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
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday congratulated Muslims for the successful completion of Ramadan, just as he urged them to sustain the Godly virtues exhibited during the fasting period.Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency I, Hon. Dayo Saka Fafunmi (left); Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef (2nd right) and member, House of Representatives, Hon. Nurudeen Akinwunmi (right) during the Eid-el-Fitri celebration at the Ifako-Ijaiye Mini Stadium, on Sunday, June 25, 2017.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at some of the twenty centres designated by the State Government to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitri, urged Muslims to sustain the spirit of love, brotherhood, tolerance and care which were dutifully demonstrated during the Ramadan, and also not forget the lessons which the season was meant to teach.
He said: "As you celebrate this special day, I enjoin you all to sustain the spirit of love, brotherhood, tolerance and care which were dutifully demonstrated during the Ramadan. Let us not forget the lessons that Ramadan was meant to teach us which include the fear of Allah and care for the less-privileged in our society."
The Governor identified harmonious co-existence among all adherents of various religions in the country as a necessary impetus to bring about peace, progress and prosperity.
He said every religion preaches peace and harmonious co-existence among all people, and that it was important for the people to continue to live by such principle to foster growth and economic prosperity.
The Governor said he was highly appreciative of the support extended to his administration by religious leaders, as well as the religious tolerance and cooperation existing in the State, pledging never to take it for granted.
While specifically thanking Islamic scholars and leaders in the State for their prayers and support, Governor Ambode assured that the State Government would continue to uphold and protect the right of all citizens to freedom of belief and freedom of worship.
"Let me again use this opportunity to pledge our commitment to uphold and protect the right of all citizens to freedom of belief and freedom of worship. Every religion preaches peace and harmonious co-existence among all people.
"We must continue to live by this principle so that our State and nation will continue to grow in peace, progress and prosperity," he said.
Besides, the Governor reiterated the commitment of his administration towards upholding and enhancing security of lives and property of residents, just as he urged the people to continue to support and cooperate with all security agencies including the recently inaugurated Neighborhood Safety Corps as they strive to keep the State safe.
In his sermon at Evans Square, Ebute-Metta, Leader of Conference of Islamic Organizations of Nigeria, Imam Abdulahi Shuaib thanked God for the Governors He has blessed the State with, and the wisdom given to former Governor of the State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to identify the leadership qualities in Governor Ambode.
He said in just two years, the State has witnessed massive transformation in all sectors and sections, saying that it was obvious that Governor Ambode was governing with the fear of God.
"Look at the 114 roads that were constructed in all the Local Government areas and Local Council Development Areas; the traffic nightmare in Abule Egba has been solved with the construction of flyover and inner roads; over 365 streets have been light up courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Initiative; security has been enhanced with purchase of 3 helicopters, gun boats, patrol vehicles and Armored Personnel Carriers, among others; the healthcare system too has received massive boost with the purchase of Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances and upgrade of our health centres.
"Governor Ambode has done a lot but like Oliver twist, there is room to do more but all I will say is to ask the people to continue to support him with prayers," Shuaib said.
Also, Chief Imam of Lagos Central Division, Sheik Sabiti Akani Owowunmi commended the Governor for his giant strides so far, and prayed for a successful tenure of office.
The Governor was represented at some of the twenty centres by his wife, Mrs Bolanle Ambode and other State functionaries, while the celebration featured recitation of Quran, quiz and dance competitions, among others.
Eighteen galleries from Africa will be taking part in the fifth London edition of The 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair which is set to take place at Somerset House from October 5 to 8, 2017, during Frieze Week in London.
About 41 galleries from 18 countries across the world with 11 newcomers from Africa including Mozambique's Arte de Gema, Galerie 127 from Marrakech, Morroco, SMO Contemporary Art from Lagos, Nigeria, among others, will be making what the fair organizers described in a statement as "its most geographically expansive edition."
For the second year, the special projects wing of the art fair will host a series of satellite exhibitions, alongside FORUM, the fair's educational program curated by Raw Material's Koyo Kouoh.
KANO – A sting operation by DSS in Kano Sunday led to the arrest of top Boko Haram commander, and 20 others suspects.
