A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Lagos – Lagos State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the killing of three of its men and two community leaders by unidentified gunmen at Oko-Asagun village in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos.
The gunmen also abducted four staff of two Telecommunication companies.
Lagos Police Command's Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, who confirmed the incident, said the policemen killed, were taken by surprise.
He said the command was after the suspected gunmen, assuring that measures would be taken to ensure the release of those held captive
NAN gathered that the gunmen had stormed the place from Ode-Omi creek, a border town between Lagos and Ogun States, to commit the crime.
An eyewitness, Jude Ajagun, said those abducted were staff of TYDACOM Limited and Erickson Limited.
"We were working in a site being developed by one Onoside ,who contracted us.
"While on duty, we started hearing sporadic gunshots and we scampered for safety; I hid beside some blocks, while I was watching the scene.
"I saw about six heavily armed men; three were wearing mask and they sighted three policemen attached to an estate developer and shot them dead.
Two other civilians were also shot while four others were injured.
"The gunmen thereafter, abducted four staff of Telecom companies and marched them towards Ode-Omi," AJagun said.
A staff of Ericson, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they had been keeping vigil since Wednesday.
He said that as at Thursday, the gunmen were yet to establish contact with the company.
"We are expecting a call from them to know what they want as ransom, but they have not established contact with us.
"We are appealing to the kidnappers to tamper justice with mercy as those abducted are innocent.
"They should treat them with human face in the spirit of Easter," he pleaded.
Kwali (FCT) – Prof. Stephen Onah, the Chief Executive Officer, National Mathematical Centre (NMC), has blamed dismal performance of students in WAEC and NECO examinations in successive years on unqualified teachers in Mathematics.
Onah said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that school proprietors draft non-professional teachers into teaching senior secondary students Mathematics for such important examinations.
According to him, another factor responsible for poor performance of Nigerian students in Mathematics is the high standards maintained by WAEC and NECO with unqualified mathematics teachers teaching the subject.
"The other factor is that because there are no enough hands to train students in this discipline persons from different areas of study even outside science based areas are brought to teach the subject.
" Because the WAEC and NECO which are of international standard will not lower their standard because Nigeria has not enough hands or qualified teachers to train its students.
"They will always maintain their standard and so, if we are not living up to that standard, that explains our poor performances,'' he said
The professor held the view that when the number of teachers are not equal to that of the students' population effective teaching becomes a problem.
He called for increase in the incentives given to mathematics teachers, saying lack of motivation for teachers in critical subjects such as Mathematics is very common in nation's system of education.
Onah lauded the efforts of the current government at improving the quality and methodology of teaching at the different strata of education in the country, especially primary and sencondary schools.
The professor noted that there has been improvement in both quality and quantity of teachers in Mathematics in the past two years, but said a lot more can be done to shore up students' performances in WAEC and NECO.
" This is because there is some recognition; the teachers are beginning to see that they are being recognised for their work and they are putting in their very best.
"Again the centre in its own way has been putting up programmes to facilitate teaching of mathematics", he said.
He said the centre had developed mathematics modules on how best the subject should be taught and learned and this would be used throughout primary and secondaryschools in the country.
" We have also produced a good number of textbooks in their simplified form which, if used or recommended at both the primary and secondary levels the learning of the subject would be better than what it is now", the professor said.
Paris – Facebook is taking action against tens of thousands of fake accounts in France as the social network giant seeks to demonstrate it is doing more to halt the spread of spam as well as fake news, hoaxes and misinformation.
The Silicon Valley-based company is under intense pressure as governments across Europe threaten new laws unless Facebook moves quickly to remove extremist propaganda or other content illegal under existing regulation.
Social media sites including Twitter, Google's YouTube and Facebook are also under scrutiny for their potential to be used to manipulate voters in national elections set to take place in France and Germany in coming months.
In a blog post, Facebook said it was taking action against 30,000 fake accounts in France, deleting them in some, but not all cases.
It said its priority was to remove fake accounts with high volumes of posting activity and the biggest audiences.
"We've made improvements to recognise these inauthentic accounts more easily by identifying patterns of activity, without assessing the content itself'', Shabnam Shaik, a Facebook security team manager, wrote in an official blog post.
For example, the company said "it is using automated detection to identify repeated posting of the same content or an increase in messages sent by such profiles.''
Also on Thursday, Facebook took out full-page ads in Germany's best-selling newspapers to educate readers on how to spot fake news.
In April, the German cabinet approved proposed new laws to force social networks to play a greater role in combating online hate speech or face fines of up to 50 million Euros (53 million dollars).
These actions by Facebook follow moves the company had taken in recent months to make it easier for users to report potential fraud amid criticism of the social network's role in the spread of hoaxes and fake news during the U.S. presidential elections.
It has also begun working with outside fact-checking organisations to flag stories with disputed content, and removed financial incentives that help spammers to cash in by generating advertising revenue from clicks on false news stories.
THE decision of Speaker Yakubu Dogara to publish his salary slip as a counter to the challenge from Governor Nasir El-Rufai has been welcomed by some sections of the polity.
However, the decision may have ended up not pleasing the critical elements of the polity, who say his personal action does not reflect the continued agitation for the opening up of the finances of the National Assembly. The details of the budget and the provisions made for those expensive foreign cars.
The National Assembly apparently would have to do more to win the love and approval of the many Nigerians who see the institution as a drain pipe of the nation's resources. Nigerians would want to be reassured that all the funds regularly voted for the National Assembly are not going down the drain.
Dogara’s 6 Months PaySlip
What of the other APC crises?
THE All Progressives Congress, APC, on Wednesday, inaugurated two committees to forge reconciliation of party members in Kogi and Bauchi States.
Governors of the two states are presently at war with party bigwigs in Abuja as seen in the face off between Governor Mohammed Abubakar and Speaker Yakubu Dogara.
However, many party members across the country are also concerned that the party seems to be waving aside the other crises in many other states including Delta, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Kano among others.
In Delta for instance, a golden opportunity offered the party through the crisis in the PDP to claim the vacant Warri South State Constituency 1 seat is being challenged by internal crisis in the Delta APC that led to two primaries last weekend.
The US military on Thursday dropped the largest non-nuclear bomb ever deployed in combat, targeting an Islamic State complex in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said.
FILE PHOTO: Undated file image courtesy the US Air Force shows the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb sitting in an undisclosed location in theater of the Global War on Terror waiting to be used. The US military on April 13, 2017 dropped what is considered to be the largest non-nuclear bomb on an Islamic State complex in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said. The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb hit a “tunnel complex” in Achin district in Nangarhar province, US Forces Afghanistan said in a statement. / AFP PHOTO / US AIR FORCE / Handout / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO
US President Donald Trump called the mission “very, very successful.”
The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb hit a “tunnel complex” in Achin district in Nangarhar province, US Forces Afghanistan said in a statement.
The strike occurred at 7:32 pm (1502 GMT).
“The GBU-43/B is the largest non-nuclear bomb ever deployed in combat,” Air Force spokesman Colonel Pat Ryder said.
Pentagon spokesman Adam Stump said the bomb was delivered via an MC-130 transport plane.
General John Nicholson, who heads US Forces Afghanistan, described the weapon as the “right munition” to reduce IS obstacles and maintain the momentum against jihadists in the region.
“As ISIS-K’s losses have mounted, they are using IEDs, bunkers and tunnels to thicken their defense,” he said, referring to a regional affiliate of the jihadist group.
White House spokesman Sean Spicer said: “We must deny them operational space, which we did.”
The MOAB is better known by its nickname, the Mother of All Bombs, and was rapidly developed in 2002-2003 around the time of the US-led invasion of Iraq.
The US military on Tuesday said an American special forces soldier had been killed while conducting operations against IS in Nangarhar, though it was not clear if Thursday’s strike was connected in any way.
Military officials declined to immediately provide additional details on the strike.
Nangarhar, which borders Pakistan, is a hotbed of IS militancy. US forces have conducted a number of air strikes on jihadist bases in the area since August last year.
IS, notorious for its reign of terror in Syria and Iraq, has been making inroads into Afghanistan in recent years. It has attracted disaffected members of the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban as well as Uzbek Islamists.
But the group has been steadily losing territory in the face of heavy pressure both from US air strikes and a ground offensive led by Afghan forces.
Islamic State’s strength in Afghanistan has fallen to 600-800 fighters from 3,000 in early 2016, NATO has said, adding that it killed the top 12 IS commanders in the country last year.
According to the Air Force, the last time the MOAB was tested in 2003, a huge mushroom cloud could be seen from 20 miles (32 kilometers) away.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the replacement of heads of 23 federal government agencies, including those of the Consumer Protection Council CPC, which now has an Executive Secretary rather than a director general, Pension Commission PenCom and the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency PPPRA. Prseident Muhammadu Buhari
In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja by the Director, Press and Public Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bolaji Adebiyi, said all the appointments take immediate effect.
In the statement Buhari named an associate of Vice President Osinbajo, Mr Babatunde Irukera as Executive Secretary of the CPC. Irukera who was a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress APC in the 2015 gubernatorial elections in Kogi state, was before now a consultant to the council.
The statement equally named Barr. Julie Okah-Donli as Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Other appointments are Barr. Mary Ikpere-Eta, Director-General, National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) and Bayo Somefun as Managig Director, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). The Fund also has Tijani Suleiman, Jasper Azuatalam and Kemi Nelson as Executive Directors.
While Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa is the new Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank (FMB), Melvin Eboh, Hajiya Rahimatu Aliyu and Umaru Abdullahi Dankane were named Executive Directors.
The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has Alex Okoh as Director General; Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Abdulkadir Saidu Umar as Executive Secretary, while the National Park Service (NPS) has Ibrahim Musa Goni as Conservator-General/Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Other appointments are the Service Compact (SERVICOM) which has Nnenna A. Akajemeli as National Coordinator/CEO; National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Dr. Nasiru Mohammed Ladan as Director General; Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Saliu Dada Alabi as Director General; National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Prof. Jef. T. Barminas as Director General, as well as the Nigeria Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER) which has Dr. Haruna Yerima, as Director General.
