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The death toll from the strange disease ravaging three communities and Fulani settlements in Yagba West Local Government of Kogi State has risen to 62.
The state Commissioner for health, Dr Saka Audu disclosed this on Friday in Lokoja while giving an update on the incident to newsmen.
Audu said the mysterious disease had continued to kill children and adults in the affected villages unabated, saying the disease which reared its ugly head few weeks ago was still ravaging Okuna, Okoloke, Isanlu -Asa and the adjoining Fulani settlemets.
The Commissioner had on Thursday visited the ravaged communities to obtain first hand information and assess the situation and confirmed that 50 persons had lost their lives to the strange disease.
In response to the development, Audu said that the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, had approved the immediate constitution and deployment of a team of medical experts to deal with the situation.
According to him, the medical experts include epidemiologists from the state ministry of health and medics from the state-owned health facilities.
"Earlier, samples taken from some of the victims were sent to Federal Teaching Hospital Irua, Edo State, for definitive investigation, which turned out to be negative for Lassa fever.
"On arrival at the communities, the team interacted with the locals and samples were taken from their water sources and food supply.
"It was discovered that the people affected showed common symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting and stooling. Few of the patients, however , had Hematemesis and Hematochezia," he explained.
According to him, those found still manifesting the disease had been transferred to Kogi State Specialist Hospital for proper management where an empirical diagnosis of food poisoning to rule out gastroenteritis was made.
He did not give the exact number of victims transferred to the hospital but said that they were responding well to treatment.
"Gov. Bello expressed deep concern over the incident and has directed that all the patients be treated free of charge. He also charged the ministry of health to conclude investigation within the shortest possible time to prevent further spread of the disease," the commissioner said.
Suspects in Spain’s twin terror attacks had been planning for an even bigger assault than the deadly car rampages they carried out, police said Friday, as distressing details emerged of families torn apart in the double tragedy. This video grab obtained on August 17, 2017 from the instagram account carlos_tg_32_ shows a victim lying on the ground after a van ploughed into the crowd, killing 13 persons and injuring several others, on the Rambla in Barcelona. At least 13 people were killed today when a driver deliberately slammed a van into crowds on Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most famous street, in what police said was a “terror attack”. Two suspects have been arrested over the attack, according to Spanish authorities. / AFP PHOTO A 35-year-old Italian man was among 14 killed in the attacks, mowed down in front of his wife and young children Thursday in Barcelona when a driver rammed his van through crowds on the busy Las Ramblas boulevard, before fleeing on foot.
Police said they shot dead five “suspected terrorists” who had knocked pedestrians down in the Catalan seaside resort of Cambrils in a second attack in the early hours of Friday, and arrested four others as Spain reeled from the deadly violence.
Details of the investigation were still sketchy, but police said the Barcelona suspect driver may have been among the five killed.
And according to the daily La Vanguardia newspaper in Barcelona, officers were still on the hunt for four other suspects thought to be involved with the cell that devised the terror project claimed by the Islamic State group.
– Bigger plans – In what has been a complex, fast-moving investigation, police revealed Friday afternoon that the suspects had apparently been planning something bigger.
“They were preparing one or several attacks in Barcelona, and an explosion in Alcanar stopped this as they no longer had the material they needed to commit attacks of an even bigger scope,” said Josep Lluis Trapero of Catalonia’s police.
He was referring to a blast in a house in the town of Alcanar Wednesday evening, which police said killed one person.
Initially treated as a random gas blast, police later linked it to the Barcelona assault, believing occupants of the house were preparing an explosive device inside and slipped up.
Trapero said that after this, the suspects allegedly quickly went on to commit “more rudimentary” attacks. These involved the vehicles ploughing into pedestrians in Barcelona and Cambrils.
The Cambrils suspects had an axe and knives in the car as well as fake explosive belts stuck to their bodies, said police.
– High ‘level of coordination’ – Both Spanish attacks followed the same modus operandi.
Drivers deliberately targeted pedestrians with their vehicles, the latest in a series of such assaults in Europe, where cars and vans have been used to lethal effect.
The Mediterranean resort of Nice in France was particularly hard hit on July 14, 2016, when a man rammed a truck into a crowd, killing 86 people.
But Otso Iho of Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre said the Spanish assaults, which stretched out over two different cities, appeared to be “a much higher level of coordination than has been typically present in previous attacks.”
It is also believed to be the first time IS has claimed an attack in Spain.
In a poignant moment Friday, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, King Felipe VI and the president of Catalonia — where both attacks took place — held a minute of silence in Barcelona. It was followed by the crowd applauding and shouting “not afraid”.
– Relatives separated – Details started to emerge Friday on the identity of victims, as did tragic stories of families ripped apart.
Witnesses in Barcelona described how the van pushed through the crowd, leaving bodies strewn along the boulevard as people fled for their lives, screaming in panic.
“We were on the city tour bus, we were 20 feet from the accident when it happened,” said Alex Luque, a 19-year-old student from New York.
“We heard the van and the impact with people and then we saw people running.”
Then just eight hours later attackers struck in the early hours of Friday in the seaside resort of Cambrils. An Audi A3 car rammed into pedestrians, injuring six civilians and a police officer. One civilian, a woman, later died of her injuries.
The police shot dead the five attackers. They also said they had arrested four suspects — three Moroccans and a Spaniard.
There were some three dozen nationalities among the dead and injured, from countries including Algeria, Australia, China, France, Ireland, Peru and Venezuela, according to Spain’s civil protection agency.
