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The Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose was, Friday, installed with the chieftaincy title of the Apesin of Ado Ekiti. Governor Fayose could not attend the meeting between state governors and President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja earlier today because of the traditional ceremony of his chieftaincy titling.
Photos show Fayose in company of the Gombe state Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo during the ceremony.
Fayose installed as the Apesin of Ado EkitiFayose installed as the Apesin of Ado EkitiGovernor Dankwambo of Gombe state present as Governor Fayose is installed as the Apesin of Ado EkitiFayose installed as the Apesin of Ado Ekiti
The Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has given reasons why he ignored the meeting of state governors with the President, Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa earlier today.
President Buhari had met with state governors after meeting with the leadership of both the All Progressive Congress, APC, and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP.
At the meeting with governors, Governor Fayose was visibly absent.
Ayodele Fayose
However, giving reasons for his absence at the meeting, Fayose said he could not abandon his planned event just to attend an impromptu meeting with Buhari.
Governor Fayose who took to his twitter handle to state his reasons for being absent at the meeting said although he received the invitation for the meeting, he had however already scheduled meetings with some respected citizens in preparations for his chieftaincy title installation as the Apesin of Ado Ekiti.
He also said that "he could not have abandoned his guests for an impromptu meeting with the president."
According to him, "For those insinuating that I shunned the president's meeting with governors, I didn't. I had my installation as Apesin of Ado Ekiti slated for today.
"Guests were already in Ekiti since yesterday for the chieftaincy title installation before I received notice of the meeting with the President.
"There was no how I could have abandoned the people here in Ado Ekiti for the impromptu meeting with the President."
Comments on medical tourism allegedly attributed to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo by a media report on Thursday, August 24, have been debunked by the Director General, Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, who represented Prof. Osinbajo (SAN) at the event.
The said media report erroneously claimed that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), at an event recently, had decried the enormous amount of money Nigerians spend on medical tourism in other countries, and that medical tourism was draining Nigeria's reserves.
President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo
The remarks were allegedly made at a national health dialogue organised by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, PTCIJ, and other organisations.
In a statement, Okechukwu, who represented the Vice President at the event, emphasised that the views captured in the said report were not to be attributed to the Vice President.
The DG, VON, said, "My attention has been drawn to the media reports attributing my remarks yesterday at the Premium Times Healthcare Seminar to our dear Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON.
"While I stood in for the Vice President at the said event, I also did express my own views at the said seminar, including those regarding the Medical Tourism and the attendant concerns and challenges.
"These views as stated during the event are not to be attributed to Prof. Osinbajo.
"For the avoidance of doubt, I spoke in the context that President Muhammadu Buhari's health plan will drastically minimize Nigerians expenditure on medical tourism.
"I cited for instance the loans meant for the establishment of health system projects and standard medical facilities in the $29.9 billion soft loan basket pending at the National Assembly."
In the same vein, the Vice President, at different times, has consistently reiterated that the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, remained committed to improving public services in the area of basic education and primary healthcare, and the general livelihood of all Nigerians.
"As we restore and maintain security, we must not lose sight of the need to provide social service, food, education, healthcare, shelter as well as resettlement and livelihood support," the Vice President said recently.
Prof. Osinbajo (SAN) has also assured that, despite challenging times, the government will make resources available to fund quality healthcare nationwide through the development of specialist hospitals.
He further noted that the Buhari administration is fully committed to improving healthcare in the country through its Social Investment Programmes and other initiatives aimed at enhancing the wellbeing and livelihood of all Nigerians.
Sen. Stella Oduah, an aspirant in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra, has threatened withdrawal from the race, alleging irregularities in Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) build-up to the primary election.
Oduah made this known while briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja.
She said that the Ward congress of the party held on Wednesday to elect three delegates per ward was fraught with "irregularities and sabotage''.
According to her, as if the case of hijacking was not enough, the ultimate result of the ward congress which was submitted by the Secretary of the panel was switched for a doctored result.
•Stella Oduah
"The exercise violated all known principles of democratic practice. Several complaints have continued to trail the exercise as most party faithful are disgruntled and agitated,'' Oduah said.
