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
Jose Mourinho ruled out any attempt to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford after Manchester United opened their US tour here Saturday with a 5-2 rout of the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Kano Pillars Football Club, on Sunday, beat visiting Rangers International FC of Enugu 2-0 in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 29 fixture.
The home team took the advantage of being galvanised by their returning home crowd to do well in the game.
They went on to dominate both halves of the match played at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Jamiu Alimi scored the first goal in the 32nd minute as a result of a defensive error by the visitors, while Junior Lokosa increased the tally in the 43rd minute.
Kano Pillars
Coach Ibrahim Musa of Kano Pillars later commended his players for their fighting spirit and for winning also.
"It was a good match. We played very well and we are lucky to win the game because they also played very well," he said.
The coach said his team were determined to win a ticket to play on the continent next season, and were on course in achieving this.
Rangers' coach Chukwuma Agbo, on his part, said they would go back to the drawing board to correct their mistakes and also prepare for their next match.
"It is a league. We are going back home to correct our mistakes and also prepare for our next game," he said.
Twenty-five year old Gambian, Mustapha, recalls his perilous journey from Gambia to Libya, where he was detained as he tried to make it through the desert to Europe.
“Everyday you hear gun sounds. You see people getting shot, people being beaten, people getting tortured, Every day you see it. I never heard the sound of a gun until I reached Libya. In Gambia I never heard gunshots until Libya. And Libya – every day here, morning, and night, anytime. You would hear heavy weapons like RPG’s – BOOM! Until the house would be shaking,” he said.
Now back in Banjul, he’s keen to prevent other young people from taking the same perilous path.
Alongside his friend Lamin, they’re working with Youth Against Irregular Migration (YAMI) to warn others of the dangers of illegal migration.
“So after reaching to Libya, at the first checkpoint, they stripped us there and took all of our money, our belongings our bags – everything. They put us back to the pickup and said, ‘That’s our pay,’ before we entered Libya,” said Mustapha who used smugglers to cross the desert through Niger.
Libya is the main launching point for people risking their lives to reach Europe. But Mustapha and Lamin want to put an end to that.
“Libya is like a prison, that’s why we’re sensitizing all the young people so that they can stay and we can work on our future from here. We are going to help each other with this association so that we can try to take control of our future,” said Lamin.
Only last month Spanish police ship Rio Saguaro rescued 1065 migrants off the coast of Libya over 24 hours, police said in a news release.
They said the migrants were rescued from a number of dinghies that were adrift and included people from Nigeria, South Africa, Mali, Ghana, Gambia, Niger, Guinea, Benin and Togo.
Half a million people have crossed the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy over the past four years, mainly sub-Saharan Africans who pay smugglers to shepherd them across the desert to Libya, and onward to Europe in unseaworthy dinghies.
At least 20,000 migrants are being detained in Libya, the main gateway for those attempting to reach Europe by sea, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The Edo Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Sunday said his administration was determined to turn the present challenges in the country into opportunities.
Obaseki spoke during an interdenominational thanksgiving service held at the New Covenant Gospel Church, Benin, to celebrate his victory at the Supreme Court.
He said that Edo had the potential to liberate the country from its present economic hardship and he was ready to propel the transformation.
"We are a special people created by God to show Nigeria the way.
"As part of the former Benin Empire, we were prosperous, so we can still utilise our resources for the overall development of the state and country at large," the governor said.
He said that only God chose him to be the governor of Edo and he was ready to dedicate himself to work for the good of the state as well as the country.
"Today is to thank God and the people of the state for their support and also to thank the legends God has used to propel me into politics
"My decision to become the governor of the state was ordained; God even revealed it through my wife that I was being called to service.
"I was the most unlikely candidate to win the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries because I did not have any political pedigree.
"But God saw me through the rigorous electioneering period, both at the APC primaries and general election," he said.
The governor extolled the fatherly role his late Uncle, Justice Andrew Obaseki, played during the electioneering period, regretting that he died shortly after the affirmation of his victory by the Supreme Court.
