Global Naija Info

•Fayemi The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has dissociated himself from unscrupulous activities of some individuals who defraud unsuspecting Nigerians, using phony facebook accounts in his name. This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant, Media, to the Minister, Olayinka Oyebode, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja. It said the fraudsters, operating through different phony Facebook accounts with the minister’s photograph, usually use the platforms to advertise fraudulent financial aid programmes, business proposals and other nefarious activities. It said it was imperative to make the announcement to prevent the spread of the obnoxious act and forestall unsuspecting members of the public from falling prey to the criminally-minded individuals. According to the statement, ”Fayemi dissociates himself and his office from any transaction whatsoever on Facebook, WhatsApp or any other social media platform. ”The minister does

Sen. Ahmed Makarfi The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to hold its national convention slated for Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in spite of an interim order stopping the exercise. Prince Dayo Adeyeye, member of PDP National Caretaker Committee in charge of Publicity gave this indication on Monday. Adeyeye said that the party’s attention had been drawn “once again to another act of judicial recklessness’’ by the Honourable Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Okon Abang of the purported suspension of the party convention. He said that a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, had earlier in the day given a clear order on the convention in favour of the party. “A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had earlier in the day given a comprehensive Order wherein the Honourable Judge specifically ordered the PDP to proceed with the convention as scheduled without hindrance “Indeed his lordship while giving the Order mandated all relevant agencies inclu

D’Tigers Nigeria’s D’Tigers on Monday crashed out of the ongoing Rio Olympics men basketball event, losing 69-86 to hosts Brazil. The team showed some signs of exploit in the early minutes of the game but succumbed and never regained its focus from the second quarter of the game. Alade Aminu, Ike Diogu, Uzoh Ben, Chamberlin Oguchi were all at their best as Nigeria dominated proceedings in the first quarter, having led 16-15. The tide turned around in the second quarter when D’Tigers were forced to commit some fouls, leading to free throws which the Brazilians converted. Brazilian point guard Raulzinho Neto, kept D’Tigers on check as the hosts made 18 turnovers against Nigeria’s 11 to rally to a 42-31 lead at the end of the second quarter. D’Tigers came close to stealing the show in the third quarter but the combination of Chicago Bulls Felicio Cristiano and Houston Rockets forward Nene, ensured the Nigerians did not get more opportunities to shoot from the centre. The third qua

The gavel of justice The Katsina State Police Command has arraigned Hamisu Galadima, a primary school teacher, before a senior magistrate’s court for allegedly raping seven girls in Faskari local government area. The police prosecutor, ASP Hashimu Musa, told the court that the suspect was arrested following complaints by the victims’ parents. He said that all the girls were not above nine-years-old. He said that the First Information Report (FIR) indicated that the incident occurred at Tashar-icce village in Faskari local government area. Musa told the court that Galadima lured the girls into an office after school hours and had sexual intercourse with them at different occasions. He said that the girls’ parents reported the case to the police after which the suspect was arrested for investigations. The prosecutor added that the girls were treated at Funtua General Hospital. He said that the offence was punishable under the section 283 of the penal code. The magistrate, Mr Ab

The biological father of Zephany Nurse, Morne Nurse leaves the Cape Town High court A woman who snatched a newborn from a South African maternity ward 19 years ago was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Monday, a source at the Western Cape High Court said. The case has gripped the nation since 2015, when the true identity of teenager Zephany Nurse was publicly confirmed after her kidnapping was revealed through a dramatic twist of fate. The source said that the kidnapper, whose identity has not been revealed, will serve 10 years in prison, after four years of the original 14-year sentence were suspended. The prosecution had asked for 15 years imprison for the 52-year old woman. According to evidence presented during earlier court proceedings, the convict had snatched a baby from her mother while asleep, three days after she gave birth by Cesarean section in Cape Town in 1997. Handing down his sentence, Judge John Hlophe said the accused had shown no remorse after she had “lied a

Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta A yet-to-be identified Nigerian pilgrim has landed in trouble in Saudi Arabia for taking kolanuts to the holy land. The pilgrim, it was learnt, was caught with 10 kolanuts on Monday afternoon. The pilgrim was said to have been fined 10,000 Saudi Riyals, amounting to 1000 Riyals per kolanut. A source who spoke with the acting Ambassador of Nigeria in Saudi Arabia Monday afternoon confirmed the development, saying the Saudi authorities viewed the importation of kolanuts into the Kingdom as illegal. As at the time of filing this report, officials of the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah were still pleading for the pilgrim. Our correspondent gathered that under Saudi law, anyone caught with narcotic drugs will face the death penalty.

