Nigerians have continued to pour uncomplimentary reactions to the recent world rating that placed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at number 110 on the ladder.

The rating was based on administrative efficiency and border management aimed at trade facilitation and national security.

The World Bank ranked NCS low in efficiency and other indices of operational standards.

Nigeria took the 110 place out of the 160 countries.

The report for the West African sub-region, showed that Cote D Ivoire clinched the top position as the best performing country in trade logistics with a global ranking of 50.

Mr Increase Uche, President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that NCS global rating was regrettable.

When you come the ports to do your cargo clearing, the service seems to be confused with what to do in order to transact clearing jobs.

Regrettably, the ratings, such as this to a large extent determines the calculations of trading partners to a country as the shipping world will factor in all the pros and cons to maximise profit.

The NCS Act that is still in use at the ports was enacted in 1958; there is need to amend it in line with current global trend.

Most of the reforms that the service brings on board such as Nigeria Customs Service System (NICSS 11), an automation platform meant to ease transaction at the ports are not working.

Port users are daily suffering for no cause of theirs while the shipping companies are ripping us off with demurrage, Uche said.

Meanwhile, the Apapa NCS Area Customs Comptroller Abubakar Bashir has urged shippers to make proper declaration of their cargo during documentation.

According to him, compliance with such regulation will fast-track ports transactions and reduce cargo dwell time.

The customs chief decried constant system breakdown in the port and promised stakeholders that the issue would be improved upon. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Nigeria and a Chinese firm have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on first-ever cotton value chain industry, worth two billion US dollars.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah, unveiled the deal in Abuja where he said the agreement was signed with Shandong Ruyi International Fashion Industry.

The minister explained that the agreement would involve cotton growing to ginning, spinning, textile manufacture and garment in Katsina, Kano, Abia and Lagos States.

Their investments will comprise aggregation and off take of cotton from farmers for ginning, spinning and weaving and manufacturing at least 300 million metres of African print, which will meet 20 per cent of West Africas demand.

Others are producing cotton and denim garments for export and local consumption by Ruyi Group in Abia, Lagos and Kano states, Enelamah said.

He added that in China, President Xi Jinping promised to open Chinas market for agricultural products from Nigeria, based on trade negotiating engagements by Nigerias Trade Negotiators.

Enelamah said for industrialisation, the government was aggressively implementing the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) by establishing the Nigeria Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council.

He said the focus would be on five high priority areas: policy and regulation, trade and markets, critical infrastructure , skills , capacity building and lastly financing.

Enelamah said that the government had begun the establishment and upgrading of some existing industrial parks to world-class special economic zones (SEZs), across the six geo-political zones in the country.

According to him, for the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), there is a serious ongoing technical work to strengthen Nigerias Trade Policy Infrastructure.

Source: NAN

Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif has been temporarily released from jail so that he can attend his wifes funeral, officials and family members said Wednesday.

His daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband were also released overnight Tuesday to accompany the former leader to the eastern city of Lahore for the funeral, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said.

Sharifs wife Begum Kulsoom Nawaz died at a clinic in London on Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.

She was 68.

Sharifs political secretary Asif Kirmani said that her body was scheduled to reach Pakistan for burial on Friday.

The three-time prime minister and his daughter are currently serving jail terms in Pakistan following theirconviction by a court on corruption charges.

A jail official told dpa that Sharif was released for 12 hours, according to Pakistans prison rules, but the duration was likely to be extended until all the rituals are performed.

Sharif was not allowed to return to Pakistan from exile in Saudi Arabia to attend his fathers funeral in 2004.

Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf and his fellow generals were at the time criticised for the decision.

NAN reports that onPakistani court sentenced Sharif to 10 years in prison for corrupt practices linked to his familys purchase of upscale London flats, in a major blow to his party ahead of general elections on July 25.

The guilty verdict in absentia against Sharif, ended the career of one of Pakistans most high-profile politicians of the last four decades, a political survivor who was prime minister three times.

Sharifs daughter, Maryam, widely seen as his chosen political heir, was sentenced to seven years in prison and is disqualified from contesting the elections. Maryams husband and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lawmaker Muhammad Safdar was handed a year in jail.

