Proceedings resumed on Monday before the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja with the petitioners, Senator Ademola Adeleke and the PDP calling 10 more witnesses.

However, most of the witnesses proved useless to the petitioner as they could not substantiate their claims.

The petitioners the PDP and its candidate Senator Ademola Adeleke are contesting the outcome of the election won by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adegboyega Oyetola.

The 10 witnesses called on Monday by the petitioners brought to 34 the number of witnesses so far called by the petitioners, who planned to call over 100.

All the witnesses called on Monday, most of whom were barely literate artisans, alleged that there was over-voting at the polling units where they served as agents of the PDP.

Some of the witnesses could not read the statements they claimed to have signed and adopted before the tribunal on Monday as their evidence in chief in the case.

The witnesses, most of whom could also not express themselves fluently in English language, were however unable to substantiate their allegations of over-voting.

When asked, under cross-examination, to provide proof of their claimed over-voting, the witnesses would point to some alterations in the result sheets tendered before the court.

When reminded, by respondents lawyers, that they signed the said result sheets on their own volition, the witnesses claimed to have signed after protesting.

At a point, some of the witnesses became unruly as they refused to answer questions under cross-examination, thereby necessitating occasional intervention by tribunals Chairman, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo.

Some of the witnesses, also confessed, under cross-examination, that they were not the actual PDPs agents, whose names were submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the election.

One of the witnesses, Mrs. Victoria Fadeke Alo admitted that it was actually another agent Ilesanmi Samson Taiwo who signed the result sheet as agent of the PDP in the polling unit she claimed to have represented the party.

Under cross-examination by Wole Olanipekun (SAN) who appeared for Oyetola, Mrs Alo admitted that she was not the Ilesanmi Samson Taiwo, whose name appeared on the result sheet as the PDP agent.

Another witness, Oyedokun Wasiu Soyode, who said he acted as PDP agent at Polling Unit 9, Ward 5 in Ejigbo Local Government also admitted not being the actual agent whose name was sent to INEC.

Source: NAN

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Monday flagged off his campaign at Atan, the headquarters of Ijebu North East Local Government Area and pledged to return financial power to local councils to enable them perform their constitutional role.

The frontline governorship candidate and successful entrepreneur, added that pursuing the policy would also help in the implementation of his administrations agenda.

At present, he noted, local government chairmen first run to Abeokuta routinely begging for funds from the Governor before they could perform even fractions of their rudimentary roles.

By returning power to local government chairmen to operate unfettered, council bosses will no longer have to go to Abeokuta to beg for funds to run their administration.

They will be like mayors, like what we have in the advanced countries. By so doing, they will have time to deliver good programmes for the people of their immediate communities.

Also, there will be prompt payment of salaries of teachers and civil servants in the state, without delivering.

By returning power to local government chairmen to operate unfettered, council bosses will no longer have to go to Abeokuta to beg for funds to run their administration. They will be like mayors, like what we have in the advanced countries. By so doing, they will have time to deliver good programmes for the people of their immediate communities.

He recalled that indigenes and residents of the Local Government would not forget that when he pledged in 2015 while contesting for Ogun East Senatorial seat on the platform of the APC, he made good of his promise with personal donation of six transformers to Isonyin, Erunwon and eight other communities that were without electricity for almost 10 years.

The Governorship hopeful appealed for the massive votes of the Local government as was done in 2015, to enable him emerge victorious at the governorship poll.

Dont be confused, but ensure you cast your votes for me your next governor of Ogun State. You should know where you are coming from and know where you are going, he said.

Former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Sen Gbenga Kaka, appealed to the people of Ijebu North-East to be wary of candidates they are going to vote for, in the forthcoming general elections.

He said except those who are not blind would be able to differentiate what is good from bad.

Kaka said:

He and his running mate, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, enjoy strong support from the Federal, State and local government levels, Kaka added.

No fewer than 2,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party (AP) and Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the Local Government dumped the three parties and declared their support for Abiodun and APC.

Also, about 50 traditional rulers under the aegis of Council of Baales drawn from various communities and villages within the local government expressed support for Abiodun governorship ambition and prayed for his success at the polls.

Spokesperson of the Council of Baales, High Chief Durojaiye Olugbode, said the landmark kindness of the APC governorship candidate as recorded when he was contesting for Ogun East Senatorial seat in 2015 spurred them to endorse him as their governorship candidate.

He said Abiodun redeemed his pledge when their respective communities were in total darkness and he provided six transformers that have restored electricity.

Earlier in the day, executives and members of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ijebu-Ode branch, who had converged on the Palace of the Olisa of Ijebu Ode, High Chief Rasheed Adesanya, also prayed and endorsed the APC candidate as the next governor of the state.

Notable personalities in attendance include Olorogun Sunny Kuku, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, Sen Dipo Odujinrin, Sen Gbenga Obadara, Dr Femi Majekodunmi, Chief (Mrs) Lola Oduwole, Maj Richard Ajayi (rtd), among others.

