The Delta Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Rev. Father Christopher Ogaga, a Catholic Priest in Aragba, Oviri-Okpe, Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta, Mr Muhammad Mustafa, confirmed the priests kidnapped to newsmen on Monday in Warri.

Mustafa said that operatives of the command had begun a search to ensure the safe release of the victim.

Yes, we are already searching for the kidnappers; he was kidnapped two days ago, the police chief said.

Meanwhile, a source said that Ogaga was allegedly kidnapped by gunmen around Arava-Oviri-Orere-Okpe Road on his way to Warri on Saturday.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the victim, who is also the Principal of St. Peters Clavers College, Aghalokpe, left Aghalopke, Sapele at about 9:00p.m.

The source said the kidnapped priest was going for the Sunday morning mass at the Parish Priest of Mother of Redeemer Catholic Church, Airport Junction, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta.

Ogaga was driving alone on his way to Warri when he was kidnapped.

He left the house and was heading to Warri through Arava-Oviri-Orere-Okpe Road; that is the route he usually take to Warri.

He usually travelled to Warri alone every Sunday. We were supposed to go with him that Saturday, the source said.

The source, however, said that the kidnappers were demanding for a ransom of N15 million to secure the release of the cleric. (NAN)

Source: NAN

British authorities are preparing to deport Kweku Adoboli, a 38 year-old Ghanaian former UBS trader, jailed for the countrys biggest fraud, which cost the Swiss bank $2.25 billion.

His case made global headlines when he was arrested in 2011 and tried in 2012 over the huge losses to UBS, caused by trades far in excess of his authorized risk limits which he had pretended to hedge by booking fictitious off-setting trades.

Hopewell-Smith added that he understood Adoboli had now been moved to an immigration removal centre and that the interior ministry had indicated its intention to deport him to Ghana on or after Sept. 10.

It is still hoped that the (interior minister) will have the common sense not to deport an individual that is so obviously an asset to our community, Hopewell-Smith said, referring to Adobolis work which includes campaigning for cultural change in financial services.

Even though Adoboli, has lived in Britain since he was 12, he does not have citizenship. He has been appealing against a 2014 order by British authorities that he should be sent back to Ghana as a foreign criminal.

Adoboli says he is remorseful and should be allowed to stay in Britain because of strong personal ties in the country and the public interest in his advocacy work.

Regulators banned him from working in the financial services industry in 2015, while UBS was fined 29.7 million pounds ($38 million) for systems and control failures.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has declined assent to the amended Electoral Bill 2018 due to some drafting issues that were not addressed following the prior revisions to the Bill.

Sen. Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), made this known in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

The presidential aide said that already, the president had communicated his position to the Senate and the House of Representatives on Aug. 30.

Mr President is declining assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill due to some drafting issues that remain unaddressed following the prior revisions to the Bill.

Mr President invites the Senate and House of Representatives to address these issues as quickly as possible so that he may grant assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill.

Enang listed the outstanding issues that need to be resolved to include a cross referencing error in the proposed amendment to Section 18 of the Bill.

The appropriate amendment is to substitute the existing sub-section (2) with the proposed subsection (1A), while the proposed sub-section (1B) is the new sub-section (2A).

The proposed amendment to include a new Section 87 (14) which stipulates a specific period within which political party primaries are required to be held.

It has the unintended consequence of leaving INEC with only nine days to collate and compile lists of candidates and political parties as well as manage the primaries of 91 political parties for the various elections.

He explained that the Electoral Amendment Bill did not amend sections 31, 34 and 85 which stipulated times for the submission of lists of candidates, publication of lists of candidates and notice of convention, congresses for nominating candidates for elections.

For clarity, may I provide some details of the provisions referenced; Clause 87 (14) states.

The dates for the primaries shall not be earlier than 120 days and not later than 90 days before the date of elections to the offices.

The Electoral Act 2010 referred to herein states in Section 31:that every Political Party shall not later than 60 days before the date appointed for ageneral election, submit to the commission the list of candidates the party proposes to sponsor at the elections.

Section 34: That the Commission shall at least 30 days before the day of the election publish a statement of the full names and addresses of all candidates standing nominated.

Section 85 (1):That a Political Party shall give the Commission at least 21 days notice of any convention, congress etc., for electing members of its executive committees or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices.

According to him, for the avoidance of doubt, neither the Constitution nor any written law allows a President or a Governor to whom a bill is forwarded by the legislature to edit, correct, amend or in any manner alter the provisions of any such bill to reflect appropriate intent before assenting to same.

He is to assent in the manner it is or to withhold assent.

He further disclosed that Buhari had communicated his action to the National Assembly on the National Agricultural Seeds Council Bill, 2018 and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2017, earlier transmitted to him.

The presidents actions on the Chartered Institute of Entrepreneurship (Establishment) Bill, 2018, and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2017, were also communicated to both chambers of the assembly.

Others are the Subsidiary Legislation (Legislative Scrutiny) Bill, 2018; National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (Establishment) Bill, 2018, and National Research and Innovation Council (Establishment) Bill, 2017.(NAN)

Source: NAN

Four commercial banks donated a total of N980 million to the Nigerian Police Force in 2017 to support its activities, with the banks incurring the wrath of their shareholders.

Checks by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicated that the banks were United Bank of Africa (UBA), Guaranty Trust Bank, FCMB Group and Fidelity Bank.

