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 Monsuru Olowoopejo Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe's husband, 52-year-old Lanre Gentry, has been docked before a magistrate court 1 sitting at Ogba, Ikeja, on three count charges under the State Criminal law 2011.The couple
His appearance before the court came barely six days after another magistrate Court barred Gentry from coming close to the actress and the two children in her custody.
Gentry, who were alleged to have physically assaulted his wife, Mercy, appeared before the court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him by the Lagos State Government.
It would be recalled that the State Government waded into the alleged domestic violence after the actress reported her attack to the Lagos State Government through Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT).
During the court proceeding, the trail magistrate, Mrs. Y.O. Aje-Afunwa, granted the defendant bail of N500, 000 after he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Aje-Afunwa added that Lanre must also provide tax verification and two sureties, one of whom must own property in Lagos State, just as she adjourned the case till July 12.
A top Government official disclosed to Vanguard that the actress husband was unable to meet the bail condition before the end of the day; leading to his remand in prison.
It is no longer news that the world has witnessed improved access to malaria interventions especially in Sub-Saharan Africa ranging from diagnostic testing for children as well as preventive treatment for pregnant women. This can be substantiated with the 2016 World Malaria Report released by the World Health Organization, WHO, which showed that number of malaria cases declined by 88 percent while death rates declined by 90 percent in Africa between 2000 and 2015.
However, despite this heart-warming news, the scourge has not by abated as it still poses a threat to global health. For instance, it is currently threatening the achievement of the WHO Global Technical Strategy, GTS, for Malaria 2016–2030 targets of reducing cases and mortality by 90 percent by 2030.
Malaria has continued to cause the world not only lives also resources. A WHO report in 2015 revealed that an estimated $2.9 billion was spent on malaria control and elimination alone, with increased $ 0.06 billion since 2010. However, this is still not enough as it represents just 46 percent of the GTS 2020 milestone of US$ 6.4 billion. The GTS 2020 calls for elimination of malaria in 10 countries by 2020.
In the views of Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, the world has made excellent progress, but work is still incomplete. Last year, malaria reached 212 million cases and 429, 000 deaths. Across Africa, millions of people still lack access to the tools they need to prevent and treat the disease. In many countries, progress is threatened by the rapid development and spread of mosquito resistance to insecticides and antimalarial drug resistance.
In Africa especially, the burden of malaria has continued to hamper economic growth. Malaria prevention initiatives, treatment and care have been estimated to cost Africa $12 billion annually. This is exclusive of the man-hours lost due to the sickness.
Back home in Nigeria for instance, statistics from the Federal Ministry of Health showed that malaria accounts for 60 percent of outpatients' visits to health facilities, 30 percent childhood death, 25 percent of death in children under one year and 11 percent maternal death. Financially, the implication is depressing. The annual financial loss due to malaria is estimated to be about N132 billion yet, it is a treatable and preventable disease
Also, the impact of malaria on national health and productivity is equally substantial. According to the National Malaria Control Programme, "Malaria is endemic in Nigeria with 97 percent of the population of 170 million living in areas of high malaria risk and an estimated 3 percent living in malaria free highlands. Nigeria bears up to 25 percent of the malarial disease burden in Africa, making it the country with the highest malaria mortality.
In recognition of these challenges, governments, international agencies and some private organizations have deployed their arsenal to tackle the scourge. Their commitments were made clear in this year's theme; "End Malaria for Good". One of such organisations committed to ending malaria in Nigeria is ExxonMobil. Over the years, ExxonMobil has been taking frontline positions in rolling back malaria. The oil firm has pioneered and in some cases collaborated with other corporate organizations on some initiatives to push back the lethal disease.
In 2008, ExxonMobil in collaboration with Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and Standard Chartered Bank, UK, reached out to 17 African countries with the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITNs) under its "Nets for Life" project. The programme effectively reached 475, 177 individuals across four states in Nigeria. In 2011, ExxonMobil inaugurated 'Power Forward', an initiative coordinated by an NGO Africare on behalf of ExxonMobil to promote malaria prevention among its partners in the supply chain and their communities. The initiative is designed to achieve 80 percent reduction in malaria and 100 percent reduction pregnant women in two communities in Akwa Ibom State (Ibeno and Eket) and Rivers State (Bonny and Ogu bolo).
