Paul Allen, a co-founder of Microsoft has died at 65 from complications of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the bodys immune system.

His family made the obituary announcement in a statement on Monday through his sister Jody Allen.

My brother was a remarkable individual on every level. While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend.

Pauls family and friends were blessed to experience his wit, warmth, his generosity and deep concern. For all the demands on his schedule, there was always time for family and friends. At this time of loss and grief for us and so many others we are profoundly grateful for the care and concern he demonstrated every day.

Allen was also owner of the NFLs Seattle Seahawks and NBAs Portland Trail Blazers

He announced on October 1st that the cancer he had defeated in 2009 had returned.

Ive begun treatment

Kano state government has discredited the trending video portraying Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje collecting some dollars as bribe from a contractor.

Commissioner of Information, Youths and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba described the video as a cloned work, distorted and disjointed and calculated to discredit Ganduje.

Garba said the unidentified source is a serial blackmailer and extorter, adding that government will seek redress in court.

The Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is challenging the implausible and eccentric posting of the cloned video that went viral in a court of law considering the gravity of the caricature, which indicates the extent to which mischievous elements can go to discredit public figures by wielding non-existent scandals against them.

A mere observation of the cloned video clearly shows that the video is doctored and disjointed with no material facts or evidence to prove the allegations, other than a callous attempt to tarnish the hard earned image of the office and the person of the Governor.

The Governor of Kano State wishes to once again emphatically debunk the allegation of receiving gratification of $5Million or any amount whatsoever from any person or body.

It is important to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that the alleger is a serial blackmailer and extorter. We are also aware that the hidden motive is to reduce the popularity of the Governor and consequently affect the anticipated quantum of APC votes from Kano in the 2019 general elections.

While the state government is taking the legal action, we wish to assure the good people of Kano that His Excellency will remain focus and continue with laudable programmes that will add value to the lives of the people of Kano State. We also call on the general public, especially members of the APC to remain calm and always be law abiding.

Source: NAN

The Nigerian Army has arrested an informant and killed some armed bandits in some troubled areas in Kaduna state.

The 1 Division Nigerian Army Kaduna, on Sunday killed armed bandit in Kidandan and arrested an informant at Doka-Rijana road both in Birnin Gawri and Kachia Local Government area in Kaduna State.

The 1 Division, Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Col. Muhammad Dole said in Kaduna on Sunday that the troops acted under Operation Whirl Punch continue to clear bandits, kidnappers, recover arms and destroy their camps.

He also disclosed that in another successful operation, a combined effort between the troops and local vigilante group raided an identified camp in Kidandan general area.

As a result, one bandit was neutralised, others escaped with gun shots injuries and one AK 47 rifle with 25 rounds of 7.62mm Special was recovered.

Dole said acting on reliable information on activities of kidnappers at Unguwar Maigwari, troops swung into action, raided an identified kidnappers camps along Doka Rijana Road.

The Camps were discovered to have been littered with emptied alcoholic bottles, used syringes and some narcotic substances.

During the raid, one informant was arrested and three Dane guns were recovered. he said

The spokesman said on Oct. 9, troops launched raid operation in Kamuku Forest where bandits used to harbour and plan their nefarious activities.

Several bandits were killed and the camps destroyed.

He, however, said the troops under OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH will continue to raid all suspected camps and maintain aggressive patrols in order to ensure safety of lives and properties of the innocent citizens.

The level of cooperation and support from the locals is highly appreciated and they are urged to sustain it so as to be able to eliminate the criminals in our midst. Dole said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a socio-political organisation of the North, has split over former President Olusegun Obasanjos declaration and endorsement of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, PDPs presidential candidate for 2019 election.

ACF reacted to its General Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sanis description of Obasanjo as suffering from a dearth of vision, conviction and consistency required of a statesman, reports.

The northern organisation has suddenly realised that it was not in the character of the forum to attack the views of former Nigerian leaders.

It is not in the character of the forum to attack the views of former Nigerian leaders.

It is not in the character of ACF to attack the views or opinion of the former president and elder statesmen of Chief Obasanjos status on national issues in such uncomplimentary manner.

Chief Obasanjo as an elder statesman is entitled to his opinion on all issues including democracy, as he had previously endorsed presidential candidates.

The reaction to Sanis remarks was made by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, on Sunday, said.

Biu said that the purported interview granted by Sani was his personal views.