A crowd watches as rescuers carry the injured from a bus wreck to a helicopter Monday. At least 33 people were killed Monday when a passenger bus skidded off the road and plunged down a hill in Nepal’s Kavrepalanchok district, authorities said. More than 35 passengers were injured, Deputy Chief District Officer Bhim Kanta Sharma told CNN. They are being airlifted to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, 70 kilometers (44 miles) away by an army team, Sharma said. A helicopter lifts off from the mountainous site of a bus crash in Nepal. The death toll is likely to go up, he said. “Bodies are scattered all over the sloppy hill, so security personnel are having difficulties collecting bodies and rescuing the victims,” Sharma said. The cause of the wreck has not been determined. The bus fell more than 300 meters (about 985 feet) down the hill.

Hajj An Abuja Based Islamic Cleric, Sheik Yahya Al-Yolawi, has admonished Muslims to observe the rites of pilgrimage once in their life time as stipulated by Allah and his messenger. Al-Yolawi, who is also the Chief Imam of Area 10 Abuja Mosque, made the call on Monday in Abuja. He said that hajj is an obligatory duty ordained by Allah on every Muslim who is physically and financially capable, adding that it is compulsory only once during the lifetime of a Muslim. “According to the teaching of Prophet Muhammad, hajj is mandated once and whoever does it more than once, is supererogatory. “Allah says indeed, the first House of worship established for mankind was that at Mecca – blessed and for guidance of the world. “In it are clear signs such as the standing place of prophet Ibrahim. And whoever enters it shall be safe. “And due to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House for whoever is able to find their to a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free

Gov Atiku Bagudu The Kebbi Government on Monday said it would rehabilitate all primary and secondary schools in the state before September when students resume from vacation. Gov. Atiku Bagudu gave the assurance while addressing leaders of Wali community in Argungu Local Government Area of the state. Bagudu said the intervention was part of the administration’s commitment to give every child in the state access to sound and quality education. The governor told the community leaders that the government would construct the Lugga feeder road in Augie Local Government to link up communities in the area. He also promised to rehabilitate the broken down solar water treatment plant in the area. “We also want to commission the village electricity facility to boost social and economic activities in the area,” he added. Earlier, the village head of Wali, Alhaji Garba Wali, said the community had no secondary school, potable water and health facility.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), signing the Property Protection and Neighbourhood Safety Agency Laws flanked by the Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem at the Conference Room, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday. Kazeem Ugbodaga Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday signed into law the Lagos State Properties Protection Bill that recommends 21 years imprisonment for land grabbers across the state. The governor also signed into law The Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Bill to assist the police and other security agencies within the State to maintain law and order across the communities. Ambode signed the two bills into law on Monday at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The governor said the Lagos State Properties Protection Law would give legal backing to the operations of law enforcement officers, saying that the main objective of the law w

Swollen rivers in Louisiana are expected to keep rising Monday as deadly floodwaters have displaced tens of thousands of people and prompted a state of emergency. The floodwaters have claimed at least five lives — one in Tangipahoa Parish, two in East Baton Rouge Parish and two in St. Helena Parish, CNN reports. More than 24 inches of rain have fallen since Wednesday in Livingston, near Baton Rouge, making the disaster an extremely rare weather event, according to the National Weather Service. The statistical chance of such flooding occurring in any given year is 1%, the weather service said. Gov. John Bel Edwards told reporters Sunday that more than 20,000 people had to be rescued from their homes over the weekend. On Sunday night, President Barack Obama granted Edwards’ request for an emergency declaration to assist in response and recovery efforts. So far, the governor has deployed the Louisiana National Guard, which mobilized 1,700 soldiers to assist in search and rescue effort

