A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
It was indeed a remarkable day on the 11 of March 2017, when Vanguard newspaper management invited distinguished personalities known for their achievement and contributions to the growth and development of humanity in Nigeria at Eko hotel Lagos state. An event that ushered in colossal statue conferral walking straight in with panache and aplomb to the hall. Bellow are some picture display of the event:
Chief Emeka Anyaoku (right) presenting Vanguard’s Governor of the Year Award to Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, represented by Dr. Nkem Okeke, Deputy Governor of the state and his wife, Oby.From left, Mr Frank Aigbogun, Publisher, Businessday newspaper; Mr Rotimi Oladele, President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR; Mrs Stella Sawyerr, Associate Editor, Tell Magazine and Mr Gbenga Ogunleye, Provost, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ.From left: Chief Amos Akingba, Mr Moshood Salvador, Mr Aramide Tola Noibi and Mr. Folu Koyi.From left, Mrs Tobi Odunaiya, Mr Irone Orugbo, Mr Sunny Aminaghan, and Mrs Chuko Aminaghan.From left, Pastor Kingsley Bayagbon and Mr Mideno Bayagbon, Publisher, The News Guru.From left: Senator Bassey Ewa, Chief Bode George and Dr. Asuquo Ekpeyong.Mr. Victor Etuokwu, Executive Director, Personal Banking Division (left) receiving Vanguard Banker of the Year 2016 on behave of Herbert Wigwe, GMD/CEO, Access Bank Plc from Dr Asuquo Ekpeyong.Mr Nduka Obaigbena,Publisher, Thisday Newspapers (right) presenting Vanguard Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 to Alhaji Isa Funtua (left) while Aremo Olusegun Osoba looks on.Senator Florence Ita-Giwa (right) presenting Vanguard Governor of the year 2016 to Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State and his wife, Hajia Aishat.From left, Nwafor Adaeze; Yeye Rewane and Emmanuella Onochie.A cross section of ushers at the event.From left: Chief Joop Berkhout, Executive Chairman, Safari Books Ltd and Mr. Ernest Berkhout.From left, Thelma Osammor; Mrs Bridget Mayaki and Stephen Mayaki.Mr Emeka Oparah (left) and Chiekezie Dozie.From left, Dr Amos Akingba; Adegoke Salvador and Yinka OdumakinEdo cultural dancers.
There are strong indications that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is unrelenting in its move to ensure liquidity in the interbank foreign exchange (Forex) market, as it will inject more funds into market this week.
This is according to information gathered on Sunday in Abuja from market operators.
Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele
Confirming the proposed additional foreign exchange injection into the system, the acting Director, Corporate Communications of the CBN, Mr Isaac Okorafor said the CBN was determined to sustain the provision of liquidity in the Forex market.
Okorafor cautioned dealers in foreign exchange not to engage in any unwholesome practice that could be detrimental to the smooth operations in the market.
He also warned that the CBN would impose heavy sanctions on any organisation involved in such acts.
The CBN had, as at last week, injected over 1.4billion dollars into the interbank Forex market for both wholesale and retail interventions.
Rivers United Manager, Stanley Eguma says the team will work out a strategy to tackle Sudanese club, Al-Merreikh in the second leg match of their CAF Champions League match.
United beat Al-Merreikh 3-0 in the first leg, first round CAF Champions League match played at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Stanley Eguma
United`s striker, Guy Kuemain, scored twice in the 15th and 17th minutes while midfielder, Esosa Igbinoba scored the third goal in the 82nd minute.
Al-Merrieikh`s attacker, Bakri Babeechar, almost scored for his side in the 20th minute but his goal bound shot was saved by United`s keeper, Sunday Rotimi.
In the second half, Rotimi saved the situation for his side when he saved a pull-out from the right flank by Al-Merreikh`s Ramadan Ajarb.
Eguma said his team used the chances that came their way to score goals.
" We had fatigue in the second half because of the wears and tears of the league.
" We tried our best to see how we could score more goals. I think that three goals in a game is not a bad result.
The Manager said the team will be cautious in the return match in Sudan.
" We will fashion out a formation and strategy on how to see that we are cautious. While we try to get a spoiler goal, we will be very cautious not to concede goals.
" It's not yet over and we will take it from there," Eguma said.
Al-Merreikh Italian Manager, Diego Garzitto, said the weather and synthetic pitch affected his team.
"We are not used to playing in synthetic field and we play most of our matches in the night. The weather was not favourable to us," he said.
Garzitto said the team would work hard to cancel the three goals conceded against United.
Kelechi Osunwa, Nigerian Al-Merreikh striker, said the team played several matches before meeting United in the CAF Champions League match.
" Our players were tired having played in the Arab League and some domestic matches. We played eight games in three days before this match," he said.
Zambia beat Senegal 2-0 in the final on Sunday in Lusaka to be crowned champions of the Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Zambia 2017.
First half goals from Patson Daka and Edward Chilufya was all the Junior Chipolopolo needed to claim their first ever title in the history of the biennial competition.
Besides being the second Southern African country after Angola (in 2001) to be crowned champions, Zambia's feat makes them the fourth host to claim the ultimate after Morocco (1997), Ghana (1999) and Congo (2007).
Zambia was the only team in the competition to win all matches and they capped their campaign in grand style with the title in hand.
Zambia U20 team celebrate their 2-0 title win over Senegal
Watched by a full house at the 50,000-capacity Heroes National Stadium in the capital, Lusaka, including President of the country, Edgar Lungu, the Junior Chipolopolo ensured the fans left the stadium the happiest.