`It is not in the character of ACF to attack the views or opinion of the former president and elder statesmen of Chief Obasanjos status on national issues in such uncomplimentary manner, Chief Obasanjo as an elder statesman is entitled to his opinion on all issues including democracy, as he had previously endorsed presidential candidates.

ACF, therefore, dissociates itself from the contents of that interview granted by Mr Anthony Sani as it was not the position of ACF.

The views expressed by Anthony Sani were his personal views as an individual. For the avoidance of doubt, all ACF official statements on any matter come through and from the National Publicity Secretary only.

According to the , Sani attacked Obasanjos endorsement of former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,

He said Obasanjo is suffering from a dearth of vision and conviction required of a statesman.

Sani, an elder statesman, however noted that with the level of Obasanjos inconsistency, he may change his mind again and withdraw his support for Atiku before 2019.

Sani said Obasanjo as a statesman is expected to be an embodiment of national ideals and moral values for the nation.

He said that the way Obasanjo has conducted himself by tearing his PDPs card and saying he would no more play partisan politics and forming a movement which he said is third force only for him to convert it to a political party of ADC, culminating in the endorsement of former Vice President Atiku reeks of inconsistency which comes with a dearth of vision and conviction required of a statesman.

It is democracy in action which at once confirms the saying that the only thing that is permanent in politics is interest; no permanent friends or enemies.

If you consider what the former President has written about his former Vice President Abubakar Atiku to the extent of saying God would not forgive him if he endorsed Atiku for president, then you can hardly avoid the conclusion that common decency is yet to take root in our democracy, especially when regard is paid to the place of the former president in the order of things in Nigeria.

President Obasanjo is a statesman who is expected to be an embodiment of national ideals and moral values for the nation. But the way he has conducted himself by tearing his PDP card and saying he would no more play partisan politics and forming a movement which he said is third force only for him to convert it to a political party of ADC, culminating in the endorsement of former VP Atiku reeks of inconsistency that comes with dearth of vision and conviction required of statesmen.

That may explain why most Nigerians may be curt and dismissive of the former president out of fear that he is just like a reed who can change his mind before the day of elections in 2019, quoted Sani as saying.

Source: and

Source: NAN

The Presidency has denied issuing a list of Nigerians affected by a travel ban as it also clarified that the Executive Order No. 6 is not a political weapon against opposition but part of revolutionary efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity issued the clarification today after a national newspaper published a list containing 50 names of people cutting across the two main political parties and the military establishment.

I want to confirm to you that we have not issued any list and we are not doing so, the presidential aide said.

These cases are well known and to say this or that name is on it will open the door to further accusations, including trial by media.

The Immgration Service and other security agencies have the mandate of the President to carry out enforcement and they will do so giving due respects to individual rights, in line with the constitution,he said.

The presidential aide was reacting to a trail of criticisms over the implementation of the EO6 by the federal government.

Shehu dismissed the insinuation in some quarters that the activation of the EO 6 was targeted at some individuals or politicians in the country.

EO 6 is not only revolutionary to the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption but a manifestation of systemic changes that are required to make necessary adjustments as we carry on with the war against corruption.

The very essence of the order is to make for speedy trials and conclusion of graft cases.

The order is not politics and there is no political gain behind its activation.

These high profile cases we are talking about have been ongoing for between seven to 10 years with no end in sight. These cases were mostly originated by administrations other than this one.

What is clear is that the access to these resources by the suspects has enabled them to be in a composition to sometime compromise investigation, prosecution and trial.

He further explained that, in most of the cases, the courts were held in a helpless position by legal acrobatics paid for from corrupt enrichment by the suspects.

He, therefore, expressed the hope that the new measures put in place would compel everyone involved to make for a speedy conclusion of these cases.

If it is your money, you have it back. If it belongs to the public, it goes back to the treasury, he said.

Shehu added that the question of the constitutionality of the restriction order had been answered by the fact that a court of the land has given government a clean sheet.

The Executive Order is legal and constitutional and therefore implementable.

One of the cardinal objectives of the government under our constitution is to fight corruption. Fighting corruption is a responsibility and obligation upon the government, he further maintained.

Source: NAN

By Edith Ike-Eboh

Dr Maikanti Baru, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporate (NNPC) and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu said the huge gas deposit in the country was a veritable tool for economic diversification.

They both made the assertion on Monday at the Nigerian Gas Association 11th International Conference and Exhibition holding in Abuja.

Presenting a keynote address, Baru said Nigeria was more of a gas than an oil nation.