Among the dead were at least two Italians, a 74-year-old Portuguese woman, and an American, officials from their countries said.
Families posted messages on Facebook looking for lost relatives including one heartbreaking appeal for a missing seven-year-old boy, Julian Alessandro Cadman.
– Europe’s deadliest attack – Spain, the world’s third most popular tourism destination, had until now been spared in the recent wave of extremist attacks that have rocked nearby France, Belgium and Germany.
It had even seen a surge in tourists as visitors fled other restive sunshine destinations like Tunisia and Egypt.
But it is nevertheless no stranger to jihadist attacks.
In March 2004, it was hit by what is still Europe’s deadliest, when bombs on commuter trains in Madrid killed 191 people in an attack claimed by Al Qaeda-inspired extremists.
Spain has also had to deal with a decades-long campaign of violence waged by Basque separatist group ETA, which only declared a ceasefire in 2011.
U.S. President Donald Trump has fired his chief strategist, Stephen Bannon in the latest high-level White House shake-up.
Bannon, a force behind some of Trump's most contentious policies, including a travel ban on people from several Muslim-majority nations, was a powerful and controversial figure known for far-right political views.
On July 28, Trump replaced his beleaguered White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, installing retired General John Kelly in his place in a major shake-up of his top team.
Trump then ousted White House communications chief Anthony Scaramucci on July 31 over an obscene tirade just 10 days after the president named him to the post.
Scaramucci's hiring had prompted Sean Spicer, a Priebus ally, to abruptly resign as press secretary.
Trump, seven months into his term in office, has become increasingly isolated over his comments following white supremacist violence in the Virginia college town of Charlottesville last Saturday.
As Trump came under fire from prominent fellow Republicans, business leaders and U.S. allies abroad, he faced mounting calls for Bannon's ouster.
"White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Steve Bannon have mutually agreed today would be Steve's last day," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement on Friday. "We are grateful for his service and wish him the best."
A champion of economic nationalism and a political provocateur, Bannon, 63, is a former U.S. Navy officer, Goldman Sachs investment banker and Hollywood movie producer.
Critics have accused Bannon of harbouring anti-Semitic and white nationalist sentiments. Democrats welcomed Bannon's departure.
"There is one less white supremacist in the White House, but that doesn't change the man sitting behind the Resolute desk," Democratic National Committee spokesman Michael Tyler said in a statement, referring to Trump's Oval Office desk.
"Donald Trump has spent decades fueling hate in communities, including his recent attempts to divide our country and give a voice to white supremacists."
Bannon had been in a precarious position before but Trump opted to keep him, in part because his chief strategist played a major role in his 2016 election victory and was backed by many of the president's most loyal rank-and-file supporters.
The decision to fire Bannon could undermine Trump's support among far-right voters but might ease tensions within the White House and with party leaders.
Republicans control the White House and both chambers of Congress but have been unable to pass major legislative goals including a healthcare legislation overhaul because of fierce intra-party divisions.
Trump fired Bannon from the White House post one year and one day after he hired the firebrand to head his presidential campaign.
Trump ran into trouble in recent days after saying anti-racist demonstrators in Charlottesville were as responsible for the violence as the neo-Nazis and white supremacists who instigated the protests.
Those remarks sparked rebukes from fellow Republicans, top corporate executives and some close allies even as some supporters, including Vice President Mike Pence, stood by Trump.
Spain’s La Liga returns on Friday under the shadow of terrorist attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils that left 14 killed and more than a hundred injured.
The league’s authorities still plan for all 10 La Liga fixtures to take place, including Barcelona’s match at home to Real Betis on Sunday. Policemen accompany clients of a store outside a cordoned off off area after a van ploughed into the crowd, killing 13 persons and injuring over 80 on the Rambla in Barcelona on August 17, 2017. A driver deliberately rammed a van into a crowd on Barcelona’s most popular street on August 17, 2017 killing at least 13 people before fleeing to a nearby bar, police said. Officers in Spain’s second-largest city said the ramming on Las Ramblas was a “terrorist attack”. / AFP PHOTO / LLUIS GENE All games across the top two divisions will be preceded by a minute’s silence.
“LaLiga has asked the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation) to hold a minute’s silence in all matches of the first day of the competition,” La Liga said in a statement.
Barca’s players held a minute’s silence before training on Friday, whilst the club published a picture of the players and coaching staff with the hashtag “TotsSomBarcelona” (“We are all Barcelona”) on its social media channels.
“As a mark of respect, the flags will fly at half-mast at the club's facilities and the players from both teams will wear black armbands in all the club’s matches this weekend,” Barca added in a statement.
The club also said that players will wear shirts with ‘Barcelona’ replacing individual names on the back for Sunday’s game at the club’s 99,354-capacity Camp Nou home.
“The players of the first team will wear ‘Barcelona’ instead of their own name on the jerseys for the match,” said the club in a statement.
“This jersey will also carry the hashtag #TotsSomBarcelona (in Catalan) on the front.”
Barcelona’s other top flight side Espanyol are away to Sevilla on Saturday.
“With our hearts still shrinking to see Barcelona, our beloved Barcelona, attacked vilely by terror and hate, we want to show our solidarity with all the people affected as well as to thank enormously all the support received by both the city and our club,” Espanyol said in a statement.
The league’s biggest stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were among those to lead tributes to the victims as the shocking events of Friday unfolded.
