Nearly a century of marijuana prohibition came to an end Wednesday as Canada became the first major Western nation to legalise and regulate its sale and recreational use.

The change was praised by pot enthusiasts and investors in a budding industry that has seen pot stocks soar on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges, but sharply questioned by some health professionals and opposition politicians.

Were not legalising cannabis because we think its good for our health. Were doing it because we know its not good for our children, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on the eve of the reform.

We know we need to do a better job to protect our children and to eliminate or massively reduce the profits that go to organised crime.

The Cannabis Act, which fulfils a promise Trudeau made in the 2015 election campaign, makes Canada only the second nation after Uruguay to legalise the drug.

Its implementation will be scrutinised and dissected by Canadians ahead of the next election in 2019, as well as other nations that the prime minister has said may follow suit if the measure proves a success.

Trudeau himself admitted in 2013 to having smoked pot five or six times in his life, including at a dinner party with friends after being elected to parliament.

He has also said that his late brother Michel was facing marijuana possession charges for a tiny amount of pot before his death in an avalanche in 1998, and that this influenced his decision to propose legalising cannabis.

But Trudeaus office told AFP he does not plan on purchasing or consuming cannabis once it is legalised.

In total, Statistics Canada says 5.4 million Canadians will buy cannabis from legal dispensaries in 2018 about 15 percent of the population. Around 4.9 million already smoke.

Stores in St. Johns in the Atlantic island province of Newfoundland were due to open their doors to pot enthusiasts as of 12:01 am local time (0231 GMT) on Wednesday.

Im going to have a lot more variety than the black market dealers, so you have a lot more choice at our store. The prices are very comparable, Thomas Clarke, owner of THC Distribution store, told public broadcaster CBC just prior to the big event.

Under the new regulations, Canadians at least 18 or 19 years old (soon to be 21 in Quebec) will be allowed to buy up to 30 grams of cannabis, and grow up to four plants at home.

A patchwork of private and public cannabis retail stores and online sales have been set up across the 13 provinces and territories, ramping up to 300 storefronts by years end, the government predicts.

To meet demand, hundreds of growers have been licensed, some taking over horticulture and floriculture greenhouses.

This new industry has attracted billions in funding, as well as interest from alcohol and soft drink makers such as Constellation Brands and Coca-Cola, respectively, which have expressed an interest in developing cannabis infused drinks.

Cannabis sales are forecast to boost economic growth by up to Can$1.1 billion and provide a Can$400 million tax revenue windfall for the government, according to Statistics Canada.

Public health officials contend that smoking cannabis is as harmful as tobacco, but welcome what they call the opportunity that legalisation affords for open dialogue.

Some doctors, however, remain wary. Diane Kelsall, editor in chief of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, called legalisation a national, uncontrolled experiment in which the profits of cannabis producers and tax revenues are squarely pitched against the health of Canadians.

Police, meanwhile, are scrambling to prepare for a predicted uptick in drug-impaired driving.

Its unclear as yet if the new framework will succeed in undercutting the black market, as prices for illicit pot have plunged in the last year to an average of Can$6.79 per gram, and most sellers had planned to charge more.

Bill Blair, a former police chief in Toronto who is Trudeaus pointman for pot legalisation, remains optimistic.

For almost a century, criminal enterprises had complete control of this market, 100 percent of its production and distribution and they profited in the billions of dollars each year. I suspect theyre not going to go gently into the night, he told AFP.

But the fact that some individuals want to cling to a prohibition model that has led to the highest rates of cannabis use of any country in the world is a little shocking to me, he said.

According to a recent Abacus Data poll published on Monday, 70 percent of Canadians accept or support legalisation.

Source: NAN

Eight suspected ritualists arrested by the police in Ilorin Kwara state have confessed selling 31 human heads to some yet-to-be identified prominent personalities in the country.

They also confessed selling vital body parts for rituals and spiritual powers.

The suspects were busted by a Police Joint Investigative team, following the arrest of the principal suspect, Azeez Yakub, in whose house police found 11 human skulls, human bones, hairs, and powder suspected to be grinded human bones and charms.

Police searched Yakubs home on 5 October following reports of missing persons, kidnapping, murder, killings for rituals, and exhuming of the dead, removal of human skulls and other human parts.

According to police spokesman, deputy commissioner Jimoh Moshood, the Inspector General of Police on receipt of the situation report from the Kwara State Police Command immediately directed the IGP Monitoring Unit to proceed to Kwara State and assist the Kwara State Police Command in their investigation of the matter, arrest perpetrators to bring them to justice.

The Police Joint Investigation Team on arrival in Ilorin, Kwara State on the 5th of October, 2018 assisted by the personnel of D Divisional Police Headquarters, Adewole, Kwara Police Command, working on actionable intelligence from public spirited individuals in the area, swung into action, obtained search warrant and moved into the house of one Azeez Yakub.