A breakdown of the figures contained in the commercial banks 2017 annual reports obtained by NAN showed that UBA gave the sum of N300 million during the review period.

Guaranty Trust Bank also donated N300 million, FCMB and Fidelity Bank contributed N180 million each.

Speaking on the contributions, Mr Moses Igbrude, Publicity Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, said that the donations were not voluntary but imposed on banks in the name of improving security.

Igbrude said the donations should be voluntarily and not by force, noting that it was not the duty of the banks to fund the Police Force.

While I have no problem with corporate bodies contributing or donating toward improving or assisting the NPF it should not be by force or seen as if it is the banks duty to fund the Police Force.

Anything that increases expenses and reduces the value of an investment is not what shareholders will support, he said.

Igbrude said the burden on banks was so much, and that they provide everything for themselves despite the taxes they paid to the government.

A branch of a bank is like a local government, it provides water, light, security and other things necessary to run that branch.

You want banks to create employment, to kick start the economy by providing funding yet they are burdened with various impediment like AMCON levies, among others.

So what is the role of government in all these? Igbrude asked.

He said the government and the regulators should allow the managements of banks to contribute to security through their individual corporate social responsibility initiatives rather than by compulsion.

Mr Boniface Okezie, National Coordinator, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, said there was nothing wrong with the donations provided it was channelled for specified purpose.

Okezie said banks should identify urgent needs of the police such as accommodation or provision portable boreholes.

He said the provision of basic amenities would be preferable instead of donating cash.

Okezie said shareholders should not be shortchanged, and that every fund was important when it had to do with return on investment.

Also speaking, Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, former President, Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, said it was the responsibility of the government to provide security for its citizens and to make the business environment right for businesses to thrive.

He said the donations by banks were meant to secure banks facilities and the environment around the banks, noting that the support started a long time ago.

Unegbu said the question remained whether the police utilised the money for the purpose it was meant.

He said the banks were trying in terms of support but could not control the police or do more than contributing the money.

According to him, in other countries banks do not fund the Police because they have good security environment contributed by various police divisions unlike Nigeria where it is centralised.

He, however, called on banks to sponsor specific projects that would affect the lives of the police instead of donating funds.

Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella, Professor of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, told NAN that banks, just like any organization, must engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Since the Police assist the banks in security matter, it is important that part of the CSR be spent on them as organisations not individuals.

For example, purchase of vehicles for operations can be taken up under CSR, not building police station.

However, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, Fidelity Bank Managing Director, told the shareholders recently that it was an initiative of the Bankers Committee aimed at supporting the Nigerian Police.

Okonkwo said that the committee agreed to support the police by equipping them and as well as provide other things needed to make their jobs easier. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Serena Williams despatched her older sister in two straight sets 6-1 6-2 on Friday, making the 30th career showdown at Flushing Meadows in New York a one-sided affair.

The 23 Grand Slam winner was literally on fire against her sister, merciless in her blistering returns and making Venus look more like her apprentice.

Venus tried though to salvage things, but it was not just her night as Serena played her best match since her return to tennis after giving birth to her daughter Olympia in September. She played pitch-perfect tennis to outlast her elder sister after 71 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

However, in her post match interview, Serena showed her sister a lot of respect.

Its not easy. Shes my best friend. she means the world to me. Shes supportive of my career and Im supportive of her career, Serena said.

Every time she loses I feel like I do. Its not very easy but its a tournament and we know theres more to life than playing each other and playing tennis.

I love her with all my heart. Shes the reason Im here. Shes the only reason Im still out here. After God, I definitely owe everything to her.

Serena next meets Kaia Kanepi, the 33 year-old Estonian star, who beat Rebecca Peterson 6-3 7-6 in an earlier third round match.

Kanepi had defeated Simona Halep 62, 64 in the first round becoming the first player in US Open history and just sixth in Grand Slam history to beat the top-seeded player in the first round.

Serena and Kanepi last played at this very tournament in 2014, and is the six-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist only defeat in a Round of 16 match at a major tournament.

The highly-anticipated encounter between Serena and Venus was their first at the US Open in three years, when they faced off in the 2015 quarterfinals as Serena aimed to complete the elusive Calendar Year Grand Slam.

After each held serve to start the match, Serena quickly caught fire, winning the next seven games to edge ahead a set and a break, even saving a break point early in the second set.

Venus, who reached the semifinals at this event last year narrowly losing to eventual champion Sloane Stephens interrupted her sisters momentum with a service hold, but Serena would not be denied on Friday night. She had an insurance break and served out the victory shortly thereafter.

In all, Serena struck a dazzling 34 winners to just 22 unforced errors including 10 aces and won a whopping 88 per cent of points behind her first serve.

*With reports by wtatennis.com

Source: NAN

The Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Forum on Fridayappealed to former Gov. Segun Oni to withdraw the suit challengingthe eligibility of the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for the July14 governorship election.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the APC elders came out with the position at the end of a marathon meeting heldin Igbara Odo, in Ekiti South West Local Government Area of the state.

The meeting which was presided over by its Chairman, Chief George Akosile asked Oni to withdraw the case against the governor-elect in the interest of the party.

According to a communiqu issued at the end of the meeting , the APCelders said the withdrawal of the case by Oni and his group willfacilitate an out-of-court settlement.

