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
Sango-Ota (Ogun) – The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Ogun said six persons died while four were injured in an accident on the Lagos-Sagamu expressway on Monday.
The Ogun Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Clement Oladele, said in Ota, Ogun, that the accident occurred at about 2. 12 pm.Okene-Kabba road crash
Oladele said that a Nissan Quest van with registration number FKJ 297 AJ coming from Ikorodu to Ibadan rammed into a moving Iveco truck due to excessive speed.
The crash, he said, resulted in the death of the six persons while four sustained injuries.
" The four injured persons are receiving treatment at the Sagamu General Hospital while the corpses had been deposited at the morgue, " he said.
He advised motorists to desist from excessive speed, especially during the rainy season.
The Oyo State Police Command, Monday, confirmed the death of one person in the violence that trailed the public outing of the Ege masquerade in the Egungun festival in Ibadan on Sunday.
The police spokesman in the state, ASP Adekunle Ajisebutu, told newsmen in Ibadan that two suspects were also arrested in connection with the incident.
Violence had marred the Egungun festival on Sunday as many residents were assaulted while property were destroyed.
The festival, which often featured displays by masquerades, is meant to showcase the rich culture and tradition of Ibadan land.
Ajisebutu, however, said that the command had beefed up security in the area where the Egungun festival was taking place.
He said the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, had warned all masquerades and their followers to refrain from violence.
The police, he said, would not hesitate to deal with any individual or group attempting to cause a breach of the peace.
Meanwhile, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has expressed displeasure with Sunday's violence.
He said several meetings were held with stakeholders on the need to keep the peace before the festival commenced.
Adetunji, who commiserated with families and victims of the violence pledged that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
In furtherance of its commitment to creating equal opportunity for Nigeria children’s, Total Nigeria Plc has taken an additional sponsorship of one house with the SOS Children’s Villages in Jos.
SOS Children’s Villages is an independent, non-governmental international development organization which has been working to meet the needs and protect the interests and rights of children since 1949. This brings the total number of houses sponsored by the company with the SOS villages Nigeria to four.
According to the company, “Prior to this time, Total sponsors three houses of 10 children each at the Isolo village Lagos State, Owu-Ijebu village Ogun state, Gwagwalada village FCT Abuja and now, Jos Plateau State.
The company also said that they have been in partnership with the SOS children’s villages Nigeria since September 2010 when it commenced the first Corporate Sponsorship with the Lagos village and has continued till date to support these houses annually, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility in the spheres of Education, Social and Economic Development.
“We are also running side by side with the Corporate Sponsorship, the Mentor-a-Child-Program where our employees serve as mentors to the children from its sponsored houses.” The company added.
The official inclusion of one house from the SOS Jos village was commemorated with the presentation of the annual sponsorship cheque to the village, received by the SOS Children’s Villages National Fundraising Coordinator, Ms. Ashionye Enumah.
SOS was obtained from a German word ‘Societal Socialise’ which means ‘A just society where every child has equal opportunity’
By Emeka Mamah and Chinenyeh Ozor Nsukka – Five Fulani and Kanuri herdsmen were Monday arraigned before an Enugu High Court sitting at Nsukka for allegedly launching an attack on the Nimbo Community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, leading to the untimely death of several people on April 25, 2016.
Delta Women protest rape by herdsmen
This was even as there was fresh tension in Uzo Uwani, following the alleged killing of two farmers at Adaba, capital of same Uzo Uwani Local Government by Fulani herdsmen, Monday.
Those killed in the fresh attack were identified as Chiaha Okeke and Charles Maduegbunam, both from Adaba in the area.
They were reported to have been killed in their farms Fulani herdsmen between Saturday and Monday.
The U.S. government is allowing 15,000 additional visas for temporary seasonal workers to help American businesses in danger of suffering irreparable harm because of a shortage of such labor, the Department of Homeland Security said on Monday.US President, Donald Trump
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly found after consulting with Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta that there were not enough qualified and willing American workers available to perform temporary nonagricultural work, the department said in a statement.
“As a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to supporting American businesses, DHS is providing this one-time increase to the congressionally set annual cap,” Kelly said in a statement.
Many seasonal businesses such as resorts, landscaping companies and seafood harvesters and processors had sought permission to temporarily hire more immigrants. In May, Congress gave Kelly authority to approve up to about 70,000 additional temporary visas and lawmakers had pleaded with him to issue more of them.
But advocates of stricter limits on immigration criticized the move, saying American workers should get job openings. Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA, said in a statement the decision “threatens to reverse the trend of reports emerging around the country of employers working harder and raising pay to successfully recruit more unemployed Americans for lower-skilled jobs.”
Beck called the decision “yet another example of the administration and Congress failing to keep the Trump campaign promise of putting American workers first.”
President Donald Trump campaigned on an “America First” platform of favoring Americans for hiring. But Trump’s golf resorts in Florida have used the visas to hire temporary guest workers, Reuters reported last year.
A group of U.S. companies and groups that use the visas, called the “the H-2B Workforce Coalition,” in a statement praised the “minimal relief granted… Though we fear this gesture may be too little too late for thousands of small businesses … the additional visas may help save some small businesses this year.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Monday, intervened in inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market with the supply of 195 million dollars as part of its efforts to stabilise the market.
The acting Director, Corporate Communications of the apex bank, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, in a statement, said 100 million dollars was offered through the wholesale segment.
He said that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment received 50 million dollars, while tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others, got 45 million dollars.
Okorafor said that the CBN was pleased with the state of the market, and assured that the bank would continue to intervene in order to sustain liquidity in the market and guarantee international value of the naira.
CBN: Naira & Dollar
He said the apex bank remained determined to achieve its objective of rates convergence, "hence the unrelenting injection of intervention funds into the foreign exchange market''.
Okorafor expressed optimism that the naira would sustain its run against the dollar and other major currencies around the world, considering the level of transparency in the market.
He, therefore, advised stakeholders to abide by the guidelines to ensure transparency in the market.
Last week, the CBN intervened in the various segments of the foreign exchange market with the injection of 396.8 million dollars.
Meanwhile, the naira continued to maintain its stability in the market, exchanging at an average of N364 to a dollar in the Bureau de Change segment of the market.
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24-25). This statement is so critical to the institution of matrimony that Jesus amplified it in Matthew 19: 4-6. Bible scholars interpret "leave" to mean breaking away from your parents to establish a new home, while "cleave" means being glued together so tightly that you become one and inseparable. This statement should put to rest the squabbles between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, which have torn many marriages apart and is still threatening many others. But human phenomena do not work that way.
I believe the husband is very critical in ensuring that his wife and his mother do not put asunder to what God has joined together. Very important is fairness, firmness and a thorough understanding of his mother and his wife. For instance, if your mother is brash, autocratic and domineering, insulate your marriage and spouse from her. On the other hand, if your spouse is selfish and possessive, you need to shield your mother from her. Be discreet in your interaction with and financial support for your mother. That is not the best way to relate with your mother, but what you need at the end of the day is your peace of mind and peace in your home. Continue to maintain a good relationship with your parents, but it should not be to the detriment of your spouse.
There is a time for everything, the great King Solomon wrote. A mother gives birth to a baby and nourishes him into adulthood. That is a long time to love and bond. Now he moves to another phase of life and gets married. That is what Genesis 2:24-25 is all about. Mothers, do not tie your married sons to your apron strings. Leave them alone to live their lives without your towering presence or shadow. The only time you have a right to intervene, as I have said in a previous article, is if your son's/daughter's life is in danger. Only foolish parents stand aloof while their son's/daughter's life is endangered in a marriage. Otherwise, parents should mind their business unless their opinion is sought, and let it remain an opinion, not an order. Some mothers actually ask their daughters the performance of their sons-in-law in the other room. Why ask? The taste of the pudding is in the eating. Go and experience it.
