President Donald Trump has extended his condolences to Anthony Bourdains family and remembers him as quite a character.

I think it is sad, i want to extend to his family, my heartfelt condolences, it was very shocking when i woke up this morning to hear that Anthony Bourdain is dead.

I enjoy his show, he was just a character, he said.

US celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, host of CNNs food-and-travel-focusedtelevision series, died at the age of 61.

The cause of death was suicide, the network said in a statement.

He was found dead in a hotel room in Strasbourg, France, where he had been working on an upcoming episode of his program, the network said.

Bourdains death was the second suicide this week of a high-profile American figure

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Source: NAN

A 58-year-old landlady, Mariam Abdullahi, was on Friday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates Court for allegedly burgling her tenants apartment to steal valuables and cash totaling N139,000 .

The accused is facing a two-count charge of burglary and stealing before Magistrate F.F. George.

Abdullahi, who resides at Iyana-Iyesi, Ogun, however, pleaded not guilty, and was admitted to a bail of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.

George said that the sureties should be gainfully employed, and also show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 10 at Capitol Road, Agege in Lagos State.

He said that the accused broke into the one-room apartment already rented out to one Miss Blessing Nwakibu, to steal her valuables and cash totaling N139, 000.

When Abdullahi rented out the apartment to Nwakibu, the accused gave the complainant a pair of the key to the room.

The Accused retained the duplicate, claiming some of her belongings were still in the room.

When the complainant entered the room few days after packing in, she discovered that the accused had already packed her remaining belongings.

She also discovered that her own property had been stolen.

The accused stole six pieces of wrappers, five pairs of shoes, three pairs of sandals, three pairs of slippers, all valued at N132,000, and a N7,000-cash, all totaling N139,000.

The case was reported at the police station which led to the arrest of the accused, the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 307 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

Section 287 attracts three years jail term for stealing, while Section 307 prescribes seven years for burglary.

The case was adjourned until June 26 for mention.

Source: NAN

By Joan Nwagwu

The National Assembly will fast track the passage of the new national minimum wage bill, once the executive bill is sent to it.

Sen. Mao Ohuanbuwa, Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, made this known while speaking with newsmen on Friday in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ohuanbuwa said that the Senate President had already given the assurance that the bill would be given express hearing and passage by the legislature.

He said: w are going to fast track the bill for accelerated passage and that is what the Senate President had said.

It is unfortunate that both the ministry and the executive have been going back and forth. We thought that by now, that would have been resolved.

So we are looking forward to that bill because it is going to come out as an executive bill.

We are looking forward to rounding off or concluding that bill before we go on our annual break.

But the way it is, it looks like we are going to wait. You know there is little or nothing we can do because it is an executive responsibility.

They are the ones who will make the payment. Ours is that we have to support and agree that there is very urgent need to review the minimum wage.

He said the need to review the minimum wage is sacrosanct.

But we cannot go ahead as a parliament to legislate on that without the executive coming up with a bill. We are waiting for them to do that.

We will allow the executive and the labour leaders to resolve their differences. What we had promised and we still stand on is that once that bill comes to us, we are going to give it accelerated hearing.

He called on the Federal Government and the organised labour to resolve their differences on the issue of the new national minimum, in the interest of Nigerian workers.

Ohuanbuwa said that states should be allowed to negotiate with labour on what they would be able to pay.

On whether the National Assembly allow labour matters to remain on the exclusive legislative or concurrent list.

He said that But personally and since I am one of the advocate of devolution, I still believe that the issue of labour should go into concurrent list.

He said that Because there are states which can decide to negotiate with labour and pay within their limits. You cannot compare somebody working in Abuja with somebody working in Zamfara.

They can look at the rate of transport, accommodation, feeding and all that. They are not the same and you cannot compare Abuja level to Zamfara or Bayelsa.

So you should allow the states some liberty to negotiate and decide and have their own pay. The only thing the Federal Government can do is decide what the minimum wage would be.

As some states can pay, some cannot pay and you can see the level of wage debt across the country. Most states cannot pay.

So, we can allow some freedom. It is just like in the oil companies. They dont pay the same rates; construction companies dont pay the same rate.

Even in Nigeria, if you are working in the ministry, you do not earn the same pay with a person working in Central Bank or in NNPC, he explained.

Also speaking to newsmen, Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, said that the September date for the minimum wage was just a target date.

Ngige said that the minimum wage might not be feasible in September due to the processes and procedures involved.

He explained that the tripartite committees the report would pass through the Federal Executive Council and the National Economic Council, before an executive bill is sent to the National Assembly for passage.

NLC and TUC had, on May 1, jointly proposed N56,000 as new national minimum wage, since the existing wage was due for review on the basis of the extant Labour law.

But the Federal Government had also resolved to set up a joint government, labour committee to begin negotiation.

Source: NAN

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Friday said President Muhammadu Buhari demonstrated uncommon courage by declaring June 12 as Democracy Day.

The minister said this while speaking with newsmen after a condolence visit to the office of Punch Newspapers over the death of its Chairman, Mr Gbadebowale Aboderin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that the minister was accompanied on the visit by senior officials of government media organisations.

