The theft of $99 million has led to the arrest of head of Kenyas National Youth Service, Mr. Richard Ndubai.

In spite of President Uhuru Kenyattas pledges to stamp out graft when he was first elected in 2013, critics say he has been slow to pursue top officials.

They added that only big-name convictions will break what they call a culture of impunity.

Privately-owned Citizen Television and K24 TV said the youth agency official, Ndubai, had been arrested, along with an unspecified number of officials.

Kenyan media have said 10 billion shillings (99 million dollars) had been stolen through fictitious invoices, and multiple payments on one supplier invoice, at the NYS.

The Media could not contact Ndubai, who is in custody, for comment, and was unable to immmediately trace contacts for his lawyer to seek comment.

The reports have dismayed many Kenyans, particularly as they come in the wake of a 2015 scam at the agency, which aims to equip Kenyas young people with key skills and help create jobs.

Last week, investigators summoned more than 40 people, including Ndubai, for questioning over the lost funds.

Kenyatta has blamed the slow progress in tackling corruption on the lethargy of some government agencies charged with rooting out graft. ($1=101.0000 Kenyan shillings) (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

Governor Godwin Obaseki has ordered the task force on Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration to ensure eradication of human trafficking and illegal migration by 2020.

Mr Solomon Okoduwa, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on human trafficking and illegal migration, said in Benin on Monday that that the task force which the governor set up in 2017, has also been mandated to urgenty reduce the menace by 50 per cent before December.

The Obasekis aide was reacting to the signing of the Anti-human trafficking law, by the Governor in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the formal signing of the law which was recently passed by the state House of Assembly, would send a strong message to the traffickers that it is no longer business as usual.

Okoduwa said the signing of the law revealed the commitment of state government in dealing with the scourge.

It is a warning that the traffickers and the management of traffickers, when caught, would be made to face the music according to the dictate of the law.

We will see that the law works and work to the later. The governor has made it abundantly clear that there will be no mercy to whoever is caught going against the law.

This law will also strengthen the task force to adequately deal with the menace of human trafficking.

The Governors mandate, he said, was to completely eradicate human trafficking by 2020; reduce it by 50 per cent by the end of this year.

To me, the mandate is clear and it is achievable as we remain on course towards the realization, he declared.

He said the commitment of the governor is a pointer that human trafficking no longer has a place in Edo.

According to Okoduwa, the Monarch of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and the government have taken actions at various times to demonstrate that the business no longer have a place in the state.

The Oba has condemned it by publicly placing a curse on traffickers in the state, while the government also condemned it in strong term by setting up a task force against the menace.

Edo had been described as a hub for human trafficking and illegal migration as the state accounted for more than half of returnees from Libya within the last eight months.

According to Okoduwa, the states Libya returnees are more than 3,400. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has begun the process of a nationwide recruitment following recent approval by the federal government.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, said in a statement on Monday that the agencys recruitment portal (www.recruitment.frsc.gov.ng) has been opened to receive applications.

He did not disclose the number of new personnel to be recruited under the exercise.

The exercise, according to him, will be conducted into the Officer, Marshal Inspectorate (MI) and Road Marshal Assistant (RMA) cadres.

He said: Applicants for the Officer cadre are expected to possess a first degree from recognised institutions, NYSC Discharge Certificates, and must not be more than 30 years of age.

For the Marshal Inspectorate cadre, there three subcategories namely, Marshal Inspector I (MI-I), Marshal Inspector II (MI-II), and Marshal Inspector III (MI-III).

The requirements for MI-I are Higher National Diploma from recognised Institutions, NYSC discharge certificates, registered nurse and midwife, and must equally not be more than 30 years of age.

The requirements for MI-II are Nigeria Certificate of Education (NCE), registered nurse or midwife. Applicants to this cadre must not be more than 28 years of age.

For MI-III, applicants must possess National Diploma (ND), Community Health Extension Workers Certificate (CHEW), and must equally not be more than 28 years of age.

Kazeem said application into the category of RMAII requires a minimum of five credits in SSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB and must include Mathematics and English Language.

He said applicants for RMAIII must possess a minimum of three credits in SSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB, and must not be above 27 years of age.

Artisans and tradesmen equally fall into the same categories of RMAs, however, they must possess a minimum of four passes in SSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB.

They must have trade test or other professional certificates, valid class of drivers licence (for drivers and bikers), and must not be more than 28 years of age, he added.

According to him, shortlisted candidates are expected to come for screening with a print out of their forms as well as the acknowledgement slip.

While emphasising that the exercise attracts no fee, Kazeem maintained that applications must be submitted within six weeks of the publication of the advert.

He added that all enquiries should be directed to 122 (toll free line), 08077690361, 08077690362 or [email protected].

He said details of the requirements for the recruitment exercise had been published in some national dailies.

