Northern youths, ADP kick against Buhari’s re-election bid

President Muhammadu Buhari

A coalition of northern youths has kicked against any move by President Muhammadu Buhari to seek a second term in office. Their stance is backed by the National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Yabaji Yusuf Sani, an engineer.

The leader of the Northern Youths Coalition, Abdulmajeed Babangida Sa’ad, told journalists in Kano yesterday that Buhari’s three years in office had not shown any sign that there would be any meaningful improvement in the life of the people if offered a second term.

“The coalition, out of patriotism, is asking Mr. President to honourably shun any call on him to seek for second term in office by sycophants and mischievous politicians who are working for their interests that are detrimental to the diverse interests of the teeming populace.

“From what we have seen over the last three years, we are convinced there is no concrete hope that Buhari has the capacity to deliver on good governance when given the second chance,” he said.

According to Sa’ad, “This government has failed. The issue of security goes beyond insurgency. There is unemployment, no basic and effective health care system and education is collapsing. All these are elements that have direct bearing on security.

“The way people perceive security is very narrow, they should look at it beyond insurgency. They should put into consideration kidnapping, farmers-herdsmen clashes, ethnic clashes and religious tension.”

On the legitimacy of the groups, Sa’ad said “a larger number of them are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and are recognized by the law. Many others are pressure groups and are equally recognized by law because of the section of the constitution that recognizes freedom of association.”

Sa’ad denied allegation that the coalition was being used by another interest group.

“Most of us here fought for the actualization of this government and nobody in the past accused us of supporting the government. We played our part in bringing the government to power, and now we discovered it is performing below our expectation, and it seems it has no blueprint or programme on how to deliver Nigerians from the problems they are facing. Our advice is that they should deliver on their promises rather than thinking of a second term,” he said.

In an interview, Sani maintained that there was nothing on ground to justify the on-going calls on Buhari to seek the mandate of Nigerians at the poll next year.

He spoke against the backdrop of the decision by the Minister of Communication Technology, Adebayo Shittu, to put up a campaign organisation for the re-election of Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the 2019 poll.

Sani who described Buhari as an analogue president remarked that it was unfortunate that key government officials and their cronies are taking the intelligence of Nigerians for granted.

He said: “In a civilized society, you will be mindful of the backlash. What impact has this administration made? We now have kidnappings and killings. Corruption is even more endemic. Fuel scarcity has come back. For a minister to come out and say that, it’s a slap on the nation.

“Believe me, President Buhari should be in his ranch drinking “fura de nunu”. We are not saying he doesn’t have the right to contest. But morally, it is wrong. He should be an elder stateman like the late Nelson Mandela by resetting the agenda of the country.

“Anytime somebody is insisting on something, that person has nothing to offer. Four years are enough for him being a former head of state. With this abysmal performance, it is ridiculous. He has the right. But Nigerians have the right to reject them, especially the ragtag put together organization called the APC.”

He assured that the ADP which has a special place for the youths and women at heart would spring a surprise by presenting a better alternative than Buhari at the poll.

Claiming that Nigeria is worse for it in the anti-graft war and the spate of insecurity in the polity, he expressed the readiness of the ADP to engage in “coalition” or “collaboration” with other political parties instead of merger ahead of 2019.

He added: “We can give this country what it requires in terms of leadership. This country is always looked up to. We have no business being where we are today. It is unfortunate. “

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Edo PDP urges legal option in resolving BUA, Dangote dispute

The two parties feuding over the Okpella mine site in Edo State, BUA Group and Dangote Group, have been advised to maintain peace while exploring legal option to resolve the dispute.  

The Edo State branch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which gave the advice said: “We have observed with great trepidation the unhealthy development between the business interests of Dangote and BUA in Okpella and call for caution and register our disbelief in the role being played without guise by Governor Godwin Obaseki.”

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, the state PDP stated that the conflict should be handled with care, adding that the BUA Group was focused on business and had shown financial commitment, short and long term interests and investment in the economy of the state.

The party said Governor Obaseki should be mindful of the enormous financial implications and loss the closure would bring to Edo government and youths in the employ of the company.

“BUA has been running its cement business in the Okpella axis of the state for some years now and they have employed many indigenes in the factory. There is no existing court order for the closure of the BUA factory but the governor has ordered the closure of the BUA facility. Our position is that he should allow both parties to legally resolve their differences in the law court.”

According to the statement, “In 2008, BUA Group acquired majority shareholding of Edo Cement Company after it was sold under the Federal Government’s Privatisation policy. They immediately started production and engaged the youths of the community. In 2015, the 3 million metric tonnes capacity Greenfield Obu Cement plant was completed and production started. More youths and indigenes were employed. “

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IYC demands withdrawal of military from community

Ijaw Youths

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide has demanded the withdrawal of military from Toru-Ndoro community in Bayelsa State.

A statement by its President, Eric Omare, said the IYC received distress calls from the residents that the military invaded and burnt down over 50 houses in the community.

It was learnt that the military invasion followed the beheading of a security operative in the community. The victim was said to have gone to the community on a peace mission when he was hacked down.

Omare condemned the beheading of the security operative and pledged support for efforts to bring the perpetrators to book.

