Omar Assar of Egypt is the new champion of African table tennis, dethroning NigeriasAruna Quadri, in a thrilling seven games at the ITTFAfrica Cup in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Nigerian had rallied from 1-3 down to force the seventh game, which Assar won 11-8.

Quadri had defeated another Egyptian, Ahmed Saleh in the semi-final for the final battle royale with Assar.

Assar in his own semi-final defeated Saheed Idowu, a Nigerian who plays for Congo Brazzaville.

Egypt also claimed the third place after Ahmed Ali Saleh beat Saheed Idowu.

Nigerias veteran Segun Toriola claimed the fifth position; next in the order of merit came Algerias Sami Kherouf followed by Tunisias Thameur Mamia and Ghanas Derek Abfrefa.

An Egyptian Dina Meshref also won the female championship, defeating Sarah Hanffou of Cameroon. Nigerias Edem Offiong won the bronze.

Said Assar: It is unbelievable for me to win this tournament and it came at the right time I needed my confidence after starting the year not too well at the Hungarian Open and in the German Bundesliga. There has been a lot of pressure on me after moving clubs. I think winning this will restore my confidence. I am grateful to my club, Werder Bremen, for their support. I also think Aruna played very well and he deserved to win as well. This final was a good showcase for Africa and I am happy that we have such a level of competition in Africa with quality players.

The win means that Omar Assar gains an invitation to compete in the Liebherr 2018 Mens World Cup to be staged in October in Paris.

It will be the third time that he has competed in the prestigious annual event; he was present in 2015 in the Swedish west coast city of Halmstad and last year in Saarbrcken.

Source: NAN

Neymar Jr, Brazil and Paris Saint Germains megastar has begun a race to recuperate before the World Cup in Russia next year, moments after officials announced that the surgery on his broken right foot went successfully Saturday.

The operation, performed by Brazilian national team surgeon Rodrigo Lasmar, began early on Saturday morning in the Mater Dei hospital in Belo Horizonte.

Just after midday (1500 GMT), a spokesman from the Brazilian football federation announced that the operation was over.

Neymar is already in his room. It went well, he said.

Neymar broke his fifth metatarsal the bone leading to his small toe during a 3-0 drubbing of Marseille on February 25.

The striker whose transfer from Barcelona cost PSG a record 222 million euros ($264 million) last August has scored 28 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions for the club.

Neymar will miss PSGs make-or-break game against Real Madrid next Tuesday. But with Lasmar predicting a recovery period of two and a half to three months, Brazil is worried that Neymar, 26, may not be fit for the World Cup in Russia starting in June.

The rival demands from club and country appeared to erupt into tension just as he went under the knife, with Paris newspaper LEquipe reporting Saturday that PSG believes Lasmar lied about Neymars condition.

The report said that Neymar was initially found to have suffered a minor fracture and that PSG was shocked to hear Lasmar say Thursday that it was a serious break requiring a longer than expected recuperation.

Globoesporte.com reported that PSG also insisted it control any future information on the players health.

Staff at the hospital in Belo Horizonte, were put on paparazzi lockdown, with a ban on using cellphones anywhere near the star.

After a remarkable turnaround in fortunes since the shambolic exit in a 7-1 semifinal loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup, Brazil are seen as top contenders in Russia.

But a big part of that optimism depends on the talented Neymar, who missed that infamous semifinal four years ago and looks likely to miss two warm-up friendlies against Russia and Germany in March.

AFP

Source: NAN

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane fired Liverpool into second place in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory against Newcastle. They are now a point ahead of Manchester United, who will meet relegation threatened Crystal Palace on Monday.

Tottenham also cemented their top four berth as Son Heung-Min inspired a 2-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday.

Salah struck in the 40th minute at Anfield to maintain his superb form in his first season with Liverpool following his move from Roma.

The Egypt winger took Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains pass and shot low under Martin Dubravka for his 32nd goal of the season and his eighth in his last seven appearances.

Liverpool took complete control 10 minutes after half-time when Roberto Firmino drove at the heart of the Newcastle defence, playing in Senegal winger Mane, who claimed his 14th goal of the season with a clinical finish.

A fourth win in their last five league games took Jurgen Klopps side one point above Manchester United, who drop to third but can regain second spot with a win at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Leaders Manchester City sit 15 points clear of Liverpool and host Chelsea on Sunday.

Newcastle are two points above the bottom three after their first defeat in five matches.

At Wembley, Son put Tottenham ahead in the 27th minute with his 14th goal of the season as Dele Allis pass sliced open the Huddersfield defence and the South Korea forward raced clear to finish emphatically.

