Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Monday commended Nigerian teachers for their role in nation-building as they join their counterparts to celebrate World Teachers Day.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, described teachers as the bedrock of the nations development.

According to him, no other profession can metamorphose without the input of teachers.

He commended teachers in Delta for their commitment to teaching and learning in all public and private schools in the state.

The governor said his administration placed a high premium on the welfare of teachers and other workers in the public service.

Okowa said that the state government had continued to ensure that the salaries of teachers were paid regularly as and when due.

He said that as a government, Delta was committed to improving the environment for teaching and learning, which had resulted in the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings and provision of furniture for teachers and students.

It gives me great pleasure to celebrate with teachers in Nigeria and particularly in Delta as they join their counterparts all over the world to mark World Teachers Day 2020.

I thank teachers in Delta for their contributions to nation-building and to the intellectual development of our children.

As an administration, we place a very high premium on the welfare of teachers and other workers in the state hence the regular payment of their salaries as and when due.

We have also ensured that we improved on the teaching and learning environment for our teachers and students through the provision and necessary infrastructure and materials.

For these efforts we have made in rejuvenating our public schools, our people now have confidence in patronising public schools in Delta.

As you celebrate this day, I congratulate you all our dear teachers and look forward to a more rewarding engagement between the government and teachers in Delta, Okowa said.(NAN).

Source: NAN News

Lagos PDP gives Fayose 7 days to apologise to party elders

By Yemi Adeleye

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos State Chapter, has given former governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, seven days to apologise for the deliberate unwarranted vituperation on party elders in the state.

PDP Spokesman in the state, Taofik Gani, said in a statement that the denigration occurred when Fayose gave an advice which was capable of inciting the youth against the PDP chieftains in Lagos.

Fayose had during the inauguration of PDP Campaign Committee for the Lagos-East senatorial by-election on Tuesday, reportedly advised the party to send its former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, on political retirement.

According to a statement by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, titled Lagos PDP must retire Bode George to make progress, Fayose said such would help the party to make progress and win elections in Lagos State.

But the PDP spokesman urged Fayose not to be a negative role model to the younger ones in the party.

Fayose will be declared Persona non grata in all her indoor and outdoor activities from Monday 12th October 2020, unless he, Fayose, purges himself of the grave nuisance value arising from the unsolicited and divisive advice, Gani said.

He urged Fayose to desist from all provocative comments against party elders or any action inimical to the advancement of the PDP in the South West.

Only a sadist, mischief maker or rooky politician, will decide to peel healing wounds, like creating more political foes, at a period very close to major elections.

We are nearing very important elections in the state to take us into winning Lagos State in 2023 general elections.

We need all togetherness and complimentary efforts possible of the old, young, male, female.

It is thus shocking that a supposed leader would come to our state to tear us apart rather than give positive and progressive uniting advice to us.

We will hold Fayose responsible for any future election loss in Lagos State and indeed the South West, the PDP said .

Source: NAN News

Ondo 2020: Akintola predicts victory for Akeredolu

By Akeem Abas

Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) has predicted that Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu will emerge victorious in the Oct. 10, governorship election in Ondo State.

The APC chieftain told newsmen on Sunday in Ibadan that Akeredolu would emerge in spite of the gang up against him.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akintola, also dismissed a report that he discredited the late former governor Abiola Ajimobis administration over the rehabilitation of Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan.

He was reported to have discredited the administration of late Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, at the recent independence anniversary lecture, organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council.

NAN reports that Akintola, who chaired the NUJ lecture, had commended Makindes effort at renovating the 47-year-old edifice through a Build Operate and Transfer system, but faulted the 50 years agreement on the contract.

Akintola had said that all successive administrations in the state did not revisit the shopping complex except the late Ajimobi who signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the complex and now Makinde.

The renowned legal luminary said that it was mischievous and erroneous for anyone to misquote him on the matter.

Mr Ademola Babalola, the State NUJ Chairman, who alongside some members of his executives paid a thank-you visit to him, expressed regret over the mischievous report.

He pleaded with the legal icon to forgive the error which he described as unethical and unprofessional on the part of those culpable.

Babalola urged members to continue upholding the ethics of the profession and ensure their facts are thoroughly crosschecked before going to press.

The NUJ chairman thanked Akintola for his support to the union, saying renovation works has commenced at the unions Pen Group of Schools.

I am happy to inform you all that our efforts to reposition the pen group of schools has commenced.

