By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has dismissed rumours that he and Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo are behind the alleged detention and grilling of All Progressives Congress(APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole.

Oshiomhole was reportedly detained and questioned on Nov. 4 by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the fallout of the APC primaries.

Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Amosun said he did not have such capacity.

I think you are giving me an oversight role.

I am not a security person; so, clearly, that question will probably not be for me.

I dont hide under a finger and fight; if there is need for me to put my views across, you know by now, I will do it.

The governor, who sounded evasive, said that all that needed to be said about the APC crisis had been said; hence no need to sound like `a broken gammaphone.

He said it was not true that he was having problem with the leadership of the party.

It would be realled that three APC governors Okorocha, Amosun and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara have been at loggerheads with Oshiomhole over the outcome of the partys primaries.

Source: NAN

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley has accused North Korea of cancelling Thursdays talks between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a senior North Korean official because they were not ready.

Haley, however, said on Thursday that a meeting between the two nations leaders is still on for after Jan. 1.

I dont think there was some major issue for the postponement.

I have talked with the administration and basically what were looking at is they postponed it because they werent ready, she said.

Pompeo was supposed to meet with Kim Yong Chol in New York on Thursday to discuss the Norths commitment to eliminating its nuclear weapons and arrangements for a second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

I do think the talks are going to be rescheduled.

And it doesnt change the fact that that summit is still scheduled for the president and Kim to meet after the first of the year, Haley said of the Pompeo-Kim Yong Chol meeting.

Haley spoke to reporters ahead of U.N. Security Council closed consultations called by Russia to discuss exemptions from U.N. sanctions on North Korea.

We have given a lot of carrots up until now, she said, pointing to the Kim-Trump summit in Singapore and follow-up meetings as well as stopping military exercises.

While there havent been any nuclear or ballistic missile tests by North Korea, Haley said its government hasnt allowed inspectors into its nuclear and missile facilities.

Were not going to get rid of the stick because they havent done anything to warrant getting rid of the sanctions yet, she said.

Haley accused Russia of trying to earn brownie points with North Korea and I think they are also just trying to go ahead and talk about lifting sanctions because theyre already cheating.

She accused Russia of bringing in North Korean laborers and providing Pyongyang with refined petroleum, in violation of U.N. sanctions. And she added: We know theyve been doing some things with the financial aspect of it.

As she left the closed council meeting, Haley said humanitarian exemptions were discussed.

She said earlier that the U.S. goal is to make sure aid goes to people in need, not the regime, so it is investigating technical aspects of a number of requests to make sure aid is not re-routed.

So were going to take our time to do that, she said.

But Haley said Russias real aim came out at the end of the council consultations.

What theyre looking for is to lift banking restrictions, which are exactly some of the things we know theyre not following through on appropriately.

So now we know what their agenda is. We know exactly why theyre trying to do it. Were not going to let it happen, Haley said.

Source: NAN

A fire that likely blocked a crucial exit at a low-cost dormitory-style housing facility in central Seoul killed at least seven people and injured 11 others on Friday.

According to Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, the death toll could rise despite the blaze been extinguished.

The fire authorities are investigating possible safety lapses in the building.

It was dawn and the exit door was likely blocked, so it would have been difficult (for the residents) to escape, .

Another official from the Jongno station said the facility, which was built in 1983, did not have sprinklers because current safety regulations cant be retroactively applied to older structures.

The official, who didnt want to be named, citing office rules, said it was unclear whether the buildings smoke detector worked.

The facility, called goshiwon in Korean, is where poor workers relying on construction jobs or student preparing for bar exams or civil service exams stay in individual rooms with tiny sleep and study spaces.

Budget travelers also often stay in such facilities.

South Korean media reported that most of the victims were manual laborers in their 40s to 60s.

The fire agency couldnt immediately confirm the reports. It wasnt known whether any young students or travelers were staying there.

The facility was located on the second and third floors of a three-story building. Its first floor has restaurants.

The fire agency said all the victims were on the second and third floors.

Source: NAN

Police in Thailand have arrested an HIV-infected soldier Sgt. Maj. Jakkrit Khomsing who allegedly blackmailed and raped more than 70 teenage boys.

Police said in a statement that they received a complaint that Khomsing was using fake social media profiles on Facebook and the gay dating app Blued to win the trust of his victims.

Police Lt. Col. Nacharot Kaewpetch said the victims would send their nude photos to Khomsing before agreeing to meet him.

