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Fayemi: Why I want to govern Ekiti again
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dr kayode fayemi the all progressives congress apc governorship candidate in saturdays election in ekiti on tuesday said he wanted to rule the state again to reduce poverty among the people1 he stated this at apcs final rally ahead of the election at the oluyemi kayode stadium in ado-ekiti on tuesday1 fayemi who was governor of the state from 2010 to 2014 told the crowd that his successor gov. ayodele fayose impoverished the citizens by not paying salaries and pensions1 according to him fayose deliberately deprived civil servants teachers and pensioners their eight months salaries pensions and gratuity because he wanted to punish and make them beg for money on the streets1 he commended ekiti people for coming out to welcome president muhammadu buhari contrary to the directives of the governor that nobody should come out to welcome the president to the state1 fayemi who resigned as minister of solid minerals and steel development to contest the election appealed to the electorate in the state to come out en masse to vote for him on saturday1 i am so delighted with your determination to defy the unpopular order by gov. ayo fayose that nobody should come out to welcome president muhammadu buhari to ekiti1 it is therefore time to send fayose and his unpopular government out of office1 i want you to vote for me on saturday and show gov. fayose that the power of ekiti people is much greater than his power he said1 -
Law school graduates 1,500 students
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the director-general said that the members of staff of the school had closely monitored the aspiring lawyer during their training and their records perused by the screening committee and found them worthy to be called to the bar1 the nigerian law school on tuesday said 1550 students were successful after the april 2018 bar final examinations while their success rate is put at 68.6 per cent1 the director- general dg of the school prof. isa ciroma disclosed this at the july call to bar ceremony for the successful candidates in abuja1 the news agency of nigeria reports that a summary of the examinations showed that two out of the 1 550 made second class lower while others had pass mark1 he said that the performance was justified following the approval of the council of legal education that re-sit students for the final bar examinations must undertake two months revision exercise for eligibility to write the examination1 while presenting the candidates he said that they took the prescribed examinations as well as the dining terms and met all required conditions set by the council of legal education1 i am happy to affirm that they all exhibited good manners and decorum during their training1 they have also been groomed in the best ethics and ethos of our noble profession he said1 the school also called to the bar 12 other graduates from the previous 2018 final examinations1 he congratulated the graduating students and called on them to make the best use of the profession while ensuring strict adherence to the norms of the practice and ethics1 also speaking the chairman of the body of benchers alhaji bashir dalhatu called on the graduating students to shun all forms of vices capable of denting the image of the profession1 dalhatu also advised the graduating students to always speak the truth even if it might sound bitter than concealing it and leading to an offence1 he also admonished the graduands to abide by the rules and provisions of the profession adding that it law sacrosanct and required strict adherence at all times1 where a complaint is made against any practitioners conduct an alleged offence is put side by side with the provisions of the rules of professional conduct once established the defaulter is sanctioned accordingly by the disciplinary committee1 the legal practitioners disciplinary committee has been carrying out its mandate in a just and fair manner without giving room for compromise affection or ill-will1 from january to july 2018 seven lawyers were barred 12 suspended ranging from one year to three years while one lawyer was admonished1 you are therefore advised to be of good behaviour and abide by the ethics and traditions of the profession to avoid being brought before the committee he advised1 -
Man regains consciousness after deadly Novichok agent attack
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charlie rowley the englishman who was exposed to the deadly nerve agent novichok last week has regainedconsciousness1 according to hospital officials the 45-year-old rowley woke up tuesday at salisbury hospital in london with small but significant improvement1 report also said rowley was still in critical but stable condition since he was exposed to the poison1 charlie is still very unwell the hospital said1 rowley along with his partner 44-year-old dawn sturgess were on june 30 at a home in amesbury london exposed to novichok a military-grade nerve agent produced in the soviet union during the cold war1 sturgessdied on sunday leaving behind her three children as authorities quickly launched an investigation into her death1 police have said their working theory is that the couples exposure to the poison was linked to a recent attack on ex-russian spy sergei skripal and his daughter yulia1 skripal a former russian intelligence officer once convicted in his homeland of spying for britain was attacked with novichok at his home in salisbury a city roughly 10 miles south of amesbury where his daughter had been visiting him1 the two spent weeks in critical condition but have since been discharged from the hospital1 -
