The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has asserted that sexual abuse is so common in North Korea that it has come to be accepted as part of ordinary life.

The report, on sexual violence in the reclusive country, indicates that North Korean officials including high-ranking party members, prison guards, police, prosecutors and soldiers commit sexual abuse with little concern for the consequences.

Women rarely report abuse and authorities rarely investigate or prosecute such cases, according to HRW, which said it interviewed 54 North Koreans who had fled the country since 2011 and eight former North Korean officials.

Most of the assaults reported to HRW took place when the victims were in custody or when the victims were market traders who were attacked by market guards or other officials.

Women in custody could do little to avoid sexual assault since any complaint could result in further punishment including beatings or forced labour, the watchdog reported.

Women not in custody risked jeopardizing their source of income or being sent to prison camps.

Rights activists have repeatedly complained that North Koreas record on human rights has been ignored amid a diplomatic thaw between it and the U.S. and South Korea over the past years.

The watchdog acknowledged its research could not provide a generalized sample since it was limited to interviewing North Koreans who had fled.

But it said the diversity of the survivors and the consistencies in their stories suggested that the patterns of sexual violence identified here are common across North Korea.

Oh Jung Hee, a former market trader from Ryanggang province, told the watchdog: On the days they felt like it, market guards or police officials could ask me to follow them to an empty room outside the market, or some other place theyd pick.

What can we do? They consider us [sex] toys We [women] are at the mercy of men, she continued.

Another former trader, Choi Dal Mi from North Hamgyong province, said she was sexually assaulted several times by police officials and train inspectors as she travelled for her work.

Having sex with men who have power over you or letting them touch all over your body is a necessity to survive, she said.

It never occurred to me that I could or would want to do anything about it. It was just how things are.

She said she had never reported being raped to police and didnt know anybody else who had reported sexual assault to authorities.

The police themselves are [sexually] abusing women, why would they ever investigate any rape case? she said.

Everybody knows the authorities think that [being raped] is the womens fault, why would she spit on her own face and tell anybody something like that? (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN

Hundreds of Google employees and contractors in Asia staged brief midday walkouts on Thursday, with thousands more expected to follow at offices worldwide, amid complaints of sexism, racism and unchecked executive power in their workplace.

In a statement, the organisers called on Google parent Alphabet Inc to add an employee representative to its board of directors and internally share pay-equity data.

They also asked for changes to Googles human resources practices intended to make bringing harassment claims a fairer process.

Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai said in a statement that employees have raised constructive ideas and that the company was taking in all their feedback so we can turn these ideas into action.

The dissatisfaction among Alphabets 94,000 employees and tens of thousands more contractors has not noticeably affected company shares.

But employees expect Alphabet to face recruiting and retention challenges if their concerns go unaddressed.

The demonstrations follow a New York Times report that said Google in 2014 gave a 90 million dollars exit package to Andy Rubin after the then-senior vice president was accused of sexual harassment.

Rubin denied the allegation in the story, which he also said contained wild exaggerations about his compensation. Google did not dispute the report.

The report energised a months-long movement inside Google to increase diversity, improve treatment of women and minorities and ensure the company upholds its motto of dont be evil as it expands.

Much of the organising earlier this year was internal, including petition drives, brainstorming sessions with top executives and training from the workers rights group Coworker.org.

On Thursday, employees posted on social media about the walkout and were set to deliver speeches in public plazas.

Since its founding two decades ago, Google has been known around the world for its exceptional transparency with workers.

Executives goals and insights into corporate strategy have been accessible to any employee.

But organisers said Google executives, like leaders at other companies affected by the #metoo movement, have been slow to address some structural issues.

While Google has championed the language of diversity and inclusion, substantive actions to address systemic racism, increase equity, and stop sexual harassment have been few and far between, organisers stated.

They said Google must publicly report its sexual harassment statistics and end forced arbitration in harassment cases.

In addition, they asked that the chief diversity officer be able to directly advise the board. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

By Nefishetu Yakubu

A of total of 1,519,350 Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) have been collected by registered voters in Edo ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Mr Emmanuel Alex-Hart, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, disclosed this to newsmen in Benin.

Alex-Hart said that the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) office in Benin received 1,992,826 PVCs from the commissions headquarters for registered voters in the state.

He said that the figure received from the commissions headquarters represented the total registered number of voters in the state from 2011 to date.

The REC however said 473,476 PVCs had yet to be collected by their owners in the state.

