Djokovic passes Coric test in Monte Carlo
News & Trends •
and he dug deep to break back thanks to two backhand unforced errors from djokovic2 novak djokovic needed 10 match points to claim a hard-fought straight-sets victory over the dangerous borna coric on wednesday setting up a monte carlo masters third-round clash with dominic thiem2 djokovic is working with long-time former coach marian vajda for the first time in almost a year after splitting from andre agassi and the 30-year-old has looked rejuvenated in monaco after early exits in indian wells and miami2 the serbian will next face austrian fifth seed thiem with a possible quarter-final against defending champion rafael nadal who plays aljaz bedene later on wednesday up for grabs2 the first game set the tone for the rest of the match with djokovic eventually holding after nine minutes of bruising baseline rallies that included a missed break point for coric2 the 21-year-old croatian also saved a break point in his first service game but could not fend off djokovic for long as the two-time monte carlo winner moved 3-1 ahead when coric mishit a smash2 coric has been in fine form so far this year reaching the semi-finals at indian wells before a run to the last eight in miami2 the 12-time grand slam champion playing only his fourth tournament since wimbledon last july after struggling with a right elbow injury overcame some late nerves to win 7-6 72 7-52 but djokovic was rock solid in a tie-break as coric became ragged dumping a simple short ball into the net and firing a backhand long to gift his opponent the first set2 djokovic was showing the ferocity and accuracy of old in his groundstrokes and he had the better of three straight breaks to take control2 but the 39th-ranked coric saved two match points on his own serve before fighting back from 40-0 down as djokovic struggled to get over the line as he served for the match2 a succession of wild backhands and a tame forehand into the net saw four more match points come and go before coric levelled the set at 5-5 as djokovic blasted wide and long2 he rediscovered his composure though to break again and finally complete the job at the 10th time of asking as coric sent a backhand flying long2 the former world number four who has struggled over the last year with a right wrist injury followed up his first-round victory against tomas berdych with a solid display on centre court2

Win 2018 World Cup, get $24m, Pinnick tells Eagles
News & Trends •
he also said that adequate preparation including grade a friendly matches have been secured with england and czech republic to ensure the team do well at the world cup3 he commended president muhammadu buhari for his support for the nff and the super eagles and assured that they would not let him down in russia3 the news agency of nigeria nan reports that the world cup will hold from june 14 to july 15 in russia3 pinnick told newsmen in abuja on wednesday at a parley that the money was part of the agreement reached with the players to share 50-50 whatever would accrue to the country if they get to the final and lift the trophy3 i dont put players under pressure. pressure can be put on them unconsciously because we are creating enabling environment for them3 if for example we dont have money to prepare them they can now relax but now we have given them everything upfront and now they should deliver3 if today they get to the final the world cup money will be shared 50-50 between the team and the nff3 winning the final is 48 million dollars it means the team will get 24 million dollars and the football house will take the remaining 24 million dollars pinnick said3 amaju pinnick the president nigeria football federation nff has said that the super eagles stand the chance of pocketing 24 million if they play in the final of the 2018 world cup3 the nff boss further said that the glass house had already secured 2.8 million to pay the players allowances and bonuses during the mundial3 we are ready to play against england on june 2 in london in an international friendly we had a conclusive meeting with the english fa3 after the england match we will play czech republic and from there we move to russia. as it is everything is going on very well3 for the world cup i dont think we have any problem i am in touch with the technical committee. it is the desire of every nigerian to see the super eagles do well at the world cup3 we had a meeting with the team we signed a contract with them and ready to pay them 20 per cent of eight million which is what accrued to us for qualifying for the world cup3 at the end of the day it amounts to 2.8million dollars which will go to the players. the money is almost 100 per cent ready pinnick added3 pinnick also explained that the football house met with some state governors who were ready to assist the nff financially to achieve the countrys world cup dream3 emmanuel afonne2

Lance Armstrong agrees $5m settlement for doping fraud case
News & Trends •
i am glad to resolve this case and move forward with my life armstrong said in a statement2 disgraced cyclist lance armstrong has agreed to pay 5 million in order to settle his looming federal fraud case stemming from his use of performance-enhancing drugs during the tour de france his lawyers confirmed thursday2 lance armstrong today announced that he has settled the long-running false claims act case brought against him by former cyclist floyd landis and the u. s. postal service a statement from armstrong lawyer elliot peters said2 this ends all litigation against armstrong related to his 2013 admission that during his career as a professional cyclist he had used performance enhancing substances2 the washington post reported armstrong will also pay 1.65 million to cover the legal costs of former team-mate and whistleblower landis2 the postal service and landis had sought around 100 million in damages from armstrong in the trial which was due to get under way on may 72 the former superstar was due to face a trial next month over claims that he defrauded the us government when he doped while racing for his united states postal service-sponsored team2 i am particularly glad to have made peace with the postal service. while i believe that their lawsuit against me was without merit and unfair i have since 2013 tried to take full responsibility for my mistakes and make amends wherever possible2 i rode my heart out for the postal cycling team and was always especially proud to wear the red white and blue eagle on my chest when competing in the tour de france. those memories are very real and mean a lot to me2 the fallen us cycling star had battled back from cancer to win cyclings most prestigious race the tour de france a record seven consecutive times between 1999 and 20052 although rumours of drug use swirled around armstrong throughout his career he never failed a test2 however his reputation imploded when the united states anti-doping agency wrapped up an investigation which concluded he had been at the heart of a sophisticated doping program throughout his career2 armstrong later confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs and was banned from all competitions for life and stripped of his seven tour titles2

