represntatives remains committed to the passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill when presentes by the Executive and initiating other laws and legislative interventions that will promote the welfare and well being of Nigerian Workers.”
Dogara, however, enjoined workers, especially civil servants to rededicate themselves to duty and support government’s laudable policies and programmes.
He said, ” As you mark this historic day, I wish to remind Nigerians of the sacrifices made by the working class in nation building and commit yourselves to doing even more in supporting government’s activities that will better the lots of our citizens .”
By Elizabeth Uwandu Students of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, were in high spirits weekend as they returned for the completion of the 2nd term following a two- month shutdown even as there were expressions of dissatisfaction among some parents about the resumption arrangements.
Queens College
The school was shut in February by the Lagos state Ministry of Education, following an outbreak of diarrhoea that claimed the lives of three students and left several others hospitalised.
When Vanguard visited the school premises Saturday and Sunday, several parents were seen accompanying their wards and assisting them to unpack their bags and baggage for screening at the school gate.
Expressing joy over the resumption, a parent, Mrs. Ngozi Obidiwe Chibuzor, who brought her daughter – Favour – a Senior Secondary Two student said she was elated the school had finally reopened and that her daughter’s long stay at home was finally over.
” You can see that am happy to bring my daughter back to school after the unfortunate incident that kept students at home for two whole months. I must commend the efforts of school management, the PTA Chairman, Queens College Old students Association, and the government to find it fit to re-brand the school in all ramifications.
“My only plea is that there should be better understanding and cooperation between the school management and parents. This will go a long way ton forestalling any future incident of this magnitude. ” she added.
Another parent, Dr Babayele Lookman, a Geologist who brought down his ward, Wejihat Babayele, all the way from Ogun state, observed that the school management should look beyond the euphoria of a happy resumption, but rather, seek measures to keep up the standard of the school and also put the sad incident behind.
“I am happy about the resumption. I must also call on all stakeholders to constantly see that the school's standards are maintained at all times. There should be regular monitoring and evaluation of the school activities by parents. Beyond this, the issue of apportioning blame over what happened should be set aside," Babayele noted.
Speaking on behalf of the students, the Head Girl, Ngozi Onwunze, noted that with the new development in the school and the openness of the new Principal, Mrs Bola Are, Queens College would be better than it was before the epidemic that ravaged it.
“While I can’t blame anyone over what happened, I can say that communication and relationship between the students and grandma – Mrs Are -is like that of mother and child. We have easy access to her and we can air our views without any restriction. So, despite my completion of my studies in QC, the students are in safe hands, ” Onwunze remarked.
There was mild drama exhibited by some parents that complained over what they described as insensitivity on the part of the school authorities for denying their children into the school because they failed to meet all the requirements set for resumption.
It would be recalled that the school management had instructed parents and guardians to bring along with their children new mattresses, mosquito nets and a five litre gallon for water for the safety of the children.
An angry parent told Vanguard that the school's denial of the students was unfair, even as he cited factors such as finance, and non-specification of the size of mattresses to bring as responsible for inability of some parents to comply.
“Yes, I got the text messages sent by the school management that the students should bring mattresses , mosquito nets and a five litres gallon for water. But, I never knew they will demand for a new mattress .
“The school should consider that not all fingers are equal. And distance is another issue. For instance, I came from Ikorodu with my daughter. How do they want me to go back home with her?” He lamented.
Reacting to the complaints, the Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association, PTA, Sir John Ofodike, who was accompanied by the Chairman, Association of Civil Servants of Nigeria, Queens College chapter, Comrade Sarafadeen Oladejo, and other top management members of the school, explained that the school had to comply with the instructions of the Lagos state Ministry of Education for the safety of all.
"It is not that the school authority is insensitive," Ofodike said. "These directives were given by the Ministry of Education for the safety of the students and to curtail the spread of infection that may arise due to bedbugs in old mattresses.
" Life is precious and going out of the way to preserve it should not be questionable. We made our messages explicit that only students with new foams, new nets and new gallon of water will be allowed into the school,” the PTA chairman said.
