By Doris Esa

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it had successfully completed the in-house life extension programme on one of its C-130H aircraft, NAF 913, thereby improving the airlift capability of the service.

NAFs Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to Adesanya, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, had said that NAF would continue to intensify efforts at reactivating unserviceable aircraft in its inventory to enhance its operational effectiveness.

The NAF spokesman said that Abubakar stated this while assessing the progress of work on the in-country Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) of another NAFs C-130 aircraft at 631 Aircraft Maintenance Depot (ACMD) in Lagos.

Abubakar noted that the reactivation of NAF 913 was another major feat recorded by the current NAF leadership to further improve NAFs capability to provide logistics support across multiple theatres of operations.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the enabling environment for NAF to raise the serviceability status of NAF operable aircraft from about 31 per cent in 2015 to an average of 80 per cent as at date.

Adesanya said the Commander at 631 ACMD, Air Commodore Moses Onilede, told Abubakar that the Depot had also successfully overhauled two C-130H aircraft engines, while the in-country Periodic Deport Maintenance(PDM) of the second C-130H, NAF 917, had reached an advanced stage.

He said Abubakar commissioned two newly-completed and furnished officers residential quarters at the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base (SEAFB), Ikeja, and the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (AFRC), Oshodi.

He reiterated the commitment of the present administration toward meeting the welfare needs of personnel.

Source: NAN

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki on Tuesday failed to honour the invitation of the Nigeria Police Force over his indictment in the Offa bank robbery.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the police had invited Saraki to report to the Head of investigation team, of the Intelligence Response Team ( IRT) on July 24 at 8 a.m. in Guzape, Abuja.

NAN also reports that the invitation was in connection with the confession made by five suspects in the April 5 robbery that they were political thugs of Saraki.

The Force Spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, while addressing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, said that there was no timeline to the invitation.

Moshood said that the force would not shy away from its constitutional responsibilities of crime detection.

“The Nigeria police force will not abdicate from its constitutional responsibilities of detection of crimes and criminalities, and will always treat crime as crime no matter who is involved.

“The force remains focused and will not be distracted from carrying out a discreet and thorough investigation into the indictment of the Senate President,”he,said.

He said that Saraki had case to answer and it was consequent upon that that he was invited to appear before the IRT.

He said that Saraki was not harassed and intimidated physically or otherwise by any police personnel as reported by some media.

“It is also absolutely untrue that Saraki was harassed, threatened or intimidated physically or otherwise by any Police personnel either from the Force Headquarters or any other formation of the Force,”he said.

Moshood implored members of the public to disregard and discountenance the report of the blockade of the residence, harassment and threat to Saraki’s life.

Source: NAN

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, said the party is not jittery about members of the the R-APC joining the Peoples Democratic Party.

He also said his wooing them to stay with the APC was not an act of cowardice.

Oshiomhole spoke at the launch of a book by Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim (APC, Yobe-East). He said his gesture to the aggrieved members was all about restoring peace and getting justice for those who deserved it.

“Throughout the weekend and up till today (Monday), many of the national dailies reported different stories with the impression that I have not been sleeping within the last one week as a result of alleged midnight meetings with aggrieved party members, who they say I have been begging not to leave the party.

“In some of the reports, the insinuations even went as far as saying that I made juicy offers to the aggrieved party members in stopping them from defecting. While I will not be too direct in reacting to such reports here, I will only say though I have been meeting aggrieved party members over whatever injustices they felt the party or some chieftains of the party had done to them. I have not been having sleepless nights as being reported, and also I am not in any way jittery.

“Rapprochement move, as far as I am concerned, is not an act of cowardice but a desirous endeavour in making peace since you can’t decree peace but only work for it. So, in a nutshell, I am not ashamed of doing that as chairman of a great party. To those who the rapprochement moves are being directed to, we want them to appreciate that we are more or less trying to prevent them from making a blunder of dumping palm wine for kain kain (local gin).”

Source: NAN

The All Progressives Congress(APC) Caucus of the Senate, has said that the party remains in control of the Senate, even without reckoning with Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is believed to be heading to Peoples Democratic Party.

The Leader of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, who spoke on behalf of the caucus, while briefing newsmen in Abuja after about three hours closed session, said there was no cause for concern.

He said, out of the 109 senate seats, the APC has 52, the PDP has 50, the ADC has three and APGA has two.