Arsene Wenger quits Arsenal end of season
News & Trends •
wenger also has world manager of the year in his kitty2 arsne wenger has finally agreed to quit london club arsenal at the end of this season after years of uncertainty2 with the clubs performance in the premier league becoming increasingly disappointing this season marked the first time in 20 years that they failed to qualify for the champions league2 despite having one less competition to worry about they are currently sixth in the premier league and look certain not to achieve a top four finish hanging their only hopes on winning the europa league2 i am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years wenger said. i managed the club with full commitment and integrity2 to all the arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club2 wenger played supervised 1228 games and won 704 in his 22-year-reign as arsenals manager winning seven fa cups and seven community shields2 he won three premier league titles and also three times premier league manager of the year2 the frenchman will depart the club a year ahead of the expiration of the two year contract he signed last year despite many calling for his sack2 meanwhile gary neville has paid tribute to departing arsenal manager arsene wenger and urged supporters of all club to celebrate his reign in the clubs final five games of the season2 neville was part of the manchester united team which regularly battled with wengers arsenal during the 1990s and 2000s and has regularly commentated on his teams after becoming a pundit2 he said the frenchmans 22-year reign should be remembered in fond terms having led arsenal to three of their 13 top-flight titles an unbeaten league season in 20034 and seven fa cup successes2 arsene wenger built the best teams that i played against in english football2 the 98 team was amazing2 the biggest compliment is that he played football that made us change the way we played against them2 he now deserves the most incredible send off from all in the coming weeks2

Who succeeds Arsene Wenger? Vieira leads contenders
News & Trends •
while popular with the fans vieiras lack of top-level managerial experience would pose a huge risk in arsenals attempts to re-establish themselves as a premier league contender2 arsene wengers decision to finally step aside as arsenal manager after 22 years in charge has sparked fevered speculation over who the gunners will turn to next to succeed the frenchman2 however with one of the biggest budgets in world football and a squad boasting the talents of mesut ozil and pierre-emerick aubameyang the arsenal job remains highly sought after2 here are five contenders to take over at the emirates2 the inspirational captain of arsenals invincibles that went an entire league season unbeaten in 2003-04 vieira is a symbol of the glory years under wenger2 vieira won three league titles and three fa cups during his playing days at arsenal but has taken his first steps in management with another of his former clubs manchester city2 the frenchman took charge of citys elite development squad for 18 months before joining new york city part of a network of clubs around the world owned by the city football group2 he led nycfc to the mls playoffs in each of his two full seasons in charge but lost out in the eastern conference semi-finals on both occasions2 arsenal are struggling to qualify for next seasons champions league with victory in the europa league their only realistic route back into europes premier club competition2 rodgers has restored his reputation in just under two years at celtic with the glasgow giants on the brink of sweeping a treble of domestic trophies under the northern irishman for a second consecutive season2 the 45-year-olds three-and-a-half year spell at liverpool ended on a sour note in october 2015 but he came as close as anyone to ending their 28-year wait for a premier league title in 2013-142 celtics major shareholder dermot desmond said on friday he would not stand in rodgers way2 i dont think you can put handcuffs on anybody if they want to go to a club as good as arsenal he said. it will be brendans decision and brendans decision only2 a world cup winner loew has resisted the temptation to swap international football for the rigours of day-to-day club management and is under contract with the german federation until 20202 despite being one of the favourites for the job with the bookies loews chances are harmed by the fact he will lead germany at the world cup this summer2 arsenal chief executive ivan gazidis conceded the club are likely to favour a quick appointment with an early end to the transfer window in august leaving just three weeks between the world cup final in moscow on july 15 and the closing of the window for premier league clubs on august 92

