A Catholic priest has been found dead in the Congo days after.

Father Etienne Sengiyumvam 28, was found shot in the head hours after he had celebrated a wedding with his parishioners, the head of his diocese said.

Father Etienne Sengiyumva was killed Sunday by the Mai Mai Nyatura [militia] in Kyahemba where he had just celebrated a mass including a baptism and a wedding, Father Gonzague Nzabanita, head of the Goma diocese where the incident occurred, said according to.

The Mai Mai Nyatura are an armed group operating in North Kivu, in eastern DR Congo.

The Congo has been torn apart by more than 20 years of war, exacerbated by ethnic conflicts and land disputes in a bid to control the countrys rich mineral reserves.

Last week, parish priest of Saint Paul of Karambi, and are demanding $500,000 for his release.

Three other priests, Assumptionist Fathers Jean-Pierre Ndulani, Edmond Kisughi and Anselme Wasukundi, were abduced on October 19, 2012, and two more, Jean-Pierre Akilimali and Charles Kipasa, on July 17, 2017. None of them has been heard from since.

Source:

Source: NAN

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 25 suspects and seized 122.78kg of banned drugs in Gombe since January.

The state Commandant of the NDLEA, Mr Aliyu Adole, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Monday.

He said that the agency convicted 20 of the suspects and sentenced them to various prison terms, while five were still in custody.

Within this period, we removed 122.78kg drugs from circulation.

In March alone, we recovered 92.39kg compared with February when we had 543g, he said.

Adole called on all stakeholders to join in the fight against drug abuse.

He also called on parents and guardians to advise their children and wards to desist from forming gangs and joining thugs which, he said, encouraged drug abuse.

I am advising you to talk to your children. If you do not talk to them, somebody outside the family will talk to them and it will be dangerous.

Politicians have their children in high institutions of learning; if you allow your children to follow bad politicians, you will be the losers, he said (NAN)

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels that may want to contest in its planned elective convention.

The president while speaking at the partys National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday in Abuja, said this was necessary to forestall disenfranchising some executives.

Buhari had at another NEC meeting on March 27, opposed the one-year tenure extension decision, beginning from June, saying it was illegal and unconstitutional.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the APC NEC at its meeting of February 27, approved the extension of the tenure of the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee and the partys other executives by one year, starting from June.

Buhari had at another NEC meeting on March 27, opposed the one-year tenure extension decision, beginning from June, saying it was illegal and unconstitutional.

He had explained that the decision was causing acrimony within the party, with some members not comfortable with the matter, dragging the party to court.

This consequently led the partys NWC to constitute a 10-member technical committee to advise its leadership on the issue and the way forward.

I also believe that the current executives should be free to run for elective position in the party if they so wish as permitted by our party constitution.

However, considering the provision of Article 30 Section 1 and Subsection 3 of our party constitution which requires any serving officer desirous seeking re-election to resign from office 30 days before the election

Im not sure of the practicality of the present serving officers ability to meet this condition.

Accordingly, the party may consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised in participating in the elections provided this does not violate our rights or our rules, he said.

He added that necessary waivers should also be extended to executives at the ward level whose tenures may have elapsed and to any other members wishing to contest.

This, the president said would give credence to the right to freedom of association guaranteed by the amended 1999 constitution.

He, therefore, directed the partys leadership to issue a statement on the suggested waivers to make room for more participation, saying that the must not be ignorant of the task ahead of it.

He thanked members of the technical committee for a job well done within a limited time frame.

It shows the essence of commitment and the ideals of our party with a view to consolidating the party to continue to provide good governance in the overall interest of Nigerians, Buhari said.

He added that in the general interest of the party and based on the technical committee report, it is important to focus on how to move the party forward by avoiding actions that were detrimental to its interest.

He said that considering that politics was a game of numbers, the party must not be a house divided against itself and must try to appreciate and accommodate differences as far as the law permits.

He maintained that having seen the committees report, his position was to ensure that the party towed the part of unity, legality, cohesion and not that of division.

He stressed that the party must strengthen its internal democracy by organising congresses and convention where election of national executive committee members would be held.

This, the president said, would automatically end the cases filed by members seeking orders of court compiling the party to hold congresses.

Just like our party symbols the broom, we stand by strength in unity. Let us try to be united in party, victory is sure by the grace of God.

He added that the partys members must continue to sanitise Nigerias political environment.