Son struck again in the 54th minute, timing his run perfectly to meet Harry Kanes cross with a bullet header past Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl.

Fourth-placed Tottenhams third successive league win lifted them five points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea in the race to qualify for next seasons Champions League via a top-four finish.

I hope I can score many more goals for Tottenham. The manager has to choose 11 players. I try my best and try to be ready at all times, Son said.

The pass from Harry Kane was very good for me, it made it easy to score. We feel comfortable at Wembley, we know how we play here.

Swansea climbed out of the relegation zone and pushed West Ham deeper into trouble with a 4-1 win at the Liberty Stadium.

South Korea midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng drove a 20-yarder past West Ham goalkeeper Adrian in the eighth minute for only his second goal of the season.

Leicester 1 -1 AFC Bournemouth

Burnley 2-1 Everton

Southampton 0-0 Stoke City

Watford 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

Source: NAN

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti state is now set for a rancor free, and an unhindered party primary election following the reconciliation of warring factions.

This is the outcome of a reconciliation meeting headed by former President of the Senate and PDP stalwart, Sen. David Mark in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement issued by Paul Mumeh, Media Assistant to the former President of the Senate, David Mark, in Abuja on Saturday.

The Senator David Mark led reconciliation committee members included; Senator Enyinaya Abaribe , Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure, Alhaji YusuF Ayitogo, Ambassador Fidelia Njeze and Dr. Eddy Olafeso (Secretary ).

The aspirants who have indicated interest for the plum position so far are: the current Deputy governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka, Senator Biodun Olujimi, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Amb. Dare Dejide and Barr Owoseni Ajayi .

Reeling out the resolutions of the peace parley, the Secretary of the reconciliation committee, Dr. Eddy Olafeso said the state governor Ayo Fayose and all the aspirants attended the meeting.

Dr. Olafeso said all the parties agreed to a free, fair and credible primary to elect a gubernatorial candidate for the July polls.

Olafeso added that governor Fayose pledged to work with any of the contestants who emerges at the primary .

He said that nobody was persuaded or compelled to withdraw from the race .

Trouble started in Ekiti state ahead of the election when governor Fayose allegedly adopted his Deputy as his successor.

Senator Mark had cautioned the gladiators that only peace, justice, free and fair primary would guarantee success at the Ekiti state polls.

The former Senate President appreciated the warring parties for their display of maturity and understanding towards the resolution of the dispute.

The Mark reconciliation committee was set up by the Uche Secondus led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP to reconcile the members in Ekiti.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki and a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress Bola Tinubu have converged on Kano for the wedding fatiha of Gov. Abdullahi Gandujes daughter, Fatima and her groom, Idris Ajimobi.

The wedding Fatiha of Fatima and Idris Ajimobi, the son of Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State took place around 12:30 pm at the Kano Central Mosque.

NAN reports that the wedding proceedingswere contducted by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II and supported by the Chief Imam of Kano, Prof. Sani Zaharaddeen.

President Buhari, who stood for the groom, gave out the N50, 000 dowry to Ahmed Bola Tunubu, who represented the bride at the occasion.

Among other important personalities that attended the grand wedding fatiha included Senate President Bukola Saraki, 22 governors and 11 ministers as well as over 10 traditional rulers from across the country.

Also in attendence were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari and Senior Special Assistant to President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.

Others were members of the National Assembly, members of the business community, politicians as well as members of the diplomat Corps.

The event, which was also attended by prominent Islamic scholars and other well wishers from across the country, witnessed a large turnout of residents.

NAN reports that during the wedding, security was very tight in and around the city.
The President had before his departure inspected the Kofar Ruwa underpass, which is under construction, along Katsina Road.

Source: NAN

Local government elections were held peacefully on Saturday in Edo state with the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), abstaining.

Governor Godwin Obaseki voted in polling unit 19 in Ward 4, Oredo at 12.35, and expressed satisfaction for the peaceful conduct.

He commended Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIC) for putting in place adequate logistics for the exercise.

I learnt that the materials were distributed promptly, even as far as to Edo North Senatorial District. The only ugly situation was in Egor and that has been handled, he said.

He expressed satisfaction with turnout of voters in his unit and ward, noting that the councillorship and chairmanship candidates did well in mobilizing voters to participate in the election.

Obaseki, governor of national ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said the boycott of the exercise by PDP did not affected voter-turnout.

We can confidently say the opposition party is not in existence in the state. Every politician aspires from the units and if you do not give them the platform, they will seek it outside.

On expectations in 2019 elections, the governor said: The council election has been peaceful and this is a precursor to 2019 elections; Edo is an APC state, maybe the contest will be outside the state.