Police warn ahead of arraignment of El-Zakzaky
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as part of the security measures put in place for a smooth process of the court trial there will be traffic diversion in some parts of the state especially the roads leading to the court1 ahead of the arraignment of the leader of islamic movement in nigeria imn sheik ibrahim el-zakzaky the police have warned sect members against procession or protests1 the spokesperson in the state mr. mukhtar aliyu warns that the police will not hesitate to deal decisively with any person or group of persons who deliberately attempt to violate the ban on unlawful assembly1 the police also advised residents of the state capital to go about their businesses without fear as el-zakzaky is brought to court after more than two years in detention1 he was held as a result of confrontation of members of shiite muslims with the nigerian military resulting in the death of more than 300 persons in zaria in kaduna state1 he assured the residents of adequate security as operatives have been put in place for the hitch-free court appearance of the imn leader1 the shiite muslim leader would be arraigned at the kaduna state high court on wednesday1 members of the public should note that the ban on all forms of processions and demonstrations in kaduna state is still in force. therefore the public is advised to remain calm and not to be apprehensive where they observe unusual number of security personnel in town1 the command wishes to notify the general public to exercise more security consciousness as they go about their daily chores and other lawful businesses by being extra vigilant of their environment persons around them activities of suspicious persons etc so as to prevent miscreants disturbing the peace of the state the statement read in part1 however the spokesperson for the islamic movement ibrahim musa says there is no plan by the shiite members to cause public disorder during the arraignment of their leader by the kaduna state government1 they claimed that their previous protests have been peaceful adding that they have been victims of attacks1 musa said we will therefore like to assure the public that our history speaks for us we are always the victims of forceful aggression. we have never killed maimed nor destroyed anybodys property and we will not start it now. all that we are saying and will keep on saying is free our leader1 -
PDP-led coalition good move to re-unify Nigeria APP
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we will all queue to vote in that candidate and vote out the ruling all progressive congress apc the app chairman said1 national chairman action peoples party app mr ikenga ugo-chinyeri says the peoples democratic party pdp-led coalition which emerged on monday is not a merger but platform to re-unify nigerians1 he said that the alliance was not just to capture power but to unify nigerians as well as redeem the country from shambles1 this is not a merger. it is a coalition of 39 political parties including the leading opposition party pdp which share the same goal1 it is not about capturing power it is about the urgency to serve and save our motherland which is dancing at the edge of total economic and political eclipse he said1 ugo-chinyeri admitted that it was not an easy task getting together at this period but stated that it was voluntary among the 39 political parties that were already set to put their energy and resources together1 he said that the parties decision to act now by forming the coalition was timely adding that it would save the country from collapse1 he added that the parties were willing to sacrifice everything especially the presidential slot in the 2019 general elections1 the 39 political parties including pdp will bring forth a grand single presidential candidate1 ugo-chinyeri told news agency of nigeria in abuja that the coalition for united political parties cupp was a timely action taken by 39 political parties in the interest of nigerians1 he explained that a significance of the alliance was the agreement and signing of memorandum of understanding mou by all the parties to form a government of national unity to represent and unify nigerians1 according to him the coalition is needed to take nigeria to its promised land and it will redeem and retrieve both the country and the people from the incompetency of apc and its leadership1 ugo-chinyeri said that the coalition was different from that of 2015 adding that the terms were clearly spelt out and over time more details about its manifesto and other vital information will be disclosed1 he stressed that the coalition was driven by national interest and expressed hope that individual or party interest would not in the future set in to de-stabilise it1 he said that the coalition would secure 25 per cent appointment for youths from 18 years to 35 years adding that it would also focus on respect for human right security of the country and restructuring1 ugo-chinyeri urged nigerians to get registered and collect permanent voter card pvc in order to vote in the 2019 elections1 nigerians should observe the willingness behind this coalition1 they should see the sacrifices the opposition has made and now is the time for them to go and collect their pvcs and join the coalition to root out incompetency he said1 he added that more news would be heard from the coalition even as more political parties were already indicating interest to join. nan1 -