The Director, Kano local office of DSS, Alhassan Muhammad told reporters in Kano that the 48 hours operation neutralized what would have been a bloody Eid Fitr in Kano recent history. Alhassan Muhammad disclosed that the combat operations was jointly carried out by the police, and his men led to the arrest of the unit commander of Boko Haram who was also in charge of Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto.
He explained that the commander also arrested alongside 30 other suspects while planning coordinated attacks during Sallah festivity in Kano and other major Northern cities.
Alhassan said ” we have in our Custody about 30 suspected Boko Haram terrorists including a sector Commandant whom we arrested at Rijiyar Zaki and Dorayi areas of Kano in just two days”.
The Director said the success story was the outcome of a painstaking effort buoyed by intelligence gathering and sharing by the police and DSS which helped put more spots areas at red alert.
He said “our joint intelligence gathering and the synergy that existed between all the security apparatus in Kano give a moral buster to our giant efforts in tracking every suspicious movements and make it highly difficult for the terrorists to make any impact”.
Alhassan explained that the proactive move helped averted the dastardly planned to lay ambush on Kano and other cities in this period of Sallah Celebrations”.
The Director revealed that “arms and ammunition, primed Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs were recovered from the suspects' hideouts in the state.”
Vanguard recalled that the State Security Service, SSS, on Friday, said it uncovered a plot by suspected terrorists to attack Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and Maiduguri during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
The secret service said two suspects — Yusuf Adamu and Abdulmuminu Haladu — were arrested in Sokoto in connection with the plot in the early hours of Friday.
Winner of God's Children Great Talent, GCGT, Miss Esther Benyeogo was announced at the grand finale of Season 7 held at Eko Convention Center on Saturday 24th June 2017.
Benyeogo beat 9 other finalists, Joseph Odi, Damilare Bafunso, Anderson Peter, Deborah Oladipupo, Olawonuola Kehinde, Sophia Albert, Goodluck Enoch, Nengi Jaja and Emmanuel Osahor during a two-hour live television show that aired simultaneously on HIPTV, Wazobia Max, EbonyLife TV and Dove TV.
As GCGT Season 7 winner, Esther Benyeogo received the grand prize of a 250 million naira management deal, 10 million naira cash and a brand new Kia Rio presented by Senior Pastor City of David Parish, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, Chairperson, GCGT Board of Trustees, Pastor (Mrs) Siju Iluyomade, Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank/Founder of The How Foundation, Dr. Herbert Wigwe.
The 19 year-old singer displayed exceptional talent in the competition that even celebrity guest judge TY Bello was in awe of her astonishing performance.
Esther Benyeogo emerged as the winner following a combination of GCGT7 judges' scores and votes by the viewing audience.
The grand finale was hosted by Uti Nwachukwu and Ayo Thompson, which featured highlights from the season's auditions as well as performances by Nikki Laoye, GCGT season 6 winner Onome Enakerakpor, Darey Frank Edwards and Enitan Adaba.
God’s Children Great Talent is Africa's biggest gospel talent show and will return in 2018 for Season 8, discovering new talents between ages 5 and 20 years for God's glory. See more pictures from the grand finale.
The Chief Imam of Benin, Sheikh Abdulfatah Enabulele, has commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for his giant strides and people-friendly decisions since assuming office as Governor of Edo State more than seven months ago.
This was as the Imam led the Muslim communities in Edo state to the Government House in Benin City to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitri with the governor, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu and Chief of staff, Comrade Taiwo Akerele.
In his speech, Sheikh Enabulele said, "Your excellency, so far so good, all the decisions your administration have taken so far to redirect the affairs of governance are very popular decisions in which the majority of Edo people are pleased and happy about."
He also re-echoed the thoughts of the public, affirming that the governor was a 'silent worker', given his austere nature and love for hard work.
"From what we have seen so far, His Excellency is a silent operator. Those who operate silently perform better in most cases", Sheikh Enabulele said.
He concluded by the charging the Governor to intensify efforts to curb the menace of the suspected Fulani Herdsmen, who have posed a security challenge in some parts of the state, before praying to God for His guidance and protection over the Governor.