Ten political parties were cleared by EDSIEC to participate in the elections.

They are APC, Democratic Alternative (DA), Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), Progressive People Alliance (PPA), Acton Democratic Party (ADP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP), National Conscience Party (NCP) and People for Democratic Change (PDC).

Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) commended security agencies for providing effective security during the elections.
The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Stanley Orobator, gave the commendation when the Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, visited the commission while monitoring the elections in Benin.

Orobator said that the commission, for the first time, experienced smooth and efficient security arrangement which contributed to the hitch-free process.

He said the presence of security personnel made the build-up to the elections less stressful, adding that no challenge was experienced.

He said that some staff of the commission even had to sleep in the office to ensure protection of materials and early delivery of election materials across the state.

Earlier, Kokumo said that his presence in the commission was for on-the-spot assessment of activities and conduct of personnel deployed for the elections.

He said security agencies were constitutionally empowered to protect the lives of citizens and also provide security in such cases as during elections.

The police boss, who had earlier visited some polling units in Benin, said he was impressed with conduct of voters.

He said no report of arrest of any person for any electoral offence had been received from any of the 18 local government areas in the state.

Sixteen thousand security personnel, including 7, 000 policemen, 5, 000 Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and 1,500 personnel from the Nigerian Army were deployed for the elections. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Saudi Arbaian authorities have imposed a compulsory levy equivalent of N163,000 on all prospective Nigerian pilgrims, who have performed Hajj or Umrah in the last two years.

The Saudi Arabian authorities also introduced a five per cent Value Added Tax on all services, excluding food items and medical drugs.

Mr. Abdullahi Mukhtar, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), disclosed that all Prospective Nigerian pilgrims all affected prospective pilgrims would have to pay the compulsory levy.

This the Chairman said the pilgrims are to pay SR2000, an equivalent to N163,000, which was exclusive of the substantive fare for the 2018 Hajj that is yet to be announced by the federal government.

Mukhtar made the disclosure in Sokoto on Saturday at a sensitization campaign organized by the Commission for prospective pilgrims and officials of the Pilgrims Welfare Agencies (PWA), from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.

According to him the levy was announced by the Saudi Arabian Hajj Ministry and it became fully effective during the 2017 Hajj exercise.

The Chairman, who was represented by the National Commissioner in Charge of Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Sale, said that the campaign was organized to intimate the nations prospective pilgrims.

This is on the need to ensure the early completion of their hajj fares on or before the end of March, 2018, as it would enable the commission and the various PWA, to make early and efficient arrangements.

He said that the event was also organized to intimate the prospective pilgrims on the introduction of biometric data capturing of all Umrah and Hajj pilgrims by the Saudi Arabian authorities.

He added that , three centres have been opened in Kano, Lagos and Abuja, for the data capturing, although efforts were on by the commission to ensure the increment of the centres.

The Chairman, Forum of PWA in Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Sarkin Fawa Danbo, commended the commission for organizing the event, saying that various PWAs jn Nigeria were working round the clock to ensure the success of the 2018 hajj exercise.

Alhaji Muntari Maigona, PWA Chairman Sokoto state, called on the commission to allow the various states pilgrims welfare agencies to deploy medical Doctors and other medical staff to accompany the pilgrims during the hajj exercise.

Maigona further lamented that, the existing arrangements on Pilgrims feeding should be improved, while the companies in charged of such gesture should be increased. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has backed the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki on his call that all ex-governors still serving in government should not receive pensions from their states.

Saraki on Wednesday had commended the Kwara State House of Assembly for heeding his call and passing a bill to stop pensions of ex-governors still holding elective or appointive positions.

Saraki had then called on other states and their assemblies to emulate Kwara state by passing a similar bill to abolish double pay.

In backing the stance of Saraki, SERAP challenged the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari and his colleagues to show commitment and end double pay for ex-governors and their deputies.

The NGO had on Tuesday requested the President of the Senate to use his leadership position to sponsor a resolution in the Senate that would call on other states to abolish payment of double emoluments to ex-governors and their deputies.

SERAP had continued to frown at the situation where former governors and deputies receive pension after expiration of their tenures in office, while still holding public offices.

According to the organization, the Zamfara State governor should emulate the example of Senate President Bukola Saraki and make a clear public commitment that the Governors Forum and all governors will take immediate steps to abolish double emoluments laws for former governors and deputies in their states.

SERAP in a statement on Thursday by its deputy director Timothy Adewale said, Governor Yari should show leadership by example by starting the campaign within the Governors Forum to abolish double emoluments laws.