Source: NAN

Russian authorities have identified the two people suspected by London of poisoning Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

We know who they are, we have found them, Putin told the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok.

The Russian president noted that the suspects were civilians.

I hope that they will show up and tell everything themselves. There is nothing particularly criminal there, I assure you, he said.

Putin also urged the two individuals to talk to media.

NAN reports that on Sept. 6, the UK charged two Russian men for the Novichok nerve agent attack on the former spy and his daughter in the English city of Salsibury, accusing them of being Russian military intelligence officers.

British prosecutors issued arrest warrants for Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, charging them with conspiracy to murder and attempted murder of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.

Both were poisoned with the military-grade nerve agent developed by the former Soviet Union in the 1970s and 1980s in March but survived after spending weeks in hospital.

The failed attack sparked an international diplomactic crisis with Russia being accused by several countries allegations Moscow has repeatedly denied.

Britain said it will present its evidence at a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday.

British officials demanded at a meeting with Russias charge daffaires that those responsible for the poisoning of the Skripals were brought to justice.

Source: NAN

(Reuters/NAN) Liberia President and former World Footballer of the Year George Weah made a surprise return to international competition in Monrovia on Tuesday, playing in the countrys 2-1 loss to Nigeria.

The match came up a few weeks short of his 52nd birthday and Liberia had arranged the friendly to retire the number 14 jersey made famous by Weah.

However, fans were in for a shock when, 16 years after his last international appearance, the striker led the national team onto the pitch wearing it instead.

Media reports said Weah led the attack and showed glimpses of the class that made him a household name around the world.

He received a standing ovation from fans when he was substituted on 79 minutes.

Goals from Henry Onyekuru and Simeon Nwankwo helped Nigeria to a 2-0 lead before the hosts pulled one back through a Kpah Sherman penalty, late in the game.

Weah enjoyed a career in Europe spanning nearly a decade and a half that saw him play for Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille in France, AC Milan in Italy.

He also played for English sides Manchester City and Chelsea.

Weah was named the 1995 World Footballer of the Year; he also won the Ballon dOr in the same year and remains the only African to win either award.

His popularity from his playing career saw him secure a landslide run-off win last December in Liberias presidential elections.

Source: NAN

(dpa/NAN) Foreign powers are actively working against the stabilisation of Libya, thecountrys UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj said Wednesday.

Libya remains riven by violence seven years after the NATO-backed ouster of its former dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

A UN envoy brokered a ceasefire last week after deadly militia clashes in Tripoli.

The country is not pacified because serious and long-term solutions have not been found to solve very deepinternal divisions, Serraj told Italys Corriere della Sera newspaper.

`But there are also foreign powers working against us for their own interests.

We know that some militias are surreptitiously armed from abroad, he said.

When asked to name the countries, Serraj said: They know well [who they are]. And they do not want asovereign Libya.

The country has two rival governments: Serrajs administration, based in Tripoli, and another in theeastern city of Tobruk.

There are also dozens of militia groups vying for power.

With Libya being is a major port of departure for Europe-bound migrants, Serraj said every extra dayof guerrilla warfare works in favour of migrant smugglers and criminal activities across the country.

He called on a key political rival from eastern Libya, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, to work togetherfor common objectives and against unilateral initiatives, and warned against a military takeover of Tripoli.

Serraj also said Libya cannot hold elections until security is restored.

He said: you cannot vote with instability in the streets.

It is also necessary that everybody accepts the result from the ballot box.

Source: NAN

By Peter Amine

Mr Emmanuel Nanle, Director of Press and Public Affairs to Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, is dead.

Nanle died on Tuesday night in an Indian hospital, according to family sources.

The sources said Nanle was flown to India last Thursday when his situation could not be handled locally.

Mr Mark Longyen, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Gov. Lalong on Media and Publicity, confirmed the death to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Wednesday.

Longyen said the state government received the news of Nanles death with shock.

The SSA could not, however, disclose what Nanle died of but a source told NAN that he died of colon cancer.

According to the source, the late director was treated of the disease in January in India.