Husbands must at all times protect their wives (and vice versa). Do not denigrate your spouse before your parents or siblings, especially if they are selfish or loathe your spouse; it will destroy your marriage. Put measures in place to make the job of protecting your spouse easy. If you do not feel obliged to protect your spouse, your marriage is dead. What is left is carcass. However, I feel protection of spouses should be based on fairness, equity and justice. Why offend God to please your spouse? If your spouse is wrong, while I do not support dressing her down in public or before your mother, you must privately point it out to her. If you do not, you are living in deception; you are not helping her to become a better person. She should also be humble enough to apologise to her mother-in-law. If refuses to, you must do it on her behalf and pray it suffices for your mother. The same should apply if your mother is wrong. Humility has no age barrier. I do not support sweeping problems under the carpet and hoping they go away. They seldom do, if anything they grow worse.
This is Africa; we marry not just our spouses, but the family. But we must realize that your new family is not an extension of the one you are coming from. We must learn to balance the interest of our nuclear families with that of our extended families. The best advice I got from my elder brother, Fr. Tony, while preparing for marriage is that my wife and I should respect each other's family. The fifth commandment admonishes Christians (African tradition also does) to honour our parents. Our parents include our parents-in-law. We all had pre-existing bonds before we got married. Marriage does not erode these bonds. So, you do not treat your spouse's parents or family like filth and expect peace in your home. Even if you cannot love them, even though I think you should, respect them, be kind to them and be patient with them. Many older people need patience. If you truly love your spouse, you will do everything within your power to avoid conflict with his mother, because when you don't, you put him in an awkward and difficult situation.
Husbands should let the relationship between their wives and mothers evolve naturally. Do not force or influence it. If they get along, fine: if they do not, just ensure their paths seldom cross. Notwithstanding the nature of the relationship, there MUST be mutual respect. Finally, do not take your marital issues to the court of in-laws. You hardly get justice there. The court runs on emotions and bias, not equity and fairness. That is why churches have sponsors (advisers) for new couples and marriage advisory councils to handle marital issues. The government also has customary courts and other organs for arbitration on marital issues.
Thousands of Cambodians on Monday celebrated the inscription of the country's Sambor Prei Kuk archaeological site on the UNESCO's World Heritage List.
The site was built by Isanavarman I, King of the Chenla Empire, the 7th century Sambor Prei Kuk temple, or "temple in the richness of the forest" in the Khmer language.
It was listed as a world heritage site during the World Heritage Committee's 41st session in Krakow, Poland on July 8.
The site became Cambodia's third tangible cultural property that has been inscribed on the World Heritage List.
The first two listed properties in Cambodia are the 12th century Angkor archaeological park inscribed in 1992 and the 11th century Preah Vihear Temple included in 2008.
Cambodian Prime Minister, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, addressing about 10,000 revellers at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, said it was another historic event for Cambodia in preserving and developing cultural heritage.
"This is a new pride for the whole nation,'' he said during the celebration which was live broadcast on television.
He said the listing of the site would greatly contribute to the development of the kingdom's tourism industry.
Meanwhile, the prime minister called on the citizens to join him in protecting the country's hard-won peace and national cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible properties.
The archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk is the most important religious centre of the pre-Angkorian period, located in a quiet patch of forest in Kampong Thom province, about 193 km north of capital Phnom Penh.
According to a UNESCO's news release, the site has been identified as Ishanapura, the capital of the Chenla Empire that flourished in the late 6th and early 7th century.
"Covering an area of 25 square km, the vestiges of the onetime capital includes a walled city centre and numerous temples with decorated sandstone elements, some of which are true masterpieces,'' the release said.
Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting the Cambodian economy.
According to the Tourism ministry, in 2016, Cambodia welcomed 5 million foreign tourists, earning gross revenue of 3.4 billion dollars.
The Southeast Asian nation is expected to attract up to 7 million foreign arrivals in 2020 with estimated revenue of 5 billion dollars.
The Nigerian Army has said that following regular interception of Boko Haram terrorists suicide bombers by troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and the serial failures that have trailed their suicide bomb attacks, recent developments indicated that the terrorist group is now exploiting deceptive tactics to lure unsuspecting members of the public to target areas before detonating their suicide bomb in order to attain maximum casualty.
Boko Haram member
The army in a statement signed by Colonel Sagir Musa, Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division said it has been observed that one of the tactics employed by the terrorists is to create a scene such as fighting with each other or any other person to attract attention and cause people to gather around them before they detonate their suicide bomb.
Another according to the statement is the antic of abducting children who are on errands, strapping them with suicide vests and sending them back home, where the suicide bomb detonates to kill members of the household.
Its said these deceptive tactics have been found to have played out in recent suicide bomb attacks carried out by the Boko Haram terrorists.
The army warned members of the public to be wary of these tactics and avoid such unnecessary gatherings that could expose them to preventable danger.
Additionally, ‘all parents and adults are advised to sensitize their children and wards on these new Boko Haram tricks and also urged them to be conscious of the whereabouts of their children and rein them in where necessary to prevent them from being callously used by the terrorists for the evil mission of suicide bombing.’
By Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA-Minister of Women Affairs, Senators Aisha Jummai Alhassan has called on the leadership of political parties in the country to give more slots to women to enable them participate in partisan politics and governance in the country.Alhassan
The Minister stated this when she led some women societies on a courtesy visit to the Peoples Democratic Party National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi at the party temporal secretariat yesterday in Abuja.
"From the lowest, all the way to the highest, women have often been underrepresented in leadership positions and decision making and are only sought after as electorate during electioneering campaigns.
This sad reality of women being under represented in all facet of the political process is often due to social-cultural barriers, leading to poor public, social and political party support," the Minister stated, even as she enumerated other factors that have contributed in the limitation of the political space for women in the country.
She said: "Entrenched traditional views, lack of financial means, lack of capacity building opportunities especially access to technology, gender discrimination, divisions along ethnic lines, violence and intimidation have all contributed in poor performance of women in political activities especially elections.
"Although the Nigerian Constitution guarantees equality for everyone in governance and political participation, women have not fully enjoined this constitutional provision. Globally, Nigeria remains one of the most backward and poor performing countries on the African continent in the area of women political participation.
As a result, we have been overtaken by countries like Rwanda with 66 per cent women representation in parliament, South Africa with 40 per cent, Seychelles with over 50 per cent, Ghana with 35 per cent and a large chunk of other African countries with over 25 per cent. Unfortunately, Your Excellencies, Nigerian stands at less than 6 per cent," she lamented.
Responding on behalf of the party leadership, Senator Makarfi thanked the Honorable Minister and her delegation for the visit and pledged the commitment of the PDP to partner with her in the advocacy for more women participation.
Makarfi however, urged the Minister to also take the advocacy to the parliament for possible amendment of existing laws and making of new ones to create more rooms for women.
"You are here on a courtesy call on a very fundamental issue-that of bringing some parity in gender participation by our mothers and sisters in governance…You are doing this at a very good time. Some matters are not just matters of policy but matters of constitution," he said. She advised the Minister not to stop at demanding for free nomination forms for women for elective positions insisting that free form without a ticket is as good as useless.