In his address, the Edo chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Orinane Kure, said that the body of Christ was behind the governor to ensure that his success.
Kure described the governor's victory as the will of God, urging him to rule in the fear of God.
The Bishop also commended the governor and the speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Mr Justin Okonobor, for responding to the public hearing on Grazing Bill.
The high point of the service was the offering of special prayers for the Governor and the entire citizens of the state.
Dignitaries who were at the service include the wife of the governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki; Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu; the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Justin Okonobor; the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, and former deputy governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu.
A reception was held at Samuel Ogbemudia Model College, Benin after the service.
The Lagos State Government has announced restriction of vehicular movement on Saturday July 22, in view of the local government elections that will hold in the state.
The elections will hold across the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state.
Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the state's Commissioner for Information and Strategy, in a statement on Sunday, said that the restriction of movement would be enforced between 8a.m and 2pm.
He said the step was to allow for a smooth conduct of the polls and unhindered participation.
Ayorinde urged residents to be peaceful and orderly on Saturday as they cast their votes in their respective wards for chairmen and councilors who were expected to drive development at the third tier of government.
He said that the election would bring on board a new set of public officers for the next four years at the local government level.
According to him, the restriction will allow the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and the security agencies to distribute electoral materials in good time and ensure the sanctity of free and fair electoral process.
"The police and other security agencies are ready to ensure that the electioneering campaign and the voting on Saturday are conducted smoothly without public disturbance.
"Every political party, candidates and their supporters, and the general public are hereby assured of safety throughout the period of voting and collation.
"However, the government solicits the cooperation of voters and the general public by obeying the restriction order and the general electoral rules in order to ensure a peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections," Ayorinde said.
LASIEC had last week announced that 12 parties would participate in the July 22 election.
It listed the parties as: All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Alliance (AA), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), People's Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party, Kowa Party, National Action Council (NAC), People's Democratic Movement (PDM), United Democratic Party (UDP) and United Progressive Party (UPP).
The electoral body had also displayed the list of validated candidates for the election at its headquarters.
No fewer than 27, people mostly students, have been killed and 54 others missing after an overcrowded boat sank in a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Overcrowded boat A local official said Sunday that most of the victims of the tragedy on the Kasai river were students on holiday, local administrator Jacques Mbila told AFP.
The main reasons for the sinking were "overcrowding and drunk drivers", Mr Mbila added.
The accident happened overnight Thursday to Friday on the river Congo in the Idiofa area in the southwest of the vast country.
Local radio journalist Nelly Mafuta said she saw two nuns among the 27 dead, and the Idiofa cathedral said it held a Mass in tribute to the victims.
The boat had left Dibaya in the restive Central Kasai Province on Thursday, heading northwest for its final destination of Ilebo more than 500km away.
Such transport is one of the most used in DR Congo with its numerous waterways including the Kasai river, the country's second longest after the mighty Congo at over 2,360km.
Boats frequently capsize in DR Congo, most often due to taking on too many passengers, the lack of safety measures and inexperienced helmsmen.
Violence in the Kasai region erupted last year after a tribal chieftain known as the Kamwina Nsapu openly challenged the authority of President Joseph Kabila's government and was killed in a police operation in August 2016.
A MEMORANDUM of Understanding between the Oyo State government and Healthcare Communications, a leading health development and consultancy firm in Nigeria has been signed for strategic promotion and development of health care delivery. The Founder & Chief Executive, Healthcare Group, Dr. Bola Olaosebikan, (OON) described the partnership as part of the committment to transform health care delivery in the state.
He said under the MoU,Healthcare will work with Oyo State government on groundbreaking ideas, innovation and raising of N50 billion to restore 57 General Hospitals and 600 Health Care Centres in all the LGAs of the state.
"We shall be working with Oyo state government on the N50 billion Healthcare endowment fund for Oyo state and we are very happy to work with a focused administration, officials of government, national and international partners to deliver this innovation.