He spoke on the topic `Gas as catalyst for sustainable national growth.

With the huge deposit of gas in the country, it is germane that we leverage on the potential to grow our economy.

Gas has significant impact on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as it impacts on agriculture, power and other sectors which influences economic growth, he said.

He noted that in the last eight years, government had invested in about 500 km of gas pipeline infrastructure adding that there was the need for more to be done.

In the last eight years, we have completed and commissioned over 500 km gas pipelines which are now delivering gas to our power plants and industries.

Some of the completed pipelines include the Oben-Geregu (196km), Escarvos-Warri-Oben (110km), Emuren-Itoki (50km), Itoki-Olurunshogo (31km), Imo River -Alaoji (24km) and Ukanafun-calabar pipelines (128km).

He said that the corporation under the current administration had invested in gas pipeline projects and also signed MOUs on gas development.

Baru said the NNPC is completing the construction of the 48 inches by 130km Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (0B3) East-west interconnection pipelines which would deliver 2Bscdf of gas.

We expect to complete and commission this pipeline early 2019.

In addition, we are completing the expansion of the existing Escravos to Lagos pipeline (ELPS) to double the installed capacity of ELPS from 1.1Bscfd to 2.2Bscfd.

This will be commissioned by the end of this year, he added.

Commenting on gas production, he said that the current average gas production in the country was in the region of 8.5Bscfd, out of which about 43 per cent or 3.7Bscfd was exported.

He added that 3.2 per cent or 2.7Bscfd was utilised for gas re-injection or gas lift, 18 per cent or 1.5 Bscfdwas for domestic and industrial use.

According to him, the balance of 7 per cent or 0.6Bscfd is flared daily.

This he said was unfortunate adding that efforts were on to stop the gas flaring.

Baru further noted that pipeline vandalism, funding among others remained a major challenge in the effort to develop the sector.

In his remarks, Kachikwu reiterated the need to create enabling environment for gas to lead in the economic diversification in the country.

He said that Nigeria had all it takes to broaden its economy through gas, given its huge deposit of natural gas.

The minister commended entrepreneurs striving to develop the sector andassured of improved policy and legal framework for the growth of the sector.

He said that a review of the 2008 gas policy was on going to tackle all issues concerning the gas sector.

Source: NAN

Ebere Agozie

Participants at the just concluded 3rdSouth-West Agro-ecological Biosafety Workshop, have endorsed the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the agriculture sector to boost food security in the country.

Participants at the workshop held at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, were drawn from universities and research institutes.

Dr Rose Gidado, an Assistant Director, National Biotechnology Development Agency(NABDA), via a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, noted that the Nigeria Academy of Science, had earlier endorsed GMOs.

The endorsement came a year after the countrys topmost scientific body, the Nigeria Academy of Science equally urged government to roll out the technology in all areas to ensure Nigeria benefit maximally from it.

Gidado, who is also the CountryCoordinator, Open Forum on AgriculturalBiotechnology(OFAB), said scientists were of the view that although government action was belated, it was better now than never.

Gidado stressed that technology remains one of the most viable options for the country to enhance its food security strategies as well as provide healthy food for its growing population.

Professors in various aspects of biosciences were of the view that government in its wisdom has set in motion all the necessary machinery needed to enable the technology take effective root in the country.

This it did by establishing the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) as the promoter of the technology over 15 years ago, and the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) as the regulatory in the last three years, Gidado said.

Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, the Vice Chancellor of OAU, who spoke, said that government economic diversification plan to reposition agriculture as the main stay of the economy would be achieved if conventional agriculture give way to modern tools such as biotechnology.

Conventional agriculture has led to food insecurity, hunger, malnutrition and poverty in the country.

As the debate on the use of biotechnology for food production continues in the country, opportunity must be given to scientists and scientific evidence to prove that GM foods are safe as any other food from conventional sources.

Ogunbodede added that with the National Biosafety Policy in place, the legal framework had been established for the safe and responsible application of modern biotechnology in the country.

Prof. Bamidele Solomon of the Chemical Engineering Department, OAU, and Chairman, Ife Biotechnology Group, listed some of the challenges of food security.

The challenges include climate change, persisting pest infestations, declining soil nutritional quality, gradual reduction in arable land use due to the pressures of urbanisation.

But modern biotechnology has been identified as an important tool that can help countries like Nigeria achieve food security and food sufficiency, industrial growth, health improvement and environmental sustainability.

