A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
A terrorist group al-wilayat al-Islamiyya Gharb Afriqiyyah has threaten Wreak havoc by bombing the Univeristy of Ibadan (UI) before October 1st.
According to reports from social media.
Also there were reports that the group in letter through as WhatsApp, e-mail to all staff of the school threatened to carryout ceaseless bombings of the institution.
Part of the letter says "Most of you are going to die before Independence day. You will not spend the independence day in peace, you and your students. University of Ibadan
Detonation will start from tomorrow till independence day and there is nothing you can do as we are among you.
Even your little searches at the gate won't do anything. By the time we are through with you, your government will be sorry."
‘You people are an embarrassment to Nigeria and are the people that brought in western education to Nigeria.
You doomed this nation and in turn you all are going to be doomed",
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said 30 political parties had submitted names of their candidates for the Nov. 26 governorship election in Ondo state.
The commission's Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Nick Dazang, disclosed this in an interview with journalists.
Dazang said that all the parties met the Thursday deadline for the submission of names of the candidate as specified by the Electoral Act.
He said that the names of the candidates could not be announced until the date specified by the Electoral Act, as they were still subject to change.
"As at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, 30 political parties have submitted the list of their candidates for the Ondo governorship election.
"The parties can also substitute these names between now and Oct. 27, that is one month to the election when we will publish the final list.
"At that point when the list is published, they cannot withdraw or substitute any longer,'' he explained.
Dazang also said the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff's faction submitted names of candidates for the election.
He said that the commission was yet to decide on which of the two candidates, Mr Eyitayo Jegede or Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, that was acceptable to it.
Jegede emerged from the primary election organized National Caretaker Committee, while Ibrahim is the candidate of the Sheriff-led faction.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Saturday said residents of the north east can now sleep with their two eyes closed as a result of the gallantry of the Nigerian military which has degraded the Boko Haram insurgents in the region.
Army
The journalists also lauded the Chief Of Army Staff, lt Gen Tukur Buratai for his leadership skills which has restored glory to the Nigerian army, while also commending the military for robust relationship with the media.
The NUJ president while speaking at a parley between the COAS and the Media, said, Nigerians are proud of the army for restoring pride to the nation through their gallantry.
He said, “We are proud of our Nigerian Army, which is second to none in the world.”
He particularly commended the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and particularly saluted the efforts of the Chief of Army Staff for his courageous and dedicated war against terrorism in Nigeria.
He appreciated the Nigerian Army for the robust relationship with members of the fourth estate and lauded the Military Operation in the north east.
According to him, he was out in the city of Maiduguri till midnight where the beautiful serenity suggested that Boko Haram had never existed before. He drew comparison from his other visits to Maiduguri during his campaign to head journalists all over the country and was forced to retire to bed at barely 6pm.
In his remarks earlier, chairman of the FCT chapter of the NUJ, Comrade Abechi Paul Ella,said Nigeria has witnessed many profesional exploits in the fight against terrorism, his reign has brought about a humbling of the once dreaded BoKo Haram terrorists that once ravaged the Nigerian State.
He stressed on the need for a partnership between the Nigerian Army and journalists in the successes recorded against Boko Haram so far.
The Chapter applauded the Nigerian Army as an institution that has continued to do us proud in international operations and the record under Buratai is superlative
The council chairman in his remark said the council believes that an interaction like this today is very important in taking the war against terrorists to an enviable heights where Nigerians the world over would be proud of what the Nigerian Army has achieved in the last few months in turning the tide against the terrorists
In his response, the COAS promised a better working relationship in the development of the country and particularly called on the media to leverage on the popular slogan that security is everyone’s business, General Buratai said the war on terrorism has recorded enormous success like the President and the Chairman have properly captured in their speeches.
He decried the negative use of the media by some powerful and selfish individuals to rubbish the good intentions of the government and some actors who are doing their best to help move the nation forward.
He said the media should not allow paid detractors to seize their platforms to achieve selfish gains rather continue to rededicate themselves to national development through factual reporting that Nigerian journalists were known for in the past.
Newly commissioned Abiodun Jagun Street as part of the 114 Local Government Roads in Ojodu Local Council Development Area by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturday, September 24, 2016.Newly commissioned Abiodun Jagun Street as part of the 114 Local Government Roads in Ojodu Local Council Development Area by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturday, September 24, 2016.Representative of Lagos State Governor & member, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke (middle), flanked by member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olusegun Olulade (right) and Sole Administrator, Ojodu LCDA, Hon. Stella Kokumo (left) during the handing over of Abiodun Jagun Street as part of the 114 Local Government Roads in Ojodu Local Council Development Area, on Saturday, September 24, 2016.Sole Administrator, Ojodu LCDA, Hon. Stella Kokumo; Representative of Lagos State Governor & member, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke; Alaguda of Aguda, Oba Hakeem Agbaosi with other Chieftains during the handing over of Abiodun Jagun Street as part of the 114 Local Government Roads in Ojodu Local Council Development Area, on Saturday, September 24, 2016.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday said the State has witnessed significant influx of investors and visitors in recent times, saying it was largely due to the aggressive upgrade of infrastructure, especially road construction and rehabilitation.
Governor Ambode, who spoke in Somolu Local Government at the climax of the inauguration of 114 roads constructed across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), said each infrastructure provided has further improved the status of Lagos, both locally and internationally.
The Governor who was represented at the commissioning of two of the 114 roads-Okesuna and Anifowoshe roads, in Somolu LG by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mr. Folarin Coker ,said from provision of security apparatus, roads, 'Light Up Lagos' project and other infrastructure has further improved the confidence of tourists and investors in the State.
According to him, "Construction of 114 roads not only gives access, but further boosts the State's economy, social welfare, creates employment and provides other benefits within the state."
In Isolo LCDA, Governor Ambode inaugurated Panada/Lafenwa Road, off Mushin Road, in a ceremony attended by the Oba of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Adelaja, All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Lagos State, Chief Henry Oladele Ajomole, party chieftains.
The Governor, who was represented by the APC South West Women Leader, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, said that the construction of the roads across the 57 Councils has made the Lagos economy the most viable in the country assuring that no effort would be spared to make life more comfortable for residents.
Earlier in her welcome address, Sole Administrator of the Council, Hon. Abimbola Osikoya, thanked the governor for the promise kept in the construction of the road, noting that the road had been unmotorable and would no doubt improve the economical pursuit of the residents of the area, especially because of its proximity to the popular Aswani Market.
At the inauguration of Olorunfunmi Street in Oworonsoki and Okeowo-Somorin Street in Ifako-Gbagada, both in Kosofe LG, the Governor said the selection of 89 local contractors to execute the project was a deliberate strategy to empower the people and stimulate the local economy.
The Governor was represented by a member of the House, Hon. Bayo Oshinowo.
A House of Representatives member, representing Ikeja Constituency, Hon. James Faleke lauded Governor Ambode's effort at turning around the face of Lagos.
Faleke who spoke at the commissioning of Abiodun Jagun Street and Ishola Bello Street, both in Ojodu LCDA, where he represented the Governor.Ongoing construction of Iyana Oworo Bus Stop, Oworosonki, Lagos, inspected by Governor Ambode at the weekend.