When they found out he was not who he pretended to be online, he would threaten to make their nude photos public if they refused to have sex with him.

Kaewpetch said police discovered medicine for treating HIV when they arrested the 43-year-old Khomsing at his home Wednesday in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen.

They said tests confirmed he was infected with HIV.

So far police have determined that Khomsing had more than 70 victims between the ages of 13 and 18.

Even though the suspect is a soldier, this behavior and Ive consulted with army commanders is a personal issue, not an organisational one, police Maj. Gen. Surachate Hakparn said.

Police said they are widening their investigation and attempting to contact other victims who have not yet filed charges.

Police have so far charged Khomsing with six offenses, including sex with a minor under 15 with or without their consent, punishable by 4-20 years in prison.

Other charges are indecent assault of a minor under 15 using threats, punishable by up to 10 years in prison; separating a minor under 15 from their parents without reason, punishable by 3-15 years in prison; blackmail, punishable by up to 3 years in prison; and coercing minors to conduct inappropriate acts, punishable by up to three months in prison.

Source: NAN

President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in has sacked his Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon and Presidential Chief of Staff for Policy Jang Ha-sung, as the country struggles with slowing growth, rising unemployment and persistent income gaps.

The two top economy officialshave already been replaced, top Blue House spokesman Yoon Young-chan said in a televised statement.

The pair had reportedly been at odds with each otherover how to address the situation in South Korea which is the worlds 11th-largest economy.

Moons global profile has been dominated by his role in the rapid diplomatic rapprochement with nuclear-armed North Korea but at home his handling of the economy has become increasingly controversial, contributing to falling poll ratings.

His administration has steeply raised South Koreas minimum wages, cut working hours and converted temporary staff to permanent in a series of redistributive moves it says will lead to what it calls income-led growth.

It is a marked change from the growth model of the past, driven by exports and investments by the Souths major companies, that has seen the South rise to become Asias fourth-biggest economy.

And critics say the moves have had the opposite effect to what was intended, worsening the situation of many low-income earners and seeing small businesses cut staff, while big firms hold back investment in the face of tougher regulation.

Last month, the central Bank of Korea cut its growth forecast for this year to 2.7 per cent, down from the 3.1 per cent achieved in 2017.

And unemployment jumped 0.4 percentage points to 3.8 per cent in the third quarter, with youth joblessness at its highest since 1999 at 9.4 per cent.

Finance minister Kim had called for redistributive policies to be rowed back, including minimum wage hikes, while Jang wanted to stick with pursuing equality.

Kim was replaced by Hong Nam-ki, a veteran bureaucrat, while Jang was succeeded by Kim Soo-hyun, currently Moons top social affairs adviser.

Source: NAN

Former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has directed the implementation of N33,000 minimum wage to all employees in his companies.

The directive was issued to heads of business units of companies owned by the former vice president and was to take immediate effect.

Muhammad El-Yakub, the Managing Director Gotel Communications, a company promoted by the former vice president in his home state in Adamawa, said the implementation of the payment would commence after a meeting with union officials.

He said the directive affected Gotel Communications and other companies owned by the former vice president.

He said, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Wazirin Adamawa,has ordered the implementation of N33,000 new minimum wage to workers in all of the businesses owned by him.

The directive is with immediate effect and will be implemented across all the businesses owned by the former vice president.

Source: NAN

Manchester United produced a stunning late comeback to beat Juventus 2-1 on Wednesday in what could be a turning point in their Champions League campaign, while a Gabriel Jesus hat-trick helped Manchester City all but secure a last-16 berth.

Pep Guardiolas City crushed Shakhtar Donetsk 6-0 on a night which saw Real Madrid also win big, as Bayern Munich closed in on a place in the knockout stage.

Juventus were within seconds of confirming their spot in the last 16 after Cristiano Ronaldo put them ahead in Turin with a superb volley in the 65th minute.

The hosts had already hit the woodwork twice before that and should have been out of sight before Juan Mata equalised from an 86th-minute free-kick.

The turnaround was completed in the 90th minute when Leonardo Bonucci scored an own-goal, and United boss Jose Mourinho delighted in taking to the field at the end, cupping an ear towards the home support.

The former Inter coach said it was a response to insults from Juve supporters, and United are now two points behind the Italians in Group H.

In a beautiful Italian city, they insulted me for 90 minutes. I didnt insult them. I just made a little thing, Mourinho told BT Sport.

It is a big victory for us, not just because we needed the points but because it was away from home against an amazing team.