Further investigations by the Special Team of the IGP Monitoring Unit led to the arrest of Seven other suspects, Azeez Yakub, Abdulrasaq Babamale, Aishat Yunisa, Lukman Saka, Ahmed Yahaya, Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin) Vigilante Commander, Adeta Zone, Ilorin, Soliu Ayinde a.k.a Baba Fawasi, Abdulganiyu Bamidele.

a.k.a Baba Muri (Principal Suspect) who is a notorious armed robber and had been arrested, charged to court and convicted to prison several times. This suspect now in Police custody has made confessional statement to the Police investigation Team. He confessed and admitted that one Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin), the vigilante commander in Adeta Zone, introduced him to the business and also supplies the human skulls and other body parts for him to sell. Eleven (11) Human skulls were recovered from his possession during police search on his residence.

The principal suspect confessed that Abdulfatai Kadri has brought to him Twenty (20) human skulls that he exhumed from the Ilorin Community Central Burial ground situated after Eid-praying ground in Ilorin.

He further admitted that Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin) usually brings in the human heads to him in batches of Four , six and eight for safe keeping and usually collect them within a day or two, and also informed him of the personalities in Ilorin and others he usually supplied the heads.

was mentioned by the Principal suspect, Azeez Yakub. Babamole was alleged to have bought one human skull from Yakub. Powder suspected to be pounded human bones was recovered in his possession. He has also confessed to the crime and admitted his role

was also mentioned by the principal suspect, Azeez Yakub to be a member of the gang. She deals in selling human body parts. During interrogation, she confessed and admitted to have supplied two human skulls she obtained from Azeez Yakub to one Ahmed Yahaya and Lukman Saka

were indicted in the confessional statement made by the Principal suspect, Azeez Yakub. They confessed to have bought two human skulls from the principal suspect through Aishat Yunusa. They ground the skulls for rituals.

is a vigilante Commander in Adeta Zone. He was indicted by the Principal suspect as the man who introduced him to the business of selling human body parts. He was also the supplier of human skulls and other body parts to Yakub. He is still being investigated on his criminal roles in the incident.

this suspect also in police custody confessed and admitted to be a member of the syndicate who receives human parts from both Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin) the Vigilante commander and Azeez Yakub the Principal suspect. In his possession was recovered human bones cut-off from the leg of one of their victims. He admitted to the Police investigators that the Principal suspect Azeez Yakub and Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin) are working together. At a time he requested for human skull from Azeez Yakub, in his presence, Azeez Yakub called Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin) to bring the human skull after collecting Fifteen Thousand Naira N15,000 from him.

: He confessed and admitted to buying human skull from the principal suspect, Azeez Yakub and supplying same to his friend one Kayode still at large

Source: NAN

As the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) digs deeper into the graft accusation against ex-governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, it has released photos of his properties.

The Spokesman for the Commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, released copies of the pictures on Wednesday.

According to him, the properties were uncovered while the anti-graft agency was investigating the allegations of corruption against the former governor.

He alleged that Mr Fayose purchased the property with the money he purportedly received from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

In the course of investigating corruption allegations against ex-governor Ayodele Fayose, especially the N1.3billion which he collected from the office of the National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, the Commission unearthed evidence that he laundered the funds into the acquisition of properties in choice locations in Abuja and Lagos, Mr Wilson alleged.

The EFCC released the pictures a day after the former governor arrived at its head office in Abuja, in company with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and a former minister, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, among other well-wishers.

Fayose had in September promised to report at the anti-corruption agencys office after handing over government to his successor, Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Mr. Lere Olayinka, the media aide to Fayose, says his boss has since denied the allegations and insisted that he should be charged to court.

Today is his second day in EFCC custody and I can say that his spirit is high, and his will remains very strong, he said on Wednesday.

Olayinka: The commission has started its usual lies by claiming that it discovered houses bought by Fayose with public fund.

Nigerians should recall that in 2016, operatives of this same EFCC attempted to seal up a guest house located at Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, claiming that it belonged to Fayose. Whereas, the building belonged to a retired Army general.

Source: NAN

Community Excellence and Development Initiative, (CEDI), a leading community healthcare giver, has flagged-off safe water sensitization and awareness campaign as solution to preventable diseases.

The NGO, started taking the message to students of schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday.

According to the Executive Director of CEDI, Mr. Israel Onuvae, the group is partnering with public schools to address rising cases of preventable health issues among school age children.

Tagged Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, (WASH), the campaign articulates awareness and communication delivery packages to sensitize school children.

The campaign is to make the children to imbibe the value and habit of safe water use and hygiene.

According to Onuvae, the World Health Organization, (WHO), estimates that a significant part of the rising incidence of under-nutrition in children is caused by lack of access to safe water as well as poor sanitary conditioning.

He acknowledged that access to safe water and sanitation are obligatory human rights issues to which billions of people across the world lack coverage.

He hinted that experts have attributed 40 per cent of cases of diarrhoea among children to the lack of access to safe water and quality sanitation.

The campaign supports the efforts of stakeholders especially foreign programme partners, funding agencies, in scaling up access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools.

CEDI believes that the campaign has the potential to impact the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs), especially the SDG 3 and 6 that promote healthy lives and well-being for all ages in addition to ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation.