The Nigeria Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has Sunday Thomas as Deputy Commissioner while the Federal Character Commission has Barr. Mohammed Bello Tukur as Secretary
For the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Dikko Aliyu Abdulrahman was appointed Director General though subject to senate confirmation the statement equally named Funso Doherty as Chairman; Akin Akinwale, Abubakar Zaki Magawata, Ben Oviosun and Nyerere Ayim as executive commissioners.
Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin was named Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA; Mrs. Folashade Joseph, Managing Director, Nigeria Agriculture Insurance Corporation; Cecilia Umaru Gaya, as Director General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON); and Mrs. Luci Ajayi as Executive Secretary, Lagos International Trade Fair Management Board.
Others are Barr. Emmanuel Jimme, Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority; Lanre Gbajabiamila, Director General, Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission and automobile designer, Jelani Aliyu as Director General of the Nigeria Automotive Design and Development Council.
Senator Shehu Sani has commended the progress made in the construction of the Permanent site of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, describing the edifice as the best one can get anywhere and pledged to support the Commission in whatever way he can.
He made the comment while on a working visit to the permanent site to assess the level of work.
He said the building needs to be completed on time to help the Commission coordinates its operations. ” There is no sane or responsible human being who is desirous of the progress of this country that will not be supportive of this project. The very fact that the commission’s offices are scattered around the town impedes their ability to coordinate.”
Sani said since the cardinal objective of this administration is to strengthen the war against corruption, the project should be given all the necessary support by the government to enable prompt completion.
He commended the commission for its war against corruption and called on all Nigerians including the international community to give their support in order to salvage the future of the country from the cankerworm.
“There is no reason why this project should not be given all the necessary support. This administration having anti- corruption as its major agenda, I believe that this project will be given all the necessary support to succeed. And not just the government, the international agencies and foreign countries that are truly supportive of the Commission, it’s time for them to key in and be involved. The job done by this commission is not for this generation but for the future generation.”
Also on the visit was the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens- Petter Kjemprud, the Secretary to the Commission, Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo and other senior management staff of the EFCC.
The Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir el-Rufai has said that in Kaduna state there is no security vote for the governor.
This came as he challenged the National Assembly to publish its security vote saying that ”if the leaders of the NASS have security votes allocated to or personally collected by them, they might wish to disclose such.”
In a statement by Samuel Aruwan the governor’s spokesman el-Rufai said the budget of the state states what was voted to security agencies and nothing was given to the governor.
The statement reads
"The Kaduna state government has presented details of its security budget. What was presented represents the only security vote for the entire government," he said.
"As the figures show, there is no security vote for the governor of Kaduna state. This may be a shock to those used to the notion of security votes as barely disguised slush funds, but we do not operate such a system in Kaduna.
"Our budgets specify what is voted as assistance to security agencies, and its expenditure is properly recorded and accounted for. These are not monies given to or spent by the governor.
"If the leaders of the NASS have security votes allocated to or personally collected by them, they might wish to disclose such.
Our security spending does not operate like the NASS system of sharing public funds in such an opaque fashion that even NASS members do not know how their entire budget is broken down or what the leadership gets as its 'running costs'.
"The figures in the pay slips presented for the Honourable Speaker are in stark contrast to the declaration by The Economist regarding the earnings of NASS members. One of the claims cannot be right."
"However, notwithstanding the intemperate response of the spokesman of the house of representatives, the demand that the NASS budget be made public will not go away," he further said.
"It is not personal, and there is a strong civic constituency that is demanding it. The sooner all of us in public life recognised that the game has changed, and that segments of civil society and indeed everyday citizens of Nigeria, are much more aware, astute and advanced than the state of our politics, the better for our democratic health."
The governor's spokesman said the people who leaked his memo to President Muhammadu Buhari should be blamed and should not be brought into the matter.
"The NASS leadership has been promising ad infinitum to publish the breakdown of the opaque, one-line budget. It should simply do so. Prompt release of the 2015 and 2016 breakdowns, along with the proposed figures for 2017, would be a good way to start," it read.
"As things stand today, even if Mallam Nasir El-Rufai refrains from further commentary on this matter, the genie is already out of the bottle. The public will not accept a secretive NASS, or any other branch of government for that matter."
Social and Western civilisation have taken precedence over the laws of Allah. People regard human invention and native and alien customs more than the guidelines given by Allah.
The more unfortunate thing is that even when you try to make them do the right thing, they tell you: 'You're not civilised' or "you are Boko Haram." they regard obeying the laws of Allah as being too extremist, or not following the trend. Shaking hands with female cousins, brothers' wives and uncles' wives is now the in thing our society.
This particularly is harram. The Prophet (s.a.w) said: "If one of you were to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle it would be better for him than touching a woman whom he is not permitted to touch." (Reported by al-Tabaraani, 20/212; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 4921). There is no doubt that this is an act of zinaa. Remember that zinaa can be committed through the eyes, hands, feet and other parts of the body.
Aisha (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: "No, by Allah, the hand of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never touched the hand of a non-mahram woman. He received bay'ah (pledge of allegiance) from them by word only." (Reported by Muslim, 3/489).
WELCOME to Muslim SoulMates in Vanguard. A unique platform for single Muslims who wish to find their potential marriage partners on this page. We have designed it to help you find perfect soul mates every Friday.
We will also give counsel where necessary in order to keep with the halal standard. Our aim is to further develop couples that could be blessed, compatible, enduring following Islamic injunctions. It promises to be a rewarding service just as we will treat all inquiries and submissions in confidence.
Send your profile, contact and details of who you want, as published below to isholaism@yahoo.co.uk. Names and contacts will not be published.
For those whose profiles have been published, they are advised to regularly get in touch for further information.
Profile 74: A Muslim male, 45, 6ft, working in Lagos seeking a Muslim lady as second wife from South West Nigeria, between 30 – 35 years of age. She must be literate and ready for marriage. Profile75: A Muslim male, 33, male Muslim, employed, based in Ilorin needs a Muslim lady between 22 to 32 years for marriage. Profile 76: Muslim male, divorced, 50, with a son desires a Muslim lady, single, divorced or widow from South West for marriage. Profile 77: A Muslim male 33yrs, from South West wants a Muslim lady between 25-30yrs for marrige. She must be literate and from any other part of the country. Profile 78: A Muslim male, 38, teacher 6ft tall, looking for a working class lady for marriage from any part of the country. Profile 79: A Muslim male, 45 years, single and self-employed, wants a Muslim soul-mate between the ages of 30-35 for marriage. Profile 80: A businessman with genotype AS seeks a Muslims lady between the age of 30-35 for marriage. She must be AA genotype.
By Daud Olatunji ABEOKUTA – Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has asked Ogun state and Federal governments to give farmers in the country more support in order to achieve this feat.
Obasanjo however, expressed his determination in conjunction with other farmers group to end hunger by 2015 in the country.
Olusegun Obasanjo
The former President said this on Thursday at his Hilltop Presidential residence in Abeokuta when members of the Egba Cluster Farming Initiative paid him a courtesy visit.
Obasanjo who said he is the Chairman of Zero Hunger – farmers organisation in Nigeria, said it was the resolve of the group to achieve this feat through increased food production, thereby creating “a situation where no Nigerian goes to bed or walk about hungry again.”
The ex – President said the farmers in the country required quality encouragement and support of governments, institutions and well – meaning individuals to make food available in plenty and affordable to Nigerians.
He said, “Governments can help the nation’s farmers meet the objective through policy and creation of a conducive environment that will encourage food production.”
Obasanjo urged the delegation of the ECFI led by its President, Sulaiman Egberongbe, to first start the cluster farming with fish, poultry, cassava and rice farms that “are less demanding of facilities before venturing into tree crops that have long gestation period before harvest.”
He told the group that they would have no challenges getting raw materials – feeds and fingerlings for their fish farms, ” as he is into the production of feeds and fingerlings.”
On his own part, Egberongbe, said the group were Obasanjo’s residence to solicit his support as well as draw from his wealth of experience in active farming.
JS Kabylie of Algeria hope Mohamed Boulaouidet can perform another CAF Confederation Cup salvage operation when they face TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo this weekend.
The Algerians are trailing the Congolese 2-0 after the first leg last weekend of a play-off with a place in the lucrative group phase up for grabs.
Striker Boulaouidet has rescued the “Canaries” in two tense qualifying victories that earned his team a showdown with title-holders Mazembe.
He bagged a brace in a 4-0 preliminary-round rout of Liberians Monrovia Club Breweries that overturned a shock three-goal first-leg hammering in west Africa.
And with a last-32 clash against Etoile of Congo Brazzaville seemingly destined for a penalty shootout, Boulaouidet snatched the only goal of the tie 60 seconds from time.
For the second successive season, Mazembe failed to qualify for the CAF Champions League group stage and were demoted to the African version of the Europa League.
The Congolese boast a multi-national squad and Zambia midfielder Nathan Sinkala and Mali centre-back Salif Coulibaly scored against Kabylie in Lubumbashi.
When the clubs met in a 2010 Champions League semi-final, Mazembe also built a two-goal advantage at home, then forced a goalless draw in Algerian city Tizi Ouzou.
Kampala Capital City Authority take a 1-0 lead over Al Masry to Egypt as they strive to become the first Ugandan club to reach the group stage of a CAF competition.
Teenager Derrick Nsibambi scored deep in stoppage time to raise hopes of a historic triumph and at least $275,000 (260,000 euros) in prize money.
“We can match Masry in Egypt,” was the defiant message from Kampala captain and full-back Denis Okot.
But Masry coach and former Egypt star Hossam Hassan predicted a different outcome to the return match.
“My boys will fight back and qualify for the group stage. We were unlucky not the score in Kampala and the artificial pitch did not suit us.”
Another east African club taking a 1-0 lead to the north of the continent are Young Africans of Tanzania, who edged Mouloudia Alger of Algeria in Dar es Salaam.
Seeking a second successive appearance in the group stage, “Yanga” owe their slender advantage to a goal from Zimbabwean Thabani Kamusoko.
Fellow midfielder Simon Msuva believes a cautious approach will serve the Tanzanian outfit best in Algiers.
“We will qualify by holding on to our lead. It is not going to be easy in Algeria and we should play cautiously.”
Zesco United of Zambia, surprise 2016 Champions League semi-finalists, host Enugu Rangers of Nigeria in a powerful position having forced a 2-2 away draw.
