Rep. Umar Bago ( APC Chanchaga Federal Constituency) says that the All Progressive Congress ( APC) remains a strong political party committed to offering hope for Nigerians through democratic governance.
Chief Orji Kalu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Abia has predicted that the 2019 general elections would be violence-free across the country.
Continue reading I predict a violence-free election come 2019 – Kalu at Vanguard News.
This is not the best of times for the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Hajj Commission in Zamfara on Friday confirmed the death of three local government chairmen from the state, in an auto crash in Saudi Arabia.
Continue reading 3 APC council chairmen die in Saudi Arabia auto crash at Vanguard News.
A Zimbabwean man has exposed his 19-year-old girlfriend after he allegedly discovered a love potion in her bag as well as a list of men, she planned to use it on.
According to iHarare, the girl forgot her backpack in his car and he decided to investigate the contents of the bag. The man stumbled upon some items believed to be love potions.
READ ALSO: Spain boss Enrique names youthful squad for Croatia, England games
Accompanying the love potion was a list of names, he suspected was that of her other lovers.
The man reportedly shared photos of the alleged love potion on social media as well as a photo of his girlfriend.
Cristiano Ronaldo was hopping mad at losing out to Croatia star Luka Modric for the UEFA Player of the Year, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri revealed on Friday.
Real Madrid and Croatia midfield star Modric beat his former teammate Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah to the prize which was awarded on Thursday in Monaco.
“Yesterday he (Ronaldo) was very angry, and it’s only normal,” said Allegri.
“He scored 15 goals in the Champions League and won the trophy with his teammates.
READ ALSO: Three ministers resign over deadly bus crash
“The attitude of Ronaldo shows how much he continues to strive and work to be still the best. This is an advantage for us.”
Allegri added that the choice of Modric was “a personal choice” of those who voted “and, as such, must be respected.”
Ronaldo, 33, had the consolation of being awarded the prize for best striker chosen by journalists and Champions League and Europa League coaches from last season.
Modric’s success, after he was named the best player at the World Cup, means that the 32-year-old should be among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or, a prize dominated by Ronaldo and Lionel Messi over the last decade.
Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the world player of the year award, signed for Italian champions Juventus this summer from Real Madrid for 100 million euros ($116.5 million).
The Portuguese superstar’s agent Jorge Mendes slammed the decision as “simply ridiculous”.
“He scored 15 goals, carrying Real Madrid to the Champions League win once again,” Mendes told Portuguese daily Record.
“This is not the winner, he’s (Modric) the best player in the world in his position,” said Mendes.
Ronaldo had won the UEFA award three times in the previous four years.
(AFP)
Bulgaria’s ministers of public works, transport and interior affairs resigned on Friday after heavy criticism directed at the government over a deadly tourist bus crash.
“The three ministers — me, Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski and Interior Minister Valentin Radev — tabled our resignations today,” regional development and public works Minister Nikolay Nankov told journalists.
Seventeen passengers died when their bus ran off the road in torrential rain and plunged 20 metres into a river gorge in western Bulgaria on Saturday. Four people also remain in a critical condition.
READ ALSO: No deadline day moves for Real, says Lopetegui
Centre-right Prime Minister Boyko Borisov had earlier on Friday asked the three ministers to step down, days after initial results from a probe into the crash found the road had been recently repaired using a substandard quality of asphalt.
The interior ministry has meanwhile been accused of failing to respond to a number of complaints in recent months by drivers from the nearby town of Svoge who had raised worries over an increasing number of accidents on the section of road concerned.
The ageing bus had also not undergone one of two obligatory technical checks by the transport ministry authorities.
– ‘Impunity everywhere’ –
The bus driver is the only person who has been charged over the crash so far.
But the results of the early probe has revived a recurrent debate about the poor state of Bulgaria’s roads and its corruption-ridden public tender system.
“The tragedy near Svoge highlighted the vicious system in public procurement and construction works — impunity everywhere. It is obvious but because of it people die,” Bulgarian President Rumen Radev commented Thursday.
Allegations have been rife that a large share of the funds for road repair projects — often coming from EU aid — are pocketed by firms close to power, leaving just a fraction for the actual repairs.
A famous former dissident from the communist era, Nikolay Kolev — also known as ‘Bosia’ — told AFP on Friday he had ended the hunger strike he began on June 13.
He had been demanding Moskovski’s resignation after revelations about corruption in the agency that awards drivers’ licences.
Eleven years after joining the European Union in 2007, Bulgaria remains the bloc’s poorest country with just one fully completed border-to-border highway and much of its road network in a bad state.
In 2017, Bulgaria recorded 96 deaths per million inhabitants on its roads, according to Eurostat. That is the second highest rate in the EU after Romania and more than double the European average.
(AFP)
Real Madrid Coach Julen Lopetegui says he does not expect the club to make any deadline day moves ahead of the transfer window closing later on Friday.
The European champions, who sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus in July, have been quiet in the transfer market by their usual standards.
They have not made a ‘Galactico’ signing despite media reports linking them to a host of names, including Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Paris St Germain’s Neymar.
READ ALSO: UEFA Europa League group stage draw
“The squad is complete, and we’re happy with the players we’ve got, that are all that matters.
“With Mariano’s arrival it’s all done and dusted. There won’t be any last minute moves and we’re happy with that,” Lopetegui told a news conference.
This year the Premier League’s transfer window shut before the English top flight season got underway and Lopetegui said he would be in favour of a similar setup in Spain.
“It’s my belief that the window should close earlier so we can focus on reality, on what we have to do it wouldn’t be a bad thing but it’s not the case at the moment,” he said.
Real completed a clean sweep of the individual prizes at UEFA’s awards ceremony in Monaco on Thursday, with keeper Keylor Navas.
Defender Sergio Ramos and midfielder Luka Modric all named the best players in their positions for last season. Modric was also named the overall player of the year.
Ronaldo, too, was rewarded for the form he showed with the club last season, although he did not attend the ceremony.
Real host local rivals Leganes at the Bernabeu on Saturday, with new signing Mariano set to be named in the squad following his return to the club from Olympique Lyonnais.
Navas, meanwhile, is expected to retain his place in goal ahead of Thibaut Courtois, who signed from Chelsea in the close season.
“We’ll see tomorrow who starts, but I’ve got maximum confidence in all my goalkeepers. “Only one can play but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe in the other.
“We’re relaxed about it and the fact is we have good options in that position,” he said.
(Reuters/NAN)
It’s the 21st anniversary of Princess Diana’s death!
Lady Di died in a car crash in Paris exactly on August 31, 1997.