Recall that we lost two of our colleagues, one from Katsina, one from Bauchi. So, we have two vacancies. If you put this together we have 109.

I want to assure you that by the grace of God, INEC will conduct by-elections to fill in the vacancies in Bauchi and Katsina and by the grace of God they are our safest seats.

We are still expecting some of our colleagues in the PDP who are originally our members to defect.

They have expressed willingness to join APC and for our collleagues that have left, we are still optimistic that many of them or all of them will have a change of heart.

APC remains the majority party in the Senate and in the House of Representatives, he said.

The lawmaker said the APC lawmakers would continue to support President President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver on his promises to Nigerians.

He gave the names of the 52 senators still with the APC to include Adamu Aliero-Kebbi, Yahaya Abdullahi-Kebbi, Bala Ibn NAllah-Kebbi, Aliyu Wamakko-Sokoto, Ibrahim Gobir-Sokoto and Ahmed Yerima-Zamfara.

Others are, Kabiru Marafa-Zamfara, Tijjani Kaura-Zamfara, Abu Ibrahim- Katsina, Umar Kurfi-Katsina, Kabiru Gaya-Kano, Barau Jibrin-Kano, Abdullahi Gumel-Jigawa, Sabo Mohammed-Jigawa, Shehu Sani-Kaduna.

They also include, Ahmed Lawan-Yobe,Bukar Abba Ibrahim-Yobe, Ali Ndume-Borno, Abubakar Kyari-Borno, Baba Kaka Garbai-Borno, Sabi Abdullahi-Niger, David Umaru-Niger, Mustapha Mohammed-Niger, Abdullahi Adamu-Nasarawa.

Others are George Akume-Benue, Joshua Dariye Plateau, Francis Alimikhena-Edo, Andy Uchendu-Rivers, Magnus Abe-Rivers, Ovie Omo Agege- Delta, John Eno-Cross River, Nelson Effiong-Akwa Ibom, Andy Uba-Anambra, Sonni Ugboji-Ebonyi, Hope Uzodinma-Imo, Ben Uwajumogu-Imo, Danjuma Goje-Gombe,

They further include Binta Masi-Adamawa, Ahmed Abubakar-Adamawa, Yusuf Yusuf-Taraba, Oluremi Tinubu-Lagos, Gbenga Ashafa-Lagos, Solomon Adeola-Lagos, Tayo Alasoadura-Ondo.

They equally include Gbolahan Dada-Ogun, Soji Akanbi-Oyo, Ajayi Boroffice-Ondo, Yele Omogunwa-Ondo South, Abdullahi Buhari-Oyo, Babajide Omoworare-Osun, Olusola Adeyeye-Osun, Fatima Raji Rasaki-Ekiti.

This administration of APC is focused, the Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari is doing so much for this country.

We need to work to support the president to ensure that Nigeria reduces its deficit in infrastructure, so that the social investment we are making will come to fruition.

Every well meaning Nigerian is supposed to support the president to fight all those few challenges that we have across the country, he said.

Fourteen lawmakers had earlier at plenary on Tuesday, announced their defection to the PDP and other parties.

Source: NAN

Researchers at the University of Melbourne in Australia have developed the worlds first artificial intelligence (AI) system, a biometric mirror, that can detect and display personality traits of a subject simply by analyzing a photograph.

TheBiometric Mirror was unveiled on Tuesday. It works by comparing the users data with thousands of other facial images in its database.

The datathat biometric mirror uses is based on crowdsourced feedback on peoples facial appearance, project leader Dr Niels Wouters from the University of Melbournes Centre for Social Natural User Interfaces said.

When someone stands in front of Biometric Mirror, the system detects a range of facial characteristics in seconds. It then compares the users data to that of thousands of facial photos, which were evaluated for their psychometrics by a group of crowd-sourced responders.

Biometric Mirror displays 14 characteristics, from gender, age and ethnicity to attractiveness, weirdness and emotional stability. The longer a person stands there, the more personal the traits become.

The research project, led by Dr Niels Wouters from the Centre for Social Natural User Interfaces (SocialNUI) and Science Gallery Melbourne, explores the concerns this technology raises around consent, data storage and algorithmic bias.

With the rise of AI and big data, government and businesses will increasingly use CCTV cameras and interactive advertising to detect emotions, age, gender and demographics of people passing by, Dr Wouters said.