The former Kaduna State governor later displayed his humorous side by christening the Minister fondly referred to as 'Mama Taraba' the "Mama Nigeria.'
Present at the meeting were stalwarts of the party including Senators Abdul Ningi, Ben Obi, Iyiola Omisore, Odion Ugbesi, and Prince Dayo Adeyeye.
Martin Landau, American actor, who starred in the 1960s television show "Mission Impossible" and won an Oscar for playing Bela Lugosi in the movie "Ed Wood," is dead at 89.
According to the CBS News, Landau died on Saturday at UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles following "unexpected complications during a short hospitalization".
Landau was born on June 28, 1928, in Brooklyn and worked as a cartoonist for the New York Daily News before becoming an actor.
Martin Landau in Mission: Impossible (1968)
In 1957, he had a part in the play, "Middle of the Night," with Edward G. Robinson and ended up on the West Coast, according to the Internet Movie Data base.
"Mission Impossible," Landau's iconic film, which also starred his wife, Barbara Bain, became an immediate hit upon its debut in 1966.
It remained on the air until 1973, but Landau and Bain left at the end of the show's third season amid financial dispute with the producers.
The actor and his wife also starred in the British-made sci-fi series "Space: 1999" from 1975 to 1977.
—–Meets Chibok calls By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – THE Pakistani activist for female education Malala Yousafzai, Monday urged the Federal Government to declare state of emergency on the education of girl child and young boys.
Malala and Osinbajo Yousafzai who is the youngest ever Noble Prize laureate and known for human rights advocacy especially education of women in her native Swat Valley, in Khyber Pakhturhwa, northwest Pakistan, met with the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa Abuja.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after her meeting with the Acting President, she called for the implementation of the Child's Rights Act in all the three tiers of government.
On what transpired at the meeting, she said, "It was a very good meeting. I had very good response. I highlighted a few issues. The first was to ask the government to declare a state of emergency for education because the education of the Nigerian girls and boys is really important. The Federal government, State government and local government should all be united for this.
"Secondly, the spending should be made public and thirdly, the Child Rights Act should be implemented in all states. I was really happy to hear positive response from the acting President that they are happy with the suggestion of implementing declaration of emergency in education and that they are happy to work more on education and that they are united.
"I am happy to hear positive responses from the Ministers as well that they are ensuring that education is prioritized in every girl and in every boy and education in Nigeria is given priority.
"In the morning, I met Chibok girls and I was very happy at what the Honourable minister is doing to support the Chibok girls. I am really excited to see them going back to their homes and to their families and continuing their education. But I hope the other girls who are still under abduction of Boko Haram are released."
Recall that on 9th October 2012, Yousafzai was injured after a Taliban gunman attempted to murder her. Yousafzai remained unconscious, in critical condition at the Rawalpindi Institute but later her condition improved enough for her to be sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birminghan, United Kingdom, UK.
The murder attempt sparked a national and international outpouring of support for Yousafzai.
Washington – The U.S. Transportation Security Administration on Monday said it had lifted a ban on passengers on Saudi Arabian Airlines carrying large electronics like laptops onboard U.S.-bound flights, the last carrier under the restrictions.
In March, U.S. officials imposed restrictions on passengers carrying large electronics like laptops in cabins on nine airlines, most of which were Middle Eastern carriers, to address the potential threat of hidden explosives.
In June, U.S. officials announced new security requirements for all airlines rather than an expansion of the laptop ban and have been dropping the restrictions from airlines as they boosted security.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Monday, announced the establishment of one million-dollar venture capital to boost the creative Industry.
The Minister made the announcement at the opening of the two-day Creative Industry Financing Conference holding in Lagos, saying 20 people, each investing $50,000, are expected to help make up the required amount.
He said, so far, five people have volunteered to invest $50,000 each, and expressed the optimism that more investors will come forward.
Alhaji Mohammed said the $1-million Venture Capital would provide seed money for young and talented Nigerians to set up businesses in the Creative Industry.
Lai Mohammed
Earlier in his welcome address, the Minister said the conference, which is being jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and the Think Tank Media, was conceived with a view to taking the Creative Industry into a golden era of smooth access to short and long term financing.
"From my interactions with Industry stakeholders since assuming office, one issue has stuck out like a sore thumb: lack of access to financing is a major bane of the Industry. Instead of just lamenting over this, we have decided to tackle the problem headlong, hence the decision to host this conference.
"I have no doubt that at the end of the series of events here, we will be able to come out with a way forward that will surely boost the Industry," he said.
Alhaji Mohammed said the government is paying a great attention to the Creative Industry because of its capacity to create 1 million jobs in three years, boost the economy and allow the creative talents of the youths to blossom.
He listed the efforts so far made to re-position and transform the Industry as including the landmark National Summit on Culture and Tourism, held in Abuja last year; the Creative Industry Roundtable held in Lagos last week, and the MoUs signed with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, the British Council and the Bank of Industry.
The conference was declared open by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar; Minister of Information and Communication from the Republic of Niger, Hadjia Koubra Sani and many Industry stakeholders, including Film and Music Producers, Artists, Copyright lawyers, representatives of Banks and journalists, are attending the conference.
A labour leader, Mr. Isa Aremu, on Monday, appealed to the Federal Government to constitute a national minimum wage review committee without delay to alleviate workers' suffering.
"There is no way the economy can recover with poorly paid workers,'' Aremu, General Secretary, National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, said.
He spoke to newsmen in Lagos.
The Federal Government had on May 23 said that it would set up a 29- member committee to review the minimum wage.
The Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress have been agitating for increase in minimum wage from N18,000 to N56,000.
According to Aremu, there is no need for delaying constitution of the committee since it has been approved by the Federal Executive Council.
He said that increase in the wage should not be tied to increase in government revenue.
"Increase in wage is a matter of law and not based on government revenue generation.
"It is long overdue; our patience is running out. We have already lost two years.
"We hope the organised labour will not resort to industrial action. The government should avoid this.
"Previously, there was no increase in wage without a nationwide strike, and strike is not healthy for anybody. We have enough problem in the economy," Aremu said.
He said that the payment of a correct wage at the right time was a major way to economic recovery.
He, however, commended Acting President Yemi Osibanjo for giving an executive order on ease of doing business.
Aremu said that the government's decision would improve investment and develop the economy.
—Says under Jonathan some LGAs were controlled by Boko Haram –vows to pursue $2.1b arms procurement scandal By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA – THE Presidency Monday debunked claims by the former National Security Adviser, NSA, to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki that the Jonathan's administration cleared the Northeast of Boko Haram terrorists to make elections possible in 2015.
Sambo Dasuki and Garba Shehu
The presidency described Dasuki's as not only faulty but laughable as some local government areas in the North East were under the control of Boko Haram before the President Muhammadu Buhari government came to dismantle all the areas of control by the Islamic sect.
A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu in Abuja stated that the claim was false and “an attempt to deceive Nigerians with blatant lies,” in order to rewrite history, adding that government would read through the entire text and make its response.
Shehu in the statement said, “The claim as contained in a new book by a journalist, is just another unfortunate attempt by inglorious Nigerians to rewrite the history of our country in such a way as to cover the sins of the past.”
“As a public relations goon for the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, the author did not surprise anyone by dismissing the acclaimed successes of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the fight against Boko Haram, claiming that this government simply took the glory for the achievements of the previous government in the war against terrorism.
“For those interested in the facts, as at the time elections were held in March 2015, a number of local government areas in northeast Nigeria were completely under the control of Boko Haram–to the extent that elections in those areas had to be moved to safe areas.
