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Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain was axed by Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli on Friday for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Venezuela as the South American giants look to resurrect their faltering campaign.
Gonzalo Higuain
Higuain, who has scored 31 international goals in 68 appearances, failed to convince recently-appointed coach Sampaoli of his strengths in two friendlies against Brazil in June.
Argentina currently occupy fifth place in South American qualifying for the 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia with just the top four nations guaranteed to make it through.
The fifth-placed team will have to negotiate a play-off against the winners of the Oceania zone in order to reach Russia.
Argentina, with Lionel Messi pulling the strings, will face Uruguay on August 31 in Montevideo and Venezuela at Buenos Aires on September 5.
MOST road travellers will remember with nostalgia the food delicacies they used to enjoy around the Ogbemudia Farm axis on Benin-Lagos expressway while on such long journeys. This nostalgic feeling has today melted into oblivion, sadness and melancholy as the area has been turned into a nightmare for road travellers on account of armed robbery attacks.
Day and night, luxury and mini-buses travellers are subjected to persistent armed robbery attacks as their monies, goods and sometimes lives are lost at the spot to dare-devil armed bandits, while the Police patrols seem not to care. In fact, the story making the rounds is that the so-called policemen are responsible for the robbery attacks.
They hinge their reason for holding such strong view on police connivance in the robberies to the fact that despite mounting APC and patrol vehicles on the spot, the armed robbery attacks continue as travellers are robbed at gun point with the Police just a stone throw away.
To remember that this spot was once a beehive of economic activities, ranging from food vendors, fresh fruits and vegetable traders to beer parlours where passengers stop to unwind on long journeys. That it presently remains a deserted place is a cause for regret.
Just recently, a luxury bus conveying passengers was ferociously attacked by "armed robbers" and they were all robbed of their monies, precious items, while some sustained serious bullet injuries. In another incident involving a popular transport company, one passenger was killed on the spot.
This raises the question on whether the police have lived up to expectation in discharging their primary responsibility of protecting lives and property. A situation where innocent travellers are gunned down by "armed robbers" at an identifiable dark spot, and the police fail to stop such nefarious acts leaves much to be desired.
It raises the question as to their commitment to the avowed duty of every responsible government to protect the lives and properties of its citizens. It is also worrisome that despite such incessant robbery attacks, not much effort is made by the Edo State Police Command to live up to its responsibilities, including tracking down the culprits.
At this period of dwindling oil revenues, it is expected that other sources of revenue like tourism can be enhanced, but this cannot be realised under an atmosphere of insecurity as being witnessed on the Benin–Ore expressway.
The security agencies must devise a strategy to ensure that our highways are safe, as they reflect the state of safety or the absence of it in the country. Perhaps, this accounts for the reluctance of most foreigners in Nigeria to embark on road travels, thereby denying the various states the benefits accruing from such tourism-related investments.
Time has therefore come for the Edo State Police to immediately swing into action and save road users travelling on that route the harrowing experiences of armed robbery attacks.
It is indeed disheartening that despite all the support being given to the police by state governments across the country, their performance is far from meeting the expectations of law-abiding citizens of this country.
A situation where armed robbers block a federal highway for hours, robbing passengers without the police swiftly confronting them leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
The police are infamous for always reporting to the scenes of armed robbery attacks after the evil perpetrators must have escaped with their loot, and in some cases leaving trails of blood of their victims.
There is no doubt that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is focused on safeguarding lives and properties of Nigerians, but the activities of some bad eggs in the police appear to seriously undermine such efforts.
It is, therefore, incumbent on the Inspector General of Police to rein in these elements or else they will continue to hamper his efforts at ridding the country of crime and criminality. Of course, the recent dismissal of four policemen who stole household items they were supposed to guard at former President Goodluck Jonathan's house is a clear testimony that criminal elements are in the employ of the Nigeria Police.
Therefore, to save the majority of the policemen who are honest and dedicated, there is need to go the whole hog towards restoring the good image of the police by identifying the bad eggs and show them the way out.
Mr. Boniface Enekwechia public affairs analyst, wrote from Awka, Anambra State.
Pep Guardiola believes the best is yet to come from Manchester City after they kicked off their Premier League title challenge with a 2-0 win at Brighton on Saturday.
Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on August 12, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
Guardiola has spent over £200 million ($258 million) on new signings as the Spaniard aims to make amends for City’s trophyless flop in his first season in charge.
The early returns were encouraging as City eased to victory thanks to Sergio Aguero’s 70th minute strike and an own goal from Lewis Dunk five minutes later.
Guardiola was satisfied with the way City controlled possession and eventually killed off newly promoted Brighton.
But the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss expects even better from City once his new players get used to the tempo of the Premier League.
“We had chances in the first minutes. We have controlled the counter-attacks and we didn’t concede one chance. We are going to improve the way we attack,” Guardiola said.
“I was very happy with the new players. I want to say thank you to the club. We have huge players with lots of talent.
“Big congratulations to all the people in Manchester City — we are a strong club.
“I want to continue with what we did in the last three games of pre-season. We were stable but we have to try to improve. The most important thing was to win the first game.”
The UN on Saturday reaffirmed its commitment to support the Federal government's counter-terrorism efforts in the North-East regionot.
The UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr Peter Lundberg, said this at a press conference on Saturday in Maiduguri.
Lundberg said the UN would continue to support Nigeria to address the major problems affecting education, health, malnutrition and security challenges occasioned by the Boko Haram insurgency.
He said the raid conducted by the military on UN Humanitarian facility in Maiduguri would not affect its relations with Nigeria, adding that the issue had been amicably resolved.
"I am very pleased to inform you that our relationship of collaboration and trust is intact, and at this stage we are focused on the work ahead, to ensure that the millions of vulnerable people in the North-East are supported with life saving humanitarian aid.
"I reiterated that we are here in support of the government of Nigeria; the UN agencies and over 60 development organisations working to provide the much needed food, shelter, safe water, latrines and medicines," Lundberg said.
Lundberg announced that the UN had resumed its services, after it was temporarily suspended following a raid by the military on its office.
He explained the UN humanitarian services were facing serious challenges due to security threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgents.
The UN official added that humanitarian services were impeded or restricted to thousands of people in the affected areas due to various challenges.
"The rainy season is also creating challenges to humanitarian access in some areas in the region."
He said the UN estimated that about 8.5 million people were in dire need of humanitarian assistance in the North-East and Lake Chad region.
He said that the UN has targeted 6.9 million people for distribution of humanitarian assistance in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.
Lundberg disclosed that the Agency was providing food assistance to 1.3 million people in the affected states.
"The UN and its partners are currently providing food to about 1.3 million every month, about 1.2 million of them have also received seeds, tools and fertilisers for this cropping season," he added.
Lundberg called on the stakeholders to support the UN in providing unhindered access for humanitarian assistance in the affected areas.
Also commenting, Gov. Kashim Shettima, reiterated the state government's commitment to collaborating with the UN to address the humanitarian crisis in the state.
Shettima assured of the government readiness to support the UN programmes, protect and safeguard its personnel.
The governor commended the UN over its support to Nigeria to end insurgency and address humanitarian crisis.
It will be recalled that the Nigerian Army on Friday raided the UN Humanitarian facility in Maiduguri,
The military said in a statement that it conducted a condon- operation in search of profiled Boko Haram insurgents.
No arrest was made in the exercise, which resulted to high tension in the state capital.
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The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has expressed satisfaction with the commitment of Notore Chemical Industries Plc in Onne, Rivers State to environmental standards and control.
This came as the company also unveiled its certification by the International Standards Organisation to be ISO 9001:2015 compliant.
Addressing journalists at the Notore plant in Onne at the celebration of World Environment Day and kick off of the company's three-day Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) awareness programme, the South-South Zonal Director of NESREA, Mr. Ralph Nnam, said his agency was satisfied that there was a conscious effort by Notore to protect the environment in all their operations.
He said, " Notore is doing well. The fact of observing this week also shows some consciousness about the protection of the environment. So far, in the course of our inspection of their facilities, we have found Notore compliant to all the advice that we gave. They take responsibility in protecting the environment in their operations. So, I will say their operations are commendable."
Meanwhile, Notore's Group Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Onajite Okoloko, expressed satisfaction with the certification of the company as ISO 9001:2015 compliant.
Represented at the event by Group Chief Operating Officer, GCOO, Mr. Bode Agagu, Okoloko said, "It is gratifying to be admitted into the global league of about five percent of companies operating a Quality Management System (QMS) that meets the new ISO 9001:2015 standard.
The Amirul Hajj of the Nasarawa State's 2017 Hajj, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, has said 1,120 pilgrims from the state will perform the hajj.
He urged prospective Muslim pilgrims to pray for the nation's economy and President Muhammad Buhari .
Balarabe-Abdullahahi, who is also the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, made the appeal on Saturday in an interview with Newsmen in Lafia.
He said the pilgrims should also pray for the success of other leaders during their pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
The speaker said the pilgrims should pray fervently for the quick recovery and safe return of President Buhari to enable him to continue with the good work he had been doing in the country.
He urged them to be good ambassadors of the country, adding that it was on record that pilgrims from the state in previous years proved to be so.
The Speaker also commended Gov. Umar Tanko Al-makura for promoting religious activities and urged the pilgrims to make the state proud by shunning sharp practices while in the holy land.
"I want to use this medium to advise the intending pilgrims to obey all rules and regulations guiding pilgrims .
"You are also to obey the laws of the Saudi authorities.
"I call on you to pray fervently for President Muhammadu Buhari, Gov. Almakura and leaders at all levels to enable them to succeed in the task ahead of them."
Manchester City confirmed their status as Premier League title favourites with a professional 2-0 win at promoted Brighton and Hove Albion in their opening game on Saturday. Aguero While rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool made uncertain starts to the campaign, City dominated their game against the division’s new boys.
