All Progressives Congress (APC) has resolved to challenge the victory of PDP in four councils in the recently concluded local government elections in Kaduna state.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai said APC in Kaduna State would head to the tribunal to challenge opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

El-Rufai spoke at APC State Congress in Kaduna on Saturday and said: We gave them what they dont know, we gave them justice. Unfortunately, even with that justice they tried to cheat.

We are going to challenge the chairmanship they said they won at the tribunal. We already have 14; for the remaining five we want to have 14 plus five.

We can do that if we stay together, unite and work hard. We must be firm. Remember we are dealing with PDP people who are not honest.

They dont know the meaning of honesty, integrity, fairness, it has been taken from their vocabulary for the last 16 years.

So, we must be prepared. We want to play fair but they dont know the meaning of fairness, he said.

The governor said he was confident that under the new APC executive, led by retired Air Commodore Emmanuel Jakada, the party would grow from strength to strength.

He thanked other party members that wished to contest for their positions but who in the spirit of unity and consensus, stepped down for a smooth consensus-based congress.

I want to assure them and to say that the party and the government will not forget them, this I promise.

I want to thank the party leaders for the smooth congress that we have had, at the ward and the local government and now the state without any problem. This is because of your maturity and commitment to the party.

I also want to commend the party members for their performance during the local government elections.

When we started planning for these local government elections, we made it clear that we are a party of justice.

That we are not going to cheat in the elections. And we believe that people should be given the opportunity to choose which party they want to govern them at the local government level.

We went the extra-ordinary length to purchase the EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) so that the elections will be free and fair. We did what the PDP has never done to any other party.

We gave them what they dont know, we gave them justice. Unfortunately, even with that justice they tried to cheat.

The governor urged the party members to be prepared.

We want to play fair, but they dont know the meaning of fairness. We must not sleep but be prepared, mobilise to the remaining local government (areas) and make sure we are not cheated.

But we will not cheat anybody, we want the votes of the people to count.

APC won 14 chairmanship seats in the council polls and PDP won four seats, while elections were rescheduled in five local government areas.

PDP on Sunday rejected the results of the elections and said it would challenge the outcome in court.

Meanwhile, at the state congress held on Saturday, APC members elected Jakada as Chairman and Malam Muhammad Shuaibu as Secretary.

Mr Frank Ikpe of the APC National Congress Committee conducted the congress elections. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Chief Derin Adebiyi, the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Political Affairs is the new Chairman of the state executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun.

In a peaceful exercise, former Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Bashiru Fadayiro and Patrick Ogunde emerged Deputy Chairman and Secretary respectively.

A former media aide to former Gov. Olusegun Osoba, Wole Elegbede, equally, emerged as the Publicity Secretary.

The Chairman of the Congress Committee, Rev. Peter Obadan, announced the result at the conclusion of the exercise.

He disclosed that a total of 1,749 delegates from 20 local governments in the state, were accredited and participated in the congress.

Obadan, who described the election as peaceful, said out of the total votes cast, 18 were voided, just as he commended the party members for giving good account of themselves.

In his acceptance speech, Adebiyi, said his executive council would ensure politics of inclusion and work to ensure victory for the party in 2019 general elections.

Adebiyi, who assured that the new exco would obey the national leadership of the party, also said the party will be firm and not tolerate indiscipline, declaring era of indiscipline is gone in Ogun APC.

He noted that the peaceful conduct of the congress was a reflection of outstanding leadership of Gov. Amosun, adding that the party will continue to follow the leadership style of the governor.

In his remark, Amosun, commended the former executives for their hard-work, endurance and sacrifice.

He urged the new executive committee members to continue working towards making the party formidable ahead of next years general elections.

Earlier, a governorship aspirant in the party, Jimi Lawal, in a chat with journalists, expressed confidence that the congress would produce capable hands to steer the party to success in 2019.

Source: NAN

By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa

Mr Hillary Ekeh has been re-elected as Imo APC party Chairman in the just concluded APC state congress in Imo.

The party delegates who described the congress election as peaceful and successful also re-elected Deputy Chairman Mr Ugochukwu Nzekwe.

However, Gov. Rochas Okorocha described the election as illegal claiming that there was a court injunction restraining the party from conducting the election.

Okorochas Chief press Secretary Mr Sam Onwuemeodo on Saturday issued a statement that the governor had obtained an injunction from an Owerri high court to stop the congress.