Hajj Alhaji Abubakar Kaoje, the Sokoto Zonal Coordinator of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), said on Monday that a total of 3,500 pilgrims from the zone had been transported to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj. Kaoje in Sokoto said that the pilgrims, who were directly flown to Medina, were from Sokoto and Zamfara states. He said that they were transported by Max airline from the Sultan Abubakar III, International Airport, Sokoto in seven flights. Kaoje said that about 2,000 of those transported were from Zamfara while 1,500 were from Sokoto state. The coordinator commended intending pilgrims from the zone for their peaceful conduct during screening and departure procedures. He also commended the management of the airline for providing ultra-modern aircraft and keeping to schedule.

Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University. The Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah has supported the recent announcement by the Federal Government, stopping universities from running diploma programmes. Na’Allah said while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin on Monday said that the ban was long overdue. “Everybody in the society knows that degree is for universities and diploma and NCE are for the lower institutions. “It is the statutory responsibility of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education to run diploma courses, therefore, it is necessary to place them in their categories. “This will strengthen the education status of the country. “Universities will solely be focusing on ensuring quality degree and lower level institutions will run the diploma courses more effectively,” Na’Allah said.

Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi has advised farmers and residents in flood-prone areas to vacate their communities due to the impending discharge of water from Bakalori Dam. Bagudu gave the advice in Birnin Kebbi on Monday while speaking to members of the communities living in flood-prone areas in the state. He said that the advice became imperative in view of the plan to release excess water from various dams in the state. The governor, therefore, urged the communities to leave for upland areas in order to forestall the loss of lives and property. “You had better evacuate your farm produce to safer places or take necessary measures to prevent destruction and damages to the crops by the flood,” he said. He assured farmers of the state government’s determination to encourage agricultural production so as to ensure food sufficiency for the citizenry. He promised to provide fertiliser as well as other farm inputs to farmers at affordable prices. A cross

Lukas Podolski quits international football Germany striker Lukas Podolski has announced his retirement from international football. The Polish-born 31-year-old helped his country win the 2014 World Cup, and scored 48 goals in a 129-cap career. An appearance off the bench in the 3-0 win over Slovakia at Euro 2016 was Podolski’s final outing for Germany. Thank you fans❤! 12 years, 129 matches. It was amazing! It was great! It was an honour to be part of " class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #poldi http://pic.twitter.com/sPy7L5AOaB — Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) August 15, 2016 The ex-FC Koln, Bayern Munich and Arsenal player, now at Galatasaray, told German fans, “It was amazing, it was great, and it was an honour.”

Godwin Obaseki, APC governorship candidate for Edo State Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Sept. 10 governorship elections in Edo, says he will introduce e-governance to block areas of waste in running the administration. Obaseki made the commitment in Benin on Monday in an interactive session with voters on the social media. According to him, e-governance will simplify the procedures and processes of government, make the system faster, more transparent and enable the people to contribute to governance. The APC governorship candidate also promised to make Edo the hub of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the country. He said that this would translate into more revenue for the government and massive employment to the youths. The candidate used the event to respond to issues raised by voters via Facebook, twitter, and other social media platforms. The issues were mostly on his plans to tackle challenges in the education sect

NCS Public Relations Officer, Mr Wale Adeniyi. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it generated N385.7 billion revenue from January to June this year. This was against the N438.2 billion generated in the same period in 2015. The NCS Public Relations Officer, Mr Wale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja. Adeniyi said that the service generated N197.7 billion from import duties in cash and generated N203 million from import duty in non-cash receipts as Negotiable Duty Credit Certificate (NDCC). He said that N21.876 billion was generated from excise duty; N910. 995 million from fees; N41. 418 billion from federation account levies and N49. 357 billion from non-federation accounts levies. Adeniyi said that the service generated N74. 282 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT) during the period. He said that the decrease of N525.5 million in the revenue generated was due to the economic recession. “Access to foreign exchange and the drastic fall in the value of naira have also