Senegal really tested the Zambians but their efforts were little enough to save them from a successive final defeat. 'Les Lionceaux' lost 0-1 to Nigeria in the 2015 final on home soil.
It was the Senegalese who started on a positive note and on seven minutes, Ibrahima Niane tested Zambia goalie Mangani Banda with a low shot, which Banda collected calmly.
On the quarter-hour mark, Fashion Sakala was gifted with Zambia's first major chance. He outwitted his marker but his angled shot missed target by inches.
Two minutes later, the stadium erupted as Daka gave the Junior Chipolopolo the lead capitalising on a blunder by Senegal goalie Lamine Sarr. Sarr failed to make a firm grab of Sakala's seemingly harmless shot and Daka who was lurking around slotted home to send the over 50,000 fans into a frenzy mood.
The goal brought out the best of 'Les Lionceaux' who stepped up their game in search of the equalizer. However, it was Zambia who managed to score on 34 minutes from yet another mistake by Sarr. The goalie in his bid to clear his lines saw his shot come off the body of Chilufya as the ball headed straight into his own net.
Senegal were the better team in the second half dominating in possession and pinning the Zambians to their half with Niane and Aliou Badji coming close a couple of times.
Midway, the host almost scored the third following a one-two between Enock Mwepu and Sakala that saw Daka at the receiving end. Daka lobbed past onrushing Sarr only for Senegal captain Mamadou Diarra to clear the ball off the line to his side's relief.
The final minutes saw the Zambians defence kept boiling following raids by the Senegal attack, however they held on to claim victory.
It is indeed a scrupulous act and abysmally a total violation of fundamental human right of people who by the colour of their skin tend to associate with a fellow country, perhaps calls each other brother, laying bare for a through partnership and international relationship was in-between the line caught up by anger and man inhumanity to man. Despite the friendly help rendered to South Africa by Nigeria counterpart during the apartheid period could not quench the razing fire flame of hatred that laid to a massive slaughtering of a good number of Nigerians in South Africa.
Xenophobic attack in South Africa
However this made the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) on Saturday 12 March 2017 to call on the attention of South African government to stop the xenophobic attacks being levelled on Nigerians in their country. This they said has claimed lives of many Nigerians living in the country.
MASSOB said most of the victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa were Igbo people.
Members of the Movement for the Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) during their rally to mark the 17th anniversary of the movement, yesterday, in Awka, Anambra State.
Nazi Sunday Okereafor , the National Director of Information of MASSOB, made this call on Saturday, that the Federal Government was not compelling its South African counterpart to stop the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, particularly Igbo people doing business in the area.
Okereafor claimed that one Emeka, who was a businessman in South Africa, was shot 25 times by a group of South African youths, adding that it was wrong for Africans to kill their brothers for no just cause.
He said, "Government has not shown enough commitment towards stopping these attacks; because Igbo people are more in population in South African" Federal government can stop this attack if they want to".
In last week's episode, Emeka, the University bass guitarist, was invited by his friend Gbenga to come and play for his fellowship at Oduduwa Hall. This week, as Emeka goes to play there, Evelyn, the virgin on campus, sees him for the first time…read on.
On the Saturday morning, Evelyn sang as she got dressed in her room, 'E'39, Moremi hall. She had just finished washing her clothes and was feeling happy that morning. Although she is naturally a peaceful girl, Evelyn did not always feel blissful as she was feeling today.
She took a neatly tailored navy blue skirt made of teasel and shrugged her curved slender hips into it. Evelyn was 26, a little above average in height with the complexion of a polished mahogany. She was slender, graceful, and one who made everyone who saw her agree that black was indeed beautiful.
She began to dress the massive strand of hair protruding from her forehead. Later, she put on a white, loose short-sleeved shirt rather meant for men. She liked to wear men's short-sleeved shirt and they fitted her perfectly. Evelyn had the taste of an artiste, and of course she was a student of English and literary studies. She was brilliant, and in her final year.
Finally she took a pair of well shined Italian brown sandals and eased her feet into them.
The small transistor radio on her bed began to play Tears Are Not Enough. Evelyn paused. She listened to the song for some time, then walked down to the bed and switched off the radio.
"Hee! Why now?" her roommate who had been enjoying the music protested.
Evelyn ignored her. That song always brings sad memories to her. The first time she heard it was five years ago when her father had died trying to save the life of another person.
She remembered now, that night when her father, a surgeon, had been called on the telephone in their house for an emergency case at the hospital. Few minutes after he had driven out, another doctor had come and told them that their father was dead. A trailer that lost control had crushed his car.
That was how her father died, leaving her, her elder brother, Phil, an engineer, and her mother, a Guidance and Counselling lecturer at the University of Benin. Her family came from Delta state, but they lived in Lagos.
Evelyn recalled how her tall father used to carry her high on the Bar Beach, while Phil trotted alongside them. She loved her father more than she loved any other person in the world. The blow of his tragic death had devastated her more than any other person in the family. Evelyn too was her father's favourite when he was alive.
She was already feeling sad. That song always did that to her each time he listened to it. Phil had played it continuously during and after his father's burial. Determined now not to allow anything to spoil the beautiful day for her, she began to sing Jesus Is Here Right Now.
"You look more beautiful in that dress, Sister Evelyn. I haven't seen you wearing that skirt before. Where are you going?" her roommate who had been lying on the bed asked her.
"Oh, a friend has invited me to a celebration in her fellowship at the Oduduwa hall and I'd like to invite you to come with me. I assure you, you are going to be blessed, Dupe."