The organisation called on Yari to kick start the move from his own Zamfara State which has passed laws allowing former governors to receive pension for life; two personal staff; two vehicles replaceable every four years; two drivers, free medical for the former governors and deputies and their immediate families in Nigeria or abroad; a 4-bedroom house in Zamfara and an office; free telephone and 30 days paid vacation outside Nigeria.

Following the positive engagement and intervention by the Senate President on the matter, it is now indefensible for the Governors Forum to remain indifferent to the issue of double emoluments for ex-governors and their deputies.

We urge Governor Yari to speak out strongly against double pensions laws and encourage his colleagues to urgently take measures to abolish such laws in their states for the sake of millions of Nigerians who deserve good governance and sustainable development, SERAP said.

SERAP had in a letter to Malami last year accused the following governors receiving double emoluments and large severance benefits from their states, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Kabiru Gaya (Kano); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Theodore Orji (Abia); Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara); Joshua Dariye (Plateau), and Jonah Jang (Plateau). Others include: Ahmed Sani Yarima (Zamfara); Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe); Adamu Aliero (Kebbi); George Akume (Benue); and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).

Meanwhile, Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Mines and Steel Development and his counterparts in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, and Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola have denied ever receiving double payments and retirement benefits as former governors in addition to other roles in public office.

Saraki had also last year said that he wrote a letter to the state government to stop the payment of the pension the moment I saw that SERAP allegation.

Under the Lagos Pension Law a former governor will enjoy the following benefits for life: Two houses, one in Lagos and another in Abuja estimated to cost between N500 million and N700 million. Others are six brand new cars every three years; furniture allowance of 300 per cent of annual salary every two years, and a close to N2.5 million as pension (about N30 million pension annually); free medicals including for his immediate families; 10 per cent house maintenance; 30 per cent car maintenance; 10 per cent entertainment; 20 per cent utility; and several domestic staff.

In Rivers, state law provides 100 per cent of annual basic salaries for ex-governor and deputy, one residential house for former governor anywhere of his choice in Nigeria; one residential house anywhere in Rivers for the deputy, three cars for the ex-governor every four years; two cars for the deputy every four years; 300 per cent of annual basic salary every four years for furniture; 10 per cent of annual basic salary for house maintenance.

In Akwa Ibom, state law provides for N200 million annual pay to ex governors, deputies; pension for life; a new official car and utility-vehicle every four years; one personal aide and provision of adequate security; a cook, chauffeurs and security guards for the governor at a sum not exceeding N5 million per month and N2.5 million for the deputy governor; free medical services for governor and spouse totaling N100 million for the governor per annum and N50 million for the deputy governor; a five-bedroom mansion in Abuja and Akwa Ibom; and allowance of 300 per cent of annual basic salary for the deputy governor; 300 per cent of annual basic salary every four years and severance gratuity.

Source: NAN

An explosion rocked Burkina Fasos army headquarters in the capital Ouagadougou on Friday and black smoke could be seen billowing above. Simultaneously, the French embassy also announced a similar attack, attributing it to terrorism.

A witness at the scene told Reuters that masked gunmen with backpacks attacked the army headquarters after the explosion.

The AFP, quoting witnesses said five armed men got out of a car and opened fire on passersby before heading towards the embassy, in the centre of the city.

An AFP reporter heard heavy exchanges of gunfire and saw a blazing vehicle, which witnesses said was the car used by the assailants. Police and army units were deployed in the area.

A Reuters witness said other smaller explosions came from the headquarters after a first larger blast and that security forces were converging on the scene.

Burkina Faso, like other countries in West Africa, has been targeted sporadically by jihadist groups operating across Africas Sahel region.

Suspected jihadists killed at least 18 people in August 2017 during a raid on a restaurant in Ouagadougou and militants have targeted Burkinabe security forces along its remote northern border region with Mali.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for an attack on a restaurant and hotel in Ouagadougou in January 2016 in which 30 people were killed.

Five regional countries launched a new taskforce in 2017 to tackle Islamist militants in the zone, to which international donors have committed a half-billion dollars.

Source: NAN

As the Nigerian government extended to neighbouring countries, the search for the 110 schoolgirls abducted last week in Dapchi, Yobe State, a human rights activist, Mrs Aisha Wakil, claimed a Boko Haram faction had contacted her to confirm it has the girls.

Aisha Wakil, who is also known as Mama Boko Haram, was a member of the Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges Committee in the northern region, set up during the President Goodluck Jonathan era.

In an interview with The News Agency of Nigeria, the activist said the Barnawi faction of Boko Haram contacted her on Thursday.