The result was a blow for Valencia, who are still two points behind in third after beating Young Boys 3-1 at Mestalla.

Santi Mina scored twice either side of a Roger Assale goal, before Carlos Soler sealed the win. Young Boys, who had Sekou Sanogo sent off, cannot now qualify.

There was less drama at the Etihad Stadium, where City whose financial dealings have come under scrutiny in a series of Football Leaks allegations eased to their biggest win in the competition.

Goals from David Silva and Riyad Mahrez bookended the victory. In between there was a stunner from Raheem Sterling, who was also awarded a penalty for kicking his own foot into the turf in the box.

Jesus scored the spot-kick, the first of two penalties in his hat-trick. City will head to Lyon later this month requiring a draw to secure a last-16 place.

Unfortunately we havent qualified, but we are so close and will try to maintain this level, said Guardiola, whose team play United on Sunday.

City would have been through already had Lyon not squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to 10-man Hoffenheim.

Nabil Fekir and Tanguy Ndombele had the French club 2-0 up at the break, and the Germans had Kasim Nuhu sent off early in the second half.

But Andrej Kramaric pulled one back and Lyon missed chances to secure the victory before Pavel Kaderabeks stoppage-time equaliser.

Reigning European champions Madrid had no trouble against Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic, with Karim Benzema scoring twice in a 5-0 win.

Real were four ahead at the break, Benzemas goals taking him to 200 for the club. Casemiro and Gareth Bale also netted in the first half, and Toni Kroos completed the scoring with a delicious chip.

Santiago Solari has now overseen three victories, all with clean sheets, since being put in charge of Madrid, and the Spaniards are level atop Group G with Roma.

The Italians won 2-1 away to CSKA Moscow, Kostas Manolas and Lorenzo Pellegrini scoring their goals either side of Arnor Sigurdssons equaliser.

CSKA, who had Hordur Magnusson sent off, still have a slim chance of qualifying, but Plzen are out.

Meanwhile, Bayern require just one more point to advance in Group E after Robert Lewandowski netted twice the first a penalty on his 100th European appearance in a 2-0 home win over AEK Athens, who are eliminated.

Ajax remain well placed to progress too. They are second, four points clear of third-placed Benfica, after a 1-1 draw in Portugal. Jonas put Benfica ahead before Dusan Tadic equalised.

Source: NAN

By Joseph Edeh

The Police said it had arrested four of its personnel on duty at the residence of Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, when the alleged assassination attempt on him took place.

Also arrested, according to the Force Public Relations Officer, Acting DCP Jimoh Mohood, is one personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also on duty at Ekweremadus home at the time.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ekweremadu, his wife and son, allegedly escaped assassination attempt at their Apo residence of Abuja early hours of Tuesday.

NAN also recalls that Ekweremadu narrowly escaped an alleged attempt on his life in Abuja on Nov. 17, 2015.

Moshood, who addressed newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the arrested officers were being investigated.

He said that there was no cover-up by the police in the investigation of the crime.

The four policemen and one personnel of the NSCDC on duty at the residence of the deputy senate president at the time of the incident have been arrested and detained, he said.

The Force spokesman said that it was not correct that the police responded after seven hours when the incident occurred.

He said that further investigation had showed that the incident was not an assassination attempt on the life of Ekweremadu.

Update on further investigation did not reveal assassination attempt but a burglary attempt, he said.

He added that the investigation so far revealed that the suspects in the case did not have idea thatthe residence belonged to the deputy president of the senate.

Moshood said that efforts are being intensified to arrest the second suspect, Dan Ali, who escaped from the scene of the crime.

He said that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had directed the upgrade of Apo legislative quarters outpost to a divisional police headquarters.

Others to be upgraded, according to him, are Supreme Court, Kabusa and Trademore estate.

He explained that the upgrade was to reduce crime and criminal acts in the affected areas and improve police visibility in the FCT.

Speaking to newsmen, the principal suspect, Mohammed Yusuf, 25, said that they only went there to steal and not to assassinate him.

We did not go to the residence of Ekweremadu to assassinate him or any body in the house, he said.

He said that he had been into the act of stealing for five years without using gun, adding that his colleague (Dan Ali) escaped while he was caught.

Source: NAN

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Gov David Umahi of Ebonyi on Wednesday in Abakaliki, declared that 95 per cent of states in the country cannot pay the proposed N30, 000 minimum wage to workers.

Umahi, who is the Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, said this while inaugurating a 36-member fact-finding committee to ascertain the mode of workers promotion arrears payment in states across the six geo-political zones of the states.