*Culled from The Nation

Source: NAN

An Analysis by Ebere Agozie, Nigeria News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Human activities have encouraged the depletion of wildlife through deliberate attempts to poach and hunt for profit, progressively making many of the animals to be extinct and lost forever.

Conservationists estimate that the current rate of extinction is 1,000 times more than the natural rate, making it necessary for citizens to imbibe the practice of caring for wildlife for the benefit of all.

According to them, preservation of wildlife should be the responsibility of everyone as governments at all levels should be encouraged to create awareness on the need to stop indiscriminate killings of wild animals, especially for consumption as is the practice in Nigeria.

The menace of poachers killing wildlife for export and hunters selling animals as bush meat to citizens have been serious concerns for stakeholders and conservationists.

However, some Nigerian hunters who engage in illegal hunting claimed they were not aware that hunting in the farmlands they inherited from their forefathers was a criminal offence.

Malam Idris Abubakar, a hunter at Nasko, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State said my forefathers hunted in this land, farmed and today you are telling me that it is criminal to hunt and eat bush meat.

This is my source of livelihood so where and what do you want us to do, go hungry? he wondered.

Mfok Uduak, a farmer and hunter from Ikom town in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State said he had no other source of livelihood hence using his hunting skills to support his farming profession had been of immense help to him.

When asked if he knew that it was illegal to kill animals, he said, we have been hunting here for ages; by the way, this is my fatherland so must I take permission before I hunt in my own land?

However, some conservation stakeholders in 2018 did a lot of sensitisation to the public on the danger of destroying wildlife.

The sensitisation also involved local communities in the programmes due to the urgent need for conservation and preservation of biodiversity.

They described conservation as the sustainable use and management of natural resources including wildlife, water, air, and earth deposits.

The stakeholders agreed that through hunting, pollution, habitat destruction, and contribution to global warming, human beings were speeding up the loss of biodiversity at an alarming rate.

For Alhaji Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General, Nigeria National Park Service, working with the local communities to conserve nature would address threats such as wildlife poaching, wildfires and environmental degradation in the country.

The best community conservation practices will offer powerful insights that could help save wildlife and inform the process of forming new conservation in Nigeria.

The communities see these poachers, sometimes even know them and aid them to escape from the authorities when chased.

This therefore calls for increased community involvement in wildlife conservation and secure livelihoods.

According to Goni, people often waste natural resources, animals are overhunted; forests are cleared exposing land to wind and water damage.

All the things we need to survive such as food, water, air, and shelter come from natural resources.

Some of these resources like small plants can be replaced quickly after they are used while others, like large trees, take a long time to replace.

If resources are carelessly managed, many will be used up. If used wisely and efficiently, however, renewable resources will last much longer, he said.

Goni said that sometimes the need to conserve resources often conflicted with other needs.

Some jewelry and medicine industries will encourage poaching in order to get raw materials for their factories; a timber company may want to harvest the areas trees for construction materials.

All these needs are valid, but sometimes the plants and animals that live in the areas are forgotten.

The benefits of development need to be weighed against the harm to animals that may be forced to find new habitats, and thus the depletion of resources we may want in the future.

Goni said that the effects of climate change and hardship in the country had increased clash with park rangers and poachers.

He, therefore, called for the need to put in place a socio-economic programme aimed at improving livelihoods of the communities in and around the park and strengthening the laws.

However, another challenge of depleting the wildlife through human activities is the migration to habitats that are conducive for them.

To help stem this disturbing trend, stakeholders called for community participation in the conservation and preservation of these natural resources since the products and benefits from nature rely on biodiversity.

Mr Tunde Morakinyo, one of the Directors of Africa Nature Investors (ANI), an initiative led by African professionals to bring best-practice in nature conservation to Africa, said that both illegal internal and international trade in animals also contributed to the depletion of biodiversity.

Unfortunately, animals become extinct when they are hunted to death and their habitats destroyed, so many more animals will become extinct in Nigeria unless we can get better at protecting our national parks and forest reserves.

Pollution could also be a factor since wildlife may not continue to habitat in places they perceive as being bad for their health so they are likely to migrate.

This is why it has been estimated that the rate of depletion through mans activities is about 1000 times more than that caused through natural means.

So ANI has come to encourage the best conservation practices in Africa in a sustainable way for the betterment of the people of Africa and the world at large, Morakinyo said.

Mr Michael OBrien-Onyeka, the Senior Vice President Africa Field Division of Conservation International (CI) Foundation said that the National Park Services role should be strengthened to empower people, regulate ecosystems and protect endangered species.

For a more sustainable conservation of key reserved areas for healthy living, the local people of the areas must be empowered otherwise they will turn to these reserved areas to source for livelihood.

We need nature to survive, nature does not need us and the only way to have quality environment for healthy living is to protect the ecosystem, he advised.

The stakeholders, therefore, pushed for the review of law that would stipulate serious punishments for the killing of endangered species like elephants, gorillas, leopards and other wildlife.

