By Harrison Arubu

Former Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has renewed his call for Borno South Senatorial District to be allowed to produce the next governor of the state.

Ndume made the call when he appeared as a guest on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

The lawmaker, who represents Borno South in the Senate, noted that in the interest of fairness, equity and natural justice, it was proper for someone from his constituency to be allowed to serve the state as governor.

It is feasible if there is an agreement, and that is what I have been advocating for, I am part of the advocacy for power rotation.

But let me say that when I was the Senate leader, I made sure that power rotation was included in the Constitution Amendment Bill.

Unfortunately, it did not see the light of the day because the majority had their way. But we have started the struggle. It is not something that is realisable in a day.

Ndume identified lack of unity and understanding among the minorities in the district as the major challenge undermining their aspiration.

He, however, said he had seen some improvement as the people of southern Borno had become more united than before.

We are giving it a shot, because out of the 23 or 24 contestants for the gubernatorial election, we have about three or four people from southern Borno, this time around.

Although it is still a small number if you look at it, but we are hoping we will get there one day, he said.

Source: NAN

Singapores anti-trust watchdog fined ride-hailing firms Grab and Uber, a combined 9.5 million dollars over their merger-deal, and ordered Uber to sell vehicles from its local leasing business to any rival that makes a reasonable offer.

The deal invited regulatory scrutiny in the region, with the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) in a rare move launching an investigation just days after the deal was announced.

The CCCS on Monday said it had finalised several measures to lessen the impact of the transaction on drivers and riders, and open up the market for new players.

It also said it had found the merger to have substantially reduced competition in the market.

The regulator said it has fined Uber S$6.6 million and Grab S$6.4 million, to deter future completed, irreversible mergers that harm competition.

It also ordered Grab to remove its exclusivity arrangements with drivers and taxi fleets.

Mergers that substantially lessen competition are prohibited.

CCCS has taken action against the Grab-Uber merger because it removed Grabs closest rival, to the detriment of Singapore drivers and riders, CCCS Chief Executive, Toh Han Li, said in a statement.

The regulator said effective fares on Grab rose 10 to 15 per cent after the deal, and that the firm now holds a Singapore market share of around 80 per cent.

It told Grab to maintain its pre-merger pricing algorithm and driver commission rates.

It also ordered Uber to sell vehicles of its Singapore-based Lion City Rentals to any potential competitor who makes a reasonable offer based on fair-market value.

It prohibited Uber from selling those vehicles to Grab without regulatory approval.

Lion Citys fleet totalled 14,000 vehicles as of December.

Uber said it believed the CCCSs decision was based on an inappropriately narrow definition of the market, and incorrectly describes the dynamic nature of the industry, saying it would consider appealing.

Grab said it completed the transaction within its legal rights, and maintained it did not intentionally or negligently breach competition laws.

It added that it had not raised fares since the deal, and said for drivers to have full maximum choice, all transport players, including taxi operators, should also be subjected to non-exclusivity conditions.

It said it would abide by remedies set out by the CCCS.

Source: NAN

DTigress, Nigerias female basketball team made history at the ongoing FIBA Womens World Cup in Spain as they stunned Turkey 74-68 in the Group B game decided on Sunday in Tenerife.

It was Nigerias first-ever FIBA Womens World Cup victory and the first time the female team would defeat any European opponent.

With the victory, the Nigerian side, nicknamed DTigress, put themselves in a strong position to finish second in Group B

Sarah Ogoke shot the highest point for Nigeria, as her with 22 points helped propel DTigress against their formidable counterparts.

Evelyn Akhator also impressed with a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Turkey struggled for much of the game, as Isil Alben contributed 15 points, while Esra Ural Topuz suffered a knee injury.

An elated Ogoke told reporters after the match: It was great. I have played for a while with the National Team and I felt as though I personally had a point to prove.

We finally got an opportunity to show what we can do with this historic win against Turkey, she said.