He, however, said it was extremely wrong for security agents to have invaded and burnt down an entire community in the course of their search for criminals.

The statement reads: “Similar invasions had happened in other Niger Delta communities as Odi in Bayelsa State, Ajapa in Ondo State, Ajakarama in Delta State and now Toru-Ndoro in Bayelsa State.

“We demand that the few persons who are involved in criminality should be separated from the rest of the community and made to face the full weight of the law. Unfortunately, residents of these communities are also often the first victims of these criminal elements.

The statement said the whereabouts of an ex-militant from Ogulagha community in Delta State, Mr. Bonny Gawei was still unknown. He was said to have accompanied the beheaded security operative to Ndoro to find a peaceful solution.

Omare added: “The IYC, the Ijaw nation in particular and the Niger Delta in general do not support the activities of the few criminal elements.

“But, the entire community must not be made to suffer for the crimes of a few persons. If these were to be the situation, then all the communities in the northeast where the Boko Haram had invaded would have been burnt down.”

The IYC urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order the minister of defence, the chief of army staff and the commander of Operation Delta Safe to stop the ongoing invasion, as efforts are being made to arrest the culprits.

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NDE trains 2,000 on skills acquisition in Edo

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki. AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI

As part of Federal Government’s effort to sustain job creation interventions and reduce poverty, the Edo State Office of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced training of at least 2,000 persons on skills acquisition. 

NDE State Coordinator, Ayo Edegbai disclosed this to newsmen during its orientation/induction course for the 74,400 jobs creation programme (B-NOAS) in Edo. 
 
He said the training was designed to consolidate NDE’s effort to sustain employment generation interventions and poverty reduction endeavours and demand driven skills. 
 
She noted that skills acquisition was a major instrument for empowering citizens to access decent and productive employment.

“The NDE has affected over 100,000 persons in Edo State of which many are employed and others on self employment,”Edegbai said. 
 Edegbai stressed that the skill acquisition training for participants is to enable them to actively participate in the socio-economic development of the country to reduce unemployment and poverty.

Meanwhile, a group, Edo Women Development Initiative (EWDI) has called on the governments at all levels to take their services to its citizens in the rural areas which they said was one of making them have a sense of belonging.

It stated this at Umegbe in Oredo local government area where it had a free medical services for the people of the community.

It’s president, Dr. Rosaline Okosun, in company of several other members of the association, said the EWDI was committed to giving selfless service to the people particularly in the area of health and urged other NGOs to collaborate and give better life to rural dwellers.

She remarked: “Part of the objective is to reach out to rural women and children, we started our medical outreach last year, and we discovered that this community is supposed to be part of Ward II, GRA that some people are living in affluence in GRA but in Iyekogba, they are living in abject poverty so we decided to take a tour here and I was really touched by what I saw so we decided to do something for the women and children but as you can see, men are also here.

“When we did it at Upper Sokponba, we discovered that many of these women are hypertensive and some of them were diabetic that is why were frequent stories of “she wasn’t sick but she just died” whereas she was just a walking corpse so we need to do a lot and I call on other NGOs to partner with different communities and provide health services for communities.

The government cannot do it all alone but we can do it together and reach out. We tasked ourselves and we got support from other individuals and we hope to get sponsorship from pharmaceutical companies later in the year and we will come back here and to other communities. We also got support from our medical women association and our young female doctors and I hope government will be able to give them jobs because each time we call them, they are always willing to help us. We also have nurses, medical lab scientists all giving out their time pro bono”

To the enogie (duke) of the community, HRH Anthony Osayimerie Osagie, the free outreach could not have come at a better time even as he called on the government to equp the two health centres in the community. One built sixteen years by Oredo and the built by a lawmaker six years ago. “I am very happy that it is happening here. I thank this Edo Women Development Initiative I thank the, for this gesture. We in this area, it is difficult for us to access Benin City to go for treatment in government hospitals, some of them don’t even have money to go take care of themselves but I thank this group for coming to our community to give us free health services to our people and what they are doing here now is free of charge, the drugs are free, the treatment is free.

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Shiites kick over health of detained leader, El-Zakzaky

The leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria otherwise known as Shi''te, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) at weekend stormed some major cities in the North to protest against the alleged deteriorating health condition of their spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky. Consequently, they urged the Federal Government to immediately release him from detention for treatment.

After the march which held in Kaduna, Katsina, Kano and Bauchi states, the group’s spokesman, Mallam Ibrahim Musa, in a statement yesterday in Kaduna, said: “From a rare visit to our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, it has been confirmed to us that his health has suffered a severe knock in the past two days, such that he is critically ill and in urgent need of the best medical attention possible.

“We have seen this coming because of his age – almost clocking 67 years old, and the several gunshots wounds he sustained during the murderous attack on his home by the military in December 2015. To say that we, his followers, are agitated by the latest development is to say the least.”

He continued: “We are deeply concerned and disenchanted by the attitude of this administration towards our peaceful protests and demands that the Sheikh and his wife be released as ordered by a Federal High Court in Abuja. It seems those holding our leader captive are just waiting for time to kill him, since Allah has rescued him from their attempt to get him eliminated using military might.