Source: NAN

An 89-year-old woman who is also a new college graduate isn’t stopping there – she’s already working towards a bachelor’s degree.

Ella Washington, who graduated Saturday with an associate degree in interdisciplinary studies, is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history at Liberty University in Virginia, according to the college.

Washington enrolled in Liberty’s online program in 2012, following a suggestion from one of her 12 children.

“She has always been a lifelong learner,” Washington’s daughter, Ellen Mitchell, said in a statement. "Her desire for learning and for pursuing an education became a family tradition. She taught all of her children how to read, write, and do math prior to their beginning school, just as her grandmother taught her and her siblings.”

As for her drive to learn more about history, Washington said “everybody should know their history and learn more about it … There’s nothing wrong with learning more.”

More: Single mom of five who is graduating law school with epic photos: I didn't do this myself

More: America's top online bachelor's and graduate programs, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report

During her 89 years on earth, Washington has worked a variety of jobs to support her children, ranging from a custodian at the Pentagon to an office assistant to a certified nursing assistant at an adult daycare. She only stopped working about six years ago, according to a press release.

“Coming to D.C., there weren’t many opportunities for a poorly educated black woman,” Mitchell said. “But she worked hard doing whatever she could to make sure we were taken care of.”

The oldest graduate in Liberty's Class of 2018 had this to say about her drive to learn: "Education will help you make the best life for yourselves and those who come after you."

Source: MSN

A female migrant, with nationality yet to be disclosed, has delivered a healthy baby boy, named Miracle aboard MV Aquarius, a search and rescue ship run in partnership between the international medical humanitarian aid organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and SOS MEDITERRANEE.

Baby Miracle was born in international waters at 3.45pm, with his mother rescued just days before on Thursday May 24 by an Italian navy vessel and later transferred to the Aquarius.

MSF midwife Amoin Soulemane, who delivered the baby said, “For a first time delivery the baby came very quickly. The labour pain started early in the morning, but within just a few hours of active labour the baby was born. Both the mother and baby are doing very well.”

The new mother shared with MSF that she spent one year in Libya where she says she was held captive, beaten, given very little food and extorted for money for release. She says she escaped with her partner and hundreds of others earlier this year and had since been hiding in a friend’s house in Libya, before undertaking the dangerous sea crossing on Thursday.

MSF nurse Aoife Ni Mhurchu said, “The situation in Libya is extremely dangerous for refugees and migrants, with very little access to medical care. If she had gone into labour just 48 hours beforehand she would have given birth hiding on a beach in Libya, without any medical assistance.”

“She told me their boat actually departed on Wednesday but after a few short minutes the engine failed and they were returned to shore. The smugglers demanded they hide on the beach, then disappeared and didn’t return for 24 hours. At this point she was left terrified, heavily pregnant, and without food or water,” Ni Mhurchu added.

With the addition of baby Miracle, the Aquarius now has a total of 70 people on board, all of whom will disembark in the port of Catania, Sicily Sunday morning.

Source: NAN

Cristiano Ronaldo may have played his last game for Real Madrid after winning a fourth Champions League crown with the Spanish side in a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in the final on Saturday.

The Portuguese star said he would soon make an announcement on his future.

“Right now we need to enjoy ourselves but in the next few days I’ll give an answer to the fans who have always been by my side.

“It was beautiful to be at Real Madrid,” the Portugal forward told television network beIN Sports after the game.

“The future of any Madrid player is not important, we have just made history.”

Karim Benzema scored Real’s opener while substitute Gareth Bale struck twice to seal a 13th European Cup win overall and their fourth title in five years after Sadio Mane had equalised for Liverpool.

Ronaldo, who is Real’s all-time top scorer, was asked to clarify his comments but continued to give ambiguous answers.

“I don’t have any doubts, it’s not important, I have to rest now, go and meet up with the Portugal team and in the next few weeks,

“I’ll make an announcement,” he added before he joins up with his country’s World Cup squad for the tournament in Russia.

The 33-year-old Ronaldo reacted angrily when asked if he was disappointed not to have scored.

“Who’s disappointed? Perhaps they need to change the name of the Champions League to the CR7 Champions League.

“Who has the most titles and who has the most goals?” said the Portuguese, who has scored a record 120 goals in the competition.

He became the first player to win five Champions League titles since the competition changed format in 1992, including one with Manchester United.

Ronaldo caused a stir last year a few days after Real beat Juventus 4-1 in the final.

Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported that the forward wanted to leave Madrid as he was not happy with how he had been treated by the Spanish club.

Ronaldo’s desire for a new contract was believed to be behind last year’s stories.

He has still not signed a new deal at Real, who he joined from United in a then world record transfer worth 85.5 million pounds ($113.77 million).

Source: NAN

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp revealed that Mohamed Salah’s injury that forced him off in the first half of the Champions League final on Saturday was “serious”.