Coach of DTigress, Otis Hughley praised the teams courage against a respected Turkish side: Turkey have been through a lot to build that programme and for us to sneak a little shortcut like that

I was praying almost on my knees as were so inexperienced and young. We came through a lot of adversity and mistakes and were still able to fight off a couple of runs.

We even held on with some poise, the coach said.

Senegal, another country representing Africa at the tournament, also recorded their first-ever victory against Latvia to make it a memorable night for Africa.

Nigerias final group game will be against Argentina, on Tuesday who are yet to record a victory.

Source: NAN

By Dianabasi Effiong

The President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has advised Nigerias flagbearers in the semi-finals of 2018 CAF Confederation Cup, Enyimba FC of Aba, to have unwavering self-belief when they confront Raja Casablanca of Morocco.

According the federations Media Aide, Ademola Olajire, Pinnick gave the advise on Sunday while congratulating the Peoples Elephant for their 5-1 defeat of Rayon Sports of Rwanda.

The match, played at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, qualified the team for the semi-finals of the competition on a 5-1 aggregate.

I want to commend the players and members of the technical staff for their endeavour in this competition so far.

I watched their match against CARA Brazzaville in the group phase and I know the players and technical crew have great ambition and can go all the way to the final and do Nigeria proud by winning the cup.

Their next opponents, Raja Casablanca, are a tough act. But Enyimba have the players and the technical team to plot victory and all they require is strong self-belief to conquer the Moroccans, Pinnick said in statement by Olajire.

I appeal to all Nigerian fans and football stakeholders to give the club necessary support to make us smile as they are the only Nigerian club left in continental club competition this year.

I want to specially praise the efforts of the chairman of the club, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, who is a ranking Member of the NFF Executive Committee.

The man deserves honour as he has done so much for Nigerian football. I recall he has been with the team for the past 20 years and led them to two CAF Champions League titles they have won for Nigeria.

Following a scoreless draw in Kigali a week earlier, the Aba outfit started appropriately, as an alert Augustine Dimgba slotted into the visitors net after capitalising on a defensive error in the 13minute.

But Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana equalised from a close range effort 12 minutes later and the visitors were hopeful.

Enyimba, winners of the CAF Champions League title in 2003 and 2004, regained control in the 29minute as left back Utin Ikouwem finished brilliantly after picking up a loose ball.

Two minutes after the re-start, Sunday Adetunji made it three for the homers, while Joseph Osadiaye, making up for earlier misses, scored the fourth in the 58minute to take the home team out of sight of the visitors.

Not done yet, Enyimba kept the fire alive and Isiaka Oladuntoye scored the fifth goal in the 76minute.

The Nigerians will host Raja Casablanca, first winners of the CAF Champions League title in 1999, in the first leg of their semi-final fixture at the Enyimba International Stadium on Oct. 3, with the return leg in Casablanca three weeks later.

Source: NAN

Real Madrid star Luka Modric, the latest to be caught by the Spanish taxman, has admitted two counts of tax fraud and accepted an eight-month suspended prison sentence as part of a plea bargain deal with prosecutors.

Cristiano Ronaldo, formerly of Madrid, Lionel Messi of Barcelona, former Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho and Brazilian midfielder Marcelo, have all admitted various tax offences.

According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo, Modric would be given the chance to substitute the prison term for a fine totalling (54,000) 60,000.

The 33-year-old Modric, recently voted the 2018 World Cups best player, was accused last November of tax fraud of up to 870,728 (783.64) in image rights in 2013 and 2014 using a limited company based in Luxembourg.

The company, Ivano, S.A.R.L, was named after his son Ivano and managed by his wife Vanja Bosnia.

Spanish tax authorities sought information from authorities in the Isle of Man as part of their probe into Modric amid warnings it could accuse him of defrauding a higher amount.

But prosecutors decided after inquiries there was no basis to increase the penalty they were seeking.