The party Chairman Hillary Ekeh countered the claim by saying neither he nor any member of the executive was served the injunction notice.

But the Imo police command claimed an injunction notice was served them and appealed that the congress be put on hold.

Andrew Enwerem, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) who disclosed this added that police will not allow any illegal gathering in the state.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the election, Sen Ifeanyi Araraume described the congress election as peaceful and well-coordinated.

He said there was no fracas or any form of violence during the process and commended the party chairman for his re-election.

He also lauded party delegates who in their wisdom decided to retain Ekeh as their chairman.

Asked if he has any idea of the injunction notice, Araraume said there was nothing like injunction stopping the conduct of the election.

We the party stakeholders have no idea of any injunction, but even if there is an injunction nobody had been served so our election has to move on, he said.

Sen Hope Uzodinma in a telephone interview told NAN that there was no hitch during the conduct of the election, adding that the congress in Imo indicated that democracy is growing in Imo.

Deputy Governor Mr Eze Madumere said the state congress was held successfully and the mandate of the people has been protected.

But the Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Okorocha, Kingsley Uju insisted that a faction of the party went into an unknown place to hold state congress even when a court injunction was served against the conduct of the election.

Source: NAN

By Victor Adeoti

Sen. Iyiola Omisore, a former Deputy Governor of Osun , has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Omisore, who announced his defection in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Sunday, said he intended to contest the Sept. 22 governorship election on the platform of SDP.

He said his mission was to rescue the state from what he described as years of misrule.

According to him, the PDP in Osun is in disarray and likely to remain in prolonged political captivity over the next four years.

The statement reads partly, engaging and working with like-minded leadership, we have sought for an alternative platform that will assures both credible and legitimacy that will rescue Osun state from its current reckless misrule.

Our quest for an alternative political platform is basically in pursuit of a credible political structure that would guarantee that our people enjoy the benefits of accountable leadership at the state level from now.

Notwithstanding my enormous contributions over the past years or so to building the PDP, after very deep thought and the widest consultations with my God, my family, my supporters in and outside Osun state,

It is with great concern that I have made a very expedient decision today, to withdraw my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the Social Democratic Party (SDP); a party that believed in a balanced, equitable and truly functional Nigeria.

On the platform of the SDP, I shall with the support of my supporters, followers, and the electorate of the state, seek the nomination to contest for, and by His grace, be elected as the Executive Governor of Osun state on September 22, 2018.

Omisore was Osun Deputy Governor on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD) between 1999 and 2003.

He was also elected to the Senate on the platform of PDP in 2003 to represent Osun East Senatorial District.

Source: NAN

The Nigerian Army said some courageous civilians on Sunday foiled a suicide bomb attack by a suspected female Boko Haram member on a mosque in Gashua, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe.

Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this in a statement released in Maiduguri.

What would have otherwise been a devastating suicide bomb attack on a mosque in Gashua village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state has been successfully foiled today by vigilant members of the community.

A female Boko Haram suicide bomber had infiltrated the mosque, while members were about to commence a prayer session but was detected when struggling to detonate a suicide vest strapped to her body.

She was quickly restrained by the locals, arrested and handed over to troops at Azare.

Members of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Component of Operation Lafiya Dole at the location have safely defused the suicide vest, while the suicide bomber is currently receiving medical attention due to injuries sustained during her arrest.

Source: NAN

Pope Francis has named 14 Roman Catholic prelates to the high rank of cardinal, the elite group of churchmen who are his closest advisers and can enter a conclave to choose his successor if they are under 80.

There was no Nigerian priest on the list, although three Nigerians are at present cardinals. They are Cardinals Francis Arinze, 85, Olubunmi Okogie, 81, and John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, 74.

The first Nigerian to be appointed a cardinal in 1976 was Dominic Ignatius Ekandem. He died in 1995. Arinze was appointed in 1985, Okogie 2003 and Onaiyekan 2012.

The pope made the surprise announcement on the new cardinals during his weekly Sunday address. He said the ceremony to elevate the nominees, known as a consistory, would take place on June 29.

According to www.vaticannews.va, the men who will receive their red hats from the Pope include bishops from Iraq, Pakistan, Portugal, Peru, Madagascar, Italy and Japan.