In the communiqu signed by Akosile and the Forums Secretary, Chief Abiodun Ajayi, the APC elders resolved to send a five-man delegationto Oni with a letter appealing for the withdrawal of the case.

NAN reports that the Ekiti APC Elders Forum also resolved to send a memo to Fayemi toreconcile with the aggrieved Segun Onis group with a view to withdrawing thecase from court and their inclusion in the forthcoming administration.

From our findings, the Elders Forum is aware that thecase is still pending in the Federal High Court, Abuja

We hereby wish to appeal to Chief Segun Oni and his group towithdraw the case from the Federal High Court, Abuja as to facilitatean out-of-court settlement in the interest of the APC Family in EkitiState, in particular and Nigeria in general.

NAN recalls that a group loyal to the former governor approached the court in Abuja, after the APC primary, urging it to nullify Fayemis candidacyon grounds that he (Fayemi) did not properly resign from his position asMinister of Mines and Steel Development 30 days before the APC primary, as dictated by the law.

Fayemi had won the APC governorship primary held on May 12 in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by polling a total of 941 votes, beating Segun Oni, who scored 481 votes to the second place and 31 other aspirants

The Oni group also dragged Fayemi to court on grounds that he was indicted by Ekiti State Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Ayo Fayose and handed a 10-year ban from holding public office.

Oni, as the Claimant/Applicant filed the suit before a Federal HighCourt, Abuja presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba. The suit ismarked FHC/ABJ/CS/663/18.

Joined as Defendants/Respondents in the case are Dr. Fayemi, APC and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Dimgba on 20th August issued an ex parte order for substituted service on the defendants.

NAN reports that Segun Onis supporters said the court case was triggered by allegednon-inclusiveness, ostracisation, marginalisation and demonstration ofopen hatred for them by Fayemis supporters.

Source: NAN

Nigeria has developed a $6.7 billion Buhari Plan of Action for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of Northeast that had been devastated by Boko Haram activities sincd 2009.

Nigerias Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, unveiled the plan at a side event tagged Strengthening the Humanitarian and Development Partnership in the Lake Chad Region, at the UN headquarters.

The Nigerian envoy said that the comprehensive socio-economic Plan, known as Buhari Plan aimed to advance the humanitarian and development nexus in the country.

Bande said Nigeria was spearheading the event based on the need to promote across board collaboration and cooperation among countries of the Lake Chad region, the donors and a whole range of humanitarian and development partners.

At our national level, the $6.7 billion Buhari Plan of Action for the comprehensive Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement of the North Eastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad represents an ambitious humanitarian cum development initiative on the part of a national government.

It is to demonstrate its total and unshakable commitment to the socio-economic development of the entire area.

It is unmistakably true that beyond the current challenges lie numerous prospects for harnessing the capacity of the people and natural endowment of the area to facilitate integrated regional socio-economic development.

Therefore, the occasion of this side event and its subsequent follow up actions would present opportunity for enhancing the objectives of several initiatives on the Lake Chad such as the All Lake Chad Governors Forum which held its inaugural meeting in Maiduguri, Nigeria in May.

Also, the Berlin Conference on the Lake Chad has been slated for the first week of September 2018 and would build substantially on the outcomes of the February 2017 Oslo Donors Conference on the Lake Chad.

I would like to take this opportunity to call on all stakeholders to redouble efforts and commitment towards making the coming Berlin Conference on the Lake Chad of Sept. 3 to 4, 2018 a watershed.

This is in our collective resolve to further mobilise resources and demonstrate implicit commitment to plans that will ensure moving quickly beyond the immediate humanitarian need to concrete sustainable developmental projects capable of substantially elevating the lives of the majority of people in the region.

The Nigerian envoy stressed the need for collaboration and cooperation among countries of the Lake Chad, the donors as well as humanitarian and development partners.

According to him, collaboration between the humanitarian and development agencies has gained traction at the UN in recent times such that the involvement of national governments is needed to make it work.

He said the protracted humanitarian and development challenges in the Lake Chad region had place enormous responsibilities on all to remain engaged in discussion aimed at scaling up national, regional and global responses to the crisis.

These responses need to be bolstered by strengthened coordination at the UN level to ensure a more synergised delivery of assistance, the Nigerian envoy emphasised.

Let me emphasise that the recharge of the Lake Chad Basin, capacity building, and restoration of livelihood, through facilitation of occupational opportunities, job creation, skill acquisition and others are central to finding lasting solution to the problem in the region.

To realise all these would entail our collective commitment to a broad range of actions, facilitated by strong international cooperation and partnership, involving the UN agencies and development partners, like the World Bank and African Development Bank among others, Bande said.

Magagi Louan, Minister of Humanitarian Action and Disaster Management of the Republic of Niger, said the political leadership from the region were working together to ensure comprehensive response to the crisis in the Lake Chad.

Louan said several mechanisms to address the problem included the institutionalisation of joint security architecture such as the Multinational Joint Task Force and promotion of collaborative social-economic projects under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

Also commenting, Alifei Moustapha, Permanent Representative of Chad to the UN, disclosed that Chadian Government had set up a new coordination mechanism across the ministries to identify local requirements and develop flexible coherent responses to address the Lake Chad problem.

On his part, Michel Monthe, the Permanent Representative of Cameroon to the UN, stated that his country would finance resilience and socio-economic projects and called for response to humanitarian needs while simultaneously reducing risk and vulnerability.