Source: NAN

At least two persons died and 37 others injured in a gas explosion that occurred in Lafia on Monday
.
The Nasarawa State Government expressed shock and sadness over the explosion.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Silas Agara, said during on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene of the incident that the government would take the necessary steps to unravel the cause of the accident..

Agara was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Yahaya Bello, and Chairman, Lafia Local Government, Malam Aminu Muazu.

He described the incident which occurred at Monaco Gas plant within the premises of Natson Filling station on Jos Road, Lafia, as most unfortunate.

He expressed his condolences and sympathy to the victims on behalf of Gov. Umaru Al-Makur and assured the people of governments readiness to respond to the emergency and ensure a thorough investigation of the incident.

Agara applauded the security and emergency response teams for their quick intervention and advised the public to stay away from the scene to allow relevant agencies carry out their investigation into the matter.

He and his entourage later visited the 37 victims with various degrees of injuries at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.

On the casualty figure, Mrs Faustina Alegbe, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in the State, told NAN that two persons died while 37 people were injured.

So far, 37 people are receiving treatment in the hospital but two have been confirmed dead by the doctors.

Tomorrow, we will go back to the hospital to do an update. But I can tell you that I was in the hospital myself to do a physical count and as at now, 37 are receiving treatment with two dead, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

There are fears that Nigerian workers will not enjoy the new minimum wage being proposed by government any time soon, as members of the Committee on National Minimum Wage set up for the new salary have started trading blames for the delay in their assignment.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says the Committee on National Minimum Wage has yet to agree on a figure for the new minimum wage for the Nigerian workers.

Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC president told newsmen on Monday in Abuja that the Labour committee wasable to complete its own assignment but was disappointed that governments side had failed to deliver .

However, just before we conclude, the Minister of Labour spoke at an occasion as a representative of the Federal Government, that they needed to go and consult before arriving at a figure.

We felt that since this committee was inaugurated in November and everybody was aware that all stakeholders needed to tidy up whatever consultations they needed to do and make sure that we are able to work within that timeline.

Clearly speaking, they are not prepared to produce a figure by that date. But our report has been completed. What is left is just to agree on a particular figure as minimum wage.

All the parameters to be used to arrive at a figure are there. I can say clearly that states have sent in memorandums.

In fact, 21 states sent in memorandums, with about 12 quoting figures, NECA has submitted a figure, organised labour has submitted a figure.

With this new development, they are saying that they want to consult, we could say that it is not a fair process if somebody is saying at this point that he has not consulted, he said.

Wabba noted that the organised labour, would meet formally and issue a formal statement, and also see how they would ensure that the interest of Nigerian worker was not in any way undermined.

According to him, this is where we are and we think that it is proper that we put the fact before our members.

Labour leaders have already called for our organ meetings where we will brief our members.

Already, it is in public domain that both the government and labour agreed that the timeline must be respected and they were saying that September is not feasible.

We are committed to respecting the timeline and that is why we left everything we are doing to do the needful to be able to do a good job.

All the parameters you can think of have been considered and the report is ready. But the only thing missing is the issue of the figure.

The NLC president also recalled that individual states had quoted figures and every state was given the opportunity to make its own presentation.

He also noted that a letter was written to every state by the secretariat to send in their memo, making their inputs and 21 of them actually made inputs.

You are aware of the figures quoted by organised labour. We have enough data to do justice to the work and we have actually done justice to the work. I am telling you that this is what has happened.

So there was enough time for everybody to make input. This should have been consummated but some people are saying they need time for consultation.

We thought that should not have been the situation, because of the importance of the issue to Nigerian workers; and the workers can also not continue to be patient, he said.

Source: NAN

By Bukola Adewumi

Few days after some Abuja residence experienced earth tremor in areas such as Mpape, Maitama, Gwarinpa and Kubwa, the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has expressed uncertainty over the cause.

Mr Idris Abass, the Director-General of the agency told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, that the agency was yet to establish whether it was man-made or natural.

He however said that if it was a natural phenomenon, nothing would stop it because it could only stop on its own.

Like the information we earlier passed, it only happened for a while and stopped, but today we are happy to report that there is no case of the tremor again.

The D-G said that it had not been established whether the tremor was man-made or natural.