The head teacher of LEA Primary School, Kuchigoro, Mr. Sarki Zachariah, host to the inaugural event, expressed relief at the introduction of the campaign.

He was hopeful that the campaign would have a positive impact in school attendance as well as improve the health of my students and teachers.

The CEO of ZAFTA-MED clinic, Salako Medinat, demonstrated for the students and teachers the required daily water and hygiene practices that guarantee health.

The event attracted over 200 participants from the civil society, the FCT educational board as well as family healthcare delivery professionals.

Source: NAN

Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt will not feature in A-League Central Coast Mariners opening game away to Brisbane Roar on Sunday, as he is yet to lock down a contract.

However, he and Keisuke Honda remain the high profile poster boys as the competition aims to reverse dwindling ticket sales and tumbling TV ratings when it returns on Friday.

Football chiefs are hoping the arrival of big names like sprint star Bolt will perk up interest after a slump in recent years, while Melbourne Victory look a strong candidate to defend their title.

But his sheer presence has been enough to generate significant added interest in the competition and a club that finished bottom of the ladder last season.

The Mariners, who have lacked a genuine goal scorer in recent years, are hoping to fare better this time round. Along with Bolt, they have enticed Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack on a loan deal, who will partner Socceroos marksman Tommy Oar up front.

McCormack, a Scottish international who has also played for Rangers and Fulham, scored 14 goals in just 17 appearances for Melbourne City during a similar loan spell last season.

I really want to be a part of something, he said. We need to get the Mariners back up the table, where they belong.

Kevin Muscats Victory four-time champions are the team to beat after edging Newcastle Jets 1-0 to win the final last year.

Ominously they have recruited Japans former AC Milan striker Honda one of the highest profile names in Asian football to lead their line.

The talismanic 32-year-old had been a free agent since departing Mexican club Pachuca.

Swedish international Ola Toivonen, who like Honda played at the World Cup in Russia, has also been signed by Victory, who have a blockbuster derby clash against Melbourne City on Saturday.

Winning is the objective, well work out a way that is going to best suit us and in the Victory manner, I want it to be exciting, I want it to be attacking, said Muscat.

Sydney FC, under new coach Steve Corica who took over after Graham Arnold left to become the new Socceroos boss, travel to Adelaide United for their season opener.

Their attacking stocks have been boosted by the arrival of former Bolton Wanderers centre-forward Adam Le Fondre, who takes the place of the prolific Bobo who netted 27 times in 28 games for the Sky Blues last season.

In other games, Wellington Phoenix host the Jets and Perth Glory take on Western Sydney Wanderers.

Source: NAN

Dennis Hof, a brothel-owning Republican candidate for Americas Nevada state legislature who died this week will remain on the ballot and win his election in November, his campaign manager has predicted.

Hof, 72, who died on Tuesday, styled himself as Americas best-known pimp and a strip-club owner who ran multiple brothels. He had nicknamed himself the Trump from Pahrump, after the town where he lived in Nevada.

I feel very comfortable predicting that he is still going to win the election on November 6, campaign manager Chuck Muth said in an interview, adding Republicans had a 2-to-1 advantage over Democrats in the state Assembly district in terms of voter registration.

Hof was running for a seat in a heavily Republican district and had been favoured to win.

If he is elected, the Reno Gazette Journal reported, the vacancy that spans constituencies in multiple counties will be filled via a joint meeting process headed by county commissioners.

The Democratic candidate for the seat, Lesia Romanov, was not immediately available for comment.

There are a lot of Republicans who were uncomfortable voting for Dennis because of the nature of his business and they now know that he is not the one who will be serving, Muth said.

They will feel much more comfortable casting the ballot for him knowing there will be another Republican to replace him, he added.

In a June interview from one of his brothels, Hof said his political fortunes had parallels with those of U.S. President Donald Trump.

This really is the Trump movement, Hof said in the interview at Moonlite BunnyRanch, his brothel near his home in Pahrump. People will set aside for a moment their moral beliefs, their religious beliefs, to get somebody that is honest in office.

After Hof won the June nominating contest for the state Assembly seat, some evangelicals in his district said they had voted for him because they believed he would clean up politics and not be beholden to special-interest groups and their money.

The thrice-divorced author of The Art of the Pimp, who appeared on HBOs Cathouse, owned a strip club and five legal brothels in Nevada, the only U.S. state with legalised prostitution.

Source: NAN

Sprint superstar Usain Bolt has turned down a contract from Maltese champions Valletta and will remain in Australia to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer, his agent said Thursday.

The eight-time Olympic champion has been on trial with A-League club the Central Coast Mariners since arriving Down Under in August.

He scored two goals in a pre-season friendly last Friday but is yet to be offered a deal, with cashed-up Valletta dangling a two-year trial-free contract to entice him away earlier this week.

But Bolts agent Ricky Simms said he had opted against a move to the Maltese Premier League team, which is backed by a group of investors from the Sanban Group in the United Arab Emirates.

There is a lot of interest in Usain playing football, he told ESPN.