According to him, the continued voter education and sensitisation by INEC was yielding results in the state, adding that registered voters turnout for PVC collection was impressive.

AlexHart further said that the commission had also commenced the sensitisation of eligible voters and all the stakeholders against vote buying.

To achieve this, we have started sanitising the electorate through the churches, motor parks and worship centres among others.

The commission has also given the responsibility to apprehend and prosecute whoever that is caught buying votes during elections, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Nigerian Army said it has received a large cargo of ammunition to enhance its operational capabilities and combat efficiency.

The army announced this on Twitter, displaying the photographs of the ammunition received and the plane that brought the consignment.

However, the tweet did not indicate the suppliers and country of origin.

Here is the tweet announcing the arrival of the arms:

Breaking News. Nigerian Army Receives Large Consignment of Ammunition: The NIgerian Army has received a shipment of various ammunition to further enhance its operational capabilities and combat efficiency. Pictures below.

Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy)

The army is battling the insurgency of Boko Haram in the north east part of the country and cattle rustling and banditry in some parts of the north west, especially Zamfara.

In May, the army also took delivery of different calibres of ammunition to boost the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminality across the country.

The consignment was received by Olufemi Akinjobi, the Chairman of the Ammunition Reception Committee at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Mr Akinjobi also said the committee took delivery of spare parts for operational vehicles.

He said the ammunition received included rockets, bullets and projectiles, but declined to mention the originating country or countries they came from.

He, however, said that they were supplied by countries with which the army had partnership.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the military hardware were brought into the country by Aircargo Global and the discharge and transportation were supervised by senior officers with armed soldiers protecting them.

Source: NAN

Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, who recently defected to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has lost no fewer than 5,000 of his supporters to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The members of the Kwankwasiya group in Kebbi defected to return home. on Tuesday in Birni Kebbi.

We have gone to the market and the market was not favourable. We decided to return home with over 5,000 of our members and more are coming by Gods grace, the former State Organising Secretary of the group, Abdullahi Nayalwa, said.

Kwankwasiyya is the political structure of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso who represents Kano Central senatorial zone in the National Assembly, and an aspirant in the recent presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) that was won by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The defecting members of the group were received by the Deputy Governor of Kebbi, Alhaji Samaila Yombe, at the APC Secretariat, Birnin-Kebbi on Tuesday.

Nayalwa noted that they took the decision because of the landmark achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Abubakar Bagudu in agriculture and other sectors.

We have finally dumped PDP and joined APC because APC administration is the only government that can bring change and unity in the country.

Receiving the defectors, Yombe commended them for taking the decision to return to the APC and assured them of equal treatment.

The deputy governor, who described their return to the party as timely, also said that they had chosen the right path. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unsettled the Peoples Democratic Party by its decision to reject Oladipupo Adebutus candidacy and accept the nominated governorship candidate submitted by the Adebayo Dayo led executive of the party in Ogun State.

The Commission disclosed this in a letter addressed to the PDP National Chairman in Abuja. The letter was dated 25 October.

However, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan described INEC decision as a huge compromise.

If INEC claimed that it collected any list outside what the national secretariat of PDP submitted to it, it is a huge compromise.

And we say so according to our statutes and all the laws governing elections in Nigeria. INEC cannot take a list from a state of the party. INEC takes list from the national headquarters of the party.

So if it claimed that it had gone to take any list from anywhere, it is unknown to us and it is unknown to the rule guiding elections in Nigeria.

They acknowledged all the names that we submitted to them. So, it is totally strange, unknown to the rules and unknown to the PDP that INEC is claiming that it has another list. We are not aware, Ologbondiyan said.

The PDP had submitted House of Representatives member Oladipupo Adebutu as the governorship candidate.

In the letter signed by INEC acting Secretary, Okechukwu Ndeche, INEC said its decision was informed by the orders by the Federal High Court in three cases.

These were FHC/L/CFS/636/2016 Engr. Adebayo Dayo

By Ugonne Uzoma

The Imo chapter of the Organized Market Traders Association (OMATA), has endorsed Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), as its preferred governorship candidate in the 2019 general elections.

The leadership of the association endorsed Araraumes governorship ambition when members paid a courtesy visit to the APGA candidate on Wednesday, in Owerri.

Members of the association said that they opted for Araraume because of his developmental blue print which would assure traders continued stay in business.