Paris fire fighter, Xavier Gourmelon, one of the first members of the emergency services to arrive at the scene of the deadly crash of the Mercedes that Princess Diana was riding in, has recalled the last words she said before she died.
“The car was in a mess and we just dealt with it like any road accident.
“I could see she had a slight injury to her right shoulder but, other than that, there was nothing significant. There was no blood on her at all,” Gourmelon said.
“I held her hand and told her to be calm and keep still, I said I was there to help and reassured her.
“She said: ‘My God, what’s happened?’” he continued.
According to Gourmelon, Princess Diana was in the back seat of a Mercedes S-280 with her partner Dodi Fayed, who was also killed in the crash. Dodi was the son of Egyptian billionaire, Mohamed Al-Fayed.
Their bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, was sitting in the front, together with driver Henri Paul.
An official report said the princess had suffered massive internal injuries and a ruptured blood vessel next to her heart, which was causing internal bleeding.
Driver Henri Paul, said to be at twice the British drink drive limit, also died in the horrific smash.
The only survivor was bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones.
Diana and Charles married at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on July 29, 1981, watched around the globe by a staggering 750 million people.
Diana’s official titles during marriage were Diana, Princess of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Rothesay, and Countess of Chester.
The couple had two boys: William on June 21, 1982; and Harry on September 15, 1984.
The boys, second and third line to the throne after their father, became the light of Diana’s life. But despite her passion work and love for her children, Diana had problems in her personal life.
She admitted to struggling with eating disorders, and was under an immense amount of media scrutiny.
On August 28, 1996, Charles and Diana’s marriage ended in divorce, following well-publicised extramarital affairs.
Diana remained a constant source of tabloid fodder after the divorce, as she embarked on her life as a single mother.
Still living in an apartment in the grounds of Kensington Palace, Diana embarked on a romance with British-Pakistani heart surgeon Hasnat Khan. Many of Diana’s closest friends have called Hasnat “the love of her life,” but the relationship ended after two years.
She began dating Egyptian billionaire Dodi Fayed, spending time on his multimillion-pound luxury yacht.
On Good Morning Britain on Friday (today), a former body guard of Diana’s, Lee Sansum, revealed an emotional moment he had with her on Dodi Al-Fayed’s yacht. Lee told how he found Lady Di crying on Dodi Al-Fayed’s yacht.
Lee said, “It wasn’t a romantic thing by any stretch of the imagination but I was in St Tropez on Mr Al-Fayed’s big super yacht and I was looking for stuff on the top deck.”
Diana was upset after hearing about the death of a friend.
Lee said: “I came across her it there, it was just after the news had broken she was crying and she was very upset.
“She walked quite close to me and she was really upset about her friend’s death and herself, because of the paparazzi at the time.”
The bodyguard revealed how he felt unable to properly comfort the devastated royal, due to his role and any lurking photographers.
He said: “If it were a normal person, I would have given her a hug; but in that case, you can’t do that.
“I had to take a step back, which was uncomfortable for me because I just want to be there for her because I got quite close to her after the two weeks.”
Her tragic death shocked the nation, and hundreds of tributes were laid outside of Buckingham Palace.
Diana had her wedding to Prince Charles on 29 July 1981 when she was aged only 19.
Her coffin weighed a quarter-tonne because it was lined with lead, as it is a tradition that British royals are buried in lead-lined coffins.
However, when Diana died, she was no longer married to Prince Charles and only had her title Lady Diana Spencer. But because she was so famous and so loved among the public in the UK and worldwide, she got a state funeral and was given the lead coffin of a royal.
Lead coffins preserve a body for up to a year, and they can be sealed airtight and slow the decomposition of the body. It also makes sure that the smell and any toxins from a dead body can’t escape and harm the environment.
It is law in the UK for a coffin to be sealed if it is for internment above ground.
Lady Diana Spencer’s coffin was supposed to be buried in the Spencer family vault at their local church, but Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, changed the plans in the interest of public safety and opted for her to be buried on the grounds of Althorp Park on an island known as The Ovals within Althorp Park’s Pleasure Garden.
(UK Express, Agency, Metro)
The complete draw for the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League group stage, made in Monaco on Friday:
Group A: Bayer Leverkusen (GER), Ludogorets (BUL), FC Zurich (SUI), Larnaca (CYP)
Group B: Red Bull Salzburg (AUT), Celtic (SCO), RB Leipzig (GER), Rosenborg (NOR)
Group C: Zenit St Petersburg (RUS), FC Copenhagen (DEN), Bordeaux (FRA), Slavia Prague (CZE)
Group D: Anderlecht (BEL), Fenerbahce (TUR), Dinamo Zagreb (CRO), Spartak Trnava (SVK)
READ ALSO: Protests at airport after two lawmakers were detained by police
Group E: Arsenal (ENG), Sporting Lisbon (POR), Qarabag (AZE), Vorskla Poltava (UKR)
Group F: Olympiakos (GRE), AC Milan (ITA), Real Betis (ESP), Dudelange (LUX)
Group G: Villarreal (ESP), Rapid Wien (AUT), Spartak Moscow (RUS), Rangers (SCO)
Group H: Lazio (ITA), Marseille (FRA), Eintracht Frankfurt (GER), Apollon (CYP)
Group I: Besiktas(TUR), Genk (BEL), Malmo (SWE), Sarpsborg (NOR)
Group J: Sevilla (ESP), Krasnodar (RUS), Standard Liege (BEL), Akhisar Belediyespor (TUR)
Group K: Dynamo Kiev (UKR), Astana (KAZ), Rennes (FRA), Jablonec (CZE)
Group L: Chelsea (ENG), PAOK Salonika (GRE), BATE Borisov (BLR) and Vidi (HUN)
– First round of matches on September 20
(AFP)
Protests erupted in the Ugandan capital on Friday after police detained two lawmakers at the international airport as they prepared to travel abroad for medical care, witnesses said,
People demonstrated in different parts of Kampala, burning tyres and piling rocks and other barricades in the middle of the roads.
Police said the protests were limited and had been contained.
The lawmakers, Robert Kyagulanyi and Francis Zaake, said they were tortured by security forces while in detention.
READ ALSO: Everton forward Sandro joins Real Sociedad on loan
They were trying to leave to seek medical treatment abroad when they were arrested at Kampala’s international airport on Thursday night.
Kyagulanyi’s lawyer last week told Reuters that his client had been left unable to stand after being beaten while in detention.
When he appeared in court a day after his lawyer spoke, he was unable to walk without help.
Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo last week dismissed the lawyer’s comments as rubbish
Friday’s demonstrations were most intense in Kamwokya, a suburb of Kampala where Kyagulanyi, a pop star known by his stage name Bobi Wine, has a recording studio, according to Dick Nvule, a local radio reporter.