And that makes the sorrowful Salah a serious doubt to play for his country Egypt in the Russia World Cup which begins on 14 June. Egypt will play their first match against Uruguay on 15 June.

Klopp said: “It is a serious injury. He is in hospital for an X-ray. It is either the collarbone or the shoulder itself,” Klopp said after Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the final in Kiev.

“It doesn’t look good. That’s it.”

Salah, who scored 44 goals for Liverpool this season, came off just half an hour into the game in tears after hurting himself in a challenge with Sergio Ramos. He was shedding tears like a baby.

Liverpool had been on top at that point, but following the shock of the Egyptian’s injury they went on to lose due to a combination of two goalkeeping howlers by Loris Karius and a superb Gareth Bale goal.

However, Klopp believed losing Salah was the turning point.

“Of course it was a big moment in the game. I know if you say that after you lost it sounds like you’re a bad loser but for us it was like a harsh challenge. It was like wrestling.

“The shock of the boys was obvious.”

Klopp admitted that Salah now risks missing out on the World Cup — he has been hoping to lead Egypt in their first appearance at the tournament since 1990, but their opening match is against Uruguay on June 15, less than three weeks from now.

“We wanted everything and got nothing. We lost an important player and probably Egypt lost for the World Cup an important player.

“From what I said so far it doesn’t look really good.”

Britain’s NHS says that a dislocated shoulder can take 12-16 weeks to recover from.

“A dislocated shoulder takes between 12 and 16 weeks to heal after the shoulder has been put back into place.”

If the dislocation is not severe, Salah may return to football action in weeks.

Source: NAN

The police in Taraba have engaged a gang of robbers and kidnappers, killing one and arresting three at the Borno Bukuruku in Bali Local government.

The state Commissioner of police, Mr David Akinremi, said in Jalingo on Saturday that the suspect was killed when the gang engaged the police in a shootout.

A gang of suspected armed robbers/ kidnappers engaged a team of police operatives in a gun duel in their Borno Bukuruku forest hideout in Bali LGA, based on actionable intelligence received at about 10.00hrs.

In the process, one of them was gunned down by the superior firepower of our operatives while three others : Halilu Umaru, 35, Lawale Shehu, 22, Isah Abdullahi, 25, were arrested, Akinremi said.

The commissioner said an Ak47 rifle with eight rounds of ammunition, criminal charms, an army camouflage and cutlasses were recovered from the suspects.

He urged members of the public to watch out for other members of the gang who escaped with gunshot injuries and report them to the police.

Akinremi warned armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminals to steer clear from the state, saying the police would arrest and bring them to justice sooner or later. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Ireland voted by a landslide to ditch its strict abortion laws in a landmark referendum that Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said had finally lifted decades of stigma and shame.

More than 66 percent of voters in what has been a traditionally staunchly Catholic country backed repealing the constitutional ban on terminations, triggering scenes of tearful jubilation in Dublin on Saturday after a divisive and often emotional campaign.

Hugging, celebrating, singing and cheering wildly, thousands crammed into the courtyard of Dublin Castle, where the official result was declared, chanting Yes! Yes! Yes!

Wonderful, wonderful, today is wonderful! said 65-year-old Eileen Shields, who had been ostracised for falling pregnant outside of marriage when she was 18.

The crowds cheered and popped champagne corks as the result was announced. Women and men wearing Repeal tops and Yes badges waved Irish flags and placards reading Thank you, with love hearts on.

Speaking through tears, Stasia Clancy, 64, said: This is like an explosion of the repression and the suppression of the last 100 years.

At Dublins RDS count centre, 40-year-old nurse Ruth Bowie wept at the results.

She told AFP: I had to leave my country to get the healthcare that I needed when I was told that my baby wouldnt survive outside the womb and Ive told my story over and over again just in the hope that this day would come and its finally come.

Veil of stigma lifted

The final results of Fridays referendum showed 66.4 percent voted for removing the constitutional ban, while 33.6 voted against.

Some 1,429,981 votes were cast for Yes. The turnout was 64 percent.

Among the 40 constituencies, the pro-choice vote peaked at 78 percent in Dublin Bay South, while rural Donegal was the only one to vote against liberalising abortion, by 52 percent.

A quiet revolution has taken place, Varadkar said in a speech at Dublin Castle.

No more stigma. The veil of secrecy is lifted. No more isolation. The burden of shame is gone.

He said Saturday would be remembered as the day Ireland stepped out from under the last of our shadows and into the light. The day we came of age as a country.

His government proposes allowing abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances.

Varadkar said he wanted the law in force by the end of the year and Health Minister Simon Harris told AFP that the cabinet would meet on Tuesday to approve the drafting of legislation.

Crumbling church influence

The result is another hammer blow to the Roman Catholic Churchs authority in Ireland, coming three years after referendum voters backed legalising same-sex marriage by 62 percent.

The Churchs influence has crumbled in recent years due to a series of child sex abuse scandals.

