Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti said the defection of former Minister of State for Works, Mr. Dayo Adeyeye from the Peoples Democratic Party to All Progressives Congress will not affect the partys fortune in the 14 July election.

The governor made the claim in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday.

Fayose said that Adeyeyes defection to the All Progressives Congress had merely confirmed his earlier position that he was never a loyal and committed member of the Peoples democratic Party.

I am not bothered by the action taken by the former aspirant in the just concluded PDP governorship primary election in the state.

His move to APC will not in any way affect us. This is because majority of those he thought were behind him did not defect with him.

In fact, one of his two party agents for the last primary is still with us in PDP and you know what that means.

If somebody is your party agent and could not go with you to another party it tells a lot and even as he is moving from PDP, many others from APC are coming to us, so we have nothing to lose with his defection, he said.

The governor said that he held no grudge against him because he had the right to move from one political party to the other adding that he wished him well in his new party.

While he was the PDP national spokesman, he had spoken terrible things against the APC and he has now gone to join the same party, Fayose said.

Source: NAN

Cdr. Olufunmilayo Amodu, serving with the UN Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), has been decorated with medal for her outstanding service.

She was decorated with the medal by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday.

The UN will also honour three fallen Nigerian peacekeepers on June 1, at the UN headquarters in New York.

They are Lt. Col. Ali Suleiman, who served with the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Others are Warrant Officer Remmy Amakwe, who was deployed with the African UnionUnited Nations Mission in Darfur; and Mr Kolawole Shogaolu, who served in a civilian capacity in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali.

NAN reports that the honour is an acknowledgement of the contribution of Nigeria to UN Peacekeeping Operations to ensure global peace and security.

The decoration was part of activities to honour the service and sacrifice of peacekeepers around the world to mark the 2018 International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

Guterres also awarded a medal to appreciate the outstanding service of Maj. Mohammad Khan from Bangladesh, a military staff officer based at MINUSMA Force headquarters.

Speaking after receiving the award, Amodu said: The medal is very important. It symbolises what it is to be a peacekeeper at MINUSMA. Receiving it from the Secretary-General is a very unique privilege.

The terrorists are not relenting in what they are doing. And obviously, we are not backing out in what we have come to do, she added, underscoring the worrying security situation in Mali.

She further said: The UN is all about peace. And when there is peace, there is development.

When there is peace, there is promotion of technology. When there is peace, every other thing works the way it should work.

And for any person who would want to join MINUSMA, you should have at the back of your mind that when you are coming, it is to support the peace process.

NAN reports that more than one million men and women have served under the UN flag, saving countless lives just as over 3,700 blue helmets have paid the ultimate price over the past seven decades.

Troops with the mission have increasingly become the target of attacks.

Meanwhile, Guterres attended a ceremony at MINUSMAs base in Bamako where he paid tribute to fallen peacekeepers and laid a wreath at the memorial inside the camp, engraved with the names of those killed in the service of peace.

Dear peacekeepers, you have demonstrated that you are capable of all forms of sacrifice. For many of your colleagues, this has meant the supreme sacrifice of giving their lives to protect the lives of Malian civilians.

I want to thank you very much for this effort; these sacrifices, to pay tribute to you, and to say how proud I am to work with you.

As peacekeepers, you are the foremost symbol of the United Nations itself, Guterres said.

Also, Mahamat Annadif, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Mali and Head of MINUSMA, said that honouring the fallen warms the hearts of their comrades and encourages us to continue to defend even more resolutely the values of the United Nations.

Guterres was accompanied on his visit to Mali by Under Secretary-General for Field Support, Atul Khare, Head of UN Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the Executive Director of UN Childrens Fund, Henrietta Fore.

He was received at the airport by Malian President Ibrahim Keita.

He was also scheduled to meet with Keita and other Malian officials as well as UN officials working in the country.

UN has declared the north-west African country as the most dangerous place in the world to be a blue helmet as 21 troops and seven civilians serving with MINUSMA died in 2017. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has commended President Muhammadu Buharis strides in security, economy, fight against corruption as the administration marks three years in the saddle.

The National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, praised Buhari in a statement released on Tuesday in Kaduna.

Ibrahim said that three years of Buharis administration in the opinion of ACF, has experienced both challenges and successes that are natural process of nation building.

The Forum therefore congratulates Nigerians for a successful navigation despite the challenges and noted the governments ability to confront the situation with unity of purpose.

He noted for commendation, the continued degradation of the Boko Haram insurgency across the North and localization of their activities to the fringes of the Northeast.

Others are the rescue of over 100 Chibok girls and the 104 Dapchi girls that were kidnapped and held in captivity by the Boko haram terrorists.

The rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons have been reassuring measures to restore normalcy and hope in the lives of the people and confidence in the government.