“The fact that for the past two years, our Sheikh has endured all the mental and physical torture he has been subjected to by the Buhari administration is enough a miracle from Allah the Almighty. He has been shot at close range, for him to die, but he survived it. He has been denied proper medical care, but he still carries on. A vigorous campaign of calumny against him has been mounted by his detractors, but he still enjoys the tumultuous support and sympathy of millions of people. This is a miracle they don’t want to admit, but which is very clear to all discerning people.”

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Kaduna NUT begins indefinite strike as El-Rufai vows to dismiss teachers absent from duty

Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has threatened to dismiss any teacher who is absent from duty ahead of a strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) from Monday, January 8, 2018 over the state government’s insistence to sack teachers who failed  its competency test.

The government also warned that  it was ready  to prosecute officials of NUT for unlawful procession and destruction of government properties.

A statement issued by the Governor’s spokesman,  Samuel Aruwan, yesterday stated that “It has come to the notice of the Kaduna State Government that the state branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has declared an indefinite strike, pointing out that the strike is an illegal action, and will not achieve its aim of derailing the education reforms being implemented by the government.’

Arunwan warned that: “the Kaduna State Government is not available to be blackmailed into knowingly retaining unqualified teachers. Neither will it mortgage the future of two million primary school pupils because failed teachers are shamelessly mobilizing with sentiment.’

Besides, he remarked that “at the invitation of the Federal Ministry of Labour, the Kaduna State Government twice met in Abuja with the
officials of the NLC and the NUT. Governor Nasir El-Rufai personally led the state delegation to the first meeting.”

According to him, during these interactions, the state made it clear that as an employer, it has every right to determine who its employees are or can be, and the minimum qualifications they must possess.

“Government wishes to inform the public that it has instructed its Education administrators to open registers in all its schools, starting from Monday, January 8, 2018. Any teacher that is absent from work will be treated with the consequences that pertain to absconding from duty under the Public Service Rules.

“There can be no doubt that KDSG will take firm and decisive disciplinary action against personnel who absent themselves from duty, including dismissal from service.”

Kaduna NUT had raised an alarm that the state is making desperate efforts to frustrate the interlocutory injunction stopping the sack of teachers in Kaduna State pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Meanwhile, in a press release signed by the Kaduna  NUT chapter, Comrade Audu T. Amba and his Secretary, Adamu Ango, they said the union had earlier served two weeks notice ultimatum, before commencing on indefinite strike.
 
The union added that they had earlier dragged governor El-rufai to court,  “the strike was predicated on the fact that the Kaduna State government was hell bent on dismissing /disengaging teachers in the public primary schools of Kaduna State based on the competency test conducted by the government.”

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Dybala diagnosed with thigh muscle strain

Juventus' Argentinian forward Paulo Dybala celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A football match Sassuolo versus Juventus on September 17, 2017 at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia. MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP

Juventus star Paulo Dybala has been diagnosed with a mild to medium thigh muscle strain, the club have confirmed.

The forward was forced off in the second half of his side’s 1-0 win at Cagliari on Saturday in clear distress, with head coach Massimiliano Allegri later admitting they were unsure about the severity of the problem.

Tests carried out early on Sunday have shown Dybala has damaged a flexor muscle in his right thigh, with Juve unwilling to estimate his recovery time until at least next week.

“Paulo Dybala underwent an MRI this morning which showed a mild to medium strain to his right thigh flexor,” the Serie A champions said in a statement.

“He will immediately start rehabilitation with the prognosis for return better evaluated in the coming days.”

There was more encouraging news for midfielder Sami Khedira, who will require no further treatment after suffering a blow to the head, while Giorgio Chiellini is recovering well after receiving eight stitches for a wound.

Juve’s win took them back to within a point of league leaders Napoli ahead of a two-week break in Italy’s top flight.

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PICTURES: Phillippe Coutinho Unveiled at Camp Nou

Philippe Coutinho has been presented as a Barcelona player for the first time.




The Catalan giants are reported to have agreed a deal worth up to £142million with Liverpool to bring the Brazilian playmaker to Camp Nou, after a series of bids failed in August.

Coutinho will be formally unveiled on Monday, with a photo shoot on the Camp Nou pitch to be followed by a press conference.

But Barca offered a glimpse of Coutinho in Barcelona colours in a video posted to the club’s official Twitter account after Sunday’s home win against Levante.

Coutinho is shown walking out on stage and posing for the cameras, waving to the photographers and offering a double thumbs-up for the flashbulbs.

The 25-year-old then sent a message to his new club’s fans ahead of Monday’s formalities.

“Hi Barcelona fans, I’m already here,” Coutinho said. “It’s a dream come true and I hope to see you tomorrow.”

Without Coutinho, Barca beat Levante 3-0 to stretch their cushion at the top of the LaLiga table to nine points, with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Paulinho on the scoresheet.

Picture Credits: Reuters

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Benue killings: Displaced cries out, we are dying of hunger

Those who are displaced as a result of New year attacked and killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Logo Local government area said they are drying of hunger .