"This strategic initiative will lay a new financial foundation for health care infrastructural transformation in Oyo state, the pacesetter state in Nigeria, as well as a new pace for socio-economic development by the Ajimobi administration."
There are plans to set up the first iconic cardio-vascular centre in Africa in Ibadan from the Endowment fund which shall be launched August 3, 2017 in Ibadan.
By Festus Ahon ASABA – SENATE President, Bukola Saraki, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and former Governor James Ibori, Sunday urged Nigerians to put the interest of the country above themselves, expressing faith in Nigeria’s democracy and unity.
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left), Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (left) and Prof. Ebiphani Azinge, during the 60th birthday thanksgiving service of Senator Nwaoboshi at Ibusa in Oshimili North LGA.
Speaking during the 60th birthday thanksgiving Mass of the Senator representing Delta North, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi at St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ibusa, insisted that Nigerians must remain united for the advancement of democracy in the country.
Also in attendance were, Delta State Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, former Emmanuel Uduaghan, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan; and Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Leo Ogor, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, his Niger Delta counterpart, Uguru Usani and array of traditional rulers, Priests and politicians.
Saraki said, “I want to assure the clergy that we will continue to seek for your prayers for this great country of ours; the challenges facing the country are enormous, it goes beyond roads and infrastructure; the peace and unity of this country is paramount and should be upheld but, equity and Justice where every Nigerian has a say must be the watchword.”
While congratulating Senator Nwaoboshi, the Senate President held that the Senate is one family and would ensure that Nigerians get their dues. Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left); his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro (left); Senate President, Bukolar Sariki (right) and the Deputy Senate, President, Ike Ekweremadu
Also speaking, Okowa said; “the church should continue to pray for politicians for they work under very serious circumstances; we will continue to encourage ourselves to be good representatives of our people; we need the partnership of all Nigerians and Deltans to develop our communities and we will continue to support the Senate in its defense of democracy.”
Paying glowing tribute to Senator Nwaoboshi, the Governor said “people of Delta North supports him and as Delta Northerners, we are very proud of him as Senator representing us.”
On his part, Chief James Ibori said; “in a democratic dispensation, you have assigned duties; it is the duty of the legislature to make laws, the executive to implement the laws and the civil society elders and clergy will tell the truth to those in power.
“I am yet to see an elected officer that does not have the interest of the people at heart,” disclosing that “Senator Peter Nwaoboshi is a committed son of Anioma (Delta North) who fought for the emergence of a Delta Northerner as Governor.
Expressing gratitude to God, Senator Nwaoboshi said he had every reason to thank God on his 60th birthday, noting that “selfish, ethnic interests are put aside in the interest of the nation.
“We have more APC (All Progressive Congress) Senators here than PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) Senators in this church, and it tells you that we think of Nigeria rather than self, party or ethnic interests because, the Senate President has made it for us to think and work for only Nigeria”.
In his sermon, Very Rev. Fr. John Aduba told political office holders to be the voice of the voiceless, decrying that, “there is a lot of sufferings and smiling, people are being denied the basic things of life, no road, no water, no electricity; you might be comfortable but, those who elected you to serve, how do they feel?”
Aduba enjoined Christians not to only receive the words of God but should treasure the words into practice.
No fewer than 27 people, mostly students, have been killed and 54 others missing after an overcrowded boat sank in a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A local official said Sunday that most of the victims of the tragedy on the Kasai river were students on holiday, local administrator Jacques Mbila told AFP.
The main reasons for the sinking were "overcrowding and drunk drivers", Mr. Mbila added.
The accident happened overnight of Thursday to Friday on the river Congo in the Idiofa area in the southwest of the vast country.
Local radio journalist Nelly Mafuta said she saw two nuns among the 27 dead, and the Idiofa cathedral said it held a Mass in tribute to the victims.
The boat had left Dibaya in the restive Central Kasai Province on Thursday, heading northwest for its final destination of Ilebo more than 500km away.
