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
By Emeka Mamah The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Sunday rejected the call for the restructuring of the country to ensure true federalism saying that what the country needed was competent leadership at all the levels of government and not doing anything that would weaken the centre.
The National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Mohammed Ibrahim, made this known in a telephone interview with Vanguard. Ibrahim said "that Nigerians fought for the unity of the country" pointing out that it was "not possible for the north to support anything that would cause disunity" in Nigeria.
He however stressed that since the country was practicing democracy, everything about restructuring or amending the constitution should be channelled through the National Assembly which had the constitutional duties to bring about such changes.
On a personal note, Ibrahim said that it would be practically impossible to restructure the country along the line of regionalism when it had not been possible for civilians to create even one local government council since the exit of the military from governance over 18 years ago.
"It is not possible. Nobody can even amend the 1999 Constitution as it is today. This is my personal opinion but we have not been able to create a single local government since the advent of the present democratic dispensation.
For anybody to create a new local government council in the country, all the 36 states must agree and this cannot be possible," he added, pointing out that everything about restructuring along regionalism would be an exercise in futility.
*his challengers withdrew from matter after he won election By Levinus Nwabughiogu
ABUJA-Presidency Sunday night dissociated President Muhammadu Buhari from any certificate scandal in the country, saying he has none hanging on his neck.PRESIDENT BUHARI
The reaction followed a chronology of certificate scandals rocking various Nigerians in the corridors of power past or present published by a national daily (Not Vanguard) on Sunday.
President Buhari had had the albatross on his neck during the 2015 presidential election campaigns to the point that he was almost disqualified to run.
In a statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Shehu Garba who was incidentally the Director, Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Committee, APCPCC stated that the issue was a campaign of calumny deliberately launched against Buhari to stop him from contesting.
He said that APCPCC responded by making available Buhari’s credential which later showed that he was over-qualified to run for the office of the President.
Shehu said that shortly after Buhari won the election, his challengers either withdrew from the matter or that the matter was struck out from the court.
He therefore urged the newspaper to cross check their facts so as not to mislead the members of the public.
The statement read: "We wish to emphatically state that President Muhammadu Buhari does not fit into categorisation of leaders with certificate scandals because he bears none that is on available records.
"In the course of the contest for the office of the President in 2015, a number of wild, untrue and malicious allegations were made against him in order to stop him from contesting for the office in the election.
"The issue of certificates was raised against him but the campaign successfully dealt with the allegations by providing evidence that not only was he qualified to run, he had a far higher academic qualification than is required by the constitution. As a result, he went on to run for the office and eventually win.
“Since the purpose of the challenge was primarily to stop him from being a candidate in that election, the challengers either voluntarily withdrew or abandoned the cases soon after he won and all of them were subsequently struck off by the courts.
“The President has no certificate case hanging on his neck. The Punch editors should kindly update their records to avoid making this repeated mistake.” Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state Sunday urged Nigerians to resist what he described as the rascality of Presidency officials who he said are bent on destroying our hard-earned democracy and emasculating the National Assembly. Ayodele Fayose The governor said: "The major difference between democracy and dictatorship is the presence of the legislature in democracy and its absence in a dictatorship", adding that efforts by this administration "to hand-cuff the National Assembly is a subtle plot to foist full-blown dictatorship on Nigerians.
He therefore charged Nigerians to resist such development, saying: "In doing so, we shall be defending our democracy and we shall also be defending ourselves and generations of Nigerians yet unborn. This democracy cost us a lot in blood and sweat. The labour and sacrifice of the heroes and heroines of our democracy must not be allowed to go in vain", he said.
The governor made the remarks in a statement released in Ado-Ekiti Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, saying it is a shame when the Constitution of the country is violated by Federal appointees and the Presidency keeps silent.
"It confirms that the Presidency is the one behind it. In the uniform saga involving the Comptroller-General of Customs, it is safe to say that the Presidency is in support of Hammed Ali against the National Assembly.
"It is scary that a whole Senate of the Federal Republic has to bow to an appointee who had needed the same Senate to confirm his appointment. In a democracy which thrives on separation of powers, this is tantamount to an invasion of the hallowed chambers of the legislature, in the same manner that we recently witnessed against the Judiciary.