Under the initiative ExxonMobil has distributed LLITNs as well as facilitated malaria testing and vector control. A similar campaign in partnership with Jhpiego, an affiliate of John Hopskin University was done in 2011 where over 48,000 pregnant women in about 163 communities received treatment alongside LLITNs. Other initiatives and partnerships include the NightWatch Campaign, GrazRutSoka, Power Forward programme, World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation (Branded ExxonMobil/World Bank partnership) among others. The company has committed more than $150 million to help reduce the impact of malaria. Beyond malaria ExxonMobil has made critical interventions in the health sector. From free medical outreach to building health facilities, equipping and training health workers, the company's activities have continued to enhance healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Between 2006 and 2011, the company spent close to N1 billion to train personnel in Biomedical Repair in Dallas, USA. ExxonMobil also committed over N500 million to the construction of Maternal Referral Centres (MRCs) in Kwara, Imo and Bayelsa States, which will provide maternal healthcare services to women in the communities in which they were constructed, as well as to women in neighbouring communities.
In addition to this, the MRCs will provide maternal education and training so that newly established, up-to-date healthcare practices can be adopted throughout the community. The company has also contributed over N130 million in the construction of Nanka Comprehensive Health Centre to provide general healthcare services to the communities.
As the world marks the 2017 World Malaria Day, health experts have advised that the focus should shift significantly to malaria prevention as a sure way of attaining government's target of reducing malaria related deaths by 2020.
The Chairman of the committee, screening councillorship and chairmanship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Lagos State, Prof. Tunde Samuel, is facing criticism from some party members.
Ahead of the councils primaries of APC in the state tentatively scheduled for Saturday and next Thursday, crisis looms in Agege and Orile-Agege chapters of the party as some stakeholders are alleging that Prof. Samuel, former Special Adviser on education to ex-Lagos governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is colluding with some leaders of the party in the areas to perpetrate electoral fraud.
Financial Secretary of the party (Agege Chapter), Alh. Haruna Yusuf aka Ilerika, and Alh. Logunleko, an LG officer of the party in Orile-Agege, accused Hon. Taofiq Adaranijo, who represents Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, former Commissioner for Transport, Kayode Opeifa, ex-Agege LG Chairman, Alh. Jubril Kareem, and Prof. Samuel, of perfecting strategies to perpetrate electoral fraud in favour of their candidates.
At a conference on Tuesday in Agege, Ilerika, who was a councillor in the nineties, said he has incontrovertible proof that the four leaders conspired with the party chairman in Orile-Agege, Sunday Ajayi, and his Agege counterpart, Wale Adeyeye, to rig the party primary elections in the two local government areas of the state in favour of their candidates.
He claimed that they doctored the register consisting of the names of delegates that are eligible to vote at the primaries, saying they smuggled non-APC members into the list, and have printed the party’s membership card for them.
The former Councillor went further to accuse Hon. Adaranijo, Opeifa, Alh. Kareeem, Prof. Samuel, Ajayi and Adeyeye of covert plan to cause chaos in the party to ensure their candidates emerge.
He said, ” Prof. Samuel, the Chairman of the committee that screened councillorship and chairmanship aspirants in the state stooped low by using the office to pursue personal agenda, and that of few unscrupulous leaders at the expenses of majority of the party faithful.
He disqualified highly qualified councillorship and chairmanship aspirants, who toil through nights and days for the party to pave the way for their own candidates to emerge.
“We have it on good authority that they have recruited street urchins from Oshodi, Mushin, and Sango in Ogun State to foment trouble, intimidate eligible delegates and disrupt the primaries.
“We therefore call on the leadership of APC in the state to call them to order, to stop this undemocratic and corrupt practice that is harming the good name of our great party.”
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – An Abuja High Court sitting at Lugbe, Tuesday, watched a video clip showing the erstwhile Chairman of then House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy probe, Mr. Farouk Lawan, receiving a parcel from oil mogul, Mr. Femi Otedola. Scam: Hon. Farouk Lawal seating before House Committee on Ethics and Privileges over $620 bribe Scam at National Assembly Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. Lawan is facing trial before the court over allegation that he received bribe from Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, Otedola, as an inducement to remove the name of his company from the report of the House of Reps Ad-hoc committee on monitoring of fuel subsidy regime.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, initially alleged that both Lawan and Secretary of the committee, Mr. Boniface Emenalo, demanded an aggregate sum of $3 million, with a view to ensuring that Otedola’s company escaped prosecution.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-The Presidency is set to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Committee that investigated the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ayo Oke over allegations of financial impropriety.