The minister added that the president has shown that he is a democrat and a listening leader with the declaration to immortalise late MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12,1993 election.

He also said Buhari has strengthened his human rights credentials by conferring the GCON award on late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN).

President Buhari has actually demonstrated uncommon courage and shown that he is a listening president by the decision to make June 12 Democracy Day as against May 29.

Simply put, the president has immortalised MKO Abiola and that is no mean feat. All lovers of democracy must stand with the president on the decision.

By hearkening to the yearnings of Nigerians, President Buhari has shown he is indeed a consummate democrat.

With the decision, he has shown he is a better democrat and more courageous leader than those who, despite the significance of June 12, opted to celebrate May 29 for many years, he said.

The minister faulted the claims by critics, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that the president was playing politics with the declaration.

The minister questioned the moral authority of the PDP to make the claim as they refused to honour Abiola throughout their 16 years in power.

Mohammed said successive presidents merely danced on Abiolas grave for 16 years as they bluntly refused to listen to the voices of Nigerians.

He said the PDP did not recognise the date because members of the party lacked the sincerity and courage to do so.

The minister reiterated that President Buhari never made the declaration out of expediency, but because that was the right thing to do.

We are fortified and glad that both the families of Abiola and Fawehinmi have lauded the president for the declaration, he added.

Mohammed also described the death of the late Punch Chairman as a painful loss, adding that Aboderins demise was shocking.

The minister described Aboderin as an enterprising young man who did a lot to lift the media industry as well as impact on many with his philanthropic activities.

He said the Federal Government shared in the loss of Punch Newspapers.

It is quite sad when the life of a young man like Aboderin is cut short.

He was a wonderful person, a dynamic and enterprising young man who did a lot to take Punch to a new level both as a business and as a newspaper, he said.

Mohammed disclosed that President Buhari was personally touched by Aboderins demise, hence his condolence statement.

Reacting, the Managing Director of Punch Newspapers, Mr Ademola Osinubi, thanked the minister for the visit.

He said the newspaper was grateful as the minister made the visit out of his tight schedule.

The managing director also thanked the president for his condolences, saying the organisation was moved by his concern.

NAN reports that Mr Austeen Elewodalu, a Director of News at Voice of Nigeria; Mr Ibrahim Mamanga, the Head of Lagos operations for NAN; Mr Pius Ojeh, Deputy Director Marketing, Nigeria Television Authority were in the ministers delegation.

Also in the delegation was Adeyinka Amosun, Executive Director of Lagos operations for Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the Constitution Fourth Alteration Bill, which grants financial autonomy to the State Houses of Assembly and the Judiciary.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, confirmed this development to State House Correspondents in Abuja on Friday.

Enang explained that with the signing into law the Constitution Alteration Bill the State Houses of Assembly would now operate like the National Assembly where Federal Ministry of Finance automatically transferred budgetary allocation direct to the account of the NASS.

He said that the Judiciary in the states would also enjoy similar financial independence as their budgetary allocations would no longer go through the budgeting process of the executive arms at the state level, but would be transferred directly to the account of the judiciary.

Therefore, upon this signature the amount standing to the credit of the judiciary are now to be paid directly to the judiciary of that state, no more through the governor and no more from the governors.

And then amounts standing to the credits of the Houses of Assembly of the respective states are now to be paid directly to the Houses of Assembly of that state for the benefit of the legislature and the management of the State Houses of Assembly.

This grants full autonomy now to the judiciary at the state level and the Houses of Assembly at the state level, he explained.

He said: Well, this allows the State Houses of Assembly to operate like the National Assembly does because the National Assembly does not get its money from the executive.

It provides money in the statutory transfers which the Ministry of Finance will automatically transfer to the account of the National Assembly.

Just like that of the (Federal) Judiciary, you see the judiciary sometime get N150 to N170 billion sometime a little bit about a N100 billion.

It does not go through the executive and it does go through the budgeting process of the executive. It is transferred directly to the account of the judiciary, which is the head of courts.

When the Houses of Assembly are doing their budgets, the amounts standing to the credit of the judiciary will now be among the statutory transfers which will be statutorily transferred to the heads of the courts.

And then that of the State Houses of Assembly will stand transferred to the House of Assembly of the state.

According to Enang, the president also signed into law the Constitution Amendment No. 21, which relates to determination of pre-election matters.

He said the new bill had reduced the days and time of determining pre-election matters to ensure that pre-election matters in courts do not get into the time of election and do not pend thereafter.

The relevant section of the constitution has also been amended by this Act therefore amending the constitution, he added.

Besides, Enang said that Buhari signed into law the Act or Bill No. 16.

He said: The intent of the Bill No. 16 is to ensure that where a Vice-President succeeds a President or a Deputy Governor succeeds a Governor he can no more contest for that office more than once more.

The fact is that having taken the oath as president once and you can only contest for the office once again and no more. That is the intent of this amendment.

He said the president also signed the Bill No. 9 into law.