Such transport is one of the most used in DR Congo with its numerous waterways including the Kasai river, the country's second longest after the mighty Congo at over 2,360km.
Boats frequently capsize in DR Congo, most often due to taking on too many passengers, the lack of safety measures and inexperienced helmsmen.
Violence in the Kasai region erupted last year after a tribal chieftain known as the Kamwina Nsapu openly challenged the authority of President Joseph Kabila's government and was killed in a police operation in August 2016.
Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, the Managing Director of the Jos-based Nigeria Film Corporation, says Nigerian movies are among the best, internationally, in terms of contents, settings and acceptability.
Maduekwe told newsmen in Lagos that many movie-producers and marketers were smiling to their banks because of impressive turnover from the sales of their videos based on quality and public acceptability.
"There is no doubt that today Nigerian movie-producers are improving in the qualities of their home videos.
"Take for example the "Wedding Party'' or "1976'; these are blog busters that are raking-in hundreds of millions of naira for their producers, because they have better production qualities.
"They are promoting the corporate image of Nigeria positively before the international community, ''he said.
However, while admonishing the producers, the expert said this did not mean that they had done exceptionally well.
Nollywood
"The room is there to enhance on quality. We produce over 2,500 movies every year; quite prolific, and we can only up the ante by 15 per cent in terms of quality, most of those in the industry will be billionaires".
Maduekwe said that the Nigeria Film Corporation was ready to assist artists, movie-producers and marketers to improve on their knowledge by organising training and seminars for them on regular bases.
"The Nigeria Film Corporation has a subsidiary, the Nigeria Film Institute, which is the foremost film institute in Africa for training of film prodcers.
"Most of those people who are making waves in some of these blog buster-movies shot in Nigeria were trained at, and by the institute.
"That will tell you the quality of capacity-building the film corporation has brought into the movie industry over the year.
"Despite that, there are still rooms for growth and development for stakeholders in the industry by availing themselves of the regular training usually organised by the institute,'' he said.
Maduekwe said that the Kano State Government had bought into the institute's training programme tagged the "Kano template''.
He said that under the arrangement, the Kano State Government signed an agreement with the institute to train 450 of its citizens in its various courses on a quarterly basis.
He said that the institute was planning to replicate this concept across the country under the name: 'Nigeria Film Institute Mobile Training Platform'.
Maduekwe said that the institute would collaborate with the existing theatre art and film departments in various universities across the country to achieve the vision.
He said that the institute would engage the services of professors in film studies from universities across the six geo- political zones of the country to enhance the capacity of people in each zone.
"We will be organizing short courses for stakeholders in the movie-and film industry from time to time.''
The expert also disclosed that the institute in partnership with the British Council had started organising training for stakeholders in the film industry to further enhance capacity building.
Following victory of the Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the country’s main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, a member of the party and one of the most consistent and prominent critics of the Buhari-led APC administration, Jude Ndukwe, took to his Facebook page to celebrate the victory with a powerful, emotional, yet, inspirational poem full of biblical metaphors.
While the poem eulogised all those who had carried on the functions of an opposition party even as individuals despite the many inconveniences associated with such a venture using biblical champions as metaphors for them as the case lasted, Ndukwe ended up predicting “that faith will replace fear, and rejoicing will replace weeping, (and) that justice and peace shall reign again in the land (since) Nigeria will rise again, because PDP is back, (and) power returns to the people”
Below is the poem in full:
PDP: GO, TELL THEM
Go, tell them That for every lion there’s a Samson For every bear, there’s a David. Let them know that For every Pharaoh, there’s a Moses For every famine, there’s a Joseph
Go into the Rock Tell them That for every broken wall of our nation There’s a Nehemiah For every wickedness, there’s an Esther
Let them know that for every Red Sea There’s a rod For every lion in the den There’s a Daniel
Go, tell them. Let them know That for every prophet of Baal There’s an Elijah And for every Judas there are eleven others
Go, tell them, let them know That there are still many prophets of The Living God who haven’t And will never bow to Baal
Go, run quickly, tell the lion king That Elisha is around And that Joshua is ready Fully apparelled for battle To take the nation back to the people The people of God
Go, tell the hyenas and the jackals Those who called their citizens dogs and baboons That about this time in 2019 ‘A seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Nigeria.”