According to Umahi, the payment of the N30, 000 can only be realised if the federation account allocation formula is reviewed to offer more earnings to states.

The federal government collects 52 per cent of the revenue from the federation account and when I tried to put the N30,000 figure to Local Government Areas (LGA) it means they will borrow N1billion to add to their allocation, in paying salaries.

I will definitely not be a governor to govern such a state and will never preside over a state that will allocate 100 per cent of its earnings to pay salaries, he said.

The governor recommended that the issue of petroleum subsidy in the country should also be reviewed as had been noted by the state and federal governments.

We must presently have the courage to say this because a lot of money can be saved from the subsidy if properly distributed.

When 100, 000 litres of petrol is allocated to me for instance and deducted from my allocation, it is then my business to ensure that there is no leakage.

There is no governor or political office holder that signs cheques but civil servants as the countrys leaders and labour are just putting water inside a basket and praying God to hold it with this minimum wage issue, he said.

He urged the countrys leaders and labour to liaise and decide on the percentage of the federation account that should be voted for salaries and other sectors.

We should determine how much should be allocated to education, health, infrastructure among others if 100 per cent of earnings are used to pay workers salaries.

Many states are experiencing various problems and cannot pay salaries but the people condemn their governments over their inability to provide good roads and other amenities.

People dont understand the problems being experienced by these states and the governors have kept quiet for long and need to speak presently, he said.

Umahi regretted that the issue of promotion arrears for workers in the state had lingered for long and urged the committee to be sincere with their findings to find an amicable solution to it.

We have been setting up committees on this issue and getting no results with people not being sincere and resorting to all sorts of things, he said.

Dr Hyginus Nwokwu, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) noted that the issue made the governor to institute a 36-man member committee to tour states in the six geo political zones and ascertain the mode of payments.

The members are drawn from critical elements of state with the organised labour having 12 nominees, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) 12 nominees and the government-12 nominees.

The committee will tour three states in each of these zones, ascertain relevant facts, analyse and present them to enable government take disposable and final actions on the matter, he said.

Mr Leonard Nkah, the Acting Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the state and Chairman of the committee pledged to ensure the actualisation of the committees aims.

We pledge to assiduously discharge our duties and make recommendations that will permanently solve the problem for a healthy government and labour relationship, he said.

Source: NAN

Ninety Cameroonian students kidnapped from Presbyterian Secondary School, Nkwen Bamenda in the countrys Anglophone region have been freed after a military operation, the defence ministry said Wednesday.

Armed separatist militants on Monday stormed the school in the capital of the Northwest Region, seizing 79 schoolboys and three adults, prompting urgent calls for their release.

When the group was freed on Wednesday, it turned out there were another 11 pupils with them, who had been abducted from the same school five days earlier.

The Presbyterian Church which runs the school said the 11 had been taken on October 31 but the news was kept secret to enable negotiations with the kidnappers.

It was the first mass kidnapping to hit Cameroon and one of the gravest incidents in 13 months of pro-independence violence.

The students and three adults were freed in a military operation which began in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday, Defence Minister Joseph Beti Assomo said in a statement.

When they have been checked by the (militarys) psychological unit and have undergone a thorough medical check, the freed pupils will be soon sent back to their families, he added.

A six-minute video seen by AFP on Monday showed 11 boys aged about 15 identifying their school and saying they were abducted by the Amba Boys a name for anglophone separatists.

A source close to the establishment said Wednesday these were the 11 who had been snatched on October 31.

The attack targeted pupils and staff at the Presbyterian Secondary School in the Northwest Region one of two areas where surging anglophone separatist militancy has been met with a brutal crackdown by authorities.

The chain of events leading up to their release was not immediately clear, nor was the identity of the kidnappers.

Communications Minister Issa Bakary Tchiroma said all 79 students had been released, while the Presbyterian Church separately announced news about the other 11.

It said the school would remain closed until further notice.

On Tuesday, Reverend Foki Samuel Forba, a leading member of the church, said he had been negotiating with the kidnappers, who were not demanding a ransom but the closure of the school.

The kidnappings took place a day before Cameroons 85-year-old President Paul Biya was sworn in for a seventh term in office, and coincided with an upsurge of tension in the majority French-speaking country.

Such mass kidnappings were previously unknown in Cameroon, although they are notorious in neighbouring Nigeria where Islamist Boko Haram militants snatched more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls from Chibok in April 2014.

