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
…Says Arrested Killers Of LASTMA Commander To Aid Investigation
The Lagos State Government on Monday allayed fears of residents on suspected explosive substance which was allegedly dropped in a manhole in one of the Streets in Agege area of the State, saying that the development was nothing to worry about.
The development had led to residents scampering for safety following the bomb scare, but rising from the Monthly Security Council Meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the government urged the people to go about their normal businesses as the situation had been put under control.
The State's Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, who briefed journalists at the end of the meeting alongside service commanders of security formations and top government functionaries in the State, said security agencies responded swiftly to the development and found out that contrary to rumour the substance was just pieces of thrash dropped in the manhole.
He said: "Early this morning, we were alerted to a situation where it was reported that some passersby dropped something on the manholes in one of the streets at Agege which led to a bomb scare.
"The security operatives quickly responded; the bomb disposal unit also went there; those manholes were checked and it was found out that it was just thrash that were thrown into those manholes.
"We also seized the opportunity to do what is called sweeping of the environment to reassure members of the public that security operatives in the State are more alive to their responsibilities, and that once we get information on a timely basis, response will also be done in a swift manner to ensure that nothing untoward happen in Lagos."
He said the meeting, being the first for the year, was used to appraise the performance of security outfits in the State last year, and strategize for the New Year.
"We have done an appraisal of what happened last year in terms of our challenges and the modest achievements that were recorded last year and use that to prepare for the year and improve on what we have been doing and to position ourselves very well for the new challenges that could emerge in the year with the view to making the people of Lagos and their properties safer and more secured," Owoseni said.
While assuring the people that security outfits and the State Government were more poised, repositioned and more willing to ensure smooth security operations in the State, the Commissioner urged residents not to hesitate to supply necessary security information as at when due.
Speaking on the arrest of two persons in connection with the gruesome murder of a Zonal Commander of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Surajudeen Olatunji Bakare in Apapa late last year, Owoseni said investigation into the case was still ongoing, but that those arrested would help in arresting others who were part of the mob action that led to the incident.
He said: "It is an ongoing investigation. You know there was a video recording which we have considered and it is based on some of the faces that we saw that we picked those people that were arrested.
"It was a mob action and we don't want to rush to court without doing a good clinical finishing of forensic analysis of the faces to match them with what we have seen in the video and for those fellows that have been arrested to be able to say oh yes these are the other people that were there.
"As investigation is going on, we would be unveiling the development to the people of Lagos, but what we just want to do is to ensure that all such impunities are stopped in Lagos State."
Besides, the CP recalled the arrest of some Boko Haram suspects in Lagos recently, saying that the collaborative effort and synergy that had always existed among security agencies in the State led to the arrests.
He said henceforth, government and security agencies have resolved to further put their ears more on ground and open their eyes more widely to ensure that those elements were not allowed any space to operate in Lagos.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Zamfara has withdrawn all medical services to Police officers and their families in the state, a statement has said.
The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the association, Dr Tijjani Abubakar and the Secretary, Dr Mannir Bature, issued to newsmen on Monday in Gusau.
The doctors said that the decision also affected family members of the police including their children.
`We write to regrettably give notice to the general public the decision of all medical doctors practicing in Zamfara state to withdraw services to men and officers of Zamfara State Command of Nigerian Police Force including members of their families.
"This decision became necessary owing to the failure of the command to address the issue of assault on our member, Dr Nasir Aminu by their patrol team leading to loss of his several teeth.
"Based on this, we have taken this decision and we are therefore advising them to seek medical services elsewhere,'' the association said.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Shaba Alkali, when contacted described the decision as unfortunate and embarrassing to the command.
Alkali said, "I have received the letter of their decision and we are now working on how to address the issue, I have directed the deputy commissioner of the command to invite them so that we can meet with them on Wednesday.
"I am therefore calling on them to come and meet the command to resolve this issue peacefully.''
Since the decision of the state government to ban movement of the motorcycles from 8p.m. to 6 a.m. across the state, many workers on essential services such as doctors and journalists have been maltreated by the police.
The police took advantage of the order to harass people without waiting for explanation.
The police patrol team operating near Anguwar gwaza quarters, Gusau attacked Dr Nasiru Aminu in Aug. 2016 on his way to his house from hospital where he was beaten with sticks leading to loss of his teeth.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Monday, approached the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for an order stopping further probe into violence that marred the December 10, 2016, legislative re-run election in the state.
He applied for an interim order of injunction barring the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, from proceeding with planned investigation into complaints, petitions, allegations of crime and various acts of criminality during the poll.
Aside the IGP, Wike, in the ex-parte motion he filed through his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, joined the State Security Services (SSS) and a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Damian Okoro, as defendants in the suit.
Moving the motion before Justice Gabriel Kolawole on Monday, Ozehkome, SAN, prayed the court to issue an interim order of injunction restraining the defendants or their agents from enforcing or executing matters contained in a letter the IGP wrote to Wike on December 20, 2016, pertaining to the probe.
He told the court the IGP had in the said letter entitled, ‘Investigation into allegations of crimes committed during the last rerun elections in Rivers state’, stated that the, “purview of the investigation will cover allegations of bribes taken, several brazen murder incidents (including that of serving Police Officers), reports of gross human rights abuses, acts of sabotage/terrorism, kidnapping for ransom and ballot box snatching, all of which were perpetrated in connivance with several federal and state civil servants as well as highly placed politicians within and outside the state”.
The letter also requested the governor to furnish the Police investigative team with all necessary information and exhibits that may assist the team in the investigation.Wike
Ozekhome insisted that action of the Police to constitute a panel to investigate crisis that trailed the rerun elections in Rivers state was illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and null and void.
He said it would be in the interest of justice for the court to set aside the IGP’s letter to governor Wike and direct the Police boss to await the outcome of the commission of inquiry set up by the Rivers State government.
Wike, via a supporting affidavit he attached to the motion, told the court that it was security operatives, mainly the Police and the Army that orchestrated violence following their partisan stance during the poll.
He said some untoward behaviour of security operatives deployed for the exercise were caught on tape and presented to Nigerians and the whole world by various reputable television stations.
Contrary to fears in some quarters that it might take a while before a new monarch is installed for Isan-Ekiti, the hometown of the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who is also a major opposition figure, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has presented the Staff and Instrument of Office to the new Onisan, Oba Adejuwon Gabriel Ayodele.
The installation followed the selection of Oba Ayodele by all the six kingmakers in the town to fill the vacant stool and prevent a vacuum that could stall the progress of the community.
Speaking on the occasion in Isan-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of the state, Governor Fayose said as the leader of the state, he had no axe to grind with anybody and would never interfere in traditional matters.
A statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, quoted the governor as saying that he would never play politics on trample on truth or deny any group their rights.
“As God has made me the leader of the state at this period, I must be fair to all and this I am doing in the handling of state matters. That Isan-Ekiti is the hometown of former Governor Kayode Fayemi does not mean the right thing must not be done.
The ruling house that is next to produce the next monarch came forward with their list of candidates and interestingly, all the six kingmakers voted for one candidate.
”Politics should not get to the level of meddling in traditional matters like the selection of monarchs for communities, anybody who does that would have unpleasant consequences to contend with.
“Whoever tries to influence the choice of kings for communities for one reason or the other, will in the end incur the wrath of God. It is God who puts people in positions of authority and anybody who goes against the will of God for a community as far as choosing their leader is concerned, should now that he is contending with God.
“With the demise of the former king, I was told it was the Ilomi Ruling House that would produce the next Onisan and the candidates brought forward by the ruling house were taken to the kingmakers in the town and all the six voted for one candidate who is being given the staff and instrument of office today.
“We don’t meddle in affairs that do not concern us and the process has been peaceful. If there is any aggrieved person among those who contested the stool, he can go to court. On our part, we have done what the laws of the land empower us to do,” he said.
Governor Fayose urged Oba Ayodele to extend hand of friendship and fellowship to other contestants and advised the people to support him for the growth of their town.
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Kolapo Kolade, said the stool became vacant following the passing on of Oba Sunday Ajiboye on November 6, 2015.
The new Onisan, Oba Adejuwon Ayodele, thanked the state government for the transparent manner the selection process was conducted.
He promised to carry everybody along in the running of the affairs of the town.
Prof. Abubakar Njodi, the Vice Chancellor, University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), says the university will not close in spite Monday's bomb blast by Boko Haram insurgents that killed a professor and four others.
Njodi spoke on Monday in Maiduguri, when Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole of the Nigerian Army paid him a sympathy visit.
"I can convince the senate, the management and the university community to close the school to save lives.
"But if we do that, we are not helping because we have to give the security our maximum support and our support is not to join them in the battle field.
"If we run away, that means there is nobody they should be fighting for. We should stay and resolve it, after all the war is about us, western education.”
"If we stay, the terrorists will be frustrated because that is their aim.
"What is the point of fighting for us if we run? We should stand our ground so that the military will be proud that the people they are fighting for are on ground.
"Therefore, our decision is not to close the university. We want to assure you our theatre commander, the university remains open and we will continue with our examinations tomorrow.
"We suspended the exams for today because we want the military to come and access what happened," Njodi said.
He, however, appealed to the military to beef up security in the outskirts of the university to forestall future occurrence.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Irabor, the Theatre Commander, said he came to the sympathise with the UNIMAID community on the loss of lives of Prof. Aliyu Mani and others who died as a result of the suicide bomb attack.
Irabor said: "As we have already said and will continue to say that there is frustration in the Boko Haram camp.
"They have tried severally to bring sorrows and pain to the university and the rest of the communities and have failed.
"We, therefore, enjoin you not to be deterred. This is a clear sign that the end of Boko Haram has come.
"The people should, therefore, continue with their normal life to let the Boko Haram know they have failed.
"We should let them know that the extent of their stupidity and callousness do not have any impact on us anymore, " Irabor said.
Enugu Rangers coach Imama Amapakabo has decried the performance of some of his key players in the club’s opening day loss to Abia Warriors.
