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Street trading, social justice and morality

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Obo Effanga Recently, the Lagos State Government announced its decision to fully implement the provisions of its seemingly forgotten Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law, 2003, which prescribes a punishment of N90, 000 or a six-month jail term, for both the buyer and the seller of any goods or services on the streets. That decision, expectedly, drew a lot of flaks and some commendation from different citizens and groups. It is apparent that what jolted the state government into the decision to implement the law was the recent incident where irate citizens vandalised mass transit buses belonging to the government on claim that one of the buses crushed a street trader. Less than two months after, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State announced last week that his state would not ban street trading but rather regulate it to protect the traders. He was able to win the hearts of a few persons when he stressed that the traders were poor people trying to eke out a living rather than resort to crimes. Ayade’s position shows a sense of compassion for the hard times Nigerians are facing and tries to address social justice. A few issues, facts and questions are now thrown up by these contrary positions. Some of these questions are: What duty does the state owe its citizens? To what extent could members of the public make demands of the society they live in or draw from the resources of such society? What role is law expected to play in the society? What amounts to law and order and when and how can these be suspended or overlooked, in the interest of citizens or any other group? I have always held, and this accords with the principles of social justice that the state exists because individuals, as citizens exist. That said, the interest of such citizens should be paramount at all times. Society must therefore operate as to take care of the reasonable needs and expectations of its citizens. It follows therefore that rules of society should not aim to injure or hurt an individual, unless such is aimed at protecting the generality of society. I can therefore understand why rules need to be made to ensure ease of movement on public highways. This is because the primary reason for public highway is for movement of humans and goods. And the point needs to be made straightaway that the street trading that is injurious here isn’t so much about the person who takes up a spot on the side of the road to trade for people who use the road, either as a pedestrian or commuters in vehicles. It is more about the person who stands on the road, in the right of way of vehicles or on the median, soliciting and selling his/her wares. This, among other things, adds to the slowing down of traffic movement, confusion to motorists, risk of petty cries like pick pocketing or even mugging of motorists and commuters. This happens especially in busy city roads. This may be a major reason behind this law in Lagos State. That reality is not nearly the same as what would be obtainable in a less densely populated state as Cross River, where Ayade governs. I also think the greater risk to lives and limbs of the street traders is even a more weighty reason for not allowing them on public highways. More so, some of these traders are actually minors. But we need to stop not only traders but also others on the streets such as beggars who also run the same risk as the sellers of wares. Ayade has argued that many citizens cannot afford the cost of rent in standard shops, hence the justification for them to sell openly on the streets. So rather than stop them, he wants to regulate and protect them. I submit that such protection should not shut out the need to also protect motorists and commuters. Even without official protection from the state, many of the street vendors carry on with a sense of entitlement to be on the road and even take over a whole lane and force vehicles to limit their traffic to fewer lanes, thus causing a lot of traffic jams and confusions on many streets and intersections. I do not think that the only sympathetic approach to addressing the problem mentioned by Ayade lies in allowing traders the use of streets with protection. What the state ought to focus on is how to provide shops for these traders at easy-to-meet terms. But this is not the case because the state is often more concerned about revenue generation and footing the cost of all its projects as immediately as possible. The state has long jettisoned its social service responsibility to citizens, for which the petty traders form part of. It rather charges exorbitant costs for such services or allows commercial interests to take over the provision of such services. What we have across the states today are the so called shopping complexes, malls and centres owned by private businesses and charging huge rentals or lease such that the small businesses are technically shut out of access. This explains why these small businesses (petty traders) take up spaces on the streets. The state (and that includes local governments) needs to prioritise the establishment of shops and kiosks to be leased out to small businesses at reasonable costs. They also need to consider temporary access to petty traders to sell some wares at street corners, as much as the convenience requires, considering the types of wares and the needs of the public. This happens in many cities across the world. But there must be proper regulations not influenced by partisan and sectional interests. Such regulations must take care of times and days of the week the trading may be allowed. We must however not lose sight of the fact that these traders are involved in their own private businesses, not a public, philanthropic service. So they should ordinarily be expected to invest in it and not exact their cost on the society and the common space meant for all members of the society. This aligns with the same issues raised about the propriety of herdsmen taking over public highways for their cattle to graze. The nuisance values of both may be different, but they still exist. Yet, we cannot also lose sight of the fact that our society has over time granted undue privileges to the elite class or even a class of powerful criminals such as economic saboteurs and terrorists. This happens through negotiations and plea bargains. A society that allows the non-implementation or the suspension of the law in relation to people who deliberately and wilfully breach the law, occasioning violence, death and destruction of the fabrics of society lacks the morality to insist insisting on fully implementing the law to prevent others from eking out a living. It is in fact a delicate balance to strike as different groups of citizens make demands of the state for their personal interest. In making that decision, let the states weigh highly the need to ensure social justice which would not lead otherwise honest citizens into more heinous and highly-rewarding crimes. Follow me on twitter @obobef Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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My mum doesn’t like my music -Base One

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Fast rising rap artiste, Ayomipo Sotunde, better known as Base One, tells Saturday Beats about his career Your hit song was titled Werey Re and recently, you released Skon Skon. Why do you like giving your songs weird titles? It is because I am promoting my alter ego; the ‘mad man’ in me, but it’s not literal. It is something poetic, a figure of speech. What sets you apart from other rap artistes in Nigeria? I’m a versatile artiste who does the kind of rap that makes people laugh. When you listen to my lyrics, you have to pause and play it intermittently to appreciate my wordings. Whenever I am composing my songs, I think a lot and I use the things that make me laugh to form my songs so that I can also make people laugh. That’s what distinguishes me from every other rapper. How was the experience working with Fuji legend, K1 De Ultimate? I feel blessed working with him and for me, that’s a major highlight in my career. The song is really making waves across the country because I infused my rap skills into one of his old songs and made it sound fresh. The song title is ‘Better Dey Come’. We were able to create a bridge that connects both the old and young. All the experience gathered during the recording is worth the positive response it’s getting across the country. Did you actually set out to be a musician? While growing up, I used to admire bankers who usually wear nice fitted suits and ride fancy cars. That prompted me to study Banking and Finance in the university hoping that when I graduate, I would also work in the banking sector. But things did not go as planned. I later discovered that most bankers live their lives on loans and I didn’t want to toe that path in life. I also realised that being a banker, I might never have time for myself as the job requires me to wake up early and close late and my weekends are not guaranteed. And as God would have it, I discovered music and I am doing very well. How did your parents react when you told them that you were choosing music over Banking and Finance? Actually, my mum detests my music a lot and she does not support it. When I told her that I wanted to do music, she was okay with it. All she said was that the most important thing was for me to finish school. So I had to juggle both my music and studies. By the time I graduated in 2012, I had already learnt few tips in the music industry before I became a part of it fully. As for my mum, even if we are in the same car driving to church and I play my CD in the car, she will just eject it and throw it out of the window. Even though she is not totally in support of my music career, she still loves me. You know there’s this natural love that mothers always have for their children. Besides, she knows what I am doing is legitimate. It’s not something that is illegal and it’s not that I’m causing any trouble or bringing any problem to the household. So she just loves me naturally, she doesn’t have a choice. If you love me, you’re definitely going to love my music. A lot of your colleagues are venturing into Nollywood, are you toying with the idea as well? Honestly, my acting skill sucks. I don’t know how to act. I remember going to PEFTI owned by Wale Adenuga production for an audition and I was paired with somebody. We were given a script to study and after few minutes, we were called to act and present what we had read without the script. Veteran actor, Antar Laniyan, was one of the judges and immediately he shouted action, the other guy I was paired with delivered his line smoothly and when it was my turn, my brain switched off. Right there and then, I knew acting was not my calling. I just told the man, “I’m very sorry sir, thank you very much” and I went away. Do you have plans working with any Nigerian female act? For me, the female artiste that I will like to work with in Nigeria is Asa because she’s a legend and a big brand to reckon with. I have always dreamed of working with the likes of Jay-Z, Drake…the list is endless because they have so many talented people abroad. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Prophet on trial for giving false information

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A self-acclaimed prophet, David Babalola, who gave false information to the police about his landlord, was on Friday docked before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court. The accused, 43, who claimed to be a minister with the Presence Redemption Ministry, is facing trial on a charge of false testimony. He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. The prosecutor, Insp. Cousin Adams, said that the accused committed the offence on Nov. 4, at No. 13, Folorunsho St., Off Ajayi Road, Aguda-Ogba. He alleged that the accused gave false information against his landlord, Joseph Agaga, which led to his arrest and detention at the police station. He said, “The accused had falsely given information that his landlord wanted to forcefully occupy the land where his church was located. “Upon investigation by the police, it was discovered that the land actually belonged to Agaga.” Adams said the offence contravened Section 95(C) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011. Section 95 (C) prescribes seven years imprisonment if found guilty. Counsel to the accused, Mr O. Quadri, urged the court to grant bail to his client, saying that, as a man of God, he would not evade trial nor tamper with evidence. Quadri also informed the court that he would stand as surety for his client in the case. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Helen Omisore, granted the accused N200,000 bail with one surety in like sum. She said that the surety must provide evidence of tax payment to the state government and adjourned the case till Sept. 14 for mention. NAN

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Proceeds from my next album will be for Cabasa -9ice

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It seems popular singer, 9ice, is in a charitable mood as Saturday Beats exclusively gathered that all monies from his forthcoming album titled, ‘ID Cabasa,’ which is to be released in October, would go to his long-time friend and producer, ID Cabasa. In a telephone conversation with the artiste who is currently in the UK, he explained his reasons for dedicating his forthcoming album to ID Cabasa. He explained Cabasa was the first person to believe in him and he would forever remain grateful. The singer said, “I am currently working on an album that would come out in October and I would title it ‘ID Cabasa’. I am dedicating the album to ID Cabasa and all the remuneration and profits from the album would go to him. All the money I make from the album would go to Cabasa because of all the work he has done for me from the time of ‘Gongo Aso.’ When I was nobody, he was there for me; there is a difference between someone believing in you and someone encouraging you. ID Cabasa believed in me and encouraged me through his platform. Cabasa is going to produce some of the tracks on the album and he welcomed the development.” While commenting on his collaboration with Ruggedman after six years of controversy between both parties, he said he was glad they finally have a song together. “I am happy that I collaborated on a song with Ruggedman. I am moving ahead in life; there is a point in life where you have to look back at where you are coming from and where you are going to. While we are going up the ladder of success, there are people who are part of our success. Ruggedman was part of my success story so there is no point for us keeping malice. That is the reason we came back together,” he said. The ‘Gongo Aso’ crooner told Saturday Beats that the collaboration was long overdue but did not happen till now because of rumour peddlers in the industry. “It took long for us to have this collaboration because there have been a lot of speculation flying around about both of us. I have always said it that I did not have any problem with Ruggedman but people were always misconstruing things. It was all a misconception within the entertainment industry and people began to peddle rumours against us. That was what led to the misunderstanding between us but I thank God that we are back together,” 9ice said. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Wike can’t be impeached, Rivers PDP tells Peterside

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Chukwudi Akasike, Port Harcourt THE Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has said that the tenure of the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, is not under any threat of impeachment. The state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, said on Monday that the governor would serve his tenure, adding that the people of the state would continue to support his administration. Nwanosike spoke in Port Harcourt while briefing newsmen, in reaction to a statement credited to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 general election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside. Peterside had predicted that the regime of the governor would soon come to an end, adding that the people could not be deceived with lies and propaganda, no matter how well crafted the lies were. But Nwanosike explained that the state House of Assembly had majority of the PDP and wondered why Peterside, who is the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, would make such a statement. “Dakuku Peterside should know that the governor cannot be impeached because in the state House of Assembly, the PDP is in the majority. The issue of the governor’s regime coming to an end cannot come up. “Governor Wike is using the resources at his disposal to develop the state and that is why he will continue to enjoy the support of the people. They can try as much as they can, they cannot do anything to Governor Wike,” the state PDP publicity secretary said. He explained that there was no controversy surrounding the position of the state governor, since the Supreme Court had given its verdict in Wike favour. “Rivers State is PDP. We have got up to the Supreme Court and we won. So, to say that Wike’s administration will soon come to an end does not make any meaning to us,” he added. Reacting, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Chris Finebone, disagreed with Nwanosike, saying that Rivers remains an APC state. He described the claim that the state belonged to the PDP as an empty talk, adding that the people of the state were aware of how the election was handled in the state. “Rivers State is not PDP. People were saying Nigeria was PDP, until APC won. It is sheer empty talk to say that Rivers State is PDP. Rivers belongs to the APC and will remain APC,” Finebone said. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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ASUU berates FGN over paucity of funds in varsities

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The Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities has blamed the paucity of funds being experienced by public universities on the introduction of the Treasury Single Account, saying it is gradually grinding the schools’ operations to a halt. The body equally berated the Federal Government over its reluctance to implement the 2009 agreement it reached with ASUU. The union also said according to a Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the Federal Government in November, 2013, the government is required to provide the sum of N1.2tn for the rehabilitation of decaying infrastructure in public universities between 2013 and 2019 (N220 billion annually). But ASUU claimed that the government has released only N200bn out of the agreed sum meant for the rehabilitation. It faulted the government over its insensitivity to implement key issues reached in the 2009 agreement and its reluctance since 2012 to renegotiate the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, saying the action was already getting its members increasingly worried and frustrated. Dr. Augustine Ndaghu, North East Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, during the week, reminded the Federal Government of the need to revisit the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement. He said government implementation of the agreement will help to address the financial crisis being experienced by public universities. He said, “With the operation of TSA, federal universities find it extremely difficult to discharge their core responsibilities of teaching, research and community services, as well as engaging in international academic networking due to inadequate access to budgeted funds. “TSA is incompatible with the autonomy of the universities and universities should be exempted from its implementation on account of their peculiarities.” He noted that from December 2015, public universities have been experiencing drastic reduction in the funds meant for capital grants and workers’ salaries, describing the current practice as totally unacceptable to the zone and its members. He said, “Sadly after releasing N200bn in 2013, the Federal Government has failed to release the 2014, 2015 and 2016 tranches. “Many universities now pay fractions of salaries or are unable to pay salaries outright at the end of every month. State universities hardly receive subventions from their state governments.” ASUU expressed surprise that in furtherance of the financial crisis in the universities, the Federal Government went ahead to shut down all staff schools and sacked their staff. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Dickson, Bayelsa APC clash over alleged missing $4.6m

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Simon Utebor, Yenagoa The invasion of the home of Mr. Richie Etonye, an accountant attached to the Bayelsa State Government House by the police, has triggered a war of words between Governor Seriake Dickson and the All Progressives Congress in the state. Policemen numbering over 50 had last Tuesday, August 23, 2016, invaded the home of the governor’s aide over missing money belonging to the government which was put in the region of $4.6m. Dickson had in a statement on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, condemned the invasion of his aide’s residence and wanted the policemen involved in the raid prosecuted. The governor, who described the invasion of Etonye’s home as an “an act of irresponsibility”, alleged that the invasion was conducted on the instruction of leaders of the APC in Abuja. Dickson had said that since the APC won the Presidential election, its leaders in Bayelsa had been manipulating the federal security agencies to harass, intimidate and invade the homes of innocent citizens and non-APC members to settle political scores. According to him, the invasion of the residence of the governor’s aide was a classic example of the politicisation of the security agencies. Dickson had said, “These same APC leaders are the ones involved in the killings and ransacking of communities in Bayelsa State, yet they are yet to be apprehended. It is these same politicians that give the false tip-offs to security agencies for the invasion of their opponents’ homes. “Government, therefore, calls on the police and other security agencies to be wary of such false information. They are also advised to confirm such tip-offs from the local security in the state and involve them before taking action.” But the APC, in a reaction on Sunday, challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to immediately wade into the allegation that a government accountant (Etonye) bolted away with the sum of $4.6m cash. The party, in a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Fortune Panebi, also berated the governor over his silence on the matter, describing such as admittance that something had actually gone wrong within his “inner circle of financial scavengers.” The APC said, ‘’The story about the allegedly stolen cash of $4.6m is shocking. This development assaults the collective psyche of the people of Bayelsa State, especially at a time Dickson has decided to impoverish workers by deliberately suffocating them through non-payment of their rightful wages. ‘’We had waited in total disbelief that such an act could be brazenly perpetrated by the governor. We had asked where and how possible it was for him to keep such a huge cash in dollars. “But Dickson’s response to the news about the stolen money on Friday clearly betrayed him that he is indeed the leader of a financial scavengers’ ring bleeding the state of its finances. ‘’This is a test case that the EFCC should immediately intervene to unravel and prosecute without delay. For the Nigeria Police Force, the ball is in its court to clear its name.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Arsenal sign Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia

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Arsenal have signed German central defender Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia, the London club said on Tuesday. “He is at the right age,” Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger said of the 24-year-old. “And he has good experience.” “He is a very focused player who can play with the ball as well. We have taken a great player but have prepared well for the future.” The central defender arrives at the Premier League outfit after injuries to fellow centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Gabriel and has long been pursued by Wenger.

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EU gives AU funds to fight B'Haram

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Fidelis Soriwei, Abuja The European Union has released some funds to the African Union to support the regional campaign against the Boko Haram terror threat in Nigeria and the countries of the Lake Chad Basin. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, disclosed this while receiving some participants of the Bangladesh Defence College on a world tour, led by Rear Admiral Anwarul Islam at the Army headquarters on Friday. Buratai also said that the the campaign against Boko Haram is getting more support in the international arena, with the United Nations supporting the activities of the Multinational Joint Task Force. He added that apart from the support by international bodies, individual countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France are also making contributions to intensify the fight against the insurgents.

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Police nab armed robbers, kidnappers in Cross River

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The Cross River Police Command on Monday said it arrested 15 suspects, including 13 armed robbers and two kidnappers, operating in parts of the state. Mr Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, the Police Commissioner, paraded the suspects in Calabar while briefing newsmen on activities of the command in August. Ozi-Obeh said the breakthrough was made possible through information provided by the public as well as intelligence gathering. He said, “Within the month under review, a total number of persons along with various weapons are 15 suspects, 15 live ammunition, 10 rounds of .9mm live ammunition, six locally made pistols and four live cartridge. According to the commissioner, two suspects were arrested while attempting to kidnap one Okon Nsi, a Hotel owner in Odukpani Road Calabar. He said, “Two locally made pistols, one locally made berretta pistol and 10 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.” He said that three others were arrested by Ikom Divisional Police Headquarter after robbing one Ajuwon Tolu of her valuables at gun point. The commissioner said other armed robbers were arrested at various points in Odukpani and Calabar areas. Jimoh said other five suspects were picked at various locations in Calabar for offences such as unlawful possession of firearms, cultism and harmful assault, among others. He said investigations were currently ongoing in all the cases, while the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were completed. He enjoined residents of the state to assist the police in fighting crimes through information sharing. He said, “Police cannot be everywhere at the same time; if you give us information, we will treat it with utmost confidentiality.” The commissioner promised that the command would do everything within its powers to reduce crime to the barest minimum in the State. He said,”I therefore want to use this medium to warn all criminals and perpetrators of heinous crime to stay away from the State clear.” NAN

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Ambode appoints Anibaba as Lotteries Board CEO

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The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved the appointment of Mr. Seun Anibaba as the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries Board. Anibaba replaces Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila who was named the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, said Anibaba graduated from the University of Oklahoma and the New York University, both in the United States of America, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, respectively. A Certified Public Accountant, Anibaba began his working experience with Merrill Lynch Corporate Audit and Global Lending as an intern and went on to become Vice President of the Bank of America, Merrill Lynch Corporate Audit. He was the Chief Executive Officer and founder of the DPR Wealth Management LCC and was Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Business and Marketing Strategies before his appointment. Ambode also approved the appointment of Mr. Steve Oshinowo as the new Secretary of the Lagos State Scholarship Board.

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BREAKING: Aero confirms PUNCH's report, suspends scheduled services

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Okechukwu Nnodim, Abuja Aero Contractors Airlines, Nigeria’s second largest commercial carrier, has confirmed an exclusive report of The PUNCH by announcing the suspension of its scheduled services beginning from Thursday September 1, 2016. On Monday, August 22, 2016, The PUNCH exclusively reported that the airline was set to lay off some of its workers due to its worsening financial crisis. The report also noted that the carrier was in talks with aviation unions on how to cut down on the number of workers in its employ, after sources from the sector revealed that Aero was contemplating a suspension of its scheduled flight services. Confirming this in a statement signed by the carrier’s management on Wednesday, Aero stated that the suspension was part of the strategic business realignment to reposition the airline and return it to profitability. It stated that this “business decision”, which is a result of the current economic situation in the country, had forced some other airlines to suspend operations or pull out of Nigeria. The management of the carrier said the airline had faced grave challenges in the past six months which impacted its business and by extension the scheduled services operations. These factors, according to Aero, are both internal and external environmental factors that have made it difficult for it to continue its scheduled services. It stated that during the period in review, Aero witnessed epileptic operations and services to the external public that were caused by non-alignment of fundamental issue of the business, which in some cases had been frustrating and embarrassing to all parties including staff, customers and indeed all stakeholders. As part of its resolve to ensure the airline survived unlike most other carriers that experienced short life span in the country, AMCON had appointed Mr. Adeniyi Adegbomire SAN as Receiver Manager in February 6, 2016, with the aim of turning the airline around. Since AMCON’s intervention in Aero Contractors in 2011, it had provided support for the airline to meet working capital requirements and fleet expansion. These were to ensure the airline remains a going concern providing services to various clients and the general public. But the airline noted that unfortunately, the operating environment within and outside the Aero had hindered any possible progress especially in the last six months when the naira depreciated against the dollar thus making it impossible for the airline to achieve its operational targets. It started that with these realities coupled with protracted engagements with all relevant stakeholders, the management strenuously reviewed and assessed options and opportunities on ensuring viability, safety and sustainability of operations during the period with a lot of sacrifices. The airline said, “The impact of the external environment has been very harsh on our operational performance, hence management decision to suspend scheduled services operations indefinitely effective September 1, 2016, pending when the external opportunities and a robust sustainable and viable plan is in place for Aero Contractors to recommence its scheduled services. “The implication of the suspension of scheduled services operations extends to all staffs directly and indirectly involved in providing services as they are effectively to proceed on indefinite leave of absence during the period of non-services. It added, “We are aware of the impact this will have on our staff and our highly esteemed customers, hence we have initiated moves to ensure that we are able to return back to operations within the shortest possible time, offering reliable, safe and secure operations, which the airline is known for.”