Chairman of the association, Mr Samuel Amadi, said that Imo needed a governor with good business ideas that would transform the business environment and ultimately promote economic growth.

He said that Araraume had shown that he possessed the capacity, both as a businessman and an astute administrator, to make Imo a better place to live in.

When he was a senator, he performed very well and also attracted several federal projects
to Imo; now that he wants to be governor, we will stop at nothing to support him, he said.

Amadi, who decried the demolition of the Eke Onuwa market by the state government, said that the act had brought untold hardship and unjustifiable loss to traders.

Traders have become the most vulnerable group in Imo because of the market demolition
policy of the government . The situation is particularly bad because there are no alternatives.

We want a change of government and have resolved that we will lead Araraumes campaign until he becomes the next governor, he said.

In his response, Araraume said that he would run an all-inclusive government, if elected governor
of Imo.

Araraume, who was represented by his campaign Director General, Mr Okey Ikoro, sympathized with the traders over the demolition of the markets, and assured them that he would end all anti-people policies of the current government.

He thanked them for the endorsement and urged them to remain united in that resolve.

Source: NAN

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who lost out in the primaries to remain faithful and hold fast on integrity to the nation.

A statement issued by the Presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on Wednesday, said Buhari gave the charge at a dinner with the APC Aspirants Forum at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday night.

The president said the primary motivation to contest elections should be to improve the country and not for pecuniary reasons.

We must maintain our faith in the country, he told the coalition of party members who contested the primaries.

President Buhari said he contested presidential elections three times before coming to power in 2015.

He therefore promised them that providence will always pave the way for the just, committed and patient politician who wants to truly serve the country.

He told the aspirants that those who mismanaged the resources of the country are still very much around, with incredible wealth.

He warned them to be vigilant and circumspect in making choices, saying the future would only be salvaged by those who love the country.

He said: I spoke with the APC party chairman almost every other day, at least for an hour during the primaries.

And sometimes, we met for two and half hours on ensuring internal democracy during the primaries.

He pointed out that in spite of all efforts to appease everyone and give them a chance at the polls; some aspirants were still not treated fairly.

I urge you to stay faithful if your objective is to serve the country.

I came back to power in this agbada to convince Nigerians to make sacrifices that the country needs now for a better future, he added.

In his remarks, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said the meeting was organised to address grievances and fallout of the APC primary elections across the country.

He said it would be unfortunate to allow the grievances overshadow the challenges before the country, assuring the aspirants that government would assuage their yearnings to serve the country.

Malami said they should work collectively with the president in building the party and setting up a framework that would ensure healthier relationships and better internal democracy.

The leader of the APC Aspirants Forum, Hon. Yusuf Banki, gave assurance that the network of 7,000 members would work to ensure President Buharis victory at the polls in 2019.

Source: NAN

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

The Federal Government introduced new education policy known as `Every Child Counts, to encourage children enrolment in schools.

A statement issued on Wednesday by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, quoted Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as saying this in Lagos.

Osinbajo spoke at the 60Anniversary of Grange School, Lagos, on Tuesday.

According to the vice president, Nigeria is Africas most populous country; and like the rest of the continent, it is a nation of young people as half of its population is below the age of 20.

He said that Nigeria would be the third most populous country in the world by 2050 and would have a large youth population that could be a tremendous blessing for economic growth and prosperity.

Osinbajo, however, said that the population could also be a problem especially ifNigeria did not plan well and in advance as extreme poverty further complicated the problem for a country like Nigeria.

He said there was need to increase school enrolment which had increased in many cases by over 30 per cent in the last 2 years, largely on account of our school feeding programme.

Osinbajo said that to eradicate poverty, Nigerias education must equip the young to be productive as the Federal Government was working on far-reaching skills-basedcurriculum on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

This is the curriculum for primary and secondary schools.

The core skills the programme will provide include: (1) Coding and Computer Programming; (2) Design Thinking and Computer Generated Imaging, Animation and Graphics Design; (3) Robotics, Networking and basic engineering applications.

We have a programme called the N-Power programme and about 3,000 of them are currently being trained in animation skills and techniques and we found that people take so easily to learn some of these things.

In fact, the younger people are, the easier it is for them to learn all of these technology skills.

So, we think that to develop the kinds of young people who will be able to take on the kind of challenges of the 21stcentury and get the kind of work that the 21stcentury is producing already, we simply have to change the way we teach and what we teach.

He said the Federal Government was working in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Oracle Academy, Microsoft Cisco Academy and IBM.