"We cannot help but commend the efforts of our astute governor in this state. Governor Ambode has demonstrated that he is a man who thinks outside the box. He has been able to make judicious use of funds even in these very trying times," Faleke said.
In Ikeja Local Government, Governor Ambode who inaugurated Onilekere Street, where he was represented by Iyaloja- General, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, said Lagosians should expect nothing but a better and safer Lagos in the next three years.
During the commissioning of the road in Olu Akerele Street, also in Ikeja LG, former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji lauded Governor Ambode's administration for taking the dividends of democracy to the grassroots.
At Apapa LG, Governor Ambode through the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Ade Akinsanya and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Apapa Constituency 1, Hon Mojisola Lawal, commissioned 648 meters North Avenue Road and 227meters Caulcrick Road.
In his address, Sola Administrator of Apapa Local Government, Mr. Tunde Alao, commended Governor Ambode for the initiative to engage indigenous contractors, describing it as wise economic decision especially in the face of the dwindling rate of Naira against the dollar.
Governor Ambode also inaugurated Jinadu Street and Folawiyo Bankole Street in Itire-Ikate LCDA and was represented by Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi.
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Nasarawa state chapter, has advised Nigerians to avoid self-medication and seek medical examination before taking drugs.
Mr Agada Vincent-Agada, the state chairman of the association, gave the advice on Saturday in Keffi at an event to mark the 2016 World Pharmacists Day with the theme, "Pharmacists care for you."
The World Pharmacists Day is held on Sept 25 each year to create public awareness and engage in activities that promote and consolidate the profession's role in the society
Vincent-Agada said that the call had become imperative considering the negative effects of self medication on human health and to societal development.
He said: "the role of the pharmacists in the society cannot be over emphasised.
"Right from the points of manufacturing, handling to administration of medicine to the last point, needed to be handled by trained professionals in the pharmaceutical industry.
"That is why as key players in the health sector, there is the need for us to create awareness on the need for Nigerians to avoid self medication and seek medical examination before taking drugs.
"We condemn the attitude of those who cultivate the habit of taking drugs indiscriminately without medical examination.''
Vincent-Agada called on Nasarawa state government to establish Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the state owned University, Keffi to bridge the gap in accessing good and quality healthcare services in the state.
Also speaking, Dr Luka Samuel, Head, Clinical Unit, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, called on pharmacists to adhere strictly to the ethics of their profession.
He urged them to be of good behaviour at all the time in order to improve on the health status of patients.
Earlier, Dr Luka Samuel, Director and Head of department Pharmaceutical service, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, said that the role of the pharmacist in the society is indispensable.
He called on policy makers and other stakeholders in the health sector to formulate policies that would ensure effective healthcare service for the people.
The Chairman of Eleganza Group of Companies, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Okoya, has appealed to the Federal Government to build more technical institutions to reduce dependence on white collar jobs.
Okoya, who made the appeal at the 2016 Ileya Dance which held at the Island club, Lagos, said such institutions would encourage home-grown businesses and help tackle the current recession.
"We have a lot of universities already, which is a good thing, but we need more technical institutions because this is where the practicality of things are taught.
"When a person is equipped with the technical know-how of a profession, that person can confidently start up his or her own business.
"The present state of the economy of the country is affecting everybody, even I as an industrialist, I am affected seriously,'' he said.
Okoya prayed for God's guidance in tackling the present recession.
He also promised to continue to support the development of the club.
Mr Oladipo Opeseyi, the Chairman of Island Club, said members of the Boko Haram sect were not Muslims.
"They are not knowledgeable in Islamic teachings and are totally misguided bigots whose desire is personal aggrandisement even if they unwittingly in the process turn a peaceful religion into eruptive violence.
"They do not have enough humanity in them to appreciate that you do not kill to convert but that you convert the living and not the dead,'' he said.
Opeseyi also expressed gratitude to God for sparing the lives of Muslim faithful who performed the Hajj.
Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Kogi, unveiled the peacock emblem of the club and also inaugurated the Garden Bar
President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with ace photographer, media entrepreneur and author, Sunmi Smart-Cole, who will be celebrating his 75th birthday on Sunday.
The president's congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.
Buhari, in the statement, commended the versatile and multi-talented artiste for the beauty, glamour and depth he brought into the chronicling of Nigerian history through hard work and perseverance, starting out early as a photo-journalist.
According to the president, Smart-Cole's place in Nigeria's history is assured as early in his career" he was a story teller but later as he progressed he became part of the story with his signature creative and innovative style."
" Looking into his background as a barber, jazz drummer, environmentalist and a multiple award winning photographer, Smart-Cole succeeded in almost all his endeavours because of his passion, integrity and commitment to making life better for others through his art,'' he said.
The president urged younger photographers and mentees to also emulate Smart-Cole's life style of magnanimity and contentment in addition to learning his art.
As one of the pacesetters of professional photography in the country, the president prayed that God would grant the media entrepreneur " longer life, good health and more inspiration to serve his country.''
No fewer than 1,000 pilgrims from Sokoto State have been transported back to Nigeria through the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport in the state.
Alhaji Faruk Umar, the Public Relations Officer in the Sokoto State Muslim Welfare Agency, made this known to reporters in Sokoto on Saturday.
He said that the pilgrims were transported in two flights by Max Airline.
Umar commended the pilgrims for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the screening carried out by Customs and Immigration officials.
Recall that pilgrims from the Sokoto State were the first to be airlifted in the country to Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj on Aug. 8.
Jose Mourinho insists Wayne Rooney can still be a key figure for Manchester United despite dropping the England striker for Saturday’s 4-1 win against Leicester.
Mourinho left Rooney on the bench after a series of underwhelming performances from the United captain and he wasn’t missed as the Premier League champions were crushed at Old Trafford.
Juan Mata, who stepped into Rooney’s number 10 role, was among the scorers, but United manager Mourinho is adamant his axed star remains an important member of the team and is not sulking about the decision to leave him out.
“Wayne Rooney is a big player for me, United and this country. He is my man, I trust him completely. He is happy,” Mourinho told Sky Sports after Rooney was limited to a seven-minute substitute appearance at the end of the second half.
After United were beaten in their previous two league games, Mourinho couldn’t afford his Rooney gamble to backfire and he delighted with the way his team blitzed Leicester with a four-goal first half.
“It was a very good performance and result. It is not easy against them and not easy to win in the style that we did,” Mourinho said.
“Today we had intensity, movement and dynamism. To be back home and beat the champions is good. Last season we couldn’t beat them and this season we have beaten them twice already.
“We have lost six points in the Premier League. We have four victories which is really important.
“Today it is about the security and the happiness of the fans, I don’t know when the last time that they had such a scoreline at half time.”
Manchester United dismantled Premier League champions Leicester in a ruthless 20-minute burst as Jose Mourinho’s decision to drop Wayne Rooney was rewarded with a 4-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Leicester imploded defensively as United racked up four goals between the 22nd and 42nd minutes.
It was a stylish display from a United side who had entered the game under pressure after losing their last two league games, against Manchester City and Watford, with Chris Smalling opening the scoring after replacing Rooney as captain.
Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba, with his first United goal following his world record £89 million ($115 million, 102 million euros) arrival from Juventus, were also on target after England captain Rooney was dropped to the substitutes’ bench.