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – ACTING president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Sunday said that President Muhammadu Buhari will complete the service of the mandate given to him by Nigerians in good health. This is as he has for the umpteenth time reiterated that the unity of the country was not negotiable and that the President Buhari-led administration would do everything possible to sustain the unity among citizens of the country.
Prof. Osinbajo who stated this in his remark at his official residence, popularly called Aguda House, where he received the Abuja Muslim community who paid him sallah message to mark the Eid-el-Fitr said that the Almighty God will bring back the president in good health.
While praying for Buhari’s quick recovery and safe return to the country, Prof. Osinbajo said that the President still has a lot to do for Nigeria.
According to him, “We are praying everyday and we know that the Lord God Almighty who we serve will bring our President back in good health and that he will serve this nation with the same determination and the same spirit of oneness, the same spirit that he has always serve this nation from when he was a young man.
“He will serve this nation and complete the period of his service in good health, in good shape and our country will be the better for it.”
The Acting President said staying together as one country would give room for more development and also enhance welfare of the people.
He said, "Your ethnicity doesn't matter and that is why for us, unity is so important that we must work together to make sure that our country is able to take care of the millions of people we govern. God expects us to take care of the poor and those suffering, to ensure that we use government resources only in such a way that will for the good of the majority of our people."
He further re-echoed President Buhari's sallah message to citizens, saying that the country must remain united.
Unity not negotiable
He stressed on the gains of unity which he said included love towards one another, integrity, enjoying the endowments of the nation, gaining respect globally and diversity among others.
For the umpteenth time he said, “Our unity is not negotiable. We should make sure that we remain united in order to enjoy the resources God has blessed Nigeria with. So many nations envy what we have as a nation.”
Speaking Earlier, Leader of the delegation and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Mohammed Bello explained that paying sallah homage was customary as a mark of respect for the President.
He thanked security agencies, religious and traditional rulers in the FCT for playing a great role in sustaining the peace being enjoyed in Nigeria's capital city.
He said the kind of harmonious relationship they have exhibited needs to be replicated in the thirty six states of Nigeria.
There were goodwill messages from the Acting Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Mohammad Kabir Adamu and the Chairman of the Christian Association off Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Reverend Samson Jonah, who both prayed for the quick recovery of President Buhari.
The clerics commended the Acting President for guiding the country so well in the absence of his principal.
Present at the event was the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, some legislators and members of the Federal executive Council.
The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has received Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo at at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON received the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo at the Presidential Villa, AbujaActing President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON received the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo at the Presidential Villa, AbujaActing President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON received the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo at the Presidential Villa, AbujaActing President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON received the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
By Grace Udofia Abuja- In a bid to make its voice heard and provide an affordable banking platform for its residents, the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, plans to set up a state radio station and a micro finance bank.
The Chairman of AMAC, Abdullahi Adamu Candido, who disclosed this while inaugurating committees to plan for the projects, explained that they were meant to give the council new revenue sources and improve its communication system with the people.
The Chairman said, "It is imperative for AMAC to have strong institutions to enable it to confront the challenges facing the council.
"The bank would empower the residents and also employ some youths while the community radio would ensure that the rural communities and stakeholders are integrated into the plan of the council.
"The council targets between four and 12 months to have these two outfits on ground.
"Both committees have terms of reference to put in place necessary machinery in motion for the take- off of the micro finance bank and the community radio within the shortest possible time.
"The terms include liaising with relevant regulatory bodies to fully register both outfits and to identify a willing investor that will partner with the council to inject the required funds needed for the take-off of each outfit," he said.
The chairman however called on AMAC residents to have faith in his administration as the creation of the radio station and micro finance bank would not only bring development to the council but would be of benefits to residents individually.
In his response, Chairman of the implementation committee for the establishment of the community radio, Dr. Samson Shu’aibu, former DG, FRCN, commended the chairman saying the move would ensure that he left behind a legacy.
An All Progressives Congress national leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to declare support for the unity and genuine integration of all Nigerians under one flag, in one indivisible nation.
Tinubu made the call in his Eid-el-Fitri message to Nigerians, entitled "The Spirit, Strength of Our Diversity, " in Lagos.