Inhabitants of Azege, Tse – Zungwe, Anyibe ,Gbeleve and mbakighir villages displaced in the attacked are now taking shelter in Ayilamo, headquarters of Tombo ward ,in Logo local government area of Benue state .

When newsmen visited the LGEA primary school camp Ayilamo ,most of the displaced among them, nursing mothers ,children and old men were seen squating on bare floor in classrooms.

To worsen matters ,the classooms had no windows and there is serious harmattan now in the area .

A 40 year old man Unange ugo revealed that he escaped from his home with nothing on him ,except the cloths on his body .

” We saw the Fulani herdmens shooting people and burning houses in the next village so I hurriedly took my family and we ran to safety ” ugo.
” Since we arrived here in this temporary camp me and my wife have not seen any food ,we only drank garri and sleep “.he said .

Another victim , a pregnant woman Mrs .Mary Gbanger , said she escaped ahead of her husband with two children ,but later heard from other family members that husband was shot and killed by herdsmen .

” My husband was shot and killed but I escaped with two children ,since we came to Ayilalamo town ,there is no food I only survived on the good will of the people in Ayilamo town who cook and gave us” said Mrs.Gbanger .

She appealed to the state and federal government to help them with relief materials like food ,sleeping mats.

Investigations revealed that there is no water in the camp as most of the displaced are even afraid to trek long distance in search of water for fear of unknown .

There is possibility of outbreak of disease if the displaced continued to leave in the temporary camp with out basic amenities.

Even though Governor Samuel Ortom has directed the State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA) to set up designated camps for the victims ,officials of the agency are yet to arrived the camp in Ayilamo.

Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom said those who were killed in the attacked will be giving a state burial on Thursday.

Governor Ortom described those killed as hero of anti -open grazing prohibition Law.

He said no going back on the law as that is the only way to solved herders – farmers clashes.

He said there is population explosion and the land is no longer there like in the fifties .

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Didier Drogba’s Phone Stolen in Ghana’s State House

Ivorian football Legend and host of 2017 Aiteo/CAF Awards Didier Drogba has had his phone stolen.
The African football legend Drogba co-hosted CAF Award gala night with South African broadcaster, Carol Tshabalala at the State House Banquet Hall in Accra, Ghana.According to abidjantv.net the former Chelsea player was focused on his task when he realized his “mobile phone had disappeared”.



“Sadly, the icon had to return to his base without his phone,” the report stated

In somewhat similar circumstances Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lost his luggage in transit to Abuja for the 2016 CAF Awards.

He wrote this on his Instagram page afterwards:

“When you arrive for the ceremony…. and they lost our baggage!! So that’s how we dress tonight. Thanks Lufthansa,” he wrote on Instagram.

CAF’s spokesman Junior Binyam added: “Aubameyang only arrived at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja an hour before the event without his bags, as they were missing in transit. That was why he dressed that way.”

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Government's burden is to defend territorial integrity, rights — Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reiterated the government’s responsibility, through the armed forces, to defend the territorial integrity of the country.

In his remarks at the 2018 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day Service in Abuja, Osinbajo also said the government had the burden to defend the peoples’ rights of existence, religion and other human rights.

He, however, noted that some of the rights had in recent times, been challenged by the criminal group Boko Haram, which had killed and maimed innocent people including women and children.

According to him, the Armed Forces of the country have lost personnel in various battles to keep the country together, leaving behind widows and children who the populace should cater for.

The Vice President noted that the country had experienced various attacks and killings in various communities and noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the security agencies to deal with those involved.

He said that the tension in the country was further fueled by the politicisation of many issues and cautioned that politics should not be allowed to add to the existing problems of the country.

“We (government) have sworn to defend the poor and the helpless; the Armed Forces represent the bastion of the country’s unity.

“Our nation today stands as one to honour the fallen heroes,’’ Osinbajo declared.

The Vice President added that as Christians, those who attended the service should live according to the demands of their faith to preach the gospel of Christ not only in words but in action.

According to him, the gospel preaches sacrifice, repaying evil with good, avoiding vengeance and also reminds the faithful that no battle is theirs and that vengeance belongs to God.

“We have to preach the gospel of self-sacrifice that has changed the world, the sacrificial love that the Lord has shown by shedding His blood to save humanity,’’ Osinbajo stated.

The Vice President prayed that the bloodletting in the country should cease and predicted that the country will thrive economically.

“We must work together as Nigerians to build a prosperous and united nation,’’ he said.

In a sermon, an Anglican Archbishop of the Jos Province, The Most Rev. Benjamin Kwashi, noted that the service was more important for civilians than members of the armed forces, expressing the need for more civilians to attend such service.

The cleric stated that the Armed Forces remained “the one institution of hope for Nigerians.

“They are serving and laying their lives against Boko Haram, marauding herdsmen and men who have not wished this country well’’.

The Archbishop noted that a lot of innocent blood had been shed in the country and expressed worry that in spite of the killings, nothing serious was done to apprehend the killers and prosecute them.

“When I look at people killed, I wonder how leaders sleep,’’ he said, adding that in Jos he had conducted more funeral services than weddings.

Kwashi highlighted the important role of the military in national unity but expressed dismay that many of the members retired to beg for means of livelihood.