It was gathered from a top management source that the school may compensate families of students who lost their lives during the outbreak of diarrhoea. Already, an insurance plan is being put in place for the bereaved families.
A student of University of Lagos has been reported to have killed herself after being accused of stealing makeup and clothes in her hostel.
Ayomide was said to have taken Sniper pesticide, a DDVP, 2,2-Dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate compound, marketed by Swiss-Nigerian Chemical Company and used as a synthetic organophosphorus which many now use as an indoor insecticide.
Though Vanguard is yet to confirm the veracity of the story but according to Ajani Damilola, a Mechanical Engineering student of the same university, on his Face book post said that Ariyibi Ayomide, a student of the Faculty of Business Administration, Department of Employee Relations and Human Resources Management (ER & HRM) took her own life after her room mates booed her for stealing make up and clothes.
He wrote that that ‘incident happened in her room (Amina Hostel) which involved the missing of belongings (which includes make up and clothes) of another girl in d same room. On Thursday, some of the belongings of d fellow roommate was found in Ayomide’s bag ( scattered in three different bags – make up in one of of her bag, clothes in another bag and clothes in another bag making 3 of Ayomide’s bag). As a result the roommates disgraced Ayo and called her many names( relating to a thief) and disgraced her publicly. Ayomide called her mum and her mum came down next day( Friday) to settle d issue. The makeup was valued at #2000 in which Her mum paid. After that, her mum told her to pack her bags and follow her home which she did but as she was going d roommates shouted on her and called her so many names.
Her mum took her home and went back to work (her mum is a unilag staff). Ayomide was d only one left at home when she took sniper in the afternoon. Her mum came back in d evening and saw her child in a critical state. So she asked what happened to her; Ayomide just stretched her hand to do bottle of d sniper she took. Immediately her mum gave her palm oil( epo in yoruba) but results were not forthcoming. So she rushed her to a medical centre at ebute metta, still results were not favourable, she was then taken to Luth ( Medilag). Ayo gave up in LUTH around after 7 yesterday.
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) said that Nigeria, the ninth largest gas producing nation in the world, lost over 850 million dollars to gas flaring in 2015.
Mrs Pat Maseli, Deputy Director, Head, Upstream, DPR, gave the statistics at the just concluded 10th Annual Sub-Saharan Africa Oil and Gas Conference in Houston, Texas, U.S.
This is according to a statement made available to the Newsmen, in Lagos on Sunday by Mr Sonny Oputa, Chairman, Energy Corporate African, the organiser of the conference.
Maseli said that the development led to a loss of 3,500 megawatts of electricity generation and about 400 million dollars carbon credit value emission.
She said, "55 million Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) was lost and 25 million tons of carbon dioxide emitted.
"The country is recording decline, but the scale of gas flaring is still worrisome''.
She said that with almost 8 billion cubic meters of gas flared annually, according to satellite data, Nigeria had the seventh largest gas flaring in the world.
"At the same time, approximately 75 million Nigerians lack access to electricity.
"In recent years, Nigeria has shown significant progress by reducing gas flaring by about 2 billion cubic metres from 2012 to 2015,'' she was quoted as saying.
Maseli said that prior to now, there were no gas terms in place, but the department had recently developed policies on gas terms and utilisation.
"This was passed to operators for their input which will subsequently be sent to the National Assembly for its passage
"The Gas Master Plan seeks to deliver gas to commercial sub sector for use as fuel, captive power and related end-use, to consolidate Nigeria's position and market share in high value export markets.
"It will create regional hub for gas-based industries, including fertiliser, petrochemical and methanol.
" It will also transform the gas sector to a value-adding sector,'' Maseli said.
On the breakdown of the 2008-2013 Domestic Gas Supply Obligation (DGSO), she said that compliance was about 23 per cent.
It said that in 2016, the DGSO was achieved at 38.18 per cent, while in 2017, it was 40 per cent.
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