According to Solomon, modern biotechnology is a technique used for genetic improvements that is more efficient and precise compared to conventional breeding, he said.

Prof. Durotoluwa Oyedele, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, OAU, said that biotechnology has the potential to increase agricultural productivity, enhance food security, move agriculture away from dependence on chemical inputs and reduce environmental problems.

It is important we come to the realisation that food security and agricultural productivity depend largely on domestication of biotechnology, he added.

Dr Babatunde Ogundare, the Deputy Dean, Faculty of Science, OAU, said Nigeria must step out of the political campaign involving GMOs and focus more on scientific information backed by evidence.

We are currently faced with issues of hunger and food insecurity, therefore all hands must be on deck to think of the most appropriate strategy that will make safe and healthy food available to all Nigerians.

Food is the only thing left for the common man, it must not be contaminated, and it must be free, he added.

Source: NAN

By Gami Tadanyigbe

AME Trade Limited, an independent business to business event organiser, has concluded plans for the 10th Africa Public Private Partnership (PPP) Conference and Showcase scheduled to hold from Oct. 24 to Oct. 25 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Ms Justine Delvoux, AME Trades Marketing Executive, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

According to the statement, AME Trades business to business events, provides vital practical information for companies looking to diversify and realign their business strategies to keep up with global trends.

Delvoux revealed that the event was sponsored by Nedbank CIB, Almar Water Solutions, Allen and Overy and Kukuza, with the support of NEPAD group.

The forum brings together various PPP units, project developers, financiers, multilateral institutions, legal advisors and other international key PPP stakeholders.

The 10th edition of Africa PPP will be focusing on Energy, Transport and Water partnerships.

Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Patricia de Lille, and the Chief Executive Officer of WESGRO, Tim Harris will be addressing at the opening ceremony.

47 expert speakers, from private and public sector, will share their expertise, present project opportunities and debate current and future state of PPP in the African Continent.

The specialised conference has already over 130 confirmed high-level delegates from the related industries.

The Africa PPP Conference will showcase over 48 PPP projects spanning across the African continent.

She said that the projects would be presented by different PPP units from 12 African countries.

The marketing executive said that since its inception in 2009, Africa PPP had become a key platform for industry stakeholders to meet, discuss, debate and share PPP plans.

She said that to commemorate the completion of a decade, there was a new addition to the agenda.

There will be a pre-conference CPD certified training focusing on Project Preparation Skills Development for Bankable PPPs on Oct. 23rd.

Delvoux said that the workshop would be addressed by Norma Sephuma, PPP Consultant, Sheila Galloway, Group Chief Executive Officer, Utho Capital, Kantha Rattay, Legal Consultant, KR Consulting and Mari Bruwer, Founder, MCA Consulting.

According to her, the workshop will enable the participants to delve into practical case studies and learn the essentials of how to develop project assessment methodology.

She added that that AME Trade was one of the leading providers of strategic business intelligence for the African, Middle Eastern and South American regions.

Our guest speakers include: Keeta Shisholeka, Director, PPP Unit, Ministry of Finance, Zambia, Samuel Joseph, Chief General Manager, Export-Import Bank of India.

Also in the guests list are Shaheed Alli, Principal: Infrastructure, Private Sector and TMT Finance, Nedbank, Symerre Grey Johnson, Head of Regional integration Infrastructure and Trade, NEPAD.

Others are Judith Nyakawa, Acting Director of PPP Unit, National Treasury, Kenya, Ben Brimble, Project Manager, Windlab, Lucy Chege, Head Energy, Environment and Information Communications Technologies (ICT),

Source: NAN

By Hamza Suleiman

The Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), on Monday donated relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in Dalori Camp, Maiduguri.

The items donated include mattresses, pillow, rice, bucket, soaps, and wrappers.

President of the association and wife of the Inspector-General of Police, Hajiya Asta Ibrahim, who led other police officers wives to the camp,said the gesture was to share love and care with the IDPs, currently facing consequences of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North/East region.

I am extremely happy to be with you here in Dalori Camp, as the President of the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA).

I am here with some of my management team and executives to visit you and share love and care with you.

The Police Officers Wives Association is known for its humanitarian, charitable and philanthropic gestures.

We are here, therefore, to showcase these and extend our hands of fellowship in your present predicament.

I assure you that God has not abandoned you, keep your faith alive, by the grace of God, this menace shall be eliminated and peace shall reign supreme once more, she stated.