They described the fines being given to offenders presently as a tap on the wrist for such grievous offences.

The specifically called on the Federal Government to review the archaic wildlife laws to come up with effective protection and management policies for wildlife resources.

According to them, the revised laws will help to avert the indiscriminate and wanton killing of these species.

The bottom line therefore is that there is a great need for conservation authorities and host communities to form a synergy.

This synergy will enable them adopt a much more holistic approach to finding a lasting solution to this menace that can ultimately only spell doom for life on earth.

Source: NAN

Confederation of African Football, CAF will will announce on Tuesday whether Egypt or South Africa will stage the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON) bi-annual tournament.

The announcement will come a day earlier than the decision had previously been scheduled.

Cameroon were stripped of hosting rights in November over preparation delays and security concerns.

Cameroon has faced persistent attacks by Boko Haram jihadists in the north and a conflict between the army and separatists in the two English-speaking regions in the west.

South Africa has much of the necessary infrastructure after hosting the 2010 World Cup and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 2006 hosts Egypt would also appear to have the infrastructure but only expressed its interest in hosting the tournament on December 14 after Morocco pulled out in the middle of the same month.

This years competition will run from June 15 to July 13.

Source: NAN

Mozambique has indicted 18 citizens for their involvement in fraud involving $2 billion in loans to state-owned companies, the attorney generals office (AGO) said on Monday.

Former Mozambique finance minister Manuel Chang, 63, is one of the 18 indictees. He was arrested in neighbouring South Africa last week as part of the same case, and has denied wrongdoing.

Two major international banks are involved in the monumental loan scam.Apart from Credit Suisse, the Russian lender VTB also arranged financing for Mozambiques state-owned companies.

Mozambique AGO is indicting 18 defendants, (ranging) from public workers and other citizens, on charges of abuse of power, abuse of trust, swindling and money laundering, it said in a statement.

The indictment came days after three ex-Credit Suisse bankers were charged in the United States with fraud over their role in Mozambiques deal in 2013 in borrowing money from international investors to fund projects that included a state tuna fishery.

The attorney generals office also said it would seek to have those charged in the United States and elsewhere to face charges in Mozambique, one of the most indebted countries in the world.

The southern African state admitted in 2016 to undisclosed lending, prompting the International Monetary Fund and foreign donors to cut off support.

This triggered a currency collapse and a default on Mozambiques sovereign debt. It is still struggling to overcome the resultant debt crisis.

Source: NAN

The buying pattern of customers determine the choice of the channel of distribution. To enumerate further, the following factors are considered.

• Number of potential Customers:- A relatively small number of customers may not require the use of middlemen, thus manufacturers sell directly to customers, if the number of customers are more than manufacturers make use of the middlemen because of the difficulties of covering large number of customers.

• Order Size: Large orders requires direct sale whil small orders are treated by the regular channel of distribution.

• Perishability: The most appropriate channel of distribution for perishable goods is a short channel otherwise loss of product/fund would be experienced.

• Geographical Concentration of the Market: The seller finds it easier to deal with potential customers where they are concentrated in a particular geographical area where customers are scattered over a widegeographical area, branch offices are used in reaching them.

• Technical nature of the product: Product which are technical in nature particularly industrial products which require presale and post sale services are distributed directly to industrial users.

• Desire to control Channel of distribution: Some firm adopt this method of distribution for reasons as engaging in more aggressive promotion of their products, discouraging possible adulteration of there products; and their retail price(s).

• Financial Resources of the Firm: The financial strength of a firm determines it's choice of the number of middlemen it uses. An economical buoyant firm can establish it's own credit scheme; warehouse for it's products, a sales force of it's own; all these are facilities that a poor firm might not be able to afford.

• Unit value of a product: The lower the unit value of a product the longer the channel of distribution.

Afro-fusion star, Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy, clinched the most wins at the 2019 Soundcity MVP Awards, taking home four plaques including ‘African Artiste of the Year’.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that he also took the ‘Song of the Year’, ‘Listener’s Choice’ and ‘Best Make MVP at the award show held in Lagos on Saturday night.

But the real winner of the night was the mother of Burna Boy,Bose Ogulu, who collected his third award.

Upstage, the woman sporting a strapless gown, wowed the crowd by thanking Phantom, the producer of his hit song ‘YE’, for his support and contributions to his success. She also thanked the fans, You Tube and Kanye West.

And she added: “Expect more madness from Burnaboy this year”.

Burna's Mum appreciates Phantom, producer behind Burna’s hit song ‘YE’ as she picks up his 3rd award of the night for ‘Song of the year’ #soundcitymvp .
She says, Expect more madness from Burnaboy this year
.
Cred: @ijeomadaisy pic.twitter.com/QZLbHihGoa

— STORYTELLER NIGERIA (@Storytellerngr) January 6, 2019

Davido and Wizkid got one award each in the ‘Best Pop song’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ categories.

The ceremony also featured performances from Teni, Victo AD and Niniola.