According to him, the Bill No.9 gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sufficient time to conduct bye-elections.

He said with the presidents signature on the bill the days for the conduct of bye-elections had been increased from seven to 21 days.

These four Bills added to the `Not Too Young To Run Act, have now been assented to by Mr President and they have now become laws.

And then the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended is hereby further amended by the assents of Mr President to these bills today, he said.

Source: NAN

A youth group, the Concern Kwara Youth Movement has called on the Nigeria Police Force not to

A statement signed by the coordinator of the group Mr Salahudeen Lukman and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, called for proper investigation into allegations made against Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki.
Lukman said the group sympathised with the victims of the ugly incident and commended the State Government and the Nigeria Police Force for their swift response in reinforcing security in the area.

Silence in the face of injustice is sin against humanity; hence the leadership of this group has deemed it necessary to make its position known on the investigation of the case.

The Nigeria Police Force is greatly commended for the rapid action in apprehending the suspects, but we are also calling on the police to ignore any form of tricks to politicise the case.

We condemn in strong term the attempt to use the souls of 33 people including a pregnant woman and nine police officers to play politics on the altar of political vendetta.

We demand that the suspects be treated as armed robbers and not political thugs since they were all arrested in connection to robbery and not as political thugs, he said.

Lukman urged the police not to give the incident a political name yet, but face the investigation with all honesty to clear the suspicion of the people.

It is obvious that the mention of Saraki as their political god father is an attempt to draw political coloration to escape or extend the judgment.

We urge the police not fall for the trick but immediately investigate to get the real culprits and prosecute them, he said

Lukman said that the mention of the Senate President in the case was nothing but a deliberate attempt to ridicule and tarnish his image and asked that the issue be handled with caution to avoid unintended damage to his personality.(NAN)

Source: NAN

Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, running mate of late Chief Moshood Abiola in the June 12, 1993 presidential election, said Federal Government’s declaration of the day as Democracy Day was a great honour.

He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the announcement that national honour would be conferred on Abiola, acclaimed winner of the election, himself and late Human Rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

Kingibe, currently in Saudi Arabia for ‘Lesser Hajj’, however, declined further comment on the issues.

He told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that he preferred to concentrate on his religious rites for now.

“I really appreciate this. I will love to express my feelings, but right now, I am in Makkah praying to make peace with my Maker.

“There will be time enough to share worldly thoughts with friends,” the former Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), said.

On his part, former General Secretary, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Chief Frank Kokori, said the day June 12 was declared national Democracy Day was the happiest day of his life.

Kokori told NAN that the recognition of the date would go a long way in deepening Nigerians’ faith in their country.

“This declaration is not an ordinary one. It is going to encourage Nigerians to contribute selflessly to the social, political and economic emancipation of their country.

“No matter what anyone may say, President Muhammadu Buhari has, through this act, restored hope of Nigerians in Nigeria,” he said.

Buhari, on Wednesday announced the replacement of May 29 with June 12 as National Democracy Day, in recognition of June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by Abiola.

The late business mogul was also conferred, posthumously, with Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).

Kokori said that Buhari was the last person expected to recognise June 12.

“Ordinarily, one would have expected such a national service to come from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who himself went to prison, though for slightly a different reason.

“But here we are and when all hopes were seemingly lost, someone came and did justice to the struggle.

“I cannot claim personal glory for roles played during the struggle in spite of countless tribulations, but the honour goes to NUPENG, and the union will come out with official reaction to this landmark gesture,” he said.

Source: NAN

The new Air Namibia is to launch the Windhoek-Lagos-Accra, with the return routing from Accra-Lagos-Windhoek; and will reduce flight hours in West Africa by 60 per cent.

The new flight would resume on June 29, 2018 in Lagos-Accra route.

The airline said the new route fits in with growing the business and increasing our footprint on the African continent.

The Air Namibia route to Ghana and Nigeria will reduce travelling time to West Africa by 60 per cent.

The Acting Managing Director of the Airline, Mr Mandi Samson, said on that the airline anticipates closing a gap in the market by competitively connecting Southern Africa to West Africa within less than six hours.

This much-needed service gives our passengers a better alternative travel option, reducing travel times between Namibia and West Africa by more than 60 per cent.

We are happy to introduce our award-winning service in this market, and we are already receiving positive feedback on the launch of this new route, Samson added.

The operation fits within our existing capacity in terms of aircraft and crew, improving the utilization rates of these resources while increasing revenue generating opportunities. Especially as it means we are entering Africas largest regional air travel market.

Air Namibia will service this new route with the Airbus A319-100, offering a seat configuration of 16 Business Class and 96 Economy Class seats and offers two tonnes of cargo space. The service will operate four times a week on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Apart from providing direct connection from Namibia to West Africa, the operation will further transport passengers and cargo on the Lagos-Accra-Lagos route, using the fifth freedom traffic rights granted by the Ghanaian and Nigerian governments, as contained in the existing bilateral air service agreements.