In her remarks, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the wife of Borno Governor, commended the gesture, saying that it would go a long way in providing succour to the beneficiaries.

Shettima urged wealthy individuals and philanthropists to assist thousands of widows and children orphaned by insurgency in the state.

Zainab Bukar, one of the IDPs, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), expressed appreciation to the association for coming to theiraid at this crucial time.

She also commended Shettima for supporting widows, orphans and other vulnerable persons under her pet programme, SWOT Foundation.

Source: NAN

(dpa/NAN) Egypts top appeals court on Monday upheld a three-year prison sentence and hefty damages on deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi on charges of insulting the judiciary, state media reported.

The Court of Cassation also confirmed the same sentence for 19 other defendants in the same case.

The initial sentence was issued in 2017 by the Cairo Criminal Court that convicted Morsi of defaming the judiciary in a televised speech he made in 2013 when he was in power.

In his speech, Morsi accused a judge of overseeing fraud in previous elections.

The criminal court had also ordered Morsi to pay one million Egyptian pounds (56,270 dollars) in damages to that judge.

Five other defendants were ordered to pay a fine of 30,000 Egyptian pounds each in the case.

They include Alaa Abdel-Fatah, a leading pro-democracy campaigner, who rose to prominence during the 2011 uprising that toppled long-time dictator Hosny Mubarak.

Morsi, Egypts first democratically elected president was toppled by the army in mid-2013 following mass protests against his rule.

He has been tried in several different cases since his ouster.

Morsi is serving a final sentence of 20 years in prison in a separate case related to inciting deadly attacks on anti-Islamist protesters in 2012.

In 2017, the Court of Cassation upheld a separate 25-year jail sentence for Morsi on charges of harming national security by leaking secret state documents to his ally Qatar while he was in office.

Source: NAN

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it stands by its statement that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not field candidates for the 2019 general elections in Zamfara.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this on the sideline of the opening of a two-day validation workshop titled Study on the cost of elections in ECOWAS Region on Monday in Abuja.

We have issued a statement on Zamfara and nothing has changed. We stand by the statement that we issued, he said.

Yakubu re-emphasised that the deadline for submission of party candidates name to the commission was Oct. 18, saying that it would give a full report on that after Nov. 18.

INEC had informed the ruling APC in a leaked memo that it would not be allowed to field candidates for elective positions in Zamfara in the 2019 elections.

The commissions acting Secretary, Okechukwe Ndeche, in a letter to the APC said that the party was barred from fielding candidates for governorship, national assembly and state assembly elections.

The commission said this was because APC failed to comply with Sections 87 and 31 of the Electoral Act of 2010.

Parties, according to the act, were expected to comply with the timetable and schedule of INEC, which says that the conduct of primaries must be held between Aug. 18 and Oct. 7.

INEC said it received reports from its Zamfara office, indicating that no primaries were conducted in the state notwithstanding that our officials were fully mobilised and deployed.

The APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, later responded to INEC in a statement and said that the party had already arrived at a consensus before the deadline.

Oshiomhole said that following the high level of friction, disagreements and threats of violence by various political camps before the primaries, all the aspirants met at City King Hotel, Gusau, to find a truce.

After hours of intense horse-trading, a consensus was reached within the spirit and context of the electoral act and the constitution of our party.

This was done in strict compliance with Section 87 (6) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), he said.

He said that the claim by INEC that no primaries were conducted could only be referring to its officials observation that actual voting did not take place.

The APC chairman said that conduct of primaries was not the only mode prescribed for producing candidates in the electoral act, 2010 (as amended).

We, therefore, affirm that indeed, primaries took place in Zamfara State, Oshiomhole said.

The party chairman also noted that PDP had similar issues in Kano State and wondered why INEC did not bar the opposition party from fielding candidates.

Yakubu further said that the commission would by the end of November print the outstanding Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

We have printed the PVCs for those who registered in the first quarter of 2018. We are right now simultaneously printing for those who registered in the second and third quarters.

We are looking at the end of November for all the PVCs to be printed including request for transfer and relocation.

Let me just repeat the assurance that every citizen that registered and who have applied for transfer or replacement will get his or her PVC before 2019 general elections.

He, however, said that the commission had stopped every registration, request for transfer and replacement of damaged PVCs.

Source: NAN

A hat trick from China-based Odion Ighalo and one goal from Samuel Kalu gave Nigerias Super Eagles a 4-0 win over Libya in a 2019 AFCON Qualifier in Uyo.