“I want to send my condolences and all my support to the families and friends of the victims of the terrible attack in our beloved Barcelona, in addition to totally rejecting any act of violence,” Barca forward Messi, wrote on Instagram.
“We are not going to give up, there are many more of us who want to live in a world in peace, without hate and where respect and tolerance are the basis of coexistence.”
Ronaldo and his Real Madrid teammates also showed their solidarity with Barcelona as the two clubs’ fierce rivalry was forgotten at a tragic time.
“Dismayed at the news coming from Barcelona. All the support and solidarity (to) the family and friends of the victims,” Ronaldo wrote on Twitter.
That mood was reflected on the front pages of Spain’s sport newspapers on Friday.
“Today we can’t talk about sport,” splashed Madrid-based Marca.
Taking a line from Barca’s club anthem, Barcelona-based Sport’s headline ran “Tots units fem força” (together we are stronger).
The first league matches of the season take place on Friday night when Leganes welcome Alaves in Madrid before Valencia host Las Palmas.
Newly-promoted Girona host Atletico Madrid in the first game in Catalonia since the attacks, just over 50 miles north-east of Barcelona on Saturday.
“The most important thing is what happened yesterday,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said on Friday.
“Unfortunately it was a very hard day for everyone.
“I express my solidarity, sadness and encourage all those that want to live in peace.”
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday
Leganes v Alaves (1815), Valencia v Las Palmas (2015)
Saturday
Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad (1615), Girona v Atletico Madrid (1815), Sevilla v Espanyol (2015)
Sunday
Athletic Bilbao v Getafe (1615), Barcelona v Real Betis (1815), Deportivo la Coruna v Real Madrid (2015)
Monday
Levante v Villarreal (1815), Malaga v Eibar (2000)
The 106 Nigerian schoolgirls no longer in captivity by Boko Haram jihadists fighting against western-style education will all go to university from September, the country’s minister for women’s affairs said Friday.
One of the girls required a prosthetic leg following her ordeal, several needed surgery for injuries and four babies have been born as a result of their detention, Aisha Alhassan said in a statement.WOMEN AFFAIRS MINISTER, PARENTS AND FREED CHIBOK SCH GIRLS MEETS AGAIN 00A&B. Minister mof Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan dance with Cross Section of the girls and praising God during the second meeting of Parents and Freed 106 Chiboks Girls as they prepare to enter high school for their remedial studies in September 2017. The Meeting took place at the A Class Garden in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/STATE HOUSE. July 22, 2017
The Islamist militants seized 276 schoolgirls from the remote northeast Nigerian town of Chibok in April 2014, triggering global condemnation and drawing attention to the bloody Boko Haram insurgency.
Former US first lady Michelle Obama led a worldwide social media campaign under the banner #BringBackOurGirls to raise awareness of the group’s plight.
All 106 girls who either escaped or were released or rescued from their captors “will be resuming school at the American University of Nigeria foundation school in September 2017,” said Alhassan.
Twenty-four girls who had managed to escape were already studying courses at the institution and will be joined by the rest of their freed classmates in the new school year.
The freed girls, who are all in good health, have received extensive trauma counselling since regaining their freedom.
“Previously frequent incidents of flashbacks, insomnia and nightmares have now been successfully brought under control,” said Alhassan.
“The girls have become survivors and heroes in their own right.”
In their quest to create a hardline Islamist state, Boko Haram, whose name roughly translated from Hausa means “Western education is sin”, has waged a relentless campaign against education in northeast Nigeria.
Along with attacks on schools, thousands of women and young girls have been abducted during the eight-year insurgency, which has left at least 20,000 people dead and displaced more than 2.6 million.
A 34-year old man, Ayodeji Babalola, on Friday appeared in Ebute Meta Magistrates' Court in Lagos for allegedly impersonating the Oba of Lagos.
The accused, whose address is unknown is facing a four-count charge, bordering on false representation, stealing, fraudulently obtaining money and intent to defraud.
The prosecutor, Insp. Oladele Adebayo, told the court that the accused committed the offence June at No. 2, Ogunkoya St., Ekutu, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.
He said the accused presented himself as Oba Babatunde Rilwan Akiolu to one Ajoke Moriselade under the pretext to defraud the complainant.
The prosecutor said the accused claimed he was ready to give his slot at the proposed Lekki Airport investment to her.
Adebayo also told the court that the accused dishonestly demanded the sum of N15 million from Moriselade for the procurement of the said slot.
According to the prosecutor,the offences contravene Sections 312, 380(1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges while the Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Salawu, granted him bail in the sum of N1 million and two responsible sureties in like sum and adjourned hearing in the case to Sept. 20.
Ilorin – The Kwara Government has confirmed a case of Lassa Fever in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Mr Atolagbe Alege, made the confirmation at a news briefing in Ilorin on Friday. Lassa Fever
Alege said that out of the five samples taken to the Virology Research Centre at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), one sample was confirmed positive for Lassa Fever.
The commissioner said the sample was taken from Babanla Primary Health Care Centre in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, the specimen belonged to a 10 year-old boy.
The commissioner, however, said that in Oro-Ago axis, all the four samples taken tested negative.
He said that a medical team from the State Department of Public Health was being deployed to Babanla immediately to monitor the situation.
Alege said the team would isolate the victim and commence contact tracing for possible treatment and quarantine, where necessary.
The commissioner also said isolation centres would be created at the General Hospital in Omu-Aran and Oro Ago.