He expressed optimism members would conduct themselves without rancor, and promote the highest interest of the party and the nation.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has announced his intention to run in the 2019 Presidential election.
The announcement was made on Monday in Abuja at the All Progressives Congress(APC)’s National Executive meeting.
Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, an ardent Buhari supporter, tweeted the announcement on Monday.

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau told newsmen after the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee (NEC) closed-door meeting in Abuja that the president announced the intention at the meeting.

Lalong, whose 10-member committee advised the APC on how to overcome the contentious tenure elongation for its executive leadership committees at all levels, said the committee’s report had restored unity in the party.

He said that the report, which was submitted to the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Friday, and considered by NEC members on Monday, was accepted by all party leaders, including Buhari.

´´Everybody´s interest was considered in the report and it was a unanimous vote and adoption of the recommendations that were made.

´´The president felt so happy and excited because of this unity in the party; he has now considered and also accepted the appeal by several members of the society, party and everybody that he will re-contest the 2019 election.

He has accepted that he is going to contest again the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,´´ Lalong said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Monday’s NEC meeting was the third since Feb. 27, when the tenure extension of the Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) was approved.

But, at another NEC meeting on March 27, Buhari opposed the one-year extension decision, saying it was illegal and unconstitutional.

He had explained that the decision was causing disaffection within the party, and had led to litigation by some members not comfortable with the matter.

Consequently, the party leadership constituted the 10-member committee, headed by Lalong, to look into the issue and advise it on the way forward.

Source: NAN

The former governor of Edo, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, to adopt a ruthless measure against alleged looters of the nations treasury.

Oshiomhole, who disclosed this on Sunday in Benin, described as mindless the stealing by the then Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led Federal Government.

The former governor noted that it was the right of Nigerians to know the level of rot that transpired in former President Goodluck Jonathans government.

I think that if other Nigerians dont understand the power of transparency, the right to know, the media should uphold that right and defend it.

What was stolen was not from private purse; the house that was destroyed was not a private residence.

We are talking of resources, which if it is distributed on basis of equality, divide by 180 million people you will be a lot richer.

I think my only complaint is that the Federal Government should be more ruthless because there are lot of people who should be in court who are not there.

When I was still in the office and I said the kind of money they stole was huge in dollars they paid hired writers to ask how I knew.

I have interacted with power vertically and horizontally. I know that we cannot be lamenting today without understanding that the treasury was burgled yesterday.

I think the promise of democracy is that good or bad, the people have the right to know and that is the starting point and particularly important.

I think the people have the right to know and if any of them think that what has being said is not true, they can go to court.

All of them who are involved and those who they are looking for, they should put everything in public domain and that is the promise of democracy and it is about you.

Just by virtue of being in a winning party they helped themselves so much.

One of the acting chairmen of PDP, Ahmed Makarfi, I used to respect him so much, I heard him saying that the reason they did not indict Diezani was that the money missing and everything that was done, Goodluck approved.

If President approved the money, should it be stolen and not go into the federation account or used for the intended purpose.

Jonathan may have immunity against prosecution but he doesnt have power to appropriate what the national assembly have not done.

Right now, they are now saying the national assembly should not approve the $1 billion the Federal Government is going to spend on security.

This is a party that spent well above that without going to the national assembly at all.

Source: NAN

U.S. President Donald Trump has blamed former President Barack Obama for the continued crisis in Syria and the Middle East.

This is even as he has blasted Russia and Iran for backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad whom he refers to as an Animal.

In a series of tweets on his twitter handle @RealDonaldTrump, he said that if former President Obama had taken the right action, the ongoing disaster in Syria would have ended a long time ago.

If President Obama had crossed his stated Red Line In The Sand, the Syrian disaster would have ended long ago! Animal Assad would have been history!

If President Obama had crossed his stated Red Line In The Sand, the Syrian disaster would have ended long ago! Animal Assad would have been history!

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)

In other tweets, Trump blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Iran for backing Animal Assad and allowing the disaster in Syria to continue.

He wrote: Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria.

Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world.

President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay.

Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!.

Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)

Source: NAN

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said on Sunday that it had updated its outstanding audit of the group financial statements from 2011 to 2016.

NNPC Spokesman, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, said in a statement in Abuja that the audited backlog had since been approved by the board of the corporation in line with the laws governing its operations.