ACF commended also the various military and other security operations in tackling insecurity nationwide, particularly the farmers/herders clashes and bandits attacks in the states of Benue, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau, Taraba

The ACF noted that those others are practical demonstration by the government of its resolve to overcome these menace.

However, he said there was the need for greater effort in order to quicken the pace of bringing about the needed peace by way of emphasising community peace building advocacy that will make communities responsible for peaceful coexistence in their areas.

ACF also called on the government to sustain its efforts in the rescue and release of the remaining Chibok and Dapchi girls still in captivity.

Speaking On the anti-corruption fight, he said agencies responsible have lived up to their responsibilities with the arrest and prosecution of suspected public treasury looters.

He noted that the discoveries of stolen public funds hidden in banks and obscure places both in Nigeria and abroad, the forfeiture of such monies to the Federal Government are laudable efforts.

The forum stressed the need for government to do more by strengthening the anti-corruption agencies through legislation in order to ensure quick dispensation of justice by the Courts.

Its further called on government to muster the political will to make public officials, however highly placed, to account for their malfeasance while in office.

ACF noted that the economy could not flourish in a situation of insecurity and corruption, hence the need to tame them.

On the infrastructural development, there has been considerable effort on the rehabilitation and building of roads, completion of vital projects in transport, housing, agriculture and many others in view of their economic values and direct bearing on the lives of the people.

The Federal Government may consider practical steps to ensure that the Generating and Distributing Companies Gencos and Discos live up their responsibilities by improving power generation and distribution, he stated .

The private investors should also be encouraged through liberal policy framework in the renewable energy and coal sector to compliment the thermal and hydro generating plants.

He said the governments N-power programme, Social Investment Project, diversification in agriculture and solid minerals, recruitment into the Military, Police Force and other departments and agencies are commendable measures to reduce unemployment, tame insecurity and also boost the economy.

ACF has observed with concern the face-off between agencies of government and the legislature which has not been helpful, in fact, it has been a distraction.

Source: NAN

Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov will visit North Korea ahead of the Trump-Kim Summit.

He is expected to hold talks with his counterpart about the situation on the Korean peninsula, the Kremlin says.

It would be recalled that earlier this month, President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were set to meet at a historic summit. Then last Thursday, Trump called it off.

But now, in a remarkable turnaround, it looks like that meeting could happen after all.

On Saturday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in traveled to North Korea for an Part of the goal, apparently, was to make sure Kim still wanted to meet the US president.

Hours later, the White House said it would send to Singapore to prepare for the possible Trump-Kim summit on June 12. And on Sunday,confirmed that the US sent a delegation to the Northern side of the Korean border for talks with Pyongyang.

Source: NAN

Zimbabwes parliament has threatened to charge the countrys former president Robert Mugabe with contempt if he does not appear at a hearing probing $15 billion in lost diamond revenue.

Mugabe, 94, failed to show up at a hearing Monday before the Zimbabwes Mines and Energy Parliament Portfolios Committee to clarify claims he made in 2016 that the country had lost $15 billion through diamond leakages.

It was the second time Mugabe did not turn up to face the lawmakers and he drew the anger of the committee officials who have ordered him to turn up on June 11 or face contempt charges and possible jail time.

We expect him to have time to appear before parliament. We expect him to co-operate and parliament has power to summon anyone, said committee chairman Temba Mliswa Monday told journalists in Harare.

He added: In the letter we are writing to him, which is a final letter we are reminding him that we will be summoning him and we hope we are not getting to that stage of summoning a former president

Let me remind you that the former and late MP Roy Bennett was sent to prison by parliament. So lets be mindful of the powers the parliament has, Mliswa added.

During his 92nd birthday in 2016, Mugabe told the state broadcaster that Zimbabwe had lost $15 billion through diamond leakages, resulting in him nationalizing the industry.

Mugabe who ruled Zimbabwe for nearly 38 years was forced to leave power last November after giving in to military pressure.

Since then he has been rarely seen in public and only addressed a few journalists earlier this year when he accused his former deputy and successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa of dethroning him unconstitutionally.

Source:

Source: NAN

The year Fredie Blom was born, in 1904, Rolls-Royce rolled out its first car and the Wright brothers built their second powered airplane.

Theodor Seuss Geisel came into the world. New York opened its subway system and celebrated New Year's Eve in Times Square. And American Major League Baseball player Denton True “Cy” Young pitched a perfect game.

Earlier this month, Blom, who is believed to be the oldest man alive, celebrated his 114th birthday at his home in Delft, a township outside Cape Town, South Africa, according to the Western Cape Department of Social Development. Video footage shows Blom wearing a yellow and green baseball cap and a sport coat. In the video, he says that although he has lived a long life, he does not know the secret to his success.

