No fewer than eight persons allegedly lost their lives on Saturday in an accident that involved two vehicles in Warri.

Eyewitness account said the two vehicles which included a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a commercial bus rammed each other and plunged into a river along the ever busy NPA Expressway in Warri.

The source explained that the two vehicles were on the same lane of the dual carriageway around the Ekpan community axis of the expressway.

According to the source, the commercial bus was parking on the side of the road to pick a passenger when the SUV allegedly rammed into it and both plunged into the river with the eight persons on board.

“The bus was picking a passenger around that spot when the Jeep (SUV) on high speed ran into it and pushed the bus and itself into the river.

“Eight bodies were recovered from the wreckage inside the water.

“It took the intervention of sympathisers as well as men of the Nigeria Police Force, Ekpan Divisional Headquarters to recover the corpses and evacuate the vehicles from the scene of incident,” the eyewitness said.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta Command, Mr Andrew Aniamaka,when contacted said though he was yet to get an official report on the accident, but he had been informed about it.

“Yes, I have heard about it, but I am yet to get a situation report from the new Ekpan DPO. I will get back to you later,” he said. (NAN)

The Federal Government will in due course immortalise the country’s first executive president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who passed away Friday December 28, 2018, aged 93.

This promise was made in Sokoto on Sunday by President Muhammadu Buhari, while paying a condolence visit to the Shagari family.

In a letter to the Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, read by the governor at the event, the President stated:

“I received the very sad news of the passing away of Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“This, indeed, is a grievous loss, which will be felt throughout Nigeria, irrespective of any difference. The late Alhaji Shagari was a landmark figure being virtually our last link to the post-independence government of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa , and the first elected Executive President of Nigeria.

“Please convey to his immediate family, the government and the people of Sokoto State my heartfelt condolences on the passing away of this great statesman.

“The Federal Government will in due course institute a suitable memorial to the late former President”.

Nigeria is a land replete with many exciting topographical features; a land that nature has so smiled upon in its abundant graciousness. From the Ogbunike cave in Anambra to Mambilla Plateau in Taraba state; Obudu cattle Ranch in Cross-River… the list of natural landscapes that make a great appeal to the sight and leaves us with pleasurable memories for years to come remains quite expansive.

A scenic natural masterpiece that we will however like to explore [in this article] lies in a rustic settlement of Ekiti state. The Ikogosi warm spring has been a tourist’s haven for many years now and while many first-time adventurers [to the site] may be thrilled by the prospect of seeing its unique confluence of warm and cold springs, there are other intriguing features that will awe anyone who makes the trip down there. Among these are the rolling hills, lush green plantation and waterfalls. The fauna – particularly the birds – also provides a wonderful complement. All these could well help you make a great escape from the 'hustling and bustling' of city life.

Ikogosi warm spring has been known to the dwellers of the area long before it was discovered by British missionary, Reverend John S. McGee in 1952. Notwithstanding, Rev. McGee can be credited for delivering Ikogosi warm spring from the obscurity of traditional beliefs. All the more, the Baptist Missionary [to which the Reverend belonged as at then] was responsible for developing the vicinity of the spring; making it a place where people can resort to for vacation. They however ceded control of the area to the Nigerian Government in 1973.

There are various legends that have been projected about how the warm and cold springs came into being. One popular legend has it that both (springs) were the wives of a hunter, one being irascible and the other being even-tempered, and that they (the wives) turned into warm and cold springs upon being rebuked by their husband aftermath a quarrel. As one might have guessed, the irascible one turned into the warm spring while the mildly mannered wife became the cold spring.

But thanks to science; it has been explained that the warm spring is made possible as a result of deep fracture that exists underground. This causes the water to travel down the earth, and the water is heated up by the geothermal gradient generated therein. The temperature of water remains high to some extent as it (water) surges back to the surface. By the way, it is reported that the warm spring has a temperature of 700C and after the mixture of cold and warm springs – at the confluence – the temperature reading is recorded to be 370C.

Campers’ delight
Besides the natural endowment in and around Ikogosi warm spring, there are various facilities in place to help vacationists enjoy their stay there. There are chalets; restaurants, bar and swimming pool available for those who are seeking enjoy of nature’s benevolence in a serene atmosphere. You can look to include a visit to this haven in your next vacation plan.

The All Progressives Congress has condoled with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the death of some of its members involved in a road accident on Otukpo-Agatu Road in Benue State.

The PDP members were travelling for the campaign flag-off of a Senatorial candidate on Friday.

APC spokesman, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu said the party is anguished and deeply saddened by the tragic accident.

While we share the pains of the bereaved families, we also pray that those injured in the accident make a speedy and full recovery.

As we mourn, the Party prays that the Almighty God give the bereaved families and other loved ones the strength to withstand the tragic loss and also grant the dead eternal rest.

The APC spokesman urged all political parties all to ensure safety of members as political activities have expectedly heightened in the run up to the 2019 General Elections.