Manchester United break Spurs hearts for FA Cup final
News & Trends •
manchester united inflicted more fa cup semi-final misery on tottenham hotspur as they recovered from a poor start to win 2-1 at a packed wembley stadium on saturday3 tottenham playing on the ground which has been their temporary home all season got off to a dream start3 dele alli scored from close range but alexis sanchez equalised with a header and ander herrera fired uniteds winner midway through the second half3 while united can look forward to the prospect of finishing the season with some silverware tottenham must pick themselves up after an eighth successive fa cup semi-final loss3 the usual spursy argument will be made and there will come a point when this undoubtedly talented side must back up the bouquets it gets with actual trophies the true currency of success3 spurs flew out of the blocks but simply could not put united away and there was an air of desperation and frustration3 there was also the questions of pochettinos decision to persist with michel vorm in goal and keep first-choice hugo lloris on the bench3 while it is harsh to place defeat solely at vorms door he certainly could have done better with herreras winner3 harry kane could not find his usual sure touch and son heung-min superb this season had one of those days when nothing went right3 standing between united and a record-equalling 13th fa cup triumph will be chelsea or southampton who play on sunday3

Mace theft: NASS tightens security
News & Trends •
by ericjames ochigbo6 security was beefed up at the national assembly complex on thursday after wednesdays invasion of the senate by some hoodlums who made away with the mace1 the news agency of nigerian nan observed the deployment of heavily-armed security personnel at the complex who were conducting serious search of vehicles entering the premises1 an additional checkpoint was mounted at the entrance of the three arms zone near the federal secretariat with heavy presence of policemen monitoring movement around the area1 the doors to senate wing lobby which were hitherto often open were closed and manned by security officers who ensured that those who walked through the area were properly identified1 an official of sergeant-at-arms unit who pleaded anonymity told nan that henceforth nobody would be allowed to evade security checks even when in the company with a legislator1 the source disclosed that those who invaded the assembly on wednesday made their way into the senate chamber because they were in company with a lawmaker and were not properly checked1 he said going forward anybody entering the complex must go through proper security check irrespective of whose company they might be or their mission1 nan also observed that officials of sergeant-at-arms unit insisted that people displayed their identity cards and those without identity were not allowed into the complex. nan1

Former Presidents, leaders unite against Buhari in 2019 PDP
News & Trends •
on wednesdays mace at the senate chamber he called for the prosecution of those responsible for the act1 all former presidents and leaders of nigeria are in unison to effect a change in the leadership of the country in 2019 opposition peoples democratic party pdp claimed on thursday1 his claim could not be corroborated as only two former nigerian leaders olusegun obasanjo and ibrahim babangida had expressed opinions about the need for a new leadership in the country1 but the two leaders are not in support of the pdp1 the other surviving leaders yakubu gowon shehu shagari abdulsalami abubakar and ernest shonekan have not voiced any opinion1 secondus called on members of the party and other political parties to join forces to rescue power from the apc1 he said that the party was consulting various interest groups and political stakeholders for synergy to enable regain power in 2019 elections1 secondus said that the consultation with the groups was useful and that in coming days a broader platform would be raised to wrestle power from the all progressives congress apc1 he said that pdp had taken it upon itself as the leading opposition party to broaden its scope open its doors and allow ideas to flow in for a more robust democratic process1 our consultations have taken us to meet with various interest groups who are willing to do business with us1 i can report to you that it has been very fruitful1 we expect in the coming days to have a broader political family working hard to rescue this democracy and our beloved country from the hands of apc1 we therefore invite our brothers sisters youths and women from other political parties in this platform to join us to rescue our country that is in distress socially politically economically and security-wise1 the national chairman of the party mr uche secondus stated this at an emergency national executive committee nec meeting in abuja1 the chairman described the incident as ugly and sad which underscored the fact that the countrys democracy was seriously under threat1 he said how did the hoodlums pass through all the security checks majestically walked into the chambers to cause such havoc leaving much to chew to all discerning minds1 what happened in the senate yesterday is a clear assault on democracy a coup against the legislature and should not only be condemned but those responsible should be tried for treason as demanded by the law1 herdsmen brazenly invade our homes and farms rape maim and kill our people daily and thugs do the same in our parliament yet we have a government1 this obnoxious development has placed enormous challenge on us as the main opposition party to up our game and quickly rescue this country from the appalling apc administration1 secondus also expressed disbelief on the news credited to president muhammadu buhari describing nigerian youths as lazy people and his continued de-marketing of nigeria each time he travels outside the country1 our youths are not lazy they are resourceful and indeed they are our future leaders1 on his part deputy president of the senate chief ike ekweremadu who explained senate incident said it was not just a coincidence but collusion1 according to him this will send a wrong signal to foreign investors interested in investing in the country1 ekweremadu however pledged the support of pdp senators for all pdp activities1 in his part governor of ekiti state and chairman of pdp governors forum ayodele fayose pledged that the hope of nigerians in the party would not be let down1 fayose also expressed optimism that the pdp would emerge victorious in the july 14 governorship election in his state. nan1