The event, sponsored by Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Chad, UN Development Programme and UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, also featured presentations by UN Humanitarian Coordinators for the four countries. (NAN)

Source: NAN

A majority of Brazils top electoral court shot down late Friday the candidacy of popular leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the countrys upcoming presidential vote, telling the jailed former leader he cannot participate in Octobers critical election.

The vote punctuated a gripping case that has roiled the country for months, with Lula, 72, remaining the top contender among Brazilians to lead Latin Americas largest economy despite sitting behind bars since April for accepting a bribe.

In an extraordinary session the Superior Electoral Court dashed Lulas hopes after hours of debate, with the judges voting an overwhelming 6-1 against him.

Shortly thereafter, the former presidents Workers Party (PT) vowed to fight with all means to secure candidacy for the leftist icon.

We will present all appeals before the courts for the recognition of the rights of Lula provided by law and international treaties ratified by Brazil, said the party in a statement.

We will defend Lula in the streets, with the people, because he is a candidate of hope.

Lulas case was a last-minute addition to the court session. The result was expected, but the vote of Judge Edson Fachin, the second to speak, had momentarily rekindled suspense.

He relied on Lulas recent backing from the UN Human Rights Committee, which ruled that the former leader cannot be disqualified from the elections as his legal appeals are ongoing.

But the votes that followed torpedoed the former presidents bid for a third term.

Lula was sentenced to 12 years in prison for accepting a luxury seaside apartment as a bribe from a construction firm.

He vehemently denied the accusations and has dismissed the charges as a political plot aimed at preventing him from standing in the elections.

The PT has stubbornly kept up its attempts to force Lulas name onto the ballot box, registering him as a candidate two weeks ago.

The courts decision would be open to appeal, magistrate Henrique Neves, a former electoral court member, told AFP.

He said either party would also be able to lodge an appeal with the Supreme Court over the constitutional nature of the electoral courts ruling.

The court decision dropped late in the night but before the spots of presidential hopefuls were set to broadcast.

Lula was found guilty in July 2017 and then lost a first appeal in January.

Nonetheless, UN committee member Olivier de Frouville told AFP that Lula should be allowed to organize and campaign, even from jail.

Brazil is technically obliged to abide by those findings, but the government in Brasilia described the committees conclusions as a recommendation that is not legally binding.

Former trade union leader Lula is also involved in another five ongoing court cases.

But he is adored by millions of Brazilians due to the prosperity Brazil enjoyed under his leadership from 2003 to 2010.

He left office with a popularity rating of over 80 percent.

Despite the uncertainty over his ability to stand, Lula currently leads polls with more than double the share of his nearest challenger, the right-winger Jair Bolsonaro.

But the PTs second choice looks hopeless.

Former Sao Paulo governor Fernando Haddad, who will stand if Lula is barred, commands little popular support.

However, the political chaos has had wider repercussions in the country with the currency losing 20 percent of its value against the dollar since January.

Lulas social media followers remain upbeat, though. The PT launched an appeal for support on Twitter, after which a hashtag translating as Lula on the ballot box quickly began trending.

Source: NAN

Late US senator John McCain will receive his final public sendoff Saturday in a nationally televised ceremony featuring eulogies from two ex-presidents, but with current commander in chief Donald Trump conspicuously absent from the proceedings.

Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama will deliver remarks honoring their friend and former White House challenger, at a memorial service in Washingtons National Cathedral that McCain planned himself in recent months as he battled brain cancer.

That the men who vanquished McCain in their presidential battles were asked to speak is testament to the former war prisoners commitment to looking beyond party and signalling that Americans, regardless of political affiliation, are rowing together in the same boat.

Amid todays inflammatory political environment the message could serve as a soothing balm for a nation bruised by two years of divisive discourse.

And the absence of Trump, whose bitter feud with McCain has wrangled US politics during that time, will serve as a final rebuke of the president, highlighting the clash between a Republican elder statesman and the current president from his own party.

McCains last public event, before he is laid to rest Sunday in a private ceremony at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, comes a day after he was accorded the rare recognition of lying in state in the US Capitol.

While members of Congress honored one of their own in a touching ceremony that featured an address by Vice President Mike Pence, Trump was again not there.

Instead he holed up in the White House and remained uncharacteristically silent on Twitter during the ceremony, before flying to a political event in North Carolina later in the day.

McCains widow Cindy, his seven children and his 106-year-old mother Roberta McCain joined scores of members of Congress, state governors, diplomats and other dignitaries at the somber Rotunda ceremony.

Pence, in his tribute, told McCains family that it is deeply humbling to stand before you today at the United States Capitol to commemorate the life and service of an American patriot.

The president asked me to be here, on behalf of a grateful nation, to pay a debt of honour and respect to a man who served our country throughout his life, in uniform and in public office.

It was an awkward message to deliver from a president who has studiously refrained from praising McCain, either during his illness or since his death.

Their feud took root during Trumps 2016 campaign, when he questioned the notion McCain was a war hero because he had been captured after his navy fighter jet was shot down over Hanoi in 1967.

McCain pushed back in the following months, calling Trumps behaviour petty and disgraceful, and in one of his final acts in the Senate blocked the Republican effort to repeal Obamas health care law known as Obamacare.

McCain the aviator spent more than five years in a Vietnamese prison camp, returning home to launch a political career that saw him eventually run for president in 2000 but lose the nomination to Bush.

