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
*says leaders ‘re messengers By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA- Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State has said that the outbreak of Type C Cerebrospinal Meningitis in the country was a direct punishment from God to the people of Nigeria for their various sinful acts.
Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdul'aziz Abubakar Yari
He said that God had always sent strange illnesses which had no cure to torment the people for turning their back on Him.
Yari whose State appeared to be worst hit by the disease spoke with State House Correspondents at the presidential Villa Abuja after a private meeting with President Muhammdu Buhari on Tuesday.
Reports say that over 200 persons had dead while several others are receiving treatment at various hospitals and clinics.
The scary situation had also prompted some Medical Doctors under the aegis of Nigeria Medical Association, Zamfara state chapter to accuse the state government of not being proactive despite some warning.
Yari said: "What we used to know as far as meningitis is concerned is the type A virus. The World Health Organization, WHO, has carried out vaccinations against this type A virus not just in Zamfara, but many other states.
"However, because people refused to stop their nefarious activities, God now decided to send Type C virus, which has no vaccination.
"People have turned away from God and he has promised that 'if you do anyhow, you see anyhow' that is just the cause of this outbreak as far as I am concerned.
"There is no way fornication will be so rampant and God will not send a disease that cannot be cured.”
The governor who dismissed insinuations of non proactiveness by his government however said that he had called an emergency meeting of all stakeholders, ranging top state and local government officials to traditional rulers to address the issue, saying that "the meeting came out with a strategy to be adopted and the money required to deal with the outbreak and a lot of work is going on".
According to Yari, only 5 million dose of the vaccine against the Type C virus was available globally.
He said that the dosage would not be enough for his state.
He however stated that Federal Ministry of Health has only 50,000 doses of the vaccine, out of which 20,000 was given state.
He said: "That is not enough for Zamfara people alone, not to talk of Katsina or Kano.
"Our Focus as a state now is to continue treating those who are infected with the disease, but as for vaccination, it has an international dimension.
"We have information that Nigeria will get the highest percentage of the 5 million doses available now. Apart from WHO, other International bodies such as the Bill Gates foundation and UNICEF are also currently focusing on how to tackle the outbreak”.
As a solution to the problem, Yari asked the people to repent from their sinful ways and embraced God, expressing optimism that the epidemic would be tackled.
“The most important thing is for our people to know that their relationship with God is not smooth. All they need to do is repent and everything will be all right”, he said.
Reacting to a question of whether it was only the people and not the leaders that needed repentance, Yari exonerated the leaders, saying there were only the messengers.
“Leaders are doing their best by enlightening the populace and working assiduously for the good of all.
"Your major assignment as a leader is to convey the message; you cannot go from house to House and arrest offenders for instance," he said
By Ayo Onikoyi Ace comedian, born Francis Agoda and known worldwide as I Go Dye, is always on the forefront of crusade of youth empowerment and self emancipation. It thus comes as no big surprise when he penned a little message to younger comedians to commemorate his birthday on Tuesday, April 4, 2017.
I Go Die
In the message made available to Vanguard, I Go Dye iterates the importance of shunning inner fears to conquer in any endeavour in life. ” There are so many stars in the sky, and everyone, old and young, has a million chances to be in the spotlight. So there's absolute freedom to express any skill, talent or vision. The stage has beautiful spaces for new stars. You should constantly dare and challenge and conquer the fears within, because the battle is won from within,” he writes.
The ace comedian, who fought his own life’s battle to rise from grass to grace never passed off the opportunity to chip in a word of inspiration to the younger ones, always reminding them that the battle of life starts with self conquest. Some years ago, the ebullient humour merchant held many spellbound at an Edo carnival with a stirring speech on empowering youths.
In his speech, he said “I have always been an advocate of positive and inspirational motivation to many youths through my creative work on stage. That event was one of the many occasions, that I have used to express the shortcomings of our political class; urging them to empower the NIGERIAN YOUTHS. I am championing a cause presently, which is structured to reposition the youths towards achieving a Mental Revolution. I have always identified with this struggle through, IGODYE, an acronym which means Initiative Guide on Developing Youths Endowments. So the performance in youth summit in Benin City, was just a continuation, that has been existing all along”
Today, there is no way you can talk about the comedy industry in Africa without making reverence to Nideo Spain awarded African Best comedian, TV People New York African Best Comedian, A three-time multiple awarded Nigerian Best comedian, and United Nations Millennium Goal Ambassador ,ambassador Francis Agoda.