“Protesters blocked the roads using garbage cans and burning tyres. Motorists have to get alternative routes to the city centre.
Soldiers and riot police are still clearing the roads,” Nvule told Reuters.
Police spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire said police were monitoring the city to ensure no illegal rallies took place.
The two parliamentarians were among a group of five lawmakers who were detained on August 13 in Uganda’s northwestern town of Arua and accused of throwing stones at a presidential convoy during the campaign for a parliamentary seat.
Police said on Thursday they had stopped Kyagulanyi, who has been charged with treason but released on bail, as they awaited further guidance.
Zaake has not been charged but has been in hospital in Kampala. Images of him posted on social media show him lying on a bed, eyes closed, with multiple bruises on his hand and other body areas.
Kyagulanyi in particular has risen as a formidable threat to President Yoweri Museveni’s 32-year rule, winning popular support through his music and strong criticism of the government.
(Reuters/NAN)
A Kenyan Twitter user has called for the deportation of Nigerians in the country, accusing them of “conning innocent Kenyans, selling drugs and stealing our women.”
The Twitter user, whose handle is @P_Kim_ made this request on the verified Twitter handle of the Kenyan Immigration agency, @ImmigrationDept when the agency asked its followers to report illegal immigrants in the country.
Responding, P Kim tweeted; “I would like to report: 1. Deport all the Chinese doing jobs that can be done by the locals. 2. Deport all the Nigerians conning innocent Kenyans, selling drugs & stealing our women. 3. Deport all Somalis of non-Kenyan origin.”
READ ALSO: Twitter user shares how she escaped from alleged kidnappers
Other responses have followed.
Some Nigerians were recently deported from Kenya over fraud.
See tweets:
What can your Kenyans do? Seriously.
— kerry (@kangyinping2010) August 27, 2018
Stealing our women
tf are the women complaining ?
— adan (@MohdSage) August 27, 2018
Why are you so hateful with your comment ??? Stop whining bro…. it’s not like all Kenyans are innocent. Slandering a whole nation or tagging them to be criminals is wrong and immature of you. Be wise bro.
— olabode Olalekan (@olabodeOlalek17) August 30, 2018
@olabdeolalekan17 Sorry if you are genuine but 75% of Nigerian men living in Kenya have become criminals, serious fraudsters & drug dealers…there D day is approaching fast!!
— Jose moh (@Raytone2) August 31, 2018
Am speaking from experience. Only a police officer genuinely came to my house, checked my passport and questioned my staying In Kenya..and I came out clean!
— olabode Olalekan (@olabodeOlalek17) August 31, 2018
Be glad u didn’t get to the wrong side of the police, Blame your fellow citizens for damaging the reputations of even the legal ones
— Jose moh (@Raytone2) August 31, 2018
Everton forward Sandro Ramirez has joined Spanish side Real Sociedad on a season-long loan, the Premier League club have said.
Sandro had failed to hold down a regular playing role since joining Everton in July 2017 and spent the latter half of last season on loan at Sevilla, where he did not score in 18 appearances.
READ ALSO: Spain boss Enrique names youthful squad for Croatia, England games
Everton boss Silva had said he was keen to keep Sandro at the club this term after the Spaniard’s League Cup appearance on Wednesday but the following day it was announced he would be going out on loan.
“The forward will spend the 2018-19 campaign with the Basque club, who finished 12th in La Liga last season,” Everton said on their website.
(Reuters/NAN)
New Spain coach Luis Enrique announced his first squad on Friday, with Barcelona’s Jordi Alba and Koke of Atletico Madrid the major absentees for their UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and England.
Enrique, who is without the recently retired trio, Andres Iniesta, David Silva and Gerard Pique, suggested his philosophy would be evolution, rather than revolution when he took charge last month.
Building on the foundations laid by predecessor Julen Lopetegui, Enrique has retained a nucleus of young players – giving uncapped trio Pau Lopez, Jose Gaya and Dani Ceballos a first call-up.
READ ALSO: Twitter user shares how she escaped from alleged kidnappers
Marcos Alonso was rewarded for his fine start to the Premier League season with Chelsea, while there were also spots in the 24-man squad for his club mates Alvaro Morata, Cesar Azpilicueta and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Manchester United’s David de Gea, who was widely criticised during Spain’s torrid World Cup campaign, retains his place, while Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto is recalled after missing out on a place in Russia.
Spain play World Cup semi-finalists England at Wembley on September 8 before hosting beaten finalists Croatia three days later.
Squad: Goalkepeers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea), Pau Lopez (Betis).
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Nacho (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Diego Llorente (Real Sociedad);
Inigo Martinez (Athletic Club), Jose Gaya (Valencia), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Marcos Alonso (Chelsea), Raul Albiol (Napoli).
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Sergi Roberto (Barcelona), Rodrigo (Atletico), Saul Niguez (Atletico), Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich).
Forwards: Isco (Real Madrid), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Diego Costa (Atletico), Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Alvaro Morata (Chelsea), Suso (AC Milan).
(Reuters/NAN)
A Twitter user, simply identified as Esther, on Thursday shared how she jumped from a moving vehicle in order to escape from alleged kidnappers in Rivers State.
Taking to her Twitter handle, @ExtellD, Esther revealed, that she had gone to transact business at Onne after which she boarded a taxi. She also shared photos of the injuries she sustained when she jumped from the vehicle.
She narrated: “First of all, the driver charged cheaper than other taxis but I felt it was because he was looking for passengers so I entered. Immediately I entered, I just felt something was wrong but I couldn’t pin it. It was just the driver and another guy in front. He drove off immediately I entered.
Then I looked around, everything in the car looked dirty, the seat was dirty. The car was too rough for a normal taxi. Immediately I knew I had been trapped. I placed my hand on the door.
READ ALSO: Pharmacists Council seals 321 medicine shops, premises in Bayelsa
Then the driver asked me where I was going again, I told him but he kept saying different things maybe to confuse me. I kept telling him, even the other guy in front was helping me to give him the direction. That was when I noticed they were giving themselves signals.
My hand was still on the door knob. When we got to the flyover at Mile One, they diverted and climbed Mile One bridge leading to Ikwerre Road instead of going straight to Aba road. And immediately they increased the speed. I just calmly asked the man “Oga, why did you pass here?”
He coldly answered: “Because I choose to.” Then I knew I was trapped. We were on a bridge so no one will hear even if I scream. We were on full speed. I had to make a choice. Either I jumped out of this car or I begged these people to let me go.
I knew begging them to let me go will be fruitless so I held my bag tightly and did the needful without thinking twice.
I jumped off. I’d rather die that way than to die in the hands of those beasts,” she concluded.
