Marilyn Ogar, the former spokesperson of Department of State Service (DSS), has filed a suit before the National Industrial Court, Abuja, challenging her compulsory retirement from service in September 2015.

Ogar was retired along 14 other officers in 2015, seven years before she was due for retirement.

When the case came up for mention on Friday, the respondents’ counsels were not present in court.

The claimant’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, informed the court that the defendants were served originating summon and hearing notice.

Adedipe said that although the defendants had entered conditional appearance, they did not file any counter processes within 14 days of service of the originating summon.

The judge, Justice Olufunke Anuwe, ordered that the defendants be served hearing notice and adjourned the case until June 25, for hearing

Ogar, wants the court to among others things, declare that her retirement was illegal and nullify her demotion from deputy director to assistant director.

Joined in the suit are the Attorney- General of the Federation and the Director-General of DSS.

Source: NAN

The Senate has appealed the nullification of the suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.

The Senate and the Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki who is the second defendant in the case, also filed for a stay of execution of the nullification of the suspension.

According to the upper legislative chamber, the Senate and the Senate President have promptly filed a Notice of Appeal and a Motion for Stay of Execution of the same Judgement on the 10th of May, 2018.

Earlier on Thursday, the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and declared it illegal. The court however also ruled that the Senate had the power to punish its members.

The senator representing All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta was suspended by the senate because he openly criticized the amendment of election sequence carried out by the senate.

Omo-Agege had accused the Senate of targetting President Muhammadu Buhari with the Electoral Act Amendment, especially that aspect that deals with modification of election sequence.

Omo-Agege who was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions fr investigations of comments attributed to him, sued the senate asking the court to stop the committee from investigating him.

Following the suit, the committee recommended that the senator be suspended and he was therefore suspended for 90 legislative days.

Source: NAN

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the country is on course to effectively tackle poverty and unemployment through its micro-economic planning and Social Investment Programmes.

Osinbajo said this on Thursday when a delegation of senior officials from the World Bank, led by the World Bank Group Executive Director for Italy, Mr Patrizio Pagano, visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The group of 10 Executive Directors, on a working visit to Nigeria represents 93 countries from across Africa, Asia, Central America and Europe.

The Vice President further said the Buhari administration was determined to tackle corruption to bring economic prosperity for Nigeria.

There is a tendency to assume that if we get just a number of things right in our micro-economic planning, for instance, to promote trade and so on, we would be able to deal with the issues of poverty through a trickle down policy.

But unfortunately, here, this is not necessarily the case. We might get the micro issues right and still have the problems, especially of poverty.

In terms of systematic policy, you have to keep innovating, looking for what works, tweaking it here and there.

Also, if you dont deal with issues around corruption, it becomes difficult. If we allow resources to be pilfered and wasted, then the whole idea of economic prosperity is difficult.

So we have programmes and initiatives in place that promote accountability, like Treasury Single Account (TSA), and other policies, the Vice President added.

Osinbajo said that the Buhari administrations Social Investment Programmes were targeted at ensuring inclusion and taking millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

So, the question for us is how to ensure inclusion or inclusivity, how to get millions of our very poor people into the economy, how to structure our budget in such a way that recognises that.

That is why we set up the N500 billion Social Investment Programmes.

Though we are not spending anything near that yet, it is an important statement for us to address the question of inclusivity, he stated..

On Nigerias role in West Africa, the Vice President noted that, Nigeria is very involved in the region in the areas of security.

We promote regional cooperation and we also try to address issues of dumping, and the smuggling of rice and poultry products.

Osinbajo highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in the area of trade adding thathe met with the President of Benin recently in Togo, where they discussed ways in which Nigeria and its neighbours could effectively resolve the issue of smuggling.

The World Bank Director, Mr Patrizio Pagano, commended the Federal Government for its economic reforms, adding that the Bank would fully support the country in achieving sustainable growth.

Source: NAN

The South-East Political Summit (SEPS) has called on Ndigbo not to boycott the 2019 general elections in order for them to occupy political space meant for them in the country.

The Leader of the group, Mrs Eberechukwu Anigbogu, said this on Thursday while addressing news conference in Enugu.

Anigbogu said that the apathy, cultural surrender and political ignorance that had ravaged Igbo land in the past 20 years had reduced Ndigbo to mere spectators in the political struggle in the country.

We have decided that it is time to sensitise and mobilise our people to rise up and fully occupy our political space.

We are not a political party. It is not another just political pressure group. It is rather, a mass movement, geared towards re-inventing political consciousness in the South-East, she said.

According to her, there is an enormous degree of burden placed on the shoulders of SEPS members to chart a new course for Ndigbo.

She recalled that pristine Igbo society operated the best democracy the world ever knew, stressing that in those days, people gathered under town squares to deliberate.

Anigbogu noted that at such meeting, families, clans, age grades and elders picked the most trusted and virtuous to represent them.

Source: NAN

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, an adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on political matters, has quit the Ekiti state governorship race.

Ojudu was one of the 33 aspirants in the aborted All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary on Saturday, May 5.

At a press conference in Ado-Ekiti today, he said he has decided to withdraw from the election because he does not want to be part of a mess, an election that has a predetermined end, skewed to favour just one aspirant.

The APC has rescheduled the election for Saturday.

Ojudus statement:

Dear Compatriots,

I know some of you are in shock that we are withdrawing from the race.

I know many of you are surprised that we didnt have a chance to debate our options as we have done on most issues since this journey began.

A lot was and is still in play. In due course, you will hear and understand the full story.

I came into this race to help in rescuing our state from poverty and years of poor administration. I did not come into this race to walk on the blood of others to become governor. I will never allow people to be maimed or killed just for a personal ambition. I am not desperate to be governor. I am desperate to rescue Ekiti people.