“There's only one thing — it's the man above,” he said, crediting God for his longevity, according to BBC News. “He's got all the power. I have nothing. I can drop over anytime but He holds me.”

“I feel very healthy, I'm good,” Blom added. “My heart is strong but it's only my legs that are giving in — I can't walk the way I used to.”

He told BBC News that he gave up alcohol years ago, but he still smokes tobacco several times per day. Specifically, he said, he smokes “pills,” a term used by the locals to mean tobacco rolled in newspaper, resembling a cigarette, according to BBC News.

“I use my own tobacco because I don't smoke cigarettes,” the 114-year-old said.

But he wants to quit.

“The urge to smoke is so strong,” he told BBC News. “Sometimes I tell myself I'm going to stop but it's just me lying to myself. My chest chases me to have a puff and I'm then forced to make a 'pill.'

“I blame the devil for that because he's so strong.”

Still, it hasn't seemed to hurt him. Blom has no real health issues — only a slower gait and some trouble hearing, according to BBC News.

In fact, he is believed to have outlived every other man on Earth, though the Western Cape Department of Social Development said in a statement that he has “yet to be recognized by the Guinness World Records organization.”

South African is possibly world's oldest man – 02:14
— CGTN Africa

In April, Guinness World Records named Japan's Masazo Nonaka as the oldest living person (male). Nonaka, 112, from Ashoro, Hokkaido, assumed the title from a man in Spain, who died this year at the age of 113.

But it is France's Jeanne Louise Calment who holds Guinness record for the “oldest person ever.” The woman, from Arles in southern France, was 122 when she died in 1997.

Guinness World Records said Blom is not currently being considered for an award.

“We receive many applications from individuals who claim to be the oldest living person (male or female) and see many reports about such individuals,” a Guinness World Records spokeswoman said in a statement Tuesday to The Washington Post. “However, we ask for a great deal of paperwork and proof to substantiate claims that meet our official guidelines. We also work with various expert gerontologists and consultants who assist in the investigation of such claims to ensure our facts are correct.”

But she said that if Blom wants to apply, Guinness will work to determine his eligibility.

It's not only Blom's long life that has made him a local celebrity, he is also still married.

His wife, Jeanette, who is about three decades younger than him, told CGTN that the couple met at a dance and developed a friendship that lasted 12 years. Eventually, she said, the two got married and have been together for nearly 50 years.

Born in 1904 in Adelaide in the Eastern Cape province, Blom never went to school to learn how to read or write, according to BBC News. He earned his education outdoors, hunting birds, and later went to work as a farm laborer, installing precast concrete walls throughout Cape Town. It wasn't until he reached his 80s that he retired.

Family members said he still works with his hands, “making fire” and working around the home.

“God says, 'honor your father and your mother then your future will be good,'” Blom told News 24.

Source: MSN, BBC

There’s a new world record holder.

And he goes by the name of Snoop D-O-DOUBLE-G!

We kid you not. Snoop Dogg was part of a successful Guinness World Record attempt on Day Two (May 26) of the BottleRock Napa Valley festival. The other members of the team included fellow hip-hop legend Warren G and “Top Chef” winner Michael Voltaggio, who appeared together on the festival’s Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage. (The culinary stage was hosted all weekend, in expert fashion, by the Bay Area’s own Emmy-winning TV and radio personality Liam Mayclem.)

Snoop Dogg and crew set the record by mixing up the biggest cocktail that, well, the people at Guinness (or anyone else, really) had ever seen.

And, of course, the cocktail was “Gin and Juice,” the concoction that Snoop made famous on his all-time-great debut, “Doggystyle.”

An official from the Guinness organization was on hand to present the certification of achievement to Snoop and crew. The certificate proclaimed, “The largest paradise cocktail was created by Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Michael Voltaggio, Kim Kaechele and Kendall Coleman (All USA) in Napa, California, USA on 26 May 2018.”

And, no, we weren’t too sure what what a “paradise cocktail” is either. Apparently, though, gin and juice is a kind of paradise cocktail. Wikipedia says “The Paradise is an IBA (International Bartenders Association) official cocktail, and is classified as a ‘pre-dinner’ drink, an apéritif.”

In any event, the record-setting concoction consisted of 550 litters (a pinch over 145 gallons) of what we’re certain was awesome deliciousness. The drink took 180 bottles of Hendricks gin, plus juice donated by Whole Foods. The vessel/glass was 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide.

Snoop Dogg also performed on Day Two festival, drawing a huge crowd opposite The Killers, who also drew a massive audience on the main stage.

Source: Mercury News

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has alerted the general public on the activities of traffickers ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup scheduled to take place in Russia.

The Director-General of NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah-Donli, who raised the alarm at a news conference on Monday in Abuja said human traffickers plan to use the upcoming World Cup to traffic Nigerian youths.