Fayose, a poor student of struggle Oshiomhole
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this is how the asiwaju of the universe and national leader of our great party arrived the venue of the apc mega rally in ekiti2 he also described the alliance of opposition on the platform of cupp as an alliance of lies1 he said fayose s payment of road transport workers to park their vehicles to make it difficult for people to attend apcs rally is an indication that he has resorted to primitive tactics1 fayose also gave an unlawful order asking all shops and markets to close today1 has also called workers to monitor workers vote to know who is voting for apc1 the fighting spirit of ekiti people overcame all the obstacles created by a man1 the national chairman all progressives congress apc comrade adams oshiomhole has described ekiti governor ayo fayase as a poor student of struggle1 daddy d.o @dolusegun1 he assured the people not to be intimidated and no one can intimidate you. remember you are educated more than the man who is trying to manipulate you he said1 fayose abuses everybody. he is a typical armed robber who diverts attention of the police in order to escape oshiomhole said on tuesday at the grand rally for mr kayode feyemi the apc governorship candidate of apc1 oshiomhole assured the people that fayemi would clear all salary arrears and pay pensioners who have not been paid for more than one year1 he explained that president muhammadu buhari was a democrat and a progressive who would not intimidate anyone irrespective of the divide unlike peoples democratic party pdp which prevented the opposition apc memebers from joining the campaign of fayemi in 20141 around this time four years ago pdp was going to make sure i did not come to ekiti to campaign. i was denied movement1 buhari i praise you for not doing what they did. you are not for vengeance but for correction1 he said fayose brought poverty to the people of ekiti he has pauperised the people. the workers are not paid and so cannot pay their rents nor go to the market1 fayose has brought poverty because he belongs to a deceiving party1 ogun governor mr. amosu also narrated how he was also prevented from entering ado ekiti to attend apcs rally in 20141 he said that buhari has not and would not stop anyone from attending rallies because he is a democrat and noble1 -
I will not play politics with Ekiti people Buhari
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he explained that the federal government embarked on 13 projects in the state including the construction of n700 million roads1 president muhammadu buhari has said he would not play politics with ekiti people regardless of the partisan and hostile nature of the government of that state1 despite being in opposition and the disposition of the governor of the state buhari said ekiti state would continue to receive its fair share in resource allocations1 buhari explained that ekiti people were intelligent and honourable and should be so treated1 he explained that he had not come to ekiti just to campaign but to explain to the people efforts of the government to implement its change agenda1 buhari urged ekiti people not allow themselves to be deceived1 buhari spoke at a grand rally of the all progressives congress apc on tuesday in ado ekiti for mr kayode fayemi the candidate of the party in the july 14 governorship election1 the government he said also extended the national housing programme to the state and the project was being handled by 16 contractors who are from ekiti1 the president also explained that he had released paris club loan refund to the state government1 he also said that he was concerned by the herders and farmers clashes and the violence in parts of the country and assured that the government was taking steps to find a sustainable solution1 he explained that it was his primary responsibility to protect lives and property of nigerians and said this i will do. measures are being take to stop the killings1 he told the electorate do not allow yourselves to be deceived with stomach infrastructure. vote for apc and grow beyond stomach infrastructure1 do not waste you vote. vote for fayemi buhari told the excited crowd1 -
Osun 2018: APC members protest, reject zoning