He noted that if it was natural, it was bound to happen again after 12 years.

If it is caused by the activities of those who are blasting and drilling boreholes around the areas, it can also reoccur.

Abass however said that the activities of the drillers had since been stopped, adding that if it was man-made it should not reoccur until their activities returned.

We are carrying out adequate steps to determine what happened last week; maybe it is a natural cause, but we want to assure the public that Nigeria is not on the zone of earthquakes.

Some people are arguing that tremor is an earthquake, earthquake is the total destruction of activities, buildings and the earth itself.

From what we have seen, there is no trace of any crack on the wall or on the earth when the shaking occurred, he said.

He said that FEMA would collaborate with other agencies, especially the Geological Survey of Nigeria to ensure that it unraveled the situation.

On our own part, we are developing the response plan for this kind of emergency disaster.

He said that FEMA would embark on advocacy and sensitisation to the general public to tell them what to do and what not to do in case of any reoccurrence.

He said that FEMA would also inform the public that if it was a natural phenomenon, adding that nothing could be done to stop it.

Source: NAN

By Ahmed Abba

A young tricyclist (keke napep rider) on Tuesday in Damaturu has proudly stated that he makes more money than what a fresh graduate earns as salary.

Bukar Babagana, a tricyclist disclosed in an interview with New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu that he averagely made four thousand naira every day.

Most of the times I make five to six thousand naira, unless am not fit or my vehicle is grounded.

After all expenses, I save two thousand naira everyday, which is more than what most of the university graduate, who so lucky to be employed, earn as their take home.

While responding to a question whether he envies other young men that work and earn salaries, Babagana said I dont envy them, sometimes I help some of them.

He added that This business is a secret to financial freedom to whoever takes it serious.

Significant portion of Nigerian youth have ventured into Keke Napep business due the fact that it gives them a better option of not staying ideal.

Source: NAN

A Civil Society Organisation, Election Monitor, says it will moblise Nigerians to march to the National Assembly in protest against continued delay in passage of budget for the 2019 general elections.

Abiodun Ajijola, Convener, Election Monitor, in statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the peaceful protest would be held on Sept. 13.

He said it was unfortunate and completely unacceptable that the National Assembly was considering postponing its resumption until the second week in October because its members were going to take part in political party primaries.

Ajijola queried thee logic in going for primaries and refusing to conclusively approve the budget for the same election the legislators wished to participate in.

He said that Nigerians needed to ask why it was taking so long for the National Assembly to pass the 2019 General Elections budget and the implications of further delay.

The convener said that there was no urgency on the part legislators to pass the budget for the 2019 general elections even as the political party primary window had been open for three weeks.

Election Monitor wants to remind all members of the National Assembly that they were elected to serve in the best interest of Nigerians. INEC has an approved Election Project Plan (EPP) which guides it in effective election implementation.

With the current and proposed delays it would be arduous if at all possible to meet all necessary benchmarks within the required timelines.

Therefore there must be no further delay! The current intentional delay of approving the general elections budget is precarious for the peace and stability of Nigeria.

Election Monitor and The Movement for Transparent Elections is calling on all well meaning Nigerians to come out for a peaceful march to the National Assembly at 8am on Sept. 13, to demand that the 2019 general elections budget is passed on or before Sept. 18.

Take off point is Unity Fountain Abuja; the Dress Code is white with a touch of green (green cap, hat). You should bring a Nigerian flag (any size is okay).

According to him, if there is further delay in passing and releasing the 2019 Elections budget beyond Sept. 18, the group will call for sustained protests daily and simultaneously nationwide until the whole election budget is passed and released to INEC.

He expressed optimism that the nation would overcome every agenda and attempt to truncate the hard-fought democracy.

Source: NAN

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said on Tuesday that the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms presented to President Muhammadu Buhari were purchased by a large number of people who made contributions.

Amaechi, who is also the Director-General, Buhari Campaign Organisation, made this clarification while briefing State House correspondents shortly after the forms were presented to Buhari at the presidential villa.

A group known as Nigeria Consolidation Ambassador Network (NCAN) presented Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to Buhari for the 2019 presidential election.

The group said it purchased the forms to encourage the president to seek re-election and continue his developmental strides.