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Armed herdsmen: Afenifere, Ohanaeze, ACF disagree on Fayose’s law

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John Alechenu, Fidelis Soriwei, Friday Olokor, Ihuoma Chiedozie, Peter Dada and Godwin Isenyo The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, the Igbo socio-political organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra have expressed support for the bill assented to by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, which categorises grazing with arms in the state as terrorism. But the umbrella body for northern groups, the Arewa Consultative Forum, however, said any law which contravened the constitution of the country would be illegal, adding that any Nigerian was free to move in any part of the country. Fayose had, while signing the ‘prohibition of cattle and other Ruminants Grazing in Ekiti 2016’ into law on Monday, said any herdsman, caught with any form of weapons while grazing his cattle in any part of the state, would be arrested and charged with terrorism. Afenifere, which spoke through its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, on Tuesday, described Fayose’s action as courageous and worthy of emulation. Odumakin pointed out that the bill would put an end to the incessant attacks by the Fulani herdsmen on farmers and their farms in the southern part of the country. He said, “The bill will stop the menace of the herdsmen, who have been terrorising their host communities. ‘‘Right from ages, herdsmen are not to carry arms when they are moving about with their cattle. But when herdsmen begin to carry unlicensed AK 47 (rifles), these are clearly not herdsmen; these are terrorists. I think the law should not smile at such people.” The Ohanaeze Ndigbo hailed Fayose for signing the bill into law, noting that the governor took a “brave” step. Speaking with one of our correspondents on Tuesday, President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said the law should be replicated in all parts of the country. He added, “Fayose has done the right thing and he should be commended and encouraged for taking this brave step. “Cattle rearing is a private business; those involved in the venture should not become a threat to other Nigerians. “We in the Ohanaeze Youth Council are asking the South-East governors to do same in their states. “The law, if implemented in the South-East, would check the violent activities of herdsmen in the zone, and same applies to other parts of the country where the herdsmen are wreaking havoc on their host communities. “Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, should act fast; he should emulate Fayose if he really intends to protect lives and property in his state.” MASSOB, while commending Fayose for signing the bill into law, said other governors in the southern part of the country, as well as the Middle Belt, should enact similar laws. MASSOB spokesman, Samuel Edeson, said, “It is a very good development; we are expecting other governors in the southern part of the country, and the Middle Belt, to do same. “Enugu State Governor, Ugwuanyi, should emulate Fayose because herdsmen attacks are becoming regular in the state. “The people of Enugu State are under attack; they are being killed and the governor is not taking action. “The attack happened only once in Ekiti State and Fayose responded immediately. What Fayose did is laudable; it is a very good development.” ACF, which spoke through its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, on Tuesday, said any law passed by Ekiti State, which contradicted the law of the Federal Government should be considered null and void. “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees free movement of Nigerians as long as they pursue their legitimate business,” Ibrahim added. The ACF, however, described any individual or group that illegally carried arms against the state as a criminal. In an interview with one of our correspondents in Kaduna, the ACF spokesman stated that any Fulani herdsmen or any other group in possession of illegal firearms were considered as criminals before the law and should be treated as criminals by the state. “This is not the question of herdsmen or Fulani or anybody. Anybody carrying arms illegally is committing a serious offence against the state. Naturally, such people should be punished by the law.” The President, Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, Yerima Shettima, while condemning the attacks by the herdsmen, however, expressed reservation on the new law in Ekiti State. Shettima added, “The issue of criminality perpetrated by some people should not be seen as an avenue to criminalise others. ‘‘Fayose should have looked at the issue in collaboration with the Federal Government. So, if he is passing the law to victimise other people, I don’t think it is right.” On his part, President, Campaign for Democracy, Abdul Usman, said the protection of people’s lives from herdsmen was necessary. He stated, “If the Nigerian state will have so much value for animals against humanity to the extent of providing grazing reserves and importing feeds for animals, the Ekiti State Governor has done well to the deserving people of the state. “Human protection first, then animals should follow. We have seen the unrest caused by the herdsmen; it’s quite worrisome and with this new law, a lot will be addressed.” Also, the President, Civil Liberties Organisation, Igho Akeregha, said the grazing law in Ekiti State was a two edged sword. He said, “Herdsmen have a right to freedom of movement with their cattle anywhere in Nigeria but while enjoying that right; they cannot be killing people anywhere they go, which is a violation of the right to life. “Since the Governor is the Chief Security Officer of the state and has a corresponding duty to secure lives and property, the anti-grazing bill signed by Governor Ayodele Fayose is therefore in order.” DHQ plans special task force on herdsmen killings Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters is planning a special task force to deal with the menace of the frequent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers across the country, Meanwhile, the. According to the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, the task force, which is expected to address the attacks by herdsmen, is code named ‘Operation Accord’. Abubakar told one of our correspondents on the telephone on Tuesday that while the operational headquarters of the planned operation would be in one of the six states of the North-East, it would be mandated to address the scourge of herdsmen and farmers’ clashes all over the country. The operation, he added, would give serious attention to identified flashpoints of such clashes in the country. “So when it is operational, we will make it known to everybody but for now, the Chief of Defence Staff has come out with that idea of forming Operation Accord which is intended to curtail the herdsmen and farmers’ clashes nationwide.” Rich politicians behind herdsmen attacks –APC However, the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress, Segun Oni, has blamed some rich politicians, who he did not name, for the spate of attacks by Fulani herdsmen. Oni said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday. Oni added, “This personally worries me because, these gunmen, who have suddenly become so notorious, invading villages and so on, are people that have always been around. “But my guess is that many of these are sponsored by people who have so much money and want to create instability.’’ Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Man Utd beat stubborn Hull City 1-0

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Jose Mourinho on Saturday led his side to a 1-0 victory at the KCOM Stadium, to maintain his winning run. Second-placed Manchester United are behind Chelsea only on goals scored after Marcus Rashford struck deep into second-half stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 win at Hull City. At the KCOM Stadium, United secured their third successive win under Mourinho as teenage striker Rashford finally turned their pressure into a tangible reward. Frustrated by a resolute Hull defence, United won it in the second minute of stoppage time when substitute Rashford bagged his first goal of the season with a tap in from Wayne Rooney’s low cross.

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Oil price slide will open other sectors

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A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Charles Soludo, has said that the current slide in oil price was an opportunity for the nation to explore other vital sectors of the economy. He said, “every disappointment is a blessing and I see the drop in the price of oil as a great opportunity for the country to discover and harness its rich potential.’’ Soludo stated this at the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the creation of Delta on Friday in Asaba. He said that though Nigeria was under excruciating pains, there was hope for the citizenry. Soludo, who is currently the President of African Heritage Institution, Enugu, warned that “the country cannot have competitive economy when there are political and security challenges.’’ According to him, the rate of poverty is high, militancy and kidnapping is on the increase while the current recession faced by the country is self-inflicting. While commending the Federal Government for fixing the exchange rate, he noted that the parallel market rate was over-shooting the market. The former apex governor warned that if the exchange rate continued to overshoot, it would scare investors from coming to invest in the country. He advised the government to fight insurgency completely and maintain peace, saying that this would go a long way in reviving the economy of the nation. He added that the Federal Government should allow states to have control of their resources and pay some percentage to it. According to him, this will also help to stabilize the economy of the nation as well as reduce the challenges of insurgency in the country. While commending Delta for its anniversary, Soludo urged the state government to develop its waterways as well as its coastal communities for tourism. “Holidays abroad is now becoming too expensive and if Delta takes advantage of its coastal areas and develop it, it will attract tourists to the state,’’ he said. Soludo also urged the state government to modernise its seaports and industrial parks, adding that this would go a long way in opening up business activities in the South-South region. He said, “Modernising the seaports and the industrial parks will also make Delta state an international state as well as increase trade investment. “It will also help to serve as an alternative to Lagos state, which is an economic hub of the nation.” NAN

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25-year-old Nigerian breaks record at Ghana varsity

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Charles Abah with agency report A Nigerian, Fathia Kareem, has set a record at the School of Medical Sciences of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, breaking its academic history. For her feat, she received 12 out of 15 awards presented during the oath-swearing and induction ceremony for fresh doctors of the institution last Saturday. Kareem, 25, is an alumnus of the Wesley Girls High School. It was a happy and proud moment for family and friends when she took several turns to receive the awards in the 55-year-old ivory tower. When asked if she expected to get the number of awards, she said, “Yes and No. Yes because I worked hard by studying and no because I did not expect to receive so many awards.” Of late, many Nigerians have distinguished themselves in many overseas universities, with some of them emerging as valedictorians of their schools. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Oil exploration: Lagos Assembly seeks protection for host communities

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The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday called for a stakeholders’ meeting of government officials, oil investors and host communities, following oil discovery and exploration in Badagry area. The call followed a motion moved by Mr Folajimi Mohammed (APC-Ikeja I) on the need for the state to be proactive in protecting the host communities from environmental degradation. The motion was seconded by Mr Gbolahan Yishawu (APC-Eti Osa II). Mohammed, Chairman, House Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources, urged the state government to do everything possible to protect the people and the communities within area of exploration. According to him, the stakeholders’ meeting has become crucial to adequately prepare to prevent a repetition of the current agitation in the Niger Delta over environmental degradation. He said, “The stakeholders should come together to discuss the socio-economic importance of the exploration of oil in the state and related issues. “Efforts must be made to ensure that the state does not go the way of Niger Delta and other oil-producing states in Nigeria who are suffering from environmental degradation with the activities of oil companies. “The discovery of oil in the state has made Lagos an oil-producing state but it is important to consider the consequences of the exploration.” Yishawu, Chairman, House Committee on Waterfront Infrastructure said, “We need to learn from oil exploration in Niger Delta. We do not want a repeat of what is happing in the Niger Delta’’. The Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Rotimi Olowo, called for a development plan by the investors to protect the environment and the people. He said, “Our target should not be limited to environmental protection of the area; we need to talk on the infrastructure and economic gains by the people and their communities. The Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni said, “Oil spillage will come; there is going to be oil degradation of environment and we need to be proactive’’. Mr Setonji David (APC-Badagry II) said that he received the news of the oil discovery in the area with mixed feelings because of the environmental degradation in Niger Delta occasioned by oil exploration companies. David, the Chairman, House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development said, “I hope our communities will not be devastate’’. “Fishing activities would be affected in the area if the government does not do anything about it. “We need Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the discovery to know what would eventually happen to our people, when exploration starts. “We should take all the necessary steps so that we would not regret the discovery. There is need for proper steps to ameliorate the environmental implications.” The lawmaker said that a percentage of whatever would be accruable to the government should be dedicated for the development of the area. He, however, expressed confidence in the ability of the state government to protect the host communities. The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa said, “There is a need for us to be proactive and learn from the past so that we can safeguard our state and host communities.’’ Obasa suggested that there should be a stakeholders’ meeting which would bring the host communities, government officials and investors together to avoid what happened in Niger Delta. He said, “We must safeguard the host communities and we must commend companies that have been investing in oil exploration in the state over the years before oil was eventually discovered there. “All necessary infrastructures must be put in place to protect the state and the host communities so that we would prevent what is happening in Niger Delta from happening in Lagos State.” Obasa said that oil companies had to stop exploration if they had started so that the state government would be better prepared before they start operation. The speaker, who commended investors in oil exploration, said that the state would benefit a lot from the exploration, adding that the state government would encourage the investors. The Federal Executive Council recently approved the exploration of oil in Badagry and 13 per cent derivation for the Lagos State. (NAN)

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Communications tax: 25% of licensed operators to shut down

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Ozioma Ubabukoh Industry players have projected that Nigeria would lose another 25 per cent of licensed operators if the Communication Service Tax bill is passed into law. Already, the country has lost 57 per cent of licensed operators to multiple taxations. The National Chairman of Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, said on Thursday that despite the growth already recorded in the industry, telecoms operators continued to face challenges emanating from recurring taxations and the regulatory environment. He said, “When I became the chairman of ALTON three years ago, there were 35 licensed telecoms companies comprising some small players, those in the fixed line, Code Division Multiple Access and Global System for Mobile communications players that were doing well, though not without challenges. “However, today, that figure has come down drastically, as we now have just about 15 licensees still operating and this tells you that something is not going well.” A top employee in one of the four major telecoms firms said that findings from a study conducted by the regulatory department of his company showed that no fewer than 25 per cent of the existing licensed operators would cease operating in the country one year after the CST bill is passed. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he added, “Should this happen, then the Federal Government should be prepared for the worse, as so many Nigerians will be rendered jobless. It will be too bad for the telecoms sector that is currently seen as one of the highest employers of labour.” The ALTON chairman said that the loss of about 20 operators, representing about 57 per cent, within a space of three years “has been traced partly to the problem of regulatory environment, where there are multiple regulations and imposition of all kinds of taxes on the operators from the federal, state and local levels.” He said, “The fact that, as operators, we are still confronted with wilful and non-wilful damage, arising from insecurity in the past years, multiple taxation, especially the Right of Way charges and attendant problem of indiscriminate shutdown of telecoms infrastructure, among others, suggests that regulations in the industry remain unfriendly with varying degrees at different levels of government.” He said that the RoW in most states remained exorbitant as government agencies, especially at the state and local levels, continued to perceive telecoms as ‘cash-cow.’ “It is only in Lagos now that we have been able to achieve better understanding from the government. For instance, Lagos State Government, having realised the great impact pervasive deployment of telecoms infrastructure and unhindered access could have on the state’s Gross Domestic Product, three years ago, crashed RoW tax to N500 per metre.” “Conversely, in states such as Osun and other states, operators are charged N8, 000 per metre covered while laying their fibre optic cables in addition to other laughable charges on the operators. These are some of the things that we face as operators and it is telling on our sustainability as a business with the smaller operators being the most susceptible, thereby leading to their collapse,” he said. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Woman stabs husband for drinking her last beer

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45-year-old Tracey Lee Giffin allegedly flew into a rage when she woke up from a nap and discovered her last can in the house was gone. Gaffin, from the US state of Pennsylvania, reportedly grabbed a pair of scissors and used them to slash at her 59-year-old husband. Cops say she also bit him during the alleged attack. Trib Live reports that she has now been charged with aggravated assault, assault, reckless endangerment and harassment. Her husband is said to have suffered cuts to his chest, stomach and neck. Police also say they found bite marks on his arms and thumb. It was also revealed Gaffin has had a previous run-in with the law over an item of food. According to KDKA, she and her then-boyfriend got into a fight because she forgot to buy barbecue sauce on her way home on Christmas Eve in 2013. The report says she bit the unnamed man on the nose and hand, and suffered an eye injury herself. She is currently being held in Fayette County Jail ahead of a preliminary hearing.

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NGO advocates peaceful poll in Edo

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Fisayo Falode Ahead of the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Coalition for Change and Development Foundation, is organising a one-day sensitisation programme aimed at engaging youths for peaceful participation at the poll. The sensitisation programme tagged, “Edo youths for peaceful election: Crusade against political violence,” is scheduled for Wednesday, August 31, 2016, at the Civic Centre, Benin City. A statement on Friday by the Executive Director, CCDF, Olanrewaju Oretoluwa, said that the sensitisation programme would commence with a keynote address from the representative of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Other dignitaries expected to address youths at the event include the Edo State Police Commissioner, Director of the Department of State Services in the state, and the state Resident Electoral Commissioner. Representatives of youth groups across the state are expected to participate in the sensitisation programme aimed at facilitating peaceful political engagement and non-violent poll. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Militants bomb another oil facility in Delta

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Ovie Okpare, Warri Niger Delta militants have blown up another major oil delivery line belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company at Ogor-Oteri in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. A community source told our correspondent that there were explosions in the area around 3am on Tuesday during a downpour. A militant group, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, which threatened to attack oil facilities in the upland parts of the region, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group in a statement issued by its spokesman, Aldo Agbalaja, said, “At about 0300hrs of today Tuesday, 30 August 2016, the uproot team B of the NDGJM brought down the Ogor – Oteri major delivery line Operated by NPDC/Shoresline.” The statement asked oil companies operating in the region to evacuate their staff from Warri and Port-Harcourt Refineries to avoid being hurt in further attacks in the coming days. It also announced that the Pigging Manifold in Agbarha had been marked for attack. The group said, “To this end, we are alerting all those working in the UQCC/UPS Erhomukokwarien in Ughelli, Eriemu Pigging Manifold in Agbarha, Otorogun Gas Plant, Olomoro Flow Station, Warri Refinery, Port-Harcourt Refinery Eleme, Ob-Ob And Obite Gas Plants in Omoku to evacuate because what is coming to those facilities is beyond what anybody has seen before. “We do not want innocent blood being spilled therefore we advise all indigenes living in the vicinities of the facilities to relocate for the time being.” The group accused militant groups that are willing to negotiate with the Federal Government under the arrangement by Chief Edwin Clark of being only after the money. “Those in the field just for the money will quickly rush to align with the Pa E.K Clark’s arrangement because they were, as a matter of fact, created by some of the people co-travelling with Clark,” it said. “We want to reiterate our lack of confidence in the Clark-led arrangement, Chief Clark is not the leader of the whole of Niger Delta, he can hold the front for the Ijaw nation but definitely not for all the ethnic nations in the region.” It argued that “if there shall be a negotiation, it must be seen and indeed, must be in actual sense, be representing all the individual nations of the region equally.”

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Buhari approves NPA, NIMASA boards

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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of the Governing Boards of the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by Mr Bolaji Adebiyi, Director of Press in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The statement said that NPA board, with 10 members, would be chaired by Mr Emmanuel Adesoye. Members of the board, according to the statement, are Supo Shasore, Suleiman Halilu, Constance Mashal, Umar Shu’aibu, Charles Sylvester, Hadiza Usman, Mohammed Koko, Sekonte Davis, Idris Abubakar and I. J. Uche-Okoro. The statement also said that Maj.- Gen. Jonathan Garba (retd) was appointed the chairman of the board of NIMASA. It listed the members as Asekomhe Kenneth, Mohammed Muazu, Ebele Obi, S.U. Galadanchi and Nene Dike. Others are Dakuku Peterside, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo (retd), Bashir Jamoh, Joseph Fashakin and Gambo Ahmed.

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Pope to visit quake victims ‘as soon as possible’

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Pope Francis said Sunday he wanted to visit some of the central Italian villages devastated in this week’s earthquake, as survivors and rescue workers dug in for the long haul with winter approaching. Francis said the Catholic Church shared the “suffering” of the victims of the quake that claimed nearly 300 lives and pledged: “As soon as possible, I hope to come and see you.” The Argentine pontiff told thousands of worshippers gathered for the Angelus prayer in Rome’s Saint Peter’s square he had a “spiritual closeness” to residents of the mountain villages in a remote area straddling the Umbria, Marche and Lazio regions. Meanwhile, as hope faded of finding anyone else alive and the search for bodies nearly complete, rescue workers and survivors turned their attention to a bleak future, with winter around the corner. “We’re getting ready for winter. Given what’s happened in other quakes, we’re going to spend winter here,” said Emidio Chiappini, from the devastated Sant’Angelo village. The government has pledged to support immediate reconstruction and Chiappini said he hoped authorities would send pre-fabricated housing to stave off the frost that will soon descend on the mountainous region. The Italian government has freed up around 60 million euros ($67 million) in immediate aid, added to which will be approximately 10 million euros in donations. “Basically, we know we’re going to be here for three or four months. That’s not official, but we have got the equipment for that,” said a volunteer for the civil protection agency who gave his name as Nicola. According to Italian media, the government is poised to appoint a special commissioner to oversee the huge reconstruction operation, which is being hampered by aftershocks — more than 1,800 since the earthquake struck on Wednesday. Shoddy reconstruction With the immediate grief fading, the focus was switching to how such damage could have been wrought in an area so close (50 kilometres, 32 miles) to L’Aquila, which was hit by a 2009 earthquake in which more than 300 people perished. Prosecutor Giuseppe Saieva has indicated that property owners who commissioned suspected sub-standard work could be held responsible for contributing to the quake’s deadly impact. “If the buildings had been constructed as they are in Japan they wouldn’t have collapsed,” he told La Repubblica daily. “If it emerges that individuals cut corners, they will be pursued and those that have made mistakes will pay a price,” the prosecutor said. Some of the survivors in the camps of blue tents accommodating those who have lost their homes said that on top of everything else, they had to battle against boredom. “Basically, things are OK. It’s just that we are doing nothing all day here. I’m used to working nearly 18 hours a day and now, there’s nothing to do,” said one survivor who gave his name as Massimo. Another survivor, Atemio Scienzo, warned that endemic corruption in Italy could stymie reconstruction efforts. “After the emergency comes the period of reconstruction and that’s the important bit. It has to happen quickly and the funds have to arrive,” said the craftsman. “If half of it gets lost en route, as often happens, there will be a problem.” AFP

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I will marry next year

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Since his appearance in Obi Emelonye’s Last Flight to Abuja, Anthony Monjaro has been getting attention from fans and stakeholders in the entertainment industry. His sex-crazed character in Lekki Wives made him a sensational hit. Monjaro immediately became a sex symbol. But despite all the attention, Monjaro is still unmarried. The London returnee who is well over 40, said he has yet to find his feet and needs time to settle down in Nigeria since he just relocated. “I moved back to Nigeria a while ago but I need to settle down. I don’t want to get married and struggle. I will settle down next year. You are not the only person on my case, everybody is on my case,” he said. He went further to say he could marry an actress, “It doesn’t matter if the person is an actress or not. As long as I connect with the person, that is good enough.” Monjaro holds a BSc in Multimedia and Film Production from Thames Valley University, London and a Diploma in Performing Act for Screen from Goldsmith College,London. Monjaro, whose real name is Anthony Akposheri, was a regular on the African popular daytime TV soap, Tinsel, for six months and has gone on to star in a few other popular TV drama series. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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25th anniversary: Osun ex-govs absent at ceremony

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Femi Makinde All past civilian governors of Osun State were on Saturday absent at a ceremony organised to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the state. The state’s first civilian governor, Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Chief Bisi Akande and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola were absent but two past military administrators, Col. Theophilus Bamgboye (retd.) and Navy Capt. Anthony Udofia (retd.) were at the event. Although the past governors were not present at the callisthenic display by 4000 pupils drawn from 17 schools, the event was colourful as the pupils treated those in attendance to breathtaking displays. Bamgboye commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for embarking on developmental projects in the state. He said, “I can see that Osun State is working and there are developments. I have never witnessed a colourful ceremony like this (the callisthenics).” The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, who also spoke at the ceremony, urged Aregbesola to work towards reducing hunger and poverty in the land. The monarch commended the governor for doing well but advised him to do more so that the people, including traditional rulers, would be taken out of poverty. But the Peoples Democratic Party in the state said Aregbesola had brought untold hardship on the people of the state with his style of governance. The factional chairman of the PDP, Soji Adagunodo, claimed that the All Progressives Congress-led government had impoverished the state. He said, “Aregbesola should point to a project that he has done and commissioned. We are advising him not to point to the mega schools because they were done during the PDP-led Federal Government and it was funded by the State Universal Basic Education Board.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Those who almost killed me are walking free - Journalist beaten to coma