“The residents of areas such as Gwoza, Banki, Kukawa, Monguno, Bulumba, Baga, Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa, Mafa, etc., were able to vote, not in their hometowns but in refugee camps in other parts of Borno State, under special arrangements made by INEC.
“Since the Buhari administration came into power, however, many of those residents have returned to their homes and Boko Haram eradicated from their areas.”
He further stated that institutions such as schools, police stations, markets and courts have been reestablished or in the process of being reestablished.
Shehu in the statement also said that despite Dasuki’s attempt to rewrite history, Nigerians could not have forgotten the embarrassing stories of failed weapons that plagued the country’s military during the previous administration, when the alleged unserviceable weapons, expired ammunition and fake armored vehicles caused untold grief to valiant armed forces on the battlefield, with arms exploding willy nilly and guns failing to fire.
He said, “It is for trespasses like these that the Buhari administration is determined to get to the bottom of the 2.1 billion Dollars arms procurement scandal and ensure that no single one of the culprits goes scot free.
“The truth, as a matter of fact is that the monster of terrorism got bigger and more daring due to the incompetence and misgovernance of the last administration and no amount lies and fiction can change that."
R&B legend R.Kelly has been accused by parents of running an abusive “cult” that’s tearing families apart.
R Kelly
According to reports, Kelly targets young women who come to him for help with their fledgling music careers: He seems to offer them professional guidance, and then instead he initiates sexual relationships with them behind their parents' backs.
The parents of one of the affected girls named only as J. and Tim, filed a report with Johns Creek Police Department accusing Kelly, full name Robert Sylvester Kelly, of keeping their daughter as part of a "cult" and accusing him of being "abusive and of "controlling her daughter."
In an investigative report carried out by BuzzFeed News, the parents told the news outlet that the last time they saw their child she resembled a cult member. "It was as if she was brainwashed. (She) looked like a prisoner – it was horrible," J. said. "I hugged her and hugged her. But she just kept saying she's in love and (Kelly) is the one who cares for her. I don't know what to do. I hope that if I get her back, I can get her treatment for victims of cults. They can reprogram her. But I wish I could have stopped it from happening."
The “I believe I Can Fly’ singer has been in and out of court over related issues.
ABUJA – The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has injected $195million into the inter-bank segment of the foreign exchange market, continuation of its drive to ensure the stability of the exchange rate. Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele Figures released by the Bank showed that it offered the total sum of $100million to the wholesale segment, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment received the sum of $50 million.
The invisible segment, comprising tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others, received $45 million.
Confirming the figures obtained, the CBN Acting Director at the Bank, Mr. Isaac Mr. Okorafor, said the CBN was pleased with the state of the Forex market, adding that the Bank will continue to intervene in order to sustain the liquidity in the market and guarantee the international value of the naira.
According to him, the Bank remained determined to achieve its objective of rates convergence, hence the unrelenting injection of intervention funds into the foreign exchange market.
Speaking further, Mr. Okorafor expressed optimism that the Naira will sustain its run against the dollar and other major currencies around the world, considering the level of transparency in the market. He therefore advised stakeholders to abide by the guidelines to ensure transparency in the market.
The CBN had, last week, intervened in the various segments of the Forex market with the sum of $396.8 million.
Meanwhile, the naira continued to maintain its stability in the FOREX market, exchanging at an average of N364/$1 in the BDC segment of the market, Monday
By Anayo Okoli. IGBO indigenes living in the 19 Northern States have commended Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, ove r its meeting with the Arewa Youths with a view to resolving the issue of the October 1 deadline quit notice to the Igbo in the North. Eze Ndigbo, Ibadan, and leaders of the Igbo community in Oyo State presenting a souvenir to Deputy Senate President, Senator Ekweremadu, at the 4th National Public Service Award of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association According to the Co-ordinator of Ndigbo Youth Council in 19 Northern States, Chief Obinna Nwankwo, in a statement, the Abuja meeting between Igbo youths was the first practical step towards halting the planned sack of Ndigbo from the North.
"We have always made it clear that the several meetings convened by the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, though looks worthwhile on the surface lacked the capacity to stop this trouble when it starts.
"We said this because the same elders who Osinbajo invited to the Aso Rock Villa had at the wake of the quit notice disowned the quit notice issued by the Arewa Youths. How then would they have the capacity to call these youths to order if they are bent on carrying out their threat", the group said.
Nwankwo commended the Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro led OYC for initiating the "a workable solution to the looming danger".
"There is no doubt that our lives and properties have been in danger ever since that threat was issued. We have for so long expected a situation where the youths are called for a discussion, but rather than do so, what we see is mere condemnations from various groups.
"We, therefore, salute the courage of the OYC for taking this bold step. We also commend the Arewa Youths for coming to the negotiating table with its counterpart from the South-East.
"May we, however, caution that any plan by anybody to jeopardize this peace process will be resisted. We now have the feeling that some people are benefiting from this tension.
"This could be the only reason why one Chuks Ibegbu, who said he is the Deputy Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo saw nothing good in this parley with the Arewa Youths. Is Ibegbu and his cohort holding the opinion that no effort should be made to safeguard the lives and properties of Ndigbo in the North? What do they benefit from festering crisis?
"As the Deputy Publicity Secretary which he claims to be, why has he taken over the functions of the substantive publicity secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo? Why is he issuing statements with reckless abandon without clearance from anybody for pecuniary reasons? We see his action as one borne out of utter jealousy and envy.
"We the entire Igbo Youths in the 19 Northern States wish to state categorically that we have absolute confidence in the leadership of OYC under Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro.
"By extension, we equally have absolute trust on the peace process he has initiated with the Arewa Youths. No price is too much for peace and that is why we shall not sit by and watch some persons derail this process.
"At this point, we are sounding a note of warning that should this process be stalled owing to Ibegbu's reckless utterances, and our people in the North face attack as a result of the collapse of that peace process, he shall be held responsible.
“Any opposition to the leadership of Ohanaeze Youths is indirectly calling for planned massacre and genocide against Igbo in the North and looting of Igbo properties in the 19 Northern States.
“We have uncovered plot by some shameless members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to allow Igbos be massacred in the North by trying to interfere in the genuine efforts of national leadership of Ohanaeze Youths", Nwankwo said.
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
Jose Mourinho ruled out any attempt to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford after Manchester United opened their US tour here Saturday with a 5-2 rout of the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Kano Pillars Football Club, on Sunday, beat visiting Rangers International FC of Enugu 2-0 in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 29 fixture.
The home team took the advantage of being galvanised by their returning home crowd to do well in the game.
They went on to dominate both halves of the match played at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Jamiu Alimi scored the first goal in the 32nd minute as a result of a defensive error by the visitors, while Junior Lokosa increased the tally in the 43rd minute.
Kano Pillars
Coach Ibrahim Musa of Kano Pillars later commended his players for their fighting spirit and for winning also.
"It was a good match. We played very well and we are lucky to win the game because they also played very well," he said.
The coach said his team were determined to win a ticket to play on the continent next season, and were on course in achieving this.
Rangers' coach Chukwuma Agbo, on his part, said they would go back to the drawing board to correct their mistakes and also prepare for their next match.
"It is a league. We are going back home to correct our mistakes and also prepare for our next game," he said.
Twenty-five year old Gambian, Mustapha, recalls his perilous journey from Gambia to Libya, where he was detained as he tried to make it through the desert to Europe.