The referendum comes three months before Pope Francis visits Ireland for the World Meeting of Families.

An exit poll for The Irish Times newspaper suggested 70 percent of women and 65 percent of men voted to overturn the ban.

People over 65 voted 60 percent against. However, all other age groups backed the proposal, with support at 87 percent among voters aged 18 to 24.

Ailbhe Smyth, 71, co-director of the official Together for Yes campaign, said real-life testimonies from women affected by the ban had helped swing the vote.

*AFP

Source: NAN

Qatar has ordered shops to remove goods originating from a group of Saudi Arabian-led countries which a year ago imposed a wide-ranging boycott on the emirate, Doha officials said Saturday.

A directive from the economy ministry ordered shops to immediately strip shelves of products from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.

Inspectors will visit stores to ensure they comply with the order, the ministry said.

The government will also try and stop products such as Saudi dairy goods from entering Qatar via a third country.

Qatars Government Communications Office (GCO) said it was trying to protect the safety of consumers.

Products originating from blockading states, which as a result of the blockade cannot pass the GCC customs territory, has to undergo proper import inspections and customs procedures, the GCO said in a statement.

Qatar conducts its trade policy in accordance with all of its multilateral and bilateral agreements.

The order comes just days before the anniversary of a bitter Gulf crisis.

Since June 5 last year, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have cut all relations with Qatar, accusing it of financing terrorist groups and having close ties with Iran.

The countries subsequently imposed a trade and diplomatic boycott on Qatar, which rejects the charges and says the countries are seeking regime change in Doha.

The row has forced isolated Qatar, which previously relied on its Gulf neighbours, to look elsewhere for food imports, including Turkey, Morocco and Iran.

Many such imports enter the country via ports such as Kuwait and Oman.

It is through these ports, and also via individuals, that goods from the boycotting countries manage to get in to Qatar, said a source with knowledge of the situation.

Businessmen from the blockading countries are trying to go around the blockade by using third parties, said the source.

Source: NAN

Hundreds of protesters in Nicaragua have resumed their protest, blocking roads in many parts of the country, with at least eight more people killed in the last 24-hours.

Unrest resumed since week-long church-mediated talks between the government and opposition to quell a month of violence broke down late on Wednesday.

Hundreds of demonstrators in the north, center and south of the Central American nation were blocking highways on Saturday, demanding Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, stand down.

Since protests began on April 18 at least 83 people have been killed and more than 860 wounded, police and rights activists say.

Four people were killed on Friday, and another four by mid-day Saturday, police and family members said.

Ortega, a former Sandinista guerrilla who first ruled between 1979 and 1990 before returning as president 11 years ago, had kept power by maintaining leftist rhetoric while ensuring an accommodation with powerful private industry and keeping up trade with the United States.

But demonstrators have voiced frustration over corruption, the autocratic style of Ortega and Murillo, limited options to change the countrys politics in elections, and the presidents control over Congress, the courts, the military and the electoral board.

The Organization of American States has called for Ortega to call early elections, an issue which became the biggest stumbling block in dialogue.

Foreign Minister Denis Moncada said an early ballot would mean dismantling constitutional order and the democratically elected government.

Before protests broke out, an OAS team had been trying to mediate in a process aimed at bringing about new elections, as well as electoral reforms.

Ortega and Murillo were elected in November 2016 for a term that ends in January 2022.

Source: NAN

Kim Jong Un, leader of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK), and U.S. President Donald Trump are willing to hold the first-ever historic summit as scheduled in Singapore.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday confirmed this in a nationally televised address at the presidential complex, saying both Kim and Trump wished the success of their summit originally scheduled for June 12 wholeheartedly.

The confirmation came after Moon held a surprise summit Saturday with Kim on the DPRK side of the border village of Panmunjom. Moon met with Trump in Washington on May 22 to discuss the DPRK-U.S. summit.

The South Korean leader said he met with Kim for the second time in a month following the third inter-Korean summit on the South Korean side of Panmunjom on April 27. The second meeting between Moon and Kim was held at the request of the DPRK leader.

At the April 27 summit, Moon and Kim promised to meet at any time, in any place and in no format, if necessary, to discuss significant issues between the two Koreas.

Kim had delivered his intent Friday afternoon to meet with Moon in no format, which the South Korean president willingly accepted.

Moon spoke highly his second meeting with Kim, which the South Korean leader likened to a daily round between old friends. He said the two Koreas should meet as it was.

During the Saturday meeting, Moon explained to Kim about the outcome of his summit with Trump in Washington earlier this week, conveying Trumps firm will to end hostile relations with the DPRK and build economic cooperation if Kim fulfills complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Moon told Kim that Pyongyang and Washington should dispel possible misunderstandings via direct dialogues and have sufficient working-level talks over agenda that needs to be agreed upon at the Kim-Trump summit as both Kim and Trump wholeheartedly wished the success of the DPRK-U.S. summit.