Only a failure to convert their dominance of the ball into goals raised any doubts about their credentials.
Pep Guardiola’s expensively assembled team enjoyed 76 percent of possession, but scored only twice, through Sergio Aguero after 70 minutes and an own goal by Brighton defender Lewis Dunk five minutes later.
In front of a record Amex Stadium crowd of 30,415, Brighton did not manage to force a single save from Ederson, who had one of the most uneventful debuts of any goalkeeper in Premier League history.
It was the Seagulls’ first top-flight match since 1983. Coincidentally, their previous home game at this level had also been against City, a 1-0 defeat that confirmed their relegation.
City also went down that season, but while Brighton may struggle again on this evidence, City look in the mood to live up to the bookmakers’ billing.
Guardiola also gave debuts to Kyle Walker and Danilo and Walker’s pace gave the home side early jitters as he advanced down the right before cutting back a dangerous cross that Brighton cleared with difficulty.
Then Gabriel Jesus flicked the ball over the head of Dunk, only for his final pass to be intercepted by Ireland centre-back Shane Duffy.
Brighton seemed in awe of their visitors and it was lucky for them that Danilo shot wildly after Solly March had failed to track his run.
As Chris Hughton’s men repeatedly gave the ball away, it seemed only a matter of time before City got the ball in the net.
It happened after 27 minutes when Jesus got inside Dunk to reach a lofted pass from Aguero.
But as the ball bounced up off the forward’s knee, he nudged it past Mathew Ryan with his arm before colliding with the Australian goalkeeper.
Winded, he required treatment before rising from the turf to be shown a yellow card by referee Michael Oliver.
– De Bruyne pounces –
Jesus should have scored a legitimate goal after 33 minutes.
Walker again crossed from the right, the ball going over the giant Duffy to leave the onrushing Brazilian a free header.
Ryan got down well to parry, but it seemed that Jesus must score from the rebound. Instead he hacked the ball wide.
City had given Brighton a lesson in possession and movement, but not finishing.
That should have changed when City had a goal wrongly disallowed six minutes into the second half.
The referee’s assistant incorrectly flagged for offside as David Silva collected Fernandinho’s forward chip and passed to Jesus in front of an empty net.
But City had no excuses a minute later when Duffy’s dreadful back-pass sent Aguero through. However, with only Ryan to beat, he skewed his shot well wide.
Suddenly there was a flurry of attacking from Brighton. Following a corner, Duffy saw his shot deflected wide, then Dunk’s effort was blocked and Davy Propper crashed the ball a foot past the post.
However, it was a brief respite in City’s continual attacking.
Brighton were forced back in front of their own penalty area and unable to break out, Walker almost a full-time attacker.
Kevin De Bruyne appealed for a penalty when his shot struck the arm of Dunk, but referee Oliver shook his head.
The breakthrough finally arrived with 20 minutes to play.
De Bruyne robbed a tiring Stephens on the right before playing the ball inside to Silva and he sent Aguero through to beat Ryan.
Five minutes later, Brighton again failed to clear their lines and Fernandinho’s cross from the right was headed past his own goalkeeper by the hapless Dunk.
A UN humanitarian official said Saturday that relations with Nigeria remain “intact” following an unauthorised raid by Nigerian troops at a UN base in the country’s conflict-torn northeast.
Peter Lundberg told a press conference in Maiduguri that the United Nations was working with the Nigerian government to resolve the issue of Friday’s search of the humanitarian camp known as the “Red Roof”.
“I am very pleased to report that our relationship of collaboration and trust are intact at this stage,” the UN deputy humanitarian coordinator for Nigeria said.
“We are focused on the work ahead to ensure that the millions of vulnerable people in the northeast are supported with life-saving humanitarian aid,” Lundberg added.
The UN camp in Maiduguri is located at the epicentre of the conflict with Boko Haram jihadists who have been waging an insurgency since 2009.
A UN source told AFP Friday that the soldiers’ search of the camp was illegal under international law and may have been triggered by inaccurate information that a Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, was at the facility.
The Nigerian military, which claimed there was no sign it was a UN camp, issued a statement Friday calling its “operation” a success but added that no suspect was found.
General Ibrahim Attahiru, who commands operations in Borno state where Maiduguri is located, said on Saturday that the army “will continue to work toward providing and enabling a conductive environment to UN agencies to enhance their operations.”
“Peace building is a collective responsibility,” he said in a statement.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that the organisation had formally complained to the Nigerian government.
“There have been contacts — we understand from the government that this was a mistake. The raid should not have happened,” he said at a daily briefing in New York Friday.
The raid happened against a backdrop of strained relations between the Nigerian military and foreign organisations seeking to relieve the humanitarian disaster engulfing the country’s northeast.
Over 20,000 people are estimated to have been killed over the eight years of the Boko Haram conflict and more than two million displaced. The UN estimates that nearly seven million Nigerians are in need of humanitarian aid.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company operated Joint Venture (SPDC JV) has decried the occupation of its flow station and gas plant in Kula and Belema Communities in Rivers by some angry youths.
Mr Joe Obari, the spokesman of SPDC, said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday that the occupation of the flow station an gas plant was illegal.
Some protesting youths on ha Friday shut the facility over claims of neglect, demanding that the company's licence be revoked and re-awarded to an indigenous oil firm.
Obari described the development as worrisome, saying that the company and its partners had spent millions on human and infrastructure programmes in the communities.
"SPDC's commitment to the welfare of host communities in the Niger Delta remains unshaken and, as such, decries the illegal occupation of Belema flow station and gas plant.
"The company has implemented a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) in the area that led to a wide variety of social investment projects including university scholarships award in the communities," he said.
Obari said that the Rivers Government, after mediating in a disagreement in the community, created the Kula Project Implementation and Monitoring Committee (PIMC) in 2012.
He explained that the PIMC served as an interim platform for the delivery of social investment initiatives and programmes worth N262 million in a Soku-San Berth project.
According to him, these projects are separate from the GMoU projects initiated by communities using funds provided by the SPDCJV.
"However, a GMoU was eventually signed in 2014 for the Kula Cluster, but has yet to be implemented due to continuing intra-community disagreement.
"As at 2015, there were a total of 11 court cases involving different groups with SPDC as a co-defendant in all of them.
"Sadly, these suits and disputes have rendered it impossible to implement more development projects planned for the affected communities.
"SPDC has continued to implement its social investment programmes in the communities despite divesting its equity in OML 24 in Kula and Belema communities," he said.
Obari said that the company had already spent N352 million on schools, sanitation, electricity, walkways and health outreach programmes in the communities.
He said that more than N600 million had been set aside to drive SPDC development initiatives in Kula, Belema, Offoinama and Boro Communities in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
He said that the company had informed the authorities of the illegal occupation and was working toward a resolution and resumption of safe operations in the area.a
Wife of the Acting President Dolapo Osinbajo, has urged Nigerians to show love to one another as the nation now needs love more than anything else.
Osinbajo gave the advice on Saturday in Owerri at the official inauguration of a non-governmental organisation.
Nwesmen report that ELFREEDA FOUNDATION, the NGO, is an initiative of Mrs. Uloma Nwosu, daughter of Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo .
"Our nation needs love now more than anything else. I encourage the people of Imo to show example of this love which I see in them to the rest of the country.
"This is not my first time in Imo State and each time I come I see peace everywhere. This state is like a house full of many people and I say to this house, peace be upon it.
"I have a request that is deeply rooted in the BibleL: Love your neighbour as you love yourself .
''It is a selfless request because it entails loving everybody, irrespective of religion or tribe; this is what Nigerians should be doing now. "
She said she was imagining that ELFREEDA FOUNDATION as a dream, but now it had become a reality.
Osinbajo commended the founder of the foundation for her goodwill, but enjoined her to use the it to touch lives positively.
In his speech Gov. Okorocha said the nation had been marching towards achieving greatness with all the challenges confronting it .
Okorocha described the wife of the Acting President as a mother whose love knew no bound, irrespective of class, religion or tribe.
The Founder/Chief Executive Officer of ELFREEDA FOUNDATION, Mrs Uloma Nwosu , said the foundation was set up to help the less-privileged.
She said it was not the dramatisation of wealth but a concern for the widows, orphans, the disabled and others in the society.
VIAGRA is no longer new on the market, and a lot of new brands of pills performing exactly the same I miracle' have since flooded the chemist's shelves. But is Viagra the magic pill men thought it would be? Dubbed I the little blue pill', it was designed to turn every man into a stud and put a smile on every woman's face. The ageing playboy publishers, Hugh Hefner, once admitted taking it as soon as it became available and his example has been followed by millions, but is Viagra all it's cracked up to be?
According to one of American's leading impotence experts, the answer is no. Dr. Abraham Morgentaler says that when it comes to relationships – as opposed to just sex – Viagra is a bit of a flop. It is prescribed for men who find it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection – a problem known as erectile dysfunction (ED). But less than 50 per cent of those who use it once ask for a repeat prescription, says Dr. Morgentaler, a specialist in men's sexual health problems at Havard Medical School.
He explains that although Viagra works well in physical terms – by improving the blood flow to the penis – it can have a disastrous effect on the emotional side of the relationship. He believes the same problems will affect the three other impotence drugs available – Cialis, Levitra and Uprima.
According to him, "If a man is in a happy, stable relationship and the only problem is erectile dysfunction, then Viagra can work very well. However, many of my patients great erection will not solve their relationship problems and frequently makes them worst. Men and women can see sex in very different ways. For a man, it can be about the firmness of the penis, while for a woman, it also involves emotions, kindness and attention.
"Some couples stop all physical touching when they stop having sex – they don't kiss and cuddle any more and in turn they become a lot less close. Taking a tablet which produces an erection will not restore that closeness. That is something which the couple will need to work on themselves. And this is not the only problem. Some couples feel that sex loses its spontaneity if they have to take a pill first. Sometimes, women think the tablet will turn their partner into a great lover, even if he wasn't a great lover before. They become too demanding. Other women may be relieved that love making has stopped, and find it an imposition when the man gets frisky again.