The list also includes Polish archbishop Konrad Krajewski, who serves as the papal almoner in Rome, and three Italian archbishops, Angelo De Donatis, the vicar general of the Rome diocese, Luis Ladaria, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Giovanni Becciu, the Substitute of the Secretary of State and Special Delegate for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

Pope Francis said their nominations manifests the unbreakable bond between the See of Peter and the local Churches throughout the world.

Alongside them, Pope Francis also nominated to the College of Cardinals a retired archbishop of Mexico, a retired bishop of Bolivia and a priest from the Claretian order, all of whom, he said, have distinguised themselves for their service to the Church.

The names of the new Cardinals are: Louis Raphal I Sako, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Babylon, Luis Ladaria, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Angelo De Donatis, Vicar General of Rome.

Giovanni Angelo Becciu,Substitute of the Secretary of State and Special Delegate for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Konrad Krajewski, Almoner of the Office of Papal Charities, Joseph Coutts Archbishop of Karachi, Antnio dos Santos Marto, Bishop of Leiria-Ftima, were also named.

Others are Pedro Barreto, Archbishop of Huancayo, Desir Tsarahazana, Archbishop of Toamasina, Giuseppe Petrocchi Archbishop of LAquila, Thomas Aquinas Manyo Archbishop of Osaka, Sergio Obeso Rivera, Emeritus Archbishop of Xalapa, Toribio Ticona Porco, Emeritus Bishop of Corocoro and Reverend Father Aquilino Bocos Merino, member of the Claretian order.

Appointing new cardinals is one of the most significant powers of a Pope, allowing him to steer the future of the 1.2 billion member Catholic Church.

After the June ceremony, Pope Francis will have nominated 74 cardinals since being elected Pope in 2013, according to statistics on the Vaticans website.

Only cardinals under the age of 80 can enter the closed-door conclave which chooses from its ranks a new pope and are known as cardinal electors.

It was not immediately clear how many of the 14 qualify.

Two of those named by the Pope are Bishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, head of the Vaticans doctrinal department, known as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Archbishop Angelo Becciu, deputy secretary of state.

Both currently work in the Vaticans central administration, known as the Curia.

Source: NAN

The chairman of LG Group, Koo Bon-moo, who helped transform South Koreas fourth-largest conglomerate into a global brand, passed away on Sunday after a battle with a brain disease.

Koo, 73, had been ill for a year, LG Group said in a statement.

Koo had been fighting a brain disease and had undergone surgery, said a group official who declined to be identified.

Becoming the third chairman of LG at the age of 50 in 1995, Koo established three key businesses electronics, chemicals and telecommunications led a global company LG, and contributed to driving (South Koreas) industrial competitiveness and national economic development, LG said.

LG Group also established a holding company in order to streamline ownership structure and to begin the process of succession.

The countrys powerful family-run conglomerates are implementing generational succession amid growing calls from the government and public to improve transparency and corporate governance.

LG Corp, a holding company of the conglomerate, had said on Thursday its longtime chairman was unwell and it planned to nominate his son to its board of directors in preparation for a leadership succession.

Heir apparent Koo Kwang-mo is from the fourth generation of LG Groups controlling family. He owns 6 percent of LG Corp and currently heads LG Electronics information display unit.

He joined the finance division of LG Electronics in 2006 and has been involved in several businesses such as appliances, home entertainment and group strategy, LG said.

The late chairman adopted Koo in 2004 from his younger brother Koo Bon-neung after his only son died in a car accident.

The change at the helm is not expected to be disruptive to the groups business, one analyst told Reuters.

Although Koo passed away at a relatively early age, his son has already been in a senior position and I dont think there will be a big change in governance structure or strategic decisions, said Park Ju-gun, head of corporate analysis firm CEO Score.

Under Koos leadership, the conglomerate changed its corporate brand to LG from Lucky Goldstar and sold LGs semiconductor business to Hyundai, now SK Hynix Inc, under government-led restructuring in the wake of the Asia financial crisis in the late 1990s.

Major affiliates are LG Electronics Inc, display maker LG Display and electric car battery maker LG Chem.

South Korean prosecutors said this month they raided LG Groups head office as part of a probe into alleged tax evasion by family members controlling the conglomerate.

The company said Koos funeral would be held privately with family members. Visitors including Samsung Group heir Jay Y. Lee have paid their condolences at his altar.

Source: NAN

Venezuelans, reeling under a devastating economic crisis, began voting Sunday in an election boycotted by the opposition and condemned by much of the international community but expected to hand deeply unpopular President Nicolas Maduro a new mandate.