"When the Presidency accepts and defends the arrogance of one man against the time-tested and practice-honoured intricate system of governance, then, the system as a whole has collapsed. It is even more dangerous that the courts have been dragged into this obvious plot to destroy the legislature just as we recently witnessed a similar plot against the Judiciary itself"
"It is an open secret today that many judges are being blackmailed to do the bidding of the Presidency and the ruling party. It is also embarrassing to ask the Senate to maintain status quo on an issue that borders on the performance of its legislative duty", he added.
"Presidency appointees are ridiculing and sneering at the Legislature, which is comprised of the elected representatives of the people; Presidency appointees are relentlessly and without remorse tearing the fabrics that bind this country together: What are they turning this country into? When last did this happen in Nigeria?
"Magu's nomination has twice been rejected by the Legislature; yet, he sits pretty in office: Under what law and by whose authority? Mrs. Jamila Shu'ara, permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, who should have retired two years ago, is being brazenly kept in the civil service in flagrant violation of extant civil service rules and regulations. Where else in the civilised world can that happen?
"If a power-drunk Presidency is bent on violating the law, why can't the individuals concerned be men and women of integrity?
"What is the essence of sending appointees' nomination to the Senate? It is so that the Senate, which is the authority constitutionally-saddled with the responsibility to confirm or reject such nominations, can perform its duty. And its decision is biding; not advisory like some chop-and quench lawyers are rationalising. And no nominee, who fails to pass the Senate hurdle, can sit in the office to which he had been nominated.
"The spirit as well as the letters of our Constitution; and, indeed, the pillars of democratic governance erected this road block to enforce checks and balances and keep the Executive in check because power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely
"Otherwise, we shall have dictatorship on our hands and President Buhari would soon become Emperor Buhari in the same mould or even worse than those of Emperor Jean Bedel Bokassa and Emperor Idi Amin Dada. God forbid!
Fayose then warned that "the infractions by the President's men are becoming too often, too many, and achingly intolerable. We run a constitutional government and not a dictatorship. It is a shame that they are all behaving as if Nigeria is a banana republic".
By Olasunkanmi Akoni As preparation for the 65th birthday celebration of All Progressive Congress, APC, stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu begun, he has been described as a "consummate leader, a thorough-bred democrat and a quintessential humanist" who is passionately committed to the just and egalitarian society. Tinubu
APC leader in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Yomi Adebisi, made the remark at the weekend in Lagos, while unfolding lines of activities planned by his office to celebrate the forthcoming 65th birthday of the former governor.
According to him; “Asiwaju laid a solid foundation for the growth and development of Lagos State, which is today the model and a positive reference point in not just Nigeria but in Africa.
"He was also the architect of the re-engineering of the Lagos economy, a move which today has resulted in the emergence of Lagos as the fifth largest economy in Africa”, Adebisi said
He stated that why many states are grappling to survive due to the harsh economic realities of the moment, Lagos is standing tall not just in meeting its basic responsibilities but also executing infrastructural projects all across the states, a feat that had been laid by the former governor.
Adebisi, however, urged well meaning Nigerians to appreciate God in the life of Asiwaju Tinubu, for bequeathing the state of excellence a knowledgeable and dependable governor in person of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who had also proven to be an epitome of good governance.
Abuja – The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, said capital releases to Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for the 2016 budget had reached a record N1 trillion.
In a statement by the Director of Information, Ministry of Finance, Mr Salisu Danbatta, on Sunday in Abuja, Adeosun attributed the record performance to stability in oil prices.
She said that with the return of normalcy in Niger Delta, she was confident that the Federal Government would achieve even more in the 2017 Budget.
According to the minister, the amount was released for various projects, which included the construction of a dual standard railway line from Lagos to Kano and rehabilitation of roads, among others.
Also of importance, she said, were the expansion of irrigation facilities to boost agriculture and the upgrading of aviation infrastructure.
"The components of the releases included aggregate releases to the MDAs of N870.05 billion as at the end of February 2017 and additional releases of N65.39 billion.