Tell them that faith will replace fear And rejoicing will replace weeping That justice and peace shall reign again in the land.
You, yes, you, just go, go and tell them That come 2019, Nigeria will rise again Because PDP is back, power returns to the people.
Jude Ndukwe is the former Special Adviser (Media) to Ex-Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.
The Chairman, Lagos State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, on Sunday called on Christians to intensify prayers to stem the tide of kidnapping, activities of the Badoo cult and other ugly occurrences in the state.
Bamgbola made the call at a one-day intercessory prayer session entitled:"Let God Arise" at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Lagos.
He said that with relentless prayers, Lagos State and Nigeria in general would overcome the challenges currently facing them.
"We have been praying for the peace in Lagos State and Nigeria and we will not stop praying.
"But in particular, we are praying for Lagos State because the Bible commanded us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and Lagos is our own Jerusalem," Bambgola said.
He said there was, however, a need to intensify prayers because of recent developments in the state, which had been noted for peace over the years.
"We have to pray against some developments: kidnapping, Badoo menace, flooding, against natural disasters and insecurity and for peace in Lagos State," the cleric said.
He appreciated the efforts of security personnel in tackling security challenges in state, but said that prayers would enable them to be more successful.
Bamgbola also urged the Federal Government to adequately equip security agencies for effective operations.
"Adequate personnel and equipment would enable the police and other security agencies to curb insurgency fast," he said.
Bamgbola said although the government was putting structures in place to ensure safety, residents also needed to be vigilant.
"Lagosians should be vigilant; they should not keep quiet when they see things not going on well in their various communities; they must report any suspicious movement or activities in their environment to the security personnel," he said.
The secretary of CAN, Lagos State Chapter, Elder Isreal Akinadewo, called on Nigerians to seek divine intervention to strengthen the nation's unity, democracy and peaceful coexistence.
He said that prayer tilts the minds of people towards where solution to various challenges will come from; reassuring that it would lead to great changes in the state and the country in general.
…as NYSC, LCDA boss laud Osun free healthcare revolution
The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has asserted that good governance lies in the hands of all, hence, the need for people to assist the government by contributing their own quota towards the growth and development of the society and country at large.
This was even as the State Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Mr. Emmanuel Attah and the Executive Secretary, Irepodun South Local Council Development Area, Mr. Oyedele Kamali hailed Osun’s healthcare revolution.
Governor Aregbesola stated this at the flag-off of the “Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers” organized by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in collaboration with the Irepodun South Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Erin-Osun, for the residents of the town and adjoining communities.
He urged Nigerians, non-governmental organizations and other private sectors to rise to the occasion in rescuing the country out of her present socio-economic and political imbroglio.
The “Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers” was held in all the States of the federation.
Rauf Aregbesola
Aregbesola who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, Hon. Kolapo Alimi, emphasized that development of every nation is the collective responsibility of every individual.
Aregbesola noted that the present economic situation in the country has made it practically difficult for the three tiers of government to meet up with all their constitutional responsibilities.
He held that the economic situation in the country has hinged abysmally of governments to meet all the needs of the people, hence the need for every individuals to contribute their quotas towards the growth of the country.
The Governor urged the well meaning Nigerians to always think of what they could do to bring developments to the country as government cannot do it alone.
The State helmsman who commended NYSC for taking the healthcare service to the grassroots said the state government has taken the bull by the horn in ensuring that all the health centres and hospitals were equipped with necessary health facilities.
According to him, it is time for us as Nigerians to buckle up and see the need to support government at all levels to enhance the core principle of good governance.
“With the present economic situation in the country, it seems practically difficult for the three tiers of government to meet all their statutory obligations to the people, a development that calls for support from all and sundry.