“The institution of Armed Forces still gives us hope and I pray that those who look after their pensions will do so in the name of God,’’ he said.

He added that even if there should be restructuring in the country, the nation must be kept together.

The clergyman said that Jesus served humanity by doing good to the people, providing their needs and solving problems.

Accordingly, he said the country needed those who can sacrifice for the next generation by denying themselves of comfort.

He advised the people and those in authority to urgently address the plight of the poor as well as for the National Assembly to appropriate enough resources to cater to the needs of the people who make sacrifices for the country’s unity.

Kwashi said that the country was tired of problems and needed sacrifices at the moment.

“You have no business to seek to rule the country in any capacity if you cannot find solutions to problems of the people,’’ he contended.

The service was attended by serving and retired government functionaries, members of the armed forces, Nigerian Legion, para-military, ministers, members of the national assembly and the diplomatic corps.

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Usain Bolt set to undergo trial with Borussia Dortmund

Sprint star Usain Bolt will undergo a trial with Borussia Dortmund in a bid to earn a professional contract at Manchester United.



The Jamaican, an all-time athletics legend after winning eight Olympic golds, retired after damaging his hamstring in his last ever race at the World Championships in London last year.

After recovering from that injury, the 31-year-old has reiterated his desire to switch sports, claiming he has held talks with the club’s legendary former manager Alex Ferguson over a possible United deal, while his long mooted Dortmund trial is still on the cards.

“The injury is now fine and I’m back fully fit,” Bolt, the 100 metres world-record holder, told the Express.

“In March we’re going to do trials with Dortmund and that will determine what I do with that career, which way it goes. If they say I’m good, and that I need a bit of training, I’ll do it.

“It makes me nervous. I don’t get nervous but this is different, this is football now. It’ll take time to adjust but once I play a few times I’ll get used to it. It was the same when I started track and field.

“I was nervous for a while until I started getting used to the crowd, people and everyone around and it falls into place.

“One of my biggest dreams is to sign for Manchester United. If Dortmund say I’m good enough, I’ll crack on and train hard. I’ve spoken to Alex Ferguson and I told him he needs to put in a good word. He told me if I get fit and ready, he will see what he can do.”

Bolt, who won 11 World Championship gold medals in a glittering sprinting career, indicated he has sought advice from Paul Pogba over a potential football career.

“I do think I have a chance,” Bolt added. “I watch a lot of football, I understand it, I play it. With training, I could be good.

“Me and Pogba talk a lot. I watch and ask him a lot of questions. I want to play but it has to be in the top league. I’m not content to be average.

“It’s going to be hard because my career has been so great but if I could win a Champions League or something, it’ll be close to anything I achieved in athletics.

“But I have to be more than average. It has to be in the top league because we have a lot of teams that have offered us deals, just random clubs. I want to be the best.

“I personally want to play on the wing but I know, listening to everybody and talking to footballers, that I will be put up top.

“I strive to be the best and if I get a chance to play for a team like Manchester United it will be a massive deal. I don’t miss the sprint training. I miss the competition, and getting out on the track in front of the crowd, but not the training.

“I will definitely want to get up and go train and be excited just to play at Old Trafford.”

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Aare Ona Kakanfo: Final rites begin for Gani Adams’ installation

Otunba Gani Adams

The final rites for the installation of Otunba Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland will begin on Wednesda in Oyo.

Mr Dotun Oladipo, the Chairman, Media Committee of the Aare Ona Kakanfo installation made this known in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, announced Adams, the National Coordinator, O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC) as the 15th Generalissimo of Yoruba land on Oct. 16, 2017

“Since he was designated as the Aare Ona Kakanfo in 2017 by the Alaafin of Oyo, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Adams had been engaged in several processes that will lead to his installation on January 13, 2018 at Durbar Stadium, Oyo, Oyo State.

“From Wednesday, the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress and Founder of Oodua Progressive Union, which is in 79 countries, will be in seclusion in Oyo town.

“The schedule of rites, which will end in the wee hours of Saturday, has been drawn up by the Palace of Oba Adeyemi,” he said.

He added that the schedule of programme for the installation will be preceded by a news conference to be addressed by the Oyo State Government to unveil the details of the installation ceremony on Saturday.

He said that the conference would provide guests and users of the ever-busy Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso Road with traffic diversion and parking arrangements.

“Among the several dignitaries expected at the ceremony are the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki; the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

“Also expected are the Ooni of Ife, Oonirisa Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Obas of the six South-West States and those of Yoruba speaking areas of Kogi and Kwara States.

“Others are captains of industry; and the Diplomatic Corps in Nigeria and representatives of foreign governments,”

According to Oladipo, Adams, who succeeds late business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, as Aare Ona Kakanfo, holds 52 chieftaincy titles.

He added that Adams, was a human rights activist, involved in the struggle for the return of Nigeria to democracy after several years of military rule and has defended the rights of the underprivileged.

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Defending champions, Arsenal dumped out of the FA cup

FA Cup holders Arsenal were sensationally dumped out of the competition by Nottingham Forest on Sunday, joining Leeds United as big-name casualties on a day of shocks.