See her tweet thread:
Pls Guys Join me and thank God.
HE just saved me from kidnappers/ritualist/one chance or whatever they call themselvesThis is my testimony
A short thread pic.twitter.com/go4uDXb1PO
— Esther (@ExtellD) August 30, 2018
Nigeria’s Tajudeen Agunbide has progressed to the finals of the men’s singles at the ongoing World Para Table Tennis Championships, holding in Beijing, China.
The News Agency of Nigeria, reports that Agunbiade will be playing against Sweden’s Daniel Gustafsson on Sept. 1.
In the quarterfinal matches Agunbiade defeated Zhao Oing of China, 3-2. Oing is ranked sixth in the world.
The Nigerian also defeated Iwabuchi Koyo of Japan in the semifinals 3-1. Koyo is ranked ninth in the world.
Coach Sunday Odebode told NAN on the telephone from China that he was impressed with Agunbiade’s fighting spirit.
Odebode said that Agunbiade played his heart out and that the effort yielded good results.
“He was so focused while playing the matches.
“I’m impressed and I believe he’ll even put up a more spectacular performance at the finals,” the coach said.
Four athletes, comprising three males and one female are representing Nigeria at the competition.
The female athlete is Faith Obazuaye, while the others are Nasiru Bello, Tajudeen Agunbiade and Olufemi Alabi.
(NAN)
The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria has sealed about 321 premises in Bayelsa for varying noticeable infractions, including sale of medicines without following due process.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Bayelsa is the 28th state the council is carrying out the monitoring and enforcement in nationwide.
The PCN’s Director, Inspection and Monitoring, Mrs Anthonia Aruya, made the disclosure at a news conference in Yenagoa on Friday.
READ ALSO: SON issues warning about cancer-causing substance in school uniforms from china
“About 321 premises were sealed, comprising 36 pharmacies, 285 patent medicine stores, 13 premises of seven Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors.
“Six premises were given compliance directives for various offences ranging from improper handling of controlled substances, unhygienic environment, poor documentation, as well as dispensing ethical and prescription drugs without the presence of a pharmacist.
“ Observations from the field in Bayelsa revealed that many people go into sale of medicines without following due process.
“Others do not have the requisite knowledge or skills to handle medicines in their premises or are operating beyond their approved scope by the Federal Government, which is inappropriate,” Aruya said.
She urged the public to always source its drug needs from registered pharmacy outlets and over the counter drugs as those sold in unregistered outlets could not be guaranteed to be genuine.
(NAN)
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, has warned importers of school uniform materials into Nigeria about some cancer-causing substances found in some school uniform materials made by two China based companies.
A statement issued by the Director-General of SON, Mr Osita Aboloma on Friday in Abuja, named the companies producing the materials as Sing Shun Fat School-Clothier Company and Zenith Uniform Company.
Aboloma said that the azo dyes found in some school uniforms in Hong Kong contained up to 173 milligrams and 41 milligrams per kilogram of the tested samples respectively.
READ ALSO: Bournemouth banking on past experiences to beat Chelsea, says Howe
He added that the amounts of the dye contained in the materials were well above the maximum allowed in the standard.
“Use of the 4-amino azo dyes have been banned in Europe, Japan and other parts of the world prior to the finding.
“Azo dyes could release carcinogenic substances known as aromatic amines when they mix with sweat, which accounted for the ban on the use of the dye in many countries of the world.”
The D-G advised importers of school uniform materials in Nigeria to endeavour to undergo the process of conformity assessment of such materials prior to import, through the SON off-shore Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP), to avoid bringing them to the country.
He further advised Nigerians to report any suspected uniform materials that may already be in the country to SON for necessary sampling, laboratory tests and analysis to be carried out at its Textile and Leather Laboratory in Kaduna for necessary regulatory action.
Aboloma added that all International Accredited Firms undertaking the off-shore Conformity Assessment Programme on behalf of SON all over the world have been put on alert regarding the cancer-causing substance in school uniform materials and other clothing materials to be imported into Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria , reports that SON is the body in charge of standardisation of all products in Nigeria.
(NAN)
President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi of Egypt on Thursday swore in 21 New Provincial Governors, including the First Female Governor from the country’s minority Christian Community.
Manal Mikhail has been appointed governor of the coastal city of Damietta, becoming the first-ever Christian woman to hold such a position, private newspaper al-Masry al-Youm reported.
The 51-year-old woman’s previous post was deputy governor of Giza, home to the world-famous pyramids.
Egypt has the largest Christian community in the Middle East, accounting for around 10 per cent of the country’s mostly Muslim population of 95 million.
Egypt’s Christians have long complained of persecution and Islamist attacks.
Al-Sissi, a Muslim, is popular among the country’s Christians, who backed his ouster of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi following Mass Street protests against his divisive rule.
Al-Sissi has courted the Christian community to an extent unseen for decades, visiting the main Coptic Orthodox cathedral in Cairo on several occasions since he took office in 2014.
In 2016, the parliament, led by al-Sissi’s backers, approved a long-awaited law aimed at easing restrictions on building churches.
(dpa/NAN)
Manager Eddie Howe says Bournemouth will take inspiration from last season’s matches against Chelsea as they try to beat the London outfit in the Premier League on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign,.
Bournemouth narrowly lost their home league match against Chelsea as well as a League Cup encounter between the two sides but secured a shock 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge in January.
Howe said Chelsea are likely to be a completely different threat under new manager Maurizio Sarri, but he is confident that Bournemouth will be motivated by previous meetings between the two sides.
READ ALSO: Ogun ex-Speaker, Titi Oseni-Gomez dumps PDP for ADC
“Tactically, I thought we had a really good battle against Antonio Conte’s Chelsea team last year,” Howe told a news conference. “But this is going to be a totally different game.
“A new season, new players, a new manager so we need to draw on the past experience and use it as a confidence-builder.
“There are no guarantees that we are going to perform it is up to us that we do.”
Bournemouth have drawn two and won one of their three league games so far and beat MK Dons in the League Cup on Tuesday, but Howe knows that continuing that streak will not be easy.
“It’s been good so far. I was really pleased to progress midweek in the Carabao (League) Cup that was a really good step for us.
“It backs up our good early league form. Of course now, the challenge gets harder.
“We go to Chelsea and we know how difficult the game is going to be, but we are really keen to keep the momentum from what has been a very positive beginning.
They are really well coached and managed, so we are expecting a tough game,” Howe added
Bournemouth will be boosted by fullback Diego Rico’s return from suspension while new arrival Jefferson Lerma is also available to play against Chelsea.
(Reuters/NAN)
… declares senatorial ambition
Samuel Awoyinfa, Abeokuta
A former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mrs. Titi Oseni-Gomez, on Thursday defected to the African Democratic Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party.