Kim agreed to the need for what Moon told him, the South Korean president noted.

The DPRK leader made clear his commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula at the Saturday meeting, expressing his willingness to end the history of war and conflicts, and cooperate for peace and prosperity via a successful DPRK-U.S. summit.

Moon and Kim wished the June 12 DPRK-U.S. summit could be held as scheduled and the journey of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and building permanent peace should never be stopped. The leaders agreed to closely cooperate to achieve it.

To rapidly enforce the Panmunjom Declaration, which Moon and Kim announced after the April 27 summit, the two sides agreed to resume high-level inter-Korean dialogue on June 1, which had been cancelled at the last minute.

It will be followed by inter-Korean military talks to ease military tensions and a Red Cross talks to hold the reunion of separated families across the inter-Korean border since the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, according to the South Korean president who took office in May last year.

Moon and Kim also agreed to meet and communicate, if necessary, at any time and in no format, Moon said.

The inter-Korean talks between high-level officials were originally held last week, but Pyongyang made a pre-dawn cancellation citing the joint annual South Korea-U.S. air combat exercises, codenamed Max Thunder that ended on Friday.

In a publicized letter to the DPRK leader, Trump cancelled the DPRK-U.S. summit on Thursday, citing tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in recent DPRK statements.

Following the cancellation, the DPRK said it was ready to sit down with the United States, and then Trump said the U.S.-DPRK summit likely remained as scheduled.

Moon said in the speech that the DPRK showed its determination by dismantling its nuclear test site and stopping nuclear and missile tests, calling it a completely new start toward complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the peninsula.

Pyongyang invited journalists earlier this week to let them cover the dismantlement of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, where all of its six nuclear tests were conducted.

*Xinhua

Source: NAN

NAN Reporting

The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has appealed an Order of Interim Injunction from the National Industrial Court (NIC), compelling it to immediately resume duties.

Addressing an emergency news conference on behalf of the national body of JOHESU in Abuja on Saturday, Dr Godwin Okara, the Chairman, Assembly of Healthcare Professionals Association (AHPA), said the matter is now at the Court of Appeal.

Okara said JOHESU had filed Court Processes before the Court of Appeal on May 21, challenging the locus standi of the Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International, an NGO, and the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.

He said the union only received the NIC order at 5.39 p.m. on Friday (May 25).

“An Order of Interim Injunction compelling JOHESU to immediately resume duties was just served on JOHESU at 5.39 p.m. on Friday May 25.

“We have the greatest respect and regard for the Judiciary of our country Nigeria.

“It has always proved to be the bulwark of our democracy, the last hope of the common man and the flagship of the vanguard for law and order in human society,” he said.

Okara described the suit as a calculated attempt by the Federal Ministry of Health and the NGO to demonise JOHESU through sustained misinformation and falsehood.

The JOHESU official explained that the briefing was aimed at updating the media and the general public on the latest developments affecting the industrial action.

He explained that the union decided to seek legal redress when it noticed that there was an intention by the parties to tarnish the image of its members on the mass media when they have not received any court order.

“JOHESU had before the receipt of this Court Order filed Court Processes in the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal on May 21, 2018, challenging the locus standi of the NGO and the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.

“The move is a follow up to the calculated attempt to demonise JOHESU through sustained misinformation and falsehood by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International, an NGO, which is neither our employer nor a party to the agreement JOHESU signed with Government.

“The NGO has constituted itself into a meddlesome interloper,” Okara said.

He also expressed concern over the persistent attempts by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to misinform the public through malicious fabrication of accusation and blatant lies that JOHESU members had locked up theatres, consulting rooms, laboratories and wards.

Okara dismissed insinuations by the NMA that their members were intimidated by JOHESU officials and hospital authorities lack the power to keep the gates and doors of our health facilities open.

“It beats imagination that NMA will go to any ridiculous length in giving bad names to a dog in order to hang it,’’ he said.

According to him, JOHESU members have conducted themselves with the highest degree of restraint and discipline in the face of provocation and double-dealing by the Federal Ministry of Health and NMA.

The AHPA chairman commended the leadership of the Senate for their recent intervention aimed at ensuring full and amicable resolution of the crisis.

Okara also appreciated all men and women of good conscience that have lend their voices of reason to JOHESU’s struggle for improved healthcare facilities in the country, justice, fairness and equity in the health sector.

While sympatising with patients and their relatives over the pangs of the strike, he appealed to the general public to understand that the strike was in the best interest of improving the country’s health sector.

Okara urged members of JOHESU to sustain the strike pending the outcome of national consultative meetings with states and zonal leaders of the union to review the latest situation and decide on the next line of action on May 27 and 28 in Abuja, respectively.