“Everyday you hear gun sounds. You see people getting shot, people being beaten, people getting tortured, Every day you see it. I never heard the sound of a gun until I reached Libya. In Gambia I never heard gunshots until Libya. And Libya – every day here, morning, and night, anytime. You would hear heavy weapons like RPG’s – BOOM! Until the house would be shaking,” he said.
Now back in Banjul, he’s keen to prevent other young people from taking the same perilous path.
Alongside his friend Lamin, they’re working with Youth Against Irregular Migration (YAMI) to warn others of the dangers of illegal migration.
“So after reaching to Libya, at the first checkpoint, they stripped us there and took all of our money, our belongings our bags – everything. They put us back to the pickup and said, ‘That’s our pay,’ before we entered Libya,” said Mustapha who used smugglers to cross the desert through Niger.
Libya is the main launching point for people risking their lives to reach Europe. But Mustapha and Lamin want to put an end to that.
“Libya is like a prison, that’s why we’re sensitizing all the young people so that they can stay and we can work on our future from here. We are going to help each other with this association so that we can try to take control of our future,” said Lamin.
Only last month Spanish police ship Rio Saguaro rescued 1065 migrants off the coast of Libya over 24 hours, police said in a news release.
They said the migrants were rescued from a number of dinghies that were adrift and included people from Nigeria, South Africa, Mali, Ghana, Gambia, Niger, Guinea, Benin and Togo.
Half a million people have crossed the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy over the past four years, mainly sub-Saharan Africans who pay smugglers to shepherd them across the desert to Libya, and onward to Europe in unseaworthy dinghies.
At least 20,000 migrants are being detained in Libya, the main gateway for those attempting to reach Europe by sea, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The Edo Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Sunday said his administration was determined to turn the present challenges in the country into opportunities.
Obaseki spoke during an interdenominational thanksgiving service held at the New Covenant Gospel Church, Benin, to celebrate his victory at the Supreme Court.
He said that Edo had the potential to liberate the country from its present economic hardship and he was ready to propel the transformation.
"We are a special people created by God to show Nigeria the way.
"As part of the former Benin Empire, we were prosperous, so we can still utilise our resources for the overall development of the state and country at large," the governor said.
He said that only God chose him to be the governor of Edo and he was ready to dedicate himself to work for the good of the state as well as the country.
"Today is to thank God and the people of the state for their support and also to thank the legends God has used to propel me into politics
"My decision to become the governor of the state was ordained; God even revealed it through my wife that I was being called to service.
"I was the most unlikely candidate to win the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries because I did not have any political pedigree.
"But God saw me through the rigorous electioneering period, both at the APC primaries and general election," he said.
The governor extolled the fatherly role his late Uncle, Justice Andrew Obaseki, played during the electioneering period, regretting that he died shortly after the affirmation of his victory by the Supreme Court.
In his address, the Edo chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Orinane Kure, said that the body of Christ was behind the governor to ensure that his success.
Kure described the governor's victory as the will of God, urging him to rule in the fear of God.
The Bishop also commended the governor and the speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Mr Justin Okonobor, for responding to the public hearing on Grazing Bill.
The high point of the service was the offering of special prayers for the Governor and the entire citizens of the state.
Dignitaries who were at the service include the wife of the governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki; Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu; the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Justin Okonobor; the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, and former deputy governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu.
A reception was held at Samuel Ogbemudia Model College, Benin after the service.
The Lagos State Government has announced restriction of vehicular movement on Saturday July 22, in view of the local government elections that will hold in the state.
The elections will hold across the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state.
Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the state's Commissioner for Information and Strategy, in a statement on Sunday, said that the restriction of movement would be enforced between 8a.m and 2pm.
He said the step was to allow for a smooth conduct of the polls and unhindered participation.
Ayorinde urged residents to be peaceful and orderly on Saturday as they cast their votes in their respective wards for chairmen and councilors who were expected to drive development at the third tier of government.
He said that the election would bring on board a new set of public officers for the next four years at the local government level.
According to him, the restriction will allow the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and the security agencies to distribute electoral materials in good time and ensure the sanctity of free and fair electoral process.
"The police and other security agencies are ready to ensure that the electioneering campaign and the voting on Saturday are conducted smoothly without public disturbance.
"Every political party, candidates and their supporters, and the general public are hereby assured of safety throughout the period of voting and collation.
"However, the government solicits the cooperation of voters and the general public by obeying the restriction order and the general electoral rules in order to ensure a peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections," Ayorinde said.
LASIEC had last week announced that 12 parties would participate in the July 22 election.
It listed the parties as: All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Alliance (AA), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), People's Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party, Kowa Party, National Action Council (NAC), People's Democratic Movement (PDM), United Democratic Party (UDP) and United Progressive Party (UPP).
The electoral body had also displayed the list of validated candidates for the election at its headquarters.
No fewer than 27, people mostly students, have been killed and 54 others missing after an overcrowded boat sank in a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Overcrowded boat A local official said Sunday that most of the victims of the tragedy on the Kasai river were students on holiday, local administrator Jacques Mbila told AFP.
The main reasons for the sinking were "overcrowding and drunk drivers", Mr Mbila added.
The accident happened overnight Thursday to Friday on the river Congo in the Idiofa area in the southwest of the vast country.
Local radio journalist Nelly Mafuta said she saw two nuns among the 27 dead, and the Idiofa cathedral said it held a Mass in tribute to the victims.
The boat had left Dibaya in the restive Central Kasai Province on Thursday, heading northwest for its final destination of Ilebo more than 500km away.
Such transport is one of the most used in DR Congo with its numerous waterways including the Kasai river, the country's second longest after the mighty Congo at over 2,360km.
Boats frequently capsize in DR Congo, most often due to taking on too many passengers, the lack of safety measures and inexperienced helmsmen.
Violence in the Kasai region erupted last year after a tribal chieftain known as the Kamwina Nsapu openly challenged the authority of President Joseph Kabila's government and was killed in a police operation in August 2016.
A MEMORANDUM of Understanding between the Oyo State government and Healthcare Communications, a leading health development and consultancy firm in Nigeria has been signed for strategic promotion and development of health care delivery. The Founder & Chief Executive, Healthcare Group, Dr. Bola Olaosebikan, (OON) described the partnership as part of the committment to transform health care delivery in the state.
He said under the MoU,Healthcare will work with Oyo State government on groundbreaking ideas, innovation and raising of N50 billion to restore 57 General Hospitals and 600 Health Care Centres in all the LGAs of the state.
"We shall be working with Oyo state government on the N50 billion Healthcare endowment fund for Oyo state and we are very happy to work with a focused administration, officials of government, national and international partners to deliver this innovation.
"This strategic initiative will lay a new financial foundation for health care infrastructural transformation in Oyo state, the pacesetter state in Nigeria, as well as a new pace for socio-economic development by the Ajimobi administration."
There are plans to set up the first iconic cardio-vascular centre in Africa in Ibadan from the Endowment fund which shall be launched August 3, 2017 in Ibadan.
By Festus Ahon ASABA – SENATE President, Bukola Saraki, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and former Governor James Ibori, Sunday urged Nigerians to put the interest of the country above themselves, expressing faith in Nigeria’s democracy and unity.
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left), Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (left) and Prof. Ebiphani Azinge, during the 60th birthday thanksgiving service of Senator Nwaoboshi at Ibusa in Oshimili North LGA.
Speaking during the 60th birthday thanksgiving Mass of the Senator representing Delta North, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi at St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ibusa, insisted that Nigerians must remain united for the advancement of democracy in the country.