I am walking away from the race but I am not walking away from serving the people. If they will not allow Law and order to reign, we will let them hear the voice of the people.

We know where we are going, theyve just made us take a detour. Please ignore the rumors out there. Very soon we will decide on our new course.

Thank you for all your support. But the journey continues. The real fight has just started. Ekiti will be rescued.

In an earlier statement, he said:

From what has happened since May 5 to date, it goes without saying that this is an unfair contest where the National Working committee chairman has clearly demonstrated that he does not care what happens to our dear party now and in the nearest future. We saw a chairman who has conspired with one of the aspirants in the race to unleash mayhem on others, wreak havoc and violence on ordinary citizens and exposed the state to great embarrassment on national television. We saw an aspirant so unpopular to the extent that delegates called him unprintable names at the voting arena now being imposed on our people, not minding if this means we lose this state forever.

We do not believe in engaging in an unfair contest and I am not ready to step on blood to get to power. As I have reiterated at different times in the course of the campaign, this was never about me. It was not about an ambition but a mission to give a new lease of life to Ekiti State and the people. It was about safeguarding the future of our children, our grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even generations yet unborn. There is no doubt that we all love this land, that everyone of you had best hopes and aspiration for this beautiful state we call ours and that above all, this state should wear a new look, be adorned with a new reputation and have a new image of itself.

All my life, I have fought injustice and sought the good of the whole. Therefore, this injustice perpetrated against Ekiti people by the NWC Chairman cannot be allowed to stand. This is why the fight will continue, not as an aspirant but as a party reformer. As a leader and party chieftain, I will inspire a new generation of leaders of young professionals, businessmen and technocrats to re-enter our politics and change this state. Only then can we have men and women of honour who will take Ekiti out of the wilderness and restore her to her pride of place.

At the national level, I will continue to support Mr. President in ensuring party reforms. I will work hard to ensure that never again is our party thrown to desperate men who feed on monetary inducements and undermine their own party. This movement continues but I would be stepping down immediately as a governorship aspirant to focus on this new mission.

Source: NAN

Mr Dayo Adeyeye, a governorship aspirant in the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary, says he is defecting to another party in order to realise his ambition of providing rapid development in the state.

Adeyeye, who polled 771 votes out of the 1,986 cast during the primary, made this known on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti.

The former Minister of State for Works said he would announce his new platform in the next 40 hours, stressing that no fewer than five parties had offered him their platforms to contest the July 14 governorship election in the state.

The former PDP spokesman made the announcement shortly after consulting with his supporters on the next line of action as a result of his loss of the primary election to the states Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka.

He alleged that the victory of Olusola- Eleka at the primary was merely to extend the tenure of Gov. Ayo Fayose.

Adeyeye alleged that asking the delegates to wear uniform ( aso ebi) was a ploy by the incumbent governor to impose his deputy as the PDP governorship candidate.

He also pointed out that the pattern of voting at the venue of the primary based on local government areas instilled fear in many delegates that they were being monitored.

I am leaving the party because the party can change but your state cannot change, the party can change, your hometown cannot change.

I cant be part of enslavement, I cant be part of corruption, I cant be part of those keeping our people in poverty but spend billions of naira on chartered flights to Abuja every year and will be riding okada (commercial motorcycle) at home.

Our party leaders in Abuja were surprised at my performance at the primary despite the intimidation but I told them that I can change party, party may go into extinction but Ekiti will remain, he said.

He argued that it would not make sense that Ekiti be ruined due to party affiliation.

I will not, because of party affiliation, allow Ekiti to be destroyed. That is why we will take decision today on where we are going.

Since Tuesday, civil servants, teachers, local government workers have become sad. Ekiti has been enveloped in mourning.

What is paramount in my mind is to liberate Ekiti. Today, we will not reveal where we are going yet, but we are no longer where we were before , he said

Source: NAN

Donald Trump on Thursday revealed that his historic summit with Kim Jong Un will take place in Singapore on June 12.

It would be the first-ever between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader.

The location and date of the landmark meeting were announced in a presidential tweet just hours after Trump welcomed to the United States three American prisoners released by Pyongyang.

We will both try to make it a very special moment for World Peace! Trump wrote.

The talks, which are expected to last one day, are set to focus on North Koreas rapidly advancing nuclear and ballistic weapons programs.

I think it will be a big success, Trump said as he boarded Air Force One, on his way to a political rally in Indiana.

US officials said the release of Americans Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul removed a major obstacle to the summit, providing Trump with some tangible evidence that his twin-track policy of engagement and maximum pressure was working.

Were not under any illusions about who these people are. We know who we are dealing with here, said Victoria Coates, of the National Security Council.

But we got, up front, our people home.

The United States and North Korea are technically still at war a stop-gap armistice ended the brutal three-year Korean war in 1953 and around 30,000 American troops remain in neighboring South Korea, which the US supported in the conflict.

Singapore will provide a neutral backdrop for the summit, avoiding some of the security and political challenges associated with a meeting in the Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea.

The Southeast Asia city state has long acted as a bridge between the United States and China, with successive prime ministers offering Oval Office occupants their cherished geopolitical counsel.

When Trump and Kim do sit down a month from now, the two relatively untested leaders will be presented with a puzzle that has stymied seasoned diplomats for decades.

A series of US administrations have sent envoys, both official and unofficial, to Pyongyang in the hope of stopping North Koreas provocative nuclear weapons program.

Former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter visited after leaving office, multiple rounds of non-proliferation talks have taken place, and a deal was even signed in 1994.

Despite the optimism of that moment, all efforts to limit North Koreas nuclear program have, to date, failed. And more than two decades and multiple provocative weapons tests after the last accord, the threat from Pyongyang has only grown.