Lagos – The Naira on Tuesday appreciated against the dollar at the parallel market after a sustained one-week depreciation.
The Nigerian currency traded between N380 (buying rate), and N390 (selling rate) stronger than N395 recorded on Monday, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N480 and N415 respectively.
At the Bureau De Change (BDC) window, the naira was sold at N362 to the dollar, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N483 and N430 respectively.
Trading at the interbank market saw the naira closed at N306.25.
Traders at the market said that the intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the different segments of the foreign exchange market was driving the strengthening of the naira against the dollar.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, the President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) had predicted the appreciation of the naira as BDCs set to receive more Diaspora remittances.
Gwadabe said that the improved inflows of Diaspora remittances into the economy in spite of falling oil prices would fast-track rates convergence and unification.
CBN remained resolute in its efforts to boost liquidity at the interbank market and the BDC sector of the foreign exchange market.
Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti has played down rumours over a possible move for Gareth Bale, calling the speculation a 'myth'.
Gareth Bale
Ancelotti signed Bale from Tottenham for Real Madrid back in 2013 for £85million, a then-world record fee.
The pair won the Champions League together in the Wales international's first season in Spain, with Bale putting Real ahead in extra-time against Atletico Madrid.
He has since gone on to make 146 appearances, scoring 67 times, but has been linked with a summer move away from the Bernabeu.
A possible reunion with his former manager at Bayern was mooted, but Ancelotti has squashed the rumours stating he would be making an offer for the 27-year-old in the summer.
'Bale is a very good player, but these rumours are a myth,' Ancelotti said.
'Today we are focused on our game, we have no time to think about these myths.'
Recent reports have suggested that Real Madrid's president Florentino Perez has been concerned with Bale's performances of late.
His season has been hampered with an ankle injury and he has struggled to reach his full potential since returning to action against Espanyol in January.
Since then, Bale has scored just two times and was sent off during their 3-3 La Liga draw with Las Palmas.
Both Chelsea and Manchester United were linked with bringing the forward back to the Premier League in January, and reports have also suggested the pair will renew their interest in the summer.
THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has debunked the insinuation in the media that the recent increase in the bridging allowance to transporters from N6.20 to N7.20 was made preparatory to jacking up the pump price of petrol.
In a statement today in Abuja, the Corporation's Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughammadu, said, rather than increase the pump price the N1.0 increase in transporters' allowance would be absorbed in the existing pricing template to maintain existing pump price ceiling.
It stated: "NNPC wishes to assure consumers of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol that the review of bridging cost would not lead to increase in the price of the white product.
"The review of the bridging allowance which enjoyed the blessing of the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, would be absorbed in the existing products import template."
Ughammadu, in the statement, noted that the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, had suspended its nationwide strike April 3, 2017 following the timely intervention of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru.
Baru's intervention, he explained, had nipped in the bud, logjam from the faceoff between the National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, and Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, over cost of doing business, among others.
Bridging Cost refers to the cost element built into products template to ensure an even price for white products in all parts of the country.
Announcing the increase in allowance at the end of the meeting on Monday, Baru had stated: "We understand the difficulty of NARTO to go into negotiations with PTD which has to do with the level of bridging allowance. I am happy to announce that the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has given his approval to increase the bridging allowance from N6.20 to N7.20."
He said the review should give NARTO the breathing space to engage with PTD to immediately discuss and resolve as many of the issues as possible, adding that the gesture, was expected to normalize relations between the unions.
In attendance at the meeting where the challenges were resolved were the NUPENG National President, Comrade Igwe Achese, who announced the suspension of the strike by NUPENG, the National President of PTD, Comrade Salimon Akanni Oladiti, his NARTO counterpart, Alh. Kassim Ibrahim Bataiya, and Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Downstream, Honourable Joseph Akinlaja.
Jos – Mr Yusuf Gagdi, the impeached Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, has accepted his fate in good faith, describing his sack as "an act of God".
Yusuf Gagdi Gagdi, who spoke on Tuesday in Jos, shortly after he was impeached, said that his colleagues' action was "part of democracy".