Our study aims to provoke challenging questions about the boundaries of AI. It shows users how easy it is to implement AI that discriminates in unethical or problematic ways which could have societal consequences. By encouraging debate on privacy and mass-surveillance, we hope to contribute to a better understanding of the ethics behind AI.

Source: NAN

By Idris Abdulrahman

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Tuesday warned Nigerian prospective pilgrims for this years Hajj against taking illicit drugs and prohibited items to Saudi Arabia.

NAHCON Coordinator in Madinah, Alhaji Ahmed Maigari, gave the warning n an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He cautioned Nigerian pilgrims to adhere strictly to Saudi Arabia laws to avoid facing the consequences of violating them.

Drug careers into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia risk death penalty by being beheaded while those who import Kolanut in commercial quantities face fines of up to 100 Riyals on each piece of the items, he warned.

Maigari advised pilgrims to also observe the rules, regulations and preaching of Islamic scholars during the exercise, adding that they should strive to be good ambassadors of Nigeria.

The coordinator said prospective pilgrims should prepare for harsh weather in the Holy cities during the Hajj and gave the assurance that the commission, through its personnel on ground, was fully prepared to receive all pilgrims on arrival.

We have not received any complaint on feeding, accommodation or any other welfare matters from the pilgrims on ground so far and I can assure you that all necessary measures have been taken to sustain or even improve on the high level of welfare of pilgrims.

He urged them to prepare to undergo another round of biometric data capturing on arrival at the Saudi airports, in spite of the screening conducted in Nigeria before take-off.

The thinking is that since we have done biometric data capturing in Nigeria, the airport authorities will only click their system to view the data, but we had to do it again on arrival, he said.

Maigari said the commission had met with all relevant authorities, including registered transporters for the Hajj in Saudi Arabia, adding that they gave an insight into the rules and regulations of the operations.

After listening and inspection of our arrangements, they commended Nigerias preparations for this years Hajj.

The coordinator advised pilgrims who might need assistance and guidance to call a NAHCON dedicated line: 920008251 in the Holy land.

NAN reports that the Advance National Team, including the medical and accommodation committees have already arrived ahead of the Hajj, while the first batch of pilgrims from Kogi and the National Media Team landed in Madinah on Friday.

Source: NAN

Yusuph Olaniyonu, the media adviser to Senator Bukola Saraki said the house of his principal was blocked by the police Tuesday morning.

In a WhatsApp post, he also claimed the house of deputy senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has also been surrounded by DSS agents.

Kola Ologbondiyan, publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party corroborated unusual security presence at Ekweremadus house, when he tweeted: Security operatives block Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu,s residence in Apo, Abuja. Ekweremadus spokesman Uche Anichukwu confirmed the security presence and said it included operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Both claims have not been verified. And security agents have not spoken on why the actions were taken.

The Nation reported that the police only blocked Sarakis convoy for about 30 minutes. The convoy was about to leave the house at about 7am when the police arrived.

When the convoy was cleared to go at about 7.30 a.m, some police vehicles trailed it up to the National Assembly complex.

Police were said to have extracted a promise from the Senate President that he would honour the invitation by the Inspector General of Police today.

Saraki has been invited by the Inspector General of Police to report at 8a.m today at Guzape Police station to give further statement on the multiple robbery incidents that occurred in Offa, Kwara state on 5 April, in which 31 people were killed.

Some of the suspects arrested claimed Saraki gave them money and guns as members of a group used by the politician to cow opponents.

In a letter sent to Saraki on Monday night, Idris asked him to make himself available to the head of the Investigation Team at the Intelligence Response Team at Guzape Junction, Asokoro Extension, Abuja at 8a.m.

The police had on 4 June asked for Sarakis reaction to the statement made by some of the suspects arrested in connection to the most deadly robbery in the history of Nigeria. Saraki wrote a statement dated 7 June.

Idris ruled the statement inadequate.

After a careful perusal of your letter to the Police, it was discovered that the statement requires further clarification and coupled with the fact that you stated that the full text of the statements of the suspects were not shown to you, it is imperative you report to the Police to make further statements after giving you the full text of the statements of the suspects.

It is in line with the above that you are requested to report to the head of the Investigation Team at the Intelligence Response Team at Guzape Junction, Asokoro Extension, Abuja on 24th of July, 2018 at 8am for further investigation on the matter.

In a response last night, Saraki described the invitation as a mere afterthought which is designed to achieve political purpose.