The development has also lent credence to the feelings that the report of the panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Babagana Monguno as members may have been quietly submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday before his departure to London for a medical follow-up.
Soccer greats, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Ronaldinho and Carlos Valderrama met recently and they all had one thing in common, the No 10 jersey.
Ronaldinho, Okocha and Valderrama
The meeting turned out to be a time for bonding and reminiscing as Ronaldinho revealed that he has always admired both Nigeria’s Okocha and Colombia’s Carlos Valderrama.
The Brazil great made this known in a tweet which he captioned “Só camisa 10 que sempre admirei. @iamokocha e @PibeValderramaP” meaning “Only 10 shirt I’ve always admired @iamokocha and @PibeValderramaP” .
Ronaldinho and Austin Jay-Jay Okocha were team-mates at French side PSG between 2001 and 2002, where the former understudied the latter and most likely learnt some of his mesmerizing skills and dribbles.
Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court Sitting in Lagos has ordered the Department of State Services, DSS, to produce the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeanyi Ubah on Friday, May 12, 2017 and explain why the oil mogul should not be released unconditionally.
The Justice gave the ruling on Tuesday following an ex-parte application filed by Mr Ubah's counsel, Mrs Ifeoma Esom, to compel his release from the DSS' custody where he has been since Saturday, May 6.
Recall that Ubah was arrested on Saturday by the DSS over his alleged refusal to remit N11 billion realised from the sales of petroleum products stored in his facility by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
The DSS claimed that the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited was arrested over "economic sabotage", and alleged diversion of petroleum products to the tune of N11bn.
Ifeanyi Ubah
A statement by the spokesman for the DSS, Tony Opuiyo had also accused Ubah of inciting members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union to stop lifting petroleum products so as to cripple the economy and cause untold hardship to Nigerians.
However, Mrs. Esom had prayed the court to compel DSS to produce Ubah within 48 hours because, according to her, failure to do so would leave Ubah at the mercy of the DSS who might "coerce him into acceding to whatever conditions they impose on him in exchange for his freedom".
Also, an affidavit by the Secretary to the Capital Oil and Gas Limited, George Oranuba, claimed that the DSS acted in disregard of "the constitutional doctrine of separation of power and sanctity of the judicial process".
He pointed out that it was improper to accuse Ubah of stealing and diverting petroleum products stored by the NNPC in his depots since there were records of how such products were sold and accounts kept.
"Now, even if the NNPC says the money has not been paid by Ubah's company, that does not amount to stealing and diversion as claimed by the DSS," Mr Oranuba, however said the throughput agreement allowed "conversion and diversion of its products by 'operators', so long as the operator is prepared to re-deliver the products within seven days of demand by the products owner, or to pay a penalty for non-re-delivery".
He explained further that failure to re-deliver was a 'mere' breach of contract, remediable by the payment of penalty to the owner.
The Kebbi State Government says it will engage unscheduled local government staff for a proposed leather recycling programme aimed at reducing waste of hides and skin.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Muhammad Marafa, made this known at NUJ Ministerial Briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
"We will engage youths in the programme; we will use the redundant staff or employ the services of casual workers to assist in ensuring the programme succeeded and also making state wastes leather-free", he said.
He said the state government would establish the recycling factories in Argungu, Gwandu,Yauri and Zuru emirates, adding that the government could not afford to establish the factories in all the 21 local government areas.
He said his ministry surveyed all the mining sites to ascertain the potentials and illegal mining.
"We have come to a conclusion that the illegal miners should not be illegal; we have issued them licenses to continue their activities as their activities would not hamper in any way the Federal Government's exclusive mining activities.
"We observed most of the miners are youths who needed employment or anything to fend for themselves, hence we allowed them to group into cooperative societies", he said.
Marafa also said about 86 kilometres had been covered in the Great Green Wall (GGW) programme.
He stressed that although the programme was in collaboration with the federal government, the state still maintained the plantations.
He said government would start planting seeds distributed in the 21 local government areas especially areas bordering Niger and Benin Republics, to prevent desert encroachment.
"We are making all necessary arrangements to invite concerned stakeholders to take part in the planting before rainy season."