He condemned the call for violence or issuing of quit notice by some Nigerians to fellow Nigerians, saying that the voices calling for secession and break-up are wrong and should not be followed.
"Voices calling for violence must be roundly condemned for it is wrong to incite brother to go against brother and neighbour to combat neighbour.
"However, in the spirit of understanding, we must listen to the genuine concerns of our fellow Nigerians.
"This is in order for us to make ourselves a stronger, more unified and prosperous nation built on a foundation of dialogue and collective purpose.
"We must join hands in order to bring progress. We must decide whether our diversity shall be our strength or our weakness. It is for us and no one else to determine, " he said.
Tinubu, however, said that the lessons of the holy month of Ramadan point to the success of unity, not the failure of division.
He said the spirit of sacrifice, self discipline, goodwill, justice, tolerance, mercy, forgiveness and compassion inherent in the Ramadan Fast should remain with Muslim faithful to guide their day-to-day interactions and relationships with one another.
"'For all Muslim brothers and sisters and indeed for all Nigerians, may this be a happy and peaceful Eid-el-Fitri.
"The holy month of Ramadan has now passed, but we dare not allow the spirit and the true meaning behind the holy month also pass.
" We must keep hold of the excellent and wonderful things the holy month of Ramadan signifies. Ramadan is more than a month of fasting. We fast to strengthen our relationship and our appreciation of Allah.
"In this spirit also, we must face the travails that confront our nation; as people led by the spirit and strength of our diversity, togetherness and charity towards all.
"Let us move in this way, so that we may make of ourselves a better people and nation in which all people, Muslim and non-Muslim, may live in trust, peace and justice as Allah would have it be, " Tinubu said.
The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Delta has identified fiscal restructuring and devolution of Federal Government powers as panacea to the survival of local governments in the country.
Ikpokpo, who doubles as Chairman, Isoko South Local Government in the state, stated this while reacting to a recent protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) demanding autonomy of the third tier of the government.
He said that the various unions demanding the LG autonomy should rather join ALGON in its call for urgent fiscal restructuring of the country.
He said that the declining fortunes of local governments in Nigeria, was due to the disproportionate sharing formula of the country's revenue.
According to him, the greatest challenge facing the third tier of government is the meagre 20 per cent share of Federal Allocation to the 774 local governments in Nigeria.
"This is grossly inadequate to meet the councils' first line charge, which is the payment of salaries, not to talk of provision of basic social amenities at the grassroots".
He said that granting autonomy to the LGs would not achieve the desired results without adequate revenue adjustment and conscious constitutional amendment towards reducing the powers at the centre.
Ikpokpo emphasised that until a conscious effort was made to rejig the local government system in the areas of funding and functions, Nigeria's yearning for growth and development would remain a mirage.
Gunmen, suspected to be robbers, have shot dead a 30-year-old corps member and dispossessed him of his money and other valuables in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
The Police Public Relations Officer at the Bayelsa Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Sunday in Yenagoa.
Butswat said preliminary investigation showed that the killing was cult related adding that detailed investigation was ongoing to unravel those behind the dastardly act and apprehend them.
According to the Police, the incident occurred on Saturday evening on Melford Okilo Road, INEC/Kpansia area of Yenagoa metropolis.
The victim, Samuel Collins, was a graduate of Engineering from the University of Benin.
NYSC or Corps member’s boot
Collins was accosted by the hoodlums at INEC Road junction on his way to the Nigerian Content Development and Management Board's office on Isaac Boro Expressway, where he was undergoing training.
According to eyewitnesses at the scene, the young man was gunned down when he tried to drag his phones and valuables with his assailants.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Collins was shot by the gunmen at a close range on his head.
He said the bullets from the hoodlums' guns shattered the victim's head resulting to massive loss of blood out of his brain.
The gunmen abandoned the lifeless body of their victim, fled the scene after collecting his phone, money and other valuables.
The 30-year-old victim gave up the ghost after struggling with death for some minutes before help could come his way belatedly.
Some of his friends described Collins as an easy-going and brilliant young man.