So far, 107 have been found or released but the jihadists abducted scores more from neighbouring Yobe state in February this year.

The students release comes a day after Cameroons 85-year-old President Paul Biya was sworn in for a seventh term in office
Cameroons Biya on Tuesday promised to address frustrations and aspirations in English-speaking regions in his first public acknowledgement of resentments in the Northwest and Southwest Regions.

In 2016, anger at perceived discrimination in education, the judiciary and the economy fanned demands for autonomy there.

Source: NAN

By Kate Obande-Okewu

The Rwandan Governance Board (RGB) says online assets declaration by public office holders is one of the methods that can be used to reduce corruption to a barest minimum in any country including Nigeria.

Dr Usta Kaitesi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of RGB, said this when he received the Nigerian delegation on a Post-Conflict Learning visit titled: Readiness for Change on Thursday in Kigali, Rwanda.

She said that the online method was to enable officers add newly acquired assets and deduct the ones that were no longer in their possession to ensure accurate database.

Kaitesi said that Rwandan government had zero tolerance for corruption and anybody caught irrespective of their position would face the law.

She explained that Rwanda was not 100 per cent free from corruption but it was very minimal, adding that only zero tolerance for corruption could guarantee and sustain the fight.

There is no immunity for public office holders in Rwanda, if you take part in corrupt activities and you are caught, you will be dismissed from office and face the law irrespective of your position.

You can always run but no matter how long you run, anytime you are caught, you will face the wrath of the law.

So either you stay and face the consequences then come out to be a better person or you keep running till you are caught.

We still have some perpetrators of the genocide, who are still at large and we are still searching for them any day they are found they must face the law, she said.

She explained that resilience on part of government and compliance by citizens was paramount in ensuring sustainability of any development project or policy.

Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, who led the delegation described Rwandas public service as excellent.

Oyo-Ita noted that the visit was enlightening and that Nigeria had learnt a lot and would replicate same in Nigeria for better national development.

The delegation also visited the National Public Service Commission, Rwanda and was received by the Mrs Angelina Muganza, Executive Secretary of the commission.

Muganza said that Rwanda depended on its human capacity to grow the economy as they had no mineral resources.

She explained that before the genocide, recruitment was based on nepotism, connection and prejudice but all these had stopped.

According to Muganza, after the genocide the priority is to find staff, the entry year into public service is 18 and exit 65.

She also said the recruitment process was done online and if you were not employed there was a platform you could appeal to be employed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation had so far visited 10 Rwandan institutions including ministries to learn their post-conflict survival strategies and mechanisms.

The five-day learning visit was to expose State and Federal Government officials to the mechanisms to be applied during the post-conflict era in reconstructing and strengthening public institutions, particularly in the North east, Nigeria.

Source: NAN

By Joshua Olomu

Move Against Cancer Africa (MACA), a cancer advocacy NGO, on Thursday, rolled out lung cancer prevention
awareness programme in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Caleb Egwuenu, the Project Director of MACA, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the campaign that the awarenesswas part of the groups initiative toward marking the 2018 Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM).

November is a global Lung Cancer Awareness Month designed toraise awareness on the need for more research and better communityeducation about the disease.

According to Egwuenu, the campaign is to educate Nigerians on some common, but unhealthy practices that can cause lung cancer.

He said: as we know, November is the awareness month forlung cancer, therefore, we have seized this opportunity to launch the sensitisation.

This is in line with our goals at MACA to educate people on cancer and to reduce cancer-related burden and its consequent death rate in our society.

Like we did in October as the awareness month for breast cancer, we are using this month to provide information to Nigerians onlung cancer, especially on its prevention.

Dr Abiodu Egwuenu, a Volunteer Epidemiologist with MACA, during her presentation at the awareness programme, said that lung cancerwas the most common type of cancer among males and the third most common cancer among females in developing countries.

She added that for several decades now, lung cancer has been the most common in the world and it claims more lives each year thancolon, prostate, ovarian and breast cancers combined.

Research has shown that 58 per cent of new cases occur in less developed regions, and this is why awareness is very crucial.

She identified some risk factors of lung cancer to include smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, exposure to asbestos andother carcinogens and family history of lung cancer.

According to her, exposure to radon, a gas produced by breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water, also causes lung cancer in the long run.

Egwuenu explained thatsymptoms of lung cancer include persistent cough, coughing up blood, even a small amount,chest pain, bonepain and worsening shortness of breath, among others.

She, therefore, warned that people should beware of secondhand smoke by avoiding areas where people smoke, such as bars andrestaurants where smoking is permitted.