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dr ademola oyedokun the spokesperson for the group told newsmen at the partys secretariat that merit should not be sacrificed on the altar of zoning1 some members of the all progressives congress apc under the aegis of development advocacy groupdag on tuesday in osogbo staged a peaceful protest against the zoning of the partys governorship ticket1 some of the inscriptions on the placards read evaluate merit not sentiment good governance is about merit and not zoning and dont divide us we stand on merit1 the protest which lasted more than two hours resulted in a gridlock on major roads1 the news agency of nigeria nan reports that there had been agitation by some members of the party that the governorship ticket for the sept. 22 election be zoned to osun west senatorial district of the state1 nan also recalls that some members of apc from the zone had on july 6 staged a protest insisting that the partys candidate must emerge from the west district1 as a result of the agitation the partys primary slated for july 7 was postponed1 the protesters numbering hundreds who carried placards with various inscriptions marched from the popular ayetoro road through olaiya area to the partys secretariat on gbongan-ibadan road1 oyedokun said the agitation for zoning was a mere emotional tool and a negative value to serve the interest of a few stalwarts and not the people of the state1 the ordinary man is concerned with a decent life and not the region that produces the governor1 poverty hunger illiteracy and insecurity do not know any zone or region and that is why we are against it1 what we want is the best and wherever that best will come from is a welcome development to us1 we do not want a situation whereby we will promote mediocrity at the altar of merit he said1 oyedokun urged the party leadership to provide a level playing ground for all the aspirants for the best to emerge1 nan reports that 29 aspirants on the platform of apc had so far expressed intention to contest the partys primary slated for july 191 -
Tinubu hits Ado Ekiti in grand style, explodes at Fayemis rally
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this is how the asiwaju of the universe and national leader of our great party arrived the venue of the apc mega rally in ekiti2 they stole all the money. they talk of high exchange rate. pdp is a party of destruction. it is poverty development party1 iyanda sunday @iyandakido4us1 he accused them of causing the nations problem through the perpetration of corruption and are shouting louder1 they are shouting that prices have gone up we say yes because they ate the breakfast of their children tinubu said at the grand rally of his party held in ado ekiti for chief kayode fayemi the partys candidate for the july 14 governorship election1 amidst ovation from the crowd tinubu said if you eat everything in a yam there will be no food for the children1 senator ahmed tinubu the national leader of all progressives congress apc was heralded into the ado ekiti in grand style by a crowd of youths where he accused the pdp members of shouting loud over the problem they caused nigerians1 commending president muhammadu buhari for his effort at rebuilding nigeria he said it is not easy to rebuild what has been destroyed1 recounting the nobility and honesty of buhari he said that president buhari then built three refineries which pdp tried to dismantle and sell1 one old man baba at the back of my house i am from lagos started dismantling the refineries and wanted to sell them1 the old man brought turbines for electricity but did not provide pipelines for the diesel to the turbines1 asking ekiti people to vote for fayemi and be free from the pains inflicted on them by pdp tinubu said apc is a pain killer. take apc to ease your pains1 do not allow anybody to intimidate or make you afraid. you are protected and you will be protected he told the crowd at the stadium in ado ekiti1 -
El-Zakzakys trial: Police ban processions in Kaduna
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the kaduna state police command has announced total ban on all processions ahead of the trial of shia leader ibrahim el-zakzaki on wednesday1 a statement issued tuesday by the command spokesman dsp mukhtar aliyu said there would be heavy deployment of security personnel to safeguard the general public1 he said residents should be extra vigilant of their environment persons around them activities of suspicious persons so as to prevent miscreants disturbing the peace1 the law abiding people of kaduna state are to note that adequate security has been put in place for a hitch free court appearance1 he said that part of the strategy put in place would be traffic diversion on independence way bida road and all roads leading to ibrahim taiwo road1 aliyu stressed that the ban on all forms of processions or demonstrations in the state was still in force and the police would deal with any person or group that violates the ban1 the kaduna state police command uses this medium to call on the general public to report suspicious activities or persons around them to the nearest security agency he added1 -
Obasanjo in cameo appearance at PDP rally
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former nigerian president olusegun obasanjo on monday made a cameo appearance atthe rally of oladipupo adebutu one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the peoples democratic party in ogun state1 adebutu who represents remo federal constituency in the house of representatives and his supporters were at the rally held within the olusegun obasanjo presidential library when the former president arrived in his toyota jeep in a convoy of other cars1 this threw the supporters into jubilation as obasanjo alighted from the vehicle1 the former president who is also an in-law to the aspirant said i am just passing by and decided to say hello and wish you well1 immediately he extended his pleasantries he jumped into the jeep and he left with the convoy of cars in his trail to his residence situated within the premises1 obasanjo had reiterated that he had quit partisan politics when he established his coalition for nigeria movement which later fused into the african democratic congress1 he however said his doors remained open for consultations by all nigerians who shared his views of a united country1 before the rally adebutu had earlier visited the alake and paramount ruler of egbaland oba adedotun gbadebo in his palace to seek the monarchs support and blessing1 he was accompanied on the visit by some pdp chieftains in the state and he had earlier donated electricity transformers to four communities in the abeokuta metropolis1 reported by punch1 -