"I would have loved to, Sister Evelyn, but my boyfriend will be visiting me this morning."
"Well, enjoy yourself, Dupe, Evelyn said without any trace of envy as she stepped out of the room. She knows the type of men her roommate befriends. They do not meet Evelyn's taste. Although she secretly yearns for a man, she knows the type of man she is going to submit herself to. A lot of men, both in and outside the Lord, had approached her concerning things like friendship and marriage, but they did not meet her requirements.
Not that she has a laid down qualities of the man she is going to marry, but she knows for certain that the man must be tall, handsome and of course, intelligent. He must be neat also. Nothing disgusts Evelyn more than a person, especially a man, who is slovenly.
She remembered how often her mother had told her: "My dear Evelyn, let me tell you. It's alright for you to make up your mind about the things you want in life. But when the time comes, you will discover that you can hardly get everything you had wished for.
"Your problem, my daughter," her mother would continue, "is that you have so rigidly made up your mind about the type of man you are going to marry – handsome, intelligent, strong, and a giant like your father. Well, there may be nothing wrong with that, but let me tell you something. You might never meet someone with all those attributes. A man with all your father's attributes might never even exist any longer."
The first time her mother had said those words, she had realized she had unconsciously been setting standards for men based on her late father's attributes. Thinking about it now she became certain that nothing less than those qualities in a man would satisfy her taste.
That part of her mother's speech about there not existing any longer, the type of man she would like to marry, frightens her sometimes, especially when she remembers that even Phil her brother, although handsome, is not as tall and brilliant as her father. But she has faith that God understands her problem, and will attend to it, and in due time. She is in her mid-twenties, and a woman ought to get settled around that age.
She passed through the white house and came to the road that runs across to the African Studies Building. She crossed over to the other side of the road, walking down to the Odudwa Hall.
The entrance by that side of the hall is fenced off with barbed wires, so she walked down to the other entrance facing the Students' Union Building (SUB).
When she was about ten meters to the entrance, a man in blue jeans jacket and trousers swaggered across the road between the SUB and Oduduwa Hall, going into the hall premises.
Evelyn entered, following closely behind the man. The SUB and Oduduwa Hall junction is always busy especially that Saturday morning. People darted across the SUB into the Oduduwa Hall and from the Oduduwa into the SUB, amidst motorists and motorcyclists.
Suddenly the man turned and began to walk towards Evelyn. Someone in a passing car had called out to him and pulled up by the roadside. As he swept past Evelyn she drew to one side of driveway, slightly shuddering.
The man is so tall. Evelyn turned round her eyes trying to take a second look and almost collided with an elderly woman. The woman caught her arms.
"Oh, sorry," Evelyn whispered nervously to the woman and hurried into the Oduduwa Hall.
The former aide to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Electronic Media, Pastor Reno Omokri has advised critics of the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman, to stop spitting venom on the Apostle on Facebook since the infidelity accusation leveled against him whose veracity they are not sure of has not been proven.
Pastor Reno also assured the Apostle that come good, come bad, he would always stand by him.
“Some of you are here on facebook spitting venom on Apostle Johnson Suleman for an accusation whose veracity you are not sure of. I just read from a fellow on facebook who wrote a statement with a lot of ifs.”
“You are filled with ifs and yet you are making judgments? Rather than give the man the benefit of the doubt, you start casting aspersions and slurs. Do not wait until it happens to you before you know that there can be smoke without fire.”
Stephanie Otobo and Apostle Joshua Suleiman
“If you have too much bile and venom inside you, then unleash on corrupt politicians. But before you bury Apostle Suleiman, I will urge you to wait until he dies. Apostle Suleiman, I do not think you are guilty, but no matter the case, in good times and bad times I will stand by you!”
Recall that Apostle Suleman has since the last two weeks been accused by one Ms Stephanie Otobo of ditching her after having an amorous affair that led to her being pregnant and losing the baby.
Ms. Otobo, a Canada-based stripper has equally accused Apostle Suleman of promising to marry her but later failed to keep his words.
However, Ms. Otobo was arrested and later granted bail after filing a N500 million naira suit against the pastor.
Although Apostle Suleman has denied ever having anything to do with the lady except the possibility of helping her just like he does to numerous others in need, the alleged scandal won’t die off the media as claims and counter-claims from both sides have kept on coming.
Even the wife of Apostle Suleman, Dr. Lizzy Suleman has in a video said she knows her husband is not a cheat.
She said this when so many pictures kept flooding the social media wherein it was alleged that the pastor was having an amorous relationship with the lady.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has declared fasting and prayers for three days to restore peace and harmony to Ile-Ife.
Oba Ogunwusi made the declaration through his Deputy, Oba Idowu Adediwura, the Obalufe of Ife kingdom, on Sunday in Ile-Ife, Oyo State.
Adediwura said that the monarch, who travelled to London on Saturday, sent him to deliver the message.
Ooni of Ife,
According to him, the fasting and prayers will hold from Monday, March 13 to Wednesday, March 15.
The Ooni, who said he believed that "with God, all things are possible", noted that "one tree cannot make a forest" and urged his subjects to eschew violence.
He also appealed to all indigenes and non-indigenes in Ile-Ife to cooperate with him to restore peace to the land.
"Ife is the cradle of Yoruba, Niger Deltans, Urobos and other tribes that live in Ile-Ife and in the diaspora; we are all Nigerians and should not forget our origin," Adediwura quoted the Ooni as saying.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow write the leaderships of the two chambers of the National Assembly to formally notify them of his return to the country from London, United Kingdom.