"Others were Manual Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIEs) in February 2017, totalling N11.179 billion and an additional Manual AIEs worth N45.81 billion as at March 13, 2017,'' the statement read in part.
Adeosun said the overall capital releases, totalling N992. 44 billion, had made impact on Nigeria's economy through creation of jobs and stimulation of economic activities in communities.
The releases have also enhanced upgrading of infrastructure, thereby improving the wellbeing of Nigerians, she said.
The minister pointed out that contractors returning to project sites around the country have employed more workers.
"They are also contributing to economic growth and improved wellbeing of Nigerians.
"We are determined to transform the economy and this is why we are focused on capital expenditure.
"If we have our road, rail and power, then we will be able to generate jobs and prosperity,'' Adeosun said in the statement.
NAN recalls that the Federal Executive Council, at its meeting on March 22, 2017, approved the reconstruction of 12 more major highways across the country, costing N80 billion.
This is in line with the Federal Government's drive to devote more resources to capital projects.
England’s football team paid tribute to the victims of Wednesday’s London terror attack ahead of their World Cup qualifier at home to Lithuania on Sunday.
England’s players, led by captain Joe Hart, wore black armbands at Wembley and the game was preceded by the laying of wreaths in the centre circle and a minute’s silence.
Four people were killed and over 50 injured when a lone attacker went on the rampage in Westminster before being shot dead by police.
“We know how important the national football team is for the feeling of the nation,” England manager Gareth Southgate said ahead of the game.
“It’s a great opportunity for everybody to pay their respects at that moment and to show we go on.”
Armed police patrolled the perimeter of the stadium, as they had for the friendly against France in November 2015 that followed that month’s deadly attacks in Paris.
The black armbands were also a tribute to former England manager Graham Taylor, who died in January at the age of 72.
A Ukrainian military helicopter crashed in the war-torn east of the country on Sunday, killing all five people aboard after apparently hitting a power line, in what is believed to be an accident, the army said.
“Five people died in this tragedy — three crew members and two passengers,” army spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianyk said.
The incident occurred near the village of Malynivka, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of government-controlled city of Kramatorsk in the war-torn Donetsk region.
Motuzianyk said that the cause of the crash appeared to be “collision with a power line”, but it has yet to be investigated.
Nearly 10,000 people have died since the start of a pro-Russian rebellion in 2014 that Kiev and the West accuse Moscow of masterminding.
Both Ukraine and the West — which has imposed sanctions on Russia as a result of the unrest — say the separatist regions receive military backing from Moscow, although Russia has never officially recognised them.
There must be "no place for terrorists to hide" and intelligence services must have access to encrypted messaging services, the Britain's Home Secretary Amber Rudd has said.
It comes after it emerged that Khalid Masood was reportedly on the messaging app WhatsApp two minutes before an attack in Westminster in which he killed four people.
Police are unable to read his messages.
But labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said there was a balance between the "right to know" and "the right to privacy".
Amber Rudd said she would be asking tech firms to "work with us" when she meets with them this week.
Speaking to BBC One's Andrew Marr programme, Ms Rudd said: "We need to make sure our intelligence services have the ability to get into situations like encrypted WhatsApp."
Encryption is a way of scrambling computer data so it can only be read by the people you want to see it.
All messages sent on WhatsApp have end-to-end encryption.
This means messages are unreadable if they are intercepted by anyone, including law enforcement.
The Facebook-owned company, which has a billion users worldwide, has said protecting private communication was one of its "core beliefs".
Asked if there was an issue about giving the security services more powers to hack in to messaging services like WhatsApp, Mr Corbyn told ITV's Peston on Sunday they already had "huge powers" of investigation.
But writing in the Sunday Telegraph, the home secretary said she was asking companies like Google, Twitter and Facebook to be more "proactive" in tackling extremism.
In the Sunday Times, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also called for internet companies to develop technology to detect and remove extreme material.
The calls come after Wednesday's terror attack when attacker Masood ran down pedestrians and fatally stabbed a police officer who was guarding the houses of Parliament.
In total five people died – including the attacker who was shot by police – and 50 others were injured, two seriously.