Elsewhere, West Ham stayed alive with a goalless draw at Shrewsbury and Tottenham scored three goals in just eight second-half minutes to see off the challenge of League One side AFC Wimbledon.

Championship side Forest revived memories of their glory years under Brian Clough, putting 13-times winners Arsenal to the sword in an incident-packed win at the City Ground. Eric Lichaj opened the scoring for the home side but Per Mertesacker equalised just three minutes later. However, Forest continued to probe an inexperienced Arsenal line-up and got their reward just before half-time when Lichaj volleyed in spectacularly from the edge of the box. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, serving a touchline ban, was forced to watch powerless from the stands as Rob Holding conceded a penalty that Ben Brereton converted to stretch home side’s lead to 3-1.

Danny Welbeck gave Arsenal hope with just over 10 minutes to go but Kieran Dowell netted from the penalty spot again to seal a 4-2 win for the second-tier side over the Premier League visitors. In the early kick-off, on-loan forward Shawn McCoulsky headed in a dramatic 89th-minute winner for Welsh club Newport to seal a 2-1 victory against 1972 Cup winners Leeds. Leeds had taken an early lead at Rodney Parade when Gaetano Berardi’s deflected long-range shot found the net. But Newport, currently 11th in League Two — the fourth tier of the English game — levelled 14 minutes from time when Leeds defender Conor Shaughnessy sliced into his own net.

Infused with fresh belief in front of a passionate Welsh crowd, Newport pressed for a winner, and with a minute to go on-loan substitute McCoulsky rose highest at a corner to head in the decisive goal and send the stadium into raptures. Much-changed Leeds were then reduced to 10 men when substitute Samuel Saiz was immediately sent off over an off-the-ball incident. “This is much better beating Championship teams like Leeds,” said Newport manager Michael Flynn.

“I don’t want to be winning relegation battles, I want to be winning FA Cup ties and climbing the table.” It is another miserable result in the FA Cup for Leeds, who crashed out in the fourth round last year to non-league Sutton United. – Hart saves – West Ham had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank for keeping them in the Cup with a 0-0 draw after an uninspired performance against Shrewsbury Town of the third tier. The England goalkeeper, returning to the club where he started his career, was handed a cap from the crowd as he battled against the slanting winter sun. He made a fine save from Mat Sadler with about 10 minutes to go until the interval and repeated the trick against Alex Rodman to keep the score at 0-0. The League One high-fliers continued to take the game to David Moyes’s team in the second half but there were few clear-cut opportunities for either side.

Shrewsbury’s Jon Nolan had a golden chance to seal a dramatic victory in the dying minutes of normal time but blazed over and the two sides will meet again at the London Stadium. “The players are a little bit deflated almost,” said Shrewsbury Town manager Paul Hurst. “But we have a replay to look forward to,” he added.

“We know it will be tough. They will be at home, more comfortable in their own stadium.” At Wembley, Harry Kane broke the deadlock against AFC Wimbledon with just under half an hour to go before Kane again and Jan Vertonghen made it 3-0 to put the game beyond the reach of the visitors. On Saturday, League Two Coventry City sent Premier League side Stoke City crashing out, prompting the sacking of Mark Hughes.

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Cross River: Gunmen release abducted doctor

Gunmen early on Sunday released Dr Usang Ekanem, a medical practitioner with the Cross River College of Education Medical Centre, Akamkpa, Cross River State, kidnapped on Dec. 26, 2017

Dr Effiong Mkpanam, the state Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar that Ekanem was released in the early hours of Sunday in Akamkpa.

Mkpanam, who expressed joy over the release said a traumatised Dr Ekanem, was released safely to his family on Sunday morning.

“As we speak right now, our colleague has been released; it is breaking news to us. I have seen him and the wife and we bless God that he has re-united with his family.

“At the moment, he is highly traumatised, but we are grateful to God for his safe release,’’he said.

NAN recalls that the NMA at a news conference on Friday in Calabar threatened an indefinite withdrawal of medical services from public, private, mission, and institutional hospitals in the state from Jan. 8 over the kidnapped doctor.

Mkpanam had expressed dissatisfaction with the rate of doctors kidnapped in the state, noting that five doctors and three of their family members were kidnapped in 2017 by gunmen.

He further said that any time a medical doctor is kidnapped in the state; the NMA would embark on an indefinite withdrawal of medical services without notice.

He told NAN that the association will meet on Monday, Jan. 8 to dialogue and suspend the planned action.

He, however, would not disclose if the doctor was released on the payment of ransom.

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Kogi medical doctors begin strike

Doctors at work...<br />

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kogi on Sunday directed its members to resume strike on Monday over an alleged failure by the state government to meet their demands.

Dr Godwin Tijani, the Chairman of the association, said in Lokoja that the inability of the state government to pay the doctors’ full salaries was unacceptable.

Besides, Tijani said all the doctors’ associations and union dues as well as members’ cooperative society contributions were not remitted in full whereas 100 per cent taxes were deducted from their salaries.

According to Tijani, even some doctors are yet to be paid.

“Congress, therefore, resolved that all its members across the state should resume total and indefinite withdrawal of healthcare services from all hospitals in Kogi, with effects from 12:00 midnight on Sunday, Jan 7, 2018.