Outcry in FRCN over poor working conditions
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we should be ashamed of ourselves being a federal government establishment that is supposed to set the pace for state and private broadcasting houses to follow suit he said1 it was a day of reproof in the federal radio corporation of nigeria frcn as staff members across the country protested lingering and unbearable working conditions1 members of staff trooped out in black outfits to register their protest1 some of the workers demands included replacement of obsolete equipment and operational vehicles1 others were payment of outstanding allowances expansion of manning levels to enhance promotion of staff regular training for optimum performance as well as improved staff welfare1 mr nofiu busari the chairman of the nigeria union of journalist nuj frcn ibadan chapter said the essence of the peaceful protest was to draw attention to the state of facilities in the organisations stations across the country1 busari said the protest was being held simultaneously across all frcn stations in the country1 we want the federal government to hearken to our plea. our facilities are over 16 years old1 no doubt salaries are being paid as at when due but we want to justify what we are being paid for1 members of staff are using their personal funds to facilitate the running of frcn and this must stop he said1 adewunmi faniran the chairman of the state council of the nuj in oyo state said there was an urgent need for government intervention in redressing the challenges facing the organisation1 we are the hen laying the golden egg and as such shouldnt be killed. weve realised that they are eating both the hen and egg1 nan von nta frcn and others need help. that they are not talking doesnt mean all is well in their operations. they are suffering in silence1 all equipment here at frcn are obsolete they are nothing to write home about. in ibadan here there are over 20 media outfits1 we are operating in a competitive environment but with little or no facilities to aid production. we have equipment here in ibadan that had been in use since the 80s and 90s1 we want the government without delay to look into our needs and i must emphasise that this protest is not targeted at anyone but for the benefits of members of staff said faniran who is also a member of staff1 mrs bolanle owoyemi deputy director marketing on behalf of the management commended the workers for the peaceful protest saying it was for the good of all members of staff of frcn1 she said that the director was away to the abuja headquarters of the organisation over the issues raised1 the management is on top of the development and a meeting is scheduled for today in abuja over this matter1 no management wants a down turn in operations everyone wants a good working environment and i believe everything will be put back in place as soon as possible she said1 in akure workers in the organisation also embarked on a peaceful protest at the poor working conditions and obsolete equipment1 the chairman of frcn akure chapel mr john ebiofini said no improvement had been made on the equipment at the station since its debut 16 years ago1 ebiofini said the equipment at the station could not cover the nooks and crannies of the state1 today due to deplorable condition of our outdated equipment we cannot boast of covering ondo state where we are located1 the protests spread through abuja ibadan akure enugu kaduna and other stations as the aggrieved staffers bared their grievances at the organisations operations1 similarly the chairman of the radio and television theatre and arts workers union at the station mr gabriel afolabi said the protest was to send signals to the federal government through the management1 there is a big one ahead unless it does everything possible to avert that before the 21-day ultimatum ends he said1 also speaking the nuj chairman in the state mr james sowole urged the federal government to send a delegation to assess the deplorable condition under which the workers were carrying out their duties1 sowole described frcn as a leading radio station in the country which must not be allowed to collapse due to obsolete equipment and poor working conditions1 at the same time their colleagues shut down the kaduna station staff at the frcn in abuja staged a protest against non payment of their allowances and insurance levy1 all of them wearing black clothes the workers decried poor treatment of the corporation and its staff by the federal government1 we dont have power and water in the building. we have not been paid our transport allowances and arrears since 2010 we dont even have insurance the worker said1 also no seats in the office reporters dont have office equipment like midgets staff