"A woman may feel she's so unattractive that her partner needs to take a pill before he can make love to her. A man might suspect that it is the effect of the pill which the woman loves, rather than him. It is all much more complicated than we expected" .
Dr. Cynthia McVey, a psychologist agrees that Viagra has caused problems, but believes these could be solved if couples were willing to take things more slowly. "If a man stops holding hands and cuddling his partner, she may feel unattractive, unloved and unwanted. Unless there is more time for courtship, sex will seem very mechanical and the woman may be resentful. This is likely to be worse if it is several years since the couple have had sex.
"The effects of Viagra wear off a few hours after it has been taken, which gives an added urgency to the situation. If you are interrupted by someone calling at your house at the wrong time, or if you have a row, then the opportunity is lost. Some of the new drugs on the market are longer acting, which can take some of the time pressure off. The problem is that people are expecting a drug to fix their emotional problems as well as the man's physical problem. It is not enough to go back to having sex; many people will need to work on their relationships as well.
The All Progressives Congress in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State has elected three National Delegates. The exercise witnessed massive turnout of party supporters across the ten Wards of the LGA.
APC
The positions which were contested by five aspirants had Mrs David Alumo scoring 116 votes, Kingsley Fanwo, 93 votes and Edward Olorunmbe Eseyin, 79 votes. Others are Atteh Dare, 2 votes and Mubo Folorunsho with 1 vote.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the Congress, the Director General on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Kinglsey Fanwo said the exercise was very peaceful and transparent.
“Today, Nigerians have seen how transparent and internally democratic our party is. Our members conducted themselves peacefully and remained firm with their determination to deepen the democratic credentials of our great party.
“Today, we made a bold statement that Mopamuro remains an APC stronghold despite the predictions of the Prophets of doom that the Congress will be violent.
“Today, the Executive Governor of Kogi State and the undisputed leader of the party in the state has proven his leadership acumen and capacity to lead the party to unassailable victories in 2019. Our party is peaceful. Kogi State is peaceful and we shall remain peaceful”.
When asked why some party leaders boycotted the Congress, Fanwo said it is no problem.
“They are adults. They made a decision and it is not my duty to question their decision. What would have been worrisome is if the supporters and loyal party members had stayed off. This party is owned by the people. They came out and did a marvelous job of proving to the world that the Governor retains their support.
“Politics is about the people. The Governor made it mandatory for his appointees to bond with the grassroots and that has paid off. We know our people and our people know us. We are not afraid of going to our villages to meet our people.
“We will build on this momentum and ratchet up our bond with the people; mulch our gains and continue to make our party great”, he said.
The Chairman of the party, Alh. Haddi Ametuo was one of the leaders who failed to attend a stakeholders meeting of the party a day prior to the Congress, but Fanwo said he was not ready to discuss personalities.
“Alh. Haddi Ametuo and other leaders of the party were invited for the meeting. While others attended, some choose to remain in Abuja. The Governor attended the meeting at the State Secretariat of the party, so the meeting was open to all party leaders. If anyone choose not to attend, we have no problem with that.
“I do not agree that the failure of those people to attend took any shine away from the peaceful, credible, transparent and fair Congress. It has come and gone and we are focusing on the future”.
Fanwo thanked security agents and party faithful for success of the exercise.
Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Mr Ayo Fayose, on Saturday assured that the governors would continue to align with the ideals of the party and support it to regain power.
Fayose gave the assurance at the party's special national convention in Abuja.
He said that the party would, as it had just done, overcome other challenges that may arise and win the general elections in 2019.
He urged members of the party and supporters to not only work towards, but should begin to congratulate themselves because "re-occupying Aso Rock in 2019 is certain''.
He said that from 2019, he would be attending to the needs of Nigerians from the Presidential Villa, recalling that he had indicated interest in the presidency of the country.
"The crowd here in the convention arena is a testimony of what is happening in Nigeria; the party is now a religion and a belief that we are going back to `our villa'.
"I am going there; I don't know how many of you will be ready to go there.
"PDP will take Nigeria out of one chance and give it plenty chances.
"We made a mistake but our ability to correct is the one that is important; we fell and we are bound to rise, so, it is time to arise and shine and let your light be seen be men,'' he said.
Fayose added that Nigeria would be liberated from poverty that had set into national life since PDP left office.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the sidelines, former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, said that the success of the convention was "a happy one for the party''.
"Today, we are happy that PDP is united and Nigerians are happy that PDP is on the march again.
"Now it is very clear that indeed, PDP is set to regain power in this country and bring hope and good things to Nigerians.''
Turaki said that PDP would take away prevailing hunger, poverty, despondency, quarrel and insecurity and bring back prosperity and good times to Nigerians.
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru President Muhammadu Buhari at the weekend said that he was desirous to return to Nigeria but he had to stay back to obey the orders of his doctors.
The President said there was tremendous improvement in his health which had prompted him wishing to return home, “but I’ve learnt to obey my doctor’s orders, rather than be the one issuing the orders. Here, the doctor is absolutely in charge.”
A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adeshina quoted the President to have expressed the desire to come back to Nigeria when he received the presidential media team, and the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, at Abuja House, London, on Saturday.
The statement said the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed led the team that had the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity; Mallam Garba Shehu, Personal Assistant on DigitalOnline Media, Lauretta Onochie, and the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
It said, “When the team expressed delight at the much improved health of the President, he retorted: “I feel I could go home, but the doctors are in charge. I’ve now learnt to obey orders, rather than be obeyed.”
“On how he felt hearing different conjectures about his health, an amused President Buhari said he followed events at home closely, lauding Nigerian television stations, and the media generally, for keeping him informed.
“When told that prayers were going on fervently for him, not only in Nigeria, but all over Africa, and round the world, a delighted President said: “What we did in The Gambia early this year fetched us a lot of goodwill on the African continent. It gave us a lot of latitude. I thank all those who are praying. May God reward them.”
It also stated that President Buhari sent appreciation to all Nigerians, expressing hope that he would be with them soon.
The presidential media team led by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture included Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity; Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, and Lauretta Onochie, Personal Assistant on Digital/Online Media. Also, there was Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters.
Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the party will continue to pray for the recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.
At the party's non-elective convention held on Saturday in Abuja, Makarfi said it was the desire of the party that Buhari should be well soon.
"We mean well for our president. We will continue to pray for him, we want him to be fit but that does not mean that we will go to sleep. We will work hard to win the 2019 elections,'' he said.
He described the non-elective convention of the party as an affirmation that the PDP was a government in waiting.
Makarfi commended the security agencies for ensuring that the convention was conducted in a secured environment.
He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for being unbiased and for demonstrating its independency.
In his remark, Sen. Ben Obi, the Secretary of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, said all hands must be on deck to reposition the party to rescue Nigeria.
Also, Mrs Iyabo Apampa, PDP stalwart from Ogun, expressed joy that PDP came back to life in spite several efforts to destabilise the party.
Letter To Fellow Biafrans: I know some of my Igbo brothers and sisters are not happy with me simply because I have not used My Brand as CharlyBoy to advocate for the clamour of The Biafran state.
However, like I always say, there is more than one way to achieve a purpose. Though I may disagree with my Igbo brothers and sisters on the choice of rhetorics and methodology, our objectives are to a large extent identical because we all want to bring an end to the marginalisation of the common peoples, by the evil cabals who are holding Nigeria to a ransom and getting away with their obnoxious impunity and criminality.
Charlie Boy during Sit-out protests in Nigeria and London to demand Buhari’s return or resignation
Those who truly know and have followed me know that I am not a Group soul and I have always dared to follow the path least travelled in the continuous struggle to add value to my environment.
It is indeed laughable that despite being a native chicken, Nwa afo, son of Biafran soil with a full-blown Igbotic blood, I have been persistently labelled a wannabe Yoruba, Hausa, Tiv and an Ijaw man simply because I have consistently maintained that I believe in the unity of Nigeria.
To start with, I go like tell una sey you may not be totally wrong if you call me the man from all tribes in Nigeria. This is because I believe in the oneness of all Nigerian peoples. I believe that we have gotten to a point in our national history where a Yoruba man cannot live in isolation of an Igbo man. Likewise, an Ijaw man cannot live in isolation of a Hausa/Fulani man. All tribes in Nigeria today have become a mat of interwoven fibres that cannot be segregated. There have so far been intertribal marriages, intertribal business ownership, and intertribal partnership; and countless other intertribal collaborations and relationships in Nigeria.
For this reason, my question to those agitating for secession would be that if each tribe decide to secede from Nigeria today, what then would happen? Who would lead the new nations?
Will the people be happy? Will injustice be defeated in the new societies? Will criminality end in leadership positions? Will there be happiness in the new nations? Will the people finally have a country to call their own? – These are important questions we must ask ourselves and provide answers to before we even start to beat the drums of secession.
Having said that, I must state that whereas I am a Biafran at heart, what should engage our minds is not a sectional Biafra but a national Biafra. The fight for nationalists who will drive the discourse and the engagement necessary in answering the Nigeria National Questions must not be bogged down by petty sentiments, tribal colorations, and religious propaganda. The failure of the Igbo nation and all Nigerian tribes and peoples is the fault of influence peddlers and directionless decision makers.
The crux of the Biafran agitation is that my people are tired of a system that has perpetually failed them. My Igbo kinsmen are tired of a system that enriches the rich and impoverishes the poor. My people are tired of a system that glorifies impunity and criminality. My people are tired of decades of oppression and marginalization. However, the deeply rooted disgruntlement in Biafra land is not peculiar to my Igbo brothers and sisters alone; all the common peoples in the 500 tribes in Nigeria are victims of a failed system and persistent oppression. And this is essentially where I disagree with my brother Nnamdi Kanu that though Biafra is right, it should be a national cause and not a sectional one.
