The theft of $99 million has led to the arrest of head of Kenyas National Youth Service, Mr. Richard Ndubai.

In spite of President Uhuru Kenyattas pledges to stamp out graft when he was first elected in 2013, critics say he has been slow to pursue top officials.

They added that only big-name convictions will break what they call a culture of impunity.

Privately-owned Citizen Television and K24 TV said the youth agency official, Ndubai, had been arrested, along with an unspecified number of officials.

Kenyan media have said 10 billion shillings (99 million dollars) had been stolen through fictitious invoices, and multiple payments on one supplier invoice, at the NYS.

The Media could not contact Ndubai, who is in custody, for comment, and was unable to immmediately trace contacts for his lawyer to seek comment.

The reports have dismayed many Kenyans, particularly as they come in the wake of a 2015 scam at the agency, which aims to equip Kenyas young people with key skills and help create jobs.

Last week, investigators summoned more than 40 people, including Ndubai, for questioning over the lost funds.

Kenyatta has blamed the slow progress in tackling corruption on the lethargy of some government agencies charged with rooting out graft. ($1=101.0000 Kenyan shillings) (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

Governor Godwin Obaseki has ordered the task force on Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration to ensure eradication of human trafficking and illegal migration by 2020.

Mr Solomon Okoduwa, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on human trafficking and illegal migration, said in Benin on Monday that that the task force which the governor set up in 2017, has also been mandated to urgenty reduce the menace by 50 per cent before December.

The Obasekis aide was reacting to the signing of the Anti-human trafficking law, by the Governor in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the formal signing of the law which was recently passed by the state House of Assembly, would send a strong message to the traffickers that it is no longer business as usual.

Okoduwa said the signing of the law revealed the commitment of state government in dealing with the scourge.

It is a warning that the traffickers and the management of traffickers, when caught, would be made to face the music according to the dictate of the law.

We will see that the law works and work to the later. The governor has made it abundantly clear that there will be no mercy to whoever is caught going against the law.

This law will also strengthen the task force to adequately deal with the menace of human trafficking.

The Governors mandate, he said, was to completely eradicate human trafficking by 2020; reduce it by 50 per cent by the end of this year.

To me, the mandate is clear and it is achievable as we remain on course towards the realization, he declared.

He said the commitment of the governor is a pointer that human trafficking no longer has a place in Edo.

According to Okoduwa, the Monarch of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and the government have taken actions at various times to demonstrate that the business no longer have a place in the state.

The Oba has condemned it by publicly placing a curse on traffickers in the state, while the government also condemned it in strong term by setting up a task force against the menace.

Edo had been described as a hub for human trafficking and illegal migration as the state accounted for more than half of returnees from Libya within the last eight months.

According to Okoduwa, the states Libya returnees are more than 3,400. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has begun the process of a nationwide recruitment following recent approval by the federal government.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, said in a statement on Monday that the agencys recruitment portal (www.recruitment.frsc.gov.ng) has been opened to receive applications.

He did not disclose the number of new personnel to be recruited under the exercise.

The exercise, according to him, will be conducted into the Officer, Marshal Inspectorate (MI) and Road Marshal Assistant (RMA) cadres.

He said: Applicants for the Officer cadre are expected to possess a first degree from recognised institutions, NYSC Discharge Certificates, and must not be more than 30 years of age.

For the Marshal Inspectorate cadre, there three subcategories namely, Marshal Inspector I (MI-I), Marshal Inspector II (MI-II), and Marshal Inspector III (MI-III).

The requirements for MI-I are Higher National Diploma from recognised Institutions, NYSC discharge certificates, registered nurse and midwife, and must equally not be more than 30 years of age.

The requirements for MI-II are Nigeria Certificate of Education (NCE), registered nurse or midwife. Applicants to this cadre must not be more than 28 years of age.

For MI-III, applicants must possess National Diploma (ND), Community Health Extension Workers Certificate (CHEW), and must equally not be more than 28 years of age.

Kazeem said application into the category of RMAII requires a minimum of five credits in SSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB and must include Mathematics and English Language.

He said applicants for RMAIII must possess a minimum of three credits in SSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB, and must not be above 27 years of age.