She disclosed that she had petitioned the National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, over the matter, and threatened to withdraw from the primary if the party failed to address the problem.
"Based on the above, I wrote to notify the chairman of my protest and intention to withdraw from the 2017 gubernatorial primaries in Anambra if the party fails to address the issues presented.
"This is because the approach employed for the party primary is not aimed at winning election.
"The implication of this is to subject loyal party faithful to stressful and rancorous primary to weaken and sap the strength of candidate that will emerge from the exercise.
"It should be recalled that this has been the reason our party has been losing gubernatorial elections in Anambra,'' she said.
The lawmaker claimed that she and only a few other members of the party in the state remained faithful during the turbulence in the party that led to litigations at the national level.
"There is no doubt that our party has undergone a torturous battle. Along the line, some wavered and many of our members dropped and a lot others left the mainstream party.
"To the glory of God, some faithful members remained loyal and determined to see to the end of the crisis.
"While some states were hard hit, the impact on others was light. In many states, members of the party were abandoned to their fate like orphans.
"This is particularly so where we have governors at the hem of affairs who are in the opposition.
"In such case, the burden of managing the state chapter of our party fell on few elders and some parliamentarians elected on the platform of the party,'' she said.
According to her, in Anambra, I was among the few party members who remained faithful, and it was a challenging period for the few members of the party who kept fate.
"At some point, I became the only senator elected on the platform of our great party in state, but myself and a few elders kept the flag flying until today that the party regained its glory.
"It was in view of this that the elders of the party in my state encouraged me to step forward to lead the party in the upcoming gubernatorial election of Nov. 18,'' she said.
Oduah warned that the approach being adopted in the state would not reward party loyalists or guarantee election victory.
The aspirants on PDP platform are Dr Alex Obiogbolu, Sen. Stella Oduah, Mr Oseloka Obaze, Mr John Emeka, Dr Patrick Ubah, Mr Akolisa Ufodike and Ms Lynda Ikpeazu.
The Federal Government has approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking the revocation of the bail of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The application was attached as a press release and made available to on Friday in Abuja by Mr. Salihu Isah, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Minister of Justice.
In the application, the Federal Government is seeking an order of court revoking the bail granted Kanu on April 25.
The government is also seeking an order of court directing the arrest and committing Kanu to custody pending trial as well as any such order the court may deem fit in the circumstance.
Nnamdi Kanu waving at his Biafra supporters from the balcony of his father’s palace
The application which has the name of the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, explained that the call for revocation of Kanu's bail was on the grounds that Kanu had breached his bail conditions.
"The 1st defendant (Kanu) is standing trial for alleged offences of conspiracy to commit acts of treasonable felony and other related offences before this court.
"The offence for which he is standing trial is not ordinarily bailable but due to the magnanimity of the court and its quest for justice and fairness, he was granted bail on health grounds.
"Among the other conditions for his bail is that he should not be seen in a crowd exceeding 10 people and he should not grant any interviews, hold or attend any rallies.
"And that he should file in court, medical updates of his health status every month. But rather than observing all of the conditions listed above, Kanu, in flagrant disobedience to the court order, flouted all conditions of the bail."
According to the government, Kanu has in furtherance to the offence he was charged, inaugurated Biafra Security Service adding that such an act was a grave threat to national security and unity of the country.
An affidavit deposed to by Loveme Odubo, a litigation clerk in the Ministry of Justice, claimed that Kanu held a rally at his residence in his hometown, Afara-UkwuIbeku in Umuahia, Abia.
And that the rally, with a crowd exceeding 10 persons, was captured in a video published on June 1 and circulated around the country through the internet platform of YouTube.
He further deposed that the bail granted Kanu was to enable him take care of his health and not for any other purpose.
In a written address attached to the application, the government wants the court to determine whether the defendant violated the bail conditions set by the court to warrant the revocation of same.
Kanu is standing trial along with Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie on allegations of treasonable felony.
Justice Binta Nyako had on April 25, admitted Kanu to bail on stringent conditions, but had denied bail to the other defendants standing trial with him.