The Police have obviously corrupted and politicized their investigations into the Offa robbery incident. They have turned it into an instrument for the party in power to suppress perceived opponents, witch-hunt issue for blackmailing people from freely choosing which platform on which they want to pursue their ambition and a matter for harassing the people whose exit from APC would harm the chances of the party in the forthcoming elections.

I want to make it apparent that I have no hand in either the robbery incident or any criminal acitivity. The Police in their haste to embarrass me sent the invitation to me at 8pm and requested that I report to the station by 8am tomorrow morning. This obviously demonstrated their desperation as I do not see why they are now in a hurry., Saraki said .

*Updated

Source: NAN

North Korea has started dismantling some facilities at its main satellite launch station, seen as the testing ground for its intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to expert analysis of recent satellite images.

If confirmed, the analysis by respected US-based website 38 North could signal a step forward after last months landmark summit between Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump, although some experts questioned the significance of the gesture.

After the summit, Trump had declared the North Korean nuclear threat was effectively over, and US media reports suggest he is privately furious at the lack of any subsequent progress on the denuclearisation issue.

His public statements, however, remain upbeat and the 38 North analysis came as the president pronounced himself very happy with the way talks were progressing with Pyongyang.

The website said imagery indicated the North had begun taking down a processing building and a rocket-engine test stand that had been used to test liquid-fuel engines at its Sohae Satellite Launching Station.

Sohae, on the northwest coast of North Korea, is ostensibly a facility designed for putting satellites into orbit, but rocket engines are easily repurposed for use in missiles and the international community has labelled Pyongyangs space programme a fig leaf for weapons tests.

38 North analyst Joseph Bermudez called the move an important first step for Kim in fulfilling a promise that Trump said the North Korean leader made during their June summit in Singapore.

Since Sohae is believed to have played an important role in the development of technologies for the Norths intercontinental ballistic missile program, these efforts represent a significant confidence-building measure on the part of North Korea, Bermudez said.

Trump said in Singapore that Kim had committed to destroying a major missile engine test site, without specifying the site.

Sohae has been the Norths main rocket launch site since 2012, and South Korea whose president brokered the landmark summit between Trump and Kim called it a step towards denuclearisation.

Its a better sign than doing nothing, Nam Gwan-pyo, deputy director of the presidential national security office, told reporters.

I believe they are moving step by step towards denuclearisation, Nam added.

But some experts cautioned against reading too much into the work described in the 38 North analysis.

Source: NAN

Iran will respond with equal countermeasures if the U.S. tries to block its oil exports, the foreign ministry in Tehran said on Tuesday.

U.S. officials are stepping up diplomatic efforts to pressure countries to stop importing Iranian oil.

If America wants to take a serious step in this direction it will definitely be met with a reaction and
equal countermeasures from Iran, foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi was quoted as saying
by the state news agency IRNA.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday backed President Hassan Rouhanis suggestion that Iran might block
Gulf oil exports if its own exports are stopped.

Already fraught relations between Tehran and Washington have worsened in recent days.

On Monday, Iran dismissed an angry warning from President Donald Trump that it risked dire consequences the
like of which few throughout history have suffered before if it made threats against the United States.

Irans parliamentary speaker on Tuesday described Trumps comments as the words of a troublemaker.

The United States is experiencing disorder and wildness in its diplomatic relations, Ali Larijani was
quoted as saying by IRNA.

Iran has faced the threat of U.S. sanctions since Trump decided in May to withdraw the U.S.
from a 2015 agreement between world powers and Iran over its disputed nuclear programme. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

A total of fifteen senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have dumped the party and defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a letter to the President of the Senate, signed by 14 senators, they indicated their intention to leave the ruling APC for the opposition PDP.

The senators who have so far defected are: Rabui Musa Kwankwaso (Kano Central), Barnabas Gemade (Benue North-West), Dino Melaye (Kogi East), Isa Hamman Misau , Lanre Tajouso, Shaaba Lafiagi, Mohammed Shittu and Ubali Shittu.

Others senators are: Rafui Ibrahim, Suleiman Hunkuyi, Monsurat Sunmonu, Ibrahim Danbaba, Usman Nafada and Suleiman Nazif.

The letter reads thus:

Dear Senate President after due consultation with our constituents and stakeholders in our constituencies, in proper recognition of section 68(1G) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and with the fact our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is hereby emerging factions.

We hereby inform the Senate that wethe undersigned are changing our political affiliation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

We thank you for your exemplary leadership.