Eight years later, he won the nomination in a contest that seemed almost predestined only to lose the election to Obama, who became Americas first black president.

Saturdays ceremony could serve as a rehabilitation of sorts for Bush, who will be delivering one of his most high-profile addresses since leaving the White House nearly 10 years ago.

He has endured deep criticism for controversially leading the US into war in Iraq an invasion that McCain steadfastly supported at first, but eventually grew to believe was a mistake.

For Obama, the moment will allow him to share his thoughts about a presidential campaign rival whose magnanimity in defeat only boosted his stature as an American statesman.

Tonight more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama, McCain said at the time.

I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.

Source: NAN

The Bank of Japan will not raise interest rates for quite a long time, its chief said in an interview published Saturday even as its US and European peers tighten monetary policy.

Haruhiko Kuroda dismissed speculation that the central bank was planning to adjust its super-loose policy, aimed at keeping long-term interest rates around zero percent and short-term rates at minus 0.1 percent

We dont intend to raise them for quite a long time, he told the mass-circulation Yomiuri newspaper.

The BoJ has struggled for years to reach the 2.0 percent inflation rate thought necessary to turbocharge Japans economy, and has defended its decision to maintain monetary easing even as other central banks tighten policy.

After its last policy meeting in July, the BoJ said it intends to maintain the current extremely low levels of short-and long-term interest rates for an extended period of time.

Kuroda told the Yomiuri that an extended period a phrase borrowed from the US central bank meant quite a long time.

We dont specify the period, such as whether it is one year, three years or five years, he was quoted as saying.

Its a commitment that we will maintain the current low levels (of rates) as long as uncertainty lingers.

His remarks are in sharp contrast to the direction the US and European central banks are taking. The US Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates twice more by the end of the year while the European Central Bank is exiting massive monetary easing.

Kuroda argued that the continuation of the BoJs easing policy would naturally lead to 2.0 percent inflation even if later than earlier thought, the Yomiuri said.

The prospect that Japanese interest rates will stay low for the foreseeable future should keep the yen low, but the currency has often rallied in recent times due to safe-haven buying in times of financial uncertainty.

Mostly recently the yen rose against other major currencies when the Turkish lira plunged due to Ankaras frictions with Washington, rattling financial markets.

Source: NAN

A Community leader in Jamaare Local Government area of Bauchi State, Alhaji Lawal Mohammed, says lack of safe water, inadequate sanitation and hygiene facilities affect childrens learning processes.

Mohammed said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Azare, Katagum Local Government headquarters on Saturday.

We lack safe water in our communities, schools and the health facilities which affects learning process of children.

According to him, water scarcity in communities prevents many young children, especially girls, from attending school and receiving education.

They are expected not only to assist their mothers to fetch water, but also to help with household chores that are made more time-intensive because of the lack of readily available water.

Furthermore, the lack of clean water means the absence of sanitary facilities and latrines in schools, and so once puberty hits, this has a more serious impact on female children.

In terms of lost educational opportunity, school attendance drops or children skip class attendance day by day.

According to him, inadequate safe water, sanitation and hygiene facilities affect the education, health, safety, and quality of life of children as children under the age of five die each year from diarrhoea.

Children in our communities go to schools which have no drinking water or clean latrines basic things that many of us take for granted.

Every child has the right to be in a school that offers safe water, healthy sanitation and hygiene education.

Mohammed stressed that providing quality water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in schools would reduce hygiene-related diseases and could help curb the schools days missed daily due to fatigue occasioned by search for water.

According to him, girls are reluctant to continue their schooling when toilets and washing facilities are not private, safe, clean, or simply not available.

The community leader, therefore, urged government, policy makers, school administrators, communities and parents to ensure that all children go to a school with child-friendly water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.

He also urged decision-makers and key stakeholders to increase investment for WASH in schools, with the participation of communities, civil society, the media, students and children themselves.

He said providing WASH facilities in schools would improve access to primary education, reduce child mortality and halve the proportion of people without access to safe water and basic sanitation.

Mohammed commended the Network for Civil Society Organisations in Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) and WaterAid Nigeria for launching the vote4WASH campaign, adding that it would go a long way in the quest for the provision of WASH facilities in the communities. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday attended the funeral service of late Pastor Oluwayemisi Adeloye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

The vice- president attended the funeral service, which was held at RCCG, Dominion Sanctuary, Ikeja, alongside his wife, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo.

Aged 58, Adeloyes ministerial work took her to several stations both in Nigeria and abroad.

She was the first programme coordinator of Women in Ministry of RCCG.

Delivering a sermon at the service, Pastor Charles Achonwa, General Overseer, Doulos Ministries, said that Adeloye lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.

Achonwa said that the late pastor was an epitome of what a good wife should be.

In his tribute, Adeloyes son, Joshua Adeloye, described his late mother as a tireless worker and Gods servant, who impacted immensely on her family and society in general.

Source: NAN

Mr Abraham Gbileeka, the General Manager of Benue Urban Development Board, says the board has marked no fewer than 300 buildings that contravene law for demolition in Makurdi.

He said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Makurdi that most of the affected structures were built on water channels.

Its true that people are building on water channels and it is our responsibility as a board to stop them; the only action we have to sustain the right thing.

Once we discover that you have not received a legitimate approval from the board and you have gone ahead to build, we serve you a notice which will lead to demolition.