According to him, they are working with the Federal Government in developing the curriculum alongside, the Federal Ministry of Education and the respective states.

The vice president said that the immediate plan was to reach, with this sort of education, at least 2 million pupils in the first year.

The plan also envisions a new classroom structure that permits the cultivation, expression and early adoption of skills that will function in the environment that is already being created the technology environment that is already being created.

The next question we asked is, for whom do we plan? The answer is quite straightforward it is the Nigerian child.

Not just the ones in the urban areas or the few that are privileged to afford decent schooling above the weakened standards of public schooling generally.

The real slogan for us is Every Child Counts and that is the name of the policy, which means we have democratised our vision of a qualitative and relevant education to reach every Nigerian child.

Every Child Counts ensures that all children, especially the number reported to be out of school now, and in those areas where children tend to drop out of school much faster, all of them deserve to get a decent education, all of them must be reached by this programme, he said.

Osinbajo said he was proud of the way Grange School had collaborated with his office in some of the important work it was doing at the learning centre in Maiduguri.

Source: NAN

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described as false theallegedvideo clip circulating on the social media purporting to show howNigerians are being maltreated in Angola.

The ministrys spokesperson, Mr George Edokpa, said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the attention of the ministry was drawn to the allegedvideo clip and urged the public to ignore it.

He said the purported clip circulating on the social media on maltreatment of Nigerians living in Angola was not true.

Edokpa maintained that the allegation was false and should bedisregarded.

The Ministry is in contact with the Nigerian Embassy in Luanda, Angola, andwishes to categorically attest that the incidence under reference in the videodid not occur in Angola.

However, in line with the mandate of the Ministry toprotect Nigerians in any part of the world, the Ministry is conducting acomprehensive investigation on the matter, he said

Source: NAN

By Vivian Ihechu

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has commended Coca Cola Nigerias Safe Birth Initiative (SBI), saying it is a laudable project toward achieving reduction in the countrys high maternal mortality indices.

Adewole, represented by Dr Adedamola Dada, Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebutte-Meta, Lagos, said this at a stakeholders workshop on Saturday in Lagos with theme: Enabling Safe Birth in Nigeria.

The event was organised by the SBI sponsored by Coca-Cola, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals and an NGO, Medshare International Inc.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that according to the National Demography and Health Survey (NDHS, 2013), Nigeria loses as many as 576 women per 100,000 childbirths.

Also, the country records 37 newborn deaths per 1,000 live births, placing the country among the worst ratios for both maternal and newborn deaths globally.

Consequently, the Safe Birth Initiative aims to support the attainment of the SDG targets on maternal and newborn deaths reduction.

It focuses on strengthening the capacity of selected public hospitals through procurement of vital maternal and neonatal medical equipment and supplies.

It also focuses on training biomedical engineering technicians to improve equipment maintenance and uptime and reactivating a large stock of abandoned medical equipment wasting away in public hospitals.

Adewole said: We have always believed that our healthcare would improve with active collaboration and partnership from the private sector.

The Safe Birth Initiative is a good example of such a partnership.

Meticulous planning and identification of the needs of the beneficiary hospitals have been carried out with active involvement of partners and beneficiaries.

We commend our partners on this programme, Coca-Cola, the SDG Office, Medshare International and the Engineering World Health, and use this opportunity to call on other private sector players to join us in this battle to free our nation from diseases and major challenges in maternal and childhood health, he said.

Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said that the Coca-Cola Safe Birth Initiative is working toward the third Sustainable Development Goal Health and Wellbeing for all, including our mothers and our children.

Orelope-Adefulire, represented by Dr Bala Yusuf, said: This partnership is a classic example of what we can do when we combine our expertise and resources in support of the 2030 SDG agenda.

We hope this event will strengthen our resolve to continue to work together as policy makers, development practitioners, academics, but more importantly as concerned citizens, in support of the 2030 agenda of the sustainable development goals, she said.

In his remarks, Mr Clem Ugorji, the Public Affairs and Communications Director for Coca-Cola West Africa, shared highlights of the SBI rationale and implementation plan.

According to him, In addition to completing the first batch of the biomedical engineering technicians training, the consignment of equipment and supplies required for the National Hospital, Abuja, has been fully delivered.

The consignments for Federal Medical Centres in Ebute-Metta and Owerri and General Hospital, Alimosho, Lagos, are scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks.