Although the first Soundcity MVP Awards was first held in 2016, since 2007, the winners are chosen by the viewers and fans by visiting #TheMVPs’ website and a select committee of the industry stakeholders.

Full list of winners below.

Best Male MVP

BURNA BOY- Winner

Best Female MVP

BUSISWA- Winner

Best Hip Hop

AKA – Winner

Best Pop

DAVIDO- Winner

Best Collaboration

SOCO – STARBOY FT WIZKID, TERRI, SPOTLESS & CEEZA MILLI- Winner

Digital Artiste of the Year

MR EAZI- Winner

Video of the Year

HEAL THE WORLD – PATORANKING- Winner

Best Group or Duo

NAVY KENZO- Winner

Song of the Year

YE – BURNA BOY- Winner

Best New Artiste

TENIOLA- Winner

Viewer’s Choice

SOMISO – WANDE COAL- Winner

Listener’s Choice

YE – BURNA BOY- Winner

African Producer of the Year

PHANTOM- Winner

African Artiste of the Year

BURNA BOY- Winner

African DJ of the Year

DJ NEPTUNE- Winner

Soundcity MVP’s also had special awards to entrepreneurs, all of which were presented by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu:

“Innovation and Excellence in Business Entrepreneur”-Ladipo Lawani.
“Innovation and Excellence in Sports”- Ahmed Musa
“Innovation and Excellence in Fashion”- Papa Oyeyemi
“Innovation and Excellence in Social Entrepreneurship and Digital Influence”- Bolatito Ovia
“Innovation and Excellence in Community and Socio-political development”- Ebenezer Wikina
“Innovation and Excellence in The Creative Arts”- Clarence Peters

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is worried over the defection of its former Niger State Chairman, Abdulrahman Enagi barely a month to the general elections.

Enagi defected along two former governorship aspirants, Ahmed Baka and Engr. Hanafi Sudan; and others to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

PDP asked the party’s supporters to remain focussed “and refuse to be distracted by the action of a few people”.

It described those who defected as moles in the party.

PDP’s State Chairman, Mr. Tanko Beji said that the party was not moved by the series of defections in the last week.

“The defectors are good riddance to bad rubbish.”

Enagi, Baka, Sudan and the PDP State Treasurer, Ibrahim Ibeto, and one time President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and former Minister of Sports, Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, dumped the party recently.

Beji said: “Those that left the party are lone rangers who cannot command 10 supporters in their various wards. The former chairman, the governorship aspirants, treasurer are unpopular Abuja politicians.

FORMER NIGER STATE PDP GUBERNATORIAL ASPIRANT ALH. AMINU BAKA (BADAKOSHI LAPAI) HAS DUMPED people Democratic Party (PDP) FOR All Progressive Congress (APC). @APCNigeria @OfficialPDPNig pic.twitter.com/Cf5C0h0F9B

— Zarma Omar 🇳🇬 (@ZaxmaOmar) January 2, 2019

Presidential Candidate of the Africa Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore has met with political parties and stakeholders of Ondo South Senatorial zone, his home base.

At the meeting, he urged them, along with others Nigerians to do the right thing at the polls to truly experience a New Year.

This time around, this is going to be a new year for us if we do the right thing. We are all united today here because of our country Nigeria. Dont get edgy if we are talking about problems created by other political parties. You are entitled to join political parties. Its your constitutional right. And if you join a political party and you discover that the political party is not delivering dont feel guilty about that. Feel free to go the path of honour by joining personalities when you cannot find parties that carry forward your aspirations of a better country.

You must have watched a lot of movies about Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X but sometimes you dont know that your own Nelson Mandela is in your house because you ignore them when they show traits of these same individuals.

One of the stakeholders Reverend Gbenga Akinrogunde said for some time now I have been following you. I have listened to many of your talks and interactions. Ive seen most of your videos where you get out of your car in hold up and you talk to people and it has stirred me. I want to encourage you. For you to be a courageous leader of this magnitude, this is the person our heart should work for.

Victor Abiodun from Okitipupa who is also convener of Ikale Advancement movement said: I am a living witness to his(Sowores) struggle for a better country.

On August 1, 4th and 15th with Sowore we took to the street to protest the lack of electricity in Ore after which it was restored. I have no doubt he will be a good leader.

Chief Thompson Akam from Ese Odo ward one said: I have assessed you several times even in your community. You were able to convince me about your aims and goals and I wish you the best. Please remember those of us that helped get you there when you do.

Source: NAN

A Niger Delta militant group, that styles itself Koluama Seven Brothers on Sunday said it carried out a warning strike on an oil facility owned by energy company Conoil in Bayelsa.

The attack was carried out on Friday, by the new groupat 12:20 a.m. on Jan. 4 at Conoils Angle 2 Field.

The group said the attack is just a warning.

The organization said it had no other option than to launch a strike to shut down Conoil if demands were not met.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps confirmed that a blast was heard on Friday around a Conoil pipeline in Bayelsa.