“So it is high time for Nigerians especially those that are economically blessed to support the government by contributing significantly to the well being of others and as well giving back to the society.
“With this, the brighter future is await our nation while a secured future is also guaranteed.
“For instance, a project like the one we flagoff today will definitely go along way in supporting the government policies towards the provision and promotion of free healthcare delivery.
“As such, it is pertinent on us as government to appreciate this kind gesture of the NYSC which we strongly believe will impact greatly in the lives of our people and as well assisting the government in achieving it goal of giving people quality health care.
While acknowledging the efforts of the leadership of the community for mobilizing people and supporting the initiative, the Governor further implored the people to make good use of the opportunity and come out en masse.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Irepodun South LCDA, Mr. Oloyede Adekunle Kamali described the NYSC initiative as timely at a time the nation is facing economic impasse.
He appreciated the Corps Medical Personnel for organizing such a programme at a time health of majority of the people in the Council required checkup.
The LCDA boss expressed delight for having such a programme in his domain and urged NYSC not to relent in making such a laudable programme a frequent tradition.
Commending governor Aregbesola for giving priority to the welfare of the people of Osun, the Irepodun South LCDA Boss noted that the present administration has done a lot in revamping the moribund health sector in the state.
He said the present government in the state has geared efforts towards ensuring that all the hospitals across the nooks and crannies of the state are repositioned and equipped for the benefit of all.
Kamali stressed the need for the people of the LCDA and the entire citizenry in the state to complement government’s efforts by being vigilant at ensuring the proper use and care of the medical facilities put in place by the Aregbesola led government in all the hospitals across the state.
In his remarks, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Emmanuel Danjuma Attah disclosed that the Initiative would be moving to another local government in the State next year and so urged people to avail themselves the opportunity.
He explained that the health initiative was the brain child of the former Director General of NYSC, Brig. Gen J B Platinum which the Corps sees as a way of ameliorating health challenges in the state.
Attah who commended the Governor Rauf Aregbesola for being sensitive to the health of the residents in the state, said the initiave was designed to support the state’s intervention on quality free healthcare delivery.
He further appreciated the contribution and support which the Corps has been recieving from the state through its Health Ministry and the leadership of the Irepodun South LCDA, saying Kamali has been a wonderful supporter to the scheme.
Meanwhile some of the participants in the likes of Iyaloja of Erin Osun, Chief Mrs Rafatu Kolawole lauded NYSC for the brilliant Initiative and also called on the residents of the community to come out and benefit from the free health care service.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in llorin West Local Government Area of Kwara on Sunday dissociated itself from those calling for the recall of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki from the senate.
Alhaji Suleiman Bala, the APC Chairman in llorin West Local Government Area told journalists in Ilorin that the group and its members were not known by the party.
Bala, who spoke to journalists at a special prayer held for Saraki, condemned the call for the recall of the senate president.
He described their action as calculated attempt to retard the steady progress in all facets of development of the country.
"Those calling for the recall of our leader, the Senate President are not known to us; in fact they are not from Kwara ", he said.
The chairman said the prayer was organised for Saraki to seek God's continued protections over him and guidance at all times.
The special prayer which was led by the Chief lmam of llorin, Alhaji Mohamned Bashir featured recitation of several portions from the Quran
In attendance at the special prayer session were APC chieftains from the local government and the state.
Shanice van de Sanden’s bullet header handed hosts the Netherlands a 1-0 win against Norway in the women’s European Championship opener on Sunday.
The Liverpool winger capitalised on a superb cross from Lieke Martens from the left wing that found her face to face with helpless Norway keeper Ingrid Hjelmseth.
Pleasing the sold-out Galgenwaard stadium in Utrecht, the Dutch were on the front foot throughout the game, with Martens and Arsenal striker Anna Miedema a constant threat.
Miedema was denied twice by Hjelmseth early into the game as the keeper first cleared her shot in the first minute following a cross from van de Sanden, then tipped another over the bar ten minutes later.