We regularly receive similar approaches. I can confirm Usain does not wish to pursue this opportunity in Malta.

Valletta chief executive Ghasston Slimen told the broadcaster: We wish Usain Bolt all the best with his football career. The Valletta FC offer is always on the table.

Australias domestic A-League season starts this weekend, with the Mariners in action on Sunday away to Brisbane Roar. With no contract, Bolt is not eligible for selection.

Club chief executive Shaun Mielekamp said this week the Jamaican will continue his indefinite training period until any further notice.

Reports suggest the Mariners are waiting for governing body Football Federation Australia to decide whether it will contribute to a potential Aus$3 million (US$2.1 million) offer to the 100m world record holder.

Sydneys Daily Telegraph on Thursday reported Bolt and Mielekamp sat down for a coffee in the wake of the Malta offer for clarity on his future.

It said the 32-year-old, who regards Australia as a second home, might consider accepting less money if it means locking in a contract.

Coach Mike Mulvey was reluctant Thursday to talk about Bolt, saying he was not involved in contract negotiations.

Im really not interested in it (contract speculation) to tell you the truth, he told reporters.

Hes been great among the guys and I was very happy for him last week with the two goals he scored, but we move on.

Mariners captain Matt Simon dismissed suggestions the chronicles of Bolt were distracting the squad ahead of their A-League opener.

Hes been here for a couple of months now, so everywhere we go with Usain, everyones talking about him, Simon said.

Weve just been down to business, concentrating on the season and putting into practice what weve been doing at training for the last 12 weeks.

Bolt, who retired from athletics last year, has previously tried out with clubs in Germany, South Africa and Norway to no avail.

Source: NAN

Arsene Wenger has indicated he will be back in football management at the start of 2019, but he did not disclose where it will be.

I believe that Ill start again on January 1, he told the German newspaper Bild . I dont know yet where Im headed. I am rested, and I am ready to work again.

There are associations, national teams; it could be also in Japan.

Thanks to my 22 years at Arsenal, I have big experience on different levels. There are enquiries from all over the world.

The Frenchman is yet to take up a new position since leaving Arsenal at the end of last season.

Wenger, 68, spent 22 years in north London and there had been suggestions he would now look to retire.

Wenger spent a year in Japan with Nagoya Grampus Eight before his move to Arsenal.

He has also been linked with a move to PSG, working alongside boss Thomas Tuchel in a general manager capacity.

Source: NAN

When Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho returns on Saturday to Stamford Bridge to face former club Chelsea, much would not have changed about him regarding his recent comments.

He had said its not about me after his teams thrilling comeback win over Newcastle United, but this is unlikely to be heeded this time.

Mourinhos words, spoken after United fans chanted his name in appreciation of the 3-2 victory, may have reflected a weariness at the constant focus on his position at Old Trafford.

But the spotlight will unavoidably be on the Portuguese again.

The manner of Uniteds win, with three goals in the final 20 minutes of all-out attacking football, has raised the question of whether he will change.

The change is for him to embrace a more positive style of play.

Nothing in Mourinhos history suggests that is likely and the prospect of facing Maurizio Sarris in-form team at Stamford Bridge is a strong deterrent against a cavalier approach.

Second-placed Chelsea are unbeaten, level on points with champions Manchester City and challengers Liverpool and with their Belgian forward Eden Hazard in scintillating form they will start as clear favourites.

Manchester United are already seven points behind the leading trio, having lost to Brighton and Hove Albion and West Ham United on the road and Tottenham Hotspur at home.

Surely, Mourinho will be keen to ensure they avoid defeat in west London.

Chelsea have not lost at home to United since October 2012, losing just two of the 16 meetings between the two since then.

Mourinho has suffered four defeats in six games against his former club since taking over at United.

But, as he reminded the media in his recent demand for more respect, Mourinho won three Premier League titles in his two spells as Chelsea manager.

The former Porto and Real Madrid boss has never been afraid to play defensively when visiting top rivals.

So, for all the hope that he might try to replicate the gung-ho second half display against Newcastle United, it would be no surprise if he were to revert to type on Saturday.

Manchester City will expect to pick up three points at home to a Burnley side that will feature former City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

City have not lost at home to the Clarets since 1963 and have lost once in their last 19 meetings in all competitions.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp will also be expecting maximum points when he faces off with close friend David Wagner as the Reds travel to Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Huddersfield are 18th in the table, have yet to win during this campaign and have managed to score only four goals.

Fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur visit London rivals West Ham on Saturday while in-form Arsenal host Leicester on Monday looking for a 10th successive victory in all competitions.

Sundays game features Everton at home to Crystal Palace.

Source: NAN

By Doris Esa

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has winged another combat pilot, Flying Officer Salihu Usman, in Abuja.

This brings to 91 the number of winged pilots in three years.

Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that Usman recently completed his Basic Fighter Introduction Course (BFIC) in the U.S.

He added that: The Chief of the Air Staffs quest to re-professionalise the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) through capacity building initiatives have received a further boost with the winging of another young NAF combat pilot, Flying Officer Salihu Usman.