The operating schedule and flight timings allow smooth and convenient connections inbound and outbound to our regional flights, connecting West Africa via Windhoek to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Luanda, Harare, Lusaka, Vic Falls, Gaborone Walvis Bay and Durban, Samson went on.

Air Namibia has also appointed APG Network as sales representatives in Nigeria and Ghana to provide full sales and marketing services, as well as call centre and customer care services on its behalf.

Air Namibia is making a comeback to the West Africa sky after abandoning the flight route to Accra in 2013. The airline launched the route in 2009, but has to terminate it citing low traffic that was not enough to sustain the route.

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Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari by declaring June 12 as Democracy Day and awarding Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) to late MKO Abiola has confirmed that Abiola won the 1993 election, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said on Thursday night.

Tinubu, a former senator and governor of Lagos and one of the pro-democracy activists who spent years in exile, made the assertion in a message entitled The Immortalisation of Chief MKO Abiola. The message was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)on Thursday in Lagos by Tinubus Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman.

He said that the award of the GCFR was also an acknowledgement that Abiola should have been allowed to serve as president after winning the free and fair expression of the popular will of the people.

Buhari had on Wednesday declared June 12 as new National Democracy Day with effect from 2019.

Buhari also said that the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 election, Chief MKO Abiola, would be posthumously awarded the highest award of GCFR.

He added that Abiolas running mate in the election, Amb. Babagana Kingibe, and late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) would be vested with Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON).

Tinubu said that the declaration was a good news for democracy and a proud moment for Nigeria.

According to him, Buhari s decision has corrected the wrongs of the past.

Along with all democratic and fair-minded Nigerians, I welcome the news that June 12 will replace May 29 as Democracy Day. I too applaud Buhari for making this courageous and rightful decision.

He has shown all Nigerians and the world that we have the moral fortitude to objectively face our history, learn from it and improve our society by virtue of this learning.

June 12, more than any other day, symbolises the struggles and sacrifices made by countless Nigerians to establish democracy as our way of national governance.

Chief MKO Abiola and others gave their lives that we might have democracy, that the will of the people will be sovereign and not suppressed by the will of the few.

This proclamation by Buhari will forever immortalise the sacrifices made by these patriots who gave off themselves in service of such a noble and rightful purpose, he said.

Tinubu also commended the award to MKO Abiolas running mate, Amb. Babagana Kingibe and Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

He said that Chief Fawehinmi was a fearless advocate for democracy and the human rights of the common man.

According to him, whenever and wherever late Fawehinmi spoke, he spoke the language of truth to power.

Tinubu said that the designation of June 12 as Democracy Day was the fulfilment of the dream and efforts of many of the progressives.

This fulfilment comes with a civic responsibility. We must consecrate this new holiday and ourselves so that we make it a living holiday.

More so than ever before, the spirit of June 12 must live within us. It must guide our politics and how we govern ourselves.

We must continuously dedicate ourselves to the freedoms and rights as well as the duties that democracy bestows on us all, political friend and foe alike, he said

Tinubu said that the presidential proclamation should forever bury ill-conceived notion that President Buhari was ambivalent about democracy.

According to him, President Buhari has shown that he not only respects democracy but duly honours it.

Democracy may be rough and untidy at times but it remains the form of government best suited for a society as diverse and multifaceted as ours.

Today, the sun shines a bit more brightly. The sound of democracy peals more resolutely across the land. The sacrifices of Chief Abiola and others have been affirmed by the Federal Government he once should have led.

Democracy has been given its proper seat. History has been corrected to the extent humanly possible. Nigeria continues to define its better self.

Of this new Democracy Day and what it symbolises, we all should be equally proud, he said.

Source: NAN

The Senator representing Anambra North in the National Assembly, Senator Stella Oduah has officially declared to run for a second term under the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

Oduah who officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to APGA on Wednesday, said that she had chosen to continue her fight for her people under the new platform.

Recall that that during the build up to the 2017 Anambra Governorship election, .

However, Oduah did not state why she was dumping the party, rather she said she chose to join APGA because of the Igbo Agenda, youths and women empowerment, which she described as the center piece of her politics.

My brothers and sisters, despite my global orientation, the Igbo agenda and that of my core constituency has always been the centrepiece of my politics.

As a senator, my first obligation is to my constituency, then my state and Igbo-land; it is on this note that I announce my intention to run for the Anambra North Senatorial seat under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

My joining APGA is born out of the conviction that the party is the conscience of the Igbo, and because every politics is local.

APGA possesses the Midas-touch to turn the South-East into a land of gold.

My brothers and sisters, APGA bu nke anyi!

Oduah who commended Governor Willie Obiano for being one of the very few governors who does not owe workers salaries, described him as one who had reformed Anambra state.

Read the full text of her speech officially declaring to run under APGA:

My brothers and sisters, it is with great delight that I come before you today. This occasion is momentous because it marks the beginning of a new political chapter for me.

The Igbo often say,Onye aghana nwane ya. This aphorism rings loudly the essence of brotherhood among the people of the rising sun. Before the incursion of the British, the Igbo had sacerdotal institutions that fostered strong communal bond. Even now, these institutions, such as the age-grades, remain, but with modifications. Pursuing communal goals for the benefit of the community has always been the way of the Igbo.