So, at the moment, we already have 300 houses marked for demolition in Makurdi alone, he said.

The general manager also said that the structures marked for demolition were not only built on water canals, but lack government approval.

Gbilekaa said that areas that would be affected are Nyiman extension, Achussa, Genabe, Owner Occupier, Wadata and High-level, Naka Road and some communities in North Bank.

He, however, explained that marking a house does not necessarily lead to demolition as houses were marked sometimes because they have no records with the board.

Gbilekaa warned the residents of the state against raising illegal structures that such buildings stand the risk of being demolished.

He also advised them to ensure that due process was followed when obtaining approval for their structures.(NAN)

Source: NAN

The bishop who led Aretha Franklin's funeral has apologised to Ariana Grande after being accused of groping her on stage.

Images show Bishop Charles H Ellis III holding Ariana high above her waist, with his fingers squeezed around the side of the singer's chest.

"It would never be my intention to touch any woman's breast," he told the Associated Press.

"Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar."

He added: "But again, I apologise."

The preacher said he hugged all artists, male or female, during the ceremony commemorating the Queen of Soul.

But viewers began posting images from the service when Ariana got up to sing Aretha's song (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.

#RespectAriana is trending worldwide after a pastor got very handsy with @ArianaGrande at Aretha Franklin's funeral pic.twitter.com/FeJQ4f3lk4

— Ariana Grande Today (@ArianaToday) August 31, 2018

Many people felt that Bishop Ellis's hand was inappropriately high on the 25-year-old's body as he spoke to her - saying that she looked uncomfortable with the contact.

Y’all are talking about @ArianaGrande’s dress being too short when we could be talking about this groping and how uncomfortable Ariana is? & the look on his face? Dear Jesus. pic.twitter.com/HO7i9y9WFP

— Nicholas Liddle (@NLiddle16) September 1, 2018

It came as others on social media had been criticising Ariana for what she was wearing to the church service, saying her dress was too short.

Some people said that the focus being on Ariana, rather than the bishop, was misogynistic.

Misogyny looks like criticizing Ariana Grande for how short her skirt was— but not the fact that Bishop Charles Ellis gave her a mammogram on national television. 🙄

— Ashlee Marie Preston (@AshleeMPreston) September 1, 2018

And argued that the pastor's embrace deserved greater attention than it was getting.

I think every woman can look at Ariana Grande's face and body language and viscerally feel what she's feeling. The tension. The nervous laughter. Not wanting to make a scene or make him angry. Every woman knows this feeling.

But google her and everyone's talking about her dress. https://t.co/VYikD43RnM

— Maggie Astor (@MaggieAstor) September 1, 2018

#RespectAriana began trending as more people saw the footage.

"I hug all the female artists and the male artists," Bishop Ellis told AP.

"Everybody that was up, I shook their hands and hugged them. That's what we are all about in the church. We are all about love."

He added: "The last thing I want to do is to be a distraction to this day. This is all about Aretha Franklin."

It wasn't the only thing the bishop apologised to Ariana about though.

Earlier in the service he made a joke about the singer's name.

"When I saw Ariana Grande on the program, I thought that was a new something at Taco Bell," he said to her.

Funny moment during the #ArethaFranklinFuneral: Bishop Ellis tells @ArianaGrande when he saw her on the program he thought "it was a new something at Taco Bell." pic.twitter.com/Sxgh8Nnt9n

— Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@Local4News) August 31, 2018

A lot of people found the joke funny, and it featured heavily in the conversation around the funeral.

But Bishop Ellis apologised after some thought it was distasteful.

It’s troubling that a Taco Bell joke (which was extremely ignorant) is overshadowing the fact that Ariana Grande was groped during Aretha Franklin’s memorial service. pic.twitter.com/clR9TbrgxZ

— Ash (@Mod_Bombshell) September 1, 2018

"I personally and sincerely apologise to Ariana and to her fans and to the whole Hispanic community," the bishop said.

"When you're doing a program for nine hours you try to keep it lively, you try to insert some jokes here and there."

Ariana was performing at the funeral of Aretha Franklin alongside icons like Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan.

Aretha was remembered as an aunt, grandmother, friend, civil rights activist and icon of black womanhood, in a nine-hour ceremony.

She died earlier this month of pancreatic cancer, aged 76.

Source: BBC

Apple is set to reveal its latest lineup of products on Sept. 12 at the Steve Jobs Theater on the tech giant's campus, it announced in an invitation to media. The event starts at 10 a.m. P.T.

The company's annual September event serves as the introduction of new iPhone models and upgraded gadgets before inventory hits the shelves, but this year's unveiling is rumored to be impressive even by Apple's standards.

Analysts and news outlets are expecting upgrades to nearly every Apple product line. Reports have suggested a new line of iPhones, a new MacBook Air and updated Mac Mini, upgrades to the iPad and a new Apple Watch.

Apple is expected to announce three new iPhone X models: a sequel to the current model with the 5.8-inch OLED display, a larger version with an OLED 6.5-inch display and a cheaper version with a 6.1-inch LCD screen. The 6.1-inch model will use aluminum instead of steel casing to keep costs lower, Bloomberg reported. The article also said Apple will offer new color options for the iPhone lineup. Like the iPhone X, all the new iPhone models will ditch the home button in favor of gesture controls and the FaceID facial recognition system for unlocking the phone.

