The Enugu State Police Command has commenced investigation into the death of an 8-year-old boy from suspected kerosene ignited fire in Umundu Community, Udenu Local Government Area.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, said the incident occurred on Sunday night.

Amaraizu said the boy and his family were in their house when the fire broke out and engulfed the whole apartment on that fateful day.

“It was gathered that the incident occurred when the victim, little Chikamso Nnamani, about 8 years old, had tried to refill their lamp with kerosene.

“But unfortunately, the light went wild and quickly engulfed the whole house.

“It was further gathered that as occupants were scampering for safety, the said Chikamso ran towards another direction where he was allegedly consumed by the fire,’’ he said.

According to Amaraizu, a full scale investigation has commenced into the incident.

The police spokesman also said the serene community had been thrown into mourning this festive season following the unfortunate incident.

An 11-year-old girl in East China who measures a whopping 2.1 meters tall has also recently rose to fame on social media.

Video shows 11-year-old Zhang Ziyu, a student at Jinan Wenhua East Road Primary School, towering over her classmates as they exercised at the school last week.

"I really like Zhang Ziyu because she is very tall and can pick me up very high," one of her classmates said.

"She was already 1.6 meters in the first grade. I'm not even that tall now," said another.

The daughter of professional basketball players, Zhang loves the game and is a big fan of NBA stars James Harden and LeBron James.

Zhang also has her own hoop dreams. Her mother Yu Ying, who played for China's national women's team, said Zhang's athletic future depends on how she cultivates her talent.

"All my family supports her basketball ambitions as she is really into it now," Yu said.

Zhang has some height on Ren Keyu, an 11-year-old boy in Sichuan Province who caught media attention earlier this year standing at 2.06 meters.

Nicki Minaj has joined “The Angry Birds Movie 2,” Variety has learned exclusively.

The Sony Animation sequel hits theaters on Aug. 16, 2019.

Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, and Peter Dinklage will all reprise their roles from the first film. They are joined by Leslie Jones, Rachel Bloom, Awkwafina, Sterling K. Brown, Eugenio Derbez, Lil Rel Howery, Dove Cameron, and Zach Woods. Minaj’s role is currently unknown.

“Angry Birds Movie 2” is directed by Thurop Van Orman and co-directed by John Rice. The pic is produced by John Cohen and co-produced by Mary Ellen Bauder Andrews. David Maisel and Catherine Winder are executive producer. Sony Pictures Imageworks handles the animation.

The release date for “Angry Birds Movie 2” coincides with the 10th anniversary of the hit video game. The “Angry Birds” games have been downloaded more than 4 billion times.

“Angry Birds” grossed $350 million worldwide, including $107.5 million domestically, in 2016. The film, directed by Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis, was set on an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds — except for Red (voiced by Sudeikis), speedy Chuck (Gad), and Bomb (McBride). Hader returns as Leonard, king of the pigs, and Dinklage voices the Mighty Eagle.

Minaj’s movie credits include “Ice Age: Continental Drift,” “The Other Woman,” and “Barbershop: The Next Cut.” The rapper has received 10 Grammy Awards nominations, six American Music Awards, 11 BET Awards, and four MTV Video Music Awards. Minaj is repped by Gee Roberson, Brian Sher and attorney Kenny Meiselas.

The Iraqi Cabinet approved a law to mark Christmas Day, December 25, as an official holiday across the country "on the occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ," according to a statement released by the Iraqi government.

The @IraqiGovt announces Christmas Day to be an official holiday across Iraq. Happy Christmas to our Christian citizens, all Iraqis and to all who are celebrating around the world.

— Government of Iraq - الحكومة العراقية (@IraqiGovt) December 24, 2018

The Cabinet voted on an amendment to the national holidays law in the country that Christmas Day is a holiday for all Iraqis, and not only for the Christian community, as it had been for decades.

"Happy Christmas to our Christian citizens, all Iraqis and to all who are celebrating around the world," the Iraqi government said on Twitter.
Before the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were about 1.4 million Christians in the country. However, their numbers have dwindled to roughly 300,000 after hundreds of thousands fled the country following violence and attacks by various armed groups over the years.
Most recently, the rise of ISIS in Iraq forced many of the remaining Christians to flee the country or be killed, as CNN has documented.
In 2016, the ancient Iraqi Christian town of Bartella celebrated Christmas for the first time in two years after being liberated from ISIS.

Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is established by section 230(1) CFRN.

Composition is CJN plus 21 Justices (not more than that). Section 230(2) CFRN.

Constitution - At least 5 Justices, however on the following, it must be 7 justices. Section 234, exercising original jurisdiction, interpretation or application of the constitution, contravention of chapter IV - fundamental rights.