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Monday, appealed to religious institutions to mobilise their members and resources to fight rising cases of drug abuse and trafficking in the society. Mr Samuel Azinge, the NDLEA Commander in Kaduna State, made the appeal in Kaduna. He noted that the interventions would have a lot of impact due to the powerful influence the institutions’ have in the society. “They present unique opportunities where different categories and segment of the society can easily be reached on topical issues like drug abuse prevention. “As such, they should go beyond the formal approach of moral persuasion to full mobilisation of members and resources to wage a successful war against the menace of drug abuse and trafficking,” he said. According to Azinge, the religious bodies can also help in the provision of recreational facilities for the young and adults, to keep them away from abuse of prohibited substances. He added that they could also establish

The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) says it is sponsoring 29 Nigerians to Japan for their Master’s degree under the Japanese Government Official Development Assistance. A statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Ms Salamatu Baba, Public Relations official of JICA Nigeria, said the beneficiaries would also undergo internship at the completion of their programme. “This Initiative offers opportunities for young and eligible African youths to study at Master’s courses in Japanese universities as international students and also experience internships at Japanese enterprises. “This is in order to develop effective skills and knowledge in various fields, with the aim of contributing to the development of industries in Africa. “This is in fulfilment of a promise made by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development. “Abe promised a strategic five-year plan to provide 1,000 African youths with such master’s scholarship oppo

Kidnapped girls in another video released by Boko Haram The father of one of the Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped from the remote area of Chibok more than two years ago said he recognised his daughter in a video released by Boko Haram on Sunday. A spokesman for the Bring Back Our Girls movement, set up to demand the return of 276 schoolgirls kidnapped in April 2014, said he was “certain” of the identities of 10 other girls seen in the footage. Kanu Yakubu, speaking to reporters in Abuja said, “When I heard her voice, I realised she is my daughter.” He was referring to Maida Yakubu, whom he identifies as the girl seen in the video choking back her tears as she describes an air strike by the Nigerian armed forces. The girl speaks in the Chibok dialect. Abubakar Abdullahi, Bring Back Our Girls spokesman earlier on Sunday said at least one of the girls had been recognised by a member of the movement. The number of girls identified from the video has now risen significantly, he said.

Femi Fani-Kayode Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister has reacted to a comment credited to the factional national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff that he sent people to beg the former Borno Governor for claiming that he was a member of Boko Haram. According to Fani-Kayode in a statement issued on Sunday night, he said, “These are the lies of a desperate and drowning man”. He said Sheriff came to destroy the PDP and that the party acted appropriately by rising up against him with the installation of a caretaker committee. He continued saying, “I am proud to have been the first to see him for what he is and to publicly blow the whistle on him. “I was one of those that led the rebellion against him and orchestrated the campaign to push him out and dump him as the National Chairman of our party and many have thanked me for that including some of those that brought him in the first place and attempted to impose him on us. “The man is of the dev

Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumini The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to quiz a former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, again this week over a petition alleging “fraudulent award” of contracts worth N418m to firms linked to him. The petition, dated July 26, 2016, was written by the Anti-corruption Unit of the National Youth Council of Nigeria. The EFCC acknowledged receipt of the petition on July 29. Jibrin was reported to have been interrogated on Tuesday over allegations relating to N17bn money laundering. Reports have it that the EFCC had concluded arrangements to interrogate the former appropriation committee chairman again this week. An officer, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, said, “Our operatives will before the end of the week, invite him to answer questions relating to the fresh petition.” In the petition, the NYCN stated that in September 2014, the National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displace