The matter was adjourned until July 11 for trial but could not go on because the court commenced its annual vacation on July 10 and a new date of Oct. 17 was fixed for commencement of trial.
President Muhammadu Buhari is currently in a closed-door meeting the state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
At the meeting still ongoing, the Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi gave account of the various happenings in Nigeria while President Buhari was absent. He equally gave account of how the Vice President who was then acting, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, managed the country well while he was in London on medical leave.
According to Umahi, “In your absence VP Yemi Osinbajo demonstrated a very high level of loyalty to Nigeria and to Mr. President.”
President Muhammadu Buhari welcoming Former APC chairman, Prince Tony Momoh to the meeting between the Presidency and National Leaders of the APC and the PDP at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 25/08/2017
Governor Umahi who also thanked President Buhari for the various support he has given to all the governors especially with the Paris Club Refund, the budget and the agricultural supports also said that, “Without this assistance it’d have been difficult for us to cope.”
He said, “You have treated all Governors equally, irrespective of party affiliation.”
“As State Governors we have so much to thank you for.”
President Buhari, in a passing comment to the Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, said “You’re a favorite of the press."
President Muhammadu Buhari, at the closed-door meeting with state governors at the Presidential Villa on Friday remarked to the Delta state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa that he is the favourite of the Nigerian Press.
Buhari in a hand shake with Okowa
In the meeting attended by at least the 35 state governors except Governor Fayose of Ekiti, President Buhari is seen in the video below having a hand shake with the governors as they arrived for the meeting.
To Governor Okowa, Buhari said, “You are a favorite of the press.”
“You’re a favorite of the press,” President @MBuhari jokes with Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, today at the State House. pic.twitter.com/1zeP0LZjzT
President Muhammadu Buhari, Friday, met with the executives of the All Progressives Congress, APC, party and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.Among those who attended the meeting were PDP members whose delegation was led by its national caretaker committee chairman, Ahmed Makarfi.
The APC’s delegation was led by its national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.
Buhari in exchange of pleasantries with Makarfi, Osinbajo, Oyegun, others during a closed-door meeting with APC, PDP executives at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
Makarfi, at the meeting told Buhari that PDP "will give you a good run for your money and constantly keeping you on your toes as we all strive to make this country better.”
Makarfi gave the statement when he assured the President that PDP will play its role of opposition decently and responsively.
President Buhari, in the meeting, had told the APC and PDP executives that the meeting was not a political gathering but signified unity of Nigeria. He said opposition does not mean hostility or antagonism because democracy which Nigeria practices recognises and, in fact needs opposition that is vibrant but responsible.
According to Buhari, "I thank you sincerely, collectively and individually for finding time from your busy schedules to come all the way to Abuja and welcome me back home.
"This visit signifies the unity of Nigeria. It is not a party occasion. It is not a political gathering. It is a symbol of our National unity. It is also an expression of the maturity of our democracy.
"Multi-party democracy is a very tried and tested form of government. Opposition does not mean hostility, enmity or antagonism. Democracy needs opposition, one which is vibrant but responsible.
"I am very pleased to see you assembled here all shades of opinion in Nigeria. Please convey to our countrymen and women in your respective states my deep gratitude to all those who prayed for my recovery. I am imploring all Nigerians to continue praying for peace and prosperity in Nigeria.
"I thank you so much God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
However, in his remarks, the PDP national caretaker committee chairman, Ahmed Makarfi assured the president of PDP's cooperation in ensuring good governance to the people.
He said, "this we shall do by giving you a good run for your money and constantly keeping you on your toes as we all strive to make this country better.”
“Mr President, you will agree with me that the PDP has more than a fair knowledge and experience of the weight of that responsibility.”
“Mr President, I want to reiterate our offer and assurances of PDP’s cooperation with the government on any programme sincerely designed to take Nigeria to higher levels. We identify with, and will continue to support the fight against terrorism as well as other crimes that have sneaked into our consciousness like kidnapping and banditry, as well as farmers/herdsmen clashes and other crimes camouflaged as such and all other anti-social vices that slow down our nation’s wheels of progress.”