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Over a year after he was beaten to a coma by his attackers, a Nigerian journalist, Yomi Olomofe, has yet to get justice, ARUKAINO UMUKORO writes Yomi Olomofe is still a troubled man. Most times, he watches his back whenever he is in the public to convince himself that no suspicious persons were on his trail. He also now wears glasses to aid his vision. He still carries the physical traces and psychological scars from an incident that almost cost him his life 14 months ago. These are tell-tale signs of the brutal attack on the 47-year-old journalist and publisher. He was attacked on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at Seme, a border town between Nigeria and Benin. Olomofe and another journalist, McDominic Nkpemenyie, had gone to the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Command, Badagry, on a fact-finding mission. Olomofe said the customs officers at Seme had invited them to their offices after Nkpemenyie had sent questions via a text message to the then Customs Area Comptroller, Seme Border Command, Mohammed Ndalati, seeking clarifications about allegations that some customs officials were allegedly involved in smuggling and human trafficking at the border. The NCS is regarded as one of Nigeria’s highest revenue generating agency. When they arrived at the premises of the service at Seme border, the journalists got a rude shock instead of a gentlemanly discussion they expected, Olomofe said he was brutally attacked and beaten to a coma inside the premises of the NCS by some men he alleged to be smugglers and paid agents of the service. Nkpemenyie was however lucky as he somehow managed to escape. Olomofe also alleged that Ndalati was present at the scene when his attackers descended on him. The journalist told SUNDAY PUNCH that he’s still living with the trauma. “As I speak to you, my eyes have yet to heal; I cannot read beyond three to four minutes before water begins to come out of the left eye. I’ve done several tests on it and I have just been assured that it would take time, and hopefully it will heal. Also, one year after the incident, the psychological trauma is still there. I never committed a crime. I was just doing my job,” Olomofe said. He further said, “The characters who assaulted me are still walking free, and as long as they are walking about free, my safety and that of my family is in danger, being that my house, my family, children and my aged parents are all in Badagry, where the incident happened. These people have sent some other persons to members of my family. About three Thursdays ago, I got a call from my parents, saying that some suspicious characters were lurking around their residence, and when they made efforts to approach them, they hurriedly drove off.” The journalist added that such incident was not isolated. He said, “Some persons have at various times, some of them under the guise of trying to be helpful, told me that if I did not discontinue with the court action, I should know that my life is not safe. That was why I had to leave Badagry for my own personal safety. “But as long as other members of the group that meted out physical violence on me with the intention to murder me that fateful day, June, 2015, on the premises of the Nigeria Customs Service, still walk freely, my life and those of my family are still under threat.” When SUNDAY PUNCH contacted Nkpemenyie, he did not want to speak on the incident, probably out of fright for his life and family. “That incident is in the past. I don’t want to talk about it, please,” he told our correspondent on the telephone. The Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the service had no links with those who attacked Olomofe on the premises of the service. “I take exception to what Olomofe said. The incident happened at the Seme Border area, not on the premises of the Customs office,’’ Adeniyi said. He further said, “When we got the report (of his beating), our officials took him to the hospital. After he was discharged, he turned back to say that it was the customs that sponsored the attack. We contributed to his medical bills. But he insisted that he was taking the Nigeria Customs Service to court. We didn’t want to wish the matter away. We tried to use the instrumentality of the Nigerian Union of Journalists to sort it out but they were adamant. I am among those who made effort to convince him that we don’t know anything about it. The truth about this is that he expected that there would be some kind of hefty settlement because he dragged customs into the matter. He knows his attackers, why is he dragging the customs into it? We should be asking him what business a journalist has with thugs at the border. Has he dealt with them before? Was it a business that went awry? The matter went to court and the case was struck out. ” When SUNDAY PUNCH contacted Ndalati on the telephone, he cut off the call when he heard that it was about the case involving Olomofe. He later sent a text message to our correspondent that he was bereaved at the moment and would respond at a later date. But he had yet to do so as of the time of this report. Our correspondent also contacted one of the alleged sponsors of Olomofe’s attackers, Mr. Sam Madubuike. He described Olomofe’s accusations as lies and fallacies. He said, “Do you want an interview or you are interrogating me? Come to my office at Seme border, so that I will call other people. You will get other reasons why the information I will give you is authentic. You have the wrong information and you need to be enlightened properly. Whatever Mr. Olomofe told you is fallacy. Everything he said is a lie. The matter is in court, I don’t think it should be a press issue.” In January, the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalist had filed a civil suit against the service on the behalf of Olomofe, seeking N500m compensation for his alleged assault and violations of his rights. Those joined in the suit as respondents are the Ndalati, Deputy Comptroller, Emmanuel Nkemdirim; and Ibrahim Turaki, as well as Olomofe’s alleged attackers. A copy of the suit which was obtained by our correspondent indicated that Olomofe asked the court to declare that the respondents by beating and causing him internal injuries, infringed on his right to life as guaranteed by Section 33 (1) of the 1999 constitution. He also asked the court to declare that the assault done to him in the course of discharging his professional duties and obligations constituted an infringement on his rights to freedom of expression and the press. The Federal High Court, Lagos State, has since fixed September 29, 2016 to rule on the application to relist the civil suit which was struck out on June 16 on behalf of counsels to the NCS and Olomofe’s alleged attackers. This is not the first time a Nigerian journalist would be attacked in the discharge of his professional duties. In September 2009, gunmen shot dead an Assistant Political Editor with The Guardian, Mr. Bayo Ohu, at his house in Lagos, and took away his laptop and cell phone. Also, in October 2010, the editor of a Lagos-based bi-weekly magazine, Mr. Innocent Chukwu, was reportedly attacked on the premises of the Customs at Seme border. His attack was allegedly precipitated by his published story on illegal arms importation at ports and border post. The customs denied involvement in the attack. The Reporters Without Borders ranks Nigeria 116 out of 180 countries in the 2016 World Press Freedom Index. The West Africa Representative, Committee to Protect Journalists, Mr. Peter Nkanga, also noted that, “With several unsolved murders, Nigeria ranks 13th on the Committee to Protect Journalists 2015 Global Impunity Index which spotlights countries where journalists are slain and their killers go free.” He called on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to take action and address the high rate of impunity in violence against journalists. He said, “The Presidency’s attention to this matter will send a strong statement that the current government is resolute in fighting crime, corruption and impunity by ensuring that Mr. Olomofe gets the justice he seeks and that his attackers and sponsors are promptly arrested and duly prosecuted.’’ In a telephone interview with our correspondent, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, said he was not aware of the case, but that since our correspondent brought it to his attention, the commission would investigate it and take appropriate action. A source at the presidency told SUNDAY PUNCH that the presidency would only be involved in the matter if nothing was done by the relevant agencies. “The NHRC is empowered constitutionally to deal with such situation and to demand an explanation. They are supposed to open a file on this case and continue to monitor it until justice is done. This government is a constitutional government and is committed to the rule of law,” the source said. The Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the NUJ, Mr. Deji Elumoye, decried the continued attack on journalists. Elumoye said, “It took us about six months to take it to court because there had not been any move from the leadership of the NCS to reach out to the NUJ, the professional body of Mr. Olomofe. In the last three months, they have not done anything as regards investigating the issue of his brutalisation. All the people named in the suit are well known to the customs. These people boasted that nobody could do anything to them. Journalists should be treated fairly and as human beings, not as enemies of society. We believe at the end of the day, justice will prevail.” Nkanga said the police were also not doing enough to prosecute Olomofe’s attackers. He said, “I personally believe that impunity thrives when people do nothing. The attack on Mr. Olomofe is an attempt to silence journalists, in order to conceal the truth from the public, on the widespread nefarious activities of those involved in the trafficking of arms and ammunition, persons, hard drugs, fake drugs and other prohibited items along Seme border and across West Africa.” When SUNDAY PUNCH contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Dolapo Badmos, she said she would reply with a text message. However as of press time she was yet to respond. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Back to school money tips

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Nimi Akinkugbe As the holiday season draws to a close, the start of the new school year is fast approaching. Every new school year presents huge opportunities for children, along with some challenges for parents. The academic year comes with significant costs; school fees, uniforms, supplies, and all the paraphernalia that must be paid for. Here are some back to school money tips for you to consider as you prepare for the new term: Plan ahead Try to shop early. It is too late to be saying this now as some schools start next week, but try not to get caught out next term; ideally parents should have started planning for the school year long before now. When you shop early, without the pressure of time, there’s no rush and you can take advantage of the sales. With last minute shopping, it will be difficult to find discounts. Indeed this is probably the most expensive time to shop for the school year. If there are some items that your child doesn’t need right away or not for several weeks, then you might wish to wait for when unsold inventory is sold at a discount. Review the school list The school supply list can be quite daunting. Go through the list critically. Does your child need every single item on the list? Check to see what your child brought home at the end of last term to see if there are any that can be used for the new term. You will be surprised to find that there are many items at home; so you can avoid wasting money or duplicating items. It is important to keep track of what you’ve actually bought. Keep a list and give one to your child as they leave for school; they should be accountable for their belongings and at the end of the term should be expected to bring them back home largely intact. Prepare a budget Most people cannot afford to buy every single thing on the school list. How much money do you have to spend? Set out a budget for school supplies including school books, school lunch, the school bus, uniforms, allowance and so on. Shop with your list, prioritise and stick to it. Going through the school list with your child is an opportunity to teach some valuable money lessons. Talk through the difference between wants and needs. Hand me downs Uniforms are essential and are a constant part of a school’s shopping list. Every child would love to have a brand new uniform each year but where there are older siblings who attended the same school, it makes perfect sense to hand them down to a younger child if they are in good condition, even if you can afford to buy new ones. There is nothing wrong with buying second hand if they are in good condition. Extra-curricular activities Allowing your child to get involved in extra-curricular activities at school is very important in helping them develop and nurture their skills and talents to broaden their horizon. But your child cannot take part in every activity; there must be some balance to ensure that they are not under undue pressure. Most family budgets cannot afford more than one or two extras; have your children choose their favourite activities or new ones that they are showing interest in, and look for cheaper options outside school particularly during the holidays. Buy quality over quantity It is tempting to buy a cheap school bag, lunch box or water bottle, but what may seem cost-effective now will just fall apart in no time at all. It pays to spend more on good quality, sturdy items that will last for a long time. Children face enormous peer pressure and when they start school and see that their friends have more expensive things, they are sometimes embarrassed. It is important for parents to take the time to talk through these challenging issues as they seek to raise confident, well-adjusted children. Car pooling The school run has become very expensive with the increase in fuel costs. Look into the option of car-pooling for the daily run as well as for extra-curricular school activities, after-school events or sports practices. With car-pooling, parents take turns in taking children to the same school; this saves parents money on fuelling and running costs as well as freeing up some time out from the hectic school run. For boarders, car-pooling is also a good option for exeats, visiting days and mid-term holidays. Plan in advance to draw up a schedule with other parents and share the journey to cut costs on long distance travel particularly for schools that are out of town. Can you afford the fees? Today’s harsh economic climate has left thousands of parents struggling to pay for their children’s education. If your child is bright and talented, there may be opportunities for scholarships and bursaries, which should be explored. But where you have run your numbers, cut back on family expenses, even sold assets but still struggling to meet your obligations, it is time to have that serious conversation about withdrawing from a particular school and enrolling in a cheaper option. For many parents, earning naira and with children being educated abroad, the exchange rate and availability of foreign exchange make it increasingly difficult to maintain children abroad. Be careful not to jeopardise your livelihood and retirement plans to pay exorbitant school fees at all cost. It will be worse for everyone if you go broke! To spend thousands, even millions of naira just before the school term starts can be a huge financial strain on any family. With careful planning and budgeting, and a firm acceptance of the current economic challenges, you can look forward to this important event without a shock to the family purse. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Navy, family trade words over killing of 26-year-old man

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Peter Dada, Akure The Forward Operational Base of the Nigerian Navy and the Efotan family have disagreed over the circumstances that led to the alleged killing of their son, Omosebine Efotan, by some officers of the Base in the riverine community of Abe-Oroyo, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The 26-year-old Omosebine, an outboard engine mechanic, was allegedly killed by some officers of Orioke-Iwamimo Command Unit of the Nigerian Navy on August 2, 2016 when the latter were in the town to settle disagreement between two members of the community over issue of debt of N20,000. Speaking on the matter on Monday, the Commanding Officer of FOB of the Navy, Igbokoda, Capt. Nyako Lamiri, said the deceased was a leader of some militant youths in the area who attacked the naval officers that went to settle a disagreement between two members of the community at the palace of the traditional ruler of the town. Lamiri said on the fateful day, one Kehinde Egbayelo, a resident of Abe-Oroyo community, reported a case of threat to his life at the naval outpost at Ori-Oke Iwamimo, following which three naval officers who were on routine patrol were sent to investigate the matter. He said, “As soon as the naval officers arrived at the coastal community, the traditional ruler waded into the matter and it was amicably settled. “However, when the officers were returning to base, a group of youths armed with charms and weapons attacked them. One of the officers was pushed into the big river in the community. Fortunately, he swam to safety. “One Omosebine Efotan (the deceased), who was later identified as the kingpin of the group, later attacked one of the officers by punching him in the face, while the third one was also attacked. “They attempted to disarm them, and this made one of the officers to shoot into the air, apparently to prevent further attack by the group. “Efotan was struggling to collect the gun of one of the officers, and it was in the process that he was shot dead.” Lamiri lamented that the incident was unfortunate, as the officers and men of the Navy have hitherto had cordial relationship with their host communities. In their reaction, the Efotan family insisted that the deceased was murdered in cold blood by the naval officers, alleging that the officers were fond of perpetrating illegal activities in the riverine communities. The deceased’s family spokesman, Mr. Adeolu Efotan, who spoke with our correspondent on Monday, described the deceased as a gentleman and not notorious as described; saying he was killed by the naval officers when he refused to remove the outboard engine for the officers. He narrated, “The boy was in his workshop when the naval officers approached him to remove an outboard engine belonging to one of the persons that were fighting over the issue of debt. “The matter that they came to the community for had been settled, but they still wanted to take the engine away so that the owner would come and bail it from them. “They asked him to remove the engine from the boat and he refused. It was during the argument that one of the officers brought out the gun and shot him in the chest. The navy has not told the truth about the matter. They want to cover it up, but we would not allow them. That is not the first time they would be terrorising the community.” The traditional ruler of Abe-Oroyo community, Chief Adolphus Efotan, also confirmed that the deceased was a leader of one of the youths in the community, saying he was shot dead while attempting to disarm one of the naval officers. He said he intervened in the matter of debt between two members of the community, in which the naval officers were also involved; stressing that the matter was amicably settled. The traditional ruler further narrated that some youths, including the deceased and his group, allegedly attacked the officers on their way back to their outpost. “All what we want in the community is peace. The naval officers are our friends, they are the ones that have been protecting us. We have made several unsuccessful efforts to request for a police post in the community. If not for the naval outpost that is very close to us, we would have been without any security,” he stated.

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Floods, windstorm wreak havoc in Lagos, Ogun, Sokoto

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Samson Folarin and Afeez Hanafi ThOusands of Lagos and Ogun residents have been displaced and property estimated at billions of naira destroyed after downpours on Saturday and Sunday left many streets and homes flooded. PUNCH Metro learnt that many Christians could not hold their Sunday service as their churches were flooded. A heavy windstorm in Tundun Yan-Dogo village of Dange-Shuni Local Government Area of Sokoto on Saturday also destroyed filling stations, cars and uprooted some poles in the community. Our correspondents gathered that the worst hit in Lagos were residents of Oworonshoki, Bariga, Ketu, Ikorodu, Lekki areas, while more than 50 houses were affected in the Ita Oluwo area of Ogun State alone. A pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Alapere, Ketu, Lagos, Pastor Bola Bolawole, told one of our correspondents that he could not hold church service due to the situation, adding that three of his members were trapped in the floods. He said, “We could not access our church on Sunday even as of 2pm. The road was completely flooded and we were covered up in water to the waist level. We had to stand by a shop to hold the service, but the rain still drove us away from the place. “After that, I went on visitation to some of my members and I saw many of them scooping out water from their homes. You can’t go to some parts of the community right now. Water has completely taken over Bakare and Oriola streets and other parts of Alapere. Televisions and fridges were submerged by the floods. Many people have been cut off from their homes.” Bolawale explained that some residents were afraid that if it poured again, some of the buildings could collapse, calling for urgent government intervention. A resident of Bariga, Bolatito Ibiyemi, said some parts of the community were not accessible due to the floods. She said, “The rain has been intense. Places like Oko Oba, Amodu and Arobadade streets and Ilaje Road, have been rendered completely impassable. A church in Ayedun Street was flooded and the members could not hold their service.” The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Michael Akindele, said the agency received distress calls from residents of Oworonshoki, Ifako, Ikorodu and Lekki areas. He said, “Several property and items worth millions of naira were damaged, but no life was lost. The affected streets around the Oworonshoki area include Fasasi Ojomu, Ogunyomi, Abiola, Akewusola, Adebanmwo, Unity, Oduduwa and Agberin streets, among others, while Hassan Street in Owutu and some other streets were affected in the Ikorodu area. “LASEMA’s Emergency Response Team was dispatched for the assessment of the affected areas to avert further disaster. The flood was exacerbated by blockages of some of the major drainages in the affected areas.” The Lagos State Government has, however, called for calm among residents, saying necessary steps are being taken to avert flood disaster in the state. The Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, in a statement on Sunday, explained that the state government had carried out a tour of some of the flood-prone communities to clear up blocked drainages and canals. He warned that the government would no longer tolerate the building of illegal structures along drainage paths in the state. He urged residents living on wetlands and flood-prone areas to relocate. Meanwhile, no fewer than 200 residents were displaced after floods took over about 50 houses on Unity Estate in the Ita Oluwo area of Ogun State. It was learnt that the estate was submerged around 12pm on Sunday after the fence of InoPlast – a nylon producing company in the area – collapsed. PUNCH Metro gathered that the fence served as a barrier, which prevented water coming from Ogijo, a neighbouring community, from flooding the estate. A lot of valuables were said to have been trapped in the floods as most of the dwellers had gone to church when the rain started. The Chairman, Community Development Association, Mr. Femi Abolude, said 50 houses were affected by the floods. He said, “This incident first happened about two years ago when the company’s fence fell. We reported the situation at the state governor’s office and the fence was reconstructed. But we queried the quality of the fence and after some time, water started streaming under it. The same fence fell again today (Sunday). The whole community was affected and about 50 houses were seriously flooded.” Another resident, Paul Idogu, a lawyer, said all his credentials and property were destroyed by the floods and called for a quick intervention from the state government. He said, “When I woke up around 12pm, I saw floods entering into my house. I was totally helpless. All my credentials and documents were submerged by water. We went to the company but none of the officials came out to speak with us. The police officers we met there told us to come back on Monday. “When the fence fell two years ago, the company assured us that they would build a stronger one. But what they did was shabby. We wrote them while they were constructing the fence that it was not strong enough, but they didn’t listen. The government should find a way to save the situation. Proper drainage should be constructed.” A landlord, Cosmas Okoro, said, “All our property has been destroyed. I am just praying the house should not collapse because water is everywhere. I don’t know where to start from. It was my daughter who came to call me from the church. We are just hanging around now; we don’t know where to go to” An engineer, Christopher Okoro, said he was only able to salvage his television, which was hung on the wall. “All other valuables, including my laptop, clothes, my wife’s credentials, were destroyed. As I speak with you, I don’t know what to do; I am stranded,” he added. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Bundesliga: Aubameyang nets twice as Dortmund win opener

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has resumed his duel with Robert Lewandowski to be the Bundesliga’s top scorer by netting twice in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Mainz on the opening weekend of the new season. Aubameyang netted 25 league goals last season, finishing second to Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski’s 30 in the scorers’ charts, and the duo look set to lead the way again in 2016/17. Lewandowski scored a hat-trick in Bayern’s 6-0 rout of Werder Bremen on Friday and his Borussia rival Aubameyang opened his account less than 24 hours later. The Gabon star headed in a 17th-minute opener and then added a late penalty before Japan striker Yoshinori Muto pulled one back at the death for the visitors. Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel was without Marco Reus, who was watching on in the stands as he recovers from a groin injury, but he started with three summer signings in his line-up. He gave Bundesliga debuts to Spanish centre-back Marc Bartra, signed from Barcelona, and 19-year-old French winger Ousmane Dembele, brought in from Rennes, while ex-Bayern midfielder Sebastian Rode also started. Aubameyang was unmarked at the far post to head in the opener from a cross from the left by Germany winger Andre Schuerrle. He then doubled his tally on 89 minutes when Schuerrle was brought down in the area and the Gabon star converted the resulting penalty, before Muto set up a nervous ending with a header in the 92nd minute. Elsewhere, VfL Wolfsburg also got off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory at Augsburg. Star off-season signing, Germany striker Mario Gomez — the Bundesliga’s top scorer over the last decade — was not included in the starting line-up as he regains his fitness after injury at Euro 2016. But his new team-mates picked up three points without him. Wolves took the lead when Dutch striker Bas Dost fired across the face of goal and new signing Daniel Didavi lashed home a shot from the edge of the area on 35 minutes. Swiss international left-back Ricardo Rodriguez then drove in a low free-kick on 89 minutes. Cologne enjoyed a 2-0 win at Darmstadt as Marcel Risse and Anthony Modeste both netted for the hosts. Hamburg were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Ingolstadt as US international Bobby Wood’s fine opening goal for the hosts was cancelled out by a late finish from Austria international Lukas Hinterseer. Schalke 04 opened their season with a 1-0 defeat at 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt as captain Alex Meier scored the first-half winner. There was plenty of second-half drama as Meier had a penalty saved before the hosts were reduced to 10 men when their Jamaica international centre-back Michael Hector was sent off for hauling down Schalke’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who was through on goal. Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen, two of Germany’s Champions League representatives, meet later on Saturday with the visitors missing injured Mexico striker Javier Hernandez and Germany midfielder Lars Bender.

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Adopt ICT or lose relevance, Ekeh tells lawyers

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Ozioma Ubabukoh The Chairman of Zinox Group, Stan Ekeh, has called on Nigerian lawyers to reinvent in line with current Information and Communications Technology realities or face the threat of losing relevance in the practice of the legal profession in the 21st century. He made the call at the 2016 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, which held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. While delivering a paper entitled, ‘Lawyer and wealth creation in the 21st century powered by technology’, Ekeh challenged the audience to make changes in the legal marketplace and force it out of its protective “cocoon.” Noting that the legal profession is one that was notoriously averse to change, he disclosed that the survival of any sector, profession or business organisation was directly dependent on its ability to innovate and align itself with the present digital revolution. “In our present society, technology has permeated almost all sectors, industries and several human undertakings. Many sectors have been overtaken by the Internet, mobile phone apps and people’s ability to find free information as against situations they used to pay for. Any organisation or sector that refuses to innovate and embrace new technological realities will eventually die. “The 21st century is for only those who want to be successful. One can alter his destiny and remain a global success,” he said. The Zinox Chairman further affirmed that the revolutions in the field of Information and Communications Technology put a lot of pressures on the legal profession which made it imperative for the contemporary lawyer to retool in order to remain relevant in the scheme of things. “The law profession must embrace this change and properly align itself to benefit maximally from the present digital revolution. In this 21st century, a lawyer’s wealth shall be determined by the application of digital technology to his work. “It is either the lawyer reinvents himself in line with the technological realities of the 21st century and its impact on service delivery to clients or the lawyer would eventually disappear from the radar of the legal profession,” Ekeh said. He said, “Law has been something of a protected industry spared from some of the general business realities applicable to almost all other industries. Lawyers occupy a unique place with monopoly of access to legal knowledge, and no real competition. “For instance, the relationship with the client is controlled by the law firm which decides almost entirely by itself how the services are to be delivered, and dictating the costs, pricing, and strategic direction.” He added, “Hence, as long as the status quo served the lawyer, there is no need to innovate or provide cost-efficient services. It is a closed market. But whereas the seller (the lawyer) appears comfortable with the status quo, he fails to realise that his earnings can greatly be increased by innovation and technology which invariably would cause a disruption of the status quo in the legal marketplace. “But now, there are strong and compelling circumstances necessitating changes in the legal market place and forcing it out of its protective cocoon.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Antonio named in Allardyce's first England squad

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Sam Allardyce marked his first squad announcement as England manager on Sunday by including uncapped West Ham United midfielder Michail Antonio in a 23-man party for next week’s World Cup qualifier in Slovakia. Antonio was included on the same day he scored for the Hammers in their 3-1 loss away to Premier League leaders Manchester City. The 26-year-old has adjusted well to life in the Premier League since joining the Hammers from Nottingham Forest a year ago. He scored nine goals in 32 appearances for the London club last season, while his two most recent Hammers games have seen Antonio head in against both Bournemouth and City. “I think he’s in outstanding form,” Allardyce told the Football Association’s website as he explained his decision to select Antonio. “This is another lad with a great journey — it’s a fantastic journey that he’s been on, from non-league to now an international call-up. He scored nine goals in his first season and he’s a terrific athlete, a good crosser and a goal-scorer. “I’m looking forward to him coming, and looking forward to meeting everybody. Hopefully we will have a good few days’ preparation and get to know each other on the basis of trying to go and win in Slovakia.” Everton’s Ross Barkley, an unused squad member during England’s miserable Euro 2016 campaign that concluded with the embarrassment of a defeat by Iceland, was dropped despite scoring two goals in his first four matches this season. James Milner, who has retired from international football, was omitted along with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, now in the Under-21 squad, and the injured duo of Ryan Bertrand and Jack Wilshere. Hart retained As expected goalkeeper Joe Hart was retained despite losing his first-team place at City under new manager Pep Guardiola while, equally unsurprisingly, Allardyce opted against recalling John Terry, the retired former England captain, after indicating he could contact the Chelsea centre-half. However, there were recalls for Danny Drinkwater, a midfielder with English champions Leicester City, defenders Phil Jagielka (Everton) and Luke Shaw (Manchester United), as well as Arsenal’s Theo Walcott after they all failed to make it into former England manager Roy Hodgson’s squad in France. Allardyce has yet to announce his England captain, although Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, who skippered the side at Euro 2016, was included in Sunday’s squad as a midfielder. Rooney, England’s record goalscorer, played as a central midfielder in France but United manager Jose Mourinho has restored him to an attacking role and Allardyce is expected to do likewise. England squad to play Slovakia in a 2018 World Cup Group F qualifier in Trnava on Sunday, September 4 (1600 GMT kick-off): Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley) Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Strikers: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) AFP

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Suspected Edo PDP thugs abduct Obaseki’s supporters

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Alexander Okere, Benin With less than two weeks to the Edo State governorship election, some supporters of the All Progressives Congress have been reportedly abducted by suspected thugs in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State. According to the governorship candidate of the APC, Godwin Obaseki, the party’s supporters were whisked away along with two campaign vehicles by thugs alleged to be loyal to the opposition Peoples Democratic Partyý last Saturday, after a rally in Illushi, near Ubiaja. Obaseki explained that while three of the abducted supporters, including a popular entertainer identified as Maleke, escaped, others were still missing. The Police Public Relations Officer, Theodore Okafor, could not be reached for comments, as calls to his telephone number indicated that it was switched off at the time of filing the report. But the Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, denied the allegation. Nehikhare described the claim as a figment of the imagination of the APC and the Obaseki campaign team. “It is a pigment of their imagination because it is on record that the APC thugs have been terrorising, harassing and intimidating not just the PDP members but voters in Edo North, especially in Jattu axis,” he added. However, according to a statement by the Godwin Obaseki Campaign Organisation on Sunday, trouble started at the campaign ground when some of the PDP thugs infiltrated the crowd and began to vandalise vehicles and chanting ‘PDP.’ The statement said they had the poster of the opposition party’s candidate in their hands. The APC press crew vehicle was reportedly damaged and some journalists molested, causing the party to pack other vehicles away from the area. The campaign organisation said that the entertainer, a personal driver to Obaseki’s running mate, Jonathan Orukpe, and one Sani Kamil were assaulted by the thugs while the windscreen of their vehicle was smashed. The statement quoted Maleke to have said, “We were beaten, molested and almost thrown into the River Niger by some of the thugs, who repeatedly shouted at us for daring to come to the area which they claimed has been secured for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the PDP governorship candidate. “Before they started, the thugs, one of whom is called Lucky, took away our phones and asked us to sit on the floor. It was when they heard that security agencies have been mobilised that they left and a woman from the community assisted us to escape.” Obaseki, who condemned the incident, described it as an act of desperation by the PDP, adding that the matter had been reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters in the area. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Ten die in Ibadan auto crash