She announced her defection at the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Ogun State council secretariat at Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta.
Oseni-Gomez who was the Speaker from 2003 to 2008, said she was also gunning for the Ogun Central Senatorial district seat in 2019.
While she attributed her defection to PDP’s age-long internal wrangling which she said had affected its fortunes at the polls both in the state and federal levels, she added that she had consulted the party elders and other stakeholders.
She said no fewer than 5,000 members of the PDP who were her loyalists followed her to the new party.
She said, “After series of consultation across political circles and associates, discussions with leaders, elders and good people of my senatorial district, critical reflection within my family and my personal conviction, I have decided to join forces with the reformists by pitching a tent with the African Democratic Congress.
“It is a party committed to unity, good governance, and equal opportunity.”
A chieftain of the ADC , Chief Niyi Salako, while receiving the former Speaker said the party would give all aspirants a level-playing field and remain democratic in all its activities ahead of the coming general elections.
Five Nigerians including a former journalist with newsmen, Oluwatoyin Onigbanjo, are expected to represent Nigeria at the Nutrition Africa Investment Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, in October.
There will be power outage for two days in parts of Enugu metropolis on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
Continue reading Blackout looms in Enugu, as EEDC embarks on major repairs at Vanguard News.
The second assembly plant for German-made Volkswagen cars is to be established in Ghana after the one established in Lagos-Nigeria, bringing to five, the number of such plants in Africa.
Continue reading Second West African Volkswagen plant for Ghana at Vanguard News.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has alerted the nation about some cancer-causing substances found in some school uniform materials made by two China-based companies.
Continue reading SON alerts on cancer-causing school uniform at Vanguard News.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday received the vising German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Continue reading Buhari receives German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at Aso Rock at Vanguard News.
The Catholic Church in Australia on Friday rejected laws forcing priests to report child abuse when they learn about it in the confessional.
Continue reading Why Catholic bishops in Australia rejected abuse reporting at Vanguard News.
Derby matches are also set to be played out in Valencia, Madrid and the Basque Country this Matchday, the third of the new season
Three Local Government Chairmen under the All Progressive Congress, APC, on pilgrimage died early this morning in a crash along Makkah-Madinah highway, Saudi Arabia.
Continue reading Tragedy: Three APC LG Chairmen die in Madinah-road mishap at Vanguard News.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said on Friday it is unlikely to use the Video Assistant Referees in the current Champions League matches, even in the final.
He however said that the technology will be used from next season.
The European soccer’s governing body has resisted implementation of the VAR system, which allows key incidents to be reviewed with the use of video replays.
READ ALSO: Family members of six policemen kidnapped by militants
Ceferin said the intention was that VAR would be introduced next season from the final qualifying round onward, and also in the annual Super cup match between the Champions League and Europa League winners.
It would then be used in all group stage and knockout stage matches.
“The plan for now is to use it from next season… with the first match of next season which is the Super cup.
“VAR is not completely clear for now… but we also know there is no way back any more.
“It is much more problematic than it looks. We really have a huge territory. The plan is to do it for next season but let’s see what happens.
“ I don’t want to predict anything 100 percent.”
On this season’s final, he said: “I’m not ruling it out but for now, it doesn’t look like it will happen,’’ he told reporters
(Reuters/NAN)
Militants have kidnapped family members of six policemen in India-administered Kashmir have been kidnapped by militants, official sources said on Friday.
The abductions of 10 family members from separate places in southern Kashmir were thought to be a pressure tactic by rebels after security forces conducted multiple raids and arrested relatives of militants.
Sons, brothers and fathers of police officials have been abducted since Wednesday in three districts, including Kulgam, where five such abductions were carried out, an official said, requesting anonymity.
READ ALSO: Tunisia PM sacks energy minister, senior officials over corruption allegations
“Militants and forces victimizing each other’s families is highly condemnable and marks a new low in the situation,” former state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said.
“Families shouldn’t become casualties and [be] made to suffer for something they have little control over,” she added.
Authorities on Monday arrested Syed Yousuf, son of Hizbul Mujahideen group chief Syed Salahuddin, on charges of funding militancy in the region.
The father of Riyaz Naikoo, a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander, was also detained and media reports said the abductions were a retaliation by militants for the arrests and detentions of their kin.
Senior police officers said they were working to ensure the safety and release of the family members of the policemen.
On Thursday, there were protests in south Kashmir against the arrests of family members by militants and the burning of militants’ houses.
India-administered Kashmir has faced a violent secessionist movement since the late 1980s that has claimed the lives of 44,760 people, according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal.
(dpa/NAN)
Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed sacked the country’s energy minister, Khaled Gadour, and four senior ministry officials on Friday over corruption allegations, an official source told Reuters.
Those dismissed included the secretary of state for energy, director general of fuel,head of the Petroleum Activities Company and director general of legal affairs at the ministry.
NAN reports that in November 2017, Gadour appeared before a judge on graft suspicions, a judicial source says, the latest high-ranking official to face allegations amid a crackdown in the North African state.
READ ALSO: Three APC council chairmen die in Saudi Arabia’s accident –Commission
Gadour, whose portfolio covers the lucrative energy and mining sectors– was brought before an investigating judge , but the interrogation was postponed to December 4 , 2017 after a request from his lawyer.
Gadour, a former oil executive who has only been in the job since September – is suspected of “administrative and financial corruption” inside his ministry.
The latest allegations come after the head of Tunisia’s government Chahed in May 2017 said he was launching a war on graft in the country.
Several senior officials and businessmen have been caught up in the anti-corruption drive and in August the government’s interim finance minister was forced out after it emerged he had a conviction for corruption.
(Reuters/NAN)
The Hajj Commission in Zamfara on Friday confirmed the death of three local government chairmen of the All Progressives Congress from the state in an auto crash in Saudi Arabia.
The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Malam Yakub-Yahaya Talata-Mafara, confirmed the death to the News Agency of Nigeria in a telephone interview.
Talata-Mafara said that the accident occurred around 3.00a.m on Friday, while they were travelling from Makkah to Madina, Saudi Arabia.
According to him, the victims are six local government chairmen of APC from the state.
READ ALSO: Liverpool to face Chelsea in League Cup third round
“Three of them died, while three others are receiving treatment at Saudi Arabia Hospital,’’ Talata-Mafara told NAN.
He said that remains of the deceased were under the custody of the Saudi Arabian authorities where they would be processed for burial.
“Hajj officials of the Zamfara contingents are making the necessary documentation to join the Saudi Arabian authorities in order to give the deceased befitting burial,’’ he said.