Makarfi said PDP is happy and joins “our compatriots in welcoming you back home from your medical vacation. We thank Him for your recovery even as we pray that He continues to guide and guard you as well as give you greater strength to shoulder the onerous responsibilities of your office, for the betterment of our country.
"It is on record Mr President that while you were away, being the major position party in the country did not stop us from praying for your quick recovery and return to Nigeria.
He said, “This is because we honestly believe that the President of our country, whatever party flag he or she flies, is our president; and his or her health, is substantially linked with the nation’s health in so many ways.
"So a prayer for the health Mr. President, we believe is a prayer for the good health of our country.
"That was why at several fora, we did, and enjoined others, irrespective of party affiliation, to pray for your quick recovery. It is a thing of joy, that Allah has answered our prayers.”
“There is no way we can have a respectable voice in the comity of civilized nations until we rebuild our institutions and imbue them with the necessary independence and confidence that will improve both their visage and standing with the citizenry The government should lead the charge in this regard by, especially, exhibiting greater respect to judicial pronouncements as well as respecting the fundamental rights of all Nigerians.
“The PDP as a great believer in the unity of this country will also partner with the government in any way(s) that will strengthen our historic bond and rebuild bridges of our beautiful relationships that seem to be cracking at the moment. 10. Mr President, we once again express our sincere happiness at your recovery and return home. We wish you more good health, strength and God’s guidance”, Makarfi said.
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a rail line from Kano to his hometown in Daura.
The rail will run from Kano to Jibia local government areas of Katsina state, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Ameachi disclosed.
Buhari commissions $1.457 b Abuja-Kaduna rail
Amaechi disclosed the news in Abuja on Friday at The Osasu Show Symposium — which bothers on the economy and its effects on the less privileged.
TheCable reported that Amaechi said the approved rail lines would run from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, Kano to Maiduguri, Makurdi to Jos, Gombe to Yobe to Borno, Jigawa to Niger Republic.
According to Amaechi, “GE came here and annouced that they would give us 100 locomotives, we did the audit of our; our narrow gauge can't carry 17 locomotives, so by October 1st to October 2nd, we would be lauching about six to ten locomotives, because our narrow gauage cant carry more than that," Amaechi said.
"Government said concession this narrow guage, and we have successfully done that to the extent that we are able to sign an agreement with GE. By October GE will take over the narrow guage and begin to run from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.
"When they stop at Umuahia, economic activities will be at Umuahia; the Umuahia station will become an economic hub. We the Ibos in Umuahia will be able to establish shops and sell goods we would like sell.
"That station from Port Harcourt to Aba, Aba to Umuahia, Umuahia to Enugu, Enugu to Makurdi, Makurdi to Jos, Jos to Bauchi, Bauchi to Gombe, Gombe to Borno."
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, party of trying to use its planned clamp down on hate speech as a ploy to criminalise freedom of speech and association.
PDP, in a series of tweet, said the "Constitution of Nigeria in Chapter IV (33), is very clear on freedom of Speech and Fundamental Rights of all Nigerians," but that APC is using the hate speech clampdown to "coax Nigerians against demanding for fulfillment of its promises."
PDP reminds APC of undelivered campaign promises to Nigerians after over two years
The party however showed a snapshot of the campaign promises made to Nigerians by APC before Nigerians voted them into power, saying, APC must focus on meeting the promises instead of threatening Nigerians and trying to criminalise freedom of speech.
2. The Constitution of Nigeria in Chapter IV (33), is very clear on freedom of Speech and Fundamental Rights of all Nigerians #APCDecreeFourpic.twitter.com/12XldAxclj
Ram sellers in various markets in Ibadan on Friday decried low patronage, barely a week to the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
SALLAH: Rams
A correspondent who visited many markets in the area, reports that ram sellers were seen discussing the development.
At Temidire 30-30 in Bodija, Akinyele, Liberty road and Mokola, rams were seen in various sizes tied to stomps with no buyers in sight.
The Baale of ram sellers at Temidire 30-30 market, Bodija, Alhaji Abdulrasak Adeyemo, also decried the low turnout of ram buyers this year.