Okah-Donli explained that part of the plot was to float unregistered football supporters club, unofficial government delegation, as well as unregistered youth bodies.

She said that they planned to use these platforms to collect huge sums of money from some desperate youths, with the promise to ferry them out of Nigeria using the World Cup tournament as a ploy.

According to the tip they received, the traffickers in collusion with their collaborators at the destination countries, have also arranged with their cohorts in Europe to facilitate the defection of the victims out of Moscow.

Already these traffickers have continued to mount pressure on some youths and their parents forcing them to part with huge sums of money in exchange for Russian visa.

One of such cases at hand is that of a girl from one of the states in the South-South part of the country (name withheld).

She reported that a Moscow-based trafficker has continued to pressure her through her parents in order to traffic her.

The trafficker has concluded plans to airlift her on or before June 5, 2018, she explained.

Okah-Donli said that the agencys detectives were already on the trail of the said parents, while the sister operatives in Moscow were handling the traffickers.

She warned parents to beware of persons coming to them to give out their children to be taken abroad within this period.

She added that yielding to undue pressure and deceit would send such children to their early grave.

Russia is a country with high incidence of human trafficking and many Nigerian victims of human trafficking are held up there, and now seeking assistance to return home.

Stories from victims of human trafficking rescued by NAPTIP from Russia in the past are full of pains and agonies, with few of such victims permanently incapacitated for the rest of their lives, she said.

The director-general however assured that her agency was making effort to meet with the Minister of Sports and Russian Ambassador to Nigeria on the development.

She called on leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure that only accredited delegates and officials made the Russian contingent.

Okah-Donli said that NAPTIP would strategies and work to ensure a World Cup free of human trafficking was achieved.

She said that whoever is caught in the act would not be spared no matter how highly placed he or she may be in the country.

Source: NAN

It appears the All ProgressivesCongress (APC) in Osun will not feel the exit of Olagunsoye Oyinlola fromB the party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state if the words of Mr Bello Bashiru, a chieftain of the party are anything to go by.

Bashiru, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Osogbo, said the party is bigger than any individual.

NAN recalls that Oyinlola, a former governor in the state, resigned from the party on May 9.

He also resigned his appointment as Chairman of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Bashiru, however, said that the exit of Oyinlola would have zero impact on the success of the party in the Sept. 22 election in the state.

The party is bigger than anybody, Oyinlola was not with us when we won the 2010 election.

His impact in the victory of the party in 2014 election when he joined APC few weeks to the election as far as I am concerned, was very minimal.

Ever since his exit from the party, more people have started joining APC in Odo-Otin Local Government where myself and Oyinlola come from.

One thing I am sure of is that the success of the party in the election without him is guaranteed, Bashiru said.

He urged members of the party to unite ahead of the election, saying it must be won by the party.

Source: NAN

National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, has appealed to Messrs Femi Falana and Kunle Ajibade to join hands with the party to make Nigeria a better place.

In a birthday message to the duo, Tinubu described Falana and Ajibade, as icons in their chosen fields one an outstanding lawyer, the other an exceptional journalist.

The message was released on Monday in Lagos by Tinubus Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman.

Falana was born May 20, 1958 while Ajibade was born on May 28, 1958.

The month of May, which in 1999, heralded the rebirth of democracy again in Nigeria after almost 16 years of unbroken military interregnum, is also significant in one other respect.

It is the month of birth of many prominent Nigerians.

As both were united in their month of birth, there is also an unmistakable meeting point in their life trajectories.

Both fought against successive military regimes to facilitate the emergence of democracy in a country laden with respect for human rights.

They fought to ensure Nigeria is a citadel of social justice and rule of law and generally a better place for the present generation and generations yet unborn.

There is no doubt that both Falana and Ajibade had impacted Nigeria and Nigerians in the most profound ways.

We thank them for their struggles and we thank them for their sacrifices but we are not yet in the Promised Land.

We enjoin the duo not to rest on their oars and to join hands with us in the All Progressives Congress, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, to make Nigeria a better place, Tinubu said.

According to him, the duo have continued to contribute to the enthronement of true democracy, good governance and rule of law in the country.

I say happy birthday to them and wish them long life, continued good health and renewed energy to continue to make invaluable contributions to our country.

Both are close friends and associates, with whom I have interacted in our continuous struggle for the enthronement of true democracy, good governance and rule of law.

Mr Falana is a lawyer, pro-democracy and human rights activist, who over time, continues to employ the instrumentality of the law to correct the ills of the society.

His contributions to constitutionalism and jurisprudence know no bounds.

He takes briefs from the rich to empower him to fight the injustices against the poor pro bono.

Like his late mentor and comrade, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Falana is an advocate of the masses.