The victory moved the Eagles into second place in Group E, behind leaders South Africa.

The Eagles now have six points from three matches, one point behind South Africa who earlier in the day mauled visiting Seychelles in Johannesburg 6-0.

Ighalo converted a fourth-minute spot-kick after being fouled and rounded goalkeeper Mohamed Nashnush to tap in and double the lead on 58 minutes.

When a Libyan failed to cut off a low cross, former Watford striker Ighalo scrambled the ball into the net to complete his hat-trick with a quarter of the qualifier remaining.

A last-minute Samuel Kalu goal completed the rout of the Mediterranean Knights, whose Belgian coach Adel Amrouche quit this week over unpaid salaries.

Source: NAN

Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Barr. Solomon Dalung, is set to receive an award of All Times at the Independence Heros Award scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 13 in Calabar, Cross River State.

Catherine Eriom, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Face of Independence Nigeria, the organisers of the award, in a statement, said the award was well deserved for Dalung.

She said that the sports minister had been able to stir up a reformation in the sports sector having democratised the sector and put in place a vibrant youth council leadership after years of power tussle and inconsistencies.

Eriom said that the award was also to recognise Dalungs recent youth and women empowerment courtesy of his NGO: Solomon DalungFoundation and the Ministry of youths and Sports Development.

The award, which is in its 8th edition, will be held at 5pm at the Transcorp Hotels Calabar.

Among the guests of honour are Governors of Cross River State and Abia State,

Other notable guests are Mr Chris Agara, Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo, Tonto Dikeh, Commissioner of Youths, Cross River State, Commissioner of Solid Minerals, Cross River State, Anthony Akan, Captain Ekong, Uwem Udoma among others.

Source: NAN

Its now double police trouble for Kogi-West Senator Dino Melaye: he is wanted by the police in Abuja and also in his home state of Kogi.

In Abuja, the senator, along with Ben Murray-Bruce is wanted over an attack on policemen on 5 October, during a protest about the Osun election. He has not heeded the police invitation.

On Friday, Kogi State Police Command, sent a detachment of officers to his country home in Aiyetoro-Gbede in Kogi State on Oct. 11 to effect his arrest, an incident that the senator has now distorted.

He is wanted in connection with a shooting incident on 19 July, when his armed thugs attacked a policeman on a patrol.

In a statement in Lokoja, the command said it took the action in connection with the July 19 shooting of one of its operatives, Sgt. Danjuma Salihu by thugs suspected to be loyal to the senator.

The statement signed by the commands spokesman, DSP William Aya, said that the clarification followed the allegation Melaye on his twitter page of Oct. 12 that the ADC to Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi led some officers to his house to assassinate him.

The ADC has nothing to do with this case. The Command wishes to state unequivocally that the statement is not only a figment of the imagination of Sen. Melaye who has mastered the art of political gimmickry, but totally false, malicious and highly mischievous.

The Commissioner of Police sent Police Officers to his country home for arrest, unfortunately we did not get him at home, the statement said.

It accused Melaye, who is representing Kogi West senatorial district of mobilising thugs to attack its personnel on routine duty along MopaAiyetoro-Gbede on July 19 without any provocation.

The thugs shot and injured Force No. 432913 Sgt. Danjuma Saliu who is currently receiving treatment at Veda Crest Hospital, Abuja, the statement said.

Aya said Melaye was invited officially through letter No. AR:3000/KGS/X/VOL.43/670 dated 23/7/2018 to come and answer the charges on him but refused to show up or give reason for not honoring the invitation.

The Senator is wanted by the Kogi State Police Command for criminal conspiracy, attempted culpable homicide and unlawful possession of firearms, the statement explained.

It then appealed to Melaye to report to the command headquarters in Lokoja to answer the allegations against him and stop joining issues with people who have nothing to do with the case at hand.

Source: NAN

Governor Ayo Fayose is rounding off affairs in Ekiti state, where he had reigned for four years.

As the hours ticked for a handover to Governor-elect Kayode Fayemi on 16 October, Fayose has stepped up the handing over rites.

He will not be attending Fayemis second inauguration as governor as he has an appointment with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, but he has handed over the instrument of office to the Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka.

Today, however, he took wife of the incoming governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, on a tour of the Government House in Ado Ekiti, which he does not plan, as he tweeted to hand over to Fayemi, but again to the Head of Service.