“Our greater African experience was decisive,” said Kenyan defender David Owino after Zesco wiped out a two-goal deficit in Nigeria.
There are three South African contenders, but only SuperSport United are likely to advance having drawn 1-1 with Barrack Young Controllers in Liberia.
Wits make the long journey to Egypt after a goalless first leg against Smouha while Platinum Stars trail 2-0 against visiting AS Tanda from the Ivory Coast.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Thursday said it had approved the commencement of an additional diet in its examination for the private candidates every year.
The council's Registrar, Dr Iyi Uwadiae announced the approval at a news conference in Lagos.
Uwadiae said the move was in connection with the growing concerns among stakeholders over what they perceived as discrimination or denial of equal opportunity to private candidates.
"WAEC conducts its West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) twice every year, in May/June for school candidates and in November/December for private candidates.
"The council also conducts various national examinations in the member countries except Nigeria.
"Now, the school candidates who wish to retake the examination usually have the opportunity of doing so with the private candidates' examination.
"With this development, there has been a wave of agitation, criticisms and appeal across the sub-region for the council to ameliorate the agony of long waiting experience by private candidates who desire another attempt at WASSCE,'' he said.
Uwadiae added that the situation was often cited as being responsible for the level of desperation sometimes exhibited by the perpetrators of malpractice at the private candidates' examination centres.
"The council, after painstakingly considering all ramifications of the matter, has finally given approval for the national offices to begin the conduct of one additional diet each year of WASSCE for private candidates.''
He noted that the modalities for the take off of the examination were already being worked out and the examination could begin in February/March of 2018.
"I must be quick to point out that though the council has given the nod, the conduct of the additional diet may not take off in all the member countries immediately or at the same time.
"But let me also assure stakeholders in Nigeria that the Nigeria national office has indicated its willingness and readiness to blaze the trail by making the examination available to Nigerians in 2018.
"Details of the scheduled dates, available subjects, location of centres and their information would be provided by the Head of Nigeria national nffice at the appropriate time,'' Uwadiae said.
The registrar recalled that the maiden WASSCE was conducted in the Gambia in 1998 and was later introduced in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Liberia in 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2013 respectively.
"Now, I am glad to inform you all that the government of Liberia has now taken the bold decision to finally phase out the country's national examination (LSHSCE) and adopt WASSCE,'' he said.
The registrar lauded the Nigerian media, especially the education writers for their vibrancy and critical role in national development.
The congress of the Nationwide League led by Mohammed Alkali , the Independent Chairman of the League body has approved that the hostilities in the league for the 2016/17 season will commence on May 4. This approval was given at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the League body held on Thursday in Abuja.
The congress also applauded the progress made by the NLO board on the partnership with the League Management Company , also for securing partnership/sponsorship deal with the Pipul TV, an indigeneous Pay Tv Company in Nigeria and charged the board to finalise all the details regarding the broadcast rights of the NLO league games for the 2016/17 season.
In order to strengthen the youth policy of the Nationwide League, the congress also approved the recommendation of the NLO board to have a minimum of 10 under 19 players in each in the NLO from the 2017 season.
The congress also approved the proposal by the NLO Board to have all the 20 Premier League Feeder Teams participate in the Nationwide League One this season, in furtherance with the developmental partnership between the Nationwide League One and the League Management Company.
Furthermore, the congress approved that Division Two should be re-arranged into Six Geo- Political zones , whereby the top team in each of the six groups gain promotion automatically to Division One, while the runners – up in the six groups goes into Play-off to determine the additional two that will be promoted to Division One at the end of the season.
The congress also endorsed 28 April as the closing date for registration by all the clubs regarding 2016/17 season.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, stopped the Nigerian Postal Services, NIPOST, from further collecting N50 on stamp duty.
The court held that such revenue drive by NIPOST does not enjoy the backing of any extant law in the country including the Stamp Duties Act 2004.
The court Judgement followed a suit the Nigerian bottling company, NBC, filed against NIPOST and a private firm, Kasmal International Services.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole who gave the verdict, held that having carefully gone through the Stamp Duties Act 2004, he could not see where NIPOST was empowered by the law to impose stamp duty tax on the bottling company, banks and other establishments.
According to the Judge, whereas the Act recommended 2kobo stamp to be affixed on certain categories of documents, NIPOST, lacked the power to arbitrarily increase the amount to N50 without firstly securing an amendment of the Act through the National Assembly.
"A law is a law and has to be obeyed or implemented as it is. Section 89 of the Stamp Duties Act which recommended the use of adhesive 2 kobo stamp on certain categories of receipts and document is the law in force.
"The NIPOST as a defendant in this suit acted unlawfully, illegally and ultra-vire by unilaterally increasing the 2 kobo stamp to N50 without any back up law and under the guise that 2 kobo stamps are no longer in circulation in Nigeria.
"Under section 89 of this Act, the NIPOST has no power to compel the plaintiff (NBC) to affix N50 stamp on its receipts and other documents.
“By this, NIPOST has no business or authority in sending Kasmal International Services on illegal errand to compel the plaintiff on the N50 stamp duty tax”.
Consequently, the court issued an order of injunction against the NIPOST and Kasmal International Services, stopping them from further harassing, embarrassing, intimidating, coercing or disrupting the business operation of the plaintiff in the name of unlawful stamp duty tax until the extant laws are reviewed.
It said: "The extant law is for 2 kobo stamp. No law has amended the Stamp Duties Act 2004 to increase it to N50. At any rate, NIPOST is not a tax collecting establishment and as such, cannot exercise any power not expressly donated to it by law”.
More so, Justice Kolawole recalled that the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal had earlier delivered judgment on the same issue.
He said the Federal High Court, being a lower court, cannot afford to depart from the precedent of a Superior Court as regards the judgment until such a precedent has been set aside by the highest court in the country.
Basically, NBC had through its counsel, Mr. Ayokunle Adesomoju, dragged NIPOST and Kasmal International Services before the court, praying for an order to declare the stamp duty tax as illegal, unlawful and ultra-vire.
The plaintiff also applied for a perpetual order of injunction stopping the two defendants from invading, harassing, embarrassing and disrupting its business operations across the country on the pretext of seeking internal revenue for the federal government.
NIPOST had through its counsel Mr. Salihu Wakawa, prayed the court to dismiss the suit, insisting that granting reliefs sought by the plaintiff would occasion great injustice and jeopardise the revenue drive of the Federal Government.
The President Muhammadu Buhari led administration had expressed its determination to generate over N5trillion from stamp duty tax.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) says it supports the call for full autonomy for local government councils.
A statement by NANS's President, Mr Chinonso Obasi, on Thursday in Abuja, said Nigeria's democracy would remain incomplete until local government councils were granted autonomy.
Obasi said it was disheartening to note that for almost 19 years of the nation's democracy, the third tier of government had continued to be an appendage of state governments.
He said that the current status of local governments had hindered grassroots development.
"We the Nigerian students have decided to throw our weight behind calls for full autonomy of the councils so that it could bring about the much needed inclusion of the rural dwellers.
"Furthermore, NANS is of the opinion that the grass roots governance that local government councils provide gives the masses a sense of belonging and platform to ventilate their aspirations for good governance and easy access to government.
"More than anything else, an autonomous local government system will enable young people to participate in governance and thereby use their knowledge and energy to provide leadership and cater for the rural population, particularly the nation's senior citizens,'' he stated.
Obasi said that electoral misbehaviour, including ballot box snatching, thuggery and violence could be traced to displacement of young people from local government administration where they ought to gain leadership experience.
The NANS president said that local employees were better placed to interface with the people and generate revenue for the council, through radio licenses, market stalls rent and produce levies, among others.
"Maintenance of rural infrastructure and construction of social amenities have not been what they used to be because of the confused state of affairs at the local government councils.
"This is a compelling reason why we insist on local government autonomy to fill the missing gaps in our democratic architecture,'' he said.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have assured travelers of adequate patrol and surveillance of highways across the country to ensure a hitch-free Easter.
To this end, the Benue State Command of FRSC said 1,400 marshals would be deployed to various points across the state to ensure effective patrol during the Easter.
The Sector Commander, Mr Chidiebere Nwonta, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Makurdi.
"We are going to have 1,400 regular and special marshals, we are hoping to enjoy the support of other agencies,'' Nwonta said.
According to him, the one week special patrol will begin on April 13 and end on April 18.
Nwonta said the command would also have expanded patrol throughout the Easter as "our men will work 24 hours daily.''
He said the command was considering the high vehicular routes and had strategised to ensure sanity on those roads in the state.
"Our men will be posted to state and federal roads which include; Makurdi-Gboko, Makurdi-Naka, Makurdi Lafia and Makurdi-Aliade-Otukpo roads.
"Gboko-Katsina Ala-Taraba roads, Aliade-Otukpo-Otukpa roads, and all other routes will be monitored, the sector commander,'' said.
According to him 18 vehicles, one ambulance and a tow truck have been stationed appropriately for emergencies.
"Our expectation this Easter is to have a stress-free traffic in Benue and to achieve that, we shall mobilise all that we have, personnel, logistics and the stakeholders too.
"We will be looking out for speed violators, overloading, drunk and dangerous drivers, use of cell phones and tyre violators.
"So as part of our strategy, we are going to extend the patrol period into the night and have a 24-hour ambulance standby," Nwonta said.
Similarly, the corps in Osun has expressed its preparedness to ensure zero tolerance of road accidents during the celebration.
Mr Augustine Aipoh, the Zonal Commander of the Corps in Charge of Osun, Oyo, and Ondo spoke to NAN in Osogbo.
According to him, the command planned to deploy about 1,700 Special Marshals and 46 vehicles across the state to ensure safety of commuters and motorists.
He advised motorists in the state to cooperate with the Marshals and adhere to the highway codes during the period.
According to him, strict adherence by motorists will reduce carnages on the roads.
Aipoh urged motorists to ensure their vehicles were in proper condition before embarking on any journey.
The FRSC in Auchi also said it had deployed 18 personnel and 50 special marshals to patrol the Auchi-Benin highway to ensure safety during the Easter.
Mr Moses Bature, the Unit Commander of the corps in Auchi said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo.
"In Auchi command, 18 officers and 50 special marshals have been deployed to patrol the highway during and after the Easter.