He further said that the information had been promptly communicated to the National Centre for Diseases Control which had been working with the state to nip the disease in the bud.
Alege appealed to members of the Babanla community not to panic as the government was on top of the situation to prevent further outbreak.
The commissioner urged residents of the state to take personal hygiene seriously and keep their environment tidy at all times. (NAN) FATY/DO/OJO
Abuja – Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment on Friday told Prof. Stephen Ocheni, the new Labour Minister of State, that the Ministry would rely on his experience to improve and deliver on its 2018 budget.R-L; Minister of Interior, Lt Gen Abdulrhaman Dambazau, Minister of Trade, Investment & Industry, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah, Minister of Labour and Employment., Senator Chris Ngige and Minister of State Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril as Acting President Yemi Osinbajo Presides over FEC Meeting at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE.
A statement signed by Mr Samuel Olowokere, Deputy Director Press, noted that Ngige stated this during the assumption of office of the minister of state in Abuja.
Ngige, while welcoming the new minister, expressed excitement for the fact that the new minister is an accountant with various degrees in accounting.
"I am particularly pleased that you are an accountant and that will remove the load from me in the area of budgeting.
" You will take charge of the 2018 budgeting which we are about to start so that our budgeting system will improve, I made it better when I came, you can make it to become best.
"I am optimistic that by God's grace you will put in your best and uplift this Ministry and the Nigeria nation at large," he said.
The minister, however, noted that the ministry of Labour and Employment was one of the oldest Ministry in Nigeria dated back to 1927 as colonial department.
He also said that the ministry was a challenged one that had been manned by prominent Nigerians in the past.
"It is our pleasure to welcome the new Minister of State into our fold, your deployment as Minister of State Labour and Employment give credence to your credibility as a renowned academia and astute bureaucrat.
Responding, Ocheni expressed his commitment to bring his knowledge and experience to bear in the discharge of his responsibilities towards the attainment of the objective of the ministry and the change agenda of Mr President.
"At this particular time, I want to assure you all that I will do my best using my knowledge and experience to contribute my quota to the attainment of the objective of this ministry.
"I am not a unionist but an advocate of peace and harmony.
" But it is important to achieve a peaceful industrial climate without which the goal of the ministry and that of the present administration cannot be achieved," he said.
Ocheni also said Ministry of Labour and Employment was the epicentre of peace in the workforce of this country.
"Therefore, there is need for all hands to be on deck for the achievements of its mandate so that at the end of the day it will be able to improve on the overall productivity of the country.
"That is why Improved productivity is pivotal to the Change Agenda of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
"If we are able to achieve this desired goal then we will be able to contribute and enhance the Gross Domestic Product of this country.
"By so doing we are also contributing to the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the Federal Government."
Ocheni called on all the staff of the ministry to put in their best to ensure that the ministry realise its mandate.
On his part, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Omoniyi Fagbemi assured the minister of state of the support and collaboration of all staff, toward delivering on the mandate of the ministry. (NAN)
Two people were killed and six were injured in a stabbing spree in the Finnish city of Turku on Friday, police said, after officers shot one suspect and warned several others could still be at large.
“There are eight victims in the stabbing. Two dead and six injured,” Turku police tweeted after the assault in a market square.
Police shot one suspect in the legs and arrested him. Security forces wrote on Twitter that police were “looking for other possible perpetrators”.
“They ask the population to leave and avoid central Turku,” the tweet added.
The motive of the suspect or suspects was not immediately known.
The stabbing spree comes with Europe on high alert a day after drivers slammed vehicles into pedestrians in two attacks in Spain, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 100 others. The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for the Barcelona attack.
In Turku, images of a body covered in a white blanket at the scene of the stabbing was published on some online news sites, including the local daily Turun Sanomat.
The attack took place in the heart of the port city in southwestern Finland, just after 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) in a bustling neighbourhood.
“I saw an old woman, I tried to help her. She was bleeding all over her body,” Wali Hashi, who witnessed the attack, told AFP.
“She was wounded to her neck with the knife… I took her aside.”
Another witness, who did not want to give his name, told public television YLE: “A young woman screamed really loudly at one corner of the square. We saw a man on the square, with a knife in his hand and he was waving it.”
Central Turku — located about 140 kilometres (90 miles) from the capital Helsinki — was swiftly cordoned off and stores and restaurants closed.
Police also tweeted that they had raised their emergency readiness nationwide, increasing security at airports and train stations.
“The number of patrols is being increased, information gathering is intensified,” they wrote.
– Threat level raised – Prime Minister Juha Sipila tweeted that his government was “following the situation in Turku closely and the police operation underway.”
Police have refused to comment on whether the stabbing may have been terrorism-related.
In June, Finland’s intelligence and security agency Supo raised the country’s terror threat level by a notch, from “low” to “elevated”, the second notch on a new four-tier scale.
“Supo has become aware of more serious terrorism-related projects and plans in Finland,” it said.
“Foreign terrorist fighters (who have) left from Finland have gained significant positions within IS in particular and have an extensive network of relations in the organisation,” it said in its June assessment.
In 2012, Finland’s then-prime minister Jyrki Katainen escaped a knife attack in Turku while campaigning for municipal elections.
The man who approached him carrying a knife was found to be psychologically disturbed and no charges were brought against him.
In late 2016, a local politician and two journalists were shot dead in a Finnish town close to the Russian border, illustrating Finland’s struggles to combat gun crime.