Those who are close to the press centre must have noticed that we have commenced renovation work at the school. In a few weeks time, we shall put it into proper and befitting state, he said.

Source: NAN News

Tottenham humiliate Manchester United at Old Trafford

A shambolic Manchester United suffered a club record-equalling defeat in the English Premier League (EPL) era as they crashed to a 1-6 loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Son Heung-min and Harry Kane each scored twice for Spurs while Manchester Uniteds Anthony Martial was sent off in the 28th minute.

It was a big occasion for Jose Mourinho who celebrated a stunning victory on his return to the ground where he once was in charge.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaers side had taken a second minute lead through a Bruno Fernandes penalty kick.

But Spurs responded quickly, taking advantage of some awful defending as Tanguy Ndombele and Son put them 2-1 ahead.

Manchester United went down to 10 men after Martial was sent off following a clash with Erik Lamela at a corner kick and then Harry Kane made it 3-1.

Son added his second shortly before the break as Manchester United conceded four goals in the first half of a league game for the first time since 1957 also to Spurs.

Serge Aurier made it 5-1 in the 51st minute before Kane completed the rout from the penalty kick spot.

Manchester United also lost 6-1 to Manchester City in October 2011.

Source: NAN News

PDP urges Buhari not to succumb to pressure on Ondo

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to succumb to pressure to renege on his resolve not to interfere in elections, especially in the Saturday governorship election in Ondo State.

Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, Chairman, Publicity Sub-Committee of the PDP National Campaign Council for Ondo Governorship Election, made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Sunday.

Ologbondiyan urged Buhari not to succumb to the pressure of those plotting to use violence and federal might to muscle the Ondo election against the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state

He said that the campaign council had reviewed all prospects relating to the Oct. 10 election.

Ologbondiyan said that the party affirmed that its candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, enjoyed the greater support of the overwhelming majority of Ondo people and he was indisputably in good stand for victory on Saturday.

He said that it was not Jegedes fault that Akeredolu did not perform as a governor, and that the people identified Jegede as a rallying point in their quest for a new and purposeful leadership.

Ologbondiyan said if Akeredolu had done well in the last four years, he would have been celebrating his achievements instead of threatening his people and seeking to drag in the presidency.

Our campaign therefore calls on Buhari not to succumb to pressure by sAkeredolu and the APC to renege in his resolve not to interfere in elections, as amply witnessed in the Sept. 19 Edo election.

We invite Mr President to note the applauses and commendations coming to him from all parts of our nation and the global community over the non-interference of his Presidency in the conduct of Edo election.

For allowing a free, fair and credible election in Edo state, a development that allowed the will of the people to prevail.

Mr President must not allow Akeredolu, who had been justly rejected by his people for non-performance and who has declared his citizens as his enemies for life, to detract from his desire in this regard.

Our campaign therefore urges President Buhari to adopt the same Edo stance to ensure a free, fair and credible election in Ondo, without regard to partisan consideration,.

This is important so that he can leave a legacy of electoral uprightness for which posterity and history can be kind to him.

We make this demand because it is clear that the tide favours Eyitayo Jegede in this election, Ologbondiyan said.

He urged Buhari to note the ongoing spate of violence already being perpetrated on the streets of Ondo state.

Ologbondiyan urged Buhari to direct the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to clean the ground for a peaceful election by immediately pulling in characters plotting to perpetrate violence during the election.

This is more so as information reaching us indicates that such characters plot to pose as agents of federal authorities and unleash mayhem on the people.

Mr President is therefore further urged to direct INEC and security agencies to restrict themselves to their statutory responsibilities as the Ondo people are ready to treat violators as fake security and fake INEC operatives.

Ologbondiyan said that the partys campaign stood with the Ondo people in their determination to rescue their state, adding that nothing would stop them from achieving this collective resolve.

Source: NAN News

Osinbajo concerned, angry over activities of FSARS

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says he is concerned and angry that young men and women who are arrested, are in some cases, maimed or killed by men of the Nigeria Police Force.

Osinbajos spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement, said the Vice President expressed this view on Sunday in Abuja.

, the Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from undertaking routine patrols as well as stop and search duties.

The Vice President, who had earlier, held a meeting with the I-G at his residence, said the President and himself had discussed the matter on a number of occasions.

He said that the President wasdispleased about reports on activities of FSARS and was resolved to ensure reforms.