Prohibition of smoking in public places, including child care facility, will help in checking secondhand smoke, she said.

MACA is an NGO that provides essential medical information to people affected by or concerned about cancer.

It helps individuals and families to understand, interpret and act upon the most reliable and recent breast cancer informationfor informed decision making.

In collaboration with relevant health organisations, the group organises free cancer screening for Nigerians across the country.

Source: NAN

The Department of State Service (DSS) recently arrested suspects in high profile crimes, including those allegedly involved in the abduction and killing of the traditional ruler of Adara Chiefdom, HRH Maiwada Galadima.

The arrest of the suspected killers of Galadima was made possible with collaboration with the military, Mr. Peter N. Afunanya, the Public Relations Officer of DSS, said on Thursday in Abuja.

DSS, he said, sprang into action in its determination to contain the menace of kidnapping.

With the recent arrests, he said that relative peace has returned to Kaduna State after the disturbances that followed the violent abduction and gruesome murder.

He said that concerted efforts were being made to address the resurgence of organized criminal activities in the North-West.

The Service had also arrested high profile kidnappers and notorious elements in different locations of the State and beyond.

On 25th October, 2018, in Riga Chikun, Kaduna State, five members of a dreaded kidnap gang whose operations span between Kaduna and Katsina States were apprehended.

They are Isa Ahmadu (Gang Leader), Suleiman Umar (Ransom negotiator), Ibrahim Mallam, Ishaku Saidu (aka ISHE) and MANSUR (Mallam).

The groups hideout in Katsina State was raided after preliminary investigation leading to the arrest of two other members of the group,, Muhammadu Ibrahim and Muhammed Isa.

On 19th October, 2018 Sirajo, a suspected infamous kidnapper was arrested at Hayin Danmni, Igabi LGA of the State.

On 30th October, 2018, at Sainyinan Dani, Yabo LGA, Sokoto State, the duo of Abubakar Umar and Suleiman Sani were arrested for gun running.

Between 11th and 12th October, 2018, suspected armed bandits operating in and around Zamfara State were also arrested in Bakura, Tsafe and Bungudu LGAs of the State.

Those arrested were Dan-Alhaji Dan-Mineri, Yusuf Khalif and Musa (Mallam).

He also said that on 5th November, 2018, the tactical team of the Service, in collaboration with the military, arrested Muhammed Aminu, a suspected gunrunner and his accomplice, Dare Okunwola (aka BODA) at Lere LGA.

During a search of Okunwoles residence, several ammunitions and eight (8) AK-47 rifles were recovered.

On the same date, at Toungo LGA, Adamawa State, Abbas Abubakar (aka SAMBO), a suspected Improvised Explosives Device (IED) expert for the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA), was apprehended.

Other arrests were those made on 15th October, 2018, at North Bank, Makurdi, Benue State where renowned cultists, Yakubu Mohammed and Joseph Andoaasin were apprehended.

Cartridges and a locally made pistol were recovered from them.

Investigations have so far uncovered leads that will enable the Service and other sister agencies to address the menace of kidnaping in the country. Suspects will undoubtedly be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The DSS reassures the public that the tempo of these operations will not only be sustained, but strengthened for greater impact on the well-being of residents.

The Service, therefore, enjoins everyone to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and avail them useful information that would assist them carry out necessary operations that will guarantee peace especially at the coming yuletide and general elections.

Source: NAN

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Nigerian Union of Traders Association Ghana (NUTAG), has commended President Mohammadu Buhari-led government, ECOWAS, Ghanaian authority and others for their intervention in the reopening of Nigerians shops in Ghana.

The President of NUTAG, Mr Chukwuemeka Nnaji, said this in a telephone conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)from Kumasi Ghana on Thursday.

NAN reports that hundreds of shops run by Nigerians were reportedly shut following an impasse with the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA).

The closure of the shops was allegedly in compliance with authorities mulling some legislation compelling foreigners to have one million dollars (R14.3 million) as minimum foreign investment capital to do business in Ghana.

Nnaji who confirmed the reopening of the shops by the authority in Ghana said that the government of Nigeria had worked so hard to achieve the feat.

Yes, the Government of Nigeria has worked so hard to bring this success. All our shops are now opened. We want to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention, he said.

He recalled that President Buhari had sent a special envoy led by Foreign Affairs Minister, and President of ECOWAS Commission, Jean Claude Brou, to Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo over the matter.