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Olufemi Atoyebi, Ibadan Ten people have been confirmed dead while nine others sustained injuries in a motor accident that occurred along Ibadan-Oyo Road on Saturday evening. Eyewitness said the accident, which happened at Itose village along the road, involved a Toyota Hiace commuter bus with number plate LSD 191 XK that was travelling from Sango-Ota in Ogun State to Ilorin, Kwara State. The eyewitness said the driver of the bus lost control as he was making an attempt to manoeuvre his way after suddenly running into a pothole in the middle of the road. The sudden manoeuvring, according to him, resulted in the bus skidding off the road into a ditch. “The condition of the road caused the accident. There are several potholes in the middle of this road and several drivers have fallen victims. The driver of the passenger bus was trying to manoeuvre his way when he lost control and fell into the ditch below. Ten people died on the spot,” said the eyewitness who simply identified himself as Mr. Wahab. The Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Oyo State, Oluwaseun Onijala, confirmed the incident, saying that those injured in the accident were rescued and rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment. He said, “The bus had 19 passengers on board. Ten persons died while nine other passengers sustained injuries. The injured victims were taken to the Akinlolu Hospital and St. Patrick’s Hospital where they are receiving treatment. The remains of the dead passengers were deposited at the Adeoyo State Hospital morgue in Ibadan.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Bauchi govt revokes AIT/Raypower’s C of O

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Armstrong Bakam The Bauchi State Government has withdrawn the Right of Occupancy on a piece of land belonging to DAAR Communication Plc, owners of the African Independent Television and Raypower FM. A copy of the letter ordering the withdrawal of the land situated at the outskirts of Tirwun, which was signed by the Commissioner of Works, Lands and Housing, Abubakar Ali, was obtained by our correspondent on Thursday. In a reaction, the Acting Head, Bauchi Station, AIT/Raypower, Yakubu Bala, said, “It is likely that they are doing this because of the programmes we are airing, which allows for the opposition to come and voice its views; we don’t know (if) that (is the case).” The Senior Special Assistant to the Bauchi State Governor on Media, Sabo Mohammed, in a telephone interview, denied the allegation that the government’s action was prompted by dissatisfaction with the programmes of the media. Mohammed added that the government had the right to revoke any Certificate of Occupancy it wished to in public interest. He said, “The government, as empowered by the law, reserves the right to revoke, withdraw or suspend any Certificate of Occupancy given to anyone. “The issue should have been whether or not the government has the right to do so and it is not true that the government withdrew the Certificate of Occupancy because AIT does not entertain the state government.” When asked what the overriding public interest was, Mohammed said, “The only thing is that the government deemed it necessary at this material point in time because of the overriding public interest and the government has the right by law to do so.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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LASG removes Ogunsanwo, nominates Subair as LIRS boss

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Sesan Olufowobi The Lagos State Government on Monday said Mr. Folarin Ogunsanwo has ‘retired’ as the chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service. The state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, also on Monday, nominated Mr. Ayodele Subair for confirmation by the state Assembly as the new chairman of the LIRS. In a letter to the Assembly, Ambode said, “Following the retirement of the erstwhile chairman, who held the post since September 2015, it became expedient to quickly seek a suitable replacement in view of the vital position of the LIRS towards our revenue generation drive and in attainment of the set target of this administration to deliver good governance to the citizenry.” Ambode said Subair’s presentation for confirmation was in conformity with Section 2 of the Lagos State Revenue Administration Law, 2006. A statement by the government said Subair was born on May 21, 1960 and held a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from the Metropolitan University of Manchester, United Kingdom and a Masters’ Degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos, Akoka. “Subair has over 34 years working experience which started with the Price WaterHouse Chartered Accountants before venturing into private practice in 1987 . “He was the pioneer Director of the Lagos State Lotteries Board and has worked with various international agencies,” the statement read in part. Ambode also approved the appointment of Abiodun Dabiri as the new Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority. Dabiri joined LAMATA in 2008 and was until his appointment, the Head of Procurement/Operational Contract Manager for the agency. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Fanfare as Dolphins b’ball camp ends

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Idris Adesina It was an atmosphere of fun and excitement as the 2016 Dolphins Youth and Kiddies Basketball Summer Camp ended on Saturday in Lagos. The event, which was sponsored by the Dolphins Basketball Foundation, began on Thursday with over 45 kids in attendance. At the camp, which had participants from Ogun and Lagos states, the kids and youths were taught basketball as well as life lessons. The participants, whose ages were from five years, were taken through basketball drills over three days by more than 15 coaches. The finale on Saturday was organised in two sessions with participants participating in the monthly sanitation before they resumed for the closing programmes of the event. Participants took part in the morning exercises and drills before they were entertained by a comedian, SACO. The night of the closing event, which was attended by some parents of the participants, featured an All-Star basketball competition, which had eight players in each team. The teams, Baby Seals (red) and Vision (blue), were chosen from the outstanding players of the camp. The entertaining match, which was decided by an over-time, saw Vision beat Baby Seals 20-19. The Most Valuable Player award of the competition was won by Oluwakemi Koleosho of the Vision team while Tofunmi Kehinde of Baby Seals emerged as the Best Defensive Player. The two players were presented with a plaque and a pair of playing shoes. The two players said the camp had impacted their skills. “Last year when I came to this camp, I was not as good as this but now I am the one who won an award today. This camp has increased my love for basketball and makes it interesting to learn it,” Kehinde said. One of the parents, Mrs. Abdul Kareem, commended Dolphins for the camp. “The camp has made the kids grow interest in basketball. My first daughter, who is 11 years, is at this camp and she recently joined her school team. I know that with what she has learnt here in the past three days, she will be able to get a place in her school’s starting five very soon,” she said. The Proprietor of Dolphins Basketball Club, Wale Aboderin, encouraged the participants to imbibe the lessons they have learnt at the camp after they get home. He also advised them to face their education as it is the key to whatever they do in life. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Sexual Harassment: DELSU sacks six lecturers

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Delta State University recently sacked six of its lecturers for their involvement in several offences including alleged sexual harassment of female students. The sacking of the lecturers at DELSU is a welcome development for stakeholders in the education sector. It is a step in the right direction and I believe it would sound a note of warning to all erring lecturers. It would also encourage other higher institutions in Nigeria to discipline lecturers who are found wanting. The challenge of sexual harassment in academic establishments has existed for generations, and sadly, it has become a norm despite the obvious iniquitousness in the act by lecturers. Recently, a female student at the Osun State University set up a lecturer who had been pestering her for sex. She gave in to his demands but unknown to the lecturer; she gave in because she wanted to obtain documentary evidence. She made a video of her and the lecturer in a room at a hotel. The lecturer described the video as a lie, but investigations are still on-going to unveil the truth. The tides have changed and lecturers must be aware that their acts would not be tolerated and are liable to face public ridicule if they are caught. Some lecturers in institutions flagrantly perform their heinous acts on mostly innocent female undergraduates and have turned their schools to brothels where sex trades for good grades. It is unfortunate that the so called ‘custodians of knowledge’ in our academic institutions have tarnished and degraded their sacrosanct role in the society for sexual pleasure. No wonder our academic institutions are not moving forward and making strides like other institutions globally. In my opinion, female sexual harassment is not only limited to our various academic institutions, but it is pervasive in every facet of the Nigerian society. It is at workplaces, homes, neighbourhoods, and even religious institutions. What is it about some Nigerian men that drive them to see females as sexual objects alone? Why must the Nigerian man seek to take advantage of a female he perceives to be subordinate? These actions subject females to unimaginable trauma, and we as a nation must seek to relegate these occurrences in the society; by reorienting our male children and adults to respect and cherish their female counterparts. Familugba Yewande, 20, writer Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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JTF, sanitation officials clash in Bayelsa

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Men and officers of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe on Saturday clashed with the Bayelsa Environmental Sanitation Authority during the national monthly cleanup exercise . The News Agency of Nigeria reports that while the environmental exercise was going on, the JTF vehicle was intercepted by the environmental officials on the road. The NAN also reports that JTF had to question why the sanitation officials must block the main road which resulted in a heated argument followed by the release of a gun shot into the air. The Environmental Sanitation Chairman, Mr Robert Enua, called on the spokesman of the JTF on the telephone complaining to him about what the officers had done. He said that he would report the matter to the governor, adding that they should not label the Niger Delta people as “Avengers because Bayelsans are peace loving people.” NAN

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‘Woman attempts to set neighbour ablaze in Lagos’

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A 27-year-old woman, Achonu Ugochi, was on Monday arraigned before a Surulere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly threatening to pour petrol on another woman and set her ablaze. The woman, who lives in Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, is facing a four counts bordering on assault and threat to life. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Christopher Okoliko, insisted that the accused committed the offences at about 4:30pm on August 19 at Orile-Iganmu, Lagos. According to him, the accused and the complainant, Chinyere Okpalla, reside in the same compound. Okoliko said, “There was a disagreement between them which led to exchange of blows. “The accused flogged the complainant with a stick causing her serious injuries,” he said. “The accused did not only flog her with the stick, but also threatened to pour petrol on her with the intent to set her ablaze. “The accused also detained the complainant and her family in her house by locking the gate to their apartment with a padlock, thereby depriving them of their liberty.” The offences contravened Section 56 (a), 170 and 270 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Sections 56 (a) and 170 provide one year imprisonment, while Section prescribes two years for deprivation of liberty. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety. The Magistrate, Mrs. M. Dan-Oni, fixed August 28 for mention.

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Three-day working policy won’t affect salaries -Okorocha

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Gibson Achonu, Owerri G overnor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has insisted that the three-day working policy crafted by the state government for civil servants in the state stands. The confirmation came barely few days after the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state protested against the policy and other ills by the state government. He also said that the cutting of the working days to three from five would have no interference with the workers’ salaries and allowances. “I will not cut workers’ salaries because of the two days,“ he said. Okorocha, while briefing journalists on Monday in Owerri after his overseas trip, stated that workers would go to work between Mondays and Wednesdays, leaving Thursdays and Fridays for agricultural activities. He, however, noted that any worker that would not come to his or her duty post for any reason must get a written document (permission) from either the Head of Service or Chief of Staff (in the Government House) of the state. Okorocha said, “Any worker, who is not found in his/her duty post without permission or exemption letter from the Head of Service or his counterpart will immediately lose his/her position to another person from his or her community.” The governor added that the civil servants working days were cut because they (workers) did not make judicious use of their official hours. “Instead of being devoted to the work they are paid for, they use their official hours to loiter about; they sell groundnut, gala, chin-chin and sieve egusi, among others, in the office. I decided to reduce the working days because I want to enhance agriculture in the state.” There is nothing that is cultivated or produced in the state. All the things we eat like tomato, pepper, cucumber, groundnut and others things are produced in the North. Think of a situation where the northerners decide to stop supplying us with these edibles, what happens?” In strong terms, he maintained that the state government had paid all salaries of workers in the state, up to August, 2016. On the part of pensioners, he promised that they would soon receive all arrears of their pension. Okorocha said that over 3000 fresh computer literate graduates would soon be employed in the civil service to develop the economy. He regretted that over 95 per cent of Imo State workers were not computer literate and attributed their low productivity to it. Meanwhile, Okorocha had said that he was hale and hearty and told Imo citizens and Nigerians to dismiss the rumour and postings on the Facebook /Internet that he was dead. He said, “The rumour only came from my political opponents. They wished me dead, but God Almighty has put them to shame. They even went further to dispel rumours that goddess of Nworie and Otamiri River slapped me. I am alive and bouncing in the Lord. I only travelled for economic mission and to visit my daughter, who has given me another grandson.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Handling North East crisis solely, irresponsible

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Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday said no matter how prepared a country could be, it “would be irresponsible” for a single country to attempt to handle the kind of crisis in the North East with two million displaced persons, including children alone. According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice-President spoke while receiving members of the ONE campaign led by the international Rock Star artist, Bono, and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who were at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to discuss the possibilities of a global partnership to address the crisis through international advocacy. He said the Federal Government would welcome global partnership that would ensure a concerted and focused international response to the humanitarian crisis arising from the insurgency in the North-Eastern region of the country. Addressing members of the delegation that included former United Kingdom Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, the Vice- President said, “It is very important that you chose to come and offer some partnership. This is great and we are pleased. Partnership is certainly the way to go.” He said global partnership to address the situation should be coordinated and more focussed on what is required to be done. He said more attention should be given to the issue of malnourished children. Speaking earlier, the Irish born artist Bono said he has visited some of the IDPs and that what he saw in the region was “deeply disturbing.” Bono also commended the social investment programmes of the Buhari administration saying “we have heard of the incredible plans, the social investment funds.” He described the level of transparency already seen in the administration as “very exciting and transforming.” The ONE campaign is an advocacy organisation with more than seven million people around the world taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable diseases especially in Africa. It has on its board people like Mo Ibrahim, Bill Gates, Micheal Bloomberg among others. It was founded in 2004.

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Nigerians are hungry, Okogie tells Buhari

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Friday Olokor and Leke Baiyewu The Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Okogie, has said President Muhammadu Buhari must do something fast to address hunger across the country. Okogie said in an open letter to the President on Monday that Buhari’s campaign slogan was anchored on change. He stated, “Today, cries of “hunger” could be heard across the length and breadth of our vast country. Nigerians hunger, not only for food, but also for good leadership, for peace, security and justice. “This letter is to appeal to you to do something fast, and, if you are already doing something, to redouble your effort. May it not be written on the pages of history that Nigerians die of starvation under your watch. “As President, you are the chief servant of the nation. I therefore urge you to live up to the huge expectation of millions of Nigerians. A stitch in time saves nine.” The cardinal said that Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress, promised to lead the masses to the Promised Land. He said that although it was not an easy task to lead, the President during his campaign offered to take the enormous task of leadership. The cardinal stated, “Nigerians are waiting for you to fulfill the promises you made during the campaign. They voted you into office because of those promises. The introduction of town hall meetings is a commendable idea. But in practice, you, not just your ministers, must converse with Nigerians. You are the President. You must be accountable to them. The buck stops on your desk. Even if your administration has no magic wand at least give some words of encouragement.” He said that the President should instruct his ministers to be sincere and polite at the town hall meetings, adding that their sophistry would neither benefit Nigerians nor the President. “Mr. President, if you want to leave a credible legacy come 2019, in all sincerity, please retool your administration. Change is desirable. But it must be a change for the better. Let this change be real. Change is not real when old things that we ought to discard refuse to pass away,” he added. Okogie said that the President must take a critical look at his cabinet, policies and programmes of his administration. He added, “You will need to take a critical look at the manner of appointments you have been making. It is true that commonsense dictates that you appoint men and women you can trust. But if most of the people you trust are from one section of the country and practice the same religion, then you and all of us are living in insecurity. “The Nigerian economy has never been in a state as terrible as this. You as the President, you are like the pilot of an aircraft flying in turbulence. Turbulent times bring the best or the worst out of a pilot. We can no longer blame the turbulence on past administrations. You know quite well that some of the officials of your administration served in previous dispensations. Blame for what we have been experiencing is in fact bipartisan in character. “The entire political class needs to come together, irrespective of party differences to acknowledge its collective guilt and to seek ways of saving the sinking ship that our country has become. This cannot be done if some officials of your administration demonise and alienate members of the opposition.” Okogie said that if a large portion of the blame for the present situation was to be laid on the doorsteps of the entire political class, the search for solution must involve everyone. He said, “That is why no one should be alienated. All hands must be on deck. “This is the time to revitalise moribund industries, reinvigorate our agriculture, make our country tourist and investor friendly, and enable our young men and women to find fulfillment by contributing to the common good. “None of these lofty goals can be achieved without good education. On this particular issue, recent appointments you have made in the education sector raise a question: have you really appointed the best? Still on education, it is important that our universities be allowed to use their own criteria to admit students. It is a gross violation of the principles of federalism and academic freedom for the Federal Government to insist that only a federal parastatal can decide on who gains admission into our universities.” Responding, the Presidency said President Muhammadu Buhari was already addressing the hunger in the land as advised by Okogie. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said this in an interview with The Punch. Adesina said Buhari was working hard to ensure that Nigerians bid poverty and hunger farewell in shortest possible time. The presidential spokesman said, “The respected cardinal asked the President to do something fast to address hunger across the country. “That is exactly what the President is doing. He is working hard for Nigerians, so that they can say a final farewell to poverty and hunger.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Ambode pledges to increase investment inflow to Lagos

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Maureen Ihua-Maduenyi The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has said that he will create an enabling environment for commerce to flourish in the state. Ambode stated this on Thursday at the opening of Lagos’ largest mall, Novare Lekki Mall, where he was represented by his Special Adviser on Commerce, Mr. Benjamin Olabinjo. He said the multi-billion mall was a testimony of his administration’s drive to promote commerce and industry. “We are committed to increasing the inflow of foreign direct investment through friendly reforms and provision of enabling environment for commerce,” he said. The N31.5bn Novare Lekki Mall, which sits on 28,000 square metres and 22,000M2 of gross lettable area, is currently the largest in Lagos and has both local and international tenants. Novare Lekki Mall developed by Urshday Limited, an affiliate of Novare Real Estate Africa – which is an investment portfolio involved in property development across Africa, is driven by foreign direct investment through a hybrid financing of debt and equity. The Chairman, Novare Real Estate Africa, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, said the successful completion of the Novare Lekki Mall in record time was a testament of the enabling environment created by the Lagos State Government to encourage foreign direct investment. According to him, the mall brings into Lagos over $83m direct investment which transcends financial value as it has from commencement until date, empowered over 4,650 Nigerians through direct and in-direct employment. He said, “On the importance of the FDIs to job creation and national development, our confidence derives from our belief that Nigeria will get better by creating a minimum adequate economic environment for economic recovery. “This entails investment-friendly reforms, minimising policy changes and shocks, and building strong institutions. Nigeria’s attitude should be similar to that of South Koreans whose leaders have continually supported investment. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Aguero charged with violent conduct

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Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is in danger of missing the Manchester derby after he was charged with violent conduct by England’s Football Association on Tuesday. The charge relates to an incident during City’s 3-1 home win over West Ham United last Sunday when Aguero appeared to swing his left elbow towards visiting defender Winston Reid. He faces a three-game ban if found guilty, which would rule him out of City’s trip to Manchester United on September 10, a home game with Bournemouth and a trip to Swansea City in the League Cup. “Sergio Aguero has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video,” the FA said in a statement on its website. “The Manchester City forward was involved in an incident with West Ham United’s Winston Reid in the 76th minute of the game on Sunday [28 August 2016].” Match referee Andre Marriner did not punish Aguero at the time, but footage of the incident was reviewed by a panel of three former referees, all of whom deemed it a red-card offence. Aguero, 28, has until 1800 local time (1700 GMT) on Wednesday to respond to the charge. He has already been ruled out of Argentina’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Venezuela due to a calf injury. City and United will go into their meeting at Old Trafford level on points at the top of the Premier League after each winning their first three matches. Chelsea also have an unblemished record.

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Senate to investigate food diversions in IDP camps

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The Senate will investigate the severe hunger crisis in Internally Displaced Persons camps in the North-East, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja. The statement said Saraki was reacting to protests by hundreds of women from IDP camps in Borno on Thursday, which led to the barricade of the Maiduguri-Kano/Jos Road. It described the development as `desperate’ and reiterated Saraki’s calls for better coordination amongst government and international aid agencies. It emphasised the need for Nigeria to quickly operationalise a more effective and efficient humanitarian response infrastructure to address the situation. Saraki called on the Nigeria Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other law enforcement agencies to quickly move to investigate the diversion of food deliveries. He said that government officials and contractors should be held to account for the mysterious disappearance of truck loads of provisions intended for the IDP camps. “Anyone that is found to be diverting the food aid deliveries should be investigated and brought to book if investigations prove their participation in these vicious schemes. “Profiting from a complex humanitarian crisis is unacceptable. “The people of the North-East have suffered enough indignities in the past four years from the marauding Boko Haram terrorists and stealing food meant for starving children, only adds insult to injury,” it stated.

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Israel ready for negotiation with Palestine

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Leke Baiyewu, Abuja The Charge d’Affaires of Israel to Nigeria, Mr. Nadav Goren, has reaffirmed Israel’s support for a two-state solution to the ongoing conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. A statement by the Israeli Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday night quoted Goren as saying this when the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Shehu Sani, visited the embassy. The diplomat said, “We agree on the need for a peaceful solution in the region but differ on the means to achieve it.” In order to achieve lasting peace, Goren added, “The Israelis and Palestinians must sit together at the negotiating table and decide their shared future.” The Charge d’ Affairs also stressed that the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin c, would be willing to visit any country that would facilitate direct dialogue to find a lasting solution to the conflict. Sani, who spoke to journalists after the visit, disclosed that he had earlier visited the Palestinian embassy. He stated that the peace between Israel and Palestine would have a global impact, adding that both sides must not give up even though previous negotiations had been successful.

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Pastor rapes 13-year-old-boy to cure homosexuality

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Tony Okafor, Awka A pentecostal pastor with the Jesus Miracle Ministries, Awka, Anambra State (names withheld) is on the run after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 13-year-old boy. A source who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the gay pastor was told by a native doctor that his homosexual ‘sickness’ would be cured if he slept with a male teen. Narrating his ordeal, the victim (Abuchi) said the incident took place after a vigil service. The teen victim, who hails from Ebonyi State said, “The pastor approached me after the vigil and asked me to stay back. “I told the pastor that I wanted to go home since the church activities had ended. “The pastor told me to wait till dawn and when I insisted that I must go, the pastor applied a substance on my eyes which made me to sleep. “When I woke up, I noticed that my trousers were torn, and my anus was damp. “I began to cry, as I was feeling pains in my anus. The pastor said I should stop crying; that he would give me money. “I rejected the money offer and went home and told my people what happened.” A relative of the victim, Ngozi, who spoke with journalists, said they were not aware that Abuchi went to church that night. She said when Abuchi came home and told them what happened, they rushed to the church, only to discover that the pastor had absconded. The Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nkiru Nwode, confirmed the report, She said the police had begun a manhunt for the pastor, assuring that he would be arrested and prosecuted. The police spokesperson said the victim has been taken to the hospital for treatment.