The country is now believed to be on the cusp of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile that could deliver a nuclear warhead to the US mainland.

Trump has vowed that he will not let that happen and has demanded that North Korea give up its nukes.

Source: NAN

Former members of the People’s Democratic Party in the ruling All Progressives Congress,APC, appear to be spoiling for a fight as they issued a seven-day ultimatum, asking the party to address their complaints of marginalization.

Their letter which was addressed to the National chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, was signed by by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, former National Chairman of the former PDP bloc and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the group’s former National Secretary.

Both signatories are known to be lukewarm to the alliance put together in 2014, with Oyinlola openly rejecting a board appointment and teaming up with Olusegun Obasanjo’s national coalition movement and Baraje being accused by APC members in Kwara state of being anti-Buhari.

With the tone of the letter, the political bloc may just be preparing the ground
to break away.

The group accused the ruling APC of marginalising its members in cabinet positions, board appointments and working to block the emergence of Yakubu Dogara and Bukola Saraki as speaker and senate president in 2015.

The group also listed five other sins committed against them by the APC, among them the lack of consultation of their members in decision making and the harassment of their members, which was not substantiated.

They thus gave Chief John Oyegun, seven days to respond and arrange a meeting.

“Given the constraining factor of available time and in the interest of our great Party, it is strongly advised that the said urgent meeting be held not later than Seven (7) days from the date of the receipt of this letter,” the letter read.

Here is the text of the letter:

TEXT OF THE LETTER

The National Chairman

All Progressives Congress (APC)

National Headquarters

Abuja.

REQUEST FOR REDRESSING OF GRIEVANCES OF THE FORMER NEW PDP BLOCK WITHIN THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC)

We the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who moved over from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to form the APC before the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria are desirous of strengthening our party especially now that new party Congresses have commenced and the Convention and another round of General Elections are imminent. Obviously, this cannot be achieved without addressing fundamental issues which we wish to raise in this letter.

We therefore wish, with due respect, to re-state our expectation then and now that the APC we all laboured to build would be one united, inclusive, cohesive and progressive party devoid of divisions, factions, cleavages and tendencies. We envisioned a political party promoting equal rights for all Nigerians and ensuring rapid and even development across the country. Of course there is no gainsaying the fact that the lofty ideals enumerated above cannot be attained without ensuring justice for party faithfuls and citizens.

2. Kindly indulge us to offer a brief reminder of the history of events that led to the victory of the APC in the 2015 General Elections and the presidential election in particular. It is an undeniable historical fact that the movement of the former New PDP block to form the APC contributed immensely to the victory of the APC in the elections. The former new PDP included five sitting Governors of Sokoto, Kano, Kwara, Adamawa and Rivers States and former Governors of Kebbi, Gombe, Osun, former Vice President of Nigeria, former acting National Chairman of PDP, sitting Speaker of the House of Representatives, many serving members of the National Assembly and many renowned politicians and PDP Elders. It was a watershed moment in Nigeria’s political History.

3. Most of these leaders not only DELIVERED their States to the APC at the elections, some of the Governors were also assigned specific responsibilities to ensure that other States were also delivered to the APC in the 2015 elections. The then Governor of Sokoto took charge of Kebbi and the then Governor of Kano State took responsibility for Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa States just to mention a few examples. There were also unprecedented efforts by many stakeholders such as Senator Bukola Saraki, in concert with others, to DELIVER the entire North Central to the APC.

4. These efforts, contributions and sacrifice were made in spite of the fact that the presidential ticket was taken by the erstwhile Congress for Progressive Change, (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN) blocks of the party. It is a matter for grave concern that His Excellency, Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has never publicly acknowledged our efforts in the face of clear evidence that the total number of votes scored by the APC in States where leaders and members of the then NEW PDP block held sway made the difference.

5. The stubborn facts are as follows: In Kano State APC scored 1,903,999 in 2015, and in Kwara 302,146. In Sokoto State it scored 671,926, and 374,701 in Adamawa. In Kebbi State, APC had 567,883 votes and 885,988 in Jigawa. It was the same story in Gombe (459,898), Kogi (264,851), and Benue (373,961) votes. These represented significant additions to the APC victory column. Indeed, the influence, activities, momentum and ripple effect generated by the former New PDP block was significant in the victory of APC in the entire elections in the whole country.

6. At this stage we would chronicle a few grievances which if addressed will lead to a harmonious APC where justice, equity, fairness and peace will reign and enable APC avoid rancour, reinvigorate the pace of national development and face the 2019 General Elections as one united party.

7. Our grievances include:

(a) In the constitution of the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) the New PDP block was generally sidelined as virtually no position was conceded to it. The only member of FEC that belonged to former New PDP block comes from a State that contributed virtually no vote to the APC in the 2015 presidential elections.

(b) There has been no significant patronage and appointments to executive positions in various government agencies such as Chief Executives and Executive Directors of government agencies and parastatals as members of our block of the party continue to helplessly watch as these positions are shared by the erstwhile CPC, ACN, ANPP and even APGA blocks of the party and those who have no party at all.

(c) In appointments into boards of various government agencies, very few former New PDP members were patronised. These are however not commensurate with our contributions to the growth and victory of the party.

(d) When members of the former New PDP block showed interest in running for the offices of President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, they were subjected to a vicious and relentless political opposition as if they were not legitimate members of the APC family.

(e) During the party primaries preparatory to the 2015 General Elections, most of the promises made to sitting members of the National Assembly, who belonged to the former new PDP in terms of a level playing field were reneged upon or observed more in breach.

(f) There has been general lack of consultation, non recognition and even persecution of former New PDP members and leaders by the party and government. For example, some of our leaders are denied the security cover necessary to visit their constituencies even though they are elected representatives of the people in a government they sacrificed so much for.