Let me be clear: The Brand CharlyBoy is not only a Global brand but also a national brand that should not be reduced to a sectional brand.
The problem in this nation is not the lack of a space where we all can coexist but the lack of men of integrity and progressive nationalists. We lack the right kind of leadership that will fight for the interest of the common people. And if at all there would be an agitation, it should be geared towards sanitizing the currently bastardized Nigerian system. Our agitation for Biafra should be about having the right leaders in positions of power and not power drunken people with an insatiable appetite to plunder and loot.
Therefore, my people, I insist that the suffering of the People from the South East is also the suffering of the people from the other geopolitical zones in Nigeria. And the oppression of the Igbo people is also the oppression of all Nigerian peoples. An injury to one is an injury to all. A Biafra state is not going to change the players of the game, it will only exacerbate the sufferings of the victims of the game.
In conclusion, my people, let us dutifully work ourselves back into reckoning by fighting for Fairness, Justice, and Equality for all Nigerians; Not Ibos Only; Yorubas Only or Hausas Only but all Nigerians.
Areafada CharlyBoy President of All Frustrated Nigerians.
Abuja – Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday in Abuja announced that the Peoples Democratic Party had returned from limbo and would reclaim power in 2019.former Preident Goodluck Jonathan State during the Non-Elective National Convention of the Peoples’ Democratic Party at the Eagle Square, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida
Jonathan asserted this in his address at the party's a special national convention.
He said that the party's achievements while in power would rekindle the confidence of the electorate to vote it back in power in the 2019 general elections.
"The party is indeed back to reclaim its prime position as the party to lead Nigeria to greatness.
"As a human institution, we cannot claim to be perfect and as a political party, our accomplishments up to 2015 are clear for every Nigerian to see,'' he said.
According to Jonathan, the achievements of the party while in power are ample evidence to demonstrate that PDP is a party of vision and accomplishments.
Highlighting achievements of the party, he said that elections conducted from 2011 by the government controlled by PDP met globally-accepted standard.
"We succeeded in doing that because of the leverage and the autonomy we gave to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
"PDP is a party that wants to place Nigeria in a position to compete favourably with other countries,'' he said.
On the economy, the former president said that PDP provided focused leadership through institutional and sectoral reforms which impacted positively on the country, especially in the last four years of our tenure.
"We tamed inflation at a single digit, maintained price stability, and drove the economy to become the largest in Africa.
"We also made Nigeria to be the number one foreign direct investment destination in the continent,'' he said.
According to him, in 2012, PDP ensured that prices of food remained stable in spite of flood which affected 50 per cent of farmlands along the flood plains of river Niger and Benue.
Jonathan said that the country was able to regain its goodwill internationally because the PDP pursued programmes and policies that were not only rewarding but were copied by other countries across the globe.
"We can recall that our agricultural transformation agenda transformed key agricultural value chains, boosted local production and created a new generation of young commercial farmers.
"The introduction of electronic wallet checked corrupt practices in the distribution of fertilizer and enabled farmers to get fertilizer like all other agro inputs.
"In the same vein, the YouWin programme empowered a crop of young Nigerians to go into entrepreneurship and in turn employed others,'' he said.
Jonathan said that though his administration did not block all the loopholes, it came up with strong innovations to fight corruption.
According to him, we introduced the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which has helped to reduce corruption.
"Government is run by policies, the creative thinking, brains in the executive council and in the civil servants were harnessed to get to where we are.
"If elected in 2019, PDP will fight poverty and ensure that food prices are reduced,'' he added, and urged Nigerians to partner the party to restore good life in the country. (NAN)
Gov. Nasir el-Rufa'i of Kaduna State has urged the youth to use their energy on promoting peace to attain sustainable development.
The governor made the appeal in a message to the youth to mark the International Youth Day in Kaduna on Saturday.
el-Rufa'i said the sustenance of peace in Kaduna State would depend on the youth's active role in that regard.
According to the governor, the youth play a great role in determining the level of peace enjoyed in a community.
He explained that as agents of change, his administration had recognised young people as critical actors in conflict resolution, prevention and peace sustenance.
Nasir el-Rufai
"If the youth are not engaged in profitable ventures, they may become tools in the hands of negative forces; that is why our policy and resources are channelled towards youth development.
"As part effort to build youth to contribute to national development, the state recruits 2,250 teachers and 1,245 health workers, among others, who are youths.
"We recognise that government alone cannot engage all the youth; hence we have provided an environment that is conducive for private sector investors who are already proving their capacity for job creation.
"The state government has also been providing intervention funds for Small and Medium Enterprises in partnership with the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture.
"We are also providing layers of training for our youth to increase their capacity for job-creation and employability,'' he said.
The governor, therefore, called on the youth to take advantage of the policies and interventions to build a resilient society where peace and justice would reign.
The theme of International Youth Day 2017 is "Youth Building Peace''
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
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Anambra Gubernatorial Election Screening Committee on, Friday, said it cleared six aspirants ahead of the party primary.
The governorship election is scheduled to hold on Nov.18.
The Chairman of the Screening Committee, Alhaji Adamu Waziri, disclosed this while presenting the clearance certificates to the screened aspirants at the party National Secretariat in Abuja.
Waziri said although seven aspirants submitted their nomination forms and appeared before the committee, six of the aspirants who met the laid down conditions were cleared.
He noted that Dr Ifeanyi Ubah; Sen. Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation; Dr Alex Obiogolu, Mr John Emeka as well as Lynda Ikpeazu were fully cleared to participate in the party primary.
He said the committee gave Mr Oseloka Obaze, former Secretary of Anambra State, a conditional clearance, pending his full compliance with the provisions of the party.
The chairman, however, disclosed that the committee did not clear the seventh aspirant, Mr Akolisa Ufodike for holding dual citizenship certificates.
Waziri said the committee was fair and firm in the conduct of the screening in line with relevant provisions of the law.
He said that "the decision of the committee is appealable.
"Anybody who is not satisfied with the decision of the committee should appeal to the National Working Committee or the Caretaker committee for reconsideration.''
Waziri said the decision of the national working committee or the caretaker committee would ''override or confirm whatever we have done."
The Senate has advised the Federal Capital Development Authority ( FCDA) to suspend one of its officers, Mr Ehimony Joshua, over an alleged N525million bribery scandal.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Dino Melaye gave the advice at an investigative hearing on Friday in Abuja.
Melaye said Joshua, who worked with the Legal Secretariat of the FCDA, should be suspended pending conclusion of the investigation.
He said Joshua was involved in N525 million bribery which he allegedly facilitate between FCDA and beneficiaries of 206 hectares in Kyami District along Airport Road Abuja.
According to the Senator, three out of 15 beneficiaries out of the 206 hectares have brought petitions before the committee.
Melaye said the people concerned alleged that Joshua refused to vacate litigation caveat placed on their plots of land as done to 12 others allotted land.
Dino said the petitioners also alleged that Joshua refused to vacate the litigation caveat was because they refused to pay N35 million bribe into two different dedicated bank accounts belonging to Joshua.
He said the litigation caveat as stated in the petition resulted from litigation against the 15 allotees by one Toni Asuni and Bashiru Dantata on behalf of Nigeria Polo Association.
"The petitioners said litigation caveats were not lifted on their allotted plots because of their refusal to pay the N35 million bribe demanded on behalf of the agency by Ehimony Joshua, Dino said.
Lady Laurel king, one of the petitioners said at the occasion that Joshua gave two bank account numbers into which the N35 million would be paid.
She said the transaction was done in a recorded telephone conversation with her Project Coordinator, Bishop David Angel on March 23, 2016
"We first refused to pay the money into the accounts.
"But after persistent pressure from the FCDA officer that the money must be paid before any lifting of the litigation caveat, I paid N5, 000 each into the two accounts through my secretary.
"This was on the June 19 this year as evidence to nail him,'' she said.
Joshua, however, denied knowing the woman or having any fraudulent transaction with her project coordinator, David Angel.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it has unveiled plans to expand gas generation and distribution in the country to support Federal Government's plan of generating 10 GigaWatts of electricity.
Mr Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC spokesperson, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
He said the Corporation's Group Managing Director, (GMD), Dr Maikanti Baru said this when a delegation of Nigerian Gas Association,(NGA) paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
Baru said that the recent debt settlement for Joint Ventures (JV) would have great impact on the gas industry.
He said the JV initiative was capable of providing some dedicated funds to develop oil the sector.
"We share the aspiration of government to raise power generation to at least 10GW capacity, not just 10GW in terms of installed capacity but also one that will be steady in the grid by 2020.
"All these will drive our activities to ensure that the gas business is expanded and government's aspiration to earn as much revenue from gas as oil will be realised definitely," Baru said.
He said significant progress had been recorded in the contracting process of the 2.7 billion-dollar Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano pipeline project.
"We have gone far with the development of the project, using the same paradigm shift of Public Private Partnership (PPP) financing.
"We have also gone far with the contracting process, part of it is to ensure that money meant for the project is raised from the private investors."
He expressed optimism that the achievement recorded in the project would bring a new dimension in gas projects execution in the country and motivate private investors funding of such projects.
Baru said the Chinese had contributed 250 million dollars for project development at a recent financing agreement signed in London.
According to him, Chinese banks have made commitments to provide adequate finance for oil and gas investments in Nigeria.
"On that occasion, I did challenge the Chinese banks that since they have now come on board, they should move from the back seat to the driver's seat.
"They gave me their commitments that they have plans to bring in as much money as we need to execute our projects.
"If the Chinese tell you that they are going do it, definitely they will do it and we will give them a run for their money."
Baru said NNPC would make inputs into the National Gas Policy, recently adopted by the Federal Executive Council and the proposed fiscal Bills on gas by the legislature.
Baru called on the association to extend its advocacy to the power sector, given its utilisation of gas in the country.