Also, the President will resume his official duties.
PRESIDENT BUHARI RETURNS
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina confirmed the resumption on Sunday when Vanguard contacted him on the issue.
He had twitted last Friday of the development.
“PMB will Monday transmit letter to N’Assembly on his return to the country. That makes his return to work formal, and constitutional,” he twitted
It will be recall that President Buhari on January 19 transmitted a letter to the National Assembly informing them of his 10 days vacation in London.
He also transmitted the powers of his office to his Vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo according to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The President however failed to return after the 10 days which elapsed on February 6.
He later wrote another letter to the Parliament, extending his leave, informing them of his doctors’ advise to stay put abroad and run a series of medical tests.
The extension was indefinite as no date of his return was given.
The President however returned to the country last week Friday after spending 51 days in the United Kingdom to attend to his health.
Meanwhile, Adesina has denied knowledge of an impending cabinet reshuffling.
The same was the case with the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
Both men who spoke to Vanguard on the phone Sunday evening said they were not in the picture of any cabinet changes.
While Adesina responded thus: “The President has not discussed that with me. I report what he says’, Shehu said “I am not aware of that”.
HEROD was a Jew and not an atheist. However, when Wise Men came looking for little Jesus, he inquired of the chief priests and the scribes where the Messiah would be born. He was told it would be in Bethlehem, according to the scriptures. Herod believed. Nevertheless, determined to frustrate the will of God, he ordered all young male children in Bethlehem to be killed. Herod's days became numbered.
Jonah was a prophet of God. But when God told him to call the people of Nineveh to repentance, Jonah would have none of that. He did not just refuse to go to Nineveh; he decided to go in precisely the opposite direction. He took a ship headed for Tarshish. He ended up in the belly of a fish.
My will be done
Many of the difficulties and problems of a believer are those he brings on himself. When he gets bogged down, it is because he is not relying on the resurrection power of Jesus. We are not called to walk in the light of our conscience. We are specifically enjoined not to lean on our own understanding. We are called to walk in the light of the word of God.
When we do anything from reason or from a sense of duty, we can always back it up by argument. But when we do anything by obedience to the Lord, there is no argument possible. That is why true believers are easily subject to ridicule. When a Christian walks in obedience to God, he is often a fool for Christ.
James says: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4).
But because we do not know what the word of God says, or because we do not believe what it says, we despair when we fall into temptations. Some even jump to the ridiculous conclusion that God does not love them anymore.
Rejoicing in the word
When the disciples of Jesus were arrested by the Jewish Council and flogged for preaching Jesus, they departed from their persecutors rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of the Lord. (Acts 5:41 ). Jesus had fore-warned them that: "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12).
The disciples rejoiced because the word of God tells them to do so. We should also rejoice in similar circumstances today because the law, the prophets and the epistles tell us to do so. Thus James says: "My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." (James 5:10-11).
For every temptation Jesus has an answer: "it is written." We cannot resist the devil successfully unless we know what is written. Eve was deceived because she did not know the word of God. The devil told her God does not want her to be like God. But the word of God would be written saying: "you are Gods and all of you are children of the most high." It would also be written: "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue." (2 Peter 1:3).
The devil told Eve if she ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil she would surely not die. But it would be written: "the soul who sins shall die." (Ezekiel 18:4). Poor Adam and Eve, they did not have the scriptures. But the word of God exists and has always existed and will always exist. (Remember this: Jesus is the word of God).
Resisting the devil
Realising that Jesus knew what is written, the devil tried to distort the scriptures by saying to him: "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give his angels charge over you,' and, 'in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" (Matthew 4:6). But Jesus had a ready answer: "It is written again, 'you shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" (Matthew 4:7).
God does not want his children to be ignorant; therefore he tells us vital things beforehand. In this life, some people are going to die, some are going to fail, some are going to be broke, some are going to be divorced, and some are going to be raped. What about you? What is going to happen to you?
Only the things written in the book of life will happen to a believer. Indeed, some will die, but believers will not. It is written: "whoever lives and believes in Jesus Christ shall never die." (John 11:26). The names of those appointed to death are written in the book of death. But the believer's name is written in the book of life. It is written in the book of the abundant life: ""God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
Only the purpose that God has purposed will take place in the life of the believer. How do you know the purpose that is purposed? It is written. Theophilus, (lover of God) your life is following a script written by the most High. You are pre-destined to glory.
Catch the revelation. God does everything by the book. He does everything by the word. Who is the word? Jesus. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God. All things were made by him and without him was not made anything that was made.
God made everything by the word. That is why God fulfils every promise by the word. God fulfils every promise by the book. Every promise of God is fulfilled in Christ and by Christ.
Kings and king of kings
King Ahaseurus could not sleep. What does a king do when he cannot sleep? He reads the scriptures. Who is a king? A king, of course, is the believer. So King Ahaseurus says: "bring me the book." "Bring me the book of the records of the chronicles."
King Ahaseurus is a king in the Old Testament. He is the shadow of the substance of the King of Kings, King Jesus. King Ahaseurus says: "Bring me the book of the records of the chronicles." King Jesus says: "bring me the book of life." And what does he find in the book? It is written about you: "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."
That is the portion of the believer, in the name of Jesus.
A landslide at a landfill in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa has killed at least 46 people and leaving several dozen missing, spokeswoman in the mayor's office said on Sunday.
The accident at the large garbage disposal area occurred on Saturday, burying makeshift houses and concrete buildings.