Police had quickly arrested a man singled out by witnesses as the killer.
A former capital of Finland, Turku remains a hub for business and culture.
An official of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development says the country cannot export honey because it produces less than three per cent of its current needs.
Dr Gideon Mshelbwala, a Director in the Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services of the ministry, made the statement in Abuja on Friday on the occasion of the 2017 National Honey Bee Day.
The theme for the celebration is "For a Natural High: Smoke Bees''.
Represented by Mrs Dooshima Kioage, Deputy Director in the department, Mshelbwala said the country had large natural land resources with varied vegetation that could be great potential for beekeeping.
"With an estimated population of about 186 million, fallen oil prices, an import driven economy and insecurity, there is a huge deficit of food required to feed the populace.
"Nigeria currently produces about 15,000 tonnes of honey and 2,500 tonnes of bee wax annually, less than three per cent of her potential 800,000 and 70,000 tonnes respectively.
"This is also the case with other agricultural commodities.
"The upside of the situation is that Nigeria has resources that, if assiduously harnessed, can scale up food production for internal consumption, improved livelihoods and export for foreign exchange earnings,'' he said.
Ironically, the Federation of Bee keepers Association of Nigeria say that the country is set to start exporting bees by 2018.
Dr Bidemi Ojeleye, National President of the Federation said that an European Union team had visited Nigeria for training and guidelines on the residue monitoring plans for bee export.
Ojeleye, who is also Director, Centre for Bee Research and Development, Ibadan, spoke on the side line of the celebration to mark the "Honey Bee Day'' in Abuja.
According to him, Nigeria is working towards being listed among the EU bee exporting countries.
"For a trade in bees within the European Union, the general conditions that apply to 'other' live animals apply as the conditions are laid down in the EU Council Directive,'' he said.
Ojeleye said that Nigeria was blessed with clean organic honey which was globally ranked amongst the best in the world.
He said that the Federal Government has made available bee keeping equipment to interested youths at subsidised rates to popularise its production among young people.
According to him, the Federation of Bee keepers also hosted free training on bee production for interested youths across the country.
He said in addition to making honey, bees also pollinated all sorts of fruits, wild plants and vegetables.
"Bee products are used as raw materials for production of medicine, cosmetics and lost wax casting.
"Beekeeping generates income without destroying the habitat, while bees do not compete with any other livestock for food,'' he said.
Ojeleye said that the Federation coordinates all bees' activities and organisations in Nigeria and enlightens the public on the benefits of bee keeping.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that of the 100 crop species that provide 90 per cent of food worldwide, 71 are pollinated by bees.
World Honey Bee Day, previously known as Honey Bee Awareness Day, was an initiative of beekeepers in the USA who petitioned the government in 2009 for an official day to honour honey bees and beekeeping.
Abuja – The Federal Government on Friday said the recently freed 106 Chibok girls were not living in solitary confinement.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, said this while briefing newsmen on the update on the recovery of the released girls in Abuja.
Alhassan said that the girls were ready to be integrated back to the society ahead of the school academic session commencing in September.
She said the girls had to be properly observed by medical experts, adding that so far there are no traits of abnormalities in them.
"Like every other young Nigerian girl, the need to make up for educational loss suffered on account of their prolonged isolation while in captivity had been of paramount concern to this government.
"To date, education and livelihood opportunities of the Chibok girls since their return have been enhanced through remedial and tutorial engagement as well as vocational skills training.
"This would not only make them academically sound but also independent," the minister said.
She also announced plans to kit them as they resume formal education in order to place the girls on a path to a lifetime of successful and productive living.
"To aid their recovery, recreational activities and reunion with family have been the key tools used to support the girls.
"They have had interface with their communities and spent Christmas holiday in Chibok. This was gratifying experience for both the girls and the families," Alhassan said.
The minister said rather than suffer any form of stigma the girls had become survivors and heroes in their own right.
She said the government was in partnership with the American University of Nigeria (AUN) and other development partners, along with some private companies and Victims Support Fund to restore their dignity.
The minister said the partnership would be supporting the girls for their foundation course in September.
Alhassan said the choice of AUN was inspired by the resounding success recorded by the institution's new foundation school initiative in grooming the 24 girls who initially escaped from captivity.
She said the case of the 24 Chibok girls had challenged the commitment and strategy of government with regards to the education of the 106 girls.
"It is time for them to get and enjoy the best. I am delighted that all the 106 girls will be resuming school at AUN foundation school in September," Alhassan said.
However, the minister appealed to the public and media to avoid requests for the girls to recount theirs stories and experiences in order not to reopen wounds and trigger a relapse in their journey of recovery. (NAN)
Abuja – Mr Han Sungrae, the Director of Korean Cultural Centre says 20 young Nigerian have graduated from the 2017 Korean Pop (K-Pop) Dance Academy after six weeks of training and coaching. K-Pop Dance Academy graduates with coach, Miss Yu Hye Jin (Middle)
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the academy is organised by the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) in the Federal Capital Territory.
Sungrae said that the academy had inculcated into the graduates K-Pop dancing skills which would help them compete at the world stage during K-pop Dance Competition.
In a statement on Friday in Abuja, he said that the competition has as its theme: Pyeonchang Winter Olympic Games, and is scheduled to hold in Korea between Feb. 9 and Feb. 27, 2018 in Gangwon Province, South Korea.