But it was a chastening afternoon for Leicester despite an improved second-half display and a brilliant consolation goal from half-time substitute Demarai Gray.
It was the second successive Premier League away game in which Leicester had shipped four goals after doing so at Liverpool two weeks ago.
Leicester held their own early on with Robert Huth lashing a shot just over but it was United who edged in front in the 22nd minute after some neat play wide on the left had forced a corner.
It was delivered by Daley Blind and Smalling escaped the United defence to power home a header from six yards.
Rashford should have doubled United’s lead moments later when Leicester squandered possession and Zlatan Ibrahimovic galloped forwards and squared for the teenager.
But Rashford’s first touch was heavy and his shot flew over.
Ibrahimovic then went close to a goal after collecting a fabulous pass by Pogba, but the Swede’s effort on the turn just cleared the bar.
Next it was Pogba’s turn to let fly with an outrageous effort from 30 yards that bent towards the top corner but was forced away by Leicester goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler.
United finally added a second goal as they turned on the style eight minutes before half-time.
Ander Herrera started the move with a fine ball to Mata before a clever pass by Pogba and a fine flick by Jesse Lingard allowed Mata to blast past Zieler.
And the third goal arrived just two minutes later as Leicester handed a chance to Rashford which the youngster snapped up.
The visitors were caught napping as Blind took a quick corner and Mata was free to square for an unmarked Rashford to finish from close range.
– Double change –
It was 4-0 before half-time as another corner by Blind was headed in by Pogba as he leapt above Christian Fuchs.
Leicester made a double change at half-time with key duo Vardy and Riyad Mahrez withdrawn ahead of the Champions League meeting with FC Porto on Tuesday.
And they almost had some joy when David De Gea dived at the feet of Islam Slimani but gifted possession back to the visitors with a poor throw.
Fuchs wasted the chance, however, with a poor cross.
And at the other end Mata tried to add his second goal with a firm shot that Zieler parried well.
It was one of the half-time substitutes who salvaged a modicum of respectability for Leicester with a goal of real quality on the hour-mark.
Gray collected a crossfield pass from Daniel Amartey and cut inside Lingard before lashing a brilliant shot past a helpless De Gea from 25 yards.
But United were soon back on the attack as Zieler made a smart save from Ibrahimovic.
Two more Leicester substitutes combined for what should have been a second goal but Andy King produced a tame shot from a Jeff Schlupp cross and De Gea saved easily.
Gray then went within a whisker of replicating his stunning goal with an almost identical effort which De Gea scrambled back to push over the bar.
It is a psunami and i am glad-Obaseki By SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN CITY – AHEAD the Wednesday governorship election in Edo state, over ten thousand members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), United Progressives Party (UPP) and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, have endorsed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Godwin Obaseki.
Speaking at the defection, the PDP Youth Chairman of Egor local government Area, Mr Lambart Omoregie who lamented that his defection was long overdue said, "I have been in darkness and I have seen the light. And it is my strong believe that Obaseki is a better candidate to Ize-Iyamu so we all are supporting him".
Meanwhile, the running mate to Obaseki Philip Shaibu and over five thousand APC members embarked on a sweep away PDP exercise in Edo Edo North senatorial district Friday asserting that the PDP will not get up to 10 per cent votes from the district. Obaseki Also, the ADC state chairman, Hon Frank Osifo who lead all the members of the party to the APC described said, "Today is historical for the APC. We are here to effect the change across the state. After going through the profile of all the candidates, we have come to realise that Mr Godwin Obaseki has been prepared to govern Edo.
"A man that is knowledgeable, a man that knows the problem of the people, a man that has the people's interest at heart and has the prerequisites to be governor. It is based on these that we have come to join the APC to develop the state". He added.
The Labour Party Treasurer, Mr Fred Uwangue who lead leaders of the party into the APC said, the development in the state is crucial especially as what the party stands for is progress.
According to him, "All my leaders here have been in the Labour Party from the inception. What we used to see in Edo is lucky stone and they made every area in this state turn 'Morocco and Spain'. People that couldn't tar the road leading to their houses and villages, it was Oshiomhole that did it for them.
Responding, the APC candidate Mr Godwin Obaseki described the defection as an earthquake in the politics of the state saying "I now believe that Edo people know what democracy in Nigeria is all about. I have not seen where people will leave their parties with their candidate to another party but I have seen it today.
"Today's politics has gone passed talking, what we have now is technological politics and we have show to the people of Edo state that government can actually work. So I want to thank all of you who have decided to join us; it is the right decision and remember to vote for the APC on the 28 September".
Niger Delta Avengers on Saturday said it had carried out another attack in the Niger Delta after halting hostilities in August for talks with the government.
The militants, who said they attacked the Bonny crude export line on Friday night, have in previous months launched assaults which have cut crude production, which was 2.1 million barrels per day at the start of the year, by around a third.
According to a statement on the group’s website it said it “brought down oil production activities at the Bonny 48 inches crude oil export line” through its “strike team”.
”On the 23rd September 2016, our strike team at 20:40PM hours time has brought down oil productions activities at the Bonny 48 inches crude oil Export Line. This action is a signature to the over dramatization of the so-called dialogue and negotiation process on the side of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government.
Since, the cessation of hostilities and the commitment of the PAN Niger Delta Elders and stakeholders team, the Nigerian government and her agents are turning the expectations of the Niger Delta to shameful scenes obtainable in Nollywood acts and as well intimidations, blackmails and continuous profiling of Niger Delta sons and daughters. This is only a wake up call; we may not have other way to say it better.
We are still in favour of the dialogue and negotiations but we are warning against ” the peace of our time! We want the peace with honour". We will resist all actions undermining the ceasefire from side of the government and it security agents/ agencies.
The world is watching, time is running against the Nigerian state; while we were promised that the concerns of Niger Delta will be addresses once a truce is declared, the activities of the government and her agents are not assuring enough, there has been no progress and no breakthrough.
We cannot be continuously fooled, the government cannot justify the indiscriminate targeting of Niger Delta youths while glorifying on these victimization of law abiding citizens of the region
When people talk about West Ham United’s tradition of “cultured football” they are usually referring to the the London club’s great players, who include the 1966 England World Cup-winning trio of Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst.
But the phrase will take on a different meaning with a performance that has seen the West Ham Foundation and professional dancers team up with dozens of fans and refugees, all aged between five and 80, to create a new contemporary dance work.
‘Home Turf’ is an hour-long show being premiered on Saturday at London’s Sadler’s Wells theatre exploring “the highs and lows of football”.
While some see the arts and sport as being at the opposite ends of a spectrum, for composer Murray Gold they have plenty in common.
“For me, sport and drama is very much the same thing,” the 47-year-old, who grew up watching football in his native Portsmouth on England’s south coast, told AFP in an interview before a dress rehearsal.
“When I watch a football match, it’s the most dramatic kind of drama when you don’t know even how anything’s going to end.
“If you watched Manchester City play Bournemouth a couple weekends ago, Manchester City under (manager) Pep Guardiola looked like a ballet team.
“The movements were so precise, the choreography was perfect.”
– ‘Unifying’ –
For Gold, best known for his work on several British television series including Doctor Who, working with a mixed-ability cast of differing ages has been an intriguing experience.