(g) Harassment, intimidation and persecution of former New PDP leaders by the government, is still an ongoing affair. We do not want to overstate the obvious by cataloguing names of former new PDP stalwarts that are targets of this political pogrom.

(h) There is inadequate reflection of programme and policy contributions of members of the former New PDP block in the running of the government.

8. Our belief is that it does not augur well for our party if a section of it feels that it is being treated as outcasts and meddlesome interlopers in the party they rightly belong with the legitimate expectation to be treated with justice both in the running of the party and the government.

9. Arising from the issues outlined above, among others, we request for an urgent meeting with the Leader of the party, and the Party Executive leadership to find lasting solutions to the issues raised so as to prepare the party as a fighting force to deliver more pungently on its manifesto and face the 2019 General Elections with even greater commitment. The meeting will also enable us to work out modalities to ensure a level playing field for all in the Congresses and Convention of the APC.

10. Given the constraining factor of available time and in the interest of our great Party, it is strongly advised that the said urgent meeting be held not later than Seven (7) days from the date of the receipt of this letter.

11. In conclusion, we the members of the former New PDP block of the APC wish to reiterate that this letter is written patriotically with the best of intentions and the good of our party, the APC, and is issued to alert the leadership of the APC and in particular, the leader of our party, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who only recently indicated his intention to seek a second term as President, of grievances that exist within the party with a view to ensuring justice for all members of the APC family regardless of the blocks they came from prior to the formation of the APC.

For and on behalf of the former New PDP Block of APC:

Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje (CON), former National Chairman (nPDP)

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former National Secretary (nPDP)

Source: NAN

The Plateau Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the “immediate release” of former Plateau governor Jonah Jang from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody.

Jang, who represents Plateau North in the senate, was invited by the EFCC on Monday over alleged misappropriation of some monies when he governed the north-central state between 2007 and 2015.

The senator had, since then, been in the custody of the anti-graft agency.

Chief Damishi Sango, the PDP Chairman in Plateau, who addressed a press conference on Jang’s detention, described it as “unconstitutional”.

Sango argued that the refusal of the commission to grant bail to the elder statesman was “a gross violation of his fundamental human rights”.

“We consider the continued detention of Sen. Jang by the EFCC as unconstitutional, unlawful and gross violation of his fundamental human rights.

“It is very shocking and unbelievable that a sitting senator and elder statesman is being denied bail, access to his lawyers, family and even his medication. This is quite unfortunate

“We have appealed to party supporters and family members to remain calm and shall continue to ensure that they remain so, but we want the EFCC to, as a matter of urgency, release Sen Jang,” Sango stated.

The chairman alleged that Jang’s continued detention was “part of an orchestrated plan to clamp down on the opposition”, saying that Jang was entitled to bail on self recognition since he was a serving senator.

“Jang is a former governor and a serving senator; there is no way he will jump bail,” he said.

Sango, however, said that the PDP would continue to serve as a viable opposition and ensure a voice for the voiceless “no matter what happens”.

Source: NAN

There are indications that the leadership of the National Assembly has backed the candidacy of former Governor of Edo, Adams Oshiomhole, as he declares his bid for the national chairmanship of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Thursday.

Oshiomhole told newsmen in Benin on Wednesday that President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, would join top members of the party at his declaration.

He also said that Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha, would lead governors elected on the party’s platform to the declaration which would hold at TRANSCORP Hilton.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former governor is favoured to replace outgoing chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun after he received the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Oshiomhole said he was joining the chairmanship race to contribute to the growth of the party.

According to him, it is true that I intend to make my ambition known to our party members and Nigerians.

“I strongly believe that with the experience I have gathered in my public life, having served as President of NLC, governor of Edo, I have what it takes to take our dear party, the ruling party, to the next level.”

Source: NAN

Students and their teacher were left confused after a Cornell University New York, senior Letitia Chai, delivered her honours thesis after stripping down to her bra and underwear in the class to protest against oppressive beliefs and discrimination.

At least two dozen of the students also undressed in solidarity.

Chai removed all her clothes except for her undergarments during her Acting in Public presentation Saturday as a demonstration against her professor, Rebekah Maggor, who questioned her attire during her talk about refugee relocation.

When I got up to start, my professor said: Is that really what you would wear?

Your shorts are too short.

Chai, who said she was filled with rage and disbelief after the incident, took to her Facebook to write about the confrontation.

She recalled wearing a long-sleeve blue button-down shirt and denim cut-offs, which she alleges her professor told her was inviting the male gaze away from the content of my presentation and onto my body.

An international male student agreed with the professor.

Chai said Maggor tried to justify her question by explaining she was addressing her from the point of view of a concerned mother, to which Chai replied, that her mom is a Feminist, Gender, Sexuality Studies professor who wouldve been proud of her for her outfit.

In the classsyllabus, students dress is one of the course requirements.

For your performances, dress appropriately for the persona you will present, the syllabus reads, For example, how would you dress for a specific job interview?

How would you dress when introducing a famous speaker at a particular conference? How would you dress to give a speech at a protest rally?

The students in the class, while still supporting Chai, wrote ajoint letterdefending the professors comments, but nevertheless the faculty will undergo training in diversity, equity, and inclusion as a result of the exchange, according to an email Chaiposted onMonday.

Maggor and Chai refused to comment further on the issue.

Source: NAN

The Nigeria police have spurned the resolution of the senate, describing it as deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting, unfortunate and mischievous; and vowed not to be intimidated.

Police see the Senates resolution declaring the Inspector-General of Police ( I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris, as enemy of democracy as a deliberate attempt to blackmail him.

The force noted that the I-G and the Nigeria Police Force would not be deterred by blackmail from any individual or group no matter how highly placed from the enforcement of Law and Order.