Artisans and tradesmen equally fall into the same categories of RMAs, however, they must possess a minimum of four passes in SSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB.

They must have trade test or other professional certificates, valid class of drivers licence (for drivers and bikers), and must not be more than 28 years of age, he added.

According to him, shortlisted candidates are expected to come for screening with a print out of their forms as well as the acknowledgement slip.

While emphasising that the exercise attracts no fee, Kazeem maintained that applications must be submitted within six weeks of the publication of the advert.

He added that all enquiries should be directed to 122 (toll free line), 08077690361, 08077690362 or [email protected].

He said details of the requirements for the recruitment exercise had been published in some national dailies.

Source: NAN

An 89-year-old woman who is also a new college graduate isn’t stopping there – she’s already working towards a bachelor’s degree.

Ella Washington, who graduated Saturday with an associate degree in interdisciplinary studies, is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history at Liberty University in Virginia, according to the college.

Washington enrolled in Liberty’s online program in 2012, following a suggestion from one of her 12 children.

“She has always been a lifelong learner,” Washington’s daughter, Ellen Mitchell, said in a statement. "Her desire for learning and for pursuing an education became a family tradition. She taught all of her children how to read, write, and do math prior to their beginning school, just as her grandmother taught her and her siblings.”

As for her drive to learn more about history, Washington said “everybody should know their history and learn more about it … There’s nothing wrong with learning more.”

More: Single mom of five who is graduating law school with epic photos: I didn't do this myself

More: America's top online bachelor's and graduate programs, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report

During her 89 years on earth, Washington has worked a variety of jobs to support her children, ranging from a custodian at the Pentagon to an office assistant to a certified nursing assistant at an adult daycare. She only stopped working about six years ago, according to a press release.

“Coming to D.C., there weren’t many opportunities for a poorly educated black woman,” Mitchell said. “But she worked hard doing whatever she could to make sure we were taken care of.”

The oldest graduate in Liberty's Class of 2018 had this to say about her drive to learn: "Education will help you make the best life for yourselves and those who come after you."

Source: MSN

A female migrant, with nationality yet to be disclosed, has delivered a healthy baby boy, named Miracle aboard MV Aquarius, a search and rescue ship run in partnership between the international medical humanitarian aid organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and SOS MEDITERRANEE.

Baby Miracle was born in international waters at 3.45pm, with his mother rescued just days before on Thursday May 24 by an Italian navy vessel and later transferred to the Aquarius.

MSF midwife Amoin Soulemane, who delivered the baby said, “For a first time delivery the baby came very quickly. The labour pain started early in the morning, but within just a few hours of active labour the baby was born. Both the mother and baby are doing very well.”

The new mother shared with MSF that she spent one year in Libya where she says she was held captive, beaten, given very little food and extorted for money for release. She says she escaped with her partner and hundreds of others earlier this year and had since been hiding in a friend’s house in Libya, before undertaking the dangerous sea crossing on Thursday.

MSF nurse Aoife Ni Mhurchu said, “The situation in Libya is extremely dangerous for refugees and migrants, with very little access to medical care. If she had gone into labour just 48 hours beforehand she would have given birth hiding on a beach in Libya, without any medical assistance.”

“She told me their boat actually departed on Wednesday but after a few short minutes the engine failed and they were returned to shore. The smugglers demanded they hide on the beach, then disappeared and didn’t return for 24 hours. At this point she was left terrified, heavily pregnant, and without food or water,” Ni Mhurchu added.

With the addition of baby Miracle, the Aquarius now has a total of 70 people on board, all of whom will disembark in the port of Catania, Sicily Sunday morning.

Source: NAN

Cristiano Ronaldo may have played his last game for Real Madrid after winning a fourth Champions League crown with the Spanish side in a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in the final on Saturday.

The Portuguese star said he would soon make an announcement on his future.

“Right now we need to enjoy ourselves but in the next few days I’ll give an answer to the fans who have always been by my side.

“It was beautiful to be at Real Madrid,” the Portugal forward told television network beIN Sports after the game.

“The future of any Madrid player is not important, we have just made history.”