This is besides the 67 NAF officers who are currently undergoing flying training in various flying institutions both within and outside the country.

It is, therefore, expected that by this time next year, the total number of new pilots would reach an unprecedented 158 in just 4 years.

More remarkably, among the 67 student pilots, is the first female NAF student fighter pilot, who is currently undergoing Specialised Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) in the USA.

Another female student pilot is undergoing helicopter training in South Africa to become the first female helicopter pilot in the NAF, Daramola said.

He said that the newly winged pilot was admitted into the NDA in August 2010 as a member of 62nd Regular Combatant Course, where he obtained a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

As the best Air Force Cadet in his course, he was nominated for IOT Course, at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell UK after which he was commissioned into the NAF as a Pilot Officer.

Thereafter, Flying Officer Usman was nominated for the SUPT where he earned the U.S. Air Force Silver Wing.

Upon successful completion of the SUPT Course with outstanding performance, the USAF found him worthy of recommendation for the Basic Fighter Introduction Course (BFIC).

He has a total of 265 flying hours on the Cessna 172, T-6A and T-38C aircraft types, Daramola said.

He said that Abubakar had expressed delight to receive the pilot back from the U.S. and congratulated him for his outstanding performances during the SUPT and BFIC.

The CAS noted that the young pilot was returning to the country at a time when the NAF, with the kind support of the Federal Government was about to receive additional combat platforms in the shape of the A-29 Super Tucano and JF-17 Thunder Multi-Role Fighter.

He said the CAS noted that these new platforms would improve NAFs ability to more effectively respond to national security imperatives.

Source: NAN

By Nathan Nwakamma

A coalition of leaders from nine states of the Niger Delta on Wednesday criticised ongoing smear campaign targeted at Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

The leaders, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa, said that unwarranted attacks to tarnish the image of Kachikwu were unacceptable.

A Niger Delta activist, Prince Tonye Jemenimiema, said that frivolous allegations of operating a foreign account while holding a public office was laughable and mischievous.

He said that Kachikwu had a fruitful career in the international oil sector spanning several decades and worked in many countries before he rose to become a Vice President at Exxonmobil before his appointment.

Jemenimiema who is also President Niger Delta Youth for Practical Development noted that the attempt by certain interest groups to discredit Kachikwu who is performing creditably in the oil and gas sector was regrettable.

The youth leader said it was an irony that Kachikwu, who midwifed reforms in the downstream sector of the oil industry and brokered peace in Niger Delta that stabilised oil production, could be targeted by critics.

He said that the region would not condone further attacks on the Minister whose laudable polices had translated to transparency in the oil sector adding that those affected by Kachikwus reforms were behind the attacks.

It is interesting that the cabal is out again, masquerading in another disguise with bogus allegations to demonise the gentle, God fearing and upright personality in the face of the public.

This is a man who brought transparency and orderliness to the system. One may ask what is the reputation of the faceless group behind these spurious allegations and campaign of calumny.

What have they contributed towards the advancement of the country?

We trust that the frivolous litigation will fall like a pack of cards and the judiciary will not sacrifice the innocent for the wicked.

We are very worried and concerned over the safety of our brother; who knows if such evil collaborators may resort to going after his life.

We know Kachikwu is innocent and must not bow to any pressure to bend him, Jemenimiema said.

Also Pastor Tiedor Olayinka, President, Niger Delta Youths Coalition for Peace and Progress, berated those who felt envious and intimidated by Kachikwus verifiable records.

Those affected by the reforms carried out under Kachikwu are the ones operating behind the scene to cause Kachikwus downfall.

The steady attacks on Kachikwus hard earned reputation is one too many. They say when you want to kill a dog you hang him a bad name. Who is desperate to take Kachikwus office?

Who is offended by his giant strides as reforming the sector and bringing sanity to the once ailing industry?

It is evident that result achieved by the current administration is traceable to Kachikwu.

If it is not degree classification it is now baseless and unfounded allegations asking a man who rose up to the rank of Vice President of a multinational oil firm why he is operating foreign account.

These have to stop, Olayinka said.

He urged the public to be wary of groups whose stock in trade was to spread malicious false allegations against public office holders to blackmail them to succumb to their demands for gratification.

He urged the federal government to scrutinise those making allegations merely to attract attention and sanction them if investigation showed that such allegations were false.

Source: NAN

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday ordered shutdown of the crossings between Gaza and Israel after Gaza militants fired rockets at Israel, a statement released by the Defence Ministry said.

According to the statement, Lieberman instructed the military to shut down the Erez Crossing, the only pedestrian passage between the besieged Palestinian enclave and Israel, and the Kerem Shalom Crossing, a passage for goods.

Lieberman also imposed further restrictions on the allowed fishing zone in Gaza.

The moves were retribution to rockets fired from Gaza at southern Israel earlier on Wednesday.

One rocket hit a residential home in the southern city of Beersheba, causing damage.
Two people were injured as they ran to seek cover. Another rocket fell in the sea across central Israel shores.

In response, Israel launched a wide-scale air attack, targeting Hamas sites, according to the military.