Appointment - CJN is appointed by the President on recommendation of NJC subject to confirmation of Senate - section 231(1). Same for other justices - section 231(2) CFRN.

Removal - sections 292(1) (a) provides that the CJN to be removed by the President acting on address supported by 2/3 majority of the Senate. The question then is, does the National Judicial Council not have any role to play based on the express provision of section 292 CFRN.

The Supreme Court in EleluHabeeb v. Attorney-General of Kwarastate, stated that other statutes and provision of the constitution should be read along section 292 of CFRN.

As it is by reading these other statutes that the function of the NJC which actually recommend removal to the president would be found. In effect the proper interpretation of section 292 cannot be done in isolation.
Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction in civil litigation.

• In disputes between the federal and state government. Section 232(1).
• In dispute between states.

In accordance, section 232(2) which empower the National Assembly to confer additional original jurisdiction in respect of civil matters on the Supreme Court, the National Assembly enacted the Supreme Court (Additional Original Jurisdiction) Act 2002. These additional original jurisdiction are section 1(1) (a)-(c)

• In dispute between the National Assembly and the President.
• In dispute between the National Assembly and state government/state of the federation.
• In dispute between the National Assembly and State House of Assembly.

Hence the Supreme Court now has original jurisdiction in five aspects. The schedule to section 2 of the Act states that both the National Assembly (consisting of Senate and House of Representative) must have passed a resolution supported by a simple majority; and the State House of Assembly must have passed a resolution supported by a simple majority.

The nominal parties as found in section 3 is National Assembly, State House of Assembly is speaker of the State House of Assembly.

Generally, nominal parties for the federation and the states are Attorney-General of the federation and Attorney-General of the state. Section 20 Supreme Court Act.

• Appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court as found in section 233 lies from the court of Appeal as of right or with leave of the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court

CONSTITUTION
Pursuant to section 234 1999 CFRN, the SC shall be duly constituted if it consists of not less than five justices. Provided that when it assumes its original jurisdiction, and it sits to hear appeals of application and interpretation of the constitution; and questions on the provisions of chapter IV , it shall be constituted by seven justices..

Tottenham Hotspur showed why manager Mauricio Pochettino is a wanted man by thrashing Everton 6-2 at Goodison Park on Sunday to close to within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Spurs have had to cope with the unwanted attention of Pochettino being linked with the Manchester United job following Jose Mourinhos sacking this week.

But they showed no signs of being distracted as they roared back from a goal down thanks to doubles from Son Heung-min and Harry Kane with Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen also on target.

Fatigue may yet still derail Tottenhams bid to win a first trophy under Pochettino with Spurs still involved in four competitions.

But with Liverpool facing Arsenal and Manchester City in a top of the table clash in their next three games over the festive period, Tottenham have the opportunity to haul themselves into a three-way title race if they maintain the standards set at Goodison.

I think everyone is talking about Liverpool and Man City, but we are just doing well as we normally do, said Kane.

Weve had a great week, weve got games coming up thick and fast but games we can win.

Kane had chipped into the side-netting and Jordan Pickford produced a fine save to deny England team-mate Kieran Trippier in the early stages.

But it was Everton who struck first in a wildly open contest when Theo Walcott stabbed home at the near post from Dominic Calvert-Lewins cross.

Marco Silvas men could even have been 2-0 up had Calvert-Lewin not been penalised for a push on Davinson Sanchez when heading home moments later.

But Spurs looked as if they could score with almost every attack and were soon on level terms with the aid of a Pickford error.

The England number one rushed from his goal but only succeeded in getting in the way of his own defender Kurt Zouma and Son took advantage with a wonderful finish from a narrow angle.

We dominated the game from the start, we created so many chances, so we were unlucky to be 1-0 down, said Son.

But we bounced back, showed our character and our mentality. We are happy to get three points here.

Once back on level terms, Spurs were relentless as Pickford denied Son a second but Alli charged into the box to sweep home the rebound to turn the game around.

Kane is now just one goal behind Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang in the race for the Premier League golden boot and showed his predatory instincts to side-foot into an empty net after Trippiers fine free-kick came back off the post three minutes before half-time.

Both teams face the least rest time of any Premier League side over the festive period with another three games to come between now and New Years Day.

However, there was no let up in the pace of the game after the break as Eriksen produced a technically perfect controlled volley from the edge of the box to make it 4-1.

Three minutes later Evertons deficit was back to two as Gylfi Sigurdsson dribbled across the whole Tottenham defence before firing back across Hugo Lloris.

Yet, any hope of a fightback was extinguished just after the hour mark when Sons fine control cushioned Erik Lamelas pass before he finished through the legs of Pickford.

It was announced this week that the South Korean will go to the Asian Cup in January despite already representing his country at the World Cup and Asian Games this year.