Reacting, the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Lawal M-Liman, described the death as a great loss to the state and Nigeria as a whole.
M-Liman described the deceased as loyal members of the party who had been in good relationship with their communities.
(NAN)
Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja.
A national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said the party has all it takes to win the September 22 governorship election in Osun State.
Tinubu said this in an interview with State House correspondents after he led the party’s stakeholders from the South West to a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday night.
The stakeholders had seized the opportunity of the dinner to present the party’s candidate in the forthcoming election, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, to the President.
The former Lagos State Governor said the good foundation laid by the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, would make it easy for the party to win the election.
He also said Oyetola’s pedigree would work for his victory.
Tinubu said, “We expect victory. We have a progressive government there where the incumbent and the outgoing governor has worked and laid a good foundation. Therefore, we have successes to build upon.
“We equally are bringing in one of the most competent and qualified technocrats in the person of Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola. He is eminently qualified.”
When asked if the Osun election is expected to be a tough battle like the recent Ekiti governorship election, he said, “You don’t predict the activity of elections. It can always be unique from one state to the other.
“But we believe that with our leadership in Osun from the state chairman down to the lowest level and the way they conducted the direct primary and the way people had turned out, are signals to the opposing parties that they have no way of beating us.”
Oyetola on his part expressed his gratitude and also boasted that he will win the election.
He said, “It (the visit) shows that he (the President) is the father of all. He is committed to the APC winning the Osun election come September 22 this year.
“He is committed to our party retaining the government, he is committed to free and fair elections. And I want to say categorically, that by the grace of God, we are winning that election on the 22nd of September.”
Liverpool will host Chelsea in the League Cup third round after Thursday’s draw threw up four all-Premier League ties.
Tottenham Hotspur will host Watford, Southampton visit Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Midlands rivals Leicester City in the other top-tier encounters.
Holders Manchester City will visit third-tier Oxford United, while Manchester United host Frank Lampard’s Derby County.
READ ALSO: US Open: Sharapova battles past Cirstea to set up Ostapenko clash
Arsenal, who were beaten by City in last year’s final, face fellow London club Brentford.
Liverpool, who have won the trophy a record eight times, were also handed a tough Champions League draw on Thursday in a group with Paris St Germain, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade.
Tottenham have applied to the English Football League (EFL) to play their tie against fellow Londoners Watford at a neutral venue.
The Wembley Stadium, where they have been playing home matches while their new stadium is being constructed, is not available.
The third round ties are due to be played in the week beginning September 24.
(Reuters/NAN)
Maria Sharapova battled past unseeded Romanian Sorana Cirstea 6-2 7-5 at the U.S. Open on Thursday to set up a third round clash with Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko.
Sharapova, who is seeded 22nd on her first appearance at Flushing Meadows since 2016, carved out a 3-0 first set lead despite making several mistakes early on and finished strongly with a dominant performance from the baseline.
Cirstea fought back with some hard hitting of her own, breaking the Sharapova serve in the first game of the second set and opening up a 4-2 lead before cracking under relentless pressure from the 2006 champion.
The Romanian sent a forehand into the net to offer Sharapova a break point, and allowed the Russian to level at 4-4 with a double fault.
READ ALSO: French minister warns UK must bend on Brexit proposal
Both players exchanged further breaks of serve until Sharapova finally held to go 6-5 up, before piling pressure on her opponent as she served to stay in the match.
Cirstea committed her fourth double fault to give the Russian two match points and conceded the contest with her 32nd unforced error, which Sharapova greeted with a fist-pumping celebration.
The former world number one, who beat Swiss veteran Patty Schnyder in the first round, has never lost a night session match at Flushing Meadows in 22 attempts.
“Well, numbers are all relative, its really a nice accomplishment but it doesn’t win me any more Grand Slams,” Sharapova said courtside as the clock ticked past 1:00 a.m.
“There’s something about this court, something about New York, there’s something about this crowd. You have to be a little crazy to be here past midnight, so thank you,” she added.
Sharapova will resume her quest for a sixth Grand Slam crown against 10th seed Ostapenko, who beat American Taylor Townsend 4-6 6-3 6-4 earlier in the day.
“It only gets tougher from here. Being seeded in the 20s means you’re going to get grand slam winners in the third round, as I have. But I’m looking forward to it,” the Russian added.
(Reuters/NAN)
French Europe Minister Nathalie Loiseau cast fresh doubt on Friday on Britain’s Brexit blueprint for future trade ties with the European Union, warning its current proposal “is not possible”.
Loiseau said British Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan unveiled in July, which envisages the UK leaving the EU’s single market but staying in a free trade area for goods through a customs deal and common rulebook, is unattainable.
The EU has proposed replicating its free trade agreement with Canada, or non-member Norway’s access to the single market, which May opposes because it entails paying into the bloc’s budget and accepting rules such as the free movement of people.
READ ALSO: Australian PM resigns from parliament, govt loses majority
“The problem with the current proposal made by the British government is that it would join the benefits of Norway with the obligations of Canada and this is not possible,” Loiseau told the BBC.
She said Britain must compromise to comply with the EU’s key principles.
“There is something in between (Norway and Canada) but there has to be a balance between rights and obligations in the relationship with the European Union,” Loiseau added.
Britain is set to leave the bloc on March 30, but the two sides want to strike the divorce agreement by late October to give their parliaments enough time to endorse a deal.
Britons voted to leave the 28-nation bloc in June 2016, but negotiations were only launched a year later and have bogged down frequently since then.
Talks have become stuck in several areas, including how to avoid a hard border for people and goods crossing between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland.
“Until now nothing else has been proposed that is feasible and would respect the integrity of the single market,” Loiseau said of proposed solutions to the Irish issue.
Both sides have said they are making contingency preparations for no deal.
Britain’s Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier will hold six hours of talks in Brussels on Friday to try to break the deadlock.
Raab said Wednesday that reaching a deal by October “is within our sights” but there is “leeway” to miss the deadline, which coincides with a summit of EU heads of state.
Barnier reiterated that the bloc was prepared to offer Britain a partnership unlike “any other third country”.
(AFP)
Australia’s former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday resigned from parliament, a source familiar with the matter said, stripping the government of its one-seat parliamentary majority.
Turnbull last week said he would resign from parliament after he was ousted from office in a bitter party-room contest which ushered in the country’s sixth leader in the last decade.
“The speaker of the house of parliament received a resignation letter from Malcolm Turnbull this afternoon,” said a source familiar with the matter.
“The source declined to be named as she is not authorised to talk to the media.
READ ALSO: Uganda’s pop star lawmaker re-arrested for seeking treatment abroad
Until a bye-election can be contested, Australia’s new Prime Minister Scott Morrison is left relying on the support of independent lawmakers to pass legislation, inhibiting the government’s agenda just eight months out from an election.