We also call on relevant agencies charged with keeping transport routes and campaign grounds safe to ensure that the electioneering campaigns are as humanly possible devoid of avoidable accidents and incidents, Issa-Onilu added.

Source: NAN

The Presidency said Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who is not a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), cannot, and is not a member of the partys Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) as erroneously announced on Friday.

Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made the clarification in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

The statement read: It has become imperative to further clarify the status of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, named under the sub-head ADVISORY MEMBERS in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council announced on Friday, December 28, 2018.

Africas richest man, not being a card-carrying member of APC, cannot, and is not member of the PCC.

He is also a member of the Peace Committee, and thus cannot be in a partisan campaign council.

A statement earlier issued by the presidential aide on Friday had named Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Adams Oshiomhole, Bola Tinubu, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, Femi Gbajabiamila, Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola as members of the Special Advisory Committee to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Other members of the Council, according to the statement, are Chief Bisi Akande, Chief John Oyegun, Sen. Ita Enang, All APC serving Senators and All APC serving and former Governors.

All APC Members of the House of Representatives, all members of the National Working Committee of the APC and all Zonal Women Leaders are also members of the council.(NAN)

Source: NAN

A flood of tributes poured Friday night as the news of the death of Nigerias Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Usman Shagari spread after the announcement by his grandchildren and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto.

Shagari was 93 years old and will be buried in his Shagari village today at 2pm.

I regret to announce the death of former President Shehu Shagari who just passed away at National Hospital Abuja. May his Soul Rest in Peace, wrote Tambuwal on Twitter.

Bello Shagari who first announced it on Twitter had over 5,000 retweets, as he wrote: I regret announcing the death of my grandfather, H.E Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who died right now after brief illness at the National hospital, Abuja.

He later tweeted that the burial will take place today 29th December 2019, by 2pm at Shagari Local Government Inshaa Allah.

Nuradeen Mahe, another grandson was the person who briefed the newsmen in Sokoto about Shagaris death and also announced the burial that he said would take place today.

Tributes then started flowing from politicians, former military men who toppled Shagaris government in December 1983, students, the clergy including those who had opposed Shagaris politics in the Second Republic.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who succeeded Shagari on 1 January 1984 after the bloodless coup of 31 December, 1983 was among the early mourners.

On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Nigeria, it is with immense sadness that I received the news of the passing away of the First Executive President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari which event happened on Friday in Abuja, Buhari said in a statement by Media adviser, Femi Adesina.

Buhari described the death as the departure of a patriot whose life of service and humility was widely acknowledged.

President Buhari recalled part of the birthday message he (Buhari) sent to him last February when he said, we are enthralled and regaled with the many years of unequalled patriotism, sacrifices and contributions to national development.

More specifically, we celebrate the role modelling qualities of integrity, diligence and humility that have been the hallmark of your visionary leadership.

The Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Sen Aliyu Wamakko, who tweeted a photograph of Shagari, said the death of Second Republic President Shehu Shagari is an irreplaceable national loss.

He added that his demise is a great loss not only to his family, Sokoto State, Sultanate of Sokoto, but to Nigeria as a whole

From Minna Hilltop also came a tribute from former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida, one of the military officers who participated in the December 1983 coup. Shagari was just three months old in his second term when the military officers removed him.

Source: NAN

By Olawunmi Ashafa

The Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the deployment of its Consumer Complaint Management System (CCMS) to ease the process of addressing issues.

The bank made the disclosure in a circular on its Website on Friday, saying the automated system would help to ease complaint management.

It said the CCMS would ultimately boost Nigerians confidence in the banking sector.

The bank also said the move was part of the apex banks job to ensure that the banking and finance sector was stable and conducive for all.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in furtherance of its mandate to promote stable financial system, embarked on the development of a Consumer Complaint Management System (CCMS).

This is an automated system aimed at easing complaints management to engender public confidence in the financial system.

In view of this development, the CBN has made it compulsory for banks and other financial institutions to abide by three important guidelines, it said.

The regulator said that the banks would have to assign a tracking to every complaint received from their respective customers.

It said the banks also needed to acknowledge receipt of every complaint through an e-mailed response.

This, it noted, would also include the tracking number that has been assigned to commence the uploading of all complaints on the CCMS.

The CBN advised banks and other financial services operators to ensure that they adhered to those stipulations which would start on Jan. 2, 2019.

It added, Failure to do this will attract sanctions in line with the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), Cap B3, LFN 2004.

Source: NAN

By Moses Omorogieva /Mateen Badru

Former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni, and nine other senior police officers, have ended their career with the Nigerian police after 35 years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Owoseni was police commissioner in Lagos from July 1, 2015 to September 1, 2017.

NAN reports that the retiring officers were pulled out on Saturday at a colourful ceremony in Lagos amidst cheers by family members, colleagues and other dignitaries.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Intelligence Investigation Department (FCIID), Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, who represented I-G Ibrahim Idris, commended the retiring officers for their service to the nation.

Congratulations to all the retiring senior officers and to their families, we say a big thank you for the support.