El Mundo reported the footballer would have to pay a total of 1.26 million (1.4 million) if he wanted to wipe his slate clean with the Spanish taxman for the years 2013 and 2014.

The payment would cover the amount defrauded, a fine of 313,450 (48,291) representing 40 per cent of the fraud, and the fine substituting the prison term.

According to reports, he had paid 900,000 of the amount owed at the start of the criminal proceedings.

Recent reports in Spain have claimed he has also been fined 1.08 million (1.2 million) for irregularities in his 2012 tax return which he is contesting but is being dealt with administratively rather than by way of criminal proceedings.

Modric, who signed for Real Madrid in August 2012, remains under the spotlight in his homeland over allegations he provided false information in the trial of former Dinamo Zagreb director Zdravko Mamic.

He was charged in March and is awaiting a trial date. Liverpools Croatian defender Dejan Lovren was charged with the same offence of perjury earlier this week as he was accused of giving false statements during Mamics trial.

Mamic, once the most powerful figure in Croatian football, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison in June after being found guilty of siphoning off millions of pounds in transfer fees.

Source: NAN

The Nigerian police have arrested two PDP agents out on a mission to buy votes in the course of voting in the Osun governorship election.

The agents, identified as Adebayo Rafiu and Muraian Latif, were caught with a sack with the inscription: Senator Isiaka Adeleke Free Rice, in Iwo.

According to a post on the officialNPF Twitter handle, the bag contained N640,000.

Two (2) suspected vote buyers have been arrested by a team of police personnel on election duty at Iwo LGA of OSUN State and the sum of N604,000 recovered from their possession. Investigation is being intensified.

Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG)

An update on the arrest said the men claimed they were given the money by their ward chairman, to buy votes.

Punch had earlier reported another PDP agent arrested for giving out money at a polling centre in Ede, the hometown of the PDP governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday, along with his wife, Aisha, depart for New York to participate in the 73rd Session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA73) which officially opened September 18, 2018.

The theme for this years Session is: Making the United Nations relevant to all People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies.

The highpoint of President Buharis participation will be his address on Tuesday to the General Assembly on the opening day of the General Debate.

President Buhari will be accompanied by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma; and the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin.

Others on the presidential entourage include: the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammad Babandede; and the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.

The Presidents presentation on Tuesday of Nigerias National Statement is expected to reaffirm the nations commitment to international peace and security; sustainable socio-economic development; disarmament and denuclearisation; youth and women empowerment; climate change; rule of law and human rights; among others.

He is also expected to particularly canvass international support for the fight against corruption; the return of illicit assets; counter-terrorism and insurgency and curbing irregular migration.

President Buhari is also expected to seek support in re-settling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); recharging the receding Lake Chad.

Another major issue he will raise is on the need to reset the United Nations, especially the expansion of the permanent membership of the Security Council to make that vital principal organ of the global organisation reflect regional and equitable geographical representation.

The President and his wife, Aisha, will also attend a welcome reception hosted by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres and his spouse for Heads of State and Government and their spouses.

The Nigerian leader and his delegation will participate in a High-Level meeting on the Fight against Tuberculosis organised by the World Health Organisation as Nigeria currently ranks seventh amongst the high TB-burden countries globally, and second in Africa.

The Nigerian delegation is expected to attend the Mandela Peace Summit, which is a High-Level Meeting on Global Peace in honour of the centenary birth of the late South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela.

Other side-events lined up for the Nigerian delegation include: High-Level Meeting on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; World Economic Forums Sustainable Development Impact Summit; the Second Annual Bloomberg Global Business Forum; High-Level Meeting on Action for Peace-Keeping; Commemoration and Promotion of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons; High-Level Meeting on the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa; and Pathway to Localising a Global Agenda.

During the course of his stay in New York, in addition to the meeting with the UN Secretary-General, the Nigerian President is also expected to have bilateral meetings with African and world leaders including Bill Gates with a view to promoting national and African interests.