Maduro, the political heir to the late leftist firebrand Hugo Chavez, has presided over an implosion of once wealthy oil producer Venezuelas economy since taking office in 2013.

Hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, rising crime and broken water, power and transportation networks have sparked growing discontent and violent unrest among Venezuelans.

However the 55-year-old former bus driver is expected to easily defeat his main rival Henri Falcon, a former army officer and state governor who has failed to gain the endorsement of the main opposition leaders, and an evangelical candidate, Javier Bertucci.

Wearing a bright red shirt that identifies him as a Chavista, the president arrived early at a Caracas polling station along with his wife Cilia Flores and trusted officials and claimed to be the first person to cast a ballot.

After voting, Maduro called the election a choice between votes and ballots, and pledged to respect the will of the people.

Maduro, who has a tight grip on the electoral and military authorities, faces a bitterly divided opposition which has called for a boycott.

Low enthusiasm will likely reduce voter turnout and enable Maduro to control the outcome without major social backlash, said analyst Risa Grais-Targow of Eurasia Group.

Source: NAN

By Yakubu Uba

Former Vice President and founder of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku Abubakar, says education is the master key that will unlock the huge potential in Nigeria and set her on the path to full socio-economic development.

Abubakar made the observation while speaking to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the end of events marking the 10th Commencement and Presidential Inauguration of the American University of Nigeria, Yola.

The former Vice President said in order to achieve this, there must be the right mix of adequate funding of the education sector and a curriculum that promotes entrepreneurship among undergraduates, as is the practice at AUN.

Abubakar noted that with the diminishing role of crude oil as the mainstay of the national economy, it has become expedient for Nigeria to focus on the development of her most important resources, human capital, which he said was far much more sustainable than oil or any other resource.

It is becoming evident by the day that the future of Nigeria lies not in the bowels of the earth, but in what is in the head of our people, that is, the human capital, Atiku said.

He noted that there is a nexus between education, development, and security, as an enlightened, multi-ethnic society would be more tolerant leading to social cohesion and harmony.

An educated citizenry will be less prone to being willing tools in the hands of divisive elements who exploit existing fault lines. Consequently, we will have fewer crises that are inimical to national unity and stability.

The PDP presidential hopeful who is also the Waziri of Adamawa Emirate Council said that he is made more by the education he received than anything else.

According to him, his investment in AUN has generated dividends in terms of raising men and women who are problem solvers.

This (AUN) is my most fulfilling investment, not just because it provides jobs like my other endeavours, but more importantly because its graduates are change agents needed for transforming our great country to the benefit of all, Abubakar said.

Source: NAN

By Mercy Osajiugo

The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has warned Muslim preachers against provocative sermons capable of inciting the public during and after Ramadan.

Abubakar, who is also the Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, gave the warning on Sunday in Bida, Niger State when he met with Imams, other Islamic clerics and representatives of market traders.

He said that religious preaching during Ramadan should be targeted at ensuring cordial and harmonious relationships among the people.

The emir said that such harmonious relationships should always be promoted to enhance peace as well as strengthen unity and the progress of Nupe kingdom, Niger state, and and the country at large.

The monarch reminded the clerics of their roles as representatives of God on earth, saying that they should always strive to be shining examples both in words and in deed.

Abubakar warned against sectarianism in Islam and appealed to clerics to fashion out ways that would propagate the genuine teachings of the religion.

He also appealed to wealthy Nigerians to assist the less privileged in the society with food items and money so that they would be able to observe Ramadan with less stress.

It is important that the highly placed individuals in the society should fathom out succour for the less privileged in the society, he said.

He also called on Muslims in the country to use the month of Ramadan to pray for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

With ceaseless and fervent prayers during this Holy month of Ramadan, by Gods grace we will be able to overcome the security challenges bedeviling the country, he said.

The emir reminded Muslim faithfuls that fasting was not only about abstaining from eating and drinking, but a period within which to emulate Prophet Muhammad in deed and action.

Prophet Muhammad preach peace, love and unity and as true followers of Islam we are to emulate same so that we can enjoy blessings of God here and in eternity, he said.

The Etsu Nupe urged Nigerians to continue to tolerate one another, live in peace with one another, irrespective of religious, cultural and ethnic differences.

He also appealed to traders not to increase the prices of commodities during the Ramadan period.