Shortly after reading the letter, Saraki also announced that Sen. Murtala Nyako has also indicated his intention to leave the APC, bringing the total number of defectors to 15.

With this number of new senators in the PDP, the party now holds the majority seats in the upper legislative chamber.

Speaking after the defection, Saraki who expressed displeasure at the siege on his residence and those of other lawmakers, said that it was uncalled for.

People have the freedom of association. I have been sitting down here and more than 15 senators have decamped or defected to one party or the other. There was no siege on their residence, he said.

Source: NAN

The meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the national opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold on Monday.

The national leadership of the party sent out an invitation to members of the committee to converge at its national secretariat Monday.

The notice sent out was however silent on the agenda of the meeting which had been slated for 4pm.

The notice of the meeting was signed by the National Secretary of the party, Sen. Umaru Tsauri.

Meanwhile, the partys threat to boycott next years elections, has been criticised and that it was being hunted by its past.

The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, said PDP was being haunted by its past treatment of electoral contests as a do-or-die affair.

He warned that APC would not be intimidated by any threat of the PDP or any other party as it was committed to the sustenance of democracy and the sanctity of one man, one vote.

The former Labour leader described the move by the PDP as akin to that of a rabbit jumping out of a hole in the afternoon because a hunter has come to put fire to smoke it out.

The PDP fired back, saying APC was jittery over coalition between PDP and 38 others.

Source: NAN

Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed has hailed the elevation of the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki from the title of Turaki of Ilorin to Waziri of Ilorin by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari.

The Governor said this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Abdulwahab Oba on Sunday in Ilorin.

Ahmed described the elevation as well-deserved considering the contributions of the Senate President to the development of the Emirate in particular and the entire state at large.

The announcement of the elevation to the prestigious title of Waziri by the Emir was a pleasant but fitting surprise to cap our joy over the exoneration by the Supreme Court from the Code of Conduct Tribunal trial.

It is fitting that you have stepped into the traditional shoes of your father and our great mentor,Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki.

The time is apt, the occasion is unique and your profile is most fitting for this honour, Ahmed said.

The governor observed that the elevation would no doubt serve as morale booster for the Senate President to continue to do more for the emirate and the entire state.

Gov Ahmed therefore, enjoined the new Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin not to relent on his oars to attract development and growth to the state and empowerment for its people.

The governor prayed God to guide the new Waziri and grant him wisdom to pilot the affairs of the new traditional office.

Source: NAN

Nigerias Minister of Sports and Youths Development, Barr. Solomon Dalung, has disclosed the cause of the road mishap which befell his convoy in Gombe on Saturday.

This was, even as, the Minister read the riot act to youths including those whom he described as elements who hijacked the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) for personal enrichment, while truncating the vision and mission of youth agenda in Nigeria.

Dalung who was in Gombe for the National Unity Convention of NYCN, the first to be successfully held in the last 10 years, explained how his convoy got involved in a ghastly accident after being received atat the airport by Amb (Dr.) Dickson Akoh, Chairman of Board of the Council.

The convoy was returning from Gombe airport when, in Akku village, some kilo metres away from the city centre, a 406 Peugeot heading to Bauchi rammed into the convoy.

Briefing newsmen in Gombe, Dalung said the driver of the 406 Peugeot, immediately he sighted the convoy, panicked and swerved off the road into the bush.

He manipulated his way trying to come back to the highway but when he came this time, he crossed over, smashed about 2 or 3 vehicles in the convoy, somersaulted and went into flames.

One of our vehicles also somersaulted and we have some degrees of injuries. From what I was told, we lost one life instantly.

When asked if he made any effort to rescue the victims, the Minister said It was only my car and one other car that left the scene immediately, the rest of the cars in the convoy remained to move all those involved to the hospital for medical attention.

I have visited them in the two hospitals where they are receiving treatment. As I am talking right now, seven people have been discharged so far.

Dalung said as a sign of respect for the departed souls, the election would be shifted to Sunday, saying despite the distractions and antics of those who dont want the progress of the NYCN, the convention would still hold in Gombe as planned.

The Minister commended the delegates for traveling far distance,

We will not be deterred because we are committed to deliver credible leadership in NYCN. We will proceed, he said.

After many years of crisis which had bedeviled the NYCN leadership, from one colour of court order to another one, from one junior faction to another senior one, from one caretaker committee to another sole administration, and different forms of aberration that have truncated the vision and mission of youth agenda in Nigeria.