The current league champions started their title defense in the worst possible manner on Sunday afternoon when they lost the Oriental derby 2-1 in front of their fans at “The Cathedral” as the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium is now known.
Speaking after the defeat, Amapakabo attributed the loss to the low performance of some of his players, without mentioning any one in particular.
Amapakabo
“When the game started, we had about seven players that did not come to the party,” began Amapakabo.
“So when you have up to seven players that are not up there, and these are same players that few months ago were champions of Nigeria, we managed to hope as best as possible that the result would come at the end of the day (but it did not).” lamented Imama who started the game with ten (10) of the players that were part of the title winning side last term.
Rangers only goal of the game was scored by former Akwa United striker Fortune Omoniwari who was making his Rangers debut and despite his team’s apparent lack of goals in recent games, Imama remains unruffled. Rangers lost on penalties to FC Ifeanyiubah in the Nigerian Charity Cup last Wednesday after a goalless encounter
“We are creating the chances which is good. It is my responsibility to see that they start scoring and we will improve on that. It is a long season and we started last year by losing away (at Kano Pillars), we have 37 more games to play and I’m sure we will get it right.” he enthused.
Rangers play on the road to Nasarawa United in midweek and perhaps may reverse their poor start. Their hosts, Nasarawa United, secured an opening day draw at Confederation Cup hopefuls, Wikki Tourists on Sunday and will be playing their first game in their home ground in Lafia in two years after playing all of last season in Makurdi due to renovation works at the Lafia Township Stadium.
Sarah Ofili, the former fiancee of rapper Ikechukwu has revealed that she accepted the proposal because it was in public.
She also reacted to the recent allegations by the rapper that she was cheating on him with his friend, Terry the Rapman.
Recall that Killz, as Ikechukwu is fondly called, was on a radio show recently where he suggested that Sarah had been cheating on him with Terry tha Rapman. All hell broke loose on social media with Terry and Joy Madaki (his sister who's Sarah's best friend) both taking shots at Ikechukwu.
Ikechukwu and Sarah when the going was good
Ikechukwu had said, "Perfect example, you wanted the limelight. You have Killz (Ikechukwu)… (taking) you everywhere like on a mantlepiece, carrying her everywhere like, 'you must build this profile, you must give this girl name…then you free that and then you went to go f*ck with Terry, what the f*ck does he have?"
Miss Ofili took her chance to fire back at Killz this weekend when she was on Happenings Radio to talk about broken engagements.
According to her, she was deliberately put in a situation where she couldn't say no by Ikechukwu when he proposed to her.
"I accepted his proposal because of pressure…he proposed in public because he knew if he had done it in private, it was likely I would have said no. I wish I said no but poo happens… I broke off the engagement because he was a pathological liar…
He's old but he still hasn't grown up. If he's still thinking about his ex after four years, I pity the girl he's currently dating," she said.
Rita Effiong, 36, slumped in a Gudu Upper Area Court in Abuja on Monday when her case was mentioned for hearing.
Her counsel, Mrs Grace Achesau pleaded that the matter be adjourned on grounds of ill health, adding that it was only the living that can stand trial.
"From what can be seen, my client is not fit to stand trial'', Achesau stressed.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Fidelis Ogbobe, opposed the application for adjournment, saying that the defendant came to the court on her own.
"Besides, there is no medical report to prove that she is sick. I came with two witnesses who are ready to testify against her'', Ogbobe added.
Effiong is standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal breach of trust, cheating and escape from lawful custody.
After considering the arguments of both counsel, the judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, adjourned the case till Jan.18.
The case, brought against her by the police on Dec.12, 2016, was adjourned to Jan.16 when the defendant pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N550, 000.
Earlier, the prosecutor told the court that Augustine Ekwu of 14 Winnipeg Close, Maitama, Abuja, had reported the matter at FCT Police Command on Nov.14, 2016.
He said the defendant had falsely presented herself as a visa agent to the complainant in 2012,.
"Based on this pretence, the complainant paid her N500, 000 with Guarantee Trust Bank cheque and equally gave her his international passport'', Ogbobe said.
He added that all efforts made to recover the money and the international passport proved abortive.
According to Ogbobe, "she ran away from police investigation room before she was re-arrested by police officers on duty.''
He said the offence was contrary to sections 312, 322 and 172 of the Penal Code.
Just five days to his inauguration President-elect Donald J. Trump has questioned why the United State was still spending money to fight the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, why all of the schoolgirls kidnapped by the group have not been rescued and whether Qaeda operatives from Africa are living in the United States.
He went further questioned the effectiveness of one of the more significant counterterrorism efforts on the continent. TRUMP According to New York Times Trump in four-page write up raised Africa-related questions.
"How does U.S. business compete with other nations in Africa? Are we losing out to the Chinese?" asks one of the first questions in the unclassified document provided to The New York Times.
That is quickly followed with queries about humanitarian assistance money. "With so much corruption in Africa, how much of our funding is stolen? Why should we spend these funds on Africa when we are suffering here in the U.S.?
Some of the questions are those that should be asked by a new administration seeking to come to grips with the hows and whys behind longstanding American national security and foreign assistance policies. But it is difficult to know whether the probing, critical tone of other questions indicates that significant policy changes should be expected.
On terrorism, the document asks why the United States is even bothering to fight the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, why all of the schoolgirls kidnapped by the group have not been rescued and whether Qaeda operatives from Africa are living in the United States. And it questions the effectiveness of one of the more significant counterterrorism efforts on the continent.
"We've been fighting al-Shabaab for a decade, why haven't we won?" poses one question, referring to the terrorist group based in Somalia that was behind the Westgate mall attacks in Kenya in 2013.
Although the document represents a first look at how the new administration might approach policy toward Africa, a subject that was rarely touched on during the campaign, officials with the Trump transition team did not respond to queries about the list.
"Many of the questions that they are asking are the right questions that any incoming administration should ask," said Monde Muyangwa, the director of the Africa program at the Woodrow Wilson Institute.
But she also noted that "the framing of some of their questions suggests a narrower definition of U.S. interests in Africa, and a more transactional and short-term approach to policy and engagement with African countries."
Ms. Muyangwa said the queries could signal "a dramatic turn in how the United States will engage with the continent."
J. Peter Pham, who has been mentioned for the job of assistant secretary of state for African affairs in a Trump administration, said he does not expect Mr. Trump to do a complete U-turn in relations with Africa.
Mr. Pham, director of the Africa program at the Atlantic Council, said he expects Mr. Trump will emphasize fighting extremism on the continent, while also looking to enhance opportunities for American businesses.
In other questions, the Trump transition team challenges the benefits of a trade pact known as the African Growth and Opportunity Act. "Most of AGOA imports are petroleum products, with the benefits going to national oil companies, why do we support that massive benefit to corrupt regimes?" the questionnaire asks.
Yet Mr. Pham said he expected a Trump administration would support the pact. "AGOA has created more than 120,000 jobs in the United States," Mr. Pham said in an interview.
A big unknown, though, is how a Trump administration will handle foreign assistance to the continent and its 54 nations.
President George W. Bush quadrupled foreign assistance levels to African countries, and President Obama largely maintained that, even as his administration was making cuts elsewhere.
Even so, the amount of American aid in 2015 to other critical allies — Afghanistan ($5.5 billion), Israel ($3.1 billion), Iraq ($1.8 billion) and Egypt ($1.4 billion) — far exceeded the approximately $8 billion for all of sub-Saharan Africa.
The questions seem to reflect the inaccurate view shared by many Americans about how much the United States spends on foreign aid and global health programs. Polls show that Americans believe the country spends 25 percent of its budget on foreign aid — but the truth is that foreign aid is just 1 percent of the federal budget.
"We've been hunting Kony for years, is it worth the effort?" poses another series of questions related to Joseph Kony, the warlord head of Uganda's violent guerrilla group the Lord's Resistance Army, who has eluded the authorities for three decades. "The LRA has never attacked U.S. interests, why do we care? Is it worth the huge cash outlays? I hear that even the Ugandans are looking to stop searching for him, since they no longer view him as a threat, so why do we?"
The hunt for Mr. Kony and his fighters has generated a huge amount of publicity around the world, in large part because of a video on his elusiveness and brutality, "Kony 2012," that has been viewed more than 100 million times on YouTube.
But other questions, foreign policy experts say, return to a theme of a continent that has squandered American money and effort. The questions challenge, for instance, a hallmark of Mr. Bush's Africa policy — the Pepfar program, which has provided billions to fight AIDS and tuberculosis in Africa.
Rex W. Tillerson, Mr. Trump's nominee for secretary of state, complimented the program, calling Pepfar "one of the most extraordinarily successful programs in Africa" during his Senate nomination hearing.
But, in contrast, the Trump transition questionnaire asks, "Is PEPFAR worth the massive investment when there are so many security concerns in Africa? Is PEPFAR becoming a massive, international entitlement program?"
J. Stephen Morrison, director of the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the questions showed an "overwhelmingly negative and disparaging outlook" on the continent.
"A strange attitude runs through this," he said. "There's a sort of recurrent skepticism that Africa matters to U.S. interests at all. It's entirely negative in orientation."
But the questions do appear to accurately reflect what Mr. Trump has said publicly about Africa in the few times that he has mentioned the continent.
For instance, during the Ebola crisis in 2014, Mr. Trump took to Twitter to argue that Americans infected with Ebola should not be allowed back into the United States. As two American health workers became critically ill and were airlifted to Atlanta for treatment, Mr. Trump had this to say via Twitter: "Stop the EBOLA patients from entering the U.S. Treat them, at the highest level, over there. THE UNITED STATES HAS ENOUGH PROBLEMS!"
The Ebola epidemic, which killed almost 10,000 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia (but no Americans), comes up once in the document.
"How," the questionnaire asks, "do we prevent the next Ebola outbreak from hitting the U.S.?"
A team of ‘trustable’ team of doctors will from Tuesday start monitoring Kenya’s top runners in a bid to stamp out doping that has tainted the country’s athletics.