This is a Holy month not a period to increase prices of commodities. It is a sin to do that, if you are in the habit do have a rethink and fear God, he said.

In his remarks, the Chief of Bida, Sheikh Adamu Liman-Yakatun, urged the people to have the fear of God in their hearts and to remember that judgment awaited them after death.

He also appealed to wealthy individuals to assist in the feeding of the less privileged to cushion the effect of fasting during the Ramadan .

I implore Muslims to spend their God-given wealth in moving the religion forward to the glory of Allah, he said.

Source: NAN

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Bayelsa state government of denying it the use of the multipurpose hall within the stadium for its state congress.

Mr Preye Aganaba, a member of APC National Convention Committee, said on Friday in Abuja that the Bayelsa Government was doing everything possible to frustrate the conduct of APC State Congress slated for today.

He said the party in Bayelsa applied for the use of the facility officially and added that the state government has no reasons to deny APC the use of the stadium.

´´It is true that the state government is denying us the use of stadium for our state congress meant to take place in Bayelsa today.

´´We have properly applied and we were not told that the facility will not be available for us. To our surprise, up till now the state government has refused to approve the facility for us,´´ he said.

He added that the APC in Bayelsa had been peaceful and orderly as revealed in its just concluded Ward and Local Government Congresses.

He said that there was an assurance that Saturday´s state congress would be crisis free.

´´The government must be told that we are all indigenes of the state, we are not foreigners.

´´We have right to association and to belong to any political party of our choice, so we don’t deserve to be treated like outcasts, ´´ he said.

He, therefore, urged the state government to have a rethink, adding that it would amount to political intolerance if the state government refused APC the use of a public place such as the stadium.

Source: NAN

Nigeria, represented by Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), will henceforth lead Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa, comprising 19 countries.

The appointment was announced at the 8th Regional Conference of the body which ended in Abuja on Friday.

The group said in a communique that the members resolved to deepen collaboration on asset tracking and recovery.

It expressed concern about the heavy losses that Africa was suffering as a result of illegal transfers of proceeds of corruption and crime.

To effectively tackle the challenge, the body stressed the need for synergy among member countries.

“African countries should strengthen cooperation and partnership in the tracing, recovery and return of assets in accordance with Article 54 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and Article 16 of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.’’

The group underscored the importance of whistleblowing in the fight against corruption, asset recovery and return and urged African countries to enact strong whistleblowing legislations and provide protection for whistleblowers.

Nigeria introduced the whistleblowing policy in December 2016 as part of efforts toward achieving the goals of the fight against corruption.

Anti-corruption agencies from member countries, however, appealed to judicial and prosecuting authorities to support and fast-track prosecution of corruption cases.

“Anti-corruption agencies in Africa should explore innovative ways of delivering public education, awareness and sensitisation messages to the general public about tracing and recovering of assets,’’ the group said.

It appreciated the invaluable support and warm hospitality provided by the Federal Government, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the people of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Uganda has been nominated to host the 2019 conference in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesperson for EFCC, announced in a statement.

Source: NAN

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has taken over Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas Ltd. and other assets belonging to Sen. Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi over an unpaid debt of about N20 billion.

AMCON said the takeover followed an injunction granted by Justice M.S. Hassan of the Federal High Court, Lagos against Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas Ltd.

The corporation in a statement by its Head, Corporate Communications, Mr Jude Nwauzor, on Friday said that Oduah-Ogiemwonyi had been having a running battle with AMCON over her inability to settle her huge debt of nearly N20 billion.

The statement said that AMCON purchased the Eligible Bank Assets (EBAs) of Sea Petroleum & Gas from Union Bank Plc. sometime in 2012.

It said that in spite of overtures and genuine efforts made by AMCON to reach an amicable settlement, the senator and her co-promoters had remained recalcitrant.

“Having exhausted all avenues of peaceful resolution of the humongous debt, AMCON had no other choice than to refer the matter to court,” the statement said.

It said that the order also affected the senator’s other business interests for which AMCON had since appointed Moyosore Jubril Onigbanjo (SAN) as receiver over the assets of Oduah-Ogiemwonyi; Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas; Sea Petroleum and Gas FZE as well as Star Tourism and Hotels Ltd.

The statement said that the court also ordered the freezing of the funds of Sea Petroleum & Gas and its affiliated companies and principal promoters, held anywhere by any entity or persons in Nigeria.