We also commend the ECOWAS president, Jean Claude Brou,and his commissioners and other envoys sent toGhana so many times over the issue.

We also want to thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for their efforts, he said.

Nnaji noted that the Minister had on Nov 2, summoned the Ghanaian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Rashid Bawa, over the situation on the reopening of the shops.

He commended the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Amb. Olufemi Abikoye, and his Ghanaian counterpart, Bawa, on their efforts in resolving the impasse.

Nnaji also expressed the unions appreciation to Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo for his efforts and the role played in ensuring that the closed shops were reopened.

NAN also recalled that President Akufo-Addo had assured Nigerians in his country of freedom to operate their businesses without harassment.

Akufo-Addo said this while receiving President Buharis Special Envoy to Ghana, led by Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Geofrey Onyeama.

He urged Nigerians to go about their normal businesses in Ghana.

As far as the traders are concerned, the shops are re-opened; people are back to work.

Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act will never be applicable to ECOWAS citizens; so people can get on with their normal lives, he said.

Source: NAN

The ongoing Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail project can be converted to electric train in future, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has assured Nigerians.

Mr Jerry Oche, the Railway District Manager of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that the Federal Government was serious on delivering the project on time as work is going on as we speak.

He said that the project was not just about the standard gauge only.

According to him, the government has taken into cognisance, the possibility for this project to be converted into an electrically driven train in the future.

Im sure most Nigerians are aware of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard gauge railway project.

This is one of the projects that government of the day has taken very seriously.

As a matter of fact, its a project funded by China and Nigeria Government.

Nigeria, as of today, has paid 100 per cent counterpart funding for that project.

Every month, we have project meeting chaired by the Minister of Transport Rotimi Amechi himself, not representative.

The government of the day is serious on delivering that project; work is going on as we speak.

And of course, in railway, the standard gauge is the in-thing of the day.

This particular project is not just about the standard gauge, weve also taken into cognisance, the possibility for this project to be converted into an electrically driven train in the future.

All the provisions, all the land weve acquired, weve made provision for that possibility, in case we wake up tomorrow and we say hey, we want to convert it to electric trains.

But we all know why we wouldnt want to do that now; we all know the power situation in the country.

But if there is an improvement, I can assure you, we will change to that (electric trains), Oche said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Perpetual Onuegbu

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned against vandalism of telecommunication infrastructure, stressing that the act is compromising Federal Governments efforts toward achieving30 per cent broadband penetration in 2018.

Miss Helen Obi, the commissions Head of Zonal Operations in Niger, said this at a one-day sensitisation programme on Protection of Telecommunication Infrastructure on Thursday.

According to her, telecom infrastructure serve all citizens and should be owned collectively and everyone should work against its vandalism so that it can serve the purpose for which it is meant.

She said we are here to sensitise the people as stakeholders not only as consumers, including local governments and agencies of Federal Government on the need to protect telecom infrastructure.

This is actually key to the 8-point agenda of the NCC Chief Executive, Prof. Umar Danbatta, to ensuring quality service and broadband penetration.

This is because tampering with these infrastructure compromises the efforts of government to meet the 30 per cent broadband penetration target for 2018.

She said that so far, NCC had achieved 22 per cent broadband penetration and hoped to reach 30 per cent target.

Dr Lawal Bello of the Department of Technical Standards and Network Integrity (TSNI) of the commission, said that the industry had continued to lose huge sums of money as a result of vandalism of telecom infrastructure.

He said that the spate of destruction of telecom infrastructure across the country had slowed down the growth of services.

Bello outlined some of the challenges facing the sector as willful damage of telecom infrastructure to extort money from service providers, andlocal communities or individuals barring technical staff of service providers from installing equipment or carrying out repair on existing systems.

He added that diesel theft and digging up of cables for sale were also among the problems.

The TSNI official said that NCC had been using various avenues such as the Consumer Outreach Programme, the Telecom Consumer Parliament to sensitise people and to educate them about the dangers associated with vandalism of such infrastructure.

He called for speedy passing of the bill of Telecom Infrastructure and the need to declare it a national asset.

Bello added that the protection of telecom infrastructure was not only NCCs responsibility or that of security agencies, but of all patriotic citizens.

Mr Abubakar Salisu, the Permanent Secretary, Human Resources, Office of the Head of Service in Niger, urged the commission to give incentives to states that have less cases of vandalism.

According to him, incentives will encourage states to do more and make others to follow.

NCC statistics shows that Niger has the least occurrence of telecommunication infrastructure vandalism.