The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, owes no apology to any individual or groups in its effort to ensure preservation of law and order and supremacy of the law of the land, Police Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jimoh Moshood said on Wednesday.

Moshood implored the public to disregard and discountenance the resolution of the Senate on the I-G.

The Nigeria Police Force as a law abiding organization will continue to hold the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria in high esteem but wishes to impress on the Senate not to harbour criminal elements among its fold or condone criminality.

The Force will not be intimidated by any individual, groups or institution, constituent or otherwise to abdicate from its constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives and property, he said.

The senate at plenary on Wednesday, declared the Idris as enemy of democracy and unfit to hold any public office within and outside the country for failing to honour its invitation thrice.

The senate had refused the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of operations and other senior police officers to represent the I-G when he was invited on April 26.

Moshood, in a statement in Abuja, explained that under the provisions of the Police Act and Regulations, the I-G could delegate a Deputy or Assistant Inspector-General of Police to represent him in an official capacity at any function.

He explained that Idris sent representatives because he was on an official assignment with the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria to Bauchi on same date.

The delegated Officers went with a brief of the Inspector-General of Police on the matter to the senate but the Senate refused to listen to the Officers.

He said that again on May 2, the senate refused to accord some senior officers delegated to represent the I-G when he was on an official duty to Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna state.

The spokesman said that the I-G on May 8, sent a letter to the President of the Senate explaining why he would not be appearing before the Senate on May 9.

This he said was due to legal restraint as a result of pending cases before the courts filed by Sen. Dino Melaye against the I-G and the Nigeria Police Force.

It is pertinent that the Force informs the members of the Public that other reasons for which the Senate has summoned the Inspector-General of Police is official and not personal.

The action of the Senate in its resolution against the I-G today is a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting with mischievous motives to hand-twist the I- G to pervert the end of Justice.

The Nigeria Police Force is the first defender of democracy and all democratic institutions in Nigeria and will continue to do so.

It is factual and verifiable that Sen. Dino Melaye was discharged and certified fit to stand trial by the National Hospital, Abuja before he was arraigned in Chief Magistrate Courts in Wuse, Abuja and Lokoja, he said.

Source: NAN

The Congo and World Health Organisation (WHO) have hit the outbreak of Ebola with quick response to contain the deadly disease.

I think with this rapid response we will be able to contain it, WHO emergencies director for Africa, Ibrahima Soce Fall, told the Media on Wednesday.

Very clearly the U.N. agency learned its lesson from the crisis, he added.

Ebola is endemic to Congo, a vast country whose eastern Ebola river gave the deadly virus its name when it was discovered there in the 1970s.

This is the ninth time Ebola has been recorded in Congo and comes less than a year after the last outbreak killed four people.

At least 17 people have died around the village near the northwestern town of Bikoro where the virus was detected this week, health officials said.

WHO is conducting an investigation to see how many people may have come in contact with the infected .

The organisation is prepared to use a new experimental vaccine if needed, said Fall.

Six months after an Ebola outbreak was confirmed in West Africa in March 2014, the World Health Organisation declared an international emergency and called for help.

The disease went on to ravage three countries and kill over 11,000 people.

On Tuesday, Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed two cases of the viral disease.

That same day, WHO helicoptered in a team of experts to the scene and released one million dollars in funding.

The agency was criticised for its slow response to the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, which was the largest in history.

In the past we didnt have this emergency system.

Its completely different, Fall said, adding that this response was also faster than that in Congo last year.

The cases were first reported on May 3, and medical teams supported by WHO and medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) went to take samples two days later.

That seems to me to be about as fast as you can reasonably expect, said Jimmy Whitworth, a specialist in epidemiology and public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Whitworth said the situation was worrying, but Congo may be better prepared to detect and manage Ebola than other countries since it has had more experience.

If people exposed to the disease are identified and quarantined rapidly, it can likely be contained in an isolated area, he added.

Bikoro lies not far from the banks of the Congo River, an essential waterway for transport and commerce.

It runs past capital Kinshasa and Brazzaville, capital of neighbouring Congo Republic. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

By Racheal Ishaya

Mr Mohammed Balarabe, the Deputy Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, said the bank recorded an increase of over N100 billion in the banks savings deposit account in 2017.

Balarabe, who said this at the final draw of Fidelity Banks Get Alert in Millions Promo, in Abuja on Wednesday, said the feat was made possible due to the implementation of financial inclusion strategy adopted by the bank.

He said that through the promo, the banks customer base increased in 2017, leading to the triple digit growth in savings deposits.

Savings is a very important culture that is critical for the economy and the individual.

On a personal level, you should save for a rainy day and also to bring into fruition that business you have always dreamt about.

As a bank, promoting savings culture has also been very profitable for us.

We have grown our savings deposit tremendously. In the past one year, we have grown by over N100 billion and that is a major feat for us, he said.

Balarabe said Fidelity Bank had given out N110 million to 185 customers through its Get Alert in a Million promo, which commenced in Oct., 2017 and ended in May.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an Aba-based entrepreneur, Mr Batholomew Nnalue, won the N10 million star prize of the promo.

Ms Nwasike Chidera and Ms Augustine Nkiru won N3 million each from the bi-monthly draws for the South East and South-South respectively.

Similarly, Ms Imoedemhe Osi and Jennifer Nnanna from South-South and South East won N2 million each.

Nnalue, the Star Prize winner, said he would invest the N10 million in his hide and skin business in Aba.

Meanwhile, Mr Malachi Oahimire of the National Lottery Commission said the commission monitored the selection process and the winners were indeed randomly selected in accordance to lay down rules.

Fidelity Bank has given out over N355 million to its loyal customers since 2007, while many others have won houses, scholarships, electronics and other consolation prices.