Ajibade is that astute journalist and celebrated author, who through his pen, fought against the military junta and was particularly a thorn in the flesh of the late Abacha regime.

He authored two popular books Jailed for Life, his experience in prison to which he was clamped by the Abacha junta, and What a Country, which speaks about the ills in the country,the APC national leader stated. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has advised Nigerians not to take for granted the continued democratic dispensation the country has been enjoying for the past 19 years but guard against actions, statements and moves which can truncate the political process.

A statement signed byYusuph Olaniyonu, Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity quoted Saraki ascongratulating Nigerians on the 19th anniversary of unbroken elected government in the country.

Saraki was also quoted as advising Nigerians to always be vigilant and speak against anti-democratic policies and actions which are capable of subverting rule of law.

He also canvassed strict adherence to the principles of rule of law, separation of powers, sovereignty of parliament, independence of the judiciary, and freedom of the press, adding that our constitutional institutions must be preserved and protected.

As we celebrate democracy today, I congratulate our people and express my conviction that this system of government is the best so far invented. However, it goes beyond the conduct of elections to put leaders in office.

Democracy involves strict adherence to rule of law as against the rule of men. It is about respect for due process and following laid down procedures. It is about respect for and building of institutions.

That is why we cannot be celebrating Democracy Day without canvassing for caution on some recent negative developments in our polity, particularly as we prepare for next years general elections.

These include abuse of office in a manner that suggests persecution and oppression of perceived enemies, stifling of free expression, undermining of democratic institutions, and impunity on the part of certain persons who behave as though they are above the laws of the land.

These developments should be of concern to all democrats. Other political and opinion leaders who decided to veil their sight as if they are not seeing these infractions on democracy and choose to keep quiet, should know that they equally pose danger to the survival of our country.

History will not be fair to us if we allow our complacency to jeopardize democracy. We all must be able to speak out with strong voice on issues that constitute a danger to democracy. Eternal vigilance, they say, is the price of liberty, the statement quoted Saraki as saying.

According to the statement, Saraki saluted the heroes of democracy who toiled and paid different prices for the country to have elected government, particularly, those who paid the ultimate price with their lives, saying that their labour shall definitely not be in vain.

He called for urgent measures to quickly tackle all issues that can undermine Nigerias democracy, particularly insecurity and lack of good governance.

We must immediately find solution to the security issues and ensure that we return the regime of peace, safety of lives and property in all parts of our country, in the same way, we must do all that is necessary to deliver good governance to our people and fight corruption at all levels.

These challenges must be confronted by all political leaders devoid of party loyalty, ethnicity, religion and personal preferences; we must all set aside our personal interests and work collectively on these aforementioned issues.

It is equally necessary to warn that with the 2015 polls, we have set a very high standard in Africa. We cannot afford to perform less in 2019.

The next general elections must be freer, fairer and more peaceful than the last one. Those responsible for conducting the polls must raise the bar and work to take Nigeria to a higher level of electoral process.

The Senate President highlighted the importance of the 2019 general election and therefore urged the peoplenot do anything that would threaten the existence of the country or its peace, unity and tranquility.

It is important for all of us to note that Nigeria will continue to exist after the 2019 polls. Just as the country is still here after the 2015 polls.

Let me use this occasion to urge all our people to avoid making and circulating hate speech which can further accentuate our fault lines and set one section of the country against the other.

Rather, we should all embrace tolerance and the need to be our brothers keeper. We all have a lot to gain from a united and stronger Nigeria than having a nation embedded in conflict.

As we celebrate Democracy Day, it is my wish that Nigerians will continue to enjoy good governance, provided by freely elected government and sustained by strong and impartial institutions, all of which will lead to the creation of a developed society with the citizens freely enjoying a high standard of living, Saraki stated.

Source: NAN

Stakeholders in the Aviation Industry on Tuesday said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had performed well in the last three years.

The stakeholders in the aviation sector made the assertion while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Those who spoke with NAN were the President, Aviation RoundTable Iniative (ARTI), Mr Gbenga Olowo, the immediate past president of the group, Capt. Dele Ore (rtd) and another aviation expert, Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd).

Olowo said that the process of bringing in reforms was always cumbersome, adding that the government had been making positive impacts in that regard.

From the angle of aviation, on the average I think they have done well because we had an emergency with the Abuja International Airport, they gave their words and they delivered. Kudos to them, he said.

Olowo told NAN that other plans of the administration, particularly the establishment of a new national carrier, the aircraft leasing company and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, would transform the industry.

Olowo added that Transaction Advisers had been appointed to midwife the processes, stressing that the government had also given a target that the national carrier should be in operation by December.

Also, Ojikutu noted that safety of the Nigerian airspace had improved under the administration.

He maintained that safety was a critical aspect of aviation, which was often not given the desired priority by past governments.