"The volume of vehicles that plies the road are so enormous that we need to be proactive to ensure the roads are safer for the people during this period," he said.
Bature said that the command had embarked on a full-scale enforcement to curb dangerous driving, overtaking as well as speed limit violation and overloading.
"My officers are out to sensitise them to drive carefully on the highway, if they have their worn out tyres, they should put them in order, they should not also overtake.
"Wrongful overtaking is what we don't even like at this time because it is a period when some of them rush in to drop passengers and go back in other to make more money.
"Officers of the command have been deployed to the highways for daily patrol to ensure enforcement in order to ensure that motorists comply with existing traffic rules,'' he said.
In the same vein, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Plateau Command said it had deployed 1,800 officers and men across the state to beef up security during the Easter period.
Mr Solomon Olasupo, NSCDC Commandant, Plateau Command said the majority of the personnel would be within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.
The commandant explained that the personnel would be at strategic places such as recreational centres, churches and motor parks in order to forestall any breach of law and order.
He assured members of the public of the corps' commitment to ensuring a peaceful Easter.
"I am reassuring the general public of the NSCDC's commitment of working in synergy with sister security agencies in the state to forestall any break down of peace and order," Olasupo said.
He advised residents in the state to be security conscious about movement of people around their surroundings.
The commandant also urged people to go about their legitimate businesses, but report any suspicious movements of groups or individuals to security agencies.
In another development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also assured travelers that necessary operational and security measures had been put in place in airports across the country to ensure hitch-free operations during the Easter.
Mrs Herrienta Yakubu, Acting General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, gave the assurance while speaking with (NAN) in Lagos.
Yakubu said Aviation Security officers, in collaboration with other security agencies, had been deployed in strategic places within the airport environment to ensure safety of passengers and other airport users.
"Passenger facilitation at all our airports has also been enhanced by the upgrade of power installations, installation of modern and bigger conveyor belts and metal walk-through detectors, servicing of lifts and escalators.
"Stringent measures are being taken to eradicate the menace of touts and other unwholesome activities around the terminals.
"The expansion and modernisation of our airport terminals now provide better ambience and more space for restaurants at the terminals, as well as newly opened duty free shops.
"These provide duty-free shopping experience and help passengers relax comfortably while waiting for their flights," she said.
Yakubu however advised intending travelers to make early arrangements for their travels and to leave home early on their travel dates, in order to complete their boarding schedules in good time.
"Our advice is that travelers, particularly those in Lagos because of the traffic situation, should leave home on time and arrive on time for their check-in.
"We wish all passengers safe and enjoyable Easter", she said.
Also, the Spokesperson for the Lagos Airport Police Command, DSP Joseph Alabi told NAN that the Lagos Airport Commissioner of Police, Mr Besan Gwana, had briefed the officers on how to tighten security during the period.
Alabi said: "I want to tell you that security has been put in place toward this coming Easter and all hands are on deck''.
“The security situation has improved drastically because for some time now, issues like stealing from bags of travelers have not occurred at the airport.
"We have also reduced cases of touting but we are not resting on our oars because security at the airport is very critical.''
However, in spite of the festive period which was usually characterised by heavy human and vehicular movement, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Okitipupa chapter in Ondo State, said transport fares would not be increased.
Mr Sola Ikuidowo, the NURTW Chairman of Okitipupa said the union decided not to increase transport fares due to the present economic challenges in the country.
He also said that the chapter had sensitised its drivers on over speeding, over loading, dangerous driving and to abide with all traffic rules.
"Transport fares in the motor parks will remain the same this Easter because we dont want to add to the economic challenges of travelers.
"Our drivers have been sensitised to obey all traffic rules, travelers will enjoy their journey riding on our buses,'' he said.
The NURTW boss, however, urged all drivers to treat passengers with respect and ensure they drive with valid driver's lincense and use the association's identity cards stipulated by NURTW.
…Friendly Business Environment Key To Improved GDP, Says Ambode
The Federal Government on Thursday described Lagos State as a true model of the vision of improving on the ease of doing business and turning Nigeria into one of the easiest and most attractive places for investors in the world.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, who stated this in Lagos after a meeting with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, said the State, as the commercial capital of the country, stands in a vantage position to drive the goal of government to improve World Bank ranking of Nigeria on the ease of doing business.
Speaking with Government House correspondents after the meeting, Enelemah said both the Federal Government and the State Government were willing to collaborate on strategic areas to achieve the overall goal of growing the economy.
He said: "We basically have been talking about creating enabling environment for investments and ease of doing business and the area where we have strong convergence between Lagos State and the Federal Government.
"Governor Ambode and I have been discussing how to collaborate very strongly to make Lagos State a true role model in line with our vision of making Nigeria one of the easiest and most attractive places to do business and you will agree with me that there is no better place to start than Lagos State, particularly when you have a Governor who is committed to it and as he puts it to us, it is like preaching to the converted.
"So, what we have done today is to agree on modalities on working together to achieve the targets that we have set for ourselves both in ease of doing business ranking of the World Bank, in terms of some of the areas where we know that we should improve upon like tourism for instance, by making sure that people who want to visit Nigeria come in seamlessly; in terms of making it easy for people in Lagos State who are, as the Governor puts it, paying the taxes by making life easier and better for them."
Giving details, the Minister said his office would be collaborating with the Office of Transformation under the Governor's office, as well as the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, to achieve the overall objectives.
He also assured that the Federal Government would not hesitate to impose import restrictions where necessary to avoid Nigeria from being a dumping ground, while concerted efforts would be put in place to check negative trade practices, especially for the benefit of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Also speaking, Governor Ambode recalled that in the last few months, the State Government had been engaging the business community on ease of doing business, saying that the meeting with officials of the Federal Government was in sync with the vision of his administration to achieve the very best in driving investment.
"What has been happening in the last two years is that on our part, we have tried as much as possible to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Lagos but again the indices that indicate that we are improving on ease of doing business is not really looking too good and we believe strongly that if 70 per cent of businesses or these indicators are actually coming from Lagos State, there is a need for us to quickly create a convergence between the efforts of the Federal Government and the State Government to make sure that we improve the business environment and that is what we have been discussing in the last few weeks as well as today.
"Moving forward, we have also engaged the office of the Vice President to see that there is a convergence in all our efforts to make sure that if possible, people should come to Lagos and start their business the same day.
"We want a situation whereby construction permit is given to people within the shortest possible time; we want to ensure that people who pay their taxes actually have the benefit of what they are paying for and in doing that, if we get in right in Lagos, it is very clear that Nigeria has gotten it right and that is why we are meeting," Governor Ambode said.
The Governor expressed optimism that the current efforts would bring about major improvements on the business environment, adding that such would go a long way in growing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria.
The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has advised the Federal Government to focus on local production of vaccines to curtail outbreak of meningitis and other epidemic diseases in Nigeria.
Alhaji Toyosi Raheem, National President of the Association, gave the advice while addressing journalists on Thursday in Abuja.
Toyosi also stressed the need for government to pay serious attention to checking emerging and re-emerging diseases.
He said scientific evidence had shown that vaccines produced locally were more potent than the imported.
"In the past, the Federal Vaccine Laboratory, Yagba, with full support of government and adequate engagement of laboratory scientists to produce sufficient quantities of vaccines in the country.
"The facility was even producing vaccines that were exported to neighbouring countries,''he said.
Toyosi, however, called on government to reactivate the facility, to boost the effort of the facility in addressing the challenges associated with vaccine production and prevention of diseases in Nigeria.
He said the last time Nigeria had serious outbreak of meningitis was a type A strain, noting that type C was now ravaging some parts of the country.
''As scientists, we know that there are up to 12 strains of meningitis; what will happen if we have a different strain next time.''
He, therefore, urged government to engage stakeholders, including AMLSN, on how to address the epidemic diseases in the country.
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
Kylian Mbappe struck twice as Monaco claimed a thrilling 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund in Wednesday’s rescheduled Champions League quarter-final first leg to seize the advantage in the tie.
Monaco’s French forward Kylian Mbappe Lottin reacts after scoring during the UEFA Champions League 1st leg quarter-final football match BVB Borussia Dortmund v Monaco in Dortmund, western Germany on April 12, 2017. The match had been postponed after three explosions hit German football team Borussia Dortmund’s bus late on April 11, 2017 ahead of a Champions League home game. / AFP PHOTO
Police ramped up security in the city as German investigators detained an Islamist suspect over three explosions that rocked Dortmund’s team bus on Tuesday and left Spain international Marc Bartra with a broken wrist.
Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel had criticised the decision to go-ahead with the game.
“We would have liked to have had more time to work through it,” he said.
“There are players who easily brushed it off, but there are also players who really took it to heart. They are more thoughtful.”
Dortmund defiantly vowed not to “give in to terror” after the harrowing events from 24 hours earlier, but the home side struggled early and fell behind on 19 minutes — although only after Fabinho missed a rare penalty.
Mbappe bundled in the opening goal from an offside position before Sven Bender, filling in for Bartra in defence, headed into his own net to compound Dortmund’s problems.
Ousmane Dembele pulled one back for Dortmund on 57 minutes, but Mbappe fired in his second of the game to leave Monaco as favourites to reach the last four despite Shinji Kagawa’s late strike.
Extra forces were deployed around team hotels and their buses took designated safe routes to the stadium.
Dortmund players wore t-shirts bearing a message of support for Bartra prior to kick-off, while goalkeeper Roman Burki warmed up in the defender’s number five jersey.
The 26-year-old was replaced in the line-up by Bender, although Tuchel elected against rushing Marco Reus back into the side having been sidelined since March 4 with a hamstring injury.
Monaco were without midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, their last-16 hero against Manchester City, due to suspension, while full-backs Djibril Sidibe (appendicitis) and Benjamin Mendy (groin) were both ruled out.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, scorer of a hat-trick when Dortmund brushed aside Benfica in the previous round, rifled a snap shot just over as the hosts fired an early warning.
But Monaco were awarded a penalty when Mbappe was tugged back by Sokratis Papastathopoulos, only for Brazilian Fabinho — who had converted all 16 previous career spot-kicks — to drag wide of the left-hand post.
– Penalty pain short-lived –
Their anguish lasted just two minutes, although there was a huge element of fortune involved as Monaco took the lead through Mbappe.