They confirmed that the Police had since removed his body and deposited it at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
According to them, arrangements were being made to take his remains to his hometown, Port Harcourt, Rivers for burial.
An educationist, Mrs Yemi Lemo, on Sunday urged the Lagos State Government to collaborate more with private sector to bridge the gap between the private and public schools.
Lemo, Executive Director, Lead-Forte Gate College, Lekki, Lagos, made the appeal in an interview with the Newsmen.
Lemo spoke on the sideline of launch of a mathematical aids – Sociable Intellectual Progressive (SIP) Abacus – and Brain Gym Learning Solution in Lagos.
SIP Abacus eases students' difficulties in learning mathematics.
The Brian Gym Learning Solution also boosts students' performance.
Lemo said that many private schools had folded due to inability to cope with challenges, especially taxes.
She called on the state government to assist private school owners.
"I urge the state government to come to the aid of private school owners. We are helping to educate children of the state.
"We are helping to build the future for the society. We are helping to provide employment.
"School owners are to be encouraged. Government should look at taxes of private schools and help to tackle some of their challenges.
"It is frustrating when you put all your savings and obtain loans to help to build the society and you don't get encouragement," the director said.
According to her, school owners struggle for water, security and other needs.
Lemo also urged the government to properly regulate operations of schools to ensure standards.
She told Newsmen that the government could give subvention for feeding and transport of private schools students to reduce burden on their parents.
The director added that the government could invest in training and re-training of teachers in private schools to improve teaching and learning.
On SIP Abacus, the director said that poor performance of students in mathematics had negatively affected their careers.
Mr Kelvin Tham, Founder of global SIP, said that many students had difficulty understanding mathematics.
Tham, a former teacher in Malaysia, said that the package was borne of out years of concern and researches into why students dreaded and failed mathematics.
According to him, Abacus is aimed at enhancing mathematics learning.
In his keynote address, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, Director, Centre for Planning Studies, Lagos State University, said that less than 30 per cent of students who sat for mathematics examination passed.
"If we are going to produce next set of rocket scientists, then our children must know mathematics.
"If our nation will be industrialised, then we need to know mathematics," the professor said.
Buhari addresses Nigerians in Hausa language during Eid-El-Fitr
Listen to Buhari’s audio message below.
Former aide to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Pastor Reno Omokri, has queried why Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, whom he described as a national leader, would, in his Eid-El-Fitr message, address Nigerians in a sectional language.
Recall that presidency, earlier, released an audio message wherein President Buhari who has been in London on a follow-up medical check-up for about 50 days now, spoke in Hausa language, wishing Nigerians and especially the Muslim faithful a happy Eid-El-Fitr celebration.
Buhari addresses Nigerians in Hausa language during Eid-El-Fitr
But Pastor Omokri maintained that, “Ideally, the President should have spoken in English first, then if he feels like it, he may also speak in Hausa,” because “the way he has now spoken only in Hausa makes it seem as if he is only concerned with those who gave him 97% of the votes while those who have him 5% can take a hike!”
"In a country whose official language is English, President Muhammadu Buhari broadcasts his Sallah message in Hausa! Would Trump (whose origin is German) address America in German?
"So what about all those Nigerians who can’t speak Hausa? Ideally, the President should have spoken in English first, then if he feels like it, he may also speak in Hausa. The way he has now spoken only in Hausa makes it seem as if he is only concerned with those who gave him 97% of the votes while those who have him 5% can take a hike!"
"How would the rest of the country have felt if President Olusegun Obasanjo had released a Christmas broadcast to Nigerians in Yoruba or if President Goodluck Jonathan had done so in Ogbia? How can a NATIONAL leader address Nigerians in a SECTIONAL language?"
"Nigeria has never had a leader as divisive as Buhari! There is no difference between President Buhari and Nnamdi Kanu. President Buhari is the President of all Nigeria. He is not the President of only those who can speak Hausa! This is an outrage!
"President Yar’adua also spoke to the BBC News by phone. He is Fulani, like President Buhari. Yet he spoke in English because he was President of all of us!"