Also in attendance were, Delta State Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, former Emmanuel Uduaghan, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan; and Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Leo Ogor, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, his Niger Delta counterpart, Uguru Usani and array of traditional rulers, Priests and politicians.
Saraki said, “I want to assure the clergy that we will continue to seek for your prayers for this great country of ours; the challenges facing the country are enormous, it goes beyond roads and infrastructure; the peace and unity of this country is paramount and should be upheld but, equity and Justice where every Nigerian has a say must be the watchword.”
While congratulating Senator Nwaoboshi, the Senate President held that the Senate is one family and would ensure that Nigerians get their dues. Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left); his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro (left); Senate President, Bukolar Sariki (right) and the Deputy Senate, President, Ike Ekweremadu
Also speaking, Okowa said; “the church should continue to pray for politicians for they work under very serious circumstances; we will continue to encourage ourselves to be good representatives of our people; we need the partnership of all Nigerians and Deltans to develop our communities and we will continue to support the Senate in its defense of democracy.”
Paying glowing tribute to Senator Nwaoboshi, the Governor said “people of Delta North supports him and as Delta Northerners, we are very proud of him as Senator representing us.”
On his part, Chief James Ibori said; “in a democratic dispensation, you have assigned duties; it is the duty of the legislature to make laws, the executive to implement the laws and the civil society elders and clergy will tell the truth to those in power.
“I am yet to see an elected officer that does not have the interest of the people at heart,” disclosing that “Senator Peter Nwaoboshi is a committed son of Anioma (Delta North) who fought for the emergence of a Delta Northerner as Governor.
Expressing gratitude to God, Senator Nwaoboshi said he had every reason to thank God on his 60th birthday, noting that “selfish, ethnic interests are put aside in the interest of the nation.
“We have more APC (All Progressive Congress) Senators here than PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) Senators in this church, and it tells you that we think of Nigeria rather than self, party or ethnic interests because, the Senate President has made it for us to think and work for only Nigeria”.
In his sermon, Very Rev. Fr. John Aduba told political office holders to be the voice of the voiceless, decrying that, “there is a lot of sufferings and smiling, people are being denied the basic things of life, no road, no water, no electricity; you might be comfortable but, those who elected you to serve, how do they feel?”
Aduba enjoined Christians not to only receive the words of God but should treasure the words into practice.
No fewer than 27 people, mostly students, have been killed and 54 others missing after an overcrowded boat sank in a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A local official said Sunday that most of the victims of the tragedy on the Kasai river were students on holiday, local administrator Jacques Mbila told AFP.
The main reasons for the sinking were "overcrowding and drunk drivers", Mr. Mbila added.
The accident happened overnight of Thursday to Friday on the river Congo in the Idiofa area in the southwest of the vast country.
Local radio journalist Nelly Mafuta said she saw two nuns among the 27 dead, and the Idiofa cathedral said it held a Mass in tribute to the victims.
The boat had left Dibaya in the restive Central Kasai Province on Thursday, heading northwest for its final destination of Ilebo more than 500km away.
Such transport is one of the most used in DR Congo with its numerous waterways including the Kasai river, the country's second longest after the mighty Congo at over 2,360km.
Boats frequently capsize in DR Congo, most often due to taking on too many passengers, the lack of safety measures and inexperienced helmsmen.
Violence in the Kasai region erupted last year after a tribal chieftain known as the Kamwina Nsapu openly challenged the authority of President Joseph Kabila's government and was killed in a police operation in August 2016.
Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, the Managing Director of the Jos-based Nigeria Film Corporation, says Nigerian movies are among the best, internationally, in terms of contents, settings and acceptability.
Maduekwe told newsmen in Lagos that many movie-producers and marketers were smiling to their banks because of impressive turnover from the sales of their videos based on quality and public acceptability.
"There is no doubt that today Nigerian movie-producers are improving in the qualities of their home videos.
"Take for example the "Wedding Party'' or "1976'; these are blog busters that are raking-in hundreds of millions of naira for their producers, because they have better production qualities.
"They are promoting the corporate image of Nigeria positively before the international community, ''he said.
However, while admonishing the producers, the expert said this did not mean that they had done exceptionally well.
Nollywood
"The room is there to enhance on quality. We produce over 2,500 movies every year; quite prolific, and we can only up the ante by 15 per cent in terms of quality, most of those in the industry will be billionaires".
Maduekwe said that the Nigeria Film Corporation was ready to assist artists, movie-producers and marketers to improve on their knowledge by organising training and seminars for them on regular bases.
"The Nigeria Film Corporation has a subsidiary, the Nigeria Film Institute, which is the foremost film institute in Africa for training of film prodcers.
"Most of those people who are making waves in some of these blog buster-movies shot in Nigeria were trained at, and by the institute.
"That will tell you the quality of capacity-building the film corporation has brought into the movie industry over the year.
"Despite that, there are still rooms for growth and development for stakeholders in the industry by availing themselves of the regular training usually organised by the institute,'' he said.
Maduekwe said that the Kano State Government had bought into the institute's training programme tagged the "Kano template''.
He said that under the arrangement, the Kano State Government signed an agreement with the institute to train 450 of its citizens in its various courses on a quarterly basis.
He said that the institute was planning to replicate this concept across the country under the name: 'Nigeria Film Institute Mobile Training Platform'.
Maduekwe said that the institute would collaborate with the existing theatre art and film departments in various universities across the country to achieve the vision.
He said that the institute would engage the services of professors in film studies from universities across the six geo- political zones of the country to enhance the capacity of people in each zone.
"We will be organizing short courses for stakeholders in the movie-and film industry from time to time.''
The expert also disclosed that the institute in partnership with the British Council had started organising training for stakeholders in the film industry to further enhance capacity building.
Following victory of the Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the country’s main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, a member of the party and one of the most consistent and prominent critics of the Buhari-led APC administration, Jude Ndukwe, took to his Facebook page to celebrate the victory with a powerful, emotional, yet, inspirational poem full of biblical metaphors.
While the poem eulogised all those who had carried on the functions of an opposition party even as individuals despite the many inconveniences associated with such a venture using biblical champions as metaphors for them as the case lasted, Ndukwe ended up predicting “that faith will replace fear, and rejoicing will replace weeping, (and) that justice and peace shall reign again in the land (since) Nigeria will rise again, because PDP is back, (and) power returns to the people”
Below is the poem in full:
PDP: GO, TELL THEM
Go, tell them That for every lion there’s a Samson For every bear, there’s a David. Let them know that For every Pharaoh, there’s a Moses For every famine, there’s a Joseph
Go into the Rock Tell them That for every broken wall of our nation There’s a Nehemiah For every wickedness, there’s an Esther
Let them know that for every Red Sea There’s a rod For every lion in the den There’s a Daniel
Go, tell them. Let them know That for every prophet of Baal There’s an Elijah And for every Judas there are eleven others
Go, tell them, let them know That there are still many prophets of The Living God who haven’t And will never bow to Baal
Go, run quickly, tell the lion king That Elisha is around And that Joshua is ready Fully apparelled for battle To take the nation back to the people The people of God
Go, tell the hyenas and the jackals Those who called their citizens dogs and baboons That about this time in 2019 ‘A seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Nigeria.”
Tell them that faith will replace fear And rejoicing will replace weeping That justice and peace shall reign again in the land.
You, yes, you, just go, go and tell them That come 2019, Nigeria will rise again Because PDP is back, power returns to the people.
Jude Ndukwe is the former Special Adviser (Media) to Ex-Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.