For those who believe that the NYCN is a platform for making wealth, let me advise them, they can join Dangote group of companies, that is where wealth is created; those of us who think we can use the platform of NYCN to blossom our political ambitions, let me advise you that the APC, the PDP and the other 77 political parties are there for you, go and join one of them.

For those of us who think we are strong and popular and the only place we can take refuge is to surrender ourselves to some powerful politicians who will sponsor us to continue to truncate the vision of the youth of Nigeria, I advise you, there are so many criminal groups, go and join one.

And for those who believe the youth deserve a voice and the youth of this country are the only national assets we have, and have joined the National Youth Movement selflessly, I say to you my fellow country men, God bless you.

While assuring the delegates that the federal government has no preferred candidate in the Gombe convention, Dalung warned those who are above the red line (35 years) to stay clear from the contest, urging them to also consider young women in some positions.

Meanwhile, Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, has sent his condolences on behalf of the state government, to the families of the 2 young men who lost their lives in the Saturday crash.

Speaking at the executive session of the convention, the governor also promised to shoulder the hospital bills of those injured, including officers of Peace Corps of Nigeria, directors from Federal Ministry of Sports and Youths Development and the outgoing President of NYCN, Comrade Mayor Enujeko, who is lying in critical condition at the hospital.

Source: NAN

Lagos state has deployed a task force of 2,271 personnel of security agencies and other stakeholders to remove all container trucks and tankers parked along Oshodi-Apapa road.

Tagged Operation Restore Sanity On Lagos Roads, the Task Force involved the police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Nigerian Military including Army, Air Force and the Navy.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Ladi Lawanson, said on Sunday that the Task Force was able to free the road from Toyota to Mile 2 in an operation which lasted for 72 hours between Friday and Sunday.

He added that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has extended the operation of the Task Force for another 48 hours, while he would also host a meeting involving all the stakeholders in Alausa on Monday to come up with a lasting solution to the menace.

The Governor will be meeting with the Nigeria Ports Authority, Shippers Council, Tank Farm Owners, Department of Petroleum Resources, among others because that is where the problem is really emanating from.

What we are doing now are just palliative measures and we have to solve the problem from the source.

Even though this is not within the Governors jurisdiction but he is adopting a collaborative approach with these agencies of the Federal Government which are the root cause of the problem to look for a medium to long-term solutions in support of the palliative measure that the Governor has started, Lawanson said.

The clearing operation by the task force also involved relevant unions within the maritime sector such as Amalgamation of Container Truck Owners Association, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners (NATO), Road Trasnport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), among others.

Giving further details on the operation, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, said over 2,000 articulated vehicles were removed from the road including Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Funsho Williams Avenue and Mile 2-Orile Road and taken to seven designated holding bays.

He said the State Government has also resolved to set up a Mobile Court within the axis to summarily deal with recalcitrant drivers of articulated vehicles who may want to draw back the recent gains recorded.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Edgal Imohimi; Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), Hyginus Omeje; LASEMA General Manager, Adeshina Tiamiyu; Heads of Military Formations in Lagos, among others were part of the inspection tour to assess the operation.

Source: NAN

The Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON) , Mr Osita Okechukwu, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Nigerians to join President Muhammadu Buhari to fight insecurity.

Okechukwu, also a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that assisting the federal government to fight insecurity would be more beneficial instead of comparing the dead in the country with those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the VON DG was reacting to questions from newsmen in Enugu over statements on killings in Nigeria, credited to Atiku during his formal declaration to contest for president on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yola.

The VON DG, who is an ardent supporter of President Buhari, however, dismissed the statistics of the former vice president, saying that they were unnecessary and inaccurate.

What is important is how to stop the killings; we need cooperation, prayers, information and assistance to the government.

Otherwise, Wikipedia reported from credible sources that Iraqi death toll of over 500,000 persons since US led invasion of 2003, about 5,000 of who are US Service men, he said.

According to him, I am outraged like most Nigerians over the spate of killings by herdsmen/farmers clash, bandits, militias Boko Haram and sundry.

President Muhammadu Buhari I must confess is very sad over the killings.

His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, Turaki of Adamawa statistics are unnecessary and inaccurate, for one death is painful.

At any rate his statistics and can be best dubbed campaign hype if not fake news, when the real statistics are assembled. Iraqi casualty is over 500,000.