Amaechi said that the gesture showed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was ready for the 2019 election.

This is a group of persons; some people paid less than N1 million; some paid N50,000; it is a group of hundreds of thousands of people that came together to buy form for the president.

I do not see any law we have broken by that.

Not one person bought the form for Mr President; not one person brought the money; not two persons; not three; what we saw from their database is hundreds of thousands of persons that raised the money.

You can see the huge delegation that came; it is an indication that we are prepared for the election.

The president has put the first step forward to show that he wants to run for the second time for the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he said.

On his part, APCs National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, said that even in advanced democracies, once the National Executive Committee (NEC) of a party passed a vote of confidence on the president, nobody would contest with him.

According to Buni, NEC is the highest organ of the party to take decisions where every interest is represented.

So, NEC of APC has passed vote of confidence on Mr President; that means every APC member endorsed Mr President.

it is a democracy, we are not saying nobody should come out and contest but the president has right of first refusal, he said.

More so, Farouk Aliyu, Chairman, Board of Trustees (NCAN), told State House correspondents in an interview that the forms were purchased with contributions from across the country.

He said the NCAN was excited that Buhari accepted the forms, adding that the group would go back to their localities and work towards the re-election of Buhari in the 2019 presidential polls.

What motivated the young Nigerians to buy the forms is their belief that whatever the president is doing is for the future of the younger ones, he said

APC had earlier pegged its presidential nomination fee to N55 million but later reduced it to N45 million.

Source: NAN

By Nicholas Dechi

Makurdi, Sept. 11, 2018 (NAN) Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Tuesday swore in Mrs Veronica Onyeke as the first female Head of Service (HoS) in the state.

Ortom said in Markudi that since the creation of the state in 1976, a woman had not been appointed as its Head of Service.

This is the first time the state will be having a woman as the Head of Service. This is made possible by divine providence and because my administration is gender sensitive, he said.

The governor urged the new HoS to be committed to her duties, stressing that the oath she had taken was a commitment to God and humanity.

If you do otherwise, on the day of reckoning you will give account of your stewardship.

Anything that you do in secret, God will definitely see, and He will ask you to give account.

Your appointment came at a time the civil service was facing a lot of challenges ranging from indiscipline, absenteeism and inability of the government to clear salary arrears among others, he said.

Ortom charged the HoS not to fail in disciplining and motivating the staff for optimum performance.

The governor told the head of service to evolve policies that would turn around the civil service by rekindling hard work and dedication to duty in the civil servants.

He expressed his belief in the ability of the new head of service to discharge her responsibilities creditably.

Responding, Onyeke said she was overwhelmed with joy for the privilege given her to serve in the exalted position.

She assured the governor that she would not disappoint the government and thanked him for the confidence reposed in her.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday received Expression of Interest and Nomination forms and reiterated his administrations determination to continue on the path of building a strong, virile and corrupt-free Nigeria.

The president spoke after receiving the forms bought for him by the Nigeria Consolidation Ambassador Network (NCAN), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,

He observed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would now be stronger as the weakest politicians had left the party.

President Buhari, who was referring to the defections that engulfed the party in recent times, said those who left the party could not place national interest above their selfish interest in line with the objectives of the administration.

The president who highlighted the achievements of his administration in the past three years, said corruption has been fighting back from both within and outside the administration.

These achievements over the past three years had not been easy. Corruption has been fighting back from both within and outside but we held our ground.

Today, Im pleased to say the weakest amongst us those whose selfish expectations did not align with our patriotic zeal had exited our party.

We are now a party of strong and patriotic individuals who are ready, willing and able to continue on this journey of building, secured, self- sufficient and corruption-free Nigeria.

I am honoured today to receive this nomination form which your members from all over the country contributed to buy.

It is a gesture from an association of patriotic Nigerians which I was made to believe comprises of over three million members which believed in our principle of bringing positive things to Nigeria, he said.

President Buhari who expressed gratitude for being honoured by the NCAN said that his vision to rescue the nation began in 2002.

The President, who narrated his political history, said his decision to contest for the presidential seat in 2007, was informed by the sorry and hopeless state the nation had found itself in 2006.