She added that the abductors confirmed to her that the girls were safe, healthy and in good condition.

In an interview with PRNigeria earlier this week, Wakil had called on the abductors to release the girls to enable them to be reunited with their families.

Wakil, who is said to have communication links with Boko Haram and respected by some leaders of the sect, declared that she was ready to sacrifice her life to rescue the girls.

Wakil said: They are even the ones that called me, and said Mama we heard what you have said and told me that they are with the girls and they are going to release them.

I begged of them and said please let this not be another 1,000-plus days of Chibok girls, and they laughed and said no.

I asked them where I can come and stay with them (girls) for two days, but they did not say anything.

I can assure Nigerians that so far they are with my son Habib and his friends; Habib is a nice guy, he is very nice boy. He will not harm them, he will not touch them, and he will not kill them.

He is going to listen to us, and so far he indicated interest that he loves peace. And I love them for that and believe what they said on this.

They will definitely give us the girls. All I am begging Nigerians is to calm down, be prayerful, everything will be over in God grace.

NAN reports that the activist had at various times participated and played key role in negotiations between the military authorities and Boko Haram insurgents commanders, which facilitated released of numerous abductees from terrorists captivity.

In a statement today, the Federal Government announced it has stepped up the search for the 110 girls to the neighbouring countries.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said top military and security officials on Thursday travelled to the North-east to add more urgency to the search, which has now been extended beyond the North-east theatre.

The officials include the nations top military officer and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Army Staff; Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Alhaji Lawal Daura.

They joined the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who had earlier relocated to the North-east, as well as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), who has also visited the theatre.

The Federal Government had earlier released the names and other details of the 110 girls who have yet to be accounted for, following the attack on the GGSTC, Dapchi, Yobe State, on 19 Feb. 2018.

The panel set up by the Federal Government to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the girls was inaugurated on Thursday by the NSA.(NAN)

Source: NAN

The Burkinabe government said four terrorists who attacked the capital Ouagadougou on Friday, have been killed. But it also said their accomplices might be on the run.

The capital had come under multiple attacks, with the French embassy, the French cultural centre and the countrys military headquarters targeted.

Witnesses said five armed men got out of a car and opened fire on passersby before heading towards the embassy in the centre of the city.

An AFP reporter heard heavy exchanges of gunfire and saw a blazing vehicle, which witnesses said was the car used by the assailants. Police and army units were deployed in the area.

Other witnesses said there was an explosion near the headquarters of the Burkinabe armed forces and the French cultural centre, which are located about a kilometre (half a mile) from the site of the first attack. There was no early information about any casualties.

A government statement clarified the situation, saying the four terrorists that attacked Ouagadougou have been eliminated.

There are no details on civilian casualties at the moment, the Special Forces are continuing operations, according to the government statement.

The situation is under control at French diplomatic premises, in Burkina Fasos capital, which came under attack Friday, a French foreign ministry source said.

Burkina Faso police director general said security units have been deployed to the scene and have urged people to stay away from the area.

In Paris, President Emmanuel Macrons office said the French leader was being informed in real time of the situation.

Burkina Faso is one of a string of fragile countries on the southern rim of the Sahara that are battling jihadist groups.

The insurgency has caused thousands of deaths, prompted tens of thousands to flee their homes and dealt crippling blows to economies that are already among the poorest in the world.

On August 13 last year, two assailants opened fire on a restaurant on Ouagadougous main avenue, killing 19 people and wounded 21. The attack remains unclaimed.

On January 15 2016, 30 people, including six Canadians and five Europeans, were killed in a jihadist attack on a hotel and restaurant in the city centre.

France, the former colonial power in the Sahel region, has deployed 4,000 troops and is supporting a five-country joint force gathering Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.

The United Nations also has a 12,000-strong peacekeeping force in Mali called MINUSMA, which has taken heavy casualties. Four UN peace

Source: NAN

A female suicide bomber in Buni Yadi, Yobe killed herself and injured three others when a bomb wrapped on her exploded in the early hours of Friday.

An eye witness, who declined to be identified, said the incident occurred during the dawn prayer time at Fulatari ward of Buni Yadi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the injured persons had been taken to hospital and were in stable condition.

Buni Yadi, a former stronghold of Boko Haram insurgents was reclaimed by Nigerias military in 2015 and currently has army formations, including a military training institution.

Col. Kayode Ogunsanya, the spokesman of 3 Division, Nigeria army could not be reached for comments as his phone was switched off. (NAN)

Source: NAN

As the Nigerian government extended to neighbouring countries, the search for the 110 schoolgirls abducted last week in Dapchi, Yobe State, a human rights activist, Mrs Aisha Wakil, claimed a Boko Haram faction had contacted her to confirm it has the girls.