According to him, another project that will increase gas consumption in the country is the Ogidigben Gas Industrial City project, adding that NNPC is committed to completing the project.
Baru said the corporation would continue to support NGA in the execution of its mandate.
The NGA President, Mr Dada Thomas, commended the GMD for the numerous laudable initiatives by NNPC.
"We would like to congratulate the NNPC on a number of paradigm shifts, changes and initiatives it had brought to the fore in recent times.
"I am talking about the new alternative funding which he recently signed with Shell and Chevron to the tune of 1.78 billion dollars
"The clearing of 400 million-dollar debt in April, the progress being made on the Elf 2loop lines and the OB3 gas project, one of the most critical gas pipelines in the country," Thomas said.
Highlight of the visit was the nomination of NNPC GMD as the Chairman, Advisory Council of NGA by the executive of the association, Ughamadu said.
Governor of Anambra, Mr Willie Obiano, on Friday said the development efforts of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra would give it victory in the Nov.18 governorship poll.
Obiano stated this while addressing newsmen after submitting his nomination form for the election at APGA's National Secretariat in Abuja.
He said that a second term would help him to consolidate on his efforts in developing the state and institutionalise them.
"I am happy to be here to submit my completed party nomination form. I am very ready for the fight purely because APGA has done very well in Anambra and the record speaks for itself.
"We have been paying all workers' salaries, pensions and gratuity. We have also been working on infrastructure in the state and when compared with three years ago, you will see major difference.
"We have done well over 320 kilometres of road. More importantly, the last government that ruled the state for eight years was APGA; so, it a continuous thing.''
Obiano said that he had completed 80 per cent of the road projects awarded by the last administration, without abandoning any.
He said that the Onitsha Hotel and the mall in Awka were great legacies of his administration, adding that the Golden Tulip project would be open for business before Christmas.
The governor said that over 37 communities had been connected to the national grid, with street lights in most places.
He said that 181 communities in the state had benefited from government projects and that all the communities had completed their first set of N20 million projects, and that 82 communities were already working on second phase.
"So, you will see the imprint of APGA in every community because we have carried out projects in every community. So, the same party bolstering that will go for second term; we will win and win very decisively.
"This second term will help me to institutionalise the beautiful things that we have been able to do in the first tenure, particularly in the area of agriculture.''
"Today, Anambra is self-sufficient in rice; when I took over in 2014 we were doing over 80,000 metric tonnes but today, with the addition of Ofuma integrated rice farm, we are doing 375 tonnes.''
Obiano said that the state was targeting 578,000 metric tonnes in 2018, adding that since the state consumed 320,000 metric tonnes, it means that it was already self-sufficient in rice.
He said that the state exported "ugwu, onugbu, ichanwu leaves'' and had received order to export five million tubers of yams to the United Kingdom.
This, he said, would create jobs for the youths and boost the four major pillars of agriculture, trade, oil and gas and industrialisation.
The governor added that the state was building a world-class airport, which would be available for inauguration in three years, saying "so, I am quite confident that we have done enough work to go into this election.''
Receiving the form, National Chairman of APGA, Mr Victor Oye, said that the governor was doing well and that he would be screened on Saturday ahead of the party's primaries on Tuesday in Awka.
"We are proud of the administration in Anambra, especially in the aspect of socio-economic development and that is why we are working hard to ensure that nobody takes Anambra from us.''
The leader and co-convener of 'Ourmumu Dondo', Mr. Charles Oputa aka Charly Boy, Friday, lambasted Nigerian youths who failed to join them in the ongoing protest, saying 'if youths do not rise up and retrieve their stolen future, there won't be any future for them in Nigeria'.
Charley Boy who spoke with newsmen expressed anger over the low turn up of Nigerian youths in the ongoing anti-Buhari protest held at the unity fountain Abuja.
However, he charged youths to wake up to their responsibilities. In his words, "The future of Nigerians survival rest in the hand of the exceptional Nigerian youths.
"The atmosphere is surrounded by very old and sick people who should in a normal circumstance be sleeping, paving way for youths to control the affairs of the country".
ABUJA- Niger Delta Youth under the auspices of Niger Delta Youth Congress, NDYC, on Friday condemned and disassociated itself from the recent issuance of quit notice by a group called Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators, CNDA, to Hausas and Yourbas to leave the region before October 1, 2017.
This was contained in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, NDYC, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, who made their stand known about the move by some persons whom he described as traitors branding the entire region in bad light with their recent statement with the intention to create hatred and incite violence in the region.
According to Uwejeyan the so-called CDNA and their sponsors are not speaking for and cannot speak on behalf of the Niger Delta region, therefore no non-indigenes in the region should panic over their treatment as they would stand and protect them.
The statement reads in part, "The Niger Delta Youth Congress is a foremost non-violent youth organisation that seek to address varied issues of inequality, injustices, social, economical and political challenges that affect the good people of the Niger Delta region, with the sole aim of strengthening and empowering the youths to play prominent role in addressing these challenges.
"We the Niger Delta Youth Congress, NDYC, totally condemned in strong terms, the quit notice issued by the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators to Northerners and Yorubas from the region before October 1 , 2017.
"We disassociate ourselves and well meaning youths in the region from these traitors who are out to cause disaffection, hate and violence in the region. We are peace loving young people and believe in the unity of our great country, and refuse and reject to be cajoled by such self-centred and faceless groups.
"The so-called CDNA and their sponsors are not speaking for and cannot speak on behalf of the good people of the Niger Delta region.
"We sincerely urge all Northerners and Yorubas in the region to ignore the quit notice and go about their legitimate activities without fear and report any form of threats by any miscreant to the relevant authorities. We will ensure you are protected from all forms of harassments and violence."
He also urged youth in the Niger Delta region not to be part of those promoting hate speeches and disclosed that they would soon embark on enlightenment in the region on how to curb spread of hate speeches via various channels.
However, he expressed dissatisfaction over the low response of government on making sure hate speeches do not continue to spread.
"We also want to vehemently express our dissatisfaction to the government and security operatives on their nonchalant and lackadaisical response to issues that should be nipped at the bud.
"We strongly believe in the peace and unity of this Nation and we urge all youths in the various regions to shun hate statements capable of causing chaos and align in the struggle for a better and well structured Nigeria. We shall soon embark on enlightenment on how to disabuse the minds of young people on accepting hate speeches in the Niger Delta region."
"We are resolute on the call for restructuring and urge all well meaning groups and individuals in the region to stick to the call for the restructuring of the Nation’s current political arrangements and desist from making senseless agitation that would breed violence", he added.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Friday refuted an allegation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that it sponsored the recent killings at a church in Ozubulu, Anambra.
The National Chairman of the party, Mr Victor Oye, made the refutation when Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano, came to the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja to submit his nomination form.
Oye said "I want to use this opportunity to dispute the allegation that APGA had a hand in the killings.
"APGA has never at anytime sponsored the killing of innocent people regardless of what people are saying and as alleged by IPOB and we can stand at the World Court or anywhere to say this.
"Anambra government is run on transparency, fear of God, love of the people and commitment to accountability; how can such a government begin to kill people?
"This is the same government that held the `Ozuemena' which is the burial or re-burial for all who died in the civil war; so, how can a man who has done all these turn around and kill his innocent people?''
He said the allegation was the making of evil people, to distort the good work of the governor, but said that such people would fail.
The chairman assured the governor of the party's support, adding that the APGA family was standing solidly behind him.
According to him, the next election in the state would mark a crushing defeat for the opponents.
In his response, Obiano said that the incident would not dent his security record and the fact that the state remained the safest in Nigeria.
"The unfortunate flash in the pan that happened last Sunday was a fight that was exported from an African country into the country between two business owners.
"Early investigation showed that they wanted one of the persons killed in the house but because his house was very fortified, they thought the best way to eliminate was in the church close to his house.
"So as soon as they confirmed that the guy's car was parked along the road they did not know it was the father that parked the car and the guy was not there; they went into the church and did what they did.''
Obiano expressed confidence that the culprits would be brought to book to serve as deterrent to others, adding, `if you have scores to settle outside Nigeria, you stay outside Nigeria, you don't bring it home.''
He reaffirmed that Anambra government would pick the hospital bills of the injured and burial bills for the dead.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Borno state has alleged that some loyalists of former Governor of the state, Ali Modu Sheriff and led by one Barrister Kolo Adam, are behind rumours that Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau has been arrested by the army at a UN rented facility in Maiduguri. The party in the state also said that the rumour peddlers are doing so with the ulterior motive of destabilising the state.
The party called for the arrest of Mr. Adam for also allegedly trying to incite the youths against the humanitarian workers and breach public peace in the state.
APC
APC Borno state made this know in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Friday through its Publicity Secretary, Makinta Zarami.
Mr. Zarami claimed that Kolo Adam was the first to post information on his Facebook wall saying he had information that Shekau had been captured at the UN house with one of his legs injured.
According to the statement, "The APC in Borno State is worried that since former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff lost his case at the Supreme Court over the Chairmanship of the PDP, his loyalists have redirected their mischief to spread different rumours with the most dangerous being that of today.
"We were shocked that Kolo Adam, a known associate and one of the spokespersons of Sheriff's group, pasted on his Facebook wall today, claiming that Abubakar Shekau was arrested by the Nigerian Military at a facility rented by agencies of the United Nations in a house belonging to late Governor Mala Kachalla.
"The same Kolo Adam claimed that abducted Lecturers of University of Maiduguri were rescued. Immediately after Kolo Adam pasted that, some loyalists of the former Governor began to share the information through different social media platforms. The aim was to achieve series of objectives.
"First, it was to incite youths in Maiduguri against hundreds of humanitarian workers in order to destabilize Borno State just to create a political atmosphere of failure on the part of the APC led Government in Borno State to keep the State stable. Secondly, the rumour was to link Boko Haram with the Mala Kachalla who was a known political opponent of Sheriff so as to cleverly distance Sheriff from issues relating to Boko Haram.