Karim Benzema scored Real’s opener while substitute Gareth Bale struck twice to seal a 13th European Cup win overall and their fourth title in five years after Sadio Mane had equalised for Liverpool.

Ronaldo, who is Real’s all-time top scorer, was asked to clarify his comments but continued to give ambiguous answers.

“I don’t have any doubts, it’s not important, I have to rest now, go and meet up with the Portugal team and in the next few weeks,

“I’ll make an announcement,” he added before he joins up with his country’s World Cup squad for the tournament in Russia.

The 33-year-old Ronaldo reacted angrily when asked if he was disappointed not to have scored.

“Who’s disappointed? Perhaps they need to change the name of the Champions League to the CR7 Champions League.

“Who has the most titles and who has the most goals?” said the Portuguese, who has scored a record 120 goals in the competition.

He became the first player to win five Champions League titles since the competition changed format in 1992, including one with Manchester United.

Ronaldo caused a stir last year a few days after Real beat Juventus 4-1 in the final.

Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported that the forward wanted to leave Madrid as he was not happy with how he had been treated by the Spanish club.

Ronaldo’s desire for a new contract was believed to be behind last year’s stories.

He has still not signed a new deal at Real, who he joined from United in a then world record transfer worth 85.5 million pounds ($113.77 million).

Source: NAN

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp revealed that Mohamed Salah’s injury that forced him off in the first half of the Champions League final on Saturday was “serious”.

And that makes the sorrowful Salah a serious doubt to play for his country Egypt in the Russia World Cup which begins on 14 June. Egypt will play their first match against Uruguay on 15 June.

Klopp said: “It is a serious injury. He is in hospital for an X-ray. It is either the collarbone or the shoulder itself,” Klopp said after Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the final in Kiev.

“It doesn’t look good. That’s it.”

Salah, who scored 44 goals for Liverpool this season, came off just half an hour into the game in tears after hurting himself in a challenge with Sergio Ramos. He was shedding tears like a baby.

Liverpool had been on top at that point, but following the shock of the Egyptian’s injury they went on to lose due to a combination of two goalkeeping howlers by Loris Karius and a superb Gareth Bale goal.

However, Klopp believed losing Salah was the turning point.

“Of course it was a big moment in the game. I know if you say that after you lost it sounds like you’re a bad loser but for us it was like a harsh challenge. It was like wrestling.

“The shock of the boys was obvious.”

Klopp admitted that Salah now risks missing out on the World Cup — he has been hoping to lead Egypt in their first appearance at the tournament since 1990, but their opening match is against Uruguay on June 15, less than three weeks from now.

“We wanted everything and got nothing. We lost an important player and probably Egypt lost for the World Cup an important player.

“From what I said so far it doesn’t look really good.”

Britain’s NHS says that a dislocated shoulder can take 12-16 weeks to recover from.

“A dislocated shoulder takes between 12 and 16 weeks to heal after the shoulder has been put back into place.”

If the dislocation is not severe, Salah may return to football action in weeks.

Source: NAN

The police in Taraba have engaged a gang of robbers and kidnappers, killing one and arresting three at the Borno Bukuruku in Bali Local government.

The state Commissioner of police, Mr David Akinremi, said in Jalingo on Saturday that the suspect was killed when the gang engaged the police in a shootout.

A gang of suspected armed robbers/ kidnappers engaged a team of police operatives in a gun duel in their Borno Bukuruku forest hideout in Bali LGA, based on actionable intelligence received at about 10.00hrs.

In the process, one of them was gunned down by the superior firepower of our operatives while three others : Halilu Umaru, 35, Lawale Shehu, 22, Isah Abdullahi, 25, were arrested, Akinremi said.

The commissioner said an Ak47 rifle with eight rounds of ammunition, criminal charms, an army camouflage and cutlasses were recovered from the suspects.

He urged members of the public to watch out for other members of the gang who escaped with gunshot injuries and report them to the police.

Akinremi warned armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminals to steer clear from the state, saying the police would arrest and bring them to justice sooner or later. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Ireland voted by a landslide to ditch its strict abortion laws in a landmark referendum that Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said had finally lifted decades of stigma and shame.