He added that his decision was predicated on the state of hopelessness in the country where selfish interest of elected leaders superseded national interest.

President Buhari, however, condemned the way and manner the 2007 general election was handled, saying the result of the election was a disgrace to the nation.

He thanked the leadership and members of NCAN who contributed part of their meagre resources to buy the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.

The Deputy Chairman, Board of Trustees of the NCAN, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said the association is a network of young Nigerians in various fields of endeavour who had been keeping tab of the policies, programmes and projects of the Buhari administration.

He said the association was doing this with a view to making an informed contribution towards the growth of a virile and stable country.

According to him, in spite all the challenges, the Buhari administration has delivered and continues to deliver on its promises, and other matters arising in the course of governance.

From the massive re-establishment of security of life and property by reclaiming the territorial integrity of our country even in the face of threat from within, to the redirection and strengthening of our economy, by increased productive capacity in agriculture and financial prudence even in the face of an almost negative balance sheet in 2015.

The massive infrastructural development whilst growing our reserves.

He has also reined in systemic corruption by firmly enforcing even erstwhile policies, which no one had the courage or the strength of character to enforce, be it the TSA, the IPPSA, the EGP, the operating freedom of law enforcement, in dutiful compliance with the laws of our land. The list is endless.

Nigerians for the first time in many years could see a leader who painstakingly took decisions solely on the bases of national interest, above his or anyone elses.

A leader who belongs to all and behooving to our country and to God only, who in HIS infinite mercy brought our president back from the brink of death and restored him to strength and vigour.

He said the association, whose network seeks to consolidate these gains, has decided to contribute its intellect, and little earnings towards ensuring that the president was encouraged to continue with his good works to Nigeria.

It is on account of the resolve of these ambassadors that they proceeded to obtain the nomination form for the president from the All Progressives Congress, to encourage Mr President to seek to be re-elected for another term to help consolidate the work he is doing, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the event was the handing over of the APC Presidential Nomination Form by the National Coordinator, Members of the Board of Trustees of the Consolidation Ambassadors Network of Nigeria to the president.

Source: NAN

Dr Doyin Okupe has been appointed the chairman of the media council of the Bukola Saraki campaign organisation.

Okupe until now was the South West leader of the Accord Party and chairs the partys committee to discuss with the Coalition of United Political Parties.

The Director General of the campaign, Mohammed Wakil, said Dr Okupe will work with other professionals on the team to effectively communicate the campaign messages of the Senate President to Nigerians and the international community.

Okupe who is a medical doctor and politician served as the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the aborted Third Republic.

He has also worked as the Director of Communications during the presidential campaigns of two former presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

He later served as a Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to both Presidents.

Source: NAN

Years back while I was a child, the word, ‘suicide’ – and the act in itself – was the most unthinkable harm I imagined anyone subjecting himself/herself to. The notion that Nigerians cherish life and would rather fight on than end it all was one that filled my subconscious as I grew up but down the line, my understanding has been broaden and the reality [of suicide] is now so gross to brush aside. News media have reported different cases of suicide – from distraught individuals who jumped into the lagoon to those that have swallowed poisonous substances – and so have we come across online videos of victims plunging into the abyss of forgetfulness without anyone making a successful bid of talking them out of the suicidal attempt.

The stats before us are quite startling that one cannot but take notice. According to the World Health Organisation, the suicide rate in Nigeria is 15 per 100,000, and the report also stated that 79% of suicides are traceable to countries that fall in the low and middle income categories. Though most persons in Nigeria have often attributed the rising incidence of suicides in Nigeria to economic hardships; there are quite a number of factors that could drive an individual into becoming suicidal. Other individual and situational factors such as stigmatization, abuse, mental illness, emotional breakdown, mental and terminal illnesses have also been highlighted as possible causes. However, somewhere in between is the likelihood of ‘lovelessness’ and negligence serving as primers for suicide.

What can we do?
Nigeria’s case may not be as worse as what is obtainable in nations like Lithuania, Sri Lanka, Equatorial Guinea and some others but anyone who regards the sacredness of life will understand that there’s a need to act promptly in order to curb the rising trend of suicide in the land. Surely, it is hard to get into the mind of the suicidal person to know what he/she plans to do within the next instance but there’s something we can do.