The cardinal question in all honesty is can Turaki stop the insecurity without the cooperation of international security agencies, especially that of the United States? he said.

On the public perception that Buhari is not doing enough to stop the killings, Okechukwu said: Am on good note that President Buhari is quietly deploying all means necessary to stop the insecurity in the land.

Among which is deployment of Mission Critical Communications System by Motorola Solutions of Illinois, United State of America, equipment which will put critical information at the fingertips of all the security agencies in Nigeria.

In fact the National Security Adviser, Mr Babagana Monguno and Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, one understands, are leading the pack. I dont want to say more than this, for this is security issue, Okechukwu said.

He appealed to all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliations to join hands with Mr President to fight insecurity in the country, instead of making insecurity a campaign issue.

Okechukwu thanked him for acknowledging the massive infrastructural development ongoing in the land under Buhari, but expressed doubts over Turakis promise to tackle insecurity.

My relief is that His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar graciously recognised the unprecedented massive infrastructural development ongoing in the past three years under President Buhari.

The targeted 5,000 kilometres of Federal roads, 5,000 kilometres of rail lines, 5,000 additional megawatts of electricity and bid for self-sufficiency in food are anchored on prudent management of public fund.

Can Turaki guarantee Nigerians to curb corruption to this level? he queried.

He also recalled that President Buhari few weeks after inauguration was honoured with a red carpet reception at the White House.

Since the presidential contest is like a beauty contest, Buhari remains the best among those parading themselves to be President in 2019, he added.

Source: NAN

The meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the national opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold on Monday.

The national leadership of the party sent out an invitation to members of the committee to converge at its national secretariat Monday.

The notice sent out was however silent on the agenda of the meeting which had been slated for 4pm.

The notice of the meeting was signed by the National Secretary of the party, Sen. Umaru Tsauri.

Meanwhile, the partys threat to boycott next years elections, has been criticised and that it was being hunted by its past.

The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, said PDP was being haunted by its past treatment of electoral contests as a do-or-die affair.

He warned that APC would not be intimidated by any threat of the PDP or any other party as it was committed to the sustenance of democracy and the sanctity of one man, one vote.

The former Labour leader described the move by the PDP as akin to that of a rabbit jumping out of a hole in the afternoon because a hunter has come to put fire to smoke it out.

The PDP fired back, saying APC was jittery over coalition between PDP and 38 others.

Source: NAN

U.S. President, Donald Trump, has again blamed former President Barack Obama, for not doing something about alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, during his tenure.

Trump, in a tweet, also described the alleged election meddling as a hoax, saying it was the reason Obama did not act.

He said Obama thought the Democratic presidential candidate and arch-rival, Hillary Clinton, was going to win.

Trump tweeted: So President Obama knew about Russia before the Election. Why didnt he do something about it?

Why didnt he tell our campaign? Because it is all a big hoax, thats why, and he thought Crooked Hillary was going to win!!!

The president took a swipe at the whole Foreign Intelligence Surveillance (FISA) warrant application, released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against Carter Page, a Trump campaign foreign policy adviser.

Trump described Pages FISA documents as a scam, which led to the rigged Mueller Witch Hunt!.

Alleged Russias interference in the 2016 presidential election, in which Trump won by electoral college but lost to Clinton by almost four million popular votes, led to the set-up of the special panel headed by Robert Mueller.

The FBI on Saturday released a redacted version of the warrant application on Page, marking the first public disclosure of a highly sensitive FISA request.

Trump said that the FISA documents confirm with little doubt that the Justice Department and the FBI misled the courts.

Trump went on to allege that his campaign was potentially being illegally surveilled for `the political gain of Crooked Hillary Clinton and the DNC (Democratic National Congress).

Looking more and more like the Trump Campaign for President was illegally being spied upon (surveillance) for the political gain of Crooked Hillary Clinton and the DNC.

Ask her how that worked out she did better with Crazy Bernie. Republicans must get tough now. An illegal Scam! Trump tweeted.

The U.S. leader bragged about having a great meeting with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, but blamed the media, which he described as fake news for trying to disparage the meeting.

I had a great meeting with Putin and the fake news used every bit of their energy to try and disparage it. So bad for our country! Trump tweeted.

Source: NAN

World’s most expensive footballer, Neymar Jr. has for the first time narrated his agony over the disappointment suffered by Brazil in the Russia FIFA World Cup, which ended on 15 July.