The militants threatened a production shut down at the facility owned by Mike Adenuga.

The Koluama Seven Brothers said in a statement it would carry out further strikes if its demands, including job creation, were not met by the company and a traditional leader.

Conoil Producing Nigeria operates six highly prospective blocks in the Niger Delta and produces over 80,000 barrels of oil per day, according to information on its

Source: NAN

Irans central bank has proposed slashing four zeros from the rial, following the plunging of the currencys value in the wake of an economic crisis fuelled by U.S. sanctions.

A bill to remove four zeros from the national currency was presented to the government by the central bank yesterday and I hope this matter can be concluded as soon as possible, Iranian News Agency (IRNA) quoted central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati as saying.

Proposals to remove four zeros from the currency have been floated since 2008, but the idea has gained strength as the rial lost more than 60 percent of its value in 2018 despite a recent recovery engineered by the central bank in defiance of U.S. sanctions.

The currency was trading at about 110,000 rials per U.S. dollar on the unofficial market on Sunday, according to foreign exchange websites.

The currency was trading at about 110,000 rials per U.S. dollar on the unofficial market on Sunday, according to foreign exchange websites.

President Donald Trump re-imposed U.S. sanctions on Iran last year after pulling out of world powers 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.

Washington has vowed maximum pressure on Irans economy to force it to accept tougher limits on its nuclear and missile programs. Iran has ruled this out.

Rial weakness disrupted Irans foreign trade last year and helped boost annual inflation fourfold to nearly 40 percent in November. The weak currency and galloping inflation have been a complaint of sporadic street protests since late 2017.

After approval by the government, the proposed currency plan would have to be passed by parliament and approved by the clerical body that vets legislation before it takes effect.

Source: NAN

In a historic first, Malaysias king, Sultan Muhammad V abdicated Sunday, ending weeks of speculation about his future after he took medical leave and reportedly married a Russian ex-beauty queen.

Sultan Muhammad Vs decision marks the first time a king has stepped aside during his five-year term in the Muslim-majority country.

The national palace confirmed the resignation with immediate effect of the 49-year-old, who had been on the throne for two years and was known for his fondness for four-wheel driving and other extreme sports.

His majesty tells the people of Malaysia to continue to be united to maintain unity, tolerance, and work together, said a statement from the Comptroller of the Royal Household, Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.

Malaysias Islamic rulers will now meet to decide on the next king.

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, with a unique arrangement where the throne changes hands every five years between rulers of the nine Malaysian states headed by centuries-old Islamic royalty.

The system has been in place since independence from Britain in 1957.

Royal officials gave no reason for Sultan Muhammad Vs move but there had been a question mark over the kings reign since he went on leave for medical treatment in November.

Reports in British and Russian media then surfaced saying that he had married the former Miss Moscow in the Russian capital in a lavish ceremony.

Royal officials in Malaysia have so far not commented on the rumoured marriage, or given any details about the state of the kings health.

Speculation intensified about the kings future after his medical leave officially finished at the end of December, and the countrys Islamic royals reportedly held a special meeting last week.

While their role is ceremonial, Malaysias Islamic royalty command great respect, especially from Muslim Malays, and criticising them is strictly forbidden.

Sultan Muhammad V studied at St Cross College at Oxford and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, according to official media.

He is known for a relaxed public persona, taking part in walkathons to promote health, and has been photographed wearing a baseball cap backwards.

According to a report from official news agency Bernama at the time of his enthronement, he fills his free time by reading and has an interest in extreme sports such as four-wheel drive expeditions and endurance challenges and shooting.

He is also the ceremonial ruler of the conservative Islamic northern state of Kelantan.

The palace statement said he was ready to return home to the state of Kelantan to be together with the state government and the Kelantanese people.

The palace did not indicate when the Islamic rulers would meet to pick the next king. During his leave of absence, the ruler of western Perak state had been carrying out his duties.

Portraits of the king and queen adorn government buildings throughout the country. The king is also the symbolic head of Islam in the nation, as well as the nominal chief of the military.

Malaysias sultans trace a lineage back to Malay sultanates of the 15th century. The king is referred to as Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or He Who Is Made Lord.

Source: NAN

The presidency has chided the Peoples Democratic Party over another lie regarding the status of Hajiya Amina Zakari, a national commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission.

In a statement on Friday, Malam Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant on media accused the PDP of publishing a mendacious press release, in which it made equally baseless accusations regarding Hajiya Zakari, about her neutrality and integrity in next month’s election.

Shehu said Zakari in the first place was originally appointed by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and was only reappointed by Buhari.

Second, Zakari is not a blood relation of President Buhari as the PDP had claimed.

Said Shehu in the press release on Friday:
“In their desperation, they forget that it was the PDP government that appointed her in the first place and they keep lying, as they have been caught doing on so many issues, by imputing a blood relationship between her and President Muhammadu Buhari.