The initial death toll was reported at 35, with 37 people missing, but rescue workers recovered more bodies in the rubble, Spokeswoman Dagmawit Moges said, adding that 32 of the victims were women.
"We expect to discover more bodies but we foresee a decline in the number as most of the excavations are being completed," said Moges, head of the city's communications department.
"The number of people missing was still unclear", she said.
Most of the injured were treated for minor wounds and quickly discharged from hospital. Two people were seriously injured and remain hospitalized under intensive care.
"All my brothers and sisters were rescued but my mother is not answering her phone – she could still be inside that rubble," said Ruth Tadesee, who lives on the landfill with her family.
Known as Koshe, the Amharic word for "dirty," the landfill has been used as a dumping ground by Addis Ababa residents for more than 50 years.
Some have blamed recent political unrest for unsafe conditions there.
The city plans to relocate people living near and around the waste site as a result of the accident, Addis Ababa mayor Diriba Kuma said on Sunday.
City officials stopped using the landfill several years ago, but were recently forced to resume dumping at the site after farmers living in a politically restive region blocked entry to a newly built landfill.
Anti-government protests have rocked Ethiopia since 2015, particularly in the Oromia region, which includes Addis Ababa.
Protesters from the Oromo ethnic group say they feel excluded from political and economic power.
Security operatives and members of Civilian JTF volunteer group have intercepted a pregnant suicide bomber and another woman in Borno State.
The two female suicide bombers were subdued when they refused to surrender and attempted to attack a security post.
A statement by the spokesman of the Police Command in Borno, Victor Isuku, confirmed that the bombers were shot when they attempted to enter Maiduguri through the Umarari in Molai, near Damboa road.
"On Saturday at about 20:45hrs, two female suspected suicide bombers, of about 18 years of age, attempted to enter Maiduguri through Umarari in Molai General Area which is about 9 Kilometres to the township.
"They were sighted by local vigilantes- the Civilian JTF- and consequently shot dead by security personnel on duty at the area,'' it said. The incident occurred in Ummarari village along Mulai axis of Maiduguri Damboa road at the outskirts of Maiduguri.
The pregnant suicide bomber and her accomplice being evacuated.
The spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in North-East, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said that the rescue workers have evacuated the bodies of the suicide bombers.
"When we got the alert on the incident, the NEMA emergency workers in collaboration with other stakeholders moved to the scene and evacuated the bodies," Ibrahim stated.
"The police Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team was mobilised to the scene to render the unexploded improvised explosive device safe, while normalcy has been restored to the area,'' the police said.
A civilian member of the JTF was injured during the incident.
The President blames bad vibes and even ghosts for driving him from his sumptuous official residence in the villa.
A Brazilian news weekly reported that Brazil's President Michel Temer surprised Brazilian politics watchers this week with the revelation that he has decamped from the Alvorada Palace in the capital Brasilia.
He moved with his former beauty queen wife and their seven-year-old son down the road to the smaller vice presidential residence.
The modernist Alvorada, which means Dawn and was designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, would be a dream home for many.
It has a huge pool, football field, chapel, medical centre and vast lawn.
Michel Temer, Brazil's new President
But Temer, 76, and his 33-year-old wife Marcela, find the cavernous, glass-fronted building spooky.
"I felt something strange there. I wasn't able to sleep right from the first night. ` "The energy wasn't good," Temer was quoted as saying by Veja.
"Marcela felt the same thing. Only (their son) Michelzinho, who went running from one end to the other, liked it."
"We even started to wonder: could there be ghosts?" he reportedly quipped to Veja.
According to a report in Globo newspaper, Marcela Temer brought in a priest to attempt to drive out any evil spirits, but to no avail.
The Temers then moved to the still luxurious but smaller Jaburu Palace nearby.
Temer knows it well: this was his residence when he served as vice president until last year when then president Dilma Rousseff was impeached for breaking budget accounting laws.
That automatically put Temer in the top job and in the Alvorada. No one filled his vacant vice presidential post, however, meaning he can now take his pick of palaces.
The house moving comes in the middle of a severe political crisis for Brazil, with many of Temer's allies face potential corruption probes.
The president himself is battling a case in the electoral court where he is accused of having benefited from illegal donations when he and Rousseff ran together in 2014.
By Simon Ebegbulem, Gabriel Enogholose & Gbenga Oke
Mr. Sam Ogbemudia Jr, the first son of the two-time ex-governor of defunct Midwest and Bendel States, Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia, retd, who died on Friday at the age of 84 has moan that his father had prepared his grave beside his ,Ogbemudia, late mother's grave, who died in 1968 before he died.
The revered leader of the both states which were later split into Edo and Delta States, died at a private hospital in Lagos shortly before midnight on Thursday.
Journalists recall that the statesman was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, in November 2016 where he was later transferred to Lagos for treatment.
Dr Ogbemudia
It was reliably learnt that the deceased had battled diabetes and High blood Pressure since 1970. These, eventually led to the partial stroke he suffered late last year. The news of Ogbemudia's demise shocked Edo residents, who woke up to read it on the social media. Family members and friends thronged his Ihieya residence in Benin City to express sympathy.
Mr. Sam Ogbemudia Jr said he would miss everything about his father.
He said:"My father represents everything to me right from my child hood days. I don't know what to say. It is devastating. I learnt so much from him. He was a wonderful man. I will miss everything about him. I, and other persons, who have come in contact with him, have all learnt a great deal from him. He was a father, not just to his children, but to all. He was a great man.