Bernardo Silva found Thomas Lemar on the edge of the area, with the Frenchman’s miscued effort forced in by Mbappe at the far post despite the forward straying offside.
Kagawa then scuffed wide from an inviting low cross from Matthias Ginter, and that miss proved increasingly costly when Bender headed Andrea Raggi’s delivery into his own net on 35 minutes.
Tuchel rolled the dice at half-time by introducing American teenager Christian Pulisic and Nuri Sahin in place of the hapless Bender and Schmelzer, and the changes immediately reaped rewards.
Pulisic tormented Raggi on the right wing, but it was a cross from Raphael Guerreiro on the left that led to Dembele reviving Dortmund’s hopes.
Aubameyang acrobatically flicked the Portugal international’s cross into the path of Kagawa who squared for Dembele to slide into an empty net just before the hour.
Guerreiro drilled a dangerous low ball across the face of goal as Dortmund pressed for an equaliser, while Falcao nearly landed a sucker punch only to blaze over on the stretch after rounding Burki following a superb pass from Lemar.
But Mbappe was less forgiving, intercepting a risky pass from Lukasz Piszczek and sprinting towards the Dortmund goal before finishing superbly past Swiss international Burki.
Kagawa grabbed a lifeline for Dortmund with six minutes left, expertly controlling a Sahin cross and wriggling past Jemerson to slot beyond Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.
But after ending Dortmund’s 32-game unbeaten run at home, Leonardo Jardim’s side will be confident of advancing to the semi-finals next Wednesday, although they will be without the suspended Fabinho.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), has commended the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), for suspending its official who cut female officers' hair as a disciplinary measure.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, FIDA's National President, Mrs Inime Aguma, said "FIDA Nigeria recognises the essence of discipline and adherence to professional ethics.
"We condemn acts such as that executed by the Rivers State Sector Commander, Mr Ayodele Kumapayi, which have the effect of undermining the dignity of women'', she said.
Aguma urged FRSC to review its regulations to ensure that the form, content and application of the regulations were not offensive to or discriminatory against any person on the basis of gender.
She said FRSC should be more gender-sensitive even as the work in keeping Nigerian roads safe advances.
The FRSC suspended Kumapayi, its sector commander in Rivers State for cutting female officers' hair with scissors.
Photos of the action, which came during a routine parade, circulated on the internet on Monday.
The sector commander accused the female marshals of carrying long hair.
A Federal High Court in Lagos , Wednesday, admitted as exhibits some documents tender as evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against the former Governor of Abia state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.Orji Kalu
The EFCC had on Oct. 31, 2016 slammed a 34-count charge bordering on fraud against Kalu and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ude Udeogo.
Also joined in the suit is Kalu's company — Slok Nig. Ltd.
The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the hearing Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, through Tunde Adeniyi David, Compliance officer, Heritage Bank plc tendered some letters dated 11, 2006,October 2006 and October 13 2006 respectively which were written in response to esquires by the EFCC.
It was reported that the documents were admitted in evidence as exhibits D1 and D41 by Justice Muhammed Idris.
David who is the third prosecution witness PW3 also told the court that he was charged with the responsibility of responding to regulatory enquiries emanating from the bank as well as government agencies, including EFCC, in respect of account documents and customers statement’s of account.
“My bank received a letter from EFCC requesting for the transaction schedule of payment in respect of Abia Government house during Kalu’s administration which was provided accordingly.
“Abia Government House account was open during the era of Citizen bank, now Heritage bank, he said.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, had re-examined a second prosecution witness, Mrs Christiana Ohiri, a bank branch Manager in Umuahia.
The witness, who had began her evidence in March during re-examination, said that she did not personally meet all the people who carried out transactions with the 36 bank drafts issued by her bank.
She told the court that no payments were made to the accused from the Government House account between 2002 and 2005.
When cross-examined by defence counsel, Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), on a document containing information about 36 bank drafts issued by the Umuahia Branch of the bank, the witness said that no draft was paid by the accused or issued in his name.
She said that the accused did not personally come to her to purchase any draft and his name was not included in any of the drafts.
After her evidence, the prosecutor had sought for an adjournment to enable him to proceed with trial at a later date.
He told the court that all efforts to ensure that another witness was brought to court proved abortive.
"My Lord, I was thinking that the defence will spend more time cross-examining the second prosecution witness.
"So, I will be pleading with My Lord for an adjournment; this is the first time we will be seeking for an adjournment in this matter", he said.
Although the defence had raised objection to the request for adjournment, the court however, adjourned the case until April 12 for continuation of trial.
In the charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offences between August 2001 and October 2005.
Kalu was alleged to have utilized his company to retain in the account of a First Inland bank, now FCMB, the sum of N200 million.
The sum is alleged to have formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government.
In one of the counts, his company (Slok Nig Ltd) and one Emeka Abone, who is said to be at large, were also alleged to have retained in the company's account the sum of N200 million on behalf of the first accused.
They were alleged to have used Manny Bank, (now Fidelity Bank Plc), Spring Bank Plc, the defunct Standard Trust Bank and Fin Land Bank, now First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
On counts one to 10, the accused were alleged to have retained about N2.5 billion in different accounts which funds were said to belong to the Abia State Government.
Cumulatively, in all the counts, the accused were alleged to have diverted over N3.2 billion from the Abia State Government's treasury during Kalu's tenure as governor.
The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 15(6), 16, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2005.
They also contravened the provisions of the Money Laundering Act of 1995 as amended by the amendment Act No.9 of 2002 and Section 477 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation, 1990.
Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been elected into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, along with 227 new members, the Academy announced today.
In March, Chimamanda was also elected into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the second Nigerian to be so honoured, after Professor Wole Soyinka. She will be inducted in May.
In the announcement by the Academy of Arts and Science, Chimamanda was listed among 40 Foreign Honorary Members from 19 countries elected by the Academy.
Other foreigners honoured come from Australia, China, India, Japan, and Uganda.
Among them are scientist Ruth Arnon; chemist Clare Grey; vaccinologist Rino Rappuoli; former Health Minister for China Zhu Chen; archaeologist and expert on animal mummies Salima Ikram; Israeli novelist David Grossman; award-winning actor and activist Sir Ian McKellen; and president of the Foundation for Worldwide Cooperation and former prime minister of Italy Romano Prodi.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The new class will be inducted at a ceremony on October 7, 2017, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Among the people elected are some of the world's most accomplished scholars, scientists, writers, artists, as well as civic, business, and philanthropic leaders. They will all form the 237th class of the academy. Please see the full list here: www.amacad.org/members.
Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the country's oldest learned societies and independent policy research centres, convening leaders from the academic, business, and government sectors to respond to the challenges facing—and opportunities available to—the nation and the world. Members contribute to Academy publications and studies in science, engineering, and technology policy; global security and international affairs; the humanities, arts, and education; and American institutions and the public good.
Members of the 2017 class include winners of the Pulitzer Prize and the Wolf Prize; MacArthur Fellows; Fields Medalists; Presidential Medal of Freedom and National Medal of Arts recipients; and Academy Award, Grammy Award, Emmy Award, and Tony Award winners.
"It is an honor to welcome this new class of exceptional women and men as part of our distinguished membership," said Don Randel, Chair of the Academy's Board of Directors. "Their talents and expertise will enrich the life of the Academy and strengthen our capacity to spread knowledge and understanding in service to the nation."
"In a tradition reaching back to the earliest days of our nation, the honor of election to the American Academy is also a call to service," said Academy President Jonathan F. Fanton. "Through our projects, publications, and events, the Academy provides members with opportunities to make common cause and produce the useful knowledge for which the Academy's 1780 charter calls."
Scientific leaders in the new class include: Fields Medalist Maryam Mirzakhani, who has done path-breaking work on the geometry of Teichmüller spaces and hyperbolic Riemann surfaces; astrophysicist Gabriela Gonzalez, an expert in the field of gravitation wave physics; engineer Ann Lee, who works on the development of anti-cancer therapeutics; computer scientist Daniela Rus, who built some of the first Web crawling agents that were able to search for structured data inside documents.
There are also mathematician and Fields Medalist Manjul Bhargava, a leader in number theory; structural biologist Jaime Cate, who transformed the understanding of protein synthesis; neurologist Helen Mayberg, who utilizes a multidisciplinary neural systems approach to study depression and recovery; immunologist James Allison, whose research is being used to develop new strategies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and for immunotherapy of cancer; and evolutionary plant biologist Pamela Soltis.
Social scientists in the new class include: psychologist Michael Tomasello, a widely cited scholar of comparative studies of humans and great apes; economist Marc Melitz, who developed a new approach to the analysis of international trade; political scientist Janet Box-Steffensmeier, a scholar of American politics and methodology; attorney William Lee, a leading thinker and lawyer in the field of intellectual property; and cultural anthropologistCaroline Brettell, whose research focuses on international migration, specifically the issues of gender and personal narrative in the study of the migrant experience.
"If we want to change our lives and shape our destiny, we need to consciously select the words we're going to use and we need to constantly strive to expand our level of choice"- ANTHONY ROBBINS.
"I am the greatest" became the label of the boxing legend, philanthropist and social activist, Muhammad Ali. He sounded those words in the locker room, in the ring, in front of radio microphones and TV and movie cameras, in newspapers and magazines. Before facing his opponents Ali would give himself some success treatment.
He would tell reporters, "I'm going to knock him down in five/He's going to take a dive/I'm going to sting him like a bee/so he won't see". He built a reputation by correctly predicting the round in which he would "finish" his opponents and by boasting before his triumph. Muhammad Ali defeated every top heavy weight in his era with majority of them by knock out; his era has been called the golden age of heavy weight boxing. In fact, Ali is the first and only, three time lineal World Heavy weight Champion.
A remarkable thing happened in Ali's boxing career. When he faced his opponent; Leone Spinks for the first time he forgot to give himself some success treatment; he forgot to affirm that he was the greatest. Guess what? Muhammad Ali was defeated.
The second time he faced Spinks, he gave himself the success treatment and he undoubtedly regained his title as the heavy weight Champion of the world4. When Muhammad Ali "thought" greatness; "saw" greatness and "talked" greatness, he became and sustained his position as the greatest in his field.
When he lost sight of greatness and never talked greatness, he went down in defeat. The key to changing your world is changing your words. Words are conduit of power-constructive or destructive; they are not mere expression but rather self-fulfilling prophecy.