During the sensitisation programme, telecom users were given opportunity to ask questions and lay their complains, which the commission pledged to look into.

In attendance were security agencies, community members and telecom operators and associations.

Source: NAN

Labour leaders, who have called off a planned nationwide strike, have agreed a new national minimum wage at the end of negotiations with a Tripartite Committee, set up by the Federal government.

The agreed figure will be kept under wraps until 4.15 pm on Tuesday, when it will be revealed in a report to be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Ayuba Wabba, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, spoke to newsmen at the end of the Tripartite Committee meeting on the new National Minimum wage meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the National Minimum Wage Negotiating committee has concluded its assignment and agreement has been reached and also documents have been signed.

The report will be submitted to Mr President by today and therefore, having reached this position, the Organised Labour also decided that the proposed strike is hereby suspended.

Therefore, we thought this should be communicated appropriately without also divulging this information as mutual agreement has been reached, he said.

Ms Amma People, Chairman of the Tripartite Committee also noted that the assignment of the committee has been concluded.

We are going to present our report to Mr President today at 4:15 ,pm and he will reveal the figure that we have recommended, she said.

Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary of the Government of the Federation commended members of the committee for their time and commitment on the processes of recommending the new minimum wage.

I am confident that government will give expeditious consideration of the report when submitted tomorrow to Mr President. And very soon the processes will be put in place to truly actualise your recommendations so that the status of our working populace will be enhanced and they would receive appropriate and commensurate payments for the services they offer to our nation and to the different sectors of our economy, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organised Labour had threatened to commence nationwide strike on Nov. 6 over government rejection of a N30,000 minimum wage. Government offered N24,000, which labour also rejected.

Source: NAN

The planned nationwide strike by the labour unions over a new minimum wage has been shelved for now. The strike was scheduled to start on Tuesday.

Labour leaders, government representatives and organised private sector spent many hours on Monday to reach a consensus on a minimum wage.

But it was in vain as the Tripartite committee decided to convey the resolution of the meeting to President Muhammadu Buhari, for onward transmission to the National Assembly.

The report will be submitted to President Buhari on Tuesday by 4:15 pm.

Government wants to pay N24,000 as minimum wage, but the labour leaders are insisting on N30,000.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Mondayintervened in the impasse by appealing to the labour unions, especially the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to consider the rot his administration inherited from the previous governments.

The President explained that the present government was doing more with the fewer resources at its disposal in putting the nations economy right.

*More to follow

Source: NAN

By Dorcas Jonah

The FCT Squash Association on Monday in Abuja said it would build a formidable squash team for the territory to compete successfully at the upcoming 19th National Sports Festival (NSF).

The associations chairman, Edem Selong, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the team would have talented boys and girls who would perform well to win medals at the festival.

He assured that with good support, the association would get the game of squash back to the centre stage in Abuja.

Our immediate task is to groom and present a formidable team for the NSF slated for Dec. 6 to Dec. 16 in Abuja, Selong said.

He also said the association would expedite action in the completion of the squash courts at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.

Selong said the association would do this as part of all efforts to popularise the sport in the FCT.

NAN reports that the Minister of the FCT, Muhammed Bello, had on Thursday inaugurated new members for the boards of the 29 sports associations in the FCT.

He had charged the members to move sports to the next level in the territory.

NAN reports that other members of the FCT Squash Association include Ladan Dahiru, who is the First Vice-Chairman, Jamal Arabi as Second Vice-Chairman and Jonah Attah as Technical Director.

Other members are Hadi Sani, Dorcas Jonah, Emmanuel Emeka, Ime Ekrikpo, Anthony Oke, who is a coach, and Noah Omede, who is the secretary.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday received Prince Charles and his wife, Princess Camilla at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Prince Charles and members of his entourage arrived the State House at about 2.20p.m.

Buhari, who welcomed the Prince at the Fore Court of the presidential villa, introduced some members of his cabinet and presidential aides to the prince.

The President later went into closed door with Prince Charles.

Prince Charles, 69, who is on a 3-day visit, had visited Nigeria in 2006.

During this visit, he would engage in peace-building activities, including addressing the persistent attacks of herdsmen on farming communities in Nigeria.

He is also expected to discuss practical solutions to alleviating the tensions, arising from the activities of herdsmen.

NAN also reports that the Benin Monarch, Omo NOba Ewuare 11, had on Sunday arrived in Abuja ahead of Prince Charles visit to Nigeria.

Source: NAN