“What I love is that one minute you can have on the stage this group who is clearly amazing and technically brilliant.
“And then the next minute you have for example 25 men and women who are in their 70s, who are not as agile as the young dancers but there is something about the participation and seeing them on stage which is very moving, very touching,” Gold said.
The performance doesn’t shy away from some of football’s darker issues such as hooliganism.
West Ham’s move to their new home at the London Stadium has been overshadowed by crowd control problems which saw some supporters brawling with visiting Watford fans and even with each other during a recent defeat.
“Every club has at some stage had some problem with hooliganism,” said Gold. “I find football very unifying.
“I can go anywhere in the world and talk about football to most strangers.”
While performing on a stage is nothing new for the members of the National Youth Dance Company in the cast, it certainly was for Saadia Abdullah, a 21-year-old refugee from Eritrea now living in London.
“It is my first time on the stage, I’m a little bit nervous,” she said.
“When you start dancing as child it’s easier. For us now it’s harder, but it’s never too late to be a dancer.”
The Nigerian Army said it had freed over two million women, children and adult males held captive by members of the Boko Haram sect in the North-East since President Muhammadu Buhari came to power.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai
The army said the feat was achieved after series of coordinated attacks and operations conducted against the terrorists.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, represented by the Chief of Civil Military, Maj.-Gen. Peter John Bojie, stated this in Abuja during a conference organised by Bassey Etuk Williams, President of Coalition of Civil Society Groups, a Non-Governmental Organisation, in commemoration of the United Nations World Peace Day, with the theme: "Civil society, media and military synergy in the sustainability of peace and generation of objective narratives."
According to him, such achievements would not have been recorded without the support of the Federal Government.
The COAS said the political will, clear directives of President Buhari and supports by all the tiers of government were responsible for the morale boost witnessed in the military.
Buratai said, "All symbols of government authorities and infrastructure were sacked and destroyed respectively. The situation was so bad that the entity called Nigeria was seriously threatened. Over four million people were displaced and most of them sought sanctuary in Maiduguri up till July 2015.
Lagos – The Police in Lagos State, have arrested a man, who claimed to be a trader, for allegedly raping his 15 year-old daughter and administering drugs on her to prevent pregnancy.
The spokesperson of the state Police Command, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest on Saturday.
Badmos said that the Gender Unit of the command was investigating the suspect, Uchena Elumadu for a case of defilement.
She said that a neighbour, who resides at Martins Street, new Oko Oba, Agege Lagos, reported the case to the police.
She said that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had on different occasions, raped the JSS 3 student who is his daughter.
The police image maker said that Elumadu usually administer drugs to prevent his victim from getting pregnant after having intercourse with her.
"The victim said that her father, on countless occasions wakes her up in the middle of the night to rape her, mostly when her mother is on night duty.
"The mother is a casual worker in one of the outfits attached to airport.
"On the night of Sept. 19, the mother discovered the suspect having intercourse with the victim and raised the alarm and one of their neighbours reported the case to the police," Badmos said.
She said the victim had been admitted at the Police Cottage Hospital, Ikeja Police College, where she is receiving treatment in partnership with Mirabel Centre LASUTH.
The spokesperson said that medical examination was being carried out on the victim.
Badmos said the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Owoseni, had directed that the father, who admitted raping his daughter on three occasions be charged to court.
"The commissioner has vowed that the command will no longer tolerate cases relating to domestic and sexual abuse in the state," she said.
The first batch of 499 pilgrims from Kano state, have returned home after performing the 2016 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pilgrims, on board a Max Airline Boeing 747 aircraft, landed at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport around 2 a.m. on Saturday.
The pilgrims, who, were in good health, were later transported in buses from the airport to the Hajj camp.
Alhaji Nuhu Badamasi, Public Relations Officer, Kano state Pilgrims Welfare Board, told NAN in a telephone interview, that the second batch of pilgrims from the state were expected to leave Mecca around 4 p.m. for Jeddah.
"The second batch of our pilgrims will leave Mecca for Jeddah around 4 p.m. Saudi Arabian time where they will be screened for their transportation to Nigeria", he said.
Badamasi said the board had made adequate arrangement to ensure that transportation of the pilgrims back home was hitch-free, adding that no pilgrim would be given preference.
"It is agreed that no pilgrim will be given preference during the return airlift.
"Those (pilgrims) who came with the first flight will return in the first flight," he said, adding that transportation of pilgrims from the state to Nigeria would last for two weeks.
NAN reports that a total of 5, 808 pilgrims from Kano state performed the 2016 Hajj.
AC Milan’s M’Baye Niang says he has no regrets about not moving to Leicester, but says he is sure to fulfil his dream of playing in England’s Premier League on day.
After two loan spells at Montpellier and Genoa Niang is now a regular starter for the Italian giants and endeared himself further to Rossoneri fans when he hit the third goal in a 3-0 derby defeat of city rivals Inter last January.
It came shortly after Milan rejected an offer from Leicester, the second of his career having come close to joining either Arsenal or Everton while at French side Caen.
Niang said he would one day move to England, but not if it is to sit on the substitutes bench.
“Caen had already accepted offers from Arsenal and Everton,” he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport Saturday.
“Then in January my agent called to tell me Leicester wanted me. But Milan said no.”
Former Rossoneri coach Sinisa Mihajlovic tried to convince Niang to stay with the pledge he would score in the upcoming city derby.
Niang was good to Mihajlovic’s word and the Frenchman is now considered their second striker behind Colombian Carlos Bacca, who has hit five league goals in five games.
But Niang added: “I could have played in the Premier League already and hopefully one day I will: it’s my dream to play there because it’s suited to my kind of game.
“Even after Leicester won the title I still risked being (Jamie) Vardy’s deputy: there’s loads of money in the English game, they pay 20m for you then maybe you sit on the bench.”
Milan, who are away to Fiorentina on Sunday, sit sixth in Serie A three points behind leaders Juventus.
Five CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals facts ahead of second legs this weekend:
— TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated 2009 title-holders Stade Malien of Mali 1-0 at home and 2-1 away in a previous semi-finals appearance three years ago.
— Etoile Sahel of Tunisia featured in a semi-final of the second-tier competition for the first time last year and edged Zamalek of Egypt in a dramatic tie after winning 5-1 at home and losing 3-0 away.
— The three clubs held at home in the first leg of a Confederation Cup semi-final — Bayelsa United of Nigeria, ENPPI of Egypt and CA Bizertin of Tunisia — all finished overall losers.
— FUS Rabat took an unusual route to success six years ago in a previous semi-finals appearance, defeating Al Ittihad 2-1 in Libya and losing 1-0 in Morocco to qualify on away goals.
— First-time semi-finalists Mouloudia Bejaia are hoping to emulate the only other Algerian qualifiers for the penultimate stage, Entente Setif, who eliminated Bayelsa 2-1 on aggregate to reach the 2009 decider.
A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Speaking on the issue of cultism among Nigerian students, President of National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, Comrade Taiwo Bamigbade EGALITARIAN, listed the following reasons students join fraternities in school.
According to him, students join cult group for so many reasons which include but not limited to : Peer group influence, poor parental upbringing; course curriculum in school which makes students less busy in school; oppression from lecturers and poor security system in and outside the campuses and poor institution management.