The needs assessments are ongoing at six other approved hospitals to determine their specific needs, he said.

Ugorji said that Coca-Colas commitment goes beyond donating equipment.

Through the SBI, the company hopes to promote effective maintenance culture by empowering biomedical engineering technicians with the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence to take responsibility for ensuring maximum uptime for the new equipment.

It also aims to empower them on reactivation of abandoned biomedical equipment in the target hospitals.

There is a limit to what our doctors and nurses can do with just their skills and passion, in the absence of the vital life-saving equipment required for effective diagnosis, testing and treatment, Ugorji said.

NAN reports that the workshop also marked the completion of the maiden SBI capacity training for 20 biomedical engineering technicians from 10 leading medical institutions across the country.

The institutions comprise university hospitals, federal medical centres and general hospitals.

The two-week training was conducted by US-based Engineering World Health (EWH) at the School of Biomedical Engineering, Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

The workshop also had a panel discussion session that shed light on the challenges of maternal and newborn healthcare in the country; the national SDG targets on maternal and child health.

It also discussed the measures government is taking to meet these targets, as well as how the SBI will support these measures.

The discussants included Prof. Chinyere Ezeaka, Past President, Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine, Dada, Bala and Ugorji.

Others present were Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Editor, Todays Woman; Prof. Carmen Walker, Chief Operating Officer, Nigeria BMET Programme, Engineering World Health, and Mr Eben Amstrong, Director of Biomedical Engineering Training and Technical Service, Medshare International.

The official launch of the Safe Birth Initiative and inauguration of the first set of SBI equipment in the country would be performed by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, at the National Hospital in Abuja next week.

Source: NAN

A Spanish magistrate leading an investigation into alleged irregularities in Neymars move to Barcelona in 2013 said Wednesday the Brazilian superstar could face up to six years in prison.

The term imposed, in principle, could be between four and six years, said a decree issued by judge Jose Maria Vazquez Honrubia, a copy of which was seen by AFP.

Neymar, his parents, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor Sandro Rosell are all awaiting trial over alleged corruption concerning Neymars move to the Spanish La Liga giants in 2013.

The Brazilian international forward is now with Paris Saint-Germain in Frances Ligue 1.

The case, which follows a complaint by DIS, a Brazilian group which part-owned the rights to Neymar, surrounds allegations of corruption and fraud in the players move to Barcelona.

Neymar moved to the Spanish La Liga giants in May 2013 for a reported fee of 57.1m euros. Although no financial details of the deal were revealed by either Barcelona or his Brazilian club FC Santos, Neymars parents were said to have received receive 40m euros and FC Santos 17.1m.

In January 2014, prosecutors in Madrid began investigating the transfer because documents requested by the authorities contained contradictory information.

Rosell resigned from his post as president a week later and Barcelona subsequently revealed they had actually paid 86.2m euros for the Brazilian star.

DIS, who received 6m euros of the 17.1m given to FC Santos, alleges that Barcelona and the Brazilian club colluded to mask the true cost of the deal.

Bartomeu, Rosell, Barcelona, FC Santos and its former president, Odilio Rodrigues Filho, are now expected to answer charges of fraud, according to the decree.

Because the prison term involved exceeds five years, three judges are set to preside over Neymars trial which is expected to be heard at the Audiencia Nacional, a high court with jurisdiction over Spanish territory as well as over international crimes which come under the jurisdiction of Spanish courts.

Whether Neymar faces a prison term remains to be seen, however.

In May 2017 the Spanish authorities said Neymar should stand trial but no date has yet been set.

Source: NAN

Members of the Shiite Movement on Monday in Nyanya, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Mararaba, Nasarawa state, protested the continued detention of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

NAN recalls that El-Zakzakky was arrested in 2015 after his members had a confrontation with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Zaria, Kaduna state.

An eye witness, who pleaded anonymity, told NANthat trouble started when the police tried to stop the protesters from moving deeper in the FCT.

He said that the protesters resisted the push by the police for them to retreat and that triggered the skirmish.

The source said that some persons lost their lives in the clash but could not state the figure.

NAN also recall that 53 members of the group also known as Islamic Movement of Nigeria, were recently arrested by the Police in Abuja following a violent protest.

Since the arrest and detention of El-Zakzakky, his followers had organised series of protests in some cities in the country, calling for his release.

When contacted, Spokesman of the Police Command in the FCT, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, said that he had not been briefed on the incident and therefore declined further comment.