Apple is also expected to update its iPad Pro models with screens and features that mimic the iPhone X, including FaceID and gesture controls. Apple will also have new versions of the 12.9-inch and 11.9-inch iPad Pros.

Several of the reported updates to the iPad and Watch mimic the iPhone X — revealed at last year's product event — with its full-width, OLED screen and facial recognition software.

Real Madrid and Croatia star Luka Modric on Thursday received the accolade of UEFA Player of the Year in Monaco, beating his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpools Mohamed Salah to the prize.

Im very happy to receive this great prize. I have worked hard for this, to get to the highest point possible, said Modric, who starred in the Real side that won the Champions League for the third year running before also leading Croatia to the World Cup final.

I can say for sure that this has been the best year of my career, collectively and individually, and I am enjoying the moment, added the 32-year-old, who was announced as the winner of the prize after Thursdays draw in Monaco for this seasons Champions League group stage,

Modric started out at Dinamo Zagreb and then had four years with Tottenham Hotspur before Real prised him away six years ago.

His success here, after he was named the best player at the World Cup, confirms that he should be among the favourites to win the Ballon dOr, a prize dominated by Ronaldo and Lionel Messi over the last decade.

Salah was in attendance at the Grimaldi Forum on Thursday, but Ronaldo, now with Juventus, was not there.

Im sorry that he couldnt be here. I am sure there is a reason why he couldnt come. I would have liked to see him. Hopefully we will see each other soon somewhere else, said Modric of his old colleague.

Modric has also been linked with a move away from Real this summer, with Inter Milan said to be keen on him, but he claims to be more than happy in the Spanish capital.

As I have always said, I am at the best club in the world, where I want to be. I am not just happy but very happy to be here.

Reals achievement in winning yet another Champions League last season was further recognised as Modric also won the UEFA award for the best midfielder of last season.

His clubmate Sergio Ramos was named best defender while Real shot-stopper Keylor Navas won the best goalkeeper prize.

Ronaldo, in his absence, was awarded the prize for best striker chosen by Champions League and Europa League coaches from last season and journalists.

The award recognises the best players, irrespective of nationality, playing for a club within the territory of a UEFA member association during the past season.

The award recognises the best players, irrespective of nationality, playing for a club within the territory of a UEFA member association during the past season.

Danish international Pernille Harder, of German club Wolfsburg, won the UEFA womens player of the year prize.

Wolfsburg lost to dominant French outfit Lyon in the Champions League final in Kiev in May.

There was also an award for David Beckham, the former Manchester United, Madrid and England star collecting the UEFA Presidents Award for his achievements in the game and his work since retiring as a player.

2017/18 Luka Modri (Real Madrid

Heroic reception heralded Mallam Abdullahi Danbaba, an aide of Governor Abdullahi Ahmed, who resigned his appointment to remain in All Progressives Congress (APC).

A mammoth crowd trooped out on Thursday in Kaiama, Kaiama local government area of Kwara to receive Danbaba who snubbed the governors
defection to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Residents and supporters joined Danbaba to rally round the community chanting anti-People Democratic Partys (PDP) and anti-Saraki slogans.

Some of the residents lamented that the community had suffered protracted neglect in infrastructural development particularly road construction.

Alhaji Ahmed Usman, the chairman, Kaiama Development Association explained that the community had been die hard loyalists of Saraki dynasty without any development.

We have suffered a lot. We were being pushed to wall in time of infrastructure. That is why the people of Kaiama are saying enough is enough.

For more than 30 years now, late father of Bukola Saraki, Olusola Saraki would come here and campaign that if we vote for him, he would do Kishi-Kaiama road.

So Bukola spent eight years without doing the road, Bukola Saraki brought Abdulfatah and this is all most his eight years, the road is yet to be done, he said.

Usman added that there could not be any development without road particularly that Kaiama was the food basket of the North-West, South-West and North-Central in term of yam, yam flour, maize, guinea corn and soya beans among others.

He noted that people were frustrated to come around to buy yam because of the bad road, noting that all the three roads that linked the community with the neighbourhood were in deplorable condition.

A youth, Abubakar Kakagida, said that the people were so patient to have followed Saraki this far.

According to him, the community has been deceived more than enough in the name of constructing Kishi-Kaiama road.

We the community are the one that called him to resign and come to back to the APC because we could not achieve our aspiration on Sarakis platform.

Meanwhile, Danbaba expressed delight over the warm and heroic reception, saying his resignation had been justified by the turn out of the people. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki has officially declared to run for President in the 2019 General Elections.

Saraki made the declaration on Thursday, while meeting with young Nigerians who want to run for office in 2019 under the NotTooYoungToRun Act that was passed by the National Assemly and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: I hereby announce my intention to run for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the coming General Elections in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I do so with the firm conviction that I have what it takes to secure inclusive growth for Nigeria and Nigerians.

According to a tweet by a Special Assistant to Saraki on New Media, Mr Olu Onemola on twitter, he wrote: LIVE VIDEO: The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has just declared his intention to seek the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

While speaking with the youths, Saraki said that his decision to seek the highest office in the country was in view of the Numerous challenges being faced by the country and by Nigerians.

He said that it was unthinkable that Nigeria, with its young population, with over 70 per cent of its people under the age of 40, still could not take advantage of the youthful population which is envied by the Western World.