"He prepared his grave years ago because he said he will like to be buried beside the grave of his late mother. The family will need to meet and discuss including the government of both Edo and Delta states. Our governor, Obaseki has been wonderful, he has been duly informed. It is sad but we thank God for the life of my father".
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari , Senate President, Sen Bukola Saraki; Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; immediate past governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Delta State governor, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa; former governor of Edo State, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor; former Senate President, Sen David Mark; former governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; Speaker of Edo state House of Assembly, Justin Okonobor; and former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie reacted to Ogbemudia's demise. Others included ex-governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbenedion; former governor of Delta State. Chief James Ibori, former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rev. Peter Obada, former Minister of Transport , Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Chief Chris Ogiemwonyi among others.
Ogbemudia would be remembered for his service to people – Buhari
President Buhari in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity said the deceased diligently served the country.
The statement said: '' The President believes that the late Ogbemudia, who had a distinguished career as a military officer, administrator and Federal Minister, has left an impressive legacy of hardwork, discipline and commitment to communal, state, regional and national development."
We will take solace in his legacies—Obaseki
Obaseki said: "It is with sadness but glory to God Almighty that the Government of Edo State announces the death, in the early hours of today, of Brigadier General (retd) Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia. As we mourn our great leader and father, we take solace in the legacies he bequeathed Edo State and indeed Nigeria. As a mark of honour, I hereby declare seven days of mourning commencing from today."
He left footprints in Edo, Delta—Oshionhole
Oshiomhole said: "He is a man that the future generation will remember for the solid foundation he laid for our state. Even as a military governor, his footprints can be found in every Local Government Area across the three Senatorial districts of the state and other parts of Delta State."
Ogbemudia was a dynamic administrator—Saraki
Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described Ogbemudia's death as a huge loss to the country.
He noted that Ogbemudia was a dynamic administrator, focused gentleman and a leader par excellence, who served his country and people meritoriously.
He was a political colossus—Okowa
Okowa described Ogbemudia as a quintessential Army General, adroit and sagacious administrator, elder statesman, an astute politician and patriot, who stamped his footprints in the sands of time by touching the lives of Nigerians, particularly the people of Edo and Delta states.
He cared for welfare of citizens—Uduaghan
Uduaghan said: "He was a father figure at times of crisis. His advice and admonitions were valuable. Of course, one tried to emulate him in so many ways. Pa Ogbemudia made indelible marks in the old Bendel State. We are forever grateful to him for his giant strides in helping to lay the foundation for the even development of our good, old Midwest State. As a military and later civilian governor, he left no one in doubt that he was an astute administrator, who exhibited the kind of courage only leaders who crave the welfare of citizens have. I am personally grieved by his death, I will miss him."
On his part, Senator Owie, said: "I never knew death will come so quickly. When you talk about greatness, he earned his own kind of greatness. It will be difficult to have another Ogbemudia."
Ogbemudia enhanced quality of life in Bendel State —Ibori
He said: "Ogbemudia turned Bendel into a super-state with intra-city modern bus service, first class education system that led other states in sports and examinations. The Bendel school system was serviced by its own central book acquisition centre, the Bendel Book Depot, and Ethiope Publishing Company and a Bendel Library whose trailers and boats went round the state twice a month taking books to borrowers in even the remotest parts of the state. By 1970, Ogbemudia's administration provided television viewing centres in remote villages, powered by small generators.
In fact anything that enhanced the quality of life of the people of Bendel, was a priority to Ogbemudia who introduced the Bendel Line with Mercedes Benz buses and cars and both male and female drivers to ferry Bendelites to and from major cities across Nigeria. Within Bendel itself, a fleet of Hino buses provided a luxury inter-city transport service across the state while equally top-class boats serviced the riverine areas."
Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia was a shining example of impactful governance whose positive legacies have been a reference point for his successors in office. His simplicity was reflected in the fact that despite being governor for close to eight years, he hardly lived in Government House, preferring the simplicity of his personal residence. The only time he slept in Government House was when he played host to the then Sultan of Sokoto, Sadiq III.
The foundation of the excellence that Ogbemudia projected in office perhaps arose from the finest tradition of the military discipline. He was an accomplished gentleman officer who by applying discipline to his military and civilian duties caused excellence to shine on whatever he did.
Ogbemudia joined the army in 1957 and subsequently attended the officer's course at Aldershot, England and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1961.
Following military missions in Congo and then Tanzania he was posted to the faculty of the Nigeria Military School, Zaria in 1964. It was probably there that he met one young recruit named Sanni Abacha who saved his life few years later. As chief inspector, at NMS, Abacha had impressed Ogbemudia with his marksmanship.
In 1966 after he was appointed brigade-major at the 1st Infantry Brigade, Kaduna Ogbemudia had locked up one Lt. Sukar Bukar Dimka on the suspicion of plotting a coup. That particular incident also saved his life exactly ten years later when Dimka led the coup that killed Gen. Murtala Mohammed.
Given insinuations that Ogbemudia was involved in that coup, Dimka confessed to military interrogators that he could not have informed Ogbemudia given his earlier brushes with him ten years earlier when he, Ogbemudia locked him up on the suspicion of plotting a coup.
*Ogbemudia
Just as the pogrom in the North started in 1966, Abacha had called on Ogbemudia's residence in Kaduna and insisted that he leave the north immediately. Abacha with a land rover with some soldiers escorted Ogbemudia who drove with his wife and children in a new Opel till they reached Ilorin following which Abacha returned to Kaduna. On reaching Benin he soon found himself leading the task of liberating the Midwest region from Biafran forces.