The Army on Sunday confirmed that three members of the sect died on Saturday, while two soldiers sustained injuries when they clashed with troops at Zuba in the FCT.

In the wake of the disturbances at the weekend, the FCT command had assured residents of adequate security against planned protests by the sect in the territory.

Source: NAN

The Presidency warned Monday that the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP) facing an imminent defeat in the February polls, has embarked on various moves to sow division and chaos, in the country.

They are attacking the courts and the police, they are molesting INEC commissioners. They are theatrical in spreading falsehoods against persons including the President, said Garba Shehu, SSA to the President.

What provoked the latest reaction from the Presidency was PDPs decision to ask the court make a declaration on President Buharis West African School Certificate.

Garba Shehu said the move was unwarranted and a waste of time as the Presidency has the record of this and of higher qualifications obtained by hard work and truly merited by Mr President.

Beside, he said the effort would amount to nothing.

This certificate story is an old one. As Femi Adesina stated clearly, it is a settled issue in the courts. To approach the court to pursue a matter long settled by the temple of justice is an abuse of the judicial system. It is shameful, disgusting and disgraceful.

It is clear to all at this time that the PDP, facing an imminent humiliating defeat wants to sow division and chaos by seeking the destruction of the institutional structures that support our young democracy.

By doing these, they assume that they can take away attention from the discussions on issues gaining momentum in the country; the issue of internal security which has been jeopardised by years of near-zero investment under 16 years of the PDP; the provision of long-delayed infrastructure which the President is pioneering; corruption to which the PDP is incurably tied and the sustenance of the prevailing good days in the economy, a business-friendly government working day and night, creating more jobs and affordable life for the poor.

This election isnt about the settled issues of certification.

No matter how honeyed their sweet words, dont believe them.

Their evil record can never be washed away. The PDP set a record of murdering opponents of government and corruption on a scale never seen anywhere before.

They put the national security at stake by diverting huge budgetary allocations to service their greed. Dont believe their honeyed promises, Garba Shehu said.

Source: NAN

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has assured members of the public of adequate security in the wake of violent protests by members of the Shiite Movement.

NPF Spokesman, DCP Jimoh Moshood who gave the assurance, also urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighbouring communities to go about their lawful businesses peacefully.

NAN recalls that El-Zakzakky was arrested in 2015 after members of his movement had a confrontation with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Zaria, Kaduna state.

Since the arrest and detention of El-Zakzakky, his followers have organised series of protests in some cities in the country, to demand his release.

NAN reports that 53 members of the group were recently arrested by the Police in Abuja following a violent clash with the Army, resulting in the death of three members of the sect.

The Nigerian Army confirmed the deaths.

The Army also said that two soldiers sustained injuries during the clash in Zuba, while another soldier was injured in Kugbo-Karu, both suburbs of the FCT. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Buhari administration is concerned about the plight of ordinary Nigerians and would continue to carry out programmes that would improve their lives, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Prof. Osinbajo said this today on Brekete Family, Reality Radio Talk Magazine programme on Human Rights Radio, Abuja, where he was featured.

During the programme, the Vice President emphasised that, The focus of our government is on how things can be better for the common man.

We are not in the business of trying to deceive Nigerians. You can accuse myself and the President of anything, but you will never find us deceiving Nigerians.

While making references to the Buhari administrations National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP), the VP noted that the administration is able to do so much more with less resources.

This he said is possible because, The President has ensured that nobody steals money from the treasury. The major problem Nigeria had before now was the fact that people stole from the nations coffers. Once the country is able to stop corruption, it would be better.

The first thing we did was tackle unemployment by employing young men and women through the N-Power job scheme, which has so far employed 500,000 young graduates. The paid volunteer programme has a two-year duration, but it has now been extended for a batch.

Prof. Osinbajo said, Every state has N-Power, noting that there are plans to employ more because of the number of graduates. This is a social safety net for young unemployed Nigerian graduates.

So far, we have given about 400,000 MarketMoni loans, but the target is to give 1 million loans to artisans and traders, while TraderMoni loans is a N10,000 interest-free loans to petty traders, of which 2 million are expected to be reached in the first phase.

He also highlighted the Federal Governments Energizing Economies Initiative, which provides clean, affordable, and constant power to economic clusters such as big markets and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria.

Last week Friday, the Vice President commissioned the Sura Market Independent Power Project in Sura shopping complex in Lagos State; a 1.5MW independent mini-grid power supply system to provide clean and affordable electricity to over 1,000 shops in the market.