He said: In terms of safety, I think the government is doing a good job. It is not visible to people but it is visible to some of us.

You can look at the amount of safety recommendations that have come out from Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and compared it with three years ago.

You can look at what they have done at the Abuja airport. We have been managing that airport runway since 2010 and many foreign aircraft have lost their tyres and their undercarriage.

I am looking at that and we have been talking about it since 2010. They made an attempt in 2010 and another attempt in 2014 but it didnt work but this administration resolved the issue within six weeks in 2017.

According to him, the government also went ahead to rehabilitate the runways of the Enugu and Port Harcourt airports.

Ojikutu said when Dana Air had two successive incidents a few months back, the president immediately directed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to audit the airline, which clearly showed his commitment to safety.

He added that the government had also procured more navigational aids for airports while the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) had intensified their calibration.

On his part, Ore said the government had given the NCAA more freedom to perform its functions unlike what was obtained in the past administrations.

He said the Civil Aviation Act 2006 provides that the NCAA should be allowed an unfettered opportunity to oversight the industry without undue interference from any quarters.

According to him, previous administrations did not to allow the Director-General of NCAA to perform.

I think I can more or less praise the government for allowing the people who know how to do the job to go ahead and do it but in the past the National Assembly will want to interfere.

They should allow the agencies to do their jobs and if they should allow this to continue, they are creating an atmosphere where there will be no accident and that is the objective of civil aviation.

He also commended the government for the successful rehabilitation of the Abuja Airport runway which according to him had been a huge threat to safety due to neglect by past administrations.

Ore urged the government to consolidate on its promise by establishing more Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in at least five or six states, across the country to create jobs for Nigerians.

Source: NAN

Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa has ordered the release of 33 prisoners serving various jail terms in prisons across the state to commemorate this years Democracy Day.

A statement signed by the State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, said the beneficiaries were from five prisons in the state.

His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Sen. Muhammad Umar Jibrilla Bindow, acting on the advice of the Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, and in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 212 (I) (d) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, has ordered the release of 33 reformed prisoners in commemoration of the 2018 Democracy Day..

The release is to take effect immediately and all other legal formalities have been concluded with the Nigeria Prison Service.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the breakdown of the prisoners released, all of them males, comprised 14 from Yola Prison, nine from Jada Prison, six from Mubi Prison, three from Numan Prison, and one from Jimeta Prison. (NAN)

Source: NAN

A court in thehas said a third gender should be enshrined in law in a ground-breaking ruling for people who do not identify as either male or female.

The Limburg District Court in the city of Roermond decided an unnamed applicant could be recorded on their birth register as gender undetermined.

Until now, Dutch citizens have had to be registered as either a man or woman.

The time is ripe for the recognition of a third gender, the judges said in a statement. To enable the registration of a third gender X, a legal amendment is crucial. Its now up to the lawmakers.

The case came after the applicant was registered as male at birth in 1961 but had treatment to become a woman in 2001. They later decided they felt neither like a man or woman and asked authorities to include a third, gender-neutral entry in the birth register. It was this that was agreed in court on Monday.

A similar request by a different person was turned down in 2007 by the Netherlands highest court, the High Council.

But transgender activists hailed the new ruling as a momentous step in Dutch law and for European rights.

This can be called revolutionary within Dutch family law, Brand Berghouwer of the Netherlands Transgender Network said in a statement.

A change in legislation would make the Netherlands one of a select group of countries where a third gender is officially recognised in law.,,,andare among those that already provide a third option.

Source:

Source: NAN

Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe risked being charged with contempt by the countrys parliament after he failed to appear on Monday before parliament to clarify a statement he made in 2016 that Zimbabwe could have lost 15 billion U.S. dollars through diamond revenue leakages.

The parliamentary portfolio committee on mines and energy initially wanted Mugabe to appear before it on May 9 but postponed this to May 23.

Mugabe did not come on May 23, resulting in parliament postponing the hearing to May 28.

Committee chairperson Themba Mliswa told journalists on Monday that parliament would now write the third and final letter to Mugabe inviting him to attend, failure of which he would face contempt of parliament charges.

The committee unanimously agreed that we write to the former president inviting him to appear before us on June 11, 2018 at 2 Oclock, Mliswa said.If he fails to attend, we will have no choice but to summon him and its something that we regret. We hope we will not get to that stage of summoning him as his legacy needs to be protected.

Mliswa said Mugabe had not responded to any of their invitations so far.

The meeting, if it happens, will be Mugabes first public meeting since he was forced to resign in November last year following a military intervention.

Mugabe said in 2016 that Zimbabwe could have lost 15 billion dollars through diamond revenue leakages from mining operations in Chiadzwa diamond fields in eastern Zimbabwe.

Over the past months, the committee has been trying to get more information on the matter and has since received oral evidence from several serving and former cabinet ministers, security chiefs and mining officials.