It also authorised AMCON and its receiver, Onigbanjo to take over all assets pledged as collateral for the facility by Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas Ltd.

“In compliance with the order of the court, AMCON through its receiver, Moyosore Jubril Onigbanjo, SAN, today (May 18), simultaneously took possession of the assets of Sea Petroleum & Gas Ltd. and its affiliated companies.

“Justice Hassan specifically, ordered Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas Ltd. and its affiliated companies to hand over the company’s business, which sits on over 9000 square kilometres of land in the fastest developing area of Lagos State along the Lekki-Epe Expressway,” it said.

Other affected assets, according to AMCON, are two tank farms of 500 metric tonnes capacity; a property at Maiyegun Tourism Zone, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 11, Lagos Island and a filling station complex at kilometre 14, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ikota, Lagos.

The court order also listed a host of other assets across the country, including Plot 2, Block 12C, Babafemi Osapa Crescent Lekki; Block 5, House 4A Mobolaji Johnson Estate, Lekki, and office/filling station at Jakande in Lekki, Lagos, among others. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 47,718 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) are ready for collection in Gombe State.

Mr Umar Ibrahim, the Resident Electoral Officer in the state, said in Gombe on Friday that the owners of the cards could collect them from Monday.

I am happy to inform you that INEC in Gombe State has received a total of 47,718 PVCs for those that registered from April to December 2017 and those that applied for inter-state transfer.

Distribution of the new PVCs will commence on May 21 in the 11 INEC LGA offices in the state and a sub office at Bambam, and will continue alongside the ongoing CVR.

Since the commencement of the CVR, a total of 143,277 persons comprising 91,300 male (63.7 per cent) and 51,977 female (36.6 per cent) have been registered, he said.

According to him, 47,190 PVCs are also yet to be claimed from the 2011 to 2014 registration exercise in the state.

Ibrahim, who appealed to registered persons to come and collect their PVCs, said it was their only means of choosing leaders during elections. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Half of Americans favour legalising sports betting across the U. S., largely because they support the additional tax revenue it could bring for states, according to the results of a poll released on Friday.

Respondents to the poll, conducted by New Jersey-based Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll, also believe it should be expanded because people were already betting illegally anyway.

A Monday ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 1992 law that banned sports wagering except in a few places, including Nevada.

That opened the door to other states that might want to regulate and tax the wagers.

Five states already have laws in place that will allow them to move quickly to build a regulatory framework for the betting,

Meanwhile, 14 others introduced sports gaming bills in recent legislative sessions, according to Fitch Ratings.

Lawmakers in New Jersey, which took the case to the high court, are working on bills that will create a regulatory framework and set tax rates there.

They are working on the bill with the hopes of rolling out sports betting at casinos and racetracks in coming weeks.

It will now be a race to see who can benefit the most and the earliest from this changed landscape.

New Jersey may have a head start but other states will soon be looking to pad their budgets, Krista Jenkins, who directed the poll said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Churchill Downs Inc signed a deal with SBTech, a sports betting platform, which will allow the gaming company to offer bets on events in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Mississippi.

By a two-to-one ratio, poll respondents did not believe states should share some of the tax revenue from sports betting with professional leagues.

Such leagues, have sought a so-called integrity fee that would give them a portion of bets taken.

However, just over a third of poll respondents opposed the expansion of sports betting altogether, most commonly because of fears it will spread gambling addiction.

Respondents fear it will commonise organised crime and will make sporting events less fair. Ten per cent responded dont know when asked if they supported the move.

The random sample of adults nationwide was conducted from April 25 to May 1 by landline telephone and cell phone and has a margin of sampling error of 3.9 percentage points. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

By Hilary Akalugwu

Dr Ifeanyichukwu Abada, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Nigeria Nsukka(UNN) chapter, says the Federal Government has released N1.3 billion as earned allowances of members of the union.

Abada spoke to newsmen on Friday in Nsukka, at the end of an emergency congress of the union.

He said the aim of the emergency congress was to inform union members that UNN has received N1.3billion from government as part of earned allowance arrears for 2009 to 2012 to ASUU members.

Abada explained that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, who informed the union of the release this week, said government would be paying the arrears of earned allowance in batches.

He added that another batch of earned allowance was expected to be released next week.

I commend Ozumbas efforts to ensure that earned allowance owned workers of the university is paid by government

While N1.3billion was leased for the academic staff, about N400million was released to non-academic staff of UNN, he said.