On Saturday the Metropolitan police said they believed Masood acted alone. But they added they were also "determined" to find out whether he had been inspired by terrorist propaganda.
The Naira recorded an appreciation of 12.36 per cent at the parallel market in the last one week, newsmen report.
Newsmen report that the Naira traded at N440 last Monday while it closed at N390 to the dollar on Friday.
In the week under review, experts commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its intervention at the foreign exchange market, but appealed to the apex bank to eliminate the multiple rates in the market.
As the Naira continues to appreciate, experts say it is necessary for the CBN to adjust applicable rates in different segments of the market in the overall interest of the economy.
Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), said CBN-licenced BDCs incurred regulatory losses of N130 million in the week under review.
Gwadabe told NAN that the losses came from the CBN's disparity in applicable exchange rates among players in the market.
According to him, the public has refused to buy foreign exchange from BDCs for invisibles such as medicals, school fees, and personal and business travel allowances at a rate above N375 to the dollar.
The financial expert urged the CBN to promptly address the issue.
NAN further reports that the CBN had injected over 1.5 billion dollars to the interbank market since it started its intervention in February.
Stakeholders hope that the sustenance of the CBN's efforts at the interbank market will further drive down the value of the dollar.
The Daura College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, an affiliate of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU),Zaria,has matriculated 465 students for the 2016/17 academic session.
The Provost of the college, Dr Abdullahi Mashi, said this in Daura on Sunday while addressing the students at the 3rd matriculation ceremony.
Mashi said the college was awarding National Diploma in five teaching subjects: Arabic/Education; Mathematics/Education; Hausa/Education; Islamic studies/Education and English/Education.
He commended the Emir of Daura,Alhaji Umar Farouk, and the Daura community for their regular support to the school, pledging that the college would continue to render qualitative service to the people
He said the college had a total of 763 students undergoing various national diploma programmes, adding that, "after students successfully graduate from the school admission into the university is guaranteed".
The provost said the college was affiliated to ABU, Zaria, and that its examination results and certificates would be issued by the university.
The Head of Department of Languages of the ABU, Zaria, Dr Aliyu Kari,commended the Daura Community for sustaining the college.
Kari said the students were being evaluated as obtained in every institution of higher learning, utilising continuous assessment and semester examinations.
He called on the new intakes to study hard to graduate "with dignity and distinction".
Alhaji Lawal Haruna,the Shantali of Daura, who represented the Emir of Daura, said the Emirate Council and the community would continue to support the school, stressing that education is the bedrock of development.
Some clerics on Sunday advised mothers to reflect on their lives and live up to the responsibilities of motherhood.
The clerics told newsmen that mothers should cultivate the virtues of humility and love in their relationships with their husbands, children and the society.
Monsignor Gabriel Osu, Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, said mothers should build healthy and peaceful homes that would create a peaceful society.
"It is wonderful when mothers are celebrated all over the world. That is why I celebrate my mother by singing for her the `Sweet Mother' lyrics.
"Women are celebrated because of their numerous contributions to children's upbringing and to the growth of the nation.
"They raise future leaders because when these children are well-taken care of, there will be peace in the society,'' Osu said.
He said there was need for mothers to place priority on their homes.
women
"Children are nurtured by mothers and without them, there would not be procreation.
"Given the present economic situation in the country, mothers are helpmates to their husbands, should live exemplary lives and support their spouses in all circumstances,'' the cleric said.
Osu said mothers should always pray for their children and for the nation, especially in times of difficulties, saying that with prayers, the country would be revived.
Rev. Fr. Jude Abule of SS Titus & Timothy Catholic Church, Isheri-Oshun in Ikotun, Lagos, advised the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to appreciate the contributions of mothers to the economy and the society at large.
"Mothers need to be appreciated always. Not just on Mother's Day only, because it is not easy to be a mother," he said.
Abule said that the decay in the societal value system could be blamed on the negligence of some mothers.
The cleric advised mothers to live up to their obligations by ensuring that they impact the right values, as well as monitor their children.
Rev Fr. Gabriel Emeasoba of St. Anthony's, Gbaja, Lagos, said mothers should not give special attention to only one of their children and but should rather love their children equally.