Mliswa said they were waiting for Mugabes oral evidence so that they can conclude their report on the alleged 15 billion dollars.

*Xinhua

Source: NAN

Jigawa Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar on Tuesday in Dutse laid the foundation for a prototype six-bedroom bungalow to accommodate the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to the state.

Governor Badaru is building 27 of the bungalows, which he called, Corps Members Lodge, in the 27 local councils at a cost of N9.614million each. The total cost is N259.6 million.

Badaru said the gesture was meant to provide security and comfort for corps members posted to the state.

We want to guarantee the safety of NYSC members posted to the state hence the need to construct the lodges.

We want every corps member posted to the state to feel at home and be secured.

I urged the contractors handling the projects to start and finish the work simultaneously in 27 local government areas and finish within three months.

I cautioned the contractors handling the project to be transparent and the work must to be perfectly done.

Mr. Nuhu Kwage, Director Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development NYSC National Headquarters Abuja, who represented the Director General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen Zakari Kazaure, said that the initiative by Jigawa government to build Youth Corps lodges in all local government areas was the first of its kind in the country.

Kwage lauded the idea since about 95 per cent of corps members are posted to rural areas for primary assignments.

He apologised for the absence of the NYSC DG who is an indigene of Jigawa.

Kwage urged other states to copy Jigawa and build lodges for youth corps members.(NAN)

Source: NAN

A Malian migrant, Mamoudu Gassama, who scaled a Paris apartment block to save a four-year-old child was hailed Monday as an “example” by President Emmanuel Macron, who welcomed him to the presidential palace and offered him citizenship.

Two days after his daring rescue — viewed more than 21 million times online — Gassama, nicknamed “Spiderman” by French media for his astonishing climbing ability, met Macron in the splendour of the Elysee Palace.

“You have become an example because millions of people have seen you. It is only right that the nation be grateful,” Macron told the 22-year-old, adding that his immigration status would be “put in order”.

https://youtu.be/mnV70SGVk4s

However several aid groups accused the president of “political exploitation”, “hypocrisy” and covering up a harsh policy towards migrants.

Macron, who presented him with a medal for bravery, also offered him a job with the fire service.

“I did not think twice. I went straight up,” said the sporty youth, who wore jeans and a short-sleeved shirt to the encounter, explaining his climb.

Gassama was also congratulated by Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who phoned him at the Paris embassy to congratulate him “for honouring all of Mali,” the embassy said.

His act of heroism comes as lawmakers debate a controversial bill that would speed up the deportation of economic migrants and failed asylum-seekers, thousands of whom live in squalid camps in the capital.

“There’s a general feeling of shameful political exploitation,” said Jean-Claude Mas, secretary general of La Cimade, which defends migrants.

“It raises a lot of questions when you know what this government is doing.”

“There’s a bit of hypocrisy or cynicism,” added Claire Rodier of GISTI which supports immigrants, noting “the contrast with the repressive policy of this government against migrants and those without documents.”

Gassama has been living illegally in France and working in construction since arriving in September last year following a perilous journey from his homeland to Libya then Italy.

Macron, a centrist, has taken a tough line on economic migrants fleeing poverty rather than refugees escaping war or persecution.

But Gassama’s “exceptional act of heroism” warranted an “exceptional decision”, he said Monday.

He leapt into action Saturday evening on seeing the child dangling from the fourth-storey balcony of an apartment in the 18th district.

The video shows Gassama swiftly pulling himself up from balcony to balcony to reach the boy, to the cheers of onlookers.

Firefighters arrived at the scene to find the child, whose parents were not at home, had already been rescued.

A shy figure who was accompanied to the Elysee Palace by his older brother, Gassama said he had acted instinctively.

– ‘Incredibly brave act’ –

“I saved the child and then went inside the building and I was shaking,” he told Macron.

Reacting to his awards he said later: “I’m pleased because it’s the first time I’ve received a trophy like that.”

Gassama’s story instantly drew comparisons with that of another Malian migrant who was feted as a hero and given citizenship for helping save lives during a January 2015 terror attack.
Lassana Bathily helped hide hostages in the freezer during a jihadist attack on a Jewish supermarket in Paris, in which four people were killed.

Confirming to Gassama his French citizenship, Macron said: “Even if you did not think about what you were doing it was an act of courage and strength that won the admiration of all.”

But in a warning to other African migrants he said he “can not give (papers) to all those who come from Mali or Burkina Faso” — two of the countries from where thousands set out each year for Europe on a perilous journey across the desert and Mediterranean Sea.

Across the political class Gassama received plaudits.

But a senior member of the anti-immigration National Front, Nicolas Bay, said that while he supported Gassama becoming French all other illegal migrants should be deported

Source: NAN

The British Merseyside Police says it is aware of death threats made to Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius after the Champions League final.