The JOHESU official therefore, urged the Federal Government to implement the agreement reached with the union on Sept. 30, 2017, to avoid further loss of lives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the NIC had on May 17 ordered striking members of JOHESU to suspend its ongoing strike, and resume work nationwide within 24 hours.

Justice Babatunde Adejumo, President of the NIC, gave the order after listening to the submissions of Mr Okere Nnamdi, in an ex-parte motion filed by the NGO, Incorporated Trustees of Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International.

The NGO in the motion prayed the court to order the workers to restore normal healthcare services and go back to negotiation table.

Source: NAN

Frustrated by the lingering impasse in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senators Suleiman Hunkuyi and Shehu Sani are considering dumping the party.

Their faction of APC in Kaduna State says it was considering defecting to another political party barely few months to the 2019 general elections.

The faction, known as APC Akida, said in a statement in Kaduna on Friday that they have concluded a review of the state of the party and governance issues in the state and the nation, and was considering leaving the party they worked hard to put in place.

The group said it would take the decision if there is no visible evidence of success in addressing the damaging levels of alienation and frustration among the millions of party faithful in Kaduna State.

Other prominent members of the faction that are set to discard APC are Isah Ashiru former APC governorship aspirant, and Mr. Mataimaki Tom Maiyashi.

Maiyashi, Chairman of the group, who signed the statement said two recent events in the state chapter of the party have confirmed the fears of the absence of credible and legitimate party leadership.

These, he said, were capable of destroying the credibility and popularity of the party.

The party congresses and the Local Government Councils elections in Kaduna State have confirmed the fears of the absence of credible and legitimate party leadership and this would destroy the credibility and popularity of the party.

These are fears which the Akida group had raised since the early days of the administration of Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

The congresses have exposed the contempt for popular participation by the Governor and his hand-picked choir.

Our party has lost massive popularity and goodwill as a result of attempts to force the choices of an unpopular government on party faithful, he said.

Maiyashi said those who emerged as leaders of the party from the congresses enjoyed no support or legitimacy among party members.

It has become painfully aware that all efforts to halt the damage being done to our party ,including many attempts by the leadership of the APC at zonal and national levels, are unlikely to reverse the decline in our partys capacity to live up to its promises made to the people in 2015.

The Akida group has informed all relevant party organs and leaders that it will regretfully consider leaving a party it worked hard to put in place if there is no visible evidence of success in addressing the damaging levels of alienation and frustration among the millions of party faithful in Kaduna State.

As things stand, the founding values of our party, particularly integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and compassion have been systematically repudiated by the government of Nasir el-Rufai, starting with the subversion of the autonomy and integrity of the party at all levels in the state.

We appeal to anyone with authority or influence over the governor to use it responsibly to head off a looming disaster in the shape of a party that has lost its foundations and integrity, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The recently passed 2018 Appropriation Bill has been transmitted to the presidency for the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sen. Ita Enang , the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), confirmed on Friday, the receipt of the 2018 Appropriation Bill.

The NASS had on May 16 passed the 2018 Appropriation Bill of N9.12 trillion.

The budget was increased by the legislature by N508 billion from the N8.61 trillion proposed and presented by President Buhari to the NASS in November 2017.

Enang, in a statement in Abuja, said he had received the 2018 budget passed by both chambers of the NASS and was set to be transmitted to the president for further action.

I have received the 2018 Appropriation Bill for onward transmission to the President as soon as possible.

Since the Appropriation Bill has been received, what is left is for it to be transmitted immediately to the President, he said

The National Assembly on May 16, passed the 2018 Appropriation Bill of N9.12 trillion after it was increased by the lawmakers by N508 billion.

Chairman of the committee, Sen. Danjuma Goje, presented the budget and explained that it was premised on oil price benchmark of 51 dollars per barrel as against 45 dollars proposed by the president.

He added that it also benchmarked at crude oil production of 2.3 million barrels per day and exchange rate of N305 to one dollar.

Goje said that of the aggregate expenditure of N9.12 trillion, N530 billion was earmarked for Statutory Transfers while N2 trillion was earmarked for Debt Service.

He added that N3.5 trillion was earmarked for Recurrent Expenditure, N2.8 trillion for Capital Expenditure, N1.95 trillion for fiscal deposit, while Deficit to Gross Domestic Product was put at -1.73 per cent.

He recalled that the 2018 Budget as presented by Buhari had the objective of delivering on a three year (2018-2020) Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

The Bill contained the estimates of revenue and expenditure totalling N8, 612, 236, 953, 214.

It was made up of Statutory Transfers of N 456, 458, 654, 074 and Debt Service of N2, 233, 835, 365, 699.

Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure is N3, 494, 277, 820, 219 and Contribution to Development Fund for Capital Expenditure is N2, 427,665,113,222, he said.

Goje disclosed that there was additional allocation to security to the tune of N47 billion, Reduction of Deficit, N51 billion and Health, N57 billion.