"I never thought I will become the Deputy Speaker when I was elected into the House, so what happened today is democracy at work.
"As someone who believes in destiny, I see my impeachment as an act of God.
"I am happy that I was not removed because of any fraudulent act; no reason was given as to why I was impeached.
"So, this may be a blessing in disguise," Gagdi said.
Gagdi thanked his colleagues for the support he got when he served as Deputy Speaker, and pledged his loyalty to the ideals of the House.
NAN reports that the impeachment followed a letter signed by 18 members of the 25-man Assembly, and was read at Tuesday's plenary by the House Majority Leader, Mr Henry Yunkwap.
Gagdi, who was elected into the House on the platform of the PDP, defected to the APC in 2016.
Demo day for Growth and Employment Project awardees at Aso Villa in Abuja
Vice President YemiOsinbajo (R) presenting a grant to DamilolaOlokesusi of Shuttlers.ng, at the distribution of grants to Growth and Employment Project awardees during the Aso Villa Demo Day in Abuja on Tuesday (4/4/17). 02028/4/4/2017/Jones Bamidele/NANVice President YemiOsinbajo (R) presenting a grant to EmekaOgboof MersAuthomedics, at the distribution of grants to Growth and Employment Project awardees during the Aso Villa Demo Day in Abuja on Tuesday (4/4/17). 02029/4/4/2017/Jones Bamidele/NANVice President YemiOsinbajo (R) presenting a grant to Princess Uwanamodo of Amagzy Global Ventures, at the distribution of grants to Growth and Employment Project awardees during the Aso Villa Demo Day in Abuja on Tuesday (4/4/17). 02030/4/4/2017/Jones Bamidele/NANVice President YemiOsinbajo (R) presenting a grant to NkemOkocha of Mamamoni Limited, at the distribution of grants to Growth and Employment Project awardees during the Aso Villa Demo Day in Abuja on Tuesday (4/4/17). 02031/4/4/2017/Jones Bamidele/NAN.From fourth left: Vice President YemiOsinbajo;Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, OkechukwuEnelama; Minister of StaateIndustry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar; Minister of communications, Adebayo Shittu and some awardees, at the distribution of grants to Growth and Employment Project awardees during the Aso Villa Demo Day in Abuja on Tuesday (4/4/17). 02032/4/4/2017/Jones Bamidele/NANfourth left: Vice President YemiOsinbajo;Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelama; Minister of StateIndustry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar; Minister of communications, Adebayo Shittu and some awardees, at the distribution of grants to Growth and Employment Project awardees during the Aso Villa Demo Day in Abuja on Tuesday (4/4/17). 02033/4/4/2017/Jones Bamidele/NAN
Maiduguri – The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has ordered the deployment of military sniffer dogs in and around Maiduguri as part of efforts to checkmate incessant suicide bomb attacks in the city.
Buratai gave the order on Tuesday after he inaugurated a sports complex built by 7 Division of the Nigerian Army at the Maimalari Cantonment. Police Sniffer-dogs
The army chief frowned at the incessant suicide bomb attacks in the city, but noted that the attacks had reduced recently.
He, however, said the attackers seemed to have "found another loophole but I want to assure you that that loophole will be blocked''.
"I have already directed the deployment of the military working dogs.
"We have a battalion with the Nigerian Army Military Police and I have directed them to be deployed immediately around Maiduguri so that this continuous suicide bombings will cease once and for all,'' he said.
Buratai charged the troops and Maiduguri residents to be alert and conscious of their environment as well as strange people around them.
He further charged the troops to work hard to ensure that peace was won after winning the battle with the terrorists, adding that the North East must be kept safe.
The sports complex is named after the late Lt.-Col. U.B Umar, a commander of one of the army formations in the North-East.
Umar died in an ambush by Boko Haram terrorists in 2016.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it planned to set up anti-corruption desks in Nigerian foreign missions to fast-track tracing, recovery and repatriation of looted funds stashed abroad. EFCC operatives
The Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, announced this on Tuesday in Abuja at a five-day induction programme for the 45 non-career ambassadors-designate.
Magu said operatives of the commission and other law enforcement agencies would be deployed to the Nigerian missions abroad starting with U.S., UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, South Africa and Ghana.
The EFCC boss expressed the belief that the move would complement the efforts of the government in the fight against corruption and recovery of looted fund.
"To enhance international cooperation in the fight against corruption, we will propose the establishment of EFCC desk, with our operatives deployed to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies in our foreign missions.
"They will assist in the investigation of crimes bordering on money laundering, cybercrimes, advance fee fraud and issues relating to asset recovery."
"We can start with the posting of officers to U.S., UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, South Africa and Ghana in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs," he said.
Magu expressed concern that asset recovery process was time consuming, complex and required a great deal of resources, expertise and political will.
He said that the process included tracing, freezing, confiscation and repatriation, presented unique challenges, rooted in international relations and diplomacy.
The EFCC boss said collaboration with other international agencies was important in the efforts to recover looted assets.
According to him, the anti-graft agency has a strong network of law enforcement friends with INTERPOL, Metropolitan Police in UK, FBI in the U.S., among others.
He said that the relationships had enabled the EFCC to often bypass long queues of bureaucracy to help each other in joint investigations and intelligence sharing.
"This is evident in celebrated cases we have investigated and prosecuted abroad, especially in successfully tracing and recovering assets of ex-governors.
"They include Joshua Dariye, DSP Alamieyeseigha and James Ibori as well as the fraudster Emmanuel Nwude," he said.
He reiterated the zero tolerance stance of President Muhammadu Buhari on corruption and urged the ambassadors-designate to join in the fight against corruption to save the nation and its unborn children.
He said a chunk of Nigeria's wealth had been stocked and hidden in foreign countries by highly placed persons which adversely affected the economic growth and advancement of the country.
Magu said that the new ambassadors had a crucial role to play in the recovery of the funds.
He said that the agency had already dispatched its operatives to some countries in that regard and challenged the ambassadors-designate to be of great assistance to the nation's course.
He charged them to work in synergy with international agencies such as the INTERPOL, FBI among others.
"It is expected that as ambassadors and high commissioners, you will network with other countries' embassies to assist in law enforcement activities aimed at tracing, freezing, confiscation and repatriation of stolen assets across jurisdictions," he said.
He said that such alliances with other missions would enhance intelligence gathering, investigations and speedy prosecution.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagaba Mongunu charged the ambassadors-designate to work closely with their host governments in the area of information sharing.
He said that such would help in the fight against corruption, terrorism and others
"Our collective goal is to ensure the well-being of Nigeria, its people and territory," he said
Brazilian sensation Gabriel Jesus boosted Manchester City’s trophy hopes as he returned to training earlier than expected on his 20th birthday, the club revealed on its website.
The striker — who joined City in the January transfer window after they paid Palmeiras an initial £27 million ($33 million, 31 million euros) — made a sensational start to his English career with three goals in five matches.
His hot streak was stopped in its tracks when he broke a bone in his foot against Bournemouth in mid-February — he was expected to be out for between two and three months.
City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to the press on the eve of their clash with league leaders Chelsea said he hoped Jesus could play a role at some point before the end of the season.
“Yesterday (Monday) was his (Jesus) first day running on the pitch,” said Guardiola.
“I don’t know exactly how many weeks it will be but he is at the end part of the process. Hopefully he can help us over the last games.”
City had earlier said on their website that Jesus had defied expectations in returning quicker than expected, “with the early prognosis suggesting he could be out until the end of the season”.
“He recently began working in the gym in a bid to keep his fitness levels high -– and on his 20th birthday, he returned to the training field just seven weeks after his initial setback,” said the statement.
“And although he didn’t take part in full training, focusing instead on some light ball work, it’s a sight City fans will nonetheless have been pleased to see.”
His return comes at a timely moment for Guardiola, who is desperate to maintain his record of never going trophyless through a season with any club he has managed.
City’s best hopes of ensuring that proud record stands is perhaps in the FA Cup where they face Arsenal in the semi-finals later this month. In the league they are 11 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
By Joseph Erunke ABUJA-CONSTITUENTS and supporters of suspended senator Ali Ndume ,stormed the National Assembly in their number Tuesday, to register their grievances over last week’s suspension of the senator.
The protesters, who started their action around 7:30 when workers were resuming for work, barricaded the main entrance gate to the legislative house thereby causing human and vehicular traffic on the road leading inside the complex.
To prevent some of them entering inside the complex to cause damage, security men took strategic positions while workers were redirected to pass through the entrance gate of the Office of Secretary to State Government, SGF.
The protesters, whose action caused unbearable inconveniences to workers and early morning visitors, accused the Senate President, Bukola Saraki of masterminded the action against the Borno South Senatorial District representative ,just as they asked that the Senate President must be removed.
The aggrieved protesters also demanded that Saraki must prevail on the Senate to reverse the action within three days, failure of which they threatened larger protests.
The protesters, who came under different groups, including Internally Displaced Persons, were seen chanting pro-Ndume songs just as they carried placards with different inscriptions such as “Ndume again Insha Allah'', who is afraid of Ibrahim Magu?” ,Stop undermining PMB'' , “Saraki is a curse among others.
One of the leaders of the groups, Mr Joseph Okwuama told newsmen that if the lawmaker was not recalled, they would stage several protests across the Federal Capital Territory for seven days.
Okwuama, who is the National Coordinator, All Progressives Congress ,APC Movement, said the suspension of Ndume was uncalled for.
He said: “We are talking about corruption in the country. As Nigerian youths we have to work together in support if the anti-corruption war.
“Corruption is not all about money. What the National Assembly did is corruption. The suspension of Ndume is corruption.
“Ndume's suspension did not follow due process. The man did not do anything.
“We are giving the National Assembly three days and if they refuse Nigerians will go the street of Abuja and protest for one week.”
Muhammad Tanko, leader of indigenes from Borno South, Ndume's constituency, said the constituency could not afford not to have representation for six months.
He said: “the suspension of our senator for six months by the Senate is illegal when the constitution allows for suspension of only 14 days.
Southern Borno Global Initiatives protesting the suspension of Senator Ali Ndume in the gate of National Assembly in Abuja Tuesday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.
“Saraki must go. He knows what Ndume did for him before he became President''
Naima, Sale, wife of Chairman, IDPs in Karama Jiji camp in the Federal Capital Territory, said the lawmaker had been of help to internally displaced persons and should not be made to suffer for nothing.
Recall that Senator Ndume was suspended Wednesday ,last week by the Senate for asking the Upper legislative Chamber to investigate allegations of fake customs papers and certificate forgery against senators Bukola Saraki Dino Melaye,APC,Kogi West respectively.
An online platform had accused Saraki of importing a Range Rover SUV without paying appropriate imports duty, and attempting to clear the vehicle with falsified papers.
Also, Melaye was accused of falsely claiming to have graduated from Ahmadu Bello University.
But the Senate, in line with recommendations of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, who was mandated to probe the allegations, cleared the duo and slammed Ndume a six-month suspension.
Not even the emerging rumour buzz can deter the Bayelsa born Big brother Naija housemate Bisola from comportment to the final countdown of the popular reality show.
Bisola
Although, seen as a distraction to mare her feelings and perhaps confuse her numerous fans who overwhelmingly roots for her, the Abuja based musical artistes, Mamuzee brothers has come out to allay insinuations that Bisola is a true born of Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
According to the latest rumour making the round that Bisola is not an indigene of Bayelsa state, fans are wondering why such support from billboards in Bayelsa state when she was allegedly rumoured of not been from the state. Her cousins and popular showbiz twins, the Mamuzee debunked such claims as they confirmed that she is from Bayelsa state.
“We were surprised to see on social media that our cousin Bisola is not from Bayelsa, this information is not only misleading but a calculated attempt to distract her fans and supporters from voting for her. She cannot be getting such support from the state if she is not from there. Don’t forget that anybody could sponsor the billboard even her supporters club”, Mamuzee brothers.
The Bayelsa born Mamuzee twins further stressed that Bisola is their mother’s younger sister daughter from Peretoru village. The Abuja based musical artists are also calling on their fans to support their own to ensure Bisola emerges from the house with a head held high.
Kwesi Appiah has been appointed as Ghana head coach for a second time.
Kwesi Appiah
A statement obtained from the website of the country’s FA reads: “The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has named James Kwesi Appiah as the new coach of Senior National Team, the Black Stars.
“The decision was taken by the Executive Committee of the GFA on Tuesday after approving the report of the six-man coaching search committee.
“Appiah will be handed a two-year contract and will start his duties on 1st May, 2017.