The doctors have been chosen by Athletics Kenya and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) which last year warned Kenya over a possible global ban from competition.
Athletics Kenya chief Jackson Tuwei said an initial team of five “trustable Kenyan doctors” had been picked to monitor Kenya’s top runners and “limit bad medical practices and doping-promoting behaviours by some Kenyan health professionals.”
The doctors will prepare a monthly report to be sent to the IAAF medical and anti-doping commission.
Athletics
Tuwei warned that any athlete who failed to comply would not be selected for international competition.
“It is absolutely mandatory for these elite athletes to go through this network. It is painful, it is strict, it is critical … but we have to do it,” Tuwei said.
“Forty-nine athletes have been found to have violated the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) code in the past five years but were cautioned according to the laws of the land and WADA code.”
Top athletes welcomed the monitoring.
“I am so happy with the new initiative. It shows that Athletics Kenya is serious with tackling this issue of doping,” Rio Olympics marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge told AFP.
“It will be easy for us now to communicate with these doctors before we take any medicine when the need arises,” said Jemima Sumgong, who won Kenya’s first women’s marathon gold in Rio last year.
The initial list of 109 elite athletes to take part in the programme include Kipchoge, Sumgong, two-time Olympic 800m champion and world record holder, David Rudisha and javelin world champion, Julius Yego.
Others are the women’s 5000m Olympic champion, Vivian Cheruiyot and three-time steeplechase world champion Ezekiel Kemboi.
THE Coalition of Yoruba Youths, CYY, yesterday stormed the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, urging it to conduct thorough investigation on the former embattled First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan before smearing her name.
Stagging a peaceful protest at the Lagos office of the EFCC in Ikoyi, Lagos, the Yoruba group said the campaign of calumny against the former First Lady was uncalled for.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, yesterday, leader of the group, Prince Usman Oyekan argued that the EFCC has gone contrary to its claim of commitment to the principles of rule of law.
EFCC boss Magu and Patience Jonathan
In a petition, the group said: "An Open petition by the Coalition of Yoruba Youths on the sinister plot by the EFCC to manufacture evidence against Dame Patience Jonathan, Nigeria’s former First Lady and President Africa First Lady Peace Mission.”
Alleging that there is an elaborate political scheme to silence Mrs Jonathan, Oyekan said: "For the sake of records, Dame Patience Jonathan does not engage in fraudulent or corrupt practices as she is being portrayed by some individuals with vested interest in President Buhari’s government. This is for no other reason than to envy the rising profile of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, within and outside the shores of the country."
In his response, Executive Chairman, Head of Economic Governance of the EFCC, Mohammad Issa Rabo, denied the allegation that the commission was out on a smear campaign against the former First Lady even as he assured that the commission would do its job thoroughly without witch-hunting or persecuting anyone.
Rabo said: "We are talking about Patience Jonathan, we are on it and we are investigating. We do not just call somebody for calling sake, we must have carried out our investigation thoroughly, so we assure you that we shall do as you have asked, we shall look into your complaints and we shall address the issue. We shall investigate thoroughly, before investigating anybody, no enemies carried of justice, no stone will be left unturned when it comes to issues of corruption. Your petition will also be forwarded to the executive chairman."
The police on Monday arraigned a 79-year old landlady, Beatrice Olabisi in an Iyaganku Senior Magistrates' Court, Ibadan, over alleged breaking into her tenant's room.
Olabisi is facing one-count charge of break in.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Oluseye Akinola, told the court that the defendant on Dec. 11 at about 10 a.m. at Alafia street, Mokola area of Ibadan, broke in and illegally entered a tenant's room.
Akinola said the defendant entered the apartment occupied by Robert Michael, her tenant with intention to steal.
He added that the offence contravened Section 411 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State 2000.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty and his Counsel, Babatunde Ajibola, asked the court to admit his client on bail in the most liberal term, considering her age.
The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Munirat Giwa-Babalola, granted bail to the defendant on self recognition and adjourned the case until Feb. 22 for hearing.
In response to a subsequent call in September 2014 by Arterial Network for contribution from writers, journalists and researchers across the Africa continent to share their opinions and knowledge on a broad topic, a compendium of written works by 25 authors from 14 African countries has been released as a free e-book project 2016.
This followed after two years of committed work by the writers whose selected writings, put together to produce an original compilation titled, "How Free is Free: Reflections on Freedom of Creative Expression in Africa", was produced as part of project that aims to defend freedom of creative expression on the continent.
The 25 artistes who shared their creative ideas, experiences as relates to their environment includes Aisha Dème (Senegal), Albie Sachs (South Africa), Ayoko Mensah (Togo/ France), Azad Essa (South Africa), Boubacar Boris Diop (Senegal), Chenjerai Hove (Zimbabwe), Edgar Sekloka (Cameroon/ France), Elana Bregin (South Africa), Ellen Banda-Aaku (Zambia), Gaël Faye (Rwanda/ France), Hamadou Mande (Burkina Faso), Jane Duncan (South Africa), Jesmael Mataga (Zimbabwe), Koleka Putuma (South Africa), Lauren Beukes (South Africa), Michèle, Rakotoson (Madagascar), Dr. Mohamed Abusabib (Sudan), Prof. Patrick J Ebewo (South Africa), Phiona Okumu (Uganda/ UK), Raimi Gbadamosi (Nigeria/ UK), Saad Elkersh (Egypt), Sade Adeniran (Nigeria), Sami Tchak (Togo), Sylvia Vollenhoven (South Africa), Yewande Omotoso (Barbados/ Nigeria).
In a press release by Arterial headquarters in Cape Town, South Africa, the project manager for Artwatch Africa project, Diana Ramarohetra said; "The main objective for this project was to give writers the opportunity to talk about what 'freedom of creative expression' means to them and in their own style. It is amazing to see that most of the time when we say 'Freedom of Expression,' people first think of journalism and forget that it also pertains to the arts and artistes. It is our job to inform people about artiste's rights and help to build the infrastructure across Africa to defend them. She said.
"How Free is Free: Reflections on Freedom of Creative Expression in Africa is a meditation on the artistic health of the continent, as lived and examined from twenty-five diverse, artistic viewpoints. This publication is a first for Arterial Network and it will be used as a tool to advocate for freedom of expression and creative arts in Africa" Diana said.
The e-book was first launched at the Alliance Française Cape Town, South Africa on September 14, 2016, while the Nigerian version was also launched at the Arterial Network Nigeria Closing Ceremony and End of Year Party held at Freedom Park in Lagos, December 2016.
Artwatch Africa is a project of Arterial Network that aims to assert, promote and defend artist rights and freedom of creative expression for artists and cultural practitioners in Africa.
Arterial Network is an active and dynamic civil-society network of artists, cultural activists, entrepreneurs, NGOs, institutions, and donors in Africa's creative and cultural sectors. The publication is available to download for free from the Arterial Network website, as well as various e-reader platforms, such as World Reader. It has been optimized for e- Mobile, Tablet and Kindle viewing.
The management of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) on Monday apologised to its numerous consumers over the prolonged power outage currently being experienced.
A statement by Mr Godwin Idemudia, General Manager, Corporate Communications of the company, said that the outage is due to a system collapse from the National Grid, affecting the entire country, as confirmed by the National Control Centre, Oshogbo.
The general manager said that the system collapsed on Sunday evening at about 7:30 p.m.
He said repairs were being carried out to bring the system back on line and restore power.
Idemudia said that the Ikeja West line which comprised of Agbara and Akoka, had gradually been restored as of 03:56 a.m. this morning.
He said the other areas of Lagos were due to come on line soon.
"We are therefore appealing to customers to bear with us as supply will be restored as soon as these repairs are concluded.
"EKEDC highly regrets any inconveniences caused by this outage," he added.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The Federal Government, Monday, adduced evidence to prove its allegation that Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Abuja received gratification from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Joe Agi, in the discharge of his judicial function.
Among exhibits FG tendered before an Abuja High Court at Maitama, included invoice and receipt of a BMW Saloon 320i valued at N8.5 Million, which Agi, SAN, purchased from Coscharis Motors Limited on January 5, 2015 and handed over to the judge through his son, Ademide.
Trial Justice Jude Okeke admitted the documents into evidence and marked them as Exhibit A.
Justice Ademola who is a grandson to a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, is answering to a 16-count corruption charge alongside his wife, Olabowale and Agi, SAN.
FG alleged that the Judge had in the discharge of his duties, received bribe from Agi to the tune of N38.5million and perverted the course of Justice.
Ademola was alleged to have received the bribe money from the SAN through a Guarantee Trust Bank, GTB, account number 201/110160/1/1/0, operated by his wife who was the former Head of Service in Lagos State.
FG said its investigations revealed that the illicit deal occurred between March 11 and 26, 2015, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has accused the outgoing Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of planning to sell some serviceable government vehicles to raise funds for phony expenditure.
Gov. Mimiko's tenure would expire on Feb. 23.
A statement by the Party's Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, in Akure on Monday alleged that the governor decided to sell some government's vehicles that were "almost new''.
Adesanya, however, warned prospective buyers not to buy any government's properties from the outgoing government, its agents or any official of the government.
He said that legitimate steps would be taken by the incoming APC administration to recover all government properties without any refund.
Mimiko
"We want to say unequivocally that anyone, persons or group of persons, that buy any government properties – vehicles, landed property, shares and other things from the outgoing government of Olusegun Mimiko will forfeit such items without refunding their money.
"All efforts will be made to retrieve the properties legitimately with the help of security agencies when APC takes over the reins of power on Feb. 24.
"We are alerting and cautioning the general public and the good people of Ondo State to be conscious not to deal, in any form, with the outgoing government of Olusegun Mimiko and his cronies at this twilight of his tenure.
"We also use this opportunity to once again warn civil servants in the state not to involve in this dastard act as any officer found to be partaker either directly or indirectly will face the law when the new administration takes over.