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Dad left mum for having all female kids, I’m glad I’ve made mummy proud -Chinyere, UNN first-class graduate

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Chinyere Cecile, 37, emerged the best graduate of the Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with a 4.73 CGPA from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literary Studies in the 2014/2015 academic session. In this interview with TUNDE AJAJA, she talks about her education and life experiences You had your first degree at 37, did you have delay in securing admission? No, I didn’t. I dropped out of school many times to work and raise money for my education, that was what really caused the delay. My growing up was characterised by some challenges. I started taking care of myself from when I was very young. When I was in secondary school, I was out of school for four years due to lack of money, so I was working to raise money to continue my studies. The same thing happened when I was in primary school. I used to put my schooling on hold to work to raise some money. It was very challenging. When you put all the years I missed together, that’s why I couldn’t finish school at the ‘normal’ age. What kind of work were you doing? In most cases, I had to hawk vegetables and I was involved in farming too, likewise my mum and siblings. Then, when we harvested, we ate some and sold the rest. Sometimes, we helped other farmers to sell their produce just to raise money. I had my primary and part of my secondary education in Cameroon and my grandmother made sure that my sisters and I went to a bilingual nursery and primary school before we came back to Nigeria. Back then, my siblings and I had to resort to evening school under adult education for our primary education because we needed to go out in the morning to look for work or go to the farm and then later in the evening, we would go to school. There were times we slept in an old barn given to us by a pastor and it was hellish anytime it rained. Basically, I had financial challenges as an integral part of my education experience all along, even till I graduated from the university. However, I couldn’t have made it alone if God didn’t bring good Samaritans, like one of my lecturers, on my way. She gave me shelter since my first year till this very moment. She’s an aunt to some good friends who made up their minds to see me become the woman God has called me to be. I can’t exhaust my experience here, but I thank God that in spite of those issues, I had my West African Senior School Certificate Examination and my Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination at one sitting and I made a first class. You grew up in Cameroon, what brought you back to Nigeria? My father left Cameroon when I was four because my mother didn’t have a male child with him. Sometime later, we; my mum and the three of us, came back. I was already in secondary school but I came to complete it here after working for some time. My siblings went through same experience but they were not able to enter the university because of money, so, they later went back to Cameroon with my mother. And that was why I refused to give up on my dream of being educated, in spite of what I went through. It was very challenging but thank God who saw me through. I organised private lessons and taught French somewhere while in school, which also helped. Since you already knew how to speak French, why did you choose Foreign Languages and Literary Studies again? Language is part of human existence, and I find that interesting, because man, out of every other living being, is the only creature possessing an organised means of communication, which is what language is all about. Since my childhood, it has been my passion to study this course, especially after coming across inspiring poems and storybooks written by some of the great French writers such as Lafontaine, Victor Hugo, etc. It’s basically about learning foreign languages and their literary studies. The culture and civilisation aspects were very interesting. It might not be a popular course but it’s very interesting and its job prospects are impressive. People with expertise in foreign languages can find job as diplomats in foreign countries where such languages are spoken. They can be tutors or translator/interpreter in multinational organisations. For example, I served as French Interpreter during the 2015 Nigerian University Games Association preparations in UNN. I was also the French editor for my department, as well as the religious coordinator. How many languages do you speak? I speak English, Igbo, French and I have rudimentary knowledge of Russian and German. Since you already have some knowledge of the course, how easy was it to have a first class? It is never easy to make a first class, because language as a whole is not easy to learn, especially when it is not your native language. So, attaining that level of excellence happens only with God’s favour, determination, hard work and self-discipline. I didn’t need anybody to tell me to take my studies seriously because of what I went through to get money. When I got admission, I decided to give my best to secure the best grade, so I had to minimise distraction of any kind. I entrusted my life into God’s hands as the only Shepherd of my soul and destiny. Also, I created study groups to teach my classmates things they found difficult and I started that from 100 level. When did you start having first class? I started leading my class from 100 level and organising tutorials for my coursemates helped me greatly. Beyond that, I was influenced to make such decision just to honour my mother by making her so proud of her “girl” child. That was what cost her marriage, so, I planned to make her proud. Female children can also attain the same level of greatness like a male child. I believe we can achieve whatever we set our eyes on if we believe and work towards it. We were more than forty in my final year but only two of us had first class. What was your typical day like? It was usually hectic as a result of long hours of lectures, putting in extra hours of work in the evening to further my studies and finding time to teach others. Being a person with strong quest for knowledge, I spent considerable amount of time studying and I slept well because that was when I was free. For my private studying, I spent quite a lot of time in the library making use of all the resources I could lay my hands on. In my third year, I wrote an article in French and it was adjudged one of the best then. So, someone gave me a gift for that. Did your background affect you in any way? No, I didn’t allow my background to affect my academic performance. If I should let my background creep into my thoughts, I would not have made a first class, because it was enough distraction and source of worry. Given all you went through, did you have time for social activities? Of course, I was social and I did attend some social gatherings, just that I was cautious of the number of hours I put into such activities because of the time I spent working hard to meet my financial needs. I spent my leisure playing games, I did physical exercise such as gymnastic, jogging and taking a long walk on some of the beautiful hills of Nsukka. That enabled me to think and reflect on life. I watched cartoons, comedy shows, adventure and action movies to relieve me of some tension. I also visited orphaned kids in motherless babies’ homes, partly to appreciate God for the gift of life. I also engaged myself in God’s work, which is evangelism. What were your memorable moments? I think my happiest moment was during my matriculation ceremony because it was the day my dream of studying French Language became a reality. The thought of studying my dream course ignited the interest and dedication that kept me moving. The day of my convocation was also very remarkable, even though my siblings and my mum could not attend. I felt lonely. I can’t recall having any serious embarrassing moments because I was always ready to dare the odds to get what I wanted. That is when you talk of taking the bull by the horns. You must have been older than some of your classmates, were there times you felt humiliated? They never humiliated me; they respected me because I was mindful of my words and conduct, even though I looked younger than my age. Some of them even doubted my age. I took it upon myself to help those who needed it and that earned me some respect as well. What are your aspirations? I dream of teaching the French language at an advanced level or working in any other organisation that needs my expertise in French language. Furthermore, I hope my story will inspire many, mostly women, to encourage them to rise up against the various barriers and restrictions imposed on them by culture and traditions. My desire is to go for Master’s and PhD, but that is if I’m able to raise the money. Given all you have been through to get your first degree, are you disturbed by the unemployment rate in the country? The rate of unemployment in our country is really troubling and there are good reasons to be troubled by the scourge. However, I have a firm assurance and belief that my help comes from God, the “owner of heaven and earth”. He will surely make a way for me where there is no way. What is your advice to students? For those who desire excellent results, they should always give priority to their studies, regardless of the distraction. They should trust in God’s unfailing wisdom and favour. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Another Nigerian company rolls out 4G-LTE service

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Ozioma Ubabukoh Another telecommunications firm in the country, InterC Network, has rolled out the 4G Long-Term Evolution service. The first to do so was ntel, the company that bought off Nigeria Telecommunications Company. At the unveiling in Lagos, the company spelt out its brand promise and determination to give Internet users a better experience in Nigeria. In the first phase of its operation, the services are now commercially available in three cities: Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kaduna, while preparation is ongoing to extend to other markets. The unveiling of the network also coincided with the formal announcement of the transformation of Intercellular Nigeria Limited, a provider of fixed and mobile services using Code Division Multiple Access technology to InterC Network. The Chief Executive Officer, Emad Sukker, said the company’s re-entry into the market would be phased, starting with three key cities, with later expansions to six other cities during the first full year of commercial operation. He said, “This formal launch marks the inauguration of our first set of services – extraordinary high-speed data services – through the deployment of 800MHz spectrum band 20, one of the frequency bandwidths assigned us by the Nigerian Communications Commission. “I am proud to state that our excellent and affordable data packages, which will be announced subsequently, will serve as the standard bearer for our subsequent product and service rollouts.” Speaking on the determination of the company to become a leading telecoms company, actively promoting the expansion of broadband services in Nigeria by enabling their customers to live better-connected lives, Sukker attributed the current achievement to the forthrightness and foresight of the company’s board of directors. “The modest journey to where we are today began when our Board of Directors gave us the nod to redirect the business in a way that would make it become a major provider of telecommunications solutions in the country. “Through hard work and commitment of our team, unwavering support and encouragement of the Board of Directors, we are on the precipice of achieving this milestone. I would like to express my deep gratitude to our team members and the directors for believing in us that we could make this happen,” he said. Meanwhile, with the world tilting towards more data usage, the company’s CEO stated that the company is determined to achieve one million mark in the next couple of months with the latest technology, the Long term evolution 4G(LTE). He admitted that telecommunications service was a serious business, saying that InterC had the assets to unlock and operate a full-scale telecoms operation. “We have phased out CDMA technology completely; what we are offering is LTE /4G and not GSM technology. And this is not to undermine the GSM technology. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission statistics, the country has 149 million active subscribers, yet some areas are still underserved. “There is still room for market share in the economy. There are some hiccups, but it doesn’t undermine the strength of the economy. But with wise strategy, we can overcome and we have come to make profit in naira and not dollar. “There are plans to expand the broadband portfolio. Expansion is not our problem because our technical partner, Huawei, is always ready for infrastructural expansion.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Beyonce dominates MTV awards

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Beyonce on Sunday dominated the MTV Video Music Awards as she won a near-record award haul and awed the audience with a fiery dance medley with an unstated political message. The pop superstar won Video of the Year for “Formation,” the most controversial work of her career, as she took home eight of the 11 awards for which she was nominated. “Formation,” the first single off her intertwined film and album “Lemonade,” was shot in New Orleans and inspired by the city’s Creole culture, its bounce hip-hop scene and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “I dedicate this award to the people of New Orleans. God bless you guys,” Beyonce told the gala at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Beyonce stole the spotlight by performing for more than 16 minutes songs from “Lemonade,” managing even to change outfits in a set that culminated in the stage erupting in fire. In one of the most striking moments, a series of gun-shots rang out as her dancers, in angelic white dresses, each dropped to the ground in a red fog. The video for “Formation,” directed by Melina Matsoukas, had offered solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality with officers portrayed raising their hands as if under arrest. Beyonce invited to the show, broadcast to more than 120 countries, the mothers of four young African American men whose deaths have galvanized the United States — Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Oscar Grant and Trayvon Martin. Martin, 17, was killed in 2012 by a white neighborhood guard, a catalyst moment for Black Lives Matter. Brown, Garner and Grant were all killed by law enforcement. Singer Alicia Keys offered another of the night’s powerful moments as she recited a poem inspired by civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr. who delivered his landmark “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington 53 years ago Sunday. In a year marred by global conflict and a bitter US presidential race, Keys, moving seamlessly from spoken word to a cappella, said: “If war is holy and sex is obscene, then we got it twisted in this lucid dream.” “Maybe we can love somebody / instead of polishing the bombs of holy war.” – Kanye talks Kanye – At eight awards, Beyonce tied her contemporary Lady Gaga and Norway’s a-ha- a sensation in MTV’s early years — for the second biggest win in a single night. Peter Gabriel retains the record, set in 1987 after his animation-driven “Sledgehammer.” In one of the night’s most anticipated moments, rap superstar Kanye West — who last year used the occasion to declare his intention to run for president in 2020 — delivered a nearly stream-of-consciousness speech about empowerment. As the audience chanted his stage-name Yeezy, West likened his creative talent to that of Apple founder Steve Jobs and entertainment pioneer Walt Disney, and said that unnamed wealthy white people had warned him not to make the comparison. He defended his “Famous,” also up for Video of the Year, which depicted clean-cut pop star Taylor Swift naked in bed with him despite her complaints about the song. Also seen naked with West in the video are Republican presidential contender Donald Trump, known for his hardline anti-immigration stance, and fashion editor Anna Wintour. “We came over in the same boat. Now we all in the same bed,” West said, before clarifying that the on-screen lovers arrived on “maybe different boats.” West then presented a racy new video for his song “Fade” featuring actress and singer Teyana Taylor, who moved her body sensually in a gym before a steamy shower scene. The video marked a theme in the evening, if accidental, of sexualized exercise. Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj received roars of crowd approval for a sensual take on a workout, with the pop singer and rapper dancing together in a stage transformed into a gym full of highly physical young men. – Drake smitten with Rihanna – Drake won in the rap category for “Hotline Bling,” one of the most popular songs of the year. But Drake did not appear to accept the award. According to the presenter, rap icon Puff Daddy, the Toronto star got stuck in New York traffic. Drake however did show up to present the Video Vanguard Award — named after late King of Pop Michael Jackson — to Rihanna, in recognition to her contributions to pop culture. Drake gushed that Rihanna was “someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22.” The 28-year-old Rihanna put on four medleys of her songs throughout the show in outfits that began with a snug white T-shirt. In an acceptance speech, Rihanna pledged never to forget her native Barbados.

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Mothers to disclose sex partners in child support cases

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The German Government on Monday said it would make it legally mandatory for women to disclose their sexual partners in order to identify children’s biological father in child-support cases. A draft law circulated by the Justice Ministry said that a mother should be required to disclose “who she slept with during the time of conception” if asked by a man who was paying child-support. “There would only be exceptions to this law if there are serious reasons. Men, who successfully contest their paternity would be able to claim back child-support payments for a period of two years,” the draft legislation states without specifying further. The draft law is due for approval by the cabinet of Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday. NAN

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Dogara, Gbajabiamila, others silent on fresh N10bn allegation

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John Ameh Nine out of the 10 principal officers of the House of Representatives kept sealed lips on Saturday over the latest N10billion allegations levelled against them by a former Chairman, Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin. The officers are the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara; Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun; House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Leader, Buba Jibril; Deputy Whip, Pally Iriase; Minority Leader, Leo Ogor; Deputy Minority Leader, Chukwuka Onyeama; Minority Whip, Yakubu Barde; and Deputy Minority Whip, Binta Bello-Maigeri. Jibrin, whom the 10 principal officers said was sacked for “abusing” the 2016 budget, had earlier on July 21, accused Dogara, Lasun, the Chief Whip, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, and Ogor of padding the budget by over N40bn. Jibrin, an All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Kano State, again on Friday, alleged that the officers had “embezzled” over N10bn allocated as ‘running costs’ between 2003 and this year. But, only Ado-Doguwa responded to enquiries by Sunday PUNCH as of 4.30pm on Saturday. Sunday PUNCH called and sent text messages to Dogara’s spokesman, Mr. Turaki Hassan, and Lasun’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Wole Oladimeji, but neither responded. Similarly, calls and text messages made to Gbajabiamila and the six other principal officers were unanswered as of the time of filing this report. But, Ado-Doguwa, who was the only one that responded, urged Nigerians to disregard Jibrin’s allegations as they came from a “man, who no longer has credibility.” Ado-Doguwa claimed that Jibrin was unable to get over the fact that he had been sacked as a committee chairman. Like Jibrin, Ado-Doguwa is from Kano State. He stated, “There is nothing new to respond to. As far as I am concerned, all that Jibrin had said and whatever he may have to say in the future, are not true. They are baseless and false claims from a man, who up till now, has not come out of the shock of his removal as Chairman of the Committee on Appropriation. “Jibrin has lost credibility in the face of the law and in the eyes of every reasonable Nigerian. He has no regard whatsoever for truth or falsehood. I therefore urge Nigerians to disregard every statement from Jibrin because they are malicious and unfounded. “The fact is that, we now have a case of a man who is confused and demoralised and could therefore say all kinds of rubbish, thinking that Nigerians would believe him… “A typical example of his inconsistencies is the way he now named all the 10 principal officers and not the only four he had earlier ‘allegedly indicted’. “Jibrin is a sheer disappointment and an embarrassment to the National Assembly as an institution.” Jibrin had claimed that the allowances of members, otherwise known as running cost, were converted to personal use by lawmakers as against being used to run services in their officers. He promised to reveal how much each of the 360 members received as allowances, beginning with the 10 principal offices. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Don't localise Elechi Amadi's burial

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Chukwudi Akasike, Port Harcourt THE Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that nobody should localise the burial of the late Captain Elechi Amadi’s burial. Wike stated that the late literary icon, deserved a befitting burial for his contributions to the development of the state, Nigeria and humanity. The governor made this remark while inaugurating the State Burial Committee for Elechi Amadi, even as he urged the family to cooperate with the committee to ensure that the he (Amadi) was given a befitting burial. He warned against the politicising the burial, pointing out that the state government would not struggle with any group on who should organise the burial. The governor stated, “If the family does not want Rivers State Government to participate in the burial, it should make its position known. “Nobody should localise the burial of the late Captain Elechi Amadi. In all ramifications, the late Captain Elechi Amadi served the nation in extra-ordinary ways.” Wike explained that the committee was established after a wide consultation with different stakeholders in order to carry every group along and added that the committee could co-opt more members as the need arose. According to him, the committee should ensure that the burial took place in 2016 because the weather of the state should play a part in the set date for the burial. Speaking, Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Frank Ohwor, assured the governor that members of the committee would work towards a befitting burial for the literary icon.

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Battling militancy: Niger Delta Avengers and other new groups

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When the Niger Delta Avengers rebel group announced this week it had called a ceasefire and was entering talks with the government, many hoped peace would be restored to the country’s oil belt. If only it were so easy. The NDA dominate the headlines, but behind the scenes, a groundswell of other groups have been claiming damaging attacks on Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and are refusing to come to the negotiating table. They include the Reformed Egbesu Boys of the Niger Delta, Adaka Boro Avengers, Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force, Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders and the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate. Nigerian security forces operating in the region say the NDA have been responsible for just over half of the major attacks on oil pipelines and facilities in recent months. “More than 50 percent of these attacks have been traced to the so-called Niger Delta Avengers, but we have also discovered that other groups have emerged in the last three months and some of these attacks can be traced to these new groups,” a military officer based in the oil-hub city of Warri told AFP. “From our records in the last three months, the NDA have claimed responsibility for six attacks, but we have recorded 16 militant-related attacks in Delta and Bayelsa states,” said a senior state security officer in Warri. That is bad news for Nigeria. The country’s petroleum minister has said that the country’s oil output has dropped 23 per cent from last year to 1.5 million barrels per day, according to Bloomberg News. “Our average for the year will obviously be dismal,” Emmanuel Kachikwu said earlier this month. “We have a lot more groups now we need to bring together to have peace.” – Ceasefire ‘charade’ – Most of those groups are refusing to negotiate with the Nigerian government. “The charade called ceasefire is in the bid to collect more money from both the federal government and oil companies to be shared between the founders and the boys of the Avengers,” said Greenland Justice Mandate spokesman Aldo Agbalaja on Monday in a statement. “The Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate is still carrying on with this campaign against Nigeria’s oil and gas interest until the federal government does right by our people.” Each group has a different variation on the Niger Delta Avengers platform varying by ethnicity and region, but all demand greater ownership of oil blocs and a bigger share of crude revenues. “The issues of resource ownership and management which have been agitating the people over the years have not been addressed,” said Eric Omare, spokesman for the Ijaw Youth Council, a community organization in the heart of the oil-rich riverlands. “Until these issues are addressed and the people benefit from the oil revenue, peace would continue to elude the Delta region and no amount of security presence can solve the problem.” – ‘Take vengeance’ – An amnesty program introduced by former President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2009 brought peace to the Niger delta after attacks by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) crippled output. In return for laying down their arms, militants were handed monthly stipends and given training as divers, welders and farmers. Yet when President Muhammadu Buhari indicated that he would wind down the costly program in an effort to trim government spending the region erupted again in violence. “If the government fails to put concrete plans in place for major infrastructural development in the region — modern hospitals, access roads, schools, market plazas — the negotiation will likely break down,” said Chijioke Nwaozuzu, petroleum economist at the University of Port Harcourt. “The negotiation could be stalemated. If this is unresolved, it could lead to an escalation of violence,” Nwaozuzu said. The proliferation of groups makes it more difficult to engineer a comprehensive solution. Securing a deal with the Avengers may even backfire, said Ecobank energy analyst Dolapo Oni. “What sort of negotiations are we having with the NDA? What exactly are we offering them to ease the tension, are we offering money? Pipeline contracts? Jobs?” Oni said. “If the Nigerian government offers the Niger Delta Avengers money, similar to what happened years ago with MEND, that could result in further instability,” Oni said, speaking from Lagos. “What we could see is infighting between the militant groups, which will still result in sabotage, as that’s how they will take vengeance.”

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No big deal kissing OC Ukeje -Adesua Etomi

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Anybody watching the love scene in the movie, ‘The Arbitration,’ where OC Ukeje and Adesua Etomi kissed passionately, the person might think the two actually have something going on between them in reality. But in a chat with Saturday Beats, the award-winning actress said it wasn’t a big deal and she wasn’t aroused in any way while she was kissing OC. “I am a blank canvass and at the end of the day, what is most imperative to me is the story. That kiss was important in the story because it is part of the dealings in ‘The Arbitration.’ As long as you keep in mind that it is always about the story, it is never about me. I am a human being but I am also a trained actress, I have been doing this since 2004. I was not moved when I kissed OC Ukeje. Kissing in a movie is not the same as kissing in real life,” she said. The screen diva told Saturday Beats that it was easy to build chemistry with OC Ukeje because they have been friends for a long time. She said, “It is just that we have not worked together before, OC is my friend. Even if that was not the case, when you have two actors that understand that the work is more important than them, you will get a good film. At the end of the day, it is about the characters and making their relationship as believable as possible. The audience has to see the relationship and feel it as well.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Prisoner jumps to death after sentencing at court

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Authorities say a man took his own life at an eastern Ohio courthouse moments after he was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Jefferson County prosecutor Jane Hanlin says 42-year-old Jason Binkiewicz was being led out of the courtroom by a deputy, Friday, when he got away and threw himself over the building’s third floor banister. He was then pronounced dead. Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla says the deputy grabbed the handcuffed man’s clothing as he jumped, but could have gone over, too, if he held on. Binkiewicz was sentenced on attempted murder and felony assault charges after he was found guilty in July of shooting a man in the face. Abdalla says the attorney general’s office and Steubenville police will investigate Binkiewicz’s death.

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No plan to probe Emir of Kano, Soludo

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The Presidency on Monday refuted social media reports that the tenures of Emir of Kano, Dr Muhammadu Sanusi and Prof. Charles Soludo, as Central Bank Governors, would soon be probed by the Federal Government. The social media reports, published on Sunday and Monday, alleged that the Federal Government had concluded arrangements to probe the tenures of the two former CBN governors over their views on the state of the nation’s economy. The reports further alleged that Sanusi and Soludo had been put on “the watch list of the government for some alleged anomalies that occurred during their tenures as head of the Nigeria’s apex bank’’. Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, however, in a tweeted message, said the presidency was not aware that the Emir and Soludo would be probed for offering suggestions to the president. “The check I made today indicated that the presidency is unaware of the reported probe of Sarkin Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11 and Prof.Soludo “Where did that report come from? Under our constitution which President Muhammadu Buhari swore to uphold, it is not a crime to offer suggestions,’’ he said. NAN

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Nigeria'll be among top business-friendly countries in 2019

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Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday assured the international community that Nigeria will be one of the first 100 countries on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index in the next three years. Nigeria is currently ranked 169 out of 189 countries on the bank’s 2016 Ease of Doing Business report. But Buhari said the Federal Government was committed to ensuring that the country moves up 20 places in first year and be in the top 100 within the next three years. According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President spoke at a plenary session on “Dialogue with the Private Sector” at the sixth Tokyo International Conference for African Development holding in Nairobi, Kenya. He said his administration was implementing policies and measures to create right and enabling environment for business and investors in Nigeria. He told the gathering that included several African leaders, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and international business executives that his administration’s vision was to make Nigeria one of the top investment destinations in the world, within the shortest possible time. He said his administration had, therefore, established Presidential Enabling Environment Council and Inter-Ministerial Council with the responsibility of driving the move. The President said, “One of the most important priorities of our government is to create right and enabling environment for business and investors in Nigeria. “Our vision and objective is to make Nigeria one of the most attractive and the easiest places of doing business in the world. “We believe government has a particular responsibility to create right and attractive environment for businesses and economic activities to thrive. “In furtherance of this vision, we have launched the Presidential Enabling Environment Council, and Inter-Ministerial Council to oversee the efforts of government to remove various bottlenecks that stifle businesses and economic activities and thereby create economic activities; thereby create the right enabling environment and investment climate in Nigeria. “The secretariat will include strong private sector representation that would be led by experienced business professionals from the private sector. “We are committed to moving up the ranking of the World Bank’s ease of doing business index 20 places in first year and be in the top 100 within the next three years.”

