A Georgia fisherman broke a state record with his 14-foot alligator catch.

Derrick Snelson was fishing on Lake Eufaula in Quitman Count, Georgia, this month when the alligator latched on to his pole. He didn't realize, however, how massive the reptile was until he and five other fishermen managed to wrangle it on the boat.

“It was just unbelievable. I really can't describe it. You need to see it,” Snelson told ABC Atlanta affiliate WSB-TV.

“We'll have it 'life-size' mounted. I guess I'll have to build a house around it. It's going to be a monster laying on the living room floor for a while,” he said.

The previous record for largest alligator caught was a 13-foot reptile in 2013, according to Georgia Outdoor News.

The hunting season for alligators in Georgia runs from August to October this year, according to the state’s department of natural resources.

Anyone with a valid hunting license can participate but there is a one-bag limit.

Popular Fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde a.k.a K1 De Ultimate has debunked the claims of marrying one Nigerian socialite Aramide Adenle who has a daughter for him.

The fuji star made this known in a statement released by his spokesperson Kunle Rasheed.

The statement reads; “Our attention has been drawn to a story making the rounds that King of Fuji music, K1 De Ultimate had married a new wife. ”

The peddlers of this story also stated that he already has a daughter with the same woman and recently spent 15 million naira to host a party for her.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state that marriage is a holy rite ordained by God.

‘A man of K1’s calibre and accomplishments cannot be one to enter into such union without the knowledge of his family and friends which indeed include top media practitioners.

“We find it repulsive that K1’s name can be dragged into one fictional marriage story wiithout any attempt to confirm the veracity or otherwise of such story. “We wish to inform friends, family, fans and the general public that indeed K1 performed at the mentioned ceremony because he was contracted to play at the Ibadan party.

“How that translated into his marriage ceremony is one that we are yet to understand. ” All K1 did at the event was to deliver a 100 percent A-class performance the K1 brand is known for and nothing more.

“Indeed, the universal standard practice in journalism demands proper and adequate confirmation of stories before rushing to press,” it stated.

The singer who reportedly has 38 children from different women also dispelled rumours of spending N15million to host a party for her.

According to him, marriage is a holy rite ordained by God, adding that he cannot enter into such relationship without the knowledge of his family and friends which indeed include top media practitioners.

He is Nigerian fuji musician introduced the genre to the sounds of keyboards, saxophones and guitars by making the genre a danceable tune that appeals to all age group irrespective of tribe and background .

Uzoma Day Omenka, manager of legendary reggae star, Majekodunmi Fashek, popularly known as Majek Fashek has confirmed the report broken by Vanguard on Saturday that indeed the singer is gravelly ill and receiving treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London, England.

According to Omenka, Majeks became gravelly ill last month and was rushed to London on August 24, 2019 after a brief admission at a Lagos hospital.

He said a notable Nigerian known for his philanthropic gestures has undertaken to take care of his medical bill but does not wish to have his name revealed. He mentioned Captain Hosa, Hon. E.J. Agbonayinma, Amaju Pinnick as some of those who have also rendered helping hands.

“Although, his medical bill for the surgery has been taken care by this notable Nigerian. I don’t want to mention his name, but we have serious issues with day to day upkeep. As I speak to you, Majeks cannot eat and cannot talk, I have to do virtually everything for him. Right now, we are in dire need of finance to survive here in London. We spend a lot of money every day to keep him alive. I have approached the Nigerian Embassy here but they abandoned us to our fate. Majeks has not eaten in days and the only food he can eat has to be specially prepared,” Omenka said.

“The truth is, we are stranded here. We are in great debt and we need help urgently if we don’t want this icon to die,” he added.

Here are some videos of the iconic reggae star arriving at the hospital in an ambulance and on his sickbed. For anyone willing to help, the manager has released this London account number and telephone numbers for whoever wants to reach him for help

Telephone: +1 682-246-6621 +44 7448 512502

Account: Uzoma Day Omenka. GTBank 0011211270

Omenka Uzoma Day, Barclays Bank, Account No: 30260762, Sort code: 202947

Culled From vanguardngr.com

Hong Kong police fired tear gas and nonlethal bullets at anti-government protesters on Sunday evening as demonstrations escalated across the city following a peaceful march to the U.S. consulate that drew thousands of residents.

Nonlethal shots were fired at protesters without warning after around 100 gathered at Mong Kok police station in the area of Kowloon, chanting that police were gangsters.

Riot police soon appeared on the scene as protesters melted into side streets.

Protesters have gathered near the police building every night for the past week, leaving funeral offerings at an adjacent subway station entrance where residents widely believe someone was killed when police cleared the station at a demonstration last week.

On Sunday, many continued to burn paper money and light candle sand incense even as protesters built barricades nearby and police warned protesters via loudspeaker to stand down.

Earlier rounds of tear gas were fired off in Causeway Bay, a shopping district across the harbour on Hong Kong Island, where protesters had gathered by the thousands following the U.S. consulate march.

As they walked, many built barricades and lit trash cans on fire in a bid to slow down police.

Most, however, had left by the time riot police arrived, leaving them to gas mostly journalists and bystanders who shouted at officers.