Life would not always give us what we want but what we believe and expect. Our words give expression to what we believe and expect. Words are verbalized or expressed thoughts and feelings. Words reveal the content of the mind. The mental picture you hold of yourself, your abilities and your world determines your words.
You can alter the course of your destiny by altering the words of your mouth. We feed the mind with words and words form the mental picture in our imagination and these shape our lives. Thoughts are the fore-runner of words. Thoughts and verbalized words are the twin creators of the quality of our lives. Words affect our moods, emotions, self-image, attitude and our future.
When we talk about the past we relive it; when we talk about the present we perpetuate it; when we talk about the future we attract it. When you get stuck in the past you get stenches in your destiny. We become what we think and we get what we say. Therefore, thoughts and words are keys to manifestation.
THINK IT OVER; BEFORE YOU VOICE OUT! There once lived a little boy who had a misunderstanding with his mum. Becoming upset but yet scared of the punishment that will be meted out to him by his mum; he ran out of the house to the hillside. On reaching his destination, he shouted into the valley, "I hate you, I hate, I hate you".
Back from the valley, "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you". Quite amazed, the little boy hurriedly ran back into the house and told his mum that there was a mean little boy in the valley saying he hated him. He went back to the hillside with his mum and she told him to shout, "I love you, I love, I love you". Back came the echo, "I love you, I love you, I love you"4. Life will always echo to us who we really are. We get out of life what we put into it. If our words and deeds have been helpful, generous and good; Life will echo happiness, blessings and fulfillment into our destinies.
However, if our words and deeds have been unkind and bestial then Life will sound the echoes of misery, despair and failure into our destinies. Words released into the universe bounces back into our lives to create our experience. In life, everything produces after its kind.
Consequently, you can't have a positive life and speak negatively most of the time at the same time and you can't have a negative life and speak positively most of the time at the same time. To get over disappointments and hurts we must get over talking about them. Anytime we talk about our bad experiences for the sake of just talking we relive the bouts of pain and unhappiness to invade our emotional life. We will always draw in the effects of our words into our lives.
Your thoughts are bullets and your words are the trigger that sets the course of your destiny. Words influence our success or failure in life. It influences the way we behave.
Abuja – The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) on Wednesday in Abuja called for the sack of four Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities over alleged corruption leveled against them.
Mr Samson Ugwoke, SSANU National President, made the call when the union picketed the University of Abuja.
Ugwoke listed the alleged corrupt vice-chancellors as those of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB); Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA); University of Abuja (UniAbuja), and Plateau State University (PLSU).
"Any Vice-Chancellor that has been alleged of corruption and arraigned before a competent court must be directed to step aside in line with Public Service Rule.
"If judges alleged of were directed to step aside pending the determination of criminal charges proffered against them, why not Vice-Chancellors?
"Vice-Chancellors have no immunity and Government must not create immunity where it does not exist.
"The Federal Government must ensure the protection of whistle blowers at the Federal Universities.
"We also demand the reversal of all punitive actions like, demotions, denial of annual increments and promotion, wicked posting, among others, against our members.
"We also demand that the Chairman and Secretary of SSANU, University of Abuja chapter, Mr Jude Nwabueze, and Mr Nurudeen Yusuf be recalled back to work with immediate effect.
"We demand that high-powered Visitation Panel be set up by the Federal Government for all the Federal universities to investigate the administration of finances, employment and other aspects of governance of the university system," he said.
Ugwoke also called on the Federal Government to set up a special committee to investigate the spate of impunity in the university system and the victimisation of SSANU leaders in the recent times.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that SSANU had on several occasions written to the Minister of Education over alleged mismanagement, fraud, employment spree and slash in their salaries.
Others are wrongful termination of employment without salaries, harassment, victimisation and persecution by the Vice-Chancellors over whistle blowing of corruption, among others.
"We are protesting against corruption in the Nigerian universities, this is SSANU contribution to ensure clean university system.
"Our overriding interest lies in the sanctity of the university system and also to sanitise it for the future generations, "he added.
The union also staged a protest in front of the Federal Ministry of Education to submit their letter of demand to the Minister of Education, Mallal Adamu Adamu.
Mr Bello Umar, Director, Human Resources, Federal Ministry of Education, while receiving the letter on behalf of the minister said that their grievances would be given due consideration.
"Since the inception of this administration, it has been zero tolerance to corruption and i want to solicit your support to be patience, while i assure you that we will definitely get to the roots of these issues, "he said.
NAN reports that the protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions such as; "Federal Government, our universities need urgent intervention now", `Vice-Chancellors, respect our institution, obey court order".
Others are,"Arraign Vice-Chancellors for corruption", "Impunity must end", among others.
Meanwhile, the Student Union Government (SUG) blocked the entrance of the school with their bus preventing the protesters from gaining entrance.
CFAO NIPEN, a subsidiary of the CFAO group in Nigeria, has sustained its leadership in Nigeria's plastics industry in spite of the economic recession.
This was stated by Mr. Steve Faderin, Chairman of the Board of CFAO NIPEN, during the 41st Annual General Meeting of its stakeholders held in Lagos.
Noting the trending recession facing the business of manufacturing in the country generally, Mr. Faderin said that additionally, stiff competition from cheaper, substandard competitors created a pricing gap for NIPEN's products.
He stated that in spite of this scenario, the 'Premium Ball Pen and Crates categories maintained about the same sales volume as the previous year."
His words, "In the Razor category, whilst we sustained our market leadership position, the overall market contracted due to the decline in disposable incomes and the unrelenting assault by counterfeiters. NIPEN will continue to apply its Kaizen programme of quality enhancement of its products and maintain adjustments of operational tactics to reduce exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations; the company would also look for further optimisation of operating expenses, preserving the capacity to produce and distribute and be in good position for expansion as soon as the economy stabilizes."
During the interactive session at the annual general meeting, attendees called on the federal government to come to the aid of the manufacturing sector to avoid a total collapse of the economy.
DALTRADE Nigeria Limited has explained reasons paving stones collapsed within six months of the project completion.
Daltrade is a Nigeria-Polish company established in the country in 1962; the paving stones manufacturing aspect of the company came into existence in 1992.
In an interview with Vanguard, the company’s CEO, Mr. Oguntoye Adelaja, blamed collapses of work done by some companies on not keeping to standards required for the production of the product by some players in the industry.
According to Standards Organisation of Nigeria, the Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS) for pre-cast concrete paving stones is NIS 450: 2003. “When you look at those ones on the road sides, there are times after the jobs are done, within six months, they begin to remove; this is because most of them are not properly vibrated. In fact, most of pave stones you see out there are sandcrete, not concrete but if you don’t know, unsuspecting buyers believe paving stone is paving stone but there are great, great difference in terms of absorption of moisture and all that.
"You see a lot of paving stones even in companies, road sides but our own is quite different and the quality is very clear in terms of the compressive strength and abrasion; we carry out a lot of tests on our product to ensure that we comply with the minimum required strength to ensure that whoever that is buying paving stones from our dealers is buying products that stands the test of time. Daltrade is leader in terms of paving stones manufacturing. We strive to keep that, and don’t want to deviate from that,” he said.
On export of the company’s product, he said: “Not really, the paving stone aspect is what we do locally for the Nigerian markets. We are not thinking of exporting for now.”
Just as it did on Monday when it uncovered another N250 million from the popular Balogun Market in Lagos the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has again discovered another large sum of money in Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to the EFCC about $38m, N23m and £27,000 cash was uncovered in an apartment in Ikoyi during a sting operation by its operatives from the Lagos Zone
WHEN Simioly and Kaynanymus collaborate for their single, a new dawn emerges on the African music scene.
Simioly
The two artistes are set to drop their new single titled, "Adaba Dance," a song describing a new dance step that is trending in the Lagos entertainment scene. The name Adaba originated from the popular dance step called the Dab, Simioly explains.
Simi Olaiya who adopts Simioly as his stage name, is a Nigerian, but an international household name on the Turkish and Cyprus music scenes. He has done collaborations with Turkish and Russian artists. Kunle Iyantan a.k.a Kaynanymus, is a Lagos-based artiste. Both artistes have collaborated in the past on a previous hit single titled Overseas, which was produced by Dokta Frabz.
In the past few years of his musical career, Simioly has shared stage – as an opening act – with the like of 2baba, 9ice, Wande Cole, Dr sid, Burna Boy, Ice Prince, Ceza and many others in Cyprus.
Shuttling between Nigeria and Europe, Simioly has, over the years learnt so much about the dynamics of diverse cultural experience. For example, the Nigeria-Ghana musical identity and sometimes exchanges, he says "fascinates me." He, therefore, would like to contribute his creative skills "to ensure that music of African origin becomes a global brand."
Simioly hopes to leverage on his advantage of two continent-experience to give Adaba Dance a lift that would make the single a local and international hit. "Having been exposed to the international music scene with several stage and studio experiences in Nigeria, Turkey and Cyprus, I am excited to use my experience in promoting African dance via the Adaba Dance single," Simioly says shortly after a studio session in Lagos.
"I hope that Adaba Dance will change the Nigerian music scene for good and also be a hit in Europe among Africans and Europeans." He describes Adaba Dance as being inspired by Mr Eazi.
German cinematographer Michael Ballhaus, known for his contribution to Hollywood movies "Goodfellas" and "Gangs of New York," has died aged 81, his publishing house said on Wednesday.
"Ballhaus died in his apartment in Berlin after a period of illness,'' German publishing house DVA Sachbuch said, citing the cinematographer's family members.
Ballhaus worked with top Hollywood directors, including Martin Scorcese, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Redford, Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Mike Nichols.
His films include "Goodfellas" (1990), "Bram Stoker's Dracula" (1992), "Gangs of New York" (2002) and "The Departed" (2006).
Ballhaus was nominated for three Best Cinematography Oscars for the film, "Broadcast News" (1987), "The Fabulous Baker Boys" (1989) and "Gangs of New York."
He received a lifetime achievement award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2016.
The Receiver Manager of Arik Air, Mr Oluseye Opasanya (SAN), said the embattled airline was indebted to its trade and finance creditors to the tune of N375 billion.