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Budget Padding: No going back on probe, parties tell police

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Sunday Aborisade, Friday Olokor and Bayo Akinloye The leadership of the various opposition political parties in Nigeria on Saturday, flayed the alleged attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress, to handle the 2016 budget padding allegation rocking the House of Representatives and insisted that the police must probe the scandal. The executives of the Accord Party, Action Alliance, KOWA party, Social Democratic Party, Advanced Congress of Democrats and the Labour Party, stated this in separate interviews with SUNDAY PUNCH correspondents. The National Secretary of Accord Party, Nureni Adisa, told SUNDAY PUNCH that police involvement in the allegation of budget padding in the House of Representatives, was in order, adding that the Federal Government must ensure that justice was done at the end of the probe. He said, “The Nigeria police’s probe of Dogara and Jibrin is to verify claims and counter claims by parties involved in the budget padding. The Federal Government has the prerogative to investigate the matter. There is nothing out of place in probing those involved in the crisis as long as it is handled in the right way.” The National Secretary of the Advanced Congress of Democrats, Dr. Breakforth Onwubuya, also threw his weight behind the probe saying none of the lawmakers should be above the law. He said,“They (Dogara and Jibrin) are not above the law. The police’s probe is in order. There is nothing wrong with it. It is also important people understand that investigation is not prosecution. What I think the police are doing right now is to get to the root of the matter; they are separating wheat from chaff.” The National Secretary of Action Alliance, Kenneth Udeze, also told SUNDAY PUNCH that the party would want the security agency to fully investigate the alleged padding of the budget and bring to book anyone found to have committed a criminal act. “Yes, I think there should be a probe, even if it is to establish whether an offence has been committed. Of course, this being Nigeria, one is bound to wonder if the investigation will not be a waste of time.” He added. Similarly, the Presidential Candidate of KOWA Party in the 2015 presidential election, Prof. Remi Sonaiya, also asked the police to go ahead with the probe without further delay. Likewise, the National Publicity Secretary of Social Democratic Party, Alfa Mohammed advised the police to give the investigation the attention similar to that of the ongoing case of the senate president and that any one found culpable, should be prosecuted.” The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, said, “for the sake of clarity and transparency, the security agencies can investigate the allegations and whoever that is found guilty should be prosecuted.” Also, the President, Civil Liberties Organisation, Igho Akeregha, described as most unfortunate, the fact that the APC was allowing itself to be consumed by the same virus that ate up the Peoples Democratic Party while it held power. He said, “How can the APC come to power on a strong campaign to change the drift in the country now turn around in under two years to talk of settling alleged stealing of public funds within the party, as a family affair.” Meanwhile a group, Egalitarian Mission Africa, has asked the Buhari led-administration to see its handling of the padding saga, as a litmus test for its anti-corruption crusade. The Chairman of EMA, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, in an interview with one of correspondents on Saturday, therefore advised the police authorities handling the issue, to seek legal advice from the Attorney-General of the Federation with a view to prosecuting the culprits. He said, “The issues raised by Abdulmumin Jibrin in his petition, is a litmus test to know whether President Muhammadu Buhari, was really fighting this corruption. Nigerians will never allow the All Progressive Congress government to sweep the matter under the carpet. “The police should seek legal advice on the issue from the AGF on what to do. The issue of budget padding is very weighty and everything now lies in the hands of the AGF to advise both the police and president Buhari on what to do on the matter” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Trump to deliver speech on immigration Wednesday

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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, beset by questions over whether he is softening his hardline stance on immigration, says he will make a speech on the subject Wednesday in Arizona. His surrogates, including running mate Mike Pence, were out on the television talks shows Sunday with the message that Trump would unveil a “fair and humane” policy for dealing with the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. “I will be making a major speech on ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION on Wednesday in the GREAT state of Arizona. Big crowds, looking for a larger venue,” Trump tweeted later Sunday. Trump, whose signature campaign promise has been to build a “great wall” on the US border with Mexico, has distanced himself in recent days from previous vows to mount a “deportation force” to remove the millions already in the country. Critics have assailed Trump’s stance as harsh and unworkable, but it won the New York billionaire a fervent following among less-educated white males during the Republican primaries. It now looms as an obstacle, however, as he seeks to expand his base in the general election contest with Democrat Hillary Clinton, who has accused Trump of flirting with racism. “Donald Trump will articulate what we do with the people who are here,” Pence said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “We will have a mechanism for dealing with people in this country that — you heard the word ‘humanely.’ It will be fair and tough, but there will be no path to legalization and citizenship unless people leave the country,” the Indiana governor said. AFP

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Buhari won’t fight Sanusi for criticising FG - Presidency

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Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja The Presidency on Thursday said President Muhammadu Buhari would not fight the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammadu Sanusi, over his Wednesday’s criticism of the present administration. Sanusi had said the Buhari-led administration might end up like the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration if it failed to retrace its steps on some policies. The traditional ruler, who was the chairman of the 15th meeting of the Joint Planning Board and National Council on Development Planning in Kano State, had argued that the failure of the Buhari-led government to create employment opportunities for “the over 80 million youths in the country,” made terrorism attractive to the unemployed. But in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said criticism such as the one made by the first-class traditional ruler was healthy for democracy. Rather than fighting the Emir, Shehu said Buhari’s government would listen and act on the criticism. READ ALSO: Retrace your steps, Sanusi warns Buhari The presidential spokesman said, “This government will not fight people for criticising the present administration led by President Buhari. This kind of criticism is healthy for our democracy. One cannot get better without being criticised. I can assure you that this government is listening.” Meanwhile, Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, in what was believed to be a fallout of Sanusi’s criticism of Buhari. A Presidency source told our correspondent that the CBN would respond appropriately to Sanusi’s comment. He said the CBN boss could have used the opportunity of the meeting with the President to get approval to reply Sanusi. The monarch, who titled his speech, “Nigeria in search of new growth model,” had said some policies of the government were bad for the economy, adding that Buhari must retrace his steps. He noted that there were times when the Federal Government tried to get it right, adding that it failed to follow up, which contributed to the ongoing economic downturn. He said, ‘‘I will neither change nor be political by telling people what they want to hear. The truth is that there is nothing we are facing today that we did not know would happen. We made mistakes, many of them deliberate; we ignored every single warning. “If you take a brand-new car and hand it over to a driver who doesn’t have a licence to drive it and you are involved in an accident, you can’t say you are surprised, unless you are some kind of an idiot. “We should not just keep blaming the previous administration; we also made some mistakes in the current administration. “They must retrace their steps. They have to retrace those steps all the way. We should not fall into the same trap we fell the last time when the government was always right. The bottom line is that if your policy is wrong, it means you must change it and nothing will make it right as it has to be changed. “If this government continues to behave the way the last government behaved, it will end up where Jonathan ended.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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I would have been a lawyer if I wasn’t a musician - Abass Akande

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Qismat Yinus Fuji music star, Abass Akande, aka Obesere, speaks on his career, family and style What have you been up to lately? I just released an album titled Aja 1 but my 18 track hip-hop album will be released during the Eid-el-Kabir festival. The hip-hop album is just to prove to people that I can do other forms of music despite being a Fuji artiste. I want to show people that I am a professional. Is that why you have been working with Olamide? Apart from Olamide, I featured 9ice, Lord of Ajasa, and Timaya on the album. I also have a lot of up-and-coming artistes on my record label — Sidophobia Entertainment. My label is to promote myself and up-and-coming music artistes too. Presently, I have a lot of artistes on my record label because a lot of them come to me but I only select those who are talented. How have your fans reacted to this change? People have always accepted my music because I am a professional artiste. This is my chance to prove that I am worthy of being called the ‘Paramount King’, as my fans always address me. Tell us more about the title? For example, we have a lot of kings in Lagos but Oba Rilwan Akiolu is the paramount ruler. In Fuji music, we have a lot of people who refer to themselves as ‘King’, but I was crowned the Paramount King by the people. What do you think about the rivalry in the Fuji music industry? There is nothing bad in calling yourself the king or queen of your profession. You can’t refuse being called a king when people give you that title, and you can also choose to call yourself a king. I don’t see any rivalry because I do my music in a unique way. Everything I do comes to me naturally. How would you describe your relationship with other Fuji artistes? I love them so much. I am the national chairman of Fuji artistes. I am close to every one of them but I don’t have favourites or look up to anyone because I come from a family of musicians. Music is in my blood. Kwam 1 is a friend and colleague; Pasuma is a brother to me, and I love him so much. I love Saheed Osupa and every other person. If you weren’t a Fuji star, what would you have been? If I wasn’t into Fuji music, I would have been a lawyer because I know God created me in a way that makes it hard for me to be defeated. I know that if I represent a client in court, that person won’t be defeated. How did your journey into music start? I come from a home that loves music, and I never knew that I was going to become a musician. I just found myself in the music line. God showed me the way. Why did you choose Fuji as your genre of music? My family is known for Apala music, but you know music advances with time. Apala advanced to what we now call Fuji. What kind of upbringing did you have? I was born in Ibadan but I grew up in Lagos. I attended St Paul Primary School, Ebute-Metta, and Jubril Martins Secondary School, which is now known as Iponri Grammar School, Surulere. I couldn’t get a university education because there was no time for that; music had taken over by then. I’d love to attend a university, but I do not have the time. How would you describe yourself? I am a responsible person. When people see me on stage, they think I’m irresponsible. The truth is that when you see me performing on stage, I’m working to put food on the table for my family. When you see me behind the scenes, you get to know that I’m a complete gentleman. I love my family so much, and they come first. Most people judge me by what they see on stage, but that is not who I really am. That is how I make a living. How do you cope with your female fans? I’ve been coping with my female fans for a long time, and God has been helping me. We can’t do without women, but we just need to understand that we don’t need to chase everything in skirt. How long have you been in the music industry? I have been in the industry for more than 30 years. It was very tough at the beginning, but I thank God for his blessings. Can you share some of your experiences in the last three decades with us? It has been God. My kind of music is very unique, and I have a special voice. You cannot compare me to any other artiste, because I am a unique performer. My character has also contributed to my success because I relate very well with people. I don’t look down on people. How many albums do you have to your credit? I’ve lost count. As a devout Muslim, how do you balance your life as a Fuji star that is known for vulgar lyrics and your religion? Religion is different from the profession, but I thank God for allowing me to serve Him. Before coming out today, I’ve prayed to God and asked for his protection. On Fridays, people come to my house for Jumat service, because I have a mosque there. I love my God, and I like to announce that he is there for everyone. How did you get the aliases Obesere, Papa Tosibe, and Omo Rapala? I got the nickname Papa Tosibe about 22 years ago; I came across a guy who wanted to urinate in public, I advised him not to do so, because it was boldly written on the wall. He moved away, and asked me if it was okay to pee there so I told him “Yes, Papa Tosibe, so that was how the name stuck. I got the Omo Rapala title when I was in secondary school; my seniors used to come to my class to fetch me to sing for them. I always managed to slip away from them anytime I sang for them without their notice. I would wait till they got carried away with my music, then slip away from them, so they gave me the nick name Omo Rapala. I got the Obesere name from one of my boys, Captain Adeleke Akinsanya. He was the one bearing that name which he got from his area friends. He didn’t like the name and always fought anyone who referred to him as Obesere. I realised this name made him popular but he didn’t like it, so I took the name from him and it stuck. Have you heard anything new from the lady who alleged you raped her a while back? I have not heard anything from her since the Police found out she cooked up the story to blackmail me. I don’t know her whereabouts, and the Police haven’t seen her since then. What lessons did you learn from that experience? It is one of those things in life. You just need to be prayerful to get God’s guidance. Once you have God’s guidance, you’ll be able to overcome all challenges that come your way. It was God that helped me when I was going through that phase of my life. It is a lesson to celebrities because some people believe they can swindle entertainers with such stories. They tell you to negotiate with them, but I refused to negotiate with anyone because I wanted to see the end of the whole thing. Has the experience affected your relationship with your female fans? No, because I can’t decide not to associate with ladies just because of the bad experience I had with one lady. I have a lot of female fans. You can’t live in this life without challenges; I thank God that I’ve been able to overcome that challenge. I still love women, but I don’t chase everything in skirt. What exactly transpired between the both of you? It was a case of blackmail, and I believe that is what the lady does to earn a living. She made up a story and wanted everyone to believe it. How do you love to dress? As an entertainer, you need to always look good. Looking good is part of showbiz, so I love to always look good. I dress to suit the occasion; my dressing at a particular time is according to the event. As a busy musician, how do you relax? I don’t really have much time to myself, but I ensure I devote some time for vacation. I love to spend time with my family. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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LASUCOM students protest long stay, unaccredited course

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Sesan Olufowobi Some students of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) on Monday stormed the Ikeja, Lagos House office of Governor Akinwumi Ambode to protest against “unwanted extension” in their years of study in the school. The Chairman, LASUCOM Association of Dental Students, Sydon Agbor, said the school’s final year students had been abandoned in the school over the non accreditation of Medical and Dental Department. Agbor, a 600-level student, said without the accreditation by the regulatory body – the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria – the final year students would not graduate. He said, “We are here to let the state’s Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, know that without the accreditation, we can’t graduate. “The government has a role to play by funding LASUCOM in order to procure equipment, employ lecturers, build laboratories and other things that must be available to train students, which have not been provided. “We have been on this journey since 2008. Normally, the course should be a six-year programme, but till date, almost eight years after admission, there is no end in sight.” He called on the governor resue the students by funding the school so that the students could finish their study. As of the time our correspondent left the Lagos House, no government official had come out to address the students. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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PHOTOS: Buhari departs Abuja for Kenya

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55-year-old man abducts, rapes teenage girl in Lagos

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A 55-year-old man, Yekini Ogunjobi, who allegedly abducted a teenage girl for several days and assaulted her sexually, was on Wednesday in Lagos released on a N100,000 bail. Police have pressed abduction and sexual assault charges at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court against the security man, who lives at 12, Esuola St., Oko-Oba, Agege, a suburb of Lagos. Prosecutor Rafael Donny told the court that the offences were committed between July 25 and July 28 at the residence of the accused. Donny said the accused lured the 14-year-old girl, who was sent on an errand, into his house and shut the door before assaulting her sexually. “The accused abducted the girl for four days and assaulted her sexually. “It was one of her relations who sighted her in front of the accused’s house that reported to the police,” Sgt. Donny said. According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 141(a) and 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. The accused, who entered a ‘not-guilty’ plea, risks 18 years or life imprisonment on conviction. Chief Magistrate Tajudeen Elias admitted the accused to a bail of N100, 000 in addition to two sureties in like sum. The case has been adjourned to October 6 for mention. NAN

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Borno to relocate IDPs from three councils

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The Borno State Government announced on Tuesday that it planned to immediately relocate Internally Displaced Persons from Konduga, Mafa and Dikwa local government areas taking refuge in Maiduguri back home. Alhaji Babagana Umara, the Commissioner for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation, stated this while meeting with Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri. Umara said the action followed the directives of Governor Kashim Shettima, after the attainment of peace in the areas which were hitherto under the control of the Boko Haram terrorists. “Shettima has ordered the immediate relocation of the IDPs from Konduga, Mafa and Dikwa local government areas from Maiduguri to their respective areas. “This include those staying in refugee camp in Dikwa who will be moved into the main town,” he said. Umara said that the meeting was to map out security arrangement toward the success of the programme. He said that the state government was making arrangement to put in place necessary infrastructure for the comfort of the IDPs at home. Umara commended the gallant efforts of the military in reclaiming the areas from the terrorists. He also appealed to the GOC to assist in mobilising the necessary security for the success of the exercise.

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Truck kills robber while raiding passengers in Lagos

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Olaleye Aluko A suspected robber has been crushed to death by a truck at the Ojo Lowo bus stop in the Ijanikin area of Lagos State, while allegedly attacking some bus passengers. PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect, whose name had yet to be ascertained, along with other hoodlums, had at about 10.30pm on Friday stood at the bus stop to waylay bus passengers. Our correspondent gathered that while the robbery was on, a police patrol team from the Ijanikin division came to the area which made the robbers flee in different directions. It was learnt that an oncoming truck crushed one of the hoodlums and he died on the spot. Apart from the deceased, another hoodlum, identified as Bassey Eyo, was arrested by the police while other members of the gang fled the scene. A police source told our correspondent that 22-year-old Eyo and his gang members were notorious in the area for traffic robbery. He said, “It was a distress call from the affected motorists that alerted the police to the robbery operation. When the hoodlums sighted the police patrol, they fled, and one of them was knocked down by the truck. His corpse has been deposited in the Badagry General Hospital morgue for an autopsy.” The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident. “Effort is on to arrest other suspects and to recover their arms,” she added. Meanwhile, the Zone 2 Police Command has also arrested a Niger Republic national, Yakubu Adamu, and another, Issa Musa, for allegedly burgling shops in the Lagos Island area and carting away women underwear said to be worth millions of naira. Our correspondent learnt that 48-year-old Musa, a father of five from Borno State, and his accomplice, were caught in the act on Friday at about 4pm while burgling shops at the Idumota and Balogun markets. It was gathered the the two suspects – who allegedly belonged to a seven-man gang – were arrested by the Zonal Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Onikan, Lagos State. PUNCH Metro learnt that 10 bags of women underwear and an unregistered Toyota Corolla, which was said to be the gang’s operational vehicle, were recovered by police operatives. The police said they also recovered two cutlasses, two chisels and one heavy cutter from the car. The Zone 2 Police spokesperson, SP Muyiwa Adejobi, said the suspects would be charged to court at the end of investigation. He said, “The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, Abdulmajid Ali, has directed the Officer-In-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and their receivers. “The police are going to investigate and charge them to court. The arrest of the gang members was in response to a tip-off on the regular burglary of shops in the market.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Negotiate or get Boko Haram treatment, Buhari tells militants

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Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has called on militants unleashing violence on the Niger Delta to enter into dialogue with his government or risk being dealt with the same way the nation’s military dealt with members of the Boko Haram sect. He said this would be done because he was aware of his government’s responsibility to secure the country for economic activities to thrive. According to a statement on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President spoke on Saturday evening at a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on the sidelines of the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Nairobi, Kenya. He told the Japanese leader that with the defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists by the military, the attention of the administration is now focused on stopping the destruction of the country’s economic assets by militants in the Niger Delta region. Despite the violence in the region, Buhari assured existing and prospective foreign investors that their investments in Nigeria will be fully secured and protected. He outlined several steps being taken by his administration to secure the country and ease doing business in Nigeria. The President said, “We are talking to some of their (Niger Delta militants’) leaders. We will deal with them as we dealt with Boko Haram if they refuse to talk to us. “As a government, we know our responsibility, which is to secure the environment. It is clear to us that lenders won’t fund projects in insecure environments. “We realise that we have to secure the country before we can efficiently manage it.” Buhari also told the Japanese Prime Minister that security in the Gulf of Guinea, which is greatly affected by piracy and armed robbery at sea, was a priority for the Nigerian government. “We have provided funds to our Navy to buy new platforms, train and effectively organise the personnel to protect the area. We are looking forward to support from developed nations for satellite surveillance covering the Gulf,”the President said. Recalling his audience with G7 leaders in Germany, which was attended by the Prime Minister, Buhari thanked Japan for responding positively to the requests by Nigeria for the rehabilitation of victims of Boko Haram and rebuilding of infrastructure in the North Eastern part of the country. The President however said there was still more to do on education, health and other infrastructure to ensure quick and voluntary return of displaced persons to their native communities. On the United Nations Security Council reform, Buhari agreed to work with Japan for the reforms, stressing that the case for a permanent seat for Africa on the Council was a moral one. He also expressed Nigeria’s support for Japan in its bid for a UN resolution on the problems in East China and South China as well as the “uncontrolled nuclear tests by North Korea.” The President said, “The UN system is sufficient for the resolutions of all disputes and no nation should be above the United Nations. “This has to be made absolutely clear and I assure the Prime Minister that I will meet as many leaders as possible at the forthcoming UN General Assembly concerning the issues.” In his remarks, Prime Minister Abe congratulated President Buhari “for courageously tackling Boko Haram terrorism.” He said Nigeria and Japan must work together to improve the investment climate in view of the many Japanese companies wishing to invest in Nigeria. He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to rapid development in Nigeria through quality delivery of ongoing projects in the country, including Jebba hydro power scheme and the Lagos railway project.

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Before you buy off-plan

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Abiodun Doherty, [email protected] Over the past few years, the number of real estate schemes offering flexible payment terms and inviting the public to buy off-plan has increased dramatically. When a developer offers you the opportunity to buy off-plan, it simply means that you are buying into a real estate development project at the concept or the commencement stage. If the project goes as planned and the economic condition at the time of completion is favourable, you can potentially make a lot of money. The benefit of buying off-plan is that you are generally buying at a discount. Real estate developers usually give generous discounts to early believers in their project because what they are selling at this stage is a dream or a concept. You effectively make a profit while going in and as the momentum to invest in the project increases, property developers will gradually increase the sales price. By the time the project is completed, it will be worth several thousands more than the amount that you initially invested. There are even instances of some projects that were fully sold off-plan and thus providing the investors the opportunity to sell their off plan to late investors who want a piece of the action. You may be wondering why a developer will decide to sell at a discount or start selling before starting the ground breaking. The reason is purely economic and it is actually a smart business move. The reality is that most property developers rely on bank financing to execute their projects. To access these funds, you need to demonstrate to the banks that your project is viable or will be viable. The best way to demonstrate this is by showing them a list of off-takers that have paid deposits before the project’s commencement day. In addition, the funding comes with its own cost, which if not properly handled, could erode or wipe out the profitability of the project. Smart property developers use the deposits made by off-takers to reduce the amount of bank loans they will need. The deposits are a form of soft loan that is far cheaper than bank loans. They also do not have unnecessary strings attached to them. This is why several real estate projects in Nigeria are offering flexible payment plans or discount promotions and using all kinds of marketing strategies to attract off-takers. However, if the project is delayed or is not delivered at the agreed time, those who invested off-plan will bear the brunt of this loss more than many other investors. They can also lose all of their deposits if the project fails. But there are basic due diligence that they can engage in that can help to improve their chances of succeeding. Several people have lost money in these schemes in the past and many will still lose money in the future because we humans hardly learn from history. One of the first things that you should check is whether or not the developers have a registered government title such as Certificate of Occupancy. Most estate projects in developing areas are built or started on land bought from traditional land owners. Due to the cost and bureaucracy of perfecting the title, most companies start their marketing while going through the process. Unfortunately, most of the traditional land owners are unscrupulous. The moment they observe that some construction activities have started at the site, they create all kinds of bottlenecks for the developer in order to extract more money from an already concluded transaction. Most state governments are also not helping matters by becoming land grabbers in the name of development planning. This is why the recent initiative and pace setting move by the Lagos State government to regulate the activities of traditional land owners is commendable. While the government can acquire land for public purposes, Lagos State has also been pragmatic in compensating the traditional land owners with some portion of the land and documenting it. Hopefully, these working models will be adopted by other state governments. Many of the projects in the market do not meet this requirement. Most of them have their document in process without any assurance of completing the process.While it is in process, several other factors may come in that may sabotage that process. In addition, if it is an existing property development company, it is recommended that you visit their existing project to see the quality of work and interact with those who have bought into their project in the past. You should also read carefully the terms and condition contained in any document they give you. Finally, keep a detail of all payments made to the company and get a specific allocation as soon as possible. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Pope, Zuckerberg discuss tech solutions to poverty

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The Vatican said that Pope Francis, during a meeting on Monday with Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and Chief Executive, discussed how social media could be used for poverty reduction. A report from the Vatican City said that the Pope granted private audience to Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla, who arrived in Italy to attend Saturday’s wedding of Spotify founder, Daniel Ek in Lake Como. The Vatican noted that both parties spoke about how to use communication technologies to alleviate poverty and encourage a culture of encounter. Zuckerberg and the wife delivered a message of hope, especially to those people who were most disadvantaged, the Vatican said. It added that the 79-year-old Pope who has an active Twitter account but no Facebook profile once confessed that he did not know how to use a computer. NAN

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72 PLWDs to monitor Edo gov election

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Ramon Oladimeji The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities has said it is deploying 72 People Living With Disabilities to monitor the September 10, 2016 governorship election in Edo State. The Executive Director of CCD, David Anyaele, said in a statement on Sunday that the group had already been accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission to monitor the election. Anyaele added that the group had already begun to train the 72 physically-challenged males and females it drew from the 18 local government areas of the state to monitor the election. He said the move was one of the activities by which the CCD was implementing its project “Accessibility Review of Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities.” He pointed out how citizens living with disabilities had for long been politically marginalised and reiterated the determination of the CCD to change the narrative. Anyaele noted, “The PWDs are greatly marginalised from participating in the electoral process, because polling units are not always physically accessible to those that are unable to walk or have impaired walking.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Apple to unveil new iPhone model on September 7

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Apple on Monday sent out invitations to a “special event” on September 7 in San Francisco, where it is expected to unveil a new iPhone model. In the company’s usual enigmatic style, it provided little more that the date, time and place to the invitation-only gathering set for the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium near San Francisco City Hall. Apple has maintained a rhythm of introducing updated iPhone models on an annual basis, timing introductions to coincide with the year-end holiday shopping season. Rumors include talk of an ‘iPhone 7’ that will boast improvements to software, cameras and processing speed along with doing away with jacks for plugging in wired headphones. California-based Apple could also use the event to showcase updates to other products, such as its smartwatch and laptop computers.

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$390,000 donation: Nigerians beg angry Takasu, slam Dalung

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’Tana Aiyejina Nigerians on Sunday begged Japanese plastic surgeon and philanthropist Katsuya Takasu, after the Asian expressed his anger on Twitter, over how he was treated by the country’s sports authorities following his donation of $390,000 to the bronze-winning national U-23 football team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. The Nigerian teamhad a troubled build-up to their participation in Rio and were left stranded in Atlanta, only to arrive Manaus few hours to their opening Group B clash against Takasu’s country Japan. The squad’s financial predicament, which received rave reviews in the global media, caught the attention of Takasu, who promised to reward them financially. He redeemed his pledge with a donation of $200,000 and $190,000 to team coach Samson Siasia and captain Mikel Obi respectively, immediately after the squad clinched bronze after beating Honduras in the third-place match in Salvador. “I read about the financial problems affecting the team and I felt the need to make a big contribution,”Takasu told BBC Sport. But the Nigerian sports authorities expressed concerns over the donation. “We need to protect our image so as not to expose the nation to an embarrassing situation if the source of the money is unclean. Due diligence demands we conduct our own private investigation to know the source of the fund to avoid any backlash in future,” sports minister Solomon Dalung was quoted as saying. In an e-mail that went virile, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, the Integrity Officer of the Nigeria Football Federation, wrote to NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick, “Considering the nature of this well publicised financial gift, I felt the need to inform you sir, on the possible danger that such action portends as far as integrity matters are concerned, especially as it affects the antics of match fixers. “Please I will not want to be misunderstood to be saying that the person in question (Takasu) is a potential match fixer but I am only through this mail calling the attention of the federation to the possibility of such an action to be exploited by potential match fixers.” Reacting to the Nigerian authorities, Takasu on Sunday wrote on his Twitter handle, “Tell to Nigerian sports minister. Check Takasu foundation, I’m little bit angry now. Nigerian sports minister must check my foundation.” He added, “To Nigerian people. My message.” He then posted his website page, which had the inscription, “We support women, children and young people who keep on trying without giving up.” Takasu’s Twitter comments however elicited reactions from Nigerians, who pleaded with the Japanese, while slamming Dalung for the way he handled the issue. Bankole Michael tweeted, [email protected] don’t be angry about your donation sir, it is because you gave it to the players instead of the minister and his officials.” @Mrkumaloo wrote, [email protected] A hero is some1 who has given his/her life to something bigger than oneself. Nigerians will never forget ubcoz u are hero.” @ejesabu posted, [email protected] A Great Man with the concern of the people at heart. Ride on Sir…Many Blessings!!!” @kelvostika wrote, [email protected] Pls sir don’t be disturb by what Hon. Minister said, I’m sure he don’t quite understand the word ‘Philanthropist’ God bless U” @JGracechild posted, “Dear @katsuyatakasu, pay no mind to that red-beret wearing hollowness called @SolomonDalung. He is a national embarrassment. God bless you! @herquleez wrote, [email protected] how do I thank you in Japanese and do not mind our politicians. Focus on millions of Nigerians who appreciate you.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Week 3: English Premier League table

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How to get cheap forex from your bank

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With Nike Popoola On a daily basis, individuals demand for foreign exchange because of the need to meet specific personal exigencies, which cannot be transacted in naira. While some need it for their relatives upkeep abroad, many individuals travelling out of the country need it to pay for their foreign expenses. Procuring forex at a reasonable exchange rate was not a major challenge a few years ago. The regulatory authourity introduced a flexible inter-bank exchange rate market for those seeking forex. While black market rate is a bit higher, bank depositors can still get forex at a cheaper rate from the bank for approved personal expenses. Some of the expenses include payments for school fees, hospital bills, business and personal travel allowance. While banks may not want to recognise savings account, depositors with active current accounts can apply for Personal and Business Travel Allowance with their banks. Some of the peculiar requirements among banks to get the PTA/BTA include the following: •Have a current account: Banks usually grant forex to customers who have current accounts, which had been in existence for months. The current account must not be dormant and the owner must have a Bank Verification Number. Bank customers can purchase the PTA for members of their immediate families. •Fill form: Intending travellers with current accounts can visit any of the approved branches of their banks and apply for the PTA/BTA. While is it easy for those travelling to countries needing visa to get it, others visiting West African countries and places that do not require visa may not be able to get it. •Maximum application: The maxi-mum limit to apply for the PTA and BTA is $4,000 and $5,000 (or equivalent in other foreign currencies) per quarter. Also, customers are not allowed to purchase both the PTA and BTA on the same trip. They can, however, apply for them within the same quarter. •Documents: To apply for the PTA, customers is required to produce a valid visa and return ticket and a valid international passport. To apply for the BTA, customers will be required to provide additional information such as a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, letter of invitation from an offshore business counterpart stating the purpose of the visit and letter of nomination. •Other requirements: Some applicants may be exempted from presenting a return ticket. For instance, a student travelling abroad to study or already studying abroad and wants to come home on holiday will be allowed to apply for the PTA with a one-way ticket. Foreign nationals and intending pilgrims can also apply for the PTA with a one-way ticket subject to the presentation of a work/resident permit. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Herdsmen: Benue farmers seek govt’s help to regain lost farms

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Farmers in Ayiin, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State have appealed for the state government to assist them in getting back their farmlands after the crisis between them and herdsmen. Speaking in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Logo on Wednesday, the farmers urged the government to provide adequate security in the area. They also appealed to government to provide the community with access road to boost their economic activities. A young farmer and a fresh graduate of the College‎ of Agriculture, Yandev, Gboko, Mr James Agara, said government’s support would help avert a recurrence of such crisis. The President, NKST Widows Cooperative Group, Mrs Gloria Ngwutor, also said after the crisis, the widows had not been going to their farms and pleaded that the government should come to their aid. “Some of us widows visited our farms for the first time just last Saturday to see and evaluate the situation of things. “We only returned a few weeks ago after being displaced from our homes by the crisis; I put my family in a car and drove away from the community where we slept on the road.” Ngwutor, who is also a retired civil servant said the major problem facing the community was lack of transportation to the market in the city to enable them sell their farm produce. NAN

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Singer Chris Brown freed after standoff with police

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An attorney for Chris Brown said Wednesday that the singer has been released from custody, following a bizarre standoff at his home with police after a woman alleged that he pointed a gun at her. Police arrested Brown on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, after an hours-long standoff on Tuesday. He was freed on $250,000 bail at 11:19 pm local time (0619 GMT Wednesday), according to Los Angeles County jail records. “Chris is out and well,” Brown’s attorney Mark Geragos tweeted a short time later. “The allegations against him are demonstrably false.” The Los Angeles Police Department earlier said that officers from the homicide and robbery division, which deals with celebrity cases, headed to Brown’s palatial home after the woman called for help at 3:11 am on Tuesday. Brown, 27, took to social media to deny wrongdoing, daring police to get a search warrant to enter his home in a series of videos posted on Instagram. “Barricaded myself in my house,” the pop star said in the online post. “I’m not coming out — for what?” said Brown, in a video post broadcast on US television and shared countless times online. “When you all get the warrant or whatever you need, you’re gonna walk right up in here and see nothing, you idiots,” Brown says on Instagram. After the lengthy standoff, police by early afternoon had obtained a search warrant and entered the singer’s home. Baylee Curran, who was crowned Miss California Regional in a beauty pageant this year, identified herself as the caller as she also took to Instagram. She also spoke to the Los Angeles Times, saying she and a friend went into a hot tub at Brown’s house and that the singer became angry when she admired the jewelry of a member of his entourage. She said she fled in fear, then refused to sign a nondisclosure agreement before she escaped from Brown’s house. The gossip website TMZ reported that Brown had thrown a duffle bag out of a window and that police had recovered a gun as well as drugs. Police have not confirmed the report. The R&B singer, who topped the US singles chart with “Run It!” and “Kiss Kiss,” has had years of run-ins with the law. Most notoriously, he was convicted of beating then-girlfriend Rihanna before the 2009 Grammy Awards, forcing the pop singer to miss the music industry’s annual gala. He is set to be arraigned in court on September 20. The incident comes with Brown scheduled later this week to open an international tour, with the first date scheduled for Curacao this Friday, and appearances planned in Japan at the end of next month. AFP

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Gender inequality costs Africa $95bn annually - UN

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The United Nations on Sunday urged African nations to close a gender gap that is costing an estimated $95bn a year in lost economic potential. “Where there are high levels of gender inequality, societies are missing out,” UN Development Fund director Helen Clark told AFP. “They are not harnessing the full potential of women, and that costs economically, at the family level, community level and the national level.” Citing agriculture as an example, Clark said that in many African nations, women are banned from owning or inheriting land, making it hard for them to borrow money. “They then don’t have the finance to buy the best seeds, the best fertilisers. So women, despite working very, very hard, end up producing less, being less productive,” she said in Nairobi, where she was attending the Tokyo International Conference on African Development. The UNDP said in a statement that male-female inequality in sub-Saharan Africa costs the continent some $95bn each year in lost economic potential. In 2014, the cost was higher, at $105bn, it said. “Gender equality is a good thing in its own right, and it’s the right thing to do, but often it’s not until you start talking about economics that people think my goodness, it has implications if we don’t do something about this,” said Clark, former New Zealand prime minister and a candidate for UN Secretary General. Clark meanwhile noted the progress made in some nations, including in Rwanda, where 65 per cent of elected MPs are female.

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Lawmaker donates N5m relief materials to flood victims in Sokoto

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A member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Isa Kalanjeni, on Monday donated assorted relief materials worth N5 million to flood victims in Bachaka, Gudu Local Government of Sokoto State. Presenting the items, at Bachaka, Kalanjeni, who represents Gudu/Tangaza Federal Constituency, said the gesture was aimed at alleviating the suffering of the victims. Kalanjeni said, ”My visit here is to personally commiserate with you in your most trying times. Read Also: Floods, windstorm wreak havoc in Lagos, Ogun, Sokoto “My donation is not in any way a compensation for your huge losses, as only God who destines the disaster is capable of doing that. ”You should, however, regard the unfortunate disaster as an inevitable act of God.” The lawmaker said he had reported the incident to the House of Representatives with a view to getting relief for the victims. He said, ”I have also written to the National Emergency Management Agency for its prompt action.’’ The District Head of Bachaka, Alhaji Aminu Abdulahi, commended the lawmaker for the gesture and promised judicious distribution of the items to the victims. The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Tangaza Local Government, Alhaji Madugu Ruwa-Wuri, called for prayers to prevent re-occurrence of the incident. Ibrahim Gatari and Sambo Abdullahi, two of the beneficiaries, also commended the donor for his intervention and promised to make the proper use of the materials. The items included 300 bags of cement, 30 bundles of roofing sheet, rubber mats, plastic buckets and kettles, among others. NAN

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I have phobia for jewellery -Belinda Effah

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Popular Nollywood actress, Belinda Effah, tells Ademola Olonilua about her career and style How did a graduate of Genetics and Bio Technology from the University of Calabar become an actress? While I was studying Genetics and Bio Technology, I had a passion for acting. While I was still in school, I used to look for opportunity to act. I could be having a lecture and I would hear of an audition somewhere, I would prepare myself for that after my class. I was shuttling between acting and going to school. When I completed my studies, I had to make the choice about what I wanted to do with my life and the answer was to be an actor. I did not stumble into acting. If you loved acting that much why did you not study a course related to acting or humanities instead of sciences? It is because I have the brain for it. I always like to task myself. I had the passion for acting but I wanted to explore other fields. I actually wanted to study Medicine and Surgery but I was offered Genetics and Bio Technology. I have done courses in acting so I keep improving my skills. It is not about studying Theatre Arts; there are a lot of people that studied Theatre Arts and they are working in banks. It is not about what you study. Don’t you think you would have been richer if you practised what you studied in school? Money is not everything, instead satisfaction is. I am not complaining where I am right now. It could have gone both ways. It could be that I would be richer and I could have been poorer but I am happy where I am. The sky is my stepping stone. Did your parents have any reservation about your career choice? My parents have always been very supportive. My late father had always been of the opinion that we should go to school and get a degree. Once I have that in the bag, I can do anything with my life. He was very supportive and he saw the progress I was making so he was okay with it. You had a stint with television presenting at Soundcity for a while, how did that happen? Yes, I was a television presenter. You know the way this industry is, a person starts from somewhere and ends up elsewhere. Although I have always had a passion for acting, things were not going the way I planned. I was on set of a television series, Young, Single and Free, by Tejudeen Adepetu. One day, Adepetu came to the set to see what was going on and he saw me. He told me I had the face to be on television and asked if I had ever presented on the television. I told him I hadn’t tried that and he urged me to give it a shot. He invited me for an audition which I went for and I got the job. I did it briefly because it was not something I wanted to do. That was why I did not stay with them for too long. It was a stage I had to pass through and I loved the experience. If you did not like presenting that much, why did you air your own programme, Lunch Break with Belinda? I was still trying to find my footing. I was using it to while away time. In this movie industry, you try different things. Some people go to the Yoruba movie industry because the English movie industry is not working for them. They do it to stay relevant; whatever works for you, do it. It appears that you are not a big fan of make-up? Too much make-up does not suit my face and I do not want to lose what God created in me. I do minimal make-up, with the help of a good make-up artist. Before any make-up artiste works on my face, I tell her not to make me look like an expensive baboon and make me lose my image. Some of them get it right while others don’t, but it is still work in progress. There is something on the table that would be revealed very soon, with time. Everybody has their brand identity; some are very loud with their make-up but because of the features of my face, I cannot be too loud with mine. Make-up does not fit me so I am very subtle with it. It also seems like you don’t like using accessories? I don’t like accessories. While I was growing up, my mother would adorn me with her gold and because I mislayed a lot of her gold, she opted to buy the cheap ones for me. So if I mislay them, she would not be pained. My skin always reacted to those accessories; the earrings made me have sores on my ears and because of that I had a phobia for jewellery. I felt like anything I wear would not agree with my body if it is not gold. Nowadays, the earrings are so heavy and because I am not used to them, they give me headache. If I have to wear them at all, they have to be something very subtle and after a while, I would have to take them off because they would give me headache. I would rather not bother myself. I am not a big fan of accessories and if I must wear them, they have to be worth it. I only wear accessories like wristwatch. If I must wear any accessory, it is because it complements the outfit I am wearing and immediately after the event, I remove it. Why do you like experimenting with your style especially your hair? I am a very creative person and my mind works like a clock when it comes to creativity. As an actor, you cannot be a one-way street. Like they say, we are into showbiz, so I like to experiment with the show aspect of the business. I am an African and I am proud of it. I love to portray my African heritage to people through fashion. For instance, what influenced my Africa Movies Viewer’s Choice Award look in 2015 was because a large part of our African culture has been lost. I remember growing up, my mother used to plait my hair with thread. But we have lost that culture. Nowadays people are feeling like ‘oyinbo’, nobody wants to do something African. It is so bad that people do not speak their languages anymore. Everyone wants to be westernised. So I decided to do something more traditional and that was why I went to the award ceremony with the Ankara fabric and typical African hairdo. You rock African attire a lot, is it deliberate? We all wear jeans and go with the trend that the westerners set for us; but I want to go with the African trend. I look forward to having a clothing line where I use mainly African stuff and it would be for mass market, you can just walk into a shop and buy it. Maybe I am starting little and trying to create a brand out of it so when my plans become a reality, people would have seen the big picture. I want African fabrics to be in huge super stores home and abroad. Let’s sell Africa to the world, we are talking about the foreign exchange crisis; we are in this mess because we are not producing or manufacturing instead we are consuming and this is why we are at the mercy of the western world. If we start producing our own things, our economy would improve. You hardly show some skin, do you find anything wrong with it? I treasure my body so much that I cannot expose it. I don’t like exposing my body, I cannot do it. I can show some skin, just a little, but nothing out of the ordinary. How often do you work out? I work out a lot and I love it. Working out keeps me sane mentally, psychologically, it makes me active and physically fit. I jog, use the treadmill and I also work on my abs. How do you react to criticisms over your style especially on social media where people could be rude while airing their opinion? Before I do anything I think about it and weigh the pros and the cons. If it is something that is extreme, I prepare my mind for it. Like that AMVCA outfit, I knew some people might not understand and I might get a backlash so I was mentally prepared for it. Mature minds would always know what I am trying to achieve but the myopic ones would talk negatively. I am open to constructive criticism but if you want to be rude, I would just ignore you. What is your fashion fetish? I am not too attached to anything; I am a very easy going person. I try not to be too attached to anything. When it comes to your body, what do you see as an asset? I would say my tummy, if I should add weight; I always ensure that my belly does not get bigger. A bulging belly takes the beauty out of one’s dressing. It does not allow the clothe to fit you properly. I am very particular about my tummy. Also my finger nails, I love to keep them clean because I hardly paint them. I have very good nails and they have natural French tips and I get compliments over them a lot. What do you think about mini-skirts and bum shorts? I love them. But you hardly step out in them? I love them and wear them at home but I am a brand and a role model to a lot of people so whatever I wear could influence those that look up to me. If I wear such regularly, what message am I passing to them? It does not mean because I love them I must always wear them in public places. If they don’t suit the occasion, then there is no use wearing them. There was a movie premiere that I wore a bum shorts but I wore it with long transparent socks. They had a branded tee-shirt we had to wear and I wore the bum shorts on it to look hip. I think outside the box and I wear clothes that are not too crass and crude. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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England keeper Joe Hart leaves Man City for Torino

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England goalkeeper Joe Hart was given a rousing welcome by ecstatic Torino fans Tuesday as he held up the team’s jersey ahead of signing a season-long loan with the unfashionable Serie A club. Hart, 29, fell out of favour with new coach Pep Guardiola at Manchester City following the signing of Claudio Bravo from Barcelona and has caused general surprise by joining Torino in a bid to preserve his international career following England’s spectacular Euro 2016 exit. Television pictures earlier showed Hart arriving at the city’s Caselle airport and the ‘keeper on a balcony in the city centre holding up a Torino shirt with his name emblazoned on the back. Although Torino have yet to make an official announcement, Hart’s agent earlier told Tuttosport: “Yes, Joe Hart will play at Torino. It’s a done deal. He has said ‘yes’ to the club and now Manchester City have given the OK.” Hart becomes only the third English goalkeeper to play in Italy’s top flight and the first since 1929/30, an era in which English players — some of whom helped lay the foundations of some of Italy’s biggest clubs — were prevalent in the country’s top flight. Prior to Hart, James Richardson Spensley played for Genoa at the turn of the 20th century, when Hoberlin Hood turned out between the posts for AC Milan. It is considered a major coup for Torino, who have been given a boost in their bid to secure a place in next season’s Europa League, especially with City agreeing to pay a significant portion of Hart’s annual salary of 3.3m pounds (4.2m euro). Hart, meanwhile, has the chance to gain valuable experience in one of the world’s toughest league in terms of tactics. He is expected to take the gloves from Daniele Padelli, who has failed to impress coach Sinisa Mihajlovic since he arrived at the club several months after his sacking by AC Milan last season. It would allow Hart to rebuild confidence following a disastrous Euro 2016 campaign for England, who saw hopes of contending for the title undone during a sensational 2-1 last 16 defeat to Iceland that pre-empted the resignation of manager Roy Hodgson. Hart was considered to be amongst the key culprits after making errors against Wales and Iceland, but if he expected to find succour in the comfort of his Premiership club he was wrong. When Guardiola signed Bravo from Barcelona, Hart lost his number one spot. To retain his place as England ‘keeper, Hart needs regular football in a season that will see the Three Lions begin their qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup in a Group F featuring Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta. But Hart, who will be keen to avoid the fate of the many English players who failed to make an impact in Serie A, has reason for apprehension. One of Mihajloivoc’s first decisions at Milan was to hand 16-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma his Serie A debut, leading to the contentious demotion of experienced Spaniard Diego Lopez. Donnarumma, widely expected to succeed Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon as Italy’s number one some time in the future, remains Milan’s first choice ‘keeper. Media reports said the option of looking to sign Hart came through Attilio Lombardo, the former Sampdoria winger who was Roberto Mancini’s assistant at Manchester City and is now Mihajlovic’s assistant at Torino. Hart could make his Torino debut on September 11 when the ‘Granata’ face Atalanta in Bergamo. Mihajlovic’s men have made a mixed start to the campaign, following their 3-2 opening defeat to Milan at the San Siro with a 5-1 demolition of Bologna that saw new Italy call-up Andrea Belotti hit a hat-trick.

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Currency crisis’ll affect 2016 budget implementation - Experts

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The Deputy Registrar, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Mr. John Evbodaghe, and a Professor of Accounting, Obafemi Awolowo University, Taiwo Ashaolu, have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to assemble a team of economic experts to address Nigeria’s economic and fiscal challenges. They raised the alarm that the full implementation of the 2016 budget of N6.06tn would be hampered by the falling value of naira. They also identified the scarcity of dollar as another factor inhibiting the implementation of the budget. They spoke on the sidelines of a high school residency/awareness programme for the north central zone by ICAN in collaboration with Landmark University in Omu-Aran, Kwara State on Friday. The programme is an invitational programme for non-accounting undergraduates, who may desire to pursue accounting as a profession, according to ICAN’s Deputy Director, Directorate of Students Affairs, Folake Olawuyi. Evbodaghe and Ashaolu identified Nigeria’s low production and export capacities, import dependence and the Niger Delta crisis as factors fuelling naira’s depreciation. Evbodaghe advised that to stem the depreciation of the naira and the scarcity of forex, especially the dollar, Nigeria should increase its production and export capacities. He said, “The fall in naira and the currency crisis is going to hamper the implementation of the 2016 budget. Already the budget was predicated on about N2trn loan, and now we are not able to meet the N4trn that we had budgeted that we are going to need from our own generation. “I just feel that it will not be for too long. Once the Niger Delta crisis reduces, we will not spend money buying arms and ammunition to fight them and at the same time stop production.” Ashaolu called on President Muhammadu Buhari to assemble national financial and economic management experts to assist his administration in solving the current economic challenges. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Dangote spends N4.5bn to tackle malnutrition, others in North-East

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Ifeanyi Onuba, Abuja The Chairman of Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Monday night said the foundation has so far spent about N4.5bn to address the problems of poverty and malnutrition in three states in the North-East. Dangote said this in Abuja while speaking at the launch of a partnership with Lead singer of rock group U2, Paul Hewson, who is known by his stage name Bono. He gave the three states where the N4.5bn was spent as Borno,Yobe and Adamawa, where activities of insurgents have left millions of people displaced. He said due to the activities of terrorists in these states, a lot of children are now malnourished,adding that this development was what informed the partnership with Bono who is also the founder of the ONE campaign advocacy group. He said there is an urgent need to address the malnutrition and employment crisis in the North East adding that the importance of health in helping the country’s progress cannot be over-emphasized. He said this was why 70 per cent of the funding accruing to the foundation is being spent in Nigeria while 20 per cent is spent Africa. The balance of ten per cent according to him is spent in other non-African countries. He said, “We are doing quite a lot, we are spending a lot of money in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno States and we have spent N4.5bn so far on these three states and we will continue to spend. “The partnership will focus on the most marginalised citizens, particularly girls and women, who face the brunt of poverty and help empower those most at risk from extreme poverty, extreme climate and extreme ideology. “I’m investing in ONE and partners across Nigeria to strengthen civil society and help the government respond to our ongoing health needs and the urgent malnutrition crisis in the North-East Nigeria. “ONE’s extensive network of youth groups and its 2.3 million members will help bring international attention to these issues. All of us can and must do more.” In his comments, Bono said with the huge malnutrition crisis in the North-East, about 50,000 children may be lost before the end of the year. He said the new partnership would help amplify the calls of millions of Nigerians who have been campaigning for years on issues relating to health, anti-corruption and agriculture. He said while the funding gap is estimated at about $300m, only $100m had so far been realised to address the malnutrition problems in the North-East. The event was attended by popular Nigeria musician Waje among other top officials of Dangote Foundation and the ONE campaign advocacy group.

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Military not targeting militants

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Fidelis Soriwei, Abuja The Defence Headquarters on Tuesday said that the military was not targeting the militants in the ongoing operation ‘Crocodile Smile’ in the Niger Delta. The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, said that the public should not misconstrue the ongoing operation for an offensive against the region. He said that the ongoing operation was designed to give amphibious training to elements of the Army in the area. However, he said that the troops would fight in self defense if attacked. He explained that the military was not attacking the militants because of the ongoing negotiation and to give peacea chance. He said, “We should not misconstrue our exercise in the Niger Delta. We are not doing the exercise against the militants. “We are training our personnel on water. You know we have amphibious elements in the area. We are just doing our exercise, when they were blowing pipes, was there any attack? “However, if there is any threat against the troops and equipment, we must act in self defence. The exercise is going on well, we are not targeting anybody. No military is attacking them because of the negotiation. We should give peace a chance.”

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Doctors remove 40 knives from man’s stomach

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A man in India spent two months swallowing knives and had 40 of them surgically removed from his stomach, according to the doctor who led the operation. “He had a wild urge to consume metal. Even for us, the experienced surgeons, it was frightening,” Dr. Jatinder Malhotra told CNN. “We were so nervous… a small mistake could have taken the patient’s life. In my 20 years of practice, I have never seen anything like it,” he added. Malhotra said it took his team about two days to form a diagnosis and surgery plan and the operation lasted for five hours. He revealed that they found foldable knives, which when fully extended were about seven inches long. “The patient told us that he swallowed some knives folded and some unfolded. When we took out the knives, some were found folded, some were open, and some had even started rusting and were broken,” the doctor said. The patient, a 42-year-old father of two, told CNN he’s feeling much better. “I’m sorry I let my family down. I’ll be forever thankful to doctors and hospital staff for saving my life,” he said. “I don’t know why I used to swallow knives, I just enjoyed its taste and was addicted,” he added. The patient is currently under the continuous supervision of the hospital’s in-house psychiatric team and will soon be visited by independent mental health experts, doctors said.Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Not everybody has perfect sex organs (II)

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The G -spot is another organ in your wife’s body that does not need the help of the penis to get it working. It is the bean-shaped, spongy tissue of the paraurethral gland, which is analogous to the male prostate. The actual area is only about the size of a quarter, but it feels rougher to the touch than the surrounding tissue. Because the G-spot is composed of erectile tissue, it swells up when blood rushes to it, especially if you learn how to master the woman’s G-spot effectively. It is located about one to two inches back from the vaginal opening inside the front vaginal wall. The ‘front’ wall of the vagina is located on the same side as her belly button. The best way to find the G-spot has nothing to do with the penis but the fingers. First of all, the G-spot is easiest to locate when a woman is sexually aroused, so don’t skip foreplay. To locate and master the woman’s G-spot, face your wife while she is lying on her back and insert your index or long middle finger into her vagina as far as it will easily go. Then crook it up toward yourself in a ‘come hither’ motion, sliding your fingertip along the top of the vagina until you find an area that is rougher than the rest of that vaginal wall (make sure you have your fingernails clipped short and buffed before you do this; sharp fingernails will definitely spoil the effort). This rough or slightly ridged area is the ‘G-spot’ and touching it often causes a woman to react with amazing surprise or pleasure. If you don’t get a reaction, don’t be too shy to ask her if she feels especially sensitive when you touch what you think is the spot. You may need to use a fair amount of pressure to find the G-spot because it is located within and not outside of the vaginal wall. And while this is going on, the penis is less given attention. Sometimes, it helps to use your other hand to lightly massage the skin in the area where your crooked finger is touching to intensify the effect. And since not all women are G-spot sensitive, don’t get discouraged if you can’t get a special reaction. While some women are capable of multiple orgasms with repetitive stimulation of the G-spot, others don’t get much of a feeling and some even feel discomfort from G-spot stimulation. No worries, every wife will appreciate the attention and the effort of her husband! And while searching, you might discover other areas in her vagina that she responds to even more enthusiastically. And while you’re at it, consider mastering fingering techniques. This also takes pressure off the penis. The best way to manually stimulate the G-spot is with a firm “tapping” motion with your crooked finger. Some husbands find it easier to stimulate the G-spot with two fingers. The rule of the game is to do what you both enjoy without thinking of your penis. The only way to get G-spot stimulation in the missionary position is to prop her hips up with pillows. Wives can also intensify their ability to have G-spot orgasms by learning to contract their pelvic muscles, known as Kegel exercises. G-spot orgasms generally require long, sustained stimulation, especially when you’re just starting to explore them. The man-from-behind’s position is great for G-spot stimulation. But remember that since it’s located on the belly-button side of the vagina, the husband needs to penetrate at an angle that pushes his penis against the front wall of the vagina. Stimulating the G-spot is also a great complement to oral stimulation. With this also, there is no pressure of performance on the penis. All you need do is work on the clitoris and the G-spot with hands and tongue. When you are working on your wife’s clitoris with your mouth, insert one or two fingers into her vagina with a gentle thrusting motion. If you tilt them upward slightly, you are likely to hit her G-spot and bring about some intense sensations that may ultimately result in a combined clitoral and vaginal orgasm and even female ejaculation. All these are without the help of the penis. Remember, the destination is less important than the journey. Let go of your intense focus on the goal; work to build pleasure and intimacy rather than stressing yourself because of the size of your penis. If you have a small penis, you have to learn how to become totally confident with erotic talks; this will help get the job half done. Since you want to compensate for your small penis, why don’t you go ahead and combine giving your wife a ‘hot phone sex’ hours before the actual sex? This sequencer has been my ‘Secret weapon’ I share with many husbands who have done all to their penis but it just refused to grow, unlike many others who after using the natural herbs from Vietnam, smile every day to their bedroom! When you get hot phone sex to work, you would have passed the tipping point. After this point, everything would fall in place. At this point, no wife cares how you look; all they want is someone that would take them to the climaxing point. The truth is that you would have masterfully commanded her mind. Husband; please remember that when the physical techniques seem not to be working on your wife any longer, this technology will get her over the hindrance. If everything else fails, do not forget to insert a finger along with your penis. Girth is more important than length because vaginal feeling is most intense for about the first two inches. Many wives will appreciate the extra stretch. And try a textured condom. Some condoms are designed to add texture, thickness, and length. And also get the natural herbs from Vietnam that have been working wonders all these years with evidences all around. And before I call it a day, I need you to know that the nipples of a woman do not also need much of penis attention. Although men have been paying very special attention to the nipple for years, it’s remarkable how few men know how to pleasure them to their full potential. Research shows that nipple stimulation is processed in the same region of the brain as touch to the clitoris and vagina, making it a key part of the three cardinal points of female pleasure. While gently massaging your wife’s breast with one hand, use your fingers or tongue to lightly trace the area around the areola, before placing your open mouth on her nipple. Try using your lips to softly hold the nipple in your mouth and run your tongue back and forth over it; use your lips and tongue to massage the area, paying attention to her bodily cues to determine what she likes best. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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‘Slain lawyer, Atsuete, defended the poor’

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A human rights activist and the National Convener of the Doing Democracy Movement, Mr. Anyakwe Nsirimovu, has described the late Ken Atsuete, who was murdered on Sunday night as a lawyer, who defended the poor. Nsirimovu, who was in tears while speaking with The PUNCH, said the slain lawyer was interested in speaking the truth and added that Atsuete died for the truth. Atsuete, a frontline Port Harcourt-based lawyer and one of the counsels for the former council chairman of Asari-Toru LGA, was said to have been taken away by unknown gunmen suspected to be assassin. The bandits were said to have shot and left him in a pool of his own blood close to his residence in Aluu, Ikwerre LGA. Neighbours, who saw him rolling on the ground in pains, rushed him to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, where he was confirmed dead. Nsirimovu described the deceased, who is from Delta State, as a fearless human rights lawyer, who yearned for a better society, even as he lamented that his friend could be killed in such a gruesome manner. “He was a fearless human rights lawyer, who was ready to speak the truth at any given time. He defended people in court without collecting money and was not afraid of speaking his mind,” the DDM national convener said amid tears. Recalling that Atsuete had on Saturday received his wife, Mrs. Atsuete, who had been in London for some time at the airport, Nsirimovu wondered how the wife of the murdered lawyer would be able to withstand the ugly incident. He said, “Since his (Atsuete’s) wife came back from London, they have all been at home. The woman came back to Nigeria from London on Saturday. “Ken (Atsuete) was at the airport to welcome his wife and children and now, he is dead. Only God knows what that young lady will do.”

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Why we arraigned man who named dog Buhari -Police

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Afeez Hanafi The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Abdulmajid Ali, says the case of Joe Chinakwe, who named his dog Buhari, has no connection with President Muhammadu Buhari. The AIG said the man named after his neighbour’s father and not the President. He said Chinakwe was not arraigned for naming the dog Buhari, but for inscribing the name on both sides of the dog and parading it around the Ketere area of Sango Ota, in the Ado Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, adding that his behaviour was capable of causing a breach of the peace. Chinakwe, who had been released on bail, was arraigned after his neighbour, Halilu Umar, whose late father bore Buhari, reported him to the police. In a statement on Monday, by the zone 2 command spokesperson, SP Muyiwa Adejobi, the AIG, stated that the case was misconstrued as an attack on the President. The statement read in part, “The case has nothing to do with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Mohammad Buhari, but with one Alhaji Buhari,the biological father of the complainant, Alhaji Halilu Umar.” “It is fundamental to state that the man was not charged to court for christening his dog Buhari, but for the behaviour of the suspect and circumstances surrounding the matter when Mr. Joe (Chinakwe), who had been having conflicts with his neighbour,(complainant) named his dog Buhari, his neighbour’s father’s name, inscribed Buhari on both sides of the said dog, and started parading the dog with swagger among his neighbours and traders who are mostly northerners.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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No going back on clean-up of Lagos - Ambode

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Sesan Olufowobi Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Tuesday said he would sanitise every nook and cranny of the state. Ambode spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja, during the inauguration of a special committee saddled with the responsibility of restoring the original master plan of the Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki areas of the state. The governor said his administration was determined to rescue the state from impediments, adding that his resolve was non-negotiable. He said, “We have observed gross abuse of urban planning and environmental laws which necessitated the decision to embark on a major clean-up of the environment. Cases of abandoned property have become rampant with miscreants taking over the property as their bases to cause havoc. “Our roadsides now parade pockets of illegal kiosks, unapproved mechanic workshops and roadside beer parlours. In addition, originally residential areas now have commercial concerns located there, distorting the balance of the environment. “These bad environmental practices can no longer be tolerated and will be brought to an end immediately. A safe, clean and prosperous Lagos is non-negotiable; that is the commitment of our administration. We will not allow these environmental infractions to continue.” The governor added that the Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki clean-up was the beginning of a rescue operation that had come to stay until Lagos was clean. The committee is chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, while other members are Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Adejare; Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Folorunso Coker; Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ade Akinsanya; Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Yetunde Onabule; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, Adekunle Olayinka; General Manager, Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Segun Adeniji; and General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Authority, Lateef Sholebo. Others include Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sulaimon Dogo; Chairman, Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, Olayinka Egbeyemi; sole administrators of Iru/Victoria Island and Ikoyi/Obalende local council development areas, Aderemi Adebowale and Goke Olawale, respectively. Responding on behalf of the committee, Bello said the members were ready to carry out the task. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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PHOTOS: Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg in Nigeria

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It’s here! The e-version of Nigeria's most widely read newspaper. Now you can read The PUNCH, Saturday PUNCH and Sunday PUNCH anytime and everywhere. Subscribe Now and enjoy!

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Customs detains vessel with no Bank Bond

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The Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service, Eastern Marine Command, Port Harcourt in Rivers, have detained a vessel named ‘MV Defender V’ for sailing without a valid Bank Bond. The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Usman Bello, who made the disclosure on Saturday, said the vessel “is a patrol vessel from South Africa, used in piloting tanker vessels”. The controller said that the 7-man crew vessel, however, had a temporary importation permit but no valid Bank Bond. He said that the vessel was detained as part of the crack-down by his officers and men on vessel owners who chose to operate in Nigerian waters without Temporary Importation Permit and a Valid Bank Bond. Bello said that the vessel was detained in Onne Port under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Command of the NCS. He said, “The vessel sailed into Nigerian waters and docked in Onne Port without the necessary valid Bank Bond which is a requirement for ship owners granted Temporary Importation Permit by the Nigeria Customs Service. “It should be recalled that earlier on, a tanker vessel, `MT African Beauty’ was detained in Warri for a similar offence.” Bello warned that all ship owners plying the Nigerian territorial waters granted Temporary Importation Permit by the Headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service should always ensure that they also obtain the Valid Bank Bond before either approaching or sailing into Nigerian waters. The controller warned that any ship owner found violating this directive would have his or her ship detained as no excuse would be tolerated. He said, “The Temporary Importation Permit is an approval granted to ship owners by the NCS Headquarters to those importing ships temporarily to be able to either trade or transact business within Nigerian waters. “The permit is normally granted with a valid Bank Bond to ensure payment of Customs duties in the case of any circumvention of the permit. “The approval is normally granted for 12 months at first instance and renewable for six months for three occasions, which is the final extension. “After which the ship owner is required to either take the ship back to a foreign country or convert to home use whereby duties will be paid accordingly.” NAN

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‘I haven’t seen my husband since 2006’

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A 42-year-old teacher, Mrs. Imabong Akwaoku, on Tuesday asked the Alimosho Customary Court in Lagos, to dissolve her 20-year-old marriage, due to abandonment. The mother of three told the court that her husband, Patrick, left their home since 2006 and had refused to come back. “My husband disappeared from the house 10 years ago to an unknown destination, he refused to either call or come home to see me and his children,” she said. She told the court that her husband ran away from home because of an alleged fraud in his office. “When his company was to arrest him, he ran away from the house and abandoned us. “When his company could not found him, I was arrested and detained so that my husband can come out of hiding. “Despite this, my husband did not surface, it was my family that came to bail me,” she said. The petitioner said that she and her children used to call her husband initially, but that he was always hostile and aggressive on the phone. “Patrick was always shouting at us whenever we called; later, his phone numbers were no longer reachable. It’s been 10 years now; I don’t even know anything about him. “When I contacted his uncle on phone, he told me that my husband was in Port-Harcourt,” she said. Imabong said that she had been the one taking care of the children as Patrick’s family members did not show any concern. “I have been the one responsible for the children’s school fees, feeding and rent. “My husband’s family does not know if we exist; they cannot even recognise the children if they see them,” she said. Imabong urged the court to dissolve the marriage, saying she was tired and no longer in love with her husband. The President of the court, Alhaja S.O Mumuni, after listening to the petitioner, adjourned the case to September 26 for further hearing.

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Ancelotti happy to inherit Guardiola's Bayern

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Pep Guardiola’s successor Carlo Ancelotti says he has changed little at Bayern Munich as the defending German champions drubbed Werder Bremen 6-0 on Friday to kick off the new season. The Italian is clearly a fan of the adage ‘never change a winning team’ after Guardiola led Bayern to the German league and cup double on his swansong last season. Under Guardiola, now head coach at Manchester City, and his predecessor Jupp Heynckes, Bayern won the last four Bundesliga titles in a row, a record in Germany’s top flight. Ancelotti says he made few changes to Guardiola’s set up as Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick and Bayern enjoyed 70 percent possession at Munich’s Allianz Arena. “I changed very little as this is a very strong team, maybe we just need to play forward a little more,” Ancelotti told German broadcaster ARD. “I am very happy. That was a very good performance from my team. “We got off to a good start and took control of the game early on. “We played well over the 90 minutes, I’m happy and there are only a few things to improve. “Robert Lewandowski is a fantastic striker, but we played well going forward, using lots of combinations and attacked with lots of players.” Lewandowski, the Bundesliga’s top-scorer last season with 30 goals, could have finished with five as Bayern ran riot. After Xabi Alonso scored the first goal of the 2016/17 campaign at Munich’s Allianz Arena, Lewandowski netted either side of the break before captain Philipp Lahm added a fourth. It was no more than shooting practise for Bayern by the time Franck Ribery fired home, with Lewandowski then converting a penalty to claim his third and Munich’s sixth. Germany forward Thomas Mueller was outstanding with three assists, including a superb cross for Lewandowski’s second — 39 seconds after the break. Having also hammered Hamburg 5-0 in last season’s opening game, this was another emphatic win as Bayern look to win a fifth Bundesliga title in a row. Ancelotti’s next league game is at Schalke 04, who finished fifth last season to qualify for the Europa League, after the international break on September 9. – squad ‘so strong’ – The ex-Chelsea, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid head coach says his biggest problem is who to leave out of the starting line-up in Bayern’s star-studded squad. “The squad is so strong that it is very hard to only put on 11 players, because it means you have 11 happy faces and 12 or 13 who are not,” said Ancelotti. “I found a fantastic atmosphere at Bayern, the players generate a good team spirit and support each other. “They seem to be tight personally.” Guardiola, a self-confessed perfectionist, often seems obsessed with winning, a character trait which has so far earned him 21 trophies with either Bayern or Barcelona. Ancelotti says he is more concerned about the harmony within the squad, which he believes will yield results. “I don’t always think about winning,” confessed the Italian, who has already won the German Super Cup — the 18th title of his career as coach — with Bayern. “It is more important there is a good rapport among the players. “If you win, it is a result of that.” AFP

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Nigeria vs Tanzania: Akwa Ibom govt provides free tickets for fans

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Etim Ekpimah, Uyo The Akwa Ibom State government has declared entry into this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and Tanzania free to encourage large turnout of fans to cheer the Super Eagles to victory. The Commissioner for Sport and Youth Development, Mr. Monday Ukoh, said this on Wednesday during an interview with a local radio station. According to him, the development would ensure a full house at the 30,000-capacity Ibom International Stadium, the venue of the match. Ukoh explained that the state government was not also unaware of the economic challenges facing many Nigerians, especially youths, hence the need to assist them with free tickets to watch the game. Football fans in Uyo, however, appealed to Akwa Ibom government not to politicise the tickets as such actions in the past had denied genuine football fans in the state the chance to watch the Super Eagles. One of the fans, Abasiama James, said the free tickets by the state government was commendable, adding that it should be made available to everybody on first come first serve basis. “Nice one, but the tickets should be made available for everybody; they should not politicised as usual. “It is not a political event, it’s a football match of the national team not a political party team, so the idea where only political groups are given the tickets should be discontinued,” he said. As of Tuesday evening, most of the invited players had arrived for the game and trained under new coach, Gernot Rohr. Manchester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, did not train with the rest of the Super Eagles for most parts in Rohr’s first session.

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I’m flattered by Allardyce’s comments about me - Okocha

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Pius Ayinor Former Nigeria captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha has said he is overwhelmed by the eulogy poured on him by England coach Sam Allardyce despite retiring from football many years ago. On Tuesday, Allardyce retained Wayne Rooney as England captain and encouraged him to follow Jay Jay Okocha’s example. Rooney was told to continue in his role as England captain – by following the leadership blueprint of Okocha who also played as Allardyce captain while at Bolton Wanderers. The Independent quoted Allardyce, “On and off the field, Jay Jay was the captain you looked for. “In a multi-national side from all over the world, he could speak four different languages and communicate very well with some of the players who couldn’t speak quite as good English. “He sorted the odd scuffle out in the dressing room, talked to the players about how we had to go out and win. He’d take the manager’s instructions and apply them in the right way. “Then there was outstanding ability on the field, leading by example and showing everybody he wasn’t a mercenary which was suggested in the beginning, that he’d only come for the money.” Okocha, who was unaware of the Allardyce comment until The PUNCH called him, said he was overwhelmed to be so remembered by his former manager. He said, “His comments make me feel so good and fulfilled. Sometimes we do things the way we know best without knowing how well and far it goes with other persons. I was just working the way I felt the work should be done; I never knew it made his (Allardyce) work easier too. “I am proud of what I achieved at Bolton and in football.” The former Super Eagles captain also had kind words for his manager at Bolton many years ago in the English Premier League. Okocha told The PUNCH, “He was a good manager. He knows how to get the best out of his players. You could see what happened to Newcastle after he left there. He’s really a good coach and deserves the England job. His appointment didn’t come as a surprise to me.” Okocha with the likes of Jussi Jaaskelainen, Hernan Crespo and Youri Djorkaeff made the EPL low-budget team quite formidable even against the top-four teams. They were one of the teams to always look out for in cup competitions. For the England team, Rooney’s retention in the role, widely anticipated, ensures continuity for a player who broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time England goal-scoring record during the qualification campaign for Euro 2016. With 115 caps, Rooney is likely to surpass Peter Shilton’s all-time appearance record in the run-up to Russia 2018 and Allardyce insists that sticking with the player as captain was an “easy” choice. “Wayne has been an excellent captain for England and the manner in which he has fulfilled the role made it an easy decision for me to ask him to continue,” he said. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Naira hits 418/dollar as forex scarcity lingers

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Oyetunji Abioye The naira plunged to 418 against the dollar at the parallel market on Tuesday as scarcity of foreign exchange continued to weigh on the official interbank and black market. The local currency, which closed at 414 against the greenback on Monday, traded at 415 in Lagos, 417 in Abuja and 418 in Kano, foreign exchange dealers said. Foreign exchange analysts believe the lingering scarcity of forex has been exacerbated by the banning of eight commercial banks from the forex market by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The CBN last week Tuesday banned nine lenders from forex transactions for failing to remit the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s $2.334bn into the Treasury Single Account. The United Bank for Africa Plc, one of the nine lenders, was later re-admitted after it remitted its share of the funds to the TSA. A day after the CBN banned the nine banks from the forex market, the local currency depreciated to 402/dollar, down from 397 it closed against the greenback on Tuesday. The local currency has continued to depreciate gradually. Forex dealers maintained that the demand pressure on the dollar, mounted by summer travellers and parents paying schools fees of their children studying overseas ahead of resumption in September, was exacerbated by the CBN’s forex ban on the nine lenders. The naira, which hit a fresh record low since the CBN floated the currency on the official interbank market in June, first touched 400/dollar at the black market this month. Meanwhile, the CBN sold around $1.5m at the interbank forex market on Tuesday to support the local currency and ensure the closing rate stabilised, Reuters reported, quoting currency traders. The naira closed at 305.50 to the dollar on the interbank market, same level it had traded since last week, having touched 325.50 a dollar intraday, but gained after the CBN’s intervention. Traders said the naira had consistently closed around 305.5 to the dollar since August 22, an indication that the CBN was concerned about a particular price range for the local currency. On Monday, the forex market registered $327m worth of trades, about six times more than its usual volume. This included a single $270m transaction at 345 naira per dollar, by foreign investors buying local currency bonds. Average trading is around $50m a day on normal days; it may reach $100m on days the CBN intervenes in the currency market. According to traders, dollar shortage remains a major concern in the market even with the daily intervention by the central bank and a pocket of flows from offshore investors. The naira traded at a fresh record low of 418 to the dollar on the black market, against 414 a dollar on Monday, traders said. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Africa Re plans awareness campaign

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Nike Popoola The Deputy Managing Director, Africa Reinsurance Corporation, Ken Aghoghovbia, has said the firm will commence an awareness campaign to increase insurance consciousness among the people in the country. He said this during a press briefing in Lagos. “Africa Re has decided to invest in creating awareness about insurance because we realise that there is dearth of knowledge among the general populace,” he said. He said that this was in spite of the fact that as a reinsurance company, it could only deal with insurers and reinsurers and not with the individual beneficiaries of insurance policies. The deputy managing director said the ultimate aim was to deepen the knowledge about insurance and its advantages. He said the campaign aimed at developing an integrated behavioural change to enhance the effort made by the National Insurance Commission and the Nigerian Insurers Association to bridge the knowledge, experience and perception gaps in the Nigerian insurance market. According to him, the campaign aims to correct the negative and prevalent perceptions plaguing the industry as well as drive penetration and density and grow insurance culture across the country. The deputy managing director said the company would enlighten the public on credible insurance partners such as how to get and enjoy the benefits of insurance in Nigeria. Established by members’ states of the African Union at the initiative of the African Development Bank Group in 1976, Karekezi said Africa Re is a Pan-African financial institution with predominantly African shareholders. Its shareholdings, according to him, include 41 African states, the AfDB and 111 African and reinsurance companies from the 41 member countries. Aghoghovbia said the corporation has its headquarters in Lagos with a network of eight regional offices across Africa including two subsidiaries in Johannesburg and Cairo. “The corporation is thus well positioned to guarantee that insurers will fulfil their roles in African market,” he said. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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Stakeholders recommend $100bn for N'Delta clean-up

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Simon Utebor, Yenagoa Community leaders and stakeholders in Niger Delta have said that $100bn should be set aside as Clean-up and Remediation Fund for the region. The demand is contained in a communique issued on Thursday after a workshop and advocacy forum on oil spill remediation and generation of green jobs, organised by the Environmental Right Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria. In the communiqué, the stakeholders identified pipeline vandalism, equipment failure, corrosion and negligence on the part of multinational oil companies as the main causes of oil spillages in the region. They lamented that environmental degradation and displacement of means of livelihood had been the bane of oil exploration in the region. They also expressed concerns that while oil spillage, gas flaring and gas leaks were on the increase, clean-up exercise was not being done due to the weak oversight functions of government agencies and the multinational oil firms. At the workshop, the Executive Director, ERA, Dr. Godwin Ojo, urged the Federal Government to use oil spills clean-up in the Niger Delta to create jobs for the teeming youths. Ojo, represented by the Bayelsa State Coordinator, Mr. Alagoa Morris, said the environment could be a means of creating green jobs. He said such a development would have multiplier effects on the environment and livelihood by involving the youths in the clean-up process. Ojo said, “While the cost of clean-up is high, it is the preventive measures that are more relevant to forestall future occurrences. “We therefore call on the government to mobilise and train the youths to be involved in the oil spill clean-up process through the use of bio-remediation techniques.”

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Pastor rapes 13-year-old boy to cure homosexuality

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Tony Okafor, Awka A pastor with the Jesus Miracle Ministries, Awka, Anambra State, Ekene Adaoji, has fled after allegedly raping a 13-year-old boy. PUNCH Metro gathered that the pastor was told by a traditionalist that his homosexual habit would be cured if he slept with a male teenager. The victim, who hails from Ebonyi State, said the suspect tricked him by asking him to stay behind after a vigil. He said, “The pastor told me to wait till dawn and when I insisted on going home, he applied a substance on my eyes which made me to sleep. “When I woke up, I noticed that my trousers were torn and my anus was damp. I also felt pains in my anus. I went home to inform my people about what happened.” A relative of the victim, Ngozi, said the family was not aware that Abuchi went to the church that night. She said after Abuchi told them about what happened, they rushed to the church only to discover that the pastor had fled. The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nkiru Nwode, said the police had launched a manhunt for the pastor. “The victim has been taken to a hospital for treatment,” he added. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]

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