Mace Saga: How Ekweremadu redeemed Lawmakers image
News & Trends •
by abiemwense moru3 on my part i have removed arms from the name sergeant at arms he said1 some hoodlums had on wednesday broken into the senate chamber while plenary was on attacked some persons and made away with the mace1 but rather than panicking and scampering at different directions ekweremadu who was presiding ordered that a back-up mace be brought and continued with the session1 akinlaja told news agency of nigeria nan on thursday in abuja that ekweremadu used common sense to avert further consequences over the incident1 according to him the decision of the senate to continue plenary is commendable1 he explained that the common sense displayed by the deputy president of the senate by not forcefully ejecting sen. ovie omo-agege from the chamber was unprecedented1 omo-agege who is suspected to be instrumental to the invasion of the senate also defied his suspension by the chamber on april 9 for 90 legislative days by coming to sit at plenary after the incident1 if ekweremadu had asked him to go out yesterday or forcefully pulled him out the senate chamber would have been divided and there would have been more chaos1 by sitting inside the senate chamber throughout the executive session and the rest of plenary showed that omo agege was out to disobey and confront the decision of the senate but the presiding officer was very wise1 he allowed it in order not to create a scene or division on the floor. you know there will be some senators who are sympathetic to omo-agege and some against him1 what he did by sitting inside the senate chamber was the height of impunity akinlaja said1 when we had such a case in the house the legislator served his term then he came back and was re-absorbed1 since then we have been working together as if nothing happened1 a member of house of representatives rep. joseph akinlaja ondo-pdp has said deputy president of the senate mr ike ekweremadus wisdom saved nigeria a greater embarrassment on wednesday1 but in most cases you obey but now he has complicated the whole matter1 even those who have sympathy for him cannot come out to defend him with this type of action1 he cannot say he brought thugs to the place but when the thugs are caught they will tell who brought them1 he has denied bringing the thugs and that is why the police released him pending investigation but i am not ready to speak about that now he added1 the lawmaker also said that a big lesson learnt from the invasion of the senate was to tighten security in the national assembly1 it was the height of negligence for people who were not members to enter the chambers1 even if the president of nigeria is to enter any of the chambers there must be a motion seeking the leave of the house for his entrance1 the distance from the entrance of the chamber to the table where the mace was and the distance back was enough for counter reaction1 does it mean that our sergeant-at-arms do not have walkie-talkie a single communication from the chambers to the gate would have saved the day1 even the three gates that they beat before getting away are unimaginable. they even had the guts to abduct a senator that was lucky to be dropped along the way1 i recommend a beefing up of the security apparatus in the national assembly1 a legislator comes here to make law and he does not bear arms and the people meant to protect him do not bear arms either1 the action of sen. ovie omo-agege was reprehensible. if your own class takes a decision against you you have a right to obey and you also have a right to go to court1

2019 presidential race: 2 million-man-match for Bafarawa
News & Trends •
by shuaib sadiq2 the two cases were filed by the economic and financial crimes commission1 abdullahi muazu the coordinator of the groups under the platform of bafarawa initiative for peace unity and progress made this known to newsmen after a meeting in kaduna on friday1 he also expressed their readiness to obtain nomination form for bafarawa when the time comes1 bafarawa is a respected and peaceful personality and a more focused nigerian full of ideas and respect for the youths than most of those indicating interest in the race so far muazu said1 according to him bafarawa as a politician and former governor is hardworking and disciplined politician who has transformed sokoto state better than any other governor in the history of the state1 he is a politician with nationwide outreach and can be trusted. the northwest has more formidable and qualified politicians who can deliver great things in terms of development1 some groups in kaduna have resolved to organise a two-million-man-match to the convince former sokoto state governor attahiru bafarawa to join the 2019 presidential race1 meanwhile spokesman of the former governor malam yusuf dingyadi said bafarawa would study the groups demand and look at the political scenario of the country before taking a decision1 dingyadi told the news agency of nigeria nan in a telephone interview that the pdp chieftain would soon respond to the demands of the groups1 he will do that in the best interest of nigeria and nigerians. bafarawas mind is certainly preoccupied with how to contribute his quota to make nigeria better with best of ideas1 for over two years now some nigerians have been persuading bafarawa to declares intention to contest the office of the president but he is still studying the situation and praying for divine intervention over the matter dingyadi said1 bafarawa is facing alleged corruption charges before a sokoto high court on his activities when he served as governor between 2003 and 20071 he also has another case over arms funds allegedly diverted by former national security adviser sambo dasuki1 the current federal government has failed nigerian youths with insecurity economic crisis and high rate of unemployment he said1