The Buhari administrations Energizing Economies Initiative, which is being implemented by Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is designed to provide clean, stable and affordable electricity to Nigerians in these economic clusters.

So far, thousand of shops in Sabon Gari in Kano State, Ariaria Market in Aba, Isinkan Market in Akure, Ondo State, Edaiken Market in Benin, Edo State, and Sura Market, Lagos, have been provided solar power through the initiative.

Power is a major problem in Nigeria and our efforts is to solve this through alternative energy such as solar power. We are not relying on the national grid alone. We are also encouraging the private sector to provide power. The new strategy of the government is to put power in different places so as to make life easy for Nigerians without relying on the national grid. We are still working on the national grid. This country is very big, thats why we have to decentralize, Prof. Osinbajo said.

Speaking further on the benefits of the N-SIP, the Vice President assured Nigerians that the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme was authentic and was a major part of the administrations plan to improve lives of Nigerians.

Currently, it feeds daily over 9 million schoolchildren in public primary schools in 26 states. Also, the products are sourced from local farmers, which improve local economy.

Prof. Osinbajo further stated the administrations commitment to developing the Niger Delta region and how its engagement has helped to maintain peace and stability in the region, which has also improved oil production and the countrys revenue.

The host of the programme, Ahmad Isah, a.k.a ordinary president, as well as studio audience and callers praised the Vice President and the Buhari administration for its commitment to the welfare of Nigerians and improving the countrys fortunes. Isah also praised the administrations efforts in paying the pension arrears of staff of Nigeria Airways and its Social Investment Programmes.

Likewise, callers and members of the studio audience commended the Buhari administration and the Vice President for showing exemplary leadership.

Because of the importance he attaches to the family, development and progress of this nation, the Vice President (having just returned from a trip to Lagos) came directly from the Abuja airport to be with us today, Isah noted.

Noting that government will look into complaints raised during the edition of the programme, the Vice President stated that he would choose liaison officers to look into complaints from listeners/viewers of the programme. This was applauded by the audience and listeners. One of the callers described the decision as the best thing that has happened to us.

During the programme, the Vice President met with Olympic medalist, Jerry Okorodudu, who had appealed for his salary arrears to be paid by the Ministry of Sports.

On his arrival to and departure from the popular Abuja radio station, the Vice President received a very warm welcome from a section of Nigerians who lined up the road leading to the station to receive him.

Source: NAN

A petitioners witness on Tuesday told the Ekiti Election Petition Tribunal, that votes for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),were deliberately voided by staff of INEC during the July 14 governorship election.

The witness, Omobulujo Bankole, specifically said that the PDP votes were voided in Unit 009, Ward 4 of Ido -Osi Local Government Area.

Bankole stated this while testifying before the tribunal , headed by Justice Suleiman Belgore, sitting at the FCT High Court, Apo.

The petitioners, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its candidate in the Ekiti July 14 governorship election, Prof. Olusola Kolapo had approached the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election.

The respondents in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Gov. Kayode Fayemi.

Answering a question during cross examination by Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), counsel to APC, Bankole stated that his party scored more than 119 votes during the election in his unit.

According to the witness, I was there when they deliberately voided the PDPs votes in Unit 9 (Ward 4, Ido -Osi LGA). The male polling clerk of INEC voided 27 votes,he said.

Meanwhile, the petitioners called five witnesses on Tuesday , bringing the total number of witnesses called so far to 69.

The witnesses informed the tribunal in their written statements on oath, which they adopted as their testimony before the tribunal, of deliberate voiding of votes by INEC officers and over voting in their respective polling units where they served as PDP agents.

During a cross examination by INEC counsel, a witness, Yisa Ibrahim (PW66), from Ado Ekiti LGA, informed the tribunal that he was at his unit throughout the election, adding that PDP polled 362 votes, while APC scored 192.

He stated that counting was done based on thumb printing, and defined voided votes as votes that cannot be counted for any party.

He also said that only INEC has the power to declare a vote voided, but insisted that INEC staff voided votes that were for PDP during the election.

Source: NAN

APDA identifies poverty, education, religion and leadership as core challenges of the country

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Alhaji Shitu Mohammed, the Presidential Candidate of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) has identified issues of poverty, education, religion and leadership as the core challenges of the country.

Mohammed disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday that the problems facing the nation were well known to all patriotic Nigerians, stressing that they have remained a daunting challenge.