are to buy equipment and fund assignments themselves without getting paid. we also dont have office materials like papers to print in the office1 the radio television theatre and arts workers union rattawu secretary in the office ishaku musa said that the situation at the headquarters was bad beyond control1 we are mourning today and the protest is tagged black monday. things have gone bad beyond control when you look at the staff welfare it is nothing to write home about he said1 the working condition at frcn is something that you can never agree that frcn is like this. when you look at the staff themselves they dont have working materials they dont have seats to use in the offices. most of the allowances are not being paid and that is why we have called for this black monday and started this protest mr musa said1 the permanent staff have not been paid since 2010 their t1 mr musa also complained that frcn does not use the in-house training certificate in promotions1 talking about training and retraining of staff we are facing a serious problem in that sector. we have frcn training school in lagos which has now been changed to national broadcast academy. within our operation the management does not recognise it as a step for promotion. only the outside broadcast recognise the academys certificate1 similarly the financial secretary of rattawu frcn headquarters adaora nzekwe said staff of private stations that go for training at the school were getting promoted by their organisations1 they would ask you to go but you wont get your payment. they would hold you for that whole period that you would be there some of the programmes are meant to hold for four to eight weeks but when you go you are meant to receive your feeding and accommodation allowance before going1 at times you go there and getting back one year two years you have not gotten your money back after you have spent your own personal money doing that which is not supposed to be so1 asked if the union served any notice before embarking on the peaceful protest musa said it notified the management and got the go ahead with conditions that it must be a peaceful protest without destruction of any government property1 musa said that the director-general mansur liman addressed the protesters and told them to exercise patience stating that the problem was coming from the federal government and something would be done about it1 protesting staff in the premises of the frcn headquarters radio house abuja1 he said liman told them president muhammadu buhari had publicly promised to do something about their complaints saying with time the equipment would be replaced with digital tools as in use by other fm stations in the country1 efforts to reach the director-general but his special adviser haruna idris directed our reporter to get the full statements from the union1 premium times contributed to this article1 -
May appoints Jeremy Hunt as new foreign minister
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reutersnan2 british prime minister theresa may appointed jeremy hunt as foreign minister on monday after predecessor boris johnson resigned in protest at the governments plans for a close trading relationship with the european union1 while johnson was one of the most high-profile brexit campaigners hunt backed remain during the 2016 referendum campaign1 hunt told lbc radio in october 2017 however that he had changed his mind on the issue in part because of what he said was disappointing arrogance in the eus behavior during negotiations1 last month hunt said it was inappropriate for businesses like airbus to issue warnings about moving jobs because of brexit and that they should instead be getting behind may in her push for a good deal on leaving the eu1 huge honour to be appointed foreign secretary at this critical moment in our countrys history he said in a tweet after his appointment1 the appointment of hunt the long-serving health minister sees a close may ally replace the maverick johnson and could alter the brexit balance of mays top ministerial team1 hunt 51 had served as health minister for more than 5-12 years the longest term of any in the history of the state-funded national health service weathering doctors strikes public discontent with funding levels and other challenges1 hunt said it was a massive wrench for him to leave the department adding i know some staff havent found me the easiest health sec1 matt hancock replaced hunt as health secretary while attorney general jeremy wright was appointed as minister of digital culture media and sport hancocks old job1 mays office said geoffrey cox would be the new attorney general1 time to back our pm to get a great brexit deal its now or never1 -
Kenyatta like Buhari, seeks return of looted funds