“President Buhari and Commissioner Amina Zakari don’t share a family relationship. An inter-marriage occurred in their extended families, so the imputation of blood relationship between the President and the electoral commissioner is a simple lie.

“What is even more curious about all the fuss coming from the PDP is that they, as a ruling party picked Mrs Zakari, judging her by her own merit and made her an electoral commissioner.

“She served so well with distinction as can be verified from the records that President Buhari approved the recommendation that she be reappointed, as he did other PDP nominees for second-term of four years.

“PDP, therefore, has no moral right to keep harassing this hardworking mother unless they have a hidden agenda.

“By this statement, the PDP is guilty of scoring an own goal and two, of harassing an innocent citizen on the basis of a lie, pure and simple”, Shehu said.

Tragedy struck in Florida on New Year’s Day as a man was accused of shooting his wife and her parents after he discovered a video of her cheating on him with his best friend.

Police say William Brian Stillwell, 39, of Satellite Beach, was arrested on attempted murder and child abuse charges, WFTV reported.

He is being held at Brevard County Jail without bail.
Stillwell allegedly went to a house in Melbourne uninvited before he shot his wife and in-laws.
His children, five-year-old twins, went to a neighbor’s home asking for help, WFTV reported.
The children were heard in a 911 call asking their father to stop shooting.

“No, daddy. No. I don’t want anyone to die,” one of the children said.

Following a brief standoff, Stillwell peacefully surrendered to police. The children were not harmed in the shooting.

Stillwell told detectives he recently watched a video on his wife’s phone of her having sex with his best friend.

Stillwell’s wife went to live with her parents after they separated, investigators said.

His father-in-law was released from the hospital while his wife and mother-in-law underwent surgery, relatives told WFTV.

The names of his wife and in-laws have not been released.

Two sisters self-described as the worlds most identical twins aim to get pregnant by their shared boyfriend and, if the law would allow it, marry him.

Anna and Lucy DeCinque, who made their announcement on an Australian morning show last month, confirmed to Fox News this week that their communal boyfriend is very happy with the plan.

If we can change the law in the government, wed love to marry Ben, one of the women said in a clip from the show, which the DeCinque sisters shared toon Jan. 2.

This is what works for us. People need to get that. Were not hurting anyone, said the other sister.

The twins then revealed that it was their own mothers idea for Byrne to try to get them both pregnant naturally, though they said they dont know if they can pull that off.

Our mom is actually convincing us to go naturally, give birth naturally, so I dont know how thats going to work because we need to be pregnant at the same time, one of the women said.

Ben will be a busy boy, responded Today presenter Deborah Knight.

The twins had previously revealed that they both wanted to become pregnant by Byrne in a YouTube video they posted in 2017, though they said they were considering using a surrogate or IVF treatments,reported at the time.

It is a bit of a dilemma, said Lucy. We know thats where nature comes in, we cant control these things. You cant force these things.

Source: NAN

By Awayi Kuje

The Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, has begun his third term senatorial campaign with a call on Nigerians to vote President Muhammadu Buhari, to complete his good work beyond 2019.

Adamu (APC), made the call on Saturday in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Adamu, a former governor of the state, noted that with the feat so far made by the s APC under President Buhari led-government, the party would remain in power in Nigeria beyond 2019.

He expressed optimism that President Buhari would win 2019 election considering the support that he is receiving from Nigerians day and night.

I want to call on you to use your PVCs to vote for me, President Buhari, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, the Nasarawa state APC governorship candidate and all other APC candidates during the 2019 elections.

APC government has done a lot in impacting positively on the lives of Nigerians, hence the need for us to vote President Buhari for second term, he said.

Adamu, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, assured his constituents and Nigerians that he would continue to defend the nations interest, if re-elected to the red chamber.

Also, Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, urged the electorate to vote President Buhari and all other APC candidates during the forthcoming general elections.

Al-Makura who was represented by his deputy, Mr Silas Agara, said a vote for APC was a vote for progress and development.

The governor urged the people of the state and Nigerians to shun violence and live in peace during and after the election in the interest of development.

Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi , the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, urged Nigerians to vote APC at all levels to enjoy more dividend of democracy.

Balarabe-Abdullahi (APC-Umaisha/Ugya) also said Nigerians would massively vote President Buhari in 2019 considering his achievements which had impacted positively on the lives of the people.

The speaker, who is also the National Vice Chairman of North Central Zone of Nigeria Conference of Speakers of State Legislators, also tasked the partys supporters to work tirelessly for the victory of the party at all levels come 2019.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony was attended by politicians, including Halilu Envulunza, Hassan Liman, the state governorship aspirant.

Source: NAN

The Russian Embassy in Benin Republic has reported that six Russian sailors have been abducted by pirates off the coast of Benin.

Among those taken hostage was the captain of the vessel, the embassy said, adding that all of the sailors have vanished.

The abductees were Russian nationals.

There were 24 people on board the ship when the attack took place on Wednesday in the Gulf of Guinea, the embassy said.