By Ben Agande, Kaduna. The Arewa Consultative Forum has called on the federal government to be firm and assert it’s authority against those who have continued to make hate speeches in the country. VISIT—From left, Chairman Arewa Consultative Forum, Acf, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie; President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari; Deputy National Chairman of Acf, Alhaji Liman Kwande and Secretary-General of Acf, Col. John Uba when ACF paid Buhari a courtesy visit at his Kaduna office, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.
In a statement marking this year’s Eid celebration marking the end of fasting by Muslims across the world, the forum called on Nigerians to embrace peace and continue to pray for the peace affinity of the country.
The statement which was signed by Mohammed Ibrahim Biu, the publicity secretary of the Forum also called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the quick recovery of president Muhammad Buhari who has been in a London hospital for over fifty days.
Part of the statement reads: “In the spirit of the season, ACF calls on Nigerians to embrace peaceful dialogue as the most civilized means to address grievances, rather than engage in hate speeches of threats and intimidation, that have unfortunately been trying to polarize us along tribal, regional and religious divides.
The ACF also wants to use this opportunity to commend the Federal Government for its proactive approach which douse the tension created by the Biafra agitators and the subsequent quit notice issued by the Northern Youth groups. The consultations held with the various groups leaders and other stakeholders from the North and South East for the purpose of promoting unity and peaceful coexistence was appropriate and timely.
“Unfortunately, ACF has observed with concern that the hate messages from the agitators have continued unabated. ACF therefore, urges Federal Government to be firm and assert its authority, and ensure that the law takes its full course on those who considers themselves above the law” the statement concluded.
Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is of the opinion that tying down Antonio Conte at the club with a new deal will be the club’s biggest summer signing.
Antonio Conte
Although the Italian has signalled his eagerness to stay next season, the club is yet to extend his current deal which expires in 2019.
‘Antonio would be their most important signing – for me he was their man of the season,’ Lampard said.
‘You talk about player of the year, I’m all for giving the players credit but because it was such a dramatic uplift from the year before I think you have to give him huge credit.
‘You saw the system change and how he made them play in that formation, it worked well.
‘I think he’s a huge signing for them. I have no doubts, I don’t know but I’m pretty confident he’ll be there and they’ll bring in players to play in the system he wants to play.’
Romelu Lukaku is reportedly set to fill in Diego Costa’s stead after Conte made it clear to the Spanish international that he is no longer in his plans.
Lukaku joined Chelsea in 2011 as an 18-year-old but was given limited chances in the first team and eventually moved to Merseyside three years later.
‘Chelsea bought that player as a youngster and maybe it was too early or whether he didn’t get the chances I don’t know,’ Lampard said.
‘But I love his attitude, the way he plays and very determined. I remember training with him and he was always practising and he wanted to score goals. I respect lads like that.
‘He deserves the best and if Costa does move on and they want to get something like for like in the style of a big front man who score goals then Lukaku has proved he can do that.’
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Sunday urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of good neighbourliness toward one another.
The agency also urged Nigerians to pray for peace in the country.
The pieces of advice were contained in an Eid-el-Fitr message of goodwill issued to felicitate with Muslims particularly, and Nigerians in general on Sunday in Abuja by Mr Paul Odenyi, Head, Press Unit, NOA to .
Odenyi said the call was also to congratulate Muslims for a successful completion of Ramadan.
Abari stressed that the lessons of the holy month, if imbibed, would ensure peaceful co-existence and national development in the country.
Abari said Eid-el Fitri was an opportunity to demonstrate and entrench the virtues of patience, self-control, and sobriety; as taught by Ramadan.
He also pointed out that: "Ramadan is a month-long religious obligation with far longer social and national benefits."
The NOA boss said Nigerians, more than ever before, needed to be tolerant, show love and affection toward others as Eid-el Fitri demands.
He said the virtues had been known to avert anarchy and guarantee sustainable development.
Abari, therefore, urged the Muslim faithful to use the opportunity offered by the Eid to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari's speedy recovery and safe return to the country.