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source63 desperate to recover stolen wealth president uhuru kenyatta of kenya has taken after president muhammadu buhari clamouring for repatriation of loots stashed overseas1 kenyatta and his visiting swiss counterpart mr. alain berset on monday in nairobi oversaw the signing of an agreement that clears the way for the recovery of assets1 these assets were acquired through corruption and crime in kenya and stashed in foreign countries1 the agreement called a framework for the return of assets from corruption and crime in kenya fracck is also supported by the united kingdom and the jersey island1 it would create a mechanism for kenya to recover money stolen by corrupt individuals and hidden in the three countries switzerland the united kingdom and jersey island1 buhari african union au anti-corruption czar has led the way for other african countries to fight corruption in its facets1 the framework which is in line with the united nations convention against corruption provides the principles to guide the recovery of stolen assets1 in the spirit of the global forum on asset recoverys principles for disposition and transfer of confiscated stolen assets in corruption cases returns should proceed in a transparent and accountable manner with the mutual consent of both kenya and the partner offering the return said the new agreement 1 to avoid complications of asset recovery the framework says that recovery should follow executable judgments1 a steering committee comprising the executive office of the president the attorney general the national treasury the assets recovery agency ethics and anti-corruption agency and envoys or representatives representing the partner countries will be established to implement the deal1 the agreement also has a provision to allow other nations willing to cooperate with kenya in the recovery of stolen assets to join1 kenyatta said the signing of the agreement at state house in nairobi was part of his resolve to eliminate corruption in the country1 -
UN to reactivate Peace Committee ahead of Nigerias 2019 polls
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the un chief noted the preparedness for the 2019 presidential election and other political developments in nigeria1 as nigerias 2019 general election draws near the un said there is the need to reactivate the national peace committee which played critical roles in ensuring a peaceful 2015 presidential election1 the national peace committee followed the signing of the abuja peace accord on jan. 14 2015 by former president goodluck jonathan of the peoples democratic party then all progressives congress candidate muhammadu buhari and other presidential candidates1 the committee comprised of respected statesmen and women traditional and religious leaders who include former head of state gen. abdulsalam abubakar bishop mathew kukah and alhaji saad abubakar iii sultan of sokoto1 guterres said his special representative for west africa and the sahel mohammed chambas continued to support efforts to sustain peace in the region by promoting and supporting inclusive national political dialogues constitutional and democratic reforms and transparent credible and peaceful election1 the un chief said cognizant of the politically active environment ahead of the nigerian polls in 2019 he conducted consultations with political and religious leaders in abuja from 18 to 21 march1 national stakeholders concurred on the need for the full reactivation of the national peace committee of nigeria which had been instrumental in facilitating dialogue prior to the countrys elections in 20151 through the peace accord the candidates committed to take proactive measures to prevent electoral violence before during and after the elections1 they also expressed determination to avoid any conduct or behaviour that will endanger the political stability and national security of nigeria to place national interest above personal and partisan concern1 they further reaffirmed their commitment to fully abide by all rules and regulations as laid down in the legal framework for elections in nigeria1 un secretary-general antonio guterres stated this in the report of the secretary-general on the activities of the united nations office for west africa and the sahel unowas presented to the un security council1 he said in nigeria political developments centred on preparations for presidential and parliamentary elections set to take place in february 20191 on 9 april the president muhammadu buhari declared his intention to run for a second term. former vice-president atiku abubakar also announced his candidacy for the presidential election1 a demand made by the house of representatives in april following an increase in violence in the middle belt and the north of the country to dismiss national service chiefs and security advisers has not been carried out1 in addition the decision of the national assembly to summon mr buhari to provide a briefing on the increased insecurity in the country prompted a debate on whether the legislature had such power over the executive1 guterres noted the not too young to run bill which would reduce the age limits set for candidates for elected positions and the adoption of the electoral act amendment which would regulate the general elections1 on security trends guterres said asymmetrical attacks were carried out by boko haram terrorists against security forces local authorities and civilians in nigeria and other west african state1 the un chief said extremist armed groups continued to harass civilians carry out targeted abductions or killings burn down schools and threaten teaching staff1 in nigeria multiple clashes between farmers and herders in the middle belt states as well as in the southern states of edo ebonyi and kogi resulted in numerous casualties population displacement and destruction of property1 guterres also noted the continued protests by the islamic movement in nigeria over the detention of its leader decreased violence in the niger-delta and southeast regions and militant groups threat to resume attacks1 -