The Chairman, Lagos State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, on Sunday called on Christians to intensify prayers to stem the tide of kidnapping, activities of the Badoo cult and other ugly occurrences in the state.
Bamgbola made the call at a one-day intercessory prayer session entitled:"Let God Arise" at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Lagos.
He said that with relentless prayers, Lagos State and Nigeria in general would overcome the challenges currently facing them.
"We have been praying for the peace in Lagos State and Nigeria and we will not stop praying.
"But in particular, we are praying for Lagos State because the Bible commanded us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and Lagos is our own Jerusalem," Bambgola said.
He said there was, however, a need to intensify prayers because of recent developments in the state, which had been noted for peace over the years.
"We have to pray against some developments: kidnapping, Badoo menace, flooding, against natural disasters and insecurity and for peace in Lagos State," the cleric said.
He appreciated the efforts of security personnel in tackling security challenges in state, but said that prayers would enable them to be more successful.
Bamgbola also urged the Federal Government to adequately equip security agencies for effective operations.
"Adequate personnel and equipment would enable the police and other security agencies to curb insurgency fast," he said.
Bamgbola said although the government was putting structures in place to ensure safety, residents also needed to be vigilant.
"Lagosians should be vigilant; they should not keep quiet when they see things not going on well in their various communities; they must report any suspicious movement or activities in their environment to the security personnel," he said.
The secretary of CAN, Lagos State Chapter, Elder Isreal Akinadewo, called on Nigerians to seek divine intervention to strengthen the nation's unity, democracy and peaceful coexistence.
He said that prayer tilts the minds of people towards where solution to various challenges will come from; reassuring that it would lead to great changes in the state and the country in general.
…as NYSC, LCDA boss laud Osun free healthcare revolution
The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has asserted that good governance lies in the hands of all, hence, the need for people to assist the government by contributing their own quota towards the growth and development of the society and country at large.
This was even as the State Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Mr. Emmanuel Attah and the Executive Secretary, Irepodun South Local Council Development Area, Mr. Oyedele Kamali hailed Osun’s healthcare revolution.
Governor Aregbesola stated this at the flag-off of the “Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers” organized by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in collaboration with the Irepodun South Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Erin-Osun, for the residents of the town and adjoining communities.
He urged Nigerians, non-governmental organizations and other private sectors to rise to the occasion in rescuing the country out of her present socio-economic and political imbroglio.
The “Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers” was held in all the States of the federation.
Rauf Aregbesola
Aregbesola who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, Hon. Kolapo Alimi, emphasized that development of every nation is the collective responsibility of every individual.
Aregbesola noted that the present economic situation in the country has made it practically difficult for the three tiers of government to meet up with all their constitutional responsibilities.
He held that the economic situation in the country has hinged abysmally of governments to meet all the needs of the people, hence the need for every individuals to contribute their quotas towards the growth of the country.
The Governor urged the well meaning Nigerians to always think of what they could do to bring developments to the country as government cannot do it alone.
The State helmsman who commended NYSC for taking the healthcare service to the grassroots said the state government has taken the bull by the horn in ensuring that all the health centres and hospitals were equipped with necessary health facilities.
According to him, it is time for us as Nigerians to buckle up and see the need to support government at all levels to enhance the core principle of good governance.
“With the present economic situation in the country, it seems practically difficult for the three tiers of government to meet all their statutory obligations to the people, a development that calls for support from all and sundry.
“So it is high time for Nigerians especially those that are economically blessed to support the government by contributing significantly to the well being of others and as well giving back to the society.
“With this, the brighter future is await our nation while a secured future is also guaranteed.
“For instance, a project like the one we flagoff today will definitely go along way in supporting the government policies towards the provision and promotion of free healthcare delivery.
“As such, it is pertinent on us as government to appreciate this kind gesture of the NYSC which we strongly believe will impact greatly in the lives of our people and as well assisting the government in achieving it goal of giving people quality health care.
While acknowledging the efforts of the leadership of the community for mobilizing people and supporting the initiative, the Governor further implored the people to make good use of the opportunity and come out en masse.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Irepodun South LCDA, Mr. Oloyede Adekunle Kamali described the NYSC initiative as timely at a time the nation is facing economic impasse.
He appreciated the Corps Medical Personnel for organizing such a programme at a time health of majority of the people in the Council required checkup.
The LCDA boss expressed delight for having such a programme in his domain and urged NYSC not to relent in making such a laudable programme a frequent tradition.
Commending governor Aregbesola for giving priority to the welfare of the people of Osun, the Irepodun South LCDA Boss noted that the present administration has done a lot in revamping the moribund health sector in the state.
He said the present government in the state has geared efforts towards ensuring that all the hospitals across the nooks and crannies of the state are repositioned and equipped for the benefit of all.
Kamali stressed the need for the people of the LCDA and the entire citizenry in the state to complement government’s efforts by being vigilant at ensuring the proper use and care of the medical facilities put in place by the Aregbesola led government in all the hospitals across the state.
In his remarks, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Emmanuel Danjuma Attah disclosed that the Initiative would be moving to another local government in the State next year and so urged people to avail themselves the opportunity.
He explained that the health initiative was the brain child of the former Director General of NYSC, Brig. Gen J B Platinum which the Corps sees as a way of ameliorating health challenges in the state.
Attah who commended the Governor Rauf Aregbesola for being sensitive to the health of the residents in the state, said the initiave was designed to support the state’s intervention on quality free healthcare delivery.
He further appreciated the contribution and support which the Corps has been recieving from the state through its Health Ministry and the leadership of the Irepodun South LCDA, saying Kamali has been a wonderful supporter to the scheme.
Meanwhile some of the participants in the likes of Iyaloja of Erin Osun, Chief Mrs Rafatu Kolawole lauded NYSC for the brilliant Initiative and also called on the residents of the community to come out and benefit from the free health care service.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in llorin West Local Government Area of Kwara on Sunday dissociated itself from those calling for the recall of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki from the senate.
Alhaji Suleiman Bala, the APC Chairman in llorin West Local Government Area told journalists in Ilorin that the group and its members were not known by the party.
Bala, who spoke to journalists at a special prayer held for Saraki, condemned the call for the recall of the senate president.
He described their action as calculated attempt to retard the steady progress in all facets of development of the country.
"Those calling for the recall of our leader, the Senate President are not known to us; in fact they are not from Kwara ", he said.
The chairman said the prayer was organised for Saraki to seek God's continued protections over him and guidance at all times.
The special prayer which was led by the Chief lmam of llorin, Alhaji Mohamned Bashir featured recitation of several portions from the Quran
In attendance at the special prayer session were APC chieftains from the local government and the state.
Shanice van de Sanden’s bullet header handed hosts the Netherlands a 1-0 win against Norway in the women’s European Championship opener on Sunday.
The Liverpool winger capitalised on a superb cross from Lieke Martens from the left wing that found her face to face with helpless Norway keeper Ingrid Hjelmseth.
Pleasing the sold-out Galgenwaard stadium in Utrecht, the Dutch were on the front foot throughout the game, with Martens and Arsenal striker Anna Miedema a constant threat.
Miedema was denied twice by Hjelmseth early into the game as the keeper first cleared her shot in the first minute following a cross from van de Sanden, then tipped another over the bar ten minutes later.
Miedema, who turned only 21 on Saturday, sent two shots wide after halftime, then another five minutes from the end.
Norway, the runners-up at the last Euro in 2013, had a good chance in the second minute when Kristine Minde chipped the ball over Dutch keeper Sari van Veenendaal but failed to find the goal.