He will also grant audience to a select group of Nigerian professionals based in the United States.

Source: NAN

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has commended the large turnout of voters in Saturdays governorship election in the state and praised the Independent National Electoral Commission for its smooth conduct.

Aregbesola spoke after casting his vote at 11:50 am at his Ifofin Ward 8, Unit 1 Polling Unit in Ilesa. He arrived the polling unit with his wife, Sherifat, at 11:38am.

The governor said the large turnout of voters and their peaceful conduct were signals about their desire to elect a leader of their choice.

I must commend the voters for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner and for coming out in their large numbers. This is the beauty of democracy, he said.

But Sen. Iyiola Omisore, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) lamented what he called irregularities in the conduct of the voting exercise.

Omisore, who spoke after voting at his Moore Ward 1, 003 Polling Unit at 11:25 am, alleged that there were insufficient electoral materials in some polling units in Osogbo.

He also claimed that the card readers were malfunctioning in some polling units in Ile-Ife.

Nevertheless, Omisore urged the voters to exercise their civic responsibility by trooping out to vote.

He also urged the electorate to refrain from vote-selling, saying they would be mortgaging their future.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there are 3,010 Polling Units and 755 Polling Points spread across the three senatorial districts and 30 local governments areas of the state.

Although there are a total of 1,682,495 registered voters, over 400,000 Permanent Voters Cards remain uncollected as at Friday.

NAN also reports that while 48 parties are participating in the election, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party and Omisore of the Social Democratic Party remain the frontline candidates

Source: NAN

The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, has said that he did not violate the Constitution by not participating in the compulsory one year National Youth Services Corps (NYSC) Scheme.

The minister stated this while speaking with newsmen on Friday in Abuja, arguing that his case could not be compared to that of the former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

The minister who is one of the All Progressives Congress(APC) governorship aspirants in Oyo State, spoke after being interviewed by the APC screening committee.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the media had been awash with reports that the minister did not participate in the mandatory one year NYSC program after his graduation from the University in 1978. The compulsory NYSC programme began in 1973.

Former minister of finance, Adeosun resigned last week Friday following allegations that she forged the NYSC exemption certificate.

Shittu stressed that whereas the former Minister of Finance submitted a fake NYSC exemption certificate, he didnt obtain any certificate.

He added that he considered his service at the Oyo State Assembly as, a higher service. He said that he had not infringed on any law in the countrys Constitution by skipping NYSC.

Nigerian Tribune even reported that I left University in 1979, but in actual sense , I left in 1978 and left Law School in 1979.

And the Constitution says anyone who qualifies to contest an election or who has gone through an election and wins, he is obligated to move through the House of Assembly which I did for four years.

So it is a form of higher service as far as Im concerned, and even now, I am still in service.

I dont think I have violated the law except someone has a superior argument and can prove it,the minister said.

He stressed that his case was not like that of Adeosun, because according to him, there are differences.

Unfortunately, Kemi had a fake certificate, I didnt present any, I didnt have one.

I simply followed the constitutional requirement that if you are qualified to contest an election, it is compulsory for you to serve the nation in the capacity that you won an election,he said

Source: NAN

On a day that legendary coach, Sir Alex Ferguson returned to Old Trafford after his brain surgery, Manchester United failed to lift his spirit.

They were held to a 1-1 draw by promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers, leaving them eight points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Jose Mourinhos side, who had won their last two league games, took the lead in the 18th minute through Brazilian midfielder Fred, who drove home after a sublime short pass from Paul Pogba.

Wolves had looked nothing like a promoted team, playing confident and composed football and they got their reward with a finely worked goal.

Helder Costa got past Luke Shaw and slipped the ball back to Raul Jimenez who perfectly teed-up Joao Moutinho and the Portuguese midfielder fired into the top corner.

Source: NAN