Crisis rocks Ekiti delegates congress of PDP
News & Trends •
the major gladiators are governor fayose former minister of works mr. dayo adeyeye and senator representing ekiti south sen. abiodun olujimi3 by ariwodola idowu3 aluko was beaten up by persons suspected to be political thugs over allegation that he was working against ikere agenda fashioned by gov. ayo fayose in support of his deputy prof kolapo olusola3 aluko who led a group of youth to the secretariat of the party to register his protest over alleged subversion of the oppositions will was chased away from the congress3 the supporter of former works minister mr dayo adeyeye was beaten with canes and cudgels and his sparkling apparel heavily stained3 aluko accused the deputy governor and a member of the house of assembly representing ikere constituency 1 mr. wale ayeni as the masterminds of the attack3 our group won election at ogbonjana ward 7 and we were rejoicing only for these thugs to pounce on me and started beating me3 i have reported the case to the police and proper action will be taken against the sponsors he added3 the fragile peace brokered recently in the party broke down as the political gladiators squared up in virtually all the 177 wards where elected delegates were expected to emerge preparatory for the may 8 governorship primary3 crisis on saturday rocked the delegates congress of the peoples democratic party pdp in ekiti leading to an attack on a former chairman of ikere local gvernment mr. mr banji aluko3 they engaged in battle of wits in the delegates election3 while fayose is backing his deputy olusola to succeed him in the july 14 governorship poll the duo of adeyeye and olujimi were also contesting the same seat3 adeyeye described the congress as a charade calling for outright cancellation of the exercise to prevent anarchy3 adeyeye said the election was brazenly manipulated in all the 177 wards accusing the leaders of pdp ad hoc committees sent to the 16 local governments of diverting the materials meant for the election3 former senate president david mark led other top hierarchy of the party to conduct the congress3 the national chairman of the pdp chief uche secondus and members of the national working committee as well as senator mark were in ado ekiti last wednesday to mediate between the opposing camps3 tension was particularly high in ikere ekiti hometown of the fayoses deputy as factions fought over the control of the ikere local government delegates in all the eleven wards in the council3 adeyeye who spoke through his media assistant niyi ojo said there was no election anywhere in the state. those loyal to fayose sat somewhere and wrote the list of delegates3 what really marvelled us was that the committees sent by the national headquarters to conduct the election didnt go to the wards they diverted he alleged nan3

Kaduna Electoral Commission building on fire
News & Trends •
by shuaib sadiq2 fire on saturday razed the two-storey building of kaduna state independent electoral commission kadsiecom few weeks before the local government election in the state2 the election in the 23 lgs and 255 wards has been scheduled for may 122 eye witness told the news agency of nigeria nan that the huge fire was noticed around 11 24 a.m. on top of the building located along sokoto road gra kaduna2 ibrahim musa told nan the huge flames followed a thick smoke that was noticed from the top floor of the building earlier2 the cause of the fire had yet to be ascertained even as fire fighting officials were seen putting out the fire2 the agency had said it procured six thousand electronic machines and card readers for the may 12 lgs elections2 as at press time chairperson of the commission mrs saratu dikko who arrived at the commissions premises with other officials declined to comment2

Photo News: Adeosun, Elumelu, others at IMF/World Bank meeting
News & Trends •
by racheal ishaya6 the minister of finance mrs kemi adeosun and the central bank governor on sunday left nigeria for washington dc to join other economic experts from around the world in discussing issues affecting global economy3 the discussions is taking place under the auspices of the world bank group and the international monetary fund imf3 the spring meetings of the imf and the world bank will bring together central bankers ministers of finance and development parliamentarians private sector executives representatives from civil society organisations and academics3 they will discuss issues of global concern including the world economic outlook poverty eradication economic development and aid effectiveness3 also featured are seminars regional briefings press conferences and many other events focused on the global economy international development and the worlds financial system3 below are some pictures from the meeting3

Enugu LG Chair promises electricity to all households
News & Trends •
ezinwa said that with constant electricity the issue of pipe-borne water would be tackled as there would be electricity to power generating sets in mini-water schemes in the council area3 they need effective renovation for us to put them to normal shape so that pupils can go back to the classrooms and learn like their counterparts in the cities he said3 ezinwa made the promise in an interview with the news agency of nigeria nan on saturday in enugu3 according to him he has made contact with the enugu electricity distribution company eedc and other rural electrification agencies and partners on how best to achieve this within record time3 my foremost priority now is to improve the infrastructure of the council area especially the extension of electricity from one community to another3 this will ensure that areas not currently energised in the council area would be energised with electricity so that the lives of rural dwellers can be touched he said3 mr chukwudi ezinwa the chairman of ezeagu local government in enugu state says his priority is to provide electricity to all households in the council area3 the chairman said he would also focus on staff welfare and education during his two-year tenure3 he said that there must be a harmonious relationship between the government and its staff because the workers being the creator of the wealth must work hand together with the government to move the administration forward3 no government can survive without taking adequate care of its staff3 another area of importance to my administration is education. most of the primary schools in the council area are dilapidated3 by stanley nwanosike2