“We want government to give a definite time line for the full implementation of adjusted CONMESS (new salary structure) for doctors in the state civil service and the accrued arrears since January, 2014.

“Congress will reconvene once the state government responds appropriately to the aforementioned demands,” he said.

Tijani, however, appreciated the commissioners for Health and Finance and others, who were at the congress to douse tension and ensure peaceful resolution of the matter.

He also commended their members for their patience and understanding.

It would be recalled that the Kogi NMA had suspended an earlier strike over the demand on June 22, 2017, following the state government assurances that it would meet their demands.

It gave the government up till Dec. 31, 2017, to meet the demand or face strikE.

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Former Governor Nwobodo urges youths to embrace community, self-help projects

Chief Jim Nwobodo

The Governor of old Anambra, Chief Jim Nwobodo, has urged Nigerian youths to participate in community, self-help developmental projects, to improve the living conditions of rural dwellers.

Nwobodo, on Sunday in Amaechi Awkunanaw in Enugu State, said ‘‘these self-help projects will make life more meaningful for the rural dwellers and check rural-urban migration in the country.’’

The former governor said this when members of Amaechi Development Union (ADU) gathered at Amaechi Civic Centre to elect new officials to pilot affairs of the community for the next four years.

Nwobodo, who was a former Senator of Enugu East Senatorial District, also emphasised the need for peace and love to reign in communities to fast tract socio-economic development.

‘‘It is good that everybody, especially youths that have the zeal and resources, should work collectively with elected communities’ officials in enthroning social amenities in communities in the country.

‘‘Government cannot do it alone,’’ Nwobodo, who is from Amaechi community, advised.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Aneke Ogbodo, lamented that it lacked potable water and adequate medical facilities.

Ogbodo noted that the borehole and overhead tank installed in the community by the government had not functioned since the last 10 years.

The monarch, therefore, said ‘‘much is expected from the newly elected leadership of the community executives to reverse these ugly trends’’.

In his address, the new President-General of ADU, Mr John Egbo, assured that he would champion the course of rural development in Amaechi community.

He said he would utilise the various opportunities being provided by the current administration of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to develop the community.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Egbo was a former Commissioner for Environment in the state.

He promised to access the N10 million grant from the state government to provide social amenities to rural arrears under the Visit Every Community (VEC) project to develop the area.

He further disclosed that his leadership would extract the community’s own royalties from Gariki Market Parks entrusted to Enugu South Local Government Area and utilise the money for provision of social amenities.

A leader in the community, Chief Hyacinth Ngwu, described the election of Egbo-led executive as a good omen for the community’s overall development.

Ngwu, who is the APC Publicity Secretary in the South-East, noted that Egbo would bring his experience garnered while he served in government business and abroad to bear in his new position.

Some of the newly-elected executives included: Ikechukwu Edo , 1st Vice President; Brista Ani 2nd Vice President, and Dan Onyia, Secretary-General.

Others are Dan Agbo, Financial Secretary; Emma Nsude, Treasurer; Okenna Joseph, Auditor-General; Sunday Ugwu, PRO and Emma Nwachukwu,Provost 1.

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Newport stun Leeds, West Ham survive FA Cup test

Shrewsbury Town's English midfielder Jon Nolan (L) reacts after missing a shot during the English FA Cup third round football match between Shrewsbury Town and West Ham United at New Meadow stadium in Shrewsbury, western England, on January 7, 2018. PAUL ELLIS / AFP

Lowly Newport County came from behind to send Championship side Leeds United crashing out of the FA Cup on Sunday but Premier League West Ham stayed alive with a goalless draw at Shrewsbury.

On-loan forward Shawn McCoulsky headed in a dramatic 89th-minute winner for Welsh club Newport to seal a 2-1 victory against the 1972 Cup winners and send the crowd at Rodney Parade wild.

Leeds had earlier taken an early lead in the third-round tie when Gaetano Berardi's deflected long-range shot found the net.

But Newport, currently 11th in League Two -- the fourth tier of the English game -- levelled 14 minutes from time when Leeds defender Conor Shaughnessy sliced into his own net.

Infused with fresh belief in front of a passionate Welsh crowd, Newport pressed for a winner, and with a minute to go on-loan substitute McCoulsky rose highest at a corner to head in the decisive goal and send the stadium into raptures.

Leeds were then reduced to 10 men when substitute Samuel Saiz was immediately sent off over an off-the-ball incident.

"This is much better beating Championship teams like Leeds," said Newport manager Michael Flynn. "I don't want to be winning relegation battles, I want to be winning FA Cup ties and climbing the table.

"I thought we were the better team in the first half, the goal was unfortunate, but we had chances and kept going. I told them we don't have to win the game in the first 10 minutes of the second half and we got crosses into the box.

"It was an outstanding header. He has 11 goals for us this season and he has been superb for us. He was hungry and wanted it and I am delighted."

The Championship visitors had made nine changes from the side held by Nottingham Forest on New Year's Day, and manager Thomas Christiansen's decision backfired in a frenzied finale.