Marafa advised the people to desist from unnecessary cutting down of trees and to reciprocate government's efforts in that direction.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, says Nigerians who embark on pilgrimage must see the exercise as a platform for soul searching and cleansing, and not a jamboree.
He gave the counsel on Tuesday in Lagos, at the Conference of Christian Pilgrimage Operators (CPO) in Nigeria.
The four day conference on "Christian Pilgrimage and the Development of Nigeria," which started on May 7, is expected to end on May 10.
Abdul-Lateef was represented by the Permanent Secretary in Charge of the state Civil Service Commission, Mrs Toyin Awoseyi, at the conference.
"The idea of going on pilgrimage is for us to go there and come back better citizens, it's not going on jamboree; it is for us to come back and make our country a better place.
"We want a situation whereby as Christians, everything about you professes Christianity; there should be dignity and honour to those that have the title of Jerusalem Pilgrim (JP),'' he said.
The commissioner also urged the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) to be innovative and make the pilgrimage more enriching for pilgrims.
"I want to charge NCPC to come up with innovations.
"A lot of people want to go on a yearly basis, but would prefer to tour different places rather than the same place, doing the same thing that they did before.
"NCPC should bring out new ideas; change the timetable and the places visited yearly should be changed.
"A pilgrim wants to have the experience of where Mount Sinai is; the people going on pilgrimage should go to different places each year so that there will be more fulfillment with new experiences, knowledge and renewal of spirit and soul,'' he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, NCPC, Mr Tor Uja, said pilgrims should always project the country positively.
"We have come to a point where we must put Nigeria first, put the development of Nigeria ahead of our personal issues, and make it the Nigeria of our dreams," he said.
Uja said that Christian pilgrims must promote the country by making it a nation that others can look towards.
He commended state governors for supporting many to embark on pilgrimage over the years.
"This can still be improved so that greater numbers of Christian believers are given the opportunity to visit the holy land of God at least once in their lifetime," he said.
He commended the federal government for offering goods and services and infrastructure for the organisation and supervision of pilgrimage
Uja said that the conference was designed to create the needed environment for CPOs to prosper, for more to emerge and for more organised, coherent and predictable pattern for pilgrimage operations in Nigeria.
He urged CPOs to develop increased carrying capacity, improved efficiency and acquire added access to global practices and networks.
"Pilgrimage must also achieve designed purposes, serve and project Christ, promote development and become the pride of Nigeria,'' he said.
The Conference is reviewing operations, redefining modalities and setting templates for the future.
The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in Ekiti has criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Gov. Ayo Fayose over their comments on the release of the 82 Chibok girls.
The PDP National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, had condemned the swap of the girls with some Boko Haram members.
Fayose, on his part, also described the release of the girls as a diversionary tactic orchestrated by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
But the CNPP in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Tunji Ogunlola, condemned Makarfi's comment, saying he was "playing politics with the freedom of Chibok girls.''
He noted that the girls had been in captivity for over three years, adding that Nigerians appreciated the efforts of Buhari in securing the release in line with his promise in the run-up to the 2019 general election.
"CNPP condemns the PDP leader , Makarfi, for playing politics with the Chibok girls' release.
" They had their own time in power, but lacked the will to secure the release of the girls," he said
Ogunlola also advised Fayose to pay attention to good governance and look for ways to pay civil servants and pensioners who were suffering in his state.
Restructuring of Nigeria, what form? As many are calling for the restructuring of Nigeria one may ask what form should the restructuring take.? We ask you our esteemed readers what is your take on the restructuring of our beloved country take? Do we really need to restructure this country, do see any need for it?
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (middle); State PDP Chairman, Barr. Kingsley Esiso (2nd right); Majority Leader, Hon. Tim Owhefere (right); Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye (2nd left) and Chairman, Isoko North Local Government Area, Emmanuel Egbabor, during the Commissioning of Old Ozoro/Oleh Road.Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) and Chairman, Isoko North Local Government Area, Emmanuel Egbabor, during the Commissioning of Old Ozoro/Oleh Road.fromright; Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; State PDP Chairman, Barr. Kingsley Esiso and Secretary to State Government, Hon. Ovie Agas, during the Commissioning of Old Ozoro/Oleh Road.Old Ozoro/Oleh RoadOld Ozoro/Oleh Road
Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment has urged the newly appointed Managing Director, Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Adebayo Shamufun, to ensure employers complied with the Employment Compensation Act.