Miedema, who turned only 21 on Saturday, sent two shots wide after halftime, then another five minutes from the end.
Norway, the runners-up at the last Euro in 2013, had a good chance in the second minute when Kristine Minde chipped the ball over Dutch keeper Sari van Veenendaal but failed to find the goal.
Van Veenendaal then stopped Caroline Graham’s effort and that was just about all Norway had to offer.
Their attempt to put the hosts under pressure in the final minutes failed — in a rare scoring chance, Olympique Lyon striker Ada Hederberg missed the ball at the post in stoppage time.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – Less than 75 days to the October 1 “quit notice” issued by a coalition of northern youths to Igbo leaving in the region, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council has met with the northern coalition with a view to charting a common course for peaceful co-existence of various groups in all parts of the country. Igbo must go cartoon The meeting which was held Saturday evening in Abuja lasted several hours.
Consequently, the northern coalition has said it has begun the process of reviewing its earlier demands asking the Igbo to quit, but said it would not back down on its petition to the United Nations asking it to intervene in the affairs of the nation.
While the northern coalition asked that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu be punished for damage done to the psyche of some Nigerians, the Ohanaeze youths dissociated themselves from secessionist agitations, and asked Nigerians to consider such agitations as perhaps a cry to redress noticeable imbalance in the composition of the country.
Speaking with Newsmen shortly after the meeting in Abuja, Chairman of the Coalition of Northern Youths, Yerima Shettima, who commended the move, said the peace meeting between the two groups however led to the formation of a six-member committee which will facilitate another meeting in the South-east.
On the Kaduna declaration of the coalition, Shettima said; “Leaving Nnamdi Kanu to go unpunished is totally unacceptable to us because he has so far done much damage on our psyche and our nation. So, for us we think the best we can do is to internationalize this struggle. Behind the background of what we are doing today, most likely in the event of anything falling short of what we agreed, of course we are already in the UN reporting this same character. That does not stop us discussing to arrive at a particular conclusion where we can have peace for the country.
“On our previous position, we have not officially withdrawn the quit notice given to the Igbos in the North but we said it few days ago that we will review our position and part of that steps is what we are taking now.”
While commending the Ohanaeze Youth Council for a fruitful discussion, Shettima said: “I thank God we are talking with a recognized body of entire youths organisation in the South-east called Ohanaeze Youth Council that is known everywhere. It means that this is a welcome development and we are happy that they have actually sought to get our audience to discuss the way forward out of all these uprisings.
“We are glad to get some words coming out from the leadership of Ohanaeze Youth Council specifically on the area of seeking to see us to discuss issues; it means they realized that we are very angry and a lot of things has falling out of place as a result of their short coming in the sense that if they had called the young man to order from time past we wouldn’t have gone to this extreme.
“The second one is the assurance gotten from the president of the council. If I quote him very well, he said; ‘Nnamdi Kanu is just looking for self recognition’, and we became more relaxed and comfortable getting that from him and third one is him making efforts to bring MASSOB and IPOB together for us to go into round table discussion. I think it is a welcome development.”
Also speaking, National President Ohanaeze Youth Council, Mazi Okechukwu Isigusoro, thanked the northern coalition for a fruitful deliberation, adding that the council believes in one Nigeria.
“We want to specially thank the Coalition of Northern Groups for accepting to host us in Abuja. Our talks have been very smooth beyond our expectations and we want to appreciate them knowing full well that we thought this talks would have ended in fiasco or taken a dangerous dimension but the way they have peacefully handled it shows that they are peaceful people. We commend them for that and also believe that through this dialogue we believe in the future that there will be no boycott of these talks and if followed peacefully, we will bring an end to some of our problems in this county.”
SENATE President, Bukola Saraki, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, former Governor James Ibori have expressed faith in Nigeria’s democracy and unity,during the 60th birthday thanksgiving service of Senator Nwaoboshi at Ibusa in Oshimili North LGA.