23 cultists, 15 vandals in trouble
News & Trends •
the goc further said that the troops of the 81 division also raided some suspected pipeline vandals at ilara and imagbon areas of ikorodu to stop them from vandalising the countrys pipelines3 the nigerian army has arrested 23 suspected cultists who were conducting physical training for new recruits and initiation and involved in robbery and kidnapping3 maj.-gen. enobong udoh the general officer commanding goc 81 division of the nigerian army reported at a news conference at the 174 battalion ikorodu area of lagos on saturday3 udoh was represented by the brigade commander brig.-gen. moundhey ali3 the goc who said the suspects were arrested at different times and locations explained that the arrests were a result of intensive surveillance and intelligence report3 in continuation of the crackdown on criminal elements and cultists in and around lagos and ogun states the troops of 81 division arrested 23 suspected cultists in ikorodu area on april 163 over 50 suspected cultists from eiye confraternity were conducting physical training for new recruits initiation and planning for robbery and kidnap activities3 their arrest was preceded by a shootout between the troops of 174 battalion ikorodu and the cultists after which 23 of the suspected cultists were arrested while others escaped he said3 the goc said that two of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds adding that one of the suspected newly-recruited cultists died as a result of injuries inflicted on him during the cult initiation3 however one of our gallant soldiers while combatting the cultists sustained a gunshot wound on his left leg during the encounter and was immediately evacuated3 the soldier and the 2 wounded cultists are receiving treatment at the battalions medical reception station3 items recovered from the suspects include one locally-made double barrel pistol five live cartridges five machetes four jack knives two table knives three locally-fabricated axes with nail like edges and five mobile phones3 also recovered from them are one parcel containing substance suspected to be indian hemp. others are two atm cards eight identity cards nine passport photographs packets of condom rings and a variety of charms he said3 the army also arrested 15 other persons suspected to be pipeline vandals and recovered 31 jerry cans of refined petroleum products in the process3 the suspected vandals armed with ak-47 rifles fired sporadically and fled on sighting the troops3 during the operation sabotaged portions of the nigerian national petroleum corporation nnpc pipelines were observed in imoro creek in imagbon3 items recovered from them include one wooden boat 40 empty jerry cans each weighing 50 litres and a 1000-metre-long hose ostensibly used in siphoning products by the suspected vandals3 the recovered items were destroyed and no arrest was made udoh said3 the goc also said that seven impersonators were arrested alongside eight suspected vandals on april 17 in lagos and ogun states3 while on anti-bunkering patrol along imoro creek in ikorodu troops discovered sabotaged points along the nnpc pipeline including a loading area in the creek for siphoned products where eight suspected vandals were arrested3 items recovered from them include 10 vehicles 31 jerry cans loaded with refined products 77 empty jerry cans three coolers nine mobile phones and substances suspected to be hard drugs3 another set of 1320 empty jerry cans were also discovered and destroyed3 in addition seven suspected impostors were arrested by troops while on operation checkmate he said3 udoh expressed appreciation to the general public and particularly the people of lagos and ogun states for their continuous cooperation3 he urged them to always give timely information that would help the division in its operations3 he pledged not to relent until the area of responsibility of the division was completely rid of all forms of cultism vandalism and other violent criminal activities and elements3 the suspects are undergoing preliminary investigation after which they will be handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further investigations and prosecution he said. nan3

Buhari: Gani Fawehinmi was a pacesetter
News & Trends •
in 1984 when lawyers in nigeria boycotted the anti-corruption tribunals set up by the buhari led military regime to try corrupt politicians fawehinmi decided to appear before the tribunals. consequentlyhe was isolated by the nigerian bar association. but gani was undeterred3 as part of the posthumous celebration of the human rights advocate the lagos state government will unveil a new statue in his honour at the gani fawehinmi memorial park in ojota3