In 2018, an oil tanker with a crew of 22 Indian nationals was hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea.

The crew members were released after five days as hostages, following a reported ransom payment.

Source: NAN

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has distance itself from the purported allegations by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) claiming it received N150 million from the presidency.

The students Union body disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr Adeyemi Amoo, its National Public Relations Officer (PRO), and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

Amoo called on Nigerian students to discountenance the allegations by ASUU, saying that the association was ready to protect the interest of all the students.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari, whois a known person in character and style to virtually all Nigerians, would never dole out such amount of money for any reason, which would not be of any national benefits or developments.

NAN reports that President Buhari on Jan. 3, met with the leadership of the Nigerian Students to resolve issues with ASUU.

The meeting centred on ways to smoothen unresolved issues that led to the industrial action.

Our attention has been drawn to the purported and sponsored allegation, that NANS had been bribed by President Muhammadu Buhari with a whooping sum of N150million to protest against ASUU.

We commend the well meaning, intellectual and genuine civil society groups for not falling cheap for this blackmail, as weve gotten informed and reliably that theyve also been lobbied by ASUU to join them in pushing such blackmail.

We are not surprised that this blackmail isnt flying beyond the pseudo groups theyve been able to arrange and mobilise with cash.

President Muhammadu Buhari, is a known person in character and style to virtually all Nigerians, even the oppositions knows that Buhari will never give out such amount of money for any reason(s) that is not of national benefits or developments.

No doubt this propaganda might have seen the acceptance of the masses if it wasnt targeted towards Buhari himself.

Amoo explained that NANS had earlier declared Nov. 17, 2018 as a nationwide day of mass action tagged: SAVE EDUCATION RALLY held simultaneously across the states of the federation, to protest the incessant strikes across universities, polytechnics and colleges of Education.

He added that in October 2018, NANS national leadership, met with the Minister for Education, to fine-tune ways of putting a long term end to the regular carnival of strikes in the educational sector.

We thereby demanded as the major stakeholders in the sectors, to always have representatives at the meeting of ASUU with Federal Government, as this was targeted towards adding to the strength and voice of ASUU, so as to make government yield to there demands in time.

The Federal Government on her own side sees the request of been an observer at the negotiation table with ASUU as a welcome development.

NANS was invited twice to the meeting of Federal Government with ASUU, ably represented by the NANS national president, Danielson Akpan, but was walked out twice by the ASUU leadership, insisting that such negotiations must not be done in the presence of younger ones.

NANS leadership begins to wonder what reasons might be behind the blind insistence of ASUU that NANS must not observe the meeting, when the Federal Government has wholeheartedly approved our attendance at such meetings.

Amoo said the NANS leadership, ordinarily would have informed the students and the general public on this actions by ASUU, but decided not to give room for the government, to see the actions as an advantage to blackmail the ASUU.

He added that NANS after exhausting all means, resolved to issue an ultimatum to the Federal Government and ASUU to return to negotiation table to urgently safe students from getting involved or addicted to various forms of social vices.

According to him, NANS, in the course of getting things resolved urgently, sorted an audience with president Muhammadu Buhari, which was granted and held on January 3 at the presidential villa.

At the meeting, NANS appealed to president Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency resolve the ASUU strike, for him not to loose the support of over 20million Nigerian students.

This was the statement of the NANS president at the meeting as against the cheap blackmail that NANS has assured Buhari of mobilising 20million votes for him.

NANS, therefore, uses this medium to inform Nigerian students and Nigerians at large, that its leadership will not, has not and will not for any reason sell the interest and integrity of our dear organisation.

Conclusively, we want to tell ASUU that NANS is not for sell, we have not and will not turn our struggles to source of empowerment, he said.

Source: NAN

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has faulted the accusations that it received N150 million from presidency, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari was not the type that offers bribe.

The leadership of NANS distanced itself from the purported allegations by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The students said Buhari, a known person in character and style to virtually all Nigerians, would never dole out such amount of money for any reason, which would not be of any national benefits or developments.

The students Union body said in a statement signed by Mr Adeyemi Amoo, its National Public Relations Officer (PRO).

Amoo called on Nigerian students to discountenance the allegations by ASUU, saying that the association was ready to protect the interest of all the students.

President Buhari on January 3, met with the leadership of the Nigerian Students to resolve issues with ASUU and the meeting centred on ways to smoothen unresolved issues that led to the industrial action.

Our attention has been drawn to the purported and sponsored allegation, that NANS had been bribed by President Muhammadu Buhari with a sum of N150million to protest against ASUU.

We commend the well-meaning, intellectual and genuine civil society groups for not falling cheap for this blackmail, as weve gotten informed and reliably that theyve also been lobbied by ASUU to join them in pushing such blackmail.

We are not surprised that this blackmail isnt flying beyond the pseudo groups theyve been able to arrange and mobilise with cash.

President Muhammadu Buhari, is a known person in character and style to virtually all Nigerians, even the oppositions knows that Buhari will never give out such amount of money for any reason(s) that is not of national benefits or developments.