The way out is not necessarily about creating some bogus ‘happiness’ ministries – in fact, Bhutan, a nation that celebrates a Gross National Happiness Day, still records a suicide rate of 11.2 per 100,000 – but rather getting down to LOVE [and look out for] one another in a genuine manner irrespective of ethnic or religious orientation. And without trying to be preachy here; love is a spiritual inclination that ought to guide the way individuals relate with one another. Many palliative measures towards curbing the plague of suicide may be established but should love be thrown in the backwaters, much far-reaching results will remain elusive.

The love of the nation and the citizenry in the hearts of government officials should make them implement policies and develop structures that would help the standard of living of the people. Again, on individual basis; each and every one of us must learn how to build a thriving relationship with one another, and help anyone who may be experiencing a crisis manage his/her situation effectively. And in showing love, we must have a grasp of some of its characteristics [in the pure form]. At this point, I shall some words from the Holy Bible which says; it says love suffers long and is kind…does not seek its own, is not provoked…and does not fail. This is what someone around you needs to have a rethink and embrace LIFE vibrantly once again.

So, as we observe the WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY, let us be mindful of the downtrodden who would not so much raise his/her brow because life is not happening for him/her; you can be your brother’s keeper and make his world a better place to live.

SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE…BUT ONLY IF WE ACT IN THE WAY OF LOVE…LOVE CONQUERS ALL.

Novak Djokovic clinched his third US Open title on Sunday with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 triumph over Juan Martin del Potro, taking him level with Pete Samprass mark of 14 Grand Slams.

Djokovic, playing in his eighth final in New York and already the champion in 2011 and 2015, is now just three Slams behind Rafael Nadal and six back from the all-time record 20 held by Roger Federer.

It was also the third time the 31-year-old Serb who missed last years tournament with an elbow injury which sent his career into a mini-crisis completed the Wimbledon-US Open double.

I want to say Pete, I love you, youre my idol, said Djokovic of Sampras.

To the support of the loved ones, my kids, my wife, my small team of people that has been there with me through difficult times as well, added the Serb who underwent elbow surgery after the Australian Open in January.

For world number three Del Potro, it was a heartbreaking experience coming in just his second Slam final, nine years after he was crowned US Open champion before a long battle with wrist injuries pushed him into depression and to the brink of retirement.

When I had my surgery I could truly understand what Juan Martin was going through when he had surgeries that kept him away form the tour for two or three years, added Djokovic.

It was Djokovics 15th win over the Del Potro and fifth in five at the Slams.

It came in a final which was business-like rather than thrilling, a relief for a tournament still reeling from the controversial womens final on Saturday.

The result also means that 50 of the last 55 majors have been won by the Big Four of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Del Potro backed Djokovic to surpass Federers mark of 20 Slams.

Of course he can. Novak has everything to make records in this sport, said the Argentine.

I was so happy to be playing the final against this magnificent idol, added Del Potro of his close friend Djokovic.

He knows that hes one of my friends on tour and he knows hes one player I want to watch win on tour. Of course Im sad to lose but Im happy for Novak as well. You deserve to win.

With the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof closed as heavy rain swept New York, conditions were slow and sluggish.

After taking just two points off Del Potros first three service games, Djokovic, in his 23rd final at the majors, pounced to break for 5-3.

The key was his success with a lung-busting 22-shot rally and he pocketed the set when the 29-year-old del Potro netted a forehand.

It was only the second set dropped by the Argentine at the tournament.

For Djokovic, it was an illustration of him growing into the championships as he took his run of consecutive sets won to 14, stretching back to the second round against Tennys Sandgren.

Djokovic was soon 3-1 up in the second set before Del Potro carved out his first break point of the match to level at 3-3.

He had three more chances in the eighth, all saved by Djokovic in a marathon 20-minute game which left even Hollywood superstar Meryl Streep clasping her head in astonishment.

The effort took its toll on a suddenly weary-looking Del Potro as a 95-minute set was claimed by Djokovic in the tiebreak.