"It was also aimed at tarnishing the image of the Federal and State Government which deal with humanitarian agencies helping highly traumatized victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.
The APC hereby demand for the immediate arrest of Kolo Adam and all those who worked with him in sharing this dangerous rumour that is capable of putting the lives of over two million IDPs at the risk of loosing food and medical support from agencies of the United Nations and other humanitarian workers.
"The APC also calls on security agencies to continue to do their job and take on anyone or institution with factual link with the Boko Haram so long as there proofs beyond reasonable doubt. The APC calls on the people of Borno State to dismiss this rumour while calling on all those carrying out humanitarian activities to remain calm and continue their works but with strict obedience to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the laws of Borno State under the APC" Zarami said.
Meanwhile, the army, Friday, has given reasons why it raided the UN building.
The Nigerian Army on Friday said it had conducted cordon and search operation at a building housing the United Nations (UN) staff in Maiduguri following alert on high profile Boko Haram members.
Lt. Col. Samuel Kingsley, the spokesperson, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, said in a statement released in Maiduguri that the army had intensified condone and search operation in Maiduguri and its environs to clear remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.
"On 10th August 2017, the Theatre Command received information from credible sources that some high profiled Boko Haram insurgents infiltrated into Pompomari-ByePass area of Maiduguri.
"It therefore became expedient to take pre-emptive action by combing the general area through a cordon and search operations.
"The operation was successfully conducted as over 30 houses were searched. One of such building included a property which was said to be occupied by United Nations Staff, although the property did not carry a UN designation.
"On the whole, operation in the general area was successfully concluded but no arrest was made because the suspects were not found," Kingsley said.
Kingsley noted that troops under the Operation LAFIYA DOLE had been conducting several clearance as well as cordon and search operations in urban and rural areas within the Theatre.
He said that the clearance operations effort had yielded significant successes in the past weeks.
According to him, the operation had forced Boko Haram insurgents to change tactics and resort to suicide bombing targeting military locations and the populace.
Kingsley stressed that the operation was necessitated by the need to intensify Cordon and Search in Maiduguri metropolis and environment. He listed other areas affected by the operation as Jiddari –Polo, Muna Garage, Jakana among others.
"The command wishes to assure the general public that the operations are being conducted to safeguard lives and properties but not targeted at any individual or group. "Members of the public are cautioned against peddling rumours which may cause disaffection and to remain law abiding".
IT'S OUR DUTY AS GOVERNMENT AND ARMED FORCES TO INTERROGATE OUR ACTIVITIES BASED ON HUMAN RIGHT NORMS – OSINBAJO
"It is the responsibility of the Armed Forces and the responsibility of all of us who are in government to ensure that we interrogate our own activities and ensure that those activities meet up with human rights norms and basic rules of decency observed across the world."
REMARKS MADE BY THE ACTING PRESIDENT, YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL INVESTIGATION PANEL TO REVIEW COMPLIANCE OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS AND RULES OF ENGAGEMENT AT THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT ON AUGUST 11, 2017. PROTOCOL
I have the important and special responsibility today of inaugurating the Presidential Investigation Panel to review the compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights obligations and Rules of Engagement.
The President, Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari has repeatedly stated the administration's focus on three broad issues; security, the economy and the fight against corruption.
The first security, is one without which others may prove impossible. In any event fundamental to the functions of the state, is the protection of lives and property and livelihood of citizens in peace or in conflict. Yemi Osinbajo For our government, we add that respect for the lives of Nigerian citizens is not just a constitutional but also a moral duty. This is why it is incumbent upon us even as we maintain security especially in conflict situations to interrogate, as we go along on a regular basis, alleged crimes and human rights abuses by all sides in these conflicts and insurgencies.
Today's occasion is in continuation of the efforts of this administration geared towards attaining this goal.
You may recall, that in June 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Military to conduct an internal inquiry into allegations of rights abuses by its personnel.
Accordingly, a report of the findings of the board of inquiries set up by the Nigerian Army to investigate extra-judicial killings and rights violation by Army personnel was submitted in June 2017. That report will be made available to this panel.
More recently in October 2016, the President ordered the Inspector-General of Police to investigate allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation in IDP camps in the Northeast. The outcome of this investigation is being awaited.
It is also a well-known fact that the conduct of the nation's defence and security forces during the insurgency in the Northeast and militancy in the Niger Delta has in recent times attracted significant commendation.
Upon resumption of office, many would recall that seven Local Government Areas were under the control of Boko Haram. Virtually all of the territory has now been recovered by security forces.
In the recent past, our Armed Forces have also fought against militants in other areas of the country; in some cases to protect critical national infrastructure and our natural resources.
These brave men and women have fought valiantly to keep this country safe despite all odds and they are heroes and we must indeed celebrate them.
There is no doubt that the nature of asymmetric or unconventional warfare that they have had to contend with presents unique challenges that most modern armies are ill-equipped to tackle with conventional warfare tactics.
Indeed conventional human right norms and conventional human rights observers are challenged by some of the various nuances of asymmetric warfare. Nonetheless, there have been a series of allegations levied against security forces by some local and international commentators.
It is our belief, that if left unaddressed, these allegations are capable of undermining the good work of the men and women of the Armed Forces who have largely conducted themselves in a disciplined and professional manner.
Failure to examine some of these allegations will also leave those who may have been victims of such abuses without any recourse to justice.
And if history has taught us anything, it is that the failure of our justice system to adequately respond to crisis is usually a recipe for greater conflict.
It is in the light of the following that I have mandated the panel to focus on the following terms of reference: · One, to review extant rules of engagement applicable to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the extent of compliance thereto. · Two, to investigate alleged acts of violation of international humanitarian and human rights law under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the Geneva Conventions Act, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, Ratification and Enforcement Act and other relevant laws by the Armed Forces in local conflicts and insurgencies. · Three, to investigate matters of conducts and discipline in the Armed Forces in local conflicts and insurgencies; to recommend means of preventing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in conflict situations. · Four, to make further recommendations in line with these terms of reference as may be deemed necessary.
I would like to use this opportunity to assure the Armed Forces and all of our uniformed forces, that exercises such as this should be regular and would be regular, and must not be seen as a witch hunt and in any way to denigrate the very great work that the Armed Forces and uniformed forces are doing all over the country.
It is the responsibility of the Armed Forces and the responsibility of all of us who are in government to ensure that we interrogate our own activities and ensure that those activities meet up with human rights norms and basic rules of decency observed across the world.
The sterling qualifications of members of the Panel under the capable leadership of the Honourable Justice Biobele Georgewill, Justice of the Court of Appeal, is a strong indication of the quality of work that we expect of them. The other members of the Panel have been introduced, they are just to mention their names again: a. Major-General Patrick Akem; b. Mr. Wale Fapohunda; c. Mrs. Hauwa Ibrahim; d. Mr. Jibrin Ibrahim; e. Mr. Abba Ambudashi Ibrahim; f. Mrs. Ifeoma Nwakama; and g. Dr. Fatima Alkali who is counsel to the Panel.
(The Panel also has a secretary from the Office of the SGF)
I am therefore confident that the Panel will also collect information about the conditions of service of the Armed Forces or any other factors that might have hindered the optimal performance of the Armed Forces in the fight against insurgents, militants and other combatants.
I therefore wish to assure you that this administration stands ready to support you in your endeavors; evidence of which you may have seen with the recent purchases of the five new super Mushak aircrafts which were recently launched on my behalf by the Honorable Minister of Defence.
To the Panel, I implore you to carry out your duties diligently, impartially and with all sense of professionalism. The work you are about to embark on is extremely sensitive and may involve some travel to post-conflict zones.
We appreciate your acceptance of this call to duty and look forward to receiving your well-researched findings and recommendations.
I hereby officially inaugurate this Presidential Investigation Panel to Review the Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement.
Nigerian music is seen as the headquarters of African music, and it has come of age. Artistes from this clime have given the world the best quality of music. From the last decade till now, a new generation of artistes have been shaping the pop culture and giving Nigeria a new brand of music which has put Nigeria on the list of countries doing pretty well in music.
One of the foremost companies in the business of exporting the best of Nigerian hip-hop artistes to the world is 03 Media, a premium brand at the helm of showcasing Nigerian music to the world.
Recently, 03 Media, a music promotion and even
Techno and Alex ozoneAlex Ozone
t organizing firm has packaged rising hip hop star, Kiss Daniel to a tour of Europe.
The tour took Kiss Daniel to Amsterdam and 13 other cities across Europe and it was a huge success as he shut down the concert with his music, proving that "he’s the next big thing to happen to Nigerian music perhaps after Wizkid". Kiss Daniel and his team packaged by the premium company, 03 Media, were also hosted on 'The Nkechi Late Night Show' on HiRadio in the Netherlands too.
Until now, 03 Media, founded by the ace show promoter, Alex Ozone, had packaged successful tours in Europe and beyond for a number of Nigerian artistes like Terry G, Chuddy K, YQ, Jaywon, Oritsefemi, Skales, Tekno and Patoranking, showcasing their music beyond the African continent.
Speaking about his business of promoting Nigerian music across borders, CEO of 03 Media, Alex Ozone says "The firm is not resting on its oars, but will continue to do more to showcase Nigerian and African artistes to the outside world via music tours, mega concerts and shows that will give their numerous fans great music and live performances."
According to Alex, the Nigerian music industry must be ready for what 03Media is coming up with because they are committed to making the exportation of Nigerian music a spectacle.
A civil society organisation, Office of the Citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(OCFRN) has commended the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for suspending the on-going promotion exercise in the Nigerian Police Force(NPF).
OCFRN's convener, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, who briefed newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, said that the action had shown that the Federal Government was responsive and responsible.
Pelumi Olajengbesi, OCFRN's Convener
Olajengbesi, under the auspices of United Global Resolve for Peace (UGRFP), had recently called on Osinbajo to intervene in alleged one-sided promotion exercise in the Nigerian Police Force .
He said the group petitioned the Acting President, Inspector-General of Police and Police Service Commission (PSC) over allegations of ethnicity, nepotism and favouritism in the promotion exercise.
The legal practitioner, who is also the executive secretary of UGRFP, had alleged that no fewer than 72 aggrieved policemen had lodged complaints with the group over denial of their promotions.
The Spokesperson for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, however said the commission had not released the names of the successful candidates.
He said that the complainants should have waited for the list before accusing the PSC of injustice.
"Recently we petitioned the Acting President, Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission on the on-going promotion in the Nigerian Police Force.
"There were alleged irregularities in the process of the promotion; we want to commend the Acting President for displaying a high sense of responsibility.
"We are glad to receive the decision of the Acting President suspending the Police Service Commission promotion.
"This is a demonstration of the fact that this administration will stand against any act that is corrupt; that this administration is concerned about the welfare of all Nigerians,'' Olajengbesi said.
He urged the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force to eschew favouritism from the process and ensure that it complied with the relevant rules and regulations.
Olajengbesi also called on the Police Service Commission to ensure compliance with extant rules with regards to promotion in the Nigerian Police Force.
He condemned the use of force by the Police in dispersing protesters campaigning against the continued medical vacation of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The lawyer said that the security agents violated the fundamental rights of the protesters as they had the right to protest.
According to him, the concept of OCFRN is the belief that every Nigerian citizen by default and by the constitution occupies a very important office.
He said that the initiative was in pursuit of OCFRN's mandate as civil rights activists and social crusaders, giving voice and vision to the voice of the genuine emancipation of the Nigerian people.
Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) has announced a string of successes in its tactical operations in July and early August, 2017, busting kidnap gangs and Boko Haram cells in parts of the country. The service also waded into the boundary crisis between Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
The security agency made this known today in a statement by Tony Opuiyo, its spokesman.
Among the successes catalogued was the arrest on 3 July of seven members of a kidnap gang at Kakuri Industrial Area in Kaduna State.
Arrested were Haliru Hassan and six other members of a notorious kidnap gang operating along the Abuja – Kaduna High Way.
The gang, which comprised Usman Abdulkadir, Yusuf Saidu, Abubakar Shuiabu, Abukakar Suleman, Uzairu Bawa, and Sani Abubakar, was said to have been terrorising motorists and commuters within the Rijana and Katari axis of the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.
" On 4 July, 2017, along Zaria – Funtua Road in Giwa LGA, Kaduna State, the Service busted another kidnap gang and apprehended its kingpins, Rabiu Sani aka Dogo and his close associate, Abubakar Sani, notorious kidnapper and gun-runner who has been supplying arms and ammunition to criminal elements in Kaduna, Kano, Taraba and Plateau States.
During their arrest, the DSS operatives recovered a blue Volkswagen Vento with Reg. No. MGU 106 EA, One Pistol, 4 AK-47 Magazines, 5 FN rifle, 989 rounds of Ammunition, One (1) round of 9mm Ammunition, One (1) Beretta magazine, and N457, 140.
"Similarly, on 5 July, 2017, at Ikara Junction, Tudun Wada LGA in Kano State, two high profile kidnappers namely: Rabiu Dahiru aka Kachalla and Umar Ya'u were apprehended by the Service. Dahiru and Ya'u are members of the kidnap gang which has been operating at the Falgore forest in Kano State.
Twenty six live cartridges and a bullet proof vest were found in their possession during their arrest.
" Also, on 4 August, 2017, this Service arrested a suspected gun-runner, Haruna Musa at Kasuwan Magani area, along Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kaduna State. Musa is a gun-runner who has been ferrying arms and ammunition to criminal elements especially kidnappers along forested communities in Birni Gwari and its environs.
The operatives recovered from him a grey Opel Vectra V6 with Reg. No. 899-MKA and 31 AK-47 magazines.
" On 14 July, 2017, at the Federal Housing Authority Estate, Lugbe, FCT, the Service smashed the kidnap syndicate led by one Ebifagbe Dickson aka Ginikachi and five others namely: Williams Jephter, Messiah Philips, Sample Reuben, Prosper Ebitari and Charles Krobo James.
"This gang was responsible for the kidnap of five German expatriates of Bayelsa Coastline in Brass LGA. It was also intercepted while plotting to perpetrate series of kidnap operations in the Federal Capital Territory-Abuja
The DSS was active in Kogi State as well, where its operatives arrested Jonathan Lukas and his accomplice, Nafiu Usman at Ajipome, Dekina LGA, on 27 July, for their involvement in the series of kidnapping incidents in the State.
BOKO HARAM ARRESTS
" In furtherance of its counter-terrorism/insurgency fight against the extremist elements, the Service conducted a tactical operation against fleeing Boko Haram fighters on 1 July, 2017, at Sakwai in Kachia LGA of the Kaduna State. During the operation, one Usman Musa, a high profile Boko Haram cell leader, was apprehended alongside six of his accomplices, namely Isa Halidu, Ibrahim Dauda, Bature Mohammed, Buhari Dauda, Inusa Usman and Adamu IBRAHIM. Light arms, ammunition and radical literature were recovered from the cell.
" In Taraba State, the Service intercepted one Usman Halaji aka Abubakar Mubi, on 5 July, 2017, at Bali town, where he was hibernating after fleeing Sambisa Forest following military bombardment of the area. He was discovered to be advancing the doctrines of the terrorist group as well as recruiting vulnerable minds to join its ranks.
" On 13 July, another cell amir (leader), one Yusuf Isah was arrested at Sabuwar Yelwa area of Dala LGA in Kano State. It was sequel to this that a member of the cell, one Yakubu USMAN (Alh.) who had also fled from Sambisa forest following military operations in the North East was arrested, on 28th July, 2017, by the Service.
"Furthermore, on 3 August, 2017, two suspected Boko Haram fighters namely Buba Gebi aka Dogo Dan Cameroon and Manu Isah, were apprehended by the Service at Tamburawa, Dawakin Kudu, Kano State, on 3rd August, 2017. The duo were intercepted while heading to Lagos, in furtherance of the group's cause.
" The Service also arrested one Bashir Yahaya Ojo, a suspected member of an ISIS-affiliated extremist cell and close associate of Bilal aka Malik, another extremist element at Nagazi in Adavi LGA. Ojo, in connivance with other members of the cell, has been indoctrinating and recruiting vulnerable youths in the State for the extremist group.
"On 10 August, 2017, at Kwatte Village, Rigasa District, Igabi LGA in Kaduna State, the Service, in conjunction with the Military, raided the hideout of a notorious armed robbery/kidnap gang led by one Salisu Lawan. During the operation, the criminals engaged operatives in a shoot-out, which resulted in the death of one Shehu Lawal (a gang member) while Lawan the ringleader and two (2) other members of the gang, namely Mohammed TUKUR (27 years) and Usman Mohammed (35 years) were arrested.
CROSS RIVER/AKWA IBOM BOUNDARY CRISIS
The DSS also waded into the boundary crisis between Ikot Offiong Community in Odukpani LGA of Cross State and Okuiboku in Itu LGA of Akwa Ibom State.
The Service carried out a detailed investigation and found that a militant group led by one Don Marine aka The Don based in Odukpani is a key provocateur in the crisis.
Consequently, on 10 August, the Service, in liaison with the Nigerian Army, raided the militants' enclave located along Ikonoto Road, Ikonoto clan of Odukpani. During the operation, one Blanko was shot dead while three others were arrested and two escaped with gunshot injuries. Similarly, one dane gun and an American pump action gun were recovered from the hide-out.
China has sent an "unbreakable" code from a satellite to the Earth, marking the first time space-to-ground quantum key distribution technology has been realized, state media has reported.
China launched the world's first quantum satellite last August, to help establish "hack proof" communications, a development the Pentagon has called a "notable advance".
The official Xinhua news agency said the latest experiment was published in the journal Nature on Thursday, where reviewers called it a "milestone".
President Xi Jinping, has a duty to defend China
The satellite sent quantum keys to ground stations in China between 645 km (400 miles) and 1,200 km (745 miles) away at a transmission rate up to 20 orders of magnitude more efficient than an optical fiber, Xinhua cited Pan Jianwei, lead scientist on the experiment from the state-run Chinese Academy of Sciences, as saying.
"That, for instance, can meet the demand of making an absolute safe phone call or transmitting a large amount of bank data," Pan said.
Any attempt to eavesdrop on the quantum channel would introduce detectable disturbances to the system, Pan said.
"Once intercepted or measured, the quantum state of the key will change, and the information being intercepted will self-destruct," Xinhua said.
The news agency said there were "enormous prospects" for applying this new generation of communications in defense and finance.
China still lags behind the United States and Russia in space technology, although President Xi Jinping has prioritized advancing its space program, citing national security and defense.
China insists its space program is for peaceful purposes, but the U.S. Defense Department has highlighted its increasing space capabilities, saying it was pursuing activities aimed at preventing adversaries from using space-based assets in a crisis.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said contrary to what naysayers want people to believe, the Buhari administration is working assiduously to redeem its electoral pledges, especially in the critical areas of developing the economy as well as fighting corruption and insecurity.
The Minister stated this in Abuja on Friday while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the visiting Chinese Vice Minister of The State Council Information Office, Mr. Guo Weimin, in the area of media and cultural relations.
"Contrary to the lies that are being purveyed daily in the Social Media, this government has been working assiduously to redeem its electoral pledges. Our fight against insecurity is yielding very positive results.
"Our fight against corruption is focused and is ongoing and we are resolute and we have resolved that we are going to fight corruption until corruption goes under. We are happy that in this regards, we have a very good partner in China because we are aware and we know how China fought corruption and how China is fighting corruption.
"We have succeeded in nursing a very sick economy and very soon, Nigeria will get out of recession," he said.
Alhaji Mohammed, who said the signing of the MOU will further deepen the already excellent relationship between the two countries, expressed optimism that some provisions of the MOU that encourage the news agencies of Nigeria and China to reflect, in their reporting, the social, economic and cultural development in both countries, will eliminate the phenomenon of fake news.
"This is significant because we are today in the era of fake news. Unlike China, the Social Media here is completely unrestrained. Therefore it is important that you get your news directly from the official source," he said.
The Minister sought the support of China towards the training of the Ministry's Resident Information Officers on modern Governance Public Communication methods in order to build their capacity as the respective spokespersons of Ministries, Department and Agencies.
Alhaji Mohammed also sought partnership with China in the areas of film production and distribution, development of community cinema houses and collaboration in the co-production of films as well as screening of Nigerian films in China and vice versa.
He called for cooperation between the Nigerian Film and Video Censorship Board and the China Censorship Board to curb the importation and exportation of pirated and adulterated movies of both countries.
The Chinese Vice Minister said the signing of the MOU between the two countries marked a new beginning in the relationship between the two countries, particularly in the area of media and cultural relations.
He said staff training and programme exchanges will further solidify the cultural ties between both nations. Mr. Weimin said his ministry will scale up the broadcast of news about Nigeria in China and appealed to the Minister to reciprocate the gesture.
The Chinese Vice Minister acceded to Alhaji Mohammed's request for the training of the Resident Information Officers and said the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria will fine-tune the capacity building engagement.
Mr. Weimin was accompanied by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian, to the signing of the MOU.
U.S. President Donald Trump has horrified former US diplomats and the State Department over his latest praise-singing of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Breaking nearly two weeks of silence on Putin's July 30 order cutting U.S. embassy and consulate staff by nearly two thirds, Trump said on Thursday: "I'm very thankful that he let go of a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll."
Trump said "there's no real reason for them to go back" and "we're going to save a lot of money," in response to Putin's Cold War-style move, differing from the reactions of other presidents in similar circumstances in the past.
Russia’s President, Putin & U.S President, Trump
It also clashes with a State Department official having called Moscow's order "a regrettable and uncalled-for act."
Intended to be flippant or not, Trump's remarks were immediately denounced by current and former U.S. officials who have served both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Nicholas Burns, the State Department's third-ranking official under Republican President George W. Bush, called Trump's comments "grotesque."
"If he was joking, he should know better," said Burns, now a professor at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. "If he wasn't, it's unprecedented. A president has never defended the expulsion of our diplomats."
The State Department has "horrified and rattled" by Trump's remarks, said a veteran U.S. diplomat who has served in Russia, speaking on condition of anonymity.
And Heather Conley, formerly a top State Department official dealing with European affairs, said the expulsions of hundreds of people from an important U.S. embassy is extraordinary and "it is very difficult to see how the president could view these expulsions as a 'positive' development in any form."
On Thursday, the State Department had no immediate reaction to the comments Trump made to reporters while on vacation at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Congressional committees and a special counsel are investigating the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 election campaign by hacking and other methods to help Trump, a Republican. They are also looking into possible collusion between the campaign and Russian officials. Moscow has repeatedly denied meddling in the election and Trump denies any campaign collusion.
Putin, reacting to new sanctions imposed by the U.S. Congress and reluctantly signed into law by Trump, ordered Washington to cut 755 of its 1,200 embassy and consulate staff by September. Many of those affected likely will be local Russian staffers.
It was also a tit-for-tat reaction to former President Barack Obama expelling 35 Russian diplomats from the United States last December over the intelligence agency reports.
During his campaign and since becoming president, Trump has consistently called for better ties with Russia, declined to criticise Putin and refused to unequivocally embrace the conclusions of the intelligence agencies.
President Donald Trump on Friday issued a new threat to North Korea, saying the U.S. military was "locked and loaded" as Pyongyang accused him of driving the Korean Peninsula to the brink of nuclear war.
Trump kept up the war of words on Twitter shortly after the North Korean state news agency, KCNA, put out a statement blaming him for the escalated tensions.
"Trump is driving the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of a nuclear war, making such outcries as 'the U.S. will not rule out a war against the DPRK,’" KCNA said.
The U.S. president, who is vacationing at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf resort, described American military readiness in stark terms.
"Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely.
"Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path," he wrote on Twitter.
Trump maintained pressure on the North after a week of incendiary rhetoric including his warning on Tuesday that the U.S. would unleash "fire and fury" on Pyongyang if it threatened the U.S.
U.S. allies in the region reacted with alarm to the unusual response from Washington and senior U.S. officials scrambled to play down his comments.
Trump still amplified the warning on Thursday, saying "maybe his "fire and fury" threat wasn't tough enough."
U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis later tempered Trump's harsh words, saying "the U.S. still preferred a diplomatic approach to the North Korean threat.
"A war would be "catastrophic," he said.
Asked if the U.S. was prepared to handle a hostile act by North Korea, Mattis said: "We are ready."
As of Thursday night, two U.S. officials said the threat with regards to North Korea had not changed, additional assets were not being moved into the region and intelligence did not show indications of North Korea preparing a missile launch.
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has urged new appointees in two commissions and the state pension board to justify their appointments by sterling performance.
Ajimobi spoke on Friday in Ibadan at the inauguration of the two commissions and the board at the Executive Council Chambers, Oyo State Governor's office.
Newsmen report that the governor inaugurated members of the State Judicial Service Commission, State Local Government Service Commission and the State Pension Board.
"You are coming on board as strategic partners to government in our quest to transform our dear state. We are sure that with you privileged men and women, there would be remarkable change in the story of the boards,'' he told the appointees.
He said they were chosen strictly in recognition of their past contributions to the state, their competence and records of integrity, hoping they would not change after their appointment.
" Let me restate that we are aware that the expectations of the people from this government are huge and rightly so.
"Our people expect that we will take Oyo State from its current level to its former position of `first' in economy, infrastructure and social services.
"This is why we carefully packaged our task in the state as restoration, transformation and repositioning,'' the governor said.
Ajimobi charged the members not to only maintain the structures on ground, but improve on them.
He said that the existing and recently introduced policies of government must be fully implemented.
Newsmen report that the chairmen of the newly inaugurated commissions and board are Justice Muntar Abimbola (Judicial Service Commission), Mr George Akintola (Local Government Service Commission) and Apostle Samson Aderounmu (Pension Board).
Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Justice Abimbola, the Chief Judge of the State, pledged their commitment to make meaningful impact in their respective areas.
Abimbola said that the governor had just given them the opportunity to prove their qualities and contribute to the transformation of the state.
He appreciated the governor for his support and efforts at transforming the state judiciary.
Newsmen report that Mr Oluseun Abimbola, the State Attorney-General; Mrs Esther Akerele; Mr Ademola Salami; Mr Femi Adelakun and Mr Ayoola Ajayi are members of the Judicial Service Commssion.
Dr Mutiu Ayankojo, Dr (Mrs) Ayanfemi Ayandele and Mrs Moyosore Ajani are members of the Local Government Service Commission, while Mr Moshood Erubami and Mr Moses Ajekigbe are members of the Pension Board.
The APC made a total of N60.5 million from the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms from the aspirants who commenced screening for the exercise yesterday.
The screening exercise taking place in Abuja is to end today.
While each male aspirant paid N5.5 million each for the expression of interest and nomination forms, female aspirants were given a waiver from paying for the forms.
The aspirants who collected forms include Dr. Tony Nwoye, Chief George Moghalu, Senator Andy Uba, Paul Chukwuma, Madu Nonso, Bart Nwibe and Patrick Nwike.
PPA governorship aspirant, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo has said that the recent desecration of spiritual proceedings at St Philips Catholic Church Ozoubulu on Sunday, 6th of August during a 6 am service was very worrisome and called for sober reflection by Igbo people.
Saying that the development was due to lack of fear of God, he observed that it happened because money was controlling the society.
"Those who indulged in this gruesome act have sold their soul and would need God's redemption. We, from this part of the world, must lay less emphasis on money as it appears that money is our idol in Igboland and I do not know where we are heading to."
Ezeemo urged the government to ensure that the Ozoubulu incident was treated to a positive logical conclusion to checkmate future occurrence.
He also called on the youth to engage in genuine businesses to take care of their economic and social needs, adding that the craze to get rich quick and failure of family members to ask questions on their children's sources of overflowing wealth without a visible source of livelihood was contributing to the moral decadence.
Governor Willie Obiano's Liaison Officer to Biafran War Veterans, Comrade Arinzechukwu Awogu has dismissed insinuations of the governor's indifference to the welfare of veterans of the civil war saying that the governor has continually put their issues at the top of his agenda.
"The Governor has never rested, since assumption of office in the state on issues bordering the protection of lives and properties of the people of the state, until he addresses such issue.
Giving insight into what happened when Boko-Haram detainees were brought to the state, Comrade Awogu said, "Governor Obiano revealed to Nigerians that they were the worse set of Boko-Haram detainees and confronted Federal Government for bringing them into the state he has provided adequate security, and insisted that they must be evacuated from the state.
"The Governor revealed that the Boko Haram detainees were brought all the way from N'Djamena, the capital of Chad Republic and one of the nine, detainees came with his nine wives and fourteen children.
The Governor had to struggle to get them out of Anambra state and Southeast because their presence was a psychological trauma to the people of Southeast who are not known for suicide bombing and violent killing of innocent people.
According to Comrade Awogu, "Governor Obiano has shown genuine commitment against the wish of the Federal Government, towards the people's struggle by undertaking the burial of all Biafran soldiers that died during the Nigerian Civil, noting that such a man cannot order shoot at –sight- carry, a despicable action against his own people as was erroneously held by some Biafran agitators, and called other people to support his second tenure bid."