"Sallah celebration is some days away from now and the market is low, no buyer at all compared to last year.
"The price of ram now is from N25, 000 to N80, 000 with the price of 'he- goat' from N10, 000 upward," he said.
Adeyemo urged government officials to re-invigorate the economy to make life more meaningful to the citizenry.
He said the high price in the transportation of rams from the northern parts of the country to the southern part was also affecting sales.
Adeyemo also urged the government to intensify effort in reviving the railway service for effective operation to ease cargo transportation.
A potential buyer, Mr Babajide Lukmon, said "as a civil servant being June and July salaries, it would be difficult for me to buy ram or celebrate Sallah.''
Another citizen, Malam Saheed Ahmed, said lack of money in the country ''has turned things upside down.''
"The economic downturn is affecting things, no money, yet, people go to work every day ''.
Ahmed urged Muslims to celebrate Sallah according to their pocket.
'If ram cannot be slaughtered, use goat to celebrate Sallah, he said.
Meanwhile, a cleric, Alhaji Abdullahi Kwara, has also urged Muslim faithful not to borrow to buy rams for the celebration of the festival.
AbdulHameedm, who is the Chief Imman male, Ilorin, gave the advice in llorin on Friday during an interview.
"Muslims must not borrow money or take loan to perform spiritual duties as there will be no reward for that action,'' he said.
The Imam said instead, Muslims should find legitimate means of slaughtering rams in marking the festival.
"When one borrows or take a loan, one does not have complete ownership of the money and such money cannot be used for animal sacrifice for the festival.''
Borussia Dortmund’s French starlet Ousmane Dembele brought an end to protracted transfer talks by agreeing a five-year deal with Barcelona for a fee of 105 million euros ($125 million) plus add-ons, the Spanish giants announced Friday.
Dembele
“Visca Barça, Visca Catalunya!” Dembele tweeted in Catalan, meaning ‘Long live Barca, long live Catalonia’.
Dembele, 20, moves from Dortmund, where he has been suspended since he boycotted training on August 10 in protest after the German club rejected Barca’s first bid.
The add-ons amount to a maximum of 42 million euros, according to Dortmund, which would make it the second biggest transfer in history after Neymar’s move from Barca to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.
It will surpass the highest transfer by a French player, currently held by Paul Pogba in his 105 million-euro move plus five million add-ons from Juventus to Manchester United last year.
“FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ousmane Dembele for 105 million euros plus add-ons,” Barca revealed in a statement.
“The player will sign a five-year contract and his buy-out clause is set at 400 million euros.”
The winger, capped seven times by France, will arrive in Barcelona on Sunday and undergo a medical on Monday.
“Congratulations my little brother, make me dream!!! Don’t forget to keep me a season ticket,” tweeted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Dortmund’s Gabon striker who received most of Dembele’s 22 assists last season.
Barca were in desperate need for reinforcements since being caught cold by Neymar’s decision to join PSG for a world record 222 million euros.
Dembele, who cost Dortmund just 15 million euros from Rennes last year, has paid the price for the ongoing saga over his future, with France coach Didier Deschamps opting on Thursday to omit him from the national squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
“Without doubt he is a hugely talented player, one of the best on the continent,” Barca gushed in their statement.
– Guarantees depth – Barca coach Ernesto Valverde added: “He is a player who guarantees us depth, something that we have lost and that we need. He can play on the wing and also as a striker, and in that sense offers us many possibilities.
“He is fast, deep, technical and we hope he brings us many things.”
Dembele scored 10 goals in 49 matches last season and topped the Bundesliga’s successful dribbles table, with 103.
The Frenchman has been attracting ‘Wunderkind’ headlines with Dortmund since July 2016 when he ghosted past Manchester United’s Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo before scoring an outrageous solo goal in Borussia’s 4-1 win on a pre-season tour of China.
“I’m not a phenomenon, I’m just trying to be decisive for my team-mates, there are a lot of talented young people in football,” Dembele modestly told AFP in a roundtable interview in February.
He has already shown himself to be capable of making a brave decision as last summer he resisted the advances of Barca and Madrid to move to Dortmund from Rennes and ensure his development wouldn’t be restricted by a lack of game time.