Since the civil war, we have survived neglect and ostracisation because of ourOfu Obiprinciple. This communal spirit of ours has always been tested and threatened, but we have, at each time, proved thatobala aburo nmili.

The Igbo are known to stand up for their own at the risk of being called bigots or tribalists by other ethnic groups. I know this, because I have had my own share of ethnic attacks.

In 2013, when as Minister of Aviation I supervised the remodelling and upgrading of Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu to international standard, I faced stiff opposition. I was accused of influencing the project to favour my people. But I was not deterred because of myonye aghana nwane yaprinciple. At the time, the South-East was the only region without an international airport. So, I saw to it that justice was done in this regard.

When I sponsored the South-East Development Commission Bill in the Senate in 2017, it was to drive the Igbo agenda. It was an expression of a potent desire to see a change in my homeland, and an exemplification of that sacred Igbo philosophy.

The bill sought, among other things, to create a commission which will provide and implement a roadmap for the development of infrastructure and social services in the five states of the South-East Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo. Let me say this here, as Senator representing Anambra North, the bill will see the light of day again.

As you all know, the South-East is a region with the least federal government presence in terms of projects. The region grapples with ecological problems, bad roads, poor electricity, unemployment and decrepit infrastructure. It is also the region with the least appointment in the federal government. Besides other factors, I believe the neglect of the region fuelled the recent agitations for an independent state by some groups.

I must say, the Igbo have achieved some progress even without the intervention of the federal government. Anambra state, for instance, has made tremendous progress under His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano, with meagre federal government monetary allocations.

Anambra state under Governor Obiano has not owed workers their salary unlike some other states. Anambra state has witnessed robust growth in agriculture and education under Governor Obiano. I must salute this great reformer of our time. Anambra state is working because Willie is working. Also, I know some Igbo citizens even volunteer to construct the roads of their communities out of love and dedication to their people.

My brothers and sisters, it is a fact that the South-East is a commercial hub; it is for this reason that I sponsored a motion for the development of inland ports in Onitsha, Enugu and other parts of the region. The region is at a disadvantage having to depend on Lagos for every import and export. We have an international airport already, with the development of a cargo export terminal and a cargo inland terminal more investments will be attracted to the region, and businesses will flourish.

As a matter of fact, the inland ports will be a catalyst for the economic development of the South-East. They willprovide services for the unloading of import cargoes for splitting to smaller units, and for the consolidation of export cargoes for shipment to destinations abroad. This means products manufactured in Nnewi and Aba can easily find their way to buyers in West Africa and other parts of the world.This should be celebrated. I intend to keep this issue on the front-burners in the senate.

Our people say,ana esi nulo amara mma were buwa iro,that is, charity begins at home.As a true daughter of Igboland, I have lived by this wise saying. I believe human capacity development is the best form of empowerment. With the uptick in crime and criminality fuelled by youth unemployment, we must steady attention on equipping our youth with the needed skills and means to survive in these hard times.

It is for this reason that I have made it a routine to empower the young men and women of my constituency with skills and cash for business. Last month, I empowered dozens of entrepreneurs in my constituency with cash grants to boost their business. I am happy to report that some of them are already making progress. So far, I have empowered thousands of young men and women in my constituency. I have also given scholarships to brilliant but indigent students in Anambra North.

Recently, I sponsored the Establishment of the Federal University of Aquatic Studies Bill, which has been read a first time in the Senate. The bill seeks the establishment of the university at Ogbaru, which is a fishing community.

The bill is expected to develop the aquaculture sector in the predominately fishing community by ensuring the availability of highly skilled manpower and development of cutting-edge research and technology for the industry. The impact of this bill when passed is countless our people will be equipped with modern-day fishery skills and qualifications which will boost their business and others along the value-chain.

Also, I have sponsored motions targeted specifically at vulnerable people in the rural communities of Anambra North and the state.

One of such motions is that demanding the urgent need to embark on massive provision of boreholes in rural communities in Anambra state.

The motion sought to address the dearth of drinking water in Anambra North to help those rural communities that rely on unhealthy sources of water for their daily lives. These communities require adequate water for survival and even for their agricultural activities.

I am happy to report that the local economy and social architecture that is, in my constituency, is feeling the impact of my interventions.

My people, charity begins at home.

As a woman, my job is not complete until all women are empowered, and until more women are represented in government. My idea of women empowerment is giving our mothers, sisters and daughters the wherewithal to support themselves, their homes and children, and also a voice in their communities.

To address the discrimination against women in government appointment, I sponsored a motion on the need to stop women underrepresentation in elective and appointive positions at all levels of government in Nigeria, and to implement affirmative action of thirty percent of women.

I will continue this advocacy until change comes.

My brothers and sisters, despite my global orientation, the Igbo agenda and that of my core constituency has always been the centrepiece of my politics. As a senator, my first obligation is to my constituency, then my state and Igbo-land; it is on this note that I announce my intention to run for the Anambra North Senatorial seat under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

My joining APGA is born out of the conviction that the party is the conscience of the Igbo, and because every politics is local.