More than 66 percent of voters in what has been a traditionally staunchly Catholic country backed repealing the constitutional ban on terminations, triggering scenes of tearful jubilation in Dublin on Saturday after a divisive and often emotional campaign.

Hugging, celebrating, singing and cheering wildly, thousands crammed into the courtyard of Dublin Castle, where the official result was declared, chanting Yes! Yes! Yes!

Wonderful, wonderful, today is wonderful! said 65-year-old Eileen Shields, who had been ostracised for falling pregnant outside of marriage when she was 18.

The crowds cheered and popped champagne corks as the result was announced. Women and men wearing Repeal tops and Yes badges waved Irish flags and placards reading Thank you, with love hearts on.

Speaking through tears, Stasia Clancy, 64, said: This is like an explosion of the repression and the suppression of the last 100 years.

At Dublins RDS count centre, 40-year-old nurse Ruth Bowie wept at the results.

She told AFP: I had to leave my country to get the healthcare that I needed when I was told that my baby wouldnt survive outside the womb and Ive told my story over and over again just in the hope that this day would come and its finally come.

Veil of stigma lifted

The final results of Fridays referendum showed 66.4 percent voted for removing the constitutional ban, while 33.6 voted against.

Some 1,429,981 votes were cast for Yes. The turnout was 64 percent.

Among the 40 constituencies, the pro-choice vote peaked at 78 percent in Dublin Bay South, while rural Donegal was the only one to vote against liberalising abortion, by 52 percent.

A quiet revolution has taken place, Varadkar said in a speech at Dublin Castle.

No more stigma. The veil of secrecy is lifted. No more isolation. The burden of shame is gone.

He said Saturday would be remembered as the day Ireland stepped out from under the last of our shadows and into the light. The day we came of age as a country.

His government proposes allowing abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances.

Varadkar said he wanted the law in force by the end of the year and Health Minister Simon Harris told AFP that the cabinet would meet on Tuesday to approve the drafting of legislation.

Crumbling church influence

The result is another hammer blow to the Roman Catholic Churchs authority in Ireland, coming three years after referendum voters backed legalising same-sex marriage by 62 percent.

The Churchs influence has crumbled in recent years due to a series of child sex abuse scandals.

The referendum comes three months before Pope Francis visits Ireland for the World Meeting of Families.

An exit poll for The Irish Times newspaper suggested 70 percent of women and 65 percent of men voted to overturn the ban.

People over 65 voted 60 percent against. However, all other age groups backed the proposal, with support at 87 percent among voters aged 18 to 24.

Ailbhe Smyth, 71, co-director of the official Together for Yes campaign, said real-life testimonies from women affected by the ban had helped swing the vote.

*AFP

Source: NAN

Qatar has ordered shops to remove goods originating from a group of Saudi Arabian-led countries which a year ago imposed a wide-ranging boycott on the emirate, Doha officials said Saturday.

A directive from the economy ministry ordered shops to immediately strip shelves of products from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.

Inspectors will visit stores to ensure they comply with the order, the ministry said.

The government will also try and stop products such as Saudi dairy goods from entering Qatar via a third country.

Qatars Government Communications Office (GCO) said it was trying to protect the safety of consumers.

Products originating from blockading states, which as a result of the blockade cannot pass the GCC customs territory, has to undergo proper import inspections and customs procedures, the GCO said in a statement.

Qatar conducts its trade policy in accordance with all of its multilateral and bilateral agreements.

The order comes just days before the anniversary of a bitter Gulf crisis.

Since June 5 last year, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have cut all relations with Qatar, accusing it of financing terrorist groups and having close ties with Iran.

The countries subsequently imposed a trade and diplomatic boycott on Qatar, which rejects the charges and says the countries are seeking regime change in Doha.

The row has forced isolated Qatar, which previously relied on its Gulf neighbours, to look elsewhere for food imports, including Turkey, Morocco and Iran.

Many such imports enter the country via ports such as Kuwait and Oman.

It is through these ports, and also via individuals, that goods from the boycotting countries manage to get in to Qatar, said a source with knowledge of the situation.

Businessmen from the blockading countries are trying to go around the blockade by using third parties, said the source.

Source: NAN