"You do not know who God will use among your children. You should emulate Jesse in the Bible. God favoured David who was a shepherd,'' he said.
Mrs Juliana Igwe, an educationist, said that mothers had been bearing the brunt of the current economic situation in the country.
According to Igwe, it has become more difficult and expensive to play our roles in the home.
"Our role as mothers is to ensure harmony in our homes and by extension, the society.
"So, whatever the challenges may be, we have a duty to try and ensure that we mould the character of our children and wards positively, to become successful and useful adults,'' she said. Newsmen report that Mother's Day is a celebration honouring mothers, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in the society.
Nigerian-British boxer and Rio 2016 Olympian Lawrence Okolie took just 20 seconds to score a knockout win on his professional debut.
The 24-year-old British cruiserweight who has a Nigerian parents caught compatriot Geoffrey Cave with two solid right hands.
The bout followed Anthony Crolla's points defeat by Jorge Linares at Manchester Arena.
"Sorry to everyone that missed me fighting," Okolie tweeted. "The good news is a Won by KO in 20 seconds!! Bad news is I'm back in the cage for now."
London-based Cave, 33, has now lost all three of his professional fights.
Boxer Okolie in red corner
Okolie competed at heavyweight and lost to Cuban Erislandy Savon at the last-16 stage at the Rio Olympics.
He had boxed Savon once before and lost via a first-round stoppage, but at the second attempt he went the three-round distance with the Cuban who would eventually claim a bronze medal.
Savon had lost Nigerian born Anthony Joshua at the London 2012 which also inspired Okolie.
Okolie had explained that the likes of Joshua lured him into boxing.
"Before I started boxing properly I was working in McDonald's, and I was watching the Olympics during my breaks whenever I could," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"It was the only thing to do! There was a particular break where Usain Bolt won the 100m then Anthony Joshua won gold. I felt something then.
"It was really inspirational. I started putting more work into training, and believing it more."
Okolie hopes to become a world champion within four years and is scheduled to fight on the undercard of Ricky Burns' super-lightweight unification bout with Julius Indongo on April 15.
Pastor Ben Andrew, Senior Pastor, Living Faith Church in Lafia, Nasarawa state has advised Nigerians to stop blaming the devil for their failures in life and difficulty to success.
The cleric gave the advice in a Thanksgiving Sunday sermon in Lafia, entitled "Heritage of success"
"If you fail, you caused, it not the devil. ''Stop blaming the devil. Nobody is made by God to fail but every endowment requires your input. You are to activate and nurture your God-given gift to succeed in life.
"You keep saying the devil sat on your business. Why is the business not sitting on the successful businesses of unbelievers?
''Witches or wizards cannot stop or aid your success. Whatever happens in your life is your sole responsibility," he said.
Andrew also said that refusal of many people to work hard on the natural gift given to them by God led to their failure in life.
The cleric stressed for people to have a set a goal, adding that not having a deliberate goal in life led to a destiny of failure and frustration.
"A man is driven by his goal. But any time you wake up, you never did anything that draws you closer to your goal, then, you are destined for failure."
He, however, urged Nigerians not to feel intimidated by the level of effort they needed to put in to succeed, stressing that all successes in life were attainable with the right mentality.
The religious leader also called on the people to key into the gift given to man by God.
"Success is not meant for some people but for all. All successes are deliberate. ''Take a decision never to fail because you are designed and created to succeed."
He said that there was no magical or accidental success, adding that man's success was carefully planned and required a high level of commitment and time for attainment
Balogun stated that the relationship had improved greatly since Muhammadu Buhari became president.
According to him, the Nigeria-U.S. relationship was not too good prior to the inauguration of Buhari as president.
"The relationship is quite good. It's been very warm and lovely ever since the coming of this administration.
"Prior to President Buhari's ascendancy, the relationship was sort of lukewarm following the American's complaints over Nigeria's handling of security issues, human rights, allegations, issues of corruption, issues of governance.
President Muhammadu Buhari
"These are issues which the present government has come in to make the focal point of its administration. And no doubt, even since then, our relationship has been very robust.