I am presently taking Dr. Kayode Fayemi's Wife, Erelu Bisi and other members of the inauguration committee round the Govt House.

Tomorrow, I will hand over the Govt House to the Head of Service.

I am presently taking Dr. Kayode Fayemi's Wife, Erelu Bisi and other members of the inauguration committee round the Govt House.

Tomorrow, I will hand over the Govt House to the Head of Service. pic.twitter.com/2oV7jMOJ1A

— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) October 13, 2018

Source: NAN

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has recanted his disdain for his former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, is reported to be lobbying American to withdraw the ban reportedly placed his former foe from entering the U.S.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) also accused Obasanjo of making moves to secure United States entry visa for the 72-year-old 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

81-year-old Obasanjo fell out with Atiku Abubakar before his exit from office as President in 2007 because of quarrel over his third term bid which his then Vice President Abubakar opposed.

The former Nigerian Army general who was President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 on the platform of current opposition PDP also publicly denounced the party, just as Atiku Abubakar also did.

Obasanjo also lampooned Atiku Abubakar in his latest book, but they have all swallowed their vows and found solace in the same party they had renounced and castigated because of the gang up to prevent President Muhammadu Buhari from a re-election.

The new romance of the duo which has sparked interest among some political pundits is getting deeper a gang-up against Africas anti-corruption czar.

Mr Yekini Nabena, the APC s Acting National Publicity Secretary, said in Abuja o Friday that Obasanjo has gone further to lobby the United States to lift the sanctions placed on the candidate for 2019 presidential election of PDP.

We have come across credible reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has made moves to secure United States entry visa for the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alh. Atiku Abubakar.

He recalled that the entry ban was placed on Atiku following a $500,000 bribery scandal in 2005 that involved Atiku, his fourth wife, Jennifer, and former United States Congressman, William Jefferson.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obasanjo, had on Thursday, endorsed the candidacy of Atiku who was the Vice President when he was in office.

Nabena, however, stressed that former Obasanjos intervention in Atikus ban from the United States of America was evidence of his legendary hypocrisy and self-serving interest in national affairs.

He noted that Obasanjo during and after leaving office, had always insisted on Atikus unsuitability to govern Nigeria based on his knowledge of his extensive corrupt practices while he served as Vice President.

Recall that the former president while in office had deployed enormous resources of the country on a global dragnet coordinated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in getting Atiku prosecuted for corrupt enrichment and money laundering.

A report by the U.S Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, chaired by Senator Carl Levin reported that Atiku used offshore companies to siphon millions of dollars to his fourth wife in the United States, Jennifer, Nabena said.

This, he said, happened while Atiku was still the Vice President of Nigeria between 2000 and 2008.

He added that it was on the strength of the report, that President George Bush barred Atiku and other corrupt politically exposed persons from being issued visa to the United States.

This, the APC spokesman said was the reason Atiku had not been able to travel to the United States till date.(NAN)

Source: NAN

By Ismaila Chafe
The Federal Government has placed a foreign travel ban on no fewer than 50 high profile persons directly affected by Executive Order 6 (EO6).

The affected persons are already on the watch-list and are restricted from leaving the country pending the determination of their cases.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, confirmed this development in Abuja on Saturday.

He said this development followed the instant judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the EO6.

He said already President Muhammadu Buhari had mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to implement the Order in full force.

To this end, a number of enforcement procedures are currently in place by which the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed no fewer than 50 high profile persons directly affected by EO6 on watch-list and restricted them from leaving the county pending the determination of their cases.

Also, the financial transactions of these persons of interest are being monitored by the relevant agencies to ensure that the assets are not dissipated and such persons do not interfere with, nor howsoever corrupt the investigation and litigation processes.

It is instructive to note that EO6 was specifically directed to relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that all assets within a minimum value of N50 million or equivalent, subject to investigation or litigation are protected from dissipation by employing all available lawful means, pending the final determination of any corruption-related matter, he added.

Shehu said the Buhari administration had reassured all well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians of its commitment to the fight against corruption, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the general principles of the Rule of Law.

He, therefore, maintained that the administration would uphold the rule of law in all its actions as well as protect the right of citizens as guaranteed by the Constitution.

We, therefore, enjoin all Nigerians to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities towards ensuring a successful implementation of the Executive Order 6 which is a paradigm-changing policy of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption, he said.