The ASUU boss described Ozumba as a good leader, noting that in spite of rumour that the Federal Government had paid the money and his administration diverted it, he was not deterred.

I advise university workers to always cross-check their facts to avoid circulating unfounded and baseless information against an innocent person.

Rumour peddlers even said that Ozumba gave me N20 million to seal my mouth, that is why am not talking as ASUU chairman in UNN.

Abada commended government for releasing the first batch of earned allowance of UNN academic staff and urged it to ensure that remaining amount were released as promised.

Government should after paying the remaining arrears of earned allowances, consider build-in the earned allowance into workers monthly salary.

This will help to stop backlog of arrears and incessant strike by university workers as a result of non-payment of earned allowance, which disrupt academic calendar of government owned universities, he said.

Mrs Ginika Nwannani, and Mr Canice Anyachukwu, Secretary and Internal Auditor, respectively of ASUU-UNN, were present during the press briefing

Some lecturers who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), expressed happiness that government released the money for payment of earned allowance.

They said this would make lecturers to be more dedicated as well as stop future strikes in government owned universities in the country.

Source: NAN

By Hauwa Gold

The national secretariat of Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has said that the union was not aware of a court order directing its members to resume work within 24 hours.

The union said this in a statement jointly signed by Messrs Biobelemoye Josiah and Ekpebor Florence, the National Chairman and Secretary of JOHESU, respectively, on Friday.

A copy of the statement dated May 17, with reference number: HQ/JOHESU/ADM/VOL.III/563, was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto.

It was apparently reacting to a widely circulated report ordering the union to suspend its protracted strike.

It has come to the notice that some propagandists are circulating this false information in order to mislead members, the statement said.

The union leaders urged members to remain steadfast in compliance with the earlier directive given to sustain the nationwide strike until further instructions were issued by JOHESU.

The national chairman of the union also confirmed signing the latest circular to all JOHESU branches in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN recalls that the National Industrial Court on Thursday in Abuja ordered the striking JOHESU members to suspend their nationwide on-going strike and resume work within 24 hours.

Justice Babatunde Adejumo gave the order following an ex-parte motion filed by an NGO represented by Mr Okere Nnamdi.

The NGO, Incorporated Trustees of Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International, in the motion prayed the court to order the workers to resume work and go back to negotiation table.

Adejumo, who is also the President of NICN, ordered the Minister of Health, Minister of Labour and Employment, among others, to immediately set up a committee to address issues raised by labour.

The judge ordered that the parties should arrive at an acceptable and amicable solution in the interest of Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the strike.

The judge also ordered that the President and Vice President of JOHESU should attend such negotiations.

He said that the negotiations should take into consideration the provisions of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Act.

Joined as respondents in the suit are the president and vice president of JOHESU as well as the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

JOHESU embarked on the industrial action on April 17, demanding for improved facilities, upward adjustment of CONHESS salary scale, and employment of additional health professionals.

Other demands are implementation of court judgments, upward review of retirement age from 60 to 65 years, and harmonisation of salaries of all healthcare workers in the country.

The matter was adjourned until June 4 for hearing of motion on notice and originating summons.

Source: NAN

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has frowned at what it described as the unacceptably low participation of West African women in politics.

President of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA), Senator Stella Oduah disclosed this in an interview on the sidelines of the ongoing First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament.

The interview is aimed at heralding the summit of ECOFEPA scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. A summit which Oduah says will be an opportunity to further address the plight of women in politics.

Oduah who is the chairman of the Committee on Cooperation and Integration in the Nigerian Senate, said that it was particularly appalling that the level of women participation has been dwindling across West African nations in the last decade.

She attributed the non-participation of women in politics to lack of capacity stressing that women must be empowered to actively participate in politics.

With particular reference to her country Nigeria, Sen. Oduah said that women participation at the national level had dropped to a meager 6 per cent.

The disparity that we have; where women are barely participating in politics, is increasingly getting worse.

Nigeria today, at the national level we have 6 per cent, that is totally unacceptable. In some other African nations, you have barely above that.

A few may have accomplished more than that but ultimately we want to have collective accomplishment of nothing less than 30 per cent.

What is important to us is that for that to happen we have to empower women.

Those women that live in rural communities and have the capacity should be given the opportunity to represent their people and be the month piece of their people and participate actively in issues that concern their people.

That is what ECOFEPA is trying to accomplish. And to ensure that we have the legal framework in doing so, we are working to have the enabling laws in all countries.