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left), Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (left) and Prof. Ebiphani Azinge, during the 60th birthday thanksgiving service of Senator Nwaoboshi at Ibusa in Oshimili North LGA.Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left); his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro (left); Senate President, Bukolar Sariki (right) and the Deputy Senate, President, Ike EkweremaduIbori and his wife and immediate past Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) during Senator Peter Nwaoboshi's 60th birth day celebration in Ibusa, Oshimili North LGA.From Left: Commissioner for Women Affairs, Rev. Omatsola Williams; Chairman, Aniocha North LGA. Chuke Oseme and Hon Pascal Adigwe, during the 60th birth day thanksgiving service at Ibusa.From Left: Hon Ndudi Elumelu; Justice Daniel Maido and Senator Emmanuel Aguariawodo Pix 12 Barr & Rt Hon Mrs Peter MrakporMinority Leader, House of Representativ, Rt Hon Leo Ogor (right) and Mrs Josphine Aninih
Ruthless Roger Federer thrashed suffering Croat Marin Cilic 6-3 6-1 6-4 to become the first man to win eight Wimbledon singles crowns on Sunday (July 16), five years after landing his seventh.
The Swiss maestro, appearing in his 11th Wimbledon final, was challenged early on but once he broke a nervous Cilic in the fifth game of the opening set the match became a no-contest.
Not that Federer was concerned as, 23 days before his 36th birthday, the father of four became the oldest men’s singles champion at Wimbledon in the professional era — doing so without dropping a set throughout a glorious fortnight.
For Cilic, his first final on Centre Court became a nightmare broadcast to hundreds of millions around the globe.
After a reasonably solid start he became discombobulated and after falling 3-0 behind in the second set he slumped on his courtside chair and could be seen sobbing as a physio and tournament referee attended him. He later had treatment on the sole of his left foot.
For a moment it looked as though the final might end in a retirement for the first time since 1911.
The 28-year-old managed to regain his composure but there was no chance of Federer letting up as he accelerated towards a record-extending 19th grand slam title.
Federer was unrelenting and the Swiss third seed broke in the seventh game of the third set as his opponent crashed yet another groundstroke into the net.
The end came quickly as Federer served at 5-4 to regain the title he cherishes above all others. He missed a first match point when a forehand went wide but converted the second with his eighth ace of the match.
The Ekiti State Government on Sunday said that it had just promoted 9,583 out of its public servants.
6,993 of them are teaching and non-teaching staff of various public secondary schools, while 2,590 are local government staff. Fayose The Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission, Chief Abiodun Falayi said in a statement that 3,963 teachers and 1,586 non-teaching staff were promoted.
Falayi said that the Gov-Ayodele Fayose-led administration inherited what he called abnormalities in cadres, unharmonized structure as well as inaccurate nominal roll and seniority list.
He said that all complaints lodged by affected workers were considered and rectified in the course of the exercise.
He said that all issues relating to adjustment of inter-cadre transfer and conversion had also been settled.
According him, the interview process was decentralized into six zones for administrative convenience and to ensure that it did not unduly interfere with academic activities in schools where they were conducted.
He said that the promotion was conducted to motivate workers as well as engender efficiency and effectiveness within the public service.
He, therefore, charged the workers to reciprocate government's gesture by living up to their responsibilities.
They should also support the state government's efforts to improve the public service, stressing that they should make diligence and dedication to duty their watchwords.
Alexis Sanchez said on Saturday that he wants to play Champions League football next season, offering his strongest hint yet that he would like to leave Arsenal.
“I want to play in the Champions (League),” Sanchez told reporters in his native Chile at a charity match in his home town of Tocopilla.
“But the decision isn’t up to me,” he added. “I need to wait on Arsenal.”
Sanchez has a year left on his Arsenal contract but his future has been up in the air since the London club failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
The former Barcelona forward has been linked with moves to Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich, among other clubs, and his comments will only increase speculation he is set to leave London.