He said that many governments in the past had pledged to solve the problems of Nigerians but have unfortunately failed to do so in the last decades.

The core challenges of Nigerian remains the issue of poverty, education, religion and leadership, these are issues I want to take up as president if elected by Nigerians in 2019, he said.

He, however said that Nigerians now had another opportunity in 2019 to take a decision that would either shape or mar the nations future, noting that the political climate was already charged.

This undoubtedly is not new; it has of course become a tradition in democracies all over the world. The APDA is set to make a difference this time.

The APDA is set to bring to Nigerians ideas that work, ideas that will change the perception and misgivings of Nigerians about what their leaders should do for them and what they stand to gain.

The APDA wants to recreate Nigeria. We are not inventing the wheel neither are we retrogressing because of the hard realities that stares us in the face currently.

We want to give Nigerians a new lease of life that they would have a stake in, he said.

Mohammed said the APDA would initiate policies and programmes that would promote consumer rights, sustainable development and financial market reforms to create a stronger, more democratic nation and a better future for Nigerians.

He further said that the party`s priority was to fight unemployment and to ensure a fairer society for all, adding that it was determined to restore hope and trust of Nigerians.

We pledged to recreate a Nigeria that guarantees all its citizens the right to pursue their aspirations and achieve their full potentials, he said.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated right-wing politician, Mr Jair Bolsonaro on his victory in Brazils presidential election run-off on Sunday.

The President also felicitated with the people of Brazil for successfully going through the two rounds of the election and making their choice, thereby enhancing the democratic credentials of their country.

Buhari noted that Nigeria shares historical and cultural ties with Brazil and that his administration hoped for the deepening of such relations as well as expansion of current political, trade and military ties.

The Nigerian leader wished Bolsonaro, who will take office in January 2019 a successful tenure in confronting his countrys current socio-economic challenges.

Bolsonaro defeated his Leftist opponent Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party 55.5 per cent against 44.5 per cent of the votes with 96 per cent of ballots counted.

Far-right Bolsonaro now has a task of leading Latin Americas biggest country and the worlds fourth-largest democracy to traditional Brazilian values which he promised during his campaign.

Bolsonaro, who cast himself as a political outsider despite a 27-year career in Congress, is the latest of several leaders around the globe to gain prominence by mixing tough, often violent talk with right-wing positions.

But he also is very much a product of a political tempest in Brazil that made his messages less marginalised: widespread anger at the political class amid years of corruption, an economy that has struggled to recover after a punishing recession and a surge in violence.

The name of his party, PSL, translates to Social Liberal Party, although it largely abandoned its socially liberal platforms after he joined.

Bolstering his rebel image is his reputation for offensive statements and sometimes extreme views, including insulting women, black people and the LGBT community.

Source: NAN

By Max-Iyaye Samuel and Khadija Adamu

The Women trafficking and child labour eradication foundation (WOTCLEF) says it has rendered support to over 10,600 victims of trafficking in 19 years.

The founder, Chief Titi Abubakar stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the event to mark WOTCLEF 19th anniversary.

The theme of the celebrations is: Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation Reflections, Prospects and Challenges: Way Forward.

She explained that the support included sustainable micro-credit, entrepreneurship development and training programmes.

Abubakar said also that WOTCLEF successfully repatriated 52 victims from Ghana, Italy, Swaziland and rehabilitated 22 victims (16 females and 6 males) and sensitised 8230 Nigerian youths under the year reviewed.

WOTCLEF has done this through commitment to our operation conceptual framework 4Ps R (prevention, protection, policy, partnership and rehabilitation).

She explained further that WOTCLEF has not only replicated its structures and programmes nationwide, it has institutionalised and sustained the fight against trafficking in persons and forced labour.

WOTCLEF has also collaborated with international and local organizations also.

Abubakar expressed concerns that women and youths were still vulnerable to trafficking and forced labour through deception and coercion.

She used the opportunity to thank all of the partners for their assistance to WOTCLEF since inception.

we want to thank former president Olusegun Obasanjo for signing the bills into law. Today the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is a success national story.

We rely on them to sustain our present tempo of achievement and with NAPTIP which was established through a private bill initiated and sponsored by WOTCLEF, she added.

NAN reports that WOTCLEF was founded in 1999 by Abubakar and towards the eradication of trafficking in persons, and violent abuses of the rights of women and children.

Source: NAN