Several arrests were also made as dozens of officers surroundedsmall groups of suspected protesters.

Riot police were stationed across the city for most of Sunday including subway stations near where demonstrations were expected to occur, cutting off avenues of escape for protesters who were forced to change clothes and leave on foot in a bid to avoid arrest.

Earlier on Sunday, tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents marched to the U.S. consulate in the afternoon as part of a police-approved march to deliver a petition asking the U.S. Congress to sign a bill containing punitive measures for officials found to have suppressed basic freedoms.

We hope the U.S. government can pass the act so Hong Kongs autonomy can be maintained.

I think the ultimate goal is to let Hong Kong be Hong Kong, said Wendy, an accountant taking part in the protest.

Protesters carried U.S. flags and signs in English like Resist Beijing, liberate Hong Kong and Sanctions against those [who] trample freedom, justice and humanity as they marched through the hilly streets of central Hong Kong island.

Many chanted slogans like Five demands, not one less and held up their hands displaying five fingers in a call for leader Carrie Lam to meet all of their demands.

Others sang the U.S. national anthem as they marched below the sprawling diplomatic complex under the watchful eye of scores of riot police stationed along the way, drawing the ire of many protesters who shouted that they were gangsters in Cantonese.

Lam formally withdrew an extradition bill earlier this week that was the trigger for the start of the protests three months ago, but the move has failed to quell the demonstrations.

The bill would have amended Hong Kong law to allow for residents to be extradited to mainland China.

Since protests began on June 9, they have escalated into a mass anti-government demonstration with demands including calls for electoral reform.

Protesters have said they will continue to demonstrate until all of their demands are met.

The focus of Sundays rally was the handing over of a petition calling for U.S. legislators to sign off on the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.

The act due to be debated at committee level in Congress would allow the U.S. the revoke the visa or freeze assets of Hong Kong residents who were found to have harmed human rights in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

Protester Steve Nipsaid many in Hong Kong felt there was no one else to hold the citys leadership accountable as they are rubber-stamped by Beijing.

He and others were also angry that Lam has failed to set up an independent commission reviewing police violence during the protests.

Lam has instead said actions will be reviewed by an existing police committee.

Nip said police had behaved in an inhumane manner when they arrested protesters but were now accountable to no one.

Hong Kong is a former British colony that returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.

It was promised special rights and privileges until 2047 under the one country, two systems agreement. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN

By Abubakar Ahmed

The governors of Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States have jointly signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Governor of Maradi region in Niger Republic on best approaches to addressing the security challenges in their states.

This was contained in a statement issued by Yusuf Idris, the Director-General, Press Affairs to the governor of Zamfara and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Gusau.

He said that the meeting was called at the instance of the governor of Maradi region, Mallam Zakari Oumoru.

Idris added that the meeting was attended by Governors Bello Matawalle Aminu Masari and Aminu Tambuwal of Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states, respectively.

He said that the meeting, which was held at the Government House, Maradi, dwelt on trans-border crimes, especially banditry, kidnappings and cattle rustling in the four states which share common borders.

Idris stated that the participating states agreed to maintain good neighbourliness and cooperation among themselves, while jointly addressing the issue of security.

He said that the MoU agreed to uphold the renewed efforts of the three Nigerian states and Maradi of Niger Republic in curbing the menace of armed banditry within their borders.

Other areas covered by the MoU included their resolve to join hands in the fight against banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and armed robbery within the affected borders for the purpose of having peaceful states.

In his speech at the meeting, Gov. Matawalle described peace, dialogue and reconciliation as necessary tools of curbing the insecurity situation in the four states.

He explained that his administration had adopted dialogue with bandits after very wide consultations and later created contacts with men of the underworld, which led to a joint meeting with all the groups.

The governor further said that the peace process had yielded positive results, as peace had since returned to the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that heads of security agencies, including the army, police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Directorate of State Security (DSS) in the participating states were present at the meeting. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Sani Abdulrahman

A housewife, Talatu, on Monday, dragged her husband Nasiru Sulaiman, before a Sharia Court ll, sitting in Magajin Gari, Kaduna State, seeking legal divorce saying she has been sexually starved for five years.

Talatu, 35, who resides in Makera, Kaduna, told the court that Sulaiman denied her sex for five years.

We have six children but he has refused to enrol them in school. I enroled them but he pulled them out, saying that I want to change their belief from his school of thoughts.

For nine months now they have not been to schoo.

The house we live in is dilapidated. It is infested by rats, He gives me only N300 to feed his seven children.

Sometimes I go out to do menial jobs to assist the family but he accuses me prostitution. I cant continue living with him. I want a divorce, she said.

The defendant, Sulaiman, denied the allegations made his wife.

When I left my wife was pregnant. When I came back, she told me that he had an abortion because she does not want to bear any child, he said.

Sulaiman admitted that he gives his wife N300 daily because he has all the foodstuffs in the house.

The Judge, Murtala Nasir, ordered both parties to settle their problems amicable.