Bamigbade added that cult and cult related activities are spreading like wild fire across Nigerian campuses and urgent steps need to be taken to stop this ugly trend.
His words, ” Curbing cultism on campuses requires a collective approach which ranges from parental efforts, higher institutions inputs and government. Parent should bring their children up in God-fearing ways. Also, management of institutions across Nigeria should enact strict punitive measures to discourage students from joining cult or other anti-social groups.
Suspected cultists
Mr Maxwell John from the Department of State Security Service, DSS Lagos Command spoke recently in Lagos at a Summit organised by the National Union of Lagos State Student NULASS tagged, ” Cultism and drug abuse among Nigerian Youth:A Threat to National Peace and National Security.”
The DDS representative defined cultism as any organisation that is kept away from the public whose activities can cause threat and dangers to the peace of the community.
According to Mr John, the following can be traits that a youth belongs to a fraternity. When a youth become a heavy driver and smoker, moves in groups, has no definite home address, lives in constant fear, uses charm, suspicious dress sense and most times a fighter.
For Chimobi, 300 level of Structural Engineering, University of Benin lamented that lack of principle and not peer pressure is the reason students join cult organisations in school.” For me lack of values and principles are the reasons majority of youths join fraternities. As you will know, before peer pressure there is principle, peer pressure may not influence one if we have the right people around us.”
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Friday in Abuja inaugurated an Air Force Girls Comprehensive School to improve girl child education in the country.
The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, inaugurated the school at the Air Force Base, Abuja.
The minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan.
He commended the Chief of Air Staff and other personnel of the Service for the "remarkable project".
The minister said the present administration had resolved to make education accessible for the good of the country.
Adamu noted that one of the major factors militating against girl child education in the country today was poverty as well as cultural and religious believes.
"These factors have clearly undermined the role of the girl child who naturally is meant to be a friend, a teacher, a confidant, a councilor, a mother and the hand that feeds.
"Available records from the NBS showed that the girl child education as compared to boys is ratio one to three in some states and two to four in others.
"This clearly shows the disadvantage position of the girl child in the area of education.
In his remarks, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sidique Abubakar, said it had become imperative to improve on the girl child education in the country.
He thanked Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA) for their vision about the project.
"As chief of Administration, I was actively involved in the genesis of this project and NAF had to come in due to their inability to complete the project,'' he said.
He said provision of quality education to families and personnel of the Force had been an invaluable tool for the motivation of officers and men for higher performance, commitment to duty and effective service delivery.
"In building this school for girl child education, various thoughts came to my mind, first, there was the need to enhance the welfare of personnel which is a key driver of my vision.
"Our experience of fighting insurgents in the North-East indicates the exploitation of girl child education due to low literacy level.
"Against this background, we thought it wise to establish the school as our modest contribution to the president's efforts at enhancing the Girl Child Education In the country.
" With the opening of this school, it will shield them from societal vices because when you open the door of a school you open the door of liberty,''Abubakar said.
The Nigerian Air Force had already established an Air Force Comprehensive School in Jos, and has promised to establish the third one in its base in Bauchi State.
The former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ali Modu Sheriff has reiterated his commitment to the reconciliation process in the party, saying that the statement by the governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose that the courts should be allowed to resolve the leadership crisis in the party “has no impact whatsoever” on the process.
Sheriff-Makarfi
Speaking yesterday while inaugurating a faction leadership of the party in Delta state, Sheriff said the problems in the party can only be resolved through dialogue as has been initiated between him and Senator Ahmed Makarfi.
It would be recalled that Senators Sheriff and Makarfi early this week resolved to work together to end the leadership crisis that had engulfed the party since May this year.
While the move has been hailed by many, the governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose pooh-poohed the initiative, saying “it will not work unless the matter is decided on by the Appeal Court.
"When cases are in court you allow the court to lay them to rest. The moment this thing doesn't favour one side, they will tell you 'we are still in court. But allow the court to take a stand and reconciliation would be made easy. I'm not against anybody reconciling with each other but when you see that meeting, ask the conveners if governors were briefed” he said.
But Senator Sheriff who was represented at the inauguration by his Deputy National Chairman, Dr Cairo Ojuogboh said not minding the outcome of the cases in court, there would still be need for reconciliation.
“We want to tell Nigerians that the two leaders,( Sheriff and Makarfi) are committed to reconciliation, and to encourage our teeming supporters that the statement made by Fayose has no bearing on the reconciliation. In spite of what the Appeal Court or Supreme Court decides, there would still be need for peace. It is either we do it before or after the court judgement.
“We want to appeal to Fayose to key into the peace process that the two leaders are championing,” he said.
By Bunmi Sofola How to spot early tell-tale signs of Dementia. The first symptoms of dementia could begin as many as 12 years before patients are diagnosed, research shows. Forgetting to turn off the lights, mislaying objects around the home or coming back from the shops without something you meant to buy could all be early warning signs. Researchers in America found that 80 per cent of patients who went on to develop the illness noticed their memory was slipping years earlier.
On average they first became aware of these slips nine years before being diagnosed, but in some cases it was 12 years. Although experts urge patients not to worry if they occasionally mislay the keys, they should speak to their doctor if they are often forgetful.
There is currently no cure, but researchers are increasingly hopeful of finding new treatments that can be given to patients very early on or before the disease takes hold. Scientists at the University of Kentucky studied 531 pensioners with an average of 73 who did not have dementia. They were all asked whether they had noticed their memory slipping, such as forgetting items on the shopping list, mislaying personal belongings or neglecting to turn off the lights.
Over the next ten to 12 years the patients were asked the same questions and they also underwent tests and scans to diagnose dementia. The study, published in the journal Neurology, found that one in six patients went on to develop dementia, of whom 80 per cent had noticed lapses in their memory several years earlier.
Dr. Tichard Kryscio, who led the research, said that what was notable about the study was the time it took for the transition from when people first realised they were having problems with their memory to when they were actually diagnosed with dementia. That suggests that there may be a significant window of opportunity for intervention before a diagnosable problem shows up. "Certainly, someone with memory issues should report it to their doctor so they can be followed.
Our study adds strong evidence to the idea that memory complaints are common among older adults and are sometimes indicators of future memory and thinking problems.
Doctors should not minimise these complaints and should take them seriously. However, memory complaints are not a cause for immediate alarm since impairment could be many years away. 'Unfortunately, however, we do not yet have preventive therapies for Alzheimer's disease or other illnesses that cause memory problems'. 'Many people will experience a decline in memory as they age, and this single study adds to evidence showing that some people who experience mild memory loss in older age go on to develop dementia.
Although we all forget things from time to time, memory loss in dementia is more severe than occasional bouts of forgetfulness.
Ijaw youths have slammed the Federal Government anti corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC over alleged deliberate witch-hunt against former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience.
The youths under the auspices of Ijaw ?Youth Council (IYC) worldwide said it was unfortunate that the EFCC failed to learn from the fallout of the way it handled the case of Tompolo.
President of the IYC, Engr. Udengs Eradiri said ?the commission’s ?indiscreet media trial of Tompolo led to the crisis in the Niger Delta that plunged the country into the current economic recession.
His words, “?I thought the EFCC by now would have begin to face squarely its jobs of fighting corruption instead of the media charade that is their usual modus operandi.