Ngige made the call when the newly appointed Managing Director, NSITF, with his management team visited him in his office on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Employment Compensation Act (ECA) is an act that directs employers to contribute one per cent of their total emoluments cost to the NSITF.
The amount is set aside as insurance to employees with compensation for injury in work place, mental stress, occupational hazard, and even death.
Ngige said that it was unfortunate that the law was not being adhered to by many employers in the country.
According to him, it is mandatory for government and all employers of labour to pay a contributory amount toward the realisation of this particular aim.
"Unfortunately, this law has not being enforced but it is a national law.
Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige
"It is not meant for the Federal Government alone. It is meant for employers in the public and private sectors.
"We have stretched it further that one man employer, who have domestic workers like driver, cook, and among others are supposed to subscribe to the Fund.
"That is, if the number of the employees are within the ambit of the law.
"The law is observed in the bridge majorly and that is why today the NSITF, as we have it, has found it difficult to meet up with its obligations of the fund, ''he said.
The Minister said that it was imperative for the NSITF to ensure that employers comply with the law as it was part of its cardinal duties to ensure that of workers are taken care of.
He explained the management must ensure that workers are catered for in times of accidents, death, injuries, disabilities, diseases, while still in active service.
He, however, urged the NSITF boss to come up with an action plan that would generate surplus investment for the fund in fulfillment of it mandate.
"So, you must come up with an action plan so that you can be able to achieve milestones.
"Because, the job in NSITF is very huge for those who do not understand.
"Let me also warn you that it is not a tea-party as the act makes provision for you to brief Mr President at the end of the year with a comprehensive report on your achievements.
"So, I must congratulate you and urge you to read the act that establish the fund, including some Convention of the International Labour Organisation(ILO).
"Particularly Convention 102 of the ILO, because that is where you have Employment Compensation for workers which we later transited in to ECA, ''Ngige said.
He assured the NSITF boss that the ministry would give him the necessary assistance needed to succeed in the new assignment.
Earlier, Shamufun, the NSIFT Chief Executive Officer, assured the minister that he would take the fund to greater high.
"We are here to assure that, we will work with you so that we can achieve the best for the fund,'' he said.
Acting president Yemi Osinbajo, has on Tuesday listed President Muhammadu Buhari’s achievements in less than two years in office. He made this known via his tweeter handle, thus showing Buhari’s commitment in fulfilling his campaign promises. See tweets:
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Saraki has inaugurated an 18-man Technical Committee on the amendment of the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and the Investment and Security Act (ISA) with a charge to improve the ease of doing business in the country.
The Senate President also urged the Committee to work out modalities to halt the exodus of manufacturing companies from Nigeria to neighbouring countries due to harsh business environment.
He enjoined the technical committee to ensure a thorough amendments of the CAMA and ISA to become a veritable instrument for economic diversification and job creation.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Print Media, Chuks Okocha, the Senate President said: “Men and women with business ideas should be able to register and incorporate their companies without hassles and delay.
Bukola Saraki
“For every business that we start, our nation benefits from employment, revenue generation, products and services to better our lives and enterprises that will help drive and reinforce our claims of being the fastest growing economy on the continent. This is where we want to see the Nigerian economy,” he said.
He noted that making the nation’s business environment competitive is the right thing to do in growing the economy as the Senate in collaboration with the private sector had identified the business environment as one of the major impediments to doing business in the country.
He stated that a detailed list was developed following the launch of the National Assembly Business Environment Round-table (NASSBER) last year which undertook a comprehensive review of the institutional, regulatory, legislative and associated instruments impeding Nigerian business.
Saraki said that through the collaborative process, a report was presented that identified the need to review 54 Acts and 50 bills that need to be passed, of which the 13 including the CAMA and ISA were designated priority.
He said that the NASSBER report identified these two laws as critical to the business environment, complimentary to one another and catalyst for the creation, innovation and sustainability or enterprises.
He said: “A reform of these laws is of utmost importance and that is why, in keeping with our commitment to employing the right resources at our disposal in developing the right legislation for our economy, we are constituting you – experts in the field, regulators, operators and practitioners alike, into a technical committee to neutrally apply your experience to advice the Senate through relevant committees on the best legislative
options to enhance th e quality or these bills.”