Besides no longer having a majority in the lower house of parliament, the government does not control the upper house Senate.
According to the latest opinion polls Australia’s ruling Liberal-National coalition will struggle to be re-elected in a poll due by May 2019.
After a tumultuous Liberal party leadership battle last week, the two-party-preferred vote between the opposition Labor party and the coalition blew out 56-44 in favour of Labour, which would translate into a heavy election defeat.
Parliament is currently in recess, resuming on September 10.
A bye-election is unlikely to hold until the end of September at the earliest, leaving Morrison without a majority for at least the next two-week sitting of parliament.
Morrison paid tribute to his predecessor while in Jakarta for talks with his Indonesian counterpart on a free trade deal that could be signed later this year.
“I just want to send to my friend Malcolm, and to Lucy (his wife), and to their entire family all my best wishes and all my love,” Morrison told newsmen.
“You’ve served our country well, and on behalf of our country as prime minister, I just want to say thanks.”
(Reuters/NAN)
What is he doing to allay the already strong fears that his victory in Ekiti belongs in actual sense to the advocates of the abrogation of the anti-Open Grazing Law?
Continue reading The bigger picture in Ekiti guber election at Vanguard News.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) on Thursday called for a sustainable reforms in the oil and gas industry to ensure responsible petroleum exploration.
Treasurer of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, Delta State chapter, Mr Joseph Lamienghan, has appealed to the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to address the plight of those displaced during a recent communal clash in Ogulagha community.
Continue reading Support victims of Ogulagha crisis, HOSTCOM chieftain begs Okowa at Vanguard News.
Video: If I want to remain in the Senate for ever, I will - Ekweremadu
The President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki has said that his declaration to run for President at the Not Too Young To Run event was in good faith and not a ploy to take advantage of the group.
Continue reading My declaration was in ‘good faith’ – Saraki replies YIAGA at Vanguard News.
No fewer than 100,000 children victims of Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria’s North East are to benefit from UK’s £16 million education support.
Continue reading UK’s £16m education fund for Northeast at Vanguard News.
Three Nigerian pilgrims have been reported killed in a road accident in Makkah the Saudi Ariba.
Continue reading Breaking: Three Nigerian pilgrims die in Makkah road accident at Vanguard News.
Having a hit single as a rapper in Nigeria, considering the level of competition, has never been easy. But the South-South rapper has shown how easy it is to stand out among his contemporaries by being unique and true to his roots.
Continue reading ‘Erigga is best rapper Nigeria has got at the moment’ at Vanguard News.
FORMER Presidential Adviser, Dr Doyin Okupe and National Secretary of the Accord Party, Mrs Adebukola Ajaja, are a battle of wits for the soul of the party in the South-West.
Continue reading Okupe, Ajaja battle for Accord Party’s soul in South-West at Vanguard News.
From the facts contained in the printed Record of appeal placed before this court, the appellant Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari was a one time leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Front, NDSF, but now leader, Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, NDPVF. He is also a member, Pro-National Conference Organisation.
Continue reading National interest supercedes individual rights – S-Court at Vanguard News.
Roger Federer on Thursday set-up a US Open third round clash against Nick Kyrgios who found himself at the centre of an impartiality row after an umpire climbed down from his chair to tell him: “I want to help you”.
Second seed and five-time champion Federer, 37, made it 18 wins in 18 second round appearances in New York by seeing off error-plagued Frenchman Benoit Paire 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.
“I think it’s always tricky against Benoit, never quite the same point. Sometimes he plays very deep in the court, then he plays up in the court,” said Federer.
Also going through were Wimbledon champion and two-time US Open winner Novak Djokovic as well as Maria Sharapova, the 2006 champion in New York.
However, women’s second seed Caroline Wozniacki was knocked out by Lesia Tsurenko of the Ukraine.
READ ALSO: Joshua is best world heavyweight boxer – Tyson
Kyrgios reached the third round by seeing off France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 6-0.
The match created a huge storm after respected umpire Mohamed Lahyani lost patience with the under-performing 30th seed and climbed down from his chair to tell the Australian, trailing by a set and 3-0, to try harder.
“I want to help you,” Lahyani could be heard saying. “This isn’t you. I know that. You are great for tennis.”
A furious Herbert said that Lahyani had over-stepped the mark.
“The umpire doesn’t have to talk to him at all. The only thing he can tell him is pay attention, because if you continue like this, I’m going to give you a warning,” said the 27-year-old,
“They can tell him from the chair. He doesn’t need to go down. He doesn’t need to say the words he said on the video. That is not his job. I don’t think he’s a coach, he’s an umpire.”
Kyrgios, however, played down the incident.
“He said he liked me. I’m not sure if that was encouragement,” said the Australian who nevertheless won 19 of the last 25 games following Lahyani’s unprecedented intervention.
“He just said that it’s not a good look. I know what I was doing out there wasn’t good.”
US Open chiefs didn’t help matters by claiming Lahyani was forced to step from his chair as the crowd noise meant that Kyrgios could not hear him.
“Lahyani was concerned that Kyrgios might need medical attention,” said tournament referee Brian Earley.
“He also informed Kyrgios that if his seeming lack of interest in the match continued, that as the chair umpire, he would need to take action.”
Djokovic downed Tennys Sandgren of the United States 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-2.
“I thought I played very well for the first two and a half sets and then I just lost it mentally. I got pissed off,” said 2011 and 2015 champion Djokovic.
Next up for sixth seed Djokovic is Richard Gasquet of France who he has beaten 12 times in 13 meetings.
German third seed Alexander Zverev made the third round for the first time in four tries after a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory over lucky loser Nicolas Mahut.
READ ALSO: Trump and May’s thumbs down for Nigeria
Australian Open champion Wozniacki went down 6-4, 6-2 to world number 36 Tsurenko who claimed a second top 10 win this month having also defeated Garbine Muguruza in Cincinnati.
“She played the game I should have played,” said two-time runner-up Wozniacki who has endured a Grand Slam letdown since winning in Australia.
She lost in the fourth round at Roland Garros and exited in the second round at Wimbledon.
She follows top seed Simona Halep, a first round loser, out of the tournament.
Sharapova took her night time record at the tournament to 21 wins in 21 matches with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Sorana Cirstea of Romania.
The Russian, who committed 33 unforced errors, next faces 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber kept her bid for a second US Open title on track, outlasting Sweden’s Johanna Larsson 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.
Kerber will next take on Dominika Cibulkova after the Slovakian beat Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-4 despite being docked two points for returning late from a heat break.