EFCC boss Magu and Patience Jonathan
“They have not learned from the Tompolo incident instead of focusing on facts and doing their job following due process they quickly went to the media and that incident has led this country to where we are today.”
He also described as "unacceptable and illegal" to place the former first family on media trial without following due process.
Dame Patience, he said like most former First Ladies made her money from gifts and gratifications adding that there was no law against such gestures.
"First Ladies in Nigeria do not do any work. A woman naturally attracts a lot of gifts from men let alone a First Lady who has the power to recommend you for something.
"They receive a lot of thank you and gratifications because most cases they recommend people who come back to thank them. Even when they do not recommend, people go and say good morning with a million dollar. It did not start with Patience Jonathan.
"We know how influential the former First Lady of this country and other First Ladies were. We know how powerful, rich and wealthy they are and the property they acquired as a result of gratification.
"If you say Patience should show how she made her money, you must start with all the First Ladies, otherwise, it is a witch-hunt. Patience Jonathan got her wealth from thank you and there is nowhere in the law that says we should not receive thank you.
"So, EFCC should stop this nonsense. If you have issues, go and follow the due process and don't begin to use the media to tarnish the image of the former first family,” he said.
The former first family, he said, deserved respect adding that the youths would not tolerate further attacks and insults on Jonathan's family.
He said despite the humiliation Jonathan suffered from the wife of late former President Musa Yar'Adua, he never harassed the late President's family when assumed the leadership of the country.
"Jonathan should be respected in Nigeria. You heard what happened during the time of late President Yar'Adua, Jonathan did not witch-hunt that family irrespective of the humiliation he suffered despite the position of the law.
"This is a witch-hunt and the EFCC must stop this attitude because very soon, people will begin to resist them. Nigerians will get to the point where they will no longer accept it.
"We support the fight against corruption. All of us know that corruption has eaten deep into our fabric, but this selective fight especially geared towards the region must not be allowed", Eradir said.
He lamented that despite the corruption traced to the former late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha and his family, the government still approved a university for his wife.
"It is in this country that they talked about Abacha's loot, yet a university had been approved for Abacha's wife. In this same country where they said Abacha was corrupt. So, why are you treating one former first family differently and then everybody wants to humiliate Jonathan's family in the best of their ability.
"The former First Lady, Patience, has no question to answer.. The EFCC is destroying Buhari's anti-graft policy because when your anti-graft is beginning to show it is one-sided, it will lose credibility," he said.
The IYC boss further asked the EFCC to go return about N23bn, $100million and other assets it seized from the former Governor of the state, late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
He wondered what the EFCC was still doing with the money when Bayelsa and other states were facing financial difficulties.
"Bayelsa State funds are in their hands, they have not returned it. Why are they keeping the funds? Are they meant to keep funds that they recovered. Why is the money not being paid into TSA if they believe they are proceeds of corruption.”
ABAKALIKI- The sit-at-home order given by the Indigenous People of Bifara (IPOB), Friday recorded total non-compliance as normal activities and vehicular movements was unhindered across the State.
Speaking to Vanguard from his base in Ebonyi local government area of the state, the state Coordinator of IPOB, Mr. Ugochukwu Nweke who was observing the sit-at-home order alongside other members of the group described the people of the state as myopic and coward in the Biafra struggle.
“Ebonyi People are myopic but we the Indigenous People of Biafra are resolute, we cannot succumb to all manner of threats, intimidations and harassments by security agents and the Nigeria government.
“We are unstoppable and we cannot mind Ebonyi people who are not concerned on Biafra course, they have never behaved like Igbos”, he said.
When Saturday Vanguard visited some major markets and motor parks, normal activities were ongoing. Public and Civil Servants were also seen on their duty posts when our Correspondent visited.
But there was serious presence of police in strategic locations including the popular Nkaliki where MASSOB office is located as Policemen took over the area.
However, at Water Works and Ogoja roads, there were reports of tear gas thrown by security agents to disperse some groups suspected to be members of IPOB and MASSOB in the State.
Alhaja Mariam Ayo, the Permanent Secretary in the Kwara Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, has urged school principals to be pragmatic in the discharge of their duties.
Ayo made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Ilorin on Friday.
According to her, the essence of being dedicated to their duties is to move the education sector of the state forward.
She said that principals were expected to show more commitment in order to revolutionise the education sector in the state.
"The head must lead by example if we want to take our education to the next level.
"The ministry is ready to support your actions and provide a workable environment for the principals, teachers and students in Kwara,'' she said.
Ayo also urged principals to ensure that discipline and quality education was restored back in schools.
"My office is open for everybody, so any complaint will be fairly entertained and treated with the deserved attention as communication is vital for development," she said.
After many years of childlessness, wife of Bayelsa State Governor, Rachel Dickson was delivered of a quadruplet - a bouncing baby boy and three baby girls.
Governor Dickson’s joy at the arrival of the new born babies knows no bound, says his Special Assistant on Research and Social Media.
A fraud case against Brazilian superstar Neymar and his father in relation to the player’s 2013 transfer to Barcelona was reopened on Friday following a successful appeal by Spanish prosecutors, a court filing showed.
In July a judge ruled that irregularities in the high-profile transfer were detected, but said it was an issue for a civil court, not a criminal court to settle.
However, prosecutors successfully argued the player and his father were aware of potentially fraudulent dealings between Barcelona and his former club Santos to the detriment of DIS, a Brazilian investment company who owned 40 percent of the player’s sporting rights at the time of the transfer.
Spain’s National Court “fully overturned” Judge Jose de la Mata’s decision two months ago, allowing the case to proceed.
Neymar
Neymar, 24, his father (also Neymar), Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor Sandro Rosell were all called to testify in the case in February.
Barcelona in June agreed to pay a 5.5-million-euro ($6.2 million) fine in a deal with prosecutors that sees the club avoid trial on tax-evasion charges over the transfer.
Last week La Liga announced it will investigate Barca over the deal.
Rosell resigned amidst the scandal over how much Neymar cost the club.
The Spanish champions originally published the fee in the transfer as 57.1 million euros, with 40 million euros of that given to the player’s family.
But Spanish authorities believe the true transfer figure was at least 83 million euros because of a series of extra agreements tied to the transfer between the two clubs.
Santos — the Brazilian club of a young Pele and where Neymar started his career — received just 17.1 million, 6.8 million euros of which went to DIS.
DIS has claimed it was cheated of its real share firstly because part of the transfer fee was concealed by Barcelona and Santos.
Moreover, DIS also believes a pre-contract agreement between Neymar and Barca impeded other clubs from making offers for the player, affecting the value of the transfer fee.
Neymar is far from the only Barca star to find himself in problems with the Spanish authorities.
Five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi and his father were given 21-month jail sentences in July for tax fraud relating to the player’s image rights.
Messi is appealing the verdict, but the prison sentences are likely to be suspended as is common in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying a sentence of less than two years.
“If there is one player used to dealing with different situations and one team used to dealing with different situations, it is Barcelona,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique on Friday.
“All the players and their coach are used to dealing with things that have nothing to do with football.”
Barca’s Argentine defender Javier Mascherano also agreed a one-year suspended sentence with authorities for tax fraud earlier this yea
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the programme of events for the commemoration of Nigeria's 56th independence anniversary.