The German, 24, and his family were the subject of threats after his two mistakes helped Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over the Reds in Kiev on Saturday.

Karius was in tears at the final whistle and apologised to fans.

"We take social media posts of this nature extremely seriously. Offences will be investigated," police said.

"Officers are aware of a number of comments and threats made via social media.

"Merseyside Police would like to remind social media users than any offences including malicious communications and threatening behaviour will be investigated."

The German gifted Real striker Karim Benzema an easy goal for the opener in Kiev on Saturday night.

Karius later allowed a Gareth Bale shot to squirm in for Real's third as the Spanish club won their third consecutive Champions League trophy.

On Sunday, he posted on social media: "I'm infinitely sorry to my team-mates, for you fans, and for all the staff."

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has backed Karius to bounce back from his Champions League nightmare.

"If he wants to talk then of course I will be there," said the Belgian, who was on the bench for the game in Kiev. "Every goalkeeper can relate to him.

"I've been in this situation before myself and those kind of things you deal with yourself.

"The only thing I told him is that there is a reason we got to this final, and why we played in this final, so think about that.

"But of course it is very difficult to say anything to him and to let him grasp it.

"Liverpool stands for unity, Liverpool stands for 'all together'. I think that will not only be the right ideal for Liverpool, it has always been their history and will always be their future."

Liverpool's goalkeeping coach John Achterberg tried to console Karius after the match.

"Obviously it is not good what happened. It was unlucky for him it happened in this game," said the Dutchman.

"I just tried to pick his head up and show him you have to carry on with it. It is hard to take but that is life in football."

Defender Dejan Lovren said it would be counter-productive to focus blame on Karius.

"It's easy to blame someone, but we are in the same ship together and everyone gave him the best words that they can. He will come back strong," Lovren said.

"Don't make massive stories about that. Of course it's big because it's a final - but everyone makes mistakes."

Source: BBC

The diagnosis for Mohamed Salah’s injury is “instability in the shoulder joint ligaments” and the estimated duration of his treatment is two weeks, according to Egypt’s Youth and Sports Minister Khaled Abdel Aziz.

In a post on his Facebook page, Aziz wrote that the medical team at Liverpool club contacted the medical team of the Egyptian football team and sent them X-rays, establishing an agreement on his treatment method.

It was also agreed that Salah would remain in Liverpool to receive proper treatment and rehabilitation, after which he would then join the Egyptian team camp in Italy at a later time determined by the doctors, Aziz said.

Aziz added that Salah would hopefully be in the final list of Egypt’s team at the World Cup, to be officially announced on June 4.

He stated that the faith, determination, and patriotism of Salah would help him pass this difficult period quickly.

Aziz wished a speedy and full recovery for Salah, and that he would lead the Egyptian team to glory at the World Cup.

Salah sustained his injury last night on May 26 during the Champions League final, when Sergio Ramos grabbed Salah by the arm and tackled him. Salah promptly received treatment to return to the field, but was unable to continue for more than two minutes.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi officially wished a speedy recovery for the superstar football player.

“My heartfelt wishes to the Egyptian hero Mohamed Salah for his speedy recovery, and I hope he will return to the field soon and remain a shining Egyptian star,” Sisi stated on his official Twitter account.

Social media witnessed a great campaign of solidarity and goodwill wishes for Salah’s recovery, with hopes that he could return to the field again and catch up with the national team for the World Cup finals in Russia.

Source: NAN

A pair of 125-year-old jeans has sold for nearly 100,000 U.S. dollars, setting a record for vintage denim, U.S. media said Saturday.

The pants, manufactured by Levi Strauss & Co., were sold by an auction house in Maine on May 15 to a buyer in Southeast Asia.

Daniel Soules of the auction house said: “It’s somebody who loves old Levis.”

At this old age, the jeans comes with a fascinating backstory. The fabric was produced by a mill in New Hampshire on the East Coast, but the pants were manufactured in San Francisco on the West Coast.

The first owner of the pants was Solomon Warner, a store owner in Arizona who purchased them in 1893. Warner had barely worn them before his death, so the jeans stayed in good condition as they were passed down in the family throughout the years, helping preserve their value.

Levi had offered to buy back the pants for 50,000 dollars Several features of the pants were distinctively different from today’s model, such as their single back pocket, and their lack of belt loops due to the popularity of suspenders in the 19th century.

Vintage denim is a sought-after item among many collectors. A pair of 501 jeans manufactured in the 1880s sold for 60,000 dollars to a Japanese collector, Soules said, and another pair, from 1888, sold for six figures.

Analysts said that blue jeans are coveted because they have been deeply ingrained in the U.S. culture after their first appearance during the years of Western expansion.