Trump nominates Kavanaugh for Supreme Court
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judge kavanaugh will protect our religious liberties uphold the rule of law and interpret the constitution as it was originally understood by our founders trump said1 u.s. president donald trump has announced the nomination of judge brett kavanaugh a conservative federal court of appeals judge to the supreme court1 trump while announcing kavanaugh said one of the most profound responsibility of the president of the united states selection of a supreme court justice1 i often heard that other than matters of world peace this is the most important decision a president would make1 the supreme court is entrusted with the safeguard of the crown juror of our republic the constitution of the united states1 the u.s. president paid glowing tribute to justice kennedy for a lifetime of distinguished service to the u.s. and for his assumption of senior status1 he said in nominating kavanaugh he took into account a judge who would not allow his political views affect the interpretation of the u.s. constitution1 trump explained what informed his selection i do not ask about a nominees personal opinions1 what matters is not a judges political views but whether they can set aside such views those to do what the law and the constitution require1 he said kavanaugh had earned a reputation as a brilliant jurist with impeccable legal credentials and universally respected for his intellect as well as his ability to persuade and build consensus1 kavanaugh a judge of the u.s. court of appeals for the district of columbia circuit would fill the supreme court vacancy created by justice anthony kennedys retirement1 he pointed that this was the second time he would be faced with this task of nominating a u.s. supreme court judge1 in 2017 trump nominated justice neil gorsuch to the supreme court saying he knew gorsuch would be a faithful servant of the u.s. constitution1 the nomination of kavanaugh came after a selection process marked by a historic public disclosure of a list of 25 highly qualified potential nominees to the supreme court1 kavanaugh has served as a judge on the u.s. court of appeals for the district of columbia circuit since 2006 authoring more than 300 opinions including 11 that have been affirmed by the supreme court1 before becoming a judge he served in the george w. bush administration first as an associate counsel and then senior associate counsel and subsequently as assistant to the president and staff secretary1 a graduate of yale college and yale law school judge kavanaugh clerked on the supreme court for justice kennedy and for judges on the third and ninth circuit courts of appeals1 kavanaugh thanked trump for the nomination and vowed to interpret the constitution as written1 however kavanaugh faces a bruising battle in the senate which voted 54-45 in april 2017 to approve gorsuch1 senate liberals know that we have the opportunity to reshape the supreme court for an entire generation and they are ready to obstruct and unleash a smear campaign against our nominee trump said1 -
Kalu berates Buharis accusers
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he told the czech ambassador that his friendship with nigeria goes beyond his stay in the country. we will remain friends after your departure1 the former governor of abia state orji uzo kalu has berated those accusing president muhammadu buhari of not doing enough to stop the killings in some parts of the country1 leaders should stop backbiting about the killings and all the rest of it. killing is not a good process no president would want to see his people dying1 president buhari has taken a new step he was in benue and plateau the other time he is committed to make sure that this killing stop he said1 kalu condemned the unwarranted killings when he spoke at a party in honour of the outgoing czech ambassador to nigeria mr pavel mikes in abuja1 the all progressive congress apc chieftain described the killings as a big challenge for the country after the federal government defeated the boko haram1 it is embarrassing to see human beings killing their fellow human beings. it is not acceptable by anyone created by god he said1 it is embarrassing when some people accuse the president of supporting one group to kill another. it is not possible for anyone directly elected by the people1 he also thanked the envoy for his efforts as dean of european diplomatic corps in ensuring that all levels of government in nigeria maintain rule of law1 when government fails to put rule of law as an instrument that can be of a great change is a problem because rule of law is more important1 it is a software of a democratic process. once you have the software right the hardware will also be right he said1 kalu expressed appreciation to the european union for ensuring that nigerias democracy stands1 in his remarks the outgoing czech ambassador described nigeria as a great complex county and that he enjoyed every moment of his five-year duty tour in nigeria1 mikes extolled the virtues of the former abia governor saying he is passionate about the future of nigeria working hard to promote the country in the world1 he is a man for whom nigeria lies dearly in his heart and does everything possible to improve the lives of nigerians1