Other additional allocations, according to him, are Power, Works and Housing, N107 billion, N16 billion to Education, particularly for infrastructure for the 12 newly-established universities and meal subsidy in Unity Schools.

He also said that N10 billion was allocated to Judiciary while additional provision of N44 billion was allocated to Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The committee chairman, therefore, explained that the various additional allocations accounted for the budget increment from N8.61 trillion to N9.12 trillion.

He regretted the delay in the passage of the budget, but said that it was not entirely the fault of the National Assembly.

Lawmakers commented on the budget, with James Manager (Delta-PDP) saying that to avoid speculations, it was important to let Nigerians know that the increment in the budget was in consultation with the Executive.

Sen. Lanre Tejuoso (APC-Ogun) described the bill as a budget of transformation with the introduction of one per cent Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in the health allocation.

He explained that the implication of the one per cent was that a minimum of 3,000 Nigerians in each local government area would have their health bills paid for by government.

In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said that there was need to grow the economy away from oil.

He also said that government spending must continue to grow on issues relevant to the welfare and security of the people.

Saraki stressed that government spending should reduce in areas where the private sector was better placed to catalyse progress, adding that it would free up funds for education, health, water and sanitation services, among others.

On this note, it is with great delight that I announce that the 2018 Budget has met the threshold of reserving at least one per cent of total budget to health.

This is historic. We were focused on this commitment of the one per cent set aside for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). We promised and we have delivered.

For us, this is not a commitment to numbers; it is a commitment to the health and well-being of our people; it is a commitment to making Nigeria stronger.

We expect that this will continue and even inch upwards as we work to eradicate malaria, and significantly reduce infant and maternal mortality.

The statistics that show Nigeria as having one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world is not the Nigeria we want to leave behind for our children.

The journey starts now; let us not look back, he said.

Saraki emphasised the need for the Executive and the Legislature to come together, especially in the formation and passage of Appropriation Bill.

He said that while progress had been made in the formation stages, a lot more needed to happen to minimise delays and other stumbling blocks in the process.

One of the symptoms of the unhelpful aspects of the prevailing culture hampering the process remains the neglect or refusal of certain agencies of government to honour invitations to budget defence.

It is our hope that we will see a major change in this regard, going forward.

The Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) has been passed; it should, of course, be duly signed and implemented so that our people can reap the full dividends of this landmark legislation.

We would like to see that the process of implementation of the budget starts immediately so that our people will begin to benefit from the objective of the budget and opportunities it opens.

In order for us to have an efficient budget implementation, we will advise that agencies of government eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and speed up the procurement process, he said.

Passing the Bill at the House of Representatives, the lawmakers warned the Federal Government not to engage in extra-budgetary spending unless through supplementary appropriation.

They also barred the government from borrowing without first furnishing the legislature with details of the borrowing plan and obtaining approval.

Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Abdulrazak Namdas, who briefed the media on the conditions given to the government, said that the House had constituted a conference committee to liaise with the Senate on the conditions.

He said that the budget must henceforth, run a full circle of 12 months.

We have set up a conference committee to harmonise with the Senate based on the new clauses passed by the House.

We believe that a clean copy of the budget will be ready by next week and sent to the president for assent.

Namdas explained that the budget was jacked up based on a new oil benchmark of 51 dollars, crude oil production of 2.3 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of N305 to one dollar.

After close consultation with the Executives, the increase in oil benchmark was applied in the following critical sectors of the economy reduction of deficit amounted to N50.88 billion; security N46.72 billion; health N57.15 billion; power, works and housing N106.50 billion. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has appointed a former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Chief Lawrence Nwuruku and a former Minister of State for Power and Steel Chief Goddy Ogbaga, to manage two rice mills in Ikwo and Izzi Local Government Areas (LGA).

Nwuruku, also a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner, would manage the Ikwo Rice Mill, while Ogbaga was appointed the Chairman of the Rice Mill, located in Iboko, Izzi LGA.

Umahi made the announcements on Friday during the novelty football matches involving the various arms of governments and parastatals in the state as part of events to mark the 2018 democracy day celebrations.

The governor commended the organisers of the novelty matches, noting that the excitement had reduced the blood pressure of spectators at the refurbished Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium.

He also announced a donation of N5 million to participants of the matches with the six winning teams getting N500, 000 each.

The four-runners up will get N400, 000 each, while the officials would also get N400, 000, he said.

NAN reports that Ogbaga and Nwuruku recently declared their intentions to run for the Ebonyi North and Central Senatorial seats of the state respectively.

Source: NAN

Leaders of North and South Korea have met to ensure the historic meeting between North Korea leader Kim Jong Un and the U.S. President Donald Trump, still holds.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in met with his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un in the demilitarized zone for the second time in a month on Saturday to discuss the peace commitments they reached in their first summit.

There has been uncertainty over the North Korea-U.S. meeting following various demands by Trump and his North Korean counterpart.