Aisha Wakil, who is also known as Mama Boko Haram, was a member of the Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges Committee in the northern region, set up during the President Goodluck Jonathan era.

In an interview with The News Agency of Nigeria, the activist said the Barnawi faction of Boko Haram contacted her on Thursday.

She added that the abductors confirmed to her that the girls were safe, healthy and in good condition.

In an interview with PRNigeria earlier this week, Wakil had called on the abductors to release the girls to enable them to be reunited with their families.

Wakil, who is said to have communication links with Boko Haram and respected by some leaders of the sect, declared that she was ready to sacrifice her life to rescue the girls.

Wakil said: They are even the ones that called me, and said Mama we heard what you have said and told me that they are with the girls and they are going to release them.

I begged of them and said please let this not be another 1,000-plus days of Chibok girls, and they laughed and said no.

I asked them where I can come and stay with them (girls) for two days, but they did not say anything.

I can assure Nigerians that so far they are with my son Habib and his friends; Habib is a nice guy, he is very nice boy. He will not harm them, he will not touch them, and he will not kill them.

He is going to listen to us, and so far he indicated interest that he loves peace. And I love them for that and believe what they said on this.

They will definitely give us the girls. All I am begging Nigerians is to calm down, be prayerful, everything will be over in God grace.

NAN reports that the activist had at various times participated and played key role in negotiations between the military authorities and Boko Haram insurgents commanders, which facilitated released of numerous abductees from terrorists captivity.

In a statement today, the Federal Government announced it has stepped up the search for the 110 girls to the neighbouring countries.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said top military and security officials on Thursday travelled to the North-east to add more urgency to the search, which has now been extended beyond the North-east theatre.

The officials include the nations top military officer and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Army Staff; Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Alhaji Lawal Daura.

They joined the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who had earlier relocated to the North-east, as well as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), who has also visited the theatre.

The Federal Government had earlier released the names and other details of the 110 girls who have yet to be accounted for, following the attack on the GGSTC, Dapchi, Yobe State, on 19 Feb. 2018.

The panel set up by the Federal Government to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the girls was inaugurated on Thursday by the NSA.

Source: NAN

Barclays Africa Group, South Africas No.2 lender by market value, plans to extend its reach throughout the continent, its CEO, Maria Ramos said on Thursday after posting annual profit up nearly 4 percent.

Ramos said the bank, which is changing its name back to South African brand Absa after its split from former parent Barclays, aims to enter Nigeria as it seeks to lift its share of the African market to 12 percent from 6 percent over the medium term.

Finance Director Jason Quinn told Reuters that Nigeria has been in its sights for some time.

We would have to think carefully about how and when to enter the Nigerian market and that is what we are going to start doing, he said.

We have to decide how we enter, whether we acquire or build.

The bank had earlier reported normalised diluted headline earnings per share the primary measure of profit in South Africa, stripping out one-off items up 3.9 pct at 1,837.7 cents for the year to Dec. 31, helped by a 20 percent drop in credit impairments.

Net interest income, a gauge of lending profitability, rose by 1 percent to 42.32 billion rand ($3.56 billion), while its net interest margin was unchanged at 4.95 percent.

Growth in the United States was the positive surprise in the second half, even as Europe, Japan and China grew at or above consensus expectations, the bank said.

This more than made up for slow economic expansion in its main markets, which account for about 80 percent of group income.

Barclays Africa and its rivals have struggled to increase lending as slowing economic growth in many African markets tempers demand from corporate clients while retail clients in its home South African market feel the squeeze from rising interest rates.

However, confidence in its domestic market has been buoyed by the Cyril Ramaphosas elevation to the South African presidency last month, pledging to revitalise the economy.

Barclays Africa said it expects growth in loans and deposits to improve in 2018 and forecast stronger loan growth from the rest of Africa. It also forecast stronger loan growth in corporate and investment banking in South Africa. ($1 = 11.9025 rand)

*Reuters

Source: NAN

Tennis legend, Serena Williams will restart her tennis career on Monday at the BNP Paribas Open in Palm Springs California, but her husband, Alexis Ohanian has lined up four billboards as a surprise for her.

The billboards, erected alongside Interstate 10 are meant to celebrate her return to competitive tennis. And it would appear Alexis designed them with the help of daughter Olympia.

These just went up on alongside I-10 into Palm Springs.

Ben Enwonwus paint of Ile-Ife princess, Adetutu Ademiluyi, known as Tutu, has fetched in a London auction 1, 205,000, four times more than expected.