Mr Bolaji Adebiyi, Director of Press in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) stated this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Adebiyi said in the statement that an interdenominational thanksgiving church service had been scheduled for Sept. 25 at the National Worship Centre, Abuja at 4p.m.
According to him, a public lecture and Jumma'at prayers are slated for Sept. 30 at 11a.m and 1 p.m. respectively at the National Mosque, Abuja.
He said the Church service, public lecture and Jumma'at prayers were open to members of public.
Adebiyi added that attendance to the Presidential Change of Guard scheduled for Oct. 1 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja at 3 p.m. would be strictly by invitation.
The Army on Thursday said it killed Fifteen insurgents and lost two soldiers in a fierce battle between its troops and Boko Haram terrorists in Abadam village, Borno.
In a statement issued by Col. Sani Usman, acting Director Army Public Relations in Abuja, the army, however said it lost two soldiers during the fight.
Usman said the terrorists launched attacked on troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and Multinational Task Force at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, which lasted for two hours.
He said while many of the insurgents escaped with gunshot wound, four soldiers also sustained injuries.
"The bodies of our late colleagues and the wounded have since been evacuated.
"The troops have continued mop up and clearance operations of the remnants of the terrorists.
"They have also intensified vigilance and high level of alertness," he said.
Usman said items recovered from the terrorists include a gun truck, one 60mm Mortar tube, seven 60mm mortar bomb, a General Purpose Machine (GPMG), three damaged AK 47 Rifle and four bandoliers of anti-aircraft rounds of ammunition.
The Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Mr Ferdi Moolman, announced on Friday that the telecommunications giant did not give bribe for the reduction of the N1.04 trillion fine slammed on the company for infraction.
Moolman said in a statement in Lagos that MTN's attention had been drawn to an online report, alleging that a top official in the Presidency took bribe from the company to get the Federal Government to reduce the fine.
"MTN Nigeria has no knowledge of this and the allegation is therefore denied.
"The MTN Nigeria fine was ultimately settled with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)," he added.
Media reports have alleged that a top presidency official had collected N500 million as bribe from MTN to help the company to mitigate the fine imposed on it by the Federal Government.
The NCC had last year reduced the fine to N330 billion.
MTN was allowed to pay the fine in a staggered payment plan that would last till May 31, 2019.
The fine was imposed in October 2015, over the inability of the operator to disconnect about 5.1 million subscribers it registered improperly on its network.
By the terms of the agreement, MTN is expected to pay N30 billion to the NCC, 30 days from the date the agreement was entered into on June 10, 2016.
MTN is also expected to pay N30 billion to NCC on March 31, 2017 and another N30 billion on March 31, 2018.
It is also to pay additional N55 billion on Dec. 31, 2018 and a balance of N55 billion is expected to be paid on March 31, 2019.
By Chimaobi Nwaiwu. The worldwide Sit-at- Home protest called by Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, against the continued detention of its leader and Director of Radio Biasfra Mr. Nnamdi Kanu was complied with totally by resident of Onitsh and Newi.
In Nnewi and Onitsha, all the markets and financial house were under lock and keys, while gates of schools, Federal, State Governments institutions and establishment were either closed totally or half open, but human trafficking was not noticed.
The ever busy Onitsha Owerri Road and Onitsha Enugu Express Ways were ghost of them as no vehicular movement was noticed from 10 am to about 1.30 pm, all the streets and roads within the Onitsha metropolis were also deserted, and some residents of the areas were seen in groups discussing in front of their yards.
The heavy traffic associated with the River Niger Bridge was not noticed, the bridge was totally deserted, as one could see objects from Onitsha end of the bridge to Asaba end, but there was presence of solders at both end of the bridge, to ensure security, although some movements of pedestrians in and out of Onitsha was noticed on the bridge at about10am when Vanguard visited the area.
Policemen were seen patrolling round the cities of Onitsha and Nnewi, but were not disturbing anybody, when Vanguard from Atani Road from Nnewi towards Atani and other Ogbaru Local Government communities, men of the Naval Out Post Onitsha were seen at their check point at Odoekpe, while almost all the industries on the Harbour Road Industrial Layout Atani Road Onitsh closed shops, and people were seen walking along the roads.Director of Radio Biafra and Leader, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu as he appeared before Justice Ahmed Mohammed Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday, 23/12/2015
Police men from Atani Police Division were seen mounting stop and search on vehicles at the entry and exit of Atani community, but were however, friendly in discharging their duties, as the time of filing this report no violent incident was recorded both in Onitsha and Nnewi, no member of the IPOB was also noticed on the streets and roads, no born fire was carried out by anybody, neither were there gun shot from any of the security agencies unlike before.
The indigenous people of Biafra IPOB worldwide and the Directorate of State DOS congratulated the people of Biafra worldwide, friends of Biafra, lovers of freedom all over the world for their supports towards the successful sit at home order and successful protest across the globe in solidarity for the release of our leader prophet Nnamdi Kanu and for restoration of Gods nation Biafra.
However IPOB in a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary Mr Emma Powerful has congratulated their members, Biafrans and all the people who showed them solidarity by obeying the sit at home order.
According to IPOB statement, "protest took place in all the continents of the world, countries in Europe ,America, South America, Australia, some Asian and other African countries".
"The countries where IPOB members observed the protest witness the protests are USA, Brazil, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Israel, Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Spain, Italy, UK, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Mexico, Malaysia, UAE, south Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, Gabon, Togo, Kenya, Australia, Sweden Denmark, and China, and other countries too numerous to mention.
"Here in Biafraland Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom. Cross Rivers, Imo, Delta and we thank the general public for observing the day with us, injustice can no more be encouraged, for showing us this kind of solidarity with the quest for the restoration of Biafra,. We are most grateful, this is an assurance that people are in agreement with our zero tolerance for intimidation and harassment".
Following calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to sale some national assets in order to revive Nigeria’s ailing economy, Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and former member of the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee, Barr. Kabir Usman, Friday, warned against such moves to sell off the nation’s valuable national assets.
Buhari
Barr. Kabir however stressed the urgent need for President Buhari to quickly redirect and re-engineer his government by dissolving and re-constituting a new cabinet.
The call came in view of the severe implications of the current economic downturn on the purchasing power of Nigerians which according to Kabir is mainly due to the lackluster decision making process of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration alongside its numerous policy somersaults.
Usman in a statement warned the present administration to immediately halt the idea of disposing valuable national assets like the NNPC, NPA, NLNG and other prized institutions including petroleum refineries and depots, saying it will amount to ?tactically returning Nigeria to the era of colonial rule and glaring neocolonialism with far reaching national security implications.
According to the former caretaker committee member, the already approved sale of national assets is an admittance of failure on the part of the administration of Muhammadu Buhari and against the social contract the APC entered with Nigerians during its campaign ahead of the 2015 general elections which sold a along with their change mantra.
Usman said it is anti-people for government to dispose national assets.
He reminded canvassers of the idea of similar sales which happened through privatization along with tax concessions at ridiculous price tags that ended up with job loss implications which eventually widened the social and economic gaps between Nigerians.