The meeting between the Korean leaders came hours after President Donald Trump suggested his June 12 meeting with Kim may still go ahead.

Moons office, which released photos of the meeting, said the leaders met on the North Korean side of the demilitarized zone in the village of Panmunjom between 3 and 5 p.m. local time.

The Blue House said Moon would personally announce the outcome of Saturdays summit on Sunday.

The two leaders reportedly spoke for two hours to frankly discuss how they could make the potential summit between Kim and Trump a success.

The meeting came hours after South Korea expressed relief over revived talks for a summit between Trump and Kim following a whirlwind 24 hours that saw the U.S. president cancel the meeting.

In their first summit in April, Kim and Moon announced vague aspirations for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and permanent peace, which Seoul has tried to sell as a meaningful breakthrough to set up the summit with Trump.

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Source: NAN

The U.S. government has warned the Syrian government not to execute its planned attack of rebels in the Southern part of the country following a “de-escalation zone” agreement signed by three countries.

It would be recalled that the U.S., Russia, and Jordan agreed last year on a “de-escalation zone” in southwestern Syria to freeze the lines of conflict.

In a statement released Friday, the State Department said it was concerned by reports that Assad’s forces were preparing for an operation near the Jordanian and Israeli borders.

The U.S. said it will take “firm and appropriate measures” to protect a cease-fire in southern Syria if President Bashar Assad’s forces attack rebels there.

The State Department further warned the Syrian government against “any actions that risk broadening the conflict.”

The U.S. and Israel are growing increasingly concerned about Iranian military activities in Syria in support of Assad.

Israel says it does not want Iranian forces massing close to the nearby occupied Golan Heights.

Source: NAN

At least 40 people have died in a road accident involving a passenger bus, a tractor and a beer truck in Northern Uganda, the country’s Red Cross said on Saturday.

The police had initially put the death toll at 19, but the Red Cross said on their official Twitter page that the accident had “claimed over 40 lives.’’

The accident occurred late on Friday near Kiryandongo, about 260 kilometers from Kampala, police spokesman Emilian Kayima said, adding that children were among the dead.

The bus “rammed into a tractor and hit it badly, rolled and hit another beer truck,’’ he said in a statement.

“Evacuation teams are working tirelessly to rescue the injured. Reinforcement is being organised to support the rescue services,’’ Kayima added, without saying how many were injured.

Bus accidents are common on Ugandan roads and are blamed on speeding, drunken driving and the poor mechanical condition of the vehicles.

Source: NAN

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has pledged its commitment to end violence against children in Nigeria, as the country joins the world to mark the 2018 Children’s Day.

Mr Isiye Ndombi, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Children’s Day is commemorated on May 27, every year.

NAN reports that the theme of the celebration is: “Creating Safe Spaces for Children: Our Collective Responsibility.’’

Ndombi decried violence against children in the country and promised that the organisation was determined to mobilise the will and resources to tackle all forms of violence against children wherever it occurred.

The UNICEF deputy representative, however, described violence against children as pervasive, adding that it occurred in the home, school, work place and “online”.

According to him, perpetrators often include the very people children are expected to trust – parents, caregivers and other family members, friends, teachers and intimate partners.

“We are currently re-analysing the 2014 Violence Against Children Survey (VACS) findings to gain an even deeper understanding of the drivers of violence against children.

“We are also supporting our Government partners to launch our National Plan of Action to End VAC by 2030, alongside a national Social Norms Change Strategy.

“We are supporting the Government to track and monitor reported cases to end the menace,’’ she said.

Ndombi noted that violence against children affected them for life, saying that the marks were sometimes visible bruises and broken bones.

According to him, harm caused by violence on children also affects their mental and physical health and their ability to function in the world.

Speaking on the year’s theme, Ndombi said it provides an excellent opportunity to speak up on behalf of all the vulnerable children in the country.

He identified the efforts of the government to end violence against children to include the conduct of VAC survey in 2014.

The survey, according to him, provides the first national representative data on the prevalence of sexual, physical, and emotional violence among children in the country.

Ndombi identified Nigeria as the first country in the West African sub-region and the 9th worldwide to conduct VAC survey.

This, he said demonstrate the commitment of government to tackle the menace.

“The findings released at the end of 2015, highlighted that millions of Nigerian children are suffering from violence every year and most are suffering in silence.

“Six out of 10 children will suffer some form of emotional, physical or sexual violence before they reach the age of 18.

“Many of them encounter violence over and over; yet, less than five per cent of the children that seek help and receive support.

“This is a clear call for the government at all levels to act to end violence against children.

“In September 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari launched a Year of Action to End Violence Against Children and called on all Nigerians to join this battle.

“Buhari renewed his commitment in October 2016 by launching a long-term campaign, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, to End Violence Against Children by 2030,’’ he noted.

Source: NAN