"Our relationship has entered on the fulcrum of the Bi-National Commission and based on that, it has formed the bedrock of our relationship.
"The bi-national commission is the foundation, the basis of the relationship between both countries.
"Well within the bedrock of that bi-national commission, are issues of good governance, corruption, security and what others, which formed the basis of our relationship with the United States."
On Corruption, Balogun, who is Nigeria's acting Ambassador at U.S., said the U.S. was quite impressed with how far Nigeria had gone in the fight against corruption under Buhari.
"They (U.S.) really have this belief that the person of Mr President was okay to handle the issue of corruption in Nigeria and that he's been doing well.
"I was in a meeting where former President Barack Obama publicly acclaimed this that they were quite satisfied with the way we were handling corruption issues.
"And he's open to us to see what the government was doing regarding corrupt practices, either in governance or in the society at large.
"So I can definitely tell you that the United States is pleased with what we've been doing at that level; ditto the efforts to revive the economy.
"You know this issue of corruption is a global thing; it is worldwide and we have to share best practices.
"How we fight against the terrorism is something that is really being a focal point for the government of the United States," he said.
The Nigeria envoy pointed out that Nigeria's strategy in the fight against Boko Haram was commended and recommended by the meeting of the Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS hosted by U.S. within the week.
"That (Nigeria's strategy) was part of the outcomes of the conference, where the coalition of countries fighting against terrorism, about 68 of them, met.
"There were only four of us from Africa, where we also talked about how best to share information, stop international terrorism financing and international weapons exchange across borders.
"Nigeria was singled out in our efforts to combat the Boko Haram menace and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson actually commended our delegation.
"Tillerson commended Nigeria for the efforts we've put in tackling global terrorism as it affects us," he said.
Legendary five-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Evander Holyfield will in May, feature in the most anticipated exhibition boxing match that will pitch him against former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT).
According to a statement by Foluke Michael, the Project Manager of the fight, tagged "Rhumbles in Lagos'', the match will hold on 25 May at the Eko Atlantic City and will be beamed live to the world. Holyfield is 54, while Tinubu is 65.
The charity event is the first of its kind on the African continent, she said.
It will be refereed by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
Tinubu & Holyfield
Tinubu in his endorsement of the BAT vs Holyfield bout, said: "I can't wait to knock Evander down. I'm the real champion of the world!''
The private sector-initiated event is designed as a contribution to the 50thanniversary celebration of the creation of Lagos State under the ongoing project, Lagos @50, chaired by Soyinka.
"Significantly, it is aimed at bringing world attention to some health-related issues in Africa, and will focus on cases such as Autism in Children, Breast Cancer, Mental Illness and HIV/AIDS and River Blindness.
Foluke said it will also especially focus on the plight of Africans living with Disabilities among others,'' it said.
The event will donate five 40ft. containers of medical and relief materials worth over $2 million dollars to Lagos State Government and other neighbouring states, she said.
Part of the proceeds from the event would benefit not-for-profit organisations and agencies in Lagos which cater to, and were engaged in research programmes aimed at eradicating these medical conditions.
The "Real Deal'' Evander Holyfield was billed to arrive in Lagos in May, and he would engage children and youths in the course of his visit.
The charity fight is promoted by ACI Entertainment and Bishop Entertainment Consult based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Alejandro Valverde completed his second Tour of Catalonia win on Sunday with his third stage win of the seven-day race to top an all Spanish podium from Alberto Contador and Movistar teammate Albert Soler.
Valverde, 36, added to his victories on stage three and five on the 138.7km stage around Barcelona with an eight-lap circuit to finish in 3hr 08min 50sec.
Colombian Jarlinson Pantano was second ahead of Frenchman Arthur Vichot in third.
Valverde extended his winning margin over Contador to 1min 03sec with Soler 1min 16sec back.
Movistar’s Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde waves to the crowd after winning the 97th Volta Catalunya 2017 a 138,7km from Barcelona to Barcelona, in Barcelona on March 26, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
The scale of Valverde’s win is even more impressive given every Movistar rider was handed a one minute penalty for infringements by Jose Joaquin Rojas in Tuesday’s team time trial.