He lamented that all over the country Nigerians were crying out for succour with many people going hungry, while others die of avoidable and treatable diseases.

The harsh conditions of extreme poverty faced by the people, fuels the state of insecurity all over the country. Hunger, lack of education and lack of opportunities push many Nigerians into criminal activities including terrorism.

Many of our communities are paralysed with fear due to incessant communal crises, kidnappings and other social ills, as well as the threat of terrorism. We are failing abysmally to tackle the problems of today and to prepare for the future, he said.

Saraki went on to say that the economy was in dire need of urgentrevival in order for Nigeria to grow adding that Nigerians have become more divided than ever before between the haves and the have-nots.

He therefore stressed that something must be done about the situation of things in every sphere of the country, stressing that it was for the sake of offering solutions that he was declaring to run.

It is with all these in mind, and taking account of the challenges that I have outlined, that I have decided to answer the call of teeming youth who have asked me to run for President.

Accordingly, I hereby announce my intention to run for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the coming General Elections in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I do so with the firm conviction that I have what it takes to secure inclusive growth for Nigeria and Nigerians.

My Plan for Nigeria has inclusion in all aspects of the countrys affairs as a central pillar. Every citizen has the inalienable right to feel a sense of belonging, no matter their background or creed, or what part of the country they come from. No matter who you voted for or what your convictions are, government must work for you.

Your generation does not deserve to live in the poverty capital of the world. It is no longer an issue of how we got here, but how do we get out of this situation? I promise you that I will lead the fight and employ every God-given resource available to us in turning things around. I am determined to grow Nigeria out of poverty. We will stimulate the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as one of the ways of energising the economy and to create wealth for our people, especially the youth.

I

He pledged to secure Nigeria by redesigning the security architecture and equipping security agencies, address infrastructural deficits in power and transportation, defend the constitutional rights of all Nigerians and uphold the principle of the rule of law at all times.

He assured the youths that he would not be selective in fighting corruption adding that he would ensure that all institutions of government would be allowed to function without undue inteference.

I offer leadership driven by empathy. Where leaders are responsive to the citizens. Where they know that government cares. We will not be indifferent or turn a blind eye to the real concerns of our people. Every single Nigerian life matters.

B

I have deliberately chosen the opportunity of being here with you, my Number One constituency who I see as the future of our great country, to make my intention known. I believe the Nigerian youth are critical to rebuilding and growing the economy, and restoring our national pride.

I therefore ask you and all well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with me in this noble cause.My brothers, My sisters, Lets Grow Nigeria Together, he said.

Source: NAN

Senate President Bukola Saraki, who announced his aspiration for the office of president, may be pitted with his ally and governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, who has picked his nomination form for the same office on the same ticket of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

There are a dozen of other bigwigs of the party, many of whom belong to the same political camp.

Many of them defected at the same time from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to regroup to upstage traditional members of PDP.

Among others gunning for the slot are a two- time governor of Kano, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso; ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar; ex-governor of Jigawa, Alhaji Sule Lamido and others.

Tambuwal who arrived the partys National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, with his supporters at few minutes 6.p.m, left at about 7. 10 p.m.

Tambuwal told newsmen shortly after he picked the form that he was confident that the PDP leaders would conduct credible elections, if the aspirants did not go for consensus candidate.

I cant say there is no need for consensus; it is part of democratic process. If there is a possibility of it, why not? If it is not possible, then, we all go for the primaries.

But I believe that PDP of today is capable of organising free, fair, credible and transparent primaries.

Tambuwal said that going by his antecedents he had the capability to confront the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its likely candidate.

I believe you need to check back my political antecedents. I have always confronted with this kind of hostile environment.

You remember how I emerged as Speaker of House of Representatives and how I remained there as Speaker of House of Representatives.

So I am not discouraged by whatever that may come up as a challenge from the administration.

On the issue of herdsmen/farmers crisis, Tambuwal said it was a major security concern to every Nigerian.

We must look at the issue very comprehensively and proffer solution to it.

I believe it is an issue every responsible government must address and I assure you we can take it head on and resolve it. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Patricia Amogu
The Federal Government said on Thursday that it would explore all possible avenues to ensure that Nigeria benefitted immensely from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The Green Climate Fund is an operating entity of the UN Financial Mechanism to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change.

The Minister of State for Environment, Malam Ibrahim Jibril, stated this at a Gala Dinner and Certificates Award Night organised by the African Unions (AU) Scientific, Technical and Research Commission in Abuja, to mark the end of a three-day Capacity Building Consultative Workshop for AU member states.

The consultative workshop was an avenue to train representatives of African states on how to access the GCF.

According to the minister, accessing the fund will go a long way towards addressing climate change-related issues in the country.

He said that towards that end, the environment ministry was working closely with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to generate renewable energy as a way of mitigating the effect of climate change.

He added that it was in a bid to address climate-related issues that Nigeria became the first African country to raise the Sovereign Green Bond in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement of 2015 to which it is a signatory.

The minister stated that the government would encourage the 36 states of the federation to put proposals that would stand the test of time and to benefit from the GCF.

He then urged participants to return to their various countries and apply the knowledge and lessons learned during the interactive sessions to help grow the various agencies, parastatals, organisations and academic institutions in their countries.

Highpoint of the evening was the award of certificates of participation to all the key stakeholders, participants and resource persons.

The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at least 20 African countries were represented at the workshop.

Source: NAN