“He will also take full charge of the Local Black Stars.
Appiah first took charge of the Black Stars between April 2012 and September 2014, finishing fourth at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil before crashing out in the group stage.
The Black Stars had been without a permanent coach following Avram Grant’s departure in the aftermath of another fourth-placed finish at AFCON, with Maxwell Konadu stepping in as caretaker.
Ghana are currently five points off the pace in Group E of the CAF section of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
As part of his role, Appiah will also take charge of the Ghanaian national team for locally-based players called Local Black Stars.
Senator representing Bayelsa east senatorial district, Ben Murray Bruce has debunked news making the rounds which claimed that he said northern leaders own majority of the oil blocs in the Niger Delta region.
In a message to newsmen, Senator Bruce said such news is fake and warned that there are "forces out to turn Nigerians against each other."
"Beware of fake news. There is a write up circulating on WhatsApp about oil wells purportedly from me. I never wrote such."
Senator Ben Bruce
"It is fake news. I have a backpage column in ThisDay and verified Twitter and facebook profiles. Anything I write is published on these platforms."
"These are delicate times and there are forces out to turn Nigerians against each other. I will never publish an article on WhatsApp. Please be wary of fake news!"
A news story had trended on WhatsApp, alleging that Senator Bruce had said that while northern leaders and traditional rulers own many oil wells in the southern region, the monarchs in the Niger Delta region do not have any to their names.
Some of the traditional rulers in the north named as owners of oil wells in the message include Emir Mohammadu Sanusi of Kanu and Sultan Abubakar Sa'ad of Sokoto.
Dissatisfied with his punishment, Niger State Government has ordered re-arraignment of a man sentenced to one month imprisonment for abduction and rape of a nine-year-old boy, who eventually died.
The convict, Nuhu Musa, 37, was sentenced to one month imprisonment with an option of N30,000 fine by a Kontagora Magistrates' Court for kidnap and rape of a minor.
The incidents occurred in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger.
Musa's jail term ended on Tuesday (April 4).
The Public Relations Officer of the Niger Police Command, DSP Bala Elkana, said on Tuesday in Minna that further investigations would be carried out on the case, and that Musa would be charged with murder, rape and kidnap.
Elkana said that the Musa's sentence was not commensurate with his offences, adding that the child eventually died from injuries sustained from the rape.
Meanwhile, Hajiya Mariam Kolo, Director-General of the Niger State Child Rights Protection Agency, said that the child was abducted alongside four other boys.
She said that Musa had sex with the deceased and injured him severely.
Kolo said that the child was consequently taken to a hospital and operated upon but died the following day.
She said that Musa was arrested, charged to court and given a sentence of one month imprisonment on a two-count charge.
She said that Musa was sentenced to one month imprisonment on each of the counts of rape and abduction with an option of fine of N30,000.
The director-general said that the agency had recommended Musa's re-arrest and re-arraignment.
She said that the state government had given the mother of the child a grinding machine and some money to start a business to comfort her.
Southern Borno Global Initiatives protesting against the suspension ofSenator Ali Ndume in the Senate at the gate of National Assembly in Abuja yesterday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.
Video shows some Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) commending the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki over the relief and intervention by the Senate to the IDPs.
"We welcome Saraki visiting the IDPs and we cannot thank him enough for appointing a committee to our own interest."
ABUJA-Peoples Republic of China is to lend Nigeria the sum of $4.5billion to buy appropriate farming tools to boost local agriculture.
The tools included tractors, bulldozers, graders, irrigation pumps amongst others.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping
Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State made the disclosure at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.
Both men said they were in the Villa to brief President Muhammadu Buhari on the outcome of their journey to China April last year on the issue.
Ogbeh: “We came to brief the President on developments following our visit to China in April last year and our negotiations on a number of issues to deal with machineries for agricultural development.
“We signed an agreement which engages all the states including FCT from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for the procurement of strategic machinery for rural development and agriculture. Tractors, bulldozers, graders, irrigation pumps, tarsiers and so on from China.
“The Chinese were willing to supply us these things for a long term basis, 20 years credit at an interest rate of 1 percent per annum.
“A committee has been working on the matter and we are close to sorting out all the small details and that is why we came to see the President.