At least one Palestinian was killed by the strikes and three others were injured, local media reported.

The escalation came after weeks of tensions. Gazans have been holding demonstrations near the fence separating Gaza from Israel since March 30, to protest blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt.

The protest includes occasional launching of helium-filled balloons to set fires in southern Israels arid farmlands.

Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes in Gaza on Wednesday morning after rockets were launched from the besieged Palestinian enclave, with one hitting a home in southern Israel.

At this time IDF (Israel Defence Forces) fighter jets started attacking terror targets in the Gaza Strip, a military spokesperson said in a statement just before 7 a.m. l (0400 a.m. GMT).

At least three people were injured in the strikes on Gaza, according to local media.
A police spokesman said a rocket fired by militants from Gaza struck a residential home in the city of Beer Sheva in southern Israel.

A spokesman for Magen David Adom medical emergency service said a mother and her three children whose home was struck were being treated for shock.

He said that two other people were injured during a panic to seek cover when the projectile triggered sirens across the city.

Later, another rocket fell short in the sea across the shore of central Israel, causing no damage or injuries, according to the police.

The municipality of Beer Sheva said that in the wake of the strike, all of the citys schools and kindergartens would remain closed Wednesday.

The rocket attack was one of the first in months and came amidst renewed tensions between Israel and Hamas.

The fire came less than a day after Lieberman said his country should deliver a serious blow to Gaza Strips Hamas.

Source: NAN

By Lucy Nwachukwu

The Federal Government has redirected applicants on a new Basic Registry and Information System in Nigeria (BRISIN) Employment Portal to be used for the recruitment application.

Dr Anthony Uwa, the Head of BRISIN Implementation told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja that it had become necessary following the difficulty applicants encountered using the previous portal.

Uwa said the difficulties were as a result of some technical issues which would soon be resolved.

He said applicants who had started the application process should not be alarmed as they would be able to complete the exercise using the new portal.

He urged applicants that rather than using the website www.brisin.gov.ng initially advertised, they should use

Please be informed that the brisin recruitment registration which before now has been on www.brisin.gov.ng is beingre-channelled to which is the BRISIN Employment Data Base portal.

The reason is that BRISIN is building the first comprehensive data base to include both employed and unemployed with job identifications and verifications.

For this reason, www.brisin.gov.ng cannot be used for the recruitment as there has been a little technical break which is being rectified and will be back soon.

The www.brisin.gov.ng will continue its role on information to public on the importance and benefit of BRISIN to Nigeria and its citizens.

We apologiae for the inconveniences this delay could havecaused applicants, Uwa said.

NAN reports thatBRISIN is an integrated system for the collection, storage and distribution of information to support the management of the economy.

The Federal Government recently opened the portal for the recruitment of 5,000 unemployed Nigerians in the FCT in the pilot phase to drive the implementation of the scheme.

Source: NAN

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on Wednesday, presented a budget proposal of N367, 095,083,451 to the State House of Assembly for the 2019 fiscal year.

The budget projected N209, 999,054,198, 57.21 for capital expenditure while N157, 096,029,253, 42.79 per cent was earmarked for recurrent expenditure.

The 2019 proposal had an increment of N59 billion from the 2018 Budget which was N308,888,558,898 (three hundred and eight billion, eight hundred and eighty-eight million, five hundred and fifty-eight thousand, eight hundred and ninety-eight naira).

Presenting the budget to the Delta State House of Assembly presided by Speaker, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Okowa disclosed that the projected 2019 budget titled: Budget of sustainable growth, would enable his administration consolidate on the successes and achievements.

Itemsing some of the achievements, Okowa said: Despite the fluctuating fortunes of the economy in the last three-and-half years, I humbly note that our State has continued to forge ahead.

Workers are paid regularly, thousands of previously unemployed youths are gainfully employed, and many of our people now enjoy better facilities in terms of roads, water, education and health.

Agriculture has received a strong boost with many cluster farms springing up in different parts of the State and, even more importantly, our people remain committed to peace and harmonious living, he said.

We shall build on this stable growth to position Delta State as a dynamic economy for the future; indeed, a Stronger Delta beckons.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that road construction and education are to gulp 29 per cent of the budget, with roads getting N79.6 billion while the Education Sector would gulp the sum of N26.8 billion.

Source: NAN

By Muhammad Nasir Bello

A member of Sokoto State House of Assembly Alhaji Muhammad Bashir, who lost in the bid to secure the All Progressive Congress (APC) ticket for the House of Representatives, has dumped the party.

Bashir said on the floor of the assembly on Wednesday in Sokoto that he has now shifted loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bashir was beaten in the primary for Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency by Alhaji Abubakar Yabo.

I wish to formally announce my defection from the APC to PDP as provided by Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he said.

Reacting on the development, Alhaji Sani Yakubu (APC-Gudu), said the member had been hobnobbing with the PDP for long, adding,so this defection has not come to us as a surprise.

Yakubu disclosed that even after Bashir lost the ticket for the federal constituency, the APC still returned his state Assembly ticket for him to contest.