In her response, the leader of the committee, Mrs. Ozofu Ogiemudia, pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them by the Senate as they are abreast with the difficulties encountered in doing business in Nigeria.
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos insists the European champions will not be cowered by an intimidating atmosphere as they visit Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon for the final time on Wednesday.
Ronaldo & Griezmann
Los Blancos are looking to seal their place in the Champions League final once more and enjoy a commanding 3-0 first leg lead.
And Ramos hit back at the simplification of the rivalry between the two Madrid giants as Real’s riches against Atletico’s hard work.
“It seems like here we have grown up in Beverly Hills,” said Ramos on Tuesday.
“Here there are people from humble backgrounds too.
“The sacrifice is what fills you with desire to win.”
An already intense rivalry has reached new levels in recent seasons as under Diego Simeone Atletico’s status and ability to challenge Real has grown.
However, Atletico have consistently fallen short against Real in the Champions League.
Unless they pull off a remarkable comeback, Simeone’s men will bow out of European competition against their fiercest rivals for the fourth consecutive season.
“If I needed to motivate the players for a game like tomorrow I would need to leave the club,” said Simeone.
“Tomorrow we face a very tough opponent that beat us 3-0 at their home, that beat us 3-0 in the first half of the season in the league and in two finales, one on penalties and the other equalising in the 93rd minute.
“It is clear it is a great challenge.”
However, the size of Atletico’s task is illustrated by the fact that Real have scored in all of their last 60 games stretching back over a year.
“We have to defend well tomorrow. That will allow us to be in the game as long as possible,” insisted Simeone on the threat of a Real away goal that would force Atletico to score five.
“I know what we are capable of. I know these players, I’ve known them for five-and-a-half years and I have no doubt they are going to play well.”
– No vertigo –
Even by their standards, Real are on the verge of completing the most glorious season in the club’s decorated history.
Should Zinedine Zidane’s men complete a La Liga and Champions League double, it will be Real’s first since 1957/58.
Moreover, they could become the first side in the Champions League era to retain the trophy.
And Ramos insisted he is relishing a challenging end to the campaign rather than wilting under the pressure.
“There is no feeling of vertigo. The contrary, it is in our own hands,” added the Spanish international.
“The good part of the season is coming, there are two weeks left and we’ll see what happens in the end.
“I would settle to be in this position every year.”
After 50 years at the Calderon, Atletico move to the new 67,000 capacity Wanda Metropolitano next season.
And Atletico captain Gabi admitted giving their historic home a memorable send-off adds even extra spice to Wednesday’s clash.
“It is an even extra motive to think and feel the possibility of a comeback, even though we have an adverse result,” he said.
“The other day at the Bernabeu after losing 3-0 all you heard were the Atletico fans. It gave me goosebumps.
“The fans shows us so much love and support, we have to show we can match their standards.”
Zidane is expected to resort back to the side that started the first leg after making nine changes for Saturday’s 4-0 win at Granada bar the introduction of Nacho for the injured Dani Carvajal at right-back.
Gareth Bale remains sidelined with a calf injury.
Atletico’s injury crisis at right-back is expected to be resolved by the return of Juanfran after three weeks out.
Otherwise, Simeone is also expected to name the same side that started the first leg.
A schoolgirl who was among more than 200 kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014 refused to be part of a release deal because she is now married to a militant fighter, Nigeria’s government said Tuesday.
The disclosure underlines the complex psychological effects of a lengthy captivity, and gives an indication of the work required to rehabilitate and reintegrate those released.Some of the 82 released Chibok schoolgirls during the presentation of drugs to them by the Minster of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, at the Directorate of State Service Hospital, in Abuja on Monda
Boko Haram has used kidnapping as a weapon of war, seizing thousands of women and young girls as part of its eight-year quest to create a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria.
Men and boys have also been forcibly recruited to fight in its insurgency, which since 2009 has killed at least 20,000 in Nigeria alone.
Presidency spokesman Garba Shehu said the jihadists had initially agreed to release 83 of the teenagers who were abducted from their school in the town of Chibok in April 2014.
But he told the local Channels television station: “One said, ‘No, I have a husband. I’m happy where I am’. And then 82 came back.”
The 82 were released on Saturday following months of talks and the exchange of a number of suspected militants held in government custody.
Twenty-one of their classmates were freed in October last year; three had previously been found or escaped. Talks are understood to have started to free all or some of the remaining 113.