And Son showed why he will be missed by his club in January once more with an inch-perfect cross for Kane to slide in for his second of the afternoon 16 minutes from time.

Source: NAN

The Baro River Port Cargo handling equipment installation has been completed,Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora, has said.

He told newsmen that the Port cargo handling equipment would soon start operation.

Mamora, who said he was impressed by what he saw while the contractors were fixing the last equipment, was given assurance by the contractors that the project will be ready in in the next one week or two.

Mamora also commended the contractors for a job well done and the community for being a good host and encouraged them to ensure the safety and security of the River Port.

He said Baro River Port, in Niger State, which is the flagship port in the northern part of the country, will be commissioned very soon by President Muhammadu Buhari.

I am satisfied with the quality of work done and in a week time the port will be inaugurated for operations.

I wish to thank the host community for their patriotic zeal and the security the accorded the contractor while doing the work and also wish they extend the same security to the workers when the port comes on stream.

The port apart from boosting the economy of the community will bolster the economy of the state and the country,he said.

NAN reports that the Baro River port was awarded in 2011 at a cost of N2.563 billion to Messrs CGGC Global Projects Limited.

Source: NAN

By Chioma Ugboma

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Sunday took his door-to-door campaign to the Hausa community leader of Agege, Alhaji Musa Dogonkadai.

The leader, who doubles as the Chairman of the Chieftaincy Council of Arewa in Lagos State, alongside members of his council, received the vice president amidst fanfare in his palace in Agege.

The vice president who arrived at the palace at about 4 p.m., was greeted by a large crowd who chanted President Muhammadu Buharis name in different songs as they escorted him to the palace.

A meeting, which was held in closed-door between the vice president and the leader with his council, lasted for about 45 minutes.

Addressing newsmen, the Treasurer of Arewa Community in Agege, Alhaji Abdulkareem Abubakar, said the members felt happy that the vice president decided to pay the leader of Arewa Community a visit.

He said they would vote massively for All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019 elections because they wanted continuity of good governance in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

We are very happy with Vice President Yemi Osinbajos visit to Arewa Community leaders in Agege. We are excited to see the vice president.

We are enjoying this government. We dont want money; what we want is peace, which we are enjoying from this government. We are enjoying peace in Agege and Lagos State and we want it to continue.

Because we want continuity of good thing and peace, we are going to vote for APC candidates in 2019 elections. We are going to vote for Buhari, Osinbajo, Sanwo-Olu, Obasa, Ogundimu and other APC candidates.

Among those in Vice President Osinbajos entourage were the Senior Special Adviser to President on Political Matters, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu and Executive Secretary for Transportation, FCT.

Source: NAN

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, has retracted his earlier story of speaking with the widow of Lt. Col Ibrahim Sakaba, killed by Boko Haram at Metele last month.

He now said he spoke with the slain soldiers sister, Maryam.

The PDP candidate had opened himself to widespread derision following his online post that he spoke with Seun, Sakabas wife.

But the woman denied she received a phone call from Abubakar and wondered why the 72 year-old politician lied.

Abubakar has now set the record straight and apologised for the erroneous communication.

Here is Atiku Abubakars statement:

Following the death of Lt. Col Ibrahim Sakaba during the Boko Haram insurgents attack on 157 Taskforce Battalion in Metele, His Excellency Atiku Abubakars staff has made efforts to get the contact of his widow to enable the former Vice President express his condolences over the loss of the fallen hero.

Over the weekend, Atiku Abubakar was availed with phone numbers of Mrs. Sakaba and Maryam, younger sister of the late soldier, in the alternative.

On Sunday, the former Vice President tried albeit unsuccessfully to contact Mrs. Sakaba but was able to eventually speak with Maryam, younger sister of the gallant soldier during which he expressed his deepest condolences to the family.

However, this communication was erroneously communicated. The error is regretted.

Atiku Abubakar, however reaffirms his deepest condolences to the Sakaba family, which sacrifices, like those of their brave son, keeps us safe.

*Also Read:

Source: NAN

The wife of the late Lt.Col Ibrahim Sakaba, has denied claims by the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, that he spoke with her on the phone.

Late Sakaba was one of the 44 soldiers killed by Boko Haram insurgents during an attack on 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele, Borno State last month,

Atiku had claimed on Twitter on Sunday that he spoke with the widow of the late soldier,

He wrote: This Christmas I urge all Nigerians to spare a thought for our military on the frontlines of the war on terror.

I had cause to telephone Lt. Col. Ibrahim Sakabas widow this Yuletide. I am touched by her devotion and love for her husband who paid the supreme sacrifice for Nigeria.

This Christmas, I urge all Nigerians to spare a thought for our military on the frontlines on the war on terror. I had cause to telephone Lt. Col. Ibrahim Sakabas widow this Yuletide. I am touched by her devotion