Opasanya made the disclosure in an affidavit filed in support of the airline's receivership by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), before Justice Muhammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos.
A copy of the document filed on April 11 was obtained by newsmen, in Lagos on Wednesday.
AMCON had on Feb. 9 taken over Arik Air as a result of its huge debt profile and thereafter appointed Capt. Roy Ilegbodu to manage the airline under the receivership of Opasanya.
In the affidavit, Opasanya said the Federal Government underestimated the rot at the airline before the takeover, which according to him was mind-boggling.
"In the course of the receivership, AMCON has received diverse claims from financial institutions, service providers, suppliers, airport and aviation authorities, insurance providers, governmental agencies, employees, pilots and many others in excess of N300 billion, allegedly owed by the former management,
"As a matter of fact, the salaries of the expatriate and local staff of Arik Air were unpaid since October 2016 and July 2016 respectively", he said.
Opasanya explained that while N300 billion was owed on one hand to numerous local and international creditors, €31 million was owed to the Lufthansa Technik Group and $6.5 million to aviation authorities in the West Coast of Africa.
Arik Air
The receiver manager listed some other debts owed by Arik Air to include Insurance Policy (N418. 89 million), National Pension Commission (N4. 59 billion) and Zenith and Access Banks (N28.347 billion).
He said it also included Amadeus Marketing Nigeria (N632. 49 million), Marriot and Best Western Hotels (N3. 8 million), undocumented bank loan (N2 billion) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (N11. 21 billion).
Others are Export Development Canada ($53.43 million), Sky Enterprises LLC ($30 million), FAAN ($942.14 million ) World Fuel Services Inc ($26.55 million) and loan from Prince Arthur Ezenwa ($2.5 million).
Opasanya said the airline owed the United States Internal Revenue Service and the United States Customs $987,170 and $311,888 respectively.
According to him, Arik Air under the erstwhile management also owed N100.36 million to Heathrow Airport and N121. 45million to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
He said Arik Air currently had only five aircraft in operation out of the 28 aircraft in its fleet due to the negligence of the former management who failed to maintain them when due.
Opasanya further disclosed that AMCON had injected N1.5 billion into Arik Air since the takeover because the airline was still unable to generate sufficient cash to cover its operating costs.
AMCON's spokesperson, Mr Tony Nwauzor, said "AMCON took over Arik Air to underscore government's decision to instil sanity in the nation's aviation sector and prevent a major catastrophe that protected and preserved the airline.
"The takeover would enhance the value of Arik, improve customer experience and sustain the safety, reliability and secure its operational history.
"Arik was in a precarious situation largely attributable to its heavy financial debt burden, bad corporate governance, erratic operational challenges and other issues.
"They required immediate intervention in order to guarantee the continued survival of the airline."
The All Progressives Congress (APC), has inaugurated two fact-finding and reconciliation committees to look into the crisis rocking its chapters in Bauchi and Kogi States ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The Bauchi committee is headed by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Sen. Chris Ngige, while Chief Tony Momoh heads that of Kogi.
The APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, while inaugurating the committees on Wednesday in Abuja, said its members were carefully selected.
He described members of the committees as some of the best elites of the party, adding that its leadership was confident that they would deliver on their mandate.
He charged the committee members to carry on their personal prestige and integrity and undertake the assignment without fear or favour.
"You have a very simple assignment, which is fact-finding and reconciliation, without necessarily apportioning blames.
"I know that once the facts are established, it will be very simple to deal with'', the chairman said.
Oyegun admitted that there were issues to contend with in most of its state chapters, and that the crisis in Kogi was challenging because it had a political history.
He added that the circumstances that led to the emergence of Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi and the manner of transition were complex issues that required competent men to address.
Responding, Momoh, chairman of the Kogi committee, attributed some of the problems in the party`s state chapters to lack of effective communication.
Momoh, former National Chairman of the dissolved Congress for Progressive Change, said party members should be encouraged to communicate, while its leadership made efforts to resolve identified issues.
Ngige, chairman of the Bauchi committee thanked the party`s leadership for finding them fit and worthy for the assignment.
He assured that the committee members would be neutral and respectful to all sides in the states as they ensure true reconciliation among aggrieved party members.
He added that they would always use the party`s constitution as guide to carry out their assignments while making efforts; ' to smoothen all rough edges.''
He, however, attributed the problems in the two state chapters and some of its other chapters as bruises resulting from power struggle.
Newsmen, report that the committees have two weeks to complete the assignment.
WINNER of the just concluded Big Brother Naija, Efe Ejegba, has been appointed the Ambassador for Entertainment and Creative Industry by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State.
•Wangi Mba-Uzokwu, Regional Director, M-net West Africa; Michael Efe Ejeba, winner of BBNaija Season 2; Fela Ibidapo, Group Head, Corporate Affairs, Heritage Bank; John Ugbe, General Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria and Eyo Bassey, Chief Executive Officer, Payporte during the car presentation held at Wheat Baker Hotel, Onitolo, Ikoyi Lagos, Tuesday.
In a statement signed on behalf of Governor Lalong, by Emmanuel Nanle, the state Director of Press and Public Affairs, the governor noted that the appointment of the Delta State-born Efe is a call to all citizens of the state to ensure they place value on the common humanity of her citizens in a multicultural and cosmopolitan setting.
Congratulating Michael Ejegba popularly known as 'Efe' on his emergence as the winner of the show, the governor said the victory of Efe was a further proof of the brotherhood, excellence, courage and determination that characterizes the Plateau spirit.
It would be recalled that the governor had on Friday, April 7, 2017, called on all Plateau citizens to stand in solidarity with Efe by voting and mobilizing others to vote for the home grown actor, who was on the verge of joining the team of successful Plateau citizens who have won the TV Reality event in the past.
Veritable platform
Efe's new appointment came on a day organizers of the show presented him with the keys to his SUV and N25 million cheque, to welcome him and Bisola Aiyeola, the first runner up of the show back home.
Speaking at the event, which held at Wheatbaker hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe said MultiChoice was not only celebrating Efe but other people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the show was a phenomenal success.
"The Big Brother Naijashow was a veritable platform used in educating and enlightening the viewers about the many challenges, both social and environmental, being faced by people across the country through the many creative presentations made by housemates. In addition, it showed the power of voters as the winner emerged based on their votes.
"We also want to use this opportunity to celebrate our sponsors who believed in the project and put the seal of their brands on it," Ugbe said.
In his remark, Efe thanked MultiChoice Nigeria for giving him the platform to show the world his person and for the opportunity. Efe said: "The feeling has been so amazing right from the airport up till this moment.
I want to thank MultiChoice for this opportunity and the sponsors, Indomie, Minimie and Heritage Bank – for organizing and paying for my wedding in the house – as well as PayPorte for all the beautiful clothes and shoes."
Regional Director, M-Net, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said, Big Brother Naija reality show has indeed put Nigeria on the world map. According to Mba-Uzoukwu, in the history of M-Net productions, particularly in the last week before the show's grand finale, they had never collated such a large amount of votes. "Over 27 million votes were recorded before the finale," she enthused.
Efe emerged winner of the show after beating 11 other contenders to clinch the star prize of N25 million and an SUV.
Chief Executive Officer, PayPorte, Eyo Bassey said: "PayPorte is proud of the show which had sold Nigeria to the world and we are happy with the sponsorship and relationship.
We have already engaged four of the ex-housemates and we will take it further by supporting their business plans and even securing office spaces where they can begin. We are grateful for the opportunity".
Also in attendance was Group Head, Corporate Affairs, Heritage Bank, Fela Ibidapo, who thanked MultiChoice for the privilege to support the show and give it value. "Heritage Bank hoped to define the platform and we are proud of our involvement as we took banking beyond financial activities." The bank promised to continue to grow capacity for the ex-housemates.
The Big Brother Naija show was aimed at identifying, nurturing, and promoting young talent to a wide range of viewers across the African continent.
After a 10-year hiatus, the show was repackaged to give more Nigerian youth the opportunity to showcase their talent to the world.
The year's edition was hosted by former Big Brother Nigeria housemate, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. Other ex-housemates present at the conference included Bassey, Bally, ThinTallTony, Jon, Soma, Gifty and CocoIce.
Jose Mourinho says he would be prepared to risk the wrath of Premier League bosses and field a weakened side if Manchester United lose hope of finishing in the top four.
Mourinho
United are focussing on two fronts ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg away to Anderlecht in the quest to return to what they believe is their rightful home: the Champions League.
Currently lying fifth in the Premier League, United must either move up at least a place and finish in the top four, or win the Europa League in order to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
But they face the risk of player burn-out with fixture congestion a major issue — if United go all the way to the Europa League final, they will play twice a week every week until the end of the season.
And if the Premier League route closes, Mourinho said he would be prepared to rest his players in league matches to keep them fresh for their European engagements.
“When it’s mathematically very possible to finish in the top four, if we play against Chelsea with the second team, you would kill me and the football country would kill me,” Mourinho told reporters on Wednesday at his eve of match press conference, referring to Sunday’s clash with the Premier League leaders.
“Because, while it’s mathematically possible there’s no reason not to try, so we have to try with the risks you’re speaking about.
“But… if in a certain moment of the season we have no chances to get in the top four and we’re still in the Europa League, then there’s a reason nobody can deny or criticise because then if we have only the Europa League, we have to focus on the Europa League.”
That would put Mourinho and United in breach of Premier League rules, that stipulate teams must field full-strength sides in every match.
But should the Red Devils reach the Europa League final in Sweden on May 24, it would come just days after a punishing league run-in.
“Lets got to the scenario that we have to play in one week Tottenham (May 14), Southampton (May 17), Crystal Palace (May 21) and then the Europa League final — if we have no chances in the Premier League, everybody has to accept that we just focus on the Europa League.”
– ‘Ibra can deliver’ –
Should United go all the way to the final, it would be a triumphant return home for star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has never won a European trophy despite claiming league titles in four different countries.
The 35-year-old has fond memories of playing away to Anderlecht, banging in four goals in Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-0 win in Brussels in 2013.
But Mourinho believes it is the desire to reach a European final that will motivate Ibrahimovic rather than any hopes of heaping more misery on Anderlecht.
“He scored goals everywhere, he probably doesn’t even remember that,” said Mourinho.
“We hope he can deliver again because it’s the motivation of everybody in the club to go to the final and I believe maybe he has a little extra motivation because the final is in Sweden and because he’s never played in a European cup final in such an amazing career he’s had.”
Following the triple bomb blast on Tuesday that saw Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Monaco postponed 24 hours — and left Spanish defender Marc Bartra nursing a fractured wrist — Mourinho said United would be shutting out any such security concerns.
“We try not to think much about it, we try to focus on our job and focus on what we love, which is playing this quarter-final.
“We have to be focussed on it and that’s what we try to do.
“Obviously we will have solidarity with what happened yesterday, with the players that cannot play today, the people that were hurt, but we have to trust the people that are working for our security.”
You might feel like you have hairstylists all figured out, but really you haven't. The salon and hairstyling life is 'full of mysteries and fun hacks', and no matter how close you are to your stylist, there are still a couple of 'secrets' they might not let you in on. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, reveals 5 things or 'secrets' your hairstylist would prefer you didn't know.
Trimming Your Ends Often is Unlikely to Make Your Hair Grow Longer
Hair is typically made up of dead skin cells and cutting the ends doesn't speed up hair growth process, though it helps to get rid of split ends. Hair grows based on your hair growth cycle, not because you trim the ends often. As far as hair growth is concerned, the average rate is ½ inch per month and no amount of trimming or regular salon visit will change that, except maybe seasonal or pregnancy related hormonal changes.
You Can Dye Your Gray Roots Yourself
If gray hair starts to show, you don't need to run to a hair stylist. Purchasing and making use of a home-kit gives basic gray coverage and adequately matches salon colours. You just have to know what you're doing because that's the basic difference between you and a hairstylist – knowledge and practice. However, it is unadvisable for you to dye your hair to other colours on your own. It's better to hit the salon for that.
If Your Products Work for You, There's No Need to Change Them to Something New
In an attempt to sell some of their hair products, some hair stylists will advise changing hair products because your hair has "built up some kind of tolerance to it" or your hair is "used to it". There's no scientific evidence to support that notion and hair products are not addictive drugs that your hair builds up tolerance to. Unless your hair changes, maybe due to hormonal changes or other reasons, you can keep using the same products that have always been great for your hair.
You Can Cut Off Your Own Split Ends
The key words here, like was mentioned earlier, are knowledge and practice. As long as you know what you are doing and you don't currently have an 'insanely high-maintenance' style in which even a little mistake can ruin the whole style, then please by all means cut them off yourself. No need for another costly visit to a stylist or hair-dresser. However, if you notice your hair is full of split ends and it's too much for you to handle, you can also visit your stylist for a trim.
You Can Deep Condition Your Hair on Your Own
Deep conditioning salon treatments are great and quite relaxing, but it's something that you can do on your own with home remedies at a much lower cost. Home remedies are admittedly much better for your hair in the long run because of their natural ingredients. Do some research, ask a few questions and gather some knowledge about the appropriate home remedies for deep hair conditioning treatments and be on your way a wonderful, healthy looking and stronger hair. Olive oil and coconut oil are just some of the ingredients great for hair conditioning.
Africa’s Matabele ants, fierce predators of termites, rescue their wounded soldiers and bring them back to the nest where they are “treated,” a new study showed Wednesday.
Matabele ants
This helping behavior for the injured is the first to be detected in the insect world, according to an article in the US journal Science Advances by a German research team at the University of Wuerzburg’s Biocentre.
The ants, formally known as Megaponera analis, are widespread south of the Sahara on the continent.
Two to four times a day, they set out in long files on raids to kill worker termites at their foraging sites.
But the attacks meet strong resistance from soldier termites guarding the worker termites, which have powerful jaws that kill and wound the Matabele ants in the fighting.
Apparently to minimize their losses from these attacks, the ants have developed a rescue behavior until now unknown among insects.
When a Matabele ant is hurt in a fight, it will call its mates for help by excreting chemical substances in a kind of distress signal.
The injured ant will be carried back to the nest where it will receive “treatment” that usually involves peeling off the termites still clinging to the insect, the authors said in a statement.
“We have observed helping behavior vis-a-vis injured animals for the first time in invertebrates,” said co-author Erik Frank.
Typically, individuals have little value for social insects, he noted.
But in the case of Matabele ants, “obviously, it pays off for the colony as a whole to invest in the rescue service,” the researchers said.
With 10 percent of pneumonia and 9 percent of diarrhoea mortality rate of under five in Lagos State, the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health, PSN-PACFaH coalition are seeking proper management of pneumonia and diarrhoea through the inclusion of Amoxicillin DT and Zinc- LO-ORS (Co -pack) as first line treatment for the two childhood killer diseases.
Speaking during an advocacy visit to the State Central Medical stores last week, the Chairman of the coalition, Mr. Henry Adenigba, said Lagos ranks 3rd in the states with high burden of pneumonia and diarrhoea in the South West.
He said for every 100 under five deaths in Lagos State, pneumonia and diarrhoea, jointly account for 19 percent.
Calling for upward review of the State budget, Adenigba who looked at the state's health budget since 2011 said: "WHO recommended 15 percent to health, none of the states including Federal have done that and without these funds the children will continue to die.
"In 2011, Lagos State allotted 7.3 percent, in 2012 a total of 6.8 percent which is a reduction, in 2013, it was 8.5 percent, 2014 it went down to 4.5 percent, probably due to agitation for increase it went up to 9.1 in 2015, in 2016 it went to 9.8 percent but in 2017 now it went back to 6.3 per cent. This is unacceptable. It is not a good pointer that means there won't be enough money to manage some of these child killer diseases despite the increase in the state budget from N663 billion to N813 billion in 2017 if the budget is increased why the reduction in health budget." Handing over the advocacy requests to the management of the store, Adenigba appealed to the Director of the medical store to provide them with the update of procurement and distribution of Amoxicillin DT and Zinc- LO-ORS in Lagos State.
Continuing, he also requested for the commitment of the store to scale up the use of Amoxicillin DT and Zinc- LO-ORS (Co-Pack) in the State for the treatment of pneumonia and diarrhoea.
He called for the review of essential medicine list so as to include the two drugs.
Responding, the Director Central Medical Store, Pharm. Oyebisi Omolanbe, said: "For the past two years we have been stocking the two but Lagos state has free policy treatment for 0 to 12 and the drugs did not fall into the policy. Because they are not among the free health policy they are to be paid for. "They are easily accessible. I have no power to review the essential drug list the final authority is with the government.
For government making it free I cannot comment on that. I cannot influence that. You people can help us. We are civil servants. This things can be procured free of charge."
By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor & Abdulsalam Muhammad Barely a day after oil Shell admitted paying money to money to Malabu Oil owned by former Petroleum Minister under the late Sanni Abacha regime, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has raided the Kano home of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke.Former attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke
The raid, according to sources, was aimed at retrieving vital documents that could help the security agencies in establishing a solid case against Adoke, who has already been charged along with eight others over the $1.3 billion controversial Malabu Oil payout.
Adoke is accused by the Federal Government through the EFCC of spearheading the huge payment of $1.3 billion to Malabu, influential individuals and their firms under the guise of settling the protracted legal tussle over the ownership of the lucrative oil block, OPL 245.
Apparently trying to fetch evidence in order to nail Adoke and the other suspects in the case, the EFCC operatives stormed the Kano residence of the former minister located at No 3 Alu Avenue, Nasarawa GRA in the early hours of Wednesday and ransacked suspected areas but reportedly found nothing incriminating at the end of the operation.
A source close to the operation said the raid, which lasted from midnight did not end until 2pm on Wednesday.
One of our correspondents, who visited the house in Kano, said the security doors in the ouse were forced open while all rooms and the roof of the house were thoroughly searched by the operatives.
The former minister, who is outside the country, said in a mail to one of our correspondents that his house had been broken into by the EFCC operatives but that he did not know why the action was carried out while his case with the agency was in court.
The former minister said, "Some EFCC operatives today raided the house of the former Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN.
"They found nothing after breaking down the doors of his residence in Kano. "There was no evidence of a search warrant but they broke down some Doors and searched everywhere and the roof.
"No information on the actual mission of the operatives. This invasion is without deference to the ongoing cases in court against the ex-AGF," Adoke said.
But the Head of Media and Publicity in the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed to our correspondent that the raid was carried out by the operatives of the agency as part of what he called 'routine law enforcement exercise' but and added that no major thing was taken away from the home.
"Yes, our men went there as part of our routine law enforcement operation but nothing was taken away," Wilson said.
It was however learnt that the agency is tracking Adoke to get him to report in court to answer to the charges of money laundering and abuse of office in relation to his role in the disbursement of the $1.3 billion Malabu Oil cash while he was the AGF.
IN 2012, Mobolaji Adeyemi, 37, a public speaker and graduate of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology at the University of Ibadan, was diagnosed with malignant cancer of the mouth and neck (Mucoepidermoid carcinoma).
He went through surgery at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, had a neck dissection and entire upper jaw and dentition removed.
Thereafter he was at EKO Hospital, Lagos for radiotherapy and chemotherapy and later went to India for reconstruction of the upper jaw before being at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, for dental restoration. Unfortunately, during a recent medical consultation, Mobolaji was diagnosed with another malignant growth, known as squamous cell carcinoma around the eye region, requiring another round of surgery and treatment.
Mobolaji Adeyemi
The total cost for the new procedure to prevent further spread of the malignancy, is estimated at $150,000 (N60,000,000).
In a desperate appeal for support towards comprehensive medical attention, Titilayomi, Mobolaji's wife said her husband, has put up a winning fight against cancer for two years before being diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in May 2013. Mobolaji has also gone through rounds of treatments at LASUTH.
"Not less than N1.6 million was expended on laboratory tests, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other expenses at LASUTH."
Mobolaji was referred for further treatment at Apollo Hospital, Ahmedabad, India, for a process of reconstructive surgery in 2014, which gulped another N5.1 million apart from accommodation.
"The conclusive phase of the reconstructive surgery was initially scheduled for December 2014 but we have been held back by lack of funds, she said.
Recent estimates from the according to estimates from the Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Baltimore, USA, put the total cost at about N25.5 million.
Sadly, this is far beyond what Mobolaji and his family can raise, hence, they are appealing to well-meaning Nigerians to help save his life.