Such violations are completely unacceptable because these are individuals who are meant to protect Nigerians.

The arrest, maiming or killing of young people or anyone at all, is completely wrong.

It is unlawful and illegal and anyone involved in this act ought to be investigated and prosecuted.

Today, I had a meeting with the I-G and we reviewed several of these issues.

The President is very concerned about it; he wants to see a reform.

You are probably aware that the I-G has issued a statement looking at all these issues, in particular, the warning against the use of these tactical units such as SARS for purposes of doing anything other than anti-robbery.

For example, he specifically said that you cannot have a situation where SARS says they are investigating cybercrime by arresting young men and women carrying their laptops and phones.

Cybercrime is an electronic crime.

I dont see how you can investigate that by seizing peoples phones in a taxi or in their cars, Osinbajo said.

He saidit was obvious thata few bad eggs in the Police were causing all of the problems because it was all over the place, in different states.

Osinbajo said that the I-Gs statement, banning FSARS and others, was the first step.

He has said clearly that police men must wear police uniforms.

You cannot say that because you belong to a tactical unit, you can dress in your casual clothing and be armed.

By dressing casually, the vice president said that people cant even tell the difference between robbers and the police if you are not properly dressed in police uniform.

So, clearly, a reform is in the offing.

So, I will like to encourage civil society activists, young men and women, who bring this regularly, by the way, to the attention of government and the police.

Osinbajo also said that activism was important because they have been able to bring a lot of these issues to the attention of the Police and government.

And that is an important part of the process of the reform.

He said that the Federal Government wouldensure that every one of those allegations against FSARS was properly investigated.

According to him, those found responsible will be prosecuted and publicised so that people will know that prosecution has taken place.

I am very confident that we will have a reformed police force and that process has already begun.

Source: NAN News

Solskjaer says 6-1 mauling by Spurs was his worst day at Manchester United

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says their 6-1 hammering at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League (EPL) on Sunday is his worst day at the club.

It was Manchester Uniteds joint worst loss in the Premier League era - equalling their 6-1 defeat by Manchester City in 2011.

Its a horrible feeling, the worst day Ive had as a Manchester United manager and player, said the Norwegian after his side, reduced to 10 men for the last hour, were ripped apart by Jose Mourinhos Spurs.

Ive been part of big defeats before and weve bounced back.

So, weve just got to let the boys go away on international duty, find their mojo themselves and the others that are going to stay here, weve got to help them.

After a result like this, you need to clear your mind and head and look forward, said Solskjaer.

The defeat, coming before Mondays transfer deadline, is sure to spark even more criticism of Manchester Uniteds failure to significantly strengthen Solskjaers squad during the summer window.

Solskjaer was a member of the Manchester United squad which won the UEFA Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup under Alex Ferguson in 1999.

But he said he was not going to use the situation to shield himself from criticism.

If its a different shape, mentality, I dont know, but it will be different. We cant accept performances like this.

I hold my hands up, Im in charge and Im responsible for this, he said.

Manchester Uniteds defending was shambolic as they trailed 4-1 at the break.

Sometimes you make mistakes. Thats part of life and we made too many mistakes in one game of football and that shows in the result against a very good football team, Solskjaer said.

They are a team full of quality and we got punished almost every time we made a mistake.

Source: NAN News

Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege

By Kingsley Okoye

The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, has expressed dismay over the alleged atrocious activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Police in Delta.

Omo-Agege gave the expression in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga in Abuja on Sunday.

He expressed concern over the alleged incessant cases of extrajudicial killings and harassment of defenceless citizen by men of SARS.

He also expressed worry that some officials attached to SARS in different parts of Nigeria were harassing defenceless citizens.

Specifically, the Deputy President of the Senate cited the alleged shooting of a man by operatives of SARS in his constituency in Ughelli, Delta for alleged refusal to allow the operatives to search his phone.

According to him, there is another shooting of a youth in the town by men of the Operation Delta Safe over the victims alleged refusal to also allow the operatives to search his phone.

This, Omo-Agege said, buttress his argument on the need for comprehensive reforms and overhaul of security units in the country.

The senator called on the police authorities to fish out the culprits for the prosecution to serve as deterrent to others.

While calling on security personnel to always maintain the rules of engagement, the lawmaker urged youth in the area to exercise utmost restraint while investigation is ongoing.