In naira terms, it was sold for N508, 358, 301, an African record.

The Nigerian masterpiece, initially declared missing was found in a modest north London flat recently.

Bonhams, the auction company announced the record price for the paint, which measuresand was signed by Enwonwu and dated 1974.

The identity of the buyer of the Lot 47 has not been disclosed yet.

There were other Enwonwus paints sold today, but none fetched anything near Tutu.

Enwonwus Fulani Girl fetched 13,125. Children of Onitsha got 11,250.

fetched 12,150, while Dancers got 11,250.

Itachafo Muo, another Enwonwus paint was sold for 18,750.e got 40,000, 100,0000

The other Nigerian artist whose work was also of great reckoning during the auction was Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo. HisEvangelists: Cymbal, Triangle and Tambourine done in 1964, was sold for 56,250.

Bonhams says on its website that Ben Enwonwus portraits of Tutu have achieved a high level of celebrity because the paintings were some of the most enigmatic works produced by a Nigerian artist in the 20th century.

In 1971, Enwonwu, who died in1994, at the age of 77, was appointed the first professor of Fine Art at the University of Ife.

The violence of the Nigerian/Biafran conflict (1967-1970) was still fresh in public consciousness, and academic institutions were tasked with promoting a spirit of national reconciliation. Enwonwu embraced this duty, using Negritude ideology and imagery to explore issues of cultural identity and political contestation that the Nigerian civil war had laid bare. The artist created a number of his most famous works during this period, including three portraits all titled of a young Yoruba woman named Adetutu Ademiluyi, a granddaughter of a previous Ooni (king) of Ife.

Enwonwu frequently made trips to the countryside surrounding Ife, sketching the landscape and recording cultural traditions and practices. It was during one of these visits that he encountered Tutu. He was so impressed by her beauty and unusual features that he asked her parents for permission to paint her. Enwonwu may have also been motivated by her status as a royal princess of Ife he was also of royal lineage, descended from the Umuezearoli of Onitsha. In addition, winning the approval of the Ife royal house would offer the artist protection from any problems arising from his Igbo ethnicity, a contentious issue in post-war Nigeria.

Source: NAN

Rwanda has shut 714 churches in different parts of Kigali over the last one week for failure to meet minimum standards.

New Times of Rwanda reported that the churches were found to lack basic infrastructure, hygiene, safety standards and had issues related to their legal status.

The crackdown is being carried out by respective urban district authorities in partnership with the Rwanda Governance Board, the newspaper said.

Justus Kangwagye, the Head of Political Parties and Civil Society Department at the Rwanda Governance Board, said places of worship are required to meet basic requirements in terms of safety, hygiene, infrastructure and legality which those affected were found to be lacking.

Kangwagye said most of the affected places of worship were asked to halt operations until they meet the expected standards.

Worshiping should be done in an organised way and meet minimum standards. Exercising your freedom of worship should not encroach on other peoples rights. They have been asked to halt operations until they meet the requirements, he said.

Some may not be able to resume operations any time soon, he said.

Kangwagye said some premises exposed worshipers to risks.

For instance, if the infrastructure is deemed likely to cause danger to those worshiping, it is obvious that it fails to meet the requirements, he explained.

Others were found to have inadequacies such as lack of parking lots which would lead to their members parking by the roadsides and causing traffic jam.

Other churches which were closed operated from tents.

Churches that are hosted in tents were also asked to review their premises before they can continue their operations. As for hygiene and sanitation, you cannot have a gathering where there is no water for washing hands, no toilets among other issues, he said.

Others, he added, were warned on the lack of safety and security installations and asked to look into it or risk closure.

Kangwagye explained that setting up a church, requires a temporary certificate which expires after 12 months.

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Source: NAN

Crown-wearing worshippers of World Peace and Unification Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, United States scared the hell out of people and a school on Wednesday, when they arrived the church, each clutching an AR-15 rifle.

Brides were clad in white and grooms in dark suits, all arriving with dozens of AR-15s, though unloaded.

Inside the church, they drank holy wine and exchanged or renewed wedding vows in what was called a commitment ceremony, which alsodoubled as an advertisement for the Second Amendment.

Though the state police kept watch as the ceremony unfolded, neighbours were not at ease.

A smattering of protesters stood outside the church and anearby school cancelled classes, the AP reported.

The church, which has a worldwide following, believes the AR-15 symbolizes the rod of iron in the book of Revelation, and encouraged couples to bring the weapons. An AR-15 was used in the Florida high school massacre on Feb. 14.