“Of all the partners we have, the Chinese have shown the willingness to see us out of our problems, because about 30 years ago they were in the same crisis. They see us as people in the same circumstances that they were then and they are willing to help us get out of it and we appreciate it, the president does.”
The Minister said that President Muhammadu Buhari directed them to liase with the Ministry of Budget and Planning, Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to sort out the technical requirements.
“The President responded well. He asked us to get in touch with the Ministry of Budget and Planning, Finance and CBN to sort out all the technical details and move on with it”, he said.
Also speaking, Yari said that the expected loan was $4.5billion.
He said: “Following the visit of Mr. President sometime last year, we engaged the Chinese government and they showed some willingness to support Nigeria. In this discussion
“Chinese Government Organisation Company in cooperation with the People's Bank of China and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture under the leadership of the honourable minister.
“They are giving us a credit line of $4.5billion which will cover the machineries and infrastructure that is rural earth dams, irrigation and the loan has a 20 years repayment term with 5 years moratorium.
“Initially we started negotiations to drop a counterpart funding of 25%, but understanding the economy of Nigereria, we negotiated to give a counterpart funding of 10 percent which we believe Nigeria can do and we are targeting the natural resources fund fro the counterpart funding.
“We are now speaking with the Chinese group and the Nigerian governors and the technical committee that was set up by the minister and the ministry of agriculture and rural development.
“So we have now come to a stage where the President needs to come in so that he can give us a leadership role and a kind of approval of a certain level so that we can forge ahead.
“This government has said they will diversify the economy to agriculture and the only way that this can succeed is through agric mechanisation. The way that we are doing farming today, many young men and women are not going to farm because of the way it is being done. Meanwhile in other sister nations the agriculture is with machineries and equipment and we have been doing it for the past 60 years with hoe.
“So, we are making a huge progress with this partnership and realize that China is coming first to support this country.
“The president has given us his commitment and also asked us to engage the minister of finance, budget and national planning and the CBN to conclude and then the minister of agric will make presentation to council, then to the national assembly for final approval.”
The Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB) has suspended 3 senior Prisons officers, CP Peter Yeni Tenkwa, DCP Abubakar Abaka and SP John Bukar indicted for their complicity in the issuance of unauthorised medical report on Bala Ngilari, the former Governor of Adamawa State serving a 5 year jail term in Yola prison.
The letter dated 3rd April, 2017 and signed by the Director and Secretary of the Board, Mr. Sunday Dan Ogu, FCAI approved the suspension of the officers pending the outcome of all necessary investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, a new Controller and officer in-charge have been posted to take over the state command and Yola prison respectively including a medical doctor to oversee the prison clinic. The officers have since resumed duties.
A lagging sex drive and poor erection could be the result of what you've been eating. Of course, it's not always about food.
Poor erection can be attributed to a number of factors, including sociological, psychological, and hormonal influences. Often, antidepressant medications are the culprit. Other times, stress or drug and alcohol abuse can play a role.
Smoking, along with all of its other terrible health effects, can diminish sexual desire and satisfaction, especially in men.
"Smoking has a direct, negative effect on the sexuality of a man on every level," says Panayiotis M. Zavos, PhD, Altering bad habits, like smoking and excessive drinking, in order to encourage better overall health, will no doubt be beneficial to your sexual health as well.
Now lets talk about the kinds of food that may be affecting your performance on bed.
Generally any food type that makes us gain weight can affect one's libido as well but below are some foods that could be ruining your pleasures.
Fried Foods
Fried foods definitely don't do your sex life any favors. Trans fats found in fried foods dramatically decrease the male and female libido, according to Medical Daily.
Consuming trans fatty acids can also cause abnormal sperm production in men and interferes with female gestation. You and your significant other would be wise to skip the french fries at dinner, since they could be at fault for more than one sexual problem.
Processed Carbohydrate
Any refined carbohydrates, like those found in bleached white flour and white rice, are bad news for your sex drive. This includes many pastas, cereals [rice and wheat], breads, and snack foods like crackers, cookies, and chips.
Men's Fitness explained that large amounts of refined carbs will cause your testosterone levels to decrease. The sugars from these carbohydrates can make men gain weight and raise estrogen levels as testosterone is depleted. Reach for good carbs like vegetables and whole grains instead.
You must have heard the popular saying that "Sugar is your enemy?"
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