Van Veenendaal then stopped Caroline Graham’s effort and that was just about all Norway had to offer.
Their attempt to put the hosts under pressure in the final minutes failed — in a rare scoring chance, Olympique Lyon striker Ada Hederberg missed the ball at the post in stoppage time.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – Less than 75 days to the October 1 “quit notice” issued by a coalition of northern youths to Igbo leaving in the region, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council has met with the northern coalition with a view to charting a common course for peaceful co-existence of various groups in all parts of the country. Igbo must go cartoon The meeting which was held Saturday evening in Abuja lasted several hours.
Consequently, the northern coalition has said it has begun the process of reviewing its earlier demands asking the Igbo to quit, but said it would not back down on its petition to the United Nations asking it to intervene in the affairs of the nation.
While the northern coalition asked that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu be punished for damage done to the psyche of some Nigerians, the Ohanaeze youths dissociated themselves from secessionist agitations, and asked Nigerians to consider such agitations as perhaps a cry to redress noticeable imbalance in the composition of the country.
Speaking with Newsmen shortly after the meeting in Abuja, Chairman of the Coalition of Northern Youths, Yerima Shettima, who commended the move, said the peace meeting between the two groups however led to the formation of a six-member committee which will facilitate another meeting in the South-east.
On the Kaduna declaration of the coalition, Shettima said; “Leaving Nnamdi Kanu to go unpunished is totally unacceptable to us because he has so far done much damage on our psyche and our nation. So, for us we think the best we can do is to internationalize this struggle. Behind the background of what we are doing today, most likely in the event of anything falling short of what we agreed, of course we are already in the UN reporting this same character. That does not stop us discussing to arrive at a particular conclusion where we can have peace for the country.
“On our previous position, we have not officially withdrawn the quit notice given to the Igbos in the North but we said it few days ago that we will review our position and part of that steps is what we are taking now.”
While commending the Ohanaeze Youth Council for a fruitful discussion, Shettima said: “I thank God we are talking with a recognized body of entire youths organisation in the South-east called Ohanaeze Youth Council that is known everywhere. It means that this is a welcome development and we are happy that they have actually sought to get our audience to discuss the way forward out of all these uprisings.
“We are glad to get some words coming out from the leadership of Ohanaeze Youth Council specifically on the area of seeking to see us to discuss issues; it means they realized that we are very angry and a lot of things has falling out of place as a result of their short coming in the sense that if they had called the young man to order from time past we wouldn’t have gone to this extreme.
“The second one is the assurance gotten from the president of the council. If I quote him very well, he said; ‘Nnamdi Kanu is just looking for self recognition’, and we became more relaxed and comfortable getting that from him and third one is him making efforts to bring MASSOB and IPOB together for us to go into round table discussion. I think it is a welcome development.”
Also speaking, National President Ohanaeze Youth Council, Mazi Okechukwu Isigusoro, thanked the northern coalition for a fruitful deliberation, adding that the council believes in one Nigeria.
“We want to specially thank the Coalition of Northern Groups for accepting to host us in Abuja. Our talks have been very smooth beyond our expectations and we want to appreciate them knowing full well that we thought this talks would have ended in fiasco or taken a dangerous dimension but the way they have peacefully handled it shows that they are peaceful people. We commend them for that and also believe that through this dialogue we believe in the future that there will be no boycott of these talks and if followed peacefully, we will bring an end to some of our problems in this county.”
SENATE President, Bukola Saraki, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, former Governor James Ibori have expressed faith in Nigeria’s democracy and unity,during the 60th birthday thanksgiving service of Senator Nwaoboshi at Ibusa in Oshimili North LGA.
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left), Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (left) and Prof. Ebiphani Azinge, during the 60th birthday thanksgiving service of Senator Nwaoboshi at Ibusa in Oshimili North LGA.Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left); his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro (left); Senate President, Bukolar Sariki (right) and the Deputy Senate, President, Ike EkweremaduIbori and his wife and immediate past Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) during Senator Peter Nwaoboshi's 60th birth day celebration in Ibusa, Oshimili North LGA.From Left: Commissioner for Women Affairs, Rev. Omatsola Williams; Chairman, Aniocha North LGA. Chuke Oseme and Hon Pascal Adigwe, during the 60th birth day thanksgiving service at Ibusa.From Left: Hon Ndudi Elumelu; Justice Daniel Maido and Senator Emmanuel Aguariawodo Pix 12 Barr & Rt Hon Mrs Peter MrakporMinority Leader, House of Representativ, Rt Hon Leo Ogor (right) and Mrs Josphine Aninih
Ruthless Roger Federer thrashed suffering Croat Marin Cilic 6-3 6-1 6-4 to become the first man to win eight Wimbledon singles crowns on Sunday (July 16), five years after landing his seventh.
The Swiss maestro, appearing in his 11th Wimbledon final, was challenged early on but once he broke a nervous Cilic in the fifth game of the opening set the match became a no-contest.
Not that Federer was concerned as, 23 days before his 36th birthday, the father of four became the oldest men’s singles champion at Wimbledon in the professional era — doing so without dropping a set throughout a glorious fortnight.
For Cilic, his first final on Centre Court became a nightmare broadcast to hundreds of millions around the globe.
After a reasonably solid start he became discombobulated and after falling 3-0 behind in the second set he slumped on his courtside chair and could be seen sobbing as a physio and tournament referee attended him. He later had treatment on the sole of his left foot.
For a moment it looked as though the final might end in a retirement for the first time since 1911.
The 28-year-old managed to regain his composure but there was no chance of Federer letting up as he accelerated towards a record-extending 19th grand slam title.
Federer was unrelenting and the Swiss third seed broke in the seventh game of the third set as his opponent crashed yet another groundstroke into the net.
The end came quickly as Federer served at 5-4 to regain the title he cherishes above all others. He missed a first match point when a forehand went wide but converted the second with his eighth ace of the match.
The Ekiti State Government on Sunday said that it had just promoted 9,583 out of its public servants.
6,993 of them are teaching and non-teaching staff of various public secondary schools, while 2,590 are local government staff. Fayose The Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission, Chief Abiodun Falayi said in a statement that 3,963 teachers and 1,586 non-teaching staff were promoted.
Falayi said that the Gov-Ayodele Fayose-led administration inherited what he called abnormalities in cadres, unharmonized structure as well as inaccurate nominal roll and seniority list.
He said that all complaints lodged by affected workers were considered and rectified in the course of the exercise.
He said that all issues relating to adjustment of inter-cadre transfer and conversion had also been settled.
According him, the interview process was decentralized into six zones for administrative convenience and to ensure that it did not unduly interfere with academic activities in schools where they were conducted.
He said that the promotion was conducted to motivate workers as well as engender efficiency and effectiveness within the public service.
He, therefore, charged the workers to reciprocate government's gesture by living up to their responsibilities.
They should also support the state government's efforts to improve the public service, stressing that they should make diligence and dedication to duty their watchwords.
Alexis Sanchez said on Saturday that he wants to play Champions League football next season, offering his strongest hint yet that he would like to leave Arsenal.
“I want to play in the Champions (League),” Sanchez told reporters in his native Chile at a charity match in his home town of Tocopilla.
“But the decision isn’t up to me,” he added. “I need to wait on Arsenal.”
Sanchez has a year left on his Arsenal contract but his future has been up in the air since the London club failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
The former Barcelona forward has been linked with moves to Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich, among other clubs, and his comments will only increase speculation he is set to leave London.