Movistar had won the time trial until they were penalised for Rojas giving his teammates a push.
“Inside the team we knew it was an injustice,” said Valverde.
“They deprived us of our great time trial. I wanted to win (before) but I wanted to win even more after what happened.”
Victory continues a stellar start to the season for Valverde after also beating Contador by a second to the Tour of Andalusia and winning the one day Tour of Murcia for a fifth time in February.
“I started well, but every day that went by I felt better,” he said.
“Even today in a demanding short stage with a very tough finale I felt even better than in the previous days.”
It is the third time Contador has finished second in four races this season as the two-time Tour de France winner was also runner-up in Paris-Nice earlier this month.
“We weren’t able to win, Alejandro was very strong on all terrains and we have to congratulate him,” said Contador, who is in his first season with Trek-Segafredo.
“But I am happy with my performances at the start of the season.”
Three-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome ended down in 30th overall, over 28 minutes behind Valverde.
The vast majority of the damage to the Briton competing in his first European race of the season was done on Saturday when he was left behind as the peloton split early on and lost over 26 minutes.
Froome attempted to make amends with an unexpected attack on the final lap around the Catalan capital.
But he was quickly reeled in by the leaders with five kilometres to go and ended up losing another 1min 04secs on the stage in finishing 48th.
Omoyele Sowore, the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, has said he is ready put his life on the line and that he was not going to run away from criminals running Nigerian political space.
Reaclled that Senator Dino Melaye had made threats that he will send Omoyele Sowore to jail over the allegation by Sahara Reporters that Melaye's name was not in the graduating set of 1998/99 session.
Sowore on his Facebook page statemented he had ‘been through torture, humiliations, and incarceration by dictators in uniform between 1992-1999 before and that he left Nigeria.
But now he was not going to run away from criminals running the Nigerian political space until they are defeated, and their ideologies of greed, bloodiness, and avarice are entirely abandoned and discredited forever.
He further said that for Dino Melaye to have said he was going to send him to jail was ‘indeed a sign that our democratic transition was a farce, particular when you've now noticed that Mr. Melaye was sitting at the feet of one of Nigeria's worst military dictators, Ibrahim Babangida just a week ago.’
"Folks: It was brought to my attention earlier that Nigerian Senator Dino Melaye promised to 'send me to jail' over the recent unraveling of his questionable educational background. While some are worried, appalled, alarmed and concerned and even scared about this declaration, it had me thinking differently.
"I am a Nigerian citizen who had been through torture, humiliations, and incarceration by dictators in uniform between 1992-1999 before I, eventually, left Nigeria. I have never doubted the power of justice over legalities.
"That a Nigerian Senator in a democratic era could make this proclamation is indeed a sign that our democratic transition was a farce, particular when you've now noticed that Mr. Melaye was sitting at the feet of one of Nigeria's worst military dictators, Ibrahim Babangida just a week ago.
One of Babangida's worst crimes against humanity was the assassination of notable investigative journalists of our time, Dele Giwa, by way of a parcel bomb. Another thing Melaye shares in common with Babangida and his killer squad was using libel lawsuits to silence inquisitions. In the 80's Gani Fawehimi was found liable of libeling the killers of Dele Giwa and asked to pay damages to Halilu Akilu.
"Here is how I am different and also not different, I am not going to run away from criminals running the Nigerian political space until they are defeated, and their ideologies of greed, bloodiness, and avarice are entirely abandoned and discredited forever (Apology to Bob Marley).
"If it takes my life, so be it; if it means another unjust ruling asking for damages for thieves. So be it. We must take our space back from the 10 percenters, drug dealers, certificate forgers, money launderers, political manipulators, and assassins.
The Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Nasarawa state chapter, Alhaji Mohammed Hussaini has advised herdsmen to avoid destruction of farm produce and grazing on farmlands to avert clashes with farmers.
Hussaini made the call in Akwanga while addressing newsmen on Sunday on the outcome of the meeting the association held with Fulani community of Nasarawa North senatorial district of the state, comprising Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga and Wamba in Akwanga local government areas.