Buhari returns to Abuja from London
News & Trends •
kifordu said nigeria is attractive to investors because of buharis fight against corruption in the country4 he claimed that the previous administration gave room for rot and corrupt activities4 we have a president in nigeria that people can look at and trust that if i invest in nigeria my investment will not be stolen4 when we talk of security he has done security in terms of boko haram and in terms of the niger delta he said4 explaining further how president buhari is resetting the country kifordu said it is the primary role of the police and not the military to protect nigerian citizens and president buhari is enforcing this4 the police is the number one organisation that takes care of our security. it is only when we are under attack that the military comes in4 in past years we have seen the issue when the military jumps on board without paying regard to the police. then suddenly when something happens in nigeria mr president says deploy the police people are saying dont deploy the police4 however an earlier statement in abuja by the presidents senior special assistant on media and publicity malam garba shehu said the shell investment ventures would lay the foundation for the next 20 years production and domestic gas supply bringing with it all the attendant benefits both to the economy and the wider society3 but like oliver twist we ask for more investments. we are encouraging more british companies to come to nigeria3 we appreciate the support you have given in training and equipping our military particularly in the war against insurgency but we want to also continue to work with you on trade and investment3 buhari also briefed the prime minister on the strides in agriculture which he said had put nigeria firmly on the road to food self-sufficiency3 i am very pleased with the successes in agriculture. we have cut rice importation by about 90 per cent made lots of savings of foreign exchange and generated employment3 people had rushed to the cities to get oil money at the expense of farming. but luckily they are now going back to the farms. even professionals are going back to the land3 we are making steady progress on the road to food security he said3 the president recalled that the all progressives congress-led government had campaigned on three major issues to secure the country revive the economy and fight corruption3 according to him as the 2019 general election approaches politicians are already pre-occupied with the polls while he is bothered more about security and the economy3 we have elections next year politicians are already pre-occupied with the polls but i am bothered more about security and the economy he stressed3 prime minister may in her remarks said britain would continue to work with nigeria in the areas of training and equipping the military3 she also said that her country would continue to assist nigeria on the rehabilitation of abducted schoolgirls freed from by boko haram3 on april 18 president buhari delivered his keynote address at the commonwealth business forum at guildhall london where he enjoined leaders of the commonwealth to avoid trade wars and work collectively to preserve the global trading order3 the commonwealth business forum cbf with the theme making business easier between commonwealth countries was part of events at this years commonwealth heads of state meeting chogm- 253 president buhari said if we are to make business easier between our countries and going beyond the commonwealth we must avoid trade wars and work collectively to preserve the global trading order support regional initiatives as well as support domestic structural reforms that focus on the priorities of individual countries3 he reiterated his belief in wealth creation and employment opportunities within the commonwealth3 president buhari called on the members of the commonwealth business forum and prospective investors to participate in the 2018 uknigeria trade and investment forum at the london stock exchange3 the president also met with the chief executive officer of royal dutch shell plc mr ben van beurden in connection with shell and other partners plan to invest 15b in nigerias oil industry3 nan observed that no statement was issued on the outcome of the meeting which was held behind closed doors3 the president on april 9 left abuja for london after he announced his intention to seek re-election in the 2019 general election3 president buhari also met with the archbishop of canterbury his grace justin welby and chieftain of the all progressives congress apc asiwaju bola tinubu in london3 archbishop welby said it was always a delight to see president buhari whom i have tremendous respect for3 you have my best wishes on your recent decision. i read your declaration speech3 we are neutral as a church but we will pray for you. great statesmen are those who run for the good of their country. we will be praying for you3 the archbishop presented president buhari with a copy of his recent book reimagining britain. foundations for hope3 president buhari on april 15 received members of the buhari diaspora support organisation led by mr charles sylvester. he reassured the group that his administration would always justify the trust and confidence reposed in it by nigerians3 he saidwe will do our best to justify your trust in us and that confidence wont be abused3 i am happy that people like you are here on your own defending the country. you have shown courage and sacrifice3 i assure you that your confidence in us wont be abused we will do our best to justify it3 president buhari also said that nigeria was gifted with tremendous human and natural resources but regretted that the failure of some of the leadership we had in the past led to our not being able to capitalise on resources to improve the lot of the people3 the president said his administration has not done too badly benchmarked against the state of the nation in 20153 he explained that government was doing its best to recover looted funds noting however that it was impossible to identify and recover all the loots3 nan reports that the presidents visit to london witnessed various rallies in support of his administration3 on april 20 some nigerians converged in front of the nigerian high commission in london to rally in support of the apc-led federal government3 the president is resetting the country on the path of growth and development said mr. stephen kifordu from delta state the leader of the group3 according to him there is no credible alternative to buhari and vice president yemi osinbajo in the 2019 election noting that the group represents the aspiration of many nigerians who want progress for nigeria3 president muhammadu buhari has returned to abuja after his visit to the united kingdom where he held bilateral talks on nigeria british relations and also participated in the commonwealth heads of government meeting chogm3 the news agency of nigeria nan reports that the presidential aircraft which left london at about 1p.m.nigerian time landed at the presidential wing of the nnamdi azikiwe international airport abuja at about 7.10p.m3 president buhari was received at the airport by service chiefs minister of the federal capital territory alhaji muhammed bello and chief of staff to the president malam abba kyari3 others at the airport to welcome the president included the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity malam garba shehu and other presidential aides3 while in london president buhari on april 16 held bilateral talks with british prime minister theresa may where he asked for more british investments in nigeria3 buhari commended british companies unilever cadbury and many others3 the president noted that the companies had stood with nigeria through thick and thin. he said they remained in nigeria even when the country fought a civil war3 president buhari is resetting our country. he is bringing us back to the way things should be3 this support rally came 24 hours after a group bearing biafran flags staged a protest in front of the commonwealth house in westminister london3