"During the course, two K-Pop experts from Korea trained students on different K-pop-dance basis and routine. They took part in the classes which lasted for six weeks. "This year's K-Pop Academy in Nigeria serves to also promote awareness for the winter games slated for next year.
"Pyeonchang will be the stage for the opening and closing ceremonies and most snow sports and athletes will compete in 102 events in 15 sport disciplines.
"The games will be the first ever Olympic Winter Games with over 100 Gold Medals,'' Sungrae said.
The KKC director said new events to be added in the Games are KCC Dance Academy, Snowball Big Air, Speed Skating Mass Start, Curling Mix Doubles, Alpine Skiing Team event and others.
He praised the young Nigerians for their commitment and dedication to leaning the dance and called on other youths to enroll in the next academic year. (NAN)
Ibadan – The Judicial Commission of Enquiry on the review of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Law has recommended that 11 High Chiefs and 21 Baales be given beaded crowns.
The recommendation was contained in a report submitted by the commission to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi on Friday at the Governor's Office in Ibadan.
The governor had on May 19 inaugurated the commission of enquiry headed by retired Justice Akintunde Boade.
Boade, while presenting the report, stated that the commission gave preference to the 11 high chiefs in the Olubadan-in-Council while considering applications for beaded crowns.
He stated that the commission, having considered the merit, also recommended 21 Baales to wear beaded crown.
"We received a total of 91 out of 106 memoranda on the wearing of beaded crowns and 84 memoranda were considered based on their merit.
"Seven were struck out from the 91, out of which two were irrelevant to the terms of reference and five were not supported by oral evidence," he said.
He, however, emphasised that the Olubadan of Ibadanland remained the only paramount ruler in Ibadanland.
Boade stated that a total of 120 memoranda on various issues were also received while 106 were considered by the commission.
" Three of the memoranda were struck out for being irrelevant to the terms of reference and nine were not supported by oral evidence.
"The representatives of two of the people who submitted memoranda appeared before the commission and asked for adjournments and did not come back till the end of the public hearing,'' he said.
He added that none the memoranda received was against the review of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.
Ajimobi, in his remarks, said that the commission was set up based on requests for review from members of the Olubadan-in-Council, members of the Ibadan Elders Council, associations and prominent Ibadan indigenes.
The governor said the review was necessary to enhance the chieftaincy system and to bring it in line with what operated across Yoruba states.
"There is need for us to change with the changing times as tradition and culture change with time.
"By the implementation of these recommendations, we are democratising chieftaincy and expanding the rulership system,'' he said.
Ajimobi commended the commission members for the job done, assuring them that the recommendations would be implemented.
He stated that all the former governors had embarked on the review of the chieftaincy declaration without implementing the recommendations.
The governor said his administration was, however, committed to the restoration, transformation and repositioning of the state.
The event was attended by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, top government functionaries as well as prominent Ibadan indigenes.(NAN)
Minna – A woman, Fati Mohammed, on Friday appeared before a Minna Magistrates' Court, charged with calling her former mother-in-law, Fati Aliyu, a witch.
The accused was arraigned in court following a direct criminal complaint filed by Aliyu.
Aliyu alleged that Mohammed called her a witch after demanding that she returned the five-year-old child she had for her former husband to her.
According to the boy's grandmother, the child had been on vacation with his mother.
But when she requested her to return him after the holiday, the mother called her a witch.
She prayed the court to order the accused to pay her N2million in damages for defamation as well as order her to return her grandson who was put under her care.
The accused, however, denied the charge preferred against her by the complainant.
The presiding judge, Hassan Mohammed, advised the parties to give peace a chance and settle their differences amicably.
Hassan adjourned the case till Aug. 31 for further mention. (NAN)
Abuja – Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, has charged the media in Nigeria to continue to play their role as watchdog of society for the strengthening of democracy.
Ganduje gave the charge at a meeting with the management of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.Ganduje
He said that the media had the responsibility of setting agenda and upholding virtues of good governance and transparency.
According to the governor, such has been the worthy contribution of the media to the nation since independence.
"When you partner the media as a leader, the society as a whole benefits and your laudable achievements are showcased for posterity.
"NAN is now a multi-media outfit that the state wants to partner with. That partnership is a win-win one, because our achievement will reach far and wide on different platforms of communication," he said.
Earlier, the Managing Director of NAN, Mr Bayo Onanuga, had said that Kano state had set a record of being a pioneer in establishing an anti-corruption agency, apart from that of the Federal Government.
He said that such was an indication of the priority that the Ganduje administration placed on good governance, transparency and probity.
"I will like to commend you for putting in place an anti-corruption agency. The action was in solidarity with the central government to rid the society of the evil that has dwindled development for many years.
"The News Agency of Nigeria will identify with you and any other state that strives to put in place people-oriented policies and programmes like you have done in Kano state," Onanuga said.
The Editor-in-Chief of NAN, Malam Yusuf Zango; Managing Editor, Mr Idris Abdulrahman; Mr Mohammed Momoh, Special Assistant (Special Duties) accompanied Onanuga to the meeting.
Others in the entourage were Head of Administration and Human Resources, Mr Ibrahim Khaleil and Mr Biola Lawal, Acting Director, Marketing. (NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday received in audience the General Overseer Worldwide of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adejare. Adeboye at the Abuja House London.