The 20-year-old will now have to show himself ready for the step up to the big time at the Camp Nou.
Dembele’s move, following Neymar’s Barca exit, comes at a time the footballers’ union FIFPro has blasted as “transfer market madness”.
Neymar’s transfer, it said, “is the latest example of how football is ever more the domain of a select group of rich, mostly European-based clubs”.
Barca are still in the hunt for Liverpool’s Brazilian Philippe Coutinho, while Monaco teenager Kylian Mbappe is in big-spending PSG’s crosshairs, with a reported 180 million-euro price tag.
As the NPFL enters its home stretch, npfl.ng put together some interesting stats to spice up the 10 matches billed for Friday and Sunday.
So far 695 goals have been scored after 350 matches.
1 – One goal now separates the top-two leading scorers this season. MFM FC and top scorer Stephen Odey has 18 goals and has Lobi Stars forward Anthony Okpotu on his tails with a goal less.
4 – Outgoing champions Rangers go into Matchday 36 as the in-form team. They are undefeated in their last four matches, the longest current run.
5 – Relegated Remo Stars hold the worst form guide going into Matchday 36 with five defeats on the spin against Kano Pillars, MFM FC, ABS FC, Rivers United and Wikki Tourists.
6 – Only six hattricks have been record this season. MFM’s Stephen Odey, Reuben Bala of Plateau United, Akwa United’s Alhassan Ibrahim and Anthony Okpotu of Lobi Stars have accounted for them. Okpotu has scored a staggering three hattricks this season – a first in the NPFL by any player.
7 – Plateau United are now seven points away from claiming their first-ever title.
8 – Niger Tornadoes have kept a clean sheet in every of their last eight home matches, the longest current streak ahead this matchday.
9 – Akwa United ahead of Friday’s meeting with Lobi Stars are on a run of nine home wins on the bounce.
11 – Bottom-placed Remo Stars are on an infamous run of 11 games without a win – the worst record of no successive wins in the history of the NPFL.
12 – Enyimba and Plateau United could extend their winning streak at home to 12 on the bounce each when they play hosts to Wikki Tourists and Rivers United.
18 – Only Shooting Star have more individual goalscorers in the league this season. They have 18 different goalscorers, two more than the other teams.
30 – There are 30 matches remaining to conclude this season.
40 – Only 40 goals remain to equal last season’s 735 goals record last term.
70 – Enyimba go into Matchday 36 seeking with an undefeated run of 70 matches at home since a 1-0 loss to Abia Warriors in March 2014.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has pledged to support and partner the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections in 2019.
Gov Samuel Ortom
The Governor who spoke yesterday while receiving the new Benue State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda in Makurdi said his government would not do anything that could truncate electoral process in the state
Ortom said, “Benue people would respect results of elections because it was the result of credible elections that brought this administration on board.”
The Governor directed the Commissioner of Information, Mr Lawrence Onoja, jnr, to mount an enlightenment programme on the need for the people to participate in the ongoing voters registration exercise.
Ortom appealed to churches, traditional institutions and social groups to sensitize the people on the need for them to register, explaining that only voting cards could be used by the people to bring in people of high integrity into offices.
He however cautioned that “registration at ward levels may not be smooth if INEC does not consider the establishment of registration centers close to the people.”
Earlier, Dr. Yilwatda said that the electoral body had made it possible for internally displaced persons to move their voting points to their new places of abode.
He assured that INEC would conduct free and credible elections in the state advising aggrieved persons to always seek legal redress to issues relating to irregularities instead of resorting to violence or destruction of INEC offices or property.
League leaders, Plateau United produced their very first VAT Wonder Goal award winner in Emmanuel Odafe who narrowly beat Nojeem Raji of Sunshine Stars in one of the tight races witnessed since the award was re-introduced by the League Management Company (LMC) at the start of the second stanza of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Emmanuel Odafe
On the two voting platforms (Twitter and the NPFL official website), Odafe had stiff contests with each of the other two nominees, narrowly defeating Raji with five votes on the Twitter poll while on the website poll; he tied with El-Kanemi Warriors' Tchoanfine Pade with 15 votes apiece.