Djokovic passes Coric test in Monte Carlo
News & Trends •
and he dug deep to break back thanks to two backhand unforced errors from djokovic2 novak djokovic needed 10 match points to claim a hard-fought straight-sets victory over the dangerous borna coric on wednesday setting up a monte carlo masters third-round clash with dominic thiem2 djokovic is working with long-time former coach marian vajda for the first time in almost a year after splitting from andre agassi and the 30-year-old has looked rejuvenated in monaco after early exits in indian wells and miami2 the serbian will next face austrian fifth seed thiem with a possible quarter-final against defending champion rafael nadal who plays aljaz bedene later on wednesday up for grabs2 the first game set the tone for the rest of the match with djokovic eventually holding after nine minutes of bruising baseline rallies that included a missed break point for coric2 the 21-year-old croatian also saved a break point in his first service game but could not fend off djokovic for long as the two-time monte carlo winner moved 3-1 ahead when coric mishit a smash2 coric has been in fine form so far this year reaching the semi-finals at indian wells before a run to the last eight in miami2 the 12-time grand slam champion playing only his fourth tournament since wimbledon last july after struggling with a right elbow injury overcame some late nerves to win 7-6 72 7-52 but djokovic was rock solid in a tie-break as coric became ragged dumping a simple short ball into the net and firing a backhand long to gift his opponent the first set2 djokovic was showing the ferocity and accuracy of old in his groundstrokes and he had the better of three straight breaks to take control2 but the 39th-ranked coric saved two match points on his own serve before fighting back from 40-0 down as djokovic struggled to get over the line as he served for the match2 a succession of wild backhands and a tame forehand into the net saw four more match points come and go before coric levelled the set at 5-5 as djokovic blasted wide and long2 he rediscovered his composure though to break again and finally complete the job at the 10th time of asking as coric sent a backhand flying long2 the former world number four who has struggled over the last year with a right wrist injury followed up his first-round victory against tomas berdych with a solid display on centre court2

Win 2018 World Cup, get $24m, Pinnick tells Eagles
News & Trends •
the nff boss further said that the glass house had already secured 2.8 million to pay the players allowances and bonuses during the mundial3 amaju pinnick the president nigeria football federation nff has said that the super eagles stand the chance of pocketing 24 million if they play in the final of the 2018 world cup3 pinnick told newsmen in abuja on wednesday at a parley that the money was part of the agreement reached with the players to share 50-50 whatever would accrue to the country if they get to the final and lift the trophy3 i dont put players under pressure. pressure can be put on them unconsciously because we are creating enabling environment for them3 if for example we dont have money to prepare them they can now relax but now we have given them everything upfront and now they should deliver3 if today they get to the final the world cup money will be shared 50-50 between the team and the nff3 winning the final is 48 million dollars it means the team will get 24 million dollars and the football house will take the remaining 24 million dollars pinnick said3 he also said that adequate preparation including grade a friendly matches have been secured with england and czech republic to ensure the team do well at the world cup3 the news agency of nigeria nan reports that the world cup will hold from june 14 to july 15 in russia3 we are ready to play against england on june 2 in london in an international friendly we had a conclusive meeting with the english fa3 after the england match we will play czech republic and from there we move to russia. as it is everything is going on very well3 for the world cup i dont think we have any problem i am in touch with the technical committee. it is the desire of every nigerian to see the super eagles do well at the world cup3 we had a meeting with the team we signed a contract with them and ready to pay them 20 per cent of eight million which is what accrued to us for qualifying for the world cup3 at the end of the day it amounts to 2.8million dollars which will go to the players. the money is almost 100 per cent ready pinnick added3 pinnick also explained that the football house met with some state governors who were ready to assist the nff financially to achieve the countrys world cup dream3 he commended president muhammadu buhari for his support for the nff and the super eagles and assured that they would not let him down in russia3

Attack on Senate `assault on Nigerias democracy Atiku
News & Trends •
atiku said that given the tension in the country the timing of the attack could not have come at a worse time for nigeria2 former vice president atiku abubakar has condemned the invasion of the senate chamber by thugs led by suspended senator ovie omo-agege who snatched the mace- the symbol of authority of the upper house1 atiku in a statement from his media office in abuja on wednesday said the attack was a dangerous precedent and an assault on nigerias democracy by anti-democratic elements1 i am utterly embarrassed shocked and outraged by this ugly development because it is not only a threat to a major democratic institution but it also represents a grave danger to the survival of our democracy1 if criminals could commit such security breach with impunity it means that our entire democracy is in danger those behind this illegality should be prosecuted to avoid creating a monster that could consume them1 it is unacceptable and reprehensible to subject the national assembly to this intimidation and humiliation. this attack by thugs should not go unpunished no matter who is involved he said1 he said that using illegal and unconstitutional methods to threaten the authority of a key democratic institution was unacceptable evil and condemnable1 the former vice-president noted that it was inconceivable that hoodlums could force their way into the senate and take away the mace1 he called for the immediate investigation into the incident and the prompt prosecution of those involved1