Those who are authorised to carry arms and maintain law and order in the country ought to understand that such must be exercised with responsibility, especially when human life is sacrosanct.

I hope those, who are quick at pulling the trigger, would adopt strategies that would foster mutual understanding between them and those they are tasked to protect.

It would be a depressing twist of fate for them to be listed among those contributing to the list of the dead in this challenging period globally, Omo-Agege said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ajayi of ZLP, Gov. Akeredolu of APC and Jegede of PDP

By Ayodeji Alabi

Mr Agboola Ajayi, the governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), was absent at the Ondo State governorship debate held on Sunday in Akure.

The debate, titled 2020 Ondo Governorship Election: Face the Voters was organised by media organisations, labour unions, civil societies, religious bodies and other critical stakeholders in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Agboola, who is the present deputy governor, decamped to ZLP from All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the governorship election.

Mr Akinwumi Abodunde, the moderator, said that the four political parties were invited for the debate, explaining that only two parties were present at the programme.

We invited candidate of APC, PDP, SDP and ZLP for this debate and none of the candidates showed any sign that he will not attend as at one hour to the programme.

But only the candidate of APC and SDP Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Mr Peter Fasua respectively were present at the scheduled time, Abodunde said.

Meanwhile, Mr Eyitayo Jegede of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came an hour behind the scheduled time.

The moderator grilled the three governorship candidates on leadership, economy, agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, election security and insecurity.

Akeredolu, while responding to the questions, denied the allegation of running a family government, saying that he ran a transparent government.

The governor said that his wife was not a commissioner, neither did any of his children hold a post in his government.

Instead, he said that his wife has been helping the women of Ondo State through the BRECAN Initiative.

Let anybody that has evidence that anyone of my family is a consultant in the government come out.

We will sue anyone that lies against my family, he said.

He, therefore, called on his supporters to shun any act of violence during the governorship election scheduled to hold on Oct. 10.

Also, Mr Eyitayo Jegede the PDP candidate, promised to run a transparent government if elected, cautioning his supporters against violence during the polls.

There is nothing to be gained by violence which is why I make sure I report to the Police when such happens.

This state must have respect for peace and order.

I plead with our young men not to go near violence, and our leaders must discourage violence, Jegede said.

Similarly, Mr Peter Fasua, the SDP candidate urged the youths not to die for any politician in the name of an election.

Anybody that dies while perpetrating violence has lost his life for nothing.

Please dont waste your life for anyone during this election period.

We, the candidates, are always with our security and are safe.

Dont allow yourselves to be used for violence, Fasua said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

An empty stadium

One of the top Serie A fixtures of the season descended into chaos on Sunday when Napoli failed to turn up for their match at Juventus.

This was after their local health authority told the players to stay at home following positive COVID-19 cases.

With the Serie A league refusing to call the game off, Juventus arrived at the Allianz stadium in Turin in their team bus one hour before the scheduled kick-off time.

Then, there was no sign of Napoli.

Under Serie A rules, Juventus would be handed a 3-0 win in the match, which was due to kick off at 2045 local time (1845 GMT).

A Napoli spokesman confirmed to Reuters that the team had been placed into isolation by the health authority (ASL)after two players tested positive in the last four days.

He said they would challenge any decision to forfeit the game.

An official from the Naples ASL confirmed in a television interview that the Napoli players had been ordered to stay at home.

Weve never expressly said they cant play, but its clear that is a consequence, he said.

Earlier, Serie A said the ASL had failed to take into account the health protocol agreed between the countrys health and sports ministry and the football authorities.

This states that, if players test positive, the rest of the squad can still train and play again, providing they are tested again and return negative results.

The statement added that several matches had been played this season after teams had one or more players test positive.

The protocol lays down certain rules that cannot be deviated from, which allow league matches to be played even in the event of a positive result, deploying players who have tested negative, it said.

Juventus, who said on Saturday that they would take the field, made a point of saying they were preparing for the match.

The club said simply Matchday in a post on Twitter accompanied by a photograph of forward Cristiano Ronaldo and the time and venue of the match.

Last Sunday, Napoli hosted Genoa, where 17 players have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week.

Genoas match at home to Torino on Saturday was postponed.

Serie A has ruled that matches should go ahead provided each team has a minimum of 13 players available and that teams who cannot play would suffer a forfeit.

However, teams have the right to ask for a postponement without forfeiting if 10 players are infected within one week.

Source: NAN News