No doubt this propaganda might have seen the acceptance of the masses if it wasnt targeted towards Buhari himself.

Amoo explained that NANS had earlier declared November 17, 2018 as a nationwide day of mass action tagged: SAVE EDUCATION RALLY held simultaneously across the states of the federation, to protest the incessant strikes across universities, polytechnics and colleges of Education.

He added that in October 2018, NANS national leadership, met with the Minister for Education, to fine-tune ways of putting a long term end to the regular carnival of strikes in the educational sector.

We thereby demanded as the major stakeholders in the sectors, to always have representatives at the meeting of ASUU with Federal Government, as this was targeted towards adding to the strength and voice of ASUU, so as to make government yield to there demands in time.

The Federal Government on her own side sees the request of been an observer at the negotiation table with ASUU as a welcome development.

NANS was invited twice to the meeting of Federal Government with ASUU, ably represented by the NANS national president, Danielson Akpan, but was walked out twice by the ASUU leadership, insisting that such negotiations must not be done in the presence of younger ones.

NANS leadership begins to wonder what reasons might be behind the blind insistence of ASUU that NANS must not observe the meeting, when the Federal Government has wholeheartedly approved our attendance at such meetings.

Amoo said the NANS leadership, ordinarily would have informed the students and the general public on this actions by ASUU, but decided not to give room for the government, to see the actions as an advantage to blackmail the ASUU.

He added that NANS after exhausting all means, resolved to issue an ultimatum to the Federal Government and ASUU to return to negotiation table to urgently safe students from getting involved or addicted to various forms of social vices.

According to him, NANS, in the course of getting things resolved urgently, sorted an audience with president Muhammadu Buhari, which was granted and held on January 3 at the presidential villa.

At the meeting, NANS appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency resolve the ASUU strike, for him not to lose the support of over 20 million Nigerian students.

This was the statement of the NANS president at the meeting as against the cheap blackmail that NANS has assured Buhari of mobilising 20 million votes for him.

NANS, therefore, uses this medium to inform Nigerian students and Nigerians at large, that its leadership will not, and has not and will not for any reason sell the interest and integrity of our dear organisation.

Conclusively, we want to tell ASUU that NANS is not for sell, we have not and will not turn our struggles to source of empowerment, he said.

Source: NAN

Roger Federer has become the most successful player in Hopman Cup history after leading Switzerland to a 2-1 win in an enthralling final of the mixed teams tournament in Perth Saturday.

In what is tipped to be the final edition of the unique tournament, the best was saved for last as Federer became the first player to win three Hopman Cups, teaming with Belinda Bencic for the duos second consecutive title.

For the second year in a row, the Swiss beat the German pairing of Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber by claiming a deciding mixed doubles rubber loaded with drama.

It was Switzerlands fourth title overall, behind only the United States with six. Federer first won the Hopman Cup back in 2001 when he teamed with Martina Hingis.

The 37-year-old gave the Swiss the early ascendancy with a straight sets win against Zverev, before Kerber squared the tie by beating a dogged Belinda Bencic to set up the mixed doubles decider.

Federer was a dominant figure in an extraordinary doubles match as the Swiss claimed the abbreviated format 4-0, 1-4, 4-3 (5/4) to clinch the title.

Fittingly, it was Federer who served out the match in the third set tie-break, having been unable to do so earlier in the set, when after an extended rally Zverev dumped a backhand into the net to hand the Swiss victory.

In the mens singles, Federer bounced back from a November loss to Zverev in London to beat the big-serving German 6-4, 6-2 and make it a clean sweep of his singles matches in Perth for the second year running, less than two weeks before he defends his Australian Open title.

It was a high-octane match, with plenty of big serves and clean winners, but Federer was able to answer everything the 21-year-old threw at him.

He broke Zverev in the 10th game of the first set and then tightened the noose on the German, with two more breaks in the second set.

Federer, who also beat Zverev in three sets in last years Hopman final, clinched the match with a typically crisp forehand volley.

He was pleased to maintain his unbeaten singles record during the week, during which he never dropped his serve.

I am happy I was able to maintain the good, high quality tennis I showed all week, he said.

It is good to finish on a singles performance like this, I was able to come up with some good serve and volley and it all worked out today.

World number two Kerber appeared set for an easy win in her singles match against Bencic, taking the first set and then claiming an early break in the second.

The German served at 5-4, but the match took a sudden twist as Bencic broke back, only for Kerber to immediately break again.

For a second time Kerber was unable to serve out the match, as Bencic forced it to a tie-break.

Kerber had two match points at 6-4, but Bencic again hung on grimly and won the next two points.

It wasnt until Kerbers third chance that a backhand winner secured the 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) win.

Critical was Kerbers ability to convert all four of her break points during the match, while Bencic was only successful on two of seven.

Kerber praised Bencics tenacity, saying she was always a determined opponent.

She was fighting until the last one (point), she said.

Source: NAN