Belarus 26th seed Aryna Sabalenka continued her red-hot summer by seeing off 2010 runner-up Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 7-6 (9/7).
Sabalenka, who won the New Haven tournament last week and reached the semi-finals in Cincinnati, has made the third round of a Slam for the first time.
AFP
’Tunji Ajibade
It is the last Friday of the month and as usual I take note of happenings on TV. I’ve known for some time that ours is a nation where anyone can, for selfish purposes, take advantage of the system that doesn’t work. For instance, fortune seekers and some government officials have turned approval for the setting up security outfits into something they settle in their living rooms. On July 27, 2018, the Nigerian Television Authority showed a committee of the National Assembly at a hearing over a maritime organisation’s request to set up its own paramilitary outfit. (Someone wants to be a General in his small corner.)
However, stakeholders who understand the sector submitted at the hearing that this would amount to duplication of role, the same way Peace Corps is promoted to take over the job of The Nigeria Police that isn’t adequately funded in the first place.
During the hearing, the committee’s chairman wondered why the paramilitary outfit yet to be approved by lawmakers was wearing uniform and conducting activities as though it had been legislated into existence. The boss of the maritime organisation concerned responded that the paramilitary outfit had documents showing that some government agencies had approved its operation. Is such approval a permission to wear uniform and engage in security activities as though the law of the land has already empowered them? Is the approval granted by such government agencies the same as the law legislated by parliament which must legalise certain paramilitary outfits? Where do these security outfits source the funds with which they kit young people and make a show of them even to lawmakers as the said maritime organisation did during the hearing?
Clearly, funds are being expended illegally on this endeavour. It’s either an agency is expending unapproved government resources to kit people, or someone is collecting money from Nigerians to recruit them into supposedly government approved security outfits as the case of the Peace Corps has shown. Like many Nigerians, a lawmaker on the floor of the Senate has accused officials of the Peace Corps of collecting N40,000 per person to enlist Nigerians. The group hasn’t denied it. Yet, such a body is supposed to operate like the police, taking over parts of the job of the police. Surely, Nigerians are in trouble with this kind of rascally approach to setting up security outfits. I take note also that both the man who says he is the head of Peace Corps and the Rep who energetically sponsors a bill to make the Corps take over the job of the police are from the same state. Setting up security outfits that will watch over all Nigerians has become what a few fortune seekers start and settle in their living rooms, with kinsmen. No wonder Nigerians suffer so much in the hands of uniformed men, recruited in such a way that how they get into our armed forces defies known rational, verifiable sequence. This tendency for a few to turn the security of our nation into a fortune seeking venture is a descent into chaos, and I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for reining in the one begun by Peace Corps. Government officials who encourage these fortune seekers to strive to take over the job of the police shouldn’t be allowed to turn this nation into a Banana Republic where settlements done in their living rooms can mushroom into security outfits that will then harass the rest of us. It’s the height of recklessness, a gangster conduct, and we must turn back from the dangerous path.
Meanwhile, it was obvious much-criticised Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had issues to grind with the BBC when he was on “Hardtalk” on June 14, 2018. The presenter listed accusations made by Erdoğan’s critics until, with exasperation, the president responded thus at 8:33pm: “The BBC should relax.” Reason? The presenter accused Erdoğan of calling the last general election earlier than scheduled because, according to the opposition, he was afraid of losing if conducted at a later date. Well, Erdogan gave his stern advice because he thought the BBC was wrong by believing everything the opposition had said about the election. Meanwhile, he explained, the decision to bring forward the election was taken in collaboration with opposition parties, contrary to the impression they gave the public.
It was Zainab Badawi questioning Erdoğan that time. But I point this episode out because Stephen Sackur (another presenter of Hardtalk) tends to present his questions (based on claims made by critics) more as accusations rather than questions meant to elicit the view of the accused. In his effort to be seen to ask tough questions, Sackur has this disposition to present questions as though critics have the monopoly of facts or the reality. This gives him off as an interviewer who has made up his mind as to what the facts are before hearing the other side of the story. It shows in the manner he quotes his “facts” often from those who accuse his interviewee. I don’t think that’s fair on the part of a journalist. Sackur should ask hard questions, but he shouldn’t always end up sounding like a tough prosecutor, which he appears to do especially when he faces much-criticised political figures such as Erdoğan.
On January 22, 2018, at 11:46pm Nigerian time, Fox News reported that female surgeons across states in the US had more successes than male surgeons. That is, less patients die, and less are likely to return to surgery theatre after they have received treatment from female surgeons. Well, I do hope male surgeons haven’t lost clients since that piece of news was aired. But I rejoice with our women for this evidence which demonstrates that they are as able as their male colleagues in the theatre. It’s progress in a male-dominated world. On January 22, 2018, the AIT showed the Lagos State Government donating 30 power bikes to the Nigeria Police Force. At 11:46pm, the police official who collected the keys said the bikes were “necessary in pursuing criminals”. My first thought was: “On crowded Lagos streets?” Where are the helicopters or even drones that should give law enforcers aerial advantage in a crowded city such as we see in other climes? We know that criminals could be better monitored, pinpointed, and arrested when airpower is deployed. I’ve always expected the Lagos State Government to set examples in such things so that other states could copy.
The Federal Government too should have changed its tactics based on its expressed desire to tackle smuggling and assist Nigeria’s rice farmers to survive. On the AIT, at 8:05pm, January 31, 2018, it was reported that the Federal Executive Council approved funds for the purchase of 52 operational vehicles for the Nigerian Customs Service to combat smuggling. It’s good to purchase vehicles for the Customs.
My concern is, if after years of purchasing vehicles to chase smugglers on the ground, isn’t it time to effectively utilise the skies too? Our borders are many, they are porous, land patrol hasn’t proved so effective. At a time when our armed forces are producing drones and helicopters at home and the Federal Government celebrates them so openly, I think their products should be deployed at our borders. This is the kind of recommendation I’ve always waited for our National Security Adviser to make to the President and thereby bring significant changes to the nation’s security arrangement. I’m still waiting.
On January 2, 2018, the AIT reported that the Enugu State Government appointed 457 liaison officers. It’s said that they are to watch over development programmes and projects of the state government in localities. One government official states that development cannot be ensured without liaison officers. Another official added that traditional rulers would also monitor development projects. Now, 457 liaison officers from outside the civil service structure is extra financial burden. They may meet with obstacles from civil servants. I suppose officers who are paid to do the same job have always sat behind desks at both the LGA and state secretariats. Imagine this number added to the host of Special Advisers and Special Assistants that may themselves be about 1000, as it is the case in some states. One day, we’ll get serious with the business of good governance here and move ahead, rather than expend meager resources on finding “job for the boys”.
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