We wish him well in his new political party, and want to assure APC members in his constituency that his departure will translate into huge success for our party, he said.

Source: NAN

By EricJames Ochigbo

A former Governor of Anambra, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife on Wednesday said the choice of Peter Obi as the running mate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2019 Presidential flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar, was a welcome development.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Ezeife described the reaction of those aggrieved over Obis selection as shameful.

It will be recalled that some politicians including governors of the South Eastern region of the country challenged the selection, saying that they were not consulted before Obi was selected.

Ezeife said that all Nigerians, Igbos and non-Igbos, were very happy because Obi, also a former governor of Anambra, was the kind of politician the country needed.

According to him, Peter is economical and does not waste money, he knows management and he is a thorough business man.

A very few people thought they would have been picked to be Atikus running mate.\

To the extent that they called a meeting in Enugu and at the end, they were not ashamed to announce that they did not come out with any decision, Ezeife said.

The former governor said that some Igbo elders were in his residence in Abuja and they were all complaining and condemning the actions of those politicians.

While congratulating Obi, Atiku and all Nigerians, the elder statesman said that no improvement could be made in the choice of a vice president made by Atiku.

I see a ray of light in our society. This Atikus nomination and the atmosphere at the PDP convention in Port Harcourt showed it clearly.

People had expected that after the convention, there would be implosion but the way it went and the matured speech of the winner changed the game, he said.

Going into 2019 general elections, Ezeife urged all Nigerians to work together for the progress of the country.

The former governor said that there were too many divisions along economic, ethnic and religious lines and it was not helpful to the nation, adding that God had given Nigeria a great destiny.

He described Nigerians as successful people filled with the motivation for achievements and the determination to succeed.

According to him, an ordinary Nigerian wants his children to surpass his achievements and the moment we stop pulling ourselves down, Nigeria will rise.

He said that the minority tribes should raise their voices as they were now equal to every other tribe and would have great impact in the 2019 general elections.

Ezeife whose 80th birthday will come up on Nov. 21, urged the youths to go about spreading love and wishing people well in order to live long.

Source: NAN

Presidential Aide, Senator Ita Enang says plans have been concluded for the establishment of a Court of Appeal in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Enang made this known in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mr Essien Inyang on Monday in Abuja.

According to the statement, Enang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters(Senate), revealed this at a lecture in Uyo.

Enang in a lecture titled, Strengthening the Judiciary for Effective Justice Delivery through Financial Autonomy 2018/ 2019 Legal Year, said the judiciary in Nigeria must be strengthened to ensure effective dispensation of justice to all and sundry.

Let me say by way of a loud rumour that by Gods Grace, this state will soon have Court of Appeal, Uyo Judicial Division approved, gazetted and commencing sittings.

We have answered all questions that gets this set on the table, Enang said.

Enang who said he played a prominent role in the establishment of the Federal High Court and National Industrial Court in the state, expressed belief that the proposed Court of Appeal would bring justice closer to the people of Akwa Ibom State.

According to him, for the judiciary to function effectively, there is need for the full implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary, and referenced the presidential assent on the financial autonomy for the judiciary and legislature.

By assent granted by President Muhammadu Buhari, on June 7, 2018 to the Constitution, 4th Alteration No.4, 2018, Constitutional effect was again given to the Judiciary and Legislative Arms of Government financial status.

The said amendment provides: 2. Section 121 of the principal Act is altered by substituting for subsection (3), a new subsection (3:) Any amount standing to the credit of the House of Assembly of the State; and Judiciary.

In the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state shall be paid directly to the said bodies respectively; in the case of Judiciary, such amount shall be paid directly to the heads of the courts concerned.

This Act may be cited as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fourth Alteration No. 4) Act 2017.

Earlier Amendment and implementation include judiciary pronouncements related to the judiciary only, but the latest Buhari amendment encompasses the Legislative Houses.

Enang, said the continued dependence of the Judiciary on the Executive arms for its budgeting and funds release is directly responsible for the present state of underfunding of the Judiciary, poor and inadequate judicial infrastructure and low morale among judicial personnel.

He added that this has led to alleged corruption in the judiciary, delays-in administration of justice and judicial services delivery and general low quality and poor out-put by the judiciary.

Enang frowned at instances where state governors opposed judicial and legislative autonomy.

He said, I have laid out the above in detail to enable the audience appreciate how well the judiciary in this state as well as other states would have done as the Federal Judiciary has done if it were allowed financial autonomy by the state governors.

He called for synergy between the judiciary and the legislative arms, adding that the Presidency has been working and will soon unveil the modalities for implementation of the autonomy for judiciary and legislature as one sure step at restructuring.

Source: NAN

The British royal family has announced that Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is pregnant with her first baby for husband, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the news was disclosed on the palaces official twitter handle- @kensingtonRoyal on Monday.

It reads: Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019.

The announcement comes five months after Meghan wed Prince Harry in a glittery ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Prince Harry, 33, Queen Elizabeths grandson and fifth-in-line to the British throne, got married on 19th of May to Meghan Markle, 36, a U.S. actress, best known for her role in the U.S. TV legal drama Suits. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, has inaugurated the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, a new corps to protect its data/network against cyber attack and curb terrorism.