Source: NAN

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a CBS interview on Saturday that there would be severe punishment for Saudi Arabia if it turns out that missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Trump said he did not want to block military sales to Saudi Arabia, one option that has rattled U.S. defence contractors, saying, I dont want to hurt jobs.

Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Riyadh and a U.S. resident who wrote columns for the Washington Post, disappeared on Oct. 2 after visiting the consulate.

Were going to get to the bottom of it and there will be severe punishment, Trump said.

Asked whether Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman gave an order to kill Khashoggi, Trump said, Nobody knows yet, but well probably be able to find out. Trump added in excerpts of the 60 Minutes interview that will air on Sunday, We would be very upset and angry if that were the case.

Trump said there was much at stake with Khashoggi case, maybe especially so because he was a reporter.

Major U.S. defence contractors have expressed concern to the Trump administration that lawmakers angered by Khashoggis disappearance will block further arms deals with Riyadh.

But Trump said he did not want to lose military sales to Saudi Arabia that are coveted by U.S. competitors Russia and China, also exporters of military equipment.

I dont want to lose an order like that, he said, mentioning the companies Boeing, Lockheed and Raytheon. And you know what, there are other ways of punishing, he said, without elaborating.

Turkish sources have told Reuters the initial assessment of the police was that Khashoggi was deliberately killed inside the consulate.

Riyadh has dismissed the claims.

*Reported by AFP

Source: NAN

Aisha Buhari Foundation has embarked on the building of a 70-bed antenatal and maternity clinic within the premises of the Federal Medical Centre, Yola.

The Clinic is being built to complement the existing 17 bed Maternity ward at the Centre.

Aisha Buharis personal physician, Dr. Mohammed Kamal, while inspecting the project said, the clinic when completed will cater for the health need of the people of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba as well as the neighbouring Cameroon Republic.

Kamal, said the clinic was built as part of Aisha Buharis commitment to improve the healthcare of women and children in Nigeria.

The inspection was conducted to ascertain the level of work so far done.

Kamal, conveying Aishas optimism, said the project would be completed and handed over before the end of the year.

The facility, which is being built through private partnership comprises of emergency operation ward, consultation rooms, ultra sound room, Antenatal and Gynaecology ward, pharmacy, laboratory as well as family planning units.

The facility, when completed, will have the capacity of attending to 200 patients.

The Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Yola, Prof. Auwal Abubakar, said, the new Antenatal complex will assist the Centre to adequately cater for the health needs of women and children.

Abubakar said that the existing maternal centre was over stretched due to the influx of patients within and outside the state.

He said that the new complex will go a long way in reducing the challenges faced by patients during emergencies.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the wife of the President also donated a similar Maternity Clinic in Daura, Katsina State as part of her efforts to contribute to the well-being of women and children in Nigeria

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a team of three ministers, to Borno and Yobe states to meet with the families of kidnapped Leah Sharibu and aid workers and further convey his concern and efforts to free them from the clutches of Boko Haram terrorists.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed minister of Information and Culture, who bore the presidents message said the government will leave no stone unturned to secure the release of the abducted.

The Ministers team visited Maiduguri in Borno State and Dapchi in Yobe State.

In the delegation were Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, who also oversees Women Affairs, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadija Abba Bukar Ibrahim,

In Dapchi, the delegation, met with Mrs Rebecca Sharibu, Mother of Leah, as well as other members of their family at an emotion-laden ceremony.

Alhaji Mohammed said President Muhammadu Buhari sent the delegation as a follow-up to his phone call to Leahs mother a few days ago, adding that the government will not rest until Leah has been reunited with her family.

Visibly excited students of the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, from where Leah and about 109 of her colleagues were abducted on 19 Feb. 2018, trooped out to welcome the delegation when the chopper that ferried them to Dapchi landed in the school premises.

Earlier, the delegation also met with the families of the three aid workers who were abducted in March 2018.

At the meeting, which was held in the Borno State Government House, Alhaji Mohammed reassured them of the Governments efforts to secure the release of the two that remained in captivity, Alice Loksha and Amina Liman.

He also condoled with the parents of the third aid worker, Saifura Hussaini Ahmed, who was killed by her abductors last month.

The Minister said this is a trying time for the government and people of Borno State, but praised the governments resilience in tackling the challenges arising from the Boko Haram insurgency.

The Deputy Governor of Borno, Alhaji Usman Durkwa, who received the delegation, expressed gratitude to President Buhari for sending the delegation to the state,
saying this shows that the President is a true leader.

Source: NAN