Usain Bolt (JAM) celebrates after winning the men’s 100. Usain Bolt (JAM) celebrates after winning the men’s 100. Jamaica’s Usain Bolt on Sunday became the first athlete to win three Olympic 100m titles by edging out American Justin Gatlin to the gold medal at Rio 2016. The 29-year-old Bolt ran 9.81 seconds in his final Olympics to replicate his successes at Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Gatlin, who had been twice banned for doping offences, finished 0.08 seconds behind Bolt to take silver at 9.89. “I expected to go faster, but I’m happy that I won,’’ Bolt said. “I’m here to perform. I did what I had to.’’ Canada’s Andre de Grasse took bronze in a personal best of 9.91, ahead of Bolt’s Jamaican team-mate Yohan Blake. Bolt remains on target to leave Rio with a third successive Olympic treble after winning the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay titles in 2008 and 2012. The world record holder had said in February he would retire from athletics after the 2017 World Championships. “Som

Great Britain’s Justin Rose became golf’s first Olympic champion since 1904 by beating Henrik Stenson to gold in a thrilling final round at Rio 2016. Rose, 36, was level with Stenson on 15-under par after 17 holes but the Swede bogeyed the last while Rose sank a birdie putt to win by two shots. The 2013 US Open champion closed with a four-under-par 67 to win on 16-under. Open champion Stenson (68) took silver, with American Matt Kuchar carding a 63 to claim bronze on 13-under. “That felt better than anything I’ve ever won. It was the best tournament I’ve ever done,” said Rose. “Hopefully we’ve shown Brazil what golf is about. I’m glad it was close. Not for my nerves, but for golf.” It was the perfect outcome following the realisation of a seven-year dream for Rose, who secured Britain’s 12th gold medal in Rio. Several other high-profile golfers had decided not to compete at the Olympics, but Rose had relished the prospect of becoming an Olympian. This had been since the moment

Andy Murray Britain’s Andy Murray became the first tennis player to win two Olympic singles titles by beating Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro on Sunday in Rio. An emotional 29-year-old Murray secured a thrilling 7-5 4-6 6-2 7-5 victory to make it Great Britain’s most successful day at an overseas Games with five gold medals. The see-saw match featured 14 breaks of serve in front of a raucous crowd. Murray’s win comes five weeks after he claimed his second Wimbledon title and four years after London 2012 success. Both men looked exhausted in the fourth set of a gruelling four-hour contest, and Murray broke down in tears when he finished off a gritty and determined Del Potro. The crowd on Centre Court were boisterous throughout, with plenty of Argentine support for Del Potro, although emotions did spill over near the climax when two fans were ejected. Murray said the final was one of the toughest he had played in, and cast doubt on the possibility of him winning a third gold i

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State Kano state government is to construct a waste recycling company, to be named Shara Dukiya Nigeria Ltd., at the cost of 100 million USD (about N36 billion) at Kawo, in Gabasawa local government area of the state, the state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje has revealed. During the foundation laying ceremony of the project, which literally means “Waste is Wealth Nigeria Ltd.”, Governor Ganduje explained that it would be executed under a public/private partnership with Waste Services International of Malta and City Central Group of Companies, a Lagos based company. “Under this collaboration, government is to provide the site and continue to support the company with necessary assistance to ensure the sustainability of the programme thus representing 40% of the partnership contribution” the governor stated. He added that “on their part, the two companies are to provide part funding for the manufacture, delivery and installation of the plants in a

Usain Bolt Jamaica’s Usain Bolt on Sunday became the first athlete to win three Olympic 100m titles by edging out American Justin Gatlin to the gold medal at Rio 2016. The 29-year-old Bolt ran 9.81 seconds in his final Olympics to replicate his successes at Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Gatlin, who had been twice banned for doping offences, finished 0.08 seconds behind Bolt to take silver at 9.89. “I expected to go faster, but I’m happy that I won,” Bolt said. “I’m here to perform. I did what I had to.” Canada’s Andre de Grasse took bronze in a personal best of 9.91, ahead of Bolt’s Jamaican team-mate Yohan Blake. Bolt remains on target to leave Rio with a third successive Olympic treble after winning the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay titles in 2008 and 2012. The world record holder had said in February he would retire from athletics after the 2017 World Championships. “Somebody said I can become immortal. Two more medals to go and I can sign off immortal,” he said. Bolt was s