President Buhari receives in audience General Overseer Worldwide Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor E.A. Adeboye at the Abuja House London on 18th Aug 2017
President Muhammadu Buhari thanked Pastor Adeboye for visiting him sayinging on his twitter handle ‘thank Pastor Adeboye for visiting today, and for his prayers and good wishes. May God continue to bless him and his work’
Also yesterday the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, were in London to see President Muhammadu Buhari who has spent more than 100 days in London on medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
A statement signed by the speaker's Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, quoted Dogara's Twitter handle @Yakubdogara as saying that Buhari was doing well.
It added that the speaker, who visited the President with the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki at the Abuja House in London, also urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the safe return of the President.
"Today we visited His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. I am glad that he is doing well.
"His health has improved tremendously. I urge all Nigerians to continue to pray and offer thanks to God for answered prayers and for the safe return of Mr President."
Also the Senate President Bukola Saraki said he "confidently looks forward" to President Muhammadu Buhari's "imminent return home".
In series of tweets on Thursday night after meeting Buhari in London, along with Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Saraki reported his impressions of the president's health and gushed over his remarkable recovery.
"We must give thanks to God for this highly welcomed recovery. It is clear that Mr. President's insistence on following his doctors' advice has yielded the desired results", he tweeted.
"Mr. President exhibited remarkable recovery and was very conversant with all the political happenings back at home and across the continent.
The visit by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, Dogara and Saraki was the latest by prominent Nigerians.
President Buhari on Saturday at the Abuja House in London had received members of his media team, where he reassured them that there was tremendous improvement in his health.
The presidential media team was led by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, accompanied by Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.
Other members of the team on the trip included Lauretta Onochie, Personal Assistant on Digital/Online Media and Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters.
Acting-President Yemi Osinbajo led the stream of visitors.
He was followed by state governors and the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC)..
During the visits, President Buhari sent appreciation to all Nigerians, expressing hope that he would return home soon
ADO-EKITI- Ekiti Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has faulted the categorisation of hate speeches as act of terrorism, by the federal government, saying, "this appears as another plot to silence the opposition and I make bold to say that saying the truth concerning the country and its rulers cannot be termed as hate speech."
The governor, who accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the number one promoter and beneficiary of hate speeches in the country, noted that; "When the APC was looking for power, several provocative statements were made. Nigerians are yet to forget President Muhammadu Buhari's 'the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood' hate speeches and the threat by the APC to form a parallel government."
In a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Friday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose, who said he was totally against hate speech and will support any effort to curb it, added that it was important to caution the federal government on the danger inherent in the blanket categorisation of hate speech as treasonable.
He said "even if the APC government is sincere with its new found hatred for hate speeches, the APC government must first apologise to Nigerians for being the number one promoter and beneficiary of hate speech."
The governor counselled that rather than blanket criminalising of hate speeches, the federal government should embark on reorientation of Nigerians, especially the youths on the consequences of hate speeches to the unity of the country and restore the confidence of the people in the government.
The statement read; "I wish to express concern over the pronouncement of the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo that hate speech will henceforth be treated as terrorism.
"While I am totally against hate speech and will support any effort to curb it, it is important to caution the federal government on the danger inherent in the blanket categorisation of hate speech as treasonable.
"I make bold to say that saying the truth concerning the country and its rulers cannot be termed as hate speech.
"I only hope Nigeria is not being systematically returned to the colonial days when the law of sedition was used to jail many of those who fought for our independence or the era of Buhari's military regime when the notorious Public Officers (Protection against False accusation) Decree 4 of 1984 was used to jailTunde Thompson and NdukaIrabor, both of The Guardian newspapers for publishing what the government termed as false.
"Most importantly, going by the APC government's use of the so-called anti-corruption fight to harass, intimidate, arrest and detain opposition figures, there is no doubt that categorising whatever that is termed as hate speech as act of terrorism is unconstitutional and an attempt to gag Nigerians, especially the press.
"It should therefore not be seen that since the use of corruption to harass, arrest and detain opposition figures is no longer fashionable, hate speech will now be another instrument of oppression to be used against opposition.
"The questions that must be answered by the federal government are; what constitutes hate speech andwho determines it? Has the Presidency becomes law unto itself such that it is now the one to determine what is an offense and what punishment to be applied?
"From all intent and purposes, the Acting President pronouncement which is obviously not backed by any legislation is an attempt to provide reasons for an impending clampdown on opposition and Nigerians will resist any attempt to mortgage their fundamental rights to freedom of expression under the guise of hate speeches.
"When the APC was looking for power, several provocative statements were made. Nigerians are yet to forget President Buhari's "the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood" hate speeches and the threat by the APC to form a parallel government.
"What can be more treasonable than these statements made by President Buhari and his party?
"It is also on record that during the 2011 election campaign, President Buhari's inciting statement led to widespread violence by his supporters in the North after he lost. Over 1000 people were slaughtered in cold blood, including innocent National Youth Service Corp members.
"Therefore, even if the APC government is sincere with its new found hatred for hate speeches, the APC government must first apologise to Nigerians for being the number one promoter and beneficiary of hate speech.
"Also, rather than this blanket criminalising of hate speeches, the federal government should embark on reorientation of Nigerians, especially the youths on the consequences of hate speeches to the unity of the country while the confidence of the people in the government (at all levels) must be restored."
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Friday, met with the leadership of Ala Igbo Development Foundation, over the boycott order given by IPOB on Anambra election. Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with leadership of Ala Igbo Development Foundation in Owerri
The meeting was held in Owerri, capital of Imo state.