He quoted Mr Isiaka AbdulRazaq, Chief Financial Officer/Group Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, NNPC, as saying that the presentation of the audited financial statements would help foster better relationship between NNPC and stakeholders.

He said that the presentation would further promote transparency and accountability in the corporation.

Ughamadu said that the management inherited a total of 65 unaudited financial statements for NNPC group corporate and its subsidiaries covering 2011 2014.

There were, undoubtedly, challenges that led to the backlog which may have been beyond the control of the previous managements.

However, the important factor was not to look at the past. We saw an opportunity to challenge the problem, and resolved to clear the arrears in the shortest possible time, he said.

He said the corporation management constituted a project steering committee, which met weekly with the auditors and relevant stakeholders to identify and isolate key challenges and give them priority attention.

With this approach, management achieved the first step of concluding the audit of the 2011 2012 financial positions and presented same to the board in 2016.

In recognition of that modest achievement, the NNPC board further mandated management to clear the remaining outstanding reports for theperiod 2013 2016.

The result today is the delivery and board approval of the audited group financial statements as at Dec. 31, 2016, he said.

Ughamadu said that the Managing Director, Nigerian Pipeline and Storage Company, Mr Luke Anele, would embark on a comprehensive audit of the over 5000 kilometre petroleum products and crude oil pipelines under its watch.

He said the project which had already been approved by the NNPC management would be executed by the National Engineering and Technical Company, an upstream subsidiary of the NNPC.

Source: NAN

A 24 year-old Egyptian Mohamed Ibn Nufal Nufal, has set off from Cairos Tahrir Square for the World Cup in Russia on a bicycle.

After about 5,000 km (3,000 miles) and 65 days on the road, Nufal hopes to reach Moscow to see Egypt make its first appearance in the World Cup for 28 years.

Nufal plans to get there via Jordan, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine. He will fly over Syria due to the civil war there and will also give Iraq a miss for security reasons.

On his bike, Nufal has packed spare parts, an extra phone, batteries and camping gear. In addition to his tent, Nufal will put up in hostels where he can find them, as well as relying on the kindness of strangers for a bed for the night.

It is about the road more than the arrival, he told Reuters Television. If it were just about the World Cup, I would take a plane. It is a great chance for me to see new things.

A group of cyclists and friends escorted Nufal as he started his trip on Saturday, and he hopes many more will offer him help along the way.

After clinching its World Cup spot in October, Egypt will compete on footballs ultimate stage for the first time since 1990.

Reuters

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja tomorrow for an official visit to Britain, ahead of the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings on 18 April.

Malam Garba Shehu, senior special assistant on media said President Buhari will hold discussions on Nigeria British relations with Prime Minister Mrs Theresa May.

The President will also meet the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Plc, Mr. Ben van Beurden in connection with Shell and other partners plan to invest $15b in Nigerias oil industry.

These investment ventures will lay the foundation for the next 20 years in production and domestic gas supply, bringing with it all the attendant benefits both to the economy and the wider society.

President Buhari, during the visit, is due to renew discussions with the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, a good friend of the President on inter-religious harmony in Nigeria and World-wide.

Further meetings have also been scheduled for the President to see some prominent British and Nigerians residing in Britain.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings will begin on 18April and end20thApril, 2018.

President Buhari on Sunday returned from Daura, his home town, after a three-day visit. During the time, he also paid a condolence visit to the family of the Senator Mustapha Bukar, who died last week.

Source: NAN

The police in Lagos said they had commenced investigation into the alleged murder of a Nigerian singer Alizee and her four-year-old daughter by her Danish husband, Peter Nielsen.

The command’s spokesman, Chike Oti, confirmed the development in Lagos on Friday.

Oti said that Nielsen was being detained at the State CID, Panti Lagos, for further investigation.

He said the Commissioner of Police had deployed some crack detectives to the scene, adding that no stone would be left unturned in the case.

“The suspect is not an Italian, but from Denmark. He has been arrested and transferred to the State CID, Panti, for thorough investigation by the Homicide Department.

“The command has also written the embassy on the suspect that the police are investigating one of their national,” he said.

Nigerian artiste, Zainab Ali-Nielsen, popularly known as Alizee, and her four-year-old daughter, Petra, were allegedly murdered by her husband, Peter Nielsen.

Sources alleged they were murdered in the family’s residence at Ocean Parade, Banana Island, in the early hours of Thursday, while some neighbours reported the case to the police.

Source: NAN