APGA possesses the Midas-touch to turn the South-East into a land of gold.

My brothers and sisters, APGA bu nke anyi!

Source: NAN

Austria will expel several foreign-funded imams and shut seven mosques in a crackdown on political Islam, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced on Friday.

Kurz said the moves came after an investigation by the religious affairs authority into images which emerged earlier this year of children in Turkish-backed mosques playing dead and reenacting the World War I battle of Gallipoli.

Parallel societies, political Islam and radicalisation have no place in our country, Kurz said.

The photos, published by the Falter weekly, showed the young boys in camouflage uniforms marching, saluting, waving Turkish flags and then playing dead.

Their corpses were then lined up and draped in the flags.

The mosque in question was run by the Turkish-Islamic Cultural Associations (ATIB) organisation, based in the German city of Cologne, and a branch of Turkeys religious affairs agency Diyanet.

ATIB itself condemned the photos at the time, calling the event highly regrettable.

Source: NAN

The President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki will be addressing the Russian Parliament during an exchange visit between June 19th and June 22, 2018.

Saraki who announced the visit on Thursday at plenary, told his colleagues that he would be addressing a special plenary session at the Russian Federal Council.

This is to inform the distinguished Senate that i will be leading a delegation of the Senate to the Federal Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on an exchange visit from the 19th to the 22nd of June 2018.

During the visit, i will address a special plenary of the Federations council, Saraki said.

Speaking to our correspondent on the visit, Special Assistant to Saraki onForeign Affairs and International Relations, Bamikole Omishore said that the visit is sequel to the meeting of Saraki with the Chairperson of the federal council Madam Valentina Matviyenko at the 2017 Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU).

They exchanged ideas and she invited the Senate President to deliver a speech during a joint special session.

The event will also have a wreath laying ceremony at tomb of unknown soldier and other meetings to strengthen parliamentary relationship between both Russia and Nigeria.

At the 2017 IPU, Saraki also began negotiations for a .

Omishore disclosed that Saraki will also make out time to support the Super Eagles during one of their games at the World Cup.

He listed those that would be accompanying Saraki on the trip to include: Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Majority Whip, Senator Adeyeye, Senator Danbaba, Senator Sunmonu and others.

Source: NAN

The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, has promised to do justice to the lingering standoff between the National Open University(NOUN) and the Council of Legal Education(CLE).

Malami made the pledge during a courtesy call on him by NOUNs Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdalla Adamu, in Abuja.

A key point in their discussion was the contentious issue of CLE ban on NOUN law graduates from attending the Nigeria Law School.

Recall that the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) recently issued three months ultimatum to the Federal Government to admit Law graduates of NOUN into the Nigerian Law School.

The student gave the ultimatum in a statement signed by Taiwo Bamigbade, NANS Senate President and Abdulakeem Rufai, Clerk of the association on Thursday in Abuja.

They said NANS had patiently watched how after five years of graduation, the NOUN law graduates had been denied admission into the Nigerian Law School as provided in the NOUN students handbook, which is a legally binding contract.

The students said that NANS had through a communiqu addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari called on him to use his good offices to ensure the matter was resolved.

We make bold to remind you, Sir, that the university was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria, accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Off course, NANS as a body is not concerned on the continuation of law programme in NOUN if opposed by the professional bodies.

`But strongly disagree those innocent Nigerian students, who suffered themselves with their hard earned money to undertake an accredited course of study in NOUN as promoted by the Federal Government, will in any way be jeopardized. We say NO, NO and NO.

We state categorically that any injury to one Nigerian student is an injury to all Nigerian students and youths in general.

In the light of this, NANS as a body will no matter the price fight against this prolong injustice, intimidation and mischief.

If after the forthcoming August 2018 admission, the innocent NOUN law graduates are still excluded from lists of intakes into the Nigerian Law School, thus three months ultimatum to do the needful.

We, therefore, implore you Sir, to use your good offices as a matter of urgency to resolve the lingering crisis as NANS will no longer tolerate any excuses or tactical delays, he said.

Source: NAN

China has approved the world's first long-acting fusion inhibitor for HIV, media reported.

The China Food and Drug Administration has approved the domestically developed, long-acting injectable HIV drug Albuvirtide, Science and Technology Daily reported on Tuesday.

Developed by the Nanjing-based Frontier Biotechnologies Inc., the drug can block the fusion of the virus and host cell membranes, interrupting the HIV life cycle in its earliest stage, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Albuvirtide is injected once a week and is secure, a staff from the Nanjing-based Frontier Biotechnologies Inc, surnamed Zhu, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Compared to imported anti-HIV drugs, Albuvirtide has fewer side effects, especially on the liver, Xinhua reported, quoting Wu Hao, head of the infection center at Beijing You'an Hospital.

The drug is a fusion inhibitor that should be used with antiretroviral drugs to treat people suffering from HIV who have received antiviral therapy, according to the company's website.