"We have been inundated with calls and messages by some government officials and concerned citizens about other unwholesome practices by some outgoing political office holders in the state,'' he said.
Adesanya said that such unwholesome practices would be taken care of by the new government.
The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Eni Akinsola, did not pick their calls nor respond to text messages on the allegation.
Prime Minister Theresa May won endorsement from US President-elect Donald Trump over her Brexit course but sterling plunged on Monday on fears that Britain could be on a collision course with its EU allies.
Trump said Britain leaving the EU would “end up as a great thing” and promised to work for a trade deal with post-Brexit Britain “quickly and done properly”, speaking in an interview with The Times newspaper.
Britain’s foreign minister Boris Johnson hailed the comments as he arrived at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday.
“I think it is very good news that the United States wants to do a good free trade deal with us and wants to do it very fast,” he said.
The government welcomed “the enthusiasm and the energy that the president-elect and his team are showing for strengthening UK/US trade” and was “looking forward to have early discussions”, Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokeswoman said.
However, Downing Street stressed that Britain would “respect its obligations” to the EU, meaning it cannot enter and sign a free trade agreement with another country while still a member.
Trump’s comments did little to reassure investors, however, following reports in British media over the weekend that May is planning to announce a hard line on Brexit in a major speech on Tuesday.
Theresa May
Sterling plunged to $1.1986, its lowest level since October’s “flash crash” that had sent it to a 31-year low of $1.1841, in morning trading.
It had clawed back some of its losses by early afternoon, standing at $1.2047.
“The market is now positioning for some fairly punchy rhetoric from Theresa May,” said Chris Weston, chief market strategist at IG, an online trading company.
“This idea of ‘hard Brexit’ and a clean break from the single market seems increasingly likely, with the government making a bid to gain full control over immigration,” Weston said.
Sterling “is an out-and-out political currency… and the prospect of volatility here is now very high” despite some positive macroeconomic data, he said.
– ‘The full works’ – May has said she wants to cut down on EU immigration while retaining the “best possible” access for British companies to Europe’s single market.
EU leaders have said these are incompatible and market access would only be granted in exchange for accepting the EU’s rules on free movement of people.
In an interview with Germany’s Welt am Sonntag newspaper over the weekend, finance minister Philip Hammond hinted at the new “hard Brexit” line.
Answering a question about whether Britain could become a tax haven, he said it would be forced to “change our economic model” to remain competitive if it is shut out from access to the single market.
May aims to launch two years of EU departure negotiations when she triggers the Article 50 exit process by the end of March, although a legal challenge is still pending before the country’s Supreme Court.
She has been under pressure to reveal her proposals for the talks that will establish the future relationship between Britain and the EU.
Matching reports in several weekly newspapers said she was prepared to accept pulling out of the single market, the European customs union and the European Court of Justice, in order to regain control of EU immigration.
“She’s gone for the full works. People will known when she said Brexit means Brexit, she really meant it,” a government source was quoted as saying in The Sunday Telegraph.
ABA- Over 500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abia state have defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, Party in the state.
Those who defected include former Minority leader, Abia state House of Assembly, Hon. Humphrey Azubuike; Major Gen. Ogbonna Okoro (rtd); former Transition Committee Chairman, Bende council, Hon Ben Kalu; former member of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chidi Nwosu; Chief Uche Akwukwaegbu, among others.
Speaking on behalf of other defectors, Chief Akwukwaegbu who spoke at a stakeholders' meeting of the party in Umuahia, said they decided to leave PDP for the APC because the party has failed Abia people.
According to him, "We sympathize with Abians, we regret being party to the mess they've been through particularly in the past 9 years and that is why we have come today to apologize to them."
"We believe in the masses and insist that the right things must be done. The immediate past government in the state was horrible and terrible; this present government should be independent of itself and work towards tidying up the arrears of workers salary."
"This is why we have abandoned PDP to join APC, the moving train. All of us have joined the APC with 1000 supporters from the PDP. With this, only the carcass of the PDP remains in Abia. In 2019, Abia will be delivered to the APC."
Receiving the former PDP members, State chairman of APC, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa expressed delight at the number of eminent persons who have joined the party, stressing that with the caliber of people in the APC fold, the party will win the 2019 general election in the state.
An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates' Court on Monday ordered the remand of one Momodu Rebo, 19, and Isiaka Idris, 22, in prison custody over alleged destruction of farm crops.
The police prosecutor, Mr Samson Osobu, told the Court that the accused, and others now at large, committed the offence on Jan. 11 at Apoto farm settlement, Eporo, in Emure-Ekiti.
Osobu alleged that police took guns and others offensive weapons from the accused.
He said that the offence is contrary to Section 4 (1) of Prohibition of Cattle and other Ruminant Grazing in Ekiti State Laws, 2016 and punishable under section 11 of the Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism (Prohibition) Law, 2015.
The prosecutor said the accused, on the said date, unlawfully allowed their cattle to graze on farmland not designated as ranches, but belonging to Akinwale Bisi, Agbelegbe Dare and Paul Salami.
Osobu said the cattle thus damaged their crops, valued at eight hundred and fifty thousand naira (N850, 000).
He applied for a date of adjournment to file the case and send to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), for legal advice.
The pleas of the accused were not taken, as their counsel, Mr Ademola Okeya, sought for a short date of adjournment, pending the advice from he DPP Office.
Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo remanded the accused persons in prison custody, till the outcome of the advice from the DPP.
He adjourned the case to Jan. 27, for further hearing.
Prof. Aliyu Usman Mani was born in Katsina town on Thursday 11 April, 1957. He attended Kayalwa Primary School, Katsina (1964-1970), then he proceed to Government college Kaduna (1971-1975) from there he went to School of Basic Studies (SBS) ABU Zaria (1975-1976).
After passing he got admission into the faculty of veterinary medicine ABU, zaria and graduated with the award of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine DVM in 1981. He did his NYSC with school of Agriculture in Asaba, Bendel state.
He worked briefly with Niger Basin Development Authority in Ilorin Kwara state before proceeding to University of Maiduguri as an Assistant Lecturer Department of Veterinary Medicine in October, 1982. Later he attended the center for Tropical Veterinary studies Edinburgh UK (1984-1985) where he got his Masters and at the same school he later got his PhD.
He returned to Maiduguri in 1994. He is also a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons (2010) and through pair reviewer.
He is one time Director of Unimaid Veterinary Teaching Hospital (1997-2000). Head of Department (2005-2010). Acting Dean of vet faculty (2008-2010). Before his death, he was again the Director of Unimaid Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
He held several positions in committees both within and outside the University. He also held a number of positions in the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA).
Professor Aliyu Usman Mani is Happily Married with two children. He is one of the peaceful Lecturers in his Faculty.
Prof. Aliyu Usman Mani died to bomb blast on Monday (16th January, 2017) in the Mosque inside University of Maiduguri while observing the dawn (fajr) prayer.
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
Being a Nigeria football fan is not easy at all. This is as a result of the baggage that comes with supporting Nigeria football. In fact, some fans have given up and they prefer to watch their adopted English Premier League club.
This situation is not helped by the consistent flaws or flops of the Nigeria Football Federation. So, if you are passionate or nominal Nigeria fan, here are 6 things you can relate.
You refuse to watch the nation's cup because Nigeria is not playing
In the Nations cup qualifiers for 2017 in Gabon Nigeria was grouped alongside Egypt, Tanzania, and Chad. Nigeria scored in the 60th minute via Ogenekaro Etebo but Nigeria couldn't hold on to the lead as Muhammad Salah ended nations cup hopes for the country by scoring in the 92nd minute.
You know how such goals can pain. Now Nigeria will not be at the nation's cup in Gabon and many Nigerian fans may not watch. And trust fans, already they are saying the nations cup is incomplete without Nigeria.
When players have to protests to collect their money
After winning the African Women's Nations Cup in Gabon in Cameroon, the celebrations of Nigeria's female team tagged the Super Falcons was cut short as they demanded their money. The NFF appealed to them but they refuse. They had to carry placards to protest before they were eventually paid.
Nigerian fans had to share pictures of Paul Biya receiving the Cameroonian team that came second and the champions protesting side by side which went viral on twitter. Ironically, with all the monies the NFF collects from FIFA and the government it keeps shopping for money to pay players like it did in the Super Eagles match against Zambia.
When Delta airlines use us to collect 5 stars and we still won our match against Japan
Ahhhh…Nigeria…I feel like crying now but I will not. The Olympic football team captained by Mikel, coached by Samson was stranded in the United States where they camped. Meanwhile, their matched against Japan was a few hours away. Just as it seemed like Nigeria was going to miss the match, Delta airlines stepped in and flew the team to Brazil. And, the airline didn't allow us rest, they took their pound of flesh by ensuring the whole knew that they were good Samaritans. The only thing that made fans happy while thanking the Nigerian spirit is that Nigeria defeated Japan 3-2.
Buhari refuse to sack the sport minister
I am not understanding. Buhari but why? Nigerian fans have been shouting that the boy scout minister. Oh did I just say that? Sorry. The sports minister is not fit to coordinate the sports ministry. I don't know anything. But I heard whispers from Nigerian football falls on social media that Buhari was quick to sack Obazee but we have a misfiring sports minister who us waxing stronger. Dere is god ooooh.
The NFF invites any player that has a Nigerian name to play for Nigeria
Whether he is playing in the nationwide league in England or the 3rd division in Spain, it doesn't matter as far as he has a Nigerian name, he must come play for Nigeria. Nigerian fans may be happy with these actions but what about developing football talents in Nigeria for the Nigerian national team?
Gernot Rohr defeats Algeria…Praise the lord!
Since the Franco-German coach, Gernot Rohr was appointed, Nigerian football has experienced a breath of fresh air. From the look of things, Nigeria will qualify for the World Cup in Russia. At least we defeated Algeria. But, I pity Rohr if he doesn't qualify Nigeria. Nigerians will eat him raw!