Ado-Ekiti- Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said a review of federal revenue sharing formula is the only panacea to the growing ethnic-based tensions in the country.Governor Ayo Fayose and Nnamdi Kanu at Federal High Court Abuja
The governor also called on the Federal Government to dialogue with the leader of the Independent People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, instead of muzzling him and his group
Fayose, who made the statement on Sunday, advised the Federal Government to be equitable, fair and just to all sections of the country, especially, the Igbo people, whom he said had been grossly marginalised.
Condemning the October 1 ultimatum issued to Igbo by some northern youth leaders to leave the North, the governor said the federal government must take steps that will address the agitation of the people.
He said, “As much as secession is not an option, the handlers of our democracy must be equitable, fair and just to everyone.
“The igbo have continued to suffer because of the perceived role of Emeka Ojukwu. If we say past governments didn’t do well what has the present government done differently?
“I agree that secession is not desirable but there must be justice and equity. When people are being killed or villified, you must expect a reaction. No region should begin to use power to oppress another. If Nigeria is truly one, it will not get to a stage that one region will openly call on another to leave its land.
“The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is doing his best but that is not enough. We must remember that those who make positive change impossible make violent change inevitable. A situation where a section will be suffering forever because of their role in the civil war is not fair.”
Suggesting the way forward, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governors Forum called for a review of “the revenue sharing formula because it is not a true reflection of our collective interest. For the country to move forward the states should takeover economically.”
He also urged the federal governments to dialogue with Kanu and release other members of the IPOB in detention.
“The Federal Government must purge itself of some responsibilities because the actual development is at grassroots. The states and the local governments are nodal points of developments.
“The Federal Government should dialogue with the aggrieved and forge ahead. Using force will not help because some of those things they thought had died in the past are now rearing their ugly heads.
“It is no doubt that (Nnamdi) Kanu is representing the interest of the younger generation of Igbo. Instead of fighting him, they should release them and invite him for a dialogue.
“His struggle has become an ideological movement with massive followers irrespective of what some people are telling the Federal Government to curry a favour, which is momentarily. By the action of this government they have made Kanu more popular.
“Without mincing words, the present government has divided Nigeria more than ever. It is the legitimate right of the people to agitate if they feel they are wrongly treated. You can’t get peace where there is no justice.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. It is the wish of some people that an Igbo man does not become the president but this is against the spirit and letters of our constitution.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the Eid-el Fitr celebration to pray for peace, unity and tolerance among Nigerians.
The National Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, gave the advice in a Sallah statement issued by his acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Bernard Mikko, on Sunday in Abuja on Sunday.
He said PDP noted was worried by the growing tension in the country due to agitations and youth restiveness occasioned by claims and counter-claims of domination and marginalization by the ethnic nationalities in the country.
"Therefore, as we mark this year's Sallah celebration, we sue for peace and tolerance as we urge every Nigerian to be committed to the task of nation building.
"Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic and religious affiliations should focus on our similarities rather than differences.
"We are better off a united country; and so we shall we remain,'' he said.
Sheriff also urged Nigerians to continue to pray for their leaders.
He also told Nigerians to believe that God can guide the country's leaders and direct the affairs of the country for the benefit of all.
He congratulated Muslims for a successful completion of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid-el-Fitri.
Fire broke out on Sunday at the House on the Rock Church in Abuja. A member of the church said when he left the there this afternoon, all was well but now, fire has gutted the church.
The church is located close to the National stadium Abuja and close to the City Gate.
News correspondents who passed by the airport road on Sunday reported that the building was visibly ablaze while fire fighters were struggling to put out the flames.
Coincidentally, there was a heavy downpour at the time the church was ablaze.
The cause of the fire is yet unknown.
House on the Rock Church, Abuja on fire . 7 fire trucks at the scene. Caution needed if you are driving towards Airport, cause unknown. pic.twitter.com/zKIRikIOZN
A member of the Church, Mr. Joseph Peter, who spoke to newsmen said the main building had not been in use for a while now as renovation work was on-going.
Mr. Peter who sounded sad said that he just left the church at about 1:00P.M. Sunday afternoon after the day's service and all was well.
According to a twitter user Abayomi Shogunle, there were 7 fire-fighter trucks at the church premises trying to put out the fire.
Shogunle also tweeted a video of the burning church.