The Plateau United forward polled combined votes of 77 to edge Raji who secured 66 votes and Pade whose combined total stood at 36.
The VAT Wonder Goal of Matchday 32 had all three nominated players scoring off headers. Odafe connected a powerful header from a free kick in their match against Shooting Stars in the 15th minute. Raji in Bauchi had jumped highest to head in Sunshine Stars’ only goal in their 2-1 loss to hosts, Wikki Tourists while Pade headed in El-Kanemi's solitary strike in their 1-0 defeat of Akwa United.
Odafe thus becomes the 13th VAT Wonder Goal award winner and with it, the N150,000 cash prize half of which will be donated to a charity the player will nominate from within the state where the club is based.
The VAT Wonder Goal is awarded to the player whose goal is adjudged the most outstanding by fans who participate in online polls set up by the LMC on the NPFL website and Twitter handle. It is a social investment asset initiated to deepen club and community engagement through charity works. The award is supported by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) which adopts football as a platform to enlighten citizens on their civic obligations to pay tax.
Past winners include Ayo Saka (Rivers United), Friday Ubong (Akwa United), Ochowechi Salefu (Remo Stars) and Pascal Seka (FC Ifeanyiubah). Others are Ahmed Usman (Wikki Tourists), Wasiu Alalade (ABS), Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars), Sani Abbani (Gombe United) and Victor Chidume of Remo Stars. The rest are Shedrack Asiegbu of Abia Warriors, Emeka Ogbugh of Rivers United and Ikechukwu Ibenegbu of Enyimba International.
Twenty two states have so far concluded registration for the 2017 National Youth games slated to hold at the University of Ilorin, Kwara from Sept. 7 to Sept. 17.
Okere Emmanuel, Secretary of the Main Oganising Committee (MOC) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja that more states were being expected for the registration.
"We are expecting eight states to come in today (Friday) for the registration while others will come in on Monday or Tuesday before the end of the registration.
"We are using this edition of the games to build athletes that will take part in the 2018 Africa Youth Games and Olympics Youth Games,'' he said.
Emmanuel said that the games would feature 27 sports, including five team sports.
He listed the team events to include, Basketball, Cricket, Cycling, Handball, Hockey (Five Aside) and Volleyball.
The MOC scribe said that the new sports introduced were: Traditional Sports (Ayo/Kokowa), Wushu-Kunfu, Beach Volleyball, Cycling and Golf, while Canoeing/Rowing and Roller Skating would feature as demonstrative sports.
He said that the accepted weight category for Weightlifting in the game was 56kg /62kg for boys and 48kg/53kg for girls.
For Wrestling, we have FS-55kg, 60kg and FS-48kg, 53kg, while the weight category for Wushu-Kunfu, are 56kg (sanshou/Taolu) and 60kg (sanshou/Taolu) respectively.
In the last edition of the game in Ilorin, Delta topped the medal table with 24 medals, Ogun followed with 17 medals while Anambra and Kwara had 16 medals each.
Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho remains unavailable for Liverpool due to a back problem, manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Friday.
Coutinho
The Brazilian playmaker, 25, submitted a transfer request on the eve of the season and has been the subject of three unsuccessful bids from Barcelona.
Despite his injury status, he has been called up by Brazil for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Colombia.
“He’s on our injury list, that hasn’t changed,” Klopp told reporters on Friday.
“I was not in contact so far with the Brazilian FA, but the rules are if they want to see him and check him then he has to go there. I don’t know, but I think that will happen. It’s no problem.”
Liverpool welcome Premier League title rivals Arsenal to Anfield on Sunday, having secured their place in the Champions League with a 4-2 win over Hoffenheim on Wednesday.
Klopp’s side were drawn to face Sevilla, Spartak Moscow and Slovenian outfit Maribor in Thursday’s group-stage draw.
Klopp has less than a week to add to his squad before the transfer window closes and has thus far seen moves for Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk and RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita come to nothing.
But having added Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah, Scottish left-back Andy Robertson and young striker Dominic Solanke to his ranks, he says he is content with his squad as it is.