His role in liberating the Midwest from Biafran forces reflected military tact and originality. Given the lack of trust in Midwest officers by those in control of the armoury in Kaduna, Ogbemudia after one hazardous journey to Kaduna with a DC 3 plane lamented that he was given only 30 rifles to fight the Biafrans. One strategy he employed was to use Midwest girls to steal weapons from amorous Biafran forces, a strategy that so much succeeded and contributed greatly to the defeat of the occupation army.
By September 1967, he was appointed military governor of Midwest State and his qualities as a good leader then only known in the military came to fore. Given the division among the different ethnic groups in the Midwest, Ogbemudia's first priority was to forge unity among the civilian population and this he did through sports. This eventually helped in placing the Midwest as the top sporting state in the country. The Afuze Games Village was constructed as a way of preparing Midwesterners for endurance sports.
Ogbe Stadium with its Olympic size swimming pool and tennis courts were legacies that became examples for some other states subsequently.
Many successful people from the former Midwest Region who failed in the conventional education system resorted to the remedial education programmes adopted by the Ogbemudia regime making use of the Institute of Continuing Education, ICE. The Observer Newspaper, established by Ogbemudia was a training ground for many of Nigeria's successful newspaper men and women. The present NTA, Benin which was first established as Midwest Television, MTV had grounds bigger and facilities better than many of its contemporaries that prepared the station to be among the first to transmit colour in Africa.
In the Second Republic, a desperate attempt by the National Party of Nigeria, NPN to take over the state then rechristened Bendel made the NPN strategists led by Chief Tony Anenih to lure Ogbemudia into partisan politics in 1982. He won the governorship election in 1983 but stayed only three months in office before the Muhammadu Buhari coup truncated that effort. His alliance with Anenih in the Fourth Republic politics was, however, less successful.
He was also at one time chairman of the National Sports Commission, and minister of labour during which time he sufficiently managed the one time boisterous labour leader, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Ogbemudia celebrated for his glorious record in statecraft through various stages in public office died last Thursday. He was aged 84.
Barcelona suffered a hangover from their remarkable Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain as Alex Bergantinos’s winner 16 minutes from time handed Deportivo la Coruna a famous 2-1 win on Sunday.
Joselu had fired Deportivo into a first-half lead before Luis Suarez levelled in the first minute of the second period.
However, Bergantinos rose highest from a corner to seal Deportivo’s first victory over Barcelona since 2008.
Barca still lead Real Madrid by one point at the top of La Liga, but the European champions now have two games in hand and can go top with victory over Real Betis later on Sunday.
Deportivo La Coruna’s midfielder Alex Bergantinos (L) vies with Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi during the Spanish league football match RC Deportivo de la Coruna vs FC Barcelona at the Municipal de Riazor stadium in La Coruna on March 12, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique made five changes from the side that beat PSG 6-1 on Wednesday to produce the biggest comeback in Champions League history from a 4-0 first leg deficit.
Two-goal hero in midweek Neymar was one of those to miss out due to an abductor injury.
However, Barca still had plenty of firepower available with Suarez alongside Lionel Messi up front and Suarez had the first big chance when he headed straight at German Lux.
It took Deportivo 40 minutes to force Marc-Andre ter Stegen into a serious save as the German leapt to his left to brilliantly turn Joselu’s volley behind.
However, from the resulting corner Ter Stegen was found wanting as he spilled Javier Mascherano’s miscued clearance and Joselu was on hand to smash into an unguarded net.
Barca got off to a flyer in the second-half as Suarez lashed home a loose ball inside the area to equalise just a minute after the restart.
Enrique turned to Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic for a winner in the final half hour as Arda Turan and Andre Gomes were sacrificed.
But Barca found it difficult to create clear-cut chances against the mass ranks of Deportivo defence, whilst the hosts were always a threat on the break.
Joselu fired a sweetly hit volley straight down Ter Stegen’s throat.
Alejandro Arribas then saw his header come back off the post, but once again having survived the initial threat, Barcelona conceded from the resulting corner.
This time Bergantinos got above Jordi Alba to head into the bottom corner at the far post.
Lux made a great save to deny Suarez a second equaliser, but Deportivo held out to give their hopes of survival a huge boost as they move eight points clear of the bottom three and up to 15th.
And Pepe Mel’s men should even have capped their victory with a third goal as Ter Stegen denied Faycal Fajr deep into stoppage time before Jordi Alba cleared the Moroccan’s follow-up effort off the line.
France , a former friend of Biafra in the 1967 secession bid, has ruled out any support for the secession of any part of the country, particularly Biafra.
France's Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer, told newsmen that his country would not in anyway work with any group agitating for the dismemberment of the nation.
He said France was working with Nigeria and supporting it as a country.
Speaking against the backdrop of France's previous support for Biafra during Nigeria's civil war, Gauer pointed out that Nigeria has evolved since the civil war.
France has been cooperating with the country to overcome its challenges, especially the fight against insurgency.
But in reaction, MASSOB said the opinion of Gauer does not represent that of France and as such, would not be taken as truth.
Members of the Movement for the Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) during their rally to mark the 17th anniversary of the movement, yesterday, in Awka, Anambra State.
Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Uchenna Madu told pressmen that the struggle for Biafra "is real and cannot be stopped by any man created by God"
"We in MASSOB do not believe what he said because that does not represent the position of France. France is a friend of Biafra and even during the Nigeria/Biafra war, they assisted us so much."