Albuvirtide could potentially enhance patient compliance, improve quality of life and reduce treatment costs for HIV-infected patients, it wrote.

Current HIV treatments used in China are either generic or imported. AIDS and HIV patients mostly took a handful of pills every day, Peng Xiaohui, a sexologist at Central China Normal University, told the Global Times.

"China's first domestically developed drug offers new HIV patients a new treatment option. We hope to dispel the fact that China has not developed good anti-AIDS medicine," Xie Dong, chief scientist and former head of Frontier Biotechnologies Inc was quoted by the Science and Technology Daily as saying.

Xinhua reported that several companies are developing long-acting AIDS drugs in China, but only Frontier's drug has been approved.

Peng said patients have to overcome psychological obstacles first since they need to inject medicine on their own or have a doctor do it for them.

Liu Shi (a pseudonym), an HIV carrier who works for an NGO on improving public awareness of sexual health and sexuality issues, told the Global Times that he is eager to seek better treatments for HIV/AIDS carriers. Because the current medicines he takes must be consumed every 24 hours, they cause serious side effects, like extreme drowsiness and kidney and liver failure.

Data shows 718,270 people suffer from HIV/AIDS in China. As of the end of June 2017, 221,628 people had died of AIDS-related diseases in China, Xinhua reported in December 2017.

Source: ECNS

The General Secretary, Textile Workers Union, Mr Issa Aremu, has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring June 12 as democracy day.

Aremu commended the President in Kaduna on Thursday and said the organized labour had saluted what it called the courage and sensitivity of President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring democratic consolidation.

By posthumously honouring Chief MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of June 12 1993 Presidential election long demanded for by democratic forces for the past two decades.

The Buhari has rekindle faith in sustainability of democracy by conferring the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on late Chief MKO Abiola.

The President gave the correct signal that never again would any group of people violate the mandate of Nigerian people through mandate annulment .

President Buhari on Wednesday directed that henceforth Democracy Day will be marked every year on June 12, rather than May 29 which had been observed as Democracy Day since 1999 when the current democratic dispensation began.

Though the results of the election were not fully announced before it was annulled, Abiola was believed to have won the election based on collations from all the states, Aremu said.

He said that the honour reserved for President, would be conferred on the late politician posthumously on June 12, which is the 25th anniversary of the election.

He also hailed the President for honouring Abiolas running mate, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, and late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN.

Aremu said President Buhari had brought integrity to governance by shunning the hypocrisy and shameless denials of past leaders of Nigeria that June 12th was truly a watershed in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria.

He said labour agrees with the administration that June 12, 1993 was far more symbolic of democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29 as it was June 12, 1993 that Nigerians in millions expressed their democratic will in what was undisputedly the freest, fairest and most peaceful elections since our Independence.

Aremu recalled that in 2015, organized Labour urged President Buhari to offer leadership and build a groundswell of national consensus to posthumously accord acceptable deserved national and global Honour to the winner of the June 12.

The honour for Abiola and others is honour for the nation adding that by dignifying the victims of June 12, Nigeria has invariably damned those behind the decades of impunity in Nigeria.Aremu said (NAN)

Source: NAN

China Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the sale of a new drug for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, the maker of the drug said.

Aikening, or albuvirtide for injection (ABT), can be used with other antiretroviral drugs to treat infected patients who have been treated with antiviral drugs but still suffer from viral replication, according to Frontier Biotech, a pharmaceutical company based in the east Chinese city of Nanjing.

Data from clinical trials showed that Aikening was effective against major strains of HIV, including resistant viruses, and the efficacy was long-acting, according to the company.

"As a long-acting injectable drug with a new mechanism of action, ABT has the potential to be a significant addition and improvement to the currently all oral drug regimen," said Xie Dong, chairman of Frontier Biotech.

Patients who used Aikening didn't show severe symptoms of side-effects, and they only have to take one injection every week, according to the company.

"It is expected that Aikening will have a big potential in markets at home and abroad," said Li Taisheng, an AIDS expert with Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Official data showed that as of June last year, China had about 718,270 people living with HIV/AIDS and 221,628 people had died of AIDS-related diseases.

See Also New Chinese anti-HIV drug has fewer side effects on liver

Source:ECNS, NAN

The recent tradition of breaking Ramadan fast by President Muhammadu Buhari continued on Thursday when he hosted some popular entertainers.

Those who broke the fast with Buhari were popular musician, Temitope Adekunle (Small Doctor), Ali Jita, and Olanrewaju Fasasi (Sound Sultan)and
former BBNaija housemate Tobi Bakare.

President Buhari has been breaking the daily Ramadan fast with players from different sectors of the country.

The President had previously hosted the leadership and members of the National Assembly, Africas richest man Aliko Dangote and members of the business community, and traditional and religious leaders to break the Ramadan fast.

The bank of 21-year-old Small Doctor is a unique brand known for its unique sound and style which does appeal to all age and class group home and abroad.