He also launched an app that Nigerian citizens can download to pass information to the military authorities.

Buratai said the Cyber Operations Centre, at the army headquarters in Abuja, would also boost the armys online presence in the fight against fake news targeted at it with counter narratives and cyber operations.

He added that cyber warfare is the fifth domain of warfare after Land, Sea, Air and Space.Therefore, this project would not have come at a better time than now.

Buratai, therefore, stressed the need for the army to embark on data protection and Information Warfare to curb online radicalisation, as well as other terrorist activities perpetrated on the internet.

According to him, the intrinsic features of cyberspace can be easily exploited for information warfare by actors with malicious intent to plant and disseminate fake news and instruct paid users to spread online manipulated content.

This is done to degrade debates with diverging truths, deceive, distract and misinform public opinion.

This can eventually disorient and corroborate a sense of doubt among the public, or shape the opinion of a specific target audience on a certain issue.

Hostile actors in cyberspace are also willing and capable of leveraging the variety of tools allowed by computer network operations and computational propaganda to influence public opinion to a degree that old-fashioned Psychology Operations could only dream of.

The above statement accurately demonstrates the real threat of information warfare and the need to combat it with information knowledge.

The army chief charged personnel of the new corps which he said was first in Africa, to equip themselves with digital forensics capabilities to be able to handle cases of identity theft and generate immediate incidence response.

He added that furthermore, I encourage you to routinely survey the dark web/darknet and carry out analysis that may help the Nigerian army to be proactive in the cyber realm.

Buratai noted that in recent times, the military had been inundated with several complaints regarding claims bothering on the unprofessional conducts of some of its personnel in the field.

Consequently, he said, the army took it upon itself to create an avenue for the public to submit complaints and information directly to the appropriate authority without third party interference.

He said the avenue is an application that will allow users to relay information anonymously to the Nigerian Army.

It enables citizens to give timely information to the army, thereby facilitating quick response.

Additionally, crimes against the constitution perpetrated by serving personnel can be directly reported to the army, while keeping the person involved abreast with actions taken as regards a submitted complain.

The link to the application will be publicly available on the Nigerian Army Facebook page, while the application can be assessed through our website and on apps freely available on various app stores.

The chief of army staff added that users could submit a report, as well as attach uploads that would aid the authority in carrying out necessary actions.

Source: NAN

Literary giant, Prof Niyi Osundare on Monday tasked Governor Kayode Fayemi to use his second coming to fight poverty and moral decadence in the state and restore long held values of Ekiti people.

Osundare described former Governor Ayodele Fayose as a demagogue who pounced on the moral degradation in the state to promote stomach infrastructure as a fundamental policy of state.

Osundare spoke in Ado Ekiti on Monday while delivering an inauguration lecture entitled: Reclaiming Our Land, Restoring our Ekiti of Our Dream, in honour of the governor elect, who will be sworn in Tuesday to succeed Fayose, whose four-year tenure expired midnight Monday.

He bemoaned how Fayose, by his conduct and utterances, made the globe to brand Ekiti people, who had hitherto been known to be highly knowledgeable, as people who have no values.

He urged Fayemi to clean the Augean stable by instituting policies that would combat poverty and all forms of social ills that had crept into Ekiti through the actions of compromising politicians.

Ekiti are people that place priority on knowledge , wisdom. They know the values of these virtues. They were regarded as extremely stubborn people because they wont compromise their integrity for anything

There were times when education was a pride and we had the brightest academics like: the late Professor Sam Aluko, Professor Adegoke Olubunmo, Chief Afe Babalola, Prof. Ojo Ugbole, and many others

We placed values on hard work, knowledge acquisition and our parents sold their farms and clothes to send their children to school. They knew the rights from the wrongs at that time

But there came a demagogue who ran authoritarian government in Ekiti in a manner that had never been experienced by any State in Nigeria.

He stopped at market places to buy roasted corn and ate in public places just to deceive the people when majority of our graduates were not provided with jobs and farm products were wasting away and our value system collapsed calamitously

Education that was regarded as our best industry was not well funded and our graduates that had earlier been regarded as the best in Nigeria for decades became practically half-baked and unemployable. Book and elitist thinking were his enemies

The culture of stomach infrastructure was introduced and Ekiti became a laughing stock . How populism manifests itself and the politician banked on the vulnerability in the system to mislead our youths

With Fayemi coming on board, he needs to tackle poverty and reenact value reorientation in Ekiti. He must come with policies and programme of actions that will prohibit miracle centres where students passed without reading and make Ekiti vegetation centre of knowledge

His (Fayemi) nose and ears must be closed to the grounds, he must be close to the people and eradicate ignorance and poverty that make our people to believe in stomach infrastructure.

This is your(Fayemi) second chance and significant opportunity to rewrite your name in gold and make significant impacts on the lives of Ekiti people for real restoration of our value system, Osundare stated..

Source: NAN