The Rev. Sean Moon, who leads the church, prayed for a kingdom of peace police and peace militia where the citizens, through the right given to them by almighty God to keep and bear arms, will be able to protect one another and protect human flourishing.

Moon is the son of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, a self-proclaimed messiah who founded the Unification Church, which critics regard as a cult. The younger Moons congregation is a breakaway faction of the Unification Church, which had distanced itself from Wednesdays event.

An attendant checked each weapon at the door to make sure it was unloaded and secured with a zip tie, and the elaborate commitment ceremony went off without a hitch. Some worshippers wore crowns made out of bullets.

Tim Elder, Unification Sanctuarys director of world missions, said the ceremony was meant to be a blessing of couples, not inanimate objects, calling the AR-15 a religious accoutrement.

But Wednesdays event, coming on the heels of the high school massacre in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17, rubbed emotions raw.

Its scaring people in the community, one protester told a church member. Are you aware of that?

The ceremony prompted Wallenpaupack Area School District to move students at an elementary school down the street to other campuses.

Lisa Desiena, from Scranton, protested outside the church with a sign that called the group an armed religious cult.

She said she owns a gun, but I dont need a freaking assault weapon to defend myself. Only thing theyre good for is killing. Period. Thats all that weapon is good for, mass killing. And you want to bless it? Shame on you.

But Sreymom Ouk, 41, who attended the ceremony with her husband, Sort Ouk, and came with their AR-15, said the weapon is useful for defending her family against sickos and evil psychopaths.

People have the right to bear arms, and in Gods kingdom, you have to protect that, she said. You have to protect against evil.

Reported by AP

Source: NAN

Saudi Arabia began issuing licences Thursday to operate cinemas in the kingdom ahead of their reopening after a decades-long ban was lifted as part of a far-reaching liberalisation drive.

The move is another step towards opening the Saudi market to regional and international theatre chains, which have long eyed the kingdom as the Middle Easts last untapped mass market.

The culture and information ministry said it had finalised the terms of licencing to restore cinema in Saudi Arabia.

Licencing commences immediately, the ministry added in a statement.

The news comes as Dubai-based VOX Cinemas, the leading operator in the Middle East, launches its first public screening in Saudi Arabia, which runs through Saturday and aims to raise awareness about Alzheimers disease.

The screening in Riyadh will feature content from local producers including Myrkott Production and Telfaz Company, VOX said.

Major cinema chains are seeking to break into the market of more than 30 million people, the majority of whom are under 25.

In December, US giant AMC Entertainment signed a non-binding agreement with Saudi Arabias vast Public Investment Fund to build and operate cinemas across the kingdom.

AMC will still face stiff competition from regional heavyweights, including VOX.

The move to reopen cinemas is part of a modernisation drive by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is seeking to balance unpopular subsidy cuts in an era of low oil prices with more entertainment options despite opposition from religious hardliners.

The reform stems partly from an economic motive to boost domestic spending on entertainment as the kingdom reels from a protracted slump in oil prices.

Saudis currently splurge billions of dollars annually to see movie shows and visit amusement parks in neighbouring tourist hubs like Dubai.

Source: NAN

Its now official: supermodel Naomi Campbell is off the market. And she is dating Britishmusician Skepta, whose real name is Joseph Junior Adenuga.

He is 15 years younger than the fashion icon.

There had been rumour about their relationship, but Naomi, 47, confirmed it via an Instagram post on Thursday, when she shared a GQ cover featuring her and her beau cuddled close while wearing nothing but jewelry.

Skepta is the first man Naomi has beenlinked tosince Egyptian millionaire Louis C. Camilleri in July 2017, the Mail Online reported.

Born Joseph Junior Adenuga on September 19, 1982, Skepta is an English rapper, songwriter and producer. Although he was born in NorthLondon, his parents are Nigerian immigrants.

He made his musical debut in 2007 with the release of his cleverly titled album, Greatest Hits.

Skeptas second album, Microphone Champion, followed in 2009. Both albums were independent releases. By the time his third album, Doin It Again, was released in 2011, he had signed with AATW.

Skepta didnt begin to really draw attention until his fourth album, however. The project, titled Konnichiwa, was released in May 2016. It won him a Mercury Prize. Since gaining notoriety, hes collaborated and performed with major names in the music business like Flatbush Zombies, Wizkid andDrake,Kanye Westand more

The rapper has four siblings, two of whom music aficionados may be familiar with. His one brother is a grime rapper called Jme. Skepta has another sibling, Julie Adenuga, whos a DJ on Beats 1.

In addition to musical pursuits, Skepta founded a clothing company called Mains. The brand dropped its first line in June 2017.

Source: NAN