Small Doctor has been signed on as the latest brand ambassador for gaming and entertainment platform, Western Lotto

FCT Commissioner of Police Sadiq Bello, has vowed to rid Abuja of illegal firearms ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The commissioner represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mt. Anjuguri Manzah, made the vow at a briefing on Operation Finger off the Trigger National Disarmament and Peace Campaign.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was organised by: Nigeria Salute Initiative and Finger off the Trigger a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that educates youths on peaceful coexistence

Bello called on those in possession of illegal firearms in the FCT to voluntarily submit them as directed by the Inspector General of Police

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, recently directed Commissioners of Police of all the state commands to commence the recovery of illegal firearms in the country.

Bello said: The command is still calling on all those who possess firearms illegally to surrender them before the expiration of the time given.

`We want the residents to know that the submission of the illegal firearms is still open.

So anyone who is in possession of these firearms can go to any nearest police station or come to the FCT Command to surrender them because the IG has given an extension grace for the submission.

Because after the expiration of the grace anyone found in possession of illegal fire arms would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He said that the FCT Command recovered a number arms and ammunition in March.

In March we recovered 778 illegal arms, 222 live cartridges that were voluntarily surrendered in the FCT as part of the efforts to ensure that we dont have firearms in the command.

Bello lauded the coordinator of the initiative, and stressed that the campaign could not come at a better time than now when the nation is preparing for 2019 elections.

The Coordinator, General Salute Nigeria Initiative, Amb Chielo Ojirika, said that the campaign was targeted at local communities, schools, churches, mosque, market places, motor parks, among others.

He said that the present ethnic-religious violence and insecurity in the country had prompted more the need for proactive programmes like the campaign.

He stated that Thus we need virtuous programmes that provide sustainable unity in Nigeria as a whole

Nigeria remains the biggest market in Africa, but this is being hindered by insecurity thereby slowing down her economic growth and development.

Boko Haram has been pushed back, but other tensions are also growing. For example, frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers, robbery and kidnapping are threatening the existence of Nigeria

It is therefore important to propagate socio-cultural cooperation among Nigerians. We believe that the yearning of the average Nigerian is that of peace, unity and stability hence Finger off the Trigger, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The U.S. State Department has brought a group of diplomats home from Guangzhou, China, over concern they were suffering from a mysterious malady that resembles a brain injury and has already affected U.S. personnel in Cuba, a spokeswoman said.

After confirming one government employee had suffered a medical incident in the southern Chinese city, the department deployed a team to screen employees and family members at its consulate there, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement on Wednesday.

As a result of the screening process so far, the department has sent a number of individuals for further evaluation and a comprehensive assessment of their symptoms and findings in the United States, Nauert said.

Medical professionals will continue to conduct full evaluations to determine the cause of the reported symptoms and whether the findings are consistent with those noted in previously affected government personnel or possibly completely unrelated, she said.

The New York Times reported that the State Department had evacuated at least two Americans who fell ill after hearing strange noises in China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday that as far as she was aware, the government had not had any formal communication with U.S. officials on any new cases, and that it had investigated an initial incident.

At present, theres been no discovery of clues or the reason causing the situation the United States mentioned, Hua told a regular news briefing in Beijing, adding that China protected diplomats according to international convention.

If theres really a problem then the U.S. side can directly contact the Chinese side and communicate, and China will continue to conscientiously investigate and coordinate with a responsible attitude, Hua said.

Four American members of staff at the U.S. consulate in Guangzhou referred Reuters to the Beijing embassy press office when asked about the situation.

A U.S. government official there reiterated that there had been only one confirmed case in China, announced last month, and the State Department was offering screening to anyone in the U.S. embassy or consulates in China who requested it.

In addition to the Beijing embassy and Guangzhou consulate, the United States operates consulates in the mainland Chinese cities of Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan.

Last year, 24 U.S. government employees and family members in Cuba displayed the symptoms, which were similar to those related to concussion and mild traumatic brain injury, according to the State Department.

The illnesses among the American diplomats stationed in Havana heightened tension between the old Cold War foes.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released a statement on Tuesday saying the department established a task force last month to direct a multi-agency response to the unexplained health incidents.

The precise nature of the injuries suffered by the affected personnel, and whether a common cause exists for all cases, has not yet been established, Pompeo said.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Shehu Malami to take immediate steps to gazette the Presidential Order awarding the nations highest honours to Chief MKO Abiola and two others.

The order will be publishedin the Federal Gazette as announced yesterday by President Buhari :

Chief MKO Abiola Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (Posthumous)

Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger

Chief Gani Fawehinmi -Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (Posthumous)

The President also directed that this should be done so that the awards slated for June 12, 2018 can go on as planned.

President Buhari in an earth-shaking move on Wednesday declared that henceforth, June 12 will be observed as Democracy Day in Nigeria and that some heroes of democracy be given national honours,

Babagana Kingibe was Abiolas running mate in the annulled June 12 election in 1993, while Chief Gani Fawehinmi, was the human rights crusader who campaigned for the actualisation of June 12.

The presidents action has been roundly applauded even by his political opponents.

Source: NAN