As you bow out today, the I-G, the entire police and the nation say a big thank you. You have served well and God will reward you abundantly, she said.

A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Alapini, who represented Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman, Musiliu Smith, also advised the retiring officers to be wary of the environment they were retiring to.

You are retiring into a new world, the world of the police is different from the world of retirement.

A lot of people are waiting for you thinking you have money to invest, you have to be wary and careful.

Please, be faithful to your family, he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi of Elegushi Ikate, commended the retiring police officers for their service to the nation.

I know how passionate you are about the country. How you work to keep the country safe.

We Nigerians often forget where we come from. Nigerias problem has been there for a while and it will take more than four years to solve.

It is just for our government to the right thing, he said.

Also speaking, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Akanbi, commended the retiring police officers for their service to the nation.

I understand what the police stand for as they have made Nigeria more secure, theyare the greatest law enforcement agents, the monarch said.

Among the retiring officers were AIG Abdul Bube, AIG Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, CP Agyole Abeh, CP Joseph Agaji and CP Gbemisola Akinpelu.

Others were CP Bello Ahmed, CP Abdullahi Ibrahim, CP Bello Yahaya, CP Adekinte Ademoju, CP Wakili Maye, CP Fave Semili and CP Ahmed Magaji.

NAN further reports that 55 police officers of the ranks of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Commissioner of Police (CP), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) retired from the force across the country.

Source: NAN

By Muhammad Nasir Bello

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, has declared Monday, Dec. 31, as public holiday in the state to enable residents offer special prayer for the repose of the soul of former President, Shehu Shagari.

This is contained in a statement by Tambuwals Director General, Media and Public Affairs, Malam Abubakar Shekara, and issued to newsmen on Saturday in Sokoto.

Tambuwal said that the declaration followed consultation with the Sultanate Council.

The state government therefore, requests Imams across Sokoto and the general public to dedicate the day for special prayers for the repose of the soul of the former President and for peace and progress of the nation at large.

The government also directs all flags at public and private premises be flown at half mast in honor of the late former President, Shehu Shagari, it said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Liverpool roared back from a rare Anfield deficit to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League as Roberto Firminos hat-trick inspired a 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane were also on target as Liverpools front three all scored in the same league game for the first time this season.

Liverpool had trailed at home in the league for the first time in a day short of a year when Ainsley Maitland-Niles turned home Alex Iwobis excellent cross 11 minutes in.

However, the lead lasted just three minutes as Firmino profited from some calamitous Arsenal defending to level and then left Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos on the floor to score his second goal in three minutes.

Mane and Salahs penalty had the game wrapped up by half-time and Firmino completed his hat-trick from the spot as Jurgen Klopps men extended their unbeaten league start to 20 games and took another significant step towards a first league title since 1989/1990.

Win again in their next outing at Manchester City on Thursday and only a Liverpool collapse in the final months of the season can prevent an end to nearly three decades of hurt.

Champions City now trail the pace setters by 10 points and even if they reduce that lead to seven with victory at Southampton on Sunday, they need to end Liverpools invincible season so far to get back in the title race at the Etihad.

Tottenhams title ambitions suffered a huge blow as Wolves scored three times in the final 18 minutes to win 3-1 at Wembley earlier on Saturday to further embolden Anfield with belief before kick-off.

That confidence could have been shaken when after a bright Liverpool start, it was Arsenal who led when Iwobis teasing cross perfectly dissected Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk, to leave Maitland-Niles with an open goal.

The signings of Alisson and Van Dijk have been credited for Liverpools rock solid defensive record with that goal just the eighth they have conceded all season in the league.

But that solidity is now being married with a return to the sort of form Salah, Firmino and Mane showed last season in smashing a combined 91 goals last season.

Firmino didnt even have to look at the ball when he slotted the equaliser into an empty net after Sokratiss attempted clearance rebounded off Mustafi into his path to quickly level.

However, the Brazilian did all the hard work himself two minutes later by jinking through Arsenals hapless central defensive pairing before drilling low past Bernd Leno.

Mane made it 3-1 on 32 minutes when Salah cushioned a cross perfectly into the Senegaleses path to side-foot high into the net.

Arsenal were handed a let off moments later by referee Michael Oliver when Granit Xhaka was only given a final warning rather than a second booking in a matter of seconds for kicking the ball away in frustration.

But Oliver gave Liverpool the chance to extend their lead just before half-time when Salah tumbled under pressure from Sokratis in the box.

Leno got a touch to the Egyptians spot-kick but couldnt stop Salah moving level with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Harry Kane as the Premier Leagues top scorer on 13.

Liverpool could easily have had more after the break as only a poor touch from Salah allowed Leno to smother and the German keeper also denied Fabinho, while at the other end Aubameyangs blushes were saved by the offside flag when he fired over with an open goal gaping.

Salah gave up the chance to move clear in the race for the golden boot when Sead Kolasinac pushed Dejan Lovren 25 minutes from time and Firmino gratefully fired home the penalty to round off a five-star performance.

Source: NAN