The bank in its 2017 audited report filed with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), reported a 94 per cent growth in profit for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017.

This followed the banks return to the international capital market and successful issuance of a 400 million dollars Eurobond that was over-subscribed by over 200 per cent.

The banks gross earnings increased by 18.3 per cent from N152 billion to N179.9 billion, and profit after tax grew by 93.7 per cent from N9.7 billion to N18.9 billion.

Source: NAN

Iranian forces in Syria launched a rocket attack on Israeli army bases in the Golan Heights early on Thursday, Israel said, prompting one of the heaviest Israeli barrages against Syria since the conflict there began in 2011.

The attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, just past midnight, marked the first time Iranian forces have hit Israel from Syria, where they have deployed along with Iran-backed Shiite militias and Russian troops to support President Bashar al-Assad in the countrys civil war.

Dozens of Israeli missiles hit a radar station, Syrian air defense positions and an ammunition dump, Syrian state media said, underscoring the risks of a wider escalation involving Iran and its regional allies.

I hope we finished this chapter and everyone got the message, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said at the Herzliya security conference, near Tel Aviv, on Thursday morning.

Israel said 20 Iranian Grad and Fajr rockets were shot down by its Iron Dome air defense system or fell short of the Golan targets. The Quds Force, an external arm of Irans Revolutionary Guards, carried out the launch, Israel said.

It was commanded and ordered by (Quds Force chief General) Qassem Soleimani and it has not achieved its purpose, military spokesman Lt.-Col. Jonathan Conricus told newsmen.

Israel struck back by destroying dozens of Iranian military sites in Syria, Conricus said, as well as Syrian anti-aircraft units that tried unsuccessfully to shoot down Israeli planes.

We do not know yet the (Iranian) casualty count, he said.

But I can say that in terms of our purpose, we focused less on personnel and more on capabilities and hardware to inflict long-term damage on the Iranian military establishment in Syria. We assess it will take substantial time to replenish.

Israeli schools in the Golan Heights opened as usual on Thursday morning, after sirens had sent residents to shelters during the night.

I do not reside on the border of New Zealand-Australia. We are located here facing Syria and Lebanon and this is the reality which we will overcome together, especially with the Israel Defence Forces, said Alex Gudish, a Golan settler.

The Israelis fear that Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah are turning Syria into a new front against them. Israel says its occasional strikes in Syria aim to foil that.

Iran vowed retaliation after a suspected Israeli air strike last month killed seven of its military personnel in a Syrian air base.

Israel regards Iran as its biggest threat, and has repeatedly targeted Iranian forces and allied militia in Syria.

Expectations of a regional flare-up were stoked by U.S. President Donald Trumps announcement on Tuesday that he was withdrawing from the Iranian nuclear deal.

Hours later, Israeli rocket rockets targeted a military base in Kisweh, a commander in the pro-Syrian government regional alliance said.

That attack killed 15 people, including eight Iranians, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, though the commander said there were no casualties. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.

The Trump administration cast its hard line against the Iranian nuclear deal as a response, in part, to Tehrans military interventions in the region.

The Golan flare-up with Israel is just further demonstration that the Iranian regime cannot be trusted and another good reminder that the president made the right decision to get out of the Iran deal, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told Fox News.

The tensions worry Russia, which wants to stabilize Syria.

Thursdays flare-up came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned from a visit to Moscow, where he discussed Syria concerns with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Conricus said Israel forewarned Russia of its strikes on Thursday, which Syrian state media first reported hit Baath City in Quneitra, near the border. Further waves of missiles followed. Syrian state media said Israeli missiles had been brought down over Damascus, Homs and Sueida.

Air defenses confronted tens of Israeli rockets and some of them reached their target and destroyed one of the radar sites, Syrian state news agency SANA reported, citing a military source. Another rocket hit an ammunition warehouse, it said.

Syrian state television broadcast footage of its air defenses firing, and playing patriotic songs. Damascus residents described explosions in the sky from air defense systems.

Lebanons National News Agency reported Israeli jets circling over Lebanese territory early on Thursday before exiting. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

President Donald Trump welcomed three former U.S. prisoners at a military base near Washington on Thursday, thanking North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for their release and sounding upbeat on a planned summit between the two sides.

Trump and his wife, Melania, boarded the plane for about five minutes before the men stepped out, shaking hands with the president and waving to waiting media and military personnel.

Frankly we didnt think it was going to happen and it did, Trump said after thanking Kim for releasing the men.

Were starting off on a new footing. This is a wonderful thing that he released the folks early.

Trump said he believed Kim wanted to bring North Korea into the real world and was hopeful of a major breakthrough at their planned meeting.

I think we have a very good chance of doing something very meaningful, Trump said.

My proudest achievement will be this is part of it when we denuclearize that entire peninsula.

Trump and Kim engaged in a bellicose exchange of rhetoric last year over North Koreas development of nuclear missiles capable of reaching the U. S. in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions.

Tensions began to ease, coinciding with the Norths participation in the Winter Olympics in South Korea in February.

Details of the planned summit have yet to be announced, but one U.S. official said Singapore had emerged as the most likely venue.

Trump said it would be held in a few weeks time.

A White House spokeswoman said the three former prisoners would be taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in nearby Maryland for further medical evaluation.

They are Korean-American missionary Kim Dong-chul, detained in 2015 and sentenced in 2016 to 10 years hard labor; Kim Sang-duk, also known as Tony Kim, who spent a month teaching at the foreign-funded Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) before he was arrested in 2017; and Kim Hak-song, who also taught at PUST and was detained last year.

I was treated in many different ways, but overall I had to do much labor and when I became ill I received some treatment, Kim Dong-chul said via a translator.

The three had earlier given their thanks in a statement released by the State Department as their plane stopped over in Alaska.

We would like to express our deep appreciation to the United States government, President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, and the people of the U. S. for bringing us home, the men said.

We thank God, and all our families and friends who prayed for us and for our return. God Bless America, the greatest nation in the world.

North Korean state media said they were arrested either for subversion or hostile acts against the government.

Until now, the only American released by North Korea during Trumps presidency was Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old university student who returned to the United States in a coma last summer after 17 months of captivity and died days later.

The release of the last U.S. detainees in North Korea appeared to signal an effort by Kim to improve the tone for the summit and followed his recent pledge to suspend missile tests and shut a nuclear bomb test site.

A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Singapore had emerged as the likeliest location for the planned summit after Trump ruled out holding it at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone between North and South Korea.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

The Nigerian police said they have smashed two gun running and arms dealing ring and a gang of robbers and kidnappers in the Benue-Taraba axis, making 11 arrests.

Among the suspects arrested was one Miracle Emmanuel, a 27 year-old gun dealer from Anambra, based in Takum, Taraba state. With his three-man gang, the police found five Ak-47 rifles, along with other ammunitions.

Police said they recovered in total 10 AK 47 rifles and two Beretta pistols from the 11 suspects paraded today at the Benue police headquarters in Makurdi and claimed the arrests were a major breakthrough in stopping the incessant killing of innocent people in the Middle Belt states of Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa.

In Benue state, Morris Ashwe, 36 years old from Mbajima Village Katsina Ala LGA, was the sole armourer arrested. He was accused of supplying arms to the wanted criminal kingpin, Terwase Akwaza a.k.a Ghana.

According to Jimoh Moshood, Ashwe was found in possession of five AK 47 rifles, 238 AK47 bullets, 40 Smoke Grenade Canisters and 79 LAR Rifle bullets.

The busted gun dealing gang in Taraba state comprised Takum-based Kabiru Idris, 43, Miracle Emmanuel from Anambra state, said to be a principal suspect and gang leader. Also arrested was Husseini Safiyanu, from Taraba.

Police said they found five AK47 Rifles with the Taraba gang, along with 13 AK 47 magazines and 83 bullets.

The Police spokesman also said a seven-man robbery and kidnapping gang was arrested in Benue, along with two Beretta pistols. The gang was on its way to kidnap a prominent person in Makurdi, the state capital.

Members of the gang were identified as Emmanuel Ushehemba Kwembe, 28, Achir Gabriel, 30, all from Ushongo LGA, Sekad Uver, 28, from Koshisha LGA Benue State and Ordure Fada, 22, from Kwande LGA.

Others arrested were Stephen Jirgba 18, from Vande kya LGA, Peter Lorham, 24, from Kinshisha LGA and Lorhemen Akwambe 35, who hails from Guma LGA.

“The renewed strategies adopted by the Nigeria Police Force to stop the incessant killings of innocent Nigerians and curtail the proliferation of firearms across the country, most especially in the North-Central States have been yielding positive results”, the police spokesman said.

“The IGP Intelligence Response Team and the Police Special Forces mandated by the IGP to work with Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba State Commands, in the last two weeks arrested the 11 suspects mentioned above within Benue and Taraba States and recovered from them were Ten (10) AK47 Rifles and other assorted firearms and ammunition.

” In the first two cases, the suspects confessed to have been responsible for supply of AK47 rifles and other firearms and ammunition to armed bandits, militias, and criminal herdsmen/farmers in Benue and Taraba States.

” The first suspect, Morris Ashwe confessed and admitted to have been supplying firearms and ammunition to the notorious and most wanted vicious and notorious gang leader of militia, murderers and kidnappers Terwase Akwaza aka Ghana.

Akwaza was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force last year March over the killings of many innocent persons at Zaki Biam and the wanton destruction of properties worth Millions of Naira.

He is also wanted for other violent crimes such as the killing of Mr. Deneen Igbana, the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor of Benue State.

The police said the Kabiru Idris gang confessed to have been supplying AK47 rifles and other firearms and ammunition to militia groups, armed bandits and other criminals in Taraba and Benue States, who they admitted have been attacking and killing innocent people in villages in Taraba and Benue States.

As for the kidnappers, whose mission was aborted, the police said their arrest was made possible from intelligence gathered by the IGP Intelligence Response Team.

The police said the gangsters have admitted to have been responsible for several kidnappings in Benue, Taraba and Some part of Nasarawa State in the recent past.

“Investigation is being strengthened to arrest other suspects at large. All suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

” The deployment of additional 15 Police mobile Force units to augment the strength of the Benue State Police Command has beefed-up security in the State and help in sustaining the peace that have been restored to the state”, Moshood said.

Source: NAN

Leaders of North Americas bid for the 2026 World Cup urged FIFA voters to ignore the politics of the moment on Tuesday as they promised to deliver a record-breaking $11 billion profit for the global football showpiece.

In an address to the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in Brussels, United States Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro said the 48-team tournament would hand world governing body FIFA a record $11 billion (9.25 billion euros) profit.

I can announce today that, working with FIFA, we expect that a 2026 World Cup in North America would generate a new record: more than $14 billion in revenue for FIFA, said Cordeiro, one of the three co-chairs of the bid.

This includes profits for FIFA of nearly $11 billion. In other words, the most successful and profitable FIFA World Cup ever, Cordeiro added in prepared remarks to AIPS delegates.

The US-Canada-Mexico joint bid is battling against a rival bid from Morocco for the right to stage the 2026 tournament. FIFA members will decide the winner of the bidding race at a vote in Moscow on June 13.

Long seen as the clear front-runner for 2026, the North American bid is facing an increasingly stiff challenge from Morocco, which is bidding to become only the second African nation to host the World Cup.

Cordeiros remarks on Tuesday sought to underscore the commercial appeal of staging a World Cup in North America at a time when FIFA President Gianni Infantino is keen to boost revenue for world footballs ruling body.

A source told AFP earlier this month that FIFA has spent $600 million of its financial reserves in the past three years.

Infantino, who is said to favour the North American bid, also hopes to oversee the creation of a money-spinning FIFA Club World Cup.

North American bid leaders meanwhile provided a detailed breakdown of forecast revenues, predicting record ticket sales of $5.8 million and record gate money of $2.5 billion. Commercial hospitality would also generate another $1-1.5 billion, Cordeiro said.

Cordeiro also projected a sponsorship bonanza, with Fortune 500 companies eager to sign on for the World Cup, leading to another $3.6 billion.

Although Moroccos bid has emphasised that its time zones make it attractive for European television schedules, Cordeiro said media revenues from a North American World Cup would top $5 billion for the first time.

Above and beyond that, the television rights from our United Bid and our bid alone would deliver a $300 million guaranteed bonus payment to FIFA and global football, he added.

Meanwhile, Cordeiro made a veiled reference to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who last month appeared to warn unnamed countries not to lobby against the North American bid.

It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid, Trump wrote on Twitter. Why should we be supporting these countries when they dont support us (including at the United Nations)?

Trumps intervention, which followed disparaging remarks made by the US leader towards some countries in the Caribbean and Africa earlier this year, were viewed as potentially damaging for North American bid chiefs as they attempt to woo FIFA voters from more than 200 countries.

However Cordeiro on Tuesday said he hoped FIFA members would set aside politics when they go to vote next month.

Let me acknowledge upfront that, as with many international bids over the years, the question of who will host in 2026 has at times become mixed with geopolitics, Cordeiro said.

We are asking that we be judged, not on the politics of the moment, but on the merits of our bid.

Source: NAN

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is sitting up and talking to his family following emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage, media reports said Tuesday.

Widely considered to be the most successful manager in the history of British football, Ferguson, 76, won 38 trophies in more than 26 years in charge of United, including 13 Premier League titles and the Champions League twice.

Britains Mail Online said the Scot, who retired in 2013, was out of a coma and showing promising early signs of recovery following the haemorrhage on Saturday.

Surgery went very well and the 76-year-olds response to treatment has given encouragement and cautious optimism to those close to him, the report said.

However, they recognise it will still be a slow road to full recovery as he continues to be assessed.

The prognosis is good and his closest friends in football are being kept abreast of any developments, a source told The Sun newspaper.

United midfielder Michael Carrick, who played under Ferguson, has spoken of the respect in which his former boss is held.

The whole football world is incredible but outside of that as well, from all corners of the globe and different walks of life, people have shown their support, he told MUTV.

Thats the effect he had on people. It was the effect he had on everyone. He means a lot to me, as he does to this club.

We were all praying for him and thinking of him, Cathy and the family, said Carrick. Its a tough time for everyone but Im thinking positive and hoping he will pull through.

United have thanked the many well-wishers, including Premier League managers Arsene Wenger, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, who have spoke of their admiration for Ferguson.

Wenger enjoyed a long, and at times fractious rivalry with Ferguson as they battled for Premier League supremacy in the first decade of the Frenchmans long reign in charge of Arsenal.

However, they later became friends and with Wenger leaving Arsenal at the end of the season, Ferguson presented his old adversary with a memento on his final visit to Uniteds Old Trafford ground just last weekend.

I was with him on the pitch last week. I went to see him in the box after the game and he looked in perfect shape, said Wenger, after his final home game as Arsenal boss on Sunday.

He told me he is doing a lot of exercise, and he looked very happy but that kind of accident can happen. We wish him all well and to recover very quickly. He is a strong man and an optimistic man.

Source: NAN

West Brom were relegated from the Premier League on Tuesday following Southamptons 1-0 win over Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, joining Stoke in the Championship next season.

Darren Moores side needed a draw between the Saints and Swans in south Wales to take West Broms fight to avoid relegation into the final day of the season on Sunday.

After more than 70 minutes of frenetic action, substitute Manolo Gabbiadini provided the decisive moment for Southampton when he reacted quickest to Charlie Austins parried shot in a crowded goalmouth.

Gabbiadini had only been on the pitch for four minutes and it was only his fifth goal of a difficult season for the Italian.

The result means Southampton move up to 16th in the table, three points clear of 18th-place Swansea, who are favourites to be the third side to be relegated.

Southamptons win confirmed West Broms return to the Championship after eight seasons in the top flight, with an eighth-place finish the best the Baggies managed during the 2012/13 season with Steve Clarke in charge.

West Broms season started well, with six points taken from a possible six after successive 1-0 wins at home to Bournemouth and away to Burnley.

However, after picking up just four points from a possible 30, Tony Pulis was sacked two days after losing 4-0 at home to Chelsea and was replaced by Gary Megson, who temporarily took charge of two games.

Alan Pardew was named permanent manager but his arrival failed to deliver the improvement needed to guide the side away from relegation.

Pardew, who led the Baggies to an FA Cup fourth-round victory at Liverpool, only had a 2-0 home win against Brighton to show for his efforts in the Premier League.

Problems off the pitch added to the disappointment on it when a mid-season trip to Barcelona made the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Four senior players, including captain Jonny Evans and England midfielder Jake Livermore, were forced to apologise after a taxi was stolen from outside a fast-food restaurant.

On April 2, Pardews time was up and he was replaced by Moore until the end of the season, becoming West Broms fourth manager of the campaign.

Since Moores appointment, West Brom have taken 11 points from a possible 15 to keep alive the hope of a great escape.

Source: NAN