The PSG player told AFP in an interview that after Brazil’s quarter-final beating by Belgium, he “didn’t want to see a ball or to see any more football. I wanted to disconnect a bit from everything”.

“I had moments of mourning, of sadness, of being just by myself. But sadness passes.

“I have my son, my family, my friends and they don’t want to see me moping around. I have got more reasons to be happy”, he said.

Neymar came out of the weeks of agony on Saturday, taking part in the RedBull Neymar Junior 5-a-side tournament in Praia Grande near Santos in Brazil. He featured in the game, called World Cup Finals.

The women’s competition saw an extremely popular outcome, with the Brazilian team needing a golden goal to defeat Italy 1-0 in a tight final match to the delight of the home crowd in Praia Grande.

However, the final of the mixed tournament couldn’t have been in sharper contrast. Mexico didn’t need the full 10 minutes to beat Argentina, running out 5-2 winners with 1m 10s still on the clock.

The winning teams each then went on to play against Neymar Jr and friends. Mexico suffered a taste of their own medicine, losing 5-2 inside the regulation 10 minutes.

However, Brazil pulled off something of a shock, keeping it tight to triumph 2-1 over a team that not only included Neymar himself, but also stars such as Érika from PSG and Andressa Alves of FC Barcelona.

However, Neymar could not forget the real World Cup in a hurry. He was disappointed that the referees could not protect him against fouls by opponents.

“I didn’t go to the World Cup to suffer fouls. That is not why I went . I went to beat opponents and obviously they weren’t going to just leave me in peace. They weren’t going to let me pass without touching me, without committing fouls, because they knew if they didn’t commit those fouls, I would go straight to the goal”, he said.

Suffering from corruption stigma placed on it, the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has resolved to change its name, a rebranding measure ahead of 2019 general election.

ThisDay reported that the party had suffered a string of losses in the last four governorship elections – Edo, Ondo, Anambra and Ekiti.

The newspaper reported that the decision of the party for a change of name was taken on Saturday night.

The party noted that the move was pre-emptive to prevent the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from tagging it as corrupt.

PDP, which planned to announce the decision to change its name, had also pencilled down Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu as the one to head a committee that would walk the party through the procedure.

Many of the party’s stalwarts have been worried by how the ruling APC had successfully branded the party as corrupt in the eyes of Nigerians and admitted that, a rebranding was imperative to mount a successful challenge in 2019.

PDP had become damaged goods that must be changed to give the party a fresh start.

The decision by the PDP to change its name might have stemmed from last Thursday’s meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Though, details of their discussion were not made public, many in PDP believed that with such sessions, the chances of bringing Saraki back to the PDP could be hampered.

The opposition party had long mooted the idea of name change, but had slowed down on the decision because a majority of its members were not disposed to it, and those who wanted it could not convince the others.

Besides, it was thought that even though the party had switched positions and had become an opposition party, PDP was still the only party with membership in the remotest parts of the country, and the name resonated with a majority of its members and admirers, particularly among the teeming illiterate populations.

Source: NAN

Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar said he would ensure Adamawa returns to PDP.

Abubakar gave the assurance Saturday in Yola while speaking at a mega rally organised by the state branch of the party.

Atiku said that Adamawa was a PDP state and he would do all things possible to bring back the party to power in 2019. The state is now being controlled by the All Progressives Congress.

Atiku who formally declared his intention to vie for the presidential seat under PDP said he was overwhelmed by the mammoth crowd that graced the occasion, which he interpreted to mean a confirmation of the popularity of PDP in the state.

He criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) for failing Nigeria in areas of economy, security and job security, adding that he would address the the problem when elected president.

The National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus described Atiku as a leading presidential aspirant in the party that has the capacity to dislodge APC in 2019.

“PDP is a tsunami that will soon wipe out APC. We are not afraid, we are strong and coming like train to crush APC,” Secondus said.

Secondus assured all presidential aspirants level playing field and tasked APC on ensuring level playing field for all parties in 2019 general elections.

Without mentioning names, Secondus announced the defection of some commissioners, House of Assembly members and council chairmen from APC to PDP.

Speaking on behalf PDP senators, Sen. Ben Murray-Bruce said Atiku has what it takes to make a difference 2019.

Representaives of Atiku supporters in North East, North Central, South South and South East who spoke at the occasion also endorsed Atiku for 2019 election.