The statement read: “We have forgotten so soon? the role of the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE), which supervised the sales of our national assets by re-cycling the well to do in society and empowering a selected few against ordinary citizens of Nigeria thereby promoting inequality.”
He frowned against the current constitution of the cabinet and a shadow economic team, which is short of expectations.
He urged President Buhari to dissolve the current cabinet and bring on board robust technocrats and renowned economic experts who will rejig the Nigerian economy.
Barr. Usman accused ministers and APC state governors of endorsing and ratifying the sales of national assets at a recent NEC meeting saying that no matter the definition of the term used, national assets remain Nigeria’s Commonwealth which belong to ordinary Nigerians.
He added: “How can an economic team be formed without inputs and representation of organized private sector? Most successful world economies are private sector driven ?in line with goals of government which aim to rejuvenate and stabilize the economy.”
The President, Shippers Association, Lagos State, Mr Jonathan Nicol, said the Federal Government had lost about N800 billion to the auto policy on imported vehicles.
Nicol disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Lagos. The 70 per cent tariff and levy on imported vehicles which took effect in 2015, had reduced vehicle imports by more than 50 per cent.
He said that other ports outside Nigeria in Benin, Togo and Ghana now accepted the vehicles and developing their economies with proceeds from the imports.
According to him, with the auto policy, government will be creating more rooms for smuggling.
The shipper said that in other countries, shippers were revered as economic developers.
Nicol suggested that government should remove the lid on importation of essential domestic goods which local industries could not produce.
"The maritime sector should have acted as a cushion in alleviating the present economic recession and also supply the government enough revenue outside oil and gas.
`The recession we are going through is man-made and can be corrected.
"The ports access roads also need to be reconstructed as a priority.
"Government should reverse foreign exchange policy on trade. Imports and exports which constituted trade go together,'' he said.
Nicol, however, said that the major problem was that most maritime administrators with their personnel had little or no knowledge of maritime administration.
He said that this was why it had been difficult for some of the administrators to defend some government's maritime policies that were not working well.
By Stanley Nwanosike Enugu The Enugu State Government on Friday released six long buses to convey the supporters of Rangers Int'l FC of Enugu to Abeokuta to cheer the team on Sunday.
Rangers are billed to meet Ikorodu United FC of Lagos in the match-day 37 of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) in the Ogun capital on Sunday by 4 p.m.
Rangers' Media Director, Foster Chime, said in Enugu that the fans would add pep to the team now on the fringes of winning the league.
"The Enugu State Government has made available Luxurious buses to convey Rangers fans and supporters to Abeokuta on Saturday.
"They will support and cheer Rangers in the match-day 37 match on Sunday against Ikorodu United in Abeokuta,'' Chime said.
The media director also said the fans from other parts of the South East and South West would storm Abeokuta for the match.
He said that Rangers players and technical crew would travel to Abeokuta in a chartered flight courtesy of the state government. KSN/MNA/MVO
FG unveils “low-key” activities for 56 Independence Anniversary
By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA: The Federal government Friday in Abuja unveiled activities lined up for the nation’s 56 independence anniversary on October 1.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and signed by the Director of Press in his office, Bolaji Adebiyi said apart from prayers to be offered in mosques and churches, the climax of the event would be a change of guards by soldiers at the State House.
“His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the programme of events to commemorate Nigeria's 56th Independence Anniversary. The details of the programme which is indeed low-key are as follows:Inter-denominational Thanksgiving Church Service, Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 4.00 pm at the National Worship Centre, Abuja. Public Lecture and Jummaat Prayers,
Friday, September 30, 2016 at the National Mosque, Abuja”.
While the two events above are open to members of the public, the Presidential Change of Guard which is scheduled for Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 3.00 pm at the Forecourt of the Presidential Villa, State House, Abuja is “Strictly by Invitation”.
Sen. Ben Bruce (PDP Bayelsa East) on Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to adjust his approach to the anti-corruption crusade, saying policy was scaring investors.
Bruce, who disclosed this while contributing to the Senate's debate on the economic recession in the country, said that Nigeria should not expect foreign investments as even local investors had stopped investing.
He said that people who had money to invest were no longer doing so because the anti-graft agencies were harassing any person with cash transactions running into millions.
"Buhari's approach to anti-corruption is wrong: let us forget the foreign investors, what about the local investors?
"If people are afraid, they will not invest; fear will not be a policy to grow the economy. "Money is a coward; it only goes to places where there is peace and tranquillity.
"I have a friend who paid legitimate N50 million into his account and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) came and picked him up. "We cannot be afraid to be Nigerians; we cannot be afraid to live in our country," he said.
Bruce recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo also fought corruption but that his anti-corruption fight was not one that put fear in the minds of real investors.
He said that he supported Buhari's anti-corruption fight but insisted that the approach should be changed to encourage investments. On the prices of food in the market, he said that poor Nigerians were feeling the brunt far more than the rich.
He said that the prices of bags of rice, beans and garri had risen by over 50 per cent while the retail prices of the same commodity rose by over 150 per cent. The lawmaker said that while the rich bought the commodities in bags, the poor, whose minimum wage had not changed, had to buy at 150 per cent increased rate.
He attributed the increase in retail prices of items to the cost of transportation, and called for a transport policy to check transportation costs.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters, Dr Samuel Ankeli, has advised Nigerians to stop murmuring but should rather be optimistic, diligent and confident that Nigeria will rise again.
Ankeli, a blind man but not from birth, gave the advice in Abuja on Friday at an event in his honour by the Kpakpando Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.
"There is a great hope for Nigeria. The race of life is not for the swift or the strong but by God's mercy.
"I was once a sprinter and a black belter in judo but suddenly the curtains came down. I refused to be discouraged and now, I'm still being celebrated.
"Nigerians, let's celebrate our own. Life is not in the physical ability, it is in the mind. It's time to celebrate our strengths. Stop murmuring and complaining.
"If you've sold your birthright, collect it; whatever right you have, you have a right to be responsible. Be optimistic; be diligent in whatever you find at your hands to do.
"Your work will find you out. The time is now to put hands on deck to make the country great again, Nigeria will scale through.
"The blind and the deaf are already leading, everyone is important,'' he said.
On his appointment as an aide to the president, Ankeli described President Muhammadu Buhari as a champion, saying that others made mistakes but he corrected them.
Also speaking, Mr Osita Izunaso, the founder of the foundation and the National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, lauded Buhari for the appointment of Ankeli.
Izunaso encouraged the gathering and pledged that Ankeli would play a good role to ensure that the president assented to the disability bill, which had been passed by the National Assembly.
"We will not stop our advocacy to see that the bill is passed and when that is done, we can have a commission for people living with disabilities.
"Three of the eight paralympians are from Kpakpando Foundation. Our paralympians did not just win gold but broke existing world records.
"We like to refer to people with disabilities as special citizens because those that we think are able are not. If we say some of them should run from here to the gate they cannot.''
Izunaso said that the organisation was set up in 2006 to enhance the lives of people living with disabilities and had more than 2,000 members in all the local governments of the country.
In his remark, Mr Monday Imokafi, the President of the paralympians, lauded Buhari for "keeping to his promise to appoint a person living with disability to a position of authority''.
"We also urge him to sign the disability bill into law so that their dependants can enjoy the dividends of democracy,'' Imokafi said.