Se we are appealing, we are advocating and we are sensitizing collectively to have that showcase in itself.

We are women that have capacity, we are women with aspiration to participate in politics and in the affairs of our people, she said.

Speaking more on the summit, the ECOFEPA President who is a former Minister of Aviation in Nigeria, said that the even was about sensitization and advocacy for greater women participation.

She said that ECOFEPA was advocating for emancipation, women empowerment and for truly getting women to fully participate in politics.

Oduah insisted that without empowering women. It would be difficult to get them to participate in politics stressing that empowerment was the bedrock of women participation.

Women must be empowered to participate in politics. This will ensure that we mainstream the affairs of ECOWAS women and girl child to ensure that our capacity is properly utilized for the betterment of ECOWAS Nations.

If we fail to do that we would be under utilizing our collective effort and capacity, she said.

As part of the summit, ECOFEPA will be awarding some notable Nigerians including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Head of State Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB).

Source: NAN

At least eight persons were killed on Friday in a shooting at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, a local sheriff said, with one person in custody and a second detained.

The incident was the latest in a long series of deadly shootings at U.S. schools in recent years.

President Donald Trump in a tweet said the situation was not looking good.

School shooting in Texas. Early reports not looking good. God bless all!

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)

Seventeen teens and educators were shot dead at a Parkland, Florida, high school in February, a massacre that stirred the nations long-running debate over gun ownership.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said that eight to 10 people, both students and adults, died in the incident at the school about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Houston.

There is one person, a suspect, in custody and a second possible person of interest that was detained and being questioned, Gonzalez said at a news conference.

At least nine people were taken to area hospitals for treatment, hospital officials said. The conditions of those people was not immediately clear. Gonzalez said a police officer was also being treated for injuries.

Live television images showed lines of students and buses gathered in fields surrounding the school.

This is no longer an active shooting situation and the injured are being treated, the sheriffs department said on Twitter.

Sophomore Leila Butler told the local ABC affiliate that fire alarms went off at about 7:45 a.m. local time (1245 GMT) and students left their classrooms. She said some students believe they heard shots fired, and that she was sheltering with other students and teachers near campus.

Another sophomore, Dakota Shrader, told Fox 26 TV her 17-year-old girlfriend told her by phone that she was wounded but was recovering in a hospital. My friend got injured, said an emotional Shrader. Her leg, she got shot in the leg.

Dr. David Marshall, chief nursing officer at the University of Texas Medical Branch, said that the hospital was treating at least three patients two adults and one person under 18. He said it was not immediately clear if that child was a student.

I know that they have gunshot wounds but thats the extent of the knowledge I have at this point, Marshall told reporters at a news conference. One adult is in our operating room.

Were ready for more patients, he said. We have not heard of any enroute at this point.

Source: NAN

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered, Erastus Akingbola, to return to the Federal High Court, Lagos, to answer his alleged five billion Naira fraud charge.

Akingbola is a former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc.

Justice Tanko Muhammad, leading a five-man panel, affirmed the Feb. 20, 2015 judgment of the Court of Appeal in Lagos which overturned the Federal High Courts decision striking out the charges against Akingbola.

Justice Sidi Bage, who read the lead judgment of the apex court, held that Akingbolas appeal challenging the Court of Appeals judgment lacked merit.

He ordered that the case file be remitted to the Federal High Court, Lagos, for expeditious trial and to be handled by another judge.

Justice Kumai Akaahs, a member of the panel, in addition to agreeing with the lead judgment, said that he was worried by the stand of the trial judge in the matter.

Akaahs said that Justice Archibong acted like a military dictator when he descended into the arena and chided the prosecution for their inability to prosecute and therefore removed his toga of impartiality.

He constituted himself into a military dictator and this is regarded as judicial tyranny and a case of bias was established against the judge.

According to Akaahs, while we have immunity, we do not have absolute powers to do and undo.

It will be recalled that Akingbola s trial was prematurely terminated in April 2012 by Justice Charles Archibong, whose decision in the case later culminated in his compulsory retirement from the bench.

Archibong, in a judgment he delivered on April 2, 2012, struck out the 26 counts contained in a charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against Akingbola.

He said this was on the grounds that the prosecution was not diligent in handling the case.

The judge described the EFCC prosecution team as a drain in the public purse and directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to disband the team.

Source: NAN