"In this current agitation for Biafra, France has sympathy for us. We advise our people to disregard what he said. We think that the Nigerian media misinterpreted what the French envoy said.
But the French envoy further pointed out that there is no future for Biafra and urged proponents of secession or Biafra to continue to be part of Nigeria.
"We are working with Nigeria and we are supporting it as the only country. This is absolutely clear and I don't think there is any kind of future for Biafra. They are part of Nigeria and Nigeria has to remain as the only country," he said.
He disclosed that France is working with the country in its fight against insurgency, saying the fight against Boko Haram has brought the two countries together, more than before.
The Ambassador explained how France helped the former Goodluck Jonathan's government to organise a regional meeting with neighbouring Francophone countries, Chad Cameroon and Republic of Benin, in Paris, in 2014, following which the Multinational Joint Task Force, MJTF was established to fight Boko Haram.
"Apart from encouraging neighbouring African countries to cooperate with Nigeria, we have also developed a strong bilateral relationship with the Nigerian Armed forces.
In May 2015, the Defence Ministers of Nigeria and France signed a first-ever cooperation agreement between the two armed forces.
Also, Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai, recently warned those agitating for an independent state to "forget it."
The groups are Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
Though they have the same aim, they are rival groups; and have consistently clashed with themselves and security agents.
Speaking in Abuja after receiving an award conferred on him by a coalition of over 80 civil society organisations (CSOs), Buratai said the army would not condone any act that could lead to the disintegration of the country.
"Those individuals and groups that are bent on destablising our country I think they have to wait till may be the next three or four millennium for them to do that. That is, may be the next generation of officers and men will allow them at all," he said.
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State had inaugurated Fadama III, that would provide additional financial intervention for the year 2016/2017 dry-season farming in the state.
The event, which held at Kurfi Village of Kware Local Government Area, would cover the 23 local government councils at a cost of N1.56 billion.
This is contained in a statement signed by Imam Imam, the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Public Affairs, and issued to newsmen in Sokoto on Sunday.
Sokoto state Governor, Tambuwal
Imam said that the programme was aimed at distributing agricultural inputs equipment, agro-chemicals and other farm tools to 90 production clusters, comprising 611 production groups across the crops value chain of rice, sorghum and tomato.
Imam said that Tambuwal promised the citizens that his administration would continue to provide support to the farmers through the provision of subsidized agricultural inputs and equipment.
"We are going to provide enough fertilizer, seedlings, herbicide and pesticide.
"Similarly, farm implements like water pumps and sprayers will be distributed to farmers at little or no cost to enable them deploy modern farming techniques in their farmlands," Imam quoted the governor as saying.
The governor was also quoted as saying that the government would continue to undertake people-oriented programmes aimed at supporting the entrepreneurship drive of the people.
According to him, "Sokoto government has also gone into various partnerships with both national and international partners.
" This is for the conception and implementation of projects and programmes that will have direct bearing on the socio-economic lives of the people."
He expressed the appreciation of the state government to the development partners, especially the World Bank, for supporting the state to achieve various development feats.
Tambuwal, who said that the World Bank had been providing project grants to the state project office through the National Project Office, urged beneficiary-farmers to utilise them for the intended purposes.
Also Imam quoted the State Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Umaru Nagwari, as saying that the state government had provided necessary support for the implementation of the project in the state.
Miss Favour Njikonye, 17, has emerged winner of the "2017 Delta Icon Talent Search Show'', sponsored by Blue House Entertainment industry.
The programme was held on Sunday at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Junior Staff Club in Warri.
Njikonye, a graduate of Challenge International School, Kolokolo in Delta, defeated nine other contestants in the grand finale of the keenly contested competition.
According to the organiser, Mr Mine Dafiaghor, the winner will smile home with N300, 000 prize and a contract with a music producer in Lagos.
Dafiaghor, who resides in the U.S., said the contract period would enable the sponsors to prepare a visa for the winner to travel to Chicago to take part in a global career event.
"I want to come home and start making a difference and I want to effect the change through entertainment, starting from my home state, Delta.
"The whole idea started two years ago and this has given me the opportunity to actualise the idea at a time when there is high demand for Nigeria's culture in America.
"We have a show that is all about African Festivals for the winner and sponsors; after completing the project, they will come back to Nigeria," he said.
The 21-year-old Dafiaghor, who is also a university undergraduate in Chicago, said Nigeria was blessed with both natural and human resources.
"We have the best people in Nigeria and I am happy to be here because it gives me a sense of identity," he said.
Dafiaghor appealed to wealthy Nigerians to help the less privileged in the country to fast track national development
Mr Ayo Teriba, Chief Executive Officer, Economic Associates, says he is optimistic that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will be able to sustain its intervention on the foreign exchange (Forex) market.
Teriba told newsmen on Sunday in Abuja that increase in oil production and high oil prices had increased the foreign reserve base of the country.
"We are back to a situation where the Forex at the disposal of the CBN is likely to go up.
"The CBN could not intervene in the Forex market in 2016 because of low oil production, prices and because foreign reserves were also low.
"Today, oil price is up, reserves have also gone up, the outlook of the oil prices is stable and production in Nigeria is going back to capacity; so it has the capacity to intervene.
"In a couple of months, the apex bank should be able to meet all of the demands and all the multiple exchange rates will converge."
The CBN recently injected 100million dollars into the interbank foreign exchange market as a measure to ease Forex accessibility, thereby crashing demand in the black market.
The measure was also to fund commercial banks with enough Forex to cater for the demand by customers and to meet basic travelling allowance, medicals and tuition fees.