Del Potro was looking at having to become the first man since Pancho Gonzales in 1949 to win the US title from two sets down.

Djokovic sprinted into a 3-1 lead in the third set before a battling Del Potro clung on, hitting back for 3-3.

But off the back of a 24-shot rally, Djokovic broke again for 5-3 and he was within tantalising touching distance of his 14th Grand Slam title, just three months after he had left Roland Garros in despair after a shattering quarter-final exit.

Source: NAN

Serena Williamss claim that the code violations that sparked her meltdown in the US Open final were sexist stirred debate, with WTA Tour chief executive Steve Simon backing her on Sunday.

Williams was handed three code violations and docked a point and then a game in her 6-2, 6-4 loss to Naomi Osaka in the Flushing Meadows final.

Osaka out-played her childhood hero to become the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam, but her accomplishment was swamped in the controversy surrounding 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams.

The American superstar claimed that chair umpire Carlos Ramos meted out penalties for infractions that male players could have gotten away with, specifically a violation for verbal abuse after she called him a thief and a liar for warning her for coaching from her players box, then docking her a point when a racquet abuse violation followed.

Eventually she was docked a game putting Osaka on the brink of victory.

Simon said the affair brought to the forefront the question of whether different standards are applied to men and women in the officiating of matches.
The WTA believes that there should be no difference in the standards of tolerance provided to the emotions expressed by men vs. women and is committed to working with the sport to ensure that all players are treated the same, he said.

We do not believe that this was done last night.

Williams was most incensed by the first code violation she received for coaching from her box.

Its not clear if she even saw the hand gestures by coach Patrick Mouratoglou sitting her box, although he admitted in an interview with ESPN that he was trying to advise her and said all coaches do it.

Yes, I was coaching just like everybody else. We have to stop this hypocrisy. Furthermore, Serena didnt even see my gestures. She felt humiliated by the warning, said the Frenchman.

Simon said the sport as a whole should examine the rules on coaching, noting that the WTA already allows on-court coaching during regular tour events if a player requests it.

US great Billie Jean King addressed both issues, also seeing things Williamss way.

When a woman is emotional, shes hysterical and shes penalized for it, King tweeted. When a man does the same, hes outspoken

Beijing city authorities have banned Zion Church, one of the largest unofficial Protestant churches in the city and confiscated illegal promotional materials, amid a deepening crackdown on Chinas underground churches.

The church had for years operated with relative freedoms, hosting hundreds of worshippers every weekend in an expansive specially renovated hall in north Beijing.

But since April, after they rejected requests from authorities to install closed-circuit television cameras in the building, the church has faced growing pressure from the authorities and has been threatened with eviction.

On Sunday, the Beijing Chaoyang district civil affairs bureau said that by organizing events without registering, the church was breaking rules forbidding mass gatherings and were now legally banned and its illegal promotional material had been confiscated, according to images of the notice sent to Reuters late on Sunday and confirmed by churchgoers.

I fear that there is no way for us to resolve this issue with the authorities, Zions Pastor Jin Mingri told Reuters.

Chinas religious affairs and civil affairs bureaux did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Chinas constitution guarantees religious freedom, but since President Xi Jinping took office six years ago the government has tightened restrictions on religions seen as a challenge to the authority of the ruling Communist Party.

Churches across China have faced new waves of harassment and pressure to register since a new set of regulations to govern religious affairs in China came into effect in February and heightened punishments for unofficial churches.

In July, more than 30 of Beijings hundreds of underground Protestant churches took the rare step of releasing a joint statement complaining of unceasing interference and the assault and obstruction of regular activities of believers since the new regulations came into effect.

Chinas Christian believers are split between those who attend unofficial house or underground churches and those who attend government-sanctioned places of worship.

Churchgoers were also given a notice from the district religious affairs bureau saying that the great masses of believer must respect the rules and regulations and attend events in legally registered places of religious activity.

Zions attendees were also given pamphlets of officially sanctioned churches that they might attend instead.

But for many worshippers and pastors, such as Jin, accepting the oversight and ultimate authority of the Communist Party would be a betrayal of their faith.

On this land, the only one we can trust in is God, Jin said.

Source: NAN