House on the Rock was founded in December 1994 by Pastor Paul A. Adefarasin in Lagos, Nigeria.
The ministry was established to be a vanguard 21st century Church with a vision of empowering believers for the fulfilment of their God-ordained destinies.
Since its' inception, the Church has grown far beyond the borders of Lagos, with over 40 daughter Churches and missions in Nigeria and across the globe.
The Abuja Church popularly called "The Refuge" by church members was formed in 1999 as a springboard for strategic ministry in the northern region of Nigeria and beyond.
The Controller General of Prisons, Nigerian Prisons Service, Mr. Jafaru Ahmed has expressed the need for proper funding of prisons across the country in order to properly achieve major objectives of prisons service as well as ensure greater efficiency.
Ahmed made the remarks at the weekend during the maiden visit of the Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Prof. Aderemi Atayero and entourage to Female Maximum and Medium Security Prisons, Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos, on the occasion of Life Recovery Pre-Release Empowerment Programme (ONESIMUS Project), a partnership of Covenant University, Nigerian Prisons Service, Prison Fellowship Nigeria, and Small And medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN.
About 36 resident inmates of the female prisons graduated in various vocational skills, such as Tie and Dye, Fashion designing, soap making, among others at the pre-release ceremony in the Kirikiri Prisons' premises.
The Prisons boss, who was represented by Assistant Controller General of Nigeria Prisons Service, Ogundana Jerome, Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, said the measure became necessary as facilities in prisons across the country were grossly inadequate compared to global standard.
He lamented that the situation of inadequate funding was made worse by the problem of congestion due to high number of inmates awaiting trials in prisons.
According to him, "We can improve the prisons service by improved funding that is one of our major constraints. We have gone to developed countries to see how prisons are efficiently run. The facilities that we have in Nigeria, most of them are obsolete and overstretched because of the high population. If there is improved funding all the facilities that supposed to be in place will be in place.
"For instance, we are supposed to have many officers that are psychological literate that can impact positively o the lives of inmates but because of inadequate funding, we are not able to employ enough hands. Presently, we do not have enough staff to cope with the population that we have, we are just managing to strive, that is why we are urging corporate organizations, and well to do individuals to assist us because when facilities are overstretched and population over bloated then the services and efficiency of the services will not be felt as expected."
High number of inmates awaiting trials
"Really, I can't give exact figure right now because we only render accounts daily on the number of inmates to the National headquarters in Abuja. But am sure Kirikiri Prisons has 3,526 inmates presently, and the normal number it can accommodate is 1,200 resident inmates, while the number of graduating inmates, are 36.
"The number of awaiting trials constitutes more than three quarter of population awaiting trials that is why we are having problem of congestion every day.
"There are a lot of factors responsible for this congestion, for example there is a present programme of LASG where people are raided on daily basis and dumped in prisons with minor offences. In developed countries those offences are not supposed to be brought to prisons, so when you bring every Tom Dick, and Harry it causes congestion."
On the vocational skills, he said, "There are other things as that we can't easily afford as an institution, we thank them for helping us to achieve some of our major objectives of reforming, rehabilitating and reintegrating inmates back into the society.
"With what they learnt from this project, they can jolly well start something on their own and never go back to crime. That is why we value their contribution to this institution.
"Most of them are here on frivolous issues may due to different problems, parental background or they have no job among others, but with what they have learned they can now start on their own."
Prof. Ateyero, in his address, explained that the essence of the programme, the ONESIMUS is all about empowering life.
"We believe God sees all of us the same. The fact that some people are inmates is not important to us, what is paramount to us is what they make out of their life after this experience.
"When I was coming into this place, I saw on the board, capacity 1,200 and resident inmates 3,600 that speak volume, which means things, are not being properly done, the government will have to do a better job.
"The next level of his programme is to make sure we replicate it across other prisons in the country, a way of doing that is leveraging on Information, Communication Technologies, ICT to physically use same manpower to maximally achieve the aim, provided we get moral support because we see it as a core responsibility, community service one of our three major responsibilities of the university."
Audio (In Hausa Language) of 
☪️ Greetings to 
. 7 fire trucks 
at the scene.