It is another miserable result in the FA Cup for Leeds, who crashed out in the fourth round last year to non-league Sutton United.

Hart saves
West Ham had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank for keeping them in the Cup with a 0-0 draw after an uninspired performance against Shrewsbury Town of the third tier.

The England goalkeeper, returning to the club where he started his career, was handed a cap from the crowd as he battled against the slanting winter sun.

He made a fine save from Mat Sadler with about 10 minutes to go until the interval and repeated the trick against Alex Rodman to keep the score at 0-0.

The League One high-fliers continued to take the game to David Moyes's team in the second half but there were few clear-cut opportunities for either side.

Shrewsbury's Jon Nolan had a golden chance to seal a dramatic victory in the dying minutes of normal time but blazed over and the two sides will meet again at the London Stadium.

On Saturday, League Two Coventry City sent Premier League side Stoke City crashing out, prompting the sacking of Mark Hughes.

In Sunday's later games, Tottenham host AFC Wimbledon while north London rivals Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest, seeking to join the two Manchester clubs and Liverpool in the fourth-round draw.

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Days of the rump of Boko Haram terrorists numbered, says Buratai

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said the days of the rump of Boko Haram terrorists are numbered, in spite of occasional attacks of Nigerian targets.

Buratai gave the assurance while addressing troops of the 8 Division at Monguno, headquarters of Monguno Local Government Area of Borno.

He, therefore, charged the troops to be determined in the efforts to stablilise their area of operation and finally overcome the Boko Haram challenge in the country.

“We must remain here to stabilise it.

“You all know that we have some few attacks here and there by the same elements – Boko Haram, but I assured you that their days are numbered.

“With your efforts, with your determination, we will finally overcome the Boko Haram challenge,’’ he said.

The chief of army staff noted that the creation of the 8 Division was a “major strategic decision’’ which had helped in addressing the challenge of Boko Haram terrorism in Borno north.

“I want to say that this division has lived up to its expectation of containing the Boko Haram challenge in this part of the country.

“What remains is for us to continue to stabilise and continue to operate, to prevent any element that may raise their heads in the future.

“This part of the country or this part of the region, especially the Lake Chad region has always been volatile.

“That is why members of the Lake Chad Commission created the Multinational Joint Task Force.

“So, we will see ourselves performing similar duties even after the final clearance of the Boko Hartam terrorists,’’ Buratai added.

He warned the troops to refrain from all acts of indiscipline as peace was gradually returning to the area and displaced people returning to their communities restart their lives.

The army chief further warned that those caught engaging in trading and extortion would be dealt with according to the law.

“Issues of indiscipline must also be checked within the division.

“As the people here gradually return to their communities, return to their businesses, they should be allowed to do their businesses free without any interference.

“Report of extortion or soldiers engaging themselves in trading activities with the people here must be resisted.

“We do not want any distraction. Trading in fish or cattle, if anyone – soldier, is caught, he is going to be dealt with according to the law.

“You are here to maintain the peace, you are here to perform your duties as soldiers; you are here not to trade or do any other business.

“Very soon, those that are in the IDPs camps will go back to their homes and re-establish themselves and the economic activities will increase.

“Do not fall into that temptation to be involved (in trading),’’ he further warned.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 8 Division was created as a task force in 2016 to boost military operations against the Boko Haram menace, particularly in the Lake Chad region.

But the division will move to Sokoto State in the North West, where it would be operationalised soon, according to Buratai.

NAN also reports the army chief visited one of the camps in Monguno, holding 20, 000 IDPs and donated some relief materials, including food items, detergents and clothes to them.

He used the opportunity to address the elderly men and women IDPs in the camp, including the 700 recently rescued by troops during operations in the Chad basin.

A total of 2, 700 captives were rescued in the last one week.

While 700 were rescued on Tuesday, 2,000 were freed on Thursday morning after intensive artillery and aerial bombardment of the terrorists’ enclaves in the Lake Chad region.

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PSG want answers as Pastore and Cavani miss Cup tie

Javier Pastore

Crack marksman Edinson Cavani and gifted midfielder Javier Pastore will need to provide answers to their tardy returns from Latin America with both men absent from the Paris Saint-Germain squad to face Rennes in the French Cup Sunday.

Sources close to the club say both men face heavy sanctions with Cavani returning two days late Friday and Pastore yet to return.

Cavani said he'd wanted to spend the New Year with his family and had complications booking flights back, and as the club's key striker PSG will be happy he's at least back in Paris.

Pastore told Yahoo sports from Argentina he had personal issues to settle, and adamantly insists the no show has nothing to do with a desire to quit PSG.

"I love Paris and I love PSG," said Pastore, who is said to enjoy the favour of the club's Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi.

"I have some personal issues to settle," said the Argentine international.

"I was the first one to believe in the project," he insisted in reference to his arrival for a fee of 40 million euros in 2011, which opened the floodgates to a host of talent that followed him into the club.

"Believe me I'll always be loyal to this club."

After playing a key role in his first four seasons Pastore played less over the past two seasons before e return to form under Basque coach Unai Emery this season.

"I speak to him a huge amount. When his head is right he's a massive player for us," Emery told AFP on Friday.

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