By Joseph Erunke ABUJA – AN indication of possible and imminent deployment of peace keeping troops to Gambia in the wake of ongoing electoral dispute involving the country’s President, Yahya Jammeh and his contender in the December 1 presidential election, Adama Barrow, appears glaring at the weekend, as the regional service chiefs held what source consider as strategic security meeting aimed at taking action in the tiniest West African nation. ECOWAS CHIEFS OF DEFENCE STAFF BRAINSTORMS ON GAMBIAN POLITICAL IMPASSE
The meeting which Vanguard gathered, was at the instance of Nigeria, was hosted by its Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin.
Although the press was not privy to the high-level West African security gathering in the Nigeria’s federal capital city, the official website of the Defence Headquarters confirmed the development through pictures of the event.
According to the pictures found on the Defence Headquarters’ site, those at the one-day event included the chairperson of ECOWAS Chief of Defence Staffs, Brigadier General Daniel Ziankahn of Liberia; CH Gueye of Senegal; ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Hajiya Salamatu; Vice President of the Commission; the Ghanian Chief of Defence Staff and principal staff officers from Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force headquarters.
Sources said the meeting which was reportedly held at the Defence Headquarters, in Abuja, was part of the preparation for the inauguration of an ECOWAS Military Intervention Group, ECOMIG, expected to move ahead of the United Nations troops to be deplored after January 19 if President Jammeh fails to step down from power to Barrow, who reportedly won the election from an opposition party.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin,was said to have during the event, told the regional leaders and military chiefs of the region that the body would not rest in its oars in the pursuit of dialogue with the political leaders of Gambia to ensure peaceful transition of power in accordance with the Gambian's constitution and the peoples will.
Although no communique was issued at the end of the meeting,it was gathered that West African security body however resolved that the various leaders should return to their countries but be on a stand-by for troops deployment should the need arises after January 19.
Recall that already, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has vowed to take all necessary actions to enforce the will of the Gambian people in the December 1p presidential election reportedly lost by Jammeh.
Mohammed Chambas, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, UNOWAS, had hinted of ECOWAS’ resolve to take all necessary actions to enforce the results of the December 1, 2016 presidential election in the Gambia, while briefing the UN Security Council on the political and security situation in the region recently.
New kid on the block, Ademola Lookman rounded up what was Pep Guardiola largest league defeat of his managerial career as Manchester City slumped to a 4-0 loss against Everton on Sunday.
Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas put Everton in control at Goodison Park before teenager Tom Davies scored his first goal for the club and debutant Ademola Lookman completed the rout after coming on as an 89th minute substitute.
It was another chastening experience for City boss Guardiola, who wasn’t used to such humiliation in his trophy-laden spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The defeat was City’s fourth in their last eight league games and left them 10 points behind leaders Chelsea.
Lukaku’s 12th goal of the season continued his rich vein of form and the Belgian striker was too hot for City’s error-prone defence to handle through a torrid afternoon for Guardiola and company.
As has been the case so often this season, Lukaku’s opener in the 34th minute showed up frailties in City’s defence and goalkeeping as Davies intercepted a Gael Clichy pass just inside the visitors’ half and found Mirallas sprinting into the City area.
With Yaya Toure slow to respond to the runner, and Nicolas Otamendi playing Everton on side from a deep position, Mirallas was able to pick out Lukaku, who finished with a clinical left-foot strike.
Everton’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku (R) congratulates Everton’s English striker Ademola Lookman on scoring his debut goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north-west England on January 15, 2017. Everton won the match 4-0. / AFP PHOTO
The opening goal had drawn an instant response from Guardiola's team as Sergio Aguero came within a whisker of connecting with Kevin De Bruyne’s low cross just six yards from goal.
And Raheem Sterling, from a cleared City corner, just missed the home goal with a powerful half-volley from outside the area.
Although the game had been finally balanced, City had enjoyed the better chances, even before the opening goal.
After 11 minutes, Sterling failed with a strong penalty appeal after he went down under slight contact from goalkeeper Joel Robles as he appeared poised to score from another perfect cross from the excellent De Bruyne.
– Evaporated –
And the Everton keeper was again forced into action, with a strong block to thwart David Silva as the Spaniard looked set to convert yet another decisive pass from De Bruyne.
In first half stoppage-time, City almost snatched what would have been a deserved equaliser after Clichy’s left-wing cross found Bacary Sagna whose athletic leap allows him to power a goal bound header which was nodded off the line by Davies.
Better was to come for Everton a minute into the second half when Lukaku sparked the move that led to the second goal, his through ball being touched by City defender John Stones into the path of Ross Barkley.
The England midfielder produced a superb pass for Mirallas whose equally excellent shot from 15 yards flew beyond the dive of Bravo.
As City struggled to gain a foothold, Silva’s free-kick found ex-Everton defender Stones, booed by his former supporters with every touch, who headed directly at Robles.
But for all their possession, City struggled to place Robles under pressure.
On a rare occasion that the home defence allowed Aguero too much space on the edge of their area, the Argentinian’s low shot was turned behind expertly by Robles.
Any lingering hope of a comeback evaporated in the 78th minute when Davies capped a brilliant midfield display with a deserved goal, his first for the club – the move having been started when he collected the ball in his own half.
Davies carried the ball half the length of the field, exchanged passes with Barkley and then lifted the ball over Bravo, with Lukaku ensuring the ball crept over the line.
Lookman, signed from Charlton this month, added a fourth goal in stoppage-time after Seamus Coleman had charged down a poor attempted clearance by Stones.
Lagos state governor Akinwunmi Ambode today joined other Nigerians in commemorating the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
See photos below…
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, laying the wreath to mark the Y2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on Sunday, January 15, 2017.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, inspecting the Guard of Honour during the laying of wreath to mark the Y2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on Sunday, January 15, 2017.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, inspecting the Guard of Honour during the laying of wreath to mark the Y2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on Sunday, January 15, 2017.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, performing the release of pigeons during the laying of wreath to mark the Y2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on Sunday, January 15, 2017. With him is the Commander 9 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Sanni Mohammed (right).
L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), with Commander 9 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Sanni Mohammed; Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore Maurice Ansa-Ansa Eno; Commander 551 Base Service Group, Commodore Musbau Olumide Olatunji and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni during the laying of wreath to mark the Y2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on Sunday, January 15, 2017.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo has said on Sunday that his administration has empowered more than 250 widows of fallen heroes in the last 6 years.
Mimiko who dropped the hint at the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance day celebration held at the Cenotaph in Akure said loans were made available to the widows so that they would be less dependent on the society for survival.
He commended the military for defying all odds in the war against insurgency and sought more support for them to enable them record more success against all forms of insurrection in the country.
The event was the last for Mimiko as governor as he noted that “It is also important that we remember those our fallen heroes have left behind through our little contribution to ensure they do not live in poverty. This is why the scheme we instituted six years ago is very appropriate and I will make sure I give it a pride of place in our handover notes as a profound legacy that we desire should be sustained not only for these heroes but the very essence of the value system in our nation”.
Also at the event, the state government disbursed N1. 7 million loan to some widows under its “Widows Resettlement and Empowerment Loan Scheme”.
Mimiko, after inspecting the guard of honour later led others to lay the wreath in honour of the fallen heroes as well as cut the Reveille which signifies peace and tranquillity in the state.
Others who laid the wreaths were; the Commander 32 Artillery Brigade, Brig. General Charles Ofoche; the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base, Igbokoda, Navy Commodore E. N Lamiri; the state Commissioner of Police and Hilda Ibifuro Harrison.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Olasinmi Akindele-Odunmbaku, explained that apart from the interest free loan given to the widows of the fallen heroes, government has also offered free skills acquisition training for the interested widows, and as well given cash gifts to assist them.
Also speaking, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Hilda Ibifuro Harrison and the State Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Major Vincent Abiola said the fallen heroes should always be remembered for defending the territorial integrity of the country, while the families left behind should also be given the desired support.
Over 3,000 Members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Osun State under the aegis of Triangular Group of Pensioners have lauded the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola for paying the arrears of their pension up to December 2016.
The pensioners staged a peaceful procession in Osogbo, the state capital at the weekend to demonstrate their supports to Aregbesola's administration and assured the governor of their unalloyed loyalty.
Cross section of the Triangular Group of Pensioners in Osun, during a road walk in appreciation of Governor Rauf Aregbesola”s good governance in the State of Osun, in Osogbo
The NUP Chairman, Prince Rotimi Adelugba said the pensioners were grateful to Aregbesola for his magnanimity and cautioned other retired civil servants in the state not to play dirty politics with the issue of the payment of the pension by the state government.
He said "The state government set up a committee headed by a veteran labour leader and former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan Sumonu to fine-tune the issue of salary and pension payment in the state and suggest the best approach to the salary and pension issues in the state".
"The committee comprised leaders of labour unions in the state and after a comprehensive analysis of the financial situation of the state, the committee proffered a way forward and we all saw reasons to accept the recommendation of the committee in the best interest of the generality of the workers, pensioners and the good people of our dear state".
"We all agree that the state government should not downsize because we didn't want any worker in the state to be sacked. Therefore, the only option we had was to agree with the modulated salary scheme in which the junior officers from level 01 to level 07 would get their full salary but the senior staff from level 08 and above would be earning half of their salary and the same thing applicable to the pensioners".
"It was agreed that the modulated salary would be revisited once the economy of the state improves and that was exactly what governor Aregbesola did recently when the modulated salary scheme was reviewed upward. The governor has never reneged in this arrangement but some retirees allowed politicians to use them to embarrass the state and that was unfortunate".
"Though, we also need the money but we realised that we must show understanding since we also know the financial status of Osun State government. The state government has paid up our pension up till December 2016. We are aware that the payment of pension gulp N9.4 from the coffers of the state government and this is commendable".
He said the retirees in the state want more from the state government and urged the governor to sustain the payment of their monthly pension. He also urged the governor to create special units in all state hospital where senior citizens including the pensioners would be attended to when they need medical attention.
He condemned the action of some pensioners who claimed that they set up Internally Displaced Pensioners camp whereas they were not displaced. He warned that such action could send a wrong signal about the state. He said NUP sympathised with Nigerians who are in IDP camp in some Northern states and prayed God to give them succour.
"We also commend our dear governor Aregbesola for his love for the workers and the pensioners in the state. The governor paid the backlog of the arrears of 142 per-cent of pension increase to eligible pensioners. We are grateful to Governor Aregbesola for jacking up the monthly pension bill from N200 million to 600 million", the NUP chairman said.
The retirees terminated the procession at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park and held special prayers in Islamic and Christianity ways. They offered prayers for Osun State and Nigeria and sought the intervention of God on the economic recession that has bedevilled the nation in which Osun state was not exempted.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Rauf Aregbesola who was invited to the venue by the pensioners as a special guest expressed delight that a huge number of retirees in the state acknowledged his commitment to their welfare and assured them that the New Year would be better than last year.
The governor said "we implemented 142 per cent increase in pension which other rich and buoyant states including Lagos has not implemented. No state government has paid as much as we have paid pensioners in Osun. I paid 9.5 billion to pensioners alone."
"We shall never experience IDP in Osun. We will keep praying for those states where there are IDP camps to overcome their problem because it is not a good thing to be displaced in one’s state. I can assure u that a better day has come. Our Pensioners would be well catered for. Their gratuities would be sorted out once there are resources to do so. Just bear with us and show understanding for now."
"The workers and pensioners are on my priority lists, In fact, we made 12 billion in Osun in 2016 and I paid 20.4 b to workers and Pensioners alone. And that notwithstanding, we are working and there are infrastructural development".
"We are building schools and we are constructing roads across the state. We are doing our best within the available resources. Our opponents should stop playing dirty politics with this pension issue, Aregbesola explained.
Abuja – Troops operating in the North-East have rescued 58 people abducted by terrorists in the last two days, including 35 women and 23 children.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Sunday that the victims were rescued during raids carried out by 112 Task Force Battalion of 22 Brigade of the Operation Lafiya Dole.
Usman said the raids, patrols and clearance operations were carried out by the troops in conjunction with civilian JTF in villages and towns in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno.
He identified those villages as Awada, Sinbaya, Agutari, Kirinari, Gubdori and Yale, Kajeri and Boskoro.
Usman also said that during the period 13 insurgents were neutralised by troops, adding that two terrorists were arrested.
He said a total of seven vehicles and three motorcycles, five pump action guns, two pumping machines, eight vehicle tyres and one battery were recovered from the insurgents during the period.
According to him, one soldier sustained injury in the operations.
"The operation to rid Nigerian territory of the remaining Boko Haram terrorist elements is ongoing.
"Members of the public are reminded to pass information on suspicious persons in their environs to security agencies,'' Usman said.
Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has set up a N100 million empowerment scheme to assist legionnaires and families of fallen ex-servicemen.
Wike announced this while addressing legionnaires at the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration on Sunday in Port Harcourt.
He said the scheme was in recognition of the sacrifice legionnaires and their deceased colleagues made for the country.
"The empowerment scheme aims to show the families of late ex-servicemen and their living colleagues that we appreciate the sacrifices they made for the country.
"We don't want the families of our late ex-servicemen left behind to suffer.
Wike
"The Nigerian Legion should carefully manage the scheme to ensure that widows of late ex-servicemen and other legionnaires benefit to enable them set up businesses to sustain themselves," he pleaded.
The governor said that recent successes recorded in the North-East were proof that the Armed Forces were committed to restoring peace in the country.
He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the Service Chiefs for strengthening the military and urged Nigerians to emulate servicemen.
He called on wealthy citizens to appreciate and support legionnaires and their families.
Speaking, the branch Chairman of the Nigerian Legion in Rivers, Retired Col. Wilberforce Josiah, commended the governor for his support to legionnaires in the state.
Josiah assured that legionnaires would continue to promote peace and unity of the country.
Highlight of the occasion was the Guard of Honour and release of pigeons by the governor to signify peace.
The Wreath was laid and prayers offered for the repose of fallen ex-servicemen and the living.
Some dignitaries who attended the celebration included Rivers Deputy Govenor, Ipalibo Banigo, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, Chief Judge, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra and security chiefs.
Ilorin – The Kwara Government on Sunday inaugurated a joint Youth Security Committee for the communal crisis between Share and Tsaragi of Ifelodun and Edu local councils, respectively.
Alhaji Haruna Muhammed, the state's Commissioner for Local Governments, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, while inaugurating the committee in Ilorin, said the development was to help resolve the incessant clashes between the two communities.
The commissioner charged the youth to see themselves as agents of change for the overall peace and development of their respective communities.
He stated that the inauguration was significant as youth were seen as agents of change that could help to solve the communal crisis.
The Commissioner also advised the Youths to rub minds to resolve the lingering crisis in the two communities with the motive of bringing it to an end.
In their remarks, The Transition Implementation Committee Chairmen of Ifelodun and Edu Local Governments enjoined the youths to come up with resolutions that would bring peaceful co-existence among the two communities.
They commended Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed for putting necessary machinery in motion to put an end to the age-long crisis.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the cross-section of youth from the communities, who attended the inaguration described the present situation as unfortunate.
But they pledged to ensure that things would return to normal with the setting up of the committee.
New York – With many Democrats announcing their boycott of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, the incoming president has said that the day would turn out to be bigger than expected.
No fewer than 16 Democrats Congress members had publicly announced their boycott of Trump's inauguration following recent intelligence reports confirming Russians meddling in the Nov. 8, 2016 election.
Congressman John Lewis, had particularly declared that he did not regard Trump as a legitimate U.S. president because Russians helped him to win the presidency.TRUMP
According to Lewis, Democratic Hillary Clinton, who defeated Trump in popular vote, would have won the election squarely without Russia interfering.
"Inauguration Day is turning out to be even bigger than expected. January 20th, Washington D.C. Have fun
"The Democrats are most angry that so many (President Barack) Obama Democrats voted for me.
"With all of the jobs I am bringing back to our Nation, that number will only get higher.
"Car companies and others, if they want to do business in our country, have to start making things here again. WIN!" Trump tweeted.
The President-in-waiting also attacked Lewis, saying his representation had not done much to impact his constituency, an attack Democrats denounced.
"Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results.
"All talk, talk, talk – no action or results. Sad!
"Congressman John Lewis should finally focus on the burning and crime infested inner-cities of the U.S. I can use all the help I can get!" Trump said on Twitter.
The incoming president also dismissed the alleged reports that Russians has his dossier, saying they would have released it if they had it.
"Intelligence insiders now claim the Trump Dossier is 'a Complete Fraud!’" Trump tweeted.
NAN reports that Clinton won the election by 2.9 million popular vote but lost the presidency to Trump on Electoral College vote.
NAN also reports that Obama will handover to Trump on Friday after completing a second and final term as president. (NAN) APT/AMY
Mrs Bolanle Austine-Peters, a movie producer on Sunday said that the entertainment industry can serve as a veritable platform for creating jobs for Nigerian youths.
The movie producer disclosed this in Lagos that the multi-billion naira industry was capable of generating huge revenue for the nation as well.
Austine-peters, also the founder of Terra Kulture, a cultural firm, said that the industry was also capable of employing millions of youths in all field of endeavours across the country.
According to her, the industry is the third largest employer of labour around the world, and it has contributed meaningfully to the development of the nation.
"The industry is full of creativities and potential that is capable of developing a country.
"The industry has removed millions of youths off the streets and also contributed meaningfully to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP),'' she said.
She commended Nollywood practitioners for projecting the country's fashion and movie industry positively around the world.
"Africa fashion, style and movie industry is trending and it is gaining world recognition.
"African movies, most especially Nollywood has taken over the global market.
"There is no where you will go to in the world that they do not recognise and appreciate Nollywood movies, Nigerian movie will get soon,'' she said.
Austine-Peters said that her firm had empowered and trained so many youths on artistes, movie productions and visual arts.
"We have been doing our best and we will continue to extend our social/corporate responsibility to the people, especially to the youth,'' she said.
She said that her firm equally organises exhibitions forum monthly for artistes, movie producers and visual artists to showcase their creativity and talents to the world.
Austine-peters also appealed to the Federal Government to create more enabling environment for the industry to thrive.
Since 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ruled Delta State. And in all the 17 years, it has been a history of missed opportunities to develop the state.
Now that the opposition has joined forces under the platform of the ruling party at the federal level, it seems victory for APC in the 2019 general elections in Delta is inevitable. However, the reality is a little more complicated. And that is because the gap between desire for victory and successful execution is still very huge.
Defeating PDP in the 2019 general elections won't be a cake-walk. It requires hard work. Delta APC members must be put on alert that the Buhari federal government, unlike PDP federal governments of the past that took no prisoners in their political battles, will not rig elections for anyone. After all, APC lost elections in Bayelsa and Rivers states last year.
To win and end PDP 20 years misrule in the state, APC has to be strong.
As a consequence, the party needs to be smart and strategic going forward. Smart in expanding the tent and strategic in nominating winning candidates. Unfortunately these are two words that cannot be associated with the Prophet Jones Erhue State Executive Committee. It's not smart when members of the State Executive Committee of the ruling federal government allegedly takes money from the state government it wants to send packing.
Clearly, the Prophet Jones State Executive Committee's understanding of the party's best interest is very poor. They have failed to see the harm their continued stay in office does to the party. Holding on to power at all costs may be a good way to be relevant. However, it's not a smart way to defeat an incumbent, especially when you have become the source of disunity in the very party you claim to lead.
Prophet Jones Erhue and his associates have the moral responsibility to resign in the overall interest of the party. But now that they have refused to do what is right, the national leadership of the party should step in to save the party from the iron grip of those who are determined to spoil our groove in 2019.
Another compelling reason for the present SEC to go is the incompetence of the team. The APC Take Over Delta State task needs a capable project manager who can unite the party, oppose the PDP government relentlessly and ruthlessly, lay out an alternative agenda and set up a contrast for future elections beginning with the local government elections this year by showing to the electorates that Delta APC is the change Deltans want. The Prophet Jones Erhue exco has not provided that kind of vibrant opposition.
What is more, the opportunity cost of its existence is already too high. The crisis it has caused, not only threatens the party's ability to build on the progress made by the conflation of members of APC, Labour and Accord, but also previews the conflicts that could appear if the parties who seek nominations lose unfairly in a congress organised by the present Exco. That could potentially leave the party too damaged to mount a successful challenge to PDP in the state. It's hard to do well when there is no unity among members.
And given the political stakes, now is the time to get the ball rolling. A caretaker committee which the APC constitution empowers the National Working Committee to set up in place of any organ where there exists (in the opinion of the National Working Committee), a lacunae by virtue of any act or omission done in furtherance of the constitution.
For a caretaker committee to be effective and lead to greater unity, and not more rancor, it has to be broad, inclusive of all interests and led by the non-aligned in the party with the mandate to harmonise all organs of the party at the local government and ward levels and to run the party until a new congress is held as directed by the Benin High Court that declared the Prophet Jones Erhue led Exco illegal.
Racism, judicial denial and the reminiscence of slave trade were some of the issues that characterised the British judicial system as it negatively affected non Caucasians, domiciled in England. These are based on the judgment of men based on skin colour by the British, all these and many others are the focal point in this book titled: 'Mediocre Great England'.
The 582 page book written by Yinka Bamgbelu from the coffers of Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency, in 2015, x-rays the high level of mediocrity and prejudice in the implementation of several policies in England.
The entire book is a letter written by a dentist, who is also the author of the book, to Dr Anand Kamath, a 42-year-old dentist who committed suicide, presumably frustrated, felt bullied and harassed by the investigations into his record-keeping,which had issues, because of the amount of patients he treated.
The letter narrated how the late dentist and his dentist wife had treated 10,000 patients- four times that of the average practice,which led to him being summoned to the National Health Service (NHS), the public health services of England, Scotland and Wales.
Mediocre Great England; Yinka Bamgbelu Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency, US, 2015; PP.582
At a point Anand and his wife were each treating as many as 50 people a day. The fear of being removed as a practitioner was too much for Anand to bear and he took his own life days after NHS sent him warning letter that he could be reported to the General Dental Council.
The trajectory of the letter also sheds several light about the British system which the author alleged was prejudice, which also forced him to retire prematurely.
The author, Yinka Bamgbelu, also brings spirituality in his perspective about the British people by writing that mediocrity, negrophobia and dishonesty will always thrive in a jurisdictions where satanic network rules.
Dr Bamgbelu, a Nigerian, who has practiced dentistry in England for over a decade alleged that the NHS also forged reports against him which he sees as perceived hatred.
Bamgbelu then delved into the ancestral origin of the British in the book, noting that the genetics that made them slave masters was also responsible for their present behaviour of being racist.
In the book, the author named several British Caucasians that conspired to frustrate him as well as other non caucasians by stating that an English barrister that was appointed and instructed by the Medical Protection Society, lied, on oath.
The words and sentences used in the book were carefully selected to enunciate a man who is pained and bitter about his experience.
Sentences in the book like: "It is actual fact and absolute truth that Nicholas Peacock, English barrister that was appointed and instructed by the Medical Protection Society, lied, on oath. It is actual fact and absolute truth that Andrew Hurst, English barrister that was appointed by the council (GDC) unrelentingly lied, on oath".
The author went further in the book: "It is fact David Swinstead, English barrister, unrelentingly lied, on oath. A very dull, dishonest, idol worshipper adorns himself with high title (Director), he then becomes a satanic tool. Resh Diu, dentist, unrelentingly lied. The greedy and crooked idol worshipper was the informer of morons".
"The greedy idol worshipper was playing well-born, born fools like chess. Only days after interim suspension, the greedy idol worshipper wanted to buy my practice. He must know something."
The book also sheds light on the proceeds of kidnapping, stealing, carrying and selling millions of stolen Africans around 1700 AD, was used by the English to save the ancestors of several British people running the government but with very low intelligent quotient. Abolition Act entered the statute book in 1807. Slave trade did not end until 1888.
The book also deviated in another spectrum by noting that the advancement of information technology is immortal, and it will continue to shrink the world, whereby the kids in Africa, including in Niger Area will know almost everything about their colonial masters, the slave masters of their grannies and they will continue to wonder why white British, Dr Kevin Atkinson’s children who aren't cleverer themselves intellectually and are not exceedingly, natural resources rich are considerably richer.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it is set to meet with heads of other public examination bodies to fine tune examination schedules in order to avoid infringement on its examinations.
The Head, Media and Information of the board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, gave the hint in a statement made available on Sunday in Lagos.
Benjamin stated that the board was determined to address "myriad of challenges confronting public examinations in the country''.
He said that the board had yet to roll out its applications for 2017 UTME because it was working to improve on the conduct of its examination.
"You cannot do things the same way and expect different result.
"This year, we shall improve on a lot of things to get better results.
"However, we are mindful of the fact that there will be challenges accepting new directions of doing things by candidates.
"There will be improvement in our new payment platform, process of change of name; change of course; change of institution and others.
"This also applies to other difficulties that may arise in our attempt to improve on the entire process, which we have resolved to tackle.
"To make this feasible, the board had started working with other examination bodies to achieve a holistic result for the Nigerian child desirous of sound education,'' Benjamin stated.
He stated that in view of the above, the board had slated a meeting with the Head of National Office (HNO) of WAEC, the Registrars of NECO and NABTEB, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 17.
The meeting is expected to come out with a suitable time table that will not infringe on other examinations.
According to him, the meeting is part of the final preparations to begin sale of the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application forms.
Benjamin stated that the board did not want candidates to be stranded during examination due to clashes in dates of their various external examinations.
He said during the meeting, there would be a harmonisation of calendar of sister examination bodies.
"We appeal to Nigerians to support our drive to ensure that the board's matriculation examination meets international best practice," Benjamin stated.
He received a yellow card, but he also, reportedly, got the all important "yes."
Players were surprised when NAPA Rovers soccer player Ashton Surber proposed to his girlfriend in the middle of a first division match in the US territory of Guam this week.
After scoring a spectacular overhead goal for his team against opponents Guam Shipyards, Surber took off his jersey to reveal a white shirt with the printed message, "MARRY ME?"
He then knelt on one knee, kissed two fingers and pointed into the crowd, while a referee showed him a yellow card, a video posted on the website of local newspaper Pacific Daily News showed.
Surber's girlfriend, La'Kiesha Pereda, reportedly said yes, the newspaper said.
It wasn't the only good news: Surber's team also won the match 5-1 and are now at the top of the league ladder.
Ein Traumtor, ein Heiratsantrag und ein herzloser Schiedsrichter, der knallhart Gelb zieht. Bei so einer Romantik sollte man die Karte doch stecken lassen, oder?P.S.: Sie hat übrigens JA gesagt.
Posted by BILD Sport on Saturday, January 14, 2017
A number of residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have attributed the pressure on single ladies to get married at certain age in Nigeria to societal beliefs.
Society expects females to get married in their 20's as they are seen to be at the prime of their beauty, strength, fertility and maturity.
The residents, who spoke in Abuja on Sunday, gave their opinions on various factors that made women feel pressured by society to get married early.
Miss Toke Makinwa, an entrepreneur, and a blogger on marriage issues, said that fertility was taken into strong consideration by society, therefore putting pressure on women to get married at their prime.
"Women below 30 are known to have better chances at having healthy pregnancies and healthy children, so I believe that women who are getting closer to 30 and haven't gotten married feel immense pressure from society.
"Having parents stress the fact that they want to have their grandchildren early does not help matters too, so I assume fertility is the underlining cause of the societal pressure on single women," she said.
Mr Marcus Solomon, a stock broker said that women allowed the pressure get to them because they think men view beauty and fertility as the deciding factors for marriage.
"Women are at the prime of their beauty and fertility when they are in their 20's, but that doesn't mean they can't be as good looking or productive when they are older.
"It also doesn't mean that they will suddenly become barren or their fertile eggs will become fried eggs or something of that sort, so they should relieve themselves of the pressure from society.
"However, I think that the major thing that makes women feel pressured is the fact that they believe that men are attracted to only beautiful women and their beauty will wane as they age.
"Women should know that all good men look for a girl who is presentable, but also has a good personality and character and no matter the age she is, the man will marry her if she makes him happy.
"The lady in question just has to be patient and be realistic with her expectations of a relationship," he said.
Mrs Nwanneka Agbasi, an accountant, said "I believe that young women also pressurise themselves because they feel left behind by their friends and peers."
"When they begin to notice that most of their friends are getting married and having children while they themselves are not even in a serious relationship, they tend to get worried.
"Most will put on a brave face and force themselves to be patient, but deep down they are wondering if they have a major flaw that has caused them to remain single.
"Coupled with the fact that age comes with its physical effects, the desperate women will see the need to settle with any man possible even when they know the man is not right for them.
"Ladies shouldn't be pushed into marriage because marriage is not an easy task, it is something that can be emotionally and mentally draining, which is not easy to manage.
"Everyone looks at the expensive and lavish Nigerian weddings that hold, but no one talks about the high level of divorces and the individuals coping with unhappiness and domestic violence in their marriages.
"I believe it is better to be single and happy, than depressed with a spouse."
Senegal will host Gambian president-elect Adama Barrow until his swearing-in ceremony, the state-owned Senegalese news agency APS reported Sunday.
The swearing-in is due to take place on Thursday, but outgoing President Yahya Jammeh has challenged the result of the Dec. 1 election at the Supreme Court.
Barrow arrived in Dakar shortly after midnight on Sunday, APS quoted an unnamed official source as saying.
Gambia Opposition candidate, Adama Barrow
The agency said Senegalese President Macky Sall had accepted to host Barrow at the request of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at a Franco-African summit in the Malian capital Bamako on Saturday.
ECOWAS had set Thursday as a deadline to try to resolve the Gambian political crisis, Radio France Internationale earlier quoted Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe as saying.
Jammeh's refusal to concede defeat has sparked fears of violence in the West African country.
Barrow attended the Franco-African summit, while Jammeh was absent, following talks between ECOWAS mediators and both leaders in Gambia on Friday.
A statement from Barrow's office said Jammeh's meeting with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and other ECOWAS representatives was "unproductive."
The talks with ECOWAS came several hours after Gambia's ruling party filed a motion with the Supreme Court to prevent Barrow from being sworn into office on Jan. 19.
ECOWAS earlier pledged to send troops to ensure a peaceful transition of power if Jammeh persists in his refusal to step down after ruling Gambia with an iron fist for more than two decades.
-As he lays wreath at 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration
By Joseph Erunke
ABUJA-PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, Sunday, boasted that his administration has been able to restore Nigeria’s hitherto lost sanity and territorial integrity, hailing the country’s Armed Forces for making his dream possible.
He asked the nation’s security outfits not to rest in their oars, saying they must keep the pace of actions they undertook in seeing the total defeat of insurgence in the country,noting that the country was proud of them.
President Muhammadu Buhari speaks with Military men in Operation base via NigComSat. With him are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Defence, Bgrig General Mansur Dan Ali, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and other Service Chiefs during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.
Speaking, Sunday, in Abuja, at a live video call to Nigeria’s troops battling insurgency in the North East as well as international peace troops in Liberia, during the occasion of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, the president, who expressed satisfaction with the successes recorded so far by the troops not only in restoring peace in the country but African sub-region, asked the Armed Forces to maintain the tempo in its operations whenever in need.
“With your performances, we have been able to restore the sanity and territorial integrity of Nigeria. I congratulate you, “he said.
The president insisted that he was impressed with Armed Forces performance just as he said the rest of the nation was concerned about their welfare.
He assured the troops that government was with them in what they were doing, adding that his administration would always respond to their operational needs so as to achieve their set goals.
Earlier, President Buhari led senior government officials to lay wreaths at the National Military Cenotaph in Abuja.
The ceremony is held every January 15 in honor and memory of Nigerian military personnel who died in active service to the nation.
The president arrived at the occasion, and after the national anthem, reviewed the guard of honour mounted by the Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce and the Nigerian Legion.
He thereafter proceeded to lay a wreath at the foot of the tomb of the 'Unknown Soldier' at the Military Cenotaph, opposite the Eagles Square, after Christian and Muslim prayers as well as observance of a-minute silence and one-round of gun salute were made.
Thereafter, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo laid the wreath at the Cenotaph, followed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara; and the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen in that order.
Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Eket-Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, also laid their wreaths.
Not left out of the wreath-laying were the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris Kpotum ; the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps and Cameroonian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Salahudeen; representative of widows of deceased soldiers, Mrs. Veronica Aluko as well as the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, retired Colonel Micah Gaya.
The wreath-laying ceremony was followed by a thunderous 21-gun salute to the fallen heroes, as all officers and guests present remained standing.
The commander of the Brigade of Guards, Brig. Gen Sani, guided the President to sign the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Register and the release of white pigeons to signify peace.
An unprecedented highlight of the event was when the president got a firsthand experience in a theatre command control vehicle from where he spoke to the officers and men of the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army as well as the troops fighting insurgency in Maiduguri, Borno state.
“Good morning officers and men of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, you have done Nigeria proud. I congratulate you and I thank you very much for the honour you have done to the country and to us. I wish you more success. Please, maintain the standard of efficiency. Thank you very much indeed, “he said.
On their part, the troops on ground in Maiduguri appreciated the president with three hearty cheers, as their commander promised to discharge their duties to the nation faithfully.
The president was also able to speak with the Nigerian Peace Mission troops in Liberia as well as view satellite images of the Nigerian Air Force surveillance over Maiduguri and nearby towns.
Following the role he played in the abandonment of yesterday’s Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, curtain raiser between Kano Pillars and FC Ifeanyi Ubah, at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, the management of FC Ifeanyi Ubah has suspended its Team Manager, Mr. Jonathan Igwe for four matches.
FC Ifeanyi Ubah players during a training session
In a statement on the club’s website, the Chairman, Mr. Chukwuma Ubah condemned the conduct of its team manager, while also apologising to the President, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick; the Chairman, League Management Company, Mallam Shehu Dikko; Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, other relevant stakeholders, fans and football lovers for its role in the disappointing start of the NPFL.
Chukwuma, however, promised to ensure FC Ifeanyi Ubah upholds the statutes and tenets of the beautiful game.
The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to the sad events that led to the abandonment of the opening game of the 2016/2017 NPFL season between Kano Pillars and FC Ifeanyi Ubah on the 14th of January, 2017 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.
“After extensive investigations into the occurrences that culminated in the disappointing start of the Nigeria Professional Football League, the Management of FC Ifeanyi Ubah has arrived at the following findings:
1. That the Team Manager, Mr. Jonathan Igwe in a rather autocratic and unprofessional manner took laws into his hands by dishing out orders to the team without due recourse to the statutes and ethics of the game.
2. That his actions were borne out of an uncontrollable emotion owing to his perceived antagonistic behaviour of the centre referee who he claimed allowed a goal that was flagged offside by the linesman to stand against us and disallowing a legitimate goal scored by FC Ifeanyi Ubah via a direct freekick deep into stoppage time of the first half.
3. That he is deeply remorseful for his actions and the role he played in the eventual abandonment of the match between Kano Pillars and our darling club, FC Ifeanyi Ubah at the Sani Abacha Stadium which also resulted in him being given a red card by the centre referee.
“In view of the aforementioned, the club has reached the following decisions:
1. That the Team Manager Mr. Jonathan Igwe is suspended for four (4) football matches with immediate effect and will forfeit one (1) month salary/allowances for his unprofessionalism and role in the eventual abandonment of the match.
2. That the Team Manager is not to be seen in the venue of any FC Ifeanyi Ubah match during the period of his suspension.
3. That the Team Manager is mandated to issue a letter of apology and promise of good conduct to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the organisers of the NPFL, the League Management Company (LMC) within 72 hours.
4. That the Team Manager is also to issue a written unreserved apology letter to the club and its teeming fans. The Management of FC Ifeanyi Ubah hereby tenders an unreserved apology to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the League Management Company (LMC) for the outcome of the match between Kano Pillars and FC Ifeanyi Ubah which was supposed to be a befitting curtain raiser for the 2016/2017 NPFL season.
“Our most sincere and heartfelt apology goes out to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick and the Chairman of the League Management Company, Mallam Shehu Dikko who have done so much in promoting the NPFL while raising the standards of the league and football in Nigeria.
“We also wish to apologise to all important dignitaries, especially the Governor of Kano State, H.E. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Management of Kano Pillars, the good people of Kano State, Chairmen of various State FAs, sponsors of the NPFL and members of the press who were present to witness the match.
“Finally, may we use this medium to apologise to our teeming fans and football lovers all over Nigeria and around the world for the disappointing display that has brought the name of the beautiful game to disrepute. This is highly regrettable and we wish to state categorically that we would do everything within our powers to make sure that such occurrence does not repeat itself.”
“The club condemns explicitly the unprofessional conduct of Mr. Jonathan Igwe and believes that the sanctions imposed on the Team Manager will serve as a severe deterrent to the entire management and playing staff of the club. FC Ifeanyi Ubah vows to uphold the statutes and tenets of the beautiful game we love so much,” the statement added.
President Muhammadu Buhari inspects guards of honour during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari inspects guards of honour during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari inspects guards of honour during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari performs the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.PRESIDENT BUHARI ATTENDS 2017 ARMED FORCES DAY 1A-C. President Muhammadu Buhari performs the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.PRESIDENT BUHARI ATTENDS 2017 ARMED FORCES DAY 1A-C. President Muhammadu Buhari performs the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari in a handshake with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker RT Hon Yakubu Dogara on arrival for the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, Speaker RT Hon Yakubu Dogara and Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Walter Onnoghen on arrival for the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari Releases the Pigeons. With him are the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola saraki, Minister of Defence, Brig General Mansur Dan Ali and others during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari Releases the Pigeons. With him are the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola saraki, Minister of Defence, Brig General Mansur Dan Ali and others during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari Releases the Pigeons. With him are the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola saraki, Minister of Defence, Brig General Mansur Dan Ali and others during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari speaks with Military men in Operation base via NigComSat. Others are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Defence, Brig General Mansur Dan Ali, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and other Service Chiefs during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari speaks with Military men in Operation base via NigComSat. With are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Defence, Bgrig General Mansur Dan Ali, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and other Service Chiefs during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari Seated as Chief of Army Staff, LT General Tukur Yusuf Buratai brief the President with the Soldier in operation base in Adamawa, Borno and those in Liberia during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.Cross Sections of Military Personels as President Muhammadu Buhari , Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Defence, Brig General Mansur Dan Ali, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and other Service Chiefs in one minute silent during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.Cross Sections of degnatories as President Muhammadu Buhari , Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Defence, Brig General Mansur Dan Ali, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and other Service Chiefs in one minute silent during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari signs AFRD Celebration Register flanked by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Defence, Brig General Mansur Dan Ali, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and other Service Chiefs during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari in a hand shake with one of the wife of late fallen hero after the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari inspects guards of honour during the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.Cross section of Naval officers as President Buhari attends the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari in a hand shake with the Chief of Defence Staff, General, Abayomi Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai as President Buhari arrives for the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari in a hand shake with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai. Others are the Chief of Defence Staff, General, Abayomi Olonisakin, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar as President Buhari arrives for the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.President Muhammadu Buhari in a hand shake with the Minister of Defence, Brig General Mansur Dan Ali on arrival for the Wreath Laying ceremony of 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade in Abuja.