He said the meeting was to propagate peace and appeal to herdsmen that engaged in destruction of farm produce and grazing on farmland to desist from such act in the interest of peace and development of the state and the nation at large.
"The role of this association is to preach peace and unity, not only to the Fulani community in the state but also to Nigerians at large as no nation or society can develop in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion.
"The security challenges facing some parts of the country have affected our lives, agriculture production and social and economic development.
"It is in view of this that I urge herdsmen not to graze on farmlands or destroy farm produce and also to urge farmers to co-exist peacefully with herdsmen to avert violent clashes in the interest of peace.
"Without peaceful co-existence between the farmers and the herdsmen, agricultural production and the socio-economic development of the country will be affected negatively, hence there is the need for herdsmen and farmers to embrace one another," he said.
Hussaini also called on the Fulani community and other segments of the society to be law abiding, respect constituted authority, shun negative tendencies and live in peace, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation.
By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa Two mobile policemen were weekend arrested in Bayelsa State by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over their alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering.
It was gathered that the suspects were three but one of them fled the scene abandoning a vehicle loaded with the stolen petroleum product and his service identity card.
Though the identities of the policemen involved in the illegal bunkering were reportedly not disclosed, they were said to have been apprehended on Friday at about 5:30pm along Otuasega – Okaki Road in Ogbia council area of Bayelsa State.
Over 412 litres of suspected illegally-refined Automative Gas Oil (AGO) were reportedly recovered from them.
A special squad of anti-illegal bunkering team of NSCDC were said to have conveyed the suspects and their stolen products to the headquarters of the security outfit in Yenagoa.
Attempt to reach the state Commandant, NSCDC, Mr. Desmond Agu proved abortive but a top security source confirmed the arrest. The source said, “A team of civil defence operatives intercepted them along the Otuasega road, Ogbia Local Government Area. They were caught with about 412 litres of adulterated petroleum product.
“They were three but one of them ran away leaving behind the products and his service ID card. They are currently being detained at the NSCDC headquarters in Yenagoa.”
Contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat, said such incident had not been reported to the command.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a fine of N9.5 million on a non-schedule airline for operating in the country without flight clearance.
NCAA spokesman, Sam Adurogboye, said in a statement on Sunday that the Letter of Sanction conveying the penalties had been sent to Lyxor International, a non-schedule general aviation operator.
He said the NCAA sanction came after the operator severally violated the terms of its approved flight clearances for non-scheduled international air services.
Adurogboye said the NCAA found clear evidence from the flight records that the aircraft was operated within the Nigerian airspace in violation of its flight clearances between Dec. 11, 2016 and Feb. 15, 2017.
"Therefore, in accordance with IS 1.3.3.3. Table 2 viii (6) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig CARS 2015), the airline is hereby sanctioned for failure to comply with the conditions of approved flight clearances for non-scheduled international air services.
"This provides for a moderate civil penalty of N500, 000 per violation.
"The airline is hereby required to pay the sum of N6.5 million (i.e. N500, 000 x 13) for the 13 times the aircraft ought to have flown out of Nigerian airspace in compliance with the approved clearances but was stationed in Nigeria.
"In addition, for the six times the aircraft violated the approved routes, the operator shall pay a moderate civil sanction of N3 million (i.e.N500, 000 x 6).
"The respondent shall however, pay the sum of N6.5 million only, having made a deposit of N3 million towards possible sanctions," he said.
Adurogboye added that the airline was expected to pay these fines within seven days of receipt of the letter.
According to him, NCAA's Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) on Feb. 16, had during a routine Ramp Inspection of the airline's Bombardier Challenger CL605 aircraft, found it culpable of the infraction.
Adurogboye said: "Therefore, upon this discovery, the aircraft with registration mark T7-YES was immediately grounded by the ASI at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, (NAIA), Abuja.
"However, the aircraft was subsequently released after the payment of N3 million on volitional condition on account of possible civil sanction.
"This was in addition to an undertaken to comply with any sanction applicable as a result of the violation."
He said the NCAA found the airline's response to its Letter of Investigation unsatisfactory after due consideration.