According IPOB leader, he decided to honour the invitation because of his respect for Igbo elders and that his struggle for the republic of Biafra was based on justice.
Kanu briefly said: “I came because of my respect for elders. IPOB is not a violent group. We are law abiding citizens of the society.
“What we here today will guide us in the issue of Anambra election. I will go and meet with the leadership of IPOB.”
In his speech, the President of Ala Igbo Development Foundation, Professor Uzodimma Nwala, said that it was the first meeting with the IPOB leader on the boycott order on Anambra guber.
Nwala said: “As you see in our midst, you see our brother Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we have come to discuss the issue of mutual concern, especially on Anambra election. We are happy he is here with us.
“As we know the IPOB decision on boycott of election and you know that IPOB is an orgarnised group and the agitations born out of marginalization of the Igbo.
“We are glad he has explained to us the reason they issued the boycott order and that it is not his personal decision but that of the IPOB leadership. We are meeting for the first time and will still meet again. No decision has been taken.”
From left, President Ala Igbo Development Foundation, Prof. Uzodimma Iwuala, IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu and Dozie Ikedife, yesterday in a meeting in Owerri.
The late retired Supreme Court Justice, Andrews Otutu Obaseki, was on Friday laid to rest at his home in Benin City, as leaders from across the country extolled the virtues of the astute jurist.
The funeral service for the late Justice was held at St. Peters Anglican Church in Benin City, Edo State.Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole at the reception organised in honour of the late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki in Benin City,on Friday.
The mass followed the Service of Songs also held in his honour on Thursday evening at his residence in Benin City, where Venerable, Osaro Igbinosa, the Vicar of St Peters Anglican Church, described late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki as an astute and seasoned Justice who was fair in his dealings. "Papa was a compassionate man and the rallying point for the Obaseki family."
Dignitaries present at the event included the Governor of Edo State and nephew of the deceased, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki; Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Kadiri Adjoto; and the President of Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Mr. Amaju Pinnick. Others were the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie; Chief of Staff to the Edo State Governor, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, Honourable Commissioners in the state and other top government functionaries.
Delivering his sermon at the Funeral Service on Friday, the Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Benin, Rev. Peter Imasuen, said everyone would one day give an account of their stewardship to the Almighty God. He said death was no respecter of persons as both the rich and poor would die one day, and urged the people to live in a way that will affect the society positively.
Reading from the Bible Book of Psalms, Chapter 23, Verses 3 and 4, the Bishop said those who would make heaven are those with clean hearts and not those who swear deceitfully, saying God will judge everyone according to their works on earth.
Governor of Edo State and nephew of the late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said he was grateful to his late uncle for helping to preserve their family values like humility, fairness, hard work, honesty, uprightness, education and discipline.
The governor said his uncle stood for education and announced that the Obaseki family had decided to institute a scholarship scheme for ten members of St Peters Anglican Church, the church the late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki attended while he was alive.
He said five of the scholarships would be given to outstanding indigent students in any secondary school in Edo State, two for students training to become teachers, one for a Priest undergoing training and two for students studying law. R-L: Eldest Son of the Late Justice Obaseki, Mr. Edosa Obaseki; eldest great grand son of the late justice, Ajani, Mrs. Berverly Obaseki,Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Ikponmwosa Obaseki; Pa George Obaseki; First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Honorable Justice Osato Obaseki-Osaghae and Mr. Bob Osaghae at the funeral service of the late retired Supreme Court Justice in Benin City on Friday. Former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said the late Justice was a judge who in his time delivered justice in its purest form.
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who also graced the service, described him as a great leader and a legal icon who gave his all to the legal profession.
Other dignitaries at the funeral service were the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who was represented by Senator Francis Alimikhena; National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu; former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe; Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Hon. Achuba Simon, amongst others.
The Akwa Ibom Government has declared a one-day fast on Sept. 1, as part of activities marking the 30th Anniversary of the creation of the state. Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State Akwa Ibom was created on Sept. 23, 1987 alongside Katsina State by the erstwhile administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
The state-wide fasting was announced on Friday in Uyo by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh.
A statement issued by the commissioner explained that as Akwa Ibom would be celebrating its 30 years of creation, it was needful to seek the face of God and pray for His blessings.
Udoh said that the fasting would be led by the state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, and the theme would be "Shine, for thy light is come'' drawn from the Bible (Isaiah 60:1).
"This year's anniversary is epochal, considering that the age of 30 is a very significant time in God's scheme of things.
"The heaven was opened for Jesus at the age of 30 during his baptism and there he also received a divine endowment from the Father," Udoh said.
He noted that it was at the age of 30 that heaven was opened to Ezekiel and he was empowered to see great visions for the house of Israel.
The commissioner said that David was made King in Israel at 30, while Joseph also became a Prime Minister in Egypt at the age of 30.
He noted David's reign was glorious, spanning 40 years, while Joseph's position as prime minister saved the people of Israel from famine.
"As a people of a great state named after God, Akwa Ibomites, are hereby called upon to fast and pray on that day, beginning from 6:00 a.m.
"The fast will be rounded off at the Government House Banquet Hall grounds from 4:00 p.m.," Udoh said.
Justifying the call for fasting, a lady evangelist in the state, Mrs Glory Akpan, lauded the initiative of the government in seeking God's face at this period of recession in the country.
Akpan said that if Akwa Ibom people will forsake their sins and pray earnestly, God will surely bless the state and the entire nation.