– Complex situation –
Testimony from former hostages in the brutal conflict has revealed that Boko Haram forced many women and young girls into marriage, and that rape and sexual violence were commonplace.
Some were forced to work as domestic slaves for extremist fighters and even deployed to the front line carrying ammunition during attacks.
Elizabeth Pearson, a Boko Haram specialist who studies women and conflict, said the case of the Chibok girl who refused to leave was “likely to be quite prevalent”.
“From what we know of other young women who’ve returned, the relationships with their captors is very complex and at times quite ambiguous,” she told AFP in an email exchange.
“We assume because they are abducted they are therefore likely to resist their captors. In fact they have to develop relationships of some sort in order to survive.”
Genuine relationships will emerge, as not all fighters behave brutally to the women in the camps, particularly if children are involved, she added.
“It’s a much more complex situation than the abducted-rescued-victim narrative we’ve seen at times,” she said.
There have been repeated calls for more to be done to support those released, particularly with many women treated as social outcasts because of their time with the rebels.
– Identities checked –
Shehu said the government was working to verify the identities of the 82 released so they can be reunited with their families as soon as possible.
A list of the girls’ names was published on Sunday evening and photographs of them have been sent to Chibok and the surrounding area for cross-checking.
“When we had the first 21, because of similarities in names, more than two, three sets of parents came to Abuja. So, we don’t want to create that confusion,” he said.
“When they get the pictures, they see them and verify, then they come on board to Abuja to see their daughters.”
Aisha Yesufu, coordinator of the #BringBackOurGirls pressure group, told AFP: “We have to reach out to the parents and ensure that we match the parents and the daughters.
“We are still working on it.”
Nigeria’s government has come under fire for the length of time it has taken to reunite the former hostages with their families.
In December, families who are seen as key to the girls’ recovery complained they were blocked from celebrating Christmas together.
Human Rights Watch has accused the government of failing to respect the girls’ privacy by publishing their names and for parading them at a photo-call.
Amnesty International said on Saturday that holding the released girls in lengthy detention and for security screening “can only add to their suffering and plight”.
Shehu said he hoped the verification process would be concluded soon and pledged: “The government will not stop any parents from immediately establishing contacts with their daughters.”
The Attorney-General of Lagos State, Adeniji Kazeem, has step up in the prosecution of one Monday Lawrence, the suspected killer of Anene Utazi, a trader at the popular Ladipo Auto Parts Market in Lagos by lining up 37 witnesses.
At the last proceedings of the matter, defence team led by Mrs R. O Aroyewun informed the court that AG Adeniji Kazeem has indicated interest to personally handle the prosecution of the defendant.
court
Aroyewun also told the court that 37 witnesses are ready to testify in the trial.
” My Lord, the Attorney-General has expressed interest to personally handle this matter. Our witnesses are 37 and they are ready to testify before the court,” she said.
Monday Lawrence and others still at large are standing trial before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of a Lagos High Court over the murder of Utazi in 2016.
In an eight count charge, the state alleged that Monday Lawrence and others still at large on February 18, 2016 at Odo-Aladura, Ladipo Mushin murdered Utazi.
Lawrence who has since been granted bail was also alleged to have inflicted grievous matchet cut on about five other traders at the market.
Last week, Ladipo market union leaders through their lawyer, Barr. Monday Ubani petitioned the Lagos Attorney-General raising concerns that the matter was not been handle properly.
Ubani claimed that the defendant was granted bail in a suspicious circumstances while several witnesses due to testify before the court are been harassed and threatened by the defendant.
However Aroyewun appealed to the court for an adjournment to enable the prosecution sought some few issues with the witnesses.
The defendant lawyer, Mr. Spurgeon Ataene did not oppose the application for adjournment.
Before announcing the new trial date, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo asked the prosecution team to streamline the large number of witnesses listed for the trial.
The trial judge subsequently adjourned the matter to June 21, 2017 for trial.
Starting line-ups in the Champions League semi-final second leg between Juventus and Monaco at the Juventus Stadium on Tuesday (kick-off 1845 GMT; Juventus lead 2-0 on aggregate):
Juventus (3-4-2-1): Gianlugi Buffon (capt); Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini; Dani Alves, Miralem Pjanic, Sami Khedira, Alex Sandro; Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic; Gonzalo Higuain