“Until August 31, a lot of things are really possible, in and out. If the transfer window closed tomorrow, I’m happy with it,” he said.
“Divock Origi was not in the squad (against Hoffenheim). He has done nothing wrong — it just shows how big the quality already is.
“Andrew Robertson showed up against Crystal Palace. Before, everyone thought, ‘Robertson from Hull?’ Now they think he is really strong.
“Dominic Solanke showed everything you want from a new player in a really short term. Mo Salah, we don’t have to talk about this.
“James Milner plays in midfield again, that’s for us like a transfer. Alberto Moreno played again at left-back and was outstanding.
“We will see what happens. I’m happy at the moment. Will I be happy on the 31st? Not sure. Will I be more happy? It’s possible.”
Dutch coach Dick Advocaat on Friday recalled record goalscorer Robin van Persie from the international wilderness to a 24-man squad for World Cup qualifiers against France and Bulgaria.
Van Persie
The Fenerbahce striker, formerly of Manchester United and Arsenal, hasn’t donned the Dutch jersey since October 2015, having scored 50 goals in 101 internationals.
Defenders: Nathan Ake (Bournemouth/ENG), Danny Blind (Manchester United/ENG), Wesley Hoedt (Southampton/ENG), Matthijs De Ligt (Ajax), Karim Rekik (Hertha BSC/GER), Kenny Tete (Lyon/FRA), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Stefan De Vrij (Lazio/ITA)
Midfielders: Donny Van de Beek (Ajax), Marco Van Ginkel (PSV), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord), Davy Propper (Brighton & Hove Albion/ENG), Wesley Sneijder (Nice/FRA), Kevin Strootman (Roma/ITA), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool/ENG)
Strikers: Memphis Depay (Lyon/FRA), Bas Dost (Sporting Portugal/POR), Vincent Janssen (Tottenham/ENG), Robin Van Persie (Fenerbahce/TUR), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow/RUS), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich/GER)
Ousmane Dembele brought an end to protracted transfer talks by agreeing a five-year deal with Barcelona worth 105 million euros ($125 million) plus add-ons, the Spanish giants announced Friday.
Dembele, 20, moves from Borussia Dortmund, where he has been suspended since he boycotted training on August 10 in protest after the German club rejected Barca’s first bid.
The add-ons amount to a maximum of 42 million euros, according to Dortmund, which would make it the second biggest transfer in history after Neymar’s move From Barca to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.
“FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ousmane Dembele for 105 million euros plus add-ons,” Barca said in a statement.
“The player will sign a five-year contract and his buy-out clause is set at 400 million euros.”
The winger, capped seven times by France, will arrive in Barcelona on Sunday and undergo a medical on Monday.
Barca were in desperate need for reinforcements since being caught cold by Neymar’s decision to join PSG for a world record 222 million euros.
Dembele, who cost Dortmund just 15 million euros from Rennes last year, has paid the price for the ongoing saga over his future, with France coach Didier Deschamps opting to omit him from the national squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands and Luxembourg on Thursday.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes that in signing Neymar, his former club Paris Saint-Germain have acquired the only player capable of taking them to the “next level”.
PSG smashed the world transfer record by paying Barcelona 222 million euros ($263.5 million) for Neymar, who has produced three goals and three assists in his first two appearances.
Ibrahimovic won four consecutive Ligue 1 titles with PSG, but never went beyond the Champions League quarter-finals and he suggested Neymar could be the man to change their fortunes in Europe.
“It’s difficult to not follow the news when a transfer like that happens,” said Ibrahimovic, who rejoined Manchester United on a one-year contract earlier this week.
“I follow my old teams and I’m happy for PSG that they made a transfer like that. Because he’s the only player you bring that could bring them to the next level. That’s what they did.”
Asked if he had any advice for Neymar, who has inherited his old number 10 shirt, Ibrahimovic told ESPN UK: “He doesn’t need advice. To go out and show his magic.
“And the rest will follow because he came to a fantastic team and he just needs to keep playing and make the fans enjoy (themselves).”