Nasir adjourned the case until Sept. 23 for report on settlement or continuation of hearing. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Emmanuel Okara

The Ijaw Elders Forum (IEF) and other collaborating bodies on Monday congratulated the leaderships of the PDP and the APC for the peaceful conduct of their primaries in Bayelsa.

They said that they were happy with the parties because the primaries were held without any reported cases of violence and bloodshed on Sept.3, 2019 and Sept. 4, 2019 respectively in Yenagoa.

The congratulatory message is contained in a press statement signed by Mr Efiye Bribena, the Secretary General of the IEF, and on behalf of other collaborating bodies.

A copy of the statement was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The statement added that it was a big plus for the two parties, their aspirants and the good people of Bayelsa that no bloodshed was recorded during the exercise.

The statement said, It is expected that this will be sustained before, during and beyond the forthcoming governorship election.

God bless the aspirants who emerged from the primaries and the people of Bayelsa State.

They also congratulated the successful aspirants that emerged as the governorship candidates of the PDP: Sen. Douye Diri and Mr Lyon David (APC) during the primaries.

We expect that they will learn from this process and conduct their campaigns in a peaceful and God-fearing manner.

As the primaries extended to the night then, a feeling of foreboding enveloped most discerning minds.

This feeling evaporated at the dawn of the day as winners emerged without any reported case of violence or blood-letting.

This is no-mean achievement for the state and it is worthy of emulation nationwide. We thank God for this, Efiye said.

The groups also expressed gratitude to the local and international observer groups for the laudable roles they played during the primaries.

It is important to thank the members of this coalition, stakeholders and collaborators as well as members of the international community who supported the push for peaceful and credible elections in Bayelsa.

While we note that there were some complaints about irregularities in the processes leading to the primaries, we are happy that peace was maintained throughout.

We strongly advise all aggrieved parties to seek redress using peaceful and legal channels available to address their complaints.

Finally, all political actors including candidates and supporters of the various parties should note that their utterances and activities are being closely monitored.

Any attempts to subvert peace and tranquility of the state will be reported to the relevant bodies for appropriate action.

The time to free our future is now. God bless Bayelsa, Efiye said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Victor Nwachukwu

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Imo has solicited the collaboration of the media in the fight against drug abuse in the state.

Mr Uche Sampson, the agencys Public Relations Officer in the state, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri on Monday.

Sampson said that cooperation of the media became necessary because of the challenges the agency usually faced in tackling the menace, especially in the last quarters of the year.

He said that the command had mapped out strategies to curb drug abuse in the state between September and December.

Sampson urged the public to report suspected cases of drug abuse at the commands headquarters in Owerri and zonal offices at Okigwe, Orlu, Oguta and Aboh Mbaise.

He said: We know what the coming months look like, especially with festivities around the corner.

This is why we have laid down strategies to tackle the challenges head-on.

We commend the media for the support they have always shown and continue tocall on them to partner us in the area of public enlightenment.

While we may not completely get rid of drugs, a lot can be achieved through healthy partnerships that positively affect the masses, Sampson said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Young Nigerian football talents would get the opportunity to play professional football in Asia and Europe in a new partnership between Galaxy Football and a Chinese football agent.

Mr Augustine Ekpehe Chairman Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Sport said in Abuja on Monday that the agent, Mr Kelvin You will be visiting Nigeria in October to scout for the talents.

Ekpehe who is also the Chairman of Galaxy Sport Academy Abuja said his company was partnering with You Sport Development Shengyeng for a professional football opportunities in Europe and Asia

Mr Kelvin You is the executive Director of You Sport Development Shengyeng China,
a Chinese ex-international player and coach of the Chinese national team and is currently the biggest football agent in China

He also manages the affairs of several Chinese clubs and he will be visiting Abuja next month to seek for young football players interested in trials for internship in Europe and Asia.

Galaxy sports is set to showcase young Nigerian players that posses an extra talent for football during the visit of the Chinese agent, he said.

Ekpehe added that there will be an under-15 football match where the talents would be showcased.

He added that Galaxy Sport Academy team will play a game against the Abuja selected U-15 team during the visit of Chinese agent in Abuja.

He said that Galaxy sport had secured approval for two U-15 teams to participate in the 5th Peace Cup Shenyang China, 2019 but was unable to go due to late application for Visa.

The Chairman therefore appealed to the Shengyeng China local organizing committee for another opportunity in 2020.

He advised state government who are interested in sports development to take advantage of the opportunities that abound in China.

Source: NAN

By Emmanuel Afonne

Mrs Busola Dakolo, wife of Nigerias inspirational singer Timi Dakolo has finally dragged the Founder and Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, to court over her rape claims.

An FCT High Court in a writ of summons obtained on Monday by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) dated Sept. 6 and served on Fatoyinbo, ordered the Pastor to appear before it within 14 days of the service or judgment may be given in his absence.

You are hereby commanded that within fourteen (14) days after the service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of such service you do cause an appearance to be entered for you, in an action of Mrs Busola Dakolo.

And take notice that in default the claimant may proceed, and judgment may be given in your absence, the summon read.

NAN reports that the court might subpoena Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, the Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), as he has been